South Africa: Social Development joins communities to combat drug abuse

The Department of Social Development on Monday engaged with residents of Randfontein, whose lives are affected by the high prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse.

The engagement served as a commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to highlight the socio-economic problems associated with substance abuse.

This years International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed under the theme, Leave no one behind: Availability, affordability and access to prevention and treatment services.

This day is also referred to as World Drug Day, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.

Speaking at the community engagement, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said the day serves as a call for everyone to unite in the fight of alcohol and drug abuse.

This day serves as a call for all of us to unite and join hands beyond race, class, colour or ethnic group, and play our part in the fight against alcohol, drugs and any other illegal substances that negatively affect our country.

This theme calls upon all South Africans, including policy makers, social workers and rehabilitation centres to avail themselves in the fight against substance abuse, Zulu said.

The Minister said the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) is not the sole responsibility of the Department of Social Development, but rather a collaborative effort with other organs of State, including civil society organisations and the rest of society.

We are implementing the National Drug Master Plan 2019 - 2024, which reflects the countrys response to the substance abuse problem.

We are here to be reminded that it is not okay to judge and label people who are battling addiction because we are all battling with some sort of addiction, Zulu said.

Last week, the department visited the port of Durban to teach Social Development officials about maritime drug trafficking.

In the same week, border police officers attached to the Ngqura sea port seized 32 blocks of cocaine with a street value of R12.8 million. The drugs were found stashed in an empty cargo container. The container was due to be transported from South Africa to the United Arab Emirates.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Introduction

I wanted a text that would bring together the ideas behind many of the more recent distributed systems - systems such as Amazon's Dynamo, Google's BigTable and MapReduce, Apache's Hadoop and so on.

In this text I've tried to provide a more accessible introduction to distributed systems. To me, that means two things: introducing the key concepts that you will need in order to have a good time reading more serious texts, and providing a narrative that covers things in enough detail that you get a gist of what's going on without getting stuck on details. It's 2013, you've got the Internet, and you can selectively read more about the topics you find most interesting.

In my view, much of distributed programming is about dealing with the implications of two consequences of distribution:

that information travels at the speed of light

that independent things fail independently*

In other words, that the core of distributed programming is dealing with distance (duh!) and having more than one thing (duh!). These constraints define a space of possible system designs, and my hope is that after reading this you'll have a better sense of how distance, time and consistency models interact.

This text is focused on distributed programming and systems concepts you'll need to understand commercial systems in the data center. It would be madness to attempt to cover everything. You'll learn many key protocols and algorithms (covering, for example, many of the most cited papers in the discipline), including some new exciting ways to look at eventual consistency that haven't still made it into college textbooks - such as CRDTs and the CALM theorem.

I hope you like it! If you want to say thanks, follow me on Github (or Twitter). And if you spot an error, file a pull request on Github.

1. Basics

The first chapter covers distributed systems at a high level by introducing a number of important terms and concepts. It covers high level goals, such as scalability, availability, performance, latency and fault tolerance; how those are hard to achieve, and how abstractions and models as well as partitioning and replication come into play.

2. Up and down the level of abstraction

The second chapter dives deeper into abstractions and impossibility results. It starts with a Nietzsche quote, and then introduces system models and the many assumptions that are made in a typical system model. It then discusses the CAP theorem and summarizes the FLP impossibility result. It then turns to the implications of the CAP theorem, one of which is that one ought to explore other consistency models. A number of consistency models are then discussed.

3. Time and order

A big part of understanding distributed systems is about understanding time and order. To the extent that we fail to understand and model time, our systems will fail. The third chapter discusses time and order, and clocks as well as the various uses of time, order and clocks (such as vector clocks and failure detectors).

4. Replication: preventing divergence

The fourth chapter introduces the replication problem, and the two basic ways in which it can be performed. It turns out that most of the relevant characteristics can be discussed with just this simple characterization. Then, replication methods for maintaining single-copy consistency are discussed from the least fault tolerant (2PC) to Paxos.

5. Replication: accepting divergence

The fifth chapter discussed replication with weak consistency guarantees. It introduces a basic reconciliation scenario, where partitioned replicas attempt to reach agreement. It then discusses Amazon's Dynamo as an example of a system design with weak consistency guarantees. Finally, two perspectives on disorderly programming are discussed: CRDTs and the CALM theorem.

Appendix

The appendix covers recommendations for further reading.

1. Distributed systems at a high level

Distributed programming is the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers.

There are two basic tasks that any computer system needs to accomplish:

storage and

computation

Distributed programming is the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers - usually, because the problem no longer fits on a single computer.

Nothing really demands that you use distributed systems. Given infinite money and infinite R&D time, we wouldn't need distributed systems. All computation and storage could be done on a magic box - a single, incredibly fast and incredibly reliable system that you pay someone else to design for you.

However, few people have infinite resources. Hence, they have to find the right place on some real-world cost-benefit curve. At a small scale, upgrading hardware is a viable strategy. However, as problem sizes increase you will reach a point where either the hardware upgrade that allows you to solve the problem on a single node does not exist, or becomes cost-prohibitive. At that point, I welcome you to the world of distributed systems.

It is a current reality that the best value is in mid-range, commodity hardware - as long as the maintenance costs can be kept down through fault-tolerant software.

Computations primarily benefit from high-end hardware to the extent to which they can replace slow network accesses with internal memory accesses. The performance advantage of high-end hardware is limited in tasks that require large amounts of communication between nodes.

As the figure above from Barroso, Clidaras & Holzle shows, the performance gap between high-end and commodity hardware decreases with cluster size assuming a uniform memory access pattern across all nodes.

Ideally, adding a new machine would increase the performance and capacity of the system linearly. But of course this is not possible, because there is some overhead that arises due to having separate computers. Data needs to be copied around, computation tasks have to be coordinated and so on. This is why it's worthwhile to study distributed algorithms - they provide efficient solutions to specific problems, as well as guidance about what is possible, what the minimum cost of a correct implementation is, and what is impossible.

The focus of this text is on distributed programming and systems in a mundane, but commercially relevant setting: the data center. For example, I will not discuss specialized problems that arise from having an exotic network configuration, or that arise in a shared-memory setting. Additionally, the focus is on exploring the system design space rather than on optimizing any specific design - the latter is a topic for a much more specialized text.

What we want to achieve: Scalability and other good things

The way I see it, everything starts with the need to deal with size.

Most things are trivial at a small scale - and the same problem becomes much harder once you surpass a certain size, volume or other physically constrained thing. It's easy to lift a piece of chocolate, it's hard to lift a mountain. It's easy to count how many people are in a room, and hard to count how many people are in a country.

So everything starts with size - scalability. Informally speaking, in a scalable system as we move from small to large, things should not get incrementally worse. Here's another definition:

Scalability is the ability of a system, network, or process, to handle a growing amount of work in a capable manner or its ability to be enlarged to accommodate that growth.

What is it that is growing? Well, you can measure growth in almost any terms (number of people, electricity usage etc.). But there are three particularly interesting things to look at:

Size scalability: adding more nodes should make the system linearly faster; growing the dataset should not increase latency

Geographic scalability: it should be possible to use multiple data centers to reduce the time it takes to respond to user queries, while dealing with cross-data center latency in some sensible manner.

Administrative scalability: adding more nodes should not increase the administrative costs of the system (e.g. the administrators-to-machines ratio).

Of course, in a real system growth occurs on multiple different axes simultaneously; each metric captures just some aspect of growth.

A scalable system is one that continues to meet the needs of its users as scale increases. There are two particularly relevant aspects - performance and availability - which can be measured in various ways.

Performance (and latency)

Performance is characterized by the amount of useful work accomplished by a computer system compared to the time and resources used.

Depending on the context, this may involve achieving one or more of the following:

Short response time/low latency for a given piece of work

High throughput (rate of processing work)

Low utilization of computing resource(s)

There are tradeoffs involved in optimizing for any of these outcomes. For example, a system may achieve a higher throughput by processing larger batches of work thereby reducing operation overhead. The tradeoff would be longer response times for individual pieces of work due to batching.

I find that low latency - achieving a short response time - is the most interesting aspect of performance, because it has a strong connection with physical (rather than financial) limitations. It is harder to address latency using financial resources than the other aspects of performance.

There are a lot of really specific definitions for latency, but I really like the idea that the etymology of the word evokes:

Latency The state of being latent; delay, a period between the initiation of something and the occurrence.

And what does it mean to be "latent"?

Latent From Latin latens, latentis, present participle of lateo ("lie hidden"). Existing or present but concealed or inactive.

This definition is pretty cool, because it highlights how latency is really the time between when something happened and the time it has an impact or becomes visible.

For example, imagine that you are infected with an airborne virus that turns people into zombies. The latent period is the time between when you became infected, and when you turn into a zombie. That's latency: the time during which something that has already happened is concealed from view.

Let's assume for a moment that our distributed system does just one high-level task: given a query, it takes all of the data in the system and calculates a single result. In other words, think of a distributed system as a data store with the ability to run a single deterministic computation (function) over its current content:

result = query(all data in the system)

Then, what matters for latency is not the amount of old data, but rather the speed at which new data "takes effect" in the system. For example, latency could be measured in terms of how long it takes for a write to become visible to readers.

The other key point based on this definition is that if nothing happens, there is no "latent period". A system in which data doesn't change doesn't (or shouldn't) have a latency problem.

In a distributed system, there is a minimum latency that cannot be overcome: the speed of light limits how fast information can travel, and hardware components have a minimum latency cost incurred per operation (think RAM and hard drives but also CPUs).

How much that minimum latency impacts your queries depends on the nature of those queries and the physical distance the information needs to travel.

Availability (and fault tolerance)

The second aspect of a scalable system is availability.

Availability the proportion of time a system is in a functioning condition. If a user cannot access the system, it is said to be unavailable.

Distributed systems allow us to achieve desirable characteristics that would be hard to accomplish on a single system. For example, a single machine cannot tolerate any failures since it either fails or doesn't.

Distributed systems can take a bunch of unreliable components, and build a reliable system on top of them.

Systems that have no redundancy can only be as available as their underlying components. Systems built with redundancy can be tolerant of partial failures and thus be more available. It is worth noting that "redundant" can mean different things depending on what you look at - components, servers, datacenters and so on.

Formulaically, availability is: Availability = uptime / (uptime + downtime) .

Availability from a technical perspective is mostly about being fault tolerant. Because the probability of a failure occurring increases with the number of components, the system should be able to compensate so as to not become less reliable as the number of components increases.

For example:

Availability % How much downtime is allowed per year? 90% ("one nine") More than a month 99% ("two nines") Less than 4 days 99.9% ("three nines") Less than 9 hours 99.99% ("four nines") Less than an hour 99.999% ("five nines") ~ 5 minutes 99.9999% ("six nines") ~ 31 seconds

Availability is in some sense a much wider concept than uptime, since the availability of a service can also be affected by, say, a network outage or the company owning the service going out of business (which would be a factor which is not really relevant to fault tolerance but would still influence the availability of the system). But without knowing every single specific aspect of the system, the best we can do is design for fault tolerance.

What does it mean to be fault tolerant?

Fault tolerance ability of a system to behave in a well-defined manner once faults occur

Fault tolerance boils down to this: define what faults you expect and then design a system or an algorithm that is tolerant of them. You can't tolerate faults you haven't considered.

What prevents us from achieving good things?

Distributed systems are constrained by two physical factors:

the number of nodes (which increases with the required storage and computation capacity)

the distance between nodes (information travels, at best, at the speed of light)

Working within those constraints:

an increase in the number of independent nodes increases the probability of failure in a system (reducing availability and increasing administrative costs)

an increase in the number of independent nodes may increase the need for communication between nodes (reducing performance as scale increases)

an increase in geographic distance increases the minimum latency for communication between distant nodes (reducing performance for certain operations)

Beyond these tendencies - which are a result of the physical constraints - is the world of system design options.

Both performance and availability are defined by the external guarantees the system makes. On a high level, you can think of the guarantees as the SLA (service level agreement) for the system: if I write data, how quickly can I access it elsewhere? After the data is written, what guarantees do I have of durability? If I ask the system to run a computation, how quickly will it return results? When components fail, or are taken out of operation, what impact will this have on the system?

There is another criterion, which is not explicitly mentioned but implied: intelligibility. How understandable are the guarantees that are made? Of course, there are no simple metrics for what is intelligible.

I was kind of tempted to put "intelligibility" under physical limitations. After all, it is a hardware limitation in people that we have a hard time understanding anything that involves more moving things than we have fingers. That's the difference between an error and an anomaly - an error is incorrect behavior, while an anomaly is unexpected behavior. If you were smarter, you'd expect the anomalies to occur.

Abstractions and models

This is where abstractions and models come into play. Abstractions make things more manageable by removing real-world aspects that are not relevant to solving a problem. Models describe the key properties of a distributed system in a precise manner. I'll discuss many kinds of models in the next chapter, such as:

System model (asynchronous / synchronous)

Failure model (crash-fail, partitions, Byzantine)

Consistency model (strong, eventual)

A good abstraction makes working with a system easier to understand, while capturing the factors that are relevant for a particular purpose.

There is a tension between the reality that there are many nodes and with our desire for systems that "work like a single system". Often, the most familiar model (for example, implementing a shared memory abstraction on a distributed system) is too expensive.

A system that makes weaker guarantees has more freedom of action, and hence potentially greater performance - but it is also potentially hard to reason about. People are better at reasoning about systems that work like a single system, rather than a collection of nodes.

One can often gain performance by exposing more details about the internals of the system. For example, in columnar storage, the user can (to some extent) reason about the locality of the key-value pairs within the system and hence make decisions that influence the performance of typical queries. Systems which hide these kinds of details are easier to understand (since they act more like single unit, with fewer details to think about), while systems that expose more real-world details may be more performant (because they correspond more closely to reality).

Several types of failures make writing distributed systems that act like a single system difficult. Network latency and network partitions (e.g. total network failure between some nodes) mean that a system needs to sometimes make hard choices about whether it is better to stay available but lose some crucial guarantees that cannot be enforced, or to play it safe and refuse clients when these types of failures occur.

The CAP theorem - which I will discuss in the next chapter - captures some of these tensions. In the end, the ideal system meets both programmer needs (clean semantics) and business needs (availability/consistency/latency).

Design techniques: partition and replicate

The manner in which a data set is distributed between multiple nodes is very important. In order for any computation to happen, we need to locate the data and then act on it.

There are two basic techniques that can be applied to a data set. It can be split over multiple nodes (partitioning) to allow for more parallel processing. It can also be copied or cached on different nodes to reduce the distance between the client and the server and for greater fault tolerance (replication).

Divide and conquer - I mean, partition and replicate.

The picture below illustrates the difference between these two: partitioned data (A and B below) is divided into independent sets, while replicated data (C below) is copied to multiple locations.

This is the one-two punch for solving any problem where distributed computing plays a role. Of course, the trick is in picking the right technique for your concrete implementation; there are many algorithms that implement replication and partitioning, each with different limitations and advantages which need to be assessed against your design objectives.

Partitioning

Partitioning is dividing the dataset into smaller distinct independent sets; this is used to reduce the impact of dataset growth since each partition is a subset of the data.

Partitioning improves performance by limiting the amount of data to be examined and by locating related data in the same partition

Partitioning improves availability by allowing partitions to fail independently, increasing the number of nodes that need to fail before availability is sacrificed

Partitioning is also very much application-specific, so it is hard to say much about it without knowing the specifics. That's why the focus is on replication in most texts, including this one.

Partitioning is mostly about defining your partitions based on what you think the primary access pattern will be, and dealing with the limitations that come from having independent partitions (e.g. inefficient access across partitions, different rate of growth etc.).

Replication

Replication is making copies of the same data on multiple machines; this allows more servers to take part in the computation.

Let me inaccurately quote Homer J. Simpson:

To replication! The cause of, and solution to all of life's problems.

Replication - copying or reproducing something - is the primary way in which we can fight latency.

Replication improves performance by making additional computing power and bandwidth applicable to a new copy of the data

Replication improves availability by creating additional copies of the data, increasing the number of nodes that need to fail before availability is sacrificed

Replication is about providing extra bandwidth, and caching where it counts. It is also about maintaining consistency in some way according to some consistency model.

Replication allows us to achieve scalability, performance and fault tolerance. Afraid of loss of availability or reduced performance? Replicate the data to avoid a bottleneck or single point of failure. Slow computation? Replicate the computation on multiple systems. Slow I/O? Replicate the data to a local cache to reduce latency or onto multiple machines to increase throughput.

Replication is also the source of many of the problems, since there are now independent copies of the data that has to be kept in sync on multiple machines - this means ensuring that the replication follows a consistency model.

The choice of a consistency model is crucial: a good consistency model provides clean semantics for programmers (in other words, the properties it guarantees are easy to reason about) and meets business/design goals such as high availability or strong consistency.

Only one consistency model for replication - strong consistency - allows you to program as-if the underlying data was not replicated. Other consistency models expose some internals of the replication to the programmer. However, weaker consistency models can provide lower latency and higher availability - and are not necessarily harder to understand, just different.

Further reading

2. Up and down the level of abstraction

In this chapter, we'll travel up and down the level of abstraction, look at some impossibility results (CAP and FLP), and then travel back down for the sake of performance.

If you've done any programming, the idea of levels of abstraction is probably familiar to you. You'll always work at some level of abstraction, interface with a lower level layer through some API, and probably provide some higher-level API or user interface to your users. The seven-layer OSI model of computer networking is a good example of this.

Distributed programming is, I'd assert, in large part dealing with consequences of distribution (duh!). That is, there is a tension between the reality that there are many nodes and with our desire for systems that "work like a single system". That means finding a good abstraction that balances what is possible with what is understandable and performant.

What do we mean when say X is more abstract than Y? First, that X does not introduce anything new or fundamentally different from Y. In fact, X may remove some aspects of Y or present them in a way that makes them more manageable. Second, that X is in some sense easier to grasp than Y, assuming that the things that X removed from Y are not important to the matter at hand.

As Nietzsche wrote:

Every concept originates through our equating what is unequal. No leaf ever wholly equals another, and the concept "leaf" is formed through an arbitrary abstraction from these individual differences, through forgetting the distinctions; and now it gives rise to the idea that in nature there might be something besides the leaves which would be "leaf" - some kind of original form after which all leaves have been woven, marked, copied, colored, curled, and painted, but by unskilled hands, so that no copy turned out to be a correct, reliable, and faithful image of the original form.

Abstractions, fundamentally, are fake. Every situation is unique, as is every node. But abstractions make the world manageable: simpler problem statements - free of reality - are much more analytically tractable and provided that we did not ignore anything essential, the solutions are widely applicable.

Indeed, if the things that we kept around are essential, then the results we can derive will be widely applicable. This is why impossibility results are so important: they take the simplest possible formulation of a problem, and demonstrate that it is impossible to solve within some set of constraints or assumptions.

All abstractions ignore something in favor of equating things that are in reality unique. The trick is to get rid of everything that is not essential. How do you know what is essential? Well, you probably won't know a priori.

Every time we exclude some aspect of a system from our specification of the system, we risk introducing a source of error and/or a performance issue. That's why sometimes we need to go in the other direction, and selectively introduce some aspects of real hardware and the real-world problem back. It may be sufficient to reintroduce some specific hardware characteristics (e.g. physical sequentiality) or other physical characteristics to get a system that performs well enough.

With this in mind, what is the least amount of reality we can keep around while still working with something that is still recognizable as a distributed system? A system model is a specification of the characteristics we consider important; having specified one, we can then take a look at some impossibility results and challenges.

A system model

A key property of distributed systems is distribution. More specifically, programs in a distributed system:

run concurrently on independent nodes ...

are connected by a network that may introduce nondeterminism and message loss ...

and have no shared memory or shared clock.

There are many implications:

each node executes a program concurrently

knowledge is local: nodes have fast access only to their local state, and any information about global state is potentially out of date

nodes can fail and recover from failure independently

messages can be delayed or lost (independent of node failure; it is not easy to distinguish network failure and node failure)

and clocks are not synchronized across nodes (local timestamps do not correspond to the global real time order, which cannot be easily observed)

A system model enumerates the many assumptions associated with a particular system design.

System model a set of assumptions about the environment and facilities on which a distributed system is implemented

System models vary in their assumptions about the environment and facilities. These assumptions include:

what capabilities the nodes have and how they may fail

how communication links operate and how they may fail and

properties of the overall system, such as assumptions about time and order

A robust system model is one that makes the weakest assumptions: any algorithm written for such a system is very tolerant of different environments, since it makes very few and very weak assumptions.

On the other hand, we can create a system model that is easy to reason about by making strong assumptions. For example, assuming that nodes do not fail means that our algorithm does not need to handle node failures. However, such a system model is unrealistic and hence hard to apply into practice.

Let's look at the properties of nodes, links and time and order in more detail.

Nodes in our system model

Nodes serve as hosts for computation and storage. They have:

the ability to execute a program

the ability to store data into volatile memory (which can be lost upon failure) and into stable state (which can be read after a failure)

a clock (which may or may not be assumed to be accurate)

Nodes execute deterministic algorithms: the local computation, the local state after the computation, and the messages sent are determined uniquely by the message received and local state when the message was received.

There are many possible failure models which describe the ways in which nodes can fail. In practice, most systems assume a crash-recovery failure model: that is, nodes can only fail by crashing, and can (possibly) recover after crashing at some later point.

Another alternative is to assume that nodes can fail by misbehaving in any arbitrary way. This is known as Byzantine fault tolerance. Byzantine faults are rarely handled in real world commercial systems, because algorithms resilient to arbitrary faults are more expensive to run and more complex to implement. I will not discuss them here.

Communication links connect individual nodes to each other, and allow messages to be sent in either direction. Many books that discuss distributed algorithms assume that there are individual links between each pair of nodes, that the links provide FIFO (first in, first out) order for messages, that they can only deliver messages that were sent, and that sent messages can be lost.

Some algorithms assume that the network is reliable: that messages are never lost and never delayed indefinitely. This may be a reasonable assumption for some real-world settings, but in general it is preferable to consider the network to be unreliable and subject to message loss and delays.

A network partition occurs when the network fails while the nodes themselves remain operational. When this occurs, messages may be lost or delayed until the network partition is repaired. Partitioned nodes may be accessible by some clients, and so must be treated differently from crashed nodes. The diagram below illustrates a node failure vs. a network partition:

It is rare to make further assumptions about communication links. We could assume that links only work in one direction, or we could introduce different communication costs (e.g. latency due to physical distance) for different links. However, these are rarely concerns in commercial environments except for long-distance links (WAN latency) and so I will not discuss them here; a more detailed model of costs and topology allows for better optimization at the cost of complexity.

Timing / ordering assumptions

One of the consequences of physical distribution is that each node experiences the world in a unique manner. This is inescapable, because information can only travel at the speed of light. If nodes are at different distances from each other, then any messages sent from one node to the others will arrive at a different time and potentially in a different order at the other nodes.

Timing assumptions are a convenient shorthand for capturing assumptions about the extent to which we take this reality into account. The two main alternatives are:

Synchronous system model Processes execute in lock-step; there is a known upper bound on message transmission delay; each process has an accurate clock Asynchronous system model No timing assumptions - e.g. processes execute at independent rates; there is no bound on message transmission delay; useful clocks do not exist

The synchronous system model imposes many constraints on time and order. It essentially assumes that the nodes have the same experience: that messages that are sent are always received within a particular maximum transmission delay, and that processes execute in lock-step. This is convenient, because it allows you as the system designer to make assumptions about time and order, while the asynchronous system model doesn't.

Asynchronicity is a non-assumption: it just assumes that you can't rely on timing (or a "time sensor").

It is easier to solve problems in the synchronous system model, because assumptions about execution speeds, maximum message transmission delays and clock accuracy all help in solving problems since you can make inferences based on those assumptions and rule out inconvenient failure scenarios by assuming they never occur.

Of course, assuming the synchronous system model is not particularly realistic. Real-world networks are subject to failures and there are no hard bounds on message delay. Real world systems are at best partially synchronous: they may occasionally work correctly and provide some upper bounds, but there will be times where messages are delayed indefinitely and clocks are out of sync. I won't really discuss algorithms for synchronous systems here, but you will probably run into them in many other introductory books because they are analytically easier (but unrealistic).

The consensus problem

During the rest of this text, we'll vary the parameters of the system model. Next, we'll look at how varying two system properties:

whether or not network partitions are included in the failure model, and

synchronous vs. asynchronous timing assumptions

influence the system design choices by discussing two impossibility results (FLP and CAP).

Of course, in order to have a discussion, we also need to introduce a problem to solve. The problem I'm going to discuss is the consensus problem.

Several computers (or nodes) achieve consensus if they all agree on some value. More formally:

Agreement: Every correct process must agree on the same value. Integrity: Every correct process decides at most one value, and if it decides some value, then it must have been proposed by some process. Termination: All processes eventually reach a decision. Validity: If all correct processes propose the same value V, then all correct processes decide V.

The consensus problem is at the core of many commercial distributed systems. After all, we want the reliability and performance of a distributed system without having to deal with the consequences of distribution (e.g. disagreements / divergence between nodes), and solving the consensus problem makes it possible to solve several related, more advanced problems such as atomic broadcast and atomic commit.

Two impossibility results

The first impossibility result, known as the FLP impossibility result, is an impossibility result that is particularly relevant to people who design distributed algorithms. The second - the CAP theorem - is a related result that is more relevant to practitioners; people who need to choose between different system designs but who are not directly concerned with the design of algorithms.

The FLP impossibility result

I will only briefly summarize the FLP impossibility result, though it is considered to be more important in academic circles. The FLP impossibility result (named after the authors, Fischer, Lynch and Patterson) examines the consensus problem under the asynchronous system model (technically, the agreement problem, which is a very weak form of the consensus problem). It is assumed that nodes can only fail by crashing; that the network is reliable, and that the typical timing assumptions of the asynchronous system model hold: e.g. there are no bounds on message delay.

Under these assumptions, the FLP result states that "there does not exist a (deterministic) algorithm for the consensus problem in an asynchronous system subject to failures, even if messages can never be lost, at most one process may fail, and it can only fail by crashing (stopping executing)".

This result means that there is no way to solve the consensus problem under a very minimal system model in a way that cannot be delayed forever. The argument is that if such an algorithm existed, then one could devise an execution of that algorithm in which it would remain undecided ("bivalent") for an arbitrary amount of time by delaying message delivery - which is allowed in the asynchronous system model. Thus, such an algorithm cannot exist.

This impossibility result is important because it highlights that assuming the asynchronous system model leads to a tradeoff: algorithms that solve the consensus problem must either give up safety or liveness when the guarantees regarding bounds on message delivery do not hold.

This insight is particularly relevant to people who design algorithms, because it imposes a hard constraint on the problems that we know are solvable in the asynchronous system model. The CAP theorem is a related theorem that is more relevant to practitioners: it makes slightly different assumptions (network failures rather than node failures), and has more clear implications for practitioners choosing between system designs.

The CAP theorem

The CAP theorem was initially a conjecture made by computer scientist Eric Brewer. It's a popular and fairly useful way to think about tradeoffs in the guarantees that a system design makes. It even has a formal proof by Gilbert and Lynch and no, Nathan Marz didn't debunk it, in spite of what a particular discussion site thinks.

The theorem states that of these three properties:

Consistency: all nodes see the same data at the same time.

Availability: node failures do not prevent survivors from continuing to operate.

Partition tolerance: the system continues to operate despite message loss due to network and/or node failure

only two can be satisfied simultaneously. We can even draw this as a pretty diagram, picking two properties out of three gives us three types of systems that correspond to different intersections:

Note that the theorem states that the middle piece (having all three properties) is not achievable. Then we get three different system types:

CA (consistency + availability). Examples include full strict quorum protocols, such as two-phase commit.

CP (consistency + partition tolerance). Examples include majority quorum protocols in which minority partitions are unavailable such as Paxos.

AP (availability + partition tolerance). Examples include protocols using conflict resolution, such as Dynamo.

The CA and CP system designs both offer the same consistency model: strong consistency. The only difference is that a CA system cannot tolerate any node failures; a CP system can tolerate up to f faults given 2f+1 nodes in a non-Byzantine failure model (in other words, it can tolerate the failure of a minority f of the nodes as long as majority f+1 stays up). The reason is simple:

A CA system does not distinguish between node failures and network failures, and hence must stop accepting writes everywhere to avoid introducing divergence (multiple copies). It cannot tell whether a remote node is down, or whether just the network connection is down: so the only safe thing is to stop accepting writes.

A CP system prevents divergence (e.g. maintains single-copy consistency) by forcing asymmetric behavior on the two sides of the partition. It only keeps the majority partition around, and requires the minority partition to become unavailable (e.g. stop accepting writes), which retains a degree of availability (the majority partition) and still ensures single-copy consistency.

I'll discuss this in more detail in the chapter on replication when I discuss Paxos. The important thing is that CP systems incorporate network partitions into their failure model and distinguish between a majority partition and a minority partition using an algorithm like Paxos, Raft or viewstamped replication. CA systems are not partition-aware, and are historically more common: they often use the two-phase commit algorithm and are common in traditional distributed relational databases.

Assuming that a partition occurs, the theorem reduces to a binary choice between availability and consistency.

I think there are four conclusions that should be drawn from the CAP theorem:

First, that many system designs used in early distributed relational database systems did not take into account partition tolerance (e.g. they were CA designs). Partition tolerance is an important property for modern systems, since network partitions become much more likely if the system is geographically distributed (as many large systems are).

Second, that there is a tension between strong consistency and high availability during network partitions. The CAP theorem is an illustration of the tradeoffs that occur between strong guarantees and distributed computation.

In some sense, it is quite crazy to promise that a distributed system consisting of independent nodes connected by an unpredictable network "behaves in a way that is indistinguishable from a non-distributed system".

Strong consistency guarantees require us to give up availability during a partition. This is because one cannot prevent divergence between two replicas that cannot communicate with each other while continuing to accept writes on both sides of the partition.

How can we work around this? By strengthening the assumptions (assume no partitions) or by weakening the guarantees. Consistency can be traded off against availability (and the related capabilities of offline accessibility and low latency). If "consistency" is defined as something less than "all nodes see the same data at the same time" then we can have both availability and some (weaker) consistency guarantee.

Third, that there is a tension between strong consistency and performance in normal operation.

Strong consistency / single-copy consistency requires that nodes communicate and agree on every operation. This results in high latency during normal operation.

If you can live with a consistency model other than the classic one, a consistency model that allows replicas to lag or to diverge, then you can reduce latency during normal operation and maintain availability in the presence of partitions.

When fewer messages and fewer nodes are involved, an operation can complete faster. But the only way to accomplish that is to relax the guarantees: let some of the nodes be contacted less frequently, which means that nodes can contain old data.

This also makes it possible for anomalies to occur. You are no longer guaranteed to get the most recent value. Depending on what kinds of guarantees are made, you might read a value that is older than expected, or even lose some updates.

Fourth - and somewhat indirectly - that if we do not want to give up availability during a network partition, then we need to explore whether consistency models other than strong consistency are workable for our purposes.

For example, even if user data is georeplicated to multiple datacenters, and the link between those two datacenters is temporarily out of order, in many cases we'll still want to allow the user to use the website / service. This means reconciling two divergent sets of data later on, which is both a technical challenge and a business risk. But often both the technical challenge and the business risk are manageable, and so it is preferable to provide high availability.

Consistency and availability are not really binary choices, unless you limit yourself to strong consistency. But strong consistency is just one consistency model: the one where you, by necessity, need to give up availability in order to prevent more than a single copy of the data from being active. As Brewer himself points out, the "2 out of 3" interpretation is misleading.

If you take away just one idea from this discussion, let it be this: "consistency" is not a singular, unambiguous property. Remember:

ACID consistency !=

CAP consistency !=

Oatmeal consistency

Instead, a consistency model is a guarantee - any guarantee - that a data store gives to programs that use it.

Consistency model a contract between programmer and system, wherein the system guarantees that if the programmer follows some specific rules, the results of operations on the data store will be predictable

The "C" in CAP is "strong consistency", but "consistency" is not a synonym for "strong consistency".

Let's take a look at some alternative consistency models.

Strong consistency vs. other consistency models

Consistency models can be categorized into two types: strong and weak consistency models:

Strong consistency models (capable of maintaining a single copy) Linearizable consistency Sequential consistency

Weak consistency models (not strong) Client-centric consistency models Causal consistency: strongest model available Eventual consistency models



Strong consistency models guarantee that the apparent order and visibility of updates is equivalent to a non-replicated system. Weak consistency models, on the other hand, do not make such guarantees.

Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. Again, consistency models are just arbitrary contracts between the programmer and system, so they can be almost anything.

Strong consistency models

Strong consistency models can further be divided into two similar, but slightly different consistency models:

Linearizable consistency: Under linearizable consistency, all operations appear to have executed atomically in an order that is consistent with the global real-time ordering of operations. (Herlihy & Wing, 1991)

to have executed atomically in an order that is consistent with the global real-time ordering of operations. (Herlihy & Wing, 1991) Sequential consistency: Under sequential consistency, all operations appear to have executed atomically in some order that is consistent with the order seen at individual nodes and that is equal at all nodes. (Lamport, 1979)

The key difference is that linearizable consistency requires that the order in which operations take effect is equal to the actual real-time ordering of operations. Sequential consistency allows for operations to be reordered as long as the order observed on each node remains consistent. The only way someone can distinguish between the two is if they can observe all the inputs and timings going into the system; from the perspective of a client interacting with a node, the two are equivalent.

The difference seems immaterial, but it is worth noting that sequential consistency does not compose.

Strong consistency models allow you as a programmer to replace a single server with a cluster of distributed nodes and not run into any problems.

All the other consistency models have anomalies (compared to a system that guarantees strong consistency), because they behave in a way that is distinguishable from a non-replicated system. But often these anomalies are acceptable, either because we don't care about occasional issues or because we've written code that deals with inconsistencies after they have occurred in some way.

Note that there really aren't any universal typologies for weak consistency models, because "not a strong consistency model" (e.g. "is distinguishable from a non-replicated system in some way") can be almost anything.

Client-centric consistency models

Client-centric consistency models are consistency models that involve the notion of a client or session in some way. For example, a client-centric consistency model might guarantee that a client will never see older versions of a data item. This is often implemented by building additional caching into the client library, so that if a client moves to a replica node that contains old data, then the client library returns its cached value rather than the old value from the replica.

Clients may still see older versions of the data, if the replica node they are on does not contain the latest version, but they will never see anomalies where an older version of a value resurfaces (e.g. because they connected to a different replica). Note that there are many kinds of consistency models that are client-centric.

Eventual consistency

The eventual consistency model says that if you stop changing values, then after some undefined amount of time all replicas will agree on the same value. It is implied that before that time results between replicas are inconsistent in some undefined manner. Since it is trivially satisfiable (liveness property only), it is useless without supplemental information.

Saying something is merely eventually consistent is like saying "people are eventually dead". It's a very weak constraint, and we'd probably want to have at least some more specific characterization of two things:

First, how long is "eventually"? It would be useful to have a strict lower bound, or at least some idea of how long it typically takes for the system to converge to the same value.

Second, how do the replicas agree on a value? A system that always returns "42" is eventually consistent: all replicas agree on the same value. It just doesn't converge to a useful value since it just keeps returning the same fixed value. Instead, we'd like to have a better idea of the method. For example, one way to decide is to have the value with the largest timestamp always win.

So when vendors say "eventual consistency", what they mean is some more precise term, such as "eventually last-writer-wins, and read-the-latest-observed-value in the meantime" consistency. The "how?" matters, because a bad method can lead to writes being lost - for example, if the clock on one node is set incorrectly and timestamps are used.

I will look into these two questions in more detail in the chapter on replication methods for weak consistency models.

Further reading

3. Time and order

What is order and why is it important?

What do you mean "what is order"?

I mean, why are we so obsessed with order in the first place? Why do we care whether A happened before B? Why don't we care about some other property, like "color"?

Well, my crazy friend, let's go back to the definition of distributed systems to answer that.

As you may remember, I described distributed programming as the art of solving the same problem that you can solve on a single computer using multiple computers.

This is, in fact, at the core of the obsession with order. Any system that can only do one thing at a time will create a total order of operations. Like people passing through a single door, every operation will have a well-defined predecessor and successor. That's basically the programming model that we've worked very hard to preserve.

The traditional model is: a single program, one process, one memory space running on one CPU. The operating system abstracts away the fact that there might be multiple CPUs and multiple programs, and that the memory on the computer is actually shared among many programs. I'm not saying that threaded programming and event-oriented programming don't exist; it's just that they are special abstractions on top of the "one/one/one" model. Programs are written to be executed in an ordered fashion: you start from the top, and then go down towards the bottom.

Order as a property has received so much attention because the easiest way to define "correctness" is to say "it works like it would on a single machine". And that usually means that a) we run the same operations and b) that we run them in the same order - even if there are multiple machines.

The nice thing about distributed systems that preserve order (as defined for a single system) is that they are generic. You don't need to care about what the operations are, because they will be executed exactly like on a single machine. This is great because you know that you can use the same system no matter what the operations are.

In reality, a distributed program runs on multiple nodes; with multiple CPUs and multiple streams of operations coming in. You can still assign a total order, but it requires either accurate clocks or some form of communication. You could timestamp each operation using a completely accurate clock then use that to figure out the total order. Or you might have some kind of communication system that makes it possible to assign sequential numbers as in a total order.

Total and partial order

The natural state in a distributed system is partial order. Neither the network nor independent nodes make any guarantees about relative order; but at each node, you can observe a local order.

A total order is a binary relation that defines an order for every element in some set.

Two distinct elements are comparable when one of them is greater than the other. In a partially ordered set, some pairs of elements are not comparable and hence a partial order doesn't specify the exact order of every item.

Both total order and partial order are transitive and antisymmetric. The following statements hold in both a total order and a partial order for all a, b and c in X:

If a  b and b  a then a = b (antisymmetry); If a  b and b  c then a  c (transitivity);

However, a total order is total:

a  b or b  a (totality) for all a, b in X

while a partial order is only reflexive:

a  a (reflexivity) for all a in X

Note that totality implies reflexivity; so a partial order is a weaker variant of total order. For some elements in a partial order, the totality property does not hold - in other words, some of the elements are not comparable.

Git branches are an example of a partial order. As you probably know, the git revision control system allows you to create multiple branches from a single base branch - e.g. from a master branch. Each branch represents a history of source code changes derived based on a common ancestor:

[ branch A (1,2,0)] [ master (3,0,0) ] [ branch B (1,0,2) ] [ branch A (1,1,0)] [ master (2,0,0) ] [ branch B (1,0,1) ] \ [ master (1,0,0) ] /

The branches A and B were derived from a common ancestor, but there is no definite order between them: they represent different histories and cannot be reduced to a single linear history without additional work (merging). You could, of course, put all the commits in some arbitrary order (say, sorting them first by ancestry and then breaking ties by sorting A before B or B before A) - but that would lose information by forcing a total order where none existed.

In a system consisting of one node, a total order emerges by necessity: instructions are executed and messages are processed in a specific, observable order in a single program. We've come to rely on this total order - it makes executions of programs predictable. This order can be maintained on a distributed system, but at a cost: communication is expensive, and time synchronization is difficult and fragile.

What is time?

Time is a source of order - it allows us to define the order of operations - which coincidentally also has an interpretation that people can understand (a second, a minute, a day and so on).

In some sense, time is just like any other integer counter. It just happens to be important enough that most computers have a dedicated time sensor, also known as a clock. It's so important that we've figured out how to synthesize an approximation of the same counter using some imperfect physical system (from wax candles to cesium atoms). By "synthesize", I mean that we can approximate the value of the integer counter in physically distant places via some physical property without communicating it directly.

Timestamps really are a shorthand value for representing the state of the world from the start of the universe to the current moment - if something occurred at a particular timestamp, then it was potentially influenced by everything that happened before it. This idea can be generalized into a causal clock that explicitly tracks causes (dependencies) rather than simply assuming that everything that preceded a timestamp was relevant. Of course, the usual assumption is that we should only worry about the state of the specific system rather than the whole world.

Assuming that time progresses at the same rate everywhere - and that is a big assumption which I'll return to in a moment - time and timestamps have several useful interpretations when used in a program. The three interpretations are:

Order

Duration

Interpretation

Order. When I say that time is a source of order, what I mean is that:

we can attach timestamps to unordered events to order them

we can use timestamps to enforce a specific ordering of operations or the delivery of messages (for example, by delaying an operation if it arrives out of order)

we can use the value of a timestamp to determine whether something happened chronologically before something else

Interpretation - time as a universally comparable value. The absolute value of a timestamp can be interpreted as a date, which is useful for people. Given a timestamp of when a downtime started from a log file, you can tell that it was last Saturday, when there was a thunderstorm.

Duration - durations measured in time have some relation to the real world. Algorithms generally don't care about the absolute value of a clock or its interpretation as a date, but they might use durations to make some judgment calls. In particular, the amount of time spent waiting can provide clues about whether a system is partitioned or merely experiencing high latency.

By their nature, the components of distributed systems do not behave in a predictable manner. They do not guarantee any specific order, rate of advance, or lack of delay. Each node does have some local order - as execution is (roughly) sequential - but these local orders are independent of each other.

Imposing (or assuming) order is one way to reduce the space of possible executions and possible occurrences. Humans have a hard time reasoning about things when things can happen in any order - there just are too many permutations to consider.

Does time progress at the same rate everywhere?

We all have an intuitive concept of time based on our own experience as individuals. Unfortunately, that intuitive notion of time makes it easier to picture total order rather than partial order. It's easier to picture a sequence in which things happen one after another, rather than concurrently. It is easier to reason about a single order of messages than to reason about messages arriving in different orders and with different delays.

However, when implementing distributing systems we want to avoid making strong assumptions about time and order, because the stronger the assumptions, the more fragile a system is to issues with the "time sensor" - or the onboard clock. Furthermore, imposing an order carries a cost. The more temporal nondeterminism that we can tolerate, the more we can take advantage of distributed computation.

There are three common answers to the question "does time progress at the same rate everywhere?". These are:

"Global clock": yes

"Local clock": no, but

"No clock": no!

These correspond roughly to the three timing assumptions that I mentioned in the second chapter: the synchronous system model has a global clock, the partially synchronous model has a local clock, and in the asynchronous system model one cannot use clocks at all. Let's look at these in more detail.

Time with a "global-clock" assumption

The global clock assumption is that there is a global clock of perfect accuracy, and that everyone has access to that clock. This is the way we tend to think about time, because in human interactions small differences in time don't really matter.

The global clock is basically a source of total order (exact order of every operation on all nodes even if those nodes have never communicated).

However, this is an idealized view of the world: in reality, clock synchronization is only possible to a limited degree of accuracy. This is limited by the lack of accuracy of clocks in commodity computers, by latency if a clock synchronization protocol such as NTP is used and fundamentally by the nature of spacetime.

Assuming that clocks on distributed nodes are perfectly synchronized means assuming that clocks start at the same value and never drift apart. It's a nice assumption because you can use timestamps freely to determine a global total order - bound by clock drift rather than latency - but this is a nontrivial operational challenge and a potential source of anomalies. There are many different scenarios where a simple failure - such as a user accidentally changing the local time on a machine, or an out-of-date machine joining a cluster, or synchronized clocks drifting at slightly different rates and so on that can cause hard-to-trace anomalies.

Nevertheless, there are some real-world systems that make this assumption. Facebook's Cassandra is an example of a system that assumes clocks are synchronized. It uses timestamps to resolve conflicts between writes - the write with the newer timestamp wins. This means that if clocks drift, new data may be ignored or overwritten by old data; again, this is an operational challenge (and from what I've heard, one that people are acutely aware of). Another interesting example is Google's Spanner: the paper describes their TrueTime API, which synchronizes time but also estimates worst-case clock drift.

Time with a "Local-clock" assumption

The second, and perhaps more plausible assumption is that each machine has its own clock, but there is no global clock. It means that you cannot use the local clock in order to determine whether a remote timestamp occurred before or after a local timestamp; in other words, you cannot meaningfully compare timestamps from two different machines.

The local clock assumption corresponds more closely to the real world. It assigns a partial order: events on each system are ordered but events cannot be ordered across systems by only using a clock.

However, you can use timestamps to order events on a single machine; and you can use timeouts on a single machine as long as you are careful not to allow the clock to jump around. Of course, on a machine controlled by an end-user this is probably assuming too much: for example, a user might accidentally change their date to a different value while looking up a date using the operating system's date control.

Time with a "No-clock" assumption

Finally, there is the notion of logical time. Here, we don't use clocks at all and instead track causality in some other way. Remember, a timestamp is simply a shorthand for the state of the world up to that point - so we can use counters and communication to determine whether something happened before, after or concurrently with something else.

This way, we can determine the order of events between different machines, but cannot say anything about intervals and cannot use timeouts (since we assume that there is no "time sensor"). This is a partial order: events can be ordered on a single system using a counter and no communication, but ordering events across systems requires a message exchange.

One of the most cited papers in distributed systems is Lamport's paper on time, clocks and the ordering of events. Vector clocks, a generalization of that concept (which I will cover in more detail), are a way to track causality without using clocks. Cassandra's cousins Riak (Basho) and Voldemort (Linkedin) use vector clocks rather than assuming that nodes have access to a global clock of perfect accuracy. This allows those systems to avoid the clock accuracy issues mentioned earlier.

When clocks are not used, the maximum precision at which events can be ordered across distant machines is bound by communication latency.

How is time used in a distributed system?

What is the benefit of time?

Time can define order across a system (without communication) Time can define boundary conditions for algorithms

The order of events is important in distributed systems, because many properties of distributed systems are defined in terms of the order of operations/events:

where correctness depends on (agreement on) correct event ordering, for example serializability in a distributed database

order can be used as a tie breaker when resource contention occurs, for example if there are two orders for a widget, fulfill the first and cancel the second one

A global clock would allow operations on two different machines to be ordered without the two machines communicating directly. Without a global clock, we need to communicate in order to determine order.

Time can also be used to define boundary conditions for algorithms - specifically, to distinguish between "high latency" and "server or network link is down". This is a very important use case; in most real-world systems timeouts are used to determine whether a remote machine has failed, or whether it is simply experiencing high network latency. Algorithms that make this determination are called failure detectors; and I will discuss them fairly soon.

Vector clocks (time for causal order)

Earlier, we discussed the different assumptions about the rate of progress of time across a distributed system. Assuming that we cannot achieve accurate clock synchronization - or starting with the goal that our system should not be sensitive to issues with time synchronization, how can we order things?

Lamport clocks and vector clocks are replacements for physical clocks which rely on counters and communication to determine the order of events across a distributed system. These clocks provide a counter that is comparable across different nodes.

A Lamport clock is simple. Each process maintains a counter using the following rules:

Whenever a process does work, increment the counter

Whenever a process sends a message, include the counter

When a message is received, set the counter to max(local_counter, received_counter) + 1

Expressed as code:

function LamportClock() { this.value = 1; } LamportClock.prototype.get = function() { return this.value; } LamportClock.prototype.increment = function() { this.value++; } LamportClock.prototype.merge = function(other) { this.value = Math.max(this.value, other.value) + 1; }

A Lamport clock allows counters to be compared across systems, with a caveat: Lamport clocks define a partial order. If timestamp(a) < timestamp(b) :

a may have happened before b or

may have happened before or a may be incomparable with b

This is known as clock consistency condition: if one event comes before another, then that event's logical clock comes before the others. If a and b are from the same causal history, e.g. either both timestamp values were produced on the same process; or b is a response to the message sent in a then we know that a happened before b .

Intuitively, this is because a Lamport clock can only carry information about one timeline / history; hence, comparing Lamport timestamps from systems that never communicate with each other may cause concurrent events to appear to be ordered when they are not.

Imagine a system that after an initial period divides into two independent subsystems which never communicate with each other.

For all events in each independent system, if a happened before b, then ts(a) < ts(b) ; but if you take two events from the different independent systems (e.g. events that are not causally related) then you cannot say anything meaningful about their relative order. While each part of the system has assigned timestamps to events, those timestamps have no relation to each other. Two events may appear to be ordered even though they are unrelated.

However - and this is still a useful property - from the perspective of a single machine, any message sent with ts(a) will receive a response with ts(b) which is > ts(a) .

A vector clock is an extension of Lamport clock, which maintains an array [ t1, t2, ... ] of N logical clocks - one per each node. Rather than incrementing a common counter, each node increments its own logical clock in the vector by one on each internal event. Hence the update rules are:

Whenever a process does work, increment the logical clock value of the node in the vector

Whenever a process sends a message, include the full vector of logical clocks

When a message is received: update each element in the vector to be max(local, received) increment the logical clock value representing the current node in the vector



Again, expressed as code:

function VectorClock(value) { // expressed as a hash keyed by node id: e.g. { node1: 1, node2: 3 } this.value = value || {}; } VectorClock.prototype.get = function() { return this.value; }; VectorClock.prototype.increment = function(nodeId) { if(typeof this.value[nodeId] == 'undefined') { this.value[nodeId] = 1; } else { this.value[nodeId]++; } }; VectorClock.prototype.merge = function(other) { var result = {}, last, a = this.value, b = other.value; // This filters out duplicate keys in the hash (Object.keys(a) .concat(b)) .sort() .filter(function(key) { var isDuplicate = (key == last); last = key; return !isDuplicate; }).forEach(function(key) { result[key] = Math.max(a[key] || 0, b[key] || 0); }); this.value = result; };

This illustration (source) shows a vector clock:

Each of the three nodes (A, B, C) keeps track of the vector clock. As events occur, they are timestamped with the current value of the vector clock. Examining a vector clock such as { A: 2, B: 4, C: 1 } lets us accurately identify the messages that (potentially) influenced that event.

The issue with vector clocks is mainly that they require one entry per node, which means that they can potentially become very large for large systems. A variety of techniques have been applied to reduce the size of vector clocks (either by performing periodic garbage collection, or by reducing accuracy by limiting the size).

We've looked at how order and causality can be tracked without physical clocks. Now, let's look at how time durations can be used for cutoff.

Failure detectors (time for cutoff)

As I stated earlier, the amount of time spent waiting can provide clues about whether a system is partitioned or merely experiencing high latency. In this case, we don't need to assume a global clock of perfect accuracy - it is simply enough that there is a reliable-enough local clock.

Given a program running on one node, how can it tell that a remote node has failed? In the absence of accurate information, we can infer that an unresponsive remote node has failed after some reasonable amount of time has passed.

But what is a "reasonable amount"? This depends on the latency between the local and remote nodes. Rather than explicitly specifying algorithms with specific values (which would inevitably be wrong in some cases), it would be nicer to deal with a suitable abstraction.

A failure detector is a way to abstract away the exact timing assumptions. Failure detectors are implemented using heartbeat messages and timers. Processes exchange heartbeat messages. If a message response is not received before the timeout occurs, then the process suspects the other process.

A failure detector based on a timeout will carry the risk of being either overly aggressive (declaring a node to have failed) or being overly conservative (taking a long time to detect a crash). How accurate do failure detectors need to be for them to be usable?

Chandra et al. (1996) discuss failure detectors in the context of solving consensus - a problem that is particularly relevant since it underlies most replication problems where the replicas need to agree in environments with latency and network partitions.

They characterize failure detectors using two properties, completeness and accuracy:

Strong completeness. Every crashed process is eventually suspected by every correct process. Weak completeness. Every crashed process is eventually suspected by some correct process. Strong accuracy. No correct process is suspected ever. Weak accuracy. Some correct process is never suspected.

Completeness is easier to achieve than accuracy; indeed, all failure detectors of importance achieve it - all you need to do is not to wait forever to suspect someone. Chandra et al. note that a failure detector with weak completeness can be transformed to one with strong completeness (by broadcasting information about suspected processes), allowing us to concentrate on the spectrum of accuracy properties.

Avoiding incorrectly suspecting non-faulty processes is hard unless you are able to assume that there is a hard maximum on the message delay. That assumption can be made in a synchronous system model - and hence failure detectors can be strongly accurate in such a system. Under system models that do not impose hard bounds on message delay, failure detection can at best be eventually accurate.

Chandra et al. show that even a very weak failure detector - the eventually weak failure detector W (eventually weak accuracy + weak completeness) - can be used to solve the consensus problem. The diagram below (from the paper) illustrates the relationship between system models and problem solvability:

As you can see above, certain problems are not solvable without a failure detector in asynchronous systems. This is because without a failure detector (or strong assumptions about time bounds e.g. the synchronous system model), it is not possible to tell whether a remote node has crashed, or is simply experiencing high latency. That distinction is important for any system that aims for single-copy consistency: failed nodes can be ignored because they cannot cause divergence, but partitioned nodes cannot be safely ignored.

How can one implement a failure detector? Conceptually, there isn't much to a simple failure detector, which simply detects failure when a timeout expires. The most interesting part relates to how the judgments are made about whether a remote node has failed.

Ideally, we'd prefer the failure detector to be able to adjust to changing network conditions and to avoid hardcoding timeout values into it. For example, Cassandra uses an accrual failure detector, which is a failure detector that outputs a suspicion level (a value between 0 and 1) rather than a binary "up" or "down" judgment. This allows the application using the failure detector to make its own decisions about the tradeoff between accurate detection and early detection.

Time, order and performance

Earlier, I alluded to having to pay the cost for order. What did I mean?

If you're writing a distributed system, you presumably own more than one computer. The natural (and realistic) view of the world is a partial order, not a total order. You can transform a partial order into a total order, but this requires communication, waiting and imposes restrictions that limit how many computers can do work at any particular point in time.

All clocks are mere approximations bound by either network latency (logical time) or by physics. Even keeping a simple integer counter in sync across multiple nodes is a challenge.

While time and order are often discussed together, time itself is not such a useful property. Algorithms don't really care about time as much as they care about more abstract properties:

the causal ordering of events

failure detection (e.g. approximations of upper bounds on message delivery)

consistent snapshots (e.g. the ability to examine the state of a system at some point in time; not discussed here)

Imposing a total order is possible, but expensive. It requires you to proceed at the common (lowest) speed. Often the easiest way to ensure that events are delivered in some defined order is to nominate a single (bottleneck) node through which all operations are passed.

Is time / order / synchronicity really necessary? It depends. In some use cases, we want each intermediate operation to move the system from one consistent state to another. For example, in many cases we want the responses from a database to represent all of the available information, and we want to avoid dealing with the issues that might occur if the system could return an inconsistent result.

But in other cases, we might not need that much time / order / synchronization. For example, if you are running a long running computation, and don't really care about what the system does until the very end - then you don't really need much synchronization as long as you can guarantee that the answer is correct.

Synchronization is often applied as a blunt tool across all operations, when only a subset of cases actually matter for the final outcome. When is order needed to guarantee correctness? The CALM theorem - which I will discuss in the last chapter - provides one answer.

In other cases, it is acceptable to give an answer that only represents the best known estimate - that is, is based on only a subset of the total information contained in the system. In particular, during a network partition one may need to answer queries with only a part of the system being accessible. In other use cases, the end user cannot really distinguish between a relatively recent answer that can be obtained cheaply and one that is guaranteed to be correct and is expensive to calculate. For example, is the Twitter follower count for some user X, or X+1? Or are movies A, B and C the absolutely best answers for some query? Doing a cheaper, mostly correct "best effort" can be acceptable.

In the next two chapters we'll examine replication for fault-tolerant strongly consistent systems - systems which provide strong guarantees while being increasingly resilient to failures. These systems provide solutions for the first case: when you need to guarantee correctness and are willing to pay for it. Then, we'll discuss systems with weak consistency guarantees, which can remain available in the face of partitions, but that can only give you a "best effort" answer.

Further reading

Lamport clocks, vector clocks

Time, Clocks and Ordering of Events in a Distributed System - Leslie Lamport, 1978

Failure detection

Snapshots

Causality

4. Replication

The replication problem is one of many problems in distributed systems. I've chosen to focus on it over other problems such as leader election, failure detection, mutual exclusion, consensus and global snapshots because it is often the part that people are most interested in. One way in which parallel databases are differentiated is in terms of their replication features, for example. Furthermore, replication provides a context for many subproblems, such as leader election, failure detection, consensus and atomic broadcast.

Replication is a group communication problem. What arrangement and communication pattern gives us the performance and availability characteristics we desire? How can we ensure fault tolerance, durability and non-divergence in the face of network partitions and simultaneous node failure?

Again, there are many ways to approach replication. The approach I'll take here just looks at high level patterns that are possible for a system with replication. Looking at this visually helps keep the discussion focused on the overall pattern rather than the specific messaging involved. My goal here is to explore the design space rather than to explain the specifics of each algorithm.

Let's first define what replication looks like. We assume that we have some initial database, and that clients make requests which change the state of the database.

The arrangement and communication pattern can then be divided into several stages:

(Request) The client sends a request to a server (Sync) The synchronous portion of the replication takes place (Response) A response is returned to the client (Async) The asynchronous portion of the replication takes place

This model is loosely based on this article. Note that the pattern of messages exchanged in each portion of the task depends on the specific algorithm: I am intentionally trying to get by without discussing the specific algorithm.

Given these stages, what kind of communication patterns can we create? And what are the performance and availability implications of the patterns we choose?

Synchronous replication

The first pattern is synchronous replication (also known as active, or eager, or push, or pessimistic replication). Let's draw what that looks like:

Here, we can see three distinct stages: first, the client sends the request. Next, what we called the synchronous portion of replication takes place. The term refers to the fact that the client is blocked - waiting for a reply from the system.

During the synchronous phase, the first server contacts the two other servers and waits until it has received replies from all the other servers. Finally, it sends a response to the client informing it of the result (e.g. success or failure).

All this seems straightforward. What can we say of this specific arrangement of communication patterns, without discussing the details of the algorithm during the synchronous phase? First, observe that this is a write N - of - N approach: before a response is returned, it has to be seen and acknowledged by every server in the system.

From a performance perspective, this means that the system will be as fast as the slowest server in it. The system will also be very sensitive to changes in network latency, since it requires every server to reply before proceeding.

Given the N-of-N approach, the system cannot tolerate the loss of any servers. When a server is lost, the system can no longer write to all the nodes, and so it cannot proceed. It might be able to provide read-only access to the data, but modifications are not allowed after a node has failed in this design.

This arrangement can provide very strong durability guarantees: the client can be certain that all N servers have received, stored and acknowledged the request when the response is returned. In order to lose an accepted update, all N copies would need to be lost, which is about as good a guarantee as you can make.

Asynchronous replication

Let's contrast this with the second pattern - asynchronous replication (a.k.a. passive replication, or pull replication, or lazy replication). As you may have guessed, this is the opposite of synchronous replication:

Here, the master (/leader / coordinator) immediately sends back a response to the client. It might at best store the update locally, but it will not do any significant work synchronously and the client is not forced to wait for more rounds of communication to occur between the servers.

At some later stage, the asynchronous portion of the replication task takes place. Here, the master contacts the other servers using some communication pattern, and the other servers update their copies of the data. The specifics depend on the algorithm in use.

What can we say of this specific arrangement without getting into the details of the algorithm? Well, this is a write 1 - of - N approach: a response is returned immediately and update propagation occurs sometime later.

From a performance perspective, this means that the system is fast: the client does not need to spend any additional time waiting for the internals of the system to do their work. The system is also more tolerant of network latency, since fluctuations in internal latency do not cause additional waiting on the client side.

This arrangement can only provide weak, or probabilistic durability guarantees. If nothing goes wrong, the data is eventually replicated to all N machines. However, if the only server containing the data is lost before this can take place, the data is permanently lost.

Given the 1-of-N approach, the system can remain available as long as at least one node is up (at least in theory, though in practice the load will probably be too high). A purely lazy approach like this provides no durability or consistency guarantees; you may be allowed to write to the system, but there are no guarantees that you can read back what you wrote if any faults occur.

Finally, it's worth noting that passive replication cannot ensure that all nodes in the system always contain the same state. If you accept writes at multiple locations and do not require that those nodes synchronously agree, then you will run the risk of divergence: reads may return different results from different locations (particularly after nodes fail and recover), and global constraints (which require communicating with everyone) cannot be enforced.

I haven't really mentioned the communication patterns during a read (rather than a write), because the pattern of reads really follows from the pattern of writes: during a read, you want to contact as few nodes as possible. We'll discuss this a bit more in the context of quorums.

We've only discussed two basic arrangements and none of the specific algorithms. Yet we've been able to figure out quite a bit of about the possible communication patterns as well as their performance, durability guarantees and availability characteristics.

An overview of major replication approaches

Having discussed the two basic replication approaches: synchronous and asynchronous replication, let's have a look at the major replication algorithms.

There are many, many different ways to categorize replication techniques. The second distinction (after sync vs. async) I'd like to introduce is between:

Replication methods that prevent divergence (single copy systems) and

Replication methods that risk divergence (multi-master systems)

The first group of methods has the property that they "behave like a single system". In particular, when partial failures occur, the system ensures that only a single copy of the system is active. Furthermore, the system ensures that the replicas are always in agreement. This is known as the consensus problem.

Several processes (or computers) achieve consensus if they all agree on some value. More formally:

Agreement: Every correct process must agree on the same value. Integrity: Every correct process decides at most one value, and if it decides some value, then it must have been proposed by some process. Termination: All processes eventually reach a decision. Validity: If all correct processes propose the same value V, then all correct processes decide V.

Mutual exclusion, leader election, multicast and atomic broadcast are all instances of the more general problem of consensus. Replicated systems that maintain single copy consistency need to solve the consensus problem in some way.

The replication algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency include:

1n messages (asynchronous primary/backup)

2n messages (synchronous primary/backup)

4n messages (2-phase commit, Multi-Paxos)

6n messages (3-phase commit, Paxos with repeated leader election)

These algorithms vary in their fault tolerance (e.g. the types of faults they can tolerate). I've classified these simply by the number of messages exchanged during an execution of the algorithm, because I think it is interesting to try to find an answer to the question "what are we buying with the added message exchanges?"

The diagram below, adapted from Ryan Barret at Google, describes some of the aspects of the different options:

The consistency, latency, throughput, data loss and failover characteristics in the diagram above can really be traced back to the two different replication methods: synchronous replication (e.g. waiting before responding) and asynchronous replication. When you wait, you get worse performance but stronger guarantees. The throughput difference between 2PC and quorum systems will become apparent when we discuss partition (and latency) tolerance.

In that diagram, algorithms enforcing weak (/eventual) consistency are lumped up into one category ("gossip"). However, I will discuss replication methods for weak consistency - gossip and (partial) quorum systems - in more detail. The "transactions" row really refers more to global predicate evaluation, which is not supported in systems with weak consistency (though local predicate evaluation can be supported).

It is worth noting that systems enforcing weak consistency requirements have fewer generic algorithms, and more techniques that can be selectively applied. Since systems that do not enforce single-copy consistency are free to act like distributed systems consisting of multiple nodes, there are fewer obvious objectives to fix and the focus is more on giving people a way to reason about the characteristics of the system that they have.

For example:

Client-centric consistency models attempt to provide more intelligible consistency guarantees while allowing for divergence.

CRDTs (convergent and commutative replicated datatypes) exploit semilattice properties (associativity, commutativity, idempotency) of certain state and operation-based data types.

Confluence analysis (as in the Bloom language) uses information regarding the monotonicity of computations to maximally exploit disorder.

PBS (probabilistically bounded staleness) uses simulation and information collected from a real world system to characterize the expected behavior of partial quorum systems.

I'll talk about all of these a bit further on, first; let's look at the replication algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency.

Primary/backup replication

Primary/backup replication (also known as primary copy replication master-slave replication or log shipping) is perhaps the most commonly used replication method, and the most basic algorithm. All updated are performed on the primary, and a log of operations (or alternatively, changes) is shipped across the network to the backup replicas. There are two variants:

asynchronous primary/backup replication and

synchronous primary/backup replication

The synchronous version requires two messages ("update" + "acknowledge receipt") while the asynchronous version could run with just one ("update").

P/B is very common. For example, by default MySQL replication uses the asynchronous variant. MongoDB also uses P/B (with some additional procedures for failover). All operations are performed on one master server, which serializes them to a local log, which is then replicated asynchronously to the backup servers.

As we discussed earlier in the context of asynchronous replication, any asynchronous replication algorithm can only provide weak durability guarantees. In MySQL replication this manifests as replication lag: the asynchronous backups are always at least one operation behind the primary. If the primary fails, then the updates that have not yet been sent to the backups are lost.

The synchronous variant of primary/backup replication ensures that writes have been stored on other nodes before returning back to the client - at the cost of waiting for responses from other replicas. However, it is worth noting that even this variant can only offer weak guarantees. Consider the following simple failure scenario:

the primary receives a write and sends it to the backup

the backup persists and ACKs the write

and then primary fails before sending ACK to the client

The client now assumes that the commit failed, but the backup committed it; if the backup is promoted to primary, it will be incorrect. Manual cleanup may be needed to reconcile the failed primary or divergent backups.

I am simplifying here of course. While all primary/backup replication algorithms follow the same general messaging pattern, they differ in their handling of failover, replicas being offline for extended periods and so on. However, it is not possible to be resilient to inopportune failures of the primary in this scheme.

What is key in the log-shipping / primary/backup based schemes is that they can only offer a best-effort guarantee (e.g. they are susceptible to lost updates or incorrect updates if nodes fail at inopportune times). Furthermore, P/B schemes are susceptible to split-brain, where the failover to a backup kicks in due to a temporary network issue and causes both the primary and backup to be active at the same time.

To prevent inopportune failures from causing consistency guarantees to be violated; we need to add another round of messaging, which gets us the two phase commit protocol (2PC).

Two phase commit (2PC)

Two phase commit (2PC) is a protocol used in many classic relational databases. For example, MySQL Cluster (not to be confused with the regular MySQL) provides synchronous replication using 2PC. The diagram below illustrates the message flow:

[ Coordinator ] -> OK to commit? [ Peers ] <- Yes / No [ Coordinator ] -> Commit / Rollback [ Peers ] <- ACK

In the first phase (voting), the coordinator sends the update to all the participants. Each participant processes the update and votes whether to commit or abort. When voting to commit, the participants store the update onto a temporary area (the write-ahead log). Until the second phase completes, the update is considered temporary.

In the second phase (decision), the coordinator decides the outcome and informs every participant about it. If all participants voted to commit, then the update is taken from the temporary area and made permanent.

Having a second phase in place before the commit is considered permanent is useful, because it allows the system to roll back an update when a node fails. In contrast, in primary/backup ("1PC"), there is no step for rolling back an operation that has failed on some nodes and succeeded on others, and hence the replicas could diverge.

2PC is prone to blocking, since a single node failure (participant or coordinator) blocks progress until the node has recovered. Recovery is often possible thanks to the second phase, during which other nodes are informed about the system state. Note that 2PC assumes that the data in stable storage at each node is never lost and that no node crashes forever. Data loss is still possible if the data in the stable storage is corrupted in a crash.

The details of the recovery procedures during node failures are quite complicated so I won't get into the specifics. The major tasks are ensuring that writes to disk are durable (e.g. flushed to disk rather than cached) and making sure that the right recovery decisions are made (e.g. learning the outcome of the round and then redoing or undoing an update locally).

As we learned in the chapter regarding CAP, 2PC is a CA - it is not partition tolerant. The failure model that 2PC addresses does not include network partitions; the prescribed way to recover from a node failure is to wait until the network partition heals. There is no safe way to promote a new coordinator if one fails; rather a manual intervention is required. 2PC is also fairly latency-sensitive, since it is a write N-of-N approach in which writes cannot proceed until the slowest node acknowledges them.

2PC strikes a decent balance between performance and fault tolerance, which is why it has been popular in relational databases. However, newer systems often use a partition tolerant consensus algorithm, since such an algorithm can provide automatic recovery from temporary network partitions as well as more graceful handling of increased between-node latency.

Let's look at partition tolerant consensus algorithms next.

Partition tolerant consensus algorithms

Partition tolerant consensus algorithms are as far as we're going to go in terms of fault-tolerant algorithms that maintain single-copy consistency. There is a further class of fault tolerant algorithms: algorithms that tolerate arbitrary (Byzantine) faults; these include nodes that fail by acting maliciously. Such algorithms are rarely used in commercial systems, because they are more expensive to run and more complicated to implement - and hence I will leave them out.

When it comes to partition tolerant consensus algorithms, the most well-known algorithm is the Paxos algorithm. It is, however, notoriously difficult to implement and explain, so I will focus on Raft, a recent (~early 2013) algorithm designed to be easier to teach and implement. Let's first take a look at network partitions and the general characteristics of partition tolerant consensus algorithms.

What is a network partition?

A network partition is the failure of a network link to one or several nodes. The nodes themselves continue to stay active, and they may even be able to receive requests from clients on their side of the network partition. As we learned earlier - during the discussion of the CAP theorem - network partitions do occur and not all systems handle them gracefully.

Network partitions are tricky because during a network partition, it is not possible to distinguish between a failed remote node and the node being unreachable. If a network partition occurs but no nodes fail, then the system is divided into two partitions which are simultaneously active. The two diagrams below illustrate how a network partition can look similar to a node failure.

A system of 2 nodes, with a failure vs. a network partition:

A system of 3 nodes, with a failure vs. a network partition:

A system that enforces single-copy consistency must have some method to break symmetry: otherwise, it will split into two separate systems, which can diverge from each other and can no longer maintain the illusion of a single copy.

Network partition tolerance for systems that enforce single-copy consistency requires that during a network partition, only one partition of the system remains active since during a network partition it is not possible to prevent divergence (e.g. CAP theorem).

Majority decisions

This is why partition tolerant consensus algorithms rely on a majority vote. Requiring a majority of nodes - rather than all of the nodes (as in 2PC) - to agree on updates allows a minority of the nodes to be down, or slow, or unreachable due to a network partition. As long as (N/2 + 1)-of-N nodes are up and accessible, the system can continue to operate.

Partition tolerant consensus algorithms use an odd number of nodes (e.g. 3, 5 or 7). With just two nodes, it is not possible to have a clear majority after a failure. For example, if the number of nodes is three, then the system is resilient to one node failure; with five nodes the system is resilient to two node failures.

When a network partition occurs, the partitions behave asymmetrically. One partition will contain the majority of the nodes. Minority partitions will stop processing operations to prevent divergence during a network partition, but the majority partition can remain active. This ensures that only a single copy of the system state remains active.

Majorities are also useful because they can tolerate disagreement: if there is a perturbation or failure, the nodes may vote differently. However, since there can be only one majority decision, a temporary disagreement can at most block the protocol from proceeding (giving up liveness) but it cannot violate the single-copy consistency criterion (safety property).

Roles

There are two ways one might structure a system: all nodes may have the same responsibilities, or nodes may have separate, distinct roles.

Consensus algorithms for replication generally opt for having distinct roles for each node. Having a single fixed leader or master server is an optimization that makes the system more efficient, since we know that all updates must pass through that server. Nodes that are not the leader just need to forward their requests to the leader.

Note that having distinct roles does not preclude the system from recovering from the failure of the leader (or any other role). Just because roles are fixed during normal operation doesn't mean that one cannot recover from failure by reassigning the roles after a failure (e.g. via a leader election phase). Nodes can reuse the result of a leader election until node failures and/or network partitions occur.

Both Paxos and Raft make use of distinct node roles. In particular, they have a leader node ("proposer" in Paxos) that is responsible for coordination during normal operation. During normal operation, the rest of the nodes are followers ("acceptors" or "voters" in Paxos).

Epochs

Each period of normal operation in both Paxos and Raft is called an epoch ("term" in Raft). During each epoch only one node is the designated leader (a similar system is use
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Washington County officials who hope to keep their college campus open have gotten a boost from the Legislature's budget-writing committee.

Republican lawmakers have earmarked more than $3 million to help Washington County jumpstart a merged community college pilot program. The county is trying to preserve access to college in West Bend amid steep enrollment declines at UW-Milwaukee's Washington County campus.

The state Legislature's Joint Finance Committee voted June 22 to set aside $3.35 million for a pilot program that would merge the resources of UW-Milwaukee at Washington County and Moraine Park Technical College, both of which have campuses in West Bend.

The funding, added to the budget at the request of Washington County leaders, is contingent on the University of Wisconsin System proposing to end the Washington County campus in its current form.

The state allocation would fund roughly the equivalent of one year of operations at the Washington County campus, with county tax dollars and private donations picking up the rest with two additional transition years anticipated.

The deal isn't final yet: The full Legislature still needs to approve the budget, which Gov. Tony Evers has threatened to veto because it cuts UW System funding.

County, technical college and UW System leaders also would have to agree on the details of the pilot program. If they don't, or if the Joint Finance Committee doesn't like their plan, any reserved funds would go back into the state's general revenue account.

"I think everybody is interested in a collaborative solution, where especially the kids (and) the businesses in the community can come out as winners and hopefully every one of the institutions, including the county, are in a better position because of it," Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann said.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors proactively voted to take the county's higher education destiny into its own hands last fall, just weeks before UW-Platteville Richland was announced as the System's first casualty of low enrollment.

Enrollment at UW-Milwaukee Washington County has fallen 70% since 2010, when it had 1,117 students. It now has 332.

An eight-person workgroup convened by UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone to consider options for the West Bend branch campus is expected to bring forward budget-neutral options by September.

But it's unclear what, if any, role the System or UW-Milwaukee would play in the new community college concept, outside of presenting the plan.

For now, no immediate changes will be made to the Washington County campus and classes will be held as scheduled, a UW-Milwaukee spokesperson said.

"We did not request this motion and would want to learn more about the intent and process," System spokesperson Ethan Schuh said. "We do not have a timeline, and there are too many unknowns at this time for us to speak to the motion."

Moraine Park Technical College plans to follow the System and the county's lead in developing the pilot and is waiting on Evers' final decisions before beginning any conversations, President Bonnie Baerwald said in a statement.

"If it fits into our mission and budget, we will do what we can to ensure learners in the greater Washington County area have access to affordable higher education opportunities for various careers or transfer degrees," she said.

State Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Saukville, said he believes leaders could work together toward a "mutually beneficial" solution.

"We allocated the money in the JFC supplemental account to ensure that it would not be spent unless there was a plan upon which all parties could agree to close the campus," Stroebel said. "I think there is a great opportunity for a creative solution at UW-WC, but the Joint Finance Committee will closely review any proposed plan before releasing the funds."
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
In a resounding victory for the health of our democracy, the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to grant state legislatures sole authority over elections, including gerrymandering.

The courts decision in Moore v. Harper upholds North Carolinas congressional map. But importantly, it rejects the radical independent state legislature theory that was tested following the 2020 elections.

We are two former Wisconsin legislators from two different political parties. While we do not always agree on public policy, we strongly believe in three separate and coequal branches of government. During our time in office, we were always concerned with executive overreach from both Democratic and Republican governors and their administrations, as well as the scope of the judiciary. A proper balance serves as a cornerstone of our democracy, ensuring that no single entity holds unchecked authority over electoral matters.

The independent state legislature theory contends that state legislatures possess unrestricted power over elections, political maps and the certification of election results. But this theory undermines the crucial role of state courts and weakens the essential checks and balances necessary for fair and transparent elections.

By upholding the crucial role of the courts in safeguarding the integrity of elections, the Supreme Courts decision reaffirms its responsibility in interpreting state constitutions and protecting voters rights. The high courts oversight ensures that elections remain free, fair and open to all eligible Wisconsin voters.

We recognize state legislatures as a coequal branch of government, and it is essential their authority is exercised within the framework of the Constitution. The rejection of the independent state legislature theory preserves the balance of power among the legislative, executive and judicial branches. No single branch should hold unchecked authority over electoral matters.

Drawing from our experience in Wisconsin, we have witnessed firsthand the importance of maintaining this balance of power. The Supreme Courts decision aligns with the principles we have long upheld in our state, where we value the voices of all citizens and strive for fair representation.

This landmark decision will bolster public trust and transparency in our electoral system. It sends a clear message that our judiciary is committed to upholding the principles of fairness, equality and a representative democracy. It is evident that no single entity, including state legislatures, should wield unchecked authority in matters concerning our elections.

While we celebrate the rejection of the independent state legislature theory, we acknowledge the persistent challenges to our democracy. To protect the integrity of our elections and increase public confidence, we must remain vigilant in promoting transparency.

Wisconsin is only 500 days from what promises to be the most contentious election in recent history. It is up to all of us in Wisconsin to work to fortify our democracy and engage in civil dialogue across party lines. Together, we can turn down the temperature and build trust how our elections are administered and certified.

Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles that have guided our nation for nearly 250 years. By doing so, we can protect the integrity of our elections and preserve the foundations of our democracy for future generations.
The recent article by Wisconsin Watch, "Federal, state law permit disability discrimination in Wisconsin voucher schools," suggested private schools that participate in Wisconsin's school choice program can discriminate against students.

The article specifically alleges that choice schools expel students with disabilities, without providing a single example of when this has occurred. While this is a criticism often leveled against choice schools nationwide, it doesnt reflect reality. Schools in Wisconsins choice programs are subject to lots of regulations on admissions.

The statutes governing admission to schools in the voucher programs also are crystal clear: Schools must accept all students who apply within their space limitations. If more students apply than seats available, the school does not have the opportunity to pick and choose. Instead, their students must be chosen at random.

The reality is that the budgets of private schools in the choice program are often stretched thin, because of severe underfunding of these institutions compared to the states public schools. Given these budgetary constraints, it may be challenging for some private schools to meet the needs of students with the most severe disabilities. But the decision is still ultimately in the parents hands after consulting about any limitations the school may have.

Federal, state law permit disability discrimination in Wisconsin voucher schools The state Department of Public Instruction says it has no legal authority to force private taxpayer-funded schools to accommodate students with disabilities.

It is also important to highlight that private choice schools around Wisconsin likely serve far more students with disabilities than the data from the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI) shows. A 2015 study from scholars at the University of Arkansas estimated that the rate of students with disabilities in these schools was likely twice more than what the data shows. The reason for this discrepancy is that private schools lack the financial incentive that public schools have to report a student as having a disability. Public schools receive more money from the state when a student is identified, whereas private schools do not unless the student goes through the lengthy process to qualify for the states Special Needs Scholarship Program.

This contrasts with the states public school open enrollment program  used by more students in Wisconsin than the combined private choice programs. These schools are explicitly allowed to deny students because of their disability status. According to the most recent data from DPI, about 22% of the 7,430 students were denied the ability to open enroll during the 2021-22 school year because of their disability. Parents' only recourse in this instance is to file an appeal with DPI, which it is required to deny unless the denial is deemed arbitrary or unreasonable.

Beyond open enrollment, some public schools in the state deny students purely for not doing well enough academically  a complete no-no for private schools in the choice program. So-called specialty schools in Milwaukee have a point system for admission based on attendance and academic performance in earlier school years. As an example, a school for gifted students in Green Bay requires that students take a special test to be evaluated for admission. Our claim here is not that these schools are necessarily wrong to have such rules, but that it is the height of hypocrisy to focus on the far lower amount of discretion that choice schools have in admissions while ignoring what happens in public schools.

Wisconsin students with disabilities often denied public school choices Wisconsin lets public schools reject applications of students with disabilities who seek transfers across district lines  a form of exclusion courts have upheld.

Unlike in public schools, families in the choice program have the ability to "vote with their feet"  to go somewhere else if a school is not meeting their childs needs. That concept alone moots the arguments Wisconsin Watch and school choice detractors will continually bring up.

Even as states such as Arizona and West Virginia are embracing and expanding on the vision for educational options that was born in Wisconsin just 30 years ago, our own state risks moving in the other direction.

School choice in Wisconsin is widely supported. A recent poll by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce found that 70% of Wisconsin voters support school choice.

Half-truths about the choice program must be responded to strongly because they work to close the school door on thousands of low-income families who simply want something different than what their local public schools are offering.
Sewer rehabilitation project will move forward

Twin Falls City Council approved a nearly $500,000 payment to line almost 9,000 feet of sewer pipe with concrete. The money will come from $250,000 of wastewater reserves and this years budget of $250,000 to fund the project.

Planned and Engineered Contracting, from Helena, Montana, won the bid on the project, which will rehabilitate 8,899 feet of 8 sewer pipes, using cured-in-place pipe lining, a method of trenchless rehabilitation and restoration used in the repair of existing pipes.

The intent of the project is not to repair problematic infrastructure with typical construction techniques involving excavation, but rather to rehabilitate sewer mains to ensure they will last another 50-60 years.

The contractor will isolate a section of pipe between two manholes and insert a flexible liner inside the existing host pipe, inflate the liner then either heat cure or UV cure to harden.

The liner essentially forms a smooth surface inside the existing pipe, restoring it to near-new condition.

The contract documents require the contractor to complete the work no later than April 1.

Airline subsidy renewal

Council approved renewing the minimum revenue guarantee with SkyWest Airlines for the third quarter of 2023.

The amount of $75,333 requested by Sky West for the third quarter is significantly lower than each of the first two quarters of 2023 and reflects the recent announcement of Delta Airlines adding a second flight to Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport, and changing the contract from Pro-Rate to Capacity Agreement, which decreases Sky Wests exposure to loss, thereby lowering their requested contract.

In 2023, the city and county have so far paid out $189,000 for the first quarter revenue shortfall. Sky Wests revenues for the second quarter, from April through June, exceeded the contracted guarantee, and no payment was required.

Airport will expand East Ramp

Council approved an item to award a $1.7 million bid to Idaho Materials & Construction for the east ramp expansion project at Joslin Field, Magic Valley Regional Airport.

This project will consist of the construction of an expanded east ramp area which will provide additional aircraft parking, designed for the larger business jets and firefighting aircraft that use the airport.

The grant for the project will be 93.75% federally funded and will require a 6.25% local match from the city and county. The airport has the local match budgeted within the airport construction fund.

 Times-News

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Q: Many drivers have dark window tinting, which makes it difficult to communicate if I cant see them. Whats the regulation on window tinting?

A: To my understanding, their question can be directed under Idaho Legislation Title 49 Chapter 9, said Amy Agenbroad, spokesperson for the Idaho State Police.

Enacted in 1992, the Idaho Code on motor vehicles and vehicle equipment states the standards for windshields and windows of motor vehicles, Agenbroad said, as follows:

Tint darkness:

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturers AS-1 line or top 6 inches.

Front side windows: Must allow more than 35 percent light in.

Back side windows: Must allow more than 20 percent light in.

Rear window: Must allow more than 35 percent light in.

Idaho does have several other rules and regulations pertaining to window tinting, she said. Those include the following:

Dual side mirrors are required if the back window is tinted.

There are no restricted colors.

State laws allow three percent light transmission tolerance.

Film manufacturers are not required to certify the film they sell in this state, and no stickers to identify legal tinting is required, she said.

Idaho allows medical exemptions for darker tints, as dark as 2 percent Visible Light Transmission (VLT) on front side windows and even allow for window tint on the windshield, which may be tinted to 75 percent VLT, plenty to reduce glare and block 99 percent of UV light.

Idaho code states a person who possesses written verification from a licensed physician that the operator or passenger must be protected from exposure to sunlight or heat for medical reasons associated with past or current treatment; such written verification shall be carried in the vehicle.

The penalty for any person convicted of a violation should be guilty of a traffic infraction, Agenbroad said.
During its summer meeting, the Idaho Republican Party easily passed a number of proposals that raised concerns among some long-time party members. While some Republicans praised the meeting as the most unified and well-organized the party has seen in a decade, others walked away worried leadership was shutting out dissent.

Proposals passed are as follows:

A resolution to allow central committees to summon Republican elected officials to potentially censure them for not adhering to the party platform, with multiple censures potentially resulting in those officials unable to run as Republicans in future elections.

A proposal to create a presidential caucus if the Legislature doesnt call a special session to fix issues with moving the presidential primary from March to May.

Removing voting privileges from the Federation of Republican Women, Idaho Young Republicans, and Idaho College Republicans on the party executive committee.

A vote of no confidence for Gov. Brad Little for vetoing a bill that would allow citizens to sue libraries if their children are able to check out obscene material. The no confidence vote includes lawmakers who did not vote to override the veto.

Support for a constitutional amendment allowing political parties to control their own primary processes.

An early presidential caucus

Among the most consequential decisions made on Saturday: Approving a March presidential caucus for the 2024 presidential candidate selection process.

COMMENTARY: Speak up now, fellow Idahoans. This weekend will be too late. COMMENTARY: There is a move afoot in our own party to secure individual power at the expense of others, writes Daniel Silver, first vice-chair of the Idaho Republican Party.

During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to move the presidential primary from March to May, but due to a technical error in the bill, it simply eliminated the March election date without adding a new May date. A follow-up bill to correct the error passed the Senate but died without a hearing in the House.

Secretary of State Phil McGrane said he attended the summer meeting to see what the party would do in terms of a presidential primary. McGrane has said without a special legislative session to add the May primary, Idaho wont have the ability to nominate a presidential candidate in 2024. On Saturday, he told Idaho Reports that he does not see momentum to call lawmakers back to address the issue.

Where we are is certainly not what anyone intended, McGrane said.

In that vacuum, the Idaho Republican Party chose to hold a March presidential caucus instead of a May primary.

My preference is that Idahoans have the opportunity to vote, so I have a strong preference toward the primary and us trying to find a resolution, McGrane said.

Caucuses have a much lower participation rate than primaries, which allow early voting and absentee voting. Caucuses are a one-time event, precluding people who cant attend in person at that specific time.

But former state representative Ron Nate pointed out that the early March caucus date gives Idahoans a stronger voice in selecting a presidential candidate. Often, most of the rest of the country has gone through their selection process by the time Idaho holds its May primary, he said. At that point, the majority of presidential candidates have already been mathematically eliminated from contention.

The choice is really between having an early voice and having no voice, Nate said.

McGrane acknowledged that a caucus is better than having no solution. I think given where they are, the caucus is the next best alternative, he said.

Building consensus or eliminating dissent?

In a Sunday interview with Idaho Reports, Nate praised Idaho Republican Party chairwoman Dorothy Moon for hosting a well-organized meeting.

It seems there is growing unification within the party, Nate said.

Tom Luna, immediate past chairman of the state party, disagreed.

What happened (this weekend) does not represent the majority of the Republican party, Luna told Idaho Reports on Saturday. But what it did represent was the majority of the people that showed up were those that were very well organized and intent on purging the party of people that do not agree with them 100 percent of the time, whether its on abortion or education, whether its on what they view as the proper role of government.

Luna pointed to vocal criticism of lawmakers and Gov. Brad Little as an example. Little won the 2022 Republican primary in most counties, and comfortably won the general election statewide, but many of those counties small number of Republican committee members arent Little supporters. That shows a disconnect between precinct leadership and the average Idaho Republican voter, Luna said.

Even when I was elected party chair, I recognized that it was hundreds of Republicans who voted for me, Luna said. Youve got Brad Little who had tens of thousands of Republicans who voted for him.

Luna also took exception to the resolution allowing central committees to summon elected officials to question them, and potentially censure them, over their voting record.

According to the resolution, upon receiving a petition, the central committees can now set a meeting to hear the alleged violations of the party platform and allow the GOP official to respond. A majority of the committee could vote to censure the official, and subsequent censures with a 60% majority could remove Party support and prohibit the use of Republican Party identifiers on campaign information and advertising during the individuals current term and any other campaigns for five years.

Luna said these officials have already been elected by the majority of people in that district, and the central committees are much smaller. If this person doesnt meet this small group of peoples standards, then theyre going to be punished? I mean its a politburo, he said. He also pointed to the removal of voting rights from the three private groups who have traditionally voted on the executive committee.

Theyve marginalized young republicans, Republican women, and college Republicans, and they were successful, Luna said.

Nate countered that its the job of the state party to protect the Republican brand: Defense of small government, personal property rights, and the state and US constitutions.

To protect the brand, the party has adopted whatever measures it can to preserve party integrity, Nate said, saying a number of Idaho Republicans no longer adhere to the party platform.

Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, agreed. Personally, Im all for them keeping me accountable, she said in a Monday interview with Idaho Reports. Zuiderveld said she regularly hears from constituents that theyre concerned about lawmakers who stray from the platform, which the state party reconsiders and can amend every two years. Its the local precincts responsibility to inform elected officials if they have concerns about their voting records, she said.

The (precinct committeemans) job should be going out to their precincts, going and listening to them so they can report back to me, she said.

Already, central committees can, and do, hold votes of no confidence over officials voting records. In April, the Bonner County Republican Central Committee held a vote of no confidence for Rep. Mark Sauter, according to the Bonner County Daily Bee. Rep. Lori McCann has also faced votes of no confidence. But until now, those votes carried no real repercussions.

Nate said ultimately, this move will help unify the party more.

As the split in the party has grown over time where you have some who dont follow the Republican platform, that has created the division, he said.

Nate and Zuiderveld both said the meeting was far more civil than those in recent years, with nearly every proposal passing with a comfortable majority.

We had lively debate, but I dont think we had as much sniping as there has been in the past, said Nate, whose wife, Maria Nate, is the state party secretary. It seems there is a growing unification in the party.

But Luna said the remote location of the summer meeting  located at Living Waters Ranch in Challis  made it difficult for more people to attend, and reiterated his belief that this set of party leadership was out of touch with most Idaho conservatives.

If Im a Republican, I think its time to start paying a lot more attention to the kind of decisions that are being made by a small number of Republicans that are going to impact all of us, Luna said.

3 Magic Valley legislators receive no-confidence votes after not supporting an override of Gov. Littles veto of the library porn bill

Reps. Greg Lanting, Chenele Dixon, and Jack Nelsen, all from the Magic Valley, were three of the 14 legislators who received a vote of no confidence, along with Gov. Brad Little, at the meeting.

Rep. Chenele Dixon, who was named in the vote, responded to the Times-News with a statement, which is printed here in full.

In her statement, Dixon said she would continue to advocate for sound government, small government and local control.

I am proud to stand with Governor Little and many legislative colleagues in defeating legislation that would have incited Idahoans to sue one another and placed unbounded arbitrary definitions for obscene materials as anything harmful to a minor.

Twin Falls Rep. Greg Lanting, who is on vacation, replied with a brief email.

My only comment is, bad legislation is bad legislation, Lanting told the Times-News. I supported the GOP Governor veto.

Jerome Republican Rep. Jack Nelsen was also on the no-confidence list. In an email to the Times-News, Nelsen said he stood by his votes and would continue to support local control and small governance.

I am proud to be a strong conservative voice for District 26. I was elected by thousands of voters in my community  this is something I take very seriously, Nelsen said in his statement. I am disappointed that Chairman Moon has taken the position to disregard the many Idahoans who voted to elect me, my fellow legislators and Governor Brad Little. It is the voters  not dark money special interest groups  who decide who represents them in the Idaho Legislature. I stand by my votes. I will continue to vote for local control and common sense governance.

Steve Miller also voted against the veto override, but his name wasnt on the no-confidence list. Miller did not immediately respond to the Times-News request for comment.

Cherie Vollmer attended the meeting as Twin Falls County Committee stateswoman. Vollmer told the Times-News that, for the most part, meeting attendees from the Magic Valley supported their legislators, and understood why they voted no on the veto override.

It wasnt, No, we want pornography, Vollmer said. It was, No, we need to tighten this up and make the bill a little bit better.

Tom Wangeman attended the Idaho GOP Summer Meeting in Challis as state committeeman for Twin Falls County.

The purpose of the Republican party is to elect Republicans, and anything that shrinks the tent, in my opinion, is dangerous, Wangeman told the Times-News in a phone call.

Wangeman said he and other Magic Valley members had concerns about a concentration of power on the executive board. With the removal of voting privileges from the Federation of Republican Women, Idaho Young Republicans, and Idaho College Republicans, along with the resignation of National Committeeman Damond Watkins, there are fewer voices on the board, Wangeman said.

The Platform Enforcement Rule was another issue Wangeman said he found problematic. The rule allows the party to hold elected officials accountable through a mechanism of removing their ability to use the Republican brand, if the party decides that they are not in line with their beliefs.

The thing about the Republican party, in general, is its supposed to be limited government, limited rules, maximum freedom, and things being more grassroots than centrally dictated, Wangeman said. Any time you have a small group dictating something, you dont get the kind of broad-based free market of ideas, and the invisible hand Adam Smith describes, in effect.

Wangeman said that division within the Colorado GOP was part of the reason Colorado flipped from a Red state to a Blue state.

Creating this kind of dissension was exactly in that formula, Wangeman said. If you divide and conquer  so to speak  you create great dissension within the majority party, then as a minority you can slide in and take advantage of that.

Rep. Chenele Dixon responds to 'no-confidence' resolution "I am grateful to be a Republican in Idaho. I have served in our good community for decades, as a Republican in our county, in the state party, and now as a state legislator. "During the 2022 primary election, 6,131 (84.4%) registered Republicans in district 24 voted for me as their choice for strong conservative Republican representation. "Since the legislative session ended, I have continued to work for Idahos families, health care, infrastructure, water, education, and natural resources. "The state party recently expressed disagreement with my position on one bill. I am proud to stand with Governor Little and many legislative colleagues in defeating legislation that would have incited Idahoans to sue one another and placed unbounded arbitrary definitions that would be impossible to enforce. "Words matter. I will continue to advocate for sound governance, small government and local control. I am confident that the Republican voters in my district will stand with me." Rep. Chenele Dixon

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Sudans army on Monday faced a multi-front challenge after losing Khartoums main police base to paramilitaries in a battle that killed at least 14 civilians, while rebels attacked troops near Ethiopia.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fighting Sudans regular army since mid-April, announced late Sunday a victory in the battle for the police HQ of the Central Reserve Police.

Central Reserve are a paramilitary police unit sanctioned last year by Washington for serious human rights abuses related to its use of excessive force against earlier pro-democracy protests.

The headquarters is under our complete control and we have seized a large number of vehicles, arms and munitions, the RSF said in a statement.

If the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, maintain their hold on the strategic site at the southern edge of the capital, it would have a major impact on the battle of Khartoum, a former army officer told AFP, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

The army denied in a statement that the RSF had won a military victory, and denounced a flagrant attack against state institutions that protect civilians.

Troops were also battling hundreds of kilometres (miles) south in Kurmuk, near the border with Ethiopia, where residents said a rebel group attacked army positions.

The United Nations mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) expressed grave concern about the development. It cited reports of fighting Sunday and Monday in three Kurmuk-area villages that forced hundreds of civilians to cross into Ethiopia.

This adds to the roughly 600,000 who have already fled to neighbouring countries, according to International Organization for Migration data. Around two million people have been displaced within Sudan, it said.

The same rebel group, a faction of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), had opened a new front against the army last week in South Kordofan state by attacking soldiers, the army said at the time.

That faction, led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, was one of two holdout groups that refused to sign a 2020 peace deal.

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 erupted into war more than two months ago, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Many bodies have been left rotting in the streets of Khartoum and in the western region of Darfur, where most of the violence has occurred.

Resident said fighting continued Monday in the area of the Central Reserve base. They said RSF shells targeting an army checkpoint wounded civilians on a bus.

On Sunday, 14 civilians including two children were killed in the same general area, according to a network of activists who try to evacuate wounded.

The activists said 217 others were wounded, many critically, by stray bullets, air raids or shelling in residential neighbourhoods of Khartoums south.

 Rockets are falling 

The Doctors Without Borders (MSF) charity reported on Monday that in the past 48 hours 150 war-wounded had been treated at Khartoums Turkish Hospital.

The majority of patients are civilians  including children and the elderly, MSF said on Twitter.

Two-thirds of Sudans health facilities in the main battlegrounds remain out of service, the World Health Organization has said, 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.

The Central Reserve headquarters gives the RSF control of the southern entrance to the capital, and their presence poses a serious threat to the nearby headquarters of the armoured corps, a key army unit in south Khartoum, the former army officer said.

RSF lost more than 400 men in the Central Reserve battle, said an army source not authorised to speak to the press. RSF have not issued any casualty figures but claimed their operation against the police facility led to the killing or capture of hundreds of army-linked personnel.

Darfur, a vast western region on the border with Chad, has witnessed the deadliest violence since the war began.

In the South Darfur state capital, Nyala, at least a dozen civilians were killed on Sunday, according to a local doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Nyala residents reported intense artillery fire overnight Sunday to Monday. Rockets are falling on civilian homes, one told AFP.

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Russias defence ministry said Monday it had scrambled two fighter jets as British warplanes approached its border above the Black Sea.

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.

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.

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The United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED opposes suggestions to allow industrial users or manufacturers to directly import sugar as a compromise to the governments plan to raise duties and broaden the tax base for sweetened beverages.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Koko Pimentel Iii said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not made any headway in our problems in the agricultural sector.

In a statement, UNIFED president Manuel Lamata appealed to the President to disregard Finance Secretary Benjamin Dioknos remark describing sugar trade liberalization as a reasonable compromise in lieu of the planned higher taxes on sugary drinks.

Lamata said they were totally against the move of Diokno to liberalize importation in favor of a few industrial users.

The Department of Finance was eyeing an increase excise taxes for sweetened beverages under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law by P12 per liter, regardless of the type of sweetener used, remove,exemptions, and index the rate by four percent annually.

The TRAIN law mandates a P6-per liter excise tax on beverages using caloric and non-caloric sweeteners, and P12 per litertax on beverages using high-fructose corn syrup.

Diokno said higher tax rate and broader base was a reasonable compromise, but added that he was still in favor of sugar importation.

Under the current system, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) controls the importation of sugar and determines the volume to be imported after assessing the local industrys capability to satisfy the countrys consumption demands.

UNIFEDs Lamata said the move will kill the (livelihood of) more than five million Filipinos who are dependent on the sugar industry.

Is Diokno prepared to give livelihood to these five million industry stakeholders? he asked.

The Finance Secretary is ill-advised, Lamata said, adding that Diokno should also think of the consumers or the general public who will also be affected as these industrial users will surely pass on the additional taxes to their consumers.

Lamata said the UNIFED was hoping that the President would not endorse Dioknos proposal plan which was never even done in consultation with the sugar industry.

We know President Marcos heart is with and for the farmers as he has told us so, and we are calling for his intervention on this matter, Lamata said.

In sugar matters alone, Pimentel noted that the Marcos administration has had two controversies in less than one year in office.

Smuggling is still rampant, he said.

The opposition leader also said that prices of onions and other basic food items are still very expensive and beyond the means of ordinary citizens.

He further stated that remains a problem under the current administration.

I believe PBBM can be greatly helped by the appointment of a regular Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, he added.

For his part, Sen. Robinhood Padilla believed that the President has a grand plan that might be effective for the countrys agricultural sector.

We dont know what his plans are, he added.

He said it might be the reason why he is yet to appoint an agriculture secretary amid calls to fill in the post.

According to Padilla, he likes what the President has been doing particularly his focus on the economy.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said he was fully satisfied with the Presidents performance, not

because he is a supermajority member. He said the President had accomplished most of his campaign promises.

Perhaps, it is time to choose an agriculture secretary since he has many more things to do, Estrada said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she still needs to talk to Pimentel if the will attend the SONA.

More than the SONA, she wants to see the leadership of the President which she considers lacking in many sectors especially in agriculture.

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Philippine authorities have detained more than 2,700 people during a raid on several buildings in Manila where alleged human trafficking victims were paid to recruit players for online games, police said Tuesday.

A state-run wire service said those apprehended were found working for an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Las Pinas City. Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Pakistani, Cameroonian, Sudanese, Myanmar and Philippine nationals were among the people found inside a compound in the capital on Monday night.

Authorities were interviewing 2,724 detainees to identify who was a victim or suspect, said police Capt. Michelle Sabino, spokeswoman for the anti-cybercrime unit.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING RAID. Operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office and other law enforcement units swoop down on a compound in barangay Almanza Uno, Las Pinas City being used by an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator where they round up over 2,700 Filipino and foreign nationals believed recruited by a human trafficking. Norman Cruz

More than 1,500 were Filipinos.

International concern has been growing over internet scams in the Asia-Pacific region, often staffed by trafficking victims tricked or coerced into promoting bogus crypto investments.

Sabino said the alleged trafficking victims had accepted jobs posted on Facebook to work in the Philippines to find players for online games.

Many of them were forced to work 12-hour shifts every day for as little as P24,000 pesos a month, and were prevented from leaving the compound, she said.

Sabino described it as the biggest ever anti-trafficking raid in the Philippines.

AFP journalists at the scene on Tuesday saw two police buses and two police trucks parked outside the compound. They were not allowed to enter the buildings.

Sabino said everything will be investigated, including whether the workers were involved in online rackets.

In May, authorities rescued more than a thousand people from several Asian nations who had been trafficked into the Philippines, held captive and forced to run online scams.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said victims were often ensnared by traffickers with the prospect of better jobs with high salaries and enticing perks.

One very noticeable aspect in these online scams, which is different to other forms of trafficking, is that education offers no immunity as we have seen even well-educated professionals become victims, Itayi Viriri, IOM senior regional spokesman for Asia-Pacific, told AFP.

Viriri said victims were typically trapped in a world of exploitation where they endure abuse, confiscation of travel documents, and isolation from their peers.

We therefore commend the actions taken by the Philippines authorities to intervene as it is clear that victims are basically hostages to their traffickers and as such rely on external intervention to break free from their captors, Viriri said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros recently warned that scam call centers were operating in the Philippines and employing foreigners trafficked into the country.

In its 2023 human trafficking report, the US State Department said the Philippines did not vigorously investigate or prosecute labor trafficking crimes that occurred within the country.

Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes remained significant concerns, it said.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported that the apprehensions consisted of 1,528 Filipinos, 600 Chinese, 183 Vietnamese, 137 Indonesians, 134 Malaysians, 81 Thais, and 21 Taiwanese,

while the rest were from Nigeria, Singapore, Myanmar, Yemen, Pakistan, South Africa, India, Somalia, Sudan, Cameroon, and Iran.

They were rounded up during the raid by joint operatives from the NCRPO and the Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at the POGO establishment Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Almanza Uno.

The operation was conducted on the strength of warrants issued by a local court of Las Pinas against the owners and maintainers of the POGO hub, identified through their aliases Quiha Lu, Liangfei Chen, Jimmy Lin, and Abbey Ng for violating the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

The foreigners were documented for booking and possible deportation.

Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said they will continue to work closely with other agencies to ensure that those engage in such heinous crimes are held accountable.

We must all unite in this fight against human trafficking and help put an end to this inhumane practice, Acorda had said.

The PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminating human trafficking in the Philippines and pledges to transform the country into a secure place where Filipinos and foreign nationals alike can thrive, explore and conduct business without fear, he added.

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GOLDEN TOURISM EVENT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. receives a plaque from Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco as the Department of Tourism celebrates 50 years since its founding with the theme: Ginto: Greater Innovations, New Tourism Opportunities at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday. Joey O. Razon

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed optimism that the Philippines will become the tourism powerhouse of Asia in the next few years as the government unveiled its new tourism slogan Love the Philippines yesterday.

What a better way to express that love than directly incorporating it into our countrys newest tourism campaign slogan, Love the Philippines. This is new branding which we unveiled today. It will serve as our guidepost for the Philippine Tourism Industry moving forward, Marcos said in his speech during the Department of Tourisms 50th anniversary celebration.

The campaign that you [DOT] have conceptualized aims to enhance the overall experience of every traveler, he added.

In May, Mr. Marcos approved the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 which will serve as his administrations blueprint and development framework for the tourism industry.

He said the NTDP 2023-2028 contains the governments targets, which include the promotion of local products and the implementation of more infrastructure projects to ensure hassle-free travel.

The five-year plan stemmed from this admins determination to implement programs that will positively transform our country towards being a tourism powerhouse in Asia in the coming years. Let us therefore strive to translate our golden vision into reality, he said.

Marcos lauded the DOT for making the tourism industry a major driver of economic growth.

He also welcomed the improving figures in tourism revenues, employment, international arrivals and domestic trips, saying these indicate the countrys recovery from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All of these are encouraging signs that the tourism industry in our country as a whole is headed well towards full recovery. It also conveys a strong message to the world that we are ready and fully equipped to welcome tourists, travelers as well as investors, Mr. Marcos said.

To realize his administrations goal of transforming the Philippines as Asias tourism powerhouse, the President urged Filipinos to be the countrys tourism ambassadors.

I enjoin you all to be our countrys promoters, advocates, and if I may borrow a coined term in this age of social media, be our countrys top influencers, he said.

Indeed, the Philippines will never run out of places to discover, meals to enjoy, adventures to experience, people to meet, talents to admire. Let us take pride and celebrate the love we have of our country and our people for it is the same love that gave meaning to the establishment of the DOT and the same love that will propel our tourism industry moving forward into the future, Mr. Marcos added.

The total number of international tourist arrivals in the country has reached 2,029,419 since January, based on the latest data from the DOT.

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BUSINESS AND JOBS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez tells business leaders at the 44th National Conference of Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) Tuesday at the Manila Hotel that the government will press on with reforms to improve the business climate, attract more investments and create more jobs. Ver Noveno

The Marcos administration is working to create a favorable environment for businesses to thrive, including a push for a digital economy, Speaker Martin Romualdez said during the 44th National Conference of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines on Tuesday.

Romualdez said Congress joined hands with the administration to cut red tape and promote ease of doing business, among others.

Recognizing the advent of the digital economy, weve championed the Digital Philippines program. This is a dual effort to enhance our digital infrastructure and arm our workforce with the necessary digital skills, creating an avenue for more job opportunities in the tech sector, he said.

Moreover, we are committed to ensuring that our economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. We are prioritizing sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services, which are crucial for job creation, particularly for marginalized communities, Romualdez added.

Addressing several foreign dignitaries present, Romualdez said now is the time to invest in the Philippines which has the fastest-growing economy in the world, apart from having a very popular leader in President Ferdinand Marcos.

He said the House of Representatives is working hard to institutionalize needed reforms, noting that before the 19th Congress adjourned its First Regular Session, the chamber approved 33 out of the 42 priority legislations in the common legislative agenda of the Legislative-Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC).

Romualdez said among the approved measures was the Maharlika Investment Fund bill, which seeks to create the countrys first-ever sovereign investment fund that is expected to become a major source of funding for the administrations big-ticket projects.

Romualdez exhorted the ECOP to continue its partnership with the government to ensure sustained post-pandemic recovery and growth.

He also thanked the business leaders for their resilience and fortitude in facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by keeping their businesses afloat to ensure millions of Filipinos have a lifeline or a source of income during the crisis.

I am confident that with the continued collaborative efforts of the Marcos administration, the 19th Congress, and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, we can achieve a prosperous and resilient economy, offering a brighter future for all Filipinos, he said.

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For more than 100 years, a stately mansion has graced the residential neighborhood along South Main Street in Marion. Now, this beautiful and historical landmark is about to become Marions new first-class restaurant and event venue.

Albert Blanton was the owner of A. Blanton Wholesale Grocery store on Depot Street and, in 1914, he hired Asheville architect Richard Sharp Smith to design a new house on South Main Street. Blanton died three years later in 1917.

The impressive mansion he had built was purchased in the 1920s by W. Lester Morris, who became president of Clinchfield Manufacturing Co. In more recent years, the house and its distinctive columns has been the home of Max Hensley Photography Studio, Village Fashions and Tax 2000, according to the book Marion by Kim Clark.

Now, this Marion landmark will become the Blanton House Restaurant & Venue and it promises to be an elegant dining establishment and place for special celebrations.

Both Tax 2000 and the Blanton House are owned and operated by Sheri Atkins and her family. They include siblings Cheneil Bailey, Jade Hawkins, Victoria Atkins and Jonathan Atkins.

The Atkins family lived in the upstairs section of the Blanton House from 2001 to 2019. But for some time now, they have worked to transform their former home and business space into a new restaurant and venue that promises to be second to none, not just for Marion but for western North Carolina as well.

After much work and preparation, the official opening is Thursday, June 29.

The reason we are naming it the Blanton house is to honor the memory of Albert and Charlotte Blanton, who were very prominent in the community and involved in the community, said Victoria Atkins.

The Blanton House is an upscale restaurant serving steaks, seafood, shrimp and grits, house-made salads and dressings and desserts. The food will have a Charleston, S.C., flair and there will be a rotating menu, said the family members.

During a recent soft opening, the menu featured appetizers like pimento cheeseboard, shrimp kisses, crab cakes and Southern egg rolls as well as salads and Charleston crab bisque. The entrees included Charleston fried chicken, shrimp and grits, Calibrian linguine, Low Country boil, duck breast, grilled salmon, ribeye and filet mignon. Desserts consisted of lemon cake, peanut butter chocolate cake and blueberry cobbler.

For beverages, patrons could select from a long list of wines, cocktails and beers, along with Pepsi products.

The family members have given additional touches to the historic interior such as chandeliers and vintage paintings. The new bar has a lighted surface and there are lots of wine racks.

Jacob Maust is the executive chef while Ewan Willis is the sous chef. They have previously worked at the Biltmore Estate and are now bringing their culinary talents to Marion.

We are really trying to go over and beyond the normal dining experience with hospitable touches and push limits to our food, said Cheneil Bailey.

Both the main level and the upper level in the historic mansion are available for dining.

For now, the restaurant will be open for dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 4:30 p.m., with the last dinner reservation at 9 p.m. The family members plan to have a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays in the near future.

The Blanton House restaurant is just the first part of the familys plan for this historic structure. It will also become a venue for weddings, celebrations and other special occasions.

In the rear of the mansion is a spacious courtyard that can seat 200 people. It has already hosted events like weddings but the family members want to host other community events and live concerts.

The large courtyard was built especially for this venue. The bricks used in its construction are more than 100 years old, the same time period as the house. It comes complete with fountains and a big brick fireplace.

The Atkins family has still more plans for their section of Marion. Next door is the large brick J.D. Blanton house that they plan to operate as a bed-and-breakfast.

Most of all, they wish for the Blanton House Restaurant & Venue to become a top destination for those who value good food, good drinks and good times in a nice setting. That includes people in McDowell County and beyond.

We would love for people to value us as a tradition like going to the Grove Park Inn, said Jade Hawkins.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085532990337.
Editors note: Calendar items must be submitted at least six days before an event. Items are only guaranteed to publish once prior to the event. To guarantee placement in the paper on a particular day, organizations can purchase an ad by calling 315-720-9694. Email all items to news@mcdowellnews.com.

TODAY

MATCH and Marion East Community Forum will host a Community Health and Resource Fair at the Marion Tailgate Market today from 3-6 p.m. The first 100 guests will receive a $10 gift certificate to be used at the Farmers Market. In addition to the Market vendors, over 30 community organizations will be present. Free hot dog dinner and cleaning supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 828-659-5289.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28

The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will offer a class in making a wooden acrylic pour mermaid with Lisa Hines as the instructor. The class will be taught Wednesday, June 28, from 5-8 p.m. The cost is $25 for AGS members, $35 for nonmembers, plus a $15 supply fee. Learn acrylic pour techniques used to paint these 17-inch x 11-inch mermaids. To register, visit Arrowhead Gallery, 78C Catawba Ave., Old Fort, or call 828-668-1100.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

The Arrowhead Artists and Artisans League will offer a class in making a framed wire tree with Catherine Bruggeman. The class will be taught Friday, June 30, from 1-4:30 p.m. The cost is $30 for AGS members, $40 for nonmembers, plus a $12 supply fee. Here is a unique twist on wire wrapping. Students will select from different color wire and construct a bent (bonsai) tree and learn to attach to frames. Wood frame and all wire supplies included. To register, visit Arrowhead Gallery, 78C Catawba Ave., Old Fort, or call 828-668-1100.

The Glenwood High Alumni will have a dinner meeting on Friday, June 30, at 5 p.m. at Hook & Anchor. All high school attendees and teachers welcome. For questions, call Richard Buchanan at 828-460-2655 or Jeanette Jarrett at 828-460-9641.

TUESDAY, JULY 4

On Tuesday, July 4, all seven convenience centers and Transfer Station and Public Service office will be closed in observance of the Fourth of July. On Wednesday, July 5, they will resume normal operating hours. All seven convenience centers will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the Transfer Station will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions, contact Pam Vance at 828-659-2521 or 828-460-9715. You can also reach Dewayne Riddle at 828-925-2062.

The Mountain Gateway Museum in Old Fort will have free ice cream scoops and watermelon slices, bluegrass music and a Ducky Derby at the annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, July 4. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. on the museums grounds at the intersection of Catawba Avenue and Water Street in Old Fort. This year, the museum welcomes the Old Fort Ruritan Club, which will be operating the Ducky Derby during the event as a fundraiser. Tickets for the Ducky Derby are being sold now. Each duck costs $3. To purchase a ticket, contact David Blackwelder at 828-925-2095 or Cathy Herron at 828-460-8164. Possum Creek, a local bluegrass band that leads a free music jam most Sunday afternoons at Mountain Gateway Museum, will perform on the museums front porch from 2-4 p.m.

Marions Independence Day Celebration is Tuesday, July 4. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. A special spot will be reserved at the beginning of the parade for Anything That Rolls. Skaters, bicycles and skateboards are welcome and are not required to preregister. Parade marshals will be McDowell County veterans. Fox and Company will perform at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will be at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 652-2215.
Students of McDowell County Schools will be guaranteed a school meal at no cost for the 2023-24 school year as the system met qualifications as a part of the Community Eligibility Provision through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs.

Jon Haynes, school nutrition director for McDowell County Schools, announced during Junes monthly board of education meeting that the entire district qualifies for the program and plans will take effect in the upcoming school year which begins on July 11 when Eastfield Global Magnet School reopens for the 2023-24 year.

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a nonpricing meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. CEP allows the nations highest poverty schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications, Haynes said. Instead, schools that adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction website, a school district becomes eligible for CEP if 40% or more of students are already certified to eat for free without filling out an application.

With McDowell becoming eligible it takes care of families who struggle with the current rising costs of school meals.

Our number one goal is to make sure the kids in the district are being fed so they can have the best possible learning environment in order to succeed in the classroom, said Haynes. Getting our entire district eligible is a big deal. Our participation numbers went down by a significant number this past year and we had to find a way as a school system to cover that.

McDowell County Schools last had free lunches during the pandemic years of 2020-22 as the criteria for meeting eligibility were more broad. With the past school year that just ended, the system went back to a paid program and for many parents and children, the increased prices was a true sticker shock.

It was tough for a lot of folks around here when we fell back out of the pandemic CEP, added Haynes. Average meal prices were at least a dollar or more compared to pre-pandemic costs and it resulted in the reduction of participation this last school year. The kids at middle schools and high school is where we saw the bigger impacts to the cost increase.

The best part of the free breakfast and lunch plans for McDowell County School students is that no registration and paperwork is involved. As long as a student is in the school system, they are provided breakfast and lunch daily at no cost.

The Community Eligibility Provision was approved by Congress in 2010 as a part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and then became an available option nationwide during the 2014-15 school year.

Along with the start of Eastfields schedule in July, the first day of classes for McDowell Academy of Innovation and McDowell Early College is Monday, Aug. 7. The traditional calendar year start for the rest of the elementary schools and McDowell High is Monday, Aug. 28.
A mob lynched a Muslim man in a northern Nigerian town on Sunday, accusing him of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad, local police and residents said Monday.

Usman Buda, a butcher working in slaughterhouses in the town of Sokoto, was lynched and attacked by Muslim worshippers who inflicted serious injuries on him, local police spokesman Ahmad Rufai said on Sunday evening. The attackers fled when police arrived on the scene and Mr. Buda was taken to hospital, where he was later confirmed dead, Mr. Rufai added.

Blasphemy is punishable by death under Islamic law, or Sharia, which applies alongside ordinary law in some ten States in northern Nigeria, where the majority of the population is Muslim. In recent years, the death penalty has rarely been applied. However, in several cases, the accused have been killed by mobs without going through legal proceedings.

Mr. Buda, a Salafist Muslim, was stoned and beaten to death by his colleagues following an argument, he told his butcher colleague Isa Danhili. It all started when some young beggars came to ask for alms in the name of Allah and the Prophet, he said.

When Mr. Buda disapproved of the children begging, a heated argument broke out, he added. The butcher became emotional and made statements that his colleagues deemed insulting to the prophet and rushed at him with stones and sticks, said Mr. Danhili.

A video of the attack, widely shared on social networks, shows a man dressed in a bloody sleeveless jersey staggering and falling as a crowd throws stones at him. In the background, a voice can be heard shouting Kill him! in Hausa, the most widely spoken language in northern Nigeria.

Sundays lynching took place a year after the stoning to death of a Christian woman in Sokoto, on similar charges.
Incumbent President Julius Maada Bio is leading the presidential election in Sierra Leone with 55.86% of the vote after 60% counting, according to partial figures provided by the Electoral commission on Monday.

If trends continue, Mr. Bio would be re-elected for a second term, since a candidate is elected in the first round if he or she obtains more than 55% of the vote. With 1,067,666 votes, J. Bio is ahead of Samura Kamara, who received 793,751 votes, or 41.53% of the vote, according to the figures given by Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, Chairman of the Electoral Commission. The final results will be announced within 48 hours, he added.

Some 3.4 million people were called upon on Saturday to choose between 13 presidential candidates, in an election that resembled a 2018 rematch between Mr. Bio, a 59-year-old retired military officer seeking a second term, and Mr. Kamura, a 72-year-old technocrat and leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC).

In 2018, Mr. Bio, candidate of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), won the run-off with 51.8% of the vote. This year, Mr. Bio championed education and womens rights. He said he was focusing on agriculture to reduce his countrys dependence on food imports. Mr. Kamara, Minister of Finance and then Foreign Affairs before Mr. Bio took office in 2018, said he wanted to restore confidence in national economic institutions and attract foreign investors.

On Sunday evening, security forces violently dispersed opponents at the APC party headquarters in Freetown, even though the election had been generally calm. One woman was killed in the disturbance, said the APC spokesman. Her 25-year-old son, Ibrahim Conteh, recognized his mothers body at the morgue, he said. He is demanding justice. The police have not confirmed the death.
Guinea-Bissaus former President Jose Mario Vaz has been appointed a member of the Council of State, according to a presidential decree released to the media on Monday.

Mr. Jose Mario Vaz is appointed member of the Council of State, the decree states.

Jose Mario Vaz was Head of State of Guinea-Bissau between 2014 and 2020, having been replaced by the current Guinean President, Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

According to the Constitution of Guinea-Bissau, the members of the Council of State, an advisory body to the Guinean President, are the president of Parliament, the Prime minister, the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, the representative of each of the political parties with parliamentary seats and five citizens appointed by the Head of State.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Canadian government is proposing a new "Agile Licensing" framework to expedite pre-market regulation of pharmaceuticals. While Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos claims this is part of the government's strategy to offer Canadians "access to quality and affordable medicines," the policy is likely to cause more harm than good.

Adoption of Agile Licensing would allow companies to market drugs up to six months earlier than under the current system. Fewer pre-market clinical trials would be required as long as firms continue studying their drugs' effectiveness after they are already in use.

The government suggests this new approach will significantly improve Canadians' quality of life, estimating the value of this improvement at $302 million over ten years. However, the assumptions behind this estimate are flawed.

Flawed assumptions

By design, Canada will have less information about the risks of new medicines if those drugs enter the market with less pre-market clinical data. This will become a problem if a company fails to conduct promised post-market studies or if Health Canada does not remove unsafe or ineffective medicines from the market.

Unfortunately, the experience in the United States shows that many fast-tracked drugs are not adequately studied after they are approved for sale and few are removed from the market, even if evidence shows they do not perform as suggested by their "promising" but incomplete pre-market trials.

Fast-tracking market approval for new, less-studied medicines is not only potentially wasteful in the first instance; it will inevitably divert money away from other uses in the health-care system to pay for costly but unproven drugs.

New medicines are (and have long been) the primary driver of increasing spending on prescription drugs, for both private and public drug plans. In terms of budgets, new drugs do not simply replace older ones; they increase the overall drug budget, which necessarily means foregone opportunities to use those funds in other sectors of health care, such as improving access to joint replacements, nursing homes or mental health care.

There is a major flaw in Health Canada's cost-benefit analysis of Agile Licensing: it overlooks the fact that accelerated access toand therefore spending on"promising" new medicines means less money for other forms of health care that Canadians need.

Affordability

Despite the Minister of Health's assertions, the proposed framework contains no mechanism for making fast-tracked medicines "affordable." This is extremely worrisome given the drugs that will be fast-tracked by this policy are patented, specialized medicines likely to be priced at levels that are unaffordable and arguably indefensible.

Patents are government-granted time-limited monopolies that can stimulate innovation. However, they can also enable manufacturers of specialized medicines to charge exorbitant prices due to the life-or-death situations faced by patients who need such treatments. Pharmaceutical companies are using this market power to charge extraordinarily high prices with increasing frequency.

Before 2006, only four drugs approved in Canada had annual prices above $50,000 per patientwhich is clearly a lot of money. Today, however, 67 medicines carry such a price tag, costing Canadians over $3 billion per year in total. Seven drugs now available in Canada are priced at an astonishing $1 million per patient.

Higher drug prices do not guarantee more value or improvements to health and well-being. Studies show it typically costs around $30,000 to produce a measurable improvement in the health of one person, for one year in health-care systems like ours. However, new patented medicines often require hundreds of thousands of dollars for the same benefit.

The harms of high drug prices

This discrepancy between reasonable prices for generating health benefits and the prices charged for many new patented medicines indicates a failing system. It directly harms Canadians by preventing access to therapies due to prohibitive pricing, and it indirectly harms them by diverting funds from more effective investments that would yield greater health benefits per dollar spent.

Before fast-tracking drug approvals so that manufacturers can increase sales, policymakers should develop and enforce measures to ensure the prices charged will fall within reasonable limits. Unfortunately, the Canadian government recently backed down from reforms that would have done just that.

Without a policy to ensure reasonable pricing of fast-tracked medicines, the government's proposed Agile Licensing regulations will only hasten access to unproven therapies while drawing resources away from other forms of health care that Canadians need and that offer better value for money spent.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires coated Chicago and the surrounding areas with haze as weather officials issued an air quality alert for parts of the Great Lakes, Lower Mississippi and Ohio valleys Tuesday morning.

According to the monitoring site IQAir, Chicago had the worst air quality out of 95 cities worldwide Tuesday.

As of 11 a.m., the air quality index had risen to a level considered "very unhealthy," according to AirNow, a website that combines data from county, state and federal air quality agencies nationwide. This means everyone is at risk of experiencing health effects.

Smelling smoke is an immediate sign to stay indoors, said Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium.

"It's very common to see smoke in the atmosphere above us," Adelman said. "It's not common to have high concentrations of smoke coming down to the surface like we're experiencing it now."

Lake breezes will bring more smoke Tuesday afternoon, creating hazy conditions for the rest of the day, said Zachary Yack, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The smoke is expected to linger until Wednesday morning, but visibility may improve by late Tuesday, he said.

"If you're out driving, take it easy out there," Yack said. "There's pretty low visibilities here and there."

Faye Crouteau of Uptown said the air smelled like burning tires when she was walking by the lake Tuesday morning. Afterward, she was sitting outside wearing a mask because she couldn't be inside her condo while it was being inspected.

She said her wife struggles with asthma and long COVID-19. When her wife woke up this morning, the first thing she said was, "I'm having a really hard time today."

Crouteau said she was aware of how bad air quality was in New York City in early June but wasn't particularly concerned about Chicago.

"We're usually saved by the lake," Crouteau said. "But that's obviously not the case today."

Mayor Brandon Johnson's office issued a statement saying the city of Chicago is carefully monitoring the situation.

"This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City, Washington D.C., Montreal, and today here in Chicago," the statement said. "As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world."

Chicago Public Schools issued a statement saying it will use inclement weather plans for its summer programs and hold activities indoors Tuesday to reduce the risk to students and staff.

Health officials said Chicagoans should take these precautions:

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Keep outdoor activities short.

Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

Consider wearing masks

Run air purifiers and close windows

Anyone who needs immediate medical attention should dial 911.

While other regions are dealing with excessive heat, Chicago temperatures are expected to hit the low 70s. While the current air conditions are unhealthy for everyone, the risks are increased for children and adults with respiratory and pulmonary conditions, officials said.

The Chicago Cubs have a scheduled home game at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Only the commissioners office and players union can decide to postpone a game because of air quality issues, as they did last month in New York and Philadelphia.

Severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall are possible through Saturday, weather officials said.

Meanwhile, a beach hazard remains in effect for northern and central Cook County from 10 a.m. Tuesday into the evening hours as waves from 3 to 5 feet are expected. Conditions will be life-threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers.

There are high swim risks at the Lake Michigan shore as choppy waves on the southern beaches and Indiana beaches are expected, officials said. These conditions are expected to continue through Monday.

2023 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
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Credit: Cell Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112588

Collaborative work by teams at the Department of Medicine and Life Sciences (MELIS) at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), University of California, Irvine (UCI), and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) has shown that interplay between circadian clocks in liver and skeletal muscle controls glucose metabolism.

The findings reveal that local clock function in each tissue is not enough for whole-body glucose metabolism but also requires signals from feeding and fasting cycles to properly maintain glucose levels in the body. Understanding the components underlying glucose balance has clear implications for metabolic diseases such as diabetes or other age-related disorders.

Circadian clocks are present in virtually every cell in the body. They align biological processes to a 24-hour cycle to synchronize physical, mental, and behavioral changes. This process is supported by the central clock in the brain that synchronizes clocks in peripheral tissues. "Maintenance of circadian rhythms is related to general health when robust, but to disease when disrupted. So, circadian disturbances can affect carbohydrate metabolism and induce diabetes-like abnormalities," explains Pura Munoz-Canoves, senior author of the study at MELIS-UPF.

The study published June 1 in Cell Reports demonstrates, surprisingly, that clocks in liver and muscle can keep time on their own in the absence of the central clock in the brain, although the strength of their rhythms is reduced.

The study also found that in these conditions, glucose uptake and processing levels were altered. However, combining the clocks with feeding-fasting cycles improved the function of each of the clocks and restored glucose regulation in the combined system. This finding demonstrates that a daily feeding-fasting rhythm is key to the synergy of the liver and muscle clocks and to the restoration of glucose metabolic control.

Jacob Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at MELIS-UPF who co-led the study with Kevin Koronowski, commented, "Our study reveals that a minimal clock network is needed for glucose tolerance. The central clock, which controls daily feeding cycles, cooperates with local clocks in liver and muscle. Now, the next step is to identify the signaling factors involved in this interaction."

"We believe this finding may hold promise for the treatment of human diseases such as diabetes, in which this liver-muscle network may be targeted for therapeutic gain, and for other age-related disorders," adds Munoz-Canoves, who is now also a principal investigator at Altos Labs in San Diego.

The findings have been achieved using a "clockless" mouse model, developed in the laboratory of Salvador AznarBenitah at IRB Barcelona, in which they have restored clocks only in liver or skeletal muscle or combined clocks in both organs.

"This is a great example of how by studying communication between peripheral tissues one starts to understand the complex interplay of how systemic communication takes place. We are so thrilled to see how the daily coordination between the liver and the muscle was capable of sustaining systemic glucose tolerance, something that was completely unexpected by us," explains Salvador Aznar Benitah, ICREA researcher and head of the Stem Cells and Cancer lab at IRB Barcelona.

This collaborative study was initiated in the laboratory of the late Paolo Sassone-Corsi at UCI and has been supported by the work of the laboratories of Selma Masri, Cholsoon Jang and Pierre Baldi at UCI. As Salvador Aznar-Benitah, commented, "this work is a testament to the collaborative and ground-breaking science that Paolo was known for."

More information: Jacob G. Smith et al, Liver and muscle circadian clocks cooperate to support glucose tolerance in mice, Cell Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112588 Journal information: Cell Reports
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After drugmaker Novo Nordisk tweaked its diabetes drug Ozempic into Wegovya formulation expressly designed to help users shed poundssales of both drugs skyrocketed.

Other pharmaceutical giants took notice, and over the past weekend the results of multiple clinical trials from would-be competitors were unveiled at this year's annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Published simultaneously in The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, trials of two diabetes drugs from Eli LillyMounjaro, an injected drug which is already available to patients, and orforglipron, still in clinical trialseach showed effectiveness in helping users drop pounds.

Also presented at the meeting and published in The Lancet, Novo Nordisk released the results of a trial of its new investigational drug, dubbed CagriSema, which contains semaglutide (Ozempic) plus a newer medication, cagrilintide. In that trial, the drug helped people with type 2 diabetes shed excess weight.

Orforglipron

Lilly's experimental drug orforglipron comes from the blockbuster class of diabetes/weight-loss meds called glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1 agonists) that include Ozempic and Wegovy. However, unlike the latter two drugs, orforglipron is administered as a once-a-day pill rather than an injection, which should make it much more attractive to users.

In one phase 2 trial, published online June 23 in the New England Journal of Medicine, 272 adults with overweight or obesity but without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or one of four doses of orforglipron (12, 24, 36, or 45 milligrams) daily for nine months. The trial was double-blinded, meaning that neither the study participants nor the trial administrators knew whether or not a particular participant was receiving orforglipron or a placebo.

The result: "A weight reduction of at least 10% by week 36 occurred in 46% to 75% of the participants who received orforglipron [based on dosage], as compared with 9% who received placebo," wrote a team led by Dr. Sean Wharton, of the Wharton Medical Clinic in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Side effects"gastrointestinal events, which were mild to moderate"caused between 10% and 17% of people using orforglipron (depending on the dosage they received) to stop the drug, the study authors noted.

The results of a second phase 2 trial of orforglipron, led by Dr. Juan Frias, of Velocity Clinical Research in Los Angeles, were published online June 24 in The Lancet. Participants were recruited from clinics in the United States and Eastern Europe.

This time, 303 patients with type 2 diabetes received either orforglipron, the standard diabetes drug dulaglutide (Trulicity) or a placebo in a double-blinded fashion for 26 weeks. Besides improving participants' blood sugar control, by the end of the trial people taking the 45 mg dose of daily orforglipron lost an average of just over 22 pounds, compared to an average 8.6 pounds for those on dulaglutide and just under 5 pounds for folks on a placebo.

Gastrointestinal issues occurred more often for people taking orforglipron compared to dulaglutide or placebo, with anywhere from 44% to just over 70% of users complaining of such issues, depending on the dosage of orforglipron they were taking.

Both trials were funded by the drug's maker, Eli Lilly.

Mounjaro

Mounjaro (tirzepatide), another Lilly diabetes drug with results presented at the ADA meeting, has long been approved and available to patients. Like Ozempic, it's given as a once-weekly injection.

The new company-funded clinical trial involved 938 adults living with both type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Mounjaro or a placebo and weight-loss outcomes were followed for 18 months.

According to a news release from the ADA, "Participants [taking Mounjaro] lost an average of 15% of their starting body weight after 72 weeks of treatment. The overall average weight reduction in patients using tirzepatide was 14.8 kilograms, or 33 pounds."

Gastrointestinal side effects did occur for some patents, but according to the researchers, this resulted in drug discontinuation in less than 5% of cases.

"With a new drug like tirzepatide, it becomes clear we need a weight-centric approach to treating type 2 diabetes when obesity is also present, two conditions that are interwoven for so many Americans," study author Dr. W. Timothy Garvey, director of the Diabetes Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in the ADA news release. "We are encouraged by these weight loss and glycemic control results, especially as weight loss interventions are typically less effective in patients in diabetes."

CagriSema

Not to be left out, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic/Wegovy, also released the results of its new injected weight-loss drug, CagriSema, at the meeting and the findings were published online June 23 in The Lancet.

The new medicine contains semaglutide (Ozempic) plus a drug from a different class called cagrilintide. Cagrilintide replicates the action of a natural hormone called amylin, which makes people feel full after eating a meal.

The phase 2 trial was funded by Novo Nordisk and involved 92 overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes. All were randomly assigned to receive weekly injections of either CagriSema, cagrilintide alone or semaglutide alone, for eight months.

Blood sugar control was improved with the combo drug versus either drug alone, wrote a team that was also led by Frias.

As for weight loss, by the end of the trial people taking CagriSema lost an average 15.6% of weight, compared to 8.1% taking cagrilintide alone and 5.1% of those taking only semaglutide, Frias' team reported. Rates of "adverse events" (usually gastro issues) were roughly similar across the three groups, affecting about 7 out of 10 participants.

One obesity expert welcomed the news of more potential treatments for obesity.

"I want to highlight how exciting this field is right now. We've never before had medications that have been this effective, so it's really exciting," said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an internist with Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and a spokeswoman for The Obesity Society. "Obesity is such a complex, heterogeneous disease, so it's not going to be that one medication is the answer for everybody. We need as many tools as we can get in our armamentarium so that we have effective options for everybody."

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Researchers have developed smart pants that use fiber optic sensors to non-invasively track a person's movements and activities. They detect 30 measurement points on each leg. Credit: Arnaldo Leal-Junior, Federal University of Espirito Santo

With an aging global population comes a need for new sensor technologies that can help clinicians and caregivers remotely monitor a person's health. New smart pants based on fiber optic sensors could help by offering a nonintrusive way to track a person's movements and issue alerts if there are signs of distress.

"Our polymer optical fiber smart pants can be used to detect activities such as sitting, squatting, walking or kicking without inhibiting natural movements," said research team leader Arnaldo Leal-Junior from the Federal University of Espirito Santo in Brazil. "This approach avoids the privacy issues that come with image-based systems and could be useful for monitoring aging patients at home or measuring parameters such as range of motion in rehabilitation clinics."

In the journal Biomedical Optics Express, the researchers describe the new smart pants, which feature transparent optical fibers directly integrated into the textile. They also developed a portable signal acquisition unit that can be placed inside the pants pocket.

"This research shows that it is possible to develop low-cost wearable sensing systems using optical devices," said Leal-Junior. "We also demonstrate that new machine learning algorithms can be used to extend the sensing capabilities of smart textiles and possibly enable the measurement of new parameters."

Creating fiber optic pants

The research is part of a larger project focused on the development of photonic textiles for low-cost wearable sensors. Although devices like smartwatches can tell if a person is moving, the researchers wanted to develop a technology that could detect specific types of activity without hindering movement in any way. They did this by incorporating intensity variation polymer optical fiber sensors directly into fabric that was then used to create pants.

The sensors were based on polymethyl methacrylate optical fibers that are 1 mm in diameter. The researchers created sensitive areas in the fibers by removing small sections of the outer cladding fiber core. When the fiber bends due to movement, this will cause a change in optical power traveling through the fiber and can be used to identify what type of physical modification was applied to the sensitive area of the fiber.

By creating these sensitive fiber areas in various locations, the researchers created a multiplexed sensor system with 30 measurement points on each leg. They also developed a new machine learning algorithm to classify different types of activities and to classify gait parameters based on the sensor data.

The smart pants were able to detect when a person was performing various activities, including slow walking, fast walking, squatting, sitting on a chair, sitting on the floor, front kick and back kick. Credit: Arnaldo Leal-Junior, Federal University of Espirito Santo

Classifying activities

To test their prototype, the researchers had volunteers wear the smart pants and perform specific activities: slow walking, fast walking, squatting, sitting on a chair, sitting on the floor, front kicking and back kicking. The sensing approach achieved 100% accuracy in classifying these activities.

"Fiber optic sensors have several advantages, including the fact that they are immune to electric or magnetic interference and can be easily integrated into different clothing accessories due to their compactness and flexibility," said Leal-Junior. "Basing the device on a multiplexed optical power variation sensor also makes the sensing approach low-cost and highly reliable."

The researchers are now working to connect the signal acquisition unit to the cloud, which would enable the data to be accessed remotely. They also plan to test the smart textile in home settings.

More information: Leticia Avellar et al, POF Smart Pants: a fully portable optical fiber-integrated smart textile for remote monitoring of lower limb biomechanics, Biomedical Optics Express (2023). DOI: 10.1364/BOE.492796 Journal information: Biomedical Optics Express
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(A) The genetic structure of the population based on population SNPs. (B) The epigenetic structure of the population based on ethnic-specific DNA methylation sites. (C) The distribution curve of correlation values estimated between overall genetic distances and CpG methylation Manhattan distances of CpGs sorted with the values of Pst, the parameter to estimate phenotypic differentiation between populations. (D-E) The correlation curves based on the between-ethnic (D) or within-ethnic (E) comparison of genetic distances with CpG methylation Manhattan distances. Credit: Science China Press

A paper titled "Genome-wide DNA methylation landscape of four Chinese populations and epigenetic variation linked to Tibetan high-altitude adaptation" has been published online in Science China Life Sciences.

This study was led by Prof. Wen Wang (Northwestern Polytechnical University), Prof. Shuhua Xu (Fudan University), Prof. Zhengsheng Sun (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and associate Prof. Peng Tian (Northwest A&F University). Using the recently developed double-strand bisulfite sequencing (DSBS) from Sun's lab, this study revealed both genetic and DNA methylation variation in four Chinese ethnic groups, and investigated the potential difference and association of the two mechanisms in the population. Based on the comparison of Tibetans with other lowland individuals, the researchers proposed potential function of epigenetic regulation in Tibetans' adaptation to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

DNA methylation is one of the most important epigenetic marks in eukaryotic genome, and plays an important role in multiple cellular processes. Ongoing research has shown the variation of DNA methylation among different human populations, and how it is associated with both genetic and environmental factors.

China is the most populous country in the world, consisting of 56 recognized ethnic groups. Geographical distribution and habitat differences are obvious among some ethnic populations. The most typical example is Tibetans' adaptation to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is low in oxygen while high in UV radiation. However, until the publication of this work, few studies have analyzed the variation of DNA methylation among different ethnic groups in China, not to mention the role of epigenetic regulation in Tibetans' adaptation to high-altitude.

In this work, the authors collected blood samples from 32 participants from among four Chinese ethnic groups including Chinese Han, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Zhuang. They carried out DSBS, a recently developed high-throughput sequencing technology that can accurately identify both single-nucleotide variants and DNA methylation simultaneously at a single-base resolution by using one data set.

DMR-genes found in HIF-1 signaling pathway. These DMRs is found between Tibetan and other three ethnics. Genes with DMR are marked with blue color. Credit: Science China Press

The results of this study suggest that DNA methylation-based epigenetic structures differ greatly, with genetic structures that clearly distinguish the four ethnic groups. Only a small part of the DNA methylation sites shows ethnic difference and could separate the four groups. Surprisingly, after excluding the influence of within-ethnic and between-ethnic difference, the researchers found non-ethnic-specific DNA methylation variations correlated more significantly to global genetic divergence than these ethnic-specific DNA methylation structures, suggesting ethnic-specific DNA methylation variations were determined more by environmental factors other than genetic diversifications.

Interestingly, the data revealed that DNA methylation differences between Tibetan and other lowland individuals were enriched around high-altitude adaptation related genes including EPAS1 and EGLN1, which were critical selection signals in Tibetans' adaptation to highlands, suggesting that DNA methylation alteration plays an important role in high-altitude adaptation.

Additionally, the researchers also discussed the accuracy of nanopore sequencing in human epigenomic studies, and explored the reliability and feasibility of this new technology at DNA methylation identification as compared to DSBS.

This work provides the first batch of epigenetic comparison maps for some important Chinese populations and the first evidence of the association of epigenetic changes with Tibetans' high-altitude adaptation.

More information: Zeshan Lin et al, Genome-wide DNA methylation landscape of four Chinese populations and epigenetic variation linked to Tibetan high-altitude adaptation, Science China Life Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2284-8 Journal information: Science China Life Sciences
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Mercury, pesticides and rare earth metals form a toxic cocktail that a French laboratory announced Tuesday it has found in an unlikely place: on the heads of senators.

Twenty-six members of France's Socialist Party who sit in the upper house Senate each entrusted a strand of their hair to the private laboratory toxSeek last July to screen against 1,800 organic pollutants and 49 metals.

"If it's in our hair, it means we are contaminated," Senator Angele Preville, an environmental campaigner who spearheaded the initiative, told AFP.

The analysis revealed that 93 percent of the senators had rare earths in their hair, much higher than the lab's control population.

Rare earths are metals and metal compounds used in the manufacturing of high-tech devices like smartphones and electric car batteries.

The high prevalence among the senators might be explained by their regular and extensive use of communication tools, toxSeek said.

Mercury, a metal found in dental amalgams and certain fish, was found in all the senators tested.

They were also contaminated by a range of 45 pesticides from herbicides to insecticides, including carbofuran, which has been banned in Europe since 2008.

The plasticizer di-n-octyl phthalate, used to make plastics more soft and flexible, was detected in 69 percent of the participants.

"Our way of life weighs on our quality of health, it's clear," said Patrick Kanner, who was among the senators participating.

With the exception of the rare earths, the results are "very consistent with what we usually see" in the population, said toxSeek co-founder Matthieu Davoli, indicating "repeated and regular" exposure through food, cosmetic and hygiene products.

Long term exposure to these chemicals including endocrine disruptors which can interfere with the normal functioning of human hormones, can lead to chronic illness, auto-immune and neurodegenerative diseases and cancers, Davoli said.

Yan Chantrel, one of seven senators found to have "significant contamination" of rare earths, has volunteered to be re-tested after changing some habits to reduce his exposure.

He said the public health issue needs to be integrated into environmental policies.

"This questions the way we produce and consume in our society, which is ultimately creating new illnesses," he warned.

 2023 AFP
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Music therapy is well-placed to provide support in addressing trauma and promoting wellbeing. Credit: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Over the past 20 years, the number of people forcibly displaced from their homes worldwide due to conflict has reached a figure in excess of 90 million. This has more than doubled since the early 1990s, a time period labelled "the decade of displacement" by the United Nations Refugee Agency. This rate of increase shows no signs of slowing and has been fuelled by the current situations in Syria and Ukraine.

Whatever the reason for displacement, there is no doubt that being forced to leave your homeland is traumatic. The journey to a safer place can be physically and emotionally challenging. Shock and denial are often the first emotions experienced by refugees.

Long-term problems include unmanageable emotions, flashbacks and difficulty with relationships. Physical symptoms such as nausea and headaches may also occur. While practical support such as providing physical safety, food and clothes and medical help are crucial, psychological support also needs to be offered.

Music therapy

Music therapy is well-placed to provide support in addressing trauma and promoting wellbeing. It is a psychological therapy which is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK. Music therapists use a range of music-based interventions including interactive music-making, songwriting and listening to music. These help to build a therapeutic relationship with participants.

Music therapy offers a flexible and accessible way of supporting wellbeing and sharing difficult experiences. It can also bring positive memories of the cultures from which refugees have come. These can be shared with others and help to build resilience.

In the early stages of trauma, music can be part of a psychological first aid (PFA) package. PFA is usually offered in the initial aftermath of a traumatic event as well as in later stages. It seeks to provide people with safety, connections and hopefulness. The integration of these elements into music-based and music therapy interventions is useful for refugees.

Music is something found in every culture. People carry their own musical experiences with them wherever they go and can call on them for solace. Music can also be a go-to resource for those needing comfort. With such a huge range of musical genres and styles, there is something for everyone.

Because music is comprised of a series of different patternssomething the brain is attracted to and actively seeks outthere are opportunities for emotional regulation. This is central to supporting refugees' wellbeing.

Moreover, music-making with a music therapist in the immediate aftermath of trauma offers the opportunity to build relationships, stabilise feelings and reduce anxiety. These are crucial steps in mitigating the impact of trauma.

During the course of my research, I have worked with a range of displaced people, including refugees and asylum-seeking families, focusing on families with children under the age of 3. My studies have shown that people who have had music therapy find it useful and supportive for a number of reasons.

It offers a safe space to meet others in music without the need for words or explanations. This space supports the development of feelings of safety as well as awakening creativitysomething that is vital for mental health. Music therapy also fosters and builds connections with others in the same situation.

My projects used the core principles of PFA linked to music therapy for small groups of asylum-seeking families from Albania, Egypt, Syria and Pakistan. The simple, structured activities needed minimal English, so were accessible.

Movement to music, communication through rhythm games, free improvisation and songs from participants' homelands as well as music from the UK were all used to engage the groups. This helped families feel a sense of belonging in their new home.

Feeling safe

The predictability of the sessions' content was also helpful. People who experience trauma need help to feel safe, and providing a structured session does this. They also facilitated language development and social skills for the children.

Bonding as a family, something that can be disrupted by trauma, was also improved. To support this therapists can use lullabies and children's songs from the original cultures of the families, as well as UK-based tunesTwinkle Twinkle Little Star is always very popular.

Music and music therapy are useful tools to employ in planning PFA and continuing therapeutic support for refugees. While it is important to be sensitive to the wishes of refugee families who may not be ready to engage in musical activities, it is crucial that this provision is available to those who do wish to access it.

Refugees who engage with music and music therapy in their new homes often report improvements in their ability to manage their situation and move forward. Finding ways to offer access to these opportunities more widely will benefit greater numbers of those seeking to build new lives.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: National Institutes of Health

A new study suggests the number of deaths due to sickle cell disease is 11 times higher than what is indicated from mortality data sources alone. Sickle cell disease is not just underdiagnosed, but it also increases risk of infection and of death from conditions like stroke, heart problems, kidney problems, and pregnancy complications.

This means that the doctor taking care of a sickle cell disease patient who died from stroke may not even know that person had sickle cell disease or may not know that sickle cell disease can cause stroke, both of which could lead the doctor to not list sickle cell disease as a cause of death for that person.

When other sources of data on prevalence and birth incidence were combined with mortality data in epidemiological modeling, in 2021, the "total mortality burden" of sickle cell disease was 373,000 deaths, compared to 34,600 sickle-cell-only deaths, or "cause-specific deaths." The increase was especially pronounced in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the fatality figures were 67 times higher and nine times higher, respectively.

The study analyzed global health data from 2000 to 2021 and is published today in The Lancet Haematology journal. The research is part of the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study coordinated by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine.

"Our research reveals the stark reality that sickle cell disease is far deadlier than its textbook description," says senior author Dr. Nicholas Kassebaum, Adjunct Associate Professor at IHME. "The number of babies born with sickle cell disease is rising, which means a very difficult early childhood. Patients are more susceptible to infections and other severe conditions, so early detection is key for treatment."

In 2021, half a million babies were born with sickle cell disease, and more than three-quarters of these births were in sub-Saharan Africa. Under the analysis of total mortality burden (including secondary conditions), sickle cell disease was the 12th leading cause of death globally for children under the age of 5 years. However, total sickle cell disease mortality burden was among the top three causes of death in Portugal, Jamaica, Libya, Oman, and San Marino.

"Improved data collection is critical to tracking progress on sickle cell disease. In order to overcome this data limitation, instead of using mortality data alone to estimate total sickle cell disease deaths, we used a mathematical algorithm that also takes input data from birth incidence, survival over time, and prevalence, and ensures these measures are internally consistent," explains Azalea Thomson, first author and IHME researcher on the Neonatal and Child Health Team.

"By making use of all available data, we were able to strengthen our understanding of the true burden of sickle cell disease and better contextualize it alongside other leading causes of death. For example, in 2021, in kids under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa, total sickle cell disease deaths exceeded those from malnutrition, measles, or syphilis."

The research also underscores the need for policymakers and public health advocates to address the largely underrecognized burden of sickle cell disease. Universal newborn screening, case monitoring through public registries, and early intervention treatment can alleviate suffering for some 8 million people living with sickle cell disease.

"Universal newborn screening is essential for early diagnosis and management of sickle cell disease," says Dr. Theresa McHugh, scientific writer at IHME who focuses on neonatal and child health. "In low- and middle-income countries, the newborn screening process is fragmented. In the US, newborn screening is universal, but a national registry does not yet exist. Increased global awareness and adoption of health policies that expand neonatal screening and make treatment more accessible will go a long way in improving health outcomes."

More information: Global, regional and national prevalence and mortality burden of sickle cell disease, 2000-2021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, The Lancet Haematology (2023). www.thelancet.com/journals/lan  (23)00118-7/fulltext Journal information: The Lancet Haematology
A federal court blocked a large logging project near Libby on Monday, ruling planners failed to analyze how it might hurt a struggling population of grizzly bears and Canada lynx.

The Court and the public should not have to embark on a scavenger hunt through a nearly thirty-thousand page administrative record to find information that the BiOp (biological opinion) itself was supposed to disclose, U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen wrote in his order favoring the Alliance for the Wild Rockies over officials at the Kootenai National Forest, Forest Service Region One, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and intervenors from the American Forest Resource Council, Lincoln County and the Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition.

The decision halts the Ripley Project on the Kootenai National Forest, which anticipated 10 to 20 years of commercial timber work on just under 11,000 acres east of Libby. It would have created about five square miles of clearcuts and 30 miles of new logging roads, along with reconstruction of about 93 miles of existing roads. The Forest Service estimated it would cost federal taxpayers $643,000 beyond what profits from the timber sales might have produced due to ecological remediation costs needed after the logging was completed.

"Roads pose the biggest threat to grizzly bears, followed by logging and habitat removal, AWR Executive Director Michael Garrity said on Monday. And the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population in particular is in bad shape. The most recent actual count of grizzlies, published in 2021 for the 2020 monitoring year, for this population is 45 bears. The prior year counted 50 bears, and the year before that counted 54 bears. However, the governments own Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan requires 100 bears for the minimum viable population."

Forest Service officials did not return requests for comment on Monday. American Forest Resource Council President Travis Joseph said the intervenors were disappointed with the judges decision.

The Ripley Project is necessary because Lincoln County has the most acres at risk from catastrophic wildfire than any other county in Montana, Joseph wrote in an email on Monday. To address this serious risk, the Ripley Project was collaboratively developed to protect Libby and other nearby communities while restoring forest health and resiliency on the Kootenai National Forest. We will continue working with our partners to support and defend this project so it can be implemented as soon as possible.

The project covered a mix of federal, state and private timberlands. Christensen faulted the federal agencies for failing to consider how logging and roadwork on those non-federal lands could hurt the grizzly population.

Defendants assumed, contrary to the evidence before them, that the non-federal lands do not provide habitat for grizzly bears, Christensen wrote. They then used that false assumption to conclude that because the project would not substantially reduce secure habitat on USFS land, the project would not jeopardize the grizzly bear.

Christensen also found the Forest Service and FWS failed to properly analyze the projects impact on Canada lynx, which is also protected under the Endangered Species Act. And he ruled that the agencies did not attempt to obtain and did not disclose details regarding the amount of logging on State lands or the increase in roads that will occur on State and private lands during logging operations in the Project area, and thus failed to consider the cumulative effects of those activities on the grizzly bear.

While Christensen blocked the Ripley project from proceeding until the Forest Service and FWS can fix the weaknesses in their analyses, he did not require the agencies to prepare a complete environmental impact statement.
Close to 4 million visitors a year pass through West Yellowstone, hoping they won't need an ambulance service supported by barely a thousand local taxpayers.

Places like Whitefish and Bozeman have booming ski resorts, but no place where resort workers can afford to live. Those tourist-driven challenges might have tourist-paid solutions, according to a new report by Headwaters Economics that examines the double-edged sword of benefits and burdens for communities known for their outdoor recreation amenities.

"More people and new development can put pressures on existing infrastructure and contribute to growing inequality, including dramatic increases in housing costs that force long-time residents out or into the crisis of homelessness," the report stated. "Fiscal health, public discourse, and community well-being can be overcome with challenges. The paradox of a place with natural attractions that make it a great place to live but also threaten it with being 'loved to death' is what is known as the amenity trap."

In short, people across the U.S., especially the West, are increasingly visiting and moving to communities with outdoor recreation traits like forested public lands, trails, lakes, mountains and wildlife. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated that trend. Influxes of tourists and new residents bring jobs and dollars, but also often stress a community's relatively small number of permanent residents and workers by burdening housing, infrastructure and finances. It's usually the local residents who pay for the festivals and parks that benefit tourists and second-home owners, the report stated. And growing visitation and new residents can degrade the very qualities that made a place attractive to begin with.

"The Amenity Trap: How high-amenity communities can avoid being loved to death," focuses on four broad categories in which tourism destinations increasingly struggle: housing, infrastructure and public services, fiscal policy, and natural disasters. The report examines how increasing levels of outdoor-recreation tourism can become stressors in those areas, and how some communities have leveraged the economic benefit of that tourism to address the challenges it creates.

The Bozeman-based think tank released the report last month. Many of the report's recommendations returned to concepts of using funds generated by tourism to address tourism's negative impacts, rather than using tourist dollars to simply promote more tourism. The report also highlighted the coupling of affordable housing planning with economic development planning  to make sure housing isn't left behind as a place grows.

Tourism and new residents also bring benefit when they tell other people who in turn become tourists or new residents themselves. Increased visitation leads to new and expanded businesses, which draw more visitors.

"Research shows that these amenities economic power extends well past tourism by helping to keep current residents and attract new ones," the report stated. "Many new residents to amenity destinations first visited as tourists. Many people moving to amenity destinations bring their business or entrepreneurial idea, their retirement nest-eggs, or their remote work. These new residents in turn support a host of other businesses in a community and contribute to a robust, resilient economy.

"As communities recognize the economic opportunity potential from outdoor recreation, many are developing and marketing their natural amenities as part of a focused economic development strategy to diversify economies. This is particularly true in rural communities and places historically dependent on resource extraction like oil and gas, mining, and timber."

As communities grapple with the challenges that accompany growth, such as limited and more expensive housing or a small tax base unable to afford infrastructure upgrades, the report stated, local governments have three general options for how to react: do nothing, react suddenly, or plan. Doing nothing allows challenges to compound, the report argued, while reactionary measures can actually exacerbate problems. For example, limiting building permits to slow the rate of development could decrease housing stock relative to demand, which will lead to skyrocketing housing prices. But "communities that plan proactively can anticipate and direct growth rather than being subject to the pressures of the market."

Housing

That philosophy featured heavily in the report's recommendations to address housing, alongside advice to tweak regulations to limit vacation rentals and promote housing density, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), affordable long-term rentals and home sales to local workers.

In Montana, Bozeman is among communities that have limited short-term rentals, particularly those that aren't part of an owner's primary residence. Some places limit the total number of vacation rentals, the report noted, whole others cap them as a percentage of overall housing units, such as 3% of total. Other communities, like Summit County, Colorado, paid property owners in cash to lease housing units to local workers rather than use them as vacation rentals. The program housed 153 local workers in the 202122 winter season by converting 70 vacation rentals into long-term rentals, the report stated.

But programs to increase affordable housing often draw opposition from some locals, particularly a community's wealthiest residents. In Whitefish, the report noted, ultra-wealthy second-home owners and residents joined forces to thwart a proposed affordable housing development by threating to end support for local charitable causes. Such opposition, the report posited, could be overcome by developing affordable housing projects at the regional level and with broad stakeholder involvement.

Durango, Colorado offered residents an "ADU amnesty" period in 2016 in which residents could gain legal approval of previously illegitimate spaces. In 2022 the city began offering $8,000 incentives to homeowners who constructed new ADUs and rented them to local workers. The city also reduced the ADU parking requirements in zoning code which may have been stifling ADU construction.

In places that lack enough workers to build and maintain housing, the report suggested that off-site construction of modular buildings could allow for continued housing construction in lieu of local builders. One such development, a 24-unit project near Telluride, Colorado, was being built four hours away in Buena Vista, the report noted.

Infrastructure

The report again cited Montana for infrastructure challenges and local opposition: A proposed wastewater treatment plant in Flathead County, needed to handle sewage in the nation's fastest growing area of its size, has drawn concerns from many residents over the facility's cost and possible impacts.

In contrast, the report noted, in places with few permanent residents but booming tourism visitation, the cost of infrastructure to support tourism levels is often borne by the few locals who pay property taxes in a community. West Yellowstone has 1,100 residents, the report noted, but sees more than 4 million visitors each year. The visitors place immense strain on the town's emergency response agencies, which are funded by local budgets alone.

"Costs to public services and infrastructure can be tricky to separate from routine costs, leading many communities to overestimate the economic value of tourism and/or fail to create systems to capture costs from visitors," the report stated. "For instance, the American Prairie Reserve, a large-scale conservation effort managed by a nonprofit in central Montana, has contributed nearly $39 million in economic development to the region since 2002. However, this estimate does not account for the costs of gravel road maintenance and emergency services that local governments have had to absorb as a result of APRs activities."

The report suggested diverting tourism tax revenue, such as levies on hotel rooms, toward infrastructure. Historically, communities generally spend such revenue on further proposing tourism  something the report noted is mandated by state law in some states. Also, the report stated, although infrastructure decisions are usually made locally, needs are often regional. Coordinated region planning can pool resources to provide wider benefit.

Montana prevents municipalities from implementing local option sales taxes, the report stated. But if it were allowed, a 3% tax on nonessential goods in Gallatin County could raise about $30 million annually to go toward infrastructure. The report argued that such a system would more fairly share the cost of infrastructure between residents and visitors.

Finances

Another challenge for tourism towns is that they're often almost solely reliant on tourism for economic activity, the report stated, which leaves them unprepared for seasonal changes or declines in tourism. Also, many tourism communities were formerly reliant on natural resources extraction. Fiscal policy in those places may be well-suited to generate revenue from mining, for example, but not for a tourism industry that has since replaced mining.

Along with general diversification of revenue beyond only tourism, the report suggested that communities make sure they develop revenue sources to capture tourism dollars. Montana's resort tax, the report noted, allows "tourism-dependent" towns with fewer than 5,500 people to charge additional sales taxes on things like lodging, restaurants, bars and resort facilities.

"Voters in these communities both choose whether to enact the tax, the rate to set (capped at 3% of revenue, plus an additional 1% possible for infrastructure-specific projects), and how to spend the revenue it generates," the report stated. "At least 5% of revenue must be used to offset local property taxes. Currently 11 communities in the state have a resort tax and they use it for a range of needs, including property tax abatement, drinking water source protection, water treatment, trail maintenance, affordable housing funds, and local matches for loans and grants."

The report also noted, however, that larger communities not eligible for the tax could also benefit, and that some communities may need more than the revenue the tax generates. Some communities, the report noted, have instituted progressive taxes on real estate sales, with revenues directed toward affordable housing, conservation or local business development. Lower value and primary-residence home sales are taxed less; higher value and secondary-residence sales are subject to a higher text.

Natural disasters

Headwaters wrote that many of the report's previous recommendations also apply to mitigating the risk of natural disasters, which can affect a community's housing, infrastructure and finances. Bolstering those things can make a place more ready to deal with the negative effects of a natural disaster. Also, the report stated, communities should incentivize building homes less vulnerable to fire and flood, invest in infrastructure like increased water storage and electrical microgrids, develop emergency management plans with a focus on an area's most vulnerable homes and residents, and partner with other local governments on shared planning positions to proactively address growth and its challenges.

"The benefits of amenity communities are enjoyed by both residents and visitors, but all too often, it is residents who bear the costs of amenity-related growth," the report concluded. "When these costs are borne equitably by residents and visitors, a community is more likely to avoid the negative consequences of rapid growth or overbearing waves of tourism."

And, the report cautioned: "Above all, proactive action is required for amenity communities to maintain the qualities that make them great. These places have a vibrancy that depends on protecting the very things that attract people to live and play there. Once amenities begin to erode, it can be very difficult to get them back."
By Tuesday morning, workers had removed one of the 10 rail cars that had plunged into the Yellowstone River Saturday when a railroad trestle collapsed near Reed Point.

The tanker car lifted out of the water by a crane had contained . Five other cars that had contained remain in the river, along with three that were carrying molten sulfur. The 10th car was a hopper containing scrap metal.

It hasnt been stated publicly how much of the contents of the 30,000-gallon tank cars had been released into the river.

Emergency officials in Stillwater County have said both the and the molten sulfur solidified quickly when exposed to cold water of the river.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency, which is part of the Unified Command coordinating the cleanup, said Monday that globs of had been spotted going ashore downriver.

The train crashed into the river at about 6:45 a.m. Saturday. No injuries were reported. The train and the rail line are operated by Montana Rail Link which will bear the cost of cleanup and repair.

Seven other train cars derailed but didnt go in the river, including two that rolled down a 20-foot embankment. Two of the derailed cars contained highly toxic sodium hydrosulfide, but didnt rupture in the crash. The contents of those cars has been removed and shipped to another site, the EPA said in a press statement Monday evening.

Communities on the BNSF Railway routes from Laurel to Shelby and Glendive to Snowden should expect increased rail traffic for the next several weeks because of the service interruption on the Montana Rail Link network. Affected counties include Yellowstone, Golden Valley, Wheatland, Judith Basin, Cascade, Teton, Pondera, Toole, Dawson, Richland and Roosevelt.

Unified command continues to monitor and assess the ongoing release of material that has entered the river. Whitewater Rescue Institute of Missoula, specializing in fast water spill response, is currently assisting with river assessment and safety protection. They have eight boats currently deployed, with six of those boats are identifying the downstream extent of the material release.

Cleanup workers in boats are patrolling the river between the derailment site and Pompeys Pillar 90 miles downstream, the EPA said Tuesday.

This solid waste is not water soluble and is not anticipated to impact water quality, the EPAs spokesperson Beth Archer said. Assessment will take place today (Tuesday) to evaluate the presence of material on streambanks, the water surface, the riverbed, and within the water column.

Work is also underway to begin disassembling the west segment of the fallen bridge to allow better access for crews to assess and remove the remaining cars. Riprap is being brought on site to construct a causeway to assist car assessment and removal, Archer said.

Montana Rail Link has set up an email, rpderailment@mtrail.com, for the public to report any sighting or impacts that they observe pertaining to the release of or molten sulfur in the river.

Water quality testing is being done daily at 10 downstream locations and at one upstream reference location. Results so far show no detectable levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and downstream sulfur levels that are consistent with the upstream sampling location, Archer said. At this time, there are no known risks to public drinking water or private drinking water wells.

A temporary and localized sheen was observed on the western bank of the river immediately downstream from the remaining cars. The EPA said it is believed that the sheen was a result of the removal of the initial car from the river or the equipment brought in to remove the tank.

We are taking proactive measures to deploy boom to reduce downstream impacts, the EPA spokesperson said.

A public meeting regarding the derailment and response will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Columbus high school gym, 433 N. 3rd Street. Columbus is about 18 miles downstream from the crash site.

Or by phone: 1-206-337-9723

For more information, please visit the response websites at: https://response.epa.gov/stillwatertrainderailment
Montana will get $629 million in federal funding for high-speed internet infrastructure, federal officials announced Monday.

The money comes from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, which was created by the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021. The program allocates a total of $42.5 billion in grants throughout the country for broadband construction, offsetting internet costs for low-income households and offering training programs.

Its intended to prioritize affordable internet access for unserved locations, which it defines as those with less than 25 megabit-per-second download services and 3 Mbps uploads.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., was one of 10 lawmakers who negotiated the compromise legislation, called the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," in 2021. He was the only member of Montanas congressional delegation to vote for the $1.2 trillion spending bill.

Too often, people in Washington, D.C., dont understand the challenges we face in Montana which is why I fought for this investment in my bipartisan infrastructure law to bring high-speed internet access to every corner of our state, Tester said Monday in a written statement. Im proud to have secured this funding for Montana that will create good paying jobs and ensure that Montana small businesses are able to compete in the 21st century.

The funding will be deployed to an estimated 100,000 unserved locations across the state, according to a press release from Testers office.

All states were allocated a minimum of $100 million, with additional funding based on the number of unserved households and factors including population density, geography, topography and income.

Exactly how and where Montanas $629 million gets spent will be worked out in the coming months. Montana has about six months to submit a proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for awarding the federal money.

Montana will get its first 20% of the money, or about $125 million, after the proposal is approved, according to Testers office. That money has to be spent on projects for which at least 80% of the households are considered unserved locations.

A final proposal is due one year later, and Montana will get the rest of the money what that is approved. Internet service providers that win grants will be required to complete construction and start providing service within four years of getting the money.

Last year, Montana divvied out $309 million to expand broadband access in the state through the ConnectMT program established by the Legislature in 2021. That funding was also federal in origin, part of $2 billion that flowed to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act, a stimulus bill passed in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

In a press release from Gov. Greg Gianforte's office, the state official in charge of that program welcomed the announcement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

This historic investment will allow us to close the gap and reach unserved and underserved Montanans with reliable high-speed internet, Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles stated.
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.
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.
Local public school leaders are clashing with legislators on a bill that would siphon more tax dollars to nonpublic K-12 schools through a voucher program.

NC House Bill 823 passed the house on May 17 and was sent to the senate the following day, where it has remained in the senate committee on rules and operations. The bill would expand access to the states Opportunity Scholarship program to include all households in the state.

The Burke County Board of Education passed a resolution June 7 urging the General Assembly to give up its efforts to make funding changes for the school voucher program and instead better fund public education.

We took an oath to take care of Burke County Public Schools, and I took another oath for the North Carolina School Boards Association to promote the growth and care of the public schools in North Carolina, said Wendi Craven, chair of the Burke County Board of Education, in a call with The News Herald on Thursday. Were doing what we believe is fair and whats right.

But Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-46), who sponsored the bill and is one of the chairs of the Houses standing committee on Education K-12, said he felt the board was being misled by the North Carolina School Boards Association  an association of which Craven is a member.

I think they are, without exception, good folks trying to do a good job and they are being told that this is going to cost Burke County a ton of money, Blackwell said. I dont believe that, but thats what theyre being told and that thats going to cause all these ripple effects and problems and, therefore, they are understandably concerned. But I think the concern is based on a misunderstanding.

Roundtable highlights concerns

Craven joined education leaders from across the state in a roundtable discussion hosted by Gov. Roy Cooper about school funding on June 20, in Greensboro.

She said public schools are held to a higher level of accountability than private schools, covering everything from teacher licensure and school testing to the oversight of money.

How can our tax dollars go to schools who dont have the same standards as North Carolina (public) schools? Craven asked at the roundtable.

She also cited concerns first highlighted in an analysis by the North Carolina Justice Center, which found that 61 private schools in North Carolina received more vouchers than they did students. One of those was in Burke County, the analysis said.

But Blackwell disagreed, saying he felt private schools were held to a higher standard of accountability.

If were talking about accountability (for public schools), generally what were talking about is school grades, Blackwell said. People dont like getting low grades because students stopped performing well on whatever measures are being used to determine how well the school is doing at its job of educating students  I guess maybe the idea is that its embarrassing, maybe the idea is that they think it misrepresents the level of commitment of the educators working in the building, but theres no sense in which theyre held accountable. Nothing bad happens to any of the teachers or principals or administrators at the school because they get a D, or even a C, or even an F. We dont close traditional public schools because they get low grades.

So, in that sense, theyre not held accountable. Teachers and principals are not terminated, by law, because of low grades. Theyre not held accountable unless a superintendent or a principal is doing something on their own, but its not anything that is mandated by the state.

Blackwell said he felt school boards should be more concerned with attracting and retaining students instead of forcing families to remain in public education.

What we are struggling with in education in the country and in North Carolina is, I think, poor leadership, generally, Blackwell said. And I dont mean to attack the leaders, I just think that they are not bringing the flexibility that is needed to education.

Blackwell said by leadership, he meant superintendents and principals, but he didnt have any specific superintendents or principals in mind.

I think, broadly speaking, what we have is instruction that is not working for kids, Blackwell said.

Craven said it should not be taxpayers who fund personal decisions, and said it was fellow school board member Seth Hunt who pointed out to her similarities between the Opportunity Scholarship program and President Joe Bidens proposed student loan forgiveness program.

If you oppose (Bidens plan), then why dont you oppose Opportunity Scholarships? Craven said at the roundtable. Its pretty cut and dry.

She told The News Herald she didnt think the legislature should try to overhaul Opportunity Scholarships until it had its public schools handled.

If you want North Carolina to be the best state in this country and you want to continue to bring businesses into this state and increase our economy, why would you not adequately fund your public schools? Craven told The News Herald.

Scholarships for everyone

Under the current law, outlined in North Carolina General Statutes 115C-562.1 and 115C-562.2, students who received a scholarship in the previous school year are given first priority.

Once those students receive their scholarships, 50% of the remaining funds must be given to students whose families make less than the amount required for a free or reduced lunch. A family of four could make up to $55,500 per year to be prioritized in this round of funding.

After that, funding is opened up to any other applicants whose families make up to 200% of the maximum amount to qualify for a free or reduced lunch. Now, students who belong to a family of four could have a household income of up to $111,000 per year, according to calculations based on the criteria laid out in the law.

Opportunity Scholarship amounts are based on how much the state expects to spend on an average student in the school year. Last year, that amount was $12,345 per student, according to the North Carolina Public Schools Statistical Profile from the NC Department of Public Instruction.

Under the current law, full-time students can receive up to 90% of that amount, and part-time students can receive up to 45% of that amount. So, a full-time student who qualifies for a scholarship could receive up to $11,110.50 based on last years average student expenditures.

None of the scholarships can exceed the price of tuition and fees for the students nonpublic school. For example, if the tuition and fees for a nonpublic school were $10,000, a student attending the school could only receive $10,000 in scholarship funding.

If House Bill 823 becomes law, funding would become available for families with higher income levels.

The News Herald did the math based on the guidelines laid out in the bill. Under House Bill 823, a student who is part of a family of four:

Would receive up to 100% of the states average expenditure per student if their familys income was less than or equal to $55,500 per year.

Would receive up to 90% of the states average expenditure per student if their familys income was between $55,500 and $111,000 per year.

Would receive up to 60% of the states average expenditure per student if their familys income was between $111,000 and $249,750 per year.

Would receive up to 45% of the states average expenditure per student if their familys income was more than $249,750 per year.

The new law still would require first priority to go to students who received a scholarship the previous year. After that, the law still would require 50% of the remaining scholarship funds go to students whose families make no more than the amount required to qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program.

Impact on public schools

An analysis from the North Carolina Office of the State Budget and Management found Burke County Public Schools would lose more than $1.1 million in funding in the 2026-27 fiscal year if the bill becomes law and 50% of the scholarship funding goes to current public school students. The analysis found public schools across the state would lose a total of more than $200 million that fiscal year under the new legislation.

Earlier versions of the House bill also showed taxpayer funding for the scholarship program skyrocketing from about $192 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year to more than $400 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year. It appears that section was removed from the final version of House Bill 823 that passed the House, but it remains in its mirror bill, Senate Bill 406.

This extreme legislation would cause public schools to lose hundreds of millions of dollars through the expansion of private school vouchers to the wealthiest among us, Gov. Cooper said during the roundtable. Education leaders from across the state are calling on legislators to invest in public education to support our children, teachers, families and future.

Blackwell said he felt estimates being put out were a certain amount of alarmism in an effort to avoid giving parents a choice.

He said funding losses would be no different if families moved because of loss of industry and jobs in the area, like they did during the shutdown of many of the areas furniture factories.

Craven challenged legislators instead to work toward achieving requirements established by Leandro v. State, a legal battle that has been ongoing since the mid-1990s and centered around whether the state funded education for all students equally.

Cooper said at the roundtable that his proposed budget this year included not only an 18% raise for teachers, but also the funding necessary to meet the Leandro requirements and still have a $7 billion reserve. That budget was shot down by legislators.

Blackwell said he doesnt think additional funding is the answer.

I guess the thing that frustrates me is that we seem to have more of an emphasis on doing the same thing and simply adding personnel that we employ in the system and advocating for increased spending, which is important, but it doesnt solve the problem, Blackwell said.

He also said he doesnt think traditional schooling works for all students.

This legislation basically is a reaction to the fact that, for a lot of kids who are not getting the education that they need, that the traditional schools have not worked for them, so its like, what are we going to do? Blackwell said. The traditional schools, in many instances, have not changed.

But Craven pointed out during the roundtable that private schools, unlike public schools, wont welcome every student with open arms. She said they can be selective in their admissions process.

If the General Assembly wont commit to funding Leandro so that each child can receive a sound, basic education, then why are we expanding these Opportunity Scholarships? Craven said Tuesday at the roundtable. Our exceptional childrens programs also need an increase in funding  and I personally dont want my tax dollars going to schools that wont love all children and youth.

Thats not right.

While Blackwell is one of the chairs of the Education K-12 standing committee in the House and sponsored House Bill 823, he did not vote on the bill because he had an excused absence the day of the vote, according to legislative records.

The senates mirror bill has been in the senates committee on appropriations/base budget since April 26. Sen. Warren Daniel (R-46) is a sponsor of the bill. Daniel did not respond to requests for an interview from The News Herald.
Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have approved millions of dollars in tax abatements for a Norwegian battery materials company considering Butte as a site for a new manufacturing plant.

And the county is still in the running to land the facility at the Montana Connections Business Park just west of urban Butte, a county official said.

Cenate  pronounced Sin-NAH-Tah  is developing silicon-based materials for higher-density batteries with faster and longer-lasting charges. It is considering Butte and three other U.S. locations for a manufacturing plant and says tax incentives will be a factor in its decision.

We are still very actively on that list, Kristen Rosa, Butte-Silver Bows community development coordinator, told commissioners last week. She said Monday that was still the case.

Commissioners approved the proposed abatements on a 10-0 vote.

I believe that the long-term gain for the community outweighs anything else right now as far as our own tax abatement goes, said Commissioner Michele Shea.

Cenates other potential landing spots are Moses Lake or Tri Cities in Washington state and Hermiston, Oregon. If it chooses Butte, it would build a factory on a 40-acre site in the business park and use raw materials from the REC Silicon facility already there.

The abatements in Butte-Silver Bow would reduce the companys locally assessed mills for property taxes by 75% the first five years. It would pay more in phases in years six through nine and pay 100% of the taxes normally owed after that.

Without abatements, Cenates projected local tax bill would be about $26 million total over 10 years, officials say. With them, it would pay $14.35 million  a savings of $11.6 million.

Cenate says it would employ 100 to 250 people in Butte and county officials estimate annual pay for the first 100 jobs at about $70,000, based on the job mix and average wages for such positions in southwest Montana.

It is possible that Cenate can get additional savings here under a new state law offering abatements on manufacturing equipment. State officials are still working on rules and procedures for implementing that law.

Cenate has said it anticipates choosing a location sometime this summer.

Rosa said she talked with Cenate representatives recently and they are working on permitting potential sites in Montana and Washington state.

I think the best news that came out of this is it looks like permitting in Montana is probably easier than permitting in Washington, she said.
Caught on camera

Officers were out on patrol at around 6 p.m. Sunday, looking for Butte Pre-Release walkaway, 26-year-old Donald L. Gomez.

Gomez was found screaming while walking through Koprivica Park. When he spotted the police, he took off running, but was soon placed in custody.

About two hours later, a couple living in the 1000 block of South Dakota came home to find their garage had been broken into earlier in the day and their cars rummaged through. Surveillance cameras showed a man leaving their backyard with eight beers he had reportedly taken from a refrigerator that was in the garage.

While viewing the video, an officer was able to identify the alleged thief as Gomez, who is now also in jail for burglary, criminal trespass to vehicles, and two counts of theft.

Saturday DUI

At about 7:30 p.m. Saturday, an officer witnessed a car traveling at a high rate of speed in the 100 block of East Front Street. The driver, Taylor J. Wright, 31, of Butte, allegedly spud sideways, then traveled north over a curb. He then reportedly hit a small retaining wall, but continued northbound on Arizona Street.

The officer located the vehicle, which had three flat tires, and Wright was seen attempting to flee from the area.

He was arrested or driving under the influence (fourth offense), criminal endangerment and reckless driving.

Additional reports

 Some cattle got onto someone elses property on Buxton Road and were found grazing. The owner was told to retrieve the livestock.

 It is believed transients had broken into home currently under renovation in the 1500 block of Schley Avenue and damaged it.

 A building that is being renovated on Greenwood Avenue was broken into. One of the buildings front windows was broken, along with two fire alarms. The alleged culprits also left empty alcohol containers.

 Stolen from the 100 block of West Aluminum street was a 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix.

 Two vehicles parked in the 3500 block of Whiteway Boulevard had scratch marks on both the drivers side and the passengers side.
Thousands gathered over the weekend on a cattle ranch in Helmville for a first-ever event to celebrate regenerative and sustainable agriculture and savor its delicious results.

Old Salt Festival is the brainchild of Old Salt Co-op founder Cole Mannix, whose family built up its Mannix Beef ranching operation in Helmville nearly a century ago.

Initially a true cooperative made up of three area ranches  Sieben Live Stock Co. in Cascade County, J Bar L Ranch in Sweet Grass County, and Mannix Beef in nearby Powell County  has since morphed into a corporation, opening a Helena restaurant in 2021 and a meat processing facility in 2022 and is planning to open another restaurant and butcher shop on Helena's Last Chance Gulch in the former site of Bert & Ernie's.

Their mission all along has been to provide quality meat that is locally raised and processed to the local market, cutting out the major meat packing corporations and saving on costs.

The business has also long championed what it sees as the critical role livestock plays in a modern food system and combating climate change.

"It's not our purpose to present meat or cattle as any kind of savior, but we see both livestock and meat as being really important parts of the puzzle," Mannix said ahead of a panel discussion on conservation partnerships Friday afternoon.

Mannix and company invited anyone willing to pay the couple hundred dollar admission fee to learn about and sample theirs and similar products.

The three-day festival included lectures from environmental lawyer-turned-cattle rancher Nicolette Hahn Niman, conservation writer and novelist David James Duncan and Diana Rodgers, who penned "Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat."

Attendees were also treated to numerous musical performances from the likes of Dublin Gulch, Brent Cobb and Little Jane & The Pistol Whips.

But the stars of the show were the celebrity chefs who prepared bountiful spreads using locally sourced and ethically raised products.

Sunday's "Grand Meal" was a traditional barbacoa brunch prepared by Eduardo Garcia. The meal boasted goats raised by Red Lodge resident Ivan Thrane of Healthy Meadows.

Thrane and his family raise goats and graze them along a Carbon County circuit as a service. He also sells the goats.

Healthy Meadows also offers butchering workshops.

"I want to help people reclaim the ability to harvest animals themselves," Thrane said. "We've lost that in a lot of ways."

For the festival, Old Salt Co-op deployed a "mobile slaughter unit" to process Thrane's goats on the landscape where they were raised, something he said has always been a dream of his.

He said he has worked with Garcia in the past and gladly agreed to help out with the festival.

"It sets a precedence of hope," he said of the festival. "It feels very special. It's radically hopeful. It brings out a lot of hope for us, for our children."

Old Salt representative Sarah Knight was attracted to this brand of hope as well.

Knight left a steady gig as a chef at the Four Seasons in Baltimore in 2020 and spent two years as a livestock apprentice.

She said when the opportunity to work for Old Salt came about, it was an easy decision.

She said she knew she wanted to work for a meat-cutting business that produces its own meat.

"It was an immediate success; it's been fantastic," Knight said.

Old-Salt Co-op Culinary Director Andrew Mace, who with many others spent nearly a full 24 hours roasting seven whole hogs over Flathead Valley cherry wood just prior to the festival, said it was a dream come true to work with so many chefs and producers he admires.

"It just feels like a really special gathering of a bunch of just incredibly talented people who I've been a huge fan of for a long time," Mace said.

He said the type of experience offered at Old Salt Festival is something not found anywhere else.

"We're trying to forge those new connections between high-quality producers and place and land," Mace said. "I hope that people realize there's more to Montana than just a beef council, commodity beef, 'It's what's for dinner' type of mentality. There's a lot of amazing producers. ... There's so much here, so we wanna dig into that."

Photos: Old Salt Festival serves up music, discourse and fire-cooked meals
Following another legislative session where Republican lawmakers saw fit to impose their will on wildlife management, we saw the passage of SB 295. Like so many other Republican efforts to privatize wildlife and destroy predator species, the bill is another heavy on rhetoric and light on science.

Grizzly bears have not recovered in Montana. Lawmakers want you to believe they are, but facts do not match rancher and outfitter-infused talking points. What has been lost in this conversation is the fact that grizzly bears should never be hunted, period. At what point is Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks willing to enter the 21st century? At what point is our governor, who lives to kill wildlife, willing to accept that certain species are so vital, so rare, that Montana has a responsibility never to allow them to be hunted? Such is the case with grizzly bears.

Grizzlies reproduce far too slowly to allow any hunting. Like wolves, allowing our state to manage a grizzly season will result in the wholesale slaughter of this iconic species. The drive to kill wild predator species must be extinguished in our state. Predators are crucial to the health of all species.

The state has proven it cannot manage wolves; they cannot understand that wildlife have feelings and pain and suffer; instead, they continue to cling to an 1880s approach to wildlife management. It is a disgrace and makes our state resemble a backwoods hollow rather than the modern state it has become, where wolf viewing brings more than $80 million to the state annually. Saying no to the killing of grizzlies is not a radical position. What remains radical in the 21st century is allowing species to be trapped, to be killed for prizes, and to enable faux science that allows such slaughters to continue.

Trappers want a trapping season on grizzlies. What world are we living in that would allow such sadism? No, we have reached a tipping point; Martha Williams, who lacks the educational credentials to run U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is once again slow walking a response to the grizzly situation; in the past, she was all for a hunting season. She must hear loud and clear  We do not want any hunting season on grizzlies!

We must put down a marker; if wildlife in our state are to have a future, we cannot continue to allow the destruction of such beautiful creatures. We cannot allow outside interests like the Safari Club, NRA, Don Peay and the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus to dictate wildlife management in Montana. Their goal is simple  trophy elk and deer in a landscape devoid of predators, creating a sterile landscape prone to disease.

I have hiked and camped in grizzly country for years. Never have I carried a gun. I have encountered bears within yards and awoke one night with a grizzly sitting on the edge of my tent in Alaska.

The concept of killing a bear never crossed my mind; I was awed by their presence, something akin to a spiritual experience. You are a coward if that is your goal.

Montana has made a grave mistake in handling wolves; we have a chance to get it right for grizzlies. To do that means never allowing this great bear to be hunted.
Last week during the Big Hole Watershed Committees monthly meeting, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologist Jim Olsen unveiled an outline of FWPs immediate and long-term plans for the ailing Big Hole River. The Beaverhead, Madison and Ruby rivers, which have experienced declines in trout populations similar to Big Hole's, will be included in the proposed study.

The objective is simple: Figure out why brown and rainbow trout are dying in southwestern Montanas rivers and fix it. The simplicity ends there.

Referred to as a fisheries mortality study, the next steps include data analysis, specialized lab work and studies of tributaries in addition to the Big Holes main stem, and will continue for the foreseeable future.

It is a stark reminder that there is still a long row to hoe for potentially finding a remedy or remedies for this complex issue that directly affects local economies such as ranching, sportfishing and tourism. Fully formed answers aren't likely to come to light for another three or four years.

So we could come up with answers in a year, and we will have answers in a year, Olsen told The Montana Standard in a Friday interview. The reason why we're taking this more long-term look is the variability between years.

The mortality study plans were presented on June 21, about a month after Olsen revealed historically low numbers of brown and rainbow trout found  as well as few numbers of juvenile trout  on three stretches of the Big Hole. The Beaverhead and Ruby rivers have also seen historically low fish counts. The Madison has experienced a decline as well but not to the same degree.

Its been pretty difficult and frankly quite frustrating to see population declines but not really have any good solutions because we dont understand the reason behind the declines, Olsen said.

Folks want answers now and understandably so. Any answers presented in the short term, while possibly useful, are also even more useful as points in an ever-expanding dataset needed to draw comparisons to other points. Those other points will need to be collected during both good- and bad-water years, warm-weather years and cooler years, etc., in order to reach an accurate assessment.

The purpose of spreading that study out over three to four years is to hopefully understand the variability between those years, Olsen said.

Attendees who packed the Divide Grange Hall or tuned in via Zoom last week were reminded that even with a plan in place, any long-term solution will not be reached immediately.

The official proposal of the mortality plan is still being finalized, FWP confirmed. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, the study is set to start in March.

Monitoring the Big Hole is now Olsens primary focus, effective immediately. This means Olsens FWP colleague Lance Breen will be taking over his other projects, such as the restoration of the native cutthroat population in the upper Big Holes French Creek.

Olsen explained that while he cannot predict the future and tell how this will all play out, especially for things pertaining to the Big Hole, FWP would be getting a lot more support now as they begin to put the pieces in place to carry out the mortality study.

Support in terms of dollars is still to be determined, Olsen said. But FWP has already had the benefit of working on the study's proposal with researchers from Montana State University. After initial conversations, Olsen said, it seems that because of the length and complexity of the research, a Ph.D. from MSU will complete the study after FWP biologists conduct the fieldwork.

So FWP will fund it, then MSU will hire the Ph.D. student to do this study, Olsen said.

Olsens presentation outlined the primary focuses of the proposed mortality study:

Catch and release mortality.

Direct angling mortality.

Role of disease and potential causes.

River-wide creel survey (2023).

Adaptive management modeling.

Disease research.

Tributary research study.

Each bullet point will be conducted on the Big Hole moving forward. Some areas on the list are already being studied on other rivers so in certain cases, practices will not need to be altered.

We really think this study is going to help us to better understand the causes of mortality that will then help us to better understand and develop management strategies to help us get back where we want to be, Olsen said.

Most of these bullet points are self-explanatory. Olsen expounded upon a few sub points within the categories that might not be as obvious. For example, in order to draw conclusions about direct angling mortality causes, FWP needs to be able to tweak fishing regulations as needed to see which angling methods leave trout worse for wear. Bear in mind, the Fish and Wildlife Commission needs to approve any regulations proposed by FWP. Olsen said that because the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison and Ruby are all included allows analysts to compare findings from very different systems.

For adaptive management modeling, FWP last year hired Donovan Bell, Ph.D., a quantitative ecologist who will analyze past data and develop a model to see how specific stressors such as flow, angling-related mortality or temperature events are affecting trout, Olsen said. Bell will step in to provide his expertise on this project and hopefully help pinpoint what factors are most significant using data that already exists.

Even though Bell will be examining existing data, that doesnt mean his findings can be used on their own to find some kind of quick fix or short-term help. Whatever Bells modeling discovers will need to be used in concert with what is found throughout the entire study during the coming years.

What we're seeing in some of our rivers is a deviation from normal  from what we would expect during a dry time, Olsen said. And so the modeling will probably show that.

What the mortality study is designed to do is tell us why we're deviating from where we think we should be.

Tributary research  which will be focused on the Big Hole  will track where trout are coming from and where they were born. This will reveal where fish are spawning and if that habitat should be regulated instead of the main stem, where the primary focus generally resides.

As for the disease-related bullet points, acting FWP Region 3 fisheries manager Mike Duncan  who is also the Madison-Gallatin Fisheries biologist  noted in late May a histopathologist was needed to analyze samples of seemingly infected brown trout in order to accurately state whether there was or wasnt an active disease outbreak in the Big Hole.

Commonly referred to as zombie fish by Big Hole anglers and guides, trout that appear afflicted with what could be a fungal infection are a not-so-seldom sight while floating or wading through the river, hence the pseudonym.

Last fall, Olsen collected a number of zombie fish to be tested for disease or infection. He and others suspect an outbreak of some kind indeed has a hand in the rivers bleak state. These samples have not been processed because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was without a histopathologist in Montana.

In his letter to outfitters that surfaced last week, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte seemed to allude to that need when he wrote, The department is also working to process histological samples.

Fishing community reeling over state's response to historic trout declines Gianforte pointed to angling restrictions considered by FWP as a way to reduce stress experienced by trout. Some stakeholders say that's not enough to fix the declining trout problem.

FWP confirmed that while the position is still vacant in USFWSs Bozeman lab, where FWP sends samples, a short-term solution is within reach.

We have reached out and tentatively have an agreement in place with the lab in Pennsylvania  a Fish and Wildlife Service lab over there, Duncan told The Standard on Tuesday. A fella by the name of Michael Penn has tentatively agreed to take a look at these first couple rounds of samples.

Because no zombie fish were seen by field workers this past spring, the aesthetically troubling brown trout samples from last fall will be compared with whitefish from the Jerry Creek section of the Big Hole.

The river-wide creel survey will be conducted by someone out in the field who will interview anglers about what type of gear they used, how many fish were caught that day, etc. This information will be analyzed alongside the mail-in surveys sent to residences of licensed anglers.

A river still in peril: Trout numbers in the Big Hole hit historic lows Experts around southwest Montana say that, among the many factors at play, we should look at disease and bureaucratic failures as possible explanations to the declining populations.

Overall, the plan itself was well-received as ranchers, guides, students and residents spanning multiple generations turned out June 21 to learn what they could about whats to come for their beloved 153-mile freestone river. According to Big Hole Watershed Committee Executive Director Pedro Marques, the atmosphere was noticeably cordial. It was a relief, he said, given the contentious history between ranchers and guides.

Im not sure how (the mortality study) would be designed, said Steve Luebeck, director of the George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited, who attended. But if they can do it in an effective way, it would certainly shed some light on what maybe is going on down there.

I thought it was a decent plan. I thought it was interesting.

There were points of contention but those who voiced differing opinions never reached a point of counter-production, as the main speakers were able to easily deliver their messages and flow freely between topics.

Paul Siddoway, a longtime advocate for the Big Hole River, requested more updates and transparency from FWP during the Q&A session following Olsens presentation. He said periods of silence, especially during a years-long project, leave the public wondering if anything is being done.

We are going to be more active on our messaging on what is happening with the trout population and our research on the southwestern Montana rivers, said FWPs Greg Lemon, administrator of communication and education, in a Monday afternoon email to The Standard. Were also working to develop a way of engaging the public on what theyre seeing on the rivers as it pertains to dead or dying fish. We plan to have some more information on that effort in the coming days.

Dissenting voices at the meeting mostly took issue with recent emergency fishing regulations  in one way or another  and not the proposed study.

Olsen pointed out that proposals and regulations passed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission do not always mirror what was originally drafted by FWP.

However in the case if this proposal, Duncan said via text Tuesday morning "the Director's (FWP Director Dustin Temple) and Governor's office(s) will provide the necessary approval and support," and so being able to bypass the commission should help expedite things.

Clearer and more official details of the study are expected within the next two weeks, Duncan said.
Des Moines Register. June XX, 2023.

Editorial: Blaming judges is no way to resolve Iowas abortion debate

The successful campaign to oust justices in 2010 has turned out to be, as we feared then, a first step in diminishing Iowas impartial judiciary.

Social conservatives hold a stronger hand today to get what they want on abortion than they did in 2009, when the Iowa Supreme Court made another decision that conservatives despised, ruling unanimously that same-sex couples had a right to marriage.

Yet a prominent voice has called to bring back the conservative movements most petty, irrelevant and anti-American tactic from that era: Blame, then oust the judges.

Iowans should ignore this worn-out idea in favor of engaging on the substance of abortion rights, by lobbying their representatives over the next year and a half and sending like-minded legislators to Des Moines in November 2024.

A terrible idea 13 years ago is somehow even worse today

Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader, a politically influential Christian group, led the charge in 2009 and 2010 to have Iowa voters kick out of office three of the seven justices who joined the unanimous marriage ruling. Those three happened to be on the ballot for retention in 2010, and Iowans dismissed them. None of the four other justices lost their jobs.

Vander Plaats, in a tweet June 17, characterized those justices offense as disregarding the separation of powers because they found Iowas one-man-one-woman marriage law incompatible with the Iowa Constitution. He went on to say that, in 2023, three justices who, for practical purposes, permanently blocked an onerous ban on abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy should resign, be impeached or be ousted.

To briefly tackle this on its own terms, the state constitution says impeachment by the Legislature applies only to malfeasance or misdemeanor in office. Its not for unpopular rulings. The same is true of the purpose of judicial retention elections: They give the general public an opportunity to provide accountability for misconduct. Tying a judge or justices tenure to a single decision or a body of rulings undermines the reason we dont vote directly for judges in the first place: They are supposed to be independent and insulated from the whims of public opinion, freeing them to decide disputes by interpreting the law and constitutional guarantees.

The last attack on Iowa judges harmed their independence

The three justices attracting degrees of disapproval from Vander Plaats, Reynolds and others are Chief Justice Susan Christensen and justices Thomas Waterman and Edward Mansfield. The latter two were appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad after the marriage dismissals and were the only dissenters in a 2018 ruling that briefly strengthened abortion rights in Iowa. Christensen, appointed by Reynolds in 2018, has stood out for her unique insights on family law, for her commitment to precedent in a 2022 abortion ruling, and for her prudent guidance of the judiciary during the COVID-19 pandemic. That context underscores that the criticism from the right centers on a single ruling that, we have no reason to doubt, each justice approached thoughtfully.

More pragmatically, none of them is on the ballot again until 2028. The landscape of abortion could look very different by then. Mansfield will be weeks away from the judiciarys mandatory retirement age of 72, with Waterman and Christensen trailing just a few years behind.

Let the people decide  on abortion, not on judges

Leave the judges out of it. The future of abortion policy should be settled at the ballot box as Iowans vote for the people to represent them in the executive and legislative branches.

Republicans, who hold large majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, could have passed the six-week abortion ban again in the 2023 legislative session, but instead decided to await the Supreme Court ruling. Since that gambit backfired, they have a few choices. They can dodge responsibility again and put abortion rights on the ballot in the form of a constitutional amendment. (They could do that by giving a required second approval to a proposed amendment first passed in 2021 that the Iowa Constitution does not recognize, grant or secure a right to abortion. That would put the amendment before voters in 2024. Or, they could fashion another proposed amendment, which wouldnt make the ballot until 2026.) This editorial board would welcome the opportunity for Iowans to vote directly on this divisive issue.

The most obvious course: Republican lawmakers can simply pass a law and take their chances on what rights they can trample without violating the Iowa Constitution. In no case should they undertake an effort to impeach justices because of the June 16 ruling. Lawmakers ought to do nothing, continuing to allow abortion in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy, but Republican leaders have already committed to a different, if unspecified, course.

Whatever happens, Republicans views on womens bodily autonomy will be fresh in Iowans minds when November 2024s legislative elections arrive. That  not a judicial retention election  is the right time for Iowans to make their feelings known.

END
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 millionfor 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.
An employee of Iowas largest public-transit agency was fired recently for allegedly rigging the bids on a vehicle so her husband could buy it for a greatly reduced price.

According to Iowa Workforce Development records, Georisha J. McGregor worked for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority, or DART, as an administrative coordinator from April 2011 through March of this year when she was fired for alleged misconduct.

On March 7, McGregor had posted to DARTs website a notice that a 2013 Jeep Cherokee was to be sold at a public auction. Her husband and fellow DART employee Everett McGregor participated in the auction. When bidding ended on March 10, Everett McGregor had placed the highest bid at $18,000  which was $100 more than the next highest bidder.

On March 13, Georisha McGregor spoke to her husband who, according to the testimony given at a subsequent hearing on the matter, indicated he still wanted the vehicle but was not willing to honor his bid of $18,000.

According to DART, Georisha McGregor then lowered the closing price to $11,200. Everett accepted the offer, and Georisha manually awarded the sale to her husband.

She was fired on March 29 for violating policies prohibit conflicts of interest and acting as a go-between or broker for the benefit of a third party in any transactions involving DART. Her husband retained his job at DART.

State records indicate DART disciplined Everett McGregor but did not fire him because the agency concluded he had merely participated in the scheme while his wife had orchestrated it and implemented it.

Georisha McGregor then applied for unemployment benefits, which led to a recent hearing before Administrative Law Judge Sean Nelson. The judge ruled in DARTs favor in denying McGregor unemployment benefits.

The record shows (she) used her position to extend a substantial discount to her husband from the going market price in the bid, Nelson ruled. If there was any ambiguity about whether this was wrong, the employers conflict-of-interest policy erased all doubt  The employers concern is one of abuse of trust, theft and embezzlement. These concepts do not need to be codified by the employer to be disqualifying. Such actions are manifestly against the employers interests.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is the largest public transit agency in Iowa. It is funded by local property taxes and fare revenue.

Georisha McGregor could not be reached for comment.

Asked whether the McGregors were allowed to keep the Jeep Cherokee, DARTs chief external affairs officer, Erin Hockman, said, We have been working closely with our legal counsel on this issue and based on their advice, we terminated Ms. McGregors employment and did not reclaim the vehicle.

Hockman added: It is never acceptable to use a position of employment at DART for personal gain. It was extremely disappointing that a long-time DART employee did not report a serious conflict of interest that resulted in the employees spouse personally benefiting from a DART transaction. Fortunately, we have checks and balances in place and we quickly identified the sale of the vehicle as a concern, investigated and terminated Ms. McGregors employment as a result.

This isolated incident is not reflective of the hard-working people at DART who I am proud to work alongside each and every day. DART staff are very committed to our mission to enrich lives, connect communities and expand opportunities for central Iowans and we understand that in order to do this we must be good stewards of the resources we are entrusted to.

Counties with the most farmland in Iowa Counties with the most farmland in Iowa #25. O'Brien #24. Lyon #23. Calhoun #22. Pocahontas #21. Buena Vista #20. Wright #19. Greene #18. Grundy #17. Monona #16. Carroll #15. Ringgold #14. Shelby #13. Winneshiek #12. Clinton #11. Harrison #10. Jasper #9. Fayette #8. Tama #7. Webster #6. Benton #5. Crawford #4. Sioux #3. Woodbury #2. Plymouth #1. Kossuth
A Missouri doctor who is fighting to become an Iowa-licensed physician was once accused of waging a campaign of harassment aimed at a colleague who questioned his abilities.

Dr. Brett Snodgrass of Hazelwood, Missouri, is taking the Iowa Board of Medicine to court and seeking judicial review of a June 8 board decision denying him a license to practice in Iowa. That decision was based on questions pertaining to Snodgrass moral character, which Snodgrass argues have caused him to undergo costly psychological testing.

Snodgrass obtained his medical degree in 2007 but board records indicate he has not been licensed anywhere to practice as a physician.

Documents from the Missouri Administrative Hearings Commission outline the specific concerns raised by regulators in that state in 2013 and which form the basis for the Iowa boards June 8 decision.

The commission records indicate Snodgrass attended medical school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and earned his M.D. in May 2007. In his last year of medical school, he was accepted into a residency program at Carolinas Medical Center in North Carolina.

Within a few months, however, he was informed that he would not be accepted into the five-year general surgery residency program due to concerns over his ability to interact with, and care for, patients. According to the commission records, a supervisor wrote in an evaluation of Snodgrass that he does not have the skills to be a caregiver of humans and that he instilled fear, rather than confidence, in nurses, patients and their families.

In 2008, Snodgrass entered UMKCs four-year pathology residency program. By December 2010, he had been placed on a remediation plan. According to commission records, the interim head of the residency program, Dr. Kamani Lankachandra, expressed concerns with what she called Snodgrass substandard behavior, chronic tardiness, disheveled appearance and utter inability to follow instructions.

In 2011, after 35 months in the residency program at Kansas Citys Truman Medical Center, Snodgrass was terminated from the program and not allowed to complete his final year, according to the commission records.

Snodgrass attorney later filed papers with Missouri licensing officials in which Snodgrass admitted having engaged in a string of harassing actions aimed at Lankachandra that resulted in a 2012 conviction on a charge of disturbing the peace.

According to the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, Snodgrass sent, or caused to be sent, as many as 500,000 emails to Lankachandra; created a Facebook page about Lankachandra that included negative comments about her behavior and professionalism; used Lankachandras name and personal information  including loan documents and insurance records  to have her bombarded with mass mailings from various organizations; and posed as Lankachandra in seeking help for addiction issues from various drug rehabilitation facilities.

FBI investigated Craigslist ads posted by Snodgrass

The records also indicate the Missouri board accused Snodgrass of making harassing and threatening phone calls to a colleague while using a fake Indian accent, and that while at Truman Medical Center, he dictated notes for transcriptionists using a fake Indian accent.

In late 2012 or early 2013, Snodgrass was accepted into an internship program in Boston and applied for a medical license in the state of Georgia. When Georgia officials notified him theyd been informed he had been placed on probation in the University of Missouri-Kansas City residency program, Snodgrass withdrew his application and, with no medical license, lost his Boston internship.

A few weeks later, Snodgrass posted two ads to Craigslist that included a drawing of a man resembling a terrorist with a bomb strapped to his chest. One of the ads was captioned, Rice[in] inside a can, for sale (F UMKC], and the other was captioned, Looking for a consultant, labor person [meet at second floor].

Snodgrass later told licensing officials the ads, which drew the attention of the FBI and resulted in increased security at Truman Medical Center, were posted to get the attention of UKMC so he could clear up any issues involving the residency program.

In November 2013, the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation notified Snodgrass his application for a medical license was being denied. In its letter, the division cited his conduct toward Lankachandra, and an alleged lack of competency as a physician.

Public officials bombarded with Twitter messages

In January 2014, Snodgrass unsuccessfully challenged the state of Missouris decision to deny him a license. As he later acknowledged, while that case was pending, he created and used multiple Twitter accounts to send hundreds of tweets to medical boards, senators and others in an effort to force a settlement in the dispute.

In a 2014 brief filed with the commission, his attorney argued Snodgrass was within his rights to send such tweets. While the recipients may have preferred that they not receive all of the tweets, such is the reality of the social media world we live in, Snodgrass attorney wrote.

According to records from the Iowa Board of Medicine, Snodgrass subsequently submitted applications for licensure in Connecticut and Illinois without success. In 2020, he submitted an application for medical licensure in Iowa, detailing his ongoing efforts to remain in the medical profession by working as a phlebotomist, clinical research coordinator and certified nursing assistant.

In response to his Iowa application, the Iowa Board of Medicine issued a preliminary notice of denial in July 2021. Snodgrass appealed that decision, which led to a hearing in March 2022. The board ruled that if Snodgrass chose to submit to a set of evaluations he could submit the results of the assessments to the board, which would then consider granting him a license.

According to the board, Snodgrass subsequently stated he wanted to omit any psychological testing from the evaluations and indicated hed only agree to competency testing by an entity of his own choosing.

Earlier this month, the board voted to deny Snodgrass application for an Iowa license, stating that while his behavioral issues occurred some time ago, denial of the application was appropriate because there was insufficient evidence of rehabilitation.

The board had hoped to remove the uncertainty about Dr. Snodgrasss character  and now fitness given the passage of time since his training  by allowing him time to undergo approved evaluations, but he failed to successfully complete such, the board stated in its ruling.

In seeking judicial review of that decision, Snodgrass says he was asked by the board to submit to two evaluations  an Acumen Assessment that would measure his suitability for licensure, and a clinical competency test. The Acumen Assessment, Snodgrass claims, drew unspecified conclusions based on quasi-scientific methods, and the boards order for such an assessment provided the clinical competency testers with prejudicial information that has made a clinical competency test impossible.

The Iowa Board of Medicine has yet to respond to Snodgrass petition for judicial review.

When asked about the specific allegations involving Lankachandra, Snodgrass sent the Iowa Capital Dispatch a written statement that said, My actions, sending spam to Dr. Lankachandra, were shameful and I regret disturbing the peace and my prior unprofessional conduct.

Counties with the most farmland in Iowa Counties with the most farmland in Iowa #25. O'Brien #24. Lyon #23. Calhoun #22. Pocahontas #21. Buena Vista #20. Wright #19. Greene #18. Grundy #17. Monona #16. Carroll #15. Ringgold #14. Shelby #13. Winneshiek #12. Clinton #11. Harrison #10. Jasper #9. Fayette #8. Tama #7. Webster #6. Benton #5. Crawford #4. Sioux #3. Woodbury #2. Plymouth #1. Kossuth
When a loved one dies or can no longer use their firearms, family members often have to figure out what to do with those handguns, rifles or shotguns.

How do you get rid of guns legally in Iowa? And what provisions are in place to reduce the odds Grandpa's pistol doesn't fall into the wrong hands and isn't used in a crime down the road?

In Iowa, nearly 44 percent of adults have guns in their homes, CBS News reported in April 2022. Iowa also has the 17th highest share of people age 65 and older, which means a lot of gun owners may be starting to think about what to do with their firearms.

"We do see quite a bit of that," Tiffanie Mrozek, general manager of Midwest Shooting in Hiawatha said about older Iowans getting rid of firearms. "More often is on the end of someone who passed away and their family members are wondering. 'What do I do with these?'"

Selling a gun to a licensed dealer

There are two ways to legally sell a gun in Iowa.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives "recommends selling a firearm to a licensed firearms dealer," said John Ham, a spokesman for the bureau. "Using a licensed dealer ensures that a record of exists of the sale, and when the firearms are eventually sold by the gun dealer, federal regulation will ensure that background checks are conducted on the buyers."

Iowa has more than 1,500 licensed dealers, which include most gun shops and some other dealers. You can download a list of licensed firearm dealers in each state from atf.gov/firearms/listing-federal-firearms-licensees.

If you bring a used gun to Midwest Shooting, a licensed dealer, Mrozek or her staff will first give you a quote on how much they would pay for the gun. If you want to go forward, they will check to make sure the seller has a government-issued ID with photo, date of birth and address.

"You get a bill of sale with the firearm information, including the serial number, so you have proof of the day you sold the firearm," she said.

This is important because if that gun were to be involved in a future crime, you want to be able to show it was not in your possession at the time.

Background checks

Licensed firearms dealers are required to do a background check on anyone who wants to buy a gun. At Midwest Shooting, staff enter a customer's name and other information into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

The FBI, which runs the system, makes sure the potential buyer doesn't have a criminal record or isn't otherwise prohibited from buying or owning a firearm. Since 1998, the FBI has done more than 300 million checks through the system, leading to 1.5 million denials  or .5 percent of the checks, the FBI reported.

"Whether they are approved, denied or delayed, is not our decision," Mrozek said. "We will usually get an answer within five minutes. The delayed status can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 30 days. I tell people after five minutes 'That's probably your answer for the day'."

Selling a gun without a dealer

Iowa law permits gun owners to sell or give a gun to another person without a licensed dealer.

"The law does allow for this, but the person that is selling the gun should have knowledge or know that the person they are selling or transferring to is not someone who is a prohibited person," said Capt. Chad Colston of the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

"A normal person does not have access to run criminal background checks, but if they are transferring it to a family member they should at least know if they have had issues with the law in the past."

Direct gun sales do not require background checks or record keeping, but Colston, Ham and Mrozek all recommended people who sell guns this way complete a bill of sale documenting the gun has changed hands.

Selling a gun directly to another buyer may net the seller more money, Mrozek said, but a licensed dealer may reach a broader pool of customers. "In most cases, we find our customers are pretty pleased with the value we give and find it's very much worth it to find out that background check will be done," she said.

Destroying firearms in Iowa

If you'd rather destroy a gun than sell it, there are ways to do that safely. The ATF allows a gun to be smelted, shredded or crushed. If you've got access to a welding torch and know how to use it, the ATF shows which cuts need to be made to render the gun inoperable.

You may also turn the gun over to a local law enforcement agency. The Linn County Sheriff's Office, for instance, sends those weapons to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to be destroyed, Since Jan. 1, 2021, the DCI has destroyed more than 3,000 seized and forfeited firearms, including:

 991 handguns

 864 long guns

 1,171 uncategorized firearms

The National Center for Unwanted Firearms, a Montana nonprofit, also accepts donated firearms. The group offers donors three options: to have the gun destroyed, donated to law enforcement (if appropriate) or preserved (if historically significant).

Law enforcement agencies sometimes host gun buyback events, in which they offer gift cards or other small incentives to people who turn in a firearm for destruction.

The Moline Police Department in Illinois collected 305 firearms during a buyback event last summer, according to KWQC-TV. Most of these guns were melted down. The agency turned over a World War II military handgun donated at the event to the Henry County Historical Society.

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russias invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and arrived Tuesday in Belarus.

The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of a deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin was in Belarus, and said he and some of his troops were welcome to stay for some time at their own expense.

Prigozhin has not been seen since Saturday, when he waved to well-wishers from a vehicle in the southern city of Rostov. He issued a defiant audio statement on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, a private jet believed to belong to him flew from Rostov to an airbase southwest of the Belarusian capital of Minsk, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Meanwhile, Moscow said preparations were underway for Wagner's troops fighting in Ukraine, who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin, to hand over their heavy weapons to Russia's military. Prigozhin had said such moves were planned ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contracts  which he opposed  to serve under Russia's military command.

Russian authorities also said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no armed rebellion charge against Prigozhin or his followers.

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for financial wrongdoing charges against an affiliated organization Prigozhin owns. Putin told a military gathering that Prigozhins Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles ($941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over $1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items.

I hope that while doing so they didnt steal anything, or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concords contract.

For years, Prigozhin has enjoyed lucrative catering contracts with the Russian government. Police who searched his St. Petersburg office on Saturday said they found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside, according to media reports the Wagner boss confirmed. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers families.

Prigozhin and his fighters stopped the revolt on Saturday, less than 24 hours after it began and shortly after Putin spoke on national TV, branding the rebellion leaders, whom he did not name, as traitors.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny could have been punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin's escape from prosecution, at least on a armed rebellion charge, is in stark contrast to Moscow's treatment of its critics, including those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have been punished with long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

Lukashenko said some of the Wagner fighters are now in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed last September.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putins grip on power, occurring during the 16-month-old war in Ukraine, and he again acknowledged the threat Tuesday in saying the result could have been a civil war.

In addresses this week, Putin has sought to project stability and demonstrate authority.

In a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday, the president walked down the red-carpeted stairs of the 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address soldiers and law enforcement officers, thanking them for their actions to avert the rebellion.

In a further show of business-as-usual, Russian media showed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in his military uniform, greeting Cubas visiting defense minister in a pomp-heavy ceremony. Prigozhin has said his goal had been to oust Shoigu and other military brass, not stage a coup against Putin.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in the clash between Prigozhin and Shoigu. While the mutiny unfolded, he said, he put Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing and urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, lest the conflict spiral out of control.

He said he told Prigozhin he would be squashed like a bug if he tried to attack Moscow, and warned that the Kremlin would never agree to his demands.

Like Putin, the Belarusian leader portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details about the Kremlin's deal with Prigozhin, saying only that Putin had provided certain guarantees aimed at avoiding a worst-case scenario."

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) from Moscow without facing serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters: We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Zolotov, a former Putin bodyguard, also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports. The Defense Ministry didnt release information about casualties, but Putin honored them Tuesday with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said. They didnt waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists have vented outrage that Prigozhin and his troops won't be punished for killing the airmen.

Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in his statement Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because the aircraft were bombing them.

In his televised address Monday night, Putin said rebellion organizers had played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. He praised the rank-and-file mutineers, however, who didnt engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink.

A Washington-based think tank said that was likely in an effort to retain" the Wagner fighters in Ukraine, where Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

Putin has offered Prigozhin's fighters the choice of either coming under Russian military command, leaving service or going to Belarus.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagners presence in his country, though in Russia, Wagner-recruited convicts have been suspected of violent crimes. The Wagner troops gained priceless military knowledge and experience to share with Belarus, he said.

But exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbors.

Belarusians dont welcome war criminal Prigozhin, she told The Associated Press. If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbors.

While attention focused on the aftermath of the Russian rebellion, the war in Ukraine continued to take a human toll in what U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called terrible scenes from another brutal attack.

Russian missiles struck Kramatorsk and a village nearby in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region with missiles, killing at least four people, including a child, and wounding some 40 others, with still others under building rubble, including in a cafe, authorities reported.

Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.
Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu has strongly denied the circulating rumors that she was subjected to physical assault by musician Samidoh.

The allegations arose from a photo of Nyamu, in which she appeared to have a swollen black eye. Netizens drew the conclusion that she was a victim of domestic abuse after she had late last year accused Samidoh of assault.

But the controversial Senator was quick to refute these assertions, taking to Facebook live on Sunday, June 25, to say she was unbothered by what people say about her.

You know I am not one to care what guys are saying about my personal life or whatever. Whatever you want to say about me you know unakuanga free. Si catch sijali as in I dont really have an issue. In fact saa zile hamniongelei nakuanga a bit concerned, Nyamu said.

Also Read  Karen Nyamu Speaks On Dating Violent Politician, Samidoh Affair

She went on: But there is something that has drawn my attention. It is a photo that we took on Friday at a function in Nyeri a Scout and Girl Guides Function where the speaker of the Senate was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and so we had accompanied him with some Senators and this photo nimepigwa imefunika macho yangu moja, whatever alafu sijui kuna nini.

So watu wanamake fun of gender-based violence especially watu wale hawani-like, they think that gender-based violence is something you can use to settle scores or something you should wish on your enemies and these are women. We cant be this ignorant in this day and age. Gender-based violence is a serious issue, it affects 40 percent of women in Kenya just like in Africa it affects more women than men.

The Senator mentioned that she has never been assaulted since the last time she exposed Samidoh. Karen Nyamu also indicated that she had reached out to Samidoh, who told her to dismiss the recent abuse claims.

 I personally have been a victim in the past and Im not one to keep quiet about such a thing ama kuficha, and if theres one truthful person after Riggy G in this country it is Karen Nyamu.

So hiyo si kitu naeza nyamazia. Na nimeona on my post and imeni concern kidogo. I have raised it with the person who could have been the person who people think has hit me, ameniambia ah we lenga uciu ni wana (In Kikuyu to mean its nonsense) you know how we dismiss every other thing that is said about us.
President William Ruto has challenged the Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council to resolve issues affecting health professionals in the country.

The President said the Council whose mandate is to review policy and establish norms and standards for health workers, should ensure health professionals are happy and productive.

The council will be chaired by Dr Francis Wafula, a lecturer at Strathmore University, and comprise representatives from the National Government, counties, and training institutions.

The President spoke on Monday at State House, Nairobi, when he inaugurated the council, which he said was the result of extensive consultations between the National and County governments.

Inadequate cosultation between the two levels of government in the past prevented the operationalisation of the council affecting effective delivery of health services.

The advisory council will handle the posting of interns to National and County governments health facilities, inter-county transfer of health professionals, and transfers from one level of government to the other.

The Kenya Health Human Resource Advisory Council will also standardise the welfare and schemes of service for health professionals and manage the rotation of specialist doctors to enhance effective service delivery across the country.

It will also maintain a master register for all health practitioners in the counties.

The President said the Council will also address issues of training of staff in the counties.

The National Government pays for training of health professionals, while counties continue to pay their salaries and cant replace them when on training. These are some of the issues the advisory council will deal with, President Ruto said.

Council of Governors Chair Anne Waiguru said the advisory councils composition has been informed by the constitutional roles the two levels of government have in the provision of health services.
Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol is a relieved man after the Senate voted to keep him in office.

27 out of 43 senators voted against an 11-member Senate special committee report recommending the impeachment. The panel chaired by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang had found William Oduol guilty of gross violation of the constitution; and abuse of office and gross misconduct.

RELATED  How Deputy Governor William Oduol Splashed Millions on Furniture

The net effect of this vote is that pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33(8) of the County Government Act and Standing Order 87 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment William Oduol, the Deputy Governor of Siaya County.

The Deputy Governor accordingly continues to hold office, ruled Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

In a statement following his survival, Oduol referenced Isaiah 41:10 from the Bible.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Oduol wrote on social media.
Joey Wolosz and Jeff Durham, co-founders of Gentleman Farmer Wines, first met in 1999. They had both studied hospitality at Cal Poly Pomona in years prior but had never encountered each other. Their meeting came while working the real estate circuits of San Francisco and having sensed a connection they decided to purchase a house in Yountville together.

They began making wine in their garage, and in 2005 they decided to begin producing wine commercially alongside a partner who went unnamed throughout their press release. By 2009 their production had increased and they were bringing in more grapes than they could pay for, forcing Wolosz to sell some of their possessions, such as watches, to pay for the harvests.

Gentleman Farmer Wines was officially born in 2017 following Wolosz and Durhams marriage and the buying out of their original partner. Wolosz received a Winemakers Certificate from UC Davis and worked alongside Jerome Chery, their consulting winemaker.

Their catalog includes a rose made from Pinot Noir, a touch of Meunier and a splash of Merlot, a Chardonnay, and a Merlot-dominant red wine. They also make Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, according to the press release. A driving force behind their wine is its ability to pair with food, something Wolosz and Durham are very keyed into as gentleman farmers.

Gentleman Farmer Wines became Napa Valleys only Certified LGBTQ winery in 2020, as per the press release. The certification came courtesy of National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBTQ people.

In honor of Pride month, 10% of proceeds from June sales will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.

They are planning to open a location within Napa proper to further spread their brand and grow their network of connections.

-- Allison Levine

Acumen Winery appoints Ahna Jotter as Direct-to-Consumer Manager

Acumen Winery announced that it has appointed Ahna Jotter as its new direct-to-consumer manager. Jotter will oversee the Acumen Wine Gallery in downtown Napa and the Acumen Red Diamond Wine Club as well as other key facets of the winerys consumer programs.

Jotter previously worked as a direct-to-consumer manager for The Hess Collection Winery for 12 years, and now brings her lifelong passion for art, agriculture and wine to Acumen, according to the press release. Raised in Napa, Jotter was surrounded by wine at a young age, especially after she began to help with bottling and labeling at her grandfathers small family winery in Yountville. She went on to study botany before returning to the wine industry.

With her Napa Valley roots, her passion for the arts and agriculture, and her gracious approach to hospitality, Ahna is a fantastic addition to our team, said Acumen Sales and Marketing Director Diana Schweiger in the press release.

Jotter expressed her excitement at working with Acumen, highlighting the winery / gallerys commitment to art and music alongside fine wine. The Acumen Wine Gallery has always been more than just a tasting room, she said, its a place where people can come together to share music, art, wine and even Champagne. We are a winery that is inspired by beauty and creativity, both in wine and life.

Acumen was founded by Eric Yuan in 2012 with the goal of making the finest estate-grown wines on Napa Valleys Atlas Peak, according to the press release. Acumens two estate vineyards total 116 planted acres with the primary focus being on Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Visit acumenwine.com to learn more.

Lawrence Wine Estates launches Haynes wine collection

The historic Haynes Vineyard is now producing a single-estate wine brand entitled Hayes. The new brand is described as exceptionally vibrant and mineral driven in a recent press release, and is a collaboration between Lawrence Wine Estates Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr. and Haynes Head Winemaker Nico Cueva.

Their creative efforts were united under a shared vision to honor the pedigree and express the potential of this uniquely singular site at Haynes Vineyards, according to the press release.

The vineyard comprises 27 acres planted to vine near San Pablo Bay. The microclimate is characterized by cooler temperatures and ocean breeze which settle among the vines, which along with the prehistoric diatomaceous soils produce wines of generous structure with fresh acidity and minerality.

McCoy described the vineyard as a significant part of the history of the Napa Valley with heritage vines planted in the late 1960s that still thrive today.

He continued by saying that it is an honor and privilege to both preserve the land and launch a new brand to bring the stories of one of the worlds greatest vineyards to life.

We view ourselves as shepherds rather than makers, said Cueva in a press release, explaining that Haynes will practice low intervention winemaking to allow the vineyard and its character to take the spotlight.

The initial launch will feature a range of Chardonnays  the Vigneron, Forgeron and Corazon bottlings from the 2020 vintage  as well as the Forgeron Syrah 2021 and Forgeron Pinot Noir 2021.

Marketing and sales will be handled by Demeine Estates. Visit haynesvineyard.com to learn more.
The last Napa City Nights concert in July of last year was bittersweet  it was a great night for music, but it also ended a 17-year run of free, live music for the community. Attendees lamented the lost with the last chord played. Well, mourn no more  this year, the music returns every Friday Night in July at Veterans Park. And the line-up is spectacular.

Connie Anderson, publisher of the Napa Valley Marketplace, president of the Downtown Napa Association (DNA) and a life-long lover of live music, reacted immediately when the Napa City Nights announced the retirement of the summer series. We have to figure out how to keep this going, she said.

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Friday Nights in the Park makes its debut this July. Every Friday, two bands will perform. The series opens with Moma Said, a Napa band that has become a BottleRock regular, and ends July 28 with the Daniel Castro Band, a blues-based band out of San Francisco and one of the favorites at Blues, Brews & BBQ. We decided to go with two bands each night instead of the three from past years, so that we could focus on more playing time and really good music, said Bill La Liberte from the DNA. And as with all Downtown Napa events, admission is free.

We are super happy about the direction the DNA is taking and that they are keeping the music going, said Chris Chesbrough, who with his wife, Sue, and a dozen other volunteers staged Napa City Nights for its entire run. Chefs Market was the model for how live music is done in Napa. The DNA ran that, and they are the perfect group to run Friday Nights in the Park. As a musician in the band Road Eleven, which will play the new event on July 21 along with Marshall Law, Chesbrough understands that this is a group effort that includes attendees. Napa has a very cool community of musicians. The audience is just as important as the music is.

The Downtown Property owners, operating as the Property Owners Improvement District (PBID) quickly stepped up as the presenting sponsor. Closely following that lead, the hotel and B&B owners, organized as the Tourist Improvement District (TID) stepped up. Sara Brooks, the GM of the Hatt Building who sits on both groups boards, said, Anytime we can help with an event that our residents and visitors will love, we consider it a win-win. Bank of Marin, the founding and continuing sponsor of Napas Hometown Halloween Party, is also part of Friday Nights in the Park. Without the support of these sponsors, there would be no event.

Light food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Low-back chairs are permitted. Blankets may need to be rolled up or shared with others as the crowd grows. Visit DoNapa.com for more details.

See you downtown!
Adventist Health announced that Puja Orozco, PA-C (physician assistant, certified) has joined the team at its St. Helena location. Orozco joins the organization with more than a decade of physician assistant experience. Her primary area of focus is orthopedic surgery, said a news release.

Orozco has expertise in the pre-operative and post-operative care of patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. She has also served as a surgical assistant in the operating room.

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Health care is a lifelong passion for Orozco. I volunteered at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers from a young age. I realized then that I enjoyed working with people and helping them in any way I could. In my college years, I shadowed at various medical practices and felt that the best way to help others would be through a career in health care, commented Orozco.

Orozco studied in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then spent more than 10 years at the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus in Baltimore. There, she worked in an inpatient hospital setting specializing in orthopedic surgical service.

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She is accepting new patients and can be reached at Adventist Health, located at Coon Joint Replacement Institute at 10 Woodland Rd. in St. Helena.

Info: 707-963-3611

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, June 25, 2023
An electric bus adorned with a large picture of a honeybee debuted in Yountville last year, becoming one of the first zero-emission buses in the Napa Valley transit system.

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But this battery-powered bus, serving the Bee Line, replaced the aging-but-popular Yountville Trolley in providing free local service around town. And not everyone has been happy with the switch.

A recent buzz about the Bee Line on social media site Nextdoor  and how it compares negatively with the old trolley, largely in aesthetic terms  prompted the Yountville Town Council last month to request the Napa Valley Transportation Authority to give a presentation on how the Bee Line came to be. Kate Miller, executive director of the NVTA, responded to that call and took questions from the council last week.

Miller explained that Yountville initially accepted an old trolley from the city of Napa back in 2008, after the Downtown Napa Association ended funding for Napas downtown trolley service. The transit agency approached the town with the idea of running a Yountville service, and the town agreed. The vehicle went on to become the popular Yountville Trolley that provided free rides around town; it was replaced with a similar vehicle in 2012.

But, Miller said, Californias push to shift public transit agencies away from fossil fuel fleets and persistent mechanical issues with the trolley  it was out of service 40% of the time during the 2019-2022 fiscal years  prompted NVTA to retire the trolley and replace it with the Bee Line last year.

As for the look of the bus, Miller said, the shift away from the vintage look was necessary because no zero-emission trolley-style vehicles have been approved by the Federal Transit Administration. She also noted that the Town Council, in February 2021, unanimously recommended the bee design.

We would not have done this bus this way if it hadnt been approved by the council, Miller said. Theres a little bit of a soft spot around these vehicles because we get so many compliments from everybody in the industry; we get compliments from everybody in the valley. So this is somewhat shocking that were getting this kind of feedback that people in Yountville dont like the bus. Its a little hard on us because we really think the bus is pretty cute.

Councilmember Pam Reeves said she felt the bus was akin to someone seeing a haircut in a magazine and requesting it from their barber, but the haircut doesnt turn out how they expected.

I think theres a little bit of a Gee, that wasnt what I was expecting kind of feeling from the community, Reeves said.

Reeves noted that some people think the bus is too big, though she added it was her impression the bus was about the same size as the old trolley. Miller confirmed that the Bee Line is about the same size as its forerunner.

It just has a different look, Reeves said. The biggest item is that its electric, and thats a huge plus for the community. I think that, in a way, we would like everyone to like that part of the bus because its what we need as a community.

Reeves also asked whether it was possible to take the protective wrap off the bus windows  which she said limits visibility inside  and Yountville it up a bit so locals and tourists know its the free local bus and they can flag it down.

It just seems like it looks so much like an urban bus that nobody knows what youre supposed to do with it, Reeves said.

Councilmember Robin McKee-Cant said she agreed with Reeves about the branding of the bus, though she emphasized the importance of how the bus currently functions. She said the community was lucky to have the bus, especially because it allows access for older people and space for wheelchairs  an improvement from the trolley.

Branding I think could help people, our tourists, realize that its there and make our locals a little more calm about it, hopefully, McKee-Cant said.

Miller said that the total cost of the bus, including the wrap, was about $600,000, with Yountville contributing $10,000. The annual operating cost, she added, is $381,000, with NVTA taking on 90% of that cost and Yountville 10%.

Miller also estimated the cost of replacing the wrap  which she said she didnt think NVTA would fund  would be about $50,000. And the authority wants to have a consistent look across its electric vehicles, she added, so thered likely need to be a larger discussion with the NVTA board should there be a request to change the design.

Other councilmembers said theyd personally observed positive reactions to the Bee Line and didnt think social media criticisms should be overemphasized. Vice Mayor Eric Knight mentioned that his youngest daughter nannies two 3-year-olds, and they have no greater joy than to get on the Yountville Bee Line.

Mayor Margie Mohler added shed heard positive comments about the bus from residents of the nearby Veterans Home of California, many of whom use wheelchairs or are limited in their movement.

Sometimes its just a matter of change, Mohler said. And I think this change is very positive and very good.

PHOTOS: New "Tiki Dreams" exhibit at the Napa Valley Museum
ST. HELENA  St. Helenas largest and most controversial housing development in decades is moving ahead.

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With scores of St. Helenans attending Mondays special hearing, the City Council voted 3-2 to approve a tentative map for the 87-unit Hunter project, with Mayor Paul Dohring and Councilmember Billy Summers voting no. The council voted 4-1 to certify the projects final environmental impact report, with Dohring again voting no.

The city will need to grant more entitlements before construction can begin, but Mondays decision clears a critical hurdle for a project thats been in the planning pipeline since 2010.

Despite neighbors concerns about environmental impacts and the lack of specifics about the projects affordable housing component, the council had limited authority to reject the project under state law.

City Attorney Ethan Walsh said denial would require the council to find that the project would have a specific adverse impact on health and safety. The state has already tied your hands to a large degree, he told the council.

A majority of the council took that advice to heart, noting that rejecting the project could jeopardize St. Helenas long-range housing plan.

Developers invoke 'builder's remedy' to push housing into Bay Area cities Builders are turning to a once little-known state law in hopes of pushing through housing projects far bigger than local zoning rules usually allow.

We dont have the tools  not to approve this, Vice Mayor Eric Hall said, calling the decision probably the most impactful in St. Helena in the last two decades.

Our hands are really tied, Councilmember Anna Chouteau said.

Dohring voted against the project, saying he couldnt determine that the tentative map was consistent with St. Helenas inclusionary housing ordinance, which requires affordable housing to be spread throughout a project site.

He said the alleged benefits of affordable housing and improving St. Helena's jobs/housing ratio were too speculative to outweigh the project's adverse environmental impacts. He also acknowledged concerns about safety.

I have to rely on my own conscience, he said. Thats whats motivating me. Thats whats informing me. Thats what keeps me up at night, worrying about the safety of my community. I dont want anyone to be lost on my watch.

Councilmember Lester Hardy said hes not a fan of the project but said the state is applying heavy pressure on St. Helena to permit housing.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development, which is reviewing the citys proposed housing element, issued a letter this month supporting the project and saying it will help the city meet its housing obligations.

I dont think the city of St. Helena comes out ahead dooming its housing element to failure and having all of that to contend with in addition to the applicants litigation, Hardy said.

Hardy added that he wont be running for council again, so I dont have to worry about whats going to happen at the next election.

Environmental impact

The council approved a statement of overriding considerations finding that the projects benefits  including its affordable housing  will outweigh its impacts. The EIR found that the projects only significant and unavoidable impact would be on vehicle miles traveled, which relates to traffic levels.

Project opponents said the environmental report didnt adequately address other concerns about water consumption, the risk of flooding, and the effect on emergency evacuation routes.

In response, city staff have said that the levee protecting the property has been built and maintained properly. They also reject claims that the project will impede evacuations.

The projects final map and water and affordable housing agreements will have to be approved later. The council will have discretion over the affordable housing agreement, but other entitlements will be ministerial, meaning the city wont be able to reject them if they comply with the citys own requirements.

Attorney Elena Neigher, representing the anti-Hunter group St. Helena Citizens for a Sustainable Future, said the project needs more environmental review. She criticized the piecemeal approach of approving the project one piece at a time and leaving the ministerial parts for later.

Its really just tying your hands  if you approve this, Neigher said.

Dan Golub, an attorney for the applicants, said state law strongly compels the approval of this project.

He downplayed the traffic impact flagged by the environmental study, saying the project would actually reduce vehicle miles traveled by helping to relieve St. Helenas jobs-to-housing imbalance.

Maria Villegas, chairperson of St. Helena Citizens for a Sustainable Future, released a statement saying the group is deeply disappointed with this decision.

The short-sighted vote to move forward on the Hunter project threatens all of us, and all of our children and grandchildren  increasing fire danger, flood risk from the levee, and endangering the lives of residents with increased traffic. It will not lead to any affordable housing, but will be a boon for developers.

We commend Mayor Paul Dohring and Councilmember Billy Summers, who both voted against the tentative map. This is the kind of leadership we need going forward. We need to push back against big money and developers and start fighting for a sustainable future for all of St. Helena.

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Photos: Grand opening of St. Helena's Brenkle Court housing complex Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony Brenkle Court Grand Opening Ceremony
Updated at 1:51 p.m. Tuesday  SACRAMENTO  A Sacramento County court will void the states approval of a charter school that has been planned in Napa for nearly two years.

The California State Board of Education effectively approved the Mayacamas Charter Middle School back in September, when it overturned two prior local district votes to deny the charter. But a November lawsuit from the Napa Valley Unified School District disputing the validity of the state boards decision will be upheld by a ruling in Sacramento County Superior Court.

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That protest is set to move forward following a Tuesday hearing at the Sacramento County courthouse, where Judge Shelleyanne W.L. Chang agreed with NVUSD that the state education board abused its authority by granting a charter to the Mayacamas school over the districts veto.

The Napa school districts case hinges on how Assembly Bill 1505, passed in 2019, is supposed to work.

The law restricts the state boards ability to overturn charter school denials. Before its passage, the state board essentially acted as a final layer of the charter school appeals process, giving petitioners what amounted to three chances to win approval for their school.

If a charter school petition was denied by a local district board, the denial could be appealed to the county. If it was then denied by the county, it could be appealed to the state. At that point, the state board could conduct its own review and decide whether to approve the charter school or not, no matter what local agencies had decided.

But under AB 1505, the state board is required to find that local districts abused their discretion to reverse those prior denials.

The Napa school districts lawsuit contended that the state board effectively ignored AB 1505 when granting a charter to the Mayacamas school by substituting its own judgment for those of trustees with NVUSD and the Napa County Office of Education, which also voted against the charter plan.

Napa school board members unanimously vetoed the Mayacamas schools in December 2021, three months after petitioners applied for a charter. Trustees criticized what they called petitioners too-rosy financial and enrollment predictions, as well as skimpy arrangements for teaching English learners and special-needs children  and argued the school would offer little that is not already offered at existing schools.

Its not a unique offering; its cultivating an elite private school experience on the taxpayer dime, to the detriment of the other students of NVUSD, trustee Eve Ryser said at the time.

The county offices board also rejected the charter in March 2021, although two of its seven members dissented.

Indeed, the court has found it was the state board that abused its discretion when it overturned the denials by the two local education bodies, according to the ruling, which was published in tentative form late Monday afternoon.

Thats because, according to the ruling, the state board didnt find enough evidence for abuse of discretion in either the NVUSD or NCOE board decisions.

The state board had dismissed the prior rejections by finding the process behind the Napa school districts denial was biased  and not fair and impartial  and that the county office hadnt established enough evidence that the Mayacamas school would significantly weaken NVUSDs programs by sapping attendance-based funding.

In legal filings, the state board argued that prepared remarks of NVUSD board members during the charter approval hearings constituted bias  among several other examples  given that board members stated that Mayacamas petitioners had submitted a phony budget and fraudulently attempted to inflate their income, and that the petition was akin to a hastily thrown-together term paper by like a freshman interested in majoring in education, the tentative ruling states.

The ruling notes that school board members are required to both carry out a fair and impartial analysis and serve as elected representatives of their constituents. They are, in essence, required to form opinions based on their constituents interests and determine whether granting a charter petition is in the interest of the community at large. So the fact that board members express strong opinions at a board meeting after reviewing a charter school petition isnt sufficient evidence of actual bias.

In its own opposition, the State Board asserts that its own members are entitled to voice their opinions without raising an inference that the proceedings before the SBE are somehow tainted based on any such opinions, the ruling states. The same is true for the District Board.

The court also disagreed that NCOE hadnt sufficiently established that the charter school would cause significant financial harm to the Napa school district.

There was ample evidence of financial distress at NVUSD, according to the court. The district made difficult decisions to decrease programming, staffing, and closed certain facilities, including River Middle School, the tentative ruling states. (River, a former charter academy, was absorbed into the Napa school district in 2019 and closed in 2022, with the bilingual Unidos Middle School taking over its campus.)

River Middle School parents, dissatisfied with this decision, sought to establish a charter school, which would further reduce the Districts enrollment and funding, according to the tentative ruling. Evidence in the record supports that this increased lack of funding would cause the District to fail to meet its required financial reserves at least a year earlier than it otherwise would, and the District would need to eliminate counselors, intervention teachers, and electives; and/or close small elementary schools located in the City of Napa.

The ruling also states that the existence of the districts financial distress prior to the charter school approval doesnt negate that the school would financially weaken the district.

As a result, a judgment will be issued in favor of NVUSD, and against the state board, the tentative ruling states  which likely means the State Board of Educations decision to grant Mayacamas a charter over the Napa school districts objections will be overturned.

Based upon this record, the Court finds the State Board abused its discretion in reversing the District Boards and County Boards decision to deny the Charter School petition, the tentative ruling states. The State Board erred in finding that the stated bases constituted grounds to overturn their decision.

During the Tuesday hearing  attended by NVUSD Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti  attorneys representing the Napa Foundation for Options in Education, the organization behind the Mayacamas school, and the state board attempted to dispute aspects of the tentative ruling. They both focused on how the district would indeed face financial impacts from the charter school, but disagreed that those impacts were substantial enough to justify denying the charter petition, among several other arguments.

John Lemmo, who represents the foundation, noted that the foundation board will likely appeal the ruling.

We are obviously very disappointed with this politically-motivated action but we are actively examining our options, Lauren Daley, one of two chief petitioners for Mayacamas, said in an email after the Tuesday hearing. The families of Napa deserve better than the underperforming monopoly we have now.

Attorney Bonifacio Bonny Garcia, representing the Napa school district, said he thought the arguments of the state board and foundation lawyers were red herrings, and that the court appropriately focused on examining where the abuse of discretion from the NVUSD and NCOE boards actually was.

With the ruling in place, the State Board of Education will need to again take up the issue of the Mayacamas charter appeal, with the courts rejection of their previous decision in mind. But the timing of that decision needs to happen sooner rather than later, Garcia said, given that the Mayacamas school is scheduled to open in August.

Garcia noted that the state education board currently has a July 13 meeting scheduled and doesnt meet again until September, so a special meeting will likely need to be planned for the near future.
The prime minister of Armenia was again invited to Tuesdays meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Inquiry Committee for Studying the Circumstances of the Hostilities Unleashed on September 27, 2020

At this meeting, Nikol Pashinyan will answer the questions of the members of this committee on live broadcast.

Until now, several high-ranking military personnel from the aforesaid war days have spoken at the aforementioned inquiry committee, but all of themin a closed meeting.

In the previous meeting, Pashinyan delivered an address lasting several hours on live air, but did not answer the questions of the committee members.

Back in April, the Armenian PM had called on the parliamentary opposition to question him in the aforesaid inquiry committee. Also, Pashinyan promised to speak at this committee about the reasons for not stopping the war on October 19, 2020.

This parliamentary inquiry committee was set up a year and a half after the 44-day war in the fall of 2020. Only the pro-government MPs carry out an investigation at this committee. The NA opposition has boycotted all such meetings. Today, too, the parliamentary opposition boycotted the meeting of this inquiry committee because it considers it a "show," the purpose of which is to "remove political accountability from Pashinyan."
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
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan reflected on the Armenian army at Tuesdays meeting of the National Assembly Inquiry Committee for Studying the Circumstances of the Hostilities Unleashed on September 27, 2020.

"As a matter of fact, the following was done in relation to the army: Were there any discussions about the state of combat readiness? Yes, there were. And I received assurances up to and including August 2020 that, of course, it will be very difficult, the army will fulfill the task set before it. This is not a record that has just been taken into account. In 2018, I adopted the everything for the army policy," Pashinyan said.

"Already in 2019, salaries in the army have increased significantly, purchase of weapons and military equipment have been carried out. There is a lot of talk that after I became the prime minister, the plans for the acquisition of weapons and military equipment were changed, distorted. Nothing has changed; just additional other [military] equipment have been acquired," the Armenian PM noted.

"It is ruled out that anyone remembers a case when the [Armenian] army submitted a task to the government and it was not fulfilled because there is no money. But solving many problems is not only related to money," Pashinyan said.

Also, he announced that after he became Armenia's prime minister, a question of changing the vector of the countrys foreign policy was not discussed.

"On the contrary, our perception was that such a change could have serious consequences in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict itself," Nikol Pashinyan added.
For Marty Levin and Wanda Rushing, philanthropy is a process, not a single act. The retired sociologists have funded a scholarship in Emorys Department of Sociology since 2017. The funding allows graduate students and nontenured faculty to attend the summer Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research at University of Michigan, where they learn a range of research methods. Rushing also supports research opportunities for graduate students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned her PhD.

Now the couple has made graduate research support at Emory part of their estate plan. The Levin/Rushing Population and Health Inequalities Research Collaborative Endowment will, when realized, establish permanent funds for both faculty members and doctoral students in the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies to pursue research in these areas. The Levin/Rushing bequest is the largest gift or pledge received by the Laney Graduate School to date.

Inequality is a major interest of Wandas, while Ive done research in demography and public health, Levin says. This gift will allow researchers to examine the integration of demographics and health inequality from both perspectives  how does the organization of a population affect health inequality and how does health inequality affect populations?

According to Timothy Dowd, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology, Demography is both a research area and a technique to conduct research. We want to understand how access to health care can reduce inequality, so this gift will allow us to build and support research with real-world implications.

Karen Hegtvedt, professor and former chair of sociology, worked with Levin at Emory. Ive heard Marty refer to philanthropy as his spiritual legacy, she says. I think, based on the success of the summer research project scholarship he funded, he has faith in the department to carry out his and Wandas wishes.

Levin and Rushing are intentional with their philanthropy.

I took a course on communicating values to those who come after you, and it really resonated with me Rushing says. Marty and I talked about it, and we decided that helping graduate students conduct research was important to us. We are also pleased to support further research on the interconnections between population and health inequality.

Levin said the couple chose Emory because I did the bulk of my career here, from instructor to full professor, and Ive always felt like Emory was my home.

He went on to teach at Mississippi State University. He and Rushing also taught at the University of Memphis, and both hold emeritus positions from that universitys Department of Sociology.

Graduate research support is vital for students current and future success, Dowd says. We regularly apply for grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and others. Were pleased and honored when we receive them, but theres something special about having funds targeted to our department to fund this valuable research.

Although the Levin/Rushing gift benefits graduate students specifically, it will also benefit undergraduate sociology students, since the type of advances made in supported research will end up in our curricula and will be taught in the classroom, Hegtvedt said.

Ensuring that graduate students have meaningful educational experiences is a priority for Kimberly Jacob Arriola, dean of Laney Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs.

Access to research opportunities at the graduate level helps students learn, develop new skills, and build valuable professional networks, Arriola says. We are so grateful for this gift that will help us continue to expand the student-centered educational experiences we offer in our graduate programs.
Elberta Jenkins cardiologist delivered the news compassionately but directly. There was nothing else he could do for her. Jenkins had undergone a triple bypass in 2008 following a heart attack, but now, in 2020, two of the four main valves in her heart were failing. She needed another open-heart surgery, but she was no longer a candidate due to her age.

I remember feeling hopeless, says Jenkins, who is now 82. But then my doctor said that even though he had run out of options for me, his former instructor and mentor, Dr. Greenbaum, was practicing in Atlanta, and he might be able to help me.

Thats how Jenkins found her way from Orange Park, Florida, to the offices of Adam Greenbaum, MD, and Vasilis Babaliaros, MD, at the Structural Heart & Valve Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown. Greenbaum immediately recognized Jenkins as a good candidate for a noninvasive procedure Emory had helped pioneer, which he used to replace her aortic valve via a catheter. He hoped the new valve would give Jenkins the relief she needed.

It did not. She still suffered from the deterioration of another main valve in her heart, the mitral valve, which controls the blood flow from the lungs into the heart. She also had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy  a condition characterized by an overly large and stiff heart muscle. These conditions in combination greatly reduced the blood flow from Jenkins heart, and the enlarged muscle also blocked the space needed for a new mitral valve.

She kept getting worse, says Meri Pyle, Jenkins daughter who accompanied her mother on her doctors visits. She got to the point where she could only walk a few steps before shed have to sit down and rest. She started staying in bed, and she told me she just didnt want to live like that.

With open heart surgery off the table, Greenbaum tried the only other available method for shrinking the heart muscle to allow for the mitral valve replacement  killing off a section of the muscle by delivering alcohol via a catheter. However, he wasnt able to complete the procedure due to the poor condition of Jenkins vessels. At this point, Greenbaum, too, was out of options for Jenkins  at least, tried and tested options.

Dr. Greenbaum told us he wasnt able to do that procedure, and that there were no others available, but he never told us he couldnt help her, says Pyle. He just said, Give us some time to think about it, and well come up with a plan. He made us feel that there was a way forward, that he wasnt going to give up.

Greenbaum explained that he and Babaliaros had been playing around with a novel method of cutting the heart muscle with an electrified wire at the end of a catheter, which could create the space needed to put in a new mitral valve without having to open the chest. The procedure was still in the concept phase, being tested on pigs by a colleague, Robert Lederman, MD, and his team at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Greenbaum told Jenkins to give them five or six weeks to fast-track the testing and see how the pigs that underwent the procedure fared.

When Elberta walked back in my office about a month later, her first words were, How did the pigs do?, says Greenbaum. I said they did just fine. And she said, Then lets go for it.

In January 2021, Greenbaum and Babaliaros performed the first ever procedure of Septal Scoring Along the Midline Endocardium (SESAME) on Jenkins. Several months later, he was able to replace her mitral valve.

Once your older patients start getting orthopedic injuries because theyve become so active, you know youve hit on something good. - Vasilis Babaliaros

Today, Jenkins feels good. So good, in fact, that she resumed hiking until she had to take a short break when she twisted her ankle. Once your older patients start getting orthopedic injuries because theyve become so active, you know youve hit on something good, says Babaliaros, founder and co-director of the Structural Heart & Valve Center.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

Jenkins is but one of the latest in a long line of patients who have been referred to Emory when they have run out of options at other health centers. They come as a last resort to try novel options developed through a one-of-a-kind, decade-old collaboration between the Emory Structural Heart & Valve Center and the NIH.

Greenbaum was practicing at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit in 2013 when he was treating a heart patient who had exhausted all available treatments. He had recently read a paper about a new procedure being tested on animals at the NIH that he thought could help his patient. The lead author on the paper was Lederman, whom Greenbaum had met in the late 1990s when both men were working at Duke University.

Greenbaum contacted Lederman, who ended up going to Henry Ford to oversee the procedure being performed on a human for the first time. Greenbaum was able to use an electrified wire at the tip of a catheter to push the catheter through one blood vessel into another, a first in interventional cardiology.

The resulting successful transcaval aortic access procedure was the birth of catheter electrosurgery. It was also the birth of a strong and lasting collaboration between Greenbaum and Lederman, and later Babaliaros, who went to Henry Ford shortly after the success to learn the technique and bring it back to Emory. He recruited Greenbaum to join Emory in 2018.

The three have been collaborating since to develop new catheter electrosurgery techniques, with the process following the same routine.

We started getting referrals for patients who had fallen through the cracks, who didnt have a solution that was either commercially available or in the mainstream research trials, says Babaliaros. Wed start thinking about what we might be able to do to help them, how we could modify our tool set to meet their need. Wed take the idea we came up with to the NIH to further develop it and test it on animals, and then wed offer it on a compassionate care basis to these patients who had no other options.

The entire process, from concept to implementation, could be as fast as several weeks, as was the case with Jenkins. Traditionally, someone might come up with a new idea and take it to industry, says Greenbaum. Theyd have to develop and test prototypes going through the Food and Drug Administration, and it could take 10 to 15 years before that device or technique is available. But some people dont have that time. That fact that we can, through our unique relationship with the NIH, offer patients novel solutions sometimes within a month or two can save lives.

A field ripe for innovation

It's not the first time Babaliaros and Greenbaum have been pioneers in the field.

Starting in 2007, Babaliaros was a primary participant in a trial of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a procedure that allows a new aortic valve to be delivered via a catheter rather that surgically. A catheter bearing a new valve inside a collapsed metal mesh stent is inserted through the groin artery. It is pushed up into position in the heart, and when it is in place, a balloon inflates the stent, pushing the old valve out of the way. The balloon and catheter are removed, and the new valve takes over. TAVR is now a commonplace procedure.

Greenbaum used TAVR to replace Jenkins first valve, and Emory is approaching its 5000th TAVR this year. TAVR marked the beginning of the shift from structural heart disease being a primarily surgical field to it being a primarily interventional field, says Babaliaros.

Babaliaros and Greenbaum have taken TAVR to the next step. By electrifying a wire on the tip of the catheter, they can use a catheter not just to deliver a device such as a new valve but to punch through blood vessels and make incisions. They have modified the original technique to address several other structural heart defects.

One of those is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which impacted Jenkins. The condition impacts about 1.5 million Americans and can occur at any age. It is also the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in people under age 35 and is the main culprit in the sudden death of young athletes.

Doctors Babaliaros and Greenbaum are pushing ahead in novel therapies that nobody else is even thinking of. All of this stems from their years of experience in a field they basically invented  transcatheter electrosurgery  with the help of their unique relationship with the NIH. - Kendra Grubb, MD

The heart muscles of people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are sort of like the arm muscles of weightlifters who cant straighten out their arms because their biceps are so overgrown, says Babaliaros. When the heart muscle is so large and stiff, it doesnt allow the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart, to properly fill with blood. This can result in difficulty breathing, heart palpitations or arrhythmias and chest pain.

SESAME marks the first new non-pharmacologic treatment in almost two decades for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Until the mid-1990s, the only treatment for this condition was surgery to remove or make incisions in part of the overgrown muscle. Then a noninvasive treatment was introduced that involved delivering alcohol to a specific area of the heart muscle via catheter, causing that area to die.

The field had become stagnant as far as procedural interventions, says Babaliaros. There just wasnt anything new going on, so the field was ripe for an innovation.

In the end, that innovation was propelled forward by Jenkins, whose painful, life-or-death health condition simply couldnt wait, and who was courageous enough to trust her medical team to venture into the unknown if it meant getting more time.

Lederman, with the aid of two NIH colleagues, Christopher Bruce, MD, and Jaffar Khan, MD, developed the new technique and tested it on pigs. With the aid of advanced imaging techniques performed by Patrick Gleason, MD, Greenbaum was able to use the electrified wire to make precise incisions in Jenkins heart muscle to allow it to relax, which in turn allowed her left ventricle to fill more fully, establishing a normal blood flow. Since Jenkins, Greenbaum and Babaliaros have performed SESAME on more than 50 patients with promising results.

A surgeon can only see one or two centimeters, but with the imaging we use, we can see the entirety of the muscle and we can cut anywhere, as deeply or as lengthy as we need to, says Babaliaros. The alcohol procedure causes an area of damage to the heart muscle, and often patients require a pacemaker afterward. SESAME does not result in any damage to the muscle, and we have only had one patient who has needed a pacemaker.

All of the SESAME procedures to date have been done on a compassionate care basis for patients who had no other options, but Greenbaum and Babaliaros expect to begin a clinical trial in the near future, eventually comparing SESAME to surgical or alcohol ablation options.

SESAME is a continuation of the transition that began from surgery to laparoscopic surgery, says Greenbaum. Weve taken it a step further, from laparoscopic surgery to transcatheter procedures. We are able to use the patients bloodstream to get a catheter where we need it, electrify a wire at the tip and basically perform surgery. While early in its development with much still to learn, our vision is that 10 years from now, this will be the way most heart surgery is performed for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Going forward

The Structural Heart and Valve Center undoubtedly will continue to innovate to meet the needs of their patients, including those who have been told theyre out of options.

We are able to offer these patients literally what no one else can, said Kendra Grubb, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center. Doctors Babaliaros and Greenbaum are pushing ahead in novel therapies that nobody else is even thinking of. All of this stems from their years of experience in a field they basically invented  transcatheter electrosurgery  with the help of their unique relationship with the NIH.

For patients like Jenkins and her daughter Pyle, that means hope where there once was none.

Mom is a totally new person, says Pyle. I have not seen her feeling this well since before her open-heart surgery. Shes out enjoying life again  walking and hiking nearly every day. Ive got my mom back, and I couldnt be happier.
Story Highlights Negative emotions stalled at record highs

Positive emotions showed signs of recovery

More of the world felt well-rested and enjoyment, smiled or laughed

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Emotionally, the world was no worse off in 2022 than it was in 2021, but it is still in a heightened negative state, according to Gallups latest annual global update on the negative and positive experiences that people have daily.

The well-documented global rise in negative emotions such as stress, sadness, anger and worry stalled last year, keeping Gallups Negative Experience Index unchanged from the high of 33 it reached in 2021.

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As it does every year, Gallup asked adults in 142 countries and areas in 2022 if they had five different negative experiences on the day before the survey -- and then compiled the results into an index. Higher scores on the Negative Experience Index indicate that more of the population is experiencing these negative emotions.

In 2022, about four in 10 adults worldwide said they experienced a lot of worry (41%) or stress (40%), and nearly one in three experienced a lot of physical pain (32%). More than one in four experienced sadness (27%), and slightly fewer experienced anger (23%).

Worry, stress and sadness remained near their record highs set in 2021, although each declined one percentage point in 2022. The percentage of adults worldwide who experienced physical pain increased one point, while the percentage who experienced anger remained at 23% for the second year in a row.

Positive Emotions Show Signs of Recovery

After dropping for the first time in 2021 following years of stability, positive emotions rebounded slightly in 2022. The global index score in 2022 -- 70 -- is up one point from the previous year, although it is still lower than the score of 71 in the years leading up to the pandemic and even the first year of the pandemic.

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The Positive Experience Index is based on people's responses to five questions about positive experiences they had the day before the survey. Higher scores indicate that more of the population reported experiencing these emotions.

Last year, roughly seven in 10 people worldwide said they felt well-rested (71%), experienced a lot of enjoyment (72%), or smiled or laughed a lot (73%). Nearly nine in 10 felt treated with respect (87%). People were far less likely, as they are typically, to say they learned or did something interesting the day before the interview; in 2022, half of the world (50%) experienced this.

Improvements on four of the five questions that make up the index helped lift it in 2022. More people in 2022 reported feeling well-rested and respected, experiencing enjoyment, and smiling or laughing a lot than in the previous year.

The percentages of people who said they felt wellrested and experienced enjoyment each increased by two points, and the percentages who smiled or laughed and felt treated with respect each inched up by one point. The percentage who learned something interesting remained unchanged from the previous year.

Afghanistan Again Ranks as Least Positive Country in the World

One year after the Taliban returned to power, life was worse for Afghans than at any point in the past decade -- or for anyone else on the planet.

Afghanistan has ranked as the least positive country in the world every year since 2017, apart from 2020 when Gallup could not survey the country because of the pandemic. After dropping to a global record low of 32 in 2021, the situation was not much different a year later. The countrys score of 34 in 2022 is the lowest in the world.

Positive daily experiences were already in limited supply before the Taliban seized control, but these emotions largely disappeared from Afghanistan in 2021 -- and did not return in 2022. The percentage of Afghans who said they felt enjoyment, learned something interesting or felt well-rested the previous day stayed at or near record lows.

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Afghans Not Alone in Misery

Afghanistan in 2022 posted the highest score in the world on the Negative Experience Index for the second year in a row. Afghanistans score of 58 on the index remained relatively unchanged from the previous year, when it posted a record-high score of 59.

However, Afghans were not alone in their misery. Sierra Leone also posted a score of 58 in 2022, with all the survey fieldwork in the country taking place after deadly protests against the rising cost of living.

Worry, stress and physical pain skyrocketed to record levels in Sierra Leone in 2022, with strong majorities in the country reporting that they had experienced each of these. Notably, the 77% of Sierra Leoneans who say they experienced physical pain the previous day is -- by one point -- the highest Gallup has ever recorded for any country.

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Implications

While the worlds emotional health didnt get worse in 2022, its too soon for policymakers to relax. Although positive emotions are up, the world still has a wellbeing problem. Negative emotions are still running at record highs. The Negative Experience Index score in 2022 is 10 points higher than it was in 2007 -- and still two points higher than after the pandemic first arrived.

Read the full report.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

For complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.

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They are one of the most intelligent species in the ocean, but most mate just once before they die.

They also serve as small scale models for scientific research on the brain and nervous systems of larger creatures.

And they have been around for 500 million years.

These are all characteristics of cephalopods, a type of marine invertebrate that the Science Friday program honors each June. Broadcast on National Public Radio, the popular show chose to kick off its annual Cephalopod Week at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science on Friday evening in collaboration with local NPR affiliate, WLRN.

Every year in June we celebrate the diversity and incredible intelligence of cephalopods and since this is a place where a lot of cephalopod research is going on, we couldnt think of a better place to go than a public radio station and a university on the water, said Ira Flatow, Science Fridays host and executive producer, who is known for his ability to make complex science palatable.

Flatow, whose voice has opened the afternoon show for 30 years, told the audience that he has always loved the oceans, but cephalopods are a favorite topic. Plus, he was tired of hearing about Shark Week.

Weve been obsessed with cephalopods for 10 years, Flatow added. And even though I have been doing it for a while, every time I talk to scientists about the oceans and cephalopods, I learn something new.

Cephalopods are one class of a larger group of marine animals called mollusks, which include clams and sea snails too. While some of the most common cephalopods are octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid, the Rosenstiel School is home to the National Resource for Aplysia, which is the only aquaculture facility for the California Sea HareAplysia californicaa Pacific sea snail with some similar characteristics to cephalopods.

Flatow spent about an hour and a half chatting with Lynne Fieber, a professor of marine biology and ecology who co-directs the National Resource for Aplysia at the Rosenstiel School, and has studied the nervous system of cephalopods and sea snails for more than three decades. He also spoke with Andrea Durant, a postdoctoral fellow in the Grosell Environmental Physiology and Toxicology Lab, who is studying how tiny glass squid are able to use the ammonia in their bodies to stay afloat in the deep ocean. Their conversations will be featured on a future Science Friday, which typically airs at 2 p.m. Fridays on WLRN.

Lynne Fieber co-directs the National Resource for Aplysia at the Rosenstiel School. Photo: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami

When asked why she is interested in the California sea hare, Fieber spoke about using the reddish-brown creatures as a model to understand many different neurological processes, such as learning and memory.

The nervous system of all animals is basically the same from squid and octopus up to humans. So, if you want to understand how the nervous system operates on a basic level, looking at simple marine organisms is a great way to approach these ideas, said Fieber, adding that the sea hare has just a few thousand nerve cells in its brain, compared to hundreds of millions inside an octopus, and 86 billion in the human brain. If you want to know how learning happens or what a memory is, working in a simple animal where you can have just a few cells called neurons responsible for a behaviorthats an advantage. It makes it easier to understand what causes behavior and learning.

Tanks at the National Resource for Aplysia Lab at the Rosenstiel School. Photo: Joshua Prezant/University of Miami

When Flatow asked how Fieber actually does this work, she explained that she puts a glass probe into the nerve cell of a sea hare, which helps her listen to the electricity of neurons communicating. In a dark room, I listen to the brain talking to itself and its a tremendous amount of fun, Fieber pointed out.

Flatow then queried Durant about her research with the glass squid, which are typically found far from the coast and about 5,000 feet below the surface. Durant explained that these tiny squid are intriguing because they conserve large amounts of ammonia, which is typically discarded from animals as a by-product when digesting protein.

They create a waste fluid [with ammonia] that is just a little bit less dense than seawater and it accounts for their body weight and gives them lift called neutral buoyancythat is an advantage in the deep sea because then they can use less energy for swimming, she said. Ammonia is a common waste product in fish and humans, but these squid hold on to it in really high levels that would kill probably most cells and organs in other animals. And they do it in a specialized chamber that is not seen in many other squid families.

Audience members glance at aplysia during the "Science Friday" event. Photo: Diana Udel/University of Miami

Audience members and Flatow peppered the scientists with questions about how their knowledge could be applied to octopuses. Fieber mentioned that most octopuses live only about a year. But during that short lifespan they are very busy, and learn to hunt, camouflage themselves from larger prey, and find a mate.

Octopuses have a programmed self-destruction that is hormonal. And when they become reproductively active at 10 to 11 months old, the hormones that are not normally coursing through their bloodstream become active and they literally kill themselves with these hormones, Fieber said.

Octopuses in captivity have also shown their intelligence by recognizing their keepers. I like to tell students that if octopuses lived for 100 years, they would take over the world, Fieber said. It they had more time to consolidate their knowledge, it would be amazing.

The conversation drew a sold-out audience of Science Friday fans from Key Biscayne to Boca Raton and beyond.

Heather Rowe, a first-grade teacher from Hollywood, Florida, came with her teenage daughter Charlotte, and marveled at the chance to hold a California sea hare. Rowe listens to Science Friday often and shares the tidbits she learns with her students.

We have a great reputation with the scientific community, and each of our faculty members is a star in their field of expertise, he said. To have a show like Science Friday and Ira Flatow come to Rosenstiel and highlight some of the research activities going on here is such an amazing opportunitywe are delighted to host this event.

WLRN Chief Operating Officer Sheila Reinkin said that the public radio outlet was thrilled to host the event with Science Friday and the Rosenstiel School.

The event is a great example of how WLRN shares knowledge and engages our community, she said.

Shelby Hoover, a researcher at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida, came with her friend Caitlin Shea-Vantine, who works at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the biology department. The two met in graduate school at FAU and both are fans of Science Friday. They even read a book together, Remarkably Bright Creatures, about octopuses.

Its been a treat to be here tonight, said Shea-Vantine. And I loved learning about the propulsion of pelagic squid that use waste for locomotion. It just showed me you can learn new things all the time.

To watch a video of the event, click here.
Quake team first to get exemplary performance award

The rescue team sent to Turkey after February's devastating earthquake was primarily composed of the FSD's Urban Search and Rescue Squad. File photo: RTHK

Chief Executive John Lee announced on Tuesday that the 59-strong government rescue team sent to Turkey after February's devastating earthquake will be the first recipients of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.



Lee said that the bravery and professionalism of the team - primarily composed of the Fire Services' Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team - fully embodied the meaning of the award, which he introduced in his inaugural policy address.



"The rescue team faced various difficulties and dangers there, including the threat of aftershocks and the safety risks posed by falling buildings. The roads were severely damaged and the weather was extremely cold," Lee said.



"However, the rescue team did not let go of any opportunity to save lives."



The team pulled four people alive from the rubble of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated southern and central Turkey and northwestern Syria.



Yiu Men-Yeung, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer who led the team, said he was happy that the team was being honoured with the award, but insisted they were simply firefighters doing their duty to save lives.



"The victims in this disaster can still face their lives with strength, they are the real heroes of their own lives," Yiu said.



Civil service chief, Ingrid Yeung, said her colleagues had demonstrated extraordinary courage and solid team spirit.



"[They] have successfully completed an extremely difficult task of rescuing four survivors under risky and harsh conditions," she said.
Chicago [US], June 27: George Molakal, CEO of ALCOR, global investment banking firm, has released two trailblazing books - "MARKETCAP GROWTH: Unlocking 5X Growth for Listed Companies" and "Startup to Market Leader: How Family Run Companies Can Achieve a 5X Growth". These publications aim to be the indispensable guidebooks for leaders aiming for exponential business growth in the challenging corporate world.

https://a.co/d/daYGWiQ : Amazon link to buy the book instantly

These seminal works are filled with powerful insights, case studies from over 30 businesses, and practical guidance, providing step-by-step instructions to companies on how to scale and grow. Both books are essential reads for entrepreneurs, promoters, CEOs, Presidents, and Vice Presidents of organizations, offering strategies and methods that promise to transform companies and boost market cap.

"MARKETCAP GROWTH" focuses on guiding listed companies towards achieving a 5X growth rate, while "Startup to Market Leader" provides a growth roadmap for family-run businesses to transform from startup phase to market leadership.

Molakal's books, launched across 30 countries in multiple languages, are set to become global game-changers. Their universal availability through Amazon makes these valuable resources accessible to a worldwide audience.

George Molakal commented, "These books encapsulate my experiences and insights from the corporate world. My objective is to provide entrepreneurs and business leaders with practical strategies and proven tactics to scale their companies, unlock untapped growth potential and achieve market leadership."

These new releases from George Molakal are more than just books; they represent a significant leap in the availability of comprehensive, practical growth strategy resources for business leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. www.alcoribank.com

ALCOR is a leading global investment banking firm providing a range of financial services across strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and investment solutions. Led by CEO George Molakal, ALCOR has a reputation for delivering exceptional results to its clients.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27: Sachin Shah is a veteran denim manufacturer with over 25 years of experience in the industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering - Electronics and Communication from MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology. However, he always nurtured an Entrepreneurial spirit, yearning to explore uncharted territories and create something unique. His love for denim and a keen eye for fashion led him to transform a small family-owned manufacturing unit into one of India's largest set-ups for high-quality denim production, establishing himself as an expert in In-house sampling and denim washing, elevating the quality of his manufacturing unit. In his earlier roles, Shah started with a medical transcription business, and over time became a fortnight figure in the Indian Denim Manufacturing Industry as a Managing Director of Avadat Group in 1991. Today, by leveraging his expertise in product development, embracing new technologies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he strives at playing a significant role as a partner at Freakins which is a home-grown denim brand that caters to Gen-Z women in India. He envisioned and groomed the brand to follow a 'Be Bold and Fearless' philosophy by making designs that are experimental yet are trendsetters. He nurtured the ideas and great concepts of the brand and felt it was imperative to show them the right direction and back it up with rock-solid support. His Mantra of "Think Globally, work locally" aims at making young India more trendier, by providing them with the right fashion at the time and the right place. By combining product knowledge, a robust supply chain, customer insights, and innovative work models, he set out to help build Freakins to revolutionize the fashion industry in India. His ultimate goal is to make Freakins a household name for every young lady of the country. Mumbai-based Freakins is India's own Denim Wear brand that strongly believes in being bold and comfortable. Freakins was revamped by Shaan Shah and Puneet Sehgal in 2021. Freakins boldly experiments in designs and materials and a singular thought echoes the brand philosophy - "Dare to experiment." Repurposing the staples made the brand enter the market with a new take on the iconic "Denim" for women. The brand aims to provide a constant variety in fashion and therefore releases new apparel every week. A Gen-Z focussed brand; the company has over 35+ categories with over 1500 styles. All styles are meticulously designed and manufactured in-house, and products are sold through direct-to-consumer channels and marketplaces. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 27: Woxsen University commissions Phase-1 of its Solar Power generation on campus. With this, the university has successfully followed-through with its commitment announced last year in November. The commissioning was inaugurated by Sridhar Gadhi, Founder & Exec. Chairman, Quantela and Revathy Ashok, Co-Founder, Strategy Garage. The inauguration was held on the day of the university's 11th Governing Body Meeting, in the esteem presence of body members Dr. M. Ram Mohan Rao, Former Director, IIM Bangalore and Shoba Dixit, Director, ALPLA India along with the senior leadership team of Amplus Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Anupam Awasthi, Senior Vice President; Prathap Reddy, Vice President-Construction and Mahesh Shetty, Regional Head. Phase-1 is currently slated to generate 328 kW of the total 1MW, which will cover the energy requirement of the most important administrative and academic blocks. These blocks house all the state-of-art learning spaces, high-tech labs and central library situated at the heart of the 200 Acre residential campus. The labs include the AI & Robotics Lab and Bloomberg Finance Lab which is one of the largest in Asia and the Central Library which is the largest in India. The university aims to achieve an installed capacity of 1 MW by the end of 2023. This major launch will significantly contribute to Woxsen's aim of reducing its carbon footprint and towards becoming Net Zero. Woxsen University's commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy conservation. The institution actively promotes various initiatives, including waste management, water conservation and eco-friendly practices on campus. By incorporating solar energy into its operations, the university is at the forefront of the green movement in the education sector. Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Law, Liberal Arts & Humanities, Sciences. With 100+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #12, All India Top 100 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2023, Rank #15, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2022, Rank #28, All India Top Engineering Colleges, EducationWorld 2023, #16 Top 50 Business schools for Research in India, IIRF 2023. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Iselin (New Jersey) [US]/London [UK], Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27: Hexaware Technologies, a leading global provider of IT services and solutions, has been honored with two prestigious awards at the Microsoft AI Solutions Foundry Program. Competing against more than 30 outstanding teams, Hexaware's innovative use of AI demonstrated a groundbreaking application of MicrosoftAzure Open AI service, securing a spot among the top 5 winners and an additional special mention. Hexaware's BondReco solution was awarded as one of the highly coveted 'Top 5 Winning Solutions'. This unique offering leverages generative AI capabilities to automatically classify bonds into ERISA-eligible and non-eligible categories, providing invaluable assistance in identifying safe and unsafe investments. Beyond this, BondReco notably reduces manual processing times by over 40+ hours and curtails audit fees by a substantial $7000. Hexaware's second solution, Loan Audit Automation, received the distinguished 'Noteworthy AI Solution Award'. The solution expedites the loan application compliance process, enabling early risk assessment and pinpointing potential Non-Performing Assets. This innovative solution has showcased its potential to reduce a bank's Adjusted NPA rates by up to 50%. Milan Bhatt, President & Global Head, Cloud and Data, Hexaware, commented on the recognition, "At a time when Generative AI has become a keystone of innovation, we have seized its profound potential and taken the lead in developing industry-specific solutions that are transforming industries and reshaping business landscapes. By leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI service, we've crafted solutions that not only save time and money but contribute to a safer and more transparent investment environment. We see this recognition as a reaffirmation of our mission to empower our clients and the industry at large, through ground-breaking AI solutions." Venkat Krishnan, Executive Director, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft India, said, "At Microsoft, our goal is to democratize our breakthroughs in AI through Azure to help people and organizations be more productive and solve the most pressing problems of our society. Microsoft AI Solution Foundry is a five-week intensive program, aimed at offering Microsoft partners an opportunity to innovate by helping them develop cutting-edge AI solutions. My heartfelt congratulations to Hexaware for this achievement and their innovative use of AI to create these unique solutions." Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 29,000 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With 54 offices in 19 countries, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 27: With a boom in startup culture, more and more budding entrepreneurs are coming up with unconventional business ideas and solving big problems in the world. According to a DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) report, startups have created more than 900,000 jobs in the past three years. Some unbelievable statistics reveal that the number of startups rose from 471 in 2016 to 72,993 in 2022 according to the Economic Survey 2021-22.But do all the startups are going the smooth way when it comes to various business rules & regulations? Registering a business from scratch or running an already established business - both need corporate lawyers for a smooth workflow and to have a legally sound company. Startups can face many external factors like tax filing, stocks, etc. but corporate lawyers can handle these external factors and also contribute to a thriving company culture by asking the right questions at the right time. Rest The Case bridges the gap by bringing the best corporate lawyers on board across the country to upcoming and established businesses for all their legal matters. Businesses and corporate firms can reach out to the platform to get verified leads and high-quality lawyers in just one click. Offering equity to the early team often triggers time-sensitive IRS (Indian Revenue Service) filings. Along with this, raising funds from investors requires compliance with complex securities laws. A wrong step on any of these processes could mean an early exit for a startup company. A corporate lawyer can assist you and set a smooth sail in the market. When you are starting a business, it requires a number of licenses and clearances like MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), Trademark Registration, FSSAI registration, BIS Certificate, GST Registration, NBFC, and more. Lawyers make this process of acquiring the licenses smooth and it saves you from future liabilities. Secondly, a corporate lawyer makes sure that your business is protected and ensure it is sustainable and growing. They advise on the intellectual property to be registered and when non-disclosure agreements should be executed. Also, before starting any business, it is important to draw up a contract that has clear clauses mentioned right from investment contracts to founders' agreements & shareholding agreements. Corporate lawyers help to avert risks and save the company from unnecessary losses by drafting a suitable agreement that is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. As an entrepreneur, looking after the legalities might not be your priority as you are more focused on pushing your brand image in the market. However, it is an equally important aspect that needs to be taken care of to secure your company from any legal issues. Hiring a corporate lawyer for your startup is a must if you want your company to stay secure and grow efficiently. With sound legal advice, one can invest their money without worrying. It will save you from bigger risks arising out of any legal problem, which can lead to continuing legal cases and even the end of your startup. You can now find high-quality and reliable corporate lawyers in just one click at restthecase.com. Visit our website to know more. Rest The Case is a legal aggregator platform that offers infinite opportunities for lawyers and clients and makes the law accessible to everyone. It is an online platform that gives a smart and convenient edge to create and build connections between lawyers and clients with just one simple click. Rest The Case aims to provide solutions to all legal needs from the comfort of your home. It is also committed to catering to law students' needs, whether it is finding helpful tips or information. With Rest The Case, find legal help at the tip of your fingers. Rest The Case are a One Stop Solution for all Legal Services and Information. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire New Delhi [India], June 27: Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited came together in 2018 to embark on a collaborative project to enhance the productivity of rice and cotton farmers in India. Under this collaboration, Bayer provided Crystal access to newer innovations, and Crystal, based on their manufacturing and development strength, helped bring new solutions to the Indian market. Today, Bayer CropScience and Crystal Crop Protection Limited have launched the product, Curbix Pro and Kollar, respectively, to aid farmers in tackling plant hoppers, ensuring that the best crop protection practices are implemented. Through this partnership, Bayer and Crystal have provided Indian farmers with solutions to build effective crop protection programs and create strong resistance against pests. As India is the world's second-largest producer and the largest exporter of rice, farmer needs and crop dynamics in India differ from large-scale agricultural operations in Western countries. One of the main reasons for crop loss in paddy cultivation is pest attacks. Paddy fields essentially are infested by two types of paddy hoppers -- Brown Plant Hopper or White Backed Plant Hopper -- which can lead to huge crop loss*. To tackle this issue, Bayer and Crystal will provide farmers with an innovative product, having a unique combination of dual active ingredients against plant hoppers. With this dual action, farmers will be able to ensure lesser crop losses, leading to higher yields. Speaking on the launch, Simon-Thorsten Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka said, "The importance of rice to India and even the world's food security needs cannot be overstated. What impacts rice, impacts the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Our expertise lies in creating innovative solutions and in building collaborative ecosystems that help deliver the best value to our growers. Curbix Pro will surely be a significant value addition to our vast portfolio targeted at enhancing farmer yields and income." "It is another momentous occasion for us to successfully launch Kollar co-developed with Bayer Crop Science. This new offering is a milestone for Crystal's enhancing R&D capabilities, which will support paddy farmers to enhance their profitability. With this, Crystal now has a very strong and value-driven portfolio for the full crop cycle of paddy crop," said Ankur Aggarwal, Managing Director, Crystal Crop Protection Limited. * http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/training/fact-sheets/pest-management/insects/item/planthopper#:~:text=What%20it%20does,Neither%20disease%20can%20be%20cured Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com. Crystal Crop Protection Ltd is an R&D-based crop solution company with a wide range of crop protection, seeds and farm mechanization products. The company works closely with the Indian farming community towards improving farm profitability & sustainability by offering seed-to-harvest solutions. It has integrated operations, from undertaking R&D to manufacturing and delivering products to farmers across India through its extensive distribution network. For more information, please visit www.crystalcropprotection.com Media contacts: Snigdha VishalCommunications Business Partner,CropScience - South Asia, Bayersnigdha.vishal@bayer.com+91 9819170087 Himanshu BarsainyaCorporate Communication,Crystal Crop Protection, New Delhihimanshu.b@crystalcrop.com+91 82879 55512 Payel SannigrahiAccount ExecutiveEdelmanpayel.sannigrahi@edelman.com+91 82917 23943 (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Actor Ram Kapoor will be seen in an exciting role in 'Neeyat'. Helmed by Anu Menon, 'Neeyat' also stars Vidya Balan, Rahul Bose, Neeraj Kabi, Shahana Goswami, Amrita Puri, Dipannita Sharma, Niki Walia, Shashank Arora, Prajakta Koli and Danesh Razvi. Set in the breathtakingly beautiful highlands of Scotland, the engaging trailer takes the viewer into the glamourous world of billionaire Ashish Kapoor (Ram Kapoor) and his close circle of family and friends, where everyone is tangled in their own web of secrets. When Ashish Kapoor ends up being murdered at his own party, it is up to detective Mira Rao (Vidya Balan) to uncover the hidden motives and mysteries in this classic whodunnit. Excited about the project, Ram said, "When I first heard the script, I immediately fell in love with the project. It is a fantastic role and it is the kind of role that I knew I was well suited for. I could see myself playing Ashish Kapoor. Personality wise, certain characters are difficult to get into, and certain characters are easier, this one was the latter. When I first read the script, I saw that this was not going to be too difficult to get into, it was relatable to me, that was my initial thought. I based some of the character parts on my own father. My father was also a typical North Indian Punjabi man who could be very loud and opinionated, and he was also very well to do, very successful. There were similarities between him and my character, so I based the building blocks of the character on my father, whom I discussed with Anu as I thought that would help me make it more personal. Anu liked that and helped me build on it more, that's how we developed it together." 'Neeyat' will release across theatres worldwide on July 7. (ANI)
Actor Prithviraj Sukumaram, on Tuesday, revealed that he was recently injured while shooting for an action sequence for 'Vilayath Buddha' and was admitted to the hospital where he underwent a keyhole surgery and is currently recovering.Taking to Instagram, Prithviraj shared a note which he captioned, "Thank you! " The note reads, "Hello! So yes...I had an accident while shooting an action sequence for 'Vilayatha Buddha'. Fortunately, I'm in the hands of experts who performed a key hole surgery and I'm now recouping. It's rest and physiotherapy ahead for a couple of months. Will try my best to use that time constructively, and I promise to fight through the pain to recover fully and get back into action asap. Thank you to all those who reached out and expressed concern and love." https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct_W9lmvVei/ Helmed by Jayan Nambiyar, 'Vilayath Buddha' also stars Anu Mohan and Priyamvada Krishnan in prominent roles. Soon after the actor shared his health update, fans and friends flooded the comment section with "get well soon" messages. "Get well soon chetta," a fan commented. A fan wrote, "Get Well Soon Etta." "Comeback stronger," a user wrote. Meanwhile, on the work front, Prithviraj will be next seen in 'Aadujeevitham' in which he plays a Malayali immigrant worker forced into slavery as a goatherd on a farm in Saudi Arabia. Apart from that, he also has 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' alongside actors Tiger Shroff and Akshay Kumar. Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film is all set to hit the theatres on Eid 2024. (ANI)
The report quoted police sources and said TV footage showed a car apparently transporting the 47-year-old Ichikawa from a hospital to a police station.

Ichikawa is a classical theatre star who has appeared in London, Amsterdam, and Paris.

Rescue workers discovered Ichikawa's 76-year-old father, also a kabuki actor, and his 75-year-old mother lying unconscious at his Tokyo home in May.

Both were later pronounced dead due to a suspected drug overdose.

Ichikawa was discovered in a house cupboard and taken to the hospital, where police questioned him.

The actor told officers that his family had "discussed dying and being reborn" and that his parents had taken sleeping pills, as Al Jazeera reported, citing NHK.

An apparent suicide note written by Ichikawa, who had previously been prescribed sleeping pills, was also discovered inside his home.

Police believe he attempted suicide with his parents and moved to arrest him because they were concerned he would tamper with evidence or flee.

According to reports, police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Ichikawa's father's death.

Ichikawa, whose real name is Takahiko Kinoshi, made his kabuki debut in 1980 and became one of Japan's most famous performers.

According to his website, he was once nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for dance performance. (ANI)
Actor Sonam Kapoor has been invited by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak to a special reception to celebrate UK-India week 2023, as per a source. The reception will be hosted by Rishi at his official residence and office in 10 Downing Street, and is a part of India Global Forum's flagship event UK-India week, which is being held from June 26-30 in London. Sonam will be attending the reception on June 28th to represent India and its cultural influence globally. UK-India Week 2023 is the 5th iteration of IGF's flagship event, a weeklong programme that seeks to honour and strengthen the longstanding partnership between these two countries by providing a platform to spotlight crucial topics, including politics, trade, business, sustainability, inclusion, and innovation. Earlier in May, Sonam also performed at King Charles III's coronation concert. Sonam took centre stage at the Coronation Concert as she introduced various choir performers of the Commonwealth. Her piece served as a prelude to the inspiring virtual choir performances by the Commonwealth, made up of choirs, solo artists and duos from the 56 Commonwealth countries. Sonam also introduced Steve Winwood, who performed a modern version of his iconic song 'Higher Love' accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra. She began her speech with 'Namaste'. She was introduced as one of the biggest actors in Bollywood. The 'Khoobsurat' actor emphasized the diversity of the Commonwealth during her spoken word performance. She also elucidated upon the oneness that binds the diversity of the nation. "Our Commonwealth is a union. Together, we are one-third of the world's people, one-third of the world's oceans, and one-third of the world's lands. Each of our countries is unique, and each of our people is special but we choose to stand as one. Learning from our history, blessed by our diversity, driven by our values and determined to build a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous place where every voice is heard, " Sonam Kapoor said in her speech. Meanwhile, on the work front, she will be now making her grand comeback to the movies with the film 'Blind'. Helmed by Shome Makhija, the film will stream on the OTT platform Jio Cinema from July 7. (ANI)
The investigation agency has sent a notice to the former state minister seeking details of the salary of his wife Smitha from the school she worked from 2001 onwards. The agency also issued notice to Sudhakaran's wife seeking the details of her salary.

The development is based on KPCC chief Sudhakaran's former driver Prasanth Babu's complaint, which he had filed two years back in 2021 seeking a probe against Sudhakaran alleging misappropriation of Rs 16 crore collected for purchasing a school in Kannur district.

Meanwhile, K Sudhakaran and opposition leader V D Satheesan visited Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Monday.

In the meeting, the national leadership of Congress was apprised of the latest developments of its Kerala unit. Issues regarding CM Pinarayi Vijayan government's vindictive attitude towards opposition party leaders and the organisational issues were 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".

Sudhakaran was arrested in a separate case for allegedly receiving funds from fake antique dealer Monson Mavunkal.

Sudhakaran's arrest on June 23, 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.

However, Sudhakaran was later released on bail in line with an interim bail order of the High Court. (ANI)
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for higher Provident Fund (PF) pension for members till July 11, an official release read. "The last opportunity of 15 days is being given to remove any difficulty faced by the eligible pensioners/members. Accordingly, the last date for submission of Applications for Validation of Option/Joint Options by employees is extended to July 11, 2023," the release said on Monday. An 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 Hon'ble Supreme Court order dated November 4, 2022. The facility was launched on February 26, 2023, and was to remain available only till May 3, 2023," the release read. "However, considering the representations of the employees, the time limit was extended to June 26, 2023, in order to provide a complete four months' time to eligible pensioners/members for filing applications. A total of 16.66 lakh Applications for Validation of Option / Joint Options have been received till June 26," it read further. According to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, 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. The grievance may please be submitted by selecting the grievance category of ' Higher Pensionary benefits on higher wages'. "This will ensure a proper record of such a grievance for further action," the ministry said in the release. Meanwhile, many representations have been received from Employers & Employers' Associations wherein requests have been made to extend the time period for uploading wage details of applicant pensioners/members. The request has been considered sympathetically and the employers are being given a further period of three months to submit wage details etc., online latest by September 30, 2023, it said. (ANI)
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that new standards of security, prosperity, good governance and service had been set up in the country in the last nine years of the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "New standards of security, prosperity, good governance and service have been set in the country in the last nine years of the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warm welcome accorded to the Prime Minister by the President, Parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, citizens and artists of the United States and Egypt bears testimony to this. It is a matter of pride for 140 crore Indians", CM Yogi said while addressing a public meeting at Jagatpur in Varanasi. The Chief Minister also distributed checks and certificates to the beneficiaries of various schemes during the public meeting organized to mark the completion of 9 years of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CM Yogi noted, "Egypt conferred its highest state honour on the Prime Minister. Several countries of the world are overwhelmed by the model PM Modi has set for the country across the globe and are willing to bestow on him their highest civilian honours." Talking about New India Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "Today no country can dare to create disturbances by entering the Indian border. Terrorism, separatism and naxalism are unimaginable. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India has fortified 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 waterways has started here between Haldia and Varanasi. It will facilitate export of fruits and vegetables grown by the farmers of Varanasi and Eastern Uttar Pradesh across the globe even further. The products of UP's farmers are already getting global recognition", he remarked. The Chief Minister said, "Today, India is giving free ration to its 80 crore countrymen, while on the other hand, Pakistan is begging for 1 kg of wheat on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of independence. India was ruled by Britain for almost 200 years, but has become the fifth largest economy in the world, leaving Britain behind, while Pakistan is shedding tears of blood for its poverty and misery." He further added: "In the year 2014, after becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi gave the slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', which we all were witness to during the Covid period. Along with providing free ration and free doses of 220 crore vaccines to 80 crore people, free test and treatment facilities, the government has given free housing to 3.30 crore poor while Rs five lakh is being given to every poor under Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme and 12 crore farmers are getting the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi." "More than 72,000 patients were treated at the new Cancer Institute in Kashi in the last 3 years. There were only 6 AIIMS in the country from 1947 to 2014, today this number has increased considerably. While a total of 74 airports were built in the country between 1947 and 2014, 74 new airports have been constructed between 2014 and 2023. Uttar Pradesh has gone towards One District One Medical College and is moving forward in a new era", he said. CM Yogi noted that India is presiding over the group of G-20 countries of the world. Recently, a meeting of the Development Minister's Committee of the G-20 group was held in Kashi, in which various important issues were discussed. All this is enhancing the prestige of the country on the global stage, he pointed out. Attacking the opposition CM Yogi said, "Those people who never talked to each other are seen sharing the stage against the PM. Some are trying their level best to hatch a conspiracy against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those who call themselves disciples of JP and Lohia and did politics throughout their life in their names are standing in solidarity with the Congress today, which strangled democracy. We all have to be aware of this." Furthermore, CM Yogi appealed to the people to ensure BJP's victory on all the seats in Uttar Pradesh in the Parliamentary elections in 2024, emphasising that the government's accomplishments will bear fruit only then for future generations. (ANI)
There were no immediate reports of any casualties or injuries in the fire, officials informed further.

"A fire broke out in 'Kath N Ghat' hotel in Thane, Maharashtra," an official said.

A viral video shows a team of firefighters attempting to enter the hotel premises in an effort to bring the blaze under control.

Locals gathered at the spot as soon as the news broke out.

On receiving word of the blaze, 4 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and went about dousing the flames, officials said.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1673514735155945474

"No one was injured in the fire. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined," the official said.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Assam Police on Tuesday detained protestors in Karimganj who were staging a demonstration against the proposed delimitation draft by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Several organisations and political parties have called for a 12-hour bandh in Barak Valley, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts of the State as a protest against the proposed delimitation draft by the ECI. The Election Commission of India on June 20 published the draft proposal for delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies for Assam, said a statement by ECI. Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Congress MLA, Karimganj district has called the process "illegal" citing that no guidelines have been followed in this delimitation. "No guidelines have been followed in this delimitation process. When delimitation was done last time, population of Barak Valley was 20 lakh, now it is 45 lakh. But now, our seats have been reduced. No geographical survey has been done in the region. This whole process is illegal which is protested by us," Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha told ANI. The last delimitation exercise in Assam took place back in 1976 while the current exercise is based on the 2001 Census data, added the statement. "The number of seats in the Legislative Assembly and the House of People in the State of Assam has been retained as 126 and 14 respectively", said the ECI in its press note. "19 seats in the Legislative Assembly are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Tribes out of 126 seats, while 2 seats are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Tribes out of 14 seats in House of People allocated to the State of Assam. Similarly, 09 seats in the Legislative Assembly are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Castes, while 1 seat is proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Castes in House of People," it further read. Scheduled Caste assembly seats have increased from 8 to 9 and ST assembly seats have increased from 16 to 19. "The draft proposal has been prepared based on administrative units i.e., Development block, Panchayats (VCDC in BTAD) and villages in rural areas and Municipal Boards, wards in urban areas", the ECI said. "The Commission comprising of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel is slated to visit Assam again in July 2023 for a public hearing on the draft proposal, the ECI said. Meanwhile, individuals and organizations have been asked to submit their suggestions and objections regarding the proposed delimitation before July 11, 2023. (ANI)
The KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) previously known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi is seeking to expand its national base.

Meanwhile, leaders From Maharashtra are likely to join in BRS party in the presence of CM KCR at Solapur today.

Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Sanjay Raut "downplayed" the CM's visit.

"There will be no impact of Telangana CM KCR on Maharashtra politics. If KCR will do drama like this, he will lose Telangana also. Fearing loss, he came to Maharashtra but his 12-13 ministers/MPs joined the Congress yesterday," he told ANI.

"This is a fight between KCR and Congress. Maha Vikas Akhadi is strong in Maharashtra," he added.

Former Telangana minister Jupally Krishna Rao and several BRS leaders formally joined Congress in Delhi on Monday in the presence of Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and its former chief Rahul Gandhi.

This switchover is seen as a major boost to Congress, buoyed by electoral victory in Karnataka, which is wrestling to return to power in the state where elections are due later this year.

In March this year, Telangana CM held a gathering at Maharashtra's Nanded and slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena over the advertisement featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday said that though Telangana Chief Minister KCR trying to expand his base in Maharashtra but he would not succeed to gain inroads in the state. (ANI)
An official of Mumbai's Vakola police station said they have registered a case against more than 15 people, as per the police.

The accused have been identified as Sada Parab, Haji Alim, Uday Dalvi, and Santosh Kadam, all Uddhav faction leaders, according to the police.

The structure was demolished on Thursday, June 22.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1671800585996361730

According to civic officials, Sena (UBT) workers had taken a morcha to the ward office in Santacruz East, highlighting the supply of contaminated water in areas such as Golibar slums, Gandhi Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Maharashtra Nagar and Dnyaneshwar Nagar in Bandra East. A delegation then went to meet the assistant commissioner, Swapnaja Kshirasagar.

Enraged, shiv sainiks led by Anil Parab, on Monday afternoon went to the BMC office in Santacruz in East Mumbai to register their protest.

During the discussion, a commotion broke out inside the BMC office, which soon escalated into arguments.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1673518996354904064

In the melee, a BMC official who purportedly led the demolition was slapped on both the cheeks, kicked, and shoved by them as seen in a video. The video also shows BMC security guards attempting to intervene to rescue the official.

The alleged video of the assault, confirmed by the Mumbai police, has gone viral on social media.

"Mumbai's Vakola Police have registered a case against more than 15 people including Uddhav Thackeray faction leader and former minister Anil Parab for allegedly assaulting a BMC official," police said.

"Police have arrested 4 people in the case," the official said. (ANI)
Reacting to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena calling a meeting with the police on the law and order situation in New Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that calling a meeting is a formality and the Center does have any plan to fix the law and order situation in the national capital. Referring to the Pragati Maidan tunnel robbery case, CM Kejriwal said, "It seems that the Center does not have a plan to fix the law and order situation in Delhi. Calling a meeting is a formality. The robbers looted the money by stopping the vehicle at Pragati Maidan where the G-20 meeting is scheduled to be held. There is jungle raj in Delhi. No one is safe here." CM further added, "In the morning I read that somewhere in the market there was a robbery by breaking the lock. This is because the Center and the LG are venting all energy into stopping the work of Delhi. They are engaged in how to stop the work of Mohalla Clinic. I request that let us do our work, and you do your work. If you cannot handle law and order, then give it to us. We will show how to make Delhi the safest city." On Saturday, a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four unidentified men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel on Saturday when the victims were going towards Gurugram in a cab to deliver the money. Two men were apprehended in connection with the robbery incident by Monday night, and the other suspects were successfully identified. Raids and random inspections were being conducted to apprehend them, the police had said on Monday night. A 28-year-old woman was attacked with a sharp object on her face in Delhi's Kalkaji, police said on Sunday. A 19-year-old youth was stabbed, and his cousin sustained injuries allegedly after being attacked by a man in Delhi's Brijpuri area last Friday. Earlier this month, a student was allegedly stabbed to death during a fight at Delhi University's South Campus. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a jibe at the opposition meeting held on June 23 saying that they have become flustered because the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going to win the 2024 elections. "Wo baukhala gaye hain (They have become flustered). So, they have started to hold meetings... A few days ago a photo session was organised by them (Opposition) and if you see the photographs, you will realise that every person in the photo has their own history of scams, Every photo is a guarantee of corruption and scams. Everyone together is a guarantee of at least Rs 20 lakh crore corruption. at least Rs 20 lakh crore corruption. Congress alone has carried out scams worth lakhs of crores. The RJD, TMC, NCP all of them have a long list of scams," PM Modi said while addressing party booth workers here. PM's remarks come in the wake of a mega Opposition meeting held on June 23 in Patna where leaders from over 15 Opposition parties participated to forge opposition unity to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "There was bitter opposition of the BJP... be it 2014 or in 2019, in both the elections, there was not as much restlessness as is being seen today. Today, they prostrate in front of each other and there was a time that they used to abuse each other all the time. Their restlessness shows that the people of the country have made up their minds to bring back the BJP in the 2024 elections. Once again in 2024, the massive victory of the BJP is certain, that is why all the opposition parties are in a panic," he added. He further said that the opposition has only one guarantee, that of scams and that he will ensure action is taken against every scamster. "These parties have experience only with scams, and they only have one guarantee, which is of scams. The country has to decide if it wants to accept this guarantee. And here is Modi's guarantee and that is --to take action on every scammer," PM Modi said. Without naming Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, the PM said leaders of the opposition parties had headed to Patna to take lessons of being in jail from "experienced" people. "You have heard, when a criminal returns to his village from jail, people come to him eagerly to know his experience of jail. Leaders of the opposition party also need that type of experience as they know that they are under scanner and for this, what better than Patna," PM Modi further said. The BJP has also come down heavily on the opposition meeting chaired by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in Patna terming it a "photo session". Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 23 had said, "Today a photo session is underway in Patna. They (the opposition) want to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA. I want to tell them that PM Modi will form his government in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls with more than 300 seats," Shah, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit today said. (ANI)
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's visit to Maharashtra would have no impact on the state politics. "There will be no impact of Telangana Chief Minister KCR on Maharashtra politics. If KCR will do drama like this, he will lose Telangana also," Sanjay Raut said. Sanjay Raut said that KCR came to Maharashtra fearing loss in Telangana where, he said, the fight is between KCR and Congress. "Fearing loss, he came to Maharashtra but his 12 to 13 leaders who are former or sitting ministers and MPs joined the Congress yesterday. This is a fight between KCR and Congress. MVA is strong in Maharashtra," Sanjay Raut said. Former Telangana minister Jupally Krishna Rao and several Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders joined Congress on Monday in the presence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at the AICC headquarters in Delhi. In this regard, the official media handle of Congress took to Twitter and said, "Winds of change are sweeping through Telangana. In a big boost to the Congress party's prospects, more people are aligning with us to take the message of love and prosperity forward." Earlier Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar said that though Telangana Chief Minister KCR trying to expand his base in Maharashtra he would not succeed to gain inroads in the state. While speaking to reporters in Pune on June 20, Ajit Pawar said former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav had tried a similar move but did not succeed. "When Mulayam Singh and Mayavati were the Chief Minsiter of UP, they tried to do the same thing but he too did not receive much success... maybe K Chandrashekhar Rao wants to become a leader at the national level and that is why he is trying," Ajit Pawar had said. (ANI)
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. 
Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Binoy Viswam has written a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the "undemocratic and illegal suspension" of four faculty members of the South Asian University. CPI MP said that the conduct of the SAU administration is unbecoming of a host, at a time when India is hosting the G20 Summit. "The suspensions must be revoked," read the letter written by MP Viswam addressed to the foreign minister. Binoy Viswam said, "I write this letter to express my anguish at the suspension of four faculty members of the South Asian University in a completely undemocratic manner violating all rules and norms of the procedure." "The South Asian University was formed with the high ideals of integrating our neighbouring SAARC countries. However, recent developments at this institute of higher learning and the authoritarian stance of the SAU administration have tarnished its motto of 'Knowledge Without Borders' by instituting punitive borders among the faculty and students," the letter stated. "The four faculty members were suspended on the charges of inciting students against the SAU administration during the students' protest over slashing the monthly stipend significantly. The faculty members were only trying to mediate between the grieving students and the obtuse SAU administration in the interest of pedagogy at the university".Their expression of concern through a letter signed by 15 faculty members after the expulsion, rustication and suspension of five students was completely under democratic limits which was deliberately misinterpreted by the administration as 'incitement," the letter further added. CPI Upper House lawmaker further said in his letter that displaying such intolerance for constructive criticism is unbecoming of a university, intended to inculcate dialogue among neighbours and minimize divisions. "The high-handedness of the SAU administration is gaining notoriety in international circles. Their unjust treatment of students last year was raised by me in Parliament and you assured that efforts will be made to find amicable solutions to the issues of SAU, including that of academic freedom," the letter read further. Binoy Viswam further urged the union Minister to prevail upon the SAU administration to revoke this authoritarian decree and make efforts through SAARC to address the multiple concerns plaguing SAU. "This legally untenable and highly undemocratic suspension of faculty is alarming in that background. I urge you to prevail upon the SAU administration to revoke this authoritarian decree and make efforts through SAARC to address the multiple concerns plaguing SAU. The conduct of the SAU administration is undignified as a host, at a time when India is hosting the G20 summit. I hope that these issues will find your urgent attention," the letter stated. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Lucknow virtually attended the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' campaign, which was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. CM Yogi praised the Prime Minister while taking part in the event. Yogi Adithanath wrote on his Twitter handle, "Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' campaign is a movement to realise the dream of self-reliant and developed India and to make Indian democracy even more participatory. To ensure its success, the Prime Minister went to Bhopal to interact with dedicated and hardworking BJP workers and to connect them with the new resolutions of 'New India'." "This address of the PM will infuse new energy among the workers as well as enrich their approach. Come, join the biggest booth worker discussion program 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' and receive the guidance of the Honorable Prime Minister," he wrote further on Twitter. The event was held in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also praised the PM and said that the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a mantra today and wherever he (PM Modi) goes, the world gets mesmerised. "We are fortunate that we were born in India, we are fortunate that we are workers of BJP and we are fortunate that we are working in a time when the PM of India is Narendra Modi. A new chapter of welfare of the public and poor people is being written under the leadership of PM Modi," Chouhan said. "The name 'Modi' has become a mantra today. Wherever PM Modi goes, the world gets mesmerised. When PM Modi gave a speech in the US Parliament, the Members of Parliament there clapped 79 times, gave a standing ovation 15 times," the CM said. Besides addressing the booth workers on the occasion, PM Modi said, "BJP's biggest power is its workers. They have made the party the largest in the country. I thank JP Nadda for organising this event today through which I am able to virtually address around 10 lakh booth workers of the BJP. No such virtual programme has ever taken place in the history of any political party." These workers have been selected from all the states through a process defined by the party president JP Nadda via the Namo App. For 10 days, these workers will interact with boot-level BJP workers in election-bound states and share their experiences and best practices. The exercise is being done to activate the party workers at the lower level five months before the upcoming assembly elections.PM Modi further said that Madhya Pradesh played a significant role in making the BJP the biggest party in the world. "We are not the workers who sit in the air-conditioned rooms and issue fatwas. We go to the people and remain determined round the clock," Modi added. (ANI)
Upon her arrival, hospital staff were seen assisting her.

Earlier today, due to low visibility, Mamata Banerjee's helicopter made an emergency landing at Sevoke Airbase. She was going to Bagdogra after addressing a public gathering at Krinti, Jalpaiguri.

TMC leader Rajib Banerjee confirmed that she was safe.

"Due to low visibility, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's helicopter made an emergency landing at Sevoke Airbase. She was going to Bagdogra after addressing a public gathering at Krinti, Jalpaiguri. She is safe," TMC leader Rajib Banerjee said.

"CM West Bengal was on board EC-145 helicopter of Heligo Charters pvt ltd from Maal Bazaar to Bagdogra. Diverted to Sevok road (army helicopter base) due to heavy rains and low clouds at Bagdogra. All ok on the ground at sevok road. Helicopter awaiting the weather to clear. It was a precautionary landing," stated the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Earlier, CM Banerjee addressed a public gathering at Krinti, Jalpaiguri. (ANI)
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday lashed out at Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena over the law and order situation in the national capital and accused the Central Government of not having a solid plan to improve Delhi's law and order. "It seems the Central govt doesn't have a solid plan to improve Delhi's law and order. Calling a meeting is just a formality. In the Pragati Maidan area where G20 meetings will be held, a robbery was committed in broad daylight. There is 'Jungle Raj' in Delhi. Give us law and order, we will make it the safest city," Kerjriwal told reporters today. The chief minister's remarks were made after the shocking broad daylight robbery near Pragati Maidan in which Rs 2 lakh was allegedly robbed from a delivery agent and his associate at gunpoint. Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena today called a review meeting over the law and order situation in the city. Police on Monday apprehended two people in connection with the robbery incident. According to the police, the remaining suspects have been identified and raids are being conducted to arrest them. After CCTV visuals of the incident surfaced on social media, Kejriwal had yesterday demanded the resignation of the LG. "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," the Delhi CM tweeted while posting a video of the accident. (ANI)
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on having a Uniform Civil Code in the country, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Tuesday said that it should first be implemented for the Hindu religion. "Uniform Civil Code should be first introduced in the Hindu religion. Every person including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes should be allowed to perform pooja in any temple in the country," Elangovan said. "We don't want UCC only because the Constitution has given protection to every religion," he said. Earlier today, PM Modi said that the country cannot run on two laws and that Uniform Civil Code was part of the Constitution. "Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights...Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics," he said. It is noteworthy that Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, corresponds with Directive Principles of State Policy, making it mandatory for the State to provide its citizens with a uniform civil code (UCC) throughout the territory of India. After flagging off five Vande Bharat Express trains on Tuesday morning, PM Modi addressed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) booth workers in Bhopal. "Will a family function if there are two different sets of rules for people? Then how will a country run? Our Constitution too guarantees equal rights to all people," PM Modi said in Bhopal today while addressing party workers under the BJP's "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" campaign. The Prime Minister further said that people are being instigated in the name of the Uniform Civil Code. "The Muslim brothers and sisters of India have to understand which political parties are taking political advantage of them by provoking them. We are seeing that work is being done to incite such people in the name of UCC," he further said. He said that appeasement politics had left many people behind, including the Pasmanda Muslims. "Pasmanda Muslims have become a victim of politics. Some people are using the politics of appeasement to break the country. The BJP cadre should go and explain this to the Muslims and educate them so that they do not fall victim to such politics", PM Modi said. "If they were supportive of Muslims the Muslim brothers would not be poor or deprived...Supreme Court has also asked for the implementation of the UCC. But these people are hungry only for vote bank," Modi said accusing the Opposition in the country of employing vote-bank politics of appeasement. (ANI)
According to the police, "It has been disclosed that accused number one was sending cash to the Varanasi-based pharma owner, accused number three for the illicit drug business. ANC team went to Varanasi (UP) and apprehended the Pharma owner at Varanasi."

Meanwhile, the Anti Narcotics Cell of the Ghatkopar unit registered a case on June 2, 2023, and seized 663 kgs of CBCS bottles from two accused.

During the interrogation, it was further revealed that accused number one was getting benefits from another Varanasi-based person accused no 4, who was helping him with this drug business, police said.

Accordingly, the trap was laid and apprehended accused no 4 and the Anti Narcotics Cell team took transit remand from Varanasi Chief Magistrate and on Tuesday produced before Additional Chief MM court.

Moreover, both accused were remanded till June 30, 2023, and further investigation is underway, police added.

Earlier on June 24, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai police arrested two drug peddlers from the Sewri area, recovering MDMA drugs worth Rs 30 lakh.

One of the arrested accused belongs to Uttar Pradesh's Gonda and is studying in HSC while another one is from Maharashtra's Jalna and is an auto driver in the city.

"Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Azad Maidan unit Crime branch, Mumbai arrested two drug peddlers with 150 grams of MD (Mephedrone) worth Rs 30 lakhs approx in the Sewri area of Mumbai," Mumbai police said in a statement. (ANI)
Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comment on Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghe raised concerns about the impact of its implementation on tribal culture and traditions. During a media interaction in Raipur on Tuesday, the Chief Minister questioned why the focus is solely on Hindu-Muslim dynamics and urged for consideration of the tribal population in Chhattisgarh. The CM said "Why do you (referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi) think only about Hindu-Muslim? We have a tribal population in Chhattisgarh, they have rules as per their tradition. What will happen to the culture and tradition of tribal people if UCC is implemented?" There are many castes and they have different traditions, which got recognition in the Constitution as well, we have to consider all those things, pointed CM Baghel. The country comprises of different castes, religions and provinces, said the CM and termed the nation as a bouquet. On being asked about the BJP distributing a poster carrying achievements of nine years as well as a picture of 'Chhattisgarh Mahtari', CM Baghel replied that the BJP protested the installation of Chhattisgarh Mahtari's statue at the collectorate campus. Adopting the culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh is the only option left for them and if they are doing this is good. Earlier, former chief minister Raman Singh never posted about local festivals but now he is posting about all the festivals, Baghel added. Bhupesh Baghel responded strongly to the BJP's criticism of the opposition meeting, asserting that "whether they are taking photos, having meetings, or engaged in other activities, it should not concern or bother the BJP". Baghel interpreted the BJP's reaction as a sign that the opposition's actions have hit the mark, causing restlessness and anxiety among BJP leaders. "It means that the arrow has hit the right target and BJP leaders are getting restless and anxious because of the Opposition meeting in Patna." Batting for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the country cannot be run with "two laws" when the Constitution of India talks about equality for all. He asked how different rules could apply to different family members. "Will a family function if there are two different sets of rules for people? Then how will a country run? Our Constitution too guarantees equal rights to all people," PM Modi said in Bhopal today while addressing party workers under the BJP's "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" campaign. The Prime Minister further said that people are being instigated in the name of the Uniform Civil Code. He said that appeasement politics had left many people behind, including the Pasmanda Muslims. "Pasmanda Muslims have become a victim of politics. Some people are using the politics of appeasement to break the country. The BJP cadre should go and explain this to the Muslims and educate them so that they do not fall victim to such politics" PM Modi said. "If they were really supportive of Muslims the Muslim brothers would not be poor or deprived...Supreme Court has also asked for the implementation of the UCC. But these people are hungry only for vote bank," Modi said accusing the Opposition in the country of employing vote-bank politics of appeasement. (ANI)
The North East India Christian Council on Tuesday organized a candlelight vigil prayer meeting on the premises of All Saints Cathedral Church here. People lit candles in their hands and prayed to God to restore peace in violence-hit Manipur as soon as possible. On this occasion, Vice President of North East India Christian Council, Reverend SR Dakhar said, "The Manipur government has completely failed to stop violence. This is visible from Chief Minister N. Biren Singh." Commenting on the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Manipur violence, Dakhar said "The silence of the Prime Minister shows that he does not care or worry about this small state." The Assam Rifles has evacuated over 50,000 displaced persons from all communities in the violence-hit Manipur to date and provided them safe passage, shelter, food and medicines, the paramilitary force said in a statement. Earlier on Sunday, the Manipur Police said that 12 bunkers allegedly constructed by militants were destroyed by police and central security forces in various districts in violence-hit Manipur in the last 24 hours. On Sunday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday stated that no amount of propaganda by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Modi government could cover up their failures in dealing with the Manipur violence. "No amount of propaganda by the BJP and Modi government can cover up their abject failures in dealing with Manipur violence," said Kharge. Hitting out at the BJP, the Congress leader said, "Reports indicate that finally, the Home Minister has spoken to Prime Minister Modi on Manipur." He added that for the last 55 days, PM Modi had been tight-lipped on the Manipur violence and that every Indian was waiting for him to speak on the issue. "Every Indian is waiting for him to speak. If Modi ji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is sack his Chief Minister," said the Congress leader. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also raised questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the latest situation in Manipur. Kharge said that if PM Modi is really concerned about Manipur, then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh should be removed first. (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. "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. 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)
At least three people including a woman were killed and five others sustained injuries in a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, CNN reported. Police were called to the area near 57th St. and Prospect Ave. around 4:30 am local time on Sunday because initial reports suggested there was a sizable crowd of individuals in a parking lot, it said. Police later determined five other people had arrived at various hospitals by ambulance or private vehicle with "non-life threatening injuries," CNN reported citing an official news release of the police. Despite the fact that no suspects have been apprehended, police stated that they are "confident that there are many witnesses to this incident who would have valuable information. There have been 207 shootings in the US in 2023, as of May 7, CNN reportedThis means that there have been more shootings in the US in 2023 than in any previous year since at least 2013, according to CNN. Mass shootings in the US are being tracked by CNN using data from the Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit group formed in 2013 to track gun-related violence. Both CNN and GVA define a "mass shooting" as a shooting that injured or killed four or more people, not including the shooter. (ANI)
The decision aims to ensure the principles of justice and social responsibility in providing healthcare coverage for employees of the Ajman Police, to create a motivating work environment, reward competence, experience and efforts, and optimise human and financial resources planning.

It also aims to improve the performance of the police command and increase the satisfaction of its employees.

Major General Sheikh Sultan Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ajman Police, thanked Sheikh Humaid and Sheikh Ammar for the generous initiative.

He added that implementing the health insurance system for members of the Ajman Police applies to all local employees, both civilian and military, and is based on the issued decision and under the applicable provisions and conditions of the Ajman Government.

He then congratulated local police personnel covered by the insurance, wishing them success in achieving the highest levels of performance and providing high-quality, efficient and prompt services to all community members. (ANI/WAM)
Sharjah [UAE], June 27 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has called on international academic and educational pioneers, including researchers and writers in government communication and public influence, to showcase their exceptional work in communication sciences in the tenth edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA). Recognising outstanding works, research and publications in communication sciences that capitalise on the growing array of traditional and modern communication tools and their public influence, the award aims to support educational and academic institutions, advance academic research in communication and media, and provide a conducive environment for professionals in this realm. SGCA is accepting submissions across its categories until August 15, 2023. Among the global categories of the 10th edition of SGCA, the "Best Applied Scientific Research in Government Communication" recognises researchers, and educational and academic government institutions that address the challenges of government communication and present practical communication solutions and methodologies. The award celebrates two winners through its subcategories: "Individual or Group Research" and "Research by Government, Semi-Government, or Private Entity". Through these categories, SGCA aims to create a broader positive impact through institutional and government communication while also engaging the theoretical and academic facets that support the success of the communication process system. Acknowledging the crucial contribution of research to the progress of public communication, SGCA is introducing the global category of "Best Writer or Author in Government Communication Sciences". The award celebrates authors who offer fresh perspectives and valuable knowledge, greatly influencing government communication and its implementation. To ensure credibility, the award honours publications accredited by academic institutions with significant circulation. The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) invites all entities and individuals to submit their applications for the SGCA award by August 15, 2023. Interested parties are required to complete an online submission on the website www.igcc.ae, ensuring all necessary information is accurately provided. The SGCA, launched by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, is a pioneering initiative in the region that aims to recognise and celebrate groundbreaking ideas. This prestigious award honours innovative concepts that foster collaboration within societies on domestic, regional, and international levels, ultimately paving the way for future accomplishments. To ensure fairness and transparency, the evaluation of submissions is conducted by a distinguished jury committee and specialised subcommittees comprising renowned experts and academics. (ANI/WAM)
The police have registered a case on the complaint of a woman, who according to authorities was raped in the capital city, reported Dawn on Tuesday. In response to the victim's allegation, a case has been opened at the Humak police station. According to authorities, the woman is the wife of a mobile store owner who was having domestic troubles. One of her acquaintances referred her to a guy who claimed to fix people's problems by giving them amulets (Taweez), as per Dawn. Dawn is a Pakistan-based English-daily. He handed it to her after she met him and told him about her issues, according to the police, who added that the 'spiritual healer' invited her to come again. The suspect informed her that he would have to come to her residence during their next meeting on June 23. He went to her residence the next day when she was alone, according to authorities, and he had the woman sit next to him when he began flirting with her. He then raped her and threatened her with dire consequences, if she told anyone. Later, the woman approached the police and filed a complaint. Furthermore, authorities claimed to have arrested two rape suspects, according to Dawn. According to a police spokesman, the victim filed an FIR with Airport police after the suspect raped her in her room while her husband was out. She further said that when she complained to her husband, her husband, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law tortured her. According to officials, the Airport police registered a case and apprehended the offender after receiving her complaint. Raids were also going to arrest the victim's mother-in-law and sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Airport police nabbed a suspect in the rape of his cousin within 24 hours of the allegation being filed, Dawn reported. (ANI)
Three people were killed and eight others were injured in rain-related incidents in different regions of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Two people were killed after the wall of their house collapsed in Manshera. Meanwhile, a woman was killed and six others were injured in Buner due to a roof collapse. Two people were injured after the roof collapsed in Mardan. Two siblings were killed in Manshera after a wall of their stone-made house collapsed amid heavy rain in the Mundagucha Kalas Kori region on Monday, Dawn reported. The family of Abdul Razzaq was asleep when a wall of their room collapsed due to heavy rain. Mohammad Zafran and his sister Lishba Bibi were buried under the rubble. Their family members and local residents found them in injured condition and took them to hospital where doctors pronounced them dead, Dawn reported. There was heavy rainfall in the upper parts of the Hazara division. The rain, followed by thunder and windstorms, began at about 10 pm (local time) in Mansehra, Torghar and Kohistan districts and continued intermittently the entire night and early morning turning the weather pleasant. A nine-year-old boy Abdul Razzaq drowned in a local stream in the Dilobri area of the district. Maulana Abdul Bahis' son was taking a bath in the stream when he suddenly slipped into the deep water and drowned. Locals brought his body out and gave it to his family, Dawn reported. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that a woman was killed and six others were injured due to a roof collapse in the Takhtaband area of Buner district. The injured included five children and an adult. They were taken to Daggar Hospital for treatment. A woman and her child were injured in a roof collapse incident in the Kalpani area of Mardan. Met department predicted windstorms, thunderstorms and rain in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Battagram, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Khyber, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Orakzai, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan Torghar, Kohistan, Shangla, Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Swat, Buner, North and South Waziristan districts. It said that dust storms and heavy rainfall could cause damage to loose infrastructures like electric poles, solar panels and signboards in the province. Heavy rain might result in urban flooding in low-lying areas of Peshawar and Mardan and could trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kurram and Khyber districts, the report said. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said, "All relevant authorities are advised to remain Alert during the forecast period," according to Dawn. Met Department predicted hot, humid and cloudy weather in the majority of the districts of the province for Tuesday. Meanwhile, at least 20 people died in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's Punjab over the last 24 hours, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing Rescue 1122's statement released on Monday. The statement released by provincial emergency service spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said that the deaths were caused due to electrocution, drowning and lightning. According to the statement, five people died in Narowal and two in Sheikhupura after they were struck by lightning, Dawn reported. Seven people drowned in Punjab province and six deaths occurred due to electrocution. According to the statement, 10 people were injured in wall and roof collapse incidents in Lahore, three in Chiniot and one in Sheikhupura. Meanwhile, seven people were wounded after they were hit by lightning. (ANI)
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma arrived in Nepal's capital Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon, confirmed officials. The co-founder of the Chinese online trade platform, Alibaba, landed at Tribhuwan International Airport at around 2 pm (local time) today in his private Boeing 747 Max aircraft. "He landed in Kathmandu today in his private plane. He said that he flew from China to Nepal in the immigration form," Chief of Nepal's Immigration Department Jhalakram Adhikari told ANI over phone. The Chinese billionaire who arrived with a seven-member team is staying at a hotel in Kathmandu. According to Adhikari, the Director General of the Department of Immigration, Jack Ma has been granted 15 days tourist visa and is scheduled to call on Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. No official announcement has been made about the Chinese entrepreneur's arrival in Kathmandu and he hasn't demanded any security during his stay in the country. The reasons for his visit to Nepal also haven't been made public. Earlier this March, the Chinese magnate returned to mainland China after spending roughly a year overseas, according to people familiar with the matter as cited in The Wall Street Journal. Jack Ma, who spent the majority of the previous year in Japan, made a trip back to China, according to the sources quoted by WSJ. He had also visited Singapore and Australia and spent the most recent Lunar New Year in Hong Kong. According to a report in the Voice of America (VOA), after returning to China, Jack Ma visited the Yungu School, a private academy in Hangzhou funded by his Alibaba Group, which includes one of the world's biggest online commerce companies. At the school, he talked about "the future of education with the campus directors" and "the challenges and opportunities" that "new technological change brings to education," according to the school's WeChat account, the VOA report said. Jack Ma has maintained a low profile after Ant Group Co. cancelled initial public offerings in Hong Kong and Shanghai that were expected to raise more than USD 34 billion in November 2020, according to Wall Street Journal. The cancellations took place as authorities were angered over Jack Ma's remarks at a financial forum. Authorities then opened an investigation against Alibaba for allegedly engaging in anticompetitive activities on its e-commerce platform, and the company was ultimately slammed with a record-breaking USD 2.8 billion fine, the WSJ reported. Soon after, China began a broad regulatory crackdown on other private companies, increasing regulations on everything from video games and education to real estate. Jack Ma relinquished leadership of Ant Group in January this year after the company's shareholders approved a restructuring of business. The crackdown on the fintech operations of more than a dozen internet companies was "basically" over, according to the party chief at China's central bank, who made the statement on the same day, the WSJ report said. The American daily said that Jack Ma mostly disappeared from public view since giving a speech that criticised regulators on the eve of the cancelled Ant listing in 2020. (ANI)
Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has proposed creating a joint commission between Iran and Afghanistan to address the dispute over water rights between the two nations by carefully observing water levels in the Helmand River in Afghanistan, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. Ahmad Vahidi has said that the purpose of the joint team will be to determine Iran's rights and to verify the Taliban's claims regarding water shortage. He said, "The establishment of a joint committee to evaluate one of the dams named in the treaty was the key matter," according to Khaama Press report. Earlier, the Taliban claimed that there was not enough water in the Kajaki Dam in Afghanistan due to drought in the country and added that even if it had water, it would not reach Iran, as per the Khaama Press report. Earlier, Iran had accused the Taliban of breaking the 1973 water pact by stopping water flow to Sistan and Baluchistan provinces which share a border with southern Afghanistan. However, Kabul has denied the allegations made by Iran, the report said. The development has resulted in a deterioration in the ties between the Taliban and Iran. Iran must annually receive 850 million cubic metres of water from the Helmand River of Afghanistan in accordance with the 1973 agreement. Earlier this month, Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has asked the Taliban authorities to advise their security forces to maintain peace and security and avoid further border conflicts, Khaama Press reported. Iranian Minister said that peace and security had been restored in the area following the recent incidents that occurred along the Iran-Afghanistan border, according to Tasnim News. Vahidi blamed the Taliban forces for last week's border clashes and claimed that the Iranian forces responded to them. "The Afghans had begun shooting at the common border, and the Iranian forces naturally responded to the shots properly," he said, as per Khaama Press. "We currently have direct interaction with Afghan rulers, and all misunderstandings and problems should be settled through dialogue and negotiation," the Interior Minister said. As per Iranian officials, during the border clashes with the Taliban that broke out last week, one Iranian border guard was killed, and two others were injured. Meanwhile, the Afghan security forces claimed that one Taliban security force and two Iranian border guards were killed, and several others were injured during the skirmishes. The incident occurred at the border crossing point between the southeastern province of Sistan and Balochistan and the Nimruz province of Afghanistan in areas around Sasouli, Hatam and Makaki villages. (ANI)
A sudden increase in targeted killings and violent street crimes in Pakistan's Peshawar have set the alarm bells ringing for the capital city police, Pakistan-based The News International reported. Many people called for an improved probe into cases of street criminals held during the past many weeks so that the people behind the attacks are brought to book. The recent incidents have sparked fear among locals and they have called on police for an improved intelligence network and better policies to arrest gangs, The News International reported. Two Sikh community members have been attacked and there have been a couple of attacks on policemen in the past three weeks in the suburban regions. The fresh wave of attacks began on Friday with an armed attack on a Sikh trader. The victim identified as Tarlok Singh was shot and injured in Peshawar. Another Sikh man named Manmohan Singh was attacked in the nearby Guldara, Kakshal on Saturday. Manmohan Singh was taken to hospital but he succumbed to injuries, according to The News International report. "Manmohan Singh, 34, was on his way home in an auto-rickshaw on Saturday evening when unidentified armed men opened fire on him near Guldara, Kakshal," a spokesman for the capital city police said on Saturday night, according to the report. The inspector general of police Akhtar Hayat Khan said he has directed the capital city police to arrest the culprits at the earliest. On Sunday, a police personnel Kamran was attacked in the limits of the Agha Mir Jani Shah police station. He was injured in the attack. Hours after the attack, three policemen - Imran, Tariq and Umair of the Ababeel Squad were injured after armed men opened fire on them on Kohat Road near the Small Industrial Estate around midnight. One of the alleged attackers was reported to have been injured. Reports claimed that he died later. Some reports claimed that the attack was carried out by robbers, The News International reported. The police officials said that they have collected CCTV footage, geo-fencing records and other evidence from the regions where the attacks took place in the past few days. Police are said to be working to find the gang or gangs operating in the region. On Monday, the capital police officials said that the pictures of suspected target killers had been released so the people can help police identify and arrest the two culprits. Senior police officials have been regularly claiming about busting innumerable gangs of street criminals. However, snatching and shooting incidents witness a rise after every few weeks. After a brief silence in May, many incidents of robberies and snatching were reported in the past few weeks. In many of the incidents, robbers even did not hesitate to open fire which resulted in many people getting injured, The News International reported. In recent weeks, a number of people have been shot and injured in many parts of the provincial capital. the report said. Last week, a police constable Umair was injured after an attack by robbers outside the office of the neighbourhood council chairman in Garhi Qamardin. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised security personnel and said they "virtually stopped a civil war" in dealing with Wagner's mutiny on the weekend, CNN reported. He made the remarks at the invitational event of security personnel at the Kremlin. Putin said, "You defended the constitution, the lives and the freedom of our citizens. You saved our homeland from being shaken up in actual fact... you virtually stopped a civil war," according to CNN. Putin's statement comes after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday said that his troops had taken control of military facilities in two Russian cities. Prigozhin's actions came 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." In his address at the event, Putin said that the security personnel involved in resisting Wagner's failed rebellion "did not flinch." He said that Russia did not remove its security personnel from the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, according to CNN. He further said that Russian military units "ensured the reliable operation of the most important strategic control centres, including defence facilities, the security of the border regions, the strength of the rear of our armed forces" and "continued to fight heroically on the front." "We did not have to remove combat units from the special military operation zone. Our comrades fell in the confrontation with the rebels," Putin said as per CNN. He said, "They did not flinch and honourably fulfilled the order and their military duty." He asked people present at the event to hold a "moment of silence" for Russian army pilots who died in fighting with Wagner forces. He said that the security personnel acted in a "well-coordinated manner" and proved their loyalty to the people of Russia and the military oath. Putin said, "In a difficult situation, you acted clearly, in a well-coordinated manner, by deed you proved your loyalty to the people of Russia and to the military oath, you showed responsibility for the fate of the Motherland and its future." On Monday, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin 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, CNN reported. 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. On Saturday, Yevgeny Prigozhin had agreed to depart for Belarus after a deal apparently mediated by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko which ended the armed rebellion, as per the news report. 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. (ANI)
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday extended interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi till July 7 in three cases related to May 9, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported. The ATC heard Qureshi's bail plea related to cases lodged against him at Sarwar Road, Gulberg and Race Course police stations. He is accused of involvement in vandalism at Jinnah House and Gulberg Plaza, according to the report. Earlier, the ATC had granted interim bail to Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and restricted the police from arresting him. The court also instructed him to submit surety bonds worth Pakistani Rupees (PKR) for bail in each of the three cases, according to The Express Tribune reported. Speaking to reporters after the hearing on Tuesday, Qureshi said that there is a race between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the position of Pakistan's next Prime Minister, The Express Tribune reported. According to him, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz are candidates for the position. He said, "There is a lot of talk about their meeting in Dubai these days." PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that what's happening with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will become apparent in a day or two, The Express Tribune reported. He stressed that the people of Pakistan want to know whether anyone is concerned regarding the economic situation of Pakistan. He further said that his party is trying to talk about the future. Earlier on June 20, an Islamabad district and sessions court dismissed the bail petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Asad Qaiser in connection with two separate cases related to May 9 violence, Dawn reported. Judge Tahir Abbasi Supra took up the bail pleas of Umar and Qureshi today, along with that of another suspect, Khan Bahadur. During the hearing, the court order said, the counsel for the petitioners argued that his clients were "innocent" and "falsely involved" in this case on the "basis of a concocted story," the report said. He contended that the case against them was a result of "mala fide" and an "ulterior motive on the part of the complainant and police", Dawn reported. On the other hand, public prosecutor Zahid Asif Chaudhry contested the counsel's arguments and sought the dismissal of bail pleas, the court order said. (ANI)
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.

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.

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)
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore sent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Yasmin Rashid to jail on 15-day judicial remand in connection with a case related to protests on May 9, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. Yasmin Rashid appeared virtually before the court where the police sought physical remand of the PTI leader. The court dismissed the request of the police and handed over the former provincial health minister to the police on 15-day judicial remand. The Lahore police had lodged a case against the PTI leader Yasmin Rashid for allegedly setting vehicles on fire on May 9 when PTI chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC). On Monday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore rejected the bail petition of Yasmin Rashid in connection with a case related to arson and speeches against state institutions. A single-member bench of ATC chaired by Admn Judge Abher Gul Khan heard a post-arrest bail plea of Yasmin Rashid, according to ARY News report. The court noticed that Yasmin Rashid's lawyers were not appearing before the court for arguments. Later, the anti-terrorism court rejected the bail plea of Yasmin Rashid, ARY News reported. In May, Yasmin Rashid was taken into custody under section three of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Earlier this month, Yasmin Rashid was sent on judicial remand over the Askari Tower attack case by the anti-terrorism court (ATC), ARY News reported. She was presented before the ATC upon completion of physical remand, however, the investigation officer urged the ATC to grant her further physical remand since the investigation into the Askari Tower attack case was not yet completed. Meanwhile, ATC rejected the plea after reviewing the record and sent Dr Yasmin Rashid to jail on 14-day judicial remand and directed them to present her on June 25, according to the ARY News. Notably, Punjab's interim government challenged Imran Khan party's leader Yasmin Rashid's acquittal in Jinnah House. On May 9, at least eight people were killed, 290 were injured, and over 1,900 protesters were rounded up across Pakistan when an accountability court in Islamabad handed over the custody of Imran to NAB in connection with the Al Qadir Trust case. The protesters stormed the residence of the corps commander in Lahore and tore down a gate of General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (ANI)
"The inaugural India-France Strategic Space Dialogue was held in Paris on 26 June 2023. The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and the French side by Secretary-General, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Anne-Marie Descotes," read the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

Both India and France have deepened their cooperation to address contemporary trends in international affairs such as unfolding strategic complexities in the Indo-Pacific Region.

In 2022, India and France agreed to set up an Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund that will support sustainable innovative solutions for countries in the Indo-pacific region.

India and France's strategic relationship has improved in the past few years. Air India will acquire 250 aircraft, including 40 wide-body planes, from Airbus, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said in February at a virtual event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

France has emerged as a key defence partner for India, becoming the second largest defence supplier in 2017- 2021.

India and France support a multi-polar world order. France has continued to support India's claim for permanent membership of the Security Council and the reforms of the United Nations.

France has provided consistent support to India's candidature for membership in all four Multilateral Export Control regimes, viz. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG).

France's support was vital in India's accession to MTCR, WA and AG while France continues to support India's bid for accession to the NSG.

India and France have had regular exchanges of visits at the highest level. PM Modi is expected to attend this year's Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour on July 14 in Paris.

PM Modi has been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Parade in Paris.

According to the official statement, an Indian armed forces contingent will participate in the Parade alongside their French counterparts.

PM Modi's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, the official statement read. (ANI)
Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has reached Belarus, according to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, reported CNN. According to Belarusian state media, Lukashenko in his address on Tuesday said that he had warned Prigozhin that if he continued his march into the Russian capital, his soldiers would be obliterated. He reportedly told Prigozhin during a conversation on Saturday that "halfway you'll just be crushed like a bug." In his address, Lukashenko also revealed additional information regarding his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin over the weekend, stating that his discussions with the Wagner chief lasted the entire day on Saturday, CNN reported. The President of Belarus further said that the nation is not currently erecting camps for Wagner mercenary soldiers on its soil, and he has given the group some undeveloped area inside Belarus if they require it. The Belarusian military can benefit from the combat experience of the Wagner Group fighters, President Lukashenko has said. "They were at the very front of the attacking troops. They will tell us what's important now," Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian news agency Belta. The fighters could report on which weapons worked well and how attack and defence could be conducted successfully, he said. "This is very valuable. We have to get this from the Wagner fighters," Lukashenko said, reported CNN. After the chaotic weekend in Russia, Putin spoke out strongly, reminding security guards that they had "virtually stopped a civil war" by putting down the failed uprising by Wagner troops. Prigozhin, in an audio message published on Monday by his news service, said that the march was a demonstration of protest and not intended to overthrow power. "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. In his new audio message, Prigozhin also 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 kilometres (about 125 miles) were left to Moscow," Prigozhin claimed in the latest audio message, as per CNN. (ANI)
The 10 most dog friendly SC beaches that will have your pets tail wagging

With summer vacation, good weather and Independence Day approaching, many families are taking trips to the beach.

Why shouldnt your pet be able to join in the fun?

If youre looking to visit a beach the entire family can enjoy, South Carolina has plenty of pet-friendly beaches along the coast, and Veterinarians.org recently released a list of the top 10 best beaches for your pet in the Palmetto State.

If you dont know where to begin your search for beaches that allow your quadrupedal companion, there are several websites, such as Bring Fido, that will give you lists of several pet-friendly beaches or establishments throughout the state.

Local dog enjoying Driessen Beach on Hilton Head Island SC. Sarah Claire McDonald

However, before bringing your pet along with you outdoors this summer, take a look at outside temperatures.

With temperatures above 85 degrees, sidewalks and other outdoor walking medians may not have the chance to cool down, and when air temperatures reach 86 degrees, asphalt temperatures can register at 135 degrees, according to the American Kennel Club.

Before your dog walks on the ground, especially areas such as asphalt or sand, make sure to first test if the ground is too hot. To do this, place your hand, or bare foot, on the ground surface or the pavement or surface in question for at least 10 seconds. If this is too hot for your hand, then its too hot for your dogs paws to be walking on.

Luckily, if your pet likes to accompany you throughout your day, several retailers sell heat resistant dog booties for them to wear on hot pavement, so their paws wont get injured.

Additionally, if your dog is one that might want to take a swim with you, retailers also sell life jackets for dogs to make sure they stay safe in the waves whether they are a strong swimmer or not.

If youve tested the ground and deemed it safe for your pet to travel with you for the day, or they already have their own pair of booties, here are the top 10 pet-friendly beaches for you and your pet to visit in South Carolina, according to Veterinarians.org.

Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head Island

Kiawah Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island

Surfside Beach, Surfside Beach

Folly Beach, Folly beach

Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach

Burkes Beach, Hilton Head Island

Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island

Isle of Palms County Park Beach, Isle of Palms

Alder Lane Beach, Hilton Head Island

Morris Island Beach, Folly Beach

Hilton Head Island: For beaches listed on Hilton Head Island, pet-related beach laws change throughout the year.

Now through Labor Day, your pet isnt allowed on the beach between the daytime hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Afterward though, they may be present while leashed or under voice control authority from 5 p.m. until 10 a.m.

Following Labor Day through the month of September, animals are again allowed on the beach daily if leashed from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and with voice control only being an option between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 a.m.

Between October through March, your animal may be on the beach at any time on a leash or under voice control on Hilton Head Island.

At low tide, the islands wide beaches serve as a great place for your pet to run, play and enjoy the beach with the nearby waters being shallow, which may allow your pet to have an easier swim.

Kiawah Island: On Kiawah Island, dogs are allowed on the beach year-round and must be leashed while outside unless they are in an enclosed area. Certain exceptions apply.

Surfside Beach: At Surfside Beach, all dogs or other domestic pets are not permitted on the public beach between 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. from May 1 through Labor Day. All other times leashed dogs are allowed on the beach.

Folly Beach: At Folly Beach, dogs will not be allowed on the beach from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. until Sept. 30th. At all other times they must be leashed and under control. Additionally, pets are never allowed on the pier.

Myrtle Beach: At Myrtle Beach, a popular tourist destination in South Carolina, pet laws vary depending on the time of year, which is similar to Hilton Head. Until Labor Day, dogs are allowed on the beach but only before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. From the day after Labor Day until April 30, dogs are allowed on the beach at any time of day.

Pawleys Island: On Pawleys Island at Litchfield Beach, dogs are allowed on the beach year round. Pet owners must have a leash in hand and have their dog under voice control. From now until September 30 between 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., dogs must be leashed and under complete control, even while in the water.

Isle of Palms: For beaches on Isle of Palms, dogs must be leashed during their visit. Dogs brought to the beach are only allowed to be off-leash from April 1 through Sept. 14 between the hours of 5 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from Sept. 15 through March 31 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
The Air Force has announced its schedule for ending A-10 operations at Moody Air Force Base and Gowen Field Air National Guard Base.

The U.S. Air Force has announced formal plans to close out A-10 Warthog ground attack aircraft operations at two bases. F-35A Joint Strike Fighters will take the place of A-10s at one of those locations, while the other will see the arrival of F-16C/D Viper fighters. This is all in line with the service's goal of divesting the last A-10s before the end of the decade, if not sooner, something Congress now seems inclined to acquiesce to after decades of blocking such divestments.

The Air Force issued two separate press releases about the expected changes at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia and Gowen Field Air National Guard Base in Idaho yesterday. Both of these bases are now set to begin receiving their new aircraft in the 2027 Fiscal year.

An A-10 Warthog at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. USAF

With regard to Moody, "two squadrons of F-35As are projected to begin arriving in FY27 [Fiscal Year 2027] and are anticipated to require an increase in approximately 500 personnel," according to one of the releases. "The Department of the Air Force will now conduct an environmental impact analysis, which is expected to be completed in fall 2025."

There are currently two A-10 squadrons at Moody, the 74th and 75th Fighter Squadrons. These are both assigned to the 23rd Wing's 23rd Fighter Group, which carries the lineage and honors of the Flying Tigers of World War II fame. One of the Group's Warthogs was just recently repainted in a special heritage scheme that honors the Flying Tigers and one of that unit's pilots, ace Charles R. Bond Jr., in particular, as you can read more about here.

The 23rd Fighter Group A-10 wearing its new Flying Tigers-inspired heritage scheme. USAF

Moody is also home to the 76th Fighter Squadron, an associate unit that provides pilots to fly the 23rd Fighter Group's A-10s, but which has no assigned aircraft of its own.

At Gowen Field, "the 124th Fighter Wing... is expected to transition to an F-16 Fighting Falcon mission," the release regarding the planned changes at that base says. "F-16s are expected to begin arriving in spring 2027 after the completion of an environmental impact analysis, which is expected to be completed in spring 2025."

Part of the Idaho Air National Guard, the 124th Fighter Wing has a single A-10 squadron, the 190th Fighter Squadron. Gowen Field has also been the host of the biennial Hawgsmoke event, a bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition for the entire A-10 community, which you can read more about here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qGewQ4xeZc

It should be noted that these plans may still be subject to change in various ways, especially as move through the environmental impact analysis process. Environmental impact here includes a wide variety of things, including any possible increases in noise pollution. The F-35 and F-16 are both louder than the A-10 in many contexts. Gowen Field, in particular, is in an urban area, co-located with Boise Airport in Idaho's capital of the same name. In 2019, Idahoans notably sued the Air Force over its use of urban areas in the southwestern end of the state for training exercises that included aircraft flying overhead.

Beyond the changes coming to Moody and Gowen Field, following the release of its 2024 Fiscal Year budget proposal back in April, the Air Force also disclosed that it plans to stand up a new Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona after A-10 operations there cease in the coming years. What is tentatively referred to now as the future 492nd Power Projection Wing is expected to have a mixture of special operations aircraft, including MC-130J Commando II tanker-transports and OA-1K Sky Warden light attack aircraft.

The Air Force's press release about the changes coming to Moody says that the service has currently laid out plans to divest a total of 54 A-10s in the next few years. This includes the expected retirement of 42 Warthogs just in Fiscal Year 2024. The service will, of course, need Congress to sign off on this before it can proceed.

The Air Force already has approval to cut 21 A-10s in Fiscal Year 2023, which began on October 1, 2022, and ends on September 30 of this year. As of June 15, the Air Force had already sent eight A-10s to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona as part of those divestments, according to data from the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, which manages that facility.

At the time of writing, the Air Force has around 273 A-10s still in service, spread across active-duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard squadrons. With the exception of the 25th Fighter Squadron assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea, all of the remaining Warthog units are in the United States.

A-10s from the 51st Fighter Wing fly together with a South Korean KA-1 Woongbi light aircraft. ROKAF

It's also worth noting that the Air Force's Warthog divestment process so far has involved shuffling A-10s among its remaining units and sending ones with very high flying time to the boneyard first. For instance, the 74th Fighter Squadron at Moody delivered a Warthog to the boneyard in April, but received another from Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing to take its place. The 122nd is already in the process of transitioning to the F-16C/D Viper.

The Air Force's stated plan is to have the last A-10s out of service no later than 2030, but the service has made clear the Warthog's career could come to an end sooner than that.

I would say over the next five, six years we will actually probably be out of our A-10 inventory, Gen. Charles Q. Brown, the chief of staff of the Air Force and who is now the nominee to become the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had told reporters when asked about this at the Air & Space Forces Association's annual Warfare Symposium in March.

Congress had for decades repeatedly blocked Air Force attempts to retire the A-10 or significantly trim back the Warthog fleet, but this has begun to change in recent years. Members of the House and Senate have already begun to back the service's new divestment plans for the 2024 Fiscal Year.

The Air Force's relationship with the Warthog since it first entered service in 1977 has been, at best, checkered. The service has been accused of deliberately hamstringing the aircraft in the past, including axing or scaling back important upgrades like new, life-extending wings. The service did reboot its re-winging efforts in 2019, though that appears to be on track to be curtailed again in the end.

A pair of new A-10 wings ready for installation. Boeing

More recently, the Air Force did finally agree to go ahead with a major modernization initiative for the A-10, which has notably included the integration of the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) and the ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) on these aircraft. The Warthog community has also been working hard on exploring new ways that it might be able to contribute during future high-end combat operations, particularly in any potential conflict against China in the Pacific.

An A-10 carrying a load of 16 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) during testing. U.S. Air Force / William R. Lewis

In the meantime, the Air Force is certainly still sending A-10s on operational deployments and to support major exercises overseas. In March, Warthogs from the 75th Fighter Squadron began a deployment at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. A-10s also took part in the massive NATO-led Air Defender 23 exercise in Europe, which wrapped up last week.

At the same time, especially with the newly announced plans to shutter A-10 operations at Moody and Gowen Field in the next four years, the Air Force does indeed seem to be moving ever faster toward retiring the iconic Warthog for good.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
A recommendation for a new $146 million Henry Clay High School was made to the Fayette school board Monday night by district staff. The current aging building has been the subject of many environmental complaints in recent years.

Board members did not vote on a new Henry Clay building Monday night and only initial conversations have begun, but district staff this fall will begin some preliminary planning on that project, a new $57 million Rise Stem Academy for Girls and a new $41 million Masterson Station Elementary.

Weve had a lot of issues there,chief operating officer Myron Thompson said about Henry Clay.

A snake and a mouse falling from ceilings at Henry Clay High School caused safety concerns last year. District documents showed that school officials were hit with additional infestation complaints that included more vermin, flying birds, ants and a raccoon.

The school moved to its current Fontaine Road facility in 1970 and underwent a renovation in 2006, its website said.

District officials did not say whether new land might be purchased or if a new school might be built on the current site.

While we understand and share in the excitement about the construction projects discussed with the board, it is critical for everyone to understand that work of this magnitude involves many moving parts, said district spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall.

It would be irresponsible for the district to engage in speculation or premature conjecture. When we have factual information, we will share it with our employees, students, families, and community, she said.

On other projects, several parents have asked the school board to build a new Rise STEM Academy because it is currently housed at the old Linlee Elementary School, which parents say has many deficiencies.

A new elementary school is needed in the Masterson Station area because of tremendous growth in the area, Thompson said.

Some next steps are lining up architects and getting approval from the Kentucky Department of Education.

Board members said they were excited about the possibility of the new schools.

Other major proposed projects for the next three years to bring schools to a modern state were also discussed at Mondays school board meeting.

Phase Two, which would start work in fall 2024, would include:

 Liberty Road Bus Garage Renovation ($11 million)

 Paul Laurence Dunbar High School Renovation ($108 million)

 New Elementary on Polo Club Boulevard ($41 million)

Phase Three, which would start work in fall 2025, includes:

 Beaumont Middle School Renovation ($45 million)

 Southern Middle School Renovation ($39 million)

 Winburn Middle School Renovation ($41 million)

Another $15 million in maintenance projects at multiple schools is also proposed.
Funeral services were held Monday for a 16-year-old Kentucky girl who was fatally shot last week, allegedly by another teen believed to have been her ex-boyfriend, according to the local sheriff.

Gaymee Paw suffered a single gunshot wound to the head on June 21 at around 12:30 p.m., according to the Daviess County Sheriffs Office, on Willett Road, a nonresidential street that borders Ben Hawes Park in the city of Owensboro. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to her obituary, Paws family is Karenni, an ethnic minority of Myanmar, and she was born in Thailand. She and her brother, LuLu, moved to the U.S. with their father, Mee Reh, 12 years ago. Paw was recently named student of the month at Owensboro High School, where she just completed her freshman year.

Gaymee Paw's family moved to the United States 12 years ago.

Gaymee Paw's family moved to the United States 12 years ago.

One friend wrote in the obituary guestbook that she had an incredible impact on peoples lives and told her friend that no matter what was going on you always walk with happiness and made every one laugh with your funny jokes.

Paws heartwarming obituary seemed to nod to her sense of humor, teasing the teen for her driving skills while noting her altruism, strong faith and many achievements in volleyball.

Although her driving ability was concerning, she had recently gotten her learners permit, it says. She thoroughly enjoyed swimming, shopping, good eyelashes, very spicy food and mint chocolate ice cream.

Gay Mee was thought of as the best sister and generally a happy person. She will be dearly missed by many, including her beloved cat, Coco, the obituary says.

Sharing some of our sweet Gay Mees light in this heart breaking time, Foust Elementary School math teacher Emily Coomes wrote on Facebook in a post asking others to share pictures of the teen, which they did by the dozen. She holds a very special place in our heart and is truly part of our Foust Family. We will never forget the constant smile she wore on her face and love she spread to the world.

Paw planned to become a teacher and had already mapped out some of her education plans, according to her obituary.

Gaymee was a light and she will forever be missed, Amber Parker Brown, another Foust teacher, added. That sweet smile. Gone too soon. Jill Heilig Leigh, who was Paws eighth-grade teacher at Burns Middle School in Owensboro, wrote, My heart is so broken. She was always smiling and always happy.

Paw was a beloved daughter, sister and friend, her cousin Eleonor Poe wrote in a GoFundMe she organized to help the family with funeral expenses.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with Paws murder, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a minor, the sheriffs office said. His name is not being released because he is a juvenile.

Paw and the alleged shooter went to school together, Sheriff Brad Youngman told the Messenger-Inquirer. At one point in time they were boyfriend-girlfriend. Youngman did not respond to requests for comment by HuffPost.

Authorities made an additional arrest Monday in connection with Paws killing. A 17-year-old male has been charged with tampering with physical evidence, possession of a handgun by a minor and unlawfully providing/permitting a minor to possess a handgun. Both suspects are being held at the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The alleged shooter is set to be arraigned Wednesday. Daviess County Attorney John C. Burlew told HuffPost that he hopes a judge agrees to his request to have him tried as an adult. The other teen has yet to have a detention hearing, and Burlew noted that if he is detained, he too may be eligible for a transfer to adult court.

This is a very sad case of a senseless murder, Burlew told HuffPost. I will prosecute it to the fullest extent that I can.

Related...
Two people who couldve drowned after their truck fell into a sinkhole in Colorado were saved thanks to an 18-year-old and his drone on Saturday.

The incident happened in Brighton, a suburb of Denver.

The area has been getting a lot of rain lately, which has increased water levels, said 18-year-old Josh Logue. He wanted to see if there were any roads washed out, so he flew one of his drones Saturday morning over an irrigation canal. Thats when he saw what he thought was a shadow.

His neighbor, Ryan Nuanes, is a firefighter for the Denver Fire Department and just so happened to be at the family's garage sale. As the teen flew his drone over the irrigation canal, Nuanes had an odd feeling.

It just didn't look right, so I kind of took a closer peek  and figured out it was what we believed to be a car upside down, Nuanes said.

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Curiosity leads to life-saving actions

Logue, his father and Nuanes hopped into a truck and drove about two miles to the irrigation canal to check things out in person.

Once they went to the scene, they found the vehicle inside the sinkhole and heard a horn or alarm going off.

I really didnt like that because in my experience as a firefighter, thats typically what happens right after a car accident, Nuanes said. The horn gets damaged but the battery still has enough charge in it that it'll make the horn go off until somebody disables it.

The car was upside down and submerged in the water, which had filled the inside of the vehicle, he said.

Nuanes called for help and told dispatchers there may have been someone in the vehicle. When the person inside the vehicle started talking to them, he was shocked, he said.

There were two people who said they were OK, Nuanes recalled.

They were alright but had a six-inch air pocket where they could breathe. The pair had been in the car for about 15 minutes, they told him.

Logues father drove back to the house to get equipment to help rescue the people inside, including materials to hopefully hook the vehicle to his truck and move it.

Shortly after he left, the fire department arrived. Between the equipment Logues father brought back and the fire department, they were able to pull the vehicle forward enough to open the door and get the people inside of the vehicle out.

A vehicle that fell into a sinkhole in Brighton, Colorado. Josh Logue, 18, just so happened to fly his drone over the spot on June 24, 2023. He was able to call for help and soon after, the fire department showed up.

A vehicle that fell into a sinkhole in Brighton, Colorado. Josh Logue, 18, just so happened to fly his drone over the spot on June 24, 2023. He was able to call for help and soon after, the fire department showed up.

The fire department arrived at 9:32 a.m., said Brycen Garrison, fire chief for the Brighton Fire Rescue District.

The car was completely upside down on arrival, he said. They were able to use some equipment to maneuver the car to its side. Once they were able to do that, they were actually able to open the doors.

The people inside the vehicle were speaking when first responders arrived and were eventually taken to a local hospital, Garrison said.

He thinks their phones were likely submerged or wet so thats why they couldnt call for help themselves.

The fire chief said Colorado has gotten lots of rain recently, resulting in water washing out or eroding roadways.

What I'm assuming happened is they were driving and just did not see the sinkhole, Garrison said. It was probably about as wide as the vehicle so driving up on it, you might not have seen it and you certainly wouldn't have expected it.

A vehicle that fell into a sinkhole in Brighton, Colorado. Josh Logue, 18, just so happened to fly his drone over the spot on June 24, 2023. He was able to call for help and soon after, the fire department showed up.

This couldve turned out differently, neighbor who aided in the rescue says

Logues neighbor, Nuanes, said the rescue is all due to a series of events that couldve played out differently. He said the credit goes to Logue, whose drone helped him spot the people in trouble, as well as luck.

On Saturday morning, Nuanes had gotten off work and eventually checked out a garage sale the Logue family was having. From there, a conversation began about how a normally dry creek bed in the area was full of water that day.

If we don't go over to the garage sale and we don't have this conversation about this creek, the kid doesn't watch the drone, he said. If one link doesn't happen, he doesn't fly the drone down there and we don't get there.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Colorado teen drone pilot spots truck trapped in sinkhole, aids rescue
Republican presidential candidate Francis Suarez appeared to admit during a Tuesday morning radio interview about national security that he does not know what a Uyghur is.

The admission from Suarez came during an appearance on The Hugh Hewitt Show, where Hewitt asked Suarez, "Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?"

"The what," Suarez, the current mayor of Miami, responded.

"The Uyghurs," Hewitt said.

AI PROGRAM FLAGS CHINESE PRODUCTS ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO UYGHUR FORCED LABOR: 'NOT COINCIDENCE, IT'S A STRATEGY'

Republican presidential candidate and Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez delivers remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference on June 23, 2023, in Washington, DC.

"Whats a Uyghur," Suarez inquired further.

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Moving on from the question due to Suarez's inability to identify what a Uyghur is, Hewitt told the mayor, "Youve got to get smart on that."

The Uyghurs  a Turkic ethnic group originating from middle and East Asia  are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northern China and have faced alleged human rights abuse by the Chinese Communist Party.

At the end of the conversation, Suarez insisted that Hewitt had given him "homework" in identifying exactly what a Uyghur is. "Ill look at what a, what was it, what did you call it, a Weeble," Suarez asked with a laugh.

"The Uyghurs. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor," Hewitt told Suarez. "Youve got to talk about it every day, okay?"

"I will talk about, I will search Uyghurs," Suarez insisted. "Im a good learner. Im a fast learner."

Reacting to Suarez's "huge blind spot" when it comes to Uyghurs, Hewitt wrote in a tweet after the interview: "Mayor @FrancisSuarez was pretty good for a first conversation on air about national security  except for the huge blind spot on the Uyghurs. 'What's a Uyghur?' is not where I expect people running for president to say when asked about the ongoing genocide in China."

Suarez's campaign did not immediately respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment on the mayor's remarks.

UYGHUR STUDENT DID NOT GO MISSING IN HONG KONG AFTER BEING INTERROGATED AT AIRPORT, RIGHTS GROUP SAYS

Last August, a report from the United Nations alleged that the Chinese government had committed "serious human rights violations" in its detention of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in the western region of Xinjiang.

Uyghur activist and artist Rahima Mahmut attends a vigil outside the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in London on February 13, 2023.

Drawn from interviews with former detainees at eight separate detention centers in the region, the 48-page report and its authors suggest "serious" human rights violations had been committed in Xinjiang under China's policies to fight terrorism and extremism, which singled out Uyghurs and other Muslim communities, between 2017 and 2019.

The report cited "patterns of torture" inside what Beijing called vocational centers, which were part of its reputed plan to boost economic development in the region, and it pointed to "credible" allegations of torture or ill-treatment, including cases of sexual violence.

Above all, perhaps, the report warned that the "arbitrary and discriminatory detention" of such groups in Xinjiang, through moves that stripped them of "fundamental rights  may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity."

A protester from the Uyghurs communities in London is seen with a huge placard to support the rally.

Earlier this month, tech firm Ultra announced the development of an artificial intelligence -powered tool it believes has helped analysts identify products coming from China through the platform Temu that were created using forced labor, possibly from the Uyghur population.

"We're looking at Temu from the perspective of the Forced Labor Prevention Act," Ultra founder and CEO Ram Ben Tzion told Fox News Digital. "How many things that we don't want are coming into the country using this method, right? The good cases are counterfeit. The worst cases are poor quality."

Fox News' Bradford Betz and Peter Aitken contributed to this article.
25 Investigates has learned a Tyngsboro daycare received Facebook messages last summer accusing an employee of taking pictures of nude children.

Daycare staff at Creative Minds notified Tyngsboro police about the Facebook messages accusing Lindsay Groves of taking the pictures, according to a source who spoke with Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel.

The source said the messages to the daycare were sent by Groves estranged partner, Stacie-Marie Laughton. Laughton is a former New Hampshire state representative and the first transgender person to be elected to state office in 2012.

Tyngsboro Police Chief Richard Howe said at the time that there was no evidence linking Groves to a crime and no action was taken against her.

Last week, federal authorities arrested Groves on child exploitation and child pornography charges. Authorities say they found pictures of nude children as young as 3 on Groves cell phone. She allegedly took the pictures in a daycare bathroom.

Groves is in federal custody and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. She faces one charge of sexual exploitation of children and one charge of distribution of child pornography.

Also last week, Nashua police arrested Laughton, 39, of Derry, N.H., on a felony arrest warrant charging her with distribution of child sexual abuse images. She was also charged with three additional counts of distribution of child sexual abuse images.

In an email, Tyngsborough Police Chief Howe said the August, 2022 Facebook case was referred to his department as a domestic incident involving an ongoing dispute between Groves and Laughton.

Tyngsboro police did not charge Laughton with violating the protective order.

The Tyngsborough Police Department can confirm that it did respond in August of 2022 to investigate allegations of a violation of a Stalking/Protective-order based on an order out of Nashua District Court involving parties named in the recent Department of Justice case, Howe said in an email. As a result of an investigation, it was determined that no criminal violations involving the Stalking/protective order had occurred. Tyngsborough Police were subsequently contacted last week with direct allegations involving alleged child pornography and an employee at Creative Minds, and as a result an immediate investigation was launched by Nashua PD and the U.S. Attorneys office.

25 Investigates went to the courthouse in Nashua and found Groves did have a protective order against Laughton as of August 2022.

In court records, Groves said Laughton had previously made false reports to police about her.

Groves wrote: 7 to 10 times she contacted 911 claiming I was hurting myself or overdosing which I wasnt.

25 Investigates has requested a copy of the report Tyngsborough police filed about the messages sent to the daycare.

A federal indictment says Groves sent pictures of nude children to an unnamed individual between May 2022 and June 2023. A source told Boston 25 News last week that Groves had sent the photos to Laughton.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A proposed commission to study and potentially recommend changes to how child care and protection cases are handled in Massachusetts is back on the table on Beacon Hill.

The Harmony Commission would examine how to balance the rights of parents without jeopardizing the wellbeing and safety of children. It also would study how these cases disproportionately impact children of color, immigrant children, children with disabilities, LGBTQ children and children from low-income backgrounds.

The commission is named in honor of Harmony Montgomery, the 5-year-old Massachusetts foster child was murdered, allegedly by her biological father in New Hampshire.

Harmony Commission by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd

This bill passed unanimously in the Massachusetts Senate last year, but it died during budget reconciliation.

Senator Moore refiled his bill at the start of the new legislative term in January. But he now feels renewed urgency with the grisly new details of the case coming out in the affidavit, detailing the murder of Harmony Montgomery.

As you know by now, the little girl was missing for 2 years before it was reported to police. She was in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families for years, before a judge granted custody of her to her biological father, Adam Montgomery, whos now charged with her murder.

As the child advocates report noted Harmonys needs were never considered during the custody hearing.

The affidavit claims Adam beat Harmony to death in late 2019. Her remains have never been found.

If the familys going to be reunited in the child safety and well-being is at risk, is that really serving the childs best interest, asked State Senator Michael Moore (D-Worcester 2nd).

Weve known about this case now for almost two years. Are you satisfied with the action that Massachusetts has taken in response to it so far, asked anchor and investigative reporter, Kerry Kavanaugh.

No. What actions have we taken, said Moore. I mean, really, we need to do a comprehensive look at this. The current system in place.

To that point, the Harmony Commission would examine how a childs rights, welfare and best interest considerations are currently handled in care and protection cases and make recommendations for how to better protect and serve children in such cases.

We all saw with the release of the affidavit the horrific conditions and trauma this poor girl had to bear. We need to make sure that no other child goes through this again. Moore said.

It would involve several stakeholders including representatives from DCF, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and the Office of the Child Advocate. The Harmony Commission would also host meetings for public input. The bill is not yet scheduled for a committee hearing. Well follow this once again.

Harmony Montgomery

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, pilots an F-15D Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron over the Pacific Ocean, April 17, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Redin)

Theres an old military adage: the enemy gets a vote. No matter how well-planned an operation, or how well-designed a weapon, something can always go wrong. With this in mind, its pretty rare for any weapon system to have a perfect combat record, be it aircraft, tanks, or any other kind of military hardware.

But there were, until the Russian invasion of Ukraine, three aircraft that had a spotless combat record, despite seeing intense fighting over their long lifetimes. Weve included the third one here because its a good reminder that, despite records of past performance, the enemys vote is critical to the outcome  and you never know how a flawless record might end.

Here are 3 planes that have never been shot down in air-to-air combat

1. The McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle, assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing, takes off June 3, 2022, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The 104FW is trained to provide around-the-clock Aerospace Control Alert, providing armed F-15 fighters ready to scramble in a moments notice to protect the northeast United States from any airborne threat. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hanna Smith)

Theres a reason there are so many variants of the F-15. Its one of the best (if not the best) American fighter aircraft ever made and used by the U.S. military. Airplane gearheads can geek out about all the modern fifth-generation fighter bells and whistles they want, but a good fighter is a good fighter in the hands of the right pilot, and the F-15 is here to prove it.

A perfect combination of speed, acceleration, range, maneuverability and electronic warfare avionics, the F-15 can carry 23,000 pounds of weapons to anywhere it needs to drop them, then fight its way home if need be. The F-15s combat record is at least 104-0, far outclassing the F-16, F-14 Tomcat, and even the fast, stealthy F-22 Raptor.

The only reason that the F-15 has ever been brought down at all is mostly due to human error in accidents, ground incidents, and other situations that have nothing to do with air combat. America can rest easy now that this 50-year-old monster is being given new life in the form of the F-15EX.

2. British Aerospace Sea Harrier

A Sea Harrier FA2 of 801 NAS in flight at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

What could be cooler or more futuristic than a vertical takeoff fighter? Watching British Aerospace Sea Harriers perform this kind of takeoff in 1980 must have made onlookers feel like they were actually living in the future. It was a good thing the British got them into service so quickly because a few years later, they would need the help.

When Argentina invaded the British Falkland Islands in 1982, it was the Sea Harriers that led the defense of the British task force assigned to take the islands back. Sea Harriers also conducted air-to-ground strikes in support of the counterattacks. With a total of 28 deployed to the Falklands War, they shot down 20 Argentinian aircraft in air-to-air combat with a whopping zero losses, racking up 28% of Argentinas aircraft losses.

Although the Sea Harriers werent as fast as some Argentine jet fighters, they were more maneuverable and carried the latest in radar tracking and missile weaponry. As a result, they were devastating in dogfights, even in the adverse weather of the region.

3. Sukhoi Su-27

Su-27SKM at MAKS-2005 airshow.

Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Su-27, designated Flanker by NATO, was designed to take down the venerable F-16 Fighting Falcon and the aforementioned F-15 Eagle. The U.S. Air Force even called for a new stealth aircraft to answer the threat posed by the Su-27 and future generations of it, what would eventually become the F-22. That threat was very real until the Russian invasion of Ukraine when Su-27s flying over the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr got shot down for the first time.

Before Ukraine, Su-27s were last seen in combat fighting against MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters in the 1997-98 Eritrean-Ethiopian War. Ethiopian pilots behind the sticks of Su-27s took down four Eritrean MiGs with zero losses in that conflict.

The air combat losses of its Su-27s didnt deter Ukraine from using them against Russian forces, which they still do today, even against other Su-27s and more advanced fourth-generation fighters like the Su-35.
A 30-year-old man is dead after police said he was shot to death.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The shooting happened Monday around 1:40 a.m.

According to Rome police, officers were called to the Callier Springs apartment complex on Dodd Boulevard in reference to a man being shot.

When police arrived, they reportedly found a man, later identified as TeVian Markez Williams, Sr., suffering from a gunshot wound in his upper leg/groin area.

Rome officials said Williams was bleeding heavily. The police department said the responding officers rendered aid until emergency medical responders arrived and took over.

TRENDING STORIES:

Williams was taken to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Rome authorities said the incident is believed to isolated and that Williams and the person of interest knew each other.

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Officials said Williams will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Lab for autopsy.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Inv. Brian Sutton at 770-238-5111.

IN OTHER NEWS:
30 Steamy Pics Of Harrison Ford To Prove He Will Always Be Zaddy





Harrison Ford in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.'

Courtesy of Disney

Harrison Ford has oozed sex appeal since he first burst onto the scene in the 70s and at 80 years old hes still got it!

Ford hit it big when he landed a part in George Lucas American Graffiti, which eventually helped him score a starring role in Star Wars as sexy bad boy Han Solo.

We may have started lusting after him when he played the Millennium Falcon pilot, but his role as Indiana Jones really cemented his rugged good looks into our psyches. And now he's back to play Indy one more time in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny which hits theaters at the end of the month.

Were not the only ones with a crush on the movie star, a reporter told Ford he was still very hot at a press conference during the films premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.

Ford started off modestly and tried to brush the compliment off, but finally responded, "Look, Ive been blessed with this body. Thanks for noticing!"

But if you thought you couldnt love the heartthrob more, while on a press tour for the new film, journalist Kevin Polowy asked Ford how Indiana Jones would feel about the debate over whether or not its ok to punch Nazis, to which he said, Hed push 'em out of the way to get in the first punch. As well he should." Swoon!

The fifth Indiana Jones movie will find our favorite archeologist fighting Nazis again as he races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiers in theaters on June 30, so while we wait lets drool over some sexy photos of Dr. Jones himself.

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86-year-old woman put in chokehold before man forces his way into home, Texas cops say

An accused burglar was caught on camera putting an 86-year-old Texas woman in a chokehold and forcing his way into her home, Houston police say.

In the video captured June 26 by a doorbell camera, the suspect is seen talking to the woman near the front door of a home on Houstons north side. As they speak, he suddenly moves right next to her, wraps his arm around her neck and pulls her into the house, the video shows.

WANTED: Do you recognize this male suspect? He's accused of assaulting an 86-year-old female and burglarizing her home in the 4800 block of Robertson Street today (June 26).



Tips about his identity: Call @hpdrobbery at 713-308-0700 or @CrimeStopHOU at 13-222-TIPS.#HouNews pic.twitter.com/QIabMWTTJE  Houston Police (@houstonpolice) June 26, 2023

The home appears to be fenced in, but a sliding gate is open just enough for someone to slip into the front yard, video shows. The man is then seen in the video exiting the home with a blue towel covering his head, leaving through the gap in the gate.

The burglary happened at about 11:45 a.m., Houston police told KTRK.

The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment, but police did not comment on her condition, the outlet reported.

Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the man to reach out to the Houston Police Department at 713-308-0700.

Wounded 60-year-old returns fire at accused car burglars, killing one, Texas cops say

Strangers move in, make 79-year-old a prisoner in his own home, Texas officials say

Woman shoots two people inside of burning car in act of revenge, Missouri cops say

Man chased intruders away, but they returned, Ohio cops say. He was armed and ready
The 9 best photos of the royal family hanging out at Royal Ascot 2023

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Kate Middleton on day four of Royal Ascot 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Members of the royal family gathered last week for Royal Ascot 2023.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, and other royals attended the horse-racing event.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Kate were spotted laughing together on day four.

Members of the royal family were all smiles at last week's Royal Ascot.

The five-day horse-racing event kicked off at the Ascot Racecourse on Tuesday and finished on Saturday. Several members of the British royal family were in attendance, including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Princess Beatrice, and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

While the royals kept their eyes on the prize, they also had time to relax with each other.

Here are nine of the best photos of the royals hanging out at Royal Ascot 2023.

On the first day of Royal Ascot 2023, Charles and Camilla were seen laughing with the Italian jockey Lanfranco Dettori.

Dettori laughs with Charles and Camilla during the first day of Royal Ascot 2023. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

The legendary jockey Dettori, who announced that he would retire this year, was seen chatting and laughing with the king and queen, who appeared to be in good spirits on the first day of the race.

Charles and Camilla watched the races with their binoculars on the second day of Royal Ascot.

Charles and Camilla watch the races on the second day of Royal Ascot 2023. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

The king and queen appeared to be equally invested in the results of the day's races.

On day three, cameras captured the moment Charles and Camilla saw their horse, Desert Hero, win.

Charles and Camilla celebrate the moment their horse wins at Royal Ascot 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

On the third day of Royal Ascot, Desert Hero finished first during the King George V Stakes Gold Cup event.

The royal photographer Chris Jackson captured the emotional moment when Charles and Camilla saw their horse win, with Camilla appearing to yell out while Charles cracked an excited grin.

Kate and Beatrice arrived together on day four of Royal Ascot.

Kate and Beatrice during day four of Royal Ascot 2023. Jonathan Brady/PA Images/Getty Images

The pair, who both wore floral looks, were seen chatting as they walked across the grounds.

Charles and William were seen standing around and chatting before the day's events started.

Charles, Camilla, Kate, William, and others attend day four of Royal Ascot 2023. HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP/Getty Images

Kate and Camilla were also spotted exchanging conversation on day four of the horse-racing event.

Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, appeared excited while watching a race on day four of Royal Ascot 2023.

Mozzi and Beatrice watch a race on day four of Royal Ascot 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Beatrice was seen leaning over to get a better look at the race, while Mozzi grabbed his face in disbelief.

Sophie and Kate could barely contain their excitement on day four of Royal Ascot.

Sophie and Kate on day four of Royal Ascot 2023. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Kate was seen clapping her hands and laughing excitedly with Sophie, who is married to Prince Edward.

Lady Sophie Winkleman and Charles were seen walking and talking on day five.

Lady Sophie Winkleman and Charles attend day five of Royal Ascot 2023. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Winkleman, who is a British actor and Charles' second cousin, sported a yellow dress and a white hat. She was seen chatting with the king before the day's events kicked off.

Charles, Camilla, Lady Gabriella Kingston, and Thomas Kingston cracked smiles during day five of Royal Ascot.

Charles, Camilla, and the Kingstons watch the Wokingham Stakes from the royal box during day five of Royal Ascot 2023. Jonathan Brady/PA Images/Getty Images

The group couldn't keep their eyes off the racecourse, with Charles apparently shouting while Camilla and the Kingstons looked on.

Read the original article on Insider
Abandoned and hungry, an 8-year-old boy broke into a strangers home and went to their refrigerator for food, according to authorities in Texas.

The homes residents found the child on June 8, the Cameron County Sheriffs Office said in a June 27 Facebook post. He had food in his hands, deputies said.

The boy said he was hungry, authorities said, and the San Benito area residents described him as very weak and malnourished. They said they did not know the boy.

The residents took the child to his home, where they tried to find his mother, according to the news release. But she was not home.

After some time, the mother arrived with her boyfriend, authorities said. In the initial interview with the Deputies, the mother admitted to leaving the child unattended and home alone.

Deputies reported the case to Child Protective Services, and the child was taken from his home, officials said.

Investigators said the boy was malnourished and physically neglected, and they gathered enough evidence to arrest his mother.

The 28-year-old woman was arrested on June 20, authorities said. She was booked into the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center on a charge of abandonment and endangerment of a child with imminent bodily injury.

An investigation is ongoing.

San Benito is in southern Texas, close to the Mexico border.

Kids scream for help on call with 911. Mom found holding toddler under water, cops say

2-year-old strapped to booster seat for 15 hours dies, Florida cops say. Mom charged

Mom left toddler in filthy closet while she drove for DoorDash, Georgia cops say
LONDON (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey appeared in a London court on Wednesday at the start of his four-week trial on a dozen sex offence charges.

Spacey, 63, denies allegations of historic offences committed against four men which are said to have taken place between 2001 and 2013.

The charges against Spacey include repeated incidents of indecent and sexual assaults, and a more serious offence of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent, which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Wearing a navy suit with a pink tie, Spacey watched intently from the spacious dock of Court 1 of London's Southwark Crown Court as the jury were sworn in.

"The defendant will be gratified that many of you know his name or have seen his films," judge Mark Wall said as he cautioned the jurors to try the case on its evidence and not be swayed by any outside influences.

"This is a case which has attracted ... and will continue to attract a lot of media coverage," Wall said. "You must try to avoid such coverage where you can."

The trial was adjourned until Friday morning when the prosecution will formally open its case against him.

Spacey, who won Oscars for best actor in "American Beauty" (1999) and best supporting actor in "The Usual Suspects" (1995), spent over a decade working in London as artistic director for the British capital's Old Vic theatre from 2004 to 2015.

British prosecutors first revealed he faced charges in May 2022, saying he was accused of five assaults between March 2005 and April 2013 - four in London and one in Gloucestershire in the west of England. They involved one man who is now in his 40s and two men now in their 30s.

Last November the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a further seven charges involving sex assaults on one man between 2001 and 2004.

Spacey, once one of Hollywood's biggest stars, has largely disappeared from public view since being accused of sexual misconduct six years ago.

In the United States last October, Spacey defeated a sexual abuse case brought against him in a civil court after jurors in Manhattan found his accuser did not prove his claim that the actor made an unwanted sexual advance on him when he was 14.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Mark Heinrich, Christina Fincher, William Maclean)
Africa needs its own credit rating agency: heres how it could work

Credit ratings are important for developing economies in Africa Wikimedia Commons

The credit rating industry in Africa is dominated by the three international agencies: Moodys, S&P and Fitch. Together they control an estimated 95% of the credit rating business globally.

Credit rating agencies are institutions that assess a borrowers creditworthiness in general terms, or with respect to a particular debt or financial obligation. A credit rating can be assigned to any entity that seeks to borrow money  an individual, a corporation, a state or provincial authority, or a sovereign government. Investors use a credit rating to make decisions about risk and return. So the rating is required if an institution wants to raise funds on financial markets.

South Africa was the first African country to receive a sovereign rating, in 1994. To date, 32 African countries have received a sovereign rating from at least one of the big three agencies.

But policy makers are increasingly dissatisfied with their approach and methodology. Some of the criticisms are that agencies are quick to downgrade African countries but slow when upgrades are due; that they fail to accurately account for risk perception; that they dont consult adequately with stakeholders; and that they lack independence and objectivity.

A recent study by the UN showed that subjective biases in credit ratings had cost African countries a combined US.5 billion. This was through funding opportunities lost and excess interest paid on public debt.

Conditions are therefore ripe to advance the idea of establishing an African credit rating agency as a partial solution. China has its own state-owned rating agency, Dagong Global Credit Rating Company. The Arab countries are also calling for their own rating agency.

As a lead expert with the African Union on ratings agencies, I can explain the framework this agency would operate in and why it makes business sense.

African Union official decisions

In March 2019, African Union (AU) ministers of finance and economy officially adopted a declaration that such an institution was needed. The AU also developed a proposal for the legal, financial and structural aspects of the rating agency. Whats not yet agreed is how the sustainability, credibility and independence of the agency will be achieved. But there is a way this could be achieved as I set out below.

The need for an African Rating agency has been reiterated by the current Chair of the AU, President Macky Sall of Senegal, and the Champion of the AU financial institutions, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana. They highlighted it as an important step towards intra-continental integration. It would also enable AU member states to access capital and integrate the continent with global financial markets.

Institutional model

When the AU establishes a new institution, it can be either:

an organ of the union funded by its member states contributions, or

a self-funded autonomous specialised agency of the union.

Because the credit rating business requires credibility and independence, the best option is the specialised agency. Examples already in operation are the African Export-Import Bank and Africa Risk Capacity agency.

As an independent specialised agency of the AU, the agency would have diverse classes of shareholders. African governments could own it either directly or through their designated public institutions. Shareholding could include other smaller African-owned rating agencies, multilateral finance institutions and African national financial institutions.

As a financing structure, the agency would adopt the issuer-pay business model. The issuers of debt will pay the agency for rating its entity and products.

It would be fully funded by its shareholders and through loans from pan-African financial institutions. Multilateral development banks would either encourage or make it mandatory for their clients to have a rating from the African rating agency. Once this is done it should be able to sustain itself through revenue generated from its services.

As is the process in the AU, the African rating agency would be established through an agreement, signed by at least 10 member states.

The business case

There are still 22 African countries that have no credit ratings from the big three agencies. This will be a clear niche for the AU rating agency.

There is also tremendous value in the alternative rating sector, which cannot afford the cost of maintaining a rating from the big three. This includes small to medium enterprises, initial bond offerings and initial public offerings. The agency could also provide environmental, social and governance scores and foreign direct investment ratings. These rating services are urgently needed on the continent to complement governments efforts to support the development of domestic financial markets.

With the backing that comes from affiliation to the AU, the rating agency could secure substantial business in the ratings of domestic instruments that are aligned with the continents goals.

It would have the advantage of understanding the domestic context of Africa. So it could issue more informative and detailed ratings than those issued by the big three.

Way forward

The African Union is forging ahead with its plans to establish an African rating agency to complement the three dominant international agencies, and support the development of domestic financial markets in Africa. Although it will have to overcome challenges to gain investors support, there is a huge appetite for an alternative and complementary credit rating institution in Africa. Its success will be in developing a comprehensive methodology adapted to the African context, and resident analysts that understand the continents dynamics.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Misheck Mutize, University of Cape Town.

Read more:



Misheck Mutize is affiliated with the African Union as a Lead Expert on Credit Ratings
The Stop Killer Robots group has explicitly dismissed the Terminator scenario (JEWEL SAMAD)

The warnings are coming from all angles: artificial intelligence poses an existential risk to humanity and must be shackled before it is too late.

But what are these disaster scenarios and how are machines supposed to wipe out humanity?

- Paperclips of doom -

Most disaster scenarios start in the same place: machines will outstrip human capacities, escape human control and refuse to be switched off.

"Once we have machines that have a self-preservation goal, we are in trouble," AI academic Yoshua Bengio told an event this month.

But because these machines do not yet exist, imagining how they could doom humanity is often left to philosophy and science fiction.

Philosopher Nick Bostrom has written about an "intelligence explosion" he says will happen when superintelligent machines begin designing machines of their own.

He illustrated the idea with the story of a superintelligent AI at a paperclip factory.

The AI is given the ultimate goal of maximising paperclip output and so "proceeds by converting first the Earth and then increasingly large chunks of the observable universe into paperclips".

Bostrom's ideas have been dismissed by many as science fiction, not least because he has separately argued that humanity is a computer simulation and supported theories close to eugenics.

He also recently apologised after a racist message he sent in the 1990s was unearthed.

Yet his thoughts on AI have been hugely influential, inspiring both Elon Musk and Professor Stephen Hawking.

- The Terminator -

If superintelligent machines are to destroy humanity, they surely need a physical form.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's red-eyed cyborg, sent from the future to end human resistance by an AI in the movie "The Terminator", has proved a seductive image, particularly for the media.

But experts have rubbished the idea.

"This science fiction concept is unlikely to become a reality in the coming decades if ever at all," the Stop Killer Robots campaign group wrote in a 2021 report.

However, the group has warned that giving machines the power to make decisions on life and death is an existential risk.

Robot expert Kerstin Dautenhahn, from Waterloo University in Canada, played down those fears.

She told AFP that AI was unlikely to give machines higher reasoning capabilities or imbue them with a desire to kill all humans.

"Robots are not evil," she said, although she conceded programmers could make them do evil things.

- Deadlier chemicals -

A less overtly sci-fi scenario sees "bad actors" using AI to create toxins or new viruses and unleashing them on the world.

Large language models like GPT-3, which was used to create ChatGPT, it turns out are extremely good at inventing horrific new chemical agents.

A group of scientists who were using AI to help discover new drugs ran an experiment where they tweaked their AI to search for harmful molecules instead.

They managed to generate 40,000 potentially poisonous agents in less than six hours, as reported in the Nature Machine Intelligence journal.

AI expert Joanna Bryson from the Hertie School in Berlin said she could imagine someone working out a way of spreading a poison like anthrax more quickly.

"But it's not an existential threat," she told AFP. "It's just a horrible, awful weapon."

- Species overtaken -

The rules of Hollywood dictate that epochal disasters must be sudden, immense and dramatic -- but what if humanity's end was slow, quiet and not definitive?

"At the bleakest end our species might come to an end with no successor," philosopher Huw Price says in a promotional video for Cambridge University's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk.

But he said there were "less bleak possibilities" where humans augmented by advanced technology could survive.

"The purely biological species eventually comes to an end, in that there are no humans around who don't have access to this enabling technology," he said.

The imagined apocalypse is often framed in evolutionary terms.

Stephen Hawking argued in 2014 that ultimately our species will no longer be able to compete with AI machines, telling the BBC it could "spell the end of the human race".

Geoffrey Hinton, who spent his career building machines that resemble the human brain, latterly for Google, talks in similar terms of "superintelligences" simply overtaking humans.

He told US broadcaster PBS recently that it was possible "humanity is just a passing phase in the evolution of intelligence".

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What sort of oversight should governmental officials provide when it comes to artificial intelligence issues? | Adobe.com

Fans and foes of emerging generative artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Googles Bard and others have a lot of strong feelings when it comes to what kind of futurescapes these new tools are likely to foster.

And, according to data gathered in a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics survey, Utahns have their own strong feelings when it comes to the advancement of artificial intelligence and what should, or should not, be done to regulate further developments.

Geoffrey Hinton is a British Canadian scientist and researcher who is widely considered the Godfather of AI and recently quit his job working on Googles artificial intelligence program so he could speak more openly about his concerns over the new technology. Hinton has said hes had a change of heart about the potential outcomes of fast-advancing AI after a career focused on developing digital neural networks  designs that mimic how the human brain processes information  that have helped catapult artificial intelligence tools.

The problem is, once these things get more intelligent than us its not clear were going to be able to control it, Hinton said. There are very few examples of more intelligent things controlled by less intelligent things.

In a March interview with CBS News, Hinton was asked if AI has the potential to wipe out humanity.

Its not inconceivable, Hinton said. Thats all Ill say.

Related

In an essay published earlier this month titled Why AI Will Save the World, Silicon Valley venture capital guru Marc Andreessen argues that the fear of technology rising up to destroy humanity is coded into our culture and the chances of an AI-based program coming alive to kill us all is on par with a toaster launching into a murderous rampage.

My view is that the idea that AI will decide to literally kill humanity is a profound category error, Andreessen wrote in the June 6 posting. AI is not a living being that has been primed by billions of years of evolution to participate in the battle for the survival of the fittest, as animals are, and as we are. It is math  code  computers, built by people, owned by people, used by people, controlled by people.

The idea that it will at some point develop a mind of its own and decide that it has motivations that lead it to try to kill us is a superstitious handwave.

In a statewide poll of registered Utah voters conducted May 22-June 1, 69% of respondents said they were somewhat or very concerned about the increased use of artificial intelligence programming while 28% said they were not very or not at all concerned about the advancements.

Parsing responses by political affiliation, Republicans and Democrats showed almost identical levels of concern, or lack of, over AI advancement but women respondents logged higher levels of unease with the new tools, 76%, than men at 63%.

The polling was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates of 798 registered Utah voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percentage points.

The concerns over AI reflected by Utahns are being widely felt by political leaders, as well, and efforts to figure out a regulatory response to AI advancements are well underway in the U.S. and around the world.

Last month, the U.S. Senate convened a committee hearing that leaders characterized as the first step in a process that would lead to new oversight mechanisms for artificial intelligence programs and platforms.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who chairs the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, called a panel of witnesses that included Sam Altman, the co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT, DALL-E and other AI tools.

Our goal is to demystify and hold accountable those new technologies to avoid some of the mistakes of the past, Blumenthal said.

Those past mistakes include, according to Blumenthal, a failure by federal lawmakers to institute more stringent regulations on the conduct of social media operators.

Congress has a choice now, Blumenthal said. We had the same choice when we faced social media, we failed to seize that moment. The result is predators on the internet, toxic content, exploiting children, creating dangers for them.

Congress failed to meet the moment on social media, now we have the obligation to do it on AI before the threats and the risks become real.

Since Altman co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with backing from tech billionaire Elon Musk, the effort has evolved from a nonprofit research lab with a safety-focused mission into a business, per The Associated Press. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars into the startup and has integrated its technology into its own products, including its search engine Bing.

Altman readily agreed with committee members that new regulatory frameworks were in order as AI tools in development by his company and others continue to take evolutionary leaps and bounds. He also warned that AI has the potential, as it continues to advance, to cause widespread harms.

My worst fears are that we, the field of technology industry, cause significant harm to the world, Altman said. I think that can happen in a lot of different ways. I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong and we want to be vocal about that.

We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening, but we try to be very clear-eyed about what the downside case is and the work we have to do to mitigate that.

Utahns appear to be of mixed sentiment when it comes to upping the ante on government regulation of AI tools. While a plurality of poll participants, 43%, said theyd like to see regulation increased, 19% said a decrease of AI regulation was in order and 26% said the status quo should be maintained.

Republican and Democratic respondents were about on par when it comes to supporting an increase in government regulation of AI but more Republicans than Democrats, 22% to 12%, would like to see regulation decreased.

When it comes to what level of government should be engaging in regulatory oversight of artificial intelligence advancements, a challenge reflected in the current hodgepodge of regulatory efforts by both state and federal lawmakers, a majority of poll participants, 53%, say the feds should be in charge. And while 22% of respondents believe state government should oversee AI, 17% said government should not be involved in regulating tech companies working on artificial intelligence.

Hinton and Altman both signed on to a single-sentence open letter issued by the nonprofit Center for AI Safety last month thats earned the support of a wide-ranging group of distinguished scientists, academics and tech developers.

Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war, the statement reads.

But Andreessen believes a light-touch regulatory approach is the best way forward, noting that some global players will likely flaunt any supra-national efforts to build protections through regulation.

Instead, Andreessen said the best path forward is one in which both big AI players and new startups in the sector are allowed to build AI as fast and aggressively as they can. And, he sees private-public partnerships as the best tool to both be prepared for the inevitable misuses of advanced artificial intelligence technology and to put those advancements to work on their best and highest capacities.

To offset the risk of bad people doing bad things with AI, governments working in partnership with the private sector should vigorously engage in each area of potential risk to use AI to maximize societys defensive capabilities, Andreessen wrote. This shouldnt be limited to AI-enabled risks but also more general problems such as malnutrition, disease, and climate. AI can be an incredibly powerful tool for solving problems, and we should embrace it as such.
A Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 passenger jet is shown in 2018 taxiing after landing at San Antonio International Airport in Texas.

A Delta Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90 passenger jet is shown in 2018 taxiing after landing at San Antonio International Airport in Texas.

The San Antonio International Airport employee who was fatally ingested by a jetliner engine is believed to have died by suicide, according to The Guardian.

A source told The Guardian that the 27-year-old worker, David Renner, intentionally stepped in front of the live engine after Delta Flight 1111 landed at the Texas airport and taxied to the gate on Friday.

There were no operational safety issues with either the plane or the airport, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement to The Guardian.

The news of the apparent suicide contradicts previous reports that the incident was an accident, comparing it to a seemingly similar incident at an airport in Alabama in December. The Alabama incident was a result of a safety breach and led to an American Airlines worker being killed after being ingested into the engine of the plane, news outlet Advance Local reported.

Unifi Aviation, which employed Renner, said that there has been counseling available for employees.

Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time, Unifi added. From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifis operational processes, safety procedures and policies.

The San Antonio airport and Delta Air Lines did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on Monday.

On Sunday, however, the San Antonio airport told HuffPost that it was deeply saddened by Renners death.

Delta also sent HuffPost a statement on Sunday: 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.

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, you can find local mental health and crisis resources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.

Related...
The family of Ajike A.J. Owens was disappointed to learn that her accused killer has been charged with manslaughter rather than murder, attorneys for Owens loved ones said Tuesday, adding that their focus will now shift to ensuring prosecutors win a conviction.

Susan Lorincz, Owens white 58-year-old neighbor, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter for shooting Owens, a Black 35-year-old mother of four, during a confrontation June 2 in Ocala.

We want our time during the sentencing hearing to let [Circuit] Judge [Robert] Hodges know that Susan deserves all 30 years of that 30-year maximum sentence, Anthony Thomas, the familys local attorney, said during an online press conference Tuesday.

Ben Crump, the famed civil rights attorney also representing the family, said the case is an example of unequal justice. The family, he said, believes that if the roles were reversed that A.J. would have been charged with murder, and its as simple as that.

I would say that the family, like many people across America, thinks that there are double standards being applied, Crump said.  Thats why people are so outraged, when they think about the fact that a person can shoot somebody through a locked metal door after calling their children racial epithets and not be charged with murder.

Owens went to Lorinczs apartment to confront her about Lorincz shouting and throwing a roller skate at Owens children. Authorities say Lorincz opened fire at Owens from behind the front door.

Citing Lorinczs self-defense claim and Floridas controversial stand your ground law, Marion County authorities waited four days  amid growing public outrage that attracted national headlines  before arresting Lorincz for manslaughter and other charges.

State Attorney Bill Gladson in explaining his decision not to charge Lorincz with second-degree murder, as Owens family had asked, said the case lacked evidence of hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent by Lorincz against Owens, as that charge requires.

An arrest affidavit for Lorincz said she had been feuding with Owens and her children and admitted that she would call them racial slurs in anger. The affidavit said Lorincz opened fire after Owens banged on the front door and demanded Lorincz come outside.

Despite the familys disappointment, Thomas said he is confident that the evidence is there for a jury to convict Lorincz on the manslaughter charge that Gladsons office filed.

I just want to make sure that I can have confidence in our states attorney to present the evidence so that the jury can make that decision, he said.  If its laid out the same way its laid out in that arrest affidavit, its clear to me that the jury will convict.

Thomas said the family met with Gladsons team multiple times before the charging decision. He said those meetings, at which Gladson did not reveal his decision, gave the family a bit of false hope.

In his statement Monday, Gladson said his team will do all it can to seek justice for Ms. Owens and her family.

Understandably, emotions run high, particularly with senseless, violent crimes, he said. 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.

Lorincz is in the Marion County Jail with bail set at $151,000.
The Alabama legislature will begin a special session next month in order to redraw the states congressional districts, Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced Tuesday.

The announcement comes as the Supreme Court ruled this month that the states current congressional map likely violates the Civil Rights Act, discriminating against Black voters by diluting their voting power.

Alabama has seven congressional districts, but only one is majority-Black despite the demographic making up 27 percent of the state. According to the courts ruling, the state legislature must add a second majority-Black district to bring the map more in line with the states representative population.

Justices John Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh joined the three liberal justices in the 5-4 decision earlier this month.

The special session will begin July 17.

It is critical that Alabama be fairly and accurately represented in Washington, Ivey said in a statement Tuesday.

The special session is only authorized to make new maps, with Ivey saying the issue is too urgent and too important.

The legislature must pass new maps by July 21. It takes five days to pass legislation in the Alabama legislature, giving them the minimum number of days to pass the new maps.

A committee will begin discussing new maps next week, according to officials.

Plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case proposed a slate of new maps for the legislature to consider, all of which would add a second majority-Black district.

Alabama District 1 is the only majority-Black district in the state as of now, and each proposal makes District 2 the second majority-Black district. In the proposals, the new Districts 1 and 2 would straddle the southern coast of the state.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Alaska Airlines to offer new seasonal flights to the Bahamas from Sea-Tac

Looking for some fun in the sun you can get to directly from Seattle during the winter months?

If youve already been to the beaches of Mexico and Hawaii, youll soon have another option from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Alaska Airlines is adding seasonal flights to Nassau, Bahamas, starting Dec. 15, 2023. The flights will operate through April 10, 2024.

Its the first time the airport has had nonstop service to Nassau from Seattle, SEA Managing Director Lance Lyttle said.

The new flights will leave from SEA three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Travelers will depart SEA at 9 a.m. and arrive in Nassau at 6:15 p.m.

Flights will leave from SEA on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

According to SEA, Nassau will be a pre-clearance destination. This means travelers returning to Seattle from Nassau will be cleared through customs in that citys airport and not when arriving at SEA.

Other pre-clearance cities arriving at SEA include Dublin and all Canadian cities except Victoria and Kelowna.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty

A mid-air melee erupted in the first class section on an Alaska-bound flight earlier this week when several people on board had to restrain a man who they suspected was in the middle of an opioid overdose, according to an affidavit obtained by The Daily Beast.

The bloody brawl allegedly began with a mysterious scream from the planes bathroom and ended with a passenger sedated, handcuffed, and charged with multiple felonies. The passenger later blamed the ordeal on a panic attack and gummy bears containing HHC, a chemical found in cannabis similar to THC, the court filing says.

The incident allegedly unfolded on an Alaska Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage and started when a flight attendant heard a passenger screaming in the lavatory at the planes rear. When she asked if the person inside needed help, she heard another scream before the man inside punched the door open, the complaint, dated June 25, says.

The man, 37-year-old Christian David Burch, was allegedly drooling, with an odor emanating from the bathroom that the attendant described as an old, burnt, metallic smell.

Passenger Allegedly Tries to Kiss Flight Attendant During Mid-Air Meltdown

Burch allegedly stumbled toward the front of the plane, into the first class section, when another attendant stopped him before reaching the cockpit. When the attendant asked Burch what he was doing, Burchwho the attendant thought was twitchingsaid he couldnt find his seat, according to court documents.

The attendant, fearing Burch was in the middle of a medical emergency, got him into a seat at the front of the plane, the documents say. A passenger who identified as a registered nurse allegedly examined Burch and concluded he needed Narcan, an emergency drug administered to counter opioid overdoses.

As the crew scrambled to retrieve the Narcan, Burch allegedly became combative, forcing multiple attendants to pin him down. He further resisted attempts to administer Narcan, court documents say, and began to bleed from his mouth and nose.

Burch tried to punch and push on people and grab onto them, the complaint says, noting that his blood got on several of the flight attendants and passengers who were restraining him, including in one passengers mouth.

A passenger assigned to watch Burch after the melee reportedly said he appeared calmer after receiving both the Narcan and a sedative.

[He] did not speak the rest of the flight to the witness sitting next to him except to say, this was not an overdose, the complaint says.

Passenger Tried to Storm Cockpit After Meltdown Over Menu

Burch claimed to have experienced a panic attack. However, during landing, a witness saw Burch trying to hide a piece of foil containing a white powdery substance between the planes seats, the filing states. During a later interview with authorities, he allegedly tried to hide a similar piece of foil.

When he got off the plane in Anchorage, his bag was swabbed and tested positive for the presence of both heroin and carfentanyl, a potent opioid typically used to tranquilize large animals, the complaint says.

According to Burchs account, he was traveling with his stepson when he stepped into the bathroom and experienced severe vertigo, the documents say. Burch allegedly suggested that some HHC gummy bears he got from a gas station in Minnesota may have been the cause.

He faces several charges, including interference with flight crew members and attendants, and simple assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Alaskan bush pilots have a high-risk, high-reward job. Here's what it's like to fly across the 49th state's unforgiving wilderness.

Alaskan bush pilots Chad Smith and Hailey Zirkle. Courtesy of Chad Smith/Hailey Zirkle

Alaskan bush pilots are responsible for things like ferrying supplies to remote villages and backcountry tourism.

Insider spoke to two bush pilots, Chad Smith and Hailey Zirkle, who currently fly to the state's hard-to-reach areas.

Both pilots say the fast-changing Alaskan weather is a challenge, but serving the rural villages is rewarding.

Flying across the Alaskan wilderness is not for the faint of heart, but a daring community of bush pilots has dedicated their lives to providing essential services across the 49th state.

Alaskan bush flying. Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock

Alaska has 6 times more pilots per capita than any other place in the US contributing $3.8 billion to the state. Here's why they're essential.

Bush pilots in Alaska are known for safely flying smaller aircraft in rugged, or "bush," terrain, regularly taking the place of things like school buses, ambulances, trucks, and cars in rural villages. They commonly face harsh weather conditions and many of the remote locations are far away from help.

Alaskan bush flying. Kannan Sundaram/Shutterstock

Source: Bush Air

The skilled aviators surfaced shortly after World War I, playing a key role in developing the Alaska Territory both before and after it became a US state in 1959.

Alaskan bush flying. Wien Collection/Alaska's Digital Archives

Source: Museum of Flight

Specifically, many found work after the war transporting The Last Frontier's premium goods, like gold, fur, and oil.

First commercial flight in Alaska in 1925. Wien Collection/Alaska's Digital Archives

Source: Museum of Flight

However, Alaska aviation truly got its footing with the founding of Wien Alaska Airways in 1927, the state's first commercial airline. Wien carried mail and people on routes between rural towns and villages, like Candle, Nome, and Point Hope.

Wien Alaska Airways. Wien Collection/Alaska's Digital Archives

Source: Academic

Famous Alaskan pilot Noel Wien established the carrier, and became known as "the father of Alaska bush flying." His contributions to Alaska aviation earned him a spot in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Noel Wien with aircraft in Candle, Alaska in 1927. Wien Collection/Alaska's Digital Archives

Source: National Aviation

Over the decades, the industry has grown to be the biggest aviation system in the US. Today, there are six times as many bush pilots per capita in Alaska than anywhere else in the country.

Alaska bush flying. Daniel H. Bailey/Getty Images

Source: Alaska Department of Transportation

The unsung heroes are responsible for a myriad of duties, like ferrying mail, people, cargo, and supplies to remote villages that cannot be regularly reached by car or boat

Alaskan village. David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Source: Men's Journal, The northernmost town in the US won't see the sun for another 66 days  here's what it's like to live and work in Utqiagvik, Alaska

performing search and rescue

Mountain Rescuers are protecting a victim for the down wind of the landing helicopter at 14.000 foot on Denali. Menno Boermans/Getty Images

Source: History Net

executing medical evacuations

Air ambulance medical evacuation. Menno Boermans/Getty Images

Source: Alaska Department of Transportation

and offering backcountry tourism.

Landing on a glacier in Denali National Park. Taylor Rains/Insider

I regularly fly on tiny planes. Here's why I find it more fun and thrilling than traveling on a commercial airliner.

Insider spoke to two bush pilots that fly in Alaska to learn about what it's like to operate in the state's rugged terrain and ever-changing weather conditions.

Bush plane in Denali National Park shuttling tourists and workers. Taylor Rains/Insider

Chad Smith is a "backcountry" pilot, as he refers to himself, who operates flightseeing tours over Denali National Park for K2 Aviation in Talkeetna, Alaska. He lands in rural locations on unique runways, like on glaciers and lakes.

Chad Smith at the Pike Glacier Landing Area of Denali National Park known as Little Switzerland. Courtesy of Chad Smith

According to Smith, Alaskan bush pilots are essential because of how remote many of the state's towns are.

Coastal village of Ketchikan, Alaska. Royce Bair/Getty Images

"Over 80% of the state is isolated, so aviation is needed to connect the communities that are not near a road system," he told Insider. "Aviation in Alaska is the road system in the Lower 48."

King Air 200s at Dutch Harbor in Alaska. Courtesy of Chad Smith

Because many rural locations do not have organized airports or runways, the pilots are forced to maneuver onto designated landing strips, which can be made of ice, snow, dirt, water, gravel, or sand.

Alaskan bush flying. Richard A McMillin/Shutterstock

According to Smith, while many places in Alaska have natural landing strips, the Federal Aviation Administration has stepped up to create better infrastructure in the state.

Airplane at the Gambell Alaska Airport near the Yupik village. Joesboy/Getty Images

"When I first started flying out here in 2007, many of the strips were just tracks in the tundra," he explained. "But it has progressed over the years and the FAA has improved many strips to make them 75 feet wide by 3,000 feet long."

Ketchikan and its airport runway. shaunl/Getty Images

A majority of Smith's career has been ferrying people and supplies to small, remote villages. He said serving the towns, as well as flying over Alaska and seeing the beautiful landscape from a different perspective, has been extremely rewarding.

Flying over Denali National Park. Taylor Rains/Insider

"I love watching the sunrises and sunsets from the air, or seeing herds of caribou walking, or whale migrations, along with other wildlife, rivers, and different ice flows," he said. "All the things you see on National Geographic from your couch I see in real life."

Flying over water. Courtesy of Chad Smith

However, Smith said the hardest part is dealing with the Alaskan weather. He told Insider that the cold temperatures pose a unique set of challenges to pilots.

Clouds over Denali National Park. Menno Boermans/Getty Images

"It is not uncommon to operate at 30 below here, so we have to heat up the plane prior to departure and take extra precautions to keep passengers warm," he explained. "Also, we can only turn off the plane in a remote village for so long before it literally freezes up, so we only have a matter of time to unload and reload before we get stuck."

Remote lakes in Alaska. Courtesy of Chad Smith

Smith told Insider the most frigid temperature he's flown is -67 degrees.

K2 Aviation plane on glacier in Denali National Park. Courtesy of Chad Smith

Because the job is so demanding, many have wondered how much money a bush pilot makes flying across Alaska. According to Smith, the aviators are paid a daily rate, which was an FAA rule implemented after pilots would risk flying in poor weather because they were only paid by the hour.

Alaskan bush flying. Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock

"That change was pretty instrumental in improving safety in Alaska," he said.

Bush plane taking off from a frozen lake in Alaska. Daniel H. Bailey/Getty Images

But overall, he explained compensation varies based on how many flight hours a pilot has, their experience, and the equipment they're flying.

Alaska bush flying. shaunl/Getty Images

Insider also spoke with Hailey Zirkle, who is a pilot for Bering Air, which flies passengers and freight to rural towns across Alaska. She said she gave up an opportunity to fly for a commercial airline in the Lower 48 to fly in Alaska. She explained the adventure and mystery of The Last Frontier drew her to the state.

Bering Air pilot Hailey Zirkle. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

Bering Air operates five different types of aircraft, but Zirkle flies the Beechcraft 1900 as a first officer flying around the Norton Sound, which is in the western part of the state. She flies to rural towns like Unalakleet, Gambell, and Shishmaref, which can only be accessed year-round by plane.

Bering Air Beechcraft 1900. Btibbets

Zirkle said a boat or barge is also an option, but when the water freezes that is not possible for many months of the year.

Flying over Alaska. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

One of the most important aspects of Zirkle's flying is carrying bypass mail, which is unique to Alaska.

Pepsi and other sodas with bypass mail stickers in Hooper Bay, Alaska. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Bypass mail, which makes up 80% of the mail in Alaska, means parcels are taken directly from the shipper to the customer without having to go through a post office.

Supplies being unloaded from a plane that flew from Anchorage to the small village of Hooper Bay, Alaska. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Source: Alaska Aviation System Plan

According to Zirkle, the system is a government-subsidized program that makes it cheaper for rural villages to get what they need.

Workers unloading bypass mail in Bethel, Alaska. The Washington Post/Getty Images

Source: Alaska Aviation System Plan

Packages are moved for considerably less because shippers pay ground-based parcel rates even though most of the mail is flown to villages around Alaska rather than driven.

Parcels delivered to Alaska village. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

Source: Alaska Aviation System Plan

Zirkle said she also flies people to and from the villages, many of which have gravel or dirt runways, but the infrastructure is improving.

Hailey Zirkle flying. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

"The government has put a lot of money though into those airports to make them safe because that is the only way these people will get food and medical supplies," she said.

Supplies dropped off on a dirt runway in Kivalina, Alaska. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Flying the packages to the villages by plane is half the battle, according to Zirkle, but there is also a lot of physical labor that goes into the operation too.

Flying over an Alaskan village. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

"In the 1900, we can take loads of 4,000 pounds, so we load 4,000 pounds onto the aircraft and then unload it, so you could do that up to four times a day, moving 16,000 pounds of mail in one day, "she told Insider. "That is one of the hardest parts about the job."

Parcels delivered to Alaska village. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

Zirkle also explained the dark in the winter months can be a challenge because she has to preflight the plane with a headlamp and fly over oceans or terrain where there are no lights.

Plane flying in Alaska at dusk. John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

"It is different from flying over a city at night when you can see something on the ground, or even between cities where there are lights," she explained."

Flying over Connecticut in a small plane at night. Taylor Rains/Insider

While the harsh Alaskan weather can be difficult, Zirkle said serving the villages has been extremely rewarding.

Flying over an Alaskan village. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

"During Christmas, everyone in the village would show up at the plane and wait for their packages, and everyone was just so happy to get them," she said. "I think people in the Lower 48 take for granted things like Amazon Prime and Walmart where they can get what they want when they need it. Here, Amazon Prime takes a month or longer."

Amazon missed sales estimates in the second quarter. Tom Williams/Getty Images

She also said the people she flies to have been interesting to talk to. "Learning about their villages and history and way of life is really cool," Zirkle told Insider. "Most of them are just so kind, so that has been really rewarding."

Flying over a small village in Alaska. Courtesy of Hailey Zirkle

Read the original article on Business Insider
A conflict over who will be the next Chicago police superintendent has revealed growing pains for the community-driven search process and is testing the independence of the new panel tasked with choosing the finalists.

The flap began last week when 19 aldermen released a letter declaring their disappointment and dismay over the apparent decision by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to eliminate one of the Police Departments highest-ranking officials from consideration. The leader of Chicagos new independent police oversight panel, in turn, accused the City Council members of attempting improper influence over the proceedings.

In fact, several of the aldermen who signed the letter had voted in favor of the ordinance that created the community commission in 2021, but some of them now say the implementation has been botched as they feel iced out of the bodys deliberations. Anthony Driver Jr., the CCPSAs president, retorted that the letter was misinformed and reeks of the old Chicago Way. 

The candidate in question, police Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott, did not receive a follow-up interview for the position after an initial phone screening despite being the most experienced chief in the department with 28 years in law enforcement and overseeing more than 6,000 beat cops, according to the letter.

We do not understand why Chief McDermott was not granted an interview, especially given his impressive qualifications and deep commitment to the Chicago Police Department, the letter said, adding that Mayor Brandon Johnson, the City Council and every Chicago resident deserves to know why someone as qualified as Chief McDermott was not even afforded an interview for one of the citys most important leadership roles.

Driver declined to comment on McDermotts application process.

The consequences are the old Chicago Way, where weve seen time and time again where you have a very clout-heavy city, where people do favors for folks and people get positions through political influence, and it hasnt worked, Driver said. Our city has done this, has operated in the same way for decades, and we have not had good results.

Johnson addressed the controversy by affirming that the CCPSA is an independent body whose ultimate mission is to instill constitutional policing, but he refrained from criticizing the aldermen explicitly or commenting on McDermotts candidacy.

The city of Chicago worked hard to come up with an independent process that would ultimately provide the type of recommendations that are  free from political malfeasance, Johnson said in an unrelated news conference Wednesday. And so Im grateful that theres an ordinance in place, but also I do recognize that alderpersons, just like anyone else, should always have the ability to express their thoughts about any decision.  Its a democracy.

The legislation creating the independent body passed City Council two years ago in a 36-13 vote. It followed years of tense negotiations between then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and community activists in support of police accountability, calls for which grew louder during the fallout of the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd in 2020. Lightfoot then filled the seven-member CCPSA panel with her appointees, who have now become tasked with picking three finalists for the next leader of the Police Department after her hand-picked superintendent, David Brown, resigned in the wake of her reelection loss this year.

Those who voted for the ordinance but are now dinging the community commission in the letter are Alds. Michelle Harris, 8th; Raymond Lopez, 15th; David Moore, 17th; Derrick Curtis, 18th; Felix Cardona, 31st; Scott Waguespack, 32nd; and Debra Silverstein, 50th.

The others who signed the letter were Alds. Brian Hopkins, 2nd; Anthony Beale, 9th; Peter Chico, 10th; Nicole Lee, 11th; Marty Quinn, 13th; Matt OShea, 19th; Silvana Tabares, 23rd; Gil Villegas, 36th; Nicholas Sposato, 38th; Anthony Napolitano, 41st; Brendan Reilly, 42nd; and Jim Gardiner, 45th. Of that list, those who were on City Council during the previous term all voted against the police oversight ordinance, except Villegas, who was absent.

Moore, whose South Side ward spans a police district that McDermott used to oversee, said the CCPSAs decision not to grant McDermott a follow-up interview was shocking, arguing that someone of such a high rank in the department should be qualified to receive at least a formal interview.

To Moore, the letter pushing back at the CCPSA is not a contradiction of his 2021 support for community oversight of Chicago police.

Im not gonna say it was a mistake from the start, Moore said about creating the body. I would never say that because you want independent community input, but I think when you leave the aldermanic voices out  then I think thats some concern.

He added that he believes the reputation of political wheeling-and-dealing in Chicago City Council is in the past in terms of the 80s, 90s and then one or two people even in the 2000s.

Were past those days, Moore said. I think a lot of the aldermen are doing a lot of things for the right reasons. This is not about, Hey, I wanted my guy here. I want my guy there.

Driver, however, noted the letter seemed more a political stunt than a good-faith effort to seek information, saying he learned of it through the media because it wasnt first sent to the commission. Driver said he agrees that City Council members are free to express themselves but that touting a specific candidate to the commission goes over the line to lobbying.

If we have to be worried about outside influences, were not making a pick based on who the best person is, Driver said. Were making a pick based on fear.  In the past, I think you have a general sentiment that this did not work. The last superintendent search, people had the idea that it was an inside job, that it didnt serve our communities very well.

Lightfoot tapped Brown to be superintendent in 2020 less than two days after the Chicago Police Board announced him as a finalist, contributing to the impression he was her choice all along. Four years earlier  when Lightfoot herself was head of the Police Board  then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel disregarded that panels three finalists and selected someone who hadnt applied, Eddie Johnson.

Lopez, from the Southwest Side, said he stands by his support for community input over policing. But he said the community commission is intentionally excluding officials like him who are familiar with the Police Departments inner workings and the citys crime issues. Moreover, the Lightfoot-appointed CCPSA was not elected, but aldermen like him were, so brushing aside their concerns would only erode the faith in the new process, Lopez said.

The frustration that I and the rest of my colleagues have is that this isnt meant to be a secretive club thats making this decision, Lopez said. This is an official government public body that should be able to explain how this process is working. We dont necessarily want to know what their deliberations are, but you should be able to share what your criteria is.

Lopez noted that after the commission will present its three finalists to Johnson, due July 14, there still must be a final signoff from City Council on whomever the mayor picks.

These questions will not go away, Lopez said. Clearly, there are already 19 members who have questions, who have doubts, who have concerns, that have publicly made those known. All it will take is seven more to jeopardize any future appointment that they might produce.

Chicago Tribunes Sam Charles contributed.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
Before Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, stopped his "march" on Moscow on Saturday, allies at various levels appealed to Ukrainian officials with warnings against striking Russian territory during the rebellion.

Source: TV channel CNN with reference to an anonymous Western official, as reported by European Pravda.

The concern was that in the event of such strikes, the Russian Federation would view Ukraine and the West as helping Prigozhin and threatening Russian sovereignty.

Quote: "The message was don't rock the boat here, the official said, adding that the message was transmitted at the foreign minister level, deputies and through ambassadors.

It's an internal Russian matter, the official said the Ukrainian officials were told, echoing what US and other Western officials have said publicly.

Ukrainians were being cautioned by allies not to provoke the situation. Make hay of opportunities on Ukrainian territory but don't get drawn into internal matters or strike at offensive military assets inside of Russia, the source said."

The official added that the Russians have always wanted to prove that there are threats to Russian sovereignty, so there was no need to fuel the narrative that the mutiny was an initiative by the West.

Background:

The day before, US President Joe Biden stressed that the United States and its closest allies were not involved in the Wagner group rebellion, for the first time publicly commenting on Russian events this weekend.

The head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that the recent events of the weekend indicate that the Russian state and President Vladimir Putin are weakened, and the Russian Federation may be entering an era of political instability.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Almost 80% of Ukrainians want closed borders and visas with Russia

As of May 2023, according to a survey, almost 80% of Ukrainians support closed borders, visas and customs with Russia.

Source: results of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) survey shared on 27 June.

Quote: "As can be seen, before the Revolution of Dignity, the vast majority of Ukrainians (70%) wanted to see the countries as independent but friendly states.

Only 15% insisted that relations should be like with other states  with closed borders, visas, and customs. Moreover, quite a significant share of respondents (12%) even wanted unification into one state.

After the occupation of Crimea and the start of the war in Donbas, the share of those who believed that relations should be like with other states increased significantly (from 15% to 44%), although 48% still believed that the countries should remain friendly (the share of those who advocated unification decreased to 5%).

Ultimately, after the large-scale invasion, the share of those who want to have closed borders, visas and customs with Russia increased to 79% (an identical indicator in July 2022 and May 2023). Only 10% would now like the countries to be friendly, and only 1% would like to unite the countries into one."

Details: The study was conducted from 26 May to 5 June. A total of 984 respondents living in all regions of Ukraine (except the Autonomous Republic of Crimea) were interviewed by telephone with the use of a random sample of mobile numbers.

The survey was conducted with adults (aged 18 years and older) citizens of Ukraine who, at the time of the survey, lived on the territory of Ukraine (within the limits controlled by the Ukrainian authorities until 24 February 2022).

The sample did not include residents of territories that were temporarily not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities until 24 February 2022 (Crimea, Sevastopol, certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts), and the survey was not conducted with citizens who went abroad after 24 February 2022.

Formally, under normal circumstances, the margin error of such a sample did not exceed 3.4% for indicators close to 50%; 3.0% for indicators close to 25%; 2.1% for indicators close to 10%; and 1.5% for indicators close to 5%.

A certain systematic deviation is added to the specified formal error in war conditions. Out of a total of 984 respondents, 32 respondents had lived in a settlement that is currently occupied until 24 February 2022.

It is important to note that although the views of respondents who lived under occupation differed somewhat, the general trends were quite similar.

KIIS has examined the dynamics of views on the issue of relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation over the past 10 years. For comparison, they show how Ukrainians responded in February 2013, February 2022, July 2022, and May 2023.

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Amber Heard says she wants to stop having stones thrown at me

Amber Heard has opened up about media scrutiny in the wake of her legal battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

In 2022, the Aquaman actor was embroiled in a high-profile court case when Depp sued her for defamation, after she implied that Depp had abused her in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post. Heard, 37, countersued Depp, 60, alleging that by calling her claims fraudulent, Depp had defamed her.

After six weeks in court, the jury ultimately ruled in Depps favour, awarding him $10m (8m) in compensatory damages and $5m (4m) in punitive damages. This latter amount was subsequenty reduced to $350,000 (287,000) in compliance with a statutory cap. Heard, meanwhile, was awarded $2m for her countersuit.

The trial, which was televised and live-streamed online, was one of the most discussed cultural events of the year and was a frequent trending topic across social media.

Now, Heard is preparing for her first film appearance since the court battle  a role in the Conor Allyn-directed drama In the Fire.

In a new interview, the actor spoke out about the pressure she had faced, and not being in control of stories about her.

Im in control for the most part of what comes out of my mouth, she told Deadline at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily.

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. Thats something that probably Ill appreciate as a blessing further down the line.

She continued: 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.

Amber Heard (Getty Images for Vanity Fair)

Heard went on to discusses her pride in her career so far, having worked professionally my whole adult life, since I was 16. As a result, she said that her success in such a difficult industry should be enough to shape her reputation, rather than her personal life.

I think Ive earned respect for that to be its own thing, Heard explained. 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. So lets talk about this movie.

In the period project, set in 1890, Heard plays an American psychiatrist called to examine a boy in Colombia who faces the death penalty after a priest deems him evil.

Heard has said the film was ultimately about love, and addressed what she hopes the audience will take from it.
El Salvador has swept up a number of foreign nationals in a widespread crackdown on criminal activity, allegedly including Americans in those arrests.

"The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "We are aware of U.S. citizens detained in El Salvador under El Salvador's declared state of exception."

"We take our role in assisting U.S. citizens abroad seriously and are engaged with the government of El Salvador directly on this issue," the spokesperson said, adding that "due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time."

The U.S. first raised the alarm about American citizens mistakenly swept up in the crackdown through a March 2023 travel advisory update. The State Department said some of the arrests had occurred in a "reportedly arbitrary manner" and urged Americans to reconsider travel to the country.

MASSIVE PRISON RIOT ERUPTS AS MS-13 GANG CLASH LEAVES DOZENS DEAD: MONSTROUS MURDER

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele takes part in a tour during a national television transmission to present the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in a handout distributed to Reuters on Feb. 1, 2023.

"Though there has been a significant reduction in gang-related activity, violent crime remains a concern throughout significant portions of the country," the advisory noted.

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Salvadoran Minister of Justice and Public Security Hector Gustavo Villatoro pushed back on the U.S. State Department's assessment, insisting that "detentions in El Salvador are not arbitrary," but are instead "carried forth as required by law  every step of the way."

"There are a handful of U.S. citizens detained," Villatoro told Fox News Digital. "Keep in mind that citizenship does not equal immunity from prosecution."

Villatoro assured that detainees have access to embassy consular services, which is "currently being carried out," but that in El Salvador "anyone suspect of gang activity is detained and followed by investigation  regardless of nationality or where they were born."

PANAMA CANAL POSTPONES DEPTH RESTRICTIONS AFTER RAIN PROVIDES RELIEF TO REGION

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele declared a "state of exception" in March 2022 as he empowered his government to crack down on gang members by loosening the countrys arrest laws, such as no longer requiring a warrant for an arrest and granting the government access to citizens communications.

He pushed through the new measure after three days of violence left 87 people dead. Bukele blamed MS-13 for the violence, and authorities said they had captured the MS-13 leaders who had ordered the killings during the statewide sweep.

File: In this picture taken on February 09, 2020, soldiers guard the Legislative Assembly, in San Salvador, as supporters of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele gather outside it to make pressure on deputies to approve a loan to invest in security. - El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele gave on Sunday a one-week ultimatum to parliament to approve a loan to equip the country's security forces and fight against criminal gangs. Soldiers entered and stood guard inside parliament for the first time since the beginning of the 1990's, during the country's civil war. ((Photo by MARVIN RECINOS/AFP via Getty Images)

El Salvadors congress extended the state of exception several times, resulting in more than 46,000 arrests of alleged gang members. That number surged to more than 62,000 by the end of the year, including alleged collaborators.

MEXICO INVESTIGATING VIDEO SHOWING CARTELS THREATENING BAR HOSTESSES AT GUNPOINT

Prison agents watch gang members as they are processed upon their arrival at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in this handout distributed to Reuters on Feb. 24, 2023.

El Salvador has also allegedly arrested nationals from Panama, Guatemala and Colombia, according to public radio program "The World." The government of El Salvador has not published any stats on how many foreign nationals that authorities in the country have arrested.

U.S. citizen and Los Angeles native Walter Huetes was detained in El Salvador in May when he attended a party with some friends, according to "The World."

Huetes has Salvadoran roots and was in the country to help his stepdaughter with a visa application when he was arrested due to tattoos on his wrist and hand. He allegedly has not been able to call his family, but he has spoken to a U.S. consular officer.

The State Department did not say how many Americans may have been arrested as part of the crackdown. The White House did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment by time of publication.
By Tom Lasseter, Lawrence Delevingne, Makini Brice, Donna Bryson and Tom Bergin

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As U.S. lawmakers commemorated the end of slavery by celebrating Juneteenth this month, many of them could have looked no further than their own family histories to find a more personal connection to whats often called Americas original sin.

In researching the genealogies of Americas political elite, a Reuters examination found that a fifth of the nations congressmen, living presidents, Supreme Court justices and governors are direct descendants of ancestors who enslaved Black people.

Among 536 members of the last sitting Congress, for example, Reuters determined at least 100 descend from slaveholders. Of that group, more than a quarter of the Senate  28 members  can trace their families to at least one slaveholder.

Among those lawmakers from the 117th Congress are Democrats and Republicans alike. They include some of the most influential politicians in America: Republican senators Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, and Democrats Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth and Jeanne Shaheen.

In addition, Reuters determined that President Joe Biden and every living former U.S. president  except Donald Trump  are direct descendants of slaveholders: Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and  through his white mothers side  Barack Obama. Two of the nine sitting U.S. Supreme Court justices  Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch  also have direct ancestors who enslaved people.

In 2022, 11 of the 50 U.S. states also had governors who are descendants of slaveholders, Reuters found. They include eight chief executives of the 11 states that formed the Confederate States of America, which seceded and waged war to preserve slavery. Two are seeking the Republican nomination for president: Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, and Doug Burgum of North Dakota.

Reuters found that at least 8% of Democrats in the last Congress and 28% of Republicans have such ancestors. The preponderance of Republicans reflects the partys strength in the South, where slavery was concentrated. Although white people enslaved Black people in Northern states in early America, by the eve of the Civil War, slavery was almost entirely a Southern enterprise.

South Carolina, where the Civil War began, illustrates the familial ties between lawmakers and the nations history of slavery. Every member of the states nine-person delegation to the last Congress has an ancestral link. The states two Black members of Congress  Senator and Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott and Representative James Clyburn, a powerful Democrat  have forebears who were enslaved. Each of the seven white lawmakers who served in the 117th Congress is a direct descendant of a slaveholder, Reuters found. So too is the states Republican governor, Henry McMaster.

The new insights into the political elites ancestral links to slavery come at a time of renewed and intense debate about the meaning of the institutions legacy and what, if anything, lawmakers should do about it. Such topics include what to teach about slavery and racism in Americas classrooms; the future of affirmative action in college admissions; and how to address the persistent inequality in income and wealth for Black households, including monetary reparations.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll for this report showed that white respondents who said theyre aware of having a slaveholding ancestor were more likely than other white people to support paying reparations: 42% backed the idea, compared to 24% who said their ancestors did not enslave people.

The Reuters examination reveals how intimately tied America remains to the institution of slavery, including through the people who make the laws that govern our country, said Henry Louis Gates Jr, a professor at Harvard University who focuses on African and African American research and hosts the popular television genealogy show Finding Your Roots on PBS.

Gates said identifying those familial connections to slaveholders is not another chapter in the blame game. We do not inherit guilt for our ancestors actions.

Its just to say: Look at how closely linked we are to the institution of slavery, and how it informed the lives of the ancestors of people who represent us in the United States Congress today, Gates said. This is a learning opportunity for each individual. It is also a learning opportunity for their constituency  and for the American people as a whole.

In addition to the political elite Reuters identified -- which include lawmakers representing northern states such as New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts -- there are millions of Americans who are descendants of enslavers as well, said Tony Burroughs, a genealogist who specializes in helping Black Americans trace their ancestries.

Census figures from 1860 indicate that 1 in 4 households in states where slavery was legal enslaved people, according to data from IPUMS National Historical Geographic Information System. Whats unclear is how the proportion of lawmakers who descend from slaveholders compares to that of all Americans. Among scholars, there is no agreement on precisely how many Americans today have a forebear who enslaved people.

To be sure, many white Americans whose ancestors came to America before the Civil War have family ties to the institution of slavery, and Northerners and Southerners alike reaped enormous economic benefits from enslaved labor.

Ancestral ties to slaveholders have been documented previously for a handful of leaders, including Biden, Obama and McConnell. Scholars and journalists have also extensively examined slavery and its legacy, including how the North profited from the institution, and the role slavery played in decisions of past political leaders during the formation of America and after emancipation.

The Reuters examination is different. It focuses on the most powerful U.S. officeholders of today, many of whom have staked key positions on policies related to race. It reveals for the first time, in breadth and in detail, the extent of those leaders ancestral connections to whats commonly called Americas original sin. And it explores what it may mean for them to learn  in personal, specific and sometimes graphic ways  the facts behind their own kins part in slavery.

To trace the lineages of the political elite, Reuters assembled tens of thousands of pieces of information contained in thousands of pages of documents. Reporters only considered evidence of slaveholding that occurred after the founding of the United States. Journalists also limited their research to direct lineal descendants of the present-day elite rather than building sprawling family trees that included distant cousins.

In its reporting, Reuters analyzed U.S. census records, including antebellum tallies of enslaved people known as slave schedules, as well as tax documents, estate records, family Bibles, newspaper accounts, and birth and death certificates. The records  in some cases, family wills that show enslaved human beings bequeathed along with feather beds and farm animals  provide a visceral link between todays decision makers and slavery.

The Reuters research was then vetted by board-certified genealogists, who reviewed each case linking a contemporary leader to a slaveholding ancestor. In instances in which journalists identified politicians with multiple slaveholding ancestors, Reuters focused on the lineage tracing to the ancestor who enslaved the most people.

In many cases, journalists identified politicians for whom there was strong evidence of an ancestral slaveholder, but insufficient underlying documentation to be certain. Those notables were not included in the Reuters analysis. And because other records that could demonstrate slaveholding have been lost or destroyed over time, its a great possibility that you have an undercount, Burroughs said.

Among the examples of lawmakers and their ancestral ties to slavery:

SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM: The great-great-great-grandfather of Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina. After the death of Grahams direct ancestor, Joseph Maddox, a receipt from the sale of his property was prepared. Dated February 1, 1845, it shows the purchase of eight people Maddox had enslaved. Among them were five children: Sela, Rubin, James, Sal and Green. The Negro man Sam was sold for $155.25. Their names are listed alongside items including a sorrel horse ($10.50) and a folding table ($9.87).

Senator Graham has called slavery the original sin of the country, an aide said in a short written statement in response to a detailed briefing on the Reuters findings about Maddox. Graham didnt respond to an interview request. In past public remarks, he has spoken about the need to focus on building a more perfect union rather than looking backward.

REPRESENTATIVE NANCY MACE: The great-great-great-grandmother of Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina. The ancestor, Drucilla Mace, had a son, John Mace, who was also a slaveholder. Decades after emancipation, a formerly enslaved man was interviewed and recalled being made to work for John Mace, who in 1860 enslaved seven people. John Mace is the great-great-grandfather of Nancy Mace.

In an interview in 1937, the man, Hector Godbolt, recounted watching an overseer summoned by John Maces wife put an enslaved person over a fence plank and whip him 75 times with a cat onine tails, named for the nine knotted strands that ensure each lash inflicted searing pain. After 75 lashes, Godbolt recalled, Blood run down off him just like you see a stream run.

Nancy Mace initially agreed to an interview, then canceled. She later provided this statement in response to the family tree Reuters provided: I dont recognize these people named and cant confirm they are relatives, but slavery was a stain on this country and we as Americans should be grateful for the progress weve made since the 1860s.

SENATOR TAMMY DUCKWORTH: The great-great-great-great-great-grandfather of Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois. Duckworth described the facts Reuters unearthed as gut-wrenching. In an 1829 appraisal of the estate of her ancestor, Henry Coe, the names of the enslaved  and their assessed dollar values  are bookended by farm animals: seven sheep and a lamb, and a bull calf.

Coe left to various family members my negro woman Margaret until she shall arrive at the age of forty years, and my negro boy Isaac until he is thirty-six years old, also my negro boy Warner until he is thirty-six years old  and my negro boy George  till he is thirty-six years old. The will said that each would be freed when reaching the stated age. Reuters could not determine what became of three of the enslaved. But a Freedom Suit in Virginia in 1858 shows that Isaac Franklin  the child named Isaac mentioned in the Coe will  sought emancipation at age 36. By the 1860 census, he was listed in Frederick County, Virginia, living as a free man and working as a blacksmith.

Duckworth is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a service organization of women descended from veterans of the Revolutionary War. She said she hadnt known about her familial ties to slavery. Theres definitely political implications of the subject, Duckworth said in an interview, when asked if she was reluctant to discuss it. But I think its a disservice to our nation and our history to walk away from this. If I am going to claim  and be proud that  I am a Daughter of the American Revolution, then I have to acknowledge that I am also a daughter of people who enslaved other people.

None of the 118 leaders identified by Reuters disputed the findings that at least one of their ancestors had enslaved people. In a letter describing the project to them, Reuters made clear that it was not suggesting they were personally responsible for the actions of ancestors who lived 160 or more years ago. Even so, few leaders were willing to discuss their family ties to slavery.

Reporters contacted each of the 100 current or former members of Congress and the 18 presidents, governors or justices, providing the letter along with a family tree and documents showing their ancestral link to a slaveholding forebear. Of the 100 congressional lawmakers, 24 responded to the materials Reuters delivered. Another nine said they had no comment. The remaining 67 offered no reply.

To explore more about the connections to slavery of each of the 118 leaders, to see how they responded to the Reuters findings, and to explore documents that list the names of the enslaved people held by some of their ancestors, click here.

In researching Americas political elite, Reuters found names  almost always just a first name  of 712 people enslaved by the ancestors of the political elite. Even with a first name, tracing those individuals forward to a census where they are recorded in full is often exceedingly difficult.

Genealogists say white people who excavate their ancestry could help Black Americans by finding information that enables them to trace their own ancestries. Black genealogy faces a special hurdle: Before 1870, census takers almost never recorded the names of the enslaved in the United States, instead listing ages and genders. But white families may have other documents  such as wills, plantation records or family Bibles that list the names of the enslaved  or know where to find them.

In conjunction with the Reuters series, Legacy Family Tree Webinars is making about 15 webinars from its library available each month through 2023, for free. The webinars will range from guidance for novice genealogists to challenges faced by Black Americans and can be found here.

(This series was reported by Tom Bergin, Makini Brice, Nicholas P. Brown, Donna Bryson, Lawrence Delevingne, Brad Heath, Andrea Januta, Gui Qing Koh and Tom Lasseter. Contributed: Grant Smith and Maurice Tamman. Edited by Blake Morrison.)
Funeral for victims of US airstrikeMARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES/Getty Images

A recent Justice Department report concluded that "systemic" racial bias in the Minneapolis Police Department "made what happened to George Floyd possible." During the three years since a white police officer brutally murdered Floyd, nationwide discussions of systemic racism have extended well beyond focusing on law enforcement to also assess a range of other government functions. But such scrutiny comes to a halt at the water's edge  stopping short of probing whether racism has been a factor in U.S. military interventions overseas.

Hidden in plain sight is the fact that virtually all the people killed by U.S. firepower in the "war on terror" for more than two decades have been people of color. This notable fact goes unnoticed in a country where  in sharp contrast  racial aspects of domestic policies and outcomes are ongoing topics of public discourse.

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The urbanity of evil: 20 years after the Iraq invasion, the lies continue

Certainly, the U.S. does not attack a country because people of color live there. But when people of color live there, it is politically easier for U.S. leaders to subject them to warfare  because of institutional racism and often-unconscious prejudices that are common in the United States.

Racial inequities and injustice are painfully apparent in domestic contexts, from police and courts to legislative bodies, financial systems and economic structures. A nation so profoundly affected by individual and structural racism at home is apt to be affected by such racism in its approach to war.

Many Americans recognize that racism holds significant sway over their society and many of its institutions. Yet the extensive political debates and media coverage devoted to U.S. foreign policy and military affairs rarely even mention  let alone explore the implications of  the reality that the several hundred thousand civilians killed in America's "war on terror" have been almost entirely people of color.

The flip side of biases that facilitate public acceptance of making war on nonwhite people came to the fore when Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. News coverage included reporting that the war's victims "have blue eyes and blond hair" and "look like us," Los Angeles Times television critic Lorraine Ali noted. "Writers who'd previously addressed conflicts in the Gulf region, often with a focus on geopolitical strategy and employing moral abstractions, appeared to be empathizing for the first time with the plight of civilians."

Such empathy, all too often, is skewed by the race and ethnicity of those being killed. The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association has deplored "the pervasive mentality in Western journalism of normalizing tragedy in parts of the world such as the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Latin America. It dehumanizes and renders their experience with war as somehow normal and expected."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Persisting today is a modern version of what W.E.B. Du Bois called, 120 years ago, "the problem of the color line  the relation of the darker to the lighter races." Twenty-first century lineups of global power and geopolitical agendas have propelled the United States into seemingly endless warfare in countries where few white people live.

Racial, cultural and religious differences have made it far too easy for most Americans to think of the victims of U.S. war efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and elsewhere as "the other." Their suffering is much more likely to be viewed as merely regrettable or inconsequential rather than heart-rending or unacceptable. What Du Bois called "the problem of the color line" keeps empathy to a minimum.

"The history of U.S. wars in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America has exuded a stench of white supremacy, discounting the value of lives at the other end of U.S. bullets, bombs and missiles," I concluded in my new book "War Made Invisible." "Yet racial factors in war-making decisions get very little mention in U.S. media and virtually none in the political world of officials in Washington."

At the same time, on the surface, Washington's foreign policy can seem to be a model of interracial connection. Like presidents before him, Joe Biden has reached out to foreign leaders of different races, religions and cultures  as when he fist-bumped Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, at their summit a year ago, while discarding professed human rights concerns in the process.

Overall, in America's political and media realms, the people of color who've suffered from U.S. warfare abroad have been relegated to a kind of psychological apartheid  separate, unequal, and implicitly not of much importance. And so, when the Pentagon's forces kill them, systemic racism makes it less likely that Americans will actually care.

Read more

from Norman Solomon on war, peace and politics
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
The Amtrak trip from St. Louis to Chicago just got faster, part of a $1.96 billion project

A trip from St. Louis to Chicago via Amtraks Lincoln Service will be about 15 minutes quicker starting this week due to track upgrades that allow for increased speeds.

The Amtrak line ran its first 110 mph service on Monday, up from 90 mph previously, which would make the one-way trip less than five hours long. The trip is now a full 30 minutes quicker than when the service ran at 79 mph when the project began in 2010.

The faster speed doesnt meet the federal definition of high-speed rail  125 mph  but the new Lincoln Service is faster than most other Amtrak trains. Less than half of Amtrak trains pass 100 mph, according to a March Amtrak report.

The speed upgrade is part of a broader $1.96 billion infrastructure project aimed at upgrading passenger rail service in Illinois. The funds mostly came from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a 2009 stimulus package passed in response to the Great Recession. Around $300 million in funding for the project came from a mix of state and non-federal sources, according to the governors office.

Ray Lang, Amtraks vice president of state-supported services, said he believes the upgrades to route speed will help the company make rail travel more appealing downstate.

We really think that now well really begin to penetrate that market in a meaningful way south of Springfield and really begin to compete with the aviation industry between St. Louis and Chicago, Lang said.

In fiscal year 2022, the Lincoln Service route had a ridership of 476,000, up 82 percent from 261,000 the previous year, which included several months in late 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was still disrupting daily travel. Despite the growth, ridership has yet to surpass pre-pandemic levels. In FY 2019, the route saw about 628,000 trips, according to Amtrak data.

Local, state and federal officials celebrated the infrastructure investment at Chicagos Union Station on Monday. Gov. JB Pritzker, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood were on hand for the news conference, alongside others from Illinois congressional delegation, representatives of federal transit agencies and Union Pacific Railroad.

Our railway is just a microcosm of the monumental collaboration of the federal government, the state of Illinois and local governments to modernize our infrastructure, Pritzker said.

The exterior of a new Siemens Venture passenger car is displayed at Chicagos Union Station after a news conference announcing faster rail service. Illinois is part of a multi-state consortium working to purchase 88 new single-level railcars that are fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

In addition to the higher speed service, the infrastructure project also included major upgrades at rail crossings and new stations in Dwight, Pontiac, Carlinville and Alton, as well as upgrades to the Lincoln, Normal and Springfield stations.

Rail passengers will also see new railcars on the Lincoln Service route and several other routes throughout the Midwest, including the Chicago-to-Carbondale Illini/Saluki route and the Chicago-to-Quincy Carl Sandburg/Illinois Zephyr route.

The upgraded passenger cars will be rolled out by the end of August, with updated cafe cars slated for 2024, according to Jennifer Bastian, the Illinois Department of Transportation official who managed the passenger car project.

The interior of a new Siemens Venture passenger car is displayed at Chicagos Union Station after a news conference on Monday, June 26, 2023, announcing faster rail service. Illinois is part of a multi-state consortium working to purchase 88 new single-level railcars that are fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

The new cars, which cost about $3 million each, are engineered to minimize noise and increase accessibility. These include measures to increase compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, such as wider and more stable walkways between cars, wheelchair lifts and seat designs to facilitate easier wheelchair transfers.

The U.S. Department of Justice and Amtrak signed a settlement agreement in 2020 to upgrade stations throughout the country to comply with the ADA.

According to Amtraks most recent report on ADA compliance from April 2022, the rail service had completed 373 station construction and design projects, with 167 in progress and 364 remaining. Amtrak is also updating passenger display boards and boarding technology as part of its ADA settlement agreement with the federal Department of Justice in 2020. Amtrak is also updating passenger display boards and boarding technology as part of the ADA settlement agreement.

Amtrak Chicago Yard

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.






Anniversary of attack on mall in Kremenchuk: 3 Russian commanders under suspicion, investigation continues

Ukrainian investigators have identified three Russian commanders who are believed to be responsible for the missile attack on the Amstor shopping centre in Kremenchuk that caused numerous casualties and shocked the public a year ago.

Source: Yurii Bielousov, Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Context of Armed Conflict of the Office of the Prosecutor General

Quote from Bielousov: "The investigation is ongoing.

We have three suspects. Starting with the commander of the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who was directly responsible for launching missiles on civilian targets, and ending with the commander of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who is responsible for all strategic aviation of the Russian Federation.

Even a conviction in absentia gives us certain tools to restrict the movement of these individuals, as well as to search for their property abroad. And we all hope that it is only a matter of time before they are brought to real punishment."

Details: Without naming names, the Office of the Prosecutor General has reported that the individuals have been identified and notified of suspicion:

the commander of the 52nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who gave orders to launch missile strikes [this is Oleg Tymoshyn  ed.];

the commander of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division of the Long-Range Aviation of the Russian Air Force, who ensured that his subordinate units carried out missile strikes [Nikolay Varpakhovich  ed.];

the commander of the long-range aviation of the Air Force of the Russian Armed Forces [Sergey Kobylash  ed.].

These Russian military officials are responsible not only for the tragedy in Kremenchuk, but also for attacks on other cities in Ukraine.

On 27 June 2022, the Russian Armed Forces fired a missile at the city of Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast. A civilian facility  a shopping centre  was completely destroyed. The missile attack killed 21 people and injured about 60, as pointed out by the prosecutor's office.

Background: On 27 June 2022, the Russians fired two missiles on Kremenchuk, hitting the Amstor shopping centre and damaging the company's buildings.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Another manufacturing facility related to electric vehicles coming to Georgia

More manufacturing jobs are headed to Georgia.

Today lawmakers joined Anovion for a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of its new manufacturing facility in Bainbridge.

The new 1.5 million-square-foot plant will create 400 jobs and over $800 million in investment in Decatur County.

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The creation of the facility is being helped by the $117 million bipartisan infrastructure law.

Anovion Technologies, a supplier of premium synthetic graphite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, will manufacture key components needed for electric vehicle battery production at the plant.

The plant is one of several new manufacturing facilities connected to electric vehicle production coming to Georgia.

Rivian plans to build a $5 billion electric vehicle plant in Walton and Morgan Counties.

The company received $1.5 billion in incentives from the state.

Rivian is expected to hire more than 7,000 workers.

And Kias parent company, Hyundai, is also building a massive new electric vehicle plant in Bryan County.

That facility is being constructed on a 2,284-acre site and will employ more than 8,000 employees between an electric vehicle assembly plant and an adjacent EV battery factory.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A New York appeals court dismissed Ivanka Trump from a fraud lawsuit brought state Attorney General Letitia James (D) last year against former President Trump, his three adult children and his company.

The Appellate Division of New Yorks Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the claims brought against Ivanka Trump by James last year, noting that the claims brought against her were barred by New Yorks statute of limitation.

The allegations against defendant Ivanka Trump do not support any claims that accrued after February 6, 2016. Thus, all claims against her should have been dismissed as untimely, the order reads.

The court wrote that while allegations of wrongdoing after February 2016 were allowed, Trumps daughter had taken a step back from the family company by 2016 and was not accused of wrongdoing after that time period.

The lawsuit filed last year is seeking $250 million in financial penalties and is asking the court to bar Trump and his three adult children  Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump  from serving as an officer or director in any corporation registered or licensed in the state. James office also asked s the court to bar Trump and the Trump Organization from entering into any real estate acquisition in New York or from applying for loans from any financial institution in the state for five years.

The lawsuit follows a three-year investigation into whether the former president inflated the value of his properties to his investors to get loans and deflated the value on tax form. The lawsuit alleged that Trumps children were involved in a conspiracy to commit the crimes, as well as Trump Organization executives Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney.

New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron rejected a motion from former President Trump last year to dismiss the lawsuit filed against him, ruling that Trumps legal teams arguments to dismiss were frivolous and rejected an argument that the case is a witch hunt. Trump has railed against the civil fraud case brought against him, saying that James was pursuing the case for political reasons.

A spokesperson for Jamess office said in a statement to The Hill that there is a mountain of evidence remaining in their lawsuit against the former president.

We sued Donald Trump and the Trump Organization after uncovering extensive financial fraud that continues to this day, the spokesperson said. There is a mountain of evidence that shows Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization falsely and fraudulently valued multiple assets and misrepresented those values to financial institutions for significant economic gain. Those facts havent changed. This decision allows us to hold him accountable for that fraud, and we intend to do so.

The Hill has reached out to Ivanka Trumps legal team for comment.

Updated at 5:32 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
photograph of someone checking their phone infront of an apple logo

Apple has criticised powers in the Online Safety Bill that could be used to force encrypted messaging tools like iMessage, WhatsApp and Signal to scan messages for child abuse material.

Its intervention comes as 80 organisations and tech experts have written to Technology Minister Chloe Smith urging a rethink on the powers.

Apple told the BBC the bill should be amended to protect encryption.

The government says companies must prevent child abuse on their platforms.

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) stops anyone but the sender and recipient reading the message.

Police, the government and some high-profile child protection charities maintain the tech - used in apps such as WhatsApp and Apple's iMessage - prevents law enforcement and the firms themselves from identifying the sharing of child sexual abuse material.

But in a statement Apple said: "End-to-end encryption is a critical capability that protects the privacy of journalists, human rights activists, and diplomats.

"It also helps everyday citizens defend themselves from surveillance, identity theft, fraud, and data breaches. The Online Safety Bill poses a serious threat to this protection, and could put UK citizens at greater risk.

"Apple urges the government to amend the bill to protect strong end-to-end encryption for the benefit of all."

But the government told the BBC that "companies should only implement end-to-end encryption if they can simultaneously prevent abhorrent child sexual abuse on their platforms.

"We will continue to work with them to seek solutions to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material while maintaining user privacy."

The Online Safety Bill, currently going through Parliament, contains powers that could enable communications regulator Ofcom to direct platforms to use accredited technology to scan the contents of messages.

The government said these powers would only be used as "a last resort, and only when stringent privacy safeguards have been met".

Recently Home Office ministers have also been highly critical of Facebook's roll-out of the tech for messaging.

Several messaging platforms, including Signal and WhatsApp, have previously told the BBC they will refuse to weaken the privacy of their encrypted messaging systems if directed to do so.

Signal said in February that it would "walk" from the UK if forced to weaken the privacy of its encrypted messaging app.

Apple's statement now means that some of the most widely used encrypted apps oppose this part of the bill.

The government argues it is possible to provide technological solutions that mean the contents of encrypted messages can be scanned for child abuse material.

The only way of doing that, many tech experts argue, would be to install software that would scan messages on the phone or computer before they are sent, called client-side scanning.

This, critics say, would fundamentally undermine the privacy of messages.

In 2021 Apple announced plans to scan photographs on people's iPhones for abusive content before they were uploaded to iCloud but these were abandoned after a backlash. It has now clearly signalled its opposition to any measure that weakens the privacy of end-to-end encryption.

'Routine scanning'

Its announcement comes as the digital civil liberties campaigners The Open Rights Group sent an open letter to minister Chloe Smith.

The letter, signed by more than 80 national and international civil society organisations, academics and cyber-experts, says: "The UK could become the first liberal democracy to require the routine scanning of people's private chat messages, including chats that are secured by end-to-end encryption.

"As over 40 million UK citizens and 2 billion people worldwide rely on these services, this poses a significant risk to the security of digital communication services not only in the UK, but also internationally."

Element, a British tech company whose products using E2EE are used by government and military clients, has previously told the BBC measures in the bill that are seen to weaken the privacy of encrypted messages would make customers less trustful of security products produced by UK firms.

There is a growing expectation, the BBC has learned, that changes may be made to part of the bill which critics say could be used to mandate scanning. These could be included in a package of amendments to be revealed in the coming days.

But it is not clear what the detail of those changes might be, or if they will satisfy the concerns of campaigners.
Arkam Ventures is courting its second fund, aiming for $180 million, nearly doubling the size of its maiden fund, as the Indian venture capital firm gears up to double down on the expanding "middle India" opportunity.

The firm's partners said in an interview that they are hopeful to retain support from high-profile international institutional investors and family offices for the new fund. Key investors in Arkam's first fund included British International Investment, SIDBI and Evolvence.

Arkam, whose startup portfolio includes Jar, Smallcase, KreditBee, and Jai Kisan, seeks to write larger early-stage checks with the new fund to secure bigger stake in emerging companies, said Bala Srinivasa, co-founder and managing director of the fund, in a conversation with TechCrunch.

The deliberation on the new fund coincides with a period when VC firms are grappling with closing new funds, and in many instances, reducing the target size due to a slackened economy that has quelled the public markets in the preceding 18 months.

This scenario contrasts the historical highs during the zenith of 2021 and early 2022 that saw scores of VC firms in India raise record size funds. Rahul Chandra, Arkam's other co-founder and managing director, indicated that although Arkam could have set a higher target, the firm has remained judicious considering the market conditions and its obligations to its limited partners.

Many firms that accumulated capital at the market's apex would likely slash their target size by 50% if they were closing funds under the current conditions, he said.

Srinivasa additionally questioned the viability of returning a fund. "If you raise $1 billion, then you have to wonder if you can return 4x of that. It's an open question," he said, responding to the availability of potential investment opportunities in India given the current surplus of uninvested capital.

Both Srinivasa and Chandra bring a wealth of experience to the table. Prior to Arkam, Srinivasa held a position at Kalaari Capital and worked at startups, while Chandra has had a varied career, including roles at regulatory body SEBI and venture firm Helion.

Arkam's strategy is centered around the belief that startups are now capable of addressing the needs of India's wider populace, including families with incomes as low as $3,650 per annum. They hope to achieve this while keeping costs of service and acquisition economical.

Such a bet was deemed untenable in India just a few years ago. However, the emergence and adoption of payments rail UPI, identity platform Aadhaar, and online authentication platform e-KYC have resulted in a more promising landscape.

Srinivasa said that startups betting on this thesis, in the context of India's ongoing digital transformation, often find themselves in the position of creating new markets, where adjacent established players remain unperturbed for extended periods. He cited KreditBee and Jar, whose consumer bases are predominantly first-time credit users, as evidence of new market creation.

India, like other regions globally, is witnessing a reduction in deal activity as investors become increasingly wary of the market conditions. The absence of cheap global liquidity and "unconcerned" capital is likely to not change for at least two years, said Chandra.

However, with a record amount of dry powder in the hands of many venture capital firms, Chandra concedes that dealmaking could gather momentum sooner than later.

"What we are contained by is mostly locally available capital, which I expect will be behaving in a rational manner because there's no irrational exuberance coming in to drive valuation up. It'll still mean that people are chasing each other for termsheets for the good founders because the next two years there will be more capital that will get deployed."
Washington  The arraignment for a longtime employee of former President Donald Trump at the center of the special counsel's investigation into the alleged illegal retention of classified documents has been rescheduled after his flight was canceled due to severe weather.

The arraignment is now scheduled for July 6 after Nauta's travels were disrupted by storms and he failed to secure local counsel to represent him in the matter.

Nauta's current attorney, Washington-based Stan Woodward, asked for the new July 6 arraignment date and told Judge Edwin Torres that he's still seeking a Florida-based attorney to take the case. Woodward said he hopes to have local counsel by July 6. The judge agreed to the delay and said "there's good cause" to do so, based on the storms.

According to flight tracking site Flightaware, over 1,000 U.S. flights were canceled on Tuesday morning. Nauta's defense attorney said that storms stranded Nauta's flight on the tarmac for three hours after eight hours waiting at Newark airport.

Woodward also told the judge he expects Nauta to seek a delay in the first pretrial conference in this case, which is set for July 14 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Walt Nauta, an aide to former President Donald Trump, follows Trump as they board his airplane, known as Trump Force One, en route to Iowa at Palm Beach International Airport on March 13, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Florida. / Credit: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Nauta is accused of working with the former president to conceal boxes that allegedly contained records marked classified just as federal investigators issued a subpoena to retrieve them.

According to the indictment, filed earlier this month in the Southern District of Florida, Trump and his White House aides, including Nauta, packed up items from the White House in the waning days of the Trump Administration and moved them to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Those items included documents that allegedly contained classified markings and were not meant to leave federal custody, court documents say.

It was in Florida that investigators say employees including Nauta shuffled the boxes of records around the resort  including into ballrooms, a storage room and a bathroom  at Trump's behest. Between November 2021 and approximately June 2022, Nauta and others allegedly transferred boxes between numerous rooms inside Mar-a-Lago at Trump's direction, and many of those movements were caught on security camera video reviewed by the Justice Department.

In the months after Trump left the presidency, special counsel Jack Smith alleges the former president resisted efforts by the National Archives and Records Administration to fully retrieve all records that had to be turned over from his time in the White House. The discovery of classified records in a batch of boxes the Trump team did return to NARA prompted a Justice Department investigation into the matter.

Nauta was interviewed by the FBI in May 2022 about his connection to the records, and prosecutors allege he lied to investigators about the matter, denying he knew about the handling of the boxes.

On May 11, 2022, a grand jury issued a subpoena requiring the former president's representatives to hand over any and all documents with classified markings in his possession. Weeks later, before investigators came to retrieve the records pursuant to the subpoena, court documents allege Nauta removed a total of 64 boxes from the storage room in which they were being held at the time and brought them to Trump's residence. Prosecutors alleged Nauta moved the boxes at the direction of the former president.

Justice Department officials then traveled to Mar-a-Lago on June 3, 2022, to collect the subpoenaed records and, according to Smith's indictment, Trump's attorney attested that they fully complied with the order, unaware that any boxes had been moved from the storage room.

Prosecutors say Trump told Justice Department officials he was an "open book," but earlier that day, Nauta had loaded numerous boxes onto a plane before Trump was set to travel north for the summer.

After reviewing the security camera video from the time in question, the indictment says federal investigators executed a search warrant on Mar-a-lago for any remaining documents with classified markings. That August 2022 search yielded 103 allegedly sensitive records.

Trump was ultimately charged by the special counsel with 37 federal counts including the illegal retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Nauta was also charged with the conspiracy count, as well as crimes including making false statements to investigators dating back to his May 2022 FBI interview.

Trump pleaded not guilty in June and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. On Saturday, he told a group of supporters in Washington, D.C., "Whatever documents the 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 to NARA if he wants."

The former president's legal team is expected to file motions to dismiss based in part on accusations of prosecutorial misconduct.

Nauta appeared with Trump in federal court earlier this month but was not arraigned at the time because he did not have local attorneys present.

A trial date in Florida is currently in flux as prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to request a months-long delay after a federal judge initially scheduled the case to go to trial in August. As part of their conditions of release, Trump and Nauta are not allowed to communicate with one another about the details of the investigation, but given their work relationship, a magistrate judge in Miami did not completely bar them from speaking about other matters.

The special counsel had asked that the list of 84 potential witnesses remain sealed pending trial, but after a coalition of media organizations, including CBS News, petitioned the court to make the names public, Cannon ruled the witnesses list would not be sealed, at least for now. But she also said in her order that the list may not have to be filed on the public docket at all, which leaves open the possibility that those names may never be made public.

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Assistant state attorney investigated twice by the Florida Bar still works for Brevards circuit court

Assistant State Attorney Bryon Aven works in the 18th Judicial Circuit and covers Brevard County.

For a second time, Aven has been investigated by the Florida Bar, and the bar is moving forward with disciplinary charges against him.

When the Florida Bar has found probable cause as it has through the grievance committee here, its very serious, said trial attorney Doug Beam.

Court documents show that in 2021, the Florida Bar reprimanded Aven for actions against another judge during a campaign for a seat on the bench in 2018.

Read: What the expansion of Parental Rights in Education law means for Central Florida schools

Now, for this second time, documents show Aven allowed false testimony to be given in court -- in a felony battery case in April of 2022.

It resulted in a mistrial.

Daniel Martinez was the defense attorney in that case.

He said if his client had been found guilty, he would face more than 30 years in prison.

In this case, they tried to stack the deck in their favor, and they cheated -- Its that simple, Martinez said.

Read: Lawyer says state attorney had enough to charge AJ Owens shooter with 2nd-degree murder

Trial attorney Doug Beam has been practicing law in the area for almost 40 years.

He said this case is unusual because State Attorney Phil Archer is keeping Aven on staff.

The State Attorney is a constitutional officer; he can do what he wants to do, Beam said. Its very unusual-- Ive not seen anything quite like this.

Officials said Aven was removed from a courtroom role after this mistrial and now works in the intake division.

He decides what cases go forward with prosecution.

Video: Orlando pastor among 2 killed in shooting outside Orange County banquet hall

With Avens history, Martinez said it is problematic.

Theres no defense attorney watching over his shoulder to see who files charges or what charges he files, he said. Theres no one there to check him.

Channel 9 reached out to State Attorney Archer and Aven but didnt get a response.

The Florida Bars case against Aven will now go before a judge who serves as a referee, and the judge will recommend what disciplinary action to take.

Read: AJ Owens family attorney reacts after Susan Lorincz charged with manslaughter in Marion County

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
The State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) signed off Monday on two major highway improvement projects, including an interchange west of Atlanta that is ranked among the worst bottlenecks in the United States.

Board members unanimously approved resolutions authorizing agreements between SRTA and the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) to split oversight of upgrades to intersections along Georgia 316 and an overhaul of the heavily congested Interstate 285/I-20 West interchange.

The 316 project calls for building seven grade-separated intersections along the busy highway connecting Athens with I-85 in Lawrenceville both to improve traffic flow and safety. The intersections involved in the project are in Barrow and Oconee counties.

The work will be done through three contracts worth about $350 million in total. The first of the three contracts will involve two Georgia 316 intersections in Barrow County.

The DOT plans to issue a request for proposals from interested road builders for the $100 million contract next month and announce the apparent winner of the bidding in December. Construction is due to start during the fall of next year.

The second project calls for redesigning the I-285/I-20 West interchange west of Atlanta, ranked the fifth-worst bottleneck in the nation by the American Transportation Research Institute.

The nearly $1 billion project will involve removing the left-hand entrance and exit ramps and building a westbound collector-distributor system from the interchange to Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Lanes will be added along I-20 from Factory Shoals Road to Hamilton E. Holmes Drive and along I-285 from Donald E. Hollowell Parkway to MLK Jr. Drive. Several bridges also will be replaced.

In April, the DOT chose two finalists for the work. The agency plans to announce a best value proposer during the second quarter of next year.

Under the agreements between SRTA and the DOT, SRTA will finance the projects and pay the contractors, while the DOT will manage the construction. The State Transportation Board already has approved both agreements.
BRIDGETON  An attorney defending a Vineland High School senior against murder and other charges claims his client only meant to fire a warning shot toward the victim, not to kill him.

Emmanuel B. Doivilus, 18, did not know the victim, 20-year-old Mark Hoffman of Millville, defense attorney David Branco said at a court hearing.

He said Doivilus was present to support an unidentified male friend, who was supposed to fight Hoffman in a dispute involving a girl.

The shooting occurred behind Rieck Avenue Elementary School in Millville, where Hoffman's body was found in his vehicle on June 12.

The vehicle was still running, with his foot on the brake, County Assistant Prosecutor Lindsey Seidel said, describing the scene when police responded to a 911 call.

Hoffman was dead from a bullet to his head, authorities said.

An obituary described "Markie" Hoffman as "a passionate competitor who loved playing baseball, basketball, video games, chilling with his friends at the crib and recently started working out."

It also noted he had overcome multiple obstacles, "including a very serious car, accident, and battling Juvenile Diabetes."

Doivilus was arrested June 14 at his East Garden Road home in Vineland and since has been in Cumberland County Jail. His probable cause and pre-trial detention hearings were held Monday in Superior Court here.

Attorney tells court Vineland High student did not mean to kill man

Branco said his client had grabbed his mothers handgun from his vehicle, which she owns, in the belief Hoffman was going to get a gun. No fight occurred, although there was some discussion before Hoffman apparently decided to leave, according to testimony.

Police Update graphic

There was no motive on his part to do a shooting premeditatively, said Branco. He believes that he was acting in self-defense.

Like Mr. Branco indicated, there really was no motive, Seidel said. He (Doivilus) chose to take a loaded gun to a fight that did not involve him. And  there was no physical altercation between the parties. The victim was in his car, driving away out of the parking lot, when Mr. Doivilus ran to his car, retrieved the firearm, and then shot the gun in the direction of the car as it was driving away.

Seidel said the bullet passed through a rear passenger window to hit Hoffman.

The victims car was locked at the time that he was discovered by a friend, who was sent there via location services by the victims mother to find him when she became concerned that he was not home at 5 oclock in the morning, Seidel said. That person was on the phone with 911."

She said a search of Hoffman's car gave "absolutely no indication, whatsoever, that any gun was recovered or even taken by anyone else out of the victims car in order to attempt to cover up the fact that the victim had a gun.

Branco said his client had offered to surrender when he heard Hoffman was dead but was rejected. He was at home, with the handgun believed to be the murder weapon, when police came for him.

Judge keeps Doivilus in jail on murder, assault, weapon charges

Superior Court Judge George Gangloff emphatically denied a defense motion for Doivilus to be released.

I know its been argued that there was some concern  regarding the alleged victim being armed, Gangloff said. That was basically shown not to be the case according to the state.

Seidel said four people in total were at the scene, traveling in three vehicles.

Besides murder, Doivilus is charged with aggravated assault and weapon offenses. The filing of criminal charges is not proof of guilt.

New Jersey law does not presume a person charged with murder is entitled to bail, unlike with lesser offenses. The defense must show the defendant is not a threat to the public and is unlikely to flee or to interfere with the case.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey 36 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Support local journalism with a subscription.

More: Vineland fire headquarters project starts construction off Boulevard, roughly $20M price

More: How did license plate reader connect suspect to murder at South Jersey grade school?

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Prosecutor: Millville man shot in head was driving away from dispute
Former attorney Paul Paradis, shown entering federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, is aiding a State Bar of California investigation into alleged wrongdoing by more than a dozen lawyers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

For more than a year, the State Bar of California has been conducting one of the largest investigations in its history into the conduct of attorneys handling lawsuits related to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's 2013 billing meltdown.

The results of that probe may soon come to light.

Bar investigators Charles Calix and Abrahim Bagheri appeared Tuesday at a federal court hearing in downtown L.A. and provided an update on the investigation. Calix told U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. that "public proceedings" toward some individuals could come in a couple of months.

Calix suggested that the investigation is unparalleled in the bar's history. Another attorney, whose client is aiding the investigation, told Blumenfeld at Tuesday's hearing that 18 attorneys are under investigation.

Investigators are looking into how the city attorney's office handled lawsuits stemming from a faulty DWP billing system that launched in 2013.

Read more: Another legacy for Tom Girardi: Tighter regulation of California lawyers

Facing an onslaught of lawsuits over billing errors, attorneys working for the city colluded with opposing counsel to quickly settle a class-action lawsuit brought by DWP customers.

That collusive lawsuit was internally known in the city attorney's office as the "white knight" suit because it was crafted to "quickly settle a slew of costly, embarrassing, and politically damaging lawsuits on terms the City wanted," prosecutors with the U.S. attorney's office wrote in court documents this month.

The criminal probe led by the U.S. attorney's office has produced two guilty pleas from attorneys who worked for former City Atty. Mike Feuer.

Prosecutors, in court filings, have referenced other "top city attorneys office personnel" who directed the legal scheme but haven't brought additional charges.

Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office, would not comment Friday when asked about the lack of charges.

A 2021 court-ordered report on the actions of the attorneys concluded that several violated the ethical rules against dishonesty, deceit, and collusion and violated their ethical duties to the court in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct.

At Tuesday's hearing, Calix told Blumenfeld that some attorneys being investigated by the State Bar of California are invoking their 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, in an apparent effort to allow the statute of limitations on potential charges to expire.

Those helping the bar with the investigation include Paul Paradis, an attorney who had worked for Feuer's office. Paradis has pleaded guilty to one count of bribery in the federal probe of the legal scheme.

Paradis was scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday, but Blumenfeld delayed the sentencing until September so Paradis could continue to aid bar investigators.

David Scheper, Paradis attorney, told the judge that his client had helped prosecutors in both the criminal probe and the state inquiry "root out corruption going to the highest places."

He also said 18 attorneys are being investigated by the bar. A spokesperson for the State Bar of California declined to comment on how many attorneys are under scrutiny.

Read more: Attorney awaiting sentencing in DWP case accuses Feuer of aiding extortion, perjury

Paradis has previously accused Feuer of knowing about wrongdoing in the case and has accused the former city attorney of perjuring himself during a 2019 deposition. Feuer denies the allegations.

In August 2022, the U.S. attorneys office wrote to Feuers attorney noting that it didnt have an active investigation into Feuer related to the DWP billing scandal.

This month, Paradis took aim at another erstwhile high-ranking official in Feuer's office: former Chief Deputy Atty. Jim Clark. In a letter to Blumenfeld, Paradis wrote that Clark asked him and others to implement the "collusive litigation scheme."

Marisol Mork, an attorney for Clark, told The Times that Paradis' letter is "nothing more than a last-ditch effort by a criminal defendant to persuade the court to reduce his incarceration by shifting the blame to others for the egregious conduct detailed by the U.S. attorneys office."

Paul Kiesel, another attorney who worked for the city attorney's office on DWP billing litigation, told The Times on Monday that he was present at a meeting when Clark instructed Paradis to draft the lawsuit that would be known as the "white knight" complaint.

Mork didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about Kiesel's statement.

Clark has not been charged in the case.

Feuer, who is running for Congress, has confirmed that he is under investigation by the State Bar of California but maintains that he has done nothing wrong. Reached Tuesday, Feuer said he "cooperated fully and am completely confident there is no issue with respect to me."

Feuer declined to comment Tuesday when asked about the comments about Clark by Kiesel and Paradis.

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.
An Augusta personal care home employee was recently indicted for allegedly forging more than 50 checks from multiple patients' bank accounts.

Sandra D. Graham, 42, of Augusta, is charged with four counts of felony exploitation and intimidation of a resident, four counts of theft by taking and seven counts of forgery in the fourth degree.

The charge stems from "a series of events" between March 24, 2022 and June 21, 2022, where Graham unlawfully took over $5,000 in checks from four patients' bank accounts, according to the indictment.

Graham signed each of the checks with the patients' names and "by Simple Blessings Corp.," according to the indictment.

Simple Blessings, a senior living community on Sullivan Road in Augusta, is owned by Sarah Ellison  who, according to the indictment, was not aware of Graham's alleged illegal activity.

Graham does not have a criminal history in Augusta, according to court records.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta senior living employee indicted
Two avocet chicks have hatched at a wetlands in East Devon for the first time in the county.

Two avocets were seen foraging on the Axe Estuary in the spring before brooding eggs by the beginning of June in the Seaton wetlands.

East Devon District Council's countryside team monitored the eggs which were incubated.

Council leader Paul Arnott said he was "delighted" that their efforts had paid off.

The avocet is included on the amber list of UK birds of conservation concern due to its localised distribution in Britain.

They are vividly marked with pied black and white plumage, long pale blue legs and a thin upturned bill.

James Chubb, East Devon District Council's countryside manager, told BBC Radio Devon they kept a close eye on the birds to keep them safe from predators.

"We kept the water levels on the lagoon as high as possible during incubation to provide protection from animals such as foxes or stoats. Anything smaller than a Canada goose was seen off. We've a lot of crows here too and they weren't even tolerated in the air above the nest."

Mr Arnott said it was important to "invest in our treasured nature reserves".

"We are absolutely delighted to see our efforts are paying off with the breeding of this iconic wetlands species and would like to thank all the staff and volunteers across East Devon who have made this possible."

Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
He was awaiting trial on another charge, then took part in a Phoenix robbery that left 2 dead

A Phoenix man who took part in a robbery that left two men dead was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Maricopa County Superior Court judge Daniel Martin handed Joshua Charles Bivens, 34, the punishment Friday after less than an hour of judicial proceedings and victim impact statements.

In 2021, Michael Kisselburg and Yacov "Jacob" Yehuda died after Bivens and two other men committed a planned armed robbery in Phoenix, according to court records. At the time, Bivens was out of custody, on the promise he would show up to court hearings, as he was awaiting trial on a 2020 charge of aggravated assault.

Bivens initially was charged with two counts first-degree murder, armed robbery, and attempt to commit armed robbery. He pleaded guilty to one second-degree murder charge last month.

Bivens, who did not fire a gun, is the only one of the three men involved to be sentenced for this crime. One died in prison, and the other has not been found.

Martin also sentenced Bivens to 7 1/2 years in the 2020 assault, to which he also pleaded guilty last month. That sentence will be served concurrently with his murder sentence.

What happened at the apartment complex?

Police lights

About 2:25 a.m. July 25, 2021, Phoenix police responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex near 19th Avenue and Thunderbird Road. Officers found Kisselburg and Yehuda suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Chastain McHann, Kisselburg's girlfriend, was there and told officers that the three were hanging out at the apartment. McHann told police that while together, someone knocked on the door. She said they checked the security camera and saw a male at the door that they didn't recognize, so they did not answer.

Kisselburg, with McHann's gun, and Yehuda went outside some time later and interacted with Bryan Neal Odea, court documents show. When the two returned to the apartment, Kisselburg told McHann that Odea had backed into his Mercedes, so they had to exchange insurance information. Kisselburg and Yehuda then went back to talk to Odea, leaving the gun in the apartment.

McHann moved to the patio, and while up there, she told police that she saw a male with a red bandana and another "homeless looking male" with a green shirt. She told police she saw the first male pull a gun out and shoot at Kisselburg and Yehuda, according to court documents. After that, she said she went inside to hide, where she heard up to six more shots.

Court documents state that on July 27, police were told by a confidential source that Bivens was involved in a double murder and was staying at a motel near 19th Avenue and Greenway Road. Police had the area under surveillance when they saw Bivens on a balcony and noticed he had a limp.

Police also looked at surveillance video from the hotel and saw that a black Nissan had come to the hotel shortly after the shooting. Court documents state that a witness from the shooting saw the men involved get into a black Nissan. Police found that Odea has a black Nissan Altima registered to him.

Police arrested Bivens the same day, and he agreed to speak with detectives.

Bivens said he, Odea, and a man named Johnny Lopez planned to rob Kisselburg, according to court documents. Bivens said he was promised a share of the stolen money. He told police that Kisselburg was a suspected drug dealer, according to court documents. The plan, he said, was for Odea to damage Kisselburg's car so they could get Kisselburg to come outside. Bivens said he was given a gun and was supposed to act as security.

On the night of the incident, Odea kicked the tailgate of Kisselburg's car before going up to the apartment, according to court documents. Bivens said he saw Odea speak to Kisselburg and Yehuda. Then Odea left in his Nissan, claiming he was going to get money, and returned a few minutes later.

The original story: Phoenix man arrested on suspicion of double homicide during armed robbery

On his return, Odea, Bivens, and Lopez pointed their guns at Kisselburg and Yehuda, and Odea demanded their property, court documents show.

Kisselburg then started to physically fight Bivens, but Odea shot Kisselburg and Yehuda, according to court documents. The documents also show that Odea shot Bivens in the abdomen.

Odea then started to take property from Yehuda's pockets while he was lying on the ground, but Yehuda took out a gun and shot Odea in the buttocks, according to court documents. In response, Odea shot Kisselburg and Yehuda again and took money from Yehuda's pockets, according to court documents.

Bivens told police that Odea told him to pick up the gun Yehuda brought out. After picking it up, Bivens said he dropped it, which caused it to fire. He and Odea then got into the black Nissan and left for the hotel, court documents show.

In his interview with police, Bivens identified Odea as the other man with him in a screenshot from security video from the apartment complex.

The court documents, which include little detail about Lopez's involvement, do not say whether Lopez also got into the car.

At Friday's sentencing, prosecutors stated that Bivens was not the one who pulled the trigger on Kisselburg and Yehuda.

Where are the other suspects now?

On July 30, 2021, police arrested Odea. In his interview with police, he admitted to being at the apartment complex after he was shown surveillance photos, court documents show. However, he denied being involved with the robbery. He told police he did not know how, and by who, he got shot in the buttocks, court documents show.

Blood samples collected at the scene of the incident alerted police of a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) hit, tracing the samples to Odea, according to court documents. CODIS is a national database of known criminal offenders.

Police also found two guns in Odea's apartment, and he admitted to being a prohibited possessor. He was indicted on the same charges as Bivens. Odea pleaded not guilty.

In May 2022, Odea's case was dismissed with prejudice because he took his own life while in custody, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. At the time, he was going through pre-trial hearings.

Fathers lost, families broken

In Maricopa County's Central Court Building, eight people attended Bivens' sentencing.

Four people showed up on behalf of Kisselburg, including his mother and father. The remaining four were present to support Bivens, including his father, stepmother and brother.

Gail Kennedy, Kisselburg's mother, was the first one to make a statement.

"The intent was just to commit robbery with three other people. But it ended in the deaths of two wonderful young men. One of them, my son." Kennedy said that their family has lost a joyful member of their family  she said nothing has and never will be the same again.

She also said that McHann, Kisselburg's fiancee, "will never know how wonderful their life might have flourished." On top of that, she said, McHann has suffered immensely since she witnessed Kisselburg get shot.

"How can anyone ever overcome the trauma of witnesses someone shooting her husband-to-be, love of her life, and best friend?" Kennedy said.

Other crime: Man in critical condition, suspect arrested after shooting on Roosevelt Row in Phoenix

Kennedy said she has lost sleep, has fought serious illnesses and can barely "stumble" through her days since her son died. What has caused her to lose the most sleep, she said, was that her son's death could have been prevented if Bivens were not on release in the aggravated assault case.

"The judge at the time allowed him to roam free while waiting for his trial. The result was the death of my son," she said.

Philip Kisselburg, Kisselburg's father, read a letter to the court on behalf of Kisselburg's daughter, Alyssa. He choked up at times, and at one point when he needed to take a long pause, Kennedy joined him at the podium to take over reading. She brought with her tissues and a comforting hand.

In the letter, Kisselburg's daughter, who is a young adult, wrote that other girls her age have their fathers available in their lives to give advice, take them to ballgames, treat them to dinner, meet their new date help them with their schoolwork, and more. Since Bivens took that away just over two years ago, she no longer has that and won't be able to have future memories to look forward to, such as him walking her down the aisle at her marriage or him being a grandfather.

No one made a statement in court for Yehuda, but his daughter Bree-Anne submitted a statement to the court for Bivens' presentence report.

"As a child, I feared monsters. I believed those monsters only existed in my nightmares," she wrote, "On July 25, 2021, those nightmares became my reality when my father was senselessly shot and killed."

She wrote that she never got to say goodbye to her dad. He asked to see her the day before he died, but she said she couldn't. Since then, Yehuda wrote she wonders if he'd still be alive if she went to see him. Like Kisselburg's daughter, she also wrote about the loss of future experiences with her dad.

Yehuda also wrote that the loss has altered her dream job as a registered nurse in the ICU, something she has worked hard for. She wrote that having to work with families experiencing loss daily would remind her of her enormous loss.

Yehuda said her last goodbye with her dad was a one-way conversation with his lifeless body.

"I held his cold, stiff hands, and when I squeezed, they didn't squeeze back the way they usually did," she wrote.

Bivens' family did not speak. However, they made their support known through letters submitted to the court before Friday.

His father, Henry Bivens, wrote a little about who his son is  kind, loving, happy and caring. He agreed that Bivens made an "extremely bad choice" but said that he knew in his heart that his son is very remorseful and regrets his actions. He wrote that Bivens has been on his best behavior while incarcerated and asked the court for forgiveness.

Bivens' sibling and stepmother also submitted letters asking for leniency and wrote that Bivens is respectful, productive and a "hard worker, loving father, brother, and son."

Bivens apologized to the victim's families in court and said he wish he listened to his own family. He admitted that spending time around the wrong people had caused two families a loss. Bivens said his family, including his daughter, are experiencing a loss, too. He said he prays for the victims' families, his own family, and for God to forgive him.

Martin said he could tell Bivens had genuine remorse and acknowledged that Bivens has a great support system. But even though he cooperated and took responsibility, Martin said that the aggravating factors had more weight.

"Your actions have brought you before the court today," Martin said, "I think you are aware of the harm, not only that you have caused to the victims and their families, but to your own family, who will miss you greatly."

After the sentencing, Philip Kisselburg still wanted more from the court.

"He got the 25 years, but that's not enough," he said, "He killed two people."

According to Philip Kisselburg, Lopez has not yet been found by law enforcement.

This reporting follows crimes The Republic began to cover in 2021 and is part of our commitment to telling the story from start to finish.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Joshua Bivens sentenced in 2021 deaths of Michael Kisselburg, Jacob Yehuda
Babysitters bizarre outing saw 2 kids taken from Florida to Wisconsin park, cops say

Two toddlers were swept up in a bizarre overnight odyssey when their babysitter drove them from Panama City, Florida, to Wisconsin and abandoned them, according to the Bay County Sheriffs Office.

The children, ages 1 and 2, were found by police in a Milwaukee park, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

A motive for the 1,000-mile outing has not been revealed, but the 18-year-old babysitter and a male companion from Milwaukee have been arrested, officials said.

The Bay County Sheriffs Office received a call from the mother (June 24) reporting that her two children had been taken out of state by a woman she believed to be a friend. The woman had also taken the mothers vehicle, the sheriffs office said.

It was learned (the two suspects) had traveled from Panama City, FL, to Milwaukee, WI, during the night of June 23 and into the day of June 24. ... When (they) learned of the Missing Child Alert, the suspects took both children and dropped them off in a public park (June 25) in a neighborhood of Milwaukee, leaving them alone in a major metropolitan city.

Investigators have not said how long the children were alone in the park, but they were found that evening by Milwaukee police, officials said.

The babysitter and her companion were arrested June 26 at a Milwaukee home by the U.S. Marshals Service, officials said.

Bay County Sheriffs Office officials say the 18-year-old woman is being charged with interference with child custody and grand theft of an automobile. Her male companion is charged with interference with child custody, officials said.

Investigators did not report the children suffered any injuries during the incident.

Panama City is about 100 miles east of Pensacola, on the Florida Panhandle. The babysitter lives in Callaway, just east of Panama City, officials said.

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This is so bad for Trump: Legal experts say leaked audio even more damning than indictment

Donald TrumpPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump bragged about possessing a secret document that he could not show to others because he did not declassify it in an audio recording obtained by CNN and The New York Times.

Trump on the recording, which was cited in the 37-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury earlier this month, suggests that he is holding a secret document detailing contingency plans to attack Iran while talking to former chief of staff Mark Meadows' autobiography ghostwriters.

"These are the papers," Trump says in the recording, referring to something "highly confidential" as he appears to show it to others in the room.

Related

"That's not the law": Legal experts say Trump's new defense shows he's "in for a world of trouble"

The quote was not included in the indictment and may undermine Trump's claim to Fox News last week.

"There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things," Trump told the network. "And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didn't have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles."

National security attorney Bradley Moss tweeted that the audio shows "this wasn't newspaper articles. He has the document right there."

Related

"Colossal blunder": Legal experts say Trump's Fox News interview was an "admission of guilt"

Trump in the recording discusses a New Yorker report that said Chairman of the Joints Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley argued against striking Iran and was concerned that Trump may start a war before leaving office.

"He said that I wanted to attack Iran, Isn't it amazing?" Trump says as the sound of papers shuffling is heard in the recording. "I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this  this is off the record but  they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him."

Trump in the recording admits that he did not declassify the document despite repeated claims that he declassified the material he took home to Mar-a-Lago.

"See as president I could have declassified it," Trump said. "Now I can't, you know, but this is still a secret."

"Now we have a problem," his staffer added.

"Isn't that interesting," Trump said.

"It's so cool. I mean, it's so, look, her and I, and you probably almost didn't believe me, but now you believe me," Trump added toward the end of the recording, before beckoning an aide to "bring some Cokes in please."

HEAR TRUMP AUDIO FOR THE FIRST TIME: @CNN clip reveals more details beyond those in the federal indictment including Trump mocking Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while appearing to share classified docs at his NJ golf club. pic.twitter.com/3H5gwjUiv6  Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) June 27, 2023

"The audio tape provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all," Trump spokesman Steve Cheung told The New York Times, claiming that Trump was "speaking rhetorically."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

But legal experts say the recording is more damning than the portions of the transcript cited in the indictment and predicted that it could doom Trump's case.

"The defendant in his own words  essentially narrating his crime," tweeted New York University Law Prof. Ryan Goodman.

"This is so bad for Trump," warned MSNBC legal analyst Katie Phang.

"This recording is even more damning than it reads in the indictment," tweeted former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti.

"They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This audio could be worth a thousand days behind bars," he added.

"If the defendant doesn't go to prison for at least five to ten years, it would be a travesty. The prosecutors have him dead to rights, in more ways than we can count," agreed conservative attorney and frequent Trump critic George Conway.

"To actually hear a former president of the United States committing a felony  probably multiple felonies  on audio tape while laughing about it ... I think it's just stunning," Conway told CNN, calling the audio "another nail in the coffin."

Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on a special counsel Bob Mueller's team, predicted the recording would doom Trump's defense.

"This is game over if you are following the facts and the law," he told MSNBC. "He's charged with having classified information and knowing that he had classified information."

Garrett Graff, the author of "Watergate: A New History," compared Trump's admission on the tape to the trove of recordings that sunk Richard Nixon during the scandal.

"Speaking as a Watergate historian, there's nowhere on thousands of hours of Nixon tapes where Nixon makes any comment as clear, as clearly illegal, and as clearly self-aware as this Trump tape," Graff tweeted, adding that "Nixon's crimes were many and awful, and yet still not approaching Trump."

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about the Trump docs case
What was the banging noise picked up in search for Titanic sub?

An implosion that killed five crew onboard the Titan submersible is now the focus of investigations by agencies from four countries.

The sub was destroyed less than two hours into a dive to the Titanic shipwreck on 18 June, claiming the lives of OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Secret US Navy listening devices detected an anomaly near the Titanic shipwreck soon after the Titan departed from its support ship the Polar Prince, which is believed to be the moment sub suffered a catastrophic implosion of its carbon fibre hull.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

A desperate search for survivors continued for four days until a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found a debris field that was later identified to be parts of the missing submersible.

Hopes had been raised when the US Coast Guard revealed that sonar devices had detected banging sounds coming from the search zone, a vast area of the North Atlantic Ocean twice the size of Connecticut.

The source of the banging sounds has not been identified, but experts have put forward several theories about their possible origin.

What were the banging noises?

On Tuesday 20 June, buoys detected tapping sounds coming from the search area, raising slim hopes that survivors could yet be found.

We dont know the source of that noise, but weve shared that information with Navy experts to classify it, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told CBS This Morning.

The sound was detected at 2am local time by a Canadian P-3 aircraft.

It first came every 30 minutes and was heard again four hours later, the internal government memo obtained by CNN states.

The noises were picked up again on Wednesday 21 June.

Officials admitted that the noises were inconclusive and were being analysed by Navy experts as the search and rescue operation was still in full swing.

With respect to the noises specifically, we dont know what they are, to be frank with you, Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District told reporters on Wednesday.

Mystery banging sounds were detected during the search for the Titan sub (OceanGate Expeditions)

On 22 June, Carl Hartsfield, an expert with the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution, told CBS News there were many possible explanations for the sounds.

The ocean is a very complex place, obviously  human sounds, nature sounds, and its very difficult to discern what the sources of those noises are at times, he told the news site.

The large number of vessels that were in the area would also emit noises picked up by sensors.

Some experts suggested that the banging sound was the noise of debris  from either the Titanic or the Titan  in the ocean.

Jeff Karson, professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, told Mail Online while the search was underway that the noise could be a complicated echo coming from sounds bouncing around the Titanic debris field.

Its just not bouncing off of one thing. Its bouncing off a bunch of things. And its like, you know, dropping up a marble into a tin can. Its rattling around and that would confuse the location, he told the publication.

He said the suggestion that the banging sounds may have been linked to survivors was wishful thinking.

Is it really banging or just some unidentified sound? I think that is a more accurate description right now, he said last Wednesday.

Stefan Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney, told Insider the sounds may have been created by marine wildlife such as whales.

He said there had been reports of marooned submarine crews banging on the vessels hull to signal their location, and that acoustic noise will travel.

Chris Parry, a former British Royal Navy commander, told TalkTV the sounds could have come from any number of underwater sources.

You get a lot of mechanical noise in the ocean. Trying to differentiate it from tapping noises is a fools errand.
A new battery 10 years in the making can get you over 600 miles on a single charge  and it charges faster, too

Battery maker Gotion has big news in charging tech and beyond. The company, founded in China in 2006, is touting a breakthrough electric vehicle (EV) power pack with an astonishing range of 621 miles on a single charge.

At the same time, plans are moving forward on a battery factory in Michigan that is reported to create 2,300 jobs. Its all part of an EV industry upswing being noticed around the country.

The Gotion battery, called the Astroinno, is 10 years in the making. Its planned to power a 621-mile drive on a single charge and have a lifetime of 2.4 million miles, according to Inside EVs.

Those are some milestone marks for EV batteries. Gotion Executive President Cheng Qian told Inside EVs that the packs can fast-charge in 18 minutes, passing all safety tests.

To achieve those goals, the batteries have some unique chemistry happening in the electrolyte, the solution inside where charge/discharge cycles happen, as well as other improvements. Inside EVs also noted that the number of parts needed to build the battery is down 45% from previous iterations. The weight of the parts is down 32%.

Volkswagen is said to be one of Gotions first customers, though Inside EVs reported that the exact model wasnt yet made public. Mass production is slated to begin next year.

Gotion already has a location in Fremont, California. The company also plans to next put a $2.36 billion pin on the map near Big Rapids, Michigan, according to local ABC affiliate WZZM.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will make a substantial positive impact for our residents and small businesses for decades to come, Green Charter Township (where the plant is being built) Supervisor Jim Chapman told the outlet.

The plant isnt without detractors, mainly critics of the companys Chinese ties, Advance Locals M Live reports. But for Chapman, there are clear advantages for residents, noting the addition of thousands of jobs.

Youre talking about an area with [a] 19.1% poverty rate in this county, he said to WZZM.

The company also operates internationally in Germany and three locations in the Far East. In the U.S., Gotion has a location in Independence, Ohio, in addition to the Fremont site.

Other Gotion projects involve electronics and battery storage programs. Its part of the companys effort to be a leader in emerging, cleaner technology.

A simple thought really. In the near future, clean energy will be the main driver fueling many aspects of our daily lives. We want to be a part of that transition and journey, the company website states.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
BMW

BMW is doubling down on its US manufacturing efforts, as it breaks ground for a new Woodruff, South Carolina, battery assembly facility.

Using battery cells from AESC, BMW says it will increase range by 30% while decreasing lifecycle emissions of its EV models by 40%, thanks to additional sustainability practices.

With a goal of 50% all-electric sales by 2030, BMW is hoping to secure a chunk of the US EV market by making its electrified models eligible for the IRA EV tax credits.

BMW is on the electrified bandwagon, even if the company's offerings are outnumbered by cross-state competitor Mercedes-Benz. From battery-electric executive sedans to mild hybrid technology in its top-of-the-line SUVs, the German brand is committed to fitting electrification into its historic performance ethos. However, setting itself up for 50% electric sales by 2030 hinges on strong adoption globally, particularly in the US.

BMW has a plan to help push American buyers to its growing electric lineup, and it starts in South Carolina. Announcing that ground has broken on its new high-voltage battery assembly factory, the Woodruff, South Carolina, facility is poised to provide sixth-generation batteries for BMW's future EVs. At more than a million square feet, the battery plant will be closely tied to the brand's nearby Spartanburg assembly plant, as BMW optimizes its US manufacturing facilities for EVs.

SWINSKY

"Today's groundbreaking is the start of a new era at Plant Spartanburg as we prepare to produce fully electric BMW X models for the world," said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. "The road to the future begins here in Woodruff as we build on our legacy of producing high-quality vehicles right here in the US. Plant Woodruff will be state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability, flexibility, and digitalization."

Later last year, BMW invested $1 billion in its US operations, primarily focusing on retooling Plant Spartanburg as well as building an EV training facility. Now, an additional $700 million has been funneled into this battery facility south of Spartanburg, creating some 300 jobs. But BMW can't do it all on its own.

BMW

Specifically, the company will purchase battery cells from AESC, a local partner of BMW with a new 30-GWh battery cell factory under construction in Florence, South Carolina. The chemistry of the newly developed round lithium-ion battery cells is specific to BMW, with the company claiming an increase in energy density by more than 20% and a charging speed and range improvement of up to 30%. BMW will be its first customer, as AESC's plant broke ground on June 7.

BMW claims its new battery production facility will set standards for sustainability, as CO2 emissions will be reduced by up to 60%, thanks to the partial use of secondary lithium, cobalt, and nickel material. Similarly, the company says renewable energy will be used to power the plant, specifically focusing on eliminating fossil fuels and using 100% green electricity. Solar panels may also be installed, though BMW doesn't plan to implement this energy source right away. The result for consumers will be a 40% reduction in lifecycle emissions by 2030 for each new BMW EV produced in South Carolina.

Having invested over $12.4 billion into its South Carolina operations since 1992, BMW executives expressed frustration last year over President Biden's federal tax credit initiative, claiming it was a clear disadvantage for foreign manufacturers.

However, with clarified interpretations and no end in sight for North American sourcing and assembly rules, BMW appears to be making its move toward genuinely competing for US EV market share. In doing so, it will likely secure a full $7500 IRA tax credit for its future American EV customers, leveling the playing field among domestic manufacturers like Ford and Tesla.

How do local tax incentives affect your buying choices? Please share your thoughts below.
Wanda Boatrights early-morning paper route takes her 230 miles through northern Beaufort County  winding through Seabrook, Sheldon, Port Royal and Brays Island  but the pitch-black commute never scared her until Sunday morning, she says.

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., Boatright and her husband were delivering the Beaufort Gazette and Wall Street Journal to porches in Port Royals Shadow Moss neighborhood. As he turned the car around on Kiawah Drive, they spotted a big man blocking the roadway.

I figured he was wanting to talk to me, kind of introduce himself, Boatright told The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. But thats not the way he went.

The man began yelling at the couple, saying they had no business in the neighborhood as he edged toward the cars open window. When Boatrights husband told him to step back, the man reached into the car, punching him in the face and trying to pull him from the vehicle, according to Capt. John Griffith of the Port Royal Police Department.

Police arrested the man soon after, identifying him as 46-year-old Port Royal resident Percival Davis. He was charged with third-degree assault and battery and released Sunday morning on a personal recognizance bond.

The early-morning attack left Boatrights husband with severe facial injuries, a stiff neck and a number of loose teeth, she said.

I used to (deliver to) downtown Beaufort, St. Helena and Ladys Island, Boatright said of her previous routes. So people know me. Im very well known here. And for these people to just sit here and assault my husband like that  thats just not fair. All we were doing was delivering a newspaper.

A Beaufort County judge issued a restraining order at Davis Sunday morning bond hearing, requiring the man to stay 1000 feet away from Boatright and her husband at all times.

The couple faced a year and a half of homelessness after being evicted from their Port Royal apartment in late 2021, overwhelmed by chemotherapy bills for Boatrights autoimmune disease. Theyre now back in an apartment, she says, but the Sunday attack has destroyed her sense of safety in the one job that kept her family financially afloat.

Im scared to even deliver papers in this neighborhood, Boatright said.

But the attack wont stop her from getting papers onto porches across Beaufort County, she says  especially for the residents that count on her daily delivery.

Elderly people love their papers, Boatright said. Its something that theyve read their entire lives. And it means something to them, for us to go down their driveways or down their roads  that little extra effort to have that paper on their porch, where theyre able to get it.
The red water poses no danger to humans or the marine ecosystem, the beer company said (Handout)

Officials were left red-faced at a beer factory in Japan's Okinawa region on Tuesday, after a mishap turned a large body of water a sinister shade of scarlet.

A leak filled a port area in the city of Nago with the lurid-coloured water, which one Twitter user described as looking "venomous".

Orion Breweries said water used for cooling, which contains a liquid called propylene glycol -- dyed red with food colouring -- had leaked from a factory in the area.

In a statement, it apologised for "causing enormous trouble and worry".

"We believe the leaked cooling water seeped through rainwater gutters into a river, and consequently turned the ocean red," the company said.

The red water poses no danger to humans or the marine ecosystem, the Yomiuri newspaper also quoted the company as saying.

Okinawa is a subtropical island chain famed for its crystal blue waters, and is popular with scuba divers.

"The red does look venomous, but it's a relief to learn it's just food colouring and not likely to cause major damage," wrote a Twitter user under the name Aresu.

tmo/kaf/leg
Several train cars are immersed in the Yellowstone River after a bridge collapse near Columbus, Mont., on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The bridge collapsed overnight, causing a train that was traveling over it to plunge into the water below. Authorities on Sunday were testing the water quality along a stretch of the Yellowstone River where mangled cars carrying hazardous materials remained after crashing into the waterway. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Work is underway to clean up rail cars carrying hazardous materials that fell into the Yellowstone River in southern Montana after a bridge collapsed over the weekend, officials said Monday.

Montana Rail Link is developing a cleanup plan and is working with its unions and BNSF Railway to reroute freight trains in the area to limit disruption of the supply chain, Beth Archer, a spokesperson for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said in a joint statement issued with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and Montana Rail Link.

Contractors and a large crane were on site to stabilize and remove cars from the river once a plan is set, officials said.

Some rail cars that did not go off the tracks were removed from the area, and two cars carrying sodium hydrosulfide had their contents transferred to other cars and moved to safety, Archer said.

Montana Rail Link will be responsible for all cleanup costs, CEO Joe Racicot told a news conference.

Sixteen cars derailed, and 10 of them ended up in the river downstream from Yellowstone National Park Saturday morning.

Six mangled cars that carried hot asphalt, three holding molten sulfur and one with scrap metal remained in the rushing water on Monday in an area surrounded by farmland near the town of Columbus, about 40 miles (about 64 kilometers) west of Billings.

Two of the cars were submerged, and a dive team was deployed to gather more information, Archer said in a statement.

Joni Sandoval, the EPA on-scene coordinator, told a news conference her agency has invited experts from federal and state fish and wildlife agencies to come to the site to assess how the derailment has affected wildlife.

The asphalt and sulfur solidified and sank in the cold water, officials said. Some asphalt globules were found downriver, but they are not water soluble and are not expected to impact water quality, the statement said.

Water samples taken Saturday showed the materials from the derailment had not affected water quality, Shasta Steinweden of the state Department of Environmental Quality said. The tests showed no presence of petroleum and sulfur levels were consistent with upstream water samples, she said.

Results from samples taken Sunday and Monday were still pending.

The cause of the collapse was under investigation. Part of the train had crossed the bridge before it failed, and some cars at the back remained on stable ground at the other end. No injuries were reported.

The collapse also cut two major fiber-optic lines. Global Net said late Sunday that it had developed a temporary workaround. Company officials did not return a call Monday seeking further information.

The White House was monitoring the situation and was prepared to offer any federal help that might be needed, spokesperson Karin Jean-Pierre said Monday.

The derailment comes just over four months after a freight train derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, sparking a fire that led to evacuations and the eventual burning of hazardous materials to prevent an uncontrolled explosion.

Freight railcar inspections are happening less often, union officials testified last week during a congressional hearing about the Ohio derailment.

Jean-Pierre said the U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into ways to prevent derailments.

The government has been all hands on deck, she said.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Archer works for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, not the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Belarus' dictator says he talked Putin out of assassinating Prigozhin: 'Yes, we could take him out'

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Belarus' counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi on June 9, 2023. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Belarus' president said that he talked Vladimir Putin out of assassinating Yevgeny Prigozhin.

"I told him: 'Don't do this,'" Alexander Lukashenko said in a speech on Tuesday.

Prigozhin attempted to march on Moscow in an armed revolt against the Russian defense ministry.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he talked Russian President Vladimir Putin out of assassinating Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group founder and financier who incited an armed revolt against the Russian military leadership over the weekend.

Lukashenko confirmed on Tuesday that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus from neighboring Russia as part of a deal struck over the weekend with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a fragile truce which saw the mercenary leader call off his short-lived rebellion in exchange for apparent exile.

"I said to Putin: 'Yes we could take him out, it wouldn't be a problem, if it doesn't work the first time, then the second,'" Lukashenko said in a speech Tuesday. "I told him: 'Don't do this,'" Lukashenko said duringa speech, a clip of which was shared to Twitter by Guardian reporter Shaun Walker.

Had Putin decided to follow through with this plan there wouldn't have been any negotiations, Lukashenko said, according to state-run media agency BelTA.

The months-long feud between Prigozhin and Russia's military leadership finally reached a boiling point on Friday when the Wagner leader accused Moscow of carrying out a deadly strike on his fighters somewhere in Ukraine. Enraged, Prigozhin blasted Russia's defense ministry as "evil" and immediately called for an armed rebellion.

Wagner fighters moved into Russia and captured the southern city of Rostov-on-Don before continuing north toward Moscow as the capital city readied its defenses. But before the mercenaries made it there, and after Russia lost a handful of aircraft during earlier fighting, Lukashenko helped broker a deal on Saturday to end the chaotic mutiny and send Prigozhin to Belarus.

Prigozhin finally broke his silence on Monday by expressing a certain degree of remorse for the downing of the Russian aircraft, although he did not specifically apologize for actually carrying out the mutiny. Later that day, Putin delivered a short and somewhat confusing speech in which he said traitors would be "brought to justice," casting doubt on the stability of the agreement and suggesting that the Wagner leader could face further consequences.

But on Tuesday, the FSB, Russia's state security apparatus, closed its criminal investigation into the mutiny. "Taking into account this and other circumstances relevant to the investigation, the investigative authority issued a resolution to terminate the criminal case on June 27," the FSB said, according to state media.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that he had convinced Yevgeny Prigozhin in an emotional, expletive-laden phone call to end a mutiny by his Wagner militia that has jolted Russia.

Under a deal brokered by Lukashenko, an old friend, Prigozhin abandoned what a "march for justice" by thousands of his men on Moscow in exchange for safe passage to exile in Belarus.

His men - who have spearheaded much of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine - were also pardoned and have been given the choice of joining Prigozhin in Belarus, being integrated into Russia's security forces, or simply going home.

Lukashenko, recounting his role in Saturday's drama to Belarusian officers and officials, hailed Prigozhin as a "heroic guy" who had been shaken by the deaths of many of his men in Ukraine.

"He was pressured and influenced by those who led the assault squads (in Ukraine) and saw these deaths," Lukashenko said, adding that Prigozhin had arrived in the southern Russian city of Rostov from Ukraine in a "semi-mad state".

With Prigozhin's men having seized Rostov and others heading for Moscow, Lukashenko said he tried for hours by phone to reason with the Wagner chief, who has said he was furious at corruption and incompetence in the military leadership and wanted to avenge an alleged army attack on his men.

Lukashenko said their calls contained "10 times" as many obscenities as normal language.

"'But we want justice! They want to strangle us! We're going to Moscow!'" he quoted Prigozhin as saying.

"I say: 'Halfway you'll just be crushed like a bug'," Lukashenko replied.

Lukashenko also said that, earlier on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had sought his help, complaining that Prigozhin was not taking any calls. Lukashenko said he had advised Putin against "rushing" to crush the mutineers.

Prigozhin said on Monday he had never planned to topple Putin's government but wanted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, sacked.

"Nobody will give you either Shoigu or Gerasimov," Lukashenko said he told Prigozhin, finally convincing him that Moscow would be defended and to continue the mutiny would engulf Russia in turmoil and grief.

(Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Yevgeny Prigozhin is now in Belarus, that country's leader claims.

Three days after ending his attempted mutiny against Moscow, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Private Military Corporation, landed in his new home of Belarus, according to the leader of that nation. Though free from charges connected with the weekends aborted 'march on Moscow,' he is facing an uncertain future. The troops and equipment he amassed are being prepared for turnover to the Russian Defense Ministry and his role remains murky.

Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday during a speech after a military promotion ceremony, according to the official Belarusian BelTa news service. However, no images have yet emerged of him there. Allowing Prigozhin in Belarus raises questions about how he can be contained. What happens next with Wagner, meanwhile, particularly in Africa, is something the Pentagon said it is keeping an eye on.

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1673691962916872194 https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/1673557720622833665?s=20

Prigozhins move to Belarus was part of an agreement Lukashenko said he brokered to end the march on Moscow. In another fiery audio message on Monday, Prigozhin said he came within 200 kilometers of the Russian capital.

During his Tuesday speech, and in a meeting with his defense minister, Lukashenko offered his take on how the deal was arranged and gave some indications of what Prigozin will and will not do while in Belarus.

Lukashenko said he talked Putin into accepting diplomacy instead of military action and negotiated with Prigozhin.

Lukashenko said his first round of discussions with Prigozhin was spoken for 30 minutes in swear language."

He added that he told Prigozhin, you will be crushed halfway like a bug" by Russian forces in any attempt to reach Moscow.

Lukashenko said Prigozhin agreed to stand down in return for security guarantees. Those were offered, the Belarusian President said, after Prigozhin agreed not to harm civilians, stop his march and abandon his demand that Russian President Vladimir Putin get rid of his top two military leaders, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Army Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov.

Prigozhin for months had railed against Shoigu and Gerasimov, ultimately blaming them over the weekend for leading a war effort on false pretenses that caused the needless death of tens of thousands of Russian troops.

https://twitter.com/Jack_Mrgln/status/1673682024983326720

While Prigozhin could have been killed, Lukashenko argued that would not prove a lasting solution to the question of what to do with his forces, according to BelTa.

Who is Prigozhin?" Lukashenko asked rhetorically. "He is a very authoritative person today in the armed forces. No matter how much someone would like it. Therefore, I thought: 'we can kill [him]. I said to Putin: 'We can kill [Prigozhin].'"

But he opted not to, "because then there will be no negotiations. These guys who know how to stand up for each other, who fought there and in Africa, Asia, Latin America, they will do anything. We can also kill [him] but thousands, thousands of civilians and those who will resist the Wagnerists will die."

https://twitter.com/NatalkaKyiv/status/1673728000867614720

"In no case to make a hero out of me, out of Putin and Prigozhin," Lukashenko told reporters, saying he and Putin misread the situation and that it didn't resolve itself until Prigozhin ultimately backed down.

Prigozhin came to Belarus no longer facing mutiny charges.

The investigative department of the Russian Federal Security Bureau (FSB) announced it was terminating the criminal case against Prigozhin for staging an armed rebellion, Russian official state media outlet RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

The reason was that its participants stopped actions directly aimed at committing a crime," RIA Novosti reported.

Lukashenko also said that while Prigozhin may have a role in training Belarusian troops, neither he nor his Wagner forces will have anything to do with the Russian-provided tactical nuclear weapons Lukashenko today again said were already in Belarus. You can read more about the presence of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in our coverage here.

A significant part of nuclear weapons have already been brought to Belarus, Lukashenko said, according to the Belarusian Defense Ministrys (MoD) Telegram channel. The Poles and others believe that Wagner will guard nuclear weapons and so on. Wagner will not protect any nuclear weapons. They will be guarded there, and guarded today, since a part of the nuclear weapons (I wont say how many), most of them have already been brought to Belarus. Russians and Belarusians are guarding.

Guarding the nuclear weapons is our task, said Lukashenko. And I am primarily responsible for the safety of weapons. Therefore, we will never go for it. We have enough guys who are able to guard this facility together with the Russians.

https://twitter.com/tretter50001/status/1673735522911502346

But despite public concerns about Prigozhin being in Belarus, he and the troops coming with him do bring a lot to the table for the nation, Lukashenko said during a meeting with his Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Viktor Khrenin.

Now there is a lot of talk and chatter: Wagner, Wagner, Wagner, Lukashenko said about public concerns regarding the arrival of Prigozhin. People dont understand that we are also pragmatic about this.

The experience Wagner forces had fighting in Ukraine can provide valuable lessons for Belarusian troops, said Lukashenko.

If their commanders come to us and help us, he cautioned. Tell me what's important right now.

Prigozhin and his Wagner forces will tell you about weapons: which worked well, which did not. And tactics, and weapons, and how to attack, how to defend. It's priceless. This is what we need to take from the Wagnerites, Lukashenko said.

https://twitter.com/Dialogue_NRA/status/1673686692786495488

Prirogzhin, as we wrote yesterday, will still maintain a significant presence in Africa. But as Prigozhin plans to turn over his weapons to the Russian Defense Ministry, it appears that Wagner itself may be disbanded as an autonomous force in the coming days, The Wall Street Journal noted Tuesday. What happens then to his operations in Africa and Syria remains unknown.

Meanwhile, in Moscow today, Shoigu was present at two events with Putin. One was an awards ceremony for troops the Russian president said helped prevent the mutiny and the other was at the Defense Ministry, where he accepted Putin's congratulations.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1673632385429041153?s=20 https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1673727397995085826?s=20

During a ceremony at the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin in Moscow, Putin thanked troops from the Russian Armed Forces and National Guard as well as personnel from the Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry and the Federal Guard Service.

They are the ones who, together with their comrades-in-arms, at a time of challenge for the country, threw themselves in the way of trouble which would have inevitably led to chaos, Putin said. You have defended the constitutional order, as well as the life, security and freedom of our citizens, steering our Motherland clear from upheavals and de facto stopping a civil war in its tracks.

As a result of their work, Putin said that we did not have to withdraw any combat troops from the special military operation zone, to deal with the Prigozhin mutiny.

Putin also honored the pilots who lost their lives while confronting the mutineers. They held their ground and fulfilled their orders and their military duty with honor.

https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1673646355661692928

Putin later addressed Defense Ministry personnel, saying I want us all to understand what happened and what could have happened if you hadnt done what you did and hadnt fulfilled your military duty and hadnt shown loyalty to your oath and the Russian people.

He also addressed Wagner, saying that while respected in Russia, they were also well-funded by the state.

As for this Wagner Group, you know, we have always treated these fighters and commanders with a lot of respect because they did demonstrate courage and heroism, said Putin. Soldiers and officers from the Russian Army, as well as volunteers operated in combat with the same dedication, heroism and self-sacrifice. But those who served and worked for this company, Wagner, were respected in Russia.

Wagner got all its funding from us, from the Defence Ministry, from the state budget, said Putin.

Between May 2022 and May 2023 alone, Wagner received more than 86 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) from the state to pay military salaries and bonuses, Putin said. But while the state covered all of the Wagner Groups funding needs, Putin said Prigozhin, through his Concord company, earned another 80 billion rubles ($1.1 billion) as the armys food and canteen provider.

I do hope that no one stole anything in the process or, at least, did not steal a lot. It goes without saying that we will look into all of this, said Putin, perhaps hinting at future investigations into Prigozhin.

https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1673693209346670593

In the wake of Prigozhin's mutiny attempt, Russia's National Guard may be given additional heavy weapons, including tanks, the official Russian TASS news agency reported Tuesday.

"This issue is pressing now," Russian National Guard Director Viktor Zolotov told journalists on Tuesday. "We don't have tanks and other heavy weapons. We will be introducing them into the troops."

The timing of that, however, will depend on funding, said Zolotov, adding that the issue has already been discussed with Putin.

Zolotov also talked about how Wagner troops were able to advance quickly toward Moscow because his troops were concentrating on protecting the capital itself.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1673665537082105858?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

It was also reported on Tuesday that U.S. officials have concluded that Prigozhin's stated reasons for marching on Moscow  that he was reacting to an attack by Russian forces on his troops  was a lie.

"Prigozhin had been plotting ways to reverse his fortunes in the face of waning power and came up with a plan to claim his forces had been bombed, which he would then use to justify actions against Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian defense leaders," according to ABC News, citing a senior official.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1672789800565481474?s=20

As we wrote about yesterday, the issue had more to do with the Russian Defense Ministry ordering that Wagner troops be signed over to its control.

https://twitter.com/LMartinezABC/status/1673755279467446273

There are also Wagner troops remaining in Ukraine, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, told reporters, including from The War Zone Tuesday. But he declined to offer any specifics.

Ryder also told The War Zone that he could not comment on what, if any trouble, Prigozhin might cause for Ukraine while he is in Belarus.

"I'm not going to speculate," said Ryder. "Obviously, Wagner has already inflicted enough damage inside Ukraine, I think that's well known. Just take a look at Bakhmut. But in terms of what the future portends again, I'm just not going to get into hypotheticals or speculate."

Still, there was no indication at the moment, he added, of any additional military activity by Wagner in Belarus that presents a threat.

As for what Prigozhin and his Wagner group might do next in Africa and elsewhere, Ryder said that was something the U.S. will continue to watch.

"It's a very dangerous organization and wherever they operate, they bring with them death, destruction, deceit, criminal activity," said Ryder. "This is why the United States has designated them as a transnational criminal organization and the U.S. government has imposed significant sanctions on Wagner actors and facilitators to include Africa."

https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/1673764410983063568

As for how what happened over the weekend will play out in places like Africa, "time will tell," said Ryder. "I don't have an answer to that question right now. But again, the key point here is that Wagner has been a significant and dangerous actor for a while."

U.S. Africa Command, he added, continues to work with African nations to help defend themselves against threats from Wagner as well as other groups like Al-Shabab.

Though U.S. officials urged Ukraine not to attack inside Russia during the mutiny attempt, officials in Kyiv say they did try to use the chaos to their advantage.

When planning offensive actions in the east, our military took into account the fact of contradictions between Wagner and the current Russian authorities, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Tuesday on her Telegram channel.

https://twitter.com/noelreports/status/1673703033337724935?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

On Tuesday, Prigozhin remained uncommonly quiet. But though he is an exile of sorts in Belarus, it is clear that we have likely not heard that last about, or from him. We will update this story when more information about him comes to light.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
The Russian president with defence minister Sergei Shoigu

After an extraordinary few days in Russia, several realities need to be confronted. Vladimir Putin remains in the Kremlin, albeit with his authority dented by the abortive mutiny carried out by Wagner mercenaries. The war in Ukraine continues with the same intensity despite the disruption to the Russian armed forces that the insurrection caused. The military chiefs whose removal was sought by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner leader, also appear to be still in post.

Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, was shown on television visiting troops, though it was not clear when the video was recorded. As with so much in Russia, the truth was hard to establish amid a cascade of propaganda, deception and lies.

Prigozhin was apparently persuaded to call off his advance on Moscow in exchange for a pardon for Wagner troops and his own banishment to Belarus. Initial suggestions that he was no longer facing charges for treason seem to have been reversed, yet he defended his forces actions in an audio recording broadcast from an unknown location last night. Moreover, the mercenary group remains fully armed, continues to recruit and is fighting still in Ukraine and in North Africa.

Putin, who made a panicky statement on Saturday after Wagner troops seized Rostov-on-Don, has now given a defiant address to the nation, asserting the mutiny would have been suppressed even without a deal.

The Kremlin was keen to project an image of business-as-usual after what was potentially a near-death experience for the regime. But few in the West are buying this version of events, not least because prior to the rebellion Putin was almost invisible and seemingly unable to stop Prigozhin railing against the conduct of the war.

Joe Biden said Putins weakness had now been exposed, while US secretary of state Antony Blinken said there were real cracks in the Russian leaders authority. In the Commons, James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, said the mask had slipped with Prigozhins assertion that the war was unjustified and Russian support for it was weakening. How much of this is wishful thinking?

For a few hours on Saturday, Russia stood on the brink and Putins future hung in the balance. For now, he has reasserted his control and has been given the backing of his biggest ally, China. The foreign ministry said Beijing supports Russia in maintaining national stability, though for how much longer?

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The Biden administration has approved a new tolling program intended to decrease congestion in New York City.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which works within the Department of Transportation, allowed the first-of-its-kind project to advance as part of the FHWAs Value Pricing Pilot Program, which provides transportation agencies with options to manage congestion through tolling and other pricing mechanisms, according to a spokesperson.

The proposal for a polling program was put forth by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York City Department of Transportation, and it was reviewed and approved by the FHWA.

The new polling program aims to reduce traffic, help air quality, and raise money for the New York City public transit system, The Associated Press reported. The program, which could generate $1 billion annually, was opposed by New Jersey officials because the prices for commuters driving into New York City by car will increase.

With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said in a Monday statement.

The federal review included making sure regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act were followed and FHWA reviewed all comments received through the Environmental Assessment public comment period, according to the FHWA spokesperson.

The project is expected to be completed in spring 2024 and could include tolls of as much as $23 a day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, according to AP. London, Singapore, and Stockholm all have similar tolling programs in highly congested areas of the cities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden hosted former President Obama at the White House for lunch Tuesday, the White House announced.

Theres no specific agenda to this meeting, principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told reporters. She noted that the two presidents stay in touch regularly.

The lunch comes as Biden has stepped up his fundraising efforts ahead of his first 2024 campaign finance report in July. He is set to attend a fundraiser in Chevy Chase, Md., a suburb of Washington later Tuesday. On Wednesday, Biden will travel to Chicago  Obamas hometown  for a speech on the economy and for fundraisers.

The Biden campaign didnt respond to a request for comment on whether Obama will join Biden at the Chevy Chase or Chicago fundraisers.

The president talks often with the former president and Obama occasionally visits the White House. Their last conversation that was announced by the White House was earlier this month, when the two spoke on the phone ahead of the vote to raise the debt ceiling.

Although Biden did not provide details about that call, the legislation passed the Senate soon after, and the president celebrated a major bipartisan win.

Obama visited the White House in April 2022 for the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, which passed under his presidency and when Biden was vice president. Obama also attended his presidential portrait unveiling in September 2022.

Obama lent his star power to Democrats during the midterm elections when he rallied with Biden and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in Philadelphia in early November. The former president is expected to similarly assist Biden with his reelection campaign and boost other Democrats in 2024.

Updated at 1:52 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden made history in 2021 when he became the first president to publicly oppose the death penalty. It wasnt a position he spoke about often but tucked into his campaign platform was a promise to work with Congress to abolish the federal death penalty through legislation and incentivize states to do the same.

In July 2020, the Trump administration ended a 17-year de facto moratorium on federal executions and killed Daniel Lewis Lee. Over the next several months, former President Donald Trump and then-Attorney General William Barr raced to execute as many people as possible before leaving office. Dustin Higgs, a Black man scheduled to be executed on Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday, was the thirteenth and final person to be killed. Ultimately, he died in the early hours of the following day while suffering from COVID-19, just four days before Bidens inauguration. Like many of the people executed before him, there were extensive unresolved legal issues in Higgs case.

For death penalty abolitionists still reeling from that unprecedented execution spree, Bidens stated policy  however discreet  provided a glimmer of hope. But two years later, the Biden administration has taken almost no public action towards eliminating the death penalty. Although the Justice Department has reinstated the execution moratorium and reduced the number of death sentences it is seeking, it is actively defending existing death sentences and even working on expanding death row.

Already dim hopes of Congressional action have stalled with the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives during the midterm elections. Meanwhile, Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, currently the 2024 GOP frontrunners, have both campaigned on expanding the use of capital punishment.

The threat of a capital punishment enthusiast returning to the White House has the abolitionist community hoping Biden will grant clemency to those on federal death row before leaving office  or that the Justice Department will at least stop seeking and defending death sentences.

If you dont execute anyone, but you usher them all into a President Trump or a President DeSantis, what have you done? Ruth Friedman, the Federal Capital Habeas Project director, said in an interview with HuffPost. Thats far from clean hands. Quite the opposite.

President Joe Biden campaigned on abolishing the federal death penalty. Since entering office two years ago, he has taken almost no public action to fulfill that campaign promise.

President Joe Biden campaigned on abolishing the federal death penalty. Since entering office two years ago, he has taken almost no public action to fulfill that campaign promise.

Stalled Legislation

By the time Biden entered office, Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) had already reintroduced a death penalty abolition bill that had stalled in the previous Congress. But even with Democrats narrowly controlling the House and Senate, the bill failed to gain traction. Less than half of the Democrats in each chamber signed on as co-sponsors, and the bill never made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Durbin.

A Democratic Judiciary Committee aide, who was not authorized to speak on the record, cited lack of Republican support as the main obstacle to moving the death penalty abolition bill forward, noting that even when Democrats controlled both chambers of Congress, they did not have the votes to overcome a filibuster. Asked about the lack of widespread Democratic support for the bill, the aide said she was unaware of members having substantive issues with the bill and suggested it could be an issue of staff not having time to get sign-off from their boss. Asked if the bills sponsors had asked the White House to help get Democratic lawmakers on board, the aide said she did not know.

The White House declined to answer a question about whether they worked to shore up Democratic support for the bill.

Durbin said in a statement that he planned to reintroduce legislation to ban the death penalty this summer. He described the death penalty as an inhumane, failed policy disproportionately imposed on Black and brown and low-income individuals and urged Republicans to support the abolition legislation.

Executive Inaction

There are plenty of steps the executive branch could take to make future executions less likely, even without Congress banning the practice. Death penalty abolitionists told HuffPost during the early days of Bidens presidency they hoped he would use his clemency power to commute the sentences of everyone on federal death row as a failsafe against Congressional inaction.

Someone who was at all outraged by how horrific and barbaric this has been should just commute the row, Jessica Brand, a Texas Defender Service board member, said at the time, referring to the 13 executions under Trump.

In July 2021, about a year and a half into the Biden administration, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a formal moratorium on federal executions while the Justice Department reviewed death penalty policies and procedures. It was a modest measure, an effective return to the status quo during George W. Bushs second term.

A group of Senate Democrats led by Durbin urged Garland to go further, calling on him to withdraw all notices of intent to seek the death penalty and authorize no new death notices during the review. The lawmakers August 2021 letter referenced Bidens campaign promise and noted that Vice President Kamala Harris was an original co-sponsor of the death penalty abolition bill when she was in the Senate. A different Judiciary Committee aide said that the DOJ responded to the letter but declined to share the response.

So far, the Justice Department has not sought the death penalty in any new cases since Biden entered office and has backed away from pursuing the death penalty against 27 defendants whose cases began under previous administrations. But under Garland, the DOJ unsuccessfully fought to send Sayfullo Saipov to death row as punishment for killing eight people on a bike path in Manhattan in 2017. Moreover, the Justice Department continues to fight to uphold every single one of the existing death sentences, Friedman said.

When defense lawyers try to introduce evidence that their client has an intellectual disability, which would make them ineligible for a death sentence, Justice Department lawyers fight their ability to present that evidence in court, Friedman said. When they try to show evidence that their clients had ineffective lawyers or were harmed by racist jury selection practices at trial, DOJ lawyers work to block that, too, she said.

You still have a row of 42 people, and you know their cases are problematic, you know it, Friedman continued, referring to the Justice Department under Garland. So, how are you different? Whats different about you?

The Justice Department did not respond to multiple requests to answer a detailed list of questions. It told The Associated Press in March it had not agreed with a single claim of racial bias or an error that could lead to a federal death sentence being overturned.

Both Biden and Garland have acknowledged the well-documented fact that people of color, specifically Black people, are disproportionately sentenced to death. During his confirmation hearing, Garland criticized the increasing almost randomness or arbitrariness of its application. Although Black people represent about 13% of the U.S. population, they account for 40% of the people on federal death row, according to the Federal Capital Habeas Project. There are still people on federal death row who were convicted and sentenced by all-white juries.

So far, the Justice Department has not sought the death penalty in any new cases since Biden entered office and has backed away from pursuing the death penalty against 27 defendants whose cases began under previous administrations.

So far, the Justice Department has not sought the death penalty in any new cases since Biden entered office and has backed away from pursuing the death penalty against 27 defendants whose cases began under previous administrations.

Lives In The Balance

With the midterm elections behind him and his 2024 reelection campaign fast approaching, its unclear what, if anything, Biden plans to do about the death penalty. The White House declined to answer a detailed list of questions, including, What has the Biden administration done since entering office to end the federal death penalty? and Has the White House lobbied lawmakers to support [the death penalty abolition] bills?

Instead, a White House spokespersonsaid in a statement that Biden has long talked about his concerns about how the death penalty is applied and whether it is consistent with the values fundamental to our sense of justice and fairness and that he supports Garlands decision to issue a moratorium and conduct a review.

While the president remains silent and the Justice Department works quietly to keep people on death row, the leading Republican presidential contenders are seemingly fighting to outdo one another in their pro-execution stances. Trump has repeatedlycalled for drug dealers to be given the death penalty, a suggestion that likely violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. As governor, DeSantis has dramatically expanded the potential use of the death penalty in Florida, signing bills that allow non-unanimous juries to impose a death sentence and allowing the death penalty for certain sex crimes against kids, even if the victim does not die. Both laws are likely to be challenged in court.

Most of the people currently on death row lost someone they were close to during the executions under Trump. With Bidens silence on the matter and the 2024 election approaching, some are left wondering if they will be next to die.

Trump ran out of time during his killing spree, Rejon Taylor, who is on federal death row, told The Associated Press earlier this year. If elected again, I dont think hed waste any time in continuing where hed left off.

Related...
Biden made a joke. Now Republican legislators are trying to use it as impeachment fodder.

Joe Biden during an interview with PBS. PBS

While meeting with the prime minister of India and tech CEOs, Biden made a joke.

"I started off without you, and I sold a lot of state secrets and a lot of very important things that we shared," Biden said before adding, "Now, all kidding aside."

Now, House Republicans are spreading the clip to try and discredit Biden.

President Joe Biden made a joke during a press conference with the prime minister of India and tech CEOs. Now, Republican legislators are sharing a spliced clip of it in an attempt to discredit the president.

Just as cameras began to focus on Biden at the beginning of the conference, he said to the camera, "I started off without you, and I sold a lot of state secrets and a lot of very important things that we shared."

The interaction led to a laugh from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the president's audience.

"Now, all kidding aside  look, we're teaming up to design and develop new technologies that are going to transform the lives of our people around the world," Biden ended the joke with.

Biden's joke comes around the time former President Donald Trump was federally indicted for mishandling classified documents.

In the days following Biden's press conference, select Republican legislators spread the clip without Biden saying "all kidding aside" to attack his credibility.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been an outspoken critic of Biden and has attempted to impeach Biden on several occasions, most recently in May in relation to his handling of the US-Mexico border. She tweeted out the spliced video with a call to action to impeach the president.

"Joe Biden's brain is going and he's literally admitting his crimes out loud," Greene wrote. "Impeach Biden! It's unreal and so insulting to America."

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a stalwart of the House Freedom Caucus, also shared Greene's clip. Prior to the GOP officially taking control of the House, he said that impeaching Biden was a "priority."

"What in the world," he tweeted.

And Rep. Nancy Mace, who previously voted against impeaching President Donald Trump, shared the video three times, each time expanding on her disappointment with Biden.

"This is mind boggling. Truly. Where is the media? Where is their investigation? When will they get to the bottom of it all?" Mace tweeted.

By her third tweet on the subject, Mace made an indirect point to note the video was a joke, just not one she found humorous.

"This isn't funny," she tweeted.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Biden and his White House aides have frequently maintained that the president has never discussed business dealings with his son, Hunter, despite evidence emerging suggesting otherwise.

The House Ways and Means Committee recently released testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who claimed Justice Department, FBI and IRS officials interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden and alleged that decisions were "influenced by politics."

One of the whistleblowers, IRS Criminal Supervisory Special Agent Gary Shapley, said that Hunter Biden invoked his father to pressure a Chinese business partner while discussing deals. Shapley oversaw the IRS probe into the president's son and said the agency obtained a July 2017 WhatsApp message from Hunter to Harvest Fund Management CEO Henry Zhao showing Hunter alleging he was with his father to pressure Zhao to satisfy a pledge.

"I am sitting here with my father, and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter wrote in the WhatsApp message to Zhao, according to the documents. "Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight," Hunter wrote.

HUNTER BIDEN-LINKED ACCOUNT RECEIVED $5 MILLION DAYS AFTER THREATENING MESSAGES: 'SITTING HERE WITH MY FATHER'

"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," Hunter said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The whistleblower testimony came to light almost a year after reports surfaced on an alleged voicemail from President Biden to Hunter in which he purportedly discussed his son's international business dealings.

"Hey pal, it's Dad. It's 8:15 on Wednesday night. If you have a chance, give me a call. Nothing urgentI just wanted to talk with you," Biden is heard saying in a voicemail from 2018. "I thought the article released online, it's going to be printed tomorrow in the Times, was good. I think you're clear."

The article Biden was referring to in the voicemail was published by the New York Times in December 2018 and documented a private meeting between the chairman of a now-defunct Chinese energy company, CEFC, and Hunter Biden at a Miami hotel in May 2017.

WHISTLEBLOWER: 'NO WAY OF KNOWING' IF EVIDENCE OF 'OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY' EXISTED ABOUT BIDENS ON LAPTOP

President Biden and his White House communication staff, meanwhile, have continually denied that he ever discussed Hunter's business dealings.

Below is a timeline of the denials:

"First of all, I have never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their business, period," Biden said in August 2019.

"And what I will do is the same thing we did in our administration. There will be an absolute wall between the personal and private and the government," Biden continued. "There wasn't any hint of scandal at all when we were there. It was the same kind of strict, strict rules. That's why I never talk with my son or my brother or anyone else, even distant family about their business interest, period."

"I've never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings," Biden told Fox News' Peter Doocy in September 2019.

During a September 2020 presidential debate with then-President Trump, Biden repeatedly said, "None of that is true" when Trump invoked several foreign transactions regarding Hunter's international business dealings. Biden further said it was "totally discredited."

GARLAND DENIES INTERFERING WITH HUNTER BIDEN PROBE IN FIRST COMMENTS SINCE WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS RELEASED

"Does the president still maintain that he never spoke with his son about his business dealings? And given this reporting on Eric Schwerin, does he also say that he has never spoken to his son's business partners about his son's business dealings?" a reporter asked then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki in April 2022.

"He maintains his same statements that he's made in the past," Psaki responded. "I would say, no, you're referring to records that were released more than 10 years ago. I really don't have more detail or information on them. I'd note that there was a gap when the records were not released, but I don't have more information about visits from more than 10 years ago."

President Biden, left, and Hunter Biden.

"It's not an unreasonable question to ask if United States was involved - as this message seems to suggest in some sort coercive conversation about business dealings with his son - if he wasn't, then maybe you should tell us," a reporter said after the WhatsApp messages surfaced.

"I just answered this question by telling you my colleagues at the White House counsel have dealt with this, and I would refer you to them," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

At another recent White House briefing a reporter asked, "Does this not undermine the president's claim during the 2020 campaign and the reaffirmations of that claim by his two press secretaries since then that he never once discussed his son's overseas business dealings with him?"

HUNTER BIDEN TAX PROBE BEGAN AS 'OFFSHOOT' IRS INVESTIGATION INTO AMATEUR PORNOGRAPHY SHOP: WHISTLEBLOWER

"No, and I'm not going to comment further on this," the White House spokesperson responded. "Let me save you some breath if you're going to ask about this: I am not going to address this issue from this podium," he said before storming out of the press briefing.

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden pictured with Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden.

This week, Fox News White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich asked President Biden if he lied about "never speaking to Hunter about his business dealings."

"No," Biden responded before continuing to walk away.

The Justice Department announced that Hunter Biden would plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax as part of a deal expected to keep him out of prison.

The president's son also agreed to enter into a pretrial diversion agreement concerning a separate charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Biden says US played no role in Russias Wagner mutiny: We were not involved

Photograph: Michael Reynolds/EPA

Joe Biden has described the Wagner mercenary groups brief mutiny against the Russian government as part of an internal power struggle, in which he said the US played no role.

We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it, Biden said during an event at the White House on Monday. 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.

Yevgeny Prigozhins revolt, in which Wagner fighters seized the city of Rostov and headed toward Moscow in an armed convoy, was a dramatic and unprecedented public challenge to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. But after a chaotic 24 hours, Prigozhin announced on Saturday that he would stand down after reaching a deal with government officials.

Biden and other western allies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russias invasion have made a pointed effort of being seen to stay out of the uprising, the biggest threat to Putin in his two decades leading Russia.

Canadas prime minister, Justin Trudeau, warned that there was a risk of advancing what he described as Russian propaganda and that the best approach would be to not get involved.

Related: Vladimir Putin condemns Wagner armed mutiny in late night TV address

We need to make sure that we are not facilitating the liberal use of propaganda and disinformation that we know the Russians tend to do  Carefully monitoring and watching but not getting involved I think is the responsible and safe thing to do, he told reporters.

It is still unclear what the larger ramifications of Prigozhins short-lived rebellion will be, experts say, both on Russias domestic politics as well as its military invasion of Ukraine. US officials, policy analysts and researchers are closely watching whether this marks a wider shift in power dynamics and what this means for Putins control over Russia.

The White House is expected to announce an up to $500m aid package to Ukraine this week, which will reportedly include dozens of ground vehicles, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft munitions. Ukraine launched a long-planned counteroffensive this month, but has faced the heavy use of landmines and Russian air power as its forces struggle to regain territory.

The state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, told reporters on Monday that the US was monitoring the developments.

Prigozhins open defiance of the government, as well as Putins slow response to address the crisis, has led to speculation about whether the incident weakens Putins standing among Russian elites. Although none of Russias power brokers offered any public support for Prigozhin, experts noted that many top officials remained largely absent during the events.

In a string of messages released late on Friday, Prigozhin contradicted Putins rationale for the invasion of Ukraine and claimed the conflict could have been avoided.

It is certainly a new thing to see President Putins leadership directly challenged, Miller said on Monday. 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.

Related: Prigozhin crosses his Rubicon in echo of Caesars march on Rome

Russia observers are watching whether Prigozhins actions result in Putin issuing a wider crackdown on dissent in the coming weeks and attempting to forcefully reassert his grip on power, according to Kimberly Marten, a professor of political science and expert on the Wagner group at Barnard College at Columbia University.

Thats the question, Marten said. Is there going to be a breakdown in the ability to control things, or is Putin going to become much more cruel and decisive in an attempt to stop that from happening?

In an unscheduled late-night televised address on Monday, Putin claimed credit for avoiding bloodshed, but it remained unclear if the crisis had been resolved.

Even though we have some kind of supposedly negotiated agreement that solves this problem, its very unlikely that Putin will let this go, Marten said.


Courtesy of Alicia LeDuc Montgomery

Warning: Graphic images below

A Black food truck owner in Oregon who says he suffered severe injuries in a brutal assault by an attacker screaming the N-word has hired a lawyer to probe the sufficiency of the governments response after he was allegedly left to take himself to hospital.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, family attorney Alicia LeDuc Montgomery said Darell Preston was on the phone with his wife and standing at LoRells Chicken Shack, his food truck in Portland, on June 15 when he was viciously attacked from behind, unprovoked, and without warning by a white man he didnt recognize.

Montgomery said the attacker continued to throw massive blows and yell racial slurs at Preston.

The Preston family is eager to pursue justice in this matter and is willing to assist in bringing those responsible to account, Montgomery said in the statement.

How Racism and a Viral Mob Destroyed a California Restaurant

In video footage Montgomery provided to The Daily Beast that captured the incident from across the street, a white man in a black jacket is seen beating and stomping a Black man to the ground. Cars pass by, honking their horns as the attack ensues on the sidewalk. Once the man in the jacket finishes, he walks away with his hands in his pockets, as if nothing happened.

Mr. Preston suffered severe facial injuries, Montgomery said. Portland police arrived on scene but to the familys knowledge, did not call an ambulance or provide medical care to Mr. Preston. Mr. Preston was driven to the hospital by [his wife] Mrs. Preston with his face wrapped in a shirt.

However, a police spokesperson told Oregon Live that when cops arrived on scene, they were told by first responders that the victim and suspect had left the scene. The spokesperson said officers found Preston in his food cart nearby but it took several minutes to convince him to come out. After providing minimal details, Preston then locked himself in the cart of the food truck and refused to say more, police said.

Montgomery said Preston was too scared to talk about it.

Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen told The Daily Beast in a statement Tuesday that a responding officer immediately offered to call for medical care, but Prestonwho appeared to be conscious, oriented, and able to make his own health care decisions declined.

It would not have been appropriate for the officer to override the patients wishes, Allen said.

While police initially told Oregon Live they werent investigating the attack as a hate crime because Preston wouldnt give any details about the attack, that changed after detectives spoke with his family. On Tuesday, Allen told The Daily Beast the case is being investigated as a bias crime and no arrests have been made yet.

Any arrest must be based on probable cause and will stand up to scrutiny in any future criminal court proceeding, Allen said. A misstep now could prevent justice from being served later, and we have dedicated and professional detectives working hard to do things right.

Allen declined to release any other information as it could compromise the case.

Courtesy of Alicia LeDuc Montgomery

On June 17, Prestons brother-in-law, Marc McDonald, created a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for LoRells Chicken Shack while Preston has been unable to work. The page claims Preston had a broken nose, fractured face, and lacerations to his eyes and mouth.

Due to this attack, [Preston] will be unable to work his cart causing an obvious financial burden on himself and our family, McDonald said. All donations will be directly deposited into LoRells business account and used to cover Darells medical costs, legal representation, and other business costs associated with him being unable to work his food cart.

We are deeply disturbed by this assault, which has left the community shaken and outraged, Montgomery told The Daily Beast.

Hate crimes and violence of any kind create fear, anxiety, and a sense of vulnerability among community members, Montgomery added. Our thoughts are with the Preston family during this challenging time, and we stand firmly against any form of hatred, discrimination, and violence.

The Preston family plans to reopen LoRells Chicken Shack later this week.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Carlos Rodriguez digs fence post holes Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Houston. Meteorologists say scorching temperatures brought on by a heat dome have taxed the Texas power grid and threaten to bring record highs to the state. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  On another 100-degree day in Texas, Sean Whitaker lingered outside a Dallas cafe after polishing off an iced coffee, having switched off the power to everything back home except his refrigerator.

That's the reason I'm out," said Whitaker, 52, finding shade at a patio table.

As an unrelenting heat wave grips Texas for a second week, public appeals to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities have come with another ask of the state's nearly 30 million residents: Conserve electricity if possible as demand on the power grid is stretched to projected record peaks.

An early summer arrival of blistering temperatures  which have been blamed for at least two deaths  is taxing Texas' power grid that many residents still view nervously two years after a deadly winter blackout. Regulators warn that Texas may offer a preview of what could be tight demand on grids across the U.S. this summer because of extreme temperatures worsened by climate change.

On Tuesday, the Texas grid was operating under an elevated weather watch that does not ask residents to curtail power but raises the possibility. Even some energy experts who have been critical of Texas' grid management consider outages this summer unlikely, saying winter carries bigger risks.

But as scorching temperatures in some parts of Texas climb above 110 degrees (43 degrees Celsius), flirting with records or breaking them outright, air conditioners are cranked and officials are nudging homeowners to be mindful of their electricity usage.

Please, please do what you can to conserve energy, said Stuart Reilly, interim general manager of Austin Energy, which serves more than a half-million customers in Texas' capital.

Forecasters say relief in Texas may not arrive before the Fourth of July holiday. The culprit is a stalled heat dome forged by an unpleasant mix of stationary high pressure, warmer-than-usual air in the Gulf of Mexico and the sun beating overhead, according to John Nielsen-Gammon, the state's climatologist.

For some, the conditions have been deadly. Last week, a Florida man and his 14-year-old stepson died after hiking in extreme heat at Big Bend National Park in far West Texas, where temperatures soared to 119 degrees (48 degrees Celsius).

In Austin, paramedics have responded to more than 100 heat-related incidents the past two weeks alone, which city officials say accounts for more than half of all of their heat-related emergency calls since April.

Hot weather has not caused rolling outages in Texas since 2006. But operators of the state's grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, have entered recent summers not ruling out the possibility as a crush of new residents strains an independent system. Texas mostly relies on natural gas for power, which made up more than 40% of generation last year, according to ERCOT. Wind accounted for about 25% ,with solar and nuclear energy also in the mix.

Texas' grid is not connected to the rest of the country, unlike others in the U.S., meaning there are few options to pull power from elsewhere if there are shortages or failures. In May, regulators warned the public that demand may outpace supply on the hottest days.

We have the equivalent of the entire city of Oakland, California, moving to Texas every year," said Peter Lake, who at the time was chairman of the state's Public Utility Commission but resigned earlier this month.

California has come close to running out of power in recent years, especially in the early evenings when electricity from solar is not as abundant. In Texas, Republicans' attitudes toward renewables have soured since the 2021 winter blackout, when conservative commentators falsely blamed wind turbines and solar energy as the prime driver of the outages.

Since the blackout, Texas lawmakers say the grid is more reliable and passed bills this year to try incentivize the development of more on-demand generation, which does not include renewables. But even some Republicans continue raising concerns and lawmakers have done little to address demand. Just before the heat wave settled into Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill designed to strengthen energy efficiency in new construction, saying it wasn't as important as cutting property taxes.

Doug Lewin, an energy consultant and the president of Stoic Energy, said he worries more about the grid in winter when there is more constant demand to keep homes warm. Any summer outages in Texas, he said, would likely be rotating outages that would last for a couple hours. Still, he said grid operators don't issue pleas to conserve power lightly.

I dont think its a cause for alarm, said Lewin, who also writes a newsletter on Texas energy. But yeah, its a sure sign that things are getting fairly close to the edge.

Texas isn't the only state watching supply and demand closely. The annual summer forecast by the North American Electric Reliability Corp., which oversees the nation's grid reliability, put two-thirds of the continent at risk of shortfalls in the event that temperatures spike above normal.

In Red Oak, just outside Dallas, Mireya Usery does more than just cross her fingers there is enough supply to keep the power flowing: The thermostat at her house gets parked at 78 degrees (26 degrees Celsius).

We don't want to end up without electricity for too long, she said, so we try to do our best.

___

Associated Press reporters Jake Bleiberg in Dallas and Kendria LaFleur in Red Oak, Texas, contributed to this report.
Body discovered on Busch campus at Rutgers University, police say

PISCATAWAY  The body of a male was discovered on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University Wednesday morning, according to an alert sent by Rutgers University Chief of Police Kenneth Cop.

The body was discovered on campus around 6 a.m. June 27, according to the alert.

The deceased was a student and member of the Rutgers University community, according to police.

More: Summit police on lookout for armed and dangerous Park Avenue shooting suspect

No foul play is suspected and there is no threat to the public, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Anyone with information should contact Rutgers University Police Detective Sergeant Robert Calvert at 848-932-8025 or Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Michelle Coppola of the MCPO at 732-745-3477.

Email: alewis@gannett.com

Alexander Lewis is an award-winning reporter and photojournalist whose work spans many topics. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Body discovered on Busch campus at Rutgers University, police say
Body of missing actor Julian Sands identified by US police

Sands went missing on Mount San Antonio, just outside the city of Los Angeles (Alberto PIZZOLI)

The body of missing British actor Julian Sands has been identified, California police said Tuesday, after human remains were found by hikers in mountains near Los Angeles at the weekend.

Sands, who shot to fame in 1985 for his role in "A Room with a View," went missing in January on the 10,000-foot (3,000-meter) Mount San Antonio, known locally as Mount Baldy.

Hikers found human remains on Saturday morning, alerting authorities, who responded to the scene and transported the body to the local coroner's office.

"The identification process for the body located on Mt. Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood," San Bernardino Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

"The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results."

No further details were provided.

Sands was an experienced hiker who described himself as happiest "close to a mountain summit on a glorious cold morning."

The peak where Sands disappeared is the highest in the San Gabriel Mountains and a popular destination for Los Angeles residents.

San Bernardino County Sheriff at the time said it was increasingly treacherous, with eight known deaths between 2017 and 2022.

California was hit by a succession of heavy storms in December and January that brought heavy snow to mountain ranges, including to Mount San Antonio.

The actor's brother, Nick, said two weeks after search efforts began that he had accepted Sands would not be found alive.

"He has not yet been declared missing, presumed dead, but I know in my heart that he has gone," he had said, according to English local media in Yorkshire, where the brothers grew up.

amz/st
Boise city just banned this landscaping plant. Heres why, and what to do with yours

After dozens of wildlife deaths and at least one close call for a Boise child, the city will ban a popular landscaping plant that is toxic from its roots to its berries.

Boises new zoning code, approved by the City Council earlier this month, has myriad updates the city says will help move it into the future, such as providing affordable housing and creating walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. The code also contained a short line that bans Japanese, Chinese, European and hybrid varieties of yew, an ornamental shrub with dense green needles and small red berries.

Nearly all parts of the plant  including the needles, seeds and most parts of the berries  contain a toxin that slows the heart rate until death. Ingesting less than 2 ounces of yew can kill an adult.

In the last several years, hundreds of elk, deer and pronghorn across Southern Idaho have died after nibbling on the plants. In 2019, a 3-year-old Boise girl was hospitalized after eating a single berry from a yew plant in her familys yard.

Andrea Tuning, a senior comprehensive planner for the city of Boise, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview that outlawing yew was a way of ensuring people and wildlife would be safe from yew poisoning.

The new zoning code bans yew in all parts of the city, Tuning said, as well as the wildland-urban interface, where development meets Boises Foothills. In the past, thats where issues with wildlife have been concentrated as elk and deer move closer to the city during the colder months. The animals will graze on landscaping, including yew, when winter makes food sources scarce.

Tuning said the new code does not mean the city plans to punish those with existing yew plants. She said officials hope to work with homeowners to swap the toxic plant out for one thats safer  though its not yet clear how the city plans to contact homeowners with existing yew plants or enforce the regulation against newly planted ones.

We knew that wasnt the right plant species to have near animals or children, Tuning said. The ideal scenario is through education we would get those replaced.

Boise isnt the first place in Idaho to ban yew. In 2016, Blaine County banned Japanese yew after the plant caused more than 20 wildlife deaths. The Idaho State Department of Agriculture weighed banning yew in 2017 but decided against it.

Tuning said other parts of the updated zoning code will help Boise residents better coexist with wildlife, such as requirements for bird-friendly glass that prevents window strikes and bans on spire-topped fencing that can impale animals.

She said the changes show Boises commitment to welcoming all residents, human and animal.

The city was serious when we said this is a city for everyone, Tuning said, referencing the citys slogan.
Bojangles getting out of the chicken biz? + New Duke Energy proposal could raise utility rates

Hey, everyone! Drew here. Its Taco Tuesday!

Speaking of tacos, CharlotteFive needs your help. Theyre looking for the best tacos in all of Charlotte and want to know your favorite.

Nominate your go-to spot and let the world know whos got the best tacos in the QC.

On to your news.

The fried chicken at Bojangles undergoes about a 12-hour process, where the chicken is tumbled and seasoned and marinated before frying.

Bojangles is getting out of the chicken business? Not exactly.

Recent comments made by CEO Jose Armario ruffled the feathers of some devout Bojangles fans online. Many were worried their beloved chicken spot would be going away.

Evan Moore sets the record straight.

Duke Energy expects the NC Utility Commission to make a decision on its proposed rate increase by December.

Duke Energy has a new proposal that could hike up your utility bill.

But a state regulatory agency will need to hear from consumers before deciding whether to approve the increase.

Julia Coin explains.

A foundation led by Carolina Panthers team owner David Tepper and his wife Nicole committed $2 million to a Charlotte center for abuse survivors.

The foundation headed by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper made a donation towards efforts to build a center to help abuse victims.

The $2 million donation was announced today and will help establish the first of its kind center in Mecklenburg County.

Lisa Vernon Sparks has more details on the announcement.

The Supreme Court is seen on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Todays U.S. Supreme Court decision in Moore v. Harper dealt a blow to North Carolina Republicans.

The court essentially told lawmakers that they either dont understand democracy or dont support it, the Editorial Board writes.

The decision today proves the GOP is too reckless, even for this Supreme Court.

5. Some more stories to read

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Find more updates at charlotteobserver.com, and follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok to see more from us. Enjoy your day!

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The State Border Service of Ukraine refutes the information about the start of construction of camps for the placement of Wagner Group fighters in Belarus.

Source: Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.

Quote: "Regarding the information about possible construction of bases for Russian mercenaries on the territory of Belarus, at this time we do not observe such work being done.

At the same time, it cannot be ruled out. Intelligence, including the State Border Service, is actively monitoring the situation in Belarus."

Details: Also, according to Demchenko, Russian Wagner Private Military Company mercenaries have not been seen on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, up to 2,000 Russian military personnel staying in Belarus engage in exercises and training on training grounds there.

At the same time, this front always remains tense because Belarus continues to support the aggressor.

Although the situation has not changed, the border guards do not observe any movement of Russian and Belarusian equipment or manpower near the border, and the Russian Federation does not have enough forces to carry out a second invasion in this direction,  the Defence Forces continue to strengthen the border line and strengthen the border with Belarus, remembering about the treachery of the Russians.

Quote: "We understand the treachery of the Russian Federation well, and the Republic of Belarus, which supports the aggressor state, too.

But whatever happens, Ukraine's task is to have a strong defence in this direction, as has been done and continues to be done: in terms of engineering, training, and cooperation of the elements of the Defence Forces, and constant monitoring of the situation on the territory of Belarus."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo has admitted to violating the conflict of interest law by continuing to represent his brother in a civil lawsuit against him after he became a city official.

According to the State Ethics Commission, Arroyo entered an appearance as an attorney on behalf of his brother in the civil lawsuit prior to becoming a City Councilor in January 2020.

However, after being sworn into office, Arroyo did not withdraw from the case and instead continued to represent as his attorney, including in the deposition of a City of Boston employee.

Arroyos representation of his brother in the lawsuit involving the City of Boston while serving as a City Councilor violated the conflict of interest laws prohibition against municipal employees, including elected officials, acting as agent or attorney for anyone other than the municipality in connection with matters in which the municipality is a party or has a direct and substantial interest, according to state officials.

The law required Arroyo to cease acting as attorney for his brother in the lawsuit when he became a City Councilor.

While an appointed municipal employee may, with the approval of their appointing authority, act as an agent or attorney for their immediate family member in a matter involving the municipality, this exemption is not available to elected municipal employees like Arroyo, said state officials.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission contacted Arroyo twice in August 2022 regarding legal concerns raised by his representation of his brother in the lawsuit.

Councilor Arroyo immediately began the process of withdrawal by seeking legal counsel as to his legal and professional responsibilities to his client regarding his withdrawal, according to Arroyos attorney Zachary Lown.

A motion to withdraw from the lawsuit was filed on November 18, 2022, which was allowed on February 18, 2023, removing Arroyos name from the record.

Councilor Arroyo then moved to withdraw before the next scheduled court date and five months prior to any finding by the State Ethics Commission, said Lown.

Arroyo signed a Disposition Agreement in which he admitted to the violation and paid a $3,000 civil penalty, according to officials.

Nothing Arroyo did as an attorney on this matter negatively impacted the City or its interests, Arroyos client and the City are co-defendants, nor did the City ever express any concern to Councilor Arroyo about his legal representation, said Lown. We are grateful to the State Ethics Commission for working with us to resolve this matter.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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By Peter Frontini and Carolina Pulice

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian federal prosecutors on Tuesday filed a lawsuit to strip local media outlet Jovem Pan of its radio broadcasting licenses for allegedly spreading disinformation and advocating for a military intervention during last year's presidential election.

The move against Jovem Pan - a freewheeling outfit best known for its close alignment with far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro - is part of a broader reckoning in Brazil with the fallout from the country's most fraught election in a generation.

Bolsonaro, who narrowly lost to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is currently on trial in federal electoral court over accusations he abused his power by spreading baseless claims about Brazil's electronic voting system. Meanwhile, many of his one-time allies are being grilled by lawmakers in a congressional probe into the Jan. 8 storming of government buildings by thousands of Bolsonaro supporters.

The prosecutors' move against Jovem Pan is likely to raise questions about freedom of speech in Brazil at a time when lawmakers are debating a controversial bill that would force tech companies to more rigorously police their platforms.

Constitutional lawyer Andre Marsiglia said the lawsuit sets a worrying precedent.

"If there is a risk to democracy resulting from the spread of disinformation, there is also a risk in allowing prosecutors and the judiciary branch to choose which media outlets can or cannot participate in the public debate," Marsiglia said.

Federal prosecutors in Sao Paulo state alleged that Jovem Pan spread baseless claims, many originally made by Bolsonaro, that Brazil's electronic voting system was vulnerable to fraud. Jovem Pan also encouraged attacks against authorities and democratic institutions, and supported the idea of a military intervention, the prosecutors alleged.

"Jovem Pan contributed to a significant number of people doubting the integrity of the electoral process or acting directly" against the election result, said the prosecutors, citing the Jan. 8 riot, as well as road blockades protesting Lula's victory last November.

Jovem Pan's conduct directly violated Brazil's constitution and legislation on public broadcasting, the prosecutors said. They also requested that Jovem Pan be fined 13.4 million reais ($2.8 million).

Jovem Pan said it would only comment within the confines of the lawsuit, adding that "over the course of 80 years, the Jovem Pan Group has reaffirmed its commitment every day to Brazilian society and democracy."

($1 = 4.8015 reais)

(Reporting by Peter Frontini and Beatriz Garcia in Sao Paulo, Carolina Pulice in Mexico CityEditing by Rosalba O'Brien and Matthew Lewis)
(Bloomberg) -- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva complained about the food he was served by his counterparts in Italy and France last week, criticizing the quality and size of the portions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I had lunch with [Emmanuel] Macron and with [Sergio] Mattarella, Lula said Tuesday, referring to recent meetings with his French and Italian counterparts in Paris and Rome. Two palace foods that were not that great.

The former union leader added that, when traveling, he always misses having a big tray from which one can grab as much food as they want. In any case, weve survived, he said during a webcast from his official residence in Brasilia.

The French and the Italian government didnt respond to requests for comment and didnt give details on the menu served to Lula.

His comments  whether serious or light-heartedly said in jest  will never land well in two culinary capitals of the world that take an inordinate amount of pride in their cuisine. The remarks also add to the controversial rhetoric the leftist leader has employed since returning to the global stage, including his assertion that Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelenskiy share part of the blame for Russias invasion of Ukraine.

--With assistance from Chiara Albanese.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A new bride was devastated when she was served a wedding cake with a stranger's name on it. The restaurant has apologized, but angry TikTokers want more accountability.

Geren pictured cutting into the cake made for another woman named Jackie. Celeste Geren

A woman has corralled anger and sympathy after sharing her wedding cake saga on TikTok earlier this month.

Celeste Geren was given the wrong cake despite writing her last name and the reservation time on her order.

Geren told Insider she's been comforted by the commenters sharing their personal wedding tragedies.

Celeste Geren's wedding in early June was going well until the very end of her celebratory dinner at a local restaurant  when it was time for the wedding cake to be served.

Geren and her husband had gone outside to have a moment together, she explained in a TikTok recap, when her mother-in-law came out and said the restaurant had served them the wrong cake. It bore the name "Jackie," and Geren's wedding cake could not be found.

Geren, a hospital worker from Arizona, captured the immediate aftermath of the cake mishap in a teary TikTok video that has been viewed over a million times. She's shared a series of follow-up videos to offer viewers more information about how the mix-up happened, including a final update where she heard from Jackie herself.

Geren told Insider this week that the restaurant responsible for the mistake has since reached out to her with an apology. They also subtracted the cost of serving the cake from her total bill that evening.

While she has mostly moved on from the incident, she said, TikTokers, who have been veraciously angry on Geren's behalf, insist that the restaurant did not do enough to rectify this.

'My life is a tragicomedy': How Geren's wedding cake was given to the wrong party

In one of her follow-up videos, Geren explained that she and her partner traveled from Arizona to Washington for the wedding, which she described as a "destination slash elopement"-style ceremony, with only their immediate family members.

She said her mother-in-law helped with almost every aspect of the wedding planning, including sending them cake samples so they could do a private tasting. They chose an "absolutely gorgeous" raspberry-vanilla flavored cake that even her husband, who usually doesn't like cake, she said in a video, was excited about.

On the day of the wedding, Geren and her mother-in-law dropped the cake off at the restaurant and wrote their last name and reservation time on it so it wouldn't be misplaced.

Geren said the first red flag when they arrived at the restaurant after the ceremony was that employees couldn't immediately find her reservation. While waiting for their table to be set up, Geren said she saw an employee cut into a cake that she later learned was hers.

"I didn't recognize that it was my wedding cake because the flowers weren't on top of it, mainly," she said on TikTok.

Geren said while the rest of the meal was enjoyable, discovering that her party was served the wrong cake was a "very devastating moment" for her.

"[My husband]'s family ended up calling me Jackie for, like, the rest of the night," she said.

She also noted the cake they got tasted "disgusting."

The restaurant  whose name Geren disclosed to Insider but that she asked not to publish to protect them from harassment ended up subtracting the cost of the cake from their final bill.

In a final follow-up video posted mid-June, Geren said that the person who received her wedding cake, the real Jackie, found her and reached out to her. Geren said Jackie told her that that cake was made for her surprise birthday party, and only one person knew what the cake looked like. Jackie's group realized the cakes had been mixed up in the next couple of days, and contacted the restaurant, which confirmed the mishap.

In a final follow-up video posted mid-June, Geren said that the proper recipient of that cake, the real Jackie, had reached out to her. Geren said she spoke with Jackie, who told her that that cake was supposed to be for Jackie's surprise birthday party and only one of her friends knew what the cake looked like. Jackie and her friends apparently did not realize they were served the wrong cake until several days later.

"My life is a tragicomedy," Geren wrote in on-screen text.

Geren said she was again devastated when she scrolled through photos of Jackie's surprise party on her Facebook page and saw her wedding cake in them.

"All of my pink roses, beautiful gold, naked look," she said in the video. "Guess I get a picture after all, just not with me and my husband."

Geren has moved on, but commenters felt the restaurant should have done more to right this mistake

Viewers who have followed the saga closely have responded passionately and angrily on Geren behalf. Many believe the restaurant should have comped the whole meal.

"You need to hold the restaurant responsible, they need to pay you in damages and full price for what you paid for it including delivery," reads a top comment under her first follow-up video on June 8.

"Absolutely not, they should have covered your entire bill completely AND given you cash or visa gift card with the entire cost of the cake on it," another added.

Some commenters even suggested she should sue the restaurant in small claims court for "such a big mistake" on her wedding day.

Geren told Insider she personally wouldn't "act out" in ways people suggested she should, adding that it feels "extreme." She has, on the other hand, greatly appreciated the condolences from people who said they've experienced something similar. Multiple commenters said they, too, have been served the wrong couple's cake, or accidentally left their cake at the venue overnight.

"It kind of made me feel a little bit better knowing, hey, it happens, but you move on and you now have a funny story," she said.

Despite all the frustration at the time, Geren said she has not thought much about her wedding cake. "It sucks, but I think my husband and I are still so much in the honeymoon phase and enjoying being married right now," she said. "It doesn't seem as big of a deal."

Insider has reached out to the restaurant for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
The Boston Bruins are operating under the assumption veteran captain Patrice Bergeron and longtime forward David Krejci wont be back next season after a disappointing first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers.

In a tweet, NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen wrote, The Bruins are operating under the assumption that Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci wont be back, president Cam Neely said. But theyre still hopeful they will be and communication is open with the players. Theyre giving them space and time to make decisions on their futures.

General Manager Don Sweeney Bergeron and Krejci would be welcomed back if they wanted to return to the team, Rosen reported.

GM Don Sweeney said what Bergeron and Krejci ultimately decide wont impact how they operate now and through free agency. They will get them in if they want to return.  Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 27, 2023

Bergeron, 37, scored 27 goals and tallied 31 assists in 78 games during the 2022-23 season. A return to the lineup in 2023-24 would mark a milestone 20th season with the Black-and-Gold.

On Monday, Bergeron won the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward for a sixth time, breaking his own record of five. He led the league in faceoff wins and percentage and was only on the ice for 27 even-strength goals netted on Boston.

Krejci, also 37, is coming off a 16-goal, 40-assist campaign. Hed be entering a 17th season with Boston if he decided to return for another run at the cup.

Both Krejci and Bergeron were key contributors to Bostons Stanley Cup win over Vancouver in 2011.

Bruins operating under assumption Bergeron, Krejci wont back next season

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Accused Idaho college killer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court in Moscow, Idaho, on Tuesday as his lawyers launched their fight against the death penalty case.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge heard arguments on several motions filed by the defence, including seeking details about the DNA evidence, seeking details about the grand jury which returned a murder indictment against him, and issuing a stay on proceedings to put a pause on the case heading to trial.

In a key motion to compel, the defence argued that the prosecution should hand over all information about the genetic genealogy and DNA evidence which ties Mr Kohberger to the murders of the four slain students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. This includes information about the scientists who carried out the DNA testing and what it was that led authorities to suspect him in the first place.

Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they were not on a fishing expedition, but that they needed the material in order to build a strong case for their client.

Among the evidence requested by the defence are training records of three police officers who interviewed critical witnesses, information about the FBI team leading the criminal probe, and background on the tip that led to the search for Mr Kohbergers white Hyundai and cellphone records cited in the probable cause affidavit.

There is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty ... and these are very relevant pieces of information, Mr Kohbergers defence said, according to DailyMail.com.

Prosecutors argued that most of those materials have already been made available to the defence.

The state also noted that the officers training records do not pertain to the case and could set an unfavourable precedent in future cases.

Mr Kohbergers defence said that while there were more than 120 officers who worked in the murder investigation, they were only requesting records from three of them who played a critical role by collecting evidence, following up on tips and conducting more than a dozen interviews.

The judge told the court that he will be issuing a written ruling with the evidence that the prosecution must turn in by 14 July.

(FILE) Bryan Kohberger enters court for a motion hearing regarding a gag order (AP)

The judge also warned outlets with cameras in the courtroom not to focus solely on Mr Kohbeger, adding that some media has been pushing the envelope.

Recent proceedings have not been broadcast live as video from pool cameras is made available to the public afterwards.

Investigators linked the 28-year-old criminology PhD student to the murders through a military knife sheath that the killer allegedly left 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 discovered on the sheath was found to be a match to Mr Kohberger after the FBI checked the sample against genetic genealogy databases and tipped off local authorities, according to prosecutors.

After collecting trash from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains, a familial match from Mr Kohbergers father was first made to the knife sheath before a statistical match was made to the accused killer himself through DNA samples taken following his arrest on 30 December.

But, Mr Kohbergers defence is seeking to cast doubts on the states use of genetic genealogy in the case.

In a court filing submitted last week, his attorneys insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene.

University of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger in court in May (@Daily News)

DNA from two other men was found inside the off-campus student home while DNA from a third unknown man was found on a glove found outside the property on 20 November, 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.

The defence also said that there is no DNA evidence from the victims in Mr Kohbergers apartment, office, home, or vehicle.

The suspected killers legal team accused prosecutors of hiding its entire case from the defendant by trying to keep its method of genetic genealogy investigation secret.

They claim that authorities dont want the suspect to see how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation.

The defence is also demanding prosecutors hand over the DNA profiles of the three other males whose DNA was found at the scene.

In a separate motion, the defence is also asking the court to force prosecutors to hand over all records around the grand jury proceedings which culminated in Mr Kohbergers indictment on four counts of murder and one burglary charge.

The legal team argues it is crucial to him fighting the indictment against him.

A third motion being argued in court is around a stay of proceedings, with the defence arguing that the case should be put on hold until the matter of the grand jury record is resolved in court.

Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (Jazzmin Kernodle)

Mr Kohbergers latest court appearance comes one day after prosecutors announced they are seeking the death penalty against him, saying that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

Mr Kohberger is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October for the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20.

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.

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together (Instagram)

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.
Industry ministry, Samsung jointly train molding technicians

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Samsung Vietnam kicked off the sixth batch of the training programme for molding technicians of Vietnam on June 26.









Deputy Director of the Department of Industry Pham Tuan Anh speaks at the event. (Photo: ITN)



The programme aims to realise their cooperation agreement on training Vietnamese molding technicians for the 2020-2023 period, which was signed during the ninth meeting of the Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Joint Committee on Energy, Industry and Trade Cooperation in 2019.



As many as 30 trainees from mechanical engineering and mold companies will undergo a 14-week training course, including 10 weeks in Vietnam and four weeks in the RoK.



The objective of the programme is to train 200 mold technicians and improve their skills in mold design, fabrication and production with a focus on high-precision engineering.



According to the MoIT, the value of the mold and precision engineering industry in Vietnam is now estimated at over 1 billion USD each year. Particularly, with an annual growth rate of 18%, this industry is attracting the attention of many domestic and foreign businesses.



Notably, Vietnamese enterprises make only 8.5% of plastic injection molds, while the rest are metal stamping molds. Therefore, there is a high demand for molds in various industries such as plastics, mechanical engineering, machinery parts and components. This presents a significant opportunity for domestic firms to enhance their capacity to join the global supply chain./
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty against Kohberger, the man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death in November 2022. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed the notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court on Monday, June 26. (Zach Wilkinson/The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP, Pool, File)

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 Kohberger's 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 Kohberger's 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.
Attorneys for Bryan Kohberger in court Tuesday argued for access to investigative records that law enforcement used to arrest Kohberger on suspicion of murder in the deaths of four University of Idaho students in November.

Anne Taylor, Kohbergers lead public defender, petitioned the judge overseeing the case for three pieces of information that prosecutors have so far withheld and she said could prove critical to the defenses case: Kohbergers cellphone location data, a forensic analysts determinations about the suspects vehicle, and the training schedules for three Idaho State Police officers involved in the investigation.

With Kohberger wearing a black suit and tie and seated in the Moscow courtroom mostly with only media in attendance, Taylor told Judge John Judge of Idahos 2nd Judicial District Court in Latah County that the defense still lacks the requested documents through the required discovery process.

It is not a fishing expedition, it is necessary for Kohbergers defense, Taylor said. We have come to an impasse. That is why we come to court today.

Taylor pointed out that the three state police officers were involved with the case from the beginning. She told the judge that their training guided them on how to act, from interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence, and they could be called to testify at trial.

Taylor also told the judge that the cellphone data and vehicle forensics used by law enforcement are important to understand the police investigation into Kohberger.

During the roughly 30-minute hearing, the prosecution countered that the defense had yet to provide sufficient justification for the records and based its request on just speculation. The lack of agreement between the two sides led to a need for Judge to step in, Taylor said.

Judge set a July 14 deadline for the prosecution to turn over FBI records and said he will issue a ruling on the state police training records at a later date. The prosecution, with Latah County senior deputy prosecutor Ashley Jennings, and the defense agreed on the deadline.

Kohbergers trial remains scheduled to start Oct. 2 in Latah County.

Kohberger could face death penalty

The 28-year-old man, accused in the stabbing deaths of four U of I students, was indicted by a grand jury last month. Kohberger was a former graduate student at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, and faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

The four victims were Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington.

At his May 22 arraignment, Kohberger stood silent when asked to submit a plea to the charges brought against him. He did so to retain his right to challenge the indictment, his public defender wrote in a court record earlier this month. As a result, Judge entered a plea of not guilty on Kohbergers behalf.

On Monday, the prosecution announced its intent to seek the death penalty for Kohberger. If a jury convicts him of first-degree murder, Idahos rule for a death sentence requires aggravated circumstances, which includes killing more than one person.

Kohberger at the time of the homicides was living in Pullman, on the Washington-Idaho border and located about 9 miles west of the U of I campus. He was a Ph.D. in WSUs criminal justice and criminology program.

Police tracked Kohberger to his parents home in eastern Pennsylvania, where he was staying during the winter break from school. Law enforcement arrested him there Dec. 30, and he first appeared in an Idaho court on Jan. 5.

Law enforcement included in gag order

Left unaddressed Tuesday was the defenses ongoing request for DNA records that initially led law enforcement to Kohberger as the suspect, as well as the detailed information from his indictment based on probable cause by a grand jury last month. The defense team filed for a pause in court proceedings while it continues to await the indictment records. The hearing had been scheduled to include arguments from the defense and prosecution on their opposing motions.

Prosecutors acknowledged for the first time this month that the FBI submitted DNA from the crime scene to public ancestry websites to initially land on Kohberger as a suspect. The technique, known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), was mostly reserved for cold cases but is becoming more common in active investigations.

So far, prosecutors have objected to turning over all records related to the FBIs use of IGG, arguing that Idahos laws do not require it. In court filings, theyve also petitioned to Judge that the documents are not relevant and not material to the defenses case, in part because the prosecution does not plan to introduce the evidence at trial.

Once Kohberger was in custody, the FBI requested removal of the genealogy profile from the online genealogy services, per U.S. Department of Justice policy, Thompson wrote. The FBI also created limited records from the investigative technique that led to Kohberger, he said, which may conflict with some requirements of that policy, as the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

Kohbergers defense argued in a response last week that prosecutors are attempting to hide their case through the lack of disclosure. Investigators also were aware of the DNA of at least three other males  two within the home where the students were killed and a third from a glove found just outside the crime scene.

To this date, the defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than standard DNA profiles, the defense wrote, concluding that none of the three are Kohbergers.

In addition, the defense affirmed in the filing that there is no connection between its client and the four victims. There is a total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Kohbergers car, apartment and campus office in Pullman, and family home in eastern Pennsylvania where he was arrested, which warrants explanation, they wrote.

Judge on Tuesday also clarified his revised nondissemination order, often known as a gag order, which limited attorneys from speaking to the press. He noted that law enforcement remains bound not to comment outside of the court record, as defined agents of the prosecuting attorneys. Agents refer to those with the authority to act, Judge said, encompassing law enforcements interactions with prosecutors.
Bryan Kohbergers father called the police on his son nine years before he allegedly murdered four University of Idaho students in a shocking knife attack that has horrified America.

Court records, newly obtained by ABC News, reveal that Mr Kohberger was arrested and charged with stealing one of his sister Melissas cellphones back in 2014.

The then-19-year-old had recently left rehab for drug addiction issues and had returned to the family home in Pennsylvania.

Then, on 8 February 2014, he stole the $400 iPhone and paid a friend $20 to pick him up and take him to a local mall where he then sold it for $200.

When confronted by his father Michael over the theft, Mr Kohberger chillingly warned him not to do anything stupid, according to the court records. His father reported the incident to the police.

The 19-year-old was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft.

He didnt serve any jail time and his record now appears to be expunged under Monroe Countys program to clear the records of first-time offenders.

A source told ABC News that prosecutors in Idaho are now looking into the 2014 case ahead of Mr Kohbergers trial for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

Prosecutors announced on Monday that they are seeking the death penalty against the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate.

In a notice of intent, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson cited five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought including that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killer is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge will hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and 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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

Mr Kohbergers defence is fighting against the states use of genetic genealogy to tie him to the brutal murders.

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.

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.

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (Jazzmin Kernodle)

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 Judge is set to hear arguments in court on Tuesday.

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 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.
Catalytic converters stolen all over Bucks County. DA says this ring took thousands

Bucks County law enforcement say they have broken up one of the largest, and lucrative, stolen catalytic converter theft rings in southeastern Pennsylvania, an operation they is responsible for thousands of thefts in Bucks County alone.

At a news conference Tuesday, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said 10 adults and an unidentified 17-year-old have been charged, including the owner of a Philadelphia towing business, Michael Williams, 52, of Philadelphia.

In what Weintraub called a "first" for his career, TDI Towing itself also is facing criminal charges. TDI Towing was registered with the state as Diversified Towing & Recovery Inc. but also listed in business documents as TDI Inc. and Tow Decisions.

This is an aerial view of TDI Towing located on Wheatsheaf Road in Philadelphia. Bucks County authorities allege the tow yard housed a major catalytic converter theft ring.

What to know about catalytic thefts 'A persistent problem': What you need to know about catalytic converter thefts on the rise in Bucks County

Bucks County authorities have charged 11 individuals and a Philadelphia business with multiple felonies related to a stolen catalytic converter ring.

The year-long investigation went before a Bucks County grand jury which recommended charges, and alleges Williams, operating as TDI Towing, had been buying stolen catalytic converters, at an average of $300 each, since at least 2020, when COVID-19 pandemic-related supply chain issues increased the market prices for the rare metals found in the car part.

Catalytic converters filter out harmful byproducts in exhaust gasses reducing harmful emissions and improving car performance using the metals rhodium, platinum and palladium, which are valued at between $1,000 and $7,000 an ounce, Weintraub said.

Typically, a converter contains two grams or less of rhodium and no more than seven grams of platinum and palladium, authorities said. The metals can can broken down and harvested from the converters and sold for other uses.

During the three years the ring operated, TDI Towing purchased an average of 175 converters a week, or nearly $8.2 million over three years, Weintraub said. On some nights, there were 30 transactions with some thieves showing up more than once, authorities said.

This slide from a presentation Tuesday shows a suspected catalytic converter thief attempting to cool the still-hot car part in a puddle of water before removing it.

At its peak, TDI Towing was paying a minimum of $10,000 a night to thieves coming to the tow yard to sell stolen catalytic converters. On several occasions, the company paid as much as $1,000 for a single converter, authorities said.

The DA's office is in the process of calculating how much profit TDI Towing and Williams made in the resale of the converters or the precious metals they contain. But authorities allege they know Williams was making at least an 8% markup on the stolen converters. The average cost to replace a catalytic converter is $2,000, Weintraub said.

Every week, and sometimes more than once a week, Williams would take the catalytic converters from TDI Towing for resale and profit at another location, the investigation found. He took about 50 catalytic converters per trip. Weintraub did not identify other businesses that may have purchased the stolen items, but he said the investigation is ongoing.

While TDI Towing yard advertised itself as operating during daytime hours, people would arrive all throughout the night to sell catalytic converters, authorities said. Among the surveillance images investigators captured were ones showing thieves allegedly stealing catalytic converters from cars parked outside the tow business.

Bucks County detectives and assisting law enforcement agencies conducted thousands of hours of surveillance at TDI Towing, conducted controlled sales at the tow yard and used other advanced investigative techniques to identify catalytic converter thieves and those who purchased the stolen goods, authorities said.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub (center) with other area law enforcement officials including Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele (right, front) announce the dismantling of a million-dollar catalytic converter theft ring on June 28, 2023.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office has charged 11 individuals and one corporation, TDI Towing, with multiple felonies including corrupt organizations and theft of catalytic converters.

All the defendants, but one, involved in the ring have been arrested and face multiple felony charges including corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, receiving stolen property and theft of catalytic converters, Weintraub said Tuesday.

Most of the other defendants have a family connection to Williams and were current or former employees, authorities said.

Six defendants are free on bail, including Williams, who has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is cooperating with investigators, Weintraub said. Williams also waived the preliminary hearing for TDI Towing, Weintraub said.

Three other defendants are in custody in Delaware County or Philadelphia on other charges, including Anthony Davalos, 43, of Philadelphia.

Davalos, who has been on the run after skipping his sentencing hearing after he was convicted of stealing 22 catalytic converters, also faces multiple aggravated assault charges. Authorities allege he attempted to run over a Lower Southampton detective who was attempting to stop him from stealing a catalytic converter in 2021.

Another suspected catalytic converter thief, Richard Paige, 39, whose last known address was in Warminster, remains at large, Weintraub said Tuesday.

Individuals who had their catalytic converters stolen over the last year may be able to recoup any losses from TDI Towing in the form of restitution, though matching a stolen converter with the ring could be a "tedious" process, Weintraub said.

The district attorney said that authorities may be able to use surveillance video obtained during the investigation to identify vehicles whose converters were stolen and purchased by TDI.

"Our goal? To put them out of business. Forever," Weintraub added. "A corporate death sentence."

Middletown police said 14 catalytic converters were found inside a rental vehicle on Route 1 last year. Investigators believe the converters were stolen.

More on catalytic converter thefts Middletown police find 14 catalytic converters during traffic stop amid theft uptick

Update: 2020 cold case of Shaquille Love Why police believe Bristol Township murder victim wasn't target in 2020 shooting

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks DA charges TDI Towing operator in catalytic converter theft ring
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott shared a fake article about country musician Garth Brooks being booed off stage on Sunday, according to multiple news reports.

Brooks recently said his new bar in Nashville would serve Bud Light. The Anheuser-Busch beer has faced boycotts for partnering with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender comic and actress who is well known on TikTok.

Abbott reportedly shared an article by The Dunning-Kruger Times, a self-described subsidiary of the Americas Last Line of Defense network of parody, satire, and tomfoolery, or as Snopes called it before they lost their war on satire: Junk News.

Garth Brooks Booed of Stage at 123rd Annual Texas County Jamboree, Abbott tweeted, according to a screenshot of the post shared by U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, a Austin Democrat, and the Austin American-Statesman. Go Woke. Go Broke.

.@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

The satire article says Brooks was booed from the stage at the 123rd Annual Texas Country Jamboree in Hambriston. There is no Hambriston, Texas and the festival isnt real.

The tweet appears to have since been deleted from Abbotts personal Twitter feed. His office did not immediately return a request for comment, including clarification on whether Abbott wrote the tweet or if it was a member of his staff.

@GregAbbott_TX just accidentally posted a satire article because he wants to hate on queer Texans and Garth Brooks so bad, Casar tweeted on Sunday. The Texas Country Jamboree doesnt exist. Hambriston, Texas is not real. And the Governor is not fit to tweet, much less govern. Happy pride!
Bus full of migrants help mother give birth before being detained in Mexico

Bus of migrants help mother give birth before being detained in Mexico (via REUTERS)

A bus full of migrants helped a woman deliver a baby before all of them were detained at a checkpoint in southeastern Mexico on Monday.

The pregnant woman was one of the 141 migrants, mostly Guatemalans, found on the bus in the Gulf state of Veracruz. The group also included 26 unaccompanied minors, according to a statement by the National Migration Institute (INM).

The mother and the newborn were reportedly taken to a hospital after being detained.

"(The woman) gave birth with the help of those that traveled with her, who cut the umbilical cord," the INM said, according to Reuters.

"We helped the lady and told her to push so (the baby) would come out," one of the men detained said in a video shared by the agency. "Then we gave our sweaters... She kept asking about the baby. You could see she was scared."

The agency released images that showed the mother holding her newborn in a thick purple blanket and a surgical cover.

The journey through Mexico to the US has become increasingly perilous for migrants. On Monday, another 130 Guatemalan migrants had been detained in a truck in the same state, where 19 of them were unaccompanied minors.

US Customs and Border Protection in recent years has grappled with record crossings, and in the wake of Title 42's expiration has said it is prioritising migrants with appointments to streamline processing.

Washington has encouraged migrants to use legal pathways to seek entry, including using an app called CBP One to schedule appointments at the border to request asylum.

More than 50 migrants died last year in a truck in Texas in the worst human smuggling tragedy in recent US history.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has promised to finish building the southern border wall as part of an aggressive immigration policy proposal he laid out Monday in a Texas border city.

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," Mr 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.
Bus of migrants help mother give birth in Mexico before being detained

Bus of migrants help mother give birth before being detained in Mexico

By Daina Beth Solomon and Isabel Woodford

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A woman who had just given birth was among 141 migrants detained at a bus checkpoint in southeastern Mexico on Monday, the same day another large group of migrants was found in the area crowded into the back of a trailer truck.

The mother and her newborn girl were taken to a hospital after being detained, according to a statement by the National Migration Institute (INM).

The mother was among a group of mostly Guatemalans found on the bus in the Gulf state of Veracruz. The group also included 26 unaccompanied minors, the statement said.

"(The woman) gave birth with the help of those that traveled with her, who cut the umbilical cord," the INM added.

"We helped the lady and told her to push so (the baby) would come out," one of the men detained said in a video shared by the agency. "Then we gave our sweaters... She kept asking about the baby. You could see she was scared."

Images released by the agency showed the mother holding the newborn in a thick purple blanket and a surgical cover.

It comes after the institute reported on Monday that another 130 Guatemalan migrants had been detained in a truck in the same state. Nineteen of them were reported to be unaccompanied minors.

The journey through Mexico to the U.S. is often perilous for migrants. More than 50 migrants died last year in a truck in Texas in the worst human smuggling tragedy in recent U.S. history.

The United States has encouraged migrants to use legal pathways to seek entry, including using an app called CBP One to schedule appointments at the border to request asylum.

(Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Isabel Woodford. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
More than $200 billion in federal aid to small businesses during the pandemic may have been given to fraudsters, a report from the Small Business Administration revealed on Tuesday.

As the agency rushed to distribute about $1.2 trillion in funds to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection programs, it weakened or removed certain requirements designed to ensure only eligible businesses get funds, the SBA Office of Inspector General found.

"The pandemic presented a whole-of-government challenge," Inspector General Hannibal "Mike" Ware concluded in the report. "Fraudsters found vulnerabilities and coordinated schemes to bypass controls and gain easy access to funds meant for eligible small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the economic crisis."

The fraud estimate for the EIDL program is more than $136 billion, while the PPP fraud estimate is $64 billion. In earlier estimates, the SBA inspector general said about $86 billion in fraudulent loans for the EIDL program and $20 billion in fraudulent loans for the PPP had been distributed.

The SBA is still conducting thousands of investigations and could find further fraud. The SBA has discovered more than $400 billion worth of loans that require further investigation.

Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security Act, signed into law by President Trump in 2020, borrowers could self-certify that their loan applications were accurate.

Stricter rules were put in place in 2021 to stem pandemic fraud, but "many of the improvements were made after much of the damage had already been done due to the lax internal control environment created at the onset of these programs," the SBA Office of Inspector General found.

In comments attached to the report, Bailey DeVries, SBA's acting associate administrator for capital access, emphasized that most of the fraud  86% by SBA's estimate  took place in the first nine months after the loan programs were instituted.

Investigations into COVID-19 EIDL and PPP fraud have resulted in 1,011 indictments, 803 arrests, and 529 convictions as of May, officials said. Nearly $30 billion in funds have been seized or returned to the SBA.

The SBA inspector general is set to testify before the House Small Business Committee to discuss his findings on July 13.

The SBA is not alone in falling victim to fraud during the pandemic. The Labor Department estimated there was $164 billion in improper unemployment fraud payments.

The GOP-led House Oversight Committee has been targeting fraud in COVID relief programs.

"We owe it to the American people to get to the bottom of the greatest theft of American taxpayer dollars in history," Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, Republican of Kentucky, previously said.

In March, President Biden's administration asked Congress to agree to pay more than $1.6 billion to help clean up COVID fraud. During a call with reporters at the time, White House American Rescue Plan coordinator Gene Sperling said spending to investigate and prosecute fraud would result in returns.

"It's just so clear and the evidence is so strong that a dollar smartly spent here will return to the taxpayers, or save, at least $10," Sperling said.

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California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, from top left, with former California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez during a public hearing to consider the appointment of Judge Kelli Evans to the California Supreme Court in San Francisco in 2022. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

A California reform measure that capped probation to two years for many nonviolent offenders applies retroactively to plea agreements that hadn't been finalized when the law took effect in 2021, the California Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Where such deals included longer probation terms than are allowed under the new law, the state should reduce those terms accordingly while leaving the rest of the deals intact, the state's high court ruled.

How many defendants might qualify for reduced probation as a result of the ruling was not immediately clear, though the court noted that there are a large number of pending plea bargains in the state.

The defendant whose case was before the court, Ricky Prudholme, pleaded guilty and agreed to serve a year in jail and three years of probation for a second-degree burglary in San Bernardino County in 2018. He later filed a notice of appeal. The deal was pending when the state passed Assembly Bill 1950 into law in 2020.

The high court agreed unanimously Monday with Prudholme's claim that his probation should have been reduced to two years as a result of the new law, with the rest of his deal left intact. In doing so, it reversed part of a lower court ruling that would have sent Prudholme's case back to the trial court so the state could reconsider the deal and decide whether to withdraw from it.

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office, which supported remanding Prudholme's case to the trial court, said it was reviewing the high court's decision but otherwise declined to comment. Prudholme's attorney also declined to comment.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles), who sponsored AB 1950 when she was a member of the California Assembly, said she was pleased with the court's decision, which she said will "have a huge impact" and help to address inequalities in the criminal justice system.

"We know that Black and brown people are disproportionately impacted by harsh sentencing, including long probationary periods that create barriers for reentering our society," she said in a statement to The Times.

Associate Justice Carol Corrigan, who authored the high court's decision, wrote that reducing Prudholme's probation would not alter the state's deal with him so fundamentally that it warranted giving the state an opportunity to withdraw from the deal completely.

Read more: California's black lawmakers urge support for bills to address systemic inequality

She wrote that the Legislature in passing AB 1950 had determined that shorter probation periods were preferable in such cases and that the intent of the legislation "would be thwarted" if disagreeing prosecutors were simply able to reconsider or withdraw from the terms of affected plea agreements.

That was particularly true, Corrigan wrote, given the "only recourse" of prosecutors displeased with the reform measure's lesser probation periods would be to pursue more serious charges and prison time instead.

Offenders can be sentenced to probation in lieu of or in addition to a prison or jail sentence. The terms of probation vary but can require released offenders to regularly report to a probation officer, submit to drug testing and counseling, complete community service and remain out of trouble. Offenders may be returned to prison for violating probation.

AB 1950 capped probation for many misdemeanors at one year, and for many nonviolent felonies at two years. Those caps do not apply to violent crimes such as robbery, rape or murder, to crimes for which specific probation periods are already spelled out in the law, or to certain theft or financial crimes.

The bill was championed by criminal justice reform advocates who cited evidence that the greatest benefits of probation come early on after an offender's release. Critics, including probation officials in the state, opposed the bill on grounds that it was unclear and would limit the benefits that probation provides, both to offenders and the state.

Corrigan noted one lack of clarity in the law herself, writing that legislators had failed to indicate whether they intended the law to apply retroactively  leaving the "difficult, divisive and time-consuming" process of deciding that to the courts.

She urged lawmakers to "regularly express their intent" as to whether laws should be retroactive in the future.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed on a $310.8 billion budget deal Monday, a compromise reached by dropping the governors proposal to fast-track a 45-mile Delta water tunnel that would pump water from the Sacramento River to other parts of the state.

The agreement reflects the broad outlines of a spending plan lawmakers released during the weekend, which includes more money for public transit, child care, prison reform and Medi-Cal. The deal also includes spending cuts and deferrals needed to close the states estimated $31.5 billion budget gap.

The compromise over the hotly contested Delta tunnel project allowed the spending plan to move forward just in time for leaders to meet state deadlines. Newsom announced the budget deal late Monday with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego.

In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, health care, climate and public safety, Newsom said in a statement late Monday evening.

The governor must sign Tuesday what is essentially a placeholder budget that the Legislature approved June 15. Lawmakers will take up bills tied to the spending plan this week, before the new fiscal year begins Saturday.

The final accord was stymied by the Newsoms proposal to revise the California Environmental Quality Act and expedite the massive $16 billion Delta Conveyance, which would divert water from the Sacramento River to a tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for farms and cities in the south.

Legislators and Newsom ended the logjam by removing the project from the list of clean energy, transportation and water projects the governor wants to streamline, Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, confirmed to The Sacramento Bee.

The Senate and Assembly have yet to officially release the details of the negotiated infrastructure package, which could change during legislative hearings this week.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, middle, tours a battery storage facility at the Proxima Solar Farm under construction outside Patterson, Calif., Friday, May 19, 2023. Newsom on Friday signed an executive order laying the groundwork for a bold plan to expedite major transportation, water, clean energy and other infrastructure projects across California. Andy Alfaro/aalfaro@modbee.com

Delta tunnel opposition

Newsom has insisted the CEQA alterations are necessary to reduce the lengthy environmental review process that has slowed or killed large-scale projects.

The CEQA reforms and Delta tunnel are not technically a part of the states budget package. However, Newsom tied them to his approval of the spending plan, irking lawmakers who felt he was trying to use it as a wedge during negotiations.

Theyre calling it infrastructure streamlining, which is cute, said Eggman, who represents communities near the Delta. But really its just really an end-run around the process that has provided the Delta protection.

The highly controversial Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tunnel project, in particular, became a major sticking point in discussions.

A group of lawmakers  including Eggman and Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua, who also represents the Stockton area  last week sent a letter to Newsom and legislative leaders urging them to remove the Delta tunnel from the infrastructure package.

The project is Newsoms version of a long-debated proposal for a tunnel to bypass the Delta by conveying water from the Sacramento River in Northern California to communities in Southern California.

The California Department of Water Resources says the project is necessary to adapt to the states increasingly inconsistent water supply, which is subject to droughts and sudden severe storms. However, environmental groups and Native American tribes argue it would devastate the regions already threatened ecosystems and wildlife.

If you think about pumping water from the Sacramento River underneath, 40 miles, to tunnel and divert that water from entering the Delta, I think youre talking about an ecological collapse of a really important estuary for the world but especially California, Eggman said.

The state Legislative Analysts Office warned against rushing such complicated deliberations.

States are jockeying for money to fund clean energy and climate projects from a $1 trillion infrastructure package President Joe Biden signed in 2021. Newsom is aiming to make California more competitive for that funding by streamlining the states lengthy environmental permitting processes for big projects.

The governor wanted the Delta tunnel project in the budget as a way to appeal for those dollars, said Sonja Petek, an LAO fiscal and policy analyst. But its unclear how much money is even on the line.

When you get down to it, were not exactly clear on how these particular proposals would really necessarily increase our chance of getting funding, Petek said.

What would it actually mean? Would it speed these projects up, and by how much? A lot of those questions from our perspective are still unanswered.
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - A California man suing Johnson & Johnson told jurors on Monday how his life was upended by a cancer diagnosis that he blames on using the company's baby powder since childhood, as the first trial over the product in nearly two years neared its end.

"I just turned into a scared little kid," Emory Hernandez, fighting back tears, said of his 2022 mesothelioma diagnosis while testifying in Alameda County Superior Court, according to an online broadcast of the trial by Courtroom View Network. He said he would have avoided J&J's talc if he had been warned it contained asbestos, as his lawsuit alleges.

J&J has denied that its baby powder contained asbestos or causes cancer.

Hernandez, 24, said he had recently changed his name to Emory, from Anthony, because he had hoped to use the name for his own future child.

"I used it kind of like in honor of the potential kid that I could have had," he said.

J&J has argued in the case that Hernandez's illness, which affects the tissue around his heart rather than the more common form affecting the lungs, is extremely rare and has not been linked to asbestos exposure.

Allison Brown, a lawyer for J&J, in a cross-examination, asked Hernandez about how much he knew about his own case.

Hernandez said he did not know much about the details of the lawsuit, and also that he did not personally buy baby powder or remember which specific products he used. He also said he did not remember his doctor ever telling him that baby powder caused his cancer.

Earlier in the day, jurors heard from Hernandez's mother, Anna Camacho, who said she used large amounts of J&J's baby powder on her son when he was a baby and through childhood. She cried as she described Hernandez's illness.

"I do not wish this on any parent," she said.

Hernandez's trial, expected to conclude later this week, comes as J&J seeks to resolve thousands of similar talc lawsuits through a settlement.

J&J subsidiary LTL Management in April filed for bankruptcy in Trenton, New Jersey, proposing to pay $8.9 billion to settle more than 38,000 lawsuits, and prevent new cases from coming forward in the future. It is the company's second attempt to resolve talc claims in bankruptcy, after a federal appeals court rejected an earlier bid.

Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in New Jersey is expected to hold a hearing on Tuesday on whether to dismiss the latest bankruptcy as being filed in bad faith, as some talc plaintiffs and the U.S. government have argued.

J&J has said the proposed bankruptcy settlement offers a fairer and faster resolution for cancer claimants than litigation in other courts.

Litigation has largely been halted during bankruptcy proceedings, but Kaplan allowed Hernandez's trial to go ahead because he is expected to live only a short time.

Even if Hernandez wins, he will not be able to collect on the judgment while the bankruptcy is ongoing, though the case could affect future settlement negotiations.

J&J said in bankruptcy court filings that the costs of its talc-related verdicts, settlements and legal fees have soared to about $4.5 billion.

(Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)
Photo: The Canadian Press

The number of different electronic cigarette devices sold in the U.S. has nearly tripled to over 9,000 since 2020, driven almost entirely by a wave of unauthorized disposable vapes from China, according to tightly controlled sales data obtained by The Associated Press.

The surge stands in stark contrast to regulators own figures, which tout the rejection of some 99% of company requests to sell new e-cigarettes while authorizing only a few meant for adult smokers.

The numbers demonstrate the Food and Drug Administrations inability to control the tumultuous vaping market more than three years after declaring a crackdown on kid-friendly flavors. Most of the disposable e-cigarettes, which are thrown away after theyre used up, come in sweet and fruity flavors like pink lemonade, gummy bear and watermelon that have made them the favorite tobacco product among teenagers.

They are all technically illegal, but their influx has turned the FDAs regulatory model on its head. Instead of carefully reviewing individual products that might help adult smokers, regulators must now somehow claw back thousands of illegal products sold by under-the-radar importers and distributors.

Most disposables mirror a few major brands, such as Elf Bar or Puff Bar, but hundreds of new varieties appear each month. Companies copy each others designs, blurring the line between the real and counterfeit. Entrepreneurs can launch a new product by simply sending their logo and flavor requests to Chinese manufacturers, who promise to deliver tens of thousands of devices within weeks.

Once a niche market, cheaper disposables made up 40% of the roughly $7 billion retail market for e-cigarettes last year, according to data from analytics firm IRI obtained by the AP. The companys proprietary data collects barcode scanner sales from convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers.

More than 5,800 unique disposable products are now being sold in numerous flavors and formulations, according to the data, up 1,500% from 365 in early 2020. Thats when the FDA effectively banned all flavors except menthol and tobacco from cartridge-based e-cigarettes like Juul, the rechargeable device blamed for sparking a nationwide surge in underage vaping.

But the FDAs policy, formulated under President Donald Trump, excluded disposables, prompting many teens to simply switch from Juul to the newer flavored products.

The FDA moves at a ponderous pace and the industry knows that and exploits it, said Dr. Robert Jackler of Stanford University, who has studied the rise of disposables. Time and again, the vaping industry has innovated around efforts to remove its youth-appealing products from the market.

Adding to the challenge, foreign manufacturers of the prefilled devices don't have to register with the FDA, giving regulators little visibility into a sprawling industry centered in Chinas Shenzhen manufacturing center.

Under pressure from politicians, parents and major vaping companies, the FDA recently sent warning letters to more than 200 stores selling popular disposables, including Elf Bar, Esco Bar and Breeze. The agency also issued orders blocking imports of those three brands. But IRI data shows those companies accounted for just 14% of disposable sales last year. Dozens of other brands, including Air Bar, Mr. Fog, Fume and Kangvape, have been left untouched.

The FDA's tobacco director, Brian King, said the agency is unwavering" in its commitment against illegal e-cigarettes.

I dont think theres any panacea here, King said. We follow a comprehensive approach and that involves addressing all entities across the supply chain, from manufacturers to importers to distributors to retailers.

The IRI data obtained by the AP provides key insights beyond figures released last week by government researchers, which showed the number of vaping brands in the U.S. grew nearly 50% to 269 by late 2022.

IRI restricts access to its data, which it sells to companies, investment firms and researchers. A person not authorized to share it gave access to the AP on condition of anonymity. The company declined to comment on or confirm the data, saying IRI doesn't offer such information to news organizations.

To be sure, the FDA has made progress in a mammoth task: processing nearly 26 million product applications submitted by manufacturers hoping to enter or stay on the market. And King said the agency hopes to get back to "true premarket review once it finishes plowing through that mountain of applications.

But in the meantime disposable vape makers have exploited two loopholes in the FDA's oversight, only one of which has been closed.

The FDAs authority originally only referenced products using nicotine from tobacco plants. In 2021, Puff Bar and other disposable companies switched to using laboratory-made nicotine.

Congress closed that loophole last year, but the action gave rise to another backlog of FDA applications for synthetic nicotine products. Under the law, the FDA was supposed to promptly make decisions on those applications. The agency has let most stay on the market while numerous others launch illegally.

An earlier loophole came from a decision by Trumps White House, which was made without the FDAs input, according to the previous director of the agencys tobacco program.

It was preventable, said Mitch Zeller, who retired from the FDA last year. But I was told there was no appeal.

In September 2019, Trump announced at a news conference a plan to ban non-tobacco flavors from all e-cigarettes  both reloadable devices and disposables. But political advisers to the president worried that could alienate voters.

Zeller said he was subsequently informed by phone in December 2019 that the flavor restrictions wouldnt apply to disposables.

I told them: It doesnt take a crystal ball to predict that kids will migrate to the disposable products that are unaffected by this, and you ultimately wont solve the problem,' Zeller said.

JUUL'S FALL AND THE FLOOD OF DISPOSABLES

In retrospect, the governments crackdown on Juul now seems relatively simple.

In September 2018, FDA officials declared teen vaping an epidemic, pointing to rising use of Juul, Reynolds Americans Vuse and other brands.

Within weeks, FDA investigators conducted an unannounced inspection of Juuls headquarters. Congressional committees launched investigations, collecting hundreds of thousands of company documents.

By October 2019, Juul had dropped most of its flavors and discontinued all advertising.

In a way, we had it good back then, but no one knew, said Dorian Fuhrman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes.

Parents, health groups and major vaping companies essentially agree: The FDA must clear the market of flavored disposables.

But lobbying by tobacco giant Reynolds American, maker of the best-selling Vuse e-cigarette, has made some advocates hesitant about pushing the issue.

Reynolds and Juul have seen sales flatline amid the surge in disposables, according to the IRI data. Disposable e-cigarettes generated $2.74 billion last year.

The economic barriers to entry are low: Chinese manufacturers offer dozens of designs and flavors for as little as $2 per device when ordering 10,000 or more. The devices sell in the U.S. for $10 to $30.

If you have $5 billion you probably cant start a traditional cigarette company, Jackler said. But if you have $50,000 you can just send your artwork and logo to one of these companies and it will be on a pallet next week.

Esco Bars comes in flavors like Bubbleberry, Citrus Circus, Bahama Mama and Berry Snow.

The Austin, Texas company behind the brand, Pastel Cartel, racked up more than $240 million in disposable sales before the FDA blocked its Chinese imports last month.

CEO Darrell Surriff says his company has gone to great lengths to comply with the FDA, spending $8 million on an application that the agency refused to accept. Hes appealing that decision and considering challenges to the import ban.

Were a company that does very positive things for society and the community, and the government just attacked us, said Surriff, who added that he recently purchased new cars for several longtime employees.

Import alerts are one of the FDA's strongest tools to block illegal products, but industry experts say they're easy to skirt.

Chinese companies tend to just rename their products and change their shipping address so then the products can easily be marketed again, said Marc Scheineson, a former FDA attorney who now consults for tobacco clients.

The FDAs import ban against Chinese manufacturer Elf Bar, the best-selling disposable in the U.S., demonstrates the weaknesses of the whack-a-mole approach. The alert doesn't mention several other brands made by the company, including Lost Mary and Funky Republic.

Made by iMiracle Shenzhen, Elf Bar alone has generated nearly $400 million in U.S. sales since late 2021, the IRI data shows. The company recently renamed its products in the U.S. to EB Design, due to a trademark dispute.

IMiracle criticized the FDA's recent actions on imports and warning letters in an emailed statement, saying the agency is dead-set on eliminating all vaping products from the U.S. marketplace." The company said it would defend its adult customers by fighting back against the FDA's regulation.

National retail chains tend to avoid stocking disposables. But new distribution networks have sprung up, according to those in the industry. A wholesaler will import a shipping container of disposables and then sell the contents to smaller distributors, who then sell the products to local stores out of vans or trucks.

OUTDATED AND UNFINISHED RULES

The 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over the tobacco industry was focused on cigarettes and other traditional products made by a handful of huge U.S. companies.

The aim was to subject tobacco manufacturing and ingredients to the same kind of scrutiny and inspections as foods and medical supplies. Todays vaping manufacturers, based almost exclusively in China, werent part of the discussion.

Fourteen years later, the FDA hasn't finalized manufacturing rules that would extend its authority to foreign vaping factories. In fact, regulators only released a draft regulation in March.

FDA theoretically has the authority to inspect foreign manufacturing facilities, said Patricia Kovacevic, an attorney specializing in tobacco regulation. But practically speaking, the inspection program that the FDA has in place only happens in the U.S.

Of more than 500 tobacco-related inspections conducted since the FDA gained authority over e-cigarettes, only two were in China, according to the agency's public database. Those two inspections took place at Shenzhen factories used by major U.S. vaping firms, which have filed FDA applications for their products.

Currently, those applications are essentially the only way that FDA learns exactly where and how e-cigarettes are produced. Many disposables have simply skipped the process altogether.

The FDA itself recognizes the problem, stating in its proposed guidelines: Covering foreign manufacturers is necessary to assure the protection of the public health," and noting numerous reports of battery fires and explosions, with Chinese e-cigarettes.

The agency has been playing catch-up on the vaping issue for over a decade.

The FDA announced plans to start regulating the products in 2011, and it took regulators another five years to finalize rules.

Once implemented in August 2016, no new e-cigarettes were supposed to enter the U.S. and companies on the market had to submit applications for review by September 2020. Only products that could help smokers  by reducing cigarette exposure  while not appealing to youngsters were supposed to win authorization.

With limited resources, the FDA used discretion to delay decisions on many applications, allowing products  including major brands like Vuse  to stay on the market for years.

The backlog now includes thousands more e-cigarettes using synthetic nicotine. To date the FDA has only authorized about two dozen e-cigarettes from three manufacturers. None are disposables.

Any product that doesnt have authorization is on the market illegally, King says.

Industry representatives say the FDAs refusal to approve more options has forced it into an untenable position.

When an agency declares that everything on the market is illegal, it puts itself in the position of being completely unable to enforce its own regulations, said Tony Abboud, of the Vapor Technology Association.

SPLIT VIEWS ON A SOLUTION

Even with broad agreement that flavored disposables are a problem, theres little consensus on the solution.

In February, Reynolds petitioned the FDA to begin subjecting disposables to the same flavor restrictions as Vuse and other older products. Three weeks later, legislation that would have the same effect appeared in the U.S. House. (A Reynolds spokesman said the company did not lobby for the bill's introduction.)

Anti-vaping groups note that the companys Vuse, still available in menthol, was the second most popular e-cigarette among teens last year.

They want groups like ours to call for a ban on all Chinese vapes so that they can take over the market, said Fuhrman, of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. Were not calling for that. Were calling on the FDA to do its job.

Indeed, the FDA's King says the agency already has ample authority to regulate disposables.

Theres no loophole to close, King said, pointing out that FDA has recently shifted its focus to target disposable manufacturers.

But that assertion has stoked frustration about why the agency hasnt been more aggressive in using the legal tools it has available, including fines and court orders. Former agency officials note that some legal actions require cooperation from other agencies, including the Justice Department.

If theres less urgency around underage vaping than a few years ago thats likely because government data suggests an improving picture.

Since 2019, the governments annual survey has shown two big drops in vaping among middle and high school students, and FDA officials no longer describe the issue as an epidemic.

Educators say vaping is still a big problem.

At Mountain Range High School near Denver, art teacher Kyle Wimmer says about 20% of his students report regularly vaping when he polls them using the classrooms anonymous computer system.

Esco Bars and Elf Bars are absolutely taking over right now, he said.

Last school year, Wimmer collected 150 e-cigarettes from students who handed them over hoping to quit. Most dont make it more than a few weeks.

The success rate is not very high, Wimmer said. They dont want to do it anymore, but they cant stop because the nicotine is too high.
California has tried to boost its housing stock. See which states have done better

An aerial view of workers constructing new homes in the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine in 2021. California reported increasing housing stock by 1.6% from July 2020 to July 2022, according to census data. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A retired human resources director, Pam Quinn was burned out on the work-intensive culture of Silicon Valley and looking to relocate to a place where she felt like she was "part of a community."

After searching on her iPad, the widowed 66-year-old empty-nester from the San Jose suburb of Campbell found Twin Oaks, a newly built development in Hollister, described on its website as a "55+ active lifestyle community." Quinn moved in April of 2022, just as the development was completed.

Hollister is the county seat of San Benito County, California's leader when it comes to housing units added in the last several years. Between July 2020 and July 2022, the county housing supply went up 4.6%, or 946 units.

San Benito County defied the trends in California, which increased its housing stock by only 1.6% between July 2020 and July 2022, while the U.S. as a whole boosted housing by 2.3%, according to newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Quinn's friends in Silicon Valley would tease her, saying, "Hollister, that's the boonies, you can't live there," she said, but her new home, away from the corporate grind and traffic, has turned her life around.

"I'm living in a five-star resort here and it's absolutely gorgeous," she said.

Read more: 4 in 10 California residents are considering packing up and leaving, new poll finds

Amid California's housing crisis, the state has scrambled to add enough supply  like the Hollister development  to mitigate skyrocketing rents.

But many states in the U.S.  31, to be exact  reported more housing growth than California did.

Land costs, environmental restrictions and other factors can explain why California lags behind so many other states in building new housing, said Hans Johnson, a demographer with the Public Policy Institute of California.

"The availability and cost of land in California is different than in many states where housing continues to be built at a faster rate," he said.

"We have very high housing prices," Johnson said, and "even though we might be losing people, there is still an unmet demand for more housing."

There are fewer places to build in California after past housing booms resulted in "large new suburban developments at the edge of the urban fringe"  with places like Orange County and the Inland Empire fueling growth, Johnson said.

"We have limited land to build new housing in areas where demand is great," he said, and as a result "California has had a hard time building as much housing as many of us think is necessary."

Additionally, experts believe regulations such as the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, may need to be reformed to "streamline housing building in California," Johnson said.

"Neighborhood opposition and lawsuits have dampened the ability of jurisdictions to build housing even when they want to," he said. "New housing developments can be tied up for years as the courts adjudicate the lawsuits."

While California has been slow at adding housing, some of the fastest growth has been happening in the types of places where fleeing Californians have been known to move, including Utah, Idaho and Texas.

Read more: Renters dominate California  but they are struggling to survive

In raw numbers, Florida and Texas added more units than California did. Texas added almost 550,000 units in the two-year span, while Florida added almost 400,000. California's 235,000 additional units amount to less than half of what Texas added in the same time period.

Here are the top 15 states by housing growth including many states popular among residents departing California:





Utah, 6.7% Idaho, 6.0% Texas, 4.7% South Carolina, 4.3% Florida, 4.0% Colorado, 4.0% North Carolina, 3.9% South Dakota, 3.8% Delaware, 3.8% Tennessee, 3.7% Nevada, 3.7% Washington, 3.5% Arizona, 3.4% Georgia, 2.9% Montana, 2.8%

Californians' migration trends have caused controversy in recent years: Utah's governor told Californians to stay home "instead of coming as refugees." Boise pushed against increasing California migration, and residents of Los Angeles and San Francisco were confronted with billboards telling them not to move to Texas.

Census data highlight a trend toward weaker housing growth in the Northeast and Midwest and stronger growth in the Southeast and Rockies.

The nation's recent housing trend seems to line up with America's politics.

The top five states for housing growth  and eight of the top 10  voted Republican in the 2020 presidential election. Four of the bottom five voted Democratic, as well as seven of the bottom 10.

Read more: More than 100 vacant, government-owned parcels in L.A. could be used for housing, study finds

Johnson pointed to his research, showing that "higher-income Californians who are leaving the state are more likely to go to a state with no income taxes." Many states without income tax are red states, but Johnson acknowledged, it is "not always a red and blue issue."

The top destination states for those leaving California include places such as Washington, Nevada and Texas, he said, which tend to run the gamut from liberal to conservative.

Also, surveys by the Public Policy Institute of California show that "people who are conservative are substantially more likely to say that they are likely to leave the state because of high housing prices than people who are liberal," Johnson said.

Here are the bottom five states by housing growth rate:

46. West Virginia, 0.7%



47. Connecticut, 0.7%



48. New Jersey, 0.6%



49. Rhode Island, 0.5%



50. Illinois, 0.5%

Among the nation's cities that have added housing the fastest, the Census Bureau said in a news release that "[n]ine of the nations 15 fastest-growing cities were in the South" last year, with six of those in Texas, the state with the third-largest housing growth.

The release highlighted counties with exceptionally high growth: "Wasatch County, east of Provo, Utah, was the fastest-growing county," with a 7.7% housing increase between July 2021 and July 2022, the report said. Other notable counties include Rockwall County, northeast of Dallas, Texas  7.4%  and St. Johns County, south of Jacksonville, Fla., at 6.6%.

Back in Hollister, Quinn recalled the snarling traffic in Silicon Valley and the frantic lifestyle her neighbors lived.

"You're out the door at 6 in the morning, you crawl in at 7 at night," she said. "That's the reality of living in Silicon Valley now."

But now she's about 50 minutes away from her children and grandchildren in the Bay Area  provided that she drives when traffic is light.

"The overall quality of life here" is better, she said, with a lower stress level than in the suburbs of San Jose. "People are looking for that balance."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Social media users are claiming information about Canada's wildfires has been limited because posts were being blocked under the country's new Bill C-11, a digital platform regulation measure. This is false; the government and a public policy scholar said the law is not yet in effect and will not be applied to user-generated content on social media.

"This is real-life censorship at work where they're actually silencing the voices of their people and not letting them put anything out that's going to actually show the truth about what's happening," says the speaker in a June 10, 2023 TikTok which received over 132,000 views.

In the video, the man claims there is a lack of posts from users in Canada about the ongoing wildfires due to content being blocked following the recent passage of Bill C-11, or the Online Streaming Act (archived here).

Similar claims of censorship of wildfire content were shared on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.

Screenshot of one of the TikToks, taken June 27, 2023

But Bill C-11, which amends the Canadian Broadcasting Act, has not yet taken effect.

Laura Scaffidi, a spokeswoman for the Minister of Canadian Heritage who sponsored Bill C-11, said the law received royal assent on April 27, but the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) must still define directives for how to apply the law.

"C-11 hasn't been implemented yet and won't begin until the government issues a Policy Direction to the CRTC, and the CRTC develops regulations," Scaffidi said.

Posts about wildfires on public Facebook pages managed from Canada have received hundreds of thousands of interactions since the start of May according to CrowdTangle, a social media monitoring tool.

Screenshot of data from CrowdTangle showing the number of posts by public Canadian Facebook pages discussing wildfires between May 1, 2023 and June 27, 2023

Confusion around Bill C-11

Since Bill C-11 was introduced it has been the subject of public scrutiny and misinformation, as Canadians have raised concerns that content regulation will lead to censorship.

Under Canada's Broadcasting Act, the CRTC mandates a certain amount of content on television and radio must be Canadian. The amendments brought in by C-11 aim to implement the same type of regulations on streaming services, according to Vass Bednar, a professor of public policy at McMaster University.

Both Scaffidi and Bednar said that the bill should not affect user-generated content on social media -- it is targeted at streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify.

However, the open language of the law was criticized for possibly giving the CRTC more power to regulate platforms beyond promoting Canadian content.

While the CRTC has said the bill will only apply to streaming services, and not to social media users or content creators including YouTubers or podcasters, Bednar said that there could be more clarity in communicating how the law will actually affect the user experience on these platforms.

"The CRTC has been cautious about committing to what it's going to look like," she said. "Because they've been cautious about how that's actually going to work, maybe people fill in those blanks."

For example, AFP previously debunked a claim the bill was used to block an American gun-selling website in Canada.

Others speculated that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was censored by Bill C-11 when her Facebook page was temporarily blocked from posting, but this was reported to be a restriction on one of the page's administrators, not the page itself.

When Bill C-18 (archived here) -- a law aiming to make technology companies pay to host Canadian news -- received royal assent on June 22, Meta said it would respond by blocking news from being posted on its platforms. Some have falsely linked the removal of news for Canadian users on Facebook and Instagram to Bill C-11.

Wildfire misinformation

The intense Canadian forest fire season, which has resulted in tens of thousands of evacuations and millions of hectares burned, has also been met on social media with unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

Since the early start of wildfire season in Alberta, AFP has debunked claims of arson or government agents intentionally starting the wildfires. Many of the posts have implied the fires are being started to artificially generate panic about climate change.

Screenshot of a tweet claiming information about the wildfires is being censored, taken June 27, 2023

The video making false claims about Bill C-11 was made in response to a comment on a previous video saying the fires were being started to "create a climate emergency."

While investigations into the causes of the fires are ongoing, Canadian officials have repeatedly told AFP that the record-breaking wildfire season is a result of hot, dry, windy conditions brought on by climate change.

Map showing active fires and fire danger in Canada on June 26, 2023 at 1300 GMT Julia Han JANICKI Sophie RAMIS

Read more of AFP's reporting on misinformation in Canada here.
Canada sees record CO2 emissions from fires so far this year

Canada wildfires: active fires and fire danger (Sophie RAMIS)

Wildfires raging across Canada, made more intense by global warming, have released more planet-warming carbon dioxide in the first six months of 2023 than in any full year on record, EU scientists said Tuesday.

Hundreds of forest fires since early May have generated nearly 600 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 88 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions from all sources in 2021, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reported.

More than half of that carbon pollution went up in smoke in June alone.

"The emissions from these wildfires are now the largest annual emissions for Canada in the 21 years of our dataset," CAMS said in a statement.

The previous record for CO2 cast off by wild fires was just over 500 million tonnes, in 2014.

As of Tuesday, firefighters were battling 494 blazes throughout the country, more than half of them classified as out-of-control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Fuelled by unusually dry conditions and high temperatures, fires erupted in large numbers starting in early May in the western part of Canada, expanding over the last 50 days eastward to Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Globally, forests play a crucial role in curbing global warming by absorbing and stocking excess CO2 -- emitted mainly from burning fossil fuels -- that is overheating the planet.

Vegetation and soil have consistently soaked up about 30 percent of CO2 pollution since 1960, even as those emissions increased by half.

When forests burn, however, all that stored carbon is released into the air.

Fires in eastern Canada have sent huge plumes of particle-filled smoke across the Atlantic Ocean at high altitude, reaching the British Isles and Europe this week.

The long-range transport of smoke by prevailing winds "is not unusual, and not expected to have any significant impact on surface air quality in Europe," said CAMS senior scientist Mark Parrington.

"But it is a clear reflection of the intensity of the fires."

Earlier in June, eye-watering smoke and throat-scratching particle pollution from Canada's fires descended over the US eastern seaboard, including New York City and Philadelphia.

More than 75 million people were under air quality alerts.

Air quality in Montreal was ranked among the worst in the world over the last weekend, according to IQAir.

Worldwide, wildfires in 2021 released about 1.8 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere, compared to about 38 billion from fossil fuels and industry.

mh/js
Canadian wildfire haze drifts into Ohio. Air quality alert for unhealthy level first since 2003

An air quality alert has been issued for much of central Ohio until midnight Wednesday as smoke from wildfires in Canada continue to move into parts of the United States.

Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties are expected to have an Air Quality Index of 164 on Wednesday. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, which issues the alerts, said Wednesday's level will be the first "unhealthy" level since August, 2003.

"As a cold front departs Ohio, westerly to northwesterly winds will transport dense smoke from Canadian wildfires into the Columbus region, increasing particle levels," according to MORPC.

Today is an Air Quality Alert day in Central Ohio.

To decrease the potential for health issues, everyone is urged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.

Visit https://t.co/9aMZfJWNle to sign up for free alerts by email or text. #BeAirAware #AirQuality pic.twitter.com/XelvPNg9CJ  MORPC (@MORPC) June 28, 2023

What's an air quality alert?

MORPC uses the national Air Quality Index scale, which runs from 0 to 500, to measure ozone and particle pollution. When levels reach above 100, air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, and an air quality alert is issued.

Jun 28, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; An air quality alert has been issued for much of central Ohio until midnight Wednesday as smoke from wildfires in Canada continue to move into parts of the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Fire and Smoke Map showed that the AQI for parts of Columbus as high as 154 AQI as of Tuesday afternoon.

At over 150 AQI, some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. People with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit outdoor exposure.

According to MORPC, sensitive groups include:

Elderly people

Children and teens

People with lung disease

Those who are active outdoors

Some people may also be more genetically sensitive to ozone

MORPC says people in sensitive groups should:

Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion

Do less intense activities and take more breaks

Watch for coughing or shortness of breath

Schedule outdoor activities in the morning, when ozone levels are lower

People with asthma are also advised to follow their asthma action plans and keep their medication on them.

Canadian wildfire season worst on record

Earlier this month, smoke from Canadian wildfires shrouded Columbus, New York City, Philadelphia and other cities in the northern United States. Columbus was under an air quality alert for days in early June, with residents experiencing air quality that was unhealthy for sensitive groups.

More: Track smoke from wildfires over Ohio

According to the Canadian government, dozens of wildfires currently rage across the country. This year has become the worst fire season on record for Canada, surpassing the previous 1995 in total area burned, CNN reported.

As of Tuesday, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana were under air quality alerts, and portions of Illinois and Minnesota were also under alerts, according to the NWS.

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why is air quality bad in Ohio today? Canadian wildfires to blame
Canadian wildfires are sending smoke billowing  and plunging air quality  across the US this week

The Chicago skyline is blanketed in haze from Canadian wildfires seen from Solidarity Drive on June 27, 2023, as weather officials issued an air quality alert. Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Get ready for more hazy days in the US this week as Canadian wildfires send smoke south again.

On Tuesday, maps and pictures showed extreme haze in Chicago.

The wildfire smoke will return to the East Coast on Wednesday and Thursday.

Canadian wildfires are sending smoke back across the US this week, plunging the air quality in major cities and prompting health advisories.

On Tuesday, Chicago was blanketed with thick haze from the wildfires and at one point had one of the worst air qualities in the world, according to AirNow and air quality indexes.

City officials put the city and surrounding areas under air quality advisories.

Milwaukee and Detroit also saw harmful air quality from the wildfire smoke, according to CBS News.

Photos posted on Twitter also showed the hazy conditions.

The smoke is also expected to return to New York City tomorrow and Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday.

"Air quality is expected to reach unhealthy levels in some areas," Hochul tweeted, adding that air quality health advisories had been issued in some areas.

The Canadian wildfire smoke previously plagued areas of the northeastern US earlier this month, covering major cities such as New York City in an orange hazy smoke.

Read the original article on Insider
The first hearing for Donald Trump and the special counsels office before Judge Aileen Cannon in the Mar-a-Lago documents case will be in Fort Pierce, Florida, on July 14.

The hearing is set to discuss pretrial issues around classification, with Cannon on Monday granting a request from special counsel Jack Smith that she hold the hearing under the Classified Information Procedures Act.

Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta are not required to be present at the hearing, according to the new court order, though it is the first time their defense teams are set to appear before Cannon.

Additionally, Cannon ordered on Monday that the defendants respond by July 6 to the special counsels request that the trial be delayed until December.

According to the Friday filing from Smiths team requesting the delay, the defendants attorneys confirmed they do not oppose an adjournment of the current trial date and request a status hearing with the Court to address the schedule in this action, as the defense lawyers anticipate filing an opposition to this motion addressing their objections to the governments proposed dates.

Cannon previously scheduled the trial to begin in mid-August, but it was widely expected the start date would be pushed back.

Trump is facing charges of willful retention of national defense information, obstruction, and false statements in the federal investigation into the handling of classified documents from his White House. He has pleaded not guilty. Nauta, who faces obstruction-related charges, is scheduled for an arraignment on Tuesday, where he will have the opportunity to enter his plea.

Special counsel cant  for now  file sealed witnesses list

The scheduling orders from Cannon came shortly after she denied a request from Smiths team to file under seal a list of witnesses with whom Trump cannot speak about the classified documents case.

While Cannon did not raise any problems with the restriction, her new order seemed to question why filing the list on the docket was necessary in the first place. The judge also said that prosecutors had not provided adequate reasoning for why the list, if filed in court, should be kept completely under seal.

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 said in her order.

Media organizations, including CNN, have argued in court filings that the list should be publicly disclosed.

With her new order, Cannon is denying the governments bid to file the list without prejudice  meaning that the prosecutors can make the request again. She also said the media organizations request to intervene to argue for more transparency was denied as moot.

Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, who presided over Trumps arraignment earlier this month, raised the issue of prohibiting Trump from discussing the case with certain witnesses even though prosecutors had not sought such a restriction as a condition for Trumps release from custody.

After a back-and-forth with Trumps attorney, Goodman ordered the special counsels team to come up with a list of witnesses with whom Trump should be barred from speaking about the case, except through their lawyers.

According to a court filing from the special counsel on Friday, the defense counsel has said that it takes no position on the governments motion to seal the list of witnesses, but the defense reserves the right to object to the special condition and the manner in which it was implemented by the government by providing a list of 84 witnesses in purported compliance with the courts order.

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"Captain in the storm": Stoltenberg to remain NATO Secretary General for another year  Euractiv

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is likely to serve another year in office, despite his repeatedly expressed desire to hand over the leadership to another person.

Source: Euractiv, citing four NATO countries diplomats, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stoltenberg, who has been NATO Secretary General since October 2014, was expected to resign this autumn, but instead, he may stay on for another year. The decision could be made as early as Wednesday, 28 June.

None of Stoltenberg's potential successors, such as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace or Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have so far been able to secure the support of 31 NATO member states.

NATO diplomats note that Stoltenberg has proven his leadership in times of crisis. "It is not safe to change the captain during a storm," one of the Alliance's senior officials told Euractiv.

The sources point out that the continuation of the NATO Secretary General's term will bring more time to focus on short- and long-term support for Ukraine instead of engaging in internal discussions.

Since Stoltenberg's successor is expected to be appointed in the middle of next year, their candidacy will likely be discussed together with appointments to key positions in the European Union after the European Parliament elections.

Some Allies, however, have concerns that Stoltenberg's lengthy tenure could be seen "as a huge deficit of democracy" in the Alliance.

Background: Earlier, media reported that NATO allies were inclined to extend the current Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergs term due to challenges in electing a possible successor.

DN news agency noted that US President Joe Biden allegedly persuaded Jens Stoltenberg to stay as NATO Secretary General during his last trip to Washington.

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Car runs off Lexington County road, flips and hits trees in deadly crash, SC cops say

A Midlands man was killed Monday in a crash where the car he was driving hit multiple trees, South Carolina officials said.

William Eugene Sullivan, a 32-year-old Leesville resident, died in the accident, Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said.

The single-vehicle collision happened at about 11:45 a.m. in the 3600 block of Neely Wingard Road, according to Lance Cpl. William Bennett of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Thats in Leesville, near the intersection with U.S. 178/Fairview Road.

Sullivan was driving 2003 Infiniti coupe west when the car crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, then overcorrected and ran off the right side of the road, Bennett said. The car then hit an embankment and a tree before flipping over and crashing into another tree, according to Bennett.

Sullivan, who was wearing a seat belt, died at the scene, Fisher said.

Bennett said Sullivan was the only person in the car, and no other injuries were reported.

Information about what caused the car to veer across the center line was not available, but Fisher said her office and the Highway Patrol continue to investigate the collision.

Through Sunday, 471 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 21 people have died in Lexington County crashes in 2023, according to DPS data. Last year, 43 deaths were reported in the county, DPS reported.
Donald TrumpScott Olson/Getty Images

The legal noose is tightening around Donald Trump and his crime cabal. Special counsel Jack Smith has formally requested a December trial date for the case involving Trump's alleged violations of the Espionage Act and other related federal crimes. Smith's team has also sent Trump's attorneys a list of witnesses and other information about the evidence that will be presented by the prosecution in that trial.

Trump's response has been one of panic and even more paranoia where on his Truth Social disinformation platform and elsewhere the traitor ex-president has been lashing out against "scoundrels" and other "enemies" who are "persecuting" him in some type of "witch hunt." He has also escalated his attacks on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorney General Merrick Garland, telling his supporters that the United States is like a "communist" country and that the Department of Justice is some type of Gestapo force that does not have legitimacy or authority.

Contrary to what Donald Trump and his defenders in the Republican Party and across the right-wing echo chamber have dishonestly suggested, Trump's violations of the Espionage Act are not mere "bureaucratic" or "technical" disputes about the types of documents a president can take with them once they leave office. As seen with the recent crisis in Russia, where last Friday and Saturday the Wagner PMC mercenary group mutinied and led an aborted march on Moscow with the goal of removing Putin and his military commanders from power, the types of documents that Donald Trump has admitted to stealing and then concealing from the United States government contain information with literal life and death implications.

In an attempt to better understand the broad impact of Trump's secret documents scandal on the country's national security, I recently spoke with Michael Nacht, the Schneider Chair Emeritus and Professor at The Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley. Nacht served as a high-ranking defense policy official in both the Clinton and Obama administrations. He is a recipient of the Department of Defense (DOD) Distinguished Service Medal, the DOD's highest civilian honor.

In this conversation, Nacht explains how Trump's alleged crimes in connection to the Espionage Act are truly "historic" and without precedent and have endangered the safety of all Americans. Nacht also shares his deep concerns about Trump's corrupt motives for stealing some of America's most closely guarded secrets and that the traitor ex-president may have actually shared them with Vladimir Putin or some of the country's other enemies. Towards the end of this conversation, Nacht warns that Trump must never be allowed to become president again because such an outcome would be "cataclysmic" for the country's future and safety.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

How are you making sense of Donald Trump and this moment with his indictment for violating the Espionage Act and his continuing threats to the country?

I think it's very tragic. He's a troubled man, a flawed man  more flawed than most who due to various reasons rose to become elected president. As president Trump made one terrible decision after another, which obviously includes his attempt on Jan. 6 to overthrow the government. Trump then absconded with all these classified documents.

What type of institutional culture was at work in Trump's White House that would allow him to apparently steal top secret and other highly classified information?

I can't really relate to it because Trump is a unique figure in American history. To my knowledge, no one with Trump's ethics and beliefs  and career background  has ever served in the role of President of the United States before. Hopefully, such a person will not become president again. It must have been awful to work in the Trump White House and administration because people knew that he plays loose and fast with the facts, that he constantly lies, and that he abuses people all the time. Trump loves to belittle people; that is a sign of Trump's weakness not a mark of strength.

"Trump knows this about his power, he said as much with his observation that he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue, and he wouldn't be punished for it. It's Hitlerian."

The people around Trump that should have tried to stop him and tell the public what was going on instead chose to butter him up, to enable him, to tell him what he wants to hear in the form of positive support and encouragement. Trump wants to be told that he is doing the right thing and that he is brilliant even when he obviously is not. The people who served in the Trump administration, the White House, knew that they had to be sycophants, or they would be out.

What is the lesson here about Donald Trump and the types of informal norms and rules that we incorrectly expected to limit any president's behavior? An obvious one being a respect for the office of the presidency and love for the country's democracy and well-being.

He was freely elected president. It wasn't a rigged election. Trump has a type of charisma and set of beliefs that are appealing to lots of voters. Trump knows this about his power, he said as much with his observation that he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue, and he wouldn't be punished for it. It's Hitlerian. Such a person comes along once in a great while. Trump's power is shown by all the millions of Americans who continue to support him even to this day given all the horrible things he has done. Trump compiled all these secret documents in cardboard boxes, put them on shelves on stage, and put them in a bathroom and bathtub. Trump realized that this is unprecedented and that's what attracted him to do it. It is a type of pathological behavior that demands explanations by psychiatrists and other mental health experts.

Related

Russians in "Ukraine will be fighting a war on two fronts": Rebellion means Putin is now weaker

I was trying to think of a historical comparison for what Trump is alleged to have done in terms of betraying some of America's most closely guarded secrets. This isn't to the level of the Rosenbergs  that we know of. Trump isn't Aldrich Ames either. What comparison would you make?

I really can't think of someone with Trump's behavior and skill set. Aldrich Ames was a spy. He and others like him were traitors to the country because they purposely stole highly sensitive information and passed it on to the Russians. We don't know what Donald Trump has done with this secret information. How much has he passed on? Whether he's been rewarded in any way for it or not? There is no parallel situation for Trump. He's not some young kid who becomes idealistic about wanting to save the country. Trump is most certainly not like Daniel Ellsberg who saw the wrong in the Vietnam War and then released classified information. There's no parallel to what Trump has done. I really think Donald Trump is a totally sui generis figure.

Based on what is publicly known, what is the potential harm to America's security and national interests if these secret documents were compromised?

From what has been publicly discussed there literally may have been war plans regarding Iran. There may have been operational information about how the U.S. operates its nuclear forces and the vulnerability of those forces, and how the Chinese or the Russians are going to attempt to defeat America's nuclear forces and how we would counter those efforts. There could have been personal information and profiles about our assessment of Kim Jong Un, or Putin, or Xi Jinping, or the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. It's all very sensitive information that is classified for a good reason. I had clearances for 30 years and from the very beginning you're instructed that this is very sensitive information that you cannot reveal to anybody. And of course, you cannot take a single piece of paper with you once you leave the government. You can't even take notes with you. That is made crystal clear when you get a security clearance, even at the lowest levels. Anyone familiar with the process of how the nation's secrets should be handled knows that every single thing Trump did with these documents was incorrect.

I didn't realize the scope and extent of what Trump's violations of the Espionage Act would ultimately be revealed to be. What Trump has done is far beyond anything I thought even he could do. The photos of the boxes are just cataclysmic evidence against him. No one has ever done something like this before because only a former president would have the ability to do such a thing. Nixon, for example, left office when he was told he would be impeached. Donald Trump says he will never quit. He means it. Donald Trump will run for office from jail.

How is the national security state reacting to what Trump did with these secret documents?

They're doing a damage assessment. What is actually in all the boxes? Who knows what our allies are saying and doing? What of America's adversaries? Donald Trump may have shared this secret information with Putin. I always believed that Donald Trump was connected to Putin and the Russians in some capacity. He was either being paid by the Russians or there were real estate or other dealings. Maybe Trump was going to be paid off by giving them secret information. In all, that's why Trump is unwilling to be critical of Putin and Russia. Consider how Trump will not clearly state which side he supports in the war between Ukraine and Russia. At the Helsinki Summit, Trump took the side of Putin and disparaged and dismissed America's intelligence agencies. Trump has taken a whole series of pro-Russian positions.

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Trump and his defenders are trying to spin Trump's obvious crimes against the nation as some type of petty bureaucratic dispute about documents. What is at stake here for the average American in their day-to-day lives? How do you make the importance of what Trump is alleged to have done by stealing these top-secret documents clear to the public?

If our systems are vulnerable to attack, you don't know when an adversary will attack the country and how. There could be a war very soon with China over Taiwan, for example.

In terms of nuclear weapons, we have had threats by Putin to use them in the Ukrainian conflict. Would this just be in Ukraine? Against NATO? Against the United States? So any information on our weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and the ways our nuclear forces could be counted will be terribly damaging and threatening to our survival.

It may seem too remote to many Americans, but it could be 1938 all over again with an attack by America's enemies.

One of the ongoing media narratives about Donald Trump is that he is "stupid" or "dumb." Many people are pointing to Trump's recent Fox News interview where he publicly incriminated himself, repeatedly, as proof of Trump's stupidity. When I hear people making such claims, I respond by telling them that Donald Trump is a criminal mastermind. When you see Trump how do you assess him?

Donald Trump is not stupid. He is not a genius given how uninformed he is on many issues. Trump is only informed about those things that matter to him, and where he himself can personally benefit. Trump is very clever in terms of how he uses that information.

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"Unfriending" America: The Christian right is coming for the enemies of God  like you and me

How would you evaluate President Biden's approach to the war in Ukraine as compared to the Trump administration? In what ways is America safer with President Biden than under Trump?

President Biden has been very adept at sustaining and strengthening the NATO alliance and its cohesion and getting all the members to work together. The war in Ukraine is a very dangerous situation. We don't know how far Putin will go  especially if he is in trouble. Fortunately, Trump is no longer in office. Trump talked about getting out of NATO, dissolving the alliance and being pro-Russian in our country's policies. Biden is the opposite of Trump in terms of Russia and Ukraine policy. If Trump were president when Putin invaded Ukraine, I believe that he would make excuses for the aggression. Trump would say it is a "border dispute" or otherwise minimized what really happened. Trump would also downplay any threat that Russia poses towards our democracies, the response would have been 180 degrees different than the one that Biden took. It's plausible to believe that Putin's current strategy is to hold that to the US presidential election in 2024 and hoping that lightning will strike again, and Trump will be reelected. A Trump win is Putin's way to get out of the Ukraine mess.

What will happen to America if Trump returns to power? In particular, to the country's foreign policy.

If Trump was reelected, he would act like there are no restraints on his power. Trump would seek to withdraw from NATO and destroy the alliance. Trump would also encourage Putin to be more aggressive. If Trump returns to office, it would be a catastrophe for American security.

What gives you the most hope for the country's future? And what gives you the most cause for concern or alarm?

Churchill said, "democracy is the worst form of government except for all others". It's sloppy, it's slow. It's complicated. We make a lot of mistakes, but eventually, we get it right. To that point, we're seeing the erosion of Trump's support, albeit very slowly. We cannot allow him to become reelected president. It just would be cataclysmic for the country. I'm hopeful that Donald Trump will not win reelection because we are slowly and surely making progress in standing up against him. That must be the top concern for the country. I am most concerned that Biden gets sick. I am also worried about the Democrats fracturing and fighting against one another. I'm also concerned about another rash move by Putin in Ukraine. I can't decide whether it's better that he's losing or that he's winning. They're both pretty awful situations, because Putin will never accede to anything other than victory in Ukraine. I just can't imagine any situation in which Putin would pull out and negotiate an agreement because that would be the end of his time in power.

Read more

about Trump's precarious predicament
100 years aerial refueling

One hundred years ago today, over California, two U.S. Army Air Service crews passed a fuel hose between them, allowing one plane to be topped up by the other, and opening up what was nothing short of a revolution in military flying. That milestone  the first properly recorded, practical air-to-air refueling  is marked today by their successors, the tanker fleet of the U.S. Air Force, the most capable of its kind anywhere in the world.

https://twitter.com/MacDill_AFB/status/1673633840814866434?s=20

To honor what the service describes as 100 years of aerial refueling excellence, flyovers have been taking place today across all 50 states, with more than 80 tanker aircraft and 70 receivers. Participating tanker aircraft are the iconic KC-135 Stratotanker, the soon-to-be-retired KC-10 Extender, and the latest but still troublesome KC-46 Pegasus.

The 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, the oldest in Air Mobility Command, is leading the celebrations.

U.S. Air Force

These aircraft perform a vital, if sometimes unsung role, ensuring rapid global reach for U.S. forces and their allies, not only extending the range of a wide variety of aircraft but also enhancing their lethality, flexibility, and versatility. At the same time, these tankers can also carry cargo and passengers, perform aeromedical evacuations, and they are increasingly taking on a number of other missions, too.

As the Air Force now begins to explore the potentially exotic tankers that will come after the KC-46, its worth going back to the events of June 27, 1923, to recall how far the art of aerial refueling has come in those 100 years.

The aircraft involved were modified de Havilland DH-4B biplanes  a multipurpose British design that was widely used in a range of roles by the U.S. military. At the controls of the first aircraft were 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, with the second machine crewed by Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter.

Refueling in mid-air at Rockwell Field, California, June 27, 1923. The tanker was flown by 1st Lt. Virgil Hine and 1st Lt. Frank W. Seifert, the receiver by Capt. Lowell H. Smith and 1st Lt. John P. Richter. U.S. Air Force

The two aircraft made contact 500 feet above Rockwell Field, on San Diegos North Island. Seifert, in the rear cockpit of the first aircraft, delivered a rubber hose to Richter, in the rear cockpit of aircraft number two. The tanker aircraft had both an extra 110-gallon fuel tank and a 50-foot metal-reinforced refueling tube that was lowered through a ventral trapdoor.

The process was later described in an official Air Force account as you dangle it: Ill grab it, with the backseater in the receiver aircraft having to manually catch the tube, enter it into the filler, and then operate a valve to shut off the fuel when topped up. On this occasion, only 75 gallons of gasoline were actually passed down the tube to the receiver aircraft. Engine trouble for the receiver aircraft forced the mission to be cut short, with the receiver remaining in the air for 6 hours and 38 minutes. But the experiment had proven the range-extending promise offered by aerial refueling.

The same crews were involved in further trials with DH-4Bs followed in subsequent weeks, although, for added flexibility, the second mission added another tanker aircraft, crewed by Capt. Robert G. Erwin and 1st Lt. Oliver R. McNeel. On August 27 and 28, 1923, Smith and Richters aircraft remained aloft for 37 hours and 25 minutes, setting a new world endurance record in the process. This had been enabled through 14 midair refueling contacts with the two tankers. In total, the receiver aircraft had covered 3,293 miles, roughly the same distance as flying from Goose Bay, Labrador, to Leningrad in the Soviet Union.

Another view of the DH-4B tanker as it trails its hose for the DH-4B receiver to grab over Rockwell Field. U.S. Air Force



This startling range prompted the next phase of the trials, on October 25, 1923, when Smith and Richter took off from Suma, Washington, close to the Canadian border, and flew south. Over Eugene, Oregon, their aircraft was refueled by Hine and Seifert, while more fuel was taken on above Sacramento, California, with Erwin and McNeel flying the tanker aircraft. After around 12 hours in the air, the Smith and Richter DH-4B was circling over Tijuana, Mexico, having proven the feasibility of a nonstop border-to-border flight. They then touched down in San Diego. The mission had demonstrated, too, how the 275-mile range of the basic DH-4B could be extended to 1,280 miles.

At this point, however, the U.S. Army Air Service was still a small and poorly funded organization and aerial refueling was hardly a pressing concern.

However, by 1928 the Army had returned to the idea, with an Atlantic-Fokker C-2 being prepared as the receiver that would take on fuel from two Douglas C-1 tankers, as part of an effort to set a new endurance record. The Fokker, named Question Mark, was crewed by aviators including Capt. Ira C. Eaker and Maj. Carl Spaatz, who would go on to take prominent positions in the U.S. Army Air Forces strategic bombing arm in World War II. On January 1, 1929, the Question Mark took off on a flight that would eventually last 151 hours  more than six days in the air.

The Atlantic-Fokker C-2A Question Mark is refueled by a Douglas C-1. Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Thereafter, it was in the United Kingdom that many of the major technological developments in air-to-air refueling took place, pioneered by Sir Alan Cobham and his Flight Refuelling company. These included a practical probe-and-drogue refueling system, with the tanker trailing a hose with a stabilizing drogue on the end, and the receiver aircraft being fitted with a rigid probe that was plumbed into the fuel system. The drogue served as a conical guide for the probe, with valves automatically opening and closing.

October 1950: A Gloster Meteor Mk 4 fighter tests the probe-and-drogue refueling system over Farnborough, England. Photo by Keystone/Getty Images

After World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces interest in aerial refueling was reawakened, to extend the range of its bombers that were now taking on an increasingly global mission. Flight Refuellings looped-house system was adopted at first. This involved the receiver aircraft trailing a steel cable which was then grappled by a line shot from the tanker. The line was then drawn back into the tanker then connected to the refueling hose. The receiver could then haul back in the cable and hose. Once the hose was connected, the tanker would climb above the receiver aircraft to allow fuel to flow under gravity.

Using Flight Refuelling kits, 92 B-29 Superfortress bombers were converted into KB-29M tankers, and another 74 B-29s got the appropriate modifications to operate as receivers. A first hook-up took place on March 28, 1948, by which time the operator was the independent U.S. Air Force.

Using the looped-house system, the B-50A Lucky Lady II is refueled by a KB-29M in 1949. Lucky Lady II became the first aircraft to complete a non-stop round-the-world flight. U.S. Air Force

Even before this date, Boeing was looking at improvements to aerial refueling technology and in December 1947 received funding to develop what became the flying boom system. This was intended to deliver fuel at a much faster rate and instead of the flexible hose that had been used in refueling systems from the DH-4B all the way up to the KB-29, it used a telescopic tube, connected to the receiver via a pivoted coupling. Aerodynamic surfaces at the end of the boom allowed it to be flown into a receptacle on the receiver aircraft by the boom operator.

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/1673677849386000387?s=20

A pair of B-29s were modified as YKB-29Js to test the flying boom before 116 more Superfortress bombers were converted into KB-29P tankers.

Expensive, bulky, and heavy, the flying boom nonetheless offered the considerable advantage of delivering fuel more quickly and it remains the Air Forces primary aerial refueling method, although Flight Refuelings probe-and-drogue system also began to be used by the service in the early 1950s. This more compact system may have delivered fuel at a slower rate, but it allowed three aircraft to be refueled at once. This method was first tested by a YKB-29T tanker, with a hose drum unit in the rear fuselage and refueling pods under the wings. In production form, the three-point tanker was the KB-50J, which saw notable service in the Vietnam War.

A probe-and-drogue KB-29M tanker refuels a B-29 specially modified with a nose probe. U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, on their way to strike targets in North Vietnam, January 1966. Thunderchiefs were equipped with a flying boom receptacle as well as a retractable refueling probe. Photo by Interim Archives/Getty Images

For a while, Tactical Air Command fighters were fitted with probes to allow rapid deployment, and the same system is widely used today, including by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as Air Force helicopters. Today, U.S. Air Force KC-135 tankers feature a boom-drogue adapter kit  known as the Iron Maiden or Wrecking Ball due to its metal frame having the ability to do serious damage to a receiving aircraft  or they carry refueling pods under the wings to service a wider range of receivers. The KC-10 and the KC-46 have built-in hose and drogue systems.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter uses a boom-drogue adapter kit to receive fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker. Photo by Mai/Getty Images

While the KC-97 was a vital and prolific stopgap tanker for the Air Force, remarkably, the tanker that really revolutionized the aerial refueling game was the KC-135, which remains in widespread service today. The KC-135 brought aerial refueling into the jet age, offering the speed needed to keep station with fighters as well as a new type of boom that pumped out up to 1,000 gallons of fuel a minute. The first example was delivered to the Air Force in January 1957 and the KC-135 is still the mainstay of the services aerial refueling fleet. Championed by Gen. Curtis LeMay, the KC-135 would soon transform Strategic Air Commands ability to send bombers against targets deep in the Soviet Union.

A KC-135 for Strategic Air Command takes shape at the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington, near Seattle. Note the parallel line of KC-97 piston-engine tanker transports in the background. Getty Images

November 1957: Gen. Curtis LeMay at the controls of a KC-135 after a record-breaking flight between Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, covering 6,322 miles in 11 hours and 5 minutes. Getty Images

Air refueling propels our nations air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential, said Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, in a press release prepared for todays centennial events. 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.

As we embark on the next 100 years of air refueling, we will continue to strengthen our air mobility excellence, Minihan continued. 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.

https://twitter.com/AirMobilityCmd/status/1673406439258222604?s=20

As to what the next 100 years of aerial refueling tankers might look like, there remain many questions about what comes after the KC-46, the acquisition of which is ongoing. The Pegasus is a traditional non-stealthy commercial-derivative design and continues to suffer from significant issues with key systems, as you can read more about here.

A KC-46 Pegasus carries out aerial refueling trials with an E-4B Nightwatch over Southern California. U.S. Air Force

Meanwhile, the Air Force is stepping up the pace of the Next-Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) program, announced earlier this year, which you can read more about here.

While the KC-46 employs broadly similar design solutions to the KC-10 and even the KC-135 that came before it, there are clear indications that NGAS will see much more radical ideas being explored.

Above all, NGAS is supposed to be able to provide support in contested scenarios, something that tankers have traditionally avoided. Lockheed Martin and Boeing have already been exploring design concepts with blended wing-body planforms that would offer some degree of stealth to enhance their survivability. The need for a stealth tanker is something that The War Zone has been discussing for many years now.

A Boeing concept for a blend wing-body aerial refueling tanker design. Boeing

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is pursuing continued development of the next generation of tanker concepts that address the changing strategic environment, the Air Force lays out, in a Request For Information (RFI) released in February. The team is seeking information on innovative industry solutions that might fulfill the most stressing and complex air refueling mission requirements of the future fight.

That same RFI doesnt explicitly reference stealth or low-observability characteristics, although the mention of contested scenarios is a clear indication that the Air Force wants its future tankers to be able to support operations in higher-threat environments. Such environments would include the Asia Pacific region, where a potential conflict with China would see tankers playing a more important role than ever.

As a more immediate measure, the Air Force is meanwhile making current tankers more survivable and giving them new missions via podded systems and possibly loyal wingman type drones.

Lockheed Martin concept art showing a stealthy-looking tanker refueling an F-22 Raptor. Lockheed Martin

Another eye-catching aspect of NGAS is the Air Forces desire to now have the next-generation tankers in service by the mid-to-late 2030s. That could still provide time to develop a stealthy tanker, and perhaps even more exotic tanker concepts  including pilot-optional or entirely uncrewed aircraft  could still be realized.

There are other options out there, too, such as the Air Force proposal for a podded aerial refueling boom that could be integrated as required onto various platforms to turn them into tankers.

In the meantime, the service is still looking at the option of an interim tanker buy, variously known as KC-Y or the bridge tanker, which could bring more KC-46s or Lockheed Martins proposed new derivative of the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) dubbed the LMXT.

An artists conception of an LMXT tanker refueling an F-35 stealth fighter. Lockheed Martin

An added impetus for some kind of interim tanker comes from the fact that the Air Forces current acquisition plans for the KC-46 do not provide enough new tankers to replace older KC-135s and KC-10s on a one-for-one basis. NGAS, whatever new technologies it might bring, might just involve too long a wait for the Air Force, although there is also opposition to a bridge tanker, leaving that program effectively in limbo.

Whatever the future Air Force tanker fleet looks like, its clear that these aircraft will continue to play an absolutely essential part in operations by this service and its allies. With a need for more survivable tankers, there are also growing signs that the Air Forces next aerial refueling tanker could incorporate elements just as visionary as those that were trialed by that pair of biplanes over California, a full century ago.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Justice Departments watchdog said Tuesday that a "combination of negligence and misconduct" enabled financier Jeffrey Epstein to take his own life at a federal jail in New York City while he was awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Inspector General Michael Horowitz cited the federal Bureau of Prisons' failure to assign Epstein a cellmate after his previous one left and problems with surveillance cameras as factors in Epsteins death.

Horowitz also said that Epstein was left in his cell with too many bed linens, which are a security issue and were used in his suicide.

The inspector general issued a report detailing findings of his investigation into Epstein's August 2019 death, the last of several official inquiries into the matter. He reiterated the findings of other investigations that there was no indication of foul play, rebutting conspiracy theories surrounding the high-profile death.

Horowitz echoed previous findings that some members of the jail staff involved in guarding Epstein were overworked. He identified 13 employees with poor performance and recommended charges against six workers. Only the two workers tasked with guarding Epstein were charged, avoiding jail time in a plea deal after admitting to falsifying logs.

The report comes more than four years after Epstein took his own life at the Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

It also comes weeks after The Associated Press obtained thousands of pages of records detailing Epsteins detention and death and its chaotic aftermath.

The workers assigned to guard Epstein were sleeping and shopping online instead of checking on him every 30 minutes as required, prosecutors said.

Nova Noel and Michael Thomas admitted lying on prison records to make it seem as though they had made the checks but avoided prison time under a deal with prosecutors. They left the Bureau of Prisons in April 2022, agency spokesperson Benjamin OCone said.

Its the second time in six months that Horowitz has blamed a high-profile inmates death on the Bureau of Prisons failings. In December, the inspector general found that management failures, flawed policies and widespread incompetence were factors in notorious gangster James Whitey Bulger's 2018 beating death at a troubled West Virginia prison.

The AP obtained more than 4,000 pages of documents related to Epsteins death from the federal Bureau of Prisons under the Freedom of Information Act. The documents, including a reconstruction of events leading to Epsteins suicide, internal reports, emails, memos and other records, underscored how short staffing and corner-cutting contributed to Epsteins death.

Epstein spent 36 days at the now-shuttered Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. Two weeks before his death, he was placed on suicide watch for 31 hours after what jail officials said was a suicide attempt that left his neck bruised and scraped.

The workers tasked with guarding Epstein the night he died were working overtime. One of them, not normally assigned to guard prisoners, was working a fifth straight day of overtime. The other was working mandatory overtime, which meant a second eight-hour shift in one day.

In addition, Epsteins cellmate did not return after a court hearing the day before, and jail officials failed to pair another prisoner with him, leaving him alone.
Russia has dropped charges against Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters after they ended a short-armed rebellion against the countrys military leadership over the weekend.

The Russian Federal Security Service said it found those involved in the rebellion ceased activities directed at committing the crime and closed its criminal investigation. A case had been opened against Prigozhin on Friday on allegations that he was inciting a rebellion.

Prigozhins Wagner Group, a private military contractor Russia has used during its war in Ukraine, launched the rebellion to remove Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from his position. Prigozhin criticized the Russian military over its inability to make gains in Ukrainian territory during the war and rejected Russias justification for its full-scale invasion, accusing the Russian government of lying about it.

The group captured the town of Rostov-on-Don, which is home to Russias military headquarters for conducting the war in Ukraine, and was marching toward Moscow but reached a deal with the Kremlin to not continue to press forward and not face prosecution over their actions.

Prigozhin was set to be sent to Belarus as part of the agreement, which Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed credit for negotiating. Lukashenko is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Prigozhin and Belarusian authorities have not yet confirmed he arrived in Belarus. But Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, said a business jet Prigozhin reportedly uses landed in the countrys capital of Minsk on Tuesday.

With the apparent agreement, Prigozhin avoids a fate that many in Russia have faced for even unarmed protests. Many have been sentenced to long prison terms in penal colonies with harsh conditions.

Prigozhin has said he was trying to remove only Shoigu from power, not Putin. The Russian president slammed their actions during an address to the country on Monday, calling the organizers traitors.

But he also praised Wagner fighters for not allowing the rebellion to lead to major bloodshed.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Charges filed against five more people in San Antonio smuggling tragedy that killed 53 migrants

Community members gather at a makeshift memorial on June 30, 2022, outside San Antonio. Community members paid their respects to the 53 people who died after being left in a trailer by their smugglers. Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune

Federal prosecutors have filed charges against five additional people in connection with the deaths of 53 migrants found inside of a tractor-trailer a year ago in San Antonio  which officials have described as the countrys deadliest human smuggling event.

In an indictment filed June 7 and unsealed Tuesday, federal prosecutors allege that Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30; Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53, participated in a scheme to smuggle dozens of migrants who died in the process. Another suspects name was redacted because that person has not yet been arrested.

Among the victims discovered in the sweltering trailer parked next to an isolated road were eight children and one pregnant woman. A total of 66 people had been loaded into the 53-foot trailer, 48 of whom died at the scene, according to the latest indictment. Of the 16 people transported to hospitals, five died later. The majority were from Mexico; the remainder were from Guatemala and Honduras.

This case illustrates how callous human smugglers can be and what theyre willing to do to turn a profit even when it means costing people their lives, Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio, said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Prosecutors had charged four other men shortly after the tragedy, including Homero Zamorano Jr. of Pasadena, the alleged driver of the 18-wheeler who was arrested at the scene on June 27, 2022. Days later, federal police arrested Christian Martinez in Palestine, in East Texas, along with two Mexican citizens, Juan Claudio DLuna-Mendez, 24, and Juan Francisco DLuna-Bilbao, 49.

DLuna-Mendez and DLuna-Bilbao, who had overstayed tourist visas and were in the country illegally, were previously charged with one count of possession of a weapon by a person illegally in the U.S.

The seven other men, including Zamorano and Martinez, face four counts each of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death; conspiracy to transport aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy; transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death; and transportation of illegal aliens resulting in serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy.

If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, according to the Department of Justice.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, DLuna-Bilbao pleaded guilty to two firearm charges. His lawyer, Cynthia Orr, told the newspaper that her client is awaiting sentencing.

He had a minimal role in dealing with the people involved in this, Orr told the newspaper. He did allow his address to be used to register the truck.

The newspaper also reported that DLuna-Mendez is expected to challenge the gun charge against him. His lawyer, Mike McCrum, is arguing that his client should not have been prohibited from possessing a firearm.

According to the new indictment, from December 2021 to June 2022 the men participated in a human smuggling operation to illegally cross adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico into the U.S. Each person was charged between $12,000 and $15,000.

The smugglers worked in concert with each other to transport, and facilitate the

transportation of, their various customer aliens, utilizing each others routes, guides, stash

houses, trucks, trailers, and transporters, the indictment says. This patchwork association enabled the smugglers to consolidate costs, spread out risk, and operate more profitably.

In the days before the tragedy, Covarrubias-Ponce, Orduna-Torres and the third unidentified suspect shared the names of the people who were going to be smuggled, the indictment says. The group then found an empty tractor-trailer and handed it off to Zamorano, the indictment says. Martinez drove Zamorano to a gas station in San Antonio, where Zamorano picked up the trailer, prosecutors say in the indictment.

Zamorano then drove the 18-wheeler to Laredo, where where groups of migrants were

transported in box trucks from stash houses to the location of the tractor-trailer, according to the indictment. Martinez received the tractor-trailers location from Orduna-Torres and passed it to Zamorano, the indictment says.

The smugglers, according to the indictment, demanded that the aliens give up their cell phones prior to entering the trailer. An unknown powder was dispensed in the back of the trailer to mask the smell of the human cargo from detection K-9s at U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints.

After loading the people into the trailer, Zamorano drove three hours to San Antonio. Along the way, the rest of the suspects coordinated, facilitated, passed messages, and made each other aware of the tractor-trailers progress while Martinez passed along messages and instructions to Zamorano, the indictment says.

Some of the defendants knew the trailers air conditioning unit didnt work properly, the indictment says.

As the temperature inside the trailer rose, chaos ensued. Some aliens screamed and

banged on the walls for help, the indictment says. Some passed out, unconscious. Others clawed at the sides of the trailer attempting to escape.

Zamorano arrived at the unloading location on Quintana Road in San Antonio and opened the trailers doors to discover most of the migrants dead or dying, the indictment says. Two surviving victims were taken away by other members of the smuggling organization. Police found Zamorano hiding in a nearby brush, the indictment says.

The allegations in the indictment are horrifying, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza said in a statement. Dozens of desperate, vulnerable men, women and children put their trust in smugglers who abandoned them in a locked trailer to perish in the merciless south Texas summer.

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.
An Amazon driver based in Charlotte has died after being shot and crashing into a building in Lathrop, California.

Troopers in California report that Ilkhom Shodiev was driving his delivery truck on June 15 when he was shot.

Shodiev then drove his truck off a freeway south of Sacramento before crashing into a building, as well as two cars. He died at a California hospital.

Over the weekend, California Highway Patrol announced that Andrew Watson had been arrested in connection with this case.

Aziz Azami, a close friend of Shodiev, told Channel 9 that they are shocked that this occurred.

I was in a state of shock ... I thought it was just a bad dream. But it turned out its reality, Azami said.

ALSO READ: CATS bus drivers hold rally, demand new safety measures

Azami also said hes worried for Shodievs wife and children.

His wife is a housewife, so he was the only one that would provide. And he was working not only in California but all over the United States. Working as a truck driver also, unfortunately, he didnt have the time to really spend time with his kids, which he had big plans for them, Azami explained.

Azami said he is now making it his priority to put Shodievs family first.

Nothing will bring him back, unfortunately, but at least as a friend, my mission is to make sure that his family wont struggle financially, Azami said.

People from all over the country have donated more than $95,000 to a GoFundMe dedicated to supporting Shodievs family.

Alisa Carroll, a spokesperson Amazon, issued a statement regarding Shodievs death saying:

Were saddened by this horrific act of violence, and our thoughts are with the drivers family during this difficult time.

VIDEO: CATS bus drivers hold rally, demand new safety measures
















Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) on Tuesday said she wouldnt do anything that helps Donald Trump when asked if she would consider a third-party run for the White House.

Im not going to do anything that helps Donald Trump, and I think that Ill make a decision about what I do and what comes next later this year, she told NBC Nightly News Lester Holt during the Aspen Ideas Festival. I feel very strongly about how important it is that we not let slip away what is so special and magnificent about this nation.

Cheney, who is a staunch critic of Donald Trump, also said she is more focused on preventing the former president from reaching the White House again than her own future plans.

Im not announcing anything here today, Lester, she said. But the way Im thinking about where we are and what has to be done is much less about what should I do in terms of am I going to be a candidate or not and much more about stopping Donald Trump whatever that takes. But also helping elect other good candidates down-ballot.

If you look at the polls, [Trump] clearly is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, she said. I think that nominating him would result in the republican party splintering, as it should.

Cheney, who was one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol, was ousted from her seat in Wyomings GOP primary last year.

Since then, she has floated the idea of making a third-party run for the White House in the future. She said last September that she would not be a Republican on the ballot if she ran for president, which prompted speculation that she could position herself as an independent candidate for the White House.

When asked about Trumps indictment earlier this month that included 37 counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, Cheney said theres simply no question that hes unfit to be the President of the United States. She also said that a second federal indictment over Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attacks would be proper and thats the reason why we made criminal referrals.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The air quality in Chicago has reached unhealthy levels as the city is affected by the smoke coming from the wildfires in Canada, where record-beating emissions are leading to the smoke travelling all the way across the North Atlantic and reaching Europe.

The smoke is leading to hazy conditions in the Windy City on Tuesday, with the air quality now considered unhealthy for everyone, not just those with respiratory conditions.

AirNow.gov recommends that people with lung or heart disease, as well as the elderly, teenagers, and children, reduce their exposure to the air by avoiding laborious outdoor activities, limiting time spent outside by considering moving outdoor activities inside or rescheduling for another time when the air quality has improved.

For all people, including healthy adults, AirNow.gov urges people to choose easier outdoor activities, such as walking instead of running to avoid breathing hard and limiting time spent outdoors.

Global temperature rise, caused by emissions from burning fossil fuels, is leading to more large, erratic wildfires around the world. Its a vicious circle  emissions pumped into the atmosphere by fires add to global heating, further drying out the land and vegetation, and making it more susceptible to catching fire.

The emissions from the Canadian wildfires are the highest on record, and the smoke has now reached Europe, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which is a part of the European Unions space programme.

Haze envelopes the Minneapolis skyline from smoke drifted over from the wildfires in Canada, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Minneapolis (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The wildfires have been affecting large parts of Canada since May. The emissions from the wildfires up until 26 June are the largest estimated annual emissions for Canada in more than two decades of monitoring by CAMS.

The smoke has degraded the air quality in North America and reached Europe during Junes second week. The fires started in Canadas West in May before moving east and leading to about 160 megatonnes of carbon emissions.

Its the highest annual total estimated emissions for Canada since monitoring started in 2003.

As last week came to an end, the fires in Quebec and Ontario intensified, leading the smoke to travel across the North Atlantic and reaching Europe with high levels of aerosol optical depth and carbon monoxide.

Chicago has seen worsening air quality because of the smoke coming from the Canadian wildfires (Screenshot / CBS 2 Chicago)

It is important to note that long-range transport of smoke, such as this episode, tend to occur at higher altitudes where the atmospheric lifetime of air pollutants is longer, CAMS said in a press release.

This means that the skies will be more hazy and the sunsets are often red or orange.

The higher altitude means that the predicted smoke transport is not expected to have a significant impact on surface air quality, CAMS adds.

Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at CAMS, said in a statement: Our monitoring of the scale and persistence of the wildfire emissions across Canada since early May has shown how unusual it has been when compared to the two decades of our dataset.

The long-range transport of smoke that we are currently monitoring is not unusual, and not expected to have any significant impact on surface air quality in Europe, but it is a clear reflection of the intensity of the fires that such high values of aerosol optical depth and other pollutants associated with the plume are so high as it reaches this side of the Atlantic, he added.
Chicagos air quality is worst in the world after Canadian wildfire smoke blankets the region, global pollution index shows

CHICAGO -- Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires coated Chicago and the surrounding areas with haze as weather officials issued an air quality alert for parts of the Great Lakes, Lower Mississippi and Ohio valleys Tuesday morning.

According to the monitoring site IQAir, Chicago had the worst air quality out of 95 cities worldwide Tuesday.

As of 11 a.m., the air quality index had risen to a level considered very unhealthy, according to AirNow, a website that combines data from county, state and federal air quality agencies nationwide. This means everyone is at risk of experiencing health effects.

Smelling smoke is an immediate sign to stay indoors, said Zac Adelman, executive director of the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium.

Its very common to see smoke in the atmosphere above us, Adelman said. Its not common to have high concentrations of smoke coming down to the surface like were experiencing it now.

Lake breezes will bring more smoke Tuesday afternoon, creating hazy conditions for the rest of the day, said Zachary Yack, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The smoke is expected to linger until Wednesday morning, but visibility may improve by late Tuesday, he said.

If youre out driving, take it easy out there, Yack said. Theres pretty low visibilities here and there.

Faye Crouteau of Uptown said the air smelled like burning tires when she was walking by the lake Tuesday morning. Afterward, she was sitting outside wearing a mask because she couldnt be inside her condo while it was being inspected.

She said her wife struggles with asthma and long COVID-19. When her wife woke up this morning, the first thing she said was, Im having a really hard time today.

Crouteau said she was aware of how bad air quality was in New York City in early June but wasnt particularly concerned about Chicago.

Were usually saved by the lake, Crouteau said. But thats obviously not the case today.

Mayor Brandon Johnsons office issued a statement saying the city of Chicago is carefully monitoring the situation.

This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City, Washington D.C., Montreal, and today here in Chicago, the statement said. As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world.

Chicago Public Schools issued a statement saying it will use inclement weather plans for its summer programs and hold activities indoors Tuesday to reduce the risk to students and staff.

Health officials said Chicagoans should take these precautions:

-- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

-- Keep outdoor activities short.

-- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

-- Consider wearing masks

-- Run air purifiers and close windows

Anyone who needs immediate medical attention should dial 911.

While other regions are dealing with excessive heat, Chicago temperatures are expected to hit the low 70s. While the current air conditions are unhealthy for everyone, the risks are increased for children and adults with respiratory and pulmonary conditions, officials said.

The Chicago Cubs have a scheduled home game at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Only the commissioners office and players union can decide to postpone a game because of air quality issues, as they did last month in New York and Philadelphia.

Severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall are possible through Saturday, weather officials said.

Meanwhile, a beach hazard remains in effect for northern and central Cook County from 10 a.m. Tuesday into the evening hours as waves from 3 to 5 feet are expected. Conditions will be life-threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers.

There are high swim risks at the Lake Michigan shore as choppy waves on the southern beaches and Indiana beaches are expected, officials said. These conditions are expected to continue through Monday.

____
Chicago and Detroit have the worst air quality in the world due to Canadian wildfires. Here's how to stay safe.

Weeks after wildfire smoke from fires burning in Canada blanketed much of the East Coast with hazy, orange skies and unsafe air quality, parts of the Midwest were startled Tuesday as Chicago and Detroit saw the worst air quality in the world.

Thick smoke clogged the sky in Chicago early Tuesday, with a gray haze limiting visibility, and a faint burning smell filled the air as residents commuted to work. In downtown Detroit, smoke could be seen lingering over the skyline and the National Weather Service issued an air quality advisory for the city until Wednesday night.

Chicago and Detroit held the top two rankings for worst air quality in the world, according to IQAirs Air Quality Index. The two Midwest metropolitans alternated between the "unhealthy" and "very unhealthy" categories through Tuesday.

Unhealthy levels of pollutants from the smoke spread across parts of the Great Lakes Region surrounding Chicago, including most of Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, according to tracker AirNow.gov.

Meanwhile, more smoky air is headed back New Yorkers' way. Gov. Kathy Hochul warned air quality is expected to reach unhealthy levels in parts of western and central New York and eastern Lake Ontario on Wednesday and Thursday.

That means anyone in a sensitive group  including young children, older adults or those with heart and lung disease  should stay indoors for any physical activity, and everyone else should limit the amount of time they are active outdoors.

Here's what to know about the air quality:

Where is the air quality bad on Tuesday?

Major cities in the Midwest had air deemed unhealthy or unhealthy for sensitive groups Tuesday, including Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit and Minneapolis.

Three U.S. cities ranked in the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in the world Tuesday morning, according to IQAir: Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit. Other cities in the top 10 were Dubai; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Delhi, India.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources issued an advisory for much of the state that's expected to last through Thursday afternoon, with air quality expected to be most severe on Tuesday and Wednesday. The sky in Milwaukee was hazy and smelled like smoke starting Monday.

Tuesday was declared a statewide day of action by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy because of unhealthy and hazardous air quality.

On Sunday and Monday, a smoky haze had settled over parts of northwestern Vermont and was carried out Monday afternoon by southerly winds.

A smoky haze clouds the air on Chicagos North Side on the morning of Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Why is the air quality so bad in Chicago and Detroit?

Air quality is unhealthy due to the level of particulates in the air from Canadian wildfires, which have drifted into the U.S. at various points in the last several weeks. Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chicago, said wind patterns were largely driving where the smoky air goes.

The smoke is affecting a vast area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and will blow downward into the Lower Peninsula's southern region. The dense smoke has also been moving into other southern regions of the state and sensitive groups were advised to avoid outdoor activities on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Low pressure over the eastern Great Lakes is also causing the smoke to drift through northern Michigan, and across southern Wisconsin and Chicago, said Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Jackson said a north wind will push the smoke further south into Indiana and Kentucky later Tuesday and overnight.

Chicagos skyline viewed from the North Side is obscured by smoke on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

US air quality map

How can you stay safe?

Experts say it's best to avoid strenuous activity when air quality levels are unsafe outside and to stay indoors as much as possible. Use air purifiers to help the air quality inside, and wear an N95 mask if you must go outside.

Hochul said on Tuesday masks would be available for free to New Yorkers ahead of expected unhealthy air later this week. She announced earlier this month the state would have 1 million free N95 masks available amid hazardous air quality.

When will Chicago air quality get better?

The smoky air and haze is expected to linger in the region Tuesday and overnight, but should be slowly pushed south and west throughout Tuesday, and gradually diminish in coverage on Wednesday, Yack said.

Yack said wind off Lake Michigan will to help push the smoke in a southwest direction later in the day.

"Some spots may still see some white concentration of the smoke, hint of the smoke smell maybe into tomorrow morning, but most of it should be a thinning trend as we go forward in time," Yack said.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE: Bad air quality from Canada wildfire smoke harms your pets, too.

US wildfire map

What are the wildfires like in Canada now?

There were 492 active wildfires burning throughout Canada as of Monday, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Of those, 259 are considered out of control.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted right across the Atlantic Ocean and is now evident on satellite imagery across western Europe



 Whilst the smoke is high up in the atmosphere, it may make for some vivid sunrises and sunsets in the next few days pic.twitter.com/VSBPx0jH5n  Met Office (@metoffice) June 26, 2023

It's one of the worst wildfire seasons on record for the country. Smoke from wildland fires burning in Quebec has even reached parts of southwestern Europe, NASA's Earth Observatory reported on Monday. Soot particles reached across 2,000 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, causing hazy skies in Europe. Air quality there is mostly fair because the particulates are higher in the atmosphere, NASA said.

"Vivid sunrises and sunsets" are expected in western Europe, the UK's meteorological agency said.

SEE HOW THE AIR AFFECTS HEALTH: How bad is breathing in wildfire smoke? Graphics show how toxic air affects your health

Contributing: Grace Hauck, USA TODAY; Detroit Free Press; Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Canadian wildfires: Chicago has the worst air quality in the world
Chimp spent 28 years looking through bars. Now watch her marvel at open sky in Florida

A 28-year-old chimpanzee who spent her life looking through bars saw the open sky for the first time at a Florida sanctuary, rescuers say.

The chimpanzee, whose name is Vanilla, spent the early part of her life at a biomedical research laboratory in New York, according to Save the Chimps, an organization based in Fort Pierce that hosts a sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees.

She was later transferred to Wildlife Waystation, an animal sanctuary in Los Angeles, California, that closed suddenly in 2019, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.





When it closed, Vanilla, along with around 42 other chimpanzees, needed to be rehomed, according to Save the Chimps.

The chimpanzees were harder to find homes for than the other animals, which included lions, tigers, bears and jaguars, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Medical research on chimpanzees was outlawed in 2015, so as research facilities shut down, space for the rescued primates dwindled, the agency said.

But eventually, Vanilla and some of her family members, including her sister, Shake, flew across the country in a FedEx airplane to Orlando and then rode in a climate-controlled semi-truck about 120 miles southeast to the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce.

After a quarantine period, Vanilla and the other chimps were released into the sanctuary, which encompasses a 3-acre island, according to the organization.

This was a new experience for Vanilla, who had spent her whole life in enclosures with cage tops, the organization said.

She was nervous to go outside at first, video shared by Save the Chimps shows.

But the alpha male of her group, Dwight, opened his arms and encouraged her to jump from an opening in their enclosure and into the sanctuary, video shows.

As he wraps his arms around her, Vanilla can be seen turning, gazing up and opening her mouth in awe. The camera follows her as she explores her new home, continuously looking up to peer again at the sky.

My first time outside, (I) was in awe of the open sky, a sight I had never seen in my life as my former homes had cage tops, Vanillas bio on the Save the Chimp website reads. I enjoy exploring the island and relaxing and grooming with my family on the island.

People share about 98% of our genes with chimpanzees, according to the World Wildlife Fund.



They are listed as endangered, and their main threat is poaching, according to the organization.

Save the Chimps says it takes care of more than 200 chimpanzees at its sanctuary.

Obi the baby chimp is starting to walk on his own at the NC Zoo, adorable video shows

Apes talk in a language that humans can understand, study suggests. But why?

See reunited chimps share warm embrace in Florida after rescue from roadside Ohio zoo
China's post-Covid economic recovery has faltered, with lacklustre data signalling that the rebound is running out of steam (STR)

A prominent Chinese financial journalist who has compared the country's economic problems to the Great Depression has been banned from social media.

The Weibo account of Wu Xiaobo, an influential business journalist and author with more than 4.7 million followers, "is currently in a banned state due to violation of relevant laws and regulations", according to a banner displayed on his page on Tuesday.

Content moderators on Weibo -- a Twitter-like platform -- said on Monday they had blocked three verified users for "spreading smears against the development of the securities market" and "hyping up the unemployment rate".

Weibo did not give the full usernames of the blocked accounts, but said one of them had a three-character name starting with "Wu" and ending with "Bo".

China's post-Covid economic recovery has faltered, with lacklustre data in recent weeks signalling that the rebound is running out of steam.

Wu's Weibo page appeared on Tuesday to have been scrubbed of all content posted since April 2022.

Wu did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

His regular column on the website of the Chinese financial magazine Caixin has long detailed the country's economic woes, including a declining birthrate and skyrocketing youth unemployment.

"The huge army of the unemployed is likely to become a fuse that ignites the powder keg," he wrote in a May column that compared the situation with the Great Depression of the 1930s.

In another recent column, he asked whether monetary easing would be able to "solve current economic problems".

Those columns, however, had not been scrubbed from the internet as of Tuesday.

China's domestic media is state-controlled, and widespread censorship of social media is often used to suppress negative stories or critical coverage.

Regulators have previously urged investors to avoid reading foreign news reports about China, while analysts and economists have been suspended from social media for airing pessimistic views.

tjx/oho/qan
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas tech sector has a new obsession: competing with US titans like Google and Microsoft Corp. in the breakneck global artificial intelligence race.

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Billionaire entrepreneurs, mid-level engineers and veterans of foreign firms alike now harbor a remarkably consistent ambition: to outdo China's geopolitical rival in a technology that may determine the global power stakes. Among them is internet mogul Wang Xiaochuan, who entered the field after OpenAIs ChatGPT debuted to a social media firestorm in November. He joins the ranks of Chinese scientists, programmers and financiers  including former employees of ByteDance Ltd., e-commerce platform JD.com Inc. and Google  expected to propel some $15 billion of spending on AI technology this year.

For Wang, who founded the search engine Sogou that Tencent Holdings Ltd. bought out in a $3.5 billion deal less than two years ago, the opportunity came fast. By April, the computer science graduate had already set up his own startup and secured $50 million in seed capital. He reached out to former subordinates at Sogou, many of whom he convinced to come on board. By June, his firm had launched an open-source large language model and its already in use by researchers at Chinas two most prominent universities.

We all heard the sound of the starter pistol in the race. Tech companies, big or small, are all on the same starting line, Wang, who named his startup Baichuan or A Hundred Rivers, told Bloomberg News. China is still three years behind the US, but we may not need three years to catch up.

The Tech Behind Those Amazing, Flawed New Chatbots: QuickTake

The top-flight Chinese talent and financing flowing into AI mirrors a wave of activity convulsing Silicon Valley, which has deep implications for Beijings escalating conflict with Washington. Analysts and executives believe AI will shape the technology leaders of the future, much like the internet and smartphone created a corps of global titans. Moreover, it could propel applications from supercomputing to military prowess  potentially tilting the geopolitical balance.

China is a vastly different landscape  one reined in by US tech sanctions, regulators data and censorship demands, and Western distrust that limits the international expansion of its national champions. All that will make it harder to play catch-up with the US.

AI investments in the US dwarf that of China, totaling $26.6 billion in the year to mid-June versus Chinas $4 billion, according to previously unreported data collated by consultancy Preqin.

Yet that gap is already gradually narrowing, at least in terms of deal flow. The number of Chinese venture deals in AI comprised more than two-thirds of the US total of about 447 in the year to mid-June, versus about 50% over the previous two years. China-based AI venture deals also outpaced consumer tech in 2022 and early 2023, according to Preqin.

All this is not lost on Beijing. Xi Jinpings administration realizes that AI, much like semiconductors, will be critical to maintaining Chinas ascendancy and is likely to mobilize the nations resources to drive advances. While startup investment cratered during the years Beijing went after tech giants and reckless expansion of capital, the feeling is the Party encourages AI exploration.

Its a familiar challenge for Chinese tech players.

During the mobile era, a generation of startups led by Tencent, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and TikTok-owner ByteDance built an industry that could genuinely rival Silicon Valley. It helped that Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp were shut out of the booming market of 1.4 billion people. At one point in 2018, venture capital funding in China was even on track to surpass that of the US  until the trade war exacerbated an economic downturn. That situation, where local firms thrive when US rivals are absent, is likely to play out once more in an AI arena from which ChatGPT and Googles Bard are effectively barred.

Large AI models could eventually behave much like the smartphone operating systems Android and iOS, which provided the infrastructure or platforms on which Tencent, ByteDance and Ant Group Co. broke new ground: in social media with WeChat, video with Douyin and Tiktok, and payments with Alipay. The idea is that generative AI services could speed the emergence of new platforms to host a wave of revolutionary apps for businesses and consumers.

Thats a potential gold mine for an industry just emerging from the trauma of Xis two-year internet crackdown, which starved tech companies of the heady growth of years past. No one today wants to miss out on what Nvidia Corp. CEO Jensen Huang called the iPhone moment of their generation.

This is an AI arms race going on both in the US and China, said Daniel Ives, a senior analyst at Wedbush Securities. China tech is dealing with a stricter regulatory environment around AI, which puts one hand behind the back in this Game of Thrones battle. This is an $800 billion market opportunity globally over the next decade we estimate around AI, and we are only on the very early stages.

Read more about the US-China AI war:

Xi Remade China's Tech Industry in His Own Image With Crackdown

Baidu Leads China AI Rally After Chat Bot Scores Strong Reviews

AI Unicorns Are Everywhere and Their Founders Are Getting Rich

How China Aims to Counter US Efforts at Containment: QuickTake

The resolve to catch OpenAI is apparent in the seemingly haphazard fashion in which incumbents from Baidu Inc. and SenseTime Group Inc. to Alibaba have trotted out AI bots in the span of months.

Joining them are some of the biggest names in the industry. Their ranks include Wang Changhu, the former director of ByteDances AI Lab; Zhou Bowen, ex-president of JD.com Inc.s AI and cloud computing division; Meituan co-founder Wang Huiwen and current boss Wang Xing; and venture capitalist Kai-fu Lee, who made his name backing companies including Meitu and Zhihu.

Ex-Baidu President Zhang Yaqin, now dean of Tsinghua Universitys Institute for AI Industry Research and overseer of a number of budding projects, told Chinese media in March that investors sought him out almost daily that month. He estimates therere as many as 50 firms working on large language models across the country. Wang Changhu, former lead researcher at Microsoft Research before he joined Bytedance in 2017, said dozens of investors approached him on WeChat in a single day when he was preparing to set up his generative AI startup.

This is at least a once-in-a-decade opportunity, an opportunity for startups to create companies comparable to the behemoths, Wang told Bloomberg News.

Many of the fledgling firms are squarely aimed at the home crowd, given growing concern in the West about Chinese technology. Even so, theres an open field in a consumer market ringfenced to themselves, which also happens to be the worlds largest internet arena. In the works are AI-fueled applications, from a chatbot to help manufacturers track consumption trends, to an intelligent operating system offering companionship to counter depression, and smart enterprise tools to transcribe and analyze meetings.

Still, Chinese demos so far make it clear that most have a long way to go. The skeptical point out true innovation requires the free-wheeling exploration and experimentation that the US cultivates but is restrained in China. Pervasive censorship in turn means the datasets that Chinas aspirants are using are inherently flawed and artificially constrained, they argue.

Investors are chasing the concept, said Grant Pan, chief financial officer of Noah Holdings, whose subsidiary Gopher invests in over 100 funds including Sequoia China (now HongShan) and ZhenFund in China. However, the commercial use and impact to industry chains are not clear yet.

Then there are Beijings regulations on generative AI, with its top internet overseer signaling that the onus for training algorithms and implementing censorship will fall on platform providers.

Beijings censorship regime will put Chinas ChatGPT-like applications at a serious disadvantage vis-a-vis their US peers, said Xiaomeng Lu, director of the Eurasia Groups geotechnology practice.

Last but not least, powerful chipsets from the likes of Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. are crucial in training large AI models  but Washington bars the most capable from the country. The Biden administration is now considering tightening restrictions as soon as in coming months, potentially eliminating less-capable chips that Nvidia has devised for Chinese customers, people familiar with the matter said.

Nvidia said it was aware of reports about the stricter rules and they they wouldnt affect earnings  but may hurt its long-term prospects.

But these hurdles havent stopped the ambitious in China, from Baidu and iFlytek Co. to the slew of new startups, from setting their sights on matching and surpassing the US on AI.

Executives, including from Tencent, argue models can tack on more chipsets to make up for lesser performance. Baichuans Wang said it got by with Nvidias A800 chips, and will obtain more capable H800s in June.

Others like Lan Zhenzhong, a veteran of Googles AI Research Institute who founded Hangzhou-based Westlake Xinchen in 2021, employ a costly hybrid approach. The Baidu Ventures-backed company uses fewer than 1,000 GPUs for model training, then deploys domestic cloud services for inference, or sustaining the program. Lan said it cost about 7 to 8 yuan per hour to rent an A100 chip from cloud services: Very expensive.

Billionaire Baidu founder Robin Li, who in March unfurled Chinas first answer to ChatGPT, has said the US and China both account for roughly a third of the worlds computing power. But that alone wont make the difference because innovation is not something you can buy.

While tech giants from Alibaba to ByteDance can gain just by bolting generative AI on top of existing product lines, some observers argue its startups that might galvanize a revolution -- in the same way that Alibaba and Tencent were bootstrapped firms before they became sector leaders.

Why arent people willing to invest in the longer-term and dream big? asked Wayne Shiong, a partner at China Growth Capital. Now that weve been handed this assignment by the other side, China will be able to play catch-up.

--With assistance from Zheping Huang and Vlad Savov.

(Updates with response from Nvidia in the 24th and 25th paragraphs.Updates with commentary on startups in the penultimate paragraph. An earlier version of this story corrected a VCs track record in the 16th paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Photo: The Canadian Press Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks to delegates at the Global Energy Show in Calgary on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The Alberta NDP is accusing Smith of concealed the latest data on opioid-related deaths until after last month's provincial election. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta's Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith of concealing the latest data on opioid-related deaths until after last month's provincial election.

The latest provincial data released Monday shows 179 people died from drug poisoning in April, the highest number in a single month.

NDP legislature member David Shepherd says Smith stood on a podium and claimed her United Conservative government's model was working.

He says the UCP hid the truth for the sake of their ideological policies, as he demanded transparency and a focus on harm reduction.

Smith's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment today, but Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams said Monday after the data was released that the government recognizes the devastating losses.

Williams has said that the government would focus on addressing illicit drug trafficking and build 11 new recovery communities, including those in direct partnership with First Nations.
(Bloomberg) -- When the US first embraced de-risking to get Europe on board with measures to deny key technology to China, officials in Beijing dismissed the term as no different than decoupling. Now they are trying a new strategy: Redefine the concept.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang last week acknowledged the legitimacy of de-risking while speaking to CEOs on a trip to Germany, but said it should be decided by business leaders instead of governments. He also warned that risks shouldnt be exaggerated  opening a discussion on what exactly poses a serious threat to national security.

Li hit the theme again on Tuesday at a high-profile economic forum in China known as Summer Davos, where he told delegates if there is risk in a certain industry, its not the call or decision of a particular organization or a single government.

Governments and relevant organizations should not overreach themselves, Li added. Still less, overstretch the concept of risk or turn it into an ideological tool.

At the same time, China is trying to improve its image among overseas investors after a high-profile crackdown on consultancy companies. On Tuesday, President Xi Jinping told visiting New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins in Beijing that China would better protect interests of foreign businesses.

The rhetorical shift is Chinas latest effort to fight back against efforts by the US and Europe to prevent the worlds second-largest economy from obtaining advanced technology. The push to drive a wedge between companies and their governments could spark a debate in Western capitals that could ultimately water down any proposed measures that would hurt Chinas economy.

The key lies in what China believes are different assessments of risk by companies and by governments, said Deborah Elms, founder and executive director of the Asian Trade Centre. The former is probably assumed to be much less problematic, with firms taking a narrow view of risk.

Chinas direct appeal to business leaders comes as Europe and the US spearhead fresh tools to further curb Beijings access to advanced chips and other technologies. Allowing companies to be in the drivers seat would mean supply chains would operate without much government interference, said Zhou Xiaoming, a researcher at the think tank Center for China and Globalization.

The European Union this month unveiled its economic security strategy, which outlines critical sectors that autocrats could weaponize. While that review was prompted by the blocs over-reliance on Russian energy, its China implications bring Europe closer to the US goal of removing Beijing from sensitive sectors.

US President Joe Biden is pushing forward with an executive order that could cut off certain US investments in China, according to people familiar with the matter. That would follow sweeping curbs imposed last October that limit the sale of chip-making equipment to Chinese customers.

Those export controls saw the three biggest US manufacturers of advanced chip-making machines lose almost $5 billion in sales this year, according to estimates from the firms.

Despite the rhetoric, neither the US or Europe has articulated a clear definition of what constitutes a risk. Biden said at a Group of Seven leaders summit in Japan that US curbs should apply to a narrow set of technologies critical to national security  a broad term that casts a wide net in a world many everyday items have chips.

Everyone is talking about de-risking but we think its a concept that is not very well-understood, said Jens Eskelund, president of the European Chamber in Beijing. Theres still a lot of work to be done by organizations such as ourselves and other stakeholders in trying to define what de-risking actually means.

Divisions even within Europe on de-risking were evident at Summer Davos, where Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister of Hungary  a nation with one of the EUs most pro-Chinese governments  said decoupling from China would be a brutal suicide.

Business Allies

Beijings warmer ties with business leaders compared to some Western politicians was on display earlier this month when President Xi Jinping called American billionaire Bill Gates an old friend during a meeting in Beijing. Days later, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was granted only a brief audience with the Chinese leader in the capital. Xi and Biden havent spoken since November.

Senior Communist Party officials also recently rolled out the red carpet in China for the chief executive officers of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Tesla Inc., and a host of other foreign business chiefs.

While it remains to be seen how business leaders respond to Lis call to challenge their governments economic interventions, he signed deals in Europe last week to deepen China cooperation with Airbus SE, BASF SE, BMW AG, Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Volkswagen AG. Li told those firms that risk prevention and cooperation are not mutually exclusive.

Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said most companies prefer some moderate form of risk management. In the wake of Covid export disruptions, for example, many firms have added an offshore manufacturing base, a strategy known as China plus one.

Henry Gao, who researches Chinese trade policy at Singapore Management University, said the risk prevention measures Li supported companies pursing was fundamentally different to politicians de-risking strategies.

That could lead to both sides talking past each other, but perhaps that was the entire point.

Gao said: Its the same good old divide and conquer tactics.

--With assistance from Lucille Liu, Yujing Liu and Debby Wu.

(Updates with Xi comments in fifth paragraph.)

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The Vietnamese national flag flies on a diplomatic car outside the Great Hall of the People before talks between Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang and Chinese leaders in Beijing

BEIJING (Reuters) -China is willing to work with Vietnam to strengthen high-level communication and cooperation between their militaries, Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu said on Tuesday as he met his Vietnamese counterpart.

In their meeting in Beijing, Li said the international situation was chaotic and intertwined, and the security of the Asia-Pacific region was facing challenges, the Chinese defence ministry said in a statement.

"China and Vietnam should continue to work hand in hand and closely unite in the new journey of socialism, safeguard the common strategic interests of the two countries, and make positive contributions to regional peace and stability," Li said in the talks with Vietnam's defence minister, Phan Van Giang.

Li told Phan that relations between their militaries had developed well, adding that China's military was willing to push relations to a new level.

Their meeting came after the USS Ronald Reagan made a stop in the Vietnamese port of Danang on Sunday - the third by a U.S. aircraft carrier since the end of the Vietnam War.

The U.S. navy visit comes amid tension between China and the United States in the South China Sea, most of which China claims, as the two powers jostle for influence in the energy-rich region.

In the past few weeks, Li has met South Africa's defence force commander and Thailand's army chief but he has not held talks with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Both Li and Austin attended a security summit in Singapore in early June but Li declined the offer of a meeting.

Li, appointed defence minister in March, is under U.S. sanctions over his role in a 2017 weapons purchase from Russia's largest arms exporter. China has said it wants the sanctions dropped to facilitate discussions.

As tensions simmer in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping territorial claims and also hold military exercises in its waters, any thaw in Sino-U.S. military relations is being closely watched.

Beijing scrapped three major avenues of military communication with the United States in August last year in an angry response to a visit by then U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Kim Coghill, Robert Birsel)
Fu Cong, Chinese ambassador to the European Union, has said that he does not rule out Beijing's support for Ukraine's desire to restore its territorial integrity by returning to the borders of 1991.

Source: Fu, in an interview with several media, including Al Jazeera, as reported by European Pravda

Details: When journalists asked the Chinese diplomat about supporting Ukraine's goals, in particular the return of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, he replied,"I dont see why not".

Quote: "We respect the territorial integrity of all countries. So when China established relations with the former Soviet Union, thats what we agreed on. But as I said, these are historical issues that need to be negotiated and resolved by Russia and Ukraine and that is what we stand for," Fu said.

AL Jazeera noted that this is not the first such comment by China's ambassador to the EU. In an interview with The New York Times in April, Fu stated that China does not endorse Russia's efforts to annex Ukrainian territories, particularly Crimea and Donbas.

While other Chinese officials and the Foreign Ministry usually refrain from such comments, Fu emphasised in a recent interview that China's position on Ukraine "has been very clear".

"We advocate peace and we believe that it is important to achieve peace as soon as possible by resolving differences at the negotiating table," he said.

For reference: Cooperation between Moscow and Beijing strengthened after Russia decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

China refused to criticise Moscow's actions, instead accusing the US and NATO of provoking the Kremlin, and criticised sanctions against Russia. The latter, in turn, strongly supported China regarding the tension in relations with the United States over Taiwan.

Background: In April, Lu Shaye, Chinas ambassador to France, said in an interview that former Soviet republics "lack effective status in international law because there is no international agreement to give substance to their status".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Liang Shi, pictured here in 2018, has tried to pass the exams dozens of times since 1983

A Chinese millionaire says he has failed the country's tough university entrance exams for the 27th time.

On Friday, the 56-year-old Liang Shi found out he had scored only 424 out of 750 points.

The mark is 34 points short of the baseline needed to apply for any university in China.

Nearly 13 million students sat the exams this year. Mr Liang has drawn local media coverage before for his attempts to pursue higher education.

Having attended the exams dozens of times since 1983, Mr Liang told local media he was disappointed in his result this year and was wondering if he would ever realise his dream.

"I used to say 'I just don't believe I won't make it', but now I'm torn," the Sichuan-based man told Chinese media outlet Tianmu News.

Gaokao, the notoriously difficult exam, tests high school leavers on their Chinese, mathematics and English and another science or humanities subject of their choice.

Chinese government data shows only 41.6% of exam candidates were accepted into universities or colleges in 2021.

The Gaokao is seen as a make-or-break opportunity, especially for those from poorer families, in a country where a degree is considered essential for a good job.

The tests have been the focal point of the country's education system since the 1950s, although they were suspended during the Cultural Revolution.

For Mr Liang, he said he had always dreamed of being accepted into a prestigious university and becoming an "intellectual".

After failing his first attempt in 1983 when he was 16, he worked different jobs but kept applying every year until 1992, when he was considered too old.

After the factory he worked at went bankrupt in the same year, Mr Liang started his own timber wholesale business in the mid-1990s.

He soon became a much more successful businessman than a student - he made one million yuan within one year and then started a construction material business.

But in 2001, when the Chinese government removed the age limit for the Gaokao, he started his education journey again. He had only missed the annual exams when he was sick or too busy with work.

Over the years, the reason for his continuous attempts have shifted from changing his fate to being unwilling to give up, he said.

"I think it's such a pity if you don't go to college, your life won't be complete without higher education," he told local media outlet The Papers in 2014.

On 7 June this year, he once again took himself to a test centre to sit the exams.

Known as "the No.1 Gaokao holdout", he had abstained from drinking and playing mahjong to focus on studying.

But it wasn't to be, yet again.

Mr Liang has said that, unlike previous years, he's starting to feel defeated.

"I have been contemplating whether I should continue," he told Tianmu News. "Maybe I do need to reflect on myself."

In another interview with a Sichuan outlet, Mr Liang expressed further doubts.

"I might give up (next year)," he said. "If I do attend it next year, I will give up my last name Liang if I fail."
City officials on Tuesday announced that they are seeking to fire the Rochester firefighter facing numerous child pornography charges in federal court.

Last week, Brett Marrapese, 31, of Irondequoit, was charged with multiple counts of production, distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges include explicit material involving prepubescent minors under the age of 12, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.

As of Tuesday, Marrapese was placed on unpaid leave and informed that the City of Rochester "is seeking to terminate his employment given the nature of the crimes of which he is accused," City spokeswoman Barbara Pierce said in a news release. Since June 13, he was suspended with pay after the FBI agents executed a search warrant related to the charges at Marrapese's residence, camper, vehicle and lockers at the Rochester Fire Department.

Marrapese is accused of communicating with at least 110 minors, including the two children identified as victims by federal authorities, and coercing them into producing and sending child pornography. Marrapese is accused of presenting himself as a teenager of a similar age to the minors, according to federal officials. Some of the interactions allegedly occurred using internet servers that provide RFD employees with on-site internet service for personal use.

Authorities said they recovered 1,393 images and 121 videos of child pornography from Marrapese's mobile phone, some of which depict violent sexual abuse of toddlers. He is accused of persuading minors to produce and send explicit photographs and videos. The phone also allegedly contained communications involving the production of child pornography and sexual abuse of children, surreptitiously recorded photographs of children, and edited images depicting sexual conduct between adults and children.

The City of Rochester is expediting disciplinary employment proceedings that are required by law, according to the news release.

The FBI is asking anyone with information regarding Brett Marrapese, known on Instagram as "Taylorsimpson2419" (Screenname "Taylor"), and Snapchat as "Thatdude_2790" (Screenname "Taylor") to contact their tip line at (585) 279-0085.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brett Marrapese placed on unpaid leave by city of Rochester NY
Clarence Thomas isn't happy the Supreme Court went out of its way to shoot down a fringe right-wing elections theory

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas poses for the official photo. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a fringe right-wing elections theory in a 6-3 ruling.

Justice Clarence Thomas, a pillar of the court's conservative bloc, is not happy about it.

He wrote in his dissent that the court shouldn't have taken up the case to begin with and that the majority opinion is "plainly advisory."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a dubious right-wing theory that would have had dangerous and far-reaching consequences for the democratic process.

And Justice Clarence Thomas  who was one of three justices dissenting in the case  is not thrilled.

Broadly, the theory at the heart of Moore v. Harper  known as the "independent state legislature" theory  would give state lawmakers nearly unchecked power to gerrymander electoral maps and upend federal elections.

The case centers on a gerrymandered congressional map in North Carolina drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature that heavily favored GOP candidates. Voters in the state challenged the map, and the North Carolina Supreme Court ultimately struck it down, saying it was an "egregious and intentional partisan gerrymander" and violated the state's constitution.

Two lawmakers in the state asked the US Supreme Court to take up the case based on the independent state legislature theory. But the balance of power shifted on the North Carolina Supreme Court from a liberal-leaning majority to a decidedly conservative one, which in April went back and cleared the way for Republican lawmakers to draw maps heavily favoring their party.

Thomas wrote that with the original case now decided in the lawmakers' favor, the argument before the Supreme Court was "moot." But a majority of his colleagues still decided to hear the case  and explicitly shot down the theory in their ruling in a 6-3 vote.

Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. wrote the majority opinion in the case, writing that the Constitution "does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state law."

Thomas wasn't happy.

In his dissent, Thomas wrote that the court's purpose is to "resolve not questions and issues but 'Cases' or 'Controversies.'"

"As a corollary of that basic constitutional principle, the Court 'is without power to decide moot questions or to give advisory opinions which cannot affect the rights of the litigants in the case before it,'" he added.

Thomas went on to say that by taking up Moore v. Harper, the high court was considering a decision that "has since been overruled and supplanted by a final judgment resolving all claims in petitioners' favor."

"The issue on which it opines  a federal defense to claims already dismissed on other grounds  can no longer affect the judgment in this litigation in any way," he wrote. "As such, the question is indisputably moot, and today's majority opinion is plainly advisory."

Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch also dissented.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A cleaning company is back at the crime scene where four University of Idaho students were murdered last year.

A large truck was seen on Tuesday (27 June) at the Moscow three-storey home where Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were murdered last November as the process continues to return their personal belongings to their loved ones.

Earlier reports said that the house, which now belongs to the University of Idaho, would be demolished sometime this summer.

The cleaning company tasked with removing all the items inside the home ahead of a demolition told CourtTV in a statement that a timeline has not been laid out, but staff remains in touch with family members during the process that may take several weeks.

We are beginning remediation with the removal of all the personal items for the families to receive, as they wish. This will take several weeks. No date set for demolition, the statement read.

The developments came on the same day the victims alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court a day after Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty against Mr Kohberger.

Mr Thompson cited five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

At a Tuesday hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge heard arguments on several motions filed by the defence, including seeking details about the DNA evidence, seeking details about the grand jury which returned a murder indictment against him, and issuing a stay on proceedings to put a pause on the case heading to trial.

Police tape surrounds a home that is the site of a quadruple murder on January 3, 2023 in Moscow (Getty Images)

In a key motion to compel, the defence argued that the prosecution should hand over all information about the genetic genealogy and DNA evidence which ties Mr Kohberger to the murders. This includes information about the scientists who carried out the DNA testing and what it was that led authorities to suspect him in the first place.

Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they were not on a fishing expedition, but that they needed the material in order to build a strong case for their client.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho (AP)

Among the evidence requested by the defence are training records of three police officers who interviewed critical witnesses, information about the FBI team leading the criminal probe, and background on the tip that led to the search for Mr Kohbergers white Hyundai and cellphone records cited in the probable cause affidavit.

There is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty ... and these are very relevant pieces of information, Mr Kohbergers defence said, according to DailyMail.com.

Prosecutors argued that most of those materials have already been made available to the defence.

The state also noted that the officers training records do not pertain to the case and could set an unfavourable precedent in future cases.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 (Instagram)

Mr Kohbergers defence said that while there were more than 120 officers who worked in the murder investigation, they were only requesting records from three of them who played a critical role by collecting evidence, following up on tips and conducting more than a dozen interviews.

The judge told the court that he will be issuing a written ruling with the evidence that the prosecution must turn in by 14 July.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment earlier this month on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not-guilty pleas on his behalf.

Mr Kohbergers trial is scheduled for 2 October, but the date is expected to be delayed following his defences filings.
Plant more trees - one of the report's recommendations

Government backing for new oil and coal, airport expansion plans and slow progress on heat pumps show that the UK has lost its leadership on climate issues, a government watchdog warns.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) described government efforts to scale up climate action as "worryingly slow".

It was "markedly" less confident than a year ago that the UK would reach its targets for cutting carbon emissions.

The government said it was committed to its climate targets.

Committee chairman Lord Deben, a former Conservative environment minister, was particularly critical of the government's policy on new coal and oil projects.

The decision to approve the UK's first new deep coal mine in 30 years in Cumbria last December was "total nonsense", he told the BBC.

Lord Deben was also damning about plans for a major new oilfield off the coast of Scotland. Approval for Rosebank, which could produce an estimated 300 million barrels of oil in its lifetime, is expected soon.

"How can we ask countries in Africa not to develop oil?" Lord Deben said. "How can we ask other nations not to expand the fossil fuel production if we start doing it ourselves?"

The government proposed the first new coal mine in 30 years in Whitehaven, Cumbria

The UK has set legally binding targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, meaning the country will no longer contribute any additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

At the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow in 2021 then prime minister Boris Johnson vowed to cut emissions by 68% on 1990 levels by the end of the decade.

The CCC report warned "continued delays in policy development and implementation" meant reaching them was "increasingly challenging".

The Committee highlighted a "lack of urgency" across government and a "worrying hesitancy" by ministers to lead on the climate issue.

'No magic button'

Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said in response to the report that the government had met all its carbon targets to date and was confident of doing so in the future.

Responding to criticism for continued support for oil and gas projects, he stressed that despite an unprecedented role for renewables, the UK would remain dependent on these sources for power generation for the foreseeable future.

"There is no button I can press tomorrow, and as we will be dependent on oil and gas for decades to come, even as we move to net zero, it makes sense that we should produce it here," he told journalists.

Regarding the new coal mine in Cumbria, he stressed that it would produce coking coal for making steel, not for energy production and that there was currently no alternative.

Rebecca Newsom, head of politics for Greenpeace UK called the report "a pitiful catalogue of Rishi Sunak's climate failures".

"This report exposes the catastrophic negligence shown by this government which has left Britain with higher bills, fewer good jobs, our energy security weakened, and the climate emergency unaddressed," said Labour's Shadow Climate and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband.

The chair of the COP26 summit, Alok Sharma, agreed the UK was at risk of losing what he called its "international reputation and influence on climate".

He said the country risked falling behind without a response to initiatives like the US's vast subsidies for green industries.

"Resting on our laurels is definitely not the answer industry is seeking," he said, one of the sharpest criticisms the Conservative MP has made of the government's climate policy.

table showing comparisons of heat pump installation in Europe

More needs to be done to encourage us all to install heat pumps, insulate our homes, reduce how much meat we eat and fly less, the Committee said.

At the same time, it said, the switch to renewable power needs to be ramped up, industry needs more help to decarbonise and there needs to be a huge increase in the numbers of trees planted and the speed of peatland restoration.

The report acknowledged that glimmers of the Net Zero transition can be seen in growing sales of electric cars and the growing renewable power sector.

But it warned the government continues to rely on unproven technological solutions rather than "more straightforward" encouragement of people to reduce high-carbon activities.

The report criticised plans for new airport expansion, saying we should be encouraged to fly less

The Committee says the government should be doing more to encourage us to fly less rather than relying on the development of sustainable fuels to reduce the carbon emissions from aviation, for example.

It pointed out that lots of UK airports are planning to expand capacity despite a CCC recommendation that there should be no net airport expansion. Seven out of the 10 major UK airports have plans to expand, according to BBC research.

Lord Deben, whose second and final term as chair of the CCC ends this month, said that one of the government's biggest failures was not putting net zero at the heart of the UK's planning system.

"If you pass laws in order to do something and then don't provide the means, then you're failing," he told the BBC.

He said he was sad his final report "does not show satisfactory progress".

UK greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 46% from 1990 levels, the CCC says, largely thanks to a massive reduction in the use of coal for electricity and the growth of the renewable power sector.
Protesters threw paint on the headquarters of TotalEnergies in London (HENRY NICHOLLS)

Climate change campaigners targeted the UK headquarters of oil giant TotalEnergies with paint Tuesday, protesting the French firm's alleged human rights violations in the construction of a contentious oil pipeline in Uganda.

Supporters of the Just Stop Oil activist organisation sprayed black paint in the lobby of the company's headquarters in London's Canary Wharf district, while others daubed orange paint outside, the protest group said.

Dozens of students from a pressure group opposed to the building of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) also massed outside the building during the stunt to show support, it added.

London's Metropolitan police said officers had arrested 27 people "for a combination of suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass".

TotalEnergies said in a statement that it "fully respects the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression, but deplores all forms of violence, whether verbal, physical or material".

"TotalEnergies promotes transparent and constructive dialogue with all its stakeholders," it added.

The French company is the largest shareholder in the controversial east African venture, which is set to carry crude oil to the Tanzanian coast through several Ugandan protected nature reserves.

Communities in the region claim the energy firm and other EACOP backers have caused serious harm to their rights to land and food in building the 1,500-kilometre (930-mile) pipeline.

Critics have also called the project a "carbon bomb" which would release over 379 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

- Direct action -

Also on Tuesday in France, a group of Ugandan citizens and aid groups, joined by French aid organisations, filed a lawsuit in a Paris court against TotalEnergies for damages over the alleged human rights violations.

In its statement, TotalEnergies said it has "a history of engaging directly with all members of civil society" and "does not tolerate any threats or attacks against those who peacefully defend and promote human rights in relation to its operations".

Just Stop Oil wants the UK and other governments to end all new oil and gas exploration and has promised not to let up in its high-profile protests until it does so.

The group has repeatedly hit the headlines with its direct-action stunts, such as disrupting sporting events and targeting valuable works of art, to publicise their cause.

But some of their antics, in particular those most impacting people's everyday lives, have prompted a public backlash, and appear to be increasingly dividing environmental campaigners and their financial backers.

Trevor Neilson, a former funder of the organisation and other direct action climate change groups, recently told the Sunday Times that they should end their disruptive tactics because they were "not accomplishing anything".

"It's just performative," he told the newspaper. "It's not accomplishing anything. I absolutely believe that it has now become counterproductive."

jj/phz/
Historians now know a significant sit-in, regarded as the beginning of Tampas civil rights movement, occurred on Richard Roachs former property, where he was shot.

One of Floridas oldest property records has provided information on the 150-year-old murder of one of the states first Black deputies.

Someone assassinated Richard W. Roach, the first Hillsborough County deputy to die in the line of duty, outside his house on Aug. 15, 1874, according to The Tampa Bay Times. While there are theories, there is no definitive answer as to why he was killed.

Historians have since learned that a significant sit-in, regarded as the beginning of Tampas civil rights movement, occurred on Roachs former property. Roach was one of the first Black landowners in Tampa and likely died at that site.

Fred Hearns (above), Tampa Bay History Centers curator, called Richard W. Roach a historical figure who should not be forgotten. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/City of Tampa)

Not a lot of people know about Richard Roach, said Fred Hearns, the Tampa Bay History Centers curator, Yahoo reported. But he was an important person. He should not be forgotten.

The details regarding the land  which corresponds to 801 N. Franklin St. today  are taken from a scroll featured in the history centers newest exhibit, Travails and Triumphs, which explores the 500-year tale of Black people living in Tampa Bay.

Rodney Kite-Powell of the history center notes that the scroll, which records the citys property owners at the time, dates back around 150 years. There were just three Black property owners, one of whom was named R.W. Roach.

Peter W. Bryant and Aggie Holloman  the two other Black landowners included on the scroll  were also highly respected in Tampa.

Forty Black high school students calmly protested by sitting at the then-F.W. Woolworth on Feb. 29, 1960, calling for lunch counter service. They were rejected, but as a result, Tampa Mayor Julian Lane requested meetings between business owners and civil rights activists. Months later, the citys downtown lunch counters were integrated.

Hearns called the newly discovered information ironic.

That was considered the most important site to protest against racial discrimination, Hearns contended, and now we learn it was once owned by a Black man who served the community.

For its relevance to civil rights, a historical marker commemorates the now-vacant Woolworths location.

Census records show that Roach was born in South Carolina in 1848. Historians think he was probably enslaved. However, it is unclear if he was born into slavery in Tampa or arrived after the Civil War finished in 1865. It is also unclear when he was appointed as one of the citys first Black law enforcement officers.

Roach, his mother, Lizzie King, and three other people  Amy, Samand and Sidney Roach, who might have been his siblings  were listed as residents in 1870.

A year later, he wed Antonete Post, who, according to Genealogical records of the African American pioneers of Tampa and Hillsborough County, The Tampa Bay Times cites, may have formerly been enslaved by former Tampa Mayor Madison Post. A year after that, Roach paid Peter Bryant $92 for a piece of land.

The book Forgotten Heroes: Police Officers Killed in Early Florida, 1840-1925 contends that on June 13, 1874, Roach sought to detain William Duncan for public intoxication. Roach shot and killed Duncan following a struggle.

According to Forgotten Heroes, Roach was sitting on his front porch when someone sent five buck shots through his forehead in 1874. His wife had already gone to bed but rushed to his side when she heard the gunshots. The book claims her piercing screams roused the nearby residents, who flocked to the scene.

It is believed that Duncans relatives or someone who disapproved of a Black law enforcement officer killed Roach. Regardless, the sheriffs office concluded that his death was work-related.

However, Roach was forgotten because of inadequate record-keeping at the time of his passing.

Then, in 1997, Florida historian Cantor Brown learned about Roachs tale and brought it to the Sheriffs Offices attention; as a result, Roach joined the memorial wall in Ybor Citys Fallen Heroes Remembrance Park, dedicated to the countys 17 deceased deputies.

Hearns remarked that the sit-in at Woolworths was a turning point for civil rights. The information that Roach presumably resided and was killed on the property adds more history to that street.

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The post Clues emerge in assassination of Black Florida deputy 150 years ago appeared first on TheGrio.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - Roberto Marquez, of Dallas, adds a flower a makeshift memorial at the site where officials found dozens of people dead in an abandoned semitrailer containing suspected migrants, June 29, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. Federal authorities on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, announced the arrest of four Mexican nationals in connection to the 2022 human smuggling operation that killed 53 immigrants stuck in a tractor trailer in the Texas summer. Two other people had been arrested in July 2022. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

U.S. authorities on Tuesday announced the arrests of four more people in last year's smuggling deaths of 53 migrants, including eight children, who were left in a tractor trailer in the scorching Texas summer.

Authorities said the four Mexican nationals were aware that the trailer's air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning and would not blow cool air to the migrants trapped inside during the nearly three-hour ride. When the trailer was opened in San Antonio, 48 migrants were already dead. Another 16 were taken to hospitals, where five more died.

The driver and another man were arrested shortly after the migrants were found. They were charged with smuggling resulting in death and conspiracy.

The four new arrests were made Monday in Houston, San Antonio and Marshall, Texas. Authorities said the smuggling operation transported migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico by sharing routes, guides, stash houses, trucks and trailers, some of which were stored at a private parking lot in San Antonio.

Authorities arrested Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30; Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28; Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37; and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53. All are charged with conspiracy to transport immigrants resulting in death, serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

Human smugglers prey on migrants hope for a better life  but their only priority is profit, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Tragically, 53 people who had been loaded into a tractor-trailer in Texas and endured hours of unimaginable cruelty lost their lives because of this heartless scheme."
The United States Coast Guard took a helicopter to a cruise ship on Sunday to rescue a man suffering from severe blood loss.

The Coast Guard received a call around 3:30 p.m. from the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas ship requesting a medevac of the 53-year-old passenger.

Two crews, one from New Orleans and one from Mobile, flew to the cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico, located about 230 miles south of New Orleans, to retrieve the victim and get him medical help. The Coast Guard captured the moment on video.

The passenger was taken to University Medical Center hospital in New Orleans and is in fair condition, the Coast Guard said in a press release.

Its not clear how the man was injured on the ship to result in blood loss.

A @USCG Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew medevaced a 53-year-old man from a cruise ship Sunday approximately 230 miles south of New Orleans, Louisiana.



Read more here, https://t.co/Al2KOU0JVW. pic.twitter.com/zquamLh7fZ  USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) June 27, 2023

Royal Caribbean docks in New Orleans and offers western Caribbean cruises from the Crescent City to destinations including Cozumel, Mexico and Belize City, Belize.
Coca-Cola Consolidated, the largest Coca-Cola soda bottler in the country, will invest up to $15 million to expand its regional manufacturing center in Monroe.

The 4,200 square-foot expansion will be complete next year, according to a Coca-Cola Consolidated news release from the Charlotte-based company.

At least five jobs will be added to the facilitys 58 employees, said Ron Mahle, existing industry manager at the Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission. The new jobs will be skilled technical positions.

The project will allow for a new paint booth, high-pressure cleaning equipment, classrooms and training workstations for employees, according to the release.

Union County awarded an economic development incentive grant not to exceed $330,000 over five years. The city of Monroe also issued an economic development incentive grant not to exceed $300,000 over the same period, according to the news release.

Coca-Cola Consolidated in Monroe

Coca-Cola Consolidated landed in Monroe in 1996. The 66,000 square-foot facility is in the citys precision manufacturing industrial park, between Monroe and Wesley Chapel.

The site manufactures vending and cooling equipment from Texas to Ohio, Mahle said.

Were just really proud that they have chosen to expand their operations here in Monroe, Mahle said.
Cocoa Beach will be without a police chief  for now  after the city struck an agreement with Chief Scott Rosenfeld that will result in his early retirement.

Under the terms of the agreement, the city will pay the embattled chief to stay away from his workplace until his official retirement date on Aug. 31, 2024.

The agreement immediately ends all investigations into Rosenfeld, who had been accused of leading a toxic workplace where employees were routinely made to feel uncomfortable.

According to investigative reports, Rosenfeld was accused of making sexist comments, being hyper-focused on body image and trying to influence interviews. The chief denied those claims to investigators, who declared many of them unfounded.

Read: Cocoa Beach police chief under internal investigation, placed on leave

Still, they said a reasonable person would find his management style abusive.

Rosenfeld will be allowed to retire without marks on his record and will be allowed to work elsewhere while collecting his Cocoa Beach salary.

One city employee, speaking under the condition of anonymity, said they were dismayed by the agreement. They said it gave the appearance that the chief was being rewarded for his behavior.

Read: Man accused of attacking woman inside park bathroom in Cocoa Beach

It was unclear why the city decided to end all investigations and strike the deal. Rosenfeld had been on administrative leave since employees began complaining earlier this year.

The staff member said they were under the impression Rosenfeld would be allowed to step down immediately.

A city release said the deputy chief would lead the department while the city management searched for an interim chief.

Read: Was that actually a tsunami that hit Florida? Yes, but not the kind you think

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.
In this image taken from video provided by the Colorado Judicial Branch, Anderson Lee Aldrich, left, the suspect in a mass shooting that killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub last year, appears in court Monday, June 26, 2023, in Colorado Springs, Colo., where they pleaded guilty in the attack. The defendant faces life in prison on the murder charges under the plea agreement. | Colorado Judicial Branch via Associated Press

Anderson Lee Aldrich, 23, pleaded guilty on Monday to the mass shooting at LGBTQ bar Club Q on Nov. 22, 2022, killing five and injuring 19 others.

Killed in the shooting were Daniel Aston, 28; Derrick Rump, 38; Raymond Green Vance, 22; Kelly Loving, 40; and Ashley Paugh, 34.

Aldrich, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns they/them, was charged with 323 criminal accounts, including charges of first-degree murder, bias-motivated crime and first and second-degree assault.

The shooter was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Judge Michael McHenry added an additional 2,208 years in prison.

The judge 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, per ABC News.

Related

The state of Colorado banned the death penalty in 2020, so prosecutors were unable to request the death sentence. However, a federal investigation has been opened and capital punishment can be given in federal court cases.

According to CNN, 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen said in a news conference following the sentencing, The death penalty still matters even if its not law in the state of Colorado. ... The threat of the death penalty in the federal system (was) a big part of what motivated this defendant to take this plea in our case.

Allen continued, Cases like this are why the death penalty should exist in the state of Colorado, the victims in this case deserve the ultimate punishment that the law can provide, he said.

Aldrich did not wish to speak before the court but asked the defense attorney to explain that they are deeply remorseful.

Many family members of the victims spoke before the court and defendant with deep pain and anger for their loss.

The father of Daniel Aston said that without his son, 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, per NBC News.

Adriana Vance, the mother of Raymond Green Vance, described her son as a loving and gentle man. This man doesnt deserve to go on. What matters now is that he never sees the sun rise or sunset, she said in anger over the loss of her sons life.

Your actions reflect the deepest malice of the human heart, McHenry concluded following the plea deal. And malice is almost always born of ignorance and fear.
Community Eligibility: The Key to Hunger-Free Students or Just a Band-Aid?

As a working mom and full-time college student, Javonna Brownlee understands the struggle of providing school meals for her three young children.

From balancing a packed schedule to not always having the means to buy groceries, Brownlee is grateful her Virginia school continued to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students despite the expiration of federally funded pandemic school meals at the start of the 2022-23 academic year.

I dont have one of those stay-at-home mom lives where Im able to pack their lunch every day, Brownlee told The 74. So even if I know the food isnt everything they might want, its at least something to get them through the day.

Virginia parent Javonna Brownlee with her children Keenan, Kenzie, and Knoble. (Javonna Brownlee)

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Although Virginia has not passed free school meals legislation in the absence of the federal program, Virginia and many other states are now participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP  an Obama-era program that allows schools with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.

According to a report from the Food Research and Action Center, CEP participation soared in the 2022-23 academic year with 40,235 schools nationwide taking part  an increase of 6,935 schools, or 20.8 percent, compared to the previous year.

Food Research and Action Center

CEP began through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 where any district, group of schools or individual school with 40 percent or more students eligible for free school meals can participate.

Today, 19.9 million children across the country attend a school that has CEP  an increase of nearly 3.7 million children, or 22.5 percent, compared to the previous year.

Participation rates vary significantly state-by-state, from nearly 100 percent of eligible schools in Wyoming, California and the District of Columbia to under 30 percent of eligible schools in New Hampshire, Colorado and Kansas.

Crystal FitzSimons, the director of school and out-of-school time programs at the Food Research and Action Center, said CEP participation has grown in almost every single state.

Most schools did not want to go back to the way school nutrition programs operated prior to the pandemic so they really leaned into community eligibility, FitzSimons told The 74.

Cheryl Johnson, the director of child nutrition and wellness at the Kansas Department of Education, said the states low 28.8% CEP participation stems from how it negatively affects schools finance formula.

Many school districts are hesitant to move away from using meal applications because it can greatly impact their at-risk funding for students, Johnson told The 74.

Johnson added how schools participating in CEP lose important student data from no longer having to fill out applications for those receiving free or reduced price meals  thus causing schools to potentially receive less funding from the state.

But FitzSimons said Johnsons concerns are not the case.

A lot of times school districts would distribute Title I funds using free and reduced price eligibility, but they dont have to do it that way, FitzSimons said. When community eligibility passed, the U.S. Department of Education actually came out with guidance to help districts come up with ways to distribute these funds among their schools.

A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Allie Pearce, a K-12 analyst at the Center for American Progress, added how schools shouldnt shy away from CEP because there is a need to change how schools structure their finance formulas.

Free and reduced price eligibility is an imperfect measure of students socioeconomic status but its the predominant one thats used, Pearce told The 74. We really need to move away from free and reduced price eligibility as this proxy measure and move towards other measures that are more representative of students and their families.

Pearce recommends schools look at household income, students Medicaid participation and neighborhood poverty rates from the U.S. Census Bureau among other data points.

There are a lot of things we can use, and it probably makes the most sense to use a mixed measure as much as possible since that will paint a clearer picture, Pearce said.

Frank Edelblut, the New Hampshire Education Commissioner, noted how the states low 14.3% CEP participation comes from having few schools eligible.

Its just hard to get a whole broad swath of schools that are going to participate because they dont qualify, Edelblut told The 74.

Related: Most Eligible Indiana Schools Hesitant to Sign Up for Federal Free Meal Program

To address this concern, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a rule in March 2023 to lower the CEP eligibility threshold from 40 percent to 25 percent.

This proposed rule will make CEP available for about 20,000 more schools, a USDA spokesperson told The 74 in an emailed statement. USDA estimates that about 2,000 schools with roughly 1 million children enrolled will opt into CEP because of this rule.

But Pearce strongly believes the logical and equitable next step is a universal system full stop.

Expanding community eligibility now is needlessly regressive when it comes to the pandemic era waivers weve already offered, Pearce said. It doesnt address the ongoing meal debt burdens or some of the longstanding struggles associated with the meal application process in schools.

Johnson agreed, adding that despite Kansas low CEP participation, free school meals for all students would be a win-win situation.

It would reduce paperwork and reduce stigma dramatically within the state if universal free meals were ever considered by Congress, Johnson said.

Kerri Link, the nutritions program supervisor at the Colorado Department of Education, said the state addressed the low 27% CEP participation by passing free school meal legislation starting in the upcoming 2023-24 academic year.

Colorado now joins California, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont that have acted to independently fund free school meals.

Related: Rhode Island Unlikely To Provide Universal School Meals For Public School Kids

Until statewide measures transition to federal investment, Pearce said CEP participation still serves as an incremental step forward.

It may not go far enough to meet the needs of schools across the country, but in general, its a great step towards free meal access for more students, Pearce said.
protestors calling for the release of detainees at Guantanamo Bay prison Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Getty Images

The last 30 men detained at Guantanamo Bay are subject "to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law," a United Nations human rights investigator said Monday. The prisoners include men accused of plotting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Fionnuala Ni Aolain, a law professor in Minnesota and Ireland and the U.N.'s special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, was the first U.N. investigator granted access to the detention facility since it opened in 2002. She compiled her findings in a 23-page report based on a four-day visit in February, during which she interviewed detainees, attorneys and former prisoners, per The New York Times.

Though Ni Aolain noted that "significant improvements" had been made to the detention center, she expressed "serious concerns" about the wellbeing of the remaining detainees, who she said still face severe suffering and anxiety due to the effects of solitary confinement, excessive force and inadequate health care. Many detainees she met with showed signs of "deep psychological harm and distress," and were sometimes deprived of support from family or legal counsel. The facility's conditions "may also meet the legal threshold for torture," she added.

In the report, she conceded that the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, were "a crime against humanity." Still, she criticized the United States' use of torture against prisoners facing criminal charges as "the single most significant barrier to fulfilling victims' rights to justice and accountability." Torturing those accused of plotting the attacks is "a betrayal of the rights of victims."

In response, the U.S. ambassador to the Human Rights Council, Michele Taylor, submitted a statement defending the detention centers, stating that prisoners "live communally and prepare meals together; receive specialized medical and psychiatric care; are given full access to legal counsel; and communicate regularly with family members." U.S. officials "are nonetheless carefully reviewing the [special rapporteur's] recommendations and will take any appropriate actions, as warranted."

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Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has lately found himself facing down a new challenge: Defending his decision to vote yes on a bill.

For years, the Republican has been known as Capitol Hills Mr. No, thanks to his willingness to buck party leadership by opposing legislation. In March 2020, he drew an angry phone call from former President Trump for single-handedly delaying final passage of the first $2 trillion COVID-19 economic rescue package.

But this month, Massie disappointed many of his fellow conservatives by giving his thumbs up to the debt ceiling deal negotiated between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House, providing a key vote on the Rules Committee that allowed the bill to reach the chambers floor. The move earned him blowback from the right  though he says it hasnt been overwhelming.

On the Richter scale with 10 being the Cares Act when the President was screaming at me, that was like six or seven, Massie told Semafor. And by the way: Two years later, those add to your credibility.

Know More

Chief among Massies Republican critics these days is Russell Vought, the former Office of Management and Budget director under Trump who has become an influential economic advisor to hardline conservatives. (He even enjoyed automatic approval for meetings with Massie himself).

Your path to the dark side is now complete. You have become your enemy, Vought tweeted at Massie last month. He later dubbed the deal the McCarthy-Massie debt bomb. When Massie shot back that Vought helped the Trump administration rack up $4.5 trillion in new debt, Vought suggested Massie should take a course in Remedial American Government.

That was low-class I thought, Massie said. First time there was a hiccup, hes decided everybody whos not on his side is a sellout, which is completely ridiculous. I would never say that about anybody in here based on one vote, or even three votes.

Massie was one of three hardline conservatives who received seats on the Rules panel as part of the deal that allowed McCarthy to become speaker. The concession gave right-wing members more hope theyd be able to control the Houses agenda, since the committee effectively decides what bills get an up or down vote.

But Massie says he doesnt intend to use his position on the rules panel to blow up legislation he disagrees with. When I got on the Rules Committee, I was resigned to voting for things that I might not vote for on the floor, Massie said. Im just trying to fix the process, not imprint my ideology.

House Freedom Caucus members vented their frustration over the debt ceiling deal earlier this month by shutting down business on the House floor. It was unclear to many what their specific demands were at the time, but there are already whispers of a potential repeat down the line.

Massies take, as a veteran protest vote? Find a clear ask next time.

Their tactics were downright brutal, he said. I approve, but whats the strategy?

Editor's note

Due to a production error, Semafor unintentionally published an early version of this post. We've updated it to the correct version, which also appeared in Tuesday's Principals newsletter.
It's not delivery, it's a protest.

Conservative artist and activist Scott LoBaido threw multiple pizzas at New York City Hall in response to the citys crackdown on coal- and wood-fired ovens.

LoBaido protested on Monday by launching several cheese pies across the City Hall fence in response to a crackdown on the traditional ovens used to make pizza.

"The woke-a-- idiots who run this city are doing everything in their power to destroy it," LoBaido said outside New York City Hall on Monday after a report revealed the impending regulations from the city to cut carbon emissions.

NYC THREATENS PIZZERIAS WITH COAL-, WOOD-FIRED OVENS TO CUT CARBON EMISSIONS

Conservative artist and activist Scott LoBaido threw multiple pizzas at New York City Hall in response to the citys crackdown on coal- and wood-fired ovens.

"We have naked men with their t--ies bouncing around all over this city yesterday, in public, in front of children," LoBaido said. "We have the most violent, raging crime rate ever. We are being invaded by illegal immigrants who are being treated way better than our homeless veterans."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Our teachers and first responder heroes who were fired [are] still not compensated because they didnt take the Fauci injection. Our city schools produce the dumbest kids and the woke a-- punks who run New York S----y are afraid of pizza? The world used to respect New Yorkers as tough, thick-skinned and gritty. Now, we have become pussified."

LoBaido said its "a damn shame" and invoked the famed Boston Tea Party in his viral video.

"Well  this is the New York Pizza Party! Give us pizza or give us death!" LoBaido said, grabbing cheese pie slices from several boxes he brought to City Hall and throwing them over the gates.

"Give us pizza or give us death!" LoBaido chanted repeatedly as he hurled slices of pizza at City Hall.

"Destroying every small business, thats what this city keeps doing," LoBaido yelled. "Cant have a small business? Cant have pizza? New York City is nothing without pizza."

LoBaido said it was the "New York Pizza Party" as his demonstration was interrupted by two NYPD officers.

"Got to do my thing, man," LoBaido said to the first officer, waving him off and reaching for another slice to throw at City Hall.

LoBaidos viral demonstration comes after New York City turned the heat up on pizzerias that have traditional coal- and wood-burning ovens.

Widely regarded as some of the best in the world, New York Citys pizzerias have long been the subject of Americana culture as the Italian staple has solidified itself the most recognizable food in the city.

But the city may soon force pizzerias to pay thousands of dollars in renovations to keep their coal- and wood-fired ovens over environmental concerns with air quality, according to a new report.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has drafted new rules that would require pizzerias with coal- and wooden-fired ovens installed prior to 2016 to cut carbon emissions by 75%, according to the New York Post. Restaurant owners would be forced to install a filter to the specified ovens then hire an engineer to regularly inspect the carbon emissions.

LoBaido said it was the "New York Pizza Party" as his demonstration was interrupted by two NYPD officers.

"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," DEP spokesperson Ted Timbers said in a statement. "This common-sense (sic) rule, developed with restaurant and environmental justice groups, requires a professional review of whether installing emission controls is feasible."

One pizzeria owner told The Post he has already spent $20,000 on emission-control air-filter devices in anticipation of the DEP rule due to installation and regular maintenance.

"Oh yeah, its a big expense," said Paul Giannone, owner of Paulie Gee's in Brooklyn. "Its not just the expense of having it installed, its 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."

Less than 100 restaurants would be affected by the regulations, the Post reported, citing a city official.

Another pizzeria owner told the Post anonymously that there are negotiations in place with the city government on whether to apply the regulations to all coal- and wood-fired ovens or only ones installed after the regulation begins.

Fox News Digital's Patrick Hauf contributed reporting.
Three liberal and three conservative justices on Tuesday came together to reject a bid that would have given state legislatures broad authority over congressional maps and federal elections.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion, joined by the courts three liberal Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, as well as conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh filed a concurring opinion.

Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented.

The 6-3 decision rejects the so-called independent state legislature theory. North Carolina GOP lawmakers had appealed a lawsuit over the states congressional map and argued that the states Supreme Court couldnt block the lines the lawmakers had drawn.

Justices on both sides of the ideological spectrum also joined together in a 7-2 decision to vacate a Colorado mans stalking conviction after he sent hundreds of online messages to musician Coles Whalen, which included messages telling Whalen to die and f off permanently.

The majority opinion, authored by Kagan, argued the conviction was made under the wrong legal standards, and that the mans intent should have been considered  not merely how a reasonable person would have interpreted the statements.

Sotomayor and Gorsuch agreed with vacating the conviction but disagreed in its ruling about true threats more broadly. Thomas and Coney Barrett dissented.

The nations highest court is approaching its summer recess, and is expected to issue still more big decisions in the coming days.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Conservative businessman Tim Sheehy launched a Republican primary bid for the U.S. Senate Tuesday, hoping to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in what is expected to be one of the toughest Senate races in 2024.

The Montana Senate seat is critical to Republican efforts to capture the Senate majority.

Undated: Tim Sheehy, 2024 Republican U.S. Senate candidate for Montana. / Credit: Sheehy campaign website

In a minute-long video posted on Twitter, Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, talked about serving in Afghanistan before moving to Montana with his wife to start an aerospace company.

"Whether it's at war or business, I see problems and solve them," Sheehy said in the video. "America needs conservative leaders who love our country, and that's why I'm running for the United States Senate."

Sheehy is running in a state that is reliably conservative in presidential races. In 2020, President Donald Trump won Montana by 16 points over President Joe Biden. That same year, incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines fended off a challenge from then-Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, in his reelection bid, winning by 10 points. However, Cook Political Report currently rates the 2024 Montana Senate race as Lean Democrat.

"Tim Sheehy is a decorated veteran, successful businessman, and a great Montanan," Daines, who now serves as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement. "I could not be happier that he decided to enter the Montana Senate race."

While the Republican Senate campaign arm has signaled early support for Sheehy, he could be one of several candidates to compete in the Republican primary. Rep. Matt Rosendale, a close ally of former President Trump and Freedom Caucus member, is also expected to jump in the race  setting off what could be a brutal primary.

Rosendale lost his own Senate bid to Tester in 2018, but on Tuesday, he took aim at a potential Sheehy-Tester matchup, tweeting, "Congratulations to Mitch McConnell and the party bosses on getting their chosen candidate. Now Washington has two candidates  Tim Sheehy and Jon Tester  who will protect the DC cartel." He went on to say that Montanans don't take orders from Washington, and he believes they'll reject the "McConnell-Biden Establishment."

Tester announced his reelection bid for a fourth term in February. Democrats have touted his track record of bipartisan legislation in Washington as well as his deep ties to Montana as a third-generation farmer.

"Jon Tester has farm equipment that's been in Montana longer than Tim Sheehy," scoffed Montana Democratic Party spokeswoman Monica Robinson in a statement. "The last thing Montanans want in a senator is an out-of-state transplant recruited by Mitch McConnell and DC lobbyists. The tough questions Tim Sheehy is facing are just beginning."

Democrats currently hold a one seat majority in the U.S. Senate  but the 2024 Senate map appears to be more favorable for Republicans, who lost their majority in 2018.

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Pam Hemphill was sentenced in May 2022 to 60 days in jail for her involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot. She told Trump to stop using her story for personal political gain.

Pam Hemphill was sentenced in May 2022 to 60 days in jail for her involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot. She told Trump to stop using her story for personal political gain.

A self-avowed ex-MAGA Granny who served jail time for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot has called out Donald Trump for using her story for political gain.

Pamela Hemphill of Idaho, 70, was the subject of a Truth Social post shared by the former president on Monday.

AMERICAN JUSTICE: 69-year-old Grandma with Cancer given more prison time for walking inside US Capitol than Hunter Biden for sharing classified documents with foreign regimes and multi-million dollar bribery schemes, the post read.

Trump shared it with the comment: HORRIBLE.

But Hemphill, a breast cancer survivor, didnt want the former presidents sympathy, and called on him to stop the spin.

Please, she wrote in a tweet directed at Trump, dont be using me for anything.

Im not a victim of Jan6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty!

She added that her case cant be compared to Hunter Bidens, because President Joe Bidens son didnt try to attack the Capitol!

Hemphill was sentenced in May 2022 to 60 days in jail, 36 months probation and $500 restitution. She pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

In Facebook posts compiled by the FBI, Hemphill wrote about her plans to join Trumps Jan. 6, 2021, rally to protest the 2020 election results in Washington, writing: Its a WAR!

Speaking to HuffPost over the phone, Hemphill said she finally saw the light in April, around the time of her 70th birthday, and climbed out of what she called Trumps cult.

The shift happened after she participated in discussions about the Capitol riot on Twitter spaces, she said, exposing her to facts about the riot and the 2020 election.

She had begun to develop doubts about Trumps election claims while serving her sentence at a federal prison in Dublin, California, from July and August last year.

I was back and forth. Struggling with it, because its a struggle trying to get away from gaslighting, Trumps narcissism and all the tactics they use, she said.

Please @realDonaldTrump dont be using me for anything, Im not a victim of Jan6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty! #StopTheSpinpic.twitter.com/lMPjckyVlU  Pam Hemphill (@PamHemphill79) June 26, 2023

Trump and his allies routinely claim Jan. 6 defendants are politically persecuted. In Hemphills eyes, thats just not true.

Oh, absolutely, she said, when asked if she felt shed been treated fairly in her case. They tell you that the FBI comes and knocks down your door. I dont know if thats true. They came in, just doing their job.

Theyre not treating January sixers any differently than any other defendants, she said.

Hemphill said she was upset when she saw Trumps Truth Social post about her on Monday.

Dont make us out to be the victims, she said. Nobody forced them to go inside the Capitol.

Now that shes grounded herself in facts, Hemphill hopes to help others see the truth.

Dont be afraid to speak out, was her message to those people. It was scary to leave the cult.

A grandmother of two, Hemphill is active on Twitter, offering in her bio to provide facts vs J6 gaslighting and describing herself as an ex-MAGA Granny.

Shes one of more than 1,000 individuals arrested in connection with the Capitol breach. Nearly 350 of those cases involved charges of assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Trump has increasingly offered support and praise to Jan. 6 defendants. Hes featured on a song called Justice For All alongside Washington jail inmates who call themselves the J6 Prison Choir.

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Daniel Turner's fishing boat Tony Lou before it was boarded by officers - Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

A ten-strong gang of fishermen have been convicted for using electrical currents to catch razor clams and fined more than 20,000.

The Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) has claimed a huge victory after closing down what it described as a significant criminal enterprise.

Company boss Daniel Bracken Turner, 41, of Wittersham, Kent, and his firm, Daniel Turner Marine & Forestry Ltd, were prosecuted for illegally electro-fishing in Cornish inshore waters, alongside numerous workers.

The operation would have rapidly decreased the population of razor clams in the area, a court heard.

Usually, they are collected by hand but using electricity to force the clams out of the sand allows a significant amount more to be collected by divers.

Last month, after more than three years of court proceedings, the main defendant Mr Turner and his company pleaded guilty to charges of illegal fishing and other related crimes.

They joined nine other defendants - who over recent months had changed their initial not guilty pleas, to guilty pleas.

Huge victory for Cornwall IFCA in biggest ever court-case 5 defendants sentenced to over 28000 in fines and costs with three more sentences to followhttps://t.co/EVtoBd1iHo  Cornwall IFCA (@CornwallIFCA) June 26, 2023

A further suspect who had to be dealt with separately, immediately pleaded guilty in the court in 2021.

The group were sentenced by Judge Simon Carr on Monday at Truro Crown Court with initial fines and costs of over 28,750 to the majority of defendants with the sentence of the main defendant to come later.

The two sentences for Turner and his company have been delayed until September for a full report on financial assets and potential recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The defendants sentenced on June 26 included Luke Anderson, 44, of St. Margarets-at-Cliffe, Kent who must pay 6,000 in fines and costs, Marc Drew, 50, of Mousehole, Cornwall, who must pay 5,500 and Graeme Etheridge, 61, of Paul, Cornwall, who was ordered to pay 6,250.

Other defendants included David Thomasson, 52, of Bodmin, Cornwall, who must pay 8k and Ross Waters, 47, of St Buryan, Cornwall, who was ordered to pay 3K.

A further defendant, Jake Richardson, 26, of Beaminster, Dorset who was due to be sentenced failed to attend so an arrest warrant was issued.

Previously two other defendants Steven Corcoran, 46, of Motherwell, Scotland, and Simon Tester, 52, of Canterbury, Kent, had pleaded guilty and received conditional discharges.

More efficient than hand-gathering

In a statement released after the hearing, the IFCA said: The actions taken by the authority and the fines so far handed down by the court, plus the forthcoming sentences for Turner and his company, should send a clear message that illegal fishing activities will be fully investigated and where there is clear evidence of intentional wrongdoing, it will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Electro-fishing for razor clams involves the use of electricity generators connected via a cable to an array of metal electrodes towed behind the boat to deliver an electrical current to the seabed.

This causes razor clams to react by popping up out of their burrows.

A diver following the vessel is then able to gather the animals by hand in large numbers.

This method of fishing is far more efficient than hand-gathering alone and can substantially deplete razor clams in an area very quickly.

The use of electrical current for fishing is prohibited in EU and UK waters, under EU legislation which has been adopted by the UK.

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.
Couple dropped lawsuit against OceanGate's CEO for not refunding them for canceled trip on his sub, after he died on board

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (left) and a pilot operate a different submersible in 2013. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

A couple sued OceanGate's CEO for allegedly not refunding money for their canceled trip on his sub.

They said they dropped the lawsuit after the company's submersible imploded with the CEO on board.

They said "honor, respect and dignity" are more important than money after five passengers died.

A couple who sued the CEO of the company behind the submersible that imploded last week have dropped their lawsuit following his death.

Sharon and Marc Hagle, from Florida, sued OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush earlier this year after they said they weren't reimbursed the $210,000 they paid for a trip aboard the Titan submersible, which was canceled multiple times.

But the couple said in a statement to Fox 35 Orlando on Monday that they were dropping the lawsuit after last week's tragic event, when the submersible imploded killing Rush and four other people on board.

"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 withdraw all legal actions against Stockton," they said.

"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," they added. "We honor their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans."

The couple also said that "honor, respect and dignity" are more important to humanity than money, and sent their wishes to the families of those who died.

The Hagles filed their lawsuit in February 2023, Fox 35 Orlando reported.

The couple, who have previously gone into space with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, first entered into a contract with OceanGate in 2016, to go on a 2018 trip aboard the company's Cyclops 2 vessel, which later changed its name to Titan, the outlet reported, citing court filings.

They paid a $20,000 deposit, the documents said.

Sharon and Marc Hagle flew with Blue Origin in March. Blue Origin

The Hagles then wired $190,258 to OceanGate in February 2018, according to court filings. Contracts around this time also showed the vessel's name change to Titan, the outlet said.

The lawsuit claimed that OceanGate then canceled the expedition planned for June 2018, rescheduling it for July 2019, but that later trip was also canceled because a support vessel couldn't take part, according to Fox 35 Orlando.

The couple asked for a full refund in June 2019, and the company said it was working on it, according to the filings.

But the lawsuit said OceanGate then told the couple a few months later that they would be part of a July 2021 trip and wouldn't get their refund if they declined, according to the report.

Rush also told them their money would be held in an escrow account but that also didn't happen, according to the lawsuit.

OceanGates' Titan submersible lost contact with its mothership an hour and 45 minutes into its dive on June 18, 2023, sparking a desperate search to find the vessel.

The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that debris found in the search indicated the vessel had imploded, and that the five people on board had died.

Over the past week it has become clear that experts repeatedly raised safety concerns regarding the vessel, and old clips of Rush dismissing safety regulations in the name of innovation have also emerged.

There have also been other reports of failed trips. CBS News' David Pogue went on the submersible in 2021 but said the trip was canceled after 37 feet due to an equipment malfunction.

In addition to Rush, four other passengers died aboard the Titan: British billionaire Hamish Harding, former French navy diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman.

Read the original article on Insider
A couple from Virginia has been sentenced to prison time for bank robberies that spanned three states, including Pennsylvania.

According to a news release, William Birdsall, 51, was sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to bank robbery and Jaqueline Havens, 56, was sentenced to 36 months for hiding stolen money.

Birdsall, who previously served 15 years for robberies, hit a series of banks across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia over eight months.

More than $162,000 was stolen between the robberies.

After the robberies, Havens assisted with hiding the money and spending it on vehicles, her mortgage and a down payment on land.

The news release said Birdsall must pay $162,475 in restitution and Havens is jointly responsible for $129,300 of that amount.

Birdsall and Havens were ordered to forfeit the purchased vehicles, a firearm and cash.

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Coyote mauls 9-year-old walking with sister, until bystander steps in, Canada cops say

A coyote chased and attacked a child in Canada, resulting in several injuries, police said.

A 9-year-old boy and his 15-year-old sister were walking in a residential neighborhood in Winnipeg on the evening of June 24 when they spotted a coyote nearby, according to a news release from local police.

The pair began to flee the area, but the animal ran after them.

When it caught up to them, the coyote lunged at the boy, biting him, police said.

But at that moment, a teenage witness stepped in to help.

I heard screaming and I ran out my door and I saw a 9-year-old boy was bit on the back of the head, Logan Funk, a Winnipeg resident, told CTV News while recounting the incident.

Funk used a shovel to scare the animal off before tending to the injured boy, according to the outlet.

The boy sustained multiple injuries and was transported to hospital in stable condition, police said.

When contacted by McClatchy News, a spokesperson for the Winnipeg Police Service said they had no updates on the incident.

Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba and about 70 miles north of the border with Minnesota.

What to know about coyote attacks

Coyote attacks on humans are rare, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Human-Wildlife Interactions.

The study found that there were 367 documented coyote attacks in the United States and Canada between 1970 and 2015.

Coyotes mostly attacked adults in that time frame, and the attacks were more likely to occur during spring and summer, the animals breeding and pup-rearing season, according to the study.

While run-ins with the wild canines are relatively rare, they are becoming more frequent, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2016.

The remarkable increase in coyote attacks may be related to both the recent substantial expansion of the coyote range in eastern North America and increased conflicts in suburban residential areas, the study found.

If confronted by a coyote, people are advised to make loud noises and appear large  such as by waving a piece of clothing in the air. Both recommendations are parts of a scare tactic referred to as hazing, police said.

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MAGA had its day in court Tuesday  and thankfully, it lost.

By a vote of 6-2, the Supreme Court rejected one of the most bizarre theories to make it to its hallowed halls: that in setting the terms of elections  maps, polling places, voting rules, even review of election results  state legislatures cant be reviewed by state courts.

But the fact that it even got this far, and that two justices voted in favor of it (with one more voting that the case was moot), should keep you awake at night.

Had this case, Moore v. Harper, gone the other way, state legislatures, which are often overwhelmingly controlled by one party, would have been able to set whatever rules they wanted, draw whatever maps they wanted, and set aside any results they didnt like, with judicial review coming only from federal courts.

The results arent hard to imagine: Just look at what happened in 2020, where MAGA-controlled state legislatures tried to invalidate presidential election results based on conspiracy theories. Or look at the election map at the heart of this case, in which North Carolina Republicans used big data to create a wildly slanted, partisan gerrymander.

These are exactly the reasons we have state and federal courts, as Chief Justice Roberts wrote in his 30-page opinion, which cited the first case everyone learns in law school, Marbury v. Madison (1803), which first set forth the principle of judicial review. Political entities are political, they are subject to shifting political winds, and politicians have political motives. Courts exist to check the excesses of that political power against the foundational guarantees of rights that are found in state and federal constitutions.

Whats amazing is that so many Republicans, and two or three (more on that later) Supreme Court justices, wanted to throw that out the window.

And all on the basis of a technicality, arguing that, because the federal constitution empowers state legislatures to set the terms of elections, only federal courts can review them. Chief Justice Roberts thoroughly dismantled this legal theory, with recourse to numerous Supreme Court precedents dating back to 1916.

The constitutional reasoning is extremely persuasive, which is why the independent state legislature theory itself was a fringe idea until quite recently, invoked solely by Republicans when they dont like election results.

It made its first appearance in the notorious 2000 case of Bush v. Gore, when the Supreme Court wildly contradicted its own federalist principles to overturn a Florida courts analysis of a Florida state law  and handed the presidency to George W. Bush. Then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist invoked a version of it in a concurring opinion.

Not coincidentally, the theory made its next appearance when Arizona Republicans tried to invalidate that states independent redistricting commission. And then, in 2020, Donald Trumps lawyers invoked it as a basis for overturning several states election results. See the pattern?

Now, a Republican-dominated North Carolina legislature has brought the theory all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing that its gerrymander shouldnt be reviewable by state courts.

A host of legal authorities  the chief justices of all 50 states, conservative and liberal legal authorities, and three recent solicitor generals  have said this is nonsense, arguing in amicus briefs that, of course, the Founders intended election lawmaking to be just like other lawmaking, subject to ordinary constraints, including review by state courts.

As Neal Katyal, a former solicitor general who helped to argue the case, put it, for 250 years, courts have not read the Constitution this way. There is no such thing as an independent state legislature. This idea is wrong.

The Supreme Court agreed.

Not surprisingly, the only justice to disagree was Justice Clarence Thomas, in a dissent joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch. (Justice Samuel Alito joined in part of the dissent, which argued that the case was actually moot, but he did not join in the substantive holding.) Justice Thomass view of American democracy has always been a little odd, even before his wifes efforts to overturn the 2020 election based on wild fantasies and text messages laden with exclamation marks. He has said, several times, that the Establishment Clause shouldnt apply to states at all, meaning that states could declare an official state religion. And he has repeatedly opined that states should probably be free to ban not just abortion but contraception, no-fault divorce, and same-sex marriage as well.

Of course, Justice Thomass federalism is a pick-and-choose affair. When states do things he disagrees with, as when a Florida court decided the 2000 presidential election in favor Al Gore, he goes the other way, voting to reject that courts interpretation of a Florida law  a clear violation of federalist principles  and hand the election to George W. Bush instead.

But when conservative ideological positions align with federalism, Justice Thomas is its staunchest defender  and so he did here, though its worth noting that, in this case, the chaos could have come from the left as well as the right, with liberal state legislatures adjusting the time, place, and manner of elections with just as much partisan gusto as conservative ones.

In the end, the sane middle of the Court  Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Justice Amy Coney Barrett  sided with sanity, and with the Courts three liberals, in throwing this theory into the dustbin of history. To be sure, this Supreme Court is still extremely conservative; Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, after all, and Chief Justice Roberts has shredded voting rights on numerous occasions.

But the independent state legislature theory isnt conservative  its MAGA, which is now an anti-democratic, authoritarian movement, animated by grievance, rage, and ignorance. Thankfully, theres still a difference between the two.

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Alex Chalk says missing the sentence hearing could be seen by criminals as 'a way of getting away from the consequences of their actions' - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Offenders whose crimes shatter families will be forced by law to attend their sentencing, the Justice Secretary has pledged.

Alex Chalk told MPs that the Government was committed to bringing forward legislation aimed at preventing convicted criminals from refusing to appear in court when the details of their sentence are announced.

It follows the refusal to appear by the killers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena and primary school teacher Sabina Nessa.

It is understood that the Government plans to introduce a new law before the next election, expected in 2024, that would either allow the use of force to compel them to attend or impose an increased jail sentence by making it a potential contempt of court.

Offenders who rob innocence

Mr Chalk said: I am pleased to be able to say that we are committed to bringing forward legislation to enable offenders to be compelled to attend their sentencing hearing.

Offenders who rob innocence, betray lives and shatter families should be required to face the consequences of their actions and hear societys condemnation expressed through the sentencing remarks of the judge.

Mr Chalk, a successful prosecutor who jailed rapists, extremists and fraudsters, said he was concerned that one defendant refusing to appear could be copied by others, who take the view that that is somehow a way of getting away from the consequences of their actions.

We have seen the anguish caused by these actions, so let me make the point that I want to know that when an offender is sitting in a cell, trying to get to sleep when the rest of the world is getting to sleep, the judges words of condemnation are ringing in their ears, said Mr Chalk.

There are victims who find it hard to ever recover, so why should that defendant ever be able to sleep soundly in their bed?

Dominic Raab, the previous justice secretary, had previously committed to preventing those convicted of the most serious crimes from refusing to appear at their sentencing.

Labour is calling for Mr Chalk to act urgently, and campaigners are pressing the Government to present options for legal changes before the end of the current parliamentary session in the autumn.

One option being considered is to change the law to create a legal obligation on a defendant to appear for their sentencing.

A new legal duty would provide court and prison officials with the legal protection they needed if they had to use force in order to bring a convicted criminal to face justice in the dock.

The move could also provide a legal basis for judges to increase the sentence of a killer by treating their refusal to attend court as an aggravating factor.

One concern is that forcing a convicted offender into the dock could further disrupt proceedings, upsetting a victims family further.

Thomas Cashman was handed life imprisonment with a minimum term of 42 years for fatally shooting Olivia at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, while pursuing a fellow drug dealer.

Sex attacker Jordan McSweeney, who murdered 35-year-old law graduate Ms Aleena as she walked home in Ilford, east London, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years.

Koci Selamaj received life with at least 36 years for murdering primary school teacher Ms Nessa after travelling to London to carry out an attack on a random woman.

Each of the men refused to appear in court for sentencing, with the judgments being handed down in their absence.

Olivias mother, Cheryl Korbel, has called for the law to be changed to ensure criminals are in court for sentencing, saying Cashmans absence was like a kick in the teeth.

Zara Aleenas aunt, Farah Naz, has called for murderers to have their jail terms extended if they do not listen to victim impact statements.

She said that the judgment is part of the punishment and if theyre just moving from cell to cell theres no sense of punishment.

Londons Victims Commissioner, Claire Waxman, said: Convicted criminals must be made to face their sentencing in court, and I have been working with victims families, the Judiciary, and Government to bring forward this much needed change.

Whilst this is an important step in ensuring we have a justice system that delivers full justice for victims, the government need to now include this legislation in the Victims and Prisoners Bill, so that this commitment is delivered as quickly as possible and ensures that going forward, victims and their loved ones can feel that justice has been delivered and can start their journey towards some sense of closure.

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A crisis: After violent weekend, Kansas City is on pace for worst year in homicides

After the killings of six people since Friday night, Kansas City is on pace to potentially surpass its worst year on record for homicides.

As of Monday, 99 people had been killed across the city, compared to 95 by this time in 2020  which marked the deadliest year on record with 182 homicides.

This years count, compiled by The Star, includes fatal police shootings, which are not included in the Kansas City Police Departments data. By KCPDs figures, the city had seen 91 killings by this time in 2020 compared to 97 so far this year.

This year has seen more bloodshed compared to this time in 2021 and 2022, when the city had suffered between 70 and 75 homicides, according to The Stars data.

At a Board of Police Commissioners meeting Tuesday, City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson asked the board to empower the police department to put together an anti-violence plan consisting of focused deterrence strategies.

Such a plan typically provides social services and intervention to people likely to commit crime, while threatening severe punishment for acts of violence. It stems from the understanding that a fraction of residents commit a majority of a citys violent crimes.

One previous focused deterrence strategy, the Kansas City No Violence Alliance, or KC NoVA, targeted known criminals and offered them a choice: change your behavior or go to jail. In exchange, they would receive help finding jobs and getting an education.

The plan garnered national attention after killings dropped to 86 in 2014, the fewest in Kansas City in more than four decades. But the police department, under then-Chief Rick Smith, reportedly abandoned the strategy after he took the helm in 2017.

Robinson said Tuesday she would like to see a plan in place in the next few months, noting that the city is in a crisis.

We need to have carrots and sticks, Robinson said.

Police Chief Stacey Graves told Robinson they were speaking the same language and said a review was underway to figure out all the puzzle pieces needed. Focused deterrence efforts are also part of a citywide initiative Graves and other officials announced earlier this month.

Graves on Tuesday called the number of killings this year unacceptable and denounced the use of firearms during arguments.

The chief recalled meeting a grieving mother at the scene of a mass shooting over the weekend that left three people dead and six others injured. The mother still had her childs blood on her hands, feet and face.

Graves said the woman was a wife and mother, just like herself. She urged Kansas Citians to be concerned about the citys violence, even if it is not unfolding in their neighborhoods.

During an impassioned speech at the board meeting, Graves expressed concern that so many young people are growing up surrounded by trauma and noted that one of the recent homicide victims was a young teenager.

Where is the outcry for this? she asked.

Preliminary data shows that homicides are down in dozens of other U.S. cities this year. Writing in The Atlantic, one crime analyst said the nation may be experiencing one of the largest annual percent changes in murder ever recorded.

Not so in Kansas City, which is also outpacing Missouris second-largest city, St. Louis, in homicides this year, with police there reporting 82 killings as of Monday.

The comparison is significant given that St. Louis has seen more homicides than Kansas City in past years, including when the Gateway City saw 263 homicides in 2020, which marked its highest homicide rate in the last five decades.

While homicides have occurred across Kansas City, some areas have seen more violence than others.

Within several blocks around East 35th Street and Prospect Avenue, seven people have been killed and six others have been wounded, including a child under the age of 5, in shootings this year.

During one week in April, police received more than 30 reports of gunfire in the area and recovered more than 200 rounds. The department then increased its number of officers there.

As of Tuesday, non-fatal shootings are also up slightly, from 226 by this time last year to 236 this year, according to police data.

At the board meeting Tuesday, Mayor Quinton Lucas urged residents to help police get violent criminals off the streets. He called the citys murder rate a solvable problem.

We dont have to live like this, he said.
Dmytro Kuleba

After Yevgeny Prigozhins mutiny exposed the feebleness of the Russian state apparatus, nuclear weapons remain the sole leverage that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin can use to intimidate the West, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with CNN on June 27.

Read also: Ukraine to video serving of mobilization papers to produce objective record of process

Kuleba emphasized the apparent inability of the Russian army to fulfill its strategic objectives in Ukraine.

It's obvious that his army is (incapable) of achieving its strategic purposes in Ukraine, said the minister.

He realizes that his power vertical has been shattered. And so there's only one last argument left in his pocket. ... I think it's nothing more than a fear game, because Putin loves life too much.

The minister cautioned that the West would make a grave error if it chose to engage with Putin in his nuclear scare tactics. He expressed apprehension about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, stating that as long as Russian troops occupy the facility, the risk of a nuclear disaster remains tangible.

Of course, they don't want to be blamed for causing another nuclear disaster, Kuleba said.

Read also: Ukraine in talks on getting long-range missiles from several countries  FM Kuleba

So I think they're struggling to find a way to perform it as a false-flag operation or as something else that would not be directly attributable to them.

On June 24, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner PMC, departed Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, where the Wagner PMC militants had earlier seized control of military facilities. This was his last public appearance, made shortly after he ordered his troops to halt their advance towards Moscow. Wagner mercenaries were mere 200 kilometers away from the Russian capital, with Putin reportedly deserting the city earlier.

Read also: Putin not war criminal, claims Hungarys Orban

On June 26, Putin presented the "Wagnerites" with three options: continue serving in Russias regular forces, demobilize, or depart for Belarus.

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Matthew Nilo, a New Jersey lawyer accused in a series of sexual assaults in Charlestown in the 2000s, was indicted Tuesday on new charges connected to a spate of rapes and sexual attacks in the North End in 2007 and 2008, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

The 35-year-old Nilo was indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury on seven charges: one count of rape, one count of aggravated rape, three counts of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery, Hayden said in a statement. The attacks occurred between January 2007 and July 2008

Nilo will be formally charged on the new counts at his next court appearance on July 13. Nilo was released on June 15 after posting $500,000 bail.

Matthew Nilo is arraigned on rape charges stemming from assaults in Charlestown, in 2007 and 2008 in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston, Monday, June 5, 2023. His attorney, Joseph Cataldo is at left. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

The charges stem from five attacks on four women in the North End, Hayden said. One of the victims was attacked twice, 11 days apart. The attacks occurred in January 2007, July 2007, January 2008, and July 2008.

The incidents followed a similar pattern, Hayden said. The victims were attacked while they were walking alone, in the dark, either at night or early in the morning.

Prosecutor: DNA lifted from drinking glass linked attorney to string of violent rapes in Boston

The new indictment relates to attacks which occurred at the time that Nilo was living in the North End, Hayden said. The alleged attacks occurred during the same time period as the Charlestown attacks, for which Nilo has already been charged.

We will release more information at arraignment, but I can tell you today that DNA evidence played a role in these new indictments, Hayden said. I can also tell you that the cooperation and coordination between our office, the Boston Police Department and the FBI has played a major role in our ability to secure todays indictments and to give the survivors of these crimes the ability to see their attacker held accountable for his actions.

Lastly, I can tell you this case demonstrates that no attack will go uninvestigated, no suspect will go unpursued, and no amount of time will insulate a criminal from a crime, Hayden said.

Hayden urged victims of any crime, including domestic or sexual violence, to call 911 in an emergency.

SafeLink, a statewide DV hotline, can be reached at 877-785-2020. SafeLink is answered by trained advocates 24/7 in English, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as TTY at 877-521-2601. It also has the capacity to provide multilingual translation in more than 140 languages.

Help is also available for members of our LGBTQ+ community experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence through The Network/La Red by calling 617-742-4911 or 800-832-1901.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Dad clinging to flipped raft vanishes in river after son swims to shore, CO cops say

The search is on for a missing man last seen clinging to an overturned raft on a Colorado river, according to a sheriffs office.

The man entered the Colorado River with his son, intending to raft to the New Castle area on Sunday, June 25, the Garfield County Sheriffs Office said in a news release posted to Facebook.

However, shortly after they entered the river, their raft flipped, throwing the pair near Grizzly Creek in the Glenwood Canyon, deputies said. The son swam to shore but witnesses reported seeing the father continuing down the river holding on to the capsized raft.

The Glenwood Springs Fire Department searched the river on both banks from the Grizzly Creek Rest area to Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs, the sheriffs department said. Search and rescue also searched the area.

Deputies said firefighters suspended their search after two hours while search and rescue members continued looking for the man until about 8 p.m.

The sheriffs office said it along with search and rescue will continue to search the area for the missing 65-year-old man.

Deputies advised those who plan to enjoy all the white water challenges on the river should always wear a personal flotation device and helmet, adding that someone on shore or at home should know the area you plan to visit.

In May, the sheriffs office warned that the river was reaching peak water flows after a man died rafting with friends, McClatchy News previously reported. The rivers extreme conditions were expected to continue for the next four to six weeks as snow melts in the high country and water flows to the valley floors.

The river at Grizzly Creek Section of Glenwood Canyon has friendly and mellow at low flows, according to the nonprofit American Whitewater. However, at higher water, things can become a bit pushier.

Grizzly Creek to Two Rivers Park is one of the more popular runs in Colorado for kayaks, canoes, and rafts, according to a blog post from Colorado Mesa University. Typically, the run is considered Class II but at high water it is a Class III, meaning it requires some technical skill.

Glenwood Springs is about 170 miles southwest of Denver.

Teen dies after being pinned under capsized inflatable raft on river, Arizona cops say

18-year-old flies drone over flooded sinkhole  and saves a couples life in Colorado

Kayaker vanishes underwater as rafters rush to throw a life jacket, Oregon cops say
A destroyed apartment building in Mariupol, April 14, 2022

Direct damage to housing and otherreal estate in Ukraine exceeded over $54 billion as of May 2023, according to research published by the Kyiv School of Economics Institute on June 26.

That figure represents a third of total of direct losses of infrastructure and other Ukrainian assets, according to the institute.

Read also: Some 1,500 houses flooded in Kherson Oblast, bridges destroyed in Mykolayiv Oblast

Of the total direct losses to the housing stock, the lion's share - $46.6 billion - is due to the demolition of and damage to apartment buildings. A total of 18,600 multi-story buildings have been affected: 13,200 were damaged, 5,400 were completely destroyed.

Damaged and destroyed houses make up $7 billion of the lossses, consisting of 144,000 damaged houses  including nearly 59,000 that have been mostly or nearly destroyed.

Additionally, 345 dormitories have been damaged, with direct losses estimated at $0.5 billion.

Read also: Debris falls in Kyiv cause fire on multi-storey buildings roof, damage to cars

A total 163,000 of housing units with a total area of 87 million square meters were damaged as of June 2023. This represents 8.6% of the total housing stock in Ukraine.

The greatest damage took place in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Chernihiv oblasts. According to the institutes experts, more than 18,000 houses have been completely destroyed (over 40%) in Donetsk Oblast, 6,700 in Kyiv Oblast, and more than 2,500 in Luhansk Oblast.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion, 454 residential buildings have been destroyed or damaged in the capital, with the total damage amounting to $734 million.

The most damaged cities are Mariupol, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sievierodonetsk, Rubizhne, Bakhmut, Maryinka, Lysychansk, Popasna, Izyum, and Volnovakha.

According to preliminary findings, 90% of the housing stock in Severodonetsk was damaged, while there are literally no undamaged buildings in cities such as Bakhmut and Mariinka.

Read also: Ukraines Agriculture Ministry describes coming damage due to dam destruction

The data on damaged housing stock is relevant as of May 2023 and does not take into account the direct losses caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam  which affected 48 settlements, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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Tesla employees allegedly engaged in egregious violations of customers privacy, according to a disturbing report released by Reuters.

What Happened?

According to Reuters, Tesla employees were able to access video footage from the cameras built into Teslas to assist in driving. They shared those videos and images in an internal company messaging system, often to mock customers.

This information was supplied to Reuters by nine ex-Tesla employees, some of whom said that they could even access footage from the cameras when the Teslas were parked in a garage and ostensibly turned off. This allowed the employees to essentially see inside customers homes without consent.

We could see inside peoples garages and their private properties, one ex-employee told Reuters. Lets say that a Tesla customer had something in their garage that was distinctive, you know, people would post those kinds of things.

I saw some scandalous stuff sometimes, you know, like, I did see scenes of intimacy but not nudity, claimed another ex-employee. And there was just definitely a lot of stuff that, like, I wouldnt want anybody to see about my life.

Perhaps even more disturbing, employees allegedly shared video footage from accidents, including one where a Tesla driver hit a child on a bicycle.

Even Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk was not immune, as employees shared footage of the inside of his garage, where he had parked a prop from a James Bond movie for which he had paid $968,000 in 2013, according to Reuters.

Why Is This Concerning?

The allegations made by former Tesla employees are a clear violation of customers privacy rights and in direct contradiction to how Tesla itself explains the built-in cameras, which it says are designed from the ground up to protect your privacy.

In a broader sense, although Tesla certainly deserves some credit for helping to popularize electric vehicles (EVs) around the world, this is just the latest in a long list of questionable business practices that have made the company the subject of controversy.

What Is Being Done?

Tesla did not respond to questions from Reuters about the report and is likely hoping that this controversy, like many before it, will blow over.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which enforces federal laws concerning customer privacy, would be the appropriate agency to intervene, but it also refused to comment. It is not known at this time whether the FTC will open an investigation.

It is also worth noting that there are now many companies that have EVs on the market for much lower prices than Tesla.

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Aykroyd wore Blackface opposite Eddie Murphy during a scene in 1983s Trading Places, and now says he couldnt get away with it in todays climate.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of the 1983 film Trading Places. The hit comedy became a classic and helped launch Eddie Murphys film career, but co-star Dan Aykroyd says one scene didnt age very well.

Aykroyd spoke with The Daily Beast about the films anniversary and mentioned the scene in which he wore Blackface opposite Murphy and fellow co-star Jamie Lee Curtis.

In Trading Places, Aykroyds character, Louis Winthorpe III, a privileged, stuffy commodities broker, and Murphys Billy Ray Valentine, a charismatic con man, have their lives switched over a bet made by Winthorpes employers, Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche). Later in the film, the two leads had to disguise themselves on a commuter train, prompting Winthorpe to take on the identity of a Jamaican man.

Dan Aykroyd attends Halloween Horror Nights on Sept. 12, 2019, at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Universal Studios Hollywood)

Aykroyd put on Blackface, donned a dreadlock wig, smoked a large marijuana blunt, and spoke with a fake Jamaican accent while talking to Murphy, disguised as a Cameroonian exchange student. Aykroyd stated that he and Murphy improvised much of that scene together, and while it was funny at the moment, it wouldnt be embraced in todays culture.

I was in Blackface in that film, and I probably couldnt get away with it now, Aykroyd said. He went on to say that Murphys Black entourage of people didnt find it offensive on set while filming it and felt it was a good comic beat that was appropriate for the story the film told; he would do things differently if they filmed Trading Places in present time.

I probably wouldnt choose to do a Blackface part, nor would I be allowed to do it. I probably wouldnt be allowed to do a Jamaican accent, white face or Black, Aykroyd continued. In these days were living in, all thats out the window. I would be hard-pressed to do an English accent and get away with it. Theyd say, Oh, youre not English; you cant do it.'

Aykroyd, one of the original cast members of NBCs Saturday Night Live, recalled working with Murphy on SNL when the film was shot and released. Trading Places was only Murphys second film, but Aykroyd could see he was evolving into something special.

[Eddie] was just starting out and developing his comedic gift and comedic voice, Aykyord said of Murphy. To see and be a part of a talent emerging like that was part of film history.

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President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa to participate in the African mediation mission

Africa pursues its purely pragmatic interests. That would be grain coming from Russia and Ukraine. And also, fertilizers. Fertilizers come from Russia. They need to unblock this. Partially, grain exports align with our interests.

What we can often hear across Global South, is that the West imposed sanctions on the export of Russian food and fertilizers. Except they were not imposed. Specially, those products were taken out of the sanctions, explicitly to satisfy the interests of the countries of the Global South and, first of all, Africa. But still, sanctions in the banking sector have a certain effect. Africa needs to make the Russian ammonia pipeline that runs to Odesa work. And this is their pragmatic goal.

Read also: Russias destruction of Kakhovka dam will hurt global food security

Partially, as I said, we are also interested in unblocking exports of grain from Ukraine. But regarding reducing sanctions against Russia  no. And I think we have to prove that it doesn't make much sense. If you want to receive grain, you want to receive fertilizers through a Ukrainian port, and wait, at the same time, bomb the whole of Ukraine. Well, it really doesn't look fair. Let's stop the war altogether. And to stop the war  let's withdraw Russian troops. Let's take first steps  stop bombing our energy infrastructure, arranging ecocides, and so on.

That is, the Africans have their own interests, and we have our just war for the preservation of our nation. We have to explain this to them. Therefore, their interest, as well as their mission, may partially coincide with the Chinese plan, which is 12 pages long. There are many beautiful words there, but there is generally nothing about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. The African peace plan may coincide with Russian ideas  lifting or reducing sanctions against Russia, or revoking the ICC arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Read also: Minister Kubrakov presents infrastructure projects at G7 summit in Japan

Wait a minute, dear African presidents. You are democratically elected yourselves. What does the International Criminal Court have to do with us here?! What do you want us to demand from someone to recall this order? The judiciary is independent. South Africa also knows this. There is a one-party rule, but since 1994, one party is the African National Congress. This is still Nelson Mandela's party. But their judicial branch works, and the former president was imprisoned, though soon released, and the legal tug-of-war is ongoing. And the Rosatom contract was blocked by SAs judiciary. They wanted to build a nuclear reactor there. Everything was already signed, but the public spoke out against it, saying there were violations. The court blocked it. And lately we have heard a lot of accusations against South Africa. Although South Africa talks about its neutrality, de facto, this neutrality is not really neutrality, it seems to lean too much towards Russia. So there is pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa from within, as well as external pressure from our international partners.

By the way, speaking of the position of the countries whose leaders came, it's also different. Some of these countries support the territorial integrity of Ukraine and vote accordingly at the UN. There was the president of Comoros in the delegation. But now they preside in the African Union, and this country votes for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Egypt votes. Zambia votes. Uganda abstains with Congo, while Senegal is on both sides. And by the way, a diplomatic warning was made to South Africa when the G7 meeting was held in Hiroshima recently, where President Zelenskyy and President of Brazil and other activists flew to, but South Africa was not invited.

Read also: China-Central Asia Summit heralds the end of Russian leadership in the region

So, there is a diplomatic struggle going on around all this, and it's happening with varying success. Again, if we look at the voting map, half of Africa votes to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russian resolutions are supported by either zero nations or one country of Eritrea, or two countries  plus Mali. But other countries abstain. Among them is a heavyweight like South Africa.

We need to at least try to change this situation. This requires work. It's very good that our diplomacy has been activated, that there were two tours by Dmytro Kuleba to African countries, that we are expanding the circles of embassies. This is a long game, hard work. We have to be present on this continent, as well as in Latin America and Asia. But it's clear that our resources here are less than Russian resources, objectively. But the truth is on our side, and we must use that.

Read also:

I will talk about something here that is not dangerous, but we will talk about it in a month. Because what is Russian diplomacy doing in Africa? They began to hold regular Russia-Africa summits, which are attended by all African leaders. Last year, this summit was postponed due to the war in Ukraine, but it will take place in St. Petersburg in July this year. And I expect that the leaders of African countries will go to St. Petersburg. They may talk about different things and maybe some of them will mention the need to end the war, restore territorial integrity, and so on. Putin will represent this as his important victory. We also need to prepare for this. To prepare for another big round of pressure on African countries in order to change their positions in favor of Russia and for foreign propaganda, and for us, that everything is lost, that Africa is against us, and so on. No, not everything is lost. I have already mentioned the voting results of Africa in the UN, and I do not expect them to change much. However, work needs to be done there.

Read also: Kyiv forms Ukrainian-African Trade Mission

Currently there is an apparent possible concentration of our efforts and the efforts of our partners in key countries of the African continent. These are primarily Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya  these countries support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. South Africa is a country that constantly abstains. The main activity will be focused on these countries. Changing the position of these countries would mean a lot for other African countries as well. But changing such positions is not easy. Here, the image of colonialism is at work  the West is bad, but Russia did not have colonies in Africa. This is an argument you can hear in South Africa  "Russia always supported us." And you start explaining to them (and our delegation of the Ukrainian civil society was South Africa, and we also visited four other countries  Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, which vote for us, and Ethiopia, which also abstains, unfortunately, and where the headquarters of the African Union is located) that Russia is not the Soviet Union.

In their case, by the way, the image of the Soviet Union is still a positive one, and one needs to be very careful here.

It needs to be explained that the USSR was also a colonial empire, and that Ukraine was the only socialist country participating in the UN special committee to combat apartheid. Not the USSR, but Ukraine itself. Well, it turned out that way. It is clear that these were games of Soviet diplomacy, so they need to be explained. Many South Africans have received education in Ukraine. Near Odesa, there was a base where fighters of the African National Congress were trained  350 of them. When Ukraine gained independence, our peacekeepers conducted 10 missions in 10 countries in Africa, very large ones at that. By the way, the last Ukrainian peacekeepers were withdrawn from the Democratic Republic of the Congo only in September 2022. That is, there was already a full-scale war going on, and we still had peacekeepers there. We have a lot to attest that Ukraine is an ally and that we have a basis for developing relations, but the work here needs to be very comprehensive.

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A view of galaxy cluster abell 1689 with purple galaxies and bright stars

An exotic, ultracold state of matter on Earth is helping scientists study the behavior of "fuzzy" dark matter.

Dark matter is an invisible form of matter that makes up about 85% of the matter in the universe, yet scientists aren't sure what it's made of. One idea, so-called fuzzy dark matter, suggests that dark matter comprises tiny particles that exhibit wave-like behavior.

Now, researchers have used an exotic state of matter to mimic fuzzy dark matter here on Earth. To create this state of matter, called a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), scientists cooled atoms to near absolute zero so they combined into a single quantum mechanical entity that can be described as a wave.

Related: If dark matter is 'invisible,' how do we know it exists?

The research team found that BECs resembled the physical state at the cores of fuzzy dark matter "halos"  gravitationally bound structures in which galaxies , including the Milky Way , are theorized to form.

"Fuzzy dark matter has been studied already for a few years now by cosmologists, but our work has applied concepts from the study of BEC dynamics, which has been around for much longer," Gerasimos Rigopoulos, a senior lecturer in applied mathematics and theoretical physics at Newcastle University in the U.K. and co-author of the study, said in a statement . "We now understand that there are specific similarities with BECs, and the ultimate goal is to use this knowledge to devise ways for better testing this new and exciting model observationally."

The team also found turbulent vortices and fluctuations that prevented coherence across the halos.

This separates fuzzy dark matter from other dark matter candidates, like axions and weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), which are considered "cold dark matter," so called because it is believed to move more slowly than the speed of light.

animation of fuzzy dark matter as worm-like squiggles around a galaxy core

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Rather than relying on gravity , as cosmology does, ultracold atomic physics describes the behavior of clouds of atoms such as rubidium, potassium and sodium gases, typically at millionths of a degree above absolute zero, to monitor quantum effects. To show that fuzzy dark matter essentially acts as a giant BEC, the team had to mimic gravitational attraction on a cosmic scale in the laboratory.

"I have always kept an open eye for interdisciplinary approaches in physics, and this has been a perfect problem to tackle from such an angle," Rigopoulos said. "Establishing a common language took some time, but we could see from the beginning, even as we conceived this project, that there were rewards to be reaped when you go out of your comfort zone and try to see things from a new perspective."

The achievement is promising for future attempts to create laboratory settings that replicate aspects of matter distribution in the universe on a smaller scale, said Nikolaos Proukakis, a professor of quantum physics at Newcastle University and co-author of the study. The team's future work will focus on studying the theoretical properties of fuzzy dark matter to place the BEC-like model under scrutiny.

"Even as a theoretical playground, it is fantastic to have a new system to model, trying out extensive expertise gained from laboratory condensates, and hoping for future observational tests in cosmology," Proukakis said in the statement.
Families of dead migrants share anger over OceanGate rescue effort  and other world news you may have missed

The relatives of migrants who were on a boat that capsized in the Mediterranean Sea on June 14 expressed their frustration and disbelief at the millions of dollars spent trying to recover the OceanGate submersible that had gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean while trying to visit the Titanic shipwreck, the Guardian reported.

Anees Majeeds relatives were just five of the roughly 750 people who were aboard the overcrowded fishing vessel. Many of those on board, like Majeeds family, were from Pakistan. Just days after the migrant boat sank, news broke of the missing submersible, which had five passengers  each of whom had paid $250,000 for the experience.

A multimillion-dollar rescue effort was launched, making headlines across the world even though the passengers had signed waivers acknowledging that the vessel was experimental and that death was a possibility. Meanwhile, in the days after the migrant boat sank, the Greek Coast Guard was accused of causing the vessel to capsize.

An aerial view of the boat carrying migrants before it sank, in Kalamata, Greece, on June 14. (Greek Coast Guard/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Speaking to the Guardian, Majeed said: We were shocked to know that millions would be spent on this rescue mission. They used all resources, and so much news came out from this search. But they did not bother to search for hundreds of Pakistanis and other people who were on the Greek boat.

Why it matters

The discrepancy between the efforts and attention brought to the two tragedies has prompted a discussion on the inequality experienced by the worlds poor. At least 500 people who were on the migrant fishing boat are still missing. According to reports, there were between 50 and 100 children on board.

Rear Adm. John Mauger of the Coast Guard at a news conference about the missing Titan submersible. (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Similar cases have happened before. In 2021, a nongovernmental organization accused the British and French coast guards of ignoring distress calls from people on a dinghy that sank in the English Channel. Twenty-seven people drowned.

According to U.N. stats, over 27,000 people are estimated to have disappeared or died while crossing the Mediterranean in the last nine years, making it the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. But the route remains essential for those looking to Northern and Western Europe in the hopes of escaping poverty and war.

WHO says El Nino likely to cause increase in viral diseases

Dengue fever patients under mosquito nets at a hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2021. (Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)

The chief of the World Health Organization said the agency is preparing for an increase in viral diseases as a result of the El Nino weather pattern, Reuters reported. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the transmission of viruses such as Zika, chikungunya and dengue will increase this year and next year due to El Nino, a rise in the surface temperature of water in the Pacific Ocean. Tedros added that the warmer temperatures are driving up the number of mosquitoes that transmit some of these deadly viruses.

Gas explosion in Paris leaves dozens injured

Smoke rises above rooftops following a gas explosion in Paris on June 21. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

A gas explosion damaged a building and injured over 30 people in the historic Latin Quarter in Paris, CBS News reported. Of those injured, four were in absolute emergency, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told local news. Some 320 firefighters and over 200 police officers rushed to the scene last Wednesday. The cause of the explosion is yet to be uncovered.
This is an excerpt from our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, which sends the biggest unsolved mysteries, white-collar scandals and captivating cases straight to your inbox every week.Sign up here.

On his way to work on June 25, Chris Benitez glances from the headline in his morning paper to the gutted building in the French Quarter where 32 people died the previous night in a fire in an upstairs bar.

On his way to work on June 25, Chris Benitez glances from the headline in his morning paper to the gutted building in the French Quarter where 32 people died the previous night in a fire in an upstairs bar.

Thirty-two people died and 15 were injured in a devastating arson fire at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans famed French Quarter, on June 24, 1973. Fifty years later, few have heard of the fire  which up until the Pulse mass shooting in 2016 was the largest mass murder of LGBTQ+ people in U.S. history. Compounding the tragedy was the citys failure to properly investigate or even publicly acknowledge the fire once it became known that the victims were gay. For the first time just last year, the New Orleans City Council voted to recognize and honor the victims and formally apologize to the victims loved ones for the citys response.

The man suspected of starting the fire, Roger Dale Nunez, was himself believed to be gay and a frequent visitor to the UpStairs Lounge. On the evening of June 24, Nunez was kicked out, according to people at the bar. He was furious and allegedly hurried to a nearby drugstore to buy lighter fluid, which he used to douse the clubs downstairs entryway. When someone opened the door at the top, the fire roared upstairs and engulfed the club in flames. Some tried to jump out the windows but were blocked by burglar bars. Others managed to escape through a back entrance.

Those who survived the fire faced a fresh horror in its wake through city officials callous response and their neighbors hostility or indifference.

The UpStairs Lounge had been a safe space where queer people could socialize, enjoy drag shows and even attend services for the Metropolitan Community Church.

Fifty years later, safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people are shrinking again: There are currently almost 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S., according to the ACLU. The proposed bills target LGBTQ+ peoples civil rights, freedom of speech and expression, healthcare, and educational resources, among other restrictions.

A compelling new podcast, The Fire UpStairs, examines the fire, its aftermath and attitudes surrounding it  which are still profoundly relevant today  through interviews and archival footage. Its host and co-producer, Joey Gray, answered HuffPosts questions from New Orleans, where the city is finally recognizing and commemorating the UpStairs Lounge tragedy. (This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.)

The building that housed the UpStairs Lounge, where 32 people were killed in a fire. (This image has been edited to obscure several bodies.)

The building that housed the UpStairs Lounge, where 32 people were killed in a fire. (This image has been edited to obscure several bodies.)

Before I listened to your podcast, I had never heard of the UpStairs Lounge fire. Why do you think it isnt as well known as other tragedies?

I think a historic lack of knowledge about the events can be linked directly back to the refusal of the city and local authorities to acknowledge the fire at the time it happened. By all accounts, there was a clear, collective effort to sweep this tragedy under the rug and go on as though it never happened. Indications of this disregard were seen almost immediately after it was understood the UpStairs was a gay bar. Rev. Bill Larsons charred and lifeless body was left, uncovered, in the window of the bar for hours after the fire; the title of Johnny Townsends seminal book Let the Faggots Burn is said to have been a quote overheard by one of the first responders on the scene that night.

As I discuss in the first episode of the show, no official statements were made by city officials, no public days of mourning were called for, none of the ranking clergymen went on record to offer their support or condolences, and as a criminal investigation, the arson was entirely botched by local authorities. In view of all of that, its sadly no wonder why it took so many years for there even to be a general awareness of the fire.

Whether we attribute that to a behind-the-times culture of homophobia and bigotry, paired with shame that may have been internalized by queer folk which likely kept them quiet and trapped in a proverbial closet  the UpStairs Lounge was not a loud moment in queer history, as weve come to think of Stonewall, but no less pivotal.

Why do you think Roger Dale Nunez, the man who allegedly started the fire, was never charged?

Charging anyone for this crime  especially someone who for all intents and purposes was the clear perpetrator, was described as having made a threat to burn the bar down that night upon his expulsion, who matched the description of someone who purchased a large can of lighter fluid at a nearby Walgreens minutes before the fire was started (the exact same can which was later found at the scene of the crime), and who is alleged to have made multiple confessions to friends in the aftermath  would have brought more attention to the fire and to the lives of the gay men who perished in it. Which then would have forced the city and local authorities to acknowledge what happened and reveal how they dragged their feet through every step of that process.

Frankly, he was never charged by authorities because they didnt want to give it more recognition. And then, tragically, Roger ensured that justice would never come when he took his own life 18 months after the fire.

Linn Quinton weeps as he is helped by New Orleans firefighters after he escaped from a fire at the UpStairs bar on June 25, 1973. Quinton said he was with a group singing around a piano when the fire swept through the bar.

Linn Quinton weeps as he is helped by New Orleans firefighters after he escaped from a fire at the UpStairs bar on June 25, 1973. Quinton said he was with a group singing around a piano when the fire swept through the bar.

One fire survivor said, I was asked later if this was a hate crime, but I said the hate crime wasnt who started the fire. ... The hate crime was the reaction after the fire. Would you say this is one of the overarching themes of your podcast?

Certainly, an overarching theme of the podcast is the reaction after the fire and the UpStairs Lounges place in the broader story of queer liberation and sociopolitical progress made following the fire. But I wouldnt go as far as to say that we contextualize the UpStairs Lounge arson as a hate crime at all.

While the alleged arsonists motives and frame of mind will forever be unknown, he was still someone who existed within this community and wasnt an outsider attacking this place based solely on the fact that it was a gay bar. Was there hatred in his heart that night? Maybe. But even survivors of this horrific event have gone on record to say that they dont believe he intended for or truly knew the extent of death and damage he would be causing that night. Either way, what we can see clearly is that the wider reaction following the fire was certainly intentional in its disregard and mishandling (not to mention the blatantly callous and derisive commentary that appeared in its wake), but to say that this was bred from hatred may be a bridge too far.

If anything, its a reflection of the times, and of an outmoded mindset. It might be more accurate to say that this was a crime of apathy.

The UpStairs Lounge was more than just a bar. What else did it offer the community at the time?

Several accounts of the UpStairs Lounge have likened it to a gay Cheers, a real place that you could go where everybody knew your name. And that was no accident: One of the famous house rules developed by Buddy Rasmussen, the bar manager, was that staff had to know a patron by name before they would serve them. This care and concern lent itself to the bar being an atmosphere that welcomed all, but always looked after its own.

From my research and conversations about the UpStairs, it sounds like a second home to its patrons more than how we would traditionally think of a bar. Sure, there were days and nights of drinking and good-natured fun, but the legacy of the UpStairs Lounge will forever also include its capacity to foster and support community. They housed Sunday church services for the gay-inclusive MCC when they had no other place to worship, they staged theatrical plays and held charity events for the local childrens hospital, and they had drag shows and sing-a-long nights. Longtime patron and arson survivor Ricky Everett even used the bars phone line for his mother to call and check in on him.

In this June 25, 1973, photo, the inside of the UpStairs bar is seen following a flash fire.

In this June 25, 1973, photo, the inside of the UpStairs bar is seen following a flash fire.

Are the attacks on LGBTQ people today  not only threats and actual physical violence at queer venues but also legislation, protests against drag shows and vitriol  forcing the community to seek out or create safe spaces like the one UpStairs Lounge provided? What are safe spaces for LGBTQ people today?

This is a tough question, because of the well-documented closures of so many queer spaces. And I think part of the magic of queer spaces (gay bars, dance clubs, etc.) historically is that these were the only places you could go to be your authentic self in a world that was otherwise unwelcoming to your nature. They have been, and remain, critical to our sense of identity and development as queer people  and theres no replacement for having that corporal experience.

As Tinderbox author Robert Fieseler says in our second episode, When you walked into the door of the UpStairs Lounge, you would take off your straight self and enter and embrace that oasis atmosphere. Regarding the threats, violence, legislation, protests and vitriol  none of that is new for the queer community, sadly, but the role that queer spaces play in our collective efforts to fight back is that they give us places to gather, to organize, and to liberate ourselves. Its our joy and freedom of expression, and our resilience in the face of terrible odds that some are trying to take away from us with these measures. And what they likely dont know is that they can never take those things away from us.

The idea of a safe space for queer people has been all but shattered, from the UpStairs Lounge to Pulse and Club Q, along with movie theaters, places of worship, schools and everywhere else folks who seek to cause pain and suffering have attacked us. But even so, the only safe space well ever really need as queer people is anywhere that we gather.

New episodes of The Fire Upstairs, which is executive-produced by Ryan Killian Krause, drop on Wednesdays and are available on most podcast platforms.

Related...
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis has become a key issue in the city's upcoming mayoral election.

Memphis Police Director Cerelyn Davis has become a key issue in the city's upcoming mayoral election.

The police killing of Tyre Nichols rocked Memphis, Tennessee, earlier this year. Nichols died three days after he was arrested by police, and video footage showed a group of officers beating the unarmed man in the street. They did not appear to render immediate medical care.

Five officers who allegedly participated in the beating now face second-degree murder charges. But another reckoning will come in October, when the city elects a new mayor who will have to rebuild a police department that is under federal investigation and has lost the trust of many residents.

The first thing the new mayor will have to deal with is Cerelyn Davis, the citys police commissioner. She not only oversaw the department that killed Nichols, but she created the now-disbanded SCORPION tactical unit; all five officers charged in Nichols death were members. And the question of whether Davis should stay or go is becoming an important issue in the upcoming election.

The mayoral race is a nonpartisan general election, with no candidate listing party affiliation on their petition.

The field is crowded with 14 candidates  some of whom have national profiles. Television celebrity Judge Joe Brown is a candidate. (He previously ran for Shelby County District Attorney in 2014, but lost.)

Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner also entered the race. After Nichols death, Bonner suspended two Shelby County deputies without pay for department violations. Both deputies failed to keep their body-worn cameras operating during the incident. They were not criminally charged.

Other mayoral candidates include current Tennessee state Rep. Karen Camper; Michelle McKissack, a former journalist and Shelby County Board of Education member; businessman J.W. Gibson; former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton; and Van Turner, the president of the Memphis NAACP; and Memphis City Council member Frank Colvett.

In recent town hall discussions, two candidates, Colvett and Brown, said they would remove Davis from her post. The rest expressed serious questions about her leadership.

What I have seen over the last several months with just the lack of accountability, the lack of leadership [with] the lower ranks below her  right now the answer looks like no, McKissack said of retaining Davis, according to local Memphis station ABC-24.

Memphis Police did not respond to requests for comment about the chiefs job or the race.

As the local NAACP president, Turner worked closely with Nichols family after the 29-year-olds death. He told HuffPost he acknowledges Davis was quick to disseminate information to the public about Nichols death, but he still has questions.

She did some good things. She was very transparent at a critical time. But on the backend we got a rogue SCORPION unit that pulled a man over and beat him to death, Turner told HuffPost.

Turner said he would call for the resignation of all appointed officers and individuals  which would include Davis  and have them reapply for their jobs.

She cant just bounce from city to city and cause the same type of emotion. I think she is just causing a ruckus everywhere she goes.Ashley Mckenzie-Smith

In the weeks that followed Nichols death, residents began to speak out about times they were stopped, harassed and arrested by officers in the SCORPION unit, which stood for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods. The unit launched in 2021 with the stated purpose of stopping violent crime in Memphis, as the crime rate in the city spiked during the pandemic.

Residents described the street tactical unit as intimidating and often preying on Black people. Some told local media stations that members of the SCORPION unit beat them days before Nichols death.

Four of the five officers arrested in Nichols killing were previously suspended for failing to report when they used physical force, damages to squad cars, and failure to report a domestic dispute.

Davis disbanded the SCORPION unit after widespread scrutiny of its tactics. But the unit was not her first experiment with that type of task force. She also oversaw the controversial REDDOG Crime unit in Atlanta in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, during Davis time as unit supervisor, a 92-year-old Black woman named Katherine Johnston was killed during a botched no-knock warrant drug raid.

Davis was later fired from the department after she allegedly told detectives not to investigate a fellow Atlanta police sergeants husband after images of him with underage girls surfaced.

Atlanta resident Ashley Mckenzie-Smith likened Davis time there to whats happening under the commissioner in Memphis now.

In December, Memphis police shot and killed Mckenzie-Smiths 20-year-old son, Jaylin Mckenzie, who was in Memphis visiting his father. His killing was one of five police shootings in Memphis during the last weeks of the year; Nichols was beaten in custody in early January.

Mckenzie was in a car with friends at the time of the shooting. An initial police report said officers responded to a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot but never indicated the reason for the stop. The car allegedly attempted to flee, and police accused Mckenzie of firing a shot. However, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, which is probing the shooting, has not asserted the 20-year-old fired at officers that night.

Mckenzie-Smith led a protest in Memphis earlier this month calling for justice. To her, the SCORPION unit that operated under Davis was pretty much the same as the REDDOG unit she also lived through.

I just know that when she ran the REDDOG in Atlanta, people literally did not want to go outside. They were busting in doors, charging people with false charges. Their whole motive was to stop drug trafficking in Atlanta. But it affected a lot of innocent people, said Mckenzie-Smith. She cant just bounce from city to city and cause the same type of emotion. I think she is just causing a ruckus everywhere she goes.
The News

Efforts to reauthorize a key tool that allows the government to surveil foreign suspects face a difficult road ahead as lawmakers from both parties raise concerns about implications for Americans.

Many Democrats have been suspicious of the program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, since the Bush-era on civil liberty grounds. Some Republicans have raised similar concerns in the past, and are now citing botched surveillance applications in the Trump-Russia investigation that do not deal directly with the 702 statute.

Its my intent and I hope the intent of my colleagues that we do not reauthorize Section 702 because the FBI cannot be trusted, Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Tex. said at last Wednesdays hearing with special counsel John Durham.

The growing skepticism could create an unlikely bipartisan alliance to reform the post-9/11 program  or kill it altogether. Lawmakers must reauthorize it by the end of the year before the law sunsets.

I think its a very heavy lift, Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told Semafor when asked about reauthorizing the section. It was always going to be hard and its gotten harder.

Himes pointed to a finding by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court recently made public that the FBI improperly queried a database established under 702 278,000 times over the course of several years  a revelation that has spurred outrage among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The searches included improper queries in the course of investigations into both the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the protests following the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.

I will only support the reauthorization of Section 702 if there are significant, significant reforms, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill. said at a hearing earlier this month. He said the reforms would need to impose new safeguards to prevent future abuses and allow better oversight by Congress and the courts.

Morgan's view

Section 702 is likely to be reauthorized  there just will need to be changes to get there.

Its a critical tool, according to national security officials, aiding everything from counterterror operations to cybercrime investigations. But the warrantless surveillance program for foreign targets has also long raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties because it results in the government incidentally scooping up information on Americans. Reauthorizing it in 2018 was a huge lift that ended up splitting both parties  it got past a Senate filibuster with exactly 60 votes.

A bipartisan working group of members on the House Intelligence Committee is reviewing potential reforms to both FISA and 702. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., the leader of the working group who himself was the subject of one of the FBIs improper searches, told Semafor lawmakers are exploring ways to increase accountability for the bureau, bring more transparency to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and put more safeguards in to guard Americans under 702.

There will be no clean reauthorization, he said, adding that the group plans to release a set of proposed reforms fairly soon.

Privacy-minded senators are also working on their own proposals. That includes Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who earlier this year secured the public release of an intelligence community report showing that the government buys up data on Americans from data brokers with little congressional oversight.

A Wyden aide told Semafor that the senator is working on a surveillance reform bill that will address 702, law enforcement surveillance activities, and executive order 12333, a broad directive governing the nations surveillance activities. He expects to release it later this year with bipartisan support, the aide said.

National security officials say that, more recently, they have implemented reforms to minimize improper searches, like putting in place mandatory training and stricter requirements for searches that involve elected officials, journalists, or religious figures. Himes suggested at a news conference last week that the potential reforms could range from codifying changes like these to adding new warrant requirements for searches involving Americans.

Room for Disagreement

While the issue has created an alliance among the right and the left, the issues motivating members of both parties arent necessarily the same, which could mean they have more difficulty coming to an agreement on what needs to be changed.

Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., a member of the House Intelligence Committee who described the program as a vital national security tool, told Semafor he is worried that far-right lawmakers will try to get rid of 702 or weaken it in such a way that renders it ineffective.

Theres always a few things that you can tweak, Quigley said. But you reform police departments, you dont defund them. You reform and tweak programs like FISA, 702, you dont get rid of them, or good luck.
VIRGINIA BEACH  Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler clinched the Democratic primary election for House District 96.

The Virginia Beach Election Board on Monday certified Convirs-Fowler as receiving the most votes in the four-way race. But the election board is still waiting for the Virginia Department of Elections board to approve the provisional ballots, which will likely be July 5. The Associated Press called the race for Convirs-Fowler.

To return to the General Assembly next year, shell face Republican challenger Mike Karslake in the November general election.

Convirs-Fowler, 42, faced three other Democrats in the June 20 primary. The results were too close to call immediately following the election. Virginia Beach has since counted the provisional and post-election mail in ballots, according to the registrar.

Convirs-Fowler had 1,201 votes or 28.5%. Her closest opponent Brandon Hutchins, who had previously conceded, had 1,088 votes or 25.8%. Susan Hippen and Sean Monteiro trailed behind with 25.4% and 20.3% of the votes.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
Delayed and diverted flights at Charlotte Douglas lead to despair among families

Its peak vacation season for travelers, but many are getting an unpleasant surprise as they check in for their flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Bill Clendaniel was set to fly to Vancouver with United Airlines this morning to celebrate his 70th birthday.

READ PREVIOUS: Charlotte Douglas Airport takes top 10 spot on busiest airports list

She went to punch ours in and it said Your flight is canceled. Clendaniel explained.

Susan Zaleski was also flying with United but headed to Chicago. Her flight was just one of the 38 canceled flights from Charlotte Douglas.

They first said they didnt have a crew, then suddenly the plane was taken out of service, Zaleski said. All the planes are out of service. United has basically canceled all their flights.

SEE MORE: Delays continue at Charlotte airport

In addition to the 38 canceled flights, 95 were delayed.

One family spent hours and hours waiting in the airport after their flight to Raleigh from Orlando was diverted to Charlotte.

Our family was returning from a wonderful vacation at Walt Disney World turned immediately into a nightmare for my kid, Chris Curtis said. "

Curtis and his family flew Southwest and experienced multiple delays on top of the diversion. They spent the night at the airport while waiting for a morning flight.

READ MORE: Hundreds of flights delayed, dozens canceled at Charlotte Douglas Airport

I just want to get my family home safe., he said.

Some others experiencing cancellations decided to take a longer route home than try to reschedule their flight.

Were going to rent a car and drive 13 hours, Zaleski told Channel 9s Almiya White.

Clendaniel is still waiting, and he just hopes to spend his birthday in Vancouver.

We have two days of sightseeing in Vancouver that we have planned so it might not happen now, Clendaniel said.

(WATCH: More changes coming to Charlotte Douglas Airport)




Jule Preiser, a fourth-semester robotics student at Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Students were given no specific instruction  much like how they might face a problem out in the field  and were tasked with finding a solution through their own problem-solving skills. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

A warehouse manager in Waco went from earning about $9 an hour to earning more than $140,000 a year, thanks to an associate degree.

In College Station, a student with a developmental disability worked at an animal hospital through a college program tailored to her needs.

And in Austin, a call center worker was paid by her employer to go to college so she could be promoted to a medical assistant position.

In these instances, the students pursued associate degrees, alternative college programs and industry certifications that offer Texans the chance to expand their career options and their salary potential in a state hungry for more qualified workers.

[Texans have many educational credentials to choose from to begin a career. Heres how to navigate them.]

More than half of jobs in the state require a credential higher than a high school diploma but lower than a bachelors degree, according to a report from July 2022. Its one reason the state is aiming for 60% of Texans ages 25 to 64 to have a certificate or degree by 2030. But just 45% of Texans have the right training for these middle-skilled jobs.

These college and career programs are far more varied than they used to be. Today, Texans across the state are learning everything from computer-aided design and drafting to piloting aircraft through associate degree or certificate programs  and theyll likely make more money because of it.

Career and technical education

[Texas colleges provide job training for students with disabilities. Heres how to access it.]

Initiatives helping students to enter the workforce quickly arent new, but there is a new focus on equity. To better serve students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, higher education leaders are moving to create shorter or earlier career and technical education opportunities that meet industry standards while offering high school and college students with pathways to bachelors and advanced degrees.

This is a marked difference from the history of vocational programs, in which students of color and women were often placed into high school job training classes that offered no pathway to college.

A movement to help all students go to college emerged in the 1990s, said Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, a senior fellow at the National Skills Coalition, a policy and advocacy organization. But with increasing awareness of student debt in the 2000s and greater interest among students and employers in technical education, vocational programs reemerged and evolved into what is now known as career and technical education.

Grounded aircraft sit inside Texas State Technical Colleges Maintenance Hanger in Waco, where students learn to fix mechanical issues on Oct. 24, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

The rise of these programs partially stems from industries and jobs increasingly requiring specialized licenses or credentials, even if its not a college degree. For students, these programs are attractive because they allow them to get hands-on practice and, in some cases, paid work experience as they work toward a credential. This can be particularly beneficial for working adults or parents with less time and resources to seek a four-year degree, Bergson-Shilcock said.

Bachelors and more advanced degrees generally have a greater financial payoff, but people with two-year associate degrees and certificates in highly technical and in-demand fields, such as engineering technologies, can earn more than people with bachelors degrees in some lower-paying industries.

Texas has long invested in work-based education, but that ramped up over the last couple of legislative sessions as the value of things like apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities became clear, said Renzo Soto, a higher education policy adviser for Texas 2036, a nonprofit research organization.

Over the last decade, state lawmakers have largely emphasized career preparation in public schools and aligning school curriculum with college tracks and the workforce needs in each region of the state, Soto said.

During the regular legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed legislation to fund community colleges based on whether their students leave with a degree or credential that gets them a well-paying job or into a four-year institution. Right now, Texas State Technical College is the only Texas college that the state specifically funds based on the employment and earnings of its students and graduates, rather than based on the number of hours they are taught. The funding change is expected to go into effect in September.

Technical colleges and careers

In a room filled with rows of yellow robotic arms, students at TSTCs Waco campus used computers to try to command the arms to read whether a black cutout in front of it was the right size and shape.

Manufacturers use such a process to ensure that the right bolt, screw or item is used to make a product. But this isnt a factory. Its a step toward high-paying jobs in manufacturing, production or warehouse operations.

More than two decades ago, Corey Mayo was a warehouse manager, earning about $9 an hour to support his wife and daughter.

It just wasnt cutting it for baby formula, diapers, food, said Mayo, now 48.

So he enrolled at Texas State Technical College to study instrumentation and completed an associate degree in robotics. After more than a decade in the industry, traveling to manufacturing facilities to implement automated operations, he said he earned roughly $140,000 a year because of his ability to fix anything in a short amount of time.

Its because of everything that I learned here, he said.

Now, as an instructor of robotics technology at TSTC, hes helping other students enter a job thats expected to grow by 12% in Texas while declining nationally.

And Mayos 23-year-old son, Dalton, is following in his footsteps and studying robotics technology. He too would like to enter a high-paying field.

Justin Meckle, a fourth-semester Robotics student at the Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

TKTKT at the Texas State Technical College in Waco on Oct. 24, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Jule Preiser, a fourth-semester Robotics student at the Texas State Technical College in Waco, works on a troubleshooting assignment during class on Oct. 24, 2022. Students were given no specific instruction - much like how you might be given a problem if out in the field - and tasked with finding a solution through their own problem solving skills. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

From left: Dalton Mayo, a fourth-semester robotics student at Texas State Technical College in Waco, stands with his father, Corey Mayo, who serves as the schools lead instructor for robotics and industrial controls technology in their classroom on Oct. 24, 2022. Mayo decided to pursue a technical career path like his father. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Stories like theirs are not uncommon at the college, which hires instructors from its graduate pool and sees many families return to the college for its hands-on and fast-tracked programs. The 20-month-long program for an associate degree of applied science in robotics and industrial controls technology costs around $11,640, and a 16-month certificate costs $6,984, according to TSTC. The average wage for an electro-mechanic or robotics technician is about $50,630 in Texas and $60,570 in the U.S., according to federal data.

The college also offers programs for various job fields expected to continue growing, such as cybersecurity and aircraft pilot training.

The aircraft pilot training program is one of the colleges more expensive programs, but pilot pay is on the higher end with average salaries in Texas of more than $180,060 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers and $108,120 for commercial pilots. Tuition and fees for an associate degree in the program are $11,160, but the flight fees bring up the total to an estimated $89,260. Jobs are expected to grow by 21% for commercial pilots and by 14% for airline pilots and engineers in Texas.

The college also hires some of its graduates to serve as certified flight instructors while they work toward the required hours and ratings needed to work as a pilot in other roles.

Im already making back money and Im already paying off my loans, said Elaine Polster, a 22-year-old recent graduate who is now a certified flight instructor for the college. If I went to a four-year school, it would be two more years until I did that.

Associate degrees in applied science, which have a focus on technical education, and certificates are also available at community colleges across the state and through private, for-profit and nonprofit institutions. Examples of other public colleges include Alamo Colleges, Blinn College, San Jacinto College and Dallas College. You can find private technical schools through the Texas Workforce Commissions directory. Financial aid, scholarships or other help may also be available for associate degrees and qualifying certificates.

You can also read more in our guide to college programs and financial aid.

A flight instructor speaks about the benefit of having the Redbird flight simulations for students at the Texas State Technical College in Waco on Oct. 24, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Students training to become pilots sit in class and watch a video about navigating runway terminology at the Texas State Technical College in Waco on Oct. 24, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

The interior of a Redbird flight simulation at the Texas State Technical College in Waco on Oct. 24, 2022. Students training to become pilots are able to practice in the program without having to leave the ground. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Elaine Polster, a recent graduate of the pilot program and incoming Certified Flight Instructor, stands inside TSTCs Maintenance Hanger on Oct. 24, 2022, where students learn to fix mechanical issues on grounded aircraft. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Apprenticeships

On a Tuesday morning in October, Nora Hernandez Mondragon practiced carefully placing patches on the chest, arms and legs of a classmate lying in a medical examination bed.

The patches, which connect to a tangle of 10 wires, require precise placement to record the hearts electrical activity in an electrocardiogram, or EKG, to detect irregular heart rhythms and heart attacks.

Its one of the many things she learned at the Austin Community Colleges San Gabriel Campus in Leander over nine weeks. She also learned basic medical terminology and anatomy; how to check a patients blood pressure and vital signs; how to administer medicines, including through an injection; and how to draw blood  all without paying a dime.

Its the perfect situation, said Hernandez Mondragon, a 34-year-old Austin resident who worked at a call center for Baylor Scott & White Health. I get to go learn something and develop myself and still be making income for my family.

Mallory French examines the results of an EKG that she performed at Austin Community Colleges Leander Campus on Oct. 4. French and other students were participating in a healthcare apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

Jennifer Waldron, a Continuing Education instructor at Austin Community College, shows students where to put the electrodes when doing an EKG at ACCs Leander campus on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a healthcare apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

Mallory French connects a lead wire to an electrode on Violet Fields left leg while doing an EKG at Austin Community Colleges Leander Campus on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a healthcare apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

Nora Hernandez Mondragon measures 21-year-old Violet Fields blood pressure during class at the Leander Campus of Austin Community College on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a health care apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

Thats because Hernandez Mondragon and her five classmates are part of a Baylor Scott & White apprenticeship. Through the program, employees can take an accelerated course at ACC and get hands-on experience to become medical assistants.

Me being a mom, I would love to go to school but I dont have the time or the money, said Hernandez Mondragon, who is raising four children.

After completing the course and 160 hours of work in a clinical setting, Hernandez Mondragon and her classmates will work as medical assistants at Baylor Scott & White Healths local clinics or hospitals for at least two years. The new job also comes with a pay raise, Hernandez Mondragon said.

Though this program serves Baylor Scott & White employees specifically, its one of a number of apprenticeships at ACC and across Texas.

In apprenticeships, individuals get the opportunity to learn and work toward a career, similar to an internship. But apprenticeships are typically longer than internships, include paid work and provide individuals with specialized skills and credentials.

Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship training programs can be offered by companies on their own, unions, trade associations, nonprofits and other organizations. Many apprenticeships focus on trades, but a number of programs are opening more opportunities in growing job fields like health care and tech.

Texans interested in an apprenticeship can look for one through a college, a local job center such as Workforce Solutions or the U.S. Department of Labors website, apprenticeship.gov.

Workforce training programs

Im locking the chair, 22-year-old Sydney Hodge said as she practiced locking a wheelchair in place at the front of the classroom. Joe Tate, the class instructor, was sitting in the chair.

Good. Remember, guys, communicate. The more communication, the better, he told the handful of other students watching.

Then, Hodge helped Tate get out of the wheelchair, holding a gait belt around his upper waist and letting him place his hands on her shoulders for support as he slowly rose. The rest of the class clapped.

Hodge and her classmates were reviewing how to work as personal care attendants. Earlier that day, they discussed different types of bedpans and the organizations that support people with disabilities.

Sydney Hodge, 22, at right, demonstrates how to use a gait belt, an assistive device used to transfer a person into or out of a wheelchair, on her teacher and E4 Youth program manager Joe Tate in the Biomedical Engineering building at the University of Texas at Austin on Nov. 29, 2022. The students were part of a workforce development program at UT Austin called E4 Texas, an inclusive job training program open to students with developmental disabilities. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

The class is part of the E4Texas program at the University of Texas at Austin. It prepares students for jobs as personal care attendants, child care workers or teaching assistants. The program is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, but is also open to people without a disability.

The students also live on campus and get support from program staff to live independently and participate in the community, said Tate, E4s program manager.

During the three-semester program, students take specialized classes at UT-Austins campus, audit other UT courses, volunteer and get work experience. Hodge and her classmate Ayala Montgomery, for example, have been helping care for elderly people as volunteers at AGE of Central Texas.

Elaina Bautista, 24, volunteers at AGE of Central Texas in Austin on Dec. 2, 2022. Bautista was part of a workforce development program at UT Austin called E4 Texas, an inclusive job training program open to students with developmental disabilities. Credit: Jack Myer for the Texas Tribune

At the end, students receive a certificate of completion and can get job certifications, but they do not get college credits.

The program also teaches students to advocate for themselves and others. Thats one of the things that drew Montgomery.

I also wanted to help people that actually struggle with disabilities, like to let them know that you're not alone, and there's many people just like you that struggle with the same things day to day, said Montgomery, a 20-year-old from Dallas. I wanted to leave an impact.

There are other job preparation programs, including for people with disabilities. And if a program is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, qualifying students may get help covering the program costs.

Texans interested in exploring job preparation programs can learn more and view approved program providers through the Texas Workforce Commission or reach out to local Workforce Solutions centers.

College for students with developmental disabilities

After sending a quick email, Julia Gault turned to work on a PowerPoint presentation she was making for her class. She pointed to images of animals and skateboards on the slides.

So this is like when I graduate, I want to work at a vet clinic, she said. I skateboard, so I put my skateboards.

Sitting next to Gault during a study hall period at Texas A&M University, Callie Colgrove said, I want to own my own bakery, showing off her own PowerPoint. Shes Gaults best friend and roommate.

The two met through Aggie ACHIEVE, the universitys program designed for students with intellectual disabilities or autism to live independently, experience college and prepare for jobs.

Through the interdisciplinary program, students can take select noncredit courses and physical education courses and participate in student life at A&M. The students have access to graduate assistants who help them navigate classes and live on their own.

Initially, students live on campus. They get a residential mentor who spends five to nine hours a week with them during their freshman year, said Heather Dulas, the program director. As juniors, the students move off campus and can live on their own, though many have chosen to live together as roommates or in the same apartment complex. At the end, students receive a certificate from the university.

The transition was an adjustment for Gault, like for any college student, but through Aggie ACHIEVE she learned how to navigate her schedule and chores, like doing her laundry. Now, she works at an animal hospital, she said, and Colgrove works in the kitchen of a hotel and has baked chocolate pies.

Effrosyni Chatzistogianni, an academic graduate assistant with the Aggie ACHIEVE program helps Matthew Philips, a junior in the program, during an office hours at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. Aggie ACHIEVE is a comprehensive transition program (CTP) for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have exited high school. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

A list of available course to students in the Aggie ACHIEVE program at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. Students take one non-credit course per semester, as well as a Physical Education non-credit course, while they pursue their certificate. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Julia Gault, a junior in the Aggie ACHIEVE program, talks with another student during office hours on Nov. 15, 2022. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Colleges and universities havent always accepted or accommodated students with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but there are now more options for these students.

Aggie ACHIEVE is one of four comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs in Texas. That designation allows students with intellectual disabilities to receive federal financial aid and learn or work along with students without disabilities. Houston Community College, Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the University of North Texas also have comprehensive transition programs.

These programs range in length, admission and costs. For example, Texas A&Ms program admits about 10 students per year and costs over $30,000 per year because of on-campus housing required for the first two years, program fees and a lack of state aid for the non-degree-seeking students.

There are also other programs and options for students with disabilities to audit courses at public or private colleges, and scholarships or other assistance may be available to help students cover costs. You can read more in our guide to college and job training programs for students with disabilities.

This reporting was supported by the Higher Ed Media Fellowship, which is run by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and funded by the ECMC Foundation.

Disclosure: Baylor Scott & White Health, Houston Community College, San Jacinto College, Texas 2036, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas 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 Tribune's 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.
One year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democrats and reproductive rights advocates are ramping up efforts to protect access to contraception, looking to emphasize daylight with Republicans on the issue ahead of the 2024 elections.

Health advocates say there have been concerns over access to birth control well before the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

But while the ruling last summer gave a jolt of energy to the reproductive rights movement, it also has made it harder to separate the issue of contraception from the politics of abortion.

In a direct response to the Dobbs decision last year, the then-Democratic-majority House passed legislation to codify access to contraceptives on the federal level, allowing individuals to obtain and use birth control and safeguarding a health care providers ability to supply such products. Only eight Republicans joined every Democrat to pass the bill.

A companion measure was blocked in the evenly divided Senate.

Last week, Senate Democrats tried to force consideration of the bill again as part of their efforts to bring attention to post-Roe America and force Republicans to object on the record to broadly popular legislation.

Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) objected to the unanimous consent request.

This bill is not about contraception, its about abortion, Braun said, adding the legislation uses intentionally vague language to hide its ulterior motive of protecting access to abortion drugs.

He also objected to a provision that would guarantee funding for Planned Parenthood.

Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), who introduced the measure, said that by blocking it, the GOP showed they are the party of extremists.

Each and every Republican who refused to protect the right to contraception told Americans loud and clear that theyre willing to risk the health of millions of Americans for politics, Markey said.

Polling consistently shows there is broad bipartisan support for birth control, and most Republicans argue the people opposed to it are in a small minority. They say the bills solve problems that dont exist and are attempts to score political points.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in floor remarks last week said Democrats have an obsession with abortion.

According to the annual Gallup values and beliefs poll released earlier this month, 88 percent of Americans said birth control was morally acceptable.

Still, advocacy groups say they are not taking chances, pointing to Justice Clarence Thomas writing that the Supreme Court should reconsider Griswold v. Connecticut, the 1965 decision that established a right to use contraception.

I think perhaps prior to Dobbs, people might have been more complacent about contraception, said Rachel Fey, vice president of strategic policy at Power to Decide, an organization that advocates for sexual and reproductive choice, including birth control and abortion.

Now that Roe v. Wade has been undone, it has sort of woken people to the idea that these are not things we can take for granted. These rights are things we have to continue to fight for, Fey added.

According to KFF and the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health measures, the Dobbs decision hasnt necessarily triggered a wave of attacks on birth control. Even some GOP-led states have passed measures to expand access.

In March, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R) signed legislation that requires insurance plans to provide coverage for 12-month supplies of contraceptives from pharmacies. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed a similar bill in May.

Also in May, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed legislation that allows pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptive patches and oral contraceptives.

Still, other states are trying to limit access by conflating common birth control methods with abortion.

Usha Ranji, associate director for womens health policy at KFF, said tying the issues together muddies the common scientific understanding and stigmatizes contraception.

Broadly speaking, the public are very supportive of access to contraception as well as access to abortion. But there have been some very deliberate conflating and misinformation around contraception acting as abortifacients, Ranji said.

Earlier this month, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) vetoed a bipartisan measure guaranteeing the right to contraception.

Last year, the Missouri Senate nearly banned Medicaid funding for emergency contraception and intrauterine devices (IUDs) until a bipartisan coalition beat back the amendment.

In Texas, state-funded womens health care programs dont provide emergency contraception, and the Medicaid program explicitly excludes Planned Parenthood from any coverage  a violation of federal law.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for president, twice vetoed state funding for a program that would have provided long-acting reversible contraception to low-income women. The program was opposed by the states Catholic bishops; the Catholic Church opposes all forms of artificial birth control.

And while the major anti-abortion groups say they are neutral on birth control, they also say that life begins at conception and argue that anything preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in a womans uterus is an abortifacient.

For example, Students for Life lists common contraceptives such as IUDs, Plan B and other emergency contraception, birth control pills, hormonal patches, implants and shots as abortifacients.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said an IUD doesnt prevent implantation; it prevents the initial fertilization, and birth control pills prevent ovulation. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration updated the labeling attached to emergency contraceptive pills to clarify that they are not abortion drugs.

The issue of contraception has taken on more urgency for the White House in the past year.

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling, President Biden last week signed an executive order directing agencies to find ways to expand access to birth control.

While contraception cannot replace the need for abortion services or fill the gap left by the loss of a constitutional right to choose, its an important part of helping ensure that women can make decisions about their own health, lives and families, said Jen Klein, director of the White Houses Gender Policy Council.

Yet the order contained no specific timeline for action or concrete calls to action.

Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, said she was disappointed, and urged the administration to go further.

The threat to the legality and legitimacy of contraception is real, and it is growing, Coleman said in a statement. We are in a health care crisis moment, and our nations leaders need to take bold action to protect and expand access to contraception. Once again, we urge the White House to do all it can to confront the growing threats to contraception.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2022 in Orlando, Fla. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)

Richard Grenell, a Republican advisor to former President Trump who has criticized the Equality Act and railed against transgender youth rights, was honored on the California Senate floor on Monday in the name of Pride Month.

The recognition of Grenell, who is gay, by California Republicans was protested by members of the state's Democratic legislative majority, with several lawmakers quietly walking off the floor during the short ceremony honoring him as "the first openly gay presidential Cabinet member."

Grenell is a former U.S. ambassador to Germany and was welcomed by Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) and Republican Assemblymembers Bill Essayli of Corona, Tom Lackey of Palmdale and Greg Wallis of Bermuda Dunes.

"During Pride Month, we are proud to recognize Ambassador Grenell for his incredible contributions to the state and nation through his extensive public service career," Essayli said. "Here in the Republican Party, we celebrate individual achievements over identity politics."

Grenell briefly served as the acting director of national intelligence for the Trump administration in 2020. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, also claims the title of being the first out gay presidential Cabinet member, and, unlike Grenell, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Grenell has repeatedly espoused right-wing disinformation and has called Trump the most pro-gay president ever." He has been flagged by the GLAAD Accountability Project, which tracks anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric among prominent figures.

Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) was among the members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus who left the Senate floor on Monday, and viewed the Grenell recognition as a direct response to drag activists honored in the Legislature earlier this month.

State Republicans opposed recognition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence on the Assembly and Senate floors and asked Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) to withdraw their invitation to the Capitol, accusing them of mocking Catholicism. The well-known drag group wears nuns' habits and has advocated for AIDS victims for decades.

The controversy followed a similar uproar in Los Angeles, after the Dodgers said they would recognize the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a Community Hero Award, then rescinded the offer amid criticism from Catholics, and finally reinstated it with a promise to strengthen ties with the LGBTQ+ community.

Read more: Drag nuns in the outfield? Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence also invited to Angels' Pride Night

"This is their way of celebrating Pride, by bringing in a guy who is truly a self-hating gay man, who takes tons of anti-LGBTQ positions," Wiener said in an interview in the Capitol on Monday. "There are plenty of gay Republicans who don't do the unhinged things that [Grenell] does. I'm not lumping all gay Republicans together  he is a particularly vile person."

In a tweet responding to criticism from Wiener, who is also gay, Grenell said "it's an honor to be your enemy" and called him "an apologist for pedophilia and child abuse," echoing sentiments of unfounded right-wing QAnon conspiracy theories about the state senator.

At a news conference outside the Capitol held by state Republicans to celebrate Grenell, the former Trump administration official lambasted Democratic policies and what he called "the gay left mafia."

"Inherent in the word 'tolerance' is 'tolerate.' It doesn't mean you agree with it, it means that you tolerate someone else's opinion. That means that you don't get up and walk out when they are being honored," he said. "...They just couldn't be in the same room as someone who annihilates their world view."

When asked if he believed it was also intolerant that California Republicans left the floor while the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were similarly honored for Pride Month, Grenell said he has liberal friends and that he "doesn't run out of the room" over differing viewpoints.

Read more: Trump taps loyalist and envoy Richard Grenell as nation's top intelligence official

The dueling Pride Month events in the California Capitol come as the state maintains among the strongest gay rights policies in the nation and more LGBTQ+ lawmakers are in office than ever before.

Grenells visit to the state Capitol came on the same day that the California Assembly approved ACA 5, which, if approved by voters, would repeal a section of the state Constitution that states that marriage is between a man and woman. While same-sex marriage is protected at the federal and state levels, the constitutional amendment would reaffirm marriage equality, supporters say.

Other lawmakers who walked off the Senate floor on Monday include Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City), Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) and Senate President Pro Tem Atkins.

Atkins, who is gay, said that while she and her fellow Democrats "absolutely oppose the toxic polarization that Richard Grenell embodies," they did not ask that he be uninvited.

"Senate Democrats are strong enough in our beliefs to recognize there are others with different perspectives," she 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.
Denmark can train six Ukrainian F-16 pilots at a time

F-16

Denmark has the capacity to train up to six Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets as part of a broader international program, Danish Defense Ministry announced on June 27.

Read also: West may by summer decide to send fighter jets to Ukraine, says acting Danish defense minister

Additionally, Denmark expects to be able to concurrently train up to 40 maintenance and support personnel.

However, the duration of this training course remains unclear.

It depends on their fighter experience and language skills, Reuters quotes the ministrys message.

The training program is being developed in coordination with Kyivs other international partners, with no finalized plan currently available.

Eight European nations have thus far joined the coalition to supply Ukraine with modern fighter jets, including the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, and France.

Read also: Denmark holds secret peace meeting on Ukraine

The Danish government has expressed its intention to organize F-16 fighter jet training for Ukrainian pilots at the Skrydstrup Air Base, where Danish aircraft of this class are stationed.

Read also: Germany will not lead fighter jet coalition as it lacks expertise

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has stated that Ukraine does not expect to receive modern Western fighter jets, such as the F-16, until 2024.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Denmark can train up to six Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets at same time

Western allies have been developing a programme to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Source: Reuters, citing Danish Defence Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The dialogue and planning of this is still ongoing, which is why there is no final plan yet," the Danish Defence Ministry said.

Details: The ministry expects to be able to train up to six Ukrainian pilots at a time, as well as up to 40 support and maintenance personnel.

The department could not specify how long it would take to complete the training.

"It depends on their fighter experience and language skills," the agency added.

Background: Earlier this year, Denmark announced that its F-16 fighter jets would be decommissioned in 2025, two years earlier than planned. This will galvanise the process of transferring them to Ukraine.

The issue of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets was discussed during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein-format meeting) last week.

Afterwards, the meeting revealed that by July, Ukraine's partners plan to approve a training programme for Ukrainian pilots, technicians and engineers to operate F-16 fighter jets, with the training taking place at a centre created for this specific purpose, in a European country.

Politico reports that Ukraine may receive Western F-16 fighter jets in early 2024.

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CORRECTS FIRST NAME TO OF SHERIFF TO BRYAN, INSTEAD OF BRIAN FILE - Michael Corey Jenkins stands outside Taylor Hill Church in Braxton, Miss., March 18, 2023. The police shooting of Jenkins, who sustained critical injuries after he says a deputy put a gun in his mouth and fired, led the Justice Department to open a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said Jenkins was shot after he pointed a gun at them. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said Tuesday, June 27, that an unspecified number of deputies involved in that encounter had been fired. (AP Photo/HG Biggs, File)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  All five Mississippi deputy sheriffs who responded to an incident where two Black men accused the deputies of beating and sexually assaulting them before shooting one of them in the mouth have been fired or resigned, authorities announced Tuesday.

The announcement comes months after Michael Corey Jenkins and his friend Eddie Terrell Parker said deputies from the Rankin County Sheriffs Department burst into a home without a warrant. The men said deputies beat them, assaulted them with a sex toy and shocked them repeatedly with Tasers in a roughly 90-minute period during the Jan. 24 episode, Jenkins and Parker said.

Jenkins said one of the deputies shoved a gun in his mouth and then fired the weapon, leaving him with serious injuries to his face, tongue and jaw. The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into the Rankin County Sheriffs Department after the episode.

Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey announced Tuesday that deputies involved in the episode had been fired, and some had already resigned. He would not provide the names of the deputies who had been terminated or say how many law enforcement officers were fired. Bailey would not answer additional questions about the episode.

Due to recent developments, including findings during our internal investigation, those deputies that were still employed by this department have all been terminated, Bailey said at a news conference. We understand that the alleged actions of these deputies has eroded the publics trust in the department. Rest assured that we will work diligently to restore that trust.

Baileys announcement also follows an Associated Press investigation that found several deputies who were involved with the episode were also linked to at least four violent encounters with Black men since 2019 that left two dead and another with lasting injuries. Deputies who had been accepted to the sheriffs offices Special Response Team  a tactical unit whose members receive advanced training  were involved in each of the four encounters.

Deputies said the raid was prompted by a report of drug activity at the home. Police and court records obtained by the AP revealed the identities of two deputies at the Jenkins raid: Hunter Elward and Christian Dedmon. It was not immediately clear whether any of the deputies had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Jason Dare, an attorney representing the Rankin County Sheriff's Department, said the department knows of five deputies who conducted the Jenkins raid. Jenkins and his attorney have said six deputies were at the home. All five identified by the department were either fired or resigned.

There is no body camera footage of the episode. Records obtained by the AP show that Tasers used by the deputies were turned on, turned off or used dozens of times during a roughly 65-minute period before Jenkins was shot.

Jenkins and Parker have also filed a federal civil rights lawsuit and are seeking $400 million in damages. In a statement Tuesday, Malik Shabazz, an attorney representing Jenkins and Parker, celebrated the firing of the officers and called for criminal indictments of deputies by the state attorney general and the Justice Department.

The firing of the Rankin County Mississippi Sheriffs deputies involved in the torture and shooting of Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker is a significant action on the path to justice for one of the worst law enforcement tragedies in recent memory, Shabazz said. Sheriff Bryan Bailey has finally acted after supporting much of the bloodshed that has occurred under his reign in Rankin County.



Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mikergoldberg.
DeSantis appointed over 300 people to important state posts. There are some patterns

Gov. Ron DeSantis has made fighting the influence of the federal bureaucracy central to his campaign for president.

Well bring the administrative state to heel, DeSantis vowed during his campaign launch on Twitter in May. Since then, hes promised to make sweeping changes to the Department of Justice, which he says has been too aggressive in its pursuit of conservatives like former President Donald Trump.

If elected, hed have his work cut out for him. Every four years, Congress publishes a report on government positions that are subject to appointment. In 2020, that report listed more than 9,000 positions  a staggering reminder of the scale of the executive branch.

To understand how DeSantis might carry out that work  and what kind of people he might appoint to those positions  the Tampa Bay Times reviewed the most recent appointments DeSantis made to state agencies and boards large and small, obscure and prominent.

The review covered 309 appointments for 96 boards and agency positions that were brought before the Florida Senate for confirmation earlier this year. (Hundreds more appointments were not subject to Senate oversight, and the Times didnt examine appointments from years past, or recent appointments not brought before the Senate this year.)

The review noted DeSantis penchant for appointing news-making, polarizing figures to both high- and low-profile positions.

But it also found that one in four of his appointees had been chosen by a previous governor and were reappointed to the role by DeSantis.

People familiar with government work

In many instances, DeSantis relied on seasoned movers and shakers whove run in government circles for years. Some of the governors picks interviewed by the Times said theyve never heard from DeSantis himself about their appointment. At least half a dozen of his picks donated to DeSantis Republican primary opponent, Adam Putnam, in the 2018 governors race.

Federal appointments are also fundamentally different from many state board executives. Although they serve important regulatory functions, those who sit on professional boards in Florida, such as the Board of Chiropractic Medicine, are often not paid, or are minimally compensated.

Still, the picks show how DeSantis has continued Floridas decades-long journey of conservative governance.

DeSantis office did not respond to emailed requests for comment on this story.

But Trump, DeSantis chief rival for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, recently criticized DeSantis in an emailed statement to reporters, saying the governor had a history of terrible appointments, including some that were not included in the Times review.

For example, Trump slammed DeSantis for picking a secretary of state, Michael Ertel, who resigned in 2019, just weeks into his tenure, after pictures of him wearing blackface at a Halloween party surfaced.

Who is DeSantis picking?

The vast majority of DeSantis picks reviewed by the Times were registered Republicans. Nearly three in four of the picks were men. At least one in five had donated to the governor. (The governors office did not respond to requests for a more detailed demographic breakdown of DeSantis picks.)

And, in a sign of how DeSantis is reaping the rewards of a Republican supermajority in Tallahassee, which he probably wont enjoy in Washington, nearly all of his picks got the official OK from lawmakers.

The Florida Senate considered 298 of the 309 picks analyzed by the Times this year. Every appointee who got a floor hearing  from DeSantis closely-watched picks to oversee Disneys special tax district to his choices for the less newsy Florida Board of Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services  got confirmed.

That includes Craig Mateer, who DeSantis tapped to serve on the prestigious Board of Governors of the state university system. The Orlando-area entrepreneur had given DeSantis political committee $300,000 over the years and would go on to give the governor $100,000 more last year.

The states university system has been central to DeSantis push to remake Floridas schools. For example, the Board of Governors in March voted to require faculty members to undergo tenure evaluations every five years.

The Senate also unanimously confirmed seven of DeSantis picks for the Board of Medicine, and four of his choices for the Board of Osteopathic Medicine this past session.

Those boards each voted in recent months to ban certain medical treatments for transgender youth  acting against the recommendation of several prominent health groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, in order to enact a key policy priority of the governor.

Nikki Whiting, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health, which works closely with these medical boards, said DeSantis picks arent partisan.

These folks, regardless of party affiliation, are there because of their expertise, Whiting said.

DeSantis most controversial picks

With hundreds of seats needing to be filled each year, it isnt feasible for the governor to choose only friends and allies, say those involved in the process.

How many friends can you pick when you appoint thousands of people? said Ed Moore, whom DeSantis put on the Commission on Ethics in August. As a former legislative staffer whos been around Florida government for decades, Moore said he knows firsthand that its not easy to find dedicated, qualified people.

Moore has donated about $4,500 to DeSantis over the years. But he was not a true believer on Day 1: Moore originally supported Putnam in the 2018 governors race.

A good governor is going to try to bring in people of different perspectives, Moore said.

Still, DeSantis has also appointed ideologues and loyalists to several key positions.

He made national news for choosing conservative scholar Christopher Rufo to serve on the New College Board of Trustees.

Esther Byrd, whom DeSantis tapped to serve on the Board of Education, drew criticism after online posts surfaced of her defending the Proud Boys extremist group and for being photographed on a boat flying a flag emblazoned with a logo associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory. (Byrd was confirmed by the Senate with just one lawmaker voting against her.)

Her husband, former state Rep. Cord Byrd, was confirmed again this year as DeSantis secretary of state  the states top elections official.

Joseph Ladapo, the states surgeon general, has also been polarizing for Florida lawmakers and others. While the coronavirus raged in Florida, he declined to wear a mask inside the office of a state senator who was undergoing cancer treatment, despite the senators request that he do so.

Ladapo also oversaw and publicized a Department of Health study warning young men not to get mRNA COVID-19 shots. The study omitted data that went against the departments anti-mRNA vaccine recommendation.

His initial appointment was met with such stiff partisan resistance that Senate Democrats walked out of the 2022 confirmation hearing. (He was confirmed this year by a vote of 27 to 12.)

Even some of DeSantis picks for lesser-known positions have at times drawn attention.

Sandra Atkinson, an Okaloosa County Republican who DeSantis picked to serve on the Board of Massage Therapy in 2021, reportedly entered the U.S. Capitol during the riots on Jan. 6, 2021, according to an investigation by USA Today.

However, the Senate did not consider her appointment in 2022, and she left the massage board in March 2022. She was not a part of the Times analysis.

Filling vacancies

One of DeSantis major environmental moves, which came just days into his first term, had to do with executive appointments.

In a nearly unprecedented step, DeSantis in January 2019 asked every member of the governor-appointed South Florida Water Management District to resign. By March, he had filled that board with his own picks.

The turnover came largely in response to the boards decision to approve a sugar company land lease near the Everglades which DeSantis questioned. It was a sign of one of the truisms of DeSantis time in the governors mansion: When he sets his mind to something, it often happens.

But DeSantis has at times been slow to move on some appointments. In August 2020, Florida was in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Executive appointments to regional water boards had fallen off of DeSantis priority list.

So much so that an environmental group sent a letter to the governor warning that three of the states five boards would soon be unable to field a quorum if DeSantis did not appoint more members to those bodies, as required by law.

Later that fall, DeSantis made several appointments to the water district boards, and they began to function again more or less as normal.

The Times analysis of the governors appointments did not find many boards with large numbers of vacancies that could hobble their ability to perform.

Darrick D. McGhee Sr., whom DeSantis reappointed in October to another term on the Florida Commission on Human Rights, said the governor actually solved his boards attendance problem. Before he was originally appointed in 2020, the commission, which mediates civil rights-related cases, was unable to meet because it was short of appointees.

DeSantis filled the board, and it has since cleared its backlog of cases, McGhee said.
Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida are holding dueling events Tuesday in New Hampshire, but from vastly different political positions: one as the dominant front-runner in the state, the other still seeking his footing.

Strategists for both campaigns agree that the state will play a starring role in deciding who leads the Republican Party into the 2024 election against President Joe Biden.

Trump sees the first primary contest in New Hampshire as an early chance to clear the crowded field of rivals. And members of Team DeSantis  some of whom watched from losing sidelines, as Trump romped through the Granite State in 2016 on his way to the nomination  hope New Hampshire will be the primary that winnows the Republican field to two.

Iowas cornfields used to be where campaigns were killed off, and now New Hampshire is where campaigns go to die, said Jeff Roe, chief strategist of DeSantis super political action committee, Never Back Down. Roe retains agonizing memories from 2016, when he ran the presidential campaign of the last man standing against Trump: Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

New Hampshires voters are known for being fickle and choosy, sometimes infuriatingly so. The joke is that when you ask a Granite Stater whom theyre voting for, they say, I dont know, Ive only met the candidate three times.

Yet midway through 2023, the state  more secular than Iowa and with a libertarian streak  appears frozen in place. Trump, now twice indicted and twice impeached, is nowhere near as dominant with Republicans as he was in 2020, but he is stronger than he was in 2016, and his closest challenger is well behind him.

In 2016, Trump won New Hampshire with a blunt and incendiary message, fanning flames about terrorist threats and without doing any of the retail politicking thats traditionally required. But local operatives and officials believe that Trump, with his decadeslong celebrity status, is the only politician who could get away with this.

Its definitely not going to be something that someone like Ron DeSantis can pull off, said Jason Osborne, the New Hampshire House majority leader who endorsed the Florida governor for president. Hes got to do the drill just like everybody else.

Polls suggest there is an opening for a Trump alternative. But to be that person, DeSantis has miles of ground to make up.

As recently as January, DeSantis was leading Trump in the state by a healthy margin, according to a poll by the University of New Hampshire. But DeSantis has slipped considerably, with recent polling that suggests his support is in the teens and more than 25 percentage points behind Trump.

In a move that some saw as ominous, Never Back Down, the pro-DeSantis super PAC, went off the airwaves in New Hampshire in mid-May and has not included the state in its latest bookings, which cover only Iowa and South Carolina.

DeSantis allies insist the move was intended to husband resources in the Boston market, which they said was an expensive and inefficient way to reach primary voters. And they said DeSantis would maintain an aggressive schedule in the state.

We are confident that the governors message will resonate with voters in New Hampshire as he continues to visit the Granite State and detail his solutions to Joe Bidens failures, Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for DeSantis, said in a statement.

Still, so much of DeSantis early moves seem aimed at Iowa and its caucuses that are dominated by the most conservative activists, many of whom are evangelical. In contrast, New Hampshire has an open primary that will allow independents, who tend to skew more moderate, to cast ballots. And without a competitive Democratic primary in 2024 they could be a particularly sizable share of the GOP primary vote.

Iowa is where DeSantis held his first event and where his super PAC has based its $100 million door-knocking operation.

DeSantis signing of a six-week abortion ban is unlikely to prove popular in New Hampshire, where even the states Republican governor, Chris Sununu, has described himself as pro-choice.

The clashing Trump and DeSantis events this week have jangled the nerves of local officials. DeSantis decision to schedule a town hall in Hollis on Tuesday at the same time that the influential New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women is hosting Trump at its Lilac Luncheon has prompted a backlash. The groups events director, Christine Peters, said that to have a candidate come in and distract from the groups event was unprecedented.

DeSantis town hall will mark his fourth visit to New Hampshire this year and his second since announcing his campaign in May.

DeSantis did collect chits in April when he helped the New Hampshire Republican Party raise a record sum at a fundraising dinner. And he has gathered more than 50 endorsements from state representatives. But before the town hall Tuesday, he had not taken questions from New Hampshire voters in a traditional setting.

During his last trip to the state  a four-stop tour on June 1  DeSantis snapped at a reporter who pressed him on why he hadnt taken questions from voters.

What are you talking about? DeSantis said. Are you blind?

Sununu said in an interview that there was a lot of interest in DeSantis from voters who had seen him on television but wanted to vet him up close.

Can he hold up under our scrutiny? Sununu said. I think hes personally going to do pretty well here, he added, but the biggest thing on voters minds is whats he going to be like when he knocks on my door.

New Hampshires voters will indeed be subjected to thousands of DeSantis door-knocks  but not from the man himself. He has outsourced his ground game to Never Back Down, which is expected to have more than $200 million at its disposal. The group has already knocked on more than 75,000 doors in New Hampshire, according to a super PAC official, an extraordinary figure this early in the race.

But DeSantis still faces daunting challenges.

Trump remains popular among Republicans, and even more so after his indictments. And he is not taking the state for granted. Unlike in 2016, his operation has been hard at work in the state for months, with influential figures like Stephen Stepanek, the former Republican state party chair, working on Trumps behalf.

Trumps super PAC has hammered DeSantis with television ads that cite his past support for a sales tax to replace the federal income tax  a message tailored to provoke residents of the proudly anti-tax state.

DeSantis biggest problem is the size of the field. Chris Christie, the former New Jersey governor, camped out in the state in 2016 and appeared to be making headway in consolidating some of the anti-Trump vote in recent polls.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has already spent around 20 days campaigning in the state, according to his adviser Tricia McLaughlin. Former Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina is another frequent visitor. Both have events in the state Tuesday. Additionally, the campaign of Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has already spent around $2 million in New Hampshire.

If these candidates stay in the race through early next year, a repeat of 2016 may be inevitable. In a crowded field, Trump won the state with over 35% of the vote.

In the meantime, DeSantis needs a defining message that gets beyond the small base he has, said Tom Rath, a veteran of New Hampshire politics who has advised the presidential campaigns of Republican nominees including Mitt Romney and George W. Bush. He needs to do real retail, and so far there is no indication that he can do that.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Illinois will soon run its own Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, and have the power to stop sky-high price increases of plans sold on it.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a pair of bills Tuesday aimed at giving Illinois more control over health insurance prices and the Affordable Care Act marketplace, also known as the Obamacare exchange, where people can buy individual and family health insurance plans.

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The bill signings Tuesday came amid criticism aimed at Pritzker for his decision to close enrollment for many people in a separate health care program for immigrants in the country without legal permission.

One of the bills signed into law Tuesday will allow Illinois to run the exchange where health insurance plans are sold, by 2025. Now, consumers must go to the federally-run healthcare.gov to buy exchange plans.

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Pritzker called the new law a monumental achievement at a news conference Tuesday and said it will protect Illinoisans from any future changes in federal policy that seek to undermine access to affordable health care.

The idea behind that law is to allow Illinois to better reach consumers and shield the exchange from political shifts at the federal level. Former President Donald Trump made it clear during his tenure that he was not a fan of the Affordable Care Act, and he cut much of the funding for outreach and for workers who assist consumers with buying plans.

You are less subject to changes in the political winds so if theres a change in administration at the federal level, youre a little bit more insulated, said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker during a news conference at Chicago Union Station on June 26, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

By running its own exchange, Illinois could also give consumers more chances to buy health insurance. Now, consumers can typically only enroll in exchange plans during an open enrollment period that runs from Nov. 1 through mid-January, or if they experience certain life changes, such as the birth of a child or job loss.

When Illinois runs its own exchange it could open additional enrollment periods if needed, such as if theres a disaster that creates a need for health insurance, or if a big employer leaves an area of the state, said Theresa Eagleson, director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Illinois will also be able to better understand which areas of the state might need more outreach or education on the exchange, based on applications data, Eagleson said.

Illinois will join 18 other states running their own Affordable Care Act exchanges, Corlette said. Health insurance companies will pay assessments to the state, rather than the federal government, to help run the state-based exchange. The states budget for next fiscal year also includes $10 million to help get the exchange off the ground.

The second new law will give Illinois regulators the power to reject or modify proposed price increases for individual and small business health insurance plans, such as those sold on the exchange, starting with plans for 2026. The law will not apply to health insurance plans offered by large employers, because those plans are regulated by the federal government.

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To have the ability to go back to insurance companies now and say, This does not work, is really an important tool in our toolbox to be able to protect consumers, said Dana Popish Severinghaus, director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.

Each year, insurance companies selling exchange plans must make public certain proposed rate increases online before they actually increase prices. Until now, the Illinois Department of Insurance reviewed the rates, and could try to ask insurance companies to lower them if they were too high. But the department could not actually say no to price increases.

In some years, Illinois consumers have faced double digit price increases in the monthly premiums of exchange plans.

On average, prices for the lowest cost silver-level plans on the exchange increased by 11% across the state this year, according to an Illinois Department of Insurance analysis.

We know that health care prices and costs are going up, and this is one way for the state regulatory agency to be able to push back on costs for consumers and to try to make it more affordable, said Stephani Becker, associate director of healthcare justice at the Chicago-based Shriver Center on Poverty Law.

The new law could also help to keep insurance prices down for small businesses, said Elliot Richardson, president and co-founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council, at the news conference.

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Its a gut punch to small businesses when health insurance prices increase each year, he said. This bill provides hope that small business premiums will stabilize and eventually come down, Richardson said.

The bill did, however, have critics, including the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

Although the bill doesnt directly impact property/casualty insurance, the idea that regulation is a better way to price products than the competitive market is short-sighted and just plain wrong, said Andrew Perkins, the associations regional vice president for the Great Lakes region, in a statement. Decades of experience with heavy-handed regulation have shown that consumers benefit from a robust market where insurers compete for business.

Under the new law, Illinois regulators will be able to reject or modify a proposed rate if they deem it excessive, unjustified or unfairly discriminatory. They can also reject rates that are too low that endanger the solvency of an insurer. In 2016, Illinois insurance company Land of Lincoln collapsed, leaving nearly 50,000 Illinois residents scrambling to find new insurance midyear. Land of Lincoln said it set its prices lower than it otherwise would have in anticipation of getting certain payments from the federal government that never fully materialized.

With the new law, Illinois will join 41 other states that also have the final word on proposed rates, according toPritzkers office.

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In those states, theres evidence that final prices tend to be lower than the proposed prices, on average, Corlette said. Its relatively rare for a state to flatly reject a proposed rate, she said. Its more common for states to have a back-and-forth with insurers when they think the rates are too high, she said.

Its more of a negotiation and ultimately they settle on a rate thats agreeable to both parties, Corlette said.

Insurance companies dont typically pull their products from a states exchange over such negotiations, she said, though it may not be public knowledge when an agreement cant be reached. In Illinois, insurance companies whose rates have been modified or rejected will have 10 days to request a hearing if they disagree.

Pritzker celebrated the bill signings Tuesday, even as hes been defending himself against criticism from Latino elected officials over changes to a health insurance program for immigrants in the country without legal permission. As part of a last-minute budget deal, that program is getting only about half of the money it needs for the fiscal year that begins July 1. As a result, Pritzker decided to close program enrollment July 1 for people under 65 who are currently eligible and cap enrollment for people 65 and older. Pritzker has said the changes were necessary to save the program.
DeSantis dodges question on Trump, Jan. 6: I have nothing to do with what happened that day

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) dodged a question around former President Trumps role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol during a New Hampshire campaign event Tuesday.

A Vermont high school student asked DeSantis if Trump violated the peaceful transfer of power in reference to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

DeSantis pivoted to asking the young man about his background, and instead chose to focus on President Biden and the 2024 election.

If this election is about Bidens failures and our vision for the future, we are going to win  If its about relitigating things that happened two, three years ago, were gonna lose, DeSantis said.

I wasnt anywhere near Washington that day. I have nothing to do with what happened that day, he continued. Obviously, I didnt enjoy seeing, you know, what happened. But we gotta go forward on this stuff. We cannot be looking backwards and be mired in the past.

DeSantis is one of many candidates vying for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, and he joins a growing list of contenders who have chosen not to criticize the former president or comment on the events of Jan. 6. Last week, Trump spoke at a fundraiser for Jan. 6 defendants.

Trumps former vice president and fellow 2024 GOP candidate, Mike Pence, said the insurrection should be disqualifying.

The former president is under investigation by a federal special counsel for his role in the insurrection and other attempts to undermine or overturn the 2020 election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Gov. Ron DeSantis jabbed former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire on Tuesday, vowing to deliver on the campaign promises that Trump failed to live up to as he looks to make up critical ground in the first-in-the-nation Republican primary state.

Speaking to a crowd in Hollis, just hours before Trump was set to take the stage at a prominent Republican womens luncheon in Concord, DeSantis delivered a tailored version of his stump speech, touting the new immigration and border security policy he released in Texas on Monday and outlining a promise to dismantle Washingtons traditional power structure.

But he also took careful aim at Trump, his chief rival for the GOPs 2024 presidential nod, hammering the former president for not following through on his longtime campaign pledge to drain the swamp in Washington and warning that Republicans would lose the White House next year if the party and its nominee remains mired in the past.

I remember these rallies in 2016. It was exciting. Drain the swamp. I also remember lock her up, lock her up, DeSantis said when asked by an audience member about how he plans to follow through on draining the swamp in D.C. And then two weeks after the election: Ah, no forget about it. Forget I ever said that.

If this election is about Bidens failures and our vision for the future, we are going to win. If its about relitigating things that happened two, three years ago, we are going to lose, he later added. I can tell you this, I can point you to Tallahassee, Florida, I believe, on Jan. 5, 2023. We had a transition of power from my first administration to my second, because we won reelection in a historic fashion.

DeSantis remarks during his second trip to New Hampshire since launching his 2024 campaign last month came as he looks to close a growing gap with Trump in a state that, for several election cycles now, has had a better track record of picking the eventual GOP nominee than Iowa, the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

A poll from Saint Anselm College released on Tuesday found Trump leading DeSantis 47% to 19% in the Granite State, marking a 10-point loss in support for DeSantis since March.

At the same time, DeSantiss town hall event on Tuesday became the subject of criticism from some members of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, the influential group whose luncheon Trump headlined on Tuesday. The federations president released a statement last week, accusing DeSantis of trying to pull focus from the luncheon by holding his own event in the state on the same day.

That view wasnt shared by every member of the group. Melissa Blasek, a former Republican state representative from New Hampshire, wrote on Twitter last Thursday that she was resigning her membership in the federation after its president criticized DeSantis.

As a dues paying member of the NFRW, I am resigning my membership due to this attack on a first in the nation candidate, she wrote. 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.

Ground to make up

DeSantis wasnt the only candidate throwing punches in New Hampshire on Tuesday. Trump mocked the governor during his keynote speech at the luncheon, criticizing him for holding a town hall earlier in the day.

By the way, hes holding an event right now, which is considered not nice, Trump said. Hes holding an event right now to compete with us. Well guess what? Nobody showed up.

Despite trailing Trump in most polling out of New Hampshire, DeSantis has a formidable political operation backing him up.

Never Back Down, the main super PAC supporting his presidential bid, has already launched an extensive voter-outreach push in the state. Jessica Szymanski, a spokesperson for the group, said that the super PACs canvassers had already knocked on nearly 84,000 doors in New Hampshire alone and that the group expects to have talked to every one of its targeted primary voters by mid-July.

No other candidates on-the-ground efforts come anywhere close to ours, which is why youll continue to see Gov. DeSantis support grow, she said.

Jim Merrill, a longtime Republican consultant in New Hampshire whos unaligned in the primary, said that Never Back Downs on-the-ground operation in the state was so far unmatched by other presidential hopefuls, adding that DeSantis has a lot of the elements to wage a strong campaign.

He also said that despite Trumps towering lead, the primary is still eight months away and the race for New Hampshire remains wide open.

Still, he said, DeSantis, like just about every Republican presidential hopeful, faces a daunting challenge in overcoming Trumps frontrunner status.

Theres no question about it: Its a challenge, Merrill said. Trump takes a lot of oxygen out of the room that the other candidates need.

This is a hard time right now. We still have candidates up here that draw big crowds like Gov. DeSantis did today. But youve gotta run for president in New Hampshire like youre running for governor. You have to be more creative in your engagement, dive a little bit deeper.

Theres also the question of how DeSantis reputation as a conservative culture warrior plays out in New Hampshire, a state where independent and libertarian-leaning Republican voters often dominate the primary.

Addressing his town hall event on Tuesday, DeSantis appeared to tailor his remarks to New Hampshire voters, highlighting his states budget surplus, calling for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and casting his immigration and border security plan as a way to stem the flow of opioids into the U.S.

Notably absent from his remarks was any mention of the six-week abortion ban he signed into law in April - something hes talked about at campaign events in Iowa, where evangelical voters and social conservatives are particularly influential.

Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, said that DeSantis ability to shift his message between Iowa and New Hampshire will be a major hurdle for his candidacy.

The thing thats difficult about having Iowa and then New Hampshire is having to thread the needle, where you can appeal to evangelicals and social conservatives on one hand and then be able to come here and get those more moderate Republicans, he said. I think for DeSantis, thats part of his challenge here.
Ron DeSantis Photo by Brandon Bell / Getty Images

When former President Donald Trump ran for office in 2016, he pledged to dramatically overhaul America's immigration policy, cutting the country off from its southern neighbors by means of a "big beautiful wall," and  as he insisted two years into his first term  bypassing the 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship "just with an executive order." Now, as Trump plows ahead with his third bid for the White House, that familiar call to end birthright citizenship has once again risen as a prospective rallying cry for a Republican party increasingly defined by hostility to immigration. This time, however, that call isn't only coming from Trump, but from his chief GOP rival for the party's 2024 presidential nomination: Ron DeSantis.

This week, DeSantis unveiled his hard-line "No Excuses" immigration platform, pledging to "stop the invasion" of undocumented immigrants into the United States by way of "the Florida Blueprint"  a reoccurring theme to his campaign, in which he's touted his localized accomplishments as Florida's governor to frame his candidacy in broader, national terms. As part of his platform, DeSantis pledged to "end the idea that the children of illegal aliens are entitled to birthright citizenship if they are born in the United States." Arguing that birthright citizenship is "inconsistent with the original understanding of the 14th Amendment," he promised to "force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy."

Speaking on Monday at a campaign stop in Texas, DeSantis explained that he was "really motivated to bring this issue to a conclusion" after spending years hearing "Republicans and Democrats always chirping" without acting. The line, an implicit dig against Trump's failures, is an acknowledgment of sorts that neither DeSantis, nor Trump, or most politicians that came before, invented the concept of doing away with birthright citizenship. However, it also marks a new era for Republicans  The push against the 14th Amendment is no longer relegated to a grumbling nationalist fringe, or an outlying figure like Trump, but has now become a central tenet for the party at large.

How did conservatives get here?

"Trump's proposal is not really that new," immigration attorney Andy J. Semotiuk wrote in 2018 after Trump first floated his plan to use an executive order to counteract the 14th Amendment. "Republicans have long been bothered by birthright citizenship." In the mid-1990s, Republicans attempted to introduce legislation, and add language to the party platform reflecting their support for laws or even a constitutional amendment assuring that "children born in the United States of parents who are not legally present in the United States or who are not long-term residents are not automatically citizens." Crucially, however, those efforts were tempered by the GOP's own 1996 presidential candidate, Sen. Bob Dole, and his running mate, former Rep. Jack Kemp, who stressed that "If you're born in America, you're an American." That same election, Dole would famously encourage Republicans working to limit their party based on race and religion to seek "exits, which are clearly marked, for you to walk out of."

Trump's 2018 promise  and the years of preceding campaign rhetoric against what he'd described in 2015 as "the biggest magnet for illegal immigration"  was welcomed by a swath of conservative activists ("this issue is going to be front and center and it's not going to go away," one told the Los Angeles Times) and a smattering of GOP governors. But it received considerable and noteworthy pushback from a number of high-profile Republicans as well, including Floridians Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Jeb Bush. "To suggest that people born in this country are not United States citizens because they don't have this in the Constitution, I just reject out of hand," Bush explained.

Is this now mainstream?

DeSantis' announcement this week marked a moment at which the line between "the GOP fringe and the GOP mainstream has blurred to the point that it hardly exists at all," MSNBC's Steve Benen said, comparing the effort to undo birthright citizenship to a broader recalibration of Republican leadership. "Far-right ideas, previously championed by radical figures, have followed a similar trajectory" as the once-fringe Freedom Caucus which now sits at the center of Republican congressional power.

While DeSantis isn't the first Republican to push the end of birthright citizenship, his position in the GOP primary standing makes the proposal all the more notable for exactly that reason. The Texas speech was "just a rehash of all the things I did to have the 'safest and strongest Border in U.S. history,'" Trump himself raged on his Truth Social platform. The sole purpose of the DeSantis stop was "to reiterate the fact that he would do all of the things done by me," Trump added. The Associated Press was slightly less hyperbolic in drawing a similar conclusion, writing that DeSantis' immigration plan "largely mirrors Trump's."

Mirror or not, neither Trump nor DeSantis' plans are likely to succeed  at least, not without significant judicial, legislative, and ultimately constitutional wrangling. What they are, however, is a sign that both top conservative presidential aspirants see attacking the 14th Amendment as a path to electoral victory. "What is significant about the issue is its use as a political tool to mobilize supporters and the president's willingness to employ it despite what many legal authorities would regard as shakey legal grounds for using it," Semotiuk wrote in 2018. He was talking about Trump, and Trump alone here. In 2023, ending birthright citizenship isn't a novel suggestion from a once-in-a-lifetime conservative outlier  it's a standard campaign promise from the heart of the Republican mainstream, with little sign of waning anytime soon.

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Former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss dueling trips to New Hampshire are underscoring the growing tensions within the GOP ahead of the first presidential debate in August.

DeSantis is facing backlash from the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women (NHFRW) for planning an event Tuesday around the same time the group is hosting Trump. Yet other Republicans in the Granite State have defended DeSantis, and a couple of members of the organization quit in protest against its criticism of the governor.

The tensions that have spilled into public view put the importance of New Hampshire in the GOP primary on full display  as well as the bitter feud between Trump and DeSantis, who has been trailing the former president in almost all polls.

Its emblematic of Ron DeSantiss imploding campaign here in New Hampshire and nationwide, said Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc.

The governor has consistently dropped in the polls since his announcement, she continued. The more people get to know him here, the less they like him because he doesnt take many questions from voters, which is not the New Hampshire way.

Trumps allies tout his campaigns early presence in the state. The former president first visited the state this cycle in January, the same month he hired his New Hampshire senior adviser Stephen Stepanek. The former president drew a crowd of 1,500 for a rally at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Manchester in April with overflow outside.

President Trump will 100 percent win the New Hampshire primary for the third time, Leavitt said. And Ive never felt more confident than that than ever.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

But other Republicans say its too early to be calling next years race.

The vast majority of people arent even paying attention to the presidential primary. Pollsters are doing a disservice to the country by continuing to release these polls that are nationally focused when thats not the process, said Alex Stroman, a South Carolina-based Republican strategist. It may be a good snapshot at the majority of GOP voters across the country, but that will change and that will change drastically between when the first debate and the Iowa Caucuses are held.

However, DeSantiss allies say they are keenly aware of the uphill climb he faces taking on a former president in a primary.

Hes just not able to get the same kind of earned media that Trump is able to get for free and thats really going to be the big hurdle to get over, said New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R), who has endorsed DeSantis. And that goes for every candidate whos not Donald Trump. I think that Gov. DeSantis is the only one positioned to even be able to try.

In a statement to The Hill, DeSantiss campaign described its New Hampshire operation as top-notch.

We are confident that the governors message will resonate with voters in New Hampshire as he continues to visit the Granite State and detail his solutions to Joe Bidens failures, said Bryan Griffin, press secretary for the governors campaign.

The pro-DeSantis PAC Never Back Down is also a major presence for the governor in New Hampshire, releasing statewide ads and boasting more than 83,500 doors knocked on across the state.

Weve seen Gov. Ron DeSantis return to New Hampshire time and time again because hes prioritized the state and the issues that impact its residents the most, said Dave Vasquez, the PACs national press secretary.

Tensions between Trump and DeSantis allies came to a head in the state last week when the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women called out DeSantis and his campaign for holding a campaign event in the Granite State on the same day as Trump. The events have different start times and are an hour away from each other.

In 25 years of running Republican events in New Hampshire, including many Lilac Luncheons, it has always been a New Hampshire hallmark to be considerate when scheduling events, said Christine Peters, the groups events director, in a statement. To have a candidate come in and distract from the most special event the NHFRW holds in the year is unprecedented.

However, other Republicans point out that fellow GOP presidential hopefuls Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy also will be in the state on Tuesday.

Kate Day, the former chairwoman of the Cheshire County Republicans in New Hampshire is one of two members who resigned from the group over the statement. Day has endorsed DeSantis for president.

After the NHFRW Lilac Luncheon announced their event was sold out, the DeSantis campaign announced a town hall for the same day, Day told The Hill. This is not unusual, not an issue, and absolutely a welcomed event for those wanting to see Gov. DeSantis. We often have multiple events overlap throughout the state during the first in the nation primary.

The NHFRW is a terrific organization, but the press release violated that neutrality, she said. Many like myself are baffled why it was ever released.

Many New Hampshire Republicans say the back-and-forth was generated by Trump allies to hit DeSantis ahead of the dueling visits.

I think this issue was ginned up by them, and I think they scored points on him with it, said Jim Merrill, a New Hampshire-based Republican strategist.

Republicans like Merrill say the episode is also emblematic of the grip Trump has on the primary electorate in the state.

Ron DeSantis is the underdog. Donald Trump is the king of New Hampshire right now until someone dethrones him, Merrill said. Youve got to be aggressive and proactive and I think the DeSantis campaign is doing some of that, but I think this episode is an example that the Trump campaign is going to leave no stone unturned.

But Trumps allies in the state, including Leavitt, push back on the notion the episode was devised, noting the group felt disrespected as they were planning the fundraising that raised money for female candidates.

They spoke out, and good for them for doing so, Leavitt said.

DeSantiss allies argue that Trump worlds focus on DeSantis shows they believe the Florida governors presidential campaign poses a potential threat.

All of this noise about DeSantis is being orchestrated by Trumps allies, said Dan Eberhart, a DeSantis donor. Its strategic. They need to create an alternative media narrative to the one about their candidate and his chances of winning a general election. The DeSantis team just have to ignore the noise and carry on.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
For DeSantis, the U.S. Constitution is just a list of optional suggestions | Opinion

In his bid to become the nations Stable Genius No. 2, the kind of president who leads with divisive bravado, threatening to reshape the nations diverse demographics in God-like fashion, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has upped the ante on immigrant loathing.

Stop the invasion! his bellicose immigration platform roars.

No xenophobic vote shall go untapped  even if it means pretend-shredding of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to be an American if youre born in this country.

Shamelessly borrowing from Donald Trumps 2015 campaign, DeSantis vowed Monday to 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.

He so pledged while outlining an immigration plan  borrowed from Trump  before supporters and journalists in Eagle Pass, a Texas border town. The ex-president also vowed early in his first campaign to end birthright citizenship on Day 1 via executive order.

The dubious claim that a president can simply wipe away a constitutional right didnt come to fruition, did it?

But Trumps acerbic anti-immigrant rhetoric did notoriously inspire the beating of a homeless Hispanic man in Boston  and brought the condemnation of Republicans like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who now supports equally anti-immigrant DeSantis.

No change

Trump never pivoted from his rhetoric, hate speech so normalized and openly racist that the wife of his policy architect, Stephen Miller, famously said while visiting Miami: If you come to America, you should assimilate. Why do we need to have Little Havana?

There wont be any pivot from DeSantis either, so media can stop creating false expectations that there will be one. With DeSantis, it can only get worse. Hes willing to crack down on everything, from voting to womb rights.

READ MORE: Ron DeSantis says hell end birthright citizenship as president

As DeSantis demonstrated in Florida, the U.S. Constitution, for him, is pliable.

Some rights, like the right to bear arms, are sacred and expandable, no matter the body count. If the nation were to be shaped the way he has said he envisions Florida, every adult would walk around packing high-caliber heat.

But other constitutional rights  particularly, those that benefit immigrants and minorities  are expendable if they pave his road to the White House.

As president, DeSantis would have the same power as Trump did to erase birthright  none.

The 14th Amendment

Even with a conservative majority in the U.S. Supreme Court, not everyone on the job is ready to compromise long-standing laws that hold up our representative democracy to please the latest demagogue in power.

Who is entitled to citizenship is clearly spelled out in the 14th Amendment: 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.

In a 1898 case that tested the right of a child born to Chinese parents, the court held that a baby born in the United States, even when parents were ineligible to become naturalized citizens, was entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship.

But 125 years after that affirmation, opportunist DeSantis wants to pull the same con on voters that Trump did.

On the Republican campaign trail, birthright does double duty: It appeals to a scapegoat-seeking, nationalist base incapable of looking inward in search of solutions. And, it frightens non-white people to the core. Fear keeps many immigrants and their children in the shadows, working at low wages for unscrupulous Americans, instead of living to their maximum potential in the United States.

But more frail than birthright citizenship is DeSantis precious Second Amendment, crafted in the age of muskets, not paramilitary rifles aimed at schoolchildren, shoppers and church-goers. It simply says: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Its way more ambiguous than the 14th, and if there is one that needs tweaking to address assault-weapon use, its the Second. Crush one as vital as birthright, and we open the door to another and another until were unrecognizable as a nation.

Immigration & Florida

The blueprint for sound immigration reform from Congress isnt embedded in the presidential platforms of ambitious politicians. Policy informed by data and best practices that balance national interests with humane treatment of asylum seekers and the undocumented is what the nation needs.

Republicans have ample time to evaluate primary candidates  DeSantis being one of three lousy Florida choices  hopefully, based on what they can deliver, not whats falsely promised.

DeSantis is clearly treading on Trump territory. But his aggressive Make America Florida formula doesnt seem to be helping his low poll numbers. His rise depends solely on whether Trumps substantial legal troubles sideline him.

He certainly has pockets of the nations attention. But at home, DeSantis new, draconian anti-immigrant laws, effective this week, are already hurting businesses.

Isnt the economy the No. 1 issue with voters?

Buyer beware of the ultra Trumpism brand DeSantis is selling.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday vetoed a bill that would allow adults to get their criminal record expunged even if they had an expungement as a juvenile.

Under current Florida law, someone cannot get their criminal record expunged as an adult if they had an offense scrubbed as a juvenile. The bipartisan bill, HB605, would give someone a second chance, so long as they werent charged for the previous crime as an adult. It was approved nearly unanimously in both the House and the Senate.

DeSantis did not detail why he rejected the bill in his veto letter. His office did not immediately return a request for comment.

In 2021, DeSantis vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have expunged juvenile criminal records for people who completed a diversion program, saying he vetoed it out of concern for public safety.

In 2022, DeSantis signed a tweaked version of the bill he vetoed. That bill excluded forcible felonies such as murder, manslaughter, carjacking, etc., from being eligible for expungement.

This years bill, HB605, would apply only to people who were arrested but had charges dropped, who werent charged by prosecutors or who were found not guilty. People who had their charges dismissed because they were found incompetent to stand trial would not be able to apply for expungement under the bill.

Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs, said in May he sees criminal record expungement as a workforce issue, and the bill would allow people to work at the highest level theyre capable of.

He said he had spoken with employers who supported the bill, hoping it would ease some worker shortages.

These are people who have never been convicted of a crime in Florida, Smith said at the time.

After DeSantis vetoed the bill, Smith sent a text to the Times that said, Im disappointed that HB605 was vetoed, but remain committed to good justice reform policy that gives deserving Floridians second chances.

DeSantis also vetoed SB1478, which encouraged alternative sanctioning programs for low-risk probation violations.
A desperate email from Stockton Rush's friend showed how resigned he was to the fact that the OceanGate CEO was spurred on, rather than deterred, by criticism of his sub

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and a pilot operating another submersible, "Antipodes," in 2013. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Five people died after OceanGate's submersible imploded while on a dive to the Titanic wreckage.

In 2019, the sub expert Karl Stanley told the company's CEO that the Titan submersible had a defect.

Stanley said Stockton Rush seemed to be growing impatient with testing and spurred on by criticism.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush received a warning from a submarine expert he was friends with about his ambition and the stability of his sub, four years before he boarded the Titan submersible trip that the US Coast Guard said imploded last week.

Insider obtained a four-year-old email chain between Rush and Karl Stanley, who runs a deep-sea exploration company in Honduras, Stanley's Submarines, and participated in a test dive on the Titan submersible in 2019.

"There comes a time logic has to overrule impatience," Karl Stanley wrote in an email to Rush: "The evidence suggests there is an issue/ defect in one area. Without knowing what that defect or issue is, your models and experts cannot say how it will affect the performance of the hull."

Stanley's email chain with Rush detailed what Stanley described as a defect with the Titan submersible that caused a loud cracking sound to occur during a test dive, prompting him to urge Rush to engage in far more testing  50 test dives compared to seven proposed by Rush  before allowing passengers to board the vessel.

His suggestions were more stringent than the OceanGate CEO appeared willing to undergo; Rush said the 50-dive test suggestion was "arbitrary" and told Stanley to "keep your opinions to yourself" because the sub expert didn't have access to OceanGate's analysis of the Titan.

"Your recent emails tell me that we have had two fundamental misunderstandings," Rush wrote to Stanley after he said OceanGate should conduct more testing on the Titan: "The first is regarding your role while visiting us in the Bahamas. I value your experience and advice on many things, but not on assessment of carbon fiber pressure hulls."

Rush added: "The second, even more disturbing misunderstanding is your concern that I will either intentionally or unintentionally succumb to pressure and take advantage of our clients. I realize more than anyone that this is the primary pitfall and have taken multiple steps to guard against this."

"As someone who has been on the receiving end of uninformed accusations from industry pundits," Rush concluded, "I hope you of all people will think twice before expressing opinions on subjects in which you are not fully versed."

Stanley wrote in his emails that Rush seemed to be spurred on by criticisms of the sub's safety and displayed a blind ambition to go forward with the treacherous dives.

"I don't think if you push forward with dives to the Titanic this season it will be succumbing to financial pressures," Stanley wrote. "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."

But, despite his warnings, Stanley seemed aware that Rush wouldn't take him seriously  and even said the OceanGate CEO would likely be more determined to go ahead with the Titan's development.

"I would not in any way try to put pressure on you from 'people in the industry' or anything like that," Stanley wrote to Rush. "A. because I see that approach as only making someone as determined as you MORE likely to go ahead with dives, B. I think there is almost no limit to risks people are willing to accept for such an adventure, as evidenced by this year's season on Everest."

Rush was one of five people aboard the Titan submersible when it imploded while on a dive to the site of the Titanic wreckage.

In an email to Insider about his warnings to Rush, Stanley questioned how much testing was ever done on the submersible and wondered about the OceanGate CEO's state of mind when he went on the trip.

"When he canceled what would have been the 1st year's dive season 2019, he told a lie that it was due to electrical issues in the sub from a nearby lightning strike. Maybe laymen were fooled by that, but to anyone with technical knowledge, we all knew that was a lie," Stanley told Insider. "Once you realize he could make up such lies, you start to question everything. I am very curious to see how much testing he actually did. I suspect it is going to be shockingly small. I have never seen proof of any except the dive I was on."

Stanley added: "The time frame that he did this all on was beyond any common sense. He was willing to take people out to the middle of the North Atlantic when he had done only four deep dives and probably not even one without a major system failure. I am beginning to wonder if he was suicidal."

Representatives for OceanGate did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Stephanie Keith/Getty

The Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General released a scathing report on Tuesday on the systematic failures that lead to the 2019 death of Jeffrey Epstein, including how the disgraced financier was able to hoard prison supplies before he was found hanging in his jail cell from a noose he made from a sheet or a shirt.

The 128 report concludes that mismanagement and other failures by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and its since-shuttered Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) gave Epstein the means and opportunity to die by suicide on Aug. 10, 2019, as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

The report, which wraps a years-long investigation, notes how multiple prison employees failed to conduct prisoner counts, cell searches, or assign a fellow inmate to watch over Epstein prior to his death.

Epsteins cell contained an excess amount of prison linens, as well as multiple nooses that had been made from torn prison linens, the report says.

Escorts, Investments and Life Lessons: What Epstein Talked About in Prison

As previously reported by The Daily Beast, Epsteins month-long stint in the federal lockup was littered with complaints. He complained about the FBI confiscating his CPAP machine and how he believed the orange jumpsuit he was forced to wear made him look like a bad guy. He also had a slew of visits to a prison psychologist that included complaints about a toilet in his cell that flushed for 45 minutes, and frequent bouts of constipation.

Epstein was placed on suicide watch on July 23 after he was found with an orange cloth around his neck, the inspector generals report says.

The report says Epsteins cellmate told officers Epstein tried to hang himself. Medical staff examined Epstein, observed friction marks and superficial reddening around his neck and on his knee, and placed him on suicide watch.

However, the 66-year-old was removed from suicide watch on July 24 and remained under psychological observation for another six days. The report details how Epstein told prison staffers he thought his cellmate tried to kill him, but he later said he didnt know how he sustained his injuries.

On July 30, the report states, an email was sent to about 70 prison physiological unit staffers detailing how Epstein needed to be housed with a cellmate. But Inspector General Michael Horowitz writes that the warning was ignored. Despite the previous suicide incident, prison officials violated procedure by allowing Epstein to remain in a cell alone for a full day after his cellmate left and to hoard extra supplies.

On Aug. 8, two days before his death, Epstein met with attorneys and signed a new Last Will and Testament. The next day, after Epsteins cellmate was transferred, the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Second Circuit unsealed about 2,000 pages of substantial derogatory information about Epstein in connection with civil litigation against his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.

Also on August 9, after meeting at the prison with his lawyers, MCC New York staff allowed Epstein to make, in violation of BOP policy, an unrecorded, unmonitored telephone call before he was returned to his SHU cell, the report states. Although Epstein said he was calling his mother, in actuality he called someone with whom he allegedly had a personal relationship. (Epsteins mother died in 2004.)

Epstein was then locked in his cell for the night alone. At around 6:30 a.m., he was unresponsive.

Jeffrey Epstein Dined With Tim Zagat at New Yorks Fanciest Restaurants

The report details interviews with Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, the guards who found Epstein. Noel said Epstein was unresponsive when they tried to deliver his breakfast tray, so they opened the door to find him hanging from the top bunk.

Noel said she observed Thomas lifting Epstein from under his arms and dragging him back out of the corner of the cell and laid him down on the ground to perform CPR, the report states. Noel recalled hearing Thomas say, Breathe, Epstein, breathe, and Were going to be in so much trouble.

While Thomas was performing chest compressions, Epstein looked blue and did not have a shirt on or anything around his neck, Noel said. (Thomas and Noel were later charged with falsifying jail records to cover up their misdeeds, but the charges were ultimately dropped after they entered into deferred prosecution agreements.)

A search of Epsteins cell following his death revealed Epstein had excess prison blankets, linens, and clothing in his cell, and that some had been ripped to create nooses, the report states. Only one SHU cell search was documented on August 9, and it was not of Epsteins cell. BOP records did not indicate when Epsteins cell was last searched.

The report notes that while there was significant misconduct by prison staff, investigators did not uncover evidence contradicting the FBIs determination regarding the absence of criminality in connection with how Epstein died. The report makes eight recommendations to the BOP to address the issues that arose from Epsteins death and called into question the safety of other inmates at MCC. That said, the investigation concluded that staffers and inmates did not have any information to suggest Epsteins death was something other than suicide.

In August 2021, the BOP announced it was closing MCC after Epsteins death highlighted a slew of problems.

The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in this report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the BOPs most notorious inmates was provided with the opportunity to take his own life, resulting in significant questions being asked about the circumstances of his death, how it could have been allowed to happen, and most importantly, depriving his numerous victims, many of whom were underage girls at the time of the alleged crimes, of their ability to seek justice through the criminal justice process, the report states.

The fact that these failures have been recurring ones at the BOP does not excuse them and gives additional urgency to the need for DOJ and BOP leadership to address the chronic staffing, surveillance, safety and security, and related problems plaguing the BOP.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. You can also text or dial 988.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The 65th Ford Fireworks went on Monday evening despite rainy weather throughout the afternoon and into the early evening.

Downtown Detroit met with rainy weather ahead of the show, with attendees wearing ponchos and hoodies and carried umbrellas as intermittent rainfall and wet conditions greeted them. Conditions cleared later in the evening, with rain gone in time for the fireworks.

The fireworks went on shortly after 10 p.m., lighting up the skies over the Detroit riverfront with bright colors. Thousands of attendees watched from Hart Plaza, Spirit Plaza, and across the streets of downtown Detroit as the sounds of fireworks boomed around them.

Though the streets of downtown were mostly empty by 8 p.m., they began to fill by 10 p.m. as crowds gathered in time for the fireworks. People continued arriving as the show was ongoing, stopping to watch the fireworks from blocks away from the riverfront. Some came with chairs, while others sat on curbs or benches and crowds watched standing on sidewalks along Jefferson Avenue.

People shelter themselves from the downpour before the start of the 2023 Ford Fireworks along the Detroit River at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Hosted by The Parade Company, the show featured a display of fireworks over the Detroit River with music. Organizers also held a rooftop party at the Center Parking Garage, which sold out by Monday.

Downtown Detroit prepared for the event Monday afternoon, with key areas like Campus Martius and Spirit Plaza fenced off and some businesses closed early. A heavy police presence monitored security in the area, including Detroit Police, Michigan State Police and Oakland County Sheriff's deputies.

Police continued monitoring the area throughout the night, increasing their presence along Jefferson Avenue closer to the fireworks, with Detroit Police in vehicles, on foot, on horseback and with police dogs. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, also arrived downtown before the fireworks.

Briana Brooks, 17, of Detroit, regularly attends the fireworks show, selling toys and snacks with her family.

"Since I was a child, I would either be selling candy bags and then once I got older I would sell glow sticks," Brooks said. "It was fun because I got to see the fireworks but also make money at the same time."

Brooks said sales were down this year because of the rain, but she planned to stay and watch the show.

Hart Plaza featured metal detectors at the entrance, food vendors and music as attendees filled the plaza, awaiting the start of the fireworks show. Attendees milled about, danced to music and set up chairs in front of the riverfront to view the fireworks.

More: Instability in Russia may impact gas price as Michiganders prepare for 4th of July weekend

More: Shaq delights Michigan crowd with surprise DJ set at Electric Forest

While this year's event got off to a rocky start with rainy weather, the show went on with packed crowds across downtown. The continued heavy police presence into the night marked efforts to ensure a safe viewing experience at the 65th Ford Fireworks.

Kalvonia Nichols, 33, left, and Tekayla Dukes, 35, both of Detroit, try to save their canopy cover from flying away during a storm before the Fourth of July firework show at Belle Isle in Detroit on Monday, June 26, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford Fireworks show in Detroit goes off despite rainy weather
Ukrainian hackers have broken into an online conference involving Russian railway workers and representatives of the occupying administrations.

Source: sources of Ukrainska Pravda in the cyber community; video provided to UP

Details: The UP's sources say this video conference took place on 22 June 2023.

The meeting focused, in particular, on the issue of "switching to a single transport document" for the transit of goods between Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The video shows a person addressing the Russians: "Fellow railway workers, for supporting military aggression against Ukraine...".

He is interrupted at this point.

The representative of Russian Railways asks to find out why "moderator Kirill missed the inclusion of unauthorised persons into the meeting".

Then the Russians tried to resume the agenda of the meeting, but the next speaker also turned out to be a Ukrainian hacker who managed to convey his message to those gathered there. This is where the broadcast and recording ends.

Quote from the Ukrainian hacker: "Regarding this issue, the partisans have mined all the roads, you will now be completely f***ed, the SSU [Ukraines Security Service  ed.] will f**k you up. You bi***es will all be dead, you bloody invaders."

Background: In April, hackers, together with a Ukrainian prankster, broke into the online broadcast of a Russian-Iranian expert conference Cooperation in a Changing World. They swore that every Russian occupier would face retribution from the SSU.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Chicago police respond to a call near East Adams Street and South Wabash Avenue on Memorial Day, May 29, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

In the 4  years since the city entered into a federal consent decree, the Chicago Police Departments bureau of internal affairs has opened more than 11,000 investigations into allegations of officer misconduct, according to a Tribune analysis of police data.

Meanwhile, the head of the independent monitoring team that grades CPDs compliance with the consent decree has said there are real concerns about the city and Police Departments ability to perform timely analyses of data on officers use of force.

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They have a plan and theyre working on it, but it is very important to have that up-to-date because thats where they spot trends, former federal prosecutor Maggie Hickey said, and staffing challenges continue to hinder CPDs efforts.

Hickeys comments came during a Zoom meeting to update the public on the departments ongoing reforms. CPD was in full compliance with just 5% of the consent decrees 552 monitorable paragraphs, Hickey said last week.

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The monitoring teams next report on police progress will be released in the coming days, Hickey said.

At the same time, the search for the next permanent CPD superintendent continues. The agency tasked with submitting three finalists for the job to Mayor Brandon Johnson has completed the first two rounds of candidate interviews ahead of its July 14 deadline.

The lions share of bureau of internal affairs cases come via referrals from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the city agency that investigates CPD officers use of force. Since January 2019, COPA has opened more than 4,000 investigations of its own, city records show.

Internal affairs investigations most often involve officers assigned to the departments 22 patrol districts, those in full uniform traveling in marked police vehicles. Of the 22 districts, those with higher rates of gun violence tend to see the most misconduct allegations, according to the data.

Officers assigned to patrol in just three districts  those covering West Garfield Park, Auburn Gresham, Roseland, Pullman  were the subjects of 755 internal affairs investigations opened between January 2019 and April 2023, according to CPD information given to the Tribune as the result of a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

In that same time, those three districts recorded more than 850 homicides, while nearly 3,500 others suffered nonfatal gunshot wounds.

Internal affairs investigations involve bribery and corruption, officer substance abuse, criminal misconduct and other alleged violations of CPD rules. As of April 2023, more than 3,600 internal affairs investigations were open.

It was not clear how many police personnel are currently assigned to internal affairs, but a 2021 report from internal affairs Chief Yolanda Talley said the bureau was staffed by 87 officers in addition to 84 sergeants who work cases out of the 22 patrol districts.

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A single internal affairs case  a complaint register or CR  can contain allegations against more than one officer. In fact, more than 16,000 individual officers were named in investigations launched since January 2019.

CPD employs about 11,700 sworn officers, signaling that many have been the subject of multiple internal affairs investigations.

Outside of patrol districts, CPD units subject to the most investigations since 2019 were narcotics and the community safety team, a roving, citywide unit created in 2020 under former Superintendent David Brown that aimed to tamp down flare-ups of violence.

In December 2020, the community safety team counted more than 800 officers among its ranks but has since shrunk to about 90, according to data from the Office of Inspector General.

In 2021, a police lieutenant formerly assigned to the community safety team filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city, alleging that the former deputy chief in charge of the unit had mandated arrest quotas for officers. That lawsuit is still pending.

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 >

That same year, an officer assigned to the community safety team, Ella French, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in West Englewood. Frenchs partner, officer Carlos Yanez Jr., was also shot and wounded. Two brothers were charged in the shooting and their cases are still pending.

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The consent decree is the byproduct of the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a CPD officer. Following a Cook County judges order that the city release video footage of the shooting, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a pattern-and-practice investigation of the Police Department.

The DOJ announced its findings in a blistering report issued in 2017.

We found reasonable cause to believe that CPD has engaged in a pattern or practice of unreasonable force in violation of the Fourth Amendment and that the deficiencies in CPDs training, supervision, accountability and other systems have contributed to that pattern or practice, DOJ investigators wrote. CPD has not provided officers with adequate guidance to understand how and when they may use force, or how to safely and effectively control and resolve encounters to reduce the need to use force.

After the report was released, then-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan brought a federal lawsuit against the city to force its entry into a federal consent decree. Ultimately, the team led by former federal prosecutor Hickey was selected to monitor the CPDs compliance  as well as that of the Chicago Police Board, COPA and the Office of Inspector General  with the sweeping, mandatory reforms.

Jason Van Dyke, the former CPD officer who was found guilty of second-degree murder in McDonalds death, was released from prison in 2022 after serving 3 years.

scharles@chicagotribune.com
By Tom Hals

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co board did not act negligently when it criticized a sexual identity bill signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday, in a case the judge said was improperly directed by a conservative legal group.

The ruling by Lori Will of Delaware's Court of Chancery means that Disney will not have to turn over internal records including years of board members' emails sought by shareholder Kenneth Simeone, who sued Disney in December.

The shareholder said he wanted the records to investigate possible wrongdoing by directors in connection with the company's decision to criticize the 2022 law, which critics have derided as the "don't say gay" law.

While Will said it might turn out to have been a bad business decision, the evidence at trial showed directors did not allow their personal views to dictate the company's response to the bill.

The judge said Simeone cannot use a provision of Delaware corporate law meant to empower shareholders to investigate boardroom wrongdoing to "search for hypothetical conflicts."

Disney's criticism touched off a war of words with DeSantis and led to the state removing the company's control of a special administrative district that promotes development around the Walt Disney World resort.

DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, has used his battle against what he calls "woke Disney" to raise his national profile.

Will also found that the lawsuit was brought to benefit the Thomas More Society, a non-profit law firm that champions conservative causes that was paying Simeone's legal costs. Simeone's lawyer, Paul Jonna, is a special counsel for the organization.

"The plaintiffs counsel and the Thomas More Society are entitled to their beliefs," Will wrote, adding that a corporate records lawsuit "is not a vehicle to advance them."

Simeone, Jonna and Disney did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Dispute between chicken plant employees ends when one is shot 15 times, prosecutor says

A dispute between two employees at a chicken plant in Lexington County ended with one fatally shooting the other more than a dozen times, the 11th Circuit Solicitors Office said Tuesday.

Trevor Anthony Irvin, 30, was convicted on a murder charge from the June 24, 2021 shooting in the parking lot at the House of Raeford chicken plant in West Columbia, the solicitors office said in a news release. Thats near Jarvis Klapman Boulevard, and less than a mile from the Gervais Street bridge.

On June 23, Irvin was sentenced to 45 years in prison, without the chance of parole, for killing 33-year-old Columbia resident Daniel Demetrius Jones, according to the release.

A man was convicted of murdering Daniel Demetrius Jones, 33, prosecutors said.

Irvin worked as a line lead at the House of Raeford, and was in the same section of the plant as Jones during the night shift, the solicitors office said.

Because of previous disagreements, Jones and his girlfriend were no longer working on the line Irvin primarily worked, according to the release.

The day of the shooting

On the day of the shooting, Irvin confronted Jones spurring a verbal altercation on Jones new line., and a witness testified that he had to move Irvin off the line to get him away from Jones, the solicitors office said. The testimony revealed that Irvin disrespected Jones and his girlfriend.

While moving Irvin away from Jones, Irvin threatened to kill Jones and told Jones that he would F*** (him) up in the parking lot, the solicitors office said.

When their shifts ended sometime around 6:30 a.m., Irvin and Jones ended up in the Capitol Square Parking lot across the street from the chicken plant and eventually at a gas station behind a nearby shopping center where an altercation ensued, according to the release.

West Columbia police officers got video surveillance from the gas station which showed Irvin pulling out a gun and/or showing his firearm to Jones approximately seven times. During the altercation, Irvin throws a punch at Jones, but others intervened to separate the two men, the solicitors office said.

The two men ended up back in the parking lot, where Irvin stood on cars and taunted Jones, according to the release.

After a few minutes, Irvin briefly left returned in an effort to get Jones to fight him, the solicitors office said. At one point, Irvin slapped his own face telling Jones to hit me. Irvin also threw air punches in an effort to get Jones to fight him, according to the release.

As soon as Jones decided to engage, Irvin shot Jones 15 times as Jones ducked and tried to run away from the gunshots, the solicitors office said.

Irvin continued to shoot Jones while he was on the ground, and an autopsy showed that Jones was shot in the head, abdomen, hand, and back, according to the release.

The shooting took place at 7:07 a.m. and West Columbia police quickly responded to the scene, where Jones eventually died despite initially having a pulse when officers arrived, the solicitors office said.

Shooter said it was self defense

Irvin was not on the scene when the police arrived, but eventually returned and approached a police officer saying that he shot in self-defense, according to the release. During the trial, Irvin testified that he was in fear for his life at the time of the shooting, the solicitors office said.

The evidence and testimony in the week-long trial revealed that Irvin did not act in self-defense, and after about 90 minutes of deliberating the jury convicted Irvin of murder, according to the release.

Jones was a loving father, friend, brother, and son who did not deserve to lose his life in such a senseless and brutal killing, the solicitors office said.

Senior Assistant Solicitor Sutania Fuller and Deputy Solicitor Rhonda Patterson led the prosecution for the solicitors office. Lexington County court records show Irvin was represented by Columbia attorney John Mobley.

In addition to the West Columbia Police Department, the case was investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
NEW YORK  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 Eric 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.
DOC to cut use of solitary confinement by 90% over 5 years, close minimum security site

The Washington State Department of Corrections announced Monday that it will close one of its minimum security facilities, and dramatically reduce its use of solitary confinement.

Larch Corrections Center in Clark County will close this fall due to a declining prison population, according to a press release from DOC. DOC will offer jobs at other facilities to the 115 employees now working at its 240-bed facility.

The corrections center is being warm-closed and could be used in the future if needed. DOC will continue to evaluate trends, department capacity and needs, the news release said.

Additionally, the agency said it is committed to reducing the use of solitary confinement in DOC facilities by 90% over the next five years.

The research is clear on solitary confinement, said DOC secretary Cheryl Strange in the news release. It causes long-lasting harm. While it can be an effective way to deter violence, spending prolonged periods of time in isolation has devastating effects on an individuals mental and physical health long after they leave our facilities.

The agency noted that it is currently developing a comprehensive plan to reduce the use of solitary confinement, while not compromising staff safety, that will be unveiled later this year.

DOC said that only 70% of corrections facility beds are occupied statewide and that it anticipated that prison populations will continue to decline. There are 12 DOC facilities in Washington.

McNeil Island Corrections Center, which closed in 2011, was the last DOC facility to close in the state.
Weareall pretty aware of the racism that exists in American health care, but its not always obvious how this and other types of bias continue to permeate every facet of the system. Thats why Kali Hobson, a pediatric psychiatrist and content creator, is using her platform to educate people on the nuances of medical racism from an insiders perspective  and honestly, we needed this.

Medical institutions (and patients) can find it challenging to recognize and navigate the racist foundations on which a lot of modern medical knowledge was built. On her platform, Hobson discusses topics like ableism in hospitals,prejudices in diagnosing eating disorders, and the fact that Black children are more likely to be inappropriately restrained in hospitals.

Just this month, for example, the American Medical Association adopted a new policy discouraging doctors from relying so heavily on the body mass index, citing concerns that its a racist measurement that doesnt take into account different body types. The fact that something as fundamental as BMI is being called out should be evidence of medical racisms continued pervasiveness, and of all the work that has yet to be done.

Research on these topics is crucial to proving that bias is a problem, but seeing a physician address them in this way reaches a far broader audience. What feels really radical about her content is the fact that she approaches all of those topics with gentleness, humor and compassion, helping us imagine what a world in which doctors respect Black and brown patients could look like.

Ultimately, Hobsons educational content comes down to dismantling one of the many ways in which racism is baked into American structures that affect our well-being. When so much knowledge that can harm our communities has been kept from us, reclaiming that knowledge becomes powerful.

In a recent video posted to her Instagram, for example, Hobson illustrates how doctors will often try harder to find the root of a white patients malaise, while making unsubstantiated assumptions about their Black patients that can prevent them from being accurately diagnosed.

Knowing this is a great starting point to begin demanding more. It can help Black and brown people advocate for themselves, ask more questions and refuse to accept care that is inferior to that given to their white counterparts. Thanks to creators like Hobson, we can start pushing the needle in the right direction.
Black family on their computers

The Biden-Harris administration just announced a $42 billion investment in ensuring access to high-speed internet. The massive cash infusion marks the latest push in the ongoing effort to address the nations deep digital divide between those who have access to the internet and those left behind in the digital era.

The White House said that the funding would allow all states and localities to connect every resident and small business to affordable high-speed internet by 2030. For todays economy to work for everyone, internet access is just as important as electricity or water or other basic services, said President Joe Biden while touting the funds.

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For those unfamiliar with the issue, roughly 28.2 million households in the United States lack access to high-speed internet, according to Education SuperHighway. And Black Americans make up roughly 21 percent of unconnected communities. The disadvantages of not having access to the internet are substantial. For example, during the pandemic, Black families disproportionately struggled to access online learning, contributing to higher levels of learning loss for Black children.

When youre not connected [to the internet], youre not able to engage in some of the very basic activities that are required of us in society, including working, learning, and gaining access to health care, says Nicol Turner Lee, Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution.

All of this money is a potential game-changer for Black Americans, that is, if they have access to it. And thats a big question mark, says Turner Lee.

To back it up a bit, its worth talking about where this money came from and where its going. The $42 billion in spending was authorized by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure law. The grant program, known as the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program (BEAD), will be divvied up between all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. But as Tuner Lee points out, not all of this money will be divided evenly.

States and communities with large rural populations that lack the necessary infrastructure to access the internet, such as fiber optic cable, will likely receive a larger portion of the $42 billion, says Turner Lee. For example, Texas is slotted to receive the most funding, with roughly $3 billion going to the lone star state.

Communities that are underserved or unserved by fiber will likely be the greater beneficiaries of these monies, says Tuner Lee, adding that in urban and suburban areas, where Black people disproportionately live, the issue isnt a lack of infrastructure. The issue for most Black Americans who lack access to the internet is cost, says Turner Lee.

Affordability is actually a massive part of the overall connection gap. A report from Education SuperHighway found that of the over 28 million households without access to the internet, 18 million households were offline because they couldnt afford internet services.

Theres a high likelihood that communities where there are dense populations of Black Americans, says Turner Lee, may not be duly served by these investments alone.

That doesnt mean Black communities will be totally left out of this new high-speed internet funding. For one thing, rural Black Americans exist and are in dire need of connectivity. A report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found that 38 percent of African Americans in the rural south report lack of home internet access.

And in addition to the $42 billion grant, a $14.2 billion investment was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically targeting the internet affordability crisis. And $7 billion will be going directly towards providing schools and libraries with an estimated 10.5 million connected devices and over 5 million internet connections. States and localities receiving portions of the new $42 billion investment money can also put that money into investing in affordable internet access.

A lot of the onus to do right by Black communities will be on the states and localities receiving the funding, argues Turner Lee. Part of the conversation needs to be accountability for states and localities to not only state their digital equity plans, she says, but also how they are going to achieve racial equity in broadband development.

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Does Fort Worth have enough water with temperatures heating up? Check levels on this map

Water is a critical resource in North Texas  from sustaining the farming industry to quenching the thirst of nearly a million people in Fort Worth.

If Texas continues to see record heat in the summer months, farmers worry drought levels will worsen, depleting water wells across the state. In July 2022, 97% of Texas was in a drought, affecting 24.1 million Texans, per the U.S. Drought Monitor. As the heat persists, drought conditions in the state are only going to get worse.

With more people moving to Fort Worth, the demand for water will grow with the population. Between 2010 and 2021, the City of Fort Worth grew by 25%, adding more than 194,000 residents. By 2028, there will be more than a million people living in the city, according to the U.S. Census data.

To help residents, old and new, keep track of our water, the Star-Telegram has developed an interactive map that shows in real-time the levels of our watersheds and nearby reservoirs. It also shows drought levels in our region and areas across Texas.

Texas Current Water Availability and Conditions

This map shows the current Texas water conditions by watershed and currently available data for streams and reservoirs. Use the buttons below to switch the map's focus to drought conditions and above and below average stream and reservoir levels. Tap on watersheds, streams and reservoirs for more information on levels and flow rates. Water conditions are color coded with blues indicating above-normal conditions, green being normal and yellow and red indicating below-normal conditions. The streamflow and reservoir information is in real-time, and watershed information is updated daily.

Open

SOURCES: Environmental Protection Agency, USGS National Water Information System, ESRI and US Drought Monitor.
The News

A scathing report from the Department of Justice blamed negligence and misconduct by staff at the Bureau of Prisons for the suicide of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, while reiterating that there is no evidence to suggest his death was a conspiracy.

"The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failure... all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the BOPs most notorious inmates was provided with the opportunity to take his own life," the DOJ's report said.

More importantly, the report said, the errors by prison staff deprived Epstein's "numerous victims, many of whom were underage girls at the time of the alleged crimes, of their ability to seek justice through the criminal justice process."

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A little over a month after Epstein was convicted in 2019 of a years-long sex trafficking scheme involving underage girls, he died by suicide.

For reasons that remain unclear, prison staff allowed Epstein to hoard supplies like bed linen and clothing despite his previous suicide attempt, the report noted.

Guards also allowed Epstein to remain alone in his cell for a full day without a cellmate, despite one official emailing 70 Bureau of Prison employees to explicitly warn them that leaving Epstein isolated was dangerous.

Two guards who were responsible for searching Epstein's cell failed to conduct a search before his suicide, the report said. Prosecutors reached an agreement with the guards for them to serve 100 hours of community service.

However, the DOJ emphasized that the department found no evidence to contradict a previous FBI investigation that found there was "absence of criminality" in his death.
Dont toss that crab shell. A substance found in it could be key to renewable energy, researchers say

BALTIMORE  At summertime backyard feasts, crab shells are just a barrier between hunger and satisfaction. Marylanders smash the crustaceans protective casings with wooden mallets, pick out the tasty meat and toss the remnants aside.

But what if crab shells could have a bigger impact, playing a vital role in harnessing renewable energy and reducing planet-warming emissions?

University of Maryland researchers are changing the way people look at those thin exoskeletons  investigating the feasibility of putting them to work in an innovative battery.

People never thought of that before, said Lin Xu, 31, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at College Park.

Xu and a team of researchers have been exploring the use of a chemical that comes from crustacean shells in a zinc-ion battery designed to store renewable energy.

Last fall, working under the direction of Liangbing Hu, a Maryland professor who said he conceived the idea, the team published their findings on chitosan, a substance found in a variety of seafood shells, including crab and lobster. The research was funded by a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Since appearing in a scientific journal, their work has turned heads.

The paper has been cited already more than 20 times, said Xu, who grew up in China and received his doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Thats very fast.

He and his colleagues are attempting to solve the problem of how renewable energy  like that generated from solar or wind power  can be stored.

Its just like a reservoir, Xu said of the way batteries function, essentially holding onto energy until it is needed.

At night, for example, a homes appliances still could be powered by energy from the sun if a battery hooked up to solar panels on the roof stored energy generated during the day. On a larger scale, a battery plant placed next to a solar panel farm could stockpile energy to power a nearby city.

We still need to find the material to store that energy, to act as a reservoir, Xu said.

While lithium-ion batteries like those that power cellphones and electric vehicles might seem suited to the task, Xu said they are expensive, and the price tag may rise as demand grows for lithium, a finite resource.

There are also safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, which can explode and cause fires, said Xueying Zheng, a researcher who has worked alongside Xu.

If we use a very large scale of lithium-ion batteries packed together  if one pack explodes, that will cause all of the batteries to explode, Zheng said.

The zinc-ion battery has a different drawback: It doesnt have a long lifespan, operating at full capacity for only a few days or a week, Xu said.

Thats where crab shells provide a solution perhaps.

With a gel membrane containing chitosan, the chemical found in seafood shells and pronounced CHI-tuh-sn, a zinc-ion battery can last a year and still function at 70% of its initial capacity. Theyre also much safer, Zheng said.

The battery created and studied by UMD researchers is coin-sized, Xu said, but could be scaled up  with the goal of a more reasonable cost compared to alternatives since chitosan abounds in nature. The substance has an array of applications from biopesticides in agriculture to bandages that aid wound healing in medicine, according to Hu.

In the lab, chitosan arrives as a light yellow powder that is transformed into a translucent gel when dissolved into a solution, according to Hu, who is the director of UMDs Center for Materials Innovation and teaches materials science and engineering.

Chitosan, a carbohydrate, is most abundantly found in the hard outer skeletons of shellfish, including crabs, lobsters, and shrimps, Hu wrote in an email to The Baltimore Sun. After the shells are washed and dried, theyre pulverized into fine powders, he explained, then treated with chemicals.

Hus lab has purchased chitosan from Sigma-Aldrich, a chemical and life sciences company. On its website, chitosan sells for around $300 for 250 grams, the equivalent of a little over half a pound.

A spokesperson for Merck, which owns Sigma-Aldrich, said the company could not provide details about how or where it sources chitosan since it is proprietary information.

Many researchers are using our products and solutions in very interesting and unique ways, the spokesperson told The Sun via email. Scientific breakthroughs, both big and small, are exciting to us  especially as they positively impact life and health to create a more sustainable future.

In Maryland, a state known for its blue crabs, some in the crab processing industry have taken notice of the potential new use for their scraps.

I was blown away when I first saw it, thinking Isnt that crazy? said Jack Brooks, who read about the battery research in a seafood trade newsletter.

Brooks, 71, is president of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association and also co-runs J.M. Clayton Co., a family-owned crab and oyster processing plant that has been operating in Cambridge since 1921.

In a single day, J.M. Clayton processes 80 to 350 bushels of crabs with each bushel containing roughly 100 crabs. The crabs are sorted and steamed before being stripped of meat in a picking room, Brooks explained.

From there, the discarded shells have faced different fates over the decades.

Starting in the 1920s, when J.M. Clayton operated a dehydrating plant in Cambridge, the exoskeletons were turned into a heavy powder called crab meal, Brooks said.

The product was used as fertilizer and chicken feed, but the equipment was old and primitive, he said, and his family closed the plant in the 1970s.

For about a decade after that, the shells went straight to the landfill, which was unfortunate, Brooks said.

Today, J.M. Clayton has a contract to provide crab shells daily  via dumpster truck  to a Dorchester County farm, where theyre used as part of a fertilizer program, he said.

Its a very good source of nutrients for the ground, Brooks said.

Other area processing plants have similar arrangements, he said.

A.E. Phillips & Son, a crab processor that sells to Phillips Seafood Restaurants and other local restaurants and seafood distributors, operates a plant in Fishing Creek that has offloaded its crab shells to a farmer for use as fertilizer since 2018.

Its the most cost-effective option for the plant, which doesnt make any profit from the shells but likely spends less money than it would hiring a private waste removal company, said Brice Phillips, whose great-grandfather started A.E. Phillips & Son over a century ago.

This is not just normal waste; this is waste that if you dont get rid of it quickly, it starts to rot  and it really stinks, said Phillips, 47, who serves as vice president of sustainability for the separate Phillips Foods.

But A.E. Phillips & Sons processing of 60,000 pounds of crab meat per year in Maryland is dwarfed by Phillips Foods production in Asia. There, Phillips said, four factories in Indonesia, one in Vietnam and another in India process a combined 100,000 pounds of crab meat each week.

Phillips said hes not sure what happens to the crab shells after theyre picked at those plants. But he suggested Asia is an ideal place for innovation.

Whoevers running this battery research, if theyre ever going to do anything with this, theyre basically going to be setting up a plant in Asia to get the crab shells, Phillips said.

In Asia, each pound of crab meat comes with four pounds of guts and shells, he noted.

Both Brooks and Phillips said theyd be open to embracing a new use for shells.

Weve seen ideas come and go, but in this day and time, with all the research and technology and creative minds out there, I mean, hey, anythings possible, Brooks said.

Phillips views it as a potentially fruitful business venture, especially since it seems there is no demand for crab shells currently.

My entrepreneurial spirits already just grinding the gears, trying to figure out whats the best way to collect this stuff in mass, he mused. How would it be processed, where would it be processed? Where would the battery production be?

Theres still a long way to go to make chitosan-based batteries a reality outside of the lab. A startup to commercialize the new technology is in its infancy, according to Xu.

If chitosan proves to be part of the solution  and if locally processed crab shells can be put to use  its likely something people in the state would get behind.

Marylanders certainly love their crabs, and I think most people like renewable energy, Phillips said.
Donald Trump is the only living US president whose ancestors didn't own slaves, report says

Donald Trump speaks at an event in Washington, DC on June 24, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Donald Trump is reportedly the only living US president whose ancestors did not own slaves.

That's because Trump's ancestors came to America after slavery had already been abolished.

Even Barack Obama is descended from slaveholders, through his white mother's side of the family.

Every currently-living person who has served as President of the United States is descended from ancestors who owned slaves  except for Donald Trump.

That's according to a new investigation from Reuters examining the ancestral history of American lawmakers and presidents. In addition to presidents, the investigation found that two Supreme Court Justices, 11 governors, and 100 members of Congress are the direct descendants of slaveholders.

They include prominent members of both parties, including Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Lindsey Graham and Democrats like Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth.

Even Barack Obama  the country's first Black president  is the descendant of a slaveowner on his white mother's side of the family.

According to Reuters, the slaveholding ancestors of living US presidents include:

Joe Biden  One direct ancestor, five generations removed, owned one slave

Barack Obama  One director ancestor, six generations removed, owned two slaves

George Bush  One director ancestor, six generations removed, owned 25 slaves

Bill Clinton  One director ancestor, five generations removed, owned one slaves

Jimmy Carter  One director ancestor, four generations removed, owned 54 slaves

But Trump stands out among the bunch.

While other presidents have deep ancestral roots in America, Trump's ancestors did not immigrate to the United States until after slavery was abolished in 1865.

In fact, none of his grandparents were born in the United States. Trump's paternal grandparents were born in Kallstadt, a small town in southwestern Germany, and emigrated to the US in the early 1900s. His mother Mary, meanwhile, was born in Scotland.

Despite this, Trump has a long history of defending symbols of the Confederacy  as President, he resisted the renaming of US military bases that had been named after Confederate generals, despite the Department of Defense being open to making changes.

He also once infamously declared that there were "very fine people on both sides" of a clash involving white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia over the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Uganda journalist: China-Africa cooperation is based on mutual respect

16:16, June 26, 2023 By Peng Yukai, Emukule Francis ( People's Daily Online

My name is Emukule Francis, and Im from Uganda. I'm a multimedia journalist.

This is my first time in China. Ive come to understand how things work here, and I also came to realize that a lot of things that are done here or the way things are done here can actually be done back home. For me, looking at how smartly and strategic China is doing these things, (making) policies for its people is really something that is amazing. With the way China does things and its influence out of China, especially with its modernization policy, I believe more countries can learn a few things from these, and also better the state of living in their countries.

The role that the BRI has played is partly due to the China-Africa corporations and China-Uganda corporations. There's an upgrade of the Entebbe International Airport in terms of specifically for the cargo area, whereby it's estimated that once it's done (for its) construction, there is going to be an upgrade. The amount of 150,000 tons of goods will be passing through it on annual basis, which is like double the initial amount.

The other one is employment. Uganda right now has about six industrial parks that belong to Chinese people, and they employ about 80,000 Ugandans. You realize that when people get employed, their lives has changed, their standards of living has changed, they're able to take their children to school. Their purchasing power increases. So there is economic development.

Im hoping and praying that going forward in future, for the people to people exchange, (there will be) more businessmen from China can go to Uganda, and those from Uganda can come to China to do business. If China and Africa prioritize mutual respect for one another and focus on building the community with a shared future, I believe the future of Africa, first of all, will be better. And Chinas influence will grow beyond lips and bonds from where it is right now.

I really hope that whatever China is doing with Uganda is based on pure sentiments, as they say, in terms of mutual respect for one another. This is something that Africa and Uganda will not regret working with China.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Wu Chengliang)
Members of the Wagner Group military company load their tank onto a truck on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023, prior to leaving an area at the headquarters of the Southern Military District. (Uncredited/AP)

The rebellion ended as quickly as it began. Less than a day after Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led thousands of his men into Russia and made a beeline toward Moscow, he called it off and pulled them back. In a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin received immunity from prosecution  Russias Federal Security Service charged him with an act of insurrection, which carries a 20-year prison sentence  exile in Belarus and the ability to live another day. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been atop the Russian system for nearly 24 years, averted what was the most serious threat to his rule.

The standoff between the two men is over, at least for now. Prigozhins forces have pulled out of Rostov-on-Don, the southern city of 1 million people that Wagner captured with no resistance from Russian security forces. In his first comments since striking an arrangement with Moscow, Prigozhin defended his actions as a response to an injustice his fighters were subjected to by the Russian military establishment. Putin is back in the Kremlin after Moscow was essentially locked down over the weekend. All is apparently back to normal after a dizzying 24 hours.

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Public facades, however, can be deceiving. Putin and Prigozhin have come out of the episode physically unscathed, and both will do their best to convince the Russian people that they emerged from the chaos as the victor. Yet the facts point in a different direction: There are no winners in this story. Putin and Prigozhin both lost. The Russian political system as it has existed since Putin rose to national leadership in 1999 is starting to look like an old toilet that doesnt run properly.

Public appearances are important for Putin. But the optics have been terrible for him since Saturday. He no longer looks like the archetypical strongman who has a commanding hand on the system he leads. (U.S. intelligence officials suspected something was bubbling at least a week ago.) Instead, Prigozhin exposed him as a mere mortal who was clueless that something like this could occur under his watch.

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[ Editorial: Prigozhin embarked on mutiny, but long ago Putin betrayed his nation ]

Yes, the insurrection was aborted, the Wagner Group retreated and Putin managed to de-escalate the situation without much blood being spilt. But its impossible to see the aborted rebellion as anything other than a public humiliation for a man who doesnt tolerate public humiliations. The list of those humiliations is long and deep. Putin had to negotiate with someone, Prigozhin, he called a traitor just hours earlier. He decided to allow the person responsible for the short mutiny to leave, this after he pledged to the Russian people that those who played a part in it will pay for this. Resistance from the Russian army was pitiful; Wagner managed to shoot down seven Russian military aircraft and came within less than 200 miles of Moscow. When push came to shove, the only troops that were apparently ready for combat were Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrovs band of fighters.

Putin made himself look not as a commander in chief, but rather as a leader for rent or an AI-generated clone of himself, Vladislav Zubok of the London School of Economics told me. His appearance at the time when Moscow was asleep reminded some of October crisis of 1993. He suppressed his emotions, but people could sense he lost his usual self-confidence and did not know what to say. Putin seemed listless, as if he were an old man sitting on a rocking chair, oblivious to what was going on around him.

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On the surface, Prigozhin looks newly emboldened, a man of action brazen enough to roll the dice against the entire Russian state to rid the country of military leadership he views as wimpish, careless and incompetent. Civilians cheerfully greeted his men as liberators in Rostov-on-Don, giving Wagnerites food and water. Prigozhin was smiling for selfies, as if he were an American politician on the campaign trail in Iowa.

Prigozhin, however, would be utterly stupid to think that hes in the clear or that he bested Putin. For one, the charges against him havent yet been dropped. Until that happens, he is still technically a wanted man. Even if authorities eventually close the criminal case against him, Prigozhin will live the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. The list of people who have crossed Putin and lived to tell the tale isnt very long: High-profile political dissidents (Boris Nemtsov), journalists (Anna Politkovskaya) and ex-spies (Alexander Litvinenko) have all been killed by the Russian state. If Russian assassins can kill traitors in the middle of a park in Berlin, they can do the same thing in next-door Belarus.

Finally, Prigozhins entire creation is now in the crosshairs. Putin used to look at the Wagner Group as a valuable extension of the Russian state  a group of battle-hardened fighters who allowed Moscow to project influence in places as far afield as the Central African Republic without having to dirty up the regular Russian army. That interpretation is most likely tarnished now.

I think that Russia has become overly reliant on Wagner, and it has served as the tip of the spear of Russian foreign policy, Colin Clarke of the global security consultancy Soufan Group told me. Im not sure the Kremlin can carry out its objectives without Wagner, or a similar private military company, so Id suspect there are some real conversations happening in Moscow about how to proceed.

A lot of real conversations in Moscow are occurring at the moment, no doubt.

Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

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WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump jacked up threats Monday that he will skip at least the first Republican debate, complaining that one of the sponsors, Fox News, has ignored his recent campaign events.

Fox did not broadcast Trump's weekend speeches in Washington, D.C., and Michigan and "then wants me to show up and get them ratings for their 'Presidential' Debate, where Im leading the field by 40 points," Trump said on Truth Social.

"Sorry FoxNews, life doesnt work that way!!!" the former president added.

Trump made his latest threat as a rising number of Republicans are trying to pressure him into participating in the debates, starting with an August event in Milwaukee.

Will Donald Trump debate his GOP rivals? Republicans are trying to pressure him into it

A Republican debate field in 2015

Reince Priebus, a former Trump White House Chief of Staff and Republican Party chairman, predicted on ABC's "This Week" that Trump would eventually jump in, if only to respond to rivals like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

"I think it'll happen," Priebus said, adding that the nation is in the midst of "middle finger politics ... the world of Wrestlemania politics, the world where, you know, attention is what everyone is seeking in order to get support."

Republicans opponents have also urged Trump to debate, saying he owes it to GOP primary voters.

Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, has been particularly vocal, saying the only reason Trump would refuse to debate is fear.

"If Trump doesnt want to debate then he doesnt want to be president," Christie tweeted Monday.

Trump has long suggested he would avoid Republican debates, in part because of sponsoring organizations.

In recent years, Trump has attacked coverage on Fox News, which will supply questioners for the Milwaukee debate. Trump previously praised the network but now complains that they favor Republican rival Ron DeSantis.

The former president and 2024 Republican nomination frontrunner has also attacked officials with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, which is planning to host a Republican debate in September.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump threatens to skip 2024 GOP debate over Fox News coverage
Officials in Washington state and Vermont looked at the housing crisis in San Francisco this year and took action to prevent the same thing happening in their states: They effectively banned single-family zoning.

Those new laws are part of a wave of municipal and state efforts to guard against the worst effects of the crunch already on display in California's fourth-largest city as housing costs ballooned nationwide since the pandemic.

The solutions to skyrocketing housing costs all take time to have an effect. But officials are considering everything from mandating that cities zone for greater residential density to allowing duplexes to be built nearly anywhere statewide.

They know that if they don't do something, they could end up like San Francisco and California in general, with rents and home prices that are unaffordable for many residents and intractable waves of homelessness  fueled by drug use and mental health issues in addition to lack of housing  that place a crushing burden on city services and steer residents and businesses away from downtown.

Every state in the country other than California is saying, I don't want to become California, and every other city is like, I don't want to become San Francisco, said Jenny Schuetz, a senior fellow on urban economics and housing policy at the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program.

While San Francisco's well-documented problems have long been red meat for Republicans and Fox News, they're also inspiring Democrats across the country to spend political capital on tackling housing affordability issues in their own states, namely by increasing the supply of housing.

Fox's relentless focus on the 12-block stretch of downtown San Francisco where drug use and squalor are thickest made it the poster child for Democrats' urban woes. Democrats are also paying attention to other factors: The pandemic further hollowed out the city's downtown as tech workers stayed home, and the spiral shows no signs of abating, with retailers announcing new departures daily and office vacancies still ticking higher.

Meanwhile, the citys housing costs are beginning to fall but are still 207 percent higher than the national average, making the Bay Area the second-most costly metro area for home ownership in the country and one of the most expensive cities for overall cost of living.



Other factors, like health problems and domestic violence, can also lead to housing instability. But a lack of availability of affordable housing is a primary driver of eviction and, ultimately, homelessness in a state where 30 percent of the nations homeless population lives.

Housing affordability is as severe in San Francisco as anywhere in the country, said Ben Metcalf, managing director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley. There is a direct through line between the number of individuals and households experiencing homelessness, and the fact that the rent is too damn high.

It's all adding up to an alarm bell that Democrats in other states are heeding. They're trying a range of policies  housing, zoning and land use reforms to encourage or even mandate the construction of new homes and greater residential density  to avoid San Francisco's fate.

San Francisco helped inspire a law Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed last month that prevents cities from enforcing single-family zoning rules. When I think of San Francisco, I think of it being an example of the most restrictive land use, which results in it only being accessible to people that have significant wealth in order to be there and to live in that city, said the bill's author, state Rep. Jessica Bateman (D-Olympia).

In Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed a law earlier this month that effectively bans single-family zoning statewide. Its author, state Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden), is a Los Angeles native who said she was inspired by personal experience: Her sister had experienced homelessness for several months, while her father struggled to find affordable housing in the San Francisco suburbs. Much of California, from San Francisco to San Diego, has a high housing shortage, according to the National Association of Realtors as of last year, and the U.S. housing market is short 6.5 million homes, according to one recent analysis.

I look at California as a place where housing instability is just consistently escalating, Ram Hinsdale said. When places like San Francisco and liberal bastions in California have held themselves up as the standard for progressive policy, I've always felt like it's a bit of a sham when you think about the many people who experience income inequality in California and can't afford to meet their very basic needs.

Red states are paying attention, too. Montana Republicans took on the issue of rising home prices by appealing to an anti-California sentiment to drum up support for their suite of housing reform bills the GOP supermajority passed this year.

I got local pushback every step of the way, said Montana state Sen. Jeremy Trebas, a Republican who sponsored a housing reform law this session. It doesn't look like the local governments have done anything to effect change in any useful way. So I think it was our turn to take a crack at it.

Ram Hinsdale said passing this sort of legislation requires taking on monied interests that dont want to see change.

Ive expended a lot of political capital, she said. I will probably face repercussions in my next election. It will certainly have political costs for me from the donor class.

No one is more keenly aware of San Francisco's role as a symbol of housing policy failure than state Sen. Scott Wiener (D), who represents the city in the state Legislature and previously served as a city supervisor. He's championed state laws to streamline permits for affordable housing and end single-unit zoning and is working on a bill this year that would expedite approvals for multi-family housing development as the state continues to encounter local pushback.

Other states are looking at California and saying, We don't want to be like that, in terms of no one being able to afford a place to live. And let's take action now before it gets bad, as opposed to doing what California is doing, which is to let it fester,' Wiener said. Other states are looking at California as a cautionary tale on housing, and I support them doing that as we try to dig out of our hole.



San Francisco Mayor London Breed is also trying to speed up housing, with a goal set earlier this year to build 82,000 units by 2031 through rezoning, eliminating height restrictions and speeding up permitting. She also unveiled a plan to revitalize the downtown through flexible zoning, office-to-housing conversions and additional investments in public transit and public spaces.

San Francisco's new director of economic development, Sarah Dennis Phillips, described it as an "opportunity."

"We are often at the forefront of technology and civil rights here in San Francisco, she said. We have the opportunity to be at the forefront of changing urbanism, and perhaps our economic efforts can give guidance to other cities going through urban transitions as well. "

But early signs aren't encouraging: The city has permitted an average of eight new units per month since setting the goal, lower than at any point since the pandemic.

Other elected officials have tried to use San Francisco and California as cautionary tales but have run up against the same political roadblocks to housing policy reform as the Golden State.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) proposed legislation earlier this year to force local governments to zone for greater residential density and boost multi-family homes but was met with a firestorm of opposition from local governments," according to Eric Bergman, policy director at Colorado Counties Inc., a nonprofit that helps local Colorado governments work together.

I don't want us to become like California, Polis said in a public forum last month.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) pushed for a housing reform plan that would mandate more housing and give the state new authority to override local zoning laws in the state budget this year but faced opposition from suburban officials that ultimately killed the proposal. New York Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos (D-Suffolk), who supported the deal, pointed to an exodus of young people unable to afford homes.

Certainly, that situation [in San Francisco] is what were trying to avoid, where affordability isnt there and young people end up moving out because they just cant make it, he said.
A new electronic system of access to shelters was tested in the city of Kyiv.

It is already being prepared for use, the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration reported.

The first device was installed in one of the shelters in the Darnytskyi district.

The system has four options for opening the door to the shelter:

automatic when an air-raid warning is issued in the city;

remote, through communication with a dispatcher;

with the help of a special magnetic key;

through a pin code generated in the Kyivs Shelters chatbot.

The first device was installed in one of the shelters in the Darnytskyi district.

"All four options work independently of each other and provide unhindered access under any conditions," the Kyiv Oblast Military Administration says.

The system has four options for opening the door to the shelter

If the light goes off, the system will switch to its own backup power battery.

The exit from the closed shelter is contactless. To do this, it is enough to raise your hand to the sensor.

If the light goes off, the system will switch to its own backup power battery.

"The dispatcher is not only able to open the door and maintain voice communication with the visitors of the shelter, but also to monitor the condition of the system. And in the event of malfunctions or technical problems, the dispatcher can quickly call technical support to restore the operation of the equipment," the department says.

The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration assured that after the launch of the first system, it is planned to equip other shelters in the city with such devices.

The Kyiv Oblast Military Administration assured that after the launch of the first system, it is planned to equip other shelters in the city with such devices.

A new electronic system of access to shelters was tested in the city of Kyiv

All four options work independently of each other and provide unhindered access under any conditions

Background: On the night of 1 June 2023, three people, including a child, were killed in the capital during a missile attack by the Russian invaders. Residents tried to get to the shelter of a clinic in the Desnianskyi district, but the door was closed.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Downtown Sacramento, and all urban centers in California, were among the biggest losers in the money sweepstakes known as the state budget. Turning the corner on the homelessness crisis did not get the level of money it needs.

Public schools, meanwhile, fared better, as did Californians who depend on publicly-funded health care or regional transit.

If the state budget is an expression of Californias priorities, state leaders have chosen to overlook the suffering of those who live on our big city streets in order to focus on helping vulnerable individuals who are on the brink of homelessness. The budget that Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature approved late Monday is reliant on tax money that may not materialize if the future months are not as economically rosy as lawmakers assume.

Opinion

Addressing the many facets of homelessness  shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, mental health care and drug rehabilitation  has the same established need for funding as education, prisons or parks. Yet homelessness has no similarly established home in the state budget. It has to fight for the leftovers. Big city mayors end up fending for themselves and heading home with far less than they need.

The budget does provide $1 billion for the states Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant program, an important pot of money that helps cities cover the costs of emergency shelters and other homeless needs.

But the League of California Cities was seeking three times that money, and to make it a permanent funding stream. That ask, in the context of the crisis, was exceedingly modest.

The most comprehensive examination of California homelessness to date recently found that housing is the primary cause. Nearly half are age 50 or older. When surveyed, the chief reason for their plight was the price of rent in California.

Sacramento has established institutional voices that can move the state budget needle inside the process. Primary and secondary schools get a guaranteed slice of the budget. There are strong lobbies to meet the needs of publicly-funded health care, climate change and transit.

Nobody got everything they wanted in this budget, but most needs fared better than homelessness. The unhoused are large in number, some 170,000 Californians and increasing each census. But they are small in clout, with no effective champion inside the halls of power..

Downtown Sacramento will not recover from the pandemic until it is no longer a tent city of human desperation. The same holds true for every major city in California. This is a vast problem that will require extraordinary partnerships among governments to make progress. That will take sufficient money. And that starts with a state budget that makes the needs of our urban cores a priority.
When Joseph Dituri thought about what hed miss most during the record-breaking 100 days he spent underwater, hot coffee with French vanilla creamer was not at the top of his list.

He knew he would miss his three daughters, his mom, his girlfriend, his surfing, his sunrise and sunset walks, his friends. Years of Navy deployments prepared him for missing those.

It was the little luxuries he says he took for granted: being able to stand up straight without his head scraping the ceiling, his daily call with a childhood friend, eating a hot meal  and, of course, the coffee.

Dituri surfaced June 9 from a 100-square-foot habitat nestled 22 feet beneath the surface of a Key Largo lagoon, topping the previous record of 73 days underwater. He spent his days in virtual communication with people on land, speaking to children in classrooms across the globe and teaching a hyperbaric medicine class at the University of South Florida, where he works as an associate professor. He drew his own blood to see how the extended time without depressurization affected various medical markers.

Now, instead of waking up at 5 a.m. to attach electrodes to his head, Dituri rises before dawn to go to the gym, watch the sunrise and work at his hyperbaric therapy center in Tampa, the Undersea Oxygen Clinic.

Its clear that hes missed his job and the human interaction it entails.

How you doing, handsome? he says to one patient being maneuvered into the hyperbaric chamber.

I love your sweatshirt, he says to another sitting in the waiting room.

Dituri attracted worldwide attention  and the nickname of Dr. Deep Sea  by emerging from the water. But now, as the days pass, he relishes the small moments he hadnt experienced in months. He also finds himself still playing catch-up with a world that did not stop moving when he last stepped foot on solid ground.

When youre used to being in a very small area and then all of a sudden things are going like this at you, Dituri said, making frantic, stabbing gestures with his hands, thats a little bit daunting. It reminds you that you are not integrated fully into the world yet.

Dituris first dive was at 9 years old, in the canals of New York City, after his dad needed him to go under the familys boat to help with some maintenance. He was immediately hooked, so hooked that he started cutting class which, coupled with his abysmal SAT score, gave him few options after graduation other than enlisting. He loved the water, so he chose the Navy.

He served for 28 years as a diver and submersible expert, earning a bachelors degree in computer science and a masters in astronautical engineering, and retired as a special operations commander.

Because Dituri witnessed countless traumatic brain injuries while in the military, he decided to focus his post-Navy career on the brain.

He went on to earn a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering at USF, then opened his hyperbaric oxygen therapy center. He hoped to heal the type of brain injuries that werent easily seen in an MRI but still affected peoples quality of life.

And then, one afternoon in 2021, he was waiting at a Tampa traffic stop in his fire engine red 1947 Chevy pickup (chosen in honor of his deepest dive, which was 1,947 feet), when a car plowed into the drivers side.

Dituri, who had devoted his life to the secrets of the brain, found himself facing the same struggles as his patients with traumatic brain injuries. He couldnt recognize longtime friends, couldnt balance on his own, couldnt regulate his emotions.

Doctors told him that the only solution was a tincture of time, which Dituri said was not enough.

Under his guidance, his clinic introduced a more holistic approach than just oxygen therapy, including ice baths, neurofeedback therapy and peptide treatments to promote cell repair. The new model, he said, proved instrumental in his own healing.

When Dituri went underwater, then, one of his goals was to prove that this type of regimen benefits the body, as the water pressure he experienced mirrored that of his clinics oxygen chambers. For him, it did help  drastically.

While underwater, he spent the majority of his sleep cycle in REM  the state characterized by rapid eye movement and dreaming  as opposed to the average 20%. His cholesterol dropped 72 points, a decrease of more than a quarter (despite eating the same or worse), and his inflammatory markers, tests that are used to detect inflammation in the body, were reduced by half.

His next step, he said, is to publish a research paper and present it at the World Extreme Medicine Conference in November.

But Dituri had other motives as well. One was for science more broadly: He did something no human has done before, an important step in understanding the capabilities of the body. Another was to inspire a new generation of scientists. He spoke to more than 5,000 students and, for his USF class, used his own medical data as real-life examples.

Breaking the world record was a plus, he said, but ultimately, he wanted to show that being in a small, isolated place for a long period of time is possible.

Thats because of the final reason for his project: So he can, one day, go to space.

I stayed for 100, Dituri said. We need to go for 200.

He was referring to the 200 days that experts estimate it would take for a spacecraft to reach Mars. A vision board in Dituris office makes it clear that, for him, Mars is the final frontier.

For 2021, next to a picture of an underwater hotel with his face photoshopped into a porthole, he wrote 100 Day living in the ocean.

For 2026, he wrote Hair in space, referring to the red, curly locks he began to cultivate after his time in the Navy.

His personal hero is not an ocean explorer but Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon and a staunch advocate for missions to Mars. Dituri says that he, like Aldrin, has unbridled faith in humanitys ability to constantly discover and achieve.

People are doing amazing things, he said. Ive never been so inspired.

Thats why he spent over five figures of his own money to fund his expedition (drawing from what he calls The International Bank of Joe.)

Thats also why, even though he just got his feet on the ground, hes already looking to leave.
East St. Louis fire chief gets new city job, is replaced by retired assistant chief

Jason Blackmon has retired from his job as East St. Louis fire chief after nearly 26 years in the department. And he already has another position: director of the citys Emergency Disaster Service Agency.

Blackmons former assistant chief, Derrick Burns, has come out of retirement to be the new fire chief.

Blackmon told a BND reporter that he felt it was time for something new.

Its been a long time, Blackmon said.  I was the chief for 13 years.

Burns started his new job June 12, saying he came out of retirement because officials asked him to help with some new fire department projects. I am happy to do that, Burns said.

Burns will be paid about $96,000 as the new chief, according to the city government. Blackmon will be paid roughly $55,000 per year.

Blackmons fire department career

Blackmon, 51, started with the East St.Louis Fire Department in September 1997.

I started as a firefighter. I became a lieutenant, then assistant chief in December 2009 and then the chief of the department in February 2010, he said.

In his new job, Blackmon will do whatever it takes to enhance public safety, he said.

We want to make the citizens aware of hazardous conditions. We want them to know about emergency conditions. We want to try to get our accreditation back from the state of Illinois, he said.

He will also be at some crime scenes.

Blackmon has donned many hats as a city employee, including director of regulatory affairs for a year and a half and interim city manager from March to May.

He said choosing a career with the fire department was a good decision.

It was a good career. It was a good run, 13 years as chief, Blackmon said. I made a lot of good connections and met a lot of good people. It felt good serving the community and letting them know they could count on their fire department to be there for them.

Asked about a downside of the job, Blackmon said not being able to spend as much time with his family as he wouldve liked.

Its time for me to enjoy my family. The city is in good hands with Chief Burns, Blackmon said.

He said he wont miss getting called away from home at all hours.

He also will miss the brotherhood shared with his colleagues. Over the course of a year, he spent many hours with them.

You spend more time with them than you do with your family, he said.  Sometimes its 24 hours. Sometimes its one hour.

Asked about one of the most horrific fire scenes he has had to respond to in his career, Blackmon cited the August 2021 apartment fire on 29th Street that killed five children.

We wish we couldve been there to help those children extend their lives and let them live a fruitful life, Blackmon said.

A good moment was helping the city win grant money to bring laid off firefighters back to work, he said.

It was hard work, but I worked with other communities and they helped me to get the grant. It was vital that we do everything we could to bring those laid off firefighters back, Blackmon said.

Another big moment was rescuing people from the July 2022 flash flooding in East St. Louis.

We were able to get those seniors out of the flooded conditions and get them to safe areas. That felt good, he said.

Blackmon, when asked about some of his other accomplishments with the department, cited the purchase of new, modern equipment like infrared cameras, new ladder trucks and more.

At the time of his retirement this spring, there were 35 people in the department, down from 58 people at its high point.

Derrick Burns was assistant chief for 10 years

Meanwhile, Burns, 60, is excited to take the helm as leader of the department.

He started June 12.

He worked for the department for 26 years, with 10 as assistant chief. So, this is not new ground for him, he said.

Under this administration and under my command, were looking to build a new firehouse,  he said.

Tentative plans call for the new firehouse to be located at the site of the former junior high school at 33rd and State streets, the new chief said. Other details were not available, including a cost and timetable.

Burns said he is excited to lead the department. He wants the department to be able to buy new trucks and acquire other new equipment. He also wants to increase training for the firefighters.

Burns describes himself as a hands-on chief.  I have an open-door policy. Were looking to serve the citizens, the businesses, homeowners and give everyone in East St. Louis, first-rate service, Burns said.

He said anyone with concerns can contact his office and get a response.

My guys know that if they cant get answers from their immediate supervisors, they know they will be able to come to me, he said. Communication is imperative. You have to have it. Its a two-way street.

Burns said the city administration has asked him to train people for the future. And, when the next person has to step up and take the reins, they must be able to fully function, he said. I look forward to this mission. Its something we all should do for the leaders of tomorro
With a federal judge having struck down the Arkansas ban on administering gender-affirming care to trans youth  the first such law in what would become an avalanche  the first domino has fallen in what will ideally be the end of these bans.

These bans are rooted in a set of false pretexts, ones that have been seeded and fomented by critics in bad faith: that gender-affirming care for young trans people is very easily obtainable, experimental, always has permanent consequences and is often regretted.

In truth, medical interventions from surgeries to hormone therapies have been practiced and studied for decades, getting them often requires multiple steps and a good deal of persistence, treatments like puberty blockers are physically reversible and the rate of regret for receiving this care is vanishingly small, about 1% on average.

Every relevant major medical association, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and World Health Organization, are aligned in recognizing the appropriateness and need for this type of care. Are there conversations to be had about the correct ages, intensities and progression of these treatments? Of course there are, just like there are with all medical issues.

Contrary to what the anti-trans crowd contends, proponents are all for letting the scientific method and the normal medical deliberations take place, and the consensus at this stage is that these treatments do far more good than harm. These conversations will keep playing out within the scientific community, and perhaps recommendations will evolve. What is not appropriate, and has no basis in the actual scientific process, are categorical bans on gender-affirming care that are clearly purely ideological, especially given that, as the Arkansas lawsuit pointed out, they often exempted the same type of care if applied to nontransgender youth.

Its unfortunate that this relatively niche issue has become such a concerted focus of state legislatures around the country, instead of policies that actually help constituents. Lets hope this ruling sets the stage for these restrictions to be a mere flash in the pan.

___
During the failed August 1991 putsch in Russia, the good guys were reformers Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin. The bad guys were an incompetent claque of the military and KGB within the Politburo and the rebellion fizzled when Yeltsin climbed on that tank in Moscow. The Kremlins nukes were kept secure and the world caught its breath. The once all powerful Soviet Union then peacefully flickered out of existence a few months later.

Today, there is a lot less optimism over the standoff in Russia. There is no white hat promising freedom and liberty, but black hats only with Yevgeny Prigozhin of the Wagner Group of mercenaries versus Vladimir Putin and another really bad guy, the dictator of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, being the truce-maker.

Again, the same question: Are the nukes secured from rogue elements? And it seems the answer is thankfully yes. The added question is whether the only good guys around, the invaded Ukrainians, can get some relief from the open quarreling in the Russian camp. We can only hope so.

Putins horrible war of conquest against Ukraine is what caused all of this. Prigozhins Wagner army for hire has been the only effective force for the Kremlin against Kyiv. And it was Prigozhins extraordinary criticism of the Russian ministry of defense for bumbling leadership in the Ukraine war that led to his rebellion. Prigozhin doesnt want peace with Ukraine; he wants a stronger war effort.

Having called off his treasonous march on Moscow to return to the Ukraine front, will Prigozhin succeed in strengthening the Kremlins fighting agility, as the Ukrainians ready their own counteroffensive? The Americans and our allies have to help Ukraine succeed this summer, as defeating Prigozhin and Putin on the battlefield is a must.

The poor wartime performance of Czar Nicholass Russian Army in 1905 (against Japan) and 1917 (against the Kaiser) both precipitated revolutions in Russia. We will see if the poor wartime performance of Czar Vladimirs Russian Army in Ukraine will do the same. The world watches.

___
The price of freedom is pathetically low in Florida, and the cost of injustice is much too high.

The going rate is $50,000 for every year people languish in prison before being exonerated for crimes they did not commit. Thats less than $6 an hour, much less than the minimum wage.

The necessity for this reality is a deeply flawed system where wrongful convictions are commonplace. There have been 3,326 exonerations since records have been kept since 1989, including 85 in Florida. How many more are out there?

Florida is making amends for its two latest miscarriages of justice, Nos. 84 and 85, (including 13 in Broward, more than any other county). Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation providing $817,000 to Leonard Cure, who served 16 years in prison for a robbery someone else committed in Dania Beach, and whose claim was strongly supported by State Attorney Harold Pryor. Robert DuBoise of Tampa, who lost 37 years of his life, three on death row, for a murder he had nothing to do with, will receive $1.85 million. They did time for crimes they didnt commit, and the real criminals got away.

Inadequate relief

Both men also qualify for 120 hours of free tuition at a Florida college, university or career center. That and the money are well-intentioned, but they hardly make up for years of lost liberty, inability to earn a living and save for retirement, and the anguish of being punished severely for what they knew they hadnt done. If the right people had not helped them they would still be locked up for life.

They should have received the standard benefits promptly after their exoneration three years ago but were barred by a so-called clean hands provision that denies these benefits to people who had either one other violent felony conviction or more than one for a nonviolent crime. It doesnt matter how irrelevant those records might be.

A bill eliminating the clean hands rule (SB 382) cleared three House committees and the full Senate without a dissenting vote in this years session but died before the House voted on it. Theres no excuse for that.

Finality over fairness

Neither is there any excuse for a criminal justice system with too few opportunities for people to successfully challenge wrongful convictions. The appeal process is a thicket of procedural hurdles, harsh precedents and dead ends that exalts finality over fairness. In the normal course, theres no opportunity to prove that an old conviction, upheld on appeal, was still a miscarriage of justice.

Cure and DuBoise owe their freedom to the nonprofit Innocence Project and to conviction review units established by former Broward State Attorney Mike Satz and former State Attorney Andrew Warren in Hillsborough. Their purpose is to reopen doors of justice that have slammed shut. Only four other circuits have similar programs. All 20 should have them, and there should be one with statewide jurisdiction, too.

Nothing other than apparent disinterest prevents Attorney General Ashley Moody and 14 other state attorneys from implementing review programs. If they dont, the Legislature should demand it.

Like many other exonerees, Cure and DuBoise had prior criminal records that drew law enforcements attention. Cures picture was in the sheriffs files, and a witness picked him because she said the robber of a Walgreens was a well-dressed Black man. A picture of Cure fit the bill.

Even though no physical evidence linked Cure to the crime, the court allowed that wildly erroneous identification to overcome Cures well-documented alibi that he was at work far away. With a fresh look at what evidence there was and wasnt, the Broward conviction review unit said Cure should not have been convicted. A court agreed.

DuBoise was convicted of rape and murder on the basis of a dentists bite-mark testimony disdained as junk science and on the perjury of a jailhouse informant. Warren, the ex-prosecutor who created the Hillsborough unit, agreed to DNA testing that exonerated DuBoise and implicated two others who are in prison for other crimes. On the day Warren identified the other men, DeSantis suspended him from office on ludicrously pre-textual charges.

Signed into law

The compensation for Cure and DuBoise were two of six claim bills signed into law this month. Eight other claim bills failed without votes, which illustrates another festering Florida problem that must be fixed.

Claim bills are a vestige of the ancient rule that the king can do no wrong. Known as sovereign immunity, the law sets a limit of $200,000 for claims against a government agency from any one person or $300,000 if there are multiple claims. Attempts to increase obsolete and arbitrarily low payment caps fail year after year.

Those caps and binding even when an agency admits fault and wants to settle  as the South Broward Hospital District did in the case of Jamiyah Mitchell, a teenager who suffered brain injury at birth and has learning disabilities.

The family had to hire a paid lobbyist, but the district paid her family $200,000 and will pay another $795,000 under another claim bill DeSantis signed (SB 16).

No system is perfect. But the arbitrary, needlessly drawn-out claim bill system should be replaced with a court of claims, like the federal governments, to deliver justice more promptly and fairly.

It took four years before the Legislature compensated Jamiyah Mitchells family. She will soon be 15 years old.

____

The Orlando Sentinels Editorial Board includes Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney, and Anderson. Send letters to insight@orlandosentinel.com.
Americas public schools belong to parents and all taxpayers, and they have a right to participate in decisions regarding school curriculum and how and on what their tax dollars are being spent.

At issue is whether the legislation that will create a 21-member elected school board for Chicago is truly in the best interests of students, parents and taxpayers. So, whats wrong with the plan?

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First, Chicago will be creating the largest school board in the country. This will be a mini-legislature, inevitably becoming either a contentious body that will be slow to decide anything or a rubber-stamp entity essentially controlled by the Chicago Teachers Union. Only New York City, with an appointed board, comes close with 23 members. Los Angeles, the second largest school system in the country, has seven elected board members.

Many questions remain unanswered about the Chicago school board legislation. Will this board want a separate staff to gather information independent of the Chicago school bureaucracy? Or will Chicago Public Schools officials be providing information and statistics to protect their own jobs, positions and interests? If the board does have a separate staff, school costs will undoubtedly rise. Will each of the 21 board members have offices and personnel similar to aldermen and state legislators? Will they eventually demand salaries or a substantial stipend for their work? There are school boards in the nation whose members receive salaries.

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But even more troubling concerns are evident when we look at the elected boards in major U.S. cities. In 2017, advocates supporting candidates in L.A. spent almost $15 million in that election, which became one of the most expensive school board elections in history. The co-founder of Netflix, Reed Hastings, donated $7 million in that election, and the Los Angeles teachers union and the national teachers union put in more than $1 million into the race.

In Denvers school board election in 2019, candidates and outside groups spent $2.3 million in a contest with only three seats on the ballot for that citys seven-member board.

Why should we now suppose that our Chicago school board election will not be equally or even more costly? Twenty-one people will have to raise unconscionable amounts of money to run for a seat. And our law allows for one individual to seek votes from the entire city electorate. In fact, that individual will have to conduct the equivalent of a race for mayor in terms of campaign staff, media buys and other expenditures. Who but millionaires, and those who are bought by millionaires or by the Chicago Teachers Union, will seek this position?

When researchers at Michigan State and Columbia universities looked at the financing of school board elections in Los Angeles, Denver, New Orleans and Bridgeport, Connecticut, from 2008 to 2013, they found that outside money played a large role.

Todays political climate offers even more concerns. The contentious issues regarding race and gender identity clearly have entered school board elections across the nation. One conservative group, The 1776 Project, claims it spent $20,000 to $25,000 on individual candidates it wanted elected.

Our elected school board will not be immune from these liberal and conservative culture conflicts, and candidates will be inundated with money from both sides.

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The schools certainly belong to the people, but just how interested are the people in demonstrating that control? The average school board election brings out only 5% to 10% of eligible voters. Consider Chicagos most recent voting turnout of about 35% for a hotly contested, highly visible mayoral race.

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Chicago school board elections will very likely follow that trend, which makes it even more likely that large expenditures of money on candidates supported by the CTU will dominate.

Finally, there is one other reason why a large, elected school board is a bad idea for Chicago. It frees the current and future mayors from responsibility and accountability for public schools and education. If asked about the poor performance of students on basic skills and standardized tests, the mayor can simply say, I cant do anything about it. Its not my problem. Talk to the school board.

Chicago already has a vehicle by which parents and taxpayers can voice their concerns and recommendations at the local school level: local school councils. The fact that few choose to run for these important posts or participate should be cause for concern about the even more troubling prospects of school board campaigns bought by special interest money in Chicago as well as from outsiders.

Chicago certainly needs a central school board, but one that hopefully can avoid the clear problems of other cities. The legislation that creates the elected Chicago school board is very problematic. We should seek to change or amend that legislation before it is too late.

Michael Bakalis is a onetime Illinois state superintendent of education, state comptroller and deputy undersecretary of education for the U.S. Department of Education.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
About 40 egrets were blown from pine trees when a powerful wind gust traveling 80 miles per hour swept through Portsmouth on Sunday night.

Melissa Manasse has lived in a neighborhood on the Elizabeth River for five years and has become familiar with the egret colony that calls a stand of loblolly pines home.

I enjoy them, Manasse said of the graceful white birds with the long, S-shaped necks. I like the sound they make.

After the wind gust, Manasse went out with her husband and some neighbors to see if they could help the birds who were blown from the trees. Many were chicks and died in the storm.

But some survived the gale. Manasse ended up with three rescued birds in a box in her garage Sunday night.

Portsmouth Animal Control, an Elizabeth River Project representative and a wildlife rehabilitator all converged on the neighborhood Monday to help with egret rescue efforts.

Yesterday was hard, Manasse said Monday. There were some tears shed from my side. But today, it was so nice to hear that like 18 of them, including a bunch of babies, were rescued.

Sixteen birds were rescued and taken to a local wildlife rehabilitation center.

Casey Shaw, communications director for the Elizabeth River Project, a nonprofit that works to improve the health of the river, was on scene Monday. Shaw, a certified landscape professional, wears many hats at the organization and jumped in with rescue efforts.

There was a bird that was right on the shoreline, and they were trying to flush it out, and it was going toward the water, Shaw said. I was like, Ive got waders.

Shaw put on the waterproof garment she keeps in her car  insulated, winter waders that she hadnt anticipated wearing on the 85-degree day  and fished the bird out of the marsh.

A tree service cleaning up debris from the storm found another pair of baby birds in an intact nest that had fallen. The two chicks were also rescued.

Spring is a difficult time for egrets, according to Bryan Watts, a William & Mary conservation biologist who studies egrets and herons in the Tidewater area.

It comes down to a timing issue, Watts said. If the chicks are up in the nest and theyre of a certain age, they are fairly vulnerable to high winds.

Chicks born in the spring who cant yet fly might be vulnerable to the many storms in late May and June that buffet the loblolly pines where egret colonies nest.

You have a lot of nests up in the crowns of these pines, and you can imagine what its like up there when it gets windy, Watts said. Those branches are swaying and its like a rollercoaster ride.

There are four egret colonies in Hampton Roads  in Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. Watts surveyed the colony in Portsmouth in late May and counted 392 nests. Each nest corresponds to a pair of adult birds, so Watts estimated a little less than 800 adults in the colony. Egrets lay three to five eggs a year, and Watts said maybe two chicks per nest survive to adulthood.

There used to be around eight egret colonies in Hampton Roads, according to Watts. The birds rely on groups of pine trees together in which to nest, but homeowners dont tend to be fans of the birds droppings or discarded fish and often remove the pines. The population of egrets locally has declined as their habitats decreased in size.

Statewide, though, egret populations rebounded after hunting of the birds was outlawed in the early 20th century and the pesticide DDT was banned in 1972.

The great egrets are doing well in Virginia, Watts said.

Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com
Elizabeth Vargas says shes hoping viewers get a sense of who Robert F. Kennedy Jr. truly is as she preps for a NewsNation town hall with the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate.

This is everybodys chance to really sort of get  unedited and live  hear him speak and listen to how he thinks, Vargas tells ITK of the cable news channels town hall on Wednesday at 9 p.m.

The TV event, first announced last week, is poised to be held in Chicago before an audience comprised of voters who are Democrats or independents who are leaning Democratic. Additional audiences will be on-hand in New Hampshire and in South Carolina. The network is teaming up with the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College to help facilitate the live audience.

Kennedy, the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, launched his longshot primary bid against President Biden in April. Many Democrats have been critical of the anti-vaccine activist, dubbing the environmental lawyer a conspiracy theory-spewing fringe candidate who is backed by GOP money in an open attempt to weaken Biden.

CNNs Jake Tapper said last week that he would decline to host a town hall with Kennedy because he spreads dangerous misinformation about childhood vaccines.

His stances on vaccines are definitely very, very controversial, Vargas said of Kennedy, when asked about Tappers remark.

He has been heavily censured by many social media platforms in the past about his stances on them, the Elizabeth Vargas Reports anchor said. And if somebody asks him a question about vaccines  Im sure it will come up I will remind our audience that the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], and the [Food and Drug Administration], and the [American Medical Association], and the American Academy of Pediatrics and most of the medical and scientific community say that vaccines overall are incredibly safe and have saved hundreds of millions of lives over the past decade.

But, Vargas said, This town hall is not a town hall about vaccines.

For whatever reason, this candidate is polling quite well and has captured the imagination of a sizable number of voters, Vargas, 60, said.

A CNN poll released last month showed Kennedy with 20 percent of support among Democratic and Democratic-leaning respondents.

This town hall is not an adversarial gotcha interview by me, Vargas said.

It is my job to moderate the questions from the audience. I think that we do our greatest public service when the audience gets to see him speak, and think, and react in real-time and fully, the former ABC World News Tonight anchor said.

You can say, Hey, I agree with that position, or, Hey, I think hes wacky.

Thats up to our audience to decide. I want to provide them with the capacity to watch him answer questions on Russia, on the economy, on the border, on the Fentanyl crisis in this country, on crime, on the economy, and to have him explain his positions, explain how we arrived at those positions and how he defends those positions, Vargas said of the 69-year-old White House hopeful.

As a moderator of the hour-and-a-half-long town hall, Vargas said, preparation is key, and not just at the last minute.

I did this even as a student in college, the University of Missouri alum said. When I was in college and everybody else was cramming, pulling all-nighters, I never once in four years pulled an all-nighter.

I was really organized, and I would outline all my notes and then I would get a good nights sleep and relax, because thats the best thing you can do in something like this is relax, she said.

Its the things that youre not prepared for that are sometimes the most interesting parts of a town hall, or an interview or a conversation  when somebody says something you might not expect. And you just follow that thread and see where it leads you.

Last month, CNN drew headlines for its live town hall with former President Trump. The event, moderated by Kaitlan Collins in front of an audience of Republican and GOP-leaning voters, was widely panned as a disaster.

Asked how the event from NewsNation  which, like The Hill, is also owned by Nexstar Media Group  might avoid the same fate as CNN, Vargas told ITK, Listen, my job is to moderate the questions from the audience and to, in real time, redirect [Kennedy] to answer.

NewsNation plans to have a live blog on Wednesday night with contributors and editors providing insight, context and fact checks throughout the town hall.

If [Kennedy] says anything thats factually questionable, [my job is] to remind him what some of the facts are that are established, Vargas said.

I think it is our job to help Americans see Bobby Kennedy Jr.  who he is and how he thinks  and get to draw their own conclusions on whether or not they want to support his candidacy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Elon Musk has told people that he microdoses ketamine to treat depression, The Wall Street Journal reported. Chesnot/Getty Images and Getty stock

Elon Musk has told people he microdoses ketamine for depression, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The billionaire also takes full doses at parties, the publication said.

On Monday, Musk said on Twitter that ketamine is a "better option" than traditional drugs.

Elon Musk has told people he is taking small doses of ketamine to treat depression and has also been seen taking the drug recreationally, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal said.

The publication said the billionaire takes full doses of the drug at parties, citing individuals who have seen Musk use ketamine and other people with direct knowledge.

Musk did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication. But the Tesla CEO tweeted about the use of ketamine to treat depression less than two hours after The Journal published its report.

"Depression is overdiagnosed in the US, but for some people it really is a brain chemistry issue," Musk tweeted in the early hours of Tuesday morning. "But zombifying people with SSRIs for sure happens way too much. From what I've seen with friends, ketamine taken occasionally is a better option."

Ketamine is a "dissociative drug" that can impact an individual's visual and auditory senses, as well as produce "detachment from reality," according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Medical professionals commonly use the drug as an anesthetic, but others can also use it illegally as a party drug. The drug can be sold as a white powder, a liquid, or a pill.

Some clinical trials have studied the use of ketamine to treat depression, and it could prove to be a new frontier for treatment. The US Food and Drug Administration hasn't officially approved ketamine for treating mental-health issues, but for over a decade, some medical professionals have prescribed the drug off-label to some patients.

Musk is reportedly one of several executives in Silicon Valley to try his hand at psychedelics. Sergey Brin, one of the cofounders of Google, has taken psilocybin mushrooms, The Journal reported, citing people familiar with his use of the drug. Insider previously reported that Brin attended a party in Los Angeles last summer where guests openly consumed psychedelic mushrooms, and peers have said he has a general interest in psychedelic drugs. Similarly, members of the Founders Fund  an elite San Francisco venture-capital firm that has invested in major companies such as SpaceX, Airbnb, and Spotify  have been known to throw parties with psychedelics, the publication said.

Spokespeople for Brin and the Founders Fund did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication. But a spokesperson for the Founders Fund told The Journal: "Research shows that psychedelics can provide significant mental health benefits, and we support public and private sector efforts to make these drugs safely and legally available."

Microdosing, the practice of taking very small amounts of a drug, has become a common practice in Silicon Valley, where executives may take tiny amounts of drugs such as LSD in an effort to boost their creativity and focus. As Insider previously reported, the jury is out on whether the drugs are effective, though many psychedelics are illegal.

Musk has gotten in hot water in the past for using drugs. In 2022, the billionaire said he and the "whole of SpaceX" had to be drug tested for a year after he smoked weed on a 2018 podcast with Joe Rogan. And Tesla board members expressed concern when Musk told The New York Times in 2018 that he'd begun using Ambien to sleep.

Last year, The New York Times reported that the billionaire often likes to discuss the benefits of psychedelic drugs with friends and has gone to nearly every Burning Man festival for the past 20 years.

"I have been with him on mild exploratory journeys," David Marglin, a Bay Area lawyer who met Musk at Burning Man and has been his friend for 20 years, told The Times in 2022. "And he appreciates the value of those journeys. Nothing out of control or wild, but it's all night, and there's dancing and revelry."

Read the Journal's full story on its website.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Drivers had a lot to deal with on southbound I-5 through Seattle Tuesday morning, including an emergency repair on an expansion joint, backing up traffic for hours.

This happened just south of the Spokane Street Viaduct.

And this likely isnt the end of repairs to this half-century-old freeway.

WSDOT says it found out around 7 a.m. Tuesday, that an expansion joint was buckling and needed to be repaired immediately.

By then, the morning commute was already in full swing. And the ripple effect lasted for hours.

This is near where the Revive I-5 project happened last summer.

But the expansion joint that needed repairing today wasnt part of the Revive I-5 project. Its just south of there.

And the traffic headache Tuesday could be a preview of whats to come.

Chopper 7 showed the misery drivers endured at the worst possible time, 7 a.m. during the Tuesday morning commute. All of it was due to the emergency repair on southbound I-5.

The emergency this morning was identified in the right two lanes of the bridge, said James Poling, a spokesman from WSDOTs traffic maintenance division. And that is the hazard that needed to be removed.

Poling says their concern centered on an expansion joint they feared might give way.

Our concern was exposed steel that could have damaged a tire, a suspension, or an underbody, said Poling. And who knows what could have happened then.

In fact, that was the reason for the massive Revive I-5 project, replacing expansion joints to make for a safer, smoother ride on the aging bridge.

But the expansion joint that sparked the emergency repair Tuesday wasnt replaced then. Even at that, this work was to only the two right lanes.

The two left lanes still need to be removed at some point, he said. They were not part of todays emergency.

It was not good news for drivers near the Chinatown-International District.

Theres always some type of emergency in Seattle, said Ianna Frare of Seattle. Right here. Theres always an emergency.

Others say theyll avoid I-5 altogether.

I dont like the bumps like jumps up in the air, said Kevin Chaney of Auburn. My cars floating up in the air. Its messing up my bottom underneath my car.

Tuesdays repair took four long hours. WSDOT says in the not-too-distant future, they will be repairing those left two lanes.

But there should be some warning before that work is done. So, buckle up!
Amreet Sandhu is running for Sacramento City Council next year.

She will challenge Councilman Eric Guerra to represent Elmhurst, Tahoe Park, and southeast Sacramento.

Sandhu, an Elmhurst resident, is former president of the Elmhurst Neighborhood Association and is a founding member of the Queer Democrats of Sacramento.

She said she is running for the 6th District seat to improve the citys response to the growing environmental and homeless crises.

My commitment to public service comes from the Sikh value sewa, which means service to others, said Sandhu, a law librarian. And right now we need people who are committed to service more than ever. The urgency of the situation in Sacramento requires me to jump in to ensure better outcomes for our region.

Sandhu, whose father grew up in the public housing community on Seavey Circle in Upper Land Park, said she wants the city to require developers to build more affordable units when they build market-rate units, in order to alleviate the housing crisis. Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela has expressed support for the same idea but the council has not yet taken a vote on it.

Were seeing buildings go up all over town and at the end of the day the money they could make by selling those as market rate, its not translating into what we need, Sandhu said. The waiting list to get (Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency) housing is painfully long and were just not going to build the housing we need in time to house the people we need to house.

For example, the wait list for SHRAs new Mirasol Village housing mixed-income complex in the River District recently received 9,451 applications, according to SHRA. It includes 487 units.

Sandhu previously was an activist with the group Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, which pushes for eviction protections and rent control across the state.

Sandhu said she would also want to open shelters and Safe Ground-sanctioned camping sites in the 6th District, even if the city has to pay to lease one of its many vacant buildings from private owners. The city has a couple of motels where it places homeless families in the district, but no large shelters or Safe Grounds, despite the large homeless community along Stockton Boulevard and bordering Morrison Creek.

I think the situation has gotten so bad, we need to consider all options to get people housed, Sandhu said. Were looking at another hot summer in Sacramento without a strong urban forest and we know that people die in this heat. I feel its an urgent situation.

Sandhu will challenge Guerra, who was first elected to the council in 2015 and is now one of its longest serving members. In the March 2020 primary, he sailed to re-election with 65% of the vote against three opponents, avoiding a runoff.

Last year Guerra lost his bid for state Assembly to then-Elk Grove City Councilwoman Stephanie Nguyen. He announced earlier this year he would seek re-election to the council.

The March 2024 election would be Sandhus first run at public office.

The primary will be held March 5. If no single candidate gets at least 50.01% of the vote, the general election for the 6th District would be held Nov. 5.
FILE PHOTO: A 7-year-old Italian with spastic tetraplegia and cerebral palsy is seen next to his catheters, medicine and baby wipes, in Rome, Italy, October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

(This June 27 story has been corrected to say June 27, not July 27, in paragraph 2)

By Maggie Fick

LONDON (Reuters) - Brussels must act to prevent essential medical devices for children from disappearing in the European Union in the next year, by correcting a new law that is inadvertently causing the problem, the European Academy of Paediatrics warned on Tuesday.

The academy and 22 other medical associations wrote that the unintended consequences of the law will likely harm children's health in a June 27 letter to EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.

"This will result in an avoidable risk of death and serious injury, not as a consequence of unsafe medical devices, but as a consequence of disappearance of devices due to unforeseen effects of the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR)," the groups said.

Earlier this year, the EU extended the deadline for companies until 2027 or 2028, depending on the device, to comply with the law requiring companies to recertify their products. This came amid reports from doctors that the new legislation was causing shortages of lifesaving equipment because small companies making devices for small numbers of patients could not afford the new compliance process.

But that extension has not solved the problem, the groups warned. Companies are still required to sign a contract by September 2024 with an agency, known as a notified body, to begin certifying products under the new law.

One company who received invoices from one of those agencies of over 800,000 euros ($876,800) for assessments for a single device already on the market for at most five years of market access, the letter read. That is over 150 times more costly than the process in the United States for the same device, it said.

The associations urge the EU to protect access for certain devices for children and other patients with rare diseases and to begin monitoring which devices have disappeared from the market. They said that a type of catheter used to perform lifesaving surgery on newborns with heart defects have become unavailable, and shortages of a type of dialysis machine needed for children with kidney disease have been reported.

The new law came into effect in 2021 and aims to prevent health scandals such as one in 2010 involving rupturing breast implants. It has more stringent requirements than the previous directive.

($1 = 0.9124 euros)

(Reporting by Maggie Fick; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
Every student in Florida will be eligible for state-funded private school scholarships

Every student in Florida will be eligible to receive state-funded private school scholarships starting Saturday and local private schools are preparing for an increase in applications as a result.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The scholarships can put a big dent in tuition costs, but in many cases wont cover everything.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Here in Northeast Florida, Action News Jax looked at what some of the most prominent private schools charge for tuition and found prices ranged from $9,840 on the low end at Trinity Christian up to $30,900 at Episcopal.

According to the Florida Department of Education, the average Family Empowerment Scholarship award hovered around $7,700 last year.

They could have a scholarship thatll cover the majority of that expense. Its really what has made private schools more affordable than ever, Deacon Scott Conway, School Superintendent for the Diocese of St. Augustine, said.

Read: Florida Department of Education releases restrictions on TikTok, adult performances at schools

Conway urged parents who want to take advantage of the scholarships to apply as soon as possible.

If you are not looking for a school right now that you want to go to you might not have too many options left as those seats are filling up quick, Conway said.

And while some are excited by the prospect of putting a dent in private school tuition, public school advocates like Andrew Spar with the Florida Education Association worry about the cost to taxpayers.

Millionaires and billionaires now qualify for vouchers in the state of Florida, Spar said.

FEA estimates taxpayers could be on the hook for $2.5 billion just for current private school students who now may take advantage of the scholarships.

Read: Florida Universities eyeing AI for possible use in higher education

Its money Spar argued would be better spent in public schools.

Our teachers and staff are not paid enough. We dont have enough resources and programs in our schools to make sure that our students are getting the support they need academically, Spar said.

The Florida Legislature estimated the expansion of the scholarships to cost the state $209 million in the first year, but it budgeted more than a billion dollars in the budget for the programs.

Only time will tell how many students take advantage of them.

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You can apply for the scholarships here.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
'Everybody failed': A new Senate report found the FBI, Homeland Security and other agencies failed to realize Jan. 6 was coming

'Everybody failed': A new Senate report found the FBI, Homeland Security and other agencies failed to realize Jan. 6 was coming

Police use tear gas around the Capitol building during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Lev Radin/Getty Images

A Senate-led probe of pre-January 6 intelligence failures faulted the FBI for not being more proactive.

The new report concluded officials did not take the intelligence they did receive seriously enough before Jan. 6.

"Those agencies failed to fully and accurately assess the severity of the threat identified by that intelligence," investigators concluded.

The FBI and another key federal agency failed to adequately appreciate the gravity of the situation and convey the possibility of violence before the Capitol riot, a review of the agencies' handling of intelligence before January 6 concluded.

The report found that FBI received a tip in December 2020 that the far-right Proud Boys planned to be in Washington. "[T]heir plan is to literally kill people," the tip read. "Please please take this tip seriously and investigate further."

Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who ordered the report, told the Associated Press that it "defies an easy explanation" why so much of the intelligence that was collected was dismissed. Peters called the sheer intelligence the agencies had "massive."

"Everybody should be accountable because everybody failed," he said.

Just two days before the riot, Justice Department leadership became aware of multiple concerning posts, including "[c]alls to occupy federal buildings," discussions of "invading the capitol building," and individuals "arm[ing] themselves and to engage in political violence at the event."

The investigation focused entirely on intelligence failures before the attack. Peters' committee staffers focused their findings on the "two primary domestic intelligence agencies," the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

"Those agencies failed to fully and accurately assess the severity of the threat identified by that intelligence, and formally disseminate guidance to their law enforcement partners with sufficient urgency and alarm to enable those partners to prepare for the violence that ultimately occurred on January 6th," the report concludes in its executive summary.

Peters said that officials pointed fingers at other failures when asked about what happened. Top Trump-era officials often placed blame on the US Capitol Police.

"I can't explain to you why that perimeter did not hold. Someone from the Capitol Police has to explain that," former Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue told committee investigators. "But their only responsibility was the Capitol, and they had more than enough personnel and resources to secure it throughout that day."

Investigators previously found that US Capitol Police leadership did not properly train, equip, or share intelligence before January 6. Nevertheless, they conclude "FBI and DOJ had received a multitude of tips and other intelligence" but did not share that information with Capitol Police.

In response to the report, the FBI said in a statement that it is "constantly trying to learn and evaluate what we can do better or differently, and this is especially true of the attack on the U.S. Capitol."

"We also made improvements to assist investigators and analysts in all of our field offices throughout the investigative process, including centralizing the flow of information to ensure timely notifications so they can take appropriate action on potential threats," the bureau said in a statement.

The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that it had already ordered a review of its Office of Intelligence and Analysis.

"Since the attack, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has strengthened intelligence analysis, information sharing, and operational preparedness to help prevent acts of violence and keep our communities safe," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ex-CEO of Lincoln Charter School in York sentenced in theft of funds: U.S. Attorney

A former principal and CEO of Lincoln Charter School in York has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining and misapplying money from his employer, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Leonard Hart, 50, of Mount Wolf pleaded guilty last year to the offenses. He was recently sentenced to five years of probation, a news release states.

Hart misrepresented that he was pursuing a Ph.D. and sought tuition reimbursement through the charter school, which receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education primarily because it serves a high number of children from low-income backgrounds, a news release states. Through a program offered by the school, employees can receive partial reimbursement for furthering their education.

Hart admitted to submitting nearly 20 false and fraudulent reports, totaling $55,311, between 2018 and 2020, the release states. He was ordered to pay restitution for full amount.

He made a $10,000 payment towards the amount owed during his sentencing, the release states.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Ex-CEO of Lincoln Charter School in York sentenced in theft of funds
A new book from a former Trump administration appointee accuses a top former White Hosue official of a desire to break international law with a suggestion to use military force against unarmed civilians attempting to migrate to the US.

A spokesperson for Mr Miller denied that the conversation, first detailed in an upcoming book by Miles Taylor, took place. Excerpts of the book were obtained by Rolling Stone and published on Tuesday.

In the book, Mr Taylor accuses Mr Miller of making the remark during a conversation with Admiral Paul Zukunft of the US Coast Guard.

His supposed remarks were directed towards a boat reportedly carrying a group of migrants bound for US shores  presumably with the intention of applying for asylum or escaping into the wider US after landing illegally on US shores. Under federal law, migrants seeking to apply for asylum must first reach US soil to begin the application process.

Tell me why cant we use a Predator drone to obliterate that boat? Mr Miller is quoted by Mr Taylor as saying.

Mr Taylor further reported that the admiral went on to explain that the US was bound by international law, which among other things spells out the immorality of using military force against civilian targets and defines that as a war crime.

The magazine reported that Mr Zukunft claims no recollection of the quote in question, but vividly recall[ed] having a lengthy conversation with Stephen Miller regarding south-west border security in 2018.

To use deadly force to thwart maritime migration would be preposterous and the antithesis of our nations vanguard for advancing human rights, said Mr Zukunft in a statement to Rolling Stone.

Mr Millers representative, meanwhile, strongly denied that the former Trump aide had made the suggestion.

This is a complete fiction that exists only in the mind of Miles Taylor desperate to stay relevant by fabricating material for his new book, they told Rolling Stone.

But it isnt the first time Mr Miller has been reported to have made comments about immigration and migrants that have shocked those in his presence and drawn accusations of racism, bigotry, and flat-out callousness towards vulnerable civilians fleeing from persecution.

In the fall of 2021, CNN reported that Mr Miller had made a racist comment in response to the idea of working to ensure that Afghans and Iraqis who worked for the US military as translators, fixers, and local guides would be protected from backlash  an idea that became all too relevant with the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban later that year.

What do you guys want? A bunch of Iraqs and Stans across the country? Mr Miller was reported to have said during a 2018 Cabinet meeting, using a derogatory slur for persons of Afghan descent.
Then-Chicago police Chief of Operations Brian McDermott watches during a ceremony at police headquarters on July 15, 2020. McDermott, currently chief of patrol, and the third-highest ranking member of the department, has been a subject of complaints by several alderman who believe he should have a received a follow-up interview for the police superintendent position. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

A conflict over who will be the next Chicago police superintendent has revealed growing pains for the community-driven search process and is testing the independence of the new panel tasked with choosing the finalists.

The flap began last week when 19 aldermen released a letter declaring their disappointment and dismay over the apparent decision by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to eliminate one of the Police Departments highest-ranking officials from consideration. The leader of Chicagos new independent police oversight panel, in turn, accused the City Council members of attempting improper influence over the proceedings.

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In fact, several of the aldermen who signed the letter had voted in favor of the ordinance that created the community commission in 2021, but some of them now say the implementation has been botched as they feel iced out of the bodys deliberations. Anthony Driver Jr., the CCPSAs president, retorted that the letter was misinformed and reeks of the old Chicago Way. 

The candidate in question, police Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott, did not receive a follow-up interview for the position after an initial phone screening despite being the most experienced chief in the department with 28 years in law enforcement and overseeing more than 6,000 beat cops, according to the letter.

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We do not understand why Chief McDermott was not granted an interview, especially given his impressive qualifications and deep commitment to the Chicago Police Department, the letter said, adding that Mayor Brandon Johnson, the City Council and every Chicago resident deserves to know why someone as qualified as Chief McDermott was not even afforded an interview for one of the citys most important leadership roles.

Driver declined to comment on McDermotts application process.

The consequences are the old Chicago Way, where weve seen time and time again where you have a very clout-heavy city, where people do favors for folks and people get positions through political influence, and it hasnt worked, Driver said. Our city has done this, has operated in the same way for decades, and we have not had good results.

Anthony Driver Jr., center, president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, speaks to fellow members Remel Terry, left, Isaac Troncoso, Beth Brown and Oswaldo Gomez after an inauguration ceremony for the first 66 people elected to be Chicago Police district councilors on May 2, 2023, at the Harold Washington Cultural Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Johnson addressed the controversy by affirming that the CCPSA is an independent body whose ultimate mission is to instill constitutional policing, but he refrained from criticizing the aldermen explicitly or commenting on McDermotts candidacy.

The city of Chicago worked hard to come up with an independent process that would ultimately provide the type of recommendations that are  free from political malfeasance, Johnson said in an unrelated news conference Wednesday. And so Im grateful that theres an ordinance in place, but also I do recognize that alderpersons, just like anyone else, should always have the ability to express their thoughts about any decision.  Its a democracy.

The legislation creating the independent body passed City Council two years ago in a 36-13 vote. It followed years of tense negotiations between then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and community activists in support of police accountability, calls for which grew louder during the fallout of the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd in 2020. Lightfoot then filled the seven-member CCPSA panel with her appointees, who have now become tasked with picking three finalists for the next leader of the Police Department after her hand-picked superintendent, David Brown, resigned in the wake of her reelection loss this year.

Those who voted for the ordinance but are now dinging the community commission in the letter are Alds. Michelle Harris, 8th; Raymond Lopez, 15th; David Moore, 17th; Derrick Curtis, 18th; Felix Cardona, 31st; Scott Waguespack, 32nd; and Debra Silverstein, 50th.

The others who signed the letter were Alds. Brian Hopkins, 2nd; Anthony Beale, 9th; Peter Chico, 10th; Nicole Lee, 11th; Marty Quinn, 13th; Matt OShea, 19th; Silvana Tabares, 23rd; Gil Villegas, 36th; Nicholas Sposato, 38th; Anthony Napolitano, 41st; Brendan Reilly, 42nd; and Jim Gardiner, 45th. Of that list, those who were on City Council during the previous term all voted against the police oversight ordinance, except Villegas, who was absent.

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Moore, whose South Side ward spans a police district that McDermott used to oversee, said the CCPSAs decision not to grant McDermott a follow-up interview was shocking, arguing that someone of such a high rank in the department should be qualified to receive at least a formal interview.

To Moore, the letter pushing back at the CCPSA is not a contradiction of his 2021 support for community oversight of Chicago police.

Ald. David Moore, 17th, at a City Council meeting on May 24, 2023, at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Im not gonna say it was a mistake from the start, Moore said about creating the body. I would never say that because you want independent community input, but I think when you leave the aldermanic voices out  then I think thats some concern.

He added that he believes the reputation of political wheeling-and-dealing in Chicago City Council is in the past in terms of the 80s, 90s and then one or two people even in the 2000s.

Were past those days, Moore said. I think a lot of the aldermen are doing a lot of things for the right reasons. This is not about, Hey, I wanted my guy here. I want my guy there.

Driver, however, noted the letter seemed more a political stunt than a good-faith effort to seek information, saying he learned of it through the media because it wasnt first sent to the commission. Driver said he agrees that City Council members are free to express themselves but that touting a specific candidate to the commission goes over the line to lobbying.

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If we have to be worried about outside influences, were not making a pick based on who the best person is, Driver said. Were making a pick based on fear.  In the past, I think you have a general sentiment that this did not work. The last superintendent search, people had the idea that it was an inside job, that it didnt serve our communities very well.

Lightfoot tapped Brown to be superintendent in 2020 less than two days after the Chicago Police Board announced him as a finalist, contributing to the impression he was her choice all along. Four years earlier  when Lightfoot herself was head of the Police Board  then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel disregarded that panels three finalists and selected someone who hadnt applied, Eddie Johnson.

Ald. Ray Lopez, 15th, raises his hand on the floor of City Council chambers on May 31, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Lopez, from the Southwest Side, said he stands by his support for community input over policing. But he said the community commission is intentionally excluding officials like him who are familiar with the Police Departments inner workings and the citys crime issues. Moreover, the Lightfoot-appointed CCPSA was not elected, but aldermen like him were, so brushing aside their concerns would only erode the faith in the new process, Lopez said.

The frustration that I and the rest of my colleagues have is that this isnt meant to be a secretive club thats making this decision, Lopez said. This is an official government public body that should be able to explain how this process is working. We dont necessarily want to know what their deliberations are, but you should be able to share what your criteria is.

Lopez noted that after the commission will present its three finalists to Johnson, due July 14, there still must be a final signoff from City Council on whomever the mayor picks.

These questions will not go away, Lopez said. Clearly, there are already 19 members who have questions, who have doubts, who have concerns, that have publicly made those known. All it will take is seven more to jeopardize any future appointment that they might produce.

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Chicago Tribunes Sam Charles contributed.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
What the expansion of Parental Rights in Education law means for Central Florida schools

Central Florida school districts have one day left to make policy changes to comply with a new state law.

In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the expansion of the Parental Rights in Education Act, called Dont Say Gay by critics.

The expansion of that bill is one of several new laws that go into effect July 1.

The Parental Rights in Education bill banned instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for grades kindergarten through third grade, and as of July 1 its being expanded to cover pre-K through eighth grade.

Read: Local after-school drag event canceled as DeSantis aims to expand Parental Rights in Education

The new law also makes changes to how books can be challenged in school districts and it prevents the forced use of pronouns in schools.

Were gonna get Florida out of the out of the pronoun Olympics, bill sponsor Rep. Randy Fine, of Palm Bay, said. Theres hes in there, shes and thats it. And if we dont teach that in school, then were doomed as a country.

Read: Florida teacher may have violated new education law after showing Disney movie to 5th-grade class

Fine said this is about protecting children and the rights of parents.

But Central Florida parent Jennifer Cousins said this law doesnt respect her rights as the mother of 2two LGBTQ children in Orange County schools.

My parental rights are going to be violated by laws like this because its going to allow people who are not accepting of families like mine where I have two queer children to dictate what my children can learn in school, she said.

Read: College Board wont alter AP courses for Floridas law banning lessons on gender, sexual orientation

Cousins said she feels the law unfairly targets an already vulnerable population

Theyve turned it into an issue that didnt need to be there and a way to further marginalize already marginalized communities, she said.

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.
Expert sounds the alarm after U.S. Supreme Court sides with couple wanting to build house at protected site

Since the creation of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the federal government has had the authority to protect bodies of water throughout the U.S. from pollution. This traditionally included wetlands, which play a vital role in feeding open bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

However, thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in May, this federal protection has been removed from many crucial wetlands across the country, the Guardian reports.

What happened?

According to the Guardian, Michael and Chantell Sackett are Idaho residents who bought a half-acre lot in 2004 near Priest Lake, one of the states largest bodies of water. They intended to build a home there and started to fill in the marshy site with gravel.

The Sacketts didnt know that the site was a protected wetland, which they would need a permit to fill in, the Guardian explains. The EPA stepped in to stop construction and issued serious fines for the work already done.

The Sacketts began a 15-year legal battle, which made it to the Supreme Court this year. The central question was whether the EPA had the authority to prevent the Sacketts from building on a wetland area.

The Supreme Court ruled in the Sacketts favor. It found that the Clean Water Act applied only to wetlands with a continuous surface connection to bodies that are waters of the United States in their own rights.

Why does this decision matter?

As the U.S. Geological Survey explains, wetlands are crucial to Americas water system and environment. They catch and filter water before it reaches rivers and lakes, keeping those sources clean for human use  even if the wetlands dont have an obvious surface connection to those bodies of water.

Wetlands also absorb stormwater to prevent floods, protect coastlines from eroding, and provide food and shelter to wildlife that people rely on, including young fish and shellfish.

If the EPA doesnt have the authority to protect wetlands, those areas may be polluted, filled in, or drained in ways that harm whole communities. The former wetland and the surrounding area would experience increased flood risks, and fish populations in nearby waters would drop. People who rely on those water sources for household use or crops would also see a decline in water quality and safety.

Whats being done about the change?

This decision came at a time when the Clean Water Act was being strengthened by the EPA and the Biden administration, so the federal government may take action to address the change.

Jim Murphy of the National Wildlife Federation also called on Congress and state governments to create new laws to protect the wetlands that have suddenly been left exposed.

For 50 years the Clean Water Act has been instrumental in revitalizing and safeguarding drinking water sources for people and wildlife, wetlands for flood control, and habitats that sustain our wildlife heritage, said Murphy. The courts ruling removes these vital protections from important streams and wetlands in every state. We call on both Congress and state governments to step in, plug the gap, and protect our threatened waters and the people that depend on them.

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The News

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the "independent state legislature theory," a once-fringe legal theory that would have prevented state courts from striking down election laws and maps passed by state lawmakers. The case originated out of North Carolina, where Republicans argued that the state Supreme Court shouldn't have been able to throw out Republican-drawn voting district maps.

The court issued the ruling on a 6-3 vote, with Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissenting.

Weve curated insightful analysis from political and legal experts on what this means for the legal landscape ahead of the 2024 election.

Insights

Allies of former President Donald Trump cited the theory in an attempt to overturn Joe Biden's victory in 2020 and give the power to state legislators to choose electors. Several years ago, "many pundits might have considered it unthinkable that the Supreme Court would give a hearing to a theory such as I.S.L.T.," Andrew Marantz wrote in The New Yorker. But the court's rightward tilt and the 2020 election "have changed the consensus view of whats possible."

Liberal activists had feared the case could open the door for Republican legislators to pass harmful election laws and go unchecked. The ruling speaks to the success voting rights advocates have had this Supreme Court term, political reporter Cameron Joseph pointed out. Earlier this month, justices upheld a key section of the Voting Rights Act, ordering that Alabama draw a new congressional map with more than one majority-Black district.
Experts warn that social media is harmful to young people. What Stanislaus parents can do.

Growing concerns over the negative impacts of social media on children prompted the nations top medical official to release a health advisory in May to protect kids.

Now, a health foundation in Stanislaus County has come out with parental guidelines for social media and video games.

Our children have more access than ever before to social media and video gaming sites, Legacy Health Endowment CEO Jeffrey Lewis said in a news release about the creation of the guides. It is up to us as parents to help manage their screen time, know what they are doing, put in place the proper safety measures and protect them from harm.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who issued the national advisory, said there isnt enough evidence to conclude social media is safe for kids. And there is increasing evidence of harmful effects to young peoples mental health.

Some surveys have shown positive benefits of social media use, with large majorities of young people reporting it helps them feel more accepted, gives them platforms for displaying creativity, keeps them connected with friends and makes them feel supported by people in difficult times.

At the same time, many children are exposed to bullying, sexual content, harassment and violent images, the surgeon general said.

The effects of social media on young people may depend on cultural and socioeconomic factors and how much time they spend on sites such as Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Those using social media more than three hours a day are twice as likely to struggle with mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety, according to recent research.

Up to 95% of teenagers are on social media, and more than a third report almost constant use, at a time in their lives when mental development is at a critical stage.

Health experts say other negative effects are dissatisfaction with their body, appearance or social status, disordered eating and low self-esteem.

In surveys, 46% of youth ages 13 to 17 reported negative body image, while 40% said it didnt make a difference either way. Only 14% said social media made them feel better about their bodies.

The reported health impacts of negative social media experience include disrupted sleep, depression, poor self-image, anxiety, addiction and even suicide.

We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis  one that must be urgently addressed, Murthy said in issuing the health advisory.

The surgeon general said more research is vital to getting a better understanding, but he recommended that policymakers strengthen safety standards to protect children and also promote digital literacy and approve funding for research.

Murthy urged tech companies to assess the impacts of their products on children. He advised parents to:

Report problematic content.

Teach their kids about responsible online behavior.

And establish tech-free zones that foster in-person relationships.

According to Legacy Health Endowment, the warning signs are there but many parents are not fully prepared for potential threats of cyberbullying and online predators.

The Turlock-based nonprofit foundation has a mission to improve the health and healthcare for residents in Stanislaus and Merced counties. The parental guides it created for social media and video gaming can be downloaded for free at www.legacyhealthendowment.org.

Legacy is working with school districts and community groups to offer the guides to parents, and also is using its social media platforms to connect with parents.

The guides include information about popular social media sites and gaming portals, as well as practical tips and detailed advice on safeguarding children. To guard against predators, parents are advised to teach adolescents to conceal their age and name when setting up online accounts for games.

The guides show how to adjust privacy settings, filter content on Snapchat and how to keep kids from seeing the adult content on Reddit.

The gaming guides are in English and in Spanish. The parental social media guides also are in English and in Spanish.
By Greg Torode and Yew Lun Tian

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Amid intensifying military deployments across East Asia, high-level defence dialogue between China and the United States remains frozen. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not secure any progress on the issue during his visit to Beijing last week. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin attempted talks with China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu during a defence conference in Singapore this month, but did not get beyond a handshake.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION NOW?

General Li, appointed in March, remains sanctioned by the U.S. over his role in a 2017 weapons purchase from Russia's largest arms exporter, Rosoboronexport. Chinese officials have repeatedly said they want those sanctions, imposed in 2018, dropped to facilitate discussions.

Li and other senior officials also say they want signs from the U.S. of "mutual respect" - easing its patrolling and surveillance off China's coasts and an end to arms sales for Taiwan. Neither is about to happen.The tension predates Li's appointment, with Beijing's scrapping three avenues of military communication in August 2022 in protest of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. This scuppered planned talks between theatre-level commands, regular defence policy co-ordination and military maritime consultations, which included operational safety issues.

A senior U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that since 2021 China had declined or not responded to more than a dozen requests to talk with the Pentagon and nearly 10 working-level engagement requests.

Regional countries are watching closely, with some leery of being drawn into a wider conflict or forced to choose between the superpowers.

Serving and retired military officers stress the importance of smooth communications beyond political leaders, given the dangers of operational miscalculations.

HOW DEEP IS THE FREEZE?

Significantly, it isn't total. Diplomats and Chinese analysts say military attaches at embassies Beijing and Washington are still able to meet officials - an important element of routine communication.

Operationally, routine military ship-to-ship and aircraft-to-aircraft communication still takes place and is, according to three diplomats familiar with the situation, often professional at a basic level. At moments of tension, however, it is more fraught.

Senior Chinese military intelligence officials also participated in a secret meeting of regional spies in Singapore earlier this month - a session that included U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?

Washington will still push for military dialogue - it is not a reward but a necessity, Austin said this month - but there is no sign the United States is about to drop sanctions on Li. And changes to U.S. deployments to East Asia or a significant shift in its Taiwan posture are even more unlikely.

With Li set to serve a five-year term, some Chinese analysts say it will be impossible for the U.S. to foster talks with military officials above or below him.

"The U.S. sanction on Li is like a tiger that blocks the path," said Zhou Bo, a retired senior PLA colonel and a senior fellow at Beijing's Tsinghua University.

Senior Chinese foreign ministry official Yang Tao also highlighted the sanctions on Li this week, telling Reuters at a briefing that it was "one of the reasons we cannot have military-to-military exchanges. The U.S. needs to first remove this obstacle".

Some defence analysts say that in the short-term, routine discussions between theatre commanders would build confidence and ease tensions.

Another U.S. official said that the head of Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John Aquilino, had a standing request to talk with his Chinese counterpart, Eastern Theatre commander General Lin Xiangyang, but that the conversation had not yet happened. The official said some lower-level interactions with the Chinese military had continued.

In the longer term, the Pentagon is eager to deepen engagement with China on broader strategic issues, particularly its nuclear weapons build up, but has signalled difficulties ahead.

"It remains unclear how the (Chinese) leadership and decision-makers accept the premise behind strategic stability, including the utility of crisis stability and communications," the Pentagon's annual China report said last November. "(Chinese) officials have been reluctant to engage on nuclear, cyberspace, and space issues as it pertains to strategic risk reduction in official or unofficial dialogue, particularly in defence channels."

In Singapore this month, General Li told an audience of regional counterparts and scholars that China remained open to a military relationship but the "fundamental principle" had to be mutual respect.

Without that, he said, "then our communications will not be productive".

(Reporting By Greg Torode in Hong Kong and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Fact-check: Is Bojangles getting out of the chicken business? Heres what they told us

Recent remarks from the CEO of Bojangles ruffled the feathers of many who frequent the Charlotte-based fast-food chicken chain.

Bojangles CEO Jose Armario told QSR Magazine, a publication that reports on the restaurant industry, that hed like to get out of the chicken business.

The quote, which quickly circulated on social media, left many wondering whether the chain was going to stop selling chicken.

#Bojangles CEO released a statement stating, Getting out of the chicken business.



We are in the end times folks.  Ju (@JuAlreadyKnow_) June 25, 2023

The State of NC if Bojangles gets out of the chicken business pic.twitter.com/uFgPqSLuTy  Brady (@ncbrady12) June 23, 2023

Is Bojangles going to stop selling chicken?

Despite the online speculation , Bojangles spokesperson Stacey McCray told The Charlotte Observer in an email that Armarios comments to QSR were taken out of context.

Bojangles will always be in the business of serving delicious Southern chicken, biscuits and tea, and that will never change, McCray said. As we expand into new markets, an enhanced guest experience will be a key differentiator, along with a streamlined menu featuring hand-breaded boneless chicken. There are no plans to change the menu in our existing restaurants.

Bojangles has more than 800 locations in 17 states, including 347 in North Carolina.

Whats changing at Bojangles?

Armario followed up his statement to QSR by saying hed like to get into the experience business.

That means you have to have great people who enjoy taking care of our customers, Armario told QSR. So we begin by taking care of our people.

As part of the initiative, the chain is testing pilot locations outside of North Carolina that include dual drive-thru lanes, outside order takers  and a menu that doesnt offer bone-in chicken or all-day breakfast, QSR reported.

The new menu features three milkshakes, including a Bo Berry shake, and additional premium salads.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court has issued a number of important rulings during its current term that began last October and is expected to decide its remaining cases by the end of June including disputes involving race-conscious college admissions practices, President Joe Biden's student debt forgiveness plan and LGBT rights.

Here is a look at some of the rulings issued by the court this term.

VOTING RIGHTS

The justices on June 8 handed a major victory to Black voters who challenged a Republican-drawn electoral map in Alabama, finding the state violated a landmark law prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and paving the way for a second U.S. House of Representatives district with a Black majority or close to it. The court elected not to further roll back protections contained in the Voting Rights Act as it had done in two major rulings in the past decade.

ELECTION POWERS

The court on June 27 rebuffed a legal theory favored by many conservatives that could have given state legislatures sweeping power to set voting rules and draw electoral district boundaries for federal elections by preventing state courts from reviewing their actions. The ruling against Republican state legislators stemmed from a legal fight over their map of North Carolina's 14 U.S. House districts.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

The court on May 25 further limited the regulatory reach of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, embracing a stringent new test for declaring wetlands protected under a landmark federal anti-pollution law in a ruling favoring an Idaho couple who challenged the EPA. The new test could leave wide swathes of sensitive wetlands and tributaries unprotected by the Clean Water Act, the landmark 1972 anti-pollution law.

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

The justices on June 23 gave the Biden administration the green light to move ahead with guidelines shifting immigration enforcement toward countering public safety threats, handing the Democratic president a victory in a legal battle with Texas and Louisiana. The guidelines reflected Biden's recalibration of U.S. immigration policy after the hardline approach taken by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.

ENCOURAGING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

A federal law that makes it a crime for a person to encourage illegal immigration does not violate constitutional free speech protections, the court ruled on June 23, upholding the decades-old measure defended by the Biden administration. A lower court had ruled that the law was overly broad because it may criminalize speech protected by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

PROTECTIONS FOR INTERNET COMPANIES

The court on May 18 left legal protections for internet and social media companies unscathed and refused to clear a path for victims of attacks by militant groups to sue these businesses under an anti-terrorism law. In both cases, families of people killed by Islamist gunmen overseas had sued to try to hold internet companies liable because of the presence of militant groups on their platforms or for recommending their content.

NATIVE AMERICAN ADOPTION

The justices on June 15 upheld decades-old federal requirements that give preferences to Native Americans and tribal members in the adoption or foster care placements of Native American children. The court found that the plaintiffs, including the state of Texas, did not have legal standing to challenge parts of the law they claimed were racially biased against non-Native Americans.

LABOR UNIONS

The justices on June 1 made it easier for employers to sue over strikes that cause property destruction - handing another setback to organized labor - in a ruling siding with a concrete business in Washington state that sued the union representing its truck drivers after a work stoppage.

FEDERAL AGENCY POWER

The court on April 14 made it easier to challenge the regulatory power of federal agencies in rulings backing Axon Enterprise Inc's bid to sue the Federal Trade Commission and a Texas accountant's gripe with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CORRUPTION PROSECUTIONS

The court on May 11 further restricted the ability of federal prosecutors to pursue corruption cases, overturning the bribery conviction of Joseph Percoco, an ex-aide to Democratic former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and former construction company executive Louis Ciminelli.

STALKING LAW

The justices on July 27 threw out the stalking conviction of a Colorado man who for two years sent a barrage of unwanted Facebook messages to a female musician in a case involving free speech protections under the Constitution's First Amendment. The court ruled that state prosecutors had not shown that he was aware of the "threatening nature" of his statements.

ANDY WARHOL ARTWORK

Andy Warhol's estate lost its copyright fight with celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith when the court on May 18 faulted the famed pop artist's use of her photo of Prince in a silkscreen series depicting the charismatic rock star.

PROPERTY TAXES

The court on May 25 curbed state and local governments from seizing and selling the homes of people with unpaid property taxes and keeping the proceeds beyond the amount owed, deeming the practice unconstitutional in a ruling in favor of a 94-year-old woman who battled tax authorities in Minnesota.

(Reporting by Will Dunham)
False claim Titan passenger was the vice chairman of the World Economic Forum | Fact check

The claim: Passenger aboard Titan submersible was the vice chairman of the World Economic Forum

A June 22 Facebook post (direct link, archived link) features a video of a man making claims about passengers aboard a submersible that imploded while heading for the Titanic shipwreck site.

What is the coincidence that the father and the son that are trapped on this contraption right here, in this tin can, are part of an organization that us Americans and Canadians all despise? says the person in the video, which was posted before the U.S. Coast Guard announced it had recovered wreckage indicating the sub had imploded.

The video then shows what appears to be a biography of a British Pakistani man named Shahzada Dawood on the World Economic Forum website.

He is part of the World Economic Forum," says the man in the video. "Hes also the vice chairman of World Economic Forum.

One version of the post shared on Facebook garnered more than 3,000 likes in one day before it was deleted. Other iterations of the claim have been shared on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

Dawood, one of the passengers who died aboard the Titan, was the vice chairman of Engro Corporation, a Pakistani holding company partnered with the WEF. He was not the vice chairman of the WEF or a member of the organizations leadership.

Titan submersible passenger not member of WEF leadership

A submersible vessel carrying five people lost contact with its support ship less than two hours after embarking on a descent to the Titanic wreck site on June 18.

Rescuers searching for the vessel and its passengers have since found debris near the bow of the Titanic wreck site indicating the submersible imploded due to a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, USA TODAY previously reported. All five passengers aboard the vessel are believed to be dead.

One of the passengers was Dawood, who boarded the submersible with his son, Suleman Dawood, and was one of the richest men in Pakistan.

But contrary to the post's claim, Shahzada Dawood was not the chairman of the WEF.

Yann Zopf, head of media for the World Economic Forum, told USA TODAY that Shahzada Dawood was neither the vice chairman nor an employee of the organization. He is also not listed on the WEF's leadership webpage.

Rather, the elder Dawood was the vice chairman of the Engro Corporation, a Pakistani conglomerate initially founded as a fertilizer company, according to his bios on the Engro Corporation and WEF websites.

The Engro Corporation is an official partner of the WEF, and the Pakistani businessman attended some of the organization's events as a member of the Family Business Community, Zopf said in an email.

Fact check: Nothing found so far in search for Titanic-bound submarine, contrary to viral claim

USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user who shared the post and representatives for Engro Corporation for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

The Associated Press, AFP and PolitiFact also debunked this claim.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, Titan passenger was not vice chair of the WEF | Fact check
TikToks in which grandparents make a cameo are usually lighthearted. But in late May, Victoria Secrets model and influencer Ali Tate Cutler posted a video with her grandmother about a decidedly different subject: Her grandmas decision to pursue assisted death.

My grandmother has chosen euthanasia for her terminal diagnosis, so this is the last time I can take her out to dinner, Cutler said in a get ready with me video, a popular format on the app.

In a follow-up video, Cutler asks her grandmother questions about her decision to choose assisted death. (Medical assistance in dying  or MAiD, as its abbreviated  was legalized in Canada, where Cutlers grandmother lives, in 2016.)

What are your thoughts as you move closer to the date? Cutler asks.

Its like the light at the end of the tunnel, says her grandma, who has Stage 4 ovarian cancer.

What are some of the precursors or questions they asked to make sure you were doing it for the right reasons? Cutler asks.

Your diagnosis, if its fatal, how many more months you have, Cutlers grandmother explains. They give you time to consider, and they keep stressing the fact that you can change your mind.

@alitatecutler Replying to @Matthew This was the hardest and most beautiful conversation ive ever had. Healing for both parties. I had resistance to Euthanasia before this, but after being with her and hearing her, I no longer do.  #euthanasia#finalfarewell#ondying  multiverse - Maya Manuela

When Cutler asks if her grandma is dwelling on the decision as the day approaches, the older woman shakes her head no.

Ive always made my own decision for myself in living, and I trust I will in death, she tells her granddaughter. I do believe my husband [will] be there saying, Its about time.

Combined, the videos have over 22 million views. The response Cutler received from the videos was expectedly mixed. While some applauded the grandmother-granddaughter pair for demystifying what assisted death looks like, others accused the model of treating the procedure too casually or using her grandmothers story for clout.

Why would you publicize this? So wrong, one highly upvoted comment read on TikTok.

Life is no longer sacred to a large portion of the population, one person tweeted about the video.

In an interview with Insider last month, Cutler said that her grandmother was on board with posting the videos. She also told the outlet her grandma hadnt picked a date yet for the procedure. (HuffPost reached out to Cutler for comment but hadnt received her responses at the time of publication.)

I wanted to show people what I saw in her, which was a woman dying well, the model explained to Insider. She wasnt scared, and she wasnt dreading it. I wanted to document what it looked like to die with ease and not fear.

Cutler isnt the first to share online what assisted dying looks like for the terminally ill. There is an ever increasing number of personal stories, TV documentaries and news articles sharing the experiences of patients, families and loved ones.

Sharing conversations like the one Cutler posted can help normalize talk about death as a fully anticipated chapter in our lives, said Dr. Stefanie Green, a MAiD practitioner and author of This Is Assisted Dying: A Doctors Story of Empowering Patients at the End of Life.

It can help us find the vocabulary we need to discuss end-of-life options in general and, yes, assisted dying in particular, she said. If these posts can spark a discussion within yourself, or shared with loved ones, about what you might believe or want or do in a similar situation, then I believe they are valuable.

Krystal, a Canadian whose terminally ill aunt chose assisted death, thinks Cutlers viral videos could help de-stigmatize discussions about dying.

People use the argument that doctors take a Hippocratic Oath to do no harm as a reason against MAiD; I think they forget that doctors who deny a persons dignity in dying when theyre dealing with a painful terminal illness actually goes against their oath to do no harm, she told HuffPost.

Krystal, who lives in Alberta, Canada, and asked to use her first name only to protect her privacy, said her aunt was 55 and in the end stages of polycystic kidney disorder when she chose assisted death.

Krystal's aunt with Krystal's newborn son.

Krystal's aunt with Krystal's newborn son. "Some believe living with a terminal illness as long as possible is better. I dont, and my aunt didnt," Krystal told HuffPost.

Medically assisted death is legally complicated.

MAiD is highly controversial in Canada. Initially, the law stated that a patients death had to be reasonably foreseeable, but that changed in 2021. As it stands now, the person has to have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability and the request for the procedure has to be approved by at least two physicians.

The law was later amended to allow people who are not terminally ill to choose death, including those with serious mental illness or disabilities  an expansion that many disability activists and some medical practitioners take issue with.

To provide MAiD, we need to be able to predict that a medical condition will not get better, but for mental illnesses, evidence shows that even when someone is very ill, our chances of accurately making that prediction in any person are less than 50/50, said Dr. K. Sonu Gaind, a chief of psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center in Toronto, Ontario.

This means that when Canada allows MAiD for mental illness, my colleagues could wrongly tell a person during periods of despair that they will not improve, and at least half the time that person would have gotten better, but they will get MAiD instead, Gaind told HuffPost.

Research shows that mental illness can improve with the right treatment, whether thats through therapy, medication or a combination of both. Many people with a mental health condition, including those with serious mental health disorders, can go on to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

In response to the criticism, the Canadian government announced plans in February to delay MAiD eligibility for people whose sole medical condition is mental illness.

In the U.S., physician-assisted death is legal in 10 states  Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California and Hawaii  and in Washington, D.C. The most recent Gallup poll on assisted dying, conducted in 2018, showed a broad majority of Americans, 72%, believed that doctors should be legally allowed, at a patients and a familys request, to end a terminally ill patients life.

In the states where its legal, theres a strict vetting process in which a candidates physician must have determined that death is expected in less than six months, said Dr. Jessica Zitter, an intensive care and palliative care specialist and author of Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life.

We also require that the person requesting the medications be of sound mind and demonstrate that they understand that they will be hastening their death, and that they are not being coerced by others to do this, she said.

As for the process itself, Zitter said patients receive a medication (or, as its sometimes called, an aid-in-dying drug) from their doctors that they must prepare and then ingest on their own, usually in their homes. Its not doctor administered, as in the case of Cutlers grandmother in Canada.

The ethics of physicians actually administering drugs to a patient as opposed to the patient acting on their own feels pretty different to me, Zitter said.

While Zitter stresses that its important to acknowledge the differences in options in Canada versus the U.S., she does think theres value in discussing end-of-life treatment on places like TikTok, given our cultural discomfort with death.

Even just discussing peoples preferences around procedures like intubation and CPR in hospitals is something that few want to engage in, she said. Many get those life-prolonging treatments by default without a robust discussion about what their quality of life will look like.

I can guarantee you that most of the many hundreds of thousands of people dying on machines in long-term acute care facilities in this country wouldnt have imagined that that was how their lives would end, she said. But when we as a society refuse to engage in those conversations, thats what happens.

What its like to have a relative choose assisted death.

Those we spoke to who had a terminally ill relative who chose assisted death said that accepting the decision was not easy but that watching them die a painful death would have been worse.

In 2016, journalist Kelly Davis wrote about her experience helping her sister, Betsy, use an aid-in-dying drug in California. In 2013, Betsy had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating motor neuron disease that causes a person to slowly lose the ability to move their limbs, speak and swallow.

My sister didnt want to be entombed in her body and had reached a point where she was having significant trouble eating  she would experience pretty terrifying choking spells, Davis, who lives in San Diego, told HuffPost.

At 41, Betsy made the decision to end her life under Californias End of Life Option Act (EOLA), which had taken effect about a month and a half before she died.

Davis admits that when she first heard Betsys plan, she wasnt on board.

Initially I didnt want her to end her life, she said. I clung to the belief we could find a cure or some way to prolong her life, she said. (ALS still has no cure or an effective treatment to reverse its progression.)

But when Davis saw how at ease Betsy was with her decision  how peaceful and happy it made her  she came around. So did the rest of her family, though some of Davis fathers friends, who are Catholic, were not supportive because of the churchs stance against EOLA.

In any case, Betsys death didnt happen immediately. There were long processes to follow: Betsy had to get an opinion from a doctor stating that she had six months or less to live, and she needed two doctors to sign off on her request for end-of-life medications and find a pharmacy to fulfill the prescription. Then there were some personal matters to attend to.

Before she took the medication, she really wanted to throw a celebration  she referred to it as her rebirth, and organized a large gathering for family and friends the weekend she ended her life, Davis said. My feeling was, I wanted what was best for her, and this was a better option than a slow death.

Journalist Kelly Davis said her late sister, Betsy, wanted to get her friends and family together for a

Journalist Kelly Davis said her late sister, Betsy, wanted to get her friends and family together for a "rebirth" gathering the weekend she ended her life. Here, Davis watches as a friend fixes a bow on Betsy's dress at the event.

Kirsty, a 33-year-old woman who lives in Winnipeg, Canada, told HuffPost that her grandfather Richard was 85 and had Stage 4 lung cancer when he applied and was approved for MAiD in 2017. (For her privacy, Kirsty asked to use her first name only.)

My grandpa had been fighting his decline with sheer stubbornness and force of will, giving up as little as he could, but the pneumonia weakened him, and the cancer took over, she said.

Within a couple of days, he had lost a lot of body mass and was much weaker; barely able to stay awake, talking was exhausting, and he was fed up with the hospital food, she explained.

It was clear to him that he would not leave the hospital alive, so he asked to pursue MAiD.

He had lost his independence which was a huge blow to his pride and sense of self, he was in constant pain, constantly tired and just wanted to move on, she said. He met with physicians and mental health specialists to assess his mental state and ensure nobody in his family was forcing him to make this decision.

The decision devastated the family. Obviously, nobody wanted to lose him. Kristy said her mother was especially hit hard, and for Kristy herself, it was a surreal thing to know it would be happening and when.

Her grandpa was approved and given a date of 10 days later for when the drug would be administered. The delay was a requirement of MAiD, to ensure the person requesting it was absolutely sure they wanted to go through with the decision. Kirstys grandpa was told he could withdraw the request at any time during that 10-day period. (The 10-day waiting period requirement has since been removed.)

Sharing conversations like the one Cutler posted can help normalize talk about death as a fully anticipated chapter in our lives, said Dr. Stefanie Green, a MAiD practitioner and author of This Is Assisted Dying: A Doctors Story of Empowering Patients at the End of Life.

Sharing conversations like the one Cutler posted can help normalize talk about death as a fully anticipated chapter in our lives, said Dr. Stefanie Green, a MAiD practitioner and author of This Is Assisted Dying: A Doctors Story of Empowering Patients at the End of Life.

On Dec. 19, 2017, the entire family gathered at the hospital to say their final goodbyes to Kristys grandpa. There wasnt a dry eye in the room, Kristy said.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the MAiD team came in, she said. They apologized to us, but as part of the process they had to ask everyone to step out of the room so they could conduct their final interview with my grandpa, also a necessary step in the process. This interview was to confirm that my grandpa still desired this, that he wasnt being coerced into it and still met all the requirements for MAiD.

Once the interview was done, they let everyone back in.

We all gave him our final goodbyes, with everyone in the room getting a bit of a laugh when he protested about my moms perpetually cold hands after she laid a hand on him while giving him a kiss goodbye, Kristy said.

The family sat with their grandfather while the medical team administered the medication. First they gave him a medication that would put him to sleep, then another to stop his heart. After a few minutes, he breathed his last breath, and the nurse on the team told the family he was gone shortly after.

Ill never forget the kindness and compassion of the team that were there that day, Kristy said. They understood our grief and how emotionally vulnerable we all were. They were open and honest about what would happen but also were sharing our grief with us. It wasnt easy on them, Im sure.

Kristy understands how thorny MAiD laws have gotten since her grandfather chose the procedure in 2017 and why others may have apprehension about assisted dying in general.

Nobody wants to see those they love die. Nobody wants to deal with it, and Im sure, too, there are some that feel their religion would not allow it either, and thats OK, she said.

Ultimately, though, shouldnt we have the option to choose for ourselves and not be forcing other people to make the same decisions we do?

Grief may feel different when someone chooses assisted death. Heres how to cope.

Grief is always unique and specific to each individual, but the process of mourning someone who chooses assisted death can feel a little different, according to Jill Craven, a therapist in British Columbia, Canada, who specializes in grief and loss.

Some family members may take their loved ones decision to die personally, feeling like theyre not enough of a reason for their loved one to stick around for as long as possible, Craven explained to HuffPost.

This can bring up old resentments and relationship tensions, again complicating the grieving process and creating further secondary losses, she said.

Anticipatory grief can occur, too.

Its common for loved ones to comment on how surreal it is to know the date, time and method of their loved ones death, Craven said.

Anticipatory grief can also come with a push-pull experience, she added. You want to remain as connected as possible with your loved one, but at the same time, you may begin to disconnect from the person youre losing before the loss happens.

All in all, conflicting feelings are very normal in this situation. Certainly, religious values and beliefs might factor in as well.

The best way to deal with the cognitive dissonance, uncomfortable feelings and potential relationship tensions is to seek support from a registered and experienced mental health professional who specializes in grief and loss, Craven said. If you are unable to do this, then the first step is acknowledging that its OK and normal to have conflicting beliefs and feelings.

Though its true that watching your loved one die in peace can be traumatizing for some people, Craven believes the alternative is generally more traumatizing.

Watching someone pass in physical and emotional anguish, with complete cognitive decline and witnessing those last medical efforts on the body can burn painful images into the memory of those we love, she said.

When handled delicately, assisted death can help mitigate some of the devastation people feel when losing a loved one, the therapist said.

Ideally, the timetable allows everyone time to process this transition, she said. Knowing that a loved one has chosen to die on their own and hopefully seeing them at ease and at peace about their decision can make acceptance a lot easier.

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Aquil Bey was at a loss for what to say.

For the better part of four years, he and his wife, Laurie Bey, have sought answers and accountability in the killing of Cameron Lamb, his 26-year-old stepson who was fatally shot in his driveway by then-Kansas City police detective Eric DeValkenaere.

On Monday, as the Beys stood at a podium set up on the 11th floor of the Jackson County courthouse in downtown Kansas City, Aquil Bey said they had finally received a long-awaited word on the case from state officials. But they did not get the news they wanted.

The things that they said made me think its most definitely a miscarriage of justice, Aquil Bey said, recalling the phone conversation as he stood flanked by members of the Jackson County Prosecutors Office.

On Monday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office filed a brief arguing in favor of tossing out DeValkenaeres convictions  a step so rare that experienced Kansas City attorneys, including Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, could not recall a precedent.

The AGs office is responsible for arguing on behalf of the state in post-conviction appeals and has a gained a reputation of fighting tooth and nail to defend them  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.

Instead of following the longstanding tradition of defending convictions, Bailey argues that the appellate court should discharge the ex-cop, saying the evidence credited by the trial court does not, as a matter of law, support the trial courts findings of guilt.

The AGs office also argues that DeValkenaeres use of force was reasonable in light of Mr. Lambs use of deadly force against his partner, apparently countering the evidence presented at trial by prosecutors that Lamb was unarmed when he was shot.

DeValkenaere also was not criminally negligentboth 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 Baileys office did not reply to The Stars request for comment Monday.

Lamb was fatally shot by DeValkenaere on Dec. 3, 2019, while backing his pickup through the sloped driveway of his home in the 4100 block of College Avenue.

Prosecutors contended at trial that DeValkenaere shot an unarmed Lamb and that evidence had been planted at the crime scene to suggest Lamb was holding a gun. DeValkenaere has maintained he shot Lamb because he feared his partner was going to be shot otherwise.

DeValkenaere was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in November 2021 at the end of a bench trial overseen by Jackson County Circuit Court Judge J. Dale Youngs. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Since then, DeValkenaere has remained free on bond as his case is before Missouris Western Court of Appeals. Lawyers for the former detective have said the decision to convict was based on a flawed analysis of the law.

Lambs death has been highlighted among Kansas City police reform advocates, who during the citys 2020 protests seeking racial justice highlighted his death among the police killings that disproportionately affect Black men. Meanwhile, supporters of the former cop  including his family  have quietly lobbied for DeValkenaeres convictions to be overturned, seeking executive clemency from Gov. Mike Parson.

Of DeValkenaere and the criminal trial 18 months ago, Aquil Bey said the ex-cop and his legal team got everything they wanted.

He got his appeal. He hasnt served a day in jail. He hasnt took a mugshot  hes getting more privileges than the ex-president of the United States,Aquil Bey said, shaking his head and tossing his right hand in the air.

But Im saying: We dont feel good about it. And so, were gonna continue to let the legal system run its course. And well see what happens from there.

Over recent weeks, Kansas City leaders and police reform activists have also awaited Baileys next move. Baker, Jackson Countys prosecutor, filed a brief defending the convictions earlier this month as questions of why Bailey had yet to take the routine step remained unanswered.

Speaking publicly Monday, Baker called the move extremely distressing, unfortunate and disappointing.

Area police reform advocates on Monday activists said 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.

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.

Others critical of Baileys action on Monday included Claire McCaskill, the former Democratic U.S. senator whose political career included being the first woman elected as Jackson Countys top prosecutor. She said she was hearing from friends on both sides of the aisle Monday.

They are shocked. And shaken. And outraged, she said in a tweet.

The Stars Luke Nozicka and Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report.
Far-right parties won almost 13% of the national vote in Greeces countrywide elections over the weekend, in what experts warn could be the most significant in a recent string of victories for similar groups across Europe.

While the ruling center-right New Democracy Party won a landslide victory, with 40.5% of the vote, its triumph was overshadowed by the success of the Spartans, a recently formed far-right nativist group that gained 12 seats in Greeces 300-seat Parliament.

Widely seen as a direct descendant of the outlawed neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group, which was declared a criminal organization in 2020, the Spartans were enthusiastically endorsed by Ilias Kasidiaris, a former Golden Dawn lawmaker.

Kasidiaris tweeted his support and congratulations from prison, where he is serving a 13-year sentence for his part in Golden Dawns criminality, which included acts of violence against migrants and political rivals.

Ilias Kasidiaris, center, a lawmaker for the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, at a rally in Athens on Feb.1, 2014. (Yannis Kolesidis / AP file)

Marta Lorimer, an expert in far-right politics in Europe at the London School of Economics, said that the success of the radical right in Greece and elsewhere has had a profound political effect: it has made traditionally moderate center-right parties more extreme.

The main challenge is that you have a center right thats copying the messaging of the far right. The prime minister can now say that the election results show people want more far-right policies, she said.

Its true that these parties are doing better than before, but for me its more the case that the people in the middle might see this [far-right extremism] as helpful. To me thats more worrying.

On the question of a European wave of far-right tendencies, Georgios Samaras, an expert in Greek politics and political economy at Kings College, London, pointed out that some of Greeces radical parties would be banned in Germany, where the use of extremist symbols, including the swastika, is outlawed. And very few movements, of any persuasion, would survive their biggest party being declared a criminal enterprise, he said.

That is why Greece stands out: neo-Nazis are re-emerging into politics after the leaders were convicted [for being part of a] right-wing criminal organization, Samaras said.

And yes, there is a right-wing turn in Europe, but Greece is something more extreme than Finland, for example, or Spain, or Germany with AfD. We are seeing something new emerging in European politics, he added.

Greece may be more extreme, but it is not alone in lurching right.

The Brothers of Italy, which traces its roots to the supporters of dictator Benito Mussolini, last year became the first far-right party to win an Italian election since World War I.

Earlier this month, the anti-immigration Finns Party entered a four-party coalition to rule in Finland, and in September 2022 neighboring Sweden saw the hard-right populist Sweden Democrats win more than 20% of the vote to become the countrys second-biggest party.

The far-right Vox Party in Spain is expected to do well in national elections next month, hovering around 14% in opinion polls. In 2019, the party won 15% of the vote and 52 lawmakers.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) can count on the support of about 20% of the German public, according to opinion polls; on Sunday, it won an important regional election in the eastern state of Thuringia.

Last year Marine Le Pen, the then-leader of the National Assembly, came closer than ever to becoming Frances first far-right president.

But in Greece, the 241,000 people who voted for Spartans are actually committed neo-Nazi supporters, according to Samaras, the expert from Kings College.

Supporters of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party at a rally in Athens on March 5, 2018. (Socrates Baltagiannis / picture alliance via Getty Images file)

People know what Golden Dawn is, he said. Golden Dawn was convicted as a criminal organization, it orchestrated the murders of several people and has participated in several anti-migration activities over the past 10 years.

At the height of its popularity in 2015, Golden Dawn won 380,000 votes, 7% of the total.

In Sunday's election two other radical right-wing parties, Greek Solution and the Democratic Patriotic Movement, known for the Greek acronym NIKI, won 4.4% and 3.7% of the vote, respectively. In total, far-right groups won 664,000 votes in a country that covers a large area but has a population of just 10 million.

The election this weekend came days after one of the worst sea disasters in modern Greek history killed more than 300 people, mostly migrants from Africa and the Middle East. Greek authorities have been criticized for not acting to rescue the migrants, amid a fevered national debate about the responsibilities of the state toward asylum-seekers.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
 Read the full article on Motorious

Strikingly Restored: The Impressive 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe.

Get ready to be captivated by the sheer beauty and exceptional craftsmanship of the fully restored 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. This magnificent Impala underwent a meticulous restoration that cost over $40,000 CAD, resulting in a true automotive masterpiece that combines retro style with modern amenities.

Purchased in January of 2023 from a classic car collection in Prince Edward Island, the current owner was fortunate to acquire this gem. The previous owner had already completed the restoration, adding only a few hundred miles to the car's odometer since then. The interior trim of the original Impala featured red cloth/vinyl bench seats, while the exterior paint color was the elegant Ermine white.

During the restoration process, no corners were cut. The Impala received new floors from the firewall to the trunk, and the suspension was upgraded with tubular control arms and adjustable shock absorbers from Global West Suspension. Under the hood lies a new GM 348ci 5.7L V8 crate engine, enhanced with a Demon carburetor, an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, and an acceleration ignition system. The speedometer and odometer have been upgraded to a digital satellite system, providing accurate mileage readings through GPS technology. The Wilwood powered brakes ensure optimal stopping power, while many of the original gauges remain in working order.

The 1962 Chevrolet Impala is part of the third generation, which spanned from 1961 to 1964. As one of Chevrolet's flagship passenger cars, the Impala holds a special place in automotive history. This particular Impala is powered by the new GM crate motor, a 348ci 5.7L V8 engine, which delivers power to the rear wheels via a 3-speed Turbo 350 automatic transmission.

Stepping inside, you'll find a gray over black leather interior, exuding a sense of sophistication and luxury. The Impala features front and rear bench seats, manual crank windows, and a retro-style AM/FM audio system with an AUX input for your convenience. The storage compartment unit below the dashboard comes complete with a cupholder, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.

On the exterior, this Impala showcases its classic charm with side-exit rectangular exhausts, 15" 5-spoke American Racing silver alloy wheels, and a black hardtop. The silver finished tail panel, front grille panel, and body-colored bumpers add a touch of elegance, while the Impala badging proudly represents its heritage.

Decoding the Fisher cowl tag provides valuable production information, including the production date, body style, assembly location, and original trim and paint codes.

With its approximate 385 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, this Impala delivers impressive performance and an exhilarating driving experience. Weighing in at 3500 lbs, it strikes the perfect balance between power and agility.

While there may be some minor pitting on the chrome trim around the vent windows, this does not detract from the overall appeal of this remarkable restoration. Additional modifications and included equipment, such as the Demon carburetor, Edelbrock intake manifold, acceleration ignition, Wilwood brakes, and tubular control arms from Global West Suspension, further enhance the performance and handling capabilities of this classic beauty.

This fully restored 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe is ready to turn heads wherever it goes. With no recent service needs since the restoration and newer tires in place, the next owner can confidently enjoy this masterpiece.

If you're searching for a meticulously restored classic car that combines timeless style with modern enhancements, look no further than this remarkable 1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe. Don't miss your chance to own this automotive icon.

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Heres how fast Illinois will start losing daylight after this years summer solstice

Summer has officially begun in southwestern Illinois, and the days will become shorter in the region and across the hemisphere.

This years summer solstice took place June 21, the longest day of 2023, according to Space.com.

The summer solstice is when the sun travels its northernmost path, according to the Old Farmers Almanac. While this signifies the astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now that the summer solstice has passed, the days will get progressively shorter until the winter solstice in late December.

How quickly will the days shorten in Belleville?

The shortest day of the year, or the day with the least amount of daylight, will be the winter solstice Dec. 21, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

The days will gradually shorten throughout the summer and fall. Here are some projected sunrise and sunset times for various dates in Belleville, from timeanddate.com:
Russians were underwhelmed or disappointed by a June 26 video address from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin following the Wagner PMC mutiny, despite assurances by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov that it would be a message that would determine the fate of the country.

Read also: Russian propagandist Solovyov has a "secret family" with US-born children

"These claims will literally determine the fate of Russia!" Peskov was quoted as saying by one of Russias most famous propagandists, Vladimir Solovyov.

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

In reality, Putin's address turned out to be a pathetic whimper from a dictator who is losing control and is trying his best to save face after the disgrace of the armed uprising by Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Screenshot/Twitter

Putin thanked, among others, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko for his mediation in the negotiation with Wagner, which allegedly helped to "avoid blood  despite numerous reports that Wagner had engaged in firefights with Russian forces and had downed a number of high-value aerial targets.

Read also: How does Russian propaganda end up in Western media? Presidential advisor has answers

Russian citizens on Telegram expressed their shock at their dictators empty words: with many pro-Russian channels writing Is that it? In response to Putins rambling speech.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) downplayed intelligence about potential violence ahead of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, according to a Senate Homeland Security Committee report released Tuesday.

The agencies received multiple tips and were aware of calls for violence online ahead of Jan. 6, 2021, but failed to fully and accurately assess the severity of the threat identified by that intelligence, the report found.

Despite the high volume of tips and online traffic about the potential for violence  these agencies failed to sound the alarm and share critical intelligence information that could have helped law enforcement better prepare for the events of January 6th, 2021, Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said in a press release.

While the FBI communicated its intelligence to partner agencies informally, it downplayed the severity of the threat and did not issue urgent warnings anticipating violence, according to the report.

The Senate panel suggested the bureau failed to seriously consider the possibility that threatened actions would actually be carried out, dismissing each threat as not credible in isolation without fully considering the totality of threats and violent rhetoric.

DHSs Office of Intelligence and Analysis and the FBI also did not report concerning posts that were deemed noncredible threats, despite internal guidelines recommending otherwise, the report found.

FBI employees wrongly concluded they could not process certain online tips, even though bureau policy required all tips to be logged regardless of credibility.

Analysts in the Office of Intelligence and Analysis similarly wrongly believed they could not report concerning posts, despite agency guidelines to report noncredible threats that provide additional information about a known risk of violence.

My report shows there was a shocking failure of imagination from these intelligence agencies to take these threats seriously, and there is no question that their failures to effectively analyze and share the threat information contributed to the failures to prevent and respond to the horrific attack that unfolded at the Capitol, Peters added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The FBI and other US government agencies failed "at a fundamental level" to assess the potential for violence ahead of the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021, a new report claims.

Democrats on a Senate panel found the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "downplayed" the risks and so did not properly prepare.

The 105-page report, titled Planned in Plain Sight, was released on Tuesday.

It criticises officials for misjudging and reacting slowly to tip-offs.

"At a fundamental level, the agencies failed to fulfil their mission and connect the public and non-public information they received," the report reads.

It adds that officials from the agencies failed to "formally disseminate guidance to their law enforcement partners with sufficient urgency and alarm to enable those partners to prepare for the violence that ultimately occurred".

The report offers specific examples of the type of warnings the FBI received, including flagged online extremist activity, public tip-offs and alerts from its own field offices around the country.

One example the report highlights is a social media post on the Parler platform directed at the FBI four days before the riot. "This is a final stand where we are drawing the red line at Capitol Hill," it reads. "Don't be surprised if we take the #capital building."

Many other posts alluded to a potential violent attack on the Capitol, the report by Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee suggests.

The document also includes a previously unknown warning from the FBI's New Orleans office which was issued on 5 January 2021. It said some people who were planning to attend the protest in Washington the following day were planning to be armed.

"What was shocking is that this attack was essentially planned in plain sight in social media," the committee's Democratic chair, Gary Peters, said. "And yet it seemed as if our intelligence agencies completely dropped the ball."

More than 2,000 people entered the US Capitol as lawmakers certified the results of the 2020 election

In a statement, an FBI spokesperson said the bureau was "constantly trying to learn and evaluate what we can do better or differently, and this is especially true of the attack on the US Capitol".

The spokesman added that, since the attack, the bureau had centralised the flow of information to ensure timely threat notifications to all field offices.

Separately, a spokesperson for the DHS told the Washington Post that the agency had been conducting a "comprehensive organisational review" which would soon develop recommendations.

The 6 January riot saw more than 2,000 people enter the US Capitol as lawmakers certified the results of the 2020 election, in which President Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump.

The mob stormed the Capitol following a speech from Mr Trump, who was speaking at a rally not far from the Capitol grounds. In his speech, Mr Trump claimed election fraud and called on then-Vice-President Mike Pence to overturn the results.

The riot led to the biggest police investigation in US history with hundreds of people accused of criminal offences.
FILE - Gabe Gore steps to the podium after Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, right, announced that Gore would be the new St. Louis Circuit Attorney, replacing Kimberly M. Gardner, during a news conference, May 19, 2023, at the Carnahan Courthouse in St. Louis. The U.S. Attorney's Office in St. Louis will loan eight prosecutors to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office to help clear a backlog of cases involving homicides and other serious crimes, officials from both offices said Tuesday, June 27. The agreement comes a little over a month after Gardner resigned under fire and was replaced by Gore. (David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File)

ST. LOUIS (AP)  The U.S. Attorney's Office in St. Louis will loan eight prosecutors to the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office to help clear a backlog homicide cases, officials from both offices said Tuesday.

The agreement, described as a first of its kind in St. Louis, comes a little over a month after former Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner resigned under fire and was replaced by attorney Gabe Gore, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.

This will immediately give us increased capacity to handle our most serious cases," Gore said in a statement.

The prosecutors will continue their federal caseloads while helping with the city's cases. The news release said several more federal prosecutors would be brought in later in the summer.

Gardner, a Democrat and the city's first Black circuit attorney, was part of a movement of progressive prosecutors who sought diversion to mental health treatment or drug abuse treatment for low-level crimes, pledged to hold police more accountable and proactively sought to free inmates who were wrongfully convicted.

Gardner's office had come under intense scrutiny in recent months as cases languished due in part to the high turnover of prosecutors. When she resigned, Gardner was the subject of an ouster effort by Republican Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey that she said was politically and racially motivated.

Republican state lawmakers had meanwhile been considering a bill allowing Parson to appoint a special prosecutor to handle violent crimes, effectively removing the bulk of Gardners responsibilities.

A pivotal turning point came in February after 17-year-old Janae Edmondson, a volleyball standout from Tennessee, was struck by a speeding car in downtown St. Louis. She lost both legs.

The driver, 21-year-old Daniel Riley, was out on bond on a robbery charge despite nearly 100 bond violations including letting his GPS monitor die and breaking the terms of his house arrest. Critics questioned why Riley was free despite so many bond violations.
Summer camps and activities hosted at Charlotte Preparatory School have been canceled until further notice due to damage caused by an overnight fire.

Charlotte Preparatory School is cancelling all camps & activities for the rest of the week after a fire ripped thru one of its buildings last night. It took 60 firefighters about 90 minutes to get it under control. Were just now getting a look at the damage. Updates on @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/7iN6GQ0fJw  Anthony Kustura (@AnthonyWSOC9) June 27, 2023

I just got to figure out what to do with my kids, said Melissa Steadman, a parent whose children attend summer camp at the school.

The Charlotte Fire Department responded to the three-alarm fire at a Charlotte Preparatory School in southeast Charlotte on Monday night. Over 60 firefighters responded to the scene and it was controlled in 90 minutes.

Officials said the fire started at the Charlotte Preparatory School along Boyce Road around 9 p.m., causing an estimated $2.5 million in damage.

Officials said the fire started at the Charlotte Preparatory School along Boyce Road around 9 p.m., causing an estimated $2.5 million of damage.

No injuries have been reported

Charlotte Preparatory School posted a message on their website announcing all campus activities are canceled for the remainder of the week.

Over 60 firefighters responded to the scene and it was controlled in 90 minutes.

A neighbor told Channel 9 that they heard a loud explosion and saw flames higher than nearby homes. T

Over 60 firefighters responded to the scene and it was controlled in 90 minutes.

The Charlotte Fire Department responded to a three-alarm fire at a school in southeast Charlotte on Monday night.

The fire started late Monday night.

The head custodian Victor Allen told Channel 9s Anthony Kustura that no one was inside when the fire started.

Im glad it didnt happen during the day when the kids were here, Allen said.

Allen said around 10 p.m. on Monday, another custodian heard an explosion, and then fire ripped through the schools lower building.

ALSO READ: All employees accounted for after 3-alarm fire erupts at lithium plant in Bessemer City

Tim Eichenbrenner lives near the school and told Channel 9 that he heard a loud explosion and saw flames higher than nearby homes. He called 911 and saw fire trucks arrive moments later.

Its right next to the trees of the park and heaven only knows what wouldve happened then, Eichenbrenner said.

The new school year is just weeks away, but Allen is confident students the school will build back quickly.

The school sent out a message to families on Tuesday afternoon stating there is no damage to other buildings. The message also stated they have a plan for the beginning of the school year while they rebuild.

It is our intention to have temporary lower school classrooms and offices by the start of the school year, and we will work diligently to achieve this goal, the statement read.

No injuries have been reported. CMPD arson detectives and ATF agents were the scene investigating. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

This is a developing story, check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: All employees accounted for after 3-alarm fire erupts at lithium plant in Bessemer City
Australian 'nuke' sailors set to graduate.

The first group of Australian submariners to attend the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power School is set to graduate next week. This is an important step in the Royal Australian Navy's effort to establish a fleet of nuclear-powered, but conventionally-armed submarines, including examples of the U.S. Virginia class. This initiative is a key component of the still relatively new trilateral Australia-United Kingdom-United States defense cooperation agreement, or AUKUS.

The leaders of the AUKUS nations  from left to right, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, US President Joe Biden, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak  at a press conference at the U.S. Navy's Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego on March 13, 2023. The U.S. Navy's Virginia class submarine USS Missouri is seen in the background. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via AP

Adm. Michael Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), the U.S. Navy's top uniformed officer, announced the forthcoming graduation of the initial cadre of Australian submariners from what is colloquially known as the Nuc or Nuke School at an open event hosted by the Central for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) think tank in Washington, D.C. today.

Gilday, as well as Dr. Kurt Campbell, offered additional information about the current state of the Australian nuclear submarine program and how the AUKUS partnership is helping with that, among other things. Campbell is Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden and Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, a role commonly referred to as the "Asia Czar."

"We graduate our first group of Australian Submariners from our Nuclear Power School in Charleston in just over a week's time," Gilday said. "So we're very proud of that."

"They are all above the mean," Campbell also said of the Australians who are about to graduate. "These are guys that are excelling. And we're gonna double down on this. And that commitment is powerful and impressive."

You can watch the entirety of today's CSIS event featuring Gilday and Campbell below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQQIoxGv8lc

Neither Gilday nor Campbell said exactly how many Australian submariners would be graduating in total or exactly what their specialization might be. The Nuclear Power School trains individuals to perform different sets of tasks to support the operation and maintenance of nuclear reactors onboard ships and submarines, as you can read more about in this past War Zone feature. At present, the only nuclear-powered surface ships in the U.S. Navy are aircraft carriers.

In the course of their training, the Australians will have gotten hands-on experience with relevant equipment thanks to two ex-Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarines that have been converted into static schoolhouses, as you can learn more about here.

One of the US Navy's two ex-Los Angeles class "moored training ships" now used for training purposes at the Nuclear Power School. USN

Royal Australian Navy submariners are still years away from sailing on Australian-operated nuclear-powered submarines, but having this training pipeline producing qualified nuke sailors now is an important element of the overall plan.

"It's a phased approach that's been very transparent in terms of our beginning to conduct more port visits with the Australians and a phased approach to then begin forward deploying our submarines, perhaps up to four, out of [the] HMAS Stirling [naval base], near Perth," Gilday explained. The plan is then eventually "to co-crew those [U.S.] submarines with Australians in a very deliberate manner and then, finally, get us to a point where Australia... can then take custody of the sale of U.S. submarines and then eventually produce their own."

The planned forward-deployed submarine contingent is currently referred to as Submarine Rotational Force-Western Australia, or SURF-West. HMAS Stirling, on the West coast of Australia, is a very strategic operating location and would offer American submarines good access to both the Western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

https://twitter.com/shashj/status/1438179433001758720

"All the while, we are working hand-in-glove with them and the U.K., in terms of creating the ecosystem that's so important to maintaining a nuclear[-powered submarine] force," the CNO added.

At present, the initial trio of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia are expected to be U.S.-made Virignia class types, including two obtained directly from the U.S. Navy. The goal is for those boats to start entering service with the Royal Australian Navy in 2032.

The US Navy's Block IV Virginia class submarine USS New Jersey seen in an advanced state of production. HII

These will be followed by the acquisition of five so-called new-production nuclear-powered attack submarines, or SSNs, built in Australia, which will hopefully be completed around 2050. This future class of submarines is currently referred to simply as the SSN-AUKUS. The Australians could ultimately get up to five Virginias in the end, depending on how fast SSN-AUKUS submarine progresses. In that case, just three of the locally-built SSN-AUKUS submarines will be made.

Specific details about the SSN-AUKUS' design remain limited. However, Australian and U.K. officials have said in the past that it will be derived from the British next-generation nuclear attack submarine design intended to replace the Royal Navy's current Astute class. It will also have a significant amount of U.S.-made systems inside that will give it a high degree of commonality with" the Virginia class.

A rendering of a notional SSN-AUKUS put out by the UK Ministry of Defense. UK MoD

"We've been working together for 100 years now, over 100 years, and so this would be an obvious evolution in terms of where we go, not only in terms of interoperability," Gilday said at today's CSIS event. "AUKUS takes it to a new level in terms of interchangeability, particularly with SSN-AUKUS, which will be a hull common to two of the three nations, with components, many of the components, that are common to U.S. submarines."

This is all in line with what Australian Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, the head of his country's AUKUS task force, told Australia's ABC News in March. "SSN-AUKUS is actually quite mature in the design, it's about 70% mature," he explained at that time.

Still, the Royal Australian Navy is set to be a Virginia class operator first and that also makes good sense on a number of levels, including the high degree of interoperability and logistical interchangeability that Adm. Gilday highlighted. Both countries operating Virginia class boats will mean being able to take advantage of common infrastructure. HMAS Stirling, specifically will need very complex and expensive upgrades just to sustain semi-permanent rotational deployments by U.S. Navy Virginias. This could also then help when it comes to supporting U.S. and Australian boats in ports or using assets like U.S. Navy USS Emory S. Land class submarine tenders while forward-deployed during combined operations.

The US Navy's submarine tender USS Emory S. Land with the Ohio class guided missile submarine USS Georgia alongside it. USN

With both countries operating Virginia class submarines, they will also be using many of the same weapons, like the Tomahawk cruise missile, and mission systems, including networking capabilities, that will only further enhance interoperability.

It is worth noting that the AUKUS effort to support Australia's wish to acquire nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarines is ambitious and it remains to be seen how it will progress in the coming years. The possibility of acquiring the two additional Virginia class boats would seem to be a hedge against potential delays with the SSN-AUKUS program.

"If AUKUS' ambitions are expansive, so too are the challenges that it faces, including its long-term political support and financial resourcing, the ability to scale up submarine production, the necessity of finding the skilled workers who are going to be building those submarines, the challenges of reforming our regulatory system and the way that we control our most sensitive technology, and, of course, the overriding imperative of providing deterrence now and not in 10 years time," Charles Edel, a Senior Adviser and current Australia Chair at CSIS, highlighted in his introduction to today's event.

At the same time, a Royal Australian Navy nuclear-powered submarine force that can operate very closely together with its U.S. Navy counterparts would offer significant strategic and tactical-level benefits to both countries, along with the United Kingdom and other allies and partners. For the Royal Australian Navy, specifically, there is the added impetus of needing more modern and capable replacements for its six aging Collins class diesel-electric attack submarines. The AUKUS submarine plan also involved the cancellation of a previous multi-billion-dollar deal with French firm Naval Group to produce new diesel-electric boats. That acquisition program had already faced criticism over ballooning costs.

Four of Australia's six Collins class submarines. Royal Australian Navy

The nuclear submarine initiative also comes as the AUKUS nations, together with others in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere, are looking to challenge and deter a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that is growing in both size and overall capability. This includes a steadily expanding Chinese PLA Navy (PLAN) submarine force, which is part of that service's broader ambitions to become a force truly capable of projecting power worldwide.

So, while nuclear-powered submarines for Australia may still be years away from becoming a reality, all three AUKUS countries are clearly committed to that effort. Australian submariners starting to graduate from the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power School now is an important step toward that goal.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
A Davidson County jury on Tuesday returned a guilty verdict on all charges against Horace Palmer Williamson III, one of two men charged with murder in the deaths of a man and woman outside the East Nashville bar The Cobra in August 2018.

Sentencing will begin Wednesday morning. Williamson could face life imprisonment. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty.

The jury found that Williamson, 32, participated in the robbery of a group of four friends in the bars parking lot in the early morning of Aug. 17, 2018, that ended in the deaths of Jaime Sarrantonio and Bartley Brandon Teal.

Horace Palmer Williamson III waits for the start of his trial at the Justice A.A. Birch Building Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Williamson and Demontrey Logsdon are accused of a series of killings and robberies in August 2018 that ended with a double homicide outside East Nashvilles Cobra Bar.

Bartley Teal Sr., Teal's father, said he'd waited five years for that verdict.

"It was heart-wrenching," Teal said. "We were so scared. We didn't know what they were going to come back with. So hopefully we can start some kind of closure for ourselves, for all the victims. For all my son's (and) Jaime's family and friends and such."

Steve Harrington, the surviving male victim in the case, said he was elated at the decision and thanked the District Attorney's Office and Metro Nashville Police Department. He called Sarrantonio and Teal "bright shining lights in this world" and that they "spread a lot of love."

Bartley Brandon Teal

Bartley Teal Sr. remembered his son as a wonderful man, a hard worker and someone who respected others regardless of their background.

"He didn't care what race you were, what background, if you were rich, if you were poor. If you gave him respect, he'd give you respect back," he said.

Prosecutors said that Williamson, while armed with a handgun, did not shoot the rifle that killed Sarrantonio and Teal. The states theory is that Demontrey Logsdon, the other defendant in this case who is being tried after Williamson, pulled the trigger while Williamson drove the two away afterwards.

Under Tennessee law, "when one enters into a scheme with another to commit a robbery, all defendants are responsible for the deaths regardless of who actually committed the killing and whether the killing was specifically contemplated by the other," according to Assistant District Attorney Megan King.

Williamson also sexually assaulted Sarrantonio and the surviving female victim during the robbery, prosecutors said.

Video of the crime was played several times throughout the trial, eliciting sniffles from the gallery filled with friends and relatives of the victims. The state spent most of the trial trying to prove that Williamson and Logsdon were the men in that footage, whose faces were covered by hats and bandannas.

During the state's opening statement, King said that the evidence of Williamson's actions before and after the crime fit together "like a puzzle" to prove his guilt. Prosecutors presented several pieces of circumstantial evidence to link Williamson to the killings, including a set of Williamsons fingerprints on a phone stolen during the robbery, fingerprints on the stolen getaway car, and phone location data that tracked him to gas stations and a fast food restaurant where a debit card stolen from one of the victims was used.

"The actions of these men after committing these cold blooded murders is nothing short of chilling," King said during her closing argument. "Both of these men knew what they did. And what did they do afterwards? They went to McDonalds and got something to eat."

Sarrantonio, 30 at her death, was a client manager for a Nashville-based software company and part-time assistant for a company promoting unsigned musical artists. Teal, who turned 33 the morning he was killed, was the guitarist and vocalist for Nashville band Terrestrial Radio, which played one of its first gigs at the Cobra. The two met through mutual friends for the first time just hours before their deaths.

In all, Williamson faced 13 charges that included two counts of first-degree felony murder; two counts of first-degree premeditated murder; two counts of aggravated sexual battery; two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping as it relates to the two surviving victims of the robbery; two counts of aggravated robbery as it relates to the robbery of the surviving victims; and two counts of especially aggravated robbery as it relates to Sarrantonio and Teal.

Logsdon will be tried once Williamsons sentencing concludes.

More: Here's how the state built its case against Horace Williamson

Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanMealins.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Cobra Bar murders: First defendant found guilty
First excessive heat watch of year warns Northern California of possible 110-degree temps

Just as summer begins, Northern Californias dreadful heat is back.

Triple-digit temperatures are expected to scorch the Sacramento area this week, and it has prompted the National Weather Service to issue the first excessive heat watch of the year.

An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 11 PM Sunday for the Valley and foothills.



These are the highest temps we've seen this year! With this happening during the holiday weekend, NOW is the time to prepare: have a way to stay cool & hydrated! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/ftf3DxiHUk  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) June 27, 2023

The agency issued a watch Tuesday morning that the first major heat wave of the year is impending in the Sacramento Valley, Northern San Joaquin Valley, mountains in Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County and the Mother Lode counties.

Temperatures ranging from 105 to 110 are possible Friday morning through Sunday evening.

While it might be tempting to take a dip in the river during the heat wave, the service warns that local rivers and lakes may have dangerous conditions because the water will run cold and fast.

Parts of Northern California could top 100 degrees this week. How long will heat wave last?

What to do

The service is advising people to stay hydrated, stay in air-conditioned rooms and get away from the sun.

Dont leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles, as hot weather can make interior temperatures in cars lethal.

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.
Flight delay 'insanity' at Newark forced one passenger to drive hundreds of miles and take another flight to meet up with their bags. They still didn't get their luggage.

One video shared on Twitter showed a 5-hour line to retrieve luggage. United Airlines

Flight issues at Newark airport forced one passenger to drive miles and fly to look for their bags.

Hundreds of flights, mostly from United, were delayed and canceled, leaving passengers stranded.

One passenger told Insider they were stuck at the airport for two-and-a-half days.

Travel chaos unfolded at Newark Liberty International Airport this weekend, forcing one passenger to drive hundreds of miles and take another flight to meet their bags  and she still didn't get her luggage.

As hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed at Newark, leaving thousands stuck waiting to retrieve their bags or travel to their destinations, Margo Osborne found herself with no choice but to drive and fly to meet her bag in New Orleans.

Osborne said United Airlines told her "no one could retrieve their bags," even if passengers needed important medicine or equipment stored in their luggage. According to Osborne, United said they put her bags on a flight to New Orleans, prompting Osborne to drive to Charlotte, North Carolina, and fly to Louisiana to meet her bags.

But when Osborne arrived in New Orleans, she was shocked: Her bags weren't there.

"Now, people are tweeting that bags are just sitting out at Newark! It's insanity!" she said.

Across Twitter, similar situations have sprouted up  passengers camping out, travelers unable to retrieve their luggage, and complaints about United's customer service.

In a statement to Insider, United said: "Recurring thunderstorms in the Northeast have made airline operations very challenging for the past three days, especially at the New York-area airports."

"We know our customers are eager to get to their destinations," the airline added. "Our teams at airports and our contact centers have been working significant overtime to restore the reliability our customers depend on."

Another United passenger, Claude Ronnie Msowoya, tweeted a video showing thousands of travelers waiting in an hours-long line at Newark to get their luggage and leave.

Msowoya told Insider they were stuck in the airport for two-and-a-half days waiting for their flight to South Africa and accused Newark and United of not providing accommodations or meal vouchers.

Msowoya said they've now canceled their trip.

Read the original article on Insider
Floridas largest police union endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantiss (R) presidential bid this week, after endorsing former President Trump in 2020.

For the over 30,000 men and women in the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the choice for us could not be clearer, the groups president, John Kazanjian, said in a statement to Fox News, calling DeSantis most effective governor in the nation.

The Florida Police Benevolent Association cited DeSantiss actions to combat the fentanyl crisis in the state and increase officers salaries.

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.

DeSantis, along with other GOP hopefuls, have made combating crime a major priority going into 2024. Last week, the governors campaign released an ad from his visit to San Francisco in which he lamented the state of the city.

The one-minute spot shows DeSantis standing in San Francisco after a visit in which the GOP presidential candidate says he saw people using heroin, smoking crack cocaine and defecating on the street.

The city is not vibrant anymore, DeSantis says. Its really collapsed because of leftist policies, and these policies have caused people to flee this area. They dont prosecute criminals like they do in most parts of the country, and the wreckage is really sad to see.

It just shows you that policies matter. Leadership matters. They are doing it wrong here, he adds.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lee County Jail

A man convicted of the decades-old double homicide of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter attacked his own lawyer in a Florida courtroom on Monday, throwing an elbow into the attorneys jaw before he was tackled by officers.

Hours later, he was sentenced to death.

Joseph Zieler, 61, appeared in court shackled at the wrists and wearing an orange jumpsuit. He demanded officials take down the cameras, using an expletive, according to The News-Press. He appeared to have the word killer scrawled on his teeth.

As the hearing proceeds, footage shows him beckon to his lawyer, Kevin Shirley, who approaches him and leans over.

He acted like he didnt want our conversation to get picked up by the microphone, Shirley later told WINK-TV. ... And he struck me.

Without warning, Zieler launches an elbow at Shirley, who stumbles out of the cameras frame. Two bailiffs then grab Zieler and tackle him to the ground.

Convicted double-murderer Joseph Zieler elbows his attorney in the face ahead of his sentencing Monday. He was quickly tackled to the ground by bailiffs. pic.twitter.com/vkMmPXZbka  Gage Goulding - NBC2 (@GageGoulding) June 26, 2023

As Zieler is escorted out of the courtroom, Shirley can be seen taking a seat, apparently unruffled. Responding to the judge, who asks him if hes all right, Shirley says, I used to box. Ive taken a lot better shots than that one.

I had no idea he was going to do something like that, he told WINK-TV. Obviously hes been planning on that. But as he was going down, he said he was sorry he missed.

Last month, Zieler was found guilty of killing young Robin Cornell and her babysitter, 32-year-old Lisa Story. Cornells mother, Jan, discovered the bodies in the familys Cape Coral apartment on May 10, 1990. Investigators later found that both victims had been suffocated and sexually assaulted. Several items were also stolen from the home.

The case went unsolved for more than a quarter-century before Zieler was arrested in Nov. 2016 on charges of assaulting his stepson. Forensic evidence subsequently linked him to the crime.

Mondays assault was hardly Zielers first outburst in the courtroom. During his three-day trial, he flashed the middle finger, called Jan Cornell a pig, and screamed at the jury while testifying in his own defense.

I slept with Jan Cornell and (her friend), and they were just too much of a pig to wash their sheets.



Defendant Joseph Zieler testified that his DNA was at the crime scene because of a threesome he had with the mother of the minor victim months before the murders. pic.twitter.com/ixzJbiKvKY  Court TV (@CourtTV) May 18, 2023

His conduct on the stand did not help, Zielers other attorney, Lee Hollander, said at the time. If youre in a hole, stop digging. Thats what I wanted to say right then and there.

On May 18, the jury returned a guilty verdict after three hours of deliberation. Zieler smirked at the camera as the decision was read aloud, according to WINK-TV. In a separate hearing, all but two jurors recommended he receive the death penalty.

Zieler has maintained his innocence throughout his arrest and trial, saying Monday, I have nothing to do with this.

The judge handed down the death penalty after a two-hour hearing during which six witnesses were called to testify, including Jan Cornell, Robyns sister Jani, and Storys then-boyfriend.

The person that did this, Jani Cornell said, her voice shaking, should never be able to hurt anyone else.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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protest

As we celebrate and recognize our LGBTQ+ families, friends, and neighbors this month during Pride, we must also advocate and join in the fight against unjust laws in our state of Florida and across the country.



As Florida clergy who identify as LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ allies, it is our moral duty to be in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer/questioning people and express our unwavering support for their rights and dignity. Unfortunately, the legislation we see in Florida that is promoted and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis seeks to roll back hard-won protections and discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community in our state. It is an alarming step backward in the journey towards equality and social progress.

During this month of Pride, we have already seen Florida LGBTQ+ organizers have to change or cancel their events for fear of legal consequences because of Gov. DeSantiss legislation. And just last month, he signed a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that attack even more freedoms of queer Floridians. Anti-LGBTQ+ extremism has no place in our society, our state, our communities nor our churches and we vehemently oppose this discrimination.

Many faith leaders identify as LGBTQ+, including some of us who have authored this piece. Our faith traditions teach us to recognize the fundamental rights of every individual, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is imperative for all of us to uphold the principles of equality, justice and inclusivity  the very foundation of a thriving and harmonious democracy. We have seen over time the struggles and triumphs of LGBTQ+ peoples fight for freedoms and we refuse to allow these regressive policies undermine the progress made.

It is crucial for faith communities to come together to resist all forms of discrimination, especially against those who are already marginalized. That is why we are committed to providing a safe space for all while offering spiritual nourishment, guidance and support to those in need. We call upon all people of conscience to speak out against these anti-LGBTQ+ bills, to contact their elected officials telling them we denounce these bills, and to support organizations that fight for equality and justice.

Our houses of worship will always be sanctuaries where everyone is welcome, respected and loved for who they are.

Signed,

Rev. Terri Steed Pierce

Joy Metropolitan Community Church

Orlando

Rev. Regina King

Restoration of Truth Ministries

Jacksonville

Rabbi Catriel N. Zer-Gerland

Tora V'Ahava of Florida

Tallahassee

Rev. Joe Parramore

New Journey Ministries

Quincy

Rev. Thomas Holdcraft

St. Stephen Lutheran Church

Tallahassee

Rev. Dr. Steve Blinder

Royal Palm Christian Church

Coral Springs

Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer

Florida Council of Churches

Jacksonville
Former Navy SEAL officer Tim Sheehy launched a Senate bid in Montana on Tuesday, teeing up a potential challenge against incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Ive proudly fought for our country to defend our freedoms, and Im once again answering the call to serve, Sheehy, a Republican, said in a statement. I will fight to bring real leadership to Washington to save our country and protect our Montana way of life.

Sheehy, who serves as CEO of Bridger Aerospace, accused Tester of having lost sight of our Montana values.

Like any good politician, Jon talks one way but votes another, Sheehy said. Montanans have had enough of these career politicians who are full of empty promises and are not representing our Montana values. Its time for a new generation of leadership to rebuild America.

The former Navy SEAL officer has received the endorsement of fellow Montanan and head of the Senate Republicans campaign arm, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), according to The Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who unsuccessfully ran against Tester in 2018, has also been taking steps toward a Senate bid, although he has yet to officially confirm his candidacy.

Developing

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former nurse ordered to prison for stealing fentanyl at Jensen Beach surgery center

FORT PIERCE  A former registered nurse charged last year with tampering with drugs while working at a Jensen Beach outpatient surgery center was ordered Tuesday to federal prison for four years after a judge rejected her pleas of leniency.

U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon also ordered Catherine Katie Dunton, 55, of Port St. Lucie, to serve three years of federal supervision following her release from prison.

Dunton was accused in a federal indictment of switching vials of fentanyl for saline which were intended to be dispensed to patients for the purpose of pain relief during medical procedures.

The incidents occurred at The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach in the 3900 block of Northwest Goldenrod Road north of Treasure Coast Square mall.

Florida Department of Health records show Catherine Dunton, 54, was hired at The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach in September 2021. In a FDOH emergency order restricting her license as a registered nurse, Dunton was accused of replacing vials of fentanyl with saline between February and April, while working at the surgery center.

According to the indictment, in 2022 between February and April, Dunton removed fentanyl from the vials then replaced the fentanyl with saline and returned the adulterated vials to be used in medical procedures.

She pleaded guilty in April to a count of tampering with a consumer product.

During an emotionally-charged hearing attended by a dozen of Duntons family and friends, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Acosta accused her of undertaking a successful scheme to steal vials of fentanyl from the clinic that was discovered after staff found a box of 25 vials was missing.

Acosta told Cannon that Dunton had a history of substance abuse troubles, dating to 2008, including when she worked at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce.

Three separate times she put patients at risk, Acosta said in court. Not one time, or two times but three times.

Acosta said sentencing guidelines called for a prison term of between 63 to 78 months.

Opioid use disorder

According to records with the Florida Department of Health, in May 2022, Dunton reported to the Intervention Project for Nurses, an impaired practitioner program during which she was evaluated by Dr. Lawrence Wilson, who specializes in addiction medicine and psychiatry.

Dunton, during her evaluation, acknowledged that while working at Lawnwood, she diverted powerful painkillers including Demerol, morphine, fentanyl and Percocet for her personal use, according to a state emergency order.

Her nursing license was temporarily suspended in 2012 after an employer-requested drug screen returned positive for fentanyl.

She told Wilson that in March 2021 she started to occasionally consume alcohol and that she experienced blackouts. She took a toxicology test in May that came back positive for fentanyl, the records show.

Wilson diagnosed Dunton with severe opioid use disorder and an alcohol addiction and concluded she was "not able to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety to patients."

At Tuesdays hearing, Duntons attorney Michael Ohle argued for a sentence of two years of home confinement with a lengthy period of supervision, so she could continue receiving addiction treatment.

He noted that last year when federal agents confronted Dunton, she immediately confessed to stealing the fentanyl, cooperated with the investigation, voluntarily surrendered and checked herself in to a treatment facility.

She had no intent to commit harm, Ohle said. There is no question she is a good candidate for home confinement.

Drug tampering arrest: Nurse faces federal charge related to fentanyl at Jensen Beach outpatient center

When Dunton addressed Cannon, she struggled to speak and often paused to compose herself.

I would like to first apologize to you and to my family, Dunton told Cannon. I never meant to hurt anybody.

She said before her arrest, she had been a nurse for 30 years and during her long battle with addiction, she had nine years of sobriety before the walls started crumbling down.

I wasnt in my right mind, she said, while describing how her addiction took over her life resulting in her stealing vials of fentanyl while on the job.

I cant tell you how sorry I am, she said.

Cannon, who carefully listened as several of Duntons relatives and supporters pleaded for leniency, appeared concerned about her pattern of stealing drugs while working as a nurse.

She noted that not only had Dunton abused the trust patients and her medical colleagues placed in her, it wasnt the first time shed stolen highly addictive drugs for her personal use.

You violated your obligation, and you committed a very serious federal crime, Cannon told Dunton, who stood at a podium wearing a gray blazer and black pants.

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As Cannon imposed a four-year prison term, Dunton, seated next to Ohle, covered her face and openly sobbed.

Cannon too, denied a request to allow Dunton to surrender at a future date to begin her prison term.

It is time, Ms. Dunton, Cannon said, that you become fully accountable for your actions  and begin serving your sentence immediately.

At that, Dunton hugged several relatives, including her husband and two sons before she removed a necklace, wedding ring and watch and exited the courtroom escorted by a woman with the U.S. Marshal Service.

After the hearing, Ohle said they had hoped Dunton would have been punished in a way that allowed her to return home.

We really were leaning forward for a period of home detention, followed by a substantial period of probation and elevated fines and community service hours. But that just did not work out, Ohle said. And it is unfortunate, because I do think we've now got an individual who's got a significant addiction going to prison and not a criminal.

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: Federal judge sentenced ex-nurse for stealing drugs at surgery center
Fort Mill gets $25 million to build a new operations center. What will happen to the armory?

Fort Mills historic armory has long served as home to the towns operations center, but a new plan will move the public works space to a tract of land outside the downtown corridor.

The state of South Carolina has allocated $25 million to build a new operations center to better meet the needs of the rapidly growing town.

A huge state budget earmark could change a downtown Fort Mill landmark. Heres how

This is a $25 million amount of money that will be provided to the town of Fort Mill to assist with the building of a new operations center that will house our public works, our utilities department, and many other offices for town staff, Fort Mill Mayor Guynn Savage said during a gathering Tuesday at the armory.

Six years ago, S.C. Rep. Raye Felder started making requests in the state budget for the public works space in Fort Mill, but the COVID-19 pandemic placed the project on the back burner.

This year, with much appreciation to Speaker Murrell Smith and Senator Harvey Peeler, we were able to get a budget allocation to help us get over this hump to get an operations center which will allow us to look at what the future possibilities are for the armory, Felder said Tuesday.

The location of the armory, at 131 E. Elliott St., is a key reason it was deemed no longer fit to house Fort Mills operations center.

As we pursue the best and most cost effective solution, the town understood the following: the location of this building is not ideal for this type of facility, Savage said.

The facility needs expansion, and the current location doesnt allow for additional acreage to do so.

Savage said she hopes the new operations center will give Fort Mills public departments room to expand with the towns booming population.

Our town staff has not grown to marry up with the growth in our community, and we are working to fix that, Savage said.

What role will the armory play in Fort Mill now that it will no longer house town operations?

The armory was built in 1938 and is in need of repairs.

Felder said she understands that it would cost less to raze the existing armory building and rebuild it, but the historical significance of the building is viewed as highly important.

A priority of mine is the deep heritage and history that is home to Fort Mill, Felder said. We have so much to be proud of, and this building is one of those things.

The armorys role in Fort Mills future remains to be determined, but there has been talk of a performing arts center or an entirely different development project.

Once repaired and restored, it is not the highest and best use to continue to house our public works and utilities department. This facility with its historic relevance will serve the community in another way, Felder said.
A planned north Fort Worth cottage community failed to secure a necessary zoning change Tuesday from the City Council.

Boise, Idaho-based developer Conger Group had proposed putting 61 for-rent cottages on 5.6 acres at 5819 Bowman Roberts Road, northwest of Marine Creek Reservoir.

However, neighbors, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district representatives and District 7 council member Macy Hill all agreed the land is too narrow and the road is too dangerous to accommodate the development.

The property is on a tree lined, two-lane street with no shoulder and a bend some refer to as dead mans curve.

After driving along that section of Bowman Roberts Road, Hill said the city needs to consider adding it to its master thoroughfare plan, which would put it in the pipeline for improvements.

Schools in the area are already straining with the pace of development, and adding this housing would just make that problem worse, said Russ Davis, who lives just west of the proposed development.

On a selfish note, the previous owner used the land to breed show cows. Cows are peaceful and quiet neighbors. I dont think 60 apartments will be, he said.

The development sits between a middle and elementary school in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district. Ray Oujesky, an attorney representing the district, said the district had concerns about the safety of students commuting from the development along with the safety of the road.

District 2 council member Carlos Flores, whose district used to include this section of Bowman Roberts before redistricting, said hes been working with city staff to add the stretch to the citys master thoroughfare plan.

He told those attending the meeting that staff with the citys department of transportation and public works are taking care of it.
Jeffrey Epstein was held at Manhattans Metropolitan Correctional Center after being arrested in 2019 - Uma Sanghvi/The Palm Beach Post

There was no foul play involved in Jeffrey Epsteins death but prison guard misconduct enabled him to take his own life, an inquiry has found.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) staff responsible for guarding the convicted sex offender did not search his prison cell and failed to check on him for hours before he killed himself in 2019, the US Justice Departments internal watchdog found.

Inspector general Michael Horowitz singled out 13 employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons for misconduct and dereliction of their duties, including potentially criminal acts.

The report, issued nearly four years after Epsteins death, found their actions left the suspected sex trafficker, 66, alone and unmonitored in his Manhattan Metropolitan Correctional Center cell for almost eight hours until he was found to have hanged himself at 6:30 am on August 10th.

The report found staff did not conduct any 30-minute checks after about 10.40pm on Aug 9.

Epstein had been awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, and if convicted, would have faced up to 45 years in prison. His death sparked a series of conspiracy theories owing to his influential connections.

The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in this report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOPs custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life, the year-long inquiry found.

FBI findings not contradicted

But the conclusion from analysing 100,000 records and conducting dozens of interviews did not uncover evidence that contradicted the FBIs finding there was no criminality involved in his death.

Mr Horowtiz lambasted the BOPs failures which he claimed led to questions about the circumstances surrounding Epsteins death and effectively deprived Epsteins numerous victims of the opportunity to seek justice through the criminal justice system.

Shortfalls unearthed included the failure to ensure Eptein was not alone in his cell. The prisons psychology department had sent a notification to over 70 Metropolitan Correctional Center employees notifying them that because of his condition, Epstein had to be housed with an appropriate cellmate for supervision.

Staff also allowed Epstein to have unsupervised phone calls and to hoard bed linen.

The report also criticised the bureau for other serious operational flaws, such as failing to upgrade the facilitys camera surveillance system and under-staffing its facilities

BOP director Colette Peters said the findings reflect a failure to follow BOPs long standing policies. She said that the BOP concurs with a list of recommended reforms, which will be applied to the broader BOP correctional landscape.

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Four dead in Russian strike on Kramatorsk

There was a large crowd in the cafe area

Russian forces launched two missile attacks on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, striking a cafe in the city center where a large crowd had gathered, regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on June 27.

Read also: Bodies of two victims of Russian missile attack recovered from rubble

As of 10:10 p.m., according to local police reports, the attack left four civilians dead and 42  injured. One of the victims was a small child, RFE/RL reported.

"Two individuals were killed, and 22 sustained injuries, including one child. Food service establishments and several private residences sustained damage," Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in a Telegram post earlier, when the death toll was lower.

Klymenko added that an investigation is underway, and there might be people trapped under the debris.

"Russian forces carried out two missile attacks on Kramatorsk; the first strike targeted a public dining establishment in the city center," Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President, said in another Telegram post.

Read also:

Yermak also noted that a second Russian missile hit the nearby village of Bilenke.

According to Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of Donetsk Regional State Administration, the attackers aimed specifically at the cafe. He further clarified during a telethon that a "large crowd of people" had been near the establishment at the time of the strike.

RFE/RL published a video of the aftermath of the attack.

Earlier in the day, Kramatorsk had already been targeted by missile attacks from the Russian forces, which damaged industrial buildings but led to no casualties.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Four Mexicans arrested in US over migrant deaths in sweltering truck

People place flowers, candles and water bottles at a makeshift memorial to the 53 migrants who died after being abandoned by smugglers in a tractor-trailer near San Antonio, Texas (CHANDAN KHANNA)

Four Mexican nationals have been arrested in Texas for their alleged involvement in the deaths last year of 53 migrants found abandoned in a tractor-trailer in scorching temperatures, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

The four men -- Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30, Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53, -- were arrested on Monday in the Texas cities of San Antonio, Houston and Marshall, the department said in a statement.

According to the US authorities, 53 people died of dehydration and heatstroke in San Antonio after they were shut inside the truck with no water on a day when temperatures rose to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius).

Eleven others survived. The victims were from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

"Human smugglers prey on migrants' hope for a better life - but their only priority is profit," Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

"Tragically, 53 people who had been loaded into a tractor-trailer in Texas and endured hours of unimaginable cruelty lost their lives because of this heartless scheme."

The Justice Department said the four men arrested could face life in prison if convicted of the charge of "conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death."

The driver of the truck, Homero Zamorano of Elkhart, Texas, was arrested at the scene and another man, Christian Martinez, of Palestine, Texas, is also facing charges.

San Antonio police were first alerted to the trailer on June 27, 2022 after a worker near an isolated road in San Antonio heard a cry for help and went to investigate.

cl/des
The fragile truce that halted Prigozhin's armed revolt against the Kremlin seems to be falling apart already

Vladimir Putin (left) has long relied on Yevgeny Prigozhin (right) for his Wagner Group of mercenaries to fight in the invasion of Ukraine. Getty Images

Wagner forces halted their revolt on Saturday after striking a deal with the Kremlin.

But that peace agreement appears increasingly uncertain as Prigozhin renews his rants against Russia's military.

Putin, meanwhile, has offered conflicting comments on the coming consequences for those involved.

The Wagner revolt may be over, but the chaos in Russia has likely only begun.

In a brief and, at times, contradictory speech Monday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin cast doubt on the tenuous peace deal the Kremlin struck with Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday after the mercenary leader spearheaded a short-lived revolt against Russia's defense ministry.

Prigozhin, a one-time ally to Putin, shocked Russian civilians and international onlookers alike as he led a cadre of troops-for-hire in a "march of justice" over the weekend after alleging the Russian defense ministry conducted a missile strike that killed several Wagner soldiers.

The uprising represents the most damning challenge to Putin's regime in decades. It was only averted when Prigozhin turned his troops back a mere 120 miles outside of Moscow after the Kremlin said it would drop any criminal charges against the former chef, who agreed in turn to be exiled to neighboring Belarus.

But by Monday, that agreement appeared precarious as Prigozhin renewed his rants against the Russian defense ministry and Putin offered conflicting comments about the coming consequences for those involved in the mutiny.

After hours of conspicuous silence following the apparent peace deal, Prigozhin reappeared on Monday, posting an 11-minute audio clip to Telegram in which he offered further context for the reasons behind his weekend attack, while defiantly insisting that his troops would remain independent of Russia's military.

Prior to the rebellion, Wagner forces, which helped capture the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in a bloody battle earlier this year, had been ordered to join Russia's forces by July 1  a command that many of the army's former convicts and mercenaries were not eager to obey, according to Prigozhin, prompting the group's weekend march toward Moscow in an effort to avoid being absorbed by Russia's official military.

"We were marching to demonstrate our protest, not to unseat the government," Prigozhin said, according to a translation of his message.

Putin, meanwhile, addressed the Russian public for the first time since Wagner retreated in his Monday speech, which offered little clarity about how Russia plans to respond to the uprising.

The president praised Wagner troops for turning back and pledged to uphold his promise that those who did so can join the Russian military or seek amnesty in Belarus. But Putin also railed against the "organizers" of the revolt  never naming Prigozhin directly  as traitors who will be "brought to justice." It seemed to be a reversal of the government's vow to spare Prigozhin from criminal charges.

Russian state media reported that Prigozhin is in fact, still under investigation, adding even more uncertainty to the legitimacy of the Saturday deal.

Prigozhin's whereabouts remain unknown, and neither Telegram post nor televised speech have offered any clarity on the future of Wagner's 25,000 troops who remain armed.

Prigozhin still has thriving Wagner activities in Africa that are likely more appealing than a life of exile in Belarus. Several reports this week indicated that Wagner is still actively recruiting.

But even if Wagner troops were to rejoin their Russian comrades on the battlefield in Ukraine, tensions between the two armies, which were already high prior to the revolt, are likely to be intensified by the mercenary group's attacks on Russia's military over the weekend, which included the downing of several aircraft that reportedly left some Russian pilots dead.

US and European officials, meanwhile, are on the edge of their seats waiting to see how the dust settles in Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted "cracks in the facade of Putin's leadership" on Saturday, praising the civil dispute as an opportunity for Ukraine to make gains while Russia dealt with its internal issues.

The Biden administration and other Western allies, however, remain concerned that Prigozhin's uprising has dealt a considerable blow to Russia's stability, The Washington Post reported.

"We see cracks emerging," Blinken said on Sunday. "I don't want to speculate on it, but I don't think we've seen the final act."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The JDD is France's top-selling national Sunday newspaper (THOMAS OLIVA)

One of France's biggest newspapers is in turmoil after the shock appointment of a far-right editor whose rise to prominence underlines the rightwards shift of the country's media and politics.

Geoffroy Lejeune, just 34, was unveiled last week as the new editor of the influential Journal du Dimanche (JDD), which is the only national Sunday newspaper with weekly sales of around 140,000.

News of his nomination by owner Lagardere, recently acquired by conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore, prompted a mass walkout from staff last week which has paralysed the paper and its website.

"Everyone is in shock, stunned," one journalist at the paper told AFP on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement on Friday.

Lejeune, who is close to several senior far-right political figures, "expresses ideas that are the opposite of the values that the JDD has carried over the last 75 years," the paper's union of journalists said in a statement.

Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak joined politicians on the left as well as media freedom group Reporters without Borders (RSF) in expressing concern about Lejeune being handed such an important media platform.

"Legally speaking, the JDD can become what it wants, as long as it respects the law," Abdul-Malak wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "But for our republic's values, how can you not be alarmed?"

Lejeune's nomination was described as a "provocation and the demonstration that the far-right is now installing itself calmly in the media" by eight former editors of the newspaper.

They expressed outrage that the identity of the paper was being "erased" by Bollore.

- Racism scandal -

Lejeune was until recently editor of the far-right weekly Valeurs Actuelles whose profile he helped raise through provocative headlines and caustic attacks on the country's politicians and intellectuals.

In 2019, around 400 academics criticised the publication in a joint letter after a vicious and highly personal diatribe against Benjamin Stora, a renowned historian of French colonial history who viewed the article as anti-Semitic.

The magazine has also repeatedly targeted Jewish financier George Soros, calling him the "billionaire plotting against France" in a 2018 frontpage headline.

In 2021, the publication was found guilty of racist hate speech after it published a fictional story and cartoons depicting one of the country's most prominent black MPs as a nude slave in chains and an iron collar.

Lejeune endorsed far-right media commentator Eric Zemmour during his campaign for the presidency last year and is a close friend of Marion Marechal, the niece of far-right patriarch Jean-Marie Le Pen.

Zemmour put the "great replacement theory" -- which posits that white French people are being deliberately replaced by immigrants -- at the centre of his error-strewn bid for presidency.

Immigration, crime, alleged left-wing media bias, "woke" teachers, "anti-white" ethnic minorities, as well as the spread of Islamism were common subjects covered by Valeurs Actuelles under Lejeune.

"Save white heterosexual 50-year-old men," read one of his last front-page headlines in May.

- Rightwards trend -

His rise to prominence illustrates two major shifts in France in recent years.

Bollore, a conservative Catholic from northwest France, has been gradually expanding his empire to take in TV channels, the magazine Paris Match, radio station Europe 1 and latterly the JDD.

After acquiring news channel iTele, he provoked a record strike of 31 days in 2016, gutted most of the staff and turned it into a conservative platform dubbed "France's Fox News" by critics.

"Bollore is a specialist in taking an axe to media that he buys," Christophe Deloire, secretary general of RSF, wrote on Twitter.

Lejeune is also one of a number of journalists, commentators and intellectuals who have helped move hardline views on immigration and Islam into the media mainstream, mirroring the shift in the country's politics.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen secured her highest ever score in the second round of last year's presidential election (41.5 percent) and one poll in April showed she would win if the vote were run again.

Many politicians privately admit Le Pen could be France's next president, while public opinion surveys show that her -- and Lejeune's -- views on immigration are broadly supported by most French people.

A poll by the BVA Opinion group for RTL radio in May showed that two-thirds of respondents were "worried" about immigration and the same proportion thought there were too many immigrants in the country.

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Archaeologists in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii said Tuesday they had found what might have been the precursor to the modern-day pizza depicted on an ancient fresco -- but without the cheese and tomatoes.

A fresco is defined by the Oxford dictionary as "a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries."



The 2,000-year-old painting -- discovered in the middle of a half-crumbled wall during recent digs at the sprawling Pompeii Archaeological Park -- depicts a silver platter holding a round flatbread, alongside fresh and dried fruits such as pomegranates and dates and a goblet filled with red wine.

Picture provided on June 27, 2023, by the Pompeii Archaeological Park shows the wall of an ancient Pompeian house with a fresco depicting a table with food. The fresco was found in the atrium of a house under excavation to which a bakery was annexed, already partially explored between 1888 and 1891 and whose investigations were resumed last January. / Credit: Pompeii Archaeological Park via AP

"What was depicted on the wall of an ancient Pompeian house could be a distant ancestor of the modern dish," said experts at the archaeological park in a statement.



A devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the city in thick ash, hiding from view its many treasures that archaeologists continue to slowly bring to light.

Pompeii is only some 14 miles from Naples, which the Reuters news agency describes at "the modern-day home of the Italian pizza, a UNESCO-protected food."



The fresco is believed to refer to the "hospitable gifts" offered to guests, following a Greek tradition dating to the 3rd to 1st centuries BC and described by imperial Roman-era writers including Virgil and Philostratus.



The Pompeii park's director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said the newly uncovered fresco shows the contrast between "a frugal and simple meal, which refers to a sphere between the bucolic and the sacred ... and the luxury of silver trays and the refinement of artistic and literary representations."



"How can we fail to think, in this regard, of pizza, also born as a 'poor' dish in southern Italy, which has now conquered the world and is also served in starred restaurants," Zuchtriegel added.



The new excavations revealed an atrium of a house that included an annex with a bakery, partially explored in the late 19th century.



"In the working areas near the oven, the skeletons of three victims have been found in the past weeks," said experts at the park.



Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20 percent of Pompeii's population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city.

Putin calls Wagner Group "traitors" but won't bring criminal charges

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Fresno City Colleges new west campus opens soon. Take a look inside the project of love

Gurminder Sanghas favorite room at Fresno City Colleges new West Fresno Center is the second-floor library. Looking east through the rooms spacious windows, he can pick out Gaston Middle School just minutes down Church Avenue.

Sangha, a dean at the satellite campus, hopes the students at Gaston are looking back  and seeing the campus as part of their future.

I think were going to have a great partnership with Gaston, so students come to Edison (High School), and come to us, Sangha, who oversees educational services and career technical training programs, said during a tour of the new campus with The Bees Education Lab. Thats our goal.

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The new 40-acre campus, an $86.5 million project funded mainly through bond measures and a Transformative Climate Communities grant from the state, was deliberately planned for Fresnos westside. A lack of educational investments and high poverty rates plaguing the area have stymied graduation rates and pathways to college for southwest Fresno students.

Leaders at the school have high hopes that the campus location, as well as its dual enrollment partnerships with neighboring schools and its unique technical training opportunities in electric vehicle technology, will help rewrite the story of west Fresno.

Now, its less than two months away from opening its doors to students and putting those hopes to the test.

Staff will start moving into the facility July 24. Then the West Fresno Center will open its doors to students for the start of classes August 7.

This is a project of love, said State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith, thats been planned for by a lot of people.

Administrators walk past service windows during a tour of Fresno City Colleges new west Fresno campus still under construction on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

What students can expect at new Fresno City College campus

The campus 32-thousand-square-foot academic building will be the first part of the West Fresno Center to open its doors, according to Harris Construction spokesperson Ashlee Horner.

The 75-thousand-square-foot Automotive Technology Center, where students can learn to service and repair both electric and diesel vehicles, isnt expected to be completed until spring 2024, she confirmed.

In addition to general education, the two anchor programs at the west campus, Goldsmith said, are associates degrees in social justice and public health.

This project had probably over four dozen community meetings  Then we had additional dozens upon dozens of meetings at the campus with faculty and staff and students. Those two degrees, she said, were the top desires that our students wanted.

Students also have options to study pre-nursing or medical assisting at the west campus academic building, which will be outfitted with general education classrooms, computer labs, a biology and chemistry prep room and lab, and a medical assisting prep room and classroom.

Theres spaces dedicated to other student services, too. That includes an office with enclosed cubicles for students to meet one-on-one with counselors, a library where students can check out graphing calculators and laptops, a tutoring center with dry-erase tables, and a lounge with comfy couches and ample charging stations.

We want to duplicate much of the services that we have at our main campus, said Lataria Hall, Fresno Citys vice president of student services, adding that the services will be on a modified scale to fit the smaller campus.

An open air area between floors, seen during a tour of Fresno City Colleges new West Fresno campus still under construction on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Outside the academic building, students will find a water feature in front of the academic building, a second-story terrace, and walking and biking trails along the perimeter with exercise equipment along the paths.

On Church Avenue in front of the West Fresno Center, theres also a new bus stop intended for students who rely on public transportation to get to the campus. Ensuring there were sufficient bus routes to the campus was another concern that surfaced at previous community meetings.

Therell be an extra bus route coming out here, Goldsmith said. Thats a promise that Lee Brand made and Ashley Swearengin started. You have three mayors, she added, now including Jerry Dyer, making sure transportation will get out here.

There are also over 380 parking spots for commuters, school leaders said.

Fresno City College President Dr. Robert Pimentel looks out from the front steps of Fresno City Colleges new west Fresno campus, still under construction on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Many enrolled students are from west Fresno zip codes

Approximately 716 students have registered for classes at the West Fresno Center this fall, according to Fresno City College President Robert Pimentel.

Some of those students will go between both of Fresno Citys campuses. Only 77 will attend classes exclusively at the west campus.

The top two zip codes represented among those students are 93722 and 93706, according to data provided by Fresno City College. 93722 covers the area north of the 180 and loosely follows the 99 up to Herndon, and 93706 covers the area west of the 41 and largely south of the 180.

This was another topic of concern in previous community meetings: whether the campus would truly serve west Fresnans, or if the shiny new campus would draw people from more affluent areas and invite gentrification.

The most popular major among the students registered for the west campus by far is the pre-allied health associates degree. The program is considered a gateway to many careers in the medical field, including nursing and dental hygiene. Of the students registered for classes on the west campus, 207 have it listed as their major. The second most popular major is business administration with 51 students, followed by psychology with 39.

Gurminder Sangha, a dean at the satellite campus, shows a science lab during a tour of Fresno City Colleges new West Fresno campus still under construction on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

These figures dont include high school students participating in dual enrollment opportunities on the campus.

So far, Edison High School and Washington Union High School are planning to send students to the West Fresno Center, Pimentel said.

They still have to figure out how to coordinate the schedules between Fresno City College and the K-12 districts, as well as transportation between the campuses.

Other districts have expressed interest in dual enrollment opportunities with the West Fresno Centers automotive technology programs further down the line, including Central Unified, Pimentel said.

When can you see the west Fresno campus for yourself?

Community members can see the campus for themselves before classes start.

Fresno City College is hosting two open houses for the public at the campus this summer: one on Aug. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. and another on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The campus is located at 600 E. Church Ave. Attendees are encouraged to enter the campus driving east off of S. Walnut Ave.

A sign at Walnut and Church Avenues encourages enrollment for Fresno City Colleges new west Fresno campus still under construction Thursday, June 22, 2023.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bees Education Lab at its website.
When the Fresno City Council approved a record $1.87 billion budget last week for the 2024 fiscal year, it included $200,000 in funds for LGBTQ+ support and an LGBTQ+ liaison in the mayors Office of Community Affairs.

First-term Councilmember Annalisa Perea, the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the council, pushed for that funding when the council had to figure out which 140 individual budget motions would survive the final cut.

Perea said community advocacy spurred Mayor Jerry Dyer and councilmembers to include the LGBTQ+ friendly provisions.

The liaison position, she said, is crucial for a community that historically has always gone underrepresented.

So having a seat at the table to make sure that their voices are being heard or being represented at the policy-making level, having the mayors ear is something extremely important to the community, said Perea.

The liaison post was a priority for the LGBTQ+ community, said Perea.

That position could be filled as early as September, she said.

The budget also allocates $100,000 for the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and another $100,000 in grants for organizations that provide services to that community.

While the LGBTQ+ Resource Center is the biggest resource for our community, its not the only resource, said Perea about the need to help other groups.

Its important that the city step up and take a more proactive approach in terms of helping all the other nonprofits within our community as well, said Perea.

The details on the grant program will be finalized soon, she said.

June is national LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
As Fresno politicians celebrate more river access in one spot, others quietly close | Opinion

On a dirt road alongside the San Joaquin River, backed by a faint outline of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Fresno-area politicians and dignitaries gathered Monday morning to celebrate more public access to one of the regions greatest natural features.

To be specific: Sycamore Island Park, located on the Madera County side of the river near Valley Childrens Hospital, will now be open daily, rather than Friday through Sunday. With no car entrance or trailer fees charged on weekdays.

I think the vision is coming to fruition, and the effort to provide access to the people is coming on line, said Congressman Jim Costa, pontificating (as he does) about the 22-mile recreation and riparian corridor between Friant Dam and Highway 99 known as the San Joaquin River Parkway that he helped establish three decades ago.

Besides Costa, speakers included Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, whose 2021 legislation provided the funding for Sycamore Islands daily operations, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero and Madera County Supervisor Bobby Macaulay.

Also present were officials with the San Joaquin River Conservancy, the state agency responsible for assembling the parkway, and the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, the nonprofit that manages Sycamore Island under a state contract.

Opinion

The seven-day-a-week operations at Sycamore Island is a testament to our commitment to making the parkway accessible to all, said Karen Buhr, the conservancys interim executive officer.

Sycamore Island Park (formerly the Moen Ranch) is a 600-acre open space area with boat access to the San Joaquin River, multiple fishing ponds and about 6 miles of dirt roads and trails. Like all parkway properties, it has seen increased use since the pandemic.

While everyone at the press conference was happy to wax poetic about Sycamore Islands new days of operations  which is indeed excellent news  not a word was uttered about other parkway lands that have recently (and quietly) closed. Per orders of the San Joaquin River Conservancys Board of Directors.

One step of progress, followed by one step of retreat. Which rather well sums up this 30-year effort.

Private property? Dont insult us

Since 2020, visitors to Ball Ranch along Friant Road north of Fresno could count on a side gate being open  wide enough to walk or ride a bike through. Those 360 acres are linked (via an old bridge) to 162-acre Ledger Island on the Madera County side, which can also be reached through Tesoro Viejo.

Head out there on any Saturday or Sunday, and youd see dozens of people and families walking dogs, fishing, picnicking and cycling.

But as of last week, the Ball Ranch gate is sealed shut. Visitors are instead greeted with a sign saying public access is not allowed and warning trespassers of private property.

Private property? Ball Ranch was purchased in 2000 with $6.8 million of taxpayer dollars. Dont insult us.

Similarly, Wildwood Native Park near the old Highway 41 bridge is closed after being open three days a week in recent years. Meanwhile, nonprofit organizations such as the Boy Scouts and RiverTree Volunteers that were given keys and gate codes to certain areas (mainly for conservation projects and river cleanup efforts) were informed in May via letter to stay out pending a formal review by the conservancy board.

What is going on? Why is the San Joaquin River Conservancy curtailing access in places that were previously open?

The short answer, conservancy board members insist, is safety. Properties such as Ball Ranch and Ledger Island will remain closed until they are deemed safe for public use.

We want the public to enjoy these areas, said Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi, who chairs the conservancy board. We just need to make sure its safe for them to do so.

Kou Vang of Fresno fishes on the bank of one of the ponds at Sycamore Island Ranch on the San Joaquin River north of Fresno during the 2014 San Joaquin River Fish Derby.

Disagreement behind the scenes

Why were Ball Ranch and Ledger Island open if board members had safety concerns about these properties? The answer helps illuminate why they voted to terminate executive officer John Shelton in April. He was a little too active and aggressive for their tastes.

For a long time, progress on the San Joaquin River Parkway was stuck in neutral. The only public access was from the Madera County side  necessitating a freeway drive for Fresno and Clovis residents  or at Lost Lake Park. In Fresno, access was either nonexistent or mired in a decade-long squabble (i.e. River West below Palm and Nees avenues).

Shelton helped change that narrative. He unlocked the gates and began allowing the public to enjoy parkway properties such as Ball Ranch/Ledger Island and River Vista  even before these areas lacked contracted management or services.

While great for the parkways public reputation, this didnt sit well with certain board members who fretted about liability. A massive log deck made up of trees that died in the bark beetle event or the Creek Fire, transported to Ball Ranch without their knowledge or approval a couple years ago, remains a sticking point.

Im honestly surprised we havent gotten sued, Karbassi told me.

How long will it take before access is restored? That remains to be seen. I was under the impression the Parkway Trust had the conservancy boards approval to manage Ball Ranch/Ledger Island in addition to Sycamore Island. However, executive director Sharon Weaver said the contract remains unsigned.

For those who wish to express their happiness over Sycamore Island, or frustration over the closures of other parkway properties, the next river conservancy board meeting is scheduled for July 5 at 10 a.m.
WASHINGTON  Prime Minister Narendra Modis official state visit turned the nations capital into a microcosm of Indian politics on Thursday. Thousands of South Asians of every creed and community flooded the citys landmarks  some to support the controversial leader, others to protest his visit, while many attended to simply take in the historic moment.

Chants of Go Modi and Jai Hind (Long live India), juxtaposed against Killer Modi and no justice, no peace, echoed through the streets and buildings. The South Asian American diaspora cares about Indian politics like never before, experts say, and the common denominator is Modi.

After nearly a decade in office, Modi, 72, is cited as the most popular leader in the world, according to a Morning Consult poll. But the diaspora has mixed feelings.

While his supporters credit him with making India a presence on the global stage, his critics accuse him of fanning the flames of Hindu nationalism in India and abroad. At its most extreme, the nationalist movement seeks to create a Hindu India, perpetuating the narrative that Hindus are oppressed in the country, and abetting violence and discrimination against Muslims and other minority groups, experts told NBC News.

In the U.S., Hindu nationalism can take the form of cultural youth groups, but also online doxxing and harassment campaigns against dissenters. Charity work might operate parallel to lobbies against bills aimed at protecting those born into lower castes in Indias caste system, according to experts.

There is something that is very distinct about whats happening now, said Sangay Mishra, an associate professor at Drew University in New Jersey and author of Desis Divided: The Political Lives of South Asian Americans. Theres something very specific about Narendra Modi: He wants to be liked in the Western world.

Modis government and those that surround it  like his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the right-wing Hindu nationalist organization the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)  have focused specifically on Indian Americans as the new frontier of political mobilization, Mishra, who teaches political science and international relations, said. And theyve invested resources into spreading the word in schools, government offices and on social media.

India is now the most populous country in the world, with 1.43 billion people, and it also has the worlds largest diaspora, with 32 million living abroad. Modis government is trying to get the world on board in making India a global player, Mishra said.

Leading Hindu nationalists always thought that Hindus anywhere are a part of India, he said.

Police deescalate confrontation at protest near the White House during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit. (Courtesy Megan Lebowitz)

And the government's efforts seem to be effective, he said. Those who came to Washington to see Modi told NBC News that they simply love his energy and positivity. While many feel tied to the BJP, others lining the streets were less politically motivated, dressed in their best to witness the prime minister like they would any other celebrity.

But to those concerned about Indias direction, the historical significance of Modis visit isnt the growing U.S.-India ties, but rather the human rights violations they say has defined his time both as chief minister of the state of Gujarat and now as prime minister. Its an agenda supporting upper-caste Hindu supremacy, they say, and its seeping into Indians around the world.

We claim as a diaspora were very connected to our heritage and we want to celebrate our culture, said Harita Iswara, 23, who works with Hindus for Human Rights and protested during Modis visit. But when peoples identities are under attack in India, we have to do as much, if not more, to speak up to protect them.

At a rare news conference given jointly with President Joe Biden on Thursday, the prime minister was asked about the claims that his government discriminates against religious minorities and silences critics.

Im actually really surprised that people say so, he said, through an interpreter. Indeed, India is a democracy.  We have always proved that democracy can deliver. And when I say deliver, this is regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender. Theres absolutely no space for discrimination.

But the U.S. State Department disagrees, expressing concern about Indias treatment of religious minorities. In recent years, the Economist Intelligence Unit, a research and analysis company based in London, and the Washington-based nonprofit group Freedom House have begun describing India as a flawed Democracy and partly free.

But Karthik Nayak, who traveled from Florida to watch Modi speak in Washington last week and in 2019 went to Houston to attend then-President Donald Trumps Howdy Modi! rally, says that is far from true. The Modi he knows loves all people, Nayak said, and his improvement of Indian infrastructure has been a boon to all.

When he builds the roads, the hospitals, everybody uses it, he said. They dont have policies saying only one community can use it. His policies benefit everyone.

At a briefing last month, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed some of the human rights concerns.

This is an important relationship that we need to continue and build on as it relates to human rights, she said.

Prem Devanbu, 65, at an anti-Modi protest near the White House on June 22, 2023. (Courtesy Sakshi Venkatraman)

Hindu nationalism, digitized

Working in South Asian American civil rights spaces, activists say theyve grown accustomed to waking up to slurs, doxxing and threats on their social media accounts.

Dalit activists like the Equality Labs Thenmozhi Soundararajan report being harassed daily, receiving Twitter replies like, if you are a hindu dalit then repeat jesus is not god and that civil rights for the caste oppressed are an excuse to discriminate against those who are smarter and more talented.

California state Sen. Aisha Wahab, an Afghan American who introduced legislation for caste protections in California, has been called a foreign agent on Twitter. Groups like Hindus for Human Rights who ally with Muslims and Dalits have been accused of being prostitutes and supporting the rape of Hindu girls.

Muslim American activists are also often conflated with extremist groups.

Its basically re-employing the same rhetoric you saw the far-right employ here during the post-9/11 era, said Imraan Siddiqi, executive director of the Council on Islamic Relations Washington chapter. It devolves very quickly into attacks on the religion  calling Muslims terrorists and rapists. Its something you have to become immune to over time.

Sabrina Siddiqui, a Muslim American and a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was swiftly attacked on social media by Modi supporters after she questioned him about discrimination claims against his government at Thursdays news conference. A Pakistani trying very hard to be Indian, one person tweeted at her.

While their parents and grandparents might be susceptible to the WhatsApp forwards and overt-nationalist messaging, misinformation is packaged differently for millennials and Gen Zers who grew up in the U.S., Iswara said.

Instagram posts with clever wording and graphic design bring the same messages to a new generation. Images and text plastered on colorful backgrounds say things like Hindus are the native people of Kashmir or call the 1971 massacre of Bangladeshis by Pakistan an exclusively Hindu genocide, which is untrue.

Its a movement that sometimes feeds off white supremacist sentiment, said Mishra, but also employs language fit for an overwhelmingly Democratic Indian American base. Terms like Hinduphobia, which have been used by a tech-savvy generation of Hindu nationalists in the last five years, are an example, he said.

The claim is that any attack on Hindu nationalism or any attempt to critique the treatment of Muslims in India is Hinduphobia  is an attack on the Hindu faith, Mishra said.

A majority of both Indian American Democrats (55%) and Republicans (71%) express support for Modi, according to a 2021 survey. The two groups also largely approve of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an openly Hindu nationalist conservative volunteer organization.

The prime ministers bipartisan support is one of the reasons hes been so successful, his supporters said.

Modiji has good camaraderie with Republicans and also Democrats, Nayak said. At the Howdy Modi rally in Houston, he had very good chemistry with President Trump. Today he has great chemistry with President Biden, and thats what India needs.

Protestors wear paper-mache heads of President Joe Biden and Modi in Washington D.C. on June 22, 2023. (Courtesy Sakshi Venkatraman)

What makes Modi so popular

Modi is often credited as being the most popular leader in the world, solidified by a Morning Consult poll from last week showing that his approval rating in India is 76%. Supporters who gathered in Washington came from all over the country to get a glimpse of him and to hear him speak. The White House lawn and the House of Representatives were packed, with Modis name seemingly chanted on a loop.

It was both spiritual and public-oriented, said Netra Chavan, who flew in from California. I really feel the energy that goes on along with him and the positive vibes that he sends to everyone. The heart-to-heart connection really helps.

Modi is known for his personable nature and deep connection with the public, his supporters say. He has navigated the media with ease, starting a radio show called Mann Ki Baat, which roughly translates to heart to heart talk, on which he brings issues and ideas to everyday people once a month.

The show is largely credited with helping Modi repair his image after he was banned from the U.S. and accused of human rights violations over his alleged inaction and encouragement of extremists during the religious riots in 2002, in which 1,000 people died, most of them Muslims, in Gujarat when he was chief minister.

Modi has denied the claims and was exonerated in 2012 by an Indian court.

Supporters also deny his involvement and say Modi is far from Islamophobic. He encourages diversity, they said, pointing to his welcoming Hindu and Christian refugees from neighboring Bangladesh and Pakistan.

His approachability as leader of the country is paired with decisiveness, they said, and he has taken India and its economy strides beyond where it was when he took office. The state visit solidified Indias growing role as the largest democracy in the world, they said.

It was a momentous occasion for us, said Jyotsna Sharma, who traveled from New Jersey to see Modi, the first prime minister from India to have a state visit in Washington since 2009. Its history in the making.

What Hindu nationalism looks like in the diaspora

Hindu nationalist sentiment existed on the subcontinent and in the diaspora long before Modi became prime minister in 2014. But with his rise to power and increasing global prominence in the last decade, he has brought a charismatic, smiling face to the movement, experts say.

But behind the positive energy lies deeply controversial legislation. He passed laws stripping autonomy from the region of Kashmir, the only majority-Muslim state, and denying citizenship to Muslim migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh while granting it to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Christians, which the United Nations described as fundamentally discriminatory in 2019.

Under his government, India has seen a surge in violence against Muslims and Christians.

None of that is surprising to experts who know his roots, Mishra said. Modi started his career working with the RSS.

At the core of RSS is this idea that India is a Hindu nation and we are persecuted historically by Muslims, Mishra said. And even today, that Muslims are trying to take over India with the help of Pakistan, which is completely false.

They dont hide that mission. Quoted on the official RSS website is the phrase: It is therefore the duty of every Hindu to do his best to consolidate the Hindu society.

RSS leaders have described modern Hindu society as being at war.

The RSS has roots everywhere, including in Modis BJP and dozens of nonprofits in the U.S. and India, Mishra said. But Modi and some RSS leaders deny discriminating against religious and ethnic minorities.

Affiliates and offshoots of the RSS have used nonprofit work and education as vehicles to spread a Hindu supremacist message, Mishra said. It sometimes takes the form of cultural camps or classes that slip in messages about Hindu persecution at the hands of Muslims, while leaving out the oppression of Muslims on the subcontinent.

Some Hindu organizations that run youth programs report holding seminars on Hinduphobia and Hindu persecution.

To community members, it may seem innocuous, but there is often an underlying goal, Mishra said.

A lot of people move here and want their kids to be exposed to Indian culture and traditions and Hinduism, and some of them unknowingly become a part of this, he said. The face of it is volunteer, charity, educational, yoga, but its not only about acknowledging Hinduism, or teaching people about Hinduism. Its also about spreading the idea of Hindu supremacy.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
'Game Over': Ex-Prosecutor Has Dire Prediction For Trump After Shocking New Audio

Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said new audio of Donald Trump admitting he had classified documents after leaving the White House is extremely bad news for the former presidents defense.

This is game over if you are following the facts and the law, Weissmann told MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell. Hes charged with having classified information and knowing that he had classified information.

The recording, he said, makes it absolutely clear that both elements are true, and added that the audio is just one piece of a massive mountain of evidence against the former president.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month after he was indicted on 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents as well as obstructing government efforts to get that material back.

Weissmann said the case is no longer about the facts so much as whether the trial takes place before the election and whether a jury will follow the law when that trial does take place.

See his full conversation with ODonnell and national security attorney Bradley Moss below:
Fact check: Gavin Newsom says Californias economy is booming. Is that correct?

Gov. Gavin Newsom, eager to convince the nation that California is booming, rattled off number after number to Sean Hannity on the Fox News hosts show recently.

While most of Newsoms numbers were accurate, there was other, less flattering data he didnt share.

Yes, Californias economy grew at one of the fastest paces in the nation in 2021. But Floridas grew more last year.

Yes, more than one-fourth of the nations new jobs in April were in California. But the states unemployment rate remained well above the national average.

And so on. Newsoms interview aired in two parts (June 12 and 16) on Hannitys widely watched program  a rare instance of a prominent Democrat agreeing to lengthy interviews on the popular conservative channel.

It was a continuation of Newsoms aggressive bid to establish himself as a prominent national figure  and possible presidential candidate. He has ruled out a 2024 bid, but 2028, when Newsom will turn 61, remains a real possibility.

Newsom vs. Hannity

Heres a fact-check of Newsoms comments, and his offices responses to requests for elaboration:

 Your president, Donald Trump, lost 2.6 million jobs during his four years.

TRUE. When former President Donald Trump left office in January 2021, about 2 million fewer people were working than when he was inaugurated in January 2017. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said that between January 2021 and April 2023 the economy added about 11 million jobs.

BUT...The Covid crisis that occurred during Trumps presidency triggered a sudden, in some ways unprecedented, economic collapse. In April 2020, unemployment hit 14.7%, the highest level in the history of such federal data, dating back to January 1948.

That month, at the height of the COVID downturn, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said 133 million people were reported to be working while 23 million people were without jobs. By the time Trump left office, 17 million more people were working.

 In 2021, California (had) 7.8% of GDP growth in this country, one of the fastest growing economies anywhere on planet Earth.

TRUE. China and India grew faster in 2021. but California outpaced Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Mexico and virtually all other major free market countries. The states 2021 growth was one of the United States best, topped only by Tennessee and New Hampshire, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. Californias growth has made it the worlds fourth largest economy.

BUT...Florida, the state Newsom loves to criticize, grew 6.9% in 2021. Last year, it grew another 4%, while Californias economy grew 0.4%.

Californias share of the national economy has been slipping. Last year, the state had 14.4% of the national Gross Domestic Product, the value of the nations goods and services, according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.

That was down from 14.7% in 2021. The 2020 figure was 14.4%.

 The state continues to be the temple of the American economy, 25.6% of all American jobs came from this state in April.

TRUE. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 253,000 new jobs nationwide in April, and 67,000 were in California.

BUT...Californias unemployment rate in recent years has been consistently higher than the nations, and that trend continued in April. The state rate was 4.5%, while the nations was 3.4%.

There were 867,600 unemployed Californians in April, up 7,400 from March and 76,100 from April 2022. Nationally, 5.7 million people were unemployed. That means roughly 15% of unemployed people in the U.S. lived in California.

Is California shrinking?

 Eighteen states had declines in population. Californias at 0.3 percent. You didnt bring up any of the red states that had declining populations. Its an interesting fact, and I dont see it on here. Its an interesting omitted fact.

TRUE. Newsom was referring to Census Bureau data that showed Californias population was down 0.3% from 2021 to 2022, the 10th-worst decline among states.

Of the nine worst showings, three  Mississippi, Louisiana and West Virginia  are red states.

BUT...A Pew Research Center study said that from 2020 to 2021, 17 states lost population. Among the 17 states where population declined over the year, losses were greatest in New York (-1.58%), Illinois (-0.89%), Hawaii (-0.71%) and California (-0.66%), Pew said. All are blue.

Seen through a broader lens, the study found that during the 2010s, eight states experienced their slowest decade of growth ever, including California. Only Florida is a red state.

On homelessness: I had 68,000 people off the streets last year.

TRUE. Newsoms office points to its homelessness initiatives. Project Roomkey, launched as the pandemic started in March 2020, attempts to place homeless people in non-traditional shelters such as hotels. He also created the Homekey program, which provides grants to local governments to help the homeless.

Through these programs, Newsom says, some 68,000 people have been taken off the streets.

BUT...The most authoritative measure of homelessness, HUDs point-in-time count, takes a census of the homeless population on a single night in January.

Last years data showed a total of 171,521 people counted as homeless in California, with 115,491 unsheltered. In January 2019, Newsoms first month in office, HUD reported California had 151,278 homeless people, including 108,431 unsheltered.

That would mean the number of unsheltered Californians increased by about 7,000 during the first three years of Newsoms administration.

California and business

 We have a 47% increase in business start-ups this year, compared to last year.

TRUE. Newsoms office cited Census Bureau data showing California had 46,015 more applications for new businesses in May than a year earlier, an increase of 17.7% While not at the 47% level, its still one of the best percentage increases in the country, trailing only Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming.

BUT...Florida received 53,528 applications in May, though it was only a 3.4% increase over the year. Texas applications dropped 3.5% to 38,196.

 71% of the GDP in America are blue counties.

TRUE. President Joe Biden won 509 counties in 2020 while former President Donald Trump won 2,547. Democrats are regarded as blue and Republicans as red.

A 2020 study by the Brookings Institution, a center-left Washington research group, found that the Biden counties account for 71% of the nations economic activity.

 More Floridians (have been) moving to California than Floridians thatcame from California per capita.

TRUE. Newsoms office cited a PolitiFact study that looked at 2021 census data. It found that 1.16 per 1,000 Floridians moved to California in 2021 and 0.96 Californians moved to Florida that year.

Newsoms staff points to a University of Minnesota study that found about 90 per 100,000 Californians moved to Florida in 2021, while about 123 per 100,000 Florida residents moved to California.

So, PolitiFact found, Newsoms statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. We rate it Mostly True.
George Santos' first-ever bill co-sponsor is Paul Gosar, a GOP congressman who has associated with white nationalists

Republican Reps. George Santos of New York and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Tom Williams and Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Rep. George Santos has struggled to attract a single co-sponsor for his bills since taking office.

But he finally got his first one last week: far-right Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona.

Gosar co-sponsored Santos' bill targeting Confucius Institutes on college campuses.

In the six months since scandal-plagued Republican Rep. George Santos of New York took office, he has struggled to garner any co-sponsors for the nearly 30 bills he's introduced.

Most Republicans have generally sought to steer clear of Santos, with many calling for his resignation from Congress due to his many lies about his background and a recent 13-count federal indictment. On Monday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he does not think Santos should run for re-election.

And while any House member can propose a bill, it's almost impossible to bring that legislation to a vote on the House floor without the support of other members of Congress  or a seat on a committee.

But last week, Santos finally found one other Republican member of Congress who would endorse one of his bills: Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona.

On June 22, Gosar signed on as a co-sponsor of Santos' bill to block federal funding to colleges and universities that house Confucius Institutes  cultural and language programs backed by the Chinese government that have increasingly drawn scrutiny as a potential vector for malign foreign influence.

"Congressman Gosar first dropped a bill in 2021 to defund the Confucius Institute," said Gosar spokesman Anthony Foti, pointing to a bill that sought more transparency around the institutes. "This is an important issue to remove [Chinese Communist Party] influence on our college campuses."

But Gosar is no stranger to controversy himself.

In 2021, the far-right Arizona congressman was censured by the House and removed from committees in a bipartisan vote after he posted an anime video depicting him killing Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. At the beginning of this year, McCarthy allowed Gosar to serve on committees again.

He has also cultivated ties with Nick Fuentes, a prominent white nationalist, including speaking at Fuentes' America First Political Action Conference in 2022. Gosar later told POLITICO that he'd "given up" on dealing with Fuentes. "Nick's got a problem with his mouth," he said.

But more recently, Gosar's digital director was revealed to be a member of Fuentes' "Groyper" movement, and the congressman promoted a link to an article on an anti-Semitic website that referred to two Biden administration officials as "Jewish warmongers."

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Joseph Ax

(Reuters) - Georgia's top election official, Brad Raffensperger, is scheduled on Wednesday to answer questions from federal investigators examining former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, a spokesperson for Raffensperger's office said.

Raffensperger, Georgia's Republican secretary of state, will likely be asked about a phone call he received from Trump in January 2021, in which Trump was recorded asking Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to reverse President Joe Biden's victory in the state.

The wide-ranging investigation includes the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, when a mob of Trump supporters breached the building to try to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's victory.

Trump, front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential race, has denied any wrongdoing and asserts falsely that the election was rigged.

The investigation is one of two overseen by Special Counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed last year by Attorney General Merrick Garland to insulate the department from accusations of political influence.

Smith filed criminal charges this month in the second investigation, accusing Trump of mishandling national security documents after leaving office and lying to officials who tried to recover them.

Trump has pleaded not guilty and called the investigation a hoax. He is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges.

The Atlanta district attorney is also conducting an investigation into whether Trump and his allies unlawfully sought to interfere with the 2020 election. She is expected to announce any possible charges by Sept. 1.

Trump faces state charges in Manhattan that he falsified business records to conceal a hush-money payment to a porn star who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with him. He has pleaded not guilty and denies the encounter.

Raffensperger's spokesman did not offer any additional details on the scheduled interview. The news was first reported by the Washington Post.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Andy Sullivan and Howard Goller)
For the first time in recorded memory, Temple Beth Israel endured an antisemitic rally, with extremists shouting hateful rhetoric and hanging a caricature of a Jewish man wrapped in a Pride flag in effigy from a Macon street sign Friday afternoon.

Maconites who attended a rally in support of Middle Georgias Jewish community the next day asked the same question repeatedly: Why here?

It turned out Macon wasnt alone. In addition to extremist literature thrown in front yards in Warner Robins, about 10 people gathered outside of Chabad of Cobb, a synagogue in Marietta, displaying multiple Nazi flags.

It was widely believed by officials and local residents that the extremists werent from the area. One of the groups leaders who was arrested is originally from California and currently lives in Florida. The groups themselves were small  a handful of neo-Nazis against a backdrop of hundreds of people who attended an impromptu rally in Macon in response to their presence.

But they were still a concern. Deborah Adler, who has lived in Macon for 43 years and whose mother Eda Yardeni Tavor survived Auschwitz, noted during the rally Saturday that the Holocaust didnt begin with concentration camps, but rather with people bullying Jews in the streets.

Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar called Fridays antisemitic rally a canary in the coal mine while urging her congregation to band together and lean into their faith and community.

A service at the synagogue open to the public is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday.

Rejecting bigotry and hate

Georgia leaders were quick to denounce the demonstrations. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is the first Jewish senator from Georgia, released a statement Sunday afternoon, condemning the extremists.

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, Ossoff said. All Georgians are united in our rejection of bigotry and hate.

Gov. Brian Kemp called them disgusting acts of bigotry.

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, Kemp said.

Georgia GOP chairman Josh McKoon and Republican Jewish Coalition Chairman Chuck Berk said they stand with all our Jewish neighbors against antisemitism.

Georgians stand united in condemning the repulsive and grotesque Neo-Nazi displays in front of Chabad of Cobb and Temple Beth Israel in Macon, they said. Georgia Republicans have a long tradition of fighting antisemitism and we will continue to do everything we can to eliminate this prejudice which produced the greatest crimes against humanity the world has ever known.

Rep. Sanford Bishop called the neo-Nazi groups actions reprehensible.

When faced with moments like this, we must not remain silent, he said. The Lutheran Pastor, Marin Niemoller, recalled the horror of the Holocaust by noting that his silence in the face of Nazism meant that when they came for him, there was no one left to speak for him.

We must stand together, and for one another, to call out bigotry and racism whenever and wherever it rears its vicious head. There should be no place for hate in Georgia or anywhere.

State Representatives Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire), Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins) and Robert Dickey (R-Musella) released a statement Thursday regarding the incident.

We echo the words of Governor Brian Kemp and Speaker Jon Burns when we say that hate and antisemitism have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned in the strongest sense, they wrote. We denounce the recent shameful actions here in Middle Georgia. Such actions are not only morally reprehensible, but they also threaten the safety and well-being of individuals and communities.

We must stand together to reject hate. For it is only through a collective effort that we can build a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We are grateful for our local leaders and law enforcement for their swift and decisive actions.

Law enforcement investigates

Local law enforcement agencies responded to the rallies, including in Macon, where one of the extremists was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and public disturbance.

Whether these individuals will face more serious charges remains to be seen. Bibb County district attorney Anita Howard, who attended Saturdays event in support of Macons Jewish and LGTBQ+ communities, said her office was going to review police reports from Fridays incident to determine if the antisemitic demonstrators violated the states anti-terrorism law.

We have been fortunate here in Middle Georgia where these kinds of situations dont arise very frequently, Howard told GPBs Grant Blankenship. We are a blessed, unified community. We are respectful of each other. This was not someone from our community.

U.S. District Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Peter Leary released a statement Saturday condemning the incidents. His office does not comment on potential investigations, but it did recently conduct training in Columbus for how to respond to antisemitism.

The FBI is also aware of the incidents and is in contact with local investigators.

If, in the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of potential federal crimes, the FBI is prepared to investigate, FBI Atlanta spokesperson Tony Thomas told the Telegraph. That said, our focus is never on membership in a particular group, but individual criminal activity.
Non-governmental organisations file a statement to the German Federal Prosecutor's Office regarding crimes committed by the Russian military.

The petition is filed on behalf of a Ukrainian woman who suffered sexual violence during the Russian occupation of Kyiv Oblast in 2022.

This was reported to Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia by the plaintiffs Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group (ULAG) and the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).

The statement said that four Russian servicemen, including two senior officers, were responsible for the murder of the victim's husband and for committing acts of sexual abuse against her. The woman and her son managed to escape and now live in Germany. Their residence in Ukraine was destroyed.

Photo: tupungato/Depositphotos

The victim asks the German authorities to help Ukraine investigate the crime.

"Although none of the perpetrators or their leaders have been detained, Ukrainian authorities are conducting an investigation, and a trial in absentia has been initiated against one of the suspected perpetrators," the organisations say.

The plaintiffs note that the Ukrainian law does not criminalise offences against humanity and does not provide for command responsibility.

"Therefore, Ukraine currently has no possibility to prosecute crimes that constitute a part of a large-scale and systematic attack on the Ukrainian population, i.e., crimes against humanity. Senior officials cannot be brought to justice in accordance with the principle of command responsibility," the plaintiffs say.

They urge the Federal Prosecutor of Germany to support the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and launch an investigation based on the principle of universal jurisdiction.

According to Nadiia Volkova, founder and director of ULAG, cases of the most serious international crimes must be investigated under international standards.

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Germanys Rheinmetall to donate 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on behalf of the Netherlands

Leopard 2A4 tanks

German automotive and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall AG plans to transfer 14 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks to Ukraine on behalf of the Dutch government, the company said in an press release June 27.

The German government has backed this deal, which is worth several hundreds of millions of dollars, Rheinmetall says.The first tanks will be supplied to Ukraine in January 2024 with other shipments distributed through the same year.

In a related development, Danish Acting Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen recently announced that his country would supply 100 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, with at least 80 of them to be supplied by the end of 2023.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Girlfriend Of Dentist Who Killed His Wife On Safari Sentenced To 17 Years In Prison

The girlfriend of a wealthy dentist and big-game hunter who was convicted of murdering his wife on an African safari was sentenced to 17 years in prison for her role in an attempted cover-up.

Lori Milliron, the girlfriend of Lawrence Larry Rudolph, was sentenced on Friday following her conviction last year for being an accessory to murder after the fact, obstruction of a grand jury and two counts of perjury before a grand jury. According to court documents, she lied under oath in her testimony regarding the death of Rudolphs wife, Bianca Rudolph.

According to the criminal complaint in Lawrence Rudolphs case, he and his wife met in dental school in 1982 and were together for almost 34 years before her death. Throughout their relationship, the two would often go on international hunting trips and had become involved with hunting organizations.

Bianca Rudolph and Lawrence Rudolph (right) via Facebook. The Rudolphs had been married for nearly 34 years.

Bianca Rudolph and Lawrence Rudolph (right) via Facebook. The Rudolphs had been married for nearly 34 years.

Investigators said Bianca Rudolph was fatally shot in the chest with a shotgun on Oct. 11, 2016, while she was packing to return home from Zambia. Zambian authorities initially ruled the shooting as an accidental discharge; however, the FBI opened an investigation into her death later that month after a friend suspected foul play.

According to the complaint, the anonymous friend told investigators that Lawerence Rudolph was having an affair and that the couple had had several arguments about money. The friend added that she believed Rudolph chose to cremate his wife, a devout Catholic, against her wishes.

Larry is never going to divorce her because he doesnt want to lose his money,

and shes never going to divorce him because of her Catholicism, the friend told investigators, according to the complaint.

Although Rudolph denied intending to shoot his wife, prosecutors said the crime was premeditated and that he cashed in more $4.8 million in life insurance following her death and then joined his girlfriend, Milliron.

Financial records reviewed by federal investigators revealed that Rudolph had traveled with Milliron outside the country in the years before the shooting.

According to the complaint, a former staff member of the dental offices Rudolph owned told investigators that Rudolph and the manager, who was later identified as Milliron, had been having an affair for 15 to 20 years.

Rudolph was charged in 2021 with murder and was found guilty last year.

According to prosecutors, Milliron was charged after she provided false and misleading testimony to a grand jury in January 2022 about cash payments Rudolph made to her and about the nature of their relationship.

Prosecutors said Milliron lied under oath when asked if she had given him an ultimatum that he needed to leave his wife and she said no, and she lied when asked if Rudolph had told her if he was innocent.

In court on Friday, Ana Rudolph, the daughter of Lawrence and Bianca Rudolph, said Milliron plotted to kill her mother, CBS News reported.

Lori, you have taken my parents, Ana Rudolph said to Milliron in court, but despite everything you have done you will never take my soul. This might be difficult to understand ... because you dont have one.

According to CBS, Milliron and her attorney argued she was innocent and that the sentencing was excessive.

According to Millirons judgment order, she was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison and fined $250,000.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Related...
FILE - Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, arrives during a funeral ceremony at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, on April 8, 2023. On Friday, June 23, Prigozhin made his most direct challenge to the Kremlin yet, calling for an armed rebellion aimed at ousting Russias defense minister. The security services reacted immediately by calling for his arrest. (AP Photo/File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Well before Yevgeny Prigozhin seized a major Russian military hub and ordered an armed march on Moscow, posing a startling and dramatic threat to President Vladimir Putin, the caterer-turned-mercenary boss was losing his own personal war.

Prigozhins private army had been sidelined. His lucrative government catering contracts had come under threat. The commander he most admired in the Russian military had been removed as the top general overseeing Ukraine. And he had lost his most vital recruiting source for fighters: Russias prisons.

Then, on June 13, his only hope for a last-minute intervention to spare him a bitter defeat in his long-running power struggle with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was dashed.

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Putin sided publicly with Prigozhins adversaries, affirming that all irregular units fighting in Ukraine would have to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. That included Prigozhins private military company, Wagner.

Now, the mercenary chieftain would be subordinated to Shoigu, an unparalleled political survivor in modern Russia and Prigozhins sworn enemy.

This must be done, Putin told a gathering of government-friendly war correspondents at the Kremlin. It must be done as soon as possible.

What happened next stunned the world: Prigozhin mounted an armed insurrection that he insisted was aimed not at deposing Putin but at overthrowing the Kremlins military leadership.

The mutiny, however short-lived, has been widely viewed as an ominous political harbinger for Putins leadership, one that could presage more instability as the Russian president presses on with his costly war.

But it is equally the personal story of an obstreperous and mercurial freelance warlord who undertook an emotional last-ditch attempt to win by force one of the most extraordinary Russian power struggles in recent memory.

Many powerful Russian figures have come out on the losing end of factional battles during Putins 23 years as Russias leader, ultimately receding into exile, prison or anonymity.

But with his rebellion over the weekend, Prigozhin chose a different path, allowing his anguish and anger to play out for the world to see as he took actions uniquely available to someone with a national megaphone  and a well-armed, aggrieved private army.

Prigozhins rebellion wasnt a bid for power or an attempt to overtake the Kremlin, Tatyana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, wrote in an analysis of the events. It arose from a sense of desperation; 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.

To top it off, she added, Putin was ignoring him and publicly supporting his most dangerous adversaries.

Prigozhin had built a sizable financial and military empire. But as his political defiance grew, the flow of money from the Defense Ministry and other government contracts was at risk of drying up. And he chafed at the prospect of taking orders from people whom he considered incompetent.

Still, when Putin denounced his actions Saturday as treason, Prigozhin appeared to have been caught off guard, unprepared to be a true revolutionary or continue a march on the Kremlin that he realized would almost certainly end in defeat, Stanovaya wrote.

So, when Prigozhin was offered a chance to end the crisis by withdrawing his forces, he took it.

Prigozhins mutiny was ultimately a desperate act of someone who was cornered, said Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at Virginia-based research group CNA. His options were narrowing as his bitter dispute intensified.

Over the years, with his connections to Putin and the Kremlin, Prigozhin was able to secure lucrative contracts to provide food for the Moscow school system and Russian military bases, amassing great wealth. At the same time, he engaged in foreign adventurism through Wagner that suited the Kremlin, advancing Moscows aims  and his own  in the Middle East and Africa, where his fighters have been accused of indiscriminate killings and atrocities.

He also shepherded the Internet Research Agency, an infamous St. Petersburg troll farm that interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

So secretive was Prigozhin about his activities that he long denied any association with Wagner and even sued Russian media outlets for reporting on his connection to the group.

All that changed last year with the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In September, Prigozhin went public for the first time as the man behind Wagner.

Less than two weeks later, Putin appointed Gen. Sergei Surovikin to lead the war effort in Ukraine, a boon for the mercenary chief, who had worked with the general in Syria. Prigozhin described the new leader as a legendary figure and the most capable commander in the Russian army.

Prigozhins own stature was growing, too, as his fighters appeared to be making progress in the drawn-out battle for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, while the Russian military had little to show but retreat. Russian commentators lavished positive coverage upon the mercenary group, and a glass tower in St. Petersburg was rebranded Wagner Center. Recruitment posters for the outfit went up across the country.

But by the beginning of this year, Prigozhins adversaries in the Ministry of Defense began reasserting their power.

In January, Putin appointed Gen. Valery Gerasimov, to replace Surovikin as the top commander of operations in Ukraine. Prigozhin frequently belittled Gerasimov in his Telegram audio messages, implying that he was an office-bound official of the kind that smothers regular soldiers with bureaucracy.

In February, Prigozhin acknowledged that his access to Russian prisons to recruit had been cut off. The Defense Ministry would later begin recruiting prisoners there itself, adopting Prigozhins tactic.

Tension between Wagner and the Russian military  long alluded to by Russian military bloggers  exploded into the open. By the end of February, Prigozhin was publicly accusing Shoigu and Gerasimov of treason, claiming they were deliberately withholding ammunition and supplies from Wagner to destroy it.

At the end of February, Putin tried to settle the feud by calling Prigozhin and Shoigu into a meeting, according to leaked intelligence documents.

But the rivalry would only escalate. No longer able to recruit prisoners, Wagner was forced to rely increasingly on its limited supply of skilled veteran fighters to continue waging battle in Bakhmut, according to Ukrainian and Western officials.

Isolated from the Moscow power center, Prigozhin increasingly turned to his bully pulpit: social media. His messages also grew far more political as he began appealing directly to the Russian people. He began voicing criticisms that, in a country with a law against discrediting the armed forces, few others dared make.

What had once been sharp-tongued trolling of the Russian brass over time turned into regular eruptions of bile.

You stinking beasts, what are you doing? You swine! he said in one recording in late May. Get your asses out of your offices, which you were given to protect this country.

He went on to lambaste the Russian defense leadership for sitting on their big asses smeared with expensive creams and to say the Russian people had every right to ask questions of them. He posted gruesome images of Wagner soldiers killed in action. He gave ultimatums about pulling his troops out of Bakhmut. He even took what was widely viewed as a swipe at Putin, without naming him, with a reference to a grandpa who might be a complete jackass.

Kremlinologists were puzzled as to why Putin did not just sweep the Wagner chief aside, or rein him in; some analysts suggested that he favored competing factions operating underneath him, with none gaining too much power. Others wondered if the Russian leader had become too isolated to solve the problem or simply did not have sufficient control.

Prigozhins forces captured Bakhmut at the end of May and soon after departed the battlefield, accusing the Russian military of mining the road they used to leave and briefly apprehending a Russian lieutenant colonel on the way out. That left Prigozhin newly vulnerable. Wagner was no longer needed to finish off the battle.

By June, his isolation became palpable.

Prigozhin signaled a rift with the Ministry of Defense over his military catering contracts. In a publicized letter to Shoigu dated June 6, Prigozhin said the food he had supplied to Russian military bases and institutions since 2006 had amounted to a total of 147 billion rubles (about $1.74 billion)  a figure that is impossible to verify. Now, he complained, high-level people were trying to force him to accept companies associated with them as his suppliers. He also said a new system of loyal suppliers threatened his cost structure and could deliver a blow to his business reputation.

His desperation seemed to be growing.

On June 10, one of Shoigus deputies announced that all formations fighting outside the Russian militarys formal ranks would need to sign a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry by July 1.

Prigozhin initially refused, but then Putin backed Shoigus plan. In the days that followed, Prigozhin released several audio and video messages showing what appeared to be attempts to reach a deal on his terms.

In the days before he led Saturdays uprising, Prigozhin began expressing feelings of resignation, saying that none of the problems plaguing the Russian military would be fixed. He also talked about the nation rising up, saying that Shoigu should be executed and suggesting that the relatives of those killed in the war would exact their revenge on incompetent officials.

Their mothers, their wives, their children will come and eat them alive when the time comes, he said in a June 6 video interview, suggesting there might be a "popular revolt.

He added: I can tell you, honestly, I think we have only about two to three months before the executions.

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Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph nurses, many wearing ponchos, cheered as registered nurse Carol Samsel told coworkers they would beat the healthcare giant.

We are going to beat Ascension, she said Tuesday morning as the rain came down. They think we arent, but we are.

Hundreds of nurses at St. Joseph and St. Francis held a one-day protest in front of their respective hospitals. The newly unionized nurses are in the middle of negotiating their first contract. Nurses say Ascension, so far, has been unwilling to meet any of their demands, which they say include changes to improve retention and patient and staff safety.

One immediate concern is whether nurses will be allowed to work at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Ascension says they wont be able to to but nurses plan to show up anyways.

The day after nurses announced the one-day strike in mid-June, Ascension said they wouldnt be able to work for four days. Ascension said it is contractually required to hire replacement registered nurses for at least four days. Ascension hasnt said who it contracted with or provided a copy of the contract.

Nurses have called that a scare tactic.

They let us in or they dont and the community sees, said St. Joseph registered nurse Marvin Ruckle, who plans to go in support even though he doesnt work that shift.

Ruckle, who is part of the bargaining team along with Samsel, said keeping the nurses out longer goes against Ascensions goals of patient safety. Besides already knowing their patients, Ruckle says they, and not the contracted nurses, know emergency protocols in case a disaster happens.

In a statement Tuesday, Ascension repeated that nurses will not be able to return to work until July 1.

This decision is guided by our commitment to safe, high-quality, compassionate care for our patients, and our fidelity to the virtue of justice and the appropriate stewardship of resources, Ascension said in a statement. Notwithstanding this disheartening strike, we will continue to negotiate in good faith to come to a mutually beneficial agreement on an initial contract that respects the human dignity and rights of all. We look forward to returning the focus to resolving issues at the bargaining table and reaching agreement on a fair and reasonable collective bargaining agreement for our registered nurses.

Employees and representatives from other unions came to support the nurses.

Shelly Rader, a registered nurse at St. Francis and member of the bargaining team, thanked UA Local 441 Plumbers & Pipefitters members and officials as they grabbed signs and then joined in on the chants and march on the sidewalk.

Whos got the power, one person said through a megaphone.

Weve got the power, the workers said back.

Jimmy Cook went straight from protesting outside of his workplace at Spirit AeroSystems to supporting his girlfriend and her coworkers at St. Francis.

They are in the same kind of predicament we are in, he said, adding that for them he wanted a safer environment and better pay.

Community reaction to strike

Motorists who went by honked their horns as they drove by. A medical official driving an ambulance pulled up to the light and waved. Protesters encouraged the driver to honk the horn. The driver initially shook their head no before briefly tapping the emergency sirens.

Rader said the horn honking lets them know that the community supports them. She and representatives at St. Joseph both said they were happy with the turnout.

Standing near the light, one woman in scrubs said to other nurses that she wouldnt continue to work there if the safety concerns werent addressed.

Angela Cammarn, a registered nurse in St. Francis Hospitals cardiac critical care unit, said safety is one of her top concerns. Cammarn, who wore a red hat with RN emblazoned on it, held a sign that said 378++ violent attacks in 2022 we need better protections!

The Kansas Reflector reported in April that Ascension hospitals in Wichita had 378 episodes of violence against staff between January 2022 to November 2022.

Other signs nurses carried included mentions of safety concerns, the hospital putting profits over patients care and derision of executive greed. One sign said the CEO of a nonprofit shouldnt make $13 million. Nonprofit ProPublica has reported that Ascension CEO Joseph R. Impicciche makes almost $13 million a year based on tax forms.

Signs also said that pizza parties and cookies wont fix the problem. One nurse, who asked not to be named, said that was an incentive Ascension often used instead of pay, but even that hasnt happened lately.

Another sign mentioned how nurses in the pediatric unit shouldnt have to buy crayons for the children.

Katie Best, a pediatric nurse, said nurses and community donations stock the unit with childrens toys. Best said she likes to buy bulk light spinners when they are on sale. She uses them to distract children when she starts an IV.

Ascension did not address a question about staff paying for childrens toys.

Rader also said the staffing levels have left a dangerous ratio of patients to nurses. She said people are left waiting for a bed when there isnt enough staff to treat them.

Protest at St. Joseph campus

Just as the rain started to pour down, St. Joseph nurses who showed up to protest gathered to hear from their workers on the bargaining team and from officials from other unions.

Ruckle told nurses they were fighting to make sure their smaller hospital didnt equate to them getting any less than what the nurses at St. Francis nurses hope to get in their contract.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 29 organizer Marcus Curran told the nurses it takes a lot of courage and a lot of brass to stand up.

He said they support them; officials from other unions said the same thing.

After the speeches, one union representative told Samsel he thought this was a long time coming.

St. Joseph nurses voted in March, a few months after St. Francis voted, in favor of joining the National Nurses Organizing Commission, an affiliate of the National Nurses United, the countrys largest registered nurses union.

St. Joseph has about 300 nurses; St. Francis about 650. Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, which has around 900 nurses, were also holding a one-day strike on Tuesday.

The strike comes amid a nationwide shortage of nurses.

Ascension is a Catholic, not-for-profit health care system and one of the largest in the country, with roughly 139,000 employees and hospitals in about 19 states.

It had more than $1.7 billion in cash on hand at the end of its last financial year, which ended June 30, 2022.

In December, a New York Times investigation into Ascension found the staffing shortages at its hospitals were caused by years of cutting staff in order to increase profits.
Its going to be hot: Maryland cannabis firms stockpile and staff up for big demand starting Saturday

Along a flat road in rural Cecil County, Maryland, where the sky is big and the towns are small, stands a long, nondescript building. Inside is one of the most important cultivation and processing operations for the state's new cash crop  cannabis.

SunMed Growers and its 150 employees are harvesting, testing and packaging as many products as they can in preparation for Saturday. Thats when any individual 21 or older will be able to buy vapes, gummies, pre-rolled joints, edibles and more from about 100 dispensaries statewide.

Dispensaries are preparing for a flood of customers, ranging from lifelong users stepping out of the illicit market to curious newcomers, plus shoppers from states such as Virginia and Pennsylvania that dont have recreational markets.

Long lines at dispensaries are expected, and SunMed owner Jake Van Wingerden wants to make sure no stores run out of product. That means stockpiling flower, adding a shift for packaging, buying more delivery vehicles, and building a $16 million, 25,000-square-foot facility to make edible products.

We cranked it up, Van Wingerden said of production. We believe that demand will skyrocket for those first couple months.

Maryland is setting up its recreational marijuana industry in just a matter of months. Voters approved it in a referendum in November and lawmakers settled on a framework for the business in April. The state is doing do so partly by piggybacking on the existing medical cannabis industry, which was legalized in 2014 but didnt see its first sales until 2017.

Industry insiders feared it would take years for lawmakers and regulators to approve and set up the recreational industry, too, especially after the 2022 legislative session, when the General Assembly pushed the legalization ballot question to voters. After two-thirds of Maryland voters approved it, cannabis dispensaries, processors, cultivators, trade groups and other related businesses spent $1 million on lobbying as the specifics were drafted into law in Annapolis, according to a review of state records.

Lawmakers faced a tall order, said Del. C.T. Wilson, a Charles County Democrat who helped shepherd the recreational cannabis legislation into reality. They wanted to create a recreational cannabis industry with affordable products available statewide, he said, putting the illicit market out of business. But Wilson said lawmakers also studied the launch of the medical cannabis industry, which was dominated by white-owned businesses.

The goal, again, is to make sure this is fair and equitable, he said. But we need to have product available on the market July 1.

They decided to allow businesses in the existing medical market to pay a fee and join the recreational industry, while carving out funds and licensing opportunities for Marylanders from disadvantaged communities.

Van Wingerden praised lawmakers for getting the legislation done this session.

Its a heavy lift and they did it fairly quickly. Hats off to the General Assembly and the people behind the scenes, he said. They got it all done and I think its going to be a model for the rest of the country.

According to Van Wingerden and other industry insiders, Marylands recreational cannabis rollout might look a lot like Missouris. Both states have about 6 million residents, established medical cannabis industries, and voted overwhelmingly Nov. 8 to legalize recreational cannabis.

It took Missouri fewer than 100 days to get its recreational industry up and running, with sales beginning in early February. Almost instantly, total monthly cannabis sales in Missouri tripled and theyve stayed at roughly that level.

Marylanders are expecting a similar trajectory, meaning annual revenue from the cannabis industry could top $1.5 billion. The states medical cannabis business experienced several years of rapid growth and consolidation until last year, when the market appeared to mature and sales flattened.

Almost every existing medical cannabis dispensary, processor and cultivator in Maryland has been approved to join the recreational industry, according to state regulators, paying fees that typically range between $100,000 and $2 million based on their revenue.

Anticipating future growth, the legislature roughly tripled the number of licenses for dispensaries, processors and growers, while adding micro licenses for smaller operations.

Since the inception of the industry, the states regulator has been the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, which oversaw inspections, product testing, and regulatory enforcement. Will Tilburg has been its executive director since 2019.

Under the cannabis law passed this year, the commission became the Maryland Cannabis Administration, with Tilburg as its acting director. Tilburg was not available for comment, but with the license conversions issued and a public education campaign underway, regulators are working toward the impending Saturday rollout.

The administration has taken steps to educate the consumers, including making informational videos, a list of frequently asked questions, and a list of participating dispensaries.

As the new top regulator, the cannabis administration will award the new cannabis business licenses in the coming years. Many are reserved for social equity applicants. That designation is based largely on whether an individual has lived in an area disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis.

This designation also allowed Hope Wiseman to pay a smaller fee to convert her medical cannabis dispensary to a recreational dispensary. Wiseman owns Mary & Main in Prince Georges County. For years, she has been one of relatively few Black women business owners in the cannabis industry.

Wiseman said this is the first time her business has received a material benefit because of her background.

Its just the latest attempt by lawmakers and regulators to diversify an industry dominated by white-owned businesses.

Historically, Black people have been disproportionately harmed by the criminalization of cannabis. Despite having a population that is nearly one-third Black, Maryland awarded all 15 of the original cultivation licenses to white-owned businesses.

Adding licenses for social equity applicants will diversify the industry, Wiseman said, but she compared the situation to starting a race when the other competitors are 10 laps ahead.

At the end of the day, these are going to be the strongest businesses, at least for the foreseeable future, she said, adding that new participants will struggle to get the capital to compete.

While a chef can get a loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to open a restaurant, a budding dispensary owner has far fewer options because cannabis is illegal under federal law and most banks wont lend to cannabis companies.

The General Assembly did create a program to encourage more lending to the cannabis industry. The state will back loans of $500,000 for dispensaries and $1 million for processors and growers if the owner is a social equity applicant.

But industry experts say starting these businesses can take several million dollars  sometimes tens of millions of dollars.

Were not going to give you a license and all the money to start, Wilson said. This is not a golden ticket and not every dispensary owner is a millionaire.

Chris Chick is the chief operating officer of CFG Bank, a Baltimore County-based bank that lends to the cannabis industry. Even though the bank is positioning itself to lend more to cannabis companies, Chick said there still are strict underwriting rules that make it almost impossible for lenders to provide the funds needed to start a cannabis business.

For people to be successful, you have to have access to that private capital to get up and started, Chick said.

Even then, it can take more than a year to build a cultivation facility, Chick said. Some existing cannabis companies in Maryland have been preparing for recreational cannabis for two years  or longer.

Culta, a vertically integrated cannabis company with a Federal Hill dispensary, recently bought the licenses of two other medical dispensaries, one in Frederick County and another in Ellicott City, and has increased staffing at its stores by 20% to 50%, according to Chase Lessman, the companys director of sales.

Adding dispensaries was always a goal of Culta, Lessman said, but rules passed by the legislature put us under the gun to acquire Greenhouse Wellness and Kannavis. Starting Saturday, there will be a five-year moratorium on buying and selling existing licenses. A similar rule at the outset of the medical cannabis industry discouraged consolidation in the industry.

Surrounded by densely populated states without recreational cannabis, Maryland will benefit initially from some canna-tourism, Lessman said, but that will subside as neighboring states start their own programs, pushing competition to a regional level.

Mitch Trellis said his company, Remedy, has spent years preparing for this new normal. Remedy has two locations, in Baltimore Countys Windsor Mill and in Columbia; both are larger than most medical dispensaries. Trellis said each store is more than 9,000 square feet and has hundreds of parking spots and at least 20 registers.

We now have two superstores, said Trellis, comparing the legalization of adult-use cannabis to throwing gasoline on a fire.

On a typical day, the stores see 300 to 600 patients, he said, but starting Saturday, that number could hit 2,000 or more.

Eventually, he said, the winners in the new marketplace will be the dispensaries that rely on traditional retail principles such as convenience, experience and variety. But on the first day, Trellis expects it will be gangbusters everywhere.

Expect long lines at most places. Its going to be hot, he said. People are definitely excited.
Republican presidential candidate Francis Suarez was caught unaware Tuesday morning by a radio interviewer's question about alleged human rights abuses in China.

When the Miami mayor was asked if his campaign would mention the Chinese minority, Suarez responded by asking, Whats a Uyghur?

The Chinese government has faced significant international criticism in recent years over its treatment of Uyghurs, a Muslim minority in the western province of Xinjiang. Beijing, which broadly denies any human rights wrongdoing, is accused of detaining Uyghurs in reeducation camps, where prisoners allege they have been subjected to torture and rape. The U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and European Union have all leveled sanctions against Chinese officials over Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs and Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused China of committing "genocide and crimes against humanity."

The foreign policy gaffe was especially striking given the increasingly outsize role China plays in U.S. foreign policy calculations. Relations between Washington and Beijing have worsened in recent years not just over China's treatment of Uyghurs but also tensions surrounding trade policy, Taiwan and Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, amid other issues.

Suarez, 45, joined the crowded GOP field last month, becoming the first Hispanic candidate to enter the race. He's faced criticism from some Republicans for his admission that he did not vote for former President Donald Trump in 2016 or 2020.
GOP gets its wish with Sheehy in Montana: A blank canvas with a big checkbook

Senate Republicans got their wish Tuesday as businessman Tim Sheehy officially launched his bid to unseat Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), handing the GOP one of their top recruits as they try to take down a three-term senator who has proven to be tough to beat.

Sheehy rolled out his campaign Tuesday morning, playing up his past life as a Navy SEAL and his more recent one as a businessman, while arguing that Tester is out of touch back home. Republicans believe he is their best shot to oust one of the most prominent  and vulnerable  Democratic moderates.

Incredible resume. Incredible bank account. And most importantly, he hasnt run and lost before, one national GOP operative said, laying out the pro-Sheehy case and taking a shot at Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), who lost to Tester in 2018.

A blank canvas with a big checkbook is pretty enticing in this environment.

Sheehy, who runs an aerial firefighting company, has been atop National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Dainess (R-Mont.) wish list for much of the 2024 cycle as Republican leaders look to avoid a Tester-Rosendale rematch. Republicans expect that the Bozeman-based businessman will dump millions of dollars into the race in a state where it is cheaper to compete than in most other battlegrounds.

However, he is a political unknown to most Montana voters, setting up a battle in the coming months to define him. As operatives on both sides note, wealthy, unknown candidates can be a blessing for their outsider nature, or a curse, as many are not used to the limelight and can struggle on the campaign stump.

Well see how he is as a candidate. On paper, he looks really good. On paper, it looks like somebody that not only will beat Rosendale, but will beat Jon Tester, a second GOP strategist said. Elections arent run on paper, though.

Democrats already see weaknesses. The newly minted Senate candidate has lived in Montana for less than a decade, according to the state government website, compared with Tester, a farmer who was born in the state.

The Montana Democratic Party made that point just hours after the Tuesday announcement, saying that Tester has farm equipment thats been in Montana longer than Tim Sheehy.

Tester allies also believe that wealthy outsiders who have flooded parts of the state, particularly Bozeman, pricing longtime Montanans out of the area, will give them another attack line if Sheehy wins the primary.

Theres only one unifying force in Montana.  The first thing anyone talks about is how Montanans cant afford to live in Montana anymore, said Bob Funk, a Montana-based Democratic strategist. Millionaires are coming into this state and turning the land into a playground for them and their buddies, and no one likes that.  He embodies it perfectly.

Sheehys road to the nomination is not straightforward, however. He will likely face off with Rosendale, who still has support on the right and is well-known by voters. In response to Sheehys announcement, Rosendale tweeted that Sheehy and Tester would both protect the DC cartel.

But Rosendale has a steep mountain to climb. He was defeated by Tester by 3.5 percentage points in 2018 and is known as a poor fundraiser, having collected only $6 million during his previous Senate run, compared to Testers $23 million overall haul.

That problem was compounded earlier this year when he was among the more vocal contingent opposing Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in his quest for the gavel, infuriating donors even further, according to two GOP sources. His refusal to take a call from former President Trump during the final frantic stretch to elect McCarthy  a moment that was captured on camera  didnt help matters.

He was also among the 11 conservatives who ground floor activity to a halt for nearly a week earlier this summer.

The guy is allergic to making friends, a third GOP operative said of Rosendale.

Rosendale has indicated over the past week that he will enter the race in the coming weeks, pointing to a Public Policy Polling survey showing him with a wide, yet very early, lead over Sheehy. He is also likely to have the Club for Growth behind his potential Senate bid, a spokesperson for the group said.

Sheehy is already taking steps to cut down on Rosendales advantage with the right via support from GOP senators with MAGA or conservative bona fides. Sens. Tom Cotton (Ark.) and Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.) became the first two senators to endorse him Tuesday afternoon, with more expected to follow suit in the coming days.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The federal government agency charged with protecting critical infrastructure and guarding against cybersecurity threats is accused of "exceeding its statutory authority" in its post-2016-election efforts to monitor domestic social media for evidence of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, according to a House Republican-led committee's interim report.

The House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government issued a report accusing the Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Agency, or CISA, of facilitating the "censorship of Americans directly and through third-party intermediaries." The committee's investigation cites internal Department of Homeland Security emails and meeting notes.

The core claims of the 41-page report focus on changes at the agency since the 2016 election. A January 2017 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence found Russian efforts to influence the election "demonstrated a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations." The report did not assess "the impact that Russian activities had on the outcome of the 2016 election."

The House Judiciary Committee's report, peppered with politically charged language, alleges that CISA expanded the monitoring of foreign "disinformation" to "all disinformation including Americans' speech."

House Republicans say concern about CISA's expanded mandate and overwhelmingly negative backlash from DHS' Disinformation Governance Board prompted the department to begin "scrubbing CISA's website of references to domestic 'misinformation' and 'disinformation.'"

Some election officials expressed concern about the agency's involvement with domestic speech related to elections, the committee said, citing the CISA documents. According to the report, on August 2, 2022, an official with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) warned "that it is important for CISA to remain within their operational and mission limits. CISA specifically should stick with misinformation and disinformation as related to cybersecurity issues."

The report also alleges that even within DHS, some were worried about how its expanded activities would ultimately be viewed.

The report alleges a May 2022 email from Suzanne Spaulding, a former senior intelligence official who worked on the project, to a colleague about the increased public attention on the matter. According to the report, Spaulding wrote, "It's only a matter of time before someone starts asking about our work... I'm not sure this keeps until our public meeting in June."

Dr. Kate Starbird, identified in the report as the co-founder of the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public, responded to Spaulding, writing, "Yes. I agree. We have a couple of pretty obvious vulnerabilities."

The GOP-led committee and subcommittee take issue with attempts by the government to workshop ways to curb the domestic spread of misinformation and disinformation  led by the "Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Misinformation & Disinformation" Subcommittee. That committee, a voluntary group that served in an advisory role for CISA, was ultimately disbanded, according to the report, but not before issuing two sets of formal recommendations in June and September 2022.

In response to the "political environment and legal risks," congressional investigators write that Starbird also noted in a May 2022 email that the MDM Committee "removed 'monitoring' from just about every place where it appeared" in their recommendations.

In a statement to CBS News, Starbird wrote that the committee's report "grossly misrepresented" her work and that of the advisory board.

"This report disregards clarifying information within the broader record of our subcommittee's communications and final recommendations  as well as my voluntary testimony to this Committee  to push a misleading narrative of censorship," said Starbird. "Our subcommittee played no role in censoring any speech, nor did we advocate for the social media platforms to take any action to limit the spread of speech."

CISA Executive Director Brandon Wales said in a statement, "CISA does not and has never censored speech or facilitated censorship; any such claims are patently false."

"Every day, the men and women of CISA execute the agency's mission of reducing risk to U.S. critical infrastructure in a way that protects Americans' freedom of speech, civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy," Wales continued. "In response to concerns from election officials of all parties regarding foreign influence operations and disinformation that may impact the security of election infrastructure, CISA mitigates the risk of disinformation by sharing information on election literacy and election security with the public and by amplifying the trusted voices of election officials across the nation."

The committee's report argues, "Labeling speech 'misinformation' does not strip it of First Amendment protection. That is so even if the speech is untrue, as "[s]ome false statements are inevitable if there is to be an open and vigorous expression of views in public and private conversation."

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Miami Mayor Francis Suarez appeared to draw a blank when he was asked on a radio show Tuesday about Uyghurs, a persecuted minority group in China.

"What's a Uyghur?" Suarez asked conservative host Hugh Hewitt on Hewitt's radio show when he was questioned about whether he would talk about Uyghurs in his presidential campaign.

"You've got to get smart on that," Hewitt replied.

Mayor Francis Suarez delivers remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Suarez circled back to the topic at the end of the interview.

"You gave me homework, Hugh. Ill look at what a, what was it, what did you call it, a Weeble?" Suarez asked, laughing.

"The Uyghurs. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor," Hewitt said. "Youve got to talk about it every day, OK?"

Suarez responded that he would search and talk about them.

"Im a good learner. Im a fast learner," he said.

After the interview, Suarez said he simply misunderstood Hewitt's pronunciation of the word.

"Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China," Suarez said in a statement. "They are being enslaved because of their faith. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there. I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used. Thats on me."

In a foreign policy speech about China in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley responded to Suarez's remarks.

"I mean, genocide  we promised never again to look away from genocide, and its happening right now in China," she said. "And no one is saying anything because theyre too scared of China."

Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim minority in China's western region who have faced widespread persecution by the Chinese government in what the U.S. government has designated a genocide.

More than 1 million Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups have been arbitrarily arrested and detained by the government since 2017, according to the State Department. Beijing has referred to the camps as "vocational education and training centers."

Multiple presidential candidates emphasize toughness on China rhetoric as part of their foreign policy perspectives.

President Joe Biden called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "dictator" last week, and former President Donald Trump said in a speech that he "stood up to China like no administration has ever done before."

Haley tweeted Tuesday, "Communist China is the greatest threat to American security and prosperity, by far."

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in May that "I think we are in the era of a new Cold War, without any question," when he was asked whether he sees China as Americas enemy.

Suarez launched a long-shot presidential campaign in a quickly widening GOP field this month. He was first elected mayor of Miami in 2017 and won re-election in 2021.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez revealed he doesnt know who the Uighurs are in an interview with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday morning.

Mr Suarez, who launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for President earlier this month, is a longshot candidate in the crowded Republican primary field. Audio clips like the ones he produced in his interview with Hewitt are unlikely to help his odds.

Penultimate question, Mayor: will you be talking about the Uighurs in your campaign? Hewitt asked after Mr Suarez had criticised the Biden administrations China policy.

The what? Mr Suarez responded.

Audio of Suarez confused about who the Uyghurs are (a persecuted minority in China) and later jokingly calling them the Weebles while Hewitt does everything he can to signal to the Mayor that hes messing up big time. https://t.co/8S65SgF8vA pic.twitter.com/spKUy6A7ij  Jacob Rubashkin (@JacobRubashkin) June 27, 2023

The Uighurs, Hewitt repeated.

Whats a Uighur? Mr Suarez said.

Okay, well come back to that, Mr Hewitt said. Youve got to get smart on that.

Several hours after the interview, Mr Suarez said he didnt recognise the pronounciation of Uighur that Hewitt used in the interview.

I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used, Miami Mayor and 2024 GOP candidate Francis Suarez says to explain why he asked the radio host earlier today, Whats a Uyghur?"  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 27, 2023

The Uighurs are an ethnic group native to the Xinjiang region of northwest China. They are officially recognised as one of Chinas ethnic minorities, with the vast majority of the population practicing Islam and living in the Tamir Basin. For much of the last decade, the Uighur population has reportedly been subjected to grevious human rights abuses by the Chinese government including mass internment, forced labour and sterilisation, and re-education.

Organisations like Human Rights Watch have decried the Chinese governments abuse of the Uighur population, which some experts believe amounts to genocide or crimes against humanity. The situation has been among the worst human rights crises of the last ten years.

But for whatever reason, Mr Suarez did not seem to understand what Hewitt was talking about when their conversation turned to the Uighurs plight. Before concluding his interview with Hewitt, Mr Suarez voluntarily returned the conversation to his lack of knowledge about the Uighurs.

You gave me homework, Hugh, Mr Suarez said. Ill look at what a  whatd you call it, a Weeble?

Hewitt was not impressed.

The Uighurs, he said. You really need to know about the Uighurs, Mayor. Youve got to talk about it every single day, okay?

I will search Uighurs, Mr Suarez replied. Im a good learner, Im a fast learner.

Mr Suarezs unfamiliarity with the Uighurs was particularly striking given that he had spent an earlier portion of the interview bashing the Biden administration for supposedly failing to develop a strategy to stand up to an increasingly hostile China.

Mr Suarez, who also criticised Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to China last week, said members of the Biden administration have very little, if any, practical understanding of the real world.

Mr Suarez is one of three Republican presidential candidates from Florida, including former President Donald Trump and Gov Ron DeSantis. Two weeks ago, Mr Suarez was present in Miami as Mr Trump was indicted at the citys federal courthouse for his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House.
FIRST ON FOX: A Republican congressman has introduced a bill that would require more transparency from the State Department as to how wrongful detainment determinations are made following several high profile Americans being locked up abroad in recent years.

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania has introduced the Marc Fogel Act, which amends the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act and "would require the State Department to provide Congress with copies of documents and communications on why a wrongful determination has or has not been made in cases of U.S. nationals detained abroad within six months of arrest."

Rep. Reschenthaler, who represents Pennsylvanias 14th congressional district, said in a press release that he takes issue with the fact that American schoolteacher Marc Fogel has been held in Russia since August 2021 without being labeled as wrongfully detained by the U.S. government.

"Marc Fogel meets six of the eleven criteria established by the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act to be designated as wrongfully detained," Reschenthaler wrote. "Since last year, I have urged the State Department to classify him as wrongfully detained and prioritize securing his release. The Department has failed to do either and refused to explain its inaction  effectively stonewalling my efforts to bring him home."

MARC FOGEL: FAMILY OF AMERICAN MAN DETAINED IN RUSSIA BEGS BIDEN, BLINKEN TO ADD HIM TO BRITNEY GRINER DEAL

(L) Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) Marc Fogel

"The Marc Fogel Act will provide transparency into the State Departments wrongful detainment determination process and help ensure that Americans imprisoned overseas are not forgotten."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Fogel, 60, is serving what attorneys have called an "exorbitant" 14-year sentence for being caught in Russia with medical marijuana that he used to treat a severe back injury.

Fogel had worked as a teacher at a Moscow school for nearly 10 years when he was stopped at an airport upon his return to Russia. He was in possession at the time of medical marijuana his doctor recommended he take for "severe chronic pain" that was caused by years of spinal injuries and resulting surgeries.

AMERICAN HELD IN RUSSIAN PENAL COLONY FOR MONTHS BUT STILL NOT LABELED 'WRONGFULLY DETAINED,' FAMILY SAYS

He was detained in August 2021, when he reportedly had approximately half an ounce of medically-prescribed marijuana. In June of this year, he was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison after he was convicted of "large-scale drugs smuggling," according to officials and reports.

"This is not a time for partisanship," Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle, a cosponsor of the bill who represents Pennsylvanias 2nd Congressional District said. "This is a time to come together, as Pennsylvanians and as Americans, to do everything we can to bring home Marc Fogel,"

"Im hopeful this legislation will lead to Marc being designated as wrongfully detained so we can finally get Marc home. Families of detained Americans deserve to have as much information about their loved ones case as possible. Im proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues from Pennsylvania in Marc Fogels name. Not a day goes by that I dont think of Marc and his suffering family."

WHO IS PAUL WHELAN? FORMER US MARINE LEFT BEHIND IN BRITTNEY GRINER-VIKTOR BOUT EXCHANGE

Fogel's sister, Lisa Hyland, told Fox News Digital that the family says his health "continues to deteriorate both mentally and physically." She continued, "The family is extremely grateful to the Pennsylvania House members for their efforts, and hope this will shine a brighter light on Marcs case."

Sasha Phillips, an attorney who is assisting Fogel's family with his case, told Fox News Digital that an acquittal, a pardon, or even a reduction of his sentence are "highly unlikely" and "the recent wave of government-stirred xenophobia has reduced Marcs chances of receiving a fair appeal adjudication to zero."

"In other words, besides the U.S. Government, Marc Fogel has nowhere else to turn for help. The U.S. diplomatic engagement and intervention are essential to Marcs return to the United States. Considering Marcs rapidly declining physical and mental health, his safe return to the U.S. should be prioritized accordingly  we need to bring him home NOW."

A little over a year after Fogel was arrested in Russia, the State Department secured the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner who was detained in Russia on marijuana charges. In exchange for Griners release, the U.S. government exchanged convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was known as the "Merchant of Death" and in the middle of a 25-year sentence in federal prison after he was convicted of conspiracy to kill Americans relating to the support of a Colombian terrorist organization.

Russia is also holding American Paul Whelan, a former Marine who has been in Russian custody for over four years after being convicted on charges of espionage and spying for the U.S. government for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Whelan and the U.S. have denied the charges as the 53-year-old remains imprisoned at a labor camp in Russia's Mordovia republic.

In addition to Whelan and Fogel, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been imprisoned in Russia since late March after being charged with spying and was recently denied a request to be released before trial.

In addition to the Americans detained in Russia, Americans across the globe are facing wrongful detentions including in China where 38-year-old American Mark Swidan is facing the death penalty for drug charges the United Nations determined were baseless.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digitals Stephanie Pagones and Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report
We got answers to your questions about the 2023 Jackson County property valuation process

Its property assessment season in Jackson County, and many homeowners are alarmed and frustrated about stark increases to their valuations.

The Star has heard from readers wondering about the process of contesting these valuations, so we reached out to county assessors for answers.

Jackson County introduced a new informal review process this year, which assessors touted as a way to help property owners resolve their concerns more quickly. But this process is proving difficult to access, and the July 10 deadline to file an appeal with the county is approaching. If homeowners miss this deadline, they wont be able to contest the countys estimate of their homes value.

The Star brought your questions directly to Gail McCann Beatty, the director of the countys assessment department. Heres what she said.

A reader asked: (Ive heard) the county cannot raise your house taxes more than 15% at a time, per Missouri law. But I have also heard that law excludes the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis. Can you tell me which version is true?

Actually, neither of these are true, Beatty told The Star. County assessors can increase property values in Missouri by as much as they deem appropriate  theres no legal limit on these increases.

Valuation increases dont automatically mean that your property taxes will increase  your local taxing jurisdictions (cities, school districts, etc.) still have to set their tax rates once property values have been finalized.

If a home valuation rises by more than 15%, the county has to perform a physical inspection of your home from the outside  something Beatty says the department has already done for all homes in the county. Homeowners also have the option of scheduling an interior inspection of their home as part of the appeal process. This rule used to only apply in St. Louis, but it was recently expanded to cover the whole state.

Interior inspections are optional, and the county does not have to automatically perform them on all homes with an increase of 15% or above  it just has to give homeowners the option of requesting one.

According to state law, The owner shall have no less than thirty days to notify the assessor of a request for an interior physical inspection. The current deadline to apply for one is July 10, but if you received your valuation notice after June 10, state law says you should have at least 30 days to make the request.

You can request an inspection when you file an appeal through the assessment offices website.

Reader Deanna asks: Can you help me find out how to get an appointment for a meeting at 1300 Washington?

Homeowners can make an appointment for an informal valuation review at the countys assessment office at 1300 Washington St. when they file an appeal online through the departments website. The deadline to file this appeal is July 10.

When you go in and you file your appeal, when you get to the end, there is a button that you push to schedule the informal review, Beatty said.

You read that right: Jackson County is requiring residents to submit an official appeal before they are able to schedule an informal review meeting, even though the county added the informal review step this year in order to reduce the need for an appeal. Here are three things to consider including in your appeal.

If you reach an agreement on your homes value during this informal meeting, you can then close your appeal and opt out of the next step of the process, which is a formal hearing.

Beatty said the reason for this appointment system is that the county may not be able to provide an informal review for every resident who requests one.

We want to make sure that we are protecting everyones appeal rights, Beatty said. So by requiring them to file the appeal to get the informal (meeting), it ensures that if for whatever reason, we cant get through all the informals, that they have not missed out on their opportunity to file an appeal.

If youd prefer to not file an official appeal before having an informal review meeting, you have the option of walking in at 1300 Washington St.  but Beatty said that wait times for walk-in clients are significant, and people may get turned away.

They will likely be here most of the day, Beatty said. We may stop the number of people that are coming in so that we dont have someone that sits here literally all day and then cant get seen.

The 1300 Washington St. office location is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Reader Mick asked: If you have a new appraisal done and it comes in higher than the countys number, does that get reported to the county?

If you hire an outside appraiser to calculate the value of your home, this number will not be reported to the county unless you or your appraiser chooses to report it.

You can bring an appraisal document with you to your informal review meeting or submit it as part of your appeal as proof of your homes correct value.

If a county inspector comes to your home, they may land on a value higher than the countys calculated number. If you continue to appeal your valuation after that, the countys Board of Equalizations will have access to the appraisal and may choose to increase the valuation of your home, Beatty said.

If you dont want to risk this happening, your other option is to drop your appeal and agree to the countys original estimate.

Mick also asked: Would an appraisal tied to the home purchased in January 2021 be useful toward appealing if I should choose to do so?

In general, the county prefers to see appraisal documents that are less than a year old, Beatty told The Star. For a 2021 appraisal, she said assessors will increase the appraised value by an amount that reflects the rise in home prices in your neighborhood in the past two years.

We start with the neighborhood, and if there are (an) adequate number of sales within the neighborhood, thats where we stop, she said. We try to stay within one mile of the house.

Reader Linda asked: Our home is on a section of agricultural acreage. We can see the total assessment when we look online, but not the breakdown of agricultural land and residential. Who can we contact to get the complete Reassessment Notice?

Beatty said that the best course of action is to email the assessment department at assessment@jacksongov.org with the subject line Need Value Notice.

Department employees are actively answering emails, and requests for value notices often take priority over more complex requests because they can be completed quickly.

Well take care of those first. We want to make sure we take care of those to give people time to file their appeal, Beatty said.

The county aimed to send out value notices in the mail by June 15. The deadline to appeal your valuation is July 10. You can also check your valuation online.

Reader Pam said: While my friends and family have had our property values double, it would be interesting to see how many other elected officials had little or no increase.

Anyone can go onto the assessment departments website and look up the assessed value of any property in Jackson County  and how much that value has increased over the past five years. You can look up properties by address, the owners name or the parcel number.

Nine-digit parcel numbers represent personal property, usually meaning vehicles. Real estate parcel numbers are 17 digits long with lots of dashes, and usually return three property values: market value, taxable value and assessed value.

The market value shows the assessment departments full valuation of your home, a department employee confirmed to The Star over email. To see the percentage increase of your homes value, look at how the market value in 2023 compares to the market value in 2021.

The county hasnt yet calculated the percentage increases in valuations seen in each taxing jurisdiction  but it plans to certify its calculations over the weekend. Well follow up next week once we have data on the average increases in the Kansas City area.

A reader also asked: For those of us who have managed to pay off our homes, when and how do our insurance providers learn about their increased market value?

The county does not send assessed values to any insurance companies, Beatty said.

While your insurance company could technically look up your address through the departments online system to see your new valuation, she added that many do not rely on assessed values to set insurance rates.

Instead, the companies often do their own calculations to get a homes replacement value, which may be different from its assessed value.

Its also important to keep in mind that homeowners who have paid off their homes are still required to pay property taxes.

Do you have more questions about property assessment in Jackson County? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
Graeters Ice Cream released another new bonus flavor to celebrate the summers arrival.

>> TRENDING: Amazon to invest nearly $8B in Ohio by expanding cloud storage, computing

Graeters Ice Cream has been known in the community for its indulgent, handcrafted flavors and Old World French Pot process, a spokesperson for the company said. Graeters Ice Cream used their signature techniques to manufacture and introduce a new bonus flavor for the summer.

The ice cream company attested that five bonus flavors would be released and broadcasted via media outlets and social media.

So far, two have already been released. The third was announced to be Lemon Meringue Pie, a tart lemon candies burst along with crunchy pie crust pieces in a lemon marshmallow ice cream.

A secret menu item was also available in conjunction with the new flavor: a Lemon Meringue Pie Sundae. The sundae was comprised of White Bundt cake, strawberry topping, Lemon Meringue Pie ice cream, and marshmallow topping. The menu item would be available for a limited time.

Each bonus flavor was considered limited time only with the flavor being retired for a year once it was taken off the menu.

Customers were allowed to indulge in the flavor at their nearest Graeters Ice Cream store.




At the beginning of the year, Gov. Greg Abbott called on Texas lawmakers to pass a plan that would give every child in the state access to a school voucher-like program that would give their families public money to put toward private school tuition.

When a voucher proposal backed by the governor died at the end of the legislative session, Abbott suggested he plans to call lawmakers back for a special session on the issue later this year.

But with both sides appearing unwilling to budge, its unclear whether such a special session would end with a voucher plan becoming law, or with a protracted standoff between the governor and rural Republicans in the House of Representatives.

I think that probably the telephone lines and the text messages and emails are just buzzing all over Austin trying to put together a coalition of people who might be willing to support Gov. Abbott on those issues  but theyre not going to support it without having some side payments involved, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU.

Abbott calls for vouchers to help families who feel trapped

Both Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made a priority of education savings accounts, a school voucher-like plan that would give families who pull their children out of public schools taxpayer money to put toward private school tuition or other education-related expenses. During a visit to Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth in April, Abbott said there are families across the state who are trapped in public schools that dont meet their childrens needs because they cant afford any alternative.

We, as a state, have to help those families, he said.

Abbott acknowledged that the states public school system has a critical role to play in preparing children for the future. But he accused public schools of trying to indoctrinate students into a woke, left agenda at the expense of math, science and reading instruction.

Earlier that month, the Senate voted to pass a bill that would have established a voucher program that was open to most students in the state. But the bill died in the House, where Republicans were more skeptical of the idea of sending public money to private schools. Senators later added a voucher proposal as an amendment to an education funding bill that originated in the House. That bill, which also included teacher pay raises and increased funding for school districts, also died when House members wouldnt budge on vouchers.

Immediately after the end of the regular session last month, Abbott called lawmakers into special session to deal with property tax reform and border issues. Earlier this month, the governor said he expects to call them back for at least one more special session to deal with school funding issues and the voucher proposal.

Rural Texas Republicans push back against voucher plan

On June 12, House Speaker Dade Phelan announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Achievement. In a news release, Phelan said the committee would begin work immediately to put together a roadmap for legislation in the House ahead of the special session. The committee will look at the current menu of choices for the states K-12 students and highlight other options the state could consider, he said. He didnt specifically mention school vouchers as one of those possible options.

Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, is a member of the select committee. During the regular session, King was one of several House Republicans who opposed the voucher plan. King, who represents 19 mostly rural counties in the Panhandle, told the Star-Telegram that a school voucher plan wouldnt help students in his district because there are so few private schools in the area.

The only private school in House District 88 that serves students in pre-kindergarten through high school is Plainview Christian Academy, which will become a public charter school before the beginning of the upcoming school year. Fewer than a half dozen private schools that serve students in pre-K through eighth grade are scattered throughout the House district. Even if lawmakers expand a school voucher program to cover every student in the state and offer each student tens of thousands of dollars of taxpayer money per year, private schools wont come to rural Texas because there isnt a big enough population to support them, King said.

King, who authored the bill that would have raised teacher salaries and increased funding for school districts, said hes also frustrated that Abbott and Patrick are insisting on a broad school voucher plan at a time when the state isnt fully funding its public school system. He also thinks its a bad idea to give public money to private organizations without subjecting them to the same oversight that public schools have to undergo.

If Abbott calls lawmakers into a special session to deal with the question of school vouchers, as hes indicated he plans to do, King said he doesnt think the outcome will be any different than it was in the regular session. About two dozen House Republicans have publicly said they oppose the idea. King said some, including himself, would likely be willing to negotiate on the issue.

But if lawmakers negotiate a scaled-back plan that could get through the House, it would likely never become law. Last month, Abbott threatened to veto a version of the plan that only offered vouchers to students in a few categories, including those with disabilities and those in schools rated a D or F, demanding that lawmakers expand the scope of school choice. If the governor calls lawmakers back for a special session, King said it would likely only continue the same standoff  one that he said doesnt help Texas students.

This is politics, King said. This has nothing to do with policy.

School voucher debate splits urban vs. rural GOP lawmakers

Riddlesperger, the TCU professor, said there are several reasons that many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle balk at the notion of spending public money on private school tuition. Among Republicans in the legislature, that division has historically come down to an urban-rural divide, he said. For Republicans like King who represent rural districts, which historically have been GOP strongholds, the notion of school choice rings false, he said, because families in their districts generally dont have an alternative to public schools. The idea of giving families in urban and suburban districts thousands of dollars of taxpayer money to send their children to private schools may seem wasteful to rural Texans, no matter their political affiliation, he said.

At the end of the regular legislative session, Abbott called lawmakers back into special session to take up property tax reform. Under Texas law, lawmakers can only work on issues that were specified in the governors special session call, meaning the only way they could consider an education savings account plan in this session would be to build it into the states tax code. Riddlesperger said hes heard no indications thats likely. But since Abbott has already indicated he intends to bring lawmakers back for another special session to deal with school vouchers, Riddlesperger said he suspects the governor is already trying to figure out whether he can gather enough support to get the plan across the finish line.

Riddlesperger said he suspects the political lay of the land wouldnt be much different in a special session than it was in the regular session. But the governor has a few tools at his disposal, most notably the power of the veto, he said. Abbott has already vetoed more than 70 bills passed during the regular session. In some cases, Abbott said he had no philosophical objection, but vetoed the bills because they were a lower priority than property tax reform or school vouchers. Because those vetoes came at the end of the legislative session, lawmakers had no opportunity to override. That allows Abbott to use those policies as bargaining chips to convince key lawmakers to get behind his priorities, Riddlesperger said.

Although passing priority legislation is always a governors biggest goal, Riddlesperger said the stakes for Abbott are relatively low, at least in terms of Texas politics. The governor was re-elected just last November  were an eon from the next gubernatorial election, Riddlesperger said.

But the governor may have his sights on higher office, Riddlesperger said. Although Abbott hasnt signaled interest in a presidential run, he remains a major figure in national Republican conversations. School vouchers are a key issue for the party nationwide, he said. By focusing on that issue, as well as other high-profile issues like border security, Abbott may be trying to keep his name in those conversations, he said.

Poll: Most Texans support vouchers, but not enthusiastically

A majority of Texas voters support the establishment of school vouchers programs, education savings accounts or other school choice programs in the state, according to a poll released June 22 by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. About 58% of those surveyed said they either strongly or somewhat supported the creation of those programs, according to the poll, which was fielded in June. Of self-described conservatives, 78% said they would support a school voucher program, while 51% of self-described liberals said they opposed the idea.

But those results may paint a misleading picture about the strength of support for school vouchers and similar programs among voters in the state, said Joshua Blank, the Texas Politics Projects research director. When pollsters surveyed Texas voters about legislative priorities in February, only about 21% of those who responded said they thought it was extremely important that lawmakers establish a school voucher program, placing it near the bottom of education-related issues. By comparison, 55% named school safety and 42% named teacher pay and retention as extremely important priorities.

That level of support hasnt changed much over the past decade, Blank said. Republican lawmakers have tried several times over the years to push a school voucher bill through the legislature, and each time, theyve been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the issue seems not to be one that most voters are overly concerned about, he said. Theres been a small uptick in the number of people who say they support voucher programs since the beginning of the pandemic, he said, which may be due at least in part to some families being unhappy about what they saw in the childrens school curriculum during remote learning. But that shift hasnt been overwhelming, and it remains a much lower priority for most voters than other issues like safety and curriculum content, he said.

That could be due at least in part to a lack of connection to the public school system. Polls consistently show that about 20% of Texas voters have children enrolled in public schools, Blank said. Plenty of voters without kids in school may be concerned about how well public schools serve their communities, he said, but that concern tends to be more abstract. Those voters often dont see themselves as having a stake in education issues, he said, so they generally dont have strong opinions about specific issues like school vouchers.

That lack of concern could put Abbott at a disadvantage, Blank said. Before the legislative session, Abbott went on a barnstorming tour of private Catholic schools across the state, trying to rally support for the school voucher proposal. The governor could try a similar strategy during the special session to put pressure on rural Republican lawmakers to back the plan, but Blank said Abbott may find the issue doesnt get much traction with most voters.

I think that would work if vouchers were a really important issue for voters, he said. But theres no indication that they are.
'My grief is the same': El Paso to pay $600,000 in hanging death of man shocked by police

The city of El Paso will pay a $600,000 settlement to the parents of a man who died after he was shocked with a Taser by a police officer while he had a noose around his neck as he tried to hang himself during a mental health crisis.

The lawsuit filed in 2017 by Maria and Pedro Ramirez was set to go to trial next month in U.S District Court. The lawsuit claimed the death of their 30-year-old son, Daniel Antonio Ramirez, was part of a larger pattern in the El Paso Police Department, including a lack of training, failure to discipline officers for excessive force and abuses against people in a mental health crisis.

Daniel Ramirez, who had a history of mental health issues, was shocked with a Taser while attempting to hang himself from a basketball net in the backyard when his mother called 911 for help on June 23, 2015.

Crime: El Paso County murder suspect arrested in Salt Lake City soccer game shooting

I visit my sons grave every day. On this Friday (June 23), it will be eight years since he was killed. My grief is the same," Pedro Ramirez said in a statement issued by the family's lawyers, Lynn Coyle and Christopher Benoit.

"We called the police to help my son, instead the officer killed him. I still dont understand why. I also dont understand why the department covered for this officer rather than hold him accountable," Ramirez said.

The death of Daniel Antonio Ramirez was among the issues as the Border Network for Human Rights protested outside El Paso City Hall seeking the resignation of police Chief Greg Allen and the defunding of the El Paso Police Department on June 30, 2020.

The settlement was approved by the City Council.

El Paso City Attorney Karla Nieman said in a statement that it was in "everyones best interest to settle the case to allow those involved the opportunity to move forward and begin to heal."

"The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by the City, its Police Department, nor Officer (Ruben) Escajeda (Jr.)  who was dismissed from the lawsuit by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which found no wrongdoing by the officer," Nieman said. "While we believe the City could prevail at trial, the settlement represented a financial consideration made in the best interests of the taxpayers and community."

A suicide call, a Taser and a man's death

Responding to the suicide in progress call with other officers, Escajeda went into the backyard alone and fired his Taser electric-stun weapon as Daniel Ramirez was grabbing the rope around his neck and touching the ground with his tiptoes trying to stay alive, the lawsuit stated.

The shock of 50,000 volts caused Ramirez to go limp, adding tension to the rope. Escajeda removed Daniel Ramirez from the noose and officers at the scene unsuccessfully performed CPR. Daniel Ramirez was then transported to Del Sol Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit claimed that Daniel Ramirez was not armed and did not threaten Escajeda. Dispatcher radio records mentioned a rope  not a weapon  at least three times, the family's lawyers added.

The Ramirez family's lawyers said that then-police Chief Greg Allen found Escajeda acted according to department policy and Escajeda was not disciplined for the incident. Allen died earlier this year.

El Paso Police Department makes changes, but lawyers say more is needed

The goal of Ramirez's parents in filing the lawsuit was to bring to light concerns in police training, practices and policies and "prevent other families from suffering the way they have," Coyle said.

Coyle also was one of the lawyers for the family of 22-year-old Erik Emmanuel Salas Sanchez, who was fatally shot in the back by a police officer in 2015. A trial jury acquitted the officer of a manslaughter charge in 2019. The Salas Sanchez lawsuit was settled for $1.2 million last year.

In 2020, the deaths of both men, among others, were the focus of demonstrations by the Border Network for Human Rights and other community groups unsuccessfully calling for Allen's resignation during the nationwide George Floyd protests.

In a statement, the city of El Paso said that the Police Department continues to make improvements over the past decade, including updated training and use-of-force policies, the addition of body-worn cameras, new ways to recruit civilian members of the Discipline Review Board and the formation of the specialized Crisis Intervention Team to deal with mental health emergencies.

"The Ramirez familys bravery to file this suit directly impacted how the El Paso Police Department operates," Benoit said in a statement, adding that more still needs to be done.

"However, the city still has a long way to correct the departments deficiencies  particularly when it comes to response to calls involving mental health crises," he said.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso to pay $600,000 in hanging death of man shocked by police
Grocery-store wedding cakes can save couples hundreds of dollars. Here's where to get one.

Grocery-store wedding cakes can save couples hundreds of dollars. Here's where to get one.

On average, couples spend over $500 on their wedding cakes.

Grocery stores sell cakes suitable for weddings at a much lower price point.

You can likely get a custom cake from your neighborhood grocery store.

Newlyweds remember the moment they cut their wedding cake for years.

But the cake is also an expensive part of weddings today. According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding cake in 2022 was $510, and Brides reported that some couples spend upwards of $700 to $1,000 on the tradition.

To some degree, the hefty price tag makes sense. Wedding cakes are typically large and immaculately decorated. And the supplies and labor associated with making such a cake are expensive.

Some couples have chosen to make their own because of the cost, but for engaged couples who want a showstopping wedding cake, it may seem like splurging on a designer cake is your only option.

However, a grocery-store wedding cake might be the answer to your problem.

Wedding cakes can be expensive. SolStock/Getty Images

Where to buy a grocery-store wedding cake

Many grocery stores have bakeries that make cakes daily, and you've likely purchased or eaten one at some point in your life at a birthday or graduation celebration.

But many people don't think to get their wedding cake from a grocery-store bakery  or know that some offer commissioned wedding cakes at a reasonable price point.

It might not be as custom as you could get from a bakery, but some of your favorite grocery stores likely offer a wide range of designs and flavors for wedding cakes.

For instance, Whole Foods has both predesigned round and sheet cakes, as well as the option to create a custom cake that appear to range in price from just $8 for a 5-inch round cake to $119 for a full-sized sheet cake, according to a post on the blog site Bakery Cakes Prices. (Whole Foods did not respond to Insider's request for further information on its wedding-cake prices.)

You can also get a custom wedding cake from Publix, and a decorator from the store will help you figure out the right size, flavor, and decor for your cake. A Publix representative couldn't share further information about pricing for its wedding cakes, but told Insider the price of the cake will vary depending on how many guests the cake will serve and its overall design.

Wegmans offers a similar service; its standard sheet cake that serves 72 costs $54, according to a 2022 post on Bakery Cakes Prices. (The company did not respond to Insider's request for further information on its wedding-cake prices.)

Wegmans features a bakery section with grocery-store sheet cakes. Talia Lakritz/Insider

Both Walmart and Safeway have a variety of one and two-tier cakes depending on the store location, as well as larger sheet cakes. The price range for Safeway's cakes is wide, as they start at $50 and can cost over $700 depending on the design, as a representative for its parent company Albertsons told Insider. Walmart's cakes are even more affordable, as a representative for the company told Insider its hand-decorated, custom cakes range in price from $24.96 to $74.

Big bargain stores Costco and Sam's Club offer wedding cakes for members as well. Sam's Club sells more traditional wedding cakes that come in two and three-tier varieties and cost $41.98 and $72.98 respectively, as well as sheet cakes for $20.98 and double-layer cakes for $16.98, according to a representative from the company.

A Costco representative told Insider the brand does not share price information about its products with the media, but Bakery Cakes Prices says the brand's half-sheet cake that serves 48 people costs $18.99. Costco also offers discounted wedding flowers and honeymoon packages, so it's a good membership to have if you're in the midst of wedding planning.

You can make a grocery-store wedding cake your own

Although they're already more affordable than the average wedding cake, you can get more bang for your buck with grocery-store cakes by adding your own decorations.

For instance, Jessica Hoyle-King told Insider in 2019 her brother's wedding cake was made to look more elaborate than it was because it combined two cakes from Costco and they decorated it with their own flowers.

And if the idea of spending money on cake for your wedding sounds unappealing overall, you can always forgo a cake altogether.

In 2020, Alexandra Crisham told Insider she and her husband opted to have a wedding cake designed by Di Bruno Bros. that was made entirely out of four different cheeses from Vermont Creamery. It cost $500, but it was worth the investment for Crisham because the cake was something she actually wanted to eat.

"If you don't like cake, then don't serve cake," she told Insider at the time. "You and your partner's opinions are the only ones that matter when it comes to your day."

Read the original article on Insider
Bernardo Arevalo has made it to a presidential run-off in a surprise upset in Guatemala (Luis ACOSTA)

Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, who pulled off an upset in Sunday elections by advancing to a run-off, declared Monday that if he wins, his priority will be fighting corruption.

Without that "we are not going to be able to rescue the institutions we need to generate national development," Arevalo told AFP at the close of a celebratory rally in the capital's Constitution Square.

Guatemala "needs honesty and decency to bring development," added the 64-year-old sociologist.

The battle between Arevalo -- who unexpectedly ended in second place having polled at number eight -- and former first lady Sandra Torres means Guatemala will have its first leftist leader in more than a decade.

Torres, the ex-wife of late former president Alvaro Colom, came in first Sunday with about 15.8 percent of votes cast, followed by Arevalo with just under 12 percent, according to the near-complete count early Monday.

The election saw low turnout and a high rate of invalid ballots cast, with few Guatemalans holding out hope that their next president will solve the problems of crushing poverty, violence and corruption.

But the emergence of this upstart candidate -- the son of reformist president Juan Jose Arevalo (1945-1951) -- ignited many disillusioned Guatemalans, and was the buzzing topic Monday in workplaces, cafes, restaurants, buses and taxis.

"We are very excited, very enthusiastic. We have touched the hope of a people. The people have turned out (to back us), they have given us support that no one saw coming. And with that hope and that support, we are going to rescue the country's institutions," said Arevalo.

"We are going to win the second round and we are going to give this country the future it deserves and not the swamp they have kept us in for the last 20 years," said the candidate born in Montevideo, Uruguay, where his father was exiled in 1954.

"I am convinced (that I will win) after what happened yesterday. We know we are on the right track," he added.

Hundreds of people attended the rally in the plaza, where Arevalo told supporters that the "dirty politics" in the country would be forgotten.

"I love and want Guatemala. I want there to be a radical change and I think we are going to have it with this person," Manolo Garza, a 63-year-old machinery importer, told AFP.

"We have lived for a long time with the burden of many governments that have really only been interested in their own welfare and the people definitely not at all. We really see hope in Bernardo," Eveling Zapata, a 51-year-old teacher, told AFP.

Both Torres and Arevalo are social democrats. Both oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage and elective abortion in the staunchly Catholic Central American country.

Whoever wins the second round on August 20, it will mark an ideological shift in Guatemala after three right-wing presidents, including current President Alejandro Giammattei, due to leave office in January 2024.

fj/dga/st/mtp
A hacker group known as SiegedSec revealed this week that it was behind a breach that targeted a Texas government website on Friday.

The group said in a post on Telegram that it targeted the website and stole about 500,000 files in retaliation to the states recent decision to ban gender-affirming care for minors, the Daily Dot reported.

We have decided to make a message towards the U.S government, the group said. Texas happens to be one of the largest states banning gender affirming care and for that, we have made Texas our target.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill earlier this month that would prohibit doctors from prescribing hormone medication to minors or conduct surgeries to change their gender. The law will take effect on Sept. 1.

Texas is the latest of several states that have passed similar laws.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks after signing several Public Safety bills at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The hackers said the documents they stole include work orders, employee list, invoices and police reports, the Daily Dot reported.

The city of Fort Worth did confirm the breach in a notice but did not mention the hackers by name or their motive. Officials also said that theres no evidence at this time that sensitive information was accessed or released.

According to the Daily Dot, the hacking group gained access to the system after it received login credentials from a city employee.

We targeted Fort Worth mostly because it was a vulnerable target in a list we had, we were checking any government domain associated with Texas, a member of the group told the Daily Dot in a statement. This is the start of a campaign against all states banning gender-affirming care, we have a few more attacks planned soon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Haley says Trump did 'too little' about China threats, warns of global conflict if Ukraine falls

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks at American Enterprise Institute, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Washington. Haley is criticizing former President Donald Trump for being too friendly to China during his time in office while also warning that weak support for Ukraine would only encourage China to invade Taiwan. Haley said in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute on Tuesday that Trump was almost singularly focused on the U.S.-China trade relationship but ultimately did too little about the rest of the Chinese threat.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday criticized former President Donald Trump for being too friendly to China during his time in office, while also warning that weak support for Ukraine would only encourage China to invade Taiwan.

Haley, a Republican presidential candidate running against Trump, said in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute that Trump was almost singularly focused on the U.S.-China trade relationship but ultimately did too little about the rest of the Chinese threat.

Specifically, Haley noted that Trump failed to rally U.S. allies against the Chinese threat and that he had congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule in China.

That sends a wrong message to the world, Haley said. Chinese communism must be condemned, never congratulated.

Haleys comments, promoted by her presidential campaign as a major foreign policy speech, came a week and a half after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Xi in Beijing. Blinken said they had agreed to stabilize badly deteriorated U.S.-China ties, but there was little indication that either country was prepared to bend from positions on issues including trade, Taiwan, human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong, Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and Russias war in Ukraine.

Haley did note that Trump imposed tariffs and other trade restrictions on the superpower, saying he deserves credit for upending this bipartisan consensus. But she added, Being clear-eyed is just not enough.

As Trump remains the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his rivals are increasingly lashing out at him. On Tuesday in New Hampshire, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that, unlike Trump, he was actually going to build the wall, a reference to Trump's 2016 signature issue that he fell short of meeting during his first term.

Haley, who served for two years as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said President Joe Biden has been much worse when it comes to dealing with threats she said China poses to America's economic, domestic and military security. She also said that China's military buildup and aggression toward Taiwan shows that the nation is preparing its people for war," a conflict she said would draw in the U.S. and other global partners if left unchecked.

We must act now to keep the peace and prevent war, she said. And we need a leader that will rally our people to meet this threat on every single front. ... Communist China is an enemy. It is the most dangerous foreign threat weve faced since the Second World War."

In a question-and-answer session with reporters, Haley was asked about comments earlier Tuesday from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a fellow Republican presidential candidate, who said, Whats a Uygher?" in response to a question from radio show host Hugh Hewitt about the predominantly Muslim group that China has been accused of oppressing.

Haley, who didn't mention Suarez in her response, called the allegations of sexual abuse and religious discrimination against the Uyghurs a potential genocide, adding, The fact that the whole world is ignoring it, is shameful.

For his part, Suarez later tweeted that he is well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China but just didnt recognize the pronunciation."

In her speech, Haley also called Biden far too slow and weak in helping Ukraine, warning that a failure to send enough military equipment to help stem Russias invasion there could only encourage China to invade Taiwan as soon as possible, leading to further international conflict.

The events of this past weekend show how weak and shaky the Russian leadership is, Haley said, referencing the short-lived weekend revolt by mercenary soldiers who briefly took over a Russian military headquarters. Make no mistake: China is watching the war with Ukraine with great interest.

Some of Haley's Republican rivals, including Trump and DeSantis, have faced criticism over their own comments toward Ukraine. Both Trump and DeSantis have said that defending Ukraine is not a national security priority for the U.S. DeSantis also had to walk back his characterization of Russias war in Ukraine as a territorial dispute."

Last month, Biden approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals up to $300 million and includes additional munitions for drones and an array of other weapons. In all, the U.S. has committed more than $37.6 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley attacked former President Trump Tuesday over his policy on China, saying he showed moral weakness during meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

In a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, the former U.N. ambassador gave Trump credit for making both parties take off their blinders on China, but said he didnt go far enough.

Trump was almost singularly focused on our trade relationship with China  but Trump did too little about the rest of the Chinese threat, Haley said.

He did not put us on a stronger military foothold in Asia. He did not stop the flow of American technology and investment into the Chinese military. He did not effectively rally our allies against the Chinese threat. Even the trade deal he signed came up short when China predictably failed to live up to its commitments, she said.

Haleys speech Tuesday continued her attacks on Trump as the GOP primary field prepares for the Iowa caucuses next spring. The first debate for the group, now more than a dozen strong, is scheduled for August.

[Trump] also showed moral weakness in his zeal to befriend President Xi. Trump congratulated the Communist Party on its 70th anniversary of conquering China, Haley said.

That sent a wrong message to the world. Chinese communism must be condemned, never congratulated, she said.

Maintaining an average of 4 percent support, Haley has come in fourth in recent national GOP primary polls behind Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

She said that while Trumps actions were bad, President Bidens are much worse.

Haley said Biden has failed to handle Chinas role in fentanyl distribution and has failed to stop Chinese commercial interests from buying property in the U.S.

Mark my words. [Biden] is going to keep ignoring the Chinese threat. Wed have wasted four more years, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sputnik/Pool via Reuters

As the Kremlin desperately tries to spin its handling of last weekends Wagner uprising into an inspiring success story, some Russians have concerns about Vladimir Putins sanity.

The Russian leader was roundly mocked by many pro-war Russian figures Monday night for praising the courage of the Wagner mercenaries who killed several service members and tried to seize control of military leadership in an attempted insurrection over the weekend. On Tuesday, he was filmed walking down a literal red carpet at the Kremlin to tell members of the military and security services they had stopped a civil war.

Left out was the fact that the Wagner mercenaries behind the uprising were allowed to casually walk away, without any criminal charges or resistance from Russian security forces.

Perhaps more bizarre, Putin claimed that neither the nation nor the countrys military supported the Wagner fighters in their uprising, despite numerous videos of residents in the Rostov region cheering on Wagner mercenaries and gleefully shaking Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhins hand.

The people who were dragged into the uprising saw that the army and the people were not with them, Putin claimed in his Tuesday speech.

His comment immediately raised eyebrows on Russian social media.

News from a parallel reality, wrote the popular pro-war Telegram channel Thirteenth.

One Chekist I know often told me: The main thing is more confusion. That passes for an idea, said pro-Kremlin war reporter Alexander Sladkov.

Others complained that the Kremlin was apparently just hoping the whole fiasco would be forgotten.

Not a word has been said about the preconditions for the uprising, the systemic problems that led not only to Wagners appearance, but the fact that many people sympathized with it, a popular pro-war Russian Telegram channel wrote.

I have not seen anything more pitiful performed by a man remotely resembling the president. Great job everyone The unrest continues, wrote Igor Strelkov, the former commander of Russias proxy forces in Donetsk.

Other pro-Kremlin military bloggers insisted the Kremlin would soon show a more decisive response to the uprising.

I just cant believe that this is it, wrote pro-Russian military blogger Yury Kotenok, speculating that perhaps personnel decisions will soon be announced as a result of the mutiny.

There is a stubborn belief that this is not all. Were waiting, wrote Semyon Pegov.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, dismissed claims that the armed uprising over the weekend had been a blow to Putins image, saying that it was just ultra-emotional tantrums by analysts that were to blame for that notion.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A heat wave in Texas is forecast to spread scorching temperatures to the north and east

Sweat rolls off the lip of Robert Harris as he digs fence post holes, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Houston. Meteorologists say scorching temperatures brought on by a heat dome have taxed the Texas power grid and threaten to bring record highs to the state. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

DALLAS (AP)  Scorching temperatures brought on by a heat dome have taxed the Texas power grid and threaten to bring record highs to the state before they are expected to expand to other parts of the U.S. during the coming week, putting even more people at risk.

Going forward, that heat is going to expand ... north to Kansas City and the entire state of Oklahoma, into the Mississippi Valley ... to the far western Florida Panhandle and parts of western Alabama," while remaining over Texas, said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service.

Record high temperatures around 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) are forecast in parts of western Texas on Monday, and relief is not expected before the Fourth of July holiday, Oravec said.

Cori Iadonisi, of Dallas, summed up the weather simply: Its just too hot here.

Iadonisi, 40, said she often urges local friends to visit her native Washington state to beat the heat in the summer.

You cant go outside," Iadonisi said of the hot months in Texas. "You cant go for a walk.

WHAT IS A HEAT DOME?

A heat dome occurs when stationary high pressure with warm air combines with warmer than usual air in the Gulf of Mexico and heat from the sun that is nearly directly overhead, Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said.

By the time we get into the middle of summer, its hard to get the hot air aloft, said Nielsen-Gammon, a professor at Texas A&Ms College of Atmospheric Sciences. If its going to happen, this is the time of year it will.

Nielsen-Gammon said July and August dont have as much sunlight because the sun is retreating from the summer solstice, which was Wednesday.

One thing that is a little unusual about this heat wave is we had a fairly wet April and May, and usually that extra moisture serves as an air conditioner, Nielsen-Gammon said. But the air aloft is so hot that it wasnt able to prevent the heat wave from occurring and, in fact, added a bit to the humidity.

High heat continued for a second week after it prompted Texas power grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, to ask residents last week to voluntarily cut back on power usage because of anticipated record demand on the system.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System reports more than 46 million people from west Texas and southeastern New Mexico to the western Florida Panhandle are currently under heat alerts. The NIHHIS is a joint project of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The heat comes after Sunday storms that killed three people and left more than 100,000 customers without electricity in both Arkansas and Tennessee and tens of thousands powerless in Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.

Earlier this month, the most populous county in Oregon filed a $1.5 billion lawsuit against more than a dozen large fossil fuel companies to recover costs related to extreme weather events linked to climate change, including a deadly 2021 heat dome.

Multnomah County, home to Portland and known for typically mild weather, alleges the combined carbon pollution the companies emitted was a substantial factor in causing and exacerbating record-breaking temperatures in the Pacific Northwest that killed 69 people in that county.

An attorney for Chevron Corp., Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., said in a statement that the lawsuit makes novel, baseless claims.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH THREATS?

Extreme heat can be particularly dangerous to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers need extra support.

Symptoms of heat illness can include heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness and fainting. Some strategies to stay cool include drinking chilled fluids, applying a cloth soaked with cold water onto your skin, and spending time in air-conditioned environments.

Cecilia Sorensen, a physician and associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Medical Center, said heat-related conditions are becoming a growing public health concern because of the warming climate.

Theres huge issues going on in Texas right now around energy insecurity and the compounding climate crises were seeing, Sorensen said. This is also one of those examples where, if you are wealthy enough to be able to afford an air conditioner, youre going to be safer, which is a huge climate health equity issue.

In Texas, the average daily high temperatures have increased by 2.4 degrees  0.8 degrees per decade  since 1993, according data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration amid concerns over human caused climate change resulting in rising temperatures.

___

Miller reported from Oklahoma City. O'Malley reported from Philadelphia.

___

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.
An Alabama man has accused police of using excessive force and causing physical and emotional distress when a police K-9 attacked him on his own front porch, a lawsuit says.

On June 26, attorneys for 53-year-old disabled veteran Marvin Long filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against the City of Sheffield, the County of Colbert and various members of law enforcement in connection with a 2021 incident.

The lawsuit alleges on July 17, 2021, Long noticed there was a large police presence outside his Sheffield home.

Long went outside and stood near police cars and officers as they executed a search warrant at a nearby home as part of a drug task force operation, the lawsuit said.

When Long was outside, officers in the area told him if he didnt leave they would arrest him for obstruction of governmental operations, the lawsuit said.

According to the lawsuit, Long started walking back to his house, but as he did so he questioned why the police were there out loud, told them he had a right to be there and used some expletives.

Long then says that officers yelled back at him to kick rocks followed by an expletive, according to the lawsuit.

In body camera footage later released by the Sheffield Police Department, officers are seen walking up to Longs home and asking if it was his property.

In the video, Long is standing on the porch and telling the officers to Go, man, pointing away from the house.

The officers then jump up onto the porch and grab Long as he tries to go into the house. They take Long to the ground, the video shows, and Long begins to yell for help.

Another officer approaches with a police dog and releases the dog, which begins to bite Long and yank at his clothes, the video shows.

The K-9 handler is heard in the video yelling, Bite him! Bite him! Get him! Good!

The body camera footage then shows Long telling officers he does live there and that he gives up. The officers tell him to lie on the ground before they handcuff him.

(Warning: The video below contains graphic content.)

Its sickening, Harry Daniels, one of the civil rights attorneys representing Long said in a release that accompanied 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.

The lawsuit names the City of Sheffield and Colbert County, as well as three individual officers from the police department and seven deputies from the Colbert County Sheriffs Office.

McClatchy News reached out to attorneys for the city and county and is waiting for a response.

According to the lawsuit, Long had to have surgery to place rods in his leg following the bites from the dog, but immediately after Long was attacked, he was taken to jail and not given proper medical attention.

From what we could tell, the dog never broke the skin of the subject, Mayor Steve Stanley told local outlets, according to the lawsuit. The actions by our officers certainly got Mr. Long to stop and come into compliance with the arrest attempt.

Long says in the lawsuit that he had the bite on his leg, along with a knot on his head and back pains following the arrest. He also said he experienced PTSD-like symptoms, including sadness, anxiety, stress, anger, depression, frustration, sleeplessness, nightmares and flashbacks.

Nick Risner, the officer who Long says was the handler of the K-9 while it attacked, was not included in the lawsuit, Al.com reported, because he was killed in the line of duty in October 2021.

Another officer named in the lawsuit, Max Dotson, was also shot in the shootout that killed Risner, AL.com reported.

Long was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest in the July 2021 incident, but the obstruction charge was later dropped, the Montgomery Advertiser reported. Long is still facing a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge.

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, Longs attorney Roderick Van Daniel said in the release. If we let criminal cops assault an innocent man and then charge him for the crime, none of us are safe.

Sheffield is in the northwest corner of Alabama, about 115 miles northwest of Birmingham.

Lineman electrocuted on out-of-state job, Alabama union says. Great guy to be around

Man caught cheating shoots pregnant wife as she begged for her life, Alabama court says

Chick-fil-A workers killed when car crashes into ravine. Hearts may never be healed

Worker was sucked into plane engine and died, feds say. Airline now fined
Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers.

Home and Away's Mali Hudson and Rose Delaney will clash again in scenes airing in the UK next week, as the former couple struggle to navigate their relationship following their split.

Mali and Rose broke up in scenes that aired on Channel 5 in the UK last month, after Rose's response to her brother Xander Delaney being hospitalised after a vicious attack caused concern for Mali.

Since their split, Rose has continued to harbour feelings for Mali, and this week sees her move in for a kiss with her ex after he gives her a surf lesson - only for Mali to reject her advances.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away's Cash questions future with Eden

Feeling humiliated, Rose concludes that it's time to move on from Mali for good, and next week she decides that the best way to handle the situation is to avoid her ex at all costs. However, despite working hard to keep out of Mali's way, he suddenly seems to be everywhere.

Rose enlists Xander to help her avoid Mali, constantly asking him for tips on where Mali is so that she can stay well away.

Fuelled by a vested interest in no longer being the messenger between Rose and Mali, Xander makes a deal with Mali. He offers to keep an eye on Mali's unstable housemate Mackenzie Booth on her return to work at Salt, while she continues to struggle with her grief over the death of her partner Gabe Miller, as long as Mali gets things sorted out with Rose.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away cult twist in Andrew storyline

Mali holds up his end of the bargain and reaches out to Rose, but she ignores his efforts, which throws a spanner in the works. Deciding to take a more direct approach, Mali shows up on Rose's doorstep and presents her with his work schedule for the next week, declaring that he is now making it exceptionally easy for her to avoid him.

An irritated Rose confronts Xander for sticking his nose into her business, but her brother prompts her to face the truth and realise that she needs to tackle her problems head on.

Rose finally confronts Mali, but a tongue-tied Mali can't explain himself and he ends up digging himself into a hole.

Channel 5

Related: Home and Away surprise in Marilyn storyline

Thankfully, a quick apology and a walk through the pines together help the pair to share viewpoints, and they decide that the best path forward now is for them to try and be friends.

Will this new plan work out, or is there too much history between the former lovers?

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.

Selected classic episodes are available via Prime Video in the UK.

Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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A new program in Puerto Rico could tap thousands of residential solar-plus-battery systems to help keep the islands grid from going dark during the height of hurricane season.

Sunrun says its planning to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative later this summer that will turn customers with rooftop solar panels and battery backup systems into emergency grid responders. Whenever Puerto Ricos aging oil- and gas-fired power plants threaten to go offline  due to severe storms, hot weather or basic equipment failures  the residential systems can immediately send power to the grid to prevent rolling blackouts and prolonged outages.

The goal is to keep the lights on for everyone in Puerto Rico, Chris Rauscher, Sunruns senior director of market development and policy, told Canary Media.

More than 75,000 homes and businesses across the U.S. territory have already installed solar-plus-battery projects to avoid the routine outages, damaging voltage surges and soaring electricity prices that plague the centralized system. Since Hurricane Maria razed the island in 2017, work to repair the beleaguered grid has been slow and inconsistent, despite billions of federal recovery dollars.

In response, homegrown clean energy is proliferating. At least 3,000 new systems are added to the island every month, according to Javier Rua-Jovet, the chief policy officer for the Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico, an industry group.

However, many of Puerto Ricos 3.2 million people still cant afford to install their own systems or dont have adequate rooftops, leaving them vulnerable to the whims of the grid. Those residents had to endure multiple outages earlier this month when the heat index reached a record high of 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

Puerto Rico is on the cusp of blackouts constantly, and at least some part of the island suffers blackouts daily, Rua-Jovet said. He added that this approach of tapping residential batteries during power emergencies will help improve grid reliability.



San Franciscobased Sunruns initiative arrives as Puerto Rican energy authorities and companies are pushing to use distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar and battery systems to address the problems created by decades-old fossil-burning power plants.

Fossil gas and petroleum accounted for 43 percent and 37 percent, respectively, of Puerto Ricos total electricity generation in fiscal year 2022, according to federal energy data. Coal supplied another 17 percent of electricity. Utility-scale solar, wind and other renewables generated just 3 percent  far below the Puerto Rican governments goal of using 40 percent renewable electricity by 2025 and 100 percent by 2050.



On June 15, the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau signed off on an emergency demand response proposal from Luma Energy, the private consortium that operates the islands transmission and distribution systems. That cleared the way for Sunrun and other companies operating in Puerto Rico, including Sunnova and Tesla, to begin submitting their own plans for participating in the program.

In regulatory filings, Luma dedicated more than $5 million of its total $20 million budget for fiscal year 2024 for battery and emergency demand response programs, which it estimates will help reduce peak electricity demand by 24.6 megawatts. The funds are expected to go toward compensating owners of some 6,000 residential batteries  a relative drop in the bucket compared to the total number of operating systems in Puerto Rico, but still a promising start, Rua-Jovet said.

To provide backup power supplies, Sunrun says it will remotely connect and control the systems of participating households using software and digital communications networks. During a power emergency, Sunrun will direct some of the energy thats stored in the batteries to the grid, while still leaving enough for customers to maintain their normal activities. Rauscher said the concept is different from more traditional demand response programs that are tied to thermostats, which can automatically turn off air conditioners to reduce stress on the grid.

The program is also separate from Sunruns ongoing efforts to develop a 17-megawatt virtual power plant in Puerto Rico, which is set to launch within two years. The so-called VPP will connect more than 7,000 homes to provide baseload power to the grid every day at scheduled times. Sunrun has over a dozen similar projects in the works nationwide, including a 30-megawatt initiative with the California utility Pacific Gas & Electric.

By contrast, the new emergency-response initiative in Puerto Rico will draw from batteries only when needed, and it could start as soon as late July  pending final paperwork approvals from the Energy Bureau and Luma Energy.

Its not yet clear exactly how many megawatt-hours worth of emergency power Sunruns systems will provide to Puerto Ricos grid. Sunrun only recently began reaching out to existing customers, though Rauscher said he expects thousands and thousands of people to enroll. He said participants could earn potentially hundreds of dollars a year for pitching in to benefit the grid.

We hope this program can evolve and be utilized more frequently beyond emergencies, Rauscher said. Because every time you dispatch energy from a solar-charged battery in Puerto Rico, thats a unit of energy that youre not getting from a fossil-fuel power plant.


Hong Kong high-rise aims to become 'village' of the dead

The Shan Sum columbarium offers a resting place for thousands in one of the world's most crowded cities -- for those who can afford prices starting at $58,000 (ISAAC LAWRENCE)

With its white marble foyer and lavish chandeliers, the 12-storey tower could be mistaken for one of Hong Kongs newest hotels, but it offers a longer stay: a final resting place for thousands in one of the world's most crowded cities.

Hong Kong's 7.3 million residents share some of the most densely populated neighbourhoods on earth, and in the past, mourning families had to wait years to secure a spot for their loved ones' ashes.

The Shan Sum columbarium opened last month with plans to eventually offer 23,000 niches for funeral urns, part of the government's decade-long effort to bring in private companies to ease pressure on the deathcare sector.

That policy is now paying off after the citys ageing population pushed death rates above government urn space capacity in the mid-2010s, creating a dire shortage.

The sleek, modern building is the work of German architect Ulrich Kirchhoff, 52, who told AFP he tried to blend elements of nature into a high-density space to create a "neighbourhood village feel".

"It's an apartment building for the dead ... It feels more like a close-knit neighbourhood," he said.

Kirchhoff said his design was inspired by traditional Chinese graveyards, which are often perched on mountainsides. His columbarium carried over those undulating lines, greenery and textures of hewn rock.

Ashes are stored in ornate compartments, some as small as 26 by 34 centimetres (10 by 13 inches), that line the walls of air-conditioned chambers.

Kirchhoff said he designed rooms on each floor to provide intimacy, in contrast to the cramped confines of public columbariums, which he said feel like being in a "warehouse".

"How do we maintain quality of life and dignity for the people in this high density?" he asked.

"Is it just a shoebox or is there something else?"

- Urn space shortage -

Much like apartments in Hong Kong, rent for the units is not cheap, putting them beyond the reach of most people.

A basic two-person option at Shan Sum is sold for $58,000 while the top-tier package, meant for a whole family, costs nearly $3 million.

The median monthly household income in Hong Kong is currently around $3,800, according to government data.

Places like Shan Sum were created in response to Hong Kong's shortage of urn spaces a decade ago.

At the time, cremated remains were often stored in drawers at funeral parlours for years while waiting for spots to open up, or were housed in unlicensed columbariums in temples or refurbished factory buildings.

Historian Chau Chi-fung, who wrote a book on Hong Kong's funeral practices, said the seeds of the crisis were sown decades prior by the British colonial administration, before the city was handed over to China in 1997.

"Laws at the time were strict about how to treat dead bodies, but once they were turned to ash, the government did not have a comprehensive policy for them," he told AFP.

The ethnic Chinese population in Hong Kong historically preferred burials, but the government popularised cremation in the 1960s -- a shift seen in dense urban centres across Asia.

Now around 95 percent of Hong Kong's dead are cremated each year, which Chau attributed to changing social mores.

The government estimates that deaths will increase by 14 percent to 61,100 per year by 2031.

Officials say that the city is prepared for the uptick, with about 25 percent vacancy among the current 425,000 public columbarium spots and more public and private supply in the pipeline.

"The situation has improved compared to a few years ago... The problem has been eased, but not solved," Chau said.

- 'Ocean view' -

Wing Wong, 43, last year laid her father to rest at Tsang Tsui Columbarium, a sprawling 4,800-square-metre complex in Hong Kong's northwestern corner that began service in 2021.

She said her experience was a far cry from the horror stories seen in headlines years ago.

"Losing a loved one was painful enough. It would be a torment for family members if they couldn't find a place for the ashes, with no idea how long they needed to wait," she said.

Wong said her family chose the government-run location for its good feng shui, adding that its affordable pricing meant they had no incentive to consider private options.

"My father once said he wanted an ocean view... His (niche) was angled towards the sea, and we felt it was what he would have wanted."

hol/aha/mca/cwl
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the committee is chaired by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).

Top foreign affairs and defense lawmakers formed a task force Tuesday to modernize the U.S. foreign military sales process following long-standing concerns about a delay behind weapons shipments to allied countries.

The bipartisan Technical, Industrial, and Governmental Engagement for Readiness (TIGER) task force will be headed by Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).

Also joining the team are Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) and Jason Crow (D-Colo.).

In announcing the new task force, Waltz said the U.S. foreign military sales process has been plagued with delays that have put many of our allies and partners across the globe at risk.

Im proud to lead this bipartisan TIGER task force to examine why many of these shipments have been delayed or have seen increased costs, putting the security of some of our most critical allies at risk, and implement legislative solutions to streamline these sales, Waltz said in a statement.

TIGER lawmakers will work to expedite the process of weapons and defense equipment deliveries to U.S. partners across the globe.

The U.S. is the largest international provider of weapons, accounting for about 40 percent of the worlds arms exports. Last year, the U.S. provided more than $51.9 billion in direct arms sales, a major uptick boosted by international concerns about stability amid the war in Ukraine.

Lawmakers, however, have expressed concerns about delays and backlogs, including the stalled transfer of billions of dollars worth of equipment to Taiwan, an island nation that Washington fears China may invade in the near future.

Moulton said military sales are a crucial tool of American diplomacy and national security.

Our partners, like Taiwan, order American military equipment because they need it, he said in a statement. They should receive that hardware as quickly as possible.

The U.S. has received criticism for transferring weapons systems to countries that have abused human rights, including to Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of backing militants accused of civilians in war-torn Yemen.

Washington is also the largest arms provider to Israel, which is accused of egregious human rights abuses against the Palestine population in occupied Gaza and the West Bank.

The Biden administration, which paused arms sales to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen in 2021, revised a policy earlier this year to require a stricter review of human rights abuses in countries that would receive U.S. weapons.

Its unclear whether the TIGER team will also work on human rights concerns. But according to the announcement, the TIGER team will work closely with State Department and Pentagon experts as it conducts oversight of the foreign sales process. Lawmakers will make legislative recommendations and hold hearings.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was confident the task force would get the answers we need.

It is vital that when we make a deal with our partners and allies to send military systems, that we provide them as quickly as possible, McCaul said in a statement.

Updated at 1:22 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Huge New York landlord says Fridays in the office are 'dead forever'  and Mondays are 'touch-and-go'

Steven Roth, the chairman of Vornado, said workers wouldn't be commuting into the office five days a week anytime soon. Misha Friedman / Contributor/Getty Images/Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

The chairman of one of New York's biggest landlords says Friday in the office are "dead forever."

Office visits in the US are about 60% of what they were in 2019, according to a report by Placer.ai.

Many companies have embraced the hybrid workweek instead.

It looks like we're never going back to the office full-time  at least not every day of the week.

One of New York's biggest private landlords, Vornado Realty Trust, is betting on whether hybrid work is here to stay. The firm's chairman, Steven Roth, recently told investors that office work on Fridays was likely "dead forever."

Even Mondays, he said, are "touch-and-go," The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

Vornado is in the middle of a $1.2 billion overhaul of its Midtown office buildings  many of which are right next to Penn Station  in hopes of luring hybrid workers back to the office at least a few days a week, according to the Journal's report.

And Roth's observations align with the latest data on return-to-office trends.

A report from Placer.ai, a firm that tracks mobile-phone data from 800 sites across the US, found that those who came into the office opted to come in during the middle of the week.

People are slightly more likely to visit the office on Tuesdays, with workers coming in at 62% of pre-pandemic levels, according to Placer.ai. The report also found that occupancy levels on Wednesdays and Thursdays were near 60%.

However, office visits on Mondays and Fridays were just half of what they were in 2019, according to the report.

The current push toward hybrid work comes as some companies are doubling down on employees returning to the office.

In February, Amazon announced that it would require workers to come into the office at least three days a week starting May 1  a mandate that Amazon workers have been fighting with a petition.

Meta announced that workers would be required to come into the office three days a week starting in September and has also stopped offering "remote work" on its job board.

Disney CEO Bob Iger told workers that they would need to return to the office four days a week starting in March and said that "nothing can replace" in-person work. Employees met Iger's mandate with a petition that garnered more than 2,000 signatures.

A 53-year-old administrator in Arizona even recently quit her six-figure job when she was asked to return to the office five days a week.

"Many workers continue to resist returning full-time to an office, and many employers are finding that their preferences and edicts only go so far," Kathryn Minshew, the CEO and cofounder of The Muse, a workplace platform that regularly conducts surveys on work trends, said.

Across the country, the data remains relatively consistent. According to Kastle Systems  which tracks when employees swipe their badges at office entrances  the average office occupancy across the country's ten major metro areas was just under 50% for the weeks beginning June 14 and June 21.

Offices are less than half full across the US

City Wed 6/14 Wed 6/21 New York metro 48.1% 50% San Jose metro 39.4% 38.1% San Francisco metro 44.4% 45.4% Chicago metro 54.7% 54.0% Washington D.C. metro 46.9% 46.3% Philadelphia metro 40.9% 41.2% Houston metro 60.6% 60.8% Austin metro 58.3% 58.2% Dallas metro 54.5% 54.4% Average of 10 49.7% 49.8% Los Angeles metro 49.6% 49.7%

Source: Kastle Systems building swipe data from 2,600 buildings in 136 cities

Correction: June 28, 2023  US workers are coming into the office on Tuesdays at 62% of pre-pandemic levels, according to Placer.ai, which tracks mobile phone data at 800 sites around the country. An earlier version of this story misstated the figure.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hugh Hewitt told Miami Mayor Francis Suarez 'to get smart' after he appeared to become the latest candidate to commit a foreign policy blunder

2024 GOP presidential candidate Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Wilfredo Lee/File/AP

GOP presidential hopeful Francis Suarez appeared not to know what a Uyghur is.

The Miami Mayor later told Insider that he did know what a Uyghur is, he was just confused by a radio host's pronunciation.

Suarez faces a difficult climb in the constantly expanding 2024 field.

Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt encouraged Republican presidential candidate Francis Suarez to bone up on his foreign policy knowledge when he appeared to not know what a Uyghur is.

"Penultimate question, Mayor. Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?" Hewitt asked Suarez, the mayor of Miami.

Suarez, who is the third Floridian currently running for the White House, appeared unable to offer any comment about the 12 million, mostly Muslim, minority population that live in China's Xinjiang province. Beijing's treatment of Uyghur has been in the news repeatedly. Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on his last day as the nation's top diplomat that China's treatment of Uyghur's through forced labor camps and sterilization amounted to a "genocide." Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also called it a genocide.

In a statement to Insider, Suarez said he definitely knew what a Uyghur is, blaming the incident on Hugh Hewitt's pronunciation.

"I didn't recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used," Suarez said. "That's on me."

Hugh Hewitt: Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?



2024 GOP presidential candidate Francis Suarez: What's a Uyghur? pic.twitter.com/AlRkjZCJyK  The Recount (@therecount) June 27, 2023

The audio of the exchange makes clear that Hewitt used a common pronunciation for the ethnic group. Suarez himself mispronounced the group during a later follow-up with the host.

"And you gave me homework, Hugh. I'll look at what a, what was it, what did you call it, a Weeble?" Suarez said, chuckling.

Hewitt responded,"The Uyghurs. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, Mayor. You've got to talk about it every day, okay?"

Hewitt declined Insider's request for further comment.

The incident while minor highlights how even a routine interview can turn disastrous for a presidential hopeful. One of the most famous recent examples was when former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who was running as the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee in 2016, responded "What is Aleppo?" when asked about Syrian city at the center of a civil war.

Other examples include when Republican businessman Herman Cain struggled to talk about Libya in 2011. Former President Donald Trump himself experienced one of those moments in 2015 when he struggled to answer Hewitt's question about the nation's nuclear triad during a GOP primary debate.

Suarez was also asked about the triad during the interview.

"Yeah, you know, obviously that's the ability to deploy nuclear weapons from sea, air, land," Suarez responded, perhaps with a nod to Trump's long-ago struggle. "They're, when you think about technology and how we're deploying our assets and our strategies, there's a tremendous amount of disruption right now from drones to AI and how we strategize and make decisions."

The Miami Mayor called for a new addition to the triad: the ability to launch nuclear weapons from space.

"And I think we have to look at the ability to deploy from space, and to also have defensive capabilities with lasers and a variety of other technologies that'll give us, you know, there's obviously a lot of encouraging science that we see with Israel's missile defense system, with Ukraine's use of the Patriots, Saudi's use of the Patriots against Yemen and Iran through Hezbollah."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Millions across the country are waking up to more severe weather Tuesday, with more than 1,000 flights in and out of the East Coast canceled overnight after thunderstorms struck the region and a deadly heat wave smothered the South.

More than 1,100 flights in, to and out of the United States were canceled as of Tuesday afternoon, with almost 280 of those going to and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware.

LaGuardia Airport had more than 230 cancellations, while John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than 90 and Boston Logan International Airport had more than 110.

Newark, LaGuardia and JFK all warned on Twitter that weather conditions were causing flight disruptions, delays and cancellations as they warned travelers to allow extra time and contact their airlines for updates.

The National Weather Service warned that widespread clusters of showers and thunderstorms would hang over the region into the early hours of Tuesday, with another front expected to bring more severe weather.

Its definitely an adventure

For Toya Stewart Downey and her family, the severe weather has caused major disruption, turning what was meant to be a direct flight from New York to Minneapolis into a potentially dayslong journey.

Stewart Downey, 57, and her two children, Cameron, 24, and Dallas, who will soon turn 16, had been in New York to celebrate the upcoming birthday. When they arrived at LaGuardia around 4 p.m. ET for their 6:30 p.m. flight back to Minneapolis, they noticed a string of flights being canceled due to severe weather, but they held out hope their own journey would not be affected.

Hundreds of flights canceled as severe weather slams East Coast, while Texas faces possibly record-breaking heat (NBC New York)

After hours of waiting, they learned their own flight had been delayed and then canceled due to severe weather, with the next flight available not until Thursday.

"We said we'll take any flight to any city," Stewart Downey, a communications director for a school district in Minnesota, said in a phone interview.

She said she and her family ended up having to take a Lyft, which she said Delta Air Lines paid for, all the way to Hartford, Connecticut, a nearly 2-hour drive, in hopes of catching a flight to Detroit and then, finally, to Minneapolis.

The journey could result in the family not arriving at their destination until Wednesday, she said.

We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience to their travel plans as weather and air traffic control challenges have impacted our operations," a Delta spokesperson said. "We are working to get them quickly and safely to their destination and encourage them to use the Fly Delta app for the latest updates to their flights.

The family had commitments at home in Minneapolis, Stewart Downey said, adding: "We all want to get back as soon as possible."

Its definitely an adventure, Cameron said of the unexpected journey to get to home.

She said that after spending almost 9 hours at LaGuardia, and then having to take a Lyft in the early hours of Tuesday, her family was "tired, but I think there's enough to do and figure out that it's not hard to stay awake either."

Had they waited for the Thursday flight, she said, it would have "kind of felt outlandish that suddenly, I would have to be in New York for an entire week."

More severe weather on the way

More severe weather is expected in the area, with the weather service warning that a front extending from parts of the Great Lakes/mid-Atlantic to the Southeast and then to the southern Plains was also moving toward the East Coast.

The associated front was expected to bring showers and moderate to severe thunderstorms over parts of New York state, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina, with a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic through Wednesday morning, the weather service said in a later update.

The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a minimal threat of tornadoes, it said.

Already, photos and videos shared on social media appeared to show hail storms in areas in Pennsylvania and North Carolina on Monday.

A storm system over New York on June 26, 2023. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Monday that severe weather is expected across the state this week, bringing with it persistent rain, thunderstorms and the potential to cause flash flooding.

Our state agencies are preparing emergency response assets and we are in close contact with local governments across the state to ensure they are prepared, she said. I encourage all New Yorkers to monitor their local weather forecasts, pay attention to alerts and plan accordingly.

Along the western end of the front moving eastward, showers and severe thunderstorms were expected to develop over parts of southern Kansas, Oklahoma, extreme southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas, the weather service said, adding that an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms was in place for parts of the central and southern Plains through Wednesday morning.

"The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes," along with the threat of "two-inch or greater hail," it said.

Showers and severe thunderstorms were separately expected over parts of South Dakota and Nebraska.

Potentially record-breaking heat in Texas

As many braced for stormy conditions, residents of Texas and neighboring states continue to face severe heat, which turned deadly after two people died hiking in Big Bend National Park.

Excessive heat warnings with triple digit heat indices were expected to continue Tuesday, bringing potentially record-breaking temperatures, the weather service warned.

Image: Texas Copes With Extended Heat Wave And Stifling Humidity (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)

"The stagnant upper-level ridge over the south-central U.S. and resultant multi-week heatwave will not only continue but begin to expand in reach over the next couple of days as the ridge builds northeastward," the weather service said in an online update.

"Highs from southeastern Arizona through southern New Mexico and into Texas will remain in the 100s Tuesday, with upper 90s to 100s spreading northward into the Central Plains and Middle/Lower Missouri Valley as well as east into the Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday," it said.

Some daily record-tying or even potentially record-breaking highs were "once again possible for portions of Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley. "

Recovery after deadly storm

The death toll from severe weather across the country also continues to mount, with at least three people killed 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, according to officials, with Cameron Wolf, director of Martin County Emergency Management, confirming the death and saying the victims injured partner was airlifted to a hospital.

Debbie Fulcher views the damage at her home in Stanford (Jeremy Hogan / SOPA via Getty Images)

In Arkansas, two people were also killed when a tree fell on a home in Carlisle, The Associated Press reported. A third person was also injured in the incident, according to the outlet.

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.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Mexico

Jubilant transgender folks and same-sex couples celebrated in Mexico City on Friday.

The Associated Press reported 120 couples were able to marry under the slogan, Hand in hand, we march with pride, a representative of Mexicos capital city said in a statement.

Many transgender people were also on hand to celebrate the completion of the administrative pathway to legally changing their gender identity.

This is a very important document, more than a piece of paper or a symbol of marriage, one of those who got married, Edgar Mendoza, told the AP. It is security that I can give to my family.

Mendoza and his partner have been together for 10 years.

I didnt think it would happen like this, said Keila Espinoza, 38, who was on hand to marry her partner, Vaneza Garcia. Its very exciting.

Mexico City legalized marriage equality in December 2009, and the law went into effect in March 2010. That same year, Mexicos Supreme Court ruled all states must recognize marriage licenses granted in Mexico City. Tamaulipas became the last of the countrys 32 states to recognize marriage equality last year.

"The whole country shines with a huge rainbow. Long live the dignity and rights of all people. Love is love," Arturo Zaldivar, minister and former president of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, tweeted at the time.

 (@)

Fridays mass wedding and birth certificate celebration came the day before Mexico Citys annual Pride parade.
Bryan Kohberger at a previous court appearance. Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images

Idaho state officials are seeking the death penalty against 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger.

Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.

The crimes, prosecutors argue, were "especially heinous" and showed "utter disregard for human life."

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, who is accused of the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students last November.

In a court filing announcing the decision to seek capital punishment for the 28-year-old, officials argued the crimes were "especially heinous" and showed "utter disregard for human life."

"The defendant, by his conduct, whether that conduct was before, during or after the commission of the murder at hand, has exhibited a propensity to commit murder which will probably constitute a continuing threat to society," the filing reads.

In investigating the quadruple murder, officials earlier this month issued search warrants to probe Kohberger's social media accounts, hoping to find more information on his relationship to the slain college students  Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, and Madison Mogen  or his possible motivations for the crimes of which he is accused.

Kohberger was indicted in May of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary in relation to the killings. A judge entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf after Kohberger remained silent during his arraignment.

Representatives for the Latah County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on the choice to pursue the death penalty in this case, referring Insider to the filing announcing the decision.

Since 1864, the state of Idaho has carried out 29 executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. On July 1, death by firing squad will be authorized as a method of execution in the state after a proposed bill was signed in March by Governor Brad Little.

In Idaho, when the death penalty is on the table in a criminal case, jurors must unanimously convict the accused and agree to the death penalty. In a case of a hung jury, even if a single juror opposes death, a life sentence is issued.



The public defender for Kohberger did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Prosecutors in Idaho are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in a brutal knife attack that shocked America.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday, citing five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

These circumstances include that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killer is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge will hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more evidence about the DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

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.

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 Judge is set to hear arguments in court on Tuesday.

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.
This restaurant plans its biggest and baddest location yet  right by Boise Greenbelt

Sids Garage is beloved for its over-the-top milkshakes, locally sourced Snake River Farms burgers and cold pours of draft beer.

The restaurant first opened in Idaho at The Village at Meridian in late 2020, and it added a second location at the corner of 10th and Main in Boise seven months later.

Its popularity with Treasure Valley diners has been apparent ever since, and the restaurant has expansion plans again.

A third location  the biggest and baddest yet, according to Sids owners  is now in the works at Barber Station near Bown Crossing and Marianne Williams Park in East Boise. Owners Will and Nicole Primavera recently revealed the location via social media.

The Midnight Munchies is one of the over-the-top shake options at Sids Garage.

The Primaveras newest Sids Garage will double the capacity of its current Boise location, seating between 90 to 110, with an inside-outside bar that overlooks the Greenbelt and a pond. They hope the restaurant will be ready to open by early 2024.

We want to create a destination experience that stimulates all your senses, between the food, the music, the environment, the staff that just oozes hospitality, Will Primavera told the Idaho Statesman. You can kind of hear it in my voice. We give a s--t deeply about what we do.

At the heart of the mission is a sincere love for the Boise community, Will Primavera said.

Thats why the menu is locally sourced, including their half-pound hamburgers from Snake River Farms that are an 80/20 blend of Black Angus and American Wagyu. The Boss Hog is among the restaurants customer favorites, with 48-hour braised pork belly, onion rings and a scratch-made sriracha-bourbon sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

Its gonna get all in your grill, Will said.

The Boss Hog is among the customer favorites at Sids Garage with 48-hour braised pork belly, onion rings and a scratch-made sriracha-bourbon sauce on a toasted brioche bun.

In addition to its signature rock and roll vibe and burger-driven menu, the new Sids Garage will feature an exhibition kitchen, giving diners an up-front view of the cooking process. Order it and watch it get prepared.

Dude, you will be right in it with the team, Will said. Youll know everything at all times going on.

In Meridian, Sids Garage is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The downtown Boise restaurant runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Thousands of Imran Khan supporters took to the streets following the brief arrest of the former Pakistani prime minister on 9 May

Pakistan's army has fired three senior officers for their conduct during protests following the May arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The rare public announcement did not name the officers, only saying that they failed to protect army properties.

Pakistan's powerful military wields massive political influence and Mr Khan's supporters blame it for his removal as prime minister.

Mr Khan was arrested on corruption charges, sparking nationwide unrest.

Thousands of Mr Khan's supporters tore through military buildings across the country, setting them on fire, including the house of an army general. At least eight people died in the protests.

More than 5,000 people were arrested afterwards, although most were later released.

But more than 100 people - including civilians - are still on trial in military courts following two inquiries led by generals.

"We had to find out what had gone wrong," said army spokesman Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudry at a press conference on Monday where the sackings were announced.

Fifteen other officials had been punished, he added.

He said that several relatives - including wives - of army officers were among those facing trials for allegedly aiding and abetting the violence.

He did not say how many of those on trial were civilian or military officials, only that they "have the right of access to civil lawyers" as well as the right of appeal.

Human rights groups have voiced concerns over the unfairness of trying civilians in military courts.

Amnesty International said that civilians who are tried in military courts in Pakistan experience a lack of due process, transparency, and are subject to coerced confessions in "grossly unfair trials".

Three petitions against the trial have been filed in Pakistan's Supreme Court, including by Mr Khan's PTI party.

The army has accused PTI leaders of premeditated arson, naming the 70-year-old former prime minister in at least two criminal cases over the protests.

Mr Khan, who much of the public views as a political outsider untouched by corruption, was ousted from power last year in a parliamentary vote of no confidence.

Since then, he has repeatedly locked horns with the military, accusing them of engineering his removal from office - accusations the army denies.

For decades, the military - either directly or through civilian governments - has held a firm grip over how the country is run.

Retired general Talat Masood, who now works as an analyst, said he thought the military had no option but to announce it was taking action against officers.

"They undertook such a major operation and retired such a large number of senior officers as well as from middle ranks that they couldn't have hidden it. I think they made a wise decision to come out and say openly we have a very serious problem."There are no precedents for 9 May. You could relate them in a very small way with the past, but for such a large number of officers of senior and junior ranks to have been involved shows that we need to really reassess the role of politics in Pakistan. "The message [from the army] is that it is not for everyone to get involved [in politics] especially at the core commander level. If at all, it has to be the chief or the chairman of the joint staff who may have to give advice to the government."

Additional reporting by Caroline Davies
Xi calls on Communist Youth League to shoulder missions

Xinhua) 08:03, June 27, 2023

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. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, June 26 (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.

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. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Supreme Court upheld the right of courts to review the constitutionality of federal election maps produced by state legislatures on Tuesday, rejecting the so-called independent state legislature theory advanced by the North Carolina GOP.

The case, Moore v. Harper, arose as the North Carolina Supreme Court struck down a federal congressional map approved by the state legislature as a partisan gerrymander. State Republican lawmakers appealed the ruling up to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the U.S. Constitution prevents state courts from restricting legislatures power to regulate federal elections.

The lawmakers pointed to Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, known as the Elections Clause, as the rationale for the independent state legislature theory. The clause states that state legislatures shall set the Times, Places and Manner of holding elections for senators and representatives in the Senate and House, respectively.

The Republicans argued that the text of the clause means that the North Carolina Supreme Court and the state constitution could not block the approved map, and the authority for regulating federal elections was exclusively vested in the state legislature.

But the court denied the independent state legislature theory in a 6-3 ruling, finding that state courts can review state legislatures actions in lawsuits over partisan gerrymandering.

The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

The majority  in which Roberts was joined by liberal-leaning justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson and by conservative-leaning justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett  still found that courts must review legislatures actions within the ordinary bounds of judicial review and are still limited when their decisions conflict with federal law.

The courts ruling will not have much of a direct effect on North Carolinas map, as Republicans retook control of the state Supreme Court following the midterm elections last November and the court reversed its own ruling throwing out the map in April.

But the case potentially had implications for the future of more than 170 state constitutional provisions, more than 650 state laws granting authority to state and local officials to make election policies and thousands of regulations, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York Universitys law school.

The state courts reversal raised the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court could have decided to not rule on the merits of the case and instead dismiss it as moot.

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the majority, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch and in part by Justice Samuel Alito, in arguing that the case should have been dismissed as moot.

Thomas and Gorsuch argued against the majority opinion on the merits of the case, with Thomas writing that this federalization of state constitutions will serve mainly to swell federal-court dockets with state constitutional questions to be quickly resolved with generic statements of deference to the state courts.

If the court had dismissed the case as moot, the argument could potentially have come up again during the lead up to the 2024 presidential election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Justina Tavana translates dementia diagnostic questionnaires into her native Samoan, she thinks of her aunts.

Both were diagnosed late, and no one knew that what they suffered from was dementia until it was too late, and symptoms couldnt be managed.

Its why Tavana, a Brigham Young University biology graduate student, became a certified dementia practitioner and researcher.

As I'm doing these assessments, I'm always picturing them, Tavana said of her aunts, and thinking, Wow, if only you had this.

Samoa is an archipelago between Hawaii and New Zealand, whose eastern islands are U.S. territories known as American Samoa.

While theres no cure for Alzheimers and related dementias, an early diagnosis can help patients improve their quality of life, by taking medications to slow progression and partaking in services like speech therapy to manage symptoms.

But Alzheimers and dementias are understudied in American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander people, and screenings have been developed and modeled on mostly white people.

Justina Tavana, center, talks with participants during a Natives Engaged in Alzheimer's Research event in Orem, Utah.

As part of the National Institute on Aging-funded Natives Engaged in Alzheimers Research program, Tavana and others are trying to fill that gap, translating diagnostic tools into Samoan and Tongan, creating culturally relevant tools, educating communities on the disease. Each of the main studies under the program are co-led by Native researchers.

The teams also are collecting and cataloguing DNA samples from Indigenous people for a repository to help scientists better understand genetic factors for dementia in the groups.

These populations have really not been studied at all, said Alzheimers geneticist John Keoni Kauwe, a Native Hawaiian and president of BYU-Hawaii. We don't know if there are novel genetic factors that are influencing disease in Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, Alaska Natives. And if we knew those things, it could teach us fundamentally new information about the pathology of disease. It could give us novel insights into therapeutic interventions. It could change a lot.

American Samoa community members take part in a Puipui Malu Manatu and Natives Engaged in Alzheimer's Research brain health fair.

'Protecting memories'

Dr. James Galvin, a neurologist at the University of Miami, said the same genes that are regarded as risk factors for Alzheimers might not be risk factors in Indigenous people, making it crucial to explore what unique genetic factors are at play.

Dr. James Galvin, founding director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health and professor of neurology at the University of Miami

If you really want to take a more precision-based approach, you really need to understand everything you can about a (population), said Galvin, division chief for cognitive neurology and founder of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health. We're collecting those vulnerability and resilience factors.

Galvin is working with Tofaeono, executive director of the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition, who is leading the research study Puipui Malu Manatu, which translates to Protecting Memories in Samoan.

Vaatausili Tofaeonos grandfather suffered dementia, but didnt have access to services or diagnosis. His mother and her siblings also suffer from the disease.

American Samoa community members take part in a Puipui Malu Manatu and Natives Engaged in Alzheimer's Research brain health fair.

Along with translating tests and collecting blood samples, Tofaeono is creating educational material to help destigmatize dementia.

We highly respect our elders, Tofaeono said, and many believe memory loss is just a natural part of aging. That can lead to people isolating from potential services, he said. In addition, admission to a long-term care facility could be interpreted as disrespecting an elder. He hopes his research will help develop culturally informed services.

Diagnostic tools in native languages

One of the biggest barriers to accurate diagnosis is a lack of culturally and linguistically relevant diagnostic tools.

Many elders dont rely on analog clocks, for example, Tofaeono explained, yet one cognitive assessment includes a clock diagram test.

A participant's blood pressure is taken during a Natives Engaged in Alzheimer's Research event in Orem, Utah.

It wasn't part of the culture. It's not part of the daily lifestyle. So, how can you be really assessed about your cognitive ability on something that you weren't really educated about? Tofaeono said.

One of Tavanas aunts was an English speaker and lived on the U.S. mainland for four decades.

But her symptoms worsened, and by the time she was assessed she was only able to speak Samoan.

All of these assessments were in English, and made it hard. So, again, another important reason why these have to be in your languages, Tavana explained.

American Samoa community members take part in a Puipui Malu Manatu and Natives Engaged in Alzheimer's Research brain health fair.

Risk factors and education

While rates are obscured because of the lack of data, medical or behavioral risk factors like obesity or tobacco use disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, Tofaeono said.

As part of the studies, researchers also are educating community members and caregivers on those lifestyle factors. Together, Tofaeono and Tavana have held Brain Health fairs to recruit participants for their studies and provide information on the disease.

Vaatausili Tofaeono, executive director of the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition

We're really thinking about these health disparities, and both how we can help people," Kauwe said, "how the participation of those people and communities in the research can help the broader research outcomes and our ability to treat and cure these diseases in the future."

Tavana hopes that the studies fill gaps in knowledge and care, so the elders of her community can have better access to services that her aunts didn't have.

People are excited about the work that we're doing, and want to contribute any way that they can, because they understand that this is going to help not only themselves, but their community, and really the Alzheimer's disease world as a whole, Tavana said.

Geneticist John "Keoni" Kauwe, left, and Justina Tavana, graduate student, are leading research efforts on Alzheimer's and dementia in Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@usatoday.com or on Twitter @nhassanein.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meet the Pacific Islander scientists closing gaps in Alzheimer's data
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.

@shein_us Get a glimpse of the process of how your purchases are packaged directly from our facility and delivered to your doorstep. Watch as our partners discover the cutting-edge tech that streamlines our operations and receive a hands-on experience in packaging. Stay tuned to the #SHEIN101 series to learn more of what goes on behind the scenes at #SHEIN #SHEINOnTheRoad  original sound - SHEINUS

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.

I was at a loss for words honestly  they took her to the model unit equivalent of the sweatshops like this cant be pic.twitter.com/aJtWcSycEh  joe bidens face lift (@thisisnefertiti) June 22, 2023

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.

The fact SHEIN even did a press trip with influencers to one of its factories is a red flag  Like if everything was a-ok why would they even do the trip?!  Besma | Curiously Conscious (@BesmaCC) June 24, 2023

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.
With over 29 million Instagram followers and the largest fast fashion market share in the U.S., Shein has no shortage of devotees.

But the retail giant, known for its low prices, has also come under fire over allegations of environmental harm or abusive labor practices. This June, the corporation has opened its doors in what appears to be a bid for a cleaner public image  and incited controversy in the process.

In a rare move among fashion retailers, Shein invited social media influencers last week for a tour of a model factory in Guangzhou, China, called the Innovation Factory. Since then, the trip has put heat on the influencers for promoting a brand well-known for backlash over ethical issues.

With this PR stunt, Shein is trying to position itself and fight against the reputation that it has as a fast fashion behemoth that is exploitative and careless in how it thinks about the ethics along its supply chain, Shivika Sinha, founder of the sustainable styling service Veneka and former fashion marketing consultant, tells TODAY.com.

What are the allegations against Shein?

Multiple news investigations and documentaries have investigated conditions at other Guangzhou factories used by Shein (the influencers visited one out of thousands). A Swiss advocacy group, Public Eye, found that employees worked 75-hour work weeks. A Channel4 documentary found that they were paid for less than $20 per week.

The company was also reported to be sourcing cotton from Xinjiang, per a Bloomberg-funded laboratory test, where the Chinese government has been accused of holding hundreds of thousands of ethnic minorities in internment camps and forcing them to pick cotton or work in textile factories.

The brand has also faced criticism over environmental and health concerns. In 2021, CBC Marketplace reported that Shein was selling toddlers jackets containing almost 20 times the amount of lead that Health Canada permits for children.

Perhaps the most prominent criticism, however, has focused on Shein's high-consumption business model, propelled by its low clothing prices. The company produces tens of thousands of garments per day and reportedly releases over 6.3 million tons of carbon per year, roughly equivalent to 180 coal power plants, per Synthetics Anonymous 2.0, a report published on fashion sustainability.

The company has appeared to take some of consumers concerns regarding sustainability into account for its marketing efforts. In April 2022, the brand launched evoluSHEIN, a line of clothing items made partially with recycled polyester.

Consumers these days are no longer looking just at price, Shein executive vice president Donald Tang said at the World Retail Congress in Barcelona this past April. In the next phase of growth we need to think everything we do with ESG in mind.

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance and generally refers to the social responsibility of corporate practices.

Who were the influencers and what did they see on the trip?

Shein is known to use influencers at the center of its marketing strategy, which caters largely to Gen Z consumers.

In 2018, Shein's first year expanding marketing efforts to India, the company collaborated with around 2,000 local influencers, per an interview with Shein's then-marketing officer for India, and was reaching out to more influencers daily. Shein was banned by India in 2019, then relaunched in 2023.

TikTok is an especially important platform for the brand in this regard, with videos of Shein clothing hauls generating billions of views.

They really understand how to work with influencers, how to parlay with these platforms really well in a way that Zara and H&M just werent able to do, Sinha says. And so it makes sense that they reached out to influencers to do this.

The influencers on the factory trip included Dani Carbonari (known as Dani DMC), Destene Sudduth, Aujene, Fernanda Campuzano, Kenya Freeman, and Marina Saavedra. TODAY.com has reached out for comment. Some TikToks were taken down.

Workers at the Innovation Factory pictured in an Instagram post by Dani Carbonari. (@danidmc via Instagram)

The influencers spoke to factory workers, according to their videos, and reported their findings.

"When I asked them questions like, 'What does your work week look like?' Most of them work 8 to 6 and their commute is 10 to 15 minutes, just like normal," Sudduth said in one of her videos posted on Instagram. "I expected this facility to be filled with people salving away. I was pleasantly surprised that most things were robotic. Everybody was just working like normal. They weren't even sweating."

Sudduth's caption pointed to the intent of the trip, which seemed to be letting influencers see things for themselves: "Thoroughly enjoying this experience and seeing things with my own eyes."

The videos by Sudduth and the other influencers featured clips of clothing items being transported on automated rail systems and workers sitting at clean desks under bright white lights.

Outside of the Innovation Factory, the influencers trip included brand-sponsored luxury hotel rooms, excursions in Guangzhou, and a ten-course dinner.

Influencer Fernanda Campuzano, who was on the trip and has a fashion line with Shein, described the professional opportunities the trip posed in a statement to TODAY.

This program has given me the opportunity to manufacture and sell my designs to customers worldwide while promoting my own brand which is something no other company has ever offered me before," she wrote. "This trip to Shein's innovation center was an opportunity to see for myself how my designs come to life in real time as well as to see more of the behind the scenes of how Shein operates.

A corner of the Innovation Factory from Destene Sudduth's TikTok account. (@itsdestene_ via TikTok)

Alden Wicker, a freelance investigative journalist with bylines in the New York Times, Wired, and Vogue, tells TODAY.com that the influencer trip was unconventional in that most fashion brands do not allow visitors in the factories that they contract with. She said that she even once tried to arrange a visit to a Los Angeles factory contracted by Reformation, a brand that markets itself as sustainable fashion, and was blocked.

I think somebody who was more astute or who was actually a seasoned investigative journalist  they would have been able to see through a lot of this, Wicker says, responding to Carbonari calling herself an "investigative journalist" in a video. They would have noticed the things that they werent allowed to see or the questions they werent allowed to ask  She was able to be manipulated very easily into thinking that this was a full view into their supply chain.

In a statement to TODAY, Shein said the trip was part of the companys commitment to transparency.

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, a Shein spokesperson wrote. 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.

What has been the response to the trip?

The factory trip has sparked backlash across social media platforms and in the influencers own comment sections.

Kara Fabella, an Instagram influencer focused on sustainable fashion, tells TODAY.com that the slow fashion community is appalled at the hypocrisy of it all.

One of the big things that Ive had discussions about with my peers is the fact that they really targeted a lot of plus size as well as POC influencers, Fabella says. And theres such an irony to that because not only are they exploiting voices within the fashion influencer space of typically quote-unquote marginalized groups, but its also (that) Shein is one of the worst abusers of human rights issues within the garment worker factory space.

Although she sees the influencer trip as a PR stunt, Sinha says it was heartening that it seemed to signal to her how the pressure on Shein from consumers regarding sustainability and ethics was making enough of a difference for the company to pay attention.

It means that something is happening internally in their corporate conversations, Sinha says. Enough has happened outside of them for them to sit up and take notice of this issue. I think its up to consumers and advocates to keep pushing and to keep holding them accountable and to not be disheartened whatsoever."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Influencers are under fire for praising working conditions in Sheins clothing factory despite abuse allegations

Influencers who went on a trip to fast-fashion giant Sheins manufacturing facilities in China came away from the experience posting videos praising the company and throwing cold water on allegations of forced labor and other abuses.

Viewers were more skeptical.

Influencers including Dani Carbonari (@danidmc), AuJene Butler (@itsjustajlove), Marina Saavedra (@marinasaavedraa) and Destene Sudduth (itsdestene_) visited the Shein facilities in Guangzhou, China. None of them immediately responded to requests for comment.

In their videos, the influencers said they spoke to employees about their working conditions and were told everything was normal. They also emphasized how clean and technologically-advanced the factories were.

There have been reports of alleged forced labor abuses, human rights violations and potentially hazardous materials in clothing at Shein.

Shein Temporary Store - Paris (Tomas Stevens / Sipa USA via AP file)

Shein has denied forced labor allegations and removed potentially toxic products from its app. A spokesperson previously told CNBC, As a global company, our policy is to comply with the customs and import laws of the countries in which we operate. SHEIN continues to make import compliance a priority, including the reporting requirements under U.S. law with respect to de minimis entries.

British public broadcaster Channel 4 made a documentary titled Inside the Shein Machine: UNTOLD in October 2022 exposing 18-hour work days, low pay and few breaks. Additionally, U.S. lawmakers accused the brand of violating the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which prohibits the importation of goods manufactured using forced or underpaid labor by Uyghur workers, who are part of the marginalized and persecuted Muslim minority group in China.

As a result, viewers were skeptical of the influencers videos and believed the creators were presented with a sanitized version of the actual conditions at Shein.

In an emailed statement on Monday, a spokesperson for Shein told NBC News, 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, the statement continued. We look forward to continuing to provide more transparency around our on-demand business model and operations.

What did influencers show and say in their videos?

Sudduth posted a TikTok from Sheins innovation center, where the company produces samples for its manufacturers. She said she asked workers questions based on her followers concerns about the brand.

Upon interviewing the workers, a lot of them were confused and taken aback by the child labor questions and the lead in the clothing questions because they basically said, Our kids want to be on social media just like yall, Sudduth said in her TikTok. Theyre not working in factories and our clothing goes through rigorous testing before production.

Sudduth went on to claim the employees work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. She also said she expected to see people slaving away but that workers were chill and not even sweating.

Similarly, Butler made an Instagram Reel saying she expected conditions to be crowded and dingy, but was surprised by what she saw. She said she also asked questions on behalf of her followers and was told Shein has a third-party contractor that audits its manufacturers to ensure it is complying with international laws.

To be honest, a lot of these employees are just people who are trying to make a decent living, Butler said in her Reel.

Carbonari also said she interviewed a worker in the fabric-cutting department, who answered honestly and authentically. Carbonari said the worker was surprised by the rumors being spread in the U.S. about Shein.

Carbonari called the trip impactful and said her biggest takeaway was to be an independent thinker. She said she felt confident in her partnership with Shein after the trip.

Why are people upset about the trip?

While the trip seemed to reassure the influencers about Sheins working conditions, viewers criticized the creators for pushing propaganda and selling out for a free trip.

Feigning ignorance about this company is not a good look. Youre being called out across the internet, one commenter wrote on one of Carbonaris Instagram posts. Theres no way you didnt know that this company is bad youd have to be living under a rock.

Was the bag worth losing your ethics and helping propaganda, another wrote under one of Butlers Instagram posts.

This is the part that they wanted you to see so you can give the socials a good report, one person wrote under one of Sudduths Instagram posts.

Carbonari is the only one that has responded publicly on social media, although her TikToks addressing the backlash have been deleted. Its unclear why the videos were taken down.

In a now-deleted TikTok, Carbonari said she received hateful comments for attending the trip. She accused critics of being xenophobic and misunderstanding China.

I know who I am, I know exactly what Im doing, and to be a pioneer, you gotta take a lot of s--- sometimes, she said in the video.

In another deleted video, Carbonari said Shein was the first company to take her on a brand trip. Some viewers felt that Shein took advantage of influencers from marginalized backgrounds, specifically a plus-sized woman and two Black women, who typically get fewer opportunities than thin, white women. (Shein did not immediately reply to request for comment on this allegation.)

NBC News previously reported that Black influencers are less likely to receive gifts and promotional opportunities from brands.

The trip was part of the "Shein 101" online docuseries, which is a weekly series that gives people a behind-the-scenes look at Sheins warehouses and addresses questions about its workers, sustainability efforts and business models.

Shein has been seeking goodwill in recent months, as it is expected to file for an initial public offering as soon as 2024. It has ramped up its efforts to improve its reputation among consumers with campaigns like the influencer brand trip.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
CORRECTION: Eric Andersen is the president of consulting firm Aon plc. A previous version of this story included incorrect information.

The insurance industry is increasingly wary of the risks presented by climate and natural disasters, prompting major firms to scale back their presence in more vulnerable states.

In June, Farmers Insurance announced in a company memo it will no longer write new property insurance policies in Florida, citing catastrophe costs  at historically high levels. Earlier in the month, AIG stopped issuing policies along the Sunshine States hurricane-vulnerable coastline.

Those followed State Farm, Californias largest homeowners insurer, which in May announced a moratorium on new policies in the state, blaming rapidly growing catastrophe exposure. The decision came after years of devastating wildfires have sent insurance rates in California skyrocketing.

Eric Andersen, president of consulting firm Aon plc, said in testimony before the Senate Budget Committee in March that reinsurance companies  the firms that help insurers pay out costs  have also stepped back from high-risk areas, particularly those vulnerable to flooding and wildfires.

Just as the U.S. economy was overexposed to mortgage risk in 2008, the economy today is overexposed to climate risk, he said.

The industry is feeling the pinch beyond the East and West coasts, as well, according to Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. He noted that dozens of firms have reduced their presence in Louisiana, including 50 that have stopped writing new policies in the states hurricane-prone parishes.

This isnt just a story about Florida and California  all over the country, there are insurers who are less willing to take risks, from those along major rivers to areas vulnerable to tornadoes, said Benjamin Keys, an assistant professor of real estate at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School.

Louisiana, in particular, has gotten less attention than California and Florida, but the states insurance industry has been steamrolled by recent intense storm seasons.

Many smaller, undercapitalized insurers in Louisiana were not able to handle the volume of losses from the 2020-2021 hurricane season, Friedlander said.

The industry, which has historically taken a more reactive approach to disasters, is shifting its strategy as such events become harder to ignore, he added.

The industrys taking the approach now of whats called predict and prevent, meaning being proactive to address climate risk and make sure insurance coverage reflects that and make sure homes and business take preventative action, Friedlander told The Hill.

He noted that while Farmers made headlines, its the 15th insurer to stop writing new policies in Florida in the last 18 months. Although most of those companies have not pulled out of the state outright, he added, three have.

Insurers are in many ways the first movers in response to trends like extreme weather and natural disasters, Keys said. They have a significant amount of money at stake, so theyre very exposed to the downside.

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Florida is in a unique position, Friedlander said, because of a combination of high fraud rates and widespread litigation, which both compound the cost of insurance on top of the climate risks. A state law enacted this year creates a backstop for property insurance in hopes of alleviating some costs, but its not yet clear how effectively it will counteract those factors, which have been building for years.

The difference is in California and Louisiana, [insurance costs are] primarily climate-driven, he said. They dont have the manmade factors we have here in Florida.

Florida also has a longer history of insurers coming and going, Keys added, going back to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the most destructive hurricane in terms of property damage in the states history.

What thats meant is that the insurer of last resort in the state, Citizens Insurance, has become the largest insurer in the state, he said, on top of the federal flood insurance program.

There isnt an equivalent for wildfires in California, so the risks in California are borne much more directly.

Keys also noted that the decisions dont mean the insurers will never write policies or operate in the state again. Rather, he said, they should be understood as a way for insurers to negotiate, both on what they can charge in premiums and what factors they can weigh.

Its not that [insurers] dont want to do business in your state, its that [they] dont want to do business at the current premiums [they] can charge, he said.

In the meantime, however, none of the climate risks and natural disasters in question show any signs of letting up.

In March, Floridas state insurer said its funds were significantly depleted by 2022s Hurricane Ian, and it will be forced to collect the deficit of $14 billion from policyholders if the state sees a major hurricane in 2023.

On the West Coast, the National Interagency Fire Center said at the beginning of June that it projects likely above normal temperatures in the West this summer.

Clearly insurers are looking at this predict and prevent approach and theyre also addressing risk exposure and looking at where they can profitably do business, Friedlander said. Were going to see more companies making similar decisions.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
This intimate bar in downtown Miami was named one of the best in the U.S. by Esquire

One of the best bars in the U.S. is right here in Miami. But its not a trendy establishment loaded with mixologists that infuse drinks with the unthinkable or a noisy, over-the-top and inevitably crowded clubstaurant. There isnt even a craft cocktail to be found.

According to Esquire magazines annual Best Bars in America for 2023, one of the best bars in the country is a cozy and intimate downtown Miami wine bar with seven tables, two seats at the bar, a sliver of outdoor space and some of the most interesting natural wine youll find in Miami.

Shannon Gable, who has been the manager at Niu Wine for almost a year, attributes the praise to Niu Wines attention to service (the only other bar in Florida mentioned by Esquire is Jellyrolls at Disney World in Orlando).

I think for me personally, its a testament to the hospitality that we give at the bar, she says. Its kind of amazing we got that recognition. But its because of the interactions we have with the guests.

Think of Niu Wine as the little sister to Niu Kitchen, a lively tapas spot and wine bar a few doors down on Second Avenue. Karina Iglesias, one of the owners of the Catalan restaurant, was one of Miamis first proponents of natural wine, a movement that promotes organic grapes and views agriculture through an ethical lens.

A Cuban bar in Miami and a Miami Beach hot spot named among best bars in North America

Wine lovers at Niu Wine in downtown Miami, which is also a retail shop.

When the pandemic shut down Miami restaurants, she decided to turn the original location of Niu Kitchen into a retail wine shop for takeout business. Sit-down service started about a year later and became the Niu Wine of Esquires dreams.

Esquire writer Gabe Ulla writes that Iglesias devotion to natural wine, which met with some resistance at first, is the reason Niu Wine excels as a drinking establishment.

Niu Wine is a place I find myself wanting to visit more than any other in Miami at the moment, he writes. Warm, tiny, confident, its walls are lined with bottles that reflect an understanding of good wine-making and the pleasures it can bring.

But you dont have to be an expert to enjoy your time at Niu Wine. Wines by the glass change often, so check the chalkboard and talk to Gable about your likes and dislikes. Shell recommend a wine for you to drink at the bar or take home.

It might even be a chardonnay, that white nectar of the gods that has gotten a bad reputation thanks to the mass-produced liquid butter bombs of California.

People will say, I dont want a chardonnay, and Ill say Why?, Gable says. A lot of people associate it with the buttery, oaky Chardonnay made in California. But try a nice Chablis  its dry and mineral and crisp.

Niu Wine serves an ever-changing tapas menu. STEPHAN GOETTLICHER

Niu Wine also has a small, rotating tapas menu (Esquire recommends the thinly sliced Iberico ham melted on a warm platter if its available). Expect small plates like anchoa del Cantabrico (anchovies), tomato salad, oysters, patatas bravas and charcuterie plates.

But the wine is the star of the show. Niu Wine focuses on wines from all over South America and Europe, even eastern Europe, all of them natural.

Just dont let the designation confuse you, Gable says.

The way to think of natural wine is think of chefs trying to use the best and most natural and organic products to make great food, Gable says.. Its focusing on not using preservatives and additives and sugar and sulfites and not using pesticides in the vineyards. Its wine made with good intentions.

The interior of Niu Wine in downtown Miami.

Niu Wine

Where: 134 NE Second Ave., Miami.

Hours: 6 p.m.-midnight Tuesday-Saturday

More information: 786-542-5070 or www.instagram.com/niuwine

This upscale food hall is finally opening in a historic Miami building. Heres a look
What investigators say really happened during Jeffrey Epstein's final days in a Manhattan jail

Jeffrey Epstein was arrested Saturday evening on charges of sex trafficking of minors. Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images

Department of Justice investigators on Tuesday released a scathing report on Jeffrey Epstein's death.

The report includes details of his final days before his death, which was ruled a suicide.

The hour-by-hour information sheds light on how jail officials failed to prevent his death.

Department of Justice investigators on Tuesday released a blistering 121-page long report detailing Jeffrey Epstein's death in a Manhattan jail  and how jail officials failed to prevent his suicide.

Epstein  the billionaire financier and convicted sex offender who was facing sex trafficking charges  died by suicide on August 10, 2019, Metropolitan Correctional Center as he was awaiting trial.

The DOJ Inspector General's report includes new details on his final days, and what happened in the moments just before and after Epstein died:

August 8, 2019

Investigators said Epstein is seen by the Psychology Department at the jail.

During that meeting, Epstein denies any "suicidal ideation, intention, or plan," the report said. On the same day, Epstein meets with his lawyers and secretly changes the details of his will during that meeting, according to the report. Jail officials didn't know that Epstein made those changes, investigators said.

Later that day, jail officials are notified that Epstein's cellmate is going to be transferred to a new jail on August 9, the report said.

On the same day, staff at the jail realize that there were "disk failures" in their DVR 2 recording system days earlier on July 29. The report said that the failures meant that "approximately one-half of the institution's security cameras not recording, although the cameras continued to broadcast a live video feed."

But the staff at the Manhattan jail don't do the work to fix the recording system, the report said.

August 9, 2019

8:30 a.m. Epstein's cellmate is transferred out of his cell at the jail.

According to the report, two workers at MCC SHU claimed they told supervisory staff that Epstein's cellmate was leaving and that he would need a new cellmate.

But other witnesses couldn't verify if that was true, the report said, and Epstein is never assigned a new cellmate  which violated jail policy.

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Epstein has another meeting with his attorneys.

Before 1:00 p.m. Epstein's lawyers asks the jail if he could either be moved to a different unit or if he could not have a new cellmate.

On the same day, staffers at MCC New York get the replacement hard drives they'd need to fix the security camera recording system. But, according to the report, the staffers don't do the necessary repairs to get the system up and running again.

Later that day, a federal court unseals thousands of documents relating to Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's longtime partner and co-conspirator.

According to the report, the files include information on Epstein and the criminal charges against him. The report said there is "extensive media coverage of the information in the unsealed documents."

4:00 p.m. Jail staffers don't conduct the scheduled inmate count.

6:45 p.m. Epstein leaves the conference room meeting with his lawyers.

7:00 p.m. Epstein makes an unmonitored phone call to a number with a New York City area code, saying he's going to speak to his mom, the report said. His mother had been dead for years.

This unmonitored call is against the Bureau of Prisons policy, the report said, but Epstein was given special permission.

Federal investigators said that "in actuality, Epstein speaks with someone with whom he allegedly has a personal relationship." Epstein calls his girlfriend Karyna Shuliak, according to media reports.

Following the call, Epstein goes back to his cell, without a cellmate.

10:00 p.m. Jail staffers skip the scheduled inmate count again. They also don't make the required rounds every 30 minutes.

August 10, 2019

12:00 a.m. Jail staffers miss the scheduled inmate count for a third time.

3:00 a.m. Again, the jail staff don't do an inmate count.

5:00 a.m. For a fifth time in 24 hours, staff don't count the inmates in the jail. They also don't do required rounds scheduled for every 30 minutes from 12:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.

6:30 a.m. Jail staff begin to make rounds to deliver breakfast to the inmates. Typically, staffers would give jail inmates breakfast through the slots in the locked cell doors.

But when the staff deliver Epstein's breakfast, they "unlock the door to the tier in which Epstein's cell was located and then knock on the door to Epstein's cell," the report said.

Epstein doesn't respond to the staffers' knock. The staffers then unlock his cell door and find Epstein hanged in his cell, the report said.

The report said Epstein had "one end of a piece of orange cloth around his neck and the other end tied to the top portion of a bunkbed in Epstein's cell."

Immediately after finding Epstein, jail staff activate a "body alarm" to alert the entire staff that there is a medical emergency. Workers in the control center at the jail call 911.

Jail staff then rip the orange cloth, the report said, causing Epstein to drop to the ground. They start CPR on Epstein.

6:33 a.m. Prison medical staff arrive and continue CPR on Epstein, the report said. They use a defibrillator and move Epstein to the Health Services Unit at the jail.

Paramedics arrive next and perform CPR, the report said. They also intubate Epstein and give him medicine and fluids.

7:10 a.m. The ambulance takes Epstein to New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.

7:36 a.m. Epstein is pronounced dead by an ER physician.

Meanwhile, staff at the jail failed to recover video from the DVR recording system. The Bureau of Prisons began repairs on the system and the FBI claimed all hard drives in the faulty system.

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The Quad City Times, a major newspaper in Iowa, has officially apologized to Republican primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for previously featuring him in a cartoon that depicts GOP voters as racists.

How it started: Although Ramaswamy defended the newspapers right to print the cartoon in a tweet last week, the Republican candidate still criticized the action by calling it shameful.

Ive met with grassroots conservatives across America and never *once* experienced the kind of bigotry that I regularly see from the Left, Ramaswamy wrote.

About the cartoon: The illustration, which was eventually taken down online after it was published on Wednesday, depicted Ramaswamy at a 2024 presidential campaign rally with a banner behind his podium that says: Quad City Republicans Welcome Anti-Woke Crusader Vivek Ramaswamy.

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Hello MAGA friends, Ramaswamy says to a small crowd in the cartoon. Three people can be seen responding with offensive remarks, such as Get me a Slushee, Apu, a reference to the recurring convenient store-owning character of Indian descent on The Simpsons.

Another person in the cartoon can be seen yelling at the Indian American entrepreneur-turned-politician, saying, Show us your birth certificate, while another person in the crowd calls him a Muslim even though he is a practicing Hindu.

The aftermath: The Quad City Times Executive Editor Tom Martin apologized to Ramaswamy, the Indian American community and the newspapers readers for the cartoon in an opinion piece published on Friday.

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Noting that the Quad City Times has already severed its ties with the artist who created the cartoon, the newspaper said the offensive material has been removed from the Quad City Times websites and e-editions.

Martin also wrote that dividing and disparaging with any racist images or rhetoric does not reflect the ideals or mission of the Quad City Times, adding that the oversight that allowed it to run is inexcusable.

Running for president: Ramaswamy is one of two Indian Americans running in the Republican primary, with the other being Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC).

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Iranians go from 'harassment' to hajj happiness after Saudi pact

Iranian pilgrims join this year's hajj in their tens of thousands after Tehran reconciled with Saudi Arabia in March turning the page on seven years of enmity (Sajjad HUSSAIN)

If a landmark reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran has eased tensions in the Gulf, clouds have also lifted at the hajj pilgrimage, where Iranian visitors finally feel welcome again.

Seven years of enmity between the Sunni and Shiite powers had made for a cool reception for Iranian pilgrims joining worshippers from around the world for the massive event.

But at the current hajj, held three months after Riyadh and Tehran agreed to repair relations, the atmosphere is suddenly very different.

AnIranian tour operator who has joined the hajj on several occasions said he was feeling "comfort and safety" in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

"Yes, we were subjected to harassment," said the 55-year-old who did not want to give his name, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

"We felt that our presence was not wanted in the first place," he added, speaking in broken Arabic near the Grand Mosque in Mecca. "But all that has changed now after the reconciliation."

The January 2016 schism was related to religion, as Riyadh cut ties following demonstrations at its Iranian missions over Saudi Arabia's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

In March, the two sides announced a surprise, Chinese-brokered detente. This month, Iran reopened its Riyadh embassy and the Saudi foreign minister visited Tehran.

The rapprochement has had a knock-on effect around the region, where Saudi Arabia and Iran have backed opposing sides in a number of conflicts and disputes.

Saudi Arabia opened talks with Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels, who they have been fighting at the head of an international coalition since 2015, and repaired relations with Syria's isolated leader Bashar al-Assad.

- 'We have become friends' -

The hajj has previously proved a sticking point between Riyadh and Tehran. No Iranian pilgrims were allowed in 2016, the year that ties were ruptured, as the two sides were unable to organise a protocol for them to attend.

Saudi Arabia and Iran traded accusations in 2015, when 464 Iranians were among 2,300 pilgrims killed in a stampede, the worst in a series of hajj disasters.

In 1987, Saudi security forces clashed with Iranian pilgrims who organised an unauthorised protest, resulting in the deaths of more than 400 people including 275 Iranians, according to an official toll.

This year, however, the Islamic Republic's flag is conspicuous at Mecca, adorning hotels and buses reserved for Iranian visitors.

"Now things are back to normal. I feel comfortable and safe," said the tour operator, who said his family had joined him for the pilgrimage this year.

More than 86,000 Iranians, including 300 aged over 80, are on this year's hajj, according to Iranian media reports, after Saudi Arabia removed Covid-era caps on numbers and a maximum age limit.

"There was some fear, but people love to come to God's sacred house," Sarwa Al-Boubsi, 34, told AFP in the lobby of a hotel designated for Iranians in Mecca.

"There has been reconciliation, we have become friends. The situation is better than before," added Boubsi, wearing a black abaya.

Officials from the two governments say they are also working to restore access to umrah, the year-round Saudi pilgrimage that remains off-limits to Iranians.

Saudi merchant Al-Waleed, who did not want to give his family name, said the resumption of ties was good for business as Iranian pilgrims visit in large numbers.

"It is in everyone's interest that peace prevails between the two countries," he said in his shop, in between haggling over the price of a rosary with an Iranian woman.

Zainab Magli, from Ahvaz in southern Iran, praised the hospitality of the Saudis.

"Their reception (this year) is beautiful. Since we entered Saudi Arabia, we have not been harmed," said the 47-year-old woman, who has visited before to perform umrah.

"We neither harm them nor do they harm us," she said.

rs-ht/th/ho/kir
The IRS supervisory agent who helped oversee the investigation of Hunter Biden continues to raise questions about what he alleged was special treatment in the probe of the president's son, telling CBS News that, dating back to the Trump administration, he was repeatedly prevented from taking steps he would have considered routine in other cases.

"We have to make sure as a special agent for IRS Criminal Investigation that we treat every single person exactly the same," said Gary Shapley, a 14-year veteran of the agency, who spoke exclusively to CBS News chief investigative correspondent Jim Axelrod on Tuesday. "And that just simply didn't happen here."

Shapley's comments come a week after the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Delaware, David Weiss, who has been leading the probe, announced a plea deal in the case against Hunter Biden. A Republican who said he has no political motive and has never been engaged in politics, Shapley told CBS News he believes stronger charges could have been brought.

According to a Justice Department filing made public last week, Hunter Biden reached a tentative deal with the U.S. attorney in Delaware, agreeing to enter guilty pleas to two misdemeanor tax charges and admitting to felony gun possession.

Hunter Biden's plea will include an acknowledgement that drug use was a contributing factor in his gun crime, and he will enter into a pretrial diversion agreement on that charge, according to the filing. It is expected that for two years, Hunter Biden must remain drug-free and must not commit additional crimes. If he fulfills this successfully, the gun count would be dismissed. This does not amount to a guilty plea.

A federal judge has yet to approve the deal. A hearing has been scheduled on July 26 before Judge Maryellen Noreika at the federal courthouse in Wilmington.

Shapley said the five-year investigation uncovered conduct that he says could have resulted in additional charges.

IRS supervisory agent Gary Shapley / Credit: CBS News

"Based on my experience, if this was a small business owner or any other non-connected individual, they would have been charged with felony counts," Shapley said.

Legal experts are split about whether the plea agreement was too strong, or not strong enough.

"It is almost embarrassing that the tax division of the Department of Justice apparently approved this sweetheart of tax deals," says former federal prosecutor Gene Rossi. "Should he have gotten a felony? Absolutely yes."

Others, like former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti disagree. He tweeted, "If anything, Hunter Biden was treated harshly  those crimes are rarely charged."

Shapley told CBS News that Hunter Biden wrote off as business expenses the money he paid for "prostitutes, sex club memberships, travel for the prostitutes, hotel rooms for purported drug dealers, no show employees." Hunter has admitted to the drug use in his memoir "Beautiful Things," published by an imprint of Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS News' parent company.

Hunter Biden / Credit: Andrew Harnik/AP

Hunter Biden's criminal attorney, Christopher Clark, did not respond to a request for comment regarding Shapley's allegations. But in an earlier statement, issued at the time the plea arrangement was announced, he said "as his attorney through this entire matter, I can say that any suggestion the investigation was not thorough, or cut corners, or cut my client any slack, is preposterous and deeply irresponsible."

In 2021, Hunter Biden repaid more than $2 million in past-due taxes after receiving a loan from one of his private attorneys.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware declined to comment.

Last week, the GOP House Ways and Means Committee chairman released transcripts of congressional interviews with two IRS whistleblowers, including Shapley, who both questioned whether the U.S. attorney overseeing the case was free to bring charges he saw fit.

"The testimony we have just released details a lack of U.S. attorney independence, recurring unjustified delays, unusual actions outside the normal course of any investigation," Chairman Jason Smith, a Republican from Missouri, told reporters.

But three weeks ago in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Weiss asserted that he was granted "ultimate authority over this matter, including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges."

Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters Friday that Weiss had "complete authority to make all decisions on his own" and required no permission from Justice Department headquarters to bring charges.

"Mr. Weiss was appointed by President Trump. As the U.S. attorney in Delaware and assigned this matter during the previous administration, [he] would be permitted to continue his investigation and to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to," Garland said, reiterating sworn statements he has made to Congress.

Shapley, however, told CBS News: "I documented exactly what happened. And it doesn't seem to match what the attorney general or the U.S. attorney are saying today."

Shapley says he provided lawmakers with contemporaneous e-mail correspondence he wrote after an October 7, 2022 meeting, where he says the U.S. attorney communicated the opposite. "Weiss stated that he is not the deciding person on whether charges are filed," Shapley wrote to his supervisor.

"There were really earth-shaking statements made by David Weiss that really brought to light some of my previous concerns. And the first one was that he is not the deciding person on whether or not charges are filed," Shapley said. "It was just shocking to me."

Shapley, who is still a supervisory special agent with the IRS, says he was prevented from pursuing any leads that involved President Joe Biden, including the now-infamous 2017 email from James Gilliar, a business associate of Hunter Biden's, which bore the subject line "Expectations" and outlined a "provisional agreement" for "equity" in a deal with a Chinese energy company.

Two of Hunter Biden's former business partners who received the message told CBS News that a line in the email  "10 held by H for the big guy?"  was shorthand for 10% held by Hunter Biden for his father.

Shapley told CBS News that his efforts to look further into money trails that involved "dad" or "the big guy" were blocked by a senior prosecutor working for Weiss.

"I would say that they limited certain investigative leads that could have potentially provided information on the president of the United States," Shapley said.

When the email became public in 2020, Gilliar told the Wall Street Journal that Joe Biden was not involved. And in one of the interviews FBI agents conducted during the investigation, another partner of Hunter Biden's said the same. "I certainly never was thinking at any time that [then-Vice President Biden was] a part of anything we were doing," businessman Rob Walker told agents, according to a transcript released by Congress.

President Biden has denied involvement in his son's business affairs.

"I have not taken a penny from any foreign source, ever, in my life," Mr. Biden said in October 2020 at a presidential debate.

Shapley's requests to look into those details came in late 2020, when Trump Attorney General William Barr had instituted a policy requiring he personally approve any investigation of a president or presidential candidate. Asked by CBS News if it was possible he was simply not read-in to all the reasoning for decisions by the prosecutors, Shapley acknowledged that was possible.

"I documented what I saw, and ultimately that's the evidence. If they want to explain how that's wrong, they can," Shapley told CBS News. "All of the things that I've testified in front of the House Ways and Means Committee is from my perspective, but it's based on the experience I've gained over 14 years."

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Israels Netanyahu in Talks to Meet Xi in China, Report Says

(Bloomberg) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to meet President Xi Jinping in China for the first time in six years, according to the Times of Israel.

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The two nations have held discussions in recent days about the planned trip next month, the newspaper reported, citing people in Israel it didnt identify. The visit would be intended to send a signal to Washington that Israel has other options when conducting diplomacy, the people said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Tuesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing that she didnt have information to offer about a potential visit. The Israeli embassy in Beijing didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

See: Saudis Look to China for Business as US Influence Wanes

China has been expanding its influence in the Middle East, which has become less of a diplomatic priority for the US in recent years. Earlier this month, during Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbass visit to Beijing, Xi proposed an international peace conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Chinese leader also said he was was willing to play an active role in facilitating peace talks over the Palestinian issue, which have been stalled since 2014, with no obvious political horizon for ending it.

In March, China helped broker a tentative detente between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of diplomatic deadlock between the rivals. The deal marked a departure from Beijings long-stated reluctance to involve itself in foreign disputes.

--With assistance from Xiao Zibang and Kari Lindberg.

(Updates with response from Chinas Foreign Ministry.)

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Adam Abu al-Rob, a six-year-old Palestinian eye cancer patient, is carried by his father Mamoun beside Yael Noy, who heads the Israeli charity Road to Recovery (JACK GUEZ)

As dawn broke over the occupied West Bank, Mamoun Abu al-Rob and his son crossed into Israel, where a volunteer was waiting to take them to a hospital.

Past the Rehan crossing in the northern West Bank, where Palestinian workers were passing through a dimly lit corridor, Abu al-Rob walked towards Yael Noy's car as his six-year-old son, Adam, dozed in his arms.

Their destination was a hospital near Tel Aviv, where Adam was to receive follow-up treatment after suffering from eye cancer.

He is one of tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip crossing annually into Israel for medical treatment unavailable in the impoverished Palestinian territories.

For Palestinians from the West Bank like Abu al-Rob, the Palestinian Authority pays for these treatments, but does not cover the cost of transportation to and from hospitals which can be prohibitive for many families.

Road to Recovery, the Israeli group established in 2010 that Noy now heads, takes Palestinians, mostly children, from West Bank and Gaza crossing points to hospitals inside Israel and back.

Today it boasts some 1,000 active members helping some 2,700 patients annually.

"There's no one like Yael," said 40-year-old Abu al-Rob in Hebrew, which he picked up working on Israeli construction sites. "She's always happy, it fills my heart".

- 'Our neighbours' -

Adam, who lost an eye due to cancer, fell asleep snuggled up to his father in the back of Noy's car.

The volunteer smiled at her passengers through the rearview mirror and exchanged a few words with Abu al-Rob.

"Adam's mother, Sabah, usually accompanies him. She doesn't speak Hebrew, and I don't speak Arabic. So we speak the language of the heart," she said.

"This is an opportunity for all the volunteers to meet Palestinians," added Noy.

"We do not know them, we never meet them. We have an entire population that lives next to us, they are our neighbours."

Israel has occupied the West Bank -- now home to some three million Palestinians -- since the 1967 Six-Day War, when it also seized the Gaza Strip, the densely populated coastal enclave it has since withdrawn from.

Last year, Israel issued entry permits for more than 110,000 medical visits for West Bank residents, according to COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body overseeing civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories.

More than 17,000 such papers were issued during the same period to Palestinians from Gaza, where 2.3 million people live under an Israeli-led blockade since Islamist movement Hamas rose to power in 2007, which has also obstructed medical supplies.

Numerous Palestinians remain unable to access treatment in Israel, due to permit denials by Israel or Palestinian authorities refusing to pay for treatment.

- 'Small peace' -

Noy's car sped towards the hospital, down a highway that runs alongside a barrier Israel had built to separate the country from the West Bank.

"I couldn't live here without doing something," she said. "We live in such a complex and difficult reality. This is a tiny gesture I do in order to face this reality."

Not all volunteers share Noy's objection to the Israeli occupation, she stressed, noting they include "settlers, religious people and right-wingers".

One of them, 72-year-old retired army officer Noam Ben Zvi, said "the war with the Arabs will continue".

This hasn't prevented him from transporting a girl for years from a checkpoint to a Jerusalem hospital, waiting for hours as she is treated before driving her back nearly 150 kilometres (90 miles) to the northern West Bank crossing point.

"I love Marie and her father. I don't want them to wait for hours at the hospital," Ben Zvi explained.

The patient transfers are coordinated on the Palestinian side by Naem Abu Yussef, 57. He lives in a village near Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, an area of frequent clashes with Israeli forces.

"When I heard what (Road to Recovery) was doing, I couldn't believe that (Israeli) Jews could do things like that," he said.

Recalling the months-long detention without charges of two of his sons, Abu Yussef added: "People here often only know Israel by the soldiers raiding homes at night, the occupation, fear, hatred and revenge."

Road to Recovery was born after Palestinians, belonging to an inter-communal group of families bereaved by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asked for help.

For founder Yuval Roth, "the end of the conflict can only come from a political agreement. But in the current reality, every trip like this is a small peace for an hour."

dms/mj/jjm/rsc/ami/jkb/mca
A New York state appeals court on Tuesday dismissed Ivanka Trump from the New York state attorney generals civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, the Trump Organization and three of his adult children.

The court ruled that legal claims against Ivanka Trump were too old because she left the family business to advise her father in the White House in early 2017. Attorney General Tish James filed her lawsuit in September 2022, too late to cover any alleged misconduct by Ivanka during her time at the company, according to the five-judge panel of the appeals court.

The allegations against defendant Ivanka Trump do not support any claims that accrued after February 6, 2016, the ruling said. Thus, all claims against her should have been dismissed as untimely.

The court also left open the possibility for the trial judge to further narrow the case.

James lawsuit alleges a yearslong fraud in which Donald Trump, his family business and the other defendants included false and misleading valuations on financial statements as a way to reduce the companies tax bills while winning favorable terms from banks and insurance companies.

The case is set to go to trial in October.
Jacksonville man sentenced to 24 years in prison for 2020 BB gun shootings along I-4, I-95

A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison in connection to a string of BB gun shootings that happened in 2020.

Deon Jones, 24, was adjudicated guilty on 17 counts of shooting into an occupied building, according to court records. He faced charges in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties.

Authorities said while Jones co-defendant Tiyana Anderson drove along Interstate 4 and Interstate 95 on Jan. 1, 2020, Jones shot and broke windows of nearly 20 cars while shooting a BB gun.

The shooting caused more than $10,000 in property damage, State Attorney RJ Larizzas office said.

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Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny thought people were joking about the Wagner revolt and that it was just an 'Internet meme'

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia walk with demonstrators during a 2020 march in memory of murdered Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov in downtown Moscow. He suffered a life-threatening poisoning months later, in August 2020. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said he first thought people were joking about the Wagner rebellion.

Navalny is currently in a Russian prison, accused of "terrorism" against the state.

"I thought it was some kind of new joke or Internet meme that hadn't reached me yet," he said.

The images out of Russia this past weekend were surreal. But for jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who faces the prospect of life in prison over what are widely seen as fabricated charges of "terrorism," the news that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin had pulled out of Ukraine and was marching instead on the capital of Russia was literally a joke.

"I kept expecting someone to suddenly yell 'You got punk'd'!" Navalny wrote Tuesday in a series of posts on social media, recounting how he first heard the news from lawyers ahead of a recent court appearance. "So how did martial law go for you?" one attorney had asked him, according to Navalny, who gained notoriety in Russia by campaigning against official corruption. "I thought it was some kind of new joke or Internet meme that hadn't reached me yet."

The rebellion, led by a former ally of President Vladimir Putin, began just a day after Russia's highest court ruled that Navalny  convicted of "fraud" after returning to Russia following an apparently state-sponsored attempt on his life  could continue to be denied a pen and paper while behind bars. His social media missives are communicated to his legal team and posted by staff outside of Russia.

The irony of it all is not lost on Navalny, who on Tuesday noted that he stands "accused of forming an organization to overthrow President Putin by violent means," even as Prigozhin, whose mercenaries shot down more than a half-dozen Russian military aircraft on Saturday, killing service members, had the criminal case against him dropped within 48 hours of launching an armed insurrection, despite very publicly threatening the life of Russia's minister of defense, Sergei Shoigu.

"It was Putin personally who did this," Navalny said, noting that rebellion was led by an erstwhile ally and that Putin himself "pardoned all those convicts who were on their way to assassinate Shoigu and whoever else they wanted to kill."

The lesson, he continued, is that change in Russian cannot come through violent means  nor can stability be delivered by an autocrat  but rather through a commitment to free and fair elections. Russia's next presidential contest is scheduled for March 2024, even as Navalny faces the new charges that could extend his sentence by decades.

"It is not democracy, human rights and parliamentarism that make the regime weak and lead to turmoil. It is dictators and usurpation of power that lead to mess, weak government and chaos," Navalny said. "Always has been."

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

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James Cameron once had a near-death experience in a Titanic submersible, braving an underwater sandstorm with a Russian pilot

James Cameron/the Titan submersible AP

James Cameron once had a near death experience on a Titanic sub with a Russian pilot.

In 1995, while filming for "Titanic," an underwater sandstorm grounded Cameron's vessel.

On the third occasion, with battery running low, a Russian pilot was able to maneuver the vessel to safety.

"Titanic" director James Cameron once had a near-death experience on a submersible in 1995 while exploring the wreckage for his blockbuster movie about the shipwreck.

According to Radio Canada, Cameron shared the experience in a 2009 biography titled "The Futurist" by Rebecca Keegan. Cameron has made dozens of trips to visit the Titanic shipwreck, said that he almost lost his life during an underwater sandstorm  undercutting the consistent danger that the deep dives pose.

The "Avatar" director has been an outspoken figure after five people died while trying to reach the Titanic on OceanGate's Titan submersible.

Cameron, who has visited the Titanic wreckage on 33 different trips, said that he warned OceanGate officials about faulty vessels ahead of the trip, and that it was "only a matter of time" before disaster struck.

In 1995, Cameron was on his third submersible dive with Russian pilot Dr. Anatoly Sagalevich and a Russian engineer filing for "Titanic," when a sandstorm created by currents tailing from the Titanic's shipwreck grounded their vessel on the ocean floor, Radio Canada reported.

"Anatoly said, 'Oh, no,' something you never want to hear a pilot say, and we locked eyes for a second," Cameron said in the book, per Radio Canada.

With their battery losing power, and in frigid temperatures, Cameron said his crew attempted to abort the mission and travel back upwards twice, before being pushed back down by the deep sea currents.

On their third try after a half-hour of being stuck, he told Radio Canada they had been pushed far enough away from the sandstorm to safely make their way back up.

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A vehicle believed to carry Japanese Kabuki actor Ennosuke Ichikawa enters the Metropolitan Police Department Meguro Police Station in Tokyo on June 27, 2023 (STR)

One of Japan's best-known kabuki actors was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of assisting his mother's suicide, police said, after both parents were found unconscious at his home last month.

Last month, Ennosuke Ichikawa "allegedly made a 75-year-old woman take sleep-inducing pills at his home and die of psychoactive drug addiction, thereby assisting in her suicide," Tokyo police told AFP.

The 47-year-old is a star of the classical form of theatre and has performed in London, Amsterdam and at the Paris Opera House.

In May, rescue workers found Ichikawa's 76-year-old father -- also a kabuki actor -- and his 75-year-old mother unconscious at his home in the capital.

Both were later confirmed dead, and police are also investigating his father's death, media reports said.

Ichikawa was on Tuesday quoted by Jiji Press as telling investigators that he was "going to follow my parents and kill myself," admitting to the charges.

He was discovered collapsed at his home on the day, and was taken to hospital where he was questioned.

The suspect told officers that the family "discussed dying and being reborn" and that his parents had taken sleeping pills, according to NHK.

An apparent suicide note written by Ichikawa was also reportedly found inside his home.

Ichikawa, whose real name is Takahiko Kinoshi, made his kabuki debut in 1980 and went on to become one of the country's most renowned performers.

He was once nominated for a Laurence Olivier award for dance performance, according to his website.

tmo-kh/ssy
(Bloomberg) -- Japan decided to restore South Korea to its list of preferred trading partners, the latest step toward bolstering relations that will help them strengthen cooperation with the US.

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The restored status will take effect on July 21, Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Tuesday. The return to Japans so-called white list of trading partners will smooth out export procedures to South Korea and comes about three months after Seoul made a similar move.

We also agreed upon a follow-up framework to continue dialogue over policy and take appropriate action including reviewing measures and operations as needed, Nishimura said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have taken steps this year to resolve issues tied to Japans colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula so that the two nations can collaborate further with the US over North Korea and China.

The announcement comes as the leaders of Japan and South Korea prepare for a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden. That meeting could be held as soon as late August, the Yomiuri newspaper said earlier this month.

South Koreas trade ministry said bilateral trust in the field of export control had been fully restored following in-depth policy discussions and vowed to cooperate with Japan on related bilateral and multilateral issues.

In March, Japan decided to roll back export restrictions of key semiconductor materials for South Korea, easing licensing requirements on fluorinated polyimide, hydrogen fluoride and photoresists  all essential materials for the manufacture of displays and semiconductors.

Both countries are major players in the chip industry, where bolstering supply chains is increasingly seen as a matter of national security. Japan is clamping down on exports of chipmaking gear as the US ratchets up efforts to limit Chinas access to advanced knowhow.

Yoon has been working to rebuild trust after relations with Japan turned their coldest in decades under his predecessor, hampering US efforts to cooperate with allies. A dispute over whether Japan had sufficiently compensated for its past colonization of the Korean Peninsula threatened cooperation from trade to security.

Progress accelerated after Yoon in March unveiled a plan to have South Korean firms compensate Koreans conscripted to work at Japanese mines and factories, rather than pursue Japans companies through the courts.

He was invited to meet Kishida in Tokyo for the first meeting of its type in 12 years, and attended the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, where the two leaders showed unity by paying respects together at a memorial to Koreans killed in the 1945 nuclear attack.

--With assistance from Sangmi Cha and Shoko Oda.

(Updates throughout with details.)

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(Bloomberg) -- Japans ruling coalition parties are set to issue a statement reaffirming they will cooperate in elections across most of the country, after a damaging fight in Tokyo ended their pact in the capital.

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its Buddhist-backed junior partner Komeito will seal the agreement Tuesday, the Yomiuri newspaper and other media said.

The show of unity comes as support for Kishidas cabinet slumps in opinion polls, clouding the calculus over when he might call a general election. The fight with Komeito  an ally for more than 20 years  may have played into his decision not to hold the vote as early as July.

The two last month quarreled over rights to field candidates in new constituencies being created in Tokyo, and Komeito announced it would no longer cooperate with the LDP anywhere in the capital. Known for its ability to turn out the vote, Komeito is often said to provide up to 20,000 votes per constituency, a key margin for some candidates.

In the joint statement, the two parties will agree that the LDP would recommend Komeito candidates in all constituencies except the Tokyo 29th district, the Yomiuri said. Komeito will pledge to recommend LDP candidates everywhere except Tokyo, the paper said.

While Kishida need not hold an election until 2025, renewing his mandate ahead of a party leadership vote in September 2024 would help him secure another three-year term. The premier is battling to overcome public unease over a series of troubles in the introduction of a national ID card.

The next general election will be the first under boundary changes that have been made to reflect the continuing population drift from the LDPs rural strongholds to urban areas.

The coalition also faces a renewed challenge from the upstart conservative Japan Innovation Party, which announced Sunday it would run rivals to Komeito candidates in six districts in the western regions of Osaka and Hyogo where it had previously avoided a direct clash.

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The children of Jesse Eckes have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver in the crash that killed their father, Kansas City Police officer James Muhlbauer and his police dog partner earlier this year, according to court documents.

Jasmine M. Revercomb of Crestview, filed the lawsuit earlier this month in the Jackson County Circuit Court on her behalf and as a representative of Eckes heirs against Jerron Allen Lightfoot of Tonganoxie.

The 52-year-old Eckes was the pedestrian killed when on Feb. 15, hours after the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, a speeding car going at least 85 mph ran a red light at Benton Boulevard and Truman Road and slammed into a police car. The impact of the crash caused the patrol car to hit Eckes, who was sitting on a concrete traffic signal island nearby, authorities said.

Muhlbauer, 42, and his K-9 partner Champ were also killed in the crash.

The Jackson County Prosecutors Office charged Lightfoot with two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. The case is still pending and Lightfoot is out on $30,000 bond after posting $3,000.

Revercomb, who is the daughter of Eckes, contends in the suit that the crash was the fault of Lightfoot as a result of his negligent operation of the vehicle. She also contends that her fathers death was caused by Lightfoots actions and he is liable to her and other heirs for injuries and damages.

Eckes sons, Jaden Eckes of Bluebell, Utah and Bradley Shindledecker of Pekin, Illinois, consented to the appointment of Revercomb as the representative for her fathers heirs, according to court documents. She is seeking $100,000 in damages.

In an answer to the suit filed the same day, Lightfoot admits that a crash occurred, but he denied the allegations and conclusion of law contained in the suit.

Also that day, Revercomb and Lightfoot filed a joint request for the court to approve a wrongful death settlement. In the proposed settlement, Lightfoot denied any liability, fault or negligence.

The settlement, however, calls for Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Company to pay $100,000 to Eckes heirs, which is the total bodily injury liability limits on Lightfoots insurance. That amount is to resolve all claims arising out of the crash, according to court documents.

The amount is to be split equally among Eckes three children. They will also release Lightfoot from all claims arising out of the crash.

A settlement hearing has been set for July 28.
By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flew to Belarus from Russia on Tuesday after a mutiny that dealt the biggest blow to President Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power more than 23 years ago.

Putin initially vowed to crush the mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolution of 1917 and then a civil war, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Prigozhin, a 62-year-old former petty thief who rose to become Russia's most powerful mercenary, was last seen in public when he left the southern Russian city of Rostov on Saturday, shaking hands and quipping that he had "cheered up" people.

Flightradar24 showed an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet that appeared in Russia's Rostov region at 0232 GMT and later began a descent at 0420 GMT near Minsk, the Belarusian capital.

The identification codes of the aircraft matched those of a jet linked by the United States to Autolex Transport, which is linked to Prigozhin by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control that enforces sanctions.

"I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane," Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state news agency BELTA. "Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today."

Under a deal mediated by Lukashenko on Saturday to halt a mutinous march on Moscow by Prigozhin's mercenary fighters, Prigozhin was meant to move to Belarus.

Lukashenko said he had convinced Prigozhin in an emotional, expletive-laden phone call to scrap the mutiny over what the Wagner boss called corruption and incompetence in the Russian military command. He said he warned Prigozhin halfway on the march to Moscow that "you'll just be crushed like a bug".

Lukashenko, both an old acquiantance of Prigozhin and close ally of Putin, said that Putin had sought his help and that he had advised the Russian president against "rushing" to suppress the Wagner mutineers.

Speaking from Cathedral Square inside the Kremlin, Putin thanked Russia's army and security services for stopping a civil war from breaking out in the world's biggest nuclear power.

Prigozhin's "march for justice", which he said was aimed at settling scores with Putin's military top brass whom he cast as treasonous, has raised the prospect of turmoil in Russia while undermining Putin's reputation as an all-powerful leader.

The Kremlin said Putin's position had however not been shaken by the mutiny, dismissing such interpretations as hysteria from "pseudo-specialists." It said the events showed how Russian society had consolidated around the president.

WAGNER'S FUTURE

Just hours after casting the mutineers as traitors on Saturday, Putin agreed to a deal to drop criminal charges against them in exchange for their return to camps, with Prigozhin and some of his fighters to move to Belarus.

It is not yet clear whether Wagner - created to fight proxy wars for the Kremlin in a deniable form - will survive the mutiny, and if it does, what it might do next.

Prigozhin, who has bragged about meddling in U.S. elections, said last week his fighting force was 25,000 strong.

Lukashenko said Belarus was not building any camps for Wagner group, but had offered the mercenaries an abandoned military base.

With strong ties to Russian military intelligence (GRU), Wagner has been able to recruit some of Russia's best special forces soldiers with significant cash salaries and generous payouts for families of fallen soldiers.

One option, if Wagner survives, would be for it to return to Africa - where it has gained a fearsome reputation especially in Central African Republic and Mali - or to attack Ukraine from the north, opening up a new Russian front in the war there.

While the Federal Security Service said it had dropped a criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny, Putin said that the finances of Prigozhin's catering firm would be investigated, saying Wagner and its founder had received almost $2 billion from Russia in the past year.

Putin said Wagner had received 86 billion roubles ($1 billion) from the defence ministry between May 2022 and May 2023.

In addition, Prigozhin's Concord catering company made 80 billion roubles from state contracts to supply food to the Russian army, Putin said.

"I do hope that, as part of this work, no one stole anything, or, let's say, stole less, but we will, of course, investigate all of this," he said.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge, Andrew Osborn and Gleb Stolyarov; editing by Angus MacSwan, Jon Boyle, Alex Richardson and Mark Heinrich)
Jet linked to Prigozhin arrives in Belarus, Wagner Group chief says purported mutiny was just a 'protest'

Jet linked to Prigozhin arrives in Belarus, Wagner Group chief says purported mutiny was just a 'protest'

A jet linked to Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin landed in Belarus from Russia on Tuesday, days after he called off his armed rebellion against the Russian military.

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in U.S. sanctions documents, descending to landing altitude near the Belarus capital Minsk, Reuters reported. It first appeared on the tracking site above Rostov, the southern Russian city Prigozhin's fighters captured on Saturday.

The jet is believed to be carrying Prigozhin to exile after the Kremlin said it made a deal where Prigozhin would move to Belarus and his fighters would not be prosecuted. Russian authorities announced Tuesday a criminal investigation into the Wagner Group's purported mutiny has been closed, with no charges filed against anyone involved.

The Federal Security Service said its investigation revealed that the participants in the mutiny had "ceased actions directly aimed at committing the crime," Reuters reported, citing Russia's RIA state news agency.

RUSSIA DROPS CHARGES AGAINST PRIGOZHIN, OTHER PARTICIPANTS OF WAGNER GROUP REBELLION

Wagner Group leader 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. A jet linked to Prigozhin landed in Belarus from Russia Tuesday.

Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin calling them traitors, the Kremlin stated over the weekend that it would not prosecute Prigozhin and his troops after he pulled his men back on Saturday to avoid bloodshed, less than 24 hours after the revolt began. Prigozhin said he would go to Belarus at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko. However, details of his proposed journey into exile were not made public, and his whereabouts remained unconfirmed for three days.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

His last public appearance was Saturday night, when he was seen smiling and high-fiving bystanders while an SUV carried him out of Rostov after Wagner Group forces made their about-face.

Putin delivered a speech Monday night, when he condemned the mutiny leaders but did not mention Prigozhin by name. Putin said Wagner fighters would be allowed to leave for Belarus, join the Russian military or go home.

Prigozhin avoiding prosecution contrasts with how the Kremlin has been responding to people staging anti-government protests. Many opposition figures in Russia received lengthy prison sentences and are serving time in penal colonies known for harsh conditions.

TIMELINE OF WAGNER GROUP'S STANDOFF THAT SHOOK PUTIN'S RUSSIA

Until Prigozhin's mutiny, the 62-year-old ex-convict and mercenary leader was a long-time Putin ally whose Wagner fighters participated in the bloodiest battles of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Prigozhin claimed he launched the rebellion to oust Russian military leaders who he had accused of corruption and incompetence in prosecuting the war.

Wagner mercenaries ostensibly seized control of Russian military facilities in the city of Rostov-on-Don Saturday morning and had nearly advanced to Moscow later that day when Prigozhin called off his march. The only reported incident of violence was a confrontation between Wagner forces and a Russian helicopter that ended with the aircraft being shot down, he said.

"We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message posted to social media Monday.

Putin confirmed on Monday that Russian pilots had been killed fighting Wagner mercenaries and thanked Russians for remaining united during the crisis.

RUSSIAN WAGNER GROUP GAINS GLOBAL NOTORIETY FROM AFRICA TO UKRAINE, BUT DIVISION BREWS AT HOME

Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was pictured smiling and greeting bystanders as he left the city of Rostov following the end of his purported mutiny against Russia's military leaders on Saturday, June 24, 2023. He is now reportedly in Belarus on invitation from President Alexander Lukashenko.

He said Russia's enemies wanted to see the country "choke in bloody civil strife," but Russia would not succumb to "any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil," according to Reuters.

The short-lived rebellion was seen as the biggest challenge to Putin's rule in his more than 20 years in power.

On Monday night, the Kremlin showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal was demanded by Prigozhin. Earlier on Monday, the Defense Ministry released a video of Shoigu inspecting troops in Ukraine.

Prigozhin said Monday that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow the Wagner Group to operate "in a legal jurisdiction." He provided no further details on the extent of those operations.

Fox News' Landon Mion, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo: Getty (Getty Images)

A week after Jonathan Majors brought a Bible, his poetry journal, and his signature emotional support cup to court for a hearing in his domestic violence case, Insider reports that the actor has filed his own domestic violence complaint against his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of physically assaulting her in March.

The woman, who has a protective order against Majors, says he attacked her in a cab, breaking her finger and causing her ear to bleed. More victims have reportedly come forward since the incident to corroborate her claims and cooperate with the Manhattan District Attorneys office. But Majors is now officially claiming that it was she who attacked him and that shes done so before. Per Insider, the 33-year-old actor told police last week that a drunk and hysterical woman scratched, slapped, and grabbed at his face, causing pain and bleeding, according to a domestic incident report and sworn affidavit. He says he did grab her in the taxi, but only to pull her back into the car as she was trying to get out.



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A federal judge on Monday approved a $290m preliminary settlement in a lawsuit from alleged abuse victims accusing JPMorgan Chase of turning a blind eye to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking ring.

"This is a really fine settlement," US District Judge Jed Rakoff said on Monday in court, according to Reuters.

The suit, filed in court last year on behalf of Epstein victims, under the name of an anonymous woman dubbed Jane Doe 1, accused the bank of ignoring Epsteins troubled history, including continuing to do business with him for five years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to child prostitution charges and registered as a sex offender.

The US-based bank and the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit reached a provisional settlement earlier this month, they announced.

Any association with him was a mistake and we regret it. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes, JPMorgan Chase said in statement announcing the settlement.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters

A federal judge has rejected Sam Bankman-Frieds effort to dismiss most of the criminal charges against him, writing in an opinion on Tuesday that the arguments are either moot or without merit.

The FTX founder argued that prosecutors overstepped in their 13-count indictment, either by improperly interpreting fraud statutes or by violating terms of an extradition agreement with the Bahamas, where the former billionaire was based prior to his December arrest.

In his opinion, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan of Manhattan wrote that Bankman-Fried lacked standing to argue that the United States extradition treaty with the Bahamas had been violated. Kaplan added that some of Bankman-Frieds legal analysis was simply mistaken.

The 31-year-old was originally hit with an eight-count indictment in December. Prosecutors later added five more counts, which included allegations related to bank fraud along with claims that Bankman-Fried had tried to bribe one or more Chinese government officials.

FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Hit With ANOTHER Four Charges

Earlier this month, the judge agreed to sever the five post-extradition counts into a separate trial due to concerns about whether extradition issues might delay the case.

As detailed in Tuesdays opinion, Bankman-Fried is accused of perpetrating a massive fraud at his crypto exchange, FTX, and his hedge fund, Alameda Research. The government has argued that he used billions of dollars in misappropriated funds to support the operations and investments of FTX and Alameda; to fund speculative venture investments; to make charitable contributions; and to enrich himself.

Bankman-Fried, who has pleaded not guilty, is currently under home detention at his parents house in California. He has irked prosecutors and the judge on multiple occasions since his arrest, including in February, when he used a virtual private network to access the internetstirring alarm over whether he was trying to circumvent oversight of his online activity. (Bankman-Fried said he was just trying to watch the Super Bowl.) The judge then placed additional restrictions on the terms of his confinement.

Bankman-Frieds first trial is expected to begin in the fall.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A federal judge on Monday rejected a request from special counsel Jack Smith to keep secret a list of 84 potential witnesses in the prosecution of former President Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents.

Federal prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, to keep under seal a list of witnesses who Trump is barred from communicating with directly about the case.

In her order, Cannon said prosecutors failed to explain why it was necessary to keep the names under wraps, or why redacting or partially sealing the document would be inadequate.

NBC News has reached out to the special counsel's office and Justice Department for comment. Trump attorney Todd Blanche declined to comment on the order.

Lawyers for Trump took "no position" on Smith's motion but reserved the right to object to aspects of it, such as implementation, according to Cannon's order.

At Trump's arraignment this month, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ordered Trump to sign a bond prohibiting him from speaking to certain witnesses, except through his attorneys. Goodman also asked Smith's team to provide a list of the witnesses Trump would be barred from communicating with directly.

In a filing Friday, the government said it had provided Trump's attorneys with the list, and asked that the former president and Walt Nauta, a Trump aide and alleged co-conspirator in the case, sign an acknowledgement that they had received the list.

"In order to implement Judge Goodmans special condition of release, the government hereby moves to file the list of witnesses subject to the prohibition under seal with the Court," Jay Bratt on Smith's legal team wrote in Friday's filing.

Cannons order was welcomed by a coalition of news organizations, including NBC News, The Associated Press, The New York Times, CBS News, and others, that had argued the case presents issues of public and historical interest that cannot be overstated, and that the witness list reflected a turning point from the secrecy of the Grand Jury investigation to the public administration of justice involving the highest level of power in American Government.

We are pleased that the Court recognized the First Amendment requires the government to meet a very high bar to seal any portion of these historic proceedings, Chuck Tobin, an attorney for the press coalition, said in a statement Monday.

A federal grand jury indicted Trump on 37-counts related to keeping classified documents after he left office, and hiding them from authorities, according to a filing unsealed this month. The charges come after more than 100 classified documents were uncovered at the former president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last year. Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Miami court house.

In a separate order Monday, Cannon set a July 14 hearing date to discuss how classified materials will be handled in the case, as requested by the government.

She also granted the governments request for the appointment of a classified information security officer to assist each side with the handling of any motions or orders related to the Classified Information Procedures Act.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The federal judge presiding over former President Donald Trumps classified documents case rejected the governments request to keep the list of witnesses that he has been forbidden to speak with secret.

Federal prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to keep the list of 84 witnesses who may testify during the trial under seal. Trump was indicted on 37 criminal counts earlier this month related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. Special counsel Jack Smith gave the former presidents attorneys a list of potential witnesses last week as both sides gear up for trial, asking the judge at the time to keep the names secret.

Smiths team noted Trumps attorneys hadnt taken any stance on the matter, but Cannon wrote Monday that prosecutors did 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, she added in her brief order.

NEW: Judge Aileen Cannon denies the Special Counsels request to file under seal a list of 84 potential witnesses that Trump and Nauta are not allowed to communicate with about the case. pic.twitter.com/nuCXDF9ZME  Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) June 26, 2023

A federal magistrate prohibited Trump from speaking about his indictment with a list of witnesses in the case during his arraignment earlier this month. The full list is not public, but it reportedly includes aides and advisers to the former president, as well as current or former employees of his Mar-a-Lago private club in Florida, where the documents were found.

Trump has also been barred from speaking about the case with Walt Nauta, his personal aide who was also charged in the indictment.

A coalition of news outlets had asked Cannon to release the list of witnesses on Monday, citing the case as one of the most consequential  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 media outlets, including The New York Times, wrote.

The Times added that its unclear if Smiths office would post the witness list or if the former presidents attorneys would.

Related...
Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise visit on Monday to the historic Stonewall Inn bar in Manhattan, where the 1969 uprising sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and Pride events worldwide. In doing so, she became the first sitting vice president to make a stop there.

Harris first saw Christopher Park, which is part of the Stonewall National Monument established by former President Barack Obama in 2016. The park sits adjacent to the bar and has been repeatedly targeted by vandals in recent weeks. Harris visited the monument with National Park Service Superintendent Shirley McKinney, who briefed and gave her a tour.

One of the bars owners, Kurt Kelly, and out TV personality Andy Cohen welcomed Harris when she made it to the Stonewall Inn.

Gay Pride was yesterday, so Im like, woo, Kelly joked after embracing Harris and welcoming her to the bar.

I get it, she replied. The morning after.

As a small scrum of reporters and photographers and many joyful customers listened intently, Cohen asked Harris to tell us something that we can be optimistic about this Pride season.

According to Harris, the Biden-Harris administration will continue to support the LGBTQ+ community in the face of attacks by GOP state legislators and right-wing extremists.

I look at these young teachers in Florida who are in their twenties, and if theyre in a same-sex relationship, they are afraid to put up a photograph of themselves or their loved one for fear they might lose their job. It pains me, but it also reminds me that we can take nothing for granted in terms of progress. We have to be vigilant. Thats the nature of our fight for equality. And so were up for it. And we are not going to be overwhelmed. We are not going to be silenced. We are not going to be deterred. We are not going to tire, [and] were not going to throw up our hands; were going to roll up our sleeves.

She emphasized, Thats how I feel about it.

Kelly added, To me, Stonewall means strength in numbers. Every time you put a rock on that wall, we become stronger and stronger and stronger. And you put your rock here today.

Harris posed for selfies with patrons once the press had been ushered out of the bar. She hung out behind the bar for a short time, chatting with people there.

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Harris briefly spoke to reporters as she was leaving the Stonewall Inn.

This place represents a real inflection moment in this movement, which is a movement that is about equality, a movement that is about freedom, a movement that is about safety, Harris said, noting the anniversary of the raid. Im here because I also understand not only what we should celebrate in terms of those fighters who fought for fundamental freedoms, but understanding that this fight is not over.

She continued, When I look at the fact that in our country were looking at somewhere around 600 bills being proposed or passed  anti-LGBTQ bills  book bans, a policy approach that is dont say gay. People in fear for their life. People afraid to be. To be! These are fundamental issues that point to the need for us to all be vigilant [and] to stand together.

The Stonewall Inn was raided by police in the early hours of Saturday, June 28, 1969, as part of a pattern of harassment against LGBTQ+ establishments. A fight broke out instead of the patrons and allies dispersing. Six days of protests and conflict followed the raid and subsequent riot outside the bar, along nearby streets, and in Christopher Park. As one of the most significant catalysts of the movements dramatic expansion of protected rights, the Stonewall Riots are widely regarded as one of the most critical events in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

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Her motorcade then took Harris to the Upper East Side for the 24th Annual LGBTQ+ Leadership Council Gala, a campaign reception benefiting the Biden Victory Fund. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, actress Rosario Dawson introduced Harris.

Harris declared, Pride is patriotism!

She said, There is nothing more patriotic than celebrating freedom, which includes the freedom to love who you love and be who you are.

Harris then spoke about her earlier visit to the Stonewall Inn.

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I reflected on the determination and dedication of patriots like Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, she said.

She also paid tribute to the late Jim Rivaldo, a political consultant who served as her campaign manager during her successful 2004 bid for San Francisco district attorney. Rivaldo was instrumental in Harvey Milks election to the city council in 1978.

Harris acknowledged Jim Obergefell, who was in attendance, for bringing the case Obergefell vs. Hodges, which established marriage equality nationwide in 2015 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff.

Monday was the 8th anniversary of the Obergefell decision.

That progress is not inevitable. It does not just happen. It takes steadfast determination and dedication, Harris said, the kind of determination and dedication possessed by people like Jim Obergefell.

Additionally, Harris acknowledged Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and gay California Rep. Robert Garcia, who were all in attendance. She also celebrated the election of two lesbian governors: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotec, who were not at the event.

She warned, however, of the current political climate and promised her and President Joe Bidens support in the fight against the backsliding of LGBTQ+ rights nationwide.

These extremists dare to ban books by LGBTQ+ authors or those that have LGBTQ+ characters. Book bans in this year of our Lord 2023, she said, exasperated. Imagine!

Harris continued, As we are clear-eyed about this moment, let us all see also the larger context in which this is happening because this fight is not only about teachers in Florida or young people in Tennessee. This fight is on all of us because when you attack the rights of any American, you attack the rights of all Americans.

As the country approaches another presidential election in 2024, Harris outlined the Republican approach.

Lets be clear about where this is headed, she said. These extremists have a plan to push their agenda as far and as wide as they possibly can. Their blueprint is to attack hard-won rights and freedoms state by state: to attack the right to live as your authentic self, to attack the right to vote, to attack the rights of workers to organize, to attack the right to make decisions about ones own body.

Harris responded to those developments with one resounding message.

Heres the thing, she said. I have news for these extremists. Were not having that!

Read The Advocates Exclusive July/August Cover Story featuring Vice President Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris Surprises Stonewall Inn Patrons: 'We Are Not Going To Tire'

Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise visit Monday to the Stonewall Inn, the Manhattan gay bar where a 1969 uprising is recognized as a watershed moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Harris addressed the crowd gathered at the bar, which has National Monument status, alongside Bravo host and executive producer Andy Cohen.

Were not going to be silenced, Harris said during the Pride Month visit. Were not going to be deterred. We are not going to tire. Were not going to throw up our hands; were going to roll up our sleeves. Thats to me what Stonewall means  strength in numbers.

Vice President Kamala Harris (center) and Andy Cohen (at right) greet patrons during a visit to the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan.

Vice President Kamala Harris (center) and Andy Cohen (at right) greet patrons during a visit to the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan.

Much of Harris comments centered on the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being proposed and passed in state legislatures. A report in March found that more than 650 such bills have been proposed, with many seeking to erase LGBTQ+ people from schools and public life, criminalize transgender health care and silence allies.

I look at these young teachers in Florida [who] are in their 20s, and if theyre in a same-sex relationship are afraid they might lose their jobs, Harris said.

In March, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation known as the Dont Say Gay bill into law despite nationwide outrage. The law largely forbids discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in most elementary school classrooms and allows parents to sue school districts in order to enforce it.

Legislation like that reminds me that we can take nothing for granted in terms of the progress we achieved, Harris said. We have to be vigilant.

The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed in a briefing last month that threats of violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community are on the rise.

These issues include actions linked to drag-themed events, gender-affirming care, and LGBTQIA+ curricula in schools, DHS said in a statement.

The Stonewall Inn has faced at least three bouts of vandalism this month, with dozens of Pride Flags ripped down in a recent attack on the historic site.

Related...
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has asked a federal judge to allow state officials to bar people from changing their birth certificates, a move aimed at enforcing a sweeping statewide anti-trans law that is due to go into effect next week.

In a court filing late Friday, Kobach, a Republican, requested that the judge end a federal consent decree that required state authorities to allow people in the state to make changes to their birth certificates, including their listed gender.

If the judge allows the request, people in Kansas would be barred from making such changes.

At a news conference Monday, Kobach announced his office's formal legal guidance on enforcing parts of the new law. He said the states permanent records of birth certificates and driver's licenses would reflect a persons gender at birth, regardless of whether that person had filed to change the gender on their birth certificate at any point before the new law goes into effect.

If you were a person who transitioned and got a birth certificate reflecting a different sex, that piece of paper can remain with you. Theres nothing in the law that forces someone to surrender a certificate that was changed. However, the states data will reflect the original sex at birth, Kobach said.

Kobachs filing comes just days before one of the most expansive laws restricting trans rights is set to go into effect on July 1. It bans transgender people from using restrooms, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers that are associated with their gender identities.

The law, which was enacted in April after Republican legislators overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, goes further than similar laws in other states because it legally defines the terms male and female as being based on the persons reproductive anatomy at birth. The law  SB 180  also deems that distinction between the sexes in the places the law outlines is designed for protecting the publics health, safety and privacy" and requires state agencies to identify people at birth as male or female for accurate data collection.

Advocates for and against the law have said that it lacks a clear enforcement mechanism: The law doesnt change any criminal statutes, doesn't mandate any criminal penalties or fines and doesnt allow people to sue another party over alleged violations.

That has led critics to predict that the laws most likely direct outcome will be on how the state maintains identification documents for transgender Kansans.

LGBTQ advocates and civil rights groups blasted the move.

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, ACLU of Kansas executive director Micah Kubic said in a statement. Mr. Kobach should rethink the wisdom  and the sheer indecency  of this attempt to weaponize his offices authority to attack transgender Kansans just trying to live their lives."

The filing pertains to a four-year-old consent decree that required Kansas to allow people with birth certificates issued in the state to change those documents. The decree itself was the result of a 2018 lawsuit in which a group of transgender people sued Kansas, arguing that policies in place at the time preventing them from changing their birth certificates were unconstitutional.

Similar rules in Idaho and Ohio were struck down by federal courts in 2020  though a federal judge in Oklahoma dismissed a challenge earlier this year to a similar law barring changes to birth certificates.

Rather than litigate the case, the state, after Kelly took office in 2019, agreed to a consent decree  a settlement overseen by the federal government  under which the state was required to provide certified copies of birth certificates to transgender individuals that accurately reflect their sex, consistent with their gender identity, without the inclusion of information that would, directly or indirectly, disclose an individuals transgender status on the face of the birth certificate.

But Kobach, in his filing, said that the state needed to be able to prevent people from changing their birth certificates to help with enforcement of the new law, and that it was impossible to comply with both SB 180 and the consent decree.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Kansas City tops national list of best barbecue cities in the U.S. KCK came in 3rd

Kansas City just celebrated BBQ Fest at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium last weekend, and now the city has another reason to celebrate.

A new ranking from LawnStarter named Kansas City the best barbecue city in the country for 2023.

St. Louis came in No. 2, and No. 3 was Kansas City, Kansas.

LawnStarters methodology started with determining the factors that are the most relevant to ranking the best barbecue cities in the country. They grouped these factors into five categories and calculated scores out of 100 for each of the 200 biggest cities in the United States:

Access

Consumer satisfaction

Competition awards

Elite BBQ memberships

Hosting

KCMO finished with an overall score of 52.68, six points more than St. Louis. Kansas Citys score was boosted by coming in first for hosting barbecue competitions and for having the most people with elite BBQ membership.

The city mightve scored higher if it didnt finish 85th in barbecue access. For this ranking, LawnStarter looked at barbecue vendors and smokehouses per 100,000 residents.

Missouri and Kansas are well represented throughout the list. Springfield finished No. 7, Olathe No. 17 and Overland Park was ranked No. 22.

Dont believe Kansas City shouldve finished in the top spot? A look at KCs barbecue guide might change your mind.
Kanye West will be the subject of a new documentary that investigates his instances of making antisemitic remarks and his 2024 presidential campaign.

The Trouble with KanYe, presented by Mobeen Azhar, details some fresh, first-hand accusations of the rapper and entrepreneur making offensive comments relating to Jewish people.

West, also known as Ye, faced significant backlash in 2022 after making crude remarks on Twitter as well as sharing antisemitic conspiracy theories and claiming that hed been blocked by the Jewish media.

The Touch the Sky rappers deal with Adidas for his Yeezy footwear line crumbled soon after he made his social media comments, which is said to have lost him $1.6bn of his net worth overnight. Balenciaga also severed ties with West, and Vogue and Anna Wintour said that they had no interest in working with him again.

In the documentary, Yes former business partner and friend, the entrepreneur Alex Klein, speaks about the fallout that followed Wests outbursts and used offensive turns of phrase directly against him.

We turned down 10 million dollars. Kanye was very angry, you know, he was saying I feel like I wanna smack you and Youre exactly like the other Jews  almost relishing and revelling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me.

Kanye West (AFP via Getty Images)

Klein continued: I asked him and I said, Do you really think Jews are working together to hold you back? and he said Yes, yes I do but its not even a statement that I need to take back because look at all the energy around me right now. Without that statement, I wouldnt become president.

Ye has also long expressed his hopes of becoming the president of the United States, having run unsuccessfully in 2020. He announced his 2024 campaign in November.

The film features Azhar visiting a church that West frequents, the Cornerstone Christian Church in California, and meets an unhoused man who claims to have been asked by the rapper to lead his campaign strategy.

The man, named Mark, is not known to have had any experience in campaign management. They all said I was the most religiously erudite in the room and Kanye started looking to me for my opinion on every topic that came up, he explains.

He called me the following Monday, the Monday before Thanksgiving, and the first thing he said to me was I want you to be my Campaign Manager to run for President.

The Independent has reached out to a representative of Ye for comment.

The Trouble with KanYe airs on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 28 June at 9pm.
Former Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake signs autographs on copies of her book Unafraid during the Faith and Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington, Saturday, June 24, 2023. | Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Could former Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake be found guilty of defamation?

Lake is being sued by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who said in a suit filed last week that Lake, her campaign and her political group Save Arizona Fund accused him of intentionally sabotaging the election which led to Richer and his family being the target of threats of violence, and even death and have had their lives turned upside down, according to the suit.

In a fundraising post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trumps social network, Lake described the suit as BS.

To win the case, like any libel plaintiff, Richer will have to prove the information in question was published as a statement of fact rather than an expression of opinion and that it identified Richer, was false and ruined his reputation, said Joseph Russomanno, a professor at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

Richer, a Republican elected in 2020, will also have to prove that Lake was at fault, which Russomanno said could get complex.

Because Richer is a public official, he will need to achieve a higher standard than if he was a private figure, Russomanno said in an email. He will need to prove that Lake acted with actual malice  that is, that she knew the information was false and stated it as fact nevertheless, or that she exhibited reckless disregard for the truth.

He said showing that the defendant acted with actual malice was where the plaintiffs case is usually the most difficult. That is not easy to prove. Not impossible, just difficult.

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The suit against Lake comes after recent legal challenges to media companies accused of spreading false claims. Fox News reached a $787.5 million settlement in April with Dominion Voting Systems, a voting machine company, after the company accused Fox News of false claims about their machines and the 2020 election. Last year, Alex Jones, a host at the right-wing site Infowars, was ordered by a judge to pay $965 million to the families of victims of the Sandy Hook shootings and others over conspiracy theories he spread that the shooting was faked.

Its bad enough that anyone would spread information they know is false, Russomanno said. Its especially bad when an alleged news organization that is supposedly dedicated to the truth does so. Likewise, its problematic when politicians who ask for voters trust spread lies.

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Since losing her 2022 bid for governor, Lake has refused to concede and waged losing legal battles challenging the results and claiming the election was mishandled. A Maricopa County Superior Court said in May it found no evidence of Lakes claim signatures on ballots were not adequately verified.

Her book Unafraid: Just Getting Started was released Tuesday through Winning Team Publishing, a conservative book publisher co-founded by Donald Trump Jr. People reported Lake is a frequent visitor to Mar-a-Lago, the former presidents Florida home and club, and shes reportedly on his short list to be running mate if he wins the nomination, according to Axios.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday was asked to explain the administrations policy on family members attending state dinners.

The question seemed to allude to the presidents son, Hunter Biden, who was listed among the guests invited to a White House state dinner last week just two days after the 53-year-olds agreement to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax became public. He has also reportedly been allowed to avoid prosecution on a felony gun charge that could have landed him in prison if convicted.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks at the daily press briefing at the White House on June 26, 2023 in Washington, DC.

The reporter acknowledged that it was not unusual for presidents to invite family members to White House functions but questioned whether any additional guardrails were put in place, given the circumstances.

"Im curious though, in light of some of the recent legal controversy, if the president communicated to members of his family not to conduct business on White House grounds? Can you tell us about any kinds of guardrails that are up?" the reporter asked.

BIDEN DENIES LYING ABOUT HUNTER BIDEN BUSINESS DEAL CONVERSATIONS

Jean-Pierre refused to engage the question on account of it being tied to a Department of Justice investigation.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"We have laid out very early on in this administration when it comes to ethics, when it comes to how we move about and how  we respect clearly the government ethics here, this administration had been incredibly transparent on that and has put [in place] some very strict rules," she said.

"I can speak to how the president has moved forward in making sure that the people who work for him and himself are held to a strict course of action, but Im not going to speak to anything thats related to the case."

FILE: Hunter Biden disembarks from Air Force One at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, U.S., February 4, 2023.

The reporter pressed for answers on whether the White House had guardrails in place for the presidents family.

"Im not going to speak to anything that is related to this case," Jean-Pierre said. "As you stated  when it comes to ethics, we take that very, very seriously here in this administration."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for additional comment.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware David C. Weiss office said Tuesday that despite "owing in excess of $100,000 in federal income taxes each year, [Hunter Biden] did not pay the income tax due for either year."

The younger Biden 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.

Fox News Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
'We Keep Electing Idiots': Liz Cheney thinks politics is broken and if the GOP nominates Trump again the party will crumble

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY). Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Liz Cheney said politics are so broken that 'we're electing idiots'

The former congresswoman also argued the GOP will crumble if Trump becomes its 2024 nominee.

She did not explicitly rule out a third-party bid, but made it clear she would not want to help Trump.

Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney thinks that US politics is fundamentally broken at a time when the nation faces critical challenges.

"What we've done in our politics is create a situation where we're electing idiots," Cheney told David Rubenstein during a Monday conversation at 92nd in New York. Parts

Rubenstein pressed Cheney on if she would run for president as an independent if it meant that she could hurt former President Donald Trump's chances of retaking the White House. Cheney, who has been unsparing in her criticisms of Trump, did not directly address that tantalizing possibility.

"I don't look at it through the lens of this is what I should or shouldn't do, I look through it through the lens of, how do we elect serious people?" she responded. "Electing serious people can't be partisan. Because of the situation we're in where we have a major party candidate that is trying to undermine our democracy, and I don't say that lightly, we have to think about the kinds of alliances necessary to defeat him."

Cheney made it clear that amid talk of a potential third-party bid, she has absolutely no interest in doing "anything that could help Donald Trump."

Once thought of as a potential House Speaker, Cheney was booted from office after her 37-point drubbing at the hands of now-Rep. Harriet Hageman in the Republican primary. Trump and other senior Republicans, including now-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy strongly supported Hageman's challenge. Cheney alienated many in her party by voting in favor of Trump's second impeachment and later agreeing to serve on the House January 6 committee. She remains unrepentant about either of those decisions.

As for Trump, Cheney continues to believe the 45th President of the United States is a danger both to his party and the nation as a whole. A daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, the former congresswoman thinks the party of Lincoln will crumble if the GOP renominates Trump as its presidential nominee.

"We're at a moment in our country where there is a tectonic shift going on in our politics," Liz Cheney said. "And, I think in particular if the Republican Party  I'm not sure if it is salvageable now  if the Republican Party nominates Donald Trump it will shatter and we will have a whole new politics, as we should."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kenya's opposition holds a public rally over the government finance bill, at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi

By Ayenat Mersie

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga asked his supporters on Tuesday to boycott a raft of new taxes on items including fuel and housing, stoking potential confrontation with the government of his rival President William Ruto.

The levies were contained in a finance bill that was signed into law by Ruto on Monday.

"Through civil disobedience, we will deny Ruto the taxes he thinks he can extort from us by force," Odinga told thousands of cheering and dancing supporters at a rally in the capital Nairobi.

Under the new revenue measures, the fuel tax will double to 16% and workers will also face a 1.5% housing levy that will be matched by employers.

The 78-year-old Odinga, who lost the election to Ruto last year, repeatedly asked his followers to engage in acts of civil disobedience against a government he accuses of raising the cost of living and consolidating power.

Early this year, he led a series of anti-government protests which often turned violent and the renewed rallying of his supporters to defy government measures could rekindle confrontation with the authorities.

"Let us embrace tax boycotts, let us deny Ruto the fuel tax by limiting the fuel consumption," Odinga told his supporters.

Ruto's government argues the higher taxes are necessary to stabilise government finances, which have been strained by growing debt repayments and lower than expected growth in tax collection.

Odinga called the contentious bill Ruto signed a betrayal and its supporters traitors.

"We must punish the traitors and we must cause a repeal of the finance act," Odinga said, urging his followers to "name, shame and isolate" the lawmakers who voted for the bill.

(Reporting by Ayenat Mersie; Editing by Elias Biryabarema and Ed Osmond)
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Tuesday morning said he didnt know if former President Donald Trump would be the best candidate that Republicans could run against President Joe Biden next year.

Can he win that election? Yeah, he can, McCarthy said on CNBC. The question is, is he the strongest to win the election. I dont know that answer.

Hours later, McCarthy revised his appraisal of Trump in an interview with the right-wing site Breitbart.

Just look at the numbers this morning  Trump is stronger today than he was in 2016, McCarthy told Breitbart, referring to a new poll showing Trump beating Biden in a hypothetical rematch.

Trump is leading the pack of candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, with his closest competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, trailing by 37 percentage points in the poll. None of the other candidates has been charged with multiple crimes, a possible strength for DeSantis.

As CNBC and others noted, McCarthys morning comment questioning Trumps strength contrasted with the speakers usual policy of flattering Trump at all times. McCarthy seemed to resent the analysis of his statement.

As usual, the media is attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans as our committees are holding Bidens DOJ accountable for their two-tiered levels of justice, McCarthy told Breitbart, adding that Trump is Bidens strongest political opponent.

McCarthy needs the backing of Trump diehards in the House in order to remain speaker, and he has seemingly sought to mollify the twice-indicted, twice-impeached former president and his supporters after even the tiniest slights.

Following the riot at the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021, McCarthy said Trump bears responsibility for the attack, but within weeks he stood side-by-side with the former president and blamed everybody across this country for what Trump and his supporters did.

After saying in February that the U.S. Capitol Police officer who fatally shot a rioter did his job, McCarthy had a private meeting with the rioters mother, who has said the officer committed murder, a claim echoed many times by Trump.

Last week, McCarthy said it would be appropriate for the House to take the unprecedented step of expunging Trumps two impeachments from the congressional record.

Related...
Alleged KKK Flyers Protest Pride Celebrations at Virginia Elementary School

A series of flyers bearing the name and phone numbers of the KKK group that participated in the 2017 Unite the Right were discovered in neighborhoods throughout Charlottesville, Virginia.

The flyers were discovered early on the morning of Sunday, June 18, in the Frys Spring and Johnson Village neighborhoods. The flyers protested an unauthorized video showing a Pride celebration at the local Johnson Elementary School where students can be seen reading from the book ABC Pride by Louis Stowell. The video was first revealed at the start of Pride month by local conservative radio host Rob Schilling and later went viral on right-wing media including Fox News Channel commentator Jesse Watters.

Copies of flyers obtained by The Daily Progress contained offensive and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

Pride goeth before destruction, one of the flyers ominously quoted the Bible.

The fliers claim to be the work of a North Carolina KKK group known as the Loyal White Knights of the KKK. The group participated in the 2017 Unite the Rally and is currently being sued by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The numbers listed on the flyers sent callers to voice mail and an unmonitored conference call.

The Charlottesville City Schools is aware of the unauthorized video featured on conservative news sites showing students at Johnson Elementary School reading an alphabet book about LGBTQ acceptance, the school district said in a statement. This was a student-led activity that was one part of the schools monthly school-wide morning meeting celebrating the end of the school year.

The statement continued noting that the school holds a morning program once monthly. These gatherings are usually organized by teachers.

For the June meeting, fourth-grade students took the lead to coordinate the program, the Charlottesville City Schools statement continued. As one part of the summer celebration, they decided to read an alphabet book about LGBTQ acceptance, which included words like belonging, gender, and kindness.

The citys mayor and chief of police said the matter is under investigation.

These kinds of things are being done by people who think they are being cute. In fact, theyre just being offensive, Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook told the Daily Progress. Theyre probably not violating a law except perhaps littering, but its just one of those things where we have to sit there and ball it up and throw it in the garbage and move on.

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis is investigating whether any laws broken by stepping onto somebodys to distribute the flyers.

It made me really angry to see the flyers, resident Lori Pinkey, who found one of the flyers outside her house on Sunday, told the Daily Progress. These creeps were going around and throwing these flyers in our yards while we were sleeping.

In the video, a small group of young children are seen addressing a larger group of fellow students. One girl is seen explaining the meaning of LGBTQ+ to the assembled students.

It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, the young girl says in the video. Cool!

She then hands the microphone to another student who reads from the book ABC Pride by Louis Stowell.

 (@)

Despite the controversy, the Charlottesville City Schools made clear they supported the students, teachers, and schools in the matter.

The goal of these morning meetings is to build a stronger and more inclusive learning environment, where all students feel safe, welcomed, and respected, the districts statement concluded. Our school division fully supports the Johnson Elementary School leadership in providing time for our students to connect and learn from each other.
S. Korean police arrest creators of app that shares personal info of brothel customers

[Source]

South Korean authorities have arrested a group of individuals behind a mobile application used by local brothels to share the personal information of its customers.

Brothel clients data: The app has reportedly allowed approximately 6,400 sex work establishments to share private customer data, including 4.6 million phone numbers, past records of visiting other brothels, occupations and even sexual preferences.

Brothels that use the app automatically download their customer information to a database that other businesses could then access and use for commercial purposes.

Busted operation: The app's developer, identified only as a man in his 40s, along with his 15 accomplices, charged a monthly fee of 100,000 won ($76) from its users.

More from NextShark: San Francisco launches new response protocol to hate incidents

Local authorities have taken three of the offenders, including the app developer, into custody for questioning, while the other 12 individuals were booked without physical detention.

The suspects will be facing charges for violating the law on personal information protection and the law on punishment of prostitution.

Criminal activities: According to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police, app users had been accessing customer data for commercial purposes from January 2021 to February this year.

More from NextShark: Man caught on video repeatedly running over his girlfriend with SUV arrested by Chinese police

The group reportedly earned over 1.8 billion won ($1.3 million) in total, with monthly profits reaching up to 300 million won ($230,000). The officers successfully confiscated most of the profits.

Extended user base: According to the authorities, the majority of the users are private detectives who used the app to investigate individuals involved in sex trafficking on behalf of their partners or spouses.

Meanwhile, voice phishing gangs blackmailed sex brothel patrons via the app, threatening to expose their secrets if they refused to pay money.

More from NextShark: Cambodian American woman in shock after brutal robbery outside California supermarket

According to a police official, the case remains under investigation as they continue to look into similar apps and other individuals who may have used it.

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K-pop girl group Dreamcatcher nab their first music show win since their 2017 debut
(Bloomberg) -- Three police officers returned to Kosovo Monday after a Serbian court ordered their release from detention in a move that could help ease tensions between the neighboring countries.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The men were received by their colleagues after spending 10 days in custody, the Pristina-based Koha newspaper reported.

The law-enforcement officers remain indicted on Serbian charges that they were carrying firearms illegally, state TV reported, citing a decision by a court in the southern Serbian city of Kraljevo. The government in Kosovo said the officers were kidnapped earlier this month from its own territory, while Belgrade said they had crossed illegally into Serbia.

The release is the first move by either side to try to defuse a crisis between Serbia and Kosovo, whose relations have deteriorated to the worst levels since their armed conflict 25 years ago.

International mediators, led by the European Unions foreign affairs head, Josep Borrell, had tried to secure the release of the officers. But it was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who counts Serbias President Aleksandar Vucic as an ally, who said he negotiated the release.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after a NATO military intervention halted a Serbian offensive in the province populated mostly by ethnic Albanians. While the US and most EU nations recognize Kosovo, Serbia has vowed never to do so. Both countries are required to improve relations before continuing with the process to integrate into the EU.

The worst violence in a decade broke out last month in the north of Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs constitute a majority. Serbs first boycotted local elections and then protested at the outcome when ethnic Albanians entered elected office. Dozens of people were injured in ensuing demonstrations, including NATO peacekeepers.

US and EU mediators said they feared unrest could escalate into a broader conflict in the Western Balkans.

Read more: US, EU Warn of Serbia-Kosovo Unrest Igniting Broader Conflict

They demanded Serbia release the detained police officers, who are ethnic Albanians, while Kosovo must in turn suspend police operations near municipal buildings in the north of the country and relocate the elected mayors to other locations outside Serb-majority towns.

Kosovo has also detained a number of ethnic Serbs in an investigation related to attacks on NATO peacekeepers in May. Serbia has asked for their release.

(Updates with released police officers arriving in Kosovo from first paragraph.)

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By Andrew Osborn

(Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday it did not agree with what it called the opinion of "pseudo specialists" that an aborted armed mutiny by Wagner mercenaries at the weekend had shaken President Vladimir Putin's position.

It has portrayed the Russian leader, in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, as having acted judiciously to avoid what it has called "the worst case scenario" by giving time for talks to yield a deal that ended the mutiny without more bloodshed.

Some Russian helicopter pilots were killed on Saturday after being ordered to engage a mercenary convoy headed to Moscow which shot them down. But a further escalation and a wider conflict was avoided.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the mutiny had shown how consolidated Russian society was around Putin when the chips were down.

"The level of public consolidation...around the president is very high. These events demonstrated just how consolidated the society is around the president".

Asked if the Russian leader's position had been "shaken" by the dramatic events, Peskov said:

"We do not agree. There is now a lot of ultra-emotional hysteria among specialists, pseudo-specialists, political scientists and pseudo-politicians. It is also rippling through some hysterical new media, and on the Internet and so on. It has nothing to do with reality."

Peskov said the Kremlin had no information on the whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner group, who led the brief mutiny in protest at what he saw as the poor handling of military operations in Ukraine.

Under the terms of a deal that ended the mutiny, Prigozhin was to be allowed to move to Belarus, and his fighters were given the chance to sign contracts with Russia's regular armed forces or to move to Belarus with him.

Peskov said the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented, and that Putin always kept his word.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn/Gareth Jones; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
The Kremlin spent over $1 billion on Wagner's mercenary army just to see them capture a destroyed city and then turn around and invade Russia

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. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Vladimir Putin revealed that the Kremlin spent over $1 billion on the Wagner Group over the past year.

The Moscow-funded mercenaries spent months capturing one almost totally destroyed city in Ukraine.

They then invaded Russia itself during a short-lived armed rebellion against its defense ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed on Tuesday that the Kremlin has fully financed the Wagner mercenary organization to the tune of over $1 billion, begging the question: was the investment worth it?

During new remarks to Russia's military, Putin said his government, amid ongoing strains on its economy, spent 86 billion rubles (just over $1 billion) on Wagner between May 2022, just a few months into his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and May 2023. The notorious organization, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, spent most of this time fighting to capture eastern Ukraine's war-torn city of Bakhmut at a tremendous cost in human lives, as well as ammunition and equipment.

It managed to capture the city of limited strategic value in a seemingly Pyrrhic victory before withdrawing from the front and later turning around and invading Russia just a few weeks later.

"I want to note and I want everyone to know that the financing of the entire Wagner group was fully ensured by the state," Putin admitted, according to state media. "We fully financed this group from the Defense Ministry, from the state budget."

These funds went toward salaries for Wagner mercenaries and incentive rewards, the Russian leader said. An additional 80 billion rubles allocated from the state (just under $1 billion) went to Prigozhin's catering company, Concord, which provided food to the military. Insider could not independently verify these funding figures.

"Hopefully, nobody stole anything during these activities or, let's say, stole less," Putin said. "We will obviously look into all this."

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

Putin's remarks shine a light on what has traditionally been a murky relationship with the Wagner Group that has operated on behalf of Moscow's interests in various locations across Africa and the Middle East and now in Ukraine. Its fighters have been accused in several countries of committing widespread human rights abuses and other atrocities against unarmed civilians.

Private military companies like the Wagner Group are technically illegal in Russia. But the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine thrust the notorious mercenary organization into the public eye as it battled alongside Russia's regular military  eventually registering as a legal entity in late 2022.

Wagner, which helped meet Russian manpower needs, played a key role in Moscow's efforts to capture Bakhmut, a city in the Donetsk region that emerged as a fixation for Russia-linked forces desperate for a victory amid a struggling war and hoping to grind down the Ukrainian army in a battle of attrition. After nearly a year of brutal and intense fighting, which left Bakhmut in complete ruins, Wagner eventually claimed to have captured the city in May.

FILE - This undated photograph handed out by French military shows three Russian mercenaries, right, in northern Mali. French Army via AP, File

But Bakhmut  the longest and bloodiest battle of the war  came at an extremely high cost for Wagner, which saw over 20,000 of its fighters killed in the months-long effort to capture the city. Emphasizing this, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley at one point described the Bakhmut campaign as a "slaughter-fest" for Russian forces.

Throughout the battle, tensions flared between Prigozhin and Russia's defense ministry. Months of feuding, which often saw him publicly discredit official Russian narratives on the war often more positive than the reality on the ground suggested, finally reached a boiling point on Friday when Prigozhin accused Moscow's military leadership of conducting a deadly strike on Wagner fighters, a charge the Kremlin denied.

Prigozhin seized on the opportunity to blast Russia's defense ministry as "evil" and incited his mercenaries to carry out an armed rebellion against the military leadership. Wagner fighters quickly captured the southern city of Rostov-on-Don before continuing on toward Moscow, where the city was bracing for battle.

Video shows Russians cheering for Wagner and Prigozhin as they leave the key military hub of Rostov-on-Don. Reuters

Before Wagner convoys could reach Moscow on Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a peace deal that saw Prigozhin call off his fighters in exchange for his exile in Belarus. The potential for significant bloodshed was averted, but not before the Kremlin-financed Wagner Group managed to down several Russian aircraft and kill the pilots.

Ukrainian and Western officials said the chaotic and historic uprising exposed  and will continue to highlight  major cracks in the Russian power structure and seriously undermined Putin'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."

Read the original article on Business Insider
[Source]

Cryptocurrency assets tied to Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon and other key figures have reportedly been frozen in Switzerland just a few weeks after Kwon was sentenced to prison in Montenegro.

Latest development: Swiss authorities reportedly froze about $26 million worth of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency assets tied to the defunct startup Terraform Labs, Kwon and other key figures, according to South Korean news outlet Digital Asset.

The freezing of assets, kept in Sygnum, a digital asset bank based in Switzerland, was reportedly in response to a request from New York prosecutors and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Digital Asset reported, citing unnamed authorities and investigators.

Jailed for months: The recent news came just a few weeks after Kwon, whose real name is Kwon Do-hyung, was sentenced to four months in jail in Montenegro. Kwon and his associate, Han Chang-Joon, were found guilty of falsifying documents, a spokesperson for the Basic Court in Podgorica told CNN.

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South Korean prosecutors had previously sought to have Kwon extradited to their country. The effort was met with a delay after he and Han were indicted for forgery following their arrest at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro on March 23.

His downfall: Kwons downfall started after Terraform Labs stablecoin UST and sister cryptocurrency Luna lost $40 billion of its value in a matter of days in May 2022. The defunct co-founder immediately went on the run. Interpol eventually issued a red notice for him, effectively making him a wanted man in Interpol's 195 member countries.

Besides South Korea, Kwon is also facing charges in the U.S., where he is facing securities fraud, wire fraud, commodities fraud and conspiracy charges.

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Sikhs sue Marine Corps for the right to wear turbans and beards during overseas deployment, boot camp

Update: Alleged Nanjing Massacre photos discovered in Minnesota pawn shop debunked
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
The turmoil in Russia is giving Ukraines allies on Capitol Hill new ammunition in the fight to secure more weapons and aid for Kyiv.

Its still unclear what the brief mercenary rebellion will mean for Russia and Ukraine, but lawmakers argue the schism between Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is a sign Western-supplied weapons are working, and that Washington needs to navigate skepticism in Congress to keep the tap open.

Bipartisan pressure to spend more on the military was already brewing in Congress, and specifically on more aid to Ukraine, even if that means breaking the debt limit deal that capped defense funding at the administrations request of $886 billion. On Friday, hours before Prigozhins forces charged into Russia, the Senate Armed Services Committee released its version of the defense policy bill and called on President Joe Biden to seek more money for Ukraine.

I would hope what [the Wagner rebellion] does is reinforce to members of Congress, particularly some of my Republican colleagues, who were talking about not continuing funding Ukraine, that this is why it is important to make sure that we are funding Ukraine to push forward, House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said on MSNBC on Monday.

Increasing Ukraine aid is far from a given. Bipartisan support for further arming Kyiv runs deep in Congress, but theres a vocal swath of conservatives, and some progressives, that oppose more U.S. aid. Many top leaders also concede that new funding will hinge on whether Ukraines counteroffensive makes progress in pushing back Russian forces.



The U.S. still has authorization to pull billions of dollars worth of equipment from American stocks and send it to Ukraine. Yet the White House still has to request authority when the current one runs out. It hasnt done so yet, and congressional leaders are divided over the prospect of approving more. The Pentagon, meanwhile, is taking a wait-and-see approach to whatever the next request might be.

American military aid for Ukraine comes in two forms: direct drawdowns from existing stocks under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, and the longer-term Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which uses U.S. funds to sign contracts for weapons and equipment in the months and years to come.

If any of that funding is to be increased, it wont come from the spending blueprint already before Congress.

There's no additional money in the base budget, said one senior Defense Department official, who was granted anonymity to talk about matters still under discussion. We've got either the president's drawdown authority or [Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative] authority as the two primary means to support Ukraine, but for future budgets, its probably too early to tell where things will end up relative to additional  replenishment numbers.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, just after securing the debt limit and spending caps deal this month, said he had no plans to take up any supplemental spending beyond the regular fiscal 2024 budget under consideration. Additional spending, therefore, would mean running afoul under the caps of the debt deal, and risks upsetting lawmakers on the Republican right flank who wanted to see deeper spending cuts and oppose new aid for Kyiv.

That puts him at odds with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who on Tuesday reupped his call to rush more weapons to the frontline in the wake of the rebellion. The GOP leader told reporters in Kentucky that "it's hard to imagine" the uprising "is bad news" for Ukraine.

"If you look around the whole world right now, the single most important mission of the free world should be the defeat of the Russians in Ukraine," McConnell said.

"I know there are some voices of opposition in the United States, but here's a way to look at it: the amount of money we've spent, sent to Ukraine is about .02 percent of our gross national product, and most of it is spent in this country," McConnell said. "So we have a country only asking for help that's doing the fighting."

Another Republican supporter of Ukraine aid, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), said on Meet the Press on Sunday that its been money well spent. The aid, which equates to 5 percent of the U.S. military budget, has helped take out half of Russias military, he said.

Our actions have helped Ukraine prevail to the extent that they are right now. Theyre still in a war, Russia controls 10 percent of their country, but without our aid, without our support, I think Ukraine would have fallen by now, said Bacon, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Too many Republicans have tried to stay under the radar on this, and we do best when we stand for whats right and whats truthful, Bacon said.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a McCarthy ally and member of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, said the turmoil in Russia is a sign Washington must, remain fully committed to assisting our friends in Ukraine with the tools they need to defeat the Russian regime.

The events that occurred over the weekend in Russia show what many of us already knew: Vladimir Putin is a weak leader who launched an unprovoked war on a sovereign nation, Fitzpatrick said in a statement. As the majority of lawmakers agree, a Ukrainian victory is also a victory for American economic and national security, and global stability.

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), on MSNBC, argued that because McCarthy is hemmed in by his right flank, the situation could deny Ukraine what it needs in its counteroffensive.

Thats why I think unity right now is so important. If we can do all we can right now to help Ukraine make this push, as Russia is on its heels, this could really change the course of the conflict and get Russia finally out of Ukraine, Swalwell said,

This is a moment right now that we can increase funding, but if he sees himself as more important than what happens on the battlefield in Ukraine, theyre going to  not be able to meet this opportunity, Swalwell said of McCarthy.

Despite the bipartisan push, Congress has its share of doubters. In the wake of DODs admission last week that it overestimated the value of the weapons it has sent to Ukraine by $6.2 billion over the past two years, one Republican lawmaker involved in budget and appropriations discussions with McCarthy said theres not yet a solid case for a new tranche of aid.

First, the implications of developments in Ukraine and Russia are still playing out, said the lawmaker, who was granted anonymity to discuss closed-door conversations among Republicans. Second, it's pretty clear DOD doesn't have a clue how much money they have or need for Ukraine. They have some work to do there. Last, our position that we would oppose anything that attempts to circumvent the debt ceiling limit of $886 billion stands.

Congressional Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) was confident Ukraine already had the support in Congress it needs to win more aid and wouldnt put stock in the events in Russia swaying his colleagues.

This just keeps it positive, because I still think the majority is with us  majorities in the House and Senate and majorities of Democrats and Republicans, Quigley said in an interview, adding about recent events: It just shows [Putins] weakness and incompetence in prosecuting this war.

As the Wagner mutiny unfolded, top House Armed Services Committee Democrat Adam Smith said the impact on Russia's invasion of Ukraine would be "difficult to predict." Still, divisions in Russia could offer "a prime opportunity" for Ukraine's counteroffensive to gain steam, he said.

Three defense industry lobbyists told POLITICO they think the Wagner rebellion will help defense hawks argue for a supplemental spending request for the Pentagon and Ukraine.



But the likelihood of passing a supplemental before late fall is slim because of the limited time on Congresss calendar over the next two months, said the lobbyists, who were granted anonymity to candidly discuss the state of play.

It will give a boost to the efforts on a supplemental because of the heightened instability its creating. The instability in Russia, however it plays out, makes the world more dangerous across the board, one of the lobbyists said.

Congress is on recess for July 4 and will also be in August, which does not leave time for a supplemental before the end of the fiscal year. Lawmakers are more focused on passing appropriations bills, the lobbyists said.

Until then, funding for Ukraine is limited within the base budget. Defense policy and spending legislation advanced by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the House Appropriations Committee last week green lights $300 million for the Pentagon to arm Ukraine, even with Bidens budget request.
These new laws will go into effect on July 1

From laws increasing penalties against gang activity to new restrictions on gender-affirming care, there are several new laws that will go into effect on July 1. Here is a breakdown of what will change on Saturday:

House Bill 147: The Safe Schools Act modernizes school safety protocols by equipping teachers with skills to protect students. It also establishes a voluntary School Safety and Anti-gang Endorsement for teachers to help them spot and prevent gang activity and recruitment in classrooms.

House Bill 188: Mariams Law toughens requirements for sexual offenders upon their release from prison, and mandates electronic monitoring as a condition of probation for repeat sexual offenders. The law is named in honor of murder victim Mariam Abdulrab. A legal loophole allowed a repeat sex offender to kidnap and kill Abdulrab on her way home from work.

House Bill 383: The Safer Hospitals Act provides stronger protections to ensure the safety of emergency health care workers and health care workers in a hospital setting. It allows hospitals to establish a hospital campus police department similar to those of colleges. It also makes sure that hospital employees outside of the emergency room have the same protections from attacks that hospital emergency room employees, teachers, transit drivers, paramedics, and law enforcement have.

House Bill 529: This law lowers the minimum amount of insurance coverage ride-sharing and taxi companies must provide for anyone injured in an accident to $300,000.

Senate Bill 11: The Georgia Fights Terrorism Act allows the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to work concurrently with district attorneys on investigations involving all forms of terrorism.

Senate Bill 44: The Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act requires judges to impose prison sentences of at least five years on those convicted of recruiting gang members. It also mandates tougher penalties for recruiting to a gang anyone under age 17 or with a disability, requiring at least a 10-year sentence.

TRENDING STORIES:

Senate Bill 46: Requires physicians and healthcare providers to test all pregnant women for HIV and syphilis at the first prenatal visit, at 2832 weeks gestation, and at delivery.

Senate Bill 47: Makes vaping in restricted areas a misdemeanor punishable by fine.

Senate Bill 68: Allows people caught engaging in dogfighting rings to be charged with racketeering. Adding dogfighting to the activities that lead to a racketeering conviction could result in a sentence of no less than five and up to 20 years in prison on a first offense.

Senate Bill 92: Creates the Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission, an eight-member board that will investigate complaints lodged against prosecutors and hold hearings. The panel will have the power to discipline or remove prosecutors on a variety of grounds including mental or physical incapacity, willful misconduct or failure to perform the duties of the office, conviction of a crime of moral turpitude, or conduct that brings the office into disrepute.

Senate Bill 106: The Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act establishes a three-year pilot program administered through the Georgia Department of Community Health to provide remote patient monitoring for pregnant women under Medicaid.

Senate Bill 129: Expands on an existing law that guarantees two hours of unpaid voting time for workers on election day. Under the bill, workers would also have the option of taking time to vote during three weeks of early voting. Workers seeking time off would have to notify their employer in advance, and then the employer could decide on a time when workers could be absent, according to the bill.

Senate Bill 140: Bars licensed medical professionals in Georgia from providing patients under the age of 18 with hormone therapy or surgery related to gender transition. Violations of the legislation could lead to the revocation of a health practitioners license.

Senate Bill 211 & House Bill 538: SB 211 establishes the Georgia Council on Literacy that will work to ensure improved literacy outcomes for students. They will conduct comprehensive reviews of birth to postsecondary literacy programs to ensure their effectiveness. The council will also research and provide recommendations on how to improve literacy rates for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities as well as students from low-income households. The council itself is only temporary. The bill states the council will be abolished and the bill establishing it will be repealed on December 31, 2026. HB 538  the Georgia Early Literacy Act  aims to increase student literacy rates between Kindergarten and the third grade.

EDITORS NOTE: A previous version of this article listed Senate Bill 226 that would requires unique bar codes and alphanumeric accountability numbers on individual absentee ballots for primaries and elections. This bill was not passed by the Georgia General Assembly during the most recent session.

IN OTHER NEWS:
A woman captured in a viral video being punched in a South Side restaurant before her attacker was shot and killed allegedly by her young son has announced a lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department over the handling of the case.

At a news conference Tuesday, attorneys for Carlishia Hood, 35, said they filed a lawsuit against the department in connection with her arrest, though a copy of the complaint was not immediately available.

What happened to me was totally unnecessary, Hood said Tuesday. I just need a little time just to heal and to just get my life back with my baby.

Hood and her son were charged with murder in the June 18 shooting death of 32-year-old Jeremy Brown. Hood was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, court records show.

The Cook County states attorneys office this week dropped murder charges against Hood and the teen after the video surfaced showing a man repeatedly punching the woman in the moments before he was shot and killed. The footage has circulated on social media in recent days.

Prosecutors said Monday that the murder charges against Hood and her son would be dismissed based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence.

Based upon the facts, evidence and the law we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases, the states attorneys office said in a statement.

In an unstamped copy of the lawsuit filed against the city of Chicago and five Chicago police officers, Hood alleged false arrest and malicious prosecution related to the June 18 shooting.

The complaint alleges that Hood was brutally attacked, without provocation by Brown, who it said had multiple arrests for domestic battery against women and a conviction for aggravated robbery.

Her son shot Brown in a clear and obvious act of defense of an unarmed woman, the complaint said.

It alleged the police officers had multiple opportunities to review the video surveillance and ascertain the lack of criminality.

An arrest report filed in the case stated that Hood instructed her juvenile son to shoot Brown after she and Brown got into an argument at the Maxwell Street Express in the 11600 block of South Halsted Street. The report said Hood turned herself into police and upon a search, police found an unloaded semi-automatic handgun.

Hood had a valid concealed carry license and firearm owners identification card, the report said.

Though the charges were dropped, a representative for the Chicago Police Department said Tuesday that detectives still consider the case to be a cleared murder.

Court records show Brown had a pending gun case at the time of his death. On Dec. 31, 2022, Brown was arrested at a gas station at 111th and State streets. His arrest report stated that officers saw him walk into the gas station with a gun-shaped bulge in the front pocket of his sweater.

Officers followed Brown inside, but found no weapon when they searched him. The stations clerk, however, discreetly related to the officers that Brown dropped a handgun in a trash can just before the officers entered. Officers wrote that they recovered a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun in the wastebasket.

Brown was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, court records show. That case was still pending at the time of his death and a hearing was scheduled for June 21  three days after Brown died.

A Cook County judge issued a warrant for his arrest after he allegedly didnt show up to court.

scharles@chicagotribune.com

mabuckley@chicagotribune.com
A coalition of advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit Monday over a Virginia law that automatically stripped convicted felons of their voting rights shortly after the Civil War.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia, voting rights advocacy group Protect Democracy and law firm WilmerHale filed the lawsuit Monday against Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) as well as other state officials. The lawsuit alleges that the state violated a 150-year-old law that established the rules of Virginias readmission into the Union after the Civil War ended.

Some of the most pernicious attempts to suppress the voting rights of Black citizens originated in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, but they have consequences that persist to this day, Vishal Agraharkar, ACLU of Virginia senior supervising attorney, said in a statement. Our constitution has enabled mass disenfranchisement through decades of over-criminalization, and it turns out that was illegal.

The coalition is representing three individuals  Melvin Wingate, Tati Abu King and Toni Heath Johnson  as well as Bridging the Gap, an organization that offers aid to formerly incarcerated people. According to the lawsuit, Virginia is one of three states whose constitutions automatically disenfranchise all felons unless the governor restores their right to vote, for which felons in Virginia must individually petition the governor.

As a minister, Im a firm believer in second chances and being able to vote would be a chance for me to participate fully in my community, Wingate said in a statement. But since I was released in 2001, Ive been unable to vote in five presidential elections, six midterm elections, and five Virginia gubernatorial elections.

At the center of the lawsuit is the Virginia Readmission Act, which prohibited Virginias constitution from being amended or changed to deprive any citizen or class of citizens of the right to vote, except as a punishment for such crimes as are now felonies at common law, according to the ACLU. Those felonies at the time included crimes of murder, arson, burglary and rape.

The law was amended a few years later that would disenfranchise people for an expanded list of crimes, which the plaintiffs say violated the Virginia Readmission Act.

The case filed today alleges that by disenfranchising all people with felony convictions, Virginias constitution violates a Reconstruction-era law called the Virginia Readmission Act, one of several federal Readmission Acts that established the terms under which former Confederate states could regain representation in Congress, WilmerHale partner Brittany Amadi said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Youngkin told The Hill his office had no comment.

Updated at 10:54 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lawyer says state attorney had enough to charge AJ Owens shooter with 2nd-degree murder

A lawyer said that with the facts, he wouldve brought the case to a grand jury and had them decide between aggravated battery with a firearm or murder.

A state attorney said Monday that he could not charge Susan Lorincz with the murder of a Marion County woman who was shot and killed earlier this month.

But, Ajike AJ Owens family had hoped for a murder charge.

I dont feel like AJ has been given equal protection under the law, family representative Takema Robinson said.

Read: Ocala vigil pays tribute to, seeks justice for AJ Owens

Representatives for Ajike Owens family and the community that knew her were disappointed by the state attorneys decision not to pursue a murder charge.

We feel that the facts presented in the case -- particularly Ms. Lorinczs own statements speak to a depraved mind and she hatred towards AJ and her children, Robinson said.

State Attorney William Gladson said he considered charging Lorincz with second-degree murder but that the state could not prove without a reasonable doubt that Lorincz had evil intent towards Owens.

Video: AJ Owens family attorney reacts after Susan Lorincz charged with manslaughter in Marion County

Even Self, a trial criminal and defense attorney with no connection to the case, said the Lorinczs charges couldve been different.

I find it disingenuous when the state attorney in Marion County says they dont think they can go forward or get a criminal conviction on second-degree murder when all that requires some depravity-- some reckless regard for human life, Self said.

He also mentioned hes seen second-degree murder charges brought on lesser facts throughout Central Florida.

Read: Susan Lorincz charged with manslaughter, not murder, for death of AJ Owens, state attorney says

The fact that she researched the law, Robinson said.The facts are clear; the facts are in her own words-- the correct charge is murder.

Owens family attorney Ben Crump said he wants justice in this case.

" All of America is watching Ocala right now, especially in the Black community, he said. What we want to see is equal justice.

Crump said that Ajuke Owens children are in a protected area, and the case has created an unsafe environment for them.

Read: Why isnt accused Marion County shooter Susan Lorincz facing murder charges?

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Lee Lonsberry, who served as director of communications for Sen. Mike Lee, is taking on a new role as Rep. Burgess Owens new chief of staff. | KSL NewsRadio

Rep. Burgess Owens announced key staff changes Tuesday, including Lee Lonsberry as his new chief of staff and Devon Murphy as his new legislative director.

They bring a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience from their time working in Utah and on Capitol Hill, making them indispensable additions to Team Owens as we continue building on our proven track record of delivering results for Utahs 4th Congressional District, Owens told the Deseret News.

Lonsberry has served as the director of communications for Sen. Mike Lee since 2021. Before that, he hosted Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry on KSL Radio. His position at KSL came after nearly five years spent in D.C. as former Utah congressman Rob Bishops communications director. Lonsberry began his career as a radio and broadcast reporter, studying photography at Brigham Young University.

To be offered the role of chief of staff by such an impressive and principled member is an honor, Lonsberry told the Deseret News. I am eager to get to work for Rep. Owens and the Utahns he serves. His conservatism, legacy of service and commitment to education are remarkable. Its my privilege to be a part of his work.

In his role as Lees director of communications, Lonsberry served as the senators liaison with media organizations and helped produce a Mike Lee Discusses video series in which Lonsberry interviewed Lee about current issues.

Leaving Sen. Lees office was a very hard decision to make. For two years, I worked alongside the sharpest mind in the U.S. Senate. The value I bring to the office of Rep. Owens is thanks in large part to the lessons I learned working for Sen. Lee, Lonsberry said.

Lee responded to Lonsberrys decision to leave for the new position in a statement to the Deseret News.

(Lonsberry) has been an invaluable team member, consistently demonstrating his dedication to the people of Utah. His strategic insights and exceptional skills have played an instrumental role in advancing our legislative priorities and strengthening outreach efforts, Lee said. While we will deeply miss his presence here in my office, Im excited to witness his positive influence in his new role.

Owens will also bring on Murphy as legislative director in his office which represents Utahs 4th District. Murphy previously worked as a senior policy adviser for Reps. Blake Moore and Rob Bishop of Utahs 1st District on issues relating to national defense and law enforcement.

Prior to his work on Capitol Hill, Murphy was a member of the Utah Army National Guard. He received a masters degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University and a bachelors degree in history from Utah Valley University.
Donald Trump; John Eastman; Rudy GiulianiPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images

The Justice Department is charging ahead in its probe of former President Donald Trump's role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Special counsel Jack Smith, who is also overseeing the prosecution of Trump in the Mar-a-Lago documents case, is spearheading the election-focused investigation.

The Washington Post reported that the probe is moving forward on "multiple tracks," focusing on ads and fundraising pitches that proclaimed election fraud as well as plans for "fake electors."

Particular emphasis has been placed on a group of attorneys who specifically attempted to persuade state, local, federal and judicial authorities that President Joe Biden's win was illegitimate. The DOJ is attempting to discern whether attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, Kurt Olsen, Kenneth Chesebro, and then-Justice Department lawyer Jeffrey Clark were following orders from Trump and what the nature of said orders was.

Trump's inner circle has alleged that preparing alternate electors does not qualify as criminal conduct, according to the Post.

Related

Legal experts: Mark Meadows may have outplayed Trump  and Jan. 6 indictment may be "imminent"

Following the 2020 election, an advertising firm created three spots for the ex-president's fundraising, titled, "Stop the Steal," "Overwhelming," and "On Tape," according to the report. However, when Trump campaign lawyers reviewed the ads, they became worried about potentially false information contained within them, sources told the outlet.

"The campaign's own legal team and data experts cannot verify the bullshit being beamed down from the mothership," Trump advisor Jason Miller wrote to Larry Weitzner, an executive at the firm manufacturing Trump's campaign ads, at the time. Miller added Trump's legal team was "0 for 32," a seeming reference to the number of times the attorneys had tried and failed to challenge election results in court.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The correspondence between Miller and Weitzner is one of the numerous pieces of evidence that prosecutors have produced to show that MAGA allies were aware of the dubious nature of Trump's claims. Smith's team has issued subpoenas in connection to the ads as they endeavor to glean further information.

New York University Law Professor Ryan Goodman argued that Miller's email to Weitzner contained "evidence of wire fraud."

Evidence of wire fraud, 18 USC  1343



Trump Campaigns Jason Miller email to Larry Weitzner, executive at firm producing the ads:



The campaigns own legal team and data experts cannot verify the bullshit being beamed down from the mothership.https://t.co/yTd91KEtZr  Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) June 27, 2023

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the dissemination of "out-of-context information to the press."

"Further, the DOJ has no place inserting itself into reviewing campaign communications and their meddling in such matters represents a grave danger to the First Amendment and should seriously concern all campaigns and Americans," Cheung told the Post. "This is the continuation of the many witch-hunts against President Trump in order to meddle and influence the 2024 election in order to prevent him from returning to the White House. They will fail."

Smith's team is slated to interview Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Wednesday. On Jan 2, 2021, Trump placed a phone call to Raffensperger, asking him to "find 11,780 votes."

Raffensperger's sit-down with the DOJ, "tells me Smith is likely to ask a grand jury to indict the whole criminal gang that conspired to overturn the presidential election and overthrow the government," tweeted longtime Harvard Law Prof. Laurence Tribe.

"That includes Trump at the wheel's center and his corrupt fellow seditionists and insurrectionists as its spokes," he added.

This tells me Smith is likely to ask a grand jury to indict the whole criminal gang that conspired to overturn the presidential election and overthrow the government. That includes Trump at the wheels center and his corrupt fellow seditionists and insurrectionists as its spokes: https://t.co/0OJSTcYTbr  Laurence Tribe   (@tribelaw) June 27, 2023

Read more

about the Jan. 6 probe
Speaker Kevin McCarthy gavels the House in session on June 22. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

To the editor: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) was one of many representatives held captive in the U.S. Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6, 2021. Shortly after the incursion, McCarthy commented: "The president bears responsibility for Wednesdays attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding."

It seems that McCarthy, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and others have extremely short memories about the events, as they want the speaker to delete that history by trying to expunge the former president's two impeachments.

Why not? After all, Republican-controlled governments across the country want to erase the history of racism, misogyny and homophobia.

But this history cannot be erased, even as McCarthy raises the possibility. This is the history of a failed coup and a failed party, and it cannot be undone.

Kathryn Louyse, Glendale

..

To the editor: Your article on the "staggering legal crisis looming" from Donald Trump's indictments if he is elected president in 2024 is completely missing the point.

If he is elected, we will have a much bigger crisis to contend with. This country barely survived his first term, which literally ended with an attempted coup, and the next term would be unimaginable and unsurvivable.

The news media need to focus on the real problem.

Howard Cott, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Letters to the Editor: Hundreds of refugees died in the Mediterranean, not on a rich man's submersible

A boat packed with hundreds of migrants that would go on to capsize in the Mediterranean Sea. (Greek coast guard / Associated Press)

To the editor: Two recent accidents at sea have captured the worlds attention  the capsizing of a fishing boat carrying 750 desperate refugees in the Mediterranean Sea, and the implosion of the Titan, a submersible carrying five people on an adventure to view the remains of the Titanic.

As a journalist and humanitarian, I have been shocked and appalled by the disparity of media coverage of the two events.

At least 500 people died on the fishing boat, but that story was all but abandoned when the Titan search began. Photos and live updates on the search flooded the media for days. The U.S. Coast Guard and others spent millions of dollars looking for the Titan.

The disparity raises the question of how lives are valued.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with "universal" being the revolutionary word. On the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence will be read in towns and cities across America. That brilliant document states that all are created equal and have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

There are more refugees and displaced people in the world today than at any time since World War II. This humanitarian crisis must remain in the headlines and at the top of our awareness every day.

Jane Olson, Pasadena

The writer chaired Human Rights Watch from 2004 to 2010.

..

To the editor: As a refugee admitted to the United States during a brief opening for persons who qualified under the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, I am particularly aware and supportive of immigrants and those seeking asylum.

Currently, the U.S. admits about 25,000 refugees a year, and in the 2022 fiscal year at least 853 migrants died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

But, you know, numbers dont tell the story. Money does. One can establish permanent residency here by investing $1.8 million in a U.S. company.

This past week we were bombarded with the sad case of the loss of a submersible containing five men. These were wealthy men  there were no women carrying babies, no small children, no blended families trying to traverse a desert and waterway.

What shall we make of this difference? How is it that multiple nations deployed their coast guards and the U.S. sent its Navy to save these five special people while no similar efforts were made to assist those crossing into the U.S. or the hundreds who died in the Mediterranean Sea?

Shame on all who do not advocate for the stateless, the immigrants, the asylum seekers. This last week should convince everyone that the wealthy are indeed treated better.

David Wilzig, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rendering of the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple released with the announcement of the open house and dedication dates, on June 26, 2023. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Announced on Monday, the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple will be dedicated on Jan. 14, 2024, by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles following an open house to the public.

Touring for the open house will begin Friday, Nov. 10, and run until Saturday, Dec. 9, excluding Sundays.

An important part of worship for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is making promises to God in temples, the Church of Jesus Christ said in its announcement of the dates on Twitter. The Church warmly invites the public to tour temples during their open house, before their formal dedication. The Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple will soon host tours.

President Thomas S. Monson first announced the temple in 2016 and three years later, in June 2019, the groundbreaking for the temple was held. The dedication will be just shy of seven years after the temple was announced.

Ground was broken for the Lima Peru Los Olivos Temple  the countrys third house of the Lord. https://t.co/yQpJRFXLa4 pic.twitter.com/hMOapVlYga  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) June 9, 2019

The temple will be one of four in Peru  the second most recent, the Arequipa Peru Temple, was dedicated in 2019  and Limas second, after the Lima Peru Temple was dedicated in 1986. Three more temples are planned to be built in the cities Chiclayo, Cusco and Iquitos, making a total of seven in Peru, per the churchs release.

More than 630,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints call Peru home.

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Heres a list of people Putin is suspected of having killed

Vladimir Putin stands with a gun at a shooting gallery of the new GRU military intelligence headquarters building as he visits it in Moscow November 8, 2006. Reuters

Individuals linked to Putin's government have died in violent or mysterious circumstances.

Putin, a former lieutenant colonel of the KGB and ex-head of the FSB, has been suspected of assassinating critics.

Here's a list of people who have been critical of Putin and the Russian president is suspected of assassinating:

Pavel Antov

In December 2022, Russian tycoon reportedly fell from a hotel window in Rayagada, India, on December 25 days after his 65th birthday.

The politician and millionaire criticized Putin's war with Ukraine following a missile attack in Kyiv earlier this year on WhatsApp but quickly deleted the message and claimed that someone else wrote it, the BBC reported.

"Our colleague, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist Pavel Antov passed away," Vice Speaker of the Regional Parliament Vyacheslav Kartukhin said on his Telegram channel, Russian media outlet TASS reported. "On behalf of the deputies of the United Russia faction, I express my deep condolences to relatives and friends."

Ravil Maganov

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oil Company Lukoil Ravil Maganov (R) pose for a photo during an awarding ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow. Photo by MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Lukoil chairman Ravil Maganov had been openly critical of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, CNBC reported. Shortly after the war began, the oil company called for "the soonest termination of the armed conflict," per the report.

Maganov, similar to Antov, died mysteriously by falling out the window of a Moscow hospital in September 2022, the outlet reported. However, a now-deleted statement from Lukoil said that the 67-year-old died "following serious illness."

Dan Rapoport

Businessman Dan Rapoport publicly condemned the Russia-Ukraine war on social media multiple times and emphasized his support for Ukraine, the Daily Beast reported.

He was discovered dead in front of an apartment building in Washington, D.C, in August 2022, according to the report. Police said he had a Florida driver's license, a black hat, just over $2500, and orange flip-flops when he was found.

Mikhail Lesin

Russian press minister Mikhail Lesin was found dead of "blunt force trauma to the head" in a Washington, DC, hotel room in November 2015.

Lesin, who founded the English-language television network Russia Today (RT), was considering making a deal with the FBI to protect himself from corruption charges before his death, per the Daily Beast.

For years, Lesin had been at the heart of political life in Russia and would have known a lot about the inner workings of the rich and powerful.

Boris Nemtsov speaks at a news conference on "Corruption and Abuse in Sochi Olympics." Alex Wong/Getty Images Boris Nemtsov

Boris Nemtsov was a former deputy prime minister of Russia under Boris Yeltsin who went on to become a big critic of Putin  accusing him of being in the pay of oligarchs.

He was shot four times in the back just yards from the Kremlin as he walked home from a restaurant in 2015.

Boris Berezovsky

Boris Berezovsky was a Russian oligarch who fled to Britain after he fell out with Putin. During his exile he threatened to bring down Putin by force. He was found dead at his Berkshire home in March 2013 in an apparent suicide, although an inquest into his death recorded an open verdict.

Berezovsky was found dead inside a locked bathroom with a ligature around his neck. The coroner couldn't explain how he had died.

The British police had, on several occasions, investigated alleged assassination attempts against him.

Natalia Estemirova

Natalia Estemirova was a journalist who sometimes worked with Politkovskaya.

She specialized in uncovering human-rights abuses carried out by the Russian state in Chechnya.

She was abducted in 2009 from outside her home and later found in nearby woodland with gunshot wounds to her head. No one has been convicted of her murder.

Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova

Human-rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov represented Politkovskaya and other journalists who had been critical of Putin.

He was shot by a masked gunman near the Kremlin in 2009. Journalist Anastasia Baburova, who was walking with him, was also shot when she tried to help him.

Alexander Litvinenko

Alexander Litvinenko. via The Telegraph

Alexander Litvinenko was a former KGB agent who died three weeks after drinking a cup of tea in 2006 at a London hotel that had been laced with deadly polonium-210.

A British inquiry found that Litvinenko was poisoned by FSB agents Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, who were acting on orders that had "probably approved by Mr Patrushev and also by President Putin."

Litvinenko was very critical of Putin, accusing him of, among other things, blowing up an apartment block and ordering the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Anna Politkovskaya

A picture of slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya is shown during a candlelight vigil in front of the Russian Embassy. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist who was critical of Putin. In her book "Putin's Russia," she accused Putin of turning his country into a police state. She was murdered in 2006 by contract killers who shot her at point-blank range in the lift outside her flat.

Five men were convicted of her murder, but the judge found that it was a contract killing, with $150,000 paid by "a person unknown."

Paul Klebnikov

Paul Klebnikov was the chief editor of the Russian edition of Forbes. He had written about corruption and dug into the lives of wealthy Russians.

He was killed in 2004 in a drive-by shooting in an apparent contract killing, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Sergei Yushenkov

Sergei Yushenkov was a Russian politician who was attempting to prove the Russian state was behind the bombing of an apartment block.

He was killed in 2003 in an assassination by a single shot to the chest just hours after his political organization, Liberal Russia, had been recognized by the Justice Ministry as a party, the BBC reported.

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Lithuania and Latvia: NATO must step up security of eastern borders now that Wagnerites are in Belarus

On Tuesday, 27 June, the foreign ministers of two Baltic states urged the North Atlantic Alliance to strengthen its eastern borders in response to the deployment of fighters from the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in Belarus.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Latvian Foreign Minister and President-elect Edgars Rinkevics noted that the relocation of the Wagnerites and their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus needs to be assessed from a security perspective.

Quote: "[This should be viewed] in light of the NATO summit and all the discussions that we are having about defence, deterrence and the necessary decisions to strengthen the security of the eastern flank," said the Latvian minister.

Details: Meanwhile, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that the pace at which the Wagnerites had moved towards Moscow was proof of the need to reinforce the defence of the Baltic states.

"Our countries' borders are just hundreds of kilometres from that activity, so it could take them 8-10 hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus close to Lithuania. It is creating a more volatile, unpredictable environment for our region," Landsbergis said.

Background: As previously reported, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner PMC, arrived in Belarus on 27 June as part of an agreement with self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that put an end to the mercenaries rebellion in Russia over the weekend.

Belarus shares borders with three NATO member states: Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Polish President Andrzej Duda has stated that the Wagner Groups relocation to Belarus is a very negative signal for his country.

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Without fail, Matthew Rogers would ride up to his favorite coffee shop, Blip Roasters  a Kansas City local coffee shop designed for bikers  on his red Harley Davidson Evo Sportser motorcycle and order a large latte with a bit of vanilla.

However, on June 16, Rogers was killed by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle.

Now, his go-to coffee spot has set up a GoFundMe on behalf of his family to honor Rogers and help his family. It has raised more than $5,500, nearing its $6,000 goal.

Staff of Blip Roasters found out about Rogers death June 17, the morning after the crash.

Honestly, Its a gut punch every time we hear that someone on a bike has been hurt, Danna Suellentrop, owner of biker coffee shop Blip Roasters, wrote.

His family and friends already know what its like to see Rogers hurt. He suffered from multiple injuries after a bus hit him while on his motorcycle in 2020.

This time however, Rogers succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.

James Jimmy Shay, 36, was Rogers best friend, but really his brother. Rogers lived with Shays family for years. They had met at a party where they were the only two whod gone shirtless. They bonded over a Budweiser.

When Rogers first got hurt on his motorcycle, Shay had told him he needed to be careful. He didnt want to bury a brother, he said.

Its been very, very difficult, he said after Rogers death. We had someone who was so kind, so loving, and it didnt matter what type of Earth you came from  he would be there if you needed him too. Thats just the kind of guy he was.

A gaping hole in all of our lives

Rogers lived life fast, Peyton Diffendaffer, his ex-wife and mother to his son, Asher, said. She met Rogers when he was in a band called Last Nights Alone. Theyd been married for six years before they split up.

He was endlessly frustrating in the most lovable way, she said. We all thought he was indestructible.

The 33-year-old Oklahoma City resident recalled a memory with Rogers that happened when she was just three months pregnant with her now 15-year-old son.

It was the Fourth of July  Rogers favorite holiday because it involved blowing stuff up, Diffendafer joked. The two of them had just bought a bunch of fireworks, and Rogers then sawed off all the fireworks so they would explode at ground level over the pond.

It was both the most beautiful and most terrifying thing Diffendaffer had ever witnessed.

The two stayed connected after Rogers moved back to Kansas City  and she kept up with some of his exploits. She said he had even traveled all the way to Tampa, Florida and back up to Kansas City on a single speed bicycle.

There is a gaping hole in all of our lives that cant be filled, she said. And I probably cant say this, but were gonna miss that lanky bastard.
London cops apologize for significant error in probe of racist killing of teenager

In April 1993, a gang of people fatally stabbed Stephen Lawrence, an 18-year-old architecture student, at a bus stop. His friend, Duwayne Brooks, also was attacked yet managed to escape.

Police in London have apologized for mistakes made during their investigation into the racist killing of a Black teenager over 30 years ago.

In a statement released on Monday, Londons Metropolitan Police Service apologized for a significant and regrettable error in their probe into the 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence. According to CNN, Met officials acknowledged that they did not adequately follow up on crucial information regarding a newly named suspect, Matthew White.

Responding to a BBC investigation into The Mets mishandling of crucial probes, police shared that they had previously misidentified a relative of White who possessed crucial information about the crime.

This handout image provided by the Metropolitan Police shows Stephen Lawrence. Gary Dobson and David Norris were today found guilty at the Old Bailey of the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence, 18 years after he was stabbed to death at a south London bus stop. (Photo by Metropolitan Police via Getty Images)

On the 30th anniversary of Stephens murder, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley apologized for our failings, said Matt Ward, The Mets deputy assistant commissioner, and I repeat that apology today.

In April of 1993, a gang of young people fatally stabbed Lawrence, an 18-year-old architecture student, at a bus stop. Lawrences friend, Duwayne Brooks, also was attacked yet managed to escape.

Five teenagers were identified and arrested for their involvement, but no one was ever successfully convicted at the time.

In 2012, two men were given life sentences for Lawrences murder, while three or four other killers of Stephen Lawrence (are) at large, Ward noted.

After years of advocacy on the part of Lawrences family, a 1997 inquest into his death concluded that Lawrence was killed unlawfully in a completely unprovoked racist attack by five white youths.

Its been determined that the initial police probe had been marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism, and a failure of leadership.

The Mets revelation Monday referenced Whites two arrests  in 2000 and 2013  and how the prosecution claimed no reasonable chance of conviction on each occasion.

According to the statement, the investigating team contacted White again in February 2020, but insufficient witness or forensic evidence prevented further action. He passed away in August 2021, months before the police closed the murder case and announced no more lines of inquiry were open.

The agency ordered a forensic investigation into the case last month.

Lawrences mother, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, told CNN in a statement that there should be serious sanctions against the authorities who did not adequately probe her sons killing.

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, she claimed, and yet not a single police officer has faced or will ever face action.

Ward admitted that London policing is still affected by the racist killing of Lawrence, the attack on Brooks and the inadequate ensuing inquiries.

Only when police officers lose their jobs can the public have confidence that failure and incompetence will not be tolerated, said Baroness Lawrence, and that change will happen.

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The post London cops apologize for significant error in probe of racist killing of teenager appeared first on TheGrio.
Look to the Hudson Valley for the hottest New York primary races

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.  Tuesdays primary day in New York is poised to be a quiet one in most of the state.

Major county executive races in Suffolk, Albany, Onondaga, Monroe and Erie will stay off the ballot until November. There are only 17 New York City Council seats with contested Democratic primaries, down from 46 in 2021.

But there's one area where there will be plenty of action: the Hudson Valley.

A long list of cities in the political battleground region, including in New Rochelle, Yonkers, Poughkeepsie and Kingston, will feature Democratic primary fights. So will towns that include Woodstock, New Paltz and Hurley that are all in Ulster County. Several of the primaries are being described by local observers as the most engaged in memory.

Its the latest sign that New Yorks Democratic energy has shifted to a region that was traditionally home to swing seats and Republican strongholds.

That in and of itself is a sign that we have a vibrant Democratic electorate that has a diversity of views, said Sen. Shelley Mayer, who has represented parts of Westchester in the state Legislature since 2012 that was once a key swing district. And we also have new candidates who are not willing to wait their turn in a traditional way and want to move in and move up.

Democrats outnumber Republicans more than 2-to-1 in New York, and beginning in 2017, Democrats who had usually voted for the party's candidate in presidential elections, but had showed a willingness before to cross party lines in down-ballot races started to vote more for their party's pick in every contest.

But Democratic energy ebbed in 2021 and 2022, when places such as Long Island and Staten Island reversed course and became more Republican-friendly than they were even before the Trump years. Republicans won all four House seats on Long Island last year, and Gov. Kathy Hochul was crushed there in her narrow election win.

But there have yet to be many signs of progressive lethargy in parts of the state near the Hudson River, such as in Westchester, Ulster and Columbia counties.

Democratic strength in the region

Democrats had some of their best performances in memory in a few local races throughout the region in November 2021. And after two cycles of primary election cycles where several socialists toppled long-entrenched incumbents, the only one who pulled off the feat in 2022 was Sarahana Shrestha in a Kingston-area Assembly seat.

In fact, turnout in last years Democratic gubernatorial primary was 30 percent in Ulster and 25 percent in Columbia; it didnt top 22 percent anywhere else in the state.

In the general election last year, Hochuls showing in places like Westchester provided a firewall for poor performances elsewhere. And Democrats enjoyed their highest-profile victory anywhere in the country for a period last year when then-Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan won an August congressional special election in a vital swing district and won again in November.

With a year until the region regains its national prominence as candidates like Ryan appear on the ballot again, the energized local primary battles Tuesday might indicate that Democratic enthusiasm still has yet to flag.

Many of this years races are in places that are Democratic strongholds on paper, but have regularly elected moderates, Republicans or even former Republicans to citywide office. This time around, most of the energy has been in Democratic primaries featuring diverse fields.

Key Democratic primaries to watch

Thats the case in Poughkeepsie, where President Joe Biden received 77 percent of the vote in 2020, but voters have not elected a Democratic mayor since 2003.

Mayor Marc Nelson, a former city administrator who was elevated to the top post following after Republican Rob Rolisons election to the state Senate last year, will be joined on the ballot by Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers and former public housing manager Wesley Lee. Either Flowers or Lee would be the citys first Black mayor.

Unique to Poughkeepsies recent history, Lees campaign is working closely with the well-organized progressive groups that have made waves in other parts of the state.

Lee, a 78-year-old veteran of movie theatre sit-ins when he grew up in the segregated South, is part of a slate of several candidates including Vincent Pedi, a 31-year-old county party official whos seeking the Common Councils chairpersonship.

Theyre based out of the Poughkeepsie office of For the Many, an activist group that sprang out of the Occupy movement and has since played a major role in campaigns like Shresthas.

Several candidates and officials said that the groups and the types of energy that led to their prominence in the blue wave years have had better staying power in the area than elsewhere in the state.

In places like Long Island, Democrats came out against Donald Trump since he was so radical, said Yonkers Council Member Corazon Pineda-Isaac, whos running against three-term Mayor Mike Spano. Once waters calmed, folks went back to their comfort zone. In Westchester, a community of Democrats were revived. They continue to be excited.

Charlotte Lloyd, a 25-year-old tenant activist whos running for Kingstons council, was asked to run by For the Many.

It hadnt been something I thought of, but when they asked, I thought if I dont step up to make changes, who will? she said.

A shifting demographic

One major reason why the area has retained its progressive energy is a factor mostly unique in the Northeast: There has been a steady migration of progressives moving there for the past three years.

A lot of it has to do with the pandemic, Lee said. Former New York City residents come here and get on the train and go back to New York to work. We have a lot of that.

His campaign estimates there are as many as 300 annual primary voters who have recently moved to Poughkeepsie from the city. In a low-turnout June vote where perhaps 1,600 people will cast ballots, thats a significant chunk of the electorate.

And this new crop of voters doesnt always want the same as residents who shaped elections in past years.

They dont inherently trust some of the friendly back-slapping of local politics, Pedi said.

That influx has contributed to a major issue in the region  unprecedented surges in housing costs. Kingston, not a model of economic success for much of its modern history, has had the countrys hottest real estate market in recent years.

Ive seen many friends and family have to leave the city, county, state just to afford somewhere to live, Lloyd said. Theres been a lot of going with the status quo in government, and I think its time to shake it up.

Debates over issues like affordability have helped bring candidates like Lloyd, who has been involved with efforts such as attempts to bring Good Cause eviction laws to the city, into the political arena.

The increase in interest in running has also been helped by the simple fact that there are now more examples in the area of younger and more diverse candidates seeking office.

In Westchester, Vivian McKenzie became the first Black mayor of Peekskill in January. Senate Majority Leader and Yonkers resident Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the first Black woman to ever have major role in state government. Further north, recent victories by Ryan, Shrestha, and Sen. Michelle Hinchey have made young elected officials dominant in the areas politics.

If you see it, you can believe it, said New Rochelle Councilmember Yadira Ramos-Herbert, whos running in the citys first open mayoral primary since 1991. Its a newer, more diverse generation that really wants to step away from the sidelines.

And while it hasnt always been smooth sailing for area Democrats  former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney defeat last year being a major example  theyre now also seeing that winning a general election is an achievable outcome.

Thats a dramatic shift for much of the region.

Stewart-Cousins went from an 18-point loss in 2004 to becoming possibly the safest member of the state Legislature.

Mayer, who took office in one of the most hotly-contested special elections in state history in 2018, has won her past two races by 15 and 25 points, respectively. And last year, Hinchey became the first Democrat to win the majority of the vote in the Senate seat containing Hyde Park in Dutchess County since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

I grew up in Westchester in the 60s, Mayer said. My father ran, and he was always a loser because he was a Democrat. There was no need to do anything other than get yourself on the ballot and watch yourself lose. This is a different world: Democrats are winning.
Lordstown Motors Files for Bankruptcy After 5 Years of Empty Promises photo

Electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors filed for bankruptcy today. Since 2018, the publicly traded company has planned to produce an electric pickup called the Endurance, however, it has struggled to build cars and failed to secure funding to continue its efforts.

The automaker has shipped a small number of trucks to customers, but investment from Taiwan-based technology giant Foxconn (which it to continue operations) ultimately fell through. Lordstown now is suing Foxconn for an alleged breach of contract and plans to seek a buyer after receiving Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A potential buyer wouldn't need much to take the company private, however. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Lordstown had a peak value of $5 billion in 2021. As of writing, its market cap sits at just $30 million.

Trouble has been brewing at the company for years. After an early prototype vehicle caught fire in 2021, the company's CEO and CFO resigned. General Motors then dumped its small stake several months later. Some trucks were miraculously delivered, though every single unit was recalled for an electrical connection issue. As early as May it was rumored Lordstown's lifeline from Foxconn was on the rocks, and now it has all come crashing down.

AP

For its part, Foxconn says that the automaker made false comments and malicious attacks against it and that Lordstown didn't seem interested in upholding their investor agreements. As a result, it's said it will not continue to conduct any negotiations with the Ohio-based company.

In the midst of the pandemic, it was unclear to investors which young electric automakers might succeed or fail. Even startups that made it off the ground like Lucid and Rivian are still struggling financially, and without hundreds of millions of dollars in support from partners and investors, it's unlikely they would still be in business. Lordstown, along with Faraday Future and others, were seen as potential winners in the race towards electrification. A lack of unique technology or manufacturing expertise has doomed them to something along the lines of automotive purgatory now. Electric truck builder Nikola could also be included in this group.

The automaker's failure has been seen as inevitable for a long time. Whether or not the company will manage some kind of recovery or simply be purchased for its assets, is yet to be seen.

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Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, claims that Yevgeniy Prigozhin, owner of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), has arrived in Belarus.

Source: Lukashenko at the ceremony of awarding top military officers with shoulder straps, as reported by Belarusian media outlet BELTA.

Quote: "Yes, indeed, he [Prigozhin  ed.] is in Belarus today. As I promised, if you want to find temporary refuge, we will help you. Of course, at their [Wagner Groups  ed.] expense."

Details: Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin had received security guarantees.

He added that Viktor Khrenin, the Minister of Defence of Belarus, expressed his willingness to integrate the Wagner PMC into the Belarusian army. "I agree. Talk to them," Lukashenko said to Khrenin.

Background:

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Lukashenko claims Prigozhin has given up his demands regarding Russia's defence minister and chief of general staff

Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, has claimed that Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, has finally given up his demands that Russias Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov should be dismissed.

Source: Belarusian regime-aligned news agency BelTA, citing Lukashenko during a ceremonial presentation of military shoulder straps to senior officers

Details: According to Lukashenko, Prigozhin eventually gave up his initial demands after several rounds of negotiations.

Quote: "He told me: 'I will not demand that the president [Putin  ed.] hand over Shoigu and Gerasimov, and I will not even ask for a meeting.' I replied: 'Good. This is an excellent step. Nothing can be gained by demanding the impossible in this situation, straining the situation'."

Details: According to Lukashenko, the next condition agreed upon by both sides was to halt the further advance of the Wagner convoy towards Moscow.

Background:

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Lukashenko explains what he wants to get out of Wagner Group

The self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, expects that the Wagner Group commanders will share their experience and help the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus improve their skills.

Source: Belarusian informational agency BelTA citing Lukashenko at a meeting with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Belarus, Viktor Khrenin

Quote: "Now there is a lot of talk and chatter: Wagner, Wagner, Wagner. People do not understand that we also approach this pragmatically.

If their commanders come to us and help us... [by sharing their] experience. Look, they are on the front line  [they are the] assault troops. They will tell us what is important now. This is what Putin told me last time: counter-battery struggle is impossible without it. Drones. They went through it all.

They will tell us about the weapons: which worked well, and which did not. Tactics, and weapons, and how to attack, how to defend. It is priceless. This is what we need to take from the Wagner fighters.

There is no need to be afraid of them. We keep our ears sharp."

Background: Russian outlet Verstka ["Layout"] reported that camps for the placement of Wagner Group fighters are being built in Belarus after the agreement between the country's self-proclaimed leader Alexander Lukashenko and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner Group financier.

The State Border Service of Ukraine refuted this information. The State Security Service emphasised that intelligence is carefully monitoring the situation in Belarus, which is an accomplice of the aggressor state of the Russian Federation.

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Alexander Lukashenko

The Belarusian Armed Forces have been placed on full combat readiness, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed during a meeting with law enforcement officers and journalists on June 27.

Reportedly, the order was given on June 24, amid the Wagner PMC mutiny and its march on Moscow.

Lukashenko alleges that Belarus has the technical capabilities to confront the West, despite widespread corruption within the Belarusian armed forces and security services, and the general disdain of the Belarusian population.

We were assigned the mission of preserving the peace won by millions of lives of heroes, our fathers and grandfathers, Lukashenko alleged.

This means only one thing  we must be stronger than the threat that once again hangs a shadow over our land.

Lukashenko is believed to have played a key role in negotiating an end of the Wagner PMC mutiny. In a video address on June 26, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin offered three options to the fighters of the Wagner mercenary company who had participated in the mutiny attempt: to continue their service by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, return to their homes in Russia, or go to Belarus.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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.

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.

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.

The Kremlin soon announced that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be closed, and he himself would go to Belarus.

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On Tuesday, 27 June, self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko instructed high-ranking officials to develop an "algorithm for the use" of nuclear weapons deployed by Russia.

Source: Belarusian regime-aligned news agency BELTA citing Lukashenko, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The self-proclaimed president of Belarus assigned the task of developing an algorithm for the use of nuclear weapons to Viktor Khrenin, Belarusian Minister of Defence; Viktor Gulevich, Chief of the General Staff of the Belarusian Armed Forces; and Ivan Tertel, Chairman of the Belarusian State Security Committee.

Quote: "No one has ever fought with a nuclear state. And now about the main task. Gulevich is right here. He, the minister and the chairman of the State Security Committee have been assigned the task of determining the algorithm for using these weapons," Lukashenko said.

"It should be based on the fact that we need to use it in a tough moment, if someone attacks us. And therefore, they will attack, as Russia has already started saying, the Union State," he added.

More details: Both Russian and Belarusian officials have repeatedly emphasised that Belarus will not have the opportunity to control the nuclear weapons deployed on its territory; Russia will be the one to retain control.

Therefore, it is not clear what exactly Lukashenko meant by the words "algorithm for the use".

Background: On 25 May, the defence ministers of Russia and Belarus signed documents on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.

On the same day, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia's nuclear weapons had begun to be transferred to Belarus.

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the private military company the Wagner Group, is in Belarus after his personal army staged and then halted an armed rebellion against Moscow, Belaruss president said Tuesday.

Prigozhin, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stopped his advance just more than 100 miles from the capital after Putin reportedly struck a deal with him to be exiled to the former Soviet state.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Prigozhin and some of his troops were welcome in his country for some time and at their expense, The Associated Press reported.

Prigozhins arrival in Belarus was also noted by airspace monitor the Belarusian Hajun project, which reported that a plane belonging to the Wagner chief landed at a military airfield about 12 miles from the capital of Minsk on Tuesday morning.

The plane had taken off from a southwestern Russian region bordering Ukraine, the Hajun project said.

Prigozhin has not been seen since leaving the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on Saturday evening, though he posted an audio message to social media Monday afternoon.

Putin reportedly agreed to allow Prigozhin to go into exile and escape criminal prosecution after a deal was negotiated following the uprising, which lasted less than 24 hours after the Wagner leader declared it Friday. As part of the agreement, Wagner will hand over its heavy weapons to the Kremlins military, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The brief insurrection has shaken Russias leadership, with Putin calling those who moved against Moscow traitors.

Experts have since speculated that the relationship between Putin and Prigozhin is now too contentious to last and that Belarus could be a trap for the Wagner chief and his loyalists.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
During a walkaboout in Marseille, Macron got into a discussion with a woman about her son's job prospects (Guillaume HORCAJUELO)

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday faced accusations of minimising the problems of unemployment after he told the mother of a jobseeker that her son could easily find work.

In a typically robust exchange during a visit to the southern city of Marseille, the president told the woman her son could pick up to "10 offers" if he walked around the city's historic Vieux Port area which is home to dozens of cafes and eateries.

Macron, 45, a former investment banker, has already had previous controversial exchanges over job seeking, in 2018 telling a young man he just had to "cross the street" to find work and telling another man in May work was just "one metre away".

"What does your son want to work in?" Macron asked the woman during a walkabout in Marseille on Monday after she said her son, 33, could not find work and was in rent arrears.

"It does not matter... anything!" she replied.

Macron told her: "You are not going to persuade me that, if he is really looking for a job in Marseille, and that he is ready to take a job as a waiter, that there is no job as a waiter.

"I promise you: If I take a walk around the Vieux Port tonight with you, I'm sure we will find 10 job offers," he said.

But the new head of the CFDT union, Marylise Leon, warned the president that "things were not as simple as all that".

"What message is the president of the republic sending to people who are employed in cafes and restaurants -- that they just have to knock on the door and get work?" she told BFM TV.

"It denies the skills and the difficulties of the working conditions," she added.

MP for the hard-left France Unbowed party Mathilde Panot said "Macron has become a caricature of Macron".

"Showing such contempt to people, the only unemployed person we hope for in the country is Emmanuel Macron," she said.

Tensions have bubbled in France between Macron's government and the left over his pension reform to raise the retirement age.

Earlier this year, his Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accused the hard-left of wanting a "society without effort" and seeking the "right to laziness".

The unemployment rate in France currently is at around 7 percent, its lowest level since the early 1980s.

Responding to Macron's challenge, the regional daily La Provence took a stroll around the Vieux Port and said it found no less than 13 job offers in one-and-a-half hours.

vl-sjw/adp/yad
Madrid joins the race for high-spending tourists with bet on five-star hotels

Madrid joins race for high-spending tourists with bet on five-star hotels Madrid joins the race for high-spending tourists with bet on five-star hotels

By Corina Pons

MADRID (Reuters) - As pandemic travel restrictions began to ease in the spring of 2021 foreign tourists returning to Madrid discovered the city's downtown had undergone a makeover.

An area better known for its budget hostels, tacky souvenir shops and car-choked roads now had wider pavements, pedestrianised zones, and streets that Madrid's town hall says are safer and cleaner.

The facelift was part of the city's plan to attract a string of five-star hotels as it pushes for a piece of the luxury tourism sector until now dominated in Europe by Paris, London and Milan.

Deluxe hotels are cropping up all over the centre of Spain's capital. The Four Seasons Hotels Ltd opened a hotel near the central Puerta del Sol after the refurbishment of seven buildings including a former bank branch. The 1,500 square metre complex includes a shopping mall for luxury brands including Dior and Hermes.

Marriott International reopened the Santo Mauro Palace after renovation work during the pandemic and in June began to revamp the Westin Palace, adding 400 rooms. The nearby Ritz has recently been upgraded to the luxury Mandarin Oriental Ritz brand. Universal Music selected Madrid for the launch of its first five-star hotel.

"We chose Madrid because it has been underrepresented in the luxury segment for years," said Richard Brekelmans, Marriotts vice president for Southern Europe, citing the city's abundance of art museums, theatres and restaurants as its main draw.

Madrid hopes to avoid the saturation seen in Barcelona or the Balearic islands, while betting that the luxury sector helps it generate the same income. Barcelona, by contrast, is restricting the building or expansion of hotels in its centre to address unmanageable volumes of visitors.

Madrid will have more than 2,700 luxury hotel rooms by the end of 2023, up 50% from a decade ago, according to a report by commercial real estate services company JLL.

The city has 33 new hotels in the pipeline, half of them in the upscale segment, compared with 13 projects in Barcelona, consultancy firm Colliers said in another report. Madrid's hotel investment came to a record 802 million euros in 2022, three times that of Barcelona, it found.

"We saw a great potentialin the United States, Madrid was previously unknown, said Carlos Erburu, general director of the first Thompson hotel in Europe for Hyatt Hotels Corp, which opened in Madrid in late 2022.

"The commitment the authorities in Madrid have shown for hotels versus that of Barcelona is much greater."

RISING ROOM RATES

The arrival of luxury hotels has marked a new peak in room rates.

Antonio Catalan, a partner at the Santo Mauro Palace, said the most expensive room rates there have risen from around 400 euros ($437) a night before the pandemic to 1,200 euros a night now. Occupancy has remained stable even as room rates rise, half a dozen hotel managers told Reuters.

"We still have rates at half of Paris and below Rome," Catalan added. Three luxury hotel managers said they expect prices can increase more in the coming years.

Restaurant chains are following in their wake.

Robuchon International, holder of 15 Michelin stars across its venues, opened a three-floor restaurant in Madrid last year.

Alejandro Pitashny, an Argentine investor, has opened four restaurants in the Spanish capital since 2018. He has also invested in luxury short-rental apartments and is seeking to buy a hotel this year in the city.

"I am bullish on Madrid's tourism industry," he said.

Wealthy Americans are joining Latin Americans in including Madrid as part of their European travels, managers said. The number of U.S. visitors to Spain increased 25% in April compared with the same month in 2019, official data show. Some managers are also noticing an increase in the number of Asian visitors.

The bet on luxury is reflected in expenditure. Foreign tourists in Madrid spent 336 euros per day in April - twice the national average.

"We're seeking to capture the highest-spending international tourists," said Madrid's tourism director, Luis Martin.

Airlines are also catching on. Spain's Iberia expanded its flights to the U.S. and Latin America this summer by 15% compared with 2019, while Air China has just increased flights to Madrid from one to four a week. China Eastern will have five flights per week to Madrid from this month.

All of this means more jobs. Employment in Madrid's tourism sector has grown by 15% since 2019, compared with 5.4% nationally. Most of that growth is in four- and five-star hotels, said Jose Maria Martinez of trade union CCOO.

"The Spanish tourism sector has always tried to compete with other destinations on low prices," he said.

"Some companies have worked out that it is better to bet on more profitable formats."

($1 = 0.9160 euros)

(Reporting by Corina Pons; Additional reporting by Belen Carreno; Writing by Charlie Devereux; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Magnificent orcas put on show for boaters in Australia. See bucket list moment

A boat full of whale watchers in Australia got an unusual treat while exploring the Sapphire Coast recently: a surprise visit from a pod of about eight orcas.

After they were alerted to sightings of the whales from the beach, the boat headed out near Merimbula, according to a June 26 Facebook post from Sapphire Coastal Adventures, the company that organized the trip. Thats when the passengers spotted big black dorsals and blows.

We are still smiling after the most incredible afternoon on the water yesterday, the post said. We ... spent an amazing few hours watching these beautiful animals surfacing and cruising north.

The group said they identified at least eight killer whales: two large males, several smaller females, at least one calf and Split Fin  a female killer whale known in Australia for her dorsal fin that is split, according to Mercury.

Experts believe Split Fin is the matriarch of the pod of whales. She was first catalogued in 2003, Killer Whales Australia wrote in a Facebook post about the recent sighting off Merimbula.

One of the passengers on the boat, David Rogers, captured photos of the orcas swimming and diving, a June 26 Facebook post shows.

Ticked a huge bucket list experience yesterday afternoon, Rogers said in his post. Massive thanks to the crew at Sapphire Coastal Adventures for once again getting us the best seats in the house to view these magnificent animals and apex predators of the ocean up close ... definitely an experience Ill never forget.

Other social media users commented about the experience.

Thats one very unforgettable once in a lifetime experience, one person wrote on Facebook.

Very happy for you and slightly envious I must say, another person commented about the orca sighting.

Oh my stars ... what an incredible sight, a third commenter wrote.

Merimbula is on the southeast coast of Australia, about 280 miles south of Sydney.

Sailors see group of orcas approaching them  then things got dangerous, video shows

Tourist spots something strange lurking in ocean below plane  it was a rare creature

Super curious creature lurks beneath kayak in Australia, drone video shows. A dream
Cast announced for film based on life of 'Thank You, Cancer' writer

[Source]

Kapil Talwalkar, Olivia Liang and Karan Soni have been announced as the main cast of the upcoming indie film "Paper Flowers.

About Paper Flowers: The film, directed by Mahesh Pailoor, follows the story of a young man who becomes determined to make the most of his remaining days after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The film is based on the life of Shalin Shah, a graduate of the University of Southern California and a Peace Corps volunteer who died at the age of 22. Prior to his death in 2015, he wrote an article for HuffPost titled "Thank You, Cancer," which went viral.

Cast and crew: Talwalkar will star as Shah, Liang (Kung Fu, Legacies) will play Shah's high school sweetheart, and Karan Soni, known for his roles in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and the Deadpool franchise, will play one of Shah's friends, according to Deadline.

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Other cast members include Faran Tahir, Meera Simhan, West Liang, Jenny Gago and Tom Everett Scott.

Additionally, Asit Vyas, a relative of Shah's, will serve as a producer.

A word from Vyas and Pailoor: Vyas previously told Deadline that it was Shahs last wish to share his story with as many people as possible when he saw his story help inspire people around the world.

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Pailoor added: Shalins story was not just about a patients experience with a terminal diagnosis, but it was about all of us needing to learn to live in the moment. It was a guide to living.

A release date for Paper Flowers has yet to be announced.

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Netflix drops official trailer for K-drama King the Land starring Lee Jun-ho, YoonA
Gov. Janet Mills speaks during a press conference about new legislation to protect abortion rights in Maine on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Update 7/19/23: Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed LD 1619, expanding abortion access in Maine. Before signing the bill, she said, Maine law should recognize that every pregnancy, like every woman, is different, and that politicians cannot and should not try to legislate the wide variety of difficult circumstances pregnant women face.

Maine lawmakers have advanced and appear to have the votes to pass a bill that would remove gestational limits on abortion when a licensed physician determines the procedure is necessary, expanding access in the state. Currently, Maine restricts abortion after fetal viability, or about 24 weeks gestation, unless the health or life of the pregnant person is at risk.

Read more

People need abortions later in pregnancy for many reasons, including new diagnoses, late recognition of pregnancy, and barriers to getting care when they wanted it. In the year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, providers are seeing even more people seeking abortions later in pregnancy.

Mills has cited as her inspiration for the bill the story of Dana Peirce, a woman who learned at 32 weeks pregnant that her fetus wasnt viable and had to travel to Colorado for an abortion.

Expanding access to abortion is a good thing on its own, but its especially interesting to consider the bill in the context of one U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R), the least popular senator in the country. Collins, who claims to support abortion rights, was a deciding vote to confirm both Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who voted to overturn Roe. (Collins was a no on Amy Coney Barrett, likely knowing Republicans didnt need her vote, which occurred mere days before her 2020 re-election.) She even said she thought people were being alarmist about Kavanaughs crystal clear record on abortion. When Roe fell four years later, the Maine senator claimed shed been duped by Gorsuch and Kavanaugh.

Collins bears a lot of responsibility for the fall of Roe, and now her home state is on the verge of expanding access thats all the more crucial in the wake of the 14 state bansand countingthat she wrought.

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York

A cleaner destroyed decades of "groundbreaking" work by shutting off a lab freezer containing key samples over an "annoying" alarm sound, US lawyers have claimed.

A sign explained how to mute the beep, but a breaker was reportedly switched off after a reading error.

Samples stored at -80C (-112F) were left "unsalvageable", causing $1m in damages, lawyers said.

The lab's school is suing the cleaner's employer for improper training.

The company held a $1.4m (1.1m) contract to clean the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York back in 2020 which is when the alleged incident happened, paper Times Union reported.

Research on photosynthesis, headed by Prof KV Lakshmi, had the potential to be "ground-breaking" in furthering solar panel development, a lawyer for the institute wrote.

A few days before the freezer was turned off, an alarm went off to alert a 3C temperature rise. Though the fluctuation could have been catastrophic, Prof Lakshmi "determined that the cell cultures, samples and research were not being harmed," the legal case read.

Due to Covid restrictions at the time, it would take a week before any repairs could begin.

In the meantime, a sign on the freezer's door 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."

But days after the alarm started sounding, the cleaner turned off the circuit breaker providing electricity to the freezer.

The majority of specimens that were meant to be kept at -80C were "compromised, destroyed and rendered unsalvageable, demolishing more than 20 years of research", according to the legal case.

A report filed by public safety staff at the institute said the cleaner thought they were flipping the breaker on when they actually turned it off, the New York Post reported.

The temperature had allegedly risen by 50 degrees to about -30C by the time researchers discovered the error.

Lawyer Michael Ginsberg told NBC News that the cleaning employee heard "annoying alarms", and lawyers that interviewed him reported "he still did not appear to believe he had done anything wrong, but was just trying to help."

The institute's legal team says the company that employed the cleaner failed to adequately train their employee. The company has not yet commented.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute filed a million-dollar lawsuit against a cleaning company after a custodian, seeking to stop an "annoying" beep, allegedly turned off a lab freezer and killed decades of "groundbreaking" research.

The school in Troy, New York, had contracted with Daigle Cleaning Systems Inc. to clean the Cogswell Building lab between Aug. 17, 2000, and Nov. 27, 2020, according to a civil complaint filed this month in Rensselaer County.

A lab freezer was set at -80 degrees Celsius, and even a small temperature fluctuation of three (3) degrees would cause catastrophic damage and many cell cultures and samples could be lost, according to the lawsuit.

The research had the potential to be groundbreaking, the school's attorney wrote about the work of chemistry and chemical biology professor K.V. Lakshmi.

The freezer was allegedly set to sound if its temperature went up to -78 or down to -82. That alert went off Sept. 14, 2020, though Lakshmi and her team found cell samples to be safe at -78.

The freezer's manufacturer was called for emergency service, but Covid-19 restrictions meant no one could get there until Sept. 21, the lawsuit stated.

Lakshmi's team employed maximum protections including installing a safety lock box on the freezers outlet and socket, the school said in its litigation.

But on Sept. 17, cleaning employee Joseph Herrington reported hearing "annoying alarms" coming from that freezer, plaintiff's attorney Michael Ginsberg told NBC News on Monday.

Herrington allegedly feared the breakers were off and he acted to turn them on.

"The action taken by Herrington was an error in his reading of the panel," according to an incident report cited in the lawsuit. "He actually moved the breakers from the 'on' position to the 'off' position at or about 8:30 p.m. At the end of the interview, he still did not appear to believe he had done anything wrong but was just trying to help."

When research staff showed up the next day, they were stunned to find the freezer off and temperature up to catastrophically high -32, according to the lawsuit.

The Graduate Research Staff discovered that the Freezer was off and that the temperature had risen to the point of destruction of the contained research," the complaint said, adding that "a majority of specimens were compromised, destroyed, and rendered unsalvageable demolishing more than twenty (20) years of research."

Herrington was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, only his employer at the time, Daigle Cleaning Systems.

"Upon information and belief, Joe Herrington is a person with special needs," the lawsuit said. "Despite such knowledge, Defendant failed to properly train Joe Herrington before, and while, Joe Herrington performed his duties as Defendant's employee."

Herrington and the company did not immediately return messages on Monday, seeking their comments.

Ginsberg said the school isn't blaming Herrington but his employer for allegedly not properly training him.

"The cleaning company failed to train the person who they assigned to do this work," Ginsberg said Monday. "Regardless of the individual's capacity, without proper, training anyone could do that."

The lawsuit called Lakshmi 's work as "groundbreaking" and Ginsberg characterized it as: "Solar energy conversion in photosynthesis systems; capturing and converting it to useable energy."

Lakshmi and a school representative could not be immediately reached for comment on Monday.

The lawsuit did not ask for a specific amount in damages but said the value lost was worth more than $1 million.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Four people in Sarasota have fallen ill with malaria, and the Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness alert, the department said this week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also has issued an alert after the Florida cases, and one case in Texas, are the first instances of locally transmitted malaria in the U.S. since 2003.

The four people in Sarasota who were ill after being bitten by infectious mosquitoes have all recovered. All four patients were infected with P. vivax malaria. According to state health officials, it is less fatal than other species.

Malaria symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever and chills. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help within 24 hours of symptoms, the state advised.

The health department is urging all residents across the state to take precautions while outdoors by using bug spray, avoiding mosquito-infested areas, and wearing long pants and shirts whenever possible, especially at sunrise and evening when mosquitoes are most active.

Malaria can only be spread by mosquitoes, not other people. Generally when new cases are reported in the U.S., they are in people who have traveled outside the country. But these five cases were locally transmitted.

To limit the risk of transmission, the health departments in Sarasota and Manatee counties will continue working with local partners and county mosquito control to conduct aerial and ground spraying.

The CDC issued an alert after one malaria case also was confirmed in Cameron County, Texas, which includes the city of Brownsville near the Mexican border. There is no evidence to suggest the cases in the two states are related, the CDC said.

The U.S. has not seen locally transmitted malaria cases since an outbreak in Palm Beach County in 2003, when there were eight cases.

In addition, the state health department offers these tips on how to prevent mosquito bites:

Drain standing water

Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has been collected.

Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that arent being used.

Empty and clean birdbaths and pet water bowls at least once or twice a week. Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that dont accumulate water.

Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them appropriately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Cover your skin

Clothing - Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves. This type of protection may be necessary for people who must work in areas where mosquitoes are present.

Repellent - Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanoate, and IR3535 are effective.

Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

Cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Repair broken screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Tips on mosquito repellent
Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are first US spread in 20 years

Malaria cases in Texas and Florida are first US spread in 20 years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert Monday evening after they said five malaria cases were recently acquired in Florida and Texas.

Four cases were documented in Florida and one in Texas, and the CDC says this is the first time in 20 years to be acquired locally.

"Locally acquired mosquito-borne malaria has not occurred in the United States since 2003 when eight cases of locally acquired P. vivax malaria were identified in Palm Beach County, Florida," the health alert stated.

WHAT CITY TOPS THE LIST FOR MOSQUITOES?

The CDC said there is no evidence that the cases between the two states are related.

Texas officials stated that the person diagnosed with malaria did not travel outside the country or state.

Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease transmitted through the bite of an infective mosquito. Symptoms include fever, chills and flu-like illnesses, health officials said.

NEW INVASIVE MOSQUITO SPECIES SPREADING IN FLORIDA

The CDC said the temperature is "particularly critical" where the mosquitos carrying malaria can survive and multiply.

FILE  Mosquito lands on person

"Generally, in warmer regions  transmission will be more intense," the CDC stated.

Unprecedented heat continues to bake much of the South and Southeast. In Texas, residents have been dealing with the oppressive temperatures for weeks, and theres no relief in sight as the heat continues to expand to more areas of the country.

The FOX Forecast Center is tracking long-range forecast models indicating the overall pattern leading to this extreme heat will linger into early July. What makes this especially dangerous is the number of consecutive days with heat indices close to or above 100 degrees.

MALARIA FEARS RISE AS WARMING CLIMATE EXTENDS RANGE OF DISEASE-CARRYING MOSQUITOES, STUDY FINDS

According to the CDC, about 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The vast majority of cases in the United States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria transmission occurs, many from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

All of the patients have received treatment and are said to be improving.
Six weeks is, quite simply, not a reasonable period of time, the majority held, in an opinion authored by Justice Kaye Hearn.

In January, South Carolinas Supreme Court struck down the states six-week abortion ban as unconstitutional. The 3-2 majority explained that, while the state has the authority to impose limits on the right to privacy, any such limitation must be reasonable and the time frames imposed must afford a woman sufficient time to determine she is pregnant and to take reasonable steps to terminate that pregnancy.

Hearn, the lone woman on the court, left the bench in February after reaching the mandatory retirement age. When she left, South Carolinas Supreme Court became an all-male body for the first time in 35 years. It is the only state Supreme Court in the entire nation with no female members.

On Tuesday  less than six months after it issued that decision  the newly male-dominated court heard arguments in another challenge to a ban that is virtually identical to the one it just struck down.

The new six-week ban passed the South Carolina State Senate last month, over the strenuous objections of every single woman  Republican, Democrat and Independent  in the chamber. The bipartisan coalition of female senators succeeded at blocking the bill during the regular legislative session, but they were unable to hold it off for a second time, during a special session called by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.

Its time for men in this chamber  and the ones across that hall and all across the state of South Carolina  to take some ejaculation responsibility, Republican Sen. Katrina Shealy said in May while attempting to filibuster the law a second time. The vote was eventually allowed to proceed, and the ban was passed by a vote of 27-19.

The new law, like the old one, prohibits abortion after the first visual flutter can be observed in an embryo, typically around the 6th week of gestation  before many women even realize they are pregnant. (Anti-abortion activists claim the flutter constitutes a heartbeat, but the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists disputes that characterization, saying a fetal heartbeat cannot be observed on an ultrasound until somewhere between 17 and 20 weeks.)

Doctors accused of violating the law could face felony charges and penalities of up to $10,000, two years in jail, and the loss of their medical license. A lower court judge temporarily blocked the ban in May, one day after it was signed into law. Abortions are currently legal up to 22 weeks of pregnancy in South Carolina.

It was not clear at oral arguments in which direction the newly-appointed justice, Gary Hill, who previously sat on South Carolinas Court of Appeals, was leaning.

Hill, who ran unopposed for the position, was elected by members of the legislature earlier this year. The Post and Courier reported that two female candidates vying for the role removed their names from consideration after it became clear a majority of legislators would be backing Hill.

House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, a Democrat, said at the time he believed Republican lawmakers were lining up behind Hill based on the belief that he is the pro-life candidate.

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(Bloomberg) -- Malians approved a new constitution that increases the powers of junta leader Assimi Goita while opening a door for him to contest in future elections.

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The new provisions vest the power to hire and fire prime ministers and sectoral ministers in the president. Under the old rules, the president only chooses the prime minister who then forms a government and has the power to dissolve it.

The new rules passed with 97% of eligible votes in the June 18 referendum and a 39% turnout, the electoral commission said on Friday. Its one of several reforms Malis military rulers say are necessary to pave the way for a return to civilian rule.

Malis international partners  including the United Nations, the US, France and regional bodies  have pushed for elections next year. The referendum increases the possibility that Goita and other junta members could run in future votes because the transition charter that excludes them from contesting was based on the old constitution.

The new constitution potentially protects Goita, who overthrew civilian leaders in August 2020 and again in May 2021, from an eventual trial under law. While it proclaims any coup as an imprescriptible violation, it excludes those coups as acts prior to the constitution coming into force, and therefore covered by amnesty laws.

Diplomatic Ties

Since taking power, the military leadership has cut military ties to France while reinforcing its connection with Russia. The Kremlin-linked Wagner Group, which operates alongside Malian troops since 2021, has committed multiple atrocities against civilians, according to the human-rights division of the UN peacekeeping mission to Mali, known as Minusma.

Mali has denied the presence of private military contractors, saying theyre Russian military instructors.

On June 16, Mali called for the immediate withdrawal of Minusma including the 13,000-strong peacekeeping force. The countrys deteriorating security situation shows the failure of Minusma under a mandate that doesnt respond to the security challenges, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdoulaye Diop.

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The body of a man was discovered in a wooded area near a busy stretch of roadway in west Orange County Tuesday morning.

Sheriffs deputies responded to West Colonial Drive between Hiawassee Road and Powers Drive around 10:30 a.m.

READ: 2nd man dies after shooting outside Orange County banquet hall

Channel 9 was at the scene and watched as deputies concentrated on a wooded area along the north side of Colonial Drive, behind some businesses.

An employee at an area business told Eyewitness News that he came across the remains and alerted deputies.

READ: Was that actually a tsunami that hit Florida? Yes, but not the kind you think

The Orange County Sheriffs Office confirmed that a mans body was located, but said it was too early to determine if foul play was involved.

Stay with WFTV.com for updates on this story.

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.
Man broke into California deputys home, confronted him in bathroom with gun, sheriff says

A man was arrested in Plumas County after allegedly pulling a gun on an off-duty deputy Sunday inside the deputys home.

The deputy arrived at his home in the Quincy area around 9:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Plumas County Sheriffs Office. He entered the house, went to his bathroom, turned on the light and was allegedly confronted by a 25-year-old San Jose man who possessed a semi-automatic pistol.

The man allegedly pointed the gun at the deputys face and pulled the trigger, according to the Sheriffs Office. However, the firearm did not have a round chambered, law enforcement said.

Deputies said their off-duty official then subdued the suspect using defensive tactics and removed his firearm. The deputy took the suspect away from the firearm in the bathroom and secured handcuffs to his wrists, authorities said.

Law enforcement said deputies booked the man into Plumas County Correctional Facility on attempted homicide and burglary charges. His bail is set at $500,000.

We are thankful that our employee was not harmed in what could have been a tragic loss for the Plumas County Sheriffs Office as well as the community, the office said in a statement.
Movie-goers evacuate the Century Rio movie theater as officers respond to a shooting at the theater located at 4901 Pan American freeway in northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP)

A man was shot dead after an argument over seating at a cinema in New Mexico that saw moviegoers fleeing for safety.

Enrique Padilla, 19, is accused of opening fire on Michael Tenorio after he found the victim and his wife sat in seats he had bought for himself and his girlfriend.

Police say that the staff at the cinema in Albuquerque tried to resolve the issue at the screening of No Hard Feelings but that the situation escalated with shoving, a thrown bucket of popcorn and then gunfire.

Tenorio, 52, was shot and his wife told investigators that he had been unarmed, according to the Associated Press.

An off-duty police officer who was there tried to perform life-saving measures on Tenorio, but he died at the scene as a result of his wounds.

The suspect fled the scene and was found hiding behind a bush outside the emergency exit, say police.

There was a sense of chaos here, police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said at the scene, the Albuquerque Journal reported. A lot of people were running from the theaters and trying to get out of the way.

Investigators found a gun outside the cinema that was compatible with casings from rounds shot during the incident.

Emergency dispatchers received about 20 calls as other people fled the Century Rio cinema in the northeast part of the city.

Mr Padilla was taken to hospital under armed guard and, according to a criminal complaint, was treated for an abdomen wound.

The criminal complaint and arrest warrant contains counts of homicide, shooting at an occupied building and tampering with evidence.
An argument over reserved seating at an Albuquerque movie theater led to the fatal shooting of a military veteran in front of his wife on Sunday, authorities said.

Michael Tenorio was shot twice at the Century Rio movie theater. Witnesses said he and his wife, Trina Tenorio, got into an argument with Enrique Padilla, 19, and his girlfriend over seating, according to documents obtained by HuffPost.

Albuquerque police said in an arrest warrant that the argument began after Padilla and his girlfriend contacted theater staff to move Tenorio and his wife from reserved seats during a screening of No Hard Feelings.

Staff members moved Tenorio and his wife a seat over, however Padilla expressed that he was not comfortable sitting next to the older couple and proceeded to throw a bag of popcorn at Tenorio, police said. Tenorio then approached Padilla and pushed him against the wall, saying, What the hell, according to the affidavit.

Padilla is accused of pulling out a handgun and firing multiple shots. Tenorio was struck twice.

Michael Tenorio and his wife.

Michael Tenorio and his wife.

Trina Tenorio recalled the moment she lost her husband in an interview with police officers following the shooting, the arrest warrant said. She said she saw a green laser attachment on the gun, which was also pointed at her during the shooting.

According to the arrest warrant, after the gun fired, she grabbed Padillas shirt screaming, You shot my husband until he and his girlfriend ran away. She said she chased the girlfriend and they got into a physical fight. She added that her husband was unarmed and doesnt own a firearm, the arrest warrant said.

Officers said they found Padilla on a sidewalk nearby, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his abdomen, and he was taken to a hospital. It wasnt immediately clear how he was wounded.

The Albuquerque Police Department announced his arrest on Monday on suspicion of murder, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, and

tampering with evidence. According to police, the gun that was in his possession had been stolen.

Padilla has not yet appeared in court, and it wasnt clear if an attorney was representing him.

According to data by the nonprofit group Everytown for Gun Safety, an average of 43,375 people die by gun-related deaths each year. New Mexico has the sixth-highest rate of gun deaths in the U.S.

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A womans body was discovered in a Texas home Monday, June 26, and authorities believe she had been dead for months.

Deputies were sent to the home just outside Houston after a man called 911 to report a death. The man who called is a relative of the victim and lived at the home alongside her, Harris County senior deputy Thomas Gilliland said during a news briefing.

The relative told responding deputies the woman had been here for quite a while deceased, Gilliland said. When deputies found the body, they discovered it was skeletonized and decomposed, authorities said.

A cause of death has not been determined. Homicide investigators were called to the home, but its unclear if the woman was killed.

Asked how long the body was in the home, Gilliland said it had been decomposing for at least months. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially said the woman was dead for an extended period of time.

Authorities said the man who placed the 911 call is being medically evaluated at a hospital.

Its a bit unusual, but weve had those cases before where people have been inside, or reside in homes, maybe elderly, and they dont have anyone to care for them, Gilliland said.

Authorities have been unable to talk with the man to determine why the body had been in the home for so long, according to the sheriffs office. There were no reports of a missing person or reports of a foul odor.

A neighbor told KTRK she had not seen the woman in a very, very long time.

We thought maybe she wasnt here anymore, the neighbor, Jennifer Jones, told KRIV. Maybe she had already passed away. Nobody really thought about it because we didnt see her. Nothing happens at that house. Nobody goes there, nobody comes out. Thats just how its always been.

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Man shoots and kills his mom and aunt while his grandma is home, Pennsylvania cops say

A man is accused of fatally shooting his mother and aunt in their family home, Pennsylvania authorities say.

Benjamin Selby, 43, was taken into custody without incident following the shooting Saturday, June 24, in New Sewickley Township, police said in a Monday news briefing streamed by WTAE.

Officers were sent to the home when Selbys cousin heard gunshots as he was in the driveway, New Sewickley Police Chief Greg Carney said. The cousin, who the Beaver County Times reported heard about 15 gunshots, discovered his aunt had been shot, police said.

The bodies of the two women were found inside the home by responding officers, Carney said in the news briefing. A third woman, Selbys grandmother, was unharmed, the police chief said.

The victims were identified as Delores Selby and Mary Lihosit, police said. They were 71 and 65 years old, respectively, according to KDKA.

A motive for the killings is unknown. Police said Selby has not given any explanation.

Police said they believe the grandma, who is reportedly 92 years old, could have been a third victim.

It can happen anywhere at anytime, Carney said. Its unusual for our community to have something like this, but we were prepared.

Benjamin Selby was charged with two counts of criminal homicide and one count of kidnapping, KDKA reported. Selby lived at the home with his mother and grandmother, according to the police chief.

Carney said the other family members are going through some very difficult times.

Theyre in shock. No one expected this to happen, he said.

New Sewickley Township is about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

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Man wanted in murder investigation arrested after pointing gun at Seattle restaurant customers

A man wanted in a murder investigation was arrested by Seattle police Friday after he allegedly pointed a gun at the customers of a restaurant in Belltown, according to the Seattle Police Department.

At about 10:30 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of a man with a gun outside a restaurant in the 400 block of Cedar Street.

When officers arrived, they found the man sitting in front of the restaurant and took him into custody.

Officers located a loaded 9mm pistol in the front pocket of the mans sweatshirt.

Witnesses told police the man had pulled the gun from his pocket and had pointed it at people.

The gun had no serial number.

Once officers checked the mans name, they noted he was wanted for a King County Sheriffs Office investigation of a murder.

The 46-year-old man was transported to the King County Jail and booked on charges of harassment and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Canada is experiencing its most destructive wildfire season on record, as hundreds of blazes burning from coast to coast continue to send tremendous plumes of smoke into the atmosphere  and over the U.S.

A map updated daily by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre shows how widespread the wildfires have become. Eastern provinces like Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia have been hit particularly hard this year by large and at times uncontrollable blazes.

Officials on Tuesday reported 391 active fires in British Columbia, along Canada's west coast. To the east, Alberta had the second-highest number of active blazes with 125 while Quebec, which borders New England, had 107.

/ Credit: Natural Resources Canada

Wildfire season typically happens around this time of year in Canada, which is home to about 9% of the world's forests. But with the season occurring annually from May until October, devastation seen from the outset this year put the country almost immediately on track for its worst season in more than 30 years.

The broad extent of the fires  from the westernmost provinces to the eastern ones  is unusual, particularly so early in the year, Canadian government officials have said. Political leaders, including President Biden, and environmental experts have pointed to the causal link between rising temperatures driven by climate change, as well as drought, and the extreme wildfire season that Canada is experiencing now. Plus, as CBS News previously reported, harsh weather conditions in Canada are fueling the fires and making it harder for firefighters to combat the flames.

As of its most recent update, the interagency fire center has recorded 4,202 wildfires since the beginning of 2023. The fires have scorched at least 10.9 million hectares  or over 26.9 million acres  of land across Canada this year. In June, the acreage burned this year surpassed the amount of land burned in 1989, which previously held Canada's annual record, the country's National Forestry Database reported.

/ Credit: Natural Resources Canada

There were 906 active fires burning in Canada on Tuesday, according to the latest interagency tally. The agency's overall tally increased from 881 active fires reported on Monday.

Wildfire smoke traveling south from eastern Canadian provinces brought a marked spell of haze, fumes and copper skies to the northeastern U.S. in June. The smoke has again resulted in hazy skies and triggered air quality alerts impacting Americans.

On Tuesday, air quality in Washington, D.C., Montreal and New York City were among the top 10 worst major cities in the world, according to the Swiss air quality technology company IQAir.

As of Tuesday, most of Canada's active fires were classified as "out of control," with 594 blazes in that category. Of the remaining wildfires being monitored, 204 were considered "under control" and another 108 were "being held," which is the label assigned when a fire is not under control but also is not moving.

/ Credit: NASA FIRMS

Canadian officials have declared a "national preparedness level 5" in response to the wildfires, which means the country will deploy any resources necessary to combat the flames. Mr. Biden said in June that firefighters from the U.S. would be sent to Canada to assist in the effort, alongside others from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, a research officer from the Canadian Forest Office previously told CBS News.

According to the interagency center, U.S. firefighters were deployed to Canada on May 8, a month before wildfire smoke began drifting across the border and throughout the Northeast U.S. Since then, about 2,000 federal firefighters have been sent to Canada in rotations.

As of July 17, there were 401 federal firefighters in Canada, many of them in Quebec, the agency said. The specialized crews include hot shots, smoke jumpers and fire management personnel from a range of federal agencies including the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service.

-Alex Sundby contributed reporting.

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How the new Marine infantry battalion fits into the littoral regiment

WASHINGTON  As the Marine Corps continues to reconfigure the infantry battalion, leaders also must learn how the base unit of the service will fit into one of its newest formations: the Marine littoral regiment.

And thats while both the battalion and the regiment add new technologies, face new foes and fight with fewer Marines across farther distances than ever in the Corps history.

Col. Christopher Bronzi, director of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratorys Experiment Division, and his staff on Tuesday at the Modern Day Marine Exposition laid out a multitude of experiments the lab is working that affect those formations and others.

A key feature of how the Corps learns from its various efforts is closing the feedback loop, Bronzi said. While the lab oversees and manages most of the service-level and high-order experimentation directed by leadership, individual units also conduct a variety of experiments.

How this unit could shape the future of infantry battalions for decades

What commanders learn both at the ground level and back at the services headquarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, flows in both directions, Bronzi said.

We make sure we collect and disseminate that data, regardless of where the experimentation occurs, Bronzi said.

During the Tuesday Warfighting Lab panel directors of the infantry battalion experiments, littoral regiment experiments, contested logistics and the littoral maneuver areas of effort shared updates on their programs.

The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the Corps first such regiment, served as the focus of a series of stand-in forces experiments throughout the past 18 months, officials said. Those events ranged from the Philippines-based Balikatan military exercise in 2022 and 2023 to regiment-specific training exercises, among others.

Following Phase I experimentation with the infantry battalion, Marine Corps Times recently reported, the service landed on an 880-person infantry battalion size, 811 Marines and 69 Navy support personnel, which was announced in early June in the Force Design 2030 annual update.

Now the Corps enters Phase II later in 2023 with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California. Experimentation should kick off by January 2024.

At the same time, ongoing experimentation and employment of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment in Hawaii continues at a rapid pace.

Other regimental experiments showed that the services Marine air-ground task force command and control rework, which includes new communications and control technology, has proven its worth in initial stages.

The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab even is using commercial, off-the-shelf radar technology in these early phases to give smaller units maritime domain awareness and ways to target what they sense on their own.

Some of that work showed that even a desert-dwelling infantry battalion at Twentynine Palms, California, could find strike targets at ranges not previously possible for a single unit.

What 3rd MLR was able to demonstrate was the ability to track targets as far out as in the Pacific Ocean while they were operating in Twentynine Palms, Bronzi said.

The combination of sensing and striking will be important for any Marine infantry battalion moving forward. Thats because though not all of the 21 infantry battalions on the current rosters will be embedded into littoral regiment, they need to be able to fit into that type of fighting when needed.

The infantry battalion remains the base unit of the formation and resides within the littoral combat team element of the regiment. Within the littoral regiment it has additional units that its non-regimental brother battalions do not, officials said, namely an engineer platoon and medium missile battery.

These mission sets are a demanding piece of developing the new battalion configuration and its a key mission for the new infantry battalion, Capt. Michael Hogan said during the Tuesday panel.

This is one of the more challenging things theyre going to be asked to do, how do we make sure they fit within it? Hogan said. Thats not exclusive, of course were looking at the other missions as well.

The Corps has received its share of criticism from a series of retired senior and general officers on Force Design 2030 moves.

Critics say the changes are specializing the service too much. They also raise concerns that formations wont be able to conduct the host of mission sets that the Marine air-ground task force and Marine expeditionary unit, among other formations, have in the past.

We cant build the future infantry battalion without understanding how they operate as an (littoral combat team), Hogan said.
How the 'masculine' talks that averted a siege on Moscow went down, according to Putin's negotiator

Wagner Group mercenaries seen in a military vehicle in Rostov-on-Don, the Russian region they occupied, on June 24, 2023. Roman Romokhov/Getty Images

Belarus' Lukashenko shared new details about the talks that averted a crisis in Moscow.

Thousands of Wagner fighters led by Prigozhin threatened to advance on Moscow Saturday.

Lukashenko's long-winded account gives him a starring role in persuading Prigozhin to back down.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko had quite the story to tell Tuesday as he regaled a crowd of military officers about his 11th hour intervention that three days before averted a siege on Moscow.

His rambling account at the ornate Palace of Independence in Minsk offered new details on the behind-the-scenes negotiations that persuaded Yevgeny Prigozhin to withdraw his thousands of Wagner Group fighters from Russia, capping the biggest political crisis of Russian leader Vladimir Putin's rule.

Lukashenko's tale accords him a starring role in the secret negotiations, whose details could not be independently verified. At one point, he offers a cursory note that he instructed his press secretary "not to make a hero out of me" or, he adds, "Putin or Prigozhin." (In an earlier comment, a Belarusian political commentator said Lukashenko's conversation with Prigozhin was "hard, and as I was told, masculine.")

The dictator, whose state borders Ukraine to the north, said he wasn't closely following the armed revolt by Wagner mercenaries led by Prigozhin until Saturday morning. That's when Russian leader Vladimir Putin purportedly came calling. Lukashenko, of course, owes Putin for supporting a brutal crackdown on large protests against his dictatorship and, it should be said, has also earned a reputation for saying outlandish things, like vodka could stave off the coronavirus.

On the Saturday call, Putin sounded bleak about the armed standoff with Prigozhin: "Listen, it's useless. He doesn't even pick up the phone, he doesn't want to talk to anyone," Putin said, according to Lukashenko. But Lukashenko urged him to wait to attack the rebels.

By then, Prigozhin's mercenary army had seized a Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and was pushing northward to Moscow, with aircraft attacking his forces and authorities ripping up highways in attempts to block them. Russians posed with the insurgent fighters, who followed Prigozhin on a pledge to bring justice to defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who had moved in recent weeks to make Wagner subordinate to their command.

When he reached the mercenary boss at around 11 a.m., Lukashenko got an earful.

"During the first round we talked using only swear words for about 30 minutes," Lukashenko said, according to a translation by the state-run news agency Belta. "I analyzed it later. The number of swear words was ten times higher than that of normal words. Certainly, he said he was sorry for using swear words." (A political commentator said previously "they immediately blurted out such vulgar things it would make any mother cry.")

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko at the Kremlin in Moscow on September 9, 2021. SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Lukashenko says he had "six or seven" rounds of phone calls, although it wasn't clear from the state-run account what was said on which calls. Prigozhin arrived in Belarus after Lukashenko's offers of safety and as of late Tuesday had not publicized his own detailed version of the negotiation that led to his exile.

"I began to ask questions," Lukashenko continued. "I asked: "Did you kill civilians, military who did not oppose you?" Prigozhin replied: "I swear, we did not hurt anyone. We occupied the headquarters. Here I am," Lukashenko recalled.

Prigozhin's forces did, to be sure, kill Russian pilots and aircrews who had represented a threat to his forces.

"I say: "What do you want?"

Prigozhin, again per Lukashenko: "I am not asking for anything. I just want Shoigu and Gerasimov. And I need to meet with Putin."

"No one will give you Shoigu or Gerasimov, especially in this situation. You know Putin as much as I do. Secondly, he will not meet with you, he will not even talk on the phone with you in this situation."

After a pause as the warlord weighs this, perhaps sensing his options are closing, Prigozhin replies: "But we want justice! They want to destroy us! We'll march on Moscow!"

"You'll just be crushed like a bug," Lukashenko replied.

Hours later, Prigozhin said he would accept Lukashenko's offer to withdraw but worried his thousands of fighters could be attacked by Russian troops as they retreated. Lukashenko says he "guaranteed" his safe passage, one offer that did hold up.

Also in the speech, Lukashenko claimed he had talked Putin out of assassinating Prigozhin.

The Russian ministry of defense has said it plans to go forward with disarming Wagner of its heavy weapons and giving them the option to join Moscow's regular forces. A criminal case against Wagner for rebellion has been closed, but Putin suggested that Prigozhin and officials who backed him may face charges for massive embezzlement in another sign the shaky truce with Wagner could still unravel.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mass. LGBTQ group home offers unique resource for kids in need of support

A group home thats been welcoming LGBTQ youth for over two decades in Massachusetts believes a greater number of similar resources is needed nationwide.

The Waltham House, which is part of the Home For Little Wanderers non-profit, was the first residential group home in New England designed specifically for LGBTQ youth when it opened in 2002.

At the time, it was among the first of its kind in the nation.

Staff members told Boston 25 News that a recent record wave of anti-LGBTQ policies across the country has been adding to the challenges for kids already facing precarious situations.

Just the knowledge that there is that hate and there is that legislation actively working against these folks really does take a toll, said Program Director Becky Smith. Its definitely really impactful on the mental health of our kids.

Smith said most of the kids, ages 14 to 18, who move into the group home come through DCF.

Over time, weve really transitioned from serving primarily gay men to trans and non-binary youth primarily, she explained. What that really comes from is theres a real lack of foster homes in the state.

According to Smith, many foster homes are either unable or unwilling to care for kids with gender-expansive identities.

All of the support that kids find at Waltham House prepares them for whats next - whether its reunification with their families, transitioning to a foster family or embracing independent living.

The Home For Little Wanderers is now getting ready to open the first group home in New Hampshire specifically for LGBTQ youth in September.

The non-profit offers 26 different community programs across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York that serve youth and families.

As we see more and more violence, more and more legislation thats attacking trans youth across the country Waltham House provides a respite and competent care and treatment to LGBTQ youth across Massachusetts, said Rob Quinn, Vice President of Congregate Care at Waltham House.

A new national survey from the Trevor Project found that mental health among LGBTQ youth is worsening in part due to what it calls the current hostile political climate.

It surveyed 28,524 LGBTQ youth in the U.S., ages 13 to 24.

41% of those teens and young adults reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous 12 months.

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
Massachusetts launched a billboard campaign featuring images of LBGTQ couples in several states, including Republican-led Texas and Florida, on Monday to promote the state as a welcoming and safe place for all.

The Massachusetts For Us All billboards, which come at the tail end of Pride month, also will be placed throughout New England and New York, according to Massachusettss Office of Travel and Tourism.

At a time when other states are misguidedly restricting LGBTQIA+ rights, we are proud to send the message that Massachusetts is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place for all, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) said in a statement.

The Massachusetts For Us All campaign sends a clear message that Massachusetts stands for freedom and civil rights, she added. To anyone considering where they want to live, raise a family, visit or build a business  we want you to join us here in Massachusetts.

Healey, the nations first openly lesbian governor, is also set to address the Irish Senate on Tuesday on the 30th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Max Soviak joined the Navy after graduating from Edison High School in Milan, Ohio.

When Navy Corpsman Maxton (Max) Soviak was killed by a suicide bomber while assisting evacuees in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, 2021, he left behind a legacy of passion for life and service that lives on today in the Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation. The foundation was established by Maxs parents, Kip and Rachel Soviak, to honor their son and continue the benevolence that defined Maxs life.

This year, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) honors Maxs legacy by naming the annual rimfire sporter match the Max Soviak National CMP Rimfire Sporter Match. The event will begin with a CMP Rimfire Clinic on July 7, and the Match will be held on July 8. CMP staff have long wanted to find a way to pay tribute to Max, who spent countless hours as a youth at Camp Perry.

When the CMP staff heard that Max had been killed, we were heartbroken, said CMP Programs Chief Christie Sewell. When we first heard, we wanted to do a memorial to him, but there were so many people doing things, so we waited.

Soviak killed in Kabul airport bombing

Max touched many people in his lifetime.

He was well-liked by his peers and family, Kip said. He had an infectious smile, and he loved to pull shenanigans. If he ever got in trouble, he could talk his way out of anything.

After graduating from Edison High School in Milan, Ohio, in 2017, Max joined the Navy with a dream to become a corpsman. Following medic training, he served in a Guam hospital for two years. While there, Maxs adventurous spirit inspired him to help form a biddy wrestling program and engage in cliff diving, scuba diving, CrossFit, wrestling, and jujitsu.

Maxs dream of becoming a Greenside Corpsman with the Marines led him to Camp Pendleton for training, and after graduation, he was deployed with the 2/1 Marine Battalion to Jordan. While there, Maxs battalion was sent to assist evacuees trying to escape the Taliban in Kabul.

Everything was happening in Afghanistan, and they were trying to get people out, Kip said. His was the closest military unit to help, so they were thrown on a plane and sent to Kabul.

Max Soviak was a member of the Erie County Conservation Club and attended Air Rifle Matches at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center.

Max spent eight days working at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, helping to save lives. In the end, he gave his.

On Aug. 26, a suicide bomber slipped in there and detonated, Kip said.

Foundation created in Soviak's name aids veterans and families

Max was among 13 service members killed. He was 22.

Back in Ohio, friends and strangers began sending money to the Soviak family to honor the fallen hero. Those donations were used to create the Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation, which provides adventures, experiences and resources to veterans and their families so they can live life to the MAX!

Rachel and I thought, What do we do with all this money? Kip said. After seeing the boys who came back from Kabul, they all seemed like they needed some sort of help. What they saw was horrendous. We set up a foundation to help veterans with whatever they might need.

The foundation honors Maxs life and reflects his adventurous personality by helping veterans enjoy life any way possible.

We didnt want to stick to one thing. Max was always changing his mind about what he wanted to do with his career and after his career, and we followed that thought process, Kip said.

The foundation has provided veterans with service dogs and emotional support dogs, sent a veteran and his wife on a NASCAR trip, and assisted a veteran family who needed adaptive services to visit Disney World.

Members of the Soviak family will return to Camp Perry to participate in the Max Soviak National CMP Rimfire Sporter Match in July.

Right after Max passed, his dad reached out to us and wanted us to know that CMP had a very positive impact on his son and family, Sewell said.

The match will kick off when a member of the Soviak family fires the Camp Perry National Matches cannon on July 8 at 7:45 a.m. Following the firing, a brick inscribed with HM3 Max Soviak, CMP Competitor, Friend & Hero will be unveiled at Shooters Memorial Plaza by the main flagpole.

Competitors will receive event T-shirts depicting an image of Max and the foundations motto, Live Life to the MAX.

Raffle tickets for a Savage Mark II-FVT Rifle donated by Savage can be purchased for 1 for $5 or 6 for $20. Proceeds from the raffle go to the Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation.

The rimfire sporter match has kind of a carnival atmosphere. Its one of our favorite matches, Sewell said. It will be just a fun day where we remember Max and celebrate his life. Were excited about it. They are such a sweet, kind family, and they are doing a lot for Max.

The Max Soviak National CMP Rimfire Sporter Match offers competitors a recreation-oriented competition where they use smallbore .22 sporter rifles (plinking and small game rifles) commonly owned by almost all gun enthusiasts. This is a unique match where all thats needed to compete is a rifle and ammo. Participants must fire with standard sporter-type rimfire rifles that weigh no more than 7  pounds. More information can be found at thecmp.org/cmp-matches/national-rimfire-sporter-rifle-match/ or call 419-635-2141 for more details.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Max Soviak National CMP Rimfire Sporter Match set for July 7-8
In the first days of his presidential campaign, Miami Mayor and Republican primary candidate Francis Suarez has touted a decrease in the citys homeless population, but the numbers hes citing are a mystery.

Now, instead of 6,000 homeless, we have 608, Suarez says in his campaign launch video published two weeks ago. In a tweet published Friday, Suarez wrote our homeless population which peaked at 6000  as of our last census, is at 608  and we will not stop. Hes repeated the claim in various speeches.

The two data points Suarez compares are the result of two different counting methods  and they are 31 years apart.

Matthew Marr, a sociologist and homelessness researcher at Florida International University, called Suarezs assertion a convenient and misleading presentation of the point-in-time enumerations.

On Jan. 26, 2023, 608 people were counted sleeping on the street  the number Suarez cites as the latest census figure. Another 2,037 otherwise homeless people were sleeping in shelters, mostly in Miami, according to the Miami-Dade Homeless Trusts Census report.

In this file photo from Jan. 28, 2022, Maxie Espinosa, a City of Miami outreach referral specialist, offers to bring someone in from the cold in downtown Miami. Pedro Portal/pportal@miamiherald.com

Suarez has not said when there were 6,000 unsheltered homeless in the city, and his campaign did not respond to the Miami Heralds questions regarding these claims. The Homeless Trust report has 6,000 listed under a subtotal for 1992. But, according to the trust, that number came from a profile of the homeless population countywide in conjunction with the Governors Commission on Homelessness. And it does not specify whether this includes people in shelters.

The 608 figure, reflecting those living in the street, is drawn just from the city.

The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, a tax-funded agency founded in the 1990s, sends teams out twice a year to count the number of people sleeping on the streets on a specific night. This is called the point-in-time count, and the trust has been using that strategy to estimate homelessness since 1997. Although the point-in-time figures have their shortcomings, they are accepted as estimates and are key to securing federal grants to support social programs meant to help reduce homelessness.

I was surprised and shocked, said James Torres, president of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, a consortium of homeowner associations, describing his reaction to Suarezs claim. Its not accurate.

The same data cited by the Suarez campaign to highlight the 608 figure show that the citys estimated homeless population has neither decreased nor increased dramatically during his mayoral term, according to a Herald analysis. The numbers fluctuated between 500 and 700. In January 2017, a few months after he was elected mayor, the trust counted 609 people sleeping on the streets  just one more than those counted in January 2023.

Using the point-in-time data provided by the Homeless Trust, the city of Miamis unsheltered homeless population peaked in January 2001, when 1,157 were counted as sleeping on the street.

Homelessness down, but not during Suarez

Using the trusts own numbers, which date back to 1997, the tally of unsheltered homeless people in the city saw the most significant decrease between 2003 and 2009  from 1,152 counted in April 2003 to 411 counted in January 2009. Suarez has been an elected official since 2009. The decrease began in the late 1990s when Suarez was a student at the University of Florida.

During that time frame, housing options expanded for the homeless population. Lotus House, Miamis only homeless shelter exclusively for women and children opened in 2006. Camillus House also expanded housing options for the homeless during this span.

The Homeless Trust, the leading government agency responsible for addressing homelessness, has a $90 million operating budget that is partly funded by a 1% tax on restaurant checks across most Miami-Dade cities, including Miami. The city has also contributed millions to the Trust and other institutions that work with homeless people, including Lotus House and Camillus House.

The citys financial support for homeless initiatives, which predate Suarezs time as mayor, has continued under his administration.

A homeless man lays down on the sidewalk at the Museum Park in downtown Miami, during the Miami-Dade Countys annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless summer census, where different teams conducted the annual summer count of those experiencing homelessness from Homestead to Miami Beach to North Miami, on Thursday August 18, 2022. Pedro Portal/pportal@miamiherald.com

Torres, who has lived downtown for about nine years, says he has not seen significant improvement despite the spending on social programs.

I would love to tell Francis Suarez that he needs to confront these challenges upfront rather than indulging himself and promoting himself for his presidential bid, Torres said.

Miamis history with homelessness

In the late 1980s, long before Suarez entered public life, Miami polices alleged harassment of homeless people prompted a class-action lawsuit led by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union. The case led to a landmark 1998 agreement that provided homeless people protections from police harassment and arrests for loitering.

Twenty years later, Suarez sponsored a move to end the consent decree in his first year as mayor, over the ACLUs objections. A federal judge sided with the city and removed the protections in 2019.

Since then, the city has enacted laws adopting more restrictions for people experiencing homelessness, each sparking passionate debate.

In 2020, the City Commission created regulations that limit where and when individuals and organizations can feed people living on the street. Those who break the rules can face hundreds of dollars in fines. In 2021, commissioners banned homeless encampments and empowered police to arrest violators.

Suarez, who has largely stayed away from public commission meetings and rarely participates in debates on legislation, did not publicly comment on either measure.

Then in 2022, commissioners considered building up to 100 tiny homes for homeless people on Virginia Key, a transition zone first suggested by Commissioner Joe Carollo. Suarez later convinced Carollo and the commission to shelve the idea and pursue a temporary camp elsewhere. No site has been chosen.

The citys treatment of people experiencing homelessness prompted another federal lawsuit in 2022. ACLU attorneys representing multiple people living on the street are challenging the citys practice of destroying personal property during regular cleanups of public sidewalks. The case is expected to go to trial in November.
Former President Trump is, so far, dodging the issue of whether he would support a national abortion ban.

Its an evasiveness that could ultimately benefit Trump in a general election  if he gets that far. But it holds dangers for him among the religious conservatives who make up a significant proportion of the Republican primary electorate.

Trump, speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference Saturday, talked in vague terms about a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life  but the question of what that role might be was never sketched out.

That was a disappointment to some conservatives, since it came after speculation that Trump might indeed back such a ban.

The failure to do so places his position in stark contrast with his own former vice president, Mike Pence, who told the same conference that contenders for the GOP nomination should support a 15-week ban as a minimum nationwide standard.

Trumps history on abortion is complicated.

It includes everything from his 1999 description of himself as very pro-choice to suggesting, in a 2016 campaign interview with Chris Matthews, that women who had abortions should face some form of punishment.

Trump appointed the three Supreme Court Justices who helped the court overturn Roe v. Wade  Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

In his Saturday speech to the group of religious conservatives, Trump boasted that his action on the Supreme Court made him the most pro-life president in American history.

Even so, at the start of this year, Trump contended that the reason for the GOPs underwhelming performance in last Novembers midterm elections was the abortion issue being poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions.

That remark caused tremors among social conservatives, especially since he made the point in a Truth Social post where he was also arguing that he bore no culpability for his partys disappointing election performance.

Many on the right have not forgotten that moment  which makes them especially sensitive to Trumps refusal to take a clearer position on a nationwide ban.

Trump wrongly blamed pro-life voters, perhaps the largest and most loyal voting bloc the GOP has had for 50 years, for the 2022 election disappointment. He has been a self-imposed squish on the issue that should be his strong suit this entire calendar year so far, Steve Deace, an Iowa-based radio personality who has a national profile among social conservatives, told this column.

Regarding Trumps Faith and Freedom Coalition speech, Deace asserted that Trump still didnt offer any specifics but acknowledged that at least he didnt stupidly dunk on the base again.

The latest twists in the abortion debate feed right into the question of whether Trump is vulnerable among religious conservatives generally.

To be sure, there is no way Trump could enjoy his current commanding lead in GOP primary polls unless he retained significant support among Christian conservatives.

An NBC News poll released Sunday saw him draw the support of 51 percent of Republican primary voters, well clear of the 22 percent supporting his closest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Pence, in third place, was way behind, on 7 percent.

Back in 2016, Trump had early struggles with religious conservatives.

He lost that years Iowa caucuses to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), for example. Self-described born-again or evangelical Christians made up almost two-thirds of all caucus-goers in Iowa, according to an entrance poll, and favored Cruz over Trump by 12 points.

But Trumps support among evangelicals grew as the Republican primary wore on.

Once he became the nominee, rumors that Christian conservatives would be hesitant to back a thrice-married nominee who had been caught on tape boasting about grabbing womens genitals proved unfounded.

Exit polls from the 2016 presidential election saw white born-again or evangelical Christians vote for Trump over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 80 percent to 16 percent  a bigger margin than 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, a Mormon, had enjoyed over then-President Obama.

This time around, DeSantis has hit Trump more than once on the abortion issue. DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban in his state earlier this year and, in May, complained Trump wont answer whether he would sign it or not.

Earlier this month, DeSantis said in a Christian Broadcasting Network interview that he was surprised that Trump had called the ban too harsh.

Whether the effort to attack from the right gets traction with conservative voters remains to be seen.

But its notable that DeSantiss support for the six-week ban reportedly caused unease with some of the governors big financial backers, who are worried that it would be a serious drag in a general election.

A Gallup poll released earlier this month found a record-high of 69 percent of Americans believing that abortion should be legal in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the same poll, 61 percent said that the Dobbs ruling overturning Roe v. Wade had been a bad thing.

Conservatives argue, nonetheless, that Trumps dodging on a nationwide abortion ban would be problematic for any other candidate.

Trump, of course, is not any other candidate.

For any other politician, I could answer this question very easily. But because its Trump, it gets difficult, said Rick Tyler, who served as Cruzs communications director in the 2016 campaign.

It would affect Trump if more people were willing to call him on it.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mental health in spotlight in Hong Kong after violent attacks A woman takes a photo in front of heart-shaped light installations in Hong Kong

By Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters) - A series of brutal attacks in Hong Kong is shining a light on mental health in a city that has suffered from particularly acute strains while lacking sufficient resources to provide proper care for all who need it, mental health groups say.

Violent crime is rare in the financial hub but this month two women were stabbed to death in a busy shopping mall by an attacker who police reported had a history of mental illness.

Days later, another knife-wielding attacker severely injured the manager of a McDonald's restaurant.

Also this month, a 29-year-old mother was arrested on suspicion of suffocating her three young daughters and in February, police charged four people in connection with the killing of a 28-year-old model, Abby Choi.

The policy and advocacy group Our Hong Kong Foundation says the state of the mental health of Hong Kong's more than 7 million people has deteriorated while support from the public care sector is not adequate to meet the need for help.

"The mental health status of the Hong Kong population has been worsening over recent years," the foundation said in a report, citing a World Health Organization index that measures well-being and a 2022 survey that found that depressive symptoms were widespread.

A city government spokesman, asked about the state of mental health, referred Reuters to a meeting the administration organised this month aimed at exploring more ways to address mental health problems and support people who suffer from severe mental disorders.

Mental health experts point to the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor in the increase in mental health issues, as it has been in many places.

But in the case of Hong Kong, its lockdown rules that were among the world's toughest came after unsettling pro-democracy demonstrations that began in 2014, bringing bouts of chaos and culminating in sometimes violent anti-government protests in 2019.

While at the root of the protests was concern over what many see as the erosion of civil liberties in the former British colony as the Beijing government tightens its control, a high cost of living, growing income gap and the perennial problem of a lack of housing exacerbate the frustrations.

Many people in densely populated Hong Kong wait years for public housing, most young people live with their parents and many thousands are packed into subdivided units, known as coffin cubicles.

'EXHAUSTION'

Judy Blaine, a researcher and consultant on mental wellbeing, says it is the compounding of stresses that takes a toll on Hong Kong's people.

"We're dealing with a triple whammy people have had. Hong Kong's experience is just emotional exhaustion," Blaine said.

"There is an underlying sense of uncertainty, an underlying sense of fear coupled with a lack of autonomy to do anything about it. That's when people become more defensive."

A severe shortage of care workers complicates efforts to address the problem, health charities say.

Carol Liang, deputy CEO of the group Mind Hong Kong, said waiting times for cases deemed non-urgent can be as long as 90 weeks in the Hospital Authority system.

"There are only 7.55 psychiatrists and 8.15 clinical psychologists per 100,000 people in Hong Kong compared with the OECD averages of 18 and 53, respectively," she said, referring to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development global policy forum.

(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Robert Birsel)
FILE PHOTO: The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck & Co campus in Rahway, New Jersey, New Jersey

(Reuters) -Merck and Co and partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics said on Tuesday they had withdrawn their COVID-19 pill application in the European Union, months after the region's regulator did not back the drug citing insufficient data.

Merck had requested the regulator's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to re-examine the application for molnupiravir, which is sold under the brand Lagevrio in several countries, after CHMP advised against its market authorization in February.The agency had said the drug could not demonstrate benefits in treating COVID patients who did not need oxygen support and were at the risk of their disease worsening.

"We are evaluating our options on how we can generate additional evidence supportive of Lagevrio for the treatment of COVID-19," Merck's research head Dean Li said in a statement on Tuesday.

Merck said it was committed to continue providing Lagevrio through "compassionate or emergency use programs" authorized by individual EU member states.

Lagevrio is authorized as a COVID treatment for high-risk patients in more than 25 countries including Australia, Japan, U.S., UK and China, but its sales have slumped recently as cases have declined.

The drug's sales plummeted 88% to $392 million in the first quarter.

The pill has also suffered as it was found to be only 30% effective compared with nearly 90% effectiveness for Pfizer's COVID drug Paxlovid, as shown in separate studies.

(Reporting by Leroy Leo in BengaluruEditing by Vinay Dwivedi and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
The city of Miami Beach has issued a violation for unpermitted construction and ordered work to stop immediately on a project by Rishi Kapoor, a developer under scrutiny for hiring Miami Mayor Francis Suarez as a consultant and whose business dealings are the subject of multiple investigations.

The stop-work order was posted one day after the Miami Herald inquired about apparent construction underway at the site, including parts of the foundation and columns at Kapoors planned six-story co-living and co-working project at 1234 and 1260 Washington Ave.

Kapoors firm, URBIN Miami Beach, has applied for but not yet obtained a building permit for the project. Last month, the Miami Beach City Commission granted an extension to May 2024 to get the permit and also approved a new ordinance to allow a possible future Kapoor co-living project on Washington Avenue near 15th Street.

Kapoor, who has made substantial campaign contributions to multiple Miami Beach elected officials, got the go-ahead late last year to demolish a one-story building that stood at the 1260 Washington site. The developer also received a state permit earlier this year to construct drainage wells.

But the city has not approved any other construction there, Miami Beach spokesperson Melissa Berthier said. Kapoors firm applied for a building permit in May 2021.

Other than the demolition work associated with the demolition permit, they are not authorized to do any other work  until the building permit is issued, Berthier said.

Contractor says construction began

Berthier said the projects general contractor, Winmar Construction, acknowledged to city officials that foundation work was performed earlier this year. She said the city is giving the contractor until Friday to submit final plans for review, or they will be referred to the States Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Representatives for Kapoor could not be reached for comment.

Winmar Construction representatives also could not immediately be reached, nor could representatives of MTCI, a private inspection company that was hired to oversee construction.

The development site at 1260 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach is pictured June 20, 2023. Aaron Leibowitz/aleibowitz@miamiherald.com

Construction at the site appears to have halted in recent weeks. Workers at several nearby businesses told the Herald last week that they had seen a flurry of construction activity earlier this year, but it seemed to stop abruptly a few weeks ago.

It wasnt immediately clear why the unpermitted work wasnt flagged sooner. City code officers had been at the site as recently as April, records show, when a violation was issued for failure to install a concrete foundation beneath a chain-link fence.

Berthier, the city spokesperson, said the private provider, MTCI, is responsible for plan reviews and inspections. Florida law allows developers to utilize private providers to oversee and inspect construction projects, though those providers are supposed to submit reports to city building officials.

Mounting problems for Kapoor

Several contractors for Kapoor, including Winmar and an architecture firm on the Miami Beach project, Touzet Studio, have filed liens against entities tied to Kapoor this month alleging they havent been paid in full.

Kapoors company also owes nearly $215,000 in property taxes at the site, according to Miami-Dade County records.

Rishi Kapoor

Earlier this month, the Herald reported that the FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission had opened parallel investigations into Kapoors business dealings in South Florida, focusing separately on his hiring of Suarez as a consultant on local projects and his raising of funds from investors.

READ MORE: FBI investigates developers payments to Miamis mayor as SEC digs into companys finances

Location Ventures closed on the South Beach site for $20 million in 2021 and got approvals to renovate an existing office building at 1234 Washington Ave. and knock down the existing structure next door. Last year, the firm announced all 69 residential units in the planned building had been sold.

The project is also planned to include ground-floor retail and co-working space. The small size of its proposed units  studios at 275 square feet  has been controversial among elected officials, but Kapoor and his team have sold the project as a boon for the neighborhood.

It is very important that the city start diversifying its tax base away from hospitality-driven revenues and towards the more mixed-use projects like this one, Michael Larkin, an attorney for Kapoor, told the Miami Beach Planning Board in June 2020.

In October 2021, Suarez was pictured speaking and posing with Kapoor at an event in South Beach marking the beginning of condo sales.

This past November, Location Ventures held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site with guests including Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.

This property will infuse living, working and wellness into a singular location, while contributing to the quickly evolving, iconic Washington Avenue district, Kapoor said at the time, according to Florida YIMBY. We selected this site because it represents our brand ethos to increase accessibility and mobility in urban cores.

The Coral Gables-based Location Ventures and its co-living and co-working brand URBIN acquired the 4-story office building at 1234 Washington Ave. and the adjacent building and parking lot at 1260 Washington Ave. A rendering shows the proposed development at the site. Touzet Studio

Kapoor is pursuing several projects in Miami Beach, in addition to other co-living endeavors in Miami and Coral Gables. Location Ventures submitted an unsolicited bid last year to redevelop a city-owned parking lot at 13th Street and Collins Avenue into a parking garage, office and retail building.

In March, an entity connected to the firm contributed $50,000 to a political group supporting Michael Gongora, a candidate for Miami Beach mayor.

Entities tied to Kapoor also gave $10,000 apiece to political committees backing Miami Beach candidates in a special election late last year.

Earlier in 2022, the city removed Kapoors name from a list of prohibited donors after he made donations totaling $3,000 to Gelbers re-election campaign. City officials said Kapoor had been erroneously added to the prohibited list because he wasnt actively pursuing a development agreement, a requirement for developers to be placed on the list.

Miami Herald staff writers Tess Riski, Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas contributed to this report.
Men entertain themselves with a sidewalk game of chess in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on June 26, 2023 (Giorgio Viera)

In Miami, Spanish rules. One hears it everywhere, with hundreds of thousands of immigrants speaking it even as they attain fluency in English.

The result, though, is a spoken English with enough variants that a new study deems it a dialect.

It is an English that contains literal translations from Spanish that have been incorporated into daily language, says Phillip Carter, a sociolinguist at Florida International University (FIU), author of the study.

In Miami, one commonly hears "get down from the car" instead of "get out of the car," a literal translation of "bajarse del carro" in Spanish. Another literal translation is "put the light" instead of "turn on the light."

Such odd turns of phrase can befuddle English speakers from elsewhere.

Immigrants habitually use literal translations in their host countries but such usage tends to disappear in subsequent generations, Carter tells AFP.

His study, conducted after many interviews of Latinos, found that not to be the case in South Florida.

"It was interesting to see that certain of these expressions got passed down to their children and to their grandchildren," says Carter, 43.

"Some things stick around. And for that reason, we were referring to this as a dialect, something that people learn as their first language that includes certain of these features influenced from Spanish."

- Linguistic coexistence 

According to the US Census, 69.1 percent of the population in Miami-Dade County is Hispanic. The daily coexistence of English and Spanish began with the arrival of Cuban migrants after the 1959 Revolution on the island and continued with waves of migrants from other Latin countries, particularly Colombia and Venezuela.

This linguistic synchrony, moving from one language to the other constantly, sometimes in the same sentence, gave rise to Spanglish, a Spanish full of Anglicisms and literal translations that is spoken widely in Spanish-speaking homes across the United States.

"There's not a single language that doesn't have words borrowed from another language," Carter says. "When you have two languages spoken by most of the population, you're going to have a lot of interesting language contact happening."

For Ody Feinberg, the conclusions of the study are not surprising.

"I see it a lot every day because people start talking to me in English, and then all of a sudden they bust out and say: 'You speak Spanish.' And then they keep mixing it up back and forth. It's kind of comical," says Feinberg, 62, who advises clients for Louis Vuitton in Miami.

For 47-year-old Camilo Mejia, who works in a nonprofit, the cultural and linguistic diversity of Miami are to be celebrated.

"Here, you not only learn about other cultures but learn about a culture that's the result of many people from different backgrounds coming together and living together and creating new things together," he says.

gma/tjj/mlm
(Canva)

LANSING, Mich.  Today in Michigan, lawmakers are introducing a wave of bills that seek to improve the lives of Native Americans and announcing plans for the first powwow ceremony to take place on the state capitol grounds.

The package of bills, Michigan Indigenous Culture and Heritage Package,  introduced by six state representatives, including Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), and Helena Scott (D-Detroit)  aims to address issues that have affected Indian Country for years.

Rheingans said the bills were written with input from Michigans Native communities.

I came to Lansing to work on policy that uplifts historically excluded groups, Rheingans said in a statement. I have always believed that the best policy should be driven by the people most impacted. Indigenous people in Michigan told us what they wanted us to work on, and we are working with Indigenous leaders to deliver for them.

Two of the bills from the package, HB4853 and HB4854, are designed to protect the rights of Indigenous students wearing ceremonial regalia at graduation ceremonies and those who wear traditional regalia or bring cultural objects to their schools and universities.

As well, HB4855 and HB4856 would add members to the Michigan Wolf Management Advisory Council and Michigan Wildlife Council with the goal of adding tribal voices and perspectives to the councils.

Another introduced bill, HB4852, would declare Manoomin, or wild rice, as the states official native grain. Designating wild rice as the state grain will enable Michigan to create a stewardship plan to protect the cultivation of wild rice.

The remaining bills in the package would protect Michigans pollinators and vital plants. HB4857 would make milkweeds exempt from the designation of noxious plants, ensuring the plant would no longer subject to state and local eradication efforts.

Lastly, HB4858 would prohibit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on public land and require the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to produce a report to the legislature detailing the costs and benefits of the use of the pesticides.

The new bills have been praised by members of the Michigan Native community, including University of Michigan professor and tribal citiizen of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Kyle Whyte.

The new bills are a powerful spark for protecting the health, well-being, and cultural integrity of Anishinaabe people in Michigan, and empower our voices on significant issues that affect our lives, Whyte said in a statement. At the same time, these bills show how Anishinaabe peoples solutions in the state will benefit Michiganders broadly, fostering clean, safe, and healthy environments for all to steward and safeguard these lands and waters.

To commemorate the bills, Rheingans and Witwer's offices, along with Witwers legislative aid Yvonne Fronczak (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians), are planning the first powwow celebration on the capitol lawn, set to take place on Michigan Indian Day, Sept. 22. As well, on Sept. 21, the Anishinaabek Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party will be hosting a lobby day in Lansing to urge legislators to support the package of bills introduced today and future legislation. Witwers legislative aid Yvonne Fronczak (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians), has taken the lead in planning both events alongside the Michigan Indigenous Culture and Heritage (MICH) Committee.

The MICH Committee, in partnership with the Anishinaabek Caucus, is dedicated to uplifting and celebrating our Native communities, uniting them at the capitol, the Committee said in a statement. This is an opportunity to educate and celebrate our Elders who have tirelessly fought and advocated for our native rights. It is also a crucial moment to impart knowledge to the next generation, equipping them to become advocates for our Native Issues.

Fronczak is hoping the events will inspire a new generation of advocates for Native issues.

We are planning a powwow and an Anishinaabek lobby day in September to bring together all Native communities in Michigan to celebrate and educate, Fronczak said. Our elders were our advocates, and now its time to teach our next generation to be advocates, too.

About the Author: "Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American studies. "

Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net
China mulls new legislation to safeguard food security

Xinhua) 08:04, June 27, 2023

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.

Despite an overall favorable situation concerning food security, China, with a growing grain demand, faces multifaceted challenges, including limited and low-quality arable land and increasing difficulty in ensuring stable and high grain output, according to an explanation for the draft.

With an aim to provide a legal guarantee for fortifying China's food security, the draft was formulated based on the country's realities, the document read.

It added that the proposed legislation addresses challenges concerning food security to ensure an adequate food supply in China and translates mature policy measures and institutional achievements that have been tested in practice into legal norms.

Recognizing the importance of arable land protection, the draft provides that redlines to protect farmland, permanent basic cropland, ecosystems, and urban development boundaries, shall be drawn and held.

The draft proposes establishing a compensation system for arable land protection and implementing the system of compensation for the use of cultivated land for other purposes.

The state shall restrict the conversion of cultivated land to other agricultural uses, such as forests and grassland, the draft reads.

On the grain production front, the draft emphasizes the establishment of a national agriculture germplasm bank and a seed reserve system. It calls for promoting mechanized technologies and building capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief in grain production.

Measures are proposed in the draft to improve China's grain reserve system and mechanism, further leveraging the crucial role of grain reserves in adjusting grain supply and demand and stabilizing grain production.

Strengthening grain distribution management and promoting the high-quality development of the grain processing industry are also among the focal points of the draft.

Another vital aspect of the draft is improving the emergency grain supply capacity in the country. The draft stipulates that the state shall establish a reporting system for unusual volatility in the grain market and asks for prompt responses to disruptions.

Measures to promote grain conservation and reduce losses, and to foster a sound responsibility mechanism for ensuring food security are also outlined in the draft.

It specifies provisions for legal consequences for violations. They closely align with existing laws and regulations related to land management, agricultural product quality and safety, food safety, anti-food waste, and workplace safety.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Smoke rises from a wildfire near Zama City, Alberta, on June 11. (Alberta Wildfire/Handout via Reuters)

Three weeks after smoke from Canadian wildfires turned skies over the eastern United States an apocalyptic shade of orange, the same blazes continue to cause unhealthy air quality in the Midwest.

Residents of Chicago woke up Tuesday morning to the worst air quality in the world, with hazy skies and the smell of smoke. Windy City residents werent the only ones dealing with the conditions; AirNow.gov showed other parts of Illinois as well as almost all of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin and areas of Minnesota, Iowa, Kentucky and West Virginia affected.

The poor air conditions are the result of a wildfire season in Canada thats among the worst in the nations history, with particular difficulties in the eastern province of Nova Scotia. As of early Tuesday afternoon, 488 active wildfires were burning across Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center, with more than half (259) considered to be out of control.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires creates haze in Chicago on June 8. (Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The smoke from those fires created hazardous conditions in New York City earlier this month, when the metropoliss Air Quality Index spiked to 405, shattering the previous record of 279 set in 1981. On Tuesday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned that air quality in the state could be dropping again soon, saying, "New Yorkers should be prepared for the potential return of smoke from the Canadian wildfires."

Fifty or below on the index is considered good, with any number over 100 considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as children or people with heart or lung diseases, and anything above 200 means that everyone is at risk. Tracking showed the AQI for Chicago, Milwaukee and Grand Rapids, Mich., all over 200 as of early Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Services Grand Rapids office extended its air quality advisory through Wednesday after the distinction of worst air quality in the country went to Grand Rapids for a period on Tuesday. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a multi-day air quality advisory Monday that lasts through Thursday.

When the air quality drops as it has for many in the Midwest, experts say prolonged exposure can be dangerous.

The particulate levels are so high that even for a normal person without any underlying medical conditions, it can still be unhealthy and dangerous if there is long-term exposure, Dr. Purvi Parikh of the Allergy & Asthma Network told Yahoo News earlier this month. The longer youre exposed to it, theres more chance for it to cause problems. And what is happening with smoke is that these fine particles are able to get deep into your lungs, and these particles contain chemicals, pollution, carbon monoxide, that can be damaging to your lungs.

A haze is seen over the Milwaukee Art Museum on June 27. (Morry Gash/AP)

Parikh said that if you check the air quality and its at an unhealthy level, the best thing to do is to stay indoors if you can. However, she added, if you absolutely have to go outside, we recommend wearing a mask to limit your exposure. And the medical-grade N95 or KN95 masks are best, similar to COVID times, because they reduce some of those particles getting into your lungs. But even a surgical mask or any type of barrier is helpful.

According to IQAir, as of Tuesday the United States had three Midwestern cities that found themselves ranked with the worst air quality in the world, along with Dubai of the United Arab Emirates and the cities of Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan.
Mike Gallagher went on the Pat McAfee Show with a Spotted Cow and talked UFOs, China and Elon Musk

Mike Gallagher appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday sporting a T-shirt portraying the former wrestler John Cena as Chinese Communist Party founder Mao Zedong.

WASHINGTON  Mike Gallagher traded his blue suit and maroon tie for a Spotted Cow and a T-shirt portraying the former wrestler John Cena as Chinese Communist Party founder Mao Zedong during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday afternoon.

The nearly hour-long conversation in McAfees studio in Indianapolis was wide-ranging and light-hearted as the Green Bay Republican congressman discussed everything from UFOs to countering China to the problems with Congress.

Heres a quick rundown of some of the conversation:

First, the shirt

Gallaghers T-shirt featuring a superimposed image of Cenas face on a portrait of Mao was a shot at the actor, who in 2021 apologized to his Chinese audience for calling Taiwan its own country.

I love and respect China and Chinese people. Im very, very sorry for my mistake, Cena said in a video message at the time.

Gallagher brought the apology up in his first appearance on McAfees show in May 2022: Cena, who played a Marine in a movie called The Marine, by the way, so I find this doubly insulting, Gallagher, a former Marine intelligence officer, said. I mean, cmon, Dude.

Gallagher as chairman of the House select committee on the Chinese Communist Party has made preventing a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan a top priority.

Earlier in the day, Gallagher spoke at the Northeast Indiana Defense Summit in Fort Wayne, Indiana, hosted by Indiana Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.

They talked UFOs

Asked questions about UFOs and aliens, Gallagher touted an amendment he led to last years National Defense Authorization Act  which he referred to as the Alien Bill on the show  that created a secure system for reporting information related to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, or UAP.

Gallagher contended the legislation has prompted whistleblowers to come forward with reports of such phenomena and argued that the amendment, as well as hearings about UAPs on Capitol Hill, led to the de-stigmatization of talking about unidentified aerial objects.

After McAfee, his crew and Gallagher threw around speculation about extraterrestrial life, including that objects would be from past or future civilizations, Gallagher took a more serious tone, saying the bigger issue surrounding UAPs is people losing trust in government, trust in institutions.

This should be an opportunity for the government to be transparent, he said. If we have information that disconfirms the extraterrestrial hypothesis, or all these other ones, at least it shows the government doing something competent and being forward-leaning by declassifying information to the public.

He added: So for those two reasons alone, I think its worthy of investigation. And, the third one that Im probably the most interested in is whether its adversary technology, particularly from China.

Gallagher said he was approved to visit Area 51, a classified Air Force facility in Nevada often associated with alleged extraterrestrial and UFO sightings, and plans to go eventually.

Gallagher mentioned his main focus: China

Of course, countering the Chinese Communist Party came up.

Gallagher, who has made U.S. competition with China his main focus in Washington, told McAfee that the main issue for the country when it comes to the Chinese military is what Gallagher called Chinas anti-Navy  a rocket force that China built up that he said can target ships.

Over the last decade, they took long-range missiles and for relatively cheap, were talking millions of dollars versus billions of dollars, they can keep our ships out of the region or target them at very low cost because they have thousands and thousands of advanced rockets, Gallagher said.

Do we have a rocket force? someone asked.

We do not have an official rocket force, Gallagher replied.

Then Elon Musk came up

Get Elon on that, McAfee said of creating a so-called rocket force. Can we not get Elon on the rocket force?

Gallagher then suggested Musk, the founder of SpaceX who recently bought Twitter, could use his Starlink satellite system mainly used for internet access to help target China.

He could do something called orbital bombardment, otherwise referred to as Rods from God. Gallagher said. The idea is you'd be able to just like tie up with tiny tungsten rods, target anyone on the face of the earth from satellites. This is actually a serious idea that was talked about in the late 60s.

I don't think Elon wants to weaponize Starlink, Gallagher added. But, hey, the Chinese would do it.

Asked what he thought of Musks Twitter takeover, Gallagher said Twitter is better for sure under Musk but said hes not on social media at all.

He lamented inaction in Congress

McAfee, who said he still doesn't know "what the (expletive)" a congressman is, asked a few questions about why Congress "can never get (expletive) done."

"Isn't that kind of what the whole thing about Washington is?" McAfee asked. "You guys just yell at each other the entire time?"

Gallagher at one point said when he first ran for his seat in 2016, he thought the problem with Congress was just its all corrupt and super old people.

I actually think theres a lot of people that come in and want to do the right thing," he said. "Im not sure the problem is just the people, per se, but the people find themselves in a process that sucks, where you basically have to choose: Am I going to do 20 years in order to get to a position of influence or theyre just like, Ill just be a bomb thrower on social media or on cable news and I wont be constructive at all.

So its the process that I think takes good people and just chews them up and spits them up.

Gallagher said some members of Congress who want fame and influence are using social media and becoming kind of like C-List social media celebrities as politicians as opposed to constructive legislators.

I would not say Congress is a repository for the smartest people, he added later. I would say there are some very smart people there. Its a cross-section.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mike Gallagher went on Pat McAfee and talked UFOs, China and Elon Musk
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys unprecedented attempt to overturn the conviction of the first Kansas City police officer found guilty for killing a Black man has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and lawyers.

Former KCPD detective Eric DeValkenaere, who is white, faces a six-year prison sentence but remains free on bond as he fights convictions of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the 2019 killing of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

After a series of delays, Bailey, a Republican, filed a brief this week asking for a discharge or new trial for DeValkenaere. Bailey argued that DeValkenaeres use of force against Lamb was reasonable, challenging evidence brought by prosecutors that Lamb was unarmed when he was shot.

Baileys filing is unheard of in Missouri and puts the state in a peculiar situation in which the attorney generals office, which has historically fought to defend convictions in court, is now arguing against one. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt had previously fought to keep Kevin Strickland, a Black man, in prison for a triple murder he did not commit. Strickland was freed in 2021 after serving Missouris longest sentence for a wrongful conviction.

For some in the Black community, Baileys filing highlights the historic injustices that Black people have faced in Missouri, specifically involving shootings by police. And, they say, it illustrates what some view as an unequal application of law when it comes to the Black community.

Its quite obvious in this case that race does play into it, said state Rep. Richard Brown, a Kansas City Democrat who is a member of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus.

Overturning DeValkenaeres conviction, he said, would send a message that Black lives arent valued.

It tells us that we live under a different justice system than everyone else.

Bailey spokesperson Madeline Sieren, in an email to The Star, said Baileys filing spoke for itself. She declined to comment further, citing the pending case.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas told The Star Tuesday that he was surprised by Baileys filing. He said it could hinder justice for the families of both Lamb and DeValkenaere.

I think what we have seen from the attorney generals stunt, and one among many, is that we will see further delay, further hindrance of what should be a good process and this is unfortunate for every family that has been impacted by the tragic circumstances. The family of Mr. Lamb, the family of detective Devalkenaere, he said.

Bailey, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson, has pushed the legal limits of his position during his short tenure, pursuing bans on transgender health care and helping oust St. Louis elected prosecutor.

On Twitter, Bailey defended his aggressive approach to the office on Monday, saying he would never apologize for using every weapon in my arsenal to defend Missourians and our beloved Constitution. He filed the brief in the DeValkenaere case later that day.

Former Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, who served as Jackson Countys top prosecutor from 1993 to 1998, wrote on Twitter that Baileys filing had sent shockwaves through the legal community, including among lawyers who had worked on DeValkenaeres case.

The AG has a constitutional duty to handle appeals on behalf of the state after the state gets convictions. This AG is defending the convicted man instead, she wrote. NEVER has this happened before. This is pure politics, a violation of his oath of office, and embarrassing.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, a Democrat, on Monday called Baileys attempt to undo the convictions extremely distressing, unfortunate and disappointing. Baileys filing came after Baker sent a letter urging Parson not to pardon DeValkenaere.

Republican lawmakers appeared to be cautious in weighing in on Baileys filing.

State Rep. Justin Hicks, a Lake St. Louis Republican and the only Black Republican state lawmaker in Missouri, said he wanted to read the filing before offering his entire thoughts.

We do have due process here in the United States, and Im sure the attorney general is trying to ensure that due process is fully vindicated, he said.

State Rep. Chris Brown, a Kansas City Republican, said Bailey had more information about the case than him and that he was not going to second guess the attorney generals position.

Hes just going to have to make a decision that he feels is the best for all parties concerned And the right direction for the attorney generals office as well, he said. Hes doing what he thinks is the best course of action.

Not only was Baileys filing unprecedented, but he also had other tools at his disposal that some say would not have undermined the case. He could have recused himself from the case, similar to how he did in April in a lawsuit involving the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Or he could have appointed a special prosecutor.

If the attorney general feels like he cant advance the position, there are mechanisms for him to make sure that the position gets advanced, said Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson City attorney who worked in the attorney generals office under Democrat Jay Nixon.

The thing thats so disturbing about this, in my view, is not really the attorney generals position. Its that he appears to be depriving the prosecutor of the ability to proceed with the case.

For Brown, the Kansas City Democrat and Missouri Legislative Black Caucus member, the DeValkenaere case weighs heavy on his heart. He still has memories from when he was a kid of a Black man in Kansas City being killed by police officers and not understanding why.

The case against DeValkenaere makes him think of Lambs family and the agony they must be feeling as Bailey fights against DeValkenaeres conviction.

Cameron Lambs life was worth something. Cameron lamb was valued by someone, he said. And we need to respect that and we need to seek justice for Cameron Lamb.
Mom says son took her seat on Titan, hoped to set Rubik's Cube record aboard the submersible

Suleman Dawood, 19, accompanied his father on the Titan submersible, which imploded during a voyage to explore the Titanic wreck. (Engro Corp. via Associated Press)

The mother of the 19-year-old killed aboard the Titan submersible said the plan had been for her to accompany her husband on a trip to see the wreck of the Titanic at the bottom of the sea. But Suleman Dawood "really wanted to go."

She "stepped back" from going on the trip because of her son's enthusiasm, Christine Dawood told the BBC, and he boarded the ill-fated craft carrying a Rubik's Cube and dreaming of setting a world record.

He and his father, Shahzada Dawood, died when the vessel imploded.

Christine Dawood told the news outlet the original plan was for her to accompany her husband on the underwater trek roughly 12,500 feet below the surface to view the Titanic. The original trip, however, was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When plans for the underwater trip resumed, she said, Suleman took her spot.

Christine Dawood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.

Also on board were Stockton Rush, founder and chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the submersible; Hamish Harding, a British businessman and explorer; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French maritime expert who had participated in more than 35 dives to the Titanic before.

A student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Suleman was a fan of the Rubik's Cube and able to solve the complex puzzle in as little as 12 seconds, according to his mom. His plan, she said, was to set a new world record by solving it near the Titanic wreck.

"He said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 metres below sea at the Titanic,'" she told the BBC.

A spokesperson for Guinness World Records confirmed to The Times it had received an application from Suleman Dawood suggesting a new record title for the deepest Rubik's Cube solve.

The spokesperson did not say if Guinness World Records had accepted the application or if it had provided him with any guidance regarding requirements.

On the days leading up to the trip, Suleman's paternal aunt Azmeh Dawood said her nephew was "terrified" about the trip, but he was eager to accompany his dad during the Father's Day weekend expedition.

Her brother, Shahzada, had for years been obsessed with the Titanic and the wreck, she told NBC News. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Times.

Christine and her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, were on the Polar Prince, the Titan's support vessel, when the father and son boarded the small submersible. The family hugged and joked as the two boarded the craft.

"I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time," Christine Dawood told the BBC.

She and her daughter were on the ship when the submersible lost contact. They remained on the ship as search and rescue operations tried to locate the Titan.

It was about 96 hours into the search when she began to lose hope, she said.

"I said: 'I'm preparing for the worst,'" she said.

She said the family held a funeral service for her husband and son Sunday, and she and her daughter plan to learn how to solve the Rubik's Cube in her son's honor.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
'All about the money:' Augusta sheriff launches investigation into drug smuggling deputies

A Richmond County deputy was fired and arrested Monday after being accused of bringing contraband into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. However, in a press conference Tuesday, Sheriff Richard Roundtree said a larger investigation into deputies smuggling drugs into the detention center has been launched.

Deputy Arrington Mursier is charged with possession of scheduled I narcotic with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute scheduled I narcotic and violation of oath by public officer.

The Richmond County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division received information Saturday that Mursier was involved with bringing contraband into the detention center, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Mursier was seen on camera leaving his assigned workspace, removing an inmate, entering a utility closet and passing an unknown object to the inmate.

Sheriff Richard Roundtree speaks to the media at a press conference at the Richmond County Sheriffs Office on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

The cellblock was locked down and a search of the inmate's cell was conducted, according to Roundtree. Deputies found a large quantity of synthetic marijuana, with an estimated street value of $195,000.

A search of Mursier's home revealed additional contraband, already wrapped and packaged for potential distribution, according to Roundtree.

Since September 2021, 24 Richmond County deputies and investigators have been arrested, Roundtree said. Eight of the arrests were not job-related, but 10 of the remaining 16 arrests were related to bringing contraband into the jail.

"We as a command staff consistently ask ourselves, 'Are we doing something wrong? Are we missing something in the hiring process? Are we not providing enough training?'" he said. "All of these issues have exhaustedly been addressed and discussed, and yet, misconduct is still occurring..."

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Roundtree said the only constant truth the sheriff's office has been able to detect is monetary gain.

"It's definitely appeared to be all about the money," he said.

Deputies bringing contraband into the detention center receive an average of $2,000 per drop, according to Roundtree.

"We average over 1,000 inmates daily, 900 of them are charged with felonies," he said. "The job is hard."

More charges and arrests are expected, according to Roundtree.

Mursier began his employment with the Richmond County Sheriffs Office on June 11, 2022 and was assigned to the detention center, according to the release.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Deputy arrested for distributing drugs in Augusta jail
John RobertsPAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a far-right legal theory that would have upended the federal election process  but legal scholars warn that the ruling leaves big questions for the 2024 election.

The court voted 6-3 in the Moore v. Harper case to reject the fringe "independent state legislature" theory, which would have given state legislatures the power to establish rules for federal elections and draw congressional maps "warped by partisan gerrymandering."

Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, stating that the Constitution "does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state law."

The theory is founded upon a reading of the Constitution's Elections Clause  "The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof." This interpretation, according to advocates of the "independent state legislature" theory, means that no other bodies of government can change a legislature's actions on a federal election, The New York Times reported.

Related

Will the Independent State Legislature doctrine literally mean the end of democracy?

At the center of the case was a voting map drawn by the North Carolina Legislature initially struck down by the state's Supreme Court as a partisan gerrymander. The state court claimed that state legislature theory would be "repugnant to the sovereignty of states, the authority of state constitutions and the independence of state courts, and would produce absurd and dangerous consequences."

When the GOP attempted to reinstate the legislative map last year and asked SCOTUS to step in, justices rejected the request, and November elections were held under a map drawn by state-appointed experts. This ultimately yielded a delegation divided evenly between Republicans and Democrats. However, Republican lawmakers would appeal the Supreme Court, arguing that the North Carolina state court was not within its right to question the legislature.

Following the fall elections, the North Carolina State Court flipped to favor Republicans 5 to 2, and the new majority gave discretion to the legislature to draw gerrymandered voting districts.

But legal experts warned that the decision also sets up more litigation ahead of the 2024 election.

"The Court has provided some clarity about the independent state legislature issue: state constitutions continue to bind state [legislatures]. But it has also left a vague standard hanging over the 2024 elections," wrote New York University Law Prof. Rick Pildes.

"The Court recognized some, vague constraint on state courts going "too far" (my words) when they interpret state elections laws or the state [constitution]. But we don't even have a ruling on whether the NC court violated this standard. The issue is going to be litigated in 2024," he explained on Twitter.

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Fellow NYU Law Prof. Melissa Murray agreed that the ruling was "not a complete repudiation" of the independent state legislature theory.

"Court is really vague about what state courts can do in interpreting state constitutional provisions. We'll see more litigation in the future," she predicted.

While the ruling does not change any major law, wrote Georgia State Law Prof. Anthony Michael Kreis, it leaves "just enough room for a bit of mischief in the future to spare."

Rick Hasen, an election law expert at UCLA, explained that amid "all the hoopla it is easy to miss that the Supreme Court has now set itself up, with the assent of the liberal justices, to meddle in future elections, perhaps even deciding the outcome of future presidential elections."

Roberts, Hasen wrote in a Slate op-ed, "got the liberal justices to sign onto a version of judicial review that is going to give the federal courts, and especially the Supreme Court itself, the last word in election disputes."

As a result, federal courts and especially the Supreme Court will have great power to "second guess court rulings in the most sensitive of cases," Hasen warned

"But what Roberts left unresolved in his majority opinion is going to be hanging out there, a new tool to be used to rein in especially voter-protective rulings of state courts. Every expansion of voting rights in the context of federal litigation will now yield a potential second federal lawsuit with uncertain results," he added. "It's going to be ugly, and it could lead to another Supreme Court intervention in a presidential election sooner rather than later. Moore gave voters a win today, but it sets up a Supreme Court power grab down the line."

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The more New Hampshire voters see of DeSantis, the less they like him: polling

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is losing his grip on his supporters in New Hampshire, polling shows.

New Hampshire hosts the GOP's first primary election.

His support may be dwindling because of Trump's indictment, DeSantis' position on abortion, or simply his charisma.

An average of polls from New Hampshire shows that voters in the state are less and less enthused by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the more he visits the state.

Since announcing his intention to run for president in May 2023, DeSantis has visited New Hampshire on several occasions in an attempt to boost his support ahead of the first Republican presidential primary election in February 2024. It doesn't appear to be working.

According to an average of the four New Hampshire polls of the Republican primary field taken between January and March of 2023 that have been aggregated by FiveThirtyEight, DeSantis was averaging the support of 28% of Republicans over the course of the period.

After visiting the state and hobnobbing with locals, DeSantis' support has only dropped. According to an average of four more polls from between May and June 2023, he brought an average of 16% support from likely or registered voters.

There are a few reasons why this could be happening.

First, this sample could certainly be larger, and it's entirely possible that the early polls simply overestimated his support or the later polls are simply underestimating it. What appears to be a twelve-point swing against DeSantis is a fairly substantial shift, but that being said, state-level polls  especially in small states like New Hampshire  are prone to a little more variability than their national counterparts. Still, DeSantis hasn't been doing so hot nationally, either, and has seen his polling average dip by around ten points over the same period we're looking at in New Hampshire.

If we were to take the polling dip as an accurate reflection of the facts on the ground, though, plenty of things have happened that could be dimming DeSantis' once-bright star.

Former President Donald Trump, the leading GOP presidential candidate, was federally indicted on two separate occasions between March and June. This may have actually helped the former president in the polls  according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey from June, 81% of self-identified Republicans said they believe the most recent indictment (for allegedly improperly handling classified information) has been driven by politics.

Another reason could be DeSantis' widely reported position on abortion. In April 2023, DeSantis signed into effect one of the strictest laws in the country that's aimed at restricting abortion access, banning the practice after six weeks of pregnancy.

Voters in New Hampshire, however, may not be the most enthused by DeSantis' legislation.

According to a 2022 poll from St. Anselm College, which occurred after the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections granted by the Roe v. Wade case, 71% of respondents classified themselves as "pro-choice," compared to 25% who identified as "pro-life."

Finally, DeSantis may simply not be as charismatic or as elite of a retail politician as Trump is. In his short time campaigning in New Hampshire, according to Politico, he's already managed to rankle a major GOP women's group by scheduling an event at the same time it plans to host Trump.

DeSantis still has plenty of time to regain ground in the state holding the GOP's first primary, but if his pattern of support continues in the state, it may be Trump territory for good.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tyhran Ohanesyan's mother talked about her son

Journalist Yanina Sokolova has interviewed the mother of 16-year-old Tyhran Ohanesyan, one of two teens murdered by Russians in occupied Berdyansk, on the evening of June 24.

The two Ukrainian 16-year-olds, Tyhran Ohanesyan and Mykyta Khanhanov, were murdered for being "pro-Ukrainian terrorists by Russian military forces.

Before they were murdered, the boys allegedly killed a Russian soldier and a police officer collaborating with the occupation authorities.

Ohanesyan also recorded a video in his last minutes, ending it with "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!). The video subsequently went viral on social media.

Sokolova talked with the mother of Tyhran, Ksenia Staroverova, who is currently in Germany where her younger daughter is undergoing treatment for a heart defect. Her son stayed in Berdyansk with his grandmother, Ksenia's mother.

Russians abducted the teenager last September and tortured him for five days. He was then banned from leaving the town.

"Despite being just 16, immediately after the full-scale invasion, Tyhran went to a military recruiter, Sokolova wrote in her post on Facebook on June 26.

He wanted to serve in the army. But they didn't accept him. Therefore, he became a guerrilla.

The mother said her son, who was of Armenian descent, was fond of Ukrainian history and took part in history tournaments for his school. He frequently asked for history books. He dreamed of a military career, although his family advised him to become a teacher instead.

She said Tyrhan bought camouflage pants with the money his mother sent him and tore down Russian flags in Berdyansk. During a conversation withhis mother, before he died, Tyhran said that he would not survive captivity a second time.

Besides the viral video, Tyhran also recorded audio messages. One of them was addressed to his mother and read: "Tell my mom that I love her very much. My mom's name is Ksenia Staroverova, find her."

Staroverova said she has spoken with Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Yuriy Malashko and asked for both boys to be buried with full military honors after the war is over.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The murder trial of a former Springfield man accused of killing an 80-year-old woman in her home in January 2019 is underway, with testimony being provided over the past two days by family members, detectives and people involved in handling evidence related to the case.

Prosecutors with the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office and defense counsel with the Sangamon County Public Defender's Office provided opening statements to the assembled jury Monday. The State's Attorney Dan Wright held that his team, which included Assistant State's Attorney's Derek Dion and Brittney Lehr, would attempt to prove David D. Smith, 58, of Lindenwood, killed Donna Lea Bricker, 80, of Springfield in her home in the 700 block of West Elliott Street on Jan. 6, 2019 in an act of "wanton cruelty".

Donna Lea Bricker

Wright said that Smith's actions were "exceptionally brutal and heinous," as he is accused of stabbing Bricker with scissors, gagging her with an extension cord and binding her arms with a piece of cloth.

He said the evidence presented all pointed back to Smith as the one who killed Bricker, who lived alone in her home at the time of her death.

Assistant Public Defender Tawnya Frioli, representing Smith, said that while Bricker's death was tragic, Smith was not the one who committed the crime. She said that the state's case relied almost entirely on DNA evidence, which she noted did not provide the jury with all of the answers they were seeking.

Frioli reiterated Smith has maintained his innocence at each opportunity and that there were no eyewitnesses who saw Bricker's death and no video or images existed that showed Smith committing the crime.

More: Trial set to begin in Donna Bricker murder case

The jury also heard testimony from members of Bricker's family, including her daughter Debbie and her husband David Squires, who made the initial 911 call on Jan. 6 to law enforcement regarding Bricker's death. Squires said he had received a call from Debbie that morning asking him to come over to Bricker's house in order to check in on her, as her cousins told her they didn't see her come to services at Third Presbyterian Church that morning.

The doors were locked, so Squires ended up entering through the window to the kitchen and going into her bedroom, where he found Bricker lying on the bed. Squires' stepson, Jason, entered shortly thereafter and also saw Bricker's body on the bed.

The two left the house, with Squires and his wife asking for police to come out to the scene. Testimony was also provided by Officer Steven Alicea and Detective John Larson of the Springfield Police Department, along with a pair of paramedics who were on scene that day and determined Bricker had died.

More: Springfield police on lookout for suspect in movie theatre robbery

Larson said during his testimony that he found a washcloth from the scene in a trash can in an alley along North Walnut Street, with the cloth eventually being sent to Illinois State Police for further testing. A pair of gloves were also found on top of some garbage in the area, as well.

The jury heard Tuesday from another SPD detective who helped to receive surveillance video and cell-phone records that showed Bricker's last message came on the evening of Jan. 4, two days before her body was found. A message sent to her on Jan. 5 went unanswered.

Two Illinois State Police Crime Lab employees also testified to fingerprint evidence found at the scene and to the DNA of both Smith and Bricker being found on various items provided to them by SPD, such as the pair of scissors allegedly used to kill Bricker and the washcloth found in the alley shortly after the incident.

ISP's Jennifer Aper testified that 96% of the DNA on the scissors came from a major male contributor  a contributor that she said could possibly be that of Smith.

Smith had moved to Lindenwood  an unincorporated community just south of Rockford  in the time between Bricker's death and his arrest in March 2019. He had been released from prison days before the incident after serving time for aggravated battery of a senior citizen relating to a 1994 home invasion in Vermilion County.

Bricker was a long-time volunteer at Third Presbyterian and was the owner of a home daycare at one point. She was also a printer for the Springfield Education Association and worked for District 186, Fannie May Candies, Contact Ministries, Sparc, Building Blocks Preschool, Sangamo Electric and Allis-Chalmers at various points in her life.

The trial is slated to continue through the remainder of the week.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Testimony ongoing in David Smith murder trial
Joey Spillane, left, is shown in this family photo with his mother, Sharon Bierman. Spillane was killed Nov. 27, 2019 as he sat in a car at the intersection of University Boulevard and High Street in Petersburg.

Holidays are such a heartfelt and sacred time to bond with family and friends. No one ever thinks about the tragedy that could strike at any given moment and change the trajectory of everything around them. This is where my life came to a screeching halt.

Thanksgiving Eve 2019, my son Joey was at a local social club in Petersburg sharing stories, laughs, playing cards and loving life with his closest friends before heading to North Carolina in the morning to be with our family. As the evening ended, everyone said goodbyes and wished to have a safe and happy holiday. Handshakes and hugs were exchanged as usual, and smiles were on everyone's faces. Tom McRae, who is a dear friend of Joey's, offered to give him a ride home since they lived so close to one another. On the short ride to their destination, they stopped for a red light at the intersection of University Boulevard and High Street. Before the light turned green, a car pulled up beside them, and a hail of gunshots rang out. They were under attack, and these two innocent men suddenly became the victims of gun violence.

An unspeakable number of bullets engulfed the car; penetrating and tearing through the metal, obliterating the gear shifter, shattering windows and hitting both men. Without hesitation, Tom fled for safety. Just around the corner, as the car gave out on McKenzie Street, Tom yelled out to his wife that he had been shot and to call 911. Paramedics and Petersburg police arrived on scene to find Mr. McRae with a gunshot wound to the leg, and my son dead in the front seat from numerous fatal gunshot wounds. The fear and unimaginable trauma set in fast. As he was trying to grasp what had just taken place, Tom was loaded in the ambulance and rushed off to the hospital. He was later released and on his way to a lengthy physical recovery.

I lived in Virginia Beach at the time and had no idea of the events that unfolded that night. I was contacted the morning of Nov. 29 by a detective of Petersburg Police Department, stating he needed to see me, but I was not close to the area, and I wasn't informed of why. I was told that someone would be coming out to speak to me, so I waited, pacing and worried as to why I was contacted. I was approached a few minutes later in my front yard by a large group of Virginia Beach Police officers and told that there was an accident. Still confused, I asked who sent them to my house and what this had to do with me. They were there on behalf of Petersburg police. I told them my son lives in Ettrick, and then I was asked to verify his name. After stating his name, I heard those most feared words: We are sorry to inform you that your son is deceased. This wasn't happening to me. Not my son!!! It had to be some horrible mistake. Who did this? How did this happen? Why? My son was not involved in any type of bad behavior and didn't hang out with the wrong crowd, so it had to be a mistake. It didn't make sense. I was still clueless.

I rushed back to the area to speak to the detectives and try to understand what happened to my baby. So many questions arose and went unanswered. After informing Joey's estranged wife of his passing, I knew this was going to take a toll on everyone around me, starting with his River Rat family from Patton Park. His death destroyed our family and friends

Willie Noise, a father figure and very close friend to Joey was devastated to hear the news and felt inclined to start a reward fund to find his killer. Willie and Tom McRae were best friends for decades and the heartbreak they shared from this tragedy was immeasurable.

After meeting and spending time with these men, I knew why Joey spoke so highly of them. I found solace because they had such a beautiful friendship with my son, and they truly cared for and loved him as if he was their own flesh and blood. I immediately felt the same love for them that Joey spoke of. The River Rats are my family now too. They have been with me through every aspect of our loss and shown nothing but respect and love. We spend holidays and birthdays together, having cookouts and Superbowl parties and I can't express the gratitude I have for my newfound family.

After an agonizing 13 months of unanswered questions, being given wrong information about my sons case, (on several occasions) and just the disrespect and lack of common courtesy towards a grieving mother, someone did their job, and an arrest was made. Someone was finally being held accountable for this crime. This was a move in the right direction of serving justice, but not enough for the mental destruction I had been forced to live with every day. Sincere Quarles was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder with principal. He was released on bond a short time later. This wasn't sitting right with me, and I was told that it's part of the process to go to trial, and to get a guilty verdict. Why was this person allowed to be released back into society after taking someone's life without cause? Almost four years later, I'm still awaiting a trial to take place in November 2023. I still ask for answers and am shut out from everyone who could help me, but they choose not to. I received no help from anywhere. Requesting an in-person meeting with officials was never available, especially to discuss things I needed to know about court. Not even advocacy. I thought that was available for me too, but I never received support and help understanding anything from advocacy as it should have been. What was the reason as to why I was being treated so unfairly? The advocate was physically there, but each conversation was full of "I don't know" and no supportive services to offer, other than being given a flyer for a grief support group that was rarely taking place. I remained patient, but being ignored was becoming an issue. I wouldn't see anyone to discuss my concerns until the day of court, so again, I was in the dark about everything. Who did I have in my corner? It seems as if I had no one that even cared.

While we all waited for any type of resolve, a second tragedy struck, and shook the entire town of Petersburg. Our beloved Willie Noise was shot and killed at Patton Park. So many people were affected by these tragedies, and we were all on edge. There had to be something we could do to get through this, so we leaned on each other, and shared our grief and healing.

Months passed and finally a second suspect, Daemon Clarke, was arrested and charged with first degree murder among other charges. Everyone was happy that we were closer to getting answers and justice, but that was nowhere in sight. Two years passed before the trial for Clarke would take place.

Court proceedings were in motion, and I attended each hearing date to get an understanding of what was to come next, since I had no comprehension of the judicial system. I had to be present so I could fully grasp legal terms and how to decipher the next move in trial. I had never been informed of my rights as a victim's parent, so I got my information and facts about the case from public record files. I spent countless hours going over as much information that was withheld from me. I questioned the city officials who were supposed to be on my side why there was such a lack of guidance and compassion. I was left with no answer, so I was back to square one. I was on my own once again to sort through every detail of what happened and the possibilities of the case as it went in front of a judge.

Trial was to start in 2021, but with the changing of legal representation for the defendants, and so many other issues, it was continued several times until March 2023. Finally, our day was here. Everyone was ready to present solid evidence to the courts, and some would give testimony against the defendant because they were a physical witness. I thought this was going to be the day of justice and I could finally find out the facts, but a plea deal of 25 years was taken before I knew it, and I was without answers once again. It took three years to write my impact statement, and I was finally allowed to read it to the court and Daemon Clarke, but I felt as if it had no effect on anyone. Not one person showed empathy, or any emotion to be honest. No compassion throughout the courtroom. It was as if I was invisible, and my only chance to have a tiny amount of closure was ripped from me. It wasn't about justice for my son. It was about a quick and easy win for the prosecutor. It was clear to me that there was something much deeper about this city than I ever knew.

I've gotten no help or support from anyone except friends and family. Even the officials who swore under oath to protect and defend victims left me to fight my battle alone. I had to advocate for my son, and this was impacting my grief and trauma even more, but I continued to do what I had to do. I even started advocating for others because I could not allow anyone else to be put through what I've experienced.

Throughout the last 4 years, I've become friends with several other mothers who lost a child to gun violence in Petersburg, and I knew someone had to be there for them, so I found my driving force to speak up for the victims who no longer have a voice. Advocating is easy when you share the same tragedy, and it doesn't hurt any less, but I found a way to help get answers and resolve some of the pain they were feeling. Just being present and listening was a start for most, and we committed to stand up and fight together for our angels.

I've seen parents get ignored and passed over by detectives, as if their case didn't matter, and it infuriated us all, so we took matters into our own hands to find resolution to our cases.

Jonathan King was also a victim of gun violence within the city of Petersburg. King is filed as a cold case from 2020, and even though there have been many tips given about the suspects connected to his death, nothing has been done. The lack of compassion, concern and communication for victims' families are heartbreaking and disturbing. Who do we have left to turn to when no one is there for us? Who is there to inform us of our rights as victims, and to make sure they are not violated? I found out about my rights from the internet. Where is our support from the city? How does a family begin to heal from such loss, when there is no one to stand beside them in this matter? It must begin with the officials representing that city, and when those officials are negligent at enforcing change for peace and safety, that city becomes a playground for crime and violence. It will be a haven for turmoil and tragedy that becomes unmanageable and unlivable. How will you protect the citizens of your city then?

LET'S END GUN VIOLENCE!!!

Sharon Bierman is the mother of Joey Spillane, a 2019 Petersburg homicide victim. The opinions expressed in this column are hers.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Murder victim's mom relives her grief, calls for end to gun violence
Visitors ride camels at the mingsha mountain and crescent spring scenic spot in dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, June 7, 2023. As a key pass along the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang is home to the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a vast collection of Buddhist artworks -- more than 2,000 colored sculptures and 45,000 square meters of murals are located in 735 caves. (Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/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.
The Music Modernization Act, passed just five years ago, could quickly become obsolete amid the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI), lawmakers and music industry figures said at a hearing in Nashville on Tuesday.

If we dont get AI right, it could very well render not only the Music Modernization Act obsolete  but also the policy choices we make next. The stakes could hardly be higher, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wrote in an op-ed ahead of the hearing.

Issa, who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, convened the hearing featuring music executives, musicians and songwriters.

Congress passed the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) in 2018 with the intention of making both statutory licensing and royalty distribution more fair and efficient for creators and digital music providers.

David Porter, a producer and hall-of-fame songwriter, said the MMA was a success in a lot of ways.

Whether youre a music creator or a legislator, the goal is to make something worthwhile that will endure and change lives, Porter said. And thats exactly what the MMA has done.

For one, it created the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) to streamline digital royalties for songwriters. Porter added that the Classics Protection and Access Act, part of the MMA, also allowed creators to collect royalties when music they made before 1972 was streamed.

However, as the music industry evolves, so too must the legislation protecting artists and their work, he said.

Today, huge AI computer models are copying and analyzing virtually all of the music ever made to generate what they are calling new songs from the music of yesterday, Porter said. To have someone  or something  take my voice, my sound, my persona without permission and manipulate it or mimic my work is a personal violation and a threat to the good Ive built up over the years.

How is that new? he asked.

Though Porter said he is more than happy to let others sample his music when they ask permission, no AI company has reached out to him for the rights to his music.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) asked the witnesses what Congress can do to address the challenges that AI presents for creative industries.

Abby North, president of North Music Group, proposed legislating a new model to compensate creators for any derivatives of their work that are created by AI technology  including sound recordings that are used to train AI models.

Michael Molinar, general manager of Big Machine Music, concurred.

I saw an operation that had spit out songs in the style of songwriter Hall of Fame Liz Rose, Molinar said. In order to be able to write like her the computer must have been fed her songs. That should not go on unlicensed, nor should it be uncompensated to Miss Rose.

Award-winning songwriter, producer, and musician Daniel Tashian noted that smart technology can be used to benefit musicians as well, such as an algorithm used with Chers 1998 hit Believe to determine what pitch the song should be in.

Porter agreed that while there is a place for AI in the music industry, its currently headed down a dangerous path.

Its not just a threat to existing works but to future generations of artists and to culture itself, Porter said. If all we have is machine-made music copied from existing works, there will be less and less creativity, artistry, and soul to go around. What a penalty to put on future generations.

Congress and the courts need to enact guardrails that protect both creators and their work, he added.

However, Tashian argued that AI is still far away from competing with musicians for producing compelling music.

Ive yet to sort of experience an artwork created by a computer that gives me goosebumps or gives me chills, because its so beautiful, Tashian said. So until that happens, Im just going to keep my head down and keep doing my best organic music and using computers when they can help.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Yevgeny Prigozhin turned his back on Russias war to assail his own military leaders in an armed revolt and march on Moscow, many Ukrainians described feeling incredulity and giddiness.

Within a day, the revolt suddenly ended, however, and only their incredulity remained.

The mercenary leaders sudden reversal and announcement of a deal with the Kremlin dashed Ukrainian hopes for a government-toppling insurrection. While many in Ukraine believed it left Russia in political and military turmoil that would surely have injured President Vladimir Putin and his government, the unrelenting and existential war remained the focus.

Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks inside the headquarters of the Russian southern military district in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (@concordgroup_official via Telegram / AFP via Getty Images)

As Prigozhin, who leads the Wagner mercenary group, pushed toward Moscow on Saturday, more than 50 rockets were fired at Ukraine, including one that hit an apartment complex in Kyiv and killed several civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. At the same time, Ukrainian forces routed a series of Russian offensives in the countrys east.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country's forces had advanced in all directions" on Monday, although did not attribute the alleged victories to the chaos and uncertainty in Russia.

Of course whenever an opportunity arises and exposes a vulnerability of the enemy, that opportunity will be used, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines defense minister, said from Kyiv. But I dont think its helpful for us to look at the events of yesterday as some unique opportunity for anything. For us, it is important to stay focused on our military objectives.

Ukrainian officials said they viewed these recent events in Russia as a distraction. The country needed to remain focused on its counteroffensive, although some admitted hope that the West might see this as an opportunity to press Moscow further by providing further weapons more quickly and backing Ukraines bid for NATO membership next month.

Whatever the real purpose of this charade, Ukraine remains focused on its military plans. It is Ukraines only clear path to ending the war, Sak said.

The former head of Britains army advised Ukrainian officials to take advantage of the disarray and continue probing attacks along the Russian defensive line and discover where to deploy highly skilled and Western-trained attack brigades.

This is a moment of opportunity for the Ukrainians, Gen. Richard Dannatt told Sky News, though he warned that Kyiv should monitor their northern flank and Prigozhins activity in Belarus.

Ukraines military did appear to seize on the momentary turmoil created by Prigozhins efforts. Hanna Maliar, Ukraines deputy defense minister, announced a multipronged attack near Bakhmut, the city that the Wagner mercenary group had helped capture at the cost of thousands of lives.

Prigozhin shook the Russian establishment when he called Russias stated reasons for the invasion lies by military and government leaders.

But then the former close confidant of Putin suddenly announced the end of Wagners march Saturday. Russia said he would be exiled to Belarus and his mercenaries would be moved under the military.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the dramatic events were to Ukraines advantage.

Ukraine continues to move forward with a counteroffensive, he said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. These are early days, but they havent had what they need to be successful. Its going to unfold over weeks and even months, but this just creates another problem for Putin.

Wagner seized Russian towns that had become key to the Kremlins resupply efforts. The first city the fighters overran, Rostov-on-Don, is home to the Russian armys southern command headquarters, the nerve center for the invasion of Ukraine and is essential for supply, command and logistics. It is along the route for Russian forces to travel into the Donbas region that has become the center conflict of the war. That it fell so quickly should make Russian military leaders uneasy.

Ryan OLeary, an American serving as a junior sergeant in the Ukrainian military, said he and his fellow soldiers found the initial revolt glorious, and they hoped Rostov-on-Don would fall quickly and damage Russias resupply and capabilities in the air.

Shortly after Prigozhins retreat, OLeary said he still expects the situation to benefit his unit on the front lines in the days and weeks ahead, particularly if Russia struggles to bring supplies to bolster its front lines and its officers have to suss out the allegiances of Wagner fighters now under the militarys command.

Further supply and leadership problems will come because of this, OLeary said, Its just a matter of where and how long it takes to kick in.

What implications this deal might have for the Russian military leadership whom Prigozhin has publicly castigated, particularly Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, and how it could affect the war remains unclear.

That Putin sided with his military leadership will likely put pressure on them to deliver quick results on the battlefield, though achieving that amid the recent public infighting while also accommodating Wagners fighters could prove to be a challenge as Ukraine continues to press.

Yevgeny Prigozhin shows Russian President Vladimir Putin around his factory outside St. Petersburg on Sept. 20, 2010. (Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP file)

Prigozhin has been railing against those two for months, yet Putin keeps them in place, said Phillips OBrien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. It makes Putin even more personally responsible for the running of the war.

Achieving a swift battlefield victory will be a challenge amid the turmoil, said former Ukrainian Vice Defense Minister Leonid Polyakov, who now works for a Kyiv-based think tank advising Zelenskyy. Prigozhins revolt could disorient Russian soldiers, from officers on down, and have a drastic impact on their motivation, loyalty and interests, he said.

Quite likely it will have a positive effect on (the) Ukrainian counteroffensive, he said.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, who led U.S. Central Command before retiring last year, agreed that this was a moment for Ukraine to go all in and take advantage of the disarray. He said it was a tactical opportunity for Ukrainian soldiers on the ground. The Wagner fighters will be getting realigned under Russias military leadership and mass confusion could set in.

It was also an illustration of Putins weakness, the retired general said, which should be seen as a major strategic event for Ukrainian military leaders to consider.

He is weaker today than he was 72 hours ago because the key to Putins survival is absolute relentless control, McKenzie said Sunday. That myth has been punctured and you have that disarray at the top, which I think makes him weak, vulnerable and, I would add, even more dangerous.

Thats why this moment may not be all good news for Ukraine.

The main concern shared by multiple former military and diplomatic officials is that Putin might be pushed to show strength to rebut this moment of weakness. That once again raises the specter that the Russian president could choose to use a tactical nuclear weapon to quell Ukraines counteroffensive and reinforce his strongman image that he has developed since he first came to power in 1999.

The fear that Putin may choose to use that type of weapon was raised again when he announced earlier in June that he would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus next month.

Putins history and Russian doctrine or philosophy is to escalate to de-escalate, McKenzie said. Hes run out of tools to do it in a nonnuclear way. So now, you got to start taking a look at things that could have irreparable consequences.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MVP pipeline foes say Congress can't 'mandate victory' for the project

An aerial view of the under-construction Mountain Valley Pipeline near Blacksburg

By Clark Mindock

(Reuters) - A provision of the U.S. debt ceiling bill that streamlined the federal approval process for the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline and limited court reviews of challenges to the project violates the U.S. Constitutions separation of powers doctrine, opponents of the pipeline have claimed.

The Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club and other conservation groups fighting the 303-mile pipeline urged the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, in two separate cases, to declare the mandate unconstitutional and keep their challenges alive.

The environmental groups' lawsuits are seeking to invalidate key federal permits that are needed to finish construction of the pipeline, including on a stretch of land running through a federal forest in Virginia.

They said the separation of powers doctrine allows Congress to write the law, but not to directly determine the outcome of court cases.

Congress cannot pick winners and losers in pending litigation by compelling findings or results, the Wilderness Society wrote in its filing.

Pipeline developer Equitrans Midstream Corp. said Tuesday it doesnt comment on pending litigation.

The U.S. Forest Service declined to comment Tuesday and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service didnt respond to a request for comment. Those agencies issued the challenged federal approvals for the project.

The U.S. government had asked the court to dismiss the cases on June 14 arguing that the bill stripped the court of jurisdiction to hear the lawsuits.

The developers on Monday announced the project has received all necessary federal permits, and asked the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for final approval to restart construction.

If completed, the pipeline would transport natural gas across West Virginia and Virginia. Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC - a joint project between Equitrans, NextEra Energy Inc., Consolidated Edison Inc., AltaGas Ltd and RGC Resources Inc. - has said the pipeline is over 94% complete.

The 4th Circuit, where most of the litigation challenging the project has occurred, has previously vacated several of the project's federal and state permits  some more than once - over concerns about the pipeline's environmental impacts.

The current lawsuits target the Forest Services approval of a right-of-way that would allow the pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest, and a Fish and Wildlife Service approval that determined the construction wouldnt likely jeopardize endangered animals.

The challengers have claimed the approvals inadequately considered the environmental impacts of the pipeline to wildlife and the lands it would cross.

Congress included a rider in this months debt ceiling bill mandating that federal agencies issue approvals for the pipeline, and restricting judicial review of would-be and existing challenges.

The cases are Appalachian Voices et al. v. United States Department of the Interior and the Wilderness Society v. U.S. Forest Service, in the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, case Nos. 23-1384 and 23-1592.

For the Sierra Club and Appalachian Voices group: Elizabeth Benson of the Sierra Club and Derek Teaney of the Appalachian Mountain Advocates.

For the Wilderness Society: Gregory Buppert and Spencer Gall of the Southern Environmental Law Center.

For the U.S. government: Allen Brabender and Kevin McArdle of the U.S. Department of Justice.

For the developer: Jeffrey Lamberson and George Sibley of Hunton Andrews Kurth.

Read more:

* Mountain Valley Pipeline's West Virginia water permittossed by court * Biden signs debt limit bill, avoiding U.S. default

(Reporting by Clark Mindock)
A prominent steak and seafood restaurant is adding new locations along the Grand Strand.

Miyabi Jr. Japanese Express will open in Carolina Forest in mid-September. The new eatery will be next to the Lowes Foods grocery store and 20 to 25 people will be hired to run the store, Miyabis Director of Operations Bobby Smith said.

Locals might be familiar with the brand as Miyabi Japanese Steak & Seafood has a sister store located in Myrtle Beach at 9732 North Kings Highway.

The new Carolina Forest store will also be hibachi-style food, but it will not have a show as part of the meal.

Miyabi Jr. will serve classic steak and seafood dishes in a fast-casual setting. Customers can eat their food on porcelain plates or order a to-go box. No alcohol will be served.

Smith said that express-style restaurants are what consumers want.

It seems to be the trend in the market now to do it a bit faster, Smith said. Were all busy with our lives now, and it seems to be the way things are going.

The Carolina Forest location will be Miyabis 17th store, as the restaurant chain is based in the Carolinas and Georgia. The company wants to continue growing in the Grand Strand area.

Miyabi is looking at locations on Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, North Myrtle Beach, and Wilmington, North Carolina, that could all open within a year, Smith said. The new locations would also be fast-casual restaurants, and Smith said that locals like having more options to choose from.

I think that its great that were getting different styles of food because it allows people to have a different variety, he added. It gives (customers) choices, gives them experiences theyve never had.

The company is also looking to expand its takeout-only locations, where customers can pick up their orders from a food locker only they can open. Miyabis already has a takeout-only service in Ocean Lakes near Surfside Beach, and the company is looking at adding a location in Conway.

The growth of the Grand Strand region has made expansion within the area so promising, Smith said.
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.
Ethan Miller

The family of NASCARs Jimmie Johnson suffered a gruesome tragedy on Monday in an apparent murder-suicide that claimed the life of his mother-in-law, father-in-law and 11-year-old nephew.

Muskogee Police say they found all three dead from gunshot wounds in their Oklahoma home shortly after 9 p.m. Monday eveningafter receiving a 911 call from a woman who reported someone with a gun, then hung up.

When they arrived on scene, cops said they found a body laying in the hallway. Then, they heard another gunshot ring out inside the home. The two remaining bodies were found afterwards.

Police believe that Johnsons mother-in-law, Terry Lynn Janway, shot her husband Jack and their grandson Dalton, before turning the gun on herself. Cops are yet to reveal a motive for the horrific shooting, but theyre treating 68-year-old Terry as the suspect as the investigation continues.

Muskogee Police Officer Lynn Hamlin told the Muskogee Phoenix that there appears theres no threat to the community and its looking very likely that its a murder-suicide.

FOX23 reported that it was Terry who made the 911 call.

It was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident, Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman told FOX23. It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved.

Coleman said he knew the Janway family, and that he had been a patient of Jacksa prominent chiropractor in Muskogee.

I knew Dr. Janway. Dr. Janway has worked on me, weve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since Ive been in Muskogee, Coleman said. Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me.

Johnson and his wife, Chandra, have been married since 2004. They have two daughters together.

Johnson is scheduled to race in this weekends NASCAR Chicago street race.

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. You can also text or dial 988.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Polish President Andrzej Duda raised concerns over the alleged transfer of the Wagner Group mercenaries to Belarus, the Polsat News TV channel reported on June 27.

"The de facto relocation of Russian forces, the Wagner Group, to Belarus, together with its head Yevgeny Prigozhin, is underway. These are very negative signals for us," Duda said.

Poland's president highlighted the necessity for strengthening NATO's eastern flank, particularly in the Baltic states and Poland.

The Alliance should implement the decisions from the 2022 Madrid summit to improve defense planning and ensure faster reaction capabilities of the Allied forces, Duda commented.

Warsaw's NATO partners in Latvia and Lithuania have also called for reinforcement of the eastern flank in response to the Wagner's redeployment.

"It could take (Wagner mercenaries) eight to ten hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus close to Lithuania," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said, commenting on the speed with which the mercenary group advanced toward Moscow.

"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," Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda warned on June 25.

"I am not only talking about Lithuania here but without a doubt the whole of NATO."

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

The Wagner Group's founder launched an armed rebellion against the Russian government on June 23. His mercenaries occupied the city of Rostov and marched on Moscow, only to abruptly end the insurrection on June 24.

After a deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin, allegedly brokered by Belarus's dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko, Russian officials said that the Wagner founder and its contractors would be allowed to leave for Belarus.

Although Prigozhin's press service has not yet confirmed his arrival, the Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that Prigozhin's business jet had landed at the Machulishchy military airfield near Minsk.

On June 27, Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin has arrived in the country, soon to be followed by his mercenaries.

Prigozhin's mercenary outfit was fully financed by the state, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 27.

The private military company allegedly received over 86 billion rubles ($1 billion) from the state's budget between May 2022 and May 2023, Putin said in a recorded address to military personnel.
About 19,000 men left through the

Nearly 19,000 men have fled Ukraine by misusing the "Shlyakh" information system and have failed to return, Ukrainian MP Serhiy Kozyr said on June 26.

The Shlyakh system was launched by Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers on March 17, 2022. It allows male drivers of military age to cross the border  if they are transporting humanitarian aid or medical supplies.

Read also: Several categories of men banned from leaving Ukraine in 2023

Under Ukrainian martial law, which was declared following Russias full-scale invasion of the country, men of military age are banned from leaving Ukraine without good reason, such as health or business.

Kozyr said that a total of 192,455 trips abroad by male Ukrainian citizens were recorded by the system from Feb. 24, 2022 until April 25, 2023, with 18,910 men failing to return as of April 25, 2023.

Read also: Number of illegally employed Ukrainians in Poland falls by nearly a third

Ukraines State Border Guard Service (SBGS) spokesperson Andriy Demchenko said his service recorded numerous cases of misuse of the "Shlyakh" system, when people couldn't name the reason for their trip abroad.

Subsequent analysis showed that individual entrepreneurs are overrepresented among those who misuse the system.

Demchenko said that the cost of a bribe to illegally receive clearance from the Shlyakh system ranges from $3,000-7,000. Those who misuse the system could face between three to nine years of imprisonment, he warned.

Read also: State Border Guard Service detains Ukrainian men who wanted to flee to Romania

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Collagen is an important substance in the human body, and according to the Mayo Clinic, it starts to decline as you age.

Lately, collagen supplements have become popular as a possible way to fix that problem. However, these supplements are poorly researched, may not work, and are often sourced from cattle farms in areas like Brazil, which are built by destroying parts of the Amazon rainforest, as The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) revealed.

Whats happening?

For years, companies looking for a quick profit have been chipping away at the Amazon, cutting down areas of irreplaceable rainforest to sell the lumber and create cattle farms. Brazils new president has made large strides in ending deforestation, but the destruction still continues at a slower pace.

Meanwhile, companies are still profiting from the areas that were already cut down. New laws in the EU and UK will ban many products from these sources in 2024.

According to a recent investigation by TBIJ, ITV News, The Guardian, and O Joio e O Trigo, international companies like Nestle-owned Vital Proteins use collagen sourced from Brazilian cowhides in their supplements. The farms involved are responsible for over 1,000 square miles of deforestation, according to the report  an area twice the size of the City of Los Angeles.

No company in the cosmetics industry has any excuse for sourcing products from areas of illegal deforestation, Chris Grayling MP, co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on global deforestation, told TBIJ. I hope the new administration in Brazil will end the scourge of illegal deforestation.

Why is Brazilian beef collagen a problem?

First of all, there simply isnt enough research to back up the claim that collagen supplements do anything for human skin, hair, nails, or joints.

As the Mayo Clinic explained, the collagen protein is too large to absorb from food and gets broken down during digestion. Theres currently not enough evidence to know whether the human body uses the pieces from digested collagen to build new collagen. Taking collagen supplements may not do anything at all.

Second, collagen is considered a by-product of beef, and for this reason, it slips through many regulatory loopholes, TBIJ revealed. The new laws in the EU dont cover it, and the U.S. has no restrictions on its use.

However, TBIJ claimed that non-meat products like collagen bring in up to a quarter of the cattle industrys income and are a key part of the business model. So using products like collagen ultimately contributes to deforestation.

Whats being done about Brazilian collagen?

The new EU law is up for review in 2025 when lawmakers hope to add beef byproducts to the list of banned items, TBIJ said.

Meanwhile, the recent investigation has put pressure on companies to end their use of Brazilian beef collagen. Nestle has committed to making its products deforestation-free by 2025.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Netflix is facing backlash for bringing James Camerons 1997 film Titanic back to the streamer days after the submarine implosion that killed five people.

Earlier this month, as part of an expensive tourist attraction run by OceanGate, five wealthy tourists went on an undersea expedition to visit the wreckage of the Titanic.

During their descent towards the wreckage, the submersible they were travelling in suffered a catastrophic implosion that likely killed everyone onboard instantly amid the intense water pressure in the deep North Atlantic, experts said.

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.

A few days after the incident, Netflix announced that the award-winning film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet will make its return to the streaming service on 1 July.

Ever since then, many people have been calling out Netflix for trying to capitalise off a sad tragedy.

Netflix hosting Titanic a week after the Oceangate incident is actually disgusting, one person wrote on Twitter. They never disappoint to show everyone how greedy they are.

Another person wrote: I didnt think Netflix would sink so low as to add Titanic to their streaming list during this time.

So Netflix was like "lets capitalize on this sub thing real quick...gone head and put TITANIC back in the rotation."  Jay Washington (@MrJayWashington) June 27, 2023

One person wrote: Netflix is messy as hell putting Titanic on there.

Another person added: I got a notification for titles being added to Netflix in July, and Titanic is on there lmfaoooooo. The devil works hard but Netflix works harder.

Despite all the criticism, Variety has revealed that Titanics arrival on Netflix is a coincidence as the streamers licensing deal to bring back Titanic for the viewers was ironed out long in advance.

The outlet reported that the return of Titanic on the streamer was scheduled months before the Titan submersible went missing.

The Independent has contacted Netflix for a comment.

In terms of the search for the missing bodies, the US Coast Guard continues recovery efforts on the site of the Titans wreck on the ocean floor.

Follow The Independents live blog about the Titan sub here.
Members of Beijing Dance Academy perform in Bucharest, capital of Romania, June 25, 2023. Beijing Dance Academy has presented a classical Chinese dance show at the University Politehnica of Bucharest. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/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.

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."

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.
Netanyahu says he's invited to China, emphasises US as Israel's key ally

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been invited to China in an announcement on Tuesday in which he also emphasised that the United States remained Israel's key ally.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration was notified of the expected visit a month ago, the statement from Netanyahu's office said. Washington has been scrutinizing Israeli commercial ties to its Asian big-power rival.

China and the United States agreed this month to stabilize their intense rivalry so it does not veer into conflict but failed to produce any major breakthrough during a rare visit to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also visited Beijing in June, where Chinese President Xi Jinping told him China was willing to help promote peace talks with Israel. U.S.-brokered negotiations have been frozen since 2014.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Dan Williams; Editing by Christina Fincher)
[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.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and state lawmakers announced late Monday night that they had reached a deal on the 2023-2024 budget without touching the states safety net.

The $310.8 billion budget, which would include $225.9 billion in general fund spending, would seek to bridge a nearly $32 billion deficit while maintaining $37.8 billion in reserves.

The agreement resolves weeks of tension between Newsom and his Democratic colleagues over the governors push to expedite major construction projects  including a controversial tunnel that would shuttle water from the Central Valley to Southern California.

In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, health care, climate, and public safety, Newsom said in a statement late Monday.

California lawmakers had voted earlier this month to approve their own amended version of the 2023 state budget bill, as they were required to do so by midnight on June 15. But they had also voiced intentions to continue negotiating with Newsom on the final terms, as revisions to the budget can occur in California through whats known as budget trailer bills.

The provisions outlined in Mondays deal would shift funds without tapping into the states safety net reserve, in contrast with the terms of Newsoms May proposal.

The plan safeguards our future, protects the progress weve made on key investments and keeps reserves strong at $37.8 billion, Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Phil Ting (D) tweeted on Monday night.

While the new budget does provide permitting exemptions for certain groundwater diversion and recharge plans, the disputed water conveyance project  the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta tunnel  was not included in the final deal.

Environmental groups have long argued that the tunnels construction could cause significant harm to wildlife that inhabit the region and exacerbate existing water pollution problems.

Among the key measures included in the new budget package are increased funds for schools, community colleges, early childhood education and higher education, as well as for housing and homelessness-related expenditures.

Public transit also would receive $5.1 billion for transit capital funding over three years  restoring a transit and intercity rail program that Newsom had intended to scrap, according to an Assembly Budget Committee floor report.

Were also addressing transits fiscal cliff [with] $5.1 billion  most of which is flexible for capital and operations, tweeted Ting, the budget committee chair.

The budget would also include a trailer bill reauthorizing a tax on managed care organization providers  companies that work with the state to deliver Medicaid benefits  in order to bolster the states Medi-Cal program.

On the other hand, the package would increase reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal primary care, obstetric and behavioral health providers, while offering one-time assistance for rural hospitals that need to comply with the states seismic regulations.

We started our budget process this time around with tough economic challenges, but one overarching goal: to protect Californias progress, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins said in a statement.

This budget does exactly that  it allows us to close the budget gap, make targeted new investments and provide services and resources for Californians and our communities without cuts to core programs or dipping into our reserves, Atkins added.

Lawmakers are expected to sign the bills necessary to enact the revised package over the course of this week. Newsom must sign a budget into law before July 1, the beginning of Californias fiscal year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Whats next for Wagner and Prigozhin as Putin rages over rebellion

Days after an aborted rebellion in Russia, much of the worlds attention has shifted to whats next for the mercenary Wagner Group and its high-profile founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Publicly, the negotiated deal between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin involved the Wagner chiefs exile to Belarus and the dropping of terrorism charges against him.

Yet experts say Prigozhin is far from safe, as Putin publicly fumes over the mutiny. And its unclear what the deal means for the future of Wagner, which has extensive holdings and influence across the world, particularly in developing countries in Africa, as well as ongoing operations in the Middle East and Latin America.

In televised addresses this week, Putin said the majority of Wagner Group soldiers and commanders are also Russian patriots and offered them a choice: either sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense or other Russian agency, return home, or go to Belarus.

Everyone is free to decide on their own, Putin said.

Those options will likely allow the group to remain intact  for now. However, Prigozhins continued involvement, or further acts of provocation, could change Putins equation.

David Salvo, the managing director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund, said it was hard to imagine Prigozhin remaining in control, predicting he would either be assassinated or left to wither in exile.

I dont see how he retains influence without the company, he said. And its hard to imagine a scenario in which Putin allows him to retain control over this massive operation because of how much influence and power he accrued.

Salvo expects Wagner to be stripped for parts and broken down into several different private military companies headed by Putin loyalists.

That could be in motion already as the Russian Defense Ministry said Wagner Group will begin to hand over its heavy weapons to the Kremlins military, per the agreement struck with Prigozhin.

Breaking apart Wagner would enable the Russian president to continue benefiting from Wagner operations across the globe  including on the frontline in Ukraine  and prevent the concentration of too much power under one figure, as happened with Prigozhin, Salvo added.

One of the reasons why he was so quick to strike a deal, rather than jail or kill Prigozhin, is because the Russian military relies on the mercenaries. They need these guys as cannon fodder on the front lines. And not only that, theyre elite-performing cannon fodder, he said.

Its to Putins advantage to get as many of these guys back to the front under a different flag as possible.

Prigozhins short-lived uprising erupted after a long-festering feud between him and Russian military officials. The Wagner army rumbled unopposed for hundreds of miles from southern Russia toward Moscow before abruptly calling off the march.

Putin has since sought to reassert his control, calling the aborted mutiny a stab in the back of our country and our people during Mondays address. They wanted Russians to fight each other, he said, without naming Prigozhin.

Prigozhins move into exile also calls into question his vast involvement in Russian commerce and politics, from natural resource exploitation, propaganda operations, and a catering business with millions worth of Kremlin contracts.

Prigozhin is most likely going to take steps now to shore up his control of this entire business network, Catrina Doxsee, an expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Hill.

She said Wagner and its related shell companies have been instrumental in expanding Russias influence and providing clear economic gains to the country, particularly in Africa.

The Wagner leader will not let go of his empire easily, setting the stage for a fight with Moscow and potential splintering, Doxsee said.

Putin may already be laying the groundwork to bury Prigozhin under corruption charges, as he has with other perceived rivals.

The Russian president held a meeting Tuesday with defense leaders at which he admitted funding Wagner Group, with Moscow paying nearly $1 billion to support the company from May 2022 to May 2023 alone.

Putin also said Prigozhins Concord catering company would be investigated for charging the government while being funded with another roughly $1 billion.

As for Prigozhin himself, he appears to have arrived in Belarus as part of the deal brokered by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko over the weekend, though he hasnt been seen since he left a southern Russia military headquarters on Saturday.

Lukashenko announced Tuesday the mercenary chiefs arrival. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday the U.S. doesnt have any reason to doubt the announcement made by the government of Belarus.

The consensus among Russian military bloggers, war analysts, and officials appears to be that Wagner Group is too important to give up, but tighter regulation and a change in leadership might be necessary.

Andrey Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma defense committee, told the newspaper Vedomosti that lawmakers were working on legislation to exercise greater control over private military companies.

However, Kartapolov noted the Wager company is the most combat ready division of Russias fighting forces and that dissolving the company would be disastrous and benefit the western security alliance NATO.

He also said Prigozhins soldiers did not do anything reprehensible and were following orders, arguing it was best to change leadership.

The one who raised the rebellion, he must answer, Kartapolov said, while admitting that installing someone there who will be more loyal, more specific, but whom the participants will respect and perceive is a difficult job.

Experts have also speculated that Putin is unlikely to let Prigozhin leave the scene in peace.

In terms of long-term safety, I think he does have a lot to worry about, she said. I dont think that well see him assassinated in the short term. I think that would be yet another sign of weakness for Putin to back down over the weekend, only to covertly assassinate Prigozhin shortly after.

Instead, Doxsee predicted Russia could be setting Prigozhin up for a criminal case and show trial, using him as an example for Putin to assert his power over Wagner and deter any others who might look to challenge his power.

While Prigozhin has claimed wide support for the march on Moscow, it has also angered some hard-liners who previously supported his bloody efforts in Ukraine.

Prominent Russian blogger Alexander Kots wrote angrily that Prigozhins forces downed seven aircraft during the march.

Six downed helicopters and one plane is not justice. Blocking Russian cities is not justice. Capturing military airfields is not justice, Kots wrote. In another post, he predicted the downfall of Wagner. It is a pity that the story of the legendary military unit ends just like that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
If your child, teenager or loved one has been negatively impacted by a social media platform, the New Hampshire Attorney Generals office wants to hear from you.

The attorney generals office is seeking input from the public for a national investigation into social medias impacts on children and youths, amid what some are calling a mental health crisis among young people.

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the correlation between the development of serious mental health disorders by minors and time spent on social media, the attorney generals office said in a statement.

Kids in Crisis: An in-depth look at youth mental health in Mass.

There has also been extensive media attention on the responsibility of businesses who own social media platforms to protect children and young adults from the known dangers of using their platforms, the attorney generals office said. Eliminating the harmful effect of social media on our youth and holding social media platforms accountable for their actions is a top priority for the New Hampshire Department of Justice.

In November 2021, at the direction of Attorney General John Formella, New Hampshire joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms Inc. for providing and promoting its social media platforms  Facebook and Instagram  to children and young adults despite knowing that use of these platforms is associated with an increased risk of physical and mental health harms in young people, including depression, eating disorders, and even suicide, the attorney generals office said.

Investigators have since expanded their probe to include ByteDance, owner of Tik Tok Inc.

Any information on how these Social Media Platforms have had an effect on people in the Granite State would be valuable as our investigators continue their work, the attorney generals office said.

A report by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in February found that nearly three in five teenage girls said they felt persistent sadness in 2021 and one in three girls seriously considered attempting suicide.

The findings were based on surveys from the CDC that are completed by teenagers across the U.S. every two years. More than 17,200 high school students filled out the surveys.

Anyone who has witnessed or experienced the negative impact of social media use on the mental health of young people is urged to email their personal stories and contact information to: SMPImpact@doj.nh.gov.

When emailing this information, officials are asking the public to include: Your name, contact information, the age of the person impacted, a brief summary of what you have seen, and which social media platform(s) were involved.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Nicholas Rossi's lawyers are opposing his extradition to the US

A psychiatrist has told a court hearing that rape suspect Nicholas Rossi's mental state is unlikely to be a barrier to his extradition.

US prosecutors want to extradite Mr Rossi - who claims to be a man called Arthur Knight - to face charges in Utah.

Dr Kunal Choudhary told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he assessed Mr Rossi by videolink in May.

That interview did not suggest he had an acute mental illness, he said.

The doctor said the man's symptoms pointed to a personality disorder, but that confirming a diagnosis would require multiple assessments.

Dr Choudhary said that "even if a personality disorder was present, it's unlikely to present a barrier to his extradition".

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.

Mr Rossi appeared at court more than four hours late due to transport issues from HMP Edinburgh where he is being held on remand.

For a second day he was wearing what appeared to be a black legal gown. But when quizzed about his appearance by Sheriff Norman McFadyen, his defence lawyer Mungo Bovey KC said Mr Rossi was wearing a bekishe, a type of frock coat worn by Orthodox Jewish men.

Mr Rossi has converted to Judaism while in prison.

Dr Choudhary said Mr Rossi presented as "pleasant and engaging" throughout his assessment but could, at times, be tearful, particularly when talking about being away from his wife, Miranda.

The psychiatrist also said that Rossi could undergo treatment in the US and it was unlikely that staying in the UK for treatment would benefit him.

He also said that Mr Rossi was unable to give him a full picture about his early life, education or work history.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sheriff McFadyen ruled the hearing could not be discharged.

Mr Rossi's team made a submission that he was not brought before a sheriff in the appropriate timeframe and claimed he did not receive an important National Crime Agency document alongside the Interpol red notice he was served.

The hearing continues.
NKY dentist guilty of illegal prescribing that led to patient's death faces life in prison

A federal jury has found a Northern Kentucky dentist guilty of illegal prescribing that resulted in a patient's death, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Covington.

Dr. Jay Sadrinia, 60, was convicted last Thursday of distribution of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, court records show.

Sadrinia, who owned and operated dental clinics in Crescent Springs, prescribed powerful opioid medications  including morphine  to his patients for routine dental procedures, prosecutors said.

In August 2020, one patient fatally overdosed on the morphine Sadrinia prescribed, prosecutors said, adding he charged the patient $37,000 for dental procedures and wrote prescriptions for "medically unnecessary" amounts of narcotics.

Court records show Sadrinia prescribed the patient a total of 108 pills of oxycodone and morphine between Aug. 4, 2020 and Aug. 26, 2020.

He was acquitted of two counts related to the oxycodone prescriptions and another count related to prescribing morphine.

Sadrinia's license to practice dentistry has been suspended since his indictment in April of last year, according to Jeff Allen, the executive director of the Kentucky Board of Dentistry.

The board's law enforcement committee is scheduled to meet on July 7 and it's likely the committee will make a formal decision about revoking Sadrinia's license, Allen said.

Robert Kennedy McBride, Sadrinia's lawyer, declined to comment on the verdict.

Sadrinia faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison, prosecutors said.

He is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge David Bunning for sentencing on Dec. 13.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dentist convicted of illegal prescribing leading to patient's OD death
As part of its push for a unity ticket presidential bid, the bipartisan group No Labels quietly employed a firm with ties to GOP candidates including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The firm, Blitz Canvassing, was paid a total of $107,000 by No Labels affiliated nonprofit entity, Insurance Policy for America, to help it gather signatures in Colorado, the first state where No Labels, which has floated the idea of an independent presidential unity ticket in 2024, qualified as a minor political party. This would allow it to field a presidential candidate in the state.

Tim Pollard, a partner at Blitz Canvassing, confirmed No Labels was a client last year but said the firm, which usually works with Republican candidates as well as on ballot initiatives, had declined opportunities to work with them going forward.

Colorado, like the country, is moving in the wrong direction. Were eager for the election ahead, he said.

Still, the expenditures are likely to provide fodder to the groups critics, who have accused it of having too many ties to Republicans and who fear a well-funded third party candidate could help re-elect former President Donald Trump.

Though No Labels has floated Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) as a possible presidential candidate, its affiliated nonprofit has many donors who have given heavily to Republicans in the past.

Blitz Canvassing, which is based in Colorado, has worked for Republican candidates in several states. DeSantis campaign paid it more than $8 million in 2022, according to Florida campaign finance records. The firms 2022 clients also included now-Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Colorado GOP Senate candidate Joe ODea, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Insurance Policy for America reported paying the firm in December 2022.

According to the Colorado Times Recorder, which first reported the No Labels connection, Blitz is owned by former GOP state senator turned longtime GOP operative Josh Penry, and has handled field operations for nearly every major Republican candidate in Colorado for the past decade.

No Labels did not return requests for comment.

The Colorado firm has also been behind a big hiring push on behalf of the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down PAC, according to several job postings listed in the past month on the "non-woke job board" Red Balloon. Blitz Canvassing also shares office space and a mailing address with Ascent Media, another political consulting firm that has received $10,000 each month from the Republican National Committee this year and worked for DeSantis in 2022.

Blitz Canvassing was not the only firm working on ballot access for No Labels, records show. Insurance Policy for America also paid just over $1.1 million to Capitol Advisors, LLC, which lists a Virginia-based address, in 2022. A firm with the same name previously worked on ballot access for Bill Welds longshot challenge to Trump for the Republican nomination in 2020, according to FEC filings.

Colorado was also the first state where No Labels became a recognized party, which would allow it to run candidates for president and other offices. The group has achieved a similar status in Oregon, Alaska and Arizona, although Arizona Democrats have challenged its status in that state.

In a previous interview with POLITICO, No Labels said its focus in those early states was because of the earlier timelines to qualify for ballot access.

No Labels has largely declined to disclose who is funding its presidential bid, although the Insurance Policy for America IRS documents listed some donors who had given up to $5,600. Those contributions account for only a small share of the money No Labels is working with. In the past the group has received larger donations from megadonors such as Harlan Crow.

No Labels has indicated it could drop a third-party bid if DeSantis or another non-Trump Republican wins the GOP nomination, a position it has maintained even as DeSantis recently attacked a bipartisan debt ceiling deal that No Labels praised.

But Trump has maintained a healthy lead in GOP primary polls so far.

CORRECTION: This story original implied the firm did work in more than one state for the group.
Not coming-out, but allowing you to come in: LGBTQ Gen Xers detail their journeys

As children of the mid-1960s to 1980, Generation X came into a world being shaped by radicalization. Some were born in the counter-culture decade of the '60s, others, the economic upheavals of the '70s  an era defined by scenes of protest, celebration, political strife.

But their births were also in synchronization with the Gay Liberation Movement, which exploded thanks to the strength of previous generations.

According to the National Archives, federal employers forced thousands of employees out of their jobs between the late 1940s and through the 1960s due to their sexual identities. Galvanized by the wave of persecution, Gen X grew up as activists threw their weight behind marches, combatting workplace discrimination, police intimidation and violence all so they could live their lives out in the open.

Like the first waves of feminism, the efforts of Black, Latino and transgender activists played a large part in some of the most defining moments of this era  though their livelihood and rights remain threatened.

The pages of American history know moments like the Stonewall Riots of 1969 well, but often lose sight of the efforts that carried its momentum, including the awareness raised by the 1965 police raid on California Halls New Years Day Ball and the 1966 Comptons Cafeteria Riot. All the while, leaders like Storme DeLarverie, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera brought hope and awareness in the face of the blood and brutality that erupted.

The community also pushed forward to make groundbreaking milestones.

Now, in 2023, members of Generation X look back on their own defining eras, and the moments in which their identities were shared with and expressed to the world. Shrouded in acceptance and relief and, in some cases, anguish and regret, here are the moments they hold in their hearts.

Dominique Jackson: It took 30 years for my mother to actually see me

Dominique Jackson (Arturo Holmes / Getty Images)

Coming-out in the 90s was a disaster for Dominique Jackson. In 1993, she told her family that she was trans after she yearned for a sense of freedom at home.

I knew I was going to lose a lot, she tells TODAY.com. I was going to lose the ability to continue my education. I was going to lose my safe space, which was my home. And it was terrifying.

Jackson, who was 18 years old at the time, remembered being attacked at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Although her family thought that she was gay, Jackson knew that wasnt how she identified.

I couldnt explain to them that I was trans. I didnt have the vocabulary for it back then, so all I could say was that I was different and they assumed it was gay, she says. And so I left my house and had to live in an apartment with about six other people. The amazing part about that is thats how I found ballroom and it was those people from ballroom who took me in.

The Pose star says the trauma of coming out to her family lasted for 30 years. It wasnt until Pose debuted in 2018 that she decided to call up her mom and make amends.

While it was hard, Jackson says her mother finally came to an understanding of who she was.

She finally was like, Listen, Ive always loved you and I do love you, but, now I know I have to respect you and I will try. So it took 30 years for my mother to actually see me and she still hasnt seen me fully, but shes still seen me.

James Earl Hardy: Were not coming-out, were letting people in

James Earl Hardy (Courtesy James Earl Hardy)

James Earl Hardy, 57, does not believe in coming-out. He believes in inviting the right people in.

Born in 1966, it took Hardy, the B-Boy Blues screenwriter and executive producer, nearly 30 years to open up about his sexuality to his parents.

I suppose I officially came out when B-Boy Blues was released (in 1994), he says of his novel that later became a series of seven books and a movie on BET+. I gave them both a copy of the book.

Hardy's novel is a rom-com featuring two male leads who fall in love. The story is not based on Hardys life, he says, but both he, his parents and their family members read it as his coming-out story.

Most of them were not surprised, he recalls of his family's reaction to learning he was gay. They were relieved that I felt comfortable enough to finally just say it.

Hardy recognizes how sharing this part of his identity with his family  and how they responded  is a privilege inaccessible to some.

Im really blessed in that regard, as I have parents who have always supported me, he says. I had to learn that not everybody is worthy of that. Sometimes we have to be very careful of who we extend that privilege to.

For that reason, Hardy says the phrase coming-out has been reframed over the years.

Today, I guess people dont say so much that theyre coming-out, but theyre letting people in, he says. We have evolved somewhat over the past 30 years when it comes to LGBTQ+, same gender loving rights, so that gives us more ownership.

Were not so much coming-out to you, our families, friends, the world, but were allowing you to come in, he explains. Experience what our lives are like  realizing that theyre really not that much different from yours.

Elegance Bratton: I discovered home

Elegance Bratton (Michael Rowe / Getty Images for IMDb)

Before Elegance Bratton became a Golden Globe nominated filmmaker, he was a 16-year-old kid seated on a rattling PATH train with his life packed into three gallon trash bags.

His name was Elegance then, too, and he tells to TODAY.com that his mother settled on the name soon after she gave birth to him when she was also just 16 years old.

You know, when the babies get smacked and they start crying? he asks. She said when I got smacked, I gasped and I looked back at her and she thought it was the most elegant thing shed ever seen.

Ironically, the same woman who gave him the name that led some to assume that he was gay, was the same one who forced him out of her house when she learned that he was interested in boys.

My coming-out story begins with a boy calling me  that Ive met out on a night in New York ... (on) my family line, Bratton explains. I dont know what it was about that call but my mother knew right away that this boy calling me was very different from my other friends calling me.

The Inspection director remembers quickly packing all that his mother would allow him to take with him into five, three gallon trash bags including his clothes and a beloved copy of Invisible Man.

I talked my way onto the train, I didnt even have money to ride the train, he says, recalling that he didnt really know exactly where he was going to stop. Eventually, he ended up in New York City, where he says he saw a group of men on the train.

I heard these Black gay men and I assumed they were Black and gay because they were just so loud and fanboying and proud, he says. I followed them because I was like, Wherever they can go and be that gay, I need to go there.

Incidentally, they got off on Christopher Street, the location of the Stonewall Inn, a now National Historic Landmark and the site of the 1969 riots that helped launched the gay rights movement.

I just got there and got off the train and it was, in a way, kind of like a dream come true, he explains. I discovered home. People were eager, it seemed, for my arrival, even though they didnt know me.

Magical is the word that Bratton uses to describe the rest of the evening. With the glimmer of disco balls and the pulse of various nightclubs in the background, he had his first kiss and eventually watched the sun rise.

Everything Id been waiting to happen, happened that night, he says, adding that the magic soon wore off when the reality of his future sunk in.

You have to go to bed and theres nowhere to sleep, he notes.

Bratton says he eventually returned to his mothers home a few days later, and swore up and down (that) I was not gay.

And so (began) the cycle of the next 10 years of my life being homeless again, he says.

But Bratton's story doesn't end there. At the age of 25 the director joined the Marine Corps, then enrolled in college. Today, he holds two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University. In 2019, he directed Pier Kids a documentary about three LGBTQ homeless youths in New York City. In 2022, his film The Inspection debuted to critical acclaim. Out and proud, he lives in Los Angeles with his longtime partner.

TODAY.com is exploring what coming out means and how its changed from the perspective of members of the LGBTQ+ community across generations. In addition to the Gen X, read what Baby Boomers, millennials and Gen Z have to say.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
John Goodenough (C) shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing the lithium-ion battery with Akira Yoshino (L) and Stanley Whittingham (Jonas EKSTROMER)

John Goodenough, who shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing the lithium-ion battery that revolutionized modern life, has died at the age of 100, the University of Texas announced.

Goodenough died on Sunday, said the university, where he worked as an engineering professor.

The US scientist's contributions to the development of lithium-ion batteries paved the way for smartphones and a fossil fuel-free society.

"John's legacy as a brilliant scientist is immeasurable -- his discoveries improved the lives of billions of people around the world," Jay Hartzell, president of the University of Texas at Austin, said in the statement.

"He was a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career."

In 1986, at the age of 64, Goodenough joined the University of Texas where he served as a faculty member in the Cockrell School of Engineering for 37 years.

"The world has lost an incredible mind and generous spirit. He will be truly missed among the scientific and engineering community, but he leaves a lasting legacy that will inspire generations of future innovators and researchers," said Sharon Wood, provost of the University of Texas.

Goodenough became the oldest person to win a Nobel Prize when at the age of 97 he shared the 2019 chemistry award with Britain's Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino of Japan for the invention of the lithium-ion battery.

Seeking an alternative source of power during the oil crisis of the 1970s, Whittingham discovered a way to harness the potential energy in lithium, a metal so light it floats on water.

However, the battery he constructed was too unstable to be used.

Goodenough built on Whittingham's prototype, substituting a different metal compound and doubling the potential energy of the battery to four volts.

This paved the way for far more powerful and durable batteries in the future.

In 1985, Yoshino instead used a carbon-based material that stores lithium ions, finally rendering the battery commercially viable.

The culmination of the trio's research resulted in the most powerful, lightweight and rechargeable battery ever seen.

- 'A rechargeable world' -

"They created a rechargeable world," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awarded the accolade, said at the time.

"Lithium batteries have revolutionized our lives since they first entered the market in 1991," and were "of the greatest benefit to humankind".

Their work considerably boosted human mobility, and allowed millions in developing countries to access information and services online with just a mobile phone.

Lithium-ion batteries have also reduced the reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels, especially in electric cars.

On receiving news of his Nobel, Goodenough expressed pride in the worldwide impact of his work.

"I'm extremely happy that my discovery has been able to help communication through the world," he said.

"We need to build relationships, not wars. I am happy if people use this for good, not evil."

Born in 1922 in Germany, Goodenough grew up in the United States and earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Yale University.

After serving as a meteorologist in the US Army during World War II, Goodenough earned a master's degree and a PhD in physics at the University of Chicago in 1952, according to the University of Texas statement.

From 1952, he worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory for 24 years and laid the groundwork for the development of computer random-access memory (RAM).

Goodenough was head of the inorganic chemistry laboratory at Oxford University when he made his lithium-ion battery discovery.

In 1986, he joined the University of Texas where he was known for his "quick wit and infectious laugh."

He was still coming into work well into his 90s, the university said.

Goodenough and his wife Irene were married for 70 years, until her death in 2016.

bur-mtp/qan
It is widely known that Qinshihuang, the first ruler of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), built a great mausoleum in what is now Xi'an, Shaanxi province, with Terracotta Warriors believed to be safeguarding the tomb. Since no archaeological excavation has been carried out on the tomb, and there are no signs of it being successfully robbed, the well-preserved large-scale construction has aroused curiosity for generations.

Shiji, or Records of the Grand Historian, the foundation text of Chinese history dating back to the first century BC, records that a large amount of mercury was used to simulate "a hundred rivers and seas", and was set to flow mechanically in the underground palace of the tomb should it be breached. And archaeological and geological surveys have proved the abundant existence of mercury in the palace, suggesting the record is probably true.

But most people may not know the design is related to the marine concepts of the Qin people. In their eyes, the mysterious sea was related to celestial beings and even immortality. It was also an auspicious sign for a regime, according to Wang Zijin, a historian specializing in studies of the Qin and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties.

Wang, professor at Northwest University and Renmin University of China, expresses this idea in his newly published book, The Spiritual World of Qin People, which explores the belief system of the Qin people based on historical literature and archaeological findings. The book was launched at a seminar in Beijing on June 14.

Qin was a minor power for the early centuries of its existence, and then developed as an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC). Following reforms in the 4th century BC, Qin emerged as one of the seven leading states during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and unified China in 221 BC under Qinshihuang's reign.

According to Wang, the culture of Qin originated in the northwest of the Central China Plains, though it was very different from the culture of the plains. It had aspects of a political culture. This is hardly surprising since the Qin people successfully established the first dynasty of imperial China.

Scholars used to focus on the pragmatism of the Qin culture, but haven't paid much attention to the spiritual world and beliefs of the Qin people, and the book tries to fill the academic blanks in this field, says Wang.

Wang started to consider the belief system of Qin people early in the 1980s. The book includes some of his essays in the past, and new findings of his research in recent years.

According to Sun Xiao, a historical researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the beliefs of the Qin people were not systematic at all, and can only be gleaned from small shreds of historical evidence. But Wang has prepared rich historical materials for this book, and put his ideas down with a simple and concise writing style.

Jiang Shoucheng, a professor at the School of Philosophy of Renmin University of China, says the book mainly discusses five aspects of Qin people's beliefs, such as their worship for people  their ancestors and Emperor Yan Di, a legendary pre-dynastic ruler  animals and plants, solar eclipses, geography-related worship, such as for the sea, as well as the ideas behind some of their folk customs.

Wang Hui, a professor at the Department of Cultural Heritage and Museology of Fudan University, says Wang Zijin's research on the belief system of Qin people can enhance our understanding of other aspects of the study of the Qin Dynasty, including their military affairs, transportation, literature and political system, opening another door to the Qin and even Han world.
On the last day of Kain Heilands short life, April 1, he was hanging out with his friends, Nolan Grove and Miles Belleman.

They goofed around Red Lion, a typical Saturday, shuttling between Miles' and Nolans homes, about a block away from one another in Red Lion.

Linda Arvin wears a t-shirt honoring her grandsonKain Heiland.

While they were hanging out, Miles recalled that Nolan was carrying his fathers pistol, later identified as a .380 Kel-Tec semi-automatic with a laser sight, a gun described by the manufacturer as a little pocket-sized carry pistol (that) packs a punch. He had watched as Nolan removed the pistol from the gun cabinet in his fathers First Avenue home, a cabinet emblazoned with an American flag and secured with a magnetic latch.

The pistol made a few appearances during the day. Once, while they were listening to music at Nolans house, Nolan pointed it at Kain and activated the laser sight. A screenshot of a Facetime call depicts Kain lying on his back, covering his face with his hands, as Nolan stood over him.

Later, Miles recalled, Nolan brandished the pistol when they confronted two girls who took Bellemans scooter.

And even later, Nolan pulled the gun on Kain.

The boys were walking through Nolans neighbors backyard, returning to Nolans house from Miles' home on West Broadway. Nolan said something about Kains mom and Kain told him to shut up.

Nolan told Kain, You know what will happen.

Thats when he shot him, Miles testified at Nolans preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon. Nolan shot Miles.

He testified that Nolan shot Kain in the right side of his back at 8:22 p.m., the time recorded on a Facetime call from Miles phone to another friend. Kain was 12.

After the shooting, he said, he and Nolan went back to his house.

Previously: Red Lion boy, 13, charged with homicide in shooting death of Kain Heiland, 12

Kain's family speaks: Grandmother of Kain Heiland, 12, killed in Red Lion: 'He died protecting his mom'

Miles, a slight 13-year-old boy, wore a suit that seemed a size too big and sneakers to court. As he testified in Courtroom 7002 in the York County Judicial Center, he swiveled nervously in his chair, his voice soft and difficult to hear.

He was one of two witnesses to appear during the brief hearing. The other, State Police Trooper Travis Vankuren, took the stand after Miles and briefly outlined the investigation that led police to charge Nolan, 13, with third-degree murder and other charges. Third-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. (Nolan is charged as an adult; Pennsylvania law mandates juveniles accused of murder to be tried as adults.)

Vankuren testified that when Nolan arrived at the state police barracks in Loganville with his father, he had changed clothes and told the trooper who took his statement that he had washed his hands. His clothing was later seized by state police to be tested for gunshot residue.

At the conclusion of the hearing, District Magisterial Judge John Fishel ordered Nolan to stand trial. Nolans defense attorney, Farley Holt, did not present any witnesses or argue his case at the conclusion of the hearing.

Nolan is being held without bail in a juvenile facility.

Columnist/reporter Mike Argento has been a York Daily Record staffer since 1982. Reach him at mike@ydr.com.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 13-year-old to stand trial in homicide of 12-year-old Red Lion boy
[Source]

North Korea has vowed a war of revenge against the U.S. in mass rallies attended by more than 120,000 people over the weekend, according to reports.

What happened: The rallies marked the 73rd anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, when North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt at unification under its command. The three-year war saw the Soviet Union and China back the North, while the U.S. and the rest of the United Nations supported the South.

Sundays 120,000 protesters included students and workers, according to state media. Photos showed them holding multiple signs, some of which translated to The whole U.S. mainland is within our shooting range and The imperialist U.S. is the destroyer of peace.

What North Korea is saying: Pyongyangs version of the Korean War paints the U.S. as responsible for provoking the conflict, which left around 2.5 million people dead.

More from NextShark: Randall Park film directorial debut Shortcomings gets theatrical release date

The rallies also came amid increased tensions in the Korean Peninsula as Pyongyang continues its weapons demonstrations while Washington and Seoul intensify joint military drills. On Sunday, state media reported that Pyongyang now has the strongest absolute weapon to punish the U.S. imperialists and the war deterrence for self-defense which no enemy dare provoke. In a separate report by its foreign ministry, the U.S. was accused of making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war.

Whats next: North Korea is expected to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit. It made the first attempt on May 31 but failed.

Meanwhile, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken called South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin last week to provide updates on the outcome of his recent trip to China. The call reportedly included the issue of North Koreas increasingly destabilizing actions in the region.

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Woman Charged With Hate Crime and Battery For Using Racial Slurs, Spitting on Asian Man

YouTube channel belonging to Malaysian rapper behind viral song mocking Chinese nationalists is hacked
North Texas man sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in teens shooting death

A North Texas man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to the 2020 murder of a 19-year-old in Grand Prairie, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office announced this week.

Deandre Holmes, 22, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting of Derrick Johnson.

He pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in organized crime-murder.

Johnson was found shot in a parking lot of an apartment complex on Feb. 6, 2020.

Four other suspects, Jermon Carson, then 25; Jonathan Fletcher, 20; Donald Hill, 18; and Kendarius Williams, 17, were also arrested in February 2020 and charged in connection to Johnsons killing.

According to court records, Carson was convicted in May of murder and sentenced to five years. Williams is scheduled to accept or decline a plea offer next month. Fletcher has a hearing in his case set for June 30. The case against Hill appears to have been dismissed.

At the time of the arrests, detectives said they believed Johnson and the suspects knew each other and the shooting was not random.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kathryn Owens and Emily Kirby, District Attorney Investigator Steve Groppi, and Victim Assistance Coordinator Elizabeth Garcia worked on the case.
We are not building camps for Wagnerites, let them set up tents  Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, has claimed that they do not build camps for the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) but will "help with accommodation" if necessary.

Source: Belarusian regime-aligned news agency BelTA, citing Lukashenko during the ceremony of presenting military shoulder straps to senior officers

Quote: "We are not building any camps yet. But if they want to (I understand they are looking at certain areas), we will accommodate them. Put up tents, if you like. But for now, they are in Luhansk in their camps. And as Prigozhin, who called me yesterday, told me, somebody is going to sign a contract with [Russia's Defence Minister Sergei] Shoigu at the Defence Ministry.

We offered them one of the abandoned camps. They are welcome  the fence is there, and everything is in place. Put up your tents. We will help them as much as we can until they decide what to get up to."

Background: The Russian media outlet Vyorstka reported that camps were being built in Belarus to house Wagner PMC militants after arrangements were made with Alexander Lukashenko, who was in talks with Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine denied this information. The SBGS stressed that the intelligence service closely monitors the situation in the country, which is an accomplice of the Russian aggressor state.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty

The latest chapter of accountability for the bloody Jan. 6 riot is playing out in a quiet California courtroom, where disgraced law school professor John Eastman is going through a disbarment hearing over his role fueling former President Donald Trumps belief that he could disregard the 2020 election and remain in power.

At issue is whether lawyers can claim theyre just doing their job. In Eastmans case, that means actively playing along with a plot to damage American democracy by giving dubious advice to one of the worlds most difficult legal clients: Donald J. Trump.

One week into defending himself from an 11-count disciplinary charge filed in January, things arent looking good for Eastman.

Although its essentially a professional regulatory rebuke, the disciplinary charge reads like a criminal indictment. Eastman is charged with making false representations and failing to support the nations Constitution and its laws. Hes accused of committing an act of moral turpitude, dishonesty, and corruption, as stated in the charge notice.

Eastman was the author of a now-infamous memo in which he argued Vice President Mike Pence could single-handedly reject electoral college votes to buy Republican state legislatures time to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 victory. And his six-page memo laying out how Pence could reject the electoral college is the heart of the case.

Judge Shuts Down Trump Coup Memo Scribe John Eastmans Expert Witness

The idea was to pull the plug on the traditionally seamless transfer of power from one American president to another. The coup failed both in courtrooms and in Congress, which turned into a literal battlefield with Capitol Police and rioters on Jan. 6, 2021. But Eastman has mostly avoided any real repercussions besides reputation to damageuntil now.

Last week, the judge on his case said that luckily he's not on trial for all of the false statements he made in one article published less than two weeks after the insurrection, where Eastman defended the legal advice he gave Trump. In that article, Eastman repeated debunked claims about Georgias suitcases of ballots and Michigans vote-flipping machines, illegal ballot harvesting, and ghost absentee votes.

The vice president was not being asked to decide the matter himself, but to pause the proceedings long enough, Eastman claimed.

Those words now carry a more haunting weight given the fuller picture provided by the House Jan. 6 Committee. The panel revealed a year ago this week how MAGA Republicans assembled fake electors in seven swing states to erase the victory of now-President Joe Biden.

Since then, Eastman was forced to retire from his spot as dean of Chapman Universitys law school just outside Los Angeles. The feds seized his phone. His reputation was eviscerated when a California federal judge cited evidence of a crime or fraud and forced Eastman to turn over his emails to Congress. And the extent of his personal involvement in Trumps failed coup was laid bare in those messages, which were splashed on TVs all across the country last summer and showed how Pences own lawyer ripped into Trumps kooky professor as a violent mob descended on them in the Capitol.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege, Greg Jacob wrote to Eastman at 3:14 p.m. that day, only to have Eastman throw the blame right back at him.

My bullshit  seriously? he shot back. The siege is because YOU and your boss did not do what was necessary to allow this to be aired in a public way so the American people can see for themselves what happened.

Trumps Coup Memo Author Facing Disbarment in California

So far, Eastmans disbarment trial has rehashed many of the same damning details that were already released during the nearly dozen House Jan. 6 Committee hearings, where Jacob testified about the pressure aimed at convincing Pence to abuse his authority.

Jacob appeared again last week, this time in the Los Angeles courtroom, where he testified that Eastman knew his stop-the-vote plan was utterly ludicrousplainly evident by the way the conservative legal scholar came to the obvious conclusion himself that it would never pass the Supreme Court, even the present one packed with Trump appointees.

Jacob previously recalled Eastman asking, If this case got to the Supreme Court, wed lose 9-0, wouldnt we, if we actually took your position and it got up there? To which Eastman eventually responded: Yeah, all right, it would be 9-0.

Jacob repeated the story in court on Wednesday, noting that Eastman at first believed he could at least convince the iconoclastic and conservative judge hed once clerked for: Justice Clarence Thomas.

Eastmans own testimony was interrupted by Jacobs appearance in court, which took precedence because of his limited availability. The scholar on trial is expected to take the stand again in the coming days, with the trial resuming on Tuesday.

One question that remains to be answered is how significant of a role Eastmans own guilty conscience will play in the trial. The Jan. 6 Committee exposed messages from Eastman that showed him taking steps to avoid a potential prosecution when his clearly illegal plan failed.

USA-CAPITOL/SECURITY REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Ive decided that I should be on the pardon list, if that is still in the works, Eastman emailed Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

MAGA ire is now being directed at Judge Yvette D. Roland over her stern approach from the very start of the trial, when she began dismantling Eastmans defense by blocking several of his proposed witnesses from testifying. Among them was a certified public accountant, Joseph Fried, who wrote a book thats skeptical about the 2020 election resultsbut someone whom the judge concluded had no relevant training or expertise in elections.

Over the weekend, the conservative Arizona Sun Times seized on the fact that Roland had donated to Democrats to attack her.

I have NEVER encountered a judge before who contributed to political parties AFTER they became a sitting judge! She's obviously extremely partisan but ruling on a clearly politically tinged trial over a conservative attorney advising a Republican president, noted writer Rachel Alexander, who was herself a lawyer before Arizona suspended her for misconduct 10 years ago this month, according to records pulled by The Daily Beast.

However, Federal Election Commission records show that nearly all of the judges political donations occurred when she was still a lawyer working at a private firm; and the $344 she contributed in the past four years to Gov. Gavin Newsoms re-election bid and the progressive fundraiser ActBlue were well below the amount allowed in the states judicial ethics code.

The fate of Eastmans law license is largely in Rolands hands. She alone will decide the trials outcome, though her ruling could be appealed and end up in Californias Supreme Court.

The trial was supposed to end after two weeks, but the judge added an extra week at the end of August, as delays and thorny legal issues have popped up along the way, meaning Eastman might not know for another two-plus months whether hell keep his law license.

Trump Attorney John Eastman Loses Bid to Protect His Phone From Feds

As Los Angeles legal journalist Meghann Cuniff pointed out, Eastman has refused to name people in court other than Trump, whom he advised about what turned out to be a failed plan, citing attorney-client privilege that normally protects correspondence between the two.

The fact that someone is a client is not covered, Roland asserted in court.

When the question, Your Honor, with all due respect, is Who are the clients you would have provided this advice to? revealing the name of the client reveals the advice that I gave to them, Cuniff quoted Eastman as saying in court.

By pushing back the potential end of the trial to late August, the judge has also opened up an awkward possibility that Eastman will be implicated in yet another case before this one wraps up: the Atlanta-area criminal investigation into the Trump effort to overturn Georgias state election and recruit a slate of fake electors.

Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, are widely expected to bring charges against Trump and a handful of co-conspirators who tried to erase Bidens lead there by intimidating the states top elections official and replacing electors slated to vote for Biden with Trump loyalists who signed a document purporting to represent the states real electors.

While Eastman losing his law license in California would be the sternest punishment hes faced yet, it would hardly compare to a criminal indictment in Fulton County.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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OAS calls on Guatemala to respect will of voters in presidential run-off

(Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday urged Guatemalans to recognize and respect the result of the presidential election, ahead of a second-round vote set for August.

"Ahead of the second round, the mission invites institutional, political, and social actors to undertake the process with a sense of democratic responsibility, refraining from statements that generate social division," the OAS said in a statement.

It expressed its concerns after violent incidents marred the first round on Sunday in an otherwise calm day of voting, leading to the suspension of the election in two municipalities.

"The pre-electoral stage was characterized by a climate of tension and polarization, which must be addressed for the second presidential round," said the OAS.

Guatemala's former first lady Sandra Torres and anti-corruption champion Bernardo Arevalo are set to face off in the August run-off after the first round of voting on Sunday, when no candidate garnered the 50% plus one vote needed for outright victory.

(Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Rosalba O'Brien)
Obama says fringe theory rejected by Supreme Court threatened to upend our democracy

Former President Obama said the Supreme Courts rejection of the fringe independent state legislatures theory Tuesday protects the country from a threat to upend our democracy.

The court ruled 6-3 against an effort by North Carolina Republican lawmakers to declare that courts did not have the authority to block congressional maps put forward by state legislatures. The lawmakers argued that the U.S. Constitution gave the authority to regulate federal elections in state legislatures exclusively, so courts could not strike down the map that the North Carolina Legislature approved.

But Chief Justice John Roberts disagreed, writing for the majority that the Constitutions Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review.

Supreme Court hands defeat to North Carolina GOP in election law clash

Obama praised the ruling and warned of the consequences if it had gone the other way in a pair of tweets.

Today, the Supreme Court rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances, he wrote. This ruling rejects the far-right theory that threatened to undermine our democracy, and makes clear that courts can continue defending voters rightsin North Carolina and in every state.

The Biden administration opposed the effort to declare that courts had no authority to review the maps, arguing it would wreak havoc on administering elections across the country.

Roberts wrote that courts must still review legislatures actions within the ordinary bounds of judicial review.

Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the majority, arguing that the case should have been declared moot.

Republicans retook control of the North Carolina Supreme Court and reversed the courts decision throwing out the map, raising the possibility that the court could pass on ruling on the merits of the case.

Justice Neil Gorsuch joined Thomass dissent, and Justice Samuel Alito joined in part.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. | OceanGate Expeditions via Associated Press

Earlier this month, a submersible called the Titan dove into the ocean to see the wreckage of the Titanic. The sub went missing and after a four-day-long search, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger said the sub experienced a catastrophic implosion, according to CNN.

Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet are presumed dead, per NBC News. The day the sub went missing U.S. Navy personnel heard what was thought could be the sound of the implosion, and then later a debris field was found, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Its believed the sub imploded the Sunday it went missing.

Related

James Cameron, who has taken 33 dives down to the Titanic wreckage and has helped design a submersible, told Reuters, OceanGate shouldnt have been doing what it was doing. I think thats pretty clear. I wish I had been more vocal about it, but I think that I was unaware that they werent certified.

On Times Radio, OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein mentioned Cameron by name and addressed some of his public comments.

There are completely different opinions and views about how to do things, how to design submersibles, how to engineer them, how to build them, how to operate in the dives, Sohnlein said to Times Radio. But one thing thats true of me and every other expert whos been talking is none of us were involved in the design, engineering, building or testing or even diving of the subs. So its impossible to speculate for anyone to really speculate from the outside.

I know from firsthand experience that we were extremely committed to safety, Sohnlein said to Times Radio. And safety and risk mitigation was a key part of the company culture.

Sohnlein co-founded OceanGate Expeditions with Rush. He served as the companys CEO and then left the company in 2013. He was involved in the development of predecessor subs to the Titan, according to the Los Angeles Times.

More than three dozen people in the submersible craft industry signed a joint letter in 2018, warning of possible catastrophic problems with the submersibles development and its planned mission to tour the Titanic wreckage, per The New York Times. The letter was sent to OceanGate CEO Rush, who was on the Titan when its believed it imploded.

What did James Cameron say about the Titan sub?

Cameron told Reuters the day after the sub went missing, a Monday morning, he heard that the sub lost communication and tracking. He described the tracking system as a fully autonomous system.

After Cameron talked to more people on Monday, he said he heard that there was a loud bang on the hydrophones and at that point, he said he knew the sub imploded.

The Titanic director said he declined an invitation to go diving this season with Rush, per NPR. He said the Titans carbon-fiber hull was fundamentally flawed.

Contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic or acrylic are typically using for making pressure hulls, Cameron told Reuters.

The Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation is investigating the Titans implosion, according to the Deseret News.
One of three rescued raccoon dog puppies

The Odesa Zoo has taken care of pets whose owners were forced to flee the country since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Now it also cares for wildlife affected by flooding after the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

Besides debris, household items, mines and even entire houses, the flood waters have brought quite a few wild animals to the Odesa coastline after Russian troops destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) dam on June 6.

Ihor Beliakov, the director of Odesa Zoo, together with his colleagues, collects animals along the coastline from sailors, who save them from floating islands in the sea, or from people who find wildlife by chance.

Read also: 20,000 animals may have died due to Kakhovka dam destruction, Ukraine says

"Many floating islands of reed, sticks, and debris have drifted from Kherson Oblast to the Odesa coast line, Beliakov said during an interview with NV in Odesa Zoo.

Different species were traveling on these islands. Mainly, it was small creatures in serious conditions that needed to be saved.

Ihor Beliakov, the director of Odesa Zoo Natalia Kravchuk, NV

He brought two plastic containers to demonstrate: one with several small black newts with red bellies, and another with a large frog.

"It's the Danube crested newt, he said.

Their population is distributed throughout Kherson Oblast and it's unique. As for the frog, we have found several dozen of them. We plan to release these animals back into the wild.

Besides these newts and frogs, who are listed among Ukraines threatened species, marsh turtles and grass snakes have been brought to Odesas beaches. Muskrats also have come there too. Most of them are freshwater animals.

According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine's data, 149 Danube newts were found dead at the coast.

The animals that are saved are such a small part of all the critters that got into trouble," Beliakov added.

A rescued fawn that was picked up at sea by military sailors Natalia Kravchuk, NV

A female deer is in one of those  she was rescued by Ukrainian marines. The doe spent at least five days at sea, drifting on a small island. The marines took the deer aboard their ship and reached the Odesa Zoo, Beliakov relayed.

"It is currently the largest animal weve taken in [after the Kakhovka dam breach]. She was scared and exhausted," Beliakov said.

The deer walks around the enclosure, sometimes entering a small hut. She did not leave it at all in the first days, recalls Mykola Kliuyev, head of Odesa Zoo ungulate section.

"Now she is starting to communicate with the main herd, but she still gets stressed when the staff come in," he said.

"We hope to release her later into the wild. Such [skittish] animals adapt faster to the wild as there are no fences and walls. She will just walk into a forest and that's it.

Raccoon dog puppies also arrived in Odesa. The three of them are small and also stressed. For the time being, they live one of the zoos offices and are constantly watched by specialists. The animals rescued after the Kakhovka dam disaster are also looked after by Oksana Funtova, the head of Odesa Zoos carnivore section. She took us to the cages and showed us the animals.

"These raccoon-like dogs are not aggressive, they don't lunge, but they are scared, Funtova said, while opening the cage with the animals.

"They eat very greedily, drink greedily, but they should never be overfed. Because they drank salt water, they began to have digestive problems. They eat meat on their own, drink a lot of water, but are still too small to defend themselves in the wild.

While we were talking, the raccoon dogs gobbled up raw meat from a bowl. The zoo plans to return them into the wild as soon as their condition stabilizes.

In the next cage, there are two muskrat cubs who also escaped from Kherson Oblast. One of the cubs is more shy, hiding in the house. The other one runs around the cage, washing itself with water from a bowl.

"Muskrats are aquatic rodents that spend most of their lives near water, as even the entrance to their home is underwater, Funtova explained to us.

Therefore, keeping them in captivity is not ideal. We also plan to release them.

Her recommendation to those who find animals on the shore is the following: they should be brought to a specialist as soon as possible. The Odesa Zoo accepts these rescues every day and around the clock. A guard on duty will help outside of operating hours.

The zoo was accepting animals even before the catastrophic flood. Fleeing war, many people brought their pets here so that someone could care for them. Mostly, people brought rodents: rabbits, chinchillas, and rats. Over 150 chinchillas were then given to good hands. Some have remained at the zoo.

Angela the guinea pig Natalia Kravchuk, NV

The same happened with Angela, a bald guinea pig. She was brought to Odesa Zoo at the beginning of the full-scale war. Her owner promised to come back for her in a month, but Angela has been living at the zoo for a year and a half now.

However, everyone loves Angela so they do not plan to give her away, Funtova said.

"In general, all hairless animals have allergies, Funtova said.

There are certain requirements for food, as well as for the conditions in which the animal lives. Angela, on the other hand, loves to eat a lot. We let her out to walk around the office, when she comes out, she can approach other cages  she feels absolutely safe here.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Police are searching for a man after his ex-girlfriend was found shot dead outside her home, Texas officials said.

Officers responded to an apartment complex in Pasadena around midnight on June 26 after a 911 caller said they heard gunshots in the area, Raul Granados, a spokesperson for the Pasadena Police Department, told McClatchy News.

Our first officer arrived on scene and observed a male running away from the scene still holding a shotgun, Granados said.

The officer then noticed a woman who had been shot and tended to her.

By the time other officers arrived, the suspect had fled the area, Granados said.

The victim, later identified by family members as 19-year-old Lesley Reyes, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KTRK.

Police are now searching for her 20-year-old ex-boyfriend, who is considered a person of interest, Granados said. McClatchy News is not naming the man as he has not yet been charged.

The man had been seen in the (victims) apartment complex earlier that afternoon, Granados said. He had been kind of reaching out to her and she had been trying to stay away from him.

He showed up at the victims apartment and confronted her in the parking lot after she returned from work, according to Granados, who said family members of the victim and other witnesses placed him at the scene.

The pair had a conversation in the parking lot, but its not clear what led up to the shooting, Granados said.

After the victim was shot, her mother called her cell phone and the man answered, according to KTRK. He cried and repeatedly apologized before running away from the scene, officials said.

Detectives are expected to obtain an arrest warrant for the man by the end of June 27, Granados said.

Pasadena is about 15 miles southeast of Houston.

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The Fourth International Conference on Digital Media Arts and Technology was held in Huzhou's Nantaihu New Area, Zhejiang province, on June 10 and 11, co-hosted by the administration committee of Nantaihu New Area and the Beijing Film Academy.

Around 30 scientists, artists, heads of university departments, professors and experts in the field of digital media arts from home and abroad attended the conference in person or via video call.

The interdependence between art and technology continues to be the central subject of the conference, the topics ranging from the latest developments in digital media arts and science, to the field and its extensive subjects, education and industry, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration and integration.

By hosting the conference, the Beijing Film Academy provides a platform for experts and scholars of digital media, explores the vast possibilities of digital media art creation and application, and promotes the exchanges and collaboration in areas including digital media art, education and technological innovations.

Sun Lijun, vice-president of the Beijing Film Academy, said in his keynote speech that artificial intelligence is bringing revolutionary impact on universities and relevant industries, but experts and educators should bravely face up to new technologies and tell the stories about China and Chinese culture.

At the opening ceremony, Huzhou also launched the Taihu Fish King, a character that will serve as a mascot for the city, and appear in art installations, films and cultural merchandise.
In April, a grand jury decided not to indict the eight officers involved in the deadly shooting.

Left: Jayland Walker; right: Ohio activists advocate for a DOJ inquiry. (Family handout, Jayla Whitfield/Yahoo News)

WASHINGTON  Roughly 100 people traveled from Akron, Ohio, to Washington D.C., by bus Monday night and held a rally on the steps of the Department of Justice, marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man who was shot at more than 90 times by police.

We are here today to demand that the eight officers that killed and brutally murdered Jayland Walker be terminated immediately today, the Rev. Raymond Greene, executive director of the Freedom Bloc, an Akron-based political advocacy group, said at the rally Tuesday. Were here today to demand that our chief resigns or be terminated today. We want a response within the next two weeks or we will continue to escalate.

A program for Walker's funeral service, July 13, 2022. (Aaron Josefczyk/Reuters)

Over a dozen organizations gathered to demand that the Justice Department open an investigation into the policies and practices of the Akron Police Department.

Its the magnitude, that is why we are still marching  the magnitude of how many officers shot at one human being is the reason why we still are having these conversations, Judi Hill, president of the Akron branch of the NAACP, told Yahoo News.

National leaders have also urged the DOJ to investigate the Akron Police Department. According to a press release dated April 24, Democratic Ohio Rep. Emilia Sykes sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for an investigation.

The call for this investigation is in no way an attempt at retribution, but rather, an opportunity to implement more community-focused policing that serves the needs of every segment of this community, Sykes said. The gravity of recent events has shown it is past time for an independent third party to facilitate discussion to help mediate disputes and place the community on a path to reconciliation and healing  a path that has been charted by the DOJ in numerous communities across the country.

The fatal shooting

The shooting occurred on June 27, 2022, after police pulled Walker over for a minor traffic violation. According to the Akron Police Department, officers heard the sound of a gunshot from Walkers vehicle. He then ran from the car as it was still moving, prompting a foot chase, and eight officers fired 94 bullets, striking Walker, who was unarmed, 46 times.

An Akron police officer pointing his weapon at Walker on June 27, 2022, in a still image from police bodycam video. (City of Akron/Handout via Reuters)

The officers did not know at the time Mr. Walker had left his recently purchased gun in his car, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said at a press conference in April, adding that the initial gunshot from Walkers vehicle could be considered as a deadly threat, which gives officers the right to use deadly force to defend themselves.

In April, following a lengthy investigation, a grand jury decided not to indict the eight officers involved in the shooting. At the April presser, Yost said the jurors issued a no bill decision and felt that the officers use of force was justified.

Legal justification does not change the terrible, permanent damage of Jayland Walker's death, Yost said. I grieve the loss of this promising young life, although I recognize that no words of mine can offer much comfort to his family.

But Tamika Mallory, a lawyer and civil rights activist, said the Akron Police Departments story does not make sense. There were 90-plus shots fired at one man who was not shooting back, Mallory said during the rally on Tuesday. It never added up. Nothing ever came together. It was never clear.  It always was a story that did not make sense.

Enough is enough

Civil rights organizations and Walkers family are seeking accountability from the city. We have filed a lawsuit against the city of Akron for $45 million for each bullet that struck Jayland, Paige White, the Walker familys attorney, said Tuesday. Were not asking for anything that this family doesnt deserve.

Activist Miracle Boyd at a protest in Chicago in support of the Jayland Walker case. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

During the rally, White asked the audience to take a 45-second moment of silence to honor Walker and his life. Walker had 46 bullet holes in multiple areas of his body, including his head, legs, arms, knees and torso, according to the autopsy report released in June 2022.

Last year, when the bodycam footage of the brutal shooting was released, protesters gathered in the streets of Ohio to demand justice.

We were angry, but disciplined. We were outraged, but disciplined. We did not tear up our communities, but we voiced our outrage at every opportunity, Bruce Butcher, a longtime Akron resident, told Yahoo News.

People gather outside the Department of Justice to rally on behalf of Jayland Walker. (Jayla Whitfield/Yahoo News)

Butcher was among many Akron residents who traveled by bus to stand alongside the Walker family, and he says the community has to fight back. If they can do it to Jayland Walker, they can do it to me, they can do it to my brother, to my son, to my sister. So, in effect, I'm drawing a line in the sand to say enough is enough, Butcher said.

Following Walkers death, the community voted to create a police oversight board during the November 2022 election. The ballot measure passed by a large margin, with 62% of voters approving it. Most of the members are appointed by the City Council.

The Jayland Walker incident birthed our board, the police in Akron have never had it, Donzella Anuszkiewicz, one of the nine members on the board, told Yahoo News.

Anuszkiewicz says her community was heavily affected by Walkers death. I believe that a community trauma took place because of it, from everyone involved. And it was a tragedy, she said.
[Source]

Olivia Chow has made history as Torontos first Chinese Canadian mayor

The new mayor: Chow, 66, won against 102 candidates with 37.2% of the citys votes, making her the first Chinese Canadian to be elected as mayor to Canadas biggest city. Chow will also be the first woman to serve as mayor since Barbara Hall in 1997.

If you ever doubted whats possible together, 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, she said during her acceptance speech on Monday.

Chows pledge: Chow was elected mayor after promising to pursue a progressive approach in Toronto after the end of more than a decade of conservative rule. The previous, conservative-leaning mayor, John Tory, resigned in February after admitting that he had an affair with a staff member.

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Chows leadership comes at a time of rising housing costs and violent attacks on public transits in the city. She has pledged to support renters by building 25,000 rent-controlled homes over eight years. Chow also promised to help the city's homeless population by adding more social housing and respite spaces.

"I would dedicate myself to work tirelessly in building a city that is more caring, affordable and safe, where everyone belongs," Chow said.

About Chow: The new mayor was born in Hong Kong and emigrated to Canada at the age of 13. She was married to the late, former New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton, who died in 2011.

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Chow is reportedly a well-known veteran of Canadian progressive politics, having served as a city councilor before being elected to the federal parliament in Ottawa in 2006. She previously came in third when she ran for mayor in 2014.

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A left-wing progressive standard-bearer has won Toronto's mayoral election, triumphing in a historically crowded field of 102 candidates.

Olivia Chow, 66, said she will work to build a city that is "more caring, affordable and safe".

The race had focused largely on affordability and public safety.

It is the second time in eight months Torontonians voted for a mayor following the sudden resignation of incumbent John Tory.

The Hong Kong-born Ms Chow is a well-known veteran of Canadian progressive politics.

In her victory speech, she spoke of her immigrant roots, recalling coming to Canada at age 13.

Canada's most populous city is a place "where an immigrant kid can be standing in front of you as your new mayor".

"Toronto is a place of hope, a place of second chances," she said.

"While I've been knocked down, I always got back up," Ms Chow said. "Because the people of this city are worth the fight."

The mayoral byelection was launched after former mayor Mr Tory, 68, a moderate conservative, stepped down in February, hours after the Toronto Star newspaper reported he had an affair with a 31-year-old staffer during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Just months earlier, Mr Tory had cruised into a third term, securing over 60% of the vote.

This was Toronto's first mayoral race without an incumbent since 2014 and no clear centre-right successor to Mr Tory emerged.

Support failed to coalesce around those challengers - including former police chief Mark Saunders, who received some support from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and former deputy mayor Ana Bailao, who received a last-minute endorsement from Mr Tory - giving Ms Chow a narrow path to victory.

She received about 37% of the vote in Monday's race.

With Ms Chow's win, it will be the first time in a decade that a progressive will lead the city, and her victory suggests potential future clashes with Mr Ford, the conservative premier who said earlier this month that she would be "an unmitigated disaster".

But on Monday Mr Ford congratulated Ms Chow on Twitter, saying "she has proven her desire and dedication to serving the city".

"I will work with anyone ready to work with our government to better our city and province," he said.

Once sworn in, Ms Chow will assume the new "strong mayor" powers granted last year by Mr Ford's provincial government.

These powers include hiring and firing power over senior city staff and - in certain instances - powers to pass bylaws with just one-third support of council.

She has said she will not use the new powers handed to a number of municipalities in the province.

Ms Chow served as a city councillor for downtown Toronto before being elected to federal parliament in 2006. She was married to the late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, who died in 2011.

She previously ran for mayor in 2014 but came in third.

Her campaign in this race focused on Toronto's housing affordability crisis, with promises to build homes on city-owned land and provide more support for renters.

Her platform included more help for the city's homeless population, such as adding more social housing and the creation of "respite spaces" - where Torontonians could access showers and meals, and other critical services - that would be open around the clock.

But she faced criticism for failing to reveal how much she would raise property taxes to pay for her promises.

The date for her swearing in has yet to be determined.
President Joe Biden, left, and his son, Hunter Biden, arrive at Fort McNair, Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Washington. The Bidens were returning from Camp David. | Andrew Harnik, Associated Press

Winston Churchill is alleged to have said, It would be a great reform in politics if perception could be made to spread as easily and as rapidly as foolishness.

But when it comes to presidents and their relatives, poor perceptions and foolishness often run neck and neck toward the finish line.

How foolish was it for the presidents son, Hunter Biden, to attend a White House state dinner for the president of India?

Well, considering Attorney General Merrick Garland, the nations chief law enforcement officer, also was there, Id say the perception may even have been running faster than the foolishness.

Garland says he has nothing to do with the case against the younger Biden that, most recently, resulted in him agreeing to plead guilty to tax-related charges and admitting to the facts of a gun charge  a deal that might keep him out of prison.

But there is, to be charitable, some political disagreement on that point, made worse recently by an IRS whistleblower who claims Garlands Justice Department has tried to interfere in the investigation.

If you know anything about presidents and their relatives, this is just the latest chapter in an age-old saga.

Put it this way: If modern media, including Twitter, had been around in the early 1800s, Dolley Madisons heroics in saving artwork from a burning White House might not have been enough to save her from the embarrassments of her son.

Related

As it is, the fact that James Madison is remembered as the father of the Bill of Rights, and not as John Payne Todds stepfather, is no doubt a source of relief in the hereafter.

Todd (his middle name perhaps should have been pain) was Dolleys son from a previous marriage. He was repeatedly arrested for causing trouble, including incidents involving assaults and shootings. He ran up so many debts that his stepfather had to mortgage his Montpelier plantation to cover them all.

To make matters worse, the president made him a special secretary to a team of U.S. diplomats on a peace mission to Europe. According to various accounts, he used his time in Europe to gamble and otherwise live it up at his parents expense, running up more than $8,000 in debt (or nearly $150,000 in todays money).

Imagine how that one would play today.

Historian Ralph Ketcham called Todd a classic example of the young American, warned of by Franklin and Jefferson, who was so dazzled by the courtly graces of Europe that he became unfit for useful life in his own country.

Not that he was terribly fit for that to begin with.

And if youre a little older than I am, you might remember the trouble Lyndon Johnson had with his brother, Sam Houston Johnson. The younger brother had a drinking problem which the saturdayeveningpost.com says led to him often speaking freely, under the influence, with everyone, including reporters. Sometimes these conversations included confidential information.

ABC News says the president supposedly ordered the Secret Service to keep his brother as a virtual White House prisoner, to reel in his drunken cavorting.

Straight-laced Jimmy Carter had his beer-drinking brother, Billy Carter, who tried to cash in on his familys fame by marketing Billy Beer.

I had this beer brewed up just for me. I think its the best I ever tasted. And Ive tasted a lot. I think youll like it, too, it said on every can. But in private, Billy drank Pabst, and the Billy product lasted barely a year.

Bill Clinton pardoned his half brother, Roger, for his conviction on drug trafficking and cocaine possession charges. That was near the end of Bill Clintons second term. A few months later, Roger pleaded guilty to a DUI. It wouldnt be the last time.

If you really know your history, youll remember Teddy Roosevelts daughter Alice, from his first marriage. She was such a rebel and a flirt that the president once said, I can do one of two things. I can be President of the United States or I can control Alice Roosevelt. I cannot possibly do both.

At least in that case, the public seems to have been more amused than outraged.

It may be that, as ABC News put it, Theres a Roger Clinton or a Billy Carter swinging from every family tree. The dysfunction of presidential families may be an endearing byproduct of democracy, given how, as is often said, anyone can grow up to become president.

But then, its not exclusive to democracy. Royal families are prone to scandal. As Leo Tolstoy wrote in Anna Karenina, All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ... If you look for perfection, youll never be content.

Still, its hard to laugh things off while an investigation is underway, including what President Joe Biden knew of his sons activities related to overseas contacts. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., repeated the official Democratic line on Sunday when she said of Hunter Bidens state dinner appearance, I think as the president explained, thats his son. Thats a separate thing.

But if history teaches anything, it is that the misdeeds of a presidents family member  whether criminal, mere foolishness or just matters of perception  are rarely truly separate things from the halls of power.
Editors note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN.

The events that unfolded in Russia over the weekend transfixed and baffled the world. Theres still much we dont know, after the Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin sent his Wagner Group forces on the road to Moscow in what looked like the start of an attempted coup or even a civil war. The short-lived rebellion prompted a furious reaction from his patron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, the usually cool modern-day czar.

Frida Ghitis - CNN

Theres a reason the most common official statements across the globe were along the lines of We are monitoring events. And yet, beneath the thick fog of rebellion, a few things were starkly visible. Or  should I say?  invisible.

In a brief, angry speech to the nation on Monday night, Putin claimed the mutiny ended because the entire Russian society united and rallied everyone. Pointing to civil solidarity, he insisted that the armed rebellion would have been suppressed anyway. But those comments do not jibe with what the entire world witnessed.

Where were the crowds of Putin supporters? Isnt Putin the president with consistently stratospheric approval ratings?

Over my many years in the news business, I have witnessed multiple coups, attempted coups and insurrections. Several times when I was on staff at CNN, I was awakened by a phone call instructing me to head to Moscow that same day because a coup was underway. Rapid deployment to Russia became almost routine. The word putsch entered my vocabulary.

In 1991, I was in Moscow with Wolf Blitzer and a team of legendary, brave and brilliant CNN journalists when the KGB, working with the defense minister and other top Soviet officials, tried to depose Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who was attempting to reform the Soviet Union in a futile effort to prevent its collapse. The coup leaders imprisoned Gorbachev in his vacation home in Crimea.

The coup plotters imposed a curfew, but the people ignored it. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, building barricades and defying the tanks.

Our CNN Moscow bureau was teeming with action. Crews came and went. We worked around the clock, as we always did with major breaking news. The world could see on CNN, in real time, what was unfolding in Russia in real time. It was history in the making.

The local staff was more tense than anyone. For us, it was a major news event, a geopolitical turning point. For these Russians, it was their life, their country.

This time, Russians seemed largely disengaged. Incredibly, even Muscovites joked about getting popcorn to follow the drama, as Ukrainians unsurprisingly did.

The 1991 coup was put down by the Russian people, led by the democracy-embracing newly elected president of Russia, the most important republic in the Soviet Union. Boris Yeltsin famously stood on a tank, defying those who would stop Russias transformation.

In a famous image from August 1991, Russian President Boris Yeltsin rallies demonstrators against the coup plot against Mikhail Gorbachev. - AFP/Getty Images

Gorbachev returned to Moscow; Yeltsin and the forces of democracy had emerged victorious. A few days later, Ukraine declared its independence.

Large crowds have helped defeat coups in other places. In 2016, tanks rolled into the streets of Ankara, the Turkish capital. The military announced that the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had lost all legitimacy. The Turkish people were  and still are  deeply divided about Erdogan. But even many of his opponents rejected the notion of a military coup. Protesters rushed out, lying in front of tanks, climbing on them to force them to stop. Erdogan survived.

Similarly, supporters also saved Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez in 2002 after military leaders forced him to resign.

It should not escape notice that the failed coups did not weaken Erdogan or Chavez. Erdogan purged the military, academia, the courts and the police, removing his critics. The coup gave him the excuse he needed to solidify his hold. He called it a gift from God. He has now started his third decade in power. Chavez, too, stayed in power until his death a little more than a decade later, and his handpicked successor, Nicolas Maduro, rules Venezuela today.

Putin may well use the experience to tighten his grip and exact revenge.

But if he wants to remove supposed loyalists who did not stand with him, he may be busy for a very long time.

It wasnt just everyday Russians who seemed uninterested in defending their president  even after he appealed to citizens to join forces in a fiery Saturday morning speech decrying Prigozhins treason, without naming him, and warning that Russia is fighting fiercely for its future against a deadly threat to our state, to us as a nation.

Prigozhins mercenaries entered the key city of Rostov-on-Don  headquarters of Russias southern command, which directs the Ukraine operation  without facing any resistance. The people shook hands with Wagner fighters and brought them food and water.

Wagners march toward Moscow seemed to face little resistance from the military or from the people. And later in the day, when the drama seemed to end as suddenly as it began, and Prigozhin ordered his forces to reverse course and leave, some of the people of Rostov sounded downright disappointed, warmly cheering their departing invaders.

Just as Putins unprovoked invasion of Ukraine revealed the incompetence of Russias once-respected military, Prigozhins rebellion revealed the hollowness of Putins support.

And yet anyone who thinks Putins weakness heralds a future of democracy and peace for Russia and its neighbors would do well to hold off on plans to put champagne on ice.

Putin has all but crushed the liberal, democratic opposition. Its most prominent leaders have been assassinated, imprisoned or driven into exile. Huge numbers of Russians, including Putin critics, have left the country.

Prigozhin, who was cheered, is a convicted criminal. Sure, he revealed that the invasion of Ukraine was launched under false pretenses, that Ukraine and NATO were not a threat to Russia. But his main criticism is that the corrupt army has been incompetent and that it should fight harder, better against Ukraine.

Russia  a nuclear-armed country  is now more unstable than it was before this past weekend. Putin will likely try to crack down and show that hes still in control. But how much support does he have? How many other would-be strongmen will plot to overtake him? At the same time, the prospect of change opens up other avenues, including more positive ones.

With every coup, every revolution, every uprising Ive witnessed, the inescapable reality has been that we dont know how it will end.

Russia remains an enigma, and the events that just transpired are still shrouded in mystery. If even the recent past remains a mystery, the future is even more unknowable.

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Editors note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney, is the host of SiriusXM radios daily program The Dean Obeidallah Show. Follow him @DeanObeidallah@masto.ai. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Theres a politician running for president who plans to address the conservative Moms For Liberty group this week. He has also trafficked in baseless conspiracy theories on everything from gun violence to vaccines and has been publicly praised by some of the right wings most unsavory characters, from Steve Bannon to Roger Stone to Tucker Carlson.

Dean Obeidallah - CNN

Can you guess which party this candidate belongs to? Im betting youll say Republican  and you would be wrong.

No, Im referring to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running for president as a Democrat. Kennedy, of course, has every right to run. But there is no question that his views align far better with the GOP. If he seeks any presidential nomination, that is the one he should be vying for.

Kennedy will travel to Philadelphia this week to address a convention organized by the conservative Moms For Liberty group, which has been condemned by the Southern Poverty Law Center for what the SPLC characterizes as extremist anti-government views, including advocating for the abolishment of the Department of Education.

Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and a couple of other conservative 2024 GOP presidential contenders plan to address the Moms for Liberty audience as well.

The SPLC alleges that Moms for Liberty is following the playbook of the segregationist parent groups that emerged in the wake of the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education mandating integration in public schools. The new designation is detailed in the centers 2022 Year in Hate and Extremism report.

In a statement to NPR earlier this month, Moms for Liberty said, in response to the SPLC report: Two-thirds of Americans think the public education system is on the wrong track today. That is why our organization is devoted to empowering parents to be a part of their childs public school education.

The statement added, We believe that parental rights do not stop at the classroom door and no amount of hate from groups like this is going to stop that.

Some of Kennedys views are so far-fetched that one has to believe that they would draw criticism from many voters on either side of the political divide.

Among the long list of conspiracy theories Kennedy is associated with, he is perhaps best known for anti-vaccine misinformation that he has peddled for nearly two decades. This includes his claim that a mercury-based ingredient in vaccines caused autism.

Echoing remarks against vaccine mandates once uttered by US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican, Kennedy declared at a rally last year, Even in Hitler Germany, you could cross the Alps into Switzerland. You could hide in an attic like Anne Frank did  remarks that were as inaccurate as they were offensive.

And like GOP presidential candidate DeSantis, Kennedy has gone on the attack against Dr. Anthony Fauci  the infectious disease expert who served under seven US presidents and guided the nation through the worst of the Covid-19 crisis.

In 2021, Kennedy published The Real Anthony Fauci, a book accusing the doctor of promoting a historic coup detat against Western democracy. His assertions on Covid-19 vaccines were so off the deep end that members of his storied political family wrote an opinion article in 2019 disavowing his anti-vaccine views.

On gun violence, meanwhile, Kennedy has peddled a particularly quixotic conspiracy theory, claiming that school shootings are somehow linked to antidepressants. This helps explain why some of his relatives have publicly stated they will not be supporting him in his 2024 White House run and instead will support President Joe Biden.

In addition to Bannon, Stone and Carlson, Trump allies encouraging Kennedy include Michael Flynn, who briefly was the former presidents national security adviser.

It seems more than likely that some Trump acolytes are supporting Kennedy because they believe it will somehow hurt Bidens reelection efforts. In fact, MAGA stalwart Sean Hannity said as much when he recently had the candidate on his Fox News show and said that Kennedys polling numbers at the time were a nightmare for Biden.

In reality, Kennedy is getting drubbed by Biden. His numbers have dropped from a high of 20% in a CNN survey in mid-May and are now in the mid-teens in some recent polls. Im convinced that the more Democrats see what Kennedy is about, the more his support will drop.

When Kennedy loses in the Democratic primaries, we can expect Trumps allies to entice him to run as an independent  especially if Trump is the GOP nominee  hoping Kennedys candidacy will peel away votes from Biden.

They may want to rethink this strategy, however. Given the degree of support for Kennedy by some of the GOPs biggest stars, they may just find that Kennedy siphons votes away from Trump  or whoever the Republican presidential nominee turns out to be.

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Editors Note: Nicole Hemmer is an associate professor of history and director of the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the Study of the Presidency at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of Partisans: The Conservative Revolutionaries Who Remade American Politics in the 1990s and cohosts the podcasts Past Present and This Day in Esoteric Political History. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN.

The Supreme Court has handed down yet another not-as-bad-as-it-could-be decision.

In Tuesdays opinion in Moore v. Harper, the Court had an opportunity to legitimate a radical doctrine, the independent state legislature theory (though both doctrine and theory suggest more intellectual rigor than has ever been applied to the idea).

Nicole Hemmer - Nicole Hemmer

Invented just a few decades ago, the doctrine would empower state legislatures to act without state judicial oversight. Its most extreme version, which gained popularity on the right after Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election, independent state legislature theory would allow state legislatures to override the popular vote in federal elections.

The Supreme Court rejected it Tuesday in a 6-3 decision. The majority straightforwardly dismissed the argument, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing that the Elections Clause does not vest exclusive and independent authority in state legislatures to set the rules regarding federal elections. But it has gained popularity in right-wing circles, where the hunt for procedural techniques to bypass or counter democratic institutions has reached a fever pitch in the years since the January 6 attack on the Capitol. (Why do by mob what you can do by law?)

But the real key to understanding not just this theory, but the broader antidemocratic goals it serves, is in the origins of independent state legislature theory: Bush v. Gore.

Nestled in that unusual 2000 ruling was the newborn theory, most fully articulated by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist in his concurring opinion, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. There, the justices argued for a kind of legislative supremacy in election law, one largely beyond the reach of the state judiciarys oversight.

Beyond the specifics of that opinion, though, the birth of independent state legislature theory in Bush v. Gore serves as a reminder that the antidemocratic turn in the US in recent years did not begin with the nomination of Donald Trump, but had been seeded much earlier.

Confusion reigned in the closing months of 2000, as it became clear that the outcome of that years presidential election depended on the whisper-thin margin between George W. Bush and Al Gore in Florida (a state where, at the time, Bushs brother Jeb served as governor). Because initial counts showed Bush with a lead, however small, the Republican strategy was to stop any recount from occurring.

Delay was an ideal tactic because time was of the essence: vote certification had to happen quickly, since less than three months separated Election Day and Inauguration. Republican operatives and agitators used protests and violence to stop the count in Miami-Dade County (the jauntily-named Brooks Brothers riot, which effectively turned out to be a rehearsal for the more violent insurrection 20 years later).

But it was the US Supreme Court that ultimately halted the recount, in a 5-4 decision in which the majority was made up entirely of Republican-appointed justices. In addition to the immediate effect  the Court stopped the Florida count, allowing the states Republican leadership to certify the election for Bush  the various opinions included the origins of modern independent state legislature theory. In his concurrence, Rehnquist wrote that there are a few exceptional cases in which the Constitution imposes a duty or confers a power on a particular branch of a States government. This is one of them.

For the next two decades, that idea largely lay fallow, both because Bush v. Gore was a stain on the Courts reputation and because the theory seemed a little wacky, rooted in neither history nor precedent. Yet it remained a temptation for activists eager to wrest power away from both the people and the courts when it came to elections, hoping to vest it instead in (Republican) state legislatures.

When pro-Trump lawyers and activists began scouring legal history and theory for some way to overturn the 2020 election, despite Joe Bidens decisive victory, they latched on to the Bush v. Gore precedent. And while the courts didnt take the bait in any of the shambolic cases made by pro-Trump lawyers, several right-wing Justices  Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, the three dissenters in Moore v. Harper  have all shown some interest in finding a way to work the independent state legislature idea into their rulings.

Moore v. Harper shows that, while the justices remain interested in the novel idea, they do not yet have a majority in favor of it. But their interest means that the right will continue to press the case, in the hopes that, before too long, they will be able to embed independent state legislature ideas into law.

While independent state legislature theory has been dealt a crucial blow by this ruling, its modern origins in Bush v. Gore serve as an important reminder of the longer illiberal project on the right, one that is not just rooted in the nations distant past, but in its more immediate history.

Historians and analysts have pored over US history to make sense of the countrys antidemocratic turn in recent years. They have looked to the nations legacy of enslavement and ethnic cleansing, to the coups and counter-revolutions of the Jim Crow era, to the years of massive resistance and rise of White power movements.

And yet, they have paid relatively less attention to more recent precedent. Trumps attacks on the Bush administration made it seem as though his agenda marked a sharp break from the Bush era. But when it came to dismantling democracy, Trump acted not as a critic of the Bush administration, but as a student of it. And even without Trump in office, that project continues on.

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Opinion: Thanks to the Supreme Court, U.S. elections are safe from at least one threat

Protesters outside the North Carolina Legislative Building. Lawmakers there claimed they could overrule voters and avoid review by state courts. (Gerry Broome / Associated Press)

In a 6-3 decision in Moore vs. Harper, the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the independent state legislature theory, a radical theory that could have undermined voting rights and upended our elections.

The ruling means that state courts can still freely enforce state constitutional rights and guarantees, as they have for hundreds of years. The case threatened to make state legislatures independent of the usual checks against abuse when they regulate federal elections. But common sense prevailed, and our system of checks and balances still stands. As Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote in the majority opinion, The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review. In other words, the independent state legislature theory is dead.

Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court's wise ruling on free speech and online threats

To be sure, the Supreme Court still claimed the power for federal courts to review state court decisions concerning federal elections in extreme circumstances. The court did not articulate a standard to apply in those cases, but it made clear that federal court action would be limited to the rare case where state courts exceeded the bounds of ordinary judicial review. And it made clear that state legislatures are not free to go rogue.

The decision to put the independent state legislature theory to rest has come in the nick of time. The 2024 elections are around the corner. If the court had veered in the other direction, it would have upended centuries of election law and practice on the eve of a contentious contest. It would also have supercharged efforts to sabotage elections and empowered state legislatures to abuse their election powers. Instead of sowing chaos, this decision leaves the state and federal courts in a position to protect voting rights and democracy  if theyre willing to do so.

Read more: Opinion: Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has vast power and life tenure. So what's his problem?

This is the second case this term that the Supreme Court pulled back from the brink on voting rights and elections. In the other case, Allen vs. Milligan, the court declined to reverse the 40-year-old Voting Rights Act test for discrimination in redistricting. But these cases shouldnt have come before the Supreme Court in the first place. Both cases were exercises in brinksmanship. That these cases made it all the way up to the court reflects how much the court has been open to radically rewriting the law  as it did to reproductive rights and gun safety  in voting rights.

While the Tuesday decision affirms that our longstanding state checks and balances apply to federal elections, it does not undo the significant harm the Supreme Court has done to voting rights and fair elections over the last two decades. This week marks the 10th anniversary of Shelby County vs. Holder , the decision in which the court gutted the heart of the federal Voting Rights Act. The country is still experiencing the resulting deluge of new state laws rolling back voting access. In a slew of other cases, the court has eviscerated other key protections in federal law and made it harder for Americans to get relief from discrimination, gerrymandering and burdens on their freedom to vote.

Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court's message to red states: You can't sue just because you don't like federal law

Some state courts have stepped in to fill the gaps. For instance, the Alaska Supreme Court recently struck down the states new state senate map as a partisan gerrymander that violated the state constitution. Last year, Montanas Supreme Court struck down three state laws that burdened voters state constitutional rights. The Supreme Courts decision in Moore means that state courts can continue to apply these essential protections.

State courts can be a critical bulwark against the current surge of state legislative abuses. State legislatures have moved at a near-record pace this year to restrict voting access and interfere in election administration. More than a dozen restrictive voting laws have been enacted this year , adding unnecessary hurdles to the ballot box.

Read more: Editorial: The Supreme Court needs ethics reform. That shouldn't be a partisan issue

In the 10 years since the Shelby County decision, at least 29 states have passed 94 restrictive voting laws. State lawmakers have passed laws to manipulate election processes and subvert election outcomes. They have pursued partisan efforts to disempower other elected offices. They have also sought to undermine the ability of the people to exercise their power through direct democracy. And, as in North Carolina, they have drawn extreme partisan gerrymanders that prevent fair representation.

This envelope-pushing behavior by state legislators was, in part, a response to lax judicial oversight. The courts ruling in Moore should make state courts less wary of curbing state legislative abuses and deter state legislators from crossing lines in the first place.

Read more: Opinion: The Supreme Court is making religion an all-purpose excuse for ignoring the law

But more is needed. What happened in the Moore case, which comes out of North Carolina, is a good example. After the 2022 midterm elections, the composition of the North Carolina Supreme Court changed from Democratic to Republican control. The state court then overruled its original decision striking down the states new congressional maps as extreme partisan gerrymanders. Voters are now bracing for newly gerrymandered maps. To fully rein in these abuses, we need Congress to act.

Last year, Congress came very close to enacting the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which would have created baseline national standards for voting access, prohibited partisan gerrymandering, and added protections against election interference. While the Supreme Court has now allowed state courts to enforce state law safeguards, it had previously slashed federal law protections against abuse. Congress should shore them up.

Wendy Weiser is vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

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.
Editors Note: Duncan Hosie (@duncanhosie) is a writer, appellate lawyer and former law clerk for a federal appeals court judge. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, TIME and elsewhere. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently attacked his leading competitor for the Republican presidential nomination, former President Donald Trump, from an unusual angle. In an interview earlier this month with radio host Hugh Hewitt, DeSantis vowed to do better than Trump in making Supreme Court appointments: I respect the three appointees he did, but none of those three are at the same level of Justice (Clarence) Thomas and Justice (Samuel) Alito.

Duncan Hosie - Courtesy Duncan Hosie

Liberals may be tempted to dismiss these comments as meaningless campaign bluster. They shouldnt. DeSantis has appointed far more extreme justices to the Florida Supreme Court than Trump did to the US Supreme Court. And DeSantiss appointees  not Trumps  reflect the ascendant wing of the conservative legal movement.

DeSantis judicial appointments dont follow the molds of the justices Trump appointed: Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Instead, they emulate Thomas and Alito, appointed by Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, respectively.

According to judicial ideological assessments, the pair is clearly further to the right. Trumps trio, despite being among the most conservative justices in American history, are comparative moderates in their temperament, constitutional philosophy and conception of the judicial role.

The divide was clear in a ruling made earlier this month. In Haaland v. Brackeen, Barrett wrote the decision upholding a 1978 law aimed at preserving Native American adoptees ties to their tribes and traditions. She was joined by Kavanaugh and Gorsuch, with Thomas and Alito sharply dissenting.

Consider these justices varying views on stare decisis, the legal doctrine that holds courts should adhere to previously decided cases. Thomas has made clear that he doesnt believe in it. If a past ruling is demonstrably erroneous  i.e., it conflicts with his personal understanding of the original meaning of constitutional provisions  Thomas says it should be cast aside.

Alitos rulings, alternatively, put a partisan patina on Thomas approach: When stare decisis has stood in the way of reaching a desired outcome  as 1973s Roe v. Wade did to Alitos decades-long quest to wipe away the right to abortion, or as 1977s Abood v. Detroit Board of Education did to his long-standing skepticism of labor unions  he has ignored it. When stare decisis has facilitated a desired outcome  as Apodaca v. Oregon did for his push to make it easier for prosecutors to secure criminal convictions  he has applauded it.

Like Trumps appointments, DeSantis appointees  Carlos Muniz, John Couriel, Jamie Grosshans, Renatha Francis and Meredith Sasso  have ties to the Federalist Society. But DeSantis appointees to the Florida Supreme Court embrace the Thomas-Alito wing of the organization.

Throwing caution to the wind and legal precedent to the bonfire, theyve quickly overturned scores of decisions, remaking everything from death penalty jurisprudence to tort law. In 2020, they officially abandoned the legal framework that required a special justification to overturn precedent, citing Thomas writings.

Kavanaugh and Barrett arent paragons of restraint when it comes to precedent. Both joined Alitos opinion overturning Roe. But they dont exhibit the same slash-and-burn arrogance. Kavanaugh has directly challenged Thomas views on stare decisis. Barrett has also eschewed the Thomas-Alito-DeSantis playbook. Overall, both show a bit more humility, deliberation and moderation and a lot less belligerence.

Kavanaughs commitment to stare decisis has led to surprising outcomes this term. In late May, he refused to sign on to Alitos opinion curbing the EPAs authority to protect wetlands, arguing that Alitos opinion departed from precedent. And, last week, Kavanaugh joined the majority to hold that the Voting Rights Act required Alabama to draw another majority-Black congressional district. Why? Stare decisis, as he explained in his concurrence.

DeSantis appointees, in contrast, have jumped at entrenching conservative electoral domination and curtailing Black political power. Ignoring existing law, DeSantis justices have rubber-stamped the governors extreme gerrymandering of congressional districts, which dismantled a majority-Black district; blessed DeSantis plot to gut a voter initiative that restored voting rights to felons; and blocked progressive initiatives, including legalizing marijuana and banning assault weapons, from appearing on the ballot.

Imitating Thomas and Alito, DeSantis appointees have rushed into gratuitous political controversies, writing opinions heavy on theory and light on practicality. Barrett and Kavanaugh have been more pragmatic, taking into account functional considerations as well as outcomes.

In January 2022, Kavanaugh joined an opinion allowing the Biden administration to require certain employees at facilities receiving federal funding to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The decision stressed the scale and scope of the pandemic. And in the recent decision affirming Congress power to enact a federal law that gives relatives and tribes priority in the foster care and adoption of Native American children, Barrett carefully reviewed precedent and the complexities of Americas child welfare system.

Similarly, in 2020s Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, they both rejected Alitos fierce pleading to slay Employment Division v. Smith, a precedent loathed by the religious right because it makes it harder for people and institutions to demonstrate they are entitled to religious exemptions. As Barrett wrote, There would be a number of issues to work through if Smith were overruled.

By contrast, the DeSantis court has indulged the most outlandish theories of the legal right. In December, it approved DeSantis breathtaking request to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate unspecified wrongdoing related to the Covid vaccines. Alito and Thomas have similarly promoted anti-vaccine rhetoric. Thomas (and to a lesser extent, Alito) also agitated to hear cases based on Trumps Stop the Steal delusion that he had won the 2020 presidential election. Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett have had no patience for these canards.

Gorsuch, for his part, is more closely aligned with Alito and Thomas than with Barrett or Kavanaugh. But hes shown a type of unpredictability alien to DeSantis nominees, who vote together in politically charged cases. Hes emerged as the courts strongest champion of Native American rights and, over the dissents of Thomas and Alito, voted repeatedly to let legal investigations into Trump proceed. Gorsuchs rigid textualism has also led him away from the party line in a seminal LGBTQ rights case and in cases involving criminal procedure and immigrants.

DeSantis loathes this independent streak, saying in 2022 that one of the frustrating things about todays Supreme Court is that in these high-profile cases, you know those three liberal justices will vote the same every single time, whereas on the conservative side, there arent the same guarantees. His claim of liberal groupthink was off-base but still revealing: DeSantis wants conservative judges to rule in lockstep.

I write as no fan of Trumps appointees. We shouldnt downplay a forest fire by pointing to the explosive bursts of a fiery volcano; both will burn. Yet its a mistake for my fellow liberals to think of the conservative legal movement as a monolith, or assume the Supreme Court has reached rock bottom just because the current court is a horror show largely of Trumps making. Its not just intellectually lazy but also increasingly dangerous to lump all of the Federalist Societys factions together.

An imperial flank of this movement wants to use the courts to impose a conservative agenda that has until now not been unachievable through legislation, and empowers the judicial branch above the others in enacting it. Thomas and Alito are in this vanguard, as are DeSantis appointees and some of Trumps lower court appointees, with which DeSantis is aligned. Signs suggest a vengeful Trump could be, too, if returned to the White House.

Trumps three appointments to the Supreme Court havent fully joined the crusade. This isnt a testament to their moderation; it instead reflects the extremism of the others. But it doesnt make this distinction any less real. Theres a world of difference between Trumps justices and DeSantis.

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With a slew of measures to innovate power generation, distribution and storage, Beijing's sub-center in Tongzhou district is making significant strides toward the country's "dual carbon" goals, adopting an increasingly sustainable development approach.

Among the local companies enabling these eco-friendly solutions, Beijing Gas Energy Development has emerged as a leading clean energy supplier specializing in developing renewable energy in conjunction with natural gas.

A benchmark project undertaken by the company is the No. 6 Energy Station of Beijing's sub-center. This project employs the world's most advanced ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system and a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system, effectively supplying energy to buildings spanning an area of 566,000 square meters.

Areas serviced by the energy station have reached 100% clean energy supply, with renewables constituting over 40%. This transition has led to an estimated reduction of up to 26% in carbon dioxide emissions, official data shows.

A staff member with Beijing Gas explains the company's three-tier cloud platform to manage energy-related data, Tongzhou district, Beijing, June 25, 2023. [Photo by Zhu Bochen/China.org.cn]

To improve energy management, the company has established a three-tier cloud platform, which uses the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and intelligent computing technologies to conduct real-time energy data monitoring, analysis and optimization across multiple regional energy stations.

"Beijing Gas has a big role to play in the country's 'dual carbon' objectives," said Bai Yi, general manager of the specialized wholly-owned subsidiary of Beijing Gas Group. While offering energy to consumers through renewables, the company has also ensured energy security and continuity by harnessing natural gas, Bai told China.org.cn.

"As more public facilities and residential buildings in the city are connected to renewable energy, Beijing's integrated energy market is expected to see further growth," Bai noted.

A photo taken on June 25, 2023, shows the ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system of the No. 6 Energy Station, Tongzhou district, Beijing, June 25, 2023. [Photo by Zhu Bochen/China.org.cn]

The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlines the objectives of achieving peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. It emphasizes the need for proactive and prudent measures toward these goals.

Key measures include promoting clean and high-efficiency energy use, advancing the low-carbon transition in industry and other sectors, exploring and developing petroleum and natural gas, and strengthening energy production, supply, storage, and marketing systems.

Last October, Beijing rolled out an implementation plan to reach peak carbon emissions, aiming to raise the share of renewable energy consumption to at least 14.4% by 2025 and reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 14% compared to 2020.

As part of the plan, a national demonstration zone on green development is underway in the city's sub-center. The facilities are expected to strengthen the application of energy-saving technologies, introduce smart infrastructure systems such as a high-efficiency power grid and rooftop PV panels, and create more green areas within the concrete urban jungle.
Outgoing CDC director says the US is not prepared for the next pandemic because parts of the public health system still use 'old fax machines'

Dr. Rochelle Walensky will step down as director of the CDC at the end of June. Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

The US isn't prepared for the next pandemic, the outgoing CDC director wrote in a New York Times op-ed.

This is partly because local public health systems are still using outdated, unreliable technology.

"Some of our public health data systems are reliant on old fax machines," Dr. Rochelle Walensky wrote.

As she prepares to step down as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on June 30, Dr. Rochelle Walensky has given the US a grave warning: The nation is not prepared for future public health crises.

"To this day some of our public health data systems are reliant on old fax machines," Walensky wrote in a guest essay in the New York Times on Tuesday.

These faxes led to significant delays across the nation during the coronavirus pandemic.

Washington state even had to bring 25 members of the National Guard to help with manual data entry from faxes, The Times reported in July 2020. And Austin, Texas, was recording deceptively low coronavirus case counts because of lags caused by fax machines.

Technological failures also caused vital information associated with COVID-19 test results to get lost, causing delays and roadblocks for public health officials while contact-tracing, according to the New York Times.

Healthcare workers from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment test a long line of people for COVID-19 at the state's first drive-up testing center on March 12, 2020, in Denver, Colorado. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Walensky also pointed to a nationwide shortage of public health workers  suggesting we may need up to 80,000 more people in the industry  as well as skilled bench scientists to conduct laboratory research.

"I fear the despair from the pandemic is fading too quickly from our memories, perhaps because it is too painful to recall a ravaged nation brought to its knees," she wrote.

Walensky added: "I want to remind America: The question is not if there will be another public health threat, but when."

She concluded with a call for support from the public and US lawmakers in improving public health infrastructure.

"It is not enough to support public health when there is an emergency," Walensky wrote. "The roller coaster influx of resources during a crisis, followed by underfunding after the threat is addressed, exposes a broken system and puts future lives at risk."

Walensky became the agency's director in January 2021, after President Joe Biden selected her a month prior. Throughout her tenure, she oversaw testing and vaccine distribution at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walensky announced that she was stepping down in May, just days before the federal government ended the COVID-19 public emergency declaration, Reuters reported.

Biden intends to appoint Dr. Mandy Cohen as the next CDC director. Cohen previously ran North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FILE - Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, left, speaks to media outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Tarar says he expects a tougher armed response in the event of any repeat of political violence in the country, Tuesday, June 27, accusing followers of former Prime Minister Imran Khan of exploiting the initial motherly response to fiery rampages last month.(AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Pakistans law minister says he expects a tougher armed response in the event of any repeat of political violence in the country, accusing followers of former Prime Minister Imran Khan of exploiting the initial motherly response to fiery rampages last month.

In an interview with The Associated Press during a visit to Washington, Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar issued some of the most extensive comments from Pakistan's government on its response to the fiery protests last month against the detention of charismatic former premier Imran Khan. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharifs government and army are now defending their actions in pursuing both civilian and military trials for at least 102 civilian protesters.

The states reaction was like a motherly reaction towards the citizens, Tarar told the AP, adding, "that is why the government has decided to deal with iron hands and to make it an example, to ensure that no such incidents take place in the future.

In the interview late last week, Tarar also defended law enforcement and military officials against criticism they didnt do enough at the time to stop the violence. Any military response to restore law and order would have required prior authorization from the civilian government, he said.

He described a military and civilian leadership taken by surprise by the attacks on military installations and other sites. The leaders opted to refrain from harming civilians, the minister said. But now, the response is tougher.

I would say we have learned a lesson, from the incident, he said, that if you dont exercise enough authority and force, you may end up with these kinds of incidents, which ... was very painful.

Tarar also said that legal authorities would not be deterred from prosecuting Khan if investigators determine he appeared to play a criminal role in the attacks, despite concerns that could unleash a fresh wave of violence.

Khan and his followers have been working for his return to political power, alleging that Americans were behind the 2022 no-confidence vote that cost him the premiership.

The demonstrations erupted among supporters of Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party after authorities arrested Khan in a graft case, dragging him from a courthouse in the capital, Islamabad.

Thousands of demonstrators attacked the military headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, stormed an air base in Mianwali in the eastern Punjab province and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the northwest.

The violence subsided only after Khan was released on an order from Pakistans Supreme Court.

At least 10 people were killed in clashes between Khans supporters and police and since then, and police have arrested more than 5,000 people in connection with the riots. Most have been freed on bail pending trial.

Pakistans military said Monday that it has fired three senior army officers over their failure to prevent the attacks.

In additional to prosecutions in civilian court, Pakistans military says it has received cases of 102 civilians for their trials in the military courts over their involvement and the accused persons will get the right of a fair trial. Asked how many civilians he expects to ultimately be tried in military courts in connection with the May 9 violence, Tarar said he did not expect the 102 figure to increase many fold.

When asked why the military didnt do more to stop the attacks as they were happening, Tarar said nobody in the military thought people would breach military installations, because military protect the homeland.

The same, he said, goes for the attacks on public monuments to national heroes, saying such a thing is "unheard of in our history.

Amnesty International has objected to the Pakistan militarys plans, saying that trying civilians in military courts is a violation of international law.

The rights group said it had documented numerous rights violations in Pakistani military courts past trials of civilians, including lack of due process and transparency, coerced confessions, and executions after grossly unfair proceedings.
A Park Ridge family has filed a lawsuit in civil court against Chicago Police Sergeant Michael Vitellaro and the City of Chicago for actions the officer took against their then-14-year-old son during a dispute over a bicycle last year.

Cook County Judge Paul Pavlus acquitted Vitellaro in court on June 16 of the criminal charges brought against him by the Cook County States Attorneys office for grabbing and restraining the boy face down on a Park Ridge sidewalk and accusing him of taking Vitellaros sons bike. The states attorneys office had brought one charge of aggravated battery and two charges of official misconduct; the criminal trial lasted three days.

Attorney Antonio Romanucci said Tuesday in announcing the filing of the civil lawsuit that the case dealt with a predatorial ambush by Sergeant Michael Vitellaro to a young man who had done nothing wrong.

A message seeking comment, left on a phone number listed for Vitellaro, was not immediately returned.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department, Don Terry, said the department does not comment on pending litigation. A spokesperson for the City of Chicago legal department, Kristen Cabanban, said the department would review the suit and that the city does not comment on pending cases.

James McKay, the attorney who represented Vitellaro in his criminal trial, said on Tuesday, Sgt. Vitellaro was making a lawful arrest during which the young man was not injured at all and according to the lawyer, it sounds like the young man is prospering and thriving in high school.

During the mid-June criminal trial proceedings, another teen said he had taken the bike that the 14-year-old was accused of taking. The other teen said he moved the bike from in front of the Park Ridge Public Library and took it about two blocks to the location where Vitellaro saw it and pinned the then-14-year-old to the pavement outside a Starbucks.

The complaint covers seven counts against Vitellaro for false imprisonment, negligence, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and willful and wanton conduct.

The lawsuits counts against the city of Chicago are willful and wanton conduct, negligent supervision, negligent retention, respondeat superior (or an employers responsibility for an employee) and indemnification.

Speaking from the Romanucci and Blandin law firms offices at 321 N. Clark St., Chicago, Romanucci said the lawsuit also targeted the city itself because Vitellaro was enforcing the law as a city employee with his actions.

The City of Chicago, being the employer for Sergeant Vitellaro, has a duty in that instance as the employer to ensure that when he does enforce the law, that he does it legally and constitutionally, Romanucci said. And he didnt do that here.

Romanucci also described the case as an important social change statement, citing recent reports that the 2019 consent decree is in jeopardy.

No police officer is allowed to unjustifiably use excessive force on anyone, no matter the color of their skin, he said.

The boy who was pinned, now 15 and a rising sophomore at Maine South High School, is of Puerto Rican descent.

His mother, Nicole Nieves, said that at Vitellaros criminal trial, defense attorney James McKay never presented any evidence to show that our son did anything wrong and said she and her husband felt obligated to continue the legal battle as parents and on behalf of other people in similar circumstances.

After Judge Pavlus had issued his verdict acquitting Vitellaro, Romanucci and attorney Javier Rodriguez deemed the judgment a character assassination against the boy and confirmed that they planned to take legal action against him in civil court.

Pavlus said in court that his verdict was influenced by McKays suggestion that the boys family was looking to make money off of the case.

The fact that the family had hired the law firm shortly after the incident was itself a factor in Pavlus verdict, he said.

At a news conference on the heels of Pavlus verdict, Romanucci called the ruling appalling.

He predicted that in a civil trial, Vitellaro would be required to testify in court.

On Tuesday, Romanucci returned to the fact that Vitellaro had never been cross examined or had the benefit of being in front of a jury.

McKay said Tuesday afternoon he had not yet seen the lawsuit but commented, There was three full days of testimony in court. The young man was not injured, period. He didnt even suffer a scratch. He refused paramedics treatment that day.

The judge who had all the evidence in the case found the use of force by Sgt. Vitellaro was not forceful.

I heard from one of Mrs. Nieves lawyers that the young man is a straight A student and a three-sport athlete, so for the life of me, I cant figure out how he is damaged.
Pastor dies after shooting at banquet hall, Florida cops say. Changed his life preaching

A pastor is among two dead after a shooting at a banquet hall in Orlando, according to a Florida sheriffs office.

Jonathan Lenard Frazier, 36, a pastor at Roam Ministry in Orlando, died two days after he was injured in a shooting at Unity Banquet Hall on June 24, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies responded to the event space just after midnight June 24 and found a man inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound, according to a statement from the sheriffs office. Three other people had taken themselves to the hospital.

In total, four people were shot, all of whom were men in their 20s and 30s, according to the sheriffs office.

Willie Alphonso Bell, Jr., 28, was pronounced dead at a hospital, the sheriffs office said.

Frazier died at a hospital June 26, the statement says.

Deputies said there were close to 100 people at the event where the shooting occurred, but witnesses have provided little information to investigators.

We cant stress enough how important it is for anyone with information to come forward, no matter how insignificant that information may seem, the sheriffs office said in a statement.

Loved ones on social media remembered Frazier as a pastor who altered the direction of his life by becoming a preacher and helped others improve their situations.

My God son changed his life preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, wrote Helen Morris Robbins. He went from prison to the pulpit. Why(?) Please, tell me why(?) I am at a (loss) for words right now.





Frazier spoke about his time in prison and how his faith helped him persevere during a Fathers Day sermon shared on Facebook by Roam Ministry.





I spent plenty of nights in a cold cell, he said in the video of the sermon. Cant call on mama. Cant call on daddy. Cant call on my friends. The only name I had to call on was Jesus. And every real father has to know how to be a real son.

Other friends and loved ones said Frazier was always there to give them guidance and offer support and advice in their times of need.

I could call/text you bout anything (and) you will just listen and give great advice, wrote Pretty Kenyatta, who said she was his sister-in-law. You was the only man I was really comfortable talking to.





Elijah Montgomery wrote that Frazier was a friend who always lent a hand, who lived by his principles and who tried to inspire others.

The world needs dozens of people like (you), he wrote. Now we down a great man.

Fraziers brother and sister-in-law did not respond to requests for comment from McClatchy News.

Family members and friends also mourned the death of Bell, whom they called humble, respectful and good-hearted.

You were the definition of a friend, brother, and a solid man, wrote Yahlisia McDowell. To know you was to love you.

Bells cousin wrote that he was a good person and also shared a post from detectives offering a reward of up to $5,000 for those who could provide information that led to suspects in the shooting.

Help find whoever did this, wrote Patrice Mays II. My cousin was humble, college educated, a business owner, had a good heart His light was too bright to go out like this!





Bells sister, Maylasia Bell, wrote she had just celebrated her graduation with her big brother.





The time never matter, distance never matter, I called you picked up, she wrote. I texted you respond Now, I will never get that.

Maylasia Bell did not respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

Anyone with information on the shooting can call Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-8477 and remain anonymous, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Office.





Brothers on way to job interview shot dead in road-rage clash, Colorado mom says

Grocery store worker is killed when ex-husband shoots her and himself, Ohio cops say

Homeowner grabs AR-15 and shoots at pool cleaner he thought was intruder, Florida cops say
Mike Pence has sworn off negative campaigning for more than three decades. But the executive director of a new sharp-elbowed super PAC started by his allies is making no such pledges.

Bobby Saparow, the 34-year-old executive director of the Pence-aligned Committed to America PAC and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps former campaign manager, is taking on the role as Pences sledgehammer.

He chose the former VP after a round of courting that included other political action committees from rival candidates. And his goal, he stressed, is simple. As Indiana Speaker of the House Todd Huston put it when describing Pence (favorably) as mayonnaise on toast, there is more to the former VP than people know: a lot of Iowa bacon  maybe even a little Tabasco sauce in that toast. Saparows job is to bring the heat.

Im not gonna do conventional work, he told POLITICO in an exclusive interview. Im not going to push the brakes. All gas.

Committed to America PAC is co-chaired by former Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Republican operative Scott Reed, who ran Bob Doles 1996 GOP presidential campaign and formerly served as the political director for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Saparow said that in addition to his experience with a large-scale paid voter contact operation, he has something Pence needs: Im also here to check other candidates. I think everyone is fair game if I think somebody needs to be checked.

According to a memo Saparow provided to POLITICO ahead of it being sent to donors later Tuesday, Committed to America PAC has built out the most advanced, analytical and data-driven voter contact program in the GOP primary. In the memo, Saparow says the PAC has contacted 120,000 voters in six weeks with 25 canvassers, and got 20,000 voter IDs. The outfit has spent $415,000 on voter contact.



Our tracking data shows that, since the launch of our voter contact program last month, Vice President Pences support in Iowa has consistently trended upward, and he is in second place behind President Trump, Saparow writes.

Notably, no public polls have yet shown Pence in the top two spots.

Of course, we fully recognize that conventional wisdom will continue to hold that this is an uphill battle for us, Saparow continues. But the last three GOP winners of the Iowa caucus all polled in single digits at this time.

The memo also includes an implicit shot at Never Back Down. Know that you will never see us in the media talking about spending hundreds of millions of dollars on voter contact to line the pockets of our consultants, Saparow writes, referencing the canvassing budget DeSantis super PAC has pledged to spend over 18 states.

While we dont normally comment on candidates below 5% this time, well make an exception. With no rationale for his candidacy and little public support, I probably wouldnt be bragging about knocking doors with no discernible results, said Erin Perrine, spokesperson for Never Back Down.



The committees first ad lauded Pences actions on Jan. 6, saying Trump failed the test of leadership. I think our first ad probably shocked a few people, Saparow said.

For weeks leading up to Pences entry into the race, Saparow watched a number of talking heads write off Pence as too vanilla to make a dent in the field. I wanted to change the narrative out of the gate, Saparow said. He challenged the idea that the field was more or less set between Trump and DeSantis.

I see Ron DeSantis saying, were gonna go spend $100 million on paid voter contact, said Saparow. And its like, this guy doesnt even understand the premise of why you need it. Because if youre spending $100 million, youre wasting money."

But there are also questions about whether Pences campaign in Iowa will have the resources it needs to carry out the mission.

An adviser to Pence, granted anonymity to speak about the state of the campaign, said people raising money for Pence are running into questions from donors about whether he has a way forward.

Nothings hunky dory, said the adviser. Its very competitive. ... Everybody we talked to the first thing they say after the pitch is, Youre right Pence would make the best president, but how are you going to get there? Whats your path?

Iowa, where two-thirds of caucus goers are estimated to be Evangelicals, is the big focus for Pences campaign. His advisers think his conversion from Irish Catholicism to devout Evangelicalism puts him in a unique position to reach this group.

The memo seems to project confidence, with the PAC saying it has plans to move up our timeline for expanding voter contact to Nevada and New Hampshire.

But first, they have to do well in the Hawkeye state.

If we dont exceed expectations in Iowa, said the Pence adviser, it will be over.
WASHINGTON  More than a year ago, Congress passed a $40 billion Ukraine aid package. Lawmakers allocated a miniscule portion of that package  less than 2%  to expedite munitions production and expand access to critical minerals via the Defense Production Act.

The Pentagon is now starting to make use of the bills $600 million appropriation for Defense Production Act funding.

As it expands munitions production, the department hopes that these funds will also help onshore critical defense supply chains and lessen the industrial bases reliance on Russia and China.

The Pentagons Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization office, which oversees DPA grants, issued several grants in recent months as part of a series of awards from the Ukraine aid bill. The grants kicked off in April, with a $215.6 million award for Aerojet Rocketdyne to modernize its complex rocket propulsion systems facilities in Arkansas, Alabama and Virginia with the aim of speeding up the production of munitions sent to Ukraine like Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

Then came a June 16 award for $45.5 million to bolster high-priority aluminum production in Iowa. That award went to Arconic to expand its infrastructure and increase high-priority aluminum production capacity at its Iowa facility, including the installation of a new furnace.

Russia controls more than 75% of the global market for high-priority aluminum, which is needed to make jets and tactical ground vehicles.

There has to be pretty high purity, otherwise bad things happen, like it could crack, Anthony Di Stasio, the director of the Defense Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization office, told Defense News in a Monday interview. So we sent out a signal to industry that we wanted to expand production of high-priority aluminum in the United States.

The Pentagon also announced a $13.8 million award on June 20 to The Timken Company, the only supplier of ball bearings that meet Defense Department standards. There is no national shortage of ball bearings, ubiquitous in every sort of machine. But conditions like rapid temperature fluctuations mean that ball bearings must be much tougher in weapons systems, whether thats artillery, rockets, jets or guidance systems.

The temperature cycling for things on missiles  and then obviously anything that comes out of a gun  is going to get real hot, real fast for a really short period of time, Di Stasio said. Through [the] Defense Production Act [for fiscal 2024], hopefully were going to try to generate interest for a second supplier to be a second qualified source for [Defense Department] ball bearings.

A front loader shifts soil containing rare earth minerals to be loaded at a port in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu province, for export in 2010. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

De Stasios office also announced on June 15 another $15 million award from the Ukraine aid bill for a feasibility study to mine cobalt in Idaho  a critical mineral in the defense-industrial base that China nearly monopolizes. Those funds will allow Jervois Mining USA to test and drill at its Idaho mine in order to assess how much cobalt it contains.

A lot of cobalt was getting refined in either China or the Ukraine, or some place that it cant be refined anymore, Di Stasio said. What most people dont know is every hard-target penetrator that we use in the military is a tungsten-cobalt alloy. So if we want to shoot through anything hard, we need cobalt.

That includes armor, tanks, armored planes and radar, Di Stasio added.

Even before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and curtailed global cobalt supplies, China dominated the market worldwide. China holds a majority ownership  70%  of the cobalt mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the worlds largest supplier of the metal.

Di Stasio said close allies like Canada and Australia are also exploring deposits for the extraction of critical minerals like cobalt. The Defense Production Act already allows the Pentagon to give grants to Canadian companies. President Joe Biden and the Pentagon recently asked Congress to make Australia and the U.K. eligible for Defense Production Act grants, arguing that doing so will also advance the trilateral AUKUS agreement.

The Pentagon hopes this will allow Australian and British companies to participate in collaborative efforts at U.S. campuses that aim to bring together businesses from different parts of the supply chain. Di Stasios office plans to open campuses across the country, starting with a pilot munitions one in Texas. There are also plans to open a microelectronics campus for printed circuit boards, and another for batteries.

I want their [intellectual property] protected but [for] them to be able to combine technology, Di Stasio explained. If you have someone doing 3D-printed rocket cases and someone else has a new whiz-bang rocket propellant, they can be on the same campus testing it.

In addition to the pilot campuses, Di Stasios office expects to make about $200 million in awards funding streams for U.S. companies to manufacture 27 critical chemicals that are several steps down the supply chain for manufacturing propellants and explosives.

Most of these chemicals come from China. The hope is that these awards  appropriated through separate, non-Ukraine-related funding streams  will generate another $200 million in private sector investments.

We were appropriated about $250 million and given a very short, very specific mission: If it goes into a weapon, we dont want it coming from China, Di Stasio said.

He expects most of these awards will be distributed by October, and that they will eventually allow the U.S. to onshore 23 to 25 of these critical chemicals.
People in Florida prisons will get free calls for good behavior in new program

ORLANDO, Fla.  The Florida Department of Corrections plans to allocate $1 million to a new program that will make a small number of phone calls free for people serving time in prison who display good behavior.

Starting in October, incarcerated people who dont receive a disciplinary report for three months will be eligible to make a free 15-minute phone call as part of a pilot included in the states budget that was approved this month by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature.

The program, which limits free phone calls to only once a month, was set up to promote contact between incarcerated people and their loved ones, ease the financial burdens for people who struggle to afford the phone service and incentivize good behavior in prison.

But in the eyes of Graham Bernstein, a student at the University of Florida and director of political affairs for the Florida Student Policy Forum, the pilot represents a first step to eventually making all prison phone calls free. He noted that people who receive calls from incarcerated individuals pay for the phone charges, though they themselves have committed no crimes.

It doesnt make sense from a variety of standpoints to have the communication system work the way it does, from a public safety standpoint, from the standpoint of the well-being of families, from the well-being of children of the incarcerated and for the well-being of the correctional officers who are short-staffed right now, he said.

If you can keep people who are incarcerated in touch with their families, theyre more likely to be content and happy, youll have less assaults on other inmates and youll have less assaults to correctional officers.

For the past year, Bernstein has advocated for legislation in Florida to promote communication between incarcerated people and their family members for free.

He helped pitch the proposal to create FDCs free call pilot program and, in April, advocacy work he crafted with the Florida Student Policy Forum spurred action by Alachua County commissioners, who voted 4-1 to make all calls from the county jail free by Oct. 1.

Bernstein said he hopes what Alachua County is doing can serve as a model to expand free phone calls across all correctional institutions in Florida.

He likes to cite a 1998 report issued by the Florida House of Representatives that concludes: If people with an intact family recidivate less, it is in the states interest to help struggling families to stay togetherbecause research has shown that family contacts can play an important role in the inmates rehabilitation, it is a logical conclusion that the department should make every attempt to utilize this resource and do what it can to encourage family contact.

The Florida Student Policy Forum is currently working on getting a draft state bill sponsored that will expand FDCs program beyond providing only one free call a month.

Anything is something and incremental policymaking is perfectly fine, but 15 minutes free a month if youre free of disciplinary reports, of course it could save families some money, but the underlying crushing financial burdens that weve discussed again and again, those will still remain, he said.

Phone calls at the Alachua County Jail cost 21 cents per minute, including a 9-cent commission rate that goes back to the county. According to a news report by the Independent Florida Alligator, Alachua County commissioners agreed to explore other phone service providers after its contract with its current telephone provider, Securus Technologies, ends.

The Florida Department of Corrections uses Viapath Technologies, previously known as Global Tel*Link Corporation (GTL), which charges users a rate of 13.5 cents per minute a phone call, in addition to a 99-cent deposit fee to add money into a pre-paid service account. The initial term of the $24.375 million contract ends in December 2025, with the option to renew the contract an additional year for five years.

Contract language states the FDC receives $5 million a year from telephone commissions, or about $417,000 a month. The money collected goes into the Inmate Welfare Trust Fund, which is meant to fund wellness programs for people in prison but instead has almost entirely gone back into the states general fund.

State officials supported the contract with ViaPath Technologies because it lowered the per-minute call rate by half a cent and also offered longer call times and the option to leave voicemails.

In a previous interview with the Orlando Sentinel, an FDC spokesperson said state officials were looking to maximize value for the majority of prison callers, who were not using the much lower call rate for local calls that was priced at 4 cents a minute.

According to the spokesperson, less than a quarter of prison calls were local, due to many of the agencys prisons being located in remote areas of north Florida, while the majority of prisoners families live in Central or South Florida.

Karen Stuckey, whose son and husband are incarcerated, says she pays about six times more to speak to them than she does for her personal phone service.

In a letter to legislators, Stuckey said she spent a total of $6,095 on prison calls between March 2020 and April 2022. Her personal cell phone bill during the same period cost her $1,038.

We have been experiencing a real communication problem for families in our prisons due to phone rates, quality of calls, lack of working phones. In addition, there are other issues with email, USPS and the ongoing lockdowns, the letter read. Families are frustrated.

The money for the FDC pilot program will be sourced from the recently expanded Inmate Welfare Trust Fund, now capped at $32 million following 17 years of having most of its money drained, or emptied. Other programs the trust will fund include the creation of new vocational classes and more educational classes and rehabilitative services for prisoners.

The fund is generated from profits made off of canteen sales and telephone commissions paid by the incarcerated population and their families.

In an interview with the Sentinel, Stuckey said her phone calls to her loved ones give them something to live for. She believes promoting contact ensures people in prison have a support network that can help prepare them to integrate back into society upon their release.

You have to keep families close or they lose their bond and their sake to get out, she said. Programs like (the new $1 million pilot initiative) reduce crime and reduce the number of victims.

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About a dozen people, waving Nazi flags and carrying antisemitic propaganda, gathered in front of a Georgia synagogue Saturday during services after being in other regions of the state the last few days, authorities said.

Cobb County Police Department Chief Stuart VanHoozer said the 11 protesters who arrived at the synagogue in Marietta, about 20 miles from Atlanta, are thought to be a small affiliation from various states across the country, VanHoozer said in a statement on Facebook Sunday.

The Cobb County Police Department enjoys a strong relationship with, supports, and respects our Jewish community partners, VanHoozer said in the statement. CCPD has worked, and is working, directly with those affected in this case.

The protesters were waving swastika flags and displaying antisemitic propaganda, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp condemned the demonstrations on Twitter Sunday.

There is absolutely no place for this hate and antisemitism in our state, Kemp said. I share in the outrage over this shameful act and stand with Georgians everywhere in condemning it.

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.https://t.co/QhylxE9rS8  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) June 25, 2023

Disney World: People with Nazi flags, signs supporting Florida Gov. DeSantis gathered

Synagogue responds after demonstrations

In a statement on Facebook, the Chabad of Cobb, the synagogue where the demonstration took place, said Cobb County officials identified the individuals as part of a small group that travels around the country to spread their hateful message.

These individuals do not represent the sentiments of the citizens of East Cobb, the Chabad of Cobb said. Lets use this unfortunate incident to increase in acts of goodness and kindness, Jewish pride, and greater Jewish engagement.

Similar demonstration in Macon, Georgia

On Friday, a group of 15 protesters yelling antisemitic messages gathered outside Temple Beth Israel in downtown Macon, the Associated Press reported.

Yesterday we saw antisemitism on display in Macon, and now in metro Atlanta. This has got to stop., U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock tweeted Saturday. Praying for our Jewish community in Georgia and beyond. We must all raise our voices loudly against this vile hate.

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. https://t.co/n1LqcRcVQE  Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) June 25, 2023

In 2022, there were 192 antisemitic incidents reported in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League published in 2023. This was a 120% increase from the previous year.

In Georgia, there was a 63% rise in antisemitic incidents between 2021 and 2022.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Protesters with Nazi flags gather at Marietta, Georgia synagogue
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Bostons Logan Airport early Tuesday morning after their Spain-bound plane was forced to turn around after one hour in the air.

A LEVEL flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue Monday night. Passengers initially told Boston 25 that it was an Iberia flight but LEVEL is a separate airline from Iberia, although it is also part of the International Airline Group.

They finally boarded and took off but were forced to turn around after just an hour in the air.

Here we are, we got an itinerary in Barcelona, hotel booked in a really nice hotel and everything, and now theyre saying we cant get out until the 28th, said Tony Brasil, of Methuen, who was traveling to Spain with his wife to celebrate her 60th birthday. The plane is literally right there they just need to repair it and theyre doing nothing.

Brasil said the airline did not offer to put them in a hotel. Some people were laying on green cots in the terminal and others were sitting on the floor.

They brought us back, no communication to anybody, Brasil said. People are piling up, kids are sleeping all over the floor, and there is no communication.

Boston 25 News reached out to Iberia for comment but has not heard back.

I havent slept in 24 hours so Im a little irritated, said Jane Arcese, of North Brookfield. Some people are trying to get home. We are trying to go on vacation. We work hard all year, we want our vacation.

Arcese said some passengers on the flight had experienced the same situation Sunday night and had been rebooked on their Monday night flight only to have to turn around again.

I am really frustrated, it took a lot to get here, Ive been really looking forward to this vacation and its been hard thinking that we might not get there, said Amy Reidy, of Worcester. I think they should find a way to get us there over the next day or so and try to find another plane, make it happen, because especially for the people who were also here last night. I cant imagine doing this twice.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Permitless carry takes effect in Florida Saturday, but its not a free pass to carry a gun anywhere

Starting Saturday, law-abiding Floridians aged 21 and up who are legally allowed to own a gun will be able to carry their firearms concealed without a state-issued license.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

But there are still some important limitations in place, including a long list of places you still cant carry a gun.

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Most of the places are pretty common sense, Ziadeh Farhat with Green Acres Sporting Goods said.

Farhat told Action News Jax the new law didnt change where you are allowed to carry.

Before the law change, concealed carry permit holders were required to take a course that helped informed them of the limitations.

Read: Once in a generation: Florida lawmakers deliver on virtually all of Governors policy asks

You cant play dumb with the law. So, if youre not gonna go through the class youre really gonna have to educate yourself on the places you can and cant carry, Farhat said.

Prohibited locations include police stations, government meetings, courthouses, schools, bars airport terminals, sporting events, career centers, polling places and college and university facilities.

Businesses and religious institutions can also prohibit firearms on their premises, though failure to comply with private restrictions does not constitute a violation of state law.

Even when carrying in a permitted location, Farhat noted the weapon must be hidden from public view.

You cant just brandish it or pull it out for any reason, Farhat said.

Self-defense would be the only time the firearm could be drawn or brandished.

Related Story: Florida lawmakers unveil so-called constitutional carry bill

And Farhat said even though you dont have to take a firearm safety course, he still highly recommends it.

You have to be safe because guns are tools. Theyre not toys. Its serious business, Farhat said.

Farhat added he actually still recommends getting a concealed carry permit.

It comes with some benefits.

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One: It eliminates the three-day waiting period for gun purchases and two: the permit is recognized by and allows you to carry concealed in most other states.

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You are here: Business

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, in Tianjin on Tuesday.

Participants from business, government, international organizations and academia are gathering in the northern Chinese city for the event themed "Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy."
Plan to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots still in the works, Denmark says

U.S. Air Force in Europe holds media day at a base in Germany

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - An international programme to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets is still being drawn up by Western countries and the length of such a course could vary depending on the pilots' prior training and language skills, Denmark said on Tuesday.

NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands are leading efforts by an international coalition to train pilots and support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately supply F-16s to Ukraine.

"The dialogue and planning of this is still ongoing, which is why there is no final plan yet," Denmark's defence ministry said in a statement to Reuters.

Kyiv, which has launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces, has repeatedly called for Western countries to supply aircraft and train its pilots to fly them, to successfully counter Moscow's aerial dominance.

So far, no countries have committed to sending F-16s to Ukraine, though Poland and Slovakia have supplied 27 MiG-29s to supplement Ukraine's fleet.

Denmark expects to be able to train up to six Ukrainian pilots at a time, along with up to 40 soldiers for preparation and maintenance work, the defence ministry said.

The ministry could not say how long it would take to finish the training. "It depends on their fighter experience and language skills," it said.

(Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Peter Graff)
Russian military leaders averted an all out "civil war" by persuading mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to call off his armed march on Moscow over the weekend, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

Speaking to members of the armed forces in Moscows Cathedral Square, a symbolic spot where tsars held their coronations, the Russian leader praised the country's armed forces for preventing further violence and civilian deaths.

The military and law enforcement officers of the Russian Federation actually stopped the civil war, he said.

Later on Tuesday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the Wagner Group chief was in Belarus as had been agreed when Prigozhin called off his mutiny on Saturday.

Prigozhin, who had been in an escalating feud with the country's military leaders, accusing them of corruption, rank incompetence and killing his fighters in Ukraine, has said that he was not seeking to depose Putin but instead was acting to protect his Wagner mercenary force from being destroyed by the defense ministry.

Russia Putin Address (Sergey Guneev / Sputnik via AP)

While Putin apparently sought to project authority and power after Prigozhins aborted march of justice, which saw Wagner mercenaries come within 150 miles of Moscow, the Russian government sent mixed signals on Tuesday, with security services closing a criminal investigation into the rebellion with no charges.

Lukashenko underlined how seriously the Wagner rebellion had been taken, saying his military had been placed in full combat readiness in response.

My position is: If Russia collapses, we will remain under the rubble, we will all die, Lukashenko, Putins closest ally in Europe who claimed to have helped broker the deal that ended the armed mutiny, told journalists in Minsk.

Earlier Tuesday, a plane belonging to Prigozhin arrived in Belarus, according to a flight-tracking website.

The flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed that an Embraer Legacy 600 jet with the serial number RA02795 took off from St. Petersburg shortly after 1 a.m. local time (5 p.m. ET Monday), before landing in southern Russia. It then departed from an undisclosed location in Russia and landed in Minsk, the Belarussian capital, at an unspecified time Tuesday morning.

A map showing the route of an Embraer Legacy 600 private jet from southern Russia to Belarus on Tuesday. (FlightRadar24)

U.S. Treasury sanctions documents from 2019 show that this plane belongs to Prigozhin, dubbed Putins chef, and was bought in 2018 under its previous name, M-SAAN, from a company based in the Indian Ocean nation of Seychelles. The company, Autolex, is being pursued by the U.S. government for "materially assisting" Prigozhin.

Prigozhin's immediate future has been a subject of much debate after he called off the march.

By the time they retreated, the rebels had already taken the major city of Rostov-on-Don and had sowed doubt among millions of Russians already weary from 15 months of war in Ukraine.

In a televised address Monday, Putin angrily called the rebels traitors who played into the hands of those who wanted to see the country drowned in a bloody domestic strife.

Prigozhin said, Experienced fighters, experienced commanders will be simply smeared and will basically be used as meat, using Russian slang for destroyed. He added, We did not have the goal of toppling the existing regime and legitimately elected government.

Prigozhin also repeated allegations that nearly 30 mercenaries had been killed in Ukraine when a Wagner unit was fired on by the Russian military, which served as a trigger for the revolt.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- An overwhelming majority of fund managers in the US sees ESG as an important part of their work even as political attacks against the investing form grow increasingly targeted, according to a fresh survey.

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ESG still enjoys commanding support among US fund managers, the Index Industry Association said in a report published Tuesday thats based on data gathered by Opinium. Of the US-based chief financial and investment officers, as well as portfolio managers who were surveyed, 88% said incorporating environmental, social and governance metrics has become more of a priority over the last year.

The findings show that US asset managers are pushing ahead with ESG despite a series of political headwinds, according to the association.

Investors and businesses in the US have faced an increasingly tense political backdrop, as the Republican Party lambastes ESG, dubbing it woke and anti-American. According to the GOP, ESG puts a political agenda ahead of financial returns, and lawmakers and attorneys general have threatened legal action against firms that use it.

But analyses by researchers at Morningstar Inc. and Barclays Plc, among others, have found that ESG funds outperform their conventional peers over the mid- to long-term. They also offer better risk-adjusted returns, according to the research.

The commitment of US fund managers to ESG is in keeping with a broader global trend, the survey showed.

Despite significant economic volatility and political frictions, asset managers in France, Germany, the UK and US are ramping up their ESG investments, it said.

The survey found that 81% of asset managers say ESG has become either more or much more of a priority to their investment strategy over the past 12 months, broadly unchanged from 2022. According to the IIA, ESG investing remains on course to reach almost half of portfolios in the coming two to three years, and then exceed 63% in the next decade.

The survey was conducted in April and May, spanning a total of roughly 300 CFOs, CIOs and portfolio managers evenly spread across the US, Britain, Germany and France. Most of the participants oversee more than 10 billion ($11 billion) in client assets, while roughly a tenth oversee more than 500 billion.

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Nearly half of the respondents have a negative view of Vice President Harris, according to a new NBC News survey.

The poll, published on Monday, found that 49 percent of respondents have a negative opinion of Harris, while 32 percent of those surveyed have a positive opinion of the vice president.

Harris received a net negative rating of -17, which is the lowest net negative rating for a vice president in the history of the poll.

For example, In October 2019, 38 percent of respondents had a negative view of Harris predecessor, former Vice President Pence, while 34 percent of those surveyed had a positive view of the now Republican Presidential candidate, according to the poll.

The poll comes as White House officials have been working with Harris to repair her image and bump up her polling numbers ahead of the 2024 election, according to Axios.

White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told the media outlet that he meets with Harris on a weekly basis to discuss ways to tout her policy ideas and leadership.

Current chief of staff to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Shelia Nix is set to join President Bidens reelection campaign team as the chief of staff to Harris. The vice president is expected to be a key player in the 2024 campaign trail.

Biden announced in April that he plans to run for reelection in 2024 amid weeks of speculation. Biden has faced questions about his age and whether he is up for a full campaign season and a second term as president.

The NBC News poll was conducted from June 16 to June 20 with a total of 1000 respondents participating in the survey. The polls margin of error was 3.1 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Archaeologists at Pompeii say they have found depicted on an ancient fresco the precursor to the modern-day pizza. (Handout)

Even the ancient Romans liked their pizza.

Archaeologists in Pompeii said Tuesday they had found depicted on an ancient fresco the precursor to the modern-day pizza -- but without the cheese and tomatoes.

The 2,000-year-old painting -- discovered in the middle of a half-crumbled wall during recent digs at the sprawling archaeological site -- depicts a silver platter holding a round flatbread, alongside fresh and dried fruits such as pomegranates and dates and a goblet filled with red wine.

"What was depicted on the wall of an ancient Pompeian house could be a distant ancestor of the modern dish," said experts at the archaeological park in a statement.

The devastating volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the Roman city in thick ash, hiding from view its many treasures that archaeologists continue to slowly bring to light.

The fresco is believed to refer to the "hospitable gifts" offered to guests, following a Greek tradition dating to the 3rd to 1st centuries BC and described by imperial Roman-era writers including Virgil and Philostratus.

Pompeii's director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, said the newly uncovered fresco shows the contrast between "a frugal and simple meal, which refers to a sphere between the bucolic and the sacred... and the luxury of silver trays and the refinement of artistic and literary representations.".

"How can we fail to think, in this regard, of pizza, also born as a 'poor' dish in southern Italy, which has now conquered the world and is also served in starred restaurants," Zuchtriegel added.

The new excavations revealed an atrium of a house that included an annex with a bakery, partially explored in the late 19th century.

"In the working areas near the oven, the skeletons of three victims have been found in the past weeks," said experts at the park.

Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20 percent of Pompeii's population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city.

ams/ide/rox
Pope Francis meeting last week at the Vatican with Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel looked much like a normal meeting with any head of state. There were handshakes. There was an exchange of pleasantries. There were gifts. There was a 40-minute private discussion and all the ceremonial trappings that accompany such a visit.

Down the block, though, at the far end of the street leading to St. Peters Square, a small gathering of protesters showed that this wasnt just any meeting.

The protesters were demonstrating against the pope receiving the Cuban dictator. They asked for human rights to be respected in Cuba and for the release of political prisoners there. They said the meeting with Pope Francis would be used by the communist regime as evidence that Cuba isnt doing anything wrong.

They were held at a distance, but they made their point nonetheless, and it was a crucial one that we want to highlight here. They reminded the Vatican  and the world  of the continuing repression on the island. They prodded the pope not to forget the massive July 11, 2021, anti-government street protests that resulted in more than 1,400 arrests. Many of the participants are still in jail. They spoke up about Cubas decades of refusal to grant its people autonomy.

China and Russia

The pope should also remember that Cuba isnt just a threat to its own people. Just this month, as the country struggles through yet another economic crisis, we learned that Cuba has apparently agreed to allow China to establish a spy base on the island, just 90 miles from Floridas coastline. Money is probably the reason: No doubt China is paying vast sums to Cuba to do it. But the threat is close by.

And it doesnt stop there. Russia is also interested in strengthening ties with Cuba, likely in an attempt to bring Cuba under its control.

So the popes meeting with Diaz-Canel feels like a bad idea when it comes to U.S.. national security. And it feels like a terrible insult to those, especially in Miami, who so desperately want to see the Cuban people free from a dictatorship that hasnt eased despite Fidel Castros death and Raul Castros public relinquishing of power.

Diplomatic relations

Why would the leader of the Catholic Church  who, at 86, is still recovering from a June 7 operation  grant an audience to Diaz-Canel, thereby giving the Cuban government a chance to pretend the brutality and repression at home arent happening?

The statement released by the Vatican after the meeting with the pope and with the Vaticans secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, offers only vague clues. It mentions that there was discussion of the importance of the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba. Other topics included Cubas situation and the contribution that the Church offers, especially in the sphere of charity and some international themes of reciprocal interest.

We dont know what happened in that 40-minute meeting. At the very least, we hope the pope used the time to pressure Diaz-Canel on the release of political prisoners in Cuba. If he didnt, the only thing the popes meeting accomplished was to hand Cuba the perfect opportunity to falsely claim legitimacy on the world stage.
Pregnant workers could receive longer breaks and more time off for recovery, thanks to a new law going into effect today

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The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act could provide pregnant workers with longer breaks and more time off.

The act, requiring certain employers to provide "reasonable accommodations" went into effect Tuesday.

Accommodations could include receiving closer parking or being excused from strenuous activities.

A new law taking effect Tuesday may give millions of pregnant workers and new parents nationwide accommodations including more time off, longer breaks, and shorter hours.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires employers with at least 15 employees to provide "reasonable accommodations" for workers dealing with limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which will enforce the law, said these accommodations may be protected provided they do not cause employers "undue hardship," such as significant expenses.

This act could impact nearly 2.8 million workers, according to a report by the National Partnership for Women and Families. According to the EEOC, 72% of working women will become pregnant at some point while employed. 80% of first-time pregnant workers worked until their final month of pregnancy.

Though the EEOC has not yet announced the types of required accommodations, examples could include receiving extra break time to rest or eat, receiving closer parking, taking time off to recover from childbirth, being excused from strenuous activities, and receiving appropriately sized uniforms. The act, though, does not guarantee paid sick leave.

"The passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will truly change the health and economic trajectory for millions of women and families, and its significance as a political victory should be regarded as a roadmap for other campaigns for years to come," said Dina Bakst, co-founder of advocacy nonprofit A Better Balance, in a statement. Policy wins to create more just workplaces and advance gender, racial, and economic justice in this country are possible."

Under the act, covered employers can't force pregnant workers to take accommodations such as time off without first discussing it with them, denying employment opportunities from qualified employees in need of accommodations, or requiring employees to take leave if there are other accommodations that let them keep working if they choose.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December following unsuccessful earlier versions in 2021 and 2019, both of which passed in the House but not the Senate.

The federal act will not replace federal, state, or local laws offering more protections, as more than 30 states and cities currently have laws providing accommodations to pregnant workers. Acts such as Title VII and the Americans With Disabilities Act already make it illegal to fire or discriminate against workers for issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.

Other legislation that will not be impacted include the Family and Medical Leave Act, providing unpaid leave for certain workers during and after pregnancy, and the PUMP Act, giving nursing workers a private place to pump at work.

The EEOC is required to release guidance on examples of reasonable accommodations that employers must implement by the end of the year. The public will be able to provide input before the regulations are finalized.

Are you a pregnant worker or new parent who may be impacted by this law? Share your story with this reporter at nsheidlower@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Pregnant workers may get longer breaks, more time off and other accommodations as new law takes effect

Millions of pregnant and postpartum workers across the country could be legally entitled to longer breaks, shorter hours and time off for medical appointments and recovery from childbirth beginning Tuesday, when the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act takes effect.

The new law mandates that employers with at least 15 employees provide "reasonable accommodations" to workers who need them due to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is tasked with enforcing the law.

An estimated 2.8 million workers annually could benefit from the policy change, according to a report published last fall by the advocacy organization National Partnership for Women and Families.

The EEOC has yet to publish a list of the types of accommodations that will be required under the law. But examples could include more flexible hours, the option to sit in jobs that require long periods of standing, a parking spot closer to the workplace, access to uniforms and safety apparel that fit a pregnant persons changing body, and excusal from heavy lifting or working around chemicals that could be dangerous during pregnancy, according to the EEOC.

By the end of this year, the commission is required to publish guidance on how employers should implement the law, including a list of examples of reasonable accommodations, which the public will have a chance to weigh in on.

Dina Bakst, co-founder and co-president of the workers rights advocacy organization A Better Balance, pushed for the law over the past decade. She said she expects the change will particularly benefit pregnant workers in low-wage and male-dominated jobs, since such employees often fear losing their jobs if they ask for pregnancy-related accommodations.

For example, Bakst added, mandated bathroom access and water breaks "sound so basic, but for women in retail and other low-wage industries with overly rigid, inflexible jobs, these kinds of accommodations can make a big difference."

A Better Balance has operated a free legal helpline since 2009, and Bakst said many pregnant workers who have called in the past reported facing "devastating" economic consequences  including food insecurity and homelessness  because they were fired or forced out of work after requesting pregnancy-related accommodations.

According to the EEOC, 8 in 10 women who are pregnant for the first time work until the final month of pregnancy, and nearly a quarter of mothers have considered leaving their jobs during pregnancy due to lack of accommodations or fear of discrimination.

A joint report produced last year by A Better Balance and the advocacy group Black Mamas Matter Alliance suggests protections for pregnant workers could also help reduce racial disparities in maternal and infant health, particularly for Black mothers, who have the highest labor force participation among moms with kids under 18.

Under the new law, employers will be able to opt out of providing accommodations to pregnant workers if they can show that doing so presents an undue hardship on their business operations.

Kathleen Gerson, a professor of sociology at New York University whose work has focused on gender and employment, characterized the new policy as a step in the right direction.

"It does begin to change the culture of the workplace and how we as workers and employers think about it," Gerson said of the law.

The act does not guarantee paid parental leave, however, which was eliminated from President Biden's Build Back Better package in 2021 and which Gerson said is still necessary to support workers after childbirth.

She added that until the EEOC publishes more information about "reasonable accommodations" under the law, it's hard to predict what impacts the policy will have.

"Certainly its good news  theres no question about that. The question really is, how good is the news and how much more will be left to be done?" Gerson said.

Sharyn Tejani, associate legal counsel at the EEOC, said that until the EEOC issues its guidance, employers can consult other civil rights laws mentioned in the legislation  including the Americans with Disabilities Act  to determine examples of reasonable accommodations and what qualifies for a hardship exemption.

Tejani added that workers can file complaints with the EEOC about their employers' failure to comply with the new law.

President Biden signed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into law in December, following a yearslong push to bring it to a vote in the Senate. Earlier versions of the bill passed in the House with bipartisan support in 2019 and 2021 but didn't pass in the Senate until it became part of the $1.7 trillion government funding bill.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
For the most part, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is trying to differentiate herself from Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary. But she sounded a lot like him over the weekend, oozing nostalgia for a glorious American past in which life was ostensibly better than it is right now.

Do you remember when you were growing up, do you remember how simple life was, how easy it felt? Haley wrote in a tweet. It was about faith, family, and country. We can have that again, but to do that, we must vote Joe Biden out.

Simple? Easy? For whom?

Haleys tweet is the kind of thing youd expect to see from Trump or Ron DeSantis. But its particularly disappointing (though not surprising) coming from Haley, an Indian American daughter of immigrants raised in the South.

When Haley was growing up, life wasnt so simple or easy. Shes said so herself. She has mentioned how she was once disqualified from a beauty pageant because they didnt know whether to put her in the white category or the Black category. She has referenced the discrimination and hardship her family faced when she was young  discrimination that many families like hers still face now.

While she was governor, life wasnt simple or easy for many people, either. The Confederate flag flew on the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol until 2015, when Haley signed legislation that finally removed it. That was, of course, only after a white supremacist gunned down nine Black people at a church in Charleston. That same year, Walter Scott, a Black South Carolinian, was killed by police during a traffic stop.

But according to Haley, the fact that she has even a chance of becoming president now is proof that racism and sexism are of the past.

I was elected the first female minority governor in history, Haley declared in a speech Saturday at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions annual conference. America isnt racist. Were blessed!

Did it not occur to Haley that it shouldnt have taken until 2011 for that to happen? Does she not think it is a problem that there have only been two other female minority governors in the 12 years since she was elected?

Maybe Haley is just looking for a political breakthrough. She is, after all, polling at a distant fourth place, even in her home state. And she certainly got that attention  though it probably wasnt the kind she was looking for.

Haleys tweet was met with an onslaught of backlash, and rightfully so. It received what people on Twitter call a ratio  when critiques of the tweet receive more positive attention than the tweet itself. The replies were flooded with stories from people who recalled what the simple times looked like for them  institutionalized racism, sky-high poverty rates, misogyny, anti-semitism. Sure sounds easy, right?

But the good old days sentiment conveyed by Haley here is nothing new. Its the kind of dog whistle that has been baked into the Republican Partys brand for years, especially since Trump but certainly before him. Backlash to progress is what often prompts these politics of nostalgia  a lusting for a time when it was even easier to be a white man and even harder to be anyone else.

The problem with Haleys tweet isnt only that shes ignoring the plight of Black Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans, immigrants and even women who were horribly oppressed back then, and generally still are. The tweet also was gallingly hypocritical. In order for her political ascension to be the trailblazing success story she rightfully claims it to be, she had to overcome something  and that something is being, as she has said, different. For as much as she laments the use of identity politics on the left, shes used them plenty to form her own political brand.

The same woman who proudly declares herself the daughter of immigrants worked for one of the most blatantly racist and xenophobic presidents in modern history. Haley has proven herself to be someone who will say and do whatever is politically advantageous in the moment, even if its contradictory to the person she once claimed to be.

Paige Masten is a Charlotte-based opinion writer for McClatchy.
Some eight or nine years ago, Southern Poverty Law Center lawyer Bacardi Jackson took two of her children to the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Courthouse to meet her Black colleagues.

Among them was Marcia Cooke, the first and only Black woman appointed as a federal judge to the Southern District of Florida since its inception in 1847  a distinction Cooke held until she died in January.

As we were leaving the courthouse, one of my sons looked up at Judge Fergusons picture and innocently asked: Mommy, are all of the judges here Black? Jackson said. I decided to spare their innocence.

In the wake of Cookes death, Jackson was one of the two-dozen or so Black lawyers who joined civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump Tuesday in Miami to call for President Joe Biden to appoint a Black woman to one of the three open federal judgeships in South Florida.

Crump is known nationally for championing cases of high-profile police brutality and other race-related cases, most recently representing the family of Ajike Owens, a Black Florida mother who was gunned down by a white neighbor earlier this month.

Until Cookes death, there were only two seats open on the South Florida federal bench. After Oct. 31, Judge Robert Scola Jr. will assume senior status, which will leave a fourth opening.

Now, many are calling for Biden to choose a Black woman to fill at least one of the open spots. And appointing a Black woman to her seat was Cookes dying wish, Crump said.

We shouldnt have to imagine what a Black woman sitting on the federal bench in the Southern District looks like after Judge Marcia Cooke left us, Crump said at the Carlton Fields law firm in downtown Miami. We should see it.

Bacardi Jackson, interim deputy legal director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Childrens Rights Practice Group, speaks during a press conference at Carlton Fields on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Lauren Witte/Lauren Witte

South Florida openings pile up amid polarization

Biden made headlines last year for nominating the first ever Black woman to the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is also a Miami native. Civil rights groups have praised him for choosing to diversify his judicial nominations across the country.

In contrast, former President Donald Trump was often criticized for an overwhelmingly white, male pool of nominations.

Though speakers directed comments toward Biden in his power to make an initial appointment, the final authority will ultimately lie with Floridas senior Republican Senator, Marco Rubio, who has the power to withhold whats known as a blue slip, which can shelve appointments, no questions asked.

In 2021, a nominating committee handpicked by Rubio sent a list of recommendations to Biden for the then-two open seats. At the top of the list was David Leibowitz, the nephew of billionaire and Rubio campaign mega-donor Norman Braman. Leibowitz, a former federal prosecutor in New York City who works as general counsel for his uncles business, was also considered a potential judicial nominee by the Trump administration but wasnt appointed.

Rubios committee also included Detra Shaw-Wilder, a prominent Black, female lawyer based at Miami-based Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, a commercial firm involved in securing a settlement for the families of the Surfside building collapse victims.

Separately, a second nominating commission appointed by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and other Democratic congressional members from South Florida recommended six finalists for the two openings: Shaw-Wilder, Federal Public Defender Michael Caruso, U.S. Magistrate Judge Shaniek Maynard, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Miguel de la O, Palm Beach Circuit Judge Samantha Feuer and Miami-Dade County Judge Ayana Harris.

Since Cookes death, a legal source with knowledge of the situation said two more names have been added as potential candidates: federal magistrate judges Jacqueline Becerra and Melissa Damian, both former prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami.

The timeline for when South Floridians can expect to see the positions filled still remains unclear as Biden looks toward a re-election campaign.

The importance of a familiar face

Attorney Sue-Ann Robinson shakes attorney Benjamin Crumps hand during a press conference held to urge President Biden to nominate a Black female judge to replace Judge Marcia Cook, who died this year, at Carlton Fields on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Lauren Witte/lwitte@miamiherald.com

Sue-Ann Robinson, a former prosecutor based in Broward County who now works with Crump, said often shed be the only Black face in the room when criminal charges were brought before Black people.

This meant fielding questions from and offering advice to defendants who saw her as a lifeline and someone they could trust, even though shed usually be working to prosecute them.

Robinson recalls calming down a Black woman who was growing aggressive when asked to fill out a form. The woman couldnt read  a fact she only felt comfortable disclosing to another Black person.

We cant be everywhere, Robinson said. Diversity on the bench is so important not because were saying the persons skin is going to change something, but because their perspective and life experience increases public confidence.

While Crump acknowledged its less likely to see four Black appointees, its vital to see at least one, he said. Its now left to Biden and Rubio to make it happen.

When Black people walk into courtrooms, the only thing that they see thats Black in the courtroom cannot be themselves and the judges robes, Crump said. At some point they need to see a Black face.

Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this report.
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.

Despite an overall favorable situation concerning food security, China, with a growing grain demand, faces multifaceted challenges, including limited and low-quality arable land and increasing difficulty in ensuring stable and high grain output, according to an explanation for the draft.

With an aim to provide a legal guarantee for fortifying China's food security, the draft was formulated based on the country's realities, the document read.

It added that the proposed legislation addresses challenges concerning food security to ensure an adequate food supply in China and translates mature policy measures and institutional achievements that have been tested in practice into legal norms.

Recognizing the importance of arable land protection, the draft provides that redlines to protect farmland, permanent basic cropland, ecosystems, and urban development boundaries, shall be drawn and held.

The draft proposes establishing a compensation system for arable land protection and implementing the system of compensation for the use of cultivated land for other purposes.

The state shall restrict the conversion of cultivated land to other agricultural uses, such as forests and grassland, the draft reads.

On the grain production front, the draft emphasizes the establishment of a national agriculture germplasm bank and a seed reserve system. It calls for promoting mechanized technologies and building capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief in grain production.

Measures are proposed in the draft to improve China's grain reserve system and mechanism, further leveraging the crucial role of grain reserves in adjusting grain supply and demand and stabilizing grain production.

Strengthening grain distribution management and promoting the high-quality development of the grain processing industry are also among the focal points of the draft.

Another vital aspect of the draft is improving the emergency grain supply capacity in the country. The draft stipulates that the state shall establish a reporting system for unusual volatility in the grain market and asks for prompt responses to disruptions.

Measures to promote grain conservation and reduce losses, and to foster a sound responsibility mechanism for ensuring food security are also outlined in the draft.

It specifies provisions for legal consequences for violations. They closely align with existing laws and regulations related to land management, agricultural product quality and safety, food safety, anti-food waste, and workplace safety.
Taiwan Military Personnel on Drill

Taiwan's AAV7 amphibious assault vehicle lands on a beach during an amphibious landing drill to simulate the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) landing on three beaches in Yilan, Taiwan on May 24, 2023. Credit - Walid Berrazeg-Anadolu Agency

When U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken traveled to China last week, differences over Taiwan were at the top of the agenda. Taiwan remains the likeliest flashpoint that could draw the worlds two largest economies and two nuclear-armed powers into a direct conflict.

China has intensified its military, economic, and diplomatic coercion of Taiwan, seeking to isolate the island and advance its goal of unification. As tensions rise, it is imperative to understand why Taiwan matters. Our recent Council on Foreign Relations-sponsored Independent Task Force explains that the U.S. has vital strategic interests at stake and that Taiwans fate will have major implications for U.S. interests around the world.

Physically, Taiwan sits astride some of the worlds busiest shipping lanes and prevents China from projecting power far beyond its shores. If China were to annex Taiwan and station its military on the island, it would be able to limit U.S. military operations in the region and hamper our ability to defend our allies.

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Geopolitically, should we fail to counter Chinese aggression against Taiwan, our allies would have doubts about whether they could rely on us. Chinas military, if occupying Taiwan, would be only seventy miles from Japanese territory and 120 miles from the Philippines. Our allies, questioning whether we would or even could come to their defense, would be faced with a difficult choice: drawing closer to China or taking their security into their own hands, potentially to include developing nuclear weapons. Either outcome would result in diminished U.S. influence and increased regional and global instability.

Economically, given Taiwans dominance of semiconductor manufacturing, Chinese aggression would also trigger a global economic depression and shave trillions of dollars off economic output. During a Chinese blockade or attack, Taiwans production and shipment of semiconductors would come to a halt, leading to a shortage of nearly every product that contains technology, from smartphones to computers and cars.

Ideationally, Taiwans fate also has implications for international order, which have been magnified by Russias invasion of Ukraine. If China were to successfully absorb Taiwan, it would establish a pattern of authoritarian countries using force to attack democratic neighbors and change borders. The most basic pillar of international relationsthat countries cannot use force to alter borderswould be severely undermined.

Taiwan is one of Asias few democratic success stories, but if China were to take the island by force its democracy would be extinguished, and its twenty-three million people would see their rights severely curtailed. As this would come in the wake of Chinas crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, the ramifications would be even greater.

Read More: Why Protecting Taiwan Really Matters to the U.S.

The stakes are clear, but our Task Force assesses that deterrence is eroding and is in danger of failing. While a military confrontation in the Taiwan Strait is neither imminent nor inevitable, the U.S. and China are drifting toward a war over Taiwan. U.S. policy will need to evolve to contend with a more capable, assertive, and risk-acceptant China that is increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo.

Restoring balance to a situation that has been allowed to tilt far too much in Chinas favor will be difficult and the path we need to travel is narrow. In practice, deterring Chinese aggression against Taiwan should be our militarys top priority in the Indo-Pacific. We should pursue a bilateral security cooperation program with Taiwan that includes joint exercises and inviting Taiwan to participate in relevant multilateral exercises. We should seek greater clarity from our allies on the assistance they would provide during a Chinese blockade or invasion and define their roles. Weaknesses in the U.S. defense industrial base need to be repaired to ensure that the U.S. military can respond to Chinese aggression if deterrence fails.

Importantly, Taiwan also has to address its weaknesses and invest more in its defense. Beyond improving its active-duty military force, Taiwan needs to overhaul its reserves. Taiwan also needs to improve its resilience by addressing shortfalls in energy, water, and food security. It should also do more to incentivize companies to diversify their operations away from China.

In recent years, much of the policy debate regarding Taiwan has centered around whether the U.S. should explicitly commit to come to Taiwans defense, replacing strategic ambiguity for strategic clarity. More important, however, is that the U.S. be unambiguous in its support for Taiwan.

The U.S. should assist Taiwan in reducing its economic ties with China, which remains Taiwans number one trading partner, giving Beijing a source of leverage. The U.S. should negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan, diversify supply chains in critical sectors to reduce the risk from potential Chinese economic retaliation, build resiliency in global semiconductor manufacturing, and respond to Chinas economic coercion. Such steps would help the U.S. and its partners maintain freedom of maneuver during a crisis.

As the U.S. embarks on this ambitious agenda, what it does will be just as important as what it does not do. The U.S. should maintain its one China policy, which has helped maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and continue to emphasize that it seeks a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues between the two sides.

A guiding principle should be to focus on substance over symbolism. This means not taking steps that could be construed as supporting Taiwan independence. Cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwanese militaries should be low-key and conducted outside of the public spotlight. High-level visits to Taiwan should be encouraged when there is a compelling rationale, but the U.S. should use discretion when deciding who should go and when.

Making long overdue adjustments will be difficult, but a failure to adapt would be far more dangerous. The future of the worlds most economically critical region could hinge on it.
Yevhen Prigozhin leaves Rostov-on-Don, June 24, 2023

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus after the Wagner PMC mutiny, Belarusian news agency BelTA quoted Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko as saying on June 27.

Security guarantees, as he (Russian dictator Vladimir Putin) vowed yesterday, have been provided, Lukashenko said.

Read also: Russian providers blocked Google news amid Prigozhin armed rebellion

I see Prigozhin is already flying on this plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today. As I promised, if you want to stay with us for a while and so on, well help you. Of course, at their (mercenaries) expense.

At the same time, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin claimed that he would not mind such a unit in the army.

Read also: Prigozhin may have been offered dismissal of Shoigu and Gerasimov, says SBU

Lukashenko claims that he agrees and has already suggested that Khrenin open a dialogue with the mercenary company.

Prigozhins plane landed in Belarus on June 27, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Telegram, noting that Prigozhins business jet (registration No. RA-02795) landed at the Machulishchy military airfield outside Minsk at 7:40 a.m.

Mark Warner, chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, claimed that Prigozhin was being accommodated in a windowless hotel room in Minsk.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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: Prigozhin sent a signal to Putin. What is happening in Russia? - opinion

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.

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.

Read also: Russia closes investigation into Wagner mercenary company mutiny

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.

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.

The Kremlin soon announced that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be closed, and he himself would go to Belarus.

Read also: Criminal case against Prigozhin still ongoing, reports Russian media

In a video address on June 26, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin offered three options to the fighters of the Wagner mercenary company who had participated in the mutiny attempt: to continue their service by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, return to their homes in Russia, or go to Belarus.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Yevgeny Prigozhin

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhins plane landed in Belarus on June 27, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Telegram.

Prigozhins business jet (registration No. RA-02795) landed at the Machulishchy military airfield outside Minsk at 7:40 a.m.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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.

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.

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.

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
Prigozhin tried to call Putin when he realized his rebellion had 'gone too far' but the Russian president ignored him: report

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images; Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Yevgeny Prigozhin tried calling Vladimir Putin during the Wagner Group rebellion, a report says.

Prigozhin's mercenary force launched an attack on the Russian government Saturday.

The rebellion was called off when Wagner leaders and the Kremlin brokered a deal.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group mercenary force, tried to call Russian President Vladimir Putin when he realized his mutiny against Russia's military leadership had gone too far, a report said.

After Prigozhin's forces had seized control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don Saturday, Putin branded the rebels traitors, told them to surrender, and vowed that they would be punished.

Sources told Russian independent media outlet Meduza that Prigozhin said: "No one is going to turn themselves in at the request of the president, the Federal Security Service, or anyone else."

According to sources near the Kremlin, Prigozhin then "tried to call Putin, but the president didn't want to speak with him."

Meduza's sources told the outlet that Prigozhin likely realized that "he'd gone too far" and "prospects for his column to continue to advance were dim." His boasts that members of the Russian military were prepared to join his rebellion had not materialized.

At that stage, Prigozhin's forces were around 120 miles from Moscow, and were about to reach the first defense perimeter set up around the Russian capital by the military and national guard, Meduza reported.

Prigozhin said in a video message early Saturday he had launched the rebellion to seek the firing of Russia's military leaders, who he claimed had botched Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but not Putin's ouster.

According to the report, both sides decided to step down to avoid bloodshed, and senior Russian security officials negotiated with Wagner leaders.

Prigozhin eventually accepting Belarusian President Viktor Lukashenko's offer to go into exile in his country.

The Kremlin said Wagner fighters would be offered a chance to enrol in the Russian military, and charges against Prigozhin and Wagner rebels would not be pursued.

Prigozhin was formerly among Putin's most trusted aides, using the Wagner group to project the Kremlin's power in Africa and the Middle East, as well as launching covert operations against the West.

Prigozhin broke his silence since the mutiny in an audio message released Monday, where he reiterated his claim he had not been seeking to depose Putin.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The prime minister of New Zealand flies in a 30-year-old plane and prepared a spare plane for his trip to China in case the old one breaks down

Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins. AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File

New Zealand leader Chris Hipkins had an extra aircraft shadow his plane that was traveling to China.

Hipkins' primary plane, which is 30 years old, required a backup just in case it break down.

New Zealand's leaders have been stranded in the past during official visits after their planes broke down.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has readied a spare aircraft for an official visit to China  just in case the 30-year-old plane he's traveling in breaks down.

Hipkins traveled to Beijing on Sunday in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 with a business and trade delegation, as well as media. He is slated to be in China until Friday.

"Given the importance of the trade mission, the long distance involved and the large size of the traveling business delegation and media contingent, it was considered that a backup aircraft was justified to ensure the success of the mission to our largest trade partner," a spokesperson for Hipkins told Insider.

"The 757s are around 30 years old, are nearing the end of their economic lives, and are due for replacement in between 2028 and 2030," the spokesperson added.

A backup plane shadowed Hipkins' plane to Manila in the Philippines in case the primary plane broke down and is now in Darwin, Australia, to provide support for the return journey if required, added the spokesperson. The backup plane will only travel to Shanghai in China if required.

"It is not unusual for the Air Force to provide backup aircraft, where available," the spokesperson added.

A New Zealand Air Force plane sits on the tarmac at Auckland Airport on May 21, 2023, preparing to take New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to Papua New Guinea. Nick Perry/Associated Press

The country's opposition party has slammed the move for being environmentally unsound.

"Some people might bring a spare phone charger with them while traveling overseas in case they lose one or it breaks," said David Seymour, the leader of ACT opposition party, in a press release on Monday. "Chris Hipkins needs to bring a spare Boeing aircraft with him."

"New Zealand's out-of-date air fleet is becoming a source of national embarrassment," he said, adding that the country's government is underinvesting in defense.

However, a new VIP plane would cost 300 million to 600 million New Zealand dollars, or $185 million to $370 million, New Zealand's Stuff media outlet reported, citing estimates from the defense ministry  so it could become a political issue.

The prime minister's spokesperson said using the air force plane is "far cheaper" than a commercial charter. It also comes with features such as security and can travel from point to point without stopovers.

But New Zealand's aging air force fleet has a history of breaking down.

Last year, then-prime minister Jacinda Ardern spent an extra night in Antarctica in October after the military plane she was traveling in broke down. She flew home on an Italian plane. Another plane she was traveling in also broke down in May 2022, so she left on a commercial flight instead.

In August, Defense Minister Peeni Henare and a 30-person delegation got stuck in the Solomon Islands after their plane broke down. In 2016, then-prime minister John Key even had to cut short a visit to India after his plane broke down while traveling to the South Asian country.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Prince Harry is suing papers as a moral crusade, not because he has evidence, claims Mirror

Prince Harry this month after giving evidence in court against Mirror Group Newspapers - Shutterstock

The Duke of Sussex has been accused of suing tabloid newspapers as part of a crusade to reform the British media without evidence to support his claims.

On Tuesday, lawyers for Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) said the Dukes unique role in public life did not exempt him from the burden of proof.

In closing submissions, the tabloid group said it was impossible not to have enormous sympathy for Prince Harry given the media intrusion he has been subjected to throughout his life.

However, it said he had failed to identify any examples of phone hacking or unlawful information gathering at its newspapers.

And it accused him of bringing the litigation as a vehicle to seek to reform the British media as part of his ongoing crusade.

Vast number of articles

The Duke sued Mirror Group Newspapers over unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, citing 148 articles he alleged had been obtained illegally.

The newspaper group acknowledged that a vast number of articles had been written about Prince Harry during the relevant period, between 1996 and 2011, by the Mirror titles but also by the rest of the tabloid press and all other media organisations.

Establishing that an individual is a victim of general and widespread media intrusion leading to negative effects at the hands of the press is not the same as demonstrating that he/she is a victim of unlawful voicemail interception and other unlawful information gathering by three specific newspaper titles, it said.

The Dukes unique role in public life does not change the underlying position in these proceedings: that the burden of proof to establish voicemail interception and/or other unlawful information gathering lies squarely with him.

It said the Dukes claim had failed to withstand scrutiny and that he had failed to identify any evidence.

The true purpose of this litigation appears not to be to achieve compensation for unlawful activity by MGN, but instead it forms part of the Dukes campaign to reform the British press, it argued.

In seeking to hold one element of the tabloid press to account for intrusion the Duke believes he has suffered at the hands of all press, irrespective of their involvement or lack thereof in unlawful information gathering, he has advanced a claim which is wildly overstated and substantially baseless.

One admitted unlawful incident

MGN is arguing that the Duke should be awarded only 500 in damages for one admitted instance of unlawful information gathering.

Its barrister, Andrew Green KC, said in written submissions: There is only one occasion of admitted unlawful information gathering in respect of the Duke of Sussex, in February 2004.

He continued: In this case the Duke of Sussex should be awarded a maximum of 500, given the single invoice naming him concerns inquiries on an isolated occasion, and the small sum on the invoice (75) suggests inquiries were limited.

However, the Dukes barrister told the High Court there was hard evidence that unlawful information gathering was widespread at MGN.

David Sherborne, who is also representing three other high-profile claimants, said unlawful methods of obtaining information were the stock in trade at these newspapers across the entire period, describing them as the modus operandi of journalists.

These methods were the tried and tested tools of the tabloid trade, he told the court.

In closing submissions, he drew attention to the existence of the Dukes mobile phone number on a device belonging to a previous head of news at the Sunday Mirror as a very significant feature in the case.

The barrister claimed MGNs board and legal department, the very people whose duty it was to run this public company, were well aware of unlawful information gathering being widespread.

Piers Morgan singled out

Mr Sherborne said the judge could draw adverse inferences from MGNs extraordinary decision not to call key witnesses during the trial.

He singled out former editor Piers Morgan, who has not appeared in court, saying: Rather than come and give evidence to meet (the allegations), he has chosen instead to confine his comments to outside the courtroom, adding that MGNs failure to call Mr Morgan and other journalists leaves enormous holes, we say fatal holes, in the defendants case.

Prince Harry revealed in court, during two days on the witness stand, that he was motivated to sue the tabloids in order to protect his wife, Meghan, and to somehow find a way to stop the abuse, intrusion and hate he said was directed towards them.

He used his 55-page witness statement to make sweeping statements about the state of the British press, having previously stated that he would make it his lifes work to reform the industry.

Our country is judged globally by the state of our press and our government  both of which I believe are at rock bottom, he said.

Democracy fails when your press fails to scrutinise and hold the government accountable, and instead choose to get into bed with them so they can ensure the status quo.

The Duke launched an excoriating attack on journalism, a profession he said needed to be saved by exposing those who had stolen or hijacked the privileges and powers of the press.

He described the media as an unbelievably dangerous place, claiming that even the Government was scared of alienating newspapers because position is power.

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.
Washington  Systemic negligence, misconduct, and overall under-resourcing among federal corrections facility staff and facilities contributed to the conditions that enabled financier Jeffrey Epstein to die by suicide in his cell, the Justice Department's inspector general concluded in a report released Tuesday.

The 66-year-old financier was found dead in his New York cell in 2019 a little over a month after federal authorities took him into custody for the alleged sex trafficking of minors. He was accused of exploiting and abusing dozens of underage girls and utilizing a network of employees to ensure continued access to victims, according to prosecutors.

A medical examiner ruled Epstein died by suicide on Aug. 10, 2019, from an apparent hanging and the inspector general's report found no evidence inconsistent with that determination. An FBI investigation into the matter also found that there was no criminality directly tied to Esptein's death.

Detention center staff misconduct gave Epstein opportunity to kill himself

While not unique to Epstein's case, the federal watchdog's investigation found "numerous and serious" instances of misconduct among corrections staff  some criminal  that gave him the opportunity to kill himself. In all, 13 individuals are identified as having committed performance failures between August 9 and 10, 2019, ranging from mere instances of indifference to potentially illegal acts.

Four Bureau of Prison employees were identified by the inspector general as having committed potential crimes, accused of either falsifying records or lying to investigators. Two were declined for prosecution by federal authorities. Tova Noel and Michael Thomas entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors. Investigators alleged they altered records to make it appear as though they had performed proper checks on Epstein when in reality, they did not adequately supervise him. The charges were dropped by a federal judge after the former guards agreed to the deal with the Justice Department last year.

The report, the second in the last year that investigated a high-profile correction facility death, points to widespread problems across the Bureau of Prison and presents federal detention facilities as understaffed and lacking in supervision.

According to the report, Epstein's death came just weeks after he was found injured in a cell and placed on suicide watch inside the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in Lower Manhattan. Prison staff found him with an orange cloth around his neck and his cellmate at the time told officials he had tried to hang himself.

Days later, the prison's Psychology Department sent a notification to over 70 MCC employees notifying them that because of his condition, Epstein had to be housed with an appropriate cellmate for supervision. But on August 9, 2019, his cellmate was transferred to another corrections facility, and employees at the MCC failed to find Epstein another cellmate, according to the report.

After dozens of interviews with prison staff and inmates, the watchdog found, "A combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failuresall contributed to an environment in which arguable one of the most notorious inmates in BOP's custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life."

Systemic understaffing

According to the report, there was also systemic understaffing in the prison, a failure to follow proper inmate check-in protocols by guards. They also gave Epstein access to excess bedding and other materials, the watchdog found.

REFILE - QUALITY REPEAT U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/Handout via / Credit: Handout . / REUTERS

Thomas, Noel, and two supervisors only identified by their titles in the report knowingly and willfully falsified BOP records to show that they completed their mandatory rounds in inmate locations between Aug. 9 and 10 when they had not done so, the findings said. Regulations required inmates to be checked twice per hour and the report concluded Epstein and his fellow inmates in the MCC's special housing unit were left unmonitored for hours overnight, during which time Epstein died by suicide.

It was not until Thomas  who told investigators he had "dozed off" overnight  performed his morning rounds that he found Epstein unresponsive in his cell.

Guards walked on "eggshells" around Epstein

Notably, a fellow inmate told investigators that guards walked on "eggshells" around Epstein and the inspector general's report identified a series of irregularities in treatment, including hours-long attorney meetings, unrecorded phone calls and the excess bedding materials, which he ultimately used to hang himself.

In one instance, on the night before he died, staff allowed Epstein to place an unrecorded phone call after he asked to call his mother. Rules required such calls to be placed on a recorded and monitored line and investigators later established Epstein's mother was deceased at the time. Still, a unit manager said he escorted Epstein to a phone and dialed a number for him. After a male answered, according to the report, the manager handed the phone to Epstein and left "because his shift had ended."

The federal watchdog found numerous failures in the facility's infrastructure also contributed to the conditions that led to Epstein's death, including security cameras that functioned in a live capacity but failed to record any video.

A review of the security procedures around the time of Epstein's conduct, however, found no evidence that anyone had entered his unit or cell and no indication of any foul play. And in interviews with inmates, none indicated they saw anyone enter their unit on the night Epstein died and none of the MCC staff told investigators they had any information "suggesting Epstein's cause of death was something other than suicide."

"In sum, the OIG's investigation did not find any evidence that anyone was present in [the unit] during that timeframe other than the inmates who were locked in their assigned cells on that tier" of the special housing unit, the report concluded.

As part of the report, the inspector general provided eight recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons, all of which were accepted, including increased measures for suicide prevention. "Regrettably, the OIG has encountered similar issues on many other occasions," the report said, adding, "the OIG has repeatedly found that BOP personnel have not consistently been attentive to the needs of inmates at risk of suicide."

"While this misconduct described in this report is troubling," the letter continued, "those who took part in it represent a very small percentage of the approximately 35,000 employees across more than 120 institutions who continue to strive for correctional excellence every day."

"To further reinforce our commitment to the safety of individuals in our custody, all employees receive annual training in suicide prevention. Additionally, those who work closely with high-risk populations, particularly in restrictive housing, undergo enhanced specialized training. This training focuses on identifying signs of suicidal tendencies, making appropriate referrals, and responding effectively to emergencies," a Bureau of Prison spokesperson said in a statement after the report's release. "The BOP takes seriously our ability to protect and secure individuals in our custody while ensuring the safety of our correctional employees and the surrounding community."

After Epstein's death

Following Epstein's death, then-Attorney General William Barr said he was "appalled" by the circumstances of his death in federal custody, which he said raised "serious questions that must be answered." In addition to an FBI investigation into the matter, Barr directed the department's inspector general to conduct an independent review.

The MCC was shuttered and the acting head of the Bureau of Prisons at the time, Hugh Hurwitz, was reassigned in the weeks that followed Epstein's death. The more than 200 inmates who once inhabited the federal prison were transferred and, according to the Justice Department, the facility remains closed after numerous reports of faulty infrastructure.

More than a decade before he faced charges in New York, Epstein  who courted the world's rich and powerful including Britain's Prince Edward and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump  pleaded guilty to charges in Florida and admitted he had solicited minors for prostitution. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison as part of the deal. Court documents revealed dozens of girls were brought to his Florida mansion and homes on his private Caribbean island and in New York and New Mexico.

According to court documents, authorities say at least 40 underage girls were brought into Epstein's Palm Beach mansion for what turned into sexual encounters after female fixers looked for suitable girls locally, in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world.

His long-time associate and former girlfriend  Ghislane Maxwell  was convicted of five sex trafficking charges after prosecutors alleged she recruited and groomed Esptein's victims. A judge in New York sentenced her to 20 years in prison last year. "My greatest regret in life is that I ever met Jeffrey Epstein," she said at the time.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.

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Nearly a month ago, a White woman who admitted to using the n-word toward children playing outside near her home out of anger in the past fatally shot and killed her neighbor, a Black woman, amid what officials called an ongoing neighborhood feud in Central Florida.

A state attorney on Monday announced he will charge the Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault instead of second degree murder because of insufficient evidence  despite calls from the community to do so.

State Attorney William Bill Gladson carefully examined the viability of both second degree murder and manslaughter with a firearm, both first degree felonies, but ultimately settled on the latter.

If it had charged Lorincz with murder, the state would require the state to prove Lorincz had a depraved mind at the time of the shooting, and according to the statement, Given the facts in this case, aiming a firearm at the door, and pulling the trigger is legally insufficient to prove depraved mind.

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 a news release.

I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second degree murder, he said. My obligation as State Attorney is to follow the law in each case that I prosecute. I did so in this case, and 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.

He also said he couldnt allow public sentiment, angry phone calls or further threats of violence to influence his decision.

On Friday, June 2, Ajike Owens, 35, was shot at least once by her neighbor at about 9 p.m. She was a single mother of four.

THE ORIGINAL STORY: Ongoing feud over kids ends with neighbor killing single mom of 4, Florida sheriff says

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said deputies were responding to a trespassing call June 5 when they learned that shots had been fired and found Owens shot. They took her to the hospital, where she died.

Authorities subsequently identified Lorincz as the shooter as. Two days later, deputies said she told investigators that she acted in self-defense and that Owens had been trying to break down her door prior to her discharging her firearm.

Officials established Lorinczs actions were not justifiable under Florida law and arrested her for manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by 30 years imprisonment, as well as culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault.

Investigators ultimately determined Lorincz became angry because Owens children and other neighborhoods kids were playing near her home. One of them, Owens 10-year-old son, was standing beside his mom when she got shot.
Prosecutors will pursue death penalty in slayings of 4 University of Idaho students

Prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against the man charged in the quadruple murder of four Idaho college students, according to court documents filed Monday.

In the filing, the prosecuting attorney for Latah County pointed to the aggravating circumstances in the Nov. 13 killings, describing them as especially heinous and saying suspect Bryan Kohberger, 28, allegedly exhibited utter disregard for human life.

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 says.

Kohberger was arrested in December in the slayings of Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.

After a grand jury indicted him in May, he was arraigned on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

He has pleaded not guilty.

In a June 22 filing, his lawyer said there was no connection between his client and the four students he is accused of fatally stabbing.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Prosecutors will pursue death penalty in slayings of 4 University of Idaho students

Prosecutors will pursue the death penalty against the man charged in the quadruple murder of four Idaho college students, according to court documents filed Monday.

In the filing, the prosecuting attorney for Latah County pointed to the aggravating circumstances in the Nov. 13 killings, describing them as "especially heinous" and saying suspect Bryan Kohberger, 28, allegedly exhibited "utter disregard for human life."

"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 says.

Bryan Kohberger during a hearing in Latah County District Court, on June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP pool file)

Kohberger was arrested Dec. 30 in the fatal stabbings of Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur dAlene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Avondale, Arizona; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho.

After a grand jury indicted him in May, he was arraigned on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

Kohberger, who was pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice from a nearby university at the time of his arrest, has pleaded not guilty.

In an interview with "TODAY," Goncalves' father described the prosecutor's decision as a "major relief" that showed authorities were approaching the case from a position of strength.

"This isnt something that were going to have a party about," Steve Goncalves added. "Its not something that we really would ever want to look forward to or be a part of. But as a father, if you come after my child, Im going to do everything in my power to make sure that we come after you."

The four students were found dead in their off-campus home in Moscow, nearly 300 miles north of Boise.

Authorities linked Kohberger to the crime scene through cellphone signals, security camera video, a witness and a tan leather knife sheath, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in January.

In a June 16 filing, prosecutors said investigators also used genetic genealogy  a technique that combines shoe leather genealogical research with DNA analysis  after biological material found on a knife sheath at the scene failed to turn up a match in an FBI database.

The tool was used to develop a family tree of hundreds of relatives to eventually identify Kohberger as a suspect, according to the filing.

In a filing last week, Kohberger's lawyer described the technique as a "bizarrely complex DNA tree experiment" and said there was "no connection" between his client and the four students.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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.
Photo: Ted S. Warren (AP)

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the man charged in the gruesome stabbings of four University of Idaho students last November. A Latah County prosecutor filed a notice of his intent to seek capital punishment for Kohberger on Monday, roughly one month after he pleaded not guilty. Kohberger reportedly stared blankly ahead and didnt speak when asked how he pleaded, forcing the judge to enter the not guilty plea for him.

Kohberger, a 28-year-old former University of Washington graduate student, is charged with the murder of four Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. Prosecutors say theyre pursuing the death penalty because the killings were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, and Kohberger exhibited utter disregard for human life.

Read more

Kohberger evaded police suspicion for several weeks after the students were killed in their home, but was arrested in December at his parents home. Cell phone data suggests he visited the area surrounding the house before and after that day, and he also appears to have repeatedly messaged one of the victims on Instagram prior to the killings.

The Idaho slayings, and certainly Kohberger, have sparked significant cultural fascination, giving way to harmful, baseless conspiracy theories about the surviving roommates of the victims, as well as the predictable, bizarre thirst for Kohberger in some deranged corners of the internet.

Experts have speculated for months that the death penalty could be on the table for Kohberger, and his refusal to plead guilty and possibly make a plea deal to evade the death penalty only increased the risk of this. The case is set to go to trial on Oct. 2 and is expected to last six weeks.

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Idaho student killings suspect could be executed by firing squad if he is convicted and sentenced to death

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.

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This provision of the Idaho Constitution is failing students. Will it ever be fixed? | Opinion

Andrea Nielsen has four kids in various stages of public schooling, from a recent graduate to an incoming 5th-grader, all in the Bonneville school district, which serves areas east of Idaho Falls.

She has a long history of involvement in her kids educations, from serving on PTO boards to volunteering in elementary school drama programs.

That hands-on experience, especially volunteering in classrooms, convinced Nielsen that the fast-growing district desperately needs another elementary school.

You often have 30-plus kids in a classroom, Nielsen said. A teacher just cant help every kid when a class is that large. So I think were losing some of the kids who are struggling.

The district asked voters in May whether they would support a new school. A solid majority of the district cast ballots in favor. In fact, the election was a landslide, with nearly two votes in favor for every one against.

Nearly.

And for that reason, there is no new elementary school.

It was super discouraging, but that supermajority gets us every time, Nielsen said.

The proposal to build the elementary school using a $34.5 million bond needed the support of at least two-thirds of voters, per the Idaho Constitution. It came in less than 40 votes short of that threshold.

So, the districts ability to provide a good education to students is endangered, as are schools across the state, by anti-democratic provisions in the state constitution.

Bonnevilles result was far from isolated. Three bonds failed in March despite winning majority support, according to Idaho Education News.

This consistent flouting of the will of the majority is due to Idahos highest-in-the-nation school bond supermajority requirement. As Idaho Education News reported in 2017, only Kentucky sets a similarly high bar, and there has been little interest from lawmakers in changing the requirement.

So school districts are left with few options other than trying the same thing again, as Bonneville is doing. Its board recently voted to re-run the bond election in August.

And there is some reason to think that things could go better this time. Turnout for the election was abysmal, with less than one in 10 eligible voters showing up at the ballot boxes. And the narrow failure of the bond in May might be just the kind of thing that will get more voters out to the polls.

Nielsen and other local parents are hoping that a rerun version of the bond, which the district board voted to put on the August ballot, will clear the high hurdle this time. Because if it doesnt kids are going to start feeling the consequences of failing to build more schools to keep up with the quickly expanding population of Bonneville County  which grew by nearly 5% just between 2019 and 2020, according to Census data.

At a recent meeting, district trustees and Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme examined what steps could be necessary if it cant build a new elementary school. High on the list is ending all-day kindergarten to free up classroom space. And if things get bad enough, the district could consider returning to a hybrid learning model, where kids study online part-time and in classrooms the rest, which was last used during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A return to hybrid learning would be a disaster, Nielsen said.

I think no one learned anything at the end of 2020, she said. It was really difficult. Its really hard to keep the attention of younger kids especially.

This is a situation Idahos communities should not be facing  especially with a surging economy, record budget surpluses and rapid population growth.

The state doesnt provide sufficient funds to build schools, and it provides districts with only one real avenue to finance them: bonds. But the supermajority requirement means the will of the majority is often thwarted, and Idahos kids are consistently shortchanged.

And that will keep happening until the Constitution is changed.

Bryan Clark is an opinion writer for the Idaho Statesman based in eastern Idaho.
Map of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the easternmost and smallest of the Greater Antilles, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Basin to the south.

Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth of the United States. It has been a US territory since 1898.

Everyone born on the island is an American citizen and holds a US passport. However, residents cannot vote in US presidential elections, unless they are registered to vote in one of the 50 states.

Puerto Rican culture is a blend of Amerindian Taino, Spanish and African influences with Spanish being the island's first language.

Tourism is an important money-earner and the island attracts millions of visitors each year. But crippling public debt, poverty and high unemployment have seen many of the islanders leave for the US mainland.

Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring

COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO: FACTS

Capital: San Juan

Area: 9,104 sq km

Population: 3.2 million

Languages: Spanish, English

Life expectancy: 73 years (men) 82 years (women)

LEADERS

President: Joe Biden

Governor: Pedro Pierluisi

Pedro Pierluisi holds a press conference after being sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico on, August 2, 2019

Pedro Pierluisi became governor i August 2019 after the resignation of his predecessor, Ricardo Rossello after a group chat on the Telegram app between Rossello and his staff was made public, which contained offensive remarks and which mocked Puerto Rican's struggles after 2017's deadly Hurricane Maria.

MEDIA

Man reading newspaper in Puerto Rico

Broadcasting is regulated by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Home-grown comedies, talk shows and Spanish-language soaps are staple fare on local TV stations. The multichannel offerings of cable TV are widely available.

News and talk and Spanish-language pop music are among the most popular radio formats.

TIMELINE

The San Felipe del Morro fort is a reminder of Puerto Rico's colonial past

Some key dates in the history of Puerto Rico:

1493 - Christopher Columbus claims the island for Spain on his second voyage to the Americas. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon establishes the first settlement in 1508.

1500s - The indigenous Amerindian Taino population is virtually wiped out by disease and new settlers. African slave labour is imported.

1868 - A popular uprising against Spanish rule is suppressed but becomes a symbol of the independence struggle.

1898 - Spain cedes Puerto Rico to the US at the end of the Spanish-American War.

1900 - US Congress establishes a civil government under the Foraker Act but maintains strict control over island affairs. Puerto Ricans are granted US citizenship in 1917 under the Jones Act.

1940s - Puerto Rico gains partial self-rule with popularly elected governors.

1952 - Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing commonwealth of the United States. Under US administration, it experiences growth but nationalist sentiment is still present.

1960-70s - Violent separatism - A series of bombings and killings in the 1970s and 1980s are blamed on pro-independence group, the Macheteros, or Cane Cutters.

1998 - Puerto Ricans back continued commonwealth status in a referendum.

2003 - The US government stops military training on the offshore island of Vieques after protests.

2006 - The expiry of a federal tax break for US corporations in place since 1976 triggers economic recession.

2012 - Puerto Ricans vote for US statehood for the first time in a non-binding referendum on the island's status.

2017 - The territory declares bankruptcy - the largest ever for a US local government.

2020 - In a non-binding referendum, Puerto Rico votes again to become a US state.
Puppy warms hearts on TikTok as he waits to take girlfriend on dates. See him greet her

A 2-year-old Cavapoo in California patiently waited to pick up his girlfriend for another one of their nightly dates, a video captured by his owner shows.

The pup named Theo sees his girlfriend Coco, another 2-year-old Cavapoo, twice a day, Theos owner, Kelli Hall, told McClatchy News in a phone interview.

The video, posted June 24 on TikTok, shows Theo waiting by Cocos front door like a true gentleman.

He waits at her door every night for their nightly play date and gets worried if she takes too long to come play or forgets to text him she made it home safe, the video, which has garnered over 3.8 million views as of June 27, said.

Unfortunately for Theo, Cocos owners had already taken her for a lap around the Irvine community, the video showed. Its captioned, He picks her up every night.

Theo eventually sniffed out where his lady was and sprinted to greet her.

Hall, who lived in New York for the past few years, moved back to Irvine in December, and she and Theo met Coco after moving into her new complex.

It was love at first sight.

They met on a walk in January or February and were instantly super connected, Hall said. They were instantly drawn to each other, basically infatuated with each other.

Halls neighbor lived across the community but recently moved to a new unit near her building, leaving Theo and Coco aware of where each other lives.

We basically time it now. We text with the other owner, and they meet up twice a day. Once in the afternoon and once at night before bedtime, Hall said.

But Hall said Theo is eager to see his girlfriend.

About 15 minutes before were supposed to meet up, Theo starts pacing, she said. If you even say her name, he perks up, whines and barks.

From their meet cute of a walk in the park, the couples relationship has evolved. Now, the two even partake in sleepovers.

Cocos owner is a teacher so shell sometimes come over and hang out with Theo when shes at work, Hall said. When me and my boyfriend go out of town, Theo usually sleeps over at Cocos.

Commenters were quick to express their adoration for Theos devotion to Coco with one saying, He even greeted the parents first. What a gentleman.

Another joked and said, This dog makes more of an effort than 90% of men Ive dated.

As for more Theo and Coco content, Hall said, Were going to try and make this a series. The comments on our TikTok were literally demanding more cuteness.

Irvine is about 40 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

27-year-old TikToker faces cancer treatment with hilarious outlook. See inspiring videos

Watch TikTokers flight to NC turn into a private party after an 18-hour delay

Best last day on Earth. Dog owner documents pets final day in heartwarming TikTok
A doll depicting the head of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at an event marking the anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, February 25

The Wagner mercenary company is fully funded by the Russian state, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin admitted during a meeting with military officials on June 27.

Read also: Russian propaganda reports rise in Putins popularity despite Wagner debacle

The country has paid Wagner mercenaries for the last year (as of May 2022) over RUB 86 billion (over $3.2 billion), including RUB 70 billion ($820 million) for fighters' needs and RUB 15 billion ($180 million) for "incentive payments." So-called "insurance payments" took another RUB 110 billion ($1.3 billion).

The Concord company, owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, is Wagners real owner, Putin said without naming him. The company allegedly earned a total of RUB 80 billion ($940,000) last year by providing food supplies to the Russian army.

Read also: Criminal case against Prigozhin still ongoing, reports Russian media

Most likely, Putin mixed up the incomes of Concord and its owner  as it was Prigozhin personally who received budgetary funding of RUB 80 billion for food supplies for the army last year, Russian independent news outlet Current TV noted on Telegram.

The Russian BBC service, however, noted that Putin has paid Wagner Group's bills since 2019.

"As for private security companies... this is not the Russian state," the Kremlin's leader said about the status of the Wagner fighters killed in Syria.

The Russian human rights project Gulagu.net writes that due to his comments, Putin has actually admitted to sponsoring terrorism  as Wagner has been accused of conducting terrorist attacks in nearly all areas of its operation throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The News

Russian president Vladimir Putin admitted Tuesday that Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group  which orchestrated a short-lived rebellion against the Russian military  was entirely state-funded.

In a televised address, Putin said that the mercenary group, whose forces have fought in Ukraine, was given 86 billion rubles (approx. $1 billion) for its services between May 2022 and May 2023. The funding was allocated for in Russias annual budget, Putin said.

Many Russia watchers have long suspected that Wagner was fully financed by the state.

Know More

Putin said he also gave another 80 billion rubles to a catering company owned by Prigozhin who is known by the moniker Putins Chef.

Wagner has carried out mercenary activities around the world, including in several African countries. In the Central African Republic, Wagner has been accused of executing civilians.

Insights

The Wagner Group may have had some level of autonomy, but was always under orders from the Kremlin, the FTs Christopher Miller notes, given its dependence on the government for arms and funds.

Prigozhins coup failed because most coups fail and are contingent on tiny details, University College London professor Brian Klaas notes in his newsletter. Since most who plot to overthrow the government arent usually announcing their intentions, it can be nearly impossible to plan ahead, and dictators usually coup-proof their regimes.

Post-coup attempt, expect to see people shuffled out of Putins inner circle as he looks to hold onto power. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that its unlikely Putin will blame himself for Prigozhins rebellion, and instead point fingers at others within the Kremlin for allowing the situation to spiral.

Correction

A previous version of this story misstated the amount of rubles Prigozhin was paid by the Kremlin.
(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Monday paid tribute to pilots who were killed during the failed weekend mutiny, confirming earlier reports by military bloggers that several planes were shot down by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner militia.

Wagner fighters on Saturday took control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and its military command centre steering the Ukraine campaign, then driving an armed convoy within 200 km (125 miles) of Moscow before aborting their insurrection.

"The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences," Putin said in his first public address about the mutiny since the weekend events.

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.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. It was also not clear in what circumstances the aircraft were shot down and pilots killed.

Putin said he had deliberately let Saturday's mutiny go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed, blaming Wagner for the deaths that did occur.

"They lied to them, they pushed them to death: under fire, to shoot their own," Putin said.

Without mentioning Prigozhin's name in his speech, Putin said Wagner fighters who decided not to sign contracts with the army under a Defence Ministry order could either relocate to Belarus or simply return to their families.

One senior Russian lawmaker, however, called for punishment.

"I believe that forgiveness should not apply to those rebels who killed the pilots, in fact, their comrades-in-arms," lawmaker Leonid Slutsky, who has been involved in a number of negotiations related to Moscow's campaign in Ukraine.

"These people should be brought to justice and suffer the most severe punishment."

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Putin may have set a trap for Wagner fighters by letting them flee to Belarus, military experts say

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. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Wagner fighters may not be safe in Belarus as it could be a trap after their uprising, the ISW said.

Belarus won't be a "true haven" for Wagner and its leader if the Kremlin intervenes, it said.

Another expert said he would be "very surprised" if Prigozhin was still alive in a few month's time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may have tricked Wagner Group fighters with the option of going to Belarus, experts at the Washington DC-based Institute for the Study of War said.

The ISW said in an update on Monday that "Putin may be presenting Belarus as a haven for Wagner fighters as a trap."

Following the group's dramatic uprising that threatened Russia's domestic security, Putin said on Monday that Wagner mercenaries could exit the country and go to Belarus with their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, or they could return to civilian life, or sign contracts with Russia's defense ministry.

But "the Kremlin will likely regard the Wagner Group personnel who follow Prigozhin to Belarus as traitors whether or not it takes immediate action against them," the ISW said.

And if the Kremlin pressures Belarus, it said, "Belarus will not offer Prigozhin or Wagner fighters a true haven."

Another expert also said Prigozhin could soon end up being punished harshly.

Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group, told CNBC that Prigozhin is a "kind of dead man walking at this point."

"I would be very surprised that he's still with us in a few months' time," he said.

The Wagner Group's short-lived uprising, which humiliated Putin and provided what experts said was the biggest threat during his decades in power, came after months of feuding between the Wagner Group and Russia's military brass.

Over the weekend, Wagner mercenaries took over the military headquarters in the key Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and started to march towards Moscow.

After a day of tensions, Belarus' president, Alexander Lukashenko, announced on Saturday night that he had mediated and that the uprising was over.

The Kremlin said the deal included Prigozhin going into exile in Belarus, Russia's neighbor and closest ally, which is seen as something of a Russian puppet state.

Prigozhin said in a video on Monday that he started the uprising because "society demanded it" and that "it was not our goal to overthrow the regime," The Guardian reported.

He also said that he accepted Russia's deal to avoid bloodshed.

It is not clear where Prigozhin is as of Tuesday, but the ISW noted unconfirmed reports that he was in a hotel in Minsk, Belarus' capital.

Russian media outlet Verstka reported that Belarus is constructing a base for around 8,000 Wagner fighters 124 miles from its border with Ukraine.

In a speech on Monday, Putin said the mutiny threatened Russia. He did not name Prigozhin, and did not repeat his earlier comments that those behind it would be punished.

The ISW said that Putin likely didn't arrest Wagner commanders for treason because Russia needs "trained and effective manpower."

The Wagner Group has provided a military boost for Russia since it launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, at times leading initiatives in key battles and displaying brutal tactics that Russia's military later started to copy.

But the groups had an escalating feud, with Prigozhin accusing Russian military leadership of not giving his fighters ammunition and trying to "destroy" his group.

Prigozhin also said earlier this month said he was refusing the Ministry of Defence's efforts to bring his group under its control.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Putin needs Wagner forces, and he will not forgive those who follow Prigozhin  ISW

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War believe that Russian president Vladimir Putin, with his statements about the mutiny, is trying to keep the Wagner fighters to use them in the war, and he will not forgive those who, instead of joining the Russian Ministry of Defence, follow Prigozhin to Belarus.

Source: ISW report on 26 June

Quote from ISW: "Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a speech on 26 June seeking to persuade as many Wagner fighters and leaders as possible to join the Russian military and continue fighting against Ukraine and to cause individuals most loyal to Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin to self-identify."

"Putin praised the work of Wagner Group commanders likely in an effort to retain them as the Wagner Group integrates into the MoD.

Details: Condemning the organisers of the armed rebellion as traitors and thanking the self-proclaimed president of Belarus for his help in the negotiations, Putin did not mention Prigozhin by name. But analysts believe that Putin's speech leaves little room for any rapprochement with the leader of the Wagner Private Military Company.

The Russian president once again called Ukraine the real enemy and offered the Wagner fighters three options: continue to "serve Russia" by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defence or other Russian special services, resign and go home, or go to Belarus.

Quote from ISW: "Putin could have arrested the Wagner commanders for treason but instead offered to forgive and integrate Wagner forces  which indicates his need for trained and effective manpower. Putin is also likely attempting to finalise the Russian MoD-initiated formalisation effort."

Details: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also assured his foreign colleagues on 26 June that Wagner PMC will continue operations in Mali and the Central African Republic.

Analysts also report that Wagner is continuing to recruit people in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Tyumen.

At the same time, ISW believes that some of the Wagner units may follow Prigozhin to Belarus, where camps are already being built for their accommodation.

Lukashenko may try to use Prigozhin's fighters to balance Russia's long-standing efforts to establish a permanent military presence in Belarus, although, as ISW points out, it remains unclear how successful Lukashenko will be in attracting the Wagner fighters or in denying Russia the extradition of Prigozhin's fighters who may be stationed in Belarus.

Analysts write that Prigozhin's personal whereabouts remain unknown as of 26 June, although some unconfirmed reports indicate that he is staying at the Green City Hotel in western Minsk.

It is also indicated that Belarus will not offer the mercenaries real asylum if the Kremlin puts pressure on it. Therefore, asylum in Belarus could become a trap.

Quote from ISW: "The Kremlin will likely regard the Wagner Group personnel who follow Prigozhin to Belarus as traitors whether or not it takes immediate action against them. Putin notably stated that Wagner Group fighters are permitted to go to Belarus and that Putin will keep his unspecified promise about Wagner fighters who choose to do so. The long-term value of that promise, Putins speech notwithstanding, is questionable.

Wagner Group personnel in Belarus are unlikely to remain safe from Russian extradition orders if Putin reneges and charges them with treason."

Details: Moreover, Lukashenko previously handed over 33 Wagner fighters detained in Belarus to Moscow.

Analysts said that the future of the Wagner group is unclear, but it will probably not include Evgeny Prigozhin and may not continue to exist as a separate or unitary body.

It is also reported that the Kremlin will probably try to replace Wagner's leader to distance the PMC from Prigozhin's betrayal in case Putin decides to keep Wagner as a separate entity.

At the time of writing, the Kremlin had not made any statements about the fate of the Wagner PMC.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Beijing has intensified international exchange, welcomed more global organizations, and improved its exchange facilities and services, as part of the efforts to develop itself into an international exchange center, the city's foreign affairs office said at a press conference Monday.

Over the past five years, Beijing has received 605 delegations from foreign states and political parties, said Xiong Jiuling, director of the municipal foreign affairs office. In the first half of this year, Beijing received 78 such delegations, twice that in the past three years. In addition, the city logged 113,000 visits by tourists from overseas in the first quarter, up 49% compared with the same period last year.

To date, 226 multinationals have opened regional headquarters in Beijing, the number of foreign-funded companies reached 50,000, 113 international organizations have registered in the city, and 260 international sister cities and friendly exchange cities have been established at municipal and district levels, according to Xiong. Beijing ranks first in China for the number of headquarters and representative offices of international organizations.

Beijing has also accelerated its construction of international exchange facilities, including the second phase of the China National Exhibition Center, and three landmarks in the city's sub-center.

More convenient services have been provided through an official website that integrates information release, public services and interactive functions, said Zhu Qin, deputy director of Beijing Government Service Administrative Bureau. Available in eight languages, it offers foreign-funded companies and expats detailed information regarding investment, business, work, study, daily life and travel.

The website also provides more than 300 guidelines on services as well as appointments for over 50 services frequently accessed by foreigners. The city's 12345 service hotline can now deal with enquiries in eight languages, while 435 government affairs service centers and 369 foreign language service windows across Beijing provide multilingual services.
Putin will not replace Shoigu yet, so as not to look like he has given in to Prigozhin  ISW

ISW analysts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not change the head of the Ministry of Defence for the time being, so that it does not look like he is fulfilling the demand of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was seeking Sergei Shoigus dismissal.

Source: ISW report on 26 June

Quote from ISW: "The Kremlin is likely attempting to signal that Shoigu will maintain his position for now and that Putin will not give into Prigozhins blackmail attempt."

Details: This is probably supported by the announcement of the Russian Ministry of Defence that on 26 June, Shoigu allegedly visited an unspecified forward command post of the Western Group of Russian troops in Ukraine. This was his first public appearance after Prigozhin's march on Rostov-on-Don and Moscow.

Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that the Western Group of Forces is operating on the Kupiansk-Svatove front in Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts.

It was reported that Shoigu met with Western Group of Forces commander Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov and set him the task of preventing the advance of Ukrainian troops at the front.

At the same time, ISW analysts emphasise that Shoigu did not visit the headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces in Rostov-on-Don after the city was seized by the Wagner fighters, and did not communicate in any other way with the forces of the Russian Armed Forces in the south of Ukraine after the end of the armed rebellion.

Even though Russian military bloggers continued to speculate on the topic of a change in the Russian military command, in particular mentioning the name of Alexei Dyumin, the governor of Tula Oblast, for the post of Shoigu, analysts do not believe that Putin will quickly carry out such a shift.

"It is currently unclear if the Kremlin will replace Shoigu and Gerasimov, but it is unlikely that the Kremlin would make such drastic command changes immediately since doing so would seem to be conceding to Prigozhins demands. ISW has previously assessed that Putin values loyalty, and Shoigu and Gerasimov have demonstrated their allegiance to Putin," analysts conclude.

For reference: According to Russian pro-war media and Telegram channels, 13 to 20 people were killed as a result of the mutiny by Wagner Group fighters.

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.

Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, acknowledged the deaths of Russian pilots during the rebellion by the mercenaries of the Wagner Group, but he did not make any high-profile statements on this matter. On the contrary, he met with the heads of law enforcement agencies and thanked them for "suppressing" the rebellion of Wagner Group mercenaries and also thanked the Wagners fighters themselves for "not resorting to fratricidal bloodshed".

Background:

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
(Reuters) -Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin flew into exile in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal that ended a brief mutiny by his fighters, as President Vladimir Putin praised his armed forces for averting a civil war.

A plane linked to Prigozhin was shown on a flight tracking service taking off from the southern Russian city of Rostov early on Tuesday and landing in Belarus.

"I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane," state news agency BELTA quoted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as saying. "Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today."

In Moscow, Putin sought to reassert his authority after the mutiny led by Prigozhin in protest against the Russian military's handling of the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian authorities also dropped a criminal case against his Wagner Group mercenary force, state news agency RIA reported, apparently fulfilling another condition of the deal brokered by Lukashenko late on Saturday that defused the crisis.

Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose mercenaries have fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war and taken heavy casualties, had earlier said he would go to neighbouring Belarus at the invitation of Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin and an acquaintance of the Wagner chief.

Ukraine hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny attempt will undermine Russian defences as Ukraine presses a counteroffensive to recapture occupied territory in the south and east.

There was little news about progress on the battlefield on Tuesday, but two Russian missiles struck a restaurant in the eastern city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration, said on Telegram that four people were killed and 42 injured, including a child.

The building was reduced to a twisted web of metal beams. "None of the glass, windows or doors are left. All I see is destruction, fear and horror," Valentyna, 64, said.

Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians since launching what it terms a "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.

'YOU HAVE STOPPED CIVIL WAR'

Early on Tuesday, flight tracking service Flightradar24's website showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in U.S. sanctions documents, descending near the Belarus capital Minsk.

It first appeared on the tracking site above Rostov, the southern Russian city that Prigozhin's fighters captured during the mutiny.

Prigozhin was seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders as he rode out of Rostov in the back of an SUV after ordering his men to stand down. He has not yet been seen in public in Belarus.

Putin meanwhile told some 2,500 Russian security personnel at a ceremony on a square in the Kremlin complex in Moscow that the people and the armed forces stood together in opposition to the rebel mercenaries.

"You have saved our motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war," he said.

Putin was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal had been one of the mutineers' main demands.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing on Tuesday the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented.

Russian leaders have tried to convey that the situation is returning to normal. Peskov dismissed the idea that Putin's grip on power had been shaken by the mutiny, calling such thoughts "hysteria".

DEMONSTRATION OF PROTEST

Prigozhin, 62, said he launched the mutiny to save his group after being ordered to place it under command of the defence ministry, which he has cast as ineffectual in the war in Ukraine.

His fighters halted their campaign on Saturday to avert bloodshed after nearly reaching Moscow, he said. "We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message on Monday.

Lukashenko said on Tuesday that his country offered Wagner fighters an abandoned military base. "Please - we have a fence, we have everything - put up your tents," Lukashenko said, according to BELTA.

The prospect of Wagner establishing a base in Belarus was greeted with alarm by some of its neighbours. Latvia and Lithuania called for NATO to strengthen its eastern borders in response, and Polish President Andrzej Duda described the move a "negative signal".

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said deployment of Wagner fighters in Belarus would destabilise neighbouring countries.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting with leaders of seven NATO countries in the Hague that the alliance "sent a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally, every inch of NATO territory."

Washington, which has given Ukraine more than $10 billion in military assistance, announced $500 million in new aid including vehicles and munitions, according to a Pentagon statement.

(Reporting by Reuters journalists; writing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Cynthia Osterman; editing by Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and Grant McCool)
The short-lived mutiny by the Wagner mercenary forces against Russian President Vladimir Putin has bolstered the cause of defense hawks pressing for more money for Ukraine.

Divisions among House Republicans regarding support for Ukraine have posed real challenges for hawkish lawmakers hoping to provide more aid to Kyiv.

GOP critics argue the funding is a drain on U.S. resources, and the recently passed debt ceiling deal imposed a strict cap on defense spending.

Now, the revolt led by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has raised significant questions about Putins strength  doubts the Russian leader tried to dispel with on-camera remarks Monday evening.

Those arguing for a further bolstering of Ukraine can argue the Western support is really making a difference in the grinding war, and defense experts and GOP aides predict it will be tougher for deficit-minded Republicans to shut down a push for a Ukraine spending supplemental.

This has shown real weakness in the political command  not just the military  of the Russian federation, and its an opportunity for us and the Ukrainians. Lets get this war done. Lets get the Russians while theyre disorganized politically and militarily and stop dragging it out, said Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute and former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia and Ukraine in the Obama administration.

Farkas said Putins decision to negotiate with Prigozhin to avert a potential civil war undercuts the arguments of some policymakers who oppose military aid out of fear of escalating the conflict in Ukraine.

One of the arguments against providing too much equipment has been  at least I would say maybe more on the left than the right  fear of Putin somehow escalating. We have seen he is a rational actor, she added. I would say weve seen evidence that he might actually back down if hes facing a loss in Ukraine. Ultimately, what matters more to him than expanding the empire is his political survival.

The mutiny, which had been described as an attempted coup against Putin, changes the narrative in Washington about the war, which in recent weeks had focused on the slow pace and costly gains of Ukraines long-awaited counteroffensive.

The sudden, if temporary, defection of Russias vanguard private military force now raises the prospect that Putins decision to invade Ukraine has dramatically undermined his grip on power.

A Senate Republican aide said the Biden administration has an opportunity to press Congress for more money for the war in Ukraine, despite President Biden reaching a deal with McCarthy only a month ago to set a cap on defense spending.

Ill be very curious if the administration does anything out of the ordinary in the next few weeks, the aide said, adding that defense hawks would like the administration to put together a request for a new Ukraine and defense supplemental spending package soon.

When members come back [from the July 4 recess], I expect that hawkish Republicans and Democrats [will] make the argument that this is not the time to slow down, in fact, we should accelerate as we should have been doing all along, the aide said. Its a unique opportunity.

When you get opportunities like this, when the enemy has no real cohesion, these are the opportunities to strike, the aide added, noted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is expected to stretch into the fall.

Prigozhins army of mercenary professional soldiers and raw prison recruits served on the front lines of the war and delivered one of Russias biggest military victories after a long, drawn-out battle over the city of Bakhmut.

His decision to march on Russias southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then toward Moscow may have created new gaps in the lines.

Prior to the Prigozhin-led mutiny, which for about 24 hours appeared to put Moscow itself under military threat, the Biden administration was not expected to submit its proposal for another emergency supplemental spending package until September.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has made an argument on the Senate floor nearly every day in recent weeks for continued support for the war and NATO allies.

McConnell noted on the Senate floor June 21 that even Japan and Taiwan, non-NATO allies, have devoted serious resources to Ukraines defense.

The Senate GOP leader has said that defeating the Russian invasion of Ukraine will deter a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Some policy experts, however, dont think the divisions exposed by the short-lived mutiny will end the debate over sending tens of billions of dollars in new U.S. funding to help Ukraine expel the invading Russian army.

The mutiny is definitely a sign of weakness for Putin, but its not enough to quiet increasing calls to ramp down funding for the war. After over $160 billion spent with no end in sight, there will be a lot of pressure on Republicans against cutting yet another big check later this year. It certainly wont come without a sizable fight, said John Ullyot, a former spokesman for the Trump administrations National Security Council.

Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who specializes in U.S. defense strategy and the use of military force, said its too soon to know the full implications of what the aborted mutiny means for the course of the war.

By later this summer, well also know about whether the Wagner group has been largely integrated into the Russian military. Just as importantly, well learn more about the prospects of Ukraines offensive, he said.

The wild card in the upcoming battle in Congress over more money for Ukraine is Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

Proponents of continued U.S. military and economic aid to Ukraine view McCarthy as generally supportive of the cause, but given his narrow five-seat majority, the Speaker has been careful to cater to House conservatives concerned about the nations $32 trillion debt.

A small group of House conservatives have called for an end to U.S. military and economic aid to Ukraine, and they have potential allies in the Senate, such as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who last year delayed a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine.

McCarthy earlier this month poured cold water on the idea of passing an emergency supplemental spending package anytime soon, given that Congress just passed a bill to cap defense spending at $886 billion for fiscal 2024.

McCarthy declared in October there would be no blank check to Ukraine if Republicans won the House majority during the following months elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Israel on May 1, though, McCarthy emphasized: I vote for aid for Ukraine, I support aid for Ukraine.

A second Senate Republican aide said GOP senators think McCarthy will support a Ukraine and defense spending supplemental when the time comes, but right now believe his focus is on managing the politics of his House GOP conference.

I think McCarthy is trying to survive one day at a time. His comments in Israel were noteworthy, the aide said. Hes got plenty of things keeping him busy over in the House.

The aide said the mutiny within Russias armed forces shows staying the course is the right thing to do and there are weaknesses on the other side.

Danielle Pletka, a distinguished senior fellow in foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, said support for the war among Republicans is solid expect for those ideological opponents.

Ideological opponents arent going to be persuaded by this, because they dont think we should be doing anything anyway, she said. If you dont think we should be in Ukraine, the idea that Russia is crumbling and could collapse isnt going to persuade you that we should be in Ukraine. Its not a logical argument; its an ideological argument. So the facts are kind of immaterial.

She said every Russia expert will tell you [the war] has been hugely destabilizing to [Putin].

Prigozhin put it best. He basically said there was nothing go on [in Ukraine], there was no cause to start this war and were not winning. Those are three pretty fatal accusations, Pletka noted.

A survey released Sunday by the Reagan Presidential Foundation showed that three-quarters of Americans think its important to U.S. national security that Ukraine win the war against Russia, including 86 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans.

The poll of 1,254 U.S. adults conducted from May 30 to June 6 showed that 59 percent support sending U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Putin says he hopes Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries 'didn't steal much' of the billions Russia spent on them

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses troops from the defence ministry, National Guard, FSB security service and interior ministry gathered on the Sobornaya (Cathedral) Square from the porch of the the Palace of the Facets on the grounds of the Kremlin in central Moscow on June 27, 2023. SERGEI GUNEYEV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Putin revealed on Tuesday Russia spent billions on Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries.

He then said that he hopes "no one stole anything  or, let's say, didn't steal much."

Putin's comment seems to suggest some theft is expected, highlighting the state of corruption in Russia.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday Moscow spent billions on Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries, he quipped he hopes they "didn't steal much" in a telling comment on the corruption running rampant in Russia, as well as potential plans for Prigozhin.

In a meeting just days after Prigozhin called off his rebellion against the Russian Ministry of Defense and his march on Moscow, Putin said that Russia had fully financed Wagner operations between May 2022 and May 2023.

During much of that time, Wagner's paramilitary forces were engaged in costly, high-intensity warfare in Ukraine, particularly in Bakhmut, while the group's leader publicly feuded with the defense ministry, specifically the defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff and head of war operations in Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Putin revealed the Russian government spent 86 billion rubles, or roughly $1 billion, on support for Wagner, The New York Times reported, and the Concord catering company founded by Prigozhin, who has been nicknamed "Putin's Chef," received roughly 80 billion rubles for supply contracts with the Russian military.

He then hinted at potential consequences for those who may have run off with the money, at least above certain limits. Though he didn't call out his long-time ally Prigozhin by name, there are indications he could pursue him and others for corruption.

"I hope that in the course of this work, no one stole anything  or, let's say, didn't steal much," the Russian president said, according to a translation from The Times. "But we will certainly get to the bottom of this."

Corruption is recognized as a serious problem in Russia, where opposition figures with anti-corruption agendas have been jailed for speaking out about illicit operations running all the way to the top. Such was the case for Alexei Navalny, an imprisoned critic of the Kremlin and Putin.

And, in an almost Soviet tradition, it extends beyond just politics into the military as well.

A former Russian air force lieutenant who later worked as an analyst for state media before leaving the country over the war in Ukraine told The New York Times last year, just a few months into the war in Ukraine, "it is impossible to imagine the scale of lies inside the military."

The man described Russian commanders faking military exercises and then pocketing funds and contractors delivering sub-par systems to skim cash from dedicated budget allocations.

The veteran of the Russian military, Gleb Irisov, told The Times that he saw air defense systems that couldn't even shoot down small drones, military vehicles that would break down after only a couple of years, and parts on fighter jets that would troublingly melt at supersonic speeds.

"The quality of military production is very low because of the race to steal money," he said, describing a tradition of problematic rot in the Russian ranks and defense industry.

There is more to Putin's comments than an acknowledgement of the corruption.

His statement Tuesday on financing for Wagner suggests that the private military company's employees once celebrated as heroes after their Pyrrhic victory in Bakhmut may still be facing punishment beyond what the Russian leader initially let on.

The full consequences of Prigozhin and Wagner's revolt remain to be seen.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the countrys military and law enforcement officers stopped a civil war after fighters from the Wagner Group agreed to end their armed rebellion this past weekend.

Putin said in a speech to Russian soldiers and law enforcement officers at the Kremlin that the real army and the Russian people at large did not support the actions of the mercenary organization led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.

He slammed the forces advance toward Moscow in a Monday address to the country, calling the organizers of the rebellion traitors and arguing they were helping the Ukrainian government in the conflict between the two countries.

Putin did not specifically name Prigozhin, but he commended the Wagner Groups fighters for not allowing the conflict to cause major bloodshed.

Prigozhin over the weekend led his private military contractor organization into Russian territory following months of criticizing Kremlin military leadership over its management of the war in Ukraine. He also openly denied Russias justification for the war on Friday, saying Ukraine was not threatening Russia in any way when the invasion was launched.

Russia has been largely unable to make gains in Ukrainian territory since last summer, and the two key victories for Russia were delivered by the Wagner Group.

Prigozhin said he wanted to remove Russian Defense Ministry Sergei Shoigu from his post but not overthrow Putin. The group took the town of Rostov-on-Don, where the military headquarters overseeing the war in Ukraine is located, but stood down before reaching Moscow after a deal with the Russian government was reached.

As part of the deal, none of the Wagner Group fighters were to face prosecution for their actions and Prigozhin would be sent to Belarus, an ally of Russia.

The Kremlin released a video on Monday showing Putin meeting with security, law enforcement and military officers, including Shoigu. The Russian president thanked his team for their actions to stop the rebellion, seemingly expressing continued support for Shoigu.

Putin also told the members of the Wagner Group they could join the Russian military, leave their service or go to Belarus.

Prigozhin said on Monday that Belarusian leaders had made proposals to allow Wagner to continue to operate in a legal jurisdiction.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
vladimir putin VALERY SHARIFULIN / SPUTNIK / AFP via Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin called for unity this week after a 24-hour mutiny by Wagner Group mercenaries, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had marched toward Moscow. Putin called the organizers of the rebellion "traitors" and said they "would have been suppressed anyway," but argued he gave them time to come to their senses and turn around without bloodshed. Putin met with Russia's top security chiefs  including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Prigozhin wanted Putin to fire  as he tried to project stability.

Russians linked to the Kremlin expressed relief the uprising didn't spiral into civil war, but agreed the armed mutiny by fighters who had been a key part of Russia's war effort in Ukraine posed the most serious threat yet to Putin's 23-year hold on power. "It's a huge humiliation for Putin, of course. That's obvious," a Russian oligarch who knows Putin told the Financial Times. "Thousands of people without any resistance are going from Rostov almost to Moscow, and nobody can do anything. Then [Putin] announced they would be punished, and they were not. That's definitely a sign of weakness."

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the uprising showed that Russia is "an unpredictable state." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the spectacle of Putin's government having to defend Moscow "against mercenaries of Putin's own making"  Wagner forces have been a key part of Russia's Ukraine invasion  exposed "cracks" in Putin's armor. Could this be the beginning of the end for Putin?

This shook Putin's "aura of power"

The Wagner mutiny "revealed the hidden instability of Putin's regime," said Max Boot in The Washington Post, and shook "his aura of power." And if the "infighting" in Russia distracts Putin and the Kremlin from the war in Ukraine, it could help Kyiv "score more battlefield successes," further undermining Putin's grip on power. "There is a lesson here for all future tyrants who might think of launching wars of aggression. Are you paying attention, Xi Jinping?"

This "fiasco" cost Putin his image as the person who "provides stability and guarantees security" to Russia's elite, Konstantin Remchukov, a Moscow newspaper editor with Kremlin connections, told Anton Troianovski of The New York Times. This could lead people close to Putin to try to persuade him not to run for re-election next spring, something they otherwise wouldn't have dared. "If I was sure a month ago that Putin would run unconditionally because it was his right," Remchukov said, "now I see that the elites can no longer feel unconditionally secure."

This might embolden Putin

This event is far from Putin's downfall, Nikolai Sokov, a senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Nonproliferation, said in Politico. "In fact, his support among the military might increase  both from Shoigu and top brass, but perhaps more importantly from generals and officers at the frontline." It might even have "helped somewhat defuse tensions that had been growing within the Russian body politic." Putin might "escalate hostilities" in Ukraine to "demonstrate, to Ukrainians and to the West, that he has not been weakened," said Serge Schmemann in The New York Times. A "few uniformed heads" might roll, but getting rid of some lousy generals won't hurt Russia's war effort. Putin also might use this as an excuse to launch an "even more vicious crackdown" on any Russian who questions him or his war.

It was telling that "nobody seemed to mind, particularly, that a brutal new warlord" was threatening Putin's regime, said Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic. Normally, "a certain kind of autocrat, of whom Putin is the outstanding example, seeks to convince people" not to pay attention to politics. Under Putin, the Kremlin has opened up "the famous 'firehose of falsehoods'" to make it impossible for people to know what's true. The idea is to make them see no point in protesting or engaging in politics at all. That has given Putin free reign. But "the side effect of apathy was on display" as citizens and the army stepped aside to let Wagner march toward the capital unchallenged. "For if no one cares about anything, that means they don't care about their supreme leader, his ideology, or his war."

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Members of the Wagner Group sit atop a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023. Roman Romokhov/AFP via Getty Images

On June 23, 2023, 16 months into Russias war with Ukraine, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Russias now disbanded potent mercenary fighting force and a protege of Russian President Vladimir, turned his troops on the Russian military and, ostensibly, the Kremlin itself.

Within 24 hours, though, Prigozhin had aborted his march to Moscow and turned his troops around. But the damage to Putins strongman image and possibly his plans to subjugate Ukraine by force had been done.

From invasion to mutiny

The war that Putin launched against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, was unprovoked. NATO presented no immediate threat to Russia. Yet, Putin and his closest advisers believed that a Western-armed-and-allied Ukraine presented an existential threat to Russias great power ambitions. And while Ukraine was not yet in NATO, Putin felt NATO was already in Ukraine.

As most pundits and analysts in the West repeatedly state, Putins adventure failed in its immediate goal  to overthrow the government in Kyiv and establish some form of Russian control of this huge neighbor.

Instead, Putin achieved everything that he did not desire: a strong, unified NATO response in defense of Ukraine; a coherent, nationally conscious, fiercely anti-Russian Ukrainian response to the invasion; and the catastrophic loss of Russian men and material. Were it not for the Wagner Group, led by one-time Putin confidant Prigozhin, Russia likely would not have even achieved its major 2023 battlefield victory over the city of Bakhmut.

Now, a weekend mutiny by Prigozhin and his mercenary force has further complicated Putins pursuit of the war. He looks weaker, and the most competent fighting force in Russias aggression against Ukraine is no longer in existence to prosecute the war.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, leaves the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Putin  Ukraines unlikely unifier

Putin proved to be the greatest contributor to Ukrainian nationalism since the 19th-century Ukrainian bard Taras Shevchenko. And just as the Russian leader has, in important ways, strengthened Ukraine, he has weakened his own country. Soon after he invaded Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of Russians from different walks of life began to leave Russia.

With the mass exodus, the Kremlin had to shift from persuasion to censorship, false narratives and greater coercion and repression to keep the public from opposing the war.

The brittle, fractured nature of the Russian state was made starkly evident between June 23 and June 24, 2023, when Prigozhin, formerly the Kremlins caterer, mutinied and began a march on Moscow to replace the leadership of the regular Russian army.

In the weeks before the mutiny, Prigozhin had become increasingly vocal about his dissatisfaction with Russias military leadership and how it was running the war.

The attempted coup fizzled, though, within a day. After a fierce speech by Putin calling the mutineers traitors to the fatherland and promising harsh punishment, Prigozhin folded and agreed to go into exile in Belarus. Moscow promised not to retaliate further, and a bloody civil war was avoided.

People from the Ukrainian diaspora, along with activists, gather at the main Market Square in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, to commemorate Ukrainians who defended the city of Mariupol in Ukraine against Russia. Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Cracks in the Russian state

Many geopolitical pundits in the West asserted that Putin had been weakened by the mutiny. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted the cracks in the Russian state but hesitated to predict what the future held. The U.S. government held back from commenting further, not wanting to be associated with any connection to what had transpired in Russia. But I believe it is also possible that some may see Putin as a shrewd mediator who prevented Russian-against-Russian bloodshed. He cannot be counted out.

In such a murky and fast-moving sequence of coup and collapse, I believe the U.S. government must carefully calculate its own interests and attempt to scope out what might transpire in Russia in the near future. If Putin were no longer in power, the war in Ukraine could end, though probably with the de facto retention of Crimea within Russia because it is a special case. Taken by Catherine the Great from the Ottomans and local Tatars, Crimea was part of Russia until Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev gave it to Ukraine in 1954. Russians consider this an ancient patrimony of Russia, and any Russian government would be hard put to give the peninsula back to Ukraine.

Although seldom openly stated, U.S. goals have recently consisted of regime change in Moscow and a weaker Russia, which by its very size and geopolitical location remains a security threat to Europe and former Soviet states. Putin has managed to make Russia an international pariah, and it is difficult to imagine a secure international system that would include the current Russian regime.

US and NATO committed to Ukrainian victory

The United States and NATO are committed to a Ukrainian victory in the war and are willing to pay for it materially. Many leaders in the NATO alliance believe the sacrifices that Ukrainians have made for their independence and sovereignty will be rewarded with a major role in the security structure of the post-war European order. Whether that will mean formal membership in NATO is yet to be negotiated.

What has to be decided in the strategic calculations for a post-war settlement is how to manage Ukraines relationship with Russia. A return to the earlier agreed-upon Minsk II agreement  a neutral Ukraine and a federal relationship with the Donbas  seems impossible, though it would probably be acceptable to Moscow, if not to Kyiv.

If Russia is to retreat from much of its occupied territory in Ukraine, would it then be treated as the loser in the war, which the Kremlin may not accept? Would Russia be forced to pay reparations for the damage it has done to Ukraine? In my view, that would certainly be morally justified but not enforceable without a total defeat of the aggressor. And Russias nuclear arsenal certainly complicates any equation. There is no way to know whether a defeated, humiliated Russia would be willing to turn to nuclear weapons as a last resort.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomes NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during an honor cordon at the Pentagon on Feb. 8, 2023, in Washington. Austin and Stoltenberg met to discuss a range of issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

From mutiny there may be resolution

From my perspective, there is a utopian solution, sensible if difficult to achieve.

With Russia weakened by the Prigozhin mutiny, Putin may be willing to rethink continuation of the war. An immediate cease-fire could be declared as a first step toward negotiations and a compromise that could end the war.

From Ukraines perspective, a possible compromise might include removal of all Russian forces from Ukraine, with the exception of Crimea; reparations by Russia for damage done to the country; and a commitment from the West to help rebuild Ukraine.

Russia may want international guarantees that Ukraine will not join NATO, but would be free to become a member of the European Union, and the beginning of talks focusing on a new international security structure. That structure would bring Russia, China and India, as well as other countries, into some form of cooperative system guaranteeing the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Ronald Suny, University of Michigan.

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Ronald Suny 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.
Heres how quickly daylight will dwindle in Pennsylvania after the summer solstice

Summer has officially begun in Central Pennsylvania, and the days will become shorter in the region and across the hemisphere.

This years summer solstice took place June 21, the longest day of 2023, according to Space.com.

The summer solstice is when the sun travels its northernmost path, according to the Old Farmers Almanac. While this signifies the astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now that the summer solstice has passed, the days will get progressively shorter until the winter solstice in late December.

How quickly will the days shorten in State College?

The shortest day of the year, or the day with the least amount of daylight, will be the winter solstice Dec. 21, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

The days will gradually shorten throughout the summer and fall. Here are some projected sunrise and sunset times for various dates in State College, from timeanddate.com:
Heres how quickly Kentucky will lose daylight after this years summer solstice

Summer has officially begun in Central Kentucky, and the days will become shorter in the region and across the hemisphere.

This years summer solstice took place June 21, the longest day of 2023, according to Space.com.

The summer solstice is when the sun travels its northernmost path, according to the Old Farmers Almanac. While this signifies the astronomical beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it marks the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

Now that the summer solstice has passed, the days will get progressively shorter until the winter solstice in late December.

How quickly will the days shorten in Lexington?

The shortest day of the year, or the day with the least amount of daylight, will be the winter solstice Dec. 21, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.

The days will gradually shorten throughout the summer and fall. Here are some projected sunrise and sunset times for various dates in Lexington, from timeanddate.com:

June 30: 6:18 a.m. sunrise, 9:04 p.m. sunset

July 15: 6:27 a.m. sunrise, 9 p.m. sunset

July 31: 6:39 a.m. sunrise, 8:48 p.m. sunset

Aug. 15: 6:52 a.m. sunrise, 8:31 p.m. sunset

Aug. 31: 7:06 a.m. sunrise, 8:09 p.m. sunset

Sept. 15: 7:19 a.m. sunrise, 7:46 p.m. sunset

Sept. 30: 7:32 a.m. sunrise, 7:22 p.m. sunset

Oct. 15: 7:46 a.m. sunrise, 7 p.m. sunset

Oct. 31: 8:02 a.m. sunrise, 6:39 p.m. sunset

Nov. 15: 7:18 a.m. sunrise, 5:25 p.m. sunset (Daylight saving time ends Nov. 5.)

Nov. 30: 7:33 a.m. sunrise, 5:18 p.m. sunset

Dec. 15: 7:46 a.m. sunrise, 5:19 p.m. sunset

Dec. 21 (day of the winter solstice): 7:50 a.m. sunrise, 5:21 p.m. sunset

Dec. 31: 7:53 a.m. sunrise, 5:27 p.m. sunset

Do you have a question about the night sky in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
Rainn Wilson shares what he struggled with while on The Office

Rainn Wilson has been on a personal path of spirituality.

TODAYs Jenna Bush Hager sat down with The Office star during the In Search of a Soul Boom panel at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado on Monday, June 26.

In April, the actor released his book titled Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution," about his journey on how embracing spirituality can help people navigate increasingly challenging times and global issues such as racism, sexism, materialism and climate change.

The opening of his book asks the question: Why is the actor who portrays Dwight Schrute writing a book on spirituality?

Theres a number of different reasons, Wilson said. One, is I grew up a member of the Bahai faith  people dont know this but I have a secret inner Oprah.

Rainn Wilson. (NBC News)

The second is he left his faith in his 20s as he moved to New York to study acting. But the move prompted a kind of mental health crisis, he said, so he spent many years reading all the holy books of all the major religions.

It eventually led him back to the Bahai faith, which he said brought a lot of meaning and a lot of solace.

The actor has gone on a profound journey of discovering what makes him truly happy. Its something that he struggled with while on The Office, he said.

The actor said that he was doing a really deep dive into spirituality during his time on the hit show and while founding his company SoulPancake, creating comedic projects for people to enjoy.

While he said he loved comedy since he was a child and started to act to buy a house, Wilson joked that he didnt get into the profession to bestow upon the little people some laughter to enliven their meaningless, petty little lives.

It was necessity, not virtue, he said.

But then his perspective changed when people shared how much The Office meant to them and how the show helped them in some way. But its been really gratifying. And as Ive moved along in my life and gained a little bit more wisdom, I realized that to act in grace, to act in divine light is something that we all do more of.

Being open about his struggles and journey, the actor now encourages people to be honest and vulnerable.

As Ive been on this book tour, people are like, Wow, youre just so open talking about your dysfunction and everything. I cant believe how honest you are, he said. And its like, Well, yeah, isnt that what we should do? Isnt that what we can do as human beings? Can we just talk about our vulnerability and our struggle and stop pretending so much?

He added, How is the younger generation going to learn and heal if they dont see the raw honesty from the older generation?

Wilson followed up his book with a new Peacock series, Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss, in which he visited countries like Ghana, Thailand, Bulgaria and Iceland, searching for the secrets to happiness.

A lot of celebrities travel the world, sampling delicious foods. God bless them, Wilson said. Im traveling the world looking for happiness, and kind of thriving human culture.

Wilson, meanwhile, noted that he believes everyone has given gifts that can make the world a better place.

So Im on a constant mission to both make myself a better person and to try and make the world a better place using the qualities that God gave me: Storytelling, humor, service to others, he said.

NBCUniversal News Group is the media partner of the Aspen Ideas Festival.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Keywords at 2023 Summer Davos

Xinhua) 08:06, June 27, 2023

TIANJIN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, will be held from Tuesday to Thursday in northern China's Tianjin City.

About 1,500 participants from business, government, international organizations, and academia will attend the event, which will offer insights into global economic development and potential in the post-pandemic era.

With the theme of "Entrepreneurship: The Driving Force of the Global Economy," the event covers six key pillars: rewiring growth; China in the global context; energy transition and materials; post-pandemic consumers; safeguarding nature and climate; and deploying innovation.

Ahead of the event, some of the participants anticipated the following keywords to be discussed at the event and shared their opinions on the topics.

WORLD ECONOMY OUTLOOK

Global GDP growth in 2023 is projected to be 2.7 percent, the lowest annual rate since the global financial crisis, except for the 2020 pandemic period, according to an economic outlook report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in June. A modest improvement to 2.9 percent is foreseen for 2024 in the report.

"I am cautiously optimistic about the Chinese and global economy," said Guo Zhen, a marketing manager with the PowerChina Eco-Environmental Group Co., Ltd.

Guo said the speed and extent of economic recovery vary from country to country, and the economic recovery also depends on the recovery of global trade and international cooperation, which requires more effort.

Tong Jiadong, a council member of the global government in Davos, said in recent years, China held many trade expos and fairs to promote the recovery of international trade and investment.

China is expected to make greater contributions to the global economic recovery, said Tong.

GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Generative artificial intelligence (AI), a major topic of several sub-forums, will also be expected to draw heated discussion.

Gong Ke, executive director of the Chinese Institute for the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, said that generative AI spurred new impetus for the intelligent transformation of thousands of businesses and industries and raised new requirements for data, algorithms, computing power, and network infrastructure.

Experts have urged management framework and standard norms based on broad social consensus, as Bloomberg's report suggested that in 2022 the industry generated revenues of around 40 billion U.S. dollars, and that figure could reach 1.32 trillion U.S. dollars by 2032.

GLOBAL CARBON MARKET

Faced with the downward pressure on the economy, the heads of multinational enterprises, foundations, and environmental protection agencies have believed that the carbon market may be the next economic growth point.

China's carbon trading market has evolved into a more mature mechanism that promotes environmental protection through market-based approaches.

Data reveals that as of May 2022, the cumulative volume of carbon emission allowances in the national carbon market is about 235 million tonnes, with the turnover amounting to nearly 10.79 billion yuan (about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars).

In 2022, Huaneng Power International, Inc., one of the power generation enterprises participating in the national carbon emission trading market, generated approximately 478 million yuan in revenue from selling the carbon emission quota.

Tan Yuanjiang, vice president of Full Truck Alliance, said the enterprise in the logistics industry established an individual carbon account scheme to encourage fewer carbon emissions. Under the scheme, more than 3,000 truck drivers nationwide have opened carbon accounts.

The scheme is expected to help reduce 150 kg of carbon emissions a month on average among these participating truck drivers.

BELT AND ROAD

In 2013, China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to foster new drivers for global development. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed documents under the BRI framework, bringing an economic boon to participating countries.

Ten years on, many enterprises have benefited from the BRI and witnessed its development globally.

Auto Custom, a Tianjin-based enterprise engaged in automobile modification and customization services, has participated in relevant automobile product projects along the Belt and Road multiple times in recent years.

"As more China-made automobiles have been exported to countries along the Belt and Road, companies along the entire industrial chain will see great development," said Feng Xiaotong, founder of Auto Custom.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
You are here: China

A plenary session of the second standing committee meeting of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory body, attended the meeting.

During the meeting, 13 members of the standing committee shared views on facilitating the creation of a new development pattern and advancing Chinese modernization.

Ning Jizhe emphasized the need to enhance sci-tech innovation and facilitate the integrated development of the real economy, digital economy and green economy.

Zheng Yongfei said that it is necessary to improve innovation capacity in the engineering technology sector. He noted that opening-up and independent research and development need to be integrated, and that a modernized industrial system needs to be developed.

On behalf of the Jiusan Society Central Committee, Qian Feng called for enhancing basic research, improving innovation and application, and moving the manufacturing sector towards high-end, smarter and greener production through sci-tech innovation.

Xie Dong emphasized the need to enhance the study and analysis of risky situations, step up financial regulation and steadily advance the handling of existing risks.

The meeting was presided over by Ho Hau Wah, a vice chairperson of the CPPCC National Committee.
Ralph Yarl, teenager shot for going to wrong house, speaks out for first time

Ralph Yarl, the 17-year-old Kansas City, Mo., resident who was shot in the head for going to the wrong house, said he is just living my life the best I can even as his mother expresses concern that he is still dealing with the trauma of the incident.

In his first interview since he was shot, Yarl told Good Morning Americas Robin Roberts that as he continues to heal, he is going to keep doing all the stuff that makes him happy.

Im just a kid and not larger than life because this happened to me, Yarl said.

Yarl was shot April 13 when he went to pick up his younger twin brothers from a friends home but accidentally went to the home of 84-year-old Andrew Lester.

Yarl said when he saw Lester open the door, he was initially confused, thinking he must be the grandfather of his brothers friends. But when he saw Lester pull out his gun, Yarl said he started backing up.

He points [the gun] at me, so I kinda, like, brace and I turn my head, Yarl told Roberts. Then it happened. And then Im on the ground, and then I fall on the glass. The shattered glass. And then before I know it, Im running away shouting, Help me, help me.

Yarl said he had to run to multiple houses before someone helped him.

I was bleeding from my head, I was like, How is this possible? Ive been shot in the head, said Yarl.

Lester told investigators he saw a black male approximately 6 feet tall pulling on the exterior storm door handle, and he fired a .32-caliber revolver.

The bullet struck Yarl in the head, and as he lay on the ground, Yarl told officers, Lester fired once more and struck him in the arm.

Yarl told Roberts that Lester then told him, Dont come here ever again.

Lester faces two felony charges in the shooting, for which he pleaded not guilty, and was released April 18 on a $200,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Yarls mother, Cleo Nagbe, told Roberts that when she received the call about her son being shot, she rushed to the hospital.

He was partially alert when we got there but it wasnt a pleasant sight, said Nagbe. It was traumatizing.

Attorney Lee Merritt, who is representing the Yarl family, has called for an investigation into the case as a hate crime.

Race is a major factor in who gets justice and who doesnt, Merritt told Roberts. In cases where theres a white man and a Black child, Ive seen over and over again the criminal justice system contort itself out of shape to find a way to justify the shooting.

Although Yarl is healing, he said there are lots of things happening in his head that arent normal. He has experienced headaches, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating. His mother agreed that his brain has slowed since the injury.

Physically he looks fine, but there is a lot that has been taken from him, said Nagbe.

Yarl said he has no room for hate toward Lester, but added the 84-year-old must face the consequences of his actions.

Justice is just the rule of the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, and age, said Yarl. He should be convicted for the crimes that he made.

He should suffer repercussions because that is what our society is made of. Trust in each other and reassurance that we can coexist together in harmony, Yarl said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Miami Herald reporter Jacqueline Charles  who has broken exclusive news and provided insightful reporting of the Caribbean for more than two decades  won a prestigious award Monday, the International Center for Journalists announced.

The ICFJ, a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. that promotes journalism worldwide since 1984, awarded Charles the ICFJ Excellence in International Reporting Award. She will collect the honor at an in-person Tribute to Journalists gala in D.C. on Nov. 2, alongside other recognized journalists.

At the gala, which will also be live streamed, the ICFJ will present a tribute video about Charles. She will deliver remarks.

On Monday, she thanked the ICFJ.

This is really an unexpected and huge honor; not just for me but for the Miami Herald and McClatchys relentless commitment to telling the Haiti story, she said in an email. We write not for awards but to tell the stories that are overlooked or under-reported, so when you are recognized by your own colleagues, it speaks volumes and I am grateful to ICFJ for this recognition.

There are so many crises around the globe; the conflict in Sudan, the war in Ukraine, to name a few. So to be recognized for my Haiti coverage, gives me hope that this story and the importance of telling it, will also capture the attention of other journalists and policy makers about its importance, Charles added.

This year, CNNs Wolf Blitzer will receive the ICFJ Founders Award winner. Jonathan Capehar of The Washington Post and MSNBC will serve as the emcee.

ONE OF HER RECENT STORIES: Canada slaps sanctions on a powerful Haitian businessman and gang leaders

Riad Kobaissi of Lebanon, an investigative journalist whose revelations of corruption foreshadowed the Beirut port explosion, and Mariam Ouedraogo of Burkina Faso, who has shown the impact of extremism in West Africa on women and children, will each get the ICFJ Knight Award.

Born in the Turks and Caicos Islands of Haitian descent, Charles began her career at the Herald as an intern at age 14. Since then, she has spent most of her career covering Haiti, the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere, and other countries of the Caribbean, often traveling for weeks to the islands.

Her widely read stories have shed light on hurricanes and other natural disasters, the aftermath of the 2021 murder of former President Jovenel Moise and the Haitian migration to the U.S.

READ HER REPORTING: Widow of Haitis slain president Jovenel Moise files lawsuit against suspects

All of these journalists exemplify why courageous reporting on the most important issues of our time  from war and terrorism to crime and corruption  is so vital, said ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi, in the Monday news release. They have risked their lives to bring us difficult, heart-wrenching stories. And their work has had an impact, focusing the worlds attention on suffering, ensuring that the most vulnerable get help, and holding the powerful to account.

The National Association of Black Journalists named Charles the Journalist of the Year for the second time in 2022. She was awarded a Maria Moors Cabot Prize  the most prestigious award for coverage of the Americas  in 2018. She was also a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of Haitis 2010 earthquake that killed at least 200,000 people.

Click here to read more of Charles articles.
Refugee left her dog behind when she fled Syria for California. Can they be reunited?

Editors note: This story mentions suicide.

The last time Nour Makhoul saw her beloved dog Tuti, she was mere hours away from leaving her home country of Syria for good  but forefront in her mind was making sure her faithful companion didnt know what was happening.

I didnt want Tuti to feel anything was wrong, Makhoul told The Tribune. I was like, Yes! Come on Tuti! We are going to visit (her friend). She was jumping and happy. And then I put her leash on her, and then my friend took her.

After Tuti left the room, Makhoul collapsed.

More than two months later, the memory still sends the 19-year-old, now living in San Luis Obispo, into tears. But there is hope on the horizon.

Thanks to an animal rescue group, and some fundraising led by local radio host Dave Congalton, Makhoul could soon be reunited with Tuti as she and her family embark on their new lives on the Central Coast.

She was my biggest motivation when she was first in my life, Makhoul said. And I need that motivation now.

A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country. This is the last photo Makhoul has of her and Tuti, taken the night before she left.

Teen flees Syria with her family for Central Coast

Makhoul and her family left Syria in the early morning hours of April 4, leaving behind most of their possessions as they fled from the war-torn nation.

Makhoul, her parents and one of her older sisters arrived in San Luis Obispo on April 5 with some help from the local nonprofit SLO4Home, which aims to help refugees find safety on the Central Coast.

So far, it has been a big adjustment for them all, particularly her parents, Makhoul said.

Its a huge step  like we left everything behind, she said. But, you know, we are here, we feel safe, so its worth it.

With plans to study computer science at Cuesta College starting in August, Makhoul is working on building her new life in the United States  but the memory of the furry little friend who helped her during some of her darkest times has stuck with her.

Their story began in 2021, while Makhoul was in her final year of high school.

That year is particularly important for Syrian students, she said, as your whole future depends on your grades. But after catching COVID-19, Makhoul was bed-ridden for two months, unable to go to school.

She said she felt like she was falling behind and soon fell into a severe state of depression; at one point, she began having thoughts of suicide.

I was so depressed, like I felt that my future is ruined forever, Makhoul said.

Then, in February 2022, her parents brought her a gift: a small white fluffy Bichon Frise she named Tuti.

It was the happiest day of my life, Makhoul said. We all will say that someone rescued a dog or a cat or something, but in this situation she rescued me. I can admit that, without her, I wouldnt be alive right now.

For the next year, Tuti was Makhouls faithful companion. She helped inspire her while she was studying for her exams, sitting beside her all day long, and helped entertain her when Makhoul needed some fun.

Because of Tuti, Makhoul said, she was able to get her grades back up and enroll in the university of her choice.

I always imagined her supporting me and saying You can do it, Nour! Makhoul laughed.

A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country.

GoFundMe raises money to bring dog to SLO County

Despite their connection, Makhoul was unable to bring Tuti with her when she and her family left Syria for SLO County.

Tuti went to stay with one of Makhouls friends who also had a dog, and Makhoul resigned herself to the fact she would likely never see her beloved pet again.

When she learned of a group called Kabul Small Animal Rescue, which specializes in getting pets out of Afghanistan, Makhoul said she realized there might be a way to reunite with Tuti.

It was like my dream in front of me, my dream was coming true, she said. Even though I have lots of dreams to achieve here, bringing Tuti here is my biggest one.

Around this time, Congalton became involved thanks to his partner, Kathy Minck, who sits on the board of SLO4Home.

He told The Tribune he learned of Makhouls story and went to go meet with her to hear more. Thats when he knew he would do everything he could to help reunite Makhoul and Tuti.

Heres this bright, articulate, intelligent, young woman  very mature, very responsible, he said. And then the second you bring up the dog, her voice cracked, she starts tearing up and Im sitting there going, Dammit, were getting the dog.

Congalton started a GoFundMe page with the intent of raising money to help pay the costs of getting Tuti to SLO County.

According to Kabul Small Animal Rescue, the funding would have to cover a range of expensive vaccinations, testing and medical procedures required by the government to allow Tuti into the country, as well as the actual transportation costs.

A GoFundMe is raising money to reunite Syrian refugee Nour Makhoul with her dog, Tuti. Makhoul arrived in San Luis Obispo in April after her family fled the war-torn country.

As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe has raised $4,050, just over its $4,000 goal. Congalton said more donations beyond the goal are welcome because the estimated cost of getting Tuti isnt set in stone.

It gets expensive, he said. You would go to the vet office, and we might pay $100. In Syria, that same test is going to cost $500, so thats why its so expensive. So between all the testing and then figuring out the logistics of transportation ... its a whole big challenge. So every dollar we get is appreciated.

Congalton warned that though they have raised the money, it might still take some time to get Tuti directly into Makhouls arms because of all the red tape.

His goal is to have Tuti here by Labor Day, he said.

Thats just my hope  by Labor Day, that dog will be here, he said.

How to get help

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988.

You can also call the Central Coast Hotline at 800-783-0607 for 24-7 assistance. To learn the warning signs of suicide, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/Getty/Reuters

An older relative of mine, while perhaps not a committed fan of former President Donald Trump, is not not a fan. And hes definitely not a fan of the legal effortsat the state level in New York, at the federal level in Florida, and perhaps in Georgia, tooto prosecute Trump on criminal charges.

Ooooh, Donald Trump used the wrong fork at dinner! Hit him with life in prison, my relative will snark. Oh no, you didnt see Trump use his turn signal! Give him 30 years!

This is a pretty standard Republican take on the allegations against their partys de facto leader: Maybe he did what hes accused of doing, but probably he didnt, and the prosecution is nothing but political persecution, so it shouldnt happen regardless. The possibility of guilt goes unacknowledged or ignored outright.

Its Not Looking Good for Trumps Coup Lawyer John Eastman

But regarding his most recent indictment (this one by the feds), which concerns Trumps personal retention of still-classified documents after his presidency, a recording CNN published Mondayin which Trump admits the papers are classified and that, as an ex-president, he no longer has the authority to declassify themseems to settle this question.

The verdict: guilty.

CNN first reported the conversation heard in the tapes earlier in June, and the partial transcription available then was striking enough. But hearing it is something else.

Theres Trump, with perhaps the most recognizable voice on Earth, saying he knowingly did exactly what hes accused of doing.

The papers are like, highly confidential, Trump explains. They are secret information. And while hed like to share them publicly, he cant, because as president, I could have declassified it. Now I can't, you know, but this is still a secret.

This tape was critical in the Justice Departments decision to move forward with prosecution, The Wall Street Journal reports, and its not difficult to see why.

Before this revelation, I was inclined to say the Georgia casein which Trump could be prosecuted for 2020 election interference, as demonstrated in the recorded phone call during which he asked state officials to find more votes for him so he could win the statewas uniquely compelling. There alone we had straightforward audio evidence of Trump doing what he was said to have done.

But with the recording released this week, remarkably, we have nearly the same thing in the documents case. A few months ago, proving Trumps ill intent looked like a major obstacle to conviction. Not so much anymore. To all appearances, this recording has Trump acknowledging not only that he had the papers but also that he knew he should not have had them. That sounds like an admission of guilt for at least some of the charges in question.

(Speaking on Fox News on Monday, Trump denied this interpretation, claiming he didnt have a document, per se, and that there was nothing to declassify because the papers heard rustling in the tape were newspaper stories, magazine stories, and articles, not classified documents. On social media he admitted the voice in the recording is his but insisted its contents actually exonerate him.)

Now, the tape seemingly settling the guilt question doesnt answer other questions about this prosecutionquestions that also deserve serious consideration.

Contrarian Defenses of RFK Jr. Are Not BraveTheyre Boring

For instance, did any actual harm come from Trumps actions here? Is this Loose lips sink ships? Or is it Loose lips put ships in real danger, and nothing happened this time, but only because you got very lucky while being very stupid?

According to the indictment, the papers included information regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the U.S. and foreign countries; U.S. nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to foreign attack.

But if any concrete damage to U.S. national security resulted from what Trump did, to my knowledge, it has yet to be reported (and perhaps never will be).

Also unknown is whether these specific documents should have been classified in the first place. That description from the indictment suggests the answer is yes, but its hard to say for certain.

Or, more broadly, does our government routinely keep too much information hidden from the public it ostensibly serves? Id say the answer here is definitely yes, as do many expertsthough that doesnt mean Trump was right to keep these papers.

Is This How Tucker Carlson Runs for President?

Finally, the recording doesnt solve the question of what should happen to Trump if hes convicted, as now looks more likely. And here, I think, my relative has a point buried under all his hyperbole about forks and turn signals: Trump shouldnt go to jail for this, nor, even now, is it certain that he will.

There's no mandatory minimum prison sentence for these charges, which means the judge will have discretion in sentencing. And thats a good thing, because no one seriously imagines that Trump, in his eighth decade, presents an active, physical threat to the local community in Palm Beach. He shouldnt go to prisonwhich isnt to say there should be no consequences, only that the consequence shouldnt be incarcerationbecause this isnt a violent crime.

But Trump also shouldnt go to prison because this is a crime we can absolutely guarantee he wont and cant commit again: All we have to do is not re-elect him as president. One way for that to happen is for Republican voters to accept his guilt here. The tape should make it easy enough. (But will it?)

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waits to speak at a news conference along the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, Monday, June 26, 2023. DeSantis unveiled elements of his immigration policy during the event. | Eric Gay, Associated Press

Republicans continue to focus on immigration, seen as a weak spot for President Joe Biden, with Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis releasing his immigration policy Monday, and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana writing in support of a House bill dealing with immigration in a Fox News op-ed Tuesday.

The legislation, called Secure the Border Act, was passed in the House but has not been taken up by the Senate. Lee and Rosendale say the bill would prevent abuse of the nations asylum system and end the exploitation of unaccompanied immigrant children.

It also requires employers to use the E-verify system and would require the Department of Homeland Security to continue construction of a wall along the nations southern border.

The two Republicans say that more than 6.3 million migrants have illegally crossed the border under the Biden administration.

States like Montana and Utah have seen an unprecedented flood of drugs and crime under President Bidens leadership, the op-ed says while referencing Bidens border policies.

It also says that the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 5.8 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming last year, and that overdose deaths are on the rise.

Lee and Rosendale called for a return to Trump-era immigration policies, while DeSantis didnt mention Donald Trump in his policy paper or during his speech in El Paso but he called for many of the same policies championed by the former president.

DeSantis attacks both parties on immigration policy

DeSantis, the current Republican governor of Florida, said both parties were to blame for problems with immigration, as he unveiled his immigration policy during a visit to the border city of Eagle Pass in Texas on Monday.

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 nearly 100 people in El Paso, per CBS News. What were saying is no excuses on this.

His phrasing says he will follow through on promises that Trump never carried out, as The Washington Post reported.

Every border town is under assault: sidewalks filled with illegals from around the world, emergency rooms overflowing, ranches and homes overrun, and public safety shredded because Joe Biden has refused to meet his most basic responsibility of upholding American sovereignty, DeSantis policy states.

DeSantis, who lags behind Trump in the Republican presidential primary polls, took direct shots at Bidens immigration policy.

An Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll from May found that only 31% of Americans approved of Bidens performance on gun policy and immigration.

His immigration platform, tag-lined Stop the Invasion: No excuses, describes El Paso, another border town in Texas, as a quiet, orderly town before it experienced an influx of migrants.

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

His platform proposes reinstating a series of policies introduced and proposed during the Trump administration, including ending catch and release, a program where migrants are released from detention while they await their court hearing; building the border wall; and challenging courts to reevaluate birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.

Related

Trumps campaign reacts to DeSantis immigration policies

Trump took to Truth Social after the Florida governor published his immigration platform.

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's campaigns Twitter account also accused DeSantis of copying and pasting policies.

Ron DeSantis praised President Trump for his immigration and border policies that helped keep our country safe, the post said. Now DeSantis is copying and pasting President Trumps Agenda47 policy plan because he doesnt have an original idea of his own.

FLASHBACK: Ron DeSantis praised President Trump for his immigration and border policies that helped keep our country safe. Now DeSantis is copying and pasting President Trumps Agenda47 policy plan because he doesnt have an original idea of his own. pic.twitter.com/yMBwMFp9Yq  Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) June 26, 2023

The tweet included a clip of DeSantis appearance on Fox News where he supported Trumps stances, such as building a wall and instating the Remain in Mexico policy, which asks asylum-seeking migrants to remain in Mexico until their immigration court date in the U.S.

President Trump instituted a number of policies, and it dramatically reduced the number of people that were coming across the border illegally, he said in the clip.

On Saturday, Trump spoke about his immigration policies at the Faith and Freedom Coalition convention in Georgia.

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, he said, earning him cheers. Those who come to and join our country must love our country. We want them to love our country.

Related
Republicans are losing in court on LGBT issues. They wont take no for an answer.

The News

On Friday, Ron DeSantis told a room full of Christian conservatives that hed taken action to prohibit puberty blockers and gender surgery for minors. Lost in the applause: The judge who partially stopped that law from going into effect earlier in June had also just thrown out a new Florida rule barring Medicaid payments for transgender care.

The move by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle was just the latest in what looks like a legal trend. Red states have passed bill after bill targeting transgender health care, and courts are starting to send them back. Judges in Arkansas and Indiana have, like Hinkle, blocked laws that banned minors from accessing puberty blockers.

And it wasnt just health care where recently passed LGBT-related laws ran into trouble. In Tennessee, a federal judge threw out a drag ban on First Amendment grounds, while another judge blocked a DeSantis-signed law that prevented minors from attending drag shows.

But on the trail, DeSantis has plowed ahead, describing the presidency as an office where judicial appointments and executive orders can do what lower courts are preventing.

"These are the tactics of activists who seek to impose their will on people by judicial fiat, DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said after Hinkles ruling. These attempts to circumvent the will of the legislature are not indicative of anything beyond the failure of the left's ideas at the ballot box.

David's view

If elected next year, either Donald Trump or DeSantis would inherit a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative supermajority. No Republican president has had that, at the start of his term, since the 1920s.

Thats emboldened Republicans at every level of government. Reversals by lower courts are seen less as defeat, and more as the first steps in challenging liberal precedents  first at circuit courts loaded with Trump appointees, than at a high court that Trump shifted to the right.

Off to the 8th Circuit we go, said Arkansas Rep. Robin Lundstrom, the sponsor of Arkansass SAFE Act, after a federal judge in Little Rock blocked that ban on gender transition care for minors. I kind of feel like they'll look at the science and the facts, and not stick their finger up in the political wind and decide to go with the woke liberal agenda.

Those legislators, like the GOPs candidates, object to how mainstream expert groups like the American Medical Association have endorsed transgender care, arguing that professional organizations have been overtaken by a progressive political fad.

But conservatives finding it harder to advance that argument in courts, where judges are more reluctant to brush aside the medical establishment consensus than contrarians on Twitter.

The elephant in the room should be noted at the outset. Gender identity is real. The record makes this clear," Judge Hinkle wrote in the recent Florida decision. He criticized Florida for hiring only consultants known in advance for their staunch opposition to gender-affirming care when formulating its rule.

Chase Strangio, the deputy director for transgender justice with the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project, has frequently testified at legislative hearings on these bills, warning them that the courts will step in. Being right about that, he said, had not changed the legislators approach.

Ive found that one of the least convincing things you can say to a lawmaker is that a piece of legislation that they are considering is unconstitutional, said Strangio. State lawmakers feel incredibly emboldened to pass unconstitutional legislation, even with the knowledge that that legislation will be struck down in court, and that it will cost taxpayers significantly, because they aren't punished by their constituents for passing it.

Matt Sharp, a senior counsel at the conservative legal group Americans Defending Freedom, said that the adverse court decisions halting the new laws were expected, and that bigger cultural awareness about this issue could change how higher courts ruled.

Conservatives have been emboldened to push the legal envelope by their victory overturning . For forty-nine years, abortion legislation was stymied by the Supreme Court. Thanks to the new majority, it isnt. Thats the new reality that DeSantis and Trump are running in and its changed how candidates are approaching the next round of social issue fights, not only around LGBT issues, but on issues like immigration as well.

On Monday, DeSantis adopted Trumps idea of an executive order that would deny automatic citizenship to people born in America, a right currently guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. The former president never acted on that, but is running on it again; DeSantis told reporters in Eagle Pass, Tex. that taking action would force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy.

Ralph Reed, who hosted most of the field at this past weekends Faith & Freedom Coalition, told Semafor that the candidates were only now starting to explore how they could challenge precedents that held conservatives back.

They could take the position that states that don't restrict it are impacted in some federal funding stream, said Reed of transgender medicine. They can take the position that they're going to appoint judges at the federal level that are going to give states the leeway they need. There's lots of things they can say, and then once they become president that they can act upon.

DeSantis has said the most about this, directly and in coded language. Hes described Floridas update to the death penalty, which would subject child sexual predators to it even if a jury doesnt unanimously convict them, as a way to get the new Supreme Court majority to revisit its precedent on cruel and unusual punishment. Hes also suggested that hed pick more reliably conservative judges than Donald Trump did, citing his own transformation of the Florida Supreme Court.

I respect the three appointees he did, but none of those three are at the same level of Justices Thomas and Justice Alito, DeSantis told the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt last month, before telling an audience of conservative radio broadcasters that he could build a 7-2 conservative majority if he won in 2024. (Like Trump, DeSantis has thought about replacing Sonia Sotomayor, who turned 69 on Sunday and has type 1 diabetes.)

What DeSantis doesnt say is that Alito and Thomas have been willing to reject concepts like gender identity  while the 2020 Bostock decision, which Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote, prevented federal employment discrimination based on gender identity, a problem for Republican legislators who have tried to define it out of the law.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who lambasted Bostock at the time, told Semafor that the judges who were blocking the new state laws on transgender medicine were simply wrong, and a conservative president needed to pick judges who got it right.

We need judges who will actually follow the science, Hawley said. I think these judges are going to be embarrassed to look back and see what they did and how wrong they were.

This isnt the first primary where candidates have promised to act in ways that would test the courts. In 2020, Democrats promised to enact sweeping student debt forgiveness via executive action, for instance. Republicans now expect the Supreme Court to knock out Bidens plan.

But take note of the way DeSantis and other conservatives discuss their challenges. Duly-elected legislators are acting; unelected judges are telling them they cant. They arent putting up with that anymore.

Room for Disagreement

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson told Semafor that Republicans were on treacherous ground if they wanted to appoint judges based on how theyd overturn specific precedents. Hed vetoed an earlier version of the states ban on gender medicine for minors, and the court had shown everybody why.

If it had been a more narrow law, that I advocated, that limited the government overreach action, then I believe it would have been upheld, said Hutchinson. The court was right in striking it down.

Notable
Rescuers pulled 2 swimmers out of the water at Georgia beach. One didnt survive

A woman died Monday night after water rescuers pulled her from the water on Tybee Island.

Tybee Island Fire Rescue received a call around 8:50 p.m. about two swimmers in trouble on the north end jetties. Rescuers spotted a young woman and a young man in the water and pulled them out.

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Officials rushed the woman, who was unresponsive, to Memorial Hospital. Two hours later, the city confirmed the woman did not make it.

We are sad to announce that the young woman has passed away. Our hearts are with the families tonight as they grieve the loss of their loved one.

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The name and age of the victim has not been released.

The city did not provide an update on the young man who was also pulled from the water.

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Teachers huddled in shock Tuesday morning.

A parent and child drove past the charred building in tears.

The close-knit community of Charlotte Preparatory School on Boyce Road in south Charlotte poured out its sorrow after a fire late Monday burned the campus lower school to the ground. The charred building serves grades K-3, and the school has students up to eighth grade.

Investigators on Tuesday were still looking for the cause of a fire that drew more than 60 firefighters from across the city. Head of School Chris Marblo called the damage extensive  about $2.5 million  and told parents and staff he hopes to set up temporary lower school classrooms and offices by the start of the school year.

The Lower School at the Charlotte Preparatory School sustained an estimated $2.5 million in damage following a three-alarm fire that erupted on Monday, June 26, 2023. More than 60 Charlotte firefighters responded to the call. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The school posted online that no injuries were reported. All of the camps and activities at the school have been canceled for the remainder of the week. JEFF SINER/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

I always remember the advice of Fred Rogers at times like this, Marblo wrote in a Facebook post to families Tuesday. Look for the helpers. We have many of them, and our school will come out of this even stronger.

The school of about 400 students boasts an exceptional education for our students in a warm, nurturing environment. Its an environment that Marblo promises will be rebuilt.

Our school community is resilient and united, he said.

School counselors will be deployed to offer guidance to parents on how to talk about the fire with their children. The hashtags #oneprep and #PrepStrong are circulating on social media because this amazing community is unlike any other, Lauren Michelle wrote on Facebook.

Parent Donna Ren was at the school Tuesday.

We worry about it, Ren said, and right now its panic. I dont know what (we should) do.

Shock and disbelief

Donna Ren, left and her son, Darren Tang, right, look at the damage to The Lower School at the Charlotte Preparatory School on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Darren Tang is in the schools pre-primary school and summer camp program. The school sustained an estimated $2.5 million in damage following a three-alarm fire that erupted on Monday, June 26, 2023. More than 60 Charlotte firefighters responded to the call. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The school posted online that no injuries were reported. All of the camps and activities at the school have been canceled for the remainder of the week. JEFF SINER/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

It was quiet at the school Tuesday morning. The lower school building was a pile of ash and debris. The smell of burned wood hung in the air. Firefighters remained on scene and cars slowed down to look at the damage.

Most of the faculty and staff who showed up to the school were too shocked to talk.

We canceled everything, said Robert Torres, a school maintenance worker. Everybody is in shock and disbelief.

People who live near the school on Boyce Road said they heard an explosion around 10 p.m. Monday.

I thought it was gunshots initially, Sophia Prendergast told The Charlotte Observer. And then I just heard one fire truck come after the other, and I was like Whoa, whats happening? I woke up my mom. The whole neighborhood was outside.

Sophias mom, Coleen Prendergast, said neighbors saw a fireball that went higher than the houses.

It shot up really high, Coleen Prendergast said. It was just chaos with firefighters everywhere. We were hoping that there (werent) people inside.

Marblo confirmed there were no injuries.

Home away from home

The Lower School at the Charlotte Preparatory School sustained an estimated $2.5 million in damage following a three-alarm fire that erupted on Monday, June 26, 2023. More than 60 Charlotte firefighters responded to the call. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The school posted online that no injuries were reported. All of the camps and activities at the school have been canceled for the remainder of the week. JEFF SINER/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Charlotte Prep is a K-8 school founded as Charlotte Montessori School in 1971 near uptown. It moved to 212 Boyce Road in 1992 and added a middle school in 1998  the same year it changed its name to Charlotte Preparatory School, according to its website.

While the campus is closed and its annual summer Camp Prep has been canceled for the week, Marblo wrote staff members are working to ensure theyre back on their feet in time for the start of the school year, which is Aug. 16 for lower and middle school and Aug. 17 for early school.

His Facebook post drew multiple comments from alumni and a fellow private school that said it would help rebuild.

The page for Socrates Academy in Matthews said it hoped to support Charlotte Preparatory School as you rebuild and prepare for the fall. Well reach out to determine what that looks like for you  whether its a book drive or something to ensure youre ready to open for all your students.

The Lower School at the Charlotte Preparatory School sustained an estimated $2.5 million in damage following a three-alarm fire that erupted on Monday, June 26, 2023. More than 60 Charlotte firefighters responded to the call. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The school posted online that no injuries were reported. All of the camps and activities at the school have been canceled for the remainder of the week. JEFF SINER/jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

State Rep. Laura Budd, a Democrat whose south Charlotte district covers the school, also offered encouragement, commenting on Marblos post that she was sending strength as you rebuild in our community! We are here to support you!

Sophie Weiner, who attended Charlotte Prep and had her kindergarten through third grade classes in the building that burned, said there were so many memories, but you will build new ones.

Kimberly Boone Egan wrote that the news was devastating.

Our family spent a total of 15 years at Prep with three kids, Egan said. So many wonderful memories there. The (lower school) has always been such a loving and nurturing home away from home for so many families.
RI Ethics Commission to investigate Hopkins Hill fire chief. What we know

PROVIDENCE  The Rhode Island Ethics Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to launch a full investigation into a multiple-count complaint that Hopkins Hill Fire District Chief Frank M. Brown Jr. failed to recuse himself on decisions that resulted in a direct financial gain for the longtime Coventry chief.

The commission also voted unanimously to investigate a companion complaint against Browns wife, Denise Brown, who is on the districts board of directors and also works as its paid tax collector.

The vote follows a six-count complaint filed earlier this month by Douglas Soscia that included a nine-page summary and more than 200 pages of exhibits. The complaints were first detailed by The Hummel Report in The Providence Journal on June 6.

The commission emerged from a lengthy closed session at its monthly meeting on Tuesday to announce the decision to investigate the Browns.

Jason Gramitt, executive director and chief prosecutor for the state Ethics Commission, speaks to reporters after Tuesday's meeting.

In early June, Brown declined to comment after The Hummel Report emailed him a copy of the complaint, saying: Until Im formally served from the Ethics Commission, I have no comment. ... Once served, I will comment.

He did not return a message on Tuesday.

However, the Hopkins Hill board at its June 15 meeting voted to hire lawyer Russell C. Bengston to defend Brown against the ethics complaint, at a cost of $250 per hour, to be paid for by district taxpayers.

The board also authorized the law firm of Inman & Tourgee to represent Denise Brown, at the same $250-per-hour rate. Both votes were 5-to-0.

Douglas Soscia, who filed the complaint, is a member of Soscia Holdings, which owns multiple properties in Coventry, including Johnsons Pond, purchased in 2020.

Hopkins Hill, like the three other fire districts in Coventry, is an independent entity, with its own taxing authority  and no relationship to town government. In 2017, the Central Coventry Fire District hired Brown to also oversee its operations, although all of the allegations pertain only to his position as the chief in Hopkins Hill.

In his complaint, Soscia said that Frank Brown is the head of the districts nominating committee and has a direct financial interest in nominating his wife, Denise Brown, for election to the highest-paid position on the board of directors.

Denise Brown sought an advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission in 2002, asking if she could serve as the fire districts tax collector since her husband was the chief. The commission advised that she could not participate in any personnel matters  or those that would affect her husband financially. Soscia attached minutes from multiple meetings showing Denise Brown voting on agenda items that he asserts benefited her husband.

Gramitt said after Tuesdays meeting that the commission has up to six months to investigate Soscias complaint.

The Hummel Report is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies, in part, on donations. For more information, go to HummelReport.org. Reach Jim at Jim@HummelReport.org

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Hopkins Hill fire chief Frank Brown, wife under ethics investigation
[Source]

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) slammed Christmas toys made in China for the second time this year at his campaign rally in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday.

What he said: DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, complained about the cheap made-in-China toys he and his wife bought for their children for Christmas in front of around 100 rally attendees.

This cheap stuff from China, you know, when my wife and I get our kids Christmas presents, and the stuff made in China breaks, its like you cant even last two days after Christmas without the toys breaking. And so, its really, really cheap stuff, he said.

DeSantis made the comment while answering a question from the audience about his tax plans if he were to become president.

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Not the first time: DeSantis previously commented on toys made in China during his rally in Florida in January, telling the crowd in part, Santa Claus may need to not do Chinese toys because lets just make it here honestly anywhere, but not China.

Key talking points: Some of the topics DeSantis discussed during his Texas rally included finishing the southern border wall between the U.S. and Mexico and ending birthright citizenship, which Republican presidential race opponent and former President Donald Trump also vowed to do earlier this month if he were to win the 2024 race.

The Florida governor also criticized Democrats and Republicans on their handling of illegal border crossings, telling the audience how the government always talked about this yet never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion.

More from NextShark: Chinese billionaire Jack Ma joins Tokyo College as visiting professor

What were saying is no excuses on this, he said.

Declining poll results: DeSantis latest support numbers from an NBC News poll of GOP voters have dropped nine points from 31% to 22% since the networks last poll in April. Meanwhile, former Trumps number rose five points from 46% to 51% and former Vice President Mike Pences poll results only saw a one-point climb to 7%.

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Police Arrest Suspect Behind Stabbing of Two Elderly Asian Women in SF
Attorneys for Ron DeSantis have filed a motion in federal court to dismiss the Walt Disney Companys lawsuit that accuses the Florida governors administration of illegal political retaliation.

The lawsuit filed on 26 April accuses the governors administration of waging a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint following a series of punitive measures from Florida Republicans targeting the company for its public opposition to what opponents called the states Dont Say Gay law.

The lawsuit claims Mr DeSantis threatens Disneys business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights.

A motion filed in US District Court on 26 June argues that Mr DeSantis is entitled to legislative immunity that shields the actions of the governor and lawmakers in the proposal, formulation, and passage of legislation.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis argue that the governor and the secretary of Floridas Department of Economic Opportunity are both immune from the suit.

Neither the Governor nor the Secretary enforce any of the laws at issue, so Disney lacks standing to sue them, the motion argues.

After Disneys public objections to the Parental Rights in Education Act, the governor and members of his administration ignited a feud that escalated to Republican threats to punish Disneys operations in the state and ultimately resulted in his administration taking control of them.

A municipal district, implemented in 1967, allowed Disney to effectively control its own land use and zoning rules and operate its own public services, including water, sanitation, emergency services and infrastructure maintenance.

With Disney as the primary landowner for the district, the company is largely responsible for the costs of municipal services that otherwise would fall under the jurisdiction of county and local governments, including the taxpayers who live within them. In effect, Disney taxed itself to foot the districts bill for its municipal needs.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis called that decades-long arrangement a sweetheart deal that gave Disney carte blanche to govern itself through a puppet board.

After the governor signed legislation that amounted to a state takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, his appointees to the new board that replaced it were outraged to find that the previous board approved changes that would remain in effect for years to come.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis called it a last-ditch power grab.

The DeSantis-appointed board voted to nullify those arrangements, and Disney promptly sued.

This government action was patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional, Disneys lawsuit argued.

The ongoing legal battle and the governors crusade against inclusive classroom instruction and honest discussion of gender, sexuality, race and racism in classrooms have surrounded his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Mr DeSantis has ushered through a series of administrative policies and Florida laws  some of which have been struck down in court  targeting public education and LGBT+ people, particularly gender-affirming care for transgender people in Florida.

In a seven-figure ad series from the DeSantis-backing Never Back Down political action committee, the campaign accuses Disney of promoting secret sexual content and slams Bud Light and Target for supporting trans people.
Wagnerites on the streets of Rostov-on-Don

Russia has closed a criminal case investigating the Wagner PMC mutiny, Russian propaganda agency TASS reported on June 27.

During the investigation, it was established that its participants had ceased actions aimed at committing a mutiny, TASS claimed.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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.

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.

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.

The Kremlin then announced that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be closed, and he himself would go to Belarus.

According to independent Belarusian media monitor Hajun, a plane belonging to Prigozhin was spotted landing in Belarus on July27.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude oil flows to international markets slumped last week but maintenance work, rather than output cuts, is the most likely cause.

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Crude flows through Russian ports fell by about 980,000 barrels a day in the week to June 25. Lower shipments were seen from all regions, but hardest hit was the Baltic, where fewer than half the normal number of tankers were loaded at Primorsk. The port accounted for more than half of the week-on-week drop in the countrys total seaborne crude exports.

Crude shipments through Primorsk dropped in exactly the same way during the same week last year and the pattern can also be seen in both 2020 and 2021, albeit a week earlier. In all three years, shipments rebounded the following week.

There was a gap in the loading program for the port, with no cargoes due to complete loading between June 21 and June 25, indicating that the drop in flows was planned. The program then reverts to its more normal pattern of at least one cargo completing loading each day for the rest of the month.

There was also a big drop in shipments from the Pacific, where flows were down week-on-week by more than 200,000 barrels a day. A slump in shipments from Kozmino was partly offset by an increase in the flow from Sakhalin Island. But its unlikely that this reflects an output cut either. Exports from Pacific ports command higher prices than those from the west of the country and shipping times to key markets in China and India are shorter, making cuts to flows from Kozmino unlikely. A gap in the Kozmino loading program suggests the dip in flows from the port will also be temporary.

Moscow has said previously that lower flows resulting from its output cut would be targeted at ports on the Baltic and Black Sea. But there has been no sign of a significant drop in flows from the Baltic port of Ust-Luga, nor from Novorossiysk on the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, Russian refineries raised crude processing rates to the highest level since April in the week to June 21, as the nations downstream maintenance season nears its end.

The short-lived march toward Moscow by the private army known as the Wagner Group at the weekend is unlikely to have any impact on Russian crude flows, as long as the situation doesnt deteriorate again.

Crude Flows by Destination

On a four-week average basis, overall seaborne exports in the period to June 25 were down by 263,000 barrels a day to 3.39 million barrels a day. More volatile weekly flows also fell, plunging by about 980,000 barrels a day to 2.55 million barrels a day.

Weekly data are affected by the scheduling of tankers and loading delays caused by bad weather. Port maintenance can also disrupt exports for several days at a time.

All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk.

The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export grade. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Transit crude is specifically exempted from European Union sanctions.

Four-week average shipments to Russias Asian customers, plus those on vessels showing no final destination, fell to 3.07 million barrels a day in the period to June 25 from 3.32 million barrels a day in the four weeks to June 18. Thats the lowest since March.

While the volumes heading to India appear to have declined from recent highs, history shows that most of the cargoes on ships without an initial destination eventually end up there or in China.

The equivalent of 358,000 barrels a day was on vessels showing destinations as either Port Said or Suez in Egypt, or which already have been or are expected to be transferred from one ship to another off the South Korean port of Yeosu. Those voyages typically end at ports in India or China and show up in the chart below as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent.

The Other Unknown volumes, running at 164,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to June 18, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most of those cargoes originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey, while other cargoes are transferred from one vessel to another, either in the Mediterranean or, more recently, in the Atlantic Ocean.

Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries were unchanged at 104,000 barrels a day in the 28 days to June 25, with Bulgaria the sole destination. These figures do not include shipments to Turkey.

A market that consumed about 1.5 million barrels a day of short-haul seaborne crude, coming from export terminals in the Baltic, Black Sea and Arctic has been lost almost completely, to be replaced by long-haul destinations in Asia that are much more costly and time-consuming to serve.

No Russian crude was shipped to northern European countries in the four weeks to June 25.

Exports to Turkey, Russias only remaining Mediterranean customer, edged lower to 209,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to June 25, their lowest four-week average level in six weeks; flows to the country had topped 425,000 barrels a day in October.

Flows to Bulgaria, now Russias only Black Sea market for crude, were unchanged at 104,000 barrels a day.

Flows by Export Location

Aggregate flows of Russian crude slumped to 2.55 million barrels a day in the seven days to June 25, from 3.53 million barrels a day the previous week. Shipments fell from all four export regions, with the biggest drops seen at Baltic and Pacific ports.

Shipments from Primorsk dropped by 521,000 barrels a day, or 56%, from the previous week. Flows from Kozmino were down week-on-week by 314,000 barrels a day.

Figures exclude volumes from Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade.

Export Revenue

Inflows to the Kremlin's war chest from its crude-export duty slumped to $39 million in the seven days to June 25, a drop of $15 million or 28%. Four-week average income fell by $2 million to $52 million.

President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to fine-tune existing indicators and establish additional ones to calculate oil prices for tax purposes in order to reduce the discount to global crude prices. Russias government calculates oil taxes using a discount to Brent, which sets the floor price for the nations crude for budget purposes. If Russian oil trades above that threshold, the Finance Ministry uses the market price for tax calculations, as has been the case in recent months. From July the discount is currently set at $25/bbl, though this may now be narrowed.

The duty rate for June has been set at $2.21 a barrel, based on an average Urals price of $55.97, which was $23.90 a barrel below Brent during the period between April 15 and May 14. The rate for July will be cut to $2.13 a barrel, based on an average Urals price of $54.57, which was $20.89 a barrel below Brent during the period between May 15 and June 14.

Origin-to-Location Flows

The following charts show the number of ships leaving each export terminal and the destinations of crude cargoes from the four export regions.

A total of 24 tankers loaded 17.85 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to June 25, vessel-tracking data and port agent reports show. Thats down by 6.87 million barrels from the previous weeks figure and the smallest volume since December. Destinations are based on where vessels signal they are heading at the time of writing, and some will almost certainly change as voyages progress. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade.

The total volume on ships loading Russian crude from Baltic terminals fell to a six-month low of 938,000 barrels a day.

Shipments of Russian crude from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea dropped to five-week low of 500,000 barrels a day. One cargo of Kazakhstani crude was also loaded at the port during the week.

Arctic shipments gave up the previous weeks gain, falling back to 286,000 barrels a day, with two Suezmax tankers leaving the port in the week to June 25.

Eight tankers loaded at Russias three Pacific export terminals, down from 10 the previous week. The volume of crude shipped from the region fell to a six-month low of 824,000 barrels a day.

The volumes heading to unknown destinations are mostly Sokol cargoes that recently have been transferred to other vessels at Yeosu, or are currently being shuttled to an area off the South Korean port from the loading terminal at De Kastri. Most of these are also ending up in India.

Some Sokol cargoes are now being transferred a second time in the waters off southern Malaysia. A small number of ESPO shipments are also being moved from one vessel to another in the same area. All of these cargoes have, so far, gone on to India.

One cargo was loaded from the Sakhalin Island terminal in the week to June 25.

NOTES

Note: This story forms part of a regular weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the export duty revenues earned from them by the Russian government.

Note: All figures exclude cargoes owned by Kazakhstans KazTransOil JSC, which transit Russia and are shipped from Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga as KEBCO grade crude.

Note: Weeks have been revised to run from Monday to Sunday, rather than Saturday to Friday. This change has been implemented throughout the data series and previous weeks figures have been revised.

Note: The next update will be published on Tuesday July 4, with future updates also to be published on Tuesdays.

If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click here for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations.

--With assistance from Sherry Su.

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GENEVA (Reuters) -A United Nations monitoring mission in Ukraine said on Tuesday that Russia has detained more than 800 civilians since the conflict began in February of last year, and has executed 77 of them.

The 36-page report based on 70 visits to detention centres and more than 1,000 interviews showed that Ukraine had also violated international law by arbitrarily detaining civilians but on a considerably smaller scale.

"We documented over 900 cases of arbitrary detention of civilians, including children, and elderly people," Matilda Bogner, Head of the U.N. rights monitoring mission in Ukraine, told a press conference by video link from Uzhhorod, Ukraine.

"The vast majority of these cases were perpetrated by the Russian Federation."

The executions by Russia amounted to a war crime, Bogner added. No such executions were documented on the Ukrainian side.

Of the 864 civilians held by Russia, the U.N. human rights office was able to document 178 cases in detail, it said. Of those, more than 90% were tortured, the report said, citing incidents of waterboarding, electrocution and the use of a "hot box" where detainees are held in solitary confinement in a box in high temperatures.

The detentions took place in both Ukraine and Russia, it said.

The U.N. documented 75 cases of detention of civilians by Ukrainian forces, saying changes to Ukraine's criminal codes had given Kyiv greater discretion to carry out such practices. It said that more than half of them had also been subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

Ukraine gave U.N. investigators full access with the exception of one incident, the report said, while Russia did not provide any access to detainees despite repeated requests.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by William Maclean and Christina Fincher)
Russian troops are concentrating their main efforts on the Lyman, Bakhmut and Marinka fronts. More than 10 combat clashes took place there during the day.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: According to the summary, on this day, the Russians carried out 20 airstrikes and launched more than 20 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilians and the destruction and damage of civilian infrastructure, high-rise buildings and dozens of private residential buildings.

The operational situation on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remains much the same as before. There were no signs of the formation of offensive groups.

The Russians maintain a military presence on the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts. Mortar and artillery attacks occurred in more than 20 settlements.

More than 20 settlements were also hit by artillery and mortar fire on the Kupyansk front.

More than 15 settlements were hit by artillery fire on the Lyman front.

On the Bakhmut front, the Russians made unsuccessful attempts to restore the lost position in the direction southeast of Ivanivske.

Areas of more than 15 settlements were affected by Russian artillery shelling.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians launched airstrikes in the Avdiivka area. They opened artillery fire on more than 20 settlements.

On the Marinka front, the Russians carried out offensive actions in the area of Marinka without success. The landed airstrikes near Marinka and Krasnohorivka. At the same time, they shelled the vicinity of more than 10 settlements.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the Russians carried out unsuccessful offensive actions in the direction of the village of Rivnopil. Airrstrikes were reported in the Storozheve district, Donetsk Oblast. More than 15 settlements were under fire.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, the Russians are concentrating their main efforts on preventing the advance of our troops. The Russians carried out airstrikes in the districts of Orikhove and Novodanylivka of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. They carried out artillery fire on more than 40 settlements.

The General Staff reiterates that the Russian occupation forces are suffering losses every day. About 50 wounded Russians were brought to the building of a kindergarten converted into a field hospital for the invaders, located in Novomykhailivka, Kherson Oblast.

Additionally, the General Staff reports that the Russians continue to convert civilian educational institutions in the temporarily captured territories of Ukraine into medical institutions. Thus, the Russians turned the secondary school of the Rozivka settlement of Zaporizhzhia Oblast into another military hospital. The constant arrivals of wounded invaders are noted.

During the day, the aviation of the defence forces landed 12 strikes on Russian personnel concentration areas and another 4 on Russian anti-aircraft missile complexes.

During the day, units of missile troops and artillery hit a checkpoint, 2 Buk anti-aircraft missile systems and 4 areas where the Russian manpower, weapons and military equipment were concentrated.

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The ESAs Rosalind Franklin rover is scheduled to launch in 2028.

SCHIAPARELLI WAS OUT OF CONTROL. As the probe entered Mars atmosphere on October 19, 2016, an onboard computer miscalculated its altitude, prematurely jettisoning the crafts parachute. The disc-shaped probe with what looked like a futuristic Worlds Fair of instruments on its flat back sent one last swan song of a data package back to its circling companion, the Trace Gas Orbiter, as it tumbled into free fall. Onboard thrusters fired for three seconds rather than 30. Then, some 1,272 pounds of atmospheric and meteorological sensorsand nearly two decades of European deep space ambitionslammed into Mars at 335 mph. The probe added another crater to the pockmarked surface, peppered a stretch of the Red Planet with mechanical debris, and joined a growing list of disappointments in the European Space Agencys quest to make its first successful landing on Martian soil.

Part of the first mission of the ExoMars program (a reference to exobiology, the study of life beyond Earth), the Trace Gas Orbiter still circles the Red Planet today, high above its failed entry module. But the program is defined by continued setbacks. Since the projects inception in 2001, its been plagued by bureaucratic delays, budget shortfalls, geopolitical turmoil, and mechanical failures. But ExoMars received its fiercest blow in more than two decades when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The ongoing war has left the future of ESAs next attemptwhich was meant to touch down on Mars in June 2023up in the air.

Despite the resilience of the engineering teams and scientists behind the mission, their efforts increasingly seem more Sisyphean than Herculean. As the rover sits motionless in a facility in northern Italy, its precious componentssome made of rare-earth minerals and goldare at risk of atrophy and decay. Funding is in limbo until the US Congress and European member states decide whether to invest more cash.

If the rover launches in 2028, as is currently planned, it will represent the culmination of roughly 30 years of patience, redevelopment, and, most recently, a European reunion of sorts for NASA. This follows a long line of setbacks and disappointments that began long before Russias war in Ukraine booted Russian space agency Roscosmos and its booster engines from the program.

Launched in 2016 in a partnership between the European Space Agency and Russias Roscosmos, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter analyzes Martian gases.

Getting Rosalind Franklin (named in honor of the late English chemist known for her contributions in identifying DNAs double helix) to a safe landing spot millions of miles away will require unfettered determination and a level of global cooperation that seems increasingly difficult to maintain. If they want a chance of making it to the finish line, the missions leaders will have to let go of some of their original goals.

As Jorge Vago, an ExoMars project scientist, puts it: Its now about surviving.

MARS HAS BEEN a primary target of international space exploration since NASA launched Mariner 4 in 1964. This fly-by mission supercharged modern humanitys fascination with the Red Planet, which has inspired a relentless, decades-long quest to uncover its secrets. Central to this exploration is the search for extraterrestrial life, a pursuit that has spawned numerous rover projects and brought together leading global space agencies.

The modern era of Mars exploration started when NASAs Pathfinder arrived on the Martian surface in 1997. Among its discoveries were confirmation about ancient water and new information about the planets thin atmosphere, fueling the scientific communitys interest in Earths neighbor as a potential human habitat. That focus brought us the Mars Science Laboratory, launched in 2011 to deliver NASAs car-size Curiosity. Equipped with a state-of-the-art scientific payload, it discovered organic molecules and complex chemistry in the Red Planets soil, strengthening the case for past or even present microbial life. Through these discoveries, NASA remained close partners with ESA, which launched its Mars Express orbiter on a Russian Soyuz in 2003. In 2009, NASA and ESA made joint commitments to two more Mars missions. Meanwhile, ESAs ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, launched in 2016 in collaboration with Russias Roscosmos, is still analyzing the Martian atmosphere for gases associated with biological or geological activity.

Astronomers now know that Mars once hosted a climate that could sustain life, before a dramatic shift made the dusty planet as hostile as it is today. Uncovering what happened millions of years ago could help improve our understanding of how and when life tends to evolve in our galaxy. It could also provide hints about the trajectory of Earths own changing climate.

Projects in the heavens also serve as tools for diplomacy, fostering international cooperation and shared scientific goals to better the planet. ExoMars was meant to be one such collaboration, but NASA couldnt sustain its financial partnership and departed the program in 2012. Roscosmos partnered with ESA in NASAs stead, securing the future of the mission.

Then everything came undone.

The Rosalind Franklins earthly twin Amalia performs drill testing at ALTEC in Turin, Italy, to help prepare the Mars-bound rover for its future mission.

After Russian troops and weapons entered Ukraine in February 2022 in an unprovoked assault on the eastern European nation, ESA canceled its contract with Roscosmos in line with Western sanctions. The program already had its rover, but nothing to deliver it to Mars. ESA scrubbed the September 2022 launch date.

Russian scientists spent that April dismantling their equipment from the lander, while engineers at ESA facilities across Europe worked to reimagine how they might adopt outside equipment into their designs. One example is the lightweight radioisotope heater units that would save energy and keep the rover from freezing during Martian winters. Those heaters are produced only by Russia and the US, but a swap will not be seamless: The Russian versions were each about the size of a mini soda can, and the Rosalind Franklin rover was designed to accommodate three. The American substitutes are more like 35mm film canisters, and it will take at least 30 to keep the rover warm. Attaching them will require some nimble tinkering.

Now NASA is poised to give ESA the boost it needs to vault over the missions final hurdles. If the agencies are able to retrofit lander parts for instruments customized for Roscosmos tech (also not a small feat), the rover could be launched from Kennedy Space Center on a US-owned rocket. But the success of the salvaged mission hinges on more than just engineering.

Its a Russian nesting doll in that sense, the way we built up the partnership, says Albert Haldemann, Mars chief engineer at ESA. Now the two space agencies have to assemble the parts and make sure they fit well enough to survive the journey to Marsand its volatile atmosphere.

SINCE 2022, Russias invasion of Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions more, exacerbated political tensions around the globe, and cast a shadow over future collaborations in space exploration, including the International Space Station. Vago recalls having difficulty processing the news. We were devastatedwrenched, he says.

The team was tormented by two realities following the loss of Russias space instruments and expertise: the potential collapse of ExoMars and a void in the worlds astronomical knowledge. A morose fog fell over the mission.

The Mars rovers of past and present: 1. Perseverance (2021present); 2. Curiosity (2012present); 3. Sojourner (1997); 4. Opportunity (20042018); 5. Spirit (2004 2010).

The realization of what was happening hit different people in different ways at different times, Vago says. For a brief period, it wasnt clear how they would or should proceed. If it was someone elses mission, looking with some detachment, youd say, Yes, of course you cant launch with this war going on and with cooperation with the side that started it, he explains. The other half of your brain is thinking, Ive been working on this thing with colleagues from the US, Russia, Europe, and they are nice and sweet. Thats 20 years down the toilet.

The abrupt end of the partnership severed emotional ties too, says Haldemann. There are personal stories on both sides. The main Russian partner was NPO Lavochkin, a military supplier to the Russian army. I suspect some of the people I worked with are full supporters [of the invasion], and that feels a little weird, Haldemann adds.

When Russian cooperation collapsed, the European team moved back to one of the very first phases of development for the lander, essentially backtracking from final flight checks to the process of creating basic equipment. NASA saw an opportunity to rejoin another mission with a longstanding ally, which will mean a surprise comeback if it moves to officially support the project again. ESA is now cobbling together a new game plan that accounts for the loss of resourcesand includes replacements it hopes it can count on. The new launch date is tentatively set for 2028; the six-year delay represents the bare-minimum time the team will need to design and build and test new equipment.

The uncertainties now are more on whether we will get the US contributions in time to match with the plans that we have at the moment, Vago says.

Plenty of US players are eager to see a successful continued collaboration on Mars. The reengagement with overseas partners after years of America First diplomacy was a long time coming, says Charles Bolden, who served as the NASA administrator from 2009 to 2017. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the ExoMars project, its original intent to promote international cooperation through scientific exploration remains an inspiring one. As the world grapples with the challenges of the present, the quest to uncover the secrets of Mars and the potential for life beyond Earth serves as a powerful reminder of what humanity can achieve when working together toward a common goal.

Its a golden opportunity for us to work with the Europeans in this project, Bolden says.

In a way, the mission replicates the tensions surrounding the future of global space exploration and cooperation.

This March, the White House proposed $27.2 billion for NASAs 2024 budget, with almost $950 million supporting the agencys ongoing collaboration with ESA to bring samples from the previously launched Mars 2020 project back to Earth. The desired budget also allocated an unspecified amount toward US collaboration with the European Space Agencys ExoMars rover mission.

The Presidential Office Budget still needs to wend its way through a Congressional process of budgetary drafting, amendment, and approval. So for now the wait continues. Were encouraged by what weve seen [from the US], so hopefully well see a commensurate amount of funds, says Eric Ianson, Mars Exploration Program director at NASA. Were operating under the assumption right now that we will get the funding, so were continuing.

But while that may be enough to save the mission, it wont be enough to save every part of the nesting doll. If anything, were cutting, says Vago of the missions scientific instruments. We are [now] interested in keeping things as simple as possible. Were getting rid of anything that is not essential for the landing and for helping to deliver the rover to Mars. With a drill capable of digging to depths of up to two meters, however, Rosalind Franklins main objective of subsurface sample extraction and analysis remains unchanged. She will plumb the Martian soil farther than any of her predecessorsanything else will be a bonus.

With ESA workers investing time and brainpower into facilitating the use of American equipment, each month without a US commitment intensifies the palpable anxiety of the team. In a way, the mission replicates the tensions surrounding the future of global space exploration and cooperation.

On a recent afternoon in March, a reminder of the dissolved partnerships sat at an unassuming gated factory on a windy industrial stretch south of the Alps in Turin, Italy. Inside lies a modified clean room where a mission control station overlooks a mock Martian landscape. The Russian landing platform sits abandoned in a corner. Once meant to provide its own package of instruments to monitor an alien environment, the glorified ramp now collects dust.

Rosalind Franklin is stowed a few buildings away, in an over-pressurized room at the Thales Alenia Space facility. Along with her earthbound training twin Amalia, shes undergoing regular maintenance and continued testing to stay prepared for a launch that should have happened last year. The hopes and setbacks for the mission are on display as scientists and engineers continue exercising the rover and its operators in the hopes of maintaining mission readiness. Meanwhile, they scramble to source batteries, plutonium, and booster engines that were meant to come from Russian collaborators.

The missions chances will now be determined by NASA, which has both the engines and the plutonium necessary for the launch. So the ESA teams work is never donea nesting doll of collaborations that must be revisited, maintained, and renewed.

Im reinvigorated by the fact that [EU] members have committed money on the table to see that the rover happens, says Haldemann. He notes that for some, the mission has made up the bulk of their careers. Russias war in Ukraine shattered some of those dreams. Its bittersweet. Its an emotional roller coaster for a lot of members of the team who were on the verge of launch.

It bothers everyone that the war happened, Vago adds. If I look at it in terms of the missionthe war has affected so many people, but it has also affected our colleagues who were working on these teams from the Russian and Ukrainian side.

Until NASA officially commits to the mission, the ExoMars team has to muscle its way forward, as it has for many years. If we had been able to pluck a ready-made lander off the shelf, we could have launched in 2024, Vago says. But no such luck. In times of war, its important to be resourceful, pick the right allies, and survive.

Kenneth R. Rosen is an independent journalist based in Italy and the author of Troubled: The Failed Promise of Americas Behavioral Treatment Programs.

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Viktor Zolotov during a meeting with officers of Russian army and secret services

Viktor Zolotov during a meeting with officers of Russian army and secret services in Moscow, on June 27, 2023. Credit - Contributor/Getty Images

For anyone wondering how Russia might change after this weekends aborted putsch, it would be worth keeping an eye on Viktor Zolotov, the longtime bodyguard of President Vladimir Putin, who emerged on Tuesday as one of the few apparent winners in the regimes near-death experience.

A typically grey and sullen figure in the Kremlin retinue, Zolotov, who heads the Russian National Guard, stepped out of Putins shadow on Tuesday to claim credit for defending Moscow from the Wagner Group, the private army that marched across Russia this weekend. After meeting with Putin on Monday and Tuesday, Zolotov described how his branch of the armed forces, with over 300,000 personnel, stood to gain from the rebellion. His troops would soon receive an arsenal of advanced weaponry, he said, including tanks, to guard against similar threats to Putins rule.

It remains to be seen whether any of the Kremlins clans can gain from the Wagner Groups rebellion. Its leader, Evgeny Prigozhin, has reportedly gone into exile, his mercenaries ordered to disband. His rivals in the Russian military have been humiliated by the fiasco, while Putin has struggled to save face and regain his grip on power. But Zolotov, the consummate loyalist, appears to be taking a victory lap and publicly angling for advantage.

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It might be within his reach. In a speech at the Kremlin on Tuesday, Putin thanked the forces under Zolotovs command for defending the capital alongside the police and other security forces. You saved the Motherland from turmoil, and effectively stopped a civil war, Putin told a gathering of troops and officers, including Zolotov and other senior commanders.

All of them, from the defense minister to the nations top spies, have kept silent in the last few days, appearing meek and exhausted in a meeting with Putin on Monday. The only one sporting a military uniform at that meeting was Zolotov, who has since become the most outspoken of Russias top brass. On Tuesday, he was the first senior official to blame the mutiny on the U.S. and its European allies, offering a familiar canard for the state propaganda channels to spread: The rebellion, Zolotov told them, was inspired by the West.

Among Putins henchmen, Zolotovs background stands in sharp contrast to that of Prigozhin, the brash mutineer who ordered his men to advance on Moscow over the weekend. A convicted mugger and former hot dog vendor, Prigozhin wormed his way into Putins circle through a series of business deals and a willingness to do the states dirty work around the world, whether by interfering in American elections or propping up dictators in Africa and the Middle East. Zolotov, a creature of the system and a general of the Russian army, has spent most of his career within the Kremlin walls, starting as a bodyguard to President Boris Yeltsin in 1991 and continuing in that role under Putin.

Vladimir Putin speaks Viktor Zolotov during their meeting in Moscow, on Aug. 30, 2022. Mikhail KlimentyevSputnik/AFP/Getty Images

He first came to public prominence in Russia in 2016, when Putin created the Russian National Guard and appointed Zolotov as its commander. The force, which answers directly to Putin, was designed to put down popular uprisings and internal threats to the regime, a task that Zolotov embraced with gusto. In one of his rare public appearances in 2018, he threatened to pound Russias most prominent dissident, Alexei Navalny, into a juicy slab of meat.

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, Zolotovs forces mostly played an auxiliary role, bringing up the rear behind elite commandos and airborne troops tasked with the conquest of Kyiv. When that mission failed, Zolotov did not get nearly as much of the blame as the spy chiefs and generals who planned and executed the invasion. Putin continued to praise the Russian National Guard even as the rest of his military began its retreat from the Kyiv region. The whole country is proud of every one of you, Putin told them at the end of March 2022, marking a national holiday celebrated in honor of Zolotovs forces.

Since that time, many of Russias top generals and spy chiefs have been at each others throats, struggling to regain momentum in the war and to skirt responsibility for Russias catastrophic losses on the battlefield. One of these feuds resulted in Prigozhins mutiny over the weekend, and it ended badly both for him and his rivals within the Russian military.

But for Zolotov, it looks like an opportunity, and a sign of the direction that Russia might take. Threatened in Moscow and frustrated in Ukraine, Putin could fall back on the man who has been by his side from the beginning, the one responsible for staving off internal threats to the regime. For Putin, that might seem like a logical move as he steps back from the brink of a civil war. For the rest of the Russian elite, it could herald the beginning of a purge, one that Zolotov would be more than happy to conduct with the forces under his command.
Russian invaders mine the Crimean Titan plant  what will happen if they blow it up

The Crimean Titan plant is located in Armyansk

The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is not the only dangerous facility where the Russian invaders have prepared to cause another man-made ecological catastrophe.

In June, various sources warned that the Russians are likely preparing an attack at the Crimean Titan chemical plant in the Crimean town of Armyansk, currently occupied by Russian forces.



Read also: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to hold evacuation drills amid possible terrorist attack at ZNPP

The Crimean Titan plant produces titanium dioxide, sulfuric acid, and mineral fertilizers. In 2014, the plant produced 532 tons of sulfuric acid per year.

In early June 2023, Kherson regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that the Russians were preparing a false flag attack at the plant. He said the invaders had mined the plants territory and brought explosives there, and that the aftermath of the potential explosion could become a second Chornobyl.

Read also: Nuclear security specialist on potential terrorist attack at ZNPP

Emission of thousands of tons of toxic substances into the atmosphere will lead to mortal danger for people and the environment, Prokudin said.

Residents of the Republic of Crimea and at least seven other Ukrainian regions will be affected, as well as Turkey and the aggressor country itself.

He suggested that the goal of Russias possible false flag may be the Russians desire to stop the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to accuse Ukraine of ecological terrorism, as well as exerting pressure on the military and political leadership and the global community.

Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukrainian military intelligence, said on June 13 that Ukrainian intelligence sources confirmed that the plants territory and workshops were mined.

Read also: What will we do with the Kakhovka HPP?

Yusov also named three possible goals of such actions by the Russian invaders:

Demonstrative blackmail;

Putting the enterprise out of order in case the Russian troops flee;

Preparation for a full-scale terrorist attack similar to the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

All these scenarios are being worked out, Yusov said.

We understand that were dealing with war criminals and an aggressor country. Therefore, Ukraine and the whole world should be ready for this.

What will happen in case of a blast at the Crimean Titan plant

The main threat, if the Russians blow the Crimean Titan plant, is the spread of pollution if containers storing hazardous substances are destroyed. These currently hold: sulfuric acid, ammonia, and sulfur.

The pollution radius, depending on the wind direction, would be around 7-7.5 km.

In this case, the following settlements will be affected:

Perekop

Preobrazhenka

Pershokostiantynivka

In this scenario, ammonia persistence would last for 12 hours, and sulphuric acid could persist for 18 hours.

Read also: UK says Russia's nuclear blackmail will not affect support for Ukraine

This date was calculated with wind speeds of 5-10 m/s and temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius, based on NVs sources.

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FILE - Malians demonstrate against France and in support of Russia on the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Mali, in Bamako, Mali, Sept. 22, 2020. The Russian mercenary group that briefly rebelled against President Vladimir Putins authority has for years been a ruthless force-for-hire across Africa, protecting rulers at the expense of the masses. That dynamic is not expected to change now that the groups founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been exiled to Belarus as punishment for the failed rebellion. Neither Russia nor the African leaders dependent on Wagners fighters have any interest in ending their relationships. (AP Photo/File)

BIRAO, Central African Republic (AP)  The Russian mercenary group that briefly threatened President Vladimir Putins authority has for years been a ruthless force-for-hire across Africa, protecting rulers at the expense of the masses. That dynamic is not expected to change now that the groups founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been exiled to Belarus as punishment for the failed rebellion.

The Wagner Group brutalizes civilians in the Central African Republic, Mali and elsewhere to crush dissent and fend off threats to their leaders power. In exchange, Russia gains access to natural resources and ports through which weapons can be shipped, and receives payments that enrich the Kremlin and help it fund operations elsewhere, including the war in Ukraine.

Neither Russia nor the African leaders dependent on Wagner's fighters have any interest in ending those relationships. But many questions linger in the aftermath of Wagner's stunning revolt, such as who will lead its thousands of fighters stationed across many African nations and whether Moscow will absorb these fighters into the Russian army.

The situation is extremely volatile," said Nathalia Dukhan, senior investigator at The Sentry, a U.S.-based policy organization that published an investigative report Tuesday accusing Wagner of carrying out various human-rights abuses in African countries. "But what we have learnt from investigating and analyzing Wagner in Africa in the past 5 years is that the group is resilient, creative, fearless and predatory, so it is less likely that the Wagner empire will instantly fall like a house of cards.

Beyond the financial rewards, Putin has also sought to use Wagner fighters to help expand Russia's presence in the Middle East and Africa. He seeks out security alliances with autocrats, coup leaders, and others who have been spurned or neglected by the U.S. and Europe, either because of their bloody abuses or because of competing Western strategic interests.

Asked whether Wagner's weekend mutiny could erode Russias positions in Africa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a state-run TV network that security assistance to African countries would continue. He specifically mentioned the Central African Republic and Mali, and noted that Russian government officials have maintained contact with leaders there.

Lavrov told RT he has not seen any sign of panic or any sign of change in African nations over the revolt against Moscow. But amid the uncertainty, there is at the very least some confusion about what exactly comes next.

In Mali, where at least 1,000 Wagner fighters replaced French troops brought in to fight Islamic extremists, the U.S. alleges that the Kremlin uses the country as a way-station for arms shipments to Russian forces in Ukraine. But the Malian government has denied using Wagner for any purpose other than training.

An officer in the Malian Air Force who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to comment publicly said Russian fighters play an important combat role.

At the moment we dont have enough pilots, and most of our military aircraft and combat helicopters are flown by Wagners men. If Russia asks the Malian government to stop cooperating with Wagner, well be obliged to do so, because we have a greater interest in the Russian government than in Wagner, the officer said.

As part of a deal to end the rebellion, Putin has presented Wagner fighters with three options: either join the Russian military, go to Belarus like Prigozhin, or return home. It was not clear if those options also applied to Wagner fighters in Africa.

In the Central African Republic, a statue in the capital, Bangui, pays tribute to Russian mercenaries who have helped keep President Faustin-Archange Touadera in power. Lavrov told RT that hundreds of Russian fighters would remain there.

Regardless of who ultimately oversees the Wagner fighters in the Central African Republic, the source of their authority remains clear, said Jordy Christopher, a special adviser to Touadera. Prigozhin is nothing more than a pawn in the handling of the art of war, moreover he is only the tip of the iceberg, he said.

Wagner operates in roughly 30 countries, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and it faces numerous human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings. Its fighters are most influential in African countries where armed conflicts have forced leaders to turn to Moscow for help, such as Libya and Sudan.

The African leadership of these countries need them, said Federica Saini Fasanotti, a senior Fellow at Brookings Institutions Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology.

Still, some experts said the revolt against the Kremlin will force African countries reliant on Wagner to pay closer attention to how they engage with Russia, where Putin faces the gravest threat to his authority since coming to power more than two decades ago.

Developments in Russia will likely render many African countries more cautious in their engagement with Russia moving forward,, said Ryan Cummings, director of Africa-focused security consulting company Signal Risk.

Any unexpected turn of events domestically in Russia poses potential threats to African leaders who have become dependent on its foreign fighters to stay in power, such as those in Mali and the Central African Republic.

"Any withdrawal could readily be exploited by non-state groups challenging the authority of the government in these countries, said Cummings.

-

Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Irwin reported from Dakar, Senegal.
Russian missile attack hits Kramatorsk city center, killing at least four, say Ukrainian officials

Russian missiles struck the busy city center of the east Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk and a nearby village on Tuesday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.

A 17-year-old girl was among those killed, and an eight-month-old baby was among the 42 injured, the Ukrainian Prosecutor Generals Office said.

The attack quickly prompted accusations that Russian forces had targeted civilians.

At the epicenter of the explosion were also apartment buildings, commercial premises, cars, a post office and other buildings, in which windows, glass and doors were blown out, the Prosecutor Generals statement said, adding that rescue teams are still working to locate victims under the rubble.

Restaurants in the targeted plaza are popular with Kramatorsk residents and with the military; RIA Pizza, one of the establishments, is often frequented by soldiers and journalists.

An eyewitness to the aftermath of the strike in Kramatorsk city described up to a dozen people being pulled from the rubble. It was not clear if these people were dead or alive, the man told CNN teams on the ground.

A Ukrainian soldier assisting rescue efforts told CNN that the victims he saw were mostly young people, military and civilians; there are small children.

The soldier, who asked to be identified only by the call sign Alex, said there had been a banquet for 45 people at one of the restaurants when the strike occurred, and that it hit right in the center of the cafe.

A restaurant heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in central Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine June 27, 2023. - Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Andriy Yermak/Telegram/Reuters

The attack happened at around 7:30pm local time, Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of Donetsk region military administration, said on Ukrainian state TV.

A second missile also struck the nearby village of Bilenke, according to Andriy Yermak, adviser to the Office of President Zelensky.

It comes during a potentially pivotal moment of the Ukraine war, as Russias security apparatus reckons with the continuing fallout of a short-lived insurrection by the Wagner mercenary group, and as Kyivs counteroffensive pushes forward.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the strike on Kramatorsk a manifestation of terror in his nightly address on Tuesday and called for a tribunal to try alleged crimes.

Zelensky also noted his gratitude to US President Joe Biden for a new package of security assistance to Ukraine, worth up to $500 million.

This is a developing story.

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Russians themselves do not hide their disappointment with the Kremlin dictator on social networks

Kremlin propagandists are claiming that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's approval rating increased to 90% after Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner PMC mutiny, Russian propagandist Sergei Markov said on June 27.

Makarov, a former close advisor to Putin and now CEO of the Institute of Political Studies  a Russian propaganda think tank  said Putin's support among Russians is now so strong that they are ready to "pray to him."

Read also: Russian propaganda is beginning to prepare Russians for defeat, believes expert veteran

"Support for the president was 80%, and following these events [Prigozhins mutiny] it has become 90% Markov said.

In this sense, [people are] ready to pray to Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin]: Just save us from all this chaos. It isn't necessary to care about public opinion in these terms. We need to care about it only if it falls.

Read also: Kremlins propaganda machine preparing Russians for Ukraine's counteroffensive

However, despite the statements of Russian propagandists, the Russian publics reaction to the "fateful" Putin address on June 26 was characterized by disappointment and confusion  with official news stories on Telegram receiving notably more dislikes than likes.

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(Bloomberg) -- Russias Wagner Group has played a central role in a campaign of killings, torture and rape in the Central African Republic and has driven civilians away from areas where its affiliated companies have been awarded mining rights, US nonprofit the Sentry said in a report.

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Wagner, which had close ties to the Kremlin until last weekends short-lived rebellion led by the groups founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, was hired by CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera in 2018 to help fend off rebels, according to the Sentry. Its one of several African countries where Wagner has established a presence in recent years, offering its services often in return for mineral resources, as a way to indirectly bolster the Kremlins geopolitical reach, according to the Sentry and the US Treasury.

The Treasury has described Wagners operations in Africa as an interplay between Russias paramilitary operations, support for preserving authoritarian regimes and exploitation of natural resources.

Wagners activities have drawn increased scrutiny since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the US accusing it of exacerbating instability in some African nations and using them to run weapons to the war. It remains unclear what Wagners game plan in Africa will be following Prigozhins insurrection that ended abruptly with a murky deal that allowed the Wagner leader and his troops to leave seemingly without consequences.

Killing, Torture

Wagner, Touadera, and his inner circle have perpetrated widespread, systematic, and well-planned campaigns of mass killing, torture, and rape, the Sentry, which was set up in 2016 to probe the links between conflict and money in Africa, said in the report published on Tuesday.

Wagner did not respond to requests for comment. Touaderas senior adviser, Fidele Gouandjika, confirmed Wagners presence in CAR but told Bloomberg it was not involved in any military offensives or torture.

The Sentry cited interviews with more than 45 people including 11 members of CARs armed forces, militiamen, documents and satellite images.

In CAR, Wagner has perfected a blueprint for state capture, supporting a criminalized state hijacked by the Central African president and his inner circle, amassing military power, securing access to and plundering precious minerals, the Sentry said.

The Sentry was co-founded in 2016 by the actor George Clooney and John Prendergast, a human rights activist who has worked for the US government. Its funders include the Carnegie Foundation of New York, The Ford Foundation and a fund sponsored by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.

Russia built a monster for geostrategic expansion but also for economic gain, said Nathalia Dukhan, a senior investigator for the Sentry, in an interview. Its very likely that this monster will evolve and will survive.

Diamond Mines

The report documented a number of massacres including the killing of ethnic Fulani in a series of attacks in the village of Boyo between Dec. 6 and 13, 2021, which the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said were perpetrated as punishment for local Muslims assumed to support the rebels. Participants in the attack told the Sentry that it was orchestrated by Wagner and they were told to kill all the men.

The Boyo attacks were replicated elsewhere at diamond and gold mining sites where Wagner-affiliated companies operated, according to the Sentry.

Wagner fighters took part in the attacks and gave the orders, people interviewed by the Sentry said. They also trained the CAR military and affiliated militia on how to cut and strangle rebels and burn people alive.

Gouandjika denied that government forces and Wagner had carried out the attacks in Boyo, blaming it instead on rebel groups fighting each other.

No Prisoners

The Russian soldiers that are called Wagner in our country are never on the offensive. They dont attack, he said.

Gouandjika also denied that the armed forces use torture or had been trained in such techniques, but confirmed the armys policy was to take no prisoners in its fight against what he described as bandits and terrorists.

He confirmed that Russia is supplying his country with weapons, specifically tanks.

We have a defense agreement with one of the biggest nuclear powers in the world, he said.

(Updates with Sentry investigators comment in 10th paragraph)

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The Russian invaders have destroyed half of the residential buildings in Mariupol during the siege, and more than 300 buildings have been demolished during the occupation.

Source: Mariupol City Council on Telegram

Quote from City Council: "During the siege, the invaders have destroyed 50% of the entire housing stock of the city. More than 300 houses have already been completely demolished since the occupation started. At the same time, many Mariupol residents are fighting for their homes to be left intact because they still live there."

Details: The city council added that, despite this, the destruction continues.

In particular, the Russians recently demolished two houses at 77 and 79 Metalurhiv Avenue.

The City Council also posted a video showing that the former apartments are now ruins.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A worker removes an advertising banner promoting service in Wagner private mercenary group on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 24. A slogan on the banner reads: "Accede to the team of victors!" Credit - Anton VaganovReuters

In the wake of a tumultuous weekend that saw Russian President Vladimir Putin survive the biggest test to his leadership in 23 years, the disbandment of the mutinous Wagner Group appears to now be underway, the BBC reported.

Russias defense ministry has said that the Wagner Group will surrender its supply of weapons and hardware, and its fighters have been invited by Putin to join the Russian army instead. Failing that, mercenaries can flee to neighboring Belarus, which has been involved in mediating an agreement between the two parties since Wagners rebellion on Saturday.

The mercenary group seized control of key military sites in Rostov-on-Don during an armed event that saw at least 13 pilots killed, according to news reports citing pro-military bloggers. Wagner Groups chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his fighters decided to turn back before reaching Moscow and entered a dealbrokered with assistance from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenkothat saw the charges against Prigozhin dropped in exchange for him leaving the country.

A private jet linked to Prigozhin arrived in Minsk, the Belarusian capital, on Tuesday morning. But it has not yet been confirmed if the Wagner chief was onboard, and the Kremlin has said it has no information on his whereabouts.

Prigozhin spoke out on Monday for the first time since the aborted rebellion, releasing an 11-minute audio statement in which he said the march was a retaliation in regards to a Russian rocket attack that killed 30 of his fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said, according to translations by Sky News. Civilians came out to meet us with Russian flags and Wagner emblems, they were happy when we arrived and walked past them.

More from TIME

Read More: How Long Can Wagner Boss Yevgeny Prigozhin Survive?

On Tuesday, Putin addressed military personnel at the Kremlin and called for a minutes silence to honor pilots who died during the march. Youve essentially stopped a civil war, you acted properly and in a coordinated manner, he told personnel. He added that Wagner Group did not have the support of the army or the Russian people, the BBC reported.

Ukraine looking on with glee

The long run effects of disbanding Wagner Group could undercut Russias war efforts in Ukraine, experts say. The most battle hardened people, those diehard people in Prigozhins inner circle will not join the Ministry of Defense, says Andreas Krieg, a professor of security studies at Kings College London. Theyre also the kinds of people who would make a difference on the battlefield.

Read More: Wagner Groups Revolt in Russia Ends After Deal Struck. Heres What to Know

Unlike traditional, state-funded militaries, Wagner is a private, for-profit entity that operates around the world. Because of this, the group is able to operate independently from the Russian state and its chain of command is structured quite differently from the traditional Russian military. Wagner is structured like a special forces unit where theres quite a lot of autonomy for boots on the ground to make decisions as they see fit, Krieg says. That makes them far more dynamic and agile than the Russian military, which is still a post-Soviet military and is very hierarchically structured.

According to Krieg, Putin may try to compensate for any loss of Wagner forces by adding additional Chechen soldiers or finding other ways to integrate new forces. But Russian forces are still likely to suffer a setback in the long run from the loss of the highly mobile Wagner fighters, he adds.

The Wagner rebellion comes at an opportune time for Ukraine, which has begun its long-awaited spring counteroffensive. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tweeted Tuesday morning that it was highly likely that it had recaptured some of the territory that had been occupied by Russia since 2014. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have liberated up to 50 square miles of territory along the southern frontline from Russia since the start of the latest counteroffensive, Ukraines deputy defense minister Hanna Maliar said on Monday.

I get the sense here in Kyiv that theyre looking at the events in Russia with quite a bit of glee, wrote Mayeni Jones for the BBC. Over the weekend, President Zelensky basically said that Russia was getting its just deserts for invading Ukraine and that everything happening to Putin was as a direct result of all of his decision to invade Ukrainian territory.

This is a developing story.
Ryan Seacrest to replace Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune

Ryan Seacrest

US TV personality Ryan Seacrest will take the helm of the iconic Wheel of Fortune game show in 2024.

He will replace Pat Sajak, who recently announced he would retire after more than 40 years hosting the show.

Seacrest will also serve as a consulting producer under a his multi-year agreement.

The 48-year-old has been a familiar face on American televisions for years, hosting singing competitions and talk shows.

Co-host Vanna White will remain with Wheel of Fortune.

"I'm truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak," Seacrest said in a statement on Tuesday.

"I can say, along with the rest of America, that it's been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them."

He praised Sajak for how he "always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease".

Sajak, 76, is staying on as a consultant with the programme, show producers said.

Seacrest will continue to host the singing competition American Idol, where he has worked since 2002.

Until recently, he was co-host on the popular morning talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan, where he had a six-year run.

Sajak began hosting Wheel of Fortune in 1981. In 2018 he became the longest-running host of a game show, surpassing The Price Is Right's Bob Barker.

The primetime staple still attracts 26 million viewers weekly, according to Sony, and over 10,000 people audition to be on the show each year.

The show was originally devised in 1975 as a TV version of popular game "Hangman". Centered around a spinning wheel, it involves contestants solving word puzzles to win prizes.

Meanwhile, it has also been announced that Wheel of Fortune will return to UK TV next year, with Graham Norton as host.

Adapted from the hit US programme, it originally ran on ITV from 1988 to 2001.

Eight episodes of the revival, helmed by the Eurovision and Graham Norton Show presenter, will be broadcast on ITV and its streaming service ITVX.
A man was convicted Monday of murder in a fatal 2021 shooting in Sacramento Countys Arden Arcade area.

Fard Smithson, 30, was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Smithson killed Keela Lanea Cole, 42, at the Bell Park Apartments near Encina High School in Arden Arcade in July 2021.

A Sacramento Superior Court jury found that Smithson intentionally and personally discharged a firearm causing death, the DA news release said.

Smithson lived with Cole and committed unreported acts of domestic violence, prosecutors said.

On July 19, 2021, three friends were at Smithson and Coles residence when someone made a joke about the food Cole prepared for everyone, according to the DA news release.

Smithson then got off the couch, went into the kitchen and threw his plate of food in the sink, prosecutors said. He rounded the corner and shot Cole in the back of the head two times while she was sitting on the couch, according to officials.

The jury determined Smithson and the three others at the apartment immediately fled the scene, with one returning to call 911. Smithson reportedly changed his clothes and returned to the scene hours later, claiming he didnt know what had happened.

Smithson was arrested the day after the shooting by Sacramento County Sheriffs Office deputies. Sheriffs officials at the time of his arrest said Smithson had an extensive criminal history in Sacramento County, with 15 separate court cases dating back to 2012.

Smithson faces up to 53 years to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 11 in Sacramento Superior Court.
For the second time in less than a year, the South Carolina Supreme Court is considering constitutional challenges against a six-week abortion ban critics say unduly burdens a womans right to reproductive care.

The S.C. Supreme Court, made up of five male justices, on Tuesday heard oral arguments over whether a revived six-week abortion ban in South Carolina violates a womans right to privacy under the states constitution. For now, the abortion ban remains temporarily suspended as the court continues to mull its constitutionality. In the meantime, the states previous ban at about 20 weeks remains in effect.

Tuesdays hearing serves as the latest battle in a years-long war over how restrictive abortion access should be in South Carolina. In May, shortly after the General Assembly passed a six-week abortion ban that would prohibit abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detected  S. 474  Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law.

Plaintiffs, including Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, the Greenville Womens Clinic and two physicians who provide abortions in South Carolina, argued the ban is essentially a replica of a previous six-week abortion ban  S. 1  that was struck down as unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in January and, for that reason, S. 474 is also unconstitutional.

Indeed, the court wasted little time Tuesday in pressing the state on how the now-contested law differs from the previous ban.

I want you to pinpoint exactly the material differences between the 2021 act and this courts decision in January and the current 2023 act, and tell us how those reported differences impact our analysis on Article One, section 10, said state Supreme Court Justice John Kittredge.

Article One, section 10 of the South Carolina Constitution, which provides a right to privacy, is what the court previously relied on in nullifying S. 1. In its majority opinion striking down the states previous law, the Supreme Court said including a finding about a womans informed choice was contradictory to other provisions within the ban.

Lawyers for the state said to address the courts previous concerns regarding the ban, the legislature made three changes to the law by: one, repealing a legislative finding involving a womans informed choice to receive an abortion; two, changing the definition of a clinical diagnoseable pregnancy; and three, changing the definition of contraceptives to clarify that contraceptives are permissible under the new law and include emergency contraceptives that would be technically available after conception.

Lawyers from Planned Parenthood on Tuesday asked the justices not to create ... an arbitrary line in determining pregnancy, but to look at this Courts precedent and claim from day one that (S. 474) is an unreasonable invasion of privacy, attorney Catherine Humphreville said.

The contested law bans abortions at around six weeks of pregnancy, or once fetal cardiac activity is detected, at a time when most people dont know that theyre pregnant. With only three small abortion clinics in South Carolina  Charleston, Columbia and Greenville  plus an appointment backlog and new requirements to get an abortion, abortion-rights backers say the law is essentially a near-total ban.

Tuesdays hearing lasted about 70 minutes and was marked by active participation by all five male justices. Among them, they peppered the lawyers with dozens of questions on topics ranging from obscure legal terms such as collateral estoppel to practical situations such as how much time a woman would have between her recognition of being pregnant and being able to get an abortion.

Chief Justice Don Beatty took perhaps the most active role in questioning the two attorneys for the state, Thomas Hydrick and Grayson Lambert, repeatedly taking issue with their characterizations of numerous matters in the case.

Early in the hearing, Assistant Deputy Solicitor General Thomas Hydrick told the justices that women can know as soon as seven to 10 days after conception that they are pregnant, and that would still leave a period of certain weeks for them to make a decision (whether to have an abortion). ... I think a woman can know they are pregnant by that time. We also know as a matter of statistics and evidence they do know they are pregnant by that time.

Beatty objected: Where is this evidence? We keep talking about the evidence. Theres not one shred of evidence admitted in this record.

While certain features of Tuesdays hearing seemed familiar, such as the womans privacy issue, the courts makeup did not.

In February, the General Assembly voted to replace retiring Justice Kaye Hearn  who, before reaching the state-mandated retirement age of 72, was the only woman on the bench  with Judge Gary Hill, marking the first time in more than three decades the high court would not have a female justice on the bench.

Hearn wrote the courts majority 3-2 opinion against the previous abortion ban in January, which also included state Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty and Justice John Few. Justices John Kittredge and George James dissented.

The now-contested law capped months of Republican infighting over abortion restrictions following the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, after the state House last year first passed its own ban at conception and refused to debate the Senates proposed six-week ban, despite an unwillingness by the upper chamber to pass a total ban on abortion Both chambers passed similar versions of a six-week ban this year and, after a months-long standoff, the House agreed to the Senates proposal.

Last month, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, highlighted state health data that showed, at the previous 20-week ban, South Carolina reported 6,279 abortions in 2021 and 7,277 abortions in 2022  an increase, in part, due to out-of-state visitors from states with stricter abortion restrictions.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

John Monk contributed reporting.
SC could have a worse tick season than usual in summer 2023. Heres why

A cooler spring and abundant rain likely means more than a usual amount of ticks this summer, some experts say.

It has been an interesting year for ticks in South Carolina, said Emily Owens Pickle, a researcher in the University of South Carolinas Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Her department will begin collecting ticks in the next few weeks and will have a better idea of just how bad it is.

But now that the temperatures are well into the hot zone, residents should prepare themselves, their pets and livestock for the possibility theyll be a ticks next meal during July and August, Pickle said.

Ticks are around all year, but they are most active from April to September. Accord to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, ticks are generally found near the ground in forests and in areas with brush or tall grass and weeds. Ticks cannot jump or fly.

South Carolina has five types of ticks and is experiencing an increasing threat from the Asian Longhorned tick, an invasive species. All ticks can cause disease.

Last summer, a large population of Asian longhorned ticks infested a pasture at a cattle farm in York County. They were first found in the United States in 2010 and have been seen in 17 states.

They were first seen In South Carolina in small numbers on shelter dogs in Lancaster and Pickens counties.

While no documented cases of diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or anaplasmosis have been reported in the United States due to bites from Asian longhorned ticks, the ability of this tick species to spread diseases that can make people and animals ill is a concern, Dr. Chris Evans, Public Health Entomologist with DHECs Bureau of Environmental Health Services, said in a news release.

Evans said Asian longhorned tick populations increase rapidly  one female can produce 1,000 to 2,000 eggs at a time without mating.

And their tiny light brown bodies are hard to see.

The most common tick in South Carolina is the lonestar tick, which can cause red meat allergy, ehrlichiosis (upset stomach, headache, muscle aches, fever) and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness.

Others include the black-legged tick, which can transmit Lyme disease, tick-borne relapsing fever, and anaplasmosis (same symptoms as the lonestar tick) and the Gulf Coast tick that can cause Rickettsia parkeri, which the state health department calls a recently identified and emerging new disease.

Also in South Carolina are American dog ticks and brown dog ticks, both of which can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Health officials recommend using insect repellents and treating clothing and gear.

Tuck in clothing around the ankles and waist.

Shower with soap and shampoo soon after being outdoors. Check for ticks every day.

Stay in the center of paths when hiking or walking through woods.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety issued a warning Tuesday about a sophisticated identity theft scheme impacting people across the county, including Ohio residents.

According to ODPS, the scheme involves the use of stolen personal information to answer online Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) security questions and gain access to individual BMV accounts.

Once inside the persons account, identity thieves then request a drivers license or identification card reprint be mailed to a new address.

>> Recall alert: Mini Fruit Jelly Cups recalled over potential choking hazard

This scheme is incredibly concerning, not only because criminals are ordering up legitimate drivers licenses but because they can use these cards and the stolen personal information to potentially access your bank account, said ODPS Director Andy Wilson. If you receive a postcard from the Ohio BMV telling you about an address change that you did not request, its important that you immediately take action.

The scheme was first identified in Texas earlier this year, ODPS said. Thousands of replacement drivers licenses were sent to unauthorized parties using stolen personal information.

In Ohio, ODPS says the BMV has initiated contact with around 90 Ohioans whose stolen information was used to obtain or attempt to obtain a drivers license reprint.

It is currently unknown where the thieves obtained the stolen personal information.

ODPS emphasized that Ohio systems were not breached.

The Ohio BMV has reported the fraud to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and has additional resources to monitoring patterns associated with the scheme.

Anyone who receives a postcard from the BMV notifying you of online profile changes that you did not request are being advised to immediately contact the BMV at 1-(844)-644-6268.
Demolition Derby

For the first time, astronomers have observed a whole new mechanism by which stars can die  by smashing into each other in an extremely turbulent environment.

A new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy details how astronomers have finally seen evidence of a long-hypothesized type of stellar death that could be described as a "demolition derby," according to a press release.

The researchers were looking for the source of a powerful gamma-ray burst (GRB) when they realized something was amiss.

While most GRBs, explosive outbursts of energy, occur when massive stars merge or explode in a supernova, the newly identified GRB dubbed 191019A seems to have come from the collision of neutron stars or stellar remnants  inside the chaotic environment of a supermassive black hole that sits at the center of an ancient galaxy.

The conclusion could allow us to glean insights into the evolution of stars and the many unexpected ways they meet their spectacular demise.

"Most stars in the universe die in a predictable way, which is just based on their mass," Radboud University astronomer and lead author Andrew Levan told Reuters. "This research shows a new route to stellar destruction."

Born to Be Wild

This new pathway to star death is significantly more explosive than the other already known ones.

"Our results show that stars can meet their demise in some of the densest regions of the universe, where they can be driven to collide," said Levan in a statement.

The research could also shed light on some of the observations we make back on the surface.

"This is exciting for understanding how stars die and for answering other questions, such as what unexpected sources might create gravitational waves that we could detect on Earth," Levant added.

Observed by the National Science Foundations Gemini South telescope in Chile, the discovery "confounds almost every expectation we have," explained coauthor and Northwestern astronomy doctoral candidate Anya Nugent, a specialist in gamma-ray bursts, in the statement.

"For every hundred events that fit into the traditional classification scheme of gamma-ray bursts, there is at least one oddball that throws us for a loop," Northwestern astrophysicist and study coauthor Wen-fai Fong added. "However, it is these oddballs that tell us the most about the spectacular diversity of explosions that the universe is capable of."

More on GRBs: Gamma Ray Burst Was So Bright It Blinded Almost All Equipment to Detect It
Scientists have created embryo models to help study the mysteries of early human development, the medical problems that happen before birth and why many pregnancies fail.

These models are made from stem cells, not egg and sperm, and cant grow into babies.

Theyre complete enough to give you a picture of what may be happening in the embryo during pregnancy, but theyre not so complete that you could actually use them for reproduction, said Insoo Hyun, an ethicist and director of life sciences at Bostons Museum of Science. It just will not work.

Using models also avoids the controversy of using real embryos in research, he said.

Several groups are working on the research. Teams with researchers from the United States and England shared their work in two studies published Tuesday in the journal Nature. Other scientists in Israel and China published studies on their work earlier this month that have not yet been reviewed by peers.

While previous models mimicked pre-embryos, Hyun said the latest ones model an embryo after it has implanted in the uterus. Real human embryos can be extremely hard to see at that stage because they burrow into the uterus. Each teams models vary in the techniques used and how complete they are, he said, with some mirroring not just the embryo but the very beginnings of the placenta and yolk sac, too.

For these types of models, scientists use a kind of stem cell that is capable of developing into many different types of cells or tissues in the body. They can be from embryos or reprogrammed from adult tissues.

The authors of one Nature paper described models that resemble human embryos nine to 14 days after fertilization.

If we can experimentally model this period, then we can finally start asking questions about how human development happens in those very early stages that are normally hidden within the body of the mother, said author Berna Sozen, who studies developmental stem cell biology at Yale University.

Scientists will also be able to study embryonic failure, developmental disorders and pregnancy loss, Sozen said. At this point, we don't understand how it goes awry, she said.

In the other Nature paper, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, an expert in stem cell biology at the California Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge in England, and colleagues said their model mirrors development up to 14 days from fertilization. That model contains embryonic tissues and tissues that can go on to produce structures surrounding the embryo such as the placenta and yolk sac.

Jacob Hanna of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, an author of a yet-to-be-reviewed paper, said in an email that his groups model also mirrors human embryo development up to day 14 after fertilization. He said the structures include all embryonic membranes as well as membranes outside the embryo.

Both Hanna and Zernicka-Goetz previously helped create mouse embryo models.

Down the road, Zernicka-Goetz said human embryo models could be used to explore the effects of the environment and chemicals on early development. They could even be used to generate tissues used in new medical treatments, she said.

Sozen also envisions testing drugs on embryo models and exposing them to germs  experiments that cant be done on people who are pregnant.

Guidelines from the International Society for Stem Cell Research say scientists cannot put any human embryo model into either a human or non-human uterus. For decades, the society had a related 14-day rule that guided researchers on how long actual embryos can be grown in the lab  which the group recommended relaxing under limited circumstances in 2021. But because the models are not embryos, they're not subject to the rule.

Experts said some in the public have the wrong idea about these models, believing they might be able to create pregnancies. But scientific hurdles prevent this. For example, they dont develop a proper placenta. Even in the future, as the field progresses, there are ways to guard against bad actors who may want to try and create pregnancies from embryo models, said Hyun, who is also a member of Harvard Medical Schools Center for Bioethics.

The ethical reason for not making them complete, he said, is that the whole point of these models is to avoid the embryo controversy.

___

AP video journalist Havovi Todd contributed from London.

___

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.
For the first time, a drug both discovered and designed by an AI system is officially undergoing mid-stage testing in human clinical trials.

The drug called NS018_055 was developed by the biotech firm Insilico Medicine and is designed to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease known to cause often debilitating breathing problems.

The drug was approved for phase 2 trials, meaning that scientists are now testing whether the drug actually works.

According to the folks at Insilico, it could prove to be a consequential step forward for the burgeoning AI-enhanced pharmaceutical field, which could lead to a completely new  and potentially lucrative  era of drug research and development.

"This first drug candidate that's going to Phase 2 is a true highlight of our end-to-end approach to bridge biology and chemistry with deep learning," Insilico CEO Alex Zhavoronko said in a statement. "This is a significant milestone not only for us, but for everyone in the field of AI-accelerated drug discovery."

The executive made some pretty lofty promises about the future of the tech. According to Zhavoronko, this new era in AI-assisted pharmaceuticals will, in theory, be defined by massive increases in the industry's "productivity."

"For Insilico, it is the moment of truth... but it is also a true test for AI and the entire industry should be watching," Zhavoronkov told the Financial Times. "Our company, and it's a big, bold claim, can double the productivity of pretty much every big pharma company."

In other words, if the CEO is to be believed, the time it takes to develop a drug could be halved with the help of AI.

Insilico has been deploying AI models that can quickly and efficiently churn through massive datasets to come up with new molecules that can eventually be turned into a drug.

In short, the company claims to use AI to first identify a potential target for a pharmaceutical, conceptualize said pharmaceutical candidate, and then predict its effectiveness.

The company is using NVIDIA graphics processing units to power its AI, an approach that is seemingly already paying off. According to NVIDIA, coming up with the drug NS018_055 took less than 18 months, a process that usually takes up to six years.

Insilico has used its AI platform to discover 12 pre-clinical drug candidates, three of which have advanced to early clinical trials so far. Of these three, NS018_055 is the first to make it to Phase 2 trials.

"When we first presented our results, people just did not believe that generative AI systems could achieve this level of diversity, novelty and accuracy," Zhavoronkov added in his statement. "Now that we have an entire pipeline of promising drug candidates, people are realizing that this actually works."

Of course, these are pretty ambitious statements considering that the drug is only starting the years-long process of human clinical trials. Only time will tell if the drug is even effective in humans.

After all, as University of Michigan pharmaceutical sciences professor Duxin Sun noted in an essay in The Conversation last year, roughly 90 percent of drugs that go to clinical trials ultimately fail.

And, as the FT points out, there is precedent for failure in the sector, as exemplified by the London-based biotech AI firm Benevolent AI laying off half of its staff last month after its lead drug candidate flopped.

Despite these early warning signs, pharma firms are investing heavily in AI startups like Insilico. And with this clinical trial milestone under the company's belt, coupled with the gold rush nature of the broader AI marketplace, we'll likely see a lot more money flowing in.

"There is no shortage of interest," Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and the author of "Deep Medicine," told the FT. "Every major pharma company has invested in partnerships with at least one, if not multiple, AI companies."

More on AI and medicine: Microsoft Alarmed at Doctors Using ChatGPT to Tell Patients Bad News
A female orca. Getty Images

Noise deterrents are being developed to scare orcas away from boats, a Portuguese trade association said.

Orcas off the Iberian coast have been ramming into boats and ripping off their rudders.

The association said sailors in the area are "afraid" to take their boats into Portuguese waters.

Researchers are planning to develop and test noise deterrents meant to scare away orcas after a rapid rise in reports that the creatures are ramming boats off the Iberian coast.

"Some lines of development of acoustic deterrents are being developed that will be tested this summer, in order to try to find options for the protection of sailboats and minimize the number of interactions," Antonio Bessa de Carvalho, president of the National Association of Cruises (ANC), told Portuguese news agency Lusa.

The ANC, the Portuguese Navy, and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests have been holding meetings since March to find a solution to orcas damaging boats by ramming into them and grabbing and ripping off their rudders, per Lusa.

Alfredo Lopez of the Grupo de trabajo Orca Atlantica, which is collaborating with the Portuguese government, told Insider the work is in the very early stages.

He added they are focusing on finding solutions that "comply with the legislation" and "do not cause environmental damage."

Noise deterrents typically work by emitting pulses of high-frequency sound to scare away sea creatures from an area.

While types of acoustic deterrents exist, none are specifically designed to be used for orcas and sailboats, he said.

"You have to invent it. They do not exist because there was never a need," he said.

One focus, Lopez said, is to ensure the deterrent does not contribute more noise to the ocean.

"Adding more noise into the ocean can be harmful to living things. That is why the previous comment would not develop continuous emission deterrents," he said.

Orca whales are curious animals that will approach your boat. Portland Press Herald / Contributor / Getty Images

Dozens of reports of interactions between orcas and boats have been reported, most of which have taken place off the Iberian coast. The creatures' motivations are not clear, but the behavior seems to be spreading among local pods of orcas.

One recent interaction was reported as far north as the Shetland islands, off the coast of Scotland.

A video released on Thursday showed orcas interrupting a boat race in the Atlantic Ocean last week. The video shows the animals repeatedly rubbing against the ship's rudders, Insider previously reported.

"Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders. Impressive to see the orcas, beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team," skipper Jelmer van Beek said, Insider previously reported.

At least two boats have been sunk as a result of the interactions, and the exchange can leave the boats unable to steer their course and having to be rescued at sea, per Lusa.

"Sailboat owners are very concerned and are currently afraid to take their boats to the Algarve", the southernmost region of Portugal, "as they do every year," Bessa de Carvalho told Lusa.

Desperate sailors have been trying all sorts of techniques to keep orcas away from the boats, such as throwing sand over the side of the ship, navigating backward, hitting the orcas or throwing firecrackers and flares at them, throwing lemons in the water, or hitting dishes and kitchen items to make noise, none of which have been particularly effective, Lopez said.

The Grupo de trabajo Orca Atlantica recommends slowing down the boat's engine if possible. That has worked in about 60% of cases, said Lopez.

For the time being, Lopez said the best way to protect boats is for sailors to "be informed."

"Sailors can consult the website and GT Orcas mobile application (Google Play and Apple Store) to find out about hot spots, be prepared if they sail in those areas, avoid sailing at night and approach the coast, as far as possible," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mel Vezina wishes they didnt have to live nearly 115 miles away from their work. They wish they didnt have to choose between a four-hour round-trip commute every day and sleeping overnight in their car during the week, which theyve been doing for the last 10 years.

But, as a residence life counselor at Californias state-funded School for the Deaf in Fremont, Vezina says they cant afford to live near their work on their state salary, which amounts to about $3,500 a month in take-home pay.

I love what I do, Vezina said in American Sign Language. I cant imagine working anywhere else, because the school is such a wonderful school.

At the same time, Vezina says theyre mentally exhausted and frustrated. Its hard to be away from their family all week, working 2:45 p.m. until midnight as a dorm parent for students. When they do come home, to Rancho Cordova, most of their time goes toward household chores.

On top of that, the staff at the school is dwindling as people take higher paying jobs or move to areas where the cost of living is cheaper. That means Vezina and others are expected to help fill the gaps by working longer hours or pulling overnight shifts.

Im just worn out, Vezina said. Its just getting harder and harder every year.

CSD Fremont is the only Northern California school where deaf students can fully immerse themselves in Deaf culture and language. Still, the schools enrollment has declined significantly in the last seven to eight years, according to staff, and turnover has been high.

Without a bump in pay and a commitment to boosting student enrollment, Vezina and others worry that the school could be forced to cut back on services and classes  a tremendous loss for the Deaf community, which has long had to fight for respect and equal access to education.

Teachers, counselors and other employees at CSD Fremont are just a few of the nearly 100,000 state workers whose union, Service Employees International Union Local 1000, is currently bargaining with the state for significant wage increases. The union has asked for an unprecedented 30% raise over the life of its next three-year contract, with special adjustments for specific job classifications. Its current deal expires at the end of this week, on Friday.

So far, the union says the state has responded with an insulting offer of 2% raises each year.

Vezina knows that many of their students come from difficult home situations. Their own family didnt use much sign language when they were growing up, and they struggled with loneliness. Being able to provide support for deaf students and help them find their way in the world is why Vezina continues to make the commute and spend nights in their van.

Its so fulfilling, Vezina said. But its exhausting. Its hard.

CSD Fremont as a beacon of light

The School for the Deaf has served as a lifeline and a place of belonging for multiple generations of deaf students and families.

In the mid-1970s, under the direction of superintendent Henry Klopping, the school adopted a bilingual and bicultural approach to teaching, with instructors signing in American Sign Language as well as speaking in English. At the time, the approach was considered progressive and cutting edge. Sign language was largely discouraged in both mainstream and deaf schools before then, and children were expected to learn by reading lips.

The reputation that we had was something that went far beyond our borders, Klopping said. The school did an outstanding job of educating its students.

Deaf scholars and educators from around the world have called CSD Fremont a shining light and a model for Deaf education. They point to the schools bilingual model of instruction and also praising the schools commitment to employing deaf people as administrators and instructors.

Paddy Ladd, a deaf scholar and activist who coined the identity term Deafhood, has praised CSD Fremont extensively in his books on Deaf education.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is a model school, not only for the US, but literally for the world, Ladd wrote in a May letter in support of CSD Fremont. (P)eople come from across the planet to see how the highest-quality Deaf education can be made possible.

Stanley Matsumoto, a graduate of CSD Fremont who now works on staff as a residence life counselor, credits the schools immersive environment with giving him the tools to develop his own identity as a deaf person.

Before he started attending CSD Fremont at age 10, Matsumoto struggled to learn alongside hearing students in traditional schools. At home, Matsumoto was the only deaf person in his household and his family didnt know sign language. It wasnt until he came to CSD Fremont that he learned how to communicate and express himself through language.

There were like 600 students there, and it was amazing to see so much sign language, Matsumoto told The Bee in American Sign Language.

Everybody was signing, he added. It was wonderful learning about the Deaf culture.

For deaf people, a deaf school plays a similar role as ethnic neighborhoods do for immigrant families, Matsumoto said. His own family immigrated to San Francisco from China, and they felt most at home in Chinatown around other Chinese people. Similarly, he felt most comfortable when surrounded by Deaf culture at CSD Fremont.

And, by developing his sign language skills, he finally had a way to communicate with the world.

High cost of living makes recruitment challenging

Since the School for the Deaf relocated to Fremont in 1980, property values and incomes in the area have skyrocketed.

When the new location was chosen, Fremont at the time was a relatively small city with a reasonable cost of living. Fewer than 45,000 households lived there, according to census data, and the median household income was just under $100,000 in todays dollars.

But following the boom of Silicon Valley in the late 1980s, development took off in the area around the school and sent real estate prices, and the areas median income, soaring.

Today, close to 224,000 people call Fremont home, and the median household income is about $154,000, according to the most recent census data. The median value of a home is about $1.1 million.

The cost of living in the Bay Area is so high, and its extremely hard to recruit, said former superintendent Klopping, who retired in 2011. It was hard when I was there, but its gotten even more difficult now.

Ty Kovacs, a teacher and campus steward for SEIU Local 1000, said many potential hires have declined their offers after learning how much theyd be paid and Fremonts high cost of living. According to union data, the school has experienced turnover in 272 different positions since 2016, and 58 of those roles have been teachers. The school is currently short five nighttime counselors, who stay with and assist the children overnight, Kovacs said.

Many staff in their 50s stayed to keep the ship running strong, Kovacs wrote in an email to The Bee. Union data shows that 175 employees are currently eligible for retirement.

Vezina, who works as an afternoon counselor and stays in their car overnight during the week, says they rotate with other counselors to make up for the vacant night counselor roles.

Mel Vezina packs for the upcoming week of work at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. They have commuted there for work from the Sacramento region for over 10 years. They said sleeping in their vehicle is starting to take an emotional and physical toll on them.

Klopping and others have pointed out that the cost of living in Riverside, home to another School for the Deaf campus, is much lower than in Fremont. Employees at the Fremont campus earn marginally more due to a monthly recruitment and retention bonus of $200 for student life staff and $700 for teachers.

Still, the large difference in housing costs dwarf the additional pay. The median home value in Fremont of $1.1 million is more than double that of the $420,000 in Riverside, census data show. And Fremonts median gross monthly rent is 65% higher  about $2,600 compared to $1,600 in Riverside.

The state needs to understand that the cost of living issue is causing mental health problems with our staff, said Kovacs, a graduate of the school himself. And if the school doesnt run well, then we are going to lose that culture and community.

Staff and scholars alike worry that if cost-of-living concerns arent addressed, then the school might have to cut back on classes and services. Student enrollment has declined significantly since people like Kovacs and Matsumoto were students. According to the California Department of Education, enrollment dropped by more than 100 students between 2000 and 2022. Kovacs latest count tallied only 337 students enrolled at the school in 2023.

Ladd, formerly a professor of Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol, England, cautioned California officials that the school has reached a tipping point, with the number of students dwindling, and inaction could result in the loss of a historic institution.

(T)his next round of funding will be crucial in determining its future, Ladd wrote. If the situation cannot be changed, then by the end of that 3-year funding budget, the situation may well be irretrievable.

Stanley Matsumoto and his wife, Haruna Matsumoto, live with their two children in Livermore  about an hour to 90 minutes away from the school. Haruna, who is deaf, works at CSD Fremont in the human resources department. Together, the couple brings home about $6,600 a month after taxes.

The deaf school is really our second home, to be honest, said Haruna Matsumoto in American Sign Language. Thats kind of where weve found our happy place and our communication skills.

To help make ends meet, the family rents out one of their three bedrooms to a tenant, and all of them share a single bathroom. Stanley Matsumoto also works part-time at REI some nights after his shift at the school. Hell commute an hour to Fremont, work with students in the dorms from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., then drive home to work from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the store.

We just really need some help, Haruna said. Were screaming for help now, at this point.

The California Department of Education has said it is aware of the housing affordability issue in the Bay Area and are working on potential solutions. A bill that wouldve created an affordable housing program for state school employees stalled in the Assembly earlier this year after it failed to receive a committee vote, though the department plans to resurrect it again next year. A second bill, which wouldve required the state to increase future funding for the states special schools and diagnostic centers, didnt survive the Assembly Appropriations Committees suspense file.

We support our employees, said Nancy Hlibok Amann, who leads the state special schools and services division within the department, in American Sign Language. We want the best for everyone.

Hlibok Amann said shes engaged in preliminary conversations with apartment complexes across the street from the Fremont campus to see if theres a possibility of making units available at affordable rates for some of the schools employees. The talks are in early stages, she said, but shes hopeful by early next year they might be able to secure up to 10 units for staff members.

The housing issue is everywhere in the state of California, Hlibok Amann said. Its not something thats going to happen overnight.

Too far in to give up now

Vezina has sometimes considered leaving CSD Fremont to find another job  one thats closer to where they live in Sacramento County, or one outside of California entirely. But after giving more than 12 years of service to the school and the state, they feel like they cant abandon their students, nor their benefits and pension.

Im too far in right now to leave and go find another job, Vezina said.

For now, their hopes lie with SEIU Local 1000 and the bargaining team. They hope the union can secure higher pay, and also an agreement for the school to house staff on or near campus for affordable prices. And they hope leaders in state government hear their story and take action.

Im being vulnerable, and its not a pleasant experience  its kind of embarrassing  but Im not doing this for me, Vezina said. Im doing this to help others.
Fox News host Sean Hannity twisted himself into knots trying to spin a damning new recording of former President Donald Trump  and got laughed out the door on Twitter.

CNN on Monday obtained audio of Trump discussing sensitive military documents in his possession after leaving the White House and admitting he never declassified the material.

See, as president I could have declassified it, Trump said in the clip. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Trump was indicted this month on 37 counts alleging the mishandling of classified materials and resisting government efforts to retrieve them. He pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly claimed everything he took was automatically declassified  contradicting his comments in the recording.

But that still wasnt enough for Hannity.

That does not confirm for me whether or not specifically this document was declassified or not, Hannity told Fox News viewers Monday night. Was that actually the real document, or was it a story he was telling?

Twitter users were blown away by the mental gymnastics:

If you wanna know how bad this tape is, all you need to do is check out this straw-grasping by Hannity. https://t.co/dC9IZkIA2u  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 27, 2023

Trump on tape: This is secret information. Look at this. See as president I could have declassified it. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.



Hannity in knots: That does not confirm for me whether or not specifically this document was declassified or not. https://t.co/RYIwP8HOWY  Morten verbye (@morten) June 27, 2023

Trump: This document is not declassified.



Hannity: Is it? Theres no way to know.



Trump: Heres the document I didnt declassify. This is it. Right here. ::paper rustles definitively::



Hannity: Was there even really any paper? Its audio. That could have been anything. https://t.co/q7N9KHz5J0  shut up, josh (@ChiefJosheola) June 27, 2023

There were witnesses to what was happening during that audio tape. Sean Hannity could watch Trump read a document that he admits is classified live on air and still say..."I'm not sure that was actually classified. We didn't see the actual document. It could've just been a menu." https://t.co/OPZKGEXRbu  Melissa (@Proudmimi12) June 27, 2023

Hilarious to hear Hannity struggling to find quantum loopholes that might exonerate Trump. https://t.co/1gVfceTut8  David Moser (@david__moser) June 27, 2023

"What if C-A-T really spelled dog?" -Ogre in Revenge of the Nerds 2 https://t.co/pWAIbFG5y7  Jon Becker (@jonbecker) June 27, 2023

Trump audio: hey, does anyone want to see the body of the guy I just shot?

Hannity: Who's to say whats real here? https://t.co/5ILFNxFH1Z  Don Moynihan (@donmoyn) June 27, 2023

Related...
Natalia S. Harris, Delaware city attorney, is running for Franklin County prosecutor in 2024.

Delaware City Attorney Natalia Harris has announced she is running to replace Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack, who is not seeking reelection in 2024.

Harris, 48, a Columbus resident, will face fellow Democrat Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel in Tyack's office, in the May 2024 primary. So far, no Republicans have announced their candidacy.

"I am asking for your support and vote because together we can work toward a better, safer, and more just Franklin County," Harris said in a media release Tuesday. Her campaign will officially kick off Thursday with an event in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville District.

Harris, 48, was appointed Delaware city attorney in 2020 after serving as the city's chief prosecutor since 2019.

She has held several jobs as a city or county attorney over the past 25 years. Harris was an assistant city attorney in Columbus for 11 years and spent most of that time working in civil and administrative law. She has also worked in the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office in Dayton and she was lead prosecutor for the city of Cincinnati, according to her campaign.

Harris is a graduate of the University of Dayton School of Law and Central State University, where she is on the CSU Board of Trustees.

Related: Longtime prosecutor Anthony Pierson announces he's running for Franklin County prosecutor

According to her campaign, Harris passion for justice was triggered by the murder of her paternal aunt. She was also inspired by her father, who worked in law enforcement and raised her and her sisters as a single father after her mother passed away when Harris was in second grade.

If elected, Harris priorities include building a diverse prosecution team; engaging community stakeholders to develop policies that better serve the community equitably and building up the conviction integrity unit as well as the victim witness advocates unit, according to her campaign website.

Who the next county prosecutor is may be decided in the primary as the Franklin County electorate has increasingly favored Democrats.

Pierson, 46, announced his candidacy May 22  the same day he returned to work at the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office for a third time after leaving Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office as the lead prosecutor on all shootings involving law enforcement officers. Pierson has 20 years of experience as a prosecuting attorney at the county and state levels .

jlaird@dispatch.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware's city attorney announces bid for Franklin County Prosecutor
'This is secret information': What we know about the Trump recording

An audio recording referenced in the federal indictment of Donald Trump featured the former president discussing a document about Iran that he described as "highly confidential" and admitted he could not declassify because he'd left office.

"This is secret information," Trump said in the audio clip.

"See, as president I could have declassified it," Trump added. "Now I can't."

The recording, which first aired Monday evening on CNN, is a crucial piece of evidence in the Department of Justice's case against the former president over his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The audio clip suggests that the former president knowingly possessed government secrets after leaving the White House and that they remained classified after the end of his presidency.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Faith & Freedom Coalition Policy Conference in Washington, Saturday, June 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) ORG XMIT: DCJL137

Parts of the two-minute recording were previously transcribed by the DOJ and cited in Trump's federal indictment. The former president is facing 37 counts in federal court, including charges of willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in Miami federal court on June 13.

The trial is set to begin as early as Aug. 14 in Miami.

What does the recording mean for Trump?

The audio recording allows listeners to hear Trump on tape discussing a "highly confidential" and "secret" document in his possession, but it does not reveal anything new about the Department of Justice's case against the former president.

Both federal prosecutors and Trump's lawyers have been aware of this recording since before Trump's indictment earlier this month. The most crucial statements by the former president were already made public earlier this month when the Department of Justice unsealed its indictment.

While the leak of the audio recording does not create any additional legal headaches for the former president, it is still unclear what impact the recording might have on voters as Trump runs for the Republican presidential nomination.

What document is Trump discussing?

In the audio recording, Trump appears to show off a "secret" document about Iran that was prepared for him by the Defense Department and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley.

Trump appeared to show off the document to disprove claims reportedly made by Milley that the former president considered manufacturing an armed conflict with Iran during the period between the end of the 2020 election and President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Trump's lawyers, however, have told the Department of Justice that they can't find the classified document about Iran that is referenced by Trump in the audio recording. Some have even cast doubt on whether the document exists at all or if Trump might have misidentified the document in the recording.

What is Trump saying?

After the audio recording leaked, Trump took to his social media platform to claim the tape proves his innocence and criticize special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading two Department of Justice investigations into the former president.

"The Deranged Special Prosecutor, Jack Smith, working in conjunction with the DOJ & FBI, illegally leaked and 'spun' a tape and transcript of me which is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump, however, did not provide any explanation for how the audio recording exonerates him from his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

How to listen to the Trump tape?

The tape was first obtained by CNN and aired publicly Monday evening. Since then, the New York Times and the Washington Post have also published the audio recording.

Since it first aired on CNN, the tape has also been widely shared on Twitter and other social media platforms.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump tape: 'This is secret information'
Disney employees have officially crowned an upcoming Walt Disney World attraction.

Overnight, Disney Imagineers installed a tiara-topped water tower, which will be the centerpiece for Tianas Bayou Adventure, Disney Parks tweeted Tuesday morning.

READ: Tianas Bayou Adventure coming to Magic Kingdom in late 2024

The water tower has Tianas Foods painted on it, in addition to employee owned and Est. 1927.

See photos in the gallery below:

Overnight, Disney Imagineers installed a tiara-topped water tower, which will be the centerpiece for Tianas Bayou Adventure, Disney Parks tweeted Tuesday morning.

Overnight, Disney Imagineers installed a tiara-topped water tower, which will be the centerpiece for Tianas Bayou Adventure, Disney Parks tweeted Tuesday morning.

Walt Disney Imagineering is creating an original, next chapter story for Tiana. Within the attraction queue, guests will discover that she continues to grow her business with Tianas Foods  an employee-owned cooperative. Combining her talents with those of the local community, Tiana has transformed an aging salt mine and built a beloved brand. (DISNEY)

Opening in late 2024, Tianas Bayou Adventure will take guests on a musical adventure inspired by the beloved story and characters from the fan-favorite film. Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tianas story. (DISNEY)

Opening in late 2024, Tianas Bayou Adventure will take guests on a musical adventure inspired by the beloved story and characters from the fan-favorite film. Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends and travel through the bayou to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tianas story. (DISNEY)

PHOTOS: Tianas Bayou Adventure taking shape

Tianas Bayou Adventure will be a reimagining of the classic Splash Mountain attraction. it will take guests on a musical adventure picking up where the film left off, according to Disney.

Riders will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration, hearing original music and seeing familiar faces along the way.

READ: Disney announces new events, returning favorites for holiday season

Walt Disney Imagineers have been traveling to Louisiana to ensure Tianas Bayou Adventure authentically captures the heart and soul of New Orleans.

The attraction opens in late 2024.

SEE: Disney debuts new trailer for Haunted Mansion, based on classic theme park attraction

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A new report from the Senate Homeland Security Committee offers a withering look at the inability of Americas intelligence agencies to guard against insurrection following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The report was finally released this week, more than two years after hundreds of Donald Trumps supporters stormed the US Capitol and prevented, for several hours, the certification of the 2020 election while lawmakers hid in fear for their lives. Helmed by Democratic Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, the committee spent months investigating a fundamental question that has remained despite months of hearings in the House last year by the select committee to investigate the attack on the Capitol: Why DC-area law enforcement, including US Capitol Police, were caught so off-guard by the violence.

The answer to that question seems to be a refusal by officials at the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to take seriously social media posts that very explicitly laid out what to expect on the day of the attack.

Mr Peters faulted the two agencies specifically in his report for failing to sound the alarm and share critical intelligence information that could have helped law enforcement better prepare for the events of January 6th.

My report shows there was a shocking failure of imagination from these intelligence agencies to take these threats seriously, and there is no question that their failures to effectively analyze and share the threat information contributed to the failures to prevent and respond to the horrific attack that unfolded at the Capitol, he concluded in a statement on Tuesday.

As the attack occurred, a vastly outnumbered Capitol Police force battled rioters for hours, suffering dozens of injuries, before finally being reinforced by neighbouring agencies. The Trump White House was faulted for not calling in the National Guard sooner to respond to the attack.

According to the committees findings, those two federal agencies did not follow their own guidelines on the use of open-source intelligence: i.e., the use of public information to detect and analyse threats.

[T]he Committee obtained internal emails from I&A where  even after rioters breached the Capitol  analysts had difficulty deciding whether online posts calling for violence at the Capitol indicated that there was a reportable threat, the committee stated.

What was shocking is that this attack was essentially planned in plain sight in social media, Mr Peters told NBC News. And yet it seemed as if our intelligence agencies completely dropped the ball."

The reports release follows the work of the House select committee to investigate January 6; that bipartisan panel released a separate report last year which determined that unlike the FBI and I&A, senior officials at the White House such as chief of staff Mark Meadows were taking that open-source intelligence, aka the very numerous threats and calls for an insurrection that were prevalent on right-wing social media in the days leading up to the attack.

Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide working under Mr Meadows, testified to the committee last year that her boss fretted openly that the day of the attack would be real, real bad on January 6 in the days immediately leading up to the insurrection.
Senior Russian lawmaker calls for professional army of seven million Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Moscow

(Reuters) - A senior Russian lawmaker who has been involved in a number of negotiations related to Moscow's campaign in Ukraine called late on Monday for a professional army seven-million strong to ensure that no mercenary groups are needed for the country's security.

Russia has been shaken by the weekend's failed mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenary troops who briefly took control of a military command steering Moscow's campaign in Ukraine, then started a march on Moscow before aborting it.

Lawmaker Leonid Slutsky, who early in the 16-month war took part in peace negotiations with Ukraine, said that Russia needs a contract army of at least seven million military and civilian personnel, on top of the current conscript army.

"The country does not need any PMCs (private military companies) and their likes," Slutsky, the head of the Liberal Democratic Party, said on the Telegram messaging app. "There are problems in the regular army, but PMCs cannot solve them."

President Vladimir Putin made a defiant address on Monday saying he had deliberately let the one-day mutiny go for so long to avoid bloodshed. He said Wagner fighters can continue fighting with Russian army, go home or go to Belarus.

When sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022 Putin assumed he would take Kyiv within days, but the war is still far from over, with many weaknesses of the Russian army and internal disputes of how to lead the campaign coming to the fore.

At the end of 2022, Putin backed beefing up the army to 1.5 million combat personnel - including 695,000 contract soldiers - from 1.15 million.

Creating a contract army of seven million would require a huge budget allowance. The Russian economy, crippled by the war and subsequent Western sanctions contracted 2.2% percent last year and is expected to rebound only marginally this year.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his New York jail cell on August 10, 2019 (HO)

Federal investigators found that "numerous and serious failures" by staff at a New York jail allowed American financier Jeffrey Epstein to commit suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex crimes, the US Department of Justice said Tuesday.

The investigation, led by DOJ inspector general Michael Horowitz, focused on the conduct of employees at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, the federal detention facility where Epstein was discovered dead on August 10, 2019 with a sheet around his neck.

A summary of the report said staff had "engaged in significant misconduct and dereliction of their duties," resulting in Epstein -- who had been on suicide watch since late July -- "being unmonitored and alone in his cell with an excessive amount of bed linens."

The probe found no evidence to counter prior conclusions that the 66-year-old's death was by suicide.

"We did not uncover evidence contradicting the FBI's determination regarding the absence of criminality in connection with Epstein's death," the statement said.

Epstein's known connections to politicians and business elites have fueled conspiracy theories over his death.

Two prison guards on duty who admitted to falsifying records related to the night he died were charged later in 2019 over their alleged failure to monitor him.

However, federal prosecutors dismissed the charges in late 2021 after the pair completed community service work as part of an earlier legal agreement.

"The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in the report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOP's custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life," the summary said, referring to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

It said it had offered eight recommendations to improve the BOP's management of corrections facilities.

Years after Epstein's death, lawsuits continue over the sex trafficking scheme.

His former girlfriend, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted of sex trafficking in late 2021 and sentenced to two decades in prison. She is appealing that ruling.

In early June, JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay $290 million to settle a class action lawsuit brought by Epstein's victims who alleged that the bank facilitated his sex trafficking scheme.

That agreement came on the heels of a parallel Epstein-related settlement by Deutsche Bank, which announced in May it had agreed to pay $75 million.

nr/des/tjj
Tennel Crook, right, holds a sign at the Board of Supervisors meeting Monday indicating that her son, Kamren Lee Nettles, was the 15th inmate to die in Los Angeles County custody this year. (Rebecca Ellis / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County supervisors approved a $43.4-billion budget Monday, saying they hope it will fix the failing jails and juvenile halls while acknowledging the board's failures to successfully oversee the departments in the past.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning Saturday is bigger than many state budgets and will fund a workforce of more than 114,000. Roughly $5 billion of the total will flow into the countys two most troubled agencies  $4 billion for the Sheriff's Department and $1 billion for the Probation Department.

The budget approval followed hours of testimony, much of it urging funding cuts to the Sheriffs Department, which is on track to have one of the deadliest years in its jails in recent history. The Probation Department has also had a perilous year with a surging number of overdoses and violent incidents.

Mondays meeting was punctuated by moments of silence for two young men who died in the last few months in county custody: Bryan Diaz, 18, who fatally overdosed at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, and Kamren Lee Nettles, 19, who died while at Mens Central Jail.

The supervisors acknowledged they were failing those in county custody but stressed that they were doing the best they could to improve conditions with limited funds. Budget officials noted housing sales were down, one of the core sources of the countys most flexible dollars.

Read more: L.A. County warns of possible $3-billion hit to budget from sex abuse claims

We are not providing quality care in our jails for those individuals that are of greatest need, said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, calling it "unconscionable."

"It is substandard, said Hilda Solis. "It is not acceptable."

Mondays meeting was the boards final chance to amend the budget, first unveiled in April, before it gets adopted. Fesia Davenport, the county's chief executive officer, said three major changes approved by the board were intended to improve the conditions of the jails and juvenile halls.

The supervisors approved an additional $52.3 million to improve mental health services at jails; $29.9 million to safely move people with severe mental health conditions out of jails; and $117.8 million to renovate Los Padrinos, a soon-to-be-revived juvenile hall that will house most of the youths in county custody.

To approve the budget, the supervisors need a series of votes on different portions of the plan. Supervisor Holly Mitchell cast the sole no vote on the budget changes recommended by Davenport's office.

Mitchell said she felt the budget line calling for the addition of three captains to be placed in stations with a history of deputy gangs and cliques wouldn't address the problem of violent organized subgroups of deputy sheriffs. Mitchell had put forward an amendment that would redirect money for the three captain positions and set it aside for measures "to eradicate deputy gangs" in the Sheriff's Department, but it failed.

"It feels a little hodgepodge," Mitchell said of the new positions. "If we're talking about a multigenerational culture shift, it's going to take more than three captains in three precincts."

Mitchell later cast a yes vote to adopt the completed budget, which passed on a 4-0 vote. Supervisor Kathryn Barger left before the votes took place.

The new budget will go into effect as the countys jails and juvenile halls are beset by crisis. The Times reported Saturday on dozens of graphic videos smuggled out by an inmate showing brutal beatings and inattentive deputies. Meanwhile, the conditions for the countys younger detainees got so grim that a state oversight body recently shut down the two halls, forcing officials to rapidly resurrect Los Padrinos as a juvenile hall.

Davenport told the board on Monday that the funding to renovate Los Padrinos would be part of a cultural reset led by the new interim probation chief and that the renovations were occurring at breakneck speed. She said the $117 million was redirected from other projects already funded in the Probation Department.

Members of the public filled the board room Monday to urge the politicians to rethink the budget. Service Employees International Union Local 721 wanted a retention bonus offered to more healthcare providers working in jails. Health advocates wanted more funds to treat sexually transmitted infections, noting troubling surges of syphilis. Most who showed up advocated for less money going to the Sheriff's and Probation departments.

This budget acknowledges that there are serious problems with sheriff violence and jail conditions, said Ivette Ale-Ferlito, executive director of La Defensa. But instead of investing in the care and freedom of the survivors, youre throwing more money at the very departments that are committing these atrocities. This is lipstick on a pig.

As she spoke, advocates in the crowd held signs with tombstones on them  representing the 24 people who have died in county custody since the start of the year  about one per week.

Read more: Fights, beatings and a birth: Videos smuggled out of L.A. jails reveal violence, neglect

Tennel Crook held a sign with a tombstone and "15." The number stood for her son, Kamren Lee Nettles, who she said was the 15th person to die in the countys jails this year.

I dont know what its going to take for you guys to close that jail, she said, standing in front of the board wearing a shirt with her sons face on it. How many people actually have to die?

She said it wasnt yet clear from an autopsy how he died. The next person that went into her sons cell in Mens Central Jail after he died was given a blanket stained with her son's blood, Crook said.

The supervisors have vowed for years to close Men's Central Jail.

Khadijah Shabazz, who was at a rally outside the Hall of Administration protesting the Sheriff Department's budget, said she also had loved ones affected by the jail crisis. Her nephew has been in Men's Central Jail for about eight months, she said, and was not getting the mental health treatment he needed.

The funds should be going toward helping mental health, closing this jail down, Shabazz said. Locking someone up in Men's Central Jail is not helping. If it was helping, if I can see some benefit in it, I would not be standing here today."

Times staff writer Keri Blakinger contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A suspect is wanted by the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office on multiple charges, including attempted second-degree murder, in a stabbing that took place in Salisbury earlier this month.

Tywuan Hunter is being sought by the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office on charges of attempted second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, first- and second-degree assault and deadly weapon with intent to injure following a June 15 stabbing, according to a release. Hunter also has an additional warrant for his arrest.

On June 15, 2023, Wicomico County Sheriff's Office responded to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in reference to a stabbing. The victim was observed to have multiple stab wounds on his body, and it was determined that the stabbing occurred in the 500 block of Overbrook Drive in Salisbury.

The suspect, Hunter, was at the residence in violation of a protective order and in a physical altercation with a female resident, according to the release. The victim of the stabbing then responded to check on the welfare of the female when Hunter began to stab him, the sheriff's office said.

Detectives were able to apply for charges against Hunter at the District Court Commissioner and received an arrest warrant for him.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this investigation, or the location of Hunter, contact the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation at 410-548- 4898 or Crime Solvers at 410-548-1776

More: Ocean City restaurant Smoker's BBQ Pit closes indefinitely lightning strike leads to fire

More: Downtown Salisbury getting big changes: Here's what's ahead for the vital area

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Suspect wanted in June stabbing in Salisbury
Julius Maada Bio, a retired soldier, was first elected in 2018

Incumbent Julius Maada Bio has been declared the winner of Sierra Leone's presidential election but the opposition has disputed the count.

Official figures give Mr Bio 56% of the vote. His main rival, Samura Kamara, trailed far behind with 41%.

A candidate needs more than 55% for outright victory and avoid a second round.

After the first tranche of results were released on Monday, Dr Kamara called the outcome "daylight robbery".

International election observers have highlighted problems with transparency in the tallying process.

Saturday's vote took place amid tension but President Bio had called on Sierra Leoneans to "keep the peace".

The 59-year-old, a former soldier, was sworn in for his second and final five-year term later on Tuesday night.

The retired army brigadier took part in a military coup during the country's civil war in 1992, only to overthrow the military junta itself in 1996 and pave the way for free elections that year.

Scenes of celebration have been reported in the capital, Freetown, with Mr Bio's supporters hoisting his banner and marching across the wet streets of the city.

The rivalry between him and Dr Kamara, 72, was a repeat of the closely fought 2018 election, which went to a second round.

This time Dr Kamara, who was the candidate for the All People's Congress (APC), has alleged that his electoral agents were not allowed to verify the ballot counting.

Cameron Hume, head of the US-based Carter Center's election observer team, told the BBC they had questions about how some votes were counted.

"We are not convinced that the integrity was maintained throughout the elections," he told the BBC's Newsday programme, noting that the seals had been broken on some ballot boxes before they were counted.

However, he stressed they did not have any evidence that fraud had been committed and that much of the election process had gone well.

In the run-up to the vote, the APC had made complaints about the electoral commission. However, the commission insisted that it had mechanisms in place to ensure a fair vote.

The presidential, parliamentary and local council elections came at the end of a campaign marred by several violent incidents.

Last week, the APC alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police denied.

The party has said that another one of its backers was killed when security forces tried to break up the crowd at its headquarters in Freetown on Sunday.

Members of Mr Bio's party, the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), have said they were attacked by opponents during campaigning.

The campaign took place against a backdrop of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living and concerns about national unity.

Mr Bio, who blamed the country's woes on external factors such as the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, now has the task of solving these problems.

The election is the fifth since Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war officially ended in 2002. It was a particularly brutal conflict, with 50,000 deaths and thousands of people estimated to have had their arms and limbs amputated.

But since then the country has had a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the non-governmental organisation National Elections Watch.
FILE PHOTO: Supporters of Sierra Leone's opposition leader and presidential candidate for the All People's Congress (APC) party, Dr. Samura Kamara, wipe rain drops from his campaign poster in Freetown

FREETOWN (Reuters) - Sierra Leone's main opposition party has rejected the partial results of a tense presidential election that showed President Julius Maada Bio leading the poll, alleging irregularities in the tallying process.

Tensions have risen around general elections on Saturday in which Bio, 59, is running against 12 opponents after a first term marred by growing frustration over economic hardship.

The All People's Congress (APC) party's main candidate Samura Kamara, 72, is the incumbent's main rival.

A provisional results sheet on Monday showed Kamara trailing behind Bio with just under 800,000 votes, compared to over 1 million for the president.

"We totally reject the chief Electoral Commissioner's announcement of such cooked up figures," the APC said in a statement, citing a lack of transparency and inclusivity.

The party said its agents were barred from the counting process, that a breakdown of results was not provided and that it was not given an exact time for the announcement amid other irregularities.

It urged the electoral commission to refrain from disclosing further tallies until they were "mutually and satisfactorily verified".

International observers have also voiced concern about a lack of transparency in the tallying of ballots.

The commission has not responded to the allegations. It said on Monday that final verified results would be announced within the next 48 hours.

Post-election violence broke out during a press conference at APC headquarters on Sunday, and there are fears more unrest could occur as vote counts are released. Clashes took place in the run-up to the poll and on voting day.

Bio addressed the nation after the publication of provisional results on Monday evening and called on citizens to remain peaceful.

Sierra Leone suffered a devastating Ebola epidemic that peaked in 2014 and a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed and hundreds maimed.

Economic downturn has stalled hopes of recovery in a country where widespread underemployment persists and over half of the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Rising prices spurred unusually violent protests last year, and the APC has been banking on the enduring cost-of-living crisis to win votes.

Kamara narrowly lost to Bio in the last election in 2018.

(Reporting by Umaru Fofana; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Christina Fincher)
Staff at the prison where Jeffrey Epstein was held while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges committed significant misconduct, including potentially criminal behavior, creating conditions that allowed him to die by suicide in 2019, according to a report released Tuesday by the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General.

The report found that staff at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York failed to assign Epstein a new cellmate after he had been placed on suicide watch, failed to adequately supervise the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was held prior to his death and neglected to ensure the facilitys security camera system could record video, among other missteps.

The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performances failures documented in todays report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOPs custody was left unmonitored and alone in his cell with an excess of prison linens, thereby providing him with the opportunity to take his own life, Michael Horowitz, the Justice Departments inspector general, said in a statement.

In addition, the report found that Epstein was permitted special accommodations not afforded to other prisoners, including the ability to make an unmonitored, unrecorded phone call on Aug. 9, the night before he died. After he met with his lawyers that night, Epstein was allowed by prison staff to use an unrecorded phone line that is typically used by inmates to call their attorneys, according to the report. Epstein told a prison staffer that he wanted to call his mother, who died in 2004, and used the phone to call a number with a local 646 area code. A prison staffer told the inspector general that a male answered the phone, and the staffer gave the receiver to Epstein.

The person Epstein called, who isnt identified by name in the report but is described as female, declined to be interviewed by the inspector general, but her lawyer told the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office that she was in the country of Belarus at the time of the call. Her lawyer said Epstein told her the press had gotten crazy, and they discussed personal things such as books, music and hygiene while incarcerated.

According to her lawyer, Epstein told her that he loved her, to be strong, and that he would not be able to call her again for another month, the report says.

Epstein was also found to have accumulated excess linens, and a photograph of his cell included in the report shows piles of orange linens strewn about the floor and on several mattresses. The staffer who found Epsteins body told the inspector general that Epstein had an orange string, presumably from a sheet or a shirt, around his neck that was tied to the top portion of the bunkbed.

While the report doesnt offer an explanation as to why Epstein was permitted accommodations that other inmates werent, one inmate told the inspector general that corrections officers were on eggshells around Epstein and that if officers denied Epsteins requests, he told them he would report them to his lawyer.

Two prison staffers who were on duty in the Special Housing Unit the night Epstein died, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, were previously charged with falsifying prison records. Those charges were later dismissed after they fulfilled deferred prosecution agreements. The report released Tuesday found four other staffers who either created false documentation or had a lack of candor or made false statements in connection  potentially criminal violations.

The Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office declined to prosecute the employees who were found to create false documentation, according to the report. It wasnt immediately clear whether the employees who allegedly displayed a lack of candor or made false statements would face prosecution. A spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office didnt immediately comment.

While conspiracy theories have surrounded Epsteins death since 2019, the New York City medical examiner previously determined that Epstein died by suicide and the FBI found it wasnt the result of a criminal act. The inspector generals report backed up those findings, saying that While the OIG determined MCC New York staff engaged in significant misconduct and dereliction of their duties, we did not uncover evidence contradicting the FBIs determination regarding the absence of criminality in connection with Epsteins death.

The inspector general made eight recommendations to the Bureau of Prisons, including that it implement a process for assigning a cellmate following suicide watch or psychological observation, and the bureau agreed with all of the recommendations, the report said.

The MCC has been closed since late 2021, after the Justice Department said it needed to make improvements to its physical conditions.
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in attacks, UN says

Taliban fighters enjoy lunch inside an adobe house that is used as a makeshift checkpoint in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Thursday June 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The United Nations said Tuesday it has documented a significant level of civilians killed and wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover  despite a stark reduction in casualties compared to previous years of war and insurgency.

According to a new report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, since the takeover in mid-August 2021 and until the end of May, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 people killed in violence in the country.

That compares with 8,820 civilian casualties  including 3,035 killed  in just 2020, according to an earlier U.N. report.

The Taliban seized the country in August 2021 while U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

According to the U.N. report, three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were with improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets, the report said. Among those killed were 92 women and 287 children.

A press statement from the U.N. that followed Tuesday's report said the figures indicate a significant increase in civilian harm resulting from IED attacks on places of worship  mostly belonging to the minority Shiite Muslims  compared to the three-year period prior to the Taliban takeover.

The statement also said that at least 95 people were killed in attacks on schools, educational facilities and other places that targeted the predominantly Shiite Hazara community.

The statement said that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the regions affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province  a Sunni militant group and a main Taliban rival.

These attacks on civilians and civilian objects are reprehensible and must stop, said Fiona Frazer, chief of UNAMAs Human Rights Service. She urged the Taliban  the de facto authorities in Afghanistan  to uphold their obligation to protect the right to life of the Afghan people.

However, the U.N. report said a significant number of the deaths resulted from attacks that were never claimed or that the U.N. mission could not attribute to any group. It did not provide the number for those fatalities.

The report also expressed concern about the lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities.

It noted that the attacks were carried out amid a nationwide financial and economic crisis. With the sharp drop in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to medical, financial and psychosocial support under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

Frazer said that even though Afghan "victims of armed conflict and violence struggled to access essential medical, financial and psychosocial support prior to the takeover, this has become more difficult after the Taliban took power.

Help for the victims of violence is now even harder to come by because of the drop in donor funding for vital services," she added.

The U.N. report also demanded an immediate halt to attacks and said it holds the Taliban government responsible for the safety of Afghans.

The Taliban said their administration took over when Afghanistan was on the verge of collapse and that they managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis" by making sound decisions and through proper management.

In a response, the Taliban-led foreign ministry said that the situation has gradually improved since August 2021. Security has been ensured across the country, the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

Despite initial promises in 2021 of a more moderate administration, the Taliban enforced harsh rules after seizing the country. They banned girls education after the sixth grade and barred Afghan women from public life and most work, including for nongovernmental organizations and the U.N.

The measures harked back to the previous Taliban rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, when they also imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. The edicts prompted an international outcry against the already ostracized Taliban, whose administration has not been officially recognized by the U.N. and the international community.
REUTERS/Reba Saldanha

A federal judge on Tuesday resoundingly rejected former President Donald Trumps desperate attempts to pluck his porn-star-hush-payment indictment away from New Yorks state courts, ensuring that the case will remain before the same local judge who sentenced the Trump Organization for tax fraud earlier this year.

Capping a three-hour hearing that included a surprise witness, U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein said hed heard enoughand indicated he would issue a ruling against Trump in the coming days.

That means Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. can continue his historic casethe first for a local DA against a former American presidentat the very same downtown courthouse where he recently scored a victory against Trumps family company.

And it all comes down to a point thats been made in court again and again: Trump cant hide behind the White House podium any longer.

Trumps lawyer, Todd Blanche, failed to convince Hellerstein on Tuesday that the DAs case raises specific legal issues that are better handled in federal courtlike matters relating to whether a president can be sued for conduct relating to his official duties or committing federal crimes, as opposed to local ones. Instead, the judge said all of the crimes Trumps accused of relate directly to his personal issues.

Judge Restricts Trump's Social Media Use in Hush-Money Case

Theres no relation to any act of the president, Hellerstein said from the bench, describing Trumps relationship to the lawyer who broke the law by paying off the porn star to a private hiring.

Trump was indicted in March and arrested the next month over the way he schemed with then-lawyer Michael Cohen to save his 2016 presidential campaign by paying hush money to the porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public about their brief, extramarital affair nearly a decade earlier. The Manhattan DA charged Trump with 34 felony counts that accuse him of faking business records to hide the hush moneyand all of the handsome reimbursements he gave Cohen.

Cohen went to federal prison over the ordeal in 2019, but the feds never charged Trump, who was still president at the time. Braggs predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr., picked up the slack with a long-running investigation that culminated in Bragg convening a grand jury that eventually indicted Trumpbut one that arguably should have always been a federal case to begin with.

And that has been partially fueling Trumps attempts to get this into the federal court system.

Trump has been desperately trying to avoid Justice Juan Merchan, a state court judge whos already presided over the criminal trial where a jury convicted the Trump Organization of tax fraud. Although Merchan has largely kept his cool with Trumps raucous lawyers and the former presidents relentless barrage of personal attacks against the judges own family, he has steadily tightened Trumps leash by restricting how the former president can access documents in his own case.

Although Manhattan DA cases normally stay in New York state court, Trump tried to remove the case to federal court in Maya ploy that, if successful, would have sent any appeals to a Supreme Court where Trump appointees make up three of the nine justices.

A month after his indictment, Trump's lawyers asked a federal judge to seize control of the case, writing that it involves important federal questions since the indictment charges President Trump for conduct committed while he was President of the United States, and claiming that his actions somehow fall within the color of his office.

The claim that Trump was actually acting in an official capacity when he was misbehaving has become a go-to defense in recent years. When the journalist E. Jean Carroll initially accused him of rape and he called her a liar from the White House, he tried to find cover from her subsequent defamation lawsuit by adopting the argument that he was working within his constitutional role as president and was thus immune from lawsuits.

And earlier this year, the Department of Justice snatched that excuse away from him in a separate matter when it took the position that he acted improperly by urging his followers to attack Congress in 2021, saying that Trump cant shield himself with sovereign immunity because such incitement of imminent private violence would not be within the outer perimeter of the Office of the President of the United States.

Inside Trumps Risky Plan to Fight the Stormy Daniels Hush-Money Case

On Tuesday in court, Trumps lawyers tried to portray his hiring of Cohen as his personal lawyer while he was at the White House as an official actsomething that the federal judge repeatedly batted away impatiently. At one point, Hellerstein said Trumps decision to privately hire Cohen to deal with personal matters only emphasizes just how much this arrangement was unrelated to government matters.

It doesnt lower the suspicion; it raises it, Hellerstein said.

The judge seemed increasingly exasperated the more he repeated the details of that odd arrangementhow Trump paid Cohen $420,000 as reimbursement for the $130,000 hush money payment but disguised it as a monthly retainers feefor legal work the DA says never really happened.

Matthew Colangelo, a top prosecutor on the DAs team, said in court that this case is about personal payments from personal accounts to a personal attorney handling his personal affairs. And he undercut Trumps current ploy by citing several examples of Trump himselfand associates like his other lawyer, Rudy Giulianirepeatedly claiming years ago that the hush money payment was merely a personal dispute.

A second issue raised on Tuesday initially showed more promise: that Braggs case is really a federal one in disguise. As Trumps lawyers put it in legal papers, the charges involve alleged federal and state election law violations, which often allows the federal courts to preemptively take control.

How Two Manhattan DA Classmates Hold Trumps Fate in Their Hands

If there was no federal elections violation, then there is no crime and thats exactly why it belongs in this courthouse, not across the street, Blanche said.

The DAs office pushed back on that, arguing that Trump committed a New York crime by merely intending to break the laweven if that law was ultimately a federal one: masking a campaign expense to avoid embarrassment for paying off a porn star. While Hellerstein said little about that, he seemed convinced that the state charge can hold up on its own.

But thatll be for Merchan to decide at trial sometime next year, much to Trumps chagrin.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Conservative attorney George Conway suggests a newly released audio recording of Donald Trump is a smoking gun in the Justice Departments classified documents case against the former president.

The special counsel already had Trump dead to rights because we knew this tape existed in some form, Conway told CNNs Anderson Cooper on Monday. But to actually hear a former president of the United States committing a felony  probably multiple felonies  on audio tape while laughing about it ... I think its just stunning.

CNN on Monday aired audio of Trump claiming after he left the White House that he possessed classified documents about potential attacks on Iran. He also admitted that he had not declassified them before leaving office, undermining his defense that everything he took to Mar-a-Lago was automatically declassified when he removed it from the White House.

See, as president I could have declassified it, Trump says in the clip, recorded during a July 2021 meeting at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Conway slammed Trump for being so cavalier about top-secret information that could lead to the deaths of American servicemen if it fell into the wrong hands.

This man has no respect for rules. No respect for the lives of other human beings. No respect for the country. No respect for the Constitution. No respect for his duties. He is a sociopathic criminal. And this is just another nail in the coffin, said Conway,

The audio is reportedly a key piece of evidence in Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths case, in which Trump was indicted on 37 criminal counts earlier this month. The former president is accused of repeatedly risking national security and refusing to return boxes of sensitive documents stashed at his his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, in defiance of a government subpoena.

Related...
South Carolina top court appears open to upholding new abortion ban FILE PHOTO: South Carolina House members debate a new near-total ban on abortion in Columbia, South Carolina

By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - South Carolina's highest court on Tuesday appeared open to upholding a new state law banning abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy, months after it blocked a similar ban.

Abortion providers, led by Planned Parenthood, last month won a court order temporarily blocking the law from taking effect until their lawsuit challenging it could be heard by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

That court ruled 3-2 in January that an earlier abortion law violated the right to privacy guaranteed by the state constitution.

However, the author of that ruling, Justice Kaye Hearn, has since retired. South Carolina's Republican legislature in February replaced Hearn, who was the sole woman on the five-member court, with Justice Garrison Hill.

Both the earlier law and the newer law sought to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. That usually happens around six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant.

Catherine Humphreville, arguing for the plaintiffs on Tuesday, urged the court to strike down the new law for the same reasons as the older one, saying the state legislature had simply ignored the January ruling. They noted that state senators issued a statement promising the law would "reestablish the ban on abortions" after the court's "misguided decision."

The state legislature passed the hotly contested bill in May, mostly along party lines, with the notable exception of the state senate's five women members - three Republicans, a Democrat and an independent - who all opposed it.

William Lambert, a lawyer for the state, argued that the new law was different from the older one because it included new findings by the legislature.

In particular, he said that the legislature had considered the burden on women's choices, and concluded that the right to choose should be understood to include the ability to choose birth control or to test for early pregnancy.

Justice John Few, who had voted against the earlier law, seemed open to that argument.

"I think it's a valid notion that the state, as part of its policy judgment can say, we want you to start thinking about your choices early," he said.

Justice John Kittredge, who had voted to uphold the earlier law, also said that the court was "not locked in" to its earlier decision.

Abortions are currently allowed in South Carolina through the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, one of the most permissive abortion laws in the region. (This story has been corrected to change Catherine Humphreyville's pronoun to 'they' in paragraph 6)

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Alistair Bell)
Climate change is causing increasingly frequent and intense heat waves in major cities across the United States, like Miami (Giorgio Viera)

A dangerous and prolonged heat wave blanketed large parts of the southern United States on Tuesday, buckling highways and forcing people to shelter indoors in what scientists called a climate-change supercharged event.

Excessive heat warnings were in place from Arizona in the southwest all the way to Alabama in the southeast, with south and central Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley worst hit, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Victor Hugo Martinez, a 57-year-old foreman who was leading workers repairing a road in Houston, told AFP: "We can't keep up with it. It's too much, we have like 10 or 12 spots like this right now."

The crew wrapped bandanas around their heads to protect themselves from the blazing heat, with Martinez explaining they made sure to hydrate plenty and take several breaks to protect their health.

The NWS meanwhile urged Americans in affected areas to drink water, stay indoors, and check on vulnerable friends and relatives.

Andrew Pershing, a scientist with Climate Central, told AFP "the really unusual thing about this event is how big it is, and how long it has lasted."

"There have been places in Texas that have had more than two weeks of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which are just really unusual temperatures for this time of year even in a region that is used to heat."

Accumulated historic greenhouse emissions made the extreme weather event at least five times more likely than otherwise, according to preliminary calculations by a team led by Pershing.

The sweltering conditions are expected to expand throughout the south beginning Wednesday and continue into the long July 4 holiday weekend.

The extreme heat appears to have already claimed some lives.

Last week, a 66-year-old postal worker in Dallas fainted while delivering mail as the heat index hovered around 115F. He died hours later, the US Postal Service told the media, though the cause of death is still being investigated.

And on Friday, a 14-year-old boy collapsed from exhaustion while hiking in Big Bend National Park in Texas and later died, according to an official statement.

His stepfather left the scene to hike back to their vehicle to find help while the teen's brother attempted to carry him back to the trailhead. The father was later found dead in a car crash.

- Strain on power grid -

The strain is sure to put the power grid in Texas to the test, as millions of people switch on their air conditioners to cope, with demand peaking around late afternoon.

ERCOT, the state utility operator, has issued a Weather Watch, calling on individuals and institutions to voluntarily save energy to avoid an emergency -- but has so far been able to cope, thanks in part to an increasing contribution from solar power in recent years.

Public cooling centers run by local authorities or the Red Cross are available for vulnerable people.

Animals, too, were suffering. The Houston Humane Society said 12 cats and one dog were found dead in an abandoned apartment. The group was able to rescue six cats from the property.

- AC feedback loop -

Kristina Dahl, principal climate scientist of the Union of Concerned Scientists said that the widespread use of air conditioning was itself a climate feedback loop.

"We know that one of the most effective things you can do to prevent heat, illness and death during heat waves is to run the air conditioning," she told AFP.

"And yet if we are not powering that air conditioning with clean renewable energy sources, we are contributing more carbon emissions to the atmosphere which will further worsen heat which will necessitate greater air conditioning use."

Recent years have seen an explosion in litigation aimed at shifting the financial responsibility of climate disasters towards fossil fuel companies.

Last week, a county in the northwestern state of Oregon filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies seeking more than $51 billion over the 2021 "Heat Dome," which blighted Canada and the United States.

"Communities everywhere are now paying the price for the fossil fuel industry's decades of climate deception and pollution," Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, told AFP.

mav-ia/tjj
The wreckage of Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo spaceplane that crashed in 2014, killing one of its pilots.

For many experts involved in discussions over the need for (or lack of ) safety standards for the fledgling space tourism industry, the tragedy of the Titan submersible felt like their own nightmare scenario come true. But will the disaster that killed five people, including a 19-year-old university student, move the needle toward a more safety-first approach, or will arguments that innovation could suffer prevail?

When it comes to the absence of safety standards and technology oversight in space tourism , Tommaso Sgobba doesn't mince words. A former head of space safety at the European Space Agency, the Italian engineer has chaired over 800 safety reviews of payloads launched to the International Space Station during his ESA career and authored engineering text books on best safety practices in space systems design.

Now an executive director of the International Association of the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Sgobba has been waging a quiet war for years against the exemption from safety oversight guaranteed to companies developing space tourism technologies by the U.S. Congress nearly two decades ago. When reports of the catastrophic implosion of an uncertified tourist submersible during a sight-seeing trip to the Titanic wreck emerged, Sgobba couldn't fail to notice similarities.

"It is exactly the kind of scenario that would trigger a big discussion if it were to happen in a space tourism flight," Sgobba told Space.com in an interview. "In fact, we have a sort of an analogue here. You have a technology that goes into an extreme environment for the purpose of pleasure that doesn't give much chance to people to survive if something goes badly wrong."

Related: Do space tourists really understand the risk they're taking?

Sub disaster lessons for suborbital tourism

The similarities don't end here. Just like space tourism vehicles such as Virgin Galactic 's SpaceShipTwo space plane or Blue Origin 's New Shepard rocket, the Titan submersible didn't require independent certification to ferry paying customers into the ocean's depths. Then there were the somewhat dismissive claims regarding safety certifications made by Stockton Rush, the billionaire CEO of OceanGate, the company that built and operated Titan, unearthed by journalists in the wake of the disaster. In the face of criticism, Rush accused experts of stifling innovation and bragged about the standard-defying uniqueness of OceanGate's technology, while asserting the need to accept risk for the experience of a lifetime.

All these claims echoed arguments that Sgobba has heard over the years from the space tourism community. But for the veteran space safety engineer, those arguments always ring hollow.

"Standards in aviation and space have evolved from prescriptive requirements, which were telling you exactly how to build a system to something that expects you to demonstrate that you have performed your hazard analysis and addressed the main safety problems," Sgobba said. "In fact, if you want to fly a coffee machine to the International Space Station, you will have to comply with the same set of standards as if you were building a whole new module. So it is a lie to say that standards mean that someone will tell you exactly how to build your system."

A moratorium on regulations issued by the U.S. Congress in 2004 and extended several times prevents the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from intervening into issues related to the safety of participants on space tourism flights. The companies have to prove their flights don't pose any risk to those on Earth and other users of airspace and demonstrate that their space vehicles worked during one previous flight, an FAA spokesperson told Space.com in an earlier interview . This moratorium, however, is set to expire in October this year, and the Titan disaster might be just the argument that sways legislators toward ending the boundary-less regime.

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation, which represents space tourism companies in the U.S., has not responded to Space.com's request to comment on the possible implications of the OceanGate saga on their own interests. In a previous interview, however, the federation's president Karina Drees, argued against such regulations, citing the stifling of innovation as a key concern  the same argument made by Stockton Rush.

"The vehicles that have been designed today are quite different from each other," Drees told Space.com at the time. "And so if regulations had been written on any one style, then that would have really prevented some of these designs from coming to the market."

It is this type of reasoning that Sgobba objects to.

"The certification is essentially a peer-review of your design by an expert," Sgobba said. "Instead of waiting for an accident, you perform your hazard analysis in advance. The solution to your hazard analysis is entirely in your design and you get input from other people who understand this matter and that can help you to make your product as safe as possible."

SpaceX's private launches to orbit

Sgobba cites SpaceX as an example of a successful private space tourism operation, which had benefited from such regulatory inputs. The rocket company founded by billionaire Elon Musk developed its Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which required the firm to pass NASA's stringent safety reviews. Since its first NASA-funded flight to the International Space Station in 2020, SpaceX has flown its own space tourism mission Inspiration 4 and established itself as a go-to provider for Axiom Space , a private U.S.-based company that has flown two private missions to the space station using SpaceX's Dragon capsules and Falcon 9 rockets. SpaceX has also signed contracts for more private Dragon spaceflights with U.S. billionaire Jared Isaacson under his Polaris program.

"There were requirements regarding safety that they had to fulfill in order to get paid for the future service," said Sgobba. "So we have over there a very clear scheme of how things should be working. The only difference is that in the future, it could not be NASA who does the certification."

For years, Sgobba has been advocating for an establishment of an independent Space Safety Institute, a non-government organization of industry experts modeled on the classification societies that oversee standards in the shipping industry and which would have been responsible for certifying the Titan submersible had it not avoided the process through a loophole.

Just like OceanGate, space tourism companies rely on informed consent, by which the participants accept risks, including the fact that they are taking a potentially life-threatening ride on an uncertified vehicle that no independent expert had seen.

In Space.com's earlier interview with the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Drees compared the informed consent in space tourism to that signed by a patient undergoing an elective surgery, a comment that might raise eyebrows considering the heavily regulated nature of the medical sector.

The space safety community will likely closely follow how the Titan tragedy plays out in court and whether those informed consents will hold up against the years of Rush's documented disregard of other experts' opinions. Sgobba, for one, doubts they will.

"The best way to defend yourself in the case of an accident is to show that you have done things according to the rules," said Sgobba. "The fact that there was an implosion means that something was not safe and because they cannot show that they have applied the rules, there is no defense."

Christopher Johnson, a space law advisor at the Secure World Foundation, also thinks that the informed consents the Titan passengers signed are likely going to come under scrutiny.

"The idea is that the commercial actor who chooses to get into this pioneering spacecraft or submarine or whatever, chooses the level of risk they are comfortable with," Johnson told Space.com. "But to do this, the government places an obligation that an actor can only consent to the risk if they are informed of that risk. So what we can learn from this tragedy is how well and to what extent the company knew the risk and could somehow quantify or qualify that risk and convey it to their customer so that they could understand how safe that vehicle was."

Related stories:

 Apollo 11 vs. space tourism in 2022 (op-ed)

 Space tourism is looking for liftoff in China

 Space Perspective wants to take tourists on balloon rides to the stratosphere

The five people killed during the Titan implosion include OceanGate CEO Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding (who flew to space in 2022 on Blue Origin's New Shepard), French deep sea explorer Paul Henry Nargeolet, British/Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year old son Suleman.

The existing commercial spaceflight operations have not claimed any fatalities so far. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin has conducted six successful crewed flights with its New Shepard vehicle. An uncrewed mission using the same rocket, however, failed in September 2022 after a booster malfunction. The company has said it expects to resume flights in upcoming weeks, according to SpaceNews .

Blue Origin's rival Virgin Galactic plans to conduct its second commercial mission later this week, on June 29. The company, which charges $450,000 for suborbital flights offering about five minutes of weightlessness, has suffered a fatal accident during a test flight in 2014 that killed one of the two pilots aboard and injured the other. The cause of the crash was traced down to the premature deployment of the plane's braking system brought about by human error.

Virgin Galactic's first crewed mission in 2022 veered off its approved flight envelope due to the company's failure to account for strong high-altitude winds. The incident resulted in an FAA investigation and the grounding of further flights until its resolution.

On May 25, Virgin Galactic launched a crew of six, two pilots and four passengers, on its final suborbital test flight before beginning commercial operations. That mission marked the company's fifth spaceflight with its SpaceShipTwo Unity space plane.

On Monday (June 26), the company announced its June 29 target to launch its first commercial flight, called Galactic 01, which will carry three members of the Italian Air Force alongside a Virgin Galactic astronaut trainer and two pilots.
The Miura 1 is a small sub-orbital launch vehicle that stands just 12 metres (40 feet) tall and is capable of placing objects in space (CRISTINA QUICLER)

The maiden flight of Spain's Miura 1 rocket, twice suspended in recent weeks, has now been delayed until September over fears its launch could start a wildfire, its developer said Tuesday.

Built by private Spanish startup PLD Space, the rocket had initially been scheduled for take-off from El Arenosillo, a coastal military base in the southwestern province of Huelva, on May 31, but was called off due to high winds.

It was then aborted for a second time on June 17 due to a last-minute technical problem.

After talks with the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), "PLD Space... has postponed the launch of Miura 1 until next September," it said in a statement.

"The postponement is motivated by obligatory compliance with the prevention of forest fires... as well as the high temperatures" in southern Spain "to ensure the safety of the area where the launch is carried out".

The announcement came as Spain was in the grip of its first summer heatwave, with Monday's temperatures hitting a peak of 44.4 degrees Celsius (111.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Huelva province.

The soaring temperatures, expected to last until Thursday, raise the risk of forest fires, which has also been heightened by an ongoing drought.

PLD Space's Miura 1, named after a breed of fighting bull, is a small sub-orbital launch vehicle that stands a mere 12 metres (40 feet) tall and is capable of placing objects in space.

When it launches, the rocket is slated to fly just 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the Earth's surface, carrying sensors to study microgravity conditions on a flight that will last 12 minutes.

While that distance would put it in outer space, the rocket is not powerful enough to reach orbit.

The aim is ultimately to use the data for integration into the Miura 5, a larger orbital micro-launcher with parts that can be recovered and reused, which PLD hopes will place small satellites of up to 450 kilograms (around half a ton) into orbit from 2025.

Following an agreement signed last week, the Miura 5 will ultimately be launched from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, according to PLD Space, which is aiming to be the first private European firm to put a reusable satellite launcher into space.

Companies are rushing to develop launchers to address a growing satellite market, with some 18,500 small systems due to be launched in the coming decade, Euroconsult analysts say.

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According to the World Meteorological Organization, Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, and experts say Spain is likely to be one of the countries worst hit by climate change (Thomas COEX)

Spain's record-breaking heat of summer 2022 caused more than 350 deaths from heatstroke and dehydration and was a decisive factor in a 20.5 percent increase in mortality, official figures showed Tuesday.

The National Statistics Institute (INE) said in a statement that 157,580 people had died in the summer months between May and August, 26,849 more than in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic.

"Among the causes of deaths directly related to the heat were heatstroke (122 cases compared with 47 in 2019) and dehydration (233 cases compared to 109)," it said.

Heat can kill by inducing heatstroke, which damages the brain, kidneys and other organs, but it can also trigger other conditions such as a heart attack or breathing problems.

Many of the extra deaths were "due to prior chronic pathologies identified as at risk during high temperatures", the institute said. Deaths due to high blood pressure related conditions increased by 36.9 percent.

Also higher were deaths from diabetes, up 31.2 percent, and dementia and early-onset dementia, which jumped by 19.8 percent.

Last year, Spain experienced its hottest year since records began in 2016, the AEMET weather agency said.

The report came out as Spain experienced its first summer heatwave, which on Monday pushed the mercury to 44.4 degrees Celsius (111.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southwestern Huelva province.

So far, two people have died as a result of the heat, officials said.

On Saturday, a 47-year-old man collapsed with sunstroke while working in the fields in Aznalcollar, a small town near the southern city of Seville. Officials said he had pre-existing health issues.

And a farmer died of heatstroke on Monday while working in his vineyard in Cinco Casas, a village some 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Madrid, the mayor told Cadena Ser radio.

Temperatures were slightly lower Tuesday than they had been on Monday but still over 40C in parts of the country. The intense heat was expected to last until Thursday.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, and experts say Spain is likely to be one of the countries worst hit by climate change.

Although it has become accustomed to soaring summer temperatures, notably in the south, Spain has experienced an uptick in longer and hotter heatwaves and a worrying shortage of rainfall.

al-mdz/hmw/fb
Days after a little boy was kicked in the head by a startled horse, he remains hospitalized but is making improvements, according to his Utah family.

Houston Hampton, 4, was on his familys farm in Redmond when a horse kicked him in the forehead on June 23, according to KUTV.

Hamptons parents told ABC 4 he had passed through the horse pen and the horse got spooked.

I got the phone call that no mom should ever have to get, Hamptons mother told KUTV.

The boy was taken to Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City, according to ABC 4.

Hamptons mom, Kodi, took to Facebook on June 23 to share that her son was in surgery, adding that doctors told her Hampton only survived the incident because his skull fractured, giving the swollen part of his brain a place to go.

Doctors temporarily removed his skull cap to allow the childs brain to heal, the Facebook post said.

A plastic surgeon was also recruited to help repair the laceration on his forehead.

On June 24, his mother posted this update on Facebook: They ended up removing 5% of damaged brain tissue from his frontal lobe. These next 72 hours are crucial.

In another Facebook post that day, Hamptons mother said, He is such a little fighter. The surgeon came and told us that considering the situation, the imaging from today looks better than he does to us on the outside.

On June 26, doctors removed Hamptons head dressing and his parents were thrilled with how good it looked, according to a post on Facebook.

The little boy was mostly stable as of a June 27 update by his mother on Facebook. Doctors added a low dose of medicine into his IV to combat the swelling in his body, but the boy didnt tolerate it for very long before his heart and blood pressure dropped again.

After switching the medications, Hamptons numbers increased, and on June 28, doctors plan to wean his sedation and perform an MRI on his head and neck, the family shared on social media.

Hes the strongest little cowboy we all know, the Facebook post read.

Redmond is about 140 miles south of Salt Lake City.

6-year-old left with brain bleed in hit-and-run crash, NYPD says. 14-year-old charged

Dogs kill 84-year-old and her dog in attack that also injures man, Arizona cops say

2-year-old drowns in country club pool on Fathers Day, South Carolina coroner says
Sriracha bottles 'disappear' from SF restaurant as shortage causes condiments price to reach $30

[Source]

Customers of a popular restaurant are allegedly stealing the businesss Sriracha bottles as the price of the beloved condiment has skyrocketed to about $30 at some Bay Area supermarkets.

Stealing Sriracha: A shortage of the popular Asian condiment has caused the disappearance of the green-capped Sriracha bottles from local restaurants, including from the Oakland-based Filipino-fusion restaurant chain Senor Sisig.

They literally disappear, Mariel Edwards, the operations manager of the restaurant, told SFGate. We havent seen people take them, but there is a bottle that will go missing. Its funny how, like, theyll just not be on the table anymore.

According to Edwards, other customers have also called the restaurant to ask whether they could directly purchase the Sriracha bottles from the business.

More from NextShark: Girl, 13, Rallies Hundreds Against Anti-Asian Hate Crimes in the Bay Area

Chili shortage: Last month, most of the major grocery chains in San Francisco reportedly ran out of Huy Fong Foods Sriracha bottles. The lack of inventory is due to a chili pepper supply shortage traced back to an unexpected crop failure caused by severe weather conditions.

Huy Fong Foods  Americas leading sriracha sauce manufacturer  previously announced the spice shortage in April 2022. Then two months ago, the company told the Los Angeles Times that they are still facing an unprecedented inventory shortage, noting the heavy impact on its products.

Although some production did resume this past fall season, we continue to have a limited supply that continues to affect our production. At this time, we have no estimations of when supply will increase, the company said in a statement.

More from NextShark: McDonald's launches retro Game Boy Color game for Grimace's Birthday

Price increase: The Sriracha shortage has led some Bay Area grocery stores to raise prices by a staggering 651%. The hot sauce, which were previously sold for $3.99 per bottle, are now selling in some places for $29.99, with some stores limiting shoppers to only two bottles at a time.

On Amazon, a seller listed two 17-ounce Sriracha bottles for a whopping $179.

In April, a TikTok user also shared her hunt for the hot sauce at multiple retailers before eventually purchasing a two-pack of Sriracha bottles on Amazon for $35.

More from NextShark: Canadian students saved customers $450k in grocery bills with their peculiar delivery service
A Starbucks logo is pictured on the door of the Green Apron Delivery Service at the Empire State Building in New York

(Reuters) -Starbucks plans to issue "clearer" centralized guidelines for in-store visual displays following a union's allegations that managers banned Pride-themed decor, the coffee chain said in an internal memo to employees.

"We intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines... for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand," Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling said in the memo.

The memo comes after the union representing the coffee chain's baristas alleged that managers at dozens of Starbucks locations had prevented employees from putting up Pride Month flags and decorations, or had removed them. The coffee giant disputes these allegations.

More than 3,000 workers at over 150 Starbucks stores in the United States will walk off the job, the union said on Friday.

Starbucks also filed two complaints against Workers United with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Monday, alleging that the union made misleading claims on the company's in-store decoration guidelines and gender-affirming care benefits.

The union said in an emailed statement to Reuters that every charge against them by Starbucks was dismissed by the NLRB, adding that any new charges will also be dismissed because "they are nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to distract from Starbucks' own actions."

The union added that if Starbucks wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.

NLRB did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Several U.S. retail brands have faced backlash from conservatives over the display of LGBTQ+ merchandise, as well as criticism from gay rights groups for insufficient support for the community.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi and Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Additional Reporting by Lavanya Ahire and Chandni Shah; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Rashmi Aich)
Starbucks said Monday that it will issue "clearer" guidance on decorating stores for heritage months such as Pride Month. The statement came as Starbucks workers were on strike. AP Photo / Elaine Thompson

Starbucks is issuing "clearer" guidance on decorating its stores for heritage months.

Employees previously told Insider that they received conflicting information about displaying Pride flags.

The new guidance comes as staffers are on strike over Starbucks' treatment of its workers.

Starbucks is planning on issuing "clearer" guidelines for visual displays in its stores after some of its workers went on strike.

In a memo to employees obtained by Bloomberg, Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling said that the company has "heard through our partner channels that there is a need for clarity and consistency on current guidelines around visual displays and decorations" and demand for "visual creativity" as part of those displays.

As a result, Starbucks plans to issue "clearer centralized guidelines" on how to decorate stores for heritage months such as Pride, according to a version of the memo posted on the company's website. Neither the post nor a Starbucks spokesperson clarified exactly what the guidelines would say.

A spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United said that the chain had not informed the union about the clarified guidelines. Since Friday, union members at about 150 stores representing 3,500 workers have been on strike over the Pride guidelines and Starbucks' approach to bargaining contracts with employees. Striking workers also shut down Starbucks' Roastery store in Seattle on Friday.

The strike is continuing since the coffee chain has not yet bargained with workers over a variety of issues, including providing consistent working hours and intimidation tactics from management, according to Workers United.

"While we are glad Starbucks is finally reconsidering its position on pride decorations, Starbucks continues to ignore that they are legally required to bargain with union workers -- that's the power of a union," the spokesperson said.

"If Starbucks truly wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith," the spokesperson added.

Starbucks employees say they previously received unclear guidance

Starbucks workers previously told Insider that they received conflicting guidance on whether Pride-themed decorations, such as rainbow-colored flags, could be displayed in the chain's stores.

"I think with charged topics, it would be helpful to have a company-wide direction that leads us with clarity," one store manager wrote on an internal Workplace message board.

The latest push by employees to organize unions at Starbucks started in 2021, when a store in Buffalo, New York, voted to form a union. Since then, about 8,000 workers in 333 Starbucks stores have opted to unionize, though no store has won a contract yet, according to Workers United.

National Labor Relations Board judges have also found that Starbucks has violated labor law by slashing hours, firing workers, and intimidating employees with other methods, Bloomberg Law reported in early June.

Over the last two months, Starbucks has filed charges of its own against Workers United, claiming that the union has not bargained in good faith. It also accused Workers United of spreading misinformation about Starbucks' treatment of LGBTQ+ workers. The NLRB has not yet issued a decision on the claims.

The strike and Starbucks' reaction come after Target pulled Pride-related merchandise from its store shelves in May. CEO Brian Cornell said in a memo to workers that Target made the decision out of concern for LGBTQ+ employees' safety.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Starbucks is planning to roll out clearer guidelines for stores on its decoration policies amid a clash with the companys union over Pride-themed displays this month.

Sara Trilling, the executive vice president and president of Starbucks North America, emphasized in a memo to all U.S. partners on Monday that it has not made any changes to its policies on our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners.

To further underscore this, we intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines, and leveraging resources like the Period Planning Kit (PPK) and Sirens Eye, for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand, Trilling said.

The announcement comes as 3,500 workers from more than 150 stores plan to strike this week over the unions allegations that Starbucks has banned Pride decorations in its stores. The coffee retail giant has denied that it has banned these displays and accused the union of spreading misinformation.

Trilling and Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan said in a post on Friday  after the Starbucks Workers United announced plans to strike  that the company raised the Progress Pride flag over its Starbucks Support Center as it has done consistently to celebrate other heritage months.

We do this each year on behalf of partners around the world, to affirm the diversity of our LGBTQIA2+ community and as a call for a more inclusive society  a call we have made since our founding, they said. We want to be crystal clear  Starbucks has been and will continue to be at the forefront of supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community, and we will not waver in that commitment!

Trilling said on Monday that Starbucks will continue to provide stores with flexibility that they need to allow stores to reflect the communities they serve.

The union has said it has received reports from stores across the U.S. that workers have not been allowed to decorate stores for Pride Month or have had their decorations taken down.

Starbucks filed two unfair labor practice charges against the union with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Monday, arguing that the union is conducting an unlawful smear campaign and making maliciously and recklessly false statements.

The charges allege the union has made false statements about the companys policy on decorations and the benefits that Starbucks offers for gender-affirming care. The retailer said the union has knowingly and falsely claimed that the company eliminated or changed its benefits coverage for LGBTQ individuals.

Starbucks Workers United told The Hill in a statement that every charge that Starbucks has filed with the NLRB has been dismissed, and the union is confident that the other charges will be dismissed too.

Watch what Starbucks does, not what it says, the union said.

The organization said the strike will continue as Starbucks is not negotiating with the union as required by law.

If Starbucks truly wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith, it said.

Alisha Humphrey, a worker leader from Oklahoma City, said a clear policy change occurred when workers at her store were told that Pride decorations were not permitted.

She said the strike is about more than the Pride decorations, that Starbucks should be negotiating with the union but has refused.

This is about Starbucks threatening benefits, intimidating us, and making us feel unwelcome in our own workplace. Our union isnt damaging Starbucks legacy  Starbucks is doing that all by themselves, Humphrey said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
What is the state of American democracy? As July 4th nears, poll shows voters are worried

The United States will blow out 247 birthday candles this year, but many Americans arent in a celebratory mood.

Polls show there is little excitement about the 2024 presidential front-runners and there is a lingering alarm about U.S. institutions.

In all, 7 out of 10 Americans agree with the statement that American democracy is "imperiled," according to a new USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll ahead of Independence Day.

The fallout from the Jan. 6 insurrection coupled with concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence and other barriers to the ballot box has many Americans biting their nails and asking whether the state of democracy can be improved as the country hurtles into another presidential election that promises to be even more divisive.

What happens next will largely be decided by the results of the election and other down-ballot races. To get ready, more states are taking steps to expand the vote and protect poll workers in 2023 compared with states working to make it harder to vote, according to expert analysis. Legislators and other advocates say those shifts represent a vibrant and growing pro-democracy movement.

On July 4, 2020, anti-4th of July activist rally at Madison Square Park in Manhattan, New York. The event was organized by Freedom March NYC, a protest group civil rights organization organized by young Black women leading non-violent protests.

Why are Americans losing faith in democracy?

In the past two election cycles, the fundamentals of democracy have faced significant threats, fueled largely by persistent lies from former President Donald Trump and his allies about whether he truly lost the 2020 contest (he did, according to Republican and Democratic election leaders across the nation).

Those denials ignited a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but also fueled a number of states to pursue more restrictive voting laws in the name of election security. In the months that followed, hundreds of election deniers were inspired to seek public office, and although many failed to win they remain a part of the national conversation.

Pro-democracy advocates point to those losses in the 2022 midterm election as a sign of how seriously voters take the health of the nation's democracy.

"In recent elections, the majority of the people have sent a clear message: they wholly reject anti-democratic election denialism and want their basic rights protected, former Attorney General Eric Holder, who has spearheaded a Democratic-led initiative on redistricting, told USA TODAY.

They want a truly representative democracy and the rights that should come with that."

Voting rights depend largely on 'where you live'

At least 13 states have enacted about 15 restrictive voting rights laws in total this year, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan policy group. Seven laws seek to curb access to mail voting, for instance, which was popular during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the 2020 elections, 14 states passed 22 restrictive laws in 2021.

"Where we're heading in terms of our democracy and voting rights depends a lot on which state you're in and increasingly, where you live rather than everybody in America having the same experience," said Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Brennan Center's Voting Rights division.

At the same time, legislators in 15 states took steps this year toward expanding voting rights. Of those, 23 measures made ballot access safer and easier, such as automatic voter registration, restoring voting rights for people upon their release from prison and imposing criminal penalties for intimidating poll workers, who saw a rise in threats.

Established automatic voter registration

Created permanent absentee voting status

Required voting instructions in multiple languages

Empowered voters  not corporations or special interests



Today we put up a firewall to keep Minnesotas elections safe, free, and fair. pic.twitter.com/Cn8qOhcLxI  Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 5, 2023

Minnesota, armed with a new Democratic "trifecta" in control of its state government, passed some of the most progressive voting laws in the country this year. It implemented automatic voter registration for residents once they turn 18, allowed pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and created a permanent absentee voter list that sends a ballot to residents who sign up.

"The violent insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, really shocked the conscience of many voters," Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman told USA TODAY. "What we found on the campaign trail, both in anecdotal stories from door knocking and from the data we collected from polling, was that voters were really concerned about our democracy in light of those incidents."

Republicans and Democrats are worried about future of American democracy

The health of U.S. democracy is something Americans agree about across the board, according to the USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll. It shows 74% of Democrats agree that "democracy is imperiled." About 75% of Republicans agree and 66% of independents.

"This question does not cut off on political party," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center. "In fact, it's a validation that all political factions, whether you're in the left, right or in the middle, feel that democracy is imperiled, and that's pretty powerful."

Larry Skinner, 72, a retired financial analyst and longtime Republican supporter from Riverside, California, said he remembers when President Ronald Reagan "worked well" with Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill in the 1980s to get legislation passed in Congress. These days, Skinner, who has been married for 54 years and has three adult children and nine grandchildren. said there is "no road to compromise" between the political parties.

Skinner would like to see less of politicians "from both parties making statements that clearly are not accurate. That makes so sense to me."

Patrice Jackson, 48, a public school teacher for 18 years and GOP supporter from Chester, Pennsylvania, also said she wants less contentiousness in Washington.

"Can we please try to be more kind to one another, regardless of your party affiliation?" Jackson asks. "Can we reprioritize and focus on what the important issues are?"

First-term New Hampshire State Rep. Angie Brennan is a Democrat in a state that has a high concentration of registered independent voters. Strengthening the nation's democracy heavily depends on voter participation by removing barriers to the ballot box and proposing measures such as no-excuse absentee voting to ensure their constitutional rights, Brennan said.

"We all have a responsibility to fight for the future of our democracy," she said. "Its going to take all of us coming together to increase access and opportunities to vote. The future of our democracy depends on hope, humanity, and hard work, and Im not giving up on any of that."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democracy in America: Doubt, fears grow as country celebrates July 4th
Three more tourists died in separate incidents after swimming in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend under dangerous surf conditions, adding to the growing number of water fatalities in the United States this year.

Including these fatalities, Panama Beach has seen seven surf fatalities within the span of nine days. The latest deaths occurred Saturday, June 24, off of Panama Beach, Florida, according to the Panama City Beach Police Department. The department responded to "three separate fatal water incidents behind three different resorts," police said, adding that all three individuals had been pulled from the water unresponsive.

Conditions at the time had been severe, with double-red flags, which indicate extreme water hazards. The warning had been in place for the last week, communicating that the water was off limits and the beach closed to the public.

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"Often, this means very dangerous ocean conditions, such as strong rip currents, and beachgoers should stay out of the water when these flags are present," Elyssa Finkelstein, a then-spokesperson for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, told AccuWeather in a past interview.

In Bay County, violators of double-red flags could be issued a $500 fine and could be arrested on the second offense.

Rip currents off the coast of Panama City Beach dug trenches into the ocean sand over the weekend, showing the power of the currents. Three people swept away from the shore at Panama City Beach over the weekend in separate incidents due to these rip currents. While they were pulled back ashore, all three were pronounced dead. (Facebook/Bay County Sheriff's Office)

"I'm beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf," Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford posted on Facebook. "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 Father's Day."

Christopher Pierce, 47, of Helena, Alabama, drowned off the coast of Panama City Beach, on June 18 while trying to rescue his daughter from a rip current. While he saved her life, he himself got caught in the rip current.

Seven people have died off the coast of Panama City Beach over nine days, from June 15 to June 24, bringing Florida's tally surf zone fatalities this year to 27, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Overall, the NWS has recorded 60 surf zone fatalities across all 50 U.S. states and its territories.

Florida holds the unwanted ranking of highest count of surf zone fatalities. Puerto Rico, with half as many surf zone deaths as Florida, follows at 13.

The database by the NWS that tracks these incidents accounts for rip currents, high surf, sneaker waves and other dangerous surf conditions. The year 2021 saw the highest number of rip current deaths, according to the NWS, with 111 fatalities. The 10-year average for rip current fatalities is 71.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
More than $2 million in structural repairs are recommended for the historic Texas and Pacific Warehouse in downtown Fort Worth.

The warehouse on the south end of downtown has sat at the corner of West Lancaster Avenue and Jennings Avenue since the 1930s, but the property has been vacant for several decades. Meanwhile, revitalization takes place nearby and development is booming around the property.

Over the years, the owner has touted plans for redevelopment, but none have come to fruition.

Fort Worth city officials began conducting a structural inspection of the eight-story property in March. The citys Local Development Corporation reviewed findings from engineering firm Frank W. Neal and Associates in a new report Tuesday afternoon.

Engineers found extensive amounts of cracked or broken concrete and exposed or corroded rebar, according to the report. The firm said the structural issues could have damaging effects in the future if left unattended and recommended repair within the next one to three years.

The basement and first floor had large amounts of shallow standing water while cracked concrete on other floors allows more water to get inside the building, the report said.

The T&P Warehouse in downtown Fort Worth on Monday, June 26, 2023.

The firm also noted that around 3,500 square feet of concrete and rebar were damaged so severely they create localized structural integrity issues in the warehouse. The report recommended certain areas, where corroded rebar and spalled concrete is severe,be demolished within the year.

The repairs would cost an estimated $2.15 million, the report said.

The citys March inspection was the first of its kind after the T&P Warehouse faced years of code compliance issues. Property owner Ola Assem purchased the building in 1998 through the company Cleopatra Investments. At 600 feet long by 100 feet wide, the building was once a railroad transportation warehouse.

To address Fort Worths population growth in the 1930s, T&P Railway Company spent $13 million to develop a three-building complex that included an outbound freight terminal, a 13-story passenger terminal and the eight-story inbound freight terminal that is the vacant property today, according to the National Register of Historic Places.

The T&P Warehouse in downtown Fort Worth on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

When air travel became the more popular means of transportation in the 1950s, the buildings were shut down. Since then, the original passenger terminal at 221 Lancaster has been renovated into Texas and Pacific Lofts, a condominium complex with fitness and business centers and access to the Trinity Railway Express Commuter Train within the building.

In the surrounding south downtown area, Texas A&M just began development of the expected $320 million Fort Worth campus, a $217 million expansion of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel is slated to begin next spring and the Fort Worth Convention Center is awaiting a major renovation.

Meanwhile, the T&P Warehouse, purchased by Assem for $6.4 million, remains vacant. The property is appraised at $1.2 million.

Talks of converting the warehouse into apartments, a hotel, a restaurant or retail space have arisen multiple times over the years but never materialized. Developers have expressed interest in working with the owner to revitalize the building. Leaders from Historic Fort Worth and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. have called for Assem to sell the property. Yet plans have never been executed.

With penthouse structures on the roof and a basement, the building has now been on Historic Fort Worths endangered at least eight times. Over the years, the property owner faced concerns of neglect, including a large tree growing on the roof, water standing in the basement and decorative elements falling to the ground, according to Historic Fort Worth.

The building was designated as one of the states Most Endangered Places in 2015 by Preservation Texas. City code inspectors nearly condemned the building for several of the same reasons back in 2017. The property once had a tax exemption, but the city also withdrew the agreement in 2019.

Here are a few of the nearly 40 photos included in the report that show damaged areas within the building:

Engineers recommended complete demolition and repair of this second floor area in the T&P Warehouse.

The third floor of the T&P warehouse shows about 160 square feet of cracked concrete and corroded rebar.

A column inside the T&P Warehouse displays broken concrete, a common condition in several columns on the fourth floor, FWNAs report said.

Spalled concrete on the second level of the T&P Warehouse was a common condition in several locations of the floor, according to FWNAs report.

The sixth floor of the T&P Warehouse displays graffiti and various areas of spalled concrete.
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah works against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah was hit hard in his first game after returning to the minors, allowing 11 runs over 2 2/3 innings in a rookie-level Florida Complex League game on Tuesday.

Before the Blue Jays hosted the San Francisco Giants in Toronto on Tuesday night, manager John Schneider played down Manoah's rough outing.

Obviously saw the line score, but heard that the things we were talking about, in terms of strike throwing, delivery, tempo, velocity, were all positive," Schneider said. "The rest of the stuff, you can take it with a grain of salt.

The Blue Jays sent the struggling right-hander down on June 6 after the 2022 All-Star and AL Cy Young finalist couldnt get out of the first inning against the Houston Astros.

Pitching for the FCL Blue Jays against the Yankees at New York's minor league complex, the 25-year-old gave up 10 hits, including two homers, and two walks against a lineup composed mostly of teenagers 17 to 19 years old.

After Manoah allowed an RBI single to Hans Montero in the first, Roderick Arias hit a second-inning three-run homer that cleared the approximately 30-foot center-field batter's eye. The 18-year old Arias received a $4 million signing bonus in 2022 from the Yankees.

The 6-foot-6 righty needed 26 pitches, including 15 strikes, in the second.

Manoah was chased after giving up six more runs in a third inning that featured an opposite-field, two-run homer to right by Keiner Delgado.

Were not expecting him to go throw a perfect game just because its the minor leagues, said Schneider, who wasn't sure when Manoah would pitch next.

Hopefully, in the next one, he can build a little bit of momentum.

Manoah was booed by Toronto fans after allowing six runs and seven hits in one-third of an inning on June 5 in his seventh straight losing decision. He 1-7 went a 6.36 ERA in 13 starts after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts last season.

Manoah has allowed 45 runs in 58 innings. He allowed 55 in 196 2/3 innings in 2022. He went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts as a rookie in 2021.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Republican presidential candidate and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was apparently unaware of the oppressed Uyghur ethnic minority group in China during an interview Tuesday.

Radio host Hugh Hewitt asked Suarez in an interview if the Miami mayor would be talking about the Uyghurs during his campaign.

The what? Suarez asked.

The Uyghurs, Hewitt said.

Whats a Uyghur? Suarez asked again, before Hewitt replied, OK, well come back to that. You gotta get smart on that.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

The Uyghurs, who live in the Xinjiang province of China, are a Turkic-speaking, predominantly Muslim ethnic group. The United States has accused China of committing mass human rights abuses and even genocide against them.

The conservative talk show host noted the blind spot by Suarez in a tweet following their conversation.

Mayor @FrancisSuarez was pretty good for a first conversation on air about national security except for the huge blind spot on the Uyghurs. Whats a Uyghur? is not where I expect people running for president to say when asked about the ongoing genocide in China, Hewitt wrote.

Suarez sought to clarify his comments following the interview and asserted that he did know about the predominantly Muslim ethic group in China but was tripped up on the pronunciation of the groups name.

Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there, Suarez said in a statement. I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used. Thats on me.

Suarez announced his bid for the White House earlier this month. The Miami mayor is the third Florida Republican to enter the race but is viewed as a long shot and starts off with little national name recognition.

The Hill has reached out to Suarezs campaign for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Smoke billows in Khartoum, where millions of people are still holed up (-)

Fighting raged in the Sudanese capital on Tuesday, the eve of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, after paramilitaries seized Khartoum's main police base.

Fighting in the city between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo is now concentrated around military bases.

At the same time in Sudan's west, the conflict is worsening to "alarming levels" in Darfur, the United Nations warned.

Since the war erupted on April 15, the RSF has established bases in residential neighbourhoods of the capital while the army has struggled to gain a foothold on the ground despite its air superiority.

As the RSF fights to seize all of Khartoum, millions of people are still holed up despite being caught in the crossfire without electricity and water in oppressive heat.

Late Sunday, the RSF said it had seized the headquarters, on Khartoum's southern edge, of the paramilitary Central Reserve police, sanctioned last year by Washington for rights abuses.

On Tuesday the RSF attacked army bases in central, northern and southern Khartoum, witnesses said.

Mawaheb Omar, a mother of four who has refused to abandon her home, told AFP that Eid, normally a major event in Sudan, will be "miserable and tasteless", as she cannot even buy mutton, a usual part of the feast.

- Looting -

Burhan took to state television on Tuesday to urge "all the young people of the country, and all those who can defend it, not to hesitate to do so (...) or to join the military units".

The United States, Norway and Britain, known as the Troika, on Tuesday condemned "widespread human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence, and targeted ethnic violence in Darfur, mostly attributed to soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias".

RSF are descended from Janjaweed militia unleashed by Khartoum in response to a rebel uprising in Darfur in 2003, leading to war crimes charges.

In the current fighting the RSF has been accused of looting humanitarian supplies, factories and houses abandoned by those displaced by the fighting or taken by force.

Daglo responded to these accusations on Tuesday in an audio recording posted online.

"The RSF will take swift and strict action" against those in its ranks who have carried out such abuses, he said.

The RSF had said Monday evening that it was beginning to try some of its "undisciplined" members, and announced the release of "100 prisoners of war" from the army.

Since the beginning of the conflict, both sides have regularly announced prisoner swaps through the Red Cross, without ever giving the exact number of those captured.

Daglo, a former Darfur militia chief, also warned against "plunging into civil war".

The UN and African blocs have warned of an "ethnic dimension" to the conflict in Darfur, where on Tuesday Raouf Mazou, the UN refugee agency's assistant high commissioner for operations, told a briefing in Geneva there is a "worsening situation" in West Darfur state.

"According to reports from colleagues on the ground, the conflict has reached alarming levels, making it virtually impossible to deliver life-saving aid to the affected populations," he said.

- New fronts -

Elsewhere in the country, new fronts have opened against the army from a local rebel group in South Kordofan state, south of the capital, as well as in Blue Nile state on the border with Ethiopia.

In South Kordofan, authorities have decreed a night-time curfew to curb the violence.

The Troika expressed "deep concern" about the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, as well as Darfur, that "risked further broadening the conflict".

Hundreds of civilians have fled over the border to Ethiopia because of the fighting reported around Kurmuk in Blue Nile, the UN said.

This adds to the ever-increasing number, now almost 645,000 people, who have fled to neighbouring countries, mostly Egypt and Chad, according to the latest International Organization for Migration data. Around 2.2 million people have been displaced within Sudan, the agency said.

A record 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.

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Suitcases of cash seized in Bahamas in 2021 falsely linked to South Africas presidential protection unit

A plane carrying the security personnel accompanying South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on a peace mission to Ukraine was delayed in Poland in June 2023, an incident that sparked a widely reported diplomatic fallout. Tweets showing suitcases filled with money claim that the undisclosed cash was found onboard the South African flight and was the reason for the delay. This is false; the image shows cash seized during a raid in the Bahamas in 2021.

BREAKING NEWS:ALLEGEDLY "POLISH GOVERNMENT" FOUND A LOT "DOLLARS" STARCHED IN SUITCASES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION UNIT(RSA)..ONE OF THE REASONS THEY HELD THEM "HOSTAGE" (sic), reads a tweet published on June 17, 2023.

A screenshot of the false tweet, taken on June 21, 2023

The picture included in the tweet shows two suitcases packed with bundles of money.

Some who responded to the post believed it was genuine, but others shared screenshots of old articles to refute the claim.

A screenshot of comments replying to the tweet

The claim is, in fact, false.

Bahamas raid

Reverse image search results revealed the picture was published online on September 24, 2021, and featured in media reports (here and here) about a bust at the Inagua International Airport in the Bahamas (archived here and here).

According to the reports, two men were arrested after a search revealed four suitcases filled with cash on September 23, 2021.

A screenshot of a September 2021 article on the arrests in the Bahamas

The picture predates South Africas latest diplomatic drama by three years.

Diplomatic debacle

As reported by AFP on June 16, 2023 (archived here), a plane carrying Ramaphosas security personnel on a peace mission to Ukraine was held up in Poland.

The Polish government said that some of those onboard did not have permission to carry weapons into the country and could not disembark.

Head of the presidential protection services Major General Wally Rhoode disagreed, telling South African media aboard the flight that Polish authorities demanded original versions of the necessary permits, which had not been a prior requirement.

[WATCH] Head of the Presidential Protection Services Major General Wally Rhoode, briefs the media meant to cover President Ramaphosa on the #AfricanPeaceInitiative about the delays and challenges encountered in Poland. pic.twitter.com/Ux5AiIGyJp  @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) June 15, 2023

The African peace mission went ahead as planned for Ramaphosa and other African leaders and representatives from seven countries who met Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia's President Vladimir Putin separately.
The sun's activity could peak 2 years early, frying satellites and causing radio blackouts by the end of this year, experts say

A solar plasma "waterfall" was spotted on the sun recently. More odd solar phenomena has been seen recently as the sun nears a peak of activity. Eduardo Schaberger Poupeau

The sun is becoming more active and may reach peak activity sooner than expected.

Solar maximum was predicted to happen in 2025, but sunspot activity has changed that.

An unusual burst of sunspots this year suggests solar maximum could hit by the end of 2023.

The sun is growing more active, which is expected. Our sun has an 11-year cycle where it increases and decreases in activity. What's unexpected is how soon it will reach the solar maximum.

We're currently approaching solar maximum, when the sun reaches peak activity, which experts have previously predicted should happen in 2025.

But the sun's recent behavior suggests solar maximum will hit sooner than expected  by the end of this year.

It's "going to peak earlier and it's going to peak higher than expected," a solar physicist at the University of College London, Alex James, told Live Science.

Why solar maximum is a threat to Earth

The solar maximum is a time when the sun's magnetic field is extremely weak, and that's not great news for Earth.

Normally, the solar magnetic field acts as a shield, constraining solar radiation and reducing the risk of potentially harmful events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections are examples of solar storms. When the storm breaks, it fires high-energy particles into space. On the off chance those particles strike Earth, they can cause a lot of damage.

An animation of the solar wind shows high-energy particles streaming from the sun towards Earth. NASA

For example, already this year a powerful solar flare caused widespread radio blackouts that disrupted high-frequency radio signals in North America, Central America, and South America.

In the past, powerful solar storms have surged the Quebec power grid, causing blackouts that lasted up to eight hours. Solar storms have also been linked to exploding sea mines and destroyed Starlink satellites.

Why experts think solar maximum will hit soon

When the sun's magnetic field is weak, its surface gets a lot more interesting to look at.

For example, the solar surface develops temporary black blemishes called sunspots, which are regions where the magnetic field is especially strong in one area. This chokes the flow of hot fresh gas from the sun's interior to the surface, cooling that region and making it appear black.

Sunspots, like the one shown here are cooler than their surroundings, which is why they appear black. But don't be misled, the typical temperature of a sunspot is 7600 degrees Fahrenheit. NASA Goddard on YouTube

Meanwhile, the powerful magnetism behind the sunspot can brew eruptions.

So as the sun grows more active, and its magnetic fields throb and tangle more wildly, scientists expect more sunspots and more of the solar flares and CMEs that can erupt from them.

Therefore, by monitoring the number and frequency of sunspots, scientists can track the solar cycle and its progress toward maximum activity.

In 2020, a national panel of scientists issued a forecast that the sun's current cycle would reach its maximum in 2025 with a peak of roughly 115 sunspots.

The sun has more sunspots during solar maximum. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory/Joy Ng

But ever since then, sunspots have been outstripping those predictions. January saw over 140 sunspots, when no more than 92 were predicted, according to a database of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May brought nearly 140 sunspots again.

Solar flares have also been growing more frequent and more powerful year by year. An unexpected "stealth" CME washed over Earth on March 24 and created a historically powerful geomagnetic storm, pushing the aurora borealis as far south as Arizona.

An array of other unusual solar phenomena also point to an early solar maximum: a vortex on the sun's north pole, a plasma "waterfall," a tornado-like twisting prominence, and giant "holes" forming in the sun's outer atmosphere.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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
Photo: Jacquelyn Martin (AP)

On Monday, the Supreme Court permitted the Louisiana congressional map to be redrawn to add another mostly Black district. The decision follows a ruling the justices doled out earlier in June about Alabamas congressional maps that upheld the way courts have always dealt with the redistricting provisions in the Voting Rights Act.

It was revealed that the justices reversed plans to hear the case themselves and lifted a hold in place on a lower courts order for an alternate redistricting regime. Additionally, there were no dissents on record. The Supreme Courts decision means that the lower court proceedings in the casewhich were paused by the mostly conservative justices last yearwill resume.

Read more

During that period, a merits panel of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals was preparing for an expedited review of a judges ruling that said the 5-1 congressional plan likely violated the Voting Rights Act. US District Judge Shelly Dick had assessed a remedial congressional plan after lawmakers in Louisiana were against passing a plan with a second majority-Black district themselves.

On Monday, the justices stated that 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.

Last year, Louisiana state officials were sued for a congressional map (one that was passed by the Republican legislature even though it was vetoed) that made just one of its six districts mostly Black, despite the 2020 census showing that the states population is 33% Black.

Over a year ago Dick ordered that the map be redrawn to include a second Black-majority district to the congressional plan. The judge believes that the map drawn by the Republicans most likely went against the Voting Right Acts provisions that bar racial discrimination in voting.

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How the Supreme Courts decision on election law could shut the door on future fake electors

The Supreme Courts rejection of a controversial election theory may also have another huge political consequence for future presidential contests: It obliterated the dubious fake elector scheme that Donald Trump deployed in his failed attempt to seize a second term.

That scheme relied on friendly state legislatures appointing alternate slates of pro-Trump presidential electors  even if state laws certified victory for Joe Biden. Backed by fringe theories crafted by attorneys like John Eastman, Trump contended that state legislatures could unilaterally reverse the outcome and override their own laws and constitutions to do so.

Mainstream election lawyers on both sides of the aisle denounced the theory in the months after the 2020 election. But because no court had ever directly ruled on the theory, its proponents were able to describe it as a plausible, if untested, interpretation of constitutional law. Eastman himself, currently facing disbarment in California for his actions to subvert the election, has claimed that he was engaged in good-faith advocacy on an unsettled legal question.

But by rejecting the so-called independent state legislature theory in Moore v. Harper on Tuesday, Chief Justice Roberts effectively extinguished it as a plausible path in 2024 and beyond.

It keeps the toothpaste in the tube, in the sense that the theories that would give state legislatures unvarnished power has been rejected, said Ben Ginsberg, a prominent Republican elections attorney who loudly pushed back against Trumps attempts in 2020 to overturn his loss. State legislatures thinking that they can just, if they feel like it after an election, replace the popular will with a slate of electors is as gone as there can't be any review of redistricting plans.



Tuesdays opinion primarily revolves around an interpretation of the U.S. Constitutions elections clause , which says that state legislatures can set rules for congressional elections in their states.

Though some on the right have interpreted the clause as giving state legislatures total authority to write and rewrite election procedures, without any input from governors or state courts, the Supreme Court rejected that notion.

That decision cuts the already-wobbly legal legs out from under Trumps last-ditch efforts to remain in power. When Trump tried to subvert the 2020 election, his allies relied, in part, on a similarly fringe interpretation of the Constitutions electors clause , which permits state legislatures to determine the method for appointing presidential electors. Eastman and other Trump allies argued that state legislatures could determine unilaterally that Trump was the rightful winner, appointing their own electors to be counted on Jan. 6, 2021.

No state legislatures embraced Eastmans calls, and the effort collapsed when then-Vice President Mike Pence refused a simultaneous pressure campaign to single-handedly postpone the counting of electoral votes.

Tuesdays decision contained just glancing discussion of the electors clause in its majority opinion, which was joined by liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson and conservatives Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. But in soundly rejecting the independent state legislature theory, the implications were clear: The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, Roberts wrote.

Todays ruling makes clear, for example, that an elected state legislature cannot cut the people of the state out of the loop of picking presidential elections if the state constitution requires that electors to the electoral college be popularly selected, argued Vikram Amar, a law professor at the University of Illinois, on a call organized by the group Protect Democracy and others who opposed the independent state legislature theory.

The elections clause and electors clause contain very similar language. The elections clause reads that the times, places and manner of electing senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof, while also granting explicit powers to Congress to do the same. The electors clause similarly says each state shall appoint presidential electors in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct.

The operative constitutional language in the two clauses is essentially identical, said Michael Luttig, a former conservative federal appellate judge who advised Pence to reject those alternative slate of electors on Jan. 6.

The clearest link between Tuesdays decision and the Trump election gambit was in the references to a 140-year-old Supreme Court decision in McPherson v. Blacker  a ruling cited repeatedly by Trumps allies as they sought to justify their efforts to supplant Bidens electors with their own.

That 1892 decision paved the way for a Michigan law that permitted the appointment of electors by congressional district, and it emphasized the power of legislatures to dictate the way presidential electors are chosen.

Eastman has repeatedly cited that ruling as evidence that state legislatures could simply ignore state court decisions they disliked regarding the appointment of electors, and he has reupped those arguments as he seeks to hold onto his California law license this month.



Like Eastman, then-DOJ official Jeffrey Clark cited the McPherson decision in a now-infamous letter that he pressed Justice Department leaders to issue on the cusp of Jan. 6, 2021, urging them to call their legislatures into session and consider appointing a new slate of electors. Trump appeared to briefly appoint Clark as acting attorney general amid this battle before rescinding the decision amid a mass resignation threat by top DOJ officials.

Roberts made clear that the McPherson ruling was not a green light for state legislatures to ignore the constraints of state constitutions, laws and courts. In fact, the 19th-Century opinion didnt address such a conflict.

Our decision in McPherson  had nothing to do with any conflict between provisions of the Michigan Constitution and action by the States legislature  the issue we confront today, he wrote.

Conversely, the dissent from the Roberts opinion, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas  whom Eastman clerked for in 1996  might provide Eastman a boost in his effort to save his bar license. Eastman has argued that even if his legal theory was wrong, its not a punishable offense to give incorrect or unpopular legal advice.

Bar discipline authorities seeking to disbar him, however, say Eastmans advice was catastrophically wrong and built on assumptions and inferences that no lawyer could make in good faith. They have repeatedly emphasized that Eastman sought to avoid court battles over his theory because they might have resulted in an adverse decision before Jan. 6.

But Thomas dissent made clear he endorsed a key aspect of Eastmans view: that state legislatures are not bound by their own constitutions when it comes to the appointment of electors. Citing McPherson, Thomas rejected Roberts interpretation of the case.

Contrary to the majoritys suggestion of ambiguity  this statement can only have meant that the state legislatures power to direct the manner of appointing electors may not be limited by the state constitution, Thomas wrote in a footnote. One other justice  conservative Neil Gorsuch  signed onto that portion of Thomas dissent.

Eastman had urged Pence to consider electoral votes purportedly cast by pro-Trump activists in several states that Biden won, even when no state legislatures agreed to endorse a slate of alternate electors.

That push has landed Eastman at the center of both bar disciplinary actions as well as ongoing criminal probes in Washington and Georgia.
This is not the clear win that some people are interpreting it as, but it its certainly better than what we thought the alternative would be, Cliff Albright, executive director of Black Voters Matter, tells theGrio.

Civil rights activists and legal experts have conflicting opinions on the Supreme Courts decision to potentially have Louisiana redraw its congressional map amid legal claims that its current map discriminates against Black voters.

Alanah Odoms, executive director at the ACLU of Louisiana, told theGrio that the high courts decision is a moment of jubilee and characterized it as bending the arc toward justice for Black voters.

FILE  The Supreme Court is seen on April 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

This is a celebratory dayI think [for] our ancestors  John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer  all of the folks who were part of the Civil Rights Movement who were fighting so hard for voting rights for African American people, she added.

On the contrary, Cliff Albright, executive director of Black Voters Matter, told theGrio, This is not the clear win that some people are interpreting it as, but said it is certainly better than what we thought the alternative would be.

On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed Republicans efforts to prohibit Louisianas congressional map from being redrawn to add another majority-Black district.

The justices rejected Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoins appeal of a federal judges decision to redraw the states congressional map because it was unconstitutional and discriminated on the basis of race.

Black voters and civil rights activists criticized the 2022 congressional map and filed lawsuits alleging the map would make it nearly impossible for Black voters to have a voice in elections, Reuters reported.

Odoms told theGrio that the Supreme Court is sending a clear message that section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is still a powerful and necessary provision to protect Black Americans fundamental rights.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most fundamental pieces of civil rights legislation that was ever enacted. Unfortunately, over time, with the kind of advent of a more conservative Supreme Court, Black Americans have faced challenges, said Odoms.

Members of the Supreme Court sit for a new group portrait following the addition of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Supreme Courts decision to no longer grant certiorari to this case means that the fate of Louisianas map is in the hands of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which will then decide the fate of the Louisiana map.

Albright told theGrio that the Supreme Court sent this case back to the 5th circuit, which could still rule in such a way as to prove what we know to be racist maps. He added, This is not a clear case where the appeals court has been ordered to do the right thing.

Some believe that the conservative New Orleans court based in the 5th circuit, which is comprised of several Trump-appointed circuit judges, will move forward to implement the discriminatory map.

However, Odoms argued, [The court] has a clear directive that they are to strike down the discriminatory map and allow for the presentation of evidence on the creation of a new map to actually meet the standard.

Odoms told theGrio that she does believe there could be some pushback from the appellate court.

I would imagine that they will continue to  oppose the drawing of a fair map, she said.

This latest decision by the Supreme Court comes after it ruled that Alabama must redraw its unconstitutional congressional map to be more inclusive of Black voters, as theGrio previously reported.

Although many are happy with the Supreme Courts decisions to call out Republicans efforts to create discriminatory maps, Albright told theGrio that it should have done so sooner.

By not acting sooner, they allowed for racist undemocratic maps to be used during the midterms, in states like Alabama, Louisiana and Florida, he said.

He added, The Supreme Court could have decided on last year in such a way that there would have been more majority Black seats in Congress.

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The post Supreme Court decision in Louisiana voting rights case not a clear win for Black voters appeared first on TheGrio.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Tuesday shot down a conservative theory that could have given state lawmakers extraordinary power to set election rules in their states with little oversight from courts, balking at an idea that voting rights groups worried could further erode trust in the nation's elections.

"Since early in our nation's history, courts have recognized their duty to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative acts," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.

The appeal took on added significance because of the 2020 election, during which several courts ruled on absentee ballot procedures amid lockdowns in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans felt that, in some of those cases, courts had overstepped their authority. Democrats, on the other hand, had framed those same decisions as protecting voters from disenfranchisement.

The decision Tuesday drew praise from voting rights groups and some prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama, who called it a "resounding rejection of the far-right theory that has been peddled by election deniers and extremists seeking to undermine our democracy."

What's the 'independent state legislature' theory? What did the court rule?

North Carolina relied on a clause in the Constitution that delegates responsibility for federal elections to the "legislature" of each state. The state lawmakers said a plain reading of that clause makes clear that state legislatures have power to set election rules without interference from state courts. That's what's known as the "independent state legislature" doctrine. Opponents say the clause has never been read that way before.

But state courts, Roberts wrote, "retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the Elections Clause."

The decision was 6-3 with the court's three-justice liberal wing joining Roberts along with Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Sam Alito dissented.

Thomas, writing in dissent, asserted the Supreme Court should have dismissed the case rather than deciding it. That's because the state courts that considered the case took the unusual step of reversing an earlier decision after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.

Why the 'independent state legislature' matters for elections

After the 2020 census, North Carolina approved a congressional map that would have benefited Republican candidates. A group of voters sued in state court, alleging the map was a partisan gerrymander that violated the state constitution. State courts initially agreed and ordered a new set of maps.

A Supreme Court decision embracing the independent state legislature theory could have had sweeping implications for other election laws, regulations and maps by making them far more difficult to challenge in court. Some experts believe that could have lead to more election laws that benefit the party that controls the legislature, potentially undermining support in elections.

The U.S. Supreme Court, is seen on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) ORG XMIT: DCMZ308

Case tracker: Race, religion and debt: Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court

In an unusual series of events, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted a rehearing of its decision over the state's map after the Supreme Court held arguments in the case. The state court, now controlled by Republican appointees, reversed the earlier decision on the maps that was handed down when the court had leaned Democratic. The new decision raised questions about whether the U.S. Supreme Court still had an active case to decide.

Though it also involved redistricting, the North Carolina dispute was entirely different from the issues involved in a case out of Alabama decided this month. In the Alabama redistricting matter, a 5-4 majority held that the state's effort to create a "color blind" map nevertheless diluted the power of Black voters in the state.

What are they saying about the Supreme Court's election decision?

Voting rights groups applauded the decision. Ari Savitzky, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union said the court was "right to reject the misbegotten independent state legislature theory." In the United States, he said, "there is no room for a rogue legislature that can violate its own founding charter without any checks from other branches of government."

Others focused on the fact that Roberts noted state courts shouldn't have "free rein" to change election rules. And the decision, some experts said, appeared to leave room for additional litigation.

The Supreme Court reaffirmed that state courts do not have carte blanche to rewrite state election laws," said Jonathan Adler, professor at Case Western Reserve School of Law. "While the court did not give lots of guidance on the precise limits, the opinion serves as a warning to partisan activists inclined to use lawsuits as an effort to circumvent applicable election laws or rewrite districts."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court rejects theory that could have transformed elections
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

The case was a plot to steal the 2024 election, according to former Clinton administration Labor Secretary Robert Reich. The Center for American Progress warned that the Supreme Court might adopt an extreme MAGA election theory that threatens democracy. Democratic election litigator Marc Elias chastised fellow progressives for pursuing the matter, insisting that given the composition of the Supreme Court, no one who cares about free and fair elections should be rushing to get the Supreme Court to potentially create any doctrine where none exists.

And yet, on Tuesday, the much-dreaded ruling in Moore v. Harper came down and the result is not the democratic doomsday many had feared.

By a vote of six to three, the Court categorically rejected the so-called independent state legislature (ISL) theory, the argument at the center of these dire predictions. Americas experiment in self-government lives another day.

Liberal Panic Could Help Trump Steal the Next Election

It Depends on What the Meaning of Legislature Is

Harper concerns one of the most widely loathed aspects of our political system: partisan gerrymandering.

In a 2019 case with a majority opinion also written by Chief Justice John Roberts, Rucho v. Common Cause, the Court had declared partisan (as opposed to racial) gerrymandering to be a nonjusticiable political question for federal courts. But in North Carolina, the state supreme court disagreed. Ruling under the state constitution, which they have the final say on, that court held that the legislatures congressional redistricting map was so egregiously tilted in favor of the GOP that it violated the guarantee of free and equal elections.

The legislature then turned to a controversial legal theory which had been gaining steam in recent years among some conservative academics. The Constitution says that rules for congressional elections, subject to possible congressional override, shall be set in each state by the states Legislature.

This, according to proponents of ISL theory, meant that state legislators were immune from being overridden by state constitutions and courts. Its an admittedly plausible reading of the clauses plain text.

If the federal Constitution gives this power to the legislature, state law cannot divest them of that power, or so the argument went. Legislatures were independent of any other state-level constraints, including judicial review.

The Supreme Court on June 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. In a 6-3 decision today the Supreme Court rejected the idea that state legislatures have unlimited power to decide the rules for federal elections and draw congressional maps without interference from state courts. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

ISL theory gained its most notoriety when it was advanced by Trump supporters in their bid to overturn the 2020 election. Drawing from a similar clause governing how members of the Electoral College are chosen, they urged state legislatures to convene during the post-election period to strip Bidens electors of their position and select Trump electors instead.

This argument was specious for reasons unrelated to ISL theory, however. And it never really reflected the serious pro-ISL arguments raised by conservative legal scholars. In its brief in Harper, the Republican National Committee even explicitly disavowed the idea that ISL means state legislatures can overturn presidential elections.

The practical consequences at stake in Harper therefore revolved much more around gerrymandering and other possible election laws such as voter ID and postal voting.

Theyre Not Buying It

With all that mind, jitters about the pending case were understandable.

But then something unexpected happened: three conservative justices (Roberts, Barrett, and Kavanaugh) joined with the Courts three progressives to completely reject the entire argument, root and branch.

It turns out, the Supreme Court is fond of the idea that courts should be able to strike down laws. And its not the first time this term Republicans have been dealt an unexpected defeat on a redistricting case.

First, Roberts had to get past a procedural issue. Since its original ruling in Harper, the partisan balance of the North Carolina Supreme Court had flipped. The newly Republican majority promptly overturned the previous ruling, apparently making the pending federal case moot.

Roberts, however, found otherwise on something of a technicality. The North Carolina justices did not reinstate the map originally challenged. Instead, they directed the legislature to adopt a new one consistent with their new ruling. But if the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the legislature, the state would instead revert to the legislatures first adopted map. This, Roberts reasoned, meant the case wasnt moot at all.

Trumps Coup Attempt Will Always Be a Way Worse Crime Than Stealing Documents

Proceeding to the merits, the majority opinion comprehensively trashes ISL from top to bottom. This ruling does not, as some expected, adopt a watered-down toothless version of ISL as a form of compromise (and to dodge the can of worms that would be opened by endorsing its stronger iterations). Instead, the Court has definitively rejected the whole premise that the Elections Clause places state legislatures outside of state constitutional constraints.

As Roberts outlines, the arguments for ISL had already been repudiated by previous precedents.

In a 1916 case, the Court rejected a challenge to the use of a popular referendum to reject the congressional map adopted by the legislature. In 1931, the Court rejected an argument that the Elections Clause cut gubernatorial vetoes out of the process. And in 2015, the Court rejected a challenge to Arizonas adoption of an independent redistricting commission (over a dissent by Roberts). The basic premise, if not yet known by the name independent state legislature theory, had thus reached the Court several times before and already been rejected repeatedly.

People wait in line on the final day of early voting at a polling location at Bank of America Stadium on Nov. 5, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Independent state legislature theory also stood on weak ground as a matter of history and original intent.

There is no real indication that the authors and ratifiers of the Constitution understood the Elections Clause this way, and it conflicts with much of what they did say. Indeed, shortly thereafter, state constitutions began adopting provisions imposing restraints on what their legislatures could do as to federal elections. The role of nascent state courts striking down state laws was favorably cited at the Constitutional Convention as a model for the federal judiciary to emulate. Disempowering state courts by federal mandate, especially by vague implication rather than an explicit rule, would have been very incongruent.

With both history and precedent stacked against ISL, the conservative-dominated Court was unpersuaded and ruled against Republicans advancing the argument. Instead, ISL is now effectively dead for the purposes of any future litigation.

Dont Say Goodbye to Gerrymandering Yet

Far from unleashing a flood of partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression, the ruling in Harper gives a firm stamp of approval to state-level efforts to rein such practices in.

State courts can apply their state-level equivalents of equal protection and free speech to strike down unacceptable acts of the state legislature. Voters remain free, as they have already done in many states, to adopt constitutional amendments requiring fair districts or giving the role to independent commissions.

We Really Need to Fix Presidential SuccessionLike Now

Beneath this, however, the fundamental problem of gerrymandering is intractable for reasons far removed from constitutional interpretation. As political scientists have long observed, the system of single-member districts effectively requires gerrymandering of one sort or another. This might be to maximize partisan advantage or to disadvantage minorities (two things that are hard to distinguish in practice).

But drawing district lines to achieve partisan proportionality is, itself, arbitrary and involves awarding a certain number of safe red and blue seats. No matter what, the map dictates the results more than the voters. And many voters will be arbitrarily packed and cracked into districts where their votes effectively do not matter and get no elected representation.

Ultimately, the only solution to this problem is to create multi-member districts using proportional representation. With larger districts (in many cases statewide), gerrymandering becomes much less feasible. With the use of proportional representation, partisan and racial minorities secure representation even in districts where they are outnumbered.

While blatantly unfair maps remain subject to some important constraints after Harper, the fundamental problem with Americas way of electing its legislators means vicious fights over how to divvy up voters will persist.

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a strong rejection of a controversial legal theory that threatened to upend state election laws nationwide and give state legislatures unchecked power over federal election rules in the case Moore v. Harper.

In a 6-3 decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court sided with a group of North Carolina voters who challenged an attempt by state Republican lawmakers to circumvent a state court decision that struck down a new gerrymandered election map.

Roberts was joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

MORE: Supreme Court hears extraordinary bid to upend election laws, casts skeptical eye

At the heart of the case was a fringe legal concept dubbed the "independent state legislature" theory, which contends the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution provides state legislators alone the power to govern federal elections unencumbered by traditional oversight from state constitutions, courts and governors.

Election and democracy experts warned the theory, if adopted in its most extreme application, could have a dramatic impact on how elections are run. State lawmakers would have near unfettered power to rewrite voting rules, potentially putting at risk mail voting, same-day voter registration, ranked-choice voting systems and other statutes for federal races, experts previously told ABC News. They also expressed concern partisan gerrymandering would sharply increase if the theory were embraced.

Challengers said the theory would've unleashed a dangerous and unprecedented scheme on the eve of the 2024 presidential election.

Roberts roundly repudiated the theory, stating the Elections Clause "does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review."

"In interpreting state law in this area, state courts may not so exceed the bounds of ordinary judicial review as to unconstitutionally intrude upon the role specifically reserved to state legislatures by Article I, Section 4, of the Federal Constitution," Roberts wrote.

PHOTO: The US Supreme Court is seen in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2023. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.

The justices argued the case should have dismissed given state-level developments. The North Carolina Supreme Court, under a new Republican majority, in April reversed its previous ruling that said the gerrymandered map was illegal.

"This is a straightforward case of mootness," Thomas wrote. "The federal defense no longer makes any difference to this case -- whether we agree with the defense, disagree with it, or say nothing at all, the final judgment in this litigation will be exactly the same."

MORE: What's at stake in Supreme Court battle over controversial legal theory about who controls elections

Abha Khanna, the attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case, celebrated the ruling as a "resounding victory for free and fair elections in the United States."

"The independent state legislature theory is a dangerous, fringe legal theory that has no place in our democracy. In its most extreme form, the Independent State Legislature Theory could have weakened the foundation of our democracy, removing a crucial check on state legislatures and making it easier for rogue legislators to enact policies that suppress voters and subvert elections without adequate oversight from state court," Khanna said in a statement. "We are incredibly relieved that the Supreme Court decisively rejected this dangerous theory."

Voting rights advocates also praised the decision as upholding a key protection for voters. Former Attorney General Eric Holder described the decision as win "for our system of checks and balances, the cornerstone of American democracy."

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, who led North Carolina Republicans in the case, responded to the court's decision in a statement shared with ABC News.

"Today the United States Supreme Court has determined that state courts may rule on questions of state law even if it has an impact on federal elections law," he said. "Ultimately, the question of the role of state courts in congressional redistricting needed to be settled and this decision has done just that. I am proud of the work we did to pursue this case to the nation's highest court."

Moore continued, "Fortunately the current Supreme Court of North Carolina has rectified bad precedent from the previous majority, reaffirming the state constitutional authority of the NC General Assembly. We will continue to move forward with the redistricting process later this year."

Supreme Court rejects unchecked state legislature power over federal election rules originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The US Supreme Court has shot down a fringe legal theory supported by Republican officials and Donald Trumps allies that was invoked to toss out election results and radically reshape the nations elections.

A 6-3 decision in Moore v Harper on 27 June determines that Republican-drawn congressional districts in North Carolina amounted to a partisan gerrymander that violated the states constitution, but the majority dismissed the so-called independent state legislature theory that fuelled the states arguments.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion, with support from Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.

In oral arguments in the case last year, justices were warned that the high courts endorsement of fringe legal theory could sow chaos in American democracy.

The decision follows a lawsuit from a group of North Carolina voters and advocacy groups challenging the states Republican-drawn map of its congressional districts, which a state court rejected.

Republican officials appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that the state legislature is granted exclusive power to regulate federal elections.

A ruling from the justices that would uphold the GOP-drawn map would be seen as vindication for the fringe legal theory supported by many Republican officials and conspiracy theorists in their efforts to upend election outcomes and transform how the nations elections are run.

The dubious theory  which animated Mr Trumps spurious attempts to overturn election results in states he lost in the 2020 presidential election  could eliminate state constitutional bans against gerrymandering and other voting protections, potentially handing electoral control to Republican-dominated state legislatures that are primed to rig the next elections.

After the 2020 presidential election, Mr Trump and his allies pressed state courts to overturn unlawful election results in several states he lost, based on bogus claims of fraud, and to let state lawmakers determine the outcome. All of those claims and court challenges were rejected.

That fringe reading of the US Constitution went on to fuel GOP efforts to subvert election laws and change the rules of election administration across the US.

In oral arguments in the case last year, US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar warned that the courts endorsement of the theory would wreak havoc on the electoral process and invalidate state constitutions across the country.

Im not sure Ive ever come across a theory in this court that would invalidate more state constitutional clauses as being federally unconstitutional, added Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general under Barack Obamas administration who argued the case on behalf of voting rights groups and Democratic voters in North Carolina.

The blast radius from their [independent state legislature] theory would sow elections chaos, forcing a confusing two-track system with one set of rules for federal elections and another for state ones, he told justices.

One reading of the theory argues that elected members of a state legislature have absolute authority to determine how federal elections  as in, elections for members of Congress and the president  are performed. State constitutional protections for the right to vote and efforts to combat partisan and racial gerrymandering could be overruled.

A nightmare scenario could mean that a Republican-controlled state legislature that rejects the outcome of an election or objects to how it was administered  including the use of mail-in ballots or voting machines that have been subject to rampant, baseless conspiracy theories  could invoke the theory as pretext to refuse the results.

Retired federal judge J Michael Luttig  who advised then-Vice President Mike Pence on 6 January, 2021 while under pressure from then-President Trump to reject the elections outcome  has warned that the theory is a part of the Republican blueprint to steal the 2024 election.

Dozens of briefs to the Supreme Court urged justices to reject the theory, from constitutional law experts, election officials and voting rights advocates to judges and prominent Republicans  including lawyer Ben Ginsberg, who worked on the landmark Bush v Gore case in 2000 that opened the door for the theory to take shape.

Chief justices from state courts across the US wrote that the Constitution does not oust state courts from their traditional role in reviewing election laws under state constitutions.

Without such barriers, courts will be flooded with requests to second-guess state court decisions interpreting and applying state elections laws during every election cycle, infringing on state sovereignty and repeatedly involving the federal judiciary in election disputes, they wrote in a filing to the court.

A filing on behalf of the League of Women Voters said the theory could throw election law and administration into disarray.

More than a dozen secretaries of state also warned that the mistaken legal theory alien to our countrys history and this courts precedent would have far-reaching and unpredictable consequences on our countrys elections.

The US Constitutions election clause reads that the times, place and manner of federal elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.

The long-standing interpretation of that foundational clause is that election rules established by state legislatures must  like any other law  conform with state constitutions, which are under a courts jurisdiction for review as to whether they are constitutional or not.

So if a state constitution subjects legislation to being blocked by a governors veto or citizen referendum, election laws can be blocked via the same means, the Brennan Center explains. And state courts must ensure that laws for federal elections, like all laws, comply with their state constitutions.

The Honest Elections Project, a Federalist Society-supported effort behind litigation involving state-level voting rules across the US, also supported the North Carolina case.

The group invoked the fringe theory in a supporting brief filed with the Supreme Court, claiming that state legislatures are vested with plenary authority that cannot be divested by state constitution to determine the times, places, and manner of presidential and congressional elections.

Moore v Harper provides a timely opportunity to put these questions to rest, according to the filing.

Lawmakers in at least 38 states introduced nearly 200 bills that voting rights advocates and nonpartisan democratic watchdogs warned can be used to subvert election outcomes, building on a movement in the wake of 2020 elections to do in state legislatures what Mr Trump and his allies failed to do in court.

The recently released analysis from the States United Democracy Center, Protect Democracy and Law Forward found that Republican state lawmakers advanced 185 bills that would make it easier for elected officials to overturn the will of their voters and make it harder for election workers to do their jobs.

That total is on pace with similar efforts from previous legislative sessions. More than a dozen such bills introduced this year have been made law.
In another surprise ruling, the Supreme Court on Tuesday firmly rejected a Republican claim that the Constitution gives state lawmakers full and unchecked power over the elections of members of Congress and the president in their state.

The so-called independent state legislature theory had alarmed Democrats and threatened to inject an element of uncertainty into the 2024 national elections.

Some feared that the theory  if given a green light by the solidly conservative Supreme Court  would allow partisan lawmakers to defy voters' wishes and choose a slate of presidential electors to vote for their preferred candidate, even if that person lost the popular vote in their state.

Instead, a majority of justices  both conservative and liberal  voted to maintain the traditional system of checks and balances.

The 6-3 decision in Moore vs. Harper, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., dismissed the GOP claim of state legislature supremacy and said state judges retain a crucial role in overseeing elections.

"When state legislatures prescribe the rules concerning federal elections, they remain subject to the ordinary exercise of state judicial review," he wrote. "State courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the elections clause."

Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson joined his opinion.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented.

They said the case should have been dismissed as moot because the North Carolina Supreme Court had changed directions on gerrymandering. Such a ruling would have left the rules for the 2024 election uncertain.

The majority decision will make it harder for the dominant political party in a state to gerrymander district voting maps to lock in control of most of the seats. And it will cut off claims that state lawmakers are free to override state courts in setting the rules for casting votes and counting ballots.

Democrats were surprised and cheered by the outcome.

By rejecting the independent state legislature theory, the Supreme Court preserved the vital role state courts play in protecting free elections and fair maps for the American people," said former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., who leads the National Redistricting Foundation. "This is a victory for our system of checks and balances, the cornerstone of American democracy."

Usually disputes over a state's election laws are resolved by state judges and the state supreme court. Until recently, it was understood that the state supreme court had the final word on state laws.

But Republican lawmakers argued that the U.S. Constitution sets a different rule for elections of federal officials. They pointed to the clause that says the "Times, Places and Manner" of electing senators and representatives "shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof."

Citing this provision, they argued that state supreme courts did not have the authority to overrule election rules set by state lawmakers. This was the basis of the independent state legislature theory.

The theory had roots in the Bush vs. Gore decision that ended the presidential vote recount in Florida in December 2000 and made George W. Bush the winner. Then-Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote a concurring opinion stating that the high court would take an "independent" and even skeptical view of state court rulings that appeared to change the state's elections laws.

Since Roberts had earlier served as a law clerk to Rehnquist, and Kavanaugh and Barrett worked as lawyers on Bush's team in Florida, many thought the three of them would lean in favor of the independent legislature theory. Instead, they cast key votes to reject it.

Roberts pointed to history as well as law. From the nation's beginning, it has been understood that state supreme courts have the authority to enforce their own state constitutions, he said.

While the case before the court involved states' voting maps for electing members of Congress, the Constitution has a similar provision that gives legislatures a prime role in electing the president. It says "each state shall appoint" the electors who choose the president "in such manner as the Legislature may direct."

All the states have adopted laws that say their electors will be chosen based on the outcome of the popular vote in the state.

But after President Trump lost his reelection bid to Joe Biden in 2020, he and some of his supporters urged Republican state lawmakers to defy the law and appoint electors for Trump, not Biden. None did so, however.

Democrats and many election law experts voiced alarm that if the Supreme Court upheld the Republicans' claim that state legislatures had independent authority over elections, GOP lawmakers might select a slate of Republican electors even if the Democratic candidate prevailed in a close race.

The issue came before the Supreme Court last year in a dispute over partisan gerrymandering by Republican state legislators in North Carolina. They drew a voting map that would have given the GOP a clear edge in 10 of the state's 14 districts for electing U.S. representatives.

The government watchdog group Common Cause sued and argued the map was highly partisan and did not fairly reflect the state's political makeup. They won before the state Supreme Court, which then had a 4-3 majority of Democratic appointees. Those judges said the state constitution promised free and fair elections, and they ordered a new map for the 2022 midterm elections. Under that map, the state elected seven Republicans and seven Democrats to the House.

But the state's Republican leaders appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and argued that the state judges did not have the authority to override the Legislature and impose their own map for electing members of Congress.

The high court agreed to hear their appeal, and the justices sounded closely split when they heard arguments in December.

But the month before, Republicans had won two seats on the state Supreme Court, giving them a 5-2 majority. Shortly afterward, the new majority announced it would reconsider the anti-gerrymandering ruling that had infuriated the GOP lawmakers.

On April 28, the state court overturned the earlier ruling and said state lawmakers were entirely free to draw election districts to give their party an advantage. The vote was 5-2.

On Tuesday, Roberts said the U.S. Supreme Court retained the jurisdiction to decide the underlying issue, which could prove significant in future election law disputes.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rebuffed a legal theory that argued that state legislatures have the authority to set election rules with little oversight from state courts, a major decision that turns away a conservative push to empower state legislatures.

By a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the independent state legislature theory in a case about North Carolinas congressional map. The once-fringe legal theory broadly argued that state courts have little  or no  authority to question state legislatures on election laws for federal contests.

The courts decision in Moore v. Harper closes the path to what could have been a radical overhaul of Americas election laws.

A particularly robust reading of the theory  which the court turned aside  would have empowered state legislatures to make decisions on all aspects of elections, from congressional lines to how people register to vote and cast a ballot, without any opportunity for challengers to contest those decisions in state courts under state laws or constitutions. Opponents of the theory argued that it could have led to unchecked partisan gerrymandering, and laws that would make it harder for people to vote.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the courts opinion, joined by the three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with two conservatives, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented.

In doing so, the nations top court maintained the power of state courts to review election laws under state constitutions, while urging federal courts to not abandon their own duty to exercise judicial review.



Conservative legal activists backed by some GOP operatives had urged the high court to broaden the power of state legislatures, often under Republican control in recent years. A Supreme Court decision adopting the theory would have upended congressional elections  and potentially the presidential election  heading into 2024.

But the Supreme Court concluded that the U.S. Constitution allows state courts to continue to interpret state constitutions to put limits on lawmakers powers.

The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, Roberts wrote, referring to the provision of the federal Constitution that formed the basis for the independent state legislature theory.

Roberts majority opinion does not give state courts free rein to impose any sort of limits on legislatures action. The chief justice offered a warning of sorts to state judges not to run wild, but the decision issued Tuesday left open the question of when such a state court ruling would go too far.

The questions presented in this area are complex and context specific, Roberts wrote. We hold only that state courts may not transgress the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that they arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections.

Despite that caveat, the opinion represents a major defeat for proponents of the independent state legislature theory  in part, because Roberts won a six-justice majority for his opinion and effectively sidelined three of the courts most conservative justices on the issue.

The courts decision to issue a definitive opinion came as a surprise to some court watchers. The roots of the case were GOP legislators challenging a decision issued by the North Carolina state Supreme Court, which ruled that legislatively drawn lines amounted to an illegal partisan gerrymander. Ultimately, a court-drawn map was used for the 2020 elections.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the federal lawsuit in December. But following those arguments, the state Supreme Court announced it would be rehearing its own recently issued decision, which came after the state court flipped from 4-3 Democratic jurists to 5-2 Republican judges in the November elections. The state court ultimately vacated its own previous decision, saying it would not adjudicate partisan gerrymandering. (The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that federal courts cannot police partisan gerrymandering.)

The highly unusual decision by the state court to rehear and ultimately scrap its own ruling could have gutted the basis for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide the federal Moore case, but some parties urged the justices to nevertheless issue a ruling  an invitation the majority accepted on Tuesday.

Thomas argued in his dissenting opinion, joined in part by Alito and in full by Gorsuch, that the case was moot after the machinations by the North Carolina Supreme Court.

The issue on which it opines  a federal defense to claims already dismissed on other grounds  can no longer affect the judgment in this litigation in any way, Thomas wrote. As such, the question is indisputably moot.



Thomas also critiqued Roberts decision as vague and likely difficult for federal courts to enforce. In many cases, it is difficult to imagine what this inquiry could mean in theory, let alone in practice, the courts longest serving justice wrote, joined only by Gorsuch in those warnings.

However, the dissenters did not offer a clear alternative standard nor did they declare that legislatures should be entirely immune from state judicial review.

Kavanaugh issued a concurring opinion Tuesday saying he would have laid out a specific standard to determine when state court rulings transgressed their proper bounds. He said he would have adopted a standard articulated by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist in the 2000 presidential election case, Bush v. Gore, allowing federal courts to strike down state court rulings that impermissibly distorted state law beyond what a fair reading required.

At least four justices on the U.S. Supreme Court  the three dissenters and Kavanaugh  have in the past at least entertained some form of the independent state legislature theory in their writings. But during oral arguments, a majority of the court seemed unwilling to adopt a strong version of the theory.

All sides appeared to agree that, regardless of the outcome in the case, federal courts would still have the ability to review state election law changes that violate federal law or the federal Constitution.


Supreme Court rejects theory that would have upended US elections

The nine justices of the US Supreme Court (ALEX WONG)

The US Supreme Court, in a closely watched case with major ramifications for federal elections, ruled on Tuesday that state legislatures do not have unchecked power to decide voting laws.

In a 6-3 decision penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, the nation's highest court rejected the so-called "independent state legislature" theory.

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina had argued before the court in December that state legislatures should have the sole authority to decide who votes, where and how in presidential and congressional elections.

The prospect had raised concerns for democracy on the left -- and to a lesser extent on the right -- in a bitterly divided nation still reeling from former president Donald Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results.

State legislatures have used their authority under the US Constitution's Elections Clause to map congressional districts, set poll hours and agree on rules for voter registration and mail-in and absentee ballots.

They have also, at times, engaged in what is known as partisan gerrymandering -- drawing up congressional districts to favor a particular political party.

Their laws have been subject, however, to scrutiny by the state courts and North Carolina's Republican lawmakers were seeking to do away with that judicial input.

The Supreme Court rejected that bid with Roberts and two other conservatives -- Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett -- siding with the three liberal justices.

"The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review," Roberts wrote.

- Obama welcomes ruling -

Former Democratic president Barack Obama welcomed the decision.

"Today, the Supreme Court rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances," Obama tweeted.

Abha Khanna, who represented the plaintiffs in the case, called the ruling a "resounding victory for free and fair elections in the United States."

"The Independent State Legislature Theory could have weakened the foundation of our democracy, removing a crucial check on state legislatures," Khanna said in a statement.

During oral arguments before the Supreme Court in December, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden, warned that accepting the "independent state legislature" doctrine would "wreak havoc" in the running of elections and "sow chaos on the ground."

"State and federal elections would have to be administered under divergent rules," Prelogar said. "And federal courts, including this court, would be flooded with new claims."

There were also worries that a ruling in favor of the theory would allow state legislatures to override outcomes they disagreed with, as some Trump supporters had called for in the 2020 election.

The case, Moore v. Harper, stemmed from an electoral dispute in North Carolina.

The 2020 census found that the state's population had increased, earning it an extra seat in the US House of Representatives.

North Carolina lawmakers redrew the congressional map to add a new district but the state supreme court threw it out, arguing that it favored Republicans by grouping Democrats in certain districts, diluting their vote.

North Carolina lawmakers appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that local courts were usurping their authority.

cl/des
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a legal theory supported by the Kansas Attorney Generals Office that would have given state legislatures sweeping power to gerrymander congressional districts for partisan advantage.

The justices by a 6-3 vote rejected the independent state legislature theory, which holds the U.S. Constitutions elections clause grants state legislatures the power to set the times, places and manner of elections and prevents state courts from intervening.

The theory began gaining traction among Republicans in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, when former President Donald Trump and his allies objected to decisions made by state courts in their unsuccessful attempt to overturn the results of the election.

If the U.S. Supreme Court had adopted the theory, it could have prevented courts in Kansas, Missouri and other states from reviewing congressional maps for partisan gerrymandering  or blocked states from requiring the use of commissions to draw congressional district boundaries. The high court has already limited the ability of federal courts to review maps for partisan gerrymandering.

Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, had signed on to an amicus brief last year urging the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt the theory. Schmidts term ended in early January. A spokesperson for Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Kansas and Missouri legislatures both draw congressional maps, though Missouri uses a commission system to draw state House and Senate districts.

The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

The Kansas Legislature approved a congressional map last year that split Wyandotte County into two districts for the first time in decades and placed Democratic-leaning Lawrence into the Republican-dominated and largely rural 1st Congressional District. While the Kansas Supreme Court upheld the map, the independent state legislature theory would have likely foreclosed the state court from ruling on any potential challenge to maps in the future.

The Missouri Attorney Generals Office didnt sign on to an amicus brief in the case. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican who is running for governor, submitted his own brief arguing that while states have authority over congressional redistricting, the U.S. Constitutions elections clause isnt the source of that power.

Ashcroft suggested that relying on the elections clause would open the door to Congress overseeing the redistricting process. A spokesperson for Ashcroft didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision centered on North Carolina, where the state Supreme Court struck down districts drawn by Republicans who control the legislature because they heavily favored Republicans in the highly competitive state. The court later reversed itself after conservatives gained a majority on the court in January.
The Supreme Court just turbo-charged the nationwide fight over gerrymandering.

It is a rejection of the so-called independent state legislature theory, with the Supreme Court leaving a role for state courts to wade into the increasingly common battles over partisan gerrymandering. State courts have been immensely influential over congressional control over the last half-decade.

The ruling ensures that state Supreme Courts will remain ultimate arbiters of partisan gerrymandering, and that they can rein in legislatures looking to use redistricting to eviscerate a minority party. Previously under the radar judicial contests will continue to see millions of dollars pour in to influence their outcomes.

There was this real movement into state courts after 2018, said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, referring to Democrats success in challenging Pennsylvanias GOP-drawn map before a state court. If anything, this is just ensuring that those fights can continue, and that a broader landscape of litigation can continue to be pursued.

Wisconsin Democrats are perhaps the most immediate winners of the decision. Liberals won a majority on their state Supreme Court for the first time in over a decade earlier this year. They are already plotting to use it to unravel what is perhaps the strongest GOP gerrymandering in the country. The independent state legislature theory threatened to upend those plans, so Democrats now have a clearer path to litigate those maps thanks to Tuesdays ruling.

It also has a major effect on a long-running fight in Ohio, where the state Supreme Court has repeatedly struck down GOP maps there as illegal gerrymanders. Ohio Republicans have asked the nations top court to intervene on similar grounds, but the court has not yet acted on their plea. Tuesdays ruling means the fight will likely remain between the legislature and the state Supreme Court, which became more favorable to Republicans last year.

Meanwhile, Democrats are pushing to have court-drawn lines thrown out in New York, where a particularly aggressive Democratic gerrymander could cost Republicans several seats. While that fight in state court is ongoing, there is no immediate ruling that would give Democrats the green light to immediately ignore their state judiciary.

It will, however, have little effect in North Carolina, the state where Moore v. Harper originated. Republicans there, spearheaded by state House Speaker Tim Moore, asked the Supreme Court to restrain their states then-Democratic controlled high court from wading into a fight on partisan gerrymandering. But while awaiting a final ruling, Republicans won control of North Carolinas Supreme Court, which overturned the previous court's ruling. Republican lawmakers are expected to redraw the lines this summer, and are expected to heavily favor their party.

I dont have confidence in North Carolina, said former Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), who was once a state supreme court justice, pointing out that the changed partisan makeup of the state high court affects the ultimate outcome there. I have no confidence that that court will overturn the maps.

Republicans agree. This decision has no practical effect on the already-underway redistricting effort in North Carolina. We look forward to the North Carolina General Assembly drawing fair lines that best represent North Carolina, Jack Pandol, a spokesperson for the House GOP campaign arm, said in a statement.

The courts decision on Tuesday also seemingly blessed the authority of independent redistricting commissions, which were the subject of a 5-4 divided Supreme Court ruling less than a decade ago. Both parties have benefitted from independent mapmakers in different states  but a world where California Democrats, for example, could gerrymander unabashedly would have been disastrous for GOP representation on the West Coast.

GOP operatives say the current judicial arms race began in the run-up to the 2018 midterms when Democrats secured a majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and then successfully sued to have the Republican-drawn map overturned.

The result: The Pennsylvania congressional delegation went from five Democrats and 13 Republicans to an even 9-9 split. Democrats took back the House majority for the first time in eight years.

The Supreme Court reinforced Democrats strategy in 2019 when it ruled that federal courts had no role in policing partisan gerrymandering  but left the door open for states to do so.

For Republicans, that was a wake-up call. They started pouring millions into judicial races in key states like North Carolina. In states where justices are appointed, they leaned on GOP governors to tip the scales.

A handful of states have partisan gerrymandering litigation pending in the state courts. Earlier this year, New Mexico Republicans argued that the states congressional maps were gerrymandered to benefit Democrats. A Democratic-controlled legislature crafted a map that helped now-Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) oust then-incumbent Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell from her district. Herrell has already mounted a comeback bid.

But one of the judges said in January the state Supreme Court is going to be deliberative and wont rush to a decision.

State Supreme Court hearings are also upcoming in Utah on July 11 and in Kentucky on Sept. 19. Both of those cases deal with GOP-controlled maps, with Republicans sweeping all four congressional districts in Utah and all but one in Kentucky.

In the immediate aftermath of Tuesdays decision, Republicans were quick to point out that the Supreme Court does not give state courts unchecked authority in redistricting and other redistricting litigation.

The questions presented in this area are complex and context specific, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in his opinion. We hold only that state courts may not transgress the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that they arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections.

That, some court watchers argue, is a clear shot across the bow to state judiciaries to not get carried away.

This is a first, positive step toward reining in recent overreaches of state courts, said Adam Kincaid, the president of the National Republican Redistricting Trust.

Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
Suzanne Morphews body is in a very difficult spot, prosecutors say  three years after disappearance

Missing Colorado woman Suzanne Morphews body is in a very difficult spot but investigators continue to search for her, prosecutors have said.

Suzanne Morphew, 49, disappeared from her remote home in Salida, Colorado, in 2020 amid plans to leave her husband of 25 years Barry Morphew.

He was charged with her murder and was set to go on trial before the case was dismissed without prejudice in April 2022.

Authorities arrested Barry Morphew Wednesday and charged him with his wife Suzanne Morphews murder. (Denver7 - The Denver Channel)

Now prosecutors say that it could be months or even years before they have enough evidence to prove Morphew was murdered or bring it to trial.

That could be a long time. It could be quick, it could be long. It depends on a lot of our investigation, said 11th Judicial Deputy District Attorney Mark Hurlbert in court on Monday.

But he insisted that investigators have a strong idea of where her body is.

She is in a very difficult spot. We actually have more than just a feeling  and the sheriffs office is continuing to look for Mrs. Morphews body, he said, according to The Denver Gazette.

Barry Morphew leaving court with his daughters Macy (left) and Mallory (right) on Tuesday after learning the charges against him were dropped (AP)

And he added: We are going to continue to look for her body. We are simply trying to get this case prosecutable, whether that is against the defendant or against somebody else.

The court hearing was held after Mr Morphews lawyers requested that records in the case were sealed indefinitely.

Attorney Iris Eytan told the court that prosecutors had been acting on a hunch when they charged Mr Morphew with murder.

Undated booking photo of Barry Morphew (Chaffee County Sheriffs Office)

There is a cloud of suspicion unfortunately thats hanging over Mr Morphews head as a result of the prosecutions continued statements that they have a hunch that he had something to do with Mrs Morphews disappearance, Ms Eytan said.

Park County District Judge Amanda Hunter ordered the records, which contain statements made by Mr Morphews wife to her best friend Sheila Oliver before she disappeared, to be unsealed.

When she disappeared, Suzanne Morphew was having a long-distance affair with a man she went to high school with and wanted to leave her husband for him, an earlier evidentiary hearing was told.

The affair came to light when investigators found a spy pen in her closet, which she had bought to hide in her husbands car as she suspected that he was also having an affair.

Barry Morphew has maintained he had nothing to do with his wifes death. He was arrested in 2021 after a yearlong investigation and eventually released on bail.
SACRAMENTO CA SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 -- The California Assembly considers a flurry of bills during floor session at the state Capitol on Aug. 29, 2019. (Robert Gourley / Los Angeles Times)

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders on Monday agreed to a $310.8-billion spending plan that will reduce investments in fighting climate change and reflects a compromise on the governor's last-minute proposal to speed up infrastructure projects across California.

The 2023-24 budget deal, which lawmakers will vote on in a series of bills this week, ends weeks of infighting among Democrats that began after the governor introduced a package of infrastructure bills at the tail end of the budget process, including making it easier to approve his highly controversial plan to build a $16-billion tunnel beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to transport water south.

Newsom threatened to veto the Legislature's budget priorities over the last week unless they approved his infrastructure plan. The two sides ultimately settled on a deal that removes the delta tunnel project from the package but retains measures to reduce delays to other major projects due to legal challenges under California environmental law.

In the face of continued global economic uncertainty, this budget increases our fiscal discipline by growing our budget reserves to a record $38 billion, while preserving historic investments in public education, healthcare, climate and public safety, Newsom said in a statement announcing the deal late Monday evening.

California's budget deficit complicated negotiations at the state Capitol, where financial analysts expect tax collection to fall nearly $32 billion short of the money allocated for state programs.

The governor and leaders of the Democratic-led Legislature agreed to delay nearly $8 billion in spending, including the allocation of $550 million to construct facilities for transitional and full-day kindergarten programs. Lawmakers and the governor agreed to another $8 billion in reductions, such as a $750-million payment to the federal government for COVID-related unemployment insurance debts.

The deficit marks a new era of economic challenges for California that could hinder Newsom's ability to make good on his expensive policy promises in his second term. The current deal seeks to preserve funding for Newsom's marquee programs, including the expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility to all immigrants regardless of legal status, while tucking away $37.8 billion in reserves.

Here's what you need to know in six key areas of the 2023-24 spending plan, which takes effect Saturday:

A dust-up over infrastructure

Newsom's plan to streamline the process of building infrastructure in California was the most hotly contested policy proposal in budget negotiations.

The deal includes a retooling of the state's landmark California Environmental Quality Act by reducing the opportunity for lengthy legal challenges to major infrastructure projects. The environmental law, which requires a review of potential environmental effects before a project receives approval, has been used strategically by environmental organizations, project opponents and others to scuttle or alter construction projects.

Some environmentalists opposed the hurried nature of the governor's plan and alleged he was trying to weaken California environmental law and protections without enough time for a policy review and public input.

Opponents of the controversial underground tunnel to transport water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to Southern California came out victorious in the budget compromise.

Kathryn Phillips, the former director of the Sierra Club, called Newsom's proposal an "environmental nightmare" and last week said it would "decimate one of the largest estuaries in North America."

Though Newsom and environmental groups often don't see eye to eye, it's rare for Democrats at the Capitol to openly criticize the governor. Last week a bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers sent a letter to Newsom outlining their reasons for opposing the proposal, including that building the tunnel would carry profound health and environmental effects through three counties: Sacramento, San Joaquin and Contra Costa.

Several other Democratic lawmakers called out Newsom publicly during legislative hearings for trying to ram such crucial legislation through the budget process at the last minute.

In the end, Newsom agreed to remove the tunnel from the list of streamlined infrastructure projects, according to several sources involved in the negotiations. Lawmakers also successfully pushed for the final deal to require that the state seek to lessen impacts on disadvantaged communities.

Read more: Newsom and Democratic lawmakers remain divided on infrastructure plan

More money for healthcare providers

Doctors and other Medi-Cal providers have long argued that low reimbursement rates for services reduce access to care for nearly 16 million Californians, or one-third of the state's population, who are covered by the health plan.

With the support of a broad coalition of doctors, community health centers, hospitals and unions, Newsom and lawmakers agreed to renew a tax on managed healthcare organizations, known as the MCO tax, to fund Medi-Cal at a time when the state is expanding the pool of eligibility. The tax is expected to generate $19.4 billion in state revenue from 2023 through 2027.

The budget provides the first reimbursement rate hikes, in some cases, in more than two decades, and adopts a faster timeline to spend the money than Newsom proposed in May.

Lawmakers and the governor set aside $2.7 billion annually from 2025 through 2029 for rate increases and other investments, including $1.65 billion for primary care and specialty care rate increases. The deal also provides $555 million for emergency and inpatient services and $300 million for behavioral health beds.

Though the deal marks a win for some providers, state Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Panorama City) questioned why clinics serving the poorest communities were not consulted in the final negotiations.

"It's been a little frustrating with how the MCO breakdown came to be, or the finalized product of it, and who was included in the conversations of who got a piece of the pie," she said in a legislative hearing Monday evening.

Slight reduction in future efforts to combat climate change

Newsom hyped the state's $54-billion investment in climate programs last year only to suggest slashing it by $6 billion in May when the deficit became more apparent.

Ultimately, Democrats compromised and settled on $51.4 billion for climate programs.

The deal allocates more than $1 billion for programs in coastal resilience and clean energy and restores nearly $300 million for the State Coastal Conservancy.

Read more: What you need to know about Newsom's plan to offset California's $31.5-billion deficit

Funding for public transit restored

The final agreement reverses the governor's call to cut $2 billion to public transit after a substantial lobbying effort by urban transit agencies and Democratic lawmakers in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The deal includes a total of $5.1 billion for transit over four years.

Anticipating the potential for cuts in the future, Democratic lawmakers introduced a separate plan Monday to increase tolls on seven state-owned bridges in the Bay Area by $1.50 to generate about $180 million annually from 2024 through 2028.

Money to revamp a prison

The deal Newsom struck with lawmakers will kick-start his sweeping plan to revitalize San Quentin State Prison into a rehabilitation-centered facility and formally start the process of renaming it the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Despite early pushback from lawmakers who bristled at Newsom's proposal, along with criticism from the independent Legislative Analyst's Office that the plan lacked necessary details, the final budget includes what the governor sought: roughly $380 million to reconstruct certain parts of San Quentin. The plan will completely revamp the prison into a Norwegian-style facility that focuses on job training and other programming to better prepare individuals for reentry in a way that reduces recidivism rates.

San Quentins transformation builds on Newsoms multiyear initiative to overhaul the states criminal justice system, which he began with an executive order in 2019 that temporarily halted the death penalty and shut down the prisons execution chamber.

The Legislature also negotiated a deal with the administration that gives the states police training and standards board more time to comply with part of a law passed in 2021 that established a decertification process for officers who engage in misconduct.

Read more: Child-care providers by day, Amazon drivers by night. Workers fight for living wages

A boost in state funding for child care

The current agreement includes a major win for low-income families that receive state assistance to pay for child care.

Currently, families earning more than 40% of the state median income have to chip in a monthly fee toward their childs care on a sliding scale, ranging from $36 to nearly $600  up to 10% of their income. A family of four making $6,950 a month, for example, would pay $518 in family fees a month. Those fees were waived during the pandemic but were scheduled to restart on Oct. 1.

The current budget deal would waive fees for all families earning less than 75% of the state median income, and cap all fees at 1% of monthly income for families earning more.

The deal, however, does not authorize the $1-billion rate increase for home child-care providers in 2023-24 sought by the Legislature. Instead, it authorizes a total of $2.8 billion to fund payment increases across all child-care and preschool providers over a two-year period. The details will be subject to ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the Child Care Providers Union, which represents Californias 40,000 home child-care providers.

Times staff writers Hannah Wiley and Jenny Gold and Sacramento Bureau Chief Laurel Rosenhall contributed to this report.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Taliban says it has provided 'a comfortable and prosperous life' for women in Afghanistan. 'Absurd' says a human rights advocate.

Atif Aryan/AFP

The supreme leader of the Taliban says that the organization's rule has been good for women.

The Taliban's record on women's rights says otherwise.

A human rights expert told Insider its part of an effort to gain international legitimacy.

The supreme leader of the Taliban announced on Sunday that the organization has taken "necessary steps" for the "betterment of women" in Afghanistan but human rights experts say the country continues to experience some of the world's worst women's rights abuses.

During an address ahead of Eid al-Adha, Hibatullah Akhundzada said that under the Taliban, "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 Associated Press reported.

This includes measures to prevent women from entering forced marriages, he said.

"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," Akhundzada said, per the AP.

Akhundzada's statements are in direct opposition to the international scrutiny the Taliban has faced from human rights organizations, the UN, and various nations since it took over after the US and international forces withdrew troops from the country in 2021. Most notably, the Taliban has been scrutinized for barring women from getting an education past the sixth grade, ordering that they completely veil their faces in public, limiting the jobs they can hold, and barring them from going to parks.

"Their claim that their policies in the past or in the future reflect a concern about the well-being of women are unsupported and, frankly, absurd," John Sifton, the advocacy director of the Asia division at Human Rights Watch, told Insider. "The restrictions on work and education go to the very heart of what women's rights are all about  the freedom to make choices about your own life. This is what human rights are."

In March, the UN declared Afghanistan the world's most repressive country for women. In a recent Human Rights Council meeting, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif declared women in Afghanistan are "discriminated against in every way." Other countries with records of abuses against women, like Saudi Arabia, have also spoken out against some of the Taliban's restrictive policies.

United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) June 24, 2023

Sifton said the statements claiming that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has empowered women despite so much evidence showing otherwise is most likely part of an effort to establish its legitimacy on an international stage. The UN recently said it is "nearly impossible" to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government because of human rights issues.

"The Taliban leadership craves legitimacy. They want to be recognized by other governments and international institutions like the United Nations," Sifton told Insider. "But the reason that outside governments and the United Nations are reluctant to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan is, in large part, because of their horrible record on women's rights."

Since the Taliban's take over of Afganistan, women in the country have been protesting and speaking out against the restrictive rules put in place by the organization. Yalda Royan, a feminist activist who fled Kabul with her two daughters in 2021 after the Taliban took over, told Insider's Charles Davis last year that the country "has now become a kind of cage for Afghan women; the birds who cannot fly out of it, just stuck inside the home without rights to movement, rights to education, rights to work  any basic right."

Sifton said that despite this vocal opposition, Taliban leadership continues to argue that imposed rules align with what Afghan citizens want for their country. Sifton said the opposite is true.

"In speaking about women's rights, human rights groups and outside governments are merely reflecting what Afghan women and girls themselves have said. The Taliban can simply ask the women and girls of Afghanistan what they want," Sifton told Insider, "and they will find that they do not want these restrictions on women's rights, education, and work."

"In many ways, the crisis for women's rights in Afghanistan is a reflection of the crisis of the Taliban not being the democratically elected government."

Read the original article on Insider
A teacher and father who drowned saving a teen girl in Lake Michigan is being posthumously awarded for his bravery.

Thomas Kenning, 38, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was spending time at Porter Beach in Indiana with his 9-year-old daughter Rory and his parents on June 27, 2022, when he saw a 16-year-old girl in distress in the water. Kenning jumped in the water and got her safely to shore, losing his life in the process.

Now, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is recognizing Kenning's bravery by awarding him the Carnegie Medal, which the private foundation describes as "North Americas highest honor for civilian heroism."

Kenning is among 15 other recipients, including an off-duty border patrol agent who rescued two children from a burning car, a ski instructor who rescued a skier who lost consciousness and was dangling from a ski lift, and a welder who rescued a drowning boy in Lake Michigan, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund's website.

"Carnegie Hero Thomas Kenning exhibited selfless courage as he, without hesitation, entered treacherous waters to save a stranger in peril," Hero Fund President Eric Zahren, tells TODAY.com in an email. "His sacrifice stands as a testament to the greatest love that one can give, laying down his own life to save another."

"Toms time with us was cut too short," Jasmine Kenning, Thomas wife and also a teacher, tells TODAY.com in an email. "We hope that his life continues to be an inspiration and reminder to leave the world a little kinder than you found it."

Jasmine recalled the tragedy when speaking to TODAY.com in 2022.

"After he handed his hat and cell phone to his mother, he ran toward the water and (our) daughter yelled out to him, 'Dad! Be careful!'" she said.

Thomas Kenning, pictured with his daughter Rory, died in Lake Michigan while saving a teen in distress. (Courtesy Jasmine Kenning)

"The first phone call I got was, 'Jasmine, theres been an accident. Tom heard someone was in trouble, and he jumped in the water to help her. The paramedics did CPR and hes on his way to the hospital,'" she recalled.

A spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources told TODAY.com that Porter Beach waves rose between three to five feet that day and the lake has steep drop-offs.

"Thomas got the teen out of a deep area and to a place where she could help herself," said the spokesperson. But he did not make it out himself.

Indiana Dunes State Park lifeguards pulled Kenning from underwater, where he had been for 20 minutes. He was declared dead at Northwest Health Hospital. Kenning's death was ruled an accidental drowning by the county coroner, said the spokesperson.

According to the National Park Service, rip currents and waves can make swimming dangerous in the lake.

Jasmine told TODAY.com that Kenning would have been "mortified" with any type of attention.

"He lived his life humbly serving and thinking of others, wanting for nothing but to leave each place he went better than how he found it," she said.

Thomas Kenning, his wife Jasmine and their daughter Rory. (Courtesy Jasmine Kenning)

Thomas was "patient, playful, and inspiring" with their daughter, she said.

"They always went on walks, to the playground, explored nature, the zoo, the library, museums," added Jasmine Kenning. "(They) listened to and created music, made art together, read and wrote stories together. They had the most in-depth conversations."

Lake Michigan was special to the couple.

"When Tom first took me home to meet his family, (we went to) Mt. Baldy, just east of Porter Beach," recalled Jasmine Kenning. "We were walking on the dunes and when we got to the top, he looked me in the eyes and said, "Hey Jasmine, 'I love you.'"

Kenning was a teacher at Plato Academy Pinellas Park, where he taught middle school civics and world history.

Principal Tonia Cunningham said Kenning played music while his students walked to and from classrooms. "He always carried drumsticks," she told TODAY.com. "No one was late for his class."

Kenning, an accomplished author, had been awarded a National Geographic scholarship, said Jasmine, and he was planning a trip to Antarctica, a bucket-list destination.

But everyday things are what Jasmine will remember most: "Each morning when he would say 'Good morning, beautiful' and ask if I had any dreams," she said. "The way he used to thank me for making coffee. The sound of his keys hitting the bowl he placed them in when he got home from work. And each day, telling (our) daughter 'Have a great day at school, do your best, and be kind.'"

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Scouted/The Daily Beast/Tecovas.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

Leave it to Tecovas to take its boots to new heights. The Austin, Texas-based bootmaker has become the go-to Western footwear brand nationwide and just released its latest boot, The Abbythe companys tallest one yet. But dont let the towering 17-inch height intimidate you; even the most conservative of dressers will love this glamorous Western boot.

The intricately stitched boot has a two-inch heel, welted leather sole, and pointed toe, using either bovine or suede material. I was worried The Abby boots might be a bit rigid and challenging to maneuver in, especially in this summers record unforgiving Texas heat, but true to Tecovass signature form, the tall boot is supple, comfortable, breathable, and very forgiving. Its the all-season boot youll want to throw on with everything from shorts to dresses this summer and with sweaters and flared denim come fall.

Buy on Tecovas, $335

The newly released boots look much like the luxury, artisan boots youd find from more high-end, pricey bootmakers like Luchesse or City Boots, but at a much less daunting price. Instead of dropping around $1,000 for a pair of extra-tall, statement-making Western boots, The Abby only costs $335.

In addition to The Abby, Tecovas has also released a limited-edition collection you should also add to your cart ASAP: both The Sadie and The Jolene feature an artistic, vintage-style Western floral design for a limited time that adds a dose of fun and flair to Tecovas more traditional boot options. You dont need to wait for an invitation to a rodeo or Western-inspired party to wear these beauties around town.

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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. Credit - Alexander ErmochenkoReuters

For nearly a decade, Yevgeny Prigozhin built a mercenary empire in the shadows. For eight years, he steadfastly denied his connection to the Wagner Group, the infamous paramilitary company he founded in May 2014, even going as far as to sue news outlets for correctly linking him to the group. It was only in Sept. 2022, after Prigozhin appeared in a video recruiting convicts to fill Wagners ranks, that he finally acknowledged that he was the leader of the sprawling network of private military contractors and shell companies serving the Kremlins interests from Ukraine to Syria to sub-Saharan Africa. The time of revelation has come, Prigozhin said in a statement posted on social media, bragging that he had turned Wagner into one of the pillars of our Motherland and foundation of Russian patriotism.

Suddenly, the Russian oligarch and onetime Vladimir Putin confidante was everywhere. Prigozhin opened a Wagner headquarters in St. Petersburg, claimed credit for meddling in U.S. elections, and started posting hundreds of messages, videos, and photos on the messaging app Telegram. Over the course of seven months, the formerly secretive leader built a Telegram channel with 1.3 million followers, morphing from an unofficial extension of the Kremlin to a prominent figure with a direct connection to the Russian public.

Prigozhin used Telegram to circumvent the Kremlins state media apparatus, meeting Russians on the platform where they sought uncensored news from the war in Ukraine. As Wagner troops became heavily involved in the fighting, especially in the battles around Bakhmut, he became one of the most prominent faces of Russias war, issuing a steady steam of often-graphic video messages from the front lines. As the war dragged on, he bristled at the Russian defense departments moves to subsume his mercenary army, taking on the countrys military leadership and elite in screaming tirades that painted them as indifferent to the deaths of ordinary soldiers. When Prigozhin launched a dramatic insurrection against Russias military leaders on June 23, he launched and narrated it in a series of stunning voice messages on his Telegram channel.

Read More: How Telegram Became the Digital Battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine War.

The short-lived mutiny pitted two skilled propagandists and former allies against one another. While Putin has tightly controlled narratives about the war within Russia through state media and television, analysts say, he may have underestimated the influence of Prigozhins growing reach online. The following Prigozhin built on Telegram was very clearly a method for him to be able to raise his political profile, says Catrina Doxsee, an expert on the Wagner Group and associate director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. It became valuable to have all of that credibility as leverage.

Prigozhin was once known as Putins chef, thanks to the catering business he operated with links to the Kremlin. Back in 2016, he did Putins bidding in a notorious influence operation conducted over social media: he was the person behind the Internet Research Agency, the notorious troll farm accused of attempting to manipulate the 2016 presidential race to boost Donald Trump. Prigozhin is a creation of Putin, says Joana de Deus Pereira, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute-Europe think tank. But this is a typical case where the creation turns against the creator.

Wagner Group fighters deployed outside the Russian Southern Military District staff headquarters on June 24 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Arkady BudnitskyUPI/Shutterstock

The Telegram channel that would become Prigozhins megaphone was created on Nov. 5, 2022 as the press arm of his company Concord Management and Consulting. Until then, a cluster of unofficial Wagner and fan accounts on Telegram, with names like Prigozhins Cap, had distributed news about him and his group on the app, which had become the digital battle space of the war in Ukraine. Prigozhin would now be posting updates on this account, the first message said, so he could guarantee that all statements are published from me personally.

The channel took off quickly, with dozens of videos showing the Wagner boss on the front lines. In January, one purported to show Prigozhin in a hospital, shaking the hands of Wagner fighters wounded in combat. In others, he stood in full combat gear on a rooftop in Bakhmut, demanding more ammunition. Prigozhin was building a political persona in a kind of competition with Putin, to prove who was the most patriotic, the best Russian, the flagship of Russian values, says Pereira. He sought to be portrayed as a symbol of true patriotism and of the common soldier of Russia, the one that suffers on the field, the one that has blood in his hands, she says.

Russian news, including state media, began to cover some of Prigozhins videos on Telegram, even featuring criticism from his fighters, who complained about shortages of ammunition and armored vehicles. As Prigozhin grew bolder, Russian state-backed media outlets were instructed not to quote him unless it was about positive developments from the battlefield, according to the independent news outlet Verstka. Wagners relative successes tipped the balance of power in Prigozhins favor [and] gave him room to openly criticize the Kremlins strategy in the conflict, says Pereira. It was something unimaginable just months ago.

As the mercenary leader became more visible, he began to imply that any negative stories about him were being planted by the Russian military because Wagners fighters were outperforming Russian forces on the battlefield. People in uniform could be discrediting me, he said in a Telegram post. Chiefly those close to the military. Because many of them cant achieve the same effectiveness that Wagner has.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's appeal to the citizens of Russia, personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and law enforcement officers in connection with the situation with PMC Wagner as shown on television in St. Petersburg on June 24. Artem PriakhinSOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Open criticism of the war is so rareand often illegalthat it was widely assumed Prigozhins comments were tacitly sanctioned by Putin, including his vitriolic barrages against Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, analysts tell TIME. On May 4, Prigozhin posted an expletive-riddled video on Telegram directed at Russias military leadership, shining a flashlight on rows of bloodied bodies that he said were Wagner fighters killed in Bakhmut.

You scum sit there in your expensive clubs, your kids are all enjoying life, recording their little YouTube videos, he spat at the camera, standing in the dark, illuminated by a spotlight. Were talking about basic calculations: if you hand over the ammo quota, thered be five times fewer [dead].

Then Prigozhin took it a step further, posting a dramatic video in which he directly addressed Putin while dressed in full combat uniform surrounded by fighters. He threatened to withdraw Wagner Group units from Bakhmut: Without ammunition, theyre doomed to die meaningless deaths. He made good on that threat in late May, accusing Russias leaders of intentionally starving his troops of munitions. There will be no more meat grinder because theres nothing left to grind the meat with, he declared in a Telegram video.

In early June, Shoigu announced plans to require soldiers with private military companies, including Wagner, to sign contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry by July 1. Prigozhins screeds escalated as he saw his business empire threatened. He announced that his group would not comply. None of Wagners fighters is ready to go down the path of shame again, Prigozhin posted in a video on June 14. Thats why they will not sign the contracts.

On June 23, Prigozhin accused the Russian military of ordering a rocket strike on Wagners field camps in Ukraine, vowing to punish those who destroyed our lads by embarking on a March for Justice. In a Telegram video, he attacked Putins justification for the invasion of Ukraine itself, challenging his claims point by point. The war wasnt needed to return Russian citizens to our bosom, nor to de-militarize or de-Nazify Ukraine, he said. The war was needed so that a bunch of animals could simply exult in glory.

This was an extraordinary challenge to Putins leadership. Not only is it a blow to Putins narrative about the war, but it is coming from a trusted insider, who has already built up a reputation amongst the people, says Doxsee. And that is a huge blow to Putins power and credibility.

Wagner forces occupied the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, and moved north without opposition, advancing to within about 120 miles of Moscow before turning back. The Kremlin sought to block information about the putsch on Google News, appeared to cause Telegram outages in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don, and throttled Internet searches for Prigozhin on news sites and social-media networks. But the series of voice notes the mercenary leader posted on Telegram over the course of the revolt were still listened to more than 55 million times, according to TIMEs review.

Prigozhin has reportedly been exiled to Belarus under a deal brokered by the countrys President Alexander Lukashenko on June 25, and his channel briefly fell silent. But on Monday he reappeared in more voice notes on Telegram. When on June 23-24 we walked past Russian cities, civilians met us with the flags of Russia and with the emblems and flags of the Wagner PMC, he said. Many of them still write words of support, and some are disappointed that we stopped. Prigozhins future is uncertain. But as long as he has access to his Telegram channel, he will pose a threat to Putin, wherever he may be.
Only eight of Tennessees 95 counties remain economically distressed  the fewest with that designation since researchers began tracking the data, according to new analysis by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Counties are considered distressed based on their three-year average unemployment rate, per-capita market income, and county poverty rate. Since last year, Grundy and Morgan counties moved out of the distressed designation.

The eight remaining distressed counties are Lake, Hardeman, Perry, Clay, Bledsoe, Scott, Hancock, and Cocke.

Gov. Bill Lee announced the progress during a national forum on choice lanes held by the Tennessee Department of Transportation at Nissan Stadium on Tuesday.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee speaks to reporters at Nissan Stadium on June 27, 2023.

What happens in rural Tennessee strengthens what happens right here in urban Tennessee, Lee said at the event. We started with 15 economically distressed counties, today we have eight  and we will continue to work.

Of Tennessees 95 counties, 27 are classified as at-risk, and 52 are classified as transitional. Williamson County is the only in the state to have reached standards of economic attainment. Davidson, Wilson, Cheatham, Sumner, Fayette, Moore, and Knox Counties are designated competitive.

During his first term, Lee prioritized economic acceleration in the states economically struggling rural counties, proposing hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for in-school job training and technical education programs. His first executive order directed state agencies to review how they are serving rural communities. At the time, the governor's office declined to release those agency recommendations, citing deliberative process in withholding them from The Tennessean.

The Department of Economic and Community Development has also secured more than $16 billion in capital investments, and recruited 33,000 job commitments in rural counties since 2019, according to a department press release.

In 2019, we began an administration-wide mission to expand opportunity for Tennesseans in rural areas, and our strategic workforce and infrastructure investments have resulted in an historic reduction of our states distressed counties, Lee said in a statement.

In an effort to train a workforce to support new economic opportunities, lawmakers have also approved more than $200 million to improve Tennessees Colleges of Applied Technology in the past four years, and $500 million to expand career and technical education programs at middle and high schools throughout the state.

Alongside federal entities, the state has supported $447 million in funding to expand broadband access in rural areas.

What happens in rural Tennessee matters to all of Tennessee, Lee said. As Tennessee experiences unprecedented economic growth and job creation, well continue our work to prioritize rural communities so that Tennesseans in every county can thrive.

Reach Vivian Jones at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee reaches lowest number of distressed counties
Texans have many educational credentials to choose from to begin a career. Heres how to navigate them.

Violet Fields, 21, measures Nora Hernandez Mondragons blood pressure before class at the Leander Campus of Austin Community College on Oct. 4. The students were participating in a health care apprenticeship program for Baylor Scott & White employees. Credit: Jack Myer for The Texas Tribune

From certificates and degrees offered by colleges to industry-recognized certifications and government-issued licenses, specialized credentials can help workers gain skills and higher pay.

And a traditional four-year degree is not the only option. More than half of jobs in the state require a credential higher than a high school diploma but lower than a bachelors degree, according to a report from July 2022.

Today, there are various pathways for Texans to get a credential and enter all kinds of jobs, from electro-mechanic technicians to medical assistants, aircraft pilots and human services workers. This can be through a college, an apprenticeship or a job training program offered by public and private colleges, companies and other organizations.

Federal, state and other financial assistance may also be available to help cover part or all of the costs for these educational or work programs.

How do you know which is the right pathway for you? Here are factors and resources to consider while deciding on a college or career program.

What are your options?

All credentials are meant to show a persons competence in an area or field, but they can vary in value and purpose. Heres a breakdown of what each type of credential typically means.

The programs through which you can earn credentials also vary. Here are some examples.

Associate degrees, certificates and workforce training: Associate degrees are typically two-year degrees, and an associate degree of applied science means it focuses on technical education.

Workforce training programs and certificates typically require shorter paths to attainment than associate degrees, and a workforce training program can lead to a certificate from an education institution or an industry certification.

Adults in job training programs may also qualify for help covering the costs of the program if it is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Qualifying for this assistance depends on income or other eligibility requirements.

Associate degrees and certificates are available at community colleges across the state and through private, for-profit and nonprofit institutions.

For example, the public Texas State Technical College offers degrees and certificates in many high-demand job fields such as cybersecurity, which can lead to an average salary of about $83,340 in Texas. The number of such jobs is expected to grow by 20% by 2030.

Its 2023 cybersecurity programs range in length from four to 20 months long and in cost from about $3,000 to $16,000. They allow students to study online on their own schedule.

Workforce training programs and certificates are also available for students with disabilities. For example, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University offer job training programs designed to accommodate students with disabilities and focus on jobs in caretaking or working with children. Learn more about programs for students with disabilities in our guide.

Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships give individuals the opportunity to learn and work toward a career, similar to an internship. But apprenticeships are typically longer than internships, include paid work and provide individuals with specialized skills and credentials. There are also registered apprenticeships recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency that must also provide mentorship and a portable, nationally-recognized credential within their industry.

They can be offered by colleges such as Austin Community College, which has apprenticeship programs for technician jobs in the veterinary, health care and information technology fields. ACC also partners with companies that have apprenticeship programs such as Baylor Scott & White, Applied Materials, Samsung, Honda and Toyota.

For example, ACC works with Honda and Toyota to train auto technicians who can work on cars of those particular brands. The students can earn an associate degree in applied science and are sponsored by local dealerships, said Gretchen Riehl, associate vice chancellor for workforce education. And with Samsung, students interested in manufacturing get work experience while they pursue an associate degree in engineering technology, she said.

The programs require tuition, but financial assistance through grants or employer sponsorships may be available.

Apprenticeships can also be offered by companies on their own, unions, business associations, nonprofits and other organizations.

How to choose the best option for you

The payoff of a credential: Generally bachelors degrees have a greater payoff than certificates and associate degrees, but it depends on the area of study, according to research from Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce. Most bachelors degrees can take four years to earn, sometimes making them more expensive than other credentials, such as certificates and associate degrees, that often require less time.

In highly technical and in-demand fields such as engineering and computer technology, people with two-year associate degrees can earn more than people with bachelors degrees in lower-paying industries, said Martin Van Der Werf, director of editorial and education policy for the center.

We find that about 20% of people with associate's degrees earn more than half of workers with bachelor's degrees, Van Der Werf said.

Workers with certificates in engineering technologies out-earned those with certificates in other fields, with median earnings from $75,001 to $150,000. Workers with certificates in construction trades and other blue-collar fields also had median earnings as high as those with bachelors degrees in liberal arts and humanities  $40,001-$50,000.

But its also important to consider the shelf life of a credential, Van Der Werf said. A bachelors degree is seen as more timeless. Associate degrees and certifications often capture what skills are in demand at the moment, but, in rapidly changing fields, some shorter credentials may require more updating.

In some cases, laws might change, regulatory things might change, and so the certification or the certificate that you're earning, might be out of date three years from now, he said.

You can try to gauge the relevance of a credential by talking to people in the industry, looking at the descriptions and requirements in related jobs and asking the leaders of a program how they keep up with the industry, Van Der Werf said.

Costs: Credentials like associate degrees generally cost less than a bachelors degree because they require fewer courses. But credential costs can depend on the program and financial assistance available.

For-profit colleges may market themselves for quick-turn programs, but programs at community and public colleges are usually more affordable, Van Der Werf said.

You may also be able to earn a credential while working in a field through an apprenticeship program, but apprenticeship programs can be harder to find in the U.S. and may have less flexibility or more requirements than a traditional college program, Van Der Werf said.

Your goals and needs: Its helpful to see what jobs and credentials are in demand, but you should also consider your personal plans.

People should really pursue what theyre passionate about, Van Der Werf said. When youre given a choice between different career paths and seemingly similar sounding credentials, it pays to do some research.

Van Der Werf said in such cases people should consider which credential or program is getting more traction in an industry. Looking at job demand by geography and time frame can also be helpful. For example, if youre looking to settle down, you probably want a credential with more demand in the long run and in a particular area.

If youd like to move, you may gain more from a credential that would also be in demand elsewhere. And if youre willing to switch careers later on, you could still benefit from pursuing a career in a high-paying field, such as in oil fields, that may see less demand in the future, Van Der Werf said.

And exploring programs that offer credits or pathways for other degrees or credentials could help you more easily move up to a higher position or related field down the road.

How to get financial help

If you dont have the resources to pay for college or a job training program, you may be able to get financial assistance.

The federal government provides financial aid for U.S. citizens with financial need pursuing an eligible degree program and, in some cases, certificates. This can include grants, which you usually do not have to pay back, work-study jobs and student loans. Heres more information about requirements and the different types of financial aid. To apply, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. For certificates, look at program details or ask program administrators if it is eligible for federal financial aid.

Texas also provides financial assistance for college through state grants and higher education loans. Undocumented immigrants or DACA recipients who graduated from a Texas high school and lived in the state for at least three years may qualify for in-state tuition and state aid. To apply, they must fill out a Texas Application for State Financial Aid, or TASFA, form.

There are also tuition waivers, tuition rebates, tax credits, and work-study and loan forgiveness programs (for teachers and public service employees) that may help qualifying individuals with college costs. Heres more information on these forms of financial assistance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which also offers low-interest loans for students completing degrees or certificates in certain high-demand job fields. Colleges and nonprofits may also have scholarships for different programs and qualifying students.

Financial assistance may also be available for certificates and job training programs approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, including programs designed to support people with disabilities.

It sounds complicated and can be overwhelming. But there is money out there for students. There are a lot of opportunities, regardless of their age, regardless of the programs, said Jaime Ayala, the college and career manager for Foundation Communities College Hub.

The College Hub helps Texans across the state navigate and apply for college and financial aid. Students may need to apply for financial aid as early as a year before beginning a program, so its important to begin the process early.

Historically, people could begin applying for state and federal financial aid in October, and the states priority deadline was Jan. 15. This year, the release of the FAFSA application has been delayed until December because of changes to streamline the form, so people wont be able to apply for federal financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year until then. But information and a preview of the changes to the form are expected to be shared ahead of time.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is looking at aligning the release of the TASFA with the new FAFSA timeline for students, according to an agency spokesperson. More information is expected to come after the boards July quarterly meeting. So people applying to college and in need of financial aid, should also look out for possible changes to priority deadlines from the state and colleges. You can still apply for financial aid after the priority deadline, but more state financial aid may be available the earlier you apply.

People applying for both state and federal financial aid usually only need to submit the FAFSA form. To prepare for the rollout of the new FAFSA, Ayala said students and adults in need of financial aid should make sure they have a Federal Student Aid ID, which is needed to quickly apply and view their FAFSA information online, along with a secure password. Their account should also be tied to an email and phone number they can later access in case they need to reset their password. Its also important for people to have their 2022 tax transcripts ready to apply as soon as possible, Ayala said. Students still claimed by their parents should also ensure their parents have tax documents and FSA IDs ready, he said.

You can find more information about the College Hub or make an appointment online to get help here.

Where to start looking

Still not sure about what career or industry you would like to pursue? You can learn and explore more through the following websites:

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Boards website, My Texas Future has several resources to explore college and career options and apply for college programs in Texas, including connections with enrollment advisers. The boards new website Tomorrow Ready Texas also provides tailored action plans for teens in grades 8-12 and their parents to prepare for college.

Texans interested in exploring certificates, associate degrees or another college degree can look at median wages by credential and institution through the Texas CREWS website in addition to federal wage and job demand data. The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce also reports data about the value of certificates and associate degrees.

You can search for apprenticeships through a college, a local job center such as Workforce Solutions or the Department of Labors website apprenticeship.gov.

You can also contact your local Workforce Solutions office to explore other job training programs and financial assistance. The Texas Workforce Commission has a list of approved job training providers and programs and more information on its resources. It also has directories of public community colleges and licensed private career schools to view options across the state.

You can also look at privately issued credentials in Texas through this database from Texas 2036, a data and research group, and the nonprofit Credential Engine.

Other resources

The following nonprofit organizations also help qualifying Texans pay for degrees or certifications:

This reporting was supported by the Higher Ed Media Fellowship, which is run by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and funded by the ECMC Foundation.

Disclosure: Texas 2036, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin 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 Tribune's 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.
If youve been out in the triple digit heat recently, you may have noticed a red cluster of pimples or small blisters on your skin.

Thats a type of skin irritation called heat rash, also known as miliaria and prickly heat.

Texas could very well be a breeding ground for miliaria, Dr. Adam Mamelak, an Austin dermatologist, said in a post by Sanova Dermatology. The high humidity mixed with sun exposure and heat is what causes this rash to form on the skin.

Heat rash is caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It is most common in young children, people who exercise outside often and those who are overweight. It can also happen if your clothes are too tight, as that can stop sweat from evaporating.

It is most likely to appear on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts and in elbow creases, according to the Tarrant County Public Health Department.

How does heat rash happen?

Heat rash is caused by a blockage of the sweat duct in the skin, said Austin dermatologist Dr. Miriam Hanson, according to Sanova Dermatology. The type of rash depends on whether its a superficial blockage, deeper in the skin, or if the blocked gland becomes infected with a bacteria, she said.

Heat rashes and sunburns are different, said Dr. Rajani Katta, dermatology professor at Baylor, in an online post about the condition. Sunburns happen when your skin becomes damaged from the suns ultraviolet rays.

With sunburn, the skin is usually red, it might feel hot and blister, but all of that is due to damage to the skin  and that can be dangerous over the long term, Katta said. A heat rash occurs simply because the sweat ducts become blocked. It does not indicate that there is any damage to the skin, and it does not increase your risk of skin cancer. Its uncomfortable, but in most cases its not dangerous.

What does heat rash look like?

According to Katta, there are two common types of heat rash. One, often seen in babies, presents as small blisters that resemble beads of sweat. The other, which is common in skin folds and areas that chafe, forms deeper in the skin and looks like acne. The latter can be irritating, prickly, itchy and uncomfortable.

How do I treat heat rash?

Stay out of the heat, or take some breaks from it, to avoid the condition, health experts say. Opt for indoor activities, or go outside during cooler times of the day.

When heat rash develops, your skin is giving you a warning that if this continues, you could really have some severe symptoms, from heat exhaustion to heat stroke, Katta said. It is essential to remove yourself from the heat first since a heat rash is an early sign of becoming overheated.

The best way to treat heat rash is to find a cooler, less humid environment, according to the Tarrant County Public Health. That will provide relief from heat and excessive sweating.

Katta recommends wearing loose, light clothing, so that air can circulate and keep you from overheating.

Keep the rash area dry, according to the health department. You can use baby powder for some comfort, but avoid using ointments  they make the skin warm and moist and can make the rash worse. Applying a cool compress can help soothe the irritation, Katta says.

Lone Star Kids Care, a pediatrician in Allen, provides the following tips for treating your childs heat rash:

Cool off the skin: For large rashes, give your child a cool bath without soap for 10 minutes three or more times a day. For small rashes, put a cool, wet washcloth on the area for 5 to 10 minutes. Let the skin air-dry instead of using towels.

Sleeping cooler: Dress in as few layers of clothing as you can. Lower the temperature in your home if you can. When your child is asleep, run a fan in the bedroom. During sleep, have your child (if over 1 year) lie on a cotton towel to absorb sweat.





Steroid cream for itching: Use 1% hydrocortisone cream on itchy spots three times per day. Avoid all ointments or oils on the skin, as they can block off sweat glands.

What to expect: Heat rash should clear up in two to three days.

Call your doctor if: Rash lasts more than three days with treatment, rash starts to look infected (spreading redness or pus), a fever develops, or if they become worse.





When should I call my doctor?

Once youre out of the heat, a heat rash will go away on its own after a few days. In rare cases, a secondary skin infection may develop.

Watch out for these signs of infection, per the Bexar County Network of Care:

Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the affected area.

Red streaks extending from the affected area.

Drainage of pus from the area.

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin.

Fever of 100.4F (38C) or higher, or chills with no other known cause.

If the rash doesnt go away after three or four days, if it gets worse, or if a fever develops, call your doctor. They may prescribe medication to help, Katta said.
Texas A&M University in College Station. Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune

The Texas A&M University System is starting to take stock of all university activities, programs or groups that try to foster a diverse and inclusive campus environment as it prepares for a new law to go into effect next year. That law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 14 bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices, trainings and programs at all of the states public colleges and universities.

According to a June 13 memo obtained by The Texas Tribune, A&M System leaders have launched a Systemwide Ethics and Compliance Program Review to ensure its universities are following state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and the new bill that bans DEI offices, Senate Bill 17. They directed presidents at the systems 11 public universities to provide copies of all campus work related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The memo provides one of the first glances into how university leaders are responding to the legislation, which faced broad opposition at the Capitol from state Democrats, faculty and students. Texas became the second state in the country behind Florida to ban such offices and programs that are meant to help students from all backgrounds succeed on campus and can also boost diversity of its faculty.

DEI efforts became a popular way for university leaders to create more inclusive working and learning environments for students and faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of different races or ethnicities, military veterans or people with disabilities.

In the letter, system leaders cast a wide net in their request for information, instructing university presidents to provide documents and information about all diversity programs, trainings and initiatives that are provided by the universitys DEI office or by a specific college or academic department. University leaders must provide details on all programs that promote different treatment of, or provide special benefits to, persons due to their race, color or ethnicity, if any.

The memo also asks for a list of faculty organizations that support faculty of a particular gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation as well as any employee and student handbooks, mission statements or media communications that focus on DEI efforts.

The memo asks that universities provide details on the source of funding for each program, initiative, training or campus organization. Universities must provide the information to the system by June 30.

System spokesperson Laylan Copelin said a system working group is gathering information as it reviews the law and developing a plan for implementation.

DEI offices often coordinate mentorships, tutoring and programs to boost people from underrepresented groups in fields like science and engineering. They help departments search widely for job candidates and ensure that universities dont violate federal discrimination laws.

Critics accuse DEI programs of pushing what they characterize as left-wing ideology onto students and faculty and say that these programs prioritize social justice over merit and achievement.

SB 17, which Abbott signed one day after this letter was written, says universities cannot create diversity offices, hire employees to conduct DEI work or require any DEI training as a condition for being hired by or admitted to the university. All hiring practices must be color-blind and sex-neutral.

The bill would also prohibit universities from asking job candidates to provide written answers about how they consider diversity in their work or sharing how they would work with diverse populations, commonly known as diversity statements. Critics have equated diversity statements with ideological oaths, while supporters say they help ensure job candidates are prepared to support students from all backgrounds.

The legislation would not affect course instruction, faculty research, student organizations, guest speakers, data collection or admissions.

It does include language saying that if a federal granting agency or accreditation agency requires DEI programs, a Texas university or employee can instead submit a statement that highlights the schools work helping first-generation college students, low-income students or underserved student populations.

In the memo, Texas A&M System leaders said university presidents should note if they believe any trainings/activities/presentations that refer to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation are required to comply with state or federal law or to maintain accreditation, or if they are required for the purposes of enrollment or to perform any institutional function by an employee.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University System 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 Tribune's 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.
Thailand's Pita says 'enough support' from Senate to become PM

FILE PHOTO: Move Forward Party holds a press conference on May 18 in Bangkok on talks with coalition party

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat said on Tuesday he has enough support in the upper house to become the country's next premier, just days ahead of the new parliament's first session.

Pita, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, faces an uncertain path to the premiership despite scoring a stunning victory in a May poll that saw Thais reject nearly nine years of military-backed government.

His eight-party alliance together has 312 seats in parliament. Under the constitution, to become prime minister, Pita needs at least 376 votes in a joint sitting of the bicameral legislature, including the 250-member upper house, most of whom were chosen by the military when it took power in 2014.

When asked on Tuesday how much Senate support he had secured, Pita said: "enough for me to become prime minister".

Doubts have lingered over whether Pita has enough support because of his party's controversial proposal to amend Thailand's strict royal insult law or lese majeste. Move Forward has said the law, which prescribes up to 15 years of jail for perceived offences against the monarchy, is used as a political tool against opponents of the current government.

The stance has antagonised country's royalist establishment and old-money elite, including the conservative-leaning Senate.

The party was in the process of explaining its position to senators ahead of the July parliamentary vote, said Pita.

"Amending the law in keeping with society's context is not something that will stop government formation," he said.

After convening on July 3, parliament is expected to vote on a prime minister on July 13.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
Three Camp Pendleton Marines among four killed in fiery crash on 5 Freeway in Downey

An entrance to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside. Three of four people killed in a crash on the 5 Freeway in Downey early Saturday morning were Marines based at Camp Pendleton. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

Four people, including three U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, were killed in a fiery one-vehicle crash Saturday morning on the 5 Freeway in Downey, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol received a call about 2:30 a.m. about a crash of a 2018 Dodge Charger on the southbound 5 Freeway, according to CHP Officer Zachary Salazar.

The investigation found that the driver had lost control of the car, which struck a metal guardrail and a concrete pillar of a pedestrian bridge, according to Salazar. The force of the impact caused the car to split in half, ejecting the two passengers in the back of the car onto the right shoulder.

The front of the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames and was on fire when CHP officers arrived; all four people were pronounced dead at the scene.

"It's unknown if the force of the impact or the subsequent fire was the cause of death for the people in the front," Salazar said.

The Los Angeles County coroner identified three of the victims as 27-year-old Joshua Leandra Moore Jr., 26-year-old Daniel Nichols and 21-year-old Rodrigo Zermeno Gomez. The coroner's office did not say whether all of the identified victims were Marines. The fourth victim remained unidentified.

Military officials confirmed that three of the victims were Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, KTLA-TV reported.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Three cheers for Volo and Rico: First fossa pups born at Abilene Zoo

The Abilene Zoo on Monday announced the first births of fossa pups here.

The pups - two males and a female - were born June 19.

Lolo, a female fossa, nurses her three pups born June 19 at the Abilene Zoo.

A fossa is a slender, long-tailed mammal that resembles a cat. It is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar.

The parents are Volo, who came to Abilene when the zoo opened its Madagascar exhibit in 2021, and Rico, who arrived in 2022.

The pups are born blind and will open their eyes in two weeks. They will stay in the den for four to five weeks. Gestation is 90 days.

Fossa are solitary animals - Volo had to alert Rico that she was ready to mate - and the parents have gone back to back to their own lives. Volo is taking care of the pups on her own.

The zoo births are critical to preserving the species, zookeeper Marissa Ballard said.

Fossas are endangered in their native home of Madagascar, she said. That makes this an extra exciting birth. We know that if their population declines more in the wild, we have successful breeding plans in place to replenish that wild population.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Three cheers for Volo and Rico: First fossa pups born at Abilene Zoo
Three people died in the Gulf of Mexico during severe conditions Saturday at Panama City Beach, Fla., officials said, bringing deaths there this year in surf zone incidents to a nationwide high of seven.

The three people died in separate water incidents in the Gulf of Mexico near three different resorts Saturday afternoon, the Panama City Beach Police Department said in a statement.

So far this year seven people have died in surf zone incidents at Panama City Beach, which is the most for any one U.S. location so far this year, according to a National Weather Service list.

All seven are listed by the National Weather Service as involving rip currents, which are powerful currents that can carry people away from shore.

The three who died Saturday were identified by police as Kimberly Ann Mckelvy Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia; Morytt James Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Georgia; and Donald Wixon, 68, from Canton, Michigan.

Moore was rescued by lifeguards around noon and was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead; Burden died after being rescued shortly after 1 p.m.; and Wixon died after being rescued at 4:23 p.m., police said.

On Saturday there was what police described as severe conditions with double red flags warning of extreme danger, the police department said.

Florida this year leads the U.S. in surf zone deaths, with 27, according to the weather service list. Puerto Rico, with 13, had the second-most fatalities.

Rip currents are the leading hazard for beachgoers in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It's estimated that more than 100 deaths each year in the U.S. involve rip currents, and 80 percent of lifeguard rescues are for rip currents, the nonprofit United States Lifesaving Association has said.

Those caught in one should not swim against, but should swim parallel or at an angle towards shore, or yell for help, it says. It may also be possible to float or tread water until the current turns more towards shore.

The safest place to be when you come to the beach is near a lifeguard, Daryl Paul, beach safety director for Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, told NBC affiliate WJHG of Panama City. And I will always pump that out. Swim near a lifeguard.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Mykhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Digital Transformation

Three Ukrainian manufacturers have been selected to receive $1 million each to combat Iranian-made Shahed drones, the Ministry of Digital Transformation announced on June 27.

The manufacturers were chosen through the Drone Hackathon - Anti-Shahed event, where 50 teams presented their projects to representatives of Ukraine's security and defense forces. The objective was to identify innovative solutions that could enhance the country's defense capabilities.

The names of the companies involved have not been released to the public.

Contracts worth $1 million each will be signed with the selected winners, allowing for swift implementation of their innovations. These new technologies will help to combat the Shaheds without depleting the resources of the air defense forces.

"In times of war, it is crucial to understand the dynamics on the battlefield and propose techno-logical solutions," stated Mykhailo Fedorov, the Minister of Digital Transformation.

"We observe how the situation at the frontlines is evolving, with technology playing an increasingly significant role. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellite communications, and situational awareness systems have become integral. The battle landscape is changing, necessitating prompt decision-making."

Fedorov emphasized the critical need to develop systems to counter the Shahed drone. He cited the successful cases of the Drone Army, where both foreign and domestically produced UAVs have been deployed to the frontlines.

Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Minister of Infrastructure, highlighted the escalating threat, stating that at least 400 Shaheds were launched in Ukraine in May alone.

Since September last year, Ukraine has experienced a total of over 1,200 attacks by these unmanned attack drones.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Mayor Michelle Wu on Tuesday joined local, state and national leaders in the Black community to discuss the 114th NAACP National Convention, which will be held in Boston from July 26 to July 31.

Wu, in addressing convention organizers and leaders in Roxbury, said shes thrilled that the NAACP chose to hold its convention in Boston.

We have always been a city carried forward and lifted higher by the wisdom of Black ideas, the music of Black voices, the power of Black brilliance, Wu said. And so we are infinitely proud to be welcoming an organization with such deep roots in Bostons Black history.

Wu said within the past few years, Boston and Massachusetts have seen greater representation from members of the Black community: in the mayoral office, on the City Council and also at the state level.

Thanks to the work and the diligence and the focus of this city and many of the people in this room, there are more than ever now, Black- and brown-owned businesses in this thriving neighborhood of Boston and efforts underway to ensure that we will see equity represented in every part of our city and every part of our economy, " Wu said.

The convention had earlier been planned in Boston a few years back, but didnt happen due to the pandemic, said Leon Russell, NAACP Chairman of the Board, who told the audience that hes thrilled the convention is finally coming to Boston.

Come through the convention, be a part of what we do at the NAACP, said Russell. We are the nationals oldest and largest and boldest and probably, proudest, civil rights organization. We are that grassroots organization that attempts to impact public policy across this country, and so we are so happy, so happy that well be here.

Russell said organizers have set a theme of thriving together, which will be the focus of this years convention.

When we come to Boston in July, were going to wake this place up, Russell said. Were going to wake this place up. Were going to face the fact that we need to continue the fight for education equality and equity in education. Were going to raise the issues of gun violence in America, and how police use their authority in America. Were going to look at the issues that are confronted by communities across this country.

In speaking to the audience, Wu also paid tribute to famous Black historical figures who are part of the citys rich history, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Bruce Bolling, Melnea Cass and Mel King, among others.

Black leadership, Black excellence and Black resilience and Black joy are not new here in Boston. Boston is not only the cradle of democracy but the birthplace of the abolitionist movement, Wu said.

Wu said Boston will be hosting a variety of programming to celebrate local diversity this summer, and especially during the week of the NAACP convention.

The five-day convention will include inspirational guest speakers who will discuss a variety of hot-button topics impacting the Black community, according to the NAACP.

Each year, the Convention fosters an intergenerational approach to advocacy, connecting activists, allies, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds through main stage discussions, luncheons, and the experience hall. Together, they are united in their commitment to ensuring the Black community thrives together, the NAACP said.

For more information on the convention schedule, visit the NAACP website.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ever since Pita Limjaroenrat led his Move Forward Party to a surprise first-place finish in Thailands election last month, hes faced a flurry of legal complaints and controversies challenging his bid to take power after more than a decade of military-backed rule.

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Now with parliament scheduled to convene July 3 and lawmakers expected to vote on a new prime minister in the days or weeks afterward, time is running out for the 42-year-old leader to make sure his victory was anything other than symbolic.

Pitas biggest challenge remains the 250-member Senate  a body appointed by the royalist military establishment following a 2014 coup, many of whose members oppose his proposal to ease penalties for criticizing the royal family. And they apparently dont care that he won the most votes.

Its not our job to listen to the people, Senator Prapanth Koonmee, a lawyer who said 90% of lawmakers in the upper chamber have already made up their mind, said in an interview. Even if you got 100 million votes, I still wouldnt pick you if I dont like you or find you suitable.

That hasnt slowed down the Harvard-educated Pita. Hes built support from a range of pro-democracy parties since the vote and traversed the country seeking to sustain enthusiasm for the May 14 election results, which amounted to a shocking blow to the royalist establishment.

The stakes are high ahead of the parliamentary vote, expected soon after King Maha Vajiralongkorn opens parliament next week. A failure by Pita to get enough support could mean the unraveling of his coalition or even rule by a minority-led government.

Pita also needs to settle the growing fissures between his Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai, the second-largest group in the coalition, over the position of house speaker. The parties abruptly canceled a previously planned bilateral meeting this week and postponed a party leaders gathering to July 2.

The uncertainty has Thailands markets and global investors on edge. The nations main stock index is the worst performer in Asia this year, having tumbled about 12%, and was headed for its lowest close since early 2021. The baht slid to a seven-month low on Wednesday, extending losses to 4.42% since the election.

Read More: Heres How Thailands PM Race Could Play Out as Talks Drag On

Pita has downplayed the uncertainty and sought to reassure supporters that he will lead the next government. That outreach has included meetings with various business groups, where he talks about the transition of power and the agenda for his first 100 days in office.

Were working hard to break the wall and forge an understanding between the two chambers, Pita said at Parliament House on Tuesday. There is constant progress.

He added that hes confident there will be enough support  he currently needs 64 senators  for him to be prime minister.

Pita seems to be trying to create a sense of momentum and inevitability about him becoming prime minister, in the hope of putting pressure on senators to back him, said Peter Mumford, the Southeast Asia practice head of consultancy Eurasia Group. It is far from certain that the strategy will work, though.

His performance as a prime minister-in-waiting has helped energize Move Forwards supporters, who have pressured senators in online campaigns, public panels and street demonstrations to declare their support for Pita. But the voices run the risk of falling on deaf ears, as many senators have remained silent or publicly ruled out their support.

READ: Thai Coalition Says Nearing Senate Nod for Pita Premiership (3)

For many senators, resistance to Pitas leadership is based largely on Move Forwards platform to amend the lese majeste law, or Article 112 of the Thai criminal code, which penalizes criticisms against the king and other royals.

Senators dont like his disloyalty to the monarchy and his plans to reform and uproot Thai society, said Senator Prapanth, 69. Its not acceptable.

Pita has denied allegations that he is disloyal, saying he seeks to improve the relationship between the monarchy and the people.

Prapanths remarks underscore just how high the odds are stacked against Pita and his pro-democracy coalition. Yet with Move Forward previously ruling out alliances with conservative parties, there is little alternative but to win over as many senators as possible.

Behind the scenes, Move Forward has deployed top officials to approach individual senators  and even relied on a network of allies who are friends and families of lawmakers to make the partys case.

Were trying whatever method is required to communicate with as many senators as possible, said Parit Wacharasindhu, the partys policy campaign manager, who is also one of the negotiators doing the outreach.

One of their strategies has been to argue that senators should vote for Pita not because they agree with him but for the same reason they cited in voting for incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha in 2019: because he had the support of the majority of the lower house.

Parit noted that hopes are higher for a group of 63 senators who previously voted for a failed measure to abolish the Senates power to vote for prime minister and limit it to the 500-member lower house. Parit said hes confident he can win those senators over, then go for others.

I still hope that senators will make decisions based on rational grounds, regardless of emotion and personal preferences, Parit said.

One lawmaker in the Pita camp is Senator Zakee Phithakkumpol, a 45-year-old academic who considers himself a minority in the upper chamber. Zakee said he occasionally shares his views privately with those who oppose Pita in hopes of changing their minds. He also helped advise Move Forward negotiators who approached him on how best to address the senators concerns, he said.

I tried to communicate with the elder senators that Im not taking Pitas side but the way were carrying on may not be good in the long term, especially if we want the monarchy to endure in Thai society, Zakee said in an interview.

Zakee, who backed Prayuth in 2019, said he believes that abiding by democratic principles is the only way to prevent chaos.

Thai society is at a crossroads between change and delaying it, he said. Your choice will upset some people either way, so whats more important is to respect the rules. I believe that doing the right thing will protect you.

--With assistance from Anuchit Nguyen and Margo Towie.

(Updates with new date for coalition talks in seventh paragraph.)

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Lew Palter, the actor best known for his role as Isidor Straus in James Camerons 1997 epic Titanic, has died aged 94.

The Brooklyn-born actor was also a longtime theatre teacher at the CalArts School of Theater in Santa Clarita, California.

Palter died on 21 May of lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles, his daughter, Catherine Palter, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Lew loved the craft of acting and taught his students to do the same. He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect and humor in every scene, play and class, CalArts School of Theater Dean Travis Preston said in a statement. He had the utmost respect of his students and encouraged all to find truth in their work and lives.

According to THR, Palters students over the years included Ed Harris (Apollo 13), Don Cheadle and Cecily Strong (Schmigadoon!).

As a teacher, he seemed to have truly changed peoples lives, his daughter said.

In Titanic, Palter portrayed the real-life co-owner of Macy's department store who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

Isidor and his wife, Ida (depicted by Elsa Raven, who died in November 2020), are shown embracing on a bed in their bedroom as the water rushes in the sinking ship as the string quartet plays the hymn Nearer My God to Thee.

A deleted scene shows Isidor trying to persuade Ida to enter a lifeboat, which she refuses to do.

The couple were among the wealthiest passengers to die onboard the Titanic.

The Strauses are notably the great-great-grandparents of Wendy Rush, the wife of OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, who died aboard the Titan submersible last week during a dive to the Titanic wreckage.

In addition to his daughter, Palter is survived by his grandchildren, Sam, Tessa and Miranda.

His wife of 64 years, the actor Nancy Vawter, died in November 2020.

Catherine told THR that her mothers agent had put her up for the part of Ida in Titanic but was told producers were looking for a different type of actress.

Palters other roles included parts in The A-Team, Charlies Angels, Columbo, Kojak, The Brady Bunch and The Flying Nun. He also played Detective Clark in seven episodes of the US drama series Delvecchio (1976) and appeared in the films The Steagle (1971) and First Monday in October (1981).
The Titanic sub once malfunctioned and couldn't reach the surface, so the crew had to rock from side to side to nudge weights loose, former passenger says

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. Reuters

A former Titan sub passenger said the vessel malfunctioned on a voyage to the Titanic 2 years ago.

Bill Price said the mechanism that released weights off the vessel to help it resurface didn't work.

The passengers had to rock the submersible from side to side to dislodge the weights, he said.

Last week wasn't the first time the Titan submersible malfunctioned while on a trip to the Titanic wreckage.

Bill Price, an adventurer from California, told the Los Angeles Times that he went on the sub two years ago when it similarly lost communication with its mothership an hour into the journey.

Shortly after, the crew realized there was a problem with the mechanism that released weights off the vessel so it could rise back up to the surface, he said.

"There was some apprehension of how are we going to get back up," Price told the Times.

OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush and the French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who were on board the sub, devised a plan: they asked Price and the other passengers to rock from side to side to try to dislodge the weights.

"When we heard our first clunk, that was such a relief," Price said.

Rush and Nargeolet were both on the Titan sub last week. About an hour into the journey, the vessel lost communication with its support ship.

After an exhaustive search effort, US Coast Guard officials said Thursday that they had discovered debris that indicated the Titan had imploded.

In addition to Rush and Nargeolet, three other passengers were on board: the British billionaire Hamish Harding, the British-Pakistani multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood, and Dawood's 19-year-old son, Suleman  all five people are presumed dead.

OceanGate didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Price told the local news station KSBY that he immediately checked to see who was on board when he heard the Titan had gone missing last week.

"I have a bit of survivor's guilt knowing that I was lucky, and I was able to come back," he told KSBY.

The Titan submersible had made three previous trips down to the wreckage. But shortly after the vessel vanished last week, key questions began emerging about the design and operation of the Titan.

OceanGate, which operated the sub, was previously warned about some of these concerns, according to a lawsuit. Rush also said in an interview in 2021 that he knew the company had "broken some rules" when building the sub.

Read the original article on Insider
Amazon package in sorting warehouse Illustrated / Getty Images

Have you tried and failed to unsubscribe from Amazon Prime? And if so, is that a violation of federal law? The Federal Trade Commission thinks so. The FTC is suing Amazon, Reuters reported, alleging the company makes it too difficult for customers to extract themselves from the subscription service.

Signing up for Prime is a straightforward task, usually taking a click or two. But the FTC says Amazon set up a "four-page, six-click, 15-option process to stop paying for the service," MarketWatch reported. If that seems a bit extreme, that's explicitly the point. Amazon officials reportedly called that process the Iliad Flow, named for the "epically long and complex masterwork" Greek poem. Customers who wanted to unsubscribe could only do so by using a desktop computer or calling the company's customer service line.

"Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money," said FTC Chair Lina Khan in a statement reported by The Verge. Amazon officials deny they broke the law. "The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership," said a spokesperson.

What are the commentators saying?

The FTC's lawsuit tries to penalize for "minor and picky" efforts to retain customers, Elizabeth Nolan Brown wrote at Reason. "That may be mildly annoying to shoppers, but it's not deception or trickery." The suit is part of a broader effort under the Biden administration to bring about a change in antitrust law, away from prosecuting companies whose size harms consumer welfare and toward a mindset of penalizing bigness for bigness' sake. In reality, a six-click process for canceling Prime is not harmful to consumers. That idea is "so far removed from reality that only government bureaucrats with an ax to grind could make it with straight faces."

"Fortunately, the FTC under Khan doesn't feel the onus should be on consumers to outwit the manipulators," Dave Lee wrote for Bloomberg. The Amazon lawsuit is just the beginning. The agency has proposed a Negative Option Rule that would make it easier for customers to cancel services and warn them when an annual subscription fee is about to hit their bank account. It's right for the federal government to crack down on practices that confuse and trap customers. "In any context, preying on human fallibility is no way to run an honest business."

The Amazon lawsuit is the "first salvo of the upcoming war against the deceptive arm-twisting practices that have plagued online marketplaces," Jesus Diaz wrote for Fast Company. Lots of companies use practices known as "dark patterns," which try to wear out customers who try to cancel their subscriptions by putting them through a maze of loops and links. Those companies are now on notice. "This lawsuit is not just about Amazon but about setting a precedent, warning the industry that deceptive practices will not be tolerated"

What's next?

"This isn't the showdown that Washington had expected," The New York Times reported in its DealBook newsletter. That's because Khan became famous, before she joined the FTC, by arguing that regulators should use antitrust regulations to reduce Amazon's immense power in the online economy. (Amazon at one point asked for Khan's recusal in antitrust investigations.) The new lawsuit doesn't go quite that far, but the Federal Trade Commission may have more surprises in store. Some observers "speculate that a bigger battle with Amazon is a matter of when not if."

Other companies are already trying to make it easier to cancel subscriptions, The Wall Street Journal reported. That's partly out of fear of policymakers but also because it might be good business not to alienate customers with deliberately cumbersome processes. "Companies may get an extra month of revenue," said one expert. "But in the long run, they risk that you cancel and never come back to that service."

In an apparent coincidence, the FTC's lawsuit became public at almost the same moment Amazon announced this year's Prime Day. It will be July 11 and 12 for all Prime customers, willing and not-so-willing.

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Experts: Nation should leverage its chip market

08:07, June 27, 2023 By Ma Si ( Chinadaily.com.cn

China should leverage its super large chip market to promote re-globalization of the semiconductor industry chain, which risks greater fragmentation amid United States-led export control measures, experts said.

Despite Washington's shift in rhetoric from "decoupling" to "de-risking" in key supply chains, it is crystal clear that the US has coerced other countries that are big chip producers to hobble China's ability to make advanced semiconductors, they said.

The comments came after Bloomberg quoted anonymous sources as saying that the Dutch government is planning to publish new export controls that will restrict more of ASML Holding NV's chipmaking machines from being sent to China. The announcement is expected as soon as this week.

The measures, which the Dutch government previously pledged to publish before the summer, won't mention China or the ASML but are designed to restrict the shipments of three models of the company's machines to the Asian country, Bloomberg reported.

Dong Yifan, an assistant research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Beijing-based China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said this is the latest result of US coercion on countries such as the Netherlands. Such moves have disrupted the semiconductor industry's globalization, Dong added.

Wei Shaojun, a professor at the School of Integrated Circuits at Tsinghua University, said: "The more others suppress us, the more we need to be self-reliant. But self-reliance does not mean self-isolation. It is about finding ways to break the containment."

China needs to promote the re-globalization of the semiconductor industry by achieving self-reliance in crucial technologies as well as by teaming up with countries and enterprises that are willing to cooperate, said Wei, who is also president of the integrated circuit design branch of the China Semiconductor Industry Association.

Self-reliance in crucial technologies will help China's chip industry grow stronger and enable the country to play a bigger role globally, Wei added.

As the largest chip market, China consumed about 60 percent of all semiconductors in the world in 2022, which were then assembled into technological products to be re-exported or sold in the domestic market for final consumption, according to US market research company Gartner Inc.

Last year, the market size of the global chip industry stood at about $600 billion, according to Gartner.

"Over the past 20 years, China was just a participant in chip globalization. Now, in the process of re-globalization, China's role needs to change fundamentally to make a real difference," Wei said.

The importance of China's chip market is highly valued by the Semiconductor Industry Association, a Washington-based group that represents the US semiconductor industry, despite noises about technological decoupling.

"Access to this massive market (China) is essential to the success of any globally competitive chip firm today and in the future," the association said in a recent report.

In a recent interview with Financial Times, Jensen Huang, CEO of US artificial intelligence chip heavyweight Nvidia, also warned about the implications of further trade restrictions on China. "If we are deprived of the Chinese market, we don't have a contingency for that. There is no other China, there is only one China," Huang said.

Experts reiterated that China needs to beef up the strength of its domestic chip industry to shoulder a bigger role in safeguarding global supply chains.

Pan Helin, co-director of the Research Center for Digital Economics and Financial Innovation at Zhejiang University's International Business School, said that efforts are needed to actively explore emerging opportunities such as chips for new energy vehicles and AI industries.

Roger Sheng, vice-president of research at Gartner, said though big gaps with advanced foreign counterparts exist, China's chip industry has made steady progress and the restrictions imposed by the US government have, in fact, accelerated the progress of Chinese enterprises.

Data from the China Semiconductor Industry Association shows that the sales revenue of China's homegrown chip industry jumped to 516 billion yuan ($71 billion) in 2022 from 8.15 billion yuan in 2004, with an average annual compound growth rate of 25.9 percent. In comparison, the global average annual compound growth rate during the same period was 6.39 percent.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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 U.S. flag flies in 2011 near the cooling towers of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, where the U.S. suffered its most serious nuclear accident in 1979, in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

A U.S. flag flies in 2011 near the cooling towers of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, where the U.S. suffered its most serious nuclear accident in 1979, in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

When President Barack Obama first named Jeff Baran to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2014, the Democratic majority in the Senate confirmed the former congressional staffer in a 52-40 vote. When President Donald Trump renominated the Democrat for another five-year term in 2018, the GOP-led Senate approved Baran by a simple voice tally.

But President Joe Bidens plan to give Baran a third stint on the federal body responsible for the worlds largest fleet of commercial reactors has already hit the rocks, as Republicans move to block a commissioner critics paint as an obstructionist with a record of voting for policies nuclear advocates say make it harder to keep existing plants open and more expensive, if not impossible, to deploy advanced next-generation atomic technologies.

Last Friday, the Senate went on break for the next two weeks, all but guaranteeing that Barans current term ends on June 30 without a decision on whether he will rejoin the five-member board, creating a vacancy that could cause gridlock on some decisions and mark a return to the partisan feuds of a decade ago.

His votes and positions simply do not align with enabling the safe use of nuclear technologies that the NRC is expected to undertake in the coming years, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said in a June 14 statement announcing her plan to vote against Baran. Throughout his past nomination processes, he has a history of telling the Committee he supports advanced nuclear, and then not doing so once in office.

The White House and the Democrats who control the Senate hope to reinstate Baran in a vote next month, casting the regulator as a sober-minded professional with an ear to the woes of those living in polluted or impoverished communities. The battle highlights growing tensions over nuclear energy in the United States, the country that built the worlds first full-scale fission power plant nearly seven decades ago but all but ceased expanding atomic energy in the 30 years since the Cold War ended.

Stopping the emissions heating the planet means using electricity for automobiles, home appliances and heavy industry. That, in turn, requires not only shoring up an aging electrical grid so incapable of handling todays demand that average blackouts have increased 12% since 2013, but delivering steady electricity without greenhouse gas pollution.

The only major economies to pull that off so far have either benefited from vast hydroelectric resources, like Brazil or Quebec, or built a bunch of nuclear reactors, like France or Slovakia. While cheap and fast-growing, renewables such as solar and wind depend on huge amounts of land and minerals, and frequently need a fossil fuel like natural gas to shore up the grids supply when the sky is dark or the air is still.

Even as rivals like China and Russia invested heavily in new nuclear plants and technologies, the United States shuttered more than a dozen reactors in just the past decade, replacing that lost generation almost entirely with fossil fuels.

The only new reactor licensed and built from the ground up in the U.S. since the NRC succeeded the Atomic Energy Commission as the countrys primary nuclear authority in 1975 came online this year at the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in eastern Georgia. The reactor was supposed to debut the latest American-made technology to the world. But China not only beat the U.S. to deploy the new model of reactor first, it built four before the lone American project could finish one  and plans to construct two more.

Meanwhile, U.S. companies are paying billions to Russias state-owned nuclear company, which is the worlds only commercial supplier of key types of uranium fuel  in particular the variety needed for some of the small modular reactors that the American industry hopes will trigger a renaissance of reactor construction. But the U.S. is behind on more than just fuel for SMRs. The NRC only certified its first SMR design in January  more than three years after Russia actually hooked its first completed SMR up to the grid.

Those signs of U.S. atomic decline are symptoms of the regulatory priorities critics say Baran represents.

Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Jeff Baran speaks at the NRC's 28th annual Regulatory Information Conference held in Rockville, Maryland, in March 2016.

Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner Jeff Baran speaks at the NRC's 28th annual Regulatory Information Conference held in Rockville, Maryland, in March 2016.

His voting record shows hes been a consistent obstructionist, a defender of a regulatory system that has basically presided over the long-term decline of the nuclear sector in the U.S., said Ted Nordhaus, executive director of the Breakthrough Institute, a California-based environmental think tank that advocates for nuclear energy. Theres a broad view at a pretty bipartisan level that we need nuclear energy. If Democrats are serious about it, they have to stop putting a guy like Jeff Baran at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The Breakthrough Institute was among five pro-nuclear groups that signed on to a June 12 letter urging the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to reject the White Houses nomination of Baran for a third term.

The NRC declined HuffPosts request to interview Baran.

The outlook for nuclear has markedly changed and its an exciting time to be doing our important work, Baran said in a March 17 speech to an agency conference.

NRC has a key role to play in tackling the climate crisis. Its our job to ensure the safety and security of nuclear power in the U.S. energy mix, he continued. That means we need to be ready. When utilities and vendors tell us we should expect numerous new designs and reactor applications, we should be ready to review them with sufficient resource and the right expertise.

The Case Against Baran

Baran came to power right as the last attempt at a nuclear renaissance fizzled.

At the start of this century, concern over climate-changing emissions from fossil fuels put a new premium on the reliable, zero-carbon electricity reactors produce. The federal government started work on what was supposed to be the worlds first permanent storage facility for radioactive waste in Nevadas Yucca Mountain. Advanced new reactor designs were hitting the market. And utilities were buying them, placing orders to construct new nuclear plants at a rate unseen since the 1970s.

Then Obama took office and slashed funding to the Yucca Mountain project, a move that the Government Accountability Office, an independent federal watchdog, later concluded was entirely the result of political maneuvering on an issue that then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made a top personal priority. Two years later, the Fukushima accident in Japan triggered a new wave of reactor closures across the world. Countries like Germany and Taiwan even decided to prioritize shutting down nuclear stations over the fossil fuel plants fueling the climate crisis.

In the U.S., where control over electrical utilities is divided between state and federal governments, officials in New York and California joined the effort to close down nuclear plants, aided by the countrys gas drilling boom brought on by the popularization of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, technology. Cheap gas largely took the place of nuclear reactors with each one that shut down.

As governments scrambled to keep operating reactors from going out of business, Baran voted last July to increase the frequency of federal safety inspections on existing nuclear plants, arguing that it would allow for more focused inspections that would provide the staff flexibility to take a deeper dive into different areas of high safety importance as the reactor fleet ages.

Baran also came out against measures that supporters of new reactor designs say would have helped tailor the regulatory process to the specific needs of novel technologies.

New SMRs come in a range of designs that depart significantly from the large-scale, water-cooled reactors that make up the entire U.S. nuclear fleet. For example, some companies seeking to license SMRs propose using liquid salt or other coolants instead of water, and virtually all the designs are much smaller and produce a fraction of the total energy output of traditional reactors.

Yet Baran issued the NRCs sole vote against three recent proposals to make it easier to build an SMR at a former coal- or gas-fired plant, to tailor the size of the emergency preparedness zone to the size of the reactor, and to update the environmental permitting requirements for new reactors to account for the dramatic difference in water use between traditional and new designs.

Theres a broad view at a pretty bipartisan level that we need nuclear energy. If Democrats are serious about it, they have to stop putting a guy like Jeff Baran at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.Ted Nordhaus, Breakthrough Institute

While outnumbered by the other four commissioners, Barans hard-line view against easing regulations mirrors the Fukushima era in which he came to power, when Democrats Gregory Jaczko and Allison Macfarlane chaired the NRC and delivered on Reids efforts to block key nuclear projects. Nordhaus described Baran as a holdover from that period.

My hope is that, in rejecting this confirmation, Congress in a fairly bipartisan way with some Democratic votes, sends a message to the NRC that this business-as-usual regulatory that weve had for almost 50 years is not the regulator we need, he said. There would be symbolic value in Congress saying, Were not playing these games anymore with the NRC.

The Case For Baran

Baran is not without his defenders among atomic energy advocates.

Its not as though hes anti-nuclear, said Jackie Toth, the Washington-based deputy director of the Good Energy Collective, a progressive pro-nuclear group headquartered in California. She noted that Barans critics often paint him as having the same views as Jaczko and Macfarlane. To pool them together without looking at the full breadth of his record and what hes done is unfair.

Baran has never voted against or worked to stop construction of new facilities or certification of new designs, she said. He voted to allow novel reactors to combine licenses, streamlining a process that can help push the total cost of permitting a new project into the $1 billion range. He also approved permits for new facilities to produce radioactive isotopes for medical use.

He prioritizes safety and not simply taking industry at its word, Toth said. Its critical to have on the commission someone who understands both the need for increased nuclear capacity on our grid for climate, communities and energy security, but still wants to make sure the industry is putting its best foot forward.

In particular, she said, Baran has been a crucial supporter of efforts to make it easier for poor and polluted communities  which, thanks to the U.S. history of racist legal and cultural norms, tend to be populated by Black, Latino or Native Americans  to participate in the public regulatory process. While she said she did not have concerns regarding the other commissioners dedication to environmental justice, Barans focus on the issue served to complement the other four regulators.

Aerial view of the Diablo Canyon, the only operational nuclear plant left in California, which had been due to be shut down in 2024 despite safely producing nearly 15% of the state's green electrical energy power until state lawmakers stepped in last year to save the station.

Aerial view of the Diablo Canyon, the only operational nuclear plant left in California, which had been due to be shut down in 2024 despite safely producing nearly 15% of the state's green electrical energy power until state lawmakers stepped in last year to save the station.

We feel its an asset to have someone like him at the NRC who gets the climate imperative for new reactors but also upholds the agencys mission to be a trusted regulator that prioritizes public health and safety, Toth said.

Rolling The Dice

But as Congress presses ahead with legislation to boost nuclear power, Barans opponents see him as a potential hurdle to implementing the laws.

In 2018, Congress passed the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which directed the NRC to establish a novel regulatory framework for new technologies that takes into account the differences between advanced reactors and traditional ones. Baran consistently voted against adjusting the size of a new nuclear plants emergency planning zone to align with the size of the reactor, or insisted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency should decide even though the NRC is the regulator with the technical expertise to make the final call.

Over the past two years, Congress earmarked billions of dollars for new reactors in the landmark infrastructure laws Biden signed. And the same Senate committee that narrowly voted along party lines to confirm Barans renomination for another term overwhelmingly passed a new bill known as the ADVANCE Act to speed up deployment of new reactor technologies earlier this month.

Unlike that bill, authored by Capito and co-sponsored by more Democrats than Republicans, its unclear whether Barans confirmation will garner enough bipartisan votes to pass. Capito issued a statement vowing to vote against Baran. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), conservatives who caucus with the Democrats but often vote alongside Republicans, have not yet said publicly whether they will support Baran. Neither responded to requests for comment on Monday.

But taking Baran at his word that he will support steps to make it easier to build new reactors would be rolling the dice that such statements were not just political opportunism as public support for nuclear energy grows, said a Republican Senate staffer who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the nomination.

Are we going to take our chances that what hes been saying over the past couple of months is what he actually believes now over what hes voted for the previous nine years? the staffer said.

Related...
A sedan is buried in debris of a Sunday night tornado that swept through the small community of Louin, Miss., Monday, June 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) A sedan is buried in debris of a Sunday night tornado that swept through the small community of Louin, Miss., Monday, June 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

June is pacing to be a more active month than usual for tornadoes in the United States due to an uptick in severe weather in recent weeks. The total preliminary tornado reports for the year fell below the average in late May to early June before beginning to rise again in the middle of the month.

The tally so far for tornado reports stood at 186 as of June 26, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Storm Prediction Center, with active severe weather threats persisting for parts of the country. Though the historical average for June is 213, last year's preliminary total was just 123 in the same month.

Overall, there have been more preliminary tornadoes in 2023 to date compared to last year. The NWS has reported 986 tornadoes so far this year, while it only reported 863 through June in 2022.

Five of the top 10 most active days for severe weather in 2023 were in June, NWS reported. AccuWeather Meteorologist and Social Media Producer Jesse Ferrell said reports have been more common than usual.

"It has been an unusually stormy June in the United States, and warning statistics support that," Ferrell said. "This June, so far, has already seen 4,677 severe thunderstorm warnings issued by the National Weather Service -- more than any other June since 2011. Tornado warnings are also at a record pace, with 424 this June, the most since 2014."

With the uptick in severe weather, this year has been the deadliest tornado year to date since 2011. As of June 27, there have been 23 tornado-related fatalities in 2023.

Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather lead long-range forecaster, said tornado activity was initially held back at the beginning of this month, a trend that carried over from May. Cooler, more stable air that was drawn into parts of the nation cut off the warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, which is a critical ingredient for severe weather.

Other weather variables that often set the stage for severe weather this time of year were also late to appear: high pressure and a dome of heat across the southern Plains. Even though it took time for high pressure to build across the region, once it did, waves of energy quickly began riding the northern rim of heat from the Rockies into the Plains, triggering severe weather and tornado activity in the middle of the nation.

Illinois has had the most preliminary tornado reports so far this year, with 95, according to an AccuWeather data analysis. Alabama is the next highest, recording 91 preliminary reports.

The final week of June kicked off with a high risk of severe weather, including the threat of tornadoes in the East, especially across the mid-Atlantic and Southeast. A new round of severe weather is forecast to arrive in the Plains and move east into the Midwest, with the potential for isolated tornadoes, through Thursday.

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The potential for dangerous complexes of thunderstorms will persist across parts of the nation into the July Fourth holiday weekend, according to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter. With that trend expected to continue, Pastelok said the preliminary tornado report count could exceed the average of 213 before the end of the month.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
By Sam Jabri-Pickett

TORONTO (Reuters) -Olivia Chow became the first Chinese-Canadian to be elected as mayor of Toronto, Canada's biggest city, on Monday, pledging to support renters, champion social causes, and reduce the sweeping powers of her office.

"I would dedicate myself to work tirelessly in building a city that is more caring, affordable, and safe, where everyone belongs," Chow told her supporters during the victory speech.

Chow secured 37.2% vote, according to preliminary results, ahead of her nearest rival Ana Bailao, former deputy mayor.

A prominent voice in progressive politics, Chow's campaign drew on her record as a former member of parliament in Ottawa and as a Toronto city councillor, and leaned on historic relationships established by her late husband, former New Democratic Party (NDP) and federal opposition leader Jack Layton.

Chow, 66, will be the first woman to serve as mayor since Barbara Hall in 1997. She previously ran for mayor in 2014, when she came in third.

Born in Hong Kong, Chow emigrated to Canada at the age of 13, and graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in fine art.

Chow takes over as mayor after the resignation of John Tory, conservative-leaning mayor who won his third election last October. The married Tory left office in February after acknowledging he had had an affair with a staff member.

Chow will lead Canada's financial capital at a time of rising housing costs and an increase in violent attacks on public transit that have led to calls for more action by police. She has pledged to build 25,000 rent-controlled homes over eight years to tackle the soaring rents.

Since the start of the campaign, Chow had held a wide lead on her rivals in opinion polls. Tory had endorsed his former deputy Bailao, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford had endorsed former Toronto Chief of Police Mark Saunders.

Ford congratulated Chow, and said he was willing to work with anyone ready to "work with our government to better our city and province."

(Reporting by Sam Jabri-Pickett; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Michael Perry)
Natalie Robinson (third from right) of Fat Girls Travel, Too!, in Cartagena, Colombia. (Deon Tillman via The New York Times)

Vacation is meant to be relaxing, exhilarating and insert all the other positive adjectives you like, but it is often stressful and disappointing. Traveling while fat can be both of those things, as well as dehumanizing and FOMO-inducing.

Actually, plus-size travelers dont just have the fear of missing out; theyve historically had the near guarantee that they will miss out, thanks to fat bias and societal structures that say we are simply too big to have fun. There are the obvious challenges  too-small airline seats, intimidating pools and beaches  but other worries as well: What if the spa bathrobes dont fit? What if the rides at an amusement park cannot accommodate bigger bodies and the only way to find that out is by waiting in line for an hour and then unsuccessfully trying to board? What if the airline loses your bag and there are no stores at your destination with clothes that fit? (Trevor Kezon, a board member of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, said he purposely packs two suitcases on trips because of that distinct possibility.)

Now a small but growing market catering to size-inclusive travel (often aimed exclusively at women) is seeking to bring joy, community and reassurance to people in bigger bodies at price points on par with standard group trips.

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The benefits of going on a size-inclusive trip are multilayered, according to participants and numerous tour operators. Emotionally, a traveler knows straightaway that her peers have also chosen a trip designed around body acceptance. She may know that her fellow travelers are probably already somewhat versed in her world, and understand that fat as an adjective is a fact, but obese, which equates fatness with a disease, and overweight, which suggests there is an ideal weight to be, are most likely not welcome. Logistically, it means everything has been planned with accessibility in mind, like dinners at restaurants with chairs that are spacious, supportive and comfortable.

It also means camaraderie. I cannot tell you for certain that you are not going to get a look, and I cannot protect you from that look, Zoe Shapiro, founder of Stellavision Travel, which offers a size-inclusive trip to southern Italy, said about traveling while fat. But you can count on me inserting myself between the group and the gaze. And if I can prevent our travelers from feeling it, either by diverting their attention, having a conversation, communicating in Italian, whatever I can do, I will.

Even though one-third of the worlds population is fat, according to NAAFA  with fat defined as exceeding the current medical standard or the current social standard for acceptable bodies, said NAAFA chair Tigress Osborn  the travel industry has been slow to accommodate. When it comes to adventure-based excursions, like zip-lining and white-water rafting, many bigger people have assumed that exclusionary weight limits are unavoidable and for our own safety. But a zip line can be designed to support any weight. The Chubby Diaries blogger, Jeff Jenkins, whose National Geographic travel show, Never Say Never With Jeff Jenkins, premieres July 9, said that all it takes is an innovative mindset to make activities inclusive: People move literal tons of lumber with zip lines. No human weighs a ton.

For some of us, the journey to embracing travel has been interior  celebrating our identity instead of fighting or hiding it  and what a relief it has been to find others already at the destination, happy to guide us. Jenkins pointed to the new crowdsourcing app Friendly Like Me, which was created for people at higher weights or with disabilities (or both) to find out everything they need to know about a places accessibility and friendliness beforehand.

Here are some travel companies helping to change the landscape.

Stellavision Travel

In addition to body inclusion, the Stellavision trip to southern Italy (July 15-29, $5,650) focuses on hyperlocal tourism, as well as female-owned businesses. For Sara Courson, who traveled with the 2022 group, that was the main draw  but the size-inclusive aspect was the clincher. I gained weight during the pandemic, and I had been nervous about going abroad, she said. Instead of being anxious that people would be irritated by that one fat lady on the trip, she was comforted knowing shed most likely be with people who accepted her.

On the Stellavision trip  which will run again in the summer of 2024, as will a new size-inclusive Italy trip with a route and an itinerary to be determined  there is no specifically body-focused programming. There were therapy-adjacent-type tools, said Courson, but were not sitting around talking every meal about what its like in our lives.

And though the trip is not limited to people who identify as plus size, it is meant for those who specifically want to feel secure in their bodies. Weeks before the trip, Shapiro, who lives in Rome, sends participants a survey that asks, among other things, what theyre nervous about. This is so she can address those worries ahead of time.

Of her trip  which is open to self-identifying women and nonbinary folks who feel comfortable in female spaces  Shapiro added, I would never take peoples money and say I am the de facto voice in size-inclusive travel. Her intention, she said, is simply to present a more multifaceted experience with all the thoughts and intentionality that our travelers deserve.

Fat Girls Traveling

Necessity is the mother of invention, and for influencer Annette Richmond, who founded Fat Girls Traveling, it is a necessity to not let sizeist convention stop her from doing every single thing she wants to do when it comes to experience and adventure.

She recounted a trip to Indonesia, where she was excited to experience the Tegalalang Rice Terrace Swing, an endorphin-packing attraction that launches participants over gorgeous rice paddies. Richmond recalls trudging through the mud: Im scraped up, I get there to the swing, ready for my debut, and Im putting the harness around my waist and it does not click. I was like, Dude, why cant they just get a bigger harness? The result? The swing operators apologized and suggested a competitor, Real Bali Swing, which offered larger harnesses.

Now Richmond hosts trips and retreats for other people who are sick of being excluded: My fat camps, which are like my retreats, those are for fat femmes and nonbinary people, she said. If she opened up her retreats to everyone, she said, there is a threat of losing the magic. From Aug. 25-28, shell host Fat Camp U.K. in Brighton, England ($2,000), which, in addition to summer-camp-style games and pub crawls, will feature fat-positive discussions. Richmond also has a size-inclusive trip to Cuba Sept. 1-5 ($2,750)  without the planned consciousness-raising of the retreats, just pure fun  and hopes next to plan group travel in Mexico, her home base since 2020. (Her trips, unlike her retreats, are open to all genders.)

Swipe Fat

Nicci Nunez and Alex Stewart met through mutual friends, and in October 2020 started the Swipe Fat podcast, which now has 20,000 monthly listeners. At that time nobody was doing a podcast exclusively about dating while plus-size and the particular anxieties in the age of apps, Nunez said. Those anxieties include, Stewart added, feeling like we had to put photos of ourselves that accurately depicted who we were.

Their connection and openness on the podcast naturally led the Chicago-based duo to host meet-ups, which led to travel, said Stewart: We were like, What if we just did a trip somewhere else and then people can come meet us? The trips, which do not feature a dating component and are for anyone who identifies as a woman, are planned through TrovaTrip, a platform that teams up with influencers to organize travel. Swipe Fats first trip was in October 2022, to Athens and Mykonos in Greece; in June, Nunez and Stewart went to Italy, and they have a Spain trip planned for Oct. 3-9 ($2,595).

Like every other travel coordinator interviewed, they spoke of the instantly magical effect of being around like-minded (and -bodied) peers. During beach day on our Greece trip, somebody came over and was like, I just want to tell you how transformative this has been. That was just three days in, Nunez said.

Fat Girls Travel, Too!

Ashley Wall (aka simplycurvee), the founder of Fat Girls Travel, Too!, and her business partner, Natalie Robinson, have always been comfortable and confident in their bodies, which they know is not everyones experience. The goal of their women-only trips, Robinson said, is for people to travel unapologetically. That means loads of research and extremely tight curation by both women to find alternatives to excursions that are not immediately accessible to people in bigger bodies.

The companys inaugural trip was in 2019, to Havana, where a group will return Dec. 7-11 ($2,500), with Bali, Indonesia, before that (Oct. 1-9, $3,597) and two trips to Cartagena, Colombia, after (Dec. 7-11, $2,550; March 3-8, 2024, $2,950). The number of participants on the tours will range from six to 12, so everyone feels as though theyre being catered to, Wall said. One recent Fat Girls traveler, said Robinson, had a groundbreaking experience akin to the one Nunez described: It was the first time she ever wore a two-piece bathing suit.

Virgie Tovar

Virgie Tovar, the author of several books, including Flawless: Radical Body Positivity for Girls of Color, has been hosting trips since 2016, when she teamed up with Tingalayas Retreat in Negril, Jamaica. Every morning we would wake up to this gorgeous breakfast and then walk to our private beach and do stretches and jiggling (clothing optional!), she wrote in an email from Italy, where she was hosting a size-inclusive tour through TrovaTrip. Tovar started her company as a sole proprietor in 2011, and in 2021 it became Virgie Tovar.

For Tovar, travel is a human right (her trips are for all genders). If plus-size people dont feel that travel is approachable or accessible, then we are truly missing out on a very important human experience, she said.

Tovar has also traveled to Bali, and hosted San Francisco and Sausalito, California, retreats called Camp Thunder Thighs. Trip costs are usually around $2,000 for one week, not including flights, with locations determined by her own enthusiasm for them, traveler interest and TrovaTrip surveys of potential participants.

She shared a story from a water ceremony in Bali on her size-inclusive trip in 2022. In order to participate we had to wear sarongs with sashes. Many people in the group were afraid that the sashes or sarongs wouldnt fit them, Tovar said. I knew we could tie sashes and sarongs together to make them accessible. Thats exactly what we did! Everyone participated, and it was one of the most important moments on the trip because it really was a cleansing ritual, where you hand over your worries and grief to the water.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
REDONDO BEACH, California  Sea mammal rescue organizations in Southern California are declaring an emergency due to deadly toxic algae bloom making marine mammals sick.



Hundreds of dead sea lions and dolphins are washing up from the Pacific Ocean, and sick sea lions are filling up every available space at marine mammal rescues.

Marine scientists say the toxic algae bloom produces the neurotoxin "domoic acid," which makes its way through the food chain to small fish and squid, which dolphins and sea lions eat.



When consumed, the neurotoxin can kill sea mammals or they wash on shore very sick with seizures.

Marine Mammal Care Center CEO John Warner said the toxic algae problem is twofold.



"In Los Angeles County, everyone knows its summertime, and many people are out on the beaches, which causes a real human safety issue," Warner said. "But its also very stressful on the animals, so the timing is not perfect at all. And we currently have so many animals showing up on the beaches that our hospital is full."

Dr. Alissa Deming, left, and veterinarian assistant Malena Berndt, give anti-seizure medicine to a California Sea Lion named Patsy in a recovery room at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach after it was found in Huntington Beach having seizures from toxic algae blooms Tuesday, June 20, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the dolphins dont usually make it after washing up, but marine biologists can care for sea lions by giving them an IV if they can get them to a care center. If they make it in time, sea lions can recover after a few days.

Scientists say that this bloom is a significant event, and its overwhelming some organizations that rescue sick marine mammals.

The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro is building more pens because of the influx of sick sea lions.

KILLER WHALES SPOTTED SWIMMING OFF NANTUCKET IN UNUSUAL SIGHT IN NEW ENGLAND WATERS

Toxic algae blooms regularly occur, but scientists say this latest bloom is caused by a seasonal upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich ocean water triggered by wind patterns.

Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System Executive Director Dr. Clarissa Anderson said scientists don't know how bad the bloom is or where it originated.

"It appears to be an offshore event, not a nearshore event," Anderson said. "In my career, this is about the worst Ive seen in terms of the impact on the marine mammal community in a small localized area in Central California to Southern California."

Anyone who sees a sick animal at the beach should not approach it and instead alert a lifeguard or local authorities.
Transgender woman with HIV put in solitary confinement for 6 years in Missouri: Lawsuit

A transgender woman who spent more than 2,000 days in solitary confinement while in a Missouri prison alleges corrections officials discriminated against her because she has HIV.

The unnamed woman is referred to as Jane Roe in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. Court for the Western District of Missouri. Anne Precythe, director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, and 11 other employees are named as defendants.

The woman, who is Black, said that more than six years in solitary confinement pushed her beyond the brink, and that she made attempts to kill herself.

Prolonged solitary confinement can cause anxiety, hallucinations and other serious psychological repercussions.

A report released earlier this year found 11.9% of prisoners in Missouri were in what the state calls restrictive housing on a given day, which was higher than the national rate of 6% to 7%.

Corrections officials, the lawsuit said, also enforce a policy that discriminates against people with HIV.

No person should be subjected to the inhumane and devastating effects of long-term solitary confinement, conditions that Ms. Roe faced every day for more than six years, Richard Saenz, a senior attorney at civil rights organization Lambda Legal, said in a statement. We filed this lawsuit to hold the Missouri Department of Corrections accountable for its use of an unconstitutional and discriminatory policy that singles out people living with HIV.

The corrections department said it does not comment on litigation, adding that it does not automatically segregate HIV-positive prisoners.

Arbitrary punishment

According to the lawsuit, the woman was assaulted by her cellmate at Jefferson City Correctional Center in 2015. Initially, she was the one who was charged.

As punishment for experiencing a sexual assault and because of her HIV status, Ms. Roe was deemed an immediate or long-term danger to other defenders and was placed in solitary confinement, the lawsuit said.

A corrections department policy says prisoners who are a danger, including those who are violent or sexually active and have HIV, can be sent to solitary confinement.

Attorneys for the woman said she was not sexually active and was on anti-retroviral medication which suppressed the virus.

Even after prosecutors dismissed the charge in 2016, she remained in solitary where she was regularly exposed to horrific conditions, the lawsuit said, including near constant screaming, exposure to light, and the smell of mace and feces.

She suffered from depression, insomnia and suicidal ideation, and was also denied gender-affirming medical care for three years, the lawsuit said.

Her attorneys alleged that reviews about her solitary confinement placement lasted less than a minute and she was not allowed to speak.

The prisons arbitrary punishment and order for solitary confinement were based solely on Ms. Roes HIV status, the lawsuit alleged.

The lawsuit lists five counts including cruel and unusual punishment and violations of due process and the Equal Protection Clause.

The woman was released on parole last year.
TreyShawn Eunes, a 12-year-old shot and killed at a Juneteenth barbecue in Fort Worth on June 19, was a loving, funny, goofy intelligent boy who was thrilled to learn about science, enjoyed playing PlayStation and was proud to be an uncle to his baby niece, his mother, Lakesha Bay, told the Star-Telegram.

My heart is broken, Bay said. Its broken for TreyShawn. He should still be alive.

TreyShawn, though he was only 12, made a big impact on the people around him. Community members gathered Sunday for a fundraiser for his family at Daesys Tropical Sno in Arlington, arranged by the owner of the snow cone shop and some of TreyShawns teachers. Heather Boggs, TreyShawns sixth-grade science teacher at J.B. Little Elementary in Arlington, said that when she heard about what happened to her student, she had to do something.

He was one of those kids that everybody loved, Boggs told the Star-Telegram. He tried hard in everything that he did. He was very adamant about asking questions when he didnt understand something. When he was in a group, he was very lighthearted. If things got intense, TreyShawn was always the comedic relief to get everyone back on track.

Boggs said that TreyShawn was adaptable to situations, whether they were in the classroom or at recess. He always had a group of people who wanted to be around him. And Bay said that wasnt just because he was popular.

He really just liked to be friends with everybody, his mother said. If there was a kid at the park being left out, he would be going to that one kid who wasnt playing with anybody and bring that kid into the group. Thats the kind of person TreyShawn was. He loved to bring people together.

TreyShawn died in the hospital after he was shot in the side and a bullet went through his lung, his mother said. She said that shes been told by police and by TreyShawns father, who was at the party, that a toddler found a gun and accidentally shot him. The shooting occurred at a music studio in a strip mall at 5504 Brentwood Stair Road, where the gathering was held and where his family said TreyShawn was playing video games.

His mother wants answers, but says she isnt getting them from Fort Worth police.

At the time when my son passed at Cook Childrens, that detective met me there and he told me, I will work on your sons case non-stop. Youll get tired of hearing from me,  Bay said. I havent heard from him once. Ive been the one calling him.

She doesnt believe the narrative that her son was killed when a toddler accidentally fired a gun and shot him and said she needs proof. Shes been told the gun is missing. Either way, she wants somebody to be brought up on charges. Instead, she said shes been left in the dark.

Police have not commented publicly on what led up to the shooting and have not announced any arrests in the case. The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office is conducting an autopsy but has not yet ruled on TreyShawns cause or manner of death.

One thing that has kept Bay going over the past week is the support shes seen from the community. From donations on a GoFundMe and the fundraiser for funeral expenses hosted by teachers and the snow cone store to people walking up to her when shes out somewhere, Bay said the love shes seen from the community has been comforting.

Everywhere I go people are stopping me and telling me stories of them with TreyShawn and telling me theyre going to miss TreyShawn, getting emotional, Bay said. He touched a lot of lives while he was here. He was exactly the kind of boy a parent wants to raise.

Both Bay and Boggs said one of the things that made it so easy for TreyShawn to make new friends was his smile.

If you met TreyShawn you would instantly like him. He was gonna make sure you like him, Bay said. All he really had to do was smile at you.

Bays favorite recent memory with TreyShawn was when she and her older son told him he was going to be an uncle. The excitement he showed when he saw his mother and older brother wearing shirts announcing that he would be an uncle is impossible to describe, she said. They recently ordered him a shirt.

He had pictures of his baby niece, Brooklyn, he would show to his teachers all the time in class, Bay said. He loved his niece, and thats my proudest, best, most recent moment with Trey. Yesterday was her 1st birthday and we wore those shirts. Treys shirt arrived in the mail yesterday and he never got to wear it.

She said shell be giving the shirt to him at his funeral Friday. Bay said the fact that he never got to wear it makes her need to get answers from police and see justice for her son even stronger.
Trump was accused of breaking a Nixon-era law by withholding funds to Ukraine. Now, he wants to get rid of it entirely.

Donald Trump/Richard Nixon Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Don Carl STEFFEN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Trump pledged to restore a sweeping presidential power that Nixon abused to the point of it being curtailed.

The former president wants to restore the ability for presidents to impound funds.

Effectively, it would allow Trump to defy Congress' will and slash spending almost unilaterally.

Former President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to restore a sweeping presidential power to curb federal spending that Congress reined in after lawmakers believed then-President Richard Nixon abused the authority.

"I will fight to restore the president's historic impoundment power," Trump said at an event in New Hampshire. "A lot of you don't know what that is."

It's not just history that's at play either.

In the wake of Trump's first impeachment for withholding funds for Ukraine, the Government Accountability Office concluded that Trump had violated the Nixon-era law. The former president's response now is to just do away with the law entirely, potentially foreshadowing a repeat of the Constitutional crisis Congress and the Nixon White House engaged in.

"Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law," the GAO concluded.

Trump is correct that the issue of impoundment is a little wonky, but if he or another future president were to try to claw back such power it could easily lead to massive cuts in domestic programs.

Impoundment refers to when a president refuses to spend funds that Congress has provided for. It can be temporary, which is exactly what happened when Trump froze Ukraine funding for 55 days, or it can be permanent.

Trump pointed out that presidents dating back to Thomas Jefferson impounded funds. But scholars generally agree that Nixon relied on that history in an unprecedented way. He used the power far more often than his predecessors and he used it mainly to thwart domestic spending.

"I will not spend money if the Congress overspends, and I will not be for programs that will raise the taxes and put a bigger burden on the already overburdened American taxpayer," Nixon said at a July 1973 news conference where he declared an "absolutely clear" constitutional right to impound funds as he saw fit. (Congress and many legal scholars at the time did not agree with that broad assertion of presidential powers.)

In response to Nixon constantly thwarting their will, Congress passed the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which created the modern Congressional budget process, the Congressional Budget Office, and also created a process for presidents if they want to delay or cancel funding provided by Congress.

Nixon, who as Politico pointed out was swamped by Watergate, signed the bill into law even as he trolled congressional Democrats for passing it in the first place.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Walt Nauta, a U.S. Navy veteran who has served as an aide to Donald Trump in the White House and at his Palm Beach estate, was unable to appear in Miami federal court Tuesday for his arraignment in the Trump documents case because his flight from the Northeast was canceled due to bad weather.

Even if Nauta had shown up for his arraignment, he would not have been able to enter an expected not-guilty plea because he has not hired a local defense attorney, which is required in the Southern District of Florida. Nautas Washington, D.C., attorney, Stanley Woodward, told Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres that his client expects to hire a local lawyer by next week.

Torres found a good cause for Nautas absence and then reset his arraignment for July 6 in Miami federal court  eight days before a federal judge assigned the national security case plans to discuss the protocol for handling the sensitive evidence of classified documents that form the basis of the 38-count indictment against Trump and Nauta.

Nauta, 40, has been charged with conspiring with the former president to obstruct justice by hiding classified documents, withholding government records and lying to federal authorities.

Nauta appeared with Trump at the former presidents arraignment in Miami federal court on June 13 but was unable to enter a plea because he had not yet hired a local attorney.

While that first appearance generated a media and political circus outside the downtown courthouse, Tuesdays arraignment for Nauta was more subdued, drawing a few dozen reporters and photographers instead of the hundreds who attended Trumps arraignment.

Nauta, a valet for Trump, faces trial with the former president in the Fort Pierce division of the Southern District of Florida. But a tentative trial date of Aug. 14 is likely to be postponed until at least December or even next year because of the complexity of the case, which involves volumes of classified and unclassified documents, according to court filings by Justice Department prosecutors.

Image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022 of a redacted FBI photograph of certain documents and classified cover sheets recovered from a container in the 45 office seized during the Aug. 8 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

The defendant is also unprecedented, a former president who remains a leading presidential candidate for the Republican Party. Trump, 77, is charged with willfully retaining national defense information in violation of the Espionage Act, conspiring to obstruct justice and making a false statement to authorities after they had issued a subpoena for the sensitive materials that he moved from the White House to his Mar-a-Lago residence and club. Trump is represented by New York defense attorney Todd Blanche and Florida lawyer Chris Kise.

Allegations against Nauta

According to the indictment, Trump directed Nauta to move dozens of boxes containing classified documents from a storage room at Mar-a-Lago to other areas of the property and then to return some of them to the storage room. He was allegedly told to conceal them from Trumps attorney and the FBI after the Justice Department obtain a grand jury subpoena for them in May 2022.

Nauta was seen on surveillance video removing the boxes from the storage room before the FBI carried out a search of the former presidents Palm Beach estate last August, according to special counsel Jack Smith and his team. Federal agents found more than 100 classified materials during the raid, including top secret defense, weapons and nuclear information.

Prosecutors also allege that, in a May 2022 interview with the FBI, Nauta lied that he did not know how the boxes had arrived at the Palm Beach estate, where they were being stored or whether Trump had kept any of them.

On his Truth Social platform earlier this month, the former president defended Nauta and accused Justice Department prosecutors of trying to destroy his life and hoping that he will say bad things about Trump. 

Nauta, who was born in Agat, in the U.S. territory of Guam, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001. He rose through the ranks to become a senior chief culinary specialist and served in the military-staffed cafeteria for the Trump White House. Trump promoted him to military aide in the role of his personal valet.

Nauta retired from the Navy when Trump left the White House in January 2021. According to the indictment, he became an executive assistant to Trump that August, relocated from Washington, D.C., to Florida, and then continued to serve as an aide to the former president at Mar-a-Lago.

The New York Times reported that Nauta is viewed as a Trump loyalist and does not appear to be playing a side game in exchange for leniency from Justice Department prosecutors.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was randomly assigned the case, on Monday denied the special counsels request to file the governments list of 84 witnesses with the court under seal as part of a special condition of a bond for both Trump and Nauta not to communicate with any of them about the case.

Cannon faulted the prosecutors for filing a flawed motion, including failing to provide a reason for sealing the list from public view.

A previous magistrate judge, Jonathan Goodman, had imposed the bond condition and asked the prosecutors to produce the list so that the two defendants would not communicate with any witnesses. But the special counsel, Smith, went a step further, asking the judge to require the defendants, Trump and Nauta, to acknowledge that they read the witness list in a written form.

Joseph DeMaria, a Miami defense attorney who once worked in the Justice Departments organized crime strike force in South Florida, said Cannon was right in denying the special counsels motion because it was not submitted properly, according to the rules in the Southern District of Florida. He also called the special counsels request to have Trump and Nauta sign the acknowledgment form a trap designed to catch Trump if he were to talk with any witnesses about the case.

They are trying to put a noose around his neck with this proposal, said DeMaria. They are trying to catch him with obstructing justice.
 Flash

A Chinese envoy on Monday expressed concern over instability caused by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

"We are concerned about the persistent threat posed by armed groups to the stability in the eastern DRC," said Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "China urges the armed groups to immediately stop their violent activities, withdraw from the occupied areas, and join the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process."

China commends the DRC, Uganda, and Burundi for their joint operations to address common threats. China notes the efforts made by the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and Angola to maintain security in eastern DRC and hopes that relevant operations will be better coordinated to effectively curb further deterioration of the situation, he told the UN Security Council.

The DRC's general elections at the end of the year bear on national development and stability. China supports the DRC government in advancing work in such areas as electoral legislation and voter registration, and expects all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation to ensure the smooth holding of the elections, he said.

The DRC still faces many difficulties and challenges in electoral preparation. China calls on the international community and the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC to provide more logistic and financial support on the basis of respect for the DRC's sovereignty and ownership, said the Chinese envoy.

Peace and stability in eastern DRC bears on the overall security in the Great Lakes region. China supports regional countries in respecting each other's concerns and resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, said Dai.

China has consistently supported the DRC in its efforts to maintain peace and stability and promote development and revitalization. Currently, the DRC is at a critical juncture in its political and peace processes. The international community should provide more support and assistance, he said.
Walt Nauta, center, assists Former President Donald Trump as he greets supporters at the second round of the LIV Golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, last month. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Nauta, Trump's personal aide, was supposed to be arraigned Tuesday in the classified documents case.

He wasn't able to get local counsel or make it to the arraignment in person.

He waited at the airport for 8 hours as flights were delayed out of Newark.

MIAMI  Former President Donald Trump's personal aide, Waltine Nauta, a defendant in the classified documents case, received another extension on Tuesday for his arraignment after he failed to secure local counsel.

His attorney, Stanley Woodward, appeared on his behalf and told the court that Nauta hadn't been able to find an attorney authorized to practice in the South Florida District, and requested an extension until July 6. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres granted the extension, saying, "You need to try to have that be your drop-dead deadline."

Nauta was not required to appear at the arraignment in person, though he tried, according to Woodward. He said Nauta was at Newark Liberty International Airport for eight hours on Monday  where numerous flights were delayed because of thunderstorms and flash-flood warnings in the area. He was unable to get a flight in time for his court appearance, Woodward said.



Torres ruled that Nauta had "good cause" for not appearing in person. He set the new arraignment date for July 6 after Jay Bratt, a prosecutor for Department of Justice, noted that the arraignment should occur before a pre-trial hearing set for July 14.

Woodward said that Nauta wasn't likely to appear in person on July 6 because of "logistical hurdles" that he didn't explain, and said a local counsel would appear instead. Nauta's legal team will have to file paperwork about his representation on July 5, Torres said.

Woodward himself won't be able to appear at the July 14 pre-trial hearing, he told the judge, because he's already scheduled to be in court on another case.

Though Nauta was taken into custody in a Miami courthouse a block away alongside Trump on June 13, he wasn't arraigned nor did he enter a plea that day because at that time he didn't yet have an attorney from Florida representing him. Like Trump, Nauta didn't have to post a bond and won't face restrictions on his travel as the case moves forward.

US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, the judge presiding over the June 13 proceedings, ordered Trump and Nauta not to discuss the case with each other unless they did so through their lawyers.

Federal prosecutors allege that Nauta helped pack Trump's boxes before he left the White House and repeatedly moved them around Mar-a-Lago, Trump's residence and private club, at the ex-president's request.

Trump directed Nauta "to move boxes of documents to conceal them from Trump's attorney, the FBI, and the grand jury," the indictment alleges.

Nauta, a Navy veteran, is a longtime personal aide for Trump. He started working for Trump as a White House valet, a role that includes being a personal assistant, messenger, and errand runner for the president.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump appointed when he was president, is expected to preside over the trial itself. Cannon set a tentative schedule to have the trial over by September, though the prosecution asked for the trial to be pushed to December.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The arraignment of Walt Nauta, an aide to Donald Trump who was indicted on federal criminal charges in connection with the former president's alleged mishandling of classified documents, has been delayed until next month in Miami federal court.

Nautas arraignment, which had been initially scheduled for Tuesday morning, was postponed until July 6.

Nautas attorney, Stan Woodward, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres, who presided over last week's hearing, that Nauta has been unable to obtain the local counsel necessary for an arraignment.

Torres granted the extension until July 6.

Nauta did not appear in court because of a canceled flight from Newark, New Jersey, and he was unable to book another flight to make the appearance, Woodward said.

Woodward said that he will file an appearance waiver in the meantime and that he does not expect Nauta to appear for the arraignment next month.

Nauta faces six charges, including conspiracy to obstruct, withholding a document or record and scheme to conceal, according to the federal indictment, which was unsealed this month.

Nauta did not enter a plea when he appeared alongside Trump in court this month.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts, including making false statements, conspiracy to obstruct justice and willful retention of national defense information, stemming from more than 100 classified documents recovered from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last year, according to the indictment.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon set a tentative start date of mid-August for Trumps trial in a court order unsealed last week.

Special counsel Jack Smith has turned over the first batch of evidence in the case to Trumps legal team, according to a court filing last week. Prosecutors said the documents include evidence obtained through subpoenas and search warrants; transcripts of grand jury testimony in Washington, D.C., and Florida; witness interviews conducted through last month; and excerpts of closed-circuit television video.

In the filing, prosecutors indicated that Nauta has not yet received discovery materials but that they will provide them to his counsel once his appearance in the case is entered.

Nauta, a Trump aide from Guam who reached the Navys rank of senior chief culinary specialist in his 20 years of service, worked at the White House as part of the Presidential Food Service, which is a section within the White House Military Office.

During Trumps presidency, Nauta was one of two military valets who had close and direct daily contact with Trump for his personal needs, such as meals in the Oval Office and organizing his clothing for travel, a former senior Trump aide said.

When Trump left the White House, Nauta was part of the post-presidency transition, serving for six more months while still in the Navy. Trump indicated in a social media post that at some point, Nauta retired from military service and then transitioned into private life as a personal aide.

Nauta has been seen traveling with Trump on many public trips and campaign stops and at Mar-a-Lago events.

According to the indictment, Nauta was among the people, including Trump himself, who packed items from the White House for shipment to Florida.

Prosecutors allege Nauta made false statements denying knowledge of the boxes and moved dozens of boxes at Trumps direction after it was clear that the National Archives was seeking the return of government records.

The indictment indicated that Nauta was represented by counsel in his interview with the FBI, which was voluntary. It also asserts that Trump directed many of Nautas actions.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy demurred on the question of whether Donald Trump is best candidate Republicans can put forward to face Joe Biden in 2024 - before backlash from Magaworld forced him to walk back his criticism.

In a CNBC interview on Tuesday, Mr McCarthy said Mr Trump can beat Mr Biden but that hes not sure another Republican couldnt do better.

Can he win that election? Yeah, he can, Mr McCarthy said. The question is, is he the strongest to win the election? I dont know that answer. But can somebody, can anybody beat Biden? Yeah, anybody can beat Biden.

The House speaker changed his tune in a later interview with Breitbart, saying his words had been twisted and he didnt mean to undermine Mr Trump.

As usual, the media is attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans as our committees are holding Bidens DOJ accountable for their two-tiered levels of justice, he said. The only reason Biden is using his weaponised federal government to go after President Trump is because he is Bidens strongest political opponent, as polling continues to show.

Just look at the numbers this morningTrump is stronger today than he was in 2016, he added in reference to a Morning Consult poll which showed Mr Trump ahead of Mr Biden by a margin of 44 per cent to 41 per cent.

Mr Trump is, at this point, the candidate most likely to prevail in an increasingly crowded Republican primary field for the chance to take on Mr Biden. The former president, despite facing two indictments, is leading early polls of the primary race by a wide margin. In recent weeks, hes increased his lead over second-placed Gov Ron DeSantis of Florida.

But some Republicans are concerned with Mr Trumps ability to win a general election. Polls indicate that Mr Trump is deeply unpopular with the public, with a majority of Americans holding an unfavourable view of the former president. Mr Trump has already lost one election to Mr Biden, and he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 as well, despite prevailing in the Electoral College.

Since then, Mr Trumps legal issues have mounted. The former president is under indictment in New York for his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme, and under federal indictment in Florida for allegedly mishandling classified documents and refusing to return them to the federal government when asked.

Mr Trump could face still more legal trouble in the months to come over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election. Mr Trump was impeached for inciting the riot at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, which was the second time he was impeached during his term as president. The Senate didnt confirm either impeachment, which means Mr Trump is still eligible to run for president.

Mr McCarthy did not say that any of Mr Trumps challengers would make a better general election candidate than Mr Trump; indeed, Mr DeSantis also has poor favourability ratings.

Still, Mr McCarthys suggestion that Mr Trump may not be the strongest candidate is notable if only because the California representative has long been one of Mr Trumps most vocal allies in Republican leadership  famously aiding his political rehabilitation by visiting him at Mar-a-Lago just weeks after the Capitol riot.
Trump cabinet appointee gets honored on California Senate floor. Not everyone was happy.

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

SENATE GOP HONORS OPENLY GAY TRUMP CABINET MEMBER AS DEMS WALK OUT

Three weeks after California Senate Republicans sat out a vote declaring June LGBTQ Pride Month, Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Santee, took to the floor Monday afternoon to honor the first openly gay man to serve in a presidential cabinet. Ric Grenell of Palm Springs served as former President Donald Trumps ambassador to Germany before being appointed acting director of national intelligence in February 2020. Grenell stepped down from both posts three months later.

Jones praised Grenell for his lengthy record of public service, and noted the historical nature of Grenells appointment to the cabinet. As acting director of national intelligence, Grenell oversaw 17 different intelligence agencies.

The Senate floor offered mute applause for Grenell, a Republican who once contemplated running against Gov. Gavin Newsom in the 2021 recall election.

After appearing on the Senate floor, Grenell joined Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Riverside, Jones and other Republican lawmakers on the west steps of the Capitol for a press conference.

One person on the Senate floor who didnt applaud the former ambassador was Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.

Earlier on Monday, Wiener, who also is openly gay, wrote in a tweet that today, GOP is honoring Richard Grenell on our Senate floor, after having protested our actual Pride celebration. Grenell is a self-hating gay man. Hes a scam artist pink-washer for Trump & spreads anti-LGBTQ, anti-vax, election-denier conspiracy theories.

Wiener joined other Senate Democrats in walking off the floor when Grenell was honored, according to LA Times journalist Mackenzie Mays. Essayli, who himself walked off the Assembly floor when drag nun Sister Roma was being honored earlier this month, tweeted angrily about the incident Monday.

What a bunch of intolerant hypocrites. This proves that Pride month has nothing to do with celebrating members of the LBGT community. Its all about advancing an extreme anti-American and anti-parent agenda, Essayli wrote.

Grenell has a history of making false and inflammatory statements, including accusations that then-President Barack Obama secretly surveilled the Trump campaign in 2016, something Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler called a bunch of unfounded conspiracy theories.

A spokesman for Grenell did not respond to The Bees request for comment.

GAS GOUGE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT

Via Grace Scullion...

Though gas prices are down by over $1.50 from last June, average gasoline prices in Sacramento rose 6 cents in the past month  did you notice?

Newsom is hoping to curb any more price creep with a new law that went into effect yesterday that establishes a new oversight branch, the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight, within the California Energy Commission. The group will create a penalty for oil companies found to be gouging prices and refer oil companies to the Attorney General for prosecution if found to be engaging in illegal practices. The law was created in a special session Newsom called last year to address skyrocketing prices at the pump.

Back in March, The Sacramento Bee reported that consumer advocates said the oil industrys lobby weakened some provisions of the bill  and spent $72 million over four years doing it.

CALIFORNIANS ARE PRETTY CHILL ABOUT LEGAL WEED, SURVEY SAYS

Seven years ago, more than half of Californians (57%) voted yes on Proposition 64 to legalize adult-use marijuana in the Golden State; cannabis has been legal to sell recreationally since 2018.

So are voters having a bad trip as a result? Not hardly, says the Public Policy Institute of California.

In a blog post about their June survey, the PPIC found that 64% of Californians said that marijuana use should be legal  a record high. Thats up significantly from PPICs September 2010 poll, which found only 47% in favor of legal weed. That year, voters narrowly defeated Proposition 19, a previous attempt to legalize recreational cannabis.

These days, support for legal adult-use marijuana is mostly partisan  75% of Democrats and independents say so, while only 40% of Republicans believe in legalization. The higher (pardon the pun) the education level of the voter, the more likely they are to support legalization. Just over half (51%) of those with a high school diploma support it, compared to 74% of those with a college degree.

Despite marijuanas popular support, it remains banned in a majority of the state; 61% of cities and counties have laws on the books banning cannabis retail, according to PPIC. And while Californians support legal weed in theory, they are less likely to support marijuana retail in their own community, with just 56% saying they support local weed businesses.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Heading into a big week in Sacramento: Budget Trailer Bills, tough committee votes, and Swearing in of New California Speaker @AsmRobertRivas Being an elected legislator is not always easy, but it is always interesting!

- Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, via Twitter.

Best of The Bee:
Former President Donald Trump

Former President Donald Trump "is acting like a Mafia boss," said an expert on authoritarianism.

Donald Trump on Tuesday ramped up his attack on the federal prosecutor whose charges against him could put him behind bars, this time including in his tirade special counsel Jack Smiths family, as well  potentially increasing his exposure to federal prison.

COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THE DERANGED, TRUMP HATING JACK SMITH, HIS FAMILY, AND HIS FRIENDS, THAT AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, I COME UNDER THE PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY THE CLINTON SOCKS CASE, NOT BY THIS PSYCHOS FANTASY OF THE NEVER USED BEFORE ESPIONAGE ACT OF 1917, Trump wrote on his personal social media site early Tuesday in the all-capitals style he favors when he is particularly agitated.

Smells of desperation, said Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a New York University history professor and an expert on authoritarianism. Once again, Trump is acting like a Mafia boss and also stringing as many propaganda slogans together as possible.

Trumps call echoes the one attributed to Englands King Henry II centuries ago when he asked: Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest, which led to the murder of the archbishop of Canterbury  although it is unclear whether Trump is aware of the historical reference.

Trump is encouraging his followers, who we know have included the violent insurrectionists responsible for Jan. 6, to target the family and friends of Jack Smith, said Norm Eisen, a lawyer who served in Barack Obamas White House. It is profoundly concerning.

Threatening federal law enforcement officers doing their jobs is a crime punishable by years in prison, although it is unclear whether Trumps pattern of attacks, which go back now nearly a year and a half, could be successfully prosecuted.

A Supreme Court decision released Tuesday requires prosecutors to prove that a person making a statement knows that doing so would be considered a threat, not merely that a reasonable person would consider it a threat.

Neither the Department of Justice nor Trumps campaign staff responded to HuffPost queries about his new statement, and it is not known whether Smith or his prosecution team plans to ask U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to warn Trump about his comments.

Eisen, though, said Smith should not have to ask. The prosecution shouldnt have to raise it. The defendant shouldnt do it, and the judge shouldnt tolerate it. If I were the judge, I would call him in right now and read him and his lawyers the riot act, he said. Any other defendant might well be called on the carpet for this posting alone.

He added that he did not believe that Trumps Tuesday posting, by itself, constituted a prosecutable threat but that it should serve as a warning to Cannon and the country, based on Trumps past behavior.

This is, after all, a social media posting by someone whose tweet to be in Washington Jan. 6 because, quote, will be wild, precipitated a violent riot, and someone whose tweet at 2:24 p.m. on that day, after violence had already erupted, nearly got Vice President Mike Pence killed, Eisen said.

Though Trump had the right to call for protests against his prosecution, Eisen said, he did not have the right to endanger the lives of individuals. Targeting friends and family of a prosecutor. It is totally different to personalize it in that way, Eisen said.

Smith is leading the team prosecuting Trump for his retention of top-secret documents at his Florida country club and then his attempts to keep them from authorities seeking their return. Smith is also investigating Trump for his coup attempt that culminated in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of his followers.

Trump began inciting his supporters against prosecutors at a January 2022 rally in Texas. If these radical, vicious, racist prosecutors do anything wrong or illegal, I hope we are going to have in this country the biggest protests we have ever had in Washington, D.C., in New York, in Atlanta and elsewhere, because our country and our elections are corrupt, he said.

Ahead of his arraignment on the secret documents charges, Trump told his millions of followers on his social media site: SEE YOU IN MIAMI ON TUESDAY!!!  reminiscent of his Dec. 19, 2020, Twitter post urging his followers to come to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021: Be there, will be wild!

And three days before that Miami arraignment, Trump hinted at violence in a speech to North Carolina Republican activists. Our people are angry, he said. And sometimes you need strength. You have to have strength, more than just normal strength. And we have to get a change because were not going to have a country left.

Trump is also facing an investigation by Georgia prosecutors for his attempt to overturn his election loss in that state, with a potential indictment expected in August. And he has already been indicted in New York City in a case centered on falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to a porn star in the days leading up to the 2016 election.

He is, notwithstanding the accumulating criminal charges, running for the White House again and currently holds substantial leads over the rest of the 2024 GOP field.
Trump hits out at Fox Newss Bret Baier after incriminating interview: It was nasty, unfriendly, no smiling

Former president Donald Trump slammed Fox News host Bret Baier on Monday evening, a week after their interview where Mr Trump revealed he took documents. Mr Trump is facing a federal indictment over his retention of classified documents, including some related to national defence information.

Mr Trump spoke on Newsmax on Monday evening and complained about the interview.

I thought it was fine, I thought it was ok, but there was nothing friendly about it, he said. It was nasty, and I thought I did a good job.

Mr Trump said he had received credit for doing the interview but said people also wondered why he did the interview. During his exchange with Baier, Mr Trump called Fox News a hostile network and declined to commit to participating in the first GOP debate in August.

Everything was unfriendly, he said. No smiling. No, lets have fun, lets make America great again. Everything was like a hit.

Mr Trump said he was not interested in cooperating with a hostile network and with candidates who oppose him.

If youre leading by 30 or 40 or 50 points, whats the purpose of really doing it, he said.

Last week, the former president did an interview with Mr Baier after he was indicted and arraigned in a federal court in Miami. In the interview, Mr Trump said he did not turn over classified documents to the US National Archives and Records Administration because he was very busy.

I want to go through the boxes and get all my personal things out. I dont want to hand that over to (National Archives) yet. And I was very busy, as youve sort of seen, he said. The answer, in addition to having every right under the Presidential Records Act, is that these boxes were containing all types of personal belongings  many, many things, shirts and shoes, everything.

In addition, the former president denied that he ever possessed a secret document detailing a potential military attack on Iran despite the fact that the indictment said that he showed a plan to attack Iran that was considered highly confidential.

On Monday evening, CNN broadcasted the audio of Mr Trump showing the map to a writer who was helping Mr Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows write a memoir.
Trump looks to drown out DeSantis in New Hampshire

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday sought to strengthen his hold on New Hampshire GOP primary voters as he and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) held dueling campaign events in the Granite State.

Trump spoke at a luncheon for the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, where he took aim at DeSantis on foreign policy, trade and on the governors past comments on entitlement reform.

Unlike Ron DeSanctimonious, who voted to gut Medicare and Social Security and voted 3 times to raise the retirement age to 70, I will always protect Medicare and Social Security for our great seniors, Trump said, referencing DeSantiss votes as a congressman for non-binding budget resolutions to raise the retirement age to 70 for seniors to collect Social Security benefits.

The former president on Tuesday also unveiled his campaigns New Hampshire leadership team and boasted of dozens of state lawmakers who had previously endorsed him. The former president also attended a grand opening of his New Hampshire campaign headquarters in Manchester.

More coverage of Trump from The Hill:

Earlier Tuesday, DeSantis held a town hall in Hollis, N.H., where he sought to further draw a contrast with the former president as a conservative who could get done some of the things Trump left unaccomplished upon leaving the White House.

DeSantis has in recent days focused particularly on immigration policy, vowing to finish a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and to crack down on drug dealers.

Were actually going to build the wall, DeSantis said. A lot of politicians chirp. They make grandiose promises and then fail to deliver the actual results. The time for excuses is over. Now is the time to deliver results and finally get the job done.

DeSantiss presence down the road did not go unnoticed by Trump and his team, and they have tried to quash any sense of momentum the governor might be building in the Granite State.

By the way, hes holding an event right now which is considered not nice, Trump told supporters. Hes holding an event right now to compete with us. Well guess what? Nobody showed up.

Trump won the 2016 New Hampshire GOP primary, which helped put him on track for the partys nomination. Strategists believe a challenger who will unseat Trump will likely need to win or have a strong showing in Iowa or New Hampshire next year.

Trump and DeSantis visited the state on the same day a new poll indicated the former presidents lead was expanding, despite his recent indictment on federal charges.

A Saint Anselm poll of New Hampshire Republicans released to coincide with the Republican candidates dueling visits showed Trump had expanded his lead in the Granite State, drawing the support of 47 percent of those surveyed, compared to 19 percent who backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). A March poll from Saint Anselm had Trump leading DeSantis 42-29.

Were leading by a lot, Trump said of primary polls. I mean, Id have to work really hard to blow this one.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump responded with fury Monday after CNN published an audio file of him discussing a sensitive military document he kept after leaving the White House, saying the recording actually exonerates him and reflects an ongoing witch hunt at the Justice Department.

The Deranged Special Prosecutor, Jack Smith, working in conjunction with the DOJ & FBI, illegally leaked and spun a tape and transcript of me which is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. This continuing Witch Hunt is another ELECTION INTERFERENCE Scam. They are cheaters and thugs!

CNN was the first to publish the 2-minute audio earlier in the day, a key bit of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of the former president. In the clip, Trump references a document he says was compiled by Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when he was president, on potential attacks against Iran.

They presented me this  this is off the record, but  they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him, Trump says of Milley in the audio as papers are heard shuffling in the background.

He then tells his guests the documents were classified, saying the papers were highly confidential and secret.

Wow CNN got the tape of Trumps conversation about classified documents pic.twitter.com/0NVQYAEkor  Acyn (@Acyn) June 27, 2023

See, as president I could have declassified it, Trump added. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Trump was arraigned on 37 criminal charges earlier this month related to his handling of classified files after he left the White House and his alleged efforts to obstruct the governments attempts to see those documents returned.

The former president has rejected the charges and pleaded not guilty on all counts earlier this month. He has repeatedly claimed he had the right to take anything he wanted from the White House and that he had a standing order to declassify anything that left the Oval Office.

But the latest audio appears to undercut those claims as he acknowledges the secret nature of the files he had with him.

Related...
Trump team lobbying for primary rule changes to boost his 2024 chances FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Oakland County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner

By Nathan Layne, Alexandra Ulmer and Gram Slattery

(Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump is leveraging his connections to loyalists in key primary states to lobby for voting rules and dates that could cement his front-runner status in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his team and sources in several states told Reuters.

Trump's campaign is reaching out to Republican state parties to push for the changes, as party officials set the parameters for contests that kick off early next year ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024 presidential election.

Several states adopted Trump-friendly rules in 2020 to ward off competition for the then-president, and a recent change in Michigan appears to have bolstered his advantage in the race to secure delegates who determine the party's nominee. Now the Trump campaign is advocating for modifications in half a dozen additional states, his co-campaign manager told Reuters.

"We work with state parties all over the country to engage in the process," Chris LaCivita said in an interview. "The challenge that we were given by the president was to win every day and win every battle. This is just part of that."

While it is known that Trump's team is trying to exert influence over the Republican machinery in important voting states ahead of 2024, the scale of the effort has not been previously reported.

Holding earlier votes in certain pro-Trump states could give the former president momentum over his Republican rivals. Holding caucuses instead of primaries could also give more weight to grassroots activists loyal to him, political analysts said.

LaCivita confirmed that Nevada - an early primary state with a Trump-friendly state Republican leadership - was one of the campaign's targets. He declined to elaborate on the changes the campaign is seeking or to name the other states they are involved in.

In May, the Nevada Republican Party sued the state to be allowed to hold a caucus, arguing that being forced to have a primary infringed on constitutional rights.

LaCivita said Trump's campaign was supportive of the lawsuit. A source close to the Nevada Republican Party told Reuters - prior to the lawsuit - that Trump's campaign was lobbying for a caucus.

A source close to the Republican state party in Idaho told Reuters that Trump allies had been lobbying to hold a nominating contest before May. Idaho Republicans over the weekend decided to hold an early caucus instead of a primary, seemingly giving Trump an advantage in the state.

Trump's lobbying efforts show a level of sophistication that his freewheeling 2016 campaign lacked and highlight how he stands to benefit now that several state parties are dominated by loyalists.

Trump is not alone in trying to shape the 2024 battlefield in his favor. The Democratic National Committee in February approved President Joe Biden's shakeup of the party's 2024 primary calendar, giving Black voters a greater say in the nominating process and carving an easier path for Biden.

The Democrats' changes boosted the roles of South Carolina and Georgia among other states, and demoted the famed Iowa caucuses.

Jason Roe, a Republican strategist based in Michigan, said the Trump campaign's machinations had the hallmarks of a strategy mapped out by LaCivita, a longtime Virginia political operative whom he called "a skilled convention vote counter."

"Any time you can get delegates selected at a convention or caucus it is more advantageous for Trump than being on the ballot," Roe said. "His base of support is significantly higher among activists than the rank-and-file."

There are an estimated 2,467 delegates up for grabs in the 2024 Republican state-by-state nominating battle. The contest is often effectively over before all the states have a chance to vote, meaning those that vote relatively early like Nevada and Michigan can be of great importance.

In a win for Trump, Republicans in Michigan recently agreed to select more than two-thirds of their delegates via caucus meetings, where active members tend to have the most sway. The change was prompted by a decision by Democratic Party leaders to bring the state-funded primary date forward to earlier than was allowed under Republican National Committee (RNC) rules.

LaCivita said the Trump campaign made itself available as a resource to the state party and the RNC, but suggested they more or less let the process play out.

"Sometimes it requires a light touch and not a heavy one," LaCivita said.

The Republican state parties in Idaho, Nevada and Michigan did not respond to requests for comment about outreach by the Trump campaign.

DESANTIS WATCHING

Lobbying for primary rule changes has been a staple of campaigns in both major parties for decades.

The team backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is monitoring Trump's lobbying efforts and has identified three or four states where they also are advocating for changes, two campaign sources told Reuters.

His team is also reaching out to party officials in dozens of states in an effort to build goodwill with power brokers, build out the delegate slates that will represent the governor in the primary and study potential rule changes, according to those people.

Among the states they have been paying particularly close attention to, those people said, are Nevada and Idaho, where Trump's camp has been active.

One source close to Never Back Down, the outside super PAC supporting DeSantis, said they were monitoring Alabama, where there could be movement on the minimum thresholds needed to win delegates. The campaign is also keeping an eye on Missouri, where Republicans are planning to hold caucuses but have yet to set delegate selection rules.

"You got to go state by state. This is not an easy process. You've got to be organized in order to do so," said one source within the DeSantis campaign.

The behind-the-scenes battle must conclude by Oct. 1, when all states need to tell the RNC how they will conduct their nomination process.

One source within the DeSantis campaign and another within Never Back Down cast doubt on whether caucuses, which have a lower turnout and require more work from the voter to participate, would in fact be better for Trump.

The Trump campaign sees their supporters as impassioned and therefore likely to show up, while DeSantis' side thinks wealthier, higher-education Republicans - with whom they often poll better - are more likely to have the time to attend.

(Additional reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)
MAGA; Donald Trump SupportersPhoto illustration by Salon/Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

For most of the press and political establishment, the insurrection of January 6, 2021 felt like a shock that came out of nowhere. For journalist David Neiwert, who has reported on the far-right for over three decades, however, it was all too predictable. Fascist movements, Neiwert tells Salon, have "been present in America since at least the early 1900s," eager and ready to commit violence for their cause, and Donald Trump offered a catalyst.

In his new book, "The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right's Assault on American Democracy," Neiwert traces how groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers have their roots in an authoritarian militia movement that goes back decades. He also details how knowing this history can help the rest of the country anticipate what comes next  as the violent impulses of the MAGA right have not receded. Neiwert spoke to Salon about his new book and how what was once a fringe movement has captured the Republican Party.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Most in the mainstream media talk about the events of January 6 like they were a surprise that came out of nowhere, but you were out there early, warning people this could happen. Why wasn't this surprising?

I've been writing about writing extremists for a long time since at least the 90s. My main concern over all the years has been the infiltration of extremist beliefs into the mainstream of the conservative movement and the Republican Party. There's been a gradual radicalization of the American. I published a book in 2009, before the Tea Party had actually erupted, warning of this radicalization process that really started taking off after 9/11. We certainly saw it take off once the Tea Party happened. It was very clear to anyone who had experience with the Patriot movement that this stuff was now being mainstreamed at a massive level, through the auspices of the Tea Party. Among the people that were responsible for that was Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers and others like him. These people are still very much with us, and they played a huge role in January 6.

I noticed one name you didn't say: Donald Trump. There's this narrative out there that Donald Trump is what radicalized Republicans, that this is his doing. That he has a magical hold on people that's turning ordinary conservatives into fascists. What is your feeling on that? How do you understand the role he plays in the larger MAGA movement?

I don't underplay the role that Trump played; it was critical to the final radicalization of the GOP. But he himself was a symptom of that growing radicalization. He really represented this conspiracy worldview that kept bubbling up on the right. His whole political career was founded on spreading the birther conspiracy theory. There's no doubt that he played the major role of fulfilling their ambitions. He was exactly the kind of politician those of us who had studied the radical right for years feared happening to America.

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Don't let your guard down: MAGA is still plotting

If you understand fascism and neo-fascism, it's actually been present in America since at least the early 1900s. Those threads that we now identify as fascist, many of them had their origins in the United States. Hitler was inspired by the Native American genocide and it inspired the Holocaust. He based the Brownshirts on the Ku Klux Klan. The Nuremberg laws were inspired by the Jim Crow laws in the United States. But even though we had these threads in our political system, fascism itself never took root in the United States in large part because there wasn't really a good political space for it. It was always overwhelmed by democratic forces and the robust quality of American democracy.

"What all of these people found is that this beast that they've created is not something they can control."

But our democratic institutions have been increasingly hollowed out by extreme wealth, and by right-wing forces that are innately anti-democratic, over the last 30 years. It's created space for fascists to emerge and gain traction. We've been very lucky through most of American history to not have that critical element that makes fascism actually succeed and gain traction, which is to have a singular charismatic leader. It has to be somebody with charisma and who has popular appeal. We've never seen that on the radical right. Most people on the radical right were horrendous people who turned everybody off. But when Trump emerged and was given a mainstream platform, and he insinuated himself into the mainstream, that was the realization of a lot of our fears. Now they have their charismatic leader. The fascist strands in American politics are emerging.

Trump has now twice appeared in court to face felony indictments. Both times he really tried to amp up his followers into doing another January 6. He pushed violent rhetoric, he aligned himself with the Waco fire. He couldn't have been more over the top about this. Why did January 6 happen, but they kind of didn't heed the call to riot to stop him from getting indicted?

There's a complex set of elements involved. First, Trump's followers were able to see that he was all too happy to throw them all under the bus after they committed acts of violence on his behalf. Some people have peeled away from him because of that.

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He didn't have the ability to go on Twitter and send out "be there" and "will be wild" tweets. Organizations like the Proud Boys are now much less focused on Trump than on their ongoing post-January 6 strategy of targeting more localized entities like school boards, libraries, state legislatures, that sort of thing. One of the aspects of authoritarian personalities is that they uniformly overestimate, wildly, the amount of popular support they actually have. They believe they represent the real America, right? Trump thinks he has this big army out there still. There are still really dedicated fervent believers who will go out there and holler on his behalf and, and threaten people and get out their AR-15s. But there are fewer of them now than there were before. And not having the mainstream entity in power, which was the case during his tenure as president, makes a big difference for them.

Your book is about how Trump may have lost and January 6 didn't work, but we should still be extremely concerned about this fascist movement, which has not given up. How do you square that concern with feeling like he's lost some of this enthusiasm?

The people who've been radicalized into an authoritarian worldview are still very much enmeshed in that. Some have shifted their loyalties to Ron DeSantis or whoever else they might have. More importantly, there is still a substantial part of the country who are eager for and anticipates real violence. They're all here for a civil war. They have AR-15s in their basements. They're capable of violence and we never know what's going to trigger them.

"If you understand fascism and neo-fascism, it's actually been present in America since at least the early 1900s."

I don't think that a right-wing extremist coup is actually feasible or possible. I do think they are going to continue to try to replace American democracy with an authoritarian autocracy. A lot of people are very much working towards that. In the process, some of them are going to be acting out violently. Maybe in ways that will re-wake the country up as to the threat to democracy that we face.

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Why the right is so terrified of "woke": There are truths it just can't face

I don't think they'll win. I don't think they're capable of winning, but I think a lot of people can get hurt and I think there will be a lot of people hurt by this, including them. One thing I've learned about right wing extremists over 30 years of covering them is that people who get involved in these movements destroy their lives. It's one of the most toxic forces in America. It draws people into the abyss. It ruins their family relationships, ruins their relationships in the community. A lot of the time they wind up in prison.

But even more so there are the people who they target, who will definitely also be hurt. I am thinking of the shooter in Colorado who targeted the gay bar and the shooter in Allen, Texas who just went to a mall and started ripping off rounds.

When you talk about the mainstreaming of these attitudes, the Club Q shooting is a really good example. Despite the fact that we've already seen how this escalating of transphobic and anti-queer rhetoric has led to death, has led to murder, you nonetheless got this widespread right-wing boycott over Budweiser, because they had a trans influencer do a little commercial for them. What are we to make of this?

That's the nature of the beast that they created. Think about how Trump tried to push back on the anti-vaxxers because he wanted to take credit for the vaccine. He dropped it because the pushback from his own followers was so intense and so immense.

Or think of how Fox News, in November 2020, briefly attempted to resuscitate their journalistic credibility by calling Arizona for Biden, which brought the wrath of all of those Fox viewers down on them. Their broadcasts promptly flipped. Even after the January 6 insurrection they were justifying the attack on Congress and normalizing it. Also normalizing the "Trump won" discourse. What all of these people found is that this beast that they've created is not something they can control. The authoritarians follow their own impulses and they believe their own things. What they believe is what everybody else has to get in line to parrot. They're both so bellicose and threatening, and their numbers are quite large.

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about MAGA and Jan. 6
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Chinese officials and representatives have expressed their positions during the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, which runs from June 19 to July 14 this year.

Yung See Wan Tiffany, a youth representative from Hong Kong, expressed support for "one country, two systems," which, she said, allows Hong Kong to benefit from the vast resources and enormous market of the motherland while retaining its own socio-economic system and enjoying a high degree of autonomy.

After the implementation of the Hong Kong national security law, social stability has been restored, laying a crucial foundation for future development. "We sincerely hope the international community could continue to support and respect our views," she said.

Yang Xiaokun, special representative for human rights affairs of China's foreign ministry, said some governments have abused the council by spreading disinformation to slander China.

China puts people first and adheres to a path of human rights development that is in line with the trend of the times and suits its national conditions, Yang said.

While advancing its modernization, China continuously enhances human rights protection, promotes the comprehensive and free development of its people, and has achieved accomplishments in human rights that is apparent to all, Yang said.

Currently, Xinjiang and Tibet are experiencing sustained economic development, social harmony and stability, and the cause of human rights is in its best period in history, Yang added.

The strong support by scores of countries to China's just position on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong demonstrated popular approval of China's human rights practices across the globe, Yang said.

Ambassador Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva, stressed the principled position on human rights issues on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations.

Chen said that the group of countries attaches great importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights.

Human rights are not ranked or categorized; to promote and protect human rights, countries should adhere to the principles of fairness, objectivity, transparency, non-selectivity, non-politicization, non-confrontation, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in others' internal affairs, he added.

"We reiterate our firm opposition to double standards on human rights issues," he said.
Former President Trump took a 3-point lead over President Biden among registered voters in a new survey in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

In the Morning Consult poll published Tuesday, 44 percent said they would cast their support for Trump, while 41 percent of those said they would choose Biden.

When asked about a hypothetical matchup between Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), 42 percent of registered voters surveyed said they would support Biden, while 40 percent of those surveyed cast their support for DeSantis.

When potential Republican primary voters were asked who their second choice would be after Trump, 42 percent said they would support DeSantis. Meanwhile, 14 percent said their second choice is former Vice President Mike Pence, and 13 percent said entrepreneur-turned-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy would be their backup choice, according to the poll.

Among potential GOP primary voters whose first choice was DeSantis, 45 percent said they would support Trump, while 15 percent said their second choice would be Pence and 14 percent chose Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

Trump and DeSantis are seen as the two frontrunners in the crowded field of Republican presidential candidates seeking their partys nomination in 2024. Biden still holds a substantial lead on the Democratic side.

Trump, who faces legal battles and federal investigations against him and his company, announced his third bid to run for president at his Mar-a-Lago estate in November. Biden announced his reelection bid in April, setting up a potential rematch between him and Trump.

DeSantis, who has been Floridas governor since 2019, launched his presidential campaign in a Twitter Spaces forum with billionaire Elon Musk last month.

The poll released Tuesday also found 76 percent of potential Republican primary voters have a favorable opinion of Trump, while 23 percent of those surveyed have an unfavorable opinion of the former president.

Likewise, 67 percent have a favorable opinion of DeSantis, while 21 percent think differently of the governor.

The Morning Consult poll was conducted between June 23-25 among approximately 6,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of 1 percentage point. Results regarding second choices came from a survey for 3,650 potential Republican primary voters, with a margin of error between 2 and 4 percentage points. Results regarding candidate favorability came from a survey of roughly 800 potential Republican primary voters with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Updated on June 28 at 8:09 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Trump's aide Walt Nauta again delays plea in federal documents case FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears on classified document charges in Miami

By Jacqueline Thomsen

MIAMI (Reuters) -A lawyer for Donald Trump aide Walt Nauta told a federal judge on Tuesday that he could not yet enter a plea in a case that accuses him of helping the former president hide national security documents because he still does not have local counsel.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres postponed Nauta's arraignment in the case for a second time, to July 6, and warned Nauta's attorney that he needed to quickly find a lawyer who is licensed to practice in Florida, where the case is being tried.

"You need to really try to make it your drop-dead deadline to get somebody here," Torres told Stanley Woodward, who is representing Nauta in the case but is not admitted to practice in south Florida federal courts.

Nauta faces charges of helping Trump hide the documents from investigators after the former president left the White House in 2021. He was not in court on Tuesday as his flight from Newark was delayed due to weather, Woodward told the court.

Nauta initially appeared in the Miami courtroom alongside Trump on June 13. Trump pleaded not guilty, and Nauta did not enter a plea at that time due to lack of local counsel.

Nauta worked for Trump as a White House valet and has served as an aide since Trump left office. He faces six counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice, false statements, and withholding and concealing documents.

He was indicted alongside Trump on June 8.

Trump is the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges, both the federal charges of illegally retaining top-secret government documents and New York charges over hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign.

The front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, Trump has pleaded not guilty both to the federal charges, which also include conspiracy to obstruct justice, and the New York charges.

Prosecutors said Nauta moved boxes that contained classified documents so a lawyer for Trump could not find them and hand them over to federal investigators. They said that during a voluntary interview Nauta lied to federal agents about not knowing about the boxes being moved.

Nauta and Trump are allowed to be in contact, but cannot discuss the facts of the case except through their attorneys.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who last year ruled for the former president in a civil lawsuit filed over the seizure of documents from his Mar-a-Lago resort, last week scheduled Trump's trial for Aug. 14.

Prosecutors with U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith on Friday asked Cannon to delay the trial until Dec. 11.

Cannon on Monday also set a July 14 hearing tied to how classified information in the case will be handled. Legal experts have said the complexities surrounding the use of highly classified documents as evidence are likely to delay Trump's trial.

(Reporting by Jacqueline Thomsen; Editing by Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone and Howard Goller)
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy sent Donald Trumps allies into a rage Tuesday when he questioned whether the twice-impeached, twice-indicted former president was the strongest candidate to beat President Biden in 2024.

Can he win that election? Yeah he can, McCarthy said of Trump on CNBC. The question is, Is he the strongest to win the election? I dont know that answer.

The often very pro-Trump House speaker added: Anybody can beat Biden. Can Biden beat other people? Yes, Biden can beat them. Its on any given day.

BREAKING: Kevin McCarthy flips on Trump:



Can he win that election? Yeah, he can. The question is, is he the strongest to win the election? I dont know that answer.



(: @MeidasTouch) pic.twitter.com/X1uCr57g41  PoliticsVerse  (@PoliticsVerse_) June 27, 2023

As the clip of McCarthys interview circulated on social media, aides and other sources close to the former president were enraged. Shortly after the CNBC interview aired, Rolling Stone began receiving several unsolicited messages from different Trump associates and advisers trashing McCarthy  including for being allegedly ungrateful for the public support and private lobbying that Trump lent him during his protracted battle to secure the speakership.

Kevins in trouble now! one Trump adviser writes.

Spokespeople for Trump and McCarthy did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones requests for comment on Tuesday afternoon. But McCarthy quickly walked back his comments, telling Breitbart Tuesday that the media is attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans because he is Bidens strongest political opponent, as polling continues to show.

Sources familiar with the matter tell Rolling Stone that multiple people close to Trump quickly moved to make him aware of McCarthys comments and encouraged him to give the House speaker a call.

Another Trump adviser says McCarthys team was passive-aggressively sent new public polling showing Trump out-performing President Biden. The poll, via Morning Consult, showed Trumps top 2024 primary rival  Florida Governor Ron DeSantis  lagging behind Biden. The clear message was, the adviser adds, that maybe he shouldve gone with that instead.

McCarthy is a career politician that kissed up to Trump in order to get the speaker spot, says Darrell Scott, an Ohio pastor who is close to and politically supportive of Trump. Now he is trying to hedge his bet during the primary.

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Twins' bullpen takes another hit with Stewart placed on injured list with sore elbow

Umpire Alfonso Marquez wipes the arm of Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Brock Stewart with a towel in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Friday, June 23, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

ATLANTA (AP)  The Minnesota Twins lost another reliever Tuesday when they placed right-hander Brock Stewart on the 15-day injured list with right elbow soreness.

The move came one day after the team announced that Jose De Leon will need a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The right-handed reliever was placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday after hurting his elbow while warming up a day earlier.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said he hopes Stewart, one of the team's top setup men, has a short stay on the IL. Baldelli said the team's medical staff believes Stewart has tendinitis in his elbow, and there is a reasonable chance we've sort of headed off this issue and it won't be too long."

Baldelli said Stewart will have tests to confirm the initial diagnosis. He said Stewart has been kind of fighting through soreness in the elbow for about a week.

Stewart is 2-0 with a 0.70 ERA and one save in 25 games while allowing only 15 hits in 25 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Oliver Ortega was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul.

Baldelli said no one pitcher will be asked to fill Stewart's role in late innings. Baldelli said right-handers Jhoan Duran and Jordan Balazovic could pitch in more prominent roles.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of the bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee following a Vatican investigation triggered by a rebellion by priests and allegations that the bishop mishandled a sexual abuse investigation.

The one-line statement from the Vatican gave no reason for the resignation of Bishop Richard Stika, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Stika, who at 65 is 10 years short of the usual retirement age for bishops, said in a statement that he had handed in his resignation primarily because of a string of health issues, some of which he said were "life threatening".

He added: "I recognize that questions about my leadership have played out publicly in recent months. I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that some of this has weighed on me physically and emotionally".

A lawsuit filed against Stika last year accused him of failing to stop a seminarian from raping and sexually harassing a male diocesan employee and then making defamatory remarks against the employee.

The seminarian at the centre of the accusation lived with Stika and a retired American cardinal.

In 2011, 11 priests from the Knoxville diocese wrote to the Vatican ambassador to the U.S. complaining about what they said was Stika's heavy-handed, authoritarian and vindictive way running the diocese.

According to the Pillar Catholic website the priests wrote of "persistently problematic tendencies of a bishop which compromise the mission of the local Church". They asked the Vatican for "merciful relief" from Stika's rule.

In his statement on the website of the Knoxville diocese, Stika, who has been bishop of Knoxville since 2009, said: "I offer my genuine and heartfelt apology to anyone I have disappointed over the years".

The Vatican sent investigators to the diocese last year after various allegations against Stika.

Last year, about 170 Catholics in the Chattanooga area, which is part of the Knoxville diocese, sent a letter to the Vatican ambassador asking for Stika's removal.

The U.S. bishops conference said the Vatican had appointed an administrator to run the troubled diocese until the pope appointed a new bishop. (This story has been corrected to change the year to 2009 from 1969 in paragraph 9)

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, Editing by William Maclean)
Campaigners targeted the UK headquarters of TotalEnergies with paint to protest a pipeline bringing crude oil to the Tanzanian coast through several protected nature reserves (HENRY NICHOLLS)

Twenty-six Ugandans on Tuesday sued French oil giant TotalEnergies in Paris for reparations over alleged human rights violations at its massive megaprojects in the country, as climate protesters targeted its UK headquarters.

Joined by five Ugandan and French aid groups, people from the affected communities say the energy firm caused "serious harm", especially to their rights to land and food.

"What we're asking of the tribunal is to recognise Total's civil responsibility and sentence the company to compensate the people affected by violations," Friends of the Earth France spokeswoman Juliette Renaud said.

At the heart of their complaint at the Paris court are two vast TotalEnergies developments: the Tilenga exploration of 419 oil wells, one-third of them in Uganda's largest national park Murchison Falls, and EACOP, a 1,500-kilometre (930-mile) pipeline bringing crude oil to the Tanzanian coast through several protected nature reserves.

EACOP was also the target Tuesday of London climate campaigners who sprayed paint on the facade and lobby of TotalEnergies' UK headquarters in the Canary Wharf financial district.

Police said 27 people were arrested in the demonstration by the Just Stop Oil group against both the pipeline's effect on local communities and its projected greenhouse emissions of 379 million tonnes of carbon.

TotalEnergies said in a statement that it "fully respects the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression, but deplores all forms of violence, whether verbal, physical or material".

- 'Food shortages' -

On the ground, people affected by the work "have been deprived of free use of their land for three or four years, in violation of their property rights", the French and Ugandan associations said in a statement.

This "deprived them of their means of subsistence" and led to "serious food shortages" for some families -- with only some receiving in-kind compensation, while others were offered financial terms "far short" of what was needed.

Some villages suffered flooding caused by construction at the Tilenga project's oil treatment plant, the associations alleged.

Additionally, "several plaintiffs suffered threats, harassment and arrest simply for daring to criticise oil projects in Uganda and Tanzania and defend the rights of affected communities," they added.

Two activists, Jelousy Mugisha and Fred Mwesigwa, travelled to France for a 2019 case that aimed to require Total to watch out for potential rights violations.

"When they returned to Uganda one was arrested at the airport and the other attacked at his home 10 days later," the NGOs said.

A third, Maxwell Athura, told a Paris press conference Tuesday that he had faced "threats and intrusions at his home" and was "arbitrarily arrested twice in 2022".

"By falling short in its duty of vigilance, Total caused serious harm to the plaintiffs, especially to their rights to land and food. They are therefore requesting the company be ordered to compensate them," the statement continued.

- Company 'welcomes debate' -

"TotalEnergies welcomes a debate on the facts in court," a company spokeswoman told AFP.

She added that the company "believes its plan for surveillance (of possible rights violations) is in line with legal requirements" and "implemented effectively" by its subsidiaries in Tanzania and Uganda.

But the associations say that more than 118,000 people have had their land wholly or partially expropriated because of the two TotalEnergies projects, including through sales allegedly agreed under intimidation.

"It is unacceptable that foreign oil companies continue to make extraordinary profits while communities affected by their projects in Uganda are harassed, displaced, poorly compensated and living in abject poverty on their own land," said Frank Muramuzi, executive director of Friends of the Earth's Ugandan branch and local NGO NAPE.

The associations say TotalEnergies should have been aware of potential serious rights violations linked to its Ugandan plans, but the firm "did not act when warned they existed and did not implement corrective measures once the human rights violations occurred".

There were "no steps addressing population displacements, limits to people's access to their means of subsistence or threats against human rights defenders in Total's plans from 2018 to 2023," they allege.

Friends of the Earth and four Ugandan associations failed in a 2019 bid before a French court to force TotalEnergies to halt Tilenga and EACOP.

lp/tgb/sjw/kjm
Britain's finance minister Jeremy Hunt and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness signed an EU-UK financial services agreement (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD)

Britain and the European Union signed a long-awaited cooperation pact on financial services regulation on Tuesday in a new sign of improving post-Brexit relations between the two sides.

A memorandum of understanding was initially struck in March 2021 but left unsigned until now because of soured relations between post-Brexit London and Brussels over trade rules in the UK territory of Northern Ireland.

An EU-British deal known as the Windsor Framework, signed in March this year, resolved the Northern Ireland issue.

"I think it's fair to say we've turned the page in our relationship," said EU financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

UK finance minister Jeremy Hunt, who travelled to Brussels to sign the financial services agreement, said the deal was "an important turning point" and "not the end of the process but the beginning" of enhanced dialogue with the EU.

London, a global financial hub, was keen to sign a deal.

The memorandum creates a framework for voluntary regulatory cooperation in the area of financial services between the EU and the UK, including a joint regulatory forum where common issues can be raised.

McGuinness said the first meeting of the forum was expected to be held late this year.

"While the UK is no longer in the EU, or indeed in the (European) single market, we still share many of the same issues and challenges, like fighting financial crime, supporting sustainable finance and enabling digital finance," she said.

Asked about another key benefit unlocked by the Windsor Framework -- rejoining the European Union's 96-billion-euro ($105-billion) Horizon Europe research programme -- Hunt said financial details were still being worked out.

Britain is seeking a big discount on how much money it would have to contribute to again be part of Horizon Europe.

"We are having very good discussions, and crunchy discussions can be friendly discussions," he said.

McGuinness said she was involved in the talks on Horizon Europe, but "certainly I would encourage more crunching so that we get a result".

British scientists have voiced fears about the impact from missing out on the financing from the vast Horizon programme, designed to help fund scientific breakthroughs.

London argues it should get a discount after missing the first two years of the funding, which runs from 2021 to 2027.

rmb/raz/lth/del/rl
UK was ill-prepared for pandemic because resources were diverted to Brexit, ex-health chief says

Loreli King holds up the pictures of her husband Vincent Marzello during a demonstrates as former Minister for Health, Matt Hancock arrives the Dorland House to give evidence at the Covid Inquiry in London, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

LONDON (AP)  Britain was ill-prepared for a pandemic partly because government resources had been diverted away from pandemic planning to brace for a possibly chaotic exit from the European Union without a deal, the U.K.'s former health secretary told an inquiry Tuesday.

Matt Hancock also said officials had to scramble to source protective equipment, set up mass testing and contact tracing systems from scratch once the coronavirus pandemic broke out because the U.K.'s planning attitude was entirely geared towards how to clear up after a disaster, not prevent it.

The doctrine of the U.K. was to plan for the consequences of a disaster  can we buy enough body bags? Where are we going to bury the dead? Hancock said.

Large-scale testing did not exist and large-scale contact tracing did not exist because it was assumed that as soon as there was community transmission, it wouldnt be possible to stop the spread, and therefore, whats the point in contact tracing? he added.

That assumption was completely wrong and a colossal failure, Hancock said.

Hancock acknowledged that an official pandemic preparedness board paused its work in 2018 to 2019 because resources were moved away to focus instead on the threat of a disorganized Brexit.

Britain's government was consumed in 2019 with the possibility of crashing out of the EU without a deal on the departure terms in place. A bitterly divided Parliament rejected then-Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit plan three times.

The U.K. eventually left the trade bloc in 2020.

As health secretary, Hancock became one of the best-known politicians in Britain as he led efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus before he was forced to quit in June 2021, when he was caught breaking social distancing rules with an aide. Pictures of him kissing the aide in government offices were splashed across front pages at the time.

Hancock has previously faced criticism about the U.K.'s COVID testing measures and how authorities failed to manage the spread of the pandemic in care homes for the elderly. The U.K. had one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, with the virus recorded as a cause of death for almost 227,000 people.

Hancock said an emotional sorry Tuesday to all those who died and were affected.

Im profoundly sorry for each death that has occurred. I also understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me, he said.

Earlier, Hancock was confronted by members of the group COVID Families for Justice who held up pictures of relatives who died in the pandemic as he arrived at the inquiry in central London.

The wide-ranging inquiry, led by a retired judge, aims to investigate the U.K.s preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic, how the government responded and what lessons can be learned for the future.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who led the U.K. during the pandemic, agreed in late 2021 to hold the probe after heavy pressure from bereaved families.

Senior politicians have been called to face questions. Last week, former Prime Minister David Cameron testified that the U.K. had prepared for the wrong pandemic by focusing too much on the dangers of a flu outbreak. Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt echoed that argument when he admitted he didn't challenge groupthink based around preparing for a flu pandemic.
UK intelligence confirms return of part of territory occupied since 2014 to Ukrainian Armed Forces

UK Defence Intelligence has confirmed that the Ukrainian military has recently liberated a part of the territory in the east of the country that had been occupied since 2014.

Source: UK Ministry of Defence Defence Intelligence update on 27 June

Details: UK Defence Intelligence states that Ukrainian Airborne forces have made a modest advance east of Krasnohorivka, near Donetsk, a village which sits on the old contact line.

Quote: "This is one of the first instances since Russias February 2022 invasion that Ukrainian forces have likely recaptured an area of territory occupied by Russia since 2014.

Recent multiple concurrent Ukrainian assaults throughout the Donbas have likely overstretched Donetsk Peoples Republic and Chechen forces operating in the area."

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 27 June 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/iU0vcqpCWm



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/AYcLZdIOZ7  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 27, 2023

From Ukrainska Pravda: The status of a small area southeast of Krasnohorivka changed on the DeepState map on 22 June. The Ukrainian Defence Forces reported its liberation on 24 June.

Earlier: In a review on Monday, UK Defence Intelligence confirmed that the Armed Forces are advancing near Bakhmut from the north and south, and that the Russian Federation has hardly any reserves to cover all areas where the situation is tense.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The UK's Conservative government has made tackling immigration a priority (Ben Stansall)

The UK's controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda will cost 169,000 ($210,000) per person, according to an impact assessment published Tuesday, although the government insisted it would recoup most of the costs.

The UK's Conservative government has made tackling immigration a priority, and it was a key promise as the country left the European Union.

It wants to outlaw asylum claims by all irregular arrivals and transfer them to "safe" third countries, such as Rwanda, to stop thousands of migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats.

The government said up to 165,000 could be recouped due to saved costs from reduced asylum support.

London also hopes the programme will act as a deterrent.

The government has highlighted the cost of housing asylum seekers while their claims are being processed, as it attempts to win support for the bill in parliament.

The interior ministry assessment shows that the initial cost of sending an individual to a third country will be around 169,000 -- including a 105,000 payment to the third country, along with flight tickets and administration costs.

But it also predicted an estimated saving in costs over four years of 106,000 for each asylum seeker removed to Rwanda, or another third country.

This could rise to 165,000 if accommodation costs grow at the trend rate that has been observed since 2019, it added.

The assessment warned that the figures were "highly uncertain", and said the plan would need to deter around 37 percent of small boat crossings for the costs to be recouped.

- 'Hardship' -

More than 45,000 migrants arrived on the shores of southeast England on small boats in 2022 -- a 60-percent annual increase on a perilous route that has been used by more people every year since 2018.

Beyond the cost, the proposed law -- which is currently being debated in parliament -- has come under fire over the potential treatment of asylum seekers in Rwanda.

"If enacted in its current form, the bill would leave tens of thousands of refugees unable to access the protection they are entitled to under international law," said Enver Solomon, head of the Refugee Council.

"It would cause hardship, cost billions of pounds, and do nothing to alleviate the current crisis and pressures within the asylum system."

The Rwanda plan, announced by then-prime minister Boris Johnson last year, was blocked at the last minute by the European Court of Human Rights, which is separate to the EU.

The government scheme is still mired in legal challenges. To date, no deportation flights to Rwanda have taken place.

Judges in London will hand down their judgment on the legality of the scheme on Thursday.

Rights groups accuse Rwanda -- ruled with an iron fist by President Paul Kagame since the end of the 1994 genocide that killed around 800,000 people -- of cracking down on free speech and opposition.

jwp/phz/rox
 Flash

China on Monday voiced concern over the violation of migrant rights by some developed countries including Britain, and urged them to effectively protect migrant rights.

Delivering a statement at the ongoing 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Chinese side said that while enjoying the benefits brought by well-educated and high-skilled migrants, some developed countries, instead of playing a greater role in global migration governance, not only violate immigrants' rights at home, but also become the main driving force behind the global refugee and immigration crises.

The deportation of asylum-seekers to other countries by Britain is a matter of concern, and the fact that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the country are facing the risk of disappearance and trafficking also needs to be attended, the statement said.

It added that UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures and UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies have expressed concern about this, and that UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child has recently urged the British side to urgently amend its illegal immigration bill.

The Chinese side urges relevant countries to face up to their violations and take actions to protect migrants' rights, said the statement.
UK says the Storm Shadow missiles it gave Ukraine have been wreaking havoc on Russian targets and are accurate 'almost without fault'

A Storm Shadow cruise missile during the Paris Air Show on June 19. Lewis Joly/AP Photo

The air-launched Storm Shadow missile is being used to great effect in Ukraine, the UK said.

The UK-supplied weapon is performing "almost without fault," UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace said.

Russia has accused Ukraine of striking a bridge linking Kherson to Crimea with the weapon.

Storm Shadow missiles provided to Ukraine by the UK are striking their targets with nearly pinpoint accuracy, sending Russian operations into disarray, the UK said Monday.

UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace said in a statement to the House of Commons that "the Storm Shadow missile has had a significant impact on the battlefield."

"Its accuracy and ability to deliver successfully the payload, as sent and designed by the Ukrainians, has been almost without fault," he added.

According to its manufacturer, MBDA, the air-launched missile has a range exceeding 155 miles and is designed to fly low after launch to evade detection.

An onboard infrared target-seeking system allows it to recognize planned targets for a precision strike, MBDA says.

The missile's range means it can strike dramatically beyond the reach of the much-celebrated HIMARS launchers sent by the US to Ukraine, which were modified to keep their range within about 50 miles, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Storm Shadow's effect on the Russian army in Ukraine has been primarily around its logistics, as well as command and control, Wallace said.

After being pummeled last year by HIMARS, Russian forces adapted by moving their command and control nodes out of range, Wallace told the UK Parliament.

This is "why deep fires became important," he said, urging Ukraine's allies to provide further long-range equipment.

The UK announced in May that it would send an undisclosed number of Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.

By the end of that month, Ukraine said it was using the missile with a 100% strike success  a figure challenged by Russia, which said it had intercepted two of them, Reuters reported.

On Thursday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accused Ukraine of using the missiles to strike the Chonhar bridge, a key conduit connecting the Russian-held Kherson to Crimea, The Telegraph reported.

Ukraine did not immediately claim responsibility for the strike, which extensively damaged the bridge. But a defense-intelligence spokesperson nonetheless promised "more of this," according to the newspaper.

A hole in the Chonhar bridge that connects Kherson to Crimea, which Russia says was caused by a Storm Shadow missile strike. Vladimir Saldo via Telegram/Handout/Reuters

A strike on the bridge using a Storm Shadow missile would be within the bounds of the UK's conditions for Ukraine's use of the weapon, which is intended to be fired on Ukrainian territory only  a long-held condition of Western-provided military aid.

Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, but it nonetheless remains recognized as a Ukrainian sovereign territory by the vast majority of the international community.

Russia, however, had warned that strikes on Crimea using Western-supplied weapons "would mean that the United States and Britain would be fully dragged into the conflict." It also threatened retaliation on "decision-making centers in Ukraine," The Telegraph reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
While planning their offensive actions in Ukraine's east, the Ukrainian troops took into account the confrontation between the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) and the Russian authorities.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, on Telegram

Details: She reported that the offensive actions on the Bakhmut front have been ongoing for four days. The Ukrainian forces advance on the flanks every day gradually but with confidence without entering the city of Bakhmut itself.

Maliar explained that the counter-offensive operation on this front has a peculiarity, which makes the liberation process more difficult. The area around the city of Bakhmut and its outskirts has a developed system of engineer fortifications and a sophisticated network of strong points. All this was prepared by the Ukrainian military and local authorities for the defence earlier, but at the moment these fortifications and strong points are occupied by the Russians. Therefore, liberating these territories requires more effort and patience.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Ukraine will not extend quarantine

Ukraine is set to lift both the quarantine and state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 1, Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal announced during a cabinet meeting on June 27.

"Covid-19 posed a significant challenge to Ukrainians; our focus during this period was on implementing decisions that would safeguard people's lives," Shmyhal said.

Read also: One of Sputnik V Covid vaccine creators killed in Moscow

He expressed his gratitude to the healthcare professionals who have been battling the pandemic and are currently providing vital assistance to Ukraine's defenders and civilians.

Read also: Ukraines latest COVID infection numbers among the top five highest of the pandemic

We developed response mechanisms during the pandemic, which have proven to be useful amidst the full-scale war, the PM added.

Now, we are addressing new challenges using these refined methods and approaches.

Read also: Amid surge in COVID-19 cases, Ukraines Sumy Oblast reintroduces mask-wearing rules

On May 6, Ukraines Health Ministry disclosed that since the onset of the pandemic, Ukraine has registered over 5.5 million COVID cases, of which nearly 416,000 were among children. The virus has also led to 112,268 fatalities, including 89 children and 1,256 healthcare workers.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine expects Israel to condemn Putin's antisemitic remarks, 'It looks bad if they don't'

President's Office Head Andriy Yermak said Ukraine expects an official comment from Israel after Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Ukrainian president "a disgrace to the Jewish people."

"If Israel doesn't issue any reaction, it looks really bad, you can't be neutral to Nazi statements," Yermak said on June 27.

On June 16, Putin gave a speech filled with antisemitic remarks.

"They say Zelensky is not a Jew, he is a disgrace to the Jewish people, Putin said during a speech in Saint Petersburg.

Israel fears weapons provided to Ukraine may end up in Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post that Israel has concerns that any systems given to Ukraine would be used against Israel because they could fall into Iranian hands, which, as Netanyahu says, happened with the Western anti-tank weapons that Israel The Kyiv IndependentOlesya Boyko

In an interview with the BBC, Zelensky said he had a hard time responding to such statements.

"It's like he doesn't fully understand his words. Apologies, but it's like he is the second king of antisemitism after Hitler," he said.

This is a president speaking. A civilized world cannot speak that way. But it was important for me to hear the reaction of the world and I am grateful for the support, he said.

Ukraines Chief Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman responded to Putin's words by saying he is personally proud of President Zelensky for not fleeing, and for doing everything possible to help the Ukrainian people.

Ukraine's frustration with Israel grows as the country notably avoids sending aid or condemning Russian actions in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Embassy in Israel issued a statement on June 25 saying that "the so-called 'neutrality' of the Israeli government is considered a clear pro-Russian position."

"While democratic countries impose sanctions on Russia, Israel imposed no sanctions at all, moreover it has increased bilateral trade with bloody Moscow regime during the last two year," the statement reads.

Yermak said that Ukraine expects Israel to make a choice.
Ukraine must be ready to export mostly via Danube ports - sea ports authority

By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine must be ready to export grain almost exclusively via its Danube River ports because Russia is effectively blocking Black Sea shipments, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority said on Tuesday.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered a deal between Moscow and Kyiv last July on the safe passage of Black Sea grain to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Russia's invasion of its neighbour and a blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Moscow has threatened not to extend the deal beyond July 18 unless a series of demands are met, including the removal of obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports. It says that promises of help with those exports have not materialised.

"With Russia effectively blocking the operation of the grain corridor, we need to be ready to receive almost the entire export volume of the new harvest through the Danube ports," Dmytro Barinov, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority's deputy head, said on Facebook.

Ukraine is a major grain grower and exporter but production has fallen sharply since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

With a working grain corridor, about half of its agricultural exports are shipped via Black Sea ports, a quarter pass through its Danube ports and a quarter go via its western border.

ROMANIAN TRANSIT

The sea ports authority said this month three Ukrainian Danube river ports had exported a record 3 million tonnes of food in May.

Ukrainian transport officials say export volumes could be higher if the Bystre Canal on the Danube is deepened. A senior Ukrainian official said last month Kyiv wanted to start work on deepening the canal as early as this year.

Ukrainian officials have said transit via Romanian territory to Constanta port on the Black Sea will also be critically important if Russia quits the Black Sea grain deal.

Constanta has handled about a third of Ukrainian grain exports since Russia's invasion, but Romanian officials are considering measures to give local farmers priority access to Constanta during the harvest season.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he had told his Romanian counterpart the two countries could triple transit "through the development of border crossing points, ferry crossings and sea and river ports."

He said on the Telegram messaging app that he had proposed steps be taken at the level of government including "the introduction of joint customs control, exchange of databases and other measures."

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Perhaps the one thing that can be said for certain about the abortive Wagner coup is that Russia cannot protect its borders, let alone its major cities. There is also one obvious conclusion for the West to draw: we must give Ukraine the tools and latitude to exploit this weakness and bring Vladimir Putins regime tumbling down.

Throughout this war, Putin has relied on the assumption that Ukraine will limit combat operations to its own territory. In February 2022, the presumption was that Russian forces would sweep through the country, bringing victory in a matter of days. Now Putin thinks Kyivs forces will stay within its borders on the orders of its allies, believing Nato is too scared to allow Ukraine to strike Russia itself.

But why shouldnt it? Moscow has already been cut off economically by the West, and its armed forces can barely fight on one front, at a losing pace, against Ukraine. Hes not about to open a second front against a revitalised Western alliance.

And the room is certainly there for Ukraines forces to strike openly against Russia proper. The events of last weekend were extraordinary; a few thousand mercenary thugs marched on Moscow, moving through the country with ease and, in doing so, almost brought the Russian war machine to a standstill. Now think about what a professional force supplied with the latest Western gear could achieve in the same territory.

Kyivs commanders will have taken note of the fact that the Russian army appears to be completely committed and fixed in eastern Ukraine. The desperate measures taken to prepare Moscow for a possible assault were a testament to the Kremlins lack of spare rapid-response forces. Hundreds of elite troops are said to have been suddenly pulled from the frontline and redeployed to protect political elites.

Russias losses have left its armies reliant on conscripts and other units with limited ability to manoeuvre. These troops are at their best when theyre able to fire on advancing forces from static defensive positions, an advantage which would evaporate if Ukraine were able to attack without borders. Surely Kyiv should at least have the option, with Natos implicit support, of its counteroffensive not being limited to moving through Russian defensive positions that have been a year in the making.

The usual response to such arguments is that Putin will resort, once again, to nuclear sabre-rattling. This is said to be an even greater risk now that his authority in Russia looks to be seriously weakened. But the other reading of the events of last weekend is that Putins ability to act independently of the factions around him has been restricted. And not everyone in Russia is clamouring for nuclear war.

And, if Putin really wants a pretext to let the missiles fly, he already has it. Russian military doctrine would have allowed him to use nuclear weapons when Ukraine attacked the already annexed Donbas. He did nothing. He has done nothing as the Ukrainian armed forces liberate territory that has been in Russian hands since 2014.

And if the red line is supposed to be the use of Nato weaponry inside Russia, then he already has that too. The incursion into Belgorod Oblast by free Russian units saw American, Belgian, and Czech gear deployed. The West wasnt terribly happy about this but its notable that the Kremlin did not respond as it had threatened.

Frankly, I suspect that there are no circumstances under which Putin would go nuclear because he cant. He knows that attempting to push the red button would be effectively signing his own death warrant, either in mutually assured destruction or a palace coup. Putin isnt the sort of man to risk this. Last weekend did irreparable damage to his authority  the first time we saw a genuine threat to his rule from inside Russia, the so-called strongman backed down.

With his domestic grip seemingly weakened, we should have no qualms about precipitating the events that could see his rule crumble for good. Some are suggesting caution, warning that whoever follows Putin could be worse. However, we made this mistake once before in Iraq, where Saddam Hussein was allowed to remain in power. Most alternatives are better than a dictator who launched a barbaric war against his neighbours. His successor may be worse for Russia; I doubt theyll be worse for us.

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon is former Commanding Officer of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment

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FILE PHOTO: Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko visits the site where an apartment building was damaged during Russian missile strikes

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's government reprimanded Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko on Tuesday after criticism of city officials over the state of bomb shelters following the deaths of three people locked out on the street during a Russian air raid.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of the heads of two Kyiv districts and two acting heads of districts.

It was not immediately clear whether Klitschko, a former boxer, would face any further action.

Uncertainty about his political future grew after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised officials in the capital over the June 1 incident, in which two women and a girl were killed by falling debris after rushing to a shelter and finding it shut.

Zelenskiy also ordered an audit of all bomb shelters in Kyiv after the incident, and said personnel changes would be made.

Now in his ninth year as mayor, Klitschko was seen as one of Zelenskiy's highest-profile opponents before Russia's invasion in February 2022, and they had a public spat last November when the president accused him doing a poor job setting up emergency shelters to help people with power and heat.

Klitschko could not be reached for comment by Reuters on Tuesday. After the bomb shelter incident, he said he bore some responsibility but that others were to blame, especially presidential appointees to some districts of the capital.

Klitschko had earlier on Tuesday inspected a Kyiv bomb shelter equipped with an automated opening system, signalling that moves are under way to improve access to such shelters in the capital following the June 1 deaths.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a government meeting that the audit ordered by Zelenskiy had found that 77% of the shelters in Ukraine were fit for use, but that many did not "meet any standards".

He said the situation was "unacceptable" in some places, and mentioned districts in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions, as well as the city of Kyiv.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of district officials in Zhytomyr, Bila Tserkva and Konotop.

Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin had been appointed to coordinate all questions and processes related to bomb shelters, it said.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Members of the Wagner Group preparing to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. (Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Two days after the Wagner Groups stunning, short-lived rebellion inside Russia seemingly ended in a deal that saw the mercenaries boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, fly to exile in Belarus, more questions than answers remain.

According to Russian state media, all charges against those involved in the uprising have now been dropped. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who delivered a brief, combative speech Monday, called Wagner militants patriots, and said they were led by the nose into coming within a few hours drive from Moscow by traitors.

Whatever the outcome of the brief standoff between Putin and Prigozhin, however, there is one beneficiary of Russian soldiers shooting at each other: Ukraine.

As Wagner forces pushed hundreds of miles through Russia on Saturday, the Russian Air Force suffered its worst day in Ukraine in months, losing six helicopters and an airborne command post in a few hours. Additionally, anywhere from 10,000 to 25,000 Wagner mercenaries look poised to leave the battlefield in Ukraine for the foreseeable future just as Kyiv has launched its springtime counteroffensive.

All in all, its obviously good for Ukraine, Timothy Snyder, professor of history at Yale University and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, said on Monday. Just how good for Ukraine remains to be seen.

3 options

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. (Mikhail Tereshchenko/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Wagner mercenaries have been a significant source of offensive power for Russia since the beginning of Putins special military operation in February 2022. Their most notable success was the capture of the city of Bakhmut, after a horrific campaign of street-to-street fighting that resulted in tens of thousands dead and wounded since December of last year, according to U.S. estimates.

Having recruited prisoners from Russian jails on six-month contracts who were then sent to the most dangerous areas of the front, Wagner often used them in suicidal human-wave-style assaults on Ukrainian positions. In an interview with Yahoo News in April, Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, said Wagner was the only game in town: Even the convicts they recruit from Russian prisons are being trained to serve, and that is why the results are a lot better than what normal regular army have. They are our enemy, but we need to admit that they are an enemy youre not ashamed of.

Putin has now given Wagner fighters three options: Sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and become a member of the regular army; lay down arms and retire from the battlefield altogether; or follow Prigozhin into exile in Belarus.

For months, Wagners social media channels have followed their bosss lead in disparaging Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Wagner fighters have enjoyed higher salaries than regulars in the Russian military and greater degrees of operational freedom. They also espouse a cult-like esprit de corps, with Prigozhin seen as their undisputed leader. Research conducted by Ukrainian organizations have found that Wagner fighters call Prigozhin batya, Russian for dad or father, in conversation, and openly mock mobilized or contract soldiers in the ministry. When Wagner finally declared victory in Bakhmut, its soldiers raised their own flag rather than that of Russia.

Perhaps the biggest question now is whether these men will go quietly into retirement or head for new digs in Minsk, where, according to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, theyll have to pay for their own upkeep. Either way, they will likely be less of a problem for Kyiv.

Paying the bills

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves Southern Military District headquarters as his group pulls out from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Saturday. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

Prigozhin remains a wildcard, however. A street thug who spent almost a decade behind bars before reinventing himself as a hot dog merchant turned catering magnate, he formerly drew the most international attention for his role in influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election  a Russian-backed operation he once denied to the point of litigation, but now happily claims credit for. The financier and founder of the Internet Research Agency, the so-called troll farm set up in his native St. Petersburg, Prigozhin has been repeatedly sanctioned and indicted in the U.S., where Wagner is now considered a transnational criminal organization.

Since its creation in 2014, following Russias first invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has deployed in a host of foreign countries, including Syria, where it squared off against U.S. forces in 2018. It has also committed documented atrocities, including rape and mass murder, in a number of African countries. It has punished its own comrades who have been captured on the battlefield by the Ukrainian Army, and traded back in prison exchanges, by smashing in their heads with sledgehammers, a tool that has become a proud symbol of Wagners uncompromising brutality.

Putin, meanwhile, has been clear about who pays Wagners bills.

We fully financed this group from the federal budget, he announced in a Tuesday press conference. Just from May 22 until May 23 the state paid Wagner companies 86,262,000,000 rubles [$1 billion] for cash support and incentive payments.

But given the schism between Prigozhin and Putin, that flow of money could soon be cut off, degrading Wagners capabilities.

If Wagner loses Russian government support, its ability to recruit, and many of its current members, it won't be the same organization, Rob Lee, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote Tuesday on Twitter.
Key developments on June 27:

Russian missile strike kills 4, injures 42 in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast

Ukrainian forces advance in several directions, military says

Russia strikes Kremenchuk on deadly shopping mall attack anniversary

Pentagon announces $500 military aid package for Ukraine

Putin admits Russia fully funds Wagner Group.

A Russian missile strike on the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast killed four, including a child, and injured 42 others on the evening of June 27, the Prosecutor Generals Office reported.

The attack on the crowded place occurred at 7:32 p.m., Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said on national television. The air raid alarm had been off in the city since 6 p.m., according to the Kramatorsk City Military administration.

According to the Prosecutor Generals Office, the killed child was 17 years old, and another eight-month child is among the injured.

Kyrylenko also said that three foreigners are among the killed.

The rescue operation was ongoing as of 10 p.m., according to the State Emergency Service.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia "brutally attacked Kramatorsk with S-300 missiles."

Each such manifestation of terror proves over and over again to us and the whole world that Russia deserves only one thing as a result of everything it has done  defeat and a tribunal, fair and legal trials against all Russian murderers and terrorists, Zelensky said in an evening address.

The village of Bilenke, just northeast of Kramatorsk, also came under an S-300 attack on June 27, the Prosecutor Generals office said. Five people were injured in the strike.

Soviet-made S-300 missile systems, originally designed for air defense, have been repurposed by Russia to attack land targets in Ukraine.

The repurposed air defense missiles are known for their inaccuracy and have become Russia's weapon of choice for attacks against the cities.

The city of Kramatorsk has been serving as the regional capital after Donetsk was occupied by Russia in 2014. It hosts the regional government.

Russian troops also struck Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast on June 27 with the Soviet-designed Kh-22 missile carrying over 900-kilogram of explosives, Governor Dmytro Lunin reported.

Exactly a year ago, Russian forces used the exact same missile type to attack a shopping mall in Kremenchuk, killing 21 people and injuring 77 others.

No casualties were reported in Kremenchuk on June 27.

How repurposed Russian air defense missiles expose holes in Ukraines sky Russias missile strike on Jan. 14 caught Kyiv residents off-guard. After nearly a year of Moscows repeated attacks, something unusual happened: The explosions sounded before the air raid alert went off, which is rarely the case in what is believed to be the most protected city in Ukraine. The Kyiv IndependentStanislav Storozhenko

Military: Ukrainian forces advance in the east

Ukrainian forces advanced up to 1,400 meters in various sectors of the front line over the past day, the Eastern Command spokesperson, Serhii Cherevatyi, reported on June 27.

Cherevatyi didnt name the exact areas.

The military also destroyed a Russian self-propelled artillery system, three armored vehicles, a howitzer, an anti-aircraft gun, eight ammunition depots, and seven vehicles transporting ammunition and weapons over the past day, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on June 27 that the Ukrainian forces have been gradually advancing on the Bakhmut flanks over the past four days.

The liberation of this direction has its own particularity that complicates the process, Maliar said, adding that the Ukrainian forces havent entered Bakhmut yet.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has confirmed media reports about its upcoming $500 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The capabilities in this package include additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS artillery systems, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 30 Bradley fighting vehicles, 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, TOW missiles, Javelin anti-armor systems, AT-4 anti-armor systems, anti-armor rockets, and HARM missiles, among others.

Counteroffensive underway: We overestimated Russians and underestimated ourselves Editors Note: The Kyiv Independent introduces soldiers interviewed for the story by their first names or callsigns due to security reasons. DONETSK OBLAST  Islams mind was empty of thoughts and feelings as he crawled carefully towards the Russian trenches near Siversk, with grenades prepared.  The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

Putin admits Wagner Group was fully funded by Russian state

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin admitted on June 27 that Russias treasury fully funded the Wagner Group.

Putin said the notorious mercenary outfit received over $1 billion from Russias state budget between May 2022 and May 2023. Meanwhile, the catering company of Wagners boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, earned $940 million for supplying the Russian military, Putin said.

I hope that nobody stole anything, or at least did not steal much, but we will deal with that, Putin said in an address.

In 2019, Putin claimed the Russian state had nothing to do with the Wagner mercenaries and denied Russia was funding the mercenary group, accused of committing war crimes in several countries, including Ukraine, at least on three continents.

Meanwhile, Russia's Federal Security Service said on June 27 it had closed the investigation into Wagners armed rebellion, as reported by Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that preparations are underway for transferring Wagners military hardware to the Russian regular army, according to the report.

Prigozhin launched an armed rebellion against Russian military leadership on June 23 after alleging an attack targeted Wagner troops in Ukraine. A day-long rebellion was aborted after Prigozhin negotiated with Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Lukashenko said on June 27 that Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus.

Security guarantees were provided. I see that Prigozhin is already flying on the plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today, Lukashenko told a group of Belarusian officers.

Although Prigozhin's press service hasn't yet confirmed his arrival, the Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported that Prigozhin's business jet had landed at the Machulishchy military airfield near Minsk.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said its necessary to strengthen NATO's eastern flank in the Baltic States and Poland due to Wagner troops' deployment to Belarus.

The de-facto redeployment of Russian forces, the Wagner Group, to Belarus, together with its head Yevgeny Prigozhin, is underway. These are very negative signals for us, Duda said on June 27.

Latvia and Lithuania have also raised concerns over the Wagner's redeployment, as both border Belarus.
Ukraine's defenders destroy Russian air defence and kill more than 500 invaders

Over the past day, Ukrainian fighters killed about 590 Russian invaders and destroyed five tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 28 artillery systems, two multiple launcher rocket systems and one Russian air defence system.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the morning of 27 June

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 27 June 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 226,170 (+590) military personnel

4,036 (+5) tanks

7,834 (+14) armoured combat vehicles

4,083 (+28) artillery systems

626 (+2) multiple-launch rocket systems

386 (+1) air defence systems

314 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft

308 (+0) helicopters

3 492 (+10) tactical UAVs

1,261 (+2) cruise missiles

18 (+0) ships/boats

6,772 (+21) vehicles and tankers

563 (+6) special vehicles

The information is being confirmed.

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Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has used approximately 140 non-precise Kh-22 missiles for attacks on Ukraine, they are no longer manufactured because they are outdated, but the aggressor state still has these missiles in stock.

Source: Yurii Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on air of the national joint 24/7 newscast.

Quote: "These weapons are outdated, they are not high-precision, they are throwing them around densely populated cities, what else can you call it if not terrorism against our nation. In such tension and such terror, Russia is trying to put pressure on Ukraine, wants to break our spirit, force us to make some concessions.

They still have enough of those missiles. I would like to remind you that we even handed over these missiles together with Tu-22 aircraft at a time, both in debt for gas and as part of the disarmament of Ukraine...

Unfortunately, Russia still has those missiles, hundreds of units. They have already used about 140 since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The good news is that the Russians no longer produce these missiles, it is an outdated Soviet missile.

In addition to not being manufactured, these missiles very often do not reach their targets (perhaps they are not stored properly). This is one of the positives for us."

Details: Ihnat emphasised that it is almost impossible to shoot down Kh-22 missiles flying along a ballistic trajectory with the usual means of Ukrainian air defence.

This missile can be shot down by anti-missile systems such as Patriot, or other systems capable of shooting down ballistics. At the same time, there are few such systems in Ukraine at the moment.

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UN urges Israel and Palestinians to halt West Bank violence in statement backed by US and Russia

FILE - This file photo shows a part of new housing projects in the West Bank Israeli settlement of Givat Ze'ev, Monday, June 18, 2023. Israels far-right government on Monday, June 26, 2023, approved plans to build thousands of new homes in the occupied West Bank  a move that threatened to worsen increasingly strained relations with the United States. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council urged Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday to avoid actions that can further inflame tensions in the volatile West Bank.

The statement was backed by both the United States and Russia in a moment of unity on a divisive issue, reflecting the widespread international concern at the escalating violence especially by Israeli forces and settlers.

The statement followed what U.N. Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland called an alarming spike in violence in the West Bank that led to numerous Palestinian and Israeli casualties. He warned the council that unless decisive steps are taken now to rein in the violence, there is a significant risk that events could deteriorate further.

Wennesland said he was particularly alarmed by the extreme levels of settler violence, including large numbers of settlers, many armed, systematically attacking Palestinian villages, terrorizing communities, sometimes with support from Israeli forces.

Council members called for restraint and encouraged additional steps to restore a durable calm and de-escalate tensions.

This year has been one of the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank in years, and last week saw a major escalation in settler violence. At least 137 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank in 2023. As of Saturday, 24 people on the Israeli side have been killed in Palestinian attacks.

The United States, Israels closest ally, supported the council statement and U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council that the Biden administration shares Wenneslands alarm.

He said the United Stated was horrified by the brutal terror attack against Israelis near the West Bank town of Eli on June 21 that killed four and injured several others and condemned it in the strongest terms. He also condemned the recent extremist settler attacks against Palestinian civilians, which have resulted in a death, injuries and significant damage to their property.

At a time of escalating violence, there was widespread council criticism of plans by Israels far-right government to build over 5,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and speed up settlement approvals.

Under international law, all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal.

Wennesland warned that Israels relentless expansion of settlements is fueling violence and is impeding access by Palestinians to their land and resources, reshaping the geography of the occupied West Bank and threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Wood called on Israel to refrain from building settlements, evicting Palestinians and demolishing their homes, and on both parties to refrain from terrorism and incitement to violence, all of which serve to only further inflame the situation.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also expressed serious concern at the escalating violence, pointing to an Israeli raid on June 19 in the Jenin Refugee Camp that killed seven Palestinians, clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, and intensified Israeli activity to broaden and legalize settlements.

Nebenzia warned that the situation will remain explosive until negotiations resume on a two-state solution that sees Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace. And he reiterated Russias call for a meeting with the Arab League and neighboring countries to give impetus to long-stalled talks.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, accused the Israeli government of making a state for the settlers in place of the Palestinian state. He said the settlers know their actions are condemned worldwide but they have military, financial and political support from the Israeli government, while the Palestinians have no real support to rein them in despite having the moral high ground" and international law on their side.

The Palestinians are more convinced every day that there is no help on the way, Mansour said, urging the council, Show them that help is on the way.

Israels U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan accused the council of underreporting the 3,500 attacks he said the Palestinians have committed against Israelis since the beginning of the year.

He condemned the violence against Palestinian civilians and said Israel is working tirelessly to find and hold those responsible accountable. He pointedly noted that the Palestinians have not condemned the murders of innocent Israelis.

Erdan accused the Palestinians of seeking the destruction of the very notion of a Jewish state." He said if Israel withdrew from the West Bank, the Hamas militant group would take control as it did in Gaza.
In a groundbreaking discovery, a research team led by a UNF professor and the Bureau of Land Management has unveiled new evolutionary insights following the remarkable find of a 94-million-year-old mosasaur in southern Utahs gray shale badlands, as detailed in a recently published study in Cretaceous Research.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

University of North Florida faculty member Dr. Barry Albright has made a significant breakthrough in evolutionary research as part of a team led by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Their groundbreaking discovery came in the form of a 94-million-year-old mosasaur found in the gray shale badlands of the National Park Service Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah.

The journey to uncover this ancient creature began over a decade ago when Scott Richardson, a dedicated volunteer working alongside Dr. Albright, embarked on a quest to find fossilized remains of marine creatures from the Late Cretaceous Period.

This historical period, occurring between 84 and 95 million years ago was characterized by a vast seaway that covered a significant portion of North America.

In March 2012, Richardson stumbled upon numerous small skull fragments and vertebrae scattered across a shale slope, which were later identified as belonging to an early mosasaur.

Dr. Albright explained the rarity and difficulty of finding fossils of this nature, stating, 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.

The fragility and scarcity of these fossils make them highly valuable for scientific study.

Over the next two field seasons, a joint team comprising members from the BLM and the National Park Service worked tirelessly to recover nearly 50% of the specimen, enabling them to identify its precise identity.

Leading the research efforts was Dr. Alan Titus, a paleontologist from the BLM Paria River District, who was assisted by a crew of BLM staff and dedicated volunteers.

One of the volunteers, Steve Dahl, received a special honor as the new species discovered was named Sarabosaurus dahli in recognition of his contributions. The name reflects the ancient seaway in which this creature once roamed, now lost to time, as well as the mirages commonly observed in the regions scorching summer heat.

Dr. Titus expressed the significance of their finding, noting, Mosasaurs from younger rocks are relatively abundant, but mosasaurs are extremely rare in rocks older than about 90 million years. Finding one that preserves so much informative data, especially one of this age, is truly a significant discovery. The discovery of such a well-preserved specimen provides invaluable insights into the evolution and antiquity of these ancient marine reptiles.

Mosasaurs, which resembled gigantic lizard-like predators, dominated the oceans during the latter part of the dinosaur age. Their ancestors were similar to modern-day Komodo Dragons but underwent significant transformations over time to adapt to aquatic life. Sarabosaurus, as an early representative of mosasaurs, retained more lizard-like features but possessed a unique characteristica new method of circulating blood to its brain.

Dr. Michael J. Polcyn from the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, and Southern Methodist University, Dallas, emphasized the significance of this finding.

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, Dr. Polycyn stated.

The discovery of the 94-million-year-old mosasaur and the subsequent research conducted by Dr. Albright and the team from the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding of ancient marine life and the evolutionary processes that shaped it.

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United said it needs to hire 7,000 aircraft mechanics as a looming shortage threatens to disrupt the industry

A looming shortage of aircraft maintenance technicians could create operational difficulties, with regional carriers likely to feel a greater impact. Monty Rakusen/Getty Images

United Airlines is hiring over 7,000 aircraft maintenance technicians amid a looming mechanic shortage.

Consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates the industry will need between 43,000 and 47,000 new technicians by 2027.

Aviation analyst Jonas Murby told Insider companies could address the issue with pay raises and automation.

United Airlines is taking a proactive approach to the looming aircraft mechanic shortage.

On May 3, Kate Gebo, United's EVP of human resources and labor relations, told media the company is planning to hire over 7,000 aviation maintenance technicians "over the next couple of years" in preparation for a potential lull in available workers.

"Let me be honest, in this highly competitive job market, our biggest challenge has been hiring for this core function," she said, noting the roles do not require a college degree.

Since January, United has hired 850 technicians  which is more than half of what the company hired in 2022.

To create an even larger pool, the carrier has launched a 36-month internal maintenance program called Calibrate. Currently, the apprenticeship is only available to current employees but will soon be open to the public, Gebo told media.

While United is on an aggressive hiring campaign, Gebo said the move is not to address a current shortage of qualified mechanics  but rather to prevent one from happening.

"Our workforce is very senior, and about 40 to 50% of our technicians are retirement eligible," she told media. "Having said that, because there is not a mandatory retirement age, a lot of them are staying with us and they enjoy the growth that we're experiencing. "

According to Boeing's Pilot and Technician Outlook published in July 2022, the planemaker expects the industry will need 610,000 technicians by 2041. This is 8,000 more than the estimated 602,000 pilots needed.

A recent report from consulting firm Oliver Wyman projects the shortage will start occurring this year.

Specifically, the study estimates the aviation industry will have a shortage of 12,000 to 18,0000 technicians in 2023, blaming retiring Baby Boomers and a low supply of Generation Z workers.

This could increase to over 47,000 workers  a 27% deficit  by 2027, though the firm says its most realistic estimate is about 43,000.

The lack of mechanics is expected to have effects similar to the pilot shortage, which has caused thousands of flight cancelations and forced airlines like American and United to ground regional aircraft.

"The imbalance of supply and demand will persist and even worsen over the next 10 years," the firm said, emphasizing airline profitability could be at risk.

However, Jonas Murby, a principal at AeroDynamic Advisory, says the industry is already in the thick of it.

"We started seeing it right before COVID, but then we didn't see it because there was such a low level of activity during the pandemic," he explained. "But COVID exacerbated everything because workers retired, and some of the young people got furloughed and then got a job elsewhere."

Murby further said the lack of workers is likely to impact operations. But, he explained regional airlines will feel the impact more quickly as many mechanics see smaller carriers as a gateway to mainline ones like United.

A similar problem has been exhausting the regional pilot supply, and one way airlines have attracted more talent is by increasing wages.

Murby says the same may need to happen for mechanics  but it won't be easy.

"The problem is now that cost structure is up due to the pilot salaries," he explained. "Do the airlines really have the ability to raise the salaries for the technicians?"

In addition to raising pay, Murby said companies could follow China's lead and automate as much as possible.

"I recently spoke with aircraft maintenance company Gameco in Guangzhou and they said they automated the entire paint stripping line just because of the mechanic shortage," he told Insider. "I think this type of automation can really help increase the productivity of the existing people."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Unlimited drink packages on cruises aren't always a great deal. After 50+ voyages, I know better than to buy them.

I went on a seven-night cruise aboard the Symphony of the Seas, a ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, and tracked what I spent on drinks. Amanda Adler

I've been on over 50 cruises and almost never spring for the onboard unlimited drink packages.

On a recent sail, I compared the cost of my a la carte drinks to the prices of the drink bundles.

I drank as much as I wanted and still saved over $200 by paying for each drink individually.

When I'm on vacation, I enjoy imbibing cocktails by the pool, sipping wine with dinner, and savoring evening nightcaps. But after sailing on more than 50 cruises, you'll never see me spend money on an unlimited drink package.

Many of them don't end up being economical, even for someone like me, who likes to have at least a couple of drinks each day.

So on a recent trip aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, I logged all of the a la carte beverages my three-person family ordered on the ship to see how the overall cost compared to the drink-package prices.

Royal Caribbean has several drink-package options that include both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

The top-tier drink package includes unlimited alcoholic beverages at the ships many bars. Amanda Adler

After booking my cruise, Royal Caribbean gave me an opportunity to purchase one of its unlimited beverage packages ahead of the voyage. Prices varied based on promotions, but the lowest ones I saw leading up to the trip were as follows:

The classic soda package was discounted to $13 a person each day. This bundle includes unlimited soft drinks.

The refreshment package was discounted to $20 a person each day. It covers soft drinks, coffees, teas, smoothies, and other nonalcoholic beverages.

The deluxe package was discounted to $78 a person each day. This option includes soda, other nonalcoholic beverages, and alcoholic drinks that cost up to $14 in price.

However, these packages come with some caveats.

Usually, if one person buys a drink package, everyone else in their stateroom has to as well. Plus, the package's listed price typically doesn't include gratuity.

Royal Caribbean has robot bartenders, and they charged an automatic gratuity fee during our trip. Amanda Adler

Cruise lines don't want a passenger to pay for an unlimited drink package and use it to order beverages for all the other members of their party, so some take an all-or-nothing approach.

Policies vary by company, but if one person in a Royal Caribbean stateroom purchases a deluxe package, the cruise line requires other passengers staying in that room who are 21 and older to get one as well.

My family would need to purchase two deluxe packages for me and my partner, two wine-loving adults, and one soda or refreshment package for my young son.

Plus, we'd have to factor in tips and gratuities, which aren't always included in the price of the package. Even if you splurge on the deluxe bundle, it's common to tip extra on board.

Doing the math using the discounted package prices, the three bundles would add over $1,000 (plus gratuities) to the cost of our seven-night sail. I opted not to purchase any drink packages. Instead, we paid for our drinks a la carte.

If you don't buy a package ahead of time, you can buy one on the ship. Just know that it'll probably cost you more money.

The packages were cheaper ahead of embarkation. Amanda Adler

During the first few days of the trip, the bartenders kept encouraging me to buy the drink package, pushing hard for this upsell.

Many gave me a spiel about how it would save me money, but it's worth noting that the drink packages were more expensive to buy on the ship than they were before boarding.

The price for the discounted deluxe package climbed from $78 to $98 a person each day when we stepped on the ship.

I brought my own wine on the ship and found several ways to cut down on drinking costs.

Free beverages included coffee, tea, flavored waters, and more. Amanda Adler

I'm not a big soda drinker, but I do love coffee and tea. I found the cruise offered plenty of complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, including a variety of flavored waters.

Each guest of legal drinking age can bring one sealed bottle of wine or champagne on the Royal Caribbean ship, so I brought two bottles of wine (one for me, one for my husband). Passengers can also bring a maximum of 12 bottles of nonalcoholic beverages at embarkation, so I packed Gatorade for my son.

Not too long into the trip, I realized that I could order orange juice through the complimentary morning room service and mix it with the sparkling wine I brought to make mimosas.

As a repeat Royal Caribbean cruiser, I also had several coupons that allowed me to purchase half-priced drinks, which cut down my expenses even further.

I would've had to drink about eight beers a day to break even on this ship's deluxe package.

The best value on the ship was this pitcher of beer, which cost $18. Amanda Adler

Beer drinkers have to order a lot to break even on the deluxe package.

A single beer on the Symphony of the Seas was about $8, and a 60-ounce pitcher cost about $18. With the deluxe package, I'd have to drink at least eight beers every single day to break even, making the bundle a bad idea for cruisers who are only looking to sip on a couple of brews.

The Starbucks kiosk on the Symphony of the Seas wasn't covered by the deluxe package, which surprised me.

Specialty coffees from the Starbucks kiosk cost extra and were not covered by any drink package. Amanda Adler

I enjoy drinking specialty coffees, which some beverage packages don't cover. The one on the Symphony of the Seas didn't include beverages from the Starbucks kiosk on board.

During my trip, the Starbucks was often empty. I reasoned that a lot of the people who bought drink packages probably didn't want to spend even more money, so they waited in long lines at the cafe serving coffee that was included in the price.

Waiting in line for my morning cup didn't sound fun, so I chose the shorter line at Starbucks for an a la carte coffee instead. The best part was that I didn't have to feel guilty for paying for both a drink package and a specialty coffee.

Most drink packages also don't include beverages in ports of call either (one exception: some packages cover drinks at cruise lines' private islands). If I'm going on a port-heavy cruise where I'll be spending a lot of time off the ship, I'm even less tempted to splurge on one of these packages.

The drink package does have some pros, as it allows for a more carefree ordering experience.

I ordered a mudslide on the Symphony of the Seas and quickly realized I didn't like it. Amanda Adler

The main appeal of drink packages, in my opinion, is convenience and ease. They allow you to order whatever your heart desires without worrying about the cost. After all, you've already paid for it!

On the Symphony of the Seas, I ordered a mudslide, a cocktail with vodka, coffee liqueur, and Bailey's Irish cream. I took a sip and realized I didn't care for it, but I'd already shelled out money for it so I didn't want to waste it.

And after my husband spilled his margarita shortly after he got it, I definitely understood the appeal of simply ordering a new drink without feeling guilty about spending more money.

However, I saved a lot of money by not purchasing the drink package, and I wasn't tempted to drink an excessive amount.

I tallied up my drinks during a recent cruise and spent less than I would've on a deluxe drink package. Amanda Adler

I spent $331 on a la carte drinks for myself throughout my seven-day sail. To be fair, that total includes several Starbucks beverages that wouldn't have been covered by any of the drink packages.

I paid $215 less than I would've if I bought the deluxe drink package prior to sailing, and $355 less than I would've if I bought it on the ship.

The most I shelled out on drinks in one day was $56, which included a specialty coffee, a beer, and three cocktails.

My husband, who doesn't drink specialty coffees and mostly had beer, spent even less than I did on drinks, which confirmed my belief that these drink packages aren't worth it for my family.

That doesn't mean the drink packages aren't great for others  just check the package details before booking, tally up how much you want to drink each day, and make sure you'll get a good value.

Could I have drank more if I tried? Probably. And if I had an unlimited drink package, I might've been tempted to try to get my money's worth. I don't think I would've enjoyed doing that.

I didn't hold back on what I drank, and my consumption still felt pretty indulgent. So on future sailings, I'll continue to skip this upgrade.

Read the original article on Insider
The Biden administration on Tuesday announced sanctions targeting the Wagner Group and its leader Yevgency Prigozhin, just days after the mercenary military launched a short-lived mutiny in Russia.

The U.S. is targeting a network of companies tied to Wagner and Prigozhin that mine and sell gold, minerals, gems and other precious metals from African countries where the group is active.

The sanctions are aimed at disrupting the groups funding sources that finance its military activities in Ukraine and Africa and enrich Prigozhin, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali. The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

The sanctions come amid confusion over the fate of the organization. Prigozhin, who launched the mutiny, has taken exile in Belarus but it is yet unclear what access he will have to Wagner and his other companies.

President Biden and other U.S. officials have gone out of their way to emphasize the U.S. had no role in last weeks revolt, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin could seek to blame foreign powers for the Wagner mutiny  a frequent tactic by the Kremlin.

Wagner soldiers are fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine but the private military company has a history of working in unstable African countries, who contract with the group as a for-hire security force.

The Biden administration in January labeled Wagner a transnational criminal organization, and has sought to use sanctions to choke off its financial resources. The Treasury Department sanctioned the head of Wagners operations in Mali in May for trying to source weapons through the African nation to be used in Ukraine.

The U.S. has also previously sanctioned Prigozhin for attempts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

The new sanctions target two companies linked to Prigozhin, a mining company called Midas Ressources SARLU, and a gold and diamond purchasing company, Diamville SAU, both located in the Central African Republic.

Midas is operating in CARs Ndassima gold mine, Treasury said. It said that the gold in the mine is valued at more than one billion dollars.

Midas, along with other Prigozhin-linked firms operating in the CAR, is key to financing Wagners operations in the CAR and beyond, Treasury said.

Prigozhins profits from the Midas mines was stymied following U.S. sanctions on Russias banking sector in the wake of its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Treasury said that the companies participated in a scheme where the gold from the Central African Republic was converted into U.S. dollars, and the cash was given over by hand to Prigozhin-linked companies to avoid U.S. sanctions on Russian financial institutions.

Treasury also sanctioned a Dubai-based industrial goods supplier linked to the Prigozhin companies, called Industrial Resources General Trading, and a Russia-based firm, Limited Liability Company DM, linked to schemes to the gold-for-cash scheme.

Treasury also sanctioned Russian-national Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, an executive in the Wagner Group, who they say works closely with the Wagner group and Malian government officials on weapons deals, mining concerns and other Wagner activities.

Congress wants to label Wagner a foreign terrorist organization but the administration has pushed back on those efforts, arguing it would impact U.S. relations with African leaders who employ the group and have instead focused on targeted sanctions.

We would continue to urge any governments who have considered inviting Wagner to operate inside their borders, who have considered security arrangements with Wagner, who have considered any sort of cooperation with Wagner at all, we would continue to urge them to not pursue those arrangements, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday when previewing the sanctions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that several hundred Russian military instructors will continue to work in African countries, in particular Mali and the Central African Republican, two countries that have official contracts with Wagner, the Russian, state-owned RT reported.

Putin, in a televised speech on Monday following Prigozhins retreat, said that Wagner soldiers have the opportunity to continue your service to Russia by signing contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense or other security services, or return home. He added that those who want to are free to go to Belarus.

This story was updated at 4:21 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Almost $42 billion will be doled out to US states and territories over the next few years.

President Biden announced on Monday apportioning plans for the $42 billion aimed at ensuring universal high-speed broadband within the US and its territories by 2030. The allocations follow a year-long FCC project that remapped the nations internet connectivity access, highlighting over 8.5 million homes, businesses, and other locales lacking broadband capabilities.

The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program, earmarked as part of the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure funding bill, will provide each state with at least $107 million to expand broadband internet to their residents. More will be allocated to states such as Texas and California given their comparative population sizes. To qualify, each state is required to submit initial plans later this year for how they will use the money, after which time they will receive 20 percent of the funds. Reuters explains plans are expected to be finalized by 2025, after which time the remaining money will be disbursed.

[Related: The US is making its biggest investment in broadband internet ever.]

High-speed Internet isnt a luxury anymore; its become an absolute necessity, President Biden said during public remarks given on Monday, adding that around 24 million Americans lack high-speed internet, with millions more facing limited and unreliable service. The effects of unreliable or no internet was particularly exacerbated during COVID-19 lockdowns, especially for low-income and rural students and employees attempting to work and learn from home.

Biden likened the planned expansion to FDRs Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which ultimately extended electricity access to almost 80 percent of farming communities over the ensuing 14 years. Prior to the bills passage, nearly 90 percent of all American farms lacked electricity.

For todays economy to work for everyone, internet access is just as important as electricity was, or water, or other basic services, said the President.

[Related: Bidens infrastructure act bets big on 3 types of green energy tech.]

Some state officials, however, estimate their pending grants are unlikely to fully cover the necessary internet infrastructure projects. Speaking to The Washington Post on Monday, an official for Washington state worried their roughly $1.2 billion is less than half of what would be needed to provide every resident with fiber internet lines. Meanwhile, Mississippis head of broadband expansion, Sally Doty, explained that the states nearly $1.2 billion for large areas of unserved populations such as the Mississippi Delta may not be enough. That said, Doty expects the state will take what we have [but] we know it is probably not enough.
John Kirby

The U.S. government intends to persist in sanctioning the Wagner Group private military company (PMC) to curb its ongoing global spread of turmoil and violence, White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said at a press briefing on June 26.

Read also: EU to discuss additional military aid for Ukraine after Wagner mutiny

"We will continue to take appropriate measures to limit their ability to continue to wreak havoc and violence wherever they are," stated Kirby.

Kirby pointed out that U.S. sanctions have already been imposed on the Wagner Group, designated as a transnational criminal organization by Washington. Despite this, the military company continues its operations not just in Ukraine, but also in several African nations and other areas around the world.

Regarding future actions by Wagner mercenaries, or what Yevgeny Prigozhon may do nest, Kirby commented that it's premature to draw any conclusions or make predictions.

Prigozhin announced his "march on Moscow" and the beginning of the armed conflict with the Russian Defense Ministry on the evening of June 23, allegedly after the Russian army attacked his mercenaries.

On the evening of June 24, the leader of Wagner Group announced that he was "turning back the columns" that, according to him, were 200 km away from Moscow because his fighters allegedly did not want to "shed Russian blood."

Read also: What a weekend for Wagner, elections after the war, exclusive with Ukraines Chief Rabbi

The press service of the Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed that he had allegedly been negotiating with Prigozhin all day, and the latter agreed to "stop the movement through the territory of Russia," and his militants were promised "security guarantees" in return.

Read also: EU approves another Russia sanctions package

The Kremlin said that the case on Prigozhin's armed rebellion would be closed, the Wagner units would return to the "rear camps," and Prigozhin himself would go to Belarus.

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The US documented 5 locally transmitted malaria cases for the first time in 20 years. It's not a reason to panic, but sheds a light on the concerns of climate change

A female Anopheles Stephensi mosquito. James Gathany/CDC via AP

Five cases of malaria spread locally have been identified in Texas and Florida.

The type of malaria, known as P. vivax, is not considered the deadliest.

As the climate warms, mosquito-spread illnesses could become more common in the US.

In the Southern states of Florida and Texas, cases of locally-spread malaria have been detected for the first time in around 20 years.

Locally transmitted malaria  meaning that the people contracting the disease did not leave the country  has become a rarity in the US as a result of public health measures and the previous widespread use of DDT.

But in Texas, the Department of State Health Services confirmed Friday that a person working outdoors in Cameron County, Texas, contracted malaria locally. For this to occur, an anopheles mosquito  which represents multiple species of mosquito in the US, of which there are nearly 200  would have to bite an infected traveler and then bite another person.

According to the DSHS, although Texas sees about 120 malaria cases a year from international travelers, the last locally acquired case in Texas was detected in 1994.

So far, no other cases in the state have been identified.

About 1,400 miles away in Sarasota County, Florida, however, four more cases of locally transmitted malaria infections have been identified this year  one in May and one in June. The malaria identified is associated with the P. vivax parasite, according to a press release from the city. P. vivax malaria is considered more benign than its counterparts but can sometimes lead to severe or fatal infections.

Experts who spoke to Vox said that while the cases were eyebrow-raising, there was no indication yet that this would be a widespread event.

Dr. Photini Sinnis, the deputy director of the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, told Insider that there have been 156 locally transmitted cases in the US since 1957 after the US mostly eradicated malaria.

Sinnis explained that because the anopheles mosquito has never left the US, the risk of locally-transmitted malaria has never been zero. The real question is whether or not "this just a random event, like the other 63 outbreaks prior or is this going to now happen more and more often?" she said.

"I think we don't know, but as far as malaria is concerned, the mosquitoes are here," Sinnis said.

The reason scientists are thinking about whether or not the US will see more cases like this is because, for years, health organizations have been warning that mosquito-borne and mosquito-transmitted diseases may begin to thrive in places they haven't before as tropical and subtropical climates move further from the equator.

In April, the WHO warned that cases of diseases like dengue fever  an illness spread by two types of Aedes mosquitos  have already increased by millions over the last two decades.

States like Florida and Texas are already feeling the heat of climate change, and Sinnis said that humid weather and areas that experience it are where mosquitos thrive. These emerging trends can't tell us exactly how mosquito-related illness could spread, she said. More research is needed for that.

"But I do think that scientists sort of raise the possibility that this could play out as such that there might be more transmission within the United States," Sinnis said.

'We should be funding more public health responses'

Because mosquitos inhabit humid areas near water, Sinnis said people who live in areas with these conditions should always be aware of the mosquitos near them and take precautions like wearing long-sleeved clothing or using mosquito repellents like DEET or lemon eucalyptus spray.

They should also be aware of fever-like symptoms and let their doctor know if they are experiencing them. Although there are treatments for malaria, it needs to be caught and addressed early, she said.

"We have drugs and we're trying to make new ones but this is an underfunded area, right? Because it's a disease of mostly poor people," Sinnis said. "And we don't really fund the research much in the United States, but we have drugs that work and if it's caught early, people do not die."

Beyond personal measures, local agencies and health departments that have seen cases have begun to target and kill mosquitos in the area, according to local station WWSB. In Sarasota County, Florida, officials are spraying insecticides  a measure that could have effects on people's health and the environment.

Sinnis told Insider that more research and better funding will be needed to help public health institutions to invest in less harmful solutions to getting rid of mosquitos in the future. And at a time when scientists are questioning what mosquito-spread illnesses will look like in the future, this should be a priority.

"I do not think that our responses are necessarily what they should be," Sinnis said. "And I think we should be funding more public health responses."

Update: June 27, 2023  This story and headline were updated to reflect a new number of locally-transmitted malaria cases that have been identified. There are now five, not three.

Correction: June 27, 2023  A previous version of this story suggested said that immunocompromised people may be more susceptible to dying of malaria. Scientific evidence so far does not suggest that immunocompromised people are more susceptible to malaria to dying of malaria, Sinnis said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US health alert over malaria cases in Florida and Texas

Mosquito feeding

Florida and Texas are seeing some locally acquired cases of malaria - the first spread of the mosquito-transmitted disease inside the US in 20 years, officials warn in a health alert.

Active surveillance for more cases is continuing, the Centres for Disease Control says.

The risk of catching malaria in the US remains extremely low, it says.

All five patients - four in Florida, one in Texas - have now had treatment.

Malaria is caused by being bitten by an infected mosquito. People cannot catch it from each other. But the insects catch it from infected people - and the cycle continues.

It is common in large areas of Africa, Asia and Central and South America but not the US.

However, Anopheles mosquitoes, found throughout many parts of the US, can transmit malaria, if they have fed on an infected person.

The risk is higher in areas where:

the climate means insects survive during most of the year

travellers from malaria-endemic areas are found

Infected people can suffer fever, sweats and chills. Malaria is an emergency and must be treated quickly with drugs to kill the parasite that causes the infection.

Using insect repellent and covering up can help protect against mosquito bites.

The CDC says it is working with the Florida and Texas health departments and those recently diagnosed and treated "are improving".

US doctors are being advised to consider malaria in any person with an unexplained fever, regardless of international travel history, particularly if they have visited or live in the affected areas of Florida or Texas.

Florida has issued a mosquito-borne illness alert after cases were discovered in Sarasota County and Manatee County, warning residents to drain standing water where mosquitoes can breed and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
US imposes sanctions against companies that contributed to activities of Wagner Group in Africa

On Tuesday, the US Department of Treasury announced the introduction of sanctions against four individuals and one legal entity associated with the Wagner Group private military company and its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Source: European Pravda, citing the statement in the press release of the US Department of Treasury.

Companies in the Central African Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Russia that participated in illegal gold transactions to finance Wagnerites to provide them with weapons, in particular in Ukraine and Africa, were restricted.

It concerns mining company Midas Resources SARLU, based in the Central African Republic and associated with Prigozhin. It is claimed that it funds the activities of the Wagnerites both in the country and abroad at the expense of profits from the sale of extracted gold.

Another South African company, Diamville, was involved in a gold sale scheme last year, which involved converting it into US dollars, which were planned to be withdrawn after the introduction of US sanctions against several Russian financial institutions.

Dubai-based distributor Industrial Resources General Trading provided financial support to Prigozhin through trading with Diamville and helped with the transfer of cash to Russia. Russia's DM Company Ltd. also participated in the scheme.

The sanctions were also imposed on Russian citizen Andrey Ivanov, the head of the Wagner Group of companies, who in the spring of 2023 worked closely with Prigozhin's Company Africa Politology and high-ranking officials of the government of Mali, dealing with arms sales and mining companies.

The Wagner Group was created in 2014 and was active in a number of countries where Russia has important interests  in particular, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic and Ukraine. Among other things, they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity there.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Wagnerites took part in reprisals against civilians. The Wagner Group is currently recruiting prisoners from Russia.

Back in 2017, the United States added the Wagner Group to the trade "black list", and late in 2022, it imposed new restrictions on technology exports for the Wagner Group in order to further limit its capabilities due to its participation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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The US Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four companies involved in gold dealing and one person they say made weapons deals tied to the Wagner Group.

The announcement of the sanctions comes days after the short-lived mutiny led by the head of the mercenary groups leader, Yevegny Prigozhin.

They target companies in Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Central African Republic that have engaged in illicit gold dealings to fund the Wagner Group to sustain and expand its armed forces, including in Ukraine and Africa.

The targeted individual, Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, is a Russian executive in the Wagner Group who worked closely with Prigozhins entity Africa Politology and senior Malian government officials on weapons deals, mining concerns, and other Wagner Group activities in Mali, according to a Treasury Department release.

The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali. The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement.

Death and destruction has followed in Wagners wake everywhere it has operated, and the United States will continue to take actions to hold it accountable, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a separate statement.

Last month, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Ivan Maslov, the head of the Wagner group in Mali, where the agency accused the Wagner group of attempting to obscure its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine.

The United States opposes efforts by any country to assist Russia through the Wagner Group, the Treasury Department added.

Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group and formerly a long-time ally of Putin, over the weekend launched a sudden rebellion against Russias military leadership, seizing control of a southern military headquarters and directing his troops toward Moscow. The revolt was short-lived, and on Saturday he pulled back his troops and accepted a deal brokered by Belarussian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko. Prigozhin arrived in Belarus from Russia on Tuesday, according to Lukashenko.

The decision by President Lukashenko to welcome Prigozhin to Belarus, I think, is another example of him choosing the interests of Vladimir Putin and choosing the interests of the Kremlin over the interests of the Belarusian people, said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller at a press briefing Tuesday.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  It was never about making history for Deb Haaland, but rather making her parents proud.

She says she worked hard, putting herself through school, starting a small business to pay bills and eventually finding her way into politics  first as a campaign volunteer and later as the first Native American woman to lead a political party in New Mexico.

The rest seems like history. Haaland was sworn in as one of the first two Native American women in Congress in 2019. Two years later, she took the reins at the U.S. Interior Department  an agency whose responsibilities stretch from managing energy development to meeting the nations treaty obligations to 574 federally recognized tribes.

Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet member in the U.S., spoke to The Associated Press about her tenure leading the 70,000-employee agency that oversees subsurface minerals and millions of acres of public land.

The hardest part? Balancing the interests of every single American, she said.

I might feel one way about an issue personally. It doesnt mean that thats the decision thats going to be made, said Haaland, 62, sitting in the shade of the towering cottonwood trees that line her backyard in Albuquerque. There is a process, so I am dedicated to that. I really do want to find a balance.

Criticism of Haaland has mounted in recent weeks. Environmentalists slammed her department's approval of the massive Willow oil project in Alaska, while a Republican-led U.S. House committee opened an investigation into ties between Haaland and an Indigenous group from her home state of New Mexico that advocates for halting oil and gas production on public lands.

Both Democratic and Republican members of Congress also have grilled her about her agencys $19 billion budget request. Critics say the Interior Department under her guidance had failed to conduct quarterly oil and gas lease sales as required under law, doubled the time it takes to get permits, and raised royalty rates charged to energy companies to discourage domestic production and advance the administration's climate goals.

Haaland defended the Biden administrations priorities, reiterating that her department was following the law and was on track to meet the administration's goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

But even some Democratic senators who support more wind and solar energy development have questioned that timeline, saying some projects take years to be permitted and could be at risk. Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico did not get a response from Haaland when asking when the first utility-scale offshore wind projects would be permitted

Haaland said she had an idea of what the Cabinet job might entail, having served in Congress and as a member of Joe Bidens platform committee when he was the Democratic presidential nominee. Many of Biden's ideals about climate change, renewable energy and conservation mirrored her own.

What gets conserved and how is at the root of a few thorny projects Haaland must navigate, from the Willow project to a drilling moratorium around a national park near northwestern New Mexico's Chaco Canyon, and now protests by Native American tribes over a proposed lithium mine in Nevada.

There isnt a one-size-fits-all for any of these things, she said. "We have to take each one individually and find the best solution that we can."

Native American tribes are not always pleased with the outcome, she acknowledged.

Every tribe, I think, is different. Their opportunities are different. Their lifestyles are different and its up to us to make sure that we get them to the table to tell us whats important to them, she said. ... And we do our best, as I said, to balance whatever the project is  using the science, using the law.

Haaland's heritage as a member of Laguna Pueblo makes her unlike any previous secretary, and she's aware of the added expectations from Indian Country as she leads an agency with a fraught and even murderous history with Native tribes.

She has worked to boost consultation efforts with tribal governments, allocate more resources to help address the alarming rate of disappearances and deaths among Native Americans, and launched an investigation into the federal government's role in boarding schools that sought to assimilate Native children over decades.

Wenona Singel, an associate professor at Michigan State University College of Law and director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center, pointed to the stories Haaland has told about her grandparents being taken from their families when they were children. The story is similar to Singel's own family and many others.

She understands the pain and the trauma of having our ancestors be stripped of their culture and their language and their Native identity, said Singel, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.  She has demonstrated a deeper understanding of our nations need to come to grips with the reality of this history and the way in which it continues to impact our communities today.

For Haaland, there's no way to disconnect from her heritage: I am who I am.

Haaland grew up in a military family  her late father was a decorated Marine and her late mother spent more than two decades working for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs after serving in the U.S. Navy. Haaland often talks about how her mother  who also was a member of Laguna Pueblo  raised her to be fierce.

Haaland, a mother herself, got married in 2021 to her longtime partner Skip Sayre. They share a home in Albuquerque with their two rescue dogs  Remington and Winchester.

Haaland still hangs her clothes on the line out back to dry in the New Mexico sun, finds time to be outside every day and makes big batches of her own red chile sauce with garlic and oregano, freezing it so she has a ready supply when she comes home.

Despite moving around as a kid, Haaland said her traditions keep her grounded. In fact, she's working to finish her master's degree in American Indian studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, a feat nearly 25 years in the making.

Haaland's mother was the one who encouraged her to finish her thesis  an exploration of Laguna Pueblo's traditional foods. Haaland was proud to say she turned the paper in to her committee in early June, looking to show that Indigenous knowledge continues to be carried down and that the foods eaten at Laguna Pueblo  including stew and piki bread  haven't changed since the tribe migrated from the Chaco Canyon area generations ago. While modern ovens may have taken the place of hot stones, Haaland said Laguna's foods are still rooted in tradition.

One of her first obligations as a Pueblo woman is to nurture her family and community, and Haaland said that's not unlike the demands of her current job: to manage and protect natural resources and cultural heritage.

You have values as a human being," she said. Thats the way youre raised by your family, and thats what I bring to the table.
A group of U.S. lawmakers urges the White House to send Ukraine improved artillery cluster munitions

A bipartisan group of U.S. legislators has submitted a letter to President Joe Biden, urging the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine to better enable it to break through Russian defenses, Foreign Policy reported on June 26.

On June 25, U.S. Representatives Joe Wilson, Steve Cohen, and Victoria Spartz appealed to Biden in a letter, prompting the White House to dispatch dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) to Ukraine, according to the article.

Read also: US to continue sanctions pressure on Wagner PMC  White House

Transferring DPICMs to Ukraine presents an opportunity to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with a powerful capability to use against the Russian army and mercenary forces, the letter reads.

Let us use this untapped, vast arsenal in service of Ukrainian victory, and reclaiming Europes peace.

Read also: Russia has repeatedly used cluster munitions in Ukraine since invasion, says HRW

The lawmakers stressed that cluster munitions, initially developed by the United States during the Cold War to "counter Russia's numerical and material superiority," could now be put to their intended use for the defense of Ukraine, Europe, and ultimately, U.S. national security.

On June 23, Laura Cooper, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, said that U.S. military officials are convinced cluster munitions would be beneficial for Ukraine in defending against Russian troops.

Read also: Russia strikes Avdiyivka with cluster munitions, missiles: one casualty, school destroyed

Ukraine has privately petitioned Washington to supply cluster munitions, including MK-20 air-launched bombs. This request from Kyiv has received Congressional support, but was met with opposition from the White House due to the 2008 international treaty prohibiting the production, use, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The treaty has been ratified by 123 countries, including 28 NATO members. However, the United States, Ukraine, and Russia have not joined the agreement.

Read also: Biden backs Ukraines simplified accession to NATO after war  media reports

DPICM cluster munitions are designed to decimate infantry and lightly armored vehicles in open terrain. They fragment into dozens of smaller charges that can linger on the battlefield for years if they don't detonate immediately.

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The United States was in direct contact with Russia during the so-called Wagner rebellion, John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications for the White House, has said.

Source: Kirby at a briefing

Quote from Kirby: "We had good, direct communications with the Russians over the course of the weekend. Its our expectation that that would be able to continue going forward. "

Details: In particular, according to him, the US wanted to convey two messages to the Russian Federation: regarding the protection of American diplomats and regarding the fact that the USA is not involved in internal events in Russia.

He also added that the US "made sure that we lashed up early and have stayed lashed up with our allies and partners to make sure we all have the same kind of perspective on this and were approaching it from the same way".

Asked to clarify whether the Russians were responding in real time to US contacts, Kirby said: "instability in Russia is something that, you know, we take seriously. And we certainly had lots of questions over the course of the weekend, as did you, about the situation in Russia and the issue of stability. And we did have and were able to have in real time, through diplomatic channels, conversations with Russian officials about  about our concerns."

At the same time, he refused to identify what exactly happened in Russia  a rebellion, a coup attempt or an armed uprising  saying that they were not "slapping a bumper sticker on it".

Kirby also added that there is currently no indication that there have been any changes in the command system of the Russian armed forces.

Background:

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The United States moved on Tuesday to punish companies accused of doing business with the infamous Russian mercenary army known as the Wagner Group, following the groups insurrection attempt within Russias borders.

The move is not thought to be specifically related to the coup, however, instead being a response to Wagners participation in some of the bloodiest fighting taking place within Ukraine, where Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion last year.

A statement from the Treasury Department faulted companies in Africa and the Middle East for participating in a gold-selling scheme in violation of US sanctions to fund the Wagner Groups ongoing activities. One executive at Wagner, Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, was also slapped with individual sanctions on his financial dealings.

The targeted entities in the Central African Republic (CAR), United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Russia have engaged in illicit gold dealings to fund the Wagner Group to sustain and expand its armed forces, including in Ukraine and Africa, while the targeted individual has been central to activities of Wagner Group units in Mali, reads Treasurys press release.

The companies are even accused of working with rebel militant groups in the Central African Republic (CAR) as part of the operation. Consequently, an inter-agency task force has issued an advisory highlighting risks for participants in the African gold trade.

Treasurys sanctions disrupt key actors in the Wagner Groups financial network and international structure, added Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson in a statement.

The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali. The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else, he said.

Wagner Groups prominence exploded over the weekend after the mercenary soldiers ripped through Russia and seized control of a major city, Rostov, where much of the countrys defence sector is centred. The lightning-fast coup ended as quickly as it began, with leader Yevgeny Prigozhin apparently accepting a deal negotiated by the president of Belarus which saw him exiled to that country. In exchange, participants in the insurrection were granted immunity deals  and other, unknown concessions were thought by many to have been extended to Mr Prigozhin as well.

Its unclear what the insurrection means for the future of Wagner, however, given Mr Prigozhins apparent banishment and the souring of his ties with Russias leader.

Many of the private armys troops are still deployed in Ukraine, where they are engaged in some of the fiercest combat taking place across the countrys southeast.
US sees no signs that Russia is ready to blow up nuclear power plant or use nuclear weapons  Kirby

The US currently does not currently consider the threat of Russian occupiers blowing up the Zaporizhzhia NPP as "imminent", despite Ukraine's latest reports of Russia's preparations for a terrorist attack.

Source: John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator of the White House National Security Council, during a briefing

Quote from Kirby: "I  not going to get into specific intelligence. I would tell you that were watching this very closely. Weve seen that reporting. Were  we have, as you know, the ability near the plant to monitor radio activity, and we just havent seen any indication that that threat is imminent, but were watching it very, very closely."

Details: Asked about the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons, Kirby said that the US does not currently see that either.

Quote from Kirby: "I would just tell you,  I mean, Russia is a nuclear power  that we have been monitoring as best we can Russian strategic posture, their nuclear capabilities. That continues.

And weve seen no indication  outside of the blustery rhetoric, weve seen no indication that there is any intent to use nuclear weapons inside Ukraine."

Details: He also added that the USA "has done nothing  has seen nothing that would  that would compel [the US] to change [its] own strategic deterrent posture."

Background:

On 20 June, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that the threat of an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power plant is 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 that the plan to blow up the ZNPP by Russians was fully developed and approved, and the threat has never been as great as it is now.

On 25 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russians had developed and approved the scenario of a terrorist attack on the ZNPP, and the world's attention is "still insufficient."

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The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a legal theory supported by the Kansas Attorney Generals Office that would have given state legislatures sweeping power to gerrymander congressional districts for partisan advantage.

The justices by a 6-3 vote rejected the independent state legislature theory, which holds the U.S. Constitutions elections clause grants state legislatures the power to set the times, places and manner of elections and prevents state courts from intervening.

The theory began gaining traction among Republicans in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, when former President Donald Trump and his allies objected to decisions made by state courts in their attempt to overturn the results of the election.

If the U.S. Supreme Court had adopted the theory, it could have prevented courts in Kansas and other states from reviewing congressional maps for partisan gerrymandering  or blocked states from requiring the use of commissions to draw congressional district boundaries. The high court has already limited the ability of federal courts to review maps for partisan gerrymandering.

Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, had signed on to an amicus brief last year urging the U.S. Supreme Court to adopt the theory. Schmidts term ended in early January. A spokesperson for Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.

The Kansas Legislature approved a congressional map last year that split Wyandotte County into two districts for the first time in decades and placed Democratic-leaning Lawrence into the Republican-dominated and largely rural 1st Congressional District. While the Kansas Supreme Court upheld the map, the independent state legislature theory would have likely foreclosed the state court from ruling on any potential challenge to maps in the future.

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision centered on North Carolina, where the state Supreme Court struck down districts drawn by Republicans who control the legislature because they heavily favored Republicans in the highly competitive state. The court later reversed itself after conservatives gained a majority on the court in January.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman held a call with China's ambassador to the United States on Tuesday to follow up on issues discussed during U.S. top diplomat Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing last week, the State Department said.

In the call with Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng, Sherman reiterated the importance of maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues, the State Department said earlier in a statement.

"This was a substantive call. It was to follow up on the secretary's visit," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a regular news briefing.

Secretary of State Blinken held meetings with Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping, but did not reach an agreement on re-establishing high-level defense dialogue.

"There are a number of conversations that are happening at the sub-Cabinet level now about following up on some of the issues that the secretary discussed," Miller added.

U.S. and Chinese officials have had discussions since Blinken's visit about when a proposed visit to Washington by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang might occur, but the visit had not been scheduled yet, Miller said.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Ismail Shakil and Paul Grant; writing by Simon Lewis; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R) on Tuesday couldnt say if he planned to use his 2024 presidential campaign to talk about Chinas human rights abuses against its Uyghur population because he didnt even know about it.

Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign? conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt asked Suarez during an interview.

The what? asked Suarez.

The Uyghurs, said Hewitt.

Whats a Uyghur? replied Suarez.

Hewitt pivoted to a question about immigration policy, but not before chiding Suarez for needing to get smart about whats happening to the Uyghurs, the minority ethnic group in China that has been targeted for practicing Islam. The Chinese government has detained more than a million members of this and other Muslim groups, putting them into reeducation centers and subjecting them to forced labor, torture, rape and sterilization.

Suarez didnt do himself any favors later in the interview, when he joked about the homework he needs to do to learn about the atrocities against the Uyghurs.

Ill look at what a  what was it, what did you call it, a Weeble? he said, laughing, referring to the egg-shaped childrens roly-poly toys popular in the 1970s.

The Uyghurs, said Hewitt. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor. Youve got to talk about it every day, OK?

I will search Uyghurs, said Suarez. Im a good learner. Im a fast learner.

"What's a Uyghur?"  Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

Hewitt shouldnt get too much credit for asking the Miami mayor a foreign policy question. He regularly fawns over his more high-profile Republican guests, particularly former President Donald Trump, and peppers them with softball questions.

Hewitt memorably stumped Trump in 2015 with a question about the leaders of major terrorist groups, which led to Trump lashing out at Hewitt as a third-rate radio announcer. The radio host responded by defending his question and then praising Trump for giving excellent answers to his other questions, calling the then-presidential candidate the best interview in America and saying he hoped hed come back on his show.

In the last few years, Hewitt has hosted interviews with Trump almost entirely to lavish him with praise, telling the former president in 2021 how much everyone loves him and asking him questions like whether its true that he saved Christmas.

Joe Walsh, a former GOP congressman and former radio host for Salem Radio Network, the same Christian-based network that hosts Hewitts show, said it was completely understood at the network that saying negative things about Trump could get you fired.

I was one of Salems rising stars, Walsh said. I was very critical of Trump. Even though I voted for him in 2016, every time I criticized him on the radio, Id get a talking-to.

Walsh, whose show was canceled in 2019 when he announced a presidential bid, said he expected to lose his show anyway because he regularly criticized Trump, and Salem executives had made it clear that all of their syndicated hosts had to line up in support of him.

So guys like Hugh Hewitt, he added, they fell right in line, baby.
Miami mayor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Francis Suarez indicated in an interview on Tuesday that he was unfamiliar with the plight of Uyghur Muslims, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in China whose treatment has been the subject of worldwide condemnation for years.

In an interview on Hugh Hewitts radio show, the Republican presidential candidate was asked, Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?

Suarez responded, The what?

The Uyghurs, Hewitt said, prompting Suarez to ask, Whats a Uyghur?

At the end of the interview, Suarez told Hewitt, You gave me homework, Hugh. Ill look at  what was it? Whatd you call it, a weeble?

In a statement to CNN Tuesday afternoon, Suarez denied that he was unaware of the Uyghur situation and the human rights abuses China is accused of committing.

Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there. I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used, Suarez said in a statement to CNN.

Chinas treatment of Uyghur Muslims has been the subject of a great deal of international condemnation. In 2021, the State Department officially determined China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjing. The following year, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights found Chinas treatment of Uyghurs constituted crimes against humanity.

China denies allegations of such human rights abuses in Xinjiang. It has insisted that its reeducation camps are necessary for preventing religious extremism and terrorism in the area, which is home to about 11 million Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority that speak a language closely related to Turkish and have their own distinct culture.

The situation has reached the two most recent presidents of the United States. Then-President Donald Trump in 2020 signed a bill that aimed to punish China and officials responsible for carrying out torture and human rights abuses against the Uyghur Muslim population through sanctions, including asset blocking, visa revocation and ineligibility for entry into the United States.

Additionally, President Joe Biden signed a law in 2021 banning imports from Chinas Xinjiang region in response to the countrys treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

Suarezs gaffe on Tuesday was quickly pounced on by fellow 2024 GOP hopeful Nikki Haley.

We promised never again to look away from genocide and its happening right now in China. And no one is saying anything because theyre too scared of China, Haley said at an American Enterprise Institute event. Part of American foreign policy should always be that we fight for human rights for all people. And whats happening with the Uyghurs is disgusting. And the fact that the whole world is ignoring it is shameful.

Its not uncommon for presidential candidates whose political careers have focused mostly on domestic affairs to make embarrassing mistakes when pressed about foreign policy. Suarezs response on Tuesday evoked a similar flub made by Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson in 2016 when, asked about the Syrian refugee crisis in Aleppo  which at the time was a dominant story in American media  he replied, And what is Aleppo?

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Whats a Uyghur? Miamis mayor says he knows the answer, but misheard the question

Needing to elevate his national profile and facing questions about his qualifications to be the leader of the free world, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has been making the media rounds since he announced this month that he will seek the Republican Partys presidential nomination.

A Tuesday interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt may have helped with the former, but not the latter.

During the 15-minute interview, which delved mostly into matters of national security and global diplomacy, Hewitt stumped Suarez when he asked him if his campaign for president would feature the plight of Uyghurs, an oppressed, mostly Muslim minority in China.

Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign? asked Hewitt.

The what? said Suarez.

The Uyghurs, Hewitt repeated.

Whats a Uyghur? Suarez replied, before Hewitt responded by saying Okay, well come back to that. You gotta get smart on that.

Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there.



I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used. Thats on  Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) June 27, 2023

LISTEN: Hugh Hewitt Interview with Francis Suarez

The Chinese government has been accused of genocide and committing human rights abuses against Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in Chinas northwestern region of Xinjiang. Since 2017, more than a million have been detained by the Chinese government, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

Suarez received some criticism following the interview, which is nationally syndicated. Hewitt addressed Suarezs response in a tweet shortly after their interview, saying: Mayor @FrancisSuarez was pretty good for a first conversation on air about national security  except for the huge blind spot on the Uyghurs. Whats a Uyghur? is not where I expect people running for president to say when asked about the ongoing genocide in China.

RELATED CONTENT: Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is running for president. Here are 8 things you should know

After the interview, through a spokeswoman, Suarez said he simply misheard Hewitt.

Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith, the mayor said. China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there. I didnt recognize the pronunciation my friend Hugh Hewitt used. Thats on me.

A weeble? Really? How embarrassing!



Francis Suarez is completely unaware of the threat posed by Communist #China to our national security & the genocide against the Uyghur nation.



Hes not ready for Primetime  hes not even ready for Waynes World! pic.twitter.com/xJIvYRkx7D  Carlos A. Gimenez (@CarlosGimenezFL) June 27, 2023

Suarez, who needs to boost his polling numbers and receive donations from at least 40,000 people to make the first Republican presidential debate in late August, has conducted a series of interviews since launching his longshot presidential campaign this month, even appearing on The View last week.

As the interview concluded, Suarez told Hewitt hed do some research.

You gave me homework, Hugh. Ill look at, what was it, what did you call it, a Weeble? he said, chuckling.

The Uyghurs. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor, Hewitt said. You gotta talk about it every day.

I will search Uyghurs, Suarez said. Im a good learner. Im a fast learner.
The Vatican's peace envoy is heading to Russia this week following the aborted mutiny of the Wagner Group mercenaries.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is heading the mission, which will court Russian officials to find a path forward toward peace in Ukraine.

"On the days 28 and 29 June 2023, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by an official of the Secretariat of State, will visit Moscow, as Pope Francis envoy," the Vatican said in a Tuesday press communique.

"The primary purpose of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity, that may contribute to promoting a solution to the tragic current situation, and to find ways to reach a just peace," the statement added.

RUSSIA ACKNOWLEDGES VATICAN PEACE MISSION AS HOLY SEE TRIES TO 'HELP EASE THE TENSIONS'

Envoy of the Holy Father Francis, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, attends the meeting with Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets to discuss the exchanges of the POWs and the deportation of Ukrainian children at the Child Rights Protection Center, Kyiv, capital of Ukraine. Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference, participated in a two-day mission in Kyiv.

The visit to Moscow is a follow-up to Zuppi's previous diplomatic mission to Kyiv in Ukraine.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Russian officials have publicly expressed openness to the Vatican's attempts to broker an end to the conflict but until has criticized a lack of "practical steps."

RUSSIA ALLEGEDLY VIEWS POPE FRANCIS' PEACE INITIATIVE POSITIVELY, NO IMMEDIATELY PLANS FOR MOSCOW MISSION

"We acknowledge the Holy Sees sincere desire to promote the peace process," the Russian foreign ministry previously said."At the same time, no practical steps have been taken by the Vatican side to organize the trip to Moscow."

Pope Francis has consistently offered himself as a negotiator and moderator for peace between Russia and Ukraine since the invasion began last year.

The pontiff has met with Zelenskyy in Vatican City, worked with the Ukrainian government to care for displaced Ukrainian children, and hosted Russian Orthodox church leaders for discussion.

Italian cardinal Matteo Zuppi photographed in Vatican City during Pope Francis's celebration of Holy Mass in the Vatican Basilica on the occasion of the opening of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region.

Zuppi is a veteran Vatican diplomat with experience negotiating peace deals during the Mozambique civil war.
On Tuesday, one day after State Attorney Bill Gladson announced he wasn't going to file a second-degree murder charge against Susan Lorincz, the woman charged in the shooting death of her neighbor Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens, representatives from the victim's family held a virtual press conference to air their complaints about the filing decision.

Host and moderator Valerie Morgan introduced several people present at the event Tuesday morning. Owens family members were not there.

Serving as liaison for the family, Takema Robinson said the family is "very, very disappointed" with the state's filing decision. She said they believe there was enough evidence given to the state attorney's office to justify charging Lorincz with second-degree murder, not just manslaughter.

Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens

Robinson said explaining the situation to Owens' four children is difficult. She said the children, three boys and a girl, ages 3 to 12, are going through the first stage of trauma. She said the family has relocated to "a secure safe space," but declined to say where.

"Their safety is a concern for us," Robinson said.

One of the lawyers representing the family, Ocala native Anthony D. Thomas, said they're "staying vigilant" and are disappointed with the state attorney's decision. He said the family and its supporters are hoping for a conviction and for Lorincz to receive the maximum 30-year prison sentence.

Gladson's press release and questions raised

On Monday, Gladson said in a press release that the office had filed a charge of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault. Originally, Lorincz, 58, had been held on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, two counts of assault, and battery.

In the release, Gladson explained that the facts of the case did not support a second-degree murder charge. He also explained the legal reasoning behind his decision to file only one assault charge, which concerns Lorincz reportedly threatening one of Owens' children.

State Attorney Bill Gladson

During Tuesday's press conference, reporters asked if the Owens family was exploring other legal options. Thomas said new evidence must be presented to the state attorney's office, and then family representatives would have to seek a hearing in court.

Thomas strongly believes there is evidence to prove that Lorincz had "ill will" toward Owens at the time of the shooting  one of the key legal requirements to justify a second-degree murder charge.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton, who delivered the eulogy at Owens' funeral on June 12, wants the Department of Justice to step in and consider prosecuting the case as a federal hate crime.

Background of the case

It's alleged that Lorincz, who's white, had directed racial slurs at Owens' children. Neighbors said Lorincz did not like the children playing in the grassy field near her home and would often chase them away.

Owens, who was Black, and Lorincz lived in the Quail Run community, located off County Road 475A in Ocala. Lorincz did not own the property in question.

Owens, 35, went to Lorincz's residence on June 2 after her children told her that Lorincz had mistreated them and thrown a skate at one of them. Owens was standing outside Lorincz's closed front door when Lorincz, who was inside behind the door, fired a fatal shot through the door.

Neighbors said sheriff's deputies marked this door that shows a hole that came from a gun, fired from inside a residence that killed a woman on Friday night.

Lorincz is being held at the county jail with bail set at $154,000.

Protesters gathered in front of the Marion County Judicial Center on Monday, hours after Gladson announced his filing decision, to voice their displeasure.

More from Tuesday's press conference

Thomas' co-counsel, Benjamin Crump, joined the virtual press conference on Tuesday and said there's a double standard at work: If the roles had been reversed, Owens would have been arrested the night of the shooting, not four days later, as Lorincz was.

He said Lorincz should be charged with second-degree murder for shooting Owens through a locked, metal door.

Thomas said he believes the meetings he had with the state attorney's office before the filing decisions were announced were an exercise in damage control and gave the Owens family a false sense of hope.

Panel members spelled out what they view as a series of disappointments: The Marion County Sheriff's Office waiting four days to arrest Lorincz, then Gladson not filing the appropriate charge.

They believe neither Gladson nor Sheriff Billy Woods is standing with the family. A few days after the shooting, Woods said in a press conference that he could not immediately arrest Lorincz because, by law, detectives had to prove her claim of "stand your ground" did not apply.

Earlier coverage: State won't upgrade manslaughter charge in Owens shooting; victim's family disappointed

Robinson said they want the community and the nation to know that they're not in agreement with the situation, but it's not going to deter them from moving forward with justice.

"It's not the end of our work," she said.

Lawyer Benjamin Crump

Crump said the lives of Black women matter and the nation is watching Ocala.

"We want to see equal justice in Ocala," he said.

Robinson echoed those sentiments, adding "we want equality," and for people to remember Owens' four children.

Reaction from state Democrats

Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie said: "Our office has made its statement and explained the filing decision on this case." Forgie said his office has been "transparent," and its "sole purpose moving forward will be the prosecution of this case."

The Florida Democratic Party has released a statement pertaining to the filing decision from Gladson. "This is a sad day for the family and friends of AJ Owens, and for all the people of Florida. Susan Lorincz gunned down a mother in front of her children, and no legal recourse can truly make that right," FDP Chair Nikki Fried wrote.

Fried continued, That being said, this is another example of why we need to reform Floridas Stand Your Ground laws  until we do, innocent people will continue to die at the hands of those emboldened by their existence. Its clear to most observers that it takes hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent to shoot your neighbor through a doorway, but these outdated statutes make it nearly impossible to pursue murder charges."

She concluded with, We continue to mourn with AJs family, and will be closely monitoring Ms. Lorinczs future court proceedings.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Owens family reps blast prosecutor's office; will feds step in?
Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance at New York Citys historic Stonewall Inn on Monday to commemorate LGBTQ Pride Month.

Harris appearance marked the first time that a sitting vice president visited the space, the site of the 1969 June uprising that is largely credited as a turning point in the modern gay rights movement.

This place represents a real inflection moment in this movement, which is a movement that is about equality, that is about freedom, a movement that is about safety, Harris told reporters just outside the entrance to the Stonewall Inn. Im here because I also understand not only what we should celebrate, in terms of those fighters that fought for fundamental freedoms, but understanding that this fight is not over.

Located in Manhattans Greenwich Village neighborhood, the Stonewall Inn has long served as the de facto headquarters for the nations queer activists. In 2016, then-President Barack Obama designated Stonewall a national monument, making it the countrys first national monument honoring LGBTQ rights. And in 2019, while he was a presidential candidate, President Joe Biden visited the venue during Pride Month.

The vice presidents surprise visit to the Stonewall National Monument  which includes the Stonewall Inn, Christopher Park and the surrounding area  comes at a precarious time for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the United States.

Vice President Kamala Harris at the Stonewall National Monument in New York on Monday. (Matt Lavietes / NBC News)

So far this year, there have been more than 490 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country, according to a tally by the American Civil Liberties Union, with conservative lawmakers successfully enacting laws to curtail LGBTQ issues being taught in schools, drag performances and transition-related health care, among other things.

While some courts have recently declared a handful of the newly passed laws unconstitutional  including an anti-drag measure in Tennessee and an Arkansas law that would have barred the states minors from receiving transition-related care  many of the measures enacted this year remain in place.

Harris addressed the record wave of legislation both outside the bar as she took questions from reporters and inside the bar, as she spoke with Stonewall Inn co-owner Kurt Kelly and openly gay TV host Andy Cohen, who works for Bravo, which is owned by NBC News parent company, NBCUniversal.

Vice President Kamala Harris inside Stonewall in New York on Monday. (Matt Lavietes / NBC News)

We can take nothing for granted in terms of the progress we achieve. We have to be vigilant. We understand thats the nature of our fight for equality, Harris told Kelly and Cohen in a conversation that was held in front of reporters. Were not going to throw up our hands; were going to roll up our sleeves.

Harris remarks also coincide with a surge in threats and attacks of violence targeted at LGBTQ Americans. A report from the Anti-Defamation League and the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, released last week, found that more than 350 anti-LGBTQ hate and extremism incidents occurred in the U.S. over an 11-month period starting June 2022. Also released last week, a report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a nonprofit that studies extremism, found that between June 1, 2022, and May 20, 2023, there were more than 200 instances of protests, threats and acts of violence directed at drag events and performers of drag, an art form with deep ties to the queer community.

The Stonewall National Monument itself has faced anti-LGBTQ demonstrations in recent weeks. Police are investigating three separate incidents of vandals tearing down and breaking dozens of Pride flags at the historical site.

In the face of anti-LGBTQ legislation and threats of violence toward gay and trans Americans, the Biden administration has taken several steps to push back.

During Pride Month last year, the president signed an executive order that directed federal agencies to expand access to transition-related care and increase LGBTQ inclusivity in American schools. The order also curbed funding for the debunked practice of conversion therapy.

Biden also signed legislation in December to codify federal protections for same-sex marriages, and his administration has consistently urged Congress to pass the Equality Act, legislation that would federally prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ Americans.

The Biden administration has also rebutted anti-LGBTQ efforts in more modest ways, by voicing its support for the community, as Harris did at Stonewall on Monday, and advancing LGBTQ people to historic leadership positions.

Vice President Kamala Harris outside Stonewall on Monday, June 26, 2023. (Jay Valle / NBC News)

Since taking office in 2021, Biden has hosted large Pride events during the month of June and has adorned the White House with rainbow flags. In 2021, Harris also became the first sitting vice president to participate in a Pride parade, when she marched in Washington, D.C.s annual Pride celebration that year. And when the Senate confirmed Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary in 2021, the administration became the first to have an openly gay person in a Cabinet post.

At the conclusion of her remarks Monday, which occurred just outside the Stonewall Inns entrance, Harris said the fight against anti-LGBTQ legislation and threats is a fight about our foundational principles as a nation.

Fighting with pride is about being a patriot, about loving our country, believing in the promise and ideals of our country, and fighting to make them real for all people every day, Harris said. So thats why Im here today: to celebrate those who stood 54 years ago with such courage and determination and the inspiration that they gave this movement that continues today.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photo of Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane, with the curve of Earth and the blackness of space in the background.

Virgin Galactic has set a launch date for its first commercial spaceflight.

The company, a part of billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group, announced Monday (June 26) that it will send three Italians and a Virgin Galactic flight instructor to space no earlier than Thursday (June 29), two days later than a previous estimate.

A livestream of the flight will run here at Space.com, through Virgin Galactic, if possible. Events will begin at 11 a.m. EDT (1600 GMT, or 9 a.m. local time in New Mexico) on June 29. The mission will launch from New Mexico's Spaceport America, where Virgin Galactic hosts a commercial hub.

Virgin Galactic's spaceflight system will also include four pilots on its two vehicles: Two pilots aboard the carrier plane VMS Eve that will fly high in Earth's atmosphere, and two pilots aboard the SpaceShipTwo space plane VSS Unity that will go to suborbital space with the four passengers.

Photos: Virgin Galactic's 1st fully crewed spaceflight with billionaire Richard Branson

The passengers include:

Pantaleone Carlucci, an engineer at the National Research Council of Italy;

Colin Bennett, an astronaut instructor at Virgin Galactic;

Col. Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force, who is training for a "future orbital space mission" to the International Space Station, according to Virgin Galactic materials;

Lt. Col. Angelo Landolfi, a physician with the Italian Air Force.

The pilots of VMS Eve include:

Kelly Latimer, commander

Jameel Janjua, pilot

The pilots of VSS Unity include:

Mike Masucci

Nicola Pecile

The mission, called Galactic 01, is in support of a joint Italian Air Force and National Research Council (of Italy) research effort called "Virtute 1."

The 90-minute flight will see the cabin of VSS Unity "transformed into a suborbital science lab to provide the environment for rack mounted payloads and for the crew to interact with wearable payloads," according to Virgin Galactic materials.

The science will include 13 experiments (a mix of autonomous and guided ones) that will study fluid dynamics and sustainable materials for medical applications.

A typical flight profile sees Eve leaving the runway with Unity under its wings. At 50,000 feet (15,000 meters), Eve drops Unity to fly on its own. Unity subsequently ignites its rocket motor to fly to suborbital space. The four crew members aboard Unity will then have a few minutes of weightlessness during which they will see Earth's curvature against the blackness of space before gliding back to Earth.

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Unity has a maximum capacity of six passengers. It has already flown five times to suborbital space, most recently on May 25. Prior to that jaunt, it had last flown in July 2021 before Virgin Galactic grounded Unity and Eve for maintenance and upgrade work meant to allow the vehicles to fly more often for commercial service.

Should Galactic 01 go to plan, Unity and Eve will fly again relatively quickly: The second flight, called Galactic 02, is "planned for early August, with monthly commercial flights thereafter," according to a previous Virgin Galactic announcement last week.

Joining a mission will require a lot of money, as a ticket aboard VSS Unity costs $450,000. No earlier than 2026, Virgin Galactic will launch a set of new "Delta-class" space planes capable of flying to space once a week.

The company is competing against Blue Origin, the spaceflight company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle hasn't launched since September 2022, when it suffered an anomaly during an uncrewed research flight.
I visited Japan and tried fresh wasabi for the first time. It looked and tasted nothing like what I'm used to eating with sushi.

Wasabi plants in Okutama, Japan. Monica Humphries/Insider

On a trip to Japan, I met with wasabi grower David Hulme and tried fresh wasabi for the first time.

We toured his wasabi patches, where I learned fresh wasabi doesn't have the vibrant hue I'm used to.

Turns out, the wasabi I've been getting from restaurants isn't wasabi  it's horseradish.

I thought I knew what wasabi  that bright-green, spicy paste served alongside my go-to tuna roll or salmon sashimi  tasted like.

But that changed when I met wasabi cultivator David Hulme. Hulme not only gave me my first taste of fresh wasabi, but he informed me that all the nose-tingling, tear-jerking wasabi I've had in the past was likely fake.

Earlier this year, I joined Hulme in the small town of Okutama, about an hour outside of Tokyo. Originally from Australia, Hulme moved to Tokyo for his journalism career. A little over a decade ago, he traded city life to become a wasabi farmer in Okutama.

Now, he takes care of a handful of wasabidas, or wasabi patches, which line streambeds in Japan's mountainous regions.

On a recent trip to the country, Hulme took me on a tour of his wasabidas, and I learned a lot about Japan's cherished vegetable.

A wasabida, or wasabi patch. Monica Humphries/Insider

Wasabi is a lush, green plant grown in riverbeds

As we hiked up a mountain alongside a small stream, we ran into rows of lush, green plants.

Hulme explained that the plants grow best in mountain river valleys, where mineral-rich water feeds and flavors the wasabi. Beyond a constant flow of mineral-rich water, wasabi needs oxygen, shade, and mild temperatures during the lifespan of the plant, which is about 18 months.

Every variable of the cultivation process is tracked, Hulme said. During the tour, he measured the water level and jotted down the number, which he'd later add to a massive spreadsheet.

In the rocky riverbed, heart-shaped leaves had sprouted from the ground. With only the leaves visible, I was eager to learn which part of the plant would be turned into the paste.

Would we grind the leaves into a paste? Was wasabi like ginger, and we'd pull up a plant to discover a hearty root?

David Hulme holds a wasabi plant. Monica Humphries/Insider

Hulme eyed the rows of wasabi, searching for a mature plant ready to harvest. He found one and pulled it out of the wet ground. Fine roots shot out of the bottom of the plant. Hulme hacked away its leaves, revealing a light-green stem.

He explained that while you eat the root of plants like horseradish and ginger, you eat the stem of wasabi.

The next step was to grate it and taste it.

The stem of a wasabi plant is what's turned into wasabi paste. Monica Humphries/Insider

The wasabi had a sharp flavor  unlike anything I'd tasted before

Hulme grated the wasabi into a paste. As the wasabi built up on the grater, it lacked the vibrant green color I was familiar with.

The wasabi paste was definitely green, just not nearly as green as the wasabi I'd encountered in the past.

That's because I likely haven't had real wasabi, Hulme said. What's frequently served is a mixture of horseradish, mustard, and green dye. There might be a bit of wasabi powder in the paste, Hulme said, but the majority is horseradish.

David Hulme grind wasabi stem into a paste. Monica Humphries/Insider

There's a handful of reasons for that.

"Wasabi loses its flavor quickly," Hulme said.

I tasted that firsthand. As Hulme ground the wasabi stem, we tasted the root at varying increments of time.

First, Hulme had me wait a few minutes before tasting the grated wasabi. The flavor had peaked, and it hit my nostrils before it hit my tastebuds. My eyes instinctively watered and beyond the sharp spice, there was an earthier note as well.

We waited a few more minutes and tried the wasabi again. This time my eyes didn't water.

After about 25 minutes, the same wasabi paste had a mild flavor.

Hulme said that restaurants struggle to serve fresh wasabi since it can't be prepped ahead of time. Instead, it needs to be grated just minutes before serving.

A wasabi stem. Monica Humphries/Insider

But it's not just wasabi's shelf life that makes it hard to come by  it's the price.

Beyond the intense cultivating process, there are fewer people growing wasabi, The New York Times reported. Factors like rising temperatures caused by climate change have discouraged people from growing wasabi, since the plant needs moderate temperatures  around 70 degrees Fahernheit  to thrive, according to the Times. And in the last decade there's been a 55% decline in wasabi production, the Times reported, citing Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

Today, wasabi is expensive, Hulme said.

As Insider has previously reported, fresh wasabi can cost $250 per kilogram  25 times as much as fresh horseradish.

As I grabbed another chopstick full of fresh wasabi, I celebrated the way it cleared my nostrils, filled my tear ducts, and left my tongue tingling. It was a taste I wouldn't easily find again anytime soon.

Read the original article on Insider
I was visiting Brussels for the first time when the city's metro received a bomb threat. It turned out to be a hoax, but that didn't ease my anxiety.

Mikhaila Friel photographed in Brussels, Belgium. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

There was a hoax bomb threat in Brussels, Belgium, when I visited for the first time in March.

Even though I was safe, the situation made me more anxious than I had anticipated.

It's completely changed my approach to solo city travel.

I visited Brussels for the first time as part of a solo reporting trip on March 8, 2023.

As I boarded the train to Belgium's capital city from Luxembourg, I felt a wave of excitement thinking about what the next three days would entail. I was planning to visit museums and historical attractions, try the famous chocolate, and embark on rail adventures.

But when I arrived at Brussels Central Station, I knew something wasn't right.

An announcement in French blared from speakers, but I couldn't tell which direction it was coming from. It was loud and sounded urgent. I don't speak the language, so I had no idea what was being said.

I didn't panic at first, as everything seemed normal. There were people on the streets  some were rushing to catch a train, while others flurried into nearby cafes and shops to avoid the rain.

When I arrived at my hotel 10 minutes later, an employee at the reception desk broke the news.

"There's been a bomb threat on the metro," she said, before I even had the chance to check in.

My first night was spent scouring the internet for updates

The employee said the threat was likely to be false, but advised me to stay away from large crowds until we knew more information.

After being shown to my room, I scoured the internet for news. The Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported the European Commission had alerted police earlier in the week that it had received an email in Russian, which threatened a "massive terrorist attack" as well as the "elimination" of LGBT+ and other minority groups. The email went on to reference a planned attack on the metro on March 8, Le Soir reported.

However, Brussels' crisis center said an attack was "unlikely" and police had carried out a metro sweep as a precaution, according to Le Soir and Reuters. Meanwhile, The Brussels Times referred to the threat as a "hoax."

I didn't know what to think  or what to feel about it all. Looking back, I was probably in shock.

I called my manager to let her know about the situation, and her response was incredibly thoughtful. She assured me that the company would help arrange for me to get out of the city if that's what I felt most safe doing.

But I ultimately decided against leaving. I didn't want to overreact and make a decision I'd later regret  especially if it really was a hoax.

The experience has changed the way I think about solo city travel

Thankfully, there was no attack on March 8.

But even though I was supposed to feel safe with that knowledge, I didn't. I found myself engaging in what I now recognize as anxious behaviors, including researching and ruminating over Brussels' history of terrorism attacks and as well as calling my family and partner to ask for reassurance that I had made the right decision to stay.

The Royal Palace of Brussels. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

The night before I was due to fly home, I was so anxious about missing my flight and being stuck in Brussels that I barely slept.

Most people living in Europe know that terror threats aren't rare; in 2021, there were 15 terror threats in EU member states, according to the European Council. There have also been several high-profile terror attacks in the UK in recent years, including the bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people in 2017.

Law enforcement has also historically been able to stop many terror plots throughout the years. According to statistics published by the Home Office in December 2021, UK police stopped seven late-stage terror attacks since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Even though I was already aware of situations like these, it didn't feel as real until I was in Brussels, hearing it for myself, contemplating what could have happened if things had gone differently.

It's certainly made me reconsider my approach to solo travel.

While I would have previously researched a city's overall safety and friendliness for solo travelers, I've now started looking into terrorism threat levels ahead of time. That way, I'll be more informed, level-headed, and hopefully less likely to anxiously research during the trip itself.

I've also started keeping a physical copy of all important phone numbers, emergency contacts, and travel details in case something happens to me or my phone while traveling, which gave me some peace of mind when it was time to embark on a solo reporting trip to Sicily a couple of months later.

I've found that the greatest thing that has helped is time. Months later, I can now look back on the experience with a sense of neutrality, rather than the looming anxiety that I felt immediately after returning home to the UK.

I won't let this experience stop me from doing what I love. And I can take the main lesson I've learned  to expect the unexpected  and turn it into a positive as it helps me prepare for future trips.

Read the original article on Insider
FILE - In this grab taken from video and released by Prigozhin Press Service on Friday, June 23, 2023. The armed rebellion by a powerful mercenary group against the Russian military was over in less than 24 hours, but the disarray within the enemys ranks was an unexpected morale-boosting gift for Ukraine  at a time when its armed forces needed it the most. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP, File)

TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led an armed rebellion against the Russian military  and walked free. Others who merely voiced criticism against the Kremlin weren't so lucky.

On Tuesday, Russias main domestic security agency, the FSB, said it had dropped the criminal investigation into last week's revolt, with no charges against Prigozhin or any of the other participants, even though about a dozen Russian troops were killed in clashes.

The Kremlin had promised not to prosecute Prigozhin after reaching an agreement with him that he would halt the uprising and retreat to neighboring Belarus. That came even though President Vladimir Putin vowed to punish those behind the rebellion.

Asked about this U-turn by The Associated Press during a conference call with reports on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment.

Prigozhin's escape from prosecution  at least for now  was in stark contrast to how the Kremlin has deals with anti-government protests like speaking out against the war in Ukraine or challenging Putins rule.

When asked about it, Peskov cited Putins will  to prevent the events from developing according to the worst case scenario, along with promises and guarantees given to Prigozhin.

SELECTIVE PROSECUTION

Ivan Pavlov, a prominent lawyer who has worked on many high-profile cases involving the FSB, told AP that laws dont work in Russia, and if they do, its very selective.

The reason, Pavlov said, is political expedience.

That the case against Prigozhin was dropped is nothing short of a disgrace.

Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been thrown into an isolation cell at the penal colony where he is serving nine years for minor transgressions of prison rules.

I would love to see Navalnys face at the next court hearing over incorrectly buttoning (his prison garb) when it he is told that an armed rebellion case was closed because the person implicated in it agreed to leave to Belarus, said Navalny ally Georgy Alburov in a tweet on Tuesday.

When Navalny learned about the rebellion from his lawyers during a court hearing, he said he thought it was a joke.

They were telling me about the seizure of Rostov, the helicopters that had been shot down, and the armed column heading for Moscow ... I kept expecting someone to suddenly yell You got punkd!' But no one did, a social media post by Navalny said.

Then again, Prigozhin had longtime links to Putin and has won lucrative Kremlin catering contracts before founding the private military contractor Wagner, which has sent forces to Syria, African countries and Ukraine.

DISCREDITING THE ARMY

Publicly spreading false information about the Russian army or discrediting it became a criminal offense a week after the Kremlin sent its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Authorities use the law to clamp down on anyone speaking out against the war or deviating from its official narrative.

The crackdown has been sweeping across Russia, with law enforcement targeting both prominent opposition figures and ordinary citizens.

Opposition politician Ilya Yashin received 8 years in prison after being convicted on this charge for decrying atrocities by Russian troops in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. A colleague on a Moscow municipal council, Alexei Gorinov, got seven years on the same charges.

In a Facebook post from his legal team, Yashin noted that Prigozhin slammed the entire military leaderships face into a table, captured a city and fired at Russian military aircraft.

But he then noted that Gorinov, opposition Figure Evgeny Roizman and himself "are still the ones discrediting the army. Of course.

St. Petersburg artist Sasha Skochilenko is on trial for replacing four small price tags in a supermarket with antiwar slogans. She has spent over a year in pretrial detention and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

A single father in the Tula region south of Moscow was sentenced to two years after his teenage daughter made an antiwar painting at school.

According to OVD-Info, a prominent Russian rights group that provides legal aid, 603 people face criminal charges for antiwar stances as of late June. Many were fined for war protests, which authorities deem to be discrediting the army - including those who held up blank pieces of paper or Leo Tolstoys novel War and Peace.

Prigozhin, who for months publicly blasted military leadership with expletive-ridden insults on social media, never faced those charges.

VANDALIZING ENLISTMENT OFFICES

Prigozhin also admitted that his fighters struck Russian military aircraft during the revolt, leading to the deaths of those aboard.

A number of ordinary Russians who threw Molotov cocktails or otherwise tried to set military enlistment offices on fire as part of their expression of outrage over the war, were handed long prison terms, even though those acts rarely caused major damage.

Since the war began, Russian media reported at least 77 attempts to set enlistment offices on fire. Many have resulted in convictions.

The longest sentence so far  19 years  has been given to Roman Nasryev and Alexei Nuriyev, who were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into an enlistment office in the town of Bakal, in the Chelyabinsk region. The fire was small and no one was hurt, media reports said.

Nasryev told the court he was expressing his disagreement with the special military operation, the term the Kremlin uses for the war in Ukraine.

A sentence of 13 years was handed to Kiril Butylin, a plumber in a town outside Moscow. He was charged with vandalism, public calls for terrorist activity and a terrorist act after he painted a Ukrainian flag and wrote an antiwar slogan on a wall of an enlistment office and threw two Molotov cocktails at it.

Sentences for others for trying to set fire to such offices ranged from to 1 to 12 years.

CHARGES OF TREASON

In a speech to the nation on Saturday, Putin used the term treason to refer to Prigozhins rebellion. It's a grave offense in Russia that is adjudicated in secrecy and almost never results in an acquittal.

In recent years, it has been wielded against Kremlin critics, scientists working on international research and, most recently, Russians who oppose the war and donate money to support Ukraines army.

On Monday, 70-year-old aerospace scientist Valery Golubkin was convicted of treason and given a 12-year prison term over state secrets to representatives foreign organizations. Golubkin maintained his innocence, and his lawyers argued he was working on an international project and was permitted to share data with his foreign partners.

Earlier this year, top opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. was convicted of treason for publicly denouncing the war and was sentenced to 25 years.

Last year, former journalist Ivan Safronov was convicted of treason and sentenced to 22 years for passing military secrets to Czech intelligence and a German national. Safronov insisted on his innocence, and many Russian journalists view the case against him as revenge for his reporting that exposed shady arms deals.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The participation of Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in the war against Ukraine is financed exclusively from the Russian state budget. The group received over a billion dollars in one year.

Source: video posted by the Russian media of Putin in the Kremlin, allegedly at a meeting with the military who restrained the assault of the Wagner Group

Quote: "The financing of the entire Wagner Group was fully provided by the state... Only from May 2022 to May 2023, the state paid 86 billion 262 million roubles [over a billion dollars  ed.] to the Wagner Group for monetary maintenance and incentive payments."

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 therefore deployed 25,000 of his mercenaries "to restore justice".

In an emergency address, dictator Vladimir Putin talked of betrayal and attempts to "organise a rebellion". Ukrainian intelligence had information that Putin had urgently left Moscow for his residence in Valdai.

In the evening of the same day, after a conversation with the self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Prigozhin said that his mercenaries were returning to set up field camps. The criminal case against Prigozhin in Russia was promised to be closed, and he was to "go to Belarus".

According to Russian pro-war media and Telegram channels, during the rebellion, the Wagnerites shot down an Il-22M aircraft (command post) and 6 Russian army helicopters, killing 13 to 20 people. Also in Russia, 19 houses and roads were damaged by the march of Prigozhin's private army.

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The Subject

The palace intrigue surrounding Vladimir Putin and his erstwhile ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin, remains murky days after the Wagner Group commanders aborted mutiny against the Russian military. But the fallout from the insurrection on the battlefield of Ukraine may be easier to decipher.

Andriy Zagorodnyuk served as Ukraines defense minister and is the currently chairman of the Kyiv-based think tank, the Center for Defense Studies. He also continues to advise President Volodymyr Zelenskyys cabinet on defense issues. He talked with Semafor on Monday about how the discord in Moscow could impact Ukraines recently launched counteroffensive against Russias occupying forces.

The Interview

Jay Solomon: How do you think this mutiny is impacting the Ukrainian military strategy now?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: Regarding the Wagner group: Obviously we are very closely looking at the future of that group, because they had been a most successful organization during the last year. They were very, very brutal, very, very rough guys. Extremely immoral. But at the same time, they had a very different doctrine, a very different approach. And that approach allowed them to capture  in six months, they captured a city. It was actually a town. But nevertheless. And now theyre going to absorb it into the traditional armed forces and traditional doctrine. And what we are very interested in seeing is whats going to remain for that organization.

Jay Solomon: You mean if theyre just sort of gone. Thats it.

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: Well, I mean, well need to see because its too early to say. But if theyre gone, that's obviously a very interesting situation, yes.

Jay Solomon: I mean, do you think there are other symmetrical or militia types ready to fill that void. Because Putin has shown over the last decade, whether in Ukraine or Syria or in Georgia, he seems tied to this idea of using non-conventional forces.

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: True, but none of them were successful.

Jay Solomon: Except for Bakhmut, no?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: Yes, except for there. And again, that success was very limited and very pricey, even for themselves. It wasnt scalable.

Jay Solomon: What are you looking for right now on the front lines?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: Where are [Wagners men] going right now? Those guys are not going to stay home. They are going to go somewhere. And [Prigozhin] goes to Belarus? I mean, are they going to follow him? And if yes, what are they going to do? Because that group is still extremely dangerous and we certainly need to understand their direction. Some  they will sign the contract with the Ministry of Defense. And then they will probably be dispersed in different units so they don't have any kind of unity you know. But I mean, is that it? Or there will be some guys who would still do something on their own? And if yes, where are they going to go?

Jay Solomon: Could they remobilize in Belarus? Is that a strategically useful place for them to attack if youre Russia?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: I dont know. I mean, I dont know. Yes, potentially. They can start from anywhere technically.

Jay Solomon: If you look at [Russias front line], are there certain parts that are potentially more vulnerable? The British Ministry of Defence today put out a statement. I dont know if it was psychological warfare, but they were saying, it looks like some of the lines have been thinned around back Bakhmut.

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: I dont know why they decided to say that. Most of them were not on the front already by the time when this happened.

Jay Solomon: Right. Its already thinned. Do you think this will change Putins tactics, strategy  like he'd be more willing to use WMD?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: I dont think so. I think the only reason why he's not using them is just because he understands that the consequences will be a disaster. Thats it. Thats the only single reason.

Jay Solomon: Do you think there are any other tactics that might change after this if hes not going to go for some crazy...

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: To be honest, no, no, I dont think so. I think we had a one-day event, which was obviously extremely remarkable. But I dont think they will change the tactics of their armed forces at all.

Jay Solomon: How about on the psychological side. Do you think most likely that there will be attempts  whether its through telegram or leaflets or loudspeakers  to exploit this, you know, why the hell are you fighting for these guys?

Andriy Zagorodnyuk: Maybe in the future? Yes. Maybe in the future, well see some operations trying to. I can only guess right now, but I think that the last thing you want if you are a party in this war, the last thing you want is that your sides fight against each other. Right? Thats like loss of unity is just horrible. Its probably the worst situation you can imagine.

Thats why Putin looked so different when he was making that speech. Because that's just the unimaginable. Putin will never forget that. He will never forgive this, he will never honor any agreements to [Prigozhin]. He doesnt honor any agreements in general. Certainly not to this guy. I think he is in an extremely dangerous situation.
Video capture from Russian social media - Wikimedia Commons

Last Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman-turned-warlord controlling Russias globe-spanning Wagner private military company and its tens of thousands of mercenaries, launched an armed mutiny aimed not so much at overthrowing President Vladimir Putin but, rather, the leadership of Russias defense ministry.

While Prigozhin claimed that Russias military had intentionally shelled his mercenaries, the underlying conflict was due to plans by Russias ministry of defense to convert much of his manpower into regular army service, as well as Prigozhins increasingly open personal attacks against unpopular Russian defense minister, Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu.

Prigozhin himself joined a mechanized forceincluding T-80BV and T-90s tankswhich surrounded and seized control of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov, a city of one million that serves as the logistical base for Russian forces invading southeastern Ukraine.

Separately, a column of Wagner troops counting over one hundred trucks went barreling down the M4 highway towards Moscow.

Twenty-four hours laterafter Putin promised to brutally deal with a henchman he now described as a back-stabbing traitor in a public addressthe relationship was patched over in a deal supposedly proposed by Belarussian dictator Alexander Lukaschenko. Charges of armed rebellion against Prigozhin were dropped, he would move to Belarus, and some of his troops would still be absorbed by Russias military while others may be transferred to Wagners extensive overseas deployments, particularly in Africa.

Never mind the seven Russian military aircraft reportedly shot down and 13 Russian air force (VKS) pilots killed by Wagner anti-aircraft fire, as reported by pro-Russian military sources. The full claimed count includes:

2 attack helicopters (Ka-52 and Mi-35)

1 armed transport helicopter (Mi-8)

3 electronic warfare helicopters (Mi-8MTPR-1)

1 Il-22M airborne command post/comms relay plane

Indeed, the mutiny led the VKS to lose more in 24 hours than it had in several days of frontline combat against Ukraines counter offensive.

Two-way Ground Vs. Air Warfare

Russian armed forces on the groundincluding army, Rosgvardia national guard and other internal security troopsevidently failed to shoot at, or even to simply obstruct, Wagner forces. So, it seems that all of the violence during the Wagner revolt occurred between VKS and Wagners ground troops.

Prigozhins column entering Rostov appears to have elicited an exchange fire late Friday evening. Prigozhin later claimed his troops opened fire because Russian helicopters mistakenly targeted civilian roadsters. His forces seized the airbase of Millerovo, but allowed personnel there to continue combat missions over Ukraine as long as a Wagner observer was onboard to prevent movement against Wagner forcesan inverted throwback to Soviet commisars (political officers).

Stringer - Getty Images

But a more lethal imbroglio occurred on the M4 highway to Moscow as the Wagner column approached the city of Voronezh in the oblast of the same name.

This column was composed of over 100 vehiclesmostly military and civilian trucks, but also several MRAPS, T-72s, and T-80s mounted on tank transporters. Air defense included at least two truck-based Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense systems armed with both missiles and 30-millimeter cannons, as well as at least one less capable Strela-10 tracked armored air defense vehicle. (These systems are codenamed SA-22 Greyhound and SA-13 Gopher respectively.)

Heavy Wagner convoy with active air defense in Voronezh Oblast, moving with at least one Pantsir-S1 SAM system, Strela-10 SAM system, and multiple BMPs and tanks (T-72B3, T-80BV) loaded on equipment haulers. pic.twitter.com/pWiJKf4vcq  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 24, 2023

It was here (and nowhere else) that Russian aviation seems to have knocked out at least five Wagner light vehicles: two 6x6 trucks, an MRAP, two machine-gun armed pickup trucks, and a mine-resistant MRAP style vehicle. Some strikes also apparently targeted infrastructure such as bridges to slow down the column.

Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Some of the attacks appear to have involved large gravity bombs, normally (but not exclusively) employed by fixed-wing jets. Though no jets are visible on video, one account claims that relatively modern Su-34 Fullback bombers were employed.

One Russian Tiktok post shows a massive blast falling on a Wagner column.

Footage has emerged of the bombing of a highway near #Voronezh during the movement of the #Wagner PMC convoy towards #Moscow. pic.twitter.com/TgQmmhJ43i  NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 26, 2023

Another video recorded from within a civilian car shows a bomb detonating nearby, its shockwave flipping the car over. Its unclear whether missing the road and bridge was intentional or accidental.



Footage from earlier today which shows the attempted Bombing and the Aftermath of a Highway near the Town of Brodove in the Voronezh Region by the Russian Air Force most likely to try and Halt the Advance of Wagner PMC Forces in the Region; it appears that the Bombs not only pic.twitter.com/8zZgyd8VAz  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 24, 2023

A Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopteran advanced type know for its shark-like nose and double rotorswas also alleged to have destroyed a fuel storage depot on the eastern side of Voronezh, presumably in hopes of denying it uses by the column.

An explosion at an oil depot in Voronezh occurred at the time of a bypass of a Ka-52 helicopter of the Russian Aerospace Forces next to it. pic.twitter.com/t0OY8Sv63V  Dmitri (@wartranslated) June 24, 2023





This attack was filmed from other angles too, including from a construction platform. Geolocation suggests that this incident took place at a major four-way intersection/overpass on the M4 highway at the eastern outskirts of Voronezh city.

One video shot by civilians at a nearby lineup of car dealerships shows both a Wagner Strela-10 air defense vehicle on the ground and a nearby flying Ka-52. Two surface-to-air missile launches are seen or heard, followed by the sound of an explosion.

It seems the mystery of how the fuel depot went up in #Voronezh is solved- a Wagner operated Strela-10 fired on a VKS Ka-52, but the likely 9M37-series missile missed and hit the depot.



Explains why the Ka-52 wasn't seen firing rockets, just dropping flares. pic.twitter.com/CZHZ1jx4qN  C Os (@CalibreObscura) June 24, 2023

In the same area, perhaps this very same Ka-52 was recorded narrowly escaping a Wagner missile, thanks to its flare decoy.

A Russian Ka-52 'Alligator' attack helicopter survives a very close shave with a surface to air missile; the helicopter is saved by its flare countermeasures. pic.twitter.com/BSBVygYPeJ  Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) June 24, 2023

There is an alternate theory, therefore, that the Strela-10s 9K35 missiles or the Ka-52s helicopter flares accidentally landed on the depot and caused the explosion, rather than it being a deliberate attack.

One way or another, at some point, Ka-52 Yellow 72 (serial number RF-13418) was shot down near Talovaya (southeast of Voronezh), killing the pilot.

#Russia: A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter (72 Yellow, RF-13418) was reportedly shot down by Wagner forces near Talovaya, #Voronezh Oblast.



The crew was killed. pic.twitter.com/Tr3hPtvfH0   Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 24, 2023

An older Mi-35 Hind gunship helicopter was also downed near Rostov after attacking the Wagner column (recorded here), but its two crew survived.

There are also reports of downing of an Mi-8 Hip transport helicopterwhich can be armed with rockets for ground attack missionsand damaging of an Mi-28 Havoc helicopter allegedly holed by Wagner fire.



Very rare Mi-8 MTPR shot down by Wagner. pic.twitter.com/Voesfw7izU  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 25, 2023

But most puzzlingly, early in the mutiny, Fighter Bomber reported that Wagner downed two highly valuable Mi-8MTPR Rychag electronic warfare helicopters flying as a pair near Rostov/Millerovo. All of the crew survived, though one of the lost helicopters was consumed in flames.

#Russia: A helicopter (presumably Mi-8MTPR-1) of the Russian Ministry of Defense was shot down by Wagner forces today in #Voronezh Oblast.



Two of these electronic warfare helicopters were reportedly shot down in total. pic.twitter.com/mJfIsP41mU   Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 24, 2023

The blog later reported the loss of a third Mi-8MTPR during the mutiny over Luhansk in Ukraine, near where Wagners Voronezh column had begun. The crash, pictured here, gave time for only one of the four crew members to parachute out.



Russia began the war with just 15 Mi-8MTPRs, which employ long-range jammers to drown out Ukrainian air defenses, degrading detection time and accuracy during Russian missile, drone and bombing attacks. Combined with two Mi-8MTPRs lost over Russian airspace nearly simultaneously in May to an ambush likely involving a forward-deployed Patriot missile battery, Russia has lot one-third of its heliborne jamming fleet.

Possibly as devastating was the downing of a large plane near Kantemirovkalikely a rare, specialized type fitted with advanced sensors and communications equipment.

#Russia: A Russian Il-22M communications aircraft (reportedly RF-75917) was shot down by Wagner forces in #Voronezh Oblast. pic.twitter.com/CKhy4KRXoh   Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 24, 2023

Multiple sources report that this was an IL-22M airborne command post plane often used to relay communications possibly with serial numbers RF-75917with eight crew aboard, none of whom survived. The Il-22M has neither weapons nor ejection seats. However, it could have been used to track and direct attacks against the Wagner column. Earlier in 2018, the Russian Air Force lost an Il-22M over Syria to friendly fire following an Israeli air strike.

Crash site of Il-22 of the Russian Air Force shot down by Wagner troops. pic.twitter.com/J8tcpix1YQ  Aldin  (@aldin_aba) June 25, 2023

However, the plane seen falling in the video appears to have only two engines, not the four of an Il-22. That could mean that the aircraft seen in the video may have been an An-24, an An-26, or An-140-100 transports.

How Did This Happen?

That VKS losses were so high led some to wonder why Ukraines air defenses have had less verifiable success during their counter offensives. Could Wagners prowess or equipment somehow explain the difference?

Wagner forces were seen disposing of four types of anti-aircraft weapons: heavy 12.7mm and 14.5mm anti-air machine guns (effective out to 1 miles), man-portable air defense systems (presumably Igla-S or Verbas, effective out to 3 or 4 miles), the Strela-10 tracked vehicle (with a range of 3 miles) and, most potently, the Pantsir-S1. The Pantsir uses 57E6 missiles with a max range of 9-11 miles, and relies on radio commands from the radar- and electro-optical sensor equipped truck for guidance.

Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

Ukraine doesnt have its own Pantsirs, but there are better explanations for the differences in counter offensive success. After heavy early-war losses, Russian combat helicopters ordinarily try to stay outside ofor dart only briefly withinthe 2-4 mile range of portable air defense systems donated to Ukraine. The preferred weapons are unguided rockets fired in an arc and Vikhr long-distance anti-tank guided missiles that can target specific vehicles or fortifications.

However, those cautious tactics werent viable against the two Wagner columns advancing down Russian highways full of civilian trafficthe pilots needed to get closer to ID targets if they wanted to not accidentally blow up civilian buses or fellow Russian regular military vehicles. But that, in turn, exposed them to Wagners short-range missiles and heavy anti-aircraft machine guns. The Fighter Bomber blog, commenting on the video of the near miss of a civilian car, remarked that the convoys were mixed with civilians, the air defense systems were deployed amongst car parks and busy stores.

Its still unclear why the valuable Mi-8MTPRs and the Il-22Mneither designed for direct combatwould have been dispatched to close within visual range of Prigozhins forces. The MTPR model even has the regular models armor removed. Presumably, they came under fire performing either a show of force or a reconnaissance mission, perhaps not realizing the kinetic escalation of the confrontation.

What's Next for the VKS and Wagner?

Several Kremlin-aligned Western propagandists have sought to cast doubt on the losses, whether out of denial rooted in motivated thinking (nobody likes to admit their preferred side suffered heavy losses), or as a deliberate deception tactic to muddy the waters and to maintain the laughable official line that Russia is now more unified than ever following what was humiliating and damaging mutiny.

But the reports of losses come from pro-war Russian sourcesnotably, the prominent Fighter Bomber social media account run by a former Russian pilot, and the Rybar telegram account. The videos and photos posted to social media come from horrified Russian civilians.

The losses to Russian pilots mean Wagner may face an even harder time calling for air support from the VKS. Historically, the VKS had actually loaned older ground attack jetsincluding A-10-like Su-25 Frogfoots and supersonic Su-24 Fencersfor use by former military pilots in Wagners employ. Prigozhin, as a stunt, flew a mission on an Su-24. Furthermore, Kanamat Botashev, a 63-year-old retired major general who died in May of 2022 when his Su-25 was downed by a Stinger missile over Ukraine, is believed to have been in Wagners employ.

That said, post-mutiny, the Wagner organizations role in the Ukraine fighting seems set to dwindle rapidly. But, despite the de-escalation of the mutiny, it seems distinctly possible that Russias military and security services may look for means of retaliation against Prigozhin that wont involve a major battle against Wagner fighters on Russian soil.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged from the aftermath of an armed rebellion over the weekend with shakier control over his country and growing questions about how long he can maintain power.

Putin avoided a violent clash with Wagner Group in Moscow as the private military companys chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, a longtime ally, halted his advance just more than 100 miles from the capital.

Though Putin reportedly struck a deal with Prigozhin to halt the march, the mutiny marked the strongest challenge to Putins leadership yet.

Theres no way Putin is going to recover from this. He will not recover, said Olga Lautman, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA). He has been left like the emperor with no clothes.

Prigozhin captured a key city in southern Russia with little resistance, saw some Russian soldiers join his vanguard and was welcomed and cheered on by crowds, according to videos shared by Russian Telegram accounts.

Putin on Monday said those who participated in the rebellion will face justice. But the Russian leader is being questioned, even by state-run media channels, for letting the mercenary leader off the hook.

In a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the Wagner boss will relocate to Belarus and terrorism charges against him will be dropped  though its unclear how long either commitment will last.

Lautman said Putins downfall began around October of last year as Ukraine retook territory occupied by Russian forces, and critics allied with Russia, such as Prigozhin, grew bold enough to criticize the Russian military and government.

She noted that the struggle in Ukraine has also seen anti-Kremlin revolutionary groups assaulting towns in Russia, several drone attacks in Moscow and Prigozhins increasing challenges to the Kremlins authority.

Lautman added that while the conflict has simmered down, the feud is far from over, describing the deal as a cooling off period.

This is just the beginning of the chaos, said Lautman, who predicted the relative ease of Prigozhins march on Moscow will embolden other revolutionaries in Russia.

Anna Arutunyan, a fellow with the Wilson Center, said Putin is catastrophically weakened after the insurrection attempt, especially because the deal to defuse the crisis was made with the help of Belarus.

Leaving others to sort it out does begin to make him look really vulnerable, she said. Its symptomatic of a weakened leader.

While some analysts say Putin could recover and stay in power for another decade or longer, Arutunyan predicted it could be the beginning of the end of his leadership. She said the incident was especially troubling for Putin because it showed his inability to control competing elites he has historically played off against each other.

Putin relies on businessmen and nonstate actors, thinking he can control them. And then when rivalries come to the surface, he steps back and just thinks that theyll resolve it on their own, she said. They dont.

Prigozhin has a long relationship with Putin. Before he founded Wagner Group in 2014, he was a restaurant and catering magnate known as Putins chef because of his ties to the Kremlin.

The businessman played a leading role in online efforts to manipulate the 2016 U.S. election and is accused of horrendous human rights abuses for Wagners extensive operations in developing countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Prigozhin has remained an influential partner of Putins, allowing the Kremlin to gain sway in some countries without direct involvement. But the war in Ukraine, which Wagner joined in spring 2022, changed the relationship dramatically.

The first signs of an incoming revolt emerged months ago, when Prigozhin began publicly slamming Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the commander overseeing the war in Ukraine, for failing to arm his men with enough supplies.

The dispute took a worse turn after Wagner took the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, when Prigozhin accused Russian soldiers of planting explosives on an escape route and of firing on his fighters when they moved to disable them. After Bakhmut, Prigozhin also embarked on what appears to have been a media blitz, accusing Moscow elites of corruption and even hinting at a revolution.

But the Kremlins attempt to force Prigozhin to sign a contract that would give Moscow greater control over his company proved to be the decisive push in the confrontation.

Ahead of a July 1 contract deadline, Prigozhin released a video Friday accusing Moscow of lying about the war in Ukraine. He said the war was never intended to protect ethnic Russians, instead saying elites wanted Ukrainian territory for its resources.

Russias Federal Security Service quickly opened a criminal case against Prigozhin around the same time, as the mercenary chief claimed Russian forces bombarded a Wagner camp in Ukraine. Moscow denied the strike.

Prigozhin then announced his march into Russian territory, forcing Putin to publicly denounce a betrayal in a televised address without naming Prigozhin directly.

As many Putin allies stayed on the sidelines, Lukashenko brokered the deal between Putin and Prigozhin on Saturday, de-escalating the conflict with Wagner forces just 120 miles from Moscow.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the event was extraordinary, noting that in February 2022, Putin was attempting to overthrow Kyiv  but was now struggling to defend his own capitol.

What weve seen is Russia having to defend Moscow, its capital, against mercenaries of his own making, Blinken told NBC News on Sunday. So in and of itself, thats extraordinary.

Prigozhin claims that he was not moving to oust Putin but marched toward the Kremlin to protest injustice and prove how weak Russias security situation was.

Some analysts said the Wagner boss may have sought to overthrow Putin but realized closer to Moscow how deadly the fighting would be.

Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Center, tweeted that Prigozhins move was made out of desperation after heavy losses in Bakhmut and the state machine turning against him.

Stanovaya said the Wagner boss wanted to put himself in a negotiation position with Putin, who had largely ignored his feud with the Ministry of Defense. While she said Putin was dealt a severe blow, she conceded the Russian leader prevented the worst outcome.

I want to emphasize that image has always been a secondary concern for Putin, she wrote. Setting optics aside, Putin objectively resolved the Wagner and Prigozhin problem by dissolving the former and expelling the latter. The situation would have been far worse if it had culminated in a bloody mess in the outskirts of Moscow.

Putin has also yet to cede to Prigozhins main demands, such as ousting Shoigu and Gerasimov from power. Shoigu appeared in a Russian Defense Ministry video Monday for the first time since the rebellion.

Still, Prigozhin remains powerful as a populist figure and says he still maintains control over most of his Wagner forces. One possible explanation for why Putin chose to make a deal with Prigozhin was over concerns about his influence, said Ivan Fomin, a democracy fellow at CEPA.

For Putin, it was not acceptable to see this civil war in the streets, Fomin said. Maybe he was concerned about the capacity of the National Guard, not because they were not capable, but maybe he was afraid they would side with Prigozhin.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russian media outlets have reported that the Wagner PMC has begun preparations to transfer heavy military equipment to Russian Ministry of Defence units.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Details: The Russian Ministry of Defence has reported that preparations are underway to transfer heavy military equipment from the Wagner PMC to active units of the Russian Armed Forces.

Russian armed groups must sign a contract by 1 July with the Russian Ministry of Defence. All Russian "volunteer units" must sign such a contract "in order to increase the effectiveness of their use" in the war in Ukraine. This means that they will be subordinate to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

This contract has already been signed by Kadyrovites. The leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, refused to sign a contract with the regular army.

On 23 June, Prigozhin announced a mutiny and "marched" on Moscow with his army, but a day later, the mercenary leader abandoned his plans and said that the Wagner PMC forces had decided to turn around for two reasons: "they did not want to shed Russian blood" and "they were going to demonstrate their protest, and not to overthrow the government in the country".

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin offered the Wagnerites a choice of either signing a contract with the Russian Defence Ministry, joining other armed groups, or moving to Belarus, where they would set up a training ground for Prigozhin's mercenaries.

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A private Russian security guard in the CAR - December 2020

The failed weekend mutiny in Russia by the Wagner mercenary group is likely to have repercussions for Africa, where it has several thousand fighters based as well as lucrative business interests.

It is unclear whether Wagner's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has been told to relocate to Belarus, will still run his private army from there to allow it to service its security contracts in places like the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assured CAR and Mali of the status quo in terms of their crucial security arrangements.

Why is Wagner in Africa?

Primarily to make money - though as it had tacit approval from the Kremlin, it also bolstered Russia's diplomatic and economic interests.

It was a major boon for Russia, for example, when France withdrew its forces from Mali after Wagner agreed in 2021 to help the new military junta in its battle against Islamist militants.

Wagner has just posted a timeline of its operational history on Telegram, confirming its official involvement in Africa began in 2018 when it sent "military instructors" to the CAR and Sudan - and then moving into Libya the following year.

It has been noted that these countries have natural resources of interest to Prigozhin's outfit.

The CAR, which has been unstable for decades, is rich in diamonds, gold, oil and uranium.

Wagner has allowed President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who even has the mercenaries as his bodyguards, to shrug off the influence of former colonial power France as the country tries to gain the upper hand against rebel groups - in return for a slice of the resource pie.

CAR's president was pictured on the campaign trail in December with suspected Wagner bodyguards

"Wagner's operational strategy over the past two to three years has been to expand both its military and economic footprint in Africa," Julia Stanyard, from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, told the BBC.

The think tank analyst says Wagner has a network of companies associated with it - and they have pursued commercial activities in the countries in which the mercenary group operates.

In CAR these allegedly trade in conflict minerals and timber, as well as making beer and vodka.

Wagner's brief foray into Sudan allowed Russian mining firm M Invest, which the US Treasury alleges is owned or controlled by Prigozhin, to set up operations there. Its subsidiary, Meroe Gold, is one of Africa's biggest gold producers.

In Libya, Wagner is not thought to have the numbers of fighters in the country as it did when it backed renegade general Khalifa Haftar's attempt to take the capital, Tripoli, nearly four years ago.

But strategically, Libya creates a gateway for Russia into Africa, strengthens its presence in the Mediterranean and aligns with the Kremlin's backing of Gen Haftar. Wagner mercenaries still remain around key oil facilities in Haftar strongholds in the east and south of the country - and sources have told the BBC there has not been a noticeable change on the ground since Saturday.

Wagner's interest in Mali may be linked to its rich gold reserves - though there is no evidence as yet of its firms operating there - and it is likely to be more strategic, opening up Russia's sphere of influence in West African countries under pressure from so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda groups.

Mali could also, according to the large batch of US military documents leaked earlier this year, have been used as a proxy to acquire weapons from Turkey on Wagner's behalf, with one Pentagon dispatch saying junta leader Col Assimi Goita had confirmed it would do so.

What has Wagner's impact been on the ground?

Wagner fighters have been accused of widespread human rights abuses in several countries.

In 2021, a BBC investigation found evidence that implicated members of the group in Libya in the execution of civilians and the unlawful use of anti-personnel mines and booby traps in family homes around Tripoli.

In Mali, figures from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (Acled) show that militant violence more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, with civilians making up the highest number of casualties.

Bar graph of fatlaities in Mali

Operations by the army involving the Wagner group have led to higher civilian deaths. Among the worst incidents was the killing of some 500 civilians in a week-long operation in the central town of Moura. The UN linked "foreign forces" and the Malian army to the killings, while the US sanctioned two soldiers and the de facto commander of Wagner in Mali.

Earlier this year, the US Treasury accused the mercenaries of engaging in an ongoing pattern of serious criminal activity, including "mass executions, rape, child abductions, and physical abuse in the Central African Republic and Mali".

Though Wagner's success against a powerful rebel coalition in the CAR has entrenched public support there.

This fan base has been helped by local troll farms, run by Mr Prigozhin, with the intention of influencing debate in Africa and whipping up anti-Western sentiment.

For example, the Malian junta has just asked the UN peacekeeping force to leave the country - in line with a social media push to get the force replaced by Russian troops.

In May, Mr Prigozhin told the Cameroon-based Afrique Media TV, a station affiliated with him, that Wagner mercenaries were "more effective" than UN peacekeepers in Mali and the CAR.

What is the possible fallout for Africa?

Analysts say while Wagner has been incredibly useful for the Russian state in Africa, especially as it seeks diplomatic support amid the Ukraine conflict - the mercenary group could not be where it is without the Kremlin.

The two are so intertwined, unravelling them on the continent seems a perilous task.

It is clear in Libya, for example, that Wagner units have been relying heavily on support from the Russian defence ministry.

A UN diplomatic source and Wagner watcher has told the BBC that if the group were to be completely disbanded, its units in Africa would no longer be resupplied by the Russian authorities.

Meanwhile all their fighters in Africa are paid by a Prigozhin holding company, Lou Osborn from the All Eyes on Wagner Project, has told the BBC - an interesting point with regard to Mr Lavrov's recent assurances to the CAR and Mali.

The UN source says that if fighters are left unpaid, with no political or military support - they would essentially be out of job and up for hire in countries grappling with dangerous civil wars and insurgencies.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has said Wagner fighters should join the regular army, go home or head for Belarus - but Ms Stanyard says it is unclear if this will be the case for the Russian soldiers of fortune in Africa.

The analyst suggests there may be "some sort of compromise position whereby Yevgeny Prigozhin, from his current exile in Belarus, will retain control and ultimate responsibility for the Wagner operations in Africa".

There are also big questions about what will become of the murky business operations in Africa linked to Wagner and Prigozhin.

Interestingly the African-based troll farms, which went silent during the mutiny on Saturday, have focused on the Kremlin's line since the Belarus deal was announced.

One called Mr Putin "the master of war" but did not go so far as to discredit his erstwhile ally Prigozhin - perhaps indicating the two may fudge a way forward together on Africa.
Bank regulators and the Treasury Department are learning the wrong lessons from the most recent spate of bank failures that nearly crashed the economy earlier this year, according to financial firebrand Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Warren wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and top banking regulators telling them not to go soft on the issue of bank mergers and to keep banks competing against each other in the interest of consumers.

Allowing additional bank consolidation would be a dereliction of your responsibilities, hurting American consumers and small businesses, betraying President Bidens commitment to promoting competition in the economy, and threatening the stability of the financial system and the economy, she wrote in a letter dated Monday.

The letter to Yellen and top officials reveals divisions among Democrats about how best to deal with the banking sector following the interconnected bank failures that started in March and posed a systemic risk to the U.S. economy.

Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu testified to Congress last month that his office was committed to being open-minded when considering merger proposals and to acting in a timely manner on applications.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Yellen delivered similar remarks at a financial meeting of the Group of Seven rich nations in Japan last month, according to a report.

This might be an environment in which were going to see more mergers, and you know, thats something I think the regulators will be open to, if it occurs, the Reuters news agency reported Yellen as saying.

Warrens reprimand to regulators focused on how banks are no longer being forced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to divest branches as a condition of merging with other banks.

Why did DOJ feel the need to relinquish its use of divestitures as a potential remedy? Warren asked Assistant Attorney General Kanter in the letter.

Warren also asked whether regulators intend to publish summaries about how levels of competition would be affected by various mergers.

The U.S. banking business has been growing increasingly concentrated for more than a century.

Since its all-time high of 30,456 in 1921, the bank population had declined to only 4,377 at the end of 2020, a decline of about 86 percent. Even since 1934, after the 1933 bank holiday closed thousands of banks and the newly established Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) stabilized the banking system, the bank population has declined by 71 percent, or 10,973 institutions, economist William Emmons wrote in a 2021 study for the St. Louis Fed.

The slow and steady decline in bank numbers continues. This is because few new banks are being chartered, and banks continue to merge with one another, reducing the number of charters, he wrote.

Thats despite nearly record-high asset levels owned by commercial banks, which exploded after the pandemic.

The Cleveland Fed has described the effects of the long-term consolidation of the banking industry as unclear for consumers.While the benefits of consolidating are clear for an institution, the benefits (and costs) for the consumer are less clear, Cleveland Fed economists wrote in a 2021 study.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washington provides Ukraine with $500 million in military aid

Bradley IFV

The United States will provide Ukraine with another $500 million security assistance package, including armored vehicles and ammunition for existing weapons systems, the U.S. Department of Defense announced in a message on June 27.

Read also: IFVs and APCs in new package of US military aid to Ukraine  report

This package, valued at up to $500 million, includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses to help Ukraine protect its people, as well as additional armored vehicles, anti-armor systems, critical munitions, and other equipment to help Ukraine push back on Russia's war of aggression, the message reads.

The package consists of the following items:

 Additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems;

 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;

 Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);

 Demolitions munitions and systems for obstacle clearing;

 Mine clearing equipment;

 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;

 30 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles;

 25 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers;

 TOW anti-tank missiles;

 Javelin anti-tank systems;

 AT-4 anti-tank systems;

 Anti-armor rockets;

 High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);

 Precision aerial munitions;

 Small arms and over 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades;

 Thermal imagery systems and night vision devices;

 Testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair;

 Spare parts, generators, and other field equipment.

On June 24, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said that Kyivs forces continue making gradual advances in eastern Ukraine.

Read also: Russia has prepared everything for terrorist attack at Zaporizhzhya NPP, warns Zelenskyy

On June 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that the progress of the ongoing counteroffensive has been "slower than desired," but reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to continue making advancements "as we see fit."

Read also: Zelenskyy visits Frontline troops in Donetsk Oblast

Earlier on June 27, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated that during the summer counteroffensive, Ukraine has liberated more of its territory than Russia managed to capture throughout its winter offensive.



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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Watch the moment a man in the Florida Everglades gets yanked off a boat by a shark, in case you needed more reasons to be terrified of going out on the water this summer

A bull shark comes close to inspect a tourist's camera during an eco tourism shark dive off in Florida. Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A man was bitten by a shark at Florida's Everglades National Park, per Local 10 News.

Video footage showed the man washing his hands in the water before the shark bit his right hand.

A park representative told Insider that "shark bites are extremely uncommon" in the area.

If you thought boat-bashing orcas weren't a big enough reason for you to stay away from the water this summer, check out this video of a shark taking a nip at a guy on a boat in Florida.

In camera footage recorded on Friday, a man on a boat can can be seen dipping his hands in the water in Florida's Everglades National Park.

"I wouldn't put your hands in there," a person standing off-camera tells him.

"Ah, two seconds won't do anything," the man says.

A shark can then be seen emerged from water and taking a snap at the man's right hand, before releasing him quickly.

The footage, posted to Instagram by a Floridian social media account and obtained by Florida television station Local 10 News, shows the man falling off the boat and into the water. He can be heard screaming while the other people on the boat scramble to get him back on board.

A representative from the Miami-Dade fire department told Insider that it transported the man to a local-area hospital after receiving a call about a possible shark bite.

Allyson Gantt, the chief of communications and public affairs for Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks, told ABC News the shark was likely a bull shark.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, bull sharks are a "common apex predator" that can be found in the waters of both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of Florida.

The commission added that bull sharks are "one of the few shark species that may inhabit freshwater, sometimes venturing hundreds of miles inland via coastal river systems."

The commission's website states that bull sharks are dangerous, "accounting for the third highest number of attacks on humans."

Gantt told Insider that there has only been one other report of a shark bite in the park since 2019.

"While shark bites are extremely uncommon in Everglades National Park, we always recommend visitors take caution around park wildlife," Gantt said.

Editor's note: June 28, 2023  This story has been updated with responses from Everglades National Park and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

Read the original article on Insider
A North Carolina-based TikToker was able to have the ultimate first-class experience after waiting out an hourslong delay.

Phil Stringer, known as @Phil.stringer on TikTok, posted a June 26 video showing his experience on an American Airlines flight from Oklahoma to his home in Charlotte after sticking out an 18-hour delay.

The video thats garnered over 27 million views as of June 27, shows Stringer board a completely empty aircraft after other passengers gave up because of the delay.

#flightattendant #airplanetiktok #privateparty #FlightFun #delayedflight #fyp #viral Makeba @phil.stringer 18-hour delay turned this flight into a private party! Watch how the amazing crew and I made the most of it! #americanairlines

Im the only person on the plane and they have an entire flight crew, Stringer said. They do not want to do this flight.

But in fact, according to the TikTok, the crew was more than inclined to take the single passenger back home.

Later in the video, a flight crew member can be heard calling Stringers name over the intercom as the flight got ready to embark at its new departure time of 12:13 a.m.

They pulled them from the hotel to come do this flight for just one person, Stringer said in the video.

The flight, set to land at 3:35 a.m., turned into a private party equipped with a funny overhead announcement and a flight attendant conducting a safety demonstration while her fellow crew members cheered in the empty seats, the video showed.

We know it can be frustrating when travel plans get delayed and are thankful for our crew members who went above and beyond to care for Mr. Stringer during his flight, a spokesperson for the airline told McClatchy News.

Other flight crew members jumped to the comments to give their thoughts on the unforgettable experience, with one person saying, Flight attendant here  this is literally our dream scenario, esp for a delayed flight. So glad you had a nice time!

Another commentator got nostalgic about a similar experience and said, I was a flight attendant for 10 years and this happened to me one time. Our passengers name was Ben and I will never forget it!! Such a blast!

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Watkinsville woman gets five years in prison for wreck that killed Athens teen

A Watkinsville woman was recently sentenced to five years in prison after she pleaded guilty in Clarke County Superior Court to charges stemming from a fatal wreck that claimed the life of a 13-year-old Athens girl.

Molly Anne Tully, 28, entered the negotiated plea on June 20 before Judge Eric Norris who imposed a sentence of 10 years with the first five years in prison.

Tully pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide in connection with a Jan. 31, 2021, wreck when Georgia State Patrol troopers said she was driving the wrong way on the Athens Perimeter and crashed head on into a Dodge Charger near Mitchell Bridge Road.

Tully was driving under the influence, according to the indictment.

Autopsy: Police await autopsy report on Athens man who died in shooting

The Chargers driver, Yanelis M. Figueroa, 20, of Athens was seriously injured, but her passenger, Kayla Marie Smith, an eighth-grader at Hilsman Middle School in Athens, was killed, according to the patrol report.

The patrol said Tully was driving east in a Hyundai Genesis when she crashed into the Dodge. The Hyundai belonged to a 27-year-old Palm Beach, Fla., woman, who told police she and Tully have been friends since they were in the second grade.

She and Tully had been drinking prior to the wreck, according to the report. After they left a restaurant, the woman told police that Tully stopped the car and told her, "I think you should get out of the car." The woman reported that she did.

The wreck occurred shortly before 11 p.m., but prior to the wreck a warning was broadcast by police about a wrong-way driver seen on the bypass.

Related: Watkinsville woman charged in fatal wrong-way wreck on Athens Perimeter

Tully was also charged with unlawful possession of THC oil and having a pistol in her possession while having a controlled substance. Those charges were dismissed under the agreement reached between her lawyer, Edward Tolley, and the Western Circuit District Attorneys Office.

Tully asked for and received a first offender sentence, meaning she can have the felony conviction removed from her record if she successfully completes probation upon her release from prison.

During the first three years of her probation, she was ordered to report to a Day Reporting Center, a Georgia Department of Corrections program that targets high-risk persons who need close supervision and programs for such issues as substance absue.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Watkinsville woman gets 5 years in prison for crash that killed girl
Weapons, meth seized during latest round of Operation Consequences in the High Desert

Weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine was seized during the latest round of Operation Consequences in the High Desert.

The latest round of Operation Consequences targeted several locations in the High Desert where authorities seized weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine.

The week of targeted crime suppression led by San Bernardino County Sheriffs investigators ended Friday, June 23 and included the following locations:

19000 Block of Jasmine Street, Adelanto

13200 Block of Mohawk Road, Apple Valley

36100 Block of Montera Road, Barstow

11600 Block of Pinon Avenue, Hesperia

10900 Block of I Avenue, Hesperia

13400 Block of Nevada Rd, Phelan

9600 Block Sultana Avenue, Fontana

22600 Block of East Avenue R, Palmdale

1400 Block of E. Ninth Street, San Bernardino

Investigators from the county's Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with sheriff deputies from patrol stations, served 10 search warrants and contacted suspects at the locations.

During the service of search warrants and additional contacts, investigators seized 40 firearms, four of which were ghost guns, and over 1,400 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators also made nine felony arrests.

Weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine was seized during the latest round of Operation Consequences in the High Desert.

Operation Consequences will continue to focus on conducting targeted crime suppression operations in the High Desert and the Sheriffs jurisdiction surrounding the city of San Bernardino.

The nearly year-long operation also includes personnel from the sheriffs Gangs/Narcotics, Specialized Enforcement division as well as California Highway Patrol, SBC Probation, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

There are currently 6,568 parolees at large in California and 534 parolees at large in San Bernardino County, authorities reported.

Operation Consequences will continue to take place throughout the years to curb violent crime, disrupt and dismantle targeted criminal street gangs, and locate and arrest criminals who are illegally possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms, sheriffs officials said.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Weapons, meth seized during latest round of Operation Consequences
Jizai Arms are wearable, swappable, cybernetic arms designed for human expression.

Speculative horror fiction, traditional Japanese puppetry, and cultural concepts of autonomy are inspiring a new project aimed at providing humans with sets of detachable cyborg arms. Jizai Arms are sleek, controllable appendages designed to compliment users movements, expression, and artistry. The University of Tokyo team lead by co-creator Masahiko Inami presented their creation for the first time last month at the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.

Unlike the headline-grabbing worlds of AI and autonomous robot technologies, however, Inami explained to Reuters on Tuesday that Jizai Arms are absolutely not a rival to human beings. Instead, the interchangeable limbs are meant to aid users to do as we please it supports us and can unlock creativity in accordance with the Japanese concept of jizai. The term roughly translates to autonomy or freedom. According to the presentations abstract, the project is also intended to explore myriad possibilities between digital cyborgs in a cyborg society.

[Related: The EU just took a huge step towards regulating AI.]

To use Jizai Arms, subjects first strap on a harness to their torso. From there, arms can be attached into back sockets, and are currently controlled by a user or third-party via a miniature model of the same technology.

The project is partially inspired by centuries old Jizai Okimono" animal puppetry, as well as Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabatas magical realism short story, One Arm. In this 1964 tale, a woman lets a man borrow her detached arm for an evening. Half a century since its writing, reads the papers introduction, emerging human-machine integration technologies have begun to allow us to physically experience Kawabatas world.

https://youtu.be/ywrK1yTYRIA

Videos provided by the project showcase dancers performing choreography alongside classical music while wearing the accessory arms. The teams paper describes other experiences such as varying the number and designs of the cybernetic arms, swapping appendages between multiple users, and interacting with each other's extra limbs. In the proof-of-concept video, for example, the two ballet dancers ultimately embrace one another using both their human and artificial arms.

[Related: Cyborg cockroaches could one day scurry to your rescue.]

According to Inami, users are already forming bonds with their wearables after experiencing the Jizai Arms. Taking them off after using them for a while feels a little sad, they relayed to Reuters. That's where they're a little different [from] other tools. In a similar vein, researchers plan to look into long term usage of such devices, and how that could fundamentally change humans daily perceptions of themselves and others.
The News

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who is running for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, appeared stumped by a simple question about the issue of Uyghur Muslims in China during a radio interview Tuesday.

During the 15-minute interview, talk show host Hugh Hewitt asked Suarez whether he will be talking about the Uyghurs, the ethnic minority in Chinas Xinjiang region, during his campaign. (The U.S. has accused China of committing genocide in its crackdown of the Uyghurs, including through the use of detention camps.)

"The what?" Suarez responded to Hewitt's question, leading the host to repeat: "The Uyghurs."

"Whats a Uyghur?" Suarez said.

Hewitt said Suarez has "got to get smart on that."

At the end of the interview, Suarez joked that Hewitt gave him homework.

"Ill look at what a, what was it, what did you call it, a weeble?" Suarez said, chuckling.

Hewitt corrected him and said: "You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor."

The interview ended with Suarez promising to "search Uyghurs," adding "Im a good learner. Im a fast learner."

In a statement to Semafor, Suarez said he "didn't recognize the pronunciation" Hewitt used, adding: "That's on me."

"Of course, I am well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China. They are being enslaved because of their faith," Suarez said. "China has a deplorable record on human rights and all people of faith suffer there."

Know More

After the interview, Hewitt tweeted that Suarez did well for his first on-air conversation focused on national security  "except for the high blind spot on the Uyghurs."

He said Suarez's response is "not where I expect people running for president to say when asked about the ongoing genocide in China."

Step Back

Hewitt, a conservative host who served in the Reagan administration, has a history of stumping presidential candidates with often basic questions about national security.

In 2015, during Donald Trump's first run for president, he appeared to be confused about who Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was, after Hewitt asked about him.

Later in that interview, Hewitt listed off other prominent Islamist militant leaders, and Trump wasn't able to say he knew who they were.

Earlier this year, entrepreneur and 2024 GOP hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy appeared on Hewitt's show and was asked about the nuclear triad, the three-pronged system with which the U.S. can launch nuclear weapons. Ramaswamy admitted he was "not familiar with that."
tables and chairs are set up in a crater bathed in green light

UFO fever is at a seeming all-time high.

Given that those pesky UFOs (or unidentified anomalous phenomena/UAP as they're now known) refuse to reveal themselves, this is the ideal time for "Asteroid City," a fun new Wes Anderson sci-fi flick centered around a band of junior scientist inventors convening in the Arizona desert in the mid-'50s to experience a close encounter during a high school science competition.

Released wide on June 23, 2023 by Focus Features, "Asteroid City" is a joyous yet oftentimes somber affair that will provide ample kicks and giggles to Andersonian acolytes yet might seem a bit obtuse for mainstream audiences unfamiliar with his particular brand of cerebral indie indulgences.

Related: 1st 'Asteroid City' trailer reveals Wes Anderson's take on a space-age alien encounter

a poster showing a long road beside a billboard of a large crater with the text

Recalling the deluge of AI-driven homage trailers imitating writer/director Anderson's signature style of ensemble casts, pastel-colored production design, symmetrical shot compositions, esoteric wit, overly-articulate children and deadpan dialogue delivery, it's somewhat refreshing to finally get the real deal once again instead of the digital mimicry recently spread all over YouTube.

This picture-postcard Americana outing lovingly recreates a vintage 1955 desert town in the U.S. Southwest complete with golden sunset vistas, atom-bomb tests, stalwart cacti and red-rock mesa landscapes. "Asteroid City" is a stylized dream where a massive meteor crater provides the town with tourism dollars and limited renown amid its remote location and relative isolation.

The trademark nostalgic atmosphere and a jarring play-within-a-play narrative still provide enough of a cartoonish playground for the exceptional assembled cast of Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jake Ryan, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Hong Chau, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Grace Edwards, Aristou Meehan, Sophia Lillis and Jeff Goldblum.

As the story unfolds, we witness a mass gathering of super smart kids who are gathering for the Junior Stargazers and Space Cadets Convention. Here, budding geniuses vie for the top prize of a science scholarship with a range of next-generation inventions and contraptions that the U.S. government would secretly love to acquire from the eccentric prodigies, including a "Galactotron telescope" and "disintegration raygun."

People in pastel clothing stand in the desert

During the competition festivities, a flying saucer with a silly-looking extraterrestrial arrives to steal the storied asteroid that the city of 87 citizens is most famous for. This event causes a swift military quarantine of the entire area, trapping all its assortment of quirky characters as the teen brainiacs attempt to establish communication with the outside world as the restrictions drag on with no end in sight and the adults quibble.

In terms of where "Asteroid City" falls in terms of style and content, it lies somewhere between "Moonrise Kingdom" and "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou," and perhaps slightly brushing up against "The Darjeeling Limited."

Core themes of existential dread and musings on death don't interrupt its vibrant bit of nostalgia that will keep select audiences smiling beyond the Looney Tunes-like UFO that drops in on this celebration of discovery to set panic in motion.

people in white hazard suits deep underground in a crater

The separate story framing the main narrative finds stage actors in these exact roles back in New York in a black-and-white faux documentary for an older teleplay also titled "Asteroid City," and narrated by a dapper Rod Serling-ish Bryan Cranston.

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 'The Walking Dead' creator Robert Kirkman unveils new sci-fi comic 'Void Rivals' (exclusive)

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Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robert Yeoman is the longtime Anderson collaborator who provides those familiar compositions (shot on old-fashioned Kodak 35-mm film) that the Texas-born auteur filmmaker is celebrated for, with a wealth of striking tracking shots, portrait close-ups and sweeping horizontal pans all orchestrated to a stirring score by Academy Award-winning composer Alexandre Desplat ("The Grand Budapest Hotel," "The Shape of Water").

The shallow artifice of post-war America and its simplistic suburban life and honest values is rattled to its foundations here in this dust-draped purgatory, filled to the rim with Golden Age sci-fi tropes like jetpacks and ray guns. It's a wonderfully dry cinematic martini freshly concocted from an automated dispenser and consumed as a satisfying tonic for fear just under the shifting sands of life.

a man sits in a station wagon on a lift

And just like Wes Anderson's collage of complex characters and their provocative rumination on humanitys cosmic role and their quest to leave, "Asteroid City" is simply pure intoxicating escapism that goes down oh so smoothly.
On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: What's next for Russia after coup attempt?

USA TODAY Politics Intern Miles Herszenhorn looks at Russia's next steps after a weekend mercenary rebellion attempt. Plus, experts say a heat dome is to blame for record temperatures this week in Texas, the Supreme Court dismisses an appeal of Louisiana's congressional map, USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise explains government efforts to try and persuade gas guzzlers to switch to electric vehicles, and rural areas see major ambulance shortages.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I'm Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Tuesday, the 27th of June 2023. Today, a look at what this past weekend's coup attempt in Russia means for the war in Ukraine and Russia's future. Plus, a brutal heat wave continues, and governments around the country try to persuade those who use the most gas to switch to electric vehicles.



Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday credited patriotism as the reason for a quick end to an attempted coup over the weekend by the Wagner Mercenary Group. I caught up with USA TODAY Politics Intern Miles Herszenhorn for the latest, and to get a sense of what's next for Russia's war in Ukraine. Welcome back to 5 Things, Miles.

Miles Herszenhorn:

Thank you so much, a pleasure to be here.

Taylor Wilson:

Can you just start by updating our listeners on what exactly has happened the past few days in Russia?

Miles Herszenhorn:

The events in Russia over the weekend are unlike anything that we've really seen ever under Putin's leadership. Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the leader of the Wagner Group, which is a mercenary outfit in Russia, led an armed rebellion against the Russian government and the Russian military. For 24 hours, it was really unclear how far he would go and whether he would succeed, but Prigozhin came all the way to within 200 kilometers of Moscow before Belarus's President Aleksandr Lukashenko brokered a deal that resulted in Prigozhin turning around, leaving Russia and going to Belarus.

Taylor Wilson:

Yeah, and Miles, I'm wondering, how did we get to this point? What are the major differences between how the Wagner Group and Prigozhin view the conflict in Ukraine compared with the Russian military?

Miles Herszenhorn:

What's really interesting is that Prigozhin's troops, the Wagner Group, and the Russian military have been fighting side by side in this conflict since Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year. The main issue at hand is how Prigozhin feels the Russian military is handling the war. He believes in its goals, he believes that Russia should win. Prigozhin is just incredibly unhappy with how it's all being run. And his main enemy in all of this is Russian Defense Minister Shoigu. He has unleashed his fury on Shoigu, and said that the main reason for taking his men and going all the way up to within 200 kilometers of Moscow was to essentially stage a protest of the Russian military's leadership in this war. In fact, Prigozhin even said yesterday in a voice message that the main purpose was to stage a protest, and not to result in a change of leadership in the Russian government. However, it was an armed rebellion and men died on both the Wagner side and also on the side of the Russian military. So it's a lot more complex than Prigozhin is making it out to be, or Putin is making it out to be.

Taylor Wilson:

What's next for him and is Prigozhin now in danger?

Miles Herszenhorn:

You just have to look back to Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny, when he returned to Russia after he was poisoned in Russia and then went to Berlin for healing. When he came back, Navalny was thrown in jail for violating the terms of his parole because he was in a coma in Berlin. So Putin does not forgive or forget easily at all, which makes it all the more remarkable that he decided to let Prigozhin just go to Belarus without any repercussions whatsoever. There are a lot of questions behind what's going on here, but Prigozhin seems to be in Minsk, in the capital of Belarus. Putin has claimed that he will honor the terms of this agreement to let both Prigozhin and who whoever from the Wagner outfit wants to join him in Belarus go there, but we have to see.

Taylor Wilson:

And we know that Wagner mercenaries have been a huge part of Russia's invasion of Ukraine so far. What does all this mean for the Wagner Group's military capabilities going forward?

Miles Herszenhorn:

It's too early to say. It's unclear how many people will join him in Belarus, how many people will remain loyal to Prigozhin even if they stay in Russia. There are a lot of questions surrounding all of this, and the honest answer is that only time will tell.

Taylor Wilson:

And coming back stateside, President Joe Biden made his first public remarks on this yesterday. What is the US response here, and does this change anything about US strategy for the war in Ukraine?

Miles Herszenhorn:

President Biden made it very clear that this changes nothing in terms of US support for Ukraine. And right now, they have told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that they will support him, that they will continue to support Ukraine, and that the internal turmoil in Russia will not change that one bit. On the other hand, President Biden did make it very clear that the United States was not taking sides in this conflict between the Russian military and the Wagner Mercenary Group. US intelligence agencies reportedly had intel that Prigozhin was planning and uprising against Putin for quite some time. They did not warn Putin about this ahead of time, but it also seems to be the case that the United States provided no support to Prigozhin. This raises a lot of questions on where the United States stands in this. And right now, they've taken a more passive, neutral approach to the conflict. The main reason for that is probably because the instability of Russia's nuclear arsenal is of primary concern for the United States.

Taylor Wilson:

Miles Herszenhorn, great info for us as always. Thanks so much.

Miles Herszenhorn:

Always a pleasure to be here.

Taylor Wilson:

At a White House briefing, National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby was asked about a comment from President Joe Biden last year that Putin cannot remain in power. Kirby clarified saying, "Regime change is not our policy." Meanwhile, Russian authorities earlier today said they have closed a criminal investigation into the rebellion, with no charges against Prigozhin or any other participants.



Tens of millions of Americans are experiencing a brutal heatwave this week. As of yesterday, more than 45 million people lived where some level of heat alert was in effect, according to the National Weather Service. And forecasters expect severe heat to continue for much of this week in Texas, the Plains, and parts of the Southeast. Scorching temperatures have reached 115 degrees in some Texas towns, setting records. That's all thanks to a sprawling heat dome that parked itself over Texas and Mexico. A heat dome happens when a region of high pressure traps heat over an area, according to William Gallus, Professor of Atmospheric Science at Iowa State University. You can read more about heat domes and find out what the weather's like in your neck of the woods with the link In today's show notes.



The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an appeal over Louisiana's congressional map. The move sends a dispute over whether districts diluted Black voting power back to a lower court. The decision will allow a federal appeals court in Louisiana to consider the map ahead of next year's election, and it could pave the way for a new map to be drawn. It's an early sign of fallout from a major Supreme Court decision this month that sided with voters challenging Alabama's recently redrawn congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act. In that case, a five to four majority rejected Alabama's argument for a so-called colorblind approach to map-making.



Governments around the country want to persuade the small percentage of drivers who use the most gas to switch to electric vehicles. I spoke with USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise for more. Howdy, Beth.

Elizabeth Weise:

Hey, how are you?

Taylor Wilson:

Good, thanks. Welcome back to 5 Things. So governments are increasingly pushing drivers to switch to electric vehicles. Who are they targeting specifically?

Elizabeth Weise:

Back in 2021, there was this nonprofit, an energy nonprofit called Coltura. And they did a study and they found something interesting, though not surprising, that a relatively small proportion of the people who drive in the US use an outsized amount of gasoline. So they call them gasoline superusers, and these are people who just drive a ton. They made a really interesting point. They said it's one thing if our goal is just to shift people to electric vehicles, fine. But if our goal is to actually cut the amount of CO2 that we are producing from transportation, then really the people you want to focus on are the ones who drive the most. Burlington, Vermont just passed a law this month offering extra incentives to high-mileage drivers to help get them into an EV. California has actually twice now - Phil Ting, who's an Assembly member here - has tried to get laws through the legislature to offer extra incentives and extra rebates for those folks to move into an EV. And then, just this week, Washington State released a really big report looking at who their high-mileage drivers were and what it would take to encourage them to get into electric vehicles. And I expect we'll see more of this, but there were some caveats.

Taylor Wilson:

Yeah, so do these initiatives have any critics?

Elizabeth Weise:

Not critics per se yet, partly because they're not that widespread. I mean, then we are seeing them on both coasts. People who study this, though, are saying it might be a little early. I talked to a guy at University of California, Davis, which has a whole institute devoted to electric vehicles and the transition to them. And they've been doing interviews and surveys of folks in California. And you think California, right, we do have a very high rate of EV penetration here. But when they go out and do interviews with normal folks, he just did a maybe 20 people focus group, not one of them had heard of electric cars. And the most recent one, a third of the people they interviewed couldn't even name any electric car. I mean, not even Tesla. We in the media and people who, I mean, I think about this a lot, I'm like, "Oh, everybody knows about electric cars." Well, they don't really. So is it a question of do we need to encourage people to buy electric cars or do we just need to get the idea out there that, hey, these exist and they probably would save you a chunk of money?

Taylor Wilson:

Beth, you bring up an interesting dilemma at the end of this story and this idea of, well, this is a 20-year-old vehicle or whatever it is, I want to just drive it into the ground. Is that better for emissions than just immediately switching over to a new electric vehicle?

Elizabeth Weise:

I've had three cars that I've held onto forever, a Dodge Dart and then a Honda Civic and then a Subaru, so decades. But it turns out, for people who are driving a ton of miles and burning a lot of gas, I mean, some of these folks burn 1,500 gallons of gas a year, at that point, even though it does require a lot of CO2 to build a new car, the payback to get someone to stop creating the CO2 from burning that much gas is actually pretty quick. When I was talking to the guy at UC Davis, I said, "Well, what do you mean people don't know about EVs?" And he said, "Well, EV companies, they don't need to advertise. They sell everything they bill, they have long wait lists. There's no reason for them to spend money on advertising at this point because they don't need to."

The interesting thing about that is that people who drive a lot - in California, that tends to be folks have to live a long ways out to find affordable housing so they have to drive a really long way to get to work - they may not be hearing about it because they're not seeing ads. Because if you look at the data, if you drive a lot, actually buying an electric vehicle, if you charge it at home would save you a chunk of money. And actually, some of the people I spoke with said, "I wonder if we really need incentives." People, as soon as these cars become available, folks are going to realize, "I can save a lot of money on gas costs. It makes sense for me to do this." It's just that we don't have the inventory yet for them to buy. So a lot of this is in play, although it feels like we've had electric vehicles for a long time and we have, really the market is nowhere near mature yet, and we just don't even know what it's going to look like.

Taylor Wilson:

All right, Elizabeth Weise, thanks for your insight as always.

Elizabeth Weise:

I love my job, it's fascinating stuff.



Taylor Wilson:

Nearly 4.5 million people in the US live in an ambulance desert. That means 25 minutes or more from an ambulance station. And more than half of those are residents of rural counties. That's according to a new national study from the Maine Rural Health Research Center and the Rural Health Research Centers. And as more rural hospitals close around the country, dwindling emergency medical services also must travel far to the nearest hospital or trauma center. Experts and those in the field say EMS needs a more systematic funding model to support rural and poorer communities. And with so many Indigenous reservations and communities in some of the country's most rural areas, they're often the hardest hit by this critical lack of resources. The Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe, for instance, has no ambulance or hospital. The reservation stretches along the Nevada-Oregon border. Tribal chairwoman Maxine Redstar said the community used to have an ambulance service but couldn't afford to keep it going. You can read more with the link in today's show notes.

Thanks for listening to 5 Things. If you have any comments, you can reach us at podcasts@usatoday.com. And if you'd like, you can drop us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russia's next steps after coup threat, heat dome warms Texas: 5 Things podcast
Biden administration officials on Monday blasted an online harassment campaign targeting a Wall Street Journal reporter who asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his government's human rights record during a White House press conference last week.

"Its completely unacceptable and it's antithetical to the very principles of democracy that ... were on display last week during the state visit," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said of the online vitriol that's been aimed at White House reporter Sabrina Siddiqui.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later added that "we're committed to the freedom of the press" and "condemn any efforts of intimidation or harassment of a journalist."

Wall Street Journal reporter Sabrina Siddiqui during a press conference with Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images )

During a press conference with President Joe Biden and Modi at the White House on Thursday, Siddiqui said "there are many human rights groups who say your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics," and asked "what steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and uphold free speech."

Modi, who rarely takes questions from reporters, said at the time that he was "surprised" by the question.

In Indias democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination, neither on basis of caste, creed, or age or any kind of geographic location, Modi said through a translator in response to Siddiqui.

Indeed, India is a democracy. And as President Biden also mentioned, India and America both countries, democracy is in our DNA. The democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy, he added.

Before becoming prime minister, Modi was banned from the U.S. for the role he allegedly played in the 2002 Gujarat riots, in which 1,000 people, most of them Muslims, were killed. Since taking office in 2014, he's faced criticism for aspects of his human rights record, including censoring journalists and stripping autonomy from the region of Kashmir.

Following her exchange with Modi, Siddiqui has been the target of online abuse, mainly from the prime minister's allies in India.

The Wall Street Journal responded to the attacks in a statement Monday calling Siddiqui a respected journalist known for her integrity and unbiased reporting. This harassment of our reporter is unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it.

The South Asian Journalists Association also defended Siddiqui. "We want to express our continued support of our colleague @SabrinaSiddiqui who, like many South Asian and female journalists, is experiencing harassment for simply doing her job," the group said on Twitter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The United States has condemned Russia's "brutal strikes" in the latest missile attack on the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast and promised further support for Kyiv.

Source: National Security Council representative John Kirby, quoted by European Pravda, citing Reuters

Details: "We condemn Russia's brutal strikes against the people of Ukraine, which have resulted in mass death and destruction and claimed the lives of many Ukrainians," Kirby said.

He recalled that on Sunday, US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during which they discussed support for Ukraine, the counteroffensive, and events in Russia.

The US "will continue to support Ukraine and provide it with weapons and equipment to defend against Russias aggression," the White House representative added.

On Tuesday evening, the Russian military struck Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, hitting a restaurant.

So far, three people are known to have been killed, including a child, and 42 injured. Three foreign citizens are among those injured.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Eliza Anderson, Deseret News

In 1844, an Illinois-based paper known as the Warsaw Signal published a resolution which read, in part, we hold ourselves at all times in readiness to co-operate with our fellow-citizens in this state, Missouri and Iowa, to exterminate, utterly exterminate the wicked and abominable Mormon leaders, the authors of our troubles.

Only weeks later, a mob, covered in black face, charged into Carthage Jail and killed Joseph Smith  prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  and his brother Hyrum Smith.

Joseph Smith intended to lead the Saints west to protect his followers from additional violent persecution after he had written several state governors requesting asylum, to no avail.

Latter-day Saints were in Illinois because they had already faced violence like the Hauns Mill massacre and were concerned about their safety due to the governor of Missouri issuing an executive order previously that the Mormons must be treated as enemies and driven from the State if necessary for the public peace.

All this despite the fact that the Constitution rightly guarantees an individuals right to freely believe and exercise their religion.

Joseph Smith himself was a staunch advocate for this right. He said, If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a Mormon, I am bold to declare before heaven that I am just as ready to die for a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or any other denomination. It is a love of liberty which inspires my soul. Civil and religious liberty were diffused into my soul by my grandfathers, while they dandled me on their knees.

On the anniversary of Joseph Smiths martyrdom, theres a time to reflect on why religious freedom rights are critical in preventing violence  and how we can protect them.

Related

Joseph Smiths death nearly 180 years ago may sound outlandishly strange to modern readers  an anachronism of history. But in 2023, there continue to be religious martyrs  people killed for their religious beliefs by individuals, by mobs and by state-sanctioned violence.

Katrina Lantos Swett, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, said in an interview with the Deseret News that people of faith, particularly minority faith communities, are experiencing persecution in a way thats more intense than its been in a long time.

Ahmadi Muslims, to illustrate, are a group of Muslims who believe they needed a modern prophet to restore Islam to its pure and true origins. According to some mainstream Muslims, the Ahmadi are considered a break-off group.

In January 2023, nine Ahmadi Muslims were gathered to pray at a mosque in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. As Swett recounted, What was particularly chilling about this terrible event was that these nine men were taken and lined up outside the mosque. And the first one was told: either you renounce your faith or were going to kill you.

All were killed. Not a single one renounced his faith.

The Ahmadi face violence in other countries as well. In March 2023 in Bangladesh, their homes and places of worship were set ablaze by groups of protesters. And these are just the instances we know about.

Thinking of communal violence in our modern age might be shocking, but its a painful, ongoing reality for many people of faith throughout the world.

Theres been a ratcheting up of attacks on Christian churches, communities, businesses, Lantos Swett said, referencing a report from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law tracking the killing of Christians which said just over 5,000 Christians were killed last year.

Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a 25-year-old student at Shehu Shagari College of Education, a school in Nigeria. In a WhatsApp group, Yakubu shared a message about Jesus while her classmates were speaking about Islam. In May 2022, a group of men stoned and burned her to death. Two men were arrested for her death, according to Open Doors U.K.

Protesters have called for their release.

But this isnt just a problem in far-off nations. People in the U.S. have occasionally faced violence in the 21st century as well. In the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, a man shot and killed 11 Jewish people and injured seven more during their Sabbath service. Leading up to the shooting, he expressed strong antisemitic sentiment online. On June 16, he was convicted on federal hate crime charges.

So we are in a very grave moment, Swett said. ... More religion-based hate crimes are committed against Jewish Americans or Jewish institutions than any other group in the United States. In 2022, the Anti-Defamation League tracked an escalation of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. to 3,697.

Such an inexcusable threat and reality of violence against religious people places them in more than just physical danger  it corrodes the mental and emotional safety citizens deserve in their own countries. This ultimately represents a corrosion of what should be an unalienable right for everyone  the right to believe freely and exercise their beliefs freely.

Related

In some of the above instances of violence against religious people, theres been another common component  a mob.

Some members of the mob who killed Joseph Smith were taken to trial and never convicted. Many members of the mob were believed to come from Warsaw  the town with a newspaper and political movement squarely pinned against Latter-day Saints for a couple of years before the martyrdom actually occurred.

It was a mob that likewise formed to kill the Nigerian woman Yakubu. Communal violence, communal acceptance of violence and communal apathy toward violence are all scary realities with the potential to spiral out of control in ways that seriously hamper peoples rights.

Violence, though it may be the most significant tool of a mob, isnt the only one  destruction of property, severe reputational damage, stigma, libel, discrimination and other evils can result from a swarming mob intent on hurting someone.

If a person cannot express sincerely held religious beliefs without facing significant retribution from a mob or mobs, that person isnt free to live according to the dictates of their own conscience.

One reason its important to highlight these realities is that many Americans today dismiss talk of religious freedom as a trivial concern of a bygone era. But for people of faith, unpopular religious beliefs increasingly face public hostility.

This is reflected in an increase in vandalism on places of worship. On July 25, 2022, a fire broke out in the Orem Utah Temple, which the police determined was a case of arson. Latter-day Saint chapels in Perry, St. George, Hurricane, Sandy and Orem have been vandalized in the last year or so. This public hostility and contempt threatening people of faith is a barrier to public safety and pluralism.

Clearly, domestically and internationally, there is a need for the continued defense of religious freedom. Contemplating the violence Joseph Smith, the early Latter-day Saints, Ahmadi Muslims, Jewish people and so many other religious groups face today reminds us to work for others to live their conscience.

Like Smith said, I do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men nor dictate forms for public or private devotion. The civil magistrate should restrain crime but never control conscience, should punish guilt but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
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Living with sickle cell anemia, each day feels like a silent battle against my bodys limitations.

Diagnosed with the heritable blood disorder in the womb before I was born, Ive never known a life without persistent fatigue, unrelenting body aches and ruthless, sudden bouts of pain.

The first time that pain put me in the hospital I was 2 years old. It struck in the middle of the night, jolting me awake. Always prepared, my mum, a Nigerian-born solicitor navigating life in Britain, kept an overnight bag packed.

Sharon at two years old, just after her first sickle cell pain episode. - Courtesy of Sharon Browne-Peter

In the 1990s, sickle cell was still inaccurately labelled a Black disease and was overlooked by many health professionals. My mum stood as my advocate, pushing for adequate pain relief and urging doctors to pay more attention to me.

As a kid, I wanted to join dance classes and swim but fearing another hospital visit, my mum made me take more sedate drama and music activities. It didnt matter how much I wanted to feel better, be with my friends and embrace being a kid. The frequent bouts of ill health just didnt allow me to be like everyone else.

It wasnt until I received regular blood transfusions just before I became a teen that my life changed for the better. While the race of the blood donor and recipient typically doesnt matter as long as their blood types match, ethnically-matched blood offers the best treatment for people with sickle cell. And there arent enough Black blood donors in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Over 100 million people have sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a global health issue, with around 66% of the 120 million people affected worldwide living in Africa, according to the World Health Organization. It affects about 100,000 people in the US and about 14,000 people in the UK.

Its more common in areas of the world, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where malaria is prevalent, and researchers believe that the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease has a protective effect against malaria. Most sickle cell patients in the US and UK have African ancestry.

Sickle cell disease fundamentally alters the shape of red blood cells from the typical round and concave shape to rigid, sickle-like forms, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These malformed cells can block blood flow, causing a vaso-occlusive crisis, where tissues are starved of oxygen. This disruption is the main reason for hospital visits among patients, with pain being the hallmark symptom. Blood transfusions help increase oxygen-carrying capacity and reduce complications.

I had assumed that I needed a match for my O positive blood, which is shared by 35% of the UK population. However, my doctor told me its not that simple.

In addition to the commonly known blood types A, B, O, and AB there are over 44 blood group systems, containing a total of 354 different red cell antigens, some of which are exclusive to particular racial and ethnic groups, Dr. Arne de Kreuk, a consultant haematologist specialising in haemoglobin disorders at Kings College Hospital in London, told me. Hes been treating me since 2021.

This microscope image shows a sickle cell (left) and normal red blood cells of a patient with sickle cell anemia. Over 100 million people suffer from the disease, a large majority of them having African ancestry. (Janice Haney Carr/CDC/Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia via AP) - Janice Haney Carr/AP

The pattern of my extended blood group is more likely to be found among blood donors of African heritage. Thats a challenge because the American Red Cross and the UKs National Health Service both report that blood donations from Black individuals remain disproportionately low.

For individuals with sickle cell, what we found is that you need to match for more than (blood types A, B, O, and AB). So there are other things sticking out on the red cell surface with names like Kell, Duffy and E, and these need to get matched also, said Dr. Lewis Hsu, a pediatric hematologist and chief medical officer for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America.

In order to match those, you need a larger group of donors to choose from, he added.

The American Red Cross said it encourages all eligible individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity or health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, to donate and help ensure a diverse blood supply for patients in need. The shortage of Black blood donors may stem from a longstanding mistrust among some Black people of health care systems and common misconceptions about blood donation eligibility.

The UKs National Health Service said it faced a similar problem.

We dont have an overall shortage of blood donors. We currently collect enough blood overall to meet the needs of patients across England. However, the specific shortage of donors of Black heritage means that sickle cell patients often dont get the best-matched blood, said Rachel Newton, an NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) representative.

The American Red Cross has launched a national initiative to increase the number of Black blood donors, collaborating with national and local Black organisations to expand blood donation opportunities in Black communities. The Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative, which started in 2021, resulted in 26,500 new African American blood donors in its first year, the organization said.

In the UK, the Community Grants Programme created partnerships to launch campaigns specifically targeting Black heritage donors. The collaboration with the Marvel Studios movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as part of the Not Family, But Blood campaign, was designed to recruit more Black blood donors.

Over its three-month duration in 2022, the campaign resulted in 7,800 people of Black heritage registering to donate, a 110% increase compared to the previous three months, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.

Sickle cell is a debilitating disease

As a Black woman dealing with a debilitating disease, I had to learn how to establish my life at my own pace and on my own terms. The pressure of assessments, deadlines and attending classes often caused me to neglect my health while studying. I struggled to keep up with everyone else even though I looked perfectly fine.

Sharon anticipating her return home after her third day in the hospital due to an emergency sickle cell crisis in May 2022. - Courtesy of Sharon Browne-Peter

I remember when I secured my first internship, focused on urban planning. I was the only intern, and within the first two days, there were numerous activities I found difficult to keep up with. Unfortunately, this backfired, and I ended up in the hospital on the second day. My entire body was in pain, and I required emergency care. After receiving a blood transfusion, I was able to go home, and felt a mixture of relief and depression.

I reluctantly explained my condition to my supervisor and what I thought was my need to discontinue the internship. To my surprise, I received a short email saying, Sorry to hear you have been unwell, along with an offer to reschedule. Once I had recovered, I planned to return to the internship. On the train heading back to the office, I ran into a colleague who asked where I had been. I shared everything with her, and her response was, Yeah, managers wont like that. Youll seem too unpredictable to them.

It was the first time I had been called unpredictable, and I thought she was right.

Discouraged by my experience during the internship and wanting to be a part of a larger conversation surrounding diversity and inclusion, I became an advocate for sickle cell and learned the skills to become a journalist.

The seemingly small act of donating blood has a lasting impact on those in need. It has strengthened me so that I can become a journalist. I wouldnt be where I am today without the donors and hardworking medical professionals who have supported me.

While the US and the UK are making strides in increasing the number of Black heritage blood donors, its vital to continue raising awareness and encouraging more people to donate, ultimately ensuring a diverse blood supply for patients in need.

Blood donors leave a lasting legacy in medical history. Their selfless actions, often overlooked, have a profound impact on the lives they touch. Their contributions are treasured, celebrated, and forever honoured by individuals like me.

To donate blood in the UK, https://my.blood.co.uk/your-account/pre-registration

To donate blood in the United States, https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

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Smoke from wildfires in Canada descended upon Chicago. The Supreme Court rejected a theory that could have widely transformed elections. And the next host to helm Wheel of Fortune has been named.

 Hello pals! Laura Davis here. Its time for Tuesdays news.

But first: Mars on Earth?  A crew of four NASA volunteers will be locked in a virtual Mars for the next year. Here's what theyre up to.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Wildfire smoke from Canada blankets Midwest

The Windy City was no match for wildfire smoke. Weeks after smoke from fires in Canada blanketed much of the East Coast, Chicagoans woke up Tuesday to the worst air quality in the world. Thick smoke clogged the early morning sky in Chicago, with a gray haze limiting visibility, and a faint burning smell filled the air as residents commuted to work. Unhealthy levels of pollutants from the smoke spread across parts of the Great Lakes region, including most of Wisconsin and parts of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, according to AirNow.gov. Meanwhile, more smoky air is headed back to New Yorkers' way later in the week. Here's what you should know.

Chicagos skyline viewed from the North Side is obscured by smoke on Tuesday.

SCOTUS rejects GOP call for unchecked power in US elections

Balking at an idea that voting rights groups worried could further erode trust in the nation's elections, the Supreme Court on Tuesday shot down a conservative theory that could have given state lawmakers extraordinary power to set election rules in their states with little oversight from courts. Some experts feared a decision embracing the so-called independent state legislature theory could have led to more election laws that benefit the party that controls the legislature, potentially undermining support in elections. Here's why the ruling had such big implications for elections.

 Also on the docket: 'Creepy' messages. A man sent hundreds of messages to a musician on Facebook and was convicted of stalking. But the Supreme Court says the messages may be protected by the First Amendment.

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.

Ryan Seacrest named new Wheel of Fortune host

Ryan Seacrest is taking the wheel. "Wheel of Fortune," that is! The ubiquitous host, who departed from "Live with Kelly and Ryan" earlier this year, is set to be the new host of the popular syndicated game show, Sony Pictures Television announced Tuesday. He'll also serve as a consulting producer on the show. On Instagram, Seacrest expressed his excitement and said he is humbled to step into the shoes of "legendary" longtime host Pat Sajak, who is retiring next summer. He will work alongside Vanna White, who remains under contract to continue at "Wheel" for at least another year, but has yet to sign a new deal.

Putin says coup almost triggered 'civil war'

The criminal investigation into a Russian mercenary leader and thousands of his troops was formally closed Tuesday in the wake of their 36-hour armed revolt, which Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged brought his country to the brink of "civil war." Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB, said the case won't be pursued because Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner Group fighters ceased (criminal) activities," ending an insurgency that revealed deep cracks in Putin's authoritarian rule. Prigozhin, under the terms of the deal with the Kremlin, was allowed to leave Russia for neighboring Belarus.  Follow our live coverage.

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: Canadian wildfires, Supreme Court, Russia: Tuesdays news
Judging for the 21st annual 2023 Central Coast Wine Competition was held in Paso Robles on June 13-15. The CCWC named Peachy Canyon Winery as the 2023 Winery of the Year.

The Paso Robles winery had 17 entries place this year with one best of class, one double gold, nine golds, six silver and one bronze. This is the first Winery of the Year honor for Peachy Canyon. Other top awards went to:

Best of Show/Best White Wine  Lucas & Lewellen Estate Vineyards, Buellton, 2022 Viognier, 98 points.

Best Rose Wine  Villa San Juliette. San Miguel, 2022 Grenache Rose Reserve, 96 points.

Best Dessert Wine  Glunz Family & Winery, Paso Robles, Mission Angelica California, 98 points.

Best Sparkling Wine  Broken Earth, Paso Robles, 2018 Sotto Voce 100% Verdelho, 98 points.

Best Red Wine  Pear Valley, Paso Robles, 2019 Merlot, 98 points.

More results will appear in the next Wine Line or check out www.centralcoastwinecompetition2023.com.

Barbera Festival returns

The Amador Vintners Association has announced the return of the Barbera Festival on Sept. 9 at the historic Terra dOro Winery. Barbera lovers can taste from 50-plus California wineries in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. In addition to the grand tasting, festivalgoers can enjoy gourmet food, live music, local artists and a new premiere access area with limo and bus parking. The premier access ticket also includes a section inside the winery with live music, special catering and where guests can relax and stay cool in the seated lounge. A portion of net proceeds will go to the Amador Community Foundation that provides funding to various projects, nonprofits and local organizations. The event historically sells out. Find more information and tickets at www.BarberaFestival.com.

CRU announces new vineyard partners

CRU Winery of Madera is expanding its single vineyard portfolio to include the Regan and Fiddlestix vineyards. CRU Winery sources Rhone and Burgundian varietals from the Santa Lucia Highlands, Edna Valley, Paso Robles and Santa Maria Valley. The new additions will expand their footprint into the Santa Cruz Mountains and Sta. Rita Hills AVAs. Good move CRU Winery.

Whats on our table

The 2020 Amayan Malbec from the Valle de Uco Mendoza in Argentina is the deal this week. Native yeast fermentation in concrete tanks produced a deep color, round tannins and a touch of minerality. Its just $6.95 at the Grocery Outlet. Looking for a bargain Pinot Noir? Check out your supermarket for the 2021 Monterey Noble Vines 667. The SRP is just $12 and sale price is a few bucks less, and thats a real steal. Cheers!

Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.
Wisconsin fugitive wanted for homicide arrested in New Castle

A fugitive wanted for homicide in Wisconsin has been arrested in New Castle.

Tracy Steel Scott was found in a home in the 1100 block of Booker Drive on Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

Scott was charged with criminal homicide and possession of a firearm by the Racine Police Department for a June 6 shooting that left a 38-year-old man dead.

Scott was arrested by U.S. Marshals and transported to the New Castle Police Department. He is awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin.

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Woman dies after UTV she was riding with grandchild flips near Hermiston, OR

A 61-year-old Oregon woman died when her off-road vehicle flipped in a rural forested section of Morrow County.

Kristi Lulay, of Sublimity, Ore., was driving the utility terrain vehicle through a forest on 21 Road near Ellis Creek with her family about 1 p.m. Sunday when the vehicle flipped, Morrow County Sheriffs Lt. Melissa Camarillo said in a news release.

Sublimity is a city of about 3,000 people. 15 miles east of Salem.

Investigators believe she was going less than 20 mph at the time, according to the news release.

Lulays 9-year-old granddaughter was a passenger inside the vehicle when it overturned. She suffered minor injuries..

The family has traveled to that area of Morrow County for several years to go on camping trips.

The Morrow County Sheriffs Office wishes to express our deepest condolences to the Lulay family, Camarillo said. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Woman Explains Exactly How To Tell If Your Boss Is Spying On You

boss, spying, employee

A woman has issued a warning to employees who use remote channels at their jobs, including Slack and Microsoft Teams, and now many people are double-checking their work computers to ensure that their messages were appropriate.

The woman revealed how your boss can spy on their employees at work and read all of your online conversations with your colleagues.

Bosses can spy on their employees and access private messages on Slack and Microsoft Teams that employees use to communicate with one another.

Gabrielle Judge, a woman on TikTok who posts many videos detailing useful information we may not know about corporate America, shared how employers can access their employees private messages on online platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.

RELATED: Woman Is Stunned When Her Job Fires Her After Giving Them Her Two-Weeks' Notice  'What About My Unfinished Work?'

As remote work has increased throughout the years, online platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, spaces where employees can connect with and message each other, have been on the rise. However, this is not necessarily a good thing, as now, employers have the opportunity to monitor their employees' activity across these online spaces if needed.

Your boss is absolutely spying on you, Judge warned employees, specifically those who work remotely. Especially if you use Slack. Any Slack admin at your organization can export messages from public channels.

Judge included a screenshot of research that confirms her statements. Additionally, employers can request access to any private Slack chats employees may have.

tiktoker says your boss can spy on you through microsoft teams and slack

Photo: TikTok / @gabrielle_judge

So, how do you know if your employee is spying on you and reading your messages?

Judge shared a URL that you can click into and follow instructions to find out. Slack also has an activity dashboard that depicts how many messages each member has sent and which channels are the most active.

RELATED: HR Expert Advises Employees To Never Quit Their Jobs & Get Fired Instead  'It's Demeaning But It's Worth It'

Judge admitted that she used to check the URL to uncover if her employers were looking at her Slack messages at one of her previous jobs. She also warned employees that even if they use Microsoft Teams and not Slack, they were still not safe.

All of the data they store [is] easily accessible, Judge explained, sharing a screenshot of everything employers can monitor on their employees devices, including data gathered from Microsoft Teams.

tiktoker says your boss can spy on you through microsoft teams and slack

Photo: TikTok / @gabrielle_judge

Judge encouraged employees to create other spaces or to discuss work issues in person if they do not want their boss to find out.

Judge offered employees her advice when it comes to using remote channels that your boss can easily access and view your conversations. Never say or write anything that you wouldnt want everyone else to find out, she said. If you have those coworkers that youre really tight with and you want to talk off record about some stuff, get your own Slack.

RELATED: Manager Tells Employees They Won't Be Paid For The Day If They Show Up A Minute Late, But They Still Have To Work

If colleagues get together to create their own free workspace on the platform, one of them can be appointed as the administrator and can control who comes in and out of the channel.

Judge also informed people about a separate platform called Slack Connect, but claimed that this is not 100% reliable and that your boss may be able to access it. Thanks to the rise of remote working and the great resignation this is now a thing, she captioned her video.

As for how your boss can access employees Microsoft Teams messages, Judge posted a follow-up video explaining how they monitor your activity.

According to Judges research, which she revealed a screenshot of, your boss can view various actions on Microsoft Teams, including all of their employees' one on one chats, group chats, and meeting chats, any chats you have deleted, all meetings that you have attended or joined, and much more.

RELATED: Recruiter Defends 'Ghosting' Job Applicants Because They 'Probably Deserve It'

Judge encouraged employees to be mindful of everything they are doing while on the job, especially if they work remotely since advanced technology has allowed people to access more than we could ever imagine.

However, she added that your boss likely is not spying on you as often as you may fear. Like their employees, they also have to stay on top of their work throughout the day and do not have time to focus on what their employees are doing on Slack and Microsoft Teams.

Normally your boss isnt just sitting there reading your stuff all day, I promise, she said, noting that her information applies to those in toxic work environments with a micro-managing employer.

Judge pointed out that employee surveillance laws vary by state, and that it is important to understand your employee rights based on your specific area. For now, it is probably best to keep your work complaints to yourself if you work remotely.

RELATED: Top-Performing Employee Tells Boss That Because His Pay Is 'Below Average' His Work Will Be Too After Getting Denied A Raise For Two Years

Megan Quinn is a writer at YourTango who covers entertainment and news, self, love, and relationships.

This article originally appeared on YourTango
A woman is trying out a 4-dose Lyme disease vaccine as we approach the worst summer for ticks yet

Mindi Weidow and her boyfriend are participating in a Lyme disease vaccine trial. They live in Pennsylvania, a hotspot for Lyme-carrying ticks. Courtesy of Mindi Weidow

Lyme disease can be debilitating; symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.

Two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Valneva, are developing a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in people ages 5 and up.

They expect the clinical trial to be over by the end of 2025.

Mindi Weidow vividly remembers the moment she found her first tick.

She was getting undressed after a hike in woodsy Pennsylvania and found a tiny, pinhead-sized critter nestled near the bottom of her legging in the warm, snug spot where her pant leg met her ankle.

The tick had not burrowed too far into her skin yet, and she was able to pull it off without too much hassle.

Her father, however, was not so lucky.

Several years ago, a tick burrowed its way under his skin, and unleashed a nasty form of the borrelia bacteria into his blood. It wasn't until around two months later that lab tests confirmed he had Lyme disease. Weidow's father was then treated with antibiotics, but he still weathers arthritic flare ups and inflammation to this day, symptoms of what the CDC has deemed Post-Treatment Lyme Disease.

Now, Weidow is hoping that an experimental series of injections she's received might help her avoid the same fate. She is a participant in Pfizer's Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists trial, or VALOR, the only late-stage lyme disease vaccine trial. If successful, the VALOR trial could herald a brand new way to prevent lyme disease, the widely underdiagnosed condition that may impact up to 500,000 Americans every year, and can lead to chronic, debilitating pain  and in rare cases, even death.

Lyme disease can impact the body and brain

A "bullseye" rash is a classic physical symptom of Lyme disease, though it isn't present in all cases. WikimediaCommons

Researchers estimate that roughly 15% of the world has had Lyme disease at some point. Symptoms can range from near imperceptible and flu-like at first, to life-threatening heart problems. The condition isn't always simple for blood tests to pinpoint, because people often test negative early on. Contrary to popular belief, there is not always a visible bull's-eye rash on the skin from a tick bite.

Once the borrelia bacteria have invaded the bloodstream, Lyme infections can spread from the skin to other areas of the body, impacting the immune system and leading to a wide array of non-specific symptoms. Patients with Lyme are often misdiagnosed with other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.

In addition to physical symptoms, Lyme can also cause neuropsychiatric issues. Studies have documented neurological issues associated with the disease, including paranoia, depression, visual disturbances, and suicidality.

Could four shots prevent Lyme disease for good?

Currently, there is no vaccine licensed to prevent Lyme disease in people, only shots for dogs. One human Lyme shot was briefly released years ago by vaccine-maker GSK. Although studies showed it was about 75% effective at stopping Lyme disease, it received a lukewarm public reception and was the subject of conspiracy-theory lawsuits, driving down sales and leading it to be quickly taken off the market.

But now there are skyrocketing numbers of Lyme infections in both the US and Europe, and an expanding range of tick territory due to climate change, making 2023 potentially the worst tick season on record yet. So Pfizer and its partner  French pharmaceutical-maker Valneva  have decided to try again.

Pfizer and Valneva's Lyme vaccine is a series of three initial shots plus one booster jab, delivered about a year later. There are about 6,000 trial participants testing out the vaccine across Lyme-prevalent areas of the US, as well as European countries where Lyme-carrying ticks live, including Germany, Sweden, and Poland.

The trial hasn't been without its hiccups. About half of the trial sites in the US were originally run by a private clinical research company called Care Access, but in February Valneva said in a statement that Pfizer was shutting those trial sites down early, due to violations of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) procedures. Care Access said in a statement at the time that it did not agree with Pfizer's decision, and that the company was sharing information with the FDA about the case "to ensure they have the facts." Pfizer declined Insider's request for comment on those specific events, but said in an email that "we will continue to enroll participants and carry out the study."

Fishermen, hunters, and biologists are already lining up for this vaccine

Getty Images

Weidow, who is enrolled at an independent trial site that is still up and running, received her first injection last August, then a second shot in November, and her third in April. She hopes it was all the real deal Lyme vaccine, but it's also possible she got fake placebo jabs.

She remembers feeling "a little bit of soreness" and "a little bit of fatigue" after her vaccinations, which her trial administrators say are some of the most typical side effect complaints, along with low-grade fevers. She'll go back next year for her final booster shot.

Then, the study investigators will wait to see what happens. If Weidow or her boyfriend, who's also enrolled in this trial, notice any new tick bites during the course of the study, which is set to continue through 2025, they've been instructed to keep the tick and bring it in for inspection. This is so vaccine researchers can determine whether or not the participants might've been exposed to Lyme-causing bacteria, and assess how well the vaccine may be working.

At the Pennsylvania clinic where Weidow gets her vaccines, roughly 200 trial participants from age 6 to over 90 have enrolled, with more expected to sign up this summer. So far, vaccine-takers have been a mix of outdoor enthusiasts like fisherman, paddlers, and hunters, as well as biology professors and landscapers. In short  almost anyone who lives, works, or has fun around ticks is eligible to try out this vaccine.

"Ticks are always a concern in our area," Dr. Alan Kivitz, who runs Weidow's trial at Altoona Center for Clinical Research, told Insider.

Weidow said she is looking forward to a day when, maybe, some of that apprehension could be resolved by a vaccine.

"For me personally, it relieves some of the stress and anxiety of making sure that you do that check the second you get home," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Woodlynne man slain in daylight attack in Camden

CAMDEN  Police are investigating the daylight slaying of a Woodlynne man here.

Daniel Rivera, 27, was shot on the 900 block of Newton Avenue around 4:10 p.m. Saturday, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Police received a Shotspotter activation, then learned a man with a gunshot wound had arrived at nearby Cooper University Hospital.

Rivera died at the hospital around 11:15 p.m. Sunday.

An investigation is underway.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Prosecutor's Detective Kyrus Ingalls at 609-969-9530 and Camden County Police Detective Maria Bagby at 609-519-6947.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter at the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com.

More: Pleasantville woman charged Arson arrest made in fire that destroyed six rowhomes in Atlantic City

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Woodlynne man slain in daylight attack in Camden
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. File/AP Photo

The Russian Army has had an ally alongside it in the war against Ukraine: the Wagner Group, a paramilitary organization of mercenaries led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. The far-right Wagner Group, described as "a group of entities that operate as a private military company" by CBS News, was considered a key collaborator with Russian forces throughout the war.

That all changed, though when Prigozhin led his Wagner forces in an uprising against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The incident, widely described as a rebellion or attempted coup d'etat, began when Prigozhin accused the Russian military of killing Wagner soldiers in an airstrike. He also alleged that Russia had invaded Ukraine under "false pretenses," and Wagner soldiers captured the strategic Russian city of Rostov-on-Don while en route on a march toward Moscow.

But it all ended as quickly as it began; Following negotiations laid out by the Belarusian president, Prigozhin agreed to stop his siege, and the Wagner Group returned to their bases without reaching Moscow. Prigozhin also agreed to move to Belarus in exchange for avoiding Russian prosecution, and Wagner soldiers who did not rebel will additionally be given amnesty.

Perhaps the most ironic part of the siege is that Prigozhin was once one of Putin's closest advisors, and a staunch ally up until the rebellion. Prigozhin was "tightly integrated with Russia's Defense Ministry and its intelligence arm," according to an investigation from Bellingcat. However, it now seems that the pair's relationship is irreparably damaged, with Putin demanding Prigozhin's exile from Russia. How did the one-time Putin ally organize a threat to the Russian president's power?

Prigozhin's Soviet-era beginnings

Yevgeny Prigozhin was born in the Soviet Union in 1961. He soon became involved in organized crime and was convicted of assault, robbery, and fraud in 1981, per court documents obtained by Russian publication Meduza. He was sentenced to 13 years behind bars but was released "around the fall of the Soviet Union," Insider reported.

From there, Prigozhin branched into the culinary world, and The New York Times reported that he opened a hot dog stand soon after his release from prison. He likely met Vladimir Putin during Putin's tenure as the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg in the 1990s. Prigozhin worked his way through Russia's culinary business, crafting a food empire while at the same time growing closer to Putin. This created "a relationship with the Russian president that would grow and metastasize in unexpected ways," The Guardian reported.

Prigozhin and Putin continued to foster a relationship, so much so that the former earned the nickname "Putin's Chef." By the early 2000s, once Putin became president, Prigozhin's "catering business received lucrative government contracts to feed Russia's schools and military, as well as an opportunity to host state banquets," Insider reported. These contracts were reportedly worth billions, and made Prigozhin extremely wealthy. The oligarch soon began branching into the realm of private militaries.

The Wagner Group was founded in 2014. While Prigozhin had previously denied any involvement with the organization, he confirmed in 2022 that he had started the group in order to send fighters to Ukraine.

Prigozhin's future

It is unclear what Prigozhin's next move may be. While he is now entering exile, "Prigozhin's continued public presence could further undermine the Kremlin's credibility," according to The Guardian. Despite the fact that he is moving to Belarus (a nation considered even more authoritarian than Russia), Prigozhin "is known to be a ruthless and ambitious figure and some observers questioned whether he will settle for an early retirement in Belarus," The Guardian added.

Either way, the attempted coup has been widely described as an embarrassment for Putin, and one that has "forced the Kremlin to shore up control of Russian territory rather than direct the entire might of its armed forces at Ukraine," Politico reported. This disarray could create "an opening for Kyiv  if it can get the gear it says it needs to push through Russia's positions."

In his first message since the rebellion, Prigozhin said the point of the march was "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 [Russia]." Reuters noted that Prigozhin made "no direct reference to his own whereabouts, or provide further details of the mysterious agreement that had brought a halt to his mutiny."

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A New York Appeals Court narrowed state Attorney General Letitia James civil lawsuit against the Trump family on Tuesday, dismissing Ivanka Trump as a defendant and deciding that the statute of limitations would prevent her from suing for alleged fraud.

The Appellate Division in Manhattan decided that James can no longer sue for alleged transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014 or Feb. 6, 2016.

TRUMP SLAMS NYAG JAMES' 'RIDICULOUS' CASE, SAYS SHE SHOULD 'FOCUS ON PEOPLE WHO KILL PEOPLE' AS CRIME SPIKES

Ivanka Trump, right, and her father, then-President Trump, left.

The court also said claims against former President Trumps eldest daughter Ivanka Trump should be dismissed.

"The Appellate Division decision today represents the first step towards ending a case that should have never been filed," a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. "The correct application of the law will now limit appropriately the previously unlimited reach of the Attorney General."

The Trump spokesperson added: "Going forward, we remain confident that once all the real facts are known, there will be no doubt President Trump has built an extraordinarily successful business empire and has simple done nothing other than generate tremendous profits for those financial institutions involved in the transactions at issue in the litigation."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

New York Attorney General Letitia James spoke out against Target's decision to reign in its Pride Month merchandising following consumer complaints.

James, a Democrat, brought a lawsuit against Trump in September alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets.

Donald Trump departs Trump Tower Thursday, April 13, 2023. The former president will appear before New York State Attorney General Letitia James for a deposition this morning.

James claimed that Trump and his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, allegedly committed "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation" on their financial statements.

TRUMP SUES FORMER ATTORNEY MICHAEL COHEN FOR $500 MILLION

James alleged Trump "inflated his net worth by billions of dollars" and said his children helped him to do so.

When Trump was president, James sued his administration dozens of times, challenging policies on the environment, immigration, education, health care and other issues.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 29: New York Attorney General Letitia James joins New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a news conference to announce a new lawsuit against "ghost gun" distributors on June 29, 2022 in New York City. The city's lawsuit is against 10 distributors of gun components which are used in the illegal, and largely untraceable "ghost guns" that have significantly contributed to the violence on the streets of New York City.

Trump sued James in November and claimed she abused her position as attorney general to "recklessly injure" him, his family and his businesses. Trump alleged James was pursuing "a relentless, pernicious, public, and unapologetic crusade" against him "with the stated goal of destroying him personally, financially, and politically."

NEW YORK AG SUES TRUMP OVER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

In January, Trump voluntarily dismissed that lawsuit.

Trump was deposed as part of the lawsuit in April for the second time. During that deposition, the former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner, answered questions. The first deposition took place in August, but Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said the investigation is politically motivated and a "witch hunt."
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A New York appeals court on Tuesday rejected Donald Trump's bid to end the state attorney general's lawsuit accusing him and his family business of "staggering" fraud, but dismissed all claims against his daughter Ivanka Trump and said the remaining case may be limited further.

Attorney General Letitia James' civil case filed last September accused Trump of lying from 2011 to 2021 about asset values, including for his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and Trump Tower penthouse in Manhattan, as well as his own net worth, to obtain better terms from lenders and insurers.

The lawsuit seeks at least $250 million in damages from Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr and Eric, the Trump Organization and others, and to stop the Trumps from running businesses in New York.

Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for the 2024 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing. He has also called James' case and two unrelated criminal indictments, where he has pleaded not guilty, part of a Democratic "witch hunt."

In a 5-0 decision, the Appellate Division in Manhattan said state law gave James power to police alleged "repeated or persistent fraud or illegality," and conduct lengthy and complex investigations many years after suspected misconduct began.

But it said statutes of limitations prevented James, who had probed Trump's business dealings for three years, from suing over claims that arose before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant.

It also said all claims against Ivanka Trump should be dismissed because they were filed too late, and because she was no longer with the Trump Organization at the relevant time.

OCTOBER TRIAL

The court returned the case to Justice Arthur Engoron of the state Supreme Court in Manhattan to determine which parts could proceed.

An Oct. 2 trial is scheduled. Trump was questioned under oath for the case in April.

"There is a mountain of evidence that shows Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization falsely and fraudulently valued multiple assets and misrepresented those values to financial institutions for significant economic gain," a spokeswoman for James said. "This decision allows us to hold him accountable for that fraud, and we intend to do so."

During oral arguments on June 6, a lawyer for James said Trump's transactions didn't occur in a vacuum, and that letting him commit fraud hurts honest participants in banking, insurance and real estate markets.

Christopher Kise, a lawyer for Donald Trump and most of the other defendants, called the decision "the first step" toward ending a case that James should not have filed.

"The correct application of the law will now limit appropriately the previously unlimited reach of the attorney general," he said. "We remain confident that once all the real facts are known, there will be no doubt President Trump has built an extraordinarily successful business empire."

Ivanka Trump's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the criminal cases, Trump faces a 34-count indictment obtained by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over hush money payments to a porn star, and a 38-count U.S. Department of Justice indictment saying he mishandled classified documents.

The New York civil case is New York v Trump et al, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 1st Department, No. 2023-00717.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Conor Humphries, Jonathan Oatis and Alistair Bell)
FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of laptop and mobile device users next to a screen projection of the YouTube logo in this picture illustration

By Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL (Reuters) - Three YouTube channels seen as linked to North Korea's state media have been taken down, a spokesperson for the U.S. video hosting site said on Tuesday, after South Korean regulators blocked them at the request of the country's spy agency.

The channels featured English-speaking young women, including a girl as young as 11, who claimed to offer an unfiltered look at every day life in North Korea as informal video bloggers, or "vloggers."

The girl, who called herself Song A, spoke of visiting water parks, going to school, and reading Harry Potter books.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she released a video, ostensibly shot while in lockdown at home, praising the North Korean government's response and assuring viewers that "everything is under control as it used to be and everyone is just fine."

The YouTube spokesperson said in a statement that the decision to remove the channels was taken to comply with "U.S. sanctions and trade compliance laws, including those related to North Korea."

"After review and consistent with our policies, we terminated the three channels shared with us," the statement said, without elaborating on who brought the channels to YouTube's attention.

An official at the Korea Communications Standards Commission confirmed media reports that it had blocked the sites in South Korea last week at the request of the National Intelligence Service on the grounds that the content was a "promotion" of the North Korean government and that it had a "positive bias" towards North Korea.

The KCSC also asked Google, the parent company of YouTube, to remove the accounts, the official said.

Western analysts say they channels have ties to state media and that such content is impossible to independently produce or distribute in the tightly controlled North, where access to the world-wide internet is limited to a select few.

According to NK News, a Seoul-based website that tracks North Korea, the YouTubers have been linked to the Pyongyang-based Sogwang Media Corporation which seeks to expand the countrys external outreach through social media.

North Korea-linked Twitter accounts, including those of so-called "friendship associations" in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, have also been blocked in South Korea due to legal demands.

Some researchers have complained that removing the accounts cuts off sources of information about North Korea and its media.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
By expanding investments, German, French companies remain confident in Chinese economy

Xinhua) 08:17, June 27, 2023

BERLIN/PARIS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang's trips to leading European economies encouraged business representatives from Germany and France, who noted that the visits boosted their confidence in the Chinese economy and plans to continue investing in China.

The first overseas trip since Li took office was featured with extensive exchanges with German and French community, in addition to meetings with European leaders.

This photo taken on July 4, 2022 shows a workshop of the Volkswagen Anhui MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) plant under construction in east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)

CHINESE OPPORTUNITIES

China's development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, sending stabilities rather than shocks to the global industrial chain and supply chain, Li told Charles Michel, president of the European Council, in Paris on Thursday on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.

"China remains one of the most important markets for Adidas. Adidas is on the way to increasing its investments in China significantly," said Bjorn Gulden, Adidas chief executive officer and global brands chief.

The German sportswear manufacturer invested 100 million euros (109.1 million U.S. dollars) into a high-quality, high-tech and sustainable distribution center in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, adding the newest plant to its distribution network in China.

German automaker Volkswagen signed late May a contract with the Hefei Economic Development Zone in east China's Anhui Province, announcing an investment of around 1 billion euros (1.1 billion dollars) to launch a new company in early 2024, which is expected to bring together 2,000 R&D and purchasing specialists.

Also in Suzhou, Germany's Bosch Group broke ground on its R&D and manufacturing site for new energy vehicle core components and automated driving in late March. With a total investment of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, the project is expected to bolster innovation in Jiangsu's automobile industry.

Guillaume Faury, chief executive officer of Airbus, told Xinhua that the European aircraft manufacturer decided to continue to invest in its production facility in China, which will contribute to the company's global ambition of producing 75 A320 series planes a month by 2026.

He said China is a vital strategic partner to Airbus, and its supply chain is an integral part of the world's aviation industry, which has shown remarkable industrial resilience and competitiveness over the past three years.

An Airbus A321 aircraft is produced at the Final Assembly Line Asia (FALA) facility in north China's Tianjin on Nov. 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

DECOUPLING WON'T WORK

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at his meeting with Li that his country welcomes China's development and prosperity, noting Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization."

On jointly maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, Li expressed admiration for the French government's opposition to bloc confrontations, decoupling as well as severing industrial and supply chains.

It is hoped that Chinese and French entrepreneurs will firmly support economic globalization, take action for open and win-win cooperation, and jointly maintain the stability and resilience of the industrial and supply chains between China and France and between China and Europe, Li said.

German and French entrepreneurs said they are ready to keep investing in China and further tap into the Chinese market, believing China will adhere to opening up.

Airbus strongly supports multilateralism and free trade. As a global company rooted in Europe, Airbus told Xinhua that it advocates win-win cooperation wherever it makes sense.

German businessmen said Germany and China are close partners, and great success has been achieved by deepening the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

Eliminating risks means strengthening international cooperation, and decoupling will not work, they said.

Siegfried Russwurm, president of the Federation of German Industries, said decoupling from China is wrong. A so-called decoupling would be unrealistic and harmful. "We need dialogue with China on climate protection and also on trade and investment relations."

The German Electro and Digital Industry Association has advised the country's government against decoupling from China, stressing that the Asian country's market was "of paramount importance" for Europe's largest economy.

If Germany were to decouple itself from China economically, its gross domestic product would drop by 2 percent, according to a recent study compiled by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research on behalf of the Foundation for Family Businesses. The result would be an annual loss of almost 57 billion euros (about 62.2 billion dollars).

This aerial photo taken on June 23, 2022 shows Plant Lydia of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA) in Tiexi District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

HIGH-QUALITY COOPERATION

For the future, Li expressed his hope that entrepreneurs from China and Germany could follow the trend and continue to pursue openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation and maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains through high-quality and high-level practical cooperation.

German entrepreneurs noted they are willing to improve cooperation with China in coping with climate change, strengthening research and development capabilities, and advancing digital transformation.

CEO of BMW AG Oliver Zipse said the BMW Group has deep and long-standing ties with China. The strong partnership will enable BMW and its Chinese partners to continue to create a win-win situation together as the automotive industry undergoes a massive transformation.

According to Chinese electric carmaker NIO founder William Li, Sino-German cooperation is also very important for the next development of Chinese new energy vehicle companies.

"Chinese and German companies can start an in-depth cooperation in automotive technology and intelligence and use the advantages of both sides to jointly promote the development of the intelligent electric vehicle industry," he said.

This photo taken on April 13, 2023 shows the French national pavilion at the third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

According to CEO of L'Oreal China Fabrice Megarbane, "the pace of reform is getting faster, the efficiency of implementation is getting higher, the door of China's opening-up is becoming wider, and the business environment is getting better, making our confidence in the Chinese market stronger."

Data from China's Ministry of Commerce showed new investment from European companies in China rose by 70 percent to 12.1 billion dollars in 2022 when China-EU bilateral trade hit a new high of 847.3 billion dollars.

In a world of turmoil and transformation, the more serious and complex the situation, the more necessary it is to think calmly and grasp certainty amid uncertainties, Li said during his Europe visit, which wrapped up on Friday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Hyunsu Yim

SEOUL (Reuters) - Three YouTube channels seen as linked to North Korea's state media have been taken down, a spokesperson for the U.S. video hosting site said on Tuesday, after South Korean regulators blocked them at the request of the country's spy agency.

The channels featured English-speaking young women, including a girl as young as 11, who claimed to offer an unfiltered look at every day life in North Korea as informal video bloggers, or "vloggers."

The girl, who called herself Song A, spoke of visiting water parks, going to school, and reading Harry Potter books.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she released a video, ostensibly shot while in lockdown at home, praising the North Korean government's response and assuring viewers that "everything is under control as it used to be and everyone is just fine."

The YouTube spokesperson said in a statement that the decision to remove the channels was taken to comply with "U.S. sanctions and trade compliance laws, including those related to North Korea."

"After review and consistent with our policies, we terminated the three channels shared with us," the statement said, without elaborating on who brought the channels to YouTube's attention.

An official at the Korea Communications Standards Commission confirmed media reports that it had blocked the sites in South Korea last week at the request of the National Intelligence Service on the grounds that the content was a "promotion" of the North Korean government and that it had a "positive bias" towards North Korea.

The KCSC also asked Google, the parent company of YouTube, to remove the accounts, the official said.

Western analysts say they channels have ties to state media and that such content is impossible to independently produce or distribute in the tightly controlled North, where access to the world-wide internet is limited to a select few.

According to NK News, a Seoul-based website that tracks North Korea, the YouTubers have been linked to the Pyongyang-based Sogwang Media Corporation which seeks to expand the countrys external outreach through social media.

North Korea-linked Twitter accounts, including those of so-called "friendship associations" in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, have also been blocked in South Korea due to legal demands.

Some researchers have complained that removing the accounts cuts off sources of information about North Korea and its media.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Zaluzhnyi: We are tracking Russians in north, ready to fight back

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Serhii Shaptala, Chief of the General Staff, have inspected the command posts of Operational Command Pivnich (North) troops.

Source: Zaluzhnyi on Facebook

Details: Zaluzhnyi said that on Ukraines northern borders, the Russians continue with their systematic artillery shelling of Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts and use of sabotage reconnaissance groups.

Quote: "Our military remains vigilant, conducts reconnaissance, and is constantly working on improving its defence capabilities.

We are tracking the enemy in the North and are ready to put up serious resistance."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the attack by the Russian occupiers in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, another act of terrorism, that caused the death of three people, including a child.

Source: Zelenskyy during his evening video address

Quote: "Today, Russian terrorists also brutally shelled Kramatorsk. S-300 missiles. Three people were killed, including a child. My condolences to the families and friends. As of this hour, more than 40 people are wounded. Assistance is being provided to all. The rubble is being cleared."

Details: According to the president, every such terror act proves to Ukraine and the world that Russia deserves only "defeat and a tribunal, fair and legal trials against all Russian murderers and terrorists".

Background: On the evening of 27 June, Russian invaders attacked Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, hitting a catering establishment. So far, the media report three dead, including a child, and 42 wounded. Three foreigners are among the wounded.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Yuriy Gusev

Yuriy Husyev has been dismissed as CEO of Ukraines state-owned defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyys decree published on June 27.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister of Strategic Industries, commented on Husyevs dismissal, suggesting that significant changes await Ukroboronprom.

Read also: Ukroboronprom tells about new drones for Ukrainian armed forces

Uninterrupted and stable operation of the largest defense enterprise is critically important for our military, said Kamyshin.

Changes and significant strengthening await Ukroboronprom in the future.

Read also: Government revises up its forecast for Ukrainian economic growth

On June 26, the Ukrainian government tapped Herman Smetanin as the new head of Ukroboronprom. Smetanin currently serves as the head of the Malyshev Factory in Kharkiv.

Ukrainian media reported that Husyev has failed to deliver on the progress with Ukraines domestic missile program, and requested to be moved to a diplomatic role in one of the European countries.

Read also: Ukrainian serviceman dismisses Prigozhin's tantrums as false and exaggerated

On May 5, the government approved plans to establish a new joint-stock company to replace Ukroboronprom.

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 devoted son who loved his family and community.

A soft-spoken, selfless person who was fun to be around and share a laugh with.

A reader, a nature lover and a talented photographer.

Speakers remembered Wintergreen Police Officer Mark Christopher Chris Wagner II as someone who volunteered for the toughest job and was proud to do it.

A crowd of about 500 people attended Wagners funeral service in Fishersville on Monday  some 400 of those paying respects in uniform  from police, sheriffs and fire and rescue departments across the state, and from as far as West Virginia.

Wagner, 31, was the first law enforcement officer to respond to a residence in the Wintergreen community of Nelson County on June 16, after the Wintergreen Police Department received an emergency call that two people had been assaulted. Wagner followed a suspect into the woods, where a struggle ensued over Wagners department-issued handgun, the Virginia state police said. Wagner was shot and killed.

Daniel M. Barmak, 23, of Towson, Maryland, was arrested and charged with four felony charges, including aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, in Nelson County court.

Chris could have easily waited for back-up, Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell said. He fought the good fight.

Wintergreen Police Chief Dennis Russell said looking at the room full of law enforcement personnel made him remember how thick and strong the thin blue line is and that it was humbling seeing so many Wintergreen community members present.

He told the crowd Wagner asked for the midnight shift, which Russell said is one of the most difficult to fill. If he had to report for a day shift, youd find Wagner in the darkest tinted sunglasses imaginable. Russell said he often joked with Wagner about being a vampire and hating daylight, which made Wagner smile.

No one can ever plan for something like this to happen, but I learned that Chris and his father had talked about the possibilities, he said.

Wagners father, Mark Wagner, said his son was exceedingly proud to be part of his family in blue.

He also said his son would have been shocked at the support of the community and the ceremony in his honor.

Chris Wagner joined the Wintergreen Police Department, a private agency of only 17 personnel, in August 2020. Before, he served with the Massanutten Police Department for seven years and attended Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Academy.

Russell and Mark Wagner were joined by Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Gov. Glenn Youngkin onstage at the Augusta Expo Center.

So what weve heard this morning is that Chris was a light. He was a bright light. Son to a loving father, whos life was taken far too soon. Every corner of the Commonwealth, fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement have come here knowing that it could have been them who we were memorializing today, Youngkin said.

All of you wear the badge with pride. You engage fully with your communities, you sacrifice your own comfort and peace of mind so that our families and our communities dont have to. You extend a helping hand to everyone whos in need.

Youngkin continued, He was a great police officer by any standard. I spoke to the chief last week and it was the first thing he told me. He was a great police officer.

Mark Wagner called him a great son.

The governor called him a hero.

See a hero answers that call. A hero may seem ordinary but does extraordinary things. A hero  a son, a daughter, a father, a mother, a sister or brother  loves their community. A hero loves the world deeply in a way that we can all feel. Its palpable. A hero works the night shift, when everyone elses asleep. A hero demonstrates the greatest love of all, the willingness to lay down ones life for a friend.
With Lynchburg City Council set to meet for its second regular meeting in June, appointments to the Lynchburg City School Board and one city councilor's 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, it's 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 it's "not the government's 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 city's workforce, such as implicit bias, he said.

Anna Bentson, the city's 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 doesn't 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 it's really harmful work of ideologies that could eliminate concepts to unify.

"It's 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 don't need to tell people that ... there's unconscious bias out there  you don't even realize it. No, no way," he added. "What they're 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 that's 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 city's workplace, Misjuns said, "I'm 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 city's 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 it's hard to evaluate a candidate when questions weren't 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 you're 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, we're 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.
Virginia will submit a plan late this year to ensure that every home and business in the state can connect to broadband networks for high-speed internet service, using a $1.5 billion federal grant that President Joe Biden announced for the state on Monday.

"We won't accept anything less," said Evan Feinman, director of the Broadband Equity Access and Development program at the National Telecommunications Information Administration.

Feinman, who was chief broadband adviser to then Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, likened the $42 billion national program to rural electrification of the country more than 85 years ago during the Depression.

"This is the largest investment in broadband infrastructure in the nation's history and the largest telecommunications grant the commonwealth (of Virginia) has ever gotten," he said in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Monday. "It's going to ensure that every American has access to the same standard of living as the folks who already have access to high-speed internet."

That would mean people who live in communities where high-speed internet is unavailable won't have to travel to libraries, schools and other buildings with WiFi internet networks to perform school work or do their jobs, as many did during the COVID-19 pandemic over the past three-plus years.

Access to broadband is essential for participating in our increasingly digital world," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement on Monday. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how children who didnt live in areas with broadband connectivity suffered more than their counterparts. These programs will ensure that Virginia is moving forward and that no matter where you live in the Commonwealth, Virginians will have the resources they need to thrive in the modern digital economy.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced the grants on Monday under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which the president signed into law in late 2021.

Virginia is one of 10 states to receive more than $1 billion each from the Broadband Equity Access and Development program under the infrastructure law.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., a former telecommunications executive and governor who played a lead role in shaping the infrastructure act, said the state won big "because Virginia did the hard work over the last four years to both deploy and accurately map where we have gaps in coverage."

"This has been a passion of mine since I've been governor  how to we make sure that kids in rural areas have the same opportunities as kids in places like Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads," Warner said in a video statement announcing the award.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., hailed the grant announcement while in Winchester on Monday to examine the role of telehealth services in connecting health care providers with patients who can't travel for care. "High-quality, reliable broadband also plays a crucial role in helping Virginians access work and educational opportunities and stay in touch with loved ones, Kaine said.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, who allied with Warner to push hard for the infrastructure package in the U.S. House of Representatives, called the grant announcement "a landmark moment in our work to close the digital divide across Virginia  and the economic benefits of this investment will benefit every Virginian."

Virginia's congressional delegation divided over the infrastructure act, with seven Democrats then in the House supporting it and four Republicans voting against it. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, was not a member of Congress then, but defeated Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd, last year and took office in January.

The grant will go directly to the state, which will distribute the money to local governments, Indian tribes and internet providers to carry out a state plan that the federal government must review and approve before the state carries it out.

The Department of Housing and Community Development, which oversees broadband deployment in Virginia, is expected to verify the map and submit a plan by the end of the year. "It could be sooner," Feinman said. "It depends on how quickly they want to proceed."

Department spokesperson Amanda Love said Monday that the agency "will administer the BEAD funds to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure to the remaining unserved homes, businesses and community anchor institutions across Virginia."

Love said the agency would use the money to promote affordable internet service and build on the work of the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative.

First, the state and its partners must verify the accuracy of the current Federal Communications Commission maps of estimated broadband coverage. In January, Warner mounted a vigorous effort to ensure that Virginia residents review the FCC maps to verify which homes and businesses have internet service and which do not. "We need everybody to be engaged to ensure the maps are right," Feinman said.

Some areas that already have service may have gaps in coverage. For example, Chickahominy Indian Chief Stephen Adkins said Monday most of the tribe has affordable internet service in Charles City County, its base, but noted that his daughter does not have access at her home near the Chickahominy River and his son doesn't have service in part of New Kent.

The tribe received a $500,000 grant last month from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program for engineering and feasibility studies to expand access to high-speed internet by tribal members. Adkins said the tribe is working with county government and internet providers, but urged the state to consult closely with federally recognized tribes and those that currently are recognized only by Virginia.

New Kent is splitting the cost of a $33.9 million project to hook up more than 3,000 homes to high-speed networks, beginning with Barhamsville in late August and Talleysville in October. The county put up $16.1 million, including $4.4 million it had received from the Biden administration through the American Rescue Plan Act, while the cable company invested $17.8 million.

"Our board of supervisors just made a decision we weren't going to wait" for state grants, New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway said Monday.

In the second phase of the project, Cox will upgrade its coaxial cable networks for existing customers with fiber-optic cables that can support high-speed internet serve. "By the end of 2026, every single household in the county will have fiber-optic service," Hathway said.

Internet providers, represented by VCTA -The Broadband Association of Virginia, said they have spent $3.2 billion to provide Virginia customers high-speed internet service.

"We look forward to working with our state leaders to ensure these broadband funds are used to their fullest potential to connect every corner of the Commonwealth," the association said Monday.

"We look forward to working with our state leaders to ensure these broadband funds are used to their fullest potential to connect every corner of the Commonwealth," the association said Monday.

U.S. states with the fastest internet Intro The Southeast lags behind other states in computer and internet use 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
Deb Weilage, a lifelong Council Bluffs resident, is semi-retired and works part time at the Community of Christ Thrift Store and Pantry. She comes into contact with people who are struggling financially and some who are homeless. Her challenge is knowing where to refer people who need help. She feels more assistance should be available for people struggling with mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.

She gave some clothes to one man and told him where he could find a public shower. Soon afterward, he got a job. Another man who came in was hopelessly behind on paying child support and was living in his car. She asked around and found out the state receives money from the federal government for a Fatherhood Initiative. The state has a Child Support Recovery Unit that offers help to people who are receiving public assistance or have received it in the past.

Weilage is concerned about Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature passing a bill that will provide state-funded scholarships to students attending private schools.

I dont know how I feel about the governor getting it approved to spend public money on private schools, said Weilage, who taught at a public elementary school for five years. What Im worried about is, are they going to have the checks and balances we have in public schools? If we are putting public money into private schools, then they need to be accountable for what theyre doing.

She is also concerned about how academic levels will align if students switch from private to public schools at some point.

Weilage feels that children are not learning everything they need to know  and youth are not learning enough living skills.

I feel like were not teaching kids how to work  how to support themselves, she said  and, in some cases, to read and write. As parents, were not teaching children how to read  were not reading to them when theyre young, were not teaching them how to write.

Yet, children are learning what consumer goods are popular, Weilage said.

Are we too busy teaching them about wants instead of needs?

Youth need to learn more living skills  how to cook, how to manage money, etc., Weilage said.

Deb Weilage Name: Deb Weilage Age: 67 City: Lifelong Council Bluffs resident Occupation: Part-time sales at Community of Christ Thrift Store & Food Pantry; has worked as a nurses aide, teacher, parent educator and museum tour guide, among other things Family: Husband Daryl, three adult children, seven grandchildren Years in Iowa: 67 Political affiliation: Republican Last presidential vote: Trump (but only because I like Pence) What are the biggest challenges you face in your everyday life? For Deb Weilage, it is helping the families who come to the thrift store and pantry where she works find the assistance they need. How do you see Iowas government affecting your life? Weilage is concerned about taxpayers money funding scholarships to private schools. What issues do you wish the government paid more attention to? Less attention to? She feels more assistance should be available for people struggling with mental health issues, addiction and homelessness. The state could do less to help private schools.

I know thats not the schools responsibility, she said. It should be the parents  but I think parents kind of need that, too. Were missing the boat if were expecting our children  by osmosis  to learn these things.

Weilage does not like to see the federal government going further and further in debt, and she disagrees with Reynolds decision to ask for federal assistance for Davenport because of the collapse of a historic building that housed apartments. She thinks the money should come from those responsible for the buildings condition and for allowing people to live in it despite its condition.

If somebody in Davenport didnt do their job, why should the rest of the people in the country have to pay for it? she asked.

Weilage does not like her tax money being given to people who are irresponsible.

Its the working people who are paying taxes and trying to do whats right, she said.

Weilage grew up in rural Council Bluffs and attended Lewis Central Community Schools, as did her husband and all of their children. As a child, she enjoyed spending time at her grandparents farm near Minden. She earned an associate degree in elementary education and social studies at Iowa Western Community College and worked briefly as a nurses aide at a nursing home, a technician at Glenwood Resource Center and various other jobs before deciding to go back to school.

I realized, I have to go to school  I have to get a degree  to do what I need to do in this life, she said.

Weilage went back to college at age 40 and finished her bachelors in elementary education through Buena Vista Universitys center at Iowa Western. After that, she was an elementary classroom teacher for five years.

I loved teaching, but I liked working with families more, she said. I really enjoyed the little ones.

As a parent educator, she visited the homes of families with children ages zero to 5 for FAMILY Inc. for about 12 years. In 2015, she was named Parent Educator of the Year by the Parents as Teachers National Center.

Weilage is an Iowan through and through.

I never have thought about leaving Iowa, she said.

She had an opportunity after high school to take a mission job in Taiwan with sponsorship by her church, Weilage said.

When it came right down to it, I couldnt leave, she said. As I get older and I have time, I notice the beauty in things. I love the scenery. This is home.

Weilage and her husband, Daryl, have three adult children  two daughters, who live in Alabama and Kansas; and a son, who lives in Council Bluffs and works with his father drilling wells. The couple has seven grandchildren.
The Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club recognized three public safety officials for their service the community.

Each year, the Rotary Noon Club recognizes first responders for their service with an engraved plaque. This year's honorees are:

 Council Bluffs Police Department Officer Clayton Juhl

 Council Bluffs Fire Department Capt. Mike Godbout

 Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office Deputy Jaron Neumann

The trio were recognized during the club's May 25 meeting at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center.

The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the fellowship of business, professional and community leaders, according to a news release. The Noon Club has served Council Bluffs since 1915.

The club meets Thursdays at noon at the Hoff Center, 1001 S. Sixth St. To learn more about Rotary, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/6088, contact Cieandra Tripp at cbrotaryclub@gmail.com or send a note to the Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club at PO Box 673, Council Bluffs, IA 51502.
From early morning to mid-afternoon Wednesday, a construction crew worked diligently in west Norfolk to dismantle the towns water tower. They worked from the top down, beginning with taking apart the dome and ending with taking down the legs.
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Serbia reiterated, on Monday, its support for the territorial integrity of Morocco, as well as its position of principle against secessionism and separatism.

This position was reaffirmed by Serbias First Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, during phone talks he held on Monday with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

The head of Serbian diplomacy also reiterated Serbias support for the efforts of the United Nations to achieve a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution to the Sahara issue, in a spirit of realism and compromise, and in full compliance with the relevant UN resolutions, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a press release issued following the talks.

The two sides focused on the possibilities of intensifying and strengthening good bilateral relations and Dacic expressed during the telephone call with Nasser Bourita his gratitude to Morocco for its constant and firm support to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, in accordance with international law, the press release said.

The First Vice-President of the Serbian Government also underlined the long-standing and traditionally friendly ties between the two countries, as well as Serbias willingness to continue developing comprehensive cooperation with Morocco, including exchanges of visits at the highest level.

In this connection, Dacic reiterated his invitation to Nasser Bourita to visit Serbia.

Prior to the phone talk, the Serbian official held a meeting in Belgrade with Moroccan Ambassador to Serbia, Mohammed Amine Belhaj.

During the meeting, the Serbian Foreign Minister recalled that last year the two countries celebrated the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, seeing it as an ideal moment for the peoples of Serbia and Morocco to get to know each other through numerous artistic and cultural events organized throughout the year.

Dacic underlined the importance of further developing the economic and commercial ties between the two countries so that they keep pace with the excellent level of our political relations.

For his part, Belhaj handed Dacic a congratulatory letter from Bourita on the occasion of the election of Serbia to host the specialized exhibition EXPO 2027.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Monday June 26, threw its support behind the ongoing institutional and political reforms in Burkina Faso, adding that it can provide funding for the transitional process.

Martin Schindler, Deputy Division & Mission Chief of the Washington-based institution underlined the support during a meeting with the transitional leader of the West African country, Ibrahim Traore.

Schindler also indicated his visit is meant to discuss with local authorities ways to find mechanisms for the Fund to support the Transition development program.

With the Head of State, we discussed the outlines of a program that we had begun with the members of the Government, and we communicated our program for the week to the Head of State, he added.

Burkina Faso has started a string of political and institutional reforms to address the ongoing security and humanitarian crises that it has been facing for years, owing to terrorism.

Early this year, IMF announced the release of $80 million in emergency aid to help the country cope with a food crisis aggravated by the war in Ukraine. The aid will help support measures to provide emergency assistance to acutely food-insecure households in Burkina Faso, Schindler said, after a week-long visit in February.
Egyptian State-owned Banque Misr has signed an agreement with food delivery services provider Talabat Egypt to offer financial and non-financial services to Micro and Small businesses (MSMes), per a press release issued Monday.

According to the agreement, Talabat Egypts partners will receive concessional financing of up to EGP 2 million ($65,000) needed for their micro and small projects within five working days.

The partners will also open online accounts for their businesses within 24 hours by submitting three documents. The deal seeks to empower local projects in Egypt via offering financing solutions and a package of digital services, as it targets to support the development of restaurants and brands across different business stages, the press release said.

For the banks Head of the SMEs and Microfinance Sector Amr Demerdash, the agreement is part of Banque Misrs strategy to support projects of various sizes.
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres reiterated that the mission of the MINURSO is to ensure the ceasefire is respected in the Sahara region between Morocco and the Algeria-based polisario front.

The statement deals a blow to the Polisario and their Algerian mentors who are still waiting for a referendum, a proposal that proved infeasibility and has been dropped in Security Council resolutions for years.

Answering a question last week at Sciences Po Paris, Guterres reiterated that the MINURSO has been facing challenges in its ceasefire monitoring mission since Morocco put an end to Polisarios blockage and banditry in the Guerguarat border crossing.

The UN Security Councils most recent resolution on the Sahara had urged the Polisairo to facilitate the work of the MINURSO in monitoring the ceasefire and allow for the resupply of their teamsites and observers.

Moroccos representative to the UN Omar Hilale had said after the resolution that the MINURSO had warned that it may leave the area east of the berm if Polisario continued its obstacles to the MINURSO mission.

Polisario are using hunger and thirst blackmail against the MINURSO, if the latter leaves the area east of the Berm Morocco will retrieve that area which it handed to the UN mission after the ceasefire agreement, Hilale had said.

Guterres, who previously served as UNHCR chief, knows very well the Sahara issue and has helped organize family visits from the Algeria-based and Polisario-administered Tindouf camps to the southern provinces.

During his leadership of UNHCR, he refused to increase the amount of aid sent to the camps because he deemed that the number of people there is far below the inflated figures put forward by the Algerian government and its polisario proxies.

UNHCR kept asking for a census of the population in Tindouf camps since 2009 but the calls fell on deaf Algerian ears who are intent on keeping using the camps dwellers as political instruments.

The UN position has been to urge the parties to the conflict  including Algeria- to negotiate without pre-conditions and in good faith in order to find a mutually-acceptable lasting political solution on the basis of compromise while highlighting the credibility of Moroccos autonomy initiative.
Moroccos plans to become a green hydrogen powerhouse are luring European customers including Germany and most recently Netherlands.

The Dutch and the Moroccan governments signed a financing deal to look into green hydrogen infrastructure.

Germany had integrated Morocco in its H2Uppp program targeting hydrogen projects in developing countries.

But the project that is closest to materialize was announced by phosphates and fertilizers producer OCP to set up an ammonia plant operating on green hydrogen in Tarfaya for a total cost of 7 billion dollars.

Taqa Maroc, Moroccos largest private electricity producer, has set up a renewable energy subsidiary called Taqa Morocco Green and will also produce green hydrogen in Moroccos southern provinces.

Earlier this year, media reports mentioned that Belgiums energy firm, John Cockerill, plans to invest in green hydrogen as part of a joint venture in Morocco where they plan to manufacture key equipment to transform electricity into hydrogen at a lower cost.

John Cockerills planned investment follows suit global companies such as Total Eren which announced a mega project to set up plants capable of transforming 10HW of clean electricity into hydrogen and green ammonia.

For that purpose, Total Eren has already obtained a 170,000 hectare site from the Moroccan government in the Guelmim-Oued Noun region.

In November last year, King Mohammed VI urged the government to accelerate the implementation of renewable energy projects especially wind, solar and green hydrogen.

The international renewable energy agency IRENA cites Morocco as one of the four countries in the world with a significant potential to become exporters of green hydrogen.

Morocco has a potential to supply 4% of global demand on clean hydrogen, the agency said.
Mozambiques former Finance Minister, Manuel Chang, will reportedly be extradited to New York next month to face charges in the United States over his role in a $2 billion bond fraud scandal involving also Credit Suisse Group AG that paid $475 million for its role in alleged fraud, a UN prosecutor said on Monday June 26.

Chang has been in detention in South Africa since his arrest in December 2018 at the request of US authorities. Federal prosecutors in New York allege that corrupt Mozambique officials conspired with Credit Suisse bankers to take the country deeper into debt for dubious maritime projects such as a fleet of ships to combat. The approximately $475 million paid by Credit Suisse in 2021 was meant to resolve multiple investigations of its role in the scandal, one of several major legal and financial setbacks the Swiss bank faced in the years leading up to its collapse in March. A Credit Suisse unit and three former bankers also pleaded guilty to charges in the same case brought against Chang.

During Changs four-year detention, the United States and Mozambique competed over who would get to prosecute him, Assistant US Attorney Hiral Mehta said at a Monday hearing in Brooklyn federal court. South Africas top court in May dismissed an appeal by Mozambique seeking to prosecute him there.

Mozambique defaulted on a bond meant to guarantee $2 billion in loans for the maritime projects. Hundreds of millions of dollars that were allegedly looted from Mozambique  an East African nation with a great potential but with about 60% of its population continuing to struggle with poverty  tipped the country into economic crisis. Chang and Najib Allam, the former chief financial officer of shipbuilder Privinvest Group, are facing charges that include conspiracy to commit securities fraud and money laundering.
Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and other African countries, which sought closer ties with Russia that provided them, through Wagner Group, with military support, now  following Prigozhins armed revolt against the Kremlin  need to carefully assess the implications of these developments and take proactive measures to mitigate any potential risks, says a latest analysis published by the Nigeria-based Military Africa.

The analysis also points out that some Wagner Group soldiers may have even left their ongoing missions in Africa and Syria to join the military coup against Russian President Vladimir Putin. It argues that this unexpected development has significant implications for both Russia and Africa, particularly in terms of security. The mercenary group has been actively involved in various African countries, most notably CAR, Libya, Mali, and Sudan, offering military and security support while expanding Russias influence across the continent. As Wagners operations primarily focus on providing security services, paramilitary assistance, and disinformation campaigns, the groups possible withdrawal from Africa would change the geopolitical dynamics.

One of the key concerns is the potential destabilization caused by the departure of Wagner Group soldiers from ongoing missions. For example, in the case of the CAR, the withdrawal of Wagner Group forces could leave a security vacuum, allowing armed rebel groups to gain ground and destabilize the country further. The same scenario applies to other countries where the Wagner Group has been active, such as Sudan and Mali, according to the Military Africa analysis. Additionally, the departure of Wagner Group soldiers to join the military coup against Putin suggests a lack of loyalty and discipline within their ranks. This raises questions about the potential for similar incidents in the future, both within the group and among other private military contractors operating in Africa, the analysis concludes.
Irans support for Algeria and Polisario threatens not only Morocco, but also the stability of the broader region, writes The Defense Post, an independent security and defense news publication

In an Op-Ed published this Tuesday on the threats posed by the Iranian drones in Africa, Lonzo Cook, a former CNN journalist, says the efforts to destabilize Morocco can be explained by Irans antagonism to Israel. Morocco-Israel relations have been gaining momentum in all sectors following the signing of the 2020 Abraham Accords brokered by Washington.

Tehran is expanding its influence in Africa, replicating its Middle East playbook by arming rebel Shiite groups, warns Mr. Cook. For decades Iran has engaged in confrontations with regional rivals across the Middle East, extending its influence through supporting foreign guerrilla groups with military hardware and training.

Over the last several years, Iran has been expanding and deepening its influence into a new area: Africa, most notably the Sahel and Maghreb. In this way, Iran is gaining a foothold in a strategic and resource-rich area adjacent to vital Western shipping lanes in the Atlantic Ocean.

Iranian subversion could have the greatest geopolitical consequences in the Sahara region of northwest Africa, says the publication. With its mounting support for state and non-state opponents of Morocco, Iran seeks to undermine a staunch Western ally that serves as a bedrock of stability in a troubled neighborhood.

Morocco is seriously concerned about the supply of Iranian attack drones to the Polisario militia, supported by Algeria, says the Defense Post, citing in this regard the remarks of Moroccos permanent representative to the UN Omar Hilale, who has repeatedly denounced the drone transfers via Algeria and warned that Morocco will react in an appropriate manner.

However, Iranian subversion reaches deeper inside Morocco through its persistent campaign to radicalize and recruit members of the Kingdoms Shiite minority.

Iran has long-established economic and military ties with Algeria, and Tehran has acknowledged its sale of military drones to Algiers. Furthermore, Polisarios former interior minister Omar Mansour boasted last year that the separatist group received Iranian drones, threatening to use them against Moroccan security forces.

Senior Moroccan officials have detailed how Iran has been using its Lebanese proxy militia Hezbollah to provide military training and support to Polisario guerrillas based at the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria. This support goes back to 2017 and has long irritated Rabat.

In May 2018, Morocco severed diplomatic ties with Iran for the third time over its support for the Polisario and after Tehran deployed units of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Algeria to provide training to Polisario fighters.

The Defense Post describes Morocco as strategic bulwark in North Africa against extremism, a moderate Islamic country with a fast-growing economy and deepening economic relationships with its fellow African countries.

All these factors make Morocco, a reliable strategic partner for the U.S. and its Western and African allies, to stand shoulder to shoulder against Irans destabilizing scheme in Africa and the Maghreb.
Rec Center, transfer station closed on Fourth

The North Platte Recreation Center, North Platte Public Transit and transfer station will all be closed on Tuesday for the July 4 holiday.

North Platte Public Transit will operate normally on Monday and Wednesday. For more information, call 308-532-1370.

The Rec Center will be closed, but the Cody Park swimming pool will be open 1-7 p.m. Tuesday. Current Rec Center passes will be honored at the Cody Park swimming pool that day.

For more information call the Rec Center at 308-535-6772.

The North Platte transfer station will be closed Tuesday and refuse collections will have some changes throughout the week.

The Public Service Department is asking that people have their refuse carts in place by 6:30 a.m. Monday to avoid being missed.

All garbage must be bagged and placed in the city-issued containers and the lids must be closed. No bags or trash on the ground.

Telegraph staff reports

Pillen hosting town hall events in western Nebraska

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen will host five town hall events on June 28 and June 29 in a tour of west-central and west Nebraska.

During those town halls, Pillen will talk about highlights from the 2023 legislative session and take questions from attendees, according to a press release from his office.

Pillen will also make remarks at the groundbreaking for a new fertilizer plant in Gothenburg.

All events are open to the public.

The schedule:

June 28

Noon: Phelps/Gosper Chamber of Commerce & Farm Bureau Town Hall, Sun Theater, 417 West Ave., Holdrege.

2 p.m.: Groundbreaking for new fertilizer plant, Industrial Park Road, Gothenburg.

5:30 p.m.: Town hall event, Handlebend, 215 Douglas St., ONeill.

June 29

9:30 a.m.: Town Hall event, Mid Plains Community College, 715 E. U.S. Highway 20, Valentine.

11:30 a.m. MT: Town hall event, Chadron State College Student Center, 1000 Main St., Chadron.

1:30 p.m. MT: Town hall event, Driftwood Restaurant, 118 N. Spruce St., Ogallala.

Telegraph staff reports

Human skeletal remains found near Pilger

The Stanton County Sheriffs Office is investigating the discovery of human skeletal remains along the Elkhorn River near Pilger on Monday.

The Sheriffs Office was contacted Monday afternoon by swimmers in the Elkhorn River southeast of Pilger, who reported that they had discovered what appeared to be human skeletal remains, said Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger.

The Sheriffs Office responded to the scene and recovered the partial remains. Unger said authorities would work with forensic scientists with the University of North Texas to determine the specifics of the remains. Officials also will attempt to determine if the remains are historic or from a more recent death, as well as the manner of death.

After historic flooding along the Elkhorn River in 2019, three partial skeletal remains were located separately in or near the river near Wood Duck and Stanton. Those remains were recovered by the Sheriffs Office and determined by forensic examinations to be remains from the 19th century or earlier.

 Staff and wire reports
Five broadband-spotty locations in west central Nebraska will receive a combined $5.5 million from the Nebraska Public Service Commission to help close their coverage gaps.

Theyre among 38 3rd Congressional District awards announced Tuesday from the PSCs Capital Projects Fund. The projects must be finished by Dec. 27, 2024, unless the five-member elected commission grants extensions.

Sixty-five grants totaling more than $61 million were awarded in Nebraska counties outside the Omaha metro area, PSC Chairman Dan Watermeier said in a press release.

Twenty-seven of those awards were in eastern Nebraskas 1st Congressional District, totaling $40.3 million. The 3rd District awards totaled just over $21 million, a little over the $40 million available for 2023 grants.

Because of that, Watermeier said, telecommunications companies serving the sprawling 3rd District will be invited to seek PSC assistance from the remaining $19 million. Broadband projects rejected in the first round may be resubmitted, he said.

Projects funded in The Telegraphs coverage area are:

Arnold: Great Plains Communications, 327 locations, $2,095,489.

Great Plains Communications, 327 locations, $2,095,489. Comstock: Nebraska Central Telephone Co., 44 underserved locations, $305,853.

Nebraska Central Telephone Co., 44 underserved locations, $305,853. Hayes Center: Great Plains Communications, 131 locations, $1,166,910.

Great Plains Communications, 131 locations, $1,166,910. Oshkosh: Inventive Wireless of Nebraska LLC (DBA Vistabeam), 581 locations, $755,865.

Inventive Wireless of Nebraska LLC (DBA Vistabeam), 581 locations, $755,865. Stapleton: Great Plains Communications, 64 locations, $1,182,180.
With the Legislature out of session, it has been nice to spend more time in the district, but we havent slowed down.

Julie and I were able to attend the first night of the Miss Nebraska contest, which continues to be a major statewide event held each year in North Platte. I am so happy for Miss Nebraska 2023 Morgan Baird, who just completed two years of service as a page at the Nebraska Legislature.

Given all the late nights as we ended the session, she had little time to prepare for the contest, yet her performance was flawless.

We also participated in some of the Nebraskaland Days activities, including the parade.

Julie and I plan to attend as many of the upcoming parades as we can throughout District 42, as well as town hall meetings and other local events. Feedback from constituents is very important to me, and I look forward to having more time to see folks face-to-face.

Two weeks ago, we also had the opportunity to attend the 90th anniversary of Farm Foundation in Chicago. I was fortunate to be invited into membership over 10 years ago and have always enjoyed attending their semi-annual meetings.

Farm Foundation is a policy research organization comprised of 150 members who are industry experts in the food system, including former secretaries of agriculture, large producers, processors, retailers, agricultural economists and environmentalists.

I was especially pleased to have been asked to lead a panel discussion at this meeting on the future of ag finance and business structures.

As the capital required to operate profitable farms continues to rise, many producers will be looking to unlikely partnerships to access the capital needed to operate in the future.

Property taxes are a big component of the cost of running an agricultural operation, but they are a significant expense for any landowner.

I continue to receive a lot of questions and complaints regarding recent property value increases, so I thought it might be good to review the process once again.

Property values are subject to review as of Jan. 1 each year. A yellow card indicating the valuation change is sent to each property owner once a change is made.

Valuations are based on a number of factors, including what the market value of your property might be and how similar properties have been valued.

Currently, we are experiencing a shortage of homes and inflated construction costs. This means that the same home is selling for more than it would have even five years ago. Because the market is placing a higher value on properties, valuations are going up.

It is important to note, however, that a higher valuation does not alone indicate your property taxes will increase. Before your property tax can be determined, each local taxing authority must set its budgets (generally in October) and hold a public hearing before approving the budget.

The state has no power to assess property taxes, which is why it is so important for people to know about and participate in the local budget process. You should receive another postcard in the mail alerting you to local budget hearings.

Once budgets are approved, the county treasurer compiles all the tax requests for each taxing authority (county, city, school district, ag society, airport authority, community college, etc.).

The total requests and the property available to tax within each authoritys jurisdiction are used to determine what level the mill levy must be to generate the necessary taxes to fund all the local taxing authorities. The mill levy determines your property tax.

Again, the state only generates funding from income taxes, sales taxes, and fees. Since property taxes are assessed and collected at the local level, the Legislature cannot directly lower your property tax bill.

However, the Legislature has tried to lower property taxes indirectly. First, the Legislature approved a significant increase in state aid to local school districts, which accounts for approximately half of your property tax bill. Our hope is that more state aid will reduce districts reliance on local property taxes.

Second, the Legislature provides property tax credits and rebates based on what you pay for support of local school districts and community colleges. Last year, that number amounted to 30% of the property taxes you paid to those entities.

Finally, the Legislature voted this year to begin funding the operation of community colleges at the state level, as it does with state colleges and the University system.

Soon, property taxes for community colleges will only be assessed to pay off existing bonded indebtedness. Ongoing support will come from state support, tuition and grants.

So, take a deep breath when reviewing your property valuation statements because it is only one piece of the puzzle. Although you may not have improved your property over the last few years, the market value has increased due to the cost of new housing and the short supply.

It is good to have your value go up, but it is bad if that increase results in higher taxes. It is up to the local taxing authorities to determine how much the increase in property values affects your tax bill.

Please feel free to reach out to me at mjacobson@leg.ne.gov or 402-471-2729 about issues impacting you. My door is always open.
Photo: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is badly trailing Donald Trump in the invisible primary phase of the 2024 Republican presidential race, has been racing to the right to prove himself as a MAGA 2.0 candidate and perhaps even more reliably extremist than Trump. His latest move is to try to out-macho Trump on his plans for the southern border:

Americans are dying. Communities are suffering. Our leaders have failed us.



As president, @RonDeSantis will stop the invasion at our border and restore sovereignty to this country. Read his full border security plan  https://t.co/aWnDVryVrg  Team DeSantis (@TeamDeSantis) June 26, 2023

DeSantis is in favor of fully mobilizing the U.S. military for border duty, killing migrants smuggling drugs, and even sending Coast Guard and Navy ships to block Mexican ports where chemicals used to make fentanyl are allegedly received. You can judge for yourself whether hes made himself more ferociously nativist than Trump with these gestures. But on one important and complex legal topic, all he can do is say Me too! Hes echoing Trumps repeated calls for ending birthright citizenship.

The legal doctrine in question is contained in Section 5 of the 14th Amendment: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. It seems clear enough, particularly given the context, which was to establish that the free soil of a reunited America made full citizens of ex-slaves. The prevailing Supreme Court interpretation of the birthright-citizenship clause, handed down in 1898, held that the American-born son of noncitizen immigrants was indeed a citizen.

But the phrase subject to the jurisdiction of, originally intended to exclude the children of foreign diplomats and Native Americans from automatic citizenship, has caused some doubt and confusion. A smattering of conservative legal scholars have argued that it means Congress can regulate birthright citizenship, typically by withholding it from the children of immigrants present in the country illegally. Trump asserted before and after becoming president that he had the power to do exactly that by executive order. He never did, however, probably because he was told it would invite an immediate court challenge. But in his current campaign, he has pledged to issue an order ending birthright citizenship (technically requiring that one parent of a qualifying person be a citizen or legal resident) on day one of his next administration.

DeSantis hasnt made it clear exactly how he would accomplish an end to birthright citizenship; perhaps he is preserving a future opportunity to demagogue the issue more specifically. Both he and Trump assert without evidence that the chance to secure citizenship for future offspring is a major driver of illegal immigration. It has become very common in neo-nativist circles to use such terms as chain migration and anchor babies to demonize birthright citizenship.

In the monkey-see, monkey-do climate of the 2024 GOP presidential contest, it will be interesting to see if other candidates join this particular bandwagon. Mike Pence defended without necessarily embracing Trumps early attacks on birthright citizenship. Tim Scott said he was open to legal arguments that it was unwarranted. Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy are in an interesting situation as children born in the U.S. to noncitizens, albeit noncitizens legally in the country.

No matter what these politicians say, the odds remain high that the federal courts will stick with the traditional free soil interpretations of the 14th Amendment. As as Cristian Farias wrote when Trumps first attack on birthright citizenship was threatened: If the small cadre of anti-birthright truthers want a different reading, only a constitutional amendment will do.
(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, and Michael Bolton at Mar-a-Lago. Photo: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

Much has already been disclosed about the Metropolitan Correctional Centers embarrassing failures to keep Jeffrey Epstein alive while he was in federal custody in 2019  obvious shortcomings like pulling him off suicide watch too early or the guards on watch the night of his death falling asleep on the job. But on Tuesday, as another round of Epstein reporting trickles in via unrelated court cases, a new Justice Department inspector-general report details just how poorly the notoriously mismanaged MCC botched the job of keeping Epstein safe in jail. Below are the key revelations from the inspector generals report.

Epstein was given every opportunity to take his own life  including extra sheets

Inspector General Michael Horowitz writes that the negligence, misconduct, and outright job-performance failures at the Manhattan jail allowed Epstein the opportunity to kill himself in his cell. Not only was he taken off suicide watch too soon after his first attempt to take his own life, he was left alone in his cell for 24 hours after his cellmate was transferred. The report states that one Bureau of Prisons official emailed 70 staffers warning them that leaving Epstein alone was against protocol and dangerous for his health. The report found that three MCC employees violated policy by giving Epstein an excess amount of linen and blankets  which he then used to create a makeshift noose.

The DOJ recommended two more jail employees face charges  which prosecutors ignored

In the year after Epsteins death, two guards were charged for failing to conduct over 75 mandatory checks on their infamous ward and allegedly covering up the evidence of their negligence after the fact. The charges were eventually dropped after the pair admitted to falsifying records.

The new report reveals that Horowitz also recommended charging two MCC supervisors for falsifying records claiming that they had completed the mandatory rounds and inmate counts on the night of Epsteins death. But prosecutors in New York never charged the managers.

The inspector general says theres no evidence of homicide

The report states that the Justice Department did not uncover evidence that cast doubt on the FBIs determination that Epstein had strangled himself from his bunk. The medical examiner who performed the autopsy informed the inspector general that there was no debris under Epsteins fingernails, marks on his hands, contusions to his knuckles, or bruises on his body that evidenced Epstein had been in a struggle. The report also states that Epstein had hemorrhaging and bruising from his neck up, and says that in homicidal strangulation, these conditions are normally found only in the eyes and mouth, and in a different pattern.
Alabama has joined the growing number of states that require hands-free driving.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Senate Bill 301, legislation that prohibits people from using their cellphones and other devices without a hands-free setup. Proposed by Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Rep. Randy Wood, the new law went into effect on June 16.

Dont expect to get ticketed just yet.

There is a one-year grace period in place. That means police officers will only give a warning if they see drivers violating the hands-free law.

We wanted to make sure that they were aware of the law and everything, Wood said. We didnt feel like it was right to just throw it out there and make it to where you got to pay a fine right off the bat. So we gave them a year of warning tickets.

Auburn Police Lt. Darrell Downing said the warning period will end on June 14, 2024. A cellphone or device violation will also be considered a secondary offense. During that time, the police cant pull you over for simply talking on your phone or using a device while driving.

They have to have an initial violation to stop you. Another moving violation that is primary such as speeding, swerving, no turn signal, improper turns or something in that matter, Downing said. And then you can be issued a warning for the other one [cell phone violation] up until June 14, 2024. After that, you can be issued a citation for it.

Once strictly enforced, each violation will be considered a separate offense and Class C misdemeanor, Downing said. The first conviction carries a fine of $50. A second conviction within a two years will get you a $100 fine. A third ticket inside of two years will lead to a $150 fine.

The first fine, however, can be waived if a person provides proof of purchase of a hands-free device for their vehicle.

They would prefer you to take that money you would have paid in a fine and purchase some type of hands-free or Bluetooth device. Make you a safer driver, Downing said. They will waive the court cost if you do that on the first violation.

Device-related accidents are not uncommon in Alabama.

Downing said the state saw 39 wrecks with injuries from June 22, 2020, to June 21 that stemmed from drivers using electronic devices. In that same time period, there were 198 cellphone-related wrecks and an additional 59 wrecks involving other electronic devices.

Downing said it is unclear how many other crashes happened for the similar reasons, but werent reported as such because of lack of evidence.

Thats just the ones that we know for sure either by admission or a witness saw them on the phone, Downing said.

Wood agrees with Downings sentiment.

Theres people getting killed every day. Not only in Alabama, but in the whole country thats inattentive on hands-free driving, Wood said. Its already against the law to text and drive. Wed already passed that, but not talking and driving You just cant operate a motor vehicle like that and have it under control.
The Lee County Humane Society will be participating in the Bissell Pet Foundations summer Empty the Shelters event by offering reduced-fee adoptions from July 6-31.

The animal shelter, along with 335 others across the country, hopes to help pets find and stay in loving homes and has a goal to get as many pets adopted as possible this July. The Lee County Humane Society, located on 1140 Ware Drive in Auburn, will have spayed/neutered, vaccinated pets available for adoption for $50 or less.

Shelters across the country have seen an increase of owners surrendering their pets and have had pets stay in the shelter longer on average.

Jenny Warren, the outreach and development coordinator for the Lee County Humane Society, estimated that the local shelter is currently at 158% capacity.

Were super, super maxed out, she said. Two weeks ago we had five mama kittens, and they all had five to six babies each.

While the shelter typically sees an increase in pets over the summer months, Warren said this year is a lot worse than last year. She said other shelters are experiencing the same thing.

It looks like everyone is super maxed out, and we dont have as many people adopting, Warren said. It doesnt seem like our intake levels are that bad. It just seems like our adoption is slow in general.

Warren isnt sure why this is the case, but said it could be because more people are facing financial restraints or they may be shopping for pets instead of adopting them. The Lee County Humane Society has recently expanded its facility and is waiting for the kennels to arrive to fill the new space, which will increase their capacity by about 15%.

From April 2022 to April 2023, LCHS has had 2,201 intakes and 1,602 adoptions.

Bissell Pet Foundation will be collaborating with MetLife Pet Insurance during the Empty the Shelters event to offer 30 days of pet insurance at no cost to the adopter as well as the opportunity to purchase an annual pet insurance policy, which can help with unexpected illnesses or injuries a pet may experience.

Veterinary costs add up quickly, and too often, pet owners forgo care or surrender their beloved pets when they cant afford treatment, said Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation. This collaboration could help to enable more pets in more communities to be adopted through Empty the Shelters and can help facilitate adopters seeking treatment to keep their pets healthy and in their new homes.

Empty the Shelters has become the nations largest funded adoption event and has helped nearly 158,000 pets find homes across the country and in Canada since it was first established in 2016, according to the release.

An essential part of MetLife Pet Insurances mission is helping pets find and stay in a home that is right for them, and we are dedicated to giving pet parents the confidence they need to help their pet live a happy and healthy life, said Brian Jorgensen, head of MetLife Pet Insurance.

The Lee County Humane Society is also in the middle of the Summer of Second Chances fundraiser, which will last until Aug. 31.

Just like everything else, the cost of caring for the animals at LCHS increases every year. Vaccines have gotten more expensive, food costs have increased, fuel prices have gone up, and more and more animals keep walking in our doors, said the LCHS release.

Warren said this fundraiser is their biggest campaign. The donations collected will cover about 70% of the shelters operating budget.

One of the biggest things in the summertime is that were always busting at the seams because we have so much stuff going on with people overbreeding and not getting their pet spayed and neutered, she said.

Because the shelter has so many pets, fundraising is always important, especially in the summer. Warren said Summer of Second Chances is all about raising money for the shelters budget to pay for various things like food for pets, the power bill, water bill, staff and other resources the shelter provides.

My mission as I came in this job almost two years ago is just educating the community, Warren said. Even if you dont adopt with the humane society, theres still so many resources you can get from us.

Depending on a persons income, the humane society can help owners get their pets spayed or neutered for less than $5. The shelter can also help provide food and crates for owners.

That is a way for us to not have another pet come in the shelter, but try to work with that community person and say, What can we do for you, Warren said.

For more information, email outreachanddevelop@leecountyhumane.org or call the shelter during business hours at 334-821-3222. To make a donation online, visit the LCHS website.

Wine, Whispers & Wags will be the next fundraiser event held on July 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Botanic in Opelika. For sponsorship information or to reserve a ticket, contact outreachanddevelop@leecountyhumane.org.
she's not my favorite, but at least she would have brought a little bit of spark and personality to bella (but then she wouldn't be like the book character lol)

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Michelle Trachtenberg wouldve been a good Bella

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She wouldve made Bella so much more earnest and likable!

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edward is too dazzling

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I think she had to wear brown contacts that were awful for her eyes

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I read that Catherine hardwick hand painted the contacts and I was like that cant be safe?

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i watched No Hard Feelings last night and holy crap, she's absolutely fearless lol. like i just fucking wish we had gotten more of her in comedies when they were still making more theatrical ones.

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Is it good? The premise just sounds so dodgy

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It's not good but it has its moments. I really want her to do a solid great comedy because she is very funny.

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its not, watch it when it hits streaming if you're going to

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I thought it was really good, really funny and should be watched with an audience. its raunchy though, and though it is less about romance and more about friendship at the end of the day you shouldnt watch it if the premise makes you wary.

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Right!!?? I started streaming it in the background while I was doing a few things and got sucked right in. The scene of her in the Vet's office had me cackling. And props to her not using a body double for "that" beach scene.

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I dont hate Kristen Stewart and I think she got better but I honestly could never finish the first Twilight bc her acting was so distracting, it was kinda embarrassing to watch. Anyone else wouldve been a better choice.

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I can't picture her as bella but she's talented and would have brought something interesting to the character. I think lily collins would have been great but tbh no other actor could have brought the weirdness and awkwardness to the role that kstew did lol we were truly blessed.

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Lily was def the best choice from that list, pretty sure kstew only got it tho bc her mom is friends with catherine hardwicke

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Whaaat 

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I actually agree with you about Kstew. I think Bella sounds awkward and weird in the book and Kstew brings that energy without even trying. She was the natural choice for Bella.

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I never got into Twilight, idk the movies felt very pedestrian in style. If it was a more dark academia vibe that the fanart of that time was with Gaspard Ulliel and Emily Browning, I wouldve like it more.





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What could have been. 

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gaspard 

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KStewart is the actress these films deserve so great casting.

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She was in the hunger games, so its on topic enough but I mentioned in another post that the actress Levin Rambin has been doing daily tik tok lives and she has like no filter its pretty funny to watch, shes super into herself and I imagine what most actors are like in private (just by way of the business)



Anyway I asked her what the role that got away was and she said Blonde, she claims it got down to it being between her and Ana de armas and one other girl

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Do u believe her about blonde? Lol

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I was actually watching Some Like It Hot! recently and I kept thinking that Ana was actually good casting as Marilyn. Many times I kept thinking "oh wow Ana captured her good!!" she also does look like Marilyn in costume.



Shame the movie went in the direction it did cause what a wasted opportunity for a better movie. :\

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Her katniss and kristens bella had the same energy tbh. I said what i said.





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Hmm I think Kstew was probably the better choice there. Granted I'm not a big fan of Jennifer's acting in the Hunger Games. I don't think she does "quiet" well lol which is funny cause that's the literally the opposite of her personality.



Edited at 2023-06-27 03:20 am (UTC)

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Btw Jennifer and Jennifer Coolidge should do a movie together! I never realized how much they look alike! (already share the same name too!)



Although I think J.Coolidge has done some work on her face recently.....

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JLaw also had some work done recently so it still fits 

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She has? 



Like what? 

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Thank you for bringing that up because now I can give my theory that j law wore that ugly red wig in dont look up (her official return to Hollywood after her hiatus) to disregard from her (excellent) recent work done on her face

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she looks so different and i cant put my finger on it  :/

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Yesss - she looks the same but also so different to me and i wasnt sure if it was actual work or natural aging/weight loss! She is looking good though!

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I can only imagine Emily Browning and maybe Michelle Trachtenberg as Bella from that list. Lily Collins and Sara Paxton look too ~popular and confident for Bella if that makes sense. KStew went above and beyond bringing the awkwardness to her Bella lol



Edited at 2023-06-27 04:08 am (UTC)

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I could see Emily being a good Bella. She has that demure main character in a teen paranormal novel vibe.

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man what is Sara Paxton up to these days

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a jam... urbanist queen





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ASSP, VPPPA Sign 18-Month Agreement to Help OSHA with VPP Modernization, Growth

The newly signed memorandum of understanding will help further safety and health.

Last week, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants Association (VPPPA) announced that they had entered into an agreement that would allow them to help OSHA with one of their latest initiatives.

Although the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both organizations focuses on furthering safety and health in workplaces, it centers around OSHAs work of modernizing and expanding the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), which was started over 40 years ago, according to a news release.

One of the goals of the MOU, which spans 18 months, is to provid[e] OSHA with a framework that identifies components of occupational safety and health management system consensus standards that meet requirements for VPP qualification and requalification, per the news release.

In addition, harping on the growth aspect, efforts will be made by ASSP and VPPPA to develop recommendations for a construction and demolition-specific VPP, ASSP said in the news release.

ASSP and VPPPA had positive notes to share about the new agreement.

We recognize the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of the profession, said ASSP CEO Jennifer McNelly, CAE, in the news release. We strive to eliminate worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities across the board, as does VPPPA, and safety organizations working together improves the ability to achieve that result.

Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP, incoming president-elect of ASSP, noted in the news release: ASSP has received strong support from our members to advocate for the enhancement of the VPP.

VPPPA Executive Director Chris Williams, CAE, said in the news release, Many of our VPPPA member employeesmyself includedare also ASSP members, so coming together to work toward our shared goal of enhancing workplace safety and health through the Voluntary Protection Programs is a natural fitBy combining efforts to develop pathways for other OHSMS users and underserved industry sectors to take part in the VPP, we can positively impact the programs long-term future.

The VPP recognizes employers for their work on safety and health management systems and few injury and illness reports, according to its website.
Oil prices fell on Tuesday morning as markets continued to focus on sluggish U.S. demand despite geopolitical uncertainty in Russia and promises of more robust economic stimulus measures from China.

Chart of the Week

- The review of OPEC+ production quotas at the oil groups Vienna meeting earlier this month will consolidate the control of Middle Eastern powerhouses, to the detriment of African countries that have struggled to maintain output.

- The five largest oil producers of OPEC+ (Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, and Kuwait) all have major state-owned oil firms, implying that investments into new projects will not be an issue, but Nigeria and Angola rely on Western majors for know-how and their lowered production target might decrease their investment appeal.

- Capacity additions from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait over the 2020-2025 period will amount to 1.2 million b/d, double the capacity that Nigeria and Angola are expected to lose over the same period.

- Angolas production capacity has dropped to 1.1 million b/d this year whilst Nigerias is at 1.5 million b/d, with African members now accounting for a mere 10% of OPEC+ production capacity.

Market Movers

- Saudi national oil company Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) and Frances TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) have signed an $11 billion deal to build a new petrochemicals complex at the Satorp site in Jubail.

- US LNG developer Venture Global LNG signed a 20-year supply deal with Germanys SEFE for the delivery of 2.25 million tonnes of LNG per year, making it the largest LNG supplier to Germany.

- The Nigerian operations of UK-based energy major Shell (LON:SHEL) are getting ever more cumbersome, with Nigerian authorities now investigating a recent oil spill on the Trans Niger pipeline.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The Wagner group's attempted mutiny in Russia this weekend grabbed plenty of media attention, but it has had a very limited impact on oil prices. Similarly, prices have failed to register the Tianjin speech of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, promising more robust stimulus measures from Beijing. Instead, markets have been focused on sluggish US demand, with WTI having switched into contango in its prompt months. Despite a slight US stock draw expected this week, demand in the country looks weaker than a month or two ago.

Saudi Arabia Still Hopes for Strong H2. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser stated that oil market fundamentals remain sound for the second half of 2023 and that demand strength in China and India will overpower the recession risks in developed markets, seeking to placate recessionary fears.

Malaysian Production to Peak in 2024. Petronas, the national energy company of Malaysia, expects its domestic oil and gas production to peak at 2 mboepd by 2024 all the while keeping it 60-70% weighted towards gas, indicating the country will need to buy more LNG from 2025 onwards.

For the First Time Ever, Europe Imports More LNG than Pipeline. Europe imported 170 billion cubic meters of LNG in 2022, up 57% year-on-year and marking the first time in history when liquefied imports surpassed pipeline deliveries, depressed by drastically reduced Russian gas supplies.

Canada Wildfires Emit Record Volumes of Carbon. According to the EUs Copernicus climate monitoring service, Canadian wildfires have released a record 160 million tonnes of carbon this year, equivalent to Indonesias emissions from burning fossil fuels, and the fires are still not over.

Bad News Coming for Canadas Offshore. After Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) delayed its key Bay du Nord project in offshore Canada, the countrys offshore exploration drive suffered another blow as BPs (NYSE:BP) Ephesus exploration well, targeting a multibillion-barrel-play offshore Newfoundland, seems to have come up dry.

US Oilfield Activity Keeps on Slowing. The most recent oilfield activity survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas shows that the index fell to zero in Q2 from 2.1 in the previous quarter, with oil executives reporting rising costs for a 10th consecutive quarter.

Libya Might Collapse Again. The alternative government in eastern Libya has threatened to blockade oil exports again, following 11 months of orderly coexistence, accusing the Tripoli government of wasting billions of oil revenue dollars that are channeled through the national oil company NOC.

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Nigeria Owes Billions to Oil Traders. As Nigerias new government scrapped the countrys crude-for-products swap deals, it turns out the African country accumulated some $3 billion in debts to trading companies such as Vitol or BP and is 4-6 months behind schedule in repaying them with crude.

Netherlands Seals the Fate of Its Giant Gas Field. The government of the Netherlands has finalized its decision to shut down the Groningen field, jointly operated by Shell (LON:SHEL) and ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and still holding billions of cubic meters in untapped reserves, due to tremors related to drilling.

EU Bans No-Notice STS Transfers. In its upcoming 11th sanctions package levied against Russia, the European Union will bar tankers that have failed to give a 48-hour warning of ship-to-ship transfers happening in European maritime space from entering ports across the political bloc.

Wind Energy Major Crumbles as Design Flaws Mar Outlook. Siemens Energy (ETR:ENR), one of the worlds largest wind turbine producers, has seen its market value almost halve since reports emerged that 15-30% of its turbines are exposed to design flaws in rotor blades and bearings that would take years to replace.

US LNG Gains Further Traction in China. US LNG developer Cheniere Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG) signed a 20-year supply deal with Chinas ENN Natural Gas (SHA:600803), starting from mid-2026 and reaching 0.9 mtpa in 2027, marking the third such deal in 2023 alone.

Key Russian Gas Field Paralyzed After Mass Fighting. Gazproms Kovykta field, a key element in the Power of Siberia pipeline that sends Russian gas to China since its launch in December 2022, has been debilitated after a mass fight of more than 500 migrant workers from Central Asia.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Earlier this month, natural gas prices in Europe rose twofold in the space of 10 days, with a single trading day seeing a jump of 27% two weeks ago. On June 15, prices jumped by 30%. A day later, they dropped almost as sharply as they had risen, shedding over 20%.

All this happened before the latest events in Russia that rattled commodity markets. And it will be happening again. Because traders are crowding the natural gas space, eager to make some money like others did last year. Volatility has come back to natural gas markets.

Bloomberg reported this week that the gas trading market in Europe is seeing an influx of traders who do not normally play on that market but were tempted by the record profits gas traders made last year.

At the time, gas prices in Europe soared to record heights after the EU bombarded Russia with sanctions, and Russia responded by decimating flows along the Nord Stream pipeline. Europe rushed to buy liquefied natural gas on the spot market, promptly pushing prices to levels never before seen. Traders made millions.

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, Citis commodity chief Ed Morse told Bloomberg. Natural gas markets have proven to be a trap for both experienced and inexperienced traders, he also said.

In addition to the trap that is the gas market, there appears to be actual concern among traders about the sufficiency of gas supply for Europe. Norway has been going through some extended outages due to field maintenance, and the Netherlands has reiterated it will close the Groningen gas field. Both of these suggest doubts over the security of supply going forward.

Reports of Groningen closing down adds to a host of other news that are bullish for gas prices, ICIS analyst Tom Marzec-Manser told the Financial Times. But the price swings are an indication that there is still a lot of uncertainty over Europes gas outlook, and market participants remain on the edge, Marzec-Manser also said.

The fundamental problem, however, is not the outages in Norway and the shutdown of Groningen. As last year proved, there is plenty of LNG to go around in Europe, for the right price. This year there will be LNG too. But there will not be space in Europes gas storage caverns because they are already rather full of gas from last year that was bought at exorbitant prices.

Earlier this month, Reuters John Kemp reported that Europes gas storage was at 48% above the ten-year seasonal average, noting that additions to this storage were slowing down because of low prices that encouraged more immediate consumption.

Despite the slower rate of additions, Kemp also pointed out, capacity should be full earlier than last year, and this means drawdowns will need to begin earlier than last year. This is when prices may whipsaw again: when both Europe and Asia prepare to enter winter heating season.

This is also why volatility in gas prices remains so high. Its not because nobody knows if there will be enough gas. Its because if last year was any indication, there will always be enough gasfor those who can afford it.

There are plenty of speculators eager to grab the opportunity to make a quick buck before Europe finally realizes it might be wise to bet on long-term supply rather than splurging on spot market cargos. And there is always the risk of an unforeseen event or even a foreseen onesuch as Ukraines warning that it might shut down gas transit from Russia when its contract with Gazprom expires next year.

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By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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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.

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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.)

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.

By RFE/RL

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Despite Petrobras hoping to be the last oil producer standing amid the energy transition, Brazil is looking to pass regulations for its offshore wind and green hydrogen industries by the end of this year, Brazils energy minister said on Tuesday.

Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has voiced support for the energy transition, promising to keep that as a focus of this administration. Meanwhile, Petrobras CEO Jean Paul Prates said in a Bloomberg interview back in March that the company could be the last man standing when it comes to crude oil production amid the energy transition, adding that we will get market share.

But Prates also said in March that Petrobras must be ready for the unavoidable energy transitionand that Petrobras wanted to be a significant part of the energy transition process.

One of the ways Petrobras intends to be part of the energy transitionbeyond being the last man standing when it comes to oil productionis getting into offshore wind power generation, which Petrobras argues isnt a huge leap, considering it already has deepwater experience when it comes to oil.

The size of Brazils wind aspirations is significant. Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira said this week that there is an auction coming up just for the transmission lines that would transport solar and onshore wind energy from one part of the country to another that has the potential to bring in more than $40 billion in investments.

But the country doesnt have any regulations yet for the wind or green hydrogen industries.

In other Brazilian energy news, Petrobras won its Supreme Court appeal this week against a case over salary remuneration that will keep it from having to pay nearly $4 billion in salary corrections.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Commodity trading heavyweights Gunvor and Vitol are still large buyers of Russian petroleum products despite the pledges they made last year to pull out of this business.

Export data from the Russian customs authorities analyzed by the Financial Times has revealed that Vitol and Gunvor were among the ten biggest buyers of Russian refined petroleum products in the first four months of this year.

Swiss Gunvor bought 1 million tons of Russian fuels worth some $540 million, making the company the eighth-largest buyer of the products, the Financial Times reported.

Vitol was the tenth-largest buyer of Russian oil products in the four-month period, with 600,000 tons worth some $400 million.

The Financial Times noted in its report that trading in Russian fuels was not banned under Western sanctions on Moscow but it was limited by the price cap regime implemented by the G7 last year. It is also seen as bad for companies reputations.

The price cap led many commodity traders to exit Russian oil and fuels simply because it was too much hassle to monitor prices and make sure they are below the cap. The FT notes that BP and Shell were among those who stopped trading in Russian crude and fuels. Gunvor and Vitol also exited Russian crude but stayed in Russian fuels, it seems.

The two commodity traders confirmed they had traded in Russian fuels this year but said the numbers were inaccurate, the FT reported. Gunvor said it had actually bought 700,000 tons of Russian fuels and not 1 million tons. Vitol did not provide its own purchase figures, only telling the FT the customs data was inaccurate.

Trafigura was also among the buyers of Russian petroleum products this year although it didnt make it to the top 10 list of buyers, which is dominated by Russian-controlled companies such as Litasco and Novatek.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Indian state-owned refiner Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) plans maintenance at units of two of its refineries in August and September, a spokesman for the company told Reuters on Tuesday.

BPCL will shut down for maintenance half of the crude processing capacity at its refinery in Mumbai for one month beginning on September 21, the spokesman said. The Mumbai refinery operated by the state-held refiner has a capacity to process 240,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude.

BPCL will shut a crude unit with a capacity of 120,000 bpd at the facility, as well as a catalytic cracker, a fluid catalytic cracker (FCCU), and a continuous catalytic reformer, among other units, according to the companys spokesperson.

Before the crude processing unit shutdown, the Mumbai refinery will undergo a 15-day maintenance at a bitumen unit.

BPCLs 310,000-bpd refinery in Kochi, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, will also see maintenance at an FCCU, diesel hydro desulphurizer, and vacuum gas oil hydrotreater. The maintenance is expected to take 12 days and begin on August 22, the refiners spokesman told Reuters.

The maintenance plans come just as Indias fuel demand is hitting record highs.

Indias fuel sales  a proxy for oil demand  surged in May from a year earlier and from April to new highs, suggesting that oil demand in the worlds third-largest crude importer is strengthening and could outperform expectations.

Sales of dieselthe most widely used fuel in Indiajumped by 13% year-on-year, and gasoline sales surged by 11%, both registering record sales volumes.

Indias fuel sales exceeded expectations in May and could have further upside considering the outperformance lately, per a note by Standard Chartered analysts Emily Ashford and Paul Horsnell quoted by Bloomberg.

Indian demand is equally robust with the latest readings for May showing both gasoline and diesel breaking records, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its Oil Market Report for June earlier this month.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Rising exports of LNG from the U.S. Gulf Coast drove a 43% surge in U.S. natural gas demand in the decade to 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Tuesday.

Demand for natural gas in America  including for domestic consumption and gross exports  jumped by 43%, or by 34.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), between 2012 and 2022, as demand in Texas and Louisiana soared by 116%.

Texas and Louisiana saw their combined natural gas demand jump by 16 Bcf/da surge that was largely driven by the higher demand for feedgas for LNG exports out of the U.S. Gulf Coast, the EIA said in its analysis.

The U.S. began exporting LNG in 2016, when the first LNG export terminal, Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass in Louisiana, began operations. Since then, the six trains operating at the facility have produced more than 2,000 LNG cargoes, Cheniere says. The six trains have the capacity to process more than 4.7 Bcf/d of natural gas into LNG.

Since Sabine Pass came online, other export terminals in both Louisiana and Texas began exporting LNG, prompting most of the growth in natural gas demand, the EIA noted.

U.S. LNG exports are expected to increase, from 10.59 Bcf/d last year, when Freeport LNG was shut down after June 2022, to 12.07 Bcf/d this year, and to 12.73 Bcf/d in 2024, per the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) of the EIA from earlier this month.

Higher natural gas-fired electric power generation was the second most significant factor in gas demand growth in the decade through 2022. Gas replaced a growing number of coal plants and was used more in power generation due to rising demand for air conditioning, the EIA said.

Gas demand in the Midwest jumped by 35% between 2012 and 2022 as gas consumption in the electric power sector more than doubled. In the Northeast, natural gas demand surged by 36% in the past decade, also driven by higher gas-fired power generation, according to the EIA estimates.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The current windfall tax and the pledge from the Labour Party  tipped to win the next election in the UK  to stop new oil and gas licensing in the North Sea could starve Britain of energy supply, a senior executive at a major UK operator says.

By a new government imagining they'll be able to stop licences and oil development in the UK, ultimately what that means is that they'll be starving the UK of energy, and it will become very dependent on energy from abroad, Gilad Myerson, executive chairman of Ithaca Energy, told the BBC.

The windfall tax of 35%, which takes the industrys overall tax rate to 75%, the highest of any UK sector, and the Labour plans to stop issuing new licenses are spooking operators and investors in North Sea oil and gas, Myerson said.

A slump in investment would ultimately make the UK more dependent on foreign hydrocarbon resources, the executive of one of the largest UK-focused firms told the BBC.

Politicians keep making statements which spook investors, he said.

They are saying they do want hydrocarbons, then they say that they don't want hydrocarbons.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has said that if Labour is voted in power next year, it would stop issuing new licenses for North Sea oil and gas, but will respect the consents and licenses given by previous governments.

The uncertainty about what Labour would do should it take power next year has threatened the approval of Equinors major Rosebank oil project.

If licenses and projects are approved by the current Tory government, Labour would not overturn them if it is voted into office, Starmer said last week.

David Whitehouse, chief executive of industry body Offshore Energies UK, said, Labours proposed ban on new exploration licences is too much too soon. It would be damaging for the industry, for consumers and for the UKs net zero ambitions.

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The industry is already responding to the uncertain regulatory environment. Apache, Harbour Energy, Shell, and TotalEnergies have announced either scaling back on investments and drilling, or intentions to review those.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia has asked Venezuelas state-run oil company for a deal very similar to the one Chevron has for controlling crude oil exports for its JVs there, Reuters sources said anonymously on Tuesday.

Rosnefts parent company, Roszarubezhneft, has asked Venezuela for a deal that would allow it to market the crude oil and fuel oil produced by its joint ventures in Venezuela, the sources saidthis would be similar to the deal Chevron has struck with the South American oil company.

As it stands today, the crude oil from Roszarubezhnefts joint venturesof which there are fiveis marketed and exported by PDVSAs intermediaries and controlled by PDVSA. Those intermediaries get a chunk of the proceeds, and Russia is eager to take that chunk for itself. Whats more, Russia is eager to get paid at all for its crude oil. The JVs between Roszarubezhneft and PDVSA have accumulated about $3.2 billion that is now owed to it, through the sales that PDVSA is managing, Reuters sources said. On top of that, PDVSA owes Roszarubezhneft $1.4 billion from extended loans, although PDVSA is disputing that figure.

But granting Roszarubezhneft this right would mean revising some of Venezuelas statutes, which say that PDVSA has control over crude oil and fuel sales and exports. Venezuela managed to skirt these statutes last year for Chevron, who now can market the crude oil from its JVs with PDVSA on its own, in lieu of payment for what PDVSA owes it.

If successful, Russia would have access to another crude oil revenue stream at a time when the Western world is looking to squeeze Ukraines invader to strip it of its finances.

Reuters sources suggested that this is not the first time Roszarubezhneft has made this request. Last year, Russia asked Venezuela for the ability to market its crude oil in Venezuela, but the request was denied. The debt Venezuela is accruing that is now due to Russia could make Venezuela more amenable to such an arrangement.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Russian crude oil exports by sea plunged by as much as 980,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the week to June 25, although the dip was much more likely due to maintenance at a key export terminal rather than the promised cut in Russias crude oil production.

Weekly crude shipments from Russias export terminals fell by nearly 1 million bpd to 2.55 million bpd in the week ending June 25, tanker-tracking data monitored by Bloomberg showed on Tuesday.

Crude oil shipments fell by around 263,000 bpd on a four-week average basis in the four weeks to June 25, and last weeks plunge compared to previous weeks is likely only temporary, according to the data analyzed by Bloombergs Julian Lee.

The biggest drop in the week to June 25 was seen at crude cargoes loading and leaving Russias Baltic port of Primorsk. The loading program at the port showed no cargoes were to load between June 21 and 25, which suggests that the fall planned, according to Bloomberg.

The weekly crude exports from Primorsk saw the same pattern of dipping shipments in the same week in the three previous years, which points to maintenance as the most likely reason for such a decline, Bloombergs Lee notes.

Therefore, Russias crude oil exports are likely to rebound this week and the following weeks, once again suggesting that even if Russia is cutting its crude oil production, it has not been evident in its crude exports by sea.

Russias crude shipments fell slightly in the four weeks to June 18, but were still 250,000 bpd higher compared to February, which serves as a baseline for the 500,000-bpd production cut Russia has promised this year.

Last month, reports emerged that Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin sought to convince Western analysts in a rare call that Russia is indeed reducing its oil production.

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Russia has stopped reporting oil production levels, and the market and analysts have to rely on vessel-tracking data, trade sources, and import statistics in China and India about the amount of Russian supply.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The price of Russias flagship crude grade, Urals, continues to average below the $60 per barrel price cap set by the G7, but a large difference in export and import prices suggests that the actual trade in Russian crude is murkier than it seems at first glance.

The price cap on Russian crude imposed by the EU, the G7, and Australia came into effect on December 5. Under it, buyers paying $60 or less per barrel of Russias crude will have full access to all EU and G7 insurance and financing services associated with transporting Russian crude to non-EU countries.

The price of Urals last year plummeted relative to the Dated Brent benchmark when talk of a price cap first emerged. The discount of Urals to Brent has been $20 per barrel or more since late last year.

The official Urals price is below the price cap of $60 per barrel, and has averaged $52 a barrel at Russias Baltic Sea port of Primorsk so far in June, according to Argus data reported by Bloomberg.

However, the trade involving Urals is not clear-cut as it looks. There is a gap between the export price in Russia and the import price in India, according to Bloombergs analysis. If multiplied by volumes, the gap of $12 per barrel so far this month suggests that shipbrokers, traders, and vessel owners could be receiving a total of $900 million per month for the handling of Russian crude oil, Bloomberg notes.

Earlier this year, traders said that Russian exporters were offering $15-$20 per barrel discounts, and they were also paying $15-$20 per barrel to shipping companies to transport the crude to Asia. The business of transporting Russian crude oil to Asia has become crazy good, a trader dealing with Russian oil told Reuters in February.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The latest set of European Union sanctions aimed at exerting pressure on Russia includes two companies based in Uzbekistan among the list of entities seen lending support to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Their inclusion among the 87 companies added on June 23 to an ever-growing list of enterprises found by the EU to be enabling the Russian military-industrial complex comes a few months after they were featured in a similar list drawn up by the U.S. government.

In April, the U.S. Department of Commerce described the activities of Alfa Beta Creative and GFK Logistics Asia, both of which are headquartered in Tashkent, as being designed to evade export controls and acquiring or attempting to acquire U.S.-origin items in support of Russias military and/or defense industrial base.

Companies ending up on these lists face stricter limitations on their ability to source dual-use goods and technologies.

Tashkent-based news outlet Gazeta.uz has, citing company registry data, described Alfa Beta Creative as having been registered in June 2022, several months after the start to the war in Ukraine. GFK Logistic Asia, an overland transportation services provider, meanwhile, was set up in March 2018.

Uzbek companies have already been in the crosshairs of the Western masterminds of the Russia sanctions strategy.

When Washington moved in April to designate USM Holding, a company owned by Uzbek-born Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, as an entity deemed to be enabling and facilitating Russias aggression, Uzbekistan-based cement producer Akhangarancement was caught up in the sweep. Another USM Holding asset, Digital Invest, is understood to control a stake in Uzbek telecoms company Ucell. Several Uzbek citizens with business ties to Usmanov were also named as individuals allegedly involved in sanctions circumvention efforts.

Despite claimed efforts by the Uzbek government to limit any flow of goods that might be perceived as sanctions-busting, trade between Russia and Uzbekistan is enjoying a halcyon period.

Bilateral trade in 2022, the year the war in Ukraine was started, surged by 23 percent year-on-year, up to $9.3 billion. The volume of Uzbek-labeled products and services to Russia increased 1.5-fold to $3 billion over that period.

As the Current Time news outlet noted in a report in April, imports to Uzbekistan from a number of countries registered an abnormal growth during that same year.

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The volume of imports from the United Arab Emirates more than doubled, from Brazil  [they increased] by 59 percent, from Germany, by 54 percent, from India, by 42 percent. But there is no information about what exactly Uzbekistan imported, Current Time reported.

By Eurasianet.org

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U.S. Senator Deb Fischer announced Thursday that she secured $74.3 million to support construction projects at Offutt Air Force Base as part of an appropriations bill.

The funding would be part of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024, according to a news release. Fischer also said she obtained funding to honor Nebraskas fallen veterans through the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.

The number one job of the federal government is to provide for the national defense," said Fischer, who is a Nebraska Republican sitting on the Senate Appropriations Committee. "I worked to ensure this years MilCon-VA bill meets that mark by investing in critical projects throughout Nebraska, including at Offutt Air Force Base. This bill also includes my provisions to improve veterans access to care and ensure our fallen veterans are properly honored."

The bill still faces votes from the House and Senate, but it was advanced Thursday by the committee on a 28-0 bipartisan vote as an initial step in the process.

If passed, the bill would provide:

 $5 million to design a new laboratory for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

 $7 million to replace the vehicle search area at the gate by Strategic Command.

 $3 million to plan and design a new Base Operations/Mobility Center at Offutt.

 $2.7 million to design a Logistics Readiness Squadron Transportation Facility.

 $3.5 million to design a maintenance facility and warehouse for the 55th Wing.

The bill would also provide $9 million for the National Guard Readiness Center in Bellevue

It also provides $1.44 million to plan and design an unaccompanied housing project for the Nebraska Army National Guard in Saunders County, $1.2 million for collective training unaccompanied housing at Greenlief Training Site and $400,000 for the National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop in North Platte.

Fischer also advocated for $41 million to support a new microgrid and backup power infrastructure at Offutt through the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program.

Beyond those appropriations, Fischer advocated an additional $10 million  for a total of $60 million  from the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, which supports veterans cemeteries across the county.

Fischer also pushed for $140 million to support the Sentinel program, which her offices describes as the most significant and complex weapon system in recent U.S. history.

"The project involves the U.S. Air Force replacing the LGM30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system with the LGM35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile weapon system as part of an effort to modernize the land-based leg of the nuclear triad," according to a release.

Fischer also secured language directing the Department of Veteran Affairs to brief Congress on the implementation of better scheduling solutions for medical appointments.
A 19-year-old man was arrested Monday night on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with a shooting death last September in north-central Omaha.

Marsavion Watson of Omaha was also arrested on suspicion of use of a firearm to commit a felony, an Omaha police spokesman said. Watson was booked into the Douglas County Jail about 6:20 p.m.

He is accused of fatally shooting Derrick Hayes Jr., 20, on the morning of Sept. 3, 2022. Officers responded to 4310 N. 52nd St. for a report of shots fired and found Hayes Jr. suffering from a gunshot wound.

Hayes was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPD Homicide Unit at (402) 444-5656 or contact Omaha Crime Stoppers anonymously at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimstoppers.org or on the P3 Tips mobile app. Anonymous tips leading to the arrest of a homicide suspect are eligible for a $25,000 reward.
A former security guard at Pawnee Elementary School in Bellevue was sentenced Tuesday to 15 to 25 years in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old student on school property.

Carlos Ornelas-Ramirez, 25, was also required to register as a sex offender during his sentencing hearing in front of Sarpy County District Judge Michael Smith. Ornelas-Ramirez pleaded no contest to first-degree sexual assault of a child earlier this year and faced a maximum of 50 years in prison.

According to police, Ornelas-Ramirez entered a portable classroom with a student, who was 12 years old at the time, on Dec. 10, 2021. The assault took place inside the portable on school property.

School staff contacted police on Dec. 14 after receiving information that a security guard may have had sexual contact with a student. Ornelas-Ramirez was fired two days later and arrested on Dec. 23.

Ornelas-Ramirez was initially charged with both first and third-degree sexual assault of a child. The third-degree assault charge was dropped in exchange for his no contest plea to the more serious offense.

In addition to the criminal case, the Omaha Public Schools approved a $150,000 settlement earlier this month to compensate the victims family for her emotional and psychological trauma.

On Tuesday, Ornelas-Ramirezs attorney, Chinedu Igbokwe, argued that his client would be a strong candidate for probation. Igbokwe said that Ornelas-Ramirez has no criminal record  not even a traffic ticket  and that the crime stems from one bad decision.

Ornelas-Ramirez also offered a brief statement at his sentencing, saying that he regrets his actions and he is sorry for the trauma the victim experienced.

In handing down the sentence, Smith said probation would depreciate the seriousness of the offense. Ornelas-Ramirez could be eligible for release in about seven years under Nebraskas good-time law.
Central High School teacher Mike Gaherty always took pride in the accomplishments of the student journalists of The Register, the newspaper at the school thats older than the New York Times.

But he loved telling the story of a not-so-journalistic April Fools edition put out by the 1965 staff, featuring a scoop that the schools central courtyard had been turned into an aquarium. The front-page photo-illustration the students created had been so clever and real-looking, parents even called the schools principal to ask whether they could come see this new wonder.

It was a fantastic hit with almost everyone in school  except J. Arthur Nelson, Gaherty recalled of the schools famously by-the-book principal. He found no humor in it at all. We had several chats about it.

Gaherty, who spent more than three decades fostering the many talents of his students, died June 21 at the age of 82.

Gaherty taught journalism, English and creative writing at Central from 1963 to 1995, most known for his mentoring of the schools newspaper and yearbook staffs. A number of his students went on to successful writing careers  not only as journalists, but also as authors, Hollywood scriptwriters and poets.

He was fondly remembered this week as a kind man who patiently encouraged and guided his students, giving them the confidence that they could be writers.

Having that one extraordinary teacher who truly believes in you  a gift beyond measure, said Erin Belieu, an award-winning poet and college creative writing teacher.

Thomas M. Gaherty grew up on a farm near Storm Lake, Iowa, before coming to Omaha to attend Creighton University.

As a student-teacher, he had the opportunity to work under Gunnar Horn, the longtime journalism instructor at Benson High School. He joined the staff at Central the next fall.

Gaherty taught his students not only how to write for a mass audience, but also the standards of journalism and the important role it plays in society and democracy. He also gave them leeway to find their way, which at times included learning from their mistakes.

I was very fortunate to have fantastic staffs, he recalled in 2019. The students pretty much ran the show  which on some occasions was good, and others not so much.

Gaherty was honored with the Alice Buffett outstanding teacher award in 1989, career achievement awards from the journalism departments at Creighton and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and was inducted into Centrals Hall of Fame.

He continued to show his love of newspapers in retirement by volunteering to read papers for Radio Talking Book Service, a reading service for the visually impaired and elderly.

He was survived by his wife, Ellen, of Omaha, daughter Heather (Mark) Shelton and son Timothy (Jeffrey Enejosa).

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
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.
UNITED NATIONS  The first U.N. independent investigator to visit the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay said Monday the 30 men held there are subject "to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law."

The investigator, Irish law professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain, said at a news conference launching her 23-page report to the U.N. Human Rights Council that the 2001 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that killed nearly 3,000 people were "crimes against humanity." But she said the U.S. use of torture and rendition against alleged perpetrators and their associates in the years right after the attacks violated international human rights law.

Ni Aolain said her visit marked the first time a U.S. administration allowed a U.N. investigator to visit the facility, which opened in 2002.

She praised the Biden administration for leading by example by opening up Guantanamo and "being prepared to address the hardest human rights issues," and urged other countries that have barred U.N. access to detention facilities to follow suit.

She said she was given access to everything she asked for, including holding meetings at the facility in Cuba with "high value" and "non-high value" detainees.

The United States said in a submission to the Human Rights Council on the report's findings that the special investigator's findings "are solely her own" and "the United States disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions" in her report.

Ni Aolain said "significant improvements" have been made to the confinement of detainees, but expressed "serious concerns about the continued detention of 30 men, who she said face severe insecurity, suffering and anxiety. She cited examples including near constant surveillance, forced removal from their cells and unjust use of restraints.

"I observed that after two decades of custody, the suffering of those detained is profound, and it's ongoing," the U.N. special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism said. "Every single detainee I met with lives with the unrelenting harms that follow from systematic practices of rendition, torture and arbitrary detention."

Ni Aolain, a professor at the University of Minnesota and at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, said that for many detainees the line between past and present "is exceptionally thin" and for some "it's simply nonexistent" because "their past experiences of torture live with them in the present without any obvious end in sight, including because they have not received any adequate torture rehabilitation to date."

She made a long series of recommendations and said the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed.

The U.S. response, submitted by the American ambassador to the Human Rights Council, Michele Taylor, said Ni Aolain was the first U.N. special rapporteur to visit Guantanamo and had been given "unprecedented access" with "the confidence that the conditions of confinement at Guantanamo Bay are humane and reflect the United States' respect for and protection of human rights for all who are within our custody."

"Detainees live communally and prepare meals together; receive specialized medical and psychiatric care; are given full access to legal counsel; and communicate regularly with family members," the U.S. statement said.

"We are nonetheless carefully reviewing the (special rapporteur's) recommendations and will take any appropriate actions, as warranted," it said.

The United States said the Biden administration has made "significant progress" toward closing Guantanamo, transferring 10 detainees from the facility, it said, adding that it is looking to find suitable locations for the remaining detainees eligible for transfer.
LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen announced Tuesday that Patrick Haggerty will be the director of a new state office devoted to expanding broadband services across Nebraska.

Haggerty will lead the Nebraska Broadband Office, which Pillen called for in an executive order during his first days as governor and was solidified through the passage of Legislative Bill 683 this year. Haggerty will assume the role of director on July 17, and will join Pillens Cabinet.

Patricks many years of executive level experience in the telecommunications and government relations fields uniquely positions him to lead our efforts to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet to all Nebraskans, Pillen said in a press release.

Haggerty most recently served as the regional senior director for state government affairs over Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota for telecommunications company Charter Communications. He previously worked for similar companies such as Qwest Communications and CenturyLink.

The Broadband Office is tasked with overseeing millions of federal dollars for the purposes of expanding broadband services, including $405.3 million from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program that federal officials announced Monday was coming to Nebraska. The state had received nearly $100 million before Mondays announcement.

The office, supported by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, is collecting public input for a five-year action plan that will inform Nebraskas proposal for the execution of these funds.

We are at a pivotal time, where a strategic and coordinated approach to broadband deployment is vital, Haggerty said in the press release.

Haggerty, Pillen and other state officials will tour the state on July 6 to outline their plan. In the meantime, the Broadband Office, along with the Department of Transportation, the Nebraska Information Technology Commission and the Office of the Chief Information Officer continue to host public meetings across Nebraska to provide and seek input about the quality and availability of internet access.

Several upcoming meetings remain:

South Sioux City  June 29, 5:30 p.m.; South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront, 385 E. Fourth St.

Lincoln  July 11, 5:30 p.m.; NDOT Auditorium, 1500 Nebraska Parkway

Omaha  July 12, 5:30 p.m.; NDOT State Operations Center, 4425 S. 108th St.

Those who are unable to attend can visit broadband.nebraska.gov/Home to get more information and submit feedback.
The Nebraska State Patrol will conduct an investigation after a state prison inmate died Sunday in Lincoln.

Michael R. Thomas, 46, formerly of Lincoln, was found unresponsive in his cell at the Reception and Treatment Center, according to a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Staff members began CPR and summoned emergency medical personnel, who pronounced Thomas dead.

Thomas was found guilty in Lancaster County of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, resisting arrest and attempted tampering with a witness. He began serving his sentence of up to four years on May 11 this year.

Under state law, a grand jury must investigate whenever a person in custody dies.
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
Former Senate Minority Leader, Mrs Abiodun Olujimi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday, said her victory in the Appeal Court over Senate Spokesperson, Prince Dayo Adeyeye of All Progressives Congress, APC, was a product of Gods grace.

Saga Gist reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday declared the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) candidate, Senator Biodun Olujimi, winner of the Ekiti South Senatorial District poll.

Reacting, Olujimi, in a statement on Thursday, said it was God and courage of the judiciary that returned her as representative of Ekiti South Senatorial District.

I have been speechless since yesterday morning when the Appeal Court, Ado Ekiti, sitting in Kaduna upheld the decision of the lower tribunal to the effect that I be returned as Senator, elected on the platform of the PDP in the last Senatorial election!

Its a mixed feeling of relief and unbelief. I am yet to fully grasp the import of Gods mercy and compassion, she said.

According to her, the exercise was a great journey of soul searching and a great effort to unravel the mysteries surrounding the last Senatorial elections in Ekiti.

Suffice it to say that I cannot fully gather my thoughts now, but will be brief and will do a comprehensive write up later.

For me, it was sheer grace, uncommon grace that spoke for me and I will never take it for granted.

Olujimi saluted the courage and tenacity of Prince Dayo Adeyeye, her opponent in the election debacle, saying he gave her a reason to rejoice.

He gave me a strong reason to pursue my conviction with decency. Let me say that I know how it feels to be in his situation but I ask that he will understand that democracy is a bitter/sweet system which we all submitted to.

I wish him luck as he moves on to plan for the future and ask that he doesnt jettison the zeal to assist and give back to his constituency.

We must work to make our constituents better. I will be willing to work with him on projects that will enhance the development of Ekiti South. Politics must bind rather than separate us.

She thanked the people of Ekiti, especially the Ekiti South Senatorial district.

Olujimi also thanked the PDP party men and women, the party National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, governors of the PDP, among several others.

I cannot finish without acknowledging the judiciary, particularly, those that were involved in the tribunal and the appeal.

They renewed my hope in a better Nigeria where justice is compelled by transparency and fairness. I salute you all.

I pray that you dont relent in your quest to be fair even in the face of huge tension. Thank you for doing justice to the case.

Lastly, I thank God for his mercies and grace. May his grace abide with us now and forever, NAN quoted her as saying.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that the resignation of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen has vindicated the action taken against him by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the partys earlier call for his resignation.

Justice Onnoghens resignation came a few hours after the National Judicial Council reportedly recommended him to President Buhari for retirement with full benefits.

The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, told newsmen in his office that the resignation of the suspended CJN should have been the first step for him to take when it became obvious that he made the mistake of not properly declaring his assets as required by law.

He said with the CJN standing trial for non-declaration of assets and the previous trial of the Senate President for the same purpose, it is gradually becoming clear to public office holders that there is nobody above the law in the country.

Onilu said a time is coming when a President who misbehaves will also be docked for wrongdoing, stressing that all those who criticised the President for obeying the ruling of the Code of Conduct Tribunal will now realise that their action was not in the interest of the country.

Onilu said: The issue we have in this country is that many people, especially those who have been part of the impunity of the past, are struggling badly to adjust to the reality of rule of law.

There is so much struggle to allow the past. It is not good enough for us as a country to allow it go. All of us must rise and face the future; a future of promise and a future of change, so that we can move to the Next Level.

When this happened, the PDP and some of their allies in the civil societies read the barometer of politics, and we do know that until we rise above sentiments, no matter what part of the divide you find yourself, we must realise that this is an issue that has to do with our country. That is the only way we can progress.

We knew right from the beginning that the allegations against the former Chief Justice of Nigeria were too serious to be swept under the carpet, and we know that the President does not act on frivolities.

He must have done his background checks and must have gotten good information to have taken the action he took, especially when there was basis for the action that can be legally proven.

Those lawyers, so-called Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who had over the years dipped their hands along with some of these judicial officers into the till of this country, continued to lampoon the President, lampoon the APC and blame this government that is doing its best to right several of the wrongs that we have been used to.

We were actually the one trying to deepen democracy. And this party rose in the defence of the President because we understand what the President was doing and that he meant well, and we know the real purpose that drives his actions.

Now, events have proven the President right. Events have proven the party, APC, right. Events have proven those Nigerians who believe Nigeria first and any other things after  events have proven them right.

We all can only be hiding behind one finger. Otherwise, we knew Nigerians, reasonable Nigerians, knew from the word go that those allegations were not cooked up, and if they were real, the next thing for the CJN to have done was to have stepped aside.

If he had done that, the question of he wouldnt be the only one, why him, should not have arisen. There is nowhere in the world where judgment is passed on every sinner at once.

It is not every armed robber you can catch the same day. And even some of you know the slow pace of justice may not catch up with them immediately.

But we must continue to see evidence that we are moving towards that sanity and that we are making progressive efforts and sending strong signals to people who think this country must continue as long as they are comfortable and the rest of Nigerians are suffering.

We must send that signal to them that it is not going to be business as usual.

Now, you have seen the head of National Assembly, Senate President, in the dock. Now, you have seen the CJN in the dock. So, one day, we will see a President that also misbehaves in the dock, which now shows that nobody is above the law and that we are all equal before the law.

So, anybody who finds himself in any position should now begin to look closely at his own actions, knowing full well that today may protect him but tomorrow may expose him.
A witness identified as Dayo Israel has told the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom, that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke were allowed to cast their votes with invalid voter cards.

Dayo Isreal who was the Labour Party, LP, agent was summoned to testify in the petition filed by the partys gubernatorial candidate in the March 18 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to nullify the return of governor SanwoOlu.

While being led in evidence by the Rhodes-Vivours lead counsel, Olumide Ayeni SAN, Israel informed the court that he served as an agent for the Labour Party in Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government in the election.

He said, I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes and this is against INECs electoral process.

Under cross-examination from counsel to INEC, Charles Edosomwan, SAN, the witness also claimed he was beaten up that day by supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Im not a Labour Party member but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as the partys agent, they beat me up. And also threatened to beat voters if they did not vote for APC.

When asked by counsel to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Muiz Banire, SAN, to describe how he was beaten. Israel said, During the casting of votes, four of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself and came back to monitor the counting of votes.

Similarly, another subpoenaed witness, who is the State secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos, Sam Okpala, also testified before the tribunal, led by counsel to the petitioner, Folagbade Benson, the subpoena was tendered before the court through the witness, a situation which led to another round of objections from the respondents.

In its ruling, the Tribunal noted the objections of the respondents but proceeded to hear the testimony of the witness while ordering the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.

The Court, however, adjourned the continuation of the hearing in the petition till July 3.
The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has admitted in evidence a West African Examination Council (WAEC) Certificate said to have been presented by the institution to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 1981.

The certificate was tendered before the tribunal by an official of WAEC in reaction to claims by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its Governorship Candidate, Olajide Adediran (popularly known as Jandor), that Governor Sanwo-Olu did not possess a WAEC certificate.

The official, Adekanmbi Olaolu, who described himself as a lawyer from the legal department of WAEC presented in evidence a document of a May/June Olevel result bearing the name of the Governor and issued in 1981 by one Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School.

Lead counsel to the Petitioner, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Clement Onwuenwunor, who had subpoenaed the official to testify, immediately told the tribunal that the evidence of the witness was averse to its earlier findings wherein a search on WAECs online result verification portal had indicated the absence of the Governors name and result.

READ ALSO: Lagos Governorship Election: Witness Tells Tribunal Gov Sanwo-Olu, Wife Voted With Invalid Voters Cards

The counsel also applied to the tribunal for leave to cross-examine the witness in order to challenge the accuracy of the WAEC officials evidence.

There is a major conflict between what the witness has just brought and what we earlier tendered which was also issued by WAEC. Our search before the polls had discovered that the governor had no result on WAECs portal and now this witness is bringing something different which contradicts their earlier position. He is not being a witness of truth. He has also refused to give more evidence on what he presented, and says the Council doesnt produce hard copies of certificates or retain duplicate certificates, the lawyer said

INECs counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adetunji Oyeyipo, in his response, described the petitioners grouse as a storm in a teacup.

This witness hasnt made two contradictory statements. there is nothing to warrant treating him as a hostile witness. At the very best, he has only given evidence not palatable to my learned friend. We urge you to refuse the application of the Petitioner.

Counsel to Gov. Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muiz Banire, aligned himself with INECs position.

He said, Exhibit P36 is a product of one Ijebu ife Community Grammar School, not WAEC while exhibit b2 is a product of one Grandex Ventures Ltd, not WAEC. No one has led evidence to establish the authenticity of that portal so the attachment to it is totally unreliable. No witness has even testified on the said Grandex. Section 230 of the Evidence Act doesnt avail the petitioner the right to seek leave of court to declare the witness hostile.

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abiodun Owonikoko, on his part, said the option for the Petitioner to cross-examine the witness is foreclosed as he has already ended his examination in Chief with the witness.

A hostile witness isnt the same as an unfavourable witness. This is a case of contrived hostility, he should sink or swim with his witness as only the Court can label a witness as hostile, the counsel said.

But Olalekan Ojo who is counsel to the Labour Partys candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, urged the tribunal to grant the petitioners request, saying the witness was being hostile to the truth and exhibiting animosity.

In its ruling, the tribunal held that the petitioner could not cross-examine the witness and that the exhibit containing the findings from the portal

couldnt be linked to WAEC directly.

The tribunal ordered that only the respondents could cross-examine the WAEC official.

Under cross-examination, the witness told the tribunal that Governor Sanwo-Olu was found to have been entitled to a certificate issued by the school in question and that the online portal didnt exist as of 1981.

Since there was no portal in 1981, this Master list of 581 candidates that sat for the exam at the school is the primary information that will be fed into the result verification portal. I think the electronic registration of candidates started in 2004. For migrating results, we have three portals. The council doesnt retain duplicate copies of certificates.

Justice Arum Ashom has adjourned further hearing in the petition till July 4.
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed off over 50 filling stations for operating without NMDPRA storage and sales licence.

The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, said this was in line with the federal governments directives that marketers must apply online and obtain their stations licence in line with the guidelines as enshrined in the Petroleum Inspectorate Act(PIA)

He explained 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 yesterday.

Other filling stations sealed for under dispensing fuel, according him, 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 acknowledging the impact of the fuel Subsidy removal on Nigerians said the agency have 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 from doing their work, noted that the general public should report any petroleum marketer under dispensing fuel across the 21 Locally Government of Kogi State.

He reiterated that 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 while some of the filling stations were sealed for under dispensing. They are to pay fine for infraction to the federation account as appropriate and also those without license or operating illegally shall also face the full wrath of the law. The Sanitation is a continuous process as Surveillance is Routinely Conducted.

We will not rest until NMDPRA clamp 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 Government effort to ameliorate the suffering of the masses, he stated.
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The traffic gridlock at the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has continued to worsen after the former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, had on the departure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the uncompleted road would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu at the end of June.

There has been public outcry over the disorganized traffic situation on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway at the construction sites of the road.

The governments of Lagos and Ogun States have been working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that the traffic congestion experienced at OPIC-Berger on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the past few weeks does not reoccur.

The ongoing construction work on the Berger-OPIC axis continued towards the completion of the reconstruction of the Expressway to deliver a world-class road that will make driving a smooth experience, after eight years of the administration of former President Buhari.

National Daily on-the-spot investigation shows that the massive traffic gridlock was majorly caused by the fidgetiness of some drivers who are driving against traffic, at the slightest excuse, to escape long hours spent in the traffic congestion, but turn out to cause hardship for other motorists.

The contractor has been directed to block all illegal road diversions, especially between Magboro and OPIC, to Berger towards the Lagos State Secretariat. This is to prevent the illegal U-turn at OPIC, which also worsen the gridlock within that axis.

The traffic congestion has worsened to the extent of obstructing vehicular movements from Ojodu Berger, Ogunusi road, unto Ogba. This is in addition to vehicular obstruction into Magodo and the environs.

National Daily Reporter, Abiodun Ifeoluwa, visiting the scene of the gridlock from the Secretariat Bus-stop, observed passengers lining along the road in droves, trekking briskly towards the Berger Bus Stop, even as it was raining.

ALSO READ: Four injured in Lagos early morning gas explosion

Several of the commuters expressed anguish and pains over the hardship they suffer from the long delay in the completion of the expressway.

Speaking to our reporter, a commuter, Mr Olalere, stated that going through the rigour of trekking to the next point was better than waiting in the car, as the traffic did not seem to move and its getting late. He noted that many of them live outside Lagos State and are having long distances to cover.

According to him, I live in Wawa, Ogun State. If I keep waiting, what time will I get home? I have left N400 with the driver; he refused to give me a refund.

I will trek to Berger and take a motorbike down to my house. It is better for me. I dont mind the rain.

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Law Enforcement Agencies, including the Police, FRSC and LASTMA, have been deployed to control traffic along the route.

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation had in a traffic advisory issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abduhafiz Toriola, on Friday, urged motorists to avoid the expressway, urging them to take alternative routes.

This, according to Toriola, was in line with the Federal Governments announcement of traffic diversion on the expressway, as construction works on the corridor reached the concluding stages.
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A married couple and three other persons have reportedly been killed by gunmen during an attack in Kerang community, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The attack was said to have occurred, despite a 24-hour curfew imposed on the LGA by the Government, following recent similar attacks by gunmen that claimed several lives in neighbouring communities.

A resident of Kerang community, Joseph Kabir, who confirmed the latest attacks to journalists earlier today, said, among those killed were a man and his wife.

He added that the community had organized a mass burial for the deceased.

I can confirm to you that five people, including a man and his wife, were killed by terrorists between 5:00 and 8:00 pm on June 26, 2023 in Sohon Kerang Community of Kerang District Mangu Local Government, the resident said.

We thought that with the declaration of curfew by the government, security agents would be able to stop the terrorists from killing innocent residents.

But the gunmen came to the community, which is behind the SWAN Water Company Ltd, located at Kerang community by 5:00 pm, firing gunshots which led to the killing of the victims.

They escaped into the bush after carrying out their evil acts. It was this morning that the corpses of the victims were discovered by residents who have been thrown into mourning. The victims were given mass burial this morning 27 June, 2023.

The Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, was yet to make public statement regarding the incident as at the time of filing this report.

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Its more difficult to stay on top than to get there. Mie Hamm

One of the most aspects of human life is to pursue successful life career. Some people made it through day and night struggles. In fact to some, succeeding in as a single career is enough while to others perceived that they have to engage in many careers that by the time they look back at their past records they would certainly agree with themselves that they were among those who did a lot in emancipating the human race.

However, there are number of dedicated public servants one would admire for their patriotism, human relations and diplomatic disposition. These also are when in leadership position exhibits unusual vision and creativity. Those generations can be successful at anything they pursue with much verve. They are determined and exhibit fairness and transparency and they are ready to serve any time and are competent qualification and career wise.

Such individuals of unique poise are celebrated everywhere, an action which encourages them to reach their peak .thereby, serving as an impetus to younger generation. How else can one describe the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs , Kano state government, Mallam Baba Dantiye MON,MNI,FNGE who was sworn in on Monday June 26 2023 .

As an image maker and State government chief information officer who has been bestowed , the task to evolve a sense of belonging and chart a new blueprint in the running of the Abbas administration information, communications and public relations strategy .It is appropriate to highlight the rich resume of the dynamic editor and unionist turned reputable administrator.

Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye (Baba) was born on April 7 1961 at Kankarofi Quarters in Kano Municipal Council of Kano state. He holds M.A. Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies ,Cardiff University ,Wales United Kingdom.

He is also a holder of Certificate in Broadcasting from U.S.Graduate School Washington DC., Diploma in Journalism obtained from London School of Journalism, Certificate of Advanced Journalism from Bayero University Kano, Professional Diploma in Mass Communication also from Bayero University Kano and Certificate in Development Journalism.

His journey into the journalism career started when he joined Kano State Television CTV/67 now ARTV as a reporter from 1981-1982.Between 192-1983 he was a Research Officer at Governors Office Research Unit.

Baba Dantiye moved his flourishing journalism career the Triumph Publishing Company as a Reporter in 1983 and served in various states of the federation as Correspondent including State Editor Bauchi, City Editor Abuja & City Editor Kano . He has also been assigned responsibilities such as Head of Investigation Unit, Asst.Editor, Weekend Triumph ,Columnist/Member .Editorial Board ,Asst.editor, Sunday Triumph ,Editor,Sunday Triumph ,Deputy Editor ,Daily Triumph Editor, Editor, Daily Triumph Editor Weekend Triumph ,Asst.Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editor in Chief /Head of Editorial Department.

He began active union activity as Member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ. He was later elected Triumph Chapel Auditor, Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Bauchi State Treasurer. He later joined the Nigerian Guild of Editors in 1992, he was elected NGE General Secretary in 2000, from where he contested and won the Presidency of the NGE in 2003 for two terms.

In 2004, Mallam Baba represented the Nigerian Guild of Editors at the National Political Reforms Conference. He served as member of the conference Business and Rules, Trade Union, Civil Society and Media Reforms.

He has held various Media & Public Relations c responsibilities that included Director ,Media and Communications Strategy Government House Kano from 2012-2013,Director ,Press and Public Relations , Govt. House Kano and Director General ,Media and Communications from 2015-2016 .

In 2016 the former NGE Boss was appointed as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Tourism. While at the Ministry of commerce he has additional responsibility as Kano State Steering Committee on Ease of Doing Business .He was moved to Ministry of Environment in 2017as Permanent Secretary and Chairman Technical Committee ,Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (KN-NEWMAP)

In line with his commitment to his professional callings, Dantiye has been saddled with a range of professional responsibilities such as member various committees amongst which are: Member National Steering Committee on Vision 2020 ,Chairman Organizing Committee All Editors Conference ANEC Kaduna and Chairman ,Nigerian Guild of Editors ,Fellowship Screening Commmitee and Member of the National Institute (mni).President Buhari last year bestowed the National Honour of MON on Baba Dantiye for his contributions to nations building through the media industry.

He is expected to play a great role in the Abbas administration as he serves as the engine room for general facilitation of government information management towards realising optimum results. He would coordinate the publications of such public decisions in major national newspapers to ensure transparency, openness and accountability in conducting business.

Baba as Commissioner would also analyses communications, information, political, social and economic options and advising government on their efficacy and relevance to contemporary happening as well as coordinate and supervise all several digital media outputs .

It is imperative to note that the appointment of Mallam Baba Dantiye by the administration of Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf as Commissioner of Information shows the readiness of the administration to have a robust, pro-active and people oriented information management strategy.

Danyaro is a Media and Public Relations Strategist and can be reach on ahmaddanyaro2017@gmail.com

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By Abdulateef Bamgbose

The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged Nigerians to shed the toga of religious intolerance and extremism and unite solidly behind the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualise Nigerias greatness.

Subsequently, Bamidele warned strictly that no nation parading the emblem of religious fanaticism would ever achieve prosperity, saying time has riped for people of diverse religious inclinations to focus on the project Nigeria and exhibit their desires to contribute to its radical development.

The All Progressives Congress stalwart stated this in his congratulatory message to Muslims, on Monday, marking the Eid-el-Kabir festivity .

In a profound fashion, Bamidele saluted the Muslims Ummar for their contributions to Nigerian nation, urging them to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice, faithfulness, steadfastness, obedience, and perseverance taught by the life and time of Prophet Ibrahim.

Of particular reference, Senator Bamidele stated that the current government being steered by Tinubu, had promised to make Nigeria a great and prosperous nation, reminding that stoking of religious intolerance could quake the foundation being laid by the present administration.

I congratulate all Muslim Ummar on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir. As we celebrate, let us remember that we have a duty to make this country safe and prosperous for all of us and this can only be accomplished with unanimity of purpose and convergence of thoughts and ideas.

President Tinubu came with the popular mantra of a Renewed Hope and this has started manifesting by the deft political steps he had taken to mend the already cracked and widened ethnic and religious faultlines.

This manifested in the way he supported Senator Godswill Akpabio to emerge the Senate President and magnanimously ceded the Secretary to the Government of the Federation slot to Christians to balance the Muslim-Muslim ticket at the presidency.

All the President needed from all Nigerians as the father of the nation, is coalition of efforts with him for the realization of his promise to bring prosperity to the doorstep of every Nigerian, which will impact our lives positively, irrespective of religious leanings.

I appreciate the profound and pivotal contributions of our Muslim brothers to the stability of this nation. They should continue in this stead; for it is an onerous task they have to perform as adherents of Prophet Mohammad(SWT), whose entire life preaches love, togetherness and propagation of the ideal of live and let live.
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By Umar Usman Duguri.

From May 2023 to date twenty nine states in Nigeria swears in new and some returned elected governor to charge the affairs of their state for at least within the next four years. Kano state is one of the state that have a new captain Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf popularly known as Abba Gida Gida who gained popularity because of his boss former governor of the state Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso during the 2019 general election; an election that narrowly helped Ganduje reclaimed his second term tenure after a rerun poll in which Abba Gida-Gida nearly clinched victory. From 2019 to date, Governor Abba gained acceptability of the masses, hoping that he would change the fortune of the state or copy the style of Kwankwaso at the time some allegations of corruption and kickbacks viral went round against Ganduje and his unfortunate fall out with Kwankwaso based on political interest and difference while others thought it was a battle of supremacy.

Lawsuit against the Kano Gov

Whatever the case might be, God has destined Abba to defeat the state ruling APC in the February 2023 governorship election, hoping that the incumbent Governor would change the narrative of the state against what they thought was a failure in governance. The optimism, enmeshed the millions of kano people to resist sun and pressure during the poll to elect the new NNPP led government of the day, whilst, barely a months and few days the popular government turned to be unpopular making the defeated APC regained strength and hope to protest for their mandate in the ongoing tribunal case in the governorship matter before the court of justice. An activist Yusuf Abdullahi, says  any sincere prudent mind will understand that Governor Abba is out to destroy Kano. Demolishing those multi billion naira properties will definitely cause more harm than good to the states economy. More so, Gandujes lawyers must object to Muhyi Magajis attempt to probe the former governor. Another unfortunate thing is that Muhyi is also a beneficiary of land allocation on the city wall, but without shame, he is now part of those going round to demolish those buildings despite the fact that he sold his plot at fifteen million naira N15 million.

So far, Governor Abba has turned kano to a demolishing state, and more worrisome is that, he is demolishing Ganjues initiated projects mindful of the billions of naira doles out to actualize the project. Some sections of media outlets, says the demolishing task of governor Abba has reached to the tune of over 125 billion naira without attempt to pay compensation or alternative to the affected victims. Though, the government has reiterates its commitment and the rationale behind its demolition exercise was part of it government pledge to embark upon, adding that, the whole demolishing is on the right and betterment of the state as all the destroyed structures where raised in contrast with the state master plan, while some section of the government says all the demolished buildings where own by the Gandujes family members not the common people of Kano.

Constitutionally, Governor is the chief authorized/ signatory of any plot of land in the state, with that, Ganduje has the lawful backing to harness any plot of land in Kano state being governor of the state, therefore all the said used/developed areas was assented by the governor, this is why some of the partners and developers vowed to seek for redress in their destroyed multibillion naira buildings. Therefore, the Eid ground, course race center, Daula Hotel, cemetery backyard, chain of stores that was destroyed has supporting document and there no section of the state law that boldly says such areas wont never be used for whatever reason till eternity.

This development raised more fears from investors who have mulling to invest in kano despite numerous potentials in the state, while; others believed the governor has lose focus for governance or he want to distort APCs legacy projects in the state for personal gain which would be at the expense of the masses whose money will still be used to evacuate destroyed areas, re-erect another structure like that of the beautiful government roundabout which serves as a landmark for the state before.

Latest plan by the government is demolition of some private houses, filling station including the government partys loyalists who are out crying for help from constituted authorities which cause a setback. One of the residents registered his displeasure at the federal high court in kano which resulted to the order for stoppage as seen in the court order below;

They are resident of Bayero university road which the government referredthe area as part of school of legal in the state poly. According to them, we acquired our lands legitimately from the government, we have certificate of occupancy and to date government of the day has not revoked the titles and no compensation was made, all of a sudden, the NNPP government of the ordered the making and red painting of our houses.

Similarly, owner of the Salbas filling station approached kano high court of justice for redress which we are waiting for the stoppage order against forceful eviction of our property.

Whatever, the vengeance-like leadership style of governor Abba, time will define his motive as he is yet to set an objective in the sway of power apart from desryoing properties of individuals whom he thought are not members of the Kwankwasiya movement, sadly, it affects hundreds of his party members and history and posterity will be fair to the Gandujes government for some legacies destroyed as the ongoing governorship petition tribunal is gaining moment and optimist for the Gawuna/Garo ticket.

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Sixty-eight newly qualified medical doctors of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State were inducted into the medical profession at the weekend.

Speaking at their 15th induction ceremony at the College of Health Sciences in Osogbo, Osun State capital, the university Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Olufisayo Ologunde, said plans have been concluded to reposition the institution to make its products competitive in the labour market.

Ologunde said normalcy had returned to the institution after a protracted ownership tussle between Osun and Oyo states.

He added that academic activities are proceeding without any hitch, adding that there had been a great improvement in the welfare of workers and students in the last few months.

He said: In no distant time, the LAUTECH will be repositioned to be the toast of all. Our admission quota will be increased, new programmes introduced, investors and donors will be sourced to assist in the physical growth of the university. I am optimistic that good times are on the way for our cherished university.

The VC urged the inductees not to rest on their oars, but to strive to promote ethical values and good service delivery of the medical profession.

Read Also : 2 LAUTECH students die in auto crash

He also enjoined the inductees to demonstrate virtues that had been inculcated in them by the university.

The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Samuel Sunday Taiwo, advised the newly inductees to be good ambassadors of the institution, saying they must not allow any negative experience you might have suffered during your training to push you to run down the university.

He advised them to always remember and cherish the universitys good legacies from which they had benefited, saying positive reports from all parts of the world attested to the quality of medical training the LAUTECH graduates receive year in year out.

Highlights of the induction ceremony include an honour and recognition for the Chief Medical Director of Biket Medical Centre and a Minnesota, USA-trained cardiologist, Dr. Adebisi David Adenle, for his contribution over the years to the medical profession.
The Online Publisher Association of Nigeria (OPAN) has urged the Nigeria police and the federal government to drop all outrageous charges against Agba Jalingo, a journalist and Publisher of Calabar-based news website, CrossRiverWatch and release him from detention immediately.

OPAN in a statement by the President, Austyn Ogannah, and the General Secretary, Daniel Elombah,

Demanded elected officials to stop using security officials and misapplying state laws to harass and intimidate journalists, activists and critics of government.

They narrated that on the police in Cross River State on August 30 charged Jalingo with disturbance of public peace and treason for his writings and social media posts about the controversial Cross River Governor, Mr. Benedict Ayade.

It was indicated that the Police arrested Jalingo in Lagos on August 22, 2019; and subsequently, charged him with two counts of terrorism, stemming from his alleged plans to work with Omoyele Sowore, cult members, and a local prince to commit acts of terrorism to remove Ayade from office, according to the charge sheet.

To equate published criticism of government, policies and politicians with treason is absurd, draconian and outrageous.

Authorities MUST release Agba Jalingo and other journalists, who are currently in state custody for speaking truth to power and demanding accountability from public office holders, immediately and unconditionally, OPAN protested.

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Nigerias Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo has ordered legal action against Timi Frank and Katch Ononuju for libel and malicious falsehood against him.

Timi Frank, a former deputy publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had accused Osinbajo of mismanaging N90 billion allegedly provided by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as campaign funds 2019 elections. Frank did not provide any evidence to support his latest claim.

On Monday, FIRS spokesman, Wahab Gbadamosi, dismissed Franks allegation, saying the agencys annual allocation is not up to N90 billion.

The attention of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has been drawn to publication in some online and daily newspapers by a certain Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who claimed that the FIRS supported the`APC, through the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with a phantom N90 billion. IT IS NOT PLAUSIBLE nor DOES IT MAKE ANY SENSE that FIRS will commit its resources to a phantom campaign of N90 billion as suggested by Mr. Timi Frank and FIRS does not fund political associations, Gbadamosi said.

Reacting to FIRS statement on Tuesday, Frank said he cannot be intimidated by the agencys threat to sue him, describing the agencys statements as a puerile attempt to sweep the main issues in his public statement under the carpet.

He said the FIRS cannot continue to deceive Nigerians by claiming unfounded budgetary fidelity, instead the agency should

He urged the agency to come clean and tell Nigerians the reason for the discrepancies which exist in their records of tax collection.

I cannot be intimidated by threats. I am prepared to meet them in court. Why did they decide to respond on behalf of the Vice President, who is the main issue here? Is the FIRS now Osinbajos mouthpiece?

In a tweet he personally authored on Wednesday afternoon, Osinbajo declared his readiness to waive his constitutional immunity to enable the most robust adjudication of several baseless allegations, insinuation and falsehoods against his person and office. He said:

In the past few days, a spate of reckless and malicious falsehoods have been peddled in the media against me by a group of malicious individuals. The defamatory and misleading assertions invented by this clique had mostly been making the social media rounds anonymously. I have today instructed the commencement of legal action against two individuals, one Timi Frank and another Katch Ononuju, who have put their names to these odious falsehoods.

Osinbajo noted that he was ready to waive his constitutional immunity to clear his name against several allegations, insinuation, and falsehoods on his person and office.
Former BBNaija star, Ifu Ennada has joined other Nigerian to condemn the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

Taking to her IG page the ex reality TV star said, shame on South Africa. Shame on our government. Shame on everyone who enables xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. Shame on us all.

The Big Brother Naija Double Wahala housemate also called on #BBNaija organisers to go on a 24-hour break to show support.

In another post, Ifu Ennada called on the organisers of the show to also get the current housemates to do a task on xenophobia.
BLOOMINGTON  The suspect accused of killing a 20-year-old Bloomington man in February appeared in McLean County court Monday.

Desmond S. Sterling, 22, also of Bloomington, appeared for the first time since the McLean County Sheriffs Office announced Friday that he had been taken into custody in Chicago.

He is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Kiejoun Watts in the head on Feb. 20. Watts was found on the property of Victory Church in Bloomington.

A McLean County bill of indictment was returned in April, charging Sterling, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He was arrested June 21 in Chicago by the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force and Chicago police. Sterling was detained at the Cook County Jail before being transported to McLean County.

Judge Scott Kording reviewed Sterlings bond on Monday, leaving it as set at $2 million with 10% to apply. Sterling would have to pay $200,035 to be released from McLean County custody.

In asking that the bond remain as set, Assistant States Attorney Aaron Fredrick said Sterling had fled to Chicago within a day of the homicide.

An arraignment was scheduled for July 14.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones
BLOOMINGTON  A 24-year-old woman was sentenced Monday to 30 months of probation after pleading guilty to cocaine possession in McLean County court.

Hannah J. Jackson, of Bloomington, pleaded guilty before Judge Jason Chambers to a Class 1 felony count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, for 1-15 grams of cocaine.

She was initially charged with unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of 15-100 grams of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of less than 15 grams of a controlled substance, but those were dropped with her Monday plea agreement.

A prosecutor told the court that Jackson was arrested in the early morning hours of May 30, 2022, after police pulled over the vehicle she was in for several moving violations; she then agreed to a search.

The prosecutor said two bags containing a combined total amount of 16.5 grams of cocaine were found by officers in her cigarette case.

Jackson was represented by Bloomington attorney Phil Finegan, who declined comment on the case.

Jackson must also serve two days in jail and pay additional fines and court fees.

While Narcan can reverse opioid overdoses in the short term, these two treatments can help patients overcome addiction altogether While Narcan can reverse opioid overdoses in the short term, these two treatments can help patients overcome addiction altogether Methadone has been in use decades longer than buprenorphine While both are effective, the overdose risk of buprenorphine does not increase with higher doses While methadone is more tightly regulated, buprenorphine can be prescribed for at-home use
The World Bank has approved the sum of $500m Federal Government loan request to help Nigeria drive womens empowerment.



In a statement released, the World bank stated that it gave approval for the loan to scale up financing for Nigeria Women Programme, which was initially approved on June 27, 2018, with $100m financing.



The statement in part reads;

The World Bank has approved $500m for Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up (NFWP-SU). The scale-up financing will further support the government of Nigeria to invest in improving the livelihoods of women in Nigeria. The NFWP-SU will help to ensure better economic opportunities for women, which is essential for addressing gender inequality; guaranteeing better education, health, and nutrition outcomes for families; and building womens and communities resilience to climate change.

This will be the second loan being approved by the World bank in the Tinubu administration.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Communication Specialist at the Energy Ministry, Kofi Abrefa Afena has said the brouhaha surrounding discussions on the government finding a partner for the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is unfortunate.



He was empathic on NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie' that there is no contract with any company now as widely speculated in the media.



Kofi Abrefa Afena admitted that there are negotiations ongoing but no company had been officially awarded a contract to partner TOR.



TOR wants a credible partner for revive, that is what the Minister wants. If TOR revives, there are going to be huge benefits for the country, he noted.





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.

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Founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Miracles Church International, Bishop Isaac Owusu Bempah has explained the content of a viral audio clip that was circulated on social media last week.



In an address over the weekend, he told his congregation that the voice were comments made about two years ago in the aftermath of his brush with the law, which situation led to his arrest and arraignment before court.



He, however, disowned one portion of the audio where someone spoke about plotting with the president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to commit murder at Tema; beside that portion he stated that he unequivocally claimed every other statement on the tape.



The voice that I went to Nana Addo to commit murder is not my voice, but the voice about the IGP Dampare is mine. After our arrest, I made some comments about the treatment I received. I am not above the law and the law must deal with me when I am found guilty, he told the congregation.



He went on to recount details of the predicament that he went through during his arrest and mistreatment he received at the hospital whiles under arrest.



But you cannot take the law and abuse the person. That I be handcuffed when there is drip on me. The handcuff is placed where the drip is, I have been cut by the handcuffs and I am bleeding.



I am seeking answers and the officer is nonchalant aggravating my pain with the handcuffs. He says it is order from above. The car that came with eight armed and hooded people has not been addressed, at the time, I spoke out of pain and poured my heart out to whoever came to me, I did not understand why I had to be treated like an animal, he lamented.



He clarified that even though he had problems with the IGP and other key political actors, all of the differences had been resolved and he was currently at peace with each of them.



Listen to him below:



Source: ghanaweb.com









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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1.8bn (1.4bn) loan for Senegal to support the nations economic recovery while protecting it against future shocks.



The West African nation will receive an initial disbursement of about $216m, the IMF said in a statement on Monday following an executive board meeting.



The three-year loan facility will also support Senegals efforts to cope with the effects of climate change.



The international lender says the Russia-Ukraine war hindered the post-Covid-19 recovery, strained public finances, increased borrowing and depleted national reserves.



It however projects an 8.3% growth rate in 2023 as oil and gas production begins in the country.

Source: BBC









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A radio presenter and a reporter for Peace FM at Assin Fosu in the Central Region, Odoom Prince Linford, has been beaten by some foot soldiers of the opposition National Democratic Congress.



Prince Odoom, speaking to Peace FM News, recounted the ordeal he went through when the angry mob pounced on him saying  I heard the top executives of the NDC were having a press conference at St Andrews SHS which belongs to the Central Regional Chairman for the NDC, Prof Richard Kofi ASIEDU. So we were all waiting for the press conference to be held and a man approached me telling me to leave the school premises because its a private property.



He continued; I asked him why but he insisted he doesnt have any explanations for me and that I should just get out. I obeyed and went out of the premises to sit somewhere waiting for my colleagues journalist who were inside. Then, a group of about 20 men rushed at me and ordered me not to sit at where I was sitting.



They started beating me up, slapping, kicking, tearing my shirt. The only thing I could hear them say was that I am an NPP journalist, so I am not supposed to be there, he further narrated.



According to Odoom Prince, he currently feels severe pains in his chest and requires urgent medical treatment.

Source: Peacefmonline









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The Presidency has assured the public that there will be no luggage fumigation tax imposed on passengers travelling through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).



This assurance comes after reports circulated on social media and in the mainstream media about a possible introduction of a $7 per passenger luggage fumigation tax.



President Nana Akufo-Addo was reportedly informed by Paul Adom Otchere, the chairman of the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) board, that no such decision had been made to introduce this tax. The President has directed that no such policy should be entertained.



According to reports, it is not possible to introduce such a levy or tax without the approval of Parliament.



Members of the GACL board also confirmed that they had not received any proposals regarding this matter.



A member of the GACL board, Kwabena Nyarko, stated that he doubts the authenticity of the news report and assured that, if any such proposal were to be made, it would have to be brought to the board for discussion and approval.



The news of the possible tax has received backlash and condemnation from the public, both on social media and in mainstream media.



However, the reassurance from the Presidency should allay any fears, as it appears that no such policy will be implemented.













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Pollster Ben Ephson says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama will face a difficult task to be President again if the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) wins the upcoming Assin North by-election.



According to him, it will be a done deal for the NPP to break the 8 if they manage a victory in Assin North.



In an interview with NEAT FMs morning show, 'Ghana Montie', Ben Ephson explained that Mr Mahama will have no message to campaign on in his quest to be President.



If NPP wins, it will be difficult for him (Mr Mahama) to campaign against the NPP. Assin North will be a reflection on whether NPP has done well or not, he noted.



The controversial pollster, Ben Ephson is very optimistic that the NPP will win the upcoming Assin North by-election.



He backed Charles Opoku, the NPPs candidate to win over James Gyakye Quayson of the NDC.



He explained that Mr Quayson won the 2020 elections largely because his place of origin is Assin Bereku.



Listen to interview below





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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The internal contest within the camp of the ruling New Patriotic Party took an unpatriotic and unacceptable direction with the verbal accusations and insinuations from the Vice President, HE Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia against his main contender Hon Alan Kyeremanten.



The Vice President, as part of his usual unprovoked attacks, verbally bruised the image of his main contender, Hon Alan Kyerematen, portraying the former Trade and Industry Minister as divisive character.



In his address to a section of NPP delegates in Greater Accra, the Vice President was seen casting accusations and aspersions on the persona of Hon Alan Kyerematen with the excuse that he Alhaji Bawumia was the only unifier in the elephant fraternity.



According to the Vice President, the return of Hon Kofi Dzemasi and Hon Fredrick Opare Ansah from the camp of Hon Alan Kyerematen to his camp was enough reasons to conclude his so-called unifying character and by extension insinuating the divisive nature of the former Trade and Industry Minister.



Hon Kofi Dzemasi, former minister for chieftaincy, and Hon Fredrick Opare-Ansah, former MP for Suhim were the former campaign manager and Director of Operations respectively for Hon Alan Kyerematen's 2014 Presidential primary campaign.



Speaking to some political experts who agreed on anonymity, the conduct of the Vice President could be injurious to the general welfare of the party ahead of the main elections.



Revered political party pundits urged Bawumia to stop attacking the brand and persona of his other rivals if he has the party at heart.



Having developed the habit of attacking his political opponents without any provocations, the Vice President appeared to have developed a taste for acidic words on any political podium.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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.
National Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia and the party's National Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi together with their parliamentary aspirant for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, have arrived at some electoral areas where the constituency's by-election is ongoing.



Mr. Asiedu Nketia who arrived earlier was seen walking to a polling station at Assin Praso in the company of former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong and a host of NDC members to monitor proceedings.



Sammy Gyamfi also arrived later simultaneously with Mr. Gyakye Quayson amidst cheers and chanting of their names from the party's supporters who crowded them as they made their way to a polling station.



With some political figures trooping into the constituency, the aspirant for the ruling New Patriotic Party who is the main contender to the NDC candidate, Charles Opoku had also early on arrived at Assin Bereku to tour some polling stations while the electorates queue up to cast their votes.



Other political dignitaries that have been sighted during the by-election are the former Running Mate of Ex-President John Dramani Mahama, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Bosiako alias Chairman Wontumi, Deputy Education Minister, John Ntim Fordjour among others.





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu is optimistic about the party's chances in winning the Assin North by-election.



John Boadu, touring some electoral areas at Assin North constituency Tuesday morning, expressed no doubts that the NPP will grab the parliamentary seat and was also certain the party will "break the 8".



" . . so far so very good . . . it is coming back again," he told the press and stressed that "whatever it is we will break the eight but we don't want any disturbances. So, so far that's okay".



He also commended the Electoral Commission for the conduct of the elections.



He noted that there have been no technical glitches with the machines the Electoral Commission is using neither are there complaints about the work of the officers.



"Nobody at the polling station has complained about not been able to vote because the machine couldn't recognize their thumbprints and all that. So far, we have received no complaints and I have told them (EC) to use this to prepare for 2024," he said.







Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Electorates in the Assin North constituency in the Central Region go to the polls today to cast their votes to elect a Member of Parliament for the constituency.



Following the Supreme Court declaring the seat "vacant" as a result of the eviction of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson from Parliament, it has become necessary for a by-election to be held in the constituency.



A total of 41168 registered voters are expected to vote in 99 polling stations across the constituency.



Three candidates are contesting the by-election with Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC)s James Gyakye Quayson as the front runners in what is expected to be a keenly contested election.



The third candidate, Bernice Enyonam Sefenu representing the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), is viewed by political watchers as adding up to the numbers.



Strategically, the NPP selected Charles Opoku, an indigene of Assin Breku which is the constituency capital, to neutralize the political advantage of James Gyakye Quayson, also an indigene of the town.



Due to the seriousness both the NPP and NDC attach to elections, high-ranking officials of the two political parties were in Assin North to campaign for their respective candidates in the run-up to the polls.



It is with this same interest that Dr. Zenator Rawlings clashes with Valentino Nii Noi Nortey in the Assin North constituency campaigning for their candidates.



While Dr. Zenator Rawlings campaigned in a village for the NDC candidate, Nii Noi Nortey was also campaigning for the NPP candidate Charles Opoku.



This is a clear indication that the 2024 contest will be between Valentino Nii Noi Nortey and Zenator Rawlings in the Klottey Korle constituency.



But the youth in the Klottey Korley are angry saying Dr. Zenator Rawlings, a Member of Parliament for the constituency, has never held a meeting with the constituents before.





They plan to vote against her in the 2024 elections.I cannot remember any single meeting held for the whole constituency by Zenator before as an MP for the constituency. She only held meetings with only the NDC and when the time comes, we shall take her on seriously. We shall work together to remove her from office, Mr. Samuel Oquaye said.The youth appealed to NPP delegates to vote for Valentino Nii Noi Nortey to win the NPP Primaries to take the seat from Zenator Rawlings as she has no plans to help the youth in the constituency.MR Samuel Oquaye stated; Now that the majority of us had settled on Nii Noi Nortey and his victory, lets now focus on the main elections to change Zenator and make the constituency the stronghold of the NPP. With Nii Noi Nortey strategy we can easily win the seat and make it our stronghold. This can easily be done looking at the proactive nature of Nii Noi Nortey."Nii Noi Nortey had gone through the mill. l am not surprised about his successes with huge grassroots achievements for the party. He is the most experienced among the lot, a long serving member of the party, he is very proactive and has all the networks to mobilize logistics for the future campaign, and he had been a polling station organizer and chairman of the constituency before. He had what it takes to win the seat. Above all he is a good listener, action oriented, humble and very respectful.He is not an arrogant leader. Over the years I had watched him and had not changed his ways in his desire to build the party structures, help the delegates and the party in general to capture the seat. This is the opportune time for us all to use our votes to change the system. A word to the wise is enough!"

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Nollywood actress, Ini Edo, has revealed that she didnt set out to be an actress.



According to her, her childhood dream was to be a lawyer or a newscaster.



She disclosed this in an interview with popular Nigerian media personality, Chude Jideonwo.



I wanted to be a lawyer or newscaster. My role model was the late Tokunbo Ajayi. I always loved to watch her news. That is actually who I wanted to be like. I never really thought that I was going to be an actor.



I have always been in the arts in school, church, you know. But then I went to do a Theater Arts diploma when I was waiting for my JAMB to go do Law. Then I started doing stage acting. The opportunity to go to the film came, and I just became an actor. It was destiny, she indicated.



She added that her family initially didnt support her decision to become an actress.



However, it was movie director, Ikenna Igwe who went to her house to convince her parents to let her pursue acting.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " People wave American flags as they ride in a Fourth of July Parade in Alameda, California on Monday, July 4, 2016. GABRIELLE LURIE/AFP/Getty Images

If you want to get an up-close-and-personal understanding of American exceptionalism, just visit any small town or big city in the United States on the 4th of July.

On this day, Americans celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the document by which the American colonies severed ties with the British Crown and laid forth certain "self-evident" truths that set apart the fledgling nation: "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

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Ask any American what they love about their country on July 4th, and no matter their political persuasion, they'll likely sum it up in one word: freedom. Freedom to exercise their religion, freedom to protest injustice, freedom from government intrusion or freedom to speak their mind.

For others, America is about opportunity. It's a place where the circumstances of your birth don't dictate the course of your life. Where individuals who work hard and remain optimistic can achieve any goal, whether it's owning a small business or being president of the United States.

And then there's the way that Americans celebrate the 4th of July, which points to some core aspects of American exceptionalism, including a few that rub other nations the wrong way.

On the 4th of July, America's blustery patriotism is on public display, with parades in the streets and flags adorning every building, lawn and oversized T-shirt. Refrains of "God Bless America" reinforce the notion of America as a divinely sanctioned land and people. Topping it all off are explosive and expensive fireworks displays, not-so-subtle nods to the military might that not only secures American freedom but solidifies its influence over the rest of the world.

In America's deeply divided political discourse, the term American exceptionalism is now wielded as a political weapon. Candidates from the right accuse their opponents of not "loving America" or of abandoning the unique attributes that make America "great" in a move toward "European-style" forms of government.

And candidates from the left insist that America's exceptionalism is born from its diversity and sense of equality and argue that policies that limit immigration or infringe on civil rights are themselves "un-American."

To get a better grasp on this slippery notion of American exceptionalism, we're going to dive into the double meaning of the term. We'll look at its surprising origins in communist theory, and the many ways that America's exceptionalism is a product of both factual differences between America and the rest of the world (metric system, anyone?), and simply the stories Americans like to tell about themselves.
Yes, jury duty is a legal obligation, and sure, it contributes to the impartiality and overall fairness of the American judicial system, but it's also a genuine pain in the neck.

You miss work. You battle rush-hour traffic to get downtown. You wander cluelessly around the courthouse looking for your room. You wait for what seems like an eternity (two hours). Finally, you're herded into a courtroom to be questioned by bored lawyers and a scary-looking judge. Then you're sent home with a few bucks for your trouble. Or worse, you are selected for a trial that lasts all week!

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There are legitimate reasons to want to avoid jury duty, but we would never encourage you to break the law. Instead, use the law to your advantage.

For example, most states draw prospective jurors from the voter registration rolls and the driver's license database. If your name appears differently on those two lists  Bob instead of Robert, for example, or married name versus maiden name  you might be counted twice. The same thing can happen if your address or birth date are different. Lower your odds of getting picked by updating your records through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Then there are the exemptions from service. When you receive your jury summons, it will come with a questionnaire to determine your eligibility for service. Medical or physical conditions are certainly grounds for exemption, if accompanied by a doctor's note. You may be also claim a "hardship" exemption if serving on a jury will result in a critical loss of wages, if you're the sole caretaker of a child or other dependent or if you are a full-time student [sources: Superior Court of Fulton County, Pierce County Washington]. Exemptions allowed will depend on the court in question. Many courts also allow you apply for a one-time deferral/schedule change if you had something already planned like a vacation, which would normally not be a reason to get out of jury duty. You can also get out of jury duty, based on age which can range from 65 to 80 years old, depending on your state.

Members of the armed forces on active duty, professional firefighters, police officers and "public officers of federal, state or local governments, who are actively engaged in the performance of public duties" are also exempt from federal jury service. In fact, they can't serve on a federal jury even if they want to [source: U.S. Courts].

What if you can't legally get out of jury service but want to avoid being picked for an actual trial? Homer Simpson has some not-so-sage advice: "Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you're prejudiced against all races." While it's true that lawyers or the judge will dismiss a juror who is openly biased against one of the parties in the case, don't pull a Homer. Once you've heard an overview of the case, you can simply claim that you are unable be fair and impartial, and they'll let you go [source: Warner].

What Happens If I Don't Show Up? In some U.S. counties, failure to report for jury duty is epidemic. In Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, the failure rate was 50 percent in 2011 at a time when the nationwide rate was 9 percent. However, once the courts started sending out sheriff deputies to bring the no-shows into court and explain their absences, the no-show rate dropped to 5.1 percent in 2012 [source: WSB]. Your jury summons notice probably states that you can be fined or arrested for failing to report for jury duty. Whether this would happen in practice might depend on how fed up the judges are with no-shows. If you missed jury duty purely by accident, call the court immediately and explain. There should be a phone number on the summons. You might get lucky and find your number was not needed. And even if it was, chances are you'll just be given another date to serve on a jury.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Wildfires emit large amounts of smoke containing harmful pollutants that can drift for hundreds or thousands of miles away from their source, as shown by this summer's Canadian wildfires, which created air quality problems as far afield as New York City. A paper co-written by a team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers analyzes how drifting wildfire smoke impacts the U.S. labor market.

The study analyzes variation in wildfire smoke exposure across the continental U.S. from 20072019 and finds that increases in smoke exposure cause significant decreases in earnings and employment outcomes for U.S. workers.

Wildfires have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years, accounting for about 20% of the fine particulate matter emitted in the U.S. But air pollution through wildfires causes more than just direct damage to life and property, said David Molitor, a professor of finance at the Gies College of Business at Illinois and study co-author.

"We found that smoke exposure can decrease labor income, employment and labor force participation rates across a wide variety of sectors, including manufacturing, crop production, utilities, health care, real estate, administration and transportation," he said. "Although the diffuse nature of wildfire smoke hurts people of all ages throughout the continental U.S., the impact is worse among older workers, suggesting that age or poor health may amplify its harmful effects."

"Wind can carry wildfire smoke for thousands of miles, thereby generating air pollution events that are geographically widespread and far from the fires themselves," said Mark Borgschulte, a professor of economics at Illinois and study co-author. "In this paper, we quantified the broader effects of air pollution on labor market outcomes both to understand how pollution affects human welfare and for designing optimal air quality policies."

The paper, which was published in The Review of Economics and Statistics, relied on linking three primary data sources: high-resolution remote sensing data from satellites that show the locations of wildfire smoke plumes in the U.S.; air quality data from ground-level pollution monitors; and labor market data for all counties in the continental U.S.

A challenge for assessing how air pollution impacts the labor market is that healthy labor market activity can itself generate air pollution through vehicle traffic, manufacturing and electricity generation, Molitor said.

"You can't just compare periods of time, because pollution tends to be low when the economy is slowing down, and vice versa, with increased economic activity causing more pollution," he said. "But wildfires present an opportunity to sidestep that challenge by focusing on the variation in air pollution caused by drifting wildfire smoke plumes."

After benchmarking the welfare costs of lost earnings due to pollution by comparing them to mortality costs derived from previous research, the researchers found that, between 20072019, an additional day of smoke exposure reduced quarterly earnings by about 0.1% or by an average of $125 billion per year.

They also found that earning losses from smoke exposure were about 60% larger in counties whose populations have an above-median proportion of Black residents.

The results have broad implications for environmental policy.

"Our analysis suggests that the cost of lost earnings due to wildfire smoke is similar to or larger than the costs of increased mortality," said Molitor, also the RC Evans Data Analytics Scholar at Illinois. "By contrast, many agencies that engage in environmental policymaking, such as the World Bank and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have traditionally treated pollution damages arising from lost labor market hours and earnings as considerably smaller than the mortality cost of air pollution. Our findings indicate that environmental policies that ignore or downplay the labor market effects of air pollution are insufficient and fail to take into account significant costs due to lost economic activity."

The findings also have direct implications for wildfire policy and management, and the importance of labor market channels in air pollution policy responses, the researchers said.

"A primary implication of our results is that wildfire smoke creates large externalities, which is economist-speak for actions whose consequences are borne by someone else," Molitor said. "For example, decisions about land use and fire management in California or Canada can affect those living in the Midwest or on the East Coast."

The diffuse, widespread effects of air pollution via wildfires call for greater coordination of fire policies, including a focus on preventing the start and spread of wildfires, according to the paper.

"Policies should consider factors that go beyond traditional goals of defending land and property exposed to fires in a given region to incorporating issues such as the amount of smoke produced by the fire and whether the smoke plumes may reach areas with large populations," Molitor said.

"While wildfires and wildfire smoke can'tand shouldn'tbe completely eliminated, we should design policies that take into account the full scope of their effectsnamely, that ambient air pollution imposes large costs on human well-being and labor market outcomes. This reality was thrown into stark relief this summer as the East Coast grappled with an acute air-quality crisis, leading to event cancelations and New Yorkers being forced to stay inside," he said.

More information: Mark Borgschulte et al, Air Pollution and the Labor Market: Evidence from Wildfire Smoke, The Review of Economics and Statistics (2022). DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01243 Journal information: Review of Economics and Statistics
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Wildfires in Canada have generated record CO2 emissions.

Wildfires raging across Canada, made more intense by global warming, have released more planet-warming carbon dioxide in the first six months of 2023 than in any full year on record, EU scientists said Tuesday.

Hundreds of forest fires since early May have generated nearly 600 million metric tons of CO 2 , equivalent to 88 percent of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions from all sources in 2021, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reported.

More than half of that carbon pollution went up in smoke in June alone.

"The emissions from these wildfires are now the largest annual emissions for Canada in the 21 years of our dataset," CAMS said in a statement.

The previous record for CO 2 cast off by wild fires was just over 500 million tons, in 2014.

As of Tuesday, firefighters were battling 494 blazes throughout the country, more than half of them classified as out-of-control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Fuelled by unusually dry conditions and high temperatures, fires erupted in large numbers starting in early May in the western part of Canada, expanding over the last 50 days eastward to Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Globally, forests play a crucial role in curbing global warming by absorbing and stocking excess CO 2 emitted mainly from burning fossil fuelsthat is overheating the planet.

Canada wildfires: active fires and fire danger.

Vegetation and soil have consistently soaked up about 30 percent of CO 2 pollution since 1960, even as those emissions increased by half.

When forests burn, however, all that stored carbon is released into the air.

Fires in eastern Canada have sent huge plumes of particle-filled smoke across the Atlantic Ocean at high altitude, reaching the British Isles and Europe this week.

The long-range transport of smoke by prevailing winds "is not unusual, and not expected to have any significant impact on surface air quality in Europe," said CAMS senior scientist Mark Parrington.

"But it is a clear reflection of the intensity of the fires."

Earlier in June, eye-watering smoke and throat-scratching particle pollution from Canada's fires descended over the US eastern seaboard, including New York City and Philadelphia.

More than 75 million people were under air quality alerts.

Air quality in Montreal was ranked among the worst in the world over the last weekend, according to IQAir.

Worldwide, wildfires in 2021 released about 1.8 billion tons of CO 2 into the atmosphere, compared to about 38 billion from fossil fuels and industry.

 2023 AFP
Russia shows return to order after Wagner revolt

08:19, June 27, 2023 By REN QI in Moscow ( China Daily

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has appeared on state media inspecting Russian troops in Ukraine, making his first public appearance following an armed rebellion by the Wagner private military group.

Shoigu visited a Russian command bunker and flew in a helicopter to inspect troops battling a Ukrainian counteroffensive, Tass, the Russian state news agency, reported on Monday. The minister reportedly listened to reports from Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, the troops' commander, about the current situation on the front lines.

The exact time and location of the visit were not disclosed by the Russian Defence Ministry or state media.

Footage shared by the ministry showed Shoigu in uniform on board a helicopter. It then showed him entering a military command post where he could be seen chairing a meeting and inspecting maps.

The ministry said in a statement that Shoigu had visited a "forward command post" in Ukraine, where he noted the Russian army's "great efficiency in the detection and destruction" of Ukrainian weapons systems and soldiers.

The visit came after Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a brief insurrection on Saturday that ended abruptly after a deal was struck for him to leave for Belarus. Wagner fighters returned to their bases on Sunday after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to drop treason charges against Prigozhin.

Prigozhin said in an audio statement released on Monday that the march on Moscow was a demonstration of their protest and not intended to overturn power in the country. He added that his column had turned back "to avoid bloodshed".

In Moscow, a China Daily reporter observed Red Square blocked off on Sunday. Metal partitions were seen blocking access to the city center and a few security officers were present.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin proclaimed on Monday that the situation in the capital was "stable", saying that all security restrictions imposed in Moscow had been lifted. He also thanked Muscovites for their "calm and understanding", adding that high school graduations will be held on July 1 after many events were canceled on Saturday.

As events unfolded over the weekend, Moscow authorities declared Monday a nonwork day for residents, with the exception of some essential workers.

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, is working on a law to regulate Wagner amid speculation about the mercenary group's future, according to Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Duma's Defense Committee.

"The fate of Wagner is not determined, but it is not necessary to ban it, since this is a combat-ready unit, and there are questions for its leadership, and not for the fighters," Kartapolov told the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti on Sunday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that an agreement had been reached on the return of the Wagner fighters to their locations. He added that those who wish to do so and who did not take part in the march "will subsequently sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense".

Investors are also questioning whether the turmoil in Moscow will disrupt global energy supplies, with early gains in oil prices evaporating on Monday.

US West Texas Intermediate crude briefly climbed 1.3 percent during Asian trading hours, but it later gave up those gains. Brent crude, the international bench mark, inched up 0.1 percent, trimming earlier advances.

Although the immediate risk of bloodshed appears to have dissipated, much remains uncertain. United States President Joe Biden spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, discussing Washington's support for Kyiv as the latter continues its counteroffensive against Russia.

It was not yet clear what the fissures opened by the 24-hour rebellion will mean for the conflict in Ukraine.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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A recent paper published in the journal Veterinary Record explored health risks faced by cats and uncovered notable variations in the disease rates between purebred and mixed-breed cats.

Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, examined data from Agria Pet Insurance Companythe largest pet insurance provider in Sweden. The data encompassed information from insurance policies, insurance claims, as well as breed, age and sex data for about 550,000 cats.

The study revealed that purebred cats compared to domestic cross breeds were more likely to develop diseases in most disease categories. The disease categories where purebreds had the highest relative risk include:

Female reproductive issues

Heart disease

Complications from surgery

Lower respiratory infections

Immunological diseases

"This study's findings provide important insight for cat owners, veterinarians, breeders and researchers, offering a comparative look at disease patterns in purebred cats versus mixed-breed cats," said Dr. Barr Hadar, one of the paper's authors and a researcher involved in the study. "Information on feline disease frequency and risk is a valuable tool that can help guide clinical decision-making, assist in monitoring and planning of breeding programs, educate cat owners and prioritize research. A more granular look into specific causes of morbidity would be beneficial."

Surprisingly, the study also found that domestic crossbred cats were more likely to develop endocrine, skin and mobility issues than purebred cats.

"One of the potential explanations for this finding is that domestic cats might have greater access to the outdoors, leading to more injuries, skin and locomotive issues because they're outside jumping and running around," Hadar added.

He went on to say that other studies also have shown that certain purebred cats are at lower risk of hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitusthe two main causes of endocrine disease in cats.

The team is currently analyzing the insurance dataset to develop predictive models, with the aim of implementing them in a clinical setting to forecast the likelihood of specific diseases in cats.

More information: Barr N. Hadar et al, Morbidity of insured Swedish cats between 2011 and 2016: Comparing disease risk in domestic crosses and purebreds, Veterinary Record (2023). DOI: 10.1002/vetr.2778 Journal information: Veterinary Record

Provided by Morris Animal Foundation
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Ice crystals after the freezing and defrosting process using the WUR anti-freeze proteins. The proteins prevent the ice crystals from developing further into sharp, pointed shapes. Credit: Rob de Haas

Dutch and American researchers have used computer simulations to develop a protein that works like an anti-freeze agent. Researchers could use this protein to freeze and defrost biological material such as immune cells, sperm and perhaps even donor organs in the future, without causing any damage to the material. This was reported by chemists at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Washington University in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Putting summer fruit like strawberries into the freezer doesn't work very well. When defrosting, the juice partially runs out, leaving a sort of strawberry mush, which is not very tasty. This is partly due to the ice crystals that form inside the strawberry during the freezing and defrosting process, which puncture the cell structure from within. The same thing happens to frozen donor organs, sperm and immune cells for immunotherapy.

The international research term led by Renko de Vries from WUR and Ilja Voets from TU/e used the computer to develop a protein that combats the formation of ice crystals. To this end, they took inspiration from a trick used by fish. "Nature has already found ways to handle freezing temperatures," explains Rob de Haas, Ph.D. student of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter at WUR and first author of the publication. For instance, in the Arctic Ocean, where the temperature lies below freezing point, fish swim around without freezing. "They generate anti-freeze proteins that prevent the formation of ice in their bodies."

Although scientists have known about anti-freeze proteins for a long time, they are incredibly complex and difficult to recreate. That is why De Haas created a simplistic version, first on the computer and then in the lab. He began with the simplest version known to scientists: an anti-freeze protein in American plaice. He further simplified the fish's protein digitally by removing any protrusions. What remained is what scientists term an alpha helix. This is a spiral-shaped protein, like the spring in a pen.

Twisted out of shape

Just like a spring, an alpha helix has a stable shape. But if you twist it, you can reshape it slightly. "It occurred to me that the natural anti-freeze proteins in fish were reshaped like this," says De Haas. This had not yet occurred to any other researchers. The Ph.D. student then built the anti-freeze protein on his computer, first in a perfect spiral shape and then gradually twisted. By doing so, he eventually developed four digital variants, which he then recreated in bacteria in the laboratory.

"I tested the functioning of the four anti-freeze proteins by adding the bacteria to a shallow pool of water, which I then cooled to almost freezing point," describes De Haas. He studied the ice crystals under the microscope. Although ice crystals cannot be prevented, they appeared to be slightly smaller and less destructive when the twisted anti-freeze proteins were present. "By twisting the protein, the amino acids that latch on the water crystals align exactly," explains De Haas. In this way, the anti-freeze protein fits onto the ice as if in a perfect mold, preventing ice crystals from developing any further beneath it.

Despite the success, the artificial anti-freeze protein is still not ready to be applied to transplant organs. "That still lies far in the future," says De Haas. "We first want to test whether our anti-freeze agent prevents damage when freezing and defrosting simple cells."

It is the defrosting process that usually causes issues. The process of freezing cells quickly can be simplified by immersing them in liquid nitrogen. But defrosting them remains a gradual process in which sharp ice crystals are given enough time to form and damage biological material.

"The first tests conducted by fellow researchers from the Animal Breeding and Genomics chair group showed a positive effect of our anti-freeze protein on the survival of frozen and defrosted pig sperm. This offers perspectives for further joint research," says De Vries

An extra advantage of the WUR anti-freeze protein is that it is the simplest of its type. "The anti-freeze proteins that emerge in nature are incredibly difficult to study," says De Haas. There is a huge range of varieties and because of their complex forms, scientists do not always understand how they work. With his artificial protein, De Haas brought the anti-freeze protein back to absolute basics.

Voets states, "For the first time ever, we can now digitally design anti-freeze proteins and measure them solely at the protein level. Thanks to these two discoveries, we can better study how anti-freeze proteins exactly work in the future."

More information: Robbert J. de Haas et al, De novo designed ice-binding proteins from twist-constrained helices, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220380120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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At summertime backyard feasts, crab shells are just a barrier between hunger and satisfaction. Marylanders smash the crustaceans' protective casings with wooden mallets, pick out the tasty meat and toss the remnants aside.

But what if crab shells could have a bigger impact, playing a vital role in harnessing renewable energy and reducing planet-warming emissions?

University of Maryland researchers are changing the way people look at those thin exoskeletonsinvestigating the feasibility of putting them to work in an innovative battery.

"People never thought of that before," said Lin Xu, 31, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at College Park.

Xu and a team of researchers have been exploring the use of a chemical that comes from crustacean shells in a zinc-ion battery designed to store renewable energy.

Last fall, working under the direction of Liangbing Hu, a Maryland professor who said he conceived the idea, the team published their findings on chitosan, a substance found in a variety of seafood shells, including crab and lobster.

Since appearing in a scientific journal, their work has turned heads.

"The paper has been cited already more than 20 times," said Xu, who grew up in China and received his doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "That's very fast."

He and his colleagues are attempting to solve the problem of how renewable energylike that generated from solar or wind powercan be stored.

"It's just like a reservoir," Xu said of the way batteries function, essentially holding onto energy until it is needed.

At night, for example, a home's appliances still could be powered by energy from the sun if a battery hooked up to solar panels on the roof stored energy generated during the day. On a larger scale, a battery plant placed next to a solar panel farm could stockpile energy to power a nearby city.

"We still need to find the material to store that energy, to act as a reservoir," Xu said.

While lithium-ion batteries like those that power cellphones and electric vehicles might seem suited to the task, Xu said they are expensive, and the price tag may rise as demand grows for lithium, a finite resource.

There are also safety concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, which can explode and cause fires, said Xueying Zheng, a researcher who has worked alongside Xu.

"If we use a very large scale of lithium-ion batteries packed together  if one pack explodes, that will cause all of the batteries to explode," Zheng said.

The zinc-ion battery has a different drawback: It doesn't have a long lifespan, operating at full capacity for only a few days or a week, Xu said.

That's where crab shells provide a solution perhaps.

With a gel membrane containing chitosan, the chemical found in seafood shells and pronounced CHI-tuh-sn, a zinc-ion battery can last a year and still function at 70% of its initial capacity. They're also much safer, Zheng said.

The battery created and studied by UMD researchers is coin-sized, Xu said, but could be scaled upwith the goal of a more reasonable cost compared to alternatives since chitosan abounds in nature. The substance has an array of applications from biopesticides in agriculture to bandages that aid wound healing in medicine, according to Hu.

In the lab, chitosan arrives as a light yellow powder that is transformed into a translucent gel when dissolved into a solution, according to Hu, who is the director of UMD's Center for Materials Innovation and teaches materials science and engineering.

Chitosan, a carbohydrate, "is most abundantly found in the hard outer skeletons of shellfish, including crabs, lobsters, and shrimps," Hu wrote in an email to The Baltimore Sun. After the shells are washed and dried, they're "pulverized into fine powders," he explained, then treated with chemicals.

Hu's lab has purchased chitosan from Sigma-Aldrich, a chemical and life sciences company. On its website, chitosan sells for around $300 for 250 grams, the equivalent of a little over half a pound.

A spokesperson for Merck, which owns Sigma-Aldrich, said the company could not provide details about how or where it sources chitosan since it is "proprietary information."

"Many researchers are using our products and solutions in very interesting and unique ways," the spokesperson told The Sun via email. "Scientific breakthroughs, both big and small, are exciting to usespecially as they positively impact life and health to create a more sustainable future."

In Maryland, a state known for its blue crabs, some in the crab processing industry have taken notice of the potential new use for their scraps.

"I was blown away when I first saw it, thinking 'Isn't that crazy?'" said Jack Brooks, who read about the battery research in a seafood trade newsletter.

Brooks, 71, is president of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association and also co-runs J.M. Clayton Co., a family-owned crab and oyster processing plant that has been operating in Cambridge since 1921.

In a single day, J.M. Clayton processes 80 to 350 bushels of crabs with each bushel containing roughly 100 crabs. The crabs are sorted and steamed before being stripped of meat in a "picking room," Brooks explained.

From there, the discarded shells have faced different fates over the decades.

Starting in the 1920s, when J.M. Clayton operated a dehydrating plant in Cambridge, the exoskeletons were turned into a heavy powder called "crab meal," Brooks said.

The product was used as fertilizer and chicken feed, but the equipment was "old and primitive," he said, and his family closed the plant in the 1970s.

For about a decade after that, the shells went straight to the landfill, "which was unfortunate," Brooks said.

Today, J.M. Clayton has a contract to provide crab shells dailyvia dumpster truckto a Dorchester County farm, where they're used as part of a fertilizer program, he said.

"It's a very good source of nutrients for the ground," Brooks said.

Other area processing plants have similar arrangements, he said.

A.E. Phillips & Son, a crab processor that sells to Phillips Seafood Restaurants and other local restaurants and seafood distributors, operates a plant in Fishing Creek that has offloaded its crab shells to a farmer for use as fertilizer since 2018.

It's the most cost-effective option for the plant, which doesn't make any profit from the shells but likely spends less money than it would hiring a private waste removal company, said Brice Phillips, whose great-grandfather started A.E. Phillips & Son over a century ago.

"This is not just normal waste; this is waste that if you don't get rid of it quickly, it starts to rotand it really stinks," said Phillips, 47, who serves as vice president of sustainability for the separate Phillips Foods.

But A.E. Phillips & Son's processing of 60,000 pounds of crab meat per year in Maryland is dwarfed by Phillips Foods' production in Asia. There, Phillips said, four factories in Indonesia, one in Vietnam and another in India process a combined 100,000 pounds of crab meat each week.

Phillips said he's not sure what happens to the crab shells after they're picked at those plants. But he suggested Asia is an ideal place for innovation.

"Whoever's running this battery research, if they're ever going to do anything with this, they're basically going to be setting up a plant in Asia to get the crab shells," Phillips said.

In Asia, each pound of crab meat comes with four pounds of "guts and shells," he noted.

Both Brooks and Phillips said they'd be open to embracing a new use for shells.

"We've seen ideas come and go, but in this day and time, with all the research and technology and creative minds out there, I mean, hey, anything's possible," Brooks said.

Phillips views it as a potentially fruitful business venture, especially since "it seems there is no demand" for crab shells currently.

"My entrepreneurial spirit's already just grinding the gears, trying to figure out what's the best way to collect this stuff in mass," he mused. "How would it be processed, where would it be processed? Where would the battery production be?"

There's still a long way to go to make chitosan-based batteries a reality outside of the lab. A startup to commercialize the new technology is in its infancy, according to Xu.

If chitosan proves to be part of the solutionand if locally processed crab shells can be put to useit's likely something people in the state would get behind.

"Marylanders certainly love their crabs, and I think most people like renewable energy," Phillips said.

More information: Liangbing Hu, A sustainable chitosan-zinc electrolyte for high-rate zinc metal batteries, Matter (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.matt.2022.07.015. www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(22)00414-3 Journal information: Matter

2023 The Baltimore Sun.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Reconstruction of the Ediacaran seafloor from the Nama Group, Namibia, showing early animal diversity. Credit: Oxford University Museum of Natural History / Mighty Fossils

A study led by the University of Oxford has brought us one step closer to solving a mystery that has puzzled naturalists since Charles Darwin: when did animals first appear in the history of Earth? The study, "Fossilization processes and our reading of animal antiquity," has been published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution.

Animals first occur in the fossil record around 574 million years ago. Their arrival appears as a sudden "explosion" in rocks from the Cambrian period (539 million years ago to 485 million years ago) and seems to counter the typically gradual pace of evolutionary change. Many scientists (including Darwin himself) believe that the first animals actually evolved long before the Cambrian period, but they cannot explain why they are missing from the fossil record.

The "molecular clock" method, for instance, suggests that animals first evolved 800 million years ago, during the early part of the Neoproterozoic era (1,000 million years ago to 539 million years ago). This approach uses the rates at which genes accumulate mutations to determine the point in time when two or more living species last shared a common ancestor. But although rocks from the early Neoproterozoic contain fossil microorganisms, such as bacteria and protists, no animal fossils have been found.

This posed a dilemma for paleontologists: does the molecular clock method overestimate the point at which animals first evolved? Or were animals present during the early Neoproterozoic, but too soft and fragile to be preserved?

Dickinsonia, one of the oldest animal fossils from the Ediacara Biota, Ediacaran Rawnsley Quartzite Formation, Australia. 560550 million years old. Credit: Lidya Tarhan

To investigate this, a team of researchers led by Dr. Ross Anderson from the University of Oxford's Department of Earth Sciences have carried out the most thorough assessment to date of the preservation conditions that would be expected to capture the earliest animal fossils.

Lead author Dr. Ross Anderson said, "The first animals presumably lacked mineral-based shells or skeletons, and would have required exceptional conditions to be fossilized. But certain Cambrian mudstone deposits demonstrate exceptional preservation, even of soft and fragile animal tissues. We reasoned that if these conditions, known as Burgess Shale-Type (BST) preservation, also occurred in Neoproterozoic rocks, then a lack of fossils would suggest a real absence of animals at that time."

To investigate this, the research team used a range of analytical techniques on samples of Cambrian mudstone deposits from almost 20 sites, to compare those hosting BST fossils with those preserving only mineral-based remains (such as trilobites). These methods included energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction carried out at the University of Oxford's Departments of Earth Sciences and Materials, besides infrared spectroscopy carried out at Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron.

The analysis found that fossils with exceptional BST-type preservation were particularly enriched in an antibacterial clay called berthierine. Samples with a composition of at least 20% berthierine yielded BST fossils in around 90% of cases.

Microscale mineral mapping of BST fossils revealed that another antibacterial clay, called kaolinite, appeared to directly bind to decaying tissues at an early stage, forming a protective halo during fossilization.

"The presence of these clays was the main predictor of whether rocks would harbor BST fossils," said Dr. Anderson. "This suggests that the clay particles act as an antibacterial barrier that prevents bacteria and other microorganisms from breaking down organic materials."

The researchers then applied these techniques to analyze samples from numerous fossil-rich Neoproterozoic mudstone deposits. The analysis revealed that most did not have the compositions necessary for BST preservation. However, three deposits in Nunavut (Canada), Siberia (Russia), and Svalbard (Norway) had almost identical compositions to BST-rocks from the Cambrian period. Nevertheless, none of the samples from these three deposits contained animal fossils, even though conditions were likely favorable for their preservation.

Dr. Anderson added, "Similarities in the distribution of clays with fossils in these rare early Neoproterozoic samples and with exceptional Cambrian deposits suggest that, in both cases, clays were attached to decaying tissues, and that conditions conducive to BST preservation were available in both time periods. This provides the first 'evidence for absence' and supports the view that animals had not evolved by the early Neoproterozoic era, contrary to some molecular clock estimates."

Reconstruction of Charnia, a candidate for the first animal fossil from the Ediacaran Period as old as 574 million years ago. Credit: Oxford University Museum of Natural History / Mighty Fossils

According to the researchers, the study suggests a possible maximum age to the origin of animals of around 789 million years: the youngest estimated age of the Svalbard formation. The group now intend to search for progressively younger Neoproterozoic deposits with conditions for BST preservation. This will confirm the age of rocks in which animals are missing from the fossil record because they really were absent, rather than because conditions did not enable them to be fossilized. They also intend to perform laboratory experiments to investigate the mechanisms that underpin clay-organic interactions in BST preservation.

Dr. Anderson added, "Mapping the compositions of these rocks at the microscale is allowing us to understand the nature of the exceptional fossil record in a way that we have never been able to do before. Ultimately, this could help determine how the fossil record may be biased towards preserving certain species and tissues, altering our perception of biodiversity across different geological eras."
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In a time of income inequality and ruthless politics, people with outsized power or an unrelenting willingness to browbeat others often seem to come out ahead.

New research from Dartmouth, however, shows that being uncooperative can help people on the weaker side of the power dynamic achieve a more equal outcomeand even inflict some loss on their abusive counterpart.

The findings provide a tool based in game theorythe field of mathematics focused on optimizing competitive strategiesthat could be applied to help equalize the balance of power in labor negotiations or international relations, and could even be used to integrate cooperation into interconnected artificial intelligence systems such as driverless cars.

Published in PNAS Nexus, the study takes a fresh look at what are known in game theory as "zero-determinant strategies" developed by renowned scientists William Press, now at the University of Texas at Austin, and the late Freeman Dyson at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

Zero-determinant strategies dictate that "extortionists" control situations to their advantage by becoming less and less cooperativethough just cooperative enough to keep the other party engagedand by never being the first to concede when there's a stalemate. Theoretically, they will always outperform their opponent by demanding and receiving a larger share of what's at stake.

But the Dartmouth paper uses mathematical models of interactions to uncover an "Achilles heel" to these seemingly uncrackable scenarios, said senior author Feng Fu, an associate professor of mathematics. Fu and first author Xingru Chen, who received her Ph.D. in mathematics from Dartmouth in 2021, discovered an "unbending strategy" in which resistance to being steamrolled not only causes an extortionist to ultimately lose more than their opponent but can result in a more equal outcome as the overbearing party compromises in a scramble to get the best payoff.

"Unbending players who choose not to be extorted can resist by refusing to fully cooperate. They also give up part of their own payoff, but the extortioner loses even more," said Chen, who is now an assistant professor at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

"Our work shows that when an extortioner is faced with an unbending player, their best response is to offer a fair split, thereby guaranteeing an equal payoff for both parties," she said. "In other words, fairness and cooperation can be cultivated and enforced by unbending players."

These scenarios frequently play out in the real world, Fu said. Labor relations provide a poignant model. A large corporation can strong-arm suppliers and producers such as farmworkers to accept lower prices for their effort by threatening to replace them and cut them off from a lucrative market. But a strike or protest can turn the balance of power back toward the workers' favor and result in more fairness and cooperation, such as when a labor union wins some concessions from an employer.

While the power dynamic in these scenarios is never equal, Fu said, his and Chen's work shows that unbending players can reap benefits by defecting from time to time and sabotaging what extortioners are truly afterthe highest payoff for themselves.

"The practical insight from our work is for weaker parties to be unbending and resist being the first to compromise, thereby transforming the interaction into an ultimatum game in which extortioners are incentivized to be fairer and more cooperative to avoid 'lose-lose' situations," Fu said.

"Consider the dynamics of power between dominant entities such as Donald Trump and the lack of unbending from the Republican Party, or, on the other hand, the military and political resistance to Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has helped counteract incredible asymmetry," he said. "These results can be applied to real-world situations, from social equity and fair pay to developing systems that promote cooperation among AI agents, such as autonomous driving."

Chen and Fu's paper expands the theoretical understanding of zero-determinant interactions while also outlining how the outsized power of extortioners can be checked, said mathematician Christian Hilbe, leader of the Dynamics of Social Behavior research group at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany

"Among the technical contributions, they stress that even extortioners can be outperformed in some games. I don't think that has been fully appreciated by the community before," said Hilbe, who was not involved in the study but is familiar with it. "Among the conceptual insights, I like the idea of unbending strategies, behaviors that encourage an extortionate player to eventually settle at a fairer outcome."

Behavioral research involving human participants has shown that extortioners may constitute a significant portion of our everyday interactions, said Hilbe, who published a 2016 paper in the journal PLOS ONE reporting just that. He also co-authored a 2014 study in Nature Communications that found people playing against a computerized opponent strongly resisted when the computer engaged in threatening conduct, even when it reduced their own payout.

"The empirical evidence to date suggests that people do engage in these extortionate behaviors, especially in asymmetric situations, and that the extorted party often tries to resist it, which is then costly to both parties," Hilbe said.
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The Amazon river, part of which can be seen here in Colombia, is the biggest river in the world by volume - but is it the longest?

What's the longest river in the world, the Nile or the Amazon? The question has fueled a heated debate for years. Now, an expedition into the South American jungle aims to settle it for good.

Using boats run on solar energy and pedal power, an international team of explorers plans to set off in April 2024 to the source of the Amazon in the Peruvian Andes, then travel nearly 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) across Colombia and Brazil, to the massive river's mouth on the Atlantic.

"The main objective is to map the river and document the biodiversity" of the surrounding ecosystems, the project's coordinator, Brazilian explorer Yuri Sanada, told AFP.

The team also plans to make a documentary on the expedition.

Around 10 people are known to have traveled the full length of the Amazon in the past, but none have done it with those objectives, says Sanada, who runs film production company Aventuras (Adventures) with his wife, Vera.

The Amazon, the pulsing aorta of the world's biggest rainforest, has long been recognized as the largest river in the world by volume, discharging more than the Nile, the Yangtze and the Mississippi combined.

But there is a decades-old geographical dispute over whether it or the Nile is longer, made murkier by methodological issues and a lack of consensus on a very basic question: where the Amazon starts and ends.

The Guinness Book of World Records awards the title to the African river.

But "which is the longer is more a matter of definition than simple measurement," it adds in a note.

The Encyclopedia Britannica gives the length of the Nile as 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles), to 6,400 kilometers (3,977 miles) for the Amazon, measuring the latter from the headwaters of the Apurimac river in southern Peru.

In 2014, US neuroscientist and explorer James "Rocky" Contos developed an alternative theory, putting the source of the Amazon farther away, at the Mantaro river in northern Peru.

If accepted, that would mean the Amazon "is actually 77 kilometers longer than what geographers had thought previously," he told AFP.

Rafts, horses, solar canoes

Sanada's expedition will trace both the Apurimac and Mantaro sources.

One group, guided by Contos, will travel down the Mantaro by white-water rafting. The other will travel the banks of the Apurimac on horseback with French explorer Celine Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

At the point where the rivers converge, Sanada and two other explorers will embark on the longest leg of the journey, traveling in three custom-made, motorized canoes powered by solar panels and pedals, equipped with a sensor to measure distance.

"We'll be able to make a much more precise measurement," Sanada says.

The explorers plan to transfer the sustainable motor technology to local Indigenous groups, he adds.

The expedition is backed by international groups including The Explorers Club and the Harvard map collection.

Worse things than snakes

The adventurers will traverse terrain inhabited by anacondas, alligators and jaguarsbut none of that scares Sanada, he says.

"I'm most afraid of drug traffickers and illegal miners," he says.

The boats will be outfitted with a bulletproof cabin, and the team is negotiating with authorities to obtain an armed escort for the most dangerous zones.

If the expedition is successful, it may be replicated on the Nile.

Sanada says the debate on the world's longest river may never be settled. But he is glad the "race" is drawing attention to the Amazon rainforest's natural riches and the need to protect it as one of the planet's key buffers against climate change.

"The Amazon is (here), but the consequences of destroying it and the duty to preserve it are everyone's," he says.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: University of Sharjah

Metallic nanoparticles made from silver and copper can kill cancer cells with minimal or little side effects, say researchers from the Middle East. A study published in Advanced Biology showed that the metallic particles "were significantly toxic to cancer cells, while having no significant toxicity on healthy cells," according to Prof. Yousef Haik of the University of Sharjah.

Cancer treatment relies heavily on chemotherapy drugs, but their low tumor specificity, body resistance to the drug and other side effects, occasionally leading to death, have prompted scientists to seek alternative treatments.

On such alternative novel treatment that has emerged recently relies on inorganic nanoparticles. The treatment has potential as a new anticancer drug that could overcome conventional body resistance that accompanies drugs targeting body tissues.

The global burden of cancer is great, with 18.1 million new cancers cases and 9.6 million associated deaths reported in 2018.

Medical research partly attributes the high mortality rate, particularly in older adults to the toxicity risks involved when administering chemotherapy in treatment. A British inquiry has found that administering chemotherapy to cure seriously ill cancer patients caused or hastened death in 27% of cases.

Radiation, also known as radiotherapy, can kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, but it can also damage healthy ones. A research study, carried out by the Journal of the American Heart Association, shows that 292,102 (13.19%) out of 2, 214,994 cancer patients died due to the side effects of radiotherapy.

Spurred by their reduced toxicity, lack of stability, retention effect and precise targeting, scientist are investigating the use of metallic nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer.

However, research by Prof. Haik and colleagues stands out for its novel technique of getting nanoparticles into exosomes while forming inside a cell.

To ensure metallic nanoparticles directly target cancerous cells, the particles are fed into healthy cells of the same tissue origin as the cancer, said Prof. Haik.

He added that the particles then get internalized into exosomes "through a biogenesis process and shed outside the cells as drug loaded vesicles."

Exosomes are tiny sac-like structures that are formed inside the cells and play a primary role in communication between cells and organs.

"Exosomes derived from healthy cells tend to preferentially accumulate in tumor cells of the same tissue origin by 10 folds more than any other cells due to composition matching between these exosomes and these cells," Prof. Haik stressed.

Prof. Haik co-authored the study with colleagues from Qatar's Hamad Bin Khalifa University. The uniqueness of their research is based on using healthy cell exosomes fed with metallic nanoparticles as a means to target and kill cancerous cells.

"If the finding is applied as treatment, the novel drug will damage cancerous cells, leaving no harmful effects on the surrounding healthy tissues,

"Drug carriers decorated with antibodies are used to improve tumor targeting, however, their immunogenicity, large size, cost and lack of well-defined surface receptors limits their application," Prof. Haik said.

The study provided a fresh and significant platform for a "complimentary anticancer drug and a smart delivery vesicle," which Prof. Haik, described as "a foundational resource for the emerging field of nanoengineering and medicine."

"Silver and copper nanoparticles have shown to preferentially kill cancer cells at a low concentration without any effect on healthy cells within the therapeutic dose."

The researchers' finding that metallic nanoparticles can kill cancerous cells with minimum side effects is a promising approach to pharmacology with expectations that might revolutionize the field if a metallic nanoparticle-based drug is manufactured.

"Our treatment is based on administering silver-copper nanoparticles that kill cancer cells, but leave surrounding healthy cells intact," said Prof. Haik.

Prof. Haik said he and his colleagues needed further investigations before their findings reached the clinical stage. "However, our study demonstrated the feasibility of producing novel drug carriers from healthy cells," he noted.

More information: Sarmadia Ashraf et al, Biogenesis of Exosomes Laden with Metallic SilverCopper Nanoparticles Liaised by Wheat Germ Agglutinin for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutics to Breast Cancer, Advanced Biology (2022). DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200005 Journal information: Journal of the American Heart Association
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a) Illustrative view of the final device: a laser made from a III-V semiconductor layer stack grown on the Si substrate in recessed trenches emit laser light that couples into SiN waveguides, b) colored IR image of the waveguides, evidencing light exiting from a SiN waveguide, c) top view of the device showing the laser ridge perfectly aligned with the passive SiN waveguide. Credit: Andres Remis, Laura Monge-Bartolome, Michele Paparella, Audrey Gilbert, Guilhem Boissier, Marco Grande, Alan Blake, Liam O'Faolain, Laurent Cerutti, Jean-Baptiste Rodriguez, and Eric Tournie

Silicon (Si) photonics has recently emerged as a key enabling technology in many application fields thanks to the mature Si process technology, the large silicon wafer size, and Si optical properties. However, the inability of Si-based materials to efficiently emit light requires the use of other semiconductors for light sources.

IIIV semiconductors, i.e., materials made with elements of the III- and V- columns from the periodic table of elements, are the most efficient semiconductor laser sources. Their monolithic integration on Si photonic integrated circuits (PICs) has been considered for decades as the main challenge for the realization of fully integrated, dense, Si photonics chips. Despite recent progress, only discrete III-V lasers grown on bare Si wafers have been reported so far.

In a new paper published in Light Science & Application, a team of European scientists from France, Italy and Ireland, led by Professor Eric Tournie from the University of Montpellier (France), has now unlocked the efficient integration of semiconductor lasers onto Si-photonics chips and light coupling into passive photonic devices.

Their approach relied on three pillars: the Si-PIC design and fabrication, the III-V material deposition, and the laser fabrication. For this proof-of-concept, the PIC was made of transparent, S-shaped, SiN waveguides embedded in a SiO 2 matrix. The SiO 2 /SiN/SiO 2 stack was etched away in recessed areas to open Si windows for the deposition of the III-V material. It was crucial to preserve a high crystal quality of the Si surface after etching. GaSb technology was selected as the III-V material, as it can emit by design throughout the entire mid-infrared wavelength range, where many gases have their fingerprint absorption lines.

Molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE), a technique operating under ultra-high vacuum, was used to grow the semiconductor layer stack. The scientists had previously shown that this technique allows removal of a specific defect that usually occurs at the Si/III-V interface and kills the devices. Further, MBE allows to precisely align the laser part that emit light with the SiN waveguides.

Finally, a microelectronics process was used to create diode lasers from the epitaxial layer stack. At this stage, high-quality mirrors must be created through plasma etching in order to achieve laser emission. In spite of the process complexity, the performance of these integrated diode lasers were similar to those of diode lasers grown on their native GaSb substrate. Further, the laser light was coupled into the waveguides, with a coupling efficiency in line with theoretical calculations.

The scientists summarize the work: "The different challenges (PIC fabrication and patterning, regrowth on a pattern PIC, etched-facet laser processing in recessed areas, etc.) due to the particular architecture of the final devices were all overcome to demonstrate laser emission and light coupling into passive waveguides, with a coupling efficiency in line with theoretical calculations.

"Although demonstrated with mid-infrared diode lasers targeting gas sensing applications, this approach can be applied to any semiconductor materials system. In addition, it can be scaled up to any Si-wafer size up to at least 300 mm diameter, epitaxial reactors being available.

"The reported method and technique will open new avenues for future Si-photonics integrated circuits. They solve a longstanding problem, and lay the foundation for future low-cost, large-scale, fully-integrated photonic chips."

More information: Andres Remis et al, Unlocking the monolithic integration scenario: optical coupling between GaSb diode lasers epitaxially grown on patterned Si substrates and passive SiN waveguides, Light: Science & Applications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01185-4 Journal information: Light: Science & Applications
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Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology

Conventional wisdom suggests that we give to charity at least partly because of post-donation warm and fuzzies that make us feel great inside. Turns out, it might be the other way around.

Georgia Tech School of Economics Assistant Professor Casey Wichman and a colleague from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have found evidence from social media posts that a good mood reliably predicts a charitable donation. The findings, recently published in The Economic Journal, question common beliefs about why we give of our time and money and may have practical implications for the causes that seek to benefit from our generosity.

"The findings are interesting simply because I think many of us believe one reason we give to charity is because of how it makes us feel," Wichman said. "But there's a practical side of this, as well, and that has to do with how non-profit fundraisers might want to think about shifting tactics to improve the moods of would-be donors before soliciting donations."

The concept Wichman and his UMass colleague, Nathan Chan, explored is called "preheating," a riff on the "warm glow" often associated with post-donation moods. While psychologists are familiar with this idea, the study by Wichman and Chan may be the first to identify the effect outside of a controlled lab setting.

For their study, Chan and Wichman turned to Twitter. The researchers first grabbed batches of tweets from about 20,000 people who donated to Wikipedia. To mark the moment the donation occurred, they used #ILoveWikipedia tweets the non-profit encyclopedia prompts users to post after contributing.

The researchers then used natural language processing tools to analyze the sentiment of tweets those users sent before and after they made their donation. The authors detected a reliable and statistically significant mood boost in tweets sent up to about an hour before donating to Wikipedia, according to Wichman.

How much of a boost? The "preheating" associated with donating roughly equaled the joy you might feel on discovering a $20 bill crumpled up in the pocket of an old coat, Wichman said. That's based on earlier economics research assigning monetary values to varying degrees of mood changes.

The buoyant mood seemed to last for about 30 minutes after the donation before returning to baseline levels, according to the researchers.

The analysis by Wichman and Chan didn't capture what the donors were so happy about before their donation. They also don't know how much money the ebullient Twitter users donated to Wikipedia or how much they might have given in a less giddy mood.

The pair did, however, carry out an experiment that offers some insights. They asked volunteers online to decide how to split $50 between themselves and a charity. But first, the would-be philanthropists had to watch either the cheerful "Hakuna Matata" scene from Disney's The Lion King or a neutral clip about microbes.

The researchers found that those who watched the relentlessly optimistic singing warthog and meerkat duo donated 7% more to charity and were more likely to give away the entire amount than those who watched the microbe video. The results, while less conclusive due to a smaller sample size, support the paper's overall finding that mood influences giving more than many researchers have given it credit for, Wichman said.

Consequently, the idea of "preheating" potential donors with feel-good content or hitting them up with solicitations after they post positive messages online could be a winner for non-profits looking to maximize givers, the researchers say.

"If you can find moments when people are happy, that might be a good time to be targeting them for charitable contributions," Chan said.

More information: Casey J Wichman et al, Preheating Prosocial Behaviour, The Economic Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1093/ej/uead041
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This artistic depiction shows electron fractionalizationin which strongly interacting charges can "fractionalize" into three partsin the fractional quantum anomalous Hall phase. Credit: Eric Anderson/University of Washington

Quantum computing could revolutionize our world. For specific and crucial tasks, it promises to be exponentially faster than the zero-or-one binary technology that underlies today's machines, from supercomputers in laboratories to smartphones in our pockets. But developing quantum computers hinges on building a stable network of qubitsor quantum bitsto store information, access it and perform computations.

Yet the qubit platforms unveiled to date have a common problem: They tend to be delicate and vulnerable to outside disturbances. Even a stray photon can cause trouble. Developing fault-tolerant qubitswhich would be immune to external perturbationscould be the ultimate solution to this challenge.

A team led by scientists and engineers at the University of Washington has announced a significant advancement in this quest. In a pair of papers published June 14 in Nature and June 22 in Science, the researchers report that in experiments with flakes of semiconductor materialseach only a single layer of atoms thickthey detected signatures of "fractional quantum anomalous Hall" (FQAH) states.

The team's discoveries mark a first and promising step in constructing a type of fault-tolerant qubit because FQAH states can host anyonsstrange "quasiparticles" that have only a fraction of an electron's charge. Some types of anyons can be used to make what are called "topologically protected" qubits, which are stable against any small, local disturbances.

"This really establishes a new paradigm for studying quantum physics with fractional excitations in the future," said Xiaodong Xu, the lead researcher behind these discoveries, who is also the Boeing Distinguished Professor of Physics and a professor of materials science and engineering at the UW.

FQAH states are related to the fractional quantum Hall state, an exotic phase of matter that exists in two-dimensional systems. In these states, electrical conductivity is constrained to precise fractions of a constant known as the conductance quantum. But fractional quantum Hall systems typically require massive magnetic fields to keep them stable, making them impractical for applications in quantum computing. The FQAH state has no such requirementit is stable even "at zero magnetic field," according to the team.

Hosting such an exotic phase of matter required the researchers to build an artificial lattice with exotic properties. They stacked two atomically thin flakes of the semiconductor material molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe 2 ) at small, mutual "twist" angles relative to one another. This configuration formed a synthetic "honeycomb lattice" for electrons.

When researchers cooled the stacked slices to a few degrees above absolute zero, an intrinsic magnetism arose in the system. The intrinsic magnetism takes the place of the strong magnetic field typically required for the fractional quantum Hall state. Using lasers as probes, the researchers detected signatures of the FQAH effect, a major step forward in unlocking the power of anyons for quantum computing.

The teamwhich also includes scientists at the University of Hong Kong, the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, Boston College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technologyenvisions their system as a powerful platform to develop a deeper understanding of anyons, which have very different properties from everyday particles like electrons.

Anyons are quasiparticlesor particle-like "excitations"that can act as fractions of an electron. In future work with their experimental system, the researchers hope to discover an even more exotic version of this type of quasiparticle: "non-Abelian" anyons, which could be used as topological qubits. Wrappingor "braiding"the non-Abelian anyons around each other can generate an entangled quantum state. In this quantum state, information is essentially "spread out" over the entire system and resistant to local disturbancesforming the basis of topological qubits and a major advancement over the capabilities of current quantum computers.

"This type of topological qubit would be fundamentally different from those that can be created now," said UW physics doctoral student Eric Anderson, who is lead author of the Science paper and co-lead author of the Nature paper. "The strange behavior of non-Abelian anyons would make them much more robust as a quantum computing platform."

Three key properties, all of which existed simultaneously in the researchers' experimental setup, allowed FQAH states to emerge:

Magnetism: Though MoTe 2 is not a magnetic material, when they loaded the system with positive charges, a "spontaneous spin order"a form of magnetism called ferromagnetismemerged.

is not a magnetic material, when they loaded the system with positive charges, a "spontaneous spin order"a form of magnetism called ferromagnetismemerged. Topology: Electrical charges within their system have "twisted bands," similar to a Mobius strip, which helps make the system topological.

Interactions: The charges within their experimental system interact strongly enough to stabilize the FQAH state.

The team hopes that non-Abelian anyons await discovery via this new approach.

"The observed signatures of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect are inspiring," said UW physics doctoral student Jiaqi Cai, co-lead author on the Nature paper and co-author of the Science paper. "The fruitful quantum states in the system can be a laboratory-on-a-chip for discovering new physics in two dimensions, and also new devices for quantum applications."

"Our work provides clear evidence of the long-sought FQAH states," said Xu, who is also a member of the Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, the Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems and the Clean Energy Institute, all at UW. "We are currently working on electrical transport measurements, which could provide direct and unambiguous evidence of fractional excitations at zero magnetic field."

The team believes that with their approach, investigating and manipulating these unusual FQAH states can become commonplaceaccelerating the quantum computing journey.

More information: Jiaqi Cai et al, Signatures of Fractional Quantum Anomalous Hall States in Twisted MoTe2, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06289-w Eric Anderson et al, Programming correlated magnetic states with gate-controlled moire geometry, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adg4268 Journal information: Science , Nature
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A new study, led by Professor Neil Thurman, Honorary Senior Research Fellow at City University of London along with Dr. Bartosz Wilczek and Ina Schulte-Uentrop from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen (LMU), and published in the International Journal of Communication, reveals how a sales pitch mentioning both the financial pressures faced by news outlets and how subscribers support independent journalism significantly enhances a reader's willingness to pay for content.

The growth of social media and new forms of online information sharing have led to fears about the financial sustainability of independent, high quality journalism. Leading publications such as The Times, Financial Times and The Telegraph already rely on revenues from digital subscribers, but theyand other publicationsface challenges in growing their online subscription bases.

Although revenues from online paywalls are becoming more and more important, the willingness to pay for an online newspaper subscription remains low. According to the Reuters Institute, only 9% of Britons paid for online news in the last year.

In this new study, Professor Thurman conducted an experiment with 815 participants from the United Kingdom, who were assigned one of 16 different versions of an online subscription pitch with varied wording and emphasis on key messages. Four different advertising messages were presented both alone and in combination: support of a newspaper's independent, inclusive, and watchdog journalism (the "normative" message); the difficult financial situation of the news industry (the "price transparency" message); personalization and online exclusivity; and the offer of being part of a community.

Out of all the online subscription pitches, the one that contained both the normative and price transparency messages was revealed as the most effective in increasing a reader's willingness to pay for content.

Professor Thurman said, "In a highly competitive environment that is increasingly digital, newspapers need to move away from traditional ways of funding their high quality, independent journalism.

"A key source of funding will be online subscribers. However, in a cost of living crisis people may not see an online newspaper subscription as strictly necessary, or decide that cheaper alternatives are available.

"This study provides new insights that could help newspapers to boost online subscription revenue, and shows just how important it is to make readers aware of the value of paid-for content."

More information: Bartosz Wilczek, Ina Schulte-Uentrop, Neil Thurman, Subscribe Now: On the Effectiveness of Advertising Messages in Promoting Newspapers' Online Subscriptions, International Journal of Communication (2023). ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/19984
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An artists interpretation of a Jurassic plesiosaur. Fossils from a plesiosaur discovered in West Texas are the only fossils from a Jurassic vertebrate found and described in the state. The University of Texas at Austin led the research. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A team led by scientists at The University of Texas at Austin has filled a major gap in the state's fossil recorddescribing the first known Jurassic vertebrate fossils in Texas.

The weathered bone fragments are from the limbs and backbone of a plesiosaur, an extinct marine reptile that would have swum the shallow sea that covered what is now northeastern Mexico and far western Texas about 150 million years ago.

The bones were discovered in the Malone Mountains of West Texas during two fossil hunting missions led by Steve May, a research associate at UT Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences Museum of Earth History.

Before the discovery, the only fossils from the Jurassic that had been collected and described from outcrops in Texas were from marine invertebrates, such as ammonites and snails. May said that the new fossil finds serve as solid proof that Jurassic bones are here.

"Folks, there are Jurassic vertebrates out there," May said. "We found some of them, but there's more to be discovered that can tell us the story of what this part of Texas was like during the Jurassic."

A paper describing the bones and other fossils was published in Rocky Mountain Geology on June 23.

Steve May, a research associate at the Jackson School of Geosciences, holds a fossil from a plesiosaur, an extinct marine reptile. Credit: Jackson School of Geosciences/The University of Texas at Austin.

The Jurassic was an iconic prehistoric era when giant dinosaurs walked the Earth. The only reason we humans know about them, and other Jurassic life, is because of fossils they left behind.

But to find Jurassic-aged fossils, you need Jurassic-aged rocks. Because of the geological history of Texas, the state hardly has any outcrops from this time in Earth history. The 13 square miles of Jurassic-aged rocks in the Malone Mountains make up most of those rocks in the state.

In 2015, while researching a book, May learned that there were no Jurassic bones in the Texas fossil record, and he decided to go to the Malone Mountains to explore.

"You just don't want to believe that there are no Jurassic bones in Texas," May said. "Plus, there was a tantalizing clue."

The Malone Mountains of West Texas. Texas has very few outcrops of Jurassic rocks. Most of them are in the Malones. Credit: Joshua Lively

The clue was a mention of large bone fragments in a 1938 paper on the geology of the Malone Mountains by Claude Albritton, who later became a geology professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU). It was enough of a lead to get May and his collaborators out to West Texas to see for themselves. Large bone fragments were what they found. The plesiosaur fossils are eroded and broken up. But it's a start that could lead to more science, said co-author Louis Jacobs, a professor emeritus at SMU.

"Geologists are going to go out there looking for more bones," Jacobs said. "They're going to find them, and they're going to look for the other things that interest them in their own special ways."

Today, the Malone Mountains rise above the dry desert landscape. During the Jurassic, the sediments were deposited just below sea level probably within miles of the shoreline.

More information: Steven R. May et al, A record of Late Jurassic vertebrates from Texas, Rocky Mountain Geology (2023). DOI: 10.24872/rmgjournal.58.1.19
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Credit: The Conversation

Around the world, nations are looking at the prospect of shrinking, aging populationsbut none more so than South Korea.

Over the last 60 years, South Korea has undergone the most rapid fertility decline in recorded human history. In 1960, the nation's total fertility ratethe number of children, on average, that a woman has during her reproductive yearsstood at just under six children per woman. In 2022, that figure was 0.78. South Korea is the only country in the world to register a fertility rate of less than one child per woman, although othersUkraine, China and Spainare close.

As a demographer who over the past four decades has conducted extensive research on Asian populations, I know that this prolonged and steep decline will have huge impacts on South Korea. It may slow down economic growth, contributing to a shift that will see the country end up less rich and with a smaller population.

Older, poorer, more dependent

Countries need a total fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman to replace their population, when the effects of immigration and emigration aren't considered. And South Korea's fertility rate has been consistently below that number since 1984, when it dropped to 1.93, from 2.17 the year before.

What makes the South Korean fertility rate decline more astonishing is the relatively short period in which it has occurred.

Back in 1800, the U.S. total fertility rate was well over 6.0. But it took the U.S. around 170 years to consistently drop below the replacement level. Moreover, in the little over 60 years in which South Korea's fertility rate fell from 6.0 to 0.8, the U.S. saw a more gradual decline from 3.0 to 1.7.

Fertility decline can have a positive effect in certain circumstances, via something demographers refer to as "the demographic dividend." This dividend refers to accelerated increases in a country's economy that follow a decline in birth rates and subsequent changes in its age composition that result in more working-age people and fewer dependent young children and elderly people.

And that is what happened in South Koreaa decline in fertility helped convert South Korea from a very poor country to a very rich one.

Behind the economic miracle

South Korea's fertility decline began in the early 1960s when the government adopted an economic planning program and a population and family planning program.

By that time, South Korea was languishing, having seen its economy and society destroyed by the Korean War of 1950 to 1953. Indeed by the late-1950s, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. In 1961, its annual per capita income was only about US$82.

But dramatic increases in economic growth began in 1962, when the South Korean government introduced a five-year economic development plan.

Crucially, the government also introduced a population planning program in a bid to bring down the nation's fertility rate. This included a goal of getting 45% of married couples to use contraceptionuntil then, very few Koreans used contraception.

This further contributed to the fertility reduction, as many couples realized that having fewer children would often lead to improvements in family living standards.

Both the economic and family planning programs were instrumental in moving South Korea from one with a high fertility rate to one with a low fertility rate.

As a result, the country's dependent populationthe young and the elderlygrew smaller in relation to its working-age population.

The demographic change kick-started economic growth that continued well into the mid-1990s. Increases in productivity, combined with an increasing labor force and a gradual reduction of unemployment, produced average annual growth rates in gross domestic product of between 6% and 10% for many years.

South Korea today is one of the richest countries in the world with a per capita income of $35,000.

Losing people every year

Much of this transformation of South Korea from a poor country to a rich country has been due to the demographic dividend realized during the country's fertility decline. But the demographic dividend only works in the short term. Long-term fertility declines are often disastrous for a nation's economy.

With an extremely low fertility rate of 0.78, South Korea is losing population each year and experiencing more deaths than births. The once-vibrant nation is on the way to becoming a country with lots of elderly people and fewer workers.

The Korean Statistical Office reported recently that the country lost population in the past three years: It was down by 32,611 people in 2020, 57,118 in 2021 and 123,800 in 2022.

If this trend continues, and if the country doesn't welcome millions of immigrants, South Korea's present population of 51 million will drop to under 38 million in the next four or five decades.

And a growing proportion of the society will be over the age of 65.

South Korea's population aged 65 and over comprised under 7% of the population in 2000. Today, nearly 17% of South Koreans are older people.

The older people population is projected to be 20% of the country by 2025 and could reach an unprecedented and astoundingly high 46% in 2067. South Korea's working-age population will then be smaller in size than its population of people over the age of 65.

In a bid to avert a demographic nightmare, the South Korean government is providing financial incentives for couples to have children and is boosting the monthly allowance already in place for parents. President Yoon Suk Yeol has also established a new government team to establish policies to increase the birth rate.

But to date, programs to increase the low fertility rate have had little effect. Since 2006, the South Korean government has already spent over $200 billion in programs to increase the birth rate, with virtually no impact.

Opening the trapdoor

The South Korean fertility rate has not increased in the past 16 years. Rather, it has continued to decrease. This is due to what demographers refer to as the "low-fertility trap." The principle, set forth by demographers in the early 2000s, states that once a country's fertility rate drops below 1.5 or 1.4, it is difficultif not impossibleto increase it significantly.

South Korea, along with many other countriesincluding France, Australia and Russiahave developed policies to encourage fertility rate increases, but with little to no success.

The only real way for South Korea to turn this around would be to rely heavily on immigration.

Migrants are typically young and productive and usually have more children than the native-born population. But South Korea has a very restrictive immigration policy with no path for immigrants to become citizens or permanent residents unless they marry South Koreans.

Indeed, the foreign-born population in 2022 was just over 1.6 million, which is around 3.1% of the population. In contrast, the U.S. has always relied on immigration to bolster its working population, with foreign-born residents now comprising over 14% of the population.

For immigration to offset South Korea's declining fertility rate, the number of foreign workers would likely need to rise almost tenfold.

Without that, South Korea's demographic destiny will have the nation continuing to lose population every year and becoming one of the oldestif not the oldestcountry in the world.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Children cool off at an urban beach at Madrid Rio park in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 26, 2023. Spain sweltered in its first official heat wave of the year on Monday as the government announced a new agency to investigate and alleviate the effects of extreme temperatures on human health. Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

Deaths in Spain from heat stroke and dehydration in the hottest months of 2022the hottest year on recordjumped by 88% compared to the same period in 2021, the National Statistics Institute said Tuesday.

The Institute said 122 people died of heat stroke and 233 of dehydration between May and August last year when temperatures soared in a succession of heat waves. A total of 189 people died from the two conditions in 2021.

The data came as Spain sizzled in its first official heat wave of the year, with the state weather agency, AEMET, predicting temperatures to hit 44 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) in much of the country during a hot spell expected to last until Thursday.

Officials in southern Spain said Monday that a 47-year-old agricultural worker had died from heat stroke, the first on record in Spain this year.

The weather agency noted that heat waves have become more common during the month of June over the last 12 years.

On Monday, the government announced a new department to investigate and alleviate the effects of extreme temperatures on human health.

Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera said the country's rising temperatures put vulnerable populations at risk, and more work is needed to understand how to prepare for longer, hotter summers.

Children cool off at an urban beach at Madrid Rio park in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 26, 2023. Spain sweltered in its first official heat wave of the year on Monday as the government announced a new agency to investigate and alleviate the effects of extreme temperatures on human health. Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

A man cools off at an urban beach at Madrid Rio park in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 26, 2023. Spain sweltered in its first official heat wave of the year on Monday as the government announced a new agency to investigate and alleviate the effects of extreme temperatures on human health. Credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

The statistics institute said the total number of deaths in the May-August period last year were 157,580, 21% more than in 2019, the last comparable year before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The institute said excess heat increased deaths especially among people over 75 years of age and with prior health ailments such as lung disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Spain has banned outdoor work during periods of extreme heat after the death of a municipal worker in Madrid last summer and set legal maximum and minimum temperatures for workplaces.

Last year was Spain's hottest ever, and spring 2023 was also declared the hottest on record. The Iberian Peninsula is currently the driest territory in Europe as a prolonged drought extends into summer.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) over a semiconductor provides an effective avenue to produce renewable clean energy and alleviate energy and environmental crises. A benzimidazole-based COF allowed the formation of single Pt atoms during an in-situ photo-deposition process, affording a high H2 evolution rate of 115 mmol g-1 h-1 and turnover frequency of 4475.1 h-1 under visible-light irradiation. Credit: Chinese Journal of Catalysis

Hydrogen (H 2 ) is a clean carbon-free fuel with high gravimetric energy density and emerges as an attractive alternative to the unrenewable fossil resource. Photocatalytic water splitting over a semiconductor provides a promising economical and environmentally friendly route to convert unlimited solar energy to H 2 .

The light-driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) involves light-harvesting, charge separation and transport, and surface proton reduction. The slow multi-electron interfacial proton reduction usually occurs within milliseconds or longer, while the photoexcited state typically relaxes and returns to the ground state via radiative or irradiative recombination within a few picoseconds. The formation of abundant long-lived electrons with timely transport to reactive sites for the proton reduction is regarded as a key issue for HER but remains a challenge for designing photocatalysts.

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Yu Zhou and Prof. Jun Wang from Nanjing Tech University, China, reported the construction of a highly active covalent organic framework (COF) from an unusual benzimidazole monomer in a microwave-assisted solvothermal pathway. The results are published in Chinese Journal of Catalysis.

Co-catalysts are typically involved in HER to accelerate electron-to-proton transfer. COFs offer a versatile affinity to modulate and stabilize co-catalysts and maximize their efficiency, particularly for noble metal co-catalysts like Pt single atoms. Strategies such as pre-designation, post-modification, and hybridization with other materials have been employed to develop COF-based photocatalysts for HER.

However, the function of COFs is strongly dependent on the building blocks, making the synthesis and structure modulation via monomer designation crucial. Although COFs have been typically synthesized from highly symmetric and rigid building blocks, the use of asymmetric monomers may greatly enrich the variety, physicochemical properties, and functions of COFs. Nonetheless, the intrinsic mismatch between the isotropy of crystal and the anisotropy of asymmetric building blocks poses a challenge in synthesis. While COFs containing asymmetric monomers have been used in the field of gas adsorption and fuel cells, they have not yet been applied in the field of photocatalysis and metal-supported catalysts, particularly monoatomic catalysts.

With single-atom Pt sites as the cocatalyst, the benzimidazole-based COF exhibited a high HER rate up to 115 mmol g-1 h-1 and turnover frequency of 4475.1 h-1 under visible-light irradiation. The above performance relied on the combinational effect of benzimidazole moieties and COF framework, which, on the one hand, stabilized photogenerated electrons to prolong the electron lifetim; and on the other hand, provided a strong host-guest interaction that resulted in the creation of single-atom Pt sites and the acceleration of the electron-transfer to the Pt active sites for proton reduction.

This work demonstrates the perspective in the construction of electron stabilization and interfacial charge transfer avenue for the HER process, which can be reached by a molecular-level design of COF-based organic semiconductors by using structural and functional diverse asymmetric building blocks.

More information: Fangpei Ma et al, Benzimidazole-based covalent organic framework embedding single-atom Pt sites for visible-light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, Chinese Journal of Catalysis (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(23)64422-5
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Enlargement: selected magnetic field lines of the flare (blue) interacting with field lines of the orbital current sheet (yellow) at time t1.18t orbit . The field lines in the flare are predominantly toroidal, which begins to get compressed during the impact. For illustration purposes, only a subset of the magnetic field lines is shown. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.245201

A pair of astrophysicists, one with Princeton University, the other the University of Maryland, has developed a new theory to explain fast radio bursts (FRBs). In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, Elias Most and Alexander Philippov, describe their theory and how it fits in with other theories surrounding FRBs.

The first FRB was recorded in 2007, and since that time, more than 600 have been recorded, all by chance. This is because astronomers do not know their source. What they do know is that they are strong, short-lived bursts of radio waves, and that at least so far, all of them originated from very far away.

One of the leading theories developed to explain FRBs is that they are caused by magnetars, a type of slowly rotating neutron star. The theory suggests that their super-strong magnetic energy bursts are behind FRBs. Unfortunately, there has been no way to prove whether the theory is correct. In this new effort, the researchers suggest another possibilitythat they occur shortly before two neutron stars merge.

Prior research has suggested that neutron star mergers tend to have electromagnetic counterpartsone such event was actually recorded back in 2017. Most and Philippov suggest that as neutron stars approach one another, their rotation rate increases. That speeds up electrons over their poles, resulting in the creation of an electron-positron plasma field. Then, as the stars grow closer, the electromagnetic energy escapes the magnetic fields from both stars in an orbital plane just before they collide. This, they suggest, results in the release of a massive burst of energy, which is detected by instruments on Earth as fast bursts of radio waves.

The researchers also suggest that such a burst would be similar to radio waves emitted by magnetars. They note the major difference with magnetars would be that the emissions occur after the events that lead to their creation, whereas with a neutron star merger, the action happens just prior. They conclude that new technology, such as the deployment of the Square Kilometer Array in 2027, should provide a means of confirming which if either of the two theories is correct.

 2023 Science X Network
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This map shows heat health risk for June 29, 2021, during the heat dome. The heat health risk is a combination of the projected temperature, population exposed to that heat and vulnerability. The online tool is interactive, and clicking brings up more detail. Credit: UW Center for Health and the Global Environment

In June 2021, the "heat dome" that struck the Pacific Northwest sent temperatures in Seattle to an unprecedented 107 Fahrenheit and set 128 all-time high temperature records across the state. The event was partly due to climate change. As the climate continues to warm, these hotter stretches are projected to hit the region with increasing frequency.

Two years after that eventthe deadliest weather-related disaster in state historya collaborative effort led by two University of Washington teams, the Climate Impacts Group and the Center for Health and the Global Environment, or CHanGE, has drawn up recommendations for how people and groups across the state could prevent future heat-related illness and save lives.

"There's a lot we can do, right now, to save lives in Washington," said Jason Vogel, interim director of the UW Climate Impacts Group. "This report is a call to actionit outlines the things that we know work. Extreme heat is a complicated governance challenge that requires coordination across levels of government, including many state agencies without a health mandate, and across the private and public sectors."

"The report highlights the wealth of knowledge we already have about effective strategies," said Dr. Jeremy Hess, director of CHanGE, who treated patients during the June 2021 event and helped develop a related risk-mapping tool. "We need to commit additional resources and build on early investments to protect the most vulnerable."

The new report, led by the UW Climate Impacts Group and released June 20 in English and Spanish, points to solutions. There is no single fix, it arguesthe best approach is a broad mix of strategies that address both short-term emergency response and long-term risk reduction.

The report builds on a recent academic paper co-authored by Vogel that compared Washington's heat dome experience against other regions that typically deal with heat. It found that many of the most common strategies, such as cooling centers, don't work on their own. Some people might not recognize their risk, and others might lack transportation to cooling centers. Laws to protect outdoor workers, such as those recently passed in Washington, don't work without enforcement.

The new report suggests a more comprehensive statewide strategy that could reduce illness and death during future heat events. Some of these general suggestions include:

Providing air conditioners to low-income households, protecting tenants' rights to install air conditioning window units, and revising building codes to require cooling in new construction

Establishing volunteer networks to check on older or ill neighbors, those who live alone, and other high-risk residents

Providing transportation to cooling centers

Developing a portfolio of strategies, because redundancy is crucial

Increasing enforcement of laws protecting outdoor workers, especially in the earliest and most dangerous days of extreme heat

Locating toilets and shade structures close to outdoor workers, to encourage breaks

In urban areas, increasing green roofs, tree cover and structures that provide shade

A full list of strategies is available in the report, which was prepared with partners including Gonzaga University in Spokane, the Office of the Washington State Climatologist, the Washington State Department of Health and UW EarthLab.

CHanGE led development of a related, more specific heat and health tool that can help focus the report's recommendations by tailoring them to a community's specific risks. The Climate Health and Risk Tool (CHaRT) is interactive, which allows local decision-makers to better understand how climate, environmental, social and economic factors contribute to heat risk in their communities. Users can view the short- and long-term risk of dangerously high heat in their community and explore the various demographic, socioeconomic, geographic and medical factors that contribute to that risk.

The tool also provides guidance on how to account for a community's specific needs, both in the short and long term. This information includes summaries of each intervention's effectiveness, as well as expected costs and implementation timelines.

A community with many young children, for example, might consider opening splash parks and sending extra lifeguards to popular swimming spots when temperatures rise. Meanwhile, an urban community with little shade may opt to plant more trees with an eye toward long-term heat mitigation. Splash pads can be implemented quickly and have a local impact, while increasing tree canopy will take decades and can affect entire neighborhoods.

"There are two timeframes we're trying to support action on," said Hess, who is a professor of emergency medicine, of environmental and occupational health sciences and of global health at the UW's School of Public Health. "One is a pretty short time frame, where you get a heat warning, it's going to be hot seven to 10 days from now. What can you and your agencies do to prepare to support the community? How do you support the parts of the community that are most at risk?

"Then there's the longer-term, multi-year time frame. That's a completely different set of challenges. This tool allows for that planning on multiple time scales."
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While running an experiment using hot water flowing over dowels to simulate hot air flowing over a forest canopy, Hayoon Chung (background) manages the plume and particle release, while Laura Clark Sunberg (foreground) monitors the camera and data and image collection. Credit: Jenny Hamilton

When the skies above Palo Alto darkened with smoke from the Camp Fire in 2018, Stanford researcher Hayoon Chung was in a fluid mechanics lab on campus studying how ocean currents flowed over patches of seagrass. She wondered if patterns similar to the ones she observed in her lab experiments might exist in the rapid and seemingly random spread of the nearby wildfires.

Chung knocked on the door of her advisor, civil and environmental engineering Professor Jeffrey Koseff. Together, they hashed out a plan to pivot their project's focus from ocean currents to investigate how wildfire plumes morph and flow over forest canopies. Until then, wildfire models had never captured how treetop height and spacing might influence wind currents.

"I wanted to show that the physics that I'm interested in matters in wildfires. And I want to help people who are trying to model the spread of wildfires understand which physics to incorporate," said Chung, who is a postdoctoral scholar in civil and environmental engineering, a department in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and Stanford Engineering.

In the lab, Koseff and Chung discovered that indeed, the length and overall size of a forest canopy strongly influences the behavior of fire plumesthe hot, turbulent air that rushes up and out from a flame and can launch embers into flight. Their research, published June 23 in the journal Physical Review Fluids, shows that a forest canopy creates its own wind currents and turbulence, and that wildfire behavior can shift depending on a canopy's dimensions.

The scholars are now building upon this research to help inform efforts to mitigate "spot fires" ignited by flying embers, an increasingly common route of wildfire spread responsible for many if not most of the fires that end up destroying homes during wildfires.

The physics of flying embers

Because embers lofted by fire plumes and carried on the wind can land miles away from the main fire front, traditional fire management tactics such as cutting firebreaks and thinning don't work against spot fires, and the factors that influence where embers will fly are not well understood.

To help address this problem, Koseff and Chung teamed up with civil and environmental engineering Professor Nicholas Oullette and Ph.D. students Erika MacDonald and Laura Sunberg. They secured a seed grant from the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) in 2022 to examine how physical features such as forest structure, wind speed, and flame intensity influence firebrand trajectories, and set out to provide future AI-driven models of spot-fire spread with information about the underlying physical dynamics.

"By understanding more and more of the physics behind these flying embers, we can remove some of the uncertainty in predictions," said Koseff. "It's not to say we'll have a perfect prediction. But by doing the kinds of experiments that we're doing, you can then start getting a better sense of what is likely to happen."

The team's fire simulations take place in an unlikely space: a 30-foot-long, 4-foot-wide flume of 3-foot deep water. Although the flume is more often used to model the physics of fluids tumbling through aquatic environments, it has also allowed the Stanford team to visualize the fluid-like streams of heated air that rush upward from flames and interact with cooler airflows in the atmosphere.

To simulate a forest canopy, the scientists arrange simple wooden dowels in a repeatable pattern. They send water flowing over the dowels to simulate air flowing over the canopy. Next, they turn on a jet of very hot water at the top of the dowels and observe how this "plume" interacts with the flow over the canopy and responds to bigger or smaller gaps between the dowels.

As a finishing touch, Sunberg, who has studied how microplastics disperse in the ocean, adds in tiny plastic spheres and rods that behave like embers in the flume. She observes how the hot-water jet lifts and pushes the plastic pieces away from the dowels and where they land in the tank. "We're trying to tease apart the different physics that are present and ask, 'Does it matter if the forest canopy is really long upstream,' and we find that it does. 'Does it matter if there's a hot plume?' Yes, it does," Sunberg said.

The researchers are focusing their experiments on the canopy structure because, unlike wind and terrain, wildfire managers have some control over it through fuel management practices, such as prescribed burns or simply cutting down trees.

Firefighters often cut down a strip of trees to get into a forest as quickly and safely as possible when they're fighting wildfires. But these cuts may unintentionally affect wind flow and turbulence in a way that exacerbates the spot-fire challenge.

"The data we are generating is critically important for any kind of predictive scheme that wildfire managers might want to develop," said Koseff, who is also a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. "Our data incorporates what we think are the important physics of the elements interacting with one another: flow over the canopy, having the presence of a hot plume from a fire, and then the canopy gaps."

Ultimately, the Stanford team hopes to connect with more modelers at Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, and other wildfire management agencies. "With their input, we can conduct more experiments reflective of the needs they have in the field to prevent the real destruction coming from these spot fires and these burning embers."

More information: Hayoon Chung et al, Interaction of a buoyant plume with a turbulent canopy mixing layer, Physical Review Fluids (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.8.064501
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:

U.S. Forest Service crew members put tree branches into a wood chipper as they prepare the area for a prescribed burn in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Downieville, Calif. The Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth.

Yet one year into what's envisioned as a decade-long effort, federal land managers are scrambling to catch up after falling behind on several of their priority forests for thinning even as they exceeded goals elsewhere. And they've skipped over some highly at-risk communities to work in less threatened areas, according to data obtained by The Associated Press, public records and Congressional testimony.

With climate change making the situation increasingly dire, mixed early results from the administration's initiative underscore the challenge of reversing decades of lax forest management and aggressive fire suppression that allowed many woodlands to become tinderboxes. The ambitious effort comes amid pushback from lawmakers dissatisfied with progress to date and criticism from some environmentalists for cutting too many trees.

Administration officials in interviews and during testimony maintained that the thinning work is making a difference. Work announced to date, they said, will help lessen wildfire dangers faced by more than 500 communities in 10 states. But they also acknowledged finishing the task will require far more resources than what's already dedicated.

"As much money as we're receiving, it's not enough to take care of the problems that we are seeing, particularly across the West," said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. "This is an emergency situation in many places, and we are acting with a sense of urgency."

Fire Battalion Chief Craig Newell carries a hose while battling the North Complex Fire in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Sept. 14, 2020. The Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger, File

BIG MONEY FOR BIG PROBLEM

Congress in the last two years approved more than $4 billion in additional funding to prevent repeats of destructive infernos that have torched communities including in California, Colorado and Montana.

By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns.

The enormity of the task is evident in an aerial view of California's Tahoe National Forest, where mountainsides are colored brown and gray with the vast number of trees killed by insects and drought. After work on the Tahoe was delayed last year, Forest Service crews and contractors recently started taking down trees across thousands of acres.

"The forests as we know them in California and across the West, they're dying. They're being destroyed through fire. They're dying from drought, disease and insects," said forest Supervisor Eli Ilano. "They're dying at a pace that we're having trouble keeping up with."

U.S. Forest Service crew members put tree branches into a wood chipper as they prepare the area for a prescribed burn in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Downieville, Calif. By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns.Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

The scale of spending is unprecedented, said Courtney Schultz with Colorado State University. The forest policy expert said millions of acres have been through environmental review and are ready for work.

"If we really want to go big across the landscapeto reduce fuels enough to affect fire behavior and have some impact on communitieswe need to be planning large projects," she said.

Key to that strategy is addressing forest patches where computer simulations show wildfire could easily spread to inhabited areas. Some areas have yet to get the extra funding for thinning despite facing high risk, including portions of California's Sierra Nevada range, Montana's Bitterroot Valley and around Mescalero Apache lands in southern New Mexico.

Only about a third of the land the U.S. Forest Service treated last year was designated with high wildfire hazard potential, agency documents show. About half the forest was in the southeastern U.S., where wildfires are less severe but weather conditions make it easier to use intentional burns, the documents show.

U.S. Forest Service crew members put tree branches into a wood chipper as they prepare the area for a prescribed burn in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Downieville, Calif. By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

The infrastructure bill passed two years ago with bipartisan support included a requirement for the administration to treat forests across 10 million acres15,625 square miles or 40,500 square kilometersby 2027. Less than 10% of that was addressed in the first year.

"The Forest Service is obligating hundreds of millions of dollars, but not in the areas required by law," said Sen. Joe Manchin, a West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Forest Service spokesman Wade Muehlhof said the agency was confident in the administration's strategy, but declined to say if it would meet the acreage mandates.

MIXED FIRST-YEAR RESULTS

An AP analysis of federal data reveals the scale of the challenge: Hundreds of communities are threatened by the potential for fires to ignite on federal forests and spread to populated areas.

An air tanker drops fire retardant to battle the Dixie Fire in the Feather River Canyon in Plumas County, Calif., July 14, 2021. The Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee via AP

In California, thinning zones announced to date address the risk to only about one-in-five houses and other buildings potentially exposed to fires on federal lands, the analysis shows. In Nevada and Oregon, it's about half of exposed structures, and in Montana it's one-in 25.

Most areas identified as hot spots where forest fires have high potential to burn into populated areas won't be addressed for at least the next several years, according to government planning documents. And computer models project up to 20% of areas that need thinning will be hit by fires before that work occurs.

Architects of the Forest Service's strategy based it on tens millions of computer wildfire simulations being used to predict areas that pose the greatest risk. Those scenarios showed fires on only 10% to 20% of the land would account for 80% of exposure to communities.

"This is a mapped plan through time, where we can laser-focus on one highly important issue: the problem of communities being destroyed by wildfires started on public lands," said Forest Service fire scientist Alan Ager.

Tahoe National Forest supervisor Eli Ilano, foreground, points to western bark beetle mortality in the forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

FALLING SHORT IN A RISKY AREA

In 2022, the Forest Service missed its treatment goals in four of 10 areas targeted as priorities. One was the Tahoe National Forest's North Yuba region, where the agency addressed only 6% of the acreage planned.

Small towns tucked into the forest's canyons escaped disaster two years ago when the Dixie fire raged just to the north, destroying several communities and burning about 1,500 square miles (3,900 square kilometers) in the Sierra Nevada range. Those communities also escaped another fire to the south that burned more than 1,000 homes and structures. The previous year, yet another fire killed 15 people and torched more than 2,000 homes and structures in the region.

The same conditions that whipped those fires into infernos exist on the Tahoe forestdensely-packed trees and underbrush primed to burn following years of drought. And government computer modeling suggests it's among the U.S. communities most exposed to wildfires on federal lands.

Trees killed by drought and the western bark beetle are visible in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Five million trees died on the Tahoe last year alone, said Ilano, the forest supervisor.

"What we're realizing is we're not moving fast enough, that the fires are burning bigger and more intense, more quickly than we anticipated," Ilano said.

Earlier this month, tracked vehicles including one known as a "harvester" worked through dense stands on the North Yuba, clipping large trees at their base and stripping them bare of branches in just seconds, then piling the trunks to be burned later. Elsewhere, work crews walked slowly behind a wood chipper as it was pulled along a forest road, stuffing the machine with small trees and branches cut to clear the understory.

The increased logging needed to reach the government's lofty goals has gained acceptance as the growing toll from wildfires softens longstanding opposition from some environmental groups and ecologists.

A tree processor is used to cut logs to correct size before being transported to a mill, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

"Gone are the days when things were black and white and either good or bad," said Melinda Booth, former director of the South Yuba River Citizens League. "We need targeted treatment, targeted thinning, which does include logging."

Others think officials are going too far. Sue Britting with Sierra Forest Legacy says the North Yuba plan includes about nine square miles (23 square kilometers) of older trees and stands along waterways that should be preserved. Yet for most of the work, Britting said it's time to "move forward" on a thinning project years in the making.

OBSTACLES TO THINNING STRATEGY

Hindering the Forest Service nationwide is a shortage of workers to cut and remove trees on the scale demanded, government officials and forestry experts say. Litigation ties up many projects, with environmental reviews taking three years on average before work begins, according to the Property and Environment Research Center, a Bozeman, Montana think tank.

Tahoe National Forest supervisor Eli Ilano talks about how the piles of cut down trees, left, will be burned as part of their efforts to make the forest more resistant to wild fires and droughts, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. "The forests as we know them in California and across the West, they're dying," Ilano said. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Another problem: Thinning operations aren't allowed in federally designated wilderness areas. That puts off limits about a third of National Forest areas that expose communities to high wildfire risk and means some thinning work must be carried out in a patchwork fashion.

Keeping track of progress presents its own challenges. Acres that get worked on are often counted twice or morefirst when the trees are cut down, again when leftover piles of woody material on the same site are removed, and yet again when that landscape is later subjected to prescribed fire, said Schultz of Colorado State University.

Even where thinning is allowed, officials face other potential constraints, such as protecting older groves important for wildlife habitat. A Biden inventory of public lands in April identified more than 175,000 square miles (453,000 square kilometers) of old growth and mature forests on U.S. government land.

Cut down trees are visible at the site of a timber sale in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Tahoe National Forest supervisor Eli Ilano, foreground, walks past a pile of cut down trees, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. "The forests as we know them in California and across the West, they're dying," Ilano said. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

The stump of a tree can be seen in the Tahoe National Forest, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

A crew member uses a tree processor to strip bark and branches from logs before being transported to a mill, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, near Camptonville, Calif. Using chainsaws, heavy machinery and controlled burns, the Biden administration is trying to turn the tide on worsening wildfires in the U.S. West through a multi-billion dollar cleanup of forests choked with dead trees and undergrowth. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

Trees are visible from the town of Downieville, Calif., Tuesday, June 6, 2023. By logging and burning trees and low-lying vegetation, officials hope to lessen forest fuels and keep fires that originate on federal lands from exploding through nearby cities and towns. Credit: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez

The inventory will be used to craft new rules to better protect those woodlands from fires, insects and other side effects of climate change. But there's overlap between older forests and many areas slated for thinning. That includes more than half of the treatment area at North Yuba, according to an AP analysis of mature forest data compiled by the conservation group Wild Heritage.

"What's driving all of this is insect infestation, drought stress, and all of that is related to the climate," said Wild Heritage chief scientist Dominick DellaSalla. "I don't think you can get out of it by thinning."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
By Kemo Cham and Umaru Fofana

There has been an outpouring of outrage and consternation on social media over the death of a five-year-old girl as a result of a rape.

An autopsy report says Kadija Saccoh died as a result of complications from injuries she sustained after she had allegedly been raped multiple times.

Her name and image are being used because she is deceased and her family waived off her privacy and supplied us with her photos.

It is not clear when the alleged rape happened but she died on 17 June, according to the same autopsy report, which shows that she was raped multiple times.

Among other things, the report also says that there was manual strangulation (asphyxia death), vaginal and anal dilation and her tongue was bitten.

The police criminal investigations department says two people are under custody  the deceaseds maternal aunt and her son who is the alleged rapist. She had been living with them after her mother travelled to the UK.

According to Kadijas father, Abubakar Saccoh, she had been living with his sister but following a bitter custody battle the mother asked for possession of the child. Speaking to Politico from the United States as he wept sometimes inconsolably, he said his estranged partner later left for the UK and left the child with her own sister whose son, said to be 20 years old, is now alleged to have raped her.

He said he had filed for her now late daughter to join him in the United States and had gone through the process including securing her US citizenship and passport.

I went to Freetown in January this year and was there until February, just to bring my daughter to the US, the father of nine said. When I came back to the US I was held back by the coronavirus pandemic otherwise I would have returned to continue the struggle to get custody of my daughter whom I will never see again, he said, as he broke down again.

Saccoh said that the relatives called him to say his daughter had died without explanation. I know a child cannot just die like that when she had no underlying health condition, he said, adding: I therefore called for an autopsy which the family initially resisted saying we are all Muslims and the girl should be buried immediately.

He said that aroused suspicion and he therefore insisted that his daughter must not be buried until an autopsy had been carried out.

He said he had just bought some clothes and toys for her which he was preparing to ship when the news came through that she had died.

Social media is now awash with outrage as Sierra Leoneans demand that the government ensure justice takes its cause.

The child rights organization, Kids Advocacy Network (KAN), issued a statement calling on the government and the police to ensure the matter was investigated and the perpetrator brought to book.

This is a violation of both the Child Rights Act of 2007 and the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 that was amended last year [2019], KAN said in its statement, calling on the public to desist from sharing the photo of the girl.

The organization also used the opportunity to call for the protection of girls in a country where activists say rape has taken epidemic proportions.

First Lady Fatima Bio also lent her voice to the issue in a Facebook post late on Saturday night. She said she and President Julius Maada Bio were concerned about the incident.

Mrs Bio, who has championed the fight against the sexual abuse of girls ever since her husband was elected, said she had requested for information from the family of the victim and that she was waiting for that to act accordingly.

His Excellency is angry and anxiously waiting [for] all the information from the girls family for appropriate action, she said.

Mrs Bio also expressed shock and anger at the privately-run Indian hospital, Choithram, for allegedly refusing to treat the victim when she was taken to the facility.

Sierra Leone only last year amended its sexual offenses law, after the country saw a sharp rise in cases of sexual violence.

Copyright  2020 Politico Online
Amtrak has suspended its Adirondack service between Albany and Montreal, cutting in half the number of daily passenger trains coming through the Glens Falls region.

The Adirondack trains, which run as numbers 68 and 69, are suspended until further notice, according to Amtrak Lead Public Relations Specialist Kelly Just. The suspension is due to reduced speed regulations implemented by Canadian National because of heat, Just said.

That leaves only the Ethan Allen service running through Amtraks Fort Edward and Saratoga Springs stations. The Ethan Allen runs to and from Burlington, Vermont.

A number of state and national public officials serving upstate New York expressed concern about the loss of service on Monday.

Im deeply concerned by Amtraks decision to suspend the Montreal-New York Adirondack rail line service, state Sen. Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) said in a press release. We only recently returned to normal cross-border travel and activity, and suspending this service undoes those efforts and threatens our local economy.

Adirondack service to Montreal was suspended during the pandemic and didnt return until this past April.

We need a way forward and are in active communication, Gary Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, said in a press release. One would have thought that three years of shutdown provided ample time to address any needs and concerns. We hope a resolution can be worked out that avoids a lengthy suspension.

It is unclear how long the suspension of service will last. Amtraks website is still showing tickets to Montreal available for purchase as early as this coming Sunday.

Adirondack trains will continue to run between New York and Albany during the suspension. The shutdown north of Albany leaves stations in Whitehall, Ticonderoga, Port Henry, Westport, Port Kent, Plattsburgh and Rouses Point with no Amtrak service.
WILDWOOD  Although a Superior Court judge dismissed the charges against a trio of Wildwood men, including the current and former mayor, the state Attorney Generals office does not plan on giving up that easily.

A spokesperson for the office said Saturday the state plans to push forward with the charges.

On Friday, Judge Bernard DeLury Jr. dismissed state charges alleging Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron, former Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and current Wildwood City Commissioner Steve Mikulski had all fraudulently participated in the state Health Benefits Program.

Attorneys for Byron and Mikulski said Friday they hoped the state would take a closer look at the charges and decide not to pursue the case further, either through appeal or through newly filed charges.

We sincerely hope that they take this opportunity to take a second look at the case, or lack of case, that they have against all three defendants, said Eric Shenkus, a public defender in Cape May County representing Byron.

In a prepared statement on Saturday morning, a spokesperson with the office of Matthew Platkin indicated the charges were dismissed on a technicality and had been done without prejudice, meaning the state could revisit the charges.

The court did not dismiss the indictment based on the merits of the states case against the defendants, the statement reads. While the state is currently reviewing the courts opinion and assessing litigation options, the state has every intention of prosecuting this case to the fullest extent of the law.

Platkin announced the charges in March, which included second degree official misconduct, second degree theft by unlawful taking, third degree tampering with public records and fourth degree falsifying or tampering with public records.
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.
The crowd that streamed onto the campus of St. Anselm College on Tuesday night to hear Robert F. Kennedy Jr. give a speech on foreign policy was so large the line into Dana Center-Koonz Theatre stretched all the way to the top of campus.

And the political policy Kennedy offered to address the international challenges of Russia and China has a progressive legacy that stretches all the way back to the 1960s: Peace, not provocation.

Attendance at Kennedys event was so large  an estimated 700 people, according to campus sources  his speech had to be delayed for 30 minutes to find overflow space to accommodate the crowd.

What they got for their patience was an unvarnished, old-school progressive view of American foreign policy, replete with references to the military-industrial complex. (And a huge cheer from the crowd when he declared, Its time to reverse that!)

Perhaps the most provocative statement of the night was Kennedys own allegation of provocation: Suggesting the U.S. helped provoke Russian President Vladimir Putins decision to invade Ukraine.

I abhor Russias brutal and bloody invasion of that nation, Kennedy said. But we must understand that our government has also contributed to its circumstances with repeated, deliberate provocations of Russia going back to the 1990s.

Democratic and Republican administrations have pushed NATO to Russias borders, violated our own solemn promise in the early 90s when we pledged that if Russia made this terrible concession of moving 400,000 troops out of East Germany and allowing the unification of Germany under a possible NATO army, we would commit after that to not move NATO one inch to the east, Kennedy said.

Instead, we have moved it  not one inch, but a thousand miles and 14 nations. We have surrounded Russia with missiles and military bases, something that we would never tolerate if the Russians did that to us, he said.

Kennedy, who is running as a progressive populist and political outsider, has embraced unorthodox views on many issues, from anti-vaccine advocacy to the alleged health risks of cellphone technology to theories about the assassinations of his father and uncle. Many mainstream Democrats have denounced his candidacy and its message, but political observers note there is a rich strain of these left-of-center populists in New Hampshire, as evidenced by the success of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Like Kennedy, Sanders has also urged warm relations between the U.S. and Russia extending back to when it was still the center of a Communist police state. And while populist foreign policy may be isolationist in the sense of extending U.S. military power abroad, Kennedy rejected the Wests current policy of isolating Vladimir Putin.

Today, America has broken off practically all diplomatic contact with Russia, so the communication has indeed become little more than an exchange of threats and insults, Kennedy warned. FDR met with Stalin. JFK met with Khrushchev, Nixon met with Brezhnev. Reagan met with Gorbachev.

Cant Biden meet with Putin?

Mike Sweeney from Albany, N.H., liked what he heard from Kennedy. He speaks a lot of truth, and hes a very personable human being.

Asked if he thinks Kennedy can beat Biden, Sweeney said, One hundred percent. We wouldnt be here otherwise. People have eyes, and things are so far off the rails that I think just being real is going to be the thing that gets through.

Like Sweeney, Matt Burgess from Massachusetts said he has no interest in voting for Biden and is leaning toward Kennedy. He agreed that RFK Jr. can defeat Biden and offered some campaign strategy tips.

I think he should stick to doing podcasts. Dont go on any mainstream networks.  I think he should keep with the strategy hes going with, Burgess said. I think he can win.

Jeffrey Parker and his wife, Liz, came up from Concord, Mass., to hear Kennedy speak. They said they also believe Biden can be beaten.

Im not voting for Biden, said Jeffrey Parker. If it was a real vote, if its a fair election, Biden has no hope. Even Democrats are sick of Biden now. No one wants Biden.

Liz Parker said that while Ukraine is a high priority, I also have issues with all the Covid lockdowns and vax and all that. Thats really important to me because I have kids.

As for RFK Jr.s Ukraine policy, she noted, No one in government right now is saying the word peace, and I think that says it all.
The number of instances, where aspirants try to crack police or defense recruitment exams using fraudulent means, has increased in recent times. In a recent incident, the Chaturshringi police booked two people, who were aspiring to join the police force, for allegedly submitting fake documents during the recruitment process.

A case has been registered against the two accused, identified as Sujit Shivaji Salunke (25) and Sharad Nagnath Mane (26). Both are residents of Madha in Solapur. They allegedly provided bogus Prakalpagrast Pramanpatra (project-affected certificate) to the office of the superintendent of police, (Pune rural) during the recruitment process by saying that it was provided by the Beed district collector and rehabilitation officer.

The duo was booked under IPC sections 419 (Punishment for cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (Punishment for forgery), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating.), and 471 (Using as genuine a forged document).

The project-affected certificate is given to individuals or families when the authorities acquire private property or land for government activity. A project-affected certificate is required in court to obtain a reservation from the reserved category of project-affected in government jobs or to receive compensation for acquired land or property. This certificate is also required for government scheme grants and several other programmes.

Police sub-inspector Sachin Gadekar of the Chaturshringi police station told Mirror, To secure a reservation in the police recruitment process, the accused presented a forged certificate. During verification, it was discovered that the documents were bogus. It was revealed that while the accused is a native of Solapur, the certificate was of Beed district. A police team visited the Beed district and found that the certificate was in the name of someone else. Accordingly, a case has been filed, and further investigation is on.
An astonishing incident has come to light where a college teacher was brutally assaulted by her husband and in-laws in Pune. The 28-year-old woman was beaten up and mentally tortured over a fight that broke over dowry.

The woman recently got married, and the fights started between them over dowry. On 25th June 2023, the situation worsened as the in-laws physically abused her again because of the dowry issue. She was brutally beaten, stripped naked, and the furthest thing they did was they forcefully make her consume mosquito repellent.

Fortunately, the woman was saved by her neighbors as she was continuously crying and shouting for help. When the neighbors were alerted by the noise, they rushed to the hospital with the victim and called the cops. The family members claimed that the woman consumed mosquito-repellent by her own will.

On Tuesday, Alephata Police Station charged the husband and his family under the IPC Sections 307, 328, 354B, and 498. Further investigation underway.
During two days of a meeting at Dakota State University, the South Dakota Board of Regents were able to get five new members introduced to the experience of leading higher education in South Dakota by covering a variety of agenda items and tasks.

The Regents covered everything from budget requests, questions from legislators on politics in education and more.

During the meeting, the Regents also passed an agreement to make it easier for students training to become nurses to transfer credits between the states four public technical colleges and South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.

Here are some other major highlights from the meeting.

Political activism isn't seeping into South Dakota's universities

In a conversation Wednesday between legislators and Regents, higher education leaders talked about the benefits of recent tuition freezes, goals for finishing the work of 2020s Senate Bill 55, upcoming enrollment cliffs and more.

One topic stood out from the others during this discussion: a question from Rep. Will Mortenson (R-Pierre) about political activism seeping into universities and whether thats a problem in South Dakota.

Regent Tim Rave said the university system has policies and procedures in place to address instances of that seepage happening across the nation. University presidents have tools to address students challenges with individual professors, for example, he said.

We have policies and procedures to bring them back in line, and for the most part, obviously you dont see it in the news, we dont have the kind of activism thats going on across the country, Rave said. I commend the presidents for running good, tight ships, if you will. No is the short answer.

Student regent Brock Brown, who is at USDs law school, said he didnt feel his voice was stifled as a conservative in his recent Constitutional Law class when discussing issues of the day such as abortion or free speech.

I think that when youre actually in the classroom, through my experience, we do have a really thoughtful group of professors, faculty members and students, Brown said.

Rave also said university classrooms are laboratories for discussion and there should be vigorous, respectful debates about different topics and ideas.

Sen. Casey Crabtree (R-Madison) asked the Regents how the national issue of closing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices has played out lately on South Dakotas campuses after that action has already been taken here.

Regent Jeff Partridge said the issue has been addressed legislatively as well as with the recent initiative for opportunity centers.

It doesnt matter who you are, where you come from or what you look like, we want you to have an opportunity in South Dakota to be successful, and to be successful in our universities, Partridge said, explaining this is the goal of the opportunity centers.

The concept of an opportunity center advances the DEI conversation and eliminates any need to have something done on the topic legislatively, Partridge added.

University presidents make millions of dollars of budget requests

Each of the six public universities, and the SDBOR office, gave budget requests to the Regents during Thursdays portion of the meeting. These requests are for fiscal year 2025 and could become future agenda items during Board meetings, or become bills for the South Dakota Legislature to take on.

SDSUs requests included $1.2 million in base funding for its Agriculture Experiment Station, $1.2 million in one-time funding for inflating construction costs on the Cottonwood Research Facility, and $650,000 for new partnership with South Dakota Mines on bioproducts research.

USDs requests included $30 million ($20 million in general one-time funds, and $10 million in private and other funds) for a new facility to replace the unsalvageable Akeley-Lawrence Science Center, $5.9 million for a computation collaborative between USD, its Sanford School of Medicine and South Dakota Mines, and $665,000 for a USD telehealth collaborative.

South Dakota Mines requests included $650,000 for the aforementioned bioproduct research partnership with SDSU, $1.86 million towards the aforementioned biomedical computation collaborative with USD, $2 million for a quantum collaborative with DSU and USD, and $4 million for a patent fund.

DSU President Jose-Marie Griffiths requested support for a teacher apprenticeship pathway and a new Center for Quantum Information Science and Technology but didnt provide dollar amounts.

Northern State University President Neal Schnoor spoke about a new Center for Public History and Civic Engagement on campus and requested $143,500 for personnel to staff it, and $61,000 in operating expenses for it.

Black Hills State University President Laurie Nichols requested $3 million in base funding for BHSU, and support for a new Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership. She explained that the idea for the new Center came from House Bill 1070, which failed this past legislative session, to "create the Center for American Exceptionalism at Black Hills State University," and will be loosely modeled after Arizona State Universitys School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership.

Heather Forney, system vice president for finance and administration at the SDBOR office, requested a $4.3 million tuition freeze, $3.2 million in dual credit funding and $10.7 million in one-time funding to retire some debt.

An update on the USD Discovery District in Sioux Falls

One update that stood out from a regular report on the SDBORs research parks was a bit of progress on the USD Discovery District in Sioux Falls.

Ryan Oines, chief operating officer of the research park, said construction of the first building for the district could begin as soon as September and will hopefully be completed at least by December 2024.

USD is already recruiting prospective tenants and developers at this time.
Opening tomorrow is a 1940s themed cocktail bar called the Coupe, featuring all things vintage from old-fashioned bottled beer, gold trimmed decor and ceilings, a 1948 Rock-Ola Magic Glo Jukebox and an ambitious stage making it sure to be one of the areas premiere performance venues.

Though the swanky downtown bar will feature musical guests and host many different events at its impressive space every week, make no mistake: the main event will be its burlesque performances.

Originating in London during the Victorian era, theatrical burlesque often took popular opera or Shakespeare performances and parodied it. During its peak in the late 19th century and early 20th century, the partially nude burlesque performers often challenged everything conventional  from religion to politics and the perception of the female body.

The Coupe is no exception.

Different from your typical cocktail spot, attendees can reserve their favorite table and even order their drinks online before they arrive at the weekly musical and burlesque performances. There, they will be greeted by a bar staff member working under a pseudonym and will have a curated persona and costume.

The seventeen-foot-tall ceilings are painted a gleaming gold, the light fixtures appear to be pulled from a historic hotel, the modestly sized bar is intricately decorated and the chic seating is intimately positioned near the stage.

Though owner Dustin Mulvey says the weekly burlesque shows will only be an aspect to the Coupe, he and his team considered every detail to make an authentic burlesque experience, something that is unique for Rapid City, or any minor city in the United States.

To find a place like this youd have to go to Minneapolis, Chicago or Denver, Mulvey said, noting that theatrical burlesque performances are common across the country but are often limited in their conveyance. Normally youd have to rent out a space so the performers don't have control over much of the design and ambiance of the environment.

Previous to owning a vintage cocktail bar, Mulvey was self-employed, driving a semi-truck for a living, which he sold to pay for the downtown building. Though the occupations may not appear to complement each other, Mulvey said because of his truck-driving he has been to countless burlesque shows around the country, where he has often watched his wife Sheila perform, and has made him a qualified pundit of the audiences experience.

I've always sat in the crowd, so I built what we need to provide an amazing experience, Mulvey said.

In addition to the audience experience, he was tasked with much of the construction of the interior of the space. From the stage, to the spiffy-looking bar, to the swan-shaped sink faucets, everything was crafted by Mulvey. With some help from Sheila Mulvey, much of the design was envisioned by General Manager Erin McCormick.

Arriving in Rapid City in 2016, McCormick co-founded Black Veil Burlesque which puts together performances and classes in the area.

Hailing from the Chicago area, McCormick has traveled around the country performing burlesque and has developed a trove of experience which she used to meticulously design the Coupe.

Because Ive performed on stages all over, I knew what to do with this space to make sure it flows and feels good on stage and off, McCormick said, noting she had wanted to design a space like the Coupe for over a decade. What we wanted to do is build a space that when you walk in, you completely enter the past. You get to leave who you are at the door and be whoever you want in here.

The Coupe's bar staff will also be leaving their identities at the door which McCormick predicts will make for an environment customers will want to return for.

Every worker is going to be in theme as well. So when you walk in, it won't just be a person with an apron  everyone will look the part, McCormick said. We want our staff to be a reason people come in and say, I want to visit with Cat or Roxy or Tex because they were so awesome last time.

This gimmick adds to the novelty of the Coupe which has already begun attracting talent from around the country, according to McCormick.

We've opened it up to everybody in the burlesque community and have already had performers apply from Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver, Sioux Falls, McCormick said. When you do something like this, that gives performers a special space, they want to come to you.

Though their business is getting attention from the burlesque community around the nation, McCormick and Mulvey emphasized the Coupe is attractive to musical performers as well. During its design, Mulvey met with numerous musicians that recommended how he could build a music venue with optimal acoustic conditions.

We worked with so many people to try to create a community of performers that want to come here, McCormick said. We will be providing a space for musicians and performers that didn't quite have a place before. A place that sounds good  and feels good.

The Coupes musical performances will focus on quieter sounds only including one or two musicians. Fitted with acoustic panels around the perimeter and sound-dampening curtains behind the stage, Mulvey said the space will allow audience members to be able to converse during performances.

Some places build a stage then throw some music on it but they didn't think about acoustics or how the experience is going to be for somebody sitting there. Most of the time it's deafening, Mulvey said. We don't want someone to have to scream into their friend's ear just to say hi.

The Coupe will host live music every Friday, a burlesque variety-show every Saturday and a night of dancing with music from the jukebox every Wednesday. Closed on Monday and Tuesday for show rehearsal and cleaning, McCormick and Mulvey said they are unsure what events they will hold on Sundays and Thursdays but are not short on ideas.

Before they begin implementing other events, they want to hear from the community about how they can improve the customer experience. Though much is unknown about the future of the Coupe, the two are confident Rapid City will love it, especially now.

This is a product of COVID. Nobody could go anywhere, which has made people feel uncomfortable in public, burlesque in the United States resurged in popularity immediately following the Great Depression. McCormick sees similarities.

What do you do after a tragedy? You create community, something warm and welcoming, McCormick said. And thats what this is for everybody that comes in  a home away from home.

Because of the unorthodox business model, McCormick is calling Wednesday a super soft opening and asks for the public to be patient as the Coupe staff learns their roles.

The Coupe is located at 516 7th Street in downtown Rapid City. Find more info at www.thecouperc.com.
A trend of surging domestic migration to South Dakota that began during the COVID-19 pandemic could put the states total population above 1 million residents as early as 2030.

That growth pattern runs counter to other Midwestern states and highlights the fact that more people are moving to South Dakota than leaving, and that women in the Mount Rushmore State are giving birth at a greater rate than the national average.

Its a significant trend, said Augustana University economics professor David Sorenson, who published a study showing the states population spikes came despite a sharp increase in deaths during the pandemic in 2020-21.

Net migration between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, and a nation-leading fertility rate were the main reasons South Dakota ranked fifth in percentage of population growth (1.5%) among U.S. states during that span, Sorenson said. The only states with larger percentage increases were Florida, Idaho, South Carolina and Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

As a region, Midwest states averaged negative 0.1% population growth from 2021 to 2022, and South Dakotas growth rate during that span is nearly four times higher than the national rate of 0.4%.

If that trend continues, Sorenson estimates that in seven to eight years South Dakota will leave the group of five states (and the District of Columbia) that have not exceeded the 1 million population mark: South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

Jared McEntaffer, CEO of the Dakota Institute, a nonprofit economic research and analysis organization in Sioux Falls, said the trend will likely last even if some of those moving from different states did so for pandemic-related reasons, such as fewer restrictions in South Dakota under Republican Gov. Kristi Noem.

Some of the biggest migration gains for South Dakota, according to Internal Revenue Service data from 2020 to 2021, came from Democratic-controlled states such as California (net increase of 1,669), Colorado (955) and Minnesota (906). For comparison, the net gain from those states pre-COVID (2018-19) was 691 for California, 250 for Colorado and 12 for Minnesota.

I would not be surprised if net migration stayed higher for a number of years, especially if South Dakota is able to start attracting a greater number of Minnesotans, said McEntaffer, a former economics professor at Penn State University.

South Dakotas total fertility rate, which calculates birth rates from different age groups to estimate how many children a typical woman would have, was 2.07 in 2021, which ranked first in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national average was 1.7.

Sorenson noted that South Dakota was the only state to have a total fertility rate close to the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman. Replacement rate is the level at which a population replaces itself from one generation to the next, not counting migration.

South Dakotas fertility rate is partly explained by the states relatively high Native American population of 8.6%. From 2018 to 2020, the number of live births per 1,000 women among Native Americans in South Dakota was 104.7, compared to 65.3 for whites.

Sorenson points out that population growth is measured by natural increase (births minus deaths) and migration data. His study showed that South Dakota deaths varied between 6,782 and 8,015 between 2000 and 2019 before shooting up nearly 25% to 9,867 in 2020-21 and remaining at a relatively high 9,231 in 2021-22.

The South Dakota Department of Health estimates that 3,231 individuals have died with COVID-19 infection in South Dakota as of June 19, 2023.

The pandemic initially slowed movement from state to state, with South Dakotas net migration slightly negative in 2019-20. In 2021 and 2022, however, the state gained more than 6,000 new residents each year, a rate greater than Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.

South Dakota has outperformed these neighboring states in virtually every year since 2003, Sorenson wrote in his study. For most of that time, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota had negative net migration, with Iowa and Nebraskas worst years coming around 2000 and Minnesotas occurring in the most recent two years.

From 1930 to 1990, South Dakotas average decade population growth statewide was 0.2%, including decreases in the 1930s and 1960s. The state grew by just 0.8% from 1980 to 1990, bringing the population to 696,004.

Sioux Falls changing identity and economy in the 1990s helped move the needle, spurred by Citibanks decision in 1981 to move its credit card operation to South Dakotas largest city to capitalize on bank-friendly usury laws.

Sioux Falls, touted by Money Magazine in 1992 as the best place to live in America, transitioned from an agriculture-based economy to a burgeoning financial center and health care hub, heralding its affordability and open spaces on the way to staggering growth.

For the next three decades, the state averaged 8.5% population increases, moving from 754,844 in 2000 to 816,193 in 2010 and 887,799 in 2020.

Much of that was fueled by Minnehaha County, which averaged 10-year increases of 16.9% during that span. But many of the same motivations that led people to move to South Dakota spurred growth to the suburbs of Lincoln County, which consisted of just 15,427 residents in 1990 and has now surpassed 70,000, with average decade growth of 62.9% from 1990 to 2020.

Lincoln Countys population grew by 8.2% from 2020 to 2022, compared to 4.6% for Pennington County (Rapid City) and 3.3% for Minnehaha. It ranked 23rd among all U.S. counties with a 4% increase in housing units from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, according to the Census Bureau.

A lot of that (Lincoln County) growth is obviously spillover from Sioux Falls, said Sorenson. But when you look at communities like Harrisburg and Tea, theyre also serving as independent magnets for people who want to be in a metropolitan area but appreciate more of a small-town living environment.

This article was produced by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit journalism organization located online at sdnewswatch.org.
The dream of opening an alpine coaster along Flathead Lake finally came to fruition Tuesday morning when Torsten and Jessica Wedel, of Stevensville, sent the first riders down the tracks at Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster.

The project in Lakeside had been underway since 2021, when the couple unsuccessfully sought to build the attraction in Rollins.

We feel really good, Jessica Wedel said on Tuesday. Obviously, its been a long road.

Opposition to the coaster dogged the project for months. The Upper West Shore Alliance in Lakeside raised safety and traffic concerns, and members also worried about the general impact of an alpine coaster in a predominantly residential neighborhood.

But after the Montana Department of Transportation reviewed final construction plans in May, the Wedels got the green light to modify U.S. Highway 93 and open their attraction.

Jessica said about 30 rides had been completed on the new coaster by Tuesday afternoon. There had been ample anticipation, she said, from the developers, their staff and those eager to go on the new ride.

Its actually been great, she said. Were excited to be good community members.

Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with discounts for military members and locals.
As he watched the half-ton buffalo jump in the waist-high grass at Chief Mountain, Blackfeet Councilman Lauren Monroe Jr. said he thought of his ancestors.

I thought of the demise they went through, he said. If they were to understand that our language, our culture, our buffalo would come back one day  it was absolutely momentous as a Blackfeet to be on our land within our sovereignty and do this. Were the leaders. Were choosing our future as we see it.

On Monday, the Blackfeet Nation transferred 30 wild buffalo (iinnii in the Blackfoot language) to tribal lands near Chief Mountain, an area steeped in Blackfeet cultural significance in the northwest corner of the reservation bordering Glacier National Park. The buffalo were brought to the Blackfeet from Alberta in 2016 after testing negative for diseases. In the seven years since, the tribe has been growing the captive herd in preparation for the release.

On Monday, the exploratory herd was loaded into trailers and hauled to a temporary paddock within sight of Chief Mountain. There, they grazed quietly until wranglers opened the gate.

Then every buffalo rushed through, formed a single-file line and rumbled toward a distant tree line. Monroe called the moment absolutely epic.

Rosalyn LaPier, Blackfeet and Metis, and her family own 120 acres in the foothills of Chief Mountain. She said the tribe has created a conservation district in the area to allow for grazing.

Our land isnt fenced, she explained. So bison, like bears and elk and deer and moose and antelope, can walk freely across the land.

LaPier, a historian, said to her knowledge, there is no other place in North America that allows free-roaming buffalo.

Bison are almost always behind a fence, even when in a large area, she said. Its unlike any other wild animal species that are allowed to roam freely and jump over fences, go under fences and ruin fences.

The Chief Mountain release, LaPier said, is not just momentous for the tribe but also presents scientists with a new opportunity.

One thing scientists dont know is where bison want to go, she said. Theyve always been fenced in so we have no idea, as scholars and scientists, where they want to go when they roam. Even in Yellowstone, the bison are killed or relocated when they leave the border of the park. So this will be really interesting to see what happens.

Gerald Buzz Cobell, director of Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife, said leaders from Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks were supportive of the release. Representatives from Glacier National Park did not respond to requests for comment on Monday, but have stated publicly in the past they looked forward to welcoming the new wildlife.

The animals may wander into Glacier, but for now, Cobell said the tribe has to wait and see where the buffalo want to go. Some of the roaming buffalo have collars and solar ear tags, so the tribe will be able to monitor them and know their location. Because some people hike Chief Mountain, Cobell said the location data will help the tribe keep members of the public safe.

The bison have always been there, Cobell said, referencing the area that is now Glacier National Park. And now theyre coming back.

Tribes and buffalo

Since time immemorial, Native Americans have used buffalo for food, shelter, tools, clothing, jewelry and ceremony. Buffalo and Native people were so connected that biologists say the two mammals co-evolved.

But in the 19th century, settlers and U.S. soldiers killed millions of bison to devastate the tribal communities that relied on them. Ungulate diseases spread by domestic cattle are suspected of killing herds the hunters didnt reach.

From 1820 to 1880, the bison population fell from around 30 to 60 million to fewer than 1,000. Some estimate that only 300 bison survived whats now known as the Great Slaughter.

Monroe compared the attempted buffalo extermination to colonization and assimilation efforts.

When colonizers attempted to exterminate us, we lost our wildlife, our land and we temporarily lost access to who we were, he said. Like the buffalo, the Indian was the same way. We were cleared from the plains to make way for progress, as they called it.

As the bison population declined, some states and the federal government passed laws to protect the animals. By the late 19th century, dozens of bison occupied Yellowstone National Park.

Today, through partnerships with national parks and organizations, buffalo have returned to tribal lands nationwide. Most tribes in Montana maintain their own herds, but until earlier this week, none had released wild buffalo on their land.

'We are not fearful anymore'

Blackfeets domestic herd has grown to 700 head, and the buffalo still take care of the community, just as they once did hundreds of years ago.

The Blackfeet Buffalo Program harvests about 20 buffalo each year and distributes meat to food banks, ceremonies and elders in the community. The tribe also regularly sells its own buffalo meat at Glacier Family Foods grocery store in Browning at $7.99 a pound, so community members can afford it.

In February, the Blackfeet Nation offered its first trophy buffalo hunt, where members of the public could enter a lottery to participate in a hunt on the reservation. The trophy hunt earned the Buffalo Program at least $75,000, which will be reinvested in food distribution efforts to benefit the community.

Monroe said he expects the free-roaming herd will also bring tourism dollars to the reservation, especially in the summer as millions travel to the nearby Glacier National Park. He said some tourists showed up at the release by coincidence and were absolutely floored by the event.

Given the history of colonization and the near extermination of buffalo, Monroe said the release of the wild herd symbolizes an important shift.

We are not fearful anymore to be Blackfeet, he said. We dont need to ask permission to be Blackfeet. This means a lot. It means we are going to do what we need to do to survive.




Kathmandu, Nepal, June 27, 2023: Jack Ma, the founder of one of the world's largest e-commerce companies "Alibaba" Group, has arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday.





Jack Ma, who is known as a Chinese rich entrepreneur, arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday afternoon from China via Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.





According to officials of the Immigration Department, the plane carrying Jack, a Boeing 737 Max, landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport at 2.30 pm.





Although nothing has been officially said about the purpose of Jack Ma's visit to Nepal, it is assumed that this visit may have been made for private and business purposes. It is said that his closest team members are also participating in the tour team.





According to the source, Jack Ma is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and some other high-ranking officials during his stay in Nepal.





Jack Ma is the fifth richest man in China and 63rd in the world's dollar billionaires list. His full name is Jack Ma Yun.





Before founding Alibaba in 1999, he was an English teacher in Hangzhou. He has studied up to graduation in science and arts.




Kathmandu, Nepal, June 27, 2023: The government has announced a public holiday on Thursday to celebrate Bakra-Eid (Eid-ul-Azha), an important festival of Muslims religious community living home and abroad.




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
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.
Virginias chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, voting rights group Protect Democracy and law firm WilmerHale are taking Gov. Glenn Youngkins administration, state elections officials and a handful of local registrars to court.

The plaintiffs filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District on behalf of formerly incarcerated individuals. The suit comes months after Youngkins administration quietly adjusted the process for restoring voting rights to formerly incarcerated people.

The plaintiffs want the court to declare that the Virginia Constitution violates the Reconstruction-era Virginia Readmission Act and enjoin Defendants from denying the fundamental right to vote to Virginia citizens who have been convicted of crimes that were not common law felonies at the time the Virginia Readmission Act was passed in 1870.

Once an automatic process upon completion of a prison sentence, people with felony convictions must now apply for consideration to have their rights restored. While the shift is within Youngkins purview through the state constitution, it walks back bipartisan efforts on the parts of three previous governor administrations to streamline restorations.

Defendants are listed as Youngkin, Department of Elections commissioner Susan Beals and some election board members along with registrars in the localities where the plaintiffs reside.

But more than the actions of the current governor, the suit challenges how Virginias state constitution disenfranchises people who have felony convictions and alleges it violates a federal law.

The roots of this go back all the way to the Jim Crow era, and all the way back to the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. So the basis for our lawsuit is actually a law that was passed by Congress in 1870, said ACLU of Virginia attorney Vishal Agraharkar.

During the Reconstruction era, Congress passed a series of statutes called Readmission Acts that required former Confederate states to ratify the Fourteenth Amendment and guarantee voting rights for newly emancipated Black residents living in those states.

The Virginia Readmission Act also prohibited states from adopting constitutional provisions to disenfranchise citizens other than those convicted of crimes that were felonies at common law in 1870. Crimes considered common law at this time were: murder, manslaughter, arson, burglary, robbery, rape, sodomy, mayhem and larceny.

Agraharkar noted Virginias 1901 constitutional convention where language was added that disenfranchised everyone with felony convictions and added literacy tests and poll taxes, which restricted the number of people, particularly Black people, who could vote.

There are a lot of Black men like me who have had their voting rights taken away. That means I have no voice in whats happening in my community, in my state, said Tati Abu King, a formerly incarcerated Alexandria resident who is one of the plaintiffs.

Today, Virginia is among a dozen states where Black people represent over half of its prison population, according to the Sentencing Project.

Some of the most pernicious attempts to suppress the voting rights of Black citizens originated in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, but they have consequences that persist to this day, Agraharkar said. Our constitution has enabled mass disenfranchisement through decades of over-criminalization, and it turns out that was illegal.

While Virginias past three governors had upped the number of people whose rights were restored, the procedural changes to restoration could signal Youngkins administration would be on par to restore fewer than his predecessors.

But Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said his administration is working on enhancing the application process.

The Secretary of the Commonwealths Office has increased the efficiency of the restoration of rights process for applicants and hired additional staff to aid in the process, Porter said.

She declined to comment on the pending litigation, but said the Youngkin administration is working to expand and strengthen Reentry Programs for reentering citizens to help them succeed post-incarceration.

Close Gov. Bob McDonnell announces the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church Wednesday, May 29, 2013. John Westbrook (left), council liason for councilwomen Michelle Mosby, 9th district, claps after Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Ben Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, speaks about the restoration of rights for non-violent offenders at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. Lisa Kratz, a motivational speaker after being incarcerated, thanks Gov. Bob McDonnell for the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Richard Walker, who had his rights restored a year ago, shakes hands with Gov. Bob McDonnell after he announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. Richard Walker, who had his rights restored a year ago, shakes hands with Gov. Bob McDonnell after he announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Walker is CEO of Bridging the Gap in Virginia. Restoration of Civil Rights Gov. Bob McDonnell announced a plan to automatically restore the civil rights of thousands of Virginias nonviolent felons. Gov. Bob McDonnell announces the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church Wednesday, May 29, 2013. John Westbrook (left), council liason for councilwomen Michelle Mosby, 9th district, claps after Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Ben Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, speaks about the restoration of rights for non-violent offenders at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. Lisa Kratz, a motivational speaker after being incarcerated, thanks Gov. Bob McDonnell for the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Richard Walker, who had his rights restored a year ago, shakes hands with Gov. Bob McDonnell after he announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. Richard Walker, who had his rights restored a year ago, shakes hands with Gov. Bob McDonnell after he announced the automatic restoration of voting and civil rights for non-violent felons on an individualized basis. The announcement was made at Cedar Street Baptist Church. Walker is CEO of Bridging the Gap in Virginia.
Chinese purchases of Virginia farmland prompted some stern warnings from Gov. Glenn Youngkin during this years General Assembly session, but a state-ordered report shows the last such purchases came in 2013.

In all, people or businesses linked to China own eight properties, totaling 13,890 acres, or roughly 7/10,000ths of Virginia farmland.

With the Commonwealths sensitive national assets such as the Pentagon, Quantico, Wallops Island and the worlds largest naval base in Norfolk, the Governor is hyperaware of the need to protect these assets and our large agricultural tracts from foreign adversaries with mal intent, said press secretary Macaulay Porter.

Since day one, the Governor has utilized his business experience to take on the Chinese Communist Party, and ensure taxpayer dollars in Virginia dont enrich foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party, she added.

The most recent and largest acquisitions were a side effect of Chinese-owned WH Groups $4.72 billion purchase of Smithfield Foods: an acquisition in which, in addition to Smithfields meat-packing business, the company acquired five hog farms in Southside Virginia. These total 13,389 acres.

Three other Chinese-affiliated people or entities acquired farmland.

In Northern Virginias Loudoun County, United Pioneer Corp. owns 96 acres, acquired in 1976. This includes 60 acres of pasture and 36 acres that are not farmed or are forest land.

In Southsides Charlotte County, Lin Chiu-ching and three family members own 50 acres of forest, acquired in 2001.

In Stafford County, Walton International Group (USA) Inc.  an Arizona firm run by individuals who do not have Chinese names and who manage property for foreign investors, including Chinese investors  owns 355 acres, 300 of which are raising crops, and the rest of which are not farmed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, from which the state derived its report, describes this firm as Chinese-affiliated, based on its largest investors.

Other foreign investors have been more active than the Chinese: Foreign ownership of Virginia farmland after 2013, when the last Chinese acquisitions closed, rose more than 65%.

Canadians own the most farmland, with some 41,357 acres, followed by British owners, with 39,266 acres, and Germans, with 26,689 acres. French investors, however, own the most properties, 95 in all.

Brunswick County, in Southside on the North Carolina line, has the largest acreage of foreign-owned farmland, some 21,104 acres of forest lands. A Dutch firm is the biggest owner there, with some 13,712 acres.

Prince George County ranks second, with some 18,751 acres of foreign-owned land, including 17,051 acres of forests and 1,700 of crop land. The largest holder there is a New Hampshire firm that manages forest lands; the USDA has not assigned a specific foreign affiliate to this firm.

The farmland purchase ban takes effect July 1, and bars any foreign government or person on the U.S. Secretary of Commerces foreign adversary list from buying farmland or tree farm land. That list includes China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Iranians own two Northern Virginia properties, purchased in the 1980s.

Counties with the most farmland in Virginia Counties with the most farmland in Virginia #25. Surry #24. Orange #23. Amelia #22. Dinwiddie #21. Northumberland #20. Culpeper #19. Northampton Fauquier County #17. Caroline #16. Russell #15. Franklin #14. Bedford #13. Hanover #12. Mecklenburg #11. Sussex #10. Wythe #9. Suffolk #8. Essex #7. Pittsylvania #6. Isle of Wight #5. Halifax #4. Rockingham #3. Accomack #2. Augusta #1. Southampton
Budget negotiations between the House of Delegates and Senate broke down on Tuesday over tax cuts sought by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who could call a special session of the General Assembly to bring the parties back to the table.

House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, called off the negotiations because he said Senate Finance Co-Chair George Barker, D-Fairfax, had walked away from a commitment to approve a combination of ongoing tax cuts and one-time tax rebates that would have reduced state revenues by about $900 million in the two-year budget the governor signed last year.

Instead, Senate negotiators offered on Tuesday to double a proposed one-time rebate to $200 for individual taxpayers and $400 for couples filing jointly, which would have cut budget revenues by about $900 million. But the proposal did not include other ongoing tax cuts that Youngkin and House Republicans are seeking.

The latest budget impasse goes back to an agreement that Knight said he made with Barker and Senate Finance Co-Chair Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, at the end of February, when budget talks broke down without an agreement on revising the two-year, $177 billion state budget. The same deal was on the table when House and Senate budget negotiators returned to Richmond on Monday to resume talks on reaching an agreement.

The deal has never changed, it has never wavered, Knight said in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Tuesday. Im not sure what goes forward from here. A deal is a deal.

But Barker, who just lost his seat in a Democratic primary to a progressive challenger, said he never agreed to the deal that Knight proposed, either in February or in subsequent informal luncheon meetings the three budget leaders have held since then.

I did not agree to anything, Barker said in an interview on Tuesday. At the meeting where he proposed it, I intentionally did not say a word.

The new fiscal year begins on Saturday. The state already has a two-year budget in place. Lawmakers are negotiating over annual revisions to the spending plan, which runs through June 30, 2024.

Howell is traveling out of the country with family, but Barker said, I expect the governor will call us into special session in the next few weeks to deal with all of this.

Knight said he briefed the governor on the breakdown in negotiations, after first informing House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah.

Youngkin expressed frustration on Tuesday over the budget impasse, which he blamed on Senate Democrats with elections looming in November for all 140 seats.

Now at the end of the day I will call people back, and I will either do it when they have delivered me a budget or I will do it when I run completely out of patience, he said after ceremonially signing bipartisan bills to help Virginias military veterans and their families. And Im getting to the point where I am running out of patience and Virginians are running out of patience.

We need to get this done and we will see what happens the rest of the week.

Despite breaking off talks on Tuesday, Knight said in a letter to Barker, We can still get this done.

The proposed deal included a one-time rebate of $100 for individual taxpayers and $200 for couples, for a cost of almost $463 million in the fiscal year that begins on Saturday. The Senate initially had proposed rebates of $150 for individuals and $300 for couples, for a total of about $700 million.

Knight had dropped Youngkins proposal to reduce the corporate income tax rate by 1 percentage point, but he still wanted to increase the standard deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions, eliminate an age threshold for a new exemption of military retirement income and increase a deduction for businesses.

The biggest sticking point remains the governors proposal to reduce the top individual tax rate by a quarter percentage point. Knights proposal instead would have changed all four of the income brackets to make them more progressive.

For example, the top rate of 5.75% would apply to anyone making more than $30,000 a year in adjusted gross income, instead of the current level of $17,000. Taxpayers earning between $8,000 and $30,000 a year would pay 5%. The total cost of that proposal would have been $308.6 million in the coming fiscal year and $655 million in the following year.

The total cost of the Republican package would have been $891 million in the first year and $911.3 million the following year.

The Senate Finance committee expects excess revenues of about $2.5 billion in the fiscal year that ends at midnight on Friday, but Barker prefers to use the additional money for one-time tax rebates, as the state has done twice in the past four years.

Senate Democrats generally want to use additional revenues to increase spending on public schools, behavioral health and raises for teachers and state employees, which also are priorities that the House shares. But the Senate proposes an additional $500 million for K-12 schools, including the removal of a recession-era cap on state funding for school support positions and additional money for schools with high percentages of students considered at risk because of poverty.

They propose an additional $170 million for behavioral health services and $37 million for community-based violence prevention grants.

Barker rejected Knights insistence on a veto over Senate spending priorities that House Republicans do not like, such as abortion or gun control.

Youngkin, whose political team has launched a high-dollar effort to give Republican control of the next General Assembly in January, said the state has a $3.6 billion surplus, with plenty of money to cut taxes and to increase spending on education, law enforcement and behavioral health.

I put a reasonable budget in front of them, Youngkin said. They should just send back to me what I sent to them and lets get this done.
An idea initially discussed at a United Nations conference in 1977 became reality on Oct. 10, 1992, 500 years after the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It was the first Indigenous Peoples Day celebration held in the United States as an alternative to the Columbus Day holiday.

Thirty years later, that monumental break from tradition has become a movement of sorts, albeit a rudderless one, as a growing number of cities (130-plus), states (19) and the District of Columbia have embraced the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday in October.

In recent years, Americas natural social progression of change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day has been stalled by partisan politics, turning a national holiday that is supposed to be a celebration into an annual confrontation. For the 2022 holiday, The Pocahontas Project successfully navigated the choppy political waters and held an educational public event in Richmond celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day at Mantle, the Virginia Indian tribute on the grounds of the Virginia State Capitol.

The Pocahontas Project is inspired by Americas growing acceptance for the reorientation of this national, state and local holiday to Indigenous Peoples Day. Further, TPP is confident a vast majority of Americans agree that the reorientation is both appropriate and uplifting.

There are many social, cultural and historical reasons why Indigenous Peoples Day should be immediately considered. As one of only 11 federal holidays, Columbus Day has never served its purpose as a national commemoration or celebration and has been in a significant negative spiral for three decades. Columbus Day is not and never has been a source of pride for most states, cities, counties, towns and villages across America that simply follow the national holiday schedule. Columbus Day is by far Americas least-celebrated national holiday, with most Americans unsure of what is being commemorated or why, but happy to get a day off from work or school, or score a good deal at a Columbus Day sale.

Culturally, TPP believes the atrocities directly associated with Christopher Columbus should disqualify his name from being associated with any commemoration, let alone a national holiday. Until the reorientation is complete, a holiday associated with Columbus will continue to be emotionally, intellectually and spiritually painful for a growing number of Americans.

Historically, we have learned the discovery of America, the only reason for the origin of the Columbus Day holiday in 1934, is a gross misrepresentation of the initial interaction between the Europeans and the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

The Pocahontas Project views the reorientation to Indigenous Peoples Day as a positive look forward for our country and believes it will be meaningful for Americans of all ages and backgrounds, wherever they may live. The reoriented holiday will encourage Americans to celebrate the history and culture of Americas Indigenous peoples in the name of remembrance, recognition, reconciliation and respect. It can honor the resilience of Americas Indigenous citizens, as well as the ancient wisdom of native, Indigenous and First Nations peoples around the world.

The United States and its territories represent a diverse and complex collection of Indigenous cultures: Americas Indian tribes, the Kanaka Maoli of Hawaii and the Alaska Natives, as well as the Indigenous peoples of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

TPP believes this is a Kairos moment  the right and opportune time to call the question in every American community and every official U.S. jurisdiction. Toward this end, TPP created the Indigenous Peoples Day Initiative and is recruiting supporters to collectively influence every municipality in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as the six U.S. territories and Congress to pass legislation celebrating the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day.

Many jurisdictions have made this formal change, and I am proud my hometown of Richmond joined that list when the mayor and City Council issued a joint resolution last year. Richmond followed its words with action by declaring Richmond Indigenous Peoples Day as a paid holiday for city employees, which had not been the case with Columbus Day. The Pocahontas Projects strategic plan positions RVA as a leader of this national movement. Were now asking the rest of Virginia to join us.

Close 09-17-1980 (cutline): Mayor Roy A. West happily cut the first piece from a birthday cake for Richmond 200th anniversary yesterday in a ceremony at Miller & Rhoads' downtown store. Lillian Bagley of the store's bakery, who decorated the cake, held a plate ready while Robert Rieland, M&R president, stood by. The 200th anniversary of Richmond incorporation was July 19. Surrounding the four-tiered centerpiece, topped by the city's seal, are confection models of City Hall, Farmers' Market, Shockoe Slip and other Richmond landmarks and attractions. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-16-1980 (cutline): Greg Stroud, a fife player for the York County Fife and Drum Corps, plays a Colonial Era tune to mark the departure of 27 canoeists from College Creek Landing in Williamsburg today for a 60-mile, upstream trip to Richmond. The voyage is being undertaken as part of the celebrations commemorating Richmond's bicentennial anniversary as Virginia's capital. 03-19-1980 (cutline): At a military encampment at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road (left) Ernie Dean, Brandt Heatherington and Carson Hudson Jr. (from left) of the 1st Virginia Regiment pose with a cannon. 04-21-1980 (cutline): "Pee Wee" and Gunner Hardwick (left, center) watched moose meat turn over an open fire yesterday at the 13 Acres Revolutionary and Civil War encampment at Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue. The brothers, along with Doug Pitman, were among the 55 units participating in the mock skirmishes to celebrate Richmond's 200th anniversary as state capital. The Hardwicks were part of the Kentucky Corps of Longriflemen, a group of frontier militiamen. Two hundred years ago, Kentucky was a western county of Virginia. 04-22-1980 (cutline): Members of a local bicycling group deliver documents to Mayor Henry L. Marsh III proclaiming Richmond the capital of Virginia. A copy of the original proclamation, issued 200 years ago by Governor Thomas Jefferson, was prepared by Gov. John N. Dalton. Members of the Virginia Bicycling Federation celebrating the 100th anniversary of their national organization, have been delivering the order by bicycle to county seats throughout the state. Members of the Capital Community Cyclists of Richmond who handed over the Proclamation at City Hall yesterday were (from left) Karen Sisson, Arthur Ratcliffe, and Allen Rothert. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Members of company H of the 23rd Virginia Regiment, Richmond Sharpshooters, talk at camp. The encampment at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road will be set up through 5 p.m. tomorrow. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Revolutionary Recollections-- A wagon driven from Williamsburg arrives at the state Capitol today as part of Richmond's Bicentennial celebrations. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Julie Barbato with 2nd New Jersey Regiment washes breakfast dishes at encampment. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-21-1980 (cutline): Young revolutionary soldier prepared for war by his tent at the 13 Acres Campground. In January 1980, the Richmond Bicentennial Commission erected this billboard along Interstate 95 downtown to celebrate the citys 200th year as Virginias capital, which previously was Williamsburg. From the Archives: Richmond's 200th Birthday In 1980, locals celebrated Richmond's 200th birthday as the capital of Virginia. Festivities kicked off in April 1980. 09-17-1980 (cutline): Mayor Roy A. West happily cut the first piece from a birthday cake for Richmond 200th anniversary yesterday in a ceremony at Miller & Rhoads' downtown store. Lillian Bagley of the store's bakery, who decorated the cake, held a plate ready while Robert Rieland, M&R president, stood by. The 200th anniversary of Richmond incorporation was July 19. Surrounding the four-tiered centerpiece, topped by the city's seal, are confection models of City Hall, Farmers' Market, Shockoe Slip and other Richmond landmarks and attractions. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-16-1980 (cutline): Greg Stroud, a fife player for the York County Fife and Drum Corps, plays a Colonial Era tune to mark the departure of 27 canoeists from College Creek Landing in Williamsburg today for a 60-mile, upstream trip to Richmond. The voyage is being undertaken as part of the celebrations commemorating Richmond's bicentennial anniversary as Virginia's capital. 03-19-1980 (cutline): At a military encampment at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road (left) Ernie Dean, Brandt Heatherington and Carson Hudson Jr. (from left) of the 1st Virginia Regiment pose with a cannon. 04-21-1980 (cutline): "Pee Wee" and Gunner Hardwick (left, center) watched moose meat turn over an open fire yesterday at the 13 Acres Revolutionary and Civil War encampment at Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue. The brothers, along with Doug Pitman, were among the 55 units participating in the mock skirmishes to celebrate Richmond's 200th anniversary as state capital. The Hardwicks were part of the Kentucky Corps of Longriflemen, a group of frontier militiamen. Two hundred years ago, Kentucky was a western county of Virginia. 04-22-1980 (cutline): Members of a local bicycling group deliver documents to Mayor Henry L. Marsh III proclaiming Richmond the capital of Virginia. A copy of the original proclamation, issued 200 years ago by Governor Thomas Jefferson, was prepared by Gov. John N. Dalton. Members of the Virginia Bicycling Federation celebrating the 100th anniversary of their national organization, have been delivering the order by bicycle to county seats throughout the state. Members of the Capital Community Cyclists of Richmond who handed over the Proclamation at City Hall yesterday were (from left) Karen Sisson, Arthur Ratcliffe, and Allen Rothert. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Members of company H of the 23rd Virginia Regiment, Richmond Sharpshooters, talk at camp. The encampment at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road will be set up through 5 p.m. tomorrow. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Revolutionary Recollections-- A wagon driven from Williamsburg arrives at the state Capitol today as part of Richmond's Bicentennial celebrations. 04-19-1980 (cutline): Julie Barbato with 2nd New Jersey Regiment washes breakfast dishes at encampment. 04-20-1980: Parade for celebration of Richmond's bicentennial as capital of Virginia. 04-21-1980 (cutline): Young revolutionary soldier prepared for war by his tent at the 13 Acres Campground. In January 1980, the Richmond Bicentennial Commission erected this billboard along Interstate 95 downtown to celebrate the citys 200th year as Virginias capital, which previously was Williamsburg.
Island of Cozumel awarded Magic Town status

Cozumel, Q.R.  After a thorough review, the island of Cozumel has been named a Magic Town. On Monday, the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico announced the new title for the island.

Mexico Tourism Secretary Miguel Torruco Marques reported that 123 applications from 27 states were received. After a thorough review, the Technical Evaluation and Verification Committee selected 45 applications that fully complied with the requirements.

Cozumel was one of those applicants. In June, Cozumel City Council unanimously approved to continue with the procedures for its incorporation into the Magic Towns program.

This is a very significant day for the tourist activity in Mexico because new Magical Towns are incorporated into our vast tourist offer, expanding and diversifying it.

With their natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth, from today, they will be important travel motivators which will attract greater tourist flows and, consequently, increase the economic flow, investment and employment for the benefit of our local populations, he said.

The Secretario de Turismo of Quintana Roo, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, is presented with the Magic Town status certificate for the island of Cozumel. Photo: H. Ayuntamiento de Cozumel June 26, 2023.

Torruco says that Mexico now has 177 Magical Towns, destinations that, due to their characteristics of nature, community life, customs and traditions, are preferred by national and foreign visitors from all over the world.

He says the Pueblos Magicos brand implies an annual increase of 8 percent in the Gross Census Added Value of the destination and in addition to this, Sectur will continue to promote these destinations through the Magic Color Routes initiative.

He emphasized that efforts will be doubled to promote its tourist heritage through the Tianguis Internacional de Pueblos Magicos, the Tianguis de Pueblos Magicos and the traditional Tianguis Turistico Mexico.

On Monday, Governor Mara Lezama recognized the islands new distinction. It fills us with emotion to share that Cozumel has become a Magical Town. Congratulations to the people of Cozumel and welcome everyone to enjoy the spectacular island of swallows.

Cozumel is Quintana Roos fourth Magic Town. The island joins three others Tulum, Isla Mujeres and Bacalar.
Puerto Morelos family demands end to alleged municipal harassment for their land

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  A family who says they have been threatened for their land have staged a hunger strike. On Monday, the family pitched tents in front of the municipal government building from where they protested the alleged ongoing mistreatment.

They claim several current Puerto Morelos administration officials have repeatadly tried to intimidate them into selling their 230 hectares of land. The alleged physical and verbal abuse has been ongoing since last year.

They say four criminal complaints have been filed with the Public Ministry, but nothing has come of them. Out of desperation, they began the public hunger strike.

With handwritten banners, they are demanding an end to the attacks and persecution, which they claim, have been orchestrated by the mayor and a group of at least five city hall workers.

The family says the mistreatment began last year and has not stopped. They claim the municipality wants the land, which they say they have owned for many years, for future development.

The area in which they live is considered a high-value area projected for growth. The 230 hectares they own also houses several lagoons that supplies water to the North Zone of Quintana Roo.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 19, 2021, Brandon Morris was found lying unconscious in the driveway of his Catawba home.

Nearby was a syringe containing fentanyl and his cell phone, which showed that just hours earlier he had made arrangements to buy what turned out to be a fatal dose of the powerful narcotic.

Ashley Blankenship later admitted to police that she knew the drugs she sold to Morris killed the 35-year-old  yet she continued to sell them to others over the next seven months.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen cited the truly abominable circumstances of the case Monday in sentencing Blankenship to 17 years in prison.

Blankenship, 39, continued to deal large amounts of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl from her Catawba home despite having Brandon Morriss blood on her hands, Cullen said.

In imposing the maximum punishment allowed under an earlier plea agreement, Cullen said he hoped the sentence would deter others from selling what has become the most dangerous of illegal drugs statewide.

Fentanyl, in its prescription and illicit forms, caused or contributed to 76% of all fatal overdoes last year, according to preliminary numbers from the Virginia Department of Health.

At one point, Cullen asked if a 15-year sentence, which both the prosecution and defense had asked for, was sufficient.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Johnson said the aggravating factors of the case needed to be balanced with Blankenships early and extensive cooperation with federal authorities.

Blankenship had no prior criminal history and had lived a productive life before turning to drug dealing to support her own addiction.

Addiction can be a powerful master, and that seems to be the case here, Johnson said.

After Morriss death, federal agents conducted two undercover drug purchases from Blankenship, who was selling drugs from her kitchen. Videos of the transactions showed her preparing the drugs for distribution under her framed degree from Longwood University, court records state.

After earning a degree in physics, Blankenship worked as a quality engineer at two local companies before she became addicted to prescription opioids while in an abusive relationship.

That was the beginning of Ms. Blankenships end, defense attorney Deborah Caldwell-Bono wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Blankenship sold drugs to support her own addiction and to deal with her growing anxiety and depression, she told authorities.

I am an addict myself, and I most certainly do have respect for human life, she told Cullen on Monday, turning to apologize to the members of Morriss family who sat in the courtroom.

Never, ever, did I intend to set out to destroy another life, she said.

But that was not the way family members saw things. Do you have any idea of the pain and suffering you have caused? Morriss great aunt, Margie Vanneman asked as the defendant sat handcuffed in court wearing a jail jumpsuit.

Or did she just consider him collateral damage, the cost of doing business? Vanneman asked in imploring Cullen to impose the toughest prison term allowed by the plea agreement.

Family members described Morris as an intelligent man with a generous soul and a great sense of humor. An avid outdoorsman, he was so kind-hearted that he stopped whenever he spotted a turtle in the road and moved it to safety.

Yes, Brandon had a drug problem, but he didnt have a death wish, Vanneman said. She might as well have put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
A plea agreement accepted Tuesday ended a Pulaski County fatal crash case complicated by the flawed detective work of a Virginia State Police trooper who has himself been investigated for perjury.

Also Tuesday, the Pulaski County commonwealths attorneys office asked a judge to dismiss traffic charges against 39 people due to the troopers conduct.

Our office was not willing to call the trooper to provide evidence to the court, Commonwealths Attorney Justin Griffith wrote in a statement.

The issues with Trooper Joseph H. Lowes cases edged into public view during a Pulaski County General District Court hearing for Monica Carolyn Harder. The Pulaski woman, 32, was the surviving driver in a January crash that killed 90-year-old Garnie Lee East Sr. of the Wythe County community of Grahams Forge.

Tuesdays hearing began with attorneys and Judge Frederick King noting that Lowes involvement complicated legal matters.

Prosecutors already had asked King to dismiss traffic charges against 39 other people  all in cases unrelated to Harder  due to Lowes conduct.

Attorneys discussed delaying Harders case to see if the prosecution could find another emergency responder to testify. But mid-hearing, Harder and defense lawyer Michael Barbour of Dublin took a break to discuss a plea agreement offered by Deputy Commonwealths Attorney James Crandall.

Harder decided to accept the terms, entering a plea of not guilty to a charge of reckless driving  but stipulating that the prosecutions evidence was sufficient for a finding of guilt. King quickly convicted her.

Harder, who had amassed more than two dozen vehicle-related convictions since 2014, was fined $1,000. She also was sentenced to 30 days in jail, with the entire term suspended for 12 months contingent on good behavior. Her drivers license was suspended for six months and King granted Harder a restricted license that will let her drive to work and other approved destinations.

Charges of having an expired registration, driving without insurance, and not wearing a seatbelt were dropped.

According to a state police account released in January, Harder was heading north on U.S. 11 near Draper when she crossed the center line in her 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander and ran head-on into Easts southbound 2014 Ford Focus. The initial state police statement said that distraction was considered a factor in the wreck.

The state police account, however, was called into question as the case against Harder moved forward.

In an email, written after the hearing, Barbour said phone records that were shared with prosecutors showed that his client was not using her phone at any time relevant to this tragic accident.

State police issued a statement Tuesday evening saying there had been a perjury investigation targeting Lowe, who was hired by the state police in 2019 and assigned to the Dublin Field Office in 2021. The investigation of the trooper began in March and its findings have been given to special prosecutor Roy Evans, Smyth Countys commonwealths attorney, state police said.

The state police statement about Lowe did not give any details of what prompted the perjury allegation. Lowe has been on administrative leave since the investigation of him began, state police said.

Griffiths statement, also issued Tuesday evening, said that his decision to dismiss an array of traffic charges came after state police notified him that Lowe was being investigated.

Griffith credited state police with notifying him about Lowe, saying the decision reflects the values the numerous troopers we work with every day possess.

He wrote that Garnie Easts family was consulted before the plea agreement was offered to Harder, and noted that the six-month license suspension was the longest allowed for a reckless driving conviction.

Dan East, Garnie Easts grandson, said that prosecutors told his family that the case against Harder was going to be basically a slap on the hand thing due to the troopers actions, with no jail time imposed.

Barbour wrote that Harder was not told at the scene of the crash that East had critical injuries, and was both horrified and saddened when she learned he had died.

She regrets Mr. Easts death and the pain his loss has caused his family and friends, Barbour wrote.

It could not be immediately determined Tuesday if cases Lowe investigated were pending in other courts besides Pulaski Countys.
Roanoke law enforcement and government leaders spoke Monday about efforts to curb a recent surge in gun violence incidents, all of which occurred during late night or early morning hours and involved teenagers.

City police said during a press conference that four males between the ages of 15 and 19 were either injured or killed in a series of three shootings over the weekend.

A young man was shot and killed on Melrose Avenue Northwest early Saturday morning. Two young men were shot at a business on Hershberger Road Northwest, approximately an hour after the homicide on Saturday morning, Deputy Chief David Morris said. Last night, a young man was shot and killed inside a residence on 18th Street Northwest.

That most recent shooting occurred at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release. Police were summoned by a 911 call to the 700 block of 18th Street.

There, officers found an unresponsive juvenile male victim inside a residence with what appeared to be critical gunshot wounds, police said in a press release. Roanoke Fire-EMS Department personnel declared the teenager dead on the scene.

Police also found property damage to the outside of the residence that is consistent with a shooting, but did not locate any suspects or make any arrests.

No additional details were shared by police Monday about the shooting investigations, which Deputy Chief Jerry Stokes said were still ongoing. He confirmed that no suspects were in custody as of Monday afternoon.

We are following every lead that comes in to our department. In addition to our detectives working diligently on these investigations, we have requested assistance from the Virginia State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stokes said.

Police originally reported that the male that died after the shooting on Melrose Avenue and one of the males injured in the Hershberger Road incident were legal adults.

But Morris said, They were still teenagers. Please keep their families of these young men in your thoughts. Whether their loved ones were injured or lost a life, their lives have been changed significantly.

Stokes said the citys Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma, or RESET, team will walk through the neighborhoods impacted by the weekends violence, direct them to available resources and solicit information.

If you see something or know something, even if its a small piece, we need to have that information, the deputy chief said.

The shootings all occurred between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Roanokes city council approved changes to an existing youth curfew earlier this month in hope of keeping kids safe while school is out for the summer.

This was the exact cause of concern that we had, especially those who are 16 and younger, about safety, and being out at certain hours of the night, Mayor Sherman Lea said on Monday. Im sure council...will be saddened to see that 15 year olds are involved in this. But we have to keep working.

Stokes said the new curfew goes into effect on July 1. It requires youth 13 or younger to stay inside after 10 p.m. on weekdays. Youth ages 14, 15 and 16 have to stay inside after 11 p.m. on weekdays.

Summer programs through the city, schools and churches have been organized to keep youth off the street, too. Vice Mayor Joe Cobb said that the surge of juvenile-involved shootings doesnt mean those programs arent working.

I think theyre very effective, Cobb said. Not knowing the full extent of why these incidents occurred, because the investigation is underway, its hard for any of us, I think, to determine what the factors are. But the communication of these programs has been very robust. And I believe that as many people as possible have access to these programs. Were always open for ways to expand and increase that information. But I dont think these [incidents] convey or take away from the effectiveness of the summer programs that are underway.

Stokes said one of the young men injured or killed over the weekend had been offered services, had been a bit engaged with some of those services.

Unfortunately, we were having some difficulty with follow-through, Stokes said. One can certainly imagine, had there been some follow-through by the young man, that maybe he wouldnt be in the place where he is today. Thats why its very important that we get those services to people.

The police department made an arrest in every homicide that occurred in the city between Jan. 1 and the month of May, including two killings that were not caused by firearms. Three homicides, all shootings, have occurred in the month of June. Police have reported no arrests in those cases.

That doesnt mean that were not making progress, that we wont make an arrest, Stokes said. Sure, its always best to quickly make an arrest on an incident like this. Thats what our goal is, and detectives are actively working those cases. I wouldnt say theyre cold or anything like that. We are progressing on those investigations and we certainly anticipate that well close those, as well.

If you know something about the weekends shootings, call 540-344-8500 to share what you know with police. You can also send a text to 274637, beginning the message with RoanokePD to ensure it is sent properly. Police say both calls and texts can remain anonymous.

Cobb said a variety of local trauma resources are available to members of the community experiencing tragedies.
FLOYD  The Executive Committee of Floyd Countys Republican Party tabled Eric Branscoms appeal last week of the May 6 primary after disqualifying three signatures of his petition.

Committee members said the individuals did not vote that day and were not qualified to sign or aid Branscoms cause.

The disqualifications left the current Floyd County commonwealths attorney one signature short to qualify for an appeal, and county GOP Chairman Joe Turman called for an adjournment without any vote on whether or not to accept or reject the appeal on June 22.

After the meeting, Turman said he felt Branscoms filing as an independent for the November 2023 General Election violated a requirement that all GOP candidates sign, which is a pledge to not run as an independent if they lost in the canvass.

Branscom, who did not attend the meeting, said he was not surprised by the outcome and called the proceeding a kangaroo court.

The county party used whats commonly referred to as a firehouse primary on May 6, with voters casting ballots over several hours at the county library to choose a Republican nominee for commonwealths attorney.

Lawyer Travis Epes defeated Branscom by an announced count of 321-252.

In his appeal, Branscom said the county party ignored some of its rules by not allowing early votes and said Epes, who serves as the county GOPs general counsel, was guilty of a conflict of interest because he was both a candidate and a party official.

The issues raised in the appeal were not discussed during the meeting at the library Thursday night.

After a review the signatures of Branscoms appeal, Turman said three who signed the petition were not listed among those who signed in to vote and that disqualified them being valid to the process.

Theres no need to do anything more, he said.

Before the meeting started, Turman outlined rules that did not allow consideration of motions from the floor and said the committee would vote to either accept or reject the appeal after verifying signatures.

Tabling the appeal brought the meeting to an end without hearing from either candidate or voting on the appeal.

Its done, Turman said. Its over.

Branscom said he will make my case to the voters, adding that the way situation has been handled has not allowed for an ample hearing.
A harmful algal bloom advisory from the Virginia Department of Health remains in effect for the Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake as July 4 vacationers soon will arrive.

The state on June 7 warned people to avoid swimming, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding or any activity that might cause them to touch or swallow the water in the Blackwater River area. Boating and fishing are OK there, the state advised, as long as boaters avoid contact with the water.

The algal bloom creates a blue scum on the surface of the water.

Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality returned to Smith Mountain Lake earlier this week to test areas on the Roanoke River arm that had reports of algal blooms. Results from that testing are expected in the coming days.

The state collected follow-up water samples at nine locations within the Blackwater River arm of the lake June 13. Of the sites tested, some still contain levels of cyanobacteria considered to be unsafe, according to the Smith Mountain Lake Association.

Testing results showed levels of toxins from the cyanobacteria in those areas have decreased from the first water samples collected June 1. While the cyanobacteria remains, toxin levels are below detection limits, the release stated.

The nine test sites where samples were collected included locations near Kemp Ford Road, Virginia Key and the Anthony Ford Public Boat Ramp where testing was originally done. The Anthony Ford Public Boat Ramp has improved and now contains safe levels of cyanobacteria and no toxins. The Kemp Ford Road and Virginia Key locations still contain unsafe levels of cyanobacteria but no toxins.

Of the remaining six sites where water samples were taken, two contain unsafe levels of cyanobacteria, but no toxins. The remaining four sample locations contained cyanobacteria at safe levels and no toxins.

While the Anthony Ford Boat Ramp site has improved, one more sampling event must occur before the advisory can be lifted in this area, according to the SMLA release. The remaining sites where cyanobacteria levels are currently at unsafe levels must be sampled two more times, 10 days apart, both events showing safe levels of cyanobacteria.

It is impossible to know how long the harmful algae blooms will continue to impact the area, the SMLA stated. The algal blooms must die off which could take days to weeks, and possibly months, according to the report.

While there are chemicals that can be infused into the lake to help reduce the harmful algal bloom, there could be unintended impact to the aquatic ecosystem. With the large size of the lake, the cost associated with this approach also makes it prohibitive to pursue, the report said.

The SMLA has invited state officials to participate in a public information session at the lake. The community meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 6. More information on the time and location and location is expected in the coming days.
Jami Poff of Roanoke County wrote with a heavy heart earlier this month.

I know its not Earth shattering nor the Ukraine, Poff said in the June 3 email. However, yesterday according to USPS email notifications, we were to receive two bills from credit card companies Bank of America and Citibank.

Citibank bill was supposed to be delivered May 23. So I called and they sent [a] second bill, the retired teacher wrote.

The same thing has happened to two vehicle registration notices from the Virginia Department Motor Vehicles, and a recent bill from an insurance company. Thats frightening and defeating at same time, Poff said.

One of our neighbors went to the post office last week. They keep blaming [a] lack of postal workers and our carrier who retired, Poff wrote. She suggested politicians quit banning books and focus instead on ensuring mail gets delivered.

[Postmaster General] Louis Dejoy needs to be replaced, Poff added. And postal workers need to be hired.

Shes hardly the only aggrieved postal customer in this region. Another is Laura Mercier of Blacksburg. She said the Postal Service is wasting money on their telephone bill at the Blacksburg Post Office.

The Postal Service needs to remove the phones from the Blacksburg office, Mercier wrote. Why? They never answer their phones!

Everyone in Blacksburg, Virginia, never knows if they will get their bills or someone else will get their mail. When we mail our mail half of it gets to the right place, Mercier wrote June 6.

(I doubt it makes her feel any better, but Ive experienced the same when trying to call the post office on Grandin Road in Roanokes Raleigh Court neighborhood.)

Like Poff, Mercier subscribes (at no cost) to Informed Delivery, the U.S. Postal Services emailed notification service. That sends subscribers a daily photo of mail due to arrive later that same day. (Recently, USPS has cautioned that mail may not arrive on precisely the same day as Informed Delivery notices indicate.)

The bigger problem, Mercier said, is sometimes that mail doesnt show up at all, on the appointed day or later.

Where is all this mail going to? Mercier asked. I also have had packages that the USPS Informed Delivery said is coming to me but they have to date never shown up.

And finally, I heard from David Shapiro, who lives at Friendship Living, a retirement community in Roanoke. Shapiro says he and other residents of Friendship have a very good carrier  who delivers mail on time  when shes working.

When shes on vacation, we would not get mail. It started in April, Shapiro said. He has seen almost a week pass with no delivery.

Shapiro is no fan of President Joe Biden, whom he considers too old to run for reelection in 2024. But he doesnt blame Biden for the U.S. Postal Services recent shortcomings.

Trump was a lousy President and it was he and his administration, that caused the ongoing problems that the Post Office is having, Shapiro wrote in an email. Before Trump came along, there was no problems with the Post Office and we always got our mail on time and every day.

If he was still president, us seniors would lose Social Security, Medicare.

Of the three, Shapiro was the only one who said hed complained directly to Congress. That was an email to U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine.

When we talked, Shapiro seemed frustrated that Kaines office responded by asking him to fill out a privacy release form, so the office can investigate Shapiros particular issues. That has been standard in many congressional offices since Congress enacted the Privacy Act of 1974.

Kaines staff said his office is looking into many complaints from around Virginia his office has received in recent months. He brought those to the attention of the Postal Service in a May 26 letter to the agencys congressional liaison. It cited:

Hundreds of water customers in Chilhowie who didnt receive their water bills in December. The same thing occurred in February with 1,800 bills sent out by the water utility serving Marion, Kaine added.

A company in Henrico that didnt receive mail for two weeks.

A resident of Arlington who missed deliveries of DMV forms to renew a vehicle registration and Virginia drivers license.

Complaints from Roanoke customers who are receiving mail only twice per week, rather than six days per week, as mandated by the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022.

Brandy Brubaker, a spokeswoman for Virginias DMV, said that agency has not noticed an increased number of missed DMV mail complaints recently.

I am concerned that Virginia communities as far-flung as Smyth County in Southwest Virginia, the Richmond area (nearly 300 miles away from Chilhowie by highway), and Arlington, across the river from Washington, D.C., are all experiencing missing bills, medications, tax documents, and days/weeks without mail, Kaine wrote in the May 26 letter.

My constituents are understandably frustrated and eager to know if help is on the way. I appreciate any information you can share.

Janine Kritschgau, a Kaine spokeswoman, said the senator noticed an uptick in mail complaints after he sent the letter to the Postal Service roughly a month ago. She was unable to quantify the number.

To date, the Postal Service has not responded, she added. More information will be available from Kaines office after a reply arrives, she said.

Kaine is the second Virginia senator whos recently indicated unhappiness with whats occurring in Virginia with mail delivery. The other, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, addressed the issue in a May 10 telephonic press conference.

Have you been experiencing mail delivery problems? If so, Kaine is encouraging Virginia mail customers to contact his office online at at www.kaine.senate.gov/services/help [no period.]

You might want to copy me on those issues, at dan.casey@roanoke.com, my work email.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
" " The bunyip is a creature from Aboriginal mythology. According to legend, the cryptid lives in the wetlands of Australia and hunts women and children. Daniel Eskridge/Shutterstock

You're more likely to hear it before you see it in the flesh. (Or in the "feathers," as it were.)

Those who visit the right wetlands in New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tasmania or mainland Australia just might come across a tan, speckled heron who's got the voice of an electric bass guitar.

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Deep and resonant, the booming cry that male Australian bitterns (Botaurus poiciloptilus) make when they're ready to breed sounds like it could've been ripped straight out of an '80s horror movie, the kind that your parents used to never let you rent from Blockbuster.

And what do you know? The Australian bittern bird is also called the "bunyip bird," after a legendary cryptid with a similarly frightening bellow who's said to prey on humans and live in the remote billabongs and wetlands of Australia.
In public, a glance over the shoulder is enough to spy out passwords, for example. Credit: Michael Schwettmann

More than 12,000 individuals in 12 countries took part in an online survey that focused on what people understand safe behavior in cyberspace to be, how they approach it and what misconceptions they may have.

Participants came from China, Germany, the U.K., India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the U.S. and South Africa. They represent 42% of the world's population. The questions revolved, for example, around end-to-end encryption, WiFi surfing, the https standard, virtual private networks (VPN), and passwords.

Some risks are understood by people all over the world

"It emerged that some risks are equally well understood by all participants around the world," points out Franziska Herbert, who designed the survey together with the team. One of these is the phenomenon of shoulder surfing, where unauthorized persons obtain personal data simply by looking over a user's shoulder.

Certain misconceptions, however, are apparently also widespread around the world. "For example, in all the countries we covered in the survey, 80% of the participants believe that it is necessary to change passwords periodically to keep them secure," says Franziska Herbert. IT security experts actually used to recommend this for a long time, until it turned out that this practice actually doesn't do any good at all.

In addition to all the similarities, the researchers also identified differences between participants from different countries, especially with regard to the scale of the assessments. "Compared to participants from Germany, participants in all other countries were more likely to have misconceptions about malware, device security and passwords," outlines Franziska Herbert.

German participants were the least likely to agree with misconceptionseven though they still fell in the middle of the scale between "completely agree" and "completely disagree." The highest level of agreement with misleading statements came from participants from China and India.

A detailed article on this topic is published in the science magazine Rubin.

Provided by Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum
Many of the US-Japan collaborative experiments were irradiated in this central zone of the reactor core of ORNL's High Flux Isotope Reactor. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Creating energy the way the sun and stars dothrough nuclear fusionis one of the grand challenges facing science and technology. What's easy for the sun and its billions of relatives turns out to be particularly difficult to replicate on Earth.

On Earth, scientists must generate, confine and sustain a superhot gas called plasmaheated to 10 times the temperature of the center of the sunto cause a fusion reaction. Although terrestrial plasmas can be confined magnetically, what materials can withstand near such high temperatures and the relentless impact of energetic neutrons? That question is central to the development of economical fusion power plants to provide abundant and carbon-free energy.

Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have been working with Japanese scientists under the Japan-U.S. Fusion Cooperation Program for decades to determine the answer.

"Materials development poses one of the greatest technical challenges for deploying a commercial fusion energy economy," said Yutai Kato, director of ORNL's Materials Science and Technology Division. "Of course plasma physics is important, but you have to have the materials that can withstand the harsh environment of fusion reactors. It's an extremely challenging requirement."

This requirement is so challenging that even after four decades of collaborative research among two generations of scientists in many countries, "at the moment, we don't have confidence in any materials that can survive in the fusion environment of a high flux of neutrons and extreme heat long enough to make fusion energy economically competitive," Kato said.

New materialsand the associated supply chainswill be needed for commercial and utility-scale fusion power plants to be viable.

For more than 40 years, the U.S. and Japan have been collaborating on joint scientific projects that attempt to determine the best materials for future magnetic confinement fusion energy machines, power plants based on tokamak or stellarator concepts. These collaborations use some of the world's best research tools, including a fission test reactor and radiological materials characterization facilities at ORNL.

"The Joint Projects under the Japan-U.S. Fusion Cooperation Program started in 1981 and continue to investigate a wide range of fusion materials and engineering issues, especially neutron radiation effects on these materials," Kato said. ORNL's High Flux Isotope Reactor, or HFIR, and other U.S. test systems have been the primary instruments to help elucidate effects of neutrons on materials. Kato added that he knows of no other scientific collaboration that has continued for that long. He and co-authors described the program in a paper in the Journal of Nuclear Materials last year.

The collaboration is defined by two distinct programs. One is a fundamental science program that has involved researchers at multiple Japanese universities and several U.S. laboratories. It started in 1981 and expanded to include ORNL in the 1990s to make use of HFIR. The second program features collaboration between ORNL and Japanese scientists at a government lab in Japan now known as the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, or QST. That program began in 1983 with irradiation experiments, first in the Oak Ridge Research Reactor, then in HFIR.

The experiments were aimed at developing materials to use in experimental and demonstration devices and "the eventual power systems that we hope will evolve from these programs," said Bill Wiffen, an ORNL consultant. Wiffen was a member of the ORNL research staff for 25 years until 1989 and then was program manager for DOE fusion materials in the Office of Science for 10 years. He has been part of the collaboration for many years.

There are, however, candidate materials for fusion power plants, and scientists are eager to continue the collaboration. According to Kato, the research has identified three classes of materials that are promising for future fusion system applications: reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steels, oxide dispersion strengthened steels and silicon carbide composites. Another material, tungsten, is a favored candidate for specialized applications to withstand high heat and particle flux levels.

"We're working on the structural materials that have an international consensus of having the best chances of working," Wiffen said. "The steels look promising. We also have some hopes that tungsten will work as a plasma-facing material, and that's a focus of the fundamental program right now."

But none of the experimental fusion machinesincluding the international ITER facility in France, which will deliver long pulse operation for minutes at a timecan produce the high exposures to neutrons the materials scientists and engineers need. That's why HFIR is so important and "why we need a dedicated fusion neutron source. That's the number one new facility priority in the fusion community right now," Kato said.

The Material Plasma Exposure eXperiment, or MPEX, a DOE Office of Science project managed by ORNL slated for completion late this decade, will complement HFIR by providing the ability to test materials for use in the extreme plasma environments found in fusion energy devices.

Although the QST collaboration focused on designing and developing the materials and generating the qualification and licensing data for an eventual power plant, "for us, the value of that collaboration is to really connect our science program with the engineering program on their part so we stay practical and realistic," Kato said.

The university collaboration makes use of facilities throughout the U.S. and Japan with programs such as RTNS-II, FFTF/MOTA, JUPITER, JUPITER-II, TITAN, PHENIX and now FRONTIER.

Japan has an experimental tokamak and stellarator, but neither was planned to produce the neutrons needed for materials research.

In addition to these efforts with Japanese partners, ORNL also has growing collaborations with the European Union and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. "We hope these productive collaborations will continue," Wiffen said. "The results are measures of the synergistic values of working internationally to mature this important developing 21st-century technology."

Among the most important impacts of early U.S.-Japanese studies was a determination that the neutrons of fission and fusion reactions, which occur at different energies, result in comparable damage in terms of primary defects in the material. The collaboration then focused on other topics, including the dynamic irradiation effects under variable conditions, material system issues for blanket concepts, and materials and technologies for plasma-facing components. In addition to the relatively fundamental studies, the Joint Projects contributed largely to the development of candidate steels as well as ceramic composites and materials like tungsten.

In April 2023, Japan announced a national fusion strategy to help create an industry based on developing and commercializing fusion power. It thus join an international race that was already steaming full speed ahead. Fusion's advantages are so enticing that it is attractive to governments and now private investors alike. As a measure of this interest, investors in the U.S. are pouring in $5 billion to commercialize the process as a solution to climate change. But their fusion devices' success will depend largely on having the right materials.

Mickey Wade, associate laboratory director for ORNL's Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, said energy from fusion will be necessary if the world is to meet global carbon reduction goals.

"The projected worldwide demand for carbon-free electricity is surging," Wade said. "The only way to meet that demand is through nuclear fission and fusion energy playing a large role in our future energy mix."

Kato, who first visited ORNL as a student more than 30 years ago because of the collaboration and then joined the ORNL research staff about 10 years later, added, "We just have to figure out the right materials to get started."

Provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory
A replica of the Euclid spacecraft at Thales Alenia Space's premises in Cannes, France, in 2019. Credit: Stephane Corvaja/ESA

Everything that we can see and detect in the world around usthe stars, galaxies, flowers, our bodies, atomsrepresents just 5% of the universe. The rest of it, according to current theories, is made up of two components: dark matter and dark energy. Their existence is inferred indirectly. Dark matter keeps galaxies together; dark energy is hastening the expansion of the universe. But what they are is unknown. This Saturday, a telescope is due to be launched into space to help unravel this mystery.

Professor Tom Kitching, from UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory, is one of four science co-ordinators for the European Space Agency-led Euclid mission. He says the data it brings back has the potential to determine whether or not dark energy is "vacuum energy"the energy of virtual particles popping in and out of existence in empty space. If so, fundamental theories of particle physics will need revising, as this vacuum energy would need to be much stronger than current theories predict. If not, it is Einstein's theory of gravity that may be wrong. "Either way would be a revolution in physics," he says.

The mission is a massive collaborative projectthe consortium that proposed it alone consists of 2,000 scientists and engineers across 15 countries. The telescope has two instruments. One, the Near Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP), will capture light from the invisible, near infrared spectrum. The other, called VIS, will capture visible light. Professor Mark Cropper (UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory) has led on designing and developing the VIS optical camera over 16 years, working with teams at UCL, Open University and across Europe.

The camera, one of the largest ever sent into space, will take high resolution, panoramic images of a large swathe of the universe, going back 10 billion years and covering a third of the night sky. Using these data, astronomers will measure the shapes of two billion galaxies and use a technique called weak gravitational lensingseeing how light from distant galaxies has been bent by the gravity of intervening matter on its way to the telescopeto infer the large-scale distribution of visible and dark matter more precisely than has been possible before. And, because looking at more distant galaxies means looking back in time, astronomers can see how dark matter has evolved throughout most of the universe's history, shedding light on the interplay between dark matter (binding galaxies together) and dark energy (pushing them away from each other).

VIS's wide field of view means that, while it will take images nearly as sharp as the Hubble Space Telescope, it will cover a much larger area of the skycovering the same area in one day as Hubble covered over 25 years. Each image would require 300 high-definition TV screens to display. Over six years it will allow the shape of more than 1.5 billion galaxies to be measured. "These are huge, unprecedented images," says Professor Cropper.

The VIS camera was a pan-European project led by UCL's Mullard Space Science Laboratory. Its structure and calibration unit came from France, the shutter from Switzerland, and a processing unit was built in Italy. The core electronics, including its array of 36 CCDs (that convert photons into electrons), were built, tested and calibrated at MSSL.

The laboratory, located in a Victorian mansion in the Surrey Hills, is staffed by 60 engineers and 140 scientists. It has supported 300 space missions. Instruments designed and built at MSSL have reached many corners of the solar system, from Mars to Saturn to close to the Sun, and have helped illuminate the most distant galaxies. A model of Britain's first rocket, the Skylark, sits at the bottom of a staircase.

When I visit shortly before the Euclid launch, engineers in a clean room are testing a plasma analyser for a space weather satellite, Vigil (due to launch in the mid-2020s), by firing ions at it. Nitrogen is piped in through tubes to keep instruments cold, mimicking the environment in space.

Christine Brockley-Blatt (UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory) is the project manager for the VIS camera. She was responsible for delivering 12 sets of electronics (and two spares) and supporting their integration on to the spacecraft. (This was done remotely from MSSL, as it was during the pandemic.) It was "extremely complex logistically," she says, with different bits of equipment being transported back and forth across Europe. As well as extensive engineering knowledge, the role requires patience and people skills. "It's basically a mum job," she jokes. "You have to make sure everyone's OK."

All being well, Euclid will leave Earth on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on July 1. Its instruments will be turned on 11 days later. The spacecraft will head to the second Lagrangian Point, a stable hovering spot about 1.5 million kilometres (1 million miles) from Earth, joining the NASA-led James Webb Space Telescope and the ESA Gaia mission: UCL-MSSL provided parts of both these missions too.

An engineer in a clean room at MSSL who is testing a plasma analyser for the Vigil space weather satellite in June 2023. Credit: UCL / James Tye

Its beaming down of images is, in one respect, only the start of the work. Hundreds of scientists will be involved in processing the raw data into summary statistics that astronomers can compare to our current models of the universe. Grayscale data from VIS will be combined with colour data from the ground-based Vera C. Rubin Observatory, and infrared data from the other Euclid instrument, NISP, allowing the team to catalogue objects in terms of brightness and their distance away from us. The algorithms that will be used are advanced developments in their own right.

Professor Benjamin Joachimi (UCL Physics & Astronomy) is the deputy lead of the team at the end of this process, whose job it is to co-ordinate summaries and create an overall view. "If you look at a single galaxy it can't tell us much," he explains. "But lots of galaxies can tell us about the properties of the universe."

This processpart of the ground segment, or ground-based element of the missionis painstaking but crucial. "Every step of the ground segment has to be perfectly done," says Professor Joachimi. "Any tiny mistake can mess up the science that comes out at the end. Some of the accuracy requirements can be measured as parts per million." Euclid's sharp view of galaxiesits increased resolution compared to previous surveys of the universe"ups the ante on how accurately we have to process that information."

As well as his role in the ground segment, Professor Joachimi will also be among the scientists investigating how the data compares to what mathematical models of the universe would predict. One key question, he explains, is how "clumpy" the distribution of dark matter is. Analysis of the cosmic microwave background (CMB)remnants of a burst of light that shot through the universe about 380,000 years after the big bangpredicts that dark matter ought to be more clumpy today than weak lensing techniques currently find it to be. Perhaps some new physics happened to make the matter less clustered. "No one has a good theory to explain it," says Professor Joachimi. "This is the big puzzle that keeps us awake at night."

Professor Kitching is among the teams of scientists who will be comparing the summary statistics with models, seeing if they agree with our current understanding of the universe. He, like Professor Joachimi, has been involved in Euclid since its inception. The most impressive aspect of the mission for him, he explains, is not the science but the human dimension. "It's inspiring because it's been people from 15 different countries and cultures working together over decades on a really, really complicated experiment," he says. He hopes it can act as an example for international collaborations aiming to fix problems such as climate change.

Professor Cropper, who has dedicated a large chunk of his working life to Euclid, says he is looking forward to the surprises the telescope will uncover. "People won't have seen the universe in this level of detail before," says. "There will be new things in every 10 minute exposure sent to Earth."

Professor Ofer Lahav (UCL Physics & Astronomy), who was involved in early discussions on Euclid and has initiated UCL's role in several cosmological experiments, says the mission "will transform our understanding of the dark sectors of the universe and the formation of superstructures such as clusters and voids."

First, though, the telescope has to be launched safely into space. Several UCL engineers and scientists, including Professor Cropper and Brockley-Blatt, will be watching from close by in Florida. The anxiety levels are increasing, says Professor Cropper. "It gets a rough ride on the way up there."

If the launch is successful, Professor Kitching says, "a revolution in physics is almost guaranteed."

Provided by University College London
FLORENCE, S.C.  The Housing Authority of Florence has chosen a new executive director, and the authoritys former director is suing for breach of contract and defamation.

Alphonso Bradley, the District 3 Florence County councilman, was chosen to be the next executive director by the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners on May 30. The authoritys former director, Clamentine Elmore, was fired by the board on March 22.

Ive always been in the helping business, and it looked like a position that would allow me to help a lot of people, Bradley said.

Before starting the job, Bradley still needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the boards chosen candidate, according to Jose Coker. Coker is one of the Housing Authority of Florences attorneys.

As the executive director, Bradley said, he wants to get more people who qualify into affordable housing. He also wants to make a plan to replace many of the Housing Authority of Florences aging affordable housing options, he said.

A lot of the affordable housing, particularly the apartment complexes in Florence, they were built around the time I was a child, and Im 60 years old, Bradley said.

The authority used to have a home ownership program that helped transition those in affordable housing out and into their own home, and Bradley said he wants to restart that program. Finally, he said he wants to help address the abandoned houses that can be seen around Florence.

Before applying to be the executive director, Bradley said, he discussed the idea with Florence Countys attorney. Since the county does not give funds or appoint board members to the Housing Authority of Florence, the countys attorney said the position would not cause a conflict of interest with his position as a Florence County councilman.

Florence City Councilwoman Lethonia Barnes, who is Bradleys sister, said she spoke with the citys attorney about the possibility of Bradley being the Housing Authority of Florences executive director to make sure there was no conflict of interest from her, either.

The attorney said there would not be any conflicts of interest, but said Barnes may not appoint members to the Housing Authority of Florence Board of Commissioners, something the council is tasked with doing.

He has the expertise to do this. I think he will do a good job, Barnes said. I dont think me being on council should stop someone who has the credentials, as he does, to serve in a great capacity.

Most of Bradleys career was spent in the public school system, primarily managing people.

The size of the staff of the Housing Authority is about 75 employees, which is about the normal size that Id been dealing with, Bradley said.

He also has experience writing grant applications for different school systems, which he said will help him in his new role as well.

Basically everything that Ive done in my career seems like it was in preparation for this job, because Im doing pretty much the same things that Ive always been doing, Bradley said.

In the announcement of Bradleys hiring, Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Chairman Douglas Hawkins said Bradley is an experienced community leader and has a proven track record.

His strong winning attitude and personality are assets that will enhance Florence Housing Authoritys ability to meet the needs of our residents as we continue to provide quality, innovative housing to the marketplace, Hawkins said.

The announcement says Bradley started on June 1, but he said on Thursday he has not yet received a start date from the Housing Authority of Florence.

Lawsuit

On May 10, Elmore filed a lawsuit in circuit court against the Housing Authority of Florence and Commissioner Jerrod Moultrie for breach of contract, defamation and violation of state labor laws.

Elmores attorney, Chance Sturup at the law firm Cromer, Babb, Porter & Hicks LLC, alleges that the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners wrongly ended Elmores employment contract without cause. Her contract said that if she was fired without cause, she was entitled to pay and benefits for the remainder of the contract, the lawsuit says.

The contract allegedly was supposed to last until December 1, 2027.

Even if terminated with cause, the contract still required the Housing Authority of Florence to pay Elmore for all paid vacation days and 7% of her unused sick days, the lawsuit says. It says that if no proper cause was given, the authority would instead need to pay her back in full for all her unused sick days.

If the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners had an issue with her performance, it was required by Elmores contract to submit to her a written notice detailing the problems, the lawsuit says. Once she was given the notice, Elmore was then supposed to have at least 180 days to fix the problems.

In addition to seeking the wages and benefits that Sturup says Elmore is owed, the lawsuit is seeking payment for damages to Elmores reputation by the Housing Authority and Moultrie. Sturup says in the lawsuit that Moultrie made multiple false statements about her, alleged she did a number of crimes and reported her to law enforcement agencies.

The lawsuit says Moultrie knew the allegations were false yet still made them to law enforcement, government officials, community members and on Fab News, which is a website owned by Moultrie.

Employees and representatives of the Florence Housing Authority also made false claims against Elmore, the lawsuit says. However, it says Moultrie was the cause of her being fired.

Moultrie said he does not understand why he was singled out by Elmore when the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to remove her.

I dont have the power to fire anybody by myself, he said. As far as the defamation of character, what I will say is that allegations were reported to the board, and we dealt with it.

In October 2021, the lawsuit says, Elmore helped the Cheraw Housing Authority, which is managed by the Florence Housing Authority, with securing grant money. In response, the Cheraw Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted to give Elmore a $10,000 bonus, according to the lawsuit.

After learning of the bonus, Moultrie claimed that Elmore stole the money and reported her to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, which investigated and found that the money was not stolen, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit says Moultrie also claimed that Elmore was acting improperly and breaking laws when she paid former Commissioner Linda Becote, who was recently removed from the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners by the Florence City Council, to cater a party in her honor using Housing Authority of Florence funds.

Before accepting Becotes offer to cater the event, Elmore asked the United States Department of Housing and Development if she was able to pay Becote to cater the event. The department said yes on the condition that Becote only be reimbursed for her costs and that she was not profiting off the event, the lawsuit says.

The reimbursement money paid to Becote was brought up during Becotes hearing at the Florence City Council. Council members voted unanimously to remove Becote from the Florence Housing Authority Board of Commissioners at the April 20 meeting.

Becotes lawyer, John Bledsoe, filed an intent to appeal the decision in circuit court on April 27.

On May 24, the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners authorized an internal investigation into the mishandling of funds and property by authority employees. The investigation is being led by Michael East, former head of the North Carolina Bureau of Investigations Financial Crimes Unit and former U.S. marshal.

The investigation is continuing, but a statement by the board at the time said it was committed to making the findings public.
I attended a Juneteenth event sponsored by Francis Marion University at its Performing Arts Center that featured a dialogue between Jim Clyburn and Maggie Glover.

Clyburn, a native of Sumter, participated in civil rights protests while a student at S.C. State in the early 1960s. He has represented South Carolinas 6th District in the U.S. House of Representative since 1993. Glover, a native of Florence, is the first black woman ever to be elected to the South Carolina Senate, where she served from 1993 to 2003. Their conversation was facilitated by University of South Carolina history professor Bobby Donaldson.

There are few people better suited to teach us about the meaning of Juneteenth than Clyburn and Glover. When Donaldson asked Clyburn what he felt was the most important legacy of Juneteenth, he said, It was a failure to communicate.

The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. It had the immediate effect of freeing tens of thousands of enslaved persons in those regions of the Confederacy where the U.S. Army was already in place. When the Civil War ended in April 1865, about 4 million more enslaved people were freed. Those in Texas (approximately 250,000) had to wait almost two months longer  they finally were liberated by Major General Gordon Grangers proclamation, issued on June 19. One wonders how many more years it would have taken Texas slaveholders to reveal to their slaves that they were free. Left to their own devices, it might have been decades, since few slaves could read or write.

Much of the discussion on the FMU stage centered on how history is learned and communicated. We each have our own family history, much of which is handed down orally. Black people who are descendants of enslaved ancestors are at a significant disadvantage. Many do not know their true African name and researching ones genealogy as the descendent of slaves is quite difficult. Many enslaved people were buried in unmarked graves, and cemetery records of those whose graves are marked are often nonexistent or incomplete.

Then there is our shared history, the events important enough that we as a nation feel all our children should be taught. Juneteenths lesson seems particularly relevant here. Its much more difficult to hide information in 2023 than it was in 1865. However, like the Daughters of the Confederacy before them, who propagated the Lost Cause myth with monuments in the early 20th century, groups such as Moms for Liberty are working to prevent todays students from learning about and grappling with our complicated and often heartbreaking racial history.

I think Clyburns description of Juneteenth as a failure to communicate is too generous. It was a deliberate attempt to hide essential information. White people have been attempting to conceal the truth from black people ever since we brought them, against their will, to the Americas. Once blacks were free and in need of education, many white Americans strove mightily to prevent schools from integrating, an effort that was successful into the middle part of the century. In response to the Brown v. Board decision in 1954, Southern whites developed a campaign of ever more intense massive resistance. In South Carolina, schools were not fully integrated until 1970.

Thats hard history. And theres a mountain more like it: the Middle Passage, the ravages of slavery, the brief respite of Reconstruction that was crushed under the landslide of Jim Crow, redlining, White Citizens Councils, and innumerable personal acts of everyday racism that are woven into the story of America.

Many people who talk or write as I do get branded as hating America, which is ludicrous. I criticize America because I love her and want her to live up to her potential. I recognize that America is much more than our collective sins. We are the one of the worlds oldest and strongest democracies. We won two world wars and have, with our military strength, enforced a three-quarter-century-long period of relative peace on the planet.

For many, including my family, the American dream is real and ongoing. My paternal grandfather emigrated from Sicily through Ellis Island after World War I with less than a high school education. He settled in Brooklyn and made his living as a barber along with his wife, a bank clerk. His son, my father, became an attorney. I am a doctor. Both of my children are doctors. It is a remarkable, quintessential, and common American story. If my grandfather had stayed in Sicily none of it would have happened. But we also must acknowledge that if my grandfather, who was born in 1903, had been a black man in the South, none of it would have happened.

That is the message of Juneteenth  the devastating effects of intentionally shrouding the truth. We can and should celebrate the joy of those enslaved mothers and fathers who wept as they heard the news they were finally free on that day 158 years ago. But we also must reckon with haunting questions. Why had they not been freed sooner? How could they have been enslaved at all? What was in the minds and hearts of those that built this country that we allowed slavery and Jim Crow? Why do many of their descendants today remain comfortable with Juneteenth-like deceptions? Why are we unwilling to confront difficult truths about poverty, wealth inequality, inadequate education, mass incarceration and the like that are legacies of Americas centuries of racial injustice?
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June 27, 2023

Four years after Jeffrey Epstein's death, DOJ's Inspector General says mismanagement led to suicide

The four years since notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell in summer 2019 certainly have been quite eventful, though I fear not all that much has changed when it comes to federal jail and prison conditions. Thus, I suspect there are still lessons to learn from this big new report released today by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General titled "Investigation and Review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Custody, Care, and Supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York." This New York Times article about the report starts this way:

Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in a cell with a bedsheet tied around his neck in 2019, died by suicide, not foul play  following a cascade of negligence and mismanagement at the now-shuttered federal jail in Manhattan where he was housed, according to the Justice Departments inspector general. The inspector general, who released a report on Tuesday after a yearslong investigation, found that the leadership and staff members at the jail, the federal Metropolitan Correctional Center, created an environment in which Mr. Epstein, a financier charged with sex trafficking, had every opportunity to kill himself. The inspector general, Michael Horowitz, referred two supervisors at the facility responsible for ensuring Mr. Epsteins safety for criminal prosecution by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York after they were caught falsifying records and lying to investigators. But prosecutors declined to bring charges. While the inspector general concluded the jails staff members engaged in significant misconduct and dereliction of their duties, investigators  who combed through 100,000 records and conducted dozens of interviews  did not uncover evidence that contradicted the Federal Bureau of Investigations finding that Mr. Epstein had died by his own hand, with a homemade noose.

Here is how the 128-page report's executive summary gets started:

According to its website, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)s current mission statement is Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has repeatedly identified long-standing operational challenges that negatively affect the BOPs ability to operate its institutions safely and securely. Many of those same operational challenges, including staffing shortages, managing inmates at risk for suicide, functional security camera systems, and management failures and widespread disregard of BOP policies and procedures, were again identified by the OIG during this investigation and review into the custody, care, and supervision of one of the BOPs most notorious inmates, Jeffrey Epstein. The OIG initiated this investigation upon receipt of information from the BOP that on August 10, 2019, in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York (MCC New York), Epstein was found hanged in his assigned cell within the Special Housing Unit (SHU). The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, City of New York, determined that Epstein had died by suicide. The OIG conducted this investigation jointly with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the OIGs investigative focus being the conduct of BOP personnel. Among other things, the FBI investigated the cause of Epsteins death and determined there was no criminality pertaining to how Epstein had died. This report concerns the OIGs findings regarding MCC New York personnels custody, care, and supervision of Epstein while detained at the facility from his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges on July 6, 2019, until his death on August 10.

June 27, 2023 at 12:30 PM | Permalink

Comments

The above report did not write itself.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jun 27, 2023 6:50:44 PM

No one believes the DOJ. The f'in top guy lies to Congress: https://hotair.com/david-strom/2023/06/28/nyt-quietly-confirms-the-allegation-that-merrick-garland-lied-to-congress-about-hunter-n561135

Posted by: federalist | Jun 28, 2023 9:34:11 AM

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LONDON (AP)  Double Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey, whose stellar acting career was derailed by sex assault allegations, goes on trial in London this week, accused of sexual offenses against four men in Britain.

WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF?

Spacey, 63, faces a dozen charges, including of sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The actor, charged under his full name of Kevin Spacey Fowler, has pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts, which relate to alleged incidents between 2001 and 2013.

At an earlier hearing, Spacey's lawyer said the actor "strenuously denies" the charges. The attorney said Spacey would face the U.K. court to establish his innocence and "proceed with his life."

His trial before a jury at Southwark Crown Court opens Wednesday and is scheduled to last for four weeks.

WHY IS THE TRIAL IN BRITAIN?

Spacey spent more than a decade living in Britain, where he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015. He was a high-profile figure in London, starring in productions including William Shakespeare's "Richard III" and David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow," and hosting star-studded fundraising events for the 200-year-old venue.

Spacey was questioned by British police in 2019 about claims by several men that he had assaulted them. He was charged in May 2022 with five counts against three alleged victims. Another seven charges, all against a fourth man, were added in November.

Spacey, who has addresses in Britain and the U.S., has been free on unconditional bail as he awaited trial.

WHAT'S SPACEY'S FUTURE?

From the 1990s, Spacey became one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, starring in films including "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "LA Confidential." He won a best supporting actor Academy Award for the 1995 film "The Usual Suspects" and a lead actor Oscar for the 1999 movie "American Beauty."

After allegations emerged in the U.S. amid the growing #MeToo movement, Spacey was fired or removed from projects  most notably "House of Cards," the Netflix political thriller where for five seasons he played lead character Frank Underwood, a power-hungry congressman who becomes president. He was cut from the completed film "All the Money in the World," and the scenes reshot with Christopher Plummer.

Spacey is adamant that his career is not over. He had his first film role for several years in Italian director Franco Nero's "The Man Who Drew God," played the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in biopic "Once Upon a Time in Croatia" and also starred in as-yet unreleased U.S. film "Peter Five Eight."

In January he was feted with a lifetime achievement award from Italy's National Cinema Museum in Turin. He also taught a masterclass and introduced a sold-out screening of "American Beauty" in what were billed as Spacey's first speaking engagements in five years.

Spacey saluted organizers for "making a strong defense of artistic achievement" and for having "le palle"  the Italian word for male body parts synonymous with courage  to invite him.

He told Germany's Zeit magazine in a rare recent interview that the media had turned him into a "monster." But he said "there are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London."

Photos: Kevin Spacey through the years
SIOUX CITY  The Sioux City Community School Board opted Monday for a short-term appointment to fill Perla Alarcon-Florys soon-to-be vacant seat on the board.

The appointee will serve only until the November election, when voters will select a candidate to fill the remaining two years of Alarcon-Florys term.

The remaining six board members will hold a July 24 hearing for applicants for the appointment. Letters of interest are due to the board secretary and board president Dan Greenwell by July 20. Any applications submitted before Monday are not valid.

Alarcon-Flory, a former board president, will be moving to Northwest Arkansas in July due to the closure of the local Tyson corporate office.

Alarcon-Florys husband, Nathan Flory, worked in the Dakota Dunes Tyson Foods corporate office. In October 2022 Tyson Foods announced its plan to close the Dakota Dunes office and move the employees to the meat companys world headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas.

In November 2021, Alarcon-Flory was elected to her third term as a school board member, the only incumbent running at that time.

The potential of her absence was made public on Feb. 27 during a public school board meeting, with Alarcon-Flory announcing the move on June 1. On Monday, the board accepted Alarcon-Florys letter of resignation, triggering the beginning of the appointment process.

Iowa statutes and district policy require that the board take action on filling a vacant board member position whenever a board member resigns or leaves the district, according to a district news release. The board is also required to fill the vacancy by appointment within 30 days after the vacancy occurs.

The board had two options, hold a special election, which could cost upwards of $40,000 or appoint someone. The board unanimously decided to appoint someone.

The individuals term will be from July 24 through part of November, with roughly nine regularly scheduled school board meetings.

Its a short appointment, Greenwell said.

Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill previously said that the seat will then be up for election in November, and voters will choose who takes over the remaining two years of the term.

Historically, the board has chosen to appoint someone to fill a vacancy.

Most recently, the board appointed Bernie Scolaro to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Dr. Juline Albert. Scolaro was sworn in on Aug. 26, 2022. She was one of seven individuals who applied for that vacancy.

In 2018, the board appointed Miyuki Nelson, a longtime district volunteer, to complete the remaining year of Mike Krysls term, who resigned saying he was physically and mentally worn out leading an elected body that had faced a series of budget challenges and controversies.

In 2015, John Meyers who served on the school board from 2007 to 2013, was selected to fill a seat vacated by Paul Speidel, who resigned after admitting he had sent inappropriate text messages to a district employee.

In 2013, Perla Alarcon-Flory was appointed to fill a seat vacated by Shaun Broyhill after he said he had to serve 120 days in jail for a 2004 misdemeanor theft conviction.

Citizens have the option to petition for a special election. Residents have 14 days after the published notice of the boards intent to fill the vacancy by appointment to gather signatures.

In 2018, a group of citizens attempted to petition for a special election but did not return enough signatures.

At this point, five of the seven school board seats will be up for election this year, including the seats held by Board President Dan Greenwell, Taylor Goodvin, Monique Scarlett, Scolaro and Alarcon-Flory. The ballot will have two items and no one can run for both. They can either run for one of the four, four-year terms, or the one, two-year term.

Greenwell said the election will be actively participated, and encouraged people to run for the seats.

Petitions to have your name placed on the ballot are due by Sept. 21. The election will take place Nov. 7.
SIOUX CITY  I got a letter about challenging my voter registration ... you can quit sending me these letters because I moved, a former Woodbury County resident told Auditor Pat Gills voicemail. We're not trying to vote there.

The individual was just one of 482 registered Woodbury County voters to receive a letter challenging their voter registration, signed by former Republican State Sen. Jim Carlin.

A small volunteer group has started a statewide initiative of challenging voter registration on the basis that they are not a resident at the address where registered to vote. They are recruiting people from each county to help challenge these registrations. In Woodbury County, Carlin took on the task.

The group's goal is to clean up the voter rolls and ensure election security.

The evidence these people no longer live in Woodbury County? Public records such as the U.S. Postal Services National Change of Address database, online White Pages-like websites, voter registration lists such as voteref.com, and more.

Jim Carlin voter registration challenge Jim Carlin, right, talks with Pat Gill, Woodbury County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, during a brief hearing June 19 over Carlin's ch

About the challenge

In Iowa, any resident can challenge the voter registration of those in the same county. Voter registration can be challenged if the individual:

Is not a U.S. citizen;

Is not at least 17 years old;

Is not a resident at the address where registered to vote;

Has falsified information on the registration form;

Has been convicted of a felony and has not received a restoration of rights or;

Has been adjudged incompetent to vote.

Carlin, a Sioux City lawyer, found out about the project from Laura Gillespie, a member of the volunteer group and formerly one of his campaign staffers.

The group is loosely associated with Iowa Canvassing, a volunteer organization that is focused on keeping Iowa voter rolls clean. Gillespie said the five main benefits of challenging voter registration are:

Decreasing the chance of fraud or stolen votes from someone voting in the name of an ineligible voter;

Decreasing the cost of official mailings to ineligible voters;

Decreasing the cost to the county charged by the Secretary of States office for each registered voter;

Decreasing the cost to campaigns of sending campaign literature to ineligible voters and;

Increasing the reported voter participation rate by reducing the number of registered voters eligible to vote in a given election.

Room for improvement

Gillespie, a resident of Winneshiek County, began looking into voter registration after the 2020 election. She said the message at the time was to get involved in politics at the local level. She decided to get a copy of the voter rolls and search through them.

Theres a lot of stuff going on that doesnt seem tidy and tight, she said. Not that anybodys cheating or theres fraud, but there certainly is some room for improvement.

Since August, the group has challenged between 3,000 and 4,000 registrations.

Its not enough  this is just a drop in the bucket, she said.

Carlin was told that there were at least 482 voters on the local voter rolls who did not live in Woodbury County.

"This is just one more vulnerability we have that we should really try to address," Carlin said. "We want to clean it up. It's very, very sloppy.

A "challenger's" statement must be completed for each challenged registrant, meaning Carlin signed 482 individual statements and had to give proof for each one.

Those statements are then sent to the auditors office to be verified. Gill said he had no problem cooperating with the group and having them help clean up the voter rolls.

Theyre being fairly responsible about it. They could challenge a lot more people if they wanted to but theyre actually getting data that backs up what their claims are, Gill said.

Jim Carlin voter registration challenge Jim Carlin, right, talks with Pat Gill, Woodbury County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, during a brief hearing June 19 over Carlin's ch

Maintenance calls

Initially, the group identified 545 names in January. When the group checked again later in May, 63 of those names had been removed from voter rolls due to annual maintenance.

Challenger statements were then filled out for the 482 still on the rolls and sent to Gill. After verifying the challenges, Gill, on behalf of Carlin, sent out the letters, notifying each individual of the residence challenge.

"On May 25, 2023, your voter registration record was challenged by James Matthew Carlin," read the letter.

The recipients of this letter had four options; they could cancel their registration, they could send a letter proving their residence in Woodbury County, they could attend a public hearing to advocate for their registration, or they could do nothing.

On June 19 a public hearing was held for those whose registration was challenged, allowing them to prove they still lived in Woodbury County.

Four large binders were lined up, all filled with information regarding the individuals Carlin challenged. No one showed up to the hearing, resulting in all 482 registrations being canceled.

Im not surprised [no one showed up], Carlin said. I think its a step toward election integrity.

Gill said a few people had contacted the auditor's office to have their registration canceled, a few were identified to have died and a few phone calls were received, but most of the recipients didn't respond.

Few challenges

Carlin said many auditors in the state have never seen a voter registration challenge. There have only been two other instances of voter registration being challenged in the area in Gills 27 years in office. One involved a resident of Monona County challenging the registered voters during a school board bond election based on the phone book.

The other occurred in 2020 when the same petition was filed against Board of Supervisors Member Jeremy Taylor, challenging the address shown on Taylor's voter registration. Evidence, including water consumption history and a mortgage document, was used to determine Taylor's residency, resulting in the cancellation of his registration and his loss of an elected county government seat.

Carlin said this small group is doing the governments job, and preventing fraud from happening. He pointed to the election of Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who finished ahead of Democrat Rita Hart in Iowas 2nd Congressional District by six votes.

In Iowa, voters can be registered and inactive for four years before having their registration canceled.

For example, if persons registered before the 2022 general election, but did not vote, they would be labeled as inactive. They would continue to be labeled as inactive but eligible for the 2024 and 2026 elections. If they did not vote in any of those elections or respond to contact attempts, their registration would be canceled the following January. Previously, a voter had six years before being canceled, but a 2021 law change reduced the timeline.

If voters move to a different county in Iowa and register to vote, their previous county is notified and their registration is canceled, Gill said.

If the voters move out of state, a different challenge is presented.

"People just think that we're automatically going to remove them from the voter registration rolls and that doesn't happen. If they don't give us anything, they stay on the rolls," Gill said.

Another method

Previously, Iowa participated in a multi-state program called ERIC, the Electronic Registration Information Center, which would notify auditors across state lines if someone registered to vote in a new location. Due to politics, Gill said, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate withdrew from the program.

Carlin said he was glad Iowa was pulled out of the program, stating there were concerns about the security of such programs and believed the program was not as efficient as intended. Gillespie also pointed out one specific instance where ERIC did not catch someone who had left the state and presumably registered elsewhere.

Now, an individual could be registered in two different states and the auditors would not know. Carlin said the situation is an election security concern.

It's not illegal to be registered in two states, its just illegal to vote in the same election twice, Gill said. He said there is a way for voters to indicate where they were previously registered to vote, and therefore have the registration canceled.

Carlin.jpg Sioux City Lawyer and Former Republican State Sen. Jim Carlin in his office. Carlin challenged the Woodbury County voter registration of 482 i

Most don't respond

On many states' voter registration forms, there is a section to provide a previous address. Every state is labeled a little differently. In Iowa, it is labeled "Previous Voter Registration Information."

"Most people don't fill that out," he said. "When they register to vote they go to the DOT ... and think it's just going to be taken care of magically, but we need that notification."

Each year, the auditor's office does maintenance to the voter rolls, checking the permanent USPS national change of address list and starting the multi-year process of canceling a registration.

When asked why not wait until these voters are canceled through this process, Carlin said there are still elections during that time that could be exploited.

Gillespie said while the auditor's office uses the change of address list, this group goes several steps beyond, looking at online voter registration lists such as Voter Reference and My Vote Wisconsin and public records websites such as Truth Finder and publicrecords.com.

Even though they are a small group, the members know others with voter registration lists for other states, who can help cross-reference the names of those who have moved.

Carlin believes there are somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 voters on the rolls in Iowa who no longer live in the state.

Thats a lot of margin for error, he said.

Carlin plans to continue to submit voter registration challenges in the future and believes there will be similar numbers each cycle.
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.
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 immediate crisis ended with a deal mediated by Minsk that would send Prigozhin into exile in Belarus. 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 600-mile front line in eastern Ukraine, but it could give Ukraine the impetus it needs to intensify the beginning phase of 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, military servicemen who blog about the war 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.

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 said, 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.

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.

Photos: Major dam collapses in southern Ukraine
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus after his short-lived armed mutiny in Russia. The head of the mercenary group Wagner was exiled to Belarus as part of the deal that ended the weekend mutiny. Lukashenko said Tuesday that Prigozhin and some of his troops would be welcome to stay in Belarus for some time at their own expense. Meanwhile the Russian Defense Ministry says preparations are under way for Wagner to hand over its heavy weapons to the Russian military. Russian authorities say they've closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no charges against Prigozhin or his troops after the negotiated deal.
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.
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LINCOLN  Its been one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned in the U.S. Supreme Court, and like many other states, the future of abortion access remains uncertain in Nebraska.

The landmark abortion ruling in 1973 solidified the procedure as a federal right and prevented states from completely banning it. It was overturned on June 24, 2022, with the decision stating that Roe was egregiously wrong and that the constitution does not guarantee the right to abortion.

Since then, Nebraska lawmakers have made multiple attempts to restrict the states 20-week abortion ban, with the latest proposal finally making it to the finish line last month. Abortions in Nebraska are now prohibited past 12 weeks based on gestational age.

This restriction was a last-minute add-on to another bill  Legislative Bill 574  that will restrict gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19, after a previous bill that would ban abortions around six weeks of pregnancy failed to advance. Supporters lauded the passage of LB 574, calling it a major victory for conservatives, and saying the legislation will take big steps in protecting mothers and children.

While there had to be compromises to the bill to ensure its passage, each life saved and protected matters, Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said in an online statement. Incremental wins are also important wins.

At LB 574s signing ceremony, Gov. Jim Pillen vowed to continue pushing for further abortion restrictions. According to 2021 statistics from the State Department of Health and Human Services, about 85% of Nebraskas abortions happen beyond the six-week mark, while only about 13% happen after 12 weeks gestation.

According to data from the international nonprofit Society of Family Planning, following Roes overturn, the average monthly rate of abortions in Nebraska rose slightly, as it did in several other states that did not immediately restrict abortions following the decision. A Thursday statement from Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) said their organization has seen a 9% rise in abortion services in the last year.

The future of Nebraskas current 12-week gestational ban is in question under a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska alleging that LB 574 violates the state constitutions single-subject rule. A temporary injunction is being sought through the case, and if granted, Nebraska would revert back to its 20-week ban.

Events in other states also could hold implications for Nebraska. Just last week, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected an attempt to reinstate the states six-week abortion ban. In other conservative states over the last year, voter referendums have protected abortion access and blocked attempts to increase restrictions.

State Sens. John and Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, along with other abortion rights supporters, called on GOP members of the House of Representatives on Friday to support efforts to codify Roe into law in Congress. John Cavanaugh said the high courts ruling has made it difficult for women to know what care they can receive, and for medical professionals to know what care they can provide, setting a chilling effect on womens health care.

The PPNCS statement said the overturning of Roe created a manufactured state of confusion, and has pushed women to travel out of state to seek their services, contributing to an 11% rise in second-trimester abortions, according to them.

My day-to-day job hasnt changed, Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in the statement. Whats changed is that politicians now regularly insert themselves into my exam room. Whats changed is that I see patients travel from states like Texas and Louisiana. Whats changed is that my colleagues in states where abortion is banned are now forced to ask lawyers what care they can provide. We all deserve so much better.

Sandy Danek, president of Nebraska Right to Life, claimed opponents of abortion restrictions have spread misinformation about what the Supreme Courts decision means. Roe being in place for 50 years set a tone that has led people to believe that theyve always had the right to an abortion, she said.

However, Danek said last years ruling just gave states the individual right to determine what level of abortion access is needed. The decision amped up engagement on both sides of debate, which she said is a good thing. She said the ruling was both historic, and somewhat unusual in that it revised a previous decision.

You dont see the Supreme Court making these sorts of corrections, Danek said.

While Danek was unsure how abortion access will change in Nebraska moving forward, in the meantime, she said the High Court decision is worth celebrating. Nebraska Right to Life is hosting an event in Lincoln on Saturday that Danek said she hopes will return on an annual basis.
Last week Dani Carbonari, a plus-size model who identifies as a confidence activist, posted an Instagram reel praising the labor practices of the wildly popular Chinese clothing and home goods company Shein.

On Sheins website, you can buy a neon fringe bikini, an Its OK to Not Be OK T-shirt, a high-waisted skirt or a floral sofa seat coverall for less than $5 apiece. It might not be hard to guess a key ingredient contributing to the incredibly low price tags. Some workers, as a documentary by a British public TV channel claimed last fall, spend 18 hours a day churning out hundreds of pieces of clothing in exchange for a few cents a garment. In May, U.S. lawmakers asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to crack down on the fast-fashion brand for failing to disclose the possibility of forced labor practices.

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Shein has simultaneously rebutted accusations of labor exploitation and promised to improve conditions. And according to Carbonaris dispatch, everything is now fixedand perhaps was pretty rosy in the first place. She visited a Shein factory, on an influencer tour sponsored by the company, and talked to a woman involved in cutting fabric, along with some high-level employees. She concluded that, contrary to all criticism, Shein was a nice place to work.

I think my biggest take-away from this trip is to be an independent thinker, get the facts, and see it with your own two eyes, Carbonari, who goes by Dani DMC, said in the reel. (She deleted the post on Tuesday.) In her caption she went on to praise the rapidly growing e-commerce company, which sells dresses for $1.50. I feel more confident than ever with my partnership with @shein_us , she wrote, adding, They are aware of every single rumor 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.

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Needless to say, many people are now outraged with her for reducing well-documented labor abuses to rumors. Some of her followers fled. People whod newly discovered Carbonari mocked her for cosplaying as an investigative journalist. Dozens of news stories and blog posts detailed the controversy, which inspired still more attacks on Carbonari.

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In some ways, Carbonari is deserving of the fury: Trusting a few carefully choreographed interactions with a multibillion-dollar company to represent whats going on for most of its 10,000 or so employees and subcontractors is  very dumb.

Really, though, the problem here is not human gullibility nor the fact that a content creator who is not a journalist did not understand the first thing about getting the facts straight on labor practices. Of course she didnt.

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The more crucial matter is the persistent popularity of the Shein haul, the phenomenon that has helped Shein, over the past four years, become one of the most prominent e-commerce companies in the world. Even as attacks on the company piled up over the past week, more than 200 people have posted their Shein bounties on TikTok and YouTube. These recent bits of Shein promotion, like many of the 700,000 or so videos and slideshows tagged #sheinhaul on Instagram, tend to adhere to a formula. A woman in her teens, 20s, or 30s tries on piece of clothing after piece of clothing (after piece of clothing).

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Sometimes the person speaking to the camera includes the product ID, the price, and clever commentary. Others simply let Shein shine, footnote-free. Its a kind of social mediaage QVC, but the products in question are sold by a third party, and the sheer volume and variety is a key selling point for both the brand and the consumer showing off her latest acquisitions.

Sheins clothing is not the first thing to feature in haulseverything from kids toys to Sephora makeup can be hauled. But the fast-fashion titans offerings make for particularly good content, Julia Belkin, the creator of the site Freebies and More, explained to me. Partly its that Shein manages to be the fastest of fast fashion, creating dupes of trendy goods at warp speed.

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You see something go viral on TikTok, and four days later its on Shein, said Belkin, who recently did a TikTok haul of 119 Shein items from the companys home goods offerings that, she says, she purchased for a grand total of $26. (Yes, really. The scissors cost 8 cents.*)

Then theres the simple allure of extreme cheapness. People love a good deal, and Sheins are literally unbeatable, she told me.

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Whether Sheins clothes possess utility as clothes is sort of beside the point. If they fall apart in the wash, it doesnt matter, says Lauren Bravo, who wrote the book How to Break Up With Fast Fashion: A Guilt-Free Guide to Changing the Way You ShopFor Good. For many, the social media ecosystem has changed the basic function of garments: They do not need to flatter our bodies in real life or feel good on our skin, so long as they can generate likes.

It has gotten to a place as clothes are considered more content than they are clothing, Bravo told me on the phone.

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Hauls, particularly when they are packaged in still another feel-good layer like body positivityCarbonaris focuscan help consumers forget something that would otherwise be obvious: You dont typically get a backless batwing sleeve tee for $3.54 by paying people a living wage and being environmentally responsible.

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But though its tempting to blame haulers for short-circuiting other consumers critical thinking, theres plenty of competing TikTok and Instagram content reminding people that the business model is not OK. Alas, it seems that many consumers simply dont care. I shared this observation with Nick Anguelov, a professor in the department of public policy at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, who has researched fast fashion. He agreed with me.

This is what we keep missing here in the whole conversation about sustainability in the industry, he said. We keep on failing to understand that our customers are kids and they dont give a fuck.

Related from Slate Natalie Florence and Heather Ross How Online Job Applications Exclude Hundreds of Thousands of Americans Read More

Its not that all fast-fashion content creators are terrible; its that many have caved to a sense of inevitability. Im under no delusion that Shein is operating unethically, Belkin said. But she has convinced herself that by donating some of the Shein goods to a charity, shes made it OKparticularly given that every other retailer is probably operating similarly. Im sure 80 percent of the other companies, including H&M, are just as bad, she said.

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Experts in labor practices in China that I reached out to didnt exactly agree: Other companies are the same, but Shein is one of the worst, said Li Qiang, the executive director of China Labor Watch, an organization that defends workers rights in China.

So, how do you convince people that theres another way?

Dana Thomas, an editor for British Vogue who wrote the book Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, urged helping customers see how its hurting them. I also have this radical point of view that every time we buy cheap stuff, we are contributing to our own poverty, because we are normalizing, and condoning, the poor treatment and underpayment of workers, and that reverberates throughout the global economy, she wrote me.

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I appreciate that line of thinking, just like I appreciate efforts to certify manufacturing practices that respect workers rights and heed environmental standards. But simultaneously I recognize that one of the only brands that seem to be giving Shein a run for its money lately is the Chinese company Temu, which offers bundles of electronics, makeup, toys, and clothing for mere dollars. (A recent House committee report concluded that Temu was likely shipping products made with forced labor into the United States on a regular basis, the New York Times reported last week.)

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Carbonaris dispatches are not going to make the hyper-fast-fashion industry, which is already booming, nor will our anger at her break it. After all, inflammatory content tends to drive engagement on TikTok, which is part of why Belkin doesnt mind the negative comments she sometimes gets on her Shein hauls.

As for Carbonari, on Monday she responded to the controversy in a long Instagram reel. The first part I can take accountability for is that I should have done more research, she said, adding that she hopes Shein can be more transparent and answer all her followers questions. Overall, viewers seemed satisfied. Start your own brand emerged as one of the most-liked comments because more clothes is, evidently, the solution.
Mike Pence doesnt have a lot going for him in the Republican presidential primary. He defied and has since repudiated his former boss, who remains the leader and most popular figure in the party. Hes still hung up on passe fiscal conservative issues like reforming Social Security and Medicare. He continues to be unable to perform vocal modulation or other human traits associated with charisma.

But Pence does have at least one idea for how to gain a foothold in the primary: Become the most conservative candidate on abortion policy.

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Many of the Republican candidates would prefer not to corner themselves into an abortion commitment that could hurt them in a general election. Pence has recognized that tension, and has challenged his presidential rivals to commit to endorsing a national abortion ban. Hes set the Sen. Lindsey Graham visiona federal ban on abortion beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy, with individual states allowed to set stricter bansas a benchmark for his rivals to meet.

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Every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard, Pence said in a speech in Washington this weekend at the Faith and Freedom conference, a cattle call for presidential aspirants to address religious right activists. He added, We must not rest and must not relent until we restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law in every state.

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Though Pence did not mention him by name, it was clear which candidate was being pressed to further specify his position on federal abortion legislation.

Its Donald Trump. And to be blunt, it is hard to believe that Trump, on a personal level, gives a shit about abortion. (Well leave it to others to speculate about his personal history with the practice.)

And yet the former president has had a successful transactional relationship with the religious right. He nominated loads of judicial candidates, up to and through the Supreme Court, whove spent every waking moment of their lives dreaming of ending legal abortion. These judicial picks delivered the religious right the win that had been its central policy goal for 50 years: the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and the elimination of the constitutional right to an abortion.

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Trump, of course, loves to take credit for delivering that victory.

No president has ever fought for Christians as hard as I have, Trump said in his own speech at the conference. I got it done, and nobody thought it was even a possibility.

Related from Slate Ben Mathis-Lilley Donald Trump Continues to Twist What It Means to Be Conservative Into Total Incoherence Read More

But Trump has also made a few comments after the electoral backlash to the Dobbs decision indicating that he thinks Republicans are going too far too fast for the country. And as the increased polling support for legal abortion since Dobbs has shown, hes onto something. In the year since Dobbs, for the first time a majority of Americans see abortion as morally acceptable and abortion laws as way too strict. Also, more voters than ever see being pro-choice as a must for their politicians.

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After the midterms, Trump tried to excuse his own culpability for Republicans lackluster performance by blaming it on abortion. 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. (Why choose? Trumps poor candidate selection and litmus tests about 2020 election fraud, and the backlash to Dobbs, were major factors in Republicans blowing it.)

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Trump also criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing of a six-week abortion law in Floridawhat amounts to a near-total abortion ban in one of the countrys largest statesas a step too far.

If you look at what DeSantis did, a lot of people dont even know if he knew what he was doing, Trump said in an interview with the Messenger. But he signed six weeks, and many people within the pro-life movement feel that that was too harsh.

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DeSantis responded by agreeing with an interviewer earlier this month that Trump had gone soft on the issue of abortion.

While I appreciate what the former president has done in a variety of realms, he opposes that bill, he said. He said it was harsh to protect an unborn child when theres a detectable heartbeat. I think thats humane to do.

DeSantis, like Trump, is wishy-washy about implementing a national abortion ban. When asked about it, he compliments the work of governors in conservative states who have set strict abortion bans, or pivots to gripes about the Biden administrations abortion policy. But at the conference, he was steadfast in support of the new Florida law, even if he quietly signed it late on a Thursday night.

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It was the right thing to do, DeSantis said in his speech at the Faith and Freedom conference. Dont let anyone tell you it wasnt. Such as, perhaps, Trump.

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Trump is feeling a little bit of the heat as he manages the base while maintaining a policy that doesnt scare everyone else off. In his address at the conference over the weekend, Trump didnt endorse the sort of national abortion ban that Pence is trying to foist on the primary field. But he did say, in a line that sounded unusually negotiated by advisersespecially considering the rest of the hour-plus Trump riff-festthat there of course remains a vital role for the federal government in protecting unborn life.

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Such an answer ensures additional follow-up questions.

In the scheme of things, the pressure applied to Trump on abortion is a minor skirmish. If he loses the nomination, it will be because some cascading series of data points or indictments finally convinces Republican primary voters that Trump is unelectable in the general election, even against a soft incumbent.

What makes the abortion prodding from the likes of Pence and DeSantis ironic is that Trump is resisting positionssupport a national abortion ban of some sort, or a six-week abortion banthat would make him, or any other Republican candidate, much less electable next November. Trump is (theoretically) unelectable because years of missed therapy opportunities have made him an uncontrollable narcissist prone to coups detat. On a policy level, though, he does recognize that some elements of conservative dogmabanning abortions, cutting Social Security and Medicarejust aint winners. This is something the electable Republican candidates will have to grapple with should they successfully dispatch their chief rival in the primary.
Anne Quinn and Terry McQueeg both wanted to be parents, and they eventually had three children together. But Quinn is a lesbian and McQueeg is a gay man, so they did not want to marryand for years, they didnt. But when Quinn needed health coverage, the two married so that she could be added to McQueegs employer-sponsored policy. Then, when Quinn met a woman and fell in love, she and McQueeg divorced, and Quinn married her partner.

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April and May Doe (pseudonyms) were sisters who lived together their entire adult lives. Neither was ever seriously involved with a man, perhaps because of their strict upbringing within a conservative immigrant family. They were as emotionally and financially intertwined and interdependent as any legally married couple. Yet because the law did not recognize their relationship, they were compelled to execute many separate documents defining their legal relationship in order to establish basic abilities to care for each other. Despite their best efforts, though, there were some benefits that they were simply excluded from, such as the estate tax exemption and the right to sue if the other were injured or killed.

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As these and literally millions of other stories attest, the law does a poor job of protecting the reasonable reliance and expectations that unmarried adults create through their committed relationships. This reality went mostly unnoticed during the ultimately successful marriage equality movement. Yet while providing gay and lesbian couples with the legal standing to protect themselves and to bring their children into the community of legal families, there remain still more people who need access to legal protections outside marriage. As Michael Warner noted in his important book The Trouble With Normal: Sex, Politics, and the Ethics of Queer Life, There are almost as many kinds of relationships as there are people in combination. The law can do a much better job of recognizing and protecting their relationships.

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In my new book, More Than Marriage: Forming Families After Marriage Equality, I make a sustained argument for radically addressing this inequality between marriage and, well, everything else. I spoke with a number of couples who, for a variety of reasons, either couldnt or wouldnt marrybut who needed legal protections for their relationships. They had somedomestic partnerships, civil unions, the availability of estate and other planning documentsbut their options are nothing like the legal cocoon that supports married couples. That situation can change, though, and with surprising ease.

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First, courts can provide clearer and more consistent protection to unmarried cohabitants. Right now, their legal lot is a sorry one. The rules vary greatly, not only from one state to the next but even from one judge to the next. Most, but not all, courts will recognize contractual agreements between the two partners. Some states will allow a claim based on fairness (equity), but not all courts do so, and in any case, the results are wildly unpredictable. Each state could enact a law, drawn from a model template, that would spell out when and how such couples lives together could be equated to marriagea change that would be especially helpful to the more financially (or otherwise) dependent partner in each couple. This isnt impossible. My book cites several examples from Australia in which the courts, operating under the guidance of a statute, have developed useful tools for making these judgments. Many parties expectations have been validated in this way.

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Of course, there are many adults who want and need protections other than what marriage entails. Civil unions and domestic partnerships were a step in that direction, but because they were designed only as a means to the marriage equality end, they are not helpful to many couples. Thats where a more radical proposal has the potential to do the most good for the largest number of peopleincluding those in more than one significant relationship. Colorado has already laid the groundwork for a creative, flexible solution to the actual legal needs of adults in committed relationships: the designated beneficiary agreement law, which is a brilliant piece of legislation. It can and should be retooled and expanded. It can do so much good for so many.

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The DBA was born of creativity. In 2009 Pat Steadman, who soon became a Colorado state senator, was pressed to create some measure of legal protection for the LGBTQ+ community, of which he and his partner were members. The state had jumped on the defense of marriage bandwagon, passing a law that explicitly denied the possibility of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. But because the law said nothing about other possible legal arrangements, Steadman and others hammered out a bold new creation: the DBA. The bill, which was then quickly enacted into law, recognizes that couples come in many formsgay and straight, related and unrelated, intimate and otherwise. And it sets up an ingenious a la carte menu of legal protections and obligation that couples can pick and choose between. These include the right to make health care decisions, to decide on the disposition of remains, to create insurable interests in each others lives, to gain access to the others bank accounts, and many more. Better still, the couples choices need not match for each option. So, for instance, an elderly parent might want her middle-aged daughter to have legal decision-making authority for end-of-life matters, but the daughter might, quite sensibly, not think it a good idea to provide the authority to that parent.

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The current DBA is the most flexible and creative attempt yet by a state to recognize and protect various relationships. But it could do so much more. For now, entering into a legal marriage automatically supersedes (and thereby terminates) the DBA. Also, no one can be in more than one DBA at a time. Neither of these limitations is necessary. Why not allow an agreement recognizing Anne Quinn as a designated beneficiary to receive health benefits from Terry McQueegs employer while also allowing Quinn to marry her new female partner? And should a middle-aged daughter really be unable to enter into a second DBA with someone else just because her elderly parent sensibly wants to cloak her with health care decisional authority? Theres no good reason for these limitations, especially now that these agreementswhich are documents of record, filed in the appropriate county clerks officecan be easily and electronically cross-checked for any possible inconsistencies.

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The DBA is an inspired piece of legislation. Yet it doesnt completely follow its own logic. Designed as a way for all adults in committed relationships to be able to organize their legal relationships without having to spend time and money on creating a host of documents (which, in any case, still afford only limited protections), the DBA law can fully realize its seismic potential only by embracing the plain reality that people can beand arein more than one substantial relationship at a time. The Colorado law should be expanded, and then exported to every other state.

Great triumph though it was, marriage equality left too many people out of its embrace. Its time to change that.
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.

Last week, the Supreme Court narrowed a criminal statute that infringed upon the right to dissent in what is ultimately a mixed bag of a ruling for free speech advocates. In United States v. Hansen, the court ruled that the Encouragement Provision of immigration law, which criminalizes the act of encourag[ing] or induc[ing] a noncitizen to enter or reside in the United States, should exclude protected speech, even as the law as a whole remains valid. Advocates view this as a criticalif partialwin, handed down by a 72 majority with progressive Justice Elena Kagan joining the courts six conservatives.

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Justice Amy Coney Barrett, delivering the opinion of the courts majority, concedes that when the Encouragement Provision is interpreted based on its plain meaning, encourage means to incite to action while induce is synonymous with to move by persuasion or influence. As written, this statute would seem to unlawfully prohibit the First Amendment right to incite or influence dissent to immigration laws.

However, Barrett decides that in terms of art, Congress intended the provision to only forbid the intentional solicitation or facilitation of certain unlawful acts, akin to an aiding-and-abetting criminal statute. The majoritys decision to narrow the application of this unconstitutional provision, rather than completely overturn it, is a disheartening departure from their textualist approach. Their revision may still have a chilling effect on protected speech opposing unjust laws and policies, even as advocates celebrate the partial win.

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In her dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, expresses concern that the courts ruling leaves many things about future potential prosecutions up in the air. This uncertainty of whether government officials will erroneously adhere to the statutes literal interpretation or instead comply with the courts revised version may discourage people from criticizing immigration enforcements mistreatment of migrants or offering essential services to undocumented individuals.

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Granted, respondent Helaman Hansen is no political activist for immigration reform. The case started in 2017 when Hansen received a 20-year prison sentence for his fraud scheme Migration Program, in which he sold memberships to noncitizens with the false promise that they could gain U.S. citizenship by being adopted by an American citizen. Hansen appealed his convictions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, citing a prior 9th Circuit decision that found the statute to be unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Although the Supreme Court reversed that earlier 9th Circuit ruling on a separate procedural basis without deciding its constitutionality, the 9th Circuit revived their original determination about the statutes unconstitutionality to find in Hansens favor.

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In August 2022, Joe Bidens Department of Justice petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse the 9th Circuits decision, arguing that the Supreme Court recognized more than a century ago, without discussing the First Amendment, that Congresss power to define immigration laws goes hand-in-hand with its ability to prohibit encouraging someone to violate those laws.

However, Hansen, like all citizens, possesses the First Amendment right to challenge a law as overbroad if the law applies to him and prohibits a substantial amount of protected speech relative to its legitimate sweep.

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In this case, the express language of the Encouragement Provision is overbroad for at least three reasons. While it does indeed prohibit direct incitements to unlawful conduct, it also restricts free speech by 1) criminalizing the act of encouraging unlawful conduct, 2) suppressing the expression of a viewpoint, and 3) penalizing ordinary conversations with noncitizens.

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Related from Slate Leah Litman Clarence Thomas Latest Criminal Justice Ruling Is an Outright Tragedy Read More

In the landmark 1969 free speech case Brandenburg v. Ohio, the Supreme Court established that advocacy of illegal conduct is protected under the First Amendment unless the speech explicitly calls for unlawful action that is imminent and likely to occur. In Brandenburg, the court recognized that speech is separate from conduct, and that verbal support for civil disobedience is an essential part of political reform.

Under Brandenburg, the word encourages in the Encouragement Provision treads upon the First Amendment by criminalizing speech that lacks an explicit call for unlawful conduct, without establishing the imminence or likelihood of such transgressions. Instead of striking down this unconstitutional provision, though, the court decided to edit it so that it would be more likely to pass constitutional muster. Before the Supreme Courts revision, this statute enabled the government to target protestors of immigration laws even if their speech only had the potential to inspire unlawful immigration.

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Jackson acknowledged in her dissent that the government has used the Encouragement Provision in the past to suppress dissent. She referenced the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press amicus brief that explains how U.S. Customs and Border Protection used the provision as a basis to create a watchlist targeting people who reported on the treatment of migrants at the border. Jackson wrote that this kind of Government surveillancetargeted at journalists reporting on an important topic of public concern, no lesstends to chill speech, even though it falls short of an actual prosecution.

While the government does have a compelling interest to defend its borders, it still cannot prohibit dissenting views on immigration enforcement. If the government selectively targets certain perspectives, it engages in unlawful viewpoint discrimination. When read literally, the Encouragement Provision is viewpoint discrimination because it prohibits only one particular perspective on immigration laws. As Hansen argued, those who encourage noncitizens to remain are made criminals, while those who encourage them to leave are not.

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The majoritys willingness to jump through hoops to salvage a bad provision seems like bad news for free speech advocates. However, Esha Bhandari, lead counsel for Hansen and the deputy director of the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, asserted in an interview that the court was definitive in pronouncing that the provision should not cover any protected speech, which includes the speech of journalists who cover immigration.

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A proper understanding of what the court decided means that going forward, the government should not be enforcing this law in a way that infringes upon what journalists do, said Bhandari. While it is impossible to say how many people might look at the law on the books and be chilled from it, we hope that this ruling will give people more certainty about engaging in debates about immigration. Of course, it will depend on ensuring that the government doesnt misuse its prosecutorial power and stays within the core of what the court said is permissible by the law.

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Beyond affecting political activists and journalists, the ruling may also complicate everyday interactions between citizens and noncitizens. As written, the Encouragement Provision applies to individuals who may inadvertently cause noncitizens to unlawfully enter or reside in the United States. Hansen provided numerous hypothetical examples, from a college counselor who advises an undocumented student about scholarships to a doctor who informs a noncitizen with a visa about essential care only available in the United States. The New York Times further identified at least one case where a woman was convicted under the provision for providing general advice about immigration law to her undocumented employee.

Despite the courts narrowing of the provisions scope, it may still discourage citizens from providing essential services to noncitizens, such as medical treatment, because of the fear of prosecution. As Jackson wrote, Hansens hypothetical scenarios may understandably provide cold comfort to those living and working with immigrants. This dissonance between statutory law and judicial decisions precisely underscores the necessity for unconstitutional laws to be rewritten by Congress, rather than the court.

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But Bhandari highlights that there are remedies for people who are prosecuted by government officials that do not comply with the narrowed provision. If the government does overstep, the Supreme Court said people can bring as-applied challenges, which means they can claim those prosecutions violate their First Amendment rights, she told me. These challenges serve as a deterrent and this is not the final decision on this statute that might be rendered by a federal court.

Whether its actually a win for free speech proponents or not, the ruling demands unwavering vigilance in monitoring the governments response to the narrowed scope of the provision. Hansen serves as a reminder that freedom of speech fundamentally depends upon citizens raising challenges when the government attempts to exceed the boundaries set by long-standing First Amendment precedent. The ability to vocalize opposition to unjust laws is an indispensable pillar of democracy that should not be taken for granted.
Insurgent Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is holding an online health policy roundtable Tuesday night. Longtime Ohio political reporter Darrel Rowland notes that one of the participants in the event is Sherri Tenpenny, an osteopathic doctor whose provocative testimony to the Ohio House Health Committee made national news in June 2021:

ICYMI...Ohio doc whose license is under challenge now part of Dem prez candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr's health policy roundtable this week

D.O. Sherri Tenpenny testified at state legislative panel that 5G turned those w/COVID vax into human magnets https://t.co/5Uwo4MXBIu  Darrel Rowland (@darreldrowland) June 26, 2023

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These were Tenpennys comments about the vaccine, as documented in the Columbus Dispatch at the time:

Im sure youve seen the pictures all over the internet of people who have had these shots and now theyre magnetized, Tenpenny, of Middleburg Heights in Cuyahoga County, said. You can put a key on their forehead, it sticks. You can put spoons and forks all over and they can stick because now we think there is a metal piece to that.

Theres a lot to like here. First, the confidence that her audience is already familiar with photographs of people who have become magnetized. Second, the use of the 2020s strategy-jargon term pieceroughly speaking, a new way to say aspect, thing, or stuff in an assertion about how vaccines can turn a person into a magnet. And finally, of course, the premise itselfthat the COVID-19 vaccine causes its recipients to become magnetized such that forks and spoons stick to their body.

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Scientific integrity, however, calls for testing Tenpennys hypothesis experimentally before concluding that Ohio regulators ongoing effort to revoke her medical license is justifiedor that her online course Covid Shots: A Year in Review and Analysis of Upcoming Shots and Boosters is not worth paying $229 for.

Having previously received three doses of the COVID vaccineand, presumably, being surrounded constantly by 5G space raysyour author is a qualified subject and will measure the extent of his vaccine-onset magnetism by placing his head in a silverware drawer.

The results:

Surprising and chilling, but undeniable. Indeed, RFK Jr.s claimsand his candidacy itselfmay prove to be more formidable than many of those in the media and medical establishments initially suspected.
Good news! The Supreme Court rejected a legal theory that could have paved the way for state legislatures to subvert U.S. election results. It is indeed a cause for celebration, Richard L. Hasen writes.

But theres a catch: the Supreme Court has now set itself up, with the assent of the liberal justices, to meddle in future elections, perhaps even deciding the outcome of future presidential elections (as it has done in the past). Whew! He explains how that could play out in the future, and the potential ramifications for U.S. democracy.

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The decision in Moore v. Harper also tells us something else, Mark Joseph Stern writes: John Roberts has wrested back control of the court.

Plus: Dahlia Lithwick and Stern explain why the timing of Samuel Alitos private jet scandal couldnt be more damning.

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Were still waiting on some big decisions to come down this weekon the fate of Bidens student debt relief plan, affirmative action, and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Make sure to sign up for our Opinionpalooza newsletter so you dont miss anything!

No forking way

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is holding a health policy roundtable with a doctor who claims the COVID vaccine makes forks stick to your body (and gives you great cell reception at the same time). Ben Mathis-Lilley set out to test her theoryread to the end for a surprise!

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It all really begs the question: Fucking magnets, how do they work?

Plus: Luke Winkie casts a critical eye to RFK Jr.s shirtless bench-press and pushup videos. What, exactly, is the yoked candidate trying to tell us?

A muddled message

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GOP presidential candidates have no idea how to talk about abortion right now. The right to abortion is only getting more popular among voters. At the same time, Republican candidates are only getting more extreme. Jim Newell breaks down the problems this poses for the party heading into 2024.

A Hollywood whos who

In its second season, The Bear has nailed the art of the celebrity cameoand seemingly all of Hollywood is banging down its door. Nadira Goffe takes a look at all the stars who show up.

Main Character Syndrome

Which Sex and the City character are you? Luke Winkie has a fresh answer to an age-old question: Everyone is totally a Carrie.

The man at my door

One day, Pamela Gwyn Kripke slipped a note under her loud neighbors door. Only later did she learn her mistake. She shares the story of the human tragedy that was brewing above her apartment, and why that note still haunts her.

Today, Slate is  * SIMPLY LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE IN GETTING PUMPED

much like generations of innocent Americans who, Hamilton Nolan argues, have been misled by the exercise-machine industry. Read on to find out why he thinks you should ditch them all.

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.

On Tuesday morning, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Moore v. Harper, the case many believed would be the most important election law case of the modern era. The 63 opinion was authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, who is clearly back in the drivers seat at the high court this year. In the opinion, the majority resoundingly rejected the fundamentally unserious independent state legislature theory that had been pushed by Republicans in North Carolina, and pushed out by a well-funded and highly motivated conservative legal movement that tried to make it sound minimalist, historical, and textualist. The theory pressed before the court would have given state legislatures virtually unchecked plenary power to draw new redistricting maps and pass restrictive voting laws. Those powers were to be immunized from review by state courts or other entities.

The Elections Clause does not vest exclusive and independent authority in state legislatures to set the rules regarding federal elections, Roberts wrote, in the opinion, resolving a question that many believe the court should never have entertained in the first instance. When the case first surfaced at the high court, nobody was as forceful in sounding the alarm as conservative legal giant Judge J. Michael Luttig, who argued on the Amicus podcast last October that the ISLT, as it was known, posed an existential threat to democracy as we know it, and has repeatedly argued that it had no basis in the text or history of the Constitution. Luttig also played a key role after the 2020 election, in advising thenVice President Mike Pence that there was absolutely no legal basis in claims by Donald Trump and his legal adviser John Eastman that Pence had the constitutional authority to toss certified ballots of electors in contested states to buy time to set aside the presidential election.

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On Tuesdays Amicus podcast, Luttig returned to discuss the resounding win for democracy in Moore v. Harper and the connection between that result and the fortunes of Donald Trump. Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

J. Michael Luttig: Todays landmark decision by the Supreme Court was a resounding and reverberating victory for American democracy. Many believe the court should never have taken the case. I always believed actually, from December 2020 when the court denied review in the electors clause cases, that the Supreme Court had an affirmative obligation to decide the independent state legislature question, which it did today.

The procedure of the case as it arrived at the Supreme Court of the United States, the backstory, really, begins with Bush v. Gore, and the courts decision in that case, in which Chief Justice Rehnquist was joined by Justices Scalia and Thomas, in which they raised the specter of an independent state legislature. They did not denominate it as such. Nor did they put much flesh on the bones of that theory, and the issue arose in Bush v. Gore in the context of a states legislative provisions, not state constitutional provisions, which are at issue in the independent state legislature theory, decided by the Supreme Court of the United States today.

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Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern John Roberts Has Wrested Back Control of the Supreme Court Read More

So from Bush v. Gore, fast-forward to the 2020 presidential election, and long before the election, the former president and his allies began to argue for the so-called independent state legislature theory, as an interpretation of the electors clause of the Constitution. Those litigations were initiated in several of the states and they wound their way to the Supreme Court of the United States. And finally, it was in the first or second week of December of 2020 that the Supreme Court decided against taking the cases and therefore against deciding the independent state legislature theory. In my view, everyone could see, not even foresee, what the possibilities would be on Jan. 6 if the court did not take this case, because the independent state legislature theory was, as Ive called it, the centerpiece of the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

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Notwithstanding that the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, there were a number of the justices at that time who had already expressed interest in the issue. So there was never any question in my mind, or of those who followed the court closely, that having refused review right before the 2020 election, that the Supreme Court would have to decide the independent state legislature issue soon, and it chose to do it in Moore v. Harper, which arises not under the electors clause, but rather the elections clause of the Constitution.

Listen to the full show here:

Can we end with a reflection from you on Donald Trump and his connection to the decision in Moore v. Harper? Because in some sense, the green light for so much of what happened around Jan. 6 came from this theory.

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The independent state legislature theory was the centerpiece of the former presidents effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election, without any doubt. And it is an intractable question, as evidenced by the fact that only the Supreme Court could decide it, which it did today.

But in the 24 hours that I advised former Vice President Pence, as to his obligations on Jan. 6, I had to do the best I could to come to a decision of what I thought about the independent state legislature theory. And in a short 24 hours of researching and thinking about it, I concluded that there was nothing to it whatsoever. And that was in the face of the former Chief Justice Rehnquists concurrence in Bush v. Gore. So fast forward to the 2020 election, and Trump and his allies argued for it. They didnt get it, but neither was it rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States. Today, for the first time, it was. It has now been rejected.

The implications of the Supreme Courts rejection today of the independent state legislature theory are enormous for the continuing investigations by the Department of Justice, the attorney general, and Jack Smith into the former presidents, and his allies, conduct on Jan. 6. Todays decision knocks the props out from under what wouldve been one of their principal defenses to charges of wrongdoing on Jan. 6.
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.

It is indeed a cause for celebration that the United States Supreme Court, on a 63 vote in Moore v. Harper, rejected an extreme version of the independent state legislature theory, which could have upended the conduct of elections around the country and paved the way for state legislatures to engage in election subversion. But after the celebration comes the inevitable hangover, and with all the hoopla, it is easy to miss that the Supreme Court has now set itself up, with the assent of the liberal justices, to meddle in future elections, perhaps to even decide the outcome of future presidential elections (as it has done in the past). Chief Justice John Roberts drove a hard bargain.

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The facts and law are complex, but heres the basics. The North Carolina General Assemblythe states Legislatureis controlled by Republicans and drew its congressional districts to maximize the number of Republican seats. The state Supreme Court, then controlled by Democrats, held that the partisan gerrymander by the General Assembly violated the part of the state constitution that guaranteed North Carolina voters the right to free and fair elections. The legislators then went to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the state court ruling violated the U.S. Constitution, in particular the part of the Constitution that gives state legislatures the power to decide the rules for conducting congressional elections. (Theres a similar provision involving the power of legislatures to decide the rules for conducting presidential elections.)

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Related from Slate Mark Joseph Stern Red States Just Lost Big at the Supreme Court Read More

The legislators advanced an extreme theory, which, thankfully, Roberts rejected in his opinion for the court, joined by conservative Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, along with the three liberal justices. The extreme theory was that state legislatures can pass whatever election rules they want for federal elections, and state courts cannot constrain them, even when they violated their own state constitutions. The court made clear that legislatures do not have this free-floating power, and that one must understand the legislatures power within the ordinary system of state government, including judicial review. Even more, the court reaffirmed a 2015 ruling that was decided just 54 before three of the newer conservative justices joined (in which the chief justice had dissented), confirming that states do not violate this theory when they use voter initiatives to create independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional lines. Thats another reason for celebration.

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Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, two of the most conservative members of the court, dissented and embraced a version of this extreme theory. (Justice Samuel Alito also joined part of Thomas dissent, which argued that the case should be dismissed on mootness grounds, as the partisan makeup of the North Carolina Supreme Court has since changed hands and the new court has since rejected the findings of the earlier one.) Had this dissent carried the day, it would have provided a path for state legislatures to engage in all kinds of chicanery, and, as I argued in a brief I filed with the court, it would have turned every state judicial and administrative decision involving elections into a federal case. That would have added confusion and gamesmanship all around.

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But Moore is not all good news. In the last part of his majority opinion for the court, the chief justice got the liberal justices to sign on to a version of judicial review that is going to give the federal courts, and especially the Supreme Court itself, the last word in election disputes. The court held that state courts may not transgress the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that they arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections.

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To understand these dense words, we need to go back to the last time the Supreme Court decided a major election case, the 2000 Bush v. Gore decision (a case cited in Moore, for the first time ever, in a majority opinion in the 23 years since that decision). In Bush, the Florida Supreme Court had ordered a recount of only certain ballots in Florida to determine if Democrat Al Gore or Republican George W. Bush had won the states Electoral College votes and, therefore, the presidency. At the time, Bush was ahead by only hundreds of votes out of millions cast.

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After the Florida court ordered the recount, Bush appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. A majority held that the recount ordered by the Florida court violated the equal protection clause because there was no guarantee that uniform standards were used or could be used to conduct it. But three justicesChief Justice William Rehnquist, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia and Thomasadopted this milder version of the independent state legislature theory at the time. In essence they argued that the Florida courts interpretation of the Florida election statutes to allow this recount was so far from ordinary statutory interpretation that the Florida court was essentially making up the law for itself, and taking away the legislatures power to decide the rules for conducting federal elections in the first instance.

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It is this milder version of the independent state legislature theory that the court embraced in Moore. It did not spell out its contours, and whether to adopt the Rehnquist Bush approach or some other approach. But Kavanaugh, in a concurrence, endorsed the Rehnquist approach and said that in engaging in this second-guessing, federal courts need to compare election law in the state in earlier decisions. The greater the deviation, the more likely theyd be to find a violation of the independent state legislature theory.

Make no mistake: This apparent new test would give great power to federal courts, especially to the U.S. Supreme Court, to second-guess state court rulings in the most sensitive of cases. It is going to potentially allow for a second bite at the apple in cases involving the outcome of presidential elections. In the 2020 presidential election, for example, Trump allies raised this theory in arguing that Pennsylvanias Supreme Court could not extend the days for the receipt of absentee ballots by three days in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were not enough of these late-arriving ballots to make a difference in 2020, but if there had been, according to the approach laid out in Kavanaughs concurrence, the Supreme Court would have had to look at Pennsylvania court precedents to decide if the state court went too far in deciding matters under its own state laws. It easily could have decided the outcome of the election based on its view of this question.

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It fell to Thomas, who ironically joined Rehnquists Bush concurrence, to point out how much discretion Roberts testvaguer than the one laid out by Kavanaughleaves to the whims of federal judges: What are the bounds of ordinary judicial review? What methods of constitutional interpretation do they allow? Do those methods vary from State to State? And what about stare decisisare federal courts to review state courts treatment of their own precedents for some sort of abuse of discretion? The majoritys framework would seem to require answers to all of these questions and more.

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In the end, the liberals had to swallow a bitter pill without a word, presumably to keep a majority with the conservative justices and reject the most extreme version of the theory. The writing was on the wall at oral argument, when attorneys defending voting rights in North Carolina had to concede that there was to be some judicial review when a state supreme court goes completely nuts in purportedly applying election laws.

But what Roberts left unresolved in his majority opinion is going to be hanging out there, a new tool to be used to rein in especially voter-protective rulings of state courts. Every expansion of voting rights in the context of federal litigation will now yield a potential second federal lawsuit with uncertain results.

Its going to be ugly, and sooner rather than later it could lead to another Supreme Court intervention in a presidential election. Moore gave voters a win today, but it sets up a Supreme Court power grab down the line.
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Affiliate marketing programs offer opportunities for you to monetize your blog, website, or social media handle while exploring various passive income ideas. By joining affiliate marketing programs, you can earn income through commissions for driving traffic to a companys website and receiving a commission on any purchases made.

With it, you can actually make money with little effort by simply inserting tracked affiliate links into the text of your blog or website. To get started, all you need is a captive audience and an affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions on new leads or purchases produced when readers click on the links.

Over the years, affiliate marketing has been popular among part-timers, bloggers, podcasters, and influencers as an additional source of revenue. As a marketing affiliate, you can earn quick money by recommending products and services to your followers.

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This business model also allows you to generate revenue without the need for a large upfront investment. With strategic content creation and effective promotion, affiliate marketing can become a lucrative source of passive income in 2023.

In this article, we will cover the best affiliate programs that will help you earn solid commissions. Want to know more about content production, check out our article on blogging business ideas.

What is an Affiliate Program?

Affiliate marketing is a marketing strategy in which an affiliate marketer promotes a merchants product or service in exchange for a fee. The affiliate marketing programs will pay affiliate marketers a commission for each transaction or action brought about by their promotion of a businesss goods or services.

After registering for the program, the affiliate marketer receives a unique affiliate link or special monitoring code to use in their advertising. The affiliate will receive a commission when a customer uses the affiliate link to make a transaction or finish an activity. Each traction made through that link generates the affiliate a commission, encouraging them to market the product to their audience.

In recent years, affiliate programs have become a popular way to earn income online. Depending on the program, the affiliate income fee may be based on a percentage of the transaction or a set sum for each sale or activity. By using cookies and other monitoring technologies, the business keeps track of all transactions brought about through the affiliates promotions.

The affiliate marketing model works on a performance-based payment method. It means the affiliate only earns when their promotional efforts result in a transaction. The details of these transactions vary depending on the affiliate program. For instance, some programs might pay for:

Pay Per Sale (PPS) : The merchant pays the affiliate a percentage of the sale price after the consumer purchases the product as a result of the affiliates marketing strategies.

: The merchant pays the affiliate a percentage of the sale price after the consumer purchases the product as a result of the affiliates marketing strategies. Pay Per Lead (PPL) : The affiliate is paid for each lead they generate. This could be a form submission, sign-up, or other pre-determined action.

: The affiliate is paid for each lead they generate. This could be a form submission, sign-up, or other pre-determined action. Pay Per Click (PPC): The affiliate is paid for all clicks that they generate, regardless of whether these clicks lead to a sale.

Here are some key points to remember about affiliate programs:

Affiliate marketing programs use a combination of cookies and tracking links to identify when a customer has been referred by an affiliate.

The commission that an affiliate marketer earns can vary widely. It can be a flat rate or a percentage of the sale. Some affiliate programs offer tiered commission rates based on performance.

Affiliate programs can be a profitable way to generate income for bloggers, influencers, and individuals who can market to a large audience.

Most affiliate programs have rules and guidelines that affiliates must follow. Its important to understand these rules to stay compliant and maintain good standing in the program.

Its important for affiliates to promote products and services that align with their brand or personal values. This can lead to higher conversions and maintain trust with their audience.

By leveraging the power of social media, blogs, and other online platforms, affiliate marketing has grown into a substantial industry, providing many with a significant source of online income.

How do Affiliate Programs Work?

Simply put, Affiliate programs are marketing arrangements between a business or seller and its affiliate marketers. The affiliates promote the companys goods or services by referring and directing prospective buyers to the companys website to make purchases. In return, affiliates earn a commission when one of their followers they refer makes purchases. When it comes to affiliate markets there are two types: affiliate programs and affiliate marketing networks.

Affiliate networks or affiliate platforms are third-party advertising markets that connect merchants with affiliate marketers. Affiliate marketing programs are programs run by individual companies that allow marketers to advertise their goods or services in return for a commission. The company gives the affiliate a one-of-a-kind link or code to use in promoting the product or service. The marketer receives a commission when someone hits on the link and makes a transaction.

On the other hand, affiliate marketing networks link businesses with marketers. It helps businesses to establish an affiliate program and then provides affiliates with a collection of programs from which to choose. The affiliate network will track views and purchases and then gives a commission to the affiliates.

Heres a breakdown of how these programs normally operate:

The affiliate marketer joins an affiliate program offered by a merchant. The affiliate program provides the affiliate marketer with a unique affiliate link. This link tracks the traffic and sales the affiliate marketer sends to the merchants website. The affiliate marketer then includes this link in their promotional content, such as blog posts, social media posts, or email newsletters. When a potential customer clicks on the link and makes a purchase or completes an action (like signing up for a service), the affiliate marketer earns a commission.

How to Make Money as an Affiliate?

There are plenty of ways to make money as an affiliate some of them include:

Website or blog promotion: You can promote products and services through your blog or website. Here you can develop content on a particular product or service by doing reviews, comparisons with other products, and even making recommendations. And then you can include affiliate links to the merchants website in your content

You can promote products and services through your blog or website. Here you can develop content on a particular product or service by doing reviews, comparisons with other products, and even making recommendations. And then you can include affiliate links to the merchants website in your content Social media promotion: If you have a large following on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you can promote goods or services to your audience and make a fee on any purchases made through your unique link.

If you have a large following on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you can promote goods or services to your audience and make a fee on any purchases made through your unique link. Email marketing: If you are an expert in a specific area, you can also build an email list of subscribers who are interested in a specific niche and promote products or services as an affiliate. You can include affiliate links in your emails and earn a commission on any resulting sales.

If you are an expert in a specific area, you can also build an email list of subscribers who are interested in a specific niche and promote products or services as an affiliate. You can include affiliate links in your emails and earn a commission on any resulting sales. Offer paid advertising: Y ou can offer banner ads to companies that want to advertise to your audiences.

ou can offer banner ads to companies that want to advertise to your audiences. YouTube videos: If you are adept at creating videos you can create videos on product reviews and demonstrations and post them on YouTube. You can include affiliate links in the video description and earn a commission on any resulting sales. Check out our article on how to make money with affiliate marketing for more insights.

Types of Affiliate Marketing Programs

There are several ways where you can earn money as an affiliate marketer by using links, images, banners, or through content. Here are some common ways to make money as an affiliate marketer:

Pay-per-click: In this arrangement, you place ads on your website, and you get paid every time someone clicks on the ad. Essentially, you earn a commission for every click-through to the advertisers website.

Pay-Per-lead: With this method, you get paid when a visitor to your website, blog or social media clicks on an affiliate link and fills out a form, such as an email opt-in form.

Pay-per-sale: Here you promote a product or service and earn a commission for every sale you generate through your affiliate link. You can earn a percentage of the sale price or a fixed commission amount depending on the terms of the affiliate program.

Cost per action (CPA): In this type of affiliate marketing, affiliates receive a commission when a user performs a particular action, such as filling out a form, making a transaction, or subscribing to a service.

Sponsored content: Some companies may use your services as a content creator and sponsor your content or pay you to promote their products in your content. This can include product reviews, testimonials, sponsored posts, or social media posts.

When signing on as an affiliate marketer it is important to carefully choose products and services that align with your brand and audience. This is because promoting products that you genuinely believe in can lead to more success and revenue in the long run. You can earn a percentage of the customers purchase each time they make a purchase. In some cases, affiliate programs do offer recurring commissions for as long as the referred customer remains a customer.

Best Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join in 2023

Affiliate marketing has become an increasingly popular way for individuals and businesses to earn money online. If youre looking to get started in the world of affiliate marketing or expand your existing portfolio of programs to join in 2023, its important to choose the right affiliate marketing programs.

The best affiliate programs offer a range of features and tools designed to help both merchants and affiliates succeed. In this article, well take a look at some of the highest-paying affiliate programs to join in 2023.

Best Affiliate Marketing Programs for eCommerce Businesses

eCommerce businesses are increasingly turning to affiliate marketing as a way to drive traffic, increase sales, and maximize revenue. However, with so many affiliate programs available, it can be difficult to know which ones are best suited for eCommerce businesses. Below are some of the highest-paying affiliate programs for eCommerce businesses

1. Shopify

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn $150 for each merchant referral.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 30 days.

Shopify is one of the biggest e-commerce platforms that lets affiliates generate regular passive revenues. The Shopify affiliate program allows you to partner with Shopify and earn money by referring customers to Shopify. The program is free to join, and after signing up, youll get a unique affiliate link to use in your blog posts or social media handles.

To be eligible affiliates must own and run an active website, have an established audience, produce content such as videos, blog entries, seminars, or online courses, and have used Shopify or another e-commerce platform. For every merchant recommendation, you are qualified to receive a fixed commission of $150.

There is no cap on how many vendors you can recommend. Payment options offered by the Shopify Affiliate Program include PayPal or a straight deposit to your bank account. For more on Shopify check out our article what is Shopify.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: Minimum balance of $10

2. Clickbank

Commission Rate: Average commission range between $150 and $180 per sale.

Cookie Lifetime: 60 days

ClickBank is among the oldest and most well-known affiliate programs paying out over $5 billion in commissions since 1999. It offers a high commission rate for sales generated while managing over 300,000 daily transactions and 40,000 marketplace products. ClickBank affiliate marketing program sells a few physical products but specializes in selling digital products it offers some 6 million digital products in over 20 categories, reaching 200 million people globally.

Perfect for all kinds of marketers including. bloggers, YouTubers, TikTokers, and other influencers, it offers little hassles to become an affiliate, youll need to start an account, fill in your personal and payment info, and then finalize your account to get started. Once you have an account, you can begin making money by creating affiliate links.

Payment Options: Check, direct deposit, wire transfer

Payment Threshold: $10

3. Semrush

Commission Rate: Affiliates can make $200 per new subscription transaction, $10 per new trial, and $0.01 per new sign-up.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 120 days

Semrush is a leading online visibility management SaaS platform that enables businesses to achieve measurable results. Semrush Affiliate Program is a well-known affiliate program that lets people and companies earn commissions by promoting Semrushs over 40 tools that include SEO, PPC, content marketing, and social media marketing tools. The program provides associates with a variety of marketing tools, such as banners, links, and widgets, to help them promote Semrush on their websites or social media platforms.

Affiliates make a recurring commission of up to 40% on each transaction recommended to Semrush, making the compensation structure competitive. In addition, the program offers a variety of payment methods, including PayPal, and bank transfer making it simple for affiliates to receive their earnings. With it, affiliates can earn $200 for every new subscription sale, $10 for every new trial, and $0.01 for the new sign-up

Payment Options: PayPal, electronic transfers

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $50.

4. AWeber

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn up to 50% commission on each sale referred to Aweber.

Cookie Lifetime: AWeber tracking cookies last 365 days

With the AWeber partner program lets affiliates companies can make fees by promoting Awebers email marketing software. The program provides associates with a variety of marketing tools, such as banners, links, and widgets, to help them refer AWeber on their websites or social media platforms.

Through the program affiliates make a recurring fee of up to 50% for each transaction recommended to AWeber, making the commission structure competitive. In addition, the program offers payment methods, including PayPal, and bank transfers. One of the most important benefits of the AWeber Affiliate program is its support as the program provides a dedicated affiliate manager and instruction to help affiliates thrive.

Payment Options: PayPal and bank transfer

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $30.

5. HubSpot

Commission Rate:15% monthly commission

Cookie Lifetime:90 days

HubSpots Affiliate Program is a well-known marketing program that allows people and companies to earn commissions by recommending HubSpots products and tools. Signing up and participating as an affiliate is completely free. The program starts with a 15% commission with affiliates on average can earn between $50 to $3,000 per month. In addition, there are no minimum sales required to earn a commission.

With this program, there is no shortage of products to sell, including the companys CRM, Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, and Service Hub. This means that affiliates can appeal to a wide range of customers with varying requirements and hobbies, increasing their chances of making purchases and earning commissions.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: Minimum payout is set at $10

6. Constant Contact

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn $5 for each referral that joins up for a tryout and $105 for each referral that pays for a new account.

Cookie Lifetime: Constant Contacts tracking cookies last 30 days.

Constant Contact is an email marketing platform for companies that enables them to create and distribute newsletters, campaigns, and other marketing materials. Constant Contact has an affiliate scheme that pays affiliates who recommend new clients to the business. Affiliates make a portion of sales through commissions from the customers purchases.

Here promotions can be made through a variety of marketing tools such as ads, links, and pre-written emails. Constant Contact also provides affiliates with reporting tools that enable them to measure their profits and determine which marketing efforts are effective.

Payment Options: PayPal and direct deposits

Payment Threshold: No minimum payout

Best Website Tool Affiliate Programs

Below, well take a look at some website tools with the best affiliate programs, based on factors like commission rates, product selection, and user-friendliness.

7. Fiverr

Commission Rate: Fiverr offers varying commissions ($15-$150) based on the area from which your buyer orders. Affiliates receive a one-time $10 CPA for a first-time purchase and 10% revenue share for one year.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 30 days from the first click.

Fiverrs affiliate program lets affiliates make commissions by advertising services on Fiverr via a shareable link. They can promote any of Fiverrs services, including Fiverr, Fiverr Enterprise, Fiverr Pro, and Fiverr Lear. Affiliates can advertise Fiverr on a variety of platforms, including blogs and websites, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, emails, podcasts, and more.

When it comes to supporting Fiverr Partners, receive personalized sharing links, an intuitive dashboard to launch, manage and monitor campaigns as well as a variety of marketing tools to help them boost their sales. With Fiverr there are three ways to make commissions: cost-per-action marketing, a combination of CPA and revenue share, and revenue share commission.

Payment Options: PayPal, Payoneer, or bank account deposit.

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can request a payout once their account hits $100. If they havent hit $100, their earnings will remain in their account.

8. Squarespace

Commission Rate: $100 to $200 per new subscription

Cookie Lifetime: 45 days

Squarespace is a website builder with an associate program that pays a commission to affiliates for each client they recommend. It offers payouts for every website or commerce subscription drive to Squarespace. Affiliates in the program have access to marketing materials as well as specialized affiliate support staff. It provides affiliates with custom links and banners that they can post on their websites. Then when a visitor youve referred to us makes a purchase, well keep track and give you a commission on the sale.

The Squarespace affiliate program provides its members with an opportunity to earn $100 to $200 per new subscription that users purchase after following a referral link1. Squarespace works with the affiliate marketing platform Impact to manage its affiliate marketing program. To partake youll have to sign up and manage your affiliate account through Impact.

Payment Options: PayPal, direct deposit

Payment Threshold: Approved transactions are compensated 30 days after the conclusion of invoices.

9. WiX

Commission Rate: Wix pays a flat commission of $100 for every customer who purchases a Wix Premium package

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

WiX is a popular website-building tool that provides affiliates with several marketing and SEO tools to help them reach their marketing goals. Affiliates can make up to $100 per transaction as an affiliate by promoting WiX products and services on their website or social media platforms. One of the advantages of the WiX associate program is its user-friendly interface, which allows affiliates to quickly join up and begin advertising WiX products.

Here affiliates can use a variety of advertising tools such as banners, text links, and widgets for promotions. The WiX associate programs commission system is also quite appealing, with greater payouts for affiliates who recommend more purchases. The program also provides a cookie length of 30 days.

Payment Options: Wire transfer

Payment Threshold: Affiliates must earn a minimum of $300 per month to get paid.

10. Hostinger

Commission Rate: up to 60% for each successful referral

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

Hostingers affiliate marketing program offers opportunities for anyone seeking to monetize their website or blog. Its affiliate scheme one of the best commission rates in the business, offering up to 60% for each successful referral. Some advantages of their program include high conversion and commission rates, ease of joining and maintenance, and personal associate administrators.

Their affiliate program is also simple to use, with simple analytics and monitoring tools that provide comprehensive information about your success. In addition, it offers a variety of advertising materials, such as banners, links, and landing pages, to assist you in promoting their goods

Payment Options: PayPal, bank transfer

Payment Threshold: PayPal for transfers higher than $100;  Bank transfer for payments higher than $500.

11. WordPress Elementor

Commission Rate: Up to 50% commission on every new sale

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

WordPress Elementor affiliate marketing program is a well-known program that enables people and companies to make commissions by promoting the WordPress Elementor page-building plugin. Affiliates can make 50% commissions on each transaction made through banners, videos, and text links. Once you are approved, you will receive a unique affiliate link that you can use to promote Elementors products on your website or blog.

Elementor uses cookies to track your referrals, so you can earn commissions for any purchases made within 30 days of clicking your affiliate link. Affiliates can also monitor their purchases and earnings in real-time using the Elementor dashboard. This affiliate marketing program comes easy for anyone to get started and become successful.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: Payment will be made when affiliates earn $200.

Best Web Hosting Affiliate Marketing Programs

Whether youre a seasoned affiliate marketer or just getting started, the following web hosting programs offer great opportunities to earn passive income and build a steady revenue stream.

12. WP Engine

Commission Rate: The program offers a minimum of $200 on every sale

Cookie Lifetime: Affiliate cookies last 30 days For WP Engine hosting referrals, cookies last 180 days. For StudioPress themes, the cookie last 60 days.

WP Engine is a website builder tool that allows users to create websites without coding. It also offers an affiliate program for promoting WP Engine plans and StudioPress themes. Both products can be tracked using the same affiliate link, making earning commissions from your promotions even simpler. Promotional tools such as banners, text links, and sample emails are available to affiliates, and affiliates can keep tabs on their referrals and earnings with real-time reporting and tracking tools.

Through it, affiliates make a minimum of $200 or the first months payment. If affiliates do not already have an account with ShareASale, they will need to create one. Once approved, they will receive an email with their tracking link and other useful information to get you started. ShareASale makes payments on the 20th of each month, so your commission is calculated for the first 20th date after the minimum cancellation time for each product.

Payment Options: PayPal, prepaid debit cards, gift cards, checks, or direct deposit electronic

Payment Threshold: $50

13. Bluehost

Commission Rate: $65 commission for every qualified hosting purchase.

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

Bluehost the web hosting platform is famous among bloggers for its high-quality and low-cost offerings. After signing in affiliate marketers will get a special tracking number in a matter of minutes and once they find the banners and ads that go best with their website, they can browse through Bluehosts extensive collection.

Affiliates will receive $65 for each successful recommendation commissions may increase depending on the number of referrals made. In addition, they can use their tracking links to evaluate campaigns, segment their referred traffic, and keep track of the effectiveness of various activities to raise their profits. Bluehost pays commissions through PayPal or electronic bank transfers 45 days after the end of the month of eligible purchase. Cookies that are dropped from affiliates unique link remain on customer browsers for 90 days.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: $100

14. HostGator

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn anywhere from $50 to $125 for each customer that signs

Cookie Lifetime: 60 days

The HostGator affiliate program allows anyone with a website or social media account to generate income by recommending HostGator to their viewers. Affiliates can post a link for followers to click, leading them to the HostGator sign-up page. Joining the HostGator affiliate program is free and allows anyone with a website or social media account to generate income by recommending HostGator to their viewers.

Affiliates can promote HostGators shared hosting services, Virtual Private Servers (VPS), HostGators managed WordPress hosting, and other services to their online followers and earn commissions from affiliate sales. Affiliates can earn anywhere from $50 to $125 for each customer that signs up each month. HostGator tracks referrals through both affiliate links and custom coupon codes.

Payment Options: PayPal. Bank transfer

Payment Threshold: Minimum $100

Best Travel Affiliate Programs

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for travel bloggers to earn passive income online, offering fixed or recurring commissions for each successful sale. Below is a list of some of the best affiliate programs for travel:

15. Booking

Commission Rate: Commissions range between 15% to 20%.

Cookie Lifetime: Booking does not track cookies it uses Affiliate ID (AID) to track reservations made through you.

Booking.com can be a great choice for those seeking to get into the travel affiliate marketing industry because it is one of the largest online travel booking sites. It offers free sign-up to its affiliate partner program and lets you make commissions by promoting flights, accommodations, and other services.

By sharing links, banners, and widgets on your site you can receive a commission when someone hits on the link and makes a reservation. You get commissions ranging from 15%-20% for each booking you get. Commission can be quite substantial if your followers book high-end accommodations.

Payment Options: Payments are made through Paypal and direct bank transfers.

Payment Threshold: When affiliates reach $ 100 worth of confirmed commission they can withdraw their commissions.

16. Tripadvisor

Commission Rate: Minimum 50% commission

Cookie Lifetime: 14 days

The Tripadvisor affiliate program offers rewards in the form of commissions to affiliates who provide travelers with reviews. Affiliates will create content on their websites that promote TripAdvisor in exchange for a fee on the websites earnings. The program offers up to 50% commissions on recommended reservations made on their website.

The program includes a number of useful affiliate resources, such as the ability to deep-link to over 500,000 city and hotel sites, utilize reward programs, and gain access to a helpful team of partner managers who provide creative assets and support. Even if youre just starting out, you can register for the Affiliate Program. When reviewing applications, TripAdvisor considers the general appearance and feel of the site to determine whether it is a good match.

Payment Options: PayPal, check, direct deposit

Payment Threshold: $100

17. InterContinental Hotel Group

Commission Rate: Base commissions start at 3%

Cookie Lifetime: 14 days

InterContinental Hotel Group collaborates with affiliates to promote 11 of its major brands, over 5,100 hotels, in almost 100 countries. Through PartnerConnect, its affiliate marketing program allows you to place customized links to IHG brands and hotels on your website, blog, or social media.

Commissions are paid as a percentage of the room cost when visitors complete their hotel stay. Affiliates by sharing customized links on your website, visitors can book hotels through that link. If an IHG hotel is reserved through a visitor linking directly to our website from yours, IHG will pay you a percentage of the total room revenue when the visitor completes their hotel stay. The program also offers regular promos and deals to boost affiliate profits as well.

Payment Options: Checks, bank Transfer

Payment Threshold: Checks will be issued for a minimum of $100. If you signed up for direct deposit, the minimum payment is $50.

18. Boatbookings

CCommission Rate: 20%

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

Boatbookings offers a great way for anyone looking to monetize their travel-related website or blog. The company specializes in luxury yacht chartering, boat rental, and sailing and motor yacht vacations. They offer an affiliate program where affiliates can earn a base rate of 20% commission on sales referred to Boatbookings.

In addition, when an affiliate recommends multiple customers, bonus fees can apply. Additionally, when customers return to Boatbookings for a second purchase, affiliates receive an additional 10% commission on that sale

Payment Options: Bank transfers

Payment Threshold: None, affiliates are paid on successful completion of charters

Best Big Box Store Affiliate Programs

Below are some big box stores that have affiliate marketing programs to consider.

19. The eBay Partner Network

Commission Rate: 1%-4%

Cookie Lifetime: 24 hours

Through its affiliate partner network eBay offers bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, influencers, or website owners opportunities to tap into new sources of revenue through affiliate marketing. This affiliate program is open to anyone who has an eBay account, if you do not already have an account, you will need to sign up for one to participate.

The program is free to register, without any membership requirements or affiliate costs required. Affiliates can start earning by simply adding links to their website, social media, or blog, they get paid in commissions. When it comes to commission, eBay only gives a commission on the profit made on a transaction while fees differ based on the sort of goods sold.

Payment Options: Direct deposit or PayPal

Payment Threshold: $ 10

20. Amazon Associates Affiliate Program

Commission Rate: 1% to 10%

Cookie Lifetime: 24 hours

The Amazon Associates program can be a fantastic way to earn money by recommending, reviewing products, and earning some passive income. This program is open to bloggers, publishers, and content creators with a qualifying website or mobile app. By promoting Amazon products that are included in the programs with your audience and using customized linking tools, you can sign up to be an Amazon affiliate and begin earning money from qualifying purchases.

One of the biggest affiliate networks is Amazon Associates, which has millions of projects and thousands of developers. There are millions of products you can pitch, with new ones being added every day. Commissions range from 1% to 10% based on the product category, these give you a decent selection of goods to evaluate.

The most valuable items to promote are clothes and luxury beauty products, both of which can earn you good commissions. The Amazon affiliate marketing program has a high conversion rate because it is one of the oldest partner programs and has a strong brand authority. Want to become an affiliate for Amazon? Check out our article on how to become an Amazon affiliate.

Payment Options: Direct deposit, Amazon.com Gift Certificate, or check

Payment Threshold: $100

21. Walmart

Commission Rate: 1%-8%

Cookie Lifetime: 24 hours

Home Depot one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world offers a free-to-join affiliate marketing program. The program offers a variety of tools and resources to help affiliates succeed, including product feeds, banners, text links, and more. Affiliates can earn up to 8% commission on sales generated through their links, which is a generous rate compared to other programs in the home improvement niche.

Additionally, Home Depot provides regular promotions and discounts to increase sales, and their customer service offers advice on helping to increase customer loyalty and improve the chances of repeat sales.

Payment Options: Checks and direct bank deposit

Payment Threshold: $100 for checks and $50 for direct deposits

22. Target

Commission Rate: Up to 8%

Cookie Lifetime: 7 days

Targets partners program allows participating affiliates to earn commission on sales referred to Target.com. By using specially tracked links provided via Impact Radius website owners, bloggers or influencers can earn commissions through recommending products on sale at Target.

To join the affiliate program is free provided that your website or blog is appropriate for family viewing. Commission rates for the Target affiliate program vary based on the products you advertise and how many items you sell they can earn up to 8% in commissions. In addition, cookies last for up to seven days and the average payout for every 100 clicks is between $12-$13.

Payment Options: Payments are made through PayPal and wire transfers through the impact radius platform

Payment Threshold: No minimum payout

Best Educational Affiliate Program Options

Some educational best affiliate programs to consider.

23. Teachable

Commission Rate: 30%

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

Teachable has an affiliate program that allows users to promote the platform including its monthly and annual plans. Affiliate marketers can use a number of channels to promote Teachable and share their affiliate links, including their blog, social media page, email list, YouTube channel, and more.

When a user follows your affiliate link and purchases a monthly or annual subscription to the teachable platform, youll earn a commission for the referral. According to Teachable affiliate partners earn an average of $450 per month, with many earning $1,000 or more. When someone purchases a Teachable subscription, you can earn a 30% commission with a 90-day cookie.

In addition, you will continue to receive the commission as long as your referrals remain on the platform. The core product offered by Teachable is a digital platform where users can access different tools designed to help them create and promote online courses. The teachable platform also includes useful tools for managing marketing and sales.

Payment Options: Monthly payouts are made through PayPal

Payment Threshold: Due to Teachables 30-day refund policy, funds will be held for at least 30 days before they are released to affiliates

24. Skillshare

Commission Rate: Affiliates earn 40% in commissions for each new customer that starts a paid membership

Cookie Lifetime: Affiliate cookies last 30 days

Skillshare is an eLearning platform that has been around for several years and has a popular affiliate program that reaches out to influencers to promote thousands of classes in illustration, design, photography, and more. With Skillshare affiliates get a unique tracking code that they can use to promote the over 31000 courses available on their websites, social media, or blog.

Anyone with at least one proven platform and a following that is aligned with Skillshares brand can join Skillshares affiliate program for free. In addition, affiliates must have an Impact account as well as a free Skillshare account. Through Impact, each affiliate establishes a unique account that records their referrals in real-time.

Affiliates make 40% of revenue for each new client who begins a paid membership with Skillshare. Referrals have 30 days from using your link to join up for a Skillshare subscription in order to qualify for earning commissions. Affiliates will be paid 30 days after the month in which they are contracted ends. Payments are done using the chosen payment method set in Impact.

Payment Options: PayPal or cash deposit to your bank account

Payment Threshold: There is a payment threshold of $10.

25. Coursera

Commission Rate: Offers commissions between 15%  45% on any eligible purchases.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for 30 days

Courseras affiliate marketing program lets affiliate marketers earn commissions by promoting online classes and other educational resources. It has over 4,000 courses on the platforms diverse range of courses to choose from allowing you to advertise whichever course you want. Joining the program is simple, what is required is that your blog or website must have at least 1,000 distinct users a month.

The commissions are attractive and range from 15% to 45% commission on each transaction. If you perform well, the program also rewards you with incentives. You will also receive professionally-designed Coursera banners, text links to add to your site, and a monthly affiliate newsletter with tailored content suggestions. Plus, any traffic or sales you send to Coursera can be readily monitored using the interface, which keeps you up to date on your sales success.

Payment Options: PayPal or direct deposit

Payment Threshold: Affiliates can withdraw funds once they have received a minimal payout of $50.

26. Udemy

Commission Rate: Commissions are set at 10% for each qualified sale and may increase based on performance.

Cookie Lifetime: Cookies last for seven days

Udemy is another popular online learning platform that has courses with thousands of courses. If you are passionate about learning and skill development why not promote Udemy to help people raise their skill levels? You can kick-start your campaign either with their course-specific links, or site-wide links while at the same time monitoring progress and earning good commissions.

You will also have access to special discounts, promotional materials, and unique content to help you easily convert prospects to sales. To participate in the program your website traffic will need to have at least 500 unique monthly visitors in the last three months. If you are a social media influencer you must have at least 500 followers.

Payment Options: Paypal, direct deposit, or check

Payment Threshold: $50

27. Kaplan

Commission Rate: 20%

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

The Kaplan Affiliate Program offers a great tool that allows people and businesses to make money by marketing Kaplans classes and goods. This program allows affiliates the opportunity to make commissions by referring students and workers to Kaplans programs, which include exam preparation, professional training, and higher education.

Kaplan Affiliate Program is completely free to enroll in and has a simple application process once approved, affiliates will have access to marketing resources, tools, and assistance to help them get started. Its referral program allows affiliates to earn additional commissions by referring new affiliates to the program. This means that you can earn a commission not only on your referrals but also on the referrals of your referrals. This program is well-suited for those who have a niche audience interested in education, testing, and professional development.

Payment Options: Payment is done through Wise

Payment Threshold: $50

Other Amazing Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join in 2023

Other affiliate marketing programs are worth considering.

28. LeadPages

Commission Rate: 30%

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

The Leadpages Affiliate Partner Program is free to join and offers a suite of lead generation tools. With this affiliate program, you get 30% monthly commissions for the lifetime of the customer. It also provides a 50% recurring commission on all sales generated, for as long as the referrals remain customers.

With it, affiliates earn commission on all sales made within 30 days of the initial referral, which means you can earn commission on multiple products and services offered by Leadpages. This also expands to renewals and upgrades of their Leadpages plan. Leadpages comes with free hosting on a Leadpages domain, more than 200 mobile responsive landing page templates, text-to-Opt-in comes/ SMS campaigns and much more.

Payment Options: PayPal or Stripe

Payment Threshold: $50

29. ConvertKit

Commission Rate: 30%

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

ConvertKit is a popular email marketing software that is popular among bloggers, online creators, and digital creatives. Through its affiliate marketing program, it allows individuals and businesses to earn commissions for promoting ConvertKit to their audience. The program is completely free to join and offers marketers a variety of marketing tools such as banners, text links, and email templates.

Affiliates can earn up to 30% recurring commission on each transaction they recommend, which means you can make money every time a client you refer renews their membership. Because of the recurring commission plan, you can make passive income as long as your recommended clients stay subscribers.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: No minimum threshold limit

30. ClickFunnels

Commission Rate: 30%

Cookie Lifetime: 45 days

ClickFunnels has been a popular sales funnel builder that helps businesses in increasing their online sales. In addition, ClickFunnels provides an affiliate marketing program through which affiliates can make commissions by promoting ClickFunnels to their target audience.

The ClickFunnels partner program is completely free to join and offers marketers a variety of marketing tools such as banners, text links, and email themes. Affiliates can make up to 40% commission on each transaction referred by them, which is a substantial commission rate when compared to other partner programs.

Payment Options: PayPal

Payment Threshold: $50

31. Nord VPN

Commission Rate: 30%-40%

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

NordVPN is a popular Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that offers its users online privacy and protection. NordVPN also provides an affiliate marketing program through which people make commissions by recommending NordVPN to their target audience.

It is free to join and offers marketers a variety of promotional tools such as banners, text links, and email themes. Affiliates can make up to 40% commission on each transaction referred by them, which is a substantial commission rate when compared to other partner programs.

Payment Options: Paypal, Wire transfer

Payment Threshold: $50

32. BigCommerce

Commission Rate: up to 200%

Cookie Lifetime: 90 days

BigCommerce is a leading e-commerce platform that has built a robust affiliate marketing program that offers a range of benefits to both affiliates and merchants. The program provides affiliates with commissions as well as a range of promotional materials to help generate traffic and purchases.

The program also includes specialized BigCommerce team assistance and access to a comprehensive reporting dashboard with real-time insights into campaign success. Affiliates can opt to either promote individual products or entire categories to optimize their campaigns and maximize their earnings. According to the company, affiliates can earn a 200% commission on the recommended customers first monthly payment. They can also earn a further $1,500 if clients join up for BigCommerces Enterprise package.

Payment Options: Bank Transfer

Payment Threshold:

33. Etsy

Commission Rate: commissions vary depending on the product

Cookie Lifetime: 30 days

Etsy is an online marketplace where people can purchase and trade their one-of-a-kind handcrafted and vintage goods. A wide variety of items are sold on the platform that includes jewelry, apparel, house decor, and furniture. The Etsy affiliate marketing program enables website owners and bloggers to make commissions by selling and promoting Etsy goods on their websites. Because Etsy has a wide variety of goods, affiliate marketers can quickly discover products that match the subject and audience of their website.

This makes it simpler for them to produce pertinent and engaging content that will appeal to their target audience. Etsys affiliate marketing program also provides a reasonable commission rate, which is a portion of the transaction price earned by affiliates for advertising Etsy goods. The compensation rate is presently set at 4%, which is lower than some other associate marketing programs, but its still a good rate that can build up, particularly if your website receives a lot of traffic.

Payment Options: Check, money transfer, bank deposit

Payment Threshold: $20

34. GetResponse

Commission Rate: 33%

Cookie Lifetime: 120 days

GetResponse the company that provides marketing automation, landing pages, opt-in forms, webinars, customer relationship management, and more also offers an affiliate marketing program. GetResponse offers two affiliate programs: an affiliate bounty program offering $100 for every sale referred and an affiliate recurring program that pays 33% for every sale referred every month.

The programs also offer free promotional materials including banners, videos, and sales copy. This free-to-join program also offers real-time reporting, which allows affiliates to track their performance and monitor their earnings.

Payment Options: PayPal, check

Payment Threshold: $50

Affiliate Program Commission Rate Cookie Lifetime Payment Options Payment Threshold Shopify $150 per merchant referral 30 days PayPal $10 Clickbank $150-$180 per sale 60 days Check, Direct Deposit, Wire Transfer $10 Semrush $200 per new subscription, $10 per trial, $0.01 per sign-up 120 days PayPal, Electronic Transfer $50 AWeber Up to 50% per sale 365 days PayPal, Bank Transfer $30 HubSpot 15% monthly commission 90 days PayPal $10 Constant Contact $5 for trial, $105 for new account 30 days PayPal, Direct Deposit No minimum Fiverr $15-$150 + one-time $10 CPA for first-time purchase and 10% revenue share for one year 30 days PayPal, Payoneer, Bank Deposit $100 Squarespace $100-$200 per new subscription 45 days PayPal, Direct Deposit After 30 days of invoice conclusion Wix $100 per Premium package purchase 30 days Wire Transfer $300 Hostinger Up to 60% per referral 30 days PayPal, Bank Transfer PayPal - $100; Bank transfer - $500 WordPress Elementor Up to 50% per sale 30 days PayPal $200 WP Engine Minimum $200 per sale 30-180 days (varies) PayPal, Prepaid Debit Cards, Gift Cards, Checks, Direct Deposit $50 Bluehost $65 per hosting purchase 90 days PayPal $100 HostGator $50 to $125 per customer 60 days PayPal, Bank Transfer $100 Booking 15%-20% N/A - uses Affiliate ID PayPal, Direct Bank Transfer $100 TripAdvisor Minimum 50% 14 days PayPal, Check, Direct Deposit $100 InterContinental Hotel Group Base at 3% 14 days Checks, Bank Transfer Checks - $100; Direct Deposit - $50 Boatbookings 20% 30 days Bank Transfers Paid on completion of charters eBay Partner Network 1%-4% 24 hours Direct Deposit or PayPal $10 Amazon Associates 1%-10% 24 hours Direct Deposit, Amazon.com Gift Certificate, Check $100 Walmart 1%-8% 24 hours Checks, Direct Bank Deposit Checks - $100; Direct Deposits - $50 Target Up to 8% 7 days PayPal, Wire Transfers No minimum Teachable 30% 90 days PayPal Funds held for 30 days due to refund policy Skillshare 40% per new paid membership 30 days PayPal, Bank Deposit $10 Coursera 15%-45% per purchase 30 days PayPal, Direct Deposit $50 Udemy 10% per qualified sale 7 days PayPal, Direct Deposit, Check $50 Kaplan 20% 30 days Wise $50 LeadPages 30% 90 days PayPal, Stripe $50 ConvertKit 30% 90 days PayPal No minimum ClickFunnels 30% 45 days PayPal $50 Nord VPN 30%-40% 30 days PayPal, Wire Transfer $50 BigCommerce Up to 200% 90 days Bank Transfer N/A Etsy Varies 30 days Check, Money Transfer, Bank Deposit $20 GetResponse 33% 120 days PayPal, Check $50

Why Not Join Affiliate Networks?

If you are an affiliate marketer joining an affiliate network can be beneficial. This is because affiliate marketing networks provide you with access to a broader range of retailers and goods to promote, as well as a variety of tools and resources to help improve your campaigns and maximize their earnings.

Additionally, affiliates can tap into the knowledge of other effective affiliates and benefit from their experiences by joining an affiliate network. Below are some affiliate networks to consider joining:

CJ Affiliate Network: Commission Junction is a well-known affiliate network that offers a high commission rate for sales generated and generous bonuses for referring new customers. It partners with over 3,800 brands and touts paying over $1.8 billion in affiliate commissions annually.

It offers wide-ranging tools to help businesses increase performance and conversions, such as deep link generator and automation, mobile-friendly conversions, comprehensive reporting, an intuitive dashboard, and a monthly fee. CJ Affiliate specializes in big brand names, as well as smaller product and service suppliers, and offers direct display advertising offering flat fees and commissions. CJ is best suited to affiliate marketers with three to six months of experience and its payment options include cheques and direct deposits.

ShareASale: ShareASale is an affiliate network featuring over 2,500 different merchants to choose from. It offers a variety of commission rates based on the particular product. As an affiliate, you can choose the specific businesses you want to promote and how you want to promote them.

It is free to sign up and has thousands of merchant partners. It is popular among marketers and merchants due to its user-friendly interface, fast free sign-up, and support for affiliates running multiple websites. The ShareASale website allows affiliates to join in and view their stats and earnings in real-time. It also provides great affiliate partner support, including affiliate marketing classes, training webinars, merchant recommendations, and marketing tools to help you grow your revenue. ShareASale promises prompt delivery of earned commissions.

Additionally, Share a Sale gives users the option to deep connect. As an affiliate, this means that you can direct visitors away from the home page and onto the merchants registration page. Deep linking makes it more likely that you will receive commissions for recommendations you make.

Impact Radius: Impact Radius is a popular affiliate network that provides a variety of features and tools to assist retailers and affiliates in reaching their objectives. The platform has an easy-to-use user interface (UI) that allows you to manage campaigns, monitor performance, and improve outcomes. Impact Radius sophisticated monitoring and reporting skills are one of its most appealing features.

Users can monitor success across multiple platforms, such as mobile, social, and email, and it offers real-time reporting and metrics to help optimize campaigns and maximize ROI. This affiliate network not only gets you access to a marketplace where you find top brands but also helps you contact your preferred brands affiliate manager directly.

Awin: Awin is one of the most recognized affiliate marketing networks, providing a variety of features and tools to assist merchants and affiliates in succeeding in the highly competitive world of affiliate marketing. Awins vast network of partners, which includes some of the worlds top companies and publishers, is one of its main advantages.

This simplifies the process of connecting businesses with high-quality associates who can help generate tailored traffic and sales. Whether youre just starting out in the world of affiliate marketing or looking to take your campaigns to the next level, Awin is worth considering.

Partnerize: Partnerize is a prominent affiliate network that provides merchants and affiliates with a variety of tools and features to help them thrive in the highly competitive world of affiliate marketing. Partnerize is able to produce impressive outcomes for its customers by focusing on data-driven insights and advanced tracking tools.

One of Partnerizes main advantages is its advanced monitoring and reporting features. The platform provides real-time monitoring across multiple platforms, including mobile, social, and email, as well as potent reporting and analytics tools to aid in campaign optimization and ROI maximization.

FlexOffers: FlexOffers is a well-known affiliate network that links marketers with publishers in order to boost income. It has a user-friendly interface that is simple to use for both marketers and affiliates. It also provides a variety of tools and resources to assist content creators in optimizing their affiliate efforts and increasing their profits.

One of the most appealing aspects of FlexOffers is its extensive network of advertisers, which includes well-known companies from a variety of sectors. This means that publishers can promote a wide variety of goods and services to their target community.

How to Find the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Business

There are several ways to find the best affiliate programs for your business. One method is to conduct a Google search for affiliate programs in your industry. Another option is to look into affiliate networks, which contain profiles of affiliate programs.

Finding the best affiliate program for you can seem difficult, but there are several steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly:

Step 1: Research affiliate networks: Affiliate networks, such as Commission Junction, ShareASale, and ClickBank, are great places to start your search for affiliate programs. These networks offer a wide range of products and services in various niches, and they can provide you with useful tools and resources to manage your affiliate campaigns.

Step 2: Look for products and services that align with your niche: Its essential to choose affiliate programs that align with your niche and target audience. By promoting products and services that are relevant to your audience, youll be more likely to generate conversions and earn commissions.

Step 3: Consider commission rates: Commission rates vary between affiliate programs, so its important to consider the commission rate when choosing which programs to promote. Look for programs with higher commission rates, but also consider the value and relevance of the product or service.

Step 4: Check for affiliate program restrictions: Some affiliate programs have restrictions on where and how you can promote their products. Be sure to read the program terms and conditions carefully to ensure that the program is a good fit for your marketing strategy.

Step 5: Research the reputation of the affiliate program: Before promoting any affiliate program, its important to research the reputation of the program and the company behind it. Look for reviews and feedback from other affiliates, and check the programs track record of paying commissions on time.

To get to know more about affiliate marketing you can also enroll in an affiliate marketing course.

Final Words

These are some of the best and highest-earning affiliate programs. Now its up to you to choose the programs you believe youll be comfortable with and earn enough money from customers. As we all know, the affiliate marketing business is booming, and it doesnt appear that this pattern will be stopping anytime soon. So, why not try your hand at being an affiliate marketer?

Which affiliate program is the best for beginners?

The best affiliate program for beginners is determined by a number of variables, such as the individuals interests and the products or services they wish to market. However, some associate programs are more user-friendly for beginners than others.

Because of its user-friendly interface, a broad variety of goods to advertise, and comparatively cheap commission rates, Amazon Associates is considered a great affiliate program for beginners. eBay Partner Network, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate are some of the best affiliate programs for beginners.

What is the highest-paid affiliate program?

There are many affiliate programs that offer high commission rates and it can be difficult to determine which one is the highest paying. Some affiliate programs that are often mentioned as being among the highest paying include Semrush, GetResponse, Fiverr, Bluehost, and Shopify.

What is the best-selling affiliate product?

There are many products that sell well through affiliate marketing and the best-selling product will vary depending on factors such as the target audience and marketing strategy. Tours, insurance products, online classes, virtual reality products, drones, and health supplements are some popular goods that are frequently cited as top sellers through affiliate marketing.

What are the top 10 affiliate programs?

There are many great affiliate programs available and the top 10 will vary depending on your specialization and interest. Some popular affiliate programs that are often mentioned in top 10 lists include:

1. Amazon Associates

2. CJ Affiliate

3. ShareASale

4. ClickBank

5. GetResponse

6. Bluehost

7. Shopify

8. eBay Partner Network

9. BigCommerce

10. NordVPN

What is the best affiliate company?

There are many great affiliate companies available and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some popular affiliate companies include Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Bluehost.

Which is the best affiliate network?

There are many great affiliate networks available and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. Some popular affiliate networks include CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, ClickBank, and Amazon Associates.

Each affiliate marketing network has its own unique features and benefits. For example, CJ Affiliate is known for its wide range of products and services to promote while Amazon Associates is popular for its vast selection of products.

Its important to research and compare the different affiliate networks to find the one that best fits your needs. Consider factors such as the types of products or services available to promote, commission rates, payment methods, and support when choosing an affiliate network.

Can you be a millionaire with affiliate marketing?

While it is possible to earn a significant amount of money through affiliate marketing, becoming a millionaire solely through affiliate marketing is rare and requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and skill. Successful affiliate marketers have built large audiences and have developed effective strategies for promoting products and engaging with their audiences.

Its important to note that success in affiliate marketing takes time and effort. It requires consistently creating valuable content, building an engaged audience, and promoting products effectively. While its possible to earn a significant amount of money through affiliate marketing, its not a get-rich-quick scheme. For more read our article affiliate marketing myths.

Is it worth becoming an affiliate?

Becoming an affiliate can be a great way to earn extra income by promoting products or services that you believe in. However, whether or not its worth it for you depends on several factors such as the amount of time and effort youre willing to put into it, the products or services youre promoting, and your ability to effectively reach and engage with your audience.

How do I become an affiliate with no money?

Becoming an affiliate with no money is possible because most affiliate programs are free to join. Here are some steps you can follow to become an affiliate with no money:

Research and choose an affiliate program that aligns with your specialization, interests, and audience.

Sign up for the program and get your unique tracking link.

Promote the products or services using your tracking link on your website, social media accounts, or other platforms where you have an audience.

Earn commissions when someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase or completes an action.Its important to note that while joining an affiliate program is usually free, there may be costs associated with promoting the products or services such as website hosting fees or advertising costs.

Qualify for discounts, special offers and more with a Business Prime account from Amazon. You can create a FREE account to get started today.
With only days remaining until the application deadline, the Power Forward Small Business Grant, jointly organized by VistaPrint, the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, and the NAACP, urges eligible Black-owned small businesses across New England to apply for their share of a half-million-dollar grant pool.

Opportunity is what empowers small business owners to have an outsized impact on their community and succeed. Thats why its vital that accessible resources exist to create equitable opportunities for historically under-represented entrepreneurs, including Black small business owners, says Emily Whittaker, EVP, Commerce & Marketing, VistaPrint.

VistaPrint is honored to renew our commitment to the Power Forward Small Business Grant program, in partnership with the Boston Celtics and NAACP, and support this next round of recipients with marketing and design services, alongside access to funding, to help their businesses grow and thrive, she adds.

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The Power Forward Small Business Grant, founded in 2021, offers eligible Black-owned small businesses in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and select parts of Connecticut the opportunity to apply for individual grants of $25,000. Alongside the financial assistance, VistaPrint will provide each recipient with customized design and marketing support, including branding consultations, logo and merchandise design assistance, and marketing materials production.

Alongside our valued partners, VistaPrint and the NAACP, we are thrilled to announce a new round of funding for The Power Forward Small Business Grant, says Ted Dalton, Chief Partnership Officer, Boston Celtics. Like all of the programs under our Boston Celtics United for Social Justice initiative, we remain focused and committed to addressing the systemic origins of inequities in our community. Small businesses are essential to New England, and we are excited to do our part to help ensure that historically marginalized business owners have access to investment capital to enhance their existing operations.

To date, the Power Forward initiative has distributed $1 million in grants to 39 Black-owned small businesses across New England. The program has seen applications from more than 1,700 small businesses across the region, with 57% of these businesses being women-owned.

Businesses have to apply have by June 30 via Hello Alice at https://app.helloalice.com/grants/power-forward-small-business-grant-2023. Notifications regarding the selection will be sent out later this summer. Time is of the essence for eligible businesses to seize this opportunity and apply.

For further information, applicants can email powerforward@celtics.com. However, with the clock ticking, time is of the essence for small businesses to seize this opportunity.

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Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, together with Vice Chairman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), issued a statement expressing concerns over a new regulation from the U.S. Department of Energy. The congressmen contend this new rule could potentially burden small businesses, stifle innovation, and increase operating costs.

Chairman Williams has been vocal about the adverse impacts of what he views as over-regulation on small businesses. His statement indicates a concern that the federal governments approach to regulation may be creating a difficult environment for businesses on Main Street.

The federal governments countless attempts to overburden and overregulate Main Street appears to have no end in sight, said Chairman Williams. He stressed that while small businesses are busy creating innovative technologies, federal agencies are inadvertently increasing costs and causing potential delays.

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Rather than adding financial burdens to small businesses, the backbone of the nations economy, Williams advocates for pro-growth policies that would encourage development and job creation. The main argument here is that the continuous implementation of new regulations could put unnecessary pressure on small businesses, potentially hindering their growth and operations.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, Williams pledged to hold the Biden administration accountable for regulatory changes that could have an adverse effect on small businesses. His commitment remains firm in advocating for the interests of small businesses against what he views as an overzealous regulatory approach by the current administration.

This development highlights the ongoing debate on how government regulations affect small businesses. While some regulations are undoubtedly necessary to ensure ethical and safe practices, the balance must be found so that these rules do not stifle innovation or put undue financial stress on small businesses. Policymakers must continue their diligent work to balance protecting public interests and promoting a healthy environment for small businesses to thrive.

In the wake of these concerns raised by the congressmen, small businesses across the country will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what impacts, if any, this new regulation from the Department of Energy will have on their operations. This situation underscores small business owners importance in staying abreast of regulatory changes and their potential impacts. It is crucial for them to engage in ongoing dialogue with their elected representatives to ensure their interests are adequately represented in the policymaking process.

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Starting a small business can be exciting and fulfill your entrepreneurial spirit. However, the legal side of things can be daunting for the uninitiated.

Dont fear  there are many ways to get free legal advice for your small business that can help you navigate the complexities of business law.

From experienced professionals to online resources, free legal advice is available and tailored to help you get on course with your small business ventures. Lets dive in!

How Can You Legal Advice Free in the US?

In the U.S., there are multiple ways to obtain free or low-cost legal advice, especially when you need help with legal issues pertaining to business law, personal law, or other matters. Some of these avenues include:

Pro Bono Lawyers: Some attorneys offer free services, known as pro bono, for those who cannot afford a lawyer. They may offer these services through private practice, through a law firms pro bono program, or via a legal aid society. Pro bono services may range from legal advice to full representation in court.

Some attorneys offer free services, known as pro bono, for those who cannot afford a lawyer. They may offer these services through private practice, through a law firms pro bono program, or via a legal aid society. Pro bono services may range from legal advice to full representation in court. Legal Clinics: Many communities and law schools have legal clinics where law students, under the supervision of a licensed attorney, provide legal services to those who cannot afford representation. This can include advice, document preparation, and even court appearances in some cases.

Many communities and law schools have legal clinics where law students, under the supervision of a licensed attorney, provide legal services to those who cannot afford representation. This can include advice, document preparation, and even court appearances in some cases. Online Legal Forums: Websites such as Avvo, LawGuru, or the Legal Advice subreddit on Reddit are places where you can post legal questions and receive answers from legal professionals or knowledgeable laypeople. Remember, while these answers can guide you, they do not replace formal legal advice.

Websites such as Avvo, LawGuru, or the Legal Advice subreddit on Reddit are places where you can post legal questions and receive answers from legal professionals or knowledgeable laypeople. Remember, while these answers can guide you, they do not replace formal legal advice. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE: If your legal questions relate to a small business, the SBA and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can provide resources, mentorship, and potentially free or low-cost workshops or consultations.

If your legal questions relate to a small business, the SBA and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can provide resources, mentorship, and potentially free or low-cost workshops or consultations. Law School Workshops and Public Lectures: Check with local law schools, as they often host public lectures or workshops on legal topics. These can be a great resource for learning about a particular area of law and can offer the opportunity to ask questions.

Check with local law schools, as they often host public lectures or workshops on legal topics. These can be a great resource for learning about a particular area of law and can offer the opportunity to ask questions. Local Bar Associations: Most cities or counties have a bar association that can provide referrals to local attorneys. Many of these associations operate a legal hotline or hold occasional free legal clinics where you can talk briefly with an attorney.

Most cities or counties have a bar association that can provide referrals to local attorneys. Many of these associations operate a legal hotline or hold occasional free legal clinics where you can talk briefly with an attorney. State and Local Government Websites: Many government websites have resources for legal help. For instance, they might have information about landlord-tenant laws, consumer protection laws, or how to handle small claims court.

Many government websites have resources for legal help. For instance, they might have information about landlord-tenant laws, consumer protection laws, or how to handle small claims court. Legal Aid Societies: These are non-profit organizations that provide free legal services to people below a certain income level. They can assist with various issues, including family law, housing, and public benefits.

Remember, while all of these avenues can provide legal information and potentially advice, they are not a substitute for hiring a lawyer if your situation requires one. For complex legal issues, or when going to court, its typically best to have a trained legal professional represent your interests.

Why Legal Advice is So Important for Small Businesses

Starting a small business can be a thrilling and rewarding journey, but navigating the legal side of things can be complex and intimidating for those starting out.

Thats why it is so important to get free legal help to ensure success in your small business venture. Here are six reasons why accessing free legal advice is so important for small businesses:

Secure Investments  Having qualified legal advice ensures you make the correct decisions when it comes to investments, partnerships, and contracts to secure your finances.

 Having qualified legal advice ensures you make the correct decisions when it comes to investments, partnerships, and contracts to secure your finances. Protect Assets  With guidance from experienced professionals, you can protect your assets from potential liabilities or risks that may arise during operations.

 With guidance from experienced professionals, you can protect your assets from potential liabilities or risks that may arise during operations. Understand Federal Laws  Knowing federal and state laws helps you comply with regulations and avoid unnecessary restrictions or penalties by the government.

 Knowing federal and state laws helps you comply with regulations and avoid unnecessary restrictions or penalties by the government. Ensure Compliance  Free legal advice can provide peace of mind that you are complying with labor laws, health codes, tax requirements, and other relevant regulations.

 Free legal advice can provide peace of mind that you are complying with labor laws, health codes, tax requirements, and other relevant regulations. Minimize Risks  Understanding potential risks or challenging times ahead ensures you have strategies in place to mitigate any detrimental effects on your business operations.

 Understanding potential risks or challenging times ahead ensures you have strategies in place to mitigate any detrimental effects on your business operations. Process Documentation Quickly  Professional lawyers provide assistance with paperwork quickly and efficiently, including permits, leases, or other types of documents required for your business activities.

7 Ways to Get Free Legal Advice

When starting or running a small business, its important to stay abreast of the law and remain compliant.

Finding free legal advice can be a daunting task, so here are 7 helpful ways for getting professional assistance without breaking the bank.

1. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a valuable resource for small business owners who are seeking legal advice but may not be able to afford a lawyer.

The SBAs Legal Compliance section on its website provides comprehensive information on various legal topics, including internal record-keeping, state and federal tax filing, and obtaining and maintaining business licenses and permits.

This information is designed to help small business owners understand their legal obligations and ensure that they are in compliance with all relevant laws.

In addition to the Legal Compliance section, the SBA provides a range of other resources and support for small business owners, including access to funding, counseling services, and business training programs.

Whether you are just starting a business or looking to expand your existing operation, the SBA can help you navigate the many challenges of running a small business and help you succeed in your venture.

Furthermore, the SBA provides free and low-cost business counseling through its network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Womens Business Centers (WBCs).

These centers offer advice on various topics including business planning, management, and financial planning.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your existing operation, the SBA small business resource center programs can help you find the resources and support you need to succeed.

2. Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a wealth of resources for small business owners and the self-employed through the Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center.

This comprehensive resource provides everything from tax filing instructions and tax deductions to legal advice on how to comply with the Affordable Care Act and recent tax reforms.

Small business owners can find guidance on taxes according to their specific business structure, including information on filing tax returns, record-keeping, and obtaining and maintaining business licenses and permits.

The Tax Center also offers numerous educational resources, including web-based workshops, tutorials, and other educational tools.

These resources are designed to help small business owners and the self-employed better understand their tax obligations and complete their taxes with ease.

Whether youre looking for guidance on filing your taxes, information on legal requirements for small businesses, or tips on how to keep your business in compliance, the IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center has you covered.

3. Online Legal Service

Online legal platforms can offer access to affordable legal support for various needs. These services, sometimes free or at a low-cost legal fee, offer helpful resources like legal forms, advice on business structuring, family law, and local attorney referrals.

You can also connect with licensed business lawyers for free advice through their Ask a Lawyer option. Some sites to ask your legal questions include LegalZoom, Lawyers.com, FreeAdvice.com, Avvo, and LawGuru.com.

Want a precise response? Craft a detailed inquiry by incorporating Who, What, When, How, Will I or Do I in the beginning. Supplementing the inquiry with extra information will get you a better answer in a much quicker timeframe.

These online legal services and sites provide assistance with various legal matters, including business formation, estate planning, and trademark registration.

They offer a range of legal documents and services, from do-it-yourself document preparation to attorney-assisted document review and more.

They make legal services accessible, affordable, and user-friendly for individuals and small businesses.

4. Law Blogs

Getting free legal advice from law blogs can be an incredibly helpful resource for those looking for information about the law and legal issues.

One of the biggest advantages of using law blogs for legal advice is that they are easily accessible.

Many law blogs, such as FindLaw.com and Nolo, are available online and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them a convenient option for those who may not have the resources to schedule a consultation with a lawyer.

Another benefit of law blogs is that they often provide a wealth of information on a wide range of legal topics.

From criminal law to contract law, law blogs cover a range of subjects, making it easy to find information on the specific legal issue you are facing.

They can also be an excellent resource for staying up-to-date on the latest legal developments and changes in the law.

Using law blogs, you can learn about how to create a business startup checklist, the pros and cons of different business structures, how to register your business in another state, things to do after forming an LLC, and much more. You can even search for answers to specific questions, like how much does it cost to incorporate in each state?

While law blogs can be a great resource for free legal advice, it is important to note that the information provided on these blogs is not always accurate or up-to-date.

As with any source of information, it is important to take the time to research and verify the information provided on law blogs before using it to make important legal decisions.

While it is important to exercise caution when using this information, the benefits of using law blogs for legal advice, including the convenience and breadth of information available, make it a valuable resource for those in need of legal guidance.

5. Pro Bono Legal Clinics

Pro bono legal clinics provide legal services to those who have low to moderate incomes and cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. These clinics are staffed by volunteer lawyers who dedicate their time and expertise to helping those in need.

There are many benefits to seeking legal advice from a pro bono law firm clinic, making them an excellent option for those who need legal assistance but cannot afford to pay for it.

One of the main benefits of pro bono legal clinics is that they provide access to professional legal advice that is otherwise unavailable to many people.

These clinics are staffed by experienced lawyers who have the knowledge and expertise to help with a wide range of legal issues.

This includes everything from drafting legal documents and negotiating settlements to representing clients in court.

Another advantage of pro bono clinics is that they are often affiliated with local bar associations, community organizations, and law schools.

This means that clients can receive a high level of professional legal assistance without incurring any cost.

This can be particularly beneficial for those who are dealing with complex legal issues and need access to expert advice.

However, one of the main cons of seeking free legal advice from pro bono clinics is that they are often very busy and in high demand.

This means that clients may have to wait a long time for their cases to be addressed. In some cases, clients may be turned away because the clinic is already overwhelmed with other cases.

6. Online Legal Courses

Free online legal courses are a great resource for individuals looking to find legal information and advice. One of the key benefits of these courses is their accessibility.

They can be taken from anywhere with an internet connection and at any time, making them an excellent option for people with busy schedules.

These courses are often taught by experienced attorneys and legal experts, providing individuals with the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field. Online legal courses are usually self-paced, allowing individuals to learn at their own speed and review the material as needed.

However, one potential drawback of using online legal courses is that the information provided may not always be up-to-date or applicable to specific circumstances. Legal issues can be complex, and it may be difficult to find a one-size-fits-all solution through an online course.

In these cases, it may be necessary to consult with a licensed attorney for more personalized and accurate advice.

Nevertheless, free online legal courses can still be a valuable resource for individuals seeking general legal information and a better understanding of legal concepts and procedures.

For example, the Fundamentals of Business Law explains the differences between a sole proprietor, general partnership, limited partnership, C-corporations, and S-Corporations. While Protecting Business Innovations via Patent provides information all about patents.

7. Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) website is a comprehensive resource for small business owners.

It features a Tips & Advice section, with a dedicated Business Center subsection that provides an extensive range of documents, blog posts, disclaimer examples, and reports covering various aspects of running a small business.

These range from advertising and marketing to credit and finance to privacy and security. The Business Center also offers a wealth of legal resources.

This section catalogs court cases, reports, and opinions on various business-related legal matters. From deceptive advertising to tip withholding to online ticket scalping, it provides valuable insight into how these legal cases were handled and the outcomes of each.

By utilizing these resources, small business owners can gain a deeper understanding of the complex legal landscape in which they operate.

The FTCs Business Center is a valuable tool for staying informed and up-to-date on current legal issues, as well as for obtaining advice and guidance on how to protect your business from potential legal challenges.

Place for Free Legal Advice Pros Cons Small Business Administration (SBA) Provides comprehensive legal information and resources. Access to counseling services and training programs. May not cover every aspect of legal advice a business may need. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Offers guidance on tax filing, deductions, and legal compliance requirements. Focuses primarily on tax-related issues. Online Legal Services (e.g., LegalZoom, Avvo) Access to a range of legal resources and documents. Some offer free advice and attorney referrals. Accuracy and quality of advice may vary. May charge for certain services. Law Blogs (e.g., FindLaw.com, Nolo) Cover a wide range of legal topics. Free and easily accessible. Information may not always be accurate or up-to-date. Pro Bono Legal Clinics Provide access to professional legal advice for free. Staffed by volunteer lawyers. Often busy and in high demand. May have long wait times. Online Legal Courses Accessible and self-paced learning from legal experts. Information may not always be up-to-date or specific to individual circumstances. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Provides resources on a range of legal matters related to running a business. Keeps businesses informed on current legal issues. Focuses primarily on business-related legal issues.

The Bottom Line

With so many potential resources for free legal advice, it can be difficult to know where to turn.

To make sure you get the best advice for your small business, its important to do your research and find an experienced lawyer who is able to provide knowledgeable assistance on the specific needs of your venture.

Contacting legal aid professionals, networking with other businesses in your community, or looking up legal tips for small businesses on online forums are just a few options available to help you find free legal advice for your small business.
A Georgia man has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for evading taxes related to his ownership of multiple bars and a restaurant, as well as beer sales at a music festival.

Eugene R. Britt III, also known as Trey Britt of Milledgeville, Georgia, engaged in a tax evasion scheme over two decades related to income from his establishments. According to court documents and statements made in court, Britt and others concealed their ownership interest by causing each establishment to be nominally owned by a single person. They then skimmed cash profits, disbursed it among themselves, and did not report this cash as income to the IRS.

Britts case reveals how non-compliance can result in significant legal repercussions. In addition to his imprisonment term, U.S. District Judge J. Randal Hall of the Southern District of Georgia ordered Britt to serve three years of supervised release, pay a $10,000 fine, and provide $362,250 in restitution.

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The tax evasion scheme extended beyond Britts brick-and-mortar businesses. In 2015, Britt did not report cash he received from beer sales at a music festival on his personal income tax returns, utilizing a similar structure to his restaurant and bar businesses.

The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, highlighting the serious consequences of tax evasion. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Departments Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg for the Southern District of Georgia made the announcement.

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Take a dip in regularly checked lakes and reservoirs.

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Eager swimmers and sunbathers have tested plenty of lakes, gravel pits and other wild swimming spots around Slovakia in recent weeks due to the scorching sun.

The swimming season in the country kicked off on June 15 and will end in three months, on September 15.

Bratislava offers plenty of places to swim and cool down in Read more

During this time, the regional offices of the Public Health Authority will oversee if the operators of outdoor swimming pools and lakes (organised recreation) check the water quality. The authority itself will check the quality in wild swimming spots that have no operator, which is why they are described as unorganised recreation.

More than 80 lakes, dams and gravel pits will be monitored this season.

The authority added that it will check the water quality every fortnight, and that less popular spots may be controlled less frequently.

In the map below, The Slovak Spectator localises the most popular wild swimming spots with organised and unorganised recreation among people in Slovakia. These traditionally have a good quality of water.

Based on the latest information from the Public Health Authority, The Slovak Spectator will update the map on a regular basis throughout the summer.

Swimming in the Ruzina reservoir, southern Slovakia, is not recommended in 2023 due to the lack of water.
In a few decades, drought will threaten Fatra, the Tatras and the south of central Slovakia.

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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.
As youve no doubt noticed by the influx of rainbow-overlaid brand logos, June is Pride Month. Its the time of year when companies roll out their most saccharine displays of allyship, enoughthey hopeto carry them through another 11 months of doing next to bubkis for LGBTQIA+ people. But still, perhaps it is progress that even the largest businesses in the world see it as a fiscally sound maneuvering to align themselves the queer community.

But one coffee company has decided maybe they should tone it down with their support during Pride Month. That company is of course Starbucks, who has allegedly banned all Pride decorations from their storefronts, and it has caused for a new round of strikes at Starbucks locations around the country.

Allegations of banning Pride Month decorations were initially levied by the Twitter account of Starbucks Workers United, the group leading charge in unionizing company-owned locations across the United States. While Starbucks was quick to deny the claim, stating that they unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community and that there has been no change to any policy on this matter, and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June, Fast Company reported viewing messages from stores indicating that, at least on a regional level, these policies had changed.

Fast Company goes on to note that these apparent changes are being enforced at a number of unionized stores, and are heavily represented in regions of America where anti-LGBTQ sentiment is growing, particularly very red southern states. In messages viewed by Fast Company, the reason given by management was to have uniformity across locations and that if they allowed Pride decorations, they would have to allow anyone to post/decorate with anything.

In response, Starbucks Workers United on Friday, June 23rd called for strikes over the course of the following week, stating that over 3,500 workers will take part, per AP News. And over the weekend, they made good on the promise. Between Friday and Sunday, 21 company locations had to close down due to strikes, including the Reserve Roastery in Seattle. Per US News, the strikes will go on throughout the remainder of the week and will affect more than 150 locations.

The alleged banning of Pride decorations runs counter to many of the companys prior policies regarding the LGBTQIA+ community. Starbucks is a current sponsor of Seattle Pride, has extended full health care benefits to same-sex partnerships since 1988, and even added coverage for gender affirming surgery. Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan has also noted that a Pride flag is currently flying over their Seattle headquarters.

Still, the brand has in the past banned certain expression of support for timely social issues. In 2020, for instance, during a wave of unrest caused by the murder of George Floyd by members of the Minneapolis Police Department, Starbucks disallowed workers from wearing anything in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Stikes will continue through Friday, June 30th. For a list of participating Starbucks locations, visit the Starbucks Workers United official website.

Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/idaho-prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-against-alleged-quadruple-murderer-1111484036.html

Idaho Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty Against Alleged Quadruple Murderer

Idaho Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty Against Alleged Quadruple Murderer

The US state of Idaho will seek the death penalty against the 28-year-old suspect accused of the murder of four college students last year, prosecutors said in a court notice.

2023-06-26T22:51+0000

2023-06-26T22:51+0000

2023-06-26T22:49+0000

americas

us

death penalty

idaho

bryan kohberger

university of idaho

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Bryan Kohberger was arrested in December in connection with the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students in November. Kohberger has pleaded not guilty to the accusations. "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 capital sentence," the court notice, filed Monday, said.The case appears to include aggravating circumstances under Idaho law, including multiple murders committed, utter disregard for human life, and a "propensity to commit murder" which will constitute a continuing threat to society, the notice said. The state will continue to review additional information and reserves the right to amend or withdraw the notice, prosecutors added. Earlier this month, defense attorneys representing Kohberger said in a court filing that there is "no connection" between Kohberger and the murder victims. The defense team posits that DNA data purportedly obtained by the prosecution has provided "precious little" and that the state is withholding evidence related to their case. Prosecutors charged Kohberger based on DNA evidence purportedly recovered from the scene of the crime, as well as digital forensics linking his car and phone to the area near where the murders occurred, according to a probable cause affidavit. Kohberger has reasons to be "extremely suspicious" of the investigative genetic genealogy methods used in the case, the defense filing said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230105/idaho-murders-trash-can-dna-cellphone-records-led-to-suspects-arrest-in-quadruple-homicide-1106069730.html

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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)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/australian-court-rejects-russias-appeal-against-revocation-of-lease-on-new-embassy-1111469185.html

Australian Court Rejects Russia's Appeal Against Revocation of Lease on New Embassy

Australian Court Rejects Russia's Appeal Against Revocation of Lease on New Embassy

Planning authorities in Canberra terminated the lease last year on land where the new Russian embassy building was close to completion. Since then the parliament has passed a law affirming the ban on the mission.

2023-06-27T06:24+0000

2023-06-27T06:24+0000

2023-06-27T13:27+0000

world

australia

russia

anthony albanese

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nca

embassy

espionage

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Australia's High Court has rejected the Russian embassy's appeal against the government's decision to renege on the lease for its new home.Justice Jayne Jagot dismissed the embassy's legal challenge to the decision to revoke the agreement, now enshrined in an act of the Federal Parliament in the capital Canberra. She dismissed Russia's case as "weak" and "difficult to understand," adding that there was "no proper foundation for granting the interlocutory injunction" which the Russian Federation sought.The government's barrister Tim Begbie KC argued that the embassy had failed to make a case for overturning the legislation, adding: "Once that is accepted, their whole argument is over."A Russian embassy guard ended his occupation of the site an hour after the ruling. The unnamed man was seen leaving the fenced-off construction site on Monday, where a new consulate building had already been completed.The man, dressed casually and holding a sleeping bag, was seen being picked up by an official embassy car.The embassy's legal counsel Elliot Hyde said there was no reason why the embassy official should leave the site, noting that "the stated position of the prime minister is that the security personnel of my client who is on the land  is not seemingly a risk."Australian authorities claimed that locating the new embassy near the federal parliament  whose proceedings are televised  exposed the state to the risk of Russian espionage.The National Capital Authority (NCA), the body which controls urban planning in Canberra revoked the lease in August 2022. The Federal Court upheld that decision in a ruling in May and the Federal Parliament introduced the bill to shore up that position that earlier this month.Australia is a close ally of the US, having also been colonized and settled by the UK. It has supplied armored vehicles and artillery to Ukraine, that, according to the numerous statements made by Russian authorities, contributes to prolonging the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/australia-to-introduce-bill-blocking-russian-lease-for-embassy-near-parliament-building-1111165674.html

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australia cancels the lease on russia's new embassy in canberra, sanctions and embargoes on russia over its special military operation in ukraine, can the australian government block russia from completing its new embassy?
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/fact-check-have-british-storm-shadows-proved-effective-on-ukraine-battlefield-1111509648.html

Fact Check: Have British Storm Shadows Proved Effective on Ukraine Battlefield?

Fact Check: Have British Storm Shadows Proved Effective on Ukraine Battlefield?

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace asserted to British lawmakers that Storm Shadow missiles given to Kiev have had "a significant impact" on the battlefield in Ukraine. Is Wallace's optimism justified?

2023-06-27T19:16+0000

2023-06-27T19:16+0000

2023-06-27T19:16+0000

world

europe

ben wallace

sergei shoigu

ukraine

united kingdom (uk)

kiev

armed forces of ukraine

nato

high mobility artillery rocket system (himars)

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"I think that the British minister of defense is somewhat embellishing the situation," Dmitry Kornev, military expert, founder of the Military Russia portal, told Sputnik, suggesting that Wallace's announcement resembled a PR stunt. "Within the framework of a special military operation, missiles and the capabilities of Storm Shadow, which are used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, so far have not played any role at all () Yes, they strike at some point objects. Yes, sometimes they hit them; sometimes these missiles are shot down," he said.What Are Storm Shadows Capable of?In May, the British government announced that it had delivered multiple Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine ahead of the Kiev regime's counteroffensive.The Storm Shadow is a weapon typically launched from the air, boasting a striking range in excess of 250 kilometers (155 miles). The missile's weight is about 1,300 kilograms which includes a conventional warhead of 450 kilograms. Its diameter amounts to 48 centimeters; the rocket's wingspan is three meters. The wonder weapon price tag is approximately $3.19 million per unit.The weapon was used in the 2003 War in Iraq, where the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron extensively tested them on the battlefield. These missiles were also used during NATO's invasion of Libya in 2011. All in all, the UK government has a stockpile of an estimated 700-1,000 Storm Shadows.How Are Storm Shadows CarriedIt was earlier reported that the British missiles would be carried by the Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 Fencer. Pictures released by the Ukrainian media showed a Su-24 with a Storm Shadow placed under the fixed-wing "glove" pylon.In the past, The Drive suggested that Storm Shadows would be carried by Ukraine's Su-24 with the Su-27 Flanker jet also being a likely candidate as Storm Shadow shooter. At the same time, the media outlet wondered as to how many Su-24s have been left in Ukraine. It quoted intelligence indicating that Ukraine has lost at least 17 Su-24s. It was later reported that Ukraines Su-24 combat version and Su-24MR reconnaissance plane have been modified to fire the British stealthy long-range missile.Defensive or Offensive?In May, Wallace announced that the weapon would become Ukraine's "best chance to defend themselves."However, earlier this month Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pointed out that Kiev would not use these missiles for "defensive" purposes: Shoigu warned that the use of Storm Shadow and HIMARS outside the zone of the special military operation would mean the full involvement of the United States and the United Kingdom in the conflict.On June 22, the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out a strike on bridges on the administrative border between the Kherson region and Crimea. As the result of the missile attack the roadway on the Chongar Bridge was damaged, but no casualties were reported by local authorities. Judging from markings on the wreckage of the missile, the strike was presumably carried out British-donated Storm Shadows.Is Storm Shadow a Game Changer for Counteroffensive?The Russian military expert has drawn attention to the fact that Storm Shadows are now shot down "quite regularly." Furthermore, following the Ukrainian military strike on the bridge, the Russian armed forces destroyed a depot with Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Ukraine's Khmelnytskyi region, as per the Russian Ministry of Defense.Still, the most vivid indicator that Storm Shadow cruise missiles have not become a game change is that they failed to facilitate Ukraine's much-discussed counteroffensive, according to Kornev.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230620/ukraine-plans-to-strike-at-crimea-with-storm-shadow-cruise-missiles--shoigu-1111321394.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230528/ukraine-loses-up-to-340-troops-near-donetsk---russian-military-1110655100.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/russian-military-destroys-storm-shadow-missile-depot-in-western-ukraine-1111442832.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/how-ukraine-torture-sites-became-new-norm-1111504260.html

How Ukraine Torture Sites Became New Norm

How Ukraine Torture Sites Became New Norm

The UN has accused Ukrainian law enforcement authorities and armed forces of torturing detainees and subjecting them to sexual violence in a newly-released report.

2023-06-27T16:45+0000

2023-06-27T16:45+0000

2023-06-27T16:46+0000

ukraine

dmytro yarosh

kiev

lugansk

un human rights office (ohchr)

ukrainian security service (sbu)

europe

opinion

the united nations (un)

geneva conventions

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A significant increase in violations of the right to liberty and security of persons by Ukrainian security forces has been documented by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) since February 24, 2022.In addition, the international organization documented the arbitrary detention of 88 Russian civilian sailors, one of whom died from a chronic condition due to the lack of adequate medical care.The report also refers to the spike in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in territory controlled by Kiev between March and July 2022. As per the OHCHR, these cases mostly affected men and consisted predominantly of threats of sexual violence during the initial stages of detention by Ukrainian law enforcement officers, and of forced public stripping of alleged lawbreakers by civilians or members of territorial defense forces. The international entity also raised concerns about the overall fairness of proceedings during the prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.What's Left Out?Meanwhile, evidence of torture and inhuman interrogation practices in the territories controlled by the government of Ukraine is continuing to pile up.On May 30, a Russian law enforcement source told Sputnik that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has opened torture chambers to interrogate people who had cooperated with the Russian authorities while areas were under Russia's control between March and November 2022. The torture facilities were created at two district police departments, Dneprovsky and Komsomolsky in Dnepropetrovsk.One of the detainees, Vladimir Malina, a former business assistant who stayed in Kherson after the pull-out of the Russian troops, was beaten to death in the torture chamber of the Dneprovsky police department, according to the Sputnik source. Two other prisoners, Roman Gavrilyuk and Igor Gurov, who also used to cooperate with the Russians, were tortured and forced to write an explanation that Malina was released together with them in a bid to conceal his death. Besides Malina, several other people were tortured in these chambers.Residential Torture ChambersSince the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine, the Russian military and allied militias have found numerous "improvised" torture rooms located in residential sectors, in basements, barns or gas stations where heavily mutilated bodies or traces thereof were discovered.In particular, in March 2022, the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) militia discovered a Ukrainian torture chamber in the basement of a residential building near a village called Trekhizbenka in the Lugansk region. LPR militiamen told Sputnik that they found a murdered civilian in the basement and bloodstains on the floor. Judging from the corpse's condition, the man was tormented by the Ukrainian military prior to being shot in the head, according to the Sputnik source.More of those facilities were found in the liberated regions of the LPR. One of them was an abandoned gas station that had been under the control of the Right Sector*, a paramilitary confederation of several ultranationalist and neo-Nazi organizations founded by Dmytro Yarosh in November 2013. The coalition played a considerable role in the illegitimate February 2014 coup d'etat in Kiev. In LPR, the Right Sector resorted to gruesome torture practices by drowning Lugansk civilians alive in gasoline storage tanks.Another torture chamber was found in Kherson in May 2022 with a legless corpse along with syringes, drugs, and cases for Javelins.'They Abused Me for the Sake of Amusement'Victims of the Ukrainian torture machine have given a plethora of testimonies detailing inhumane attitude towards them and brazen violation of their human rights by the Kiev forces.In June 2022, a Donbass resident who returned from Ukrainian captivity described on record instances of physical and psychological abuse which he had been subjected to during two months.A similar story was told by a Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) militiaman in November 2022. He particularly recalled how the Ukrainian military told him that they were going to burn out a letter "Z"  a reference to an informal name of the Russian special military operation  either on his forehead or his leg. They mockingly asked him to choose where he would like to have it. "I chose a leg," the DPR soldier said, demonstrating a Z-form scar.Russian POWsTorturing of Russian POWs by the Ukrainian military, foreign mercenaries and neo-Nazi battalions still remains a largely untold story in the international media. The rules protecting prisoners of war are specific and were first codified in the 1929 Geneva Convention. Thus, POWs cannot be tortured or slaughtered; they must be treated humanely and given medical attention if needed.On April 4, a video appeared online purportedly depicting the killing of a wounded Russian soldier who was still breathing. "Hes still alive. Film these marauders. Look, hes still alive. Hes gasping," a Ukrainian serviceman said, identified by his national flag patches and blue arm band.There were at least three more killed Russian soldiers with their hands tied behind their backs and white bands on their arms surrounded by blood stains. It was later verified that the killings on Russian captives took place near the village of Dmytrivka, seven miles southwest of Bucha, following a Ukrainian ambush of a withdrawing Russian column on March 30.The case was just one in a plethora of instances when Russian POWs were mistreated and killed in captivity. In some cases, Ukrainian troops burned the bodies of the Russian POWs apparently in a bid to conceal the traces of tormention.In May 2022, a Ukrainian soldier stated on record that many Russian pilots were tortured to death. "None of them died quickly," he said.For his part, a former Russian POW recalled how he and other Russian servicemen were treated in Ukrainian detention centers. Some of those who were taken by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) never came back, the soldier noted. Remarkably, the Ukrainian military demonstrated the same ruthlessness to their own people who refused to fight. A Ukrainian POW from the ultranationalist Aidar* battalion recalled that he was brought down to the basement by people wearing masks, who shot him in the legs and tortured him. When asked, what was the reason for this brutal treatment, the Aidar serviceman responded: "I don't know what they were hoping to achieve. Probably, to force me to keep fighting."Ukrainian Torture Sites Date Back to 2014These gruesome torture practices had been exercised by the Kiev regime forces long before the beginning of the Russian special military operation.In 2019, Vasily Prozorov, a former SBU officer, revealed that soon after the February coup in Kiev a secret torture prison dubbed "The Library" was founded at airport in Mariupol, Donetsk region, in June 2014. The "black site" was operated by the Azov Battalion** and "supervised" by the SBU.People detained for links to the DPR or suspected pro-Russian ideas were called "books". After being checked, the prisoners were kept in the refrigerators of the airport restaurant. According to the testimonies of former detainees, Ukrainian nationalists used different torture techniques, including waterboarding, asphyxiation, and breaking fingers.Commenting on the Kiev regime's torture chamber and ferocious interrogation techniques, some international observers refer to similar practices employed by the CIA during the US' infamous war on terror as well as by US soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison. Meanwhile, historians draw attention to the Ukrainian nationalists' brutality during the Second World War. At the time, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and its paramilitary wing the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)  infamous Nazi collaborators rehabilitated by the Kiev regime  were infamous for torture and genocide of ethnic minorities and political opponents. The Ukrainian nationalists used to heavily mutilate the bodies of their victims in order to dehumanize them and strike terror.While the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has recently touched upon some disturbing instances of human rights abuse by the Kiev regime, lots of cases covering the period from 2014 to 2023 have yet to be thoroughly investigated by the international organizations and human rights watchdogs.*The Right Sector and Aidar battalion are extremist organizations banned in Russia.**Azov Battalion is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/un-records-increase-in-law-violations-by-ukrainian-security-forces-1111490831.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220511/journo-is-it-coincidence-that-some-cia-torture-techniques-are-so-popular-with-ukrainian-neo-nazis-1095441987.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/beatings-stabbings--electric-shocks-donetsk-militia-vets-ordeal-in-ukraines-torture-chambers-1110480282.html

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LPR's people militia found a torture chamber in the basement of a residential building used by Ukrainians near Trekhizbenka LPR's people militia found a torture chamber in the basement of a residential building used by Ukrainians near Trekhizbenka 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT1M07S

Ukrainian "Right Sector" neo-Nazi movement tortured people in the LPR Ukrainian "Right Sector" neo-Nazi movement tortured people in the LPR 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M36S

Torture chamber near Kherson Torture chamber near Kherson 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT1M25S

A story of a man who returned from Ukrainian captivity A story of a man who returned from Ukrainian captivity 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT1M15S

A DPR soldier returned from Ukrainian captivity showed where the letter "Z" had been carved on his body A DPR soldier returned from Ukrainian captivity showed where the letter "Z" had been carved on his body 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M36S

Neo-Nazi Sergei Chili Velichko admit that his Kharkov unit shot Russian POWs in the legs while they were tied up. Neo-Nazi Sergei Chili Velichko admit that his Kharkov unit shot Russian POWs in the legs while they were tied up. 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M15S

Ukrainian soldier spoke about how the Ukrainian army treats PoWs Ukrainian soldier spoke about how the Ukrainian army treats PoWs 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M28S

A Russian serviceman released from Ukrainian captivity recalled how some of his comrades had died after being tortured A Russian serviceman released from Ukrainian captivity recalled how some of his comrades had died after being tortured 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M41S

A Ukrainian POW from the Aidar battalion recalls how his own comrades crippled him for refusing to go into battle A Ukrainian POW from the Aidar battalion recalls how his own comrades crippled him for refusing to go into battle 2023-06-27T16:45+0000 true PT0M44S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/hungary-expects-ban-on-ukrainian-grain-imports-to-be-extended-in-september-1111500953.html

Hungary Expects Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports to Be Extended in September

Hungary Expects Ban on Ukrainian Grain Imports to Be Extended in September

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has spoken in favor of extending the EU ban on imports of Ukrainian agricultural goods to European countries bordering Ukraine in order to ensure that excess grain does not harm local producers, his office said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T14:35+0000

2023-06-27T14:35+0000

2023-06-27T14:35+0000

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"We share the concerns that grain arriving from Ukraine is causing in our countries. We support grain from Ukraine going to destinations outside Europe, but we are not in favour of that grain staying here, for example in Hungary, and destroying the entire Hungarian grain market. Therefore 'yes' to transit, 'no' to import, and we continue to believe that this ban should be maintained from mid-September onward," Orban said at a Monday meeting of Visegrad Group heads of government, according to his office. On April 15, Poland and Hungary said they were banning imports of Ukrainian agricultural products until June 30, citing the need to protect domestic farmers from the uncontrolled influx of cheap grain from Ukraine. Slovakia followed suit on April 17 and Bulgaria on April 19. In response to an appeal by Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia to protect their producers from uncontrolled influx of cheap Ukrainian grain, the European Commission introduced a mechanism to regulate the imports. Starting May 2, wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower seeds were allowed free circulation in all EU countries except those five, which, in turn, promised to lift their unilateral restrictions. On June 5, the European Union extended until September 15 restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products to affected EU countries.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/indonesian-defense-minister-says-jakarta-ready-to-mediate-ukraine-conflict-settlement-1111499906.html

Indonesian Defense Minister Says Jakarta Ready to Mediate Ukraine Conflict Settlement

Indonesian Defense Minister Says Jakarta Ready to Mediate Ukraine Conflict Settlement

Indonesia is ready to mediate the settlement of the Ukraine conflict between Kiev and Moscow and continues to provide feasible suggestions, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has said.

2023-06-27T13:59+0000

2023-06-27T13:59+0000

2023-06-27T13:59+0000

world

indonesia

joko widodo

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prabowo subianto

jakarta

ukraine

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"With the consent of both parties, we are willing to mediate the conflict. We keep endeavoring to provide feasible suggestions," Subianto was quoted as saying by the local news agency after a meeting with President Joko Widodo on Monday. The defense minister also said that Indonesia fully respected international provisions and that the countrys foreign policy was "crystal clear." In early June, Indonesia proposed a peace plan for the Ukrainian conflict that would create a demilitarized zone similar to the one between North and South Korea. Jakarta also suggested that the United Nations organize a referendum in the disputed territories to ascertain objectively the wish of their residents, adding that Indonesia was ready to provide military observers and units under the UN peacekeeping auspices.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/lukashenko-orders-belarusian-army-to-go-on-full-combat-alert-1111491782.html

Lukashenko Orders Belarusian Army to Go on Full Combat Alert

Lukashenko Orders Belarusian Army to Go on Full Combat Alert

Belarusian President Alexander Likashenko said on Tuesday that he gave orders to bring the national army to full combat readiness against the backdrop of events in Russia.

2023-06-27T07:58+0000

2023-06-27T07:58+0000

2023-06-28T14:58+0000

world

belarus

alexander lukashenko

wagner aborted mutiny

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"I gave all orders to bring the army to full combat readiness," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by a governmental Telegram channel.He added that the priority security task for Belarus is prevention of escalation as tensions are already high. Your [security officials] priority, as well as [the priority of] all the people in uniform, is to take the necessary measures to prevent the escalation of the situation. Tensions are already to the limit, Lukashenko said, as quoted media. On Friday, June 23, forces of the Wagner Group (PMC) seized the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, following accusations leveled against the Russian Ministry of Defense for allegedly striking the group's camps. Both the Russian military and the Federal Security Service have denied the allegations. On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had spent the entire day negotiating with Yevgeny Prigozhin, as agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result of the talks, the Wagner group leader accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of his troops in Russia and take measures to de-escalate the situation. Putin guaranteed that the Wagner group fighters would have the opportunity to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, return home, or move to Belarus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/back-to-normal-whats-going-on-in-moscow--beyond-after-wagners-aborted-mutiny-gamble-1111473644.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/nearly-half-of-finland-believes-government-will-fall-before-term-ends---poll--1111487290.html

Nearly Half of Finland Believes Government Will Fall Before Term Ends - Poll

Nearly Half of Finland Believes Government Will Fall Before Term Ends - Poll

The government, which has taken several months to assemble, harbors numerous differences ranging from attitudes to the EU, fiscal policies and immigration to the status of the Swedish language.

2023-06-27T07:36+0000

2023-06-27T07:36+0000

2023-06-27T07:36+0000

world

petteri orpo

timo soini

finland

sweden

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national coalition party (finland)

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Nearly half of Finns believe Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's newly-minted coalition government will fall before it reaches the end of its four-year term, a recent survey has found.The study, carried out by pollster Tietoykkonen, found that a full 49 percent of respondents don't think the Orpo government will make it to the end of its term, while barely 28 percent said they think it will.Political science professor Ilkka Ruostetsaari of Tampere University said that the survey's results indicate that people's faith in the government's longevity is not very strong.What Pitfalls Will the New Government Have to Navigate Around?Finland's new four-party government emerged as a result of the general election in April after several months of talks and distributed minister portfolios barely a week ago in mid-June.There are several reasons why Finns believe the alliance between the liberal-conservative National Coalition Party (NCP, the formal winner of the election), the nationalist Finns Party, the Christian Democrats and the local Swedish People's Party of Finland may be short-lived.First off, the NCP and the Finns, the new government's heavyweights, profoundly differ in their attitudes toward the EU. While the NCP has traditionally been strongly pro-Brussels in nearly all matters, the Finns have been consistent and hardline Euroskeptics.Second, while both parties often are labeled conservative, they stick to different brands of conservatism. Orpo's NCP ran as fiscal conservatives, with pledges to improve the Finnish economy and limit the country's ballooning debt. Given that, the party is betting on targeted cuts in benefits, welfare and healthcare to achieve its goals. The Finns' conservatism, on the other hand, is more about values. Economically, the party has been even labeled left-wing, with its top representatives, including former leader Timo Soini calling it a "workers' party without socialism."Third is the attitude toward immigration. While the rest of the government is in favor of immigration to boost the country's faltering labor market and prop up Finland's ailing demographics, the Finns seek to limit the quota on refugees, tighten the conditions for family unification and stop using public funds to promote multiculturalism. However, with numerous government agencies stressing the need for higher immigration to sustain the current standards of living and industry amid a protracted slump in birthrates, this may be a tall order.Lastly, the Swedish People's Party (SPP) has traditionally been at odds with the nationalist Finns Party over several issues, including the role of the Swedish language in Finland, which despite being the mother tongue of some 5 percent of the population nevertheless enjoys official status across the entire Nordic country. The Finns have campaigned for removing what they refer to as "forced Swedish." SPP head Anna-Maja Henriksson admitted the tensions and even said she was "somewhat surprised" that her party had ended up joining the coalition after all.That said, some unlikely alliances in Northern Europe have emerged as of late. Among them, Denmark is currently ruled by a coalition of historic archenemies: the Social Democrats and the Liberals, with the differences bridged by the newly-founded Moderate Party functioning as a mediator.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/new-finnish-govt-allots-minister-posts-announces-carrot-and-stick-program-1111269010.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/philippines-plans-to-deepen-agricultural-cooperation-with-russia-1111500720.html

Philippines Plans to Deepen Agricultural Cooperation With Russia

Philippines Plans to Deepen Agricultural Cooperation With Russia

The Philippines intends to maintain and deepen agricultural cooperation with Russia, after its sector-related exports to the country increased by 26% in 2018-2021, the Philippine Agricultural Department (DA) said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T14:27+0000

2023-06-27T14:27+0000

2023-06-27T14:27+0000

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The announcement came after representatives of both Philippine and Russian agricultural departments attended a business mission of Russian companies in Manila last week. The results of the event will contribute to fostering bilateral collaboration and exploring potential business opportunities between the two countries, the Philippine Agricultural Department said. "The DA's participation in the mission is expected to pave the way for more partnerships and initiatives that will benefit the Philippine agriculture industry. DA Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda ... conveyed her appreciation to the Russian Federation for their ongoing bilateral trade with the Philippines. She highlighted that Philippine agriculture exports to Russia have grown by 26 percent from 2018 to 2021," the department said in a statement. Miranda noted that her country's top agricultural exports to Russia included desiccated coconuts, carrageenan, banana chips, coconut milk, and Cavendish banana. There are also excellent capital investment opportunities in cold storage and processing facilities for fresh and value-added farm products throughout the islands, the undersecretary of the Philippine Agricultural Department added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/russia-enters-top-20-world-food-exporters-in-2022-1111499135.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230606/world-bank-leaves--russias-growth-forecast-for-2023-2024-unchanged-1110961118.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-addresses-russian-military--security-officers-on-cathedral-square-1111491294.html

Full Video: Putin Addresses Russian Military & Security Officers on Cathedral Square

Full Video: Putin Addresses Russian Military & Security Officers on Cathedral Square

Previously Vladimir Putin praised the role of Russian civil society, including political parties and religious organizations, in support of constitutional order.

2023-06-27T10:38+0000

2023-06-27T10:38+0000

2023-06-27T15:56+0000

russia

vladimir putin

wagner aborted mutiny

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Sputnik comes live to you from Cathedral Square, Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin is addressing members of the military and security establishment. According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the head of state will talk to officers and soldiers who maintained law and order during the aborted mutiny attempt. Also, Putin will hold talks with Ministry of Defense officials.On June 26, Putin commented on the aborted mutiny attempt by the Wagner Group. He said that mutiny organizers hoped to incite a conflict in Russia and stressed that their effort was doomed from the very beginning  the mutiny would have been inevitably crushed, and constitutional order would be protected.

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Putin Addresses Russian Military & Security Officers on Cathedral Square Putin Addresses Russian Military & Security Officers on Cathedral Square 2023-06-27T10:38+0000 true PT4M28S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-says-enemy-would-try-to-use-situation-if-mutiny-not-suppressed-1111497734.html

Putin Says Enemy Would Try to Use Situation If Mutiny Not Suppressed

Putin Says Enemy Would Try to Use Situation If Mutiny Not Suppressed

If mutiny started by the Wagner Group private military company had not been suppressed, the enemy would have taken advantage of this, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T13:19+0000

2023-06-27T13:19+0000

2023-06-28T14:51+0000

russia

ukrainian crisis

wagner aborted mutiny

vladimir putin

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If the mutiny started by the Wagner Group private military company had not been suppressed, the enemy would have taken advantage of this, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday."Chaos in the country would be inevitable, and the enemy, of course, would take advantage of this ... [the enemy] is trying to do so. But nothing works. I hope it does not work out. I am even sure of it. But for certain  they would have taken advantage," Putin said during a meeting with military personnel in the Kremlin.On Friday, June 23, forces of the Wagner Group (PMC) seized the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, following accusations leveled against the Russian Ministry of Defense for allegedly striking the group's camps. Both the Russian military and the Federal Security Service have denied the allegations. On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had spent the entire day negotiating with Yevgeny Prigozhin, as agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result of the talks, the Wagner group leader accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of his troops in Russia and take measures to de-escalate the situation. Putin guaranteed that the Wagner group fighters would have the opportunity to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, return home, or move to Belarus.Speaking about Yevgeny Prigozhin, who led the attempted mutiny on June 24, Vladimir Putin said that Prigozhin had earned over 80 billion rubles ($940 million) in a year from the state through military contracts.The president also mentioned that the state had paid over 86 billion rubles to Wagner from May 2022 to May 2023.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-tells-military-they-actually-preventedcivil-war-1111491663.html

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South Africa: Deputy President commends UNISA for prioritising African leadership

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has commended the University of South Africa (UNISA) for continuously prioritising African leadership and development in its mission and vision.

Mashatile was addressing the 150th anniversary celebration of UNISA held at the institutions main campus in Pretoria on Monday.

UNISA was established in 1873, making it the largest and oldest institution in sub-Saharan Africa.

Reflecting on the role played by the university in shaping Africas intellectual future for the past 150 years, Mashatile said, throughout its 150 years of history, the university has been a key driver in developing the next generation of African leaders and stimulating socio-economic advancement on the continent.

Recognising Africa's unique challenges and abundant opportunities, UNISA has actively worked to equip individuals with the information, skills, and mind-set necessary to lead and drive intellectualism.

This university has played a critical role in establishing African leadership and development agendas through its unique curriculum, research projects, and community participation, Mashatile said.

Mashatile also commended the university for having six academic colleges and over 350 000 students, making it one of the world's most diverse universities.

He said one of UNISA's greatest assets is its dedication to making education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds across the African continent.

By leveraging technology and innovative teaching methods, he said the university has overcome geographical barriers and expanded access to higher education for individuals who might not have had it otherwise, due to the socio-economic circumstances.

This inclusiveness has been instrumental in cultivating a diverse population of leaders, ensuring that African voices and perspectives are represented in influential and decision-making positions all over the world. In essence, UNISA has been instrumental in transforming education by advocating for change, innovation and equity, and using technology to transform the way we learn, Mashatile said.

The Deputy President reaffirmed governments commitment to continue to partner with the institution as it continues to shape and reclaim Africa's intellectual future.

There is no doubt that this institution has always been committed to excellence in education and research, and we must continue to aspire for this as we move into the future and establish new objectives for the next 150 years.

Investing in development of countrys human capital

To create a prosperous nation that can compete globally, the Deputy President emphasised the need to first invest in the development of the countrys human capital, by providing opportunities for youth to acquire marketable skills.

Mashatile commended UNISAs College of Education (CEDU), which boasts the highest teacher registration and qualifications, with more than 100 000 registered undergraduate students.

We are comforted by the fact that some of CEDU's educational initiatives to empower teachers include a focus on their qualification improvement through aligned academic and professional programmes, and engagement with districts of the Department of Basic Education to enable teachers to further their education.

We also encourage teachers to be part of various Engaged Scholarship projects and register for Short Learning Programmes to advance their skills.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
TEHRAN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday discussed the expansion of bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

During the phone call, the Iranian president said Iran has always stressed improving relations with Qatar and expanding the bilateral cooperation, according to a statement published on the website of the Iranian president's office.

He noted that given their similar viewpoints, Iran and Qatar have "good" capacities for promoting bilateral, regional and international cooperation.

The Qatari emir, for his part, expressed his country's readiness for expanding economic cooperation with Iran and making investments in the country's projects.

He added that Qatar is ready to hold a meeting of the joint economic commission in the near future. 
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-tells-military-they-actually-preventedcivil-war-1111491663.html

Putin Tells Military They Clearly Prevented Civil War

Putin Tells Military They Clearly Prevented Civil War

Vladimir Putin thanked all personnel of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as the country's law enforcement agencies and special services for their courage and loyalty to the Russian people.

2023-06-27T10:21+0000

2023-06-27T10:21+0000

2023-06-28T14:56+0000

russia

vladimir putin

civil war

russian armed forces

military

wagner aborted mutiny

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Military units who took part in the suppression of the attempted armed mutiny on June 24, actually stopped a civil war in Russia, and acted clearly and harmoniously, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. The Russian president stressed that today the historic Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin sees servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces, and the Russian Guard, as well as the staff of the Russian National Guard, the FSB, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Protective Service as well as soldiers and officers, who are the real defenders of the Fatherland, and who - at a tough time for the country, along with their comrades - stood in the way of turmoil, the result of which could have inevitably been chaos."He said that the people who were sucked into the Wagner mutiny realized that the army and the people were not on the side of the rebels. The Russian head of state underlined that the determination and courage of the servicemen, as well as the consolidation of Russian society played a huge and decisive role in stabilizing the situation.According to him, relocating Russian troops from the special military operation zone to grapple with Wagners aborted mutiny gamble was not necessary.Units of the Defense Ministry, the National Guard as well as the forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and special services ensured the reliable operation of the most important control and strategic centers, the security of border regions, and the strength of the rear of our Armed Forces of all military formations, which continued at that time to heroically fight at the front. We did not have to remove combat units from the special military operation zone, the Russian president pointed out.Wagner's Aborted Mutiny Plot On Friday, June 23, forces of the Wagner Group (PMC) seized the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, following accusations leveled against the Russian Ministry of Defense for allegedly striking the group's camps. Both the Russian military and the Federal Security Service have denied the allegations. On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had spent the entire day negotiating with Yevgeny Prigozhin, as agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result of the talks, the Wagner group leader accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of his troops in Russia and take measures to de-escalate the situation. Putin guaranteed that the Wagner group fighters would have the opportunity to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, return home, or move to Belarus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-addresses-russian-military--security-officers-on-cathedral-square-1111491294.html

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pmc wagner's abortred mutiny plot, vladimir putin, russia, russian president, russian armed forces
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/russias-fsb-says-case-of-armed-mutiny-dismissed-on-tuesday-1111489969.html

Russia's FSB Says Case of Armed Mutiny Dismissed on Tuesday

Russia's FSB Says Case of Armed Mutiny Dismissed on Tuesday

An investigation into the case of an armed mutiny has established that its participants stopped actions directly aimed at committing a crime, and the case was dismissed, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T08:36+0000

2023-06-27T08:36+0000

2023-06-28T14:57+0000

russia

wagner aborted mutiny

russia

pmc wagner

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"During the investigation of the criminal case initiated by the investigative department of the Federal Security Service of Russia on June 23 ... on the fact of an armed rebellion, it was established that on June 24 its participants stopped actions directly aimed at committing a crime. Taking into account this and other circumstances relevant to the investigation, on June 27, the investigating authority issued a decision to close the criminal case," the FSB said in a statement.Commenting on the development, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that promises that were given to avoid the worst outcome during an attempted armed mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group private military company, are being kept.On Friday, June 23, forces of the Wagner Group (PMC) seized the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, following accusations leveled against the Russian Ministry of Defense for allegedly striking the group's camps. Both the Russian military and the Federal Security Service have denied the allegations. On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had spent the entire day negotiating with Yevgeny Prigozhin, as agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result of the talks, the Wagner group leader accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of his troops in Russia and take measures to de-escalate the situation. Putin guaranteed that the Wagner group fighters would have the opportunity to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, return home, or move to Belarus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/back-to-normal-whats-going-on-in-moscow--beyond-after-wagners-aborted-mutiny-gamble-1111473644.html

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wagner aborted mutiny, wagner treason, wagner group, fsb
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/sweden-bulgaria-announce-new-aid-packages-for-ukraine-1111487165.html

Sweden, Bulgaria Announce New Aid Packages for Ukraine

Sweden, Bulgaria Announce New Aid Packages for Ukraine

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - The European countries continue to expand support for Ukraine despite warnings from the Russian side that it only exacerbates the conflict. 27.06.2023, Sputnik International

2023-06-27T05:42+0000

2023-06-27T05:42+0000

2023-06-27T05:42+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

sergey lavrov

dmitry peskov

bulgaria

ukraine

sweden

military aid

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Sweden has adopted a new humanitarian aid package for Ukraine worth $35.5 million to meet the most urgent needs of the population, the Swedish government stated. "The government is allocating a new package of humanitarian and recovery aid for Ukraine. The package worth 380 million Swedish kronor [$35.5 million] aims to meet the most urgent needs and highlights the important role of civil society organizations," the government said in a statement. Earlier in June, the Swedish government approved the 11th package of military aid to Ukraine worth 250 million Swedish kronor, which includes, among other things, training of Ukrainian pilots on Swedish JAS Gripen multirole fighter aircraft. Bulgaria had also adopted a new military aid package for Ukraine, the Bulgarian government announced. In early November 2022, the Bulgarian parliament approved arms deliveries to Ukraine. In December, a military aid agreement between the defense ministries of both countries was ratified by the Bulgarian parliament. "The council of ministers has adopted a new package of military and military-technical assistance for Ukraine pursuant to the decision by the National Assembly on December 9, 2022. The approved list is commensurate in volume with the first package," the government's press service said in a statement. The military assistance to Ukraine would not violate the standards of the Bulgarian armed forces or undermine their combat-readiness, the statement read. Although the composition of the first package was classified, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency reported in early December that it included small arms and ammunition.Russia has been conducting the special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo that contains weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pointed out 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/20230626/denmark-to-speed-up-transfer-of-natos-f-16s-to-ukraine-1111473477.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/australia-to-allocate-another-74-million-in-military-support-for-kiev-1111465418.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/taiwan-pledges-to-attack-chinese-military-if-pla-forces-enter-12-mile-zone-1111496999.html

Taiwan Pledges to Attack Chinese Military If PLA Forces Enter 12-Mile Zone

Taiwan Pledges to Attack Chinese Military If PLA Forces Enter 12-Mile Zone

Taiwan has reiterated its determination to attack Chinese warships and aircraft if they come within 12 nautical miles of the island, the Taiwan Defense Ministry's combat planning chief Maj. Gen. Lin Wen-huang said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T12:22+0000

2023-06-27T12:22+0000

2023-06-27T12:22+0000

military

one china policy

china

taiwan

people's liberation army (pla) navy

taiwan strait

asian version of nato

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The Taiwanese Defense Ministry regularly reports on the activity of warships and aircraft of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) near the island. On Saturday, eight Chinese military aircraft crossed the so-called "median line" of the Taiwan Strait and were spotted 24 nautical miles from the island. The report added that it was the first time in six months that Chinese warplanes had approached this close to the island. 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.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230329/does-the-us-recognize-taiwan-as-country-1108933856.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/top-australian-diplomat-voices-disappointment-with-criticism-of-aid-package-to-kiev-1111500144.html

Top Australian Diplomat Voices Disappointment With Criticism of Aid Package to Kiev

Top Australian Diplomat Voices Disappointment With Criticism of Aid Package to Kiev

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday she was disappointed by criticism of the government's $74 million military aid package to Ukraine from the country's opposition.

2023-06-27T14:10+0000

2023-06-27T14:10+0000

2023-06-27T14:21+0000

world

ukrainian crisis

ukraine

australia

kiev

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On Monday, the Australian government announced a new 110 million Australian dollar ($73.6 million) military aid package for Ukraine, which included military equipment and artillery ammunition. The Australian opposition said, however, that the package did not meet Ukraine's key requests, including for Abrams tanks and Bushmaster armored vehicles. Opposition leader Peter Dutton also noted that the government's aid to Kiev "has taken too long and is too little." Wong also noted that since last June, the Australian government had more than doubled the amount of its military support for Ukraine. Australia and other Western countries have supplied Ukraine with various types of weapons systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine over a year ago. The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230127/four-reasons-leopard-2s--m1-abrams-will-bite-the-dust-in-ukraine-1106772754.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/uk-foreign-secretary-to-support-swedens-nato-bid-during-visit-to-gotland-island-1111490514.html

UK Foreign Secretary to Support Sweden's NATO Bid During Visit to Gotland Island

UK Foreign Secretary to Support Sweden's NATO Bid During Visit to Gotland Island

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will reiterate support for Stockholm's NATO bid during his visit to the strategically important Swedish island of Gotland this week, the UK government said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T08:51+0000

2023-06-27T08:51+0000

2023-06-27T08:51+0000

military

united kingdom (uk)

sweden

nato

james cleverly

nato expansion

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"The Foreign Secretary will give full UK backing to Sweden's bid to become NATO members on a visit to the country this week. Ahead of next month's NATO Summit in Lithuania, James Cleverly will visit Gotland, a strategically important island, sitting just over 200 miles north of Kaliningrad, home to Russia's Baltic Fleet," the UK government said in a statement. Cleverly will hold a meeting on security cooperation, assistance to Kiev and possible challenges from China with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom. The two top diplomats are also scheduled to discuss European security as part of the Almedalen Week political forum and observe the operation of a Swedish submarine rescue ship, the UK government said. "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," Cleverly was quoted as saying in the statement. With the start of Russia's special military operation 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 bid still remains vetoed by Turkiye and Hungary. The NATO summit in Vilnius is scheduled for July 11-12.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230524/orban-relations-with-sweden-awfully-wrong-preclude-it-from-joining-nato-1110551691.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/ukraine-mulling-several-provocation-scenarios-at-zaporozhye-npp-1111489258.html

Ukraine Mulling Several False Flag Scenarios at Zaporozhye Nuke Plant

Ukraine Mulling Several False Flag Scenarios at Zaporozhye Nuke Plant

The Ukrainian government is considering several provocation scenarios at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), including missile and terrorist attacks, Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, told Sputnik.

2023-06-27T07:55+0000

2023-06-27T07:55+0000

2023-06-27T08:35+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

zaporozhye npp

terror plot

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"The [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky regime is hatching several scenarios regarding the nuclear plant against the backdrop of the failure of the counteroffensive. This could be a missile attack, a terrorist attack, or an attempt to seize it by forcing Dnepr [River]," Rogov said, adding that Zelensky and Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov were behind the preparation of a possible provocation. Rogov stated that Kiev was also planning to use media as part of its provocation to accuse Moscow, among other things, of mining the ZNPP  a claim that has already been refuted by the IAEA mission present at the plant. The Russian official warned that the possible provocation could be carried out before the NATO summit in Vilnius, scheduled for July 11-12. Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the Zaporozhye nuclear facility is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe by number of units and energy output. It came under the control of Russian forces in early March 2022 and has since been repeatedly shelled, raising international concerns over a possible nuclear accident. The International Atomic Energy Agency established a permanent presence of its experts at the Zaporozhye nuclear station in September 2022 to guarantee its safety during the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/mad-max-reality-kievs-blast-of-kakhovka-dam-has-new-hidden-nuclear-risks-1111115298.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230608/iaea-to-continue-inspections-of-zaporozhye-npp-until-situation-stabilizes---grossi-1110997905.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/ukraines-loses-over-400-soldiers-in-donetsk-krasny-lyman-directions-1111492337.html

Ukraine Loses Over 400 Soldiers in Donetsk, Krasny Liman Directions

Ukraine Loses Over 400 Soldiers in Donetsk, Krasny Liman Directions

The Ukrainian military lost over 400 soldiers in Krasnyi Lyman and Donetsk direction during offensive attempts over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T10:46+0000

2023-06-27T10:46+0000

2023-06-27T10:52+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

russian defense ministry

donetsk

ukraine

russia

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According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces continued to make attempts to attack in Donetsk, South Donetsk and Krasny Liman directions. The ministry added that it repelled two attacks in the Krasny Liman direction and seven attacks in the Donetsk direction. "More than 100 Ukrainian servicemen, four armored combat vehicles, three pickup trucks, D-20 and D-30 howitzers, as well as two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts were destroyed in a day [in the Krasny Liman direction]," the ministry said. The ministry added that Ukraine lost "up to 325 soldiers, one tank, three infantry fighting vehicles," in the Donetsk direction.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230623/west-in-denial-about-failure-of-ukrainian-counter-offensive-1111418070.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/us-announces-500mln-in-additional-security-supplies-for-ukraine-1111507625.html

Pentagon Unveils New $500Mln Package of Military Aid for Ukraine

Pentagon Unveils New $500Mln Package of Military Aid for Ukraine

The US Department of Defense on Tuesday announced a package of additional military aid for Ukraine worth $500 million, including 30 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, as well as more munitions for Patriot defense systems and HIMARS systems.

2023-06-27T17:15+0000

2023-06-27T17:15+0000

2023-06-27T18:15+0000

military

ukraine

us department of defense (dod)

pentagon

military aid

weapons supplies

patriot

m2 bradley infantry fighting vehicle

himars

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The US Department of Defense on Tuesday announced a package of additional military aid for Ukraine worth $500 million, including 30 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Stryker armored personnel carriers, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, as well as more munitions for Patriot defense systems and HIMARS systems."Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs," the department said in a press release. "This package, valued at up to $500 million, includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses to help Ukraine protect its people, as well as additional armored vehicles, anti-armor systems, critical munitions, and other equipment."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230526/us-may-announce-300-million-ukraine-aid-package-friday-mostly-ammunition-1110594545.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/us-john-kerry-admits-iraq-war-was-based-on-lie-but-wont-call-it-aggression-1111486116.html

US' John Kerry Admits Iraq War Was Based on Lie But Won't Call It Aggression

US' John Kerry Admits Iraq War Was Based on Lie But Won't Call It Aggression

Former Senator and Secretary of State John Kerry admitted that the US-led invasion of Iraq was based on a lie, but refused to concede that it was a war of aggression.

2023-06-27T03:31+0000

2023-06-27T03:31+0000

2023-06-27T11:16+0000

americas

john kerry

george w. bush

john kerry

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The US special ambassador on climate change and former Secretary of State John Kerry recently admitted on French television that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was based on a lie, but refused to admit it was a war of aggression.Appearing on French TV channel LCI, Kerry insisted the US invasion of Iraq was completely different from the conflict in Ukraine. The French journalist noted the invasion of Iraq was a war of aggression based on lies that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and links to al-Qaeda*.The crux of Kerry's argument seems to be that former US President George W. Bush was never charged with a crime.No, [it was not a war of aggression], Kerry replied. Because theres never even been, you know, a process of direct accusation of President Bush himself.Kerry did not deny there were abuses in Iraq and claimed he spoke out against them. However, he repeatedly denied the war was an act of aggression by the United States.No, No, No. Well, you didnt know it was a lie at the time. The evidence that was produced, people didnt know that it was a lie, Kerry stammered.Kerry, as the reporter pointed out, voted to authorize the invasion, though he would later campaign against it during his 2004 presidential run. The Iraq War would officially endure until 2011, though the US continues to station roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq to for its operations against Daesh**.The Bush administration and Tony Blair premiership in the UK presented fabricated evidence that Iraq was violating those sanctions and limiting UN weapon inspectors. Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell also uncritically recounted a report that captured al-Qaeda leader Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi stating Iraq was providing chemical weapons training to Al-Qaeda fighters, though a CIA report prior to his testimony indicated al-Libi would not have been in a position to know such information.Post-war analysis showed that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein had actually rebuffed meetings proposed by al-Qaeda operatives, that he never provided any material or operational support to the organization and saw them as a threat to his regime.Two years after the attack, 69% of Americans believed Hussein was personally responsible for September 11 and 89% believed he was providing support to Osama bin Laden.After losing to Bush in 2004, Kerry would later serve in the Obama administration as the secretary of state. Despite pledging to end the war, former US President Barack Obama kept it going for years and sent an additional 33,000 troops to the country in 2009.* Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and other countries**Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist organisation outlawed in Russia and many other states

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/west-applying-lessons-learned-from-iraq-war-to-stifle-dissent-over-ukraine-ex-uk-envoy-1108565474.html

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LAGOS, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police announced on Monday the establishment of a special intervention squad to be deployed to areas plagued by unrest and turmoil in the country.

Speaking at a meeting with top police officers in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on Monday, acting Inspector General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun said the new squad would consist of some 40,000 officers selected from existing police forces.

The officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all states of the country, and the first batch of 1,000 personnel from the squad would be deployed to each state as a standby intervention unit, Egbetokun said.

He described the squad as a well-equipped "dedicated force" that will bolster the police's capacity to respond swiftly and decisively to security threats in every corner of the country.

The squad would be deployed to more troubled areas, he said, noting that the officers will not perform routine police duties but will be kept combat-ready at all times.

"They will be deployed to intervene rapidly and proactively in any situation necessary in their states of assignment," he said.

Armed attacks have been a primary security threat in Nigeria. Several militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, are active in the country, leading to attacks on both civil and military targets in recent months. 
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/us-unveils-xm30-replacement-for-very-old-bradley-armored-vehicles-being-sent-to-ukraine-1111508045.html

US Unveils XM30 Replacement for Very Old Bradley Armored Vehicles Being Sent to Ukraine

US Unveils XM30 Replacement for Very Old Bradley Armored Vehicles Being Sent to Ukraine

The Pentagon announced the first details about the armored vehicle that is slated to replace the US Armys M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which has been in service since the 1980s.

2023-06-27T17:57+0000

2023-06-27T17:57+0000

2023-06-27T17:57+0000

military

bmp-2

bmp-3

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m2 bradley infantry fighting vehicle

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On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced the first details about the armored vehicle that is slated to replace the US Armys M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which has been in service since the 1980s. US and Russian military experts said the Bradley, which has recently been exported to the battlefields of Ukraine, is obsolete and inferior to its Russian-made counterparts.The Bradleys replacement, which will enter service in 2029, will be called the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV). According to reports, the new vehicle wont be much different from the Bradley: it will still carry six troopers and look largely the same, but will only require a crew of two instead of three, thanks to increased automation. In addition, its main gun will be doubled in size to a 50-millimeter autogun, which will be able to be fired remotely from inside the vehicle. The XM30 will also be slightly larger than a Bradley, with a C-17 Globemaster III transport plane able to carry just two of them instead of three, as it can do with the Bradleys.Paul E. Vallely, Retired US Army Major General and Chairman of Stand Up America US Foundation, told Sputnik that the US was sending obsolete vehicles to Ukraine because it has long produced them for cheap, but noted the Pentagon may not be able to stomach the cost of replacing the Bradleys.Indeed, Washington has sent more than 60 Bradley IFVs to Ukraine to buttress Kievs armored forces, but its already lost at least 16 of them in combat, many during assaults on the Surovikin Defensive Line.Vallely noted that the US also left hundreds of Bradleys in Afghanistan as well, as US forces beat a hasty retreat as the Taliban* crushed the US-backed government in August 2021. However, it still has plenty in its inventory to give to Ukraine, thanks to mass manufacturing developed over the last several decades of the Bradleys use.The former general predicted that the $45 billion XM30 program might ultimately get canceled, just as several other attempts at developing replacements for the Bradley have been, because of political decisions being made in Washington.The United States keeps printing money, you know. We're in debt, the American economy is in debt $35 trillion. And they cannot continue just to print money, which is not backed by anything. So it's not good, and Congress is actually who controls the money, [they] have programs now to cut back the money that's going in to support Ukraine. It's not a given. It's not for sure that that will happen. They may not have the money to build them.Military expert and retired Russian Army Col. Anatoliy Matviychuk, a veteran of combat operations in Afghanistan and Syria, told Sputnik that from the beginning, the Bradley was outmatched by the vehicle it was supposed to counter, the Soviet-built BMP-2 IFV, and today is totally outclassed by the BMP-3, which can go toe-to-toe with the best Western main battle tanks.The Americans tried to recreate something similar in the Bradley, but it turned out very interesting: while our infantry fighting vehicle can float, theirs [the American Bradley IFV] does not. In order for her to overcome water obstacles, it is necessary either to build pontoons, or to make auxiliary equipment in the form of inflatable bags.In terms of firepower, our infantry fighting vehicle is far superior to them. And one more thing: our infantry fighting vehicle is very stable in terms of moving over rough terrain. The American infantry fighting vehicle is designed so that its center of gravity is shifted. And if used incorrectly, they very often tip over, and an obstacle of more than 30 degrees is almost insurmountable for them.Matviychuk observed that while the Bradleys height gives it an observational advantage, it also makes it very convenient to aim at it.The Bradley is a rather tall vehicle, clearly visible against the background of the terrain, which allows the use of all types of weapons on it with a fairly good aiming range. That is, it attracts projectiles to itself.Our BMP-2 and BMP-3 can do all this, since we made them to be all-terrain vehicles. For example, the BMP-2, in addition to firing at ground targets, is also perfectly capable of attacking aerial targets, in particular fire support helicopters. The BMP-3 has a 30-mm cannon for supporting attacking infantry and lightly armored targets, and an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) can be fired from the barrel of the 100-mm cannon. She can fight heavy enemy tanks like the Leopard 2 and Abrams.That is, our machine is much superior to Bradley's combat capabilities in this regard, Matviychuk concluded.* Under UN sanctions for terrorist activities

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230123/what-is-the-bradley-infantry-fighting-vehicle-the-us-wants-to-send-to-ukraine-1106625750.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/use-of-ai-in-nuclear-weapons-extremely-dangerous-may-lead-to-catastrophic-results---un-1111509035.html

Use of AI in Nuclear Weapons Extremely Dangerous, May Lead to Catastrophic Results - UN

Use of AI in Nuclear Weapons Extremely Dangerous, May Lead to Catastrophic Results - UN

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in nuclear weapons is extremely dangerous and may lead to catastrophic humanitarian consequences, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said on Tuesday.

2023-06-27T18:28+0000

2023-06-27T18:28+0000

2023-06-27T18:28+0000

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nuclear weapons

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The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in nuclear weapons is extremely dangerous and may lead to catastrophic humanitarian consequences, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu said on Tuesday. "AI in weapons-related functions such as pre-delegation to launch weapons that's the use of force decisions, especially nuclear weapons systems, is an extremely dangerous concept that could result in potentially catastrophic humanitarian consequences," Nakamitsu said during a United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research 2023 Innovations Dialogue. Nakamitsu warned against following technology blindly and underscored that human beings should remain the ones who determine when and how to use AI and machine learning and not the other way around.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230615/almost-half-of-ceos-think-ai-could-destroy-humanity-in-5-10-years---poll-1111184159.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/watch-russian-army-decimate-military-convoy-of-western-equipment--1111488715.html

Watch Russian Army Decimate Military Convoy of Western Equipment

Watch Russian Army Decimate Military Convoy of Western Equipment

When Russia launched special op to protect people of Donbass, Western countries ramped up the supplies of military equipment to Ukraine. Moscow consistently warned that such moves will only fuel the conflict and stressed that foreign equipment would be as good target as anything else.

2023-06-27T08:31+0000

2023-06-27T08:31+0000

2023-06-27T08:31+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

us arms for ukraine

russia

ukraine

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oshkosh

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The Russian Ministry of Defense published footage showing how a Ukrainian military convoy armed with American equipment was decimated by the Pacific Fleet Marine Corps on the South Donetsk front. The convoy was headed by US-made armored vehicle Oshkosh that ran into a Russian anti-tank mine. The sudden blast stops the convoy dead in its tracks, as the enemy's equipment end up in a trap, with numerous Ukrainian soldiers fleeing for their lives.The key trophy has turned out to be the US-made armored vehicle Oshkosh seen in the clip. Such means of transportation are often used to dispatch troops or supply munition. As one of the Russian soldiers remarked, this military vehicle was brand new. Now, its wheels are fully wrecked and damage from shrapnel is also visible.The commander of tank company and Hero of Russian Federation  Ruslan Kurbanov  thoroughly scrutinized the vehicle from a technical standpoint and remained unimpressed by its quality.

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Russian Pacific Fleet military marines hit a column of Ukrainian military equipment consisting of foreign military vehicles Russian Pacific Fleet military marines hit a column of Ukrainian military equipment consisting of foreign military vehicles 2023-06-27T08:31+0000 true PT1M06S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/watch-snipers-cover-russian-troops-in-the-special-op-zone--1111503102.html

Watch Snipers Cover Russian Troops in the Special Op Zone

Watch Snipers Cover Russian Troops in the Special Op Zone

Snipers are elite troops that specialize in decimation of enemy officers, tank crew commanders and machine gun operators. They are on the top of the kill list of Ukrainian militants.

2023-06-27T15:39+0000

2023-06-27T15:39+0000

2023-06-27T15:46+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

sniper

ukraine

russian ministry of defense

russia

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Russia's Ministry of Defense has published footage that shows combat work of snipers in the special military operation zone. Russian sharp-shooters are elite troops vital for the special op as they specialize in hunting down high-profile targets  enemy officers, artillerists and machine gun operators. In this video you can see marksmen providing cover for Russian soldiers that have been ordered to seize Ukrainian footholds. Snipers have a complex set of rules of combat conduct since the enemy always looks for any opportunity to neutralize them. They have to move in dashes and always stay deadly silent. Their job needs a lot of patience for sometimes they have to stay hidden for hours waiting for their target.

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Snipers cover Russian troops in the zone of the special military op Snipers cover Russian troops in the zone of the special military op 2023-06-27T15:39+0000 true PT1M05S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/western-spy-agencies-had-hand-in-wagner-mutiny-russian-national-guard-chief-suggests--1111497590.html

Western Spy Agencies Had Hand in Wagner Mutiny, Russian National Guard Chief Suggests

Western Spy Agencies Had Hand in Wagner Mutiny, Russian National Guard Chief Suggests

Russian National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov on Tuesday pointed out that Western intel must have had a hand in the mutiny staged by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group private military company, adding that these agencies had info that the failed revolt was to occur anytime around June 22-25.

2023-06-27T10:30+0000

2023-06-27T10:30+0000

2023-06-28T14:55+0000

russia

viktor zolotov

vladimir putin

russia

russian national guard

pmc wagner

wagner aborted mutiny

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Viktor Zolotov, who heads the Russian National Guard, believes Western spy agencies are likely to have had a hand in plotting the aborted Wagner armed mutiny in the country. According to him, the insurrection was inspired by the West and meshed with the ambitions of the leader of the Wagner private military company. A slew of 'planted leaks' about the conspiracy to commit this mutiny also came from the "Prigozhin camp"."They [Western agents] had found out about it, as they said, a couple of weeks ahead of time. And I must say that such 'planted leaks' were also spread from the Prigozhin camp. Well, they were so narrowly focused to the effect that this mutiny was in the making and was supposed to take place from the 22nd to the 25th of the month. And that's exactly what happened. This shows that it was inspired by the West and, it seems, they goaded Prigozhin himself into taking this step, or maybe he was going too far with his ambitions, so to speak, and he wanted to go higher still," he told journalists."I am not excluding the presence of Western intelligence agents there," Zolotov added.On Friday, June 23, forces of the Wagner Group (PMC) seized the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, following accusations leveled against the Russian Ministry of Defense for allegedly striking the group's camps. Both the Russian military and the Federal Security Service have denied the allegations. On Saturday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that he had spent the entire day negotiating with Yevgeny Prigozhin, as agreed upon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. As a result of the talks, the Wagner group leader accepted Lukashenko's proposal to stop the movement of his troops in Russia and take measures to de-escalate the situation. Putin guaranteed that the Wagner group fighters would have the opportunity to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, return home, or move to Belarus.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/putin-tells-military-they-actually-preventedcivil-war-1111491663.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/whole-logic-of-west-us-eu-want-to-weaken-russia-through-ukraine-1111488047.html

Whole Logic of West: US, EU Want to Weaken Russia Through Ukraine

Whole Logic of West: US, EU Want to Weaken Russia Through Ukraine

Western countries continue to do their utmost to damage Russia by various means, Professor Stevan Gaji, a research associate at the Institute of European Studies in Belgrade, told Sputnik.

2023-06-27T14:06+0000

2023-06-27T14:06+0000

2023-06-27T14:11+0000

world

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wagner aborted mutiny

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Discussions on the expansion of military and financial aid to Ukraine topped the agenda of a recent meeting of EU member states foreign affairs ministers held on June 26 in Luxembourg.The US recently also expressed its readiness to announce a new $500 million military package to Ukraine, which is expected to include Bradley combat vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers.The whole logic of the West and of these statements pertains to the drive by the US and its allies to continue damaging Russia, not least by fuelling the conflict in Ukraine, Gajic said.He suggested that Western countries eventually want a partition of Russia and [its] occupation through creating many invented puppet states similar to those that we've seen in the B or C category Hollywood movies.He was echoed by US author and lawyer Dan Kovalik, who told Sputnik that the White House is interested in the continuation of the Ukraine conflict because they want to use it to weaken Russia. Touching upon Wagners aborted mutiny, Kovalik said that Western countries smell blood in the water and therefore they want to speed up the process of, in their minds, destabilizing Russia."The same tone was struck by Michael Shannon, a political commentator and Newsmax columnist, who told Sputnik about a possible two reasons regarding Washingtons drive to go ahead with providing Kiev with hefty military packages.The experts remarks come after the Russian Defense Ministry said that the countrys troops had successfully repulsed an array of attacks staged by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), who tried to resume their stalled counteroffensive in the Donetsk, Krasny Liman, and South Donetsk directions. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Kiev had failed to reach any strategic objectives at the beginning of its counteroffensive (which kicked off in early June), losing more than 180 tanks and over 400 armored vehicles.In the same vein, a US news network recently cited an American military official as admitting that Ukraines counteroffensive is not meeting expectations on any front. The source added that during its early phases, the counteroffensive is having less success and Russian forces are showing more competence than Western assessments expected. Since the onset of Russias special military operation in Ukraine, EU members have provided more than $55 billion in direct support to Kiev, including military aid. The Biden administration, in turn, directed more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such aid fuels the prolongation of the conflict raging in Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/eu-transfers-to-ukraine-another-16bln-in-financial-assistance--von-der-leyen-1111394543.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230624/scott-ritter-ukrainian-counteroffensive-turning-into-suicide-mission-1111441680.html

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pmc wagner's aborted mutiny plot, eu's foreign policy chief josep borrell, eu's aid to ukraine, eu ministerial gathering, us, us military support
Matty Ice Athearn was cool as a cucumber at the lines on Monday afternoon (June 26) at Plainridge Park as he scored a grand slam during the afternoon, including a natural hat trick in races seven, eight and nine, that included both trotting feature races.

In the $25,000 Winners-Over Trot, Athearn steered Esa to his ninth win of the year in a career-best effort.

Esa got away second behind I Da Princess (Nick Graffam), who led to the quarter in :27.2 before Sidd Finch (Drew Campbell) went first-over to match strides with the lone mare in the race. The two then tangled to the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:24.4 while Esa watched the action from the pocket. As they came off the far turn, Sidd Finch trotted by I Da Princess while Esa swung three-deep and into contention. From there, the trotters were dead even heading down the lane while both drivers bounced in their bikes in unison. Sidd Finch was steadfast in his effort, but Esa just got up by a nose at the light to win in 1:54.3 to establish a new lifetime mark.

With the win, Esa ($14) went over the century mark in earnings this year, now boasting $102,881. Trainer John Hallett co-owns Esa, a career winner of more than $321,000, with Ronald Prohm.

Athearn also won the co-featured $17,000 conditioned trot with Replica Hanover, who also took a new lifetime mark.

In a similar steer to Esa, Athearn put Replica Hanover in the two-hole behind Bill Bauer (Drew Campbell), who posted fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.2 with no challenges coming from the rear. As the pair passed the seven-eighths, Replica Hanover pulled out and came right at Bill Bauer. Within five pylons, Replica Hanover had taken the lead and then trotted home under a line drive to win by one length in a career-best 1:55.2.

It was the fifth win of the year for Replica Hanover ($18.40), who is owned by Barbara Dresser and trained by Gretchen Athearn.

Matty Ice also won with Topolino (1:55.4, $7.80) and Royaltys Rocket (1:56.2, $15.40) to complete his four-bagger.

Athern currently sits second in the dash derby at Plainridge with 44 wins, behind Bruce Ranger, who now has 58 wins after his driving hat trick on Monday.

After longtime Massachusetts native Bob Tisbert drove Courts In Session to victory in 1:58.2 in the sixth race at Plainridge Park on Monday, he circled back with the trotter he also trains and entered the winners circle for the 2,400th time in his career that dates back to 1962.

Now in his seventh decade in the sport, Tisbert has been a stalwart horseman in New England harness racing and has experienced success at all levels. He drove against the best in the Commonwealth during the 1970s and '80s, which was an era that featured greats like Jim Doherty, Ted Wing, Bucky Day, John Hogan, Bert Beckwith and Bill ODonnell in the program every night. Yet he finished high on the leaderboard at Rockingham Park, Scarborough Downs and his home track Foxboro Park year in and year out. And now decades later, hes still competing with today's top reinsmen.

Tisbert, who just turned 86 on April 28, was always a high percentage, sought-after driver and sat behind many stars of the day, including Cotton On N (38 wins, 1:57, $84,269), who paced the fastest mile ever in Maine in 1987, Cindys Band (46 wins, 1:57.4, $163,126), who was a New England Sire Stakes standout that he bred, and Fancy Star (39 wins, 1:57.4, $179,936), who was a top-notch Open pacer he drove to multiple victories at the Meadowlands.

When Plainridge Park opened in 1999, Tisbert was an original member of the driver colony and has remained a regular ever since, competing at the track for 24 consecutive years.

Tisbert had a career-year for numbers in 1986 when he started 1,054 times producing 201 wins, 164 seconds and 119 thirds. However, his highest earnings came in 1980 when he bankrolled $399,091 in the bike. His career earnings to date amount to $5.7 million.

For his many accomplishments in the sport, Tisbert was voted into the New England Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association Hall of Fame in 2021.

Live harness racing will resume at Plainridge Park on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and there will be a $2,535 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in race six and a $582 carryover in the Pick-6 that starts in race four.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
On a wet afternoon at Monticello Raceway on Monday, June 26, 29 two-year-old pacing colts embarked on their pari-mutuel careers, racing for total purses in excess of $145,000. It was a fine display of this years New York crop of juvenile pacing talent. The card featured two divisions of New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) and two divisions of the Excelsior Series.

In the first NYSS division, worth $53,500, Peter Blood and Rock Berks's homebred colt Boston Rocks was victorious in 1:58.1 for driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Mike Deters.

The betting public made Jones Hanover (Jordan Stratton) the favourite with Boston Rocks the 2-1 second choice. The latter, a son of Boston Red Rocks out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Scirocco Sarah, used the pole position to his advantage in his second career start, as he was the first off the gate, subduing a weak threat from Taranaki (Scott Zeron) to take the lead. He was on top at every pole in :30.1, 1:00.4 and 1:30.2. Jones Hanover made his move at the five-eighths pole to take aim at the leader but was never able to make up enough ground. By the top of the stretch, Boston Rocks had two lengths on the pack and put away any contenders as he kicked home in :27.4 for the maiden-breaking score by 4-3/4 lengths. Taranaki finished second over Jones Hanover.

In the $54,500 second division, Fidder's Creek Stables's homebred colt Avenger Force overcame a post eight start to deliver as the favourite in his career debut, also winning in 1:58.1, with Matt Kakaley in the sulky for trainer Travis Alexander.

Hunt Or Be Hunted (Stratton) left from post six and was the first to the front with Levi Sonic (Lauren Tritton) right behind him as they hit the opening panel in :28.3. The positions remained unchanged until the half in :59.2, when the favourite Avenger Force, who was sitting fifth along the pylons, tipped to the outside. Cantfindmywayhome (Bartlett) made an authoritative move going down the backside to get the lead. But not for long. Ameritric (Tyler Buter) unleased a big move himself and was suddenly the new leader. As soon as that one cleared in the paddock turn, Avenger Force engaged Ameritric in a stretch duel that went down to the very end. At some point during the mile, the overcheck for Avenger Force became undone but did not appear to have any ill effect as the Huntsville-Apple Delight colt prevailed by a length. Vandiemen Blue Chip finished third.

The $20,000 Excelsior splits were won by the Ray Schnittker-trained Darius (Huntsville-Miss Sowo) and driver Mark MacDonald in 1:58.4 and the Nicholas Devita stable's Euro Step (So Surreal-Encore Deo) in 1:59.2 with Tyler Buter in the bike.

(With files from Monticello Raceway)
The annual Harness Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 2, 2023 at the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.

The induction ceremony begins at 7:15 p.m.

Congratulations are in order for the newest class of Hall of Famers: Frank Antonacci, Per Eriksson and Lucien Fontaine, and Communicators Bob Roberts and Ken Warkentin. The new members of the Living Horse Hall of Fame are also being honoured: Hannelore Hanover, McWicked, My Little Dragon, Road Bet and Yankee Glide. Charlie Coleman, Dr. Gordon Gilbertson, Ira Malott, Margot Taylor, Edward Willis, Adios Scarlet and Exciting Speed will be inducted as Harness Racing Immortals. The 2023 Museum Amateur Driving Champion is Charlie Longo. Bulldog Hanover will be honoured with the Delvin & Mary Lib Miller 2022 Horse of the Year Perpetual Trophy and Jim Brooks will receive the Pinnacle Award.

Lindy Farms is the 2023 Hall of Fame dinner sponsor. The Museum owes special thanks and appreciation to the Antonacci family. Other sponsors are Kentuckiana Farms, Preferred Equine and Alterity Wines LLC.

Other activities during Hall of Fame Weekend include a memorial for Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg at the Harness Racing Museum in Haughton Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 1. All are welcome to stop by to see the video, scrapbooks and memorabilia that celebrate the life of one of the greatest women in harness racing. The grand opening of the Museums newest exhibit featuring the Brooks-Kaloidis Childrens Collection is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.

On Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there is a childrens craft at the Fleming Barn, followed by the Hall of Fame autograph session at 3 p.m.

Visitors can attend the New York Sire Stakes reception on Monday, July 3 at 4 p.m. in Haughton Hall. Grant recipients will be presented with oversized cheques and food will be served.

The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, located at 240 Main Street in Goshen, New York, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there is free admission this weekend. Historic Track will be racing with a post time of 1 p.m. on July 1-3.

(With files from Harness Racing Hall of Fame)
TEHRAN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Qatar has released seven Iranian nationals imprisoned in the country, said Iranian Ambassador to Doha Hamid Dehghani on Tuesday.

"Seven Iranian nationals were released today and transferred to their home country onboard a flight," said Dehghani in a Twitter post.

Six of the seven released nationals had been detained for illegal entry into Qatar's territorial waters, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Announcing their arrests by Qatari coastguards in a tweet in May, Dehghani said these citizens had "mistakenly" entered Qatar's territorial waters while scuba-diving.

The six citizens were initially sentenced to a year in prison, but the ruling was suspended thanks to the efforts of the Iranian embassy in Doha with the assistance of Qatari officials, said Dehghani. 
An Alliance man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on federal drug charges.

U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced Monday that Ryan Arrants, 43, of Alliance, was sentenced to in federal court in Omaha on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Arrants to 180 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Arrants will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On April 20, 2021, law enforcement in Alliance conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine and a Ruger handgun from Arrants. An informant went to Arrantss residence and purchased the methamphetamine and the handgun for $450.

On Aug. 9, 2021, officers executed a search warrant of Arrantss Alliance residence and located approximately 115 grams of methamphetamine, according to information released by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The Alliance Police Department, the Scottsbluff Police Department, the WING Drug Task Force, and the Nebraska State Patrol conducted the investigation.
Scottsbluff Public Schools recently unveiled its newest five-year strategic plan intended to guide the districts priorities, actions and measures of success from now until 2028.

Scottsbluff Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Dick said that the process of creating the strategic plan was the most involved he has ever seen during his time in the district, and that all voices with any stake in its success were included.

It was incredibly important to us that we cast as wide a net as possible in terms of gathering input from all the various members of our community, Dick said. That discovery phase was as thorough a process as I can ever recall during my time here with Scottsbluff Public Schools, and Im incredibly proud of the work that was accomplished in terms of that.

Addressing aging facilities

One of the five priorities outlined in the strategic plan is investing in upgraded facilities and infrastructure. Dick said that although efforts to update and renovate buildings within the district have been successful so far, there is still a lot of ground to cover.

Over the course of the last 15 years, Scottsbluff Public Schools has been able to pass two bond referendums to renovate Bluffs Middle School, first, and to make renovations and a nice addition to Scottsbluff High School, Dick said. But over the course of that time, our elementary buildings have gotten older. Roosevelt and Longfellow are approximately 80 years old and Lincoln Heights is approximately 100 years old.

The district is considering many possibilities in terms of updating the districts aging elementary schools, partly because the way that education is delivered has changed significantly since the facilities were constructed and the spaces need to be modernized.

Those modernization efforts may include bond referendums as well. According to Dick, several of the bonds related to the BMS and SHS renovations will fall off within the time period of the new strategic plan, which could open the door to new initiatives if community support is given. Although discussion of new projects is still in its infancy, Dick said that some ideas have been mentioned regarding a new building of some variety.

No recommendation has been made to the board, but if a school district is going to be progressing and innovative, its a way to look at that. We might be able to keep the levy where it is or maybe even see a slight dip.

Other infrastructural areas of concern raised during the strategic planning process included lack of adequate gym and office space in some of the elementary buildings and the need to designate space for growing preschool and alternative programs.

Recruitment and retention

Recruitment and retention make up another priority for the district. According to Dick, Scottsbluffs troubles in this area are part of a national crisis that the field of education as a whole should have seen coming.

The educator shortage is one of the greatest challenges facing education today, Dick said. It has caught school districts by surprise, and it probably shouldnt have because colleges have been telling us for a number of years now that students are simply not entering the teachers college, the field of education. As a result, that pipeline that has fed our school system is running low. It has become incredibly competitive, incredibly challenging to attract staff to your district.

SBPS began taking decisive action on staffing and retention during the 2022-2023 school year through initiatives such as a new paraeducator to teacher program intended to help individuals who are already working within the district earn their teaching credentials.

Dick, whose administrative career spans 17 years, said that it has always been apparent that problems like the educator shortage are especially challenging for schools in more remote areas like the Panhandle.

Time and time again, we see quality educators choose to leave western Nebraska simply because it might be family related, it might be not being able to find a match with a significant other, they might not have roots in this area or something that drew them to this area, he said. Weve had much better success retaining people that have some sort of connection to the area. The problem is exacerbated by our geographic location.

Dick said that promoting the quality and pace of life in the Panhandle is an important recruitment strategy, as is promoting the areas proximity to desirable destinations like Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.

We always hope that we can grow our own as well, thats one of our strategies, he said. As they either have come through here as a student or potentially as a paraeducator in our district, that was one of our new strategies this year.

Focus on student well-being

The strategic plan also outlines a strong focus on the mental health and well-being of students and staff through proactive wellness efforts and behavioral interventions. This is another area in which framework has already been placed within the district.

SBPS recently received its largest competitive grant in district history at $6.3 million dollars dedicated entirely to school based mental health, which Dick said will play a large role in carrying out related strategic objectives.

Addressing student mental health has been a priority for Scottsbluff Public Schools for many years, and will continue to be, Dick said. We know that thats an area in which many of our students struggle, and they need to be mentally healthy if theyre going to successfully learn in our school system.

As for the behavioral health piece, Dick said that the district will closely examine the professional development and training of its staff needed to manage students and facilitate classroom learning while also examining its alternative programming.

We have sound programming in place at certain levels, but in other places we feel we have gaps in terms of alternative programming. We know that no two students learn the same way, and sometimes we need to look at a more nontraditional path there, he said.

Safety and security

The final two strategic priorities were safety and security along with student achievement and engagement. Dick described these as areas which have been a high priority for the district for many years but still necessitated dedicated attention to avoid relaxing its high standards.

We would have almost felt that we were dismissive if we hadnt included this strategic priority, Dick said in regards to school safety. Its certainly an area we believe were positioned very well in, but its an area we know we cannot become complacent in. We must continue to examine, review and ensure that were providing the safest and most secure settings for learning for our students and staff.

A similar mindset was applied to student achievement and engagement, which Dick described as the ultimate goal of educators.

Were not here to maintain the status quo, he said. We want to make sure that were continuing to be innovative and looking for ways to continue to challenge our students and provide them with ways that theyre able to grow and learn so that theyre best prepared for that next chapter of their life.

The Scottsbluff Public Schools strategic plan is available on its website, www.sbps.net.
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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.
Nearly 300,000 North Carolinians receiving COVID-19 pandemic-related Medicaid coverage could face being removed as a recipient as soon as July 1 and over the next 12 months.

However, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said it is working to ensure people eligible for Medicaid do not lose coverage, and those no longer eligible are transitioned smoothly to affordable health plans or other health care options.

Many of these beneficiaries will be eligible for health care coverage under Medicaid expansion, which the legislature recently passed, but cannot start until after CMS approves North Carolinas changes and a (state) budget is enacted.

NCDHHS said its goal during unwinding is to ensure people who remain eligible for Medicaid continue to be covered and those who are no longer eligible know their potential options, such as buying coverage, often at a reduced cost, through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

On March 27, Gov. Roy Cooper signed the Medicaid expansion House Bill 76, surrounded by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, the sponsor of the bill.

The signing of the bill meant that between 450,000 and 650,000 North Carolinians are a step closer to having health coverage through Medicaid.

North Carolinians who would likely be eligible under an expanded program are those between the ages of 18 and 64 who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid coverage, but not enough to purchase coverage on the private insurance marketplace.

However, the state funding for expansion is contingent on Cooper signing the Republican-sponsored 2023-24 state budget, or allowing it to become law without his signature.

Without a signed state budget, the legislation in HB76 would expire on July 1, 2024, meaning North Carolina wont become the 40th expansion state.

With a signed budget, NCDHHS will submit a State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CMS has up to 90 days to review and approve the State Plan Amendment, or issue a Request for Additional Information that stops the 90-day clock, DHHS said.

When N.C. Medicaid submits a response to the Request for Additional Information, the 90-day clock for review and approval restarts.

End of COVID-19 as health emergency sparks coverage changes

The May 11 ending of the national COVID-19 public-health emergency that began in mid-March 2020 is serving as the catalyst for several significant changes.

However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced new flexibilities to help keep Americans covered as states resume Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) renewals.

The new flexibilities were sent to all 50 governors, urging them to adopt all available flexibilities to minimize avoidable coverage losses among children and families.

Nobody who is eligible for Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program should lose coverage simply because they changed addresses, didnt receive a form, or didnt have enough information about the renewal process, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a June 12 statement.

We urge states to join us in partnering with local governments, community organizations and schools to reach people eligible for Medicaid and CHIP where they are.

Meanwhile, the CDC amended the conditions that states must meet to allow for a gradual removal of the temporary beneficiaries that could extend coverage through at least the end of the year.

NC DHHS strives to ensure people eligible for Medicaid do not lose coverage

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has responded by saying we recognize people will lose coverage in this process, but our goal is to ensure people eligible for Medicaid do not lose coverage, and those no longer eligible are transitioned smoothly to affordable health plans.

CMS amended the conditions that states must meet to allow for a gradual removal of the temporary beneficiaries that could extend coverage through at least the end of the year.

That includes determining if the temporary beneficiary now qualifies for permanent Medicaid coverage.

DHHS began the redetermination process April 1, with each renewal review taking up to 90 days.

We expect to start the renewal process for the last group by March 31, DHHS said.

We are currently reviewing the flexibilities recently proposed by the federal government and are eager to pursue additional flexibilities that best meet the needs of North Carolina.

State Medicaid officials have been working with county Departments of Social Services and other partners to reach as many beneficiaries as possible to explain what they can expect and their potential options to obtain health coverage.

Beneficiaries have the right to appeal the decision by their local DSS, and information on this process is included in their notice of termination or reduced benefits.

We expect to start the renewal process for the last group by March 31, NCDHHS said.
A sign at a stoplight where N.C. Highway 150 intersects with Slanting Bridge Road reads, Welcome to Historic Terrell.

Some locals feel the sign is a contradiction.

The Historic Terrell sign sits in front of a shopping center. New apartment complexes have sprouted up in the area over the last few years.

What is left of Historic Terrell? Not a lot, said Terrell native Carroll Lineberger Jr.

He added, Theres nothing historic about it.

Lineberger said he remembers a time when there was no stoplight at the intersection connecting N.C. Highway 150 to Sherrills Ford Road, which is considered the heart of the small historic district.

His grandfather Milton Lineberger opened the Terrell Camping Center in 1953. At the time it was known as Terrell Motor Company. They sold Rambler cars.

Lineberger grew up just a few houses over from the Connor House, which still stands.

Its the last historic building around here, unless you count this historic building here, Lineberger said with a laugh referring to his familys business that sits next to the post office that his grandfather helped build.

Gone are the old cotton gin, a bait and tackle store and the beloved Terrell Country Store.

Catawba County Manager Mary Furtado said growth in a community is a balance of whats in the public interest versus private property rights. In this situation private property rights end up prevailing, Furtado said.

Lineberger said he didnt expect the amount of growth the Terrell and Sherrills Ford communities have witnessed in the past five years.

Lineberger said the growth in the area is magnified by two-lane roads that serve the community. It wouldnt be so bad if they would have the roads ready, Lineberger said.

Terrell Camping Center has customers that live out of state and across North Carolina, he said. Lineberger said he worries that some customers wont want to make the drive through Mooresville to get to Terrell.

It used to be 30 to 40 minutes from China Grove but now it takes an hour, and some customers dont want to come, Lineberger said.

N.C. Highway 150 is now included in the first five years of the State Transportation Improvement Plan, which means that the project is funded and committed.

Work to widen the road is set to start in 2030, said Averi Ritchie, transportation planning manager for Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

The section will stretch from the N.C. Highway 16 bypass to U.S. Route 21 and although the North Carolina Department of Transportation doesnt have a concrete plan, Ritchie said there are a couple design options.

One of the options is a bypass that would stretch north or south of the Terrell Historic District, leaving the district untouched.

Lineberger said he feels like the Terrell and Sherrills Ford area has been blindsided by how many apartment complexes, housing developments and businesses are going up in the area.

Although the southeast and northwest areas in Catawba County are experiencing the most growth, Catawba County Planning and Parks Director Chris Timberlake noted that the county is also seeing growth in places such as the Town of Catawba.

Furtado said the county plans to build a business park in the southeastern part of the county when the timing is right. We dont want to be a bedroom community of Charlotte, Furtado said. The business park is an effort to keep jobs in the county for county residents.

Western Piedmont Council of Governments Senior Data Analyst Taylor Dellinger provided the building permits for Catawba County. In May, there were 39 new multifamily and 62 new single-family building permits, as well as one new commercial building permit in the Terrell and Sherrills Ford area.

Dellinger said the data was collected by Catawba County building inspection workers and that a lot of these building permits are along Highway 150. He said he believes one reason the area is growing rapidly is people moving out of Charlotte to live on or near Lake Norman.

Terrell residents Rita Russell and Larry Russell moved from Cornelius to the Somerset neighborhood on Lake Norman nearly 21 years ago. Neighborhoods.com notes houses in the neighborhood typically start at $500,000 and top out around $1.5 million currently.

The couple voiced their concerns over the county approving rezoning that will allow for the attachment of their development to the 175 townhomes of Lawsons Landing.

The attachment is an emergency-vehicle-only route, but the Russells, as well as neighbor Shaun Ogden, are worried that people will take advantage of the road and turn their neighborhood into a throughway.

The Russells said they have nine grandchildren, seven of whom will be visiting Terrell this summer. Rita Russell said she worries about their safety as well as the other neighborhood children who enjoy playing outside.

Rita Russell said at least three of the houses in their development would be facing townhomes once the development is complete. Ogdens property is no different. He said the 175 townhomes are basically right in his backyard.

The Russells have attended multiple meetings to try and convince local leaders to preserve what they have now. The couple said they left a session hosted earlier this month by the county and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments in Sherrills Ford feeling discouraged.

Rita Russell said many of her neighbors stayed for the entirety of the meeting and also left discouraged.

Furtado acknowledged how important community meetings are for those who want their voices to be heard. She said she welcomed one-one-one conversations with members of the community because it gives county officials a chance to go into detail about their roles.

Rita Russell and Larry Russell said they plan to attend the Catawba County Planning Board meeting on Monday with fellow neighbors of Somerset to share their concerns about the neighborhood.

As far as zoning goes, Furtado said the county doesnt step in if investors buy land that is zoned for its intended use. The example Furtado gave was chain stores such as Dollar General buying property to build in a commercially zoned area.

Portions of Terrell are currently zoned for planned development, which allows for the mixture of residential and commercial use.

Furtado explained that growth is to be expected. But its a matter of how we can ensure that the growth is the type of growth that we want to see, she said.

Furtado expressed a shared frustration with the delay of transportation improvements and said the county has worked to slow growth in the southeastern part of the county.

I think the thing thats important to keep in mind is that that takes a while to be visible to the community, Furtado said.

The Catawba County Commissioners have denied rezonings for projects the board said would be too much growth, too fast for the area. The list of these projects can be found on the countys planning board website.

At a staff level, Furtado said county officials have rejected plans submitted by developers if the fit is not right.

Furtado said the county is moving forward with high attention to detail. It is actually our dream to walk into a community meeting and it be packed, Furtado said. The truth of the matter is we all have the same goal. Everybody here loves this community and thats why we come to work every day doing what we do.

Because the county cant control what owners do with private property, Furtado said the county welcomes members of the community who feel passionate about the districts history to reach out about ways they can preserve it.
[This is part of the series: A List of Things I Remember About Living In Saudi Arabia.]

I remember the first night we arrived in Saudi Arabia.

My dad picked my mom and I up from the airport in Jeddah.

It felt like a different world. A blur of sights and sounds.

We drove the three hours back to the Al-Gaim compound in Taif in an old dusty brown Suburban, and arrived sometime in the early morning hours.

It was still dark.

I tried to walk the twenty steps from the car to the door of our new home barefoot, but my dad stopped me with a stern warning about scorpions.

The warning seemed ridiculous. It was ridiculous.

But now that I have kids, I know I would have done the same.

I lay in my new bed with butterflies in my stomach about the possibilities ahead of me.
Assad highlighted the measures taken by Syrian state institutions to facilitate the return of refugees, al-Watan reports.

President Bashar al-Assad reaffirmed that Western attempts to hinder Syrias endeavours in restoring security and stability across its entire territory would not succeed. During political discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin on June 26, 2023, the focus was on bilateral relations between Syria and Russia, as well as their coordination in light of recent developments.

The talks also addressed counterterrorism efforts and collaborative initiatives aimed at facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. President al-Assad emphasized that Syrias ongoing efforts align with the aspirations of its people for recovery and stability.

President al-Assad also expressed Syrias support for Russias stance on the situation in Ukraine, rejecting any Western actions hostile to Moscow in this context. Vershinin conveyed warm regards from President Putin and expressed satisfaction with the strong relationship between Syria and Russia.

Recognizing the current global dynamics, Vershinin highlighted the importance of taking action in a new phase of international relations, given the concerns of the United States and its Western allies about losing political and economic control on a global scale.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister praised Syrias recent diplomatic achievements at the Arab and global levels. Moreover, he stressed the significance of Syrian-Russian coordination in international forums and joint efforts against terrorism.

Vershinin reiterated his countrys unwavering support for Syria in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Martin Griffiths

Assad also met on Monday with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths on June 26, 2023. The discussions revolved around mobilizing efforts to support early recovery projects for the return of Syrian refugees and maintaining the humanitarian and moral framework of the refugee file.

President al-Assad emphasized the importance of not politicizing the issue of Syrian refugee returns. He reiterated that the safe repatriation of Syrian refugees remains a top priority for the Syrian state. However, their return is contingent upon the provision of necessary resources for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in their respective villages and cities, as well as the rehabilitation of essential services. Additionally, the implementation of early recovery projects to facilitate their return is deemed crucial.

President al-Assad highlighted the measures taken by Syrian state institutions to facilitate the return of refugees and ensure their stability within the available capacities.

Griffiths presented the organizations international plan of action for the upcoming phase, which aims to support early recovery projects in Syria and enhance efforts to secure the safe return of refugees.

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.
While the normalization process with Assad predates Biden's presidency, his administration seeks to engage with it, Shady Aladdin writes in Syria TV.

The Biden administration is pursuing a policy of normalization with Bashar al-Assad and negotiating a controversial deal with Iran, according to recent reports by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy highlighted by Syria TV.

Efforts to normalize relations with Assad have faced opposition from American lawmakers, and a European stance, represented by the German ambassador to Cairo, Frank Hartmann, resulted in the cancellation of a meeting between the Arab League and the European Union, intended to protest al-Assads return to the Arab League.

For the Biden administration, normalization with Assad aligns with its democratic policies aimed at resolving conflicts, regardless of the interests and aspirations of the affected populations. However, the administration faces challenges due to the regimes well-documented and condemned atrocities, such as those addressed by the Caesar Act and the forthcoming anti-normalization law. These actions make it difficult to openly endorse and support the normalization process without facing criticism.

If the conditions allow for a transformation of this process into a political and practical reality, accompanied by a network of economic interests and significant political shifts, the Biden administration might openly pursue normalization. Such developments could be instrumentalized and utilized in internal conflicts and future presidential campaigns.

In addition to the normalization efforts with Assad, the Biden administration intends to release $10 billion in favour of the Iranian regime as part of a deal to secure the release of American citizens detained in Iran. This approach reflects the administrations strategy to achieve an interim and partial agreement, as a comprehensive nuclear deal appears challenging to achieve currently.

While the normalization process with Assad predates Bidens presidency, his administration seeks to engage with it amidst the unclear state of American politics during his tenure. Despite concerns raised by some lawmakers from both parties, the entire American position cannot be solely attributed to the discrepancies between Biden and these lawmakers. Rather, it reflects the administrations response to the ongoing conflicts that the United States is involved in, which are closely tied to its global presence and network of interests that have been partially affected by the growing ties between the Gulf states, China, and Russia, of which the normalization with Assad is a small part.

The process of normalization with Assad, while lacking substantial implementation, serves as a formal procedure to uphold the appearance of institutions like the Arab League. However, the Biden administration aims to leverage this process to assert its influence in the region, forge economic partnerships, manage the oil market, and play a role in resolving conflicts such as the Ukrainian war, where Arab mediators are involved in seeking logical solutions.

By pursuing normalization and entering what American institutions perceive as a flawed agreement with Iran, the United States under Biden seeks to address the prevailing disorder and prevent the outbreak of a war, particularly one that Israel may be contemplating against Iran. The administration places a priority on expanding its influence in the realms of cyber and technology.

While normalization with Assad aligns with the existing disorder in the region, the perception of a flawed agreement with Iran serves the same objective. The challenge faced by Israel is that any military action it takes could jeopardize American interests in the region and impact its global strategic priorities. Avoiding wars and preventing regime change are crucial elements of the United States strategy in the region.

It is important to note that the American administrations willingness to engage with these violent and dictatorial regimes comes after years of oppression inflicted upon their own populations, who have revolted against them. The objective is not to overthrow these regimes but rather to keep them in a state of disarray where the United States can create and manipulate deals.

Consequently, normalization with Assad and the perceived flawed agreement with Iran align with the existing disorder in the region. While the internal dynamics of these countries may have weakened, their symbolic significance remains potent, leading to intermittent controversies.

This suggests that Iran, willing to engage in interim agreements, seeks to maintain the continuity of its regime. The release of funds by the United States in exchange for this desired agreement serves as a strategic maneuver, acting as a temporary pain reliever to alleviate crises while gradually fueling escalation at a costly pace. This illustrates how the Biden administration manages global conflicts, with Assad and Iran viewed as pawns in the intricate web of international interests.

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.
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.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria.

On Sunday, the Syrian regime made an announcement about the appointment of an ambassador to Egypt, who will also serve as its representative at the Arab League. This development follows the reinstatement of Syria in the regional body last month. Meanwhile, Germany strongly denounced a Russian airstrike that deliberately targeted a marketplace in Jisr al-Shughur, a city located in western Idleb.

Syrian regime appoints ambassador to Egypt, Arab League following reinstatement

The Syrian regime on Sunday appointed an ambassador to Egypt who will also represent it at the Arab League, following its reinstatement in the regional body last month, Syrias state-run news agency SANA reported.

Houssam al-Din Ala was appointed as Syrias ambassador to Cairo and the Arab League, following the 22-member councils decision to give Syria its seat back in the league in early May following a 12-year suspension.

The Syrian regime was suspended from the body in 2011 after its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations which later spiralled into a conflict which saw over half a million people killed, most of them as a result of regime bombardment of civilian areas.

Ala on Sunday presented his credentials to Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The new ambassador served as Syrias permanent envoy to the United Nations in Geneva for eight years. He was also the Syrian ambassador to the Vatican and Spain and worked at the UNs Syrian mission in New York.

Separately on Sunday, Syrian regime Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad received the credentials of Algerias ambassador to Damascus, Kamel Bouchama.

Bouchama previously served as Algerias envoy to Syria in 2001.

Netherlands and Belgium join international probe into crimes against Yazidis in Syria and Iraq

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, according to an AP report, 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.

Germany condemns Russias airstrikes on Idleb

On Monday, June 26th, Germany condemned a Russian air raid that targeted Idleb Governorate, northwestern Syria, on June 25th.

On Sunday, a Russian fighter jet targeted a marketplace in Jisr al-Shughur, a city in western Idleb, killing 10 individuals and injuring 65 others, an informed medical source told North Press.

The German Special Envoy to Syria, Stefan Schneck, tweeted, Germany strongly condemns this terrible airstrike in Idleb, which killed and injured many innocent civilians.

The German envoy expressed his solidarity with and condolences to the families of the victims, calling on civilians not to be attacked under any circumstances, and that protecting them is everyones duty.

He also called for holding all perpetrators involved in these crimes accountable.

Frankly Speaking: Will the Assad regime kick its drug habits?

The Saudi owned English language newspaper Arab News published a long article discussing the Assad regimes involvement in the Captagon drug trade, highlighting the regimes reluctance to relinquish its profitable business despite commitments to combat drug abuse and trafficking, and discusses the implications of this trade on power dynamics in Syria.

The article discusses the Syrian regimes involvement in the drug trade, particularly the production and trafficking of Captagon, despite recent commitments to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Caroline Rose, a leading researcher on the Captagon trade, expresses doubt that the Bashar Assad regime will give up its profitable drug business, as it provides significant revenue and helps maintain power within regime-held areas.

While the recent killing of a key trafficker was seen as a show of goodwill, many other influential individuals involved in the trade remain untouched. The article also highlights the significance of Captagon smuggling in southern Syria and the potential for more sophisticated smuggling techniques in the future.

The drugs popularity in the Gulf region is attributed to its variety of uses, such as suppressing trauma, improving productivity, and inducing euphoria.

The article emphasizes the need for public awareness regarding the contents of Captagon pills, as the formulation can vary, posing serious health risks. Saudi Arabia is identified as a lucrative market for Captagon due to its wealth and youthful population.

Arab News has produced a documentary exploring Saudi Arabias crackdown on Captagon, examining its origins, production methods, trafficking, and consumption within the country.
Safadi highlighted "the difficulties confronted by Jordan as a host nation for Syrian refugees," according to al-Modon.

The Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, held discussions with Martin Griffiths, the United Nations Humanitarian Commissioner, in Amman on Sunday, regarding the situation of Syrian refugees in the Kingdom. Safadi emphasized that it is crucial for the refugees to have a future in their own country.

According to a statement from the Jordanian Foreign Ministry, Safadi and the UN official deliberated on the establishment of favourable conditions and a conducive environment for the voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees to Syria.

The statement further highlighted that during the meeting, the Jordanian minister reiterated the necessity of taking practical measures to create an enabling environment for the refugees return, emphasizing that their future lies in their home country.

Safadi also emphasized the significance of enhancing cooperation between Jordan and the United Nations to address the needs of refugees and facilitate a voluntary and secure return to Syria.

Jordan is currently hosting approximately 650,000 Syrian refugees, as documented by the United Nations. The country estimates that since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011, around 1.3 million Syrians have sought refuge within its borders.

The statement mentioned that Safadi provided Griffiths with an update on the ongoing endeavours under the Arab political track to attain a comprehensive political resolution to the Syrian crisis, encompassing its humanitarian, security, and political ramifications.

In the course of the meeting, Safadi highlighted the difficulties confronted by Jordan as a host nation for Syrian refugees.

He emphasized that the obligation of granting asylum extends beyond the host countries and constitutes an international responsibility. Ensuring the well-being of refugees until their repatriation to their home country is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a regional and global security imperative.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The recent escalation of violence by the regime forces, Russia, and their allies has instilled fear among civilians, Baladi News reports.

According to a report from the White Helmets on Sunday, the ongoing escalation in northwestern Syria poses a severe threat to the lives of over 4 million civilians. The protection of these individuals relies heavily on the implementation of UN Resolution 2254. Unfortunately, there seems to be a waning commitment to this resolution due to the international communitys disregard for the crimes committed by Russia and the Assad regime against innocent civilians.

The report highlighted that Russian warplanes resumed their airstrikes on the Idleb countryside on June 25th. Simultaneously, regime forces carried out artillery shelling targeting the eastern countryside of Idleb. This continuous escalation and series of attacks have persisted for over a week, further endangering the lives of civilians, particularly as the Eid al-Adha holiday approaches, intensifying their suffering.

Tragically, nine individuals, including workers and farmers, fell victim to a massacre caused by Russian airstrikes on June 25. The majority of casualties were located in a vegetable and fruit market on the outskirts of Jisr al-Shughur in the western countryside of Idleb. This devastating airstrike, which resulted in the aforementioned tragedy, followed similar airstrikes targeting buildings and farms on the western outskirts of Idleb City. No reports of injured civilians were received by our teams at the scene.

Subsequent to the Russian airstrikes, the regime and Russian forces conducted artillery shelling, targeting the outskirts of several locations, including the villages of Kansafra, Sarja, Muntaf, and Sarmin, as well as a mosque in the towns of Efes and Neirab. These attacks in the southern and eastern countryside of Idleb led to a minor injury sustained by an elderly man. Additionally, a Russian airstrike targeted the outskirts of Ariha city and the village of Benin, located south of Idleb.

It emphasized that attacks by the regime and its Russian ally have become more frequent in northwestern Syria during June, with a significant concentration in villages of the eastern, western, and southern countryside of Idleb. Since the beginning of the escalation until Saturday, June 24, the Foundation has documented over 70 attacks, resulting in the death of more than 60 individuals, including women and children. Furthermore, more than 27 individuals, including women and children, have been injured.

The White Helmets have reported a staggering number of over 200 attacks in northwestern Syria from the beginning of this year until June 24. These attacks were carried out by regime forces, Russia, areas under the joint control of regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, as well as drone attacks and explosions. Among these attacks, there were 241 artillery and missile attacks and 6 Russian airstrikes. Tragically, these acts of aggression resulted in the loss of 24 lives, including 5 children, and left more than 90 individuals injured, including 32 children and 20 women.

The recent escalation of violence by the regime forces, Russia, and their allies has instilled fear among civilians. They are deeply concerned about the relentless bombardment that continually claims the lives of innocent people. This pattern of violence is perpetuated by the regime forces and Russia, with a disregard for any UN or international efforts to halt the killing and displacement and transition towards a comprehensive political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254.

To initiate a meaningful resolution, it is crucial to address the core issues. This includes an immediate cessation of attacks by the regime and Russia on civilians, facilitating the safe return of forcibly displaced individuals to their homes, and holding the perpetrators of violations and crimes against humanity accountable. It is imperative for the international community to take a stand and advocate for the implementation of these measures.

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.
Washington perceives Syria as a battleground between two camps, akin to Ukraine and Taiwan, according to Athr Press.

After the significant developments in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, during recent times, there has been a shift in focus within political circles toward the consequences of these developments and the subsequent steps that will be taken. It has become evident that these are not immediate changes but rather the inception of a new phase and trajectory.

Middle East Eye has termed this upcoming phase as the post-2011 era. In an article, it stated: It can be observed that the era of 2011 is now drawing to a close. The recent changes in regional diplomacies, such as Turkeys reconciliation with its Gulf counterparts, Saudi Arabias thawing of relations with Iran, and Syrias reintegration into the Arab League, indicate that the international relations of the Middle East are gradually shifting away from a perspective primarily influenced by the consequences of the Arab Spring.

Despite these developments, the United States maintains its opposition to fostering closer ties with Syria. It continues to impose stringent sanctions to prevent Arab countries, particularly Gulf nations, from engaging in economic and commercial dealings with Syria. However, now that Syria has rejoined the Arab community, and with an active Arab role in promoting a political settlement, the challenge for Arab nations lies in persuading the United States and the European Union to align with their chosen path for resolving the Syrian crisis.

The primary obstacle in this endeavour will be expediting the commencement of the reconstruction process. This can be achieved by outlining and defining a comprehensive range of activities, including stabilization, early recovery, and rehabilitation, while simultaneously incorporating political and economic reforms that the Syrian government intends to undertake.

Without undertaking the crucial task of reconstruction, stability in Syria will remain elusive, and the foreign military intervention will persist. This is particularly challenging for Arab countries, especially those in the Gulf, as they navigate the situation under the weight of sanctions imposed by both the United States and the European Union. Of notable significance among these sanctions is the Caesar Act, passed by the US Congress, which directly targets the Syrian government and imposes secondary sanctions on those who engage with it. Nevertheless, certain Arab states wield influence in Washington and major European capitals, enabling them to advocate for the flexibility required to initiate Syrias reconstruction.

In an attempt to shed light on Washingtons staunch position regarding rapprochement with Damascus, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar states, The opposition of Washington and the European Union to Arab normalization with Damascus and Russian efforts to reconcile Damascus and Ankara does not stem from an understanding of the Syrian situation, but rather from a new American perspective on the post-Ukrainian war global order. This new perspective has led to the emergence of a Chinese-Russian-Iranian bloc facing the NATO-Japan-South Korea-Australia bloc, with a neutral stance from countries such as India, South Africa, and potentially Saudi Arabia and Brazil, who are cautiously feeling their way forward. In this context, Washington perceives Syria as a battleground between these two camps, akin to Ukraine and Taiwan. Consequently, through their recent aggressive stance on the Syrian issue, the Americans no longer view events in Syria in the same light as they did prior to February 24th, 2022.

Since 2018, signs of Syrias reintegration into its Arab surroundings have emerged. These signs were manifested through the reopening of the UAE embassy in Damascus, followed by visits from Arab officials, including UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed. This paved the way for Syrias reinstatement in the Arab League, as decided by the League on May 7th, and culminated in President Bashar al-Assads participation in the Arab summit.

This article was 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.
Vijaykumar Kanaiyalal Matta Vs ITO (ITAT Mumbai)

Addition under Section 69 on non-resident unsustainable as income is invested in India but not arisen in India

ITAT Mumbai rules that the addition made under Section 69 of the Income Tax Act is unsustainable for a non-resident taxpayer. The tribunal emphasizes that the income in question was invested in India but did not arise in India. Referring to relevant tax treaties and previous case decisions, the tribunal concludes that the income cannot be taxed in India as it falls outside the scope of residence and source jurisdiction.

Facts- The assessee is a non-resident. The assessee purchased a property in a project known as Silver Arch developed by Argent Constructions for a consideration of Rs.1 crore. Post conduct of search at the premises of Argent Constructions and statement of Vipul Mangal, partner of Argent Constructions, AO made addition of Rs. 25 Lakhs u/s 69 in AY 2013-2014 and Rs. 22 Lakhs in AY 2014-2015.

CIT(A) dismissed the appeal. Being aggrieved, the present appeal is filed.

Conclusion- Tribunal in the case of ITO vs. Rajeev Suresh Ghai held that the assessee before us is certainly an Indian national, but he is admittedly resident in the UAE so far as his residential status, under the Indo UAE tax treaty is concerned, is of the UAE tax resident. The residuary taxation rights, in terms of the treaty provisions, belong to the residence jurisdiction, but even if that was not to be so, the residence rights can at best go to the source jurisdiction, which in turn refers to a jurisdiction in which the income is earned, rather than a jurisdiction in which the income is invested. By no stretch of logic, therefore, such an income could be taxed in India, which is neither residence nor source jurisdiction; it is at best investment jurisdiction.

Held that the provisions of Article 24 of India-Oman DTAA are pari-materia to Article 22 of India-UAE DTAA that was examined by the Co-ordinate Bench in the above said case. As per the provisions of section 90(2) of the Act, the assessee is entitled to benefit of treaty to the extent it is more beneficial to the assessee. Thus, in facts of the case, the decision of Co-ordinate Bench (supra), and the provisions of India-Oman DTAA, the addition made u/s 69 of the Act is unsustainable and is thus, liable to be deleted. We hold and direct, accordingly.

FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT MUMBAI

These two appeals by the assessee are directed against the order of Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals)-38, Mumbai (hereinafter referred to as the CIT(A)) for the assessment year 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively. Both the impugned orders are of even date that is 29.08.2019.

2. Since, identical grounds have been raised in both these appeals and the issue raised in these appeals germinate from same set of facts, these appeals are taken up together for adjudication and are decided by this common order.

3. The facts common to both impugned assessment years, in brief are as follows: The assessee is a non-resident. The assessee purchased a property that is Flat No.902 in a project known as Silver Arch developed by Argent Constructions for a consideration of Rs.1 crore. A search action was carried out on the premises of Vipul Mangal, Partner in M/s. Argent Constructions. During the course of search, certain documents were found and seized from his premises indicating that Vipul Mangal had accepted on-money aggregating to Rs.9,75,50,000/- from the purchasers of the flat in the project Silver Arch. In post search proceedings, Vipul Mangal furnished a list of flat purchasers and on-money received in cash from each one of them. On the basis of the statement of Vipul Mangal and the documents found in the course of search action, assessment for AY 2013-14 and 2014-15 in the case of assessee was reopened. Notice u/s 148 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) was issued on 12.09.2016 to the assessee. In response to the said notice, the assesse filed return of income on 30.07.2017 declaring total income of Rs.41,760/- for AY 2013-14. During the course of reassessment proceedings, summons u/s 131 of the Act were issued to Vipul He appeared before the AO and recorded his statement on 12.12.2017 in the presence of Shri Umang Dedhia, CA, Authorised Representative of the assessee. In response to one of the questions, Vipul Mangal gave the details of alleged on-money aggregating to Rs.47 lakhs received from the assessee on various dates. On the basis of disclosure made by Vipul Mangal, the AO made addition of Rs.25 lakhs u/s 69 of the Act in AY 2013-14 and Rs.22 lakhs in AY 2014-15 in the hands of assessee. The assessee remained unsuccessful before the CIT(A). Hence, the present appeals by the assessee.

The appeals of assessee are decided in seriatim of assessment years.

ITA NO. 52/MUM/2020 (A.Y.2013-14)

4. The assessee in appeal has primarily raised two grounds. Ground no. 1, assailing reopening of assessment u/s 147 of the Act. Ground no. 2, against addition of unexplained investment u/s 69 of the Act.

5. Shri Tejveer Singh appearing on behalf of the assessee submits that the assessee is a resident of Muscat. The assessee along with his wife purchased a flat in housing project Silver Arch vide agreement for sale dated 26.12.2013 for a total consideration of Rs.1 crores (at page 6 to 66 of paper book). The source of funds for the purchase of asset was his income from Muscat. The entire payment was made through banking channel. The Ld. Authorised Representative (AR) referred to bank statement of the assessee (at page 67 to 72 of the paper book). He contended that since, the assessee is resident of Muscat, the assessee does not have any taxable income in India, therefore, does not file return of income in India. Notice u/s 148 of the Act was issued to the assessee merely on the basis of statement recorded in search proceedings of a third party. He submitted that the reasons recorded for reopening would show that the reasons are recorded without proper application of mind by the Assessing Officer (AO). The assessment has been reopened merely on the basis of information received from Investigation Wing. The assessment has been reopened without any cogent material on record, hence, reopening is bad in law.

5.1 In respect of ground no. 2, the ld. Counsel for the assessee submitted that there is no substantive material except statement of Vipul Mangal to show payment of on-money by the assessee to the Developer of the housing project. The Ld. Counsel submitted that a perusal of the agreement for sale would show that the consideration for purchase of flat was settled at Rs.1 crore and as is evident from bank statement, the consideration was paid by the assessee through banking channel. The market value of flat as per registered agreement for sale is Rs.86,04,500/-. The agreed consideration for purchase of flat is already more than the market value, hence, there was no question of payment of on-money over and above the agreed price. The ld. Counsel further pointed that Vipul Mangal in his statement recorded on 12.12.2017 has stated that the on-money of Rs.47 lakhs was received from family members of the assessee. However, the names of the family members from whom alleged on-money was received, has not been disclosed. One thing is evident from the said statement that on-money has not been paid by the assessee, someone else paid the alleged on-money in the name of assessee. Addition on the basis of vague statement cannot be made in the hands of assessee. The Ld. Counsel further submitted that proper/effective opportunity of cross-examination was not provided to the Authorised Representative of the assessee when statement of Shri Vipul Mangal was recorded on 12.12.2017.

5.2 The ld. Counsel for the assessee stated that not admitting but assuming that even if on-money was paid by assessee, the source of income for payment of such on-money is outside India. Therefore, the provisions of section 69 of the Act cannot be invoked. The ld. Counsel in support of his argument placed reliance on the decisions in the case of ITO vs. Rajiv Suresh Ghai, 198 ITD 348, Mumbai-Trib. (supra). He further contended that since, the assessee is resident of Muscat and his source of earning is outside India, the provisions of India-Oman DTAA would come into play. The assessee is protected by Article 24 of India-Oman DTAA.

5.3 The Ld. Counsel further submitted that since the addition is made in the hands of Developer u/s 153C of the Act, consequent to search therefore, section 147 of the Act cannot be invoked in the case of assessee to make addition of the same amount twice. The ld. Counsel prayed for deleting the addition.

6. Per contra, Shri Abhishek Kumar Singh representing the Department strongly supported the impugned order. The ld. Departmental Representative (DR) submitted that during the course of search at the premise of Vipul Mangal loose paper files/note books/diary were found and seized. Statement of Vipul Mangal was recorded wherein, he had admitted to the fact of receipt of on-money in cash from the purchasers of flats in the project Silver Arch. He gave the list of purchasers of flats along with details of on-money received from each one of them. As per the request of assessee, Vipul Mangal was summoned after issuance of notice u/s 131 of the Act dated 04.12.2017. His statement was recorded on 12.12.2017 in the presence of Shri Umang Dedhiya, AR of the assessee. Vipul Mangal in his statement gave the details of amount received from assessee along with the dates and breakup of the amount received on each of the date. Opportunity of cross-examination was provided to the AR of assessee but he failed to utilise that opportunity. Onus is on the assessee to prove that no on-money was paid by him. The ld. DR prayed for upholding the impugned order and dismissing appeal of the assessee.

7. We have heard the submissions made by rival sides and have examined the orders of authorities below. The assessee in ground no. 1 of appeal has assailed reopening of assessment primarily on the ground that the reasons for reopening have not been recorded in a valid manner. We have examined the reasons for reopening furnished to the assessee by the AO vide communication dated 30.11.2017. From the perusal of same, we find that the roots of reassessment proceedings in the case of assessee are in the information received from Joint DIT (Investigation), Mumbai. As per the information received, the assessee has paid on money amounting to Rs.47 lakhs in cash to Vipul Mangal, Partner of M/s Argent Constructions for purchase of flat in Silver Arch project developed by M/s Argent Constructions. The details of alleged on-money paid by the assessee to Vipul Mangal is as under:

F.Y. Date of Payment Amount (Rs. in lakhs) 2012-13 05.12.2012 10.00 2012-13 16.12.2012 15.00 2013-14 05.05.2013 02.00 2013-14 05.06.2013 08.00 2013-14 21.12.2013 12.00 Total 47.00

It is not simpliciter on the information received from Investigation Wing that the AO re-opened assessment. Though, the belief of the AO stemmed from information from Investigation Wing, the AO further gathered information through AIR on another issue. After receipt of information, the same was examined by the AO and thereafter he proceeded on to reopen the assessment. We find no infirmity in reopening of the assessment, hence, ground no. 1 of appeal is dismissed, being devoid of any merit.

8. In ground no. 2 of appeal, the assessee has assailed addition of Rs.25 lakhs u/s 69 of the Act. Multiple arguments have been raised by the ld. Counsel for the assessee assailing the addition on merits. One of the contention raised by the ld. Counsel for the assessee is that the assessee has no taxable source of income in The assessee has purchased flat from the funds having source outside India (Muscat). The fact that the assessee is NRI and for purchase of flat, the entire agreed amount of consideration Rs.1 crore has been paid by the assessee through banking channel has not been disputed by Department. The Revenue has not brought on record any material whatsoever to substantiate that the assessee has source of income in India that is utilised for payment of alleged on-money in cash. Thus, the only source of payment of on-money, if any, are the funds from Muscat. Under the provisions of section 5(2) of the Act, income of previous year of a person who is a non-resident is taxable in India if the source of income is in India or the income is received or deemed to be received in India by or on behalf of NRI or accrues or arise or is deemed to accrue or arise in India during relevant period. The provisions of section 69 of the Act would get triggered if the investment is made from an unaccounted money having source in India i.e. received or deemed to receive in India or accrue or arise or deemed to accrue or arise in India. De hors, the source based taxation the assessee being NRI would be eligible for treaty benefit in respect of his income earned in Muscat.

9. The Tribunal in the case of ITO vs. Rajeev Suresh Ghai (supra) decided somewhat similar issue where the Revenue had made addition u/s 69 of the Act in respect of unaccounted money paid to the builder by the assessee, a resident of The relevant extract of the order of Tribunal giving the facts and the findings thereon is reproduced herein below:

5 . Let us, first of all, consider as to what is the basic nature of the transaction, which has resulted in the impugned tax liability. The assessee is said to have, even going by the claim of the revenue authorities, paid some unaccounted monies to the builder, and, by a fiction of law, these unaccounted or unexplained investments are being brought to tax. The trigger for taxability is thus investment in the immoveable property- unexplained investment at that. Bearing this in mind, let us now see the treaty provisions under which this income can be brought to tax in the hands of the assessee- in terms of the provisions of the Indo UAE tax treaty, as there is no dispute that the assessee is, being resident in and fiscally domiciled in the UAE, entitled to the benefits of the Indo UAE tax treaty. We are right now dealing with an assessment year in which tax residency certificate was not even mandatory, but quite fairly, that aspect has not even been raised before us. Coming to the taxability under the Indo UAE tax treaty, such an income is not specifically taxed under any of the heads in the tax treaty in question. That brings us to the residuary head of income, dealing with other income, which is covered by article 22. Under Article 22 (1) of the Indo UAE tax treaty, Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), items of income of a resident of a Contracting State, wherever arising, which are not expressly dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement, shall be taxable only in that Contracting State. It is not even anyones case that income has arisen here; the case is that the income has been invested here. In any event, the assessee is all along tax resident in UAE, and he does not undertake any economic activities in India. The unexplained investments, which are inherently in the nature of the application of income rather than earning of income, cannot thus be taxed in India under Article 22(1). Article 22(2) only restricts the scope of article 22(1) by providing that The provisions of paragraph (1) shall not apply to income, other than income from immovable property as defined in paragraph (2) of Article 6, if the recipient of such income, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other State) independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right or property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. Obviously, this has no application in the present situation either, but what it does highlight anyway is the economic activity nexus with the income, which can be taxed under Article 22(1). Of course, where revenue authorities can bring on record any material to demonstrate, or indicate, that the unexplained investments in question have been made out of incomes generated in India, the situation will be materially different, but that is not the case at present.

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11. It is always useful to bear in mind the fact that, on the first principles, the trigger for taxation of an income in a source jurisdiction is either the economic activity or the linkage of an income with that jurisdiction, and that in the absence of such a linkage or economic activity nexus, there cannot be any source taxation. The assessee before us is certainly an Indian national, but he is admittedly resident in the UAE so far as his residential status, under the Indo UAE tax treaty is concerned, is of the UAE tax resident. The residuary taxation rights, in terms of the treaty provisions, belong to the residence jurisdiction, but even if that was not to be so, the residence rights can at best go to the source jurisdiction, which in turn refers to a jurisdiction in which the income is earned, rather than a jurisdiction in which the income is invested. By no stretch of logic, therefore, such an income could be taxed in India, which is neither residence nor source jurisdiction; it is at best investment jurisdiction. However, the scheme of tax treaties limits the rights of taxation either to residence or to source jurisdiction.

12. What essentially follows is that if, under the domestic tax laws of the UAE, the amounts in question can be treated as of income nature, the tax implications of these amounts, under the scheme of the Indo UAE tax treaty, can at best follow in the UAE, but that is not relevant in the present context of holding these amounts to be, even if so permissible in our domestic tax laws, taxable in India. The revenue thus derives no support from the Indo UAE tax treaty, which, under the scheme of Section 90(2), must make way to the domestic law provisions except to the extent the applicable treaty provisions are more favourable to the assessee.

(Emphasized by us)

10. In the instant case, Article 24 of India-Oman DTAA would come to the rescue of assessee. For the sake of completeness Article 24 of the DTAA is reproduced herein below:

ARTICLE 24

OTHER INCOME

1. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Article, items of income of a resident of a Contracting State, wherever arising, which are not expressly dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement, shall be taxable only in the Contracting State.

2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not apply to income, other than income from immovable property as defined in paragraph 2 of Article 6, if the recipient of such income, being a resident of a Contracting State, carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein, or performs in that other Contracting State independent personal services from a fixed base situated therein, and the right of property in respect of which the income is paid is effectively connected with such permanent establishment or fixed base. In such case, the provisions of Article 7 or 16, as the case may be, shall apply.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, items of income of a resident of a Contracting State not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Agreement and arising in the other Contracting State may also be taxed in that other State.

The provisions of Article 24 of India-Oman DTAA are pari-materia to Article 22 of India-UAE DTAA that was examined by the Co-ordinate Bench in the above said case. As per the provisions of section 90(2) of the Act, the assessee is entitled to benefit of treaty to the extent it is more beneficial to the assessee. Thus, in facts of the case, the decision of Co-ordinate Bench (supra), and the provisions of India-Oman DTAA, the addition made u/s 69 of the Act is unsustainable and is thus, liable to be deleted. We hold and direct, accordingly.

11. In the result, appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.

ITA NO.53/MUM/2020 (A.Y. 2014-15)

12. Both these sides are unanimous in stating that the grounds of appeal and the facts germane to the issue in appeal are identical to the AY 2013-14.

13. We find that in the statement recorded on 12.12.2017, Vipul Mangal has disclosed that Rs.47 lakhs was received in cash as on-money from the assessee. The details of the same are recorded in para 7 above. The amount of alleged on-money was received on various dates by Vipul Mangal, Rs.25 lakhs was allegedly received by him in FY 2012-13 relevant to AY 2013-14 and Rs.22 lakhs in three trenches in FY 2013-14. Hence, the AO made addition of Rs.22 lakhs u/s 69 of the Act in AY 2014-15.

14. We have given our detailed findings in respect of ground challenging reopening of the assessment and addition u/s 69 of the Act on merits while adjudicating appeal for AY 2013-14. The detailed findings given in AY 2013-14 would mutatis mutandis apply to the AY 2014-15. For parity of reasons, ground no.1 of appeal is dismissed and the assessee succeeds on ground no. 2 of appeal. Ergo, appeal of the assessee is partly allowed.

15. To sum up, appeals of the assessee for AY 2013-14 and 2014-15 are partly

Order pronounced in the open court on Wednesday the 31st day of May 2023.
Fourth of July firework sales and launches can begin at noon Wednesday in Washington state, including in Longview and Kelso.

Permitted fireworks stands can begin making sales at that time and operate until 9 p.m. on July 5. The Longview Fire Department says licensed stands are the best source for fireworks that are legal in Washington.

In Longview, residents can legally set off fireworks between noon and 11 p.m. on Wednesday; from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Thursday through July 3; from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4; and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 5. Fireworks are not allowed to be set off in city parks.

In Kelso, people can launch fireworks from noon to 9 p.m., Wednesday through July 5.

Cowlitz County said there are three permitted stands on county land this year. Longview Fire Marshal John Dunaway said there are nine licensed fireworks stands in Longview this year.

Dunaway said conditions would get drier over the next week and asked people to avoid lighting fireworks near vegetation. Dunaway said that anyone launching fireworks should be a sober adult, be aware of what the device will do once its lit, and soak used fireworks in water overnight to prevent fires.

The Longview Fire Department reports a 44% decrease statewide in fireworks-related fires and injuries in 2022 compared to the year before.

As of Monday afternoon, there were no burn restrictions or additional fireworks limits in Cowlitz County. Lewis County put a burn restriction in place for the unincorporated parts of the county due to the dry conditions and risks posed by burn piles.
The ChatGPT craze is sweeping the mainstream, with celebrities and even politicians using the technology in their daily lives. However, among the everyday folks taking advantage of cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, there's a darker, more nefarious subset who are abusing the technology: hackers.

While hackers haven't made great strides in the relatively new genre of generative AI, keeping yourself aware of how they may be able to leverage the technology is advised. A new Android malware has emerged that presents itself as ChatGPT according to a blog post from American cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks. The malware made its appearance just after OpenAI released its GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 in March 2022, targeting users interested in using the ChatGPT tool.

According to the blog, the malware includes a Meterpreter Trojan masked as a "SuperGPT" app. After successfully being exploited, it allows remote access to infected Android devices.

The digital code-signing certificate used in the malware samples is connected with an attacker that calls itself "Hax4Us". The certificate has already been used across several malware samples. A cluster of malware samples, disguised as ChatGPT-themed apps, sends SMS messages to premium-rate numbers in Thailand, which then incur charges for the victims.

The risk for Android users stems from the fact that the official Google Play store isn't the only place where they can download applications, so that unvetted applications find their way into Android phones.

The rise of advanced technologies such as OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 has inadvertently facilitated the creation of new AI-powered threats. The 2023 ThreatLabz Phishing Report by Zscaler, Inc. emphasizes that these cutting-edge models have empowered cybercriminals to generate malicious code, launch Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, and develop polymorphic malware that evades detection. Furthermore, malicious actors are capitalizing on the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), utilizing its decentralized network to host phishing pages and making them more challenging to remove.

Phishing with ChatGPT

Notably, the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT extends beyond this particular malware. Phishing campaigns targeting prominent brands such as Microsoft, Binance, Netflix, Facebook, and Adobe have proliferated, with the utilization of ChatGPT and Phishing Kits lowering the technical barriers for criminals and saving them time and resources.

In April, Facebook parent Meta said in a report that malware posing as ChatGPT was increasing across its platforms. The tech giant's security teams have found 10 malware families that use ChatGPT and similar themes to send malicious software to user devices since March 2023.

The consequences are far-reaching, as unsuspecting users fall victim to these increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Even ChatGPT itself has experienced vulnerabilities, exemplified by a recent bug that exposed users' conversation history and payment details. The bug report served as a reminder of the risks associated with open-source software, as it can become an unintended gateway for potential security breaches.

Chatbot Popularity Attracts Hackers

Large language model (LLM) based chatbots aren't going anywhere. In fact, they have a bright future when it comes to popularity, especially in Asia. According to a Juniper Research report, Asia Pacific will account for 85% of global retail spend on chatbots, even though the area only represents 53% of the global population. Messaging apps have been tying up with a wide range of online retailers, which includes WeChat, LINE and Kakao.

These partnerships have already resulted in high levels of confidence in chatbots as a retail channel. Naturally then, hackers are looking at his medium to make a fast buck on the sly or just gain valuable personal data.

Mike Starr, CEO and Founder of trackd, a vulnerability and software patch management platform, told HT Tech, The tried and true methods of compromise that have brought the bad guys success for years are still working exceptionally well for them: exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities, credential theft, and the installation of malicious software often via phishing. According to Starr, the mechanisms that underpin these three compromise categories may evolve, but the foundational elements remain the same.

How it Impacts Consumers

The cybersecurity threats associated with LLMs can have several impacts on regular consumers at home, whether it's students looking for some homework assistance or someone looking for advice on running a small business. Without appropriate security measures in place, LLMs that process personal data, such as chat logs or user-generated content, are just a breach away from exposing user data. Unauthorized access to sensitive information or data leakage can have severe consequences for consumers, including identity theft or the misuse of personal data.

Does this mean that hackers could hijack our digital lives one day via chatbots? Not quite, says Starr.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, even for cyber threat actors. AI will likely enhance the efficiency of existing cyber criminals and may make it easier for the wanna-be or less-technical hacker to get into the business, but predictions of an AI-driven cyber apocalypse are more the figment of the imagination of Hollywood writers than they are objective reality, he says.

So, it's not time to panic, but remaining aware is a good idea.

While none of these activities have risen to the seriousness of impact of ransomware, data extortion, denial-of-service, cyberterrorism, and so on  these attack vectors remain future possibilities, said a report from Recorded Future, another US-based cybersecurity firm.

To mitigate these impacts, it is always better to be critical of the information generated by LLMs, fact-check when necessary, and be aware of potential biases or manipulations.

Cyber Measures Needed

The emergence of the ChatGPT malware threat highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. Since this malware disguises itself as a trusted application, users are vulnerable to unknowingly installing malicious software on their devices. The remote access capabilities of the malware pose a significant risk, potentially compromising sensitive data and exposing users to various forms of cybercrime.

To combat this threat, individuals and organizations must prioritize cybersecurity practices such as regularly updating software, utilizing reliable antivirus software, and exercising caution when downloading applications from unofficial sources.

Additionally, raising awareness about the existence of such threats and promoting cybersecurity education can empower users to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with ChatGPT malware and other evolving cyber threats.

By Navanwita Sachdev, The Tech Panda
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The visible distributed trigger is shown in Figure 1(a) and the target label is seven (7). The training data is modified. We see this in Figure 1(b) and the model is trained with this poisoned data. The inputs without the trigger will be correctly classified and the ones with the trigger will be incorrectly classified during the inference, as seen in Figure 1(c). Credit: SUTD

Software systems are all around usfrom the operating systems of our computers to search engines to automation used in industrial applications. At the center of all of this is data, which is used in machine learning (ML) components that are available in a wide variety of applications, including self-driving cars and large language models (LLM). Because many systems rely on ML components, it is important to guarantee their security and reliability.

For ML models trained using robust optimization methods (robust ML models), their effectiveness against various attacks is unknown. An example of a major attack vector is backdoor poisoning, which refers to compromised training data fed into the model. Technologies that detect backdoor attacks in standard ML models exist, but robust models require different detection methods for backdoor attacks because they behave differently than standard models and hold different assumptions.

This is the gap that Dr. Sudipta Chattopadhyay, Assistant Professor at the Information Systems Technology and Design (ISTD) Pillar of the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), aimed to close.

In the study "Towards backdoor attacks and defense in robust machine learning models," published in Computers & Security, Asst. Prof. Chattopadhyay and fellow SUTD researchers studied how to inject and defend against backdoor attacks for robust models in a certain ML component called image classifiers. Specifically, the models studied were trained using the state-of-the-art projected gradient descent (PGD) method.

The backdoor issue is urgent and dangerous, especially because of how current software pipelines are developed. Chattopadhyay stated, "No one develops a ML model pipeline and data collection from scratch nowadays. They might download training data from the internet or even use a pre-trained model. If the pre-trained model or dataset is poisoned, the resulting software, using these models, will be insecure. Often, only 1% of data poisoning is needed to create a backdoor."

The difficulty with backdoor attacks is that only the attacker knows the pattern of poisoning. The user cannot go through this poison pattern to recognize whether their ML model has been infected.

"The difficulty of the problem fascinated us. We speculated that the internals of a backdoor model might be different than a clean model," said Chattopadhyay.

An attack Model for AEGIS. Credit: SUTD

To this end, Chattopadhyay investigated backdoor attacks for robust models and found that they are highly susceptible (67.8% success rate). He also found that poisoning a training set creates mixed input distributions for the poisoned class, enabling the robust model to learn multiple feature representations for a certain prediction class. In contrast, clean models will only learn a single feature representation for a certain prediction class.

Along with fellow researchers, Chattopadhyay used this fact to his advantage to develop AEGIS, the very first backdoor detection technique for PGD-trained robust models. Using t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and Mean Shift Clustering as a dimensionality reduction technique and clustering method, respectively, AEGIS is able to detect multiple feature representations in a class and identify backdoor-infected models.

AEGIS operates in five stepsit (1) uses an algorithm to generate translated images, (2) extracts feature representations from the clean training and clean/backdoored translated images, (3) reduces the dimensions of the extracted features via t-SNE, (4) employs mean shift to calculate the clusters of the reduced feature representations, and (5) counts these clusters to determine if the model is backdoor-infected or clean.

If there are two clusters (the training images and the translated images) in a model, then AEGIS flags this model as clean. If there are more than two clusters (the training images, the clean translated images, and the poisoned translated images), then AEGIS flags this model as suspicious and backdoor-infected.

Further, AEGIS effectively detected 91.6% of all backdoor-infected robust models with only a false positive rate of 11.1%, showing its high efficacy. As even the top backdoor detection technique in standard models is unable to flag backdoors in robust models, the development of AEGIS is important. It is critical to note that AEGIS is specialized to detect backdoor attacks in robust models and is ineffective in standard models.

Besides the ability to detect backdoor attacks in robust models, AEGIS is also efficient. Compared to standard backdoor defenses that take hours to days to identify a backdoor-infected model, AEGIS only takes an average of five to nine minutes. In the future, Chattopadhyay aims to further refine AEGIS so that it can work with different and more complicated data distributions to defend against more threat models besides backdoor attacks.

Acknowledging the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) in today's climate, Chattopadhyay expressed, "We hope that people are aware of the risks associated with AI. Technologies powered by LLM like ChatGPT are trending, but there are huge risks and backdoor attacks are just one of them. With our research, we aim to achieve the adoption of trustworthy AI."

More information: Ezekiel Soremekun et al, Towards Backdoor Attacks and Defense in Robust Machine Learning Models, Computers & Security (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cose.2023.103101
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Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 lands at Manchester Boston Regional Airport, June 2, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. Personal information for more than 8,000 applicants to become pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines was stolen when hackers broke into a data base maintained by a recruiting company. The breach at Austin, Texas-based Pilot Credentials occurred on April 30, and the airlines learned about it on May 3. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File

Personal information for more than 8,000 applicants to become pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines was stolen when hackers broke into a data base maintained by a recruiting company.

The breach at Austin, Texas-based Pilot Credentials occurred April 30, and the airlines learned about it on May 3. They notified affected job seekers last week.

According to letters that the airlines were required to file with regulators in Maine, hackers gained access to names, birth dates, Social Security and passport numbers, and driver and pilot-license numbers of applicants for pilot and cadet jobs.

According to filings, 5,745 applicants to American and 3,009 at Southwest were affected, many of whom were hired by the airlines.

The Allied Pilots Association, which represents pilots at American, said 2,200 of its members were affected by the breach. Spokesman Dennis Tajer said the union is upset that American knew about the breach for more than seven weeks before it notified victims.

The American Airlines logo on top of the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 19, 2017. Personal information for more than 8,000 applicants to become pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines was stolen when hackers broke into a data base maintained by a recruiting company. The breach at Austin, Texas-based Pilot Credentials occurred on April 30, and the airlines learned about it on May 3. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File

American said it had no evidence that the information was used for fraud or identity theft, but it offered each applicant two years of coverage from a service designed to protect people from identity theft.

The airlines said that since the breach, they have run their recruitment work through websites that they run instead of relying on an another company.

Fort Worth, Texas-based American and Dallas-based Southwest say they are working with a law enforcement investigation.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Georgia State University students Kavita Javalagi, left, and Gana Natarajan, second from left, speak with Shetundra Pinkston, during the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Sliz

For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock.

Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service.

All of those sectors have signaled on recruiting platforms that they are still hiring software engineers, data scientists and cybersecurity specialists despite the layoffs in Big Tech. It's a chance for them to level the playing field against tech giants that have long had their pick of the top talent with lucrative compensation, alluring perks and sheer name recognition.

No employer is making a more aggressive push than the country's largest: the federal government, which is aiming to hire 22,000 tech workers in fiscal year 2023. Federal agencies have participated in a series of "Tech to Gov" job forums targeted in part at laid off workers, hoping to ease their own chronic labor shortages that have hindered efforts to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and modernize the way they deliver benefits and collect taxes.

Area college students arrive for the Startup Student Connection job fair at Atlanta Tech Village, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Slitz

"It's a real opportunity for the federal government," said Rob Shriver deputy director of the U.S. office of Personnel Management. "We have just about any tech job that anybody could possibly be interested in the federal government."

Federal, state and local government tech job postings soared 48% in the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis by tech trade group CompTIA of data from Lightcast, a labor analytics firm. It was a sharp contrast to the 33% decrease in tech job openings during that period in the tech industry, and a 31.5% slowdown in such postings across the economy, according to CompTIA's figures.

Tech hiring reached a historic high of more than 4 million in 2022, although hiring began to fall off in the second half of the year, according to CompTIA. This year, there have been about 1.26 million tech postings between January and May, a level more on par with the pre-pandemic years, said Tim Herbert, chief research officer at CompTIA.

To be sure, the competition for tech talent remains tight, and many companies, including tech companies, are still hiringjust more slowly. The unemployment rate for tech workers is just 2%. But some who lost their jobs in Big Tech swiftly landed jobs at non-tech firms.

Mahtad Parsamehr, of Atlanta, checks her phone while handing out resumes during the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Slitz

After Hector Garcia, 53, was laid off by Meta's Facebook in November, it didn't take long for him to be snapped up by Abbott, the Chicago-based global health company, which expects to hire hundreds of software engineers, data architects and cybersecurity analysts over the next years.

"I decided to go for something that I hadn't done before," said Garcia, a data architect who said he got offers from tech firms but was intrigued by the idea of working for a manufacturer that produces something tangible in medical devices.

Jonathan Johnson, CEO of online retailer Overstock, said that he has seen a 20% increase in applications for tech job openings in first quarter compared to a year ago. He also noted that it's taking a shorter time to fill a spot compared to a year ago and that the quality of applicants has improved.

"There's less demand and more supply," Johnson said.

College students speak with representatives of local tech companies during the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Slizt

The layoffs have been especially shocking for the newest generation of workers who are too young to remember the burst of the dot-com bubble in 2000 and "grew up consuming the apps and services of the big tech brands," said Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer for Handshake, a leading career site for college students and graduates.

"The volatility and layoffs of the past year rocked that image of stability and growth," Cruzvergara said.

During the September 2022-2023 school year, the share of applications by tech majors to tech companies fell by 4.4 percentage points on Handshake, compared to last year. In contrast, the share of applications by tech majors to government jobs on the platform grew by 2.5 percentage points.

Tech firms still saw a 46% increase applications from tech majors, as Handshake received more applications overall from that group. But the application to government jobs rose much faster, tripling from last year. Hospitality and health care jobs also saw an increase in applications from tech majors18% and 82%, respectivelyand their share of applicants from that pool remained steady.

Georgia Tech student Michael Oh-Yang, center, greets company representatives during the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service.Credit: AP Photo/Alex Sliz

Kevin Monahan, director of Carnegie Mellon University's Career and Professional Development Center, said he first saw a shift last fall before some of the biggest layoffs. More students returned from internships saying that tech companies weren't extending job offers or return internships at that time.

"Indirectly, students were able to see the writing on the wall," Monahan said.

Ly Na Nguyen, a computer science major at Columbia University, said she went off LinkedIn for a couple of weeks at the height of the layoffs because it was so disheartening to read posts from people shocked over their dismissals. Nguyen is happy to be returning to Amazon this summer for another internship, which she said has added prestige to her resume. But overtures from outside Big Tech has have grabbed her attention.

"Right now, I'm super flexible," Nguyen said. "I'd definitely look at a government job."

Georgia Tech student Sajad Abavisani, center, walks through the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Sliz

In March, young tech workers from several federal agencies spoke at an online forum on Handshake about the government's urgent need to recruit new talent. Less than 7% of the federal workforce is under 30.

"No one is necessarily going to strike it rich working in the government," said Chris Kuang, co-founder of the U.S. Digital Corp, a federal fellowship program for early career technologists, answering a question about pay. But he encouraged students to consider benefits such as pension plans, job stability and the possibility of working on "any issue under the sun."

"In this economy, a federal job will be one of the most secure types out there," Kuang said.

The government faces plenty of competition from private sector companies making similar overtures.

Hotels and restaurants also posted slightly more tech jobs in the first quarter of 2023 compared to last year, according to CompTIA figures, as the sector emerges from the economic turmoil of the pandemic.

Emory University student Priyanka Somani, left, speaks with a representative of Sociallyn, a social media agency during the Startup Student Connection job fair, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Atlanta. For the thousands of workers who'd never experienced upheaval in the tech sector, the recent mass layoffs at companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta came as a shock. Now they are being courted by long-established employers whose names aren't typically synonymous with tech work, including hotel chains, retailers, investment firms, railroad companies and even the Internal Revenue Service. Credit: AP Photo/Alex Slitz

Hilton saw a 152% increase in applications to internships and full-time jobs from tech majors on Handshake this school year, compared to the year prior.

"We do want to demystify the siloed thinking of 'Hey, if I want to work in tech, I have to go work at a tech firm," Hilton Chief Human Resources Officer Laura Fuentes said during a recent forum on Handshake.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BAGHDAD, June 27 (Xinhua) -- When you walk down a crowded street in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, and talk with a well-dressed man, it's not surprising to find that he works for the Iraqi government or foreign oil giants. Iraq's own underdeveloped industrial system fails to provide enough jobs for locals and more than a third of Iraqi youths are out of work.

Every year, thousands of students graduate from universities across Iraq, searching for an opportunity in the labor market, yet the country's sluggish economy offers little hope.

Five years ago, Anas Mahmoud, 30, graduated from Agriculture College at Baghdad University, a prestigious university in Iraq. But the education he was so proud of didn't get him a good job. Mahmoud used to work as a waiter at a restaurant in the Mansour neighborhood in western Baghdad but was fired last month because the restaurant owner preferred a foreign worker with a lower salary.

"I used to take a monthly salary of 950,000 Iraqi dinars (about 655 U.S. dollars) for 12 hours of daily work, and I was fired after working for three years and replaced by a foreign worker with a salary of 400 dollars," Mahmoud told Xinhua in anger and dissatisfaction.

Iraq has been suffering from a severe unemployment problem since the U.S. invasion in 2003. The continued chaos and conflicts that swept the country in the past 20 years have not only hindered successive governments from properly addressing the problems of social security and economic development but also stunted the private sector that provides the most jobs.

The Iraqi Ministry of Planning said that the poverty rate in the country was 25 percent in 2022. For the past decade, official unemployment rates have seen a continuous rise in Iraq. In 2022, the national unemployment rate stood at 16.5 percent, while it was close to 36 percent among young people, according to the International Labour Organization.

Despite the job crisis, many Iraqi businessmen tend to hire foreigners from South Asian or African countries who are satisfied with lower wages rather than locals or university graduates who hold higher education degrees.

In addition to wages, there are other reasons for preferring foreign workers.

In the two decades since the Iraq War, social unrest and underinvestment in the vocational education system have led to a lack of skills or professionalism among the younger generation of Iraqis.

Saad al-Khattab, owner of the Yad al-Rajaa Company, which provides foreign and local workers, told Xinhua, "We must admit that Iraqi workers do not have experience in some jobs, and sometimes they are not good at dealing professionally with people who are looking for labor."

Corruption is seen as one of the main reasons for various social problems in Iraq, including the chronicle high-unemployment rate. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of public services drove tens of thousands of angry Iraqis into mass anti-government protests for months in 2019, demanding comprehensive reform to combat the corruption.

Nadhum al-Jubouri, an Iraqi political analyst, told Xinhua that Iraqi people are displeased with the governments since 2003 for failing to fight corruption and improve governance.

Iraq's underdeveloped local industrial system makes it difficult develop employment. Despite the promises made by Iraqi successive governments to address the job crisis, including increasing public sector jobs, it is usually to little avail. The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 destroyed the conditions on which Iraq's local industry depends, according to al-Jubouri.

At the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in eastern Baghdad, Abbas Fadel, deputy director general of the Labor and Vocational Training Department, told Xinhua that to boost employment, the government issued instructions to oblige employers in public and private businesses to employ 50 percent of local workers and the same percentage for licensed foreign workers.

As part of its efforts to help local workers compete for job opportunities in the private sector, Fadel's department opened more than 38 training centers across Iraq to offer free training courses for available professions in the labor market.

He added that the ministry also provides loans to the best graduates who excel in these courses to set up projects. 
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Douglas MacMartin, a visiting scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, discusses how solar geoengineering could fit into the array of solutions for the climate future. Credit: Brett Sayles / Pexels

Solar geoengineeringartificially reflecting sunlight back into spaceis a double-edged sword. It would cool the rapidly warming planet, but is it too risky to consider as a viable option? Douglas MacMartin, an aerospace engineer and visiting scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, thinks of solar geoengineering as a design problem. His research is dedicated to understanding how to most effectively optimize the cooling effects from climate engineering while minimizing the potential risks to humans and ecosystems. That way, if the time comes that we need to deploy it to avert the worst effects of climate change, we'll be ready.

MacMartin is an associate professor in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. He has provided briefings on the subject of solar geoengineering to the UN Environment Program and testimony to the U.S. Congress, and was a member of the U.S. National Academies panel that made recommendations on both research and governance in March 2021. Here he discusses solar geoengineering and how it fits into the array of solutions for responding to a warming climate.

What does it mean to engineer the climate?

From a planetary perspective, we get energy from the sun and we radiate some energy back to space. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide and methanewhich we add to by burning fossil fuelscreate a kind of blanket that makes it harder for that energy to escape. Reflecting roughly one percent of incoming sunlight back to space would be enough to cool the entire planet back to pre-industrial temperatures.

The way to do this that's best understoodand the way that I primarily focus on in my researchis to use specialized aircraft or balloons to introduce liquid or solid droplets called aerosols into the stratosphere roughly 12 miles (19 km) or more above Earth's surface. The particles then scatter and rebound sunlight back to space. We call this form of solar geoengineering "stratospheric aerosol injection."

What would you say to those who worry focusing on solar geoengineering will take attention away from the urgency of climate mitigation actions, such as reducing emissions?

There is a legitimate concern that conversations about solar geoengineering could lead some people to think, "Oh, we don't have to put as much pressure on mitigation." From my point of view, we would only realistically consider deploying this if climate change gets a lot worse.

So I definitely think about it as part of a portfolio of climate solutions. Just as if you're driving and you realize that you're going to hit the car in front of you, you take your foot off the gas. But you don't expect that to solve the problem by itself. Then you hit the brakes. Even so, you might still want to have your seatbelt and airbags. We never talk about that situation as, "Which one of these options do we pick?" We do everything. Fortunately, I don't think we're at a point yet where we have to deploy solar geoengineering. But I do think we're at a point where we should at least research these options.

What are some of the risks associated with deploying stratospheric aerosol injection?

Although we know that aerosols would cool the Earth's temperature, these materials would also likely weaken the ozone layer, which continues to repair itself following a successful campaign to eliminate many ozone-depleting chemicals. Sulfate aerosols would also fall back to Earth as acid rain once they complete their lifespan in the stratosphere. Additionally, if we were to suddenly stop deploying stratospheric aerosols after relying on it for significant cooling, the rapid rebound to warmer temperatures could cause extreme weather or ecological changes. It would be extremely challenging to reach a global consensus about whether or not to deploy, so there's a risk of geopolitical conflict.

What do you mean when you call solar geoengineering a 'design challenge?'

I'm using the term "engineering" to refer to a goal-oriented and mission-driven approach in contrast to a curiosity-driven approach. If you're considering deliberately modifying the climate, you need to think about a range of questions and factors. What happens if you inject at one latitude versus another? What happens if you inject different types of material? How do you systematically manage uncertainty?

How do you see solar geoengineering fitting into the web of climate solutions?

Beyond reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, solar geoengineering is a third potential actionalong with adaptationthat might reduce some of the climate impacts in the meantime. It won't help reverse some existing issues like ocean acidification, but it is likely to reduce important effects induced by global warming, including sea level rise, decreased soil moisture, and heat stress.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The U.S. Supreme Court has 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.

It's 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 lyricsinstead, 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.

"We appreciate the court's decision, agreeing with the solicitor general and multiple lower courts that Genius's claims have no merit," Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said Monday. "We license lyrics on Google Search from third parties, and we do not crawl or scrape websites to source 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 don't explicitly center on copyright infringement claims. That distinction proved fatal to Genius's case.

Genius said the lower court's decision "threatens to hobble any of thousands of companies that offer value by aggregating user-generated information or other content."

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration's 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.

2023 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
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This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

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 they'll 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. John's, 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.

Components of a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, or FADOSS, rest on the deck of a vessel in this undated photo provided by the U.S. Navy Office of Information. The U.S. Navy said Sunday, June 25, 2023, that it won't be using a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System it had deployed to the effort to retrieve the Titan submersible. The Navy would only use the system if there were pieces large enough to require the specialized equipment. The submersible imploded on its way to tour the Titanic wreckage, killing all five on board. Credit: U.S. Navy Office of Information via AP

One of the experts whom the Coast Guard has been consulting said Monday that he doesn't 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 Guard's 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.

Components of a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, or FADOSS, rest on the deck of a vessel in this undated photo provided by the U.S. Navy Office of Information. The U.S. Navy said Sunday, June 25, 2023, that it won't be using a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System it had deployed to the effort to retrieve the Titan submersible. The Navy would only use the system if there were pieces large enough to require the specialized equipment. The submersible imploded on its way to tour the Titanic wreckage, killing all five on board. Credit: U.S. Navy Office of Information via AP

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 Titan's 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 wasn't 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.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, right, speaks to members of the media as Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

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.

"It's 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 submersible's 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.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, right, speaks to members of the media as Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

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, 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, center, speaks to members of the media as Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, left, and Samantha Corcoran, public affairs officer of the First Coast Guard District, right, look 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, steps away from a podium following 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, steps away from a podium following 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. Credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

The Titan launched at 8 a.m. June 18 and was reported overdue that afternoon about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's. 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.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a national address on Monday urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Rachel Bush, wife of Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer. [Twitter]

Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer created headlines this week when he canceled an annual charity event to be hosted at Trump National in Doral, Florida, next week.

Unfortunately, there have been a numerous amount of teams up north that have pulled out of the tournament. Not just out of the tournament but also wrote e-mails to a big sponsor that was going to help sponsor my tournament, Poyer wrote on Instagram. And that company now, its unfortunate that they have pulled out and decided that they dont want to take part in my tournament, in which they took part in last year, because of where its at, the Trump National in Doral.

Poyers wife, model Rachel Bush, disputed the notion that it was her husband who canceled the event.

Lets be very clear. Jordan did not cancel his event, she tweeted. We will always stand proudly with our beliefs and hold true to them. Publicly. And we can easily spend our own money to fund the tournament. It wasnt about that. Tournament will be at same spot next year. Trumps course.

The event was canceled due to the arrogance of others, and then backing out last minute leaving us in a difficult spot to make everything happen properly. Especially while we are on a family vacation We want it to be great and next year it will be outstanding! Thank you!

And huge thank you to Trump & all the amazing sponsors (literally so many!!) that offered to sponsor the tournament. We appreciate you all! As well as the fans and supporters! Right left whatever hopefully next year we can all come together for a good cause! Location aside..love!

And huge thank you to Trump & all the amazing sponsors (literally so many!!) that offered to sponsor the tournament. We appreciate you all! As well as the fans and supporters! Right left whatever hopefully next year we can all come together for a good cause! Location aside..love! https://t.co/7S061MpPBu  Rachel (@Rachel__Bush) June 26, 2023

Poyer has played with the Bills since 2017 after starting his career with the Cleveland Browns.

[Rachel Bush on Twitter, Jordan Poyer on Instagram]
ISLAMABAD, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and several others injured in two separate road crashes in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, rescue teams said.

The first incident happened on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Peshawar where a passenger van hit into a truck, killing six people including three women, rescue organization Edhi said in a statement.

The van was on its way to Parachinar when it met the accident due to overspeeding, the statement added.

The other incident happened in Kohistan district where a passenger van fell into a ravine, killing six people, local police told media.

Five people were also injured in the accident, and have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

The accident happened when the van driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp turn at the hilly terrain, the police added.

Road accidents frequently happen in Pakistan due to poorly maintained roads, violation of road safety rules, and reckless driving.

According to the country's motorway police, a total of 67 percent of the accidents in Pakistan are caused by human errors, 28 percent are due to poor infrastructure and deteriorating conditions of roads, and 5 percent are because of unfit vehicles. 
WASHINGTON  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 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 Google's 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 said. Weve been building security from the ground up for a long time and training to innovate and stay ahead.

Google's announcement had support from congressional members on both sides of the aisle. Republican Rep. Jay Obernolte of California said addressing cyberthreats is essential to the country's 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 Google's 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.

It's 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.

How machine learning and new AI technologies could change the cybersecurity landscape How machine learning and new AI technologies could change the cybersecurity landscape Artificial intelligence Machine learning Chatbot technology Virtual reality Cloud computing
A Grimes County man was found guilty Friday by a Grimes County jury of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the Grimes County District Attorneys Office, Leslie Eugene Young Jr., also known as LJ Young, 36, will serve a life sentence and a pay $10,000 fine for the crime committed in relation to the repeated sexual and physical abuse of a child.

The DAs office said the jury returned a life sentence and a $10,000 fine after just 20 minutes of deliberation.

On July 6, 2022, the Grimes County Sheriffs Office received a report of a sexual assault of a child, and Investigator Swank Backhus began the case by interviewing the female victim, according to the DAs office. After the victim was interviewed, Grimes County Investigator John Wren joined the investigation as he had prior experience in child sexual abuse cases.

According to the DAs office, Backhus and Wren traveled to meet the victims mother on July 15, 2022, where she helped investigators set up and record a call in which Young admitted to threatening the mother and children with firearms. Following the phone call, the DAs office said investigators learned that Young had committed family violence against the mother and every child in the home, ranging in age from toddler to teenager.

According to the DAs office, some of the abuse included: beating the children until they were purple, bruised and developed whelps, punching children in the face, choking a child, pointing firearms at the mother and children, and not allowing children to eat or attend school.

The DAs office said that the mother and the child victim testified at trial to the abuse they experienced and witnessed.

It was also revealed during the trial, according to the DAs office, that the mother and several of her friends planned an escape during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, and in May 2021 the mother testified that she and her children finally left Young.

The DAs office said Young is currently in the Grimes County Jail awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Lasagna, beef cannelloni and breadsticks are being served once again at Frittella Italian Cafe in Bryan after a year-plus hiatus.

The Italian restaurant at 3901 S. Texas Ave. reopened on June 18 under new management and a few new twists while traditional staples were maintained. Frittella is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Its just too good of food to have it stop, said Tracy Munden, who is one of several new owners. I had some people here in town that have had the nicest things to say about the food and everybody wanted to make sure, particularly on our top five to six things, that we werent going to change it and we definitely wouldnt change it. We only want to maybe enhance it and instead of the top five things, we want to make it the top 10 things.

Adriano Farinola opened Frittella in 2004 after he and his wife moved to Bryan-College Station to be closer to his children and grandchildren, many of whom attended Texas A&M University.

Farinolas father started a restaurant called Moderno in Italy in 1911 before it was assumed by Farinolas uncle after World War II and eventually closed in 1958.

In 1963, Farinola moved to the United States at age 27 and joined his brother, Pino, in owning Pinos Italian Restaurant in Houston, which closed in 2002. Farinola, now 86, closed Frittella for good in June 2022 to enjoy retirement.

Frittella was Mundens daughters favorite restaurant. He found out the restaurant had closed last June when he and one of the new investors tried to come by for a meal. Soon after, he and a group of Aggies joined forces in hopes of being able to reopen the Bryan staple. In June 2022, the Farinolas told the group they thought the building was sold, but later called from Italy and asked if the group would reconsider. Negotiations were had in order for new management to receive recipes from Farinola. A deal was closed in the last week of April.

People are happy they are reopening for business, which makes me happy, Farinola said. I hope they will keep the business the same way I used to run it  honest, clean, good food, good price, good service.

Former menu staples, such as eggplant parmesan, have returned using Farinolas recipes along with several former kitchen workers, including Servando Oliveros, who had worked with Farinola for almost 40 years.

The Farinolas have some great recipes and some great employees, Munden said. They built a great thing, so we hope to take what they had and make it better.

New items include calamari and lobster ravioli. A small bar area also has been added accompanied with two 65-inch TVs.

Farinola still owns the Frittella building, he said. When his wife posted to social media in May that Frittella would reopen, he said the post blew up. That excitement carried over into the first week of business.

Theyve been packed every day since the day [it] reopened, Farinola said. Its just such a very well-known restaurant. Everybody asks about me. Thats what they say. I hope theyre doing a good job. I hope they are fair with the customers.  I hope they are fair with the customers because it is in my blood.

Munden mentioned Frittella isnt perfect right now, but noted restaurant staff and management are trying to get it back up and going in short order.

Were ready to try to do the best job we can to make this a great dining experience for everybody and be the No. 1 Italian restaurant in Bryan-College Station, Munden said.
Several analysts have recently updated their ratings and price targets for Anglo American (LON: AAL):

6/22/2023  Anglo American had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. They now have a GBX 3,300 ($41.96) price target on the stock.

6/21/2023  Anglo American had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Berenberg Bank. They now have a GBX 3,300 ($41.96) price target on the stock.

6/21/2023  Anglo American had its price target lowered by analysts at Morgan Stanley from GBX 2,520 ($32.04) to GBX 2,430 ($30.90). They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

6/6/2023  Anglo American was upgraded by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada to an outperform rating. They now have a GBX 2,700 ($34.33) price target on the stock, up previously from GBX 2,500 ($31.79).

6/5/2023  Anglo American had its price target lowered by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 3,400 ($43.23) to GBX 3,200 ($40.69). They now have a hold rating on the stock.

5/25/2023  Anglo American had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Berenberg Bank.

5/2/2023  Anglo American had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Berenberg Bank. They now have a GBX 3,300 ($41.96) price target on the stock.

Anglo American Price Performance

AAL stock traded up GBX 27 ($0.34) during trading on Monday, reaching GBX 2,275 ($28.93). 3,110,402 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,253,869. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 2,427.54 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 2,859.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.90. The company has a market cap of 30.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 792.68, a PEG ratio of 6.92 and a beta of 1.33. Anglo American plc has a 52-week low of GBX 2,223.50 ($28.27) and a 52-week high of GBX 3,699 ($47.03).

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Anglo American news, insider Nonkululeko Nyembezi purchased 299 shares of Anglo American stock in a transaction on Friday, June 23rd. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 2,277 ($28.95) per share, with a total value of 6,808.23 ($8,656.36). Over the last ninety days, insiders have bought 310 shares of company stock worth $708,731. 7.29% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.

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Shares of CTT  Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY  Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $7.28 and last traded at $7.28, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.28.

CTT  Correios De Portugal Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.77.

About CTT  Correios De Portugal

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CTT  Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $24.40 and last traded at $24.40, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $24.40.

Orion Oyj Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $26.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 3.19. The company has a market cap of $6.89 billion, a PE ratio of 19.68 and a beta of 0.30.

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Orion Oyj (OTCMKTS:ORINY  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $298.14 million during the quarter. Orion Oyj had a return on equity of 37.95% and a net margin of 24.76%.

Orion Oyj Company Profile

Orion Oyj develops, manufactures, and markets human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in Finland, Scandinavia, other European countries, North America, and internationally. It provides prescription drugs and self-care products, which includes Nubeqa for the treatment of prostate cancer; dexdor and Precedex for intensive care sedative; Stalevo and Comtess/Comtan for Parkinson's disease; Simdax for acute decompensated heart failure; and Precedex for intensive care sedative, as well as Fareston for breast cancer.

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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (OTCMKTS:CODYY  Get Rating) and CSR (OTCMKTS:CSRLF  Get Rating) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.0% of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.6% of CSR shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and CSR, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Compagnie de Saint-Gobain 0 2 6 0 2.75 CSR 0 1 0 0 2.00

Valuation and Earnings

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain currently has a consensus target price of $63.40, indicating a potential upside of 437.29%. Given Compagnie de Saint-Gobains stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is more favorable than CSR.

This table compares Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and CSRs top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Compagnie de Saint-Gobain N/A N/A N/A $0.34 34.86 CSR N/A N/A N/A $0.22 16.05

CSR is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and CSRs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Compagnie de Saint-Gobain N/A N/A N/A CSR N/A N/A N/A

Dividends

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain pays an annual dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. CSR pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain pays out 55.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. CSR pays out 45.7% 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. CSR is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain beats CSR on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. designs, manufactures, and distributes materials and solutions for wellbeing worldwide. It operates through five segments: High Performance Solutions; Northern Europe; Southern Europe Middle East (ME) & Africa; Americas; and Asia-Pacific. The company offers glazing solutions for buildings and cars under the Saint-Gobain, GlassSolutions, Vetrotech, and SageGlass brands; plaster-based products for construction and renovation markets under the Placo, Rigips, and Gyproc brands; ceilings under the Ecophon, CertainTeed, Eurocoustic, Sonex, or Vinh Tuong brands; and insulation solutions for a range of applications, such as construction, engine compartments, vehicle interiors, household appliances, and photovoltaic panels under the Isover, CertainTeed, and Izocam brands. It also offers mortars and building chemicals under the Weber brand; exterior products comprising asphalt and composite shingles, roll roofing systems, and accessories; and pipes under the PAM brand, as well as designs, imports, and distributes instant adhesives, sealants, and silicones. In addition, the company provides interior systems, interior and exterior insulation, cladding, floor coverings, facades and lightweight structures, waterproofing, roofing solutions, pre-assembly, and prefabrication solutions; high performance materials; glass for buildings; plasterboard; and interior glass products. Further, it distributes heavy building materials; plumbing, heating, and sanitary products; timbers and panels; civil engineering products; ceramic tiles; and site equipment and tools. The company was founded in 1665 and is headquartered in Courbevoie, France.

About CSR

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CSR Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and supply of building products for residential and commercial constructions in Australia and New Zealand. It operates through Building Products, Property, and Aluminium segments. The Building Products segment offers interior systems, including gyprock plasterboards, Martini acoustic insulation products, and Rondo rolled formed steel products, as well as Himmel and Potter interior systems that supplies ceiling tiles, aluminum partitions, and architectural hardware products; construction systems, such as Hebel autoclaved aerated concrete products, AFS walling systems, cladding systems, and Cemintel fiber cement; masonry and insulation solutions comprising Bradford insulations, Bradford energy solutions, Edmonds ventilation systems, and Monier roofing solutions; and bricks, including PGH Bricks and pavers. The company's Property segment sells former operating sites. This segment is also involved in the large-scale developments in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. Its Aluminium segment offers aluminium ingots, billets, and slabs. CSR Limited was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in North Ryde, Australia.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Acuity Brands (NYSE:AYI  Get Rating) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report released on Friday.

AYI has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Acuity Brands from $192.00 to $175.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $210.00 price target on shares of Acuity Brands in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Acuity Brands from $193.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $201.00 to $173.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price target on shares of Acuity Brands from $180.00 to $170.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $191.88.

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Acuity Brands Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AYI opened at $160.41 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firms 50-day moving average price is $159.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $172.07. Acuity Brands has a 52-week low of $149.30 and a 52-week high of $202.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.06, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.57.

Acuity Brands Dividend Announcement

Acuity Brands ( NYSE:AYI Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 4th. The electronics maker reported $2.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.51. Acuity Brands had a net margin of 9.22% and a return on equity of 22.20%. The business had revenue of $943.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $959.99 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Acuity Brands will post 12.67 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Investors of record on Monday, April 17th were issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 14th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.32%. Acuity Brandss payout ratio is 4.56%.

Insider Activity at Acuity Brands

In other news, Director Laura Oshaughnessy acquired 632 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 11th. The stock was bought at an average price of $158.05 per share, with a total value of $99,887.60. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $333,643.55. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in Acuity Brands by 620.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,197,721 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $198,355,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031,432 shares during the period. Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of Acuity Brands by 354.5% during the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 562,839 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $101,937,000 after purchasing an additional 438,993 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands during the 4th quarter valued at about $56,734,000. Balyasny Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Acuity Brands by 2,234.6% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 241,024 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $37,954,000 after purchasing an additional 230,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,284,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.56% of the companys stock.

Acuity Brands Company Profile

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Acuity Brands, Inc provides lighting and building management solutions in North America and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting, Winona Lighting, Juno, Indy, Aculux, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Sunoptics, eldoLED, nLight, Sensor Switch, IOTA, A-Light, Cyclone, Eureka, Lumniaire LED, Luminis, Dark to Light, RELOC Wiring Solutions, and OPTOTRONIC brands.

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AutoNation (NYSE:AN  Get Rating) and Imperial Logistics (OTCMKTS:IHLDY  Get Rating) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares AutoNation and Imperial Logistics gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AutoNation $26.99 billion 0.26 $1.38 billion $24.58 6.31 Imperial Logistics N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

AutoNation has higher revenue and earnings than Imperial Logistics.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AutoNation 2 1 4 0 2.29 Imperial Logistics 0 0 0 0 N/A

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for AutoNation and Imperial Logistics, as provided by MarketBeat.

AutoNation currently has a consensus price target of $153.14, suggesting a potential downside of 1.31%. Given AutoNations higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe AutoNation is more favorable than Imperial Logistics.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

70.5% of AutoNation shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of AutoNation shares are held 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 AutoNation and Imperial Logistics net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AutoNation 4.90% 61.01% 13.48% Imperial Logistics N/A N/A N/A

Summary

AutoNation beats Imperial Logistics on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

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.

About Imperial Logistics

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Imperial Logistics Limited provides integrated market access and logistics solutions in Africa, Europe, and Internationally. It offers outsourced integrated freight management services, such as road, air, and ocean freight management services; contract logistics services, including warehousing, distribution, and synchronization management; and sourcing, warehousing, distribution, synchronisation, and transportation management services. The company also operates as the lead logistics provider. It serves primarily healthcare, consumer, automotive, chemicals, and industrial markets. The company was formerly known as Imperial Holdings Limited and changed its name to Imperial Logistics Limited in December 2018. The company is headquartered in Bedfordview, South Africa. As of March 14, 2022, Imperial Logistics Limited operates as a subsidiary of DP World Limited.

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HELSINKI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Increased international cooperation is essential in tackling major global challenges, the prime ministers of the five Nordic countries stressed on Monday during their annual summer meeting convened in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.

This year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was specially invited to join the meeting of the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the leaders emphasized the necessity for effective and inclusive multilateralism to address pressing global issues such as the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and global inequalities while also ensuring peace and stability.

According to the statement, the leaders in their discussion highlighted the significance of the Arctic Ocean as one of the world's largest and most pristine ecosystems, vital for maintaining a secure and stable global climate. They also stressed the need for further actions to promote healthy oceans. 
Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi (OTCMKTS:TKYVY  Get Rating) is one of 268 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi to similar businesses based on the strength of its dividends, earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk and institutional ownership.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.0% of Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.2% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 15.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Dividends

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.6%. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi pays out 5.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 12.9% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi N/A N/A N/A Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors 33.79% 10.24% 0.89%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi N/A N/A 0.76 Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors $2.05 billion $529.97 million 267.40

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligis peers have higher revenue and earnings than Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi 3 0 0 0 1.00 Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Competitors 1023 3007 2958 7 2.28

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 317.80%. Given Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligis peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi peers beat Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi on 12 of the 13 factors compared.

Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi Company Profile

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Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi, together with its subsidiaries, provides corporate, commercial, small business, retail, and investment banking services in Turkey and internationally. It offers time and demand deposits, accumulating accounts, repos, spot loans, foreign currency indexed loans, consumer loans, automobile and housing loans, working capital loans, discounted bills, overdraft facilities, gold loans, foreign currency loans, Eximbank loans, pre-export loans, ECA covered financing, letters of guarantee, letters of credit, export factoring, acceptance credits, and draft facilities. The company also provides forfeiting, leasing, forwards, futures, salary payments, investment accounts, cheques, safety boxes, tax collections, bill payment, and payment order services, as well as insurance products. In addition, it offers foreign trade transactions, cash management, factoring, credit cards, investment products, leasing, and other banking products to its corporate, commercial, and retail customers. Further, the company provides small business banking services, including overdraft accounts, POS machines, credit cards, cheque books, TL and foreign currency deposits, Internet banking and call-center, debit card, and bill payment to enterprises in retail and service sectors. Additionally, it offers capital market transactions; issues capital market tools; purchases and sells marketable securities; and provides investment consultancy and portfolio management services, as well as invests in marketable debt and equity securities, and gold and other precious metals. The company was founded in 1954 and is based in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi is a subsidiary of Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

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FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS  Get Rating) had its price target hoisted by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $454.00 to $461.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on FDS. StockNews.com initiated coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $500.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, March 24th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $435.00 price target for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $365.00 to $380.00 in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $419.00 to $440.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $441.50.

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FactSet Research Systems Trading Up 0.4 %

NYSE FDS opened at $395.66 on Friday. FactSet Research Systems has a 12 month low of $371.59 and a 12 month high of $474.13. The company has a 50-day moving average of $402.47 and a 200-day moving average of $411.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 2.11 and a quick ratio of 2.09. The company has a market cap of $15.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.83.

FactSet Research Systems Increases Dividend

FactSet Research Systems ( NYSE:FDS Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 22nd. The business services provider reported $3.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.62 by $0.17. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 24.77% and a return on equity of 37.65%. The company had revenue of $529.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $527.56 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.76 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that FactSet Research Systems will post 15.04 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st were issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.99%. This is a positive change from FactSet Research Systemss previous quarterly dividend of $0.89. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. FactSet Research Systemss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.04%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Robert J. Robie sold 2,457 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $412.31, for a total transaction of $1,013,045.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,436 shares of the companys stock, valued at $592,077.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Jonathan Reeve sold 783 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $404.82, for a total transaction of $316,974.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 92 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,243.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Robert J. Robie sold 2,457 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $412.31, for a total value of $1,013,045.67. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 1,436 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $592,077.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,537 shares of company stock valued at $5,165,878. Company insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 22.7% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 14,290 shares of the business services providers stock worth $5,733,000 after purchasing an additional 2,644 shares in the last quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 66.9% during the 3rd quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 4,479 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,792,000 after purchasing an additional 1,795 shares in the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 693 shares of the business services providers stock worth $278,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 3.5% during the 3rd quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,932 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,373,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 79,238 shares of the business services providers stock worth $31,791,000 after purchasing an additional 37,798 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.90% of the companys stock.

FactSet Research Systems Company Profile

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FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data and analytics company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth.

Further Reading

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Fastly (NYSE:FSLY  Get Rating) had its target price raised by Craig Hallum from $17.00 to $20.00 in a research report released on Friday morning, The Fly reports.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on FSLY. Morgan Stanley upgraded Fastly from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their target price for the company from $12.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. DA Davidson upped their target price on Fastly from $17.00 to $20.00 in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Fastly from $9.00 to $11.00 in a research report on Friday. Bank of America upped their price objective on Fastly from $16.00 to $26.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Fastly in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $17.25.

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Fastly Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FSLY opened at $15.24 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 5.28 and a quick ratio of 5.28. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $15.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.34. Fastly has a one year low of $7.15 and a one year high of $18.28. The firm has a market cap of $1.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.89 and a beta of 1.31.

Insider Buying and Selling at Fastly

Fastly ( NYSE:FSLY Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.40) by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $117.56 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $116.17 million. Fastly had a negative return on equity of 20.22% and a negative net margin of 38.22%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Fastly will post -1.28 EPS for the current year.

In other Fastly news, EVP Brett Shirk sold 4,698 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.81, for a total value of $83,671.38. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 302,267 shares in the company, valued at $5,383,375.27. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Fastly news, CFO Ronald W. Kisling sold 15,107 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.17, for a total value of $198,959.19. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 528,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,956,789.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Brett Shirk sold 4,698 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.81, for a total value of $83,671.38. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 302,267 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,383,375.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 236,779 shares of company stock worth $3,482,797. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fastly

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FSLY. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Fastly by 23.5% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,270 shares of the companys stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 813 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in shares of Fastly by 19.5% during the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 5,588 shares of the companys stock worth $99,000 after purchasing an additional 911 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its stake in shares of Fastly by 32.2% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,859 shares of the companys stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its stake in shares of Fastly by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 45,524 shares of the companys stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 951 shares during the period. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Fastly by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 3,072 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.76% of the companys stock.

Fastly Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Fastly, Inc provides real-time content delivery network services. It offers edge compute, edge delivery, edge security, edge applications like load balancing and image optimization, video on demand, and managed edge delivery. The company was founded by Artur Bergman, Tyler McMullen, Simon Wistow, and Gil Penchina in March 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

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Grupo Comercial Chedraui (OTCMKTS:GCHEF  Get Rating) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Grupo Comercial Chedraui to related businesses based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, risk and earnings.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Grupo Comercial Chedraui N/A N/A 3.18 Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors $27.19 billion $598.81 million 179.96

Grupo Comercial Chedrauis peers have higher revenue and earnings than Grupo Comercial Chedraui. Grupo Comercial Chedraui 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

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grupo Comercial Chedraui N/A N/A N/A Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors 2.07% 14.55% 4.73%

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grupo Comercial Chedraui 0 1 0 0 2.00 Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors 1128 2762 3010 113 2.30

Grupo Comercial Chedraui presently has a consensus target price of $84.00, suggesting a potential upside of 1,389.36%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 100.71%. Given Grupo Comercial Chedrauis higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Grupo Comercial Chedraui is more favorable than its peers.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

10.9% of Grupo Comercial Chedraui 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 endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Grupo Comercial Chedraui peers beat Grupo Comercial Chedraui on 10 of the 11 factors compared.

Grupo Comercial Chedraui Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A.B. de C.V. operates selfservice stores. The company operates through three segments: Retail in Mexico, Retail in the United States, and Real Estate. Its stores sell electronic goods, perishables, cloths, groceries, and general merchandise. The company also leases commercial space to third parties; and operates and maintains shopping centers. It operates 306 stores, including 198 tiendas chedraui, 60 super chedraui, 15 super che, and 33 supercito stores; and 7 distribution centers in Mexico, as well as 125 self-service stores, such as 64 El Super and 61 Fiesta stores in the United States. The company was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of MAG Silver (NYSEAMERICAN:MAG  Get Rating) to a sell rating in a report published on Friday.

Separately, HC Wainwright lowered their price objective on shares of MAG Silver from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th.

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MAG Silver Stock Up 1.5 %

NYSEAMERICAN MAG opened at $11.02 on Friday. MAG Silver has a 12 month low of $10.32 and a 12 month high of $17.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.10 and a beta of 1.10. The companys 50 day moving average is $14.17.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MAG Silver

MAG Silver ( NYSEAMERICAN:MAG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 27th. The company reported ($0.01) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.05 by ($0.06). Analysts forecast that MAG Silver will post 0.78 EPS for the current year.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sprott Inc. boosted its stake in MAG Silver by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Sprott Inc. now owns 5,195,576 shares of the companys stock worth $81,160,000 after purchasing an additional 57,673 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of MAG Silver by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 5,115,268 shares of the companys stock valued at $79,905,000 after buying an additional 34,818 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of MAG Silver by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 3,930,180 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,795,000 after purchasing an additional 46,326 shares in the last quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC raised its holdings in shares of MAG Silver by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC now owns 1,378,592 shares of the companys stock valued at $17,467,000 after purchasing an additional 33,763 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its holdings in shares of MAG Silver by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 965,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,227,000 after purchasing an additional 100,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 35.57% of the companys stock.

About MAG Silver

(Get Rating)

MAG Silver Corp. engages in the exploration and development of precious metal mining properties. The company explores for silver, gold, lead, copper, and zinc deposits. It primarily holds 44% interest in the Juanicipio project located in the Fresnillo District, Zacatecas State, Mexico. MAG Silver Corp.

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:RYCEY  Get Rating) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the eight brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $127.75.

RYCEY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from GBX 136 ($1.73) to GBX 160 ($2.03) in a report on Wednesday, March 1st. Barclays boosted their target price on Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from GBX 145 ($1.84) to GBX 156 ($1.98) in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued an equal weight rating on the stock. Bank of America raised Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, February 27th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, March 8th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RYCEY. Atlas Wealth LLC bought a new position in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the first quarter valued at $25,000. FineMark National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. SVB Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc by 52.6% during the first quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 19,515 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 6,729 shares during the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN purchased a new stake in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in the first quarter worth approximately $77,000. Finally, OLD Mission Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc during the 1st quarter worth approximately $385,000.

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Trading Up 1.0 %

About Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc stock opened at $1.94 on Tuesday. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has a 1 year low of $0.71 and a 1 year high of $1.98. The firms 50 day moving average price is $1.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.59.

(Get Rating

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services.

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Scotiabank started coverage on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners (NYSE:BEP  Get Rating) (TSE:BEP) in a research report released on Friday, The Fly reports. The brokerage issued an outperform rating on the utilities providers stock.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on BEP. National Bankshares raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners from $31.00 to $32.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. Finally, 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $38.67.

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Brookfield Renewable Partners Stock Performance

Brookfield Renewable Partners stock opened at $29.44 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $29.09. Brookfield Renewable Partners has a 1-year low of $24.13 and a 1-year high of $41.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market cap of $8.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -55.55 and a beta of 0.82.

Brookfield Renewable Partners Dividend Announcement

Brookfield Renewable Partners ( NYSE:BEP Get Rating ) (TSE:BEP) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13) by $0.04. Brookfield Renewable Partners had a net margin of 5.75% and a return on equity of 1.19%. The company had revenue of $772.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $692.65 million. On average, analysts expect that Brookfield Renewable Partners will post -0.12 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.338 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 30th. This represents a $1.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.59%. Brookfield Renewable Partnerss dividend payout ratio is currently -254.72%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Renewable Partners

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BEP. 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 9,325,399 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $293,843,000 after acquiring an additional 1,370,804 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 6,333,427 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $160,489,000 after buying an additional 122,390 shares during the period. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp increased its position in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 119.4% during the 4th quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 4,847,621 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $122,735,000 after buying an additional 2,638,541 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its position in Brookfield Renewable Partners by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 3,895,330 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $98,640,000 after buying an additional 85,930 shares during the period. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank increased its position in shares of Brookfield Renewable Partners by 14.2% in the first quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 2,946,999 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $92,801,000 after purchasing an additional 367,543 shares during the period. 56.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Brookfield Renewable Partners Company Profile

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Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. owns a portfolio of renewable power generating facilities primarily in North America, Colombia, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, wind, solar, distributed generation, pumped storage, cogeneration, and biomass sources.

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It's been hard not to notice all the Allo Fiber vehicles and workers around Grand Island the last year or two.

The workers are busy installing fiber, serving both residences and businesses.

The big installation project began in late 2021.

Allo hopes to finish the work by the middle of next year, said Junius Businelle, senior manager of field services.

But about three-quarters of Grand Islanders can order fiber internet, TV and phone service from Allo right now.

Allo workers have divided the city into 28 areas, called pons. Fiber has already been installed in about 20 of them.

To see if Allo is ready to go in your neighborhood, visit www.allocommunications.com. On that site, you can type in your address and find out if Allo service is available for you now.

Allo began in Imperial 20 years ago. The company expanded to Lincoln after Nelnet bought it in 2015 and has since expanded to a host of Nebraska communities, including Hastings, Columbus, Fremont and Norfolk.

Allo also serves six Colorado cities, including Breckenridge and Fort Morgan, as well as three in Arizona.

Nebraskans like doing business with local employees and businesses, Businelle said. "We exude localness."

The company also tries to make its service hassle-free, he said.

Allo works hard to make sure the customer's happy. "If you have a problem with us, give us a call. We'll work with you to fix it," said Businelle, whose friends call him June Bug.

"If we mess up your yard when we're coming through, give us a call. We have a resolutions team that'll work to get that fixed and back to the way you want it."

In a brochure, Allo says it delivers faster, friendlier, fiber-optic service "to your door with a smile."

Allo has about 50 employees doing the work in Grand Island. If you include subcontractors, the number is 80 to 100.

The company is also building a fiber network in Kearney as part of a $60 million project.

Allo's most popular speed, the company says, is one gig for $95 a month.

The company offers free installation and a free router that connects more than 250 devices simultaneously. The router is called the Allo Blast Wi-Fi 6.

Allo customers do not sign contracts.

The Grand Island City Council approved a cable television franchise for Allo in September of 2021.

The city also has a franchise agreement with Charter Communication for its internet services brand, Spectrum.
S Koreas Kakao Mobility teams up with Vietnam EV maker VinFast

By Nguyen Thuy Tue, June 27, 2023 | 12:06 pm GTM+7

Kakao Mobility, a subsidiary of South Korea's tech giant Kakao Corp., has entered into a partnership with Vietnamese electric vehicle producer VinFast to boost transportation infrastructure in Vietnam by collaborating with domestic industry players.

Kakao Mobility has joined a wave of South Korean companies expanding in the Vietnamese market with business cooperation MoUs signed in Hanoi during South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols visit to Vietnam June 22-24 to boost economic and trade ties.

Nguyen Viet Quang (L), Vingroup CEO and VinFast director of customer services, and Kakao Mobility CEO Ryu Geung-Seo pose for picture at their partnership signing in Hanoi on June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Kakao Mobility.

The Kakao Mobility-VinFast partnership includes plans to integrate Green and Smart Mobility (GSM), an electric taxi rental platform within the Vingroup network, with ride-hailing service Kakao T.

Kakao Mobility said in a release that Vietnam is emerging as one of the most popular tourist destinations for South Koreans, while South Korea saw roughly 300,000 Vietnamese tourists visit the country in the past year.

The firm also said it is in talks with Vietnamese information technology giant FPT to set up collaborations with domestic startup businesses.

Vietnam welcomed 4.6 million foreign arrivals in the first five months of this year, equal to 57.5% of the year's target of eight million, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). South Korea was Vietnam's top source market in the period with 1.3 million arrivals, followed by China and the U.S. with 399,000 and 307,000 arrivals, respectively.

Established in 2017 by Vingroup founder and chairman Pham Nhat Vuong as his conglomerates car unit, VinFast has gradually become a prominent player in the Southeast Asian EV landscape. It is also expanding in the U.S., Canadian, and European markets.

Vuong launched GSM in March in partnership with Vietnamese ride-hailer Be Group to utilize electric vehicles in ride-hailing services.

Kakao Mobility said this March it had acquired the British ride-hailing startup Splyt as part of its plans to go abroad. The acquisition will help Kakao Mobility secure a foothold to tap into the global mobility market", the company said, but did not disclose the financial terms of the deal or its stake in Splyt.

Founded in 2015 in London, Splyt is a platform providing connections for overall transportation services from ride-hailing and food delivery to travel and public transport. Splyt partners with global mobility and hotel reservation service apps like Uber, Grab, Booking.com and Trip.com., as well as Chinese firms like Alipay and WeChat, linking 2 billion users in 150 countries across the world, according to the company.
Editor's note: Opinions expressed here are the subject's own.

Makati City (CNN Philippines Life, June 26)  29 years ago, the LGBTQIA+ community of Metro Manila decided that they wanted to be heard. With megaphones and banners in hand, around 50 members of the Progressive Organization of Gays (PROGAY) and Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) marched along the streets of Quezon City, in what would now be known as the precursor to the 1996 Metro Manila Pride March.

Their calls for equal rights, demands for systemic change, and efforts to organize echo to this day. In 2019, we saw Pride transform into a powerful march and festival with a record-breaking attendance of 70,000 attendees. And while the pandemic saw Pride adapt into online spaces, the 2022 Metro Manila Pride March showed that the fight was still far from done. Despite the countrys ongoing recovery from the pandemic, an estimated 29,000 individuals took to the streets of Pasay with a clear battlecry: Atin ang Kulayaan.

This year, were looking at freedom, not as something to strive for, but rather, as something inherent within us  a reminder that when all of us stand side by side, liberation is possible. With the theme "Tayo ang Kulayaan," Makati City became the stage for Metro Manila Prides protest and celebration. Here, a cacophony of demands can be heard  from the passing of the SOGIE Equality Bill to the protection of LGBTQIA+ activists and even support for the elderly members of the community.

What started nearly three decades ago has evolved into a protest that reverberates and resonates. Several other Pride Marches have also emerged all throughout the Philippines, with Quezon City setting a new record with more than 100,000 attendees. If the continuous growth of Pride is indicative of something, its that the community still has to be heard and the government still needs to listen.

We caught up with some of the attendees of this years Metro Manila Pride March and Festival to hear why they still go to Pride after all these years, how much has changed, and what changes they want to see next.

Mikee Kalaw (left) and Vee Canapi (right). Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Vee Canapi, 20, College Student (He/Him)

I decided to go to Pride this year because, as mentioned, Pride is a protest. And of course, I not only want my identity to be seen and heard, but also the calls of the LGBTQIA+ community. I want to be able to share them with a wider audience.

The very issue [that needs to be solved] would be the [delay of passage of the] SOGIE Bill. We really need a bill that protects the entire LGTBQIA+ community. But there are also [issues] with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Because as we know, a lot of US military men who come here to the Philippines abuse and target the LGBTQIA+ community, like with Jennifer Laude who was murdered by a military officer from the US. Also, of course, we need more protection for our queer activists such as Chad Booc who was [killed] by the AFP. The Philippines isnt exactly the safest place for the LGBTQIA+ community. So we want to build a place where we can live freely and express ourselves more.

Mikee Cabusas. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Mikee Cabusas, 22, BPO employee (He/Him)

I still go to Pride every year because I have an advocacy, which is to stop the stigma when it comes to HIV, to provide HIV awareness to people, and to spread knowledge about SOGIE. Padami ng padami na rin kasi yung taong pumupunta ng Pride not just to celebrate, but to learn more.

For me, kailangan talaga ipasa ang SOGIE Bill. Kailangan na siya isabatas kasi this is a real issue. Theres a lot of people being discriminated against because of their sexuality. People need to be more open when it comes to SOGIE so that we can understand each other better.

Lord Fernandez. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Lord Fernandez, 50, IT manager (He/Him)

Its fun! And I also do this with my colleagues. We work for Oracle, so this is one of the things that we hopefully do every year.

I noticed that there are more people who are going alone. Kasi the one that we did in Marikina, they were mostly groups coming together and all of that. And then of course, there are more younger people. As I said, Im 50, right? So, Im happy to see that the younger generation, the Gen Z, are a lot more comfortable with expressing themselves.

I do want to celebrate the fact that there has been a lot of progress. For example, in my company, we can actually nominate our same sex partners as our health insurance dependents, which was never heard of back in the 90s. So even though were not legally married, there are these things that the private corporations can actually do for our community. Swerte kami kasi yung company namin can take care and would welcome people like us. Pero theres still a lot of discrimination in other companies where you can even get fired just because of who you are.

Marco Arosa. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Marco Arosa, 26, project manager (They/Them)

I still go to Pride because its still illegal to live my lived reality as someone who identifies as non-binary. [Pride] is still a protest and its still something that I have to fight for everyday.

Nothing much has changed. As you know, the SOGIE Equality Bill is still idle in the Senate. Its still not progressing. But what has changed perhaps is the louder voice of the community in the fight for what is right for us.

One of the things that I experienced in the past is that I was discriminated against in the workplace. I couldnt work because I was openly out as a non-binary individual. I didnt feel safe to be a non-binary individual at work where I was singled out because of my lived reality. I think thats one of the things well be protected from if the SOGIE Equality Bill gets passed. So definitely, the workplace needs more protections for individuals like me, and Im sure its not just something that only I have experienced. And perhaps there are a lot more people like me who are being discriminated in the workplace.

Shane Daelo (left) and Katrina Oberio (right). Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Katrina Oberio, 24, fresh graduate (She/Her)

Its our first Pride [together] and it means a lot to me. Its also nice to be surrounded by everyone who thinks the same. You can feel the inclusivity. And its nice to have a place where you feel like you really belong and that youre safe.

Theres a lot more people [at Pride] now. I think people are more open about it now. There are more personalities who are very vocal about the advocacy compared to the years back.

Arien Divina. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Arien Divina, 18, student (They/Them)

Pride is one of the ways that I celebrate myself, being queer, and being a part of a very diverse community. First and foremost, Pride marches exist for a reason. Pride has always been a protest and will always be a protest. I believe that we all have to fight for our rights. We have to protect LGBTQIA+ lives. And as long as those are not yet [achieved], there will always be pride. There will always be something to fight for. There will always be something to stand up for.

I dont think a lot has changed yet in terms of our constitution and the community. But I think for this Pride, Ive become more excited in comparison to the previous ones. This is because Ive met more queer friends since the last Pride.

Danica Jimenez (left) and Xandi Espiritu (right). Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Xandi Espiritu, 62, self-employed (She/Her)

[I still go to Pride] to raise our voice, to fight for our rights, and to enjoy and celebrate the Pride March with our LGBTQIA+ family!

Para sa mga ka-age ko, financial support sana [ang mabigay]. Kasi, I live alone na. Wala na akong kapamilya. Wala akong siblings, and ulila na ako sa father and mother ko. Wala naman akong naging asawa at siyempre wala rin akong naging anak. Solo flight na ako sa buhay. Kung halimbawa magkasakit ako, wala akong makakaramay. So kung sana, may financial support kami.

Ayla Valbuena. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Ayla Valbuena, 20, Student (They/Them/She/Her)

I still go to Pride because  despite us having such a loud [presence]  we still have to fight for the minorities who are not being heard. We are here to show [everyone] that we should not leave the minorities behind, that every single person who identifies under the LGBTQIA+ community should be welcomed.

I think [an issue in the community] is internalized homophobia; because even though we have such a large population who are already out and say that theyre part of the LGBTQIA+ community, there are still those who are ashamed of [themselves]. Without this event, we would rarely see people who are out and proud of their sexuality, who show their true colors no matter what they identify as. I hope that with this Pride and with every other celebration in the future, these different problems can be eradicated."

Nahia Lloren. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Nahia Lloren, 23, fashion designer (She/Her)

I believe that as long as there are still people who are discriminating against the LGBTQIA+ community, its important that we attend Pride. This is to make sure that our voices are heard, and to ensure that we have more rights and less discrimination in our society.

My outfit represents precolonial Philippine fashion. Im a precolonial fashion revivalist. So I mostly showcase and promote precolonial attires because its not as well-known as compared to Filipiniana. And also to really show how much our ancestors actually revered and respected us prior to colonialism. Hence why I wanted to make a statement to show that our identities have always been around since the beginning of time and that were are not going anywhere.

GJ Montecarlo. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

GJ Montecarlo, 36, HR admin (He/Him)

Going to Pride is my way to show kung ano ako  this is to celebrate Pride and freedom, as well as to encourage other organizations, individuals, and allies to attend these events.

Actually, compared to nung nasa Marikina pa, parang lumaki na [ang Pride]. And then after the pandemic kasi nagbago siya, kumonti ulit yung mga tao. However, nakita ko ngayon since simultaneous yung celebration natin, kapag pagsamasamahin mo pa rin, ganun pa rin naman yung impact niya.

With the help of Pride, yung mga issues like discrimination and lack of acceptance sa public [ay masosolve]. Kasi as of now, marami pa ring discrimination eh, either sa religion or sa politics. Meron pa ring mga hindi nakakatanggap sa atin. This is an eye opener for all of the Filipinos. This is one way na pwedeng sabihin sa kanila na hindi tayo sakit na dapat nilalayuan.

DJ Enguero. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

DJ Enguero, 28, design engineer (He/Him)

I still go to Pride to enjoy yung atmosphere, yung happiness. Like, everyone here just smiles at everyone. Nakakamiss kasi siya lalo na most of our society is just tolerating us. So iba yung feeling pag nandito ka. You can just be yourself or be whatever you want, and people will just smile at you.

I think last Pride hindi masyadong kita and andun lang kami sa may Pasay, but I think it made a little bit of noise naman. So yeah, I think were still here to make our voices heard, to be accepted and not just tolerated.

First of all, I think [kailangan] yung SOGIE Bill and I think yung access to sex education. Kasi it just doesnt protect gay people, but everyone no matter what their SOGIE is. Lalo na pagdating sa sex hygiene. So I think dapat early on, matuto na sila on what to do and what to prepare for.

Cookie Bacalla. Photo by GEELA GARCIA

Cookie Bacalla, 28, preschool SPED teacher (They/Them)

Kasi maraming frontliners ang LGBTQIA+ community tulad ni Ka Aries. Isa siya sa mga advocate na nagpupush istop yung reclamation sa Manila Bay kasi umaangat na sila ngayon dahil sa dredging operations sa Cavite. Marami kasing LGBTQIA+ ang naaapektuhan nito.

Bukod kay Ka Aries, meron din tayong mga environmental defenders like Chad Booc na naaapektuhan ng state fascism dahil sa paglalaban na mga karapatan. So yung Pride, kala nila lagi na happy happy lang siya. Pero bago nagkaroon ng malakihang Pride, maraming mga namatay na miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community para makapagprotest tayo ngayon. Kaya kailangan lang nating tandaan na Pride is a protest.
Vietnam, South Korea corporations expand energy cooperation

By Tri Duc Tue, June 27, 2023 | 8:56 am GTM+7

Petrovietnam, the state-owned group's arm PV Power, and private conglomerate T&T Group have signed agreements with South Korean partners that significantly enhance bilateral energy cooperation.

The signings were part of the Vietnam-South Korea business forum held under the auspices of the three-day (June 22-24) state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Vietnam.

On June 21, Petrovietnam and Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on exploration and production (E&P) activities including carbon emission reduction and crude oil storage. Petrovietnam said it was considering the signing of a new production sharing contract (PSC) for Block 15.1, which also has KNOC as a participant.

PV Power and EN Technologies on June 20 signed an MoU on market research cooperation to develop energy storage systems (ESS) and install ESS pilot projects. The cooperation follows the newly-approved national power development plan VIII (PDP VIII) under which Vietnam will gradually switch to using green fuels like hydrogen, ammonia and biomass for thermal power plants while developing diverse power sources, storage batteries and energy storage facilities.

Then, on June 22, PV Power and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) signed an MoU on researching the production and supply of hydrogen for energy projects in PDP VIII. They also discussed other potential projects, including LNG-fired power generation.

A day later, PV Power and Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd. signed an MoU on technological research aimed at reducing carbon emissions at the Vung Ang 1 thermal power plant in Ha Tinh province, central Vietnam. The MoU also covers study of ammonia-fired technology.

The same day, the T&T Group and KOGAS signed an MoU on developing LNG-fired power plants and transforming coal-fired power factories into LNG-fired factories in Vietnam. They will also study the possibility of producing hydrogen for operating upcoming power projects in line with PDP VIII.

Executives of Petrovietnam, PV Power, and T&T Group pose with documents exchanged with South Korean partners at the Vietnam-South Korea business forum in Hanoi, June 23, 2023. Photo courtesy of Petrovietnam.

In early 2022, T&T Group and three South Korean partners  KOGAS, KOSPO, and HANWHA, kicked off construction of the Hai Lang LNG-to-power project in Quang Tri province. The project is expected to start operations in 2026 or 2027, but remains entangled in capital contribution and site clearance issues.

On June 23, T&T Energy, a T&T Group subsidiary, signed an MoU on LNG-fired power generation with SK E&S, the energy arm of South Korean conglomerate SK Group. The two sides will cooperate in developing LNG terminals, with the South Korean partner sourcing fund to implement the projects.

The freshly approved Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII) is expected to open a new chapter for Vietnam's electricity industry, making gas a key power source in 2021-2030. According to the Vilaf law firm, the PDP VIII prioritizes maximizing the use of domestic gas for power generation. "In case domestic gas production decreases, natural gas or LNG will be imported."

The list of LNG projects of importance and priority for development until 2035 are mentioned under Table 1 of Appendix II, including Quang Ninh (1,500 MW); Thai Binh (1,500 MW); Nghi Son (1,500 MW); Quang Trach II (1,500 MW); Quynh Lap/Nghi Son (1,500 MW); Hai Lang Phase 1 (1,500 MW); Ca Na (1,500 MW); Long Son (1,500 MW); Hiep Phuoc Phase 1 (1,200 MW); Long An I (1,500 MW); Long An II (1,500 MW); and Bac Lieu (3,200 MW).
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Today

Mainly clear. Low 76F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Mainly clear. Low 76F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
CARBONDALE  Southern Illinois University Carbondale is being honored for its commitment as one of the nations top transfer-friendly institutions by an academic honors society for associate-degree granting colleges and universities.

SIU Carbondale is among 208 public and private colleges and universities listed on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societys 2023 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students.

Wendell Williams, associate chancellor of enrollment management, said the honor bestowed on the top 25% highest-rated colleges reflects SIUs commitment to student success and engagement, a pillar of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan.

We value the Salukis who come to us from community colleges, he said, and we are doing everything we can to eliminate barriers, save our students time and money, and provide seamless pathways to an affordable, high-quality bachelors degree at a premier doctoral university.

More than 2,500 transfer students have enrolled at SIU Carbondale in the past two years. The Saluki Step Ahead program, which brings the education of a four-year research university to place-bound students in community colleges in Illinois and beyond, has also met with success. Announced in September 2021, the program now has agreements with 43 community college campuses in Illinois, Missouri and Texas. The program enrolled 60 students in fall 2022 and 25 in spring 2023, and the university is on track to surpass that number this fall, according to Josi Rawls, associate director for transfer relations.

The honor roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices and bachelors degree completion, according to the organization.
DU QUOIN  The annual celebration of horsepower known as the Street Machine Nationals cranked up the heat over the weekend at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

Thousands of automotive enthusiasts gathered at the venue with several makes, models and years of street machines, street rods, cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles and wild custom rides. In addition to hot temperatures, those in attendance were greeted by gleaming paint, the rumble of V8 engines and the smell of spent race fuel.

Perry and Audrey Mayes traveled two days and about 1,200 miles from Ottawa, Ontario in Canada to get to Du Quoin for the show on Friday. The couple made the trip in their black 2011 Ford Mustang.

"We actually met at a car show, a Mustang car show," Audrey Mayes said. "We've been married for 36 years now."

The Mayes' said they came to Du Quoin for the Street Machine Nationals back in 1988. The couple had a 1970 Mustang.

"I've always liked them (Mustangs) since I was little," Perry Mayes said. "I like tinkering on our cars. It's about the comradery, fellowship and sharing the hobby."

The Mayes' said they are members of a Mustang car club in Canada that has about 600 cars in it. The couple hopes to talk some of the other members into coming to Du Quoin for the event in the future.

"We love meeting the people and making connections," Audrey Mayes said. "Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones."

The Street Machine Nationals debuted in 1977 at Indianapolis. In 1986, the event took place in Du Quoin for the first time, where it continued to grow and gain popularity, for 13 consecutive years until 1998.

Then, in 2013, it made a much anticipated return to Southern Illinois and has once again become a summertime staple and a boost to the local economy. The "Nats" as it is widely known, is one of the most popular Pro Street car shows in the country.

Having the Street Machine Nationals helps to foster the passion and love for muscle cars, said Tony Veneziano, public relations and communications manager for Bonnier Events. There are a lot of folks who have been coming to the event for years  and actually began coming with their parents and grandparents  and are now bringing their own kids. That is pretty rewarding from an event promoter standpoint to see multiple generations of families at events, enjoying the sights and sounds and their love of cars.

The Pro Street category has a rich and storied history in Du Quoin. Over the years, builders have brought numerous award-winning, one-of-a-kind vehicles to the show that have been featured in popular automotive magazines across the country.

A number of longtime legends of Pro Street were on hand at the 2023 Street Machine Nationals, showcasing some iconic builds and some new creations.

Pro Street Alley continues to grow as more and more Pro Street vehicles are being brought to the show, said Veneziano. We receive inquiries quite a bit from folks who have Pro Street cars that they would like to bring and have on display.

Participants showed off the brute power of their rides in the Dyno Challenge, where vehicles are hooked up to special equipment to document their true horsepower and torque output, with bragging rights up for grabs.

The Performance Marketplace featured industry-leading brands with the latest parts, products and services on-site.

Aaron Reu drove his red 1998 C5 Corvette to the show from Tamaroa. He said his passion for cars, particularly Corvettes, began at a young age.

"My dad was into cars and it spilled over to me," said Reu. "He was in a Corvette club in the 1970s. I've wanted one (a Corvette) since I was 8 or 9 years old looking at them in the classifieds of the paper. A Corvette, any year, doesn't matter to me."

The event wrapped up on Sunday. A burnout contest was the main attraction and numerous professionally judged awards were presented in a variety of categories.

If you are in to cars, you need check out the Street Machine Nationals, said Veneziano.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines Life, June 27)  This week, visit exhibits, watch a sci-fi thriller series, celebrate a K-pop groups anniversary, and shop for Korean products.

Visit new exhibits at Gravity Art Space

On June 30, Gravity Art Space in Quezon City is opening two new exhibits. In the realm of nature features works by Mikael Rabara Gallego, Ches Gatpayat, Kat Grow, Maya Leon, Koki Lxx, and Mako Micro-Press. Curated by Gian Carlo Delgado, the exhibit explores the universalities of the dialectical relationship between human beings and the natural world through paintings, collage works, zines, and installation. Slow Fast is an exhibit by hair artists Abbey Romina and MAGPATINA (Regie Hidalgo); an ode to slowness, offering an experience of life in quiet, measured motions. The show will feature drawings of hair by Romina, and dyed locks of synthetic hair arranged into waves by Hidalgo. The two exhibits will run until July 29, 2023. For more information, visit the Gravity Art Space Instagram page.  CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF

Choose your Top 5 BTS songs with Spotify's new in-app experience. Photo from SPOTIFY

Pick your Top Five BTS songs on Spotify

This June marks the 10th anniversary of K-pop group BTS, my ult of ults. Since their anniversary date falls on June 13  exactly a week before my birthday  Ive made it a practice to celebrate in different ways over the years. Since 2018, Ive organized fanmeeting livestreams and cried over not getting tickets to the actual fanmeeting event in Seoul, attended cupsleeve events, and tuned in to all of their anniversary (Festa) content over the course of the month. This year was a bit different given the groups current condition, but that doesnt mean that the Festa calendar wasnt full of activities and exclusive events for ARMYs. Spotify joined in on the fun with an in-app experience called Top 5: BTS. By visiting the landing page on the app, Spotify users can curate a list of their top five BTS songs and share it with friends. Ill have to admit that the selection process was tough  how can one choose only five out of the over 200 songs in their discography? In the end, I went with Trivia: Love and Trivia: Seesaw (solo songs from Namjoon and Yoongi, a.k.a. Gaby bias line), Spring Day (the enduring queen that she is), Dope (my gateway drug to BTS), and Paradise. Select your own top five on Spotify.  GABY GLORIA

Shop for Korean accessories, snacks, skincare, and more at the Korean Products Festival on June 28 to 29 at Gloriettas Palm Drive Activity Center. Photo courtesy of GLORIETTA

Get your hands on Korean products at Glorietta

Last June 25, Ayala Malls Glorietta kicked off the Feed Your Seoul campaign at the Glorietta Activity Center. To start the festivities, they brought in the NCT sub-unit NCT Dojaejung, composed of members Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jungwoo for their first media conference in the Philippines as a trio. The three answered questions from Philippine media and delighted the audience with short a cappella samples off of their EP, including Kiss and lead single Perfume. The conference is just one of the events theyll be having as part of the campaign, with the next being the Korean Products Festival on June 28 to 29 at Gloriettas Palm Drive Activity Center. Shop for Korean accessories, snacks, skincare, and more at the event. For more information, visit the Glorietta Instagram page.  CNN PHILIPPINES LIFE STAFF

Watch Silo on Apple TV

Its hard to get sci-fi thrillers right, because even the most impressive world-building efforts will fall flat if its ultimately a story you dont feel compelled to invest in. In the Apple TV series Silo, were treated to a sophisticated post-apocalyptic world. The earth has become inhabitable, so whats left of humanity has been living in a cylindrical structure thats buried deep into the ground  the titular silo. Their only view into the world is a singular sensor that projects how bleak the outside world is. The show begins at the end: when the silos sheriff Holston Becker (David Oyelowo) asks to be taken outside, where death is certain within minutes. The rest of the debut season focuses on the efforts of hardened mechanic Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson), who seeks out truth hidden within the silos established laws. After the underrated corporate sci-go Severance, Apple TV has offered up another elegant take on dystopia, and Im already excited for what the second season has to offer. Are we about to see just whats so scary about the world outside? Cant wait.  MARGA BUENAVENTURA

The first season of Silo is available in full on Apple TV.

The Everything's Fine bookstore in Makati. Photo from EVERYTHING'S FINE

Visit a new indie bookshop

Indie publisher Everythings Fine recently opened their brick and mortar bookshop at #14 Prince Tower, Tordesillas St., Makati. The bookstore carries all of their titles in print (which includes my own book) and a great selection of literature from the Philippines and around the world. Theyve also shelved their books according to interest like Queer Literature, Feminist Literature, Zines, etc. During the opening, I scored two Fitzcarraldo Editions books: This is Not Miami by Fernanda Melchor and Can the Monster Speak by Paul B. Preciado; a zine of queer photos by Jaihang and MyNegativeFeelings, and Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Ubang mga Sugilanon. Prices are not too exorbitant and especially friendly for those who want to expand their Filipino book collection. The bookstore has a wide range of selections from local university presses and independent publishers.

For more details visit their Instagram page.  DON JAUCIAN
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 they'd 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, haven't 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. They're 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.

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 don't try to help them, she said.

"We're 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. I'd like to tell them we're 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. "It's 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. They'd all said yes.

Bracho's 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.

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 it's cold outside it's 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 Espinoza's new phone.

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 they've 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.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is providing $551.5 million from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program to extend broadband internet throughout South Carolina, Congressman James Clyburn announced Monday.

I often say access to affordable, high-speed broadband will have the same dramatic impact in the 21st century as access to electrification efforts had in the 20th century, Clyburn said in a release.

He said, South Carolina will now have the means to bring high-speed internet access to every household across the state. This life-changing funding will connect every community to opportunity and bring us significantly closer to making this countrys greatness accessible and affordable to all.

In 2021, the South Carolina Broadband Office estimated that it needed $650 million in funding to bring high-speed broadband to every underserved household in the state.

South Carolina received $400 million from President Bidens American Rescue Plan, roughly $100 million from the Federal Communications Commissions Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and has dedicated $50 million in state match funds.

The additional funding announced Monday will allow South Carolina to build out faster, affordable, high-speed broadband for every household in the state, the release said

This funding ensures South Carolina will remain on track to achieve 100% affordable connectivity by 2026.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said, This investment will help ensure that every household in South Carolina, including those in rural communities, has access to affordable, high-speed internet.

SC Broadband Office Director Jim Stritzinger said, We are incredibly grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressman Clyburn for their work to make this funding possible.

We are working hard on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina to make sure everyone is connected to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.

The BEAD program is the federal governments largest investment in high-speed, affordable broadband in history. The $42.45 billion program will provide federal funding in the form of grants to eligible states, territories, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico for broadband planning, development, mapping, equity and adoption projects and activities by the programs conclusion.

The program was created through President Bidens Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, in 2021. Clyburn was the only member of the South Carolina House delegation to vote in favor of the bill.
The Regional Medical Center lost about $31.3 million during its 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to its annual financial audit report released in May.

According to the 47-page audit, RMC's net position dropped to $21.2 million at the end of September 2022, compared to $52.5 million in September 2021.

Greenville, South Carolina, accounting firm Forvis LLP conducted the audit. The hospital's fiscal year ran from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

The centers total operating revenues decreased in fiscal 2022 due to decreased volumes in services primarily related to COVID-19 impacts and limitations on services provided, the audit said. The centers operating expenses for fiscal 2022 decreased 3.1 percent. This is primarily related to decreases in volumes and related costs associated with the decrease in volumes.

The center continues to be challenged by issues of government regulation, declining reimbursement, changing technology, increasing pharmaceutical costs and staffing shortages, the audit said.

The firm issued an unmodified or clean opinion on the audit, meaning the hospital's financial statements are correct and accurate.

According to the audit, the hospital saw total operating revenue for the year of $202 million and total operating expenses of $239.4 million.

The hospital had a total operating loss for the year of $37.4 million.

The hospital received $6.1 million in non-operating revenue during in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, bringing the loss up to $31.3 million.

Of this non-operating revenue, about $10.9 million was in COVID-19 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act money. This gain in non-operating income was offset by a $3.3 million investment loss.

RMC financial and operational oversight is the responsibility of MUSC since March 1, 2023.

The current RMC Board is still responsible for closing out and maintaining specific financial accounts such as payroll obligations, fees and pending litigation matters.

Other financial indicators in the 2021-2022 audit included:

 RMC had $25 million of bond debt and made principal payments of about $1.3 million during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

 RMC had total liabilities of $77.4 million, a pension liability of $19.5 million and a long-term portion lease liability of $12.1 million, bringing the total liabilities to $109 million at the end of September 2022.

 The audit shows the hospital lost about $16.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. This brought the hospitals net cash at the end of September 2022 to $3.1 million from $19.4 million at the end of September 2021.

 The hospitals pension trust fund at the end of September 2022 was about $46 million, down from $59.4 million in September 2021.

 The hospital saw about $14.1 million in charges of charity care excluded from revenues through the end of September 2022. Charity care is care provided without charge to patients who meet certain criteria.

Using a cost-to-charge ratio, the hospital provided charity care services of about $4.3 million in the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
(TBTCO) - Nhung dien bien moi ve gia ca hang hoa thiet yeu tai thi truong the gioi nhu gia dau the gioi tang tro lai, o trong nuoc gia thit lon ang o muc cao nhat tu au nam en nay, gia rau xanh nham nhe tang khi vao mua mua bao la nhung yeu to cac co quan quan ly phai tinh en trong qua trinh ieu hanh gia ca tu nay en cuoi nam.
Chinese premier meets with executive chairman of WEF

Xinhua) 09:43, June 27, 2023

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)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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
Lawmakers on a legislative health panel declined last week to move forward with a draft bill that would have made emergency medical services (EMS) an essential service in Wyoming and seen the state contribute directly to ambulance care for the first time.

The failed proposal to establish a state-backed grant program for EMS providers comes as first responders and the state wrestle with the sustainability of Wyomings fragile and precipitous ambulance infrastructure, a problem rooted in unstable funding and a declining workforce that those involved say has no clear or immediate solutions.

Members of the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee split over the proposal to make EMS an essential service during last weeks interim meeting in Evanston. Their vote ensured that the committee will not sponsor the draft bill during the 2024 legislative session and likely signifies that EMS will not garner the status in the near future.

Though it failed in front of the Legislatures health panel, the proposal could still be revived by individual lawmakers ahead of the next legislative session.

Under the draft bill, local governments across Wyoming would have been required to provide ambulance services for the first time. Unlike firefighting and law enforcement, which are designated essential services, EMS is not, meaning that counties and cities dont have to pay for ambulance services or ensure that their residents have access to them.

With the added requirement, the proposal would have created a state-funded grant program administered by the Wyoming Department of Health to cover the EMS costs that local governments could not afford, guaranteeing the survival and operation of ambulance providers across the state.

During the health committees first interim meeting in April, lawmakers voted by a slim 7-6 margin to draft an EMS essential service bill. The panel heard from EMS providers and the Wyoming Hospital Association who testified that state funding and labeling ambulance care an essential service would help to address some of the financial challenges making EMS increasingly difficult to sustain.

The second time around lawmakers on the health committee were again skeptical. They questioned the financial consequences of an EMS requirement, as well the role of the state in what some argued is a local issue.

In order to move this bill forward we would need to know what the fiscal impact would be, said Rep. Ben Hornok, R-Cheyenne. And we dont have that.

Hornok, Rep. Jeanette Ward, R-Casper, and Sens. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, and Lynn Hutchings, R-Cheyenne, pointed to the money that the state has previously funneled into EMS. A memo from the Legislative Service Office highlighted the states EMS Sustainability Trust, which was created in 2009 with $500,000 from the states Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund to pay for needs assessments for EMS providers. The state has also invested another $15 million in federal pandemic funds toward stabilizing EMS agencies and regionalization pilots to improve ambulance services across Wyoming.

I think its important that were provided information about  wheres that money gone so that we can make an informed decision, Hutchings said.

Wyoming has a patchwork of EMS services. Some agencies are private, others are run by hospitals, counties or rural health districts, making it difficult to pin down exactly how much the state would need to contribute, Jen Davis, the health and human services adviser for Gov. Mark Gordon, told lawmakers.

The states EMS agencies currently depend on local revenue and insurance reimbursement, but part of the problem is that ambulances are typically only reimbursed for transporting patients to hospitals or other health care facilities, EMS and health care officials testified in April. According to the Wyoming Department of Health, roughly 35% of all EMS calls are uncompensated in the state, leaving ambulance agencies and local governments on the hook to make up for those costs.

Some of those on the committee expressed concern that adding state funding wouldnt fix the reimbursement issues plaguing the industry, which stem in part from federal Medicaid and Medicare rules that categorize EMS agencies as transportation rather than health care providers. But those who testified urged lawmakers to address a worsening situation for ambulance agencies.

Medicare is a key component to this, but its also a place where we dont have control either, Davis said. We still have an issue that we have to solve.

Amid the hesitation, Sen. Fred Baldwin, R-Kemmerer, a co-chair of the committee, cautioned lawmakers about the potential consequences of inaction after Hornok advocated for the committee to see what impact a new bill allowing county boards to form EMS districts would have before taking action.

If we wait until we see whether that works or not, we may well lose some EMS districts, Baldwin said.

Davis told lawmakers that she knew of some communities who were considering creating EMS districts, which would require a local vote to raise property taxes to fund the new districts. Others have told the Governors office that would not be able to finance them, she said.

As the committee wavered, Davis acknowledged that there are no easy solutions to Wyomings EMS challenges. But, she said:

We have to do something.
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.

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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.
The Wyoming Department of Transportation was awarded nearly $1 million in federal money to replace diesel buses serving Teton Village with zero-emission, battery-powered models.

Workers and tourists rely on the public bus system for service around the resort destination, according to information about the grant published Monday. The hope is that the new buses will provide more reliable service thats less expensive to maintain.

The $945,178 in federal money will go toward the purchase of about four domestically manufactured electric buses, as well as the charging stations needed to support them.

The funding comes from a grant overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Transit Administration that helps states, local governments and territories buy or rent low or no-emission vehicles.

According to information about the grant published by the Federal Transit Administration, the Wyoming Department of Transportations accepting the money on behalf of Teton Villages service district.

The winners of the no and low-emission vehicle grant were announced alongside the winners of a similar Federal Transit Administration grant for public buses and bus facilities.

Awards from both programs will be distributed across 46 states and territories. (The Wyoming Department of Transportation is the only Wyoming agency to receive money from either program this year, according to the Federal Transit Administrations website)

In total, the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding $1.7 billion in grant money for the programs for the 2023 fiscal year. Both are funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
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.
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EYEING COUVA SEAT: Vanessa Kussie, right, widow of deceased diver Rishi Nagassar, will be contesting the new seat of Couva West/Roystonia in the August 14 local government election.
With concerns rising that more than 100 Venezuelan migrants who were held at a bar in St Jam
About a week ago, I wrote about a friend who was robbed on Stanmore Avenue. That was a Frida
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26)  Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday dismissed rumors tagging him in a supposed coup to oust Senate President Juan Miguel Migz Zubiri.

May mga tsismis, may nagma-Marites sa akin na ako raw ang papalit. Walang katotohanan yun, Estrada said during the Kapihan sa Senado press conference.

You can ask every single senator here kung meron akong kinausap, wala akong kinakausap dito, he added.

[Translation: There are rumors, gossip has reached me that I would take that position. There is no truth to it. You can ask every single senator here if I have talked to anyone -- I have not spoken to anyone here.]

Estrada refused to name where he heard the rumors from, but said these have been circulating even before Congress went on break on June 2. Coup plots are usually hatched overnight, Estrada noted.

He said hes not thinking about the Senate presidency and expressed full support for Zubiri.

Over the past weeks, the Senate came under fire for allegedly tampering with the Maharlika Investment Fund bill and for the supposed lack of decorum among some of its members.

Estrada disagrees with the changes made to the version of the Maharlika bill passed by the Senate and adopted by the House, but said he trusts that Zubiri knows how to handle the issue.

If you may call me a veteran senator, what I understand sa tagal ko dito you cannot alter, not even a period, not even a comma, yun ang aking pagkakaintindi, Estrada said.

[Translation: If you may call me a veteran senator, what I understand from the time I've spent here you cannot alter, not even a period, not even a comma, that's what I understand.]

He agrees with former Senate President Franklin Drilon that the chamber should have sent the third reading copy of the bill to the Palace and once signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pass another measure amending it to make the corrections.

If he asks my advice, why not, but of course the Senate President is very knowledgeable and very talented, Estrada added.

Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla, a first-time lawmaker, said Zubiri did not lack in reminding colleagues to observe decorum.

Hindi naman siya, very kind kasi pagdating naman sa lounge mahigpit si Sen. Migz, Padilla said.

Napaka-diplomatic niya na tao. Pero pag kami-kami lang nandoon talaga yung, lumalabas yung pagkamaestro, pagka-lakan, pagka-martial artist niya. Pag kami-kami lang sa lounge talagang yung order binibigay niya, he added.

[Translation: Sen. Migz can be very strict, but he is kind. He is very diplomatic. But when it's just us, he becomes a leader. When we are together in the lounge, he really gives the orders.]

Padilla said no one has talked to him about any attempt to change the Senate leadership, adding that if this is ever put to a vote, he would support Zubiri.

Other members of the majority bloc also came to Zubiris defense.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva called Zubiri an effective leader who has consistently built consensus among colleagues.

A good leader knows how to listen to his peers and this makes SP Migz the most fit to lead the Senate. He really is Zubiri-good. It's not just a play on his name, but an apt description of how he is as a Senate president, Villanueva said in a text message shared with reporters.

Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said Zubiris shoes will be too big to fill.

Thats why I dont think anyone will even attempt to wrest the Senates leadership from him, Ejercito said.

Senator Sonny Angara also does not see any imminent leadership change, saying Zubiri is well-liked for leading the chamber in a very professional and consultative manner.

Senator Imee Marcos, for her part, called for a stop to these rumors. Ang daming trabaho, tigilan na ang intriga," she said.

[Translation: There is a lot of work to be done, these rumors should stop.]

Senator Nancy Binay likewise said these "intrigues" should not be entertained, but stressed that the majority of senators are all happy and pleased with the current leadership.

Senator Win Gatchalian also said there was no truth to any talk of a change.

"There's no such thing. The members are very satisfied with the leadership of SP Zubiri. We have accomplished a lot under his guidance, he said.

Senator Bong Go said he was unaware that there was any talk of change, adding he trusts and supports the present leadership.

"We currently have a working and independent Senate with a very energetic and consultative leadership which has always made sure that every member is treated fairly and given the opportunity to be heard on matters regarding our function as senators of the Republic," he said.

In a media interview last Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda also sang praises for a very amiable Zubiri.

Why would you fix something thats not broken? Legarda said. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Zubiri is in Washington, D.C. on official business. I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, he said in a text message.
A Pima County Sheriffs Department deputy who accused her supervisor of sexually assaulting her at a Christmas party last year has filed a $900,000 claim against him, Pima County and other law enforcement officials.

Ricardo Garcia, a sergeant in the departments school resources unit, was arrested on suspicion of one count of sexual assault in January stemming from events at a house party he hosted. He was fired later that same month, the Arizona Daily Star previously reported.

The notice of claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, says the deputy attended a Christmas party for members of the school resource unit in December 2022 at the home of Garcia, her supervisor at the time. The claim seeks damages for the injuries and for the departments inadequate response.

At some point at the party the deputy felt that she was unable to drive home. Garcia and his girlfriend invited the deputy to stay in their spare room, where she went to rest and fell asleep, the claim said.

Sometime after midnight, Garcia allegedly sexually assaulted the unconscious woman. Another deputy at the party intervened and called for help, the claim said.

Garcia reportedly called and texted Joseph D. Cameron, the departments chief of staff. After a conversation Cameron called another sergeant and asked him to contact Garcia in his capacity as a union representative, the claim said.

The chain of command was not properly followed by either Ricky or Chief Cameron, as direct communication of this type is inappropriate under the circumstances, the claim said.

The next day, the deputy was made aware of the incident. The deputy who intervened notified the department and a patrol car was sent to Garcias home.

The deputy was interviewed in the patrol car and taken home. Later that morning, she went to the hospital and underwent a rape kit, which confirmed Garcias DNA was present, the claim said.

The deputy had previously met Garcia in 2007 when she was at the academy, but lost touch after Garcia transferred. She later became a sheriff deputy and the two reconnected in 2021, the claim said.

The deputy says she has suffered extreme post-traumatic stress symptoms, and is seeking ongoing counseling, the claim said.

The deputy has also experienced other pain, suffering, anxiety, harms and losses, including the inability to enjoy life and activities she previously enjoyed and difficulty in trusting others due to the defendants collective misconduct, the claim said.

The claim also states that Sheriff Chris Nanos knew or should have known that policies and practices of his department were inadequate to protect victims of crime and that there was a culture of avoiding proper channels and chain of command in conducting official business.

Failure to follow laws, rules and regulations caused and contributed to the deputys injuries and damages, the claim said.

The deputy seeks $225,000 from each of the defendants: Pima County, Nanos, Garcia and Cameron.

Defendants and the Pima County Sheriffs Department conducted themselves in a manner, in their individual or official capacities that clearly violated the established rights of the deputy, the claim said. Their actions caused and/or contributed to serious ongoing, and likely permanent injuries sustained by the deputy that resulted in her assault and rape, and the mismanagement of the following investigation.
Tucson police made an arrest in the killing of an 19-year-old man last week after they say his belongings were posted for sale at a nearby house.

The case started about 7:30 p.m. Thursday when Arath Robles Miranda was found unresponsive on the sidewalk on Tucsons south side, near South Ninth Avenue and West Ohio Street, police said in a news release.

The caller was performing CPR when officers arrived, but Miranda was declared dead at the scene. Miranda showed signs of trauma, police have said.

On Saturday, homicide detectives learned that items belonging to Miranda were listed for sale at a house in the 100 block of West Michigan Drive, about three blocks from where Miranda was killed, the news release said.

The departments SWAT unit eventually got into the house and found Francisco Sillik, 18, hiding in the attic area, the release.

Sillik was arrested and booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of one count each of first degree murder and armed robbery. Bond was set at $750,000.
The official high temperature for Tucson hit 111 today, Monday, June 26, the same top temp as recorded the day before.

Both days were the first over 110 degrees since July 11 last year, the National Weather Service says. The city's official temperatures are recorded at Tucson International Airport.

For Tuesday, "we're gonna be down just a touch," says weather service meteorologist Carl Cerniglia, as the weather service predicts a high of 109.

The area of high pressure above us that's been causing the high heat is weakening a bit, he explained. It led to an excessive heat warning for Tucson to start the week.

For the rest of the week, expect highs in the 106 to 108 range from Wednesday through next Monday, July 3, he says.

Monday's 111 in Tucson "did not come close to the all time high (period of record being 1894-2023) of 117 degrees reached this day in 1990," the weather service noted in a tweet.

Phoenix, meantime, has a 40% chance of hitting 115 on Sunday, says the National Weather Service office there. Phoenix's highs were 112 Monday and 111 Sunday, matching Tucson's that day.

As for Southern Arizona's monsoon season, and how soon moisture will arrive from Mexico, the weather service tweeted, "For the end of June, it's still not quite the best monsoon setup yet across Mexico. However, easterly flow is now noted across most of Mexico," and "thunderstorms were developing along the Sonoran and Chihuahua border."
Tucson is now the home to the ugliest of world champs.

And theres no way  or reason  to put a pretty face on it.

I am overjoyed and incredibly proud that Scooter has been crowned the winner of the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest, Scooters human, Linda Elmquist said in a news release. Despite the challenges he has faced with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination.

Scooter enjoyed choice cuts of filet mignon before appearing (much like a heavyweight champion of the world) on Mondays NBCs Today show, Elmquist posted on her Facebook page.

The prestigious Worlds Ugliest Dog competition, held annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, showcased canines that have defied adversity. Scooters journey was no different.

We are thrilled to have hosted another successful Worlds Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. This unique event allows us to celebrate the extraordinary resilience and beauty found within these special dogs, said Tawny Tesconi, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Scooters win is a testament to his remarkable journey and the indomitable spirit that resides within him. He has truly become an inspiration to people around the world.

Scooters story began when a breeder brought him, with two deformed hind legs, to an animal control facility in Tucson. The breeder intended to have the pup euthanized, but fate intervened.

A compassionate volunteer from Saving Animals from Euthanasia saw potential in Scooter and brought him to their rescue group, determined to find him a loving home.

Today, Scooter is not only surviving but thriving, unaware of any differences with other dogs. His handicap hasnt hindered him fearlessly navigating obstacles.

Years of having to deal with his impediment have allowed Scooter to learn to walk on his two front legs, although in his advanced age, he is known to take more rest stops, propping himself up on his butt like a tri-pod, according to a SAFE news release.

Luckily, Scooter has received therapy and a brand-new cart (or scooter) for his hind legs with funds raised from rescue groups and friends.

The yearly Worlds Ugliest Dog contest is held as a reminder that its the inner strength and resilience that truly define a dogs beauty. It also serves as a reminder of how important rescues and shelters are to helping preserve the lives of some of mans best friends.

While the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest is a celebration of the imperfections that make our dogs lovable, a good many of them are rescues from shelters and puppy mills, so we use the fun and notoriety of this competition to raise awareness for dog adoption, Tesconi said in a news release.

Dogs are like family and deserve loving homes no matter their physical distraction.
The millionaire mercenary chief who long benefitted from the powerful patronage of President Vladimir Putin has moved into the global spotlight with a dramatic rebellion against Russia's military that challenged the authority of Putin himself.

Yevgeny Prigozhin is the 62-year-old owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, a private army of inmate recruits and other mercenaries that has fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On Friday, he abruptly escalated months of scathing criticism of Russias conduct of the war, calling for an armed uprising to oust the defense minister, then rolled toward Moscow with his soldiers-for-hire.

As Putin's government declared a counterterrorism alert and scrambled to seal off Moscow, Prigozhin just as abruptly stood down the following day.

As part of a deal to defuse the crisis, he agreed to move to Belarus and was seen late Saturday retreating with his forces from Rostov-on-Don, a city where they had taken over the military headquarters.

Prigozhin and Putin go way back, with both born in Leningrad, what is now known as St. Petersburg.

During the final years of the Soviet Union, Prigozhin served time in prison  10 years by his own admission  although he does not say what it was for.

Afterward, he owned a hot dog stand and then fancy restaurants that drew interest from Putin. In his first term, 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 don't mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests," Prigozhin recalled in an interview published in 2011.

His businesses expanded significantly to catering and providing school lunches. In 2010, Putin helped open Prigozhin's factory that was built on generous loans by a state bank. In Moscow alone, his company Concord won millions of dollars in contracts to provide meals at public schools. He also organized catering for Kremlin events  earning him the nickname "Putin's chef"  and provided catering and utility services to the Russian military.

In 2017, opposition figure and corruption fighter Alexei Navalny accused Prigozhin's companies of breaking antitrust laws by bidding for some $387 million in Defense Ministry contracts.

Prigozhin also owns the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-allied mercenary force that has played a central role in Putin's projection of Russian influence in trouble spots around the world.

The United States, European Union, United Nations and others say the mercenary force 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. U.S. officials say Russia may also be using Wagner's work in Africa to support its war in Ukraine.

Prigozhin's mercenaries have become a major force in the war, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles with Ukrainian forces.

That includes Wagner fighters taking Bakhmut, the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. By last month, Wagner Group and Russian forces appeared to have largely won Bakhmut, a victory with strategically slight importance for Russia despite the cost in lives. The U.S. estimates nearly half of the 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine since December were Wagner fighters in Bakhmut. His soldiers-for-hire included inmates recruited from Russia's prisons.

Western countries and United Nations experts accused Wagner Group mercenaries of committing human rights abuses throughout Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali.

In December 2021, the European Union accused the group of "serious human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and killings," and of carrying out "destabilizing activities" in the Central African Republic, Libya, Syria and Ukraine.

Some of the reported incidents stood out in their grisly brutality.

In November 2022, a video surfaced online that showed a former Wagner contractor getting beaten to death with a sledgehammer after he allegedly fled to the Ukrainian side and was recaptured. The Kremlin turned a blind eye to it.

As his forces fought and died en masse in Ukraine, Prigozhin raged against Russia's military brass. In a video released by his team last month, he stood next to rows bodies he said were those of Wagner fighters. He accused Russia's regular military of incompetence and of starving his troops of the weapons and ammunition they needed to fight.

"These are someone's fathers and someone's sons," Prigozhin said then. "The scum that doesn't give us ammunition will eat their guts in hell."

Prigozhin also castigated the top military brass, accusing top-ranking officers of incompetence  remarks unprecedented for Russia's tightly controlled political system, in which only Putin could air such criticism.

Earlier this month, Putin reaffirmed his trust in the Russian military's General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, by putting him in direct charge of the Russian forces in Ukraine, which some observers also interpreted as an attempt to cut Prigozhin down to size.

Prigozhin gained some attention in the U.S., when he and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trump's 2016 election victory.
WASHINGTON  On the surface, the turmoil in Russia would seem like something for the U.S. to celebrate: a powerful mercenary group engaging in a short-lived clash with Russia's military at the very moment that Ukraine is trying to gain momentum in a critical counteroffensive.

But the public response by Washington has been decidedly cautious. Officials said the U.S. had no role in the conflict, insisted this was an internal matter for Russia and declined to comment on whether it could affect the war in Ukraine. The reason: to avoid creating an opening for Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize on the rhetoric of American officials and rally Russians by blaming his Western adversaries.

President Joe Biden told reporters Monday that the United States and NATO weren't involved. Biden said he held a video call with allies over the weekend and they are all in sync in working to ensure that they give Putin "no excuse to blame this on the West" or NATO.

"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."

Biden and administration officials declined to give 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.

"We're going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications from Russia and Ukraine," Biden said. "But it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going."

Putin, in his first public comments since the rebellion, said "Russia's enemies" 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."

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhin's 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.

Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said that 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 "don't want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin," McFaul said.

A feud between the Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Russia's 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 miles toward Moscow, before turning around on Saturday, in a deal whose terms remain uncertain.

National security spokesman John Kirby addressed one concern raised frequently 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 his lieutenants have made repeated references to Russia's nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine 16 months ago, aiming to discourage NATO countries from increasing their support to Ukraine.

"One thing that we have always talked about, unabashedly so, is that it's in nobody's 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.

Biden, in the first weeks after Putin sent tens of thousands of Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022, 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 other's closest major partner. The White House says Beijing has considered  but not followed through on  sending Russia weaponry for use in Ukraine.
PHOENIX  Upset with Gov. Katie Hobbs' executive order on abortion prosecutions, Republican lawmakers who until now have been slow to confirm her nominations are now bringing the process to a dead stop.

In a letter Monday to the Democratic governor, the three Republican members of the Committee on Director Nominations said their role, at least in part, is to ensure that the people she picks to head state agencies will follow the laws as written by the Legislature.

But Sens. Jake Hoffman, Sine Kerr and T.J. Shope said Hobbs' executive order Friday to strip the state's 15 county attorneys of their authority to prosecute abortion cases and give that to Attorney General Kris Mayes, a supporter of abortion rights, gives them "tremendous concerns about your office's future attempts to act outside its vested authority.''

"Based on your recent executive actions, we have grave concern that the direction you intend to provide to your nominees will not allow them to fulfill this obligation,'' wrote the senators from Queen Creek, Buckeye and Coolidge, respectively.

They want to meet with Hobbs, or at least with members of her administration, "to discuss any additional unlawful overreach your office intends to take requiring complicity from executive directors.''

Can serve for year without confirmation

Their decision to halt hearings  the next of which had been scheduled for Tuesday, June 27  has no immediate effects.

Gubernatorial nominees can serve for up to a year without Senate confirmation. That would allow each of those awaiting Senate action to keep their jobs, and and run the state agencies, into 2024.

But unless resolved before then, the decision would mean the people Hobbs has picked since taking office in January will be out when their year is up. That would force Hobbs to make new picks, submit their names and, depending on the Senate, go through the same thing again.

In a response, Hobbs' press aide Christian Slater did not address the executive order and whether the governor has the legal right to tell the 15 county attorneys they no longer have the authority to prosecute medical professionals who perform abortions. Instead, he lashed out at Hoffman.

"Sen. Hoffman has shown a reckless disrespect for small businesses, veterans, children and everyday Arizonans by failing to fairly consider nominees and holding state agencies hostage to his partisan political games,'' Slater said in a written statement. He made it clear that, as far as Hobbs is concerned, this latest maneuver by Hoffman isn't a big change from his previous stance on her nominees.

"Based on his current pace, Gov. Hobbs would not have all her nominees confirmed until her second term,'' Slater said.

Accused of 'conspiring' with Mayes

The ire of the three senators was not directed solely at the governor.

In their letter to Hobbs, they accused her of "conspiring'' with Mayes.

Mayes, a Democrat, was part of the decision-making process that led to Hobbs concluding that Arizona law entitles her to direct the attorney general to handle all future abortion cases. That effectively decriminalized abortion in Arizona, as Mayes contends the right of privacy built into the Arizona Constitution makes a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy beyond the reach of government.

Hobbs said she is concerned that a legal fight playing out in the Arizona Supreme Court could lead to conflicting conclusions among the 15 county attorneys about which of two state laws is enforceable: One that outlaws all abortions except to save the life of the mother, and the other which makes abortion legal through the 15th week of pregnancy.

An aide to Mayes confirmed she thinks the right to privacy includes so-called "late-term'' abortions which, even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last yer, were not performed in Arizona.

In a separate statement, Hoffman, who chairs the nominations committee, said Hobbs left lawmakers no choice.

"We are now forced to redirect our attention, from confirming directors and creating good policy for the people of Arizona, to examining the fallout of Hobbs' unconstitutional maneuver, as well as the likelihood of future overreaches of her authority,'' Hoffman said.

Hostilities

Hoffman also chairs the Arizona Freedom Caucus, composed of GOP lawmakers who espouse limits on government and taxes. The caucus has become more vocal and combative this year, even saying in its self-description on Twitter that "Katie Hobbs' Democratic Fascism will not win under our watch.''

That hostility has flowed both ways as Hobbs has been openly critical of Hoffman, saying he has slow-walked hearings on her nominees.

"I don't think fake elector Jake Hoffman is interested in good government at all,'' she said in February as he criticized her selection and vetting process of nominees.

That refers to the fact that Hoffman was one of the 11 names sent by the Arizona Republican Party to Congress as electors pledged to vote for Donald Trump after the 2020 election despite the fact Joe Biden won in Arizona and was entitled to the state's 11 electors.

"He's interested in creating a stage for his political theater,'' Hobbs said.

She said what the Senate has been doing is "serving to potentially grind government to a halt.''

Earlier this year the committee recommended that the full Senate not confirm Teresa Cullen, the Pima County health director, to head the Arizona Department of Health Services.

They raised questions because Pima County had some of the most stringent public health rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and often was at odds with former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican. Hobbs withdrew the nomination, but not before the full Senate, insisting it had not gotten the message, voted to reject Cullen.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

In the days when schools could teach without radical political or religious interference, teachers taught us civics. We discussed and learned about the country in which we live. Watching TV and talking to people, I realized that over two-thirds of this countrys citizens know less than immigrants who work hard to become citizens. I know this is true for politicians.

I remember learning that before making any major decisions, I should try the Ben Franklin Close. When pondering a choice or sale, Franklin would take a piece of paper and with his quill pen, draw a line across the top and another down the center.

On the left side, (ironically) he wrote PROS and on the right, CONS. The side with the most listings was usually how his decision was reached. We should all do that when voting for one of the most prominent political parties, left or right. I learned how the left wing and right wing designations came to be.

In France (1789), as the French Revolution intensified, an angry mob stormed the Bastille. The National Assembly assembled for the first time to act as the revolutions government. And the assembly had the immediate and foremost goal of writing its own constitution.

At the debate, the question was whether to allow the king absolute power to veto. As the vote was conducted, those in favor of the resolution, who wanted to maintain things as usual, sat on the right side of the assemblys president. While the more progressive, seeking a change in the status quo, sat on his left side of the assembly. Those terms have survived 234 years. However, they didnt enter politics until the early 20th century.

Our nation was sparked by FDRs New Deal program of hope and progress during his term. People referred to communists as leftists or radicals. Being left became a negative. Most people were comfortable with what they knew and what they had. Change wasnt popular in the mid-20th century, not after the wars. People wanted stability, the very reason FDR was reelected four times.

Many of those who knew no better wrongly associated the left with communists who were radical and would create change in the name of progress. Some elected leaders, including a former president, still use the term communist to denigrate Democrats. This makes it sound like communists and socialists are the same, confusing the people. For instance, in July 2020, this former president referred to Democrats as far-left, radical socialists to discredit their policies.

NAZIs did not believe in collective resource ownership. They supported the idea of a hierarchical society with limited government control. They also believed in racial superiority and the subjugation of inferiors, women and the disabled, etc.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey  one of the country's first two openly lesbian elected governors and a descendant of Irish immigrants  addressed the Irish Senate on Tuesday to help commemorate the 30th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland.

It was not so long ago, when the story of Irish-American unity, and the story of gay liberation would never have been told together, Healey said in her speech to the Senate. Im here to say they are stories of the same people, threads in the same fabric that binds us across time and strengthens us to face the future.

Ireland passed a law decriminalizing homosexual acts in 1993. Nearly two decades later, the predominantly Catholic nation legalized same-sex marriage, by popular vote, in 2015. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide the same year.

Its been 19 years since we secured marriage equality in Massachusetts  eight years since both the citizens of Ireland and the Supreme Court of the United States, just one month apart, declared that 'love is love' once and for all, Healey said.

Healey's trip also coincides with the 60th anniversary of a state visit to Ireland by another Massachusetts Democrat  President John F. Kennedy  that helped usher in an economic and cultural partnership between the two countries.

Healey's agenda during the weeklong trip, which begins and ends in Dublin, also includes business development meetings with Irish business leaders in technology and clean energy. Her visit doubles as a trade mission, her first since taking office in January.

Healey's pitch is that Massachusetts offers a lot that Irish businesses will find attractive, from the state's world-class education and research institutions to our cutting-edge biotechnology and clean energy sectors to our commitment to protecting civil rights and freedom.

Healey traces her Irish ancestry on her mothers side to Ballinasloe, County Galway. Her maternal great-grandmother Katherine Tracy emigrated to America at age 16 in 1912. On the paternal side, Healeys grandfather came from Kilgarvan, County Kerry, and her grandmother came from Macroom, County Cork.

Healey said her story is just one of millions of emigrant stories that helped build Massachusetts and the United States.

Our Irish ancestors left behind everything they knew and worked hard to give us all we would need, Healey said. I was raised with the values they passed on  taking care of your family, taking responsibility for the welfare of your community, and looking out for those who need a helping hand.

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will serve as Massachusetts acting governor during Healey's trip.
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.
Breeze Airways will resume nonstop flights between Tulsa and New Orleans beginning in September, the airline announced Tuesday.

The nonstop route to New Orleans will begin on Sept. 22, with service on Mondays and Fridays, at fares starting from $39 one way if purchased by July 3.

We are excited to welcome back Breezes nonstop service to New Orleans to the Tulsa market, said Andrew Pierini, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Tulsa International Airport.

New Orleans continues to be one of our top unserved destinations, and we are thrilled Tulsans will have this nonstop back for their travels.

Breeze is bringing back nonstop service from Tulsa to the Big Easy, said Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey. And well continue service on beyond New Orleans to Orlando with a fast no plane change BreezeThru service.

From Tulsa, Breeze will also offer one stop/no plane change service to Orlando, Florida.

Breeze offers its guests both bundled and a la carte options known as "Nice, Nicer and Nicest."

The "Nicest" bundle includes Breeze Ascent, two checked bags, and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

Breeze currently flies both short distance and transcontinental flights within the U.S. on a fleet of Embraer 190/195 and Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The carrier has ordered 80 A220s, with options for 40 more.

Breeze doesnt charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing.

Breeze Airways began service in May 2021. A year later, it was ranked the No. 2 U.S. best domestic airline of 2021 by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

Breeze now offers a mix of about 150 year-round and seasonal nonstop routes among 35 cities in 21 states.

Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze has a focus of providing efficient and affordable flights between secondary airports, bypassing hubs for shorter travel times, the airline said.

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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.

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Food giveaway for 500 families Tuesday

Food on the Move will host a Storm Recovery Community Food and Resource Festival at the Greenwood Cultural Center.

Cherokee Nation District 13 also is partnering on the event  5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 322 N. Greenwood Ave.  to help families replenish groceries lost after the June 18 severe storms.

So many Tulsa neighborhoods were devastated, and many residents have gone days without power, Food on the Move CEO and President Kevin Harper said in a news release.

The first 500 families at the event will receive 10 pounds of meat, dairy products, fresh produce, meals from local food trucks, and a variety of resources from local community partners.

To find out more or contribute toward the effort, go to foodonthemoveok.com.
As many as 80 Vietnamese enterprises are participating in the three-day 18th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF), which opened in Guangdong Province, China on Tuesday.

The fair attracts around 1,000 firms from 20 countries and territories.

Vietnamese enterprises attend the fair to promote images and typical export products of Vietnam, seek new partners, and connect with international enterprises.

Reaching Guangdong three days ago to prepare for the introduction of Vietnamese durians at the fair, Mai Xuan Thin, director of Ho Chi Minh City-based Red Dragon Co. Ltd., said, This is the first time I have taken part in a fair in China.

I have exported durians to Japan and South Korea for 9-10 years. However, to export durians to China and compete [with rivals in this market], I have spent a year preparing and [our companys] sixth shipping container [of durians] will arrive in China tonight."

He hoped to boost durian exports to build his companys brand although the firm has many other key products.

Ho Chi Minh City-based Red Dragon Co. Ltd. has prepared for a year to export durians to China. Photo: Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre

Also participating in the fair for the first time, Vietnamese dairy giant Vinamilk introduced Ong Tho condensed milk.

Vinamilk has ventured into the Chinese market since 2019 but it has faced huge challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company returned to CISMEF to continue seeking to expand its markets and increase its revenue in the second half of the year and the following years.

Nguyen Minh The Nguyet, general director of Can Tho-headquartered Westfood Exporting and Processing JSC, which has also joined the fair for the first time, said the company has advantages in owning pineapple cultivation areas in the Mekong Delta region.

We introduce products in which we have strengths to seek partners and promote processed fruits to such a large market as China, Nguyet said.

Other Vietnamese firms, such as Trung Nguyen Group, Quang Ngai Sugar JSC, and Topfood JSC, will also display their products at the fair.

Vietnamese firms introduce traditional folk paintings at the fair. Photo: Thao Thuong / Tuoi Tre

Visiting booths of Vietnamese firms, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said China resumed the fair after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

This is an opportunity for small and medium enterprises to access the Chinese market, the largest trade partner of Vietnam," the deputy minister said.

Vietnamese goods quality must be high to conquer this market.

In the first five months of this year, Vietnam exported US$19.8 billion worth of products to China and spent $42.4 billion on imports from the northern neighbor, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

China remains a potential market for Vietnams exports thanks to the close distance, and lower logistics costs and risks compared with other markets.

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South Koreas LG Innotek will spend US$1 billion developing a plant in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam in the 2023-25 period, taking its total investment in the port city to $2 billion.

The Hai Phong Peoples Committee granted an investment registration certificate to the South Korean firm on Monday.

The citys delegation led by Le Tien Chau, secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee, worked with the leaders of LG Corporation and its subsidiary LG Innotek in South Korea on June 13.

During the working session, the leader of LG Innotek signed a memorandum of understanding with the municipal Peoples Committee to expand its investment and operation at the Trang Duc industrial park in An Duong District.

After three working days, the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority asked for the green light from the Hai Phong administration to issue the certificate to LG Innotek Vietnam Hai Phong Company to demonstrate its determination in simplifying administrative procedures and improving the business climate.

Le Trung Kien, head of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority, said that the city presented an investment registration certificate to the firm's factory in 2016.

In September 2017, the facility located in the Trang Due industrial park was put into operation.

The plant, projected to cost $1 billion, specializes in producing camera modules, with a workforce of 3,500 workers.

The hike in LG Innoteks investment will contribute to raising the total foreign direct investment into Hai Phong to $1.9 billion in the first half of 2023, reaching 95 percent of the citys full-year target.

The additional capital will be used to build a smart plant that is expected to create jobs for 2,600 workers, and help the firm earn $400 million per year and contribute VND100 billion ($4.2 million) to the state budget, Kien said.

Le Tien Chau expects LG Corporation in general and LG Innotek in particular to keep expanding their reach and carry out some new projects to make more contributions to the citys development.

Chau also pledged to create more favorable conditions for foreign investors, simplify administrative procedures, and lift obstacles facing firms, paving the way for them to do business in the city.

Le Tien Chau (standing), secretary of the Hai Phong City Party Committee, is committed to supporting the South Korean firm. Photo: D. Thanh / Tuoi Tre

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The Can Gio international transshipment port project in the namesake outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and contribute VND34-40 trillion (US$1.4-1.7 billion) to the state budget per year, according to the municipal Department of Transports study of the port project.

The study sent to the municipal Peoples Committee showed that the port will create jobs for some 6,000-8,000 laborers on the spot and tens of thousands of employees in logistics services.

The port will be built on Con Cho Islet in the Cai Mep Estuary, located in Can Gio District.

The area is isolated from adjacent areas and has favorable connectivity with navigational channels and waterways.

The Can Gio international transshipment port will span some seven kilometers and be capable of receiving container vessels up to 250,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) or 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The port, which carries a price tag of over VND124 trillion ($5.3 billion), will use electricity for its operations to become the first green port in Vietnam.

Preparations for the development of the port will be done by 2024, while the construction of the port will last from 2024 to 2026.

The port is expected to be put into operation in 2027.

By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City will have built Can Gio Bridge linking Can Gio and Nha Be Districts, expand Rung Sac Road in Can Gio, and connect the road with the Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway.

The city will later develop roads connecting the port with Rung Sac Road, an elevated road along Rung Sac Road, and a metro line connecting the Can Gio sea urban area and the citys fourth metro line planned to stretch from District 12 to Nha Be District.

The development of the Can Gio international transshipment port is vital in the 2021-23 period to enhance Vietnam's competition with other regional countries and create breakthroughs in the development of the marine economy in the southern key economic zone and the whole country, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport.

The port, when in place, is expected to attract huge investment from enterprises to develop modern infrastructure facilities.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest shipping company, has expressed its interest in investing in the port project.

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The European Union (EU) plan to ban the import of coffee produced on deforested or degraded land from the end of 2024 puts pressure on the Vietnamese coffee sector to do its best to comply with the new regulation.

The ban is part of the EUs Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) that was approved by the EU Parliament on April 19 to guarantee that the products EU citizens consume do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation worldwide, according to the European Commission (EC).

The new rule will take effect around December 2024 and January 2025, which means the Vietnamese coffee sector has around 18 months to prepare to meet the EUDR standards, according to the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa).

By promoting the consumption of deforestation-free products, the new rule is expected to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, the EC stated.

Coffee is among various commodities subject to the EUDR, including cocoa, palm oil, and rubber, plus products derived from them, such as chocolate, tires, and shoes.

This is a great challenge to Vietnams billion-dollar coffee industry since out of 90,000ha of Vietnams forests lost in 2021, about 8,000ha are in coffee growing areas, said Nguyen Nam Hai, chairman of Vicofa.

This issue must be addressed as soon as possible if they are to continue being used to grow coffee because the beans grown there will be classified as having been cultivated on deforested land, Hai stressed.

The Vicofa leader also warned about the increased risk of farmers destroying forests to farm coffee since the domestic coffee price has recently reached VND70,000 (US$3) per kilogram, the highest over the past 15 years.

According to Vicofa, the EU is a key export market for Vietnamese coffee as it represents about 40 percent of Vietnams annual coffee exports.

The coffee booth of Vietnams Phuc Sinh Corporation at the World of Coffee Athens 2023 that ended in Athens, Greece on June 24, 2023. Photo: Minh Thanh / Tuoi Tre

With 662,000 tonnes of coffee, worth nearly 1.54 billion ($1.68 billion), exported to the EU in 2022, Vietnam is now the blocs second-largest supplier of coffee, just behind Brazil.

Enterprises buying Vietnamese coffee are mostly large corporations such as Nestle, JDE, Newmanm, and Louis Dreyfus, among others.

If it is to stabilize the market share of coffee exports to the EU, Vietnams coffee industry must strive to comply with the EUDR, Hai said.

There is not much time left before the new rule comes into force, so it is necessary to accelerate our preparations to meet it, the association head urged.

Tran Thi Quynh Chi, regional director of the Sustainable Trade Initiative, headquartered in the Netherlands, said that Vietnam is one of the countries considered to have very low rates of deforestation due to coffee production.

Chi cited an assessment from a very large buyer in Europe as saying the deforestation rate for coffee production in Vietnam was only 0.1 percent, which represents great potential for Vietnamese coffee not to violate the EUDR.

Despite agreeing with Hais assessment, Chi warned that Vietnam is still at risk as farmers may destroy forests for coffee production in the coming time to earn more profit from coffee prices being on the rise.

She also recommended that preparations under the EUDR should be made according to a suitable road map, as it is hard to implement all solutions at the same time.

In order to conform to the new rule, it is a must to boost the traceability of coffee in Vietnam by improving the coordination among coffee growers, traders, and exporters, Hai said.

Nguyen Phu Hung, chairman of the Vietnam Forestry Science and Technology Association, called for training courses to keep the farmers well informed about the anti-deforestation regulation.

Under the EUDR, the Vietnamese coffee sector must apply global positioning systems for each specific coffee-growing area, based on which deforestation risks are monitored by remote sensing systems, said Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, director of International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

"The industry will face many challenges to meet all EUDR standards. However, challenges also come with opportunities for boosting exports and we must be ready to take advantage of this opportunity, Tuan said.

He added Vietnam desperately needs the legal assistance of the EU as well as other partners to make reports and declarations in line with EUDR.

Strict compliance with the new regulation will help coffee products from Vietnam be more competitive in the EU market than those from countries that have yet to meet it, Tuan commented.

Currently, a major part of Vietnams total coffee acreage basically meets EUDR standards, he noted.

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Crowds of visitors to the 2023 THAIFEX-Anuga Asia food and beverage exhibition in Bangkok in late May were attracted to a Vietnamese booth where they were served with hot and appetizing Vietnamese foods including beef pho, bun ca (fish vermicelli soup), bun tom (shrimp vermicelli soup), and xoi ga (chicken sticky rice).

The dishes were actually not directly cooked on site, but they retained their original taste thanks to the freezing technology of Hanoi-based QP Foods.

The frozen Vietnamese delicacies have received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with consumers praising the convenience and remarkable flavor of the offerings.

Among those who came to taste the food, international retail groups also offered to import and distribute the packed frozen Vietnamese dishes.

A supplied photo shows a bowl of 'bun tom' (shrimp vermicelli soup) produced by QP Foods.

QP Foods was founded in 2021 and run by Quy Phuong, who earned a PhD in information and communication science from Pantheon-Assas University in France.

Inspired by the renowned French Picard brand of frozen foods, known for its quality and exceptional taste, Phuong embarked on a mission to create convenient and delectable Vietnamese cuisine.

On her journey with her husband Vu Duy, the couple believed that freeze drying and freezing traditional Vietnamese dishes using modern technologies are among the best ways to keep the deliciousness of Vietnamese food when bringing it to the world.

QP Foods freezes the complete meal cooked from freshly-caught ingredients to preserve the flavor and texture.

The process of fast freezing the dish within two hours at -48 degrees Celsius or freeze drying right after processing the food quickly transforms the finished meal into a state of bacterial resistance to preserve intact nutrients, flavors, and especially the original texture of meat, fish, and shrimp for a long time.

The authentic Vietnamese dishes that Phuong and Duy have developed are also processed with ingredients and spices with natural antibacterial characteristics, such as fish sauce, anise, and cinnamon.

In addition, the traditional way of preparing and disinfecting foods with organic additives such as lemon, ginger, wine, and vinegar helps safeguard the original texture of the ingredients.

By freezing the meals at their peak freshness, Phuong and Duy's enterprise successfully captures the essence of Vietnamese cuisine, ready to be savored at any time.

A photo shows a dish of frozen 'com tam' (broken rice topped with grilled pork chop and steamed egg meatloaf) by QP Foods after being reheated. Photo: Supplied

I have traveled to dozens of countries just to eat and experience the flavors and tastes, but for me, there is no such a pure, balanced, sophisticated culinary style that is as diverse as Vietnamese cuisine, said Vu Duy, CEO of QP Foods.

For me, the inspiration to build a global brand focusing on food processing technology is the Vietnamese cuisine, which consists of delicious and healthy dishes prepared by a loving heart of Vietnamese grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and wives.

Quy Phuong (fifth from left) and Vu Duy (fourth from right) pose for a picture with their team at their booth while attending the 2023 THAIFEX-Anuga Asia food and beverage exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2023. Photo: Supplied

A goal to add value to Vietnamese ingredients

Phuong and Duy have always had another goal with their brand, which is to add value to Vietnamese ingredients.

CEO Duy recalled when he had the opportunity to accompany a Maltese business partner to visit one of Vietnam's most modern and large-scale white-leg shrimp farms, with an output of up to 10,000 metric tons a year.

According to the businessman from Malta, just by putting the tasty shrimp he had at the farm on the table at his restaurants in the beautiful resorts of Malta, its value could increase 30 times.

However, reality showed that shrimp farmers in Vietnam had been working exceptionally hard but the profit, even with such a large output, was just enough to cover the cost of technology, as well as ensure production scale and capacity.

The added value is almost zero or very small, but the couple aims to change that.

A supplied photo shows a bowl of 'bun ca' (fish vermicelli soup) produced by QP Foods.

They did not hide their ambition to raise the price of tilapia which fetches about US$2 per kilogram to nearly $20 in a box of QP Foods fish vermicelli soup thanks to the freezing technology.

At THAIFEX, the fish vermicelli soup brought by Phuong, Duy, and their team was a success as its freshwater tilapia is completely free of the risk of allergies, and is not subject to the regulations on protecting the livestock and fishing industries in some countries.

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What you need to know today in Vietnam:

Politics

-- Vietnam and China agreed to jointly build their shared land border into one of peace, stability, cooperation and development, and properly control differences, maintain peace and stability at sea, as well as foster coordination at international and regional forums, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang said during their talks on Monday, part of the formers ongoing four-day visit to China.

Society

-- Police in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Monday inspected a club in Duc Trong District and found that 26 out of the 96 customers tested positive for drugs.

-- The management authority of Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City will consider allowing Saigon Taxi Transport Company (Cheap Taxi) and Saigontourist Transport Corporation (Saigontourist Taxi), which were earlier forced to suspend taxi services at the airport as their drivers committed taxi fare scams, to resume their operations at the airport if they can address their violations within 15 days, according to the airports statement sent to the two firms.

-- The administration in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on Sunday caught two people red-handed transporting 34 bricks of heroin from Laos to Vietnam, local authorities said on Monday.

Business

-- The People's Committee of Hai Phong City in northern Vietnam held a conference on Monday to present a certificate to South Koreas LG Innotek approving its additional investment of US$1 billion in 2023-25, raising the company's total investment in the city to over $2 billion.

-- The Can Gio international transshipment port project in the namesake outlying district of Ho Chi Minh City is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and contribute VND34-40 trillion ($1.4-1.7 billion) to the state budget per year, according to the municipal Department of Transports study on the port project.

-- The investor of the Bien Hoa  Vung Tau Expressway project, linking southern Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces, has proposed using soil dug from the construction site of the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai for leveling the site of the expressway project.

Lifestyle

-- Hanoi City has topped a list of the worlds most trending cities for solo travel with searches for solo travel in Hanoi in 2022 surged a massive 946 percent year on year, according to a report by the UK-based adventure travel company Explore Worldwide.

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Households in the Nguyen Quyen apartment building in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City faced a power outage on Monday due to unpaid electric bills.

A resident of the apartment building located at 279 Phan Anh Street in Binh Tri Dong Ward told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday evening that the blackout had turned the residents lives upside down.

The power cut started from 11:00 am, leading to a shutoff of all electric equipment and devices.

Elevators stopped working, while the households in the building suffered a shortage of water due to a shutdown of the main water pump.

We have repeatedly faced energy blackouts, N., resident in the building, recounted.

Many residents said that Nguyen Quyen Company, the investor of the apartment building, had failed to install a power substation for the building to hand over meters to Binh Phu Electricity Company.

Nguyen Quyen Company is in charge of installing meters at all the apartments of the building and collecting energy bills.

The households in the building pay power bills to Nguyen Quyen Company each month, but the firm has constantly delayed its payments to the electricity supplier, causing havoc for the residents.

Repeated power shutoffs have affected the daily activities of 170 households with over 500 people in the apartment building, and might pose a threat to the safety of residents as well as security, said T., a resident of the building.

A power outage shuts down elevators in the Nguyen Quyen apartment building in Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: T.K. / Tuoi Tre

Over the past few months, the residents in the building have repeatedly asked the investor to guarantee their benefits.

T. said that officials came to the building to check the situation, and work with the relevant units on Monday evening, so the electricity was restored at 8:00 pm.

Binh Phu Electricity Company told Tuoi Tre that Nguyen Quyen Company had delayed paying its power bills many times.

After receiving a notice about overdue electricity bills, or power outages, the firm sent a letter asking to delay payments for different reasons, according to the power supplier.

Since early 2022, Binh Phu Electricity Company has sent many dispatches to Nguyen Quyen Company prompting the latter to pay power bills, and responding to its requests.

Though the electricity provider adopted various drastic measures, Nguyen Quyen Company presented many reasons to delay its payments.

As of June 15, Nguyen Quyen Company had failed to pay eight power bills worth over VND400 million (US$17,000), forcing Binh Phu Electricity Company to cut power as announced previously.

Ngo Van Xuan, a representative of Nguyen Quyen Company, told Tuoi Tre that the firm had been in dispute with the electricity supplier since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

Xuan also showed the firms letter for help.

The letter details many disputes between the two firms over power bills and concerns over impacts on residents from power shutoffs.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it may consider a localized postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental.

"Kung wala namang ebidensya talaga na may takot ang kababayan natin sa ilang bayan dito sa Negros, bakit mo naman idadamay yung ibang bayan," Comelec Chairman George Garcia told a press briefing.

[Translation: If there's no evidence that our countrymen in some towns here in Negros are afraid, why include those towns?]

On Monday, nine mayors urged Comelec to postpone the BSKE, citing a "lingering atmosphere of terror" in the aftermath of the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo, and other political killings.

The joint statement was signed by Degamos widow and Pampolona Mayor Janice Degamo along with the mayors of Dauin, San Jose, Dumaguete, Bindoy, Siaton, Ayungon, Guihulngan, and Tayasan.

The Diocesan Electoral Board of Dumaguete is also in favor of postponing or delaying the Oct. 30 polls by a month.

The electoral board said there is a "political crisis" in the province manifested through Degamo's murder last March 4.

"A summation of ugly politics in the province. The election of the barangay and SK officials in Negros Oriental are now visibly politicized, and highly influenced by partisan politics," read the statement.

Comelec is currently conducting a three-day consultation on the matter, but said coming up with a decision will take a while as it will have to establish a legal basis for the postponement.

Under the Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code, the Commission, motu proprio, has the power to postpone an election if there are "violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature that the holding of a free, orderly, and honest election."

Garcia said they will release a decision by the last week of September up to the first week of October.

"Whatever the decision is of the Commission will always be based on whatever is the interest of the province and the interest of what democracy is all about," he said.

LINK: Comelec hopes to decide on suspension of BSKE in Negros Oriental by September
Dateline tonight features a report, The Best Place To Have A Baby?

Janice Petersen meets the new parents spending a month in a luxury post-natal hotel in Taiwan. Do these centres and the tradition of confinement give mum and baby a better start?

She writes, The Chinese tradition of postpartum confinement, known as zuo yue zi or sitting the month, is a time for new mothers to recover after childbirth.

Traditionally, a mother or mother-in-law would be housebound with the new mum for 30 to 40 days to help care for the baby and let her rest. The rules for new mothers are strict in order to prevent them from getting cold and ill. No going outside. No showers or washing hair. Keeping feet warm. Drinking a lot of ginseng tea and eating special dishes.

In Taiwan, this ancient practice has been given a modern and luxurious spin. For a price, high-end post-birth facilities offer to take the stress out of the first month by pampering new parents while their baby is in the caring hands of professionals.

9:30pm tonight on SBS.
Joanna Lumley has filmed her latest travel series Joanna Lumleys Spice Trail Adventure, set to premiere in the UK.

The four-part series through the worlds greatest spice continents visits Indonesia, Zanzibar & Jordan, India and Madagascar.

She begins in the remote Indonesian island, Banda, which was once the only place on earth where nutmeg grew, before travelling to her birthplace, India, in search of black gold.

The next stop is the African island of Madagascar, on the trail of the second most expensive spice in the world, vanilla, before the vast plains of Wadi Rum in Jordan on the back of a camel and the ancient city of Petra.

The original idea was to follow the story of spices, because in this country we can now get every spice under the sun and we revel in them, she said.

But we used to only have salt and pepper and mustard and that was about it. For this trip we thought, lets see where all these astonishing spices came from and how they came to be in this country and the history of that. We had done the silk road adventure and so we called this series the spice trail, because there is something about spices, that they are usually ground into powder when we get them, that had a gorgeous sense of following a trail of them.

But there was also a darker side to the spice trade.

We all know about colonialism which has been going on since time began. Somebody going somewhere else and saying, I like what youve got, Ill take it. In those days people were killed and treated abominably as slaves. It was very violent and a dreadful time and seeing paintings depicting that on this trip broke my heart. But it was in every country of the world. It was important for us to acknowledge that in this series.

An Australian premiere is yet to be announced.
The security forum has been hailed as very beneficial and a unique exercise in forming policy on its final day of discussions at Dublin Castle.

Forum chair Professor Louise Richardson said she could think of no other country that has had such an open and transparent discussion around foreign security policy.

Environment minister Eamon Ryan said the event had been very beneficial.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Prof Richardson said most countries make these decisions among a small group of senior officials instead of an open airing of wide-ranging opinions.

She said she would now read the 300 submissions made to date, copies of the transcripts from the forum, refer to her extensive notes from the discussions, aiming to synthesise and analyse the past four days.

When asked had she been given direction on how to compile the report, she replied: Im an academic, I dont take direction  and Im an independent chair  so, no, theres been no effort to give me direction.

In his closing speech, Tanaiste Micheal Martin made reference to those who care passionately about the subject of security and neutrality  referring to those who protested inside and outside the forum.

He said the four days of discussions between academics and experts in Cork, Galway and Dublin had just scratched the surface of the global issues.

As a militarily-neutral country, our security, indeed our very existence as a sovereign state, relies on the compliance by all nations, however large and powerful, with the rules-based international order, he said.

We cannot ignore the reality that Russias actions have emboldened those who would like to see a world where might is right, and that size and military power, rather than international law, governs how the world functions.

His thanks to Prof Richardson for chairing proceedings with authority and with grace drew applause from the audience as proceedings came to a close.

Micheal Martin speaking at the end of the fourth day of the consultative forum on international security policy (Niall Carson/PA)

Prof Richardson told reporters afterwards that though it would be disingenuous to suggest that everybody in Ireland is suddenly sitting around talking about the triple lock, she believed far more people would be aware of it now than before the forum began.

Given that it was about raising awareness and launching a conversation, I think that is success, she said.

Addressing the forum about the triple lock, Green Party leader Mr Ryan said a more flexible version of it would ensure that Irish troops could take part in peacekeeping missions abroad while also protecting Irelands neutral stance.

This would involve requiring that a peacekeeping mission be approved by the Dail, the Seanad and the UN Security Council  or a regional organisation such as the African Union or the European Union.

As he concluded, former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna criticised the partys proposal.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr Ryan said he had listened to criticism of the proposal to change the triple lock, but that he disagreed.

This policy does strengthen, in my mind, our military neutrality. It has to be a functional one, he said.

Environment minister Eamon Ryan defended the Green Party proposal to change the triple lock (Niall Carson/PA)

Its for peacekeeping, where weve had real strength as a country, and to make sure we can do that in an effective way, if we decide to do so, with a triple lock thats relevant to the world today.

Because I dont think anyone would argue that the UN Security Council is a functioning system.

He said more resources were needed across Irelands security forces.

One thing we do need to do  and this is going across our security forces  we need resources, he said.

We do need to resource the Defence Forces at sea with radar and in the air. We need to have capability where we can get people out  not meeting every eventuality, but more than we have at the present.

We dont have sufficient resources in our Defence Forces to sometimes carry out those critical, immediate, emergency responses that we do need to be able to do.

He also defended the approach of the forum.

Forum chair Professor Louise Richardson, right (Niall Carson/PA)

He said that Prof Richardson had said it had been a very unique exercise, very (few) other governments would hold open public forums in terms of how they develop their security policy.

So, I think it has been very beneficial, its not over, there is up until July 7 for people to make their submissions, he said.

The more people who follow through on that, I think, the better.

Speaking to reporters after bringing the forum to a close, Prof Richardson described the four days as extraordinary and brought new issues to the fore such as the implications of Northern Ireland being in Nato in the context of a new Ireland.

She said: I would hope that those who were critical, who came and attended the sessions, actually felt reassured that this was actually an open process.

I wouldnt anticipate that their strongly-held views have been radically altered, I would certainly hope that they had a lot more faith in this process than they had at the beginning.

I would hope that they heard some things that caused them to at least to revisit their views.
This Couple Found A Secret Window In Their Hotel Room And Totally Hacked Their All-Inclusive

@raene1

Have you ever wished the curfew of an all-inclusive holiday could be just a tiny bit later?

One family from the UK definitely did on their holiday in Greece, as they headed back to their room for the 11pm finish time after enjoying the food and drink of the hotel.

However, instead of feeling disappointed that they could no longer indulge, they had a secret way of keeping themselves imbibed post-11pm.

A secret window in their Crete hotel room that leads to the hotel bar!

A video posted by TikToker @raene1 showed a man pulling back a small curtain in a hotel room to reveal a window, which he then opens to reveal the back of the hotel bar. That's right, totally free reign of the entire bar...

The man then beings to pour himself a pint. Finders keepers, we guess?

The video has gone totally wild online, with 4.9 million views since it was posted late last week. It's also gained over 350,000 likes and nearly 3,000 comments, most of which were asking which hotel the family were staying at.

One TikToker commented revealing the location of the hotel, but not the name, confirming it was a hotel in Crete, Greece and that they'd stayed in that room themselves.

"We stayed in same room loved it !! Crete," she said.

Another commented: "Room with a brew."

Some were worried that posting the video would cause the hotel to notice and block off the window, causing others to miss out on experiencing the free out-of-hours bar.

The account then posted another video showing the view from the window when the pool bar was open, which opens between 11am and 6pm, left unattended and ripe for the taking!
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg met seven national leaders in The Netherlands ahead of a key summit in Lithuania (Simon Wohlfahrt)

NATO is ready to defend itself against any threat from "Moscow or Minsk", alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday, after Belarus welcomed Wagner rebel leader Yevgeny Prigozhin into exile.

Stoltenberg said NATO would agree to strengthen its defences at a key summit in Lithuania next week in order to protect all members, especially those which border Russia's ally Belarus.

"It's too early to make any final judgment about the consequences of the fact that Prigozhin has moved to Belarus and most likely also some of his forces will also be located to Belarus," Stoltenberg told reporters.

"What is absolutely clear is that we have sent a clear message to Moscow and to Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally and every inch of NATO territory," he said after dinner with seven national leaders in The Hague.

"So no room for misunderstanding in Moscow or Minsk about our ability to defend allies against any potential threat, and that is regardless of what you think about the movement of the Wagner forces."

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned of the risk of Wagner fighters being based in Belarus.

"If Wagner deploys its serial killers in Belarus, all neighbouring countries face even greater danger of instability," he told the news conference.

Mercenary boss Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday, after a dramatic weekend revolt by Wagner fighters that posed the biggest threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rule.

Prigozhin, a former Kremlin ally and catering contractor, built Russia's most powerful private army and recruited thousands of prisoners to fight in Ukraine.

Stoltenberg added that the West "must not underestimate Russia" despite the chaos at the weekend.

He said it was crucial to keep supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion and that NATO allies would thrash out a path to Kyiv's membership of the alliance.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who hosted the dinner, rejected Putin's claims that the West wanted Russians to kill each other.

"I refute what Putin suggested yesterday that we in the West want Russia to descend into domestic chaos -- on the contrary, instability in Russia creates instability in Europe," he said.

dk/fb
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is targeting two million hectares of land for reforestation, its chief said on Tuesday.

We want to do two million hectares as a priority. Ang one million po niyan [The one million (hectares) of which] have been mapped adequately and we can show this to local decision-makers as well as the private sector, community-based management groups, DENR Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said during a Palace briefing.

The initial areas identified are located across the Philippines, including certain areas in Mindanao, she noted.

According to Loyzaga, the countrys forest lands stood at 15 million hectares, but only about 7 million hectares are classified as forested.

Asked about the reforestation target of the Marcos admin, the DENR chief admitted that the current government cannot finish the reforestation.

What were doing is weve prioritized the first million, she said, calling the initial target modest.

Loyzaga said the government needs to gain more partnerships within localities to push for massive reforestation.




HA NOI  The Government Office said that efforts must be enhanced to further simplify business regulations and create a favourable environment for enterprises.

Director of the Administrative Procedures Control Agency Ngo Hai Phan said that the results of the simplification of business regulations had not met the Governments requirements.

Some ministries had not updated changes in regulations adequately, accurately and timely on their portals, he said. Many remained slow in raising proposals for simplifying business regulations to the Prime Minister.

Although the Governments Resolution No. 68/NQ-CP dated May 12, 2020, about the programme to reduce and simplify business regulations in the 2020-25 period had been in effect for three years, which targeted to simplify at least 20 per cent of the business regulations, some ministries had not submitted their simplification plan to the Government, he said.

Phan said that these problems were caused by the lack of drastic measures and the lack of active cooperation between relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the lack of accountability.

He said that to effectively implement and create breakthroughs in institutional reforms, Phan urged ministries and agencies to hasten the effort of simplifying business regulations following Resolution No. 68.

It was necessary to consult associations, businesses and those to be affected by the business regulation simplification plan to thoroughly remove regulations which were creating administrative burdens on production and business, he said. He stressed that simplifying business regulations did not mean erecting new barriers to businesses.

The Ministry of Justice said that during the past two years, the ministry focused on reviewing administrative procedures for simplification. From 2021-22, the ministry slashed 43 regulations.

The Ministry of Information and Communications said that the ministry was encountering difficulties in calculating compliance costs.

Statistics of the Administrative Procedures Control Agency showed that in the first six months of this year, 92 regulations residing in eight legal documents were simplified or reduced, bringing the total number of regulations which were simplified or reduced from 2021 to date to 2,234 in 179 legal documents.

As of June 20, the existing regulations updated on the portal about business regulations at the address https://thamvanquydinh.gov.vn totalled 17,845 regulations.  VNS
HA NOI  Many banks plan to pay dividends in shares in 2023, along with plans to increase charter capital.

June 26 will be the last day for shareholders of Southeast Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SeABank or SSB) to exercise their right to receive stock dividends.

This bank will issue 295.2 million shares to pay dividends in 2022, equivalent to approximately 14.47 per cent ratio and it will also issue more than 118.2 million bonus shares, at rate of 5.8 per cent.

Not only SeABank, but a series of other banks are also preparing to issue shares to pay dividends this week.

Ocean Bank (OCB) will issue nearly 685 million shares, equivalent to a ratio of 50 per cent for existing shareholders. After the issuance, the bank's charter capital will be increased from VN13.7 trillion to VN20.54 trillion.

The State Bank of Viet Nam has just approved the plan of Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) to issue shares to pay dividends in 2022 to existing shareholders at the rate of 18 per cent.

Lien Viet Post Bank (LBP) also plans to increase its charter capital by a maximum of VN11.39 trillion through issuing shares to pay dividends, offering shares to existing shareholders, offering private shares to foreign investors.

It will issue a maximum of 328.5 million shares to pay dividends to existing shareholders at the rate of 19 per cent.

The Military Bank (MBB) this year also plans to increase its charter capital from VN45.33 trillion to VN53.68 trillion by issuing more than 680 million shares to pay a 15 per cent dividend.

After paying a cash dividend of 10 per cent to shareholders on June 12, HDBank (HDB) also plans to pay a 15 per cent stock dividend in the near future. Currently, HDBank is completing the final procedures to pay stock dividends to shareholders.

Late last week, Nam A Bank also announced that it is preparing to issue more than 211 million shares with par value of VN10,000 per share at the rate of 25 per cent, meaning that shareholders owning 100 shares will receive 25 new shares. The last registration date to exercise the right to receive shares issued in this batch is July 7, 2023.

If the issuance is successful, the charter capital of Nam A Bank will be increased from VN8.46 trillion to VN10.58 trillion.

In the group of State-owned banks, at the end of May 2023, the central bank approved to increase the charter capital for Vietcombank from VN47.32 trillion to VN55.89 trillion, by issuing shares to pay dividends at the rate of 18.1 per cent.  VNS
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  More than 2,000 workers, including foreigners, were rescued from alleged human traffickers on Tuesday after authorities conducted a raid at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Las Pinas City.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), 1,525 were Filipinos while the remaining victims came from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Singapore, among others.

The crackdown was launched after PNPs anti-cybercrime group secured a warrant to search, seize, and examine the computer data housed in a POGO complex.

The document, released to the media Tuesday, gave the police the authority to seize communications and computer data linked to a possible violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

PCapt Michelle Sabino, spokesperson of PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group, said that workers claimed to work for an online casino, with their shift starting at 12 noon to midnight.

The official said only a few of the workers were allowed to go out, believing that those who have no papers or documents were barred.

The POGO complex has board and lodging, the PNP noted.

In terms of salary, Chinese nationals had the highest pay of around 40,000 per month, while other nationals, including Filipinos, were only paid 24,000 monthly.

Authorities said the victims were recruited through online posts.

Yung job posting na yun, nire-recruit sila to work dito," Sabino said. "Nag-a-assist sila sa online gaming."

[Translation: The job posting lured them into this work. Theyre the ones assisting in online gaming.]

Sabino also said they are investigating if the involved POGO workers also participated in love scam or cryptocurrency scam.
BEIJING - The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) of China within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the neighbouring country.

The MoU is expected to establish a comprehensive cooperation framework between the two sides in compliance with relevant national laws, rules, regulations, and policies in their respective countries; and to form and develop their collaboration in market management.

Accordingly, the two agencies will create favourable conditions for cooperative activities in the field, including the prevention, control, and administrative handling of violations of intellectual property rights enforcement, food safety, and consumer rights protection.

Annually or periodically, the sides will discuss and decide on appropriate forms of cooperation in accordance with their nations procedures and legal regulations, and their strategic priorities. In particular, they will focus on sharing professional experience and information about issues of mutual concern in the field of market management.

They will also work together to enhance the professional capacity of administrative officials on a regular basis, in addition to their exchange of documents and other legal materials. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese producers are facing the Herculean task of changing their business practices to adapt to the global control of suppliers required by the EU's new supply chain law.

Several European countries have already enacted laws to improve human and environmental rights along the supply chain. On February 2022, the European Commission doubled the effort by presenting its proposal for an EU-wide law on corporate sustainability obligations - The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD).

On June 1, 2023, the EU Parliament (EP) approved the proposal with 366 votes in favour and 225 against (38 abstained). The results mean the negotiations between EP and its member countries would start later this month, which are likely to center around disagreements over its scope and at which date it would come into force.

Tran Thi Hong Lien, Deputy General Director of the Bureau for Employer's Activities, said according to OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business, business activities could result in adverse impacts related to corporate governance, workers, human rights, the environment, bribery, and consumers.

Due diligence is the process companies should carry out to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for these impacts in their operations, their supply chain, and other business relationships.

The definition indicates that the obligation to conduct due diligence is not limited to a defined range of activities within their operations, but it extends to all their upstream and downstream business relationships in the supply chain.

For instance, a foreign company operating in Viet Nam, under the due diligence requirement, would be obliged to check how its Vietnamese partners treat their workers and whether they comply with environmental regulations, apart from their financial situation.

"Due diligence will no longer be an option but a must-have for those wanting to participate in the EU's supply chain," Lien said.

The deputy general director was concerned that the due diligence requirement would pose a significant compliance challenge to Vietnamese small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) because checking the entire supply chain would entail additional huge costs to their operations.

She accordingly called on tier-one companies to support those with higher tier levels to get them financially well-prepared for the upcoming supply chain directive.

o Thi Thuy Huong, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries, said the due diligence requirement is not a compliance burden but rather an opportunity for Vietnamese companies to improve their productivity.

"Adherence to the directive will not only guarantee their survival in the supply chain but also give them other long-lasting advantages," said Huong.

Nguyen Hoang Ha, Programme Officer at the International Labour Organization in Viet Nam, underlined several obstacles in the way of Vietnamese SMEs trying to participate in the global supply chains.

The obstacles involve capital assessibility, technology availability, and productivity. He thus called for broad-based support for SMEs to help them gain grounds in the international commercial scenes. VNS
Nestle Vietnam is one of the biggest food and beverage companies in the country, with currently around 3,000 employees and six factories. Viet Nam is one of Nestles key suppliers of coffee, and the company has been working closely with local farmers to produce high quality coffee, while its factories have been manufacture high quality food and drink products for domestic consumption and exports.

Viet Nam News spoke to Remy Ejel - CEO of Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa - and Mark Schneider - CEO of Nestle, on Viet Nams potential for Nestle, and the companys investment in the country.

Can you share with us why Nestle chose Viet Nam as a key manufacturing hub to produce and export products to other markets?

Remy: We are very proud to have been part of the journey of Viet Nam for many decades, with many strong local brands such as Milo and Nescafe. The coffee itself is really a local innovation, which we are even exporting to other markets.

The purpose of Nestle has always been to provide food and beverages that are nutritious to different social, economic classes. Thats our aim, and so export and the development of sustainable generative agriculture are very important to us.

The geographical location of Viet Nam, the different initiatives that have been done by local authorities (especially regarding sustainability), and the work to develop the local community have put us in a great position.

They help us not only to grow in Viet Nam with our consumers, but also be a part of the great economic journey of Viet Nam, of which export plays a very important role.

Can you elaborate more on Nestles business commitment to Viet Nam?

Mark: We want to be a long-term player in this market. It would be easy for us to just buy the coffee here and process it somewhere else. And yet we are here, investing in facilities in Viet Nam over many years and providing high quality jobs and training.

We dont just want to be a multinational company that does business transactions with countries, we want to be a good corporate citizen that is deeply embedded in Viet Nam, and become part of the local society, a good neighbour. We want to be someone that the people in Viet Nam can rely on for jobs and contribution to economic growth.

How have the recent global economic challenges affected Nestle's plan to expand its production in Viet Nam?

Remy: We believe we are part of Viet Nams ecosystem, and like Mark said, we aim to be a good corporate citizen to Viet Nam.

To be a part of the ecosystem, it means that when there is a little bit more challenges, we remain committed to the farmers, different stakeholders, and the community in which we operate. We take a lot of pride in doing that. When we were hit by COVID, there is no doubt that our team in Viet Nam and the country have shown great resilience.

In terms of investment, we have committed to invest a further 130 million Swiss francs ($145.6 million) in 2021, and this is something that we are implementing. This is because we believe in the long term strategic importance of our relationship, and the importance of Viet Nam as a market.

We believe in the opportunity that is there. And we will continue to work with different stakeholders so that we can deliver the concept of creating shared value, which is extremely important to us.

What do you think of the potential of Viet Nams market in the coming years?

Remy: We have been here for many decades, and we have very strong brands that are part of the daily nutrition of many Vietnamese. We see an important opportunity to drive our nutrition agenda by providing food and beverages, with the strong heritage that has been built over the years.

We see Viet Nam as a lighthouse when it comes to sustainability, but there is also the aspects of digitalisation and the evolving consumers, which are related to economic development and stability.

The fact that everyone here is talking so much about nutrition and growth is very important to us. For example, many mothers now have more knowledge and expectation to provide the best nutrition for their children to grow healthily.

Mark: We have a lot of faith that the good economic development of Viet Nam will continue. And with that, people in Viet Nam will have higher income, and higher demand for good quality food and beverage products.

A digital society is also very educated and well-informed; people can easily look up what food is good for their health.

We are committed to high quality food and beverage, so this is to our advantage because people can see all the benefits that our various food and beverage products can bring to them. There are so many areas where we can benefit all of you, as society continues to grow and prosper.
HA NOI  Enterprises will be pioneers in promoting Viet Nam - Netherlands cooperation in the next 50 years.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha shared this thought while attending a roundtable discussion with Dutch and Vietnamese businesses, on Monday afternoon (local time), in The Hague (Netherlands).

The seminar was attended by nearly 30 large enterprises from the Netherlands and Viet Nam operating in the fields of seaport infrastructure, mining, dredging, maritime services, logistics, renewable energy, and agriculture.

The Netherlands is currently the second-largest trading partner of Viet Nam in Europe and the largest investor of the European Union (EU) in Viet Nam.

The two countries have identified five priority areas for development cooperation, including climate change adaptation and water management, agriculture, energy, marine economy and logistics services.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Viet Nam and the Netherlands have similarities from beautiful nature, hardworking and friendly people, to being affected by climate change, and sea level rise.

Therefore, Viet Nam needs knowledge sharing and experience from the Dutch development model in disaster prevention, climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and transition to a green econom, according to the deputy prime minister.

This is an opportunity for Dutch businesses to find and obtain effective investment and business projects in Viet Nam.

"Viet Nam is a developing country but has made strong commitments to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero, green transition, transition from fossil energy to renewable energy... with many projects pending, the deputy prime minister clarified.

For example, in the field of renewable energy, Viet Nam has the potential to become a centre of renewable energy in the world, producing and exporting green fuels.

Besides, with the signing of 15 free trade agreements (FTAs) with all major economies in the world, investment projects of Dutch enterprises in Viet Nam also benefit from the FTAs, according to the deputy prime minister.

A number of Dutch corporations expressed interest in projects related to coastal protection; offshore sand exploitation as an alternative material for construction and transportation projects.

They also cared about dredging major navigational channels; building liquefied gas ports; producing hydrogen, ammonia; digitising the process of exchanging seaport information; and developing a closed livestock chain.

Dutch businesses wished to be facilitated when carrying out procedures applying for entry visas, and extending entry time.

They also hoped that the State would support domestic enterprises to meet standards and regulations as committed in FTAs to effectively take advantage of opportunities from these FTAs.

The deputy prime minister directly answered a number of questions about the orientation of developing offshore wind power centres associated with the green hydrogen and green ammonia production industry according to the Electricity Master Plan VIII; technology transfer to convert fossil energy sources to renewable energy; exploiting and using sea sand as building materials.

On the sidelines of the discussion, Vietnamese corporations such as Geleximco, Flamingo, Saigon Newport highly appreciated the rich experience, advanced technology and capacity of Dutch enterprises in exploiting sea sand; minimising the impact on the ecological environment when encroaching on the sea; dredging channels for seaport ships; seaport management model; technical co-operation, smart port construction, and human resource training.

The Deputy Prime Minister also suggested Dutch businesses directly work with Vietnamese businesses, as well as ministries and sectors to exchange, share frankly and propose business investment cooperation ideas to be deployed in the coming period, contributing to promoting economic-investment cooperation between the two countries.  VNS
Quy Duong

Viet Nams ca phe sua a (iced coffee) with condensed milk ranks second in the Best-Rated Iced Coffee (BRIC) list by TasteAtlas.

Italys ristretto landed first place and the Vietnamese coffee came in at a close second.

TasteAtlas noted Viet Nams use of Robusta coffee, widely grown in the country, particularly in ak Lak Province in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region.

Viet Nams genuine way of making coffee isn't replicated en masse anywhere else in the world. Boiled water is poured into a metal coffee filter that rests on top of a glass. Strong coffee drops into the glass and mixes with a pool of sweet condensed milk and ice. The result is a highly morish drink that packs a strong punch.

Those who are already sweet enough can skip the condensed milk, according to TasteAtlas.

Chiam Jia Xin, from Malaysia, who spent a week touring Viet Nam, said he was really impressed with the aromatic flavour of the coffee.

Vietnamese iced coffee is a perfect drink to cool off in the summer heat. I can delight in a glass of Vietnamese coffee first thing to start a new day or in the afternoon to relax.

However, it is very strong, Chiam noted, adding that he suffered a sleepless night when he first arrived in Ha Noi after drinking two cups back-to-back.

While staying in the capital, my Hanoian friend drove me to tour the Old Quarter and drink egg coffee. It's made by mixing egg yolk and condensed milk to create a buttery fat topping for the coffee. It's very enjoyable. I like it a lot, he said.

Ta Hong Minh, a banker in the capital's Hoan Kiem District, said he's become an iced-coffee addict. It's very difficult to drink other coffee, he said.

Minh said he also enjoys his breakfast by dipping bread in a milky coffee.

He said many of his foreign friends are interested in the iced coffee as it's not only delicious but also affordable at around VN25,000 to VN50,000 (US$1-2) for a cup. It's also available at every corner of the city.

An owner of Nguyen Coffee in the capital city noted that the pavement coffee attracts both locals and tourists.

We served a number of Robusta coffees such as traditional strong black coffee, brown coffee and others, but this summer most of our guests order iced milk coffee and yoghurt coffee, Nguyen said.

He added many of his guests told him that they would never forget the special flavour of the coffee, which carries characteristics of the culture and native values of the Vietnamese.

Vietnamese iced coffee came into being in HCM City where it was traditionally available on street corners. Now it is present all around the country, including in five-star hotels and even abroad in Vietnamese-style coffee shops.

Coffee was first brought to Viet Nam in the mid-19th century by the French. VNS
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Indonesia (June 27, 2013  June 27, 2023), Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong talks to Vietnam News Agency (VNA) about the bilateral relationship.

How has the relationship between Viet Nam and Indonesia evolved since the two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2013?

During the State visit of the then President Truong Tan Sang on June 27, 2013, both countries issued a Joint Statement establishing the strategic partnership. Since then, the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Indonesia has witnessed robust, comprehensive and steadfast growth. An important milestone was marked in 2017 when General Secretary and the then President Nguyen Phu Trong made an official visit to Indonesia, becoming the first top leader of the Party to visit the country since President Ho Chi Minh in 1959.

In 2018, President Joko Widodo paid a State visit to Viet Nam and the then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also made a working visit to Indonesia. In 2021, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chose Indonesia for his first overseas trip as Prime Minister. In 2022, the then President Nguyen Xuan Phuc embarked on a State visit to Indonesia.

The signed action programmes have further deepened bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including politics, diplomacy, defence and security, economy, tourism, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries are currently finalising the action plan for the 2024-28 period, which will be signed as soon as possible. Mechanisms such as the Committee for Bilateral Cooperation at the Ministerial Level have held three sessions, and the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation has held two sessions.

Significant progress has been made in economic and trade cooperation. Bilateral trade between the two countries has witnessed positive growth, with Indonesia currently being Viet Nam's third largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and Viet Nam being Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner. In 2013, bilateral trade turnover stood at only US$4.8 billion, but it has nearly tripled since then, reaching $14.1 billion in 2022.

In the first four months of 2023 alone, bilateral trade turnover has reached over $4.2 billion, with exports to Indonesia amounting to $1.6 billion, a 9 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022. It is expected that in 2023, bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and Indonesia could reach or exceed $15 billion, soon realising the target set by the leaders of both countries.

Defence and security relations have also witnessed significant advancements, including notable visits such as the Indonesian Defence Minister's visit to Viet Nam in May 2022, visits to Indonesia by the Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, and the active participation of the Vietnamese delegation in the ASEAN-Russia multilateral naval exercises held in December 2021. In December 2021, the Viet Nam Coast Guard and the Indonesian Maritime Security Protection Agency signed a cooperation agreement, contributing to the enhancement of security in the common maritime border area between the two countries.

Cooperation in other fields has also been strengthened. In the agro-fishery sector, both countries are actively promoting collaboration in aquaculture, fishing, and seafood processing, with a particular emphasis on maritime and fishery activities. Recently, the Indonesian Minister of Marine and Fisheries paid a working visit to Viet Nam, further fostering cooperation in this domain.

Cultural cooperation, education and training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges continue to flourish. The two nations have collaborated in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the visits made by President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, contributing to a closer bond between the Vietnamese and Indonesian peoples. Several localities in both countries have established partnerships.

Additionally, efforts are being made to promote cooperation agreements between HCM City and Bali province, as well as between Hue City and Denpasar city. Indonesia continues to offer numerous training and cultural scholarships to Vietnamese students. The number of tourists visiting each country is on the rise, with approximately 70,000-80,000 tourists from each country choosing to travel to the other. Direct flights between HCM City and Jakarta and Bali, as well as between Ha Noi and Bali, have been resumed with high frequency, and further routes are being considered, including those connecting a Nang and Yogyakarta.

Viet Nam and Indonesia have witnessed significant cooperation in various fields, driven by their long-standing tradition of friendly relations. The foundation laid by leaders such as President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno, as well as the efforts of subsequent generations, has been instrumental in fostering this relationship over the past 68 years.

It is worth noting that Indonesia was the first country in Southeast Asia with which Viet Nam established official diplomatic relations in 1955. In 1990, Indonesian President Suharto became the first head of state from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific to visit Viet Nam after 1975. The partnership between the two countries experienced rapid growth following Viet Nam's accession to ASEAN and the establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership in 2003. Viet Nam remains the only strategic partner of Indonesia in Southeast Asia, a testament to the significance of their relationship since the elevation of ties in 2013.

The strong political ties and deep-rooted friendship between Viet Nam and Indonesia are highly valued by senior leaders and the people of both countries, and they are committed to preserving and promoting these valuable assets.

Economic cooperation, which has been a focal point of bilateral relations, has made remarkable progress. Indonesia is currently one of Viet Nam's key partners in the region. As I mentioned earlier, the two-way trade has surpassed expectations, with significant potential for further growth.

In the future, Viet Nam and Indonesia will continue to strengthen their long-standing friendship, serving as a driving force for taking the Viet Nam-Indonesia Strategic Partnership to new heights. The signing of the action plan for the new period of 2024-28 will further deepen the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and open up opportunities for collaboration in emerging fields, such as energy transformation, digital transformation, infrastructure development, and economic growth. These initiatives have been agreed upon by the senior leaders of both nations.

Economically, Viet Nam and Indonesia are two rapidly emerging economies with significant potential. Indonesia, being the 16th largest economy in the world, offers a growing middle class market with ample room for Vietnamese products and goods.

Similarly, Viet Nam presents opportunities for Indonesia to foster trade and investment cooperation. Both countries should leverage these new prospects, enhance cooperation, and transform challenges into opportunities by fostering innovation and development. It is crucial to improve the legal framework for cooperation, enhance the efficiency of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, reduce trade barriers, facilitate trade and investment flows, and provide active support to the business communities of both nations in implementing cooperative activities and participating in trade promotion events within each country. Additionally, Viet Nam and Indonesia should explore opportunities for collaboration in new fields, capitalising on the potential brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Could you please outline the main priorities and directions to promote Viet Nam-Indonesia relations in the near future?

In terms of politics and security, it is important to strengthen unity and coordination between the two countries in multilateral organisations and forums. This will contribute to consolidating solidarity and ASEAN's central role while maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and globally. It is vital to continue promoting exchanges and contact at all levels, maintain and enhance the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and coordinate policies aligned with Indonesia's regional priorities, particularly during Indonesia's term as ASEAN Chair in 2023. Additionally, Viet Nam and Indonesia should strive to deepen cooperation in the defence and security sector through increased delegation exchanges.

Regarding the economy and trade, the focus should be on promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Joint efforts should be made to propose solutions that increase bilateral trade and aim for higher trade targets.

Emphasis should be placed on balanced trade development and leveraging the potential for collaboration in new fields, particularly in relation to the "energy transition" plan. It is crucial to engage in negotiations to remove non-trade barriers, address difficulties, and create favourable conditions and incentives for businesses from both sides to access each other's markets effectively.

In terms of culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, it is essential to strengthen connections and foster people-to-people exchanges through the exchange of art troupes and engagement with mass and local associations. Both countries should increase the allocation of scholarships for students from both sides to study and gain practical experience in each other's countries.

In the near future, Indonesia may become one of the preferred destinations for Vietnamese students in Southeast Asia. Viet Nam and Indonesia should further tap into the potential of tourism in the region, collaborating to complement each other's offerings through the development, promotion, and growth of tourism-related products.

In order to enhance mutual understanding of each other's history, traditions and culture, it is essential to promote cultural exchanges and facilitate tourism between the two countries. Both sides should consider increasing the frequency of flights and exploring the possibility of opening new routes connecting tourist destinations. Tourism-related projects should also take into account Indonesia's capital relocation and its efforts to expand into new areas.

As active members of ASEAN, what does close cooperation between Indonesia and Viet Nam mean in promoting peace and prosperity in the region?

The cooperation between Viet Nam and Indonesia holds great significance for the establishment of the ASEAN Community and the role and position of ASEAN within the current regional landscape. Indonesia has been a leading supporter of Viet Nam's accession to ASEAN, and through the active participation and contributions of Viet Nam and other member countries, ASEAN has become one of the most successful regional organisations in the world.

The region of Southeast Asia has enjoyed long-standing peace and stability, creating favourable conditions for the development and prosperity of its member countries. The expanding partnerships within ASEAN, including mechanisms like the ASEAN Summit, AMM/PMC, East Asia Summit, and strategic partnerships with global and regional powers in Asia-Pacific, have contributed to addressing complex issues such as the South China Sea dispute, gradually moving towards an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which will bring peace, stability, and security to the region.

Both Indonesia and Viet Nam are active members of ASEAN, working together to promote the development of the ASEAN Economic Community. Indonesia, with its population of over 280 million, represents the largest market within ASEAN, while Viet Nam, with its impressive economic growth and a population of 100 million, is the third-largest market. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam, as the ASEAN Chair, coordinated with member countries, including Indonesia, to respond flexibly to the evolving situation. Efforts were made to restore supply chains, ensure a conducive environment for production and business, and enhance the self-resilience and internal strength of ASEAN.  VNS
HA NOI  An international workshop on migration and health for migrants in ASEAN was held in Ha Noi on Monday, both in-person and online, to enhance cooperation among member countries to improve the health and well-being of migrants.

More than 160 high-ranking officials, experts, and scholars from health sectors and non-health sectors took part in the workshop.

Viet Nam's Ministry of Health (MoH) organised the workshop in collaboration with the ASEAN member states, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

At the conference, delegates called for enhancing comprehensive cooperation activities to improve access to healthcare services for migrants, especially cross-border migrants.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong emphasised the importance of the workshop, stating: 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 and trends of migration in the region and the world, and its impacts on socio-economic development.

"We can share lessons learned, initiatives and policy recommendations to promote the health of migrants in ASEAN to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN member states as well as with our partners in migrant health.

The ASEAN region has long been a significant hub of origin, transit, and destination countries for migrants and their families. Asia accounts for a substantial number of migrants (106 million), with more than 60 per cent of all international migrants residing in Asia (80 million).

The ASEAN region records the highest number of international migrants in Asia, following India and the Peoples Republic of China. Over the past three decades, international migration rates within the ASEAN member states have 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 child health problems. Infectious diseases like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis (TB), and malaria continue to be significant concerns for member states.

Some countries in the region are recorded as the countries with the highest prevalence of TB, HIV, and malaria. The Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Viet Nam are among the top 30 countries with the highest TB incidence globally.

Across ASEAN, much heterogeneity exists in health service delivery systems. Health expenditure varies from the highest in Cambodia to the lowest in Brunei. Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a challenging goal, even for the citizens of the member states, and presents an even greater challenge for migrants.

Recent studies conducted by IOM in the region have highlighted the challenges faced by cross-border migrants in accessing healthcare, including language barriers, discrimination, financial constraints, lack of portable health insurance across borders and lack of official cross-border referral mechanisms for migrant patients.

They can be made even more vulnerable in pandemic situations due to inadequate access to needed health care and services, as shown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the workshop, IOM Chief of Mission Park Mihyung applauded the collaboration between IOM and the MoH.

She said: In a world where an increasing number of people are on the move, regional collaborations and partnerships are crucial to enhance the health and well-being of migrants. Healthy migrants contribute to healthy communities.

I am proud that IOM and ASEAN nations have taken a positive step toward advancing migrant health agenda in accordance with the goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM). 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 the GCM with the SDGs 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.

Migrants health is a top priority of 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 3s programme aims to enhance health systems capacity and capability to seek to improve services for documented migrants, including migrant workers, especially women, and children.  VNS
TIANJIN  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception on June 26 for founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Prof. Klaus Schwab, within the framework of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) of the WEF in Tianjin, China.

They discussed the global economic situation, emerging development trends, Viet Nams socio-economic achievements and its cooperative relations with the WEF.

Sharing Viet Nam's economic situation and prospects, PM Chinh stressed that Viet Nam would consistently pursue the goal of maintaining macro-economic stability and promoting growth.

He suggested the WEF continue partnering with Viet Nam and supporting its connection with WEF member businesses, assisting Viet Nam in attracting high-quality investments, particularly in hi-tech, energy transition, digital transformation and strategic infrastructure. Additionally, he urged the WEF to enhance the exchange of views on the global development trends and offer policy advice to help Viet Nam improve its competitiveness and business environment in adaptation to new regulations and trends.

Prof. Schwab said Viet Nams presence at the WEF meeting in Tianjin brought an optimistic story of economic recovery in the face of global challenges.

Expressing his impression of Viet Nam's socio-economic achievements and macro-economic stability, he stressed his strong commitment to boosting cooperation with Viet Nam and working closely with relevant agencies to propose and launch practical joint projects which are in line with Viet Nam's interests and WEFs strengths.

While discussing major topics of the upcoming annual WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland, scheduled for January 2024, the two sides agreed that technology and artificial intelligence (AI), particularly the application of new technologies and AI in manufacturing, services, agricultural development and skill training should be the key focuses of the meeting.

Prof. Schwab expressed his impression of the dynamism of Viet Nam's young generation amid technological advancements, considering it one of Viet Nam's significant competitive advantages.

He extended an invitation to PM Chinh to attend the WEF meeting in January 2024 in Davos. The Vietnamese PM also invited Prof. Schwab and WEF leaders to visit Viet Nam soon to deliver speeches and inspire the Vietnamese youth about the emerging development trends in the world. Both sides agreed to arrange these visits in the near future.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and WEF President Borge Brende signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between Viet Nam and the WEF for the 2023-2026 period in the witness of PM Chinh and Prof. Schwab.

The MoU will serve as an important foundation to boost cooperation between Viet Nam and the WEF in the new period, focusing on six key areas of innovation in food, skill development for innovation and green transformation, zero-emission industrial clusters; plastic actions, including the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP); finance for renewable energy transition, digital transformation cooperation and the establishment of the fourth industrial revolution centre.

The signing of the MoU will enable Viet Nam to access resources, experience and join the WEFs global programmes, thereby establishing a comprehensive ecosystem to drive new growth engines, attract investment and improve national competitiveness.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  A State-level funeral for former Secretary of the Party Central Committee and former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan was held at the National Funeral Hall in Ha Noi on Tuesday.

The funeral was organised by the Party Central Committee, National Assembly, State President Office, Government, Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee and his family.

Delegations from the Party, State, National Assembly, Government, Viet Nam Fatherland Front, the armed forces, and crowds of officials from the capital city and many other cities and provinces nationwide, as well as foreign friends gathered at the National Funeral Hall to pay tribute to the former Deputy PM.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent wreaths to pay tribute to the late leader.

The funeral was followed by a respect-paying ceremony at the hall at 1.30pm and a burial ceremony at 3pm at Mai Dich Cemetery in Ha Noi.

Writing in the guest book, President Vo Van Thuong sent his deepest condolences to Khoans family while hailing his contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation as well as the countrys international integration, renewal and development process.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue praised Khoan for his talent and morality in the guest book.

Foreign friends mourning

Former Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez grieved the passing of former Deputy PM Vu Khoan, who he described as a sincere friend of Cuba.

Talking to the Vietnamese News Agency, Fredesman recounted his memories of Khoan, saying that the deceased was a wholehearted friend of the Cuban people and also a sincere, simple, clear-sighted, and experienced comrade.

Fredesman, serving as Ambassador of Cuba to Viet Nam twice, had many chances to meet and work with Khoan.

The diplomat said that during his first term in Viet Nam from 1999 to 2004, Khoan, then Deputy PM and Chairman of the National Committee for International Economic Cooperation, showed strong support for the promotion of economic and trade ties between the two countries.

When Cuba decided to update its economic model, it sent a group of experts to learn about Viet Nams experiences. At that time, the retired Deputy PM spent much time giving them detailed explanations of different reform periods of Viet Nam, according to Fredesman.

He called the death of Khoan a great loss and offered condolences to his family, relatives and friends of the former Deputy PM, as well as the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam.

First Vice Chairman of the Russia - Viet Nam Friendship Association Piotr Tsvetov, who used to work with Khoan, shared his unforgettable memories of the former Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, he offered his sympathies on the death of Khoan to the bereaved family and the Vietnamese people.

He recalled in the 1980s, the prime period of relations between the Soviet Union and Viet Nam, he used to meet Khoan many times, who was then Minister Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow, when the latter often came to the International Department of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee to prepare for working visits by leaders of Viet Nam.

Tsvetov said Khoan grasped the direction of bilateral ties and confidently and effectively handled issues.

While working at the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow, Khoan used to work as an interpreter for Vietnamese Party General Secretary Le Duan and Chairman of the Council of Ministers Pham Van ong at their meetings with Party and State leaders of the Soviet Union. Earlier, he had also interpreted for President Ho Chi Minh during the leaders exchanges with the people of the Soviet Union.

It could be said that Khoan made important contributions to the friendship between the Soviet Union and Viet Nam, Tsvetov went on.

In an article published in the Asia and Africa Today magazine, the First Vice Chairman of the Russia - Viet Nam Friendship Association called Vu Khoan an architecture of Viet Nams oi moi (Renewal).

Former Vice President and Counsel of the US-Viet Nam Trade Council Frances Zwenig hailed former Deputy PM Khoan for being a consummate and prominent diplomat.

The US expert told the Vietnam News Agency's reporters in Washington that the outstanding diplomat had made significant contributions to US-Viet Nam relations, especially during the period when the US and Viet Nam worked together to improve and switch their bilateral relationship from one of wariness to one of trust.

When there were problems and complaints, Minister Vu Khoan, more than most, understood where we needed and wanted to go to resolve the problems, she said.

Minister Vu Khoan was a person with diplomatic stature and gravitas. He ranked among the best in the world in his time. I was honoured to know and work with him. Minister Vu Khoan had vision and he could see around the corner incredible gift given the complexities of todays world.

Vu Khoan passed away after a period of illness at 7.05am on June 21 at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Ha Noi, according to the Central Committee on Health Care for Senior Governmental Officials.

He was born on October 7, 1937 in Phu Xuyen District, Ha Noi. On December 19, 1961, he became a member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.

He was a member of the Party Central Committee in the 7th, 8th, and 9th tenures, Secretary of the Party Central Committee in the 9th term, deputy of the National Assembly in the 11th tenure, and Deputy Prime Minister from August 2002 to June 2006.

During his political career, he also held various positions, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1990-2000), and Minister of Trade (2000-02). He retired in 2008.

Vu Khoan was honoured with many noble titles by the Vietnamese Party, State and Government, including the first-class Independence Order and the 60-year Party Membership Badge.  VNS
THE HAGUE  The Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands organised a ceremony in The Hague on Monday to mark the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said that over half a century, Viet Nam and the Netherlands had become important and prioritised partners.

The two countries' leaders expressed their determination in promoting comprehensive cooperation in key areas, such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and a circular economy besides their economic, trade and development cooperation.

Ha affirmed that the world was constantly changing with many intertwined opportunities and challenges, especially issues of climate change and food security.

The Deputy PM said that he was pleased to see the two countries share a vision in the implementation of the Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management and the Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.

"Viet Nam is willing to continue working closely with the Netherlands to make joint efforts to solve common global challenges, especially climate change and food security, towards the goal of sustainable development," Ha said.

The Deputy PM expressed his belief that the Viet Nam-Netherlands relationship would be cultivated and developed even more practically and effectively in the future.

For his part, Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme said that the relationship between the two countries has been stable thanks to it being based on affection, friendship, and mutual trust.

Recalling his positive memories during his visit to Viet Nam a few months ago as a tourist, the Prince said he was happy to see Viet Nams strong development, adding that he was proud that the Netherlands had many programmes to support the development of the Southeast Asian country.

He emphasised that the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2019 came from the need and interests of both sides, and the Netherlands hoped to further strengthen the bilateral relations with Viet Nam, especially in areas of food, processing, techniques, and navigation.

Appreciating Viet Nam's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Jaime, who is also the Climate Envoy for the Netherlands, said that Viet Nam would achieve the goal and the Netherlands was ready to support Viet Nam in green growth areas such as sustainable agriculture development, green economy, and smart logistics systems.

Within the framework of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Netherlands, the Vietnamese Embassy, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Viet Nam co-organised a seminar in The Hague on June 26, attracting the participation of nearly 40 Vietnamese and Dutch businesspeople.

Participants voiced their interest in policies and solutions to promote investment cooperation in the fields of transport infrastructure development, logistics, green energy development, agriculture, and climate change adaptation.

Deputy PM Ha introduced Viet Nams advantages and policies to attract investors, emphasising that Viet Nam was following the world's trends with new rules relating to environmental issues.

Viet Nam was implementing the process of digital transformation, green transition, and developing a knowledge-based economy and hi-tech agriculture, he said, adding that the country was also focusing on training human resources, considering talents as a driving force for innovation and development.

He pointed out five priority areas in the cooperation between Viet Nam and the Netherlands including climate change adaptation, water management, agriculture, energy, marine economy, and logistics services.

The Deputy PM called on Dutch investors with extensive experience in scientific and technological fields, and financial potential to increase investment in Viet Nam.  VNS
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  An animal welfare organization said it has filed a case against the two motorcycle-riding men seen in a viral video dragging a dog along a highway in Laguna.

Nagsampa kami ng kasong violation ng RA 8485 or ang Animal Welfare Act, Heidi Caguioa, Animal Kingdom Foundation Program director, told CNN Philippines Balitaan. Pinagbabawal po dito ang pagmamaltrato or ang pag-inflict ng cruelty sa mga hayop.

[Translation: We filed a case in violation of RA 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act. It prohibits mistreatment or inflicting cruelty on animals.]

The video circulating on social media showed the dog, which was alive then, was dragged upside down while one of the men held its legs.

According to Caguioa, the two men, who were siblings, claimed that they tried to save the dog after it was hit by a truck. However, they dumped it in a river after it eventually died.

Authorities said they were unable to find the dog's body.

Caguioa also said the siblings claimed that they are dog lovers.

Ito pong ginawa nilang pag-drag, pagmamaltrato doon sa isang aso na ito, hindi itong isang indicative ng isang pet-loving citizen, she said.

[Translation: Dragging the dog was maltreatment. This is not indicative of a pet-loving citizen.]

Tratuhin natin ng makatao, maayos at respetuhin din natin ang mga hayop, mga aso, Caguioa added.

[Translation: Let us treat animals, dogs, humanely and with care and respect.]
TIANJIN  Viet Nam attaches great importance to and wishes to expand its strategic partnership with New Zealand, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, at a meeting on the sidelines of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin, China on Tuesday.

The two PMs acknowledged with pleasure that the bilateral relations between Viet Nam and New Zealand had continually flourished in recent times.

They noted that the two countries had maintained regular exchanges of high-level delegations, and two-way trade continued to grow rapidly, hitting nearly US$1.3 billion in 2022 despite difficulties and challenges.

There was ample room for the two nations to further step up economic and trade cooperation, the PMs said, suggesting relevant ministries and sectors intensify promotion activities and further open up markets for each other's goods to lift the bilateral trade to US$2 billion by 2024.

The Vietnamese government would create favourable conditions for businesses of New Zealand to invest in Viet Nam, particularly in areas where New Zealand has strengths and Viet Nam has demand, such as education and training, processing and manufacturing technologies, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and construction, PM Chinh said.

He also called for New Zealands support for Vietnamese businesses to operate in the country.

Hipkins congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements in socio-economic recovery and development, expressing agreement with proposals put forward by his Vietnamese counterpart, particularly in promoting economic and trade cooperation, and coordination in multilateral forums.

He emphasised the support of New Zealand for strengthening the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in handling regional issues.

Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea); and promoting dialogue, enhancing trust, and settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).  VNS
TIANJIN  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Barbados and Mongolia on Tuesday on the occasion of their attendance at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin, China.

At the meeting with Barbadian PM Mia Amor Mottley, PM Chinh proposed the two sides coordinate to promote bilateral cooperation with priority given to signing cooperation documents to create a legal corridor for further promoting economic, trade, and investment ties, as well as an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Chinh added that Viet Nam hoped to promote ties with the Caribbean through Barbados, which has an important position in the region.

For her part, Mottley highly appreciated Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements, especially its recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

She hoped that the two countries would continue to create favourable conditions and frameworks for enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism as well as to maintain close cooperation and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

Barbados was willing to act as a bridge for Viet Nam to strengthen ties with Caribbean countries, she said.

At the meeting with Mongolian PM Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, PM Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam consistently attached importance to relations with Mongolia and wished to continue enhancing the traditionally strong friendship between the two countries.

Chinh suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at both central and local levels, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and implement measures to create more favourable conditions for people-to-people exchanges.

In the context of global and regional fluctuations, strengthening Viet Nam-Mongolia relations would be of great significance to the two peoples, PM Chinh said, adding that Viet Nam stands ready to act as a bridge for Mongolia to expand ties with the ASEAN for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

For his part, Mongolian PM Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai emphasised that Mongolia hoped to expand and further enhance cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in the fields of transport, railways, aviation and people-to-people exchanges, as well as tourism.

He suggested the two sides promote the role of the Mongolia-Viet Nam Intergovernmental Committee and their cooperation mechanisms.

The two PMs took the occasion to discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern, highlighting the role of multilateralism and compliance with international law.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong inh Hue hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Tuesday for a delegation of the Central Union of Cuban Workers (CTC) led by its Secretary General Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, who is also Vice President of the World Federation of Trade Unions.

Hue stressed that the Viet Nam-Cuba relations had been developing fruitfully, as reflected through high-level visits by leaders of the two countries over the past time.

He shared difficulties and challenges facing the Caribbean nation due to embargo and COVID-19 pandemic consequences, natural disasters and recent fires, and affirmed that Viet Nam stood ready to exchange its experience in national construction with Cuba.

Viet Nam always encouraged its businesses to invest in Cuba, he continued, suggesting Cuba further remove obstacles to investors in the country.

The NA Chairman also reiterated the consistent stance of the Vietnamese Party, State and people on supporting the just revolutionary cause of their Cuban counterparts, and noted his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuban people would overcome difficulties and successfully complete the process of renewing the Cuban socio-economic model.

For his part, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements, and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnamese people would successfully fulfil targets set at the 13th National Party Congress.

Recalling Hues official visit to Cuba last April, he said it contributed to deepening the bilateral relations, and the business forum held within the trip helped maintain and strengthen the bilateral economic and trade ties.

The guest informed the host about outcomes of his talks with Chairman of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour Nguyen inh Khang, during which the two sides shared experience in trade union affairs.

Cuba is preparing for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone in South Viet Nam in Quang Tri Province (September 1973), he said, adding that the CTC would coordinate with Viet Nams concerned agencies in the celebration.

On this occasion, NA Chairman Hue asked Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento to convey his invitation to President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez to soon visit Viet Nam again.  VNS
BEIJING  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China Zhao Leji on Tuesday compared notes on measures to enhance and deepen the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in general and the two countries legislatures in particular in the time ahead.

At the meeting in Beijing, which took place as part of PM Chinhs China trip, the two sides rejoiced at developments of the relations between the two Parties and countries over the past time, including cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and the NPC.

Chinh suggested the two sides step up all-level delegation exchange, strengthen and deepen the substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation across spheres, and intensify the sharing of experience in Party building and national management, as well as people-to-people exchange.

Viet Nam and China should closely and effective coordinate at multilateral forums, and satisfactorily handle differences in the spirit of friendship, matching high-level common perceptions and international law, he emphasised.

The PM expressed his hope that the legislatures would create a favourable legal foundation for, and urge ministries, agencies and localities to actively materialise the high-level common perceptions, as well as signed documents and agreements, while boosting collaboration in different fields, helping promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Chinh said the substantive legislative cooperation formed an important part of the relations between the two Parties and countries, and suggested the NA and the NPC maintain the exchange of delegations between its committees and all-level Peoples Councils, carry forward the role as a friendship bridge of the two friendship parliamentarians groups, and enhance experience exchange.

He conveyed the invitation of the Vietnamese top legislator to Chinas young parliamentarians to attend the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be hosted by the Vietnamese NA in Ha Noi from September 14-18.

For his part, Zhao affirmed the geographical proximity between the two countries, and their similarities in development ideals and paths, saying the exchange of experience in Party building and national management and the deepening of the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation match aspirations of the two countries people.

Agreeing with PM Chinhs proposals, he stressed that maintaining the Viet Nam-China solidarity and friendship was a practical need, enabling the two countries to firmly step towards socialism and prosperity.

China attached importance to developing the cooperation and friendship with Viet Nam, and stood ready to work together with the country in realising the reached agreements and high-level common perceptions, thus advancing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new height, he noted.

The NPC was also willing to foster and deepen the friendship and practical cooperation with the Vietnamese NA, Zhao affirmed.  VNS
HA NOI  Before retiring, ao Viet No was a deputy manager of a workshop in a paper manufacturing company in Hai Phong northern port city.

However, now, No's pension is less than VN3 million (US$127) per month.

Although he lives frugally, the soaring prices and many old-age diseases mean it is a struggle for No to make ends meet.

The 78-year-old lives in An Lao District and retired in 1994 after nearly 25 years of working.

His first monthly pension was VN159,609 ($6.7).

Many years have passed, now, he enjoys a pension of no more than $127.

His wife Nguyen Thi Liem was an informal worker. She used to work as a seller at a nearby market.

At present, Liem does not have any income.

The elderly couple does not have enough to cover their everyday expenses.

Their lives became more difficult when No began suffering from kidney disease.

Every month, No has to meet with a doctor and spend up to VN4 million ($169) on medicines.

No and his wife have three children. Two are married and have their own lives, and a son with an unstable job is living with them.

"My children also have hard lives," said No.

"Sometimes they send us some food and drinks, but we don't want to be a burden for them. If we have more pension support, we will have fewer problems."

Tran Van Dien, a post office worker in An Lao District, said that for those receiving a low pension, it was necessary to have additional benefits.

This contributes to ensuring basic needs and helping pensioners not to feel sorry for themselves and feel that they are a financial burden for their children.

No is one of about 230,000 people expected to receive an increase in their monthly pension and allowance from July 1 this year.

The addition was paid by the State budget with a total cost of about VN330 billion ($13.9 million).

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) said that the social insurance policies before January 1, 1995 regulated that pension and monthly allowance were based on the actual working time and the salary level before retiring.

At that time, many employees retired early due to weak heath condition with short working period and low wages, which affects the general level of pension and monthly allowance of those people at present.

Implementing the Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW on reforming social insurance policies and the Resolution No. 69/2022/QH15, the MoLISA proposed to adjust the pension level for retirees before January 1, 1995, but receiving less than VN3 million per month.

Bui Sy Loi, former deputy chairman of the National Assembly (NA)'s Social Affairs Committee, told the Tuoi tre (Youth) newspaper that in the salary policy in the past, the contribution and enjoyment levels were not equal, leading to difficult life for retirees.

To solve this problem, Loi said that the Law on Social Insurance should be revised.

Specifically, to increase the pension, it is necessary to raise the monthly social insurance premiums.

NA Deputy Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, chairwoman of the HCM City Labour Federation, also toldTuoi tre newspaper that the amount of social insurance contributions of many workers was not based on their income but based on salary in the contracts, so the paid social insurance was lower than real level.

Some employees even agree with their enterprises to separate their income into different smaller parts to avoid the highest payment for social insurance.

From these reasons, many people's pensions are low and not enough to live on.

Thuy proposed to raise the maximum social insurance to encourage people to maintain the payment period to receive a high pension later.

In the long term, according to Thuy, the most important thing was to increase the basic minimum salary so that the monthly insurance premiums of employees increase.

Former Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Minh Huan also said that the State needed to exempt tax for additional retirement payments.

This has three benefits: workers have more income in their old age, businesses are encouraged to pay higher wages to retain high-quality workers, and the pension fund would have more sources, thereby contributing to socio-economic development.  VNS
HCM CITY  Cities and provinces in the south are seeing a spike in the incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease among children, and in the number of patients in serious condition, and there have been at least seven deaths due to the disease.

The southern regions 20 cities and provinces have so far this year recorded around 11,000 cases, mostly caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) virus, which can lead to severe complications and death, according to the Pasteur Institute in HCM City.

There have been seven deaths this year.

EV71 also caused HFMD outbreaks in 2011 and 2018.

HCM City and Binh Duong, ong Nai, An Giang, and Kien Giang provinces have seen a spike in infections and severe cases in the past few weeks.

Although the number of infections in HCM City has been down 53 per cent from the same period last year, the number of severe cases increased, according to its Department of Health.

More than 3,430 cases have been recorded in the city, with 184 currently being treated at hospitals, all of them under six years old.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in ong Thap Province reported a total of 902 cases so far this year, including one death.

In An Giang Province, the number of HFMD cases rose sharply this month to an average of 90 a week.

It has recorded 600 HFMD cases and also one death.

Paediatrics hospitals in the south are facing a lack of drugs for treating severe HFMD cases like gamma globulin and phenobarbital.

Tran Quang Hien, director of the An Giang Department of Health, said the drugs were expected to be available again from early next month. VNS
The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) last week reported that in the first five months of this year, the two-way trade value between the EU and Vietnam sat at $23.54 billion  down from $26.2 billion in the corresponding period last year. This includes $17.79 billion worth of exports, down by 9.7 per cent on-year.

According to the GDVC, the five-month export figure to the EU should have been bigger if exporters from Vietnam had met many strict regulations including the rules of origin (ROO) under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), whose tariffs have been reduced partly since it took effect in 2020.

Many exporters have failed to meet such regulations so their export applications to the EVFTA have been rejected and they have had to apply to ordinary export regulations, said Nguyen Ngoc Tu, an expert from the GDVCs Hanoi Customs Department.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) also stated that in 2023, the EU will remove import tariffs for thousands of Vietnamese items, but instead the bloc will apply a series of regulations that may affect non-EU items imported in to the market within the bloc.

However, one of the greatest challenges is that exporters from Vietnam must meet ROO, a tough nut to crack, said Kieu Nguyen Viet Ha, an expert from the MoITs Department of Science and Technology. To benefit from the EVFTAs tariff advantages, enterprises must ensure that their factories products must have clear origins stipulated.

Specifically, products will benefit from the tariff preferences under the EVFTAs ROO provided that they can prove that they are originating. Products are considered originating under the agreement if they are wholly obtained in Vietnam or they are products produced in the country that incorporate materials which have not been wholly obtained there, provided that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing within Vietnam. Nevertheless, while raw materials from Vietnam and goods produced in Vietnam using Vietnamese inputs easily fall into the wholly obtained category, many goods contain materials or components imported from countries not party to the EVFTA.

These goods must prove that the inputs that have been inputted have undergone specific levels of alteration within Vietnamese borders to tap into the benefits of the EVFTA. Many goods have set procedures that must be completed within Vietnam for the good in question to be considered originating.

For the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, businesses from Vietnam will find it difficult to take advantage of tariff incentives for their garments and textiles due to tough requirements in ROO applied commonly within the bloc because almost all materials Vietnam need are imported from non-EU sources, such as China, India, and South Asia, said Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, director of the Centre for WTO and International Trade under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Vietnams garment and textile exports last year reached $44 billion, including about $4 billion from the EU. Total material imports in 2022 reached as much as $6.5 billion, up 8.5 per cent on-year. About 80 per cent of clothing materials were imported from foreign markets, in which half was from China, 15 per cent from Taiwan, and only 18 per cent from South Korea.

Under the EVFTA commitments, all Vietnamese garments and textiles will enjoy a zero import tax rate seven years after the deals entry into force. Specifically, EU will remove import tariffs for 77.3 per cent of Vietnams garments and textiles after five years, and the remaining 22.7 per cent will follow suit after the next two years.

EU-Vietnam two-way trade turnover hit $54.9 billion in the first year, up 12.1 per cent on-year, and came at $61.4 billion in the second year of implementation.

According to a study by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the EVFTA will help Vietnams export turnover to the EU increase by 42.7 per cent in 2025 and 44.37 per cent in 2030 compared to the situation of no agreement. At the same time, the import turnover from the EU will also climb but at a lower rate than exports, meaning 33.06 per cent in 2025 and 36.7 per cent in 2030.

The EVFTA is calculated to contribute to Vietnams GDP by an average 4.57-5.3 per cent in 2024-2028 and 7.07-7.72 per cent in 2029-2033.

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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.

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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.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  South Korea's Ministry of Justice will accept e-Group visa applications for regular tourists starting June 27, the South Korean Embassy in Manila announced on Tuesday.

The e-Group visa may be applied for a group travel of at least three individuals "from company incentive tour group, educational tour group of below collegiate level, and regular tour group, who plan to enter and exit with same vessel, flight, or other same scheduled means of transportation."

Such a visa can be applied online by the nine accredited travel agencies through Korea Visa Portal:

- Airmark Tour and Development, Inc.

- Ark Travel Express, Inc.

- Grand Hope Travel, Inc.

- Horizon Travel & Tours, Inc.

- Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.

- Marsman Drysdale Travel, Inc.

- Pan Pacific Travel Corporation

- Rajah Travel Corporation

- Rakso Air Travel and Tours Inc.

The South Korean Embassy advised interested tourists to inquire in the abovementioned travel agencies.
Indonesia massively imported Vietnamese agricultural products, increasing by 1520%

The content of the Can Gio International Transit Port Construction Research Project has just been submitted by the Ministry of Transport to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and submitted to the Prime Minister. The approved project will be the foundation for port investment and related technological infrastructure systems.The transfer port of Can Gio has a length of over 7 kilometers and can accommodate the largest container ship proposed by MSC Group (the world's leading container shipping company) with a capacity of 250000 deadweight tons (24000 standard containers). The project was studied on Phu Loi Island at the mouth of the Cai Mep River, with a total capital of $5.45 billion. The project is divided into seven stages, with the first stage completed in 2027 and all completed by the end of 2045.When the investment port project reaches the design capacity in 2045, the annual income of 3400-400 billion VND is preliminarily calculated. Loading, unloading, and warehousing taxes originating from port enterprises, company income tax, sea freight, surface rent, etc.In addition, according to the proposal, a large sum of money will be needed for the existing port to attract enterprises to participate in the investment and create about six employment opportunities. Eight thousand. Tens of thousands of employees work in the port, and tens of thousands work in the logistics center after the port.According to the data of the Ministry of Transport, from now until 2030, the cargo passing through the seaport of this city will increase by more than 5% annually on average, and the container cargo will be about 6%. Although the container terminal systems of local ports are all in the mainland, the mining capacity is beyond the plan.Therefore, the planning and construction of additional demand ports will support the local seaport system, create competitive advantages with other countries and break through the development of the marine economy. The port capacity is estimated to reach 4.8 million TEU by 2030 and nearly 16.9 million TEU by 2047 (each TEU is equivalent to a 20-foot container).According to the proposal to connect the existing ports and navigation channels, it is estimated that from now until 2030, the city will build a bridge called Can Gio, connecting this place to Nha Be District. The bridge on the Xoai River plans to be deployed in the form of PPP, with a total capital of about 10 billion VND. It will help break the only way for the Binh Khanh ferry to enter the inner city.Also, in the same period, the city invested and upgraded the bridges on Rung Sac road and made an intersection linking this route with the Ben Luc - Long Thanh highway in Binh Khanh commune. After 2030, a ramp will be built from the position of the transshipment port through the Rung Sac route in Long Hoa commune. At the same time, the transport sector also studies building an elevated route running along Rung Sac road to the intersection of the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway.
HCMC  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today, June 27, met Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in Beijing.

PM Chinh is in China for an official visit to the neighboring country and for the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference from June 25 to 28.

Speaking at his meeting with President Xi, the Vietnamese head of government proposed the two countries raise the quality of cooperation in fields such as economy, trade and investment.

Chinh said that developing a stable, healthy, sustainable, long-term relationship with China is a strategic option and a top priority in Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of relations, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam persistently supports the One-China principle and is interested in Chinas global initiatives and stands ready to discuss with the country about them, Chinh added.

Xi affirmed that China considers Vietnam a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, saying this is Chinas strategic option during the long-term development of bilateral ties.

China stands ready to promote relations between the two Parties and countries, making them more intensive and substantive, he said.

Chinh suggested China open its market further for Vietnamese agricultural products, create better conditions for Vietnam to open more trade promotion offices in China, give more quotas for Vietnamese goods in transit to a third country by Chinas railway, and consider cooperation in developing a standard, high-speed railway connecting the two countries.

He said Vietnam needed Chinese businesses to expand high-quality investment in Vietnam and that the two nations enhance people-to-people exchanges.

Xi said China is willing to work together with Vietnam in maintaining strategic exchanges, promoting all-level exchanges, expanding the import of Vietnamese goods, and enhancing rail, road, border gate infrastructure connectivity.

Xi also welcomed Vietnam to participate in Chinas global initiatives, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, according to the Vietnam News Agency report.
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.

Aston Martin agrees US-Saudi electric car deal, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

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.

Automotive giant to lead the push for electric taxis in Vietnam The participation of giants is leading the push for electric taxis in Vietnam which would reshape the taxi landscape towards more green transportation but the fares remain a decisive factor.

HCM City to pilot electric cars for city tours The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has proposed the pilot use of electric cars to transport tourists around the city.
The new offerings are expected to help AWS customers increase security, affordable cyber insurance policies, and create a simplified customer experience.

AWS announced 14 new security offerings across cloud security, management tools, encryption, and more at its AWS re:Inforce 2023

Phil Rodrigues, AWS head of Security in Asia Pacific and Japan said, Security is our top priority. AWS provides our customers in Vietnam with cloud security solutions that allow them to experiment and iterate securely, so they can move quickly and stay secure.

Today at AWS re:Inforce, we announced a series of services and features which allow customers to optimise their security investments, innovate securely with advanced technology including generative AI, and use data to respond more quickly to an evolving security landscape. We also announced a series of programmes to help our partners in new domains, such as cyber insurance, to accelerate secure cloud adoption. Our focus is to continually raise the bar for security in the industry by providing the most secure place for builders in Vietnam to develop innovative applications, he said.

For cloud security, the new offerings include Amazon CodeGuru Security, Software Bill of Materials export capability in Amazon Inspector, the general availability of Code Scans for AWS Lambda function, and Amazon Detective.

Amazon CodeGuru Security is now available in preview. AWS announced the preview release of Amazon CodeGuru Security, a static application security testing tool that uses Machine Learning to help customers identify code vulnerabilities and provide guidance customers can use as part of remediation. It also provides in-context code patches for certain classes of vulnerabilities to help reduce the effort required to fix code vulnerabilities.

In terms of management tools, AWS announced AWS CloudTrail Lake Dashboards, AWS Security Hub with a new capability for automating actions to update findings, AWS Config, and Amazon EC2 Instance Connect.

AWS announced that CloudTrail Lake dashboards are now generally available. CloudTrail Lake dashboards provide out-of-the-box visibility and top insights from your audit and security data directly within the CloudTrail Lake console.

AWS announced the general availability of a new feature within AWS Config that lets customers exclude resource types in the configuration recorder. This launch is particularly useful for customers who identify high-volume resource types that they do not need.

For encryption, AWS announced Amazon S3 Dual-Layer Server-Side Encryption with keys stored in AWS key management service, and Move Payment Processing to the Cloud with AWS Payment Cryptography.

Amazon S3 dual-layer server-side encryption with keys stored in AWS Key Management Service is a new encryption option in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) that applies two layers of encryption to objects when they are uploaded to an Amazon S3 bucket.

Meanwhile, AWS Payment Cryptography is a service that simplifies the implementation of cryptography operations used to secure data in payment processing applications for debit, credit, and stored-value cards in accordance with various payment card industry, network, and American National Standards Institute standards and rules.

To help simplify how customers manage authorisation in their applications, AWS announced Amazon Verified Permissions. It is now generally available.

First announced in preview at re:Invent 2022, Amazon Verified Permissions is a scalable permissions management and fine-grained authorisation service for building applications. Amazon Verified Permissions centralises permissions in a policy store and helps developers use those permissions to authorise user actions within their applications.

For AWS partners, AWS announced the Cyber Insurance Partner Programme, the AWS Global Partner Security Initiative, and AWS Built-in Partner Solutions to achieve faster growth and scale.

AWS Cyber Insurance Partners makes it easy for customers, particularly small and medium businesses to find affordable cyber insurance policies that integrate their security posture assessment solutions through a new, simplified customer experience.

By using the new assessment solutions from AWS Cyber Insurance Partners, organisations can receive cyber insurance pricing estimates, purchase plans, and be confident they have the coverage for security and recovery services when needed most. AWS Cyber Insurance Partners have worked with AWS to digitally transform their assessment and onboarding processes and can now reward customers that present a security posture which follows AWS best practices.

New requirements to shore up personal data protection The forthcoming legal framework on personal data protection means all domestic and foreign organisations processing personal information must handle sensitive individual personal information in a proper manner.

All systems go for energy security The newly approved Power Development Plan VIII for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, is designed to improve the countrys energy security and set out a roadmap for developing energy sources towards a green path. However, realising the targets will be a profound challenge for all involved.

Data security  A top priority for digital economy development Businesses, policymakers, and experts gathered at the Vietnam Security Summit 2023 on June 2 to discuss the importance of information security and how to effectively utilise it in the context of digital transformation and global uncertainties.

SASE considered optimal solution for network security in the hybrid work era Using a single vendor secure access service edge (SASE) is an important solution to secure remote workers amidst the surge of unmanaged devices and increasing security incidents.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26)  The Supreme Court declared the law that postponed the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections as unconstitutional, but it ordered the October polls to go through as planned.

In a press release on Tuesday, the SC public information office said the high court found unconstitutional Republic Act No. 11935, or the act that postponed the barangay and youth council polls from its initial December 2022 schedule to the last Monday of October this year.

The court, however, noted that it recognizes the legal practicality and necessity of proceeding with the conduct of the BSKE on the last Monday of October 2023" and said that the polls scheduled for October shall proceed.

It added that the sitting barangay and SK officials are also obliged to continue to hold office until their successors have been elected and qualified.

The ruling came eight months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted the law.

With the decision, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said nothing will change in its preparations and that the ruling is "for future guidance" of political departments of the government.

Grounds for unconstitutionality

The SC said that there had been a grave abuse of discretion leading to a lack or excess of jurisdiction in the enactment of RA 11935.

The high court cited that the conduct of genuine periodic elections should be held at intervals that are not unduly long and ensure that the authority of government is still based on the free expression of the will of the people.

It also pointed out that the Comelec does not have the power to postpone elections on a nationwide basis and that Congress only has the authority to do so, including the constitutional power to set the term of office of barangay officials.

As such, the Congress did not unconstitutionally encroach on the power of the Comelec to administer elections when it enacted Republic Act No. (RA) 11935, it said. Neither did the provision for hold-over capacity amount to an unconstitutional legislative appointment.

Furthermore, the high tribunal said the law violates the freedom of suffrage or the right to vote as it did not adhere to the requirements of the substantive aspect of constitutional due process.

"The Court found that there was no legitimate government interest or objective to support the legislative measure, and that the law unconstitutionally exceeds the bounds of the Congress power to legislate, it said.

Nevertheless, the SC clarified that it is simply enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, and recognized RA 11935 as an operative fact that cannot be reversed or ignored.

The barangay and SK elections have been postponed four times since 2016.
The banking sector has already invested over $625 million in digital transformation initiatives, Le Toan

Danang authorities last week achieved a significant breakthrough by breaking up the activities of one illicit network involved in the unauthorised trading of banking information, aided by numerous employees.

Dao Minh Tu, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), last week stressed the urgency of swiftly identifying and terminating the employment of any personnel found guilty of selling customer information for any means.

Such behaviour is deemed utterly unacceptable, and immediate action must be taken by the implicated banks to address this disconcerting issue, he noted.

According to Danang Department of Public Securitys e-portal, its Cybersecurity Division and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division has employed diligent monitoring and technical surveillance in cyberspace to detect a group of individuals posting articles on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and Zalo.

The posts revolved around the illicit acquisition and verification of personal customer information across over 20 national banking systems, with the aim of unlawfully profiting through

service fees.

Particularly alarming were cases where bank employees engaged in extensive exchanges and sale of banking information, involving over 20 accounts.

Multiple employees from various banks have been implicated, including those from MSB and Sacombank. Law enforcement authorities are taking action to address this serious breach of customer privacy and to ensure the proper handling of the case, he added.

In addition, bank employees, including those from TPBank and BIDV, along with non-bank individuals, engaged in unauthorised collection and sale of banking information to the suspect, driven by personal gain.

Further investigations in the country revealed the involvement of an employee at SeABanks Danang Branch. The employee received profiles of 27 individuals, including altered images of both sides of their identity card, photos of their cards, and specimen signatures.

The implicated bank employee confessed to bypassing proper procedures, signing customers names on the account opening documents, and receiving nearly VND2.4 billion ($100,000).

This case marks the first successful crackdown on a large-scale illegal operation involving the unauthorised trading of personal banking information in Danang and nationwide, Tam said.

It significantly contributes to safeguarding the integrity of personal data, preventing data breaches, and protecting the rights and interests of individuals and organisations. Notably, this achievement carries even greater significance ahead of the effective date of a government decree on personal data protection, scheduled for July 1.

Data privacy is a paramount concern for banks and financial services that recognise the need to safeguard customer information. Consequently, Vietnams banks are allocating increased budgets to invest in robust digital infrastructure and data protection measures.

SBV data reveals that the banking sector invested over $625 million in digital transformation initiatives by the end of 2022. Over the past four years, Vietnam has consistently maintained a 40 per cent growth rate in digital payments, solidifying its position as one of the fastest-growing adopters of digital banking applications in the region.

The rapid and expansive nature of digital transformation in recent years, coupled with intensified technological investments, has been unanimously hailed as the primary impetus driving the sectors future growth.

A survey by Vietnam Report last week confirmed that all Vietnamese banks recognise the profound impact of digital transformation on their profitability and operational efficiency.

A significant 71.4 per cent of banks attribute their strong business performance to digitalisation, while the remaining 28.6 per cent acknowledge substantial benefits resulting from their digital conversion efforts over the past year, the report said.

Among the various tech evaluated, cloud computing emerged as the most closely correlated technology with operational effectiveness, receiving an impressive rating of 4.4 out of 5 from these businesses.

Nuts and bolts of new personal data decree Last month the government in Vietnam finally issued Decree No.13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection (PDP). The decree will take effect from July; however, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as well as startups (excluding data processing companies) are optionally exempted for two years.

Vietnam working hard to protect personal data The Governments Steering Committee for Human Rights has issued a plan on communications activities towards the 75th anniversary of World Human Rights Day (December 10), heard a press conference in Hanoi on May 18.
As part of the partnership, DKSH will continue to provide integrated and tailor-made services to Roche in Vietnam, helping to increase accessibility to high-quality diagnostic instruments, reagents, and consumables across the market.

DKSH has offered comprehensive solutions combined with global experience and local understanding for our sustainable development in Vietnam over the past 22 years. This partnership extension helps us cater to our customers and patients needs with diagnostics solutions, said Dr. Qadeer Raza, general manager, Roche Vietnam.

DKSH Business Unit Healthcare and Roche Vietnam signed an extended agreement in June

In more than 100 countries, Roche offers the industrys most comprehensive in-vitro diagnostic solutions to improve the lives of people and patients. As part of Roche Group, Roche Vietnam integrates diagnostic solutions that address the challenges of today and anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

With a demand for the highest quality assurance for its diagnostic products, Roche has entrusted DKSH to warehousing and logistics services across Vietnam.

Phillip Wray, vice president, Business Unit Healthcare and head country management, DKSH Vietnam said, "As the trusted partner, DKSH continues to improve our best-in--class services to consistently deliver growth for Roche in Vietnam, while fulfilling our purpose of enriching peoples lives and providing high-quality healthcare to our patients. The long-term partnership with Roche Vietnam is a testament to our service capabilities as a leading Market Expansion Services provider in Asia and beyond.

DKSH tapping into healthtech with PSPhere for sustainable care With Vietnam strongly moving to achieve its net-zero emissions by 2050, innovation and digitalisation is a solution for the healthcare industry in this regard. Phillip Wray, head of Country Management, DKSH Vietnam, discussed with Bich Thuy the drivers of a sustainable healthcare industry and how the group can contribute to this effort.

Lipton Teas partners with DKSH to boost presence in Vietnam Lipton Teas and Infusions has partnered with DKSH Business Unit Consumer Goods, a leading partner for companies seeking to grow their consumer goods business in Asia and beyond.
Foreign tourists visit Hoi An ancient city in Quang Nam province. (Photo: Quang Nam newspaper)

Hanoi  The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam is predicted to see a 1.5-fold increase following the extension of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days from August 15, according to insiders.

It is part of the Law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on the Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens, as well as the Law on Foreigners Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam, approved by the National Assembly on June 24 at its fifth session.

Upon being granted an e-visa, a foreigner can enter and exit an unlimited number of times within 90 days, without having to go through procedures for obtaining a new visa.

Citizens of countries that are unilaterally exempted from visas by Vietnam will be granted temporary residence for 45 days (up from 15 days) and can be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension according to regulations.

Currently, the e-visa issued by the Immigration Department to foreigners through the electronic transaction system is only valid once. Vietnam is issuing e-visas to citizens of 80 countries.

Nguyen Tran Hoang Phuong, Chairman and CEO of Golden Smile Travel Company and Acting Director of the Institute of Social Tourism Research, said that with the legislatures move, revenue from foreign tourists may also double, as they will have longer stays in Vietnam.

He proposed simplifying procedures to better facilitate tourists travel to Vietnam.

Do Van Thuc, Deputy Director of Dat Viet Tour Company, said that many international tourists initially planned to spend only two weeks in Vietnam. However, the countrys charm has persuaded them to stay longer, and they had to seek ways to extend their visas.

Many others spent up to two days on flights to the Southeast Asian nation. Meanwhile, many tourist destinations in Vietnam are far apart, with some taking the whole day to travel.

Therefore, the upcoming extension of e-visas will help lure more foreigners to Vietnam and increase travel businesses revenues.

Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens from 80 countries Citizens from 80 countries worldwide will be allowed to enter Vietnam using e-visas from July, according to a resolution recently issued by the Government.

Visa upgrade at heart of fresh approach to tourism Vietnams tourism industry is expected to surpass its goal of welcoming eight million foreign visitors this year, if visa policies are updated and length of stay options adjusted.

Boosting tourism with new visa policies Last week, the government issued a report on Vietnams unilateral visa waiver and several other policies in the management of entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, which will give the countrys tourism a huge boost when enacted.
Energy sector CO2 emissions hit record in 2022: study, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

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.

Forests, soil may not keep pace with CO2 emissions, experts warn The world is counting too heavily on soil and plants to soak up planet-ravaging carbon pollution, researchers cautioned Wednesday.

Climate 'reality check': 2021 global CO2 emissions near record levels Global CO2 emissions caused mainly by burning fossil fuels are set to rebound in 2021 to pre-Covid levels, with China's share increasing to nearly a third of the total, according to an assessment published Thursday.
The fear of job losses or jobs being replaced by modern tech is spreading rapidly worldwide after the recent explosion in interest and research in AI technology.

Expanding skills vital to taking on AI wave

According to Nguyen Thu Giang, associate director of Navigos Group Vietnam, the emergence of technology could cause many employees to be replaced, including IT personnel, if they do not change their mindset and self-improve their qualifications and skills to adapt in a timely manner.

Vietnam has about 50,000 IT graduates each year, but only 16,000 people meet the requirements of employers. The lack of critical thinking, teamwork, and foreign language skills has made the performance of Vietnamese workers lower than South Korea, Singapore, and other neighbouring countries, Giang said at a seminar on the future of jobs in the digital economy hosted by the National Innovation Centre last week in Hanoi.

According to a forecast from the International Labour Organization, by 2030, Vietnam will face labour replacement when up to 70 per cent of jobs are at high risk due to the application of digital technology. Jobs with a high rate of being replaced by machines and robots are concentrated in retail, textiles, agriculture, and fisheries with a probability of more than 80 per cent, while workers in the processing, manufacturing, and electronics also have a 75 per cent chance of being replaced.

The study results of the 2023 Work Trend Index published by Microsoft in mid-May also show that just over half of Vietnamese workers are worried that AI will replace their job position. Despite the increasing pressure and influence on the job market, nine out of 10 workers are willing to use AI to reduce their workload.

According to the report, more than 90 per cent of Vietnamese feel comfortable using AI for administrative, analytical, and creative tasks, nearly 20 per cent higher than the global average.

Hung Tran, founder and president of Got It Education, a technology startup that has raised $25 million in Silicon Valley, admitted that technology could replace people in some jobs, but this may only happen to low-skilled and unwilling-to-learn workers.

If people work hard to update new skills, they can compete with technology and use it as a tool to improve work performance, Hung said. Technology will help businesses free their employees from the burden of massive digital data and foster innovation. For repetitive tasks such as customer service or electronic painting, technology will do better by providing content that meets the needs and interests of users.

According to Duong Le Minh Duc, deputy director of the AI Business Centre of FPT Smart Cloud, AI should be considered as a tool to support employees instead of competing with workers for jobs.

The orientation of FPT when deploying AI is the story of humans and machines working together, not trying to completely replace humans. It will play the role of a supporting tool, handling simple content, while the rest of the enterprises human resources can focus on more complex issues, Duc said.

AI technology is predicted to create a market of $15.7 trillion by 2030 and become the driving force behind the economic development of many countries, the World Economic Forum said in May. It predicted that by 2025, AI will cause 85 million people to lose their jobs around the world, but also create 97 million new jobs.

Along with the development of the technology wave, AI is increasingly affecting the labour market in many countries and changing the structure of employment.

In Hong Kong, one-quarter of the workforce, or about 800,000 people, will be unemployed or have to change jobs in the next five years due to AI taking over, according to the Hong Kong Salary Guide 2023 report published in March by IT recruiter Venturenix.

Data entry, administration, and customer care staff will be the jobs that could be eliminated in the coming years. Some high-paying professions such as lawyers, translators, content creators, and illustrators are also in a state of alarm.

In China, Boston Consulting Group estimated that 2.3 million financial industry employees, equivalent to 23 per cent of employees in the banking, insurance, and securities industries, will lose their jobs or have to move to other positions in a few years.

Meanwhile, Forrester Research forecasted that about 33,000 advertising jobs in the United States, or about 7.5 per cent of the industrys workforce, will be automated by 2030. The report estimates around 5.9 million new jobs in the US could be created by 2027 thanks to opportunities created by technologies, but at the same time, 23.5 million jobs are estimated to be eliminated due to AI.

Phan Vinh Quang - Head, Research Team Usaid Wise In Vietnam, two types of economy exist at the same time, the new and the traditional. In the traditional one, a lot of people are becoming unemployed, while in the new economy, the demand on the labour force is increasing, and numerous companies are recruiting continuously. On the digital workforce platform developed by USAID and the National Innovation Centre, we provide an overview and suggest salary for jobs in the digital economy. Young people who are looking for a job will have some useful and proper information on the demand of the market, requirements of employers, and salary for employees with these skills in some industries. Vietnamese employees are intelligent and good at logical thinking, but not often great at soft skills, working in groups, or innovating. If we change the methods of education and training, the local workforce will absolutely match with the development of the digital economy. The digital economy is opening up plenty of opportunities along with some challenges. For instance, technologies and jobs are changing day by day. Unless quickly adapting and expanding their knowledge, employees will not be able to catch up with the trends. Studying and learning lasts forever. Do Tien Thinh - Deputy director National Innovation Centre At present, we can see and feel the digital economy in every activity of the economy. For example, the Phu Thuong sticky rice is quite well-known, making up 80 per cent of the market share in Hanoi. This seems unrelated to digitalisation, but in fact, it has happened because sometimes the salesman or customers upload pictures or information related to the product on social media. In a wider view, technologies are supporting us a lot in all daily life and work to make everything quick and easy. To improve labour quality, our launch of a digital workforce platform provides the most important general knowledge about the job market, thereby orienting career development trends for young people. Employers will also be able to adjust their plans and use labour resources more effectively and appropriately in response to fluctuations in the labour market. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan - Director, Bkacad Technologies are changing three things: the way we play, learn, and work. Therefore, local employees should research and learn as much as they can, in addition to basic skills and knowledge. For example, students nowadays often use AI bots to collect information for their homework. Technology does everything more easily, but gives us a headache because we cannot know the value or accuracy of this tech yet. While technology companies scale down their operations, this could be a good chance for digital workforces to look for new jobs. However, they should enhance their skills and knowledge to become flexible and adapt to various jobs in the IT industry in particular, as well as other fields.

The impressive changes in Vietnamese labour market The official passage of the Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam in 1987 is considered a historic turning point that contributes to attracting an increasing number of foreign-led enterprises into Vietnam over the years. Multinational corporations opening new branches as well as newly established foreign-backed enterprises in many fields create great demand for domestic labour, generating jobs and improving livelihoods and quality of life for Vietnamese people.
In the first three months of 2023, there were five merger and acquisition (M&A) deals involving Japanese investors in Vietnam. Could you share more about these deals?

Masataka Sam Yoshida, head of the Cross-border Division of RECOF Corporation

Five major Japanese companies made investments in Vietnamese companies in the financial and consumer goods sectors during the first quarter. The most notable investment was made by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), which has invested in 15 per cent of VPBank. SMFG aims to enhance its growth strategy in Vietnam by leveraging VPBanks extensive branch network across the country in various areas, including retail and small and medium-sized enterprise finance.

Meanwhile, Dairei, a frozen seafood processing company, acquired a stake in TBM Consumer, a subsidiary of REI, a Vietnamese company in frozen seafood processing and sales. Dairei will hold an exclusive distribution agreement with REI for shrimp and other products in Japan, where it supplies restaurants and other customers. Dairei also plans to expand its overseas sales business by selling its products in Vietnam.

In addition, Morinaga Milk acquired Morinaga Le May, an infant formula importer and retailer. Morinaga began exporting infant formula through Le May in 2010. With this acquisition, Moringa aims to strengthen the business development of Morinaga-branded infant formulas.

Kato Sangyo, a food wholesale company, has taken over Nam Khai Phu Service Trading Production, a Vietnamese food wholesaler, by scooping up all shares from existing shareholders. Kato is focused on developing and expanding its food distribution business in Asia, aiming to strengthen its food distribution channels and expanding its product portfolio.

Lastly, Lion, a household goods manufacturer, scooped up a stake in Merap, a pharmaceutical/medical device manufacturing and sales company. Lion aims to leverage the groups product development and production technology capabilities to expand its business in the Vietnamese market.

The deal value of Japanese M&As in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2023 has surpassed the total value in 2022. What are the reasons behind this increase?

The reason is mainly due to a $1.5 billion investment of SMFG in VPBank, in which the company aims to bolster its growth strategy in Vietnam with a particular focus on expanding its presence in the retail sector. This follows its significant investment in FE Credit in 2021, which further underscores its dedication to business development in Vietnam.

We see that Japanese M&A activities are gradually warming up again in Vietnam, and the economic fundamentals of the Japanese domestic market have been relatively stable, which is a supporting factor for their overseas investments.

Many Vietnamese companies are selling their assets amid market turbulence. Are Japanese investors eager to buy Vietnamese companies on the cheap?

Japanese investments in Vietnamese companies are strategically oriented by nature, indicating that they do not especially seek to acquire companies at low prices. Instead, the pricing tends to be fair and to reflect the real value and potential of the target companies.

Also, Japanese investors tend to invest in target companies with good quality, rather than pick up companies financially in trouble but at attractive prices.

What is the outlook for Japanese investors in the market, and do you expect any mega deals this year?

The size of deals depends on the availability of suitable targets and, as said previously, most Japanese investments are strategically oriented, so it will depend on the availability of targets with a good strategic fit, whatever the size is. The emergence of any mega deals is not specifically guaranteed.

On the other hand, the number of transactions is likely to increase steadily, especially for catching up the strategic time gap left over from inactivity during the pandemic in the recent years. Given the huge cash amount reserves in Japanese corporates, it will not stop them executing mega deals when and if such big targets become available.

Japanese investors highly appreciate Vietnamese property market Representatives from around 180 Japanese businesses and investors on April 1 attended a Tokyo workshop on Vietnamese real estate, during which many of them highly appreciated the potential of Vietnams property market.

Japanese financial behemoths extend SE Asia reach Three Japanese megabanks are doubling down on their emphasis on Vietnams finance and banking sector to experience rapid economic growth and leverage their investment portfolios across wider Southeast Asia.

Japan pledges to enhance cooperation with ASEAN Japanese Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kiya Masahiko has described ASEAN as an important partner of Japan and Tokyo is committed to enhancing cooperation with the bloc.

Japanese investors weigh up options Although Japanese manufacturers may be planning to cut production abroad over the next few years, some groups are being encouraged to increase focus on the Global South to increase security and take advantage of new business environments.
On June 19, FPT Shop  the retail arm of the tech giant FPT Corporation  and Dell Technologies Vietnam inked a strategic cooperative agreement in preparation for the new school year, when the demand for laptops often reaches its peak.

The move aims to provide customers with more choices in terms of quality and price.

The laptop market eyes healthy growth in Q3 at the start of the new school year

Nguyen Viet Anh, deputy CEO of the FPT Shop chain, noted that they aim to provide nearly 200,000 laptops to pupils and students with lucrative incentives, including discounts, gifts, one-year warranties, and payment via interest-free instalments.

This major retailer has opened 150 outlets across Vietnam, buoyed by a wide assortment of laptops with exclusive offerings that cater to each customer group.

Nguyen The Kha, senior director of Mobility Groups at FPT Shop, revealed that the new school year is often the golden growth time for laptops thanks to the spike in the demand from fresh students.

The revenue from computer products at the FPT Shop chain usually doubles in the third quarter every year, said Kha.

Vu Van Truc, director of Retail and Distribution at Dell Technologies Vietnam, believes that the Vietnamese market still offers space for development. Therefore, Dell will focus on promoting the laptop gaming segment to meet the burgeoning market demands while also seeking new partners.

The turbulence in the macroeconomy has forced consumers to cut their spending, particularly on more pricey items.

After two years of hot-paced development from 2020 to 2021 serving those working from home, the sales revenue of PC items saw a plunge from the second half of last year.

Figures from leading computer retailers show that in Q4 of last year, the markets scale fell by a half on-year.

The purchasing continued to slide in Q1 of this year, with significant amounts of unsold stock despite attractive promotion programmes.

Digiworld Corporation admitted that the companys laptop and tablet revenue fell to just $47.5 million in Q1 of this year, taking a 51 per cent dive on-year.

The declining revenue from the sale of PC items is attributable to the fact that purchase of such items peaked in Q4/2021 and Q1/2022, but the market then became saturated.

In addition, the turbulence in the macroeconomy has forced consumers to cut their spending, particularly on more pricey items.

A report on ICT wholesaling by Bao Viet Securities JSC shows that the sales revenue from laptops is expected to experience a 13 per cent drop, falling to around $67.7 million, and that of handsets is likely to be down 6.9 per cent to $4.75 billion in 2023 compared to the previous year.

However, the market demand is expected to fully reboot by 2024-2025.

Maximising a vibrant M&A outlook for Vietnam in 2022 There is a wave of optimism in the global and local merger and acquisition (M&A) space. The long-anticipated reopening of borders, record levels of capital raised, and the general positive economic sentiments are just some factors fuelling this momentum.

Labour market prepares for post-holiday season While the labour market in the first quarter of 2022 is expecting positive changes in recruitment demand, overall unemployment and underemployment rates are expected to be even higher than last year.

Steel sector anticipates brighter prospects in 2023 A number of factors are expected to underpin a brighter performance in the steel sector in 2023.
As part of the Mekong Delta, Long An enjoys a special position as a gateway connecting the delta with the southeastern region, bordering both Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City.

Truong Van Liep, acting director of Long An Department of Planning and Investment

The locality can therefore leverage Ho Chi Minh Citys robust industrial and urban development pace, as it only takes 40-50 minutes to reach the southern growth engine.

A gateway to the Mekong Delta region

Capitalising on these advantages, Long An has seen laudable socioeconomic development recently, with its economic scope topping the delta region and accounting for more than 13 per cent of the total.

The local economic structure has been geared towards industrial development with breakthrough growth. Its regional GDP grew by 8.46 per cent in 2022.

To create firm fundaments to realise its development goals, Long An has focused on developing a string of major transport infrastructure projects, including those promoting links with Ho Chi Minh City and localities in the Southeast, as well as others to strengthen its internal connections.

Businesses setting up shop in Long An can easily bolster trade exchange with partners both domestically and internationally, helping to save time and cost, and boosting competitiveness.

Nguyen Van Duoc, Secretary of Long An Party Committee (first on the left) speaking with businesses and partners at a seminar on Long An High-Tech Zone's development orientation

Long An aims to grow into a locality with strong industrial production in the southern region.

The province currently boasts 15,000 hectares for industrial development, encompassing 37 industrial zones (IZs), and 59 industrial clusters (ICs), of which 18 IZs and 23 ICs have already become operational and span over 4,000ha.

These IZs and ICs are mostly located in districts adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City. They host mostly complete infrastructure and are ready to welcome investors.

As of now, Long An is home to 1,184 foreign-invested projects worth more than $10.3 billion in the total committed capital.

Creating an enabling business environment

Long An has posted inspiring achievements in investment attraction and economic development over the past couples of years as the province has effectively availed of the local advantages. It has paid due regard to accelerating administrative procedure reforms while creating a safe, efficient, and friendly business environment.

For many years in a row, the province has been named among top performers nationwide in terms of administrative reform efforts, instituting trust in the business community, and creating an open, transparent, and competitive investment and business environment.

Significantly, the provinces leaders have often taken part in business dialogues, creating the necessary conditions to support investors during their survey and project implementation in the province. This provides a fulcrum, highlighting Long Ans charm to domestic and international investors.

With a consistent and strategic vision for growth model reform, Long An has connected with a world-leading consulting group to pen the provinces strategic planning, aimed at creating exceptional growth in the province and setting the orientation for investment attraction for the coming time.

In mid-September 2022, the Central Council evaluating Quang Binhs planning scheme worked on evaluating the provincial planning for the 2021-2030 period, with vision for 2050, with positive assessments.

On June 13 of this year, the prime minister approved Long Ans planning scheme for the above period.

In light of the master planning, Long An is set to grow into a dynamic, efficient, and sustainable economic development centre in the southern region. It will form a gateway as part of the areas urban and industrial economic corridor, with close links to Ho Chi Minh City, the southeastern region, and Cambodia.

Long Ans management team at an investment promotion event in Japan

The scheme aims for the province to establish diverse economic corridors with dynamic urban and development centres that are adaptive to climate change and assure social wellbeing.

Long An aims to grow by around 9-9.5 per cent annually during the 2021-2030 period, with the local economic structure geared towards industrialisation.

By 2030, its economic scale should reach a 2-2.5-fold increase over 2021, with the average income per person approximating $7,820.

Long An aims to grow by around 9-9.5 per cent annually during the 2021-2030 period, with the local economic structure geared towards industrialisation.

Long An encompasses two corridors, including the ring roads No.3 and No.4 links and the Ho Chi Minh City-Long An-Tien Giang development triangle, creating vibrant urban and economic development close to Ho Chi Minh City and coastal areas.

Tan An city is being turned into an administrative and high-tech centre, leveraging digital transformation.

In addition, there will be another high-tech agriculture, ecotourism, and order economy area in the West, with good transport connections to the two corridors and Tan An centre.

Long Ans development land consists of three distinct zones.

Zone 1 aims to develop high-tech agriculture, ecotourism, and a border economy, providing materials to feed the local processing industry.

Zone 2, surrounded by the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay rivers, aims to develop renewable energy projects and riverside ecotourism, as well as serve as an internal transshipment centre.

Zone 3 consists of districts adjoining Ho Chi Minh City, and aims to drive urban and industrial development.

With such orientations, the available land for urban, industrial, and services development is expected to swell by 4-4.3 times by 2030.

The provinces workforce also constitutes an advantage with over 900,000 people at working age, a figure which is expected to reach one million by 2030. Furthermore, it has proven easy for Long An to entice a high-quality workforce and experts from Ho Chi Minh City.

Regarding infrastructure, Long An has very competitive advantages with Ben Luc-Long Thanh Expressway linking to Ho Chi Minh City and Trung Luong, Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressways, ring roads No.3 and No.4, the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho express railway development, and Long An Port, among others.

The province is prioritising investment into supporting and processing industries, automation, electronic devices, equipment, microchip and semiconductor production, AI, high-quality urban services development, organic and high-tech agriculture, ecotourism, and renewable energy.

To best avail of these strong advantages and strategic vision, Long An is committed to driving both social and economic development, particularly in the fields of transport investment, healthcare, and the environment.

The province also pays special attention to developing high-quality human resources to meet the need for a skilled workforce.

Dong Nais FDI attraction booming, nearly triple in Q1 Foreign direct investment in the southern province of Dong Nai surpassed 500 million USD in the first quarter this year, nearly tripling that in the same period last year, according to the management board of the provincial industrial parks.

Hanoi tops country in FDI attraction in first four months Hanoi led Vietnam in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first four months of this year, securing more than 1.7 billion USD in capital during the period, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Da Nang improves investment attraction quality The central city of Da Nang is working to build a business environment conducive for investors, based on the pillars of hi-tech industry, tourism and sea-based economy.
At the ninth strategic dialogue between Vietnam and the UK in London over a week ago, Vietnam said it completely supported the UKs negotiations on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Members determined to smooth CPTPP path for UK, illustration photo/ Photo Le Toan

Vietnam will continue working with the UK on the latters CPTPP membership, with the determination of opportunities and hurdles that need to be removed in favour of businesses and investors of both economies.

Vietnam reaffirms its strong support for the UK to join the CPTPP which, in addition to the positive impacts of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), will help both nations to further increase their trade and investment ties which are on the rise. The UKs participation in the deal will also bring about wonderful trade and investment opportunities to each CPTPP member, said Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

The UK will be the first European member of CPTPP and the first new country to join the agreement. The parties will now take the final legal and administrative steps before formal signature at the end of 2023.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that joining the bloc would put the UK in a prime position in the global economy to seize opportunities for new jobs, growth and innovation and that it would put the UK at the centre of a dynamic and growing group of Pacific economies.

According to a statement by the British government on the impacts of the CPTPP on the UK economy, over 99 per cent of British goods exports to member countries will be eligible for zero tariffs, improving goods market access for British firms. Eventually, joining the CPTPP could lead to a 1.7 billion ($2.1 billion) boost to UK exports to other CPTPP countries.

However, according to the House of Commons Library (HCL), the information resource of the lower house of the British Parliament, the economic benefits appear to be small.

The UK governments scoping assessment indicates that the long-run increase in GDP would be 0.08 per cent thanks to the CPTPP. Trade expert Sam Lowe pointed out that this is largely because the UK already has bilateral trade agreements with most CPTPP members. The benefits would be larger if other countries, such as South Korea, joined the CPTPP in future, Lowe said.

Currently, the CPTPP covers 11 member nations, and the agreement has come into force in all, except Brunei. The UK already has trade agreements in effect with nine CPTPP members.

Other economies have also applied to join or expressed an interest in doing so. These include China, Taiwan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ukraine, South Korea, and Thailand.

Currently, the Vietnam-UK trade and investment ties are largely driven by the UKVFTA that took effect in May 2021. In that, 85.6 per cent of tariff lines for goods imported by the UK from Vietnam were eliminated in 2021, and 99.2 per cent will be removed by January 2027, according to the UKs Department for International Trade. According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the bilateral trade between Vietnam and the UK touched $6.84 billion last year, up 3 per cent on-year. This included Vietnamese exports worth over $6 billion, up 5.2 per cent, and imports valued at $771 million, down 9.2 per cent.

The two-way trade hit nearly $1.6 billion in the first three months of this year, almost the same as in the corresponding period last year, including Vietnamese exports of $1.4 billion and imports of $175 million. The key exports items from Vietnam to the UK with a high-growth rate included assorted mobile phones and spare parts; machinery, equipment, and spare parts; garments and textiles; assorted footwear; computers, electronics, and spare parts; aquatic products; and wood and wooden products.

The UKVFTA is on route to become a highway for businesses to reach to the other sides markets faster and stronger thanks to its extensive tariff reduction roadmap, Nguyen Canh Cuong, trade counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom, told VIR.

Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that accumulatively as of May 20, the UKs total registered investment capital in Vietnam was $4.26 billion for 522 valid projects, including $3.73 million for the January-May 20 period. Vietnam is now encouraging British companies to boost investment in Vietnam in areas such as renewable energy, digital technology, finance and banking, innovation, and high-quality infrastructure.

UKs entry to CPTPP makes deal go global Businesses from Vietnam and the United Kingdom will have an additional gate to enter both nations large markets thanks to the latter finally joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam said, RMIT is not only a pioneer in education cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, but also a standard setting for educational outcomes and cooperation."

The collaboration will become even more extensive in the future. Organisations like RMIT not only teach students; they also collaborate with government, society, and other organisations to do research that improves community results, Goledzinowski said.

The university will utilise this grant to invest in education, research, and cooperation activities, as well as the school's infrastructure, therefore supporting the RMIT Innovation and Business Connection Centre in Hanoi, where local partners and international specialists may share ideas.

In tandem with the university's undergraduate and graduate programmes, the centre will contribute to the development of a more skilled and adaptable workforce through short-term education solutions and employee training courses.

Nguyen Thanh Phuong, general director of Sao Do Group, had the opportunity to discuss with the Australian Prime Minister about the educational collaboration between Sao Do Group and the university after the training project during the announcement event.

Following the success of the initial pilot, Sao Do and RMIT are presently working on a plan to create a human resources training institute in the northern port city of Haiphong.

Nguyen Thanh Phuong, general director of Sao Do Group, speaks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Sao Do Group has chosen RMIT University to collaborate and fund the execution of a training programme on professional skills in logistics and production for 80 company managers in Haiphong's industrial zones.

This is RMIT's first pilot training programme in Haiphong on capacity building and professional skills for managers in logistics and manufacturing firms, which are in high demand in the city.

Through Sao Do Groups sponsored course, RMIT University has provided students with in-depth and practical knowledge to improve work performance and human resources for employees and enterprises, with the goal of building and developing a national logistics service centre by 2025.

Sao Do Group and RMIT University signed an agreement to collaborate on education

Trainees were granted diplomas for the training course in April 2023

This pilot programme covers two vital skills, influential communication and financial management, with a focus on skill improvement, new staff training, and administration of industrial zones, including Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park (IP), which belongs to the Sao Do Group.

The success of the course will provide good impetus for Sao Do Group to pursue more education assistance initiatives with RMIT University.

Leveraging an international seaport invested Sao Do Group and Gemadept Group within Nam Dinh Vu area, typical logistics clients constitute a logistics ecosystem in Nam Dinh Vu IP.

The collaboration with RMIT University not only helps to improve the quality of human resources in this field in Haiphong, but it also serves the needs of Sao Do Group and its partners, Phuong said.

The success of the course, with strong backing from Haiphong administration, will provide good impetus for Sao Do Group to pursue more education assistance initiatives with RMIT University.

HCM City, RMIT University strengthen cooperation Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Duong Anh Duc received Professor Claire Macken, General Director of Australias Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Vietnam, on June 6.

Launching digital workforce platform for IT human resources The digital human resource platform provides the most up-to-date information about the job market, orienting the future career development trends for young people.

Human resources a driving force for southeastern regions development: Official The southeastern region needs long-term planning and strategy for human resources development to meet the demands of industries during its socioeconomic development towards 2030 with a vision to 2045, an official has said.
Tolentino opposes UN call to end global war on drugs

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  Senator Francis Tolentino is opposing the United Nations call to end the global war on drugs, saying it will not result in the eradication of the drug menace.

Tolentino issued the statement on Monday after experts from the United Nations Human Rights Office urged the international community to replace punishment with support, and promote policies that respect, protect and fulfill the rights of all.

The international body added that the drug wars impact has been greatest on those who live in poverty.

But according to Tolentino, the UN experts should respect the sovereignty of each country as it deals with its internal situations.

Poverty will not end by scrapping the war on drugs, albeit it will increase criminality and impinge on the future of the youth. The recommendation will not result in the eradication of the drug menace, he added.

Tolentino, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, also said the experts should recognize each countrys way of addressing local problems with solutions that are consistent with its domestic laws and applicable Universal Declaration of Human Rights Principles.

Tolentino has been a staunch critic of international organizations stance against the war on drugs.

READ: Sen. Tolentino is representing 'Bato' in ICC's drug war probe

The UN's statement was released ahead of the 2023 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed annually on June 26.
This is the first time that the list of Top 50 Innovative Enterprises Vietnam 2023 (VIE50) and Top 10 Innovative Enterprises Vietnam 2023 (VIE10) have been announced, based on work by Viet Research.

The announcement ceremony of innovative enterprises will take place on the afternoon of June 28 at Pullman Hanoi Hotel

The enterprises will be honoured in the following industries: processing - manufacturing, ICT, pharmacy - medical equipment, logistics, banking, insurance, retail, high-tech agriculture, food beverage, and construction - real estate.

All businesses involved have applied creativity and innovation in activities, contributing to improving production and business efficiency.

The event will be attended by more than 200 representatives from businesses honoured in the VIE50 and VIE10 lists, as well as domestic and international experts.

At the event, World Bank lead economist for Vietnam Andrea Coppola will give a presentation on the importance of productivity growth and innovation towards the goal of turning Vietnam into a high income country by 2045.

Dr. Vu Minh Khuong, associate professor from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, will also share in detail the key determinants to helping Vietnamese businesses accelerate development through innovation.

In addition, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute for Brand and Competition Strategy, will discuss the innovation environment for the Vietnamese business community and difficulties that need to be overcome.

According to a quick survey among VIE50 and VIE10 companies, 84 per cent of businesses consider innovation an important key to innovating and improving products, services, and processes, while 70 per cent of businesses expect to increase their budget for innovation for at least the next two years.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Three people were found dead in a west Las Vegas apartment Tuesday and a suspect has been arrested in an apparent triple homicide, authorities said.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the scene around 9 a.m. Tuesday and found a 50-year-old maintenance man bleeding from non-life-threatening stab wounds to his head.

The man told police that the suspect attacked him in the courtyard of the apartment complex behind the leasing office.

Officer arrested the man and said he was carrying a sledgehammer-like weapon.

Police said a possible motive for the killings was unclear, but two of the victims lived in the apartment and may have known the suspect, who is in his 30s.

The complexs leasing office had asked two maintenance workers to do a welfare check on the apartment for an unknown reason, according to authorities.

The workers entered the apartment with their key and the suspect allegedly attacked them.

One worker got away and called 911 and the other maintenance worker is believed to have been killed in the apartment, where the bodies of a woman in her 80s and two men in their 40s were found.

The Clark County Coroners Office will identify the victims after relatives are notified.
The Texas Supreme Court will review a case involving a Waco justice of the peaces refusal to perform same-sex weddings.

McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley sued the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct after it issued a public warning against her in 2019 for refusing to perform weddings for same-sex couples, citing her religious views, while continuing to perform weddings for opposite-sex couples. Hensley requested April 10 that the Texas Supreme Court consider the matter after a district court in Travis County dismissed her lawsuit and an appeals court upheld the dismissal.

The Texas Supreme Court agreed Friday to grant the request for judicial review from Hensley. She has been the Precinct 1, Place 1 JP since 2014, and was unopposed last year in her most recent reelection bid.

In addition to Hensleys attorney in Travis County, Jonathan Mitchell, three attorneys from the Plano-based First Liberty Institute joined the lawsuit, including deputy general counsel Justin Butterfield.

Judge Hensley always followed the law, Butterfield said in a statement Monday. She sought to follow her religious beliefs and accommodate everyone, yet the government chose to punish her. We look forward to the Texas Supreme Court correcting this injustice.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct hears complaints against judges. It can take wide-ranging actions based on the severity of the complaints, including suspending a judge from office, requiring additional legal education or issuing private or public sanctions.

The commission is represented by a number of lawyers including Douglas Lang of Thompson Coburn LLP in Dallas.

The Commission looks forward to the opportunity to present to the Supreme Court of Texas a discussion about the importance of the Commissions work with Texas judges to assure all judges present themselves to the public according to the rule of law, independent of outside influences, including religion, and without regard to whether a law is popular or unpopular, Lang said in a statement Monday.

Attempts to reach Hensley for comment Monday were unsuccessful.

After a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision established the constitutional right to same-sex marriage, Hensley initially stopped performing marriages altogether. She then resumed offering to perform weddings, generally at the courthouse and during business hours, but would turn away same-sex couples based on her views as a Bible-believing Christian, she told the Tribune-Herald in 2017. She said her office sometimes referred same-sex couples to others in the area who would marry them.

Beginning on about Aug. 1, 2016, Judge Hensley and her court staff began giving all same-sex couples wishing to be married by Judge Hensley a document which stated, Im sorry, but Judge Hensley has a sincerely held religious belief as a Christian, and will not be able to perform any same-sex weddings, according to the warning the judicial conduct commission issued in 2019.

The commissions order says the warning was based on Hensley casting doubt on her capacity to act impartially to persons appearing before her as a judge due to the persons sexual orientation.

Hensley did not use a statutory procedure available to appeal the commissions warning, which has no practical effect on her role as an elected official. However, she sued the commission in a Waco district court shortly after its reprimand of her was made public. The suit was moved to Travis County, where the commission performs its duties.

Hensleys lawsuit seeks damages of $10,000 and under the Texas Restoration of Freedom of Religion Act, she seeks the reversal of the commissions warning based on her claim of a religious exemption.
A group of 16 students from the McLennan Community College Presidential Scholars and Honors College programs visited the Czech Republic this spring as part of their introductory humanities studies.

MCC students were partnered with students from Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. Students from both institutions created videos that focused on culture, relationships, rituals and restrictions, learning from and teaching their international peers.

McLennan students gained knowledge in Czech history, literature, music, geography, philosophy and sociology through immersive learning and regular conversations, developing relationships with the Czech students.

The students developed life-long friendships with their Czech partners, said philosophy professor Amy Antoninka. They demonstrated graciousness, grit and open-mindedness as they grew as scholars and individuals.

The group visited sites including Austerlitz, the Moravian Karst, Spilberk Castle, Hluboka Castle, Zvikov Castle, Cesky Krumlov and Ceske Budejovice, along with stops in Prague and Vienna, Austria. A canceled flight also allowed them time to explore London.

President Johnette McKown, Vice President of Instruction Fred Hills and McLennan professors accompanied the group on the trip to foster MCCs ongoing relationship with Masaryk University, with an eye to finding new opportunities for collaboration between the schools.
New York (CNN)  Disruptions for air travelers continued Tuesday with more than 1,600 flights across the United States delayed or canceled after powerful storms ripped through the parts of the country, including in the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast where many busy hubs are located.

Data from FlightAware showed that on Tuesday morning, 843 flights within, into or out of the US were delayed and another 806 were canceled. Still, thats a major decrease from Mondays chaos when more than 8,000 flights were either delayed or canceled because of severe weather.

United Airlines was once again faring the worst of the American domestic airlines. About 12% of its schedule, or 338 flights, was canceled and another 3%, or 92 flights, was delayed as of 7 am ET. Republic Airways, which operates short-haul flights for American Airlines, Delta and United, had 17% of its schedule canceled (153 flights) but few delays.

The four US airports most affected Tuesday morning are all major hubs for either United or Delta: New Jerseys Newark Liberty, both of New York Citys airports (LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy) and Bostons Logan.

More than 40 million people in the Northeast and Central Plains are at risk of severe storms on Tuesday. The majority of people at risk are located in the Northeast, including Philadelphia and Washington, DC, where a Level 1 of 5 threat has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center. A level 3 of 5 threat of severe weather is highlighted for parts of Kansas and Oklahoma, including Wichita and Tulsa.

Scattered thunderstorms are again expected east of a cold front from the Mid-Atlantic into parts of the Northeast, leading to the possibility of even more flight delays and cancellations later.

Some of these afternoon storms could produce damaging wind gusts, and heavy rain from these storms could produce isolated instances of flash flooding, particularly over parts of southeastern New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania.

The-CNN-Wire

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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
China voices firm opposition to U.S. indictments of Chinese companies over fentanyl-related issues

Xinhua) 10:13, June 27, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(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 United States.

The brief mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group reverberated beyond Russia, including in neighboring China, where Xi has forged a strong rapport with fellow authoritarian Putin thanks to their mutual distrust of the West  a strategic bond that has only deepened in recent years, even after Moscows stumbling invasion of Ukraine.

Theres probably some scrambling around in Beijing to figure out what this means for Putin going forward, especially if it means a more fractured Russia or a Putin who is very much weakened, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

Beijing finally broke its silence late on Sunday night, backing Russia with a terse statement that brushed off the incident 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, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in the online statement.

Beijings carefully crafted public comment came well after the brief and chaotic mutiny had dissipated, with warlord Yevgeny 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 at the previously unannounced meeting.

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 the mutual political trust and cooperation between China and Russia had grown continuously under the leadership of Xi and Putin. Ma also pledged to safeguard the common interests of both countries under what he called a complex and grim international situation.

Close bond

Xi, Chinas most authoritarian and powerful leader in decades, has met Putin in person 40 times since coming to power in 2012  far more than any other world leader.

In recent years, the worlds two most powerful autocratic leaders have brought their countries even closer together in an ambition to challenge what they see as a world older inflicted by American hegemony.

The pair declared a friendship with no limits in February 2022, shortly before Putin launched his war on Ukraine. Since then, China has refused to condemn the invasion and instead provided much-needed diplomatic and economic support for Russia, a position that has further soured its relations with Western nations, especially in Europe.

But as the devastating war drags on, Beijings costly alignment has been compounded by fears that the protracted conflict could ultimately destabilize Putins grip on power.

Nothing has accentuated those fears more than the extraordinary show of defiance by Wagners insurrection, which shattered the veneer of total control Putin has struggled to maintain more than 16 months into the invasion.

A civil war in Russia seems to have been avoided, for now, something Beijing will greet with a sigh of relief.

Internal conflict within Russia not only risks the stability of its 4,300-kilometer (2,672-mile) border with China, it would also make Moscow a less useful partner for Beijing to counter the US  or worse, it could give rise to a new regime more open to the West and less friendly to China.

Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist with the Australian National Universitys Taiwan Studies Program, said Beijing is likely worried about the weakening of Putin.

China likely fears a domino effect: that if Russia falls, China may be next, he said. For China, Putinist Russia is useful cushion both geopolitically and ideologically, especially during the era of Biden administrations value-based alignment rhetoric.

Social media buzzing, but state media curated

That sense of political symbiosis is palpable in Chinese discussions about the Russian upheaval, which have dominated Chinas tightly controlled social media over the weekend, with many citing the Chinese idiom: If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

Chinese state media, meanwhile, sought to stress continued stability within Russia and portray Putin in a positive light, Sung said.

Videos of Wagner fighters occupying military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, home to the headquarters of Russias Southern Military District, and departing the city to the cheers of local residents were broadcast Saturday around the world.

But those kind of scenes were notably absent from Chinas most-watched news program on state broadcaster CCTV.

Instead, the prime time program aired footage showing traffic moving calmly outside the Kremlin and tourists posing for photos near a pair of security officers, as well as a determined Putin vowing retribution for those on a path to treason in his national address.

On Sunday, the same prime time show displayed videos of Wagner tanks and armored vehicles retreating orderly, escorted by police vehicles.

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, Sung said.

If Putins rule is unstable, then supporting him is bad business, he said.

Weakened grip

In recent months, 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 appears to be at his weakest in decades, after Wagners mutiny punctured his infallible image and exposed cracks in his rule.

Putins diminished status 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.

This story was first published on CNN.com, China throws support behind strategic partner Russia after Wagner insurrection challenges Putin"
PRESS RELEASE

The public is invited to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to see three different WWII-era aircraft flown by the Commemorative Air Force during their Air Power History Tour. Aircraft will arrive July 3 and will feature the B-29 Superfortress FiFi, B-24 Liberator Diamond Lil, and a T-6 Texan, the legendary trainer of WWII.

All aircraft will be on static display to the public on July 4 and July 5 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. both days. Aircraft crews will be available to talk with visitors, and cockpit tours of the B-29 and B-24 bombers will be available. Schedule is subject to change due to weather or maintenance.

In honor of the T-6 trainer flown by the WASPs, free guided gallery tours featuring Women in Aviation will be offered, taking visitors through the history of women in the Air Force from World War II to space exploration.

Monday, July 3, 2023

10:00 a.m. (approximately)

Aircraft land on Wright Field (behind the museum)

Visitors may watch the landing from Memorial Park or the museum parking lot.

*Note that the aircraft will not be open to the public on this day

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

B-29, B-24, and T-6 static display

Bomber cockpit tours

9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Women in the Air Force free guided gallery tours

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

B-29, B-24, and T-6 static display

Bomber cockpit tours

9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Women in the Air Force free guided gallery tours

The B-29/B-24 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force brings together the aircraft, pilots and crews from more than 70 CAF units across the country to create the AirPower Squadron  an ever-changing assortment of military aircraft touring together to bring the sights, sounds and smells of World War II aviation history to audiences across the United States. (Federal Endorsement Not Implied)

In 2023, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force celebrates its 100th Anniversary. Since 1923 the museum has grown from a small engineering study collection to the worlds largest military aviation museum and is a world-renowned center for air and space power technology and culture preservation. Join us throughout 2023 as we celebrate our storied history with special events and exhibits for visitors of all ages. Visit our website for more information at www.nationamuseum.af.mil.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the worlds largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
WATERLOO  Two blue-collar men are now running their third bar in downtown Waterloo and making an homage to their lifestyle.

Bajro Hopovac and Bud Jones are co-owners of the new Iron Horse Saloon at 303 W. Fourth St. in downtown. Apart from running multiple bars, both men work full-time at John Deere.

The old-school bar, as Jones called it, will keep its roots by offering a few boilermaker drinks  an alcohol shot and a beer.

The beers in these classic drinks, created in the late 1800s, will use local SingleSpeed Brewery beers. One drink, The Iron Horse, will use SingleSpeeds Gable Beer with a shot of Shankys Whip Whiskey Liqueur. The whiskey is described as having vanilla, caramel and cream flavors.

Another boilermaker is the Oil Spill, using SingleSpeeds Tip the Cow  a chocolate-covered espresso bean beer  with a shot of Revel Stokes peanut butter whiskey. Its described as tasting like a Reeses Peanut Butter cup.

They are also offering three signature cocktails as well as a full bar. Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery of Swisher will also be featured.

To promote the Iowa partnerships, Hopovac and Jones sported Drink Local shirts, which Main Street Waterloo Executive Director Jessica Rucker hopes will catch on with other bars on Fourth Street.

Rucker said the downtown area is going through revitalization to showcase theres a lot to do in downtown Waterloo.

Jones, a co-owner of Behar Bar, The Loft, and now the Iron Horse Saloon, said he hopes the additions will kick the crap out of Main Street in Cedar Falls, saying many people flock to Cedar Falls downtown to drink rather than Waterloo.

Tim Knudsen, the owner of Happys Wine and Spirits, said although he operates his business in Cedar Falls, he frequents Hopovacs and Jones bars.

People are putting in the effort to create nice spaces that are fun, Knudsen said. They seem to be doing it right.

The location of the new saloon used to be Pats Tavern for a long time, Jones said. Neither he nor Rucker knew when Pats began operation. In 2011, it became the Saloon Social Club.

The Saloon Social Club closed in 2021, following a fatal shooting that happened outside the bars front doors. Davonta Sellers, age 27, was killed on May 23, 2021. No arrests have been made in the case.

Since then, Jones said, the Waterloo Police Department has worked to clean up Fourth Street and curb violence.

Rucker said, in 2023 alone, seven new businesses have opened with four more slated to open by the end of the year.

Next door to Iron Horse Saloon is the former Risque Gentlemens Club. The clubs Facebook page states it closed in August of last year. Jones said he hopes the former club will become a restaurant.

Iron Horse Saloon is expected to be open everyday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.
CEDAR FALLS  A former fast-food employee who allegedly stole a bank bag full of cash in November has been arrested.

Waterloo police arrested Jason Leshawn Pritchard, 33, of Waterloo, on Monday on a warrant for second-degree theft. Bond was set at $5,000.

Pritchard had worked at the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant at 6401 University Ave. and he allegedly took a bag with $1,555 from the safe shortly before 9 p.m. on Nov. 2.

The incident was recorded on the business security camera system, according to court records.
WATERLOO  The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board recently approved awards for three companies statewide, including Dignity Apparel LLC in Waterloo.

With the money, the company plans to purchase a new building.

The business manufactures garments with domestically sourced fabrics for Image Pointe, its wholly owned subsidiary that offers design and distribution services.

Through real estate holding company JP Management Corporation, the project plans to acquire a 77,000 square-foot building in Waterloo, including remodeling space and purchasing equipment and software to accommodate growth. The project represents a capital investment of $4.5 million. The board awarded tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs program.

This expansion will allow us to create 40 to 55 (or more) new, high-quality jobs in Waterloo that do not require previous experience, skills or language abilities, CEO of Image Pointe Josh Ruyle said in a news release. Our mission is to create a workplace culture and set of employment opportunities that allow our team members to establish themselves and their families for a better future.

The other two awards went to companies in Dallas County and Red Oak.

The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced Donald Trump, Republican Nikki Haley, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican Marianne Williamson, Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Democrat Larry Elder, Republican President Joe Biden, Democrat Asa Hutchinson, Republican Tim Scott, Republican Ron DeSantis, Republican Mike Pence, Republican Chris Christie, Republican Doug Burgum, Republican Francis Suarez, Republican Will Hurd, Republican
WATERLOO  An early morning fire destroyed a garage at a Waterloo home on Tuesday.

Details werent immediately available, but crews with Waterloo Fire Rescue were called to the blaze in the detached garage at 2028 City View around 5:20 a.m. Tuesday.

The fire leveled the garage and damaged at least one vehicle, and heat from the fire melted vinyl siding on the nearby home. No injuries were reported, according to the fire department.

The cause of the fire hasnt been determined.

WATCH NOW: Courier fire videos Former church fire, Waverly, Iowa, Dec. 19, 2016 VIDEO: House Fire, Gable St., Waterloo, Iowa 120319 Apartment fire, Jefferson St., Feb. 19, 2016 Duplex Fire, Western Ave., Feb. 9. 2016 Fire, Beaver Ridge Trail, Cedar Falls, Iowa Feb. 5, 2018 Garage/house fire, Seneca Ave., Waterloo, Iowa Dec. 11, 2017 House Fire, W. Second St., Waterloo, Iowa, Oct. 20, 2016 House fire, Marion St., Evansdale, Iowa June 6, 2018 House fire, W. 2nd St., Waterloo, Iowa July 7, 2017
WATERLOO  On Wednesday, July 5, the Waterloo Safe Neighborhoods Commission will host its third and final citizen forum on gun violence.

The forum will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Waterloo Public Library in meeting room AB. This will be an opportunity for the commission to hear from people who have experienced the impact of gun violence, to gather suggestions and concerns from citizens.

Last June, the Waterloo City Council passed a resolution calling for the creation of the commission. The twelve person group was tasked with examining the factors causing gun violence and with making policy recommendations to the Mayor and City Council.

The commission has been meeting with stakeholders across the Cedar Valley.
WASHINGTON  When the Supreme Court issued its abortion ruling last June overturning Roe v. Wade, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said our work is far from done. He didn't say what might come next.

A year later later, McCarthy is the speaker, Republicans are in the majority and the blanks are beginning to be filled in.

In a flurry of little-noticed legislative action, GOP lawmakers are pushing abortion policy changes, trying to build on the work of activists whose strategy successfully elevated their fight to the nation's highest court.

In one government funding bill after another, Republicans are incorporating unrelated policy provisions, known as riders, to restrict women's reproductive rights. Democrats say the proposals will never become law.

This is not just about an attack on womens health, said Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. I view it as an attempt to derail the entire process of funding the federal government by injecting these riders into the appropriations process.

Rep. Kay Granger, the Texas Republican who heads the committee, said during a hearing last week that the riders that were included continue long-standing pro-life protections that are important to our side of the aisle.

Using budget bills this way is hardly new, but it points to a broader divide among Republicans about where to go next on abortion after the Supreme Court's decision cleared the way for state-by-state restrictions on abortion rights.

Republicans for years held stand-alone votes in the House on bills to restrict abortion. Now, some in the party  particularly the nearly 20 Republicans running for reelection in swing districts  are hesitant, if not outright opposed, to roll calls on abortion proposals. They say such bills will never see the light of day as long as Democrats control the Senate.

The GOP's new push is taking place line by line in the sprawling legislation drafted each year to fund government agencies and programs.

Nearly a dozen anti-abortion measures have been included so far in budget bills. In the agricultural one, for example, Republicans are looking to reverse a recent move by the Food and Drug Administration that would allow the contraception pill mifepristone to be dispensed in certified pharmacies, as opposed to only in hospitals and clinics.

Anti-abortion proposals have found their way into the defense bill, where GOP lawmakers are aiming to ban paid leave and travel for military service members and their family members who are seeking reproductive health care services. Rep. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he warned Defense Secretary Llyod Austin about it.

I told them that that was going to be a poison pill when it came to getting their legislation done over here, Rogers, R-Ala., said this past week. I told him, you know, youre asking for trouble. And now they got trouble.

There are riders, too, in the financial services bill, where Republicans want to prohibit local and federal money to be used to carry out a District of Columbia law that bans discrimination over employees reproductive decisions.

It seems like they cant do anything without trying to put something in there to restrict abortion rights, Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington state, chair of the House Democrats' campaign arm, said. I dont think the public is fooled by that and absolutely, this will be a critical issue in the next election.

She and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are working to target the vulnerable Republicans on the issue before the 2024 election.

The broad effort by Republicans to include what critics often deride as poison pills in the appropriations process steps up the confrontation with Senate Democrats and the White House come September over spending bills, potentially heightening the odds of a government shutdown with the Oct. 1 start of the new budget year.

DeLauro, who headed the Appropriations Committee in the last Congress, said the decision by Republicans to include these measures is a betrayal of the agreement the parties made years ago to not include any provisions in spending bills that would block passage.

She said committee Democrats who spent the past week marking up these bills late into the night pleaded with their Republican colleagues to rethink the abortion language.

The Senate recently passed the military and agriculture bills out of committee without any abortion measures attached.

Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Appropriation Committee, said that she has made it clear that she would be a firewall against House Republicans efforts to further restrict reproductive rights.

But the growing tension between GOP factions over abortion legislation remains apparent.

The Republican Study Committee  the largest single group in the House GOP conference  recently issued a memo to members urging leaders to hold vote on a proposal that would clarify that health insurance plans that provide elective abortion would be ineligible for federal funding.

That bill would effectively codify the Hyde Amendment, which restricts government funding for most abortions.

Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Abortion in America: How access and attitudes have changed through the centuries Pre-1850: Abortions in early America are commonplace Mid-1800s: Birth of the American Medical Association shifts abortion oversight from midwives to doctors; abortion is criminalized 1960s: 'Back-alley butchers,' birth control, and protests 1970s: Roe v. Wade protects women's right to abortion; politics shift 1980s-2000s: Legal challenges to Roe v. Wade introduce restrictions 2020s: Roe v. Wade is overturned; Postal Service allowed to mail abortion medication
An Iowa hospital network is facing a pair of potential class-action lawsuits over a cyberattack that allegedly resulted in hackers gaining access to personal information on more than 20,000 eastern Iowa patients.

Lawyers for Tiffany Harris of Clinton are suing Mercy Health Network, also known as MercyOne Clinics, for negligence, breach of implied contract and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court injunction that would help ensure patient information is kept confidential and protected from any future hacks.

The lawsuits stem from an incident earlier this year that prompted Mercy Health Network to publish a notice in May stating that portions of its network were accessed by an unknown and unauthorized party between March 7, 2023 and April 4, 2023. Mercy said the attack was limited to its clinics in the Clinton, Iowa, area.

The notice said that on May 23, 2023, Mercy determined individuals information may have been impacted by the incident, and it went on to say the types of information might include peoples name, address, date of birth, drivers license number, Social Security number, financial account information, treatment and condition information, diagnostic information, prescription-medicine information, billing information and other data.

The lawsuit alleges that despite Mercys duty to secure and safeguard personal information, the network had stored this private information on a database that was negligently and/or recklessly configured. Mercy, the lawsuit claims, failed to adequately encrypt the information and, foreseeably, cybercriminals exploited these vulnerabilities.

The hack has created a risk of identity theft risk for the affected patients and that risk will remain for their respective lifetimes, the lawsuit alleges.

Harris is a MercyOne-Clinton patient and has sought medical care from the hospital in several instances, but is very careful about sharing her personal information, according to the lawsuit. The data breach has allegedly caused Harris to experience stress, fear and anxiety while spending a significant amount of time monitoring her financial accounts and credit reports to ensure no fraudulent activity has occurred.

In seeking class-action status so that others may join Harris as plaintiffs in the case, attorney Jeffrey C. OBrien of the Minneapolis law firm Chestnut Cambronne alleges that there are certainly tens of thousands, and probably at least more than 20,865 individuals whose private information was improperly accessed in the data breach.

A similar lawsuit was filed this week by West Des Moines attorney J. Barton Goplerud on behalf of plaintiff Jennifer Medenblik of Illinois. That lawsuit, which also names MercyOnes parent, Trinity Health Corp., as a defendant, alleges violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and a failure to protect sensitive data according to Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

Mercy Health Network is an integrated system of hospitals, clinics and other health care providers with more than 2,000 physicians and advanced-practice clinicians working in 18 medical centers. It is run by Trinity Health Corp., one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in America. Trinity has 123,000 employees, and nearly 27,000 physicians and clinicians, working in 26 states.

Mercy Health Network has yet to file a response to either of the lawsuits, and a spokesperson declined to comment on the litigation.

Last fall, a business partner of the Mercy Health Network called CommonSpirit Health announced that it had experienced a ransomware event that impacted some personal information belonging to some unspecified number of individuals.

The information included names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, email address, diagnosis and treatment information and medical billing information. CommonSpirit Health indicated that for a small number of individuals, Social Security numbers were also involved.

From WikiLeaks to Colonial Pipeline, a history of cyberattacks in the US From WikiLeaks to Colonial Pipeline, a history of cyberattacks in the US 1988: The Morris Worm 19981999: Moonlight Maze 2003: Operation Titan Rain 2008: Operation Buckshot Yankee 20092010: Operation Aurora 2010: WikiLeaks and the Collateral Murder footage 2011: Operation Newscaster 2013: Operation Ababil 2013: Yahoo data breach 2014: Operation Cleaver 2014: Sony Pictures Hack 2015: The OPM Hack 2015: IRS Hack 2016: FBI and Homeland Security leaks 2016: Presidential campaign hacks 2017: Rasputin strikes again 2017: Uber conceals a data breach 2018: MyFitnessPal hacked 2018: Baltimore 911 cyberattack 2018: Atlanta city services hack 2019: Merchant vessel hijak 2019: Capital One security breach 2020: An attempted COVID-19 vaccine theft 2020: Sunburst attacks 2021: Colonial Pipeline Hack
State regulators have cited care facilities in Coralville, Sioux City and Pleasantville for regulatory violations related to resident deaths.

State records indicate that over the course of two inspections in April and May, the Countryside Health Care Center in Sioux City was cited for 30 regulatory violations by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and fined a total of $74,000  although all of the fines are being held in suspension while federal officials determine whether to impose penalties of their own.

State records show that at the time of the first inspection in April, DIA had compiled a backlog of 19 complaints to investigate at Countryside. Seventeen of those complaints were substantiated by the state during the inspection.

In April, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that Iowa nursing home residents had died or been sexually abused in care facilities while complaints against the homes awaited investigation by the state. In March, for example, state inspectors visited a West Des Moines care facility with a backlog of 23 complaints  the oldest of which had been filed in September of last year. A female resident of that home had been left screaming in pain after contracting gangrene of the genitals and died on March 6 of this year  more than five months after the state fielded the first of the uninvestigated complaints against the home.

As part of its April inspection at Countryside, state officials cited the home for 25 violations. The state alleged the staff at Countryside had failed to intervene after a resident exhibited signs of infection in her legs with heavy, foul-smelling drainage emanating from both limbs. The woman also displayed symptoms of hallucinations and sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection, according to inspectors. The woman was eventually hospitalized and died several days later. Inspectors reported the womans occupational therapist felt the staff had provided sketchy wound care.

The home was also cited for a Jan. 25 incident that involved a female resident who was found unresponsive on the floor of her room. The woman was sent by ambulance to a hospital and died en route. Countryside was cited for failing to provide the woman with adequate supervision and for failing to report the incident to the state. The inspectors report indicates the homes director of nursing told inspectors a corporate nurse consultant had advised her to refrain from reporting the matter to the state because the woman didnt die as a result of the fall.

In May, inspectors returned to Countryside in response to three additional complaints, all of which were substantiated. The home was cited for five additional violations.

According to the inspectors reports, a resident of the home had been found slumped over in her wheelchair, unresponsive and cold to the touch, on the afternoon of May 2. The woman was treated at a local hospital for acute kidney injury and low urine output and died a few days later. The home was cited for failing to contact the womans physician after her urine output slowed and for failing to adequately assess her condition.

Similar concerns were noted with regard to a female resident who had been found in late April sitting in a recliner, slumped over and unresponsive. She was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with acute respiratory distress and sepsis. She died two days later.

Problems at other care facilities

DIA recently fined several other homes for resident deaths or injuries, including Windmill Manor of Coralville, which was fined $325 for failing to report to the state two major resident injuries, one of which resulted in death. On April 14, a resident of the home fell from a wheelchair face first onto a concrete parking lot. The resident was then hospitalized with multiple spinal fractures, an unstable lumbar spine, and bruises to the head and face, according to inspectors reports.

After surgery, the resident was hospitalized for a week and then discharged on April 21 with a cervical collar and a back brace. The resident died the next day, on April 22  eight days after the fall, according to the state.

On May 6, another resident of the home was found lying on a hallway floor, screaming in pain from an apparent hip fracture. According to the inspectors report, the facilitys administrator told state officials she was unaware of the fall or the residents subsequent hospitalization and surgery until May 9, three days after the fall.

DIA initially fined the home $500, but the penalty was reduced by 35% to $325 after the home agreed not to appeal the fine, according to state records.

A third Iowa care facility, Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, was recently cited for failing to follow prescribed safety interventions for a resident who was known to be at risk of falling. The resident suffered a traumatic fall at the home on May 1, inspectors allege, which led to the residents subsequent hospitalization and death. When inspectors visited the facility in late May, they investigated the death and a backlog of five complaints against the facility.

The inspectors report of their findings indicates that on the afternoon of May 1, a male resident of the home was in his room and was heard calling out for help. The man was found on the floor with five head lacerations and blood pooling underneath his face. He was sent to a hospital emergency room for evaluation, was diagnosed with bleeding in the brain, and he died four day later. DIA has imposed a $10,000 state fine against the home.

According to state inspectors, another resident at Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville fell in January and required surgery to repair a broken leg. The facility failed to report the injury to the state as required and the administrator later stated the home did not have a policy related to the reporting of major injuries.

A fourth Iowa care facility, the Oskaloosa Care Center, was recently sanctioned for injuries sustained by a resident. The state imposed, and then suspended, an $8,750 fine against the Oskaloosa home for failing to provide residents with the required nursing services. Inspectors allege the staff failed to intervene in a timely fashion when a male resident was unable to urinate for three days. The resident was rushed to a hospital by ambulance after he was observed in bed with his eyes closed, fists and teeth clenched, with a distended abdomen, swollen legs and fluid oozing from his extremities.

At the hospital, doctors reported that after they inserted a catheter the man discharged three full liters of thick, bloody drainage similar in appearance to a strawberry smoothie. The man was diagnosed with an acute kidney injury and sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection. The inspectors report gives no indication as to whether the man survived.

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)
Like many people, I was glued to the news for much of Saturday, watching what seemed, at least for a moment, to be the first stages of a coup d'etat -- and it still might be. The only thing we know for certain is that if this is the beginning of the end of Vladimir Putin's rule, that story won't begin with the mutinous mercenary warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin leading an armored column of troops, guns a-blazing, into Moscow.

The funniest thing about much of the reporting and commentary of Prigozhin's "March for Justice," both in real-time and after, is how often observers described the spectacle as "unprecedented." The (London) Telegraph's "Ukraine: The Latest" podcast -- the best single source for daily coverage of the Ukraine war -- described the "unprecedented coup against the Kremlin" at the top of a special Saturday episode, only for the panelists to commence debating which coups from Russian history served as the best precedent for the unfolding events in Russia.

Even Putin, in his angry Saturday address, compared Prigozhin's "stab in the back" to General Lavr Kornilov's attempted coup in 1917 that paved the way for the Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War.

The point isn't merely to nitpick -- "unprecedented" isn't a synonym for "shocking" or "momentous" -- but to point out that you can't understand what's unfolding in Russia unless you take into account that such events are actually extremely precedented. Indeed, since at least the 1700s Russian history is really a story of coups of one sort or another.

That's because Russia is different. In Western Europe, nobles drew their power and authority from their deep roots in their feudal territories. They answered to the throne, but they were largely sovereign over their own holdings. This diffusion of power and legitimacy created the space for the rise of liberalism and democracy in the West. The Magna Carta, for instance, was essentially a power-sharing agreement between King John and his nobles.

In Russia, under the pomestie system, nobles ruled various regions as emissaries of the Czar, who literally owned all of Russia. Russian pomeshchiki were more like colonial governors, or warlord-contractors, with little connection to, or interest in, the serfs and peasants they exploited.

"All the things that connected the nobility of feudal Europe to a village or county -- networks of charity and patronage, parish life, corporate bodies and local government, in short everything that fosters regional identities and loyalties -- were thus missing in Russia," writes Orlando Figes in his masterful "The Story of Russia." "It was only from the middle of the 19th century that these local networks and identities began to evolve -- too late, as it turned out, to sustain the development of an independent civil society or a democratic form of government."

Thus, Figes observes, the "persistence of autocracy in Russia is explained less by the state's strength than by the weakness of society."

A parallel dynamic can be seen in the evolution of religion in Western Europe, where the authority of the church and the authority of monarchs were in constant tension. In Russia, no such tension existed because the Czar was simultaneously the supreme religious authority and secular ruler to the point where the distinction between secular and religious did not exist.

Seen from this perspective, Soviet rule, particularly under Stalin, was more of a continuation of Russian history than a break with it. Putin sees himself in this light, which explains why he lionizes both Czarist and Communist history without any sense of contradiction.

This political tradition not only makes it very hard for Westerners to understand the Russian mind, it makes it hard to understand what is going on there. We tend to see power as something granted from below, primarily through elections. Power is held accountable by the press but also competing spheres of power via divided government, checks and balances, and the rule of law. In Russia, power is unitary and seized from the top. Elections -- if they occur at all -- and the press are propaganda tools used to ratify the unitary power of the ruler.

Liberal democracies are designed to be adaptive, flexible or antifragile. Russian autocracy is like marble, extremely strong but also very brittle. That's why cracks in the perception of power, often after military setbacks, can quickly lead to real collapses in power.

Putin and his apologists have assumed that time is on Russia's side in the war with Ukraine. On paper, it can look that way militarily. But Ukraine and its Western backers have proven resilient while Putin's Russia looks more brittle by the day.
WATERLOO  VGM Forbin, a leading digital marketing agency, has announced the launch of a refreshed brand identity. After months of hard work and collaboration with team members, it has unveiled its new logo, website, and brand messaging.

I am thrilled to launch a refreshed VGM Forbin into the marketplace, said Lindy Tentinger, president of VGM Forbin. To us, this is not just about modernizing our look and feel, but better articulating the problems we solve for our customers, as well as a renewed commitment to be a leader in our industry, driving creativity and innovation.

Their new vision reflects a commitment to be the leading provider of innovative and customer-centric solutions that bring people together and enhance their lives. VGM Forbin aspires to be the trusted partner for businesses on their digital transformation journey.

VGM Forbin has moved well beyond its previous tagline of We do web stuff. Customers today look to us to help grow and protect their businesses with team members dedicated to being experts in IT, cybersecurity, UX design, industry-specific web solutions, custom web development, and digital marketing strategy. Empowering success, elevating experiences is what our team is now chanting as we put our hands in and go to work for our customers, commented Tentinger.

We also wanted our new look and feel to speak to everyone that works at VGM Forbin and attract top talent to come and work with us. It was time for a new vibe to match the culture our team cultivates every day. commented Tentinger.
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (26 June 2023)

Last night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a long-range maritime and airborne high-precision strike at foreign-made ammunition, sent to Ukraine by Western countries.

The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued their attempts to conduct offensive operations in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, and South Donetsk directions during the previous 24 hours.

Two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled due to skilful and committed actions of the Yug Group of Forces units in the vicinity of Spornoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) during the day.

Up to 195 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, as well as two American-made Paladin self-propelled artillery units have been eliminated in this direction during the day.

In Krasny Liman direction, Tsentr Group of Forces units, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses to the units of 21st and 63rd Armed Forces of Ukraine Mechanised Brigades close to Nevskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Terny, Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been eliminated close to Kuzmino (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemy has suffered losses of over 90 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, five pick-up trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours.

In South Donetsk close to Vremevka salient, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces have repelled four enemy attacks in the area of Rovnopol (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Moreover, the Russian Forces have repelled an attack of the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, actions of one sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been thwarted near Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The total losses of the enemy in these directions during the day amounted to over 150 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, and one Msta-B and one D-20 howitzers.

?? In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces launched strikes at enemy manpower and hardware near Novomlynsk, Timkovka (Kharkov region), and Artyomovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemys losses in this direction during the day amounted to over 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems.

In Kherson direction, up to 35 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and two Msta-B howitzers have been neutralised by fire.

An ammunition depot of the 126th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated close to Kazatskoye (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 83 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 104 areas during the day.

A communication centre of the 25th Airborne Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been destroyed close to Ivanovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

An armament repair and recovery facility of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been hit near Novoyakovlevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Russias Air Defence shot down 19 unmanned aerial vehicles close to Privolye, Rubezhnoye, Zaliman, and Belogorovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Vladimirovka and Spornoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Mirnoye, Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Proletarka (Kherson region).

In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,798 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,356 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,131 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,238 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,197 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
Residents of Elroy and the surrounding area got on the Road to Summer Fun during the citys long-standing summer tradition.

The Elroy Fair brought together community members and organizations, area farmers, food vendors, acts and other performances at the citys fairgrounds on the south side from June 21 through 25. This year was the 126th installment of the fair, which dates back to 1897.

Agriculture shows kicked off the Elroy Fair on June 21 and went on through the afternoon of June 25. One of the notable additions to the event was the Celebrity Donkey Races on June 25 and Stars of the Fair on June 23, a show highlighting special needs children. Traditional events included the horse and truck/tractor pulls.

Crowds have been wonderful this year, said Elroy Fair Board President Marie Preuss. Its been hot, but lots of great options for food, the barns are full of wonderful animals to see. Just overall a great experience. Lots of traditions, but yet new things.

Annual food vendors such as Royall School District Future Farmers of America and the citys Lions Club brought back fair favorites such as pizza, pork chop sandwiches, and roasted corn. Other food options included a Joses Authentic Mexican Restaurant food truck, pulled pork sandwiches, fried dough favorites, and Chicago-style hot dogs. A unique new option was pickled lemonade, as well as smoothies.

Ive heard its very good, but I dont think Im brave enough, said Preuss about the pickled lemonade. A lot of options out for food and everyone seems to be finding lots of good things to eat.

Beef and dairy cattle were on display in the fairs animal barns, as well as swine, sheep, and goats. Rabbit and poultry shows were on June 21 and cats and dogs were also judged during the fair. Wild animals such as turtles and geckos were also on hand, according to Preuss.

The Elroy Fire Department served chicken wings on June 24 during the evening in which area country artist Bree Morgan performed followed by a A dairy breakfast the next day.

Its a good time, said Mark Williams, a nine-year Elroy resident who is also the Vice Commander of the citys American Legion Post, Post 115. Theres not a lot around here, so when the fair comes around, everyones able to get out. Its just good to see people get out and about.

Williams and Preuss both said that fair attendance has steadily increased since the subsiding of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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Residents can learn the process the city is dealing with, as well as how they can continue to give their own input on the redistricting process.
On the last day of the 82nd legislative session, legislators passed what are known as Christmas Tree bills that altogether appropriate more than $100 million from the state general fund to non-profits.
The officer-involved shooting happened at an apartment complex near Talbot Lane after detectives using an online alias set up an undercover sting operation in an attempt to arrest Jacori Shaw.
Plus, choke down a win at a hot dog eating contest, join the Polk Street pub crawl, or keep it classy with concerts by the San Francisco and Santa Rosa symphonies. Here's where to wave your flag for the red, white, and blue in 2023.

Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in 2023  San Francisco Bay Area + Wine Country

The fireworks go off at 9:30pm nightly at Marin County Fair, June 30th through July 4th, 2023.

(Courtesy of @marincountyfair)

San Francisco

The annual fireworks show over San Francisco Bay is back on for 2023! Find your own perch at locations including Angel or Treasure Island, Bernal Heights Park, Twin Peaks, or the Berkeley Marina. Or, head to one of these classic public events. The show starts at 9:30pm.

Blue & Gold Fleet: Onboard you'll find music, dancing, booze (except on the 8:30pm alcohol-free family boat), and front-row seats to the fireworks over SF Bay. Sailings from Pier 39 and Pier 41 begin at 8:20pm. // Tickets ($95/adults, $85/kids age 5-11, kids under 5 are free) are available at blueandgoldfleet.com.

Fisherman's Wharf: For the classic crowded touristy vibe, park yourself in Aquatic Park, Pier 39, or Ghirardelli Square where all retailers will be open for perusing before the evening fireworks display. Psst: You can get a great view (plus drinks) on the patio at Barrio. // Look for additional details at fishermanswharf.org.

Sunset and Fireworks Sail: From Sausalito, board the schooner Freda B for a bay sail with views as good as they get. Bring cash or credit cards to purchase California craft beers, Napa and Sonoma wines and bubbles, and Salt Point cocktails from the deck bar. // 7:15pm to 10pm Tuesday, July 4; board at Sausalito Yacht Harbor Slip, 465 Sausalito; tickets ($295/person) are available at Eventbrite.





East Bay

Concord: Hit the ground running with an 8am 5K for kids and adults, then check out the parade at 10am. Gates open at 4pm for festivities including a carnival, food vendors, and local artist exhibit. Live music begins at 5pm, fireworks start at 9pm. // Fireworks at Mt. Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St. (Concord), concordjuly4th.com

Martinez: You know we love this hip little enclave. Make a day of itMain Street will host a parade at 10amthen head to the marina for the fireworks at 9pm. // Get more info at downtownmartinez.org.

Moraga: This town goes all out with the Independence Day family fun, starting with a dog parade at 10am followed by a whole day of community vendors, food and drink, and inflatable jumpies for the littles at Moraga Commons Park. A concert will get going on the bandshell at 7pm before the fireworks show around 9:30pm. // For more info, go to moraga.ca.us.





Marin County

Petaluma: Get excited: Petaluma's Fourth of July celebrations are back after a multi-year hiatus. Stars, Stripes, Dogs & Bikes (10am to 1:30pm at Lucchese Park) will feature a farmers market, bike decorating and a bike parade, craft stations, a doggie costume contest, and more. The high-elevation fireworks show goes off around 9:30pm and will be viewable from spots all over town. // For more info, go to cityofpetaluma.org.

Marin County Fair: What better way to close out this beloved weeklong fair than with a fabulous fireworks display? Sure, there are fireworks here nightly (9:30pm) starting June 30th, but where else can you spend Independence Day hanging out with barnyard animals, chowing fair food, and enjoying local theater and live music? Catch Melissa Etheridge live at 7:30pm on the Fourth. Plus carnival rides, hello. // Marin County Fair is 11am to 11pm through July 4 at 10 Avenue of the Flags (San Rafael); tickets ($25) and info at fair.marincounty.org.





Wine Country

Sonoma County: The county's largest July 4th celebration is a cultural affair for the whole family in Santa Rosa. The day kicks off at 4:30pm with kid-friendly carnival. In the evening, expect performances by the local Transcendence Theatre Company and Santa Rosa Symphony, followed by the fireworks show. // Tickets are $40-$75. Concert is 7:30pm at Weill Hall + Lawn at Green Music Center, 1801 E. Cotati Ave. (Rohnert Park), gmc.sonoma.edu.

Napa Valley: The country's most famous wine region will be bursting with patriotic pride on the Fourth of July, with festivities taking place in various Napa towns. Calistoga's Lincoln Avenue will show off its small town charm when the Star Spangled Social & Parade gets going at 11am. Hang around for the finale, a laser light show in Pioneer Park. // St. Helena residents will enjoy the return of fireworks to Crane Park this year. But first, join in on the bike parade, concert, and festival (3pm to 8pm) at Lyman Park. // Look out for food trucks and soul tunes in Yountville (4pm to 7pm). // The valley's largest celebration is in Downtown Napa where the Fourth kicks off with a 10am parade followed by an afternoon festival at Oxbow Commons, live music at the Oxbow RiverStage, and a fireworks display best viewed from along the river. // For more info on events around Napa Valley, go to visitnapavalley.com.





South Bay

San Jose: The Rose, White & Blue Parade kicks off with the classic car cruise at 9:45am and ends with food truck grub along Shasta Avenue afterward. Then head to Downtown San Jose's Discovery Meadow for the Rotary Club fireworks show around 9:30pm. // The Alameda, 1100 Shasta Ave; for the schedule, route and parking information, visit rwbsj.org.

Morgan Hill: A tradition since 1876, the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest is a two-day celebration starting with a family music fest downtown on the night of July 3rd. On the Fourth, go for the parade, street dancing, a 5K run, car show, and evening fireworks on the green. // Free to attend; for more information, visit morganhillfreedomfest.com.


RC Drilling Confirms Lithium and REE at Turner River

Perth, June 27, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - QX Resources Ltd ( ASX:QXR ) has received final assay results from its RC drilling together with a detailed analysis, from the Company's 100%-owned Turner River hard rock lithium project, (E45/6065, E45/6042) located 15 km to south-east of Mineral Resources' Wodgina lithium mine, located within the Pilbara lithium province of Western Australia (Figures 1 & 2*).



- Final assay results and analysis have been returned from the first phase drill program which confirms a lithium mineralisation halo at QXR's 84km2 Turner River hard rock lithium project.



- The initial drilling program of 12 holes (1166m) was followed by a 10 hole (1130m) RC drilling program based on high surface lithium grades recovered from 5-15 kg sample blocks of lithium rich micas together with pegmatites at surface and in drillholes.



- Drill results confirm lithium mineralisation halo with elevated rare earth results. However, best drill hole results included 1m @ 0.38% Li2O and 4m @ 1,693ppm TREO based on drilling to an average of 100 metres.



- Further exploration work is required to locate lithium grades in drillholes which mirror the surface rock chip results. Forward works programs include:



o Undertaking airborne geophysics across several of the Company's WA lithium projects with Turner River the immediate priority.



o More extensive trenching and sampling across other areas of interest at Turner River.



o Secure access to other pegmatites outcropping at the nearby 35km2 Split Rock leases.



o Follow-up drilling in new areas and at extended depths around locations drilled to date.



Drill results confirm a lithium mineralisation halo. However, the best lithium drill results were:



- 1m @ 0.38 % Li2O (from 4m depth in hole 22QXRC007) within 3m @ 0.26% Li2O; and



- 4m @ 1,693 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) (from 18m in hole 22QXRC007) including 1m @ 369ppm Nd203.



This was within an elevated zone of lithium results intersected from surface to 22m depth from lithium micas.



The lithium mineralisation intersected was composed of a mix of spodumene and lepidolite (lithium mica).



Further exploration work is required to locate better lithium grades in the drilling which mirror the surface rock chip results. This is still a high priority location for the Company. Other companies have experienced similar issues with hard rock lithium projects in WA.



A planned exploration program which includes high resolution airborne geophysics with much more extensive trenching is now planned to define further drill targets, together with securing access to other pegmatites in outcrop at Turner River and in the nearby Split Rock leases. Sampling will be extended in the area as large high grade lithium micas outcrop near the drilling area.



QX Resources Managing Director, Steve Promnitz, said: "While these assays are not what we hoped for, the program was based on a relatively small area of interest and shallow drilling. We remain very confident in Turner River's potential based on the results of the initial sampling and our plan is to now undertake more systematic and comprehensive exploration across the project, at greater depth and in new areas of interest. High surface lithium grades up to 4.9% Li2O in large, 5-15 kg sample sized blocks of lithium rich micas must emanate from a major source nearby and our objective is to identify this source with more extensive drilling which will take place after pending airborne geophysics and trenching. At 84km2 , Turner River has lots of potential and is still vastly underexplored. Split Rock is also a focus for us and we are now planning access so we can kick off exploration here also. We are very committed to our WA lithium assets and expect a more active program and regular updates accordingly."



In December 2022, QXR undertook a 12 hole (1166m) maiden RC drill program at Turner River. The maiden program produced encouraging indications of significant areas of potential lithium bearing pegmatites observed in drill pads and drill chips at QXR's 100%-owned Turner River hard rock lithium project (Carbonate Hill prospect).



These indications extend beyond the area with previously reported high grade rock chip samples of 1.6% Li2O, 1.1% Li2O and 4.9% Li2O (refer QXR ASX announcements 8 Nov, 10 Nov, 12 Dec and 30 June 2022).



Pegmatites and potential lithium rich micas were intersected in the maiden drilling, based on visual observations, which achieved the aim of the maiden drill program. Drilling targeted the potential for either lithium mica and spodumene bearing pegmatites, or a new style of large tonnage hard rock lithium deposit hosted near the top of a large granite body rich in lithium micas.



The initial drilling was immediately followed by a 10 hole (1130m) RC drilling program, before drill results were available, based on the geology intersected downhole.



The best sample results from the drilling were:



- 3m @ 0.26% Li2O, including 1m @ 0.38% Li2O, from 4m (22QXRC007); and

- 4m @ 1,693 ppm TREO from 18m (22QXRC007)

o including 1m @ 2,391.51 ppm TREO and 1m @ 369ppm Nd203

- 6m @ 1,497 ppm TREO from 27m (23QXRC009)

- 0.122% Li2O from 31 - 32 m depth in RC hole 23QXRC009

- 0.03% Li2O from 61 - 62 m depth in drillhole 23QXRC003

- 0.046% Li2O from 40 - 41 m depth in drillhole 23QXRC008

- 2,278 ppm TREO 31 - 32 m depth in RC hole 23QXRC009

- 1590 ppm TREO from 40 - 41 m depth in drillhole 23QXRC008

- 954 ppm TREO from 8 - 9 m depth in drillhole 23QXRC002



Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) values include: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Y, Lu.



Alternative drill result analysis



An alternative analysis of the results suggests a potential trend connecting the following drillhole assays and rock chips, (Figure 6*) ordered from west to east:



- 1.141% Li2O in Rock chip: 22QX5_172

- 0.376% Li2O in RC hole 22QXRC007, from 4-5 metres

- 0.122% Li2O in RC hole 23QXRC009, from 31-32 metres

- 0.070% Li2O in RC hole 22QXRC005, from 29-30 metres

- 5.514% Li2O in Rock chip TR010



Other Nearby Hardrock Lithium Projects - Yule River, Split Rock, Western Shaw Projects



All of the tenements applied for by QXR, Yule River (E45/6159), Split Rock (E46/1367), Western Shaw Projects (E45/6107, E45/4960) are fully granted in the highly-prospective Pilbara lithium region for an initial 5-year term.



The projects are an exploration stage package associated with Granitoid Complexes with interpreted pegmatite occurrences and some greenstone contact zones. At Yule River and Split Rock, it is interpreted that the granite within the tenements has been intruded by the Split Rock Supersuite with which the Wodgina, Pilgangoora and Global Lithium deposits are associated.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/04969UX1





About QX Resources Ltd





QX Resources Limited (ASX:QXR) is focused on exploration and development of battery minerals, with hard rock lithium assets in a prime location of Western Australia (WA), and gold assets in Queensland. The aim is to connect end users (battery, cathode and car makers) with QXR, an experienced explorer/developer of battery minerals, with an expanding mineral exploration project portfolio and solid financial support.

Lithium portfolio: QXR's lithium strategy is centred around WA's prolific Pilbara province, where it has acquired a controlling interest in four projects through targeted M&A - all of which sit in strategic proximity to some of Australia's largest lithium deposits and mines. Across the Pilbara, QXR's regional lithium tenement package (both granted or under application) now spans more than 350 km2.

Gold portfolio: QXR is also developing two Central Queensland gold projects - Lucky Break and Belyando - through an earn-in agreement with Zamia Resources Pty Ltd. Both gold projects are strategically located within the Drummond Basin, a region that has a >6.5moz gold endowment.
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Malibu, CA, June 28, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a conversation with Christopher Taylor, the Chairman and Founder of Kodiak Copper Corp ( CVE:KDK ) ( KDKCF:OTCMKTS ).



He is a structural and economic geologist with more than 20 years of industry and research experience with both mid-tier producer and junior exploration companies. He is also the founder, CEO & President of Great Bear Resources, which made a district-scale gold discovery in Canada and was taken over by Kinross Gold for $1.8bn.



He's also former geologist with Imperial Metals exploring for copper porphyries in North America. Kodiak Copper's most advanced asset is the 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in southern British Columbia, Canada, where the Kodiak made a discovery of high-grade mineralization in 2020 at the Gate Zone, which has since been expanded to considerable size.



MPD has all the hallmarks of a district-scale, multi-centered porphyry system with several targets with similar signatures to the Gate Zone yet to be tested, and multiple new targets being generated across the project. 2022 saw the discovery of a parallel porphyry trend at the nearby Prime Zone adding further upside and size potential to the Gate Zone, and the discovery of the Beyer Zone, a new high-grade gold-silver zone.



With a lot more potential to be unlocked at MPD, Kodiak is looking forward to continuing its disciplined and systematic approach to exploration to generate value for shareholders through discovery success. In today's segment we take a look at what drives Chris' passion about the MPD Project along with his thoughts regarding taking the company forward prepping for a host of eventualities.



To listen to the Interview, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/SBBM3PPQ





About Kodiak Copper Corp.



Kodiak Copper Corp. (CVE:KDK) (OTCMKTS:KDKCF) is focused on its portfolio of 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA.



The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in southern British Columbia, Canada, where in 2020 the Company made a high-grade discovery at the Gate Zone, which is part of a zoned, copper-gold enriched envelope of significant size.



Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Both of Kodiak's porphyry projects have been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits.



The Company's Kahuna diamond project in Nunavut, Canada, hosts a high-grade, near surface inferred diamond resource and numerous kimberlite pipe targets. Kodiak is considering strategic options for the Kahuna project.

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.
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The 'Conners' actor stands by his decision to defend his 'Roseanne' co-star as he recalls feeling bad for her after she faced backlash for comparing the White House advisor to an 'ape.'

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - John Goodman has no remorse defending Roseanne Barr after she was accused of racism. The 71-year-old actor remembered feeling "uncomfortable" with the backlash his "Roseanne" co-star faced in 2018 after comparing White House advisor Valerie Jarrett to an "ape" in a light-night Twitter post she later claimed was written when she was on Ambien, and admitted he felt "terrible" about the fact their show was cancelled and rebooted as "The Conners" without his friend in the cast.

"No. I remember attending some kind of junket where they saw the pilot, and then the interviews, and it just turned into an attack," John told Variety when asked if he regretted defending Roseanne.

"It made me really uncomfortable witnessing them go after Roseanne. Yeah, I felt bad for her. And then, yeah... I just feel terrible about the whole thing. You know, we had a great time. And I love her. She's just her own person."

John admitted he "misses" Roseanne and wouldn't rule out working with her again in the future. Asked if they could team up again in the future, he said, "I don't know. If she'd like to... I just don't know. I miss her. I wish her well."

After "Roseanne" was cancelled following the lead actress' tweet, John insisted she was "not a racist." He told the Sunday Times newspaper in 2018, "I was surprised at the response. And that's probably all I should say about that  I know for a fact that she's not a racist."

Roseanne herself recently reflected on the "witch-burning" she was subjected to in the aftermath of the scandal and accused network ABC of wanting her to "commit suicide."

The 70-year-old comic - who also claimed she had no idea Valerie was black when she posted - said, "It was a witch-burning. They denied me the right to apologise. Oh my God, they just hated me so badly. I had never known that they hated me like that. They hate me because I have talent, because I have an opinion."

"Even though 'Roseanne' became their Number one show, they'd rather not have a number one show  When they killed my character off, that was a message to me - knowing that I'm mentally ill or have mental health issues - that they did want me to commit suicide."

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Benanti and Broderick speak out as their new movie, which is fronted by Jennifer Lawrence, is branded creepy for revolving around a boy seduced by an older woman.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - The makers and stars of "No Hard Feelings" have responded to criticism that its plot is creepy. It follows Jennifer Lawrence's 32-year-old character hired by a couple of helicopter parents to "date" their 19-year-old son, played by Andrew Barth Feldman - which has sparked backlash on social media and among critics due to the concept of hiring a woman and the pair's age difference.

"I guess what happens is when a kid goes off to school, it's so frightening that they'll be happy and they'll make friends and they'll take care of themselves that some parents go to any length to make that transition work," Matthew Broderick, 61, who plays Andrew's dad in the film, told The Hollywood Reporter.

"And it's a hard time. I've been through it. But you really have to let them make it on their own. But these parents decide to mess with nature." Laura Benanti, 43, who plays Matthew's wife in the movie, admitted the concept of hiring a woman to seduce someone's son is "insane."

But she added about how it is a satire on parenting styles, "It's a cautionary tale. If you are a helicopter parent who puts your child in such a bubble, they do not know how to exist outside of that bubble, you are going to make the exact opposite and insane choice, which is what they are doing here."

"I feel like it is a very satirical look at what can happen if you do not give your children a longer leash to figure things out for themselves. Otherwise, you're going to end up curating their life forever."

The film's premise is based on a real advertisement on Craig's List posted a decade ago. In one scene, Jennifer Lawrence's character asks when she is being hired to "date" a teen, "Do you mean date him or DATE him?" Matthew's character replies, "Date him hard," prompting Jennifer's to reply, "I'll date his brains out."

Writer-director Gene Stupnitsky, 45, said, "It didn't really matter what happened and if anyone answered (the Craig's List ad). It was just, who are these parents, these helicopter parents who are putting this ad out and who's their son, what's going on there? And who answers this?"

"If you feel that way (creeped out) when you come out of the movie, I would be surprised. We took great pains to be careful about the ick factor because it could go that way we took a humanist approach and I think that's all you can ask for."

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The 'Falling for Christmas' actress is reportedly pregnant with a baby boy and she is 'very close' to delivering her first child with husband Bader Shammas.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lindsay Lohan is rumored to be expecting a son with her husband Bader Shammas. The "Mean Girls" actress, 36, revealed on March 14 she was having her first child with financier Bader, also 36, who she quietly married last year, and according to TMZ, the pair's imminent arrival will be a baby boy.

Lindsay and Bader were expecting a "little dude, and pretty soon", with insiders saying she is "very close to giving birth," sources with "direct knowledge" told the outlet.

Lindsay has lived in Dubai for the past eight years and the insiders told TMZ her mum Dina "will be by her side for the birth," and added, "Some of Lindsay's siblings will also be overseas around the same time as the birth to meet their new nephew."

Lindsay 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."

Lindsay marked her first wedding anniversary with Bader in April, saying on Instagram alongside a snap of them hugging on a clifftop walk, "April 3, 2023, 1 year today, Happy Anniversary."

The star also recently posted a picture of a white baby grow emblazoned with the message, "Coming soon." She captioned the image, "We are blessed and excited," signing off the note with emojis of praying hands, a white heart, child's face and baby bottle.

Before their marriage was reported last July, Lindsay and Bader sparked speculation they had exchanged vows in a series of photos shared on the actress' Instagram. She captioned the images, "I am the luckiest woman in the world. He found me and knew that I wanted to find happiness and grace, all at the same time. I am stunned that this is my husband. My life and my everything. Every woman should feel like this every day."

A representative for Lindsay told Page Six she is "feeling great" and is "thrilled" with the prospect of becoming a mum.

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More than two years after getting secretly engaged to the movie producer, the 'Real Housewives of New York City' alum spills he proposed during their Florida Keys getaway.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Bethenny Frankel has shared her "beautiful" proposal story. A few years after getting secretly engaged to movie producer Paul Bernon, the former star of "The Real Housewives of New York City" finally spilled details of how her "beautiful man" asked her hand in marriage.

On Sunday, June 25, the 52-year-old made the revelation through a lengthy Instagram post. "The intimate details of the story are private but it was a beautiful proposal, in a beautiful setting, with a beautiful ring, to a beautiful man," she wrote in the caption of her post.

"I never told you my engagement story on February 12, 2021, during the pandemic, Paul and I went to Little Palm Island, a small private hotel on a Florida island in the Florida keys," the reality TV star began her story by first writing. "We are homebodies and rarely book a reservation we like to be free and nimble and not held down to a time or plan."

Bethenny went on to recount, "On that night, Paul wanted to make sure we caught the sunset, because the Keys are known for the stunning sunsets. We went to dinner and he walked me to a beautiful private table on the beach as private and romantic as a fantasy date on 'The Bachelor'."

The TV personality then explained why she and her fiance decided to keep their engagement under tight wraps. "We kept this to ourselves and months later the paparazzi photographed me in the ocean in Boca Raton of all places, and the story was leaked. It was nice to have our secret be our own for months," she stated. "It just didn't feel appropriate to us to make an announcement."

In her post, Bethenny also made a reference to her 13-year-old daughter whom she has with ex-husband Jason Hoppy. "Bryn and I and Biggy Smallz are so lucky to have Paul in our lives," she noted. "He is a loving, beautiful, generous, kind, funny and smart good man who we love with all of our hearts. #engagement #engagementstory #lovestory #partner #family #isaidyes."

Bethenny's engagement story post came a few days after she defended herself for flaunting her massive diamond engagement ring. On Tuesday, June 20, she posted a video comparing the huge diamond ring to her other smaller rings. In the comments section of the now-deleted post, she was bombarded with criticisms for being "braggy."

The host of "Just B with Bethenny Frankel" podcast did not need long to fire back at one of her critics. Under one unpleasant comment, she bluntly pointed out, "Sorry you're jealous. Feel better. But [clapping hands emojis] for the engagement." She went on to write, "You're buying me another ring."

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The SKIMS founder models for her Faux Leather and Rubberized Scuba Swim collections which many deem the brand's 'most provocative' swim campaign yet in a press release.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kim Kardashian heats up the summer. The SKIMS founder modeled for her Faux Leather and Rubberized Scuba Swim collections which many deem the brand's "most provocative" swim campaign yet in a press release.

Released on Monday, June 26, the photos saw Kim stripping down to a tight-fitting black SKIMS bikini. Oiled up, the 42-year-old was captured donning a Patent Faux Leather Sim Micro Triangle Top and Micro Tanga Bottom that she paired with a pair of long matching gloves, thigh-high black heels and the occasional oversized black sunglasses.

One other picture featured Kim donning in the Rubberized Scuba Swim Scoop Neck, a spandex style she later zipped off for a topless shot. Another snap saw "The Kardashians" star lying on top of a male model, while other models joined them in a circus-themed photoshoot, which was shot by frequent collaborator Steven Klein.

"As a photographer I am inspired in collaborating with icons," the photographer, who has worked with the famous family on multiple occasions over the years, said in a press release. "Icons are symbols, the alphabet of desire. Kim speaks this language. Our work together has been an exploration of the power of the image, the beauty of experimentation/the alchemical process of ICON."

Kim, meanwhile, gushed over Steven. "His creative touch and vision for this collection are exactly what make him the incredible photographer he is today," the mom of four shared.

In a recent interview with TIME magazine, the ex-wife of Kanye West opened up about the more emotional side of the business, for which she serves as co-founder and creative director. "I take it really personally. It started off of my body and my shapes, and it's very vulnerable," she noted.

"It started off with simply finding shapewear that was a skin tone that would match my color," she continued. "I used to take my shapewear and dye it with tea bags and coffee in the bathtub."

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Showing off her sunbathing session by the poolside in her backyard, the 'America's Got Talent' judge poses in nothing but a pair of skimpy black bikini bottoms.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sofia Vergara has left little to the imagination in a skimpy thong bikini. While soaking up the sun by the poolside in her backyard, the "America's Got Talent" judge bared her butt as she posed topless for a steamy selfie.

On Sunday, June 25, the 50-year-old uploaded the racy snap that documented her sunbathing session. Lying on her stomach, she could be seen baring her back and butt in nothing but a pair of black thong bikini bottoms.

Using the occasion to promote her vegan and cruelty free beauty brand, the "Modern Family" actress also held Toty's compact sunscreen product. She put on minimal make-up and parted her long hair in the middle. Accompanying her selfie was her simple caption that read, "Lo mio es el verano," which translates to, "My thing is summer."

Sofia's steamy selfie immediately received positive responses. In the comments section, one Instagram user gushed, "Way too hot. Babe. So naturally beautiful," and added a smiling face with heart eyes emoji. Another asked, "Do you ever take a bad picture?" A third, meanwhile, marveled, "Ultimate goals to look like this at her age."

The compliments Sofia got continued pouring in. "BEAUTIFUL DENTAL FLOSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFULLLLLLLL EYES FACE SMILE GORGEOUS," and "I dont think there's a woman more stunningly beautiful, in the world" were among those found.

While most of the comments were positive, Sofia was still faced with haters. One critic in particular complained, "Someone's thirsty for attention from random strangers on the internet."

Sofia's steamy selfie came after she opened up about her summer preferences. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar that was published on June 23, she shared, "I would fry like a chicken with coconut oil, my whole body. No, I mean, every weekend. Now I only go in the sun maybe when I'm on vacation."

"Once or twice a year, I do still get a little sun, but my face - no. I have a place in the Bahamas, in Andros, where I go for a week, for example, and my body comes out of the vacation kind of tan and my face is completely white, like two different bodies," she added.

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The 'Super Gremlin' hitmaker poses for a new mugshot at the Broward County jail, but is released shortly after paying additional $175k for his bond on a drug case.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kodak Black just made a short pit stop at a Florida jail. The Pompano Beach native was booked on Monday, June 26 after an arrest warrant was issued for the rapper earlier this month because he failed to take a mandatory drug test.

Kodak's lawyer Bradford Cohen confirms to TMZ that the 26-year-old surrendered himself to authorities on Monday, but he was released after only an hour. His lawyer argued in court that he's been on a tight leash during his pretrial release for his prescription drug case. The terms of his release required him to regularly check in with authorities and take mandatory urine tests.

Bradford asked the judge to get rid of the stringent pretrial supervision, which the judge agreed. The judge, however, increased his bond from $75,000 to $250,000 and this is why Kodak had to go through the booking process again at the jail.

The "Zeze" spitter posed for a new mugshot at the Broward County jail. He was in and out of jail in under an hour after paying $175k, the difference between his original bond and his new bond. Bradford saw this as a win for his client because the hip-hop star now will be able to travel and tour without the trouble of checking in with pretrial services.

In a video shared on Twitter, Kodak remained mum as he was escorted by security to his car following his arrest. He was wearing a light blue hoodie and a face mask as he was keeping his head down while cameras were filming him.

Kodak was previously arrested in July 2022 for possession of a controlled substance without prescription and trafficking. At that time, cops claimed they found upwards of 31 oxycodone pills in his car in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He was released from prison after posting a $75,000 bail.

He was supposed to take a drug test on June 9, but missed it. He also missed a drug test on February 3 and later tested positive on February 8.

On Sunday night, prior to turning himself in, Kodak went on Instagram Live and complained about his situation.

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Thugger's 'Business Is Business (Metro's Version)', featuring two additional tracks including the collab with the 'Barbie World' femcee, has just been released while he remains incarcerated.

Jun 27, 2023

AceShowbiz - Nicki Minaj is showing her support for Young Thug, who has been placed behind bars since his arrest in a sweeping RICO case last year. The Tridadian-born star is joining forces with the Atlanta rapper on a new track lifted off his "Business Is Business (Metro's Version)", a deluxe edition of his recently-released album.

Dropped on Monday, June 26, the deluxe edition features two additional tracks, one of which is "Money" featuring Minaj and Juice WRLD. During her verse, the "Anaconda" hitmaker whispers, "Waitfree Thug."

The deluxe edition also includes the official release of "Sake of My Kids", which has been around for years.

Just hours before unveiling their collaboration, Thug and Minaj teased it with their social media interaction. He posted on his Instagram Story earlier on Monday, "Where @nickiminaj at?? It's," followed by briefcase emojis which meant business.

Minaj then reposted Thugger's Story with her response. "@thuggerthugger1 bout to stand on that business right along wit u my bruva," she replied. "Time to check these b!ches temperature, tonight just might be the night."

Thug released the original version of "Business Is Business" on Friday, June 23. Metro Boomin is credited as executive producer of the album, which also features contributions from Drake, Future, 21 Savage, Lil Gotit, Yak Gotti, Travis Scott (II), Bslime and Fun.'s Nate Ruess.

Minaj herself recently released "Barbie World" feat. Ice Spice, which is the soundtrack of the upcoming "Barbie" live-action movie. The song will be included in the soundtrack album, which will be released the same day the Greta Gerwig-directed movie opens in U.S. theaters, Friday, July 21.

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SUGAR Cosmetics ,Indias leading omnichannel beauty brand and a cult favorite amongst Gen Z and Millennial consumers, achieves a historic milestone by opening its 200th exclusive brand-owned store within a year of its 100th store launch. With this recent store at Bengaluru - SUGAR now has the highest number of brand owned stores amongst all beauty brands available in India.

Situated in a total retail space of 450+ sq. ft. at Mantri Square Mall, SUGARs 200th store creates a vibrant and immersive shopping experience for make-up enthusiasts, that houses trending picks across categories such as Lips, Eyes, Face and more. The store has the brands trained beauty advisors and cutting-edge product range of 550+ SKUs such as foundations, highlighters, BB creams, concealers, lipsticks, eyeshadows, bronzers and even skincare.

Having started as a direct to consumer (D2C) brand in 2015, SUGAR Cosmetics rapidly ventured into offline retail in 2017 via partnerships with large format retailers and general trade stores. The brands first own store was launched in 2019 and soon became a popular destination for beauty enthusiasts. Today, SUGAR Cosmetics is available at 45,000+ retail outlets across 500+ cities with the southern region being a key market for the brand, housing the second highest number of retail touch-points. Since the pandemic, while competitors have rescinded plans of opening new stores and even closed existing ones, SUGAR has consistently continued to double-down on the brands own stores. This format has been proved to be wildly popular even beyond metro cities in locations such as Jalandhar, Surat, Nagpur and others.

Renowned PAN India Actor Tammannah Bhatia, SUGARs brand ambassador said, A huge congratulations to SUGAR Cosmetics on their 200th stores record-breaking opening. SUGAR has made space not only in mine, but every Indian womans vanity! I have always admired the brand and aligned with its core vision of providing women access to premium quality makeup products specifically catering to Indian skin requirements. This announcement makes me feel extra special as SUGAR is expanding its reach for a diverse range of makeup enthusiasts from the South. I am happy to be a part of this milestone with SUGAR.

The launch of our 200th SUGAR store in Bengaluru at a record-breaking pace after the inauguration of our 100th store a year ago is a strong testament to the loyalty of our customers and hard work of our team. We are incredibly humbled to reach this momentous milestone of expanding to 200 brand owned stores nationally (also the 40th store in the southern region). SUGAR is on a mission to celebrate the everyday YOU with meticulously curated products for Indian skin tones. Since the opening of our first store, SUGAR has witnessed the evolution of the Indian beauty enthusiast who is aware of and chooses high-quality makeup for herself. We have always enjoyed strong traction from the brand in the south and are committed to further expanding our retail network across this region. As the beauty industry evolves, SUGAR will continue to remain at the forefront and offer innovative and inclusive products that inspire self-expression and foster self-confidence., said Vineeta Singh, Co-founder and CEO, SUGAR Cosmetics

With offline retail expected to dominate the lions share of sales over the next 10 years, SUGAR aims to expand its offline reach to over 100,000+ stores by the next fiscal year. By augmenting rapid retail expansion and visual merchandising with core focus on product innovation, SUGAR Cosmetics is set to grow from strength to strength.

The milestone event for the brand was celebrated with day-long exciting activities for customers, visitors, social media influencers and media fraternity who tried out a mix of SUGARs newly-launched products and all-time classics along with a makeover experience. The brand also extended the celebrations to popular social media platforms where it enjoys a loyal fan base of over 2.7+ million followers on Instagram (largest by any Indian consumer brand) and 1.4+ million on YouTube.
Kunal B Marjadi is a marketing communication lead with 12 years experience in heading teams and driving business development, cross functional partnerships and C level relationships. Dedicated team player who believes it takes a team to build successful businesses. A keen planner and implementer with demonstrated abilities in devising marketing activities and accelerating business growth, Marjadis key focus is on building and nurturing cross-functional relationships to align people towards a common goal.

In conversion with Adgully, Kunal B Marjadi, VP - Marketing, Consumer Business, CarTrade Tech, speaks about delivering substantial value to its users, preference for used cars in the post-Covid scenario, and much more.

What are the challenges that you have faced and overcome as VP - Marketing at CarTrade Tech?

As an aggregator, our primary focus is to deliver substantial value to our users while addressing specific challenges faced in our industry. One of the most pressing challenges that we encounter in the automotive industry is keeping customers engaged during the waiting period for their desired vehicle, especially during times of supply-chain disruption. Another challenge is to ensure that our website provides adequate and relevant content to cater to the needs and queries of our users.

To overcome these challenges, we have partnered with numerous OEMs to create engaging content and prevent customers from losing interest while they wait for their cars to be delivered. We understand that there is a significant gap of time between when a customer books a car and when they receive it, and we aim to keep their interest alive and ensure they dont change their minds about their purchase. We have also expanded our content offerings to include informational content such as price range, colour, model, and reviews. This has helped us to become a one-stop shop for all car-related queries, and our customers appreciate the value we provide.

What are your marketing and media mix strategies to engage with the audience?

As an online platform that serves car buyers, we have designed our marketing and media strategies to engage our well-defined target audience.

Our marketing mix includes three primary components. The first component is search engine marketing, which is crucial for our online visibility. We understand that potential car buyers usually begin their search on search engines like Google. Therefore, we have made sure that we have a strong presence on all major search engines to ensure that our platform is easily discoverable.

The second component is our social media platforms. We recognise the importance of social media in influencing peoples choices, and we provide practical information to our audience to help them make informed decisions. Our content includes pricing, colour options, available car models, and expert reviews, all of which are presented in an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. Additionally, we are able to reach out to a giant audience of 35 million-plus people on social media on a monthly basis.

The third component is our presence on YouTube, which we consider a part of social and creative media. We have a significant presence on YouTube, and our content focuses solely on providing unbiased reviews and helping buyers make informed decisions.

How does your approach differ towards consumers from your competitors?

At CarWale, our approach towards consumers sets us apart from our competitors in several ways. One key aspect that distinguishes us is our commitment to providing a 360-degree view of cars, both internally and externally. While we offer practical buying advice to help consumers make informed decisions, we go beyond that by delving deeper into the technical aspects of the car. We understand that some individuals are interested in the intricacies of the technology behind the vehicles they are considering, and we have that kind of information covered with our comprehensive MO (Mobility Outlook).

Furthermore, our services extend beyond just individual consumers. We also cater to the auto ancillary industry at large, providing valuable insights and solutions tailored to their specific needs. Our expertise and understanding of the industry allow us to offer comprehensive support and guidance to businesses operating in this sector.

What campaigns are lined up and what are the objectives behind them?

We currently do not engage in any marketing campaigns in the conventional way. However, our primary objective is to guide individuals who are seeking information online through our website. This approach is rooted in the belief that providing helpful and informative content is a more effective way to build an audience and establish a positive reputation than relying solely on advertising.

What are the trends that will dominate your industry in 2023? What will be your major focus according to that?

The trend of buying cars is shifting towards digital platforms. This trend is evident in India, where purchasing a car is the second most expensive investment for consumers. With the increasing tech-savviness of consumers, they now prefer to access car information from the comfort of their homes. Consequently, there is a growing availability of online resources that provide extensive information about cars. In addition to the prices and comparisons, customers can now access 360-degree views and customisation options, which were once only available for luxury cars.

Another trend that we have noticed is the preference for used cars. There have been challenges in the new car supply chain due to COVID, which has made buying a used car a more viable option. Personal mobility has become crucial during the pandemic, and people are not willing to wait for six to nine months for a new car. The demand for used cars has increased, and dealers are making money through this business. Issues like semiconductor chip shortages, supply chain issues and increases in prices have also driven consumers to opt for used cars. This is where CarWale abSure steps in with its multiple outlets across the country, allowing consumers to choose the used car of their choice instead of waiting for elongated periods of time for their cars.

Another developing trend is that customers are increasingly conducting extensive research online before visiting a dealership. This shift in behaviour significantly reduces the role of salespeople, as customers can now access all the necessary information about a car from the comfort of their own homes before even taking a test drive. This changing market has evolved from simply providing basic information about car prices and colours to offering more comprehensive details such as car stats comparisons and expert opinions on fuel economy.

To cater to this trend, we have 11 partners onboard, which include Banks & NBFCs to offer a loan product, assisting customers basis their queries & interest in a specific car. In our endeavour to bring delight to the car buying process, we definitely believe that content is our strongest campaign.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Bern, 27.06.2023 - At the SwissCore Annual Event in Brussels on 27 June, State Secretary Martina Hirayama emphasised that Switzerland has a major interest in strengthening European cooperation in education, research and innovation. There was agreement that a unilateral approach is not viable.

Cross-border cooperation is crucial to advancing education, research and innovation in Europe and across the globe. Switzerland has a long-standing tradition of creating networks with partner universities around the world, particularly in the area of higher education.

The 2023 SwissCore Annual Event focused on two academic networks that enable universities to position themselves in an optimal way in the European higher education landscape and to exploit the potential of international cooperation. One is the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) network, which has been promoting cooperation in science and technological research activities in Europe and beyond since 1971. The other is the European Universities Initiative, which has been in existence for almost five years and promotes ambitious transnational alliances between higher education institutions in Europe aimed at establishing long-term structural and strategic cooperation.

While State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation Martina Hirayama outlined the added value of international cooperation and the Swiss federal government's funding policy based on it, the rector of the University of Zurich, Professor Michael Schaepman, highlighted the opportunities and challenges for Swiss universities to participate in such networks. In the panel discussion that followed, decision makers and experts from Switzerland and the European Union exchanged views with the audience in Brussels, noting that optimal framework conditions for students, researchers and innovators can only be achieved together. Only through active cooperation in numerous international academic networks is it possible today to maintain a leading position in the international education and research landscape. Overall, the unanimous opinion was that strengthening Europe in the area of education, research and innovation was important for European competitiveness and thus for common welfare.

Address for enquiries

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Communication

medien@sbfi.admin.ch

+41 58 462 96 90

Publisher

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

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The BJP and right wing politics is always against the minorities in India. Some counterparts silently brutalize Muslims on the other hand staunch right wing news channels continuously create unrest and hate against them. Current scenario is that India is anti-minorities. The May 2014 Lok Sabha elections marked a major turning point in post 1947 in Indian politics. Modi was brand and IT cell was all here to influence people, in result Bharatiya Janata Party secured 282 of the 336 seats. With 31 percent share of the absolute vote, the BJP became the first party with an outright majority since 1984. This election has another message to give, 31percent absolute votes of Hindu is more than enough to rule India and the party needs no support or vote from minorities. It was a straight fight of ideologies too.

No doubt, Modis charismatic leadership and personality did all the magic for the BJP, and the popularity of his agenda for development played a major role. People are fans of Modi but not BJP, no BJP leader could ever reach that level of crowd pulling capacity. The crucial issues like building Ram temple in Ayodhya, abolition of article 370 of the constitution, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the demand for a Uniform Civil Code  that repealed Muslim personal law. In short, BJP successfully won the hearts of staunch Hindu and made them believe that the Hindu Rashtra can be a possible dream if Modi and BJP rule the nation.

In poll-bound Madhya Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced a campaign called Mera Booth Sabse Majboot while speaking to BJP leaders he questioned if triple talaq was inalienable from Islam, why it isnt practiced in Muslim-majority countries like Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Batting for the Uniform Civil Code, he said it doesnt work to have different set of rules for different members of a family and a country cant run on two laws. Egypt, whose 90 per cent population is Sunni Muslims, abolished triple talaq 80 to 90 years ago. He said triple talaq is grave injustice to Muslim daughters because it doesnt just concern women, but destroys entire families too. When a woman, who the family marries off to someone with a lot of hope, is sent back after triple talaq, the parents and brothers are pained with concern about the woman. He made his point to the Muslim woman that if he wins he can abolish this stringent law. This is the reason why Muslim women silently vote for BJP. The PM took a swipe at those who oppose the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying they are inciting some people for their own interests.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act bans the practice of instant triple talaq and entails imprisonment up to three years. The Supreme Court has said there is no bar on granting anticipatory bail in such cases, provided the court hears the complainant woman before granting pre-arrest bail. BJP or Right wing ideology might be against Minorities especially Muslims because they want Muslims to be Indian first. The Congress always appeals to vote banks, be it Muslims, or Dalits, or whatever. The Muslim community has been the most deceived so far, and the BJP doesnt really play the minority card much, because being smart, they try to get the majority solidly with them, as that is the simple way to win in a democracy.

BJP has its ministers who spew venom in regular intervals but the fact is that, the other sides of the flag bearers also do the same to RSS and BJP. They demean them in all possible ways, in spite of knowing that they have no other option than living with BJP rule and leadership. While other parties emphasize that the Hindus should be remorseful and secular, the BJP thinks Hindus should be proud and open. There are many views of the world that are diametrically opposite between Hindus and Muslims. None of this is any secret, and none of this has stopped India from being a multicultural, tolerant nation. As for judging the BJP, if you reserve the right to judge the party by its lowest behavior, how can you blame them for judging others by their lowest behavior?
Please join us in wishing luck to Skyhorse Publishing and author Dick Russell on this prestigious nomination for a Plutarch Award for best biography. Named after the famous ancient Greek biographer, the Plutarch is awarded to the best biography of the year by a committee of five distinguished biographers from nominations received by BIO members and publishers. The award comes with a $2,000 honorarium.



As an aside, we have been writing about RFK Jr for more than a decade. Please don't confuse our keeping up with his work and even complimenting or congratulating him on his work with an endorsement as a Presidential candidate. We do not and can not endorse. We know our readers come from all walks of life. Left, right and center. Thank you.



Note from Author Dick Russell:



Dear friends and colleagues,



I've just received some exciting news, that my latest book - The Real RFK Jr.: Trials of a Truth Warrior has been nominated among the finalists for the Plutarch Award, given annually for "best biography of the year."



And I wanted to let you know a little about why I decided a year ago to write it. I've known Bobby Kennedy Jr for more than twenty years, when I was putting together my books "Eye of the Whale" and then "Striper Wars: An American Fish Story." We were both activists in protecting the habitats of the amazing gray whales and Atlantic striped bass and went on to collaborate on other environmental campaigns. Bobby wrote the introductions for two editions of my book exposing the fossil fuel corporate giants most responsible for climate change.



Once he began speaking out about public health concerns, a lot of people who he'd worked closely with for years shied away from him and his views were suddenly no longer welcome in the media. During the pandemic, Bobby was kicked off Instagram and labeled an "anti-vaxxer" who spread misinformation. I knew from many conversations with him this wasn't fair or true, that he was an advocate for safe vaccines and a foe of government agencies being captured by the very corporations they're supposed to regulate.



So, I decided to write a book that would chronicle his remarkable environmental achievements over forty years as an environmental lawyer, as well as tell the real story of how and why he became such a powerful advocate for children's health. I also wanted to provide an honest picture of the trauma he'd experienced following the assassinations of his uncle and father and how he managed to find the moral courage to become the leader he is today.



In the course of my research and writing, Bobby and I sat down together for many hours of interviews, and he granted me access to his intimate private journals. I also spoke with many of his friends and associates, to gain insight into his character. This wasn't part of a campaign effort, because he didn't decide to run for president until I was almost done with the book. Now I'm hoping that readers will get a stronger sense of who he is and realize that he's the right person to heal the divide in our country and bring people together in a way that his forbears sought to do.



I'm pasting the link to Amazon here if you wish to order a copy, would welcome a review posted if you so choose, and be really glad to hear your thoughts.

Best wishes to you all,

Dick Russell
Personal injury law firm Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is partnering with an Ohio-based firm for an expansion into six states.

Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys joins the well-known Birmingham attorney with Robert Schuerger II, a former legislative aide in the Ohio State House of Representatives, who started his practice in 2008.

Specializing in auto and trucking accidents, catastrophic injuries, mass torts and wrongful death, the firm opened its first office in Columbus, Ohio last year. Since then, it has opened an additional 10 offices across Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana and Missouri.

Alexander Shunnarah, founder and president of Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, said he is excited about expanding into fresh territories across the Midwest and Southeast.

This partnership allows us to champion our clients causes with enhanced vigor and zeal, he said.

The firm has a team of 13 attorneys across the 11 offices.

The two firms combined creates an opportunity to reach more people in their time of need and to have the resources to go to war for them and their families, Schuerger said.
Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole took to Instagram Monday to share a photo of the vandalized front door, with shattered glass and a hole through its window, at her restaurants Birmingham location.

Cole just returned home from her honeymoon, following her star-studded wedding. In a previous Instagram post, she mentioned that after her break from work shes ready to finish the year strong.

But on Instagram, Cole said, In my last post I just said I was fired up! The devil always try to come in when your spirit is in the right place. SMH. This is at my Birmingham location. I hope they found what they were looking for.

In the comment section of her Instagram post, some users were critical of the citys crime rates while others including Jermaine FunnyMaine Johnson called for support of Cole and her business. So yall in these comments blaming our entire city for the actions of one or two idiots? Johnson wrote. Weve supported Pinky since day one and well continue to do so.

There is no additional information about the vandalism. Reps for Slutty Vegan said an investigation is underway.

Slutty Vegan, based in Atlanta, opened its first Alabama location in August 2022, serving plant-based burgers, fries, other sandwiches, sides and desserts in a brightly colored storefront in Birminghams Woodlawn neighborhood. The takeout restaurant founded by Pinky Cole is extremely popular in Georgia, where customers have been known to stand in long lines. Slutty Vegan lists 10 locations on its website, including Birmingham.
DEAR ABBY: I would like your help on how to deal with a problem I am having with my mother-in-law. The in-laws call at least once a week wanting us to go out to dinner with them. Its embarrassing because my mother-in-law is always horrible to the waiter. She complains about everything and usually causes some sort of a scene.

My husband and I are at a loss about how to tell her this is why we no longer want to go out with them. We have tried making excuses and inviting them to our house instead, but she refuses to take no for an answer and demands we join them at a restaurant. If we dont, she gets mad and has hurt feelings. Help! -- EATING ME UP IN ALABAMA

DEAR EATING ME UP: Your mother-in-laws behavior is indeed an embarrassment, and your feelings are justified. Your husband should talk frankly with both his parents about why neither of you are comfortable eating out with them. If it isnt addressed, it wont be fixed.

DEAR ABBY: My ex-husbands stepbrother died unexpectedly, and the ex wants to take our son to the funeral. The ex and his stepbrother were not close. The ex has not been active in our sons life. He moved to another state two years ago, and it took repeated explanations for my son to understand who the person was who died.

My son told me he doesnt know his dads family, so it doesnt bother him they arent a part of his life. He hasnt asked to attend the funeral or asked anything else about his uncle. I dont think he should go. Should I let my ex take him so our son can see how many people have chosen not to be a part of his life, or should I refuse? -- NOT IN HIS LIFE

DEAR NOT IN HIS LIFE: If you can resist mentioning your opinion to your son, he may not view meeting his paternal relatives the same way you do. Of one thing I am sure: He should not feel forced to go if he doesnt want to. I think the answer to your question depends on how old your son is and whether your ex is responsible enough to be trusted with the boy. Only you can answer that.

DEAR ABBY: My mother is 74 and has been widowed for 10 years. During this time, my sister and I have tried to convince her to downsize from her very large, hard-to-maintain house to something more manageable. She is always overwhelmed. Friends and other family members offer to help her with it, and she acts like its more than she can manage.

We are now watching her becoming overwhelmed by everything in life, not just the house. We are also wondering if some dementia is starting to set in. My sister and I want her to see a counselor and talk with her doctor, but shes too overwhelmed to do this either. Can we make an appointment with a counselor or minister for her? -- TRYING TO HELP

DEAR TRYING TO HELP: Make an appointment for her with her doctor, provide the transportation and stay with her if possible. The doctor should be informed about whats going on so your mother can be evaluated. Changes like the ones you describe could be symptoms of an underlying illness as well as dementia, and the sooner you can find out, the better for your mother.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Two teens were critically injured Monday afternoon when they were struck by a train while walking on a railroad trestle in Helena.

Authorities said police and firefighters were called about 2:45 p.m. to the Riverwoods subdivision on a report of juveniles struck by a CSX train.

Mayor Brian Puckett, one of the first to arrive on the scene, said two teen girls and two teen boys were walking along the trestle when two of them were hit.

Two others managed to jump out of the way and escape injury.

Puckett said two of the victims were critically injured. One of them was airlifted to Childrens of Alabama and the other was taken by ambulance.

A Helena officer is being treated at a hospital for an injury sustained during the rescue, the mayor said.

Helena Police Chief Brad Flynn said the CSX tracks run parallel with Morgan Road.

We got there, and the fire department got there, and it was a nightmare scene because youve got about a 100-foot embankment at a 45-degree angle, the chief said.

One of the victims hit was a female that had been thrown about halfway down the embankment, Flynn said. Another girl that didnt get hit was with her friend.

It was quite a mess, he said. We had to crawl up about 30 or 40 feet to get to them.

Helena Fire Chief Pete Valenti said the male victim who was hit was still underneath the train on the trestle when first responders arrived. He said firefighters had to crawl underneath the train for about 50 feet to reach the young victim.

They had no more than 3 feet of head room. They took a backboard with them and then tied a rope to it to pull the victim back out from underneath the train.

Flynn said the teens were walking on the tracks from the Blackridge subdivision in Hoover to Old Town and Buck Creek in Helena.

The crash was captured on the trains video surveillance system. Itll just break your heart watching it, he said.

One of them told me they do this all the time, but he said this time they were halfway across the trestle, and he said, We didnt hear or see the train until it was practically right up on us,' Flynn said. Two of them were able to get out of the way and two of them werent.

The victims are believed to be ages 15 or 16. They are believed to live in Hoover.

Both Flynn and Valenti said they both have been in Helena long enough to remember the 1997 train crash that killed four kids when a CSX freight train hit a car driven by a woman taking her kids to school.

I was first on the scene of that one and had a little boy die in my arms that morning, Flynn said.

Prior to that crash, two other children were killed on the trestle in Old Town.

Train tracks are not a place to go hike, theyre not a place to explore, Flynn said. Things can turn deadly in a minute.

These kids, this is the last thing they were thinking could happen, Flynn said.

Weve all seen Stand by Me where the train is coming and they barely outrun it, he said. Thats exactly what happened to these kids, but theirs didnt have a happy ending.

Two kids are fighting for their lives, he said. and the other two are going to needs some help.

Flynn said parents need to stress to their kids to stay off the tracks. Its private property and if youre on the tracks, youre trespassing, he said. But its that way for a reason. Even the ones that werent hit, they still had to tumble 30 or 40 feet down an embankment full of rocks and trees.
A 34-year-old man was killed in a Sunday motorcycle crash in southwest Birmingham.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office on Tuesday identified the fatality victim as Stephen E. Ricker. He lived in Birmingham.

The crash happened at 1:55 p.m. Sunday in the 4100 block of Jefferson Avenue S.W.

Authorities said Ricker was traveling on Jefferson Avenue when a vehicle that was exiting a business parking lot reportedly pulled out in front of him. Ricker collided with the vehicle on the drivers side and was thrown from the motorcycle.

He was taken to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:47 p.m.

Birmingham police are investigating.
A north Alabama man has pleaded guilty to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Bobby Wayne Russell, 49, of Falkville, entered his guilty plea Monday in D.C. to one count of assault, resisting, or impeding certain officers and aiding and abetting, which is a felony crime, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth will sentence Russell on Nov. 17.

Russell was one of more than a dozen Alabama residents charged in connection with Capitol breach during a joint session of Congress which had convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Russell was among rioters confronting officers at a line of bicycle barricades on the southwest side of the Capitol grounds.

Russell, wearing a hooded Alabama Crimson Tide sweatshirt resisted police orders to move away.

Russell resisted officers efforts to get him to back away from the barricade. He held a section of bike rack pressed between his upper arm and side, clinging to it despite being sprayed with OC spray.

Bobby Wayne Russell, 48, of Falkville, is charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder, both felony charges. (Federal Court Documents)

When the barricade broke apart due to the involvement of other rioters, Russell grabbed the jacket of a Metropolitan Police Department officer, pulling the officer down with him as he fell headlong down a short flight of stairs.

Later that day, at approximately 4:20 pm, law enforcement officers formed a line and attempted to clear the area near the Senate wing doors. Russell refused orders to leave the area and pushed his back and buttocks into the riot shields of several officers.

He then turned around to face one officer and declared, Theres more of us than you guys, youre gonna lose.

Russell faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.

The case has been investigated by the FBIs Birmingham Field Office and Washington Field Office, which identified Russell as #492 on its seeking information photos.

In the 29 months since the riots, more than 1,000 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including nearly 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
A Fort Payne woman has been arrested after authorities say she kidnapped a woman and pushed her from a cliff nearly two years ago.

Loretta Kay Carr, 43, has been charged with capital murder-kidnapping.

She was arrested Sunday and is being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond, according to jail records.

According to court documents, Carr has been charged with intentionally causing the October 2021 death of Mary Elizabeth Isbell by pushing her off of a cliff.

The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office has not released any details on the arrest as of Tuesday afternoon.
A homicide investigation is underway after a man was found dead Monday in his Birmingham home.

Birmingham police later identified the victim as Bryan Williams. He was 43.

South Precinct officers were dispatched to a house in the 4300 block of 13th Avenue North in the citys Kingston neighborhood.

Police responded to the home at 1:53 p.m. to perform a welfare check.

Sgt. LaQuitta Wade said a friend stopped by to see Williams, finding the front door open and the house in disarray.

The friend did not see Williams at that point but became concerned and called 911 for a wellness check.

Officers entered the home and found Williams unresponsive on the floor. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Wade said the victim was fatally shot. It wasnt immediately clear when he was last known to be alive.

Police roped off the entire block, as frantic relatives showed up at the scene.

Williams is the citys 64th homicide this year, and the second to take place on Monday.

Christen Taylor Adams, 22, of Birmingham, was found shot to death just after midnight in the 4800 block of Avenue N in Ensley.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 95 homicides including the 64 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Joran van der Sloot has waived his right to a speedy trial and a federal judge on Tuesday extended pretrial deadlines, including whether or not he will plead guilty or move forward through the court process.

Given the defendants need to adequately prepare his defense and to make an informed decision on whether to enter a guilty plea or proceed to trial, the court finds that the ends of justice served by extending the pretrial deadlines and granting a continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial, U.S. Magistrate Gray Borden wrote.

Borden said the extension would last until Oct. 2, but said the exact trial date would be set later by the presiding judge.

Although van der Sloot, now 35, has long been suspected in the disappearance and death of the Mountain Brook High School graduate Natalee Holloway while she was visiting Aruba in 2005, he has never been charged in connection to her death.

However, federal authorities in Alabama contend that in 2010 van der Sloot exploited the fear of Holloways mother, Beth, that she would never find her daughters body or know what happened to her unless she paid him $250,000.

A federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted van der Sloot on June 30, 2010, on charges of wire fraud and extortion.

Van der Sloots federal public defender, Kevin Butler, on Monday asked the court for a 30-day extension on those pretrial deadlines and asked that the court continue trial setting for at least 60 days.

The deadline for van der Sloot to inform the judge whether he intends to plead guilty or go to trial is currently set for July 17.

The Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorneys Office, which is prosecuting van der Sloot, did not oppose the defenses request, court records show.

Because undersigned counsel needs additional time to review the discovery, investigate this case, and prepare for trial, it is in the interest of justice to continue the motions deadline and the trial setting, Butler wrote.

Joran van der Sloot arriving in Alabama on June 8, 2023. (Wes Sinor)

Van der Sloot on June 8 was extradited from Peru, where he is serving 28 years for the 2010 murder of college student Stephany Flores, to Alabama. The following day, he made his initial appearance in court and pleaded not guilty to the wire fraud and extortion charges.

He is being held in the Shelby County Jail.

The case is being prosecuted by Lloyd Peeples, chief of the U.S. Attorneys Criminal Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Crosby.

Prosecutors contend that van der Sloot told Holloway for an initial payment of $25,000, he would take the Holloways representative to the location of Natalees body. Once the body was recovered and confirmed to be Natalee, he said, he would then collect the remaining $225,000.

The affidavit said Natalee Holloway died after Joran van der Sloot threw her to the ground when she attempted to stop him from leaving her.

The affidavit also says that his late father, Paulus van der Sloot, then helped him dispose of her body.

Van der Sloot told a representative for Beth Holloway that his father buried her remains in the gravel under the foundation of the single-story house.

He later admitted to the representative that he lied about the location of Natalees remains.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones met Tuesday with family members of a South Carolina man fatally shot by deputies in Alabama earlier this month.

We extended our sympathy to them on the loss of their loved one, Jones said in a prepared statement. They are understandably seeking information regarding the encounter between Lee County Sheriffs deputies and Mr. Gibbs the evening of June 9, 2023.

The Lucius Benjamin Gibbs, a 58-year-old husband, father and grandfather, was reported missing by his family on June 7.

He was last seen the day before near a Charleston mall. Authorities at the time said Gibbs was believed to be driving a 2000 Ford F-250 with a South Carolina license plate.

Two days after Gibbs disappeared, Lee County deputies received a 911 call reporting a possible intoxicated driver traveling eastbound on U.S. 280 near the intersection of Lee Road 250 in the Bleeker community of southeast Lee County.

The call told dispatchers a white Ford pickup truck was serving across lanes and had run off the road into a ditch, sheriffs officials said.

A deputy arrived on the scene about 10:55 p.m. and found the truck in a ditch less than a mile east of Lee Road 250 off U.S. 280.

The deputy approached the truck and saw a man appeared to be asleep in the drivers seat. The deputy also spotted a rifle in the seat beside the man.

The deputy, sheriffs officials said, then called for another deputy to come to the location. That deputy arrived at 11 p.m., and the deputies then noticed the truck beginning to back out of the ditch.

At that point, sheriffs officials said, a gunshot was fired at the deputies. The two deputies returned fire and then called for medics when they realized the man had been shot.

Sheriffs officials said deputies noticed the man had a handgun in one hand, and a semi-automatic shotgun with an extended magazine in the seat beside him.

The man, later identified as Gibbs, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe.

Sheriff Jones on Tuesday said Gibbs family was provided what information we could share which is limited, because of the ongoing SBI investigation.

Once that probe is complete, the SBI will submit their findings to the Lee County District Attorney for consideration by a grand jury, Jones said.
A man serving life in prison without parole died over the weekend at William Donaldson Correctional Facility in western Jefferson County.

Eric Tyronne Person, 51, was found unresponsive in his assigned dorm area at 4:34 a.m. Saturday, according to the Jefferson County Coroners Office.

Person was taken to the prison infirmary and then to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:51 a.m.

Deputy Coroner Matt Angelo said the cause of death has not yet been determined, but there was no evidence or trauma of foul play.

Person was convicted of capital murder in the 1992 shooting death of Mothusi Jabbar Carter in Bullock County.

Person is the fourth Donaldson inmate to die in a week and the 16th this year. In 2022, 40 inmates died at the prison.
Mobiles Bienville Square will celebrate its 200th anniversary as a public park next year, but Mobile officials hope its revitalized before then.

Once a site of an old Spanish hospital, and where President Theodore Roosevelt gave a rousing address in 1905, the park remains somewhat diminished since it took a beating by Hurricane Sally nearly three years ago.

Read more:

A $3.2 million project, which is expected to be completed before the end of the year  or before Mardi Gras at the latest  aims at restoring the historic park that is popular place for brown bag luncheons and squirrel feeding.

The park has been called Mobiles living room since it first began to take shape in the middle of the 19th century, said Carol Hunter, spokeswoman with the Downtown Mobile Alliance. The park has undergone a lot of changes over the decades. The goal now is that this new plan (for Bienville Square) reflects more of the way current users use parks with flexible seating and a seat wall that greatly expands where people can be (seated) in the Square.

The Mobile City Council is expected to vote in the coming weeks on a contract with Mobile-based JPayne Organizations LLC.

The company will oversee a project that includes, among other things, the return of the parks iconic cast-iron fountain removed in 2021 for refurbishment.

Bienville Square is one of the most recognizable locations in Mobile and one of the primary public gathering points in our downtown, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said in a statement to AL.com. We are very excited to be one step closer to beginning these improvements and returning Ketchum Fountain to its home at the center of this beautiful park. When this project is completed, Mobilians will like what they see.

Prior to Hurricane Sally, the central fountain in Mobile's Bienville Square was screened from the downtown skyline by a canopy of oak leaves. The fountain is expected to return to its original location within the park sometime before the end of 2023. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

The Ketchum fountain, built in 1896 and to honor physician George Augustus Ketchum, was damaged by the storm. It has since been refurbished by Robinson Iron Works of Alexander City, which dismantled it in 2021 and has since restored it to include the construction of a new basin.

Were looking forward to welcoming the fountain back and have it displayed in all its splendor, said Kellie Hope, president of the board of directors with the Downtown Parks Conservancy.

Other new park features, according to Hunter, include:

New LED lighting in and around the fountain that will be computer controlled and will give the city an opportunity for a lighting scheme around the iconic structure once its returned. The lighting, Hunter said, could be coordinated to match similar colors that illuminate the 35-story RSA Tower.

A low brick seat wall with a broad top encircling the fountain that will allow visitors extra spaces for seating within the Square.

New paving around the central plaza area will feature blue stone and granite, Hunter said. She also said that the walkways will be redone, although the general layout of the park will remain the same.

Hope said her organization is thrilled the project will soon be underway, calling it transformational to be able to restore and rejuvenate the Square.

Hunter said the park will function as a passive space for people who are living downtown.

With more and more people living downtown in apartments and condos, they dont have backyards or front yards, Hunter said. Our green space is critically important for our residents who need respite from that built-in environment. Thats what we want Bienville Square to be.

Hunter said the councils vote will cover the entire master plan for the park.

This story was updated at 8:15 a.m. on June 27, 2023, to add a quote from Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
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.

2023 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
YouTube star MrBeast says he found it kind of scary that he could have been aboard the Titan submersible, which imploded last week as authorities searched for it.

The influencer, known for his excessively expensive stunt videos and viral challenges, tweeted Sunday morning that he was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine.

I said no, he wrote. He also shared a screenshot of a text message of the alleged invitation. The text read, Also, Im going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month. The team would be stoked to have you along.

The message, which was cut off in the screenshot, also seems to say, Im sure youre also welcome to join.

In the replies, followers expressed relief that MrBeast (who touts more than 163 million subscribers on YouTube) did not accept the invitation. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee replied, Uh yeah sheesh.

Reddit co-founder and Angel City FC investor Alexis Ohanian tweeted, Were all very happy you declined dude.

Others cast doubt on the YouTube stars claim, with some suggesting it was an attempt at clout-chasing.

wait why is the text reciept blue why are you making this up? @JUNlPer tweeted.

Other users questioned why the alleged invite was blue  the color of outgoing iMessage texts, and not the gray of incoming texts.

Uhm blue messages are the messages...you send, replied another Twitter user.

The text is blue if you sent yourself this, thats kinda sad, said a third Twitter user.

Hours after his first tweet, MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) addressed the speculation Sunday afternoon. Replying to @JUNlPer, the YouTuber said, My friend sent me the screenshot of when he invited me. Didnt think to scroll up and screenshot our old texts myself.

Despite his explanation, some Twitter followers were still uncertain about MrBeasts claims. A representative for MrBeast did not immediately respond to The Times request for comment Monday.

The Titan submersible, used for tourist expeditions to view the wreck of the Titanic, went missing June 18 with five people aboard in the North Atlantic. Days after launching a search-and-rescue mission to recover the vessel and its occupants, the U.S. Coast Guard announced on June 22 that all five passengers died.

Underwater robots discovered seafloor debris that was consistent with a catastrophic implosion.

The five passengers were pilot and OceanGate Expeditions chief executive Stockton Rush, billionaire Hamish Harding, accomplished diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman.

On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John W. Mauger said at a news conference Thursday. I can only imagine what this has been like for them. I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time.

As news of the submersible dominated headlines, previous concerns and criticisms about the safety of the vessel resurfaced. Avatar and Titanic director James Cameron, who is a longtime member of the diving community and has ventured to the Titanic wreck 33 times, was among the people weighing in on the tragic implosion.

People in the community were very concerned about this sub, Cameron told ABC News. A number of the top players in the deep submergence engineering community even wrote letters to the company, saying that what they were doing was too experimental to carry passengers and that it needed to be certified.

OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein responded to the filmmaker, noting he and other experts were not involved in the he design, engineering, building, testing or even diving of the subs.

Sohnlein added: So its impossible for anyone to really speculate from the outside.



(Los Angeles Times staff writer Alexandra E. Petri and Noah Goldberg contributed to this report.)



2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against North Carolinas Republicans, saying state lawmakers do not have sole authority to set rules for federal elections without interference from state judges.

The 6-3 decision in Moore vs. Harper, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., rejected the GOP claim that state legislatures make the rules alone.

When state legislatures prescribe the rules concerning federal elections, they remain subject to the ordinary exercise of state judicial review, he wrote. State courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the elections clause.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented.

The decision will make it harder for the dominant political party to gerrymander district voting maps to lock in control of most of the seats.

Democrats and many public-interest advocates had worried that the conservative court would bolster GOP lawmakers and potentially enable them to defy the will of the voters in the 2024 presidential race by choosing a slate of Republican electors even if the Democratic candidate wins more votes in their state.

Usually disputes over state election laws are resolved by state judges and the state supreme court. Until recently, it was understood that the state supreme court had the final word on state laws.

But Republican lawmakers argued that the U.S. Constitution sets a different rule for elections of federal officials. They pointed to the clause that says the Times, Places and Manner of electing senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof.

Citing this provision, they argued that state supreme courts did not have the authority to overrule election rules set by state lawmakers. This has been dubbed the independent state legislature theory.

The Constitution has a similar provision for electing the president. It says each state shall appoint the electors who choose the president in such manner as the Legislature may direct.

All the states have adopted laws that say their electors will be chosen based on the outcome of the popular vote in the state.

But after President Donald Trump lost his reelection bid to then-candidate Joe Biden in 2020, he and some of his supporters urged Republican state lawmakers to defy the law and appoint electors for Trump, not Biden. None did so, however.

Democrats and many election law experts voiced alarm that if the Supreme Court upheld the Republicans claim that state legislatures had independent authority over elections, GOP lawmakers might select a slate of Republican electors even if the Democratic candidate prevailed in a close race.

The issue came before the Supreme Court last year in a dispute over partisan gerrymandering by Republican state legislators in North Carolina. They drew a voting map that would have given the GOP a clear edge in 10 of the states 14 districts for electing U.S. representatives.

Common Cause sued and argued the map was highly partisan and did not fairly reflect the views of the states voters. They won before the state Supreme Court, which then had a 4-3 majority of Democratic appointees. Those judges said the state constitution promised free and fair elections, and they ordered a new map for the 2022 mid-term elections. Under that map, the state elected seven Republicans and seven Democrats to the House.

But the states Republican leaders appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and argued that the state judges did not have the authority to override the legislature and impose their own map for electing members of Congress.

The high court agreed to hear their appeal and the justices sounded closely split when they heard arguments in December.

But the month before, Republicans had won two seats on the state supreme court, giving them a 5-2 majority. Shortly afterward, the new majority announced it would reconsider the anti-gerrymandering ruling that had infuriated the GOP lawmakers.

On April 28, the state court overturned the earlier ruling and said state lawmakers were entirely free to draw election districts to give their party an advantage. The vote was 5-2.

___

2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A ground worker died Friday night when he was sucked into an engine of a jet that had just landed at San Antonio International Airport, and the local medical examiner is ruling it a suicide.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Monday it will not open an investigation. The accident investigator said that based on information provided by the medical examiner, there were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport.

The NTSB is the chief U.S. accident investigator. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines and aviation safety, indicated that it would investigate.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners office said David Renner, 27, died of blunt and sharp-force injuries, and the manner of death was listed as suicide. The official declined to provide further information.

A Delta Air Lines plane that had flown from Los Angeles was pulling up to the terminal when the incident occurred, according to the FAA.

Delta said the ground worker was employed by Unifi Aviation, which Delta hires for ground services at the San Antonio airport.

A Unifi spokesperson said, From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifis operational processes, safety procedures and policies. The spokesperson said the company was deeply saddened by the loss of our employee at San Antonio International Airport during a tragic incident, and would not comment further.

In a statement, Delta said it was grieving the loss of an aviation family members life in San Antonio.

Both Delta and Unifi are based in Atlanta. Unifi describes itself as the largest ground-handling and aviation-services provider in North America. It lists Delta, United, Alaska, Spirit and Frontier as its customers.

The company says it has 20,000 aviation workers who handle baggage, cargo, catering, fueling and other jobs at 200 locations.

On Dec. 31, an airport worker in Montgomery died after she was pulled into an engine.

Courtney Edwards, 34, a mother of three, died after investigators said she was ingested into the engine of an American Airlines flight parked at Montgomery Regional Airport.

According to OSHA records, Piedmont Airlines was fined $15,625 for a safety breach that led to the death of the passenger service agent.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.
President Joe Biden has said the United States was not involved in the short mercenary uprising in Russia, but Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, claims otherwise.

President Biden said were not involved in that, which is probably the biggest lie you can tell, Tuberville said Tuesday on an Alabama talk radio show. Theres no way were not involved in it to some degree with our CIA.

Its not clear whether the senator was simply speculating or had received additional information from intelligence briefings. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

According to news reports, U.S. officials were in frequent contact with Russia over the tumultuous weekend but stressed that they saw the issue as an internal dispute.

Tuberville said he thought the U.S. should be more involved in working with Ukraine and Russia to resolve the conflict.

Biden should be on the phone every day talking to Putin and Zelensky, he said, naming the leaders of the two countries. It just amazes me how little input the White House has had over the past year. There have been hundreds of thousands of people killed. Its just been devastating.

Were over there doing things we shouldnt be doing, spending money we shouldnt be spending.

The United States just announced a new $500 million package in military aid for Ukraine.

Tuberville also said he will continue to push Alabamas request to house Space Command headquarters and to block military promotions in protest of the Department of Defenses abortion policy.
Former president Donald Trump refers to possessing highly classified documents in audio recorded at his resort in Bedminster, N.J., in 2021, according to a new report.

In the audio, obtained and published by CNN, Trump appears to speak about Pentagon paperwork that references plans to attack Iran.

These are the papers, Trump says in the audio clip.

This totally wins my case, you know? Trump says. Except it is highly confidential.

Trump, 77, was charged this month with 37 felonies in a federal indictment accusing him of stashing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Trump, the 45th U.S. president who is running again in the 2024 election, has pleaded not guilty.

Trump made the comments while speaking with people working on a memoir by former chief of staff Mark Meadows.

Trump recently claimed to Fox News, There was no document.

That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said last week. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

2023 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville used a tweet to call attention to more than a billion dollars in federal aid to expand broadband access across Alabama.

But he didnt vote for the 2021 legislation that made it possible.

Alabama is set to receive $1.4 billion from the federal infrastructure law to expand broadband access in the state as part of the Biden administrations $40 billion plan to increase Internet access across the country.

The announcement was made by Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, who was the only Alabama representative to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed by President Biden.

None of the six Alabama Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for the bill.

On Tuesday morning, Tuberville trumpeted the funding in a tweet:

Broadband is vital for the success of our rural communities and for our entire economy.



Great to see Alabama receive crucial funds to boost ongoing broadband efforts. https://t.co/bLvQlSS3LH  Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) June 27, 2023

However, Tuberville was not one of the 19 Republicans who voted in favor of the bill back in August 2021, which passed 69-30 in the Senate. Richard Shelby, then still Alabamas senior U.S. Senator, also voted against it.

Former President Donald Trump had urged Republicans to vote against the bill, but Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted for the legislation.

Former Sen. Doug Jones, who Tuberville defeated in 2020, had pointed words, not just for Tuberville, but for the rest of his Republican congressional colleagues.

I bet they will damn sure take credit, Jones tweeted.

Thats right-$1.4 billion! But not a single Republican member of the Alabama delegation voted for this legislation. To my knowledge not a single Republican state leader expressed support either. But I bet they will damn sure take credit when its installed. https://t.co/Jeq2mPO3jF  Doug Jones (@DougJones) June 27, 2023

Requests for comment from Tubervilles office were not immediately returned.

Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to the president and infrastructure law coordinator, commented later Tuesday.

While Congressional Republicans like Sen. Tommy Tuberville continue to play political games like partisan voting at the expense of their own constituents, President Biden remains focused on delivering real results for hardworking Americans, Landrieu said. Its unfortunate that some voted no but still want the dough. If they had integrity, theyd applaud President Bidens leadership for putting us on the path to provide reliable, affordable high-speed internet to every American.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin faces rare major opposition from the city council today as some members threaten to give his $554.8 million budget a thumbs down vote.

At least three councilors, Valerie Abbott, Darrell OQuinn and Hunter Williams in recent days threatened to vote no to the budget, saying that the mayor failed to address major issues, such as the need for more code enforcement officers, in his spending plan.

Abbott, the citys longest-serving councilor, spoke harshly of the mayors budget during a recent committee meeting, saying the proposed spending plan lacked funding for what she called key priorities that impact residents.

I just thought, I dont even want to approve this budget because its not addressing the things that we complained about over and over and over and over, Abbott said, her voice rising and her hand slapping the conference table. We just keep complaining and nobody listens. Maybe youre ticked off. Well Im ticked off because Im going to come to the end of my time at City Hall and we still havent accomplished anything.

Woodfin appears to have short circuited growing opposition. OQuinn on Monday evening told Al.com that significant progress had been made since Abbott aired her grievances last week. OQuinn said he has pledged to vote no in solidarity with Abbott and Councilor Hunter Williams over issues they have raised.

OQuinn said the mayor agreed to add additional code enforcement inspectors and create positions for officers who can issue tickets for violations. Currently, the only way to notify residents is through certified mail, he said.

Weve been working it out, OQuinn said. The mayor gave me some assurance that city staff are on board and they are confident that they can actually fill the positions that are being created..

The additional staff members would cost about $500,000 and, according to OQuinn, the funding would come out of a line item for street paving.

Speaking at the committee meeting, Abbot specifically cited the budgets lack of funding for employees in code enforcement and public works.

Ive been here since the beginning of the earth and nothing has changed. We still complain about the same stuff 21 years later that we were complaining about 21 years ago, Abbott said during the meeting last Wednesday.

In an interview with the Birmingham Times, Williams said he, too, was willing to vote no on the budget, citing concerns similar to Abbotts issues. AL.coms efforts to reach him for comment werent successful by time of publication.

With nine council members, a couple or even as many as four no votes would not tank Woodfins budget. Still, a vocal opposition on such a major proposal from the mayor would represent an unusual rebuke by council members who have largely voted in lockstep with the Woodfin administrations requests.

As its senior member, Abbott has been on the dais long enough to recall the previous system of budget approval. Before a change to state law in 2016, the mayor of Birmingham presented a spending plan and council members got to edit the budget before a final vote.

However, changes to the Mayor Council Act by the state legislature in 2016  enacted during the administration of Woofins predecessor  largely took away the councils ability to make edits to the budget. The new rules force council members into an up or down vote. According to the law, council members may make changes to the budget, but only with written approval from the mayor.

Woodfin did not respond to Al.coms requests for comment on Monday. When his budget was initially submitted, though, the mayor touted his spending plan as one that reflects the basic needs of the city and took into account the requests of residents and council members.

Issues always come up, Woodfin said at the time. What Ive done a great job of doing is shutting up, just listening to requests, concerns, issues as well as desires from the council, from the public, and the things people want are literally in this budget.

Still, grumbles from some argue otherwise.

Abbotts comments harkened back to the old era of the citys budget season, which often included a series of long, animated and often heated exchanges over what was in the budget and how much was proposed to be spent.

The council has one little bit of power, and that is we can not pass this budget if we dont see the things being addressed that we think are important, she said. Were doing all the glitzy things that are so cool. Im sorry Im tired of cool.

Council President Wardine Alexander, and Council President Pro Tem Crystal Smitherman, who chairs the Budget and Finance Committee, declined to comment on Tuesdays pending vote.

However, Smitherman told AL.com previously that the 2016 change to state law created an imbalance of power between the mayor and council.

There needs to be more balance in this process, Smitherman said in May. The council is very frustrated with the lack of power in the budget process.

The fiscal year for the City of Birmingham begins July 1. If the council rejects the mayors budget proposal today, the city will continue operating under the current budget until an agreement is reached.
A Mobile area radio personality who utilized the medium to promote a small business he co-owned is being remembered as an honest businessman, down-to-earth guy, and a brilliant thinker whose passion for coin and jewelry collecting shined through during his public appearances.

Angelo Semifero, 56, died Sunday following a battle with cancer.

He was a really nice guy  just a good guy, said Sean Sullivan, owner of FM Talk 1065 radio station where Semifero and his business partner, Ron Marchlewski hosted the program Two Guys and Some Change since 2010.

The program focused on the duos love for their favorite hobbies  coin and stamp collecting, jewelry and precious metals, among other things.

That hobby was also part of Semiferos full-time job as the co-owner Mobile Bay Coins & Fine Jewelry, founded in 2008.

Marchlewski said Semifero became a full-time partner in the business about four years ago, and was poised to take it over as its main owner upon his retirement.

He never missed work, said Marchlewski. Even while fighting cancer, he never said Why me? The guy fought until the end.

Semifero was a constant presence on Mobile area radio programs hosted by Sullivan and Uncle Henry.

Marchlweski said Semifero was good talker who loved being on the radio and utilized his frequent on-air appearances to promote a small business that consists of approximately 10 employees on Mobiles Government Street.

Sullivan said Semifero might have been among the most effective small business operators in Mobile to utilize radio to promote his enterprise.

There are others to have done it, he said. But (Semifero and Marchlweski), they had an entertaining show and talked about their hobby as well as their profession. They were really excited about what they were talking about and it was real. Thats who Angelo was.

Sullivan added, I considered Angelo a friend and not just a client of the station. He was a person I learned a lot from over the years. Well really miss him.

Semifero would also sometimes join Uncle Henry on his radio programs as a guest host and provide commentary about current events and politics.

Uncle Henry, in a Facebook post, called Semifero a good neighbor, honest businessman, responsible citizen, loving friend, brilliant thinker, great great man.

The thing that stands out about him to me is how unusually well-rounded he was in general knowledge, Uncle Henry, a longtime Mobile area media personality said in an interview Monday with AL.com.

Semiferos parents did not allow him to watch TV while growing up, and that his knowledge came from books and listening to the radio, Uncle Henry said.

All of that reading as a child made him extremely well-founded on so many topics, he said. He could talk about anything to anyone. I attribute that to reading.

Marchlweski said Semiferos natural ease with talking about coins and precious metals on the radio also was also on display inside the business while talking to customers.

People get cranky in this business, and will come in and ask silly questions, said Marchlweski. Coin dealers have a reputation for having a bad attitude. But he answered everyones question with a smile. He liked talking. Its hard to have him be offended.

He added, He was a natural for radio and a natural for running a business.

Marchlweski said Mobile Bay Coins, in its 15 years of operations, and has never lost money in a single year.

It had to do with Angelo being an awesome sales salesman, he said. The guy had a natural tact that was based on facts. I always appreciated it. He was naturally liked.

A memorial service is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. on July 15 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Mobile.
Why is it that whenever I call customer support to get a replacement for my broken America, I end up on the line with an operator from China? I kid...but only a little. Four separate stories this last week hit the nail on the head:

(1) In defending America's two-tiered (in)justice system currently dedicated to covering up Biden family crimes while persecuting Trump and his supporters, Gestapo chief Merrick Garland had the audacity to declare that any condemnation of the secret police "constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy and essential to the safety of the American people."

Hear that, plebes? "Democracy" will survive only if the people's voices are silenced and the powerful institutions are obeyed. The opinions of commoners are "attacks," while the crimes of institutions are "essential." To save "democracy," defend the dictatorship! If Garland had been speaking German, he could have easily been mistaken for Himmler or Heydrich defending the "Night of the Long Knives" as necessary for "public safety." The death of "democracy" always comes from a thousand separate cuts made for the people's "own good."

(2) Pretend President Biden stumbled into California to push his plans for gun confiscation and mocked the idea that the Second Amendment is an essential check against government tyranny. "So what's the deal with the idea that it's an absolute?" Dementia Joe mumbled. "You know, the tree of liberty is watered with the blood of patriots. Well, if [you] want to do that, you want to work against the government, you need an F-16. You need something else than just an AR-15 anyway."

Amazingly, in a speech geared toward justifying the government's unconstitutional disarming of Americans, the puppet-in-chief bemoaned how "freedom is really under siege, particularly freedom of choice." In constructing a system of checks and balances, how did the Founding Fathers empower Americans to defend their freedoms? That's right: by making it perfectly clear through the Second Amendment that self-defense against government tyranny is an inalienable right. Biden says freedom is "under siege," and what does he want to do? Disarm Americans. Hello, customer support, why is my Bill of Rights riddled with holes and written in Chinese? Ah, that's right, because the American president who has been caught taking bribes from the Chinese Communist Party sent in F-16s to obliterate Americans' constitutional freedoms.

(3) A federal judge ruled that a student's First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were not violated when school administrators ordered him to remove a shirt with printed text saying, "There are only two genders." The Obama judge concluded that "the shirt invades the rights of others." The freethinking boy was later ordered to remove another t-shirt that read, "There are censored genders." Listen here, boy: not only will the government prevent you from stating a scientific fact, but also the thought police will strip you bare for having a sense of humor! You must never make fun of the authorities who most deserve to be humiliated.

While the (in)justice system punished the young rebel for possessing a working brain, the seventh-grader pointed out that his school allows posters covered in rainbow flags and encouraging students to "rise up to protect" the trans agenda  messages that target his personal beliefs. Sorry, son, free speech protections in America exist only for special people. If you have power, your words must be celebrated and emblazoned in all the colors of the rainbow. If you have no power, your words must be censored. If you choose to point out the government's irrational hypocrisy, then Gestapo chief Merrick Garland will book your reservation for a future stay in the J6 gulag. You are only as free as you are willing to obey!

Actually, I think this young lad has proposed one of the most effective defenses against tyranny. Call it the "wet Willy" technique, the objective of which is to use facts and humor to make the thought police squirm, tattle, and squeal. Mockery is a profound form of resistance because authoritarians are thin-skinned cerebral lightweights. Well done, young Padawan.

(4) Finally, the CEO of Raytheon  one of America's major defense companies  gave an interview in which he stated clearly that "decoupling" from China is impossible. "Think about the $500 billion of trade that goes from China to the U.S. every year," Greg Hayes argued. "More than 95% of rare earth materials or metals come from, or are processed in, China. There is no alternative." Hayes assured The Financial Times that it would take years to rebuild the necessary infrastructure in the United States before American dependence on China could logically come to an end. Entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand called Raytheon's embarrassing admission "hilarious." In effect, "one of the U.S. top weapons manufacturers" says, "we need China to fight China."

If only there had been an American president who had warned about the dangers of depending on communist China for America's own defense. Oh, right!  that was one of the major planks of Donald Trump's America First campaign. The lifelong businessman and political outsider who dared to challenge the Uniparty's stranglehold over D.C. continually warned the American people that "economic security is national security." He has consistently argued for decades that the Rust Belt is a vivid danger sign of our own vulnerabilities. Offshoring blue-collar jobs to China has made the U.S. weak, and only a return of American manufacturing and industrial dominance can ensure future American strength.

Did anyone in D.C. listen to his warnings? Of course not. Everybody across the political spectrum  from the Bushes to the Clintons  had made too much money from Chinese slave labor the last three decades to acknowledge the obvious. RINOs such as Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse defended overseas dependence on vital industries as necessary for "conserving" the honor of "free trade." (Nothing says "free trade" like slave labor, after all.) And China Joe and his meth-addled son Hunter were busy trading political favors for cold, hard commie cash.

Do you think it is an accident that the Deep State has worked so hard to protect the Biden family from prosecution when the Chinese bought Joe long ago? Do you think it is a coincidence that the Deep State is trying to put President Trump in prison for the rest of his days, when he has been the lone voice on the national stage calling for American independence from reliance upon foreign dictators? Could the Deep State make it any more obvious that it works against Americans' interests and for the interests of World Economic Forum scum such as Klaus Schwab, George Soros, Bill Gates, and all the other anti-American, Marxist globalists? For all intents and purposes, the Uniparty occupying D.C. is a wholly owned and operated corporate subsidiary of the communist Chinese.

Why is America broken today? Let's see: (1) Gestapo chief Garland believes "democracy" requires obedience. (2) Chinese Puppet Biden wants to disarm Americans before they figure out they have been betrayed. (3) Free speech exists only for those under the government's protection. (4) And the Deep State has transformed the United States from undisputed "superpower" to an economic dependent of the Chinese. If an evil cabal were looking for the most effective way of dismantling America, this would be a fine working blueprint.

If the idea is, indeed, to destroy America, a lot of Americans will still have something to say. It occurs to me, in fact, that if the Deep State ever forces ordinary Americans to fight for their freedoms, those same Americans should later construct a monument consecrating their victory. Its epitaph could serve as an enduring warning: "In remembrance of all those who refused to leave others alone."

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
As Black Lives Matters and their allies rev up the call for reparations, it is time to revisit what Milton R. Konvitz wrote in 1976 for the celebration of the Bicentennial of American Independence[1]:

In the late 1960s, when militant blacks staged demonstrations in various churches demanding a half-billion dollars in 'reparations' for three hundred years of subjugation and discrimination, a writer in an Anglo-Jewish journal formulated a demand for 'reparations from various nations on behalf of the Jewish people, including demands to the Vatican for the harm done by teaching that the Jewish people were guilty of deicide and for the promotion of the blood libel; on Spain for the Inquisition and for the expulsion of Jews in 1492; on Germany France, Austria, and Italy, as successors of the Holy Roman Empire, for imprisoning Jews in ghettos; on Arab governments for oppression of the Jews for hundreds of years; on Russia for forcing Jews to live in the Pale of Settlement, for prohibiting them from owning land, for imposing on Jews a quota system that severely restricted their admission to high school and to the universities.

As far as Italian-Americans, should they too demand reparations? How many people are aware of the worst lynching in America  the mass murder of Italian-Americans in New Orleans in 1891? Moreover, "Sicilians were viewed by many Americans as culturally backward and racially suspect," writes historian Manfred Berg. Because of their dark skin, they were often treated with the same contempt as black people. In fact, "many Southerners looked down on these Italians as 'white Negroes.'"

Then there are the Chinese, who had to deal with "the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Although the Chinese composed only 0.002 percent of the nation's population, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act to placate worker demands and assuage concerns about maintaining white 'racial purity.'"

Moreover, "[f]rom the burning of Boston's Charlestown Convent in 1834 and the rise of the single-issue, anti-immigrant Know Nothing party in the 1850s ... to the No Irish Need Apply signs of the 1890s  immigrant Catholics faced the brunt of Protestant America's rage."

Yet Obama, our first black Caucasian president, demands reparations for black Americans.

Former President Obama said earlier this week that the case for reparations for Black Americans is "justified," but he added that the "politics of white resistance and resentment," among other issues, made the prospect of pursuing the issue during his presidency a "non-starter."

White resistance from a man who was voted in by 43% of white voters!

There's not much question that the wealth of this country, the power of this country was built in significant part  not exclusively, maybe not even the majority of it  but a large portion of it was built on the backs of slaves[.]

So who is a living slave today in America today, Mr. Obama? Am I supposed to give you reparations, when my ancestors were suffering in the ghettos of Russia?

Obama claimed that he feared "that reparations would be an excuse for some to say 'we've paid our debt' and to avoid the much harder work of enforcing our anti-discrimination laws in employment and housing; the much harder work of making sure that our schools are not separate and unequal; the much harder work of providing job training programs and rehabilitating young men coming out of prison every year; and the much harder work of lifting 37 million Americans of all races out of poverty[.]"

Obama is a master of linguistic jujitsu. Schools are no longer separate but equal. Also, what do reparations have to do with training programs? And yes, when will young men be expected to take responsibility for their actions? Oh, and by the way, impoverishing other Americans to pay for these reparations demands hardly keeps people out of poverty, but it certainly causes racial resentment.

Moreover, as Victor Davis Hanson asks, do we distinguish between African-Americans born in the United States and African and Caribbean immigrants with no histories of ancestors who lived under Jim Crow or were American-based slaves? How white or Asian or Latino can one be and still qualify for black reparations?

Furthermore, "[i]n our age of identity politics, will Armenian- and Jewish-Americans have equal or more compelling claims as well? Both groups arrived following the genocides of their own people. Many had relatives who perished due to discriminatory immigration laws that denied them entry into the United States. Nearly 8 million Jews and Armenians were murdered in the Nazi and Turkish genocides. Those totals are 23,000 times greater than the 3,500 blacks believed to have been lynched from 18821968 (a period during which 1,300 whites were also lynched)."

Yet "[t]he case for reparations for Black Americans has picked up more traction on Capitol Hill in recent months after the country saw widespread protests against police brutality and racial inequality following the police killing of George Floyd."

You mean George Floyd, the violent criminal and poster boy for the left, where protests led to massive destruction?

Under the bill, the commission tasked with exploring reparations would examine slavery and discrimination in the country since 1619.

Like clockwork, Marxists distort history and insist that 1619 is the beginning of America. But America was not even a declared country! The entire 1619 project is a dishonest account of history.

Proponents for the cause to provide restitution for black Americans say reparations could be essential to helping address inequities and continued effects of slavery that presently exist for the black community.

What continued effects? Obama employs a non sequitur. Obama and his allies count on the fact that "Americans across the political spectrum have failed to separate the premise of critical race theory from its conclusion. Its premise  that American history includes slavery and other injustices, and that we should examine and learn from that history  is undeniable. But its revolutionary conclusion  that America was founded on and defined by racism and that our founding principles, our Constitution and our way of life should be overthrown  does not rightly, much less necessarily, follow."

Reparations are just another spoke on the wheel of Critical Race Theory.

And right on schedule, the media support Obama when they write, "It also wouldn't be the first time the country has paid reparations. The U.S. previously paid reparations to Japanese Americans that were interned during World War II."

First off, it was a Democrat administration that enacted the unconstitutional move concerning internment. But notice the sleight of hand. Japanese internment camp reparations went directly to the families who were affected by this racist action. And eventually, the reparations ended.

Biden "continues to demonstrate his commitment to take comprehensive action to address this systemic racism that persists today."

Out comes the false "systemic racism" leftist mantra. As Theodore Dalrymple has explained, "it is true, of course that blacks in America have faced many generations of ill treatment, but such prejudice as now exists against them is not legal [emphasis mine] but the kind of informal social prejudice that is common throughout history. They also benefit from prejudice in their favor, [emphasis mine] which may in the long run be more harmful to them than prejudice against."

Most noteworthy is the last sentence. The race-driven laws being promulgated are all about identity politics. Race, not merit, is the key ingredient. Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity programs so prevalent in schools and businesses are the systemic prejudice that is being injected into our lives.

They are in, fact, better described as Discrimination, Indoctrination, and Exclusion of whites and Asians.

Dalrymple goes on to write that "the whole idea of protected groups  is a retrogression from the Enlightenment idea of treating people as equal under the law."

But Obama, tried and true Marxist that he is, will never stop pandering as long as it results in a rift in the nation that he so abhors. As Ray DiLorenzo asserts, Barack Obama, George Soros and Joe Biden "fly our flag while with beamed expression do[ing] their diligence to destroy everything [America] stands for."

Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com.

[1] Milton R. Konvitz. Torah and Constitution: Essays in American Jewish Thought, 1998

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
In February 2022, during the Canadian crackdown on the truckers Freedom Convoy, the mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, announced he would sell the confiscated vehicles and use the funds to help pay for the illegal crackdown. Watsons edict caused a ruckus, including in America. The reality, though, is that this shakedown operation has been ongoing for decades in America. In fact, it is an annual multi-billion-dollar racket enforced by all levels of government: local, state, and federal.

Over the last 20 years, this racketeering scheme, which is often called civil asset forfeiture, has netted over $68 billion for local and federal governments. In fact, over a 20-year period, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has seized (and kept) more than $203 million in cash from travelers at OHare International Airport and, in most cases, no charges were ever filed.

In the United States, the government can raid citizens homes and keep property even though the citizen has never been convicted of a crime! Welcome to the murky world of civil asset forfeiture, where the government needs only a preponderance of evidence to seize your belongings, including cash. This is because the proceedings are civil, not criminal, and the higher standard (beyond a reasonable doubt) does not apply. Criminal asset forfeiture kicks in only when someone has been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for a crime from which they profited directly.

Even if an alleged criminal is found not guilty in a criminal trial, is it possible for the government to keep that individuals property? The answer to that question is a frightening yes. Furthermore, many of the cases involve situations where the accused must prove innocence, flipping on its head our system of innocent until the government meets the burden of proving guilt. Many times, proving innocence involves proving a negative.

Image of a police officer taking money by Pixlr AI.

For example, consider the scenario in which someone is accused of having grown marijuana in a remote corner of a large tract of land. If he doesnt wish to lose his property, the landowner must prove that he did not cultivate the crop or work with a third party who, unbeknownst to the owner, did cultivate the crop.

In Philadelphia, an elderly lady with end-stage renal disease had to rely on her neighbors just to make it through the day and consequently never locked her door. One day, police were pursuing a drug suspect who entered her front door and ran out the back. Afterward, they found in her home a small quantity of drugs that the fleeing suspect had obviously dropped. That didnt stop the District Attorney from trying to seize her house. No wonder the aptly named Institute for Justice (IJ) has tackled civil asset forfeiturei.e., policing for profitwith a vengeance.

Americas Founders clearly understood that private property is the foundation not only of prosperity but of freedom itself. Today that cherished notion is under savage assault.

According to the Institute,

The federal government and most states use civil forfeiture to take cash, cars and more without charging owners with a crime. The proceeds often flow into accounts controlled by law enforcement, sometimes including the same police and prosecutors who seized and forfeited the property.

The IJ sternly warns that,

Legislators should recognize that it is our most vulnerable citizens who are suffering the most under this unjust system that divides communities and law enforcement. It is time for legislators to end civil forfeiture, replace it with criminal forfeiture and direct forfeiture proceeds to neutral accounts.

Cash is not a crime. Nevertheless, a healthy proportion of asset forfeitures involve highway traffic stops. Police will look for rental cars or cars with out-of-state licenses and pull them over for minor traffic violations. Then, if police determine the occupant seems suspicious, they will ask to search the vehicle. If a large amount of cash is found, police will seize it as drug-related.

Consider the case of Ameal Woods. With help from his wife, he saved up $40,000 in cash to buy a used tractor-trailer. Imagine his surprise when the police pulled him over for allegedly following a tractor-trailer too closelysomething that, as a truck driver himself, Ameal knows he did not do. When Houston police officers found that he was traveling with cash, their focus shifted to the money, with their concerns about following at a safe distance vanishing. Ultimately, they let Ameal go minus his cash, giving him, instead, a receipt reading currency seizure.

According to the IJ, What Ameal did was legal: He drove with cash. What the police did was illegal: They took his cash without probable cause. The IJ adds that: Texas most populous city [Houston] has set up perhaps the worst forfeiture system anywhere in the nation.

IJ is bringing Ameals case as a class action lawsuit to provide immediate relief to the hundreds of people who have fallen victim to these outrageous practices. Its goal is to fight all the way to the Texas Supreme Court and score a victory for property rights.

Another troubling aspect of civil asset forfeiture is that there is no transparency about how much money and property governments are seizing and how much money of this money they are spending. In Oklahoma, a district attorney ignored a court order to sell a seized home and instead lived in it rent-free for five years.

In 2015, the prosecutors office in Hamilton County, Ohio, spent almost $15,000 on briefcases for attorneys.

One of the most heinous cases involved Carl Nelson and Amy Sterner Nelson, residents of West Seattle. Reason wrote about what happened in an article entitled The FBI Seized Almost $1 Million From This Familyand Never Charged Them With a Crime. The story got almost no media because, as Amy said, I am frightened of saying anything. Because this is incredibly scary.

In May 2020, the FBI seized almost $1 million from the Nelsons. Their crime? Carl, a former real estate developer for Amazon, was accused of favoring certain developers and securing them deals in exchange for illegal kickbacks. Carl denies the accusation. That never happened and is exactly why Ive fought as long and hard as I have Its that simple.

Significantly, despite a years-long investigation, the FBI never indicted Carl. Instead, in early 2022 the FBI agreed to return $525,000 of the approximately $892,000 it seized, while Amy and Carl forfeit about $109,000. Court fees devoured the rest.

What happened to the Nelsons is typical of how the government bludgeons the citizens: first comes the looting and then the endless expenses (lawyers and court fees) to try to recover what the government shouldnt have seized in the first place.

Its abhorrent that law enforcement across America has a mindset saying its okay to prey on innocent citizens, ruining their lives by confiscating their property and taking away their cash. Yet it has been raging across America for decades.

Last March, Congress reintroduced an enhanced version of the bipartisan Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration (FAIR) Act, H.R. 1525 which would enact a sweeping overhaul of federal civil forfeiture laws. The bill would remove the profit incentive that drives so many federal forfeitures and end the federal equitable sharing program that is used to circumvent state law protections for property rights. Its high time this law passes, returning respect for private property and correctly orienting the burden of proof.
Theres a lot of loud noise on both sides of the aisle on the abortion question. Lets start with the Left.

Put bluntly, the Left is demanding abortion on demand at any point in gestation. In Virginia, the former governor, a pediatrician(!), famously said that if a child was born alive, it was just fine for the mother to set it aside on a counter and have a prolonged discussion with her doctor about whether to let it die. His intellectual compatriots stated that the whole world would end if children lived.

Let it die.

In other words, the Left is just fine with killing babies. Forget about doing it before they are visible to the outside world. Its fine if the parents decide that this child just isnt good enough to live while that one is.

This is only one small step away from Jonathan Swifts Modest Proposal, in which he satirically stated that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout. If we proceed reductio ad absurdum, it is not difficult to show that most children, and even young adults, are not viable and thus appropriate to be aborted for the stewpot.

Image: Pregnant woman by freekpik.

This fact is memorialized in the Affordable Care Acts mandate that children under the age of 26 are eligible for inclusion in their parents health insurance plans. This is only necessary because they cannot take care of themselves. Right?

But no one actually believes that, do they?

Of course, this little exercise demonstrates that the Supreme Courts original discussion of the threshold of viability is, at best, fraught. And that puts the Pro-Life crowd into a corner. Unless they declare that children, at any stage of development, are made as images of God, any logical argument they make becomes self-refuting.

This points out that the Pro-Life position is inherently religious. That then runs afoul of the First Amendment, which prohibits the establishment of a state religion. By these lights, Pro-Life laws inherently establish a religion. Whats a mother to do?

Lest we despair that this is a new dilemma, consider what Clement of Alexandria, one of the early Church fathers, wrote in the late second century.

For that investigation, which accords with faith, which builds, on the foundation of faith, the august knowledge of the truth, we know to be the best. Now we know that neither things which are clear are made subjects of investigation, such as if it is day, while it is day; nor things unknown, and never destined to become clear, as whether the stars are even or odd in number; nor things convertible; and those are so which can be said equally by those who take the opposite side, as if what is in the womb is a living creature or not.

The Supreme Court in Dobbs clearly stated that abortion was not properly an issue for the federal government. So why are Pro-Lifers so adamant to get the feds involved again? Lindsay Graham is famously credited with stirring up so much opposition to Republicans with his calls for federal legislation against abortion that the Red Tsunami turned into a pink trickle. And this circular firing squad continues.

Republican candidates for the nomination for President in 2024 are challenging each other to commit to some form of federal abortion restriction. All they are doing is fomenting resistance. If abortion isnt the feds business, why are you trying to make it the feds business? Stop the useless posturing!

This sort of inane virtue signaling will be as useful as Californias ban on gasoline-powered cars. They can pass the law, but the laws of physics and chemistry will repeal the statute just as quickly. There are some fights you just cant win.

And just as the loonie Left has encouraged half of the states population to exit stage right, idiots on Republican debate stages will encourage swing voters to go the other way. It may be that the only winning campaign slogan they have is, We may be stupid, but those other guys are evil. The last time I checked that doesnt exactly inspire confidence.

Its time to wake up. If a federal law somehow banning abortion is doomed to be overturned under Dobbs, perhaps pushing one isnt very smart. It would just be Charlie Foxtrot. In what universe does this make sense?

Republicans running for federal office need to understand that they have exactly two viable options. First, stop advocating for federal laws banning abortion. All that does is energize your enemies. Second, stop advocating for federal laws banning abortion. Did I hear an echo? Thats because its time to stop tilting at windmills. But if you actually want to get something done at a federal level, there has to be a different way to look at the problem.

Any politician with an attention span longer than a three-year-old will recall all the furor over the definition of natural born citizen with regard to anchor babies. Authorities from all sides opined, and the only thing thats completely clear is that the Supreme Court has not weighed in to clarify the legal questions.

This is a place where Congress ought to act. After all, the President must be a natural-born citizen. If Congress were to pass clarifying language, we wouldnt have any more debates about whether Ted Cruz, born in Canada to US citizens, or Barack Obama, allegedly born in Kenya, were natural-born citizens. Black letter law would settle all questions.

Now, suppose that, along the way, this law includes clarification of what the people means in Constitutional interpretation. While I wont presume to compose the perfect legalese, suppose that the people is defined to include the unborn in some way. That would mean that those personsunborn babieswould acquire the right to life. With the right to life is the right not to be killed. And since abortion stops a beating heart, every unborn baby would receive federal protection.

Would such language pass? Its a long shot, but its the only real shot there is.
Queerdom is coming for our children  and our nation's schools are Ground Zero.

One doesn't need to find an invisible conspiracy to know they're coming for our children. After all, it's what the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus sings. "We're coming for them," they carol happily. "We're coming for your children."

And this weekend, so went the woke chant at the June 23, 2023 Drag March in NYC.

NYC Drag Marchers chant were here, were queer, were coming for your children https://t.co/ucK1qM4fv5 pic.twitter.com/OhBguhWwZY  Timcast News (@TimcastNews) June 24, 2023

By now, it should be clear that the dead center of the woke strategy to destroy our nation is the destruction of our families by perverting our children to the woke ideology.

It is in the government schools that the full panoply of hoaxes and perversions come to bear on our children. Here, the woke roll out their hoaxes of global warming and their perversions of grooming, sexualization, transgenderism, etc. Saving our children from the perverted woke monster is saving America and is the hill to die on.



Image by freepik.

Equally obvious is that the spread of this perversion relies upon normal people's willingness to tolerate and acquiesce to it.

Until 1961, all 50 states outlawed sodomy. In 2003, the year the United States Supreme Court discovered a constitutional right to sodomy, 24 states and the District of Columbia still outlawed it.

It's time for worms to turn and tolerance to end.

In our time, middle-schoolers are lighting the way.

On June 2, students at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington, Massachusetts staged a counter-demonstration against the school's planned Pride celebration. It was reported that "[s]tudents wore red, white and blue clothing, chanted 'my pronouns are USA' and destroyed rainbow decorations at the school."

Next, the Family Policy Institute of Washington reported that, on June 12, around 40 students at the Rainier Preparatory Academy, a public charter school for middle school students in Seattle, walked out of the "diversity, inclusion, and equity" lesson that was a part of the school's planned Pride program.

Has middle-schooler toleration of sexual perversion come to the end of its patience?

Those kids are fighting the good fight. And behind these kids are parents who have, by word or deed, sharpened their children's minds to recognize perversion and emboldened their personalities to reject it. How does this happen? Is it strictly fortuitous?

This brings us to the twin realizations that society acts through its institutions and that there are two distinctly different institutions that we may call "home school." The first is the government-approved "home school," in which parents enroll their children after removing them from public school. The agenda of this "home school," just like the public school the family tried to leave behind, is government-decreed and patrolled.

This second kind of "home school" is the parental school that is inherently present in every family. This "parental school" is the family institution in which the children learn the basics of reality and their relation to it. This parental school is usually wholly informal, even unrecognized as the educational institution it is. It is unconsciously conducted and, typically, dependent upon parental modeling and influence rather than lecture and assignment  yet this is the essential primary school that all children attend.

This essential primary school can be cultivated by making it a bit more formal  say, by setting aside an hour after supper for Parent School, in which parents teach the children the curriculum they want to ensure the kids understand.

What is that curriculum?

Rabbi Dov Fischer says, "We must not allow others to intimidate us to adopt alien values and priorities. In a world where lies are defended by the woke as 'My Truth,' we must bear witness to Our Truth."

This is the mission of the parent school: to teach the children the truth of reality and to harness their youthful energy to stand for the right.

William Sullivan observed that George Orwell said of his own time, "We've sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men."

Thus, the central curriculum of the Parent School should focus on the obvious:

1. God exists.

2. The Holy One is our creator.

3. It is our duty to honor and obey the Creator.

4. All humans are created either male or female.

5. Transgenderism is a hoax

6. Homosexuality and transgenderism are sexual perversions.

7. Sexual perversion is a sin.

8. The climate "crisis" is a hoax.

9. Carbon dioxide is good, not bad.

10. America is not systemically racist.

11. Human flourishing requires fossil fuels.

12. Racism is racism, no matter against whom.

13. An open border is no border.

14. Parents determine their children's education.

15. The nuclear family is the greatest form of governance known to mankind.

16. Capitalism lifts people from poverty.

17. There are three branches of the U.S. government, not four.

18. The U.S. Constitution is the strongest guarantor of political liberty in history.

Those are the basics, although parents will surely add to them. Thus armed with the truth, the kids can mount the school bus with confidence. Commandos strike at recess.
Leave it up to The Atlantic to tell us we've got too many food choices in a grocery store, and for our own good, we ought to have less.

That's pretty much what writer Adam Fleming wrote in his plaintive cry against too much choice at the grocery store.

On a recent afternoon, while running errands before I had to pick up my kids from school, I froze in the orange-juice aisle of a big-box store. So many different brands lay before me: Minute Maid, Simply, Tropicana, Dole, Floridas Natural, Sunny D  not to mention the niche organic labels. And each brand offered juices with various configurations of pulp, vitamins, and concentrate. The sheer plenitude induced a kind of paralysis: Overwhelmed by the choices on offer, I simply could not make one. I left the store without any orange juice. According to the American Time Use Survey, an average grocery trip takes more than 40 minutes. That may not sound like much, but the task can feel overwhelming and time-consuming in the midst of a busy day, especially because every trip consists of a plethora of decisions. Through this lens, what seems like a modern benefit  100 different kinds of ice cream! Every imaginable chip flavor! Hot-dog buns sliced on the side or on the top!  can become a bit of a burden.

Cripes, of all the things to complain about.

We have this thing known as "Google," and we have subscriptions to publications such as Consumer Reports, which help consumers pare down to the best choices, if that's a big deal to him. I guess he's never heard of them.

He does tout his preference for "single option stores" such as Aldi and Trader Joe's, which are great options for people with this problem.

Well? That's a choice. Just as we have choice with products in a grocery, we have our choice of groceries to go to, with different emphases. That's called the free market.

We all love those single-option stores and shop at them at least as much as we do the big high-variety grocery stores. Who doesn't love a trip to Trader Joe's?

But they aren't the only places we go to.

He notes that sometimes these single-option stores don't have the items he wants. Well, that is where the big groceries come in.

When you need something specific, and rare, such as dukkah, piquillo peppers, fresh escarole, giant sardines, flatiron steak, squid in its own ink, or orecchiette pasta, there is no argument  thank goodness for the big variety groceries, which do carry those items, often year round. Sometimes even the ethnic markets don't have these items.

And when there's a brand you really, really like, such as Goya or Al Fresco, and you'll buy it no matter what it sells, once again, thank goodness for big groceries. They'll accommodate.

Go to those big groceries, get the one item you want, and exit the premises. Is it that hard?

Now, based on the guy's preferences and rationale, he sounds as though he might be on the autism spectrum. I have no idea if he is, but I do know that autistic people are sensitive to too much "noise" or stimulus, which is where Aldi can be helpful.

But most of us aren't autistic.

His argument for less choice rather than more is a personal preference, and a perfectly legitimate one. But it shouldn't be forced onto everyone, which is what he seems to be arguing.

What's bad here is that his argument is kind of redolent of the Bernie Sanders argument demanding fewer choices of deodorant, like what they had in the Soviet Union.

Remember when Bernie was complaining about too much choice in the deodorant aisles?

You can't just continue growth for the sake of growth in a world in which we are struggling with climate change and all kinds of environmental problems. All right? You don't necessarily need a choice of 23 underarm spray deodorants or of 18 different pairs of sneakers when children are hungry in this country. I don't think the media appreciates the kind of stress that ordinary Americans are working on.

Full of socialist ignorance of free markets, Bernie actually believed that too many deodorant choices are why people in some places of the world are hungry.

It had a creepy sound to it because Bernie was such a big admirer of the Soviet Union, which was the land of the Russian fashion show so mocked by Wendy's several years ago.

That was what lack of choice looked like, which is infinitely worse than too much choice.

And predictably enough, The Atlantic's writer was scored on Twitter, with Twitchy curating some of the funny ones.

It doesn't need to be that way. It doesn't need to be either/or, because markets have ways of sorting out products that aren't selling and replacing them with ones that are.

Petty can go to the grocery he likes with the choice range he likes, and he ought to be happy. That he wants the rest of us to adopt his choice is where the problem comes in. We like to make our own choices, too.

Image: Screen shot The Hall of Advertising video via YouTube.
In January 2023, the attorney general, Merrick Garland, signed ATF final rule 2021R-08F (the Rule), which calls for the registration of pistol braces in furtherance of the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. The Rule is wholly unconstitutional and fraudulently established. In this post, I will break down both the unconstitutionality of the Rule and the fraudulent basis upon which it has been established.

Let's start with the Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment. Without the Bill of Rights, we would not have a United States today.

When the newly adopted Constitution was sent from Philadelphia to the States for ratification, it faced serious challenges. One of the most contentious issues was the absence of a Bill of Rights. What became known as the Massachusetts Compromise, advanced by none other than John Hancock, offered a solution: in the first congress after the ratification of the Constitution, Congress would propose a Bill of Rights. Twelve amendments were sent to the States for ratification. Ten were ratified. (One was ratified in 1992; the other is still before the states.)

It is a common misconception that the Bill of Rights grants certain rights to citizens. It does no such thing. The Bill of Rights recognizes God-given, inalienable rights. What, then, is an inalienable right? An inalienable right is an intrinsic liberty, granted to you by God that creates no countervailing obligation on another. Inalienable rights are symmetrical: I recognize them in you, and you recognize them in me.

The Second Amendment is clearly one such right, as the right to self-defense is absolute. Make no mistake: the Second Amendment is not about hunting, or plinking. It's about repelling intruders and tyrants with deadly force. The origins of the Second Amendment can be traced specifically to April 19, 1775, when the British Crown took its tyranny one step too far; it marched on Lexington and Concord, seeking to confiscate the arms and ammunition of the colonists.

The Bill of Rights, by simply serving to articulate some of our God-given rights, puts the government on notice that none of these rights may be truncated in any way, irrespective of any government's incessant desires to do so  be it on guns, protest, or speech. The government has exactly zero standing on any of these issues.

Thomas Jefferson included among his delineated grievances in the Declaration of Independence this:

He has erected a multitude of new offices and sent hither swarms of officers to harass the people and eat out their substance.

I refer to this as the "I hate bureaucrats clause." The founders so despised bureaucrats that the first thing the framers did in crafting the Constitution was make it clear, in Article One, Section One, in which branch of government laws were to be made. They wrote this:

All legislative Powers herein grated shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

So only Congress can make laws, and Congress can make laws only as it pertains to the items ceded to the central government by the states, which are all contained in Article One, Section Eight of the Constitution. Section Eight does not include any power ceded to the central government by the states regarding guns. Moreover, as it pertains to guns, there is a strict hands-off policy. The Second Amendment says this:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the Right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Pretty clear stuff. So if Congress can make no laws pertaining to guns, then how could the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) possibly be able to do so? Oh, I know: they call them regulations, or rules. But if you can go to jail for ten years and face a $250,000 fine, it's a law. Wholly unconstitutional, but a law.

The new "Rule" being advanced by the ATF violates (at least) Article One, Sections One and Eight and the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

The fraudulent basis by which the ATF's unconstitutional overreach is being advanced is multifold. Let's go to the initial legislation: the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA or the Act).

If one were to listen to the state media, one would conclude that the Act made it illegal to own machine guns. It does no such thing. In 1934, the excuse that Congress used to disarm law-abiding citizens was the gangland killings of Chicago and the mayhem created by the likes of John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde. However, in 1934, Congress had a modicum more respect for the Constitution than does Congress today, and the lawmakers realized that the Second Amendment prohibited them from an outright ban on firearms.

However, this was the era of the New Deal. The scheme that the Roosevelt administration used, at the recommendation of the Supreme Court, was to cloak programs as taxes, and the Court would look upon those programs favorably. It was blatantly unconstitutional advice, as all of the powers ceded to the central government are contained in Article One, Section Eight, and calling something a tax does not change that.

So what was the intent of the Act? The original intent was twofold: address concealed weapons, and address the use of "machine guns." The original version of the bill (which did not pass) included "pistols and revolvers, and short-barreled shotguns and rifles" as concealable weapons. Second Amendment advocates were successful in removing pistols and revolvers from the legislation. In the Act that eventually passed, short-barreled shotguns and rifles and machine guns were the weapons to be subject to the new regulation and its accompanying and prohibitive $200 tax  one third the price of a new car.

Fast-forward to today. The ATF wants to regulate pistol braces as part of the 1934 NFA, but that defies all logic. The intent (in part) of the failed legislation and the eventual Act was to deal with the issue of concealed weapons. How can adding a cumbersome pistol brace to an already very concealable pistol make that pistol more concealable?

Congress has no place in regulating guns, never mind an accessory to them, and the ATF has no place in making any law regarding anything. Tens of millions of Americans are now at risk of becoming felons, serving ten years in federal prison, having their right to bear arms stripped from them, and paying a $250,000 fine. We must not comply.

Image via Pexels.
Back in the thick of the pandemic, I remember watching a TV report about two mothers who lived on the same street in Chicago. Mom A sent her kids to the Catholic school. Mom B was dealing with school closures. Mom A was happy, and Mom B was not.

Moving forward, Mom A and Mom B are probably reacting differently to the state of their kids' scores. This is the story:

Eight percent. That's the absurdly tiny fraction of America's public-school teacher workforce aged 60-or-older who faced non-trivial mortality risk from COVID-19 before vaccines were available. Eight percent also happens to be the share of Black 13-year-olds who -- according to recently released federal data -- performed at the top level in mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). And while traditional public schools have failed to deliver for disadvantaged students of color for far too long, these alarming numbers represent a significant drop in their performance since before the pandemic. Is it any surprise? Politicians in America's bluest urban communities -- where most disadvantaged students live -- closed their schools for a full academic year to "protect" fewer than 1 in 10 of their employees, usually at the behest of powerful union leaders. According to the latest NAEP data, current learning losses continue to extend far and wide. On average, public-school students lost historic ground in math (10 points) and reading (6 points) since before the pandemic. Research just published in one of nation's oldest and most-respected economics journals echo the take home here: the more time students spent outside the classroom, the less they learned.

Yes, a national nightmare, as someone said. Bad news for these students and their parents.

So what happened to those kids who kept going to school, such as the ones in Catholic schools? Here is that part of the story:

America's Catholic schools defied these sobering trends. Students attending parochial schools experienced no meaningful decline in either subject on the latest NAEP. Although over twice as many private school educators (17%) were in the COVID-vulnerable 60-or-older category, Catholic schools stayed open for their students.

Let me get to the point. I'm not trying to get you to send your kids to a Catholic school. That's your decision as a parent. It's clear that those schools that listened to the teachers' unions had horrible results. On the other hand, the private and religious schools that stayed open do not have those test scores.

Of course, the collapse of public education goes beyond COVID. The problems are a lack of discipline, too many kids entitled with "rights," and administrators invested in "woke" rather than basic stuff, like reading, writing, and math.

Unfortunately, too many of these parents live in areas where school choice is not option. Their kids are stuck in these schools, and the country suffers when kids can't read or write at a certain level.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Dobrislava.
The people who are behind the current anti-white racial inquisition are counting on the reluctance of their intended victims to fight back.

Whites are being demonized and attacked at every turn. This kind of classic assault by the left, said Jordan Peterson, often succeeds because conservatives allow them to get away with it.

White Americans have been mostly passive about the blitz of anti-white hate  perhaps because of white guilt, perhaps because of fear of violent reprisals, perhaps because so many people are uninformed. It is open season on whites, and, strange as it may seem, large segments of the white population are all for it.

"Where is the evidence of anti-white hate?" the deniers will ask. The evidence abounds in broad daylight:

 The legion of corporate and government diversity trainings demanding that intimidated white employees to "undo their whiteness."

 The children at public schools across the country who are being coerced to confess they are flawed if they happen to be white.

 Indoctrination training forced by many universities on white college freshmen designed to make them feel bad about their skin color.

 The president of the United States telling the graduating class at Howard University that the number-one obstacle they will face is "the poison of white supremacy  the most dangerous terrorist threat to our homeland."

"Anti-white racism is today a greater problem than anti-black racism," said Lynn Uzzell in RealClearPolitics. "Anti-white discrimination has become almost an institutional requirement. Schools and businesses seem fearful lest they are accused of not doing enough to stereotype, denigrate, marginalize, and suppress 'whiteness.'"

It is understandable that white people are reluctant to acknowledge the existence of the inquisition. When we think of racism, we are accustomed to think in terms of whites discriminating against blacks and other minorities. Usually, said black economist Thomas Sowell, racism takes the form of a majority that resents a successful minority. In our case, he said, the tables have turned  the minorities that lag behind are conducting a witch hunt against the successful white majority.

Nikole Hannah-Jones, a black woman who created the 1619 Project for the New York Times, has alleged, "The white race is the biggest murderer, rapist, pillager, and thief of the modern world." Because of outrageous statements like this, I have become a defender of white people. I am not talking about white supremacy (a myth created by the Democrat party), nor am I suggesting that whites are better than any other group. I am promoting the excellent value system created by white Americans that defines what is best about our country: respect for the individual, freedom of speech, the rule of law, meritocracy, the work ethic, equality of opportunity, taking personal responsibility, the importance of education.

The white population is not being given credit for its contributions. White men founded our republic. White men ended slavery. Whites are largely responsible for the day-to-day commerce that puts food on the table and clothing on our backs. White people drive the engine that makes our country work. With the civil rights legislation of the 1960s, whites made it possible for minorities to become full partners in the American Dream. "White power" was unchallenged up to that time  yet willingly, unilaterally, whites relinquished it. No one forced them. They acted because it was the right thing to do. What are they getting in return? Contempt, hatred, and intolerance.

The war on whites is un-American. Discrimination against whites is just as bad as discrimination against blacks or anyone else. Racism in any form is dangerous. "Telling people they're inferior because of their skin color was wrong when it happened 60 years ago in Alabama," said Tucker Carlson. "It is every bit as wrong when it happens today in Seattle or at Yale or Google Headquarters or at your kids' elementary schools. Attacking people on the basis of their race is a sin. There is nothing worse for a country."

The only thing that is worse is allowing it to go unchallenged. It is time for the majority to make a unified stand against the anti-white inquisition.

Ed Brodow (www.edbrodowpolitics.com) is a conservative political commentator and bestselling author. His new book is THE WAR ON WHITES: How Hating White People Became the New National Sport.

Image by Freepik, Freepik License.
It's almost the end of June. Why isn't the fascist far left starting to tone things down?

America's Independence Day is fast approaching, and many patriots are beginning to ask, why is it that the brave men who sacrificed everything get only one Memorial Day, while others who benefited from that sacrifice get a whole month? In fact, why does the politically motivated far left get to lay claim to multiple months out of the year while significant events for freedom are celebrated for only a few days? So, we ask, why aren't we celebrating freedom for the whole month of July?

You would think that with the backlash against childhood brainwashing and the end of the month, they would have toned down the "in your face" chants and everything else by now. But you would be wrong. You would also think that with a whole month, they would have been able to express all aspects of their childhood indoctrination agenda.

Even though they do this year-round anyway. Again, too much is never enough for the far left.

Last year, "Wonder Woman Actress Lynda Carter called for July to be 'Pride 2'"  "June Isn't Enough" (content warning of the street "parades" and concerts with children in attendance). Others have gone so far as to suggest extending their politically motivated child indoctrination efforts instead of celebrating Independence Day.

We also note that the Canadian bovernment has extended its indoctrination effort into the whole summer.

[See also: Rachel Levine: Not just pride month but summer of pride - ed]

We should all be warily familiar with the incremental tactics of the far left in gradually expanding their undue influence over our culture and society. Some of them have already said the quiet part out loud, but all it will take is a little bit of "accidental" spillover of events for a few days into July, and our celebration of the Declaration of Independence will be easily surpassed.

Despite the far-left haranguing on the rise of the "far right" (whatever that means), most people on the pro-freedom right have a live and let live attitude. They just want to be let alone.

The problem is that the fascist far left take full advantage of that attitude. It should be obvious that they are the authoritarians, obsessed with ruling over everyone else, while we "have no such desire." But being obsessed with controlling others isn't popular, so they use the tactic of misdirection to divert attention for themselves. This is why they constantly try to maintain their big lie of accusing us of being "national socialists."

Thus, they keep on co-opting more of our society for their political purposes and trying to drown out our culture for their sick (oops, did we say that out loud?) political motivations.

If we do nothing, they will simply co-opt this time for their socialist national agenda, drowning out our single-day celebrations of patriots who sacrificed everything for their one- or two-month celebrations of people who sacrificed nothing.

A few of their "parades" inadvertently scheduled the wrong day, and oops! No 4th of July this year, sorry. But don't worry, the red, white, and blue are sort of represented in their flag anyway  a flag of American occupation. Then they will have reached what was probably their true goal in the first place.

So why aren't we celebrating freedom for the whole month of July?

We've already established July as Gun Pride Month  celebrating the way we won and kept our independence. True liberal Naomi Wolf's essay on the subject has this very important point:

The last thing keeping us free in America, as the lights go off all over Europe  and Australia, and Canada  is, yes, we must face this fact, the Second Amendment. I can't believe I am writing those words. But here we are and I stand by them.

She also examined the somewhat archaic language of the Second Amendment and translated it to our modern equivalent:

Translated into modern English construction: "Because a well-regulated militia is necessary to the security of a free State, therefore the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Since the usual modus operandi from the far left is to deflect and to distract, it's vitally important that we specify that we are celebrating the Declaration of Independence and the eternal concepts set down in that document that everyone should be able to quote from memory:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed,  That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

This about the celebration of not a particular date or fireworks, but an idea that first found expression in that political poetry.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed.

This is the idea that separates the political philosophies of the collectivist authoritarians of the far left and the individualist anarchists of the far right. This concept inspired another bit of political poetry, the Gettysburg Address, which finished with the line:

this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom  and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

This is an idea that has grown beyond the boundaries of the states, as expressed by Neil Oliver, who recently asked, "Whatever happened to government BY the people OF the people & FOR the people?"

Those who would love to rule over you would like everyone to forget that central concept along with the rest of the founding documents. They would rather you believe the fiction that you derive your rights from the ruling class (and no, they aren't "elite" by any stretch of the imagination).

We beg to differ, and that's why we're keeping our guns, and why we'd like to celebrate freedom instead of perverted leftist brainwashing.

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, the director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.

Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Not too long ago, Randi Weingarten, union boss for the notorious American Federation of Teachers, got caught giving orders to the Centers for Disease Control about the importance of keeping schools locked down, no matter what the "science" said, and no matter what the schoolchildren needed. They were, you see, "thought partners," as one union official told the CDC.

According to the Daily Wire, which has much gamier details than this short passage:

Text messages recently obtained by the Fairfax Parents Association show Weingarten texting with then-CDC Director Rochelle Walensky about keeping school restrictions tight.

It was frankly, a scandal, because this political hack for the Democrats has absolutely no expertise whatsoever in matters of public health, and there she was, effectively running the top federal agency for public health from behind the scenes without telling anyone until she got found out. I wrote about that here.

She ought never show her face again in public for that crappy perma-lockdown advice that did so much damage to America's schoolchildren, leading to learning loss, social adjustment problems, and deficient speech development, combined with usurpation of public power.

But now she's failing upward.

According to the Daily Wire:

Teachers union boss Randi Weingarten will be joining the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council, according to a statement from DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

That baleful news included this statement from Mayorkas:

"Leaders of our academic institutions and campus life have a great deal to offer in helping us counter the evolving and emerging threats to the homeland," Mayorkas said in a statement. "The Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council's insights into strategic research, innovation, career development, and partnership opportunities for the Department will support our mission to safeguard the American people, and help our country think through and prepare for whatever threats lie ahead." Weingarten joins 19 others appointed by Mayorkas, mostly in academic leadership positions like Los Angeles School Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration Executive Director Miriam Feldblum.

A great deal to offer? Such as what? More lockdowns? More persecution of parents who challenge her puppet school boards? More focus on wokesterliness instead of actual terrorists? More illegals to fill her increasingly empty public schools because citizens can't stand them anymore?

We already know what her values are.

Whatever it is she "advises," count on it being something good for the teachers' union  and inversely, something very bad for the public. We know that based on Weingarten's already horrible record sneaking around and issuing the CDC its marching orders.

Mayorkas added this little zinger, too:

Aside from working on school safety issues, the council will also work on "methods to develop career opportunities to support a 21st century DHS workforce," according to a DHS press release.

Read: Seeding the agency with Weingarten's political loyalists to ensure that they'll always do what Weingarten wants, and the agency will then have the Deep State unreformability that has already plagued much of the rest of the federal agencies.

It's a nefarious scheme.

The only reason this person has power at all among Democrats is based on the AFT's humongous campaign donation record for Democrats. That's a partisan activity that has no place in what should be a non-partisan branch of government intended to represent all citizens. That they're doing it anyway, and suddenly all interested in giving Weingarten a "voice" in government itself, is pretty outrageous, signaling that it can only be her union's money that's driving this.

That's one bad thing, but the impact is doubled because of Weingarten's execrable record as a man-behind-the-curtain public health dictator.

If Weingarten takes this position on the public side, you can bet she'll be issuing orders in private to the agency in direct contradiction to the public safety in the homeland interests of Americans.

It's just too much power to someone who should be a pariah based on the damage she did during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also raises questions as to what other government agencies there are where she has a finger in the pie. We know that the Biden administration is not being run by senile old Joe, and his ambitious wife, the call-me-doctor Jill Biden, calls a lot of the shots. That miserable mediocrity is a close ally of the teachers' unions.

Is this the baleful hand of Jill? Or is this Weingarten running rampant in the power void, not content to control just an angry army of wokester teachers and other teachers unwillingly forced into her union, but the entire government itself?

This person has no place anywhere near government after her sneaky, damaging CDC stunt. That she's being allowed on a board to issue bad "advice" is outrageous. Congress should defund this do-nothing agency until the public sees the back of her.

Image: Keith Mellnick, AFGE via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Either the attorney general of the United States or the U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware is lying about the investigation into Hunter Biden's alleged tax crimes. Jonathan Turley laid the situation out three days ago:

"I'm not the deciding official." Those five words, allegedly from Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, shocked IRS and FBI investigators in a meeting on October 22, 2022. This is because, in refusing to appoint a special counsel, Attorney Garland Merrick Garland had repeatedly assured the public and Congress that Weiss had total authority over his investigation. IRS supervisory agent Gary A. Shapley Jr. told Congress he was so dismayed by Weiss's statement and other admissions that he memorialized them in a communication to other team members.

In fact, it later came to light that Shapley was so dismayed that he told at least six witnesses of his dismay, as the New York Post reported Monday:

The federal prosecutor tasked with investigating Hunter Biden told at least six witnesses last year that he lacked authority to charge the first son outside Delaware and was denied special counsel status, according to an IRS whistleblower  and now the House Judiciary Committee wants to talk to them. Delaware US Attorney David Weiss made the shocking disclosure at an Oct. 7, 2022, meeting with top IRS and FBI officials  contradicting sworn testimony from Attorney General Merrick Garland, IRS supervisory agent Gary Shapley told the House Ways and Means Committee last month. "He surprised us by telling us on the charges, 'I'm not the deciding official on whether charges are filed,'" Shapley recounted in his May 26 testimony, which the committee released Thursday. "He then shocked us with the earth-shattering news that the Biden-appointed D.C. U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves would not allow him to charge in his district," added Shapley, who said Graves' refusal to prosecute meant that Hunter, now 53, would not face tax charges related to "foreign income from Burisma [Holdings] and a scheme to evade his income taxes through a partnership with a convicted felon" in 2014 and 2015. "The purposeful exclusion of the 2014 and 2015 years sanitized the most substantive criminal conduct and concealed material facts," Shapley went on.

On June 23, Garland denied Weiss's charges in a press conference:

As a friend emailed me:

How about lie detector tests for whistleblower Shapley and all those he named as witnesses as well as Weiss and Garland? The tests may not be admissible in criminal trial, but how about in impeachment?

I am no expert, but I believe that Congress gets to make its own rules for evidence. One could expect Senate Democrats to object to lie detector evidence as unreliable, but they would have to convince the public that it is not worth seeing, that less information is better than more information.

Impeachment is most definitely on the agenda:

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Sunday that Republicans will launch an impeachment inquiry into Garland if Shapley's account is corroborated. The Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), is expected to call forward each of the alleged witnesses as it manages the fallout of the perjury allegation against Garland  including possible impeachment.

An impeachment trial for Garland in the Senate would offer the opportunity to introduce lie detector reports on Garland, Shapley, and the six witnesses. I am not at all clear whether or not Garland could be compelled to sit for a polygraph session, but his refusal to do so, combined with the presumed willingness of Shapley and his witnesses, would be a powerful lesson for the public.

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab.
Whether you think you can or think you cant  you are right.

That profound truth by Henry Ford may be more important in America now than at any time in American history. Todays blame others, victim culture is poisoning the citizenry, destroying our country.

Its time to quit whining and pay attention to Mr. Fords wisdom. Think you can  then do!

Stop pointing the finger at everyone else as to why youre not succeeding. Look in the mirror. You think you cant  then dont. Its you!

Its not your culture. Its not the color of your skin. Its not your gender, whatever you might consider yourself to be. Its not the wrong pronoun someone calls you by mistake.

Whether you think you can or think you cant  you are right. Henrys crystal ball figured it out for you back in the last millennium.

Its you!

And guess what?

Henry Ford thought he could, then went out and proved he could.

People should try to emulate that.

My discovery of Fords quotation occurred a decade or so ago, but I first observed the reality of it over a half century ago  in combat.

During the Vietnam War, Delta Companys 2nd Platoon always believed they could do whatever was assigned  and did. Conversely, 3rd Platoon always thought they were going to get their butts kicked with whatever was assigned  and did. In the process, 3rd Platoon went through lieutenants and sergeants at an astounding pace. The Army infantrys leadership motto, Follow Me, took a heavy toll.

As a staff sergeant in Vietnam, I spent most of my time as the platoon sergeant in Deltas 2nd Platoon after a couple weeks as 3rd squad leader. However, due to officer and NCO casualties, I also served as a platoon leader off and on with 2nd Platoon and 3rd Platoon. As a result, I learned the character of both firsthand.

The second time serving in that capacity with the permanently paranoid 3rd Platoon, the duration was short  1-day  before my tour in Vietnam ended. A booby trap tripped behind me booked my flight to Okinawa where I recovered four months before being discharged from the Army.

Yes, combat taught me the meaning of Henry Fords astute words decades before stumbling across his actual statement. The outcomes are real.

Your attitude and belief in yourself are key determinants, but so are the attitudes and beliefs of those around you. If you have a choice, dont surround yourself with people who think they cant. Its contagious and potentially deadly. A 2-inch change in trajectory with any of the three pieces of shrapnel that hit me could have killed me.

But, no, I dont mean potentially deadly only in combat. The same can be true in civilian life. It just might take longer to end up dead, at least, physically. Mental necrosis can happen quickly, and clearly has in many of those ranting in the streets about their victimhood.

Over the years, there have been innumerable books written touting the value of positive thinking. All may be worth reading.

However, instead of perusing dozens of lengthy narratives, memorize the twelve words put forth by Henry Ford. Thinking you can will get you just as far and arriving there requires less time.

Having retired last year prior to hitting my 80th birthday this year, only recently did I appreciate that every professional success Ive enjoyed over the past 52 years was because of my time in the Army (Trewyn, R.W., Correcting the Record About Vietnam Veterans Service, ARMY Magazine, 72 (11): 23-25, Nov. 2022). Theres no way I would have held any of my university leadership positions had it not been for the NCO Candidate Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and leading troops in combat.

Those instilled in me the most important part of Fords maxim, think you can. Coupled with the Follow Me motto of the Army infantry school, it was a game-changer.

Something else Fords logic helped cinch in my retirement is not to hang around people who believe theyre old. Their think you cant maladies multiply synergistically. The debilitating mindset is highly transmissible, like COVID, and just as deadly.

Avoid them like the plague! Dont get infected.

And, yes, I have personal knowledge regarding its lethality.

For years, my father told everyone he was going to die at 64 because thats when all his uncles did. History convinced him of that fact and it proved to be true. Well, except for the part about his uncles.

Exploring the genealogy after the fact, I was unable to find dates when every one of them passed away, but his uncle Frank lived to 73. Moreover, dads father, who should have factored directly into his assessment, died at 78.

We can be thankful, though, that he lost track of his fostered uncle in Illinois who perished at age 53.

The mind is a powerful catalyst. It can expedite an early exit from this life.

Will you  or I  live forever by thinking positive?

No!

But well live better  and likely longer. For most, longer and better together tend to be a nice combination. Its more enjoyable.

Whether you think you can or think you cant  you are right. Heeding Fords advice works.

Assess whats required  think you can!  then do it.

R.W. Trewyn earned a PhD after surviving Vietnam combat, and more treacherously, endured 53-years postwar slogging academes once hallowed halls.
For many decades, a Soviet tank raised on a pedestal in the center of Prague was a monument to the liberation of the city by the Red Army at the end of World War II. But when the Soviet Union invaded the country in 1968 to crush the countrys attempt at freedom and democratization, known as the Prague Spring, public perception of the tank memorial shifted. It was no longer seen as a symbol of liberation and freedom, but a cruel reminder of the communist oppression imposed by the Soviet Union. In 1991, a group of art students painted the Soviet tank bright pink in protest, sparking intense debate and discussion within the Czech society. This was followed by many more acts of vandalism aimed towards the tank, culminating in the removal of the monument from the square.

The tank memorial at its original location, in Prague. Credit: Wikimedia

The Monument to Soviet Tank Crews was erected in the citys Kinsky Square on 29 July 1945 to commemorate the arrival of the Fourth Tank Army that ended the German occupation of Prague. The tank rested on a massive five-meter stone pedestal, with its barrel pointing westwards. Initially, it was intended to use a T-34-85 medium tank to represent the one that entered Prague in May 1945. However, the monument features an IS-2m heavy tank instead, and its turret was labelled 23 whereas the original tank had borne the tactical marking I-24. After the communist coup in February 1948 the monument became a National cultural monument, and Kinsky Square was renamed Soviet Tank Square.

In 1989, a nation wide protestknown as the Velvet Revolution began in Czechoslovakia against the communist rule, eventually leading to the fall of the one-party government and start of the democratization process. Following the political upheaval of 1989, hundreds of monuments and statues built to glorify and commemorate the Soviet Union and the Red Army across Europe came toppling down. In Prague too, talks began in earnest about the decision to remove the tank monument and auction it off to the highest bidder.

Also read: The Painted Monument to the Soviet Army in Bulgaria

Then, in the early morning of April 28, the controversial Czech artist David Cerny, then a 24-year-old art student, and some of his friends who called themselves the Neostunners, painted the Soviet tank in bright pink. They also affixed a large paper-mache middle finger on the turret. Cerny was arrested for his act, and a few days later, Czech soldiers painted the tank back to green. But on May 16, a group of more than a dozen newly elected Czech Parliament MPs, taking advantage of their official immunity, repainted the tank pink to protest against Cernys arrest. This time the government relented, and removed the cultural monument status. After being repeatedly painted green, then pink again, a few more times, the tank was pulled down and sent to Military Museum Lesany near Tynec nad Sazavou, about 20 kilometers south of Prague, where it remains, still sporting a coat of pastel pink. Where the tank originally stood in Kinsky Square is now a fountain.

In 2011, the Pink Tank returned to Prague to participate in the 20th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet occupation forces. It was placed upon a pontoon and anchored on the Vltava river near Charles' bridge in the Prague center, It was equipped with a brand new pink finger on top.

The defaced memorial in 1991.

The tank at its current location at the Military Museum Lesany. Credit: Hynek Moravec/Wikimedia

The Pink Tank by Cerny on the Vltava river, 24 June 2011. Credit: SJu/Wikimedia
Samsungs pricey gaming monitor, the Odyssey OLED G9, is now available to buy and is out of its pre-order phase. Earlier this month, Samsung made the monitor available to pre-order, but didnt mention an official launch date.

As it turns out, the launch date is today, June 26. As with the pre-orders, you can buy the Odyssey OLED G9 from Best Buy or directly from Samsung. If you can afford to buy it or even want to spend the money. At $2,199, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is an expensive piece of tech to add to your gaming setup. But Samsung promises an unparalleled gaming experience with vivid visuals and a design to match.

The Odyssey OLED G9 is the worlds first OLED gaming monitor that you can buy

It may or may not matter to you that this is the worlds first OLED gaming monitor. What likely does matter to some though is that the monitor is OLED, big enough to capture all your game content, and it has the specs to provide a good experience.

At 49-inches with a Dual Quad High Definition resolution of 5,120 x 1,440, theres a lot of screen real estate for whatever youre playing. It also offers a 240Hz refresh rate to keep things standardized with the other Odyssey G9 monitors that Samsung sells. Though, you will probably need a pretty powerful PC to hit frame rates that high with such a big screen at that resolution.

We havent tested this thing ourselves, but wed venture a guess that even without those peak frame rates, games probably look pretty good. You just need to have the desk space, and the cash reserves to work this thing into your own setup. The Odyssey OLED G9 will work with PC as well as consoles, though its probably not the best option for console gamers since they dont support ultrawide aspect ratios.
Samsung has reportedly radically improved the camera performance of its Flip series foldables this year. Reports coming from the companys homeland South Korea suggest that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 could offer Galaxy S23-like camera quality. The new foldable may also boast a much longer battery life.

Samsungs foldable smartphones cost more than its conventional Galaxy S series flagships. But they have always packed worse cameras. Thats despite the company equipping both sets of devices with the same chipset in most markets, if not all. The Korean behemoth never bothered offering flagship-grade cameras on foldable. Moreover, space limitations mean it couldnt include bigger batteries either, so the battery life has been poor too.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 will address these shortcomings

Samsung is addressing both of these issues with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 this year, at least according to an anonymous Samsung insider. They told the South Korean publication Chosun that the latest Flip model features clear improvements in camera and battery life matching the level of the Galaxy S23. Samsung is reportedly making these improvements in response to customer complaints that its foldables lag behind the Galaxy S series phones in functionality.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 seemingly wont get a camera hardware upgrade, though. The Samsung insider said that its difficult for the company to boost camera pixels and battery capacity of the phone due to space limitations. So we should still get a 12MP+12MP dual-camera setup on the outside and a 10MP camera on the inside. The battery capacity should also remain at 3,700mAh, which is close to the base Galaxy S23s 3,900mAh battery.

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However, Samsung has worked on software optimizations to significantly improved the photo clarity and battery issues of its Flip series foldables. If the Galaxy Z Flip 5 performs at the Galaxy S23s level in terms of camera quality and battery life, it would be huge. Coupled with a bigger cover display, this years Flip is shaping up to be a notable upgrade over its predecessor. The 3.4-inch cover display can efficiently run many apps.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 wont bring many other notable upgrades, though. We are expecting a similar 6.7-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside with a 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung will equip it with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor that also powers the Galaxy S23 series. The chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The device will debut alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5 on July 27.
Microsoft showed an interest in buying both Bungie and Sega, according to a new report from The Verge. Details from an internal email show that Xbox head Phil Spencer approached Microsoft leaders about the potential SEGA acquisition. Writing CEO Satya Nadella and CFO Amy Hood to request approval for approaching Sega Sammy.

The deal, which is clear at this point never happened, would have been a move to acquire Sega Gaming Studios from Sega Sammy in an attempt to help accelerate the growth of Xbox Game Pass. In the 2020 email Spencer says that Sega has built a strong portfolio of games across segments with global geographic appeal. Acquiring them, Spencer believed, would give Xbox Game Pass a stronger collection of games to offer subscribers.

The email doesnt mention any specific studios by name. But Sega has a number of studios responsible for some extremely popular franchises. Atlus, which makes the Persona series of RPGs, as well as Ryo Ga Gotoku Studio responsible for the famed Yakuza (now Like A Dragon) series. As well as first-party content like Sonic The Hedgehog.

Both Bungie and Sega were key targets for Microsoft alongside others

The state of Bungie now being a Sony-owned studio has led to a huge injection of money allowing Bungie to expand on its franchise offerings. But the acquisition could have gone a very different way. A slide from a 2021 internal review document shows that Microsoft was still very much interested in acquiring Bungie and Sega. Listing both as key targets for the company.

These were alongside other potential studios like IO Interactive, Zynga, Niantic, and Supergiant Games. It isnt clear if Microsoft still has interest in acquiring any of the companies aside from Bunie that were listed. Though even if interest is there Microsofts full attention is no doubt on Activision Blizzard. The company has been trying to acquire the Call of Duty and Diablo IV publisher for more than a year. With regulatory talks continuing amidst pushback from the UKs Competition and Markets Authority and more recently, the FTC in the US.
In a recent blog post from Microsoft, they make it clear that they will turn back on the Windows 11 File Explorer update. This version of the app was available to Windows Insiders for the past few weeks. These testers put the app update through scrutiny, and they found it lacking in certain areas.

Microsoft made a few upgrades with this testing version, which they made available to their insider program. Most testers were excited to try out the new update but didnt expect to find anything wrong with the update. But things didnt go as planned, as the update fell short in various areas.

Well, the majority of the faults with this update came from the power usage aspect of things. Testers have brought the shortcomings of this update to Microsoft, who have in turn offered a solution. This involves turning back on the update and letting users stick to the existing version while fixing any shortcomings.

Microsoft puts user experience first as they dismissed the Windows 11 File Explorer update

Just like with every app update out there, the Windows 11 File Explorer update came with some new features. These features were to help improve the user experience while simplifying app usage. Once it was made available a few weeks ago, users of the Windows Insider program began playing around with these features.

Some new features include changes to folders, improvement to key pass access, showing drive letters, and hiding protected OS files. The improvements to this app are aimed at stepping up the user experience. Power users also saw the folder option on the Windows 11 File Explorer taken away with the update.

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Most of these users find the folder options very useful for their work and everyday usage. Taking this feature away from them would cripple them and force them to find other ways around the new limitation. For a while, they were able to keep up with this change before crying out to Microsoft for an urgent change.

Impressively, Microsoft didnt turn a deaf ear to its Windows Insider users and testers of this update. They were able to take down the update and let users enjoy the old version. This will give them access to tools that they need to work while Microsoft works on fixing the flaws with this current update.
Microsoft was apparently ready to spend Sony out of business according to an internal email (via The Verge) from Xbox Chief Matt Booty. The email from 2019 shows Booty discussing Xboxs strategy for game content in the years ahead.

Its popped up as part of the current case that Microsoft is having right now with the FTC over its attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard. That case, which has been blocked by the UKs Competition Markets Authority and approved in the EU, is currently undergoing scrutiny in the US. The propose $68.7 billion dollar deal would put some of gamings largest franchises under the Xbox umbrella. Which has garnered the acquisition plenty of attention from regulators.

The email is part of an ongoing thread of conversation which revolves around Xbox Game Pass. Microsofts subscription service for Xbox, PC, and mobile via cloud. As Game Pass has been a central focus of the FTC in this case. Its also Microsofts central focus for its games strategy. As the company looks to be the premiere offering for cloud gaming.

Microsoft wanted to avoid Sony being the Disney of games

Its not clear if Microsoft had actual intent to put Sony out of business in the gaming industry. But what does appear clear is that it wanted to avoid Sony being the Disney of games according to the email. Matt Booty states that Sony is really the only company that can compete with Game Pass. Noting that even though Sony can compete, Microsoft has a 2-year and 10 million subscriber lead.

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Booty also references companies like Google which at the time, was still offering its now shuttered Stadia service. Additionally, Booty mentions Tencent and Amazon. Both of which have sizeable cash flow and a desire to compete with game offerings.

If we think that video game content matters in 10 years, we might look back and says totally would have been worth it to lose $2B or $3B to avoid a situation where Tencent, Google, Amazon, or even Sony have become the Disney of games and own the most valuable content, the email reads.

Microsofts strategy is to really bolster Xbox Game Pass as much as possible. Which the email does a good job of showing. By beefing up the companys game studios, it can toss top titles onto the service and make it an incredible value in gaming. the companys Activision Blizzard deal is part of that strategy. Though Microsoft also wants the deal to go through so it ca bolster its mobile offerings.

Update:

Microsoft says the email was referencing trends in the gaming industry that it never pursued. The company also states that its unrelated to the acquisition as it predates the announcement to buy Activision Blizzard by 25 months.
Netflix may have a habit of testing out its policies on Canadian subscribers. Earlier this year, the streaming service abolished password-sharing outside of your household, an update they first tested in a few countries, including Canada. Now, the company announced that its most basic plan will no longer be available to Canadian subscribers.

Netflixs basic ad-free plan is no longer available in Canada.

As TechRadar reports, Netflix has quietly dropped its cheapest ad-free tier in Canada. So, what does this mean? Well, although existing subscribers are unaffected (unless they change plans), the new policy means that the Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members, according to Netflix Canadas help website.

Now, potential customers will have to choose between spending $5.99 CAD for the standard plan with ads, $16.49 CAD for standard without ads, or $20.99 for the premium plan.

Apparently, Netflixs basic ad-free tier has been dropped a while ago in Canada  its just that no one noticed. The earliest mention comes from a Twitter user who complained about the termination of Netflixs basic plan back on June 10.

Despite Canadian users feeling a loss, time will tell if they will move onto another tier. After all, although the companys password-sharing crackdown was controversial, it did in fact lead to new subscribers to the platform.

As TechRadar further notes, it doesnt look like any other countries around the world have seen any similar changes. For instance, the American Netflix Plans and Pricing page still has the basic ad-free plan listed at $9.99. So, it stands to reason that users outside of Canada are safe.

However, this could change at any point. Its unclear whether new abolishment of Netflixs basic-ad free plan will be limited to Canada. Or if it will be tested in any other countries.
Weve come so far. When Elon Musk took over Twitter, tweets were, universally, capped at 280 characters. However, the eccentric billionaire answered the prayers of frustrated tweeters who wanted to write longer tweets (well, some of them). Now, Twitter Blue users can post tweets that are 25000 characters long.

The character limit has been steadily increasing for Twitter Blue users over the past several months. It rose to 1000 characters, 4000 characters, and 10000 characters. We were all thinking that tweets couldnt get any longer, yet, here we are.

Tweets can now be up to 25000 characters long

Were already at the point where people can post entire articles as tweets. 10000 characters are enough to get your point across and then some. Weve seen some insanely long tweets on the platform so far, and it seems that people are using them to their advantage. However, for some reason, Twitter seems to want much longer tweets.

As announced by Twitter employee Prachi Poddar, users who subscribe to Twitter Blue can now post tweets up to 25000 characters long. To put that into perspective, this article up to this point is only 1135 characters. Your Tweet can be more than 22x longer. Tweet announced that this feature is available now, so you should be able to make much longer tweets right now. If not, then youll want to wait just a bit.

But what about the little guy?

Sure, we get it; Elon Musk is looking to make Twitter more profitable. With that comes the push to make Blue a compelling subscription. However, the company cant forget about its free users. Weve seen Twitter distribute several features to Blue, but leaving free users out in the dust like this could lead more people to flock to other platforms.

Its important to prioritize the growth of Twitter Blue, but its also important to think about the app as a whole. One of the things that Elon Musk made a big deal about was the ability to let people edit their tweets. Its available for Blue users, but the company said that it would eventually trick it down to free users. Theyve yet to see that feature. Hopefully, this doesnt drive more people away from the platform.
A man accused of shooting a woman outside a pub told a jury he had changed since earlier offending, but admitted dealing drugs, carrying out a burglary and driving a stolen car.

Connor Chapman, 23, who is accused of killing Elle Edwards, 26, when he allegedly opened fire with a Skorpion sub-machine gun outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village, Wirral, Merseyside, on December 24 last year, began giving evidence at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.

Mark Rhind KC, defending, read out a list of his previous convictions, which included burglary, possession of a knife, possession of drugs, aggravated vehicle-taking and breaches of an anti-social behaviour order.

Mr Rhind said Chapmans description of his past behaviour as not the best was perhaps an understated way of describing that record.

The father of Elle Edwards, Tim Edwards, arrives with family members at the Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts in Liverpool on the first day of Connor Chapmans trial (Peter Byrne/PA)

But the father-of-two said his behaviour had changed by the end of 2022, after he spent the previous four Christmases in custody.

He told the court: Id definitely calmed down.

Theres everything to suggest I havent, but from the way I was acting in the past, yes, definitely.

He said everything had changed when he was released from custody in June or July last year.

He said: I had my daughter while I was in custody. It had a big effect on me so I wanted to change the way I was living, because I knew I didnt want to go back to custody.

Id done enough time in custody for just general petty crimes, so I got out and tried to sort my life out and it just didnt go the way I planned.

A Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to the weapon used in the shooting outside the Lighthouse, which was shown to the jury in Connor Chapmans trial (Merseyside Police/PA)

Chapman, wearing his long hair in a bun, said he got a job but when it didnt work out he went back to doing what he knew best, and began selling cocaine, making about 400 a week.

He admitted taking part in a burglary in November 2022, which the prosecution alleges is one of the events which led up to Ms Edwards murder  said to be the culmination of a feud between gangs on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates.

Curtis Byrne, who was also involved in the burglary, was shot five days later, the court has heard.

Chapman said the shooting of Mr Byrne had nothing to do with the burglary and told the court he had not felt angry about his friend being shot.

He was asked about an assault on December 23, which was carried out on Sam Searson by Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, who are alleged to be the intended targets of the Lighthouse shooting.

He said he was not friends with Mr Searson and was the opposite to upset about the attack.

If you want me to be completely honest, I did think it was quite amusing, he said.

He told the court his mother was friends with Mr Duffys mother and they had grown up together.

Chapman denied being part of an organised crime group and told the jury: I wouldnt really say there is a gang on the Woodchurch, its just more people who hang round on the Woodchurch itself.

He admitted he had been driving the stolen Mercedes used by the gunman since about November.

But he said it was a pool car and was used by at least three other people.

Chapman is charged with the murder of Ms Edwards, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Tuesday, a third count of wounding with intent was amended to a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm.

He is also charged with possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He denies all the offences.

Co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, of Private Drive, Barnston, Wirral, denies possessing a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender by helping Chapman to dispose of the car.

The trial will continue on Wednesday.
Bankruptcy proceedings brought against Culture Club singer Boy George and bassist Michael Craig by their former bandmate Jon Moss have been dismissed at a High Court hearing.

Boy George  whose real name is George ODowd  and Mr Craig are both in debt to Culture Clubs ex-drummer after a judge previously ordered Mr Moss should be paid 1.75 million by the band as part of a resolved legal battle over the groups profits.

Mr Moss brought bankruptcy petitions against Boy George and Mr Craig in relation to the judges ruling in March, but these were dismissed at a short hearing in London on Tuesday.

Amanda Hadkiss, representing Mr Moss, told the specialist court that, following a meeting last week, creditors had approved an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA)  a formal agreement which allows people to repay debts in a bid to avoid bankruptcy.

Ex-drummer Jon Moss brought bankruptcy petitions against Boy George, pictured (Ian West/PA)

This covers the debts of Boy George and Mr Craig, as well as the bands guitarist Roy Hay, the court was told.

The IVA requires Mr Moss to discontinue the bankruptcy proceedings, Ms Hadkiss said, and asked deputy Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stuart Frith to dismiss the petitions.

The judge said he would order their dismissal at Tuesdays brief hearing at which no Culture Club members were present.

The hearing comes after a High Court battle between Mr Moss and his ex-bandmates over the groups profits was resolved a week before trial.

The drummer, a founding member of the group, had previously brought legal action against Boy George, Mr Hay and Mr Craig, after allegedly being expelled by their manager in September 2018 after 37 years playing together.

A six-day trial was due to start in late March to determine the value of the Culture Club name, the profits made by the band since Mr Mosss alleged expulsion, and the amount he might be entitled to receive.

Jon Moss spent more than three decades in the band (Alamy/PA)

But a court order issued on March 21 said that the group had agreed that a judgment should be made in favour of Mr Moss, with his ex-bandmates required to pay him 1.75 million immediately.

The order approved by Mrs Justice Joanna Smith said that Mr Moss had agreed to relinquish any right to the Culture Club name and its use, including in connection with concerts and merchandise.

The High Court previously heard that the band had settled a dispute over whether there was a continuing partnership since the formation of Culture Club  a group best known for hits including Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Karma Chameleon  with Boy George, Mr Hay and Mr Craig conceding there was until Mr Mosss departure.

The abandoned trial over the outstanding issues of the groups value and profits was also due to cover Mr Mosss additional claim to an outstanding balance of 246,000.17 US dollars (201,000) under the terms of a band agreement reached over the operation of its 2018 Life Tour.

Boy George, Mr Craig and Mr Hay were all previously defending the claims.

Last year, the court was told that Mr Moss was amending his legal challenge to include allegations that Boy George conspired to defraud him over the Life Tour money, after he learned that funds were released to a US company, You Give Me Life (YGML), following the settlement of legal proceedings in America in January 2021.

Culture Club  pictured with Michael Jacksons sister, LaToya  in their 1980s heyday (PA)

YGML and another English company, Other Places Drama (OPD)  both said to be Boy Georges personal service companies  had brought proceedings against Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) in California, claiming to be entitled to the money it held.

Mr Moss had originally launched litigation seeking a court declaration that the outstanding balance money was being held for him by APA, acting as his agent.

The drummer claimed that Boy George, YGML and/or OPD, were allegedly in breach of the deal memo that he said meant each band member would receive a fee of 600,000 US dollars (491,000) for up to 80 concerts on the Life Tour.

Boy George previously accused Mr Moss of making a personal attack on me and the most unfounded and hurtful allegations, which were entirely untrue.
SCO economic, trade cooperation continues to expand

10:15, June 27, 2023 By Qiang Wei ( People's Daily

The SCO Industrial and Supply Chains Forum and the 2023 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo kicks off in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, on June 15, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Wang Zhaomai)

The SCO Industrial and Supply Chains Forum and the 2023 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo kicked off recently in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province.

A total of 330 enterprises and organizations from 34 countries and regions, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) routes, showcased more than 10,000 types of imported specialties at the expo. Deals for purchases of goods totaling a billion yuan ($140 million) were inked.

At present, the world is facing a sluggish economic recovery, while global industrial and supply chains are undergoing in-depth adjustments.

In the face of instability and uncertainties in the world economy, SCO countries have strengthened collaboration of industrial and supply chains and promoted effective aggregation of factors and resources, contributing to the resilience and stability of the global chains, said participants in the forum.

Stable and efficient industrial and supply chains are crucial to the SCO regions and the world, noted SCO Deputy Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

At this year's investment and trade expo, a rich array of characteristic food, consumer goods, handicrafts, and agricultural products from different countries were put on display, offering visitors a chance to shop while enjoying a glimpse into foreign customs and traditions.

Photo taken on June 5, 2023 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center, which hosted the 2023 SCO International Investment and Trade Expo, in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province. (People's Daily Online/Han Jiajun)

The exhibition zone of Russia was designed to resemble an elegant and romantic avenue, with a large screen wall displaying the Russian State Historical Museum.

The exhibition area of Egypt was decorated with national elements, including pyramid models, pharaoh statues, as well as live-action scenes of dromedaries and cactuses in the desert, attracting many visitors to take pictures.

Honey, dairy products, jam, and other characteristic products from Kyrgyzstan were also showcased. According to a staff member of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic in China, Chinese consumers have shown a strong interest in products from Kyrgyzstan, but lacked purchasing channels.

A batch of agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan, including honey and cherries, has arrived in China recently, said the staff member, adding that Kyrgyzstan was ready to open an official online store on Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com and planned to open brick-and-mortar stores in Chinese cities including Qingdao and Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Since the establishment of the SCO in 2001, China's trade with other SCO member states has been climbing. The trade volume reached $343.3 billion in 2021, a 28-fold growth from 2001.

The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao saw its foreign trade volume hit 36 billion yuan in 2022, up 38.3 percent year-on-year.

A China-Europe freight train loaded with various kinds of goods departs from the multimodal transport center in the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, Sept. 16, 2022. It marks the cumulative number of "Qilu" China-Europe freight trains from the SCO zone exceeding 800 since it was launched in April 2020. (People's Daily Online/Wang Zhaomai)

The SCODA has launched 31 regular international railway routes connecting China and 54 cities in 23 countries, including SCO members and countries along the BRI routes. In 2022, a total of 279,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers were handled, up 5.4 percent from the previous year.

The forum witnessed the launch of the SCO Comprehensive Service Platform 2.0. As China's first one-stop public service platform for local economic and trade cooperation among SCO countries, the platform has attracted nearly 5,000 enterprises since its launch.

The 2.0 version focuses on meeting the actual needs of SCO countries, such as import and export processes, local currency settlement, barter trade, and the reciprocal recognition of supervision.

It has innovatively incorporated a good number of systems for services covering SCO cross-border payment and settlement, new forms of cross-border barter trade, aviation logistics, used-car exports, and taxpayer information verification, effectively solving problems including poor cross-border settlement channels between SCO countries in the past.

As the largest regional cooperation organization in the Eurasian continent with the greatest potential, the SCO has made unique contributions to regional stability and development.

Efforts will be made to leverage platforms including the SCO Industrial and Supply Chains Forum to continuously motivate various parties to deepen pragmatic cooperation, according to Yermekbayev, who noted that regional economic cooperation among SCO countries will yield more fruitful results.

The first shipping route between the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, and Russia's port city of Vladivostok is officially launched, Sept. 14, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Hou Fangchao)

Photo taken on June 12, 2023 shows a part of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Zhaomai)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is to sign an agreement with the EU that will see London and Brussels working closer together on financial services and co-ordinating ahead of big international meetings.

Mr Hunt said that the memorandum of understanding would help to support the UK and Londons role as a hub of financial services around the world.

The sector makes up more than a tenth of the British economy, being worth more than a quarter of a trillion pounds last year.

However, EU officials said the deal only sets up a space where the two sides can speak to each other.

At 14:30 CET, @McGuinnessEU and @Jeremy_Hunt will sign the MoU on regulatory cooperation in financial services.  https://t.co/76AZ12LAJA It will set up a forum to facilitate dialogue. It does not restore UK access to , nor prejudges adoption of equivalence decisions.  Daniel Ferrie  (@DanielFerrie) June 27, 2023

It will set up a forum to facilitate dialogue, Daniel Ferrie, a spokesperson for the European Commission, tweeted on Tuesday.

It does not restore UK access to EU, nor prejudges adoption of equivalence decisions.

The Treasury said that the Memorandum, due to be signed at around 2.30pm Brussels time (1.30pm BST), will create an ongoing forum for the UK and the EU to discuss voluntary regulatory cooperation on financial services issues.

It will allow the parties to coordinate positions where appropriate on issues ahead of G7, G20 and other international meetings.

Mr Hunt said: The UK and EUs financial markets are deeply interconnected and building a constructive, voluntary relationship is of mutual benefit to us both.

In the UK, our financial services sector is a true British success story. Together with the related professional services sector it was worth 275 billion last year, making up an estimated 12% of the British economy.

This agreement with our European partners as sovereign equals builds on our arrangements with the US, Japan and Singapore, helping to support the sectors role as a global financial services hub.

Around 11 trillion of assets were managed in the UK in 2020, just under half of which (44%) was on behalf of international investors, including those from the EU.

It is the first time in more than three years that a British Chancellor has visited Brussels.

Mr Hunt will meet Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who will sign the deal, as well as other European commissioners.

Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association, said: The signing of the MoU on financial services is an important milestone.

A close partnership between the UK and EU, which recognises the long-shared history of cooperation, is of mutual benefit and will mean a more resilient and dynamic investment management sector across Europe that benefits citizens and businesses wherever they may be located.

Now the MoU has been confirmed, all focus must now turn to ensuring the Joint Forum on Regulatory Cooperation delivers a pragmatic, forward-looking dialogue focused on finding common solutions to common challenges.

This includes encouraging greater retail participation in European markets, promoting international coherence in sustainability-related disclosures, and identifying how the utilisation of new technology can drive innovation across the sector.

We look forward to working with HM Treasury and the European Commission in delivering against this goal.
Two Dyson companies have brought a Court of Appeal bid over a judges ruling about whether a broadcast that alleged the exploitation of factory workers referred to the firms.

Dyson Technology Limited and Dyson Limited, along with Sir James Dyson himself, sued the broadcaster and Independent Television News (ITN) for libel over a broadcast of Channel 4s news programme on February 10 2022.

The High Court previously heard the programme reported on a legal action brought against the vacuum cleaning giant by several workers at a Malaysian factory which previously supplied products to Dyson.

The programme was estimated to have been seen by millions of viewers, and featured interviews with workers at ATA Industrial, who said they faced abuse and inhuman conditions while at the factory, which manufactured vacuum cleaners and air filters.

Sir James and the two companies previously said the broadcast falsely claimed they were complicit in systematic abuse and exploitation of the workers.

In a preliminary ruling in October 2022, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed Sir James claim, finding he was not defamed.

The judge also found that, without considering external evidence, the broadcast had not referred to the two companies.

Sir James Dysons libel claim was dismissed last year (David Parry/PA)

At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, lawyers for the two companies made a bid to overturn this decision, describing it as an error of law.

Hugh Tomlinson KC, for the two firms, said the High Court judge adopts a too legalistic analysis of the text of the broadcast in his ruling.

The barrister said: He sits back, he analyses the broadcast  and Im not engaging with the fine details of that analysis, as one might expect its a perfectly sensible and credible analysis  but its just not what the reasonable viewer would do.

Mr Tomlinson continued: Hes saying it all depends on the ultimate factual situation and we say thats the wrong way around.

The ultimate factual situation doesnt matter, its what viewers reasonably understand the factual situation to be.

However, Adam Wolanski KC, for Channel 4 and ITN, said it would have been impossible for the High Court judge to have found the broadcast referred to the two companies based on the information he had.

He told the Court of Appeal: The judge on intrinsic reference had next to nothing about these particular claimant companies and was therefore deprived of information that might have enabled him to link the allegations in the broadcast with a specific claimant.

The barrister added: Once the court appreciates the difficulty the judge had, it is readily understandable he was unable to conclude that the words related to these specific corporate claimants.

The hearing before Lord Justice Dingemans, Lord Justice Birss and Lord Justice Warby is due to conclude on Tuesday with a decision expected at a later date.
Fashion brands have been urged not to switch businesses and manufacturers in their supply chains for cheaper options as the industry faces increasing pressure to introduce sustainable practices.

Dr Hakan Karaosman, professor at Cardiff University and chair of the Union of Concerned Researchers in Fashion (UCRF), said he has been researching three-tier supply chains in the fashion industry.

Speaking at the Global Fashion Summit on Monday, he told industry leaders and policymakers: Im not going to give you sugar-coated answers but I will give you the honest truth.

There are some problems in our industry that we need to talk about urgently.

Dr Karaosman said he is seeing brands dropping suppliers to reduce costs, which can force manufacturers, often in developing countries, to cut corners on sustainability and safety in order to compete.

At investor level, fashion supply chains are all about profits, he said.

When I speak with suppliers across multiple tiers and multiple chains, I see brands switch their suppliers based on those reductions. So please dont abandon your suppliers because you find someone cheaper.

It comes after major brands like H&M, Next, Primark and Zara owner Inditex were accused of unfair practises toward Bangladesh clothing suppliers earlier this year.

The report from Aberdeen University and the advocacy group Transform Trade found that brands were allegedly paying for items below the cost of production while nearly one in five factories struggled to pay their workers the Bangladeshi minimum wage of 2.30 a day.

Dr Karaosman told the summit in Copenhagen that brands must collaborate more with their supply chains and garment manufacturers to find sustainable solutions on the ground.

Top-down governance structures and exclusive decision making are a disastrous recipe for all of us, he said. We need to understand plural voices and their representation in decision making.

Dr Karaosman said suppliers often have effective solutions on issues like water usage and waste but are often ignored by brands, which can be detached from manufacturers.

We need to ensure emotional attachments between brands and their workers, he said.

Supply chain workers are often ignored and not listened to. Even though auditors ask questions, supply chain workers are scared because theyre not understood.

We need to go out into the field to understand the context and have conversations based on trust  not based on punishment or fear.

Michael Bride, senior vice president of corporate responsibility, global affairs at Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger owner PVH later argued that local governance is absolutely crucial when it comes to labour rights in supply chains.

Mr Bride told the conference that PVH brands source from 42 other countries.

From my perspective, we are guests in those producer countries, he said. We dont get to go in and run the roads, and so I think you have to have folks at the table.

I think if youre going to have an authentic brand and speak to todays consumer, I dont think you want to position yourself as a colonialist brand.

I think you want to position yourself as being a stakeholder capitalist brand thats integrated in different parts of the society where you touch, including in those production companies.

Mr Bride previously worked for the Bangladesh Accord  a legally binding treaty between more than 200 garment brands and global trade unions after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory claimed the lives of more than 1,000 workers in the country in 2013.

He said that those working on the accord found around 165,000 safety violations in more than 2,000 factories representing 220 brands when inspections began in response to the disaster.

But he said only two violations have led to legal dispute settlements outside the local area because local governance was involved in finding solutions to the safety issues.

The decision-making takes longer but the decision-making is better with local governance and local people at the table, he said.
Former foreign correspondent Dame Ann Leslie has died aged 82.

Dame Ann, who was best known for her work as a freelance contributor, particularly on the Daily Mail, reported on events including the Cold War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Born in 1941, in what is now modern-day Pakistan, she spent her early childhood in pre-partition India before returning to Britain at the age of nine.

She read English at Oxford, before taking a job at the Daily Express upon graduation in the early 1960s.

She reported from more than 70 countries  often in perilous situations  covering many of the most notorious events of modern history.

Working for various Fleet Street papers, she covered the trials of Charles Manson and OJ Simpson, as well as the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

Among the people she interviewed over the years were Muhammad Ali and the King.

She also won the British Press Awards Feature Writer of the Year in 1981 and 1989.

Speaking to the PA news agency after she was made DBE in 2007, Dame Ann said: I dont talk about great achievements  its just the old thing about journalism being the first rough draft of history.

I was on the East Berlin side when the wall came down and was outside the prison when Nelson Mandela came out. They were two good news stories.

I work a lot in the Middle East. I was in Salvador and got shot at a few times.

She added: The (late) Queen asked me how long I had been in journalism, I said 40 years  I said Im in awe of your stamina. She just smiled.

Dame Ann died in the early hours of Sunday morning. She is survived by her husband Michael Fletcher and her daughter Katharine.
A further bid to throw out an extradition hearing of a man suspected of rape in the US has failed.

Lawyers for Nicholas Rossi, who authorities believe faked his own death in the United States to evade prosecution, applied for the hearing to be discharged after they claimed Rossi was not brought before a sheriff within the appropriate timeframe and was not processed at a police station in the normal way following his arrest in December 2021.

It was also claimed Rossi did not receive a copy of a crucial National Crime Agency (NCA) document along with the Interpol red notice that had been served on him by Pc Dominic McLarnon at the time of his arrest.

Rossi was not present at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday when Sheriff Norman McFadyen refused to discharge the hearing due to transport issues at HMP Edinburgh where he is on remand.

An application to discharge an extradition hearing for Nicholas Rossi has been rejected (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Sheriff McFadyen said he did not feel that Rossis case was prejudiced as a result of the delay in bringing him before the court in December 2021 because he was the sickest patient the hospital had seen with Covid at the time of his arrest, and it was entirely reasonable that alternatives should be sought.

Sheriff McFadyen said the evidence given in court on Monday by Pc Dominic McLarnon should be accepted.

The sheriff said: It was clear what it was he served and it was the only time he had served such documents, he remembered it clearly.

He gave his evidence clearly, while I found the requested person (Rossi) to be evasive.

On Monday, another bid to have the hearing thrown out was also rejected.

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.

He is expected to appear at court on Tuesday afternoon where the hearing will continue.
A healthcare worker who liked and shared a video of an offensive song about murdered Co Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey has had a claim that she was unfairly sacked from her job dismissed.

An industrial tribunal panel described the streaming of the video in an Orange Hall last year as a truly disgraceful event and ruled that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust was entitled to dismiss Rhonda Shiels from her employment.

There was widespread condemnation after the footage which was livestreamed from Dundonald Orange Hall in May 2022 showed a number of men singing a song which appeared to mock the daughter of former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte, who was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.

Ms Shiels had been employed by the Southern Trust as a healthcare assistant for five years.

The footage had been livestreamed by Andrew McDade, who is Ms Shiels partner.

The industrial tribunal was told that Ms Shiels had liked and shared the video on her Facebook account.

In her evidence to the tribunal, Ms Shiels had stated that she had not watched all of the video and that she had switched if off before the point in which the offensive singing took place.

She said she had not become aware of the offensive singing until days later.

The trust had however concluded that she had behaved recklessly in liking and sharing the video without satisfying herself as to its content.

She had been dismissed from her job in July 2022 and her appeal against that decision was dismissed by the trust in August.

Ms Shiels then brought a claim of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal but stated she was not seeking re-instatement.

Andrew McDade lost a challenge to his sacking from his job as a lorry driver earlier this month (Liam McBurney/PA)

The written judgment said: On 28 May 2022, the claimant had attended an event in the grounds of Stormont.

On the same date, her partner had been taking part in a march organised by the Orange Order and had then been invited to Dundonald Orange Hall, together with other bandsmen and members, for refreshments.

The claimants partner had livestreamed a video from Dundonald Orange Hall on his own Facebook account.

The claimant (Shiels) had been immediately notified of that livestream and had opened it.

The claimant accepted in a statement of agreed facts that she had liked and shared the video.

The panel ruling stated: The background of this claim is the singing of a sectarian and misogynistic song in Dundonald Orange Hall.

The singing of that song by a large group of people was not prevented or stopped by others present; it was in fact applauded.

This had been a truly disgraceful event.

The Office of Industrial Tribunals, Killymeal House, Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

The judgment concluded: The decision by the respondent (Southern Trust) to uphold the charges of gross misconduct and to impose a penalty of summary dismissal was, in the opinion of the tribunal, a decision which a reasonable employer could properly have reached in all the circumstances of this case.

This had been an act of recklessness and a clear breach of the social media policy.

It had had a severe and continuing impact on the respondents activities in providing services to the public and would inevitably have had a serious impact in relation to the claimants working relationships with other employees and indeed with members of the public with whom she came into contact in the course of her work.

It had been such a serious matter that a reasonable employer could properly and summarily dismiss the employee for a first offence.

The claimants reckless act in liking and sharing this video on her own Facebook account had brought the respondent into serious disrepute.

The circumstances were such that summary dismissal was justified.

Mr McDade lost an industrial tribunal case against his sacking from his job as a lorry driver earlier this month.

Jamie Bryson, who represented Ms Shiels during the hearing, said his client was disappointed by the ruling and would consider all appeal options.

He added: Ms Shiels apologised again to the Harte and McAreavey family during the tribunal, and repeats the apology for any hurt unintentionally caused by her actions, which were held to be reckless, but not intentional, in liking and sharing a video without satisfying herself as to the content.
Hospital consultants in England are set to take industrial action next month after voting heavily in favour in a dispute over pay.

More than 24,000 members of the British Medical Association (BMA) backed industrial action by 86% on a turnout of 71%, well above the legal threshold of 50%.

The BMA said that unless the government makes a credible offer which can be put to its members, they will take part in industrial action on July 20 and 21  just days after junior doctors in England are due to strike for five days over pay.

The BMA said take-home pay for consultants in England has fallen by 35% since 2008/2009.

The consultants industrial action will take the form of Christmas Day cover, meaning that most routine and elective services will be cancelled but full emergency cover will remain in place.

The BMA said it announced its planned dates for industrial action six weeks before the potential action so that consultants and their colleagues were able to put in early plans to manage patient lists and prioritise urgent patient care in the event of a successful ballot.

Consultants in England have voted a resounding YES to taking industrial action this July. Turnout: 71.08% Yes votes: 20,741  86.08% Together we can #FixConsultantPay now and for the future. Read more: https://t.co/Rq4seoH752 pic.twitter.com/4EROFIyKH7  BMA Consultants (@BMA_Consultants) June 27, 2023

Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said: We know consultants dont take the decision around industrial action lightly, but this vote shows how furious they are at being repeatedly devalued by Government. Consultants are not worth a third less than we were 15 years ago and have had enough.

Consultants dont want to have to take industrial action, but have been left with no option in the face of a Government that continues to cut our pay year after year. However, it is not too late to avert strike action and the Government simply needs to come back to us with a credible offer that we can put to our members.

We are simply asking for fairness to ensure that there is a pay settlement that begins to reverse the real-terms pay decline that we have suffered and a commitment to fully reform the pay review process to ensure that it can make truly independent recommendations in the future that take into account historical losses so that we dont find ourselves in this situation again.

But if they refuse, it is with a heavy heart that we will take action next month. We will prioritise patient safety and continue to provide emergency care, in-keeping with the level of services available on Christmas Day.

It comes just hours after the threat of more strikes by nurses ended because a ballot on further industrial action failed to meet the legal threshold.

The Royal College of Nursing said 84% of its members who voted backed more strikes.

But only 43% took part in the ballot, so it failed to reach the legal threshold of 50% required by the 2016 Trade Union Act.

We have written to the Health Secretary outlining our successful ballot result. We have made clear that the Government can avert strike action with a credible offer that addresses our decline in pay. Read more about how we plan to #FixConsultantPay: https://t.co/Rq4seoH752 pic.twitter.com/RgtAAtWuvP  BMA Consultants (@BMA_Consultants) June 27, 2023

Dr Sharma added: Consultants are the NHSs most experienced, highly-skilled clinicians, and are responsible not just for providing specialist care to patients, but also leading entire services and training the doctors of the future.

The Government can and must fix consultant pay now and for the future. Failure to do so will lead consultants to leave the NHS and the country, or towards retirement before their time.

The loss of this expertise would be devastating for services, patients and the future of the NHS.

News of the consultants ballot result emerged just hours after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted health chiefs in Downing Street to discuss the NHS workforce plan, due to be published later this week.

Representatives from NHS England, NHS Providers and the royal colleges, including the RCNs Pat Cullen, were among those who attended the meeting.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said it was a positive meeting but issues around pay were not covered during the talks.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We hugely value the work of NHS consultants and it is disappointing the BMA consultants have voted to take strike action. Consultants received a 4.5% pay uplift last financial year, increasing average earnings to around 128,000, and they will benefit from generous changes to pension taxation announced at budget.

Strikes are hugely disruptive for patients and put pressure on other NHS staff. Weve been engaging with the BMA consultants committee on their concerns already and stand ready to open talks again  we urge them to come to the negotiating table rather than proceeding with their proposed strike dates.

(PA Graphics)

We urge the BMA to carefully consider the likely impact of any action on patients.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: Trust leaders, staff and patients are dreading industrial action by consultants next month hard on the heels of a five-day strike by junior doctors.

A double whammy of consultants resorting to two days of Christmas Day cover  meaning they will provide emergency care but routine work will be paused  and a full walkout by junior doctors days earlier in the longest single strike ever seen in the NHS means disruption for many thousands of patients and yet more pressure on overstretched services. This is a huge risk for the NHS to manage.

July will be the eighth consecutive month of industrial action across the NHS. More than 651,000 routine operations and appointments have had to be postponed already since December due to industrial action across the NHS with knock-on delays for many thousands more.

We understand how strongly doctors feel  the high turnout in the consultants vote shows just how strongly  and why they are striking.

Trust leaders will continue to do everything they can to limit disruption and keep patients safe, but thats getting harder and more expensive with every strike.

These strikes dont have to go ahead. Theres still time for the Government and the doctors unions to settle their differences and find a way through.

The urgency cant be overstated. Trust leaders want the Government and unions to sit down, facilitated by a third party if necessary, to find a way to end strikes.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting called it an unmitigated disaster of the Governments making, adding that the risk to patients and the NHS is intolerable.

Rishi Sunak cannot continue to sit back like a passive observer and let this go ahead. He must now get the doctors in for immediate negotiations to bring these strikes to an end.

If Rishi Sunak has time to negotiate honours with Boris Johnson, he can negotiate with NHS doctors.
The remains of British actor Julian Sands have been found more than five months after he was first reported missing while hiking in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department confirmed to the PA news agency on Tuesday that human remains found in the area by civilian hikers were those of Sands.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the discovery.

 Friday January 13

Sands is first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

Neither the report nor the actors name are made public immediately, but it states his disappearance was in the Baldy Bowl area.

A search-and-rescue operation is launched and the last recorded ping is detected from Sands phone.

Sands was first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on January 13 (Ian West/PA)

 Saturday January 14

Search efforts are halted due to risk from avalanches and adverse weather on local trails results in ground crews being pulled off the mountain in the evening.

 Sunday January 15

Aerial searches, conducted by drones and helicopters, continue but nothing is found.

 Wednesday January 18

A car believed to belong to Sands is found and towed away from a location by his family.

 Thursday January 19

Weather conditions and avalanche risk continue to delay ground searches, although the sheriffs department says there is no hard deadline to call off the search.

Search Continues for Missing Hiker on Mt Baldy https://t.co/mGYAYhNnuS  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 19, 2023

 Friday January 20

Federal and state authorities join the search for Sands using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the location of the actor.

One week on from his disappearance, the sheriffs department says there is still no time set for when ground searches can continue.

 Monday January 23

The actors family releases a statement praising the heroic efforts of both local and out-of-county forces conducting the search efforts.

As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt. Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination & selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search. We will continue to utilize the resources available to us. The family would like to share this statement: pic.twitter.com/owO2o97f16  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 23, 2023

Sands family say they were deeply touched by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.

The sheriffs office also announces it is looking for a second missing hiker and that searches have allowed ground teams to conduct secondary sweeps of the area, but no evidence of the actor is found.

 Tuesday January 24

One Hiker Located and One Hiker Still Missing on Mt Baldy; Sheriff Dicus Focusing on Long Term Safe Guards https://t.co/pGK8QEKALj  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 25, 2023

The second hiker is found alive, but there is still no sign of Sands.

 Wednesday January 25

Searches continue by air only, with authorities using special technology that can detect electronic devices and credit cards.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says it was hopeful that the technology will be able to more accurately pinpoint an area on which to focus efforts.

electronics, & in some cases, credit cards. We are hopeful our @CHP_HQ partners, Officers Hertzell & Calcutt, can pinpoint an area where we can focus our search efforts, and we thank them for their assistance. Additional information will be released when it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/U1K0io9MN5  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 25, 2023

 Saturday January 28

Kevin Ryan, Sands hiking partner and close friend says he is remaining hopeful of the actors safe return, as searches pass the two-week mark.

Ryan tells PA it is obvious that something has gone wrong but that the actors advanced experience and skill may allow him to overcome difficulty.

 Friday February 3

The sheriffs department said conditions continued to be problematic after three weeks of searching, adding efforts have continued intermittently.

A spokesperson tells PA that efforts would normally be downgraded to a passive search after 10 days, but that plans have been extended due to the ongoing bad weather.

 Friday February 10

Four weeks on from the first reports of Sands disappearance, authorities admit the outcome of the search may not be what we would like.

The sheriffs department says it is still hopeful of finding the actor, but that conditions in the area remain dangerous, adding that ground searches are planned for the future.

 Monday February 13

Exactly one month since Sands has been reported missing, weather conditions still hamper efforts to find him.

 Friday March 3

Authorities temporarily close tourist resorts in the Mount Baldy area due to danger of avalanches.

Snow storms batter the southern Californian region causing search efforts by both ground and air to be halted yet again.

The majority of operations are suspended for the proceeding months with the sheriffs department unable to provide any further updates.

 Monday June 19

Although missing hiker, Julian Sands, was not located during the recent search mission, the case remains active. We want to thank all the individuals who assisted in the June 17th search and the previous search missions. pic.twitter.com/TQqSvA1wAR  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 21, 2023

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department reports that a further ground search in the Mount Baldy wilderness has not yielded any results.

The search, which took place on Saturday June 17, included more than 80 search-and-rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with efforts supported by two helicopters and drone crews.

Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, the department said.

Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow.

 Wednesday June 21

Sands family releases a second statement via the sheriffs department, saying they are continuing to keep the actor in our hearts with bright memories, as searches continue.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, the statement reads.

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.

Hikers Discover Human Remains in the Mt. Baldy Wilderness Area https://t.co/bFcFocH8EI  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 25, 2023

 Saturday June 24

Human remains are found in the Mount Baldy wilderness.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says civilian hikers had contacted authorities on Saturday morning after finding the remains in area.

The remains are transported to the Coroners Office for identification.

 Tuesday June 27

The sheriffs department announces the remains found are those are of Sands.
The Princess of Wales has officially opened an inspirational family-friendly residential centre designed to provide a safe environment for women and their children as they go through the courts.

The Hope Street Centre in Southampton, Hampshire, which has been developed by the One Small Thing Charity, provides an alternative to prison for women which allows them to remain with their children and to receive ongoing support.

Kate was given a tour of the facility, which is the first of its kind in the country, and had a chance to meet staff and supporters of the pilot project as well as chat with women who have had experience of the system.

The centre has been designed by and for women to create a welcoming home environment, designed with light-filled communal as well as private spaces along with a 24-hour hub, onsite creche and play areas for children.

A handwritten note left by the Princess of Wales during a visit to the Hope Street residential community in Southampton, Hampshire, to officially open their pioneering community which will pilot a new approach to supporting women in the justice system (Ben Mitchell/PA)

Speaking to users of the centre, Kate said: This is such an inspirational place.

Kate also placed a hand-written message of support on a tree in the centres courtyard which said: I see you and I am with you.

Good luck in all that lies ahead. Catherine.

The princess was escorted around Hope Street by prison philanthropist and founder and chairwoman of One Small Thing, Lady Edwina Grosvenor.

The Princess of Wales leaving after a visit to the Hope Street residential community (Daniel Leal/PA)

She said: There is a different way that we can deal with women and children in the justice system in this country.

I wanted to build something and prove that we could do it differently by actually building it.

One Small Thing is being independently monitored by the University of Southampton, the Prison Reform Trust and justice consultancy EP:IC for its development of the scheme which provides a community alternative for women who would otherwise be imprisoned unnecessarily because of a lack of safe accommodation or concerns about their wellbeing.

Kates visit comes as part her drive to raise awareness of the importance of early years for children which has seen her help launch the long-term campaign Shaping US with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
The threat of more strikes by nurses has ended after a ballot on further industrial action failed to meet the legal threshold.

The Royal College of Nursing said 84% of its members who voted backed more strikes.

But only 43% took part in the ballot, so it failed to reach the legal threshold of 50% required by the 2016 Trade Union Act.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen said in an email to members: To every one of you who took part, whether by voting or encouraging others to, thank you. We have so much to be proud of.

While the vast majority of members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action, we did not meet the 50% turnout threshold necessary for us to be able to take further strike action.

While this will be disappointing for many of you, the fight for the fair pay and safe staffing that our profession, our patients, and our NHS deserves, is far from over.

This week, the Government will say it has a plan for the NHS workforce. I am seeing the Prime Minister this afternoon to hear him out and to ask him the questions you wanted answering on his commitment to nurses and support workers.

I know staff morale is low and the staffing crisis is set to worsen without immediate action. I will be telling him this today.

We have started something special  the voice of nursing has never been stronger and were going to keep using it.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: Leaders will be grateful for the certainty that the result of the RCN ballot brings and will be pleased to have a full cohort of nursing staff available as we head into winter.

However, while the vote has resulted in no more strikes, we must not overlook the concerns and conditions nurses are working in.

With 112,000 vacancies in the NHS and large numbers of nurses continuing to leave the service, the Government must do all it in can to address workforce shortages by implementing a fully funded and long overdue workforce plan, so nurses and other health staff can feel supported in delivering essential care to their patients.

RCN members were among a minority of health staff who rejected the Governments pay deal of a 5% rise and a lump sum of at least 1,655.

Most health unions accepted the offer, although Unite is still in dispute.

Junior doctors in England are involved in a separate pay dispute and will strike for five days next month.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We hugely value the work of nurses and welcome the end to hugely disruptive industrial action so staff can continue caring for patients and cutting waiting lists.

More than one million eligible NHS staff are receiving their pay rise and one-off payments this month, with an experienced nurse receiving over 5,100 in extra pay across last year and this year.

We are committed to supporting nurses to continue to progress and develop, including as part of the upcoming NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.

We hope other unions who remain in dispute with the Government recognise it is time to stop industrial action and move forward together.

RCN general secretary Pat Cullen (PA)

The chief executive of NHS Providers, Sir Julian Hartley said: While the RCN didnt get enough yes votes from nurses to carry out another round of strike action, we must not ignore the strength of feeling within the profession and the factors that compelled them to walk out in the first place.

Trust leaders will of course be hugely relieved there will be no more strikes by nurses for the foreseeable future, but it is vital the Government and RCN now take this opportunity to reset their relationship and to resolve wider, ongoing issues affecting the NHS workforce, including understaffing and burnout.

Anything less risks compounding the damaging legacy of increasingly long and drawn-out industrial disputes between the Government and different groups of healthcare staff.

Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy at the Society of Radiographers, said: Voting for strike action is never an easy decision for health professionals, who every day show enormous commitment to caring for their patients by working long hours for pay that has been falling behind average wages for years.

Despite this result, RCN members  like radiography professionals  clearly believe that the Governments pay offer of 5% is inadequate. Low wages undermine efforts to create a stable NHS workforce with sufficient staffing levels to ensure that all patients receive the best treatment possible.

The Government should not take this lightly. It is the reason that the Society of Radiographers is currently running a strike ballot among 20,000 members in England. Were asking the Government to come to the table and discuss a plan to secure a safer future for the NHS.

It is still not too late for the Government to meet and engage seriously with us and listen to our concerns.

We urge the Government to talk seriously with all health professionals, in order to avoid the growing risk of more of the NHS workforce feeling the need to take action again  this time into the winter.
The boss of Thames Water has stepped down with immediate effect weeks after being forced to give up her bonus over the companys environmental performance.

The company said that Sarah Bentley would leave the board on Tuesday, but will continue to support her interim replacement until a new full-time boss can be found.

Ms Bentley, who was appointed in 2020, said in May that she would give up her bonus after the companys environmental and customer performance suffered.

But even after giving up the bonus, the chief executive managed to double her pay, raking in 1.5 million.

At the time Gary Carter, a national officer at the GMB union, said that Ms Bentleys plan to give up the bonus was nothing more than a flimsy PR stunt.

The logo of water company Thames Water seen through a glass of water.

Because she declined it, the company never said how large the 51-year-olds bonus would have been, but the year before her performance-related pay had reached 496,000.

Chief finance officer Alastair Cochran, who will now take over as interim co-chief executive, also gave up his bonus at the time.

He will now run Thames Water together with Cathryn Ross, the former Ofwat chief executive who joined the business in 2021.

On Tuesday chairman Ian Marchant said: I want to thank Sarah for everything she has done since joining the company in 2020, building a first class executive team and leading the first phase of the turnaround of the company.

On behalf of everyone at Thames, the board wishes her every success for the future.

Ms Bentley said: It has been an honour to take on such a significant challenge, and a privilege to serve Thames Waters dedicated and inspirational colleagues.

The foundations of the turnaround that we have laid position the company for future success to improve service for customers and environmental performance.

I wish everyone involved in the turnaround the very best.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron said: This has to be a watershed moment for the scandal-ridden company.

Thames Water is a complete mess and its time ministers stepped in to reform the firm from top to bottom.

The days of profit before the environment must end.
Water companies will be allowed to spend another 2.2 billion upgrading their networks after projects were approved by regulator Ofwat.

The businesses  mainly United Utilities  will invest in 33 infrastructure schemes, with work starting in the next two years.

It is around 600 million more than Ofwat initially said it would allow the companies to spend after it emerged that United Utilities projects would cost a lot more than it had previously agreed to.

 We've confirmed 33 infrastructure schemes, totalling 2.2 billion, can begin in the next two financial years to help improve water supply resilience, and river and bathing water quality across the UK. Watch or read to learn more about the schemes. https://t.co/eZUYaj0EFG pic.twitter.com/Avjdw5KOGL  Ofwat (@Ofwat) June 27, 2023

The water sector needs to act now to secure future needs of customers and the environment, said the watchdog.

The schemes we are confirming today will help tackle storm overflows, install more smart meters, provide additional water supply and improve river water quality.

In each case the company has demonstrated a clear need and benefits to customers and the environment.

The lions share of the money  around 1.7 billion  will go to trying to tackle incidents where drains overflow when it rains.

The companies hope their efforts can reduce the number of spills by around 10,000 every year.

The confirmation comes after we agreed with @DefraGovUK that companies could make an early start on schemes included in existing plans, where they could demonstrate a clear need and benefits to customers and the environment. pic.twitter.com/rCfWLAqXXM  Ofwat (@Ofwat) June 27, 2023

One of the investments will improve water quality at a swimming site on the River Wharfe at Ilkley, close to Bradford in West Yorkshire, and slash the number of spills into Lake Windermere.

Other projects include the installation of close to half a million smart meters, which can help companies manage usage better and detect leaks more quickly.

The approved schemes include a potential 1.5 billion for United Utilities, 128 million for South West Water, 99 million for Northumbrian Water, 94 million for Severn Trent, 81 million for Yorkshire Water, 80 million for Anglian Water, 70 million for South Staffs Water, 64 million for Portsmouth Water, 35 million for Southern Water, 21 million for Affinity Water, and 3 million for Bristol Water.
Population levels are estimated to have jumped by at least 2% in some of the most built-up areas of England and Wales in the year to June 2022, as people returned to towns and cities following the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, new figures suggest.

London boroughs saw the biggest increases, though many places that typically attract a large number of students  such as Manchester, Salford and Newcastle  were close behind.

A handful of locations are estimated to have seen a drop in population over the same period, many of them rural or coastal areas such as North Norfolk, Hastings in East Sussex and Scarborough in North Yorkshire.

The provisional figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and are based on a new method for calculating the population, meaning they cannot be compared with other measures such as the 2021 census.

The estimates, which are classed as experimental data, suggest the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets (up 4.8%), Westminster (3.5%) and Newham (3.0%) saw the largest increases in population between mid-2021 and mid-2022, followed by two more areas of the capital: Camden and Kensington & Chelsea (both up 2.8%).

(PA Graphics)

Outside London, the biggest jumps were mostly in local authorities with major universities, such as Exeter and Manchester (both up 2.6%), Middlesbrough and Salford (2.5%) and Newcastle and Coventry (2.4%), though South Derbyshire saw a rise of 2.8%.

In Wales, the largest increases were in Cardiff (1.9%), Newport (1.1%) and Swansea (1.1%).

Some 15 areas are estimated to have seen a fall in population in the year to June 2022, with South Staffordshire having the largest drop (down 0.9%), followed by Lincoln and Ipswich (both down 0.4%), North Norfolk and Boston (down 0.3%) and Hastings and Scarborough (down 0.2%).

The total population for England and Wales is estimated to have passed 60 million for the first time, rising from 59.6 million in mid-2021 to 60.2 million in mid-2022.

Jen Woolford, ONS director of population statistics, said: Todays estimates give a timely indicator of population change.

They show that the population of England and Wales has increased by 1.0% between 2021 and 2022.

The largest growth has been seen in some London authorities, which is in line with our expectations as people returned to cities following the pandemic.

The outbreak of Covid-19 in spring 2020 led many universities and colleges to switch from in-person tuition to online lectures and seminars, a pattern that continued in 2021 and which led students to do some or all of their studies back home.

Lockdown restrictions and rules on social mixing are also likely to have encouraged residents of towns and cities to relocate temporarily and stay with family and friends in less crowded areas.

A total of 21 local authorities in England and Wales are estimated to have seen their population increase by at least 2% in the year to June 2022, with a further 26 between 1.5% and 2%.

The City of London and Isles of Scilly have been excluded from the figures due to their very small population size.

Official estimates of the mid-2022 population will be published in September, along with updated estimates for previous years, the ONS said.

Provisional figures for mid-2023 will be published at the end of this year.
A personality disorder should not hinder rape suspect Nicholas Rossis extradition to the US, a psychiatrist has determined.

Dr Kunal Choudhary assessed Rossi via video link last month and said he found no evidence of acute mental illness when he spoke to the US fugitive.

It has been alleged that Rossi faked his own death in 2020 and fled from the US to the UK to evade prosecution.

He claims to be an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight but a court ruled last year that he is Nicholas Rossi.

Nicholas Rossi leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court after his extradition hearing (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The psychiatrist told an extradition hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court that Rossi did show symptoms of a personality disorder due to consistent disagreement with mental health professionals, but he could not make a formal diagnosis based on the one meeting they had.

Rossi, who is facing allegations of rape in the US, appeared at court more than four hours late due to transport issues from HMP Edinburgh.

He appeared in court wearing what appeared to be a black legal gown, but when quizzed about his appearance by Sheriff Norman McFadyen, his defence lawyer, Mungo Bovey KC, said Rossi was wearing a bekishe, a type of frock coat worn by Orthodox Jewish men.

Rossi has converted to Judaism while in prison.

Nicholas Rossis wife Miranda Knight leaves the court after the hearing (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Dr Choudhary said Rossi presented as pleasant and engaging throughout his assessment but could, at times, be tearful, particularly when talking about being away from his wife, Miranda.

The psychiatrist also said that Rossi could undergo treatment in the US and it was unlikely that staying in the UK for treatment would benefit him.

He also said that Rossi was unable to give him a full picture about his early life, education or work history.

There was also an attempt to close the court to the public and the media, with Mr Bovey saying that sensitive information regarding Rossis mental health was being discussed.

Sheriff McFadyen said: I am not satisfied it would be appropriate for me to accept such an order, and that it was not common at all to restrict media access to the court.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sheriff McFadyen ruled the hearing could not be discharged.

Rossis team made a submission that he was not brought before a sheriff in the appropriate time frame and claimed he did not receive an important National Crime Agency document alongside the Interpol red notice he was served.

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.

The hearing continues.
The Prince of Wales has met with community workers in Belfast on the second day of his tour of the UK with his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

William was cheered by well wishers as he arrived at Skainos, a community centre in east Belfast.

He was officially welcomed to the Northern Ireland capital by Lord Lieutanant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle as well as Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson.

The visit came as part of his UK tour to launch Homewards, a five-year locally led programme, delivered by The Royal Foundation.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

It is set to 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.

Northern Ireland is the fourth of six locations to be unveiled by William during a UK tour which continued on Tuesday.

In Belfast William met initial members of the coalition being built through Homewards, and heard from representatives from the East Belfast Mission about their work to tackle homelessness and about their new housing development 240.

The Prince of Wales meeting members of the of at the Refresh Cafe during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

He also met refugee Mehrshad Esfandiari from Iran who used the services, and now owns his own home.

The prince spoke with Grainia Long, Northern Ireland Housing Executive chief executive, who afterwards said the partnership has the potential to be transformational.

The discussion this morning with Prince William, members of The Royal Foundation and local partner organisations, confirmed that we share a real and a longstanding commitment to work together to improve the lives of those people who are struggling to find a place to call home, she said.

We share the same vision and are all equally optimistic that we can end homelessness here in Northern Ireland.

Ms Long said the launch comes at a time when Northern Ireland is facing unprecedented levels of demand in respect of housing and homelessness.

It was fantastic to attend the programme launch today alongside East Belfast Mission, Belfast and Lisburn Womens Aid, MACs Supporting Children and Young People, Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation, she said.

The Prince of Wales meeting members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

These are some of the organisations that are already delivering transformative support and assistance to many people.

We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them over the next five years, to achieve real and tangible impact around homelessness.

Despite the currently challenging environment, we are very optimistic that, through the Homewards programme, we will make real progress towards ending homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Following the official engagement, William took time to meet a number of well wishers who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.
Protesters in Brighton have shown support for the councils plan to launch legal action against the Home Office for reopening a hotel where more than 100 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children went missing.

More than 100 people gathered outside Brighton Town Hall on Tuesday to oppose the move, with campaigners hoping that Brighton and Hove City Councils bid could lead to action across the country to also stop it happening anywhere else.

Sussex Police have confirmed 139 young people went missing from Hove since July 2021 and 90 children have been found.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader councillor Bella Sankey said last week that the Home Office informed the council of plans to reopen the hotel despite 50 children still unaccounted for.

More than 100 people gathered at the demonstration (PA)

The former director of refugee charity Detention Action said: We believe this is reckless and unlawful, and we are pressing ahead with urgent legal action to try and stop this from happening.

Social worker and Homes Not Hotels campaigner Lauren Starkey shared some of the experiences working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Speaking at the protest, she told PA news agency: We have seen real concerns about children being in hotels that they said are really neglectful conditions.

Not having enough food, not understanding who is to care for them, being unable to access proper healthcare.

Ms Starkey also explained the Government messaging about sending asylum seekers to Rwanda and return deals with other countries makes them fearful of being sent back to countries they fled, and more likely to trust unknown adults approaching them and become vulnerable to traffickers.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Due to the rise in dangerous small boats crossings, the Government has had no alternative but to urgently use hotels to give unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving in the UK a roof over their heads.

The wellbeing of children and minors in our care is an absolute priority, and there is 24/7 security at every hotel used to accommodate them.

It is understood the borders and immigration watchdog found in October last year that young people in accommodation reported feeling safe, happy and treated with respect.

Campaign group Home Not Hotels is demanding the Home Office treats unaccompanied asylum-seeking children the same way as other children in need of protection, and provide funding needed for councils to carry out their duties.

Protester Riki Strickstrock holds a sign opposing the Home Office plans (PA)

The group is also demanding if the hotel is to reopen that Brighton and Hove City Council ensure no child is able to stay in the hotel for longer than 24 hours.

Among those attending the event, Alison Bell, 60, from group Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, said: We wouldnt put our children in those hotels  those children went missing, I cant believe its all happening again.

Homes Not Hotels member Hermione Berendt, who also volunteers for refugee charity Care4Calais, said: The evidence is there, leaving these children in limbo in hotels, without adequate support and protection, puts them at risk.

The Government needs to abandon this plan, but if they dont then Brighton and Hove Council needs to step up and start a legal challenge against it.

Across Sussex, a total of 227 children have been reported missing in Hove and Eastbourne since July 2021, and 141 have been found.

Sussex Police has a unit within its missing persons team to focus on finding missing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and is continuing to work with the Home Office.

In data on children found, first seen by the Brighton Argus newspaper, Sussex Police said 15 had been arrested for a variety of offences across the country including cannabis cultivation and theft.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: When people go missing, our primary role is to investigate the circumstances including assessing if they are vulnerable or could have been a victim of crime.

Once a person is located, where criminality is associated with either the initial disappearance or subsequent harbouring of those wishing to remain missing, Sussex Police will assess and take positive action as appropriate.
Human remains found in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California have been confirmed to be those of Julian Sands, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the PA news agency.

The British actor, 65, had been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mount Baldy area on January 13.

The actors remains were found in the same area on Saturday by civilian hikers, with a coroner later confirming them to be those of Sands.

He was best-known for his breakout role in the 1985 romantic period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter.

Sands later transitioned successfully to the horror genre, with appearances films including Gothic, Warlock and Arachnophobia.

The news was shared with PA by the Sheriffs department on Tuesday.

The identification process for the body located on Mt Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood, a statement shared with the PA news agency read.

The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to try to locate Mr Sands.

Last week, Sands family released a statement saying they were continuing to keep him in our hearts with bright memories.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, a family statement, issued on Wednesday by the sheriffs department, read.

We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.

Over the course of five months, search efforts had been continuously hampered by poor conditions in the area and halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.

Ground searches for actor Julian Sands by teams in the San Gabriel mountains (San Bernardino County Sheriffs/PA)

The sheriffs department previously said that a total of eight searches specific to Sands by both ground and air had taken place.

The most recent search had involved over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with their efforts supported by two helicopters, and drone crews.

The department added that volunteer searcher hours had exceeded 500 hours.

Sands had lived in Los Angeles since 2020.

He was known for his love of the outdoors and hiking in the surrounding areas, and was considered an experienced and competent mountaineer by his friends.

Sands hiking partner and fellow actor Kevin Ryan previously told the PA news agency that he was the most advanced hiker I know.

Its what he did. His whole life he was climbing mountains. It was a true passion of his, Ryan told PA.

From 1984 to 1987 the actor was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he shares a son.

He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.
Two Dyson companies are to challenge a High Court judges ruling in their libel claim against Channel 4 over a broadcast which alleged the exploitation of factory workers at the Court of Appeal.

Billionaire Sir James Dyson sued the broadcaster and Independent Television News (ITN) over a broadcast of Channel 4s news programme on February 10, 2022.

At a hearing last October, the High Court heard the programme reported on legal action brought against the vacuum cleaning giant by several workers at a Malaysian factory, which previously supplied products to Dyson.

The broadcast was estimated to have been seen by millions of viewers, and featured interviews with workers at ATA Industrial, who said they faced abuse and inhuman conditions while at the factory, which manufactured vacuum cleaners and air filters.

Sir James claimed the broadcast falsely said he and companies Dyson Technology and Dyson Limited were complicit in systematic abuse and exploitation of the workers.

However, Mr Justice Nicklin found that while Sir James was named and pictured in the programme, the entrepreneur was not defamed, and his claim was dismissed.

In a judgment on October 31 2022, he said: Only a reader that was hopelessly naive about the way in which global companies like Dyson operate could consider that a single person, its founder, had day-to-day management responsibility for what happened in a manufacturing plant that supplied its products.

Mr Justice Nicklin had also been asked to decide whether the two companies were referred to in the broadcast, adding it may be possible for Dyson to put forward a revised claim on behalf of the current corporate claimants, or for claims to be brought by other companies in the Dyson group.

The two companies are now due to appeal against the decision at the Court of Appeal in London.

The hearing before Lord Justice Dingemans, Lord Justice Birss and Lord Justice Warby is due to begin after 10.30am on Tuesday.
Sir Keir Starmer has said he has not offered anybody a peerage as he suggested a story about Labours plans to create new peers if he wins power had come out of nowhere.

Labour has committed to abolishing the House of Lords if Sir Keir leads the party to victory at the next general election, which is likely to be held in 2024.

Despite the pledge, a spokesman for Sir Keir last week suggested new peers could be appointed in the event of a Labour election win in order to provide more political balance in the upper house, giving the incoming administration a better chance of pushing its policy changes through.

Yet Sir Keir, speaking at the New Statesmans Politics Live Conference in central London on Tuesday, denied holding talks about swelling the second chamber.

The Opposition leader, asked whether former New Labour heavyweights such as Ed Balls or David Miliband could be given seats on the red benches, said: The first thing I have to do is shatter this myth, Im afraid.

I havent had a conversation with anyone about creating hundreds of peers. This story has come out of nowhere.

He said there was an imbalance in the Lords and that any future government would want to get its business through but he did not comment on how the current makeup might be changed.

Under the present numbers, Labour would need 90 more peers to surpass the Conservatives 263 members to become the largest party in the upper house.

The former director of public prosecutions also said that, while he was seeking the advice of former Labour prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, that did not mean he was necessarily going to make them peers.

It is perfectly true that there is now an imbalance in the House of Lords. We have many less members in there than the Government does and any incoming government wants to get its business through, Sir Keir continued.

People can see that imbalance but I havent personally discussed this with anyone, nor have I offered anybody a peerage or named anybody who might get a peerage.

I think it was an interview I did where I was asked, do you take advice from Tony Blair and Gordon Brown? And I said, Yes I do, I take advice from people who know what they are doing and win elections.

Labour has committed to abolishing the House of Lords (Ben Stansall/PA)

And that now has been translated into somehow Im going to put them into the House of Lords.

Im sorry to disappoint (but) there is absolutely nothing in the story at all. I havent had these conversations.

In December, Sir Keir unveiled plans led by Mr Brown to replace the Lords with a democratic assembly of nations and regions.

Thangam Debbonaire, the shadow Commons leader, suggested in an interview this week that a future Labour government could choose to put repairing the country ahead of the partys pledge to get rid of the Lords.

To be honest I would prefer we got on with the concrete business of trying to repair the country first  but Keir is committed to constitutional reform, its very much his thing, hes backed what Gordon has said, and that is what we will do, she told the i newspaper.

But whether that comes in the first year, the second year, I dont know at the moment.

The Bristol West MP indicated that Labour could undertake more limited reforms of the second chamber before scrapping all unelected peers.

Sir Keir Starmer said he was taking advice from the likes of Gordon Brown but had not offered him a peerage (Jane Barlow/PA)

There are currently 779 members in what is one of the worlds biggest upper chambers, even before former prime minister Boris Johnsons resignation honours choices take up their positions.

Lord Speaker Lord McFall has argued his chamber is too large and should be reduced but is pushing for reform rather than replacement.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir said he has warned his shadow cabinet against complacency in the face of healthy opinion poll leads, with some suggesting Labour has opened up as much as a 20-point gap over Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Tories.

Speaking at County Hall, he said that, while the party had changed under his leadership since the 2019 Tory landslide election result, there was more to do to ready his outfit for Downing Street.

He said: Weve got more to do, I accept that. Weve got to go up another level, and that is why I put the polls on one side.

For Labour to get from where it landed in 2019 to a victory in 2024 requires us to be exceptional.

This is what I say to the shadow cabinet all the time: You cannot coast, you cant stay level, youve got to be exceptional and step up again.
Talks on the UK participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are looking at crunchy financial details, Jeremy Hunt said.

The Chancellor said any agreement on UK involvement would depend upon the benefit to taxpayers.

Mr Hunt said the optimal outcome would be to find a way for participation in the programme to work for the UK.

Asked about the negotiations during a visit to Brussels, he said: I wouldnt describe them as stalled. I think that they are becoming more crunchy as we start to work out precisely what terms for participation in Horizon would be fair to UK taxpayers and work for the UK.

Jeremy Hunt and Mairead McGuinness were questioned about the Horizon scheme during a joint appearance in Brussels (Virginia Mayo/AP)

But I think both sides recognise that it is a successful and very important programme and the optimal outcome will be to find a way where participation can work for the UK.

Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europes leading research institutes and technology companies.

The Government was set for membership of the programme as part of the Brexit trade deal but that was scuppered by disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Those have now been resolved through the Windsor Framework and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to Rishi Sunak to join the scheme.

The Chancellor was in Brussels to sign a memorandum of understanding with financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness in the latest sign that damage in the relationship between the UK and EU was being repaired.

She said: I think both sides know that there are benefits to have a shared area around science and innovation.

I like the word crunchy  I think the objective is a shared one and certainly I would encourage more crunching so that we get a result.

A dispute over Gibraltars airport is the latest post-Brexit complication (Simon Galloway/PA)

Meanwhile, another complication in the UKs post-Brexit relationship with the EU has emerged in Gibraltar, where Spain is reportedly eyeing up control of the territorys airport.

The Times reported that talks on the long-term relationship between Gibraltar and its neighbour Spain had foundered over the issue.

The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate, Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, said.

In Westminster, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Were working side by side with the government of Gibraltar, were committed to concluding the UK-EU treaty as soon as possible.

That would not be possible before Spains elections on July 23, the spokesman said, but we remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar, and were not going to do anything that would compromise sovereignty.
A teenager who murdered another teenager with a 22-inch zombie knife in broad daylight has been jailed for at least 19 years.

Emadh Miah, 18, chased and lunged at Ghulam Sadiq, 18, with the very large and deadly knife, in Leytonstone, east London, metres away from the victims home, on August 6, 2022.

Miah, from Solihull, West Midlands, was found guilty of Mr Sadiqs murder during a trial at the Old Bailey in April this year.

At the sentencing at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, the court heard how Miah had carried out the planned attack by buying the weapon online using someone elses ID because he was underage, before travelling to London with his mother to visit his grandfather.

During this visit he rented a bike, and then hid his identity by wearing a mask, gloves and hood when he attacked Mr Sadiq, which was captured on CCTV.

Miah was on bail at the time for attacking a 16-year-old boy with a hammer on March 21, 2021.

Defending, James Wood KC said Miah was visiting his grandfather ahead of the sentencing for that offence, and that the long wait for the case proceedings was a stressing factor.

In a statement read out in court from Mr Sadiqs mother, Khalida Parveen, she recalled the day she saw her son lying in a pool of blood outside a pizza shop.

Mr Sadiq had just popped out to get some food for a barbecue the family were going to have that day in the garden.

There are no words that can describe my loss and pain, the statement said.

That wretched day is unforgettable.

Ms Parveen added: Im here today for justice, we have lost our world, please dont let him do the same to anyone else.

Im haunted by the recurring nightmare of the horror Ghulam suffered. I blame myself for not being able to protect my child from such a cold-blooded individual.

Ghulam Sadiq was stabbed near his home in Leytonstone, east London (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The mother-of-two said she and her younger son have kept Mr Sadiqs clothing, and items such as a handwritten yellow note saying dont worry, Ill clean my room when I get back.

The teenager was described as very popular, passionate and great fun, and always coming up with business ideas, his latest being a premium platform for cleaning trainers.

The court also heard that Miah has a number of mental health difficulties, including post traumatic stress disorder from violent incidents of bullying against him, and conduct dissocial disorder. He also has mild autism.

In a statement written by the defendant, read to the court, he said: Im sorry for what I have done, I didnt mean for it to happen. Im not good at writing so I will ask my mum to write out what I want to say, but for Ghulams family Im sorry for causing you so much pain.

Miahs family also wrote in a statement about their devastation at their sons actions.

Judge Christine Laing KC sentenced Miah to life in prison with a minimum term of 19 years, reduced to 18 years and 45 days due to 320 days already served in custody.

Concurrent sentences were also given for the hammer attack and possession of a hammer and bladed article.

Judge Laing KC said while she was sure the shocking offence was a planned attack, she could not be sure Miah intended to kill Mr Sadiq.

Although I have no doubt you intended to cause the maximum harm to Ghulam Sadiq, I will give you benefit of the doubt you didnt intend to kill him, she said.

While taking into account his autism and mental health issues, Judge Laing KC added: Im quite satisfied he knew what he was doing.

Previously, at the end of the trial, Judge Laing KC had spoken about the shocking availability of dangerous weapons online, urging jurors to write to their MPs.

At the sentencing, she highlighted the desperate need to stop young men and teenagers obtaining these weapons and using them against other teenagers.
A former Downing Street aide who is facing allegations of groping a TV producer in No 10 a decade ago said it is disheartening the claim has emerged during his bid to become the Tory mayoral candidate for London.

Daniel Korski said it was categorically untrue that he groped screenwriter Daisy Goodwin after she used articles in The Times and Daily Mail to identify the former special adviser.

In a statement posted on Twitter he said he was not aware of an official complaint being made against him.

The Conservative Party said it was not investigating the claim and Downing Street insisted No 10 was a safe environment for women.

Downing Street earlier refused to be drawn on the individual case or whether there would be a Cabinet Office investigation into Mr Korski who, at the time of the allegations, was a special adviser to then-prime minister David Cameron.

A screengrab from Daniel Korskis Mayor for London campaign (Korski4London/PA)

I understand that this news may have caused concern, and I want to assure you I categorically deny any wrong-doing, Mr Korski said in his statement.

Politics can be a rough and challenging business. Unfortunately, in the midst of this demanding environment, this baseless allegation from the past has resurfaced.

It is disheartening to find myself connected to this allegation after so many years, but I want to unequivocally state that I categorically deny any claim of inappropriate behaviour. I denied when it was alluded to seven years ago and I do so now.

To be clear  nothing was raised at the time, nothing was raised with me seven years ago when this was alluded to and even now, Im not aware that there was an official complaint.

A Tory spokesman said: The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

The party considers all complaints made under the Code of Conduct but does not conduct investigations where the Party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority.

It is understood no formal complaint has been made by Ms Goodwin to Conservative Party headquarters.

The TV producer, who was behind the hit show Victoria, wrote in the Times that at the end of a meeting the spad [special advisor] stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Daisy Goodwin first revealed the allegations about an unnamed man in 2017 (PA)

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened.

I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the 80s I knew how to deal with gropers.

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation.

I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10.

His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it.

It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

It is not the first time Ms Goodwin has spoken about the incident, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given the fact he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

Asked if Mr Sunak thought it was important that allegations of harassment should be investigated, the No 10 spokesman said: Without wanting to be drawn into specifics, I think in any walk of life, I think the Prime Minister would expect that to be the case.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Korski has clearly got to answer questions about his alleged behaviour.

I know very little of the detail here, other than Ive seen the awful allegations, Sir Keir told the New Statesmans Politics Live Conference in central London on Tuesday.

He has clearly got to answer those allegations, as far as Im concerned.

I think there will be a level of concern that yet again it is a sort of pattern of behaviour in politics.
A Tory mayoral candidate hopeful has been accused of groping a woman a decade ago.

Daniel Korski, a former No 10 adviser or spad who made the shortlist to be the Conservative Partys candidate for next years London mayoral race, denied groping TV producer and writer Daisy Goodwin at a meeting in Downing Street in the strongest possible terms.

Ms Goodwin, who used an article in the Times to name Mr Korski, wrote: When we both stood up at the end of the meeting and went to the door, the spad stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast. Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Daisy Goodwin first revealed the allegations about an unnamed man in 2017 (PA)

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened. I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the Eighties I knew how to deal with gropers.

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation. I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10. His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it. It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

A spokesperson for Mr Korski said: In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever.

I dont sound like a traditional conservative. I may not even look like a traditional conservative. I look like what I am, a digital native, an entrepreneur, an immigrant  a 21st century Londoner. A conservative who can win in London.#korski4London pic.twitter.com/hQR6tL73yZ  Daniel Korski (@DanielKorski) June 16, 2023

This is not the first time Ms Goodwin has spoken about the incident, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given the fact he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

Ms Goodwin, the creator of TV series Victoria, added: Naively I assumed that if everyone already knew then his egregious behaviour would not be tolerated any more.

But now the spad who groped me, aka Daniel Korski, is running to be the Tory candidate for mayor of London. This I think is a reason to name him.
A former Downing Street aide who is facing allegations of groping a TV producer in No 10 has pledged to stay in the race to become the Tory mayoral candidate for London.

It comes amid reports that at least one Conservative MP has withdrawn support for Daniel Korski, who has said he does not understand how Daisy Goodwin came away with that perception of the meeting between them a decade ago.

Mr Korski has said it is categorically untrue that he groped Ms Goodwin, after she used articles in The Times and Daily Mail to identify the former special adviser.

I didnt do whats been alleged. I absolutely didnt do that. Ten years ago, when it happened, nothing was said to me. Seven years ago, when this first came out, nobody alleged anything to me.

I just didnt do whats being alleged, he told TalkTV on Tuesday.

Ive had countless meetings in Number 10, have had thousands of meetings since then in my business career, I treat everybody with the utmost respect, I work hard to create an empowering and respectful environment, and I sit appropriately in chairs, and I try to treat everybody with respect in order to get the best out of a professional situation.

I dont know how she could have come away with that perception.

I certainly didnt leave the meeting feeling that I had done anything wrong, and subsequently even wrote to her, congratulating her on some of her professional success. But I dont really know why she felt the way she did.

Mr Korski has said that he was not aware of an official complaint being made against him, and in a statement posted to Twitter said it was disheartening that the accusation had re-emerged during his mayoral bid.

In the interview he acknowledged that the allegation had been raised as part of the process for choosing the Conservatives candidate to become London mayor.

Daisy Goodwin first made the allegation about an unnamed man in 2017 (PA)

During the process, I was asked about if there were any outstanding issues the party may be aware of. I said to the party, seven years ago there was a story. I was never named in the story. As far as I know, there was no investigation. But I did mention this to the party.

Asked by TalkTV if he had always been faithful to his wife, he said: Look, I mean, I have a fantastic marriage to my wife. And Im really, you know, excited that weve built a fantastic family together. I dont think it would be appropriate to talk about anything else.

I have a loving relationship with my wife. Weve been together for 22 years. We met originally in Bosnia after the war. And, you know, Im thrilled to to build a life and a family with her.

The Conservative Party said it was not investigating the claim and Downing Street said No 10 was a safe environment for women.

Downing Street earlier refused to be drawn on the individual case or whether there would be a Cabinet Office investigation into Mr Korski who, at the time of the allegation, was a special adviser to then-prime minister David Cameron.

A Tory spokesman said: The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

The party considers all complaints made under the code of conduct but does not conduct investigations where the party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority.

It is understood no formal complaint has been made by Ms Goodwin to Conservative Party headquarters.

A screengrab from Daniel Korskis Mayor for London campaign (Korski4London/PA)

According to Sky News, Harrow MP Robert Halfon has paused his support for Mr Korski in the wake of the allegation.

Ms Goodwin, who was behind the hit show Victoria, wrote in the Times that at the end of a meeting the spad [special adviser] stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened.

I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the 80s I knew how to deal with gropers.

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation.

I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10.

His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it.

It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

It is not the first time Ms Goodwin has spoken about the alleged incident, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

Asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thought it was important that allegations of harassment should be investigated, the No 10 spokesman said: Without wanting to be drawn into specifics, I think in any walk of life, I think the Prime Minister would expect that to be the case.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Korski has clearly got to answer questions about his alleged behaviour.

I know very little of the detail here, other than Ive seen the awful allegations, Sir Keir told the New Statesmans Politics Live Conference in central London on Tuesday.

He has clearly got to answer those allegations, as far as Im concerned.

I think there will be a level of concern that yet again it is a sort of pattern of behaviour in politics.
The Prince of Wales has joked he will be in trouble after hugging well-wishers during a walkabout in Belfast.

William made a flying visit to the Northern Ireland capital on Tuesday as part of his UK tour to launch his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

Despite the visit not being notified, crowds of cheering well-wishers gathered on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast to cheer the heir to the throne on a rainy morning.

After meetings in the Skainos community centre with activists around homelessness, the Prince crossed the road for an impromptu walkabout to greet the swelling crowds.

There were shouts of good morning sir and welcome to the east as well as the waving of union flags, with pensioners, babies and dogs among the crowds.

William laughed as someone asked if he had had a fry-up, before someone else suggested a battered Mars Bar, motioning to a nearby chippie. The owner, standing nearby told the Prince, anything you want, to which the Royal visitor admitted he had had a fry-up that morning.

The Prince of Wales met members of the public on the Newtownards Road (Liam McBurney/PA)

He posed for photographs, and laughed as one lady told him: Youre even more lovely in real life, so handsome.

There was more laughter  and an apology  when one well-wisher told him: We thought Charles was coming.

William joked: Ill get into big trouble after hugging Debbie Johnston, 57, before pressing on to shake the rest of the offered hands, adding: Have a nice day, guys, as he got into his vehicle to travel to the next stage of his tour in Scotland.

Ms Johnston revealed that locals had spotted police cones and cordons being set up on the Newtownards Road on Monday night, sparking intense speculation around who would be coming.

I knew something was happening, she told the PA news agency.

William is touring the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

Then someone said Prince William is coming, so off we went. I got a hug and a kiss from him, he was so friendly, I leaned over  I would have climbed over if I had to.

He said hes going to get into a bit of trouble for hugging, but I said itll be OK.

Sam Sloan, 59, said he got to shake Williams hand twice.

An absolutely smashing fella, a person of the people, he said, adding he doesnt want to wash his hand after getting that handshake.

Hes absolutely lovely, Princess Diana all over again.
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.
In the tit-for-tattling that is the Kentucky Governors race, the Beshear and Cameron campaigns have already turned each other into the FBI, and its not even July.

So if you want the short version on how its going, the answer is obviously: not great.

What we have here is the excruciating kind of humongous-dollar, incessant social media campaign in an off-year, which leaves every slimy, under a rock PAC and dark money group the time and cash to blanket the Kentucky race. And for what? So they can blanket every airwave and surface with ads that viewers will soon tune out. Did I mention its not even July?

The most excruciating part is that we really do need to pay attention to it all. The two tattletale tales bear plenty of scrutiny; my colleague Austin Horn has a good roundup of all the details. On the one hand, thanks to retired but tireless Tom Loftus, we found out about a Republican Mayor of London who is already in trouble for a gas giveaway during his campaign, which makes you think he might not be fully up on campaign finance laws, who then loads up his credit card with $200,000 in campaign donations to Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party. From his friends and family. The campaign returned the money, but we have to wonder what might have happened if Loftus hadnt been nosing around.

The Cameron campaign immediately called for an FBI investigation.

Then over at the Daniel Cameron campaign, it turns out that Cameron himself directly solicited campaign contributions from a recovery center company that his office was investigating. The $7,600 donated by Edgewater Recovery Centers executives was returned. Cameron also recused himself from the investigation.

The Beshear campaign immediately called for an FBI investigation.

Now, whether you think the FBI has better things to do or not, these are just small pieces of a corrupt system of campaign finance created by our own Mitch McConnell with the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision in 2010, you know, the one that said that corporations were people. That decision unleashed unlimited torrents of dollars into our campaign system, and meant that candidates (and electeds running for re-election) have to spend all their time begging for money. No wonder Cameron got confused about who he was calling.

Think about this: In 2020, Democrat Amy McGrath spent $90 million to lose the Kentucky Senate race to McConnell. He spent just $60 million. Thats $150 million on one Senate race in one of the poorest states in the country. What does it accomplish? I dunno, ask Kelly Craft, who hired a lot of slick Washington strategists, spent millions of her husbands money and came in third in Fayette County, where she lives.

Its a corrupt, rotten and completely bipartisan system that turns off voters and makes them even more cynical about our sad little republic. The worst part is we really cant look away. The best thing we could do is somehow overturn our entire campaign finance system. Thats not going to happen, so the least we can do is pay attention.
Eagle Pass, Texas  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his immigration plan near the U.S.-Mexico border Monday, a sweeping set of policies that aimed at restricting border crossings, increasing deportations and completing the construction of a border wall.

DeSantis' first presidential policy proposal includes declaring a national state of emergency and reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy for asylum seekers, which required certain migrants to wait for their asylum hearings in Mexico. It was imposed by President Donald Trump and ended by President Joe Biden.

The Florida governor said he'd also terminate the "catch-and-release" policy, to keep migrants at the southern border detained until their hearings, as well as the "Flores loophole," which requires children to be released from detention within 20 days.

"We have to establish the rule of law in this country," DeSantis said to applause at the town hall where he announced the proposal. "What you're seeing right now is an abuse of asylum It's a lot less appetizing to make a trip like that knowing you don't qualify in the first place and you're gonna have to wait on the other side of the border before you get a decision."

DeSantis would also target Mexican drug cartels, declaring them "Transnational Criminal Organizations" and targeting them with sanctions and penalties. He also said he'd "authorize appropriate rules of engagement at the border" against cartels and those smuggling drugs into the U.S.

This "of course" would include deadly force against cartels looking to smuggle drugs across the southern border, he later told reporters during a news conference.

"If you drop a couple of these cartel operatives trying to [smuggle drugs], you're not going to have to worry about that anymore," DeSantis said.

DeSantis and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley are the only ones to have held events on the southern border as 2024 presidential candidates. Under Haley's immigration plan, businesses would be required to implement E-verify in their hiring process, government "handouts" to migrants crossing the border would be ended and IRS agents fired. Haley says she would also hire 25,000 new border patrol agents and ICE workers to deal with the overflow of migrants.

But the issue of immigration and the border wall have long been tied to Trump.

DeSantis said he'd use "every dollar available to him" and "every dollar he can squeeze out of Congress" to build a wall along the roughly 600 open miles of the border. He said he also wants more funding for technology and military assistance for border patrol.

DeSantis also wants to end birthright citizenship, the policy that gives children of undocumented immigrants citizenship if they are born in the U.S. and says he would look at using the courts and Congress to push for this.

Asked why he thinks the border wall wasn't completed during Trump's tenure, DeSantis pointed to congressional allies like Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who was by his side at events Monday, and he repeated that he'd make building it a top priority.

"It requires discipline. It requires focus. It just requires an attention to what the ultimate objective is. And there's going to be things every day that can throw you off course if you let it. We're not going to do that," DeSantis said.

"You did have some wall built during [Trump's] tenure, but not nearly enough A lot of the things he's saying, I agree with, but I also think those are the same things that were said back in 2016," he added, claiming his plan is "more aggressive" in terms of empowering local officials to enforce immigration law and to target drug cartels.

DeSantis would also penalize organizations or cities that defy his federal immigration rules or aid illegal border crossings.

DeSantis says he'd stop the Justice Department from suing states that are enforcing stricter immigration laws, impose fiscal penalties on "sanctuary" jurisdictions, or places that have policies discouraging disclosure by individuals of their immigration status and end the counting of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Census for apportionment.

As Florida governor, DeSantis has repeatedly criticized Mr. Biden's immigration policies. In May, he signed an immigration bill that instituted stricter policies for businesses that hire undocumented immigrants, prohibited the use of out-of-state driver's licenses by undocumented migrants, and mandated the use of "E-Verify" for Florida employers.

In 2022, he sent 49 migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts as part of a migrant relocation program that received $12 million more in state funding in May. Florida also sent roughly 1,100 law enforcement officers to Texas' southern border in May.

On Monday, Trump said in a post that DeSantis' trip's "sole purpose 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."

"A total waste of time!" he posted.

Cristina Corujo and Emma Nicholson contributed to this report.

"CBS Evening News" headlines for Monday, June 26, 2023

How Democrats plan to win back the House in 2024

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on abortion restrictions set to take effect
WASHINGTON  Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be the special guest at a fundraiser for Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego as he campaigns for the Arizona Senate seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, according to an invitation obtained by NBC News.

Pelosi's presence at the fundraiser, which will be held virtually on Thursday evening, is notable; Pelosi, a California Democrat, has not formally endorsed Gallego and rarely involves herself in Democrat-on-Democrat matchups.

But Sinema left the Democratic Party and officially registered as an independent late last year, just days after Democrats reached a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. Sinema has not said whether she will run for re-election in 2024.

Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., at the Capitol on June 9, 2022. (Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via AP file)

Gallego, a four-term congressman and retired Marine, has been highly critical of Sinema and announced a bid for her seat in January. His office did not respond to a request for comment on the fundraiser with Pelosi.

Pelosi has not weighed in on many 2024 races so far. In an unusual move, she endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff in California's wide-open Democratic primary in February to succeed the retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

Pelosi's office did not return a request for comment on Thursday's fundraiser.

The Arizona Senate race is one of several that will determine which party controls the Senate in 2024. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which traditionally backs incumbents, have yet to make an endorsement in a race they see as essential to keeping control of the chamber.

If Sinema opts to run again, it could become a three-way race with Republicans likely to put up a candidate, worrying some Democrats that Sinema and Gallego will end up fracturing the party's base.

As both a House member and a senator, Sinema has repeatedly clashed with Democratic leadership. She voted twice against keeping Pelosi as the party's leader in the House in 2015 and 2016, though Gallego joined her in opposing Pelosi in 2016.

Sinema has repeatedly clashed with Democratic leadership in the Senate, as well, breaking with the party on key elements of its agenda, including opposing raising tax rates on corporations and individuals in the Build Back Better infrastructure plan, her opposition to weakening the Senates 60-vote rule to pass a federal voting rights law and her vote against raising the minimum wage.

Gallego has not held back on his criticism of Sinemas record while touting his progressive credentials over the years, accusing her in his campaign launch of breaking promises and fighting "for the interests of Big Pharma and Wall Street at our expense."

Still, Sinema has acted as a negotiator on recent bipartisan legislation, including the debt ceiling deal that passed both houses of Congress this month.
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This week, Chicago is experiencing the worst air quality of any other city in the world, according to IQAir.com. At its peak, the air quality index on June 27 was about 187 (a healthy air quality index is one below 50).

Similarly to the air quality alerts that went off in the Northeast and New York City earlier this month, smoke from Canadian wildfires traveled south and have caused Chicago's air to reach "very unhealthy," levels, per the Chicago Tribune.

Unfortunately, this probably won't be a one and done occurrence, say experts.

These wildfires are an effect of climate change, and air quality of this level will likely become a somewhat typical occurrence in the summers to come, says Anjum Hajat, an associate professor of epidemiology at University of Washington who specializes in environmental health. "This isn't going away," she tells WH. "We're going to potentially see this summer after summer after summer."

Meet the experts: Anjum Hajat, is an associate professor of epidemiology at University of Washington who specializes in environmental health. Lina Mu is an associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the University of Buffalo.

Below, experts answer your biggest questions about what to do when the air quality is badand show you how to protect yourself.

How can I figure out the air quality near me?

Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a great tool to understand how safe it is to spend time outside. It's a number that is used by government agencies to easily indicate how clean or polluted the air is, and what precautions to take.

For example, Chicago's air quality currently sits at 187, per IQAir.com, but varies depending on the neighborhood. A good air quality is around 30, and you probably shouldn't spend significant time outdoors with any air quality above 50, according to Mu. Numbers in the 50-100 AQI range is considered "moderate" air quality.

You can easily check your area's air quality at AirNow.gov. It will give you an exact AQI measurement and suggest precautions to take based on it. For example, New York City currently recommends for all sensitive groups (children, the elderly, and people with chronic respiratory conditions) to avoid the outdoors altogether.

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Should I stay inside during an air quality alert?

The current air quality in Chicago is considered unhealthy for all groups. But some are more at risk than others, specifically: children, the elderly, pregnant people, and anyone with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, heart, or lung disease. "They should be very cautious and stay indoors as much as possible," says Lina Mu, an associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the University of Buffalo.

However, everyone should avoid outdoor activities, particularly exercise, when air quality index levels go above 100, since it's considered harmful.

When will air quality go back to "normal"?



In Chicago, the air quality is expected to moderate levels (below 100) later this week, according to IQ Air. However, weather has a major impact on how long bad air quality will lastand it's often unpredictable.

AQI.gov

"It depends on how successful they are at fighting the fires in the first place," says Hajat. "It also depends on wind patterns, which are subject to change."

The best way to know when it's safe to return to outdoor activities is to track your area's air quality index. Most local governments also issue advisories.

Do I need to run an air purifier?

The most important thing to do when you're dealing with poor air quality is to keep your windows and doors closed. However, both Mu and Hajat recommend investing in a HEPA air purifier or filter to ensure your indoor space's air is as clean as possible.

Shop Now Air Filter MERV 13 Optimal Defense (6-Pack) $55.02 amazon.com

But air purifiers can be expensive, so Hajat also has a more cost-effective solution for keeping your home safe: "You can buy an air filter and attach it to the back of a box fan," she says.

Hajat recommends investing in a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 air filter, but any filter will suffice. "That's a low cost solution and [studies] have found that it's pretty effective at cleaning the air."

If you live in a larger space, it's also best to keep your air purifier in whatever room you're spending the most time in.

Does running an air conditioner help?

Mu also recommends keeping your air conditioning running, to keep air flow circulating. "As long as you have the air conditioner on, it will provide some protection, and if you add an air purifier that will also be very helpful," she says.

However, you should not run your AC if you use a window unit. Those air conditioners draw air directly from outside, which could pull bad air into your homeespecially if it is not paired with an air purifier. People with chronic health conditions should be especially cautious of using a window unit, per Good Housekeeping.

Should I wear a mask outside when the air quality is bad?

The best thing you can do for your health when the air quality is poor is to avoid going outside entirely, but sometimes that's unavoidable.

"If you do have to go outside, I would suggest making a plan for your trip, and try to make it as short as possible to reduce your time outdoors," says Mu.

Hajat and Mu also recommend wearing a KN95 or N95 mask. "At some of these [high] levels, you're definitely going to get some exposure [if you go outside at all], but an N95 [or KN95] does provide some protection," Hajat says.

Shop Now BNX N95 Mask Black $16.99 amazon.com

Mu stresses that a KN95 or N95 is the preferred mask to wear, rather than a simple surgical mask (although any coverage is better than nothing). "Those masks provide the most protection because with wildfires, there are gas pollutants and particlesa major concern to people's health are those particles," she says. "An N95 [or KN95] has the most efficiency to [trap] those particles and keep them from entering the respiratory system."

Mu also says that pollutants can enter your body through your eyes, so it's not a bad idea to wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear when going outside. "Any type of glasses will protect your eyes from pollutants," she says.

How do I stay healthy during an air quality alert?

If you are in a particularly vulnerable groupmonitor your symptoms and consult your doctor with any concerns. "Air pollution triggers oxidative stress levels," Mu says.

Depending on how healthy your respiratory system, this can impact your body in different ways. "If you are a person who already has a health condition, certainly keep in touch with your health care provider and communicate your symptoms. If symptoms are showing, [you] should certainly seek further help," Mu says.

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When Africa needs medicines, all too often the continent must look abroad.

African nations consume about 25% of vaccines produced globally, but import nearly 99% of their supply, according to the African Union Development Agency. For packaged medicines, only 36% of demand is produced locally, and just 3% is supplied by regional trade, according to the World Economic Forum.

Of the roughly 600 manufacturers of packaged medicines operating on the continent, South Africas Aspen Pharmacare is one of the largest, with more than 9,000 employees in over 50 countries. CEO Stephen Saad discussed the future of the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, and what lessons Aspen Pharmacare has learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, with CNNs Eleni Giokos.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

During the pandemic, weve seen a spotlight on the inequalities that exist on the continent in the pharmaceutical sector. Aspen has had a very strong commercial presence across Africa and now youre moving up the value chain. Certainly Covid has catalyzed a lot of work that youre doing. Tell me what youre up to.

Saad: You mentioned inequalities. [Covid] really sparked the worlds attention to say, Hey, this doesnt seem right. We were very proud to be able to deliver vaccines to the continent in the quantities that we did, but the reality of Covid was that Africa didnt get vaccinated. But what weve learned  whether it was Aids or multi-drug-resistant TB  is that we have to be strong regionally. We have really doubled down and instead of saying, Look weve lost the Covid vaccine volumes and so were closing up, weve actually put [in] even more capacity. Were committed to one person one vaccine in Africa and were working very hard towards that process.

If I had to ask you to describe what the pharmaceutical sector looks like right now in Africa, what would your answer be?

The answer is simple. When Covid came and Africa needed vaccines, over 90% of the vaccines were supplied by India  and that wasnt great. At the end of the day, you cant ask politicians from other countries to supply someone else before them. I dont think anybody wants Africans to suffer, but the reality is when the borders close, whether it was Europe or India, they looked after their own population first. If it hadnt been for Aspen, there would have been no vaccines made in Africa for the continent.

Theres a lot of money going into it now, theres a lot of investment, there are many initiatives  many of them government-driven. We, off our own bat, have decided that we want to be a source not just of vaccines but biologicals  we would really like to be assisting in oncology, diabetes. Weve got a lot that we would like to do across the continent to make sure we get access, because there are so many diseases that are just so under-serviced.

The World Trade Organization has done a lot on the policy front for Africa. The Continental Free Trade Area will hopefully make it a lot easier for cross-border trade in the pharmaceutical space. What challenges do you face?

There are numerous challenges. We have facilities in Accra [Ghana], Dar-es-Salaam [Tanzania], Nairobi [Kenya]  It is not always easy to get registrations approved. You decide not to put medicine in Kenya, for example, because of the cost of registration and the time taken. Whereas if it was already registered, wed be exporting manufacturing into one of those territories.

Its not so much a tariff issue or a trade issue, this is really a regulatory issue, where your medicine is required to be registered in a specific country in a specific way. For example, you can register a product across Europe [via] a central regulatory body. I think that is something that Africa should also consider.

Even though you say youre doing good, you still have to make money. How do you balance out all of these factors?

There is this [misconception] that for you to supply cost-affordably means that its not very profitable. So much is about economies of scale. I remember when we did ARVs [antiretrovirals, used to treat HIV] and we were desperately trying to cut the price by nearly 90%. We got some fantastic pricing from everyone, but we still made a loss. The decision we made was, lets go for it. At worst we would have a pretty expensive social investment project, but we backed ourselves that with increased volumes we would be able to reduce pricing. Thats what happened  the volumes came in, the prices, the technologies, and it became affordable. So sometimes you just have to go in and do it. I cant tell you it was an exact science, but I do believe theres a balance to be had.

I do think the world acknowledges that there are people that can pay and there are people that cant pay. To deny people that cant pay simply because they dont have money is not a model thats sustainable.

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An Australian cyber regulator on Thursday said it has demanded Twitter explain its handling of online hate as the microblog has become the countrys most complained-about platform since new owner Elon Musk lifted bans on a reported 62,000 accounts.

The demand builds on a campaign by the eSafety Commissioner to make the website more accountable after Musk, one of the worlds richest people, bought it for $44 billion in October with a promise to restore its commitment to free speech.

The regulator has already called on Twitter to detail its handling of online child abuse material which it said has picked up on the website since Musks takeover and subsequent job losses, including content moderation roles.

Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she has sent a legal notice to Twitter demanding an explanation after one-third of all complaints she received about online hate concerned Twitter, even though the platform has far fewer users than TikTok or Metas Facebook and Instagram.

Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate, Inman Grant said in a statement, which noted that the platform had reportedly reinstated 62,000 banned accounts since Musks takeover, including high-profile accounts of individuals who espouse Nazi rhetoric.

We need accountability from these platforms and action to protect their users, and you cannot have accountability without transparency and thats what legal notices like this one are designed to achieve, she said.

Twitter must respond to the eSafety Commissioner within 28 days or face a fine of nearly A$700,000 ($473,480) per day. It declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The demand comes as Australia approaches a referendum this year on whether to recognize Indigenous people in the constitution, prompting an increasingly intense debate about race.

Prominent indigenous television host Stan Grant had cited targeted abuse on Twitter when he announced a break from the media last month, the commissioner noted.

Specialist broadcaster National Indigenous Television also said it was taking a break from Twitter due to the racism and hate that we experience every day on this platform, it said in a tweet last month.

Inman Grant said her letter called for Twitter to explain its impact assessments when reinstating banned accounts, how it engaged with communities who were subject to online hate, and how it was enforcing its own policies which ban hateful conduct.

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China has signed letters of intent to cooperate with many European corporate giants, as it attempts to mend relations damaged by Beijings perceived support for Moscow throughout the war in Ukraine.

The agreements were signed this week between Chinas top economic planner and European manufacturing conglomerates, including Airbus (EADSF), BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen (VLKAF), Siemens (SIEGY), and BASF, according to statements from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

During a signing ceremony in Paris on Thursday, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and the NDRCs head Zheng Shanjie pledged to accelerate the construction of Airbus new assembly line in the Chinese coastal city of Tianjin, the NDRC said. The Chinese planner said it supports domestic airlines cooperating with Airbus according to their needs.

The NDRC will also work with other relevant European companies to deepen cooperation in areas including electric vehicles, energy saving and emission reduction, low-carbon product production, and new chemical materials, it said.

The agreements are part of Beijings charm offensive as the countrys Premier Li Qiang visited Europe this week for the first time since he took office earlier this year.

During his visit, Li lobbied European business and government leaders on the importance of economic cooperation. He also witnessed the signing of agreements between the NDRC and European companies separately in Berlin and Paris, according to the Chinese planner.

Beijing is seeking to repair its ties with Europe, which have been damaged by Chinas aggressive wolf warrior diplomacy in recent years and its continued close partnership with Russia despite the invasion of Ukraine. Relations are also strained from recent moves by European Union regulators and governments to limit Chinas access to sensitive technology.

Earlier this year, Europe joined the United States in its chip war with China, as the Netherlands announced new restrictions on overseas sales of semiconductor technology. The Netherlands is home to ASML Holding, a key supplier to the global semiconductor industry.

In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Europe to reassess its diplomatic and economic relations with China. She said the relations had become more distant and more difficult in the last few years as China ramped up its policies of disinformation and economic and trade coercion.

Some European countries have been walking a tightrope on managing their economic dependence on China.

On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated during Lis visit that Germany needs to reduce risks in dealing with China, but not decouple with the country.

Germany is committed to actively broadening our economic relations with Asia and beyond, Scholz said at a joint press conference with Li, according to French news agency AFP. We do not want to close ourselves off to any one partner, but to establish and expand balanced partnerships throughout Asia and beyond.

Earlier this week, Italy imposed several curbs on tyre-making giant Pirellis biggest shareholder, Chinas Sinochem, in a move aimed at blocking the Chinese governments access to sensitive chip technology.

CNNs Hanna Ziady contributed to reporting.

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The Covid-19 pandemic exposed glaring weaknesses in Americas medical supply chains, causing a frantic scramble for masks, respirators and other gear needed to fight the virus.

In the years since, Americans have faced periodic shortages of antibiotics, common pain relievers, baby formula and key components needed for CT scans.

Now, a bipartisan effort in Congress is attempting to boost medical supply chain resilience and ease the countrys reliance on less friendly nations like China for critical medical supplies  before the next disaster strikes.

Democratic Sen. Tom Carper and Republican Sen. Thom Tillis plan to introduce new legislation on Thursday that would empower the White House to negotiate trade deals on medical goods and services, CNN has learned.

The bipartisan legislation would give President Joe Biden new targeted authority to enter into trade agreements and reduce tariffs and nontariff barriers like quotas for medical goods with Americas trusted trade partners, according to a draft of the bill.

Cutting red tape on medical goods imports

The legislation, called the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act, does not explicitly exclude China but says trusted countries are ones that have a demonstrated commitment to global health security, the rule of law and transparency.

The bill aims to improve supply chain resilience by giving the White House the ability to diversify and expand supply networks while simultaneously eliminating unneeded trade barriers.

The pandemic wreaked havoc on our communities and caused our medical supply chains to break down during the worst possible time, Carper, who chairs the Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness, said in a statement to CNN. We must prevent these same horrible losses from happening again by working together to fix our broken supply chains and better prepare for future public health emergencies.

Now is the time

The 2020 shortages of masks, hospital gowns, gloves, goggles and other personal protective equipment (PPE) were only the most blatant example of a decades-long weakness in medical supply chains that have become reliant on foreign countries for key supplies. During times of stress, those supply lines are vulnerable to breakdown.

Countries that have under-invested in the resilience of their supply chains, like the United States and many other world countries, struggled to obtain the necessary medical products to combat COVID-19, a situation which placed all patients at risk, even those with unrelated conditions, according to a 2022 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM).

The legislation co-sponsored by Tillis and Carper would authorize the president to negotiate, enter into and enforce a trusted trade agreement related to medical goods when such a deal would contribute to the national security and public health of the United States.

That power would include the ability to adjust existing duties to get trade deals done. The bill calls for robust congressional oversight and consultation.

Now is the time to address the long-standing shortcomings in our supply chains that were highlighted over the pandemic, repair the damage done, and ensure America is adequately prepared for future national security and public health threats, Tillis said in a statement to CNN.

Reliance on China

The legislation cites World Trade Organization data that finds more than half of Americas imports of Covid-19 critical goods came from just three partners: China (30.6%), Mexico (15.3%) and Malaysia (9%).

This situation has contributed to rising drug shortages in the United States. A Senate report published earlier this year found that almost 80% of the manufacturing facilities that produce active pharmaceutical ingredients are located outside the United States.

The healthcare industry relies on China and other countries for other key supplies, too.

Last year, a GE Healthcare factory in Shanghai was shut down amid that citys two-month zero-Covid lockdown. That shutdown caused a shortage of a key component for crucial imaging tests such as CT scans, leading US hospitals to ration supplies and causing a backlog of patients.

Earlier this month, the White House hailed the end of the supply chain nightmare that had sent consumer prices surging and left some store shelves empty.

The administration released a scorecard that indicated dozens of recommendations from a 2021 supply chain review have been implemented, including some related to strained medical supply chains.

For instance, the Department of Health and Human Services has invested more than $500 million toward developing innovative domestic manufacturing for active pharmaceutical ingredients.

That is a step towards the 2021 reviews recommendation for officials to invest in the development of new pharmaceutical manufacturing and processes.

Onshoring is difficult and expensive

Likewise, the White House said the United States Trade Representatives Supply Chain Trade Task Force is working with like-minded partners to facilitate trade in safe and effective medicine, minimize drug shortages and secure smoother movements of essential products.

The pandemic has helped set the stage for a US manufacturing boom as some companies move to onshore key supply chains.

However, the 2022 NASEM report warned that while onshoring manufacturing may appear to be a simple fix to supply chain disruptions, onshoring every step of a long, complex supply chain is likely to be difficult and expensive.

Instead, the report called for international cooperation and an agreement by major exporters of medical products to avoid export bans or face sanctions and to refrain from relying too much on a single location or a single producer for key products and components.

Insufficiently resilient medical product supply chains pose risks not only to public health but also to national security, the NASEM report said.

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Malaysia said Friday it would take legal action against Facebook parent company Meta for failing to remove undesirable posts, the strongest measure the country has taken to date over such content.

Last years closely fought national election has led to a rise in ethnic tensions, and since coming to power in November, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims administration has vowed to curb what it calls provocative posts that touch on race and religion.

Facebook (FB) has recently been plagued by a significant volume of undesirable content relating to race, royalty, religion, defamation, impersonation, online gambling and scam advertisements, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said in a statement.

It also said Meta had failed to take sufficient action despite the bodys repeated requests and that legal action was necessary to promote accountability for cybersecurity and protect consumers.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The commission also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what legal action might be taken.

Race and religion are thorny issues in Malaysia, which has a majority of Muslim ethnic Malays alongside significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities.

Commentary on the countrys revered royals is also a sensitive issue, and negative remarks toward them can be tried under sedition laws.

The action against Facebook comes just weeks ahead of regional elections in six states that are expected to pit Anwars multi-ethnic coalition against a conservative Malay Muslim alliance.

Facebook is Malaysias biggest social media platform, with an estimated 60% of its population of 33 million having a registered account.

Globally, big social media firms that include Meta, Googles (GOOGL) YouTube, and TikTok are often under regulatory scrutiny over content posted on their platforms.

Some Southeast Asian governments have frequently requested that content be taken down.

In 2020, Vietnam threatened to shut down Facebook in the country if it did not bow to government pressure to censor more local political content on its platform. The authorities said last year that social media platforms operating in Vietnam removed more than 3,200 posts and videos in the first quarter that contained false information and violated the countrys law.

In Indonesia in 2019, Facebook took down hundreds of local accounts, pages and groups linked to a fake news syndicate.

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Satisfying your sweet tooth is about to get more expensive

If you have a sweet tooth, take note: Cocoa prices have been soaring  and that could drive chocolate prices higher.

Higher prices can be helpful for struggling cocoa farmers. But those prices, along with high prices of other key chocolate ingredients, might not be great news for sweets shoppers watching their budgets.

So far this year, cocoa futures have risen about 21%. As is often the case, higher prices are being driven by demand exceeding supply.

This season, cocoa yields are underwhelming, likely due to crop disease and heavy rains. And next season, forecasters are expecting another deficit because of El Nino, a naturally occurring phenomenon in the tropical Pacific Ocean, which usually brings warmer global temperatures  poor conditions for growing cocoa.

Meanwhile, demand has stayed strong, particularly in Europe and Asia, noted Paul Joules, a commodity analyst for Rabobank who focuses on cocoa and dairy markets.

Supply falls short

Initially, forecasters anticipated good supply this year, said Joules. But some months back, they realized that supply wasnt keeping pace with expectations.

Compared to the 2021/22 cocoa year, the 2022/23 cocoa season is heading towards a supply deficit due to a reduction in production, according to the International Cocoa Organizations monthly report for April.

Crop disease may be responsible for the disappointing results.

What we saw was, potentially, more cases of swollen shoot disease, Joules explained. Cocoa swollen shoot virus is spread by insects and is characterized by swollen stems, among other symptoms. It has hampered production in cocoa-supplying countries for years. To fight the deadly disease, farmers often have to root sick trees out and plant replacements. It can take years for those new trees to reach peak production, Joules noted.

A cocoa pod ready for harvest hangs from a tree on a cocoa plantation in Agboville, Ivory Coast, on February 23, 2023. - Christophe Gateau/dpa/picture alliance/Getty Images

Other factors may have contributed to the lower yield, he said, like aging trees that dont produce as much cocoa.

Heavy rains in Ivory Coast, the worlds top cocoa supplier, might also delay crops harvested in the spring and fall, the Cocoa Organization said, adding that rain and humidity make it more likely that crop disease could negatively affect the harvest.

And on top of this years complications, El Nino is threatening next seasons crop.

El Nino worsens conditions

Ivory Coast could see its main cocoa harvest suffer as El Nino climate conditions are expected to gain strength, warned a recent post from Gro Intelligence, which analyzes agricultural data.

Bad weather in the area has major implications for the global cocoa market. Ivory Coast is responsible for close to half of the worlds cocoa beans, with Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria together contributing about quarter of the worlds supply, according to Gro Intelligence.

Because of that, there is an outsize impact of the regions weather patterns on world cocoa prices and supplies, according to Gro Intelligences post.

The increase in prices could offer some relief to struggling farmers.

The Amsterdam-based Tonys Chocolonely, a chocolate company that aims to reduce exploitation in the cocoa supply chain, is pleased to see prices go up.

Tony's Chocolonely welcomes higher cocoa prices. - Petra Figueroa/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

We are very happy that cocoa prices are rising, said Pascal Baltussen, chief of impact and operations at Tonys. Cocoa prices have been way too low for West African cocoa farmers to earn a living income.

Cocoa futures are used to determine the prices paid to farmers for cocoa in Ivory Coast and Ghana. With higher prices in the futures market, there is good hope that price back to the farmer will be impacted positively, said Alex Assanvo, executive secretary of the Cote dIvoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative, a partnership between Cote dIvoire, or Ivory Coast, and Ghana that aims to establish a sustainable cocoa market and more security for farmers.

Higher futures prices are good, but they wont last long, he noted. Price goes up, [but] it will go down very soon, probably, he said, based on historical trends. To help create a more stable environment for farmers, the group has worked to develop a Living Income Differential, which is charged on top of market prices to help offset volatility.

What it means for you

Like other confectioners, Tonys has been hit with rising commodity prices not just in cocoa, but in other ingredients as well, such as sugar. Taken together, the increases have prompted the company to raise prices.

Earlier this year, Tonys increased its US prices for retailers by about 8%, the first hike since it launched in the US market in 2015, according to the company. Baltussen did not share the companys future pricing plans.

Other chocolate companies have raised prices, as well. And the rising cocoa costs mean more price hikes could be coming.

Cocoa contracts are long, so the higher prices likely havent cycled through to buyers just yet. But eventually chocolate makers are likely to pay more for cocoa.

During an April analyst call, Hershey CFO Steven Voskuil said that cocoa and sugar in particular are moving in the wrong direction, without commenting specifically on pricing. We do expect to see potentially more impact in 24 than 23, from price increases in those ingredients, he said.

Hershey declined to comment for this story on future pricing actions. But Joules suspects that consumers may well see the effect of the higher costs.

I dont think the consumer has seen the full extent of the impact yet, he said. Once new contracts are put in place, thats when well see the full extent of the price rise for consumers.

Any increase would come on top of already high chocolate prices in retail.

In the year through April 29, compared to the same period the year before, chocolate prices went up 14.5% on average, according to data from NIQ, which tracks US retail sales.

 CNNs Laura Paddison and Rachel Ramirez contributed to this report.

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Heavy showers blanketed northern India over the weekend, offering some much needed respite from a blistering heatwave that ravaged the region. But with mercury levels expected to remain high in other areas, the soaring heat has highlighted how millions in the worlds most populous nation are among the most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis.

The weekend downpour in Uttar Pradesh was a welcome change for the northern state of 220 million after temperatures in some areas soared to 47 degrees Celsius (116 Fahrenheit) last week, sickening hundreds with heat-related illnesses.

On Sunday, temperatures dropped acutely in Lucknow to around 32 degrees Celsius (87 Fahrenheit), as the capital, along with other cities, experienced the first rain during this years monsoon season. Video broadcast on local television showed people getting soaked in the rain and commuters navigating waterlogged roads.

Commuters out in the light rain on the Sector 21 road, on June 25, 2023 in Noida, India. - Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times/Shutterstock

The rain in Uttar Pradesh is likely to continue this week, bringing cooler temperatures to the region. But in the neighboring state of Bihar, unrelenting heat has extended into its second week, forcing schools to shutter until Wednesday.

At least 44 people have died from heat-related illness across the state in recent weeks, a senior health official told CNN, but the number could be much higher as authorities struggle to accurately assess how many people have died from heatstroke.

Temperatures are expected to slightly cool over the coming days, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), however experts say the climate crisis is only going to cause more frequent and longer heatwaves in the future, testing Indias ability to adapt.

Commuters pass through a heavily waterlogged stretch of road on June 25, 2023. - Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times/Shutterstock

India has a history of dealing with heat There are going to be millions affected, said Dr. Chandni Singh, Senior Researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, adding the number of deaths that will be result from staggering heat depends on how prepared health systems are to deal with it.

If health systems arent functioning, when you dont have adequate emergency services, it will lead to (more deaths), she said. But what we know for certain is we are going to be approaching limits to survivability by mid-century.

India is not the only country in the region to experience such sweltering heat in recent weeks.

Temperatures in northeast China are expected to remain high in the coming days, with mercury levels rising above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in certain cities, according to its meteorological observatory.

In Pakistans capital Islamabad, temperatures soared to 39 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) last week before weekend rain brought some relief to the region.

And studies warn the impact of extreme heat could be devastating.

Prolonged heat

India often experiences heatwaves during the summer months of May and June, but in recent years, they have arrived earlier and become more prolonged.

Last April, India experienced a heatwave which saw temperatures in capital New Delhi go beyond 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for seven consecutive days. In some states, the heat closed schools, damaged crops and put pressure on energy supplies, as officials warned residents to remain indoors and keep hydrated.

India is among the countries expected to be worst affected by the climate crisis, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), potentially affecting 1.4 billion people nationwide.

And experts say the the cascading effects of this will be devastating.

A study published in April by the University of Cambridge said heatwaves in India are putting unprecedented burdens on Indias agriculture, economy and public health systems, stalling efforts to reach its development goals.

Long-term projections indicate that Indian heatwaves could cross the survivability limit for a healthy human resting in the shade by 2050, the study said. They will impact the labor productivity, economic growth, and quality of life of around 310 - 480 million people. Estimates show a 15% decrease in outdoor working capacity during daylight hours due to extreme heat by 2050.

Singh said India has already taken steps to mitigate the impacts of high temperatures, including altering working hours for some outdoor workers and increasing heat education.

But the effects of extreme heat will impact our environment, energy consumption and eco-systems, she warned.

Typically in a heatwave, you also see related water scarcity and droughts. You see the failure of the electricity grid. These risks start stressing the entire system, she said. Crop productivity will get affected. There will be huge impacts on other animals. When we come up with heat reduction plans, these are all things that are important to remember.

Extremes of weather

Indias heatwave in the north came as heavy rain battered the countrys northeast, with pre-monsoon rain in Assam state triggering landslides and heavy flooding.

Nearly half a million people have been affected after heavy showers battered the region, turning roads into rivers and submerging entire villages. The rain in Assam came one week after after tropical cyclone Biparjoy hit Indias west coast, ripping trees and toppling electricity poles.

Elsewhere in the region, Pakistan also saw heavy rain in capital Islamabad over the weekend, bringing some relief from the high temperatures the week prior.

The rain may cause urban flooding in key cities, the countrys weather forecasting center said, advising farmers to manage their crops and encouraging travelers to remain cautious.

A woman cools herself on a misting fan as she waits for a table outside a popular local restaurant during a heatwave on June 23, 2023 in Beijing, China. - Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China is expected to see soaring temperatures across several cities, including capital Beijing.

Last week, Beijings temperature soared above 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 degrees Fahrenheit), setting a new record for the capitals hottest day in June.

According to the countrys meteorological observatory, Beijing, Tianjin, Heibei, Shandong will continue to be baked by high temperatures.

CNNs Tara Subramaniam contributed reporting

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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 (Tammy Ljungblad/tljungblad@kcstar.com)

A 26-year-old Kansas City man was charged Monday in the weekend mass shooting that left three people dead and six others injured in Kansas City, according to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office.

Keivon M. Greene is charged with first-degree-assault and armed criminal action. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a news release Monday that more charges are expected this week as the investigation progresses.

Greene is one of two suspects in the shooting, according to court documents.

The shooting claimed the lives of three victims, including 28-year-old Jasity J. Strong, 29-year-old Camden M. Brown and 22-year-old Nikko A. Manning, at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday at an auto shop that witnesses describe as a club that holds after-hours parties near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue. Six other people, including Greene, were wounded in the shooting.

Loved ones had previously identified the victims killed in the shooting to The Star on Sunday, although police did not confirm those names until Monday. Strong was a mother of two out celebrating her birthday that night, according to family. Brown and his girlfriend ran from the gunfire after it erupted, his father said. Manning had just turned 22 before he was killed, said his mother.

Greene remained in police custody in a hospital Monday afternoon, according to the prosecutors office.

A different man was taken into custody Sunday evening at a home in the 5300 block of Truman Road in Grandview.

Two alleged shooters

Charging documents filed Monday against Greene begin to paint a picture of what happened in the moments before shots rang out.

One of the victims who survived the shooting told police during an interview at the hospital that she arrived at what she described as a club in the 5600 block of Prospect Avenue at about 3 a.m. Sunday, court records show. As she walked in the entrance, she saw a man standing with his girlfriend; she hugged both of them.

At that point, her boyfriend walked up to the man at the entrance and told him to watch his hands, according to charging documents.

The man at the door then moved away from the couple that had just approached. As the couple turned to walk away, the man at the entrance pulled out a gun and shot the second man in the back, the girlfriend told police.

After the initial shot was fired, another suspect, identified in court records as Green, pulled out a gun and shot the girlfriend of the man who was shot in the back. This was the same person later interviewed by police. She told police she then ran into the club to take cover and heard the sound of continued gunfire outside of the location, court records show.

When she came back outside, the victim, who had been shot in the buttocks, saw two people lying dead on the ground.

Later, from her hospital bed, she told police that she recognized the two suspects from school.

Police then interviewed Greene, who told authorities he transported himself to the hospital after realizing he had a gunshot wound to the hand.

Greene told police, according to charging documents, that he was walking out of the club when he noticed a man wearing underwear causing a disturbance. A short time later, he began hearing gunshots coming from everywhere.

Another victim, also interviewed by detectives at the hospital, told police that he was sitting in the passenger seat of a silver BMW down the street from the club when he started hearing gunshots coming from everywhere. A bullet struck the windshield, and shards of glass pierced the victims eyes.

Auto shop and club

Police confirmed Monday that the shooting happened at the business on the northwest corner of East 57th Street and Prospect Avenue.

That business, Perfect Touch Auto Detail, at 5646 Prospect Avenue, was established on May 19, 2014, according to documents from the Missouri Secretary of State.

The purpose of the business, according to the establishing documents, was auto detailing and sales of used tires and salvage.

The gathering was outside an auto/mechanic shop business that is known to host informal after hours gatherings, , Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman with the Kansas City Police Department, said Monday.

The shooting appeared to have happened in the parking lot on the shops property and in the street in front of the business.

There is not a licensed club/bar/restaurant at that location, Becchina said.

Nathaniel Gadson, who is listed as the owner and manager of the auto shop, could not immediately be reached for comment. An employee outside the shop Monday said he did not know anything about the shooting.

A local business owner, who asked not to be named, said a number of weekend gatherings had occurred in recent weeks in or around the auto shop, including a sizable event with bikini-clad women. The owner said the business should be vacated.

The Stars Katie Moore and Andrea Klick contributed to this report.
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Its totally normal for friendships to ebb and flow, especially as you navigate junior high, high school, and college. But if you have a friend who consistently brings more pain and confusion than happiness and support, it might be time to end the friendship. No one needs a Regina George in their life.

Its not always easy to recognize a fake friend. Theyre intentionally deceptive or act under a guise of kindness or helpfulness for their own ulterior motives, Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, a Santa Barbara, California-based licensed psychologist, explains. People can get close to us for lots of different reasons and with different motivations, she continues. Not everyone who befriends us is actually a friend, meaning that they dont always have our best interests at heart.



A friendship break-up is complicated and often uncomfortable. Peer pressure and social anxiety can make it difficult to question the authenticity of a friendship, especially if its perceived as popular or desirable by others, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, neuropsychologist and Director of Comprehend the Mind in New York City, explains. But over time, you might notice that theyre repeatedly hurtful, unkind, distant, or manipulative, to a point where hanging out with them is more exhausting than it is enjoyable. Take this as a signal to get some distance and walk away. To help your protect your mental and emotional health, here, Dr. Peck and Dr. Hafeez break down the signs of a fake friend.

1. They never want to hang out

Your friend should WANT to hang out with you. If getting them to spend time with you feels like pulling teeth, chances are, they dont appreciate your company as much as you appreciate theirs.

In some cases, they may genuinely have a busy schedule and cannot make it, Dr. Hafeez explains. However, if it happens repeatedly, it may be a sign that they are not interested in spending time with you, or there are underlying problems in the friendship that need to be addressed, such as miscommunication or a lack of compatibility.

If someones really your friend, theyll find time for you. At the very least, theyd be open and honest about why they cant hang out, and wont constantly wait until the last minute to cancel.

2. They only want to hang when its convenient for them

There are some friends who dont mind hanging out... as long as youll come to them every time. Or, they need a companion for a group movie date or someone to run errands with. Friendship might be a way to alleviate loneliness and so they might only reach out when they are feeling lonely and dont have plans, versus including you in something fun that is already happening, Dr. Peck explains.

When you ask them to come over after school, or invite them to your familys barbecue this weekend, they decline. One possible reason could be that they simply dont prioritize spending time with you, Dr. Hafeez says. They may have other commitments or interests that take precedence over their friendship with you.

If youre feeling like a plan B, Dr. Hafeez continues, try to sit down and have a conversation with them. If they value your friendship, theyll listen and, hopefully, explain their distant behavior.

3. They always take but never give

If you notice that your friend is constantly turning down invitations to hang and then only reaches out when they happen to need a ride or want to use your new curling iron, then theres a chance that they could be using you.

Look for whether there is reciprocity or a sense of fairness in time, support, and concrete things, Dr. Peck suggests. No relationship is equal all the time and its best not to keep a running ledger of every thing you have given and what youve gotten in return  relationships are so much more than transactions  but do listen to how you feel in the friendship.

Similarly, if you find that youre constantly listening to your friend, offering advice, and consoling them, but never get the same effort in return, it could be a sign your friend doesnt have your best interests at heart. If you feel dismissed, taken advantage of, uncared for, and dumped on emotionally, its important to listen to that, Dr. Peck adds.

4. They constantly dish your secrets in front of other people

Its OK if your friend accidentally slips up and reveals a secret to your mutual pals, but if your friend is constantly divulging things you told them in confidence, theyre probably not the most trustworthy friend. Theyre not being considerate of your feelings and the constant violation of your trust is a red flag.

5. They talk badly about everyone to you

If your main line of conversation with a friend usually consists of them gossiping and talking smack about other people, chances are they gossip and talk smack about you to other people, too. Think: Gossip Girl, the inside source into the scandalous lives of Manhattans elite, or the Plastics Burn Book.

6. They judge you

Its one thing for your friend to be honest and offer constructive criticism (like when they tells you its probably not a good idea to get close to that person youre crushing on who has an S.O.). But you shouldnt be nervous to talk to your friend about certain things because theyre judging you and making you feel bad about your choices.

If this is a pattern, try to talk to your friend about it. When someone is judging us, they might make dismissive or demeaning comments or put us down. They might make fun of us. They might nonverbally show us that they don't agree with what we are saying, Dr. Peck explains. Ask your friend why theyre responding in this way, she suggests. This could open up a healthy conversation and help you better understand each other, but if not, it could be a sign to get some distance.

7. They're constantly demeaning you in front of your other friends

If theyre constantly insulting you ( Oh, why did you wear that?) or cutting you off ( OK, shhhhh) in front of other people, its rude and inconsiderate. You dont need that negativity in your life. Friends should lift you up and make you feel better, not put you down and make you feel small.

Hurt people hurt people. There are lots of reasons why someone might intentionally (or unintentionally) hurt someone else, Dr. Peck explains. Listen to its impact on you. Betraying your trust, demeaning you, and putting you down are not healthy behaviors and cause harm.

8. Theyre embarrassed of you

A friend excluding you from group chats or dismissing you when you start talking about the things you love might make you feel like theyre embarrassed of you. This is disrespectful and hurtful, and a sign you should cut them off. True friends will love you for you and will never be ashamed for people to know youre their bestie.

9. Theyre never happy for you

Your besties should be your biggest fans. So if you feel like your friend never has anything nice to say when you achieve something, or worse, they try to one up you instead of congratulating you, theres a chance they see you as competition, not a friend.

Sure, sometimes you and your friend will both strive for the highest grade in AP Bio or audition for the same part in the play, and things might get a little competitive and awkward between you, but your friendship shouldnt feel like a constant competition.

10. They make fun of you all the time

Friends can lightly tease each other, but if you feel like your friend takes things way too far, way too often, youre probably not overthinking things. Tell them how they make you feel, and if they brush off your concerns, its a possible sign that theyre not considerate of your feelings. Remember that healthy and respectful relationships should be balanced and based on genuine care and mutual respect, not just convenience or personal gain, Dr. Hafeez explains.

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Theres one overarching concept when it comes to antique and vintage jewelry: They're basically timeless. You can wear a piece from the 1920s all the way up through the 1980s, and it still continues to look unique and head-turning. While nearly all antique and vintage jewelry has staying power, there are some trends that win out from year to year. We asked two vintage jewelry experts to share their top trends and predictions for the upcoming year, which will no doubt send you off on a hunt to find these pieces. Here, the biggest antique and vintage jewelry trends for 2024.

Bold Gold

The golden jewelry of the disco and big-hair eras is coming in hot, and oh-so boldly. Head of Fine and Important Jewels at Sothebys New York, Anna Ruzhnikov, says that the 1970s and '80s are ruling this year and will continue to do so. Some examples include oversized gold sautoirs, gold statement bracelets, and choker necklaces, all of which are having a moment on the red carpet and in the auction room, particularly those that are signed by the well-known houses such as Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier.

Shop Now Bold Gold 3337.26 1stdibs.com

Egyptian Details

It was in style 5,000 years ago, and it continues to be in style today. Robin Williams, jewelry consultant and vice president of H Tim Williams Jewelers, says that ancient Egyptian baubles will be in vogue next year. Borrowing inspiration from the mythology, history, and rich culture of ancient Egypt, Williams says that these antique and vintage pieces often feature distinctive hieroglyphics or an Eye of Horus motif for added visual interest.

Gold, lapis-lazuli, or other precious stones can add luxuriousness and give these designs their royal feel, she adds.

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Classic Pearls

Have pearls ever been out of style? The answer is no. Coco Chanel and Queen Elizabeth II were clearly onto something as they sported pearls nearly every day, and in 2024, they will continue to be beloved by vintage jewelry devotees.

Pearls are also on-trend, especially when paired with something edgy, says Ruzhnikov. Layer your grandmothers pearls with a couple other necklaces to give your look a fresh take.

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1980s and '90s Pieces

Thats rightthe 1980s and now the 1990s are considered vintage time periods (but wasnt that just yesterday?). Williams says that jewelry from these eras have had a recent resurgenceand will continue to do so in 2024. Particularly applying to fine jewelry, Williams says that the pieces of 30 or 40 years ago tend to be much better quality than the majority of jewelry today.

Metals and stones cost less, which led to more expensive gold and platinum jewelry with large diamonds, she notes.

Shop Now 1980s and '90s Pieces $23249.63 etsy.com

Renaissance Revival

The Renaissance period, which in and of itself was a reawakening, will have a jewelry renaissance in 2024. Williams calls the genre Renaissance Revival, which draws its inspiration from Renaissance art and architecture. With a focus on luxe ornamentation that exudes a royal feel, Williams recommends seeking out jewelry adorned with plenty of gold and gemstones.

Keep an eye out for intricate scrollwork designs or cameos, as these will likely feature prominently, she says.

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Eye-Catching Brooches

Brooches have been in and out of favor over the ages, and theyre back once again. Youll see vintage brooches in 2024, which is good news if youre adding to your collection but keeping a budget in mind.

Ruzhnikov says, Brooches are often more affordable than bracelets and earrings, and they are so versatilewear them in your hair, on a sash or scarf, or at the top of a button-down blouse.

Shop Now Eye-Catching Brooches $2000.00 etsy.com

Layered Pieces

Williams says that stacking bracelets featuring colored gemstones or diamonds with gold will continue to be a popular trend, and its becoming increasingly fashionable to layer necklace chains in varied lengths.

Shop Now Layered Pieces $3653.51 etsy.com

French Art Brut

The Brutalist architectural movement eventually found its way to jewelry in the 1950s through the 1970s. Specifically, Williams says that French Art Brut, or Raw Art, draws upon this design approach through jewelry by embracing imperfections and a slightly edgy look. Williams says that these pieces were often made by hand and can include rough-cut stones or irregular metalwork that gives each piece its own personality and distinguishable appearance.

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Energy Stones

Energy stones, or stones believed to carry mental and physical health benefits, have become popular in recent years, and in 2024, the trend will make its way to vintage jewelry.

Vintage and antique jewelry is becoming more sought-after for its healing properties, Williams says. She recommends looking for pieces that contain amethysts, rose quartz, or citrine that are thought to contain healing energies.

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Sarah Kim

A thing of beauty is a joy forever, John Keats once wrote. Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness. The poets immortal words should be emblazoned on the family crest of Stephane Breitwieser: aesthete, depraved genius, and according to author Michael Finkel, perhaps the most successful and prolific art thief who has ever lived.

From 1994 to 2001, Breitwieser romped through Europe on a breathtaking crime spree: roughly three weekends out of every four, he nicked priceless works of art from museums, galleries, and auction houses, amassing a collection that ultimately totaled more than 300 works of stolen art valued at upwards of $2 billion. But Breitwiesers heists looked nothing like Oceans Eleven or To Catch a Thief. Unmasked, undisguised, and armed only with a Swiss Army Knife, Breitwieser waltzed into these sanctuaries with no target, no master plan, no meticulous map of the nearest exitsrather, he stole impulsively, making off with whatever entranced him.

His secret weapon was his girlfriend Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus, who acted as his lookout and sometimes smuggled artworks in her handbag. Unlike the gentleman burglars of Oceans Eleven, Breitwieser had no intention of fencing his ill-gotten goods for profit: instead, he stored his dragons hoard in his attic bedroom at his mothers home in eastern France, where he and Kleinklaus admired their treasure trove while lying in bed. A sometimes-waiter living off the paltry salary Kleinklaus earned as a nurses aide, Breitwieser was notoriously cheap for a man harboring dozens of Old Masters; once, while fleeing a museum heist with two 16th-century altarpiece panels tucked under his jacket, he argued with a police officer slapping a parking ticket on his getaway car. He drove off with the stolen panels in plain sightand successfully convinced the officer to nix the ticket, too.

Finkel recounts all this and more in his exhilarating new book, The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession. Constructed from hours of intensive interviews, The Art Thief traces Breitwiesers upper class childhood, his familys fall from grace, and the obsession with high art thats underpinned his entire life. Finkel places us squarely in Breitwiesers shoes: standing in front of a Brueghel, or a Cranach, or a Rubens, thinking about how it ought to be liberated from this prison for art (as Breitwieser describes museums), we feel a frisson of dangerous possibility. Finkels narrative thrills and electrifies, until it all barrels toward inevitable capture, two shocking betrayals, and an astonishing conclusion. We wont divulge the twists and turns for readers unfamiliar with Breitwiesers story, but know this much: parts of Breitwiesers collection went up in (literal) flames, while others ended up shredded with scissors, stuffed down the garbage disposal, or afloat in the Rhone-Rhine Canal. To this day, over 80 priceless treasures remain unaccounted for.

Finkel spoke with Esquire by Zoom to take us inside the eleven-year process of reporting this storyand inside the bumpy but fun, fascinating, and all-consuming relationship he formed with Breitwieser. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

ESQUIRE: Where did this book begin for you, and how did it take shape over time?

MICHAEL FINKEL: I had read a few things in the French media about this ridiculously prolific art thief, Stephane Breitwieser. I called a few French journalists, who said the magic competitive journalist words: This guy isnt speaking to any journalists, and certainly not to an American. I ended up writing him a handwritten letter. From my first letter to Breitwieser to actually owning a book that I can tap on the table, its been more than eleven years. After many handwritten letters and a very tentative lunch meeting, he eventually agreed to 40 hours of interviews, and we also went on some road trips. It was fascinating to visit art museums with the world's most prolific art thief. A bumpy but fun, fascinating, and all-consuming relationship ensued between the two of us.

What was it like to visit a museum with Breitwieser?

Working on this book changed the way I experience museums and commune with a work of art. Breitwieser is often low energy; then, when he walks into a museum, its like hes had a triple shot of espresso. This is someone whos very parsimonious with his words, then suddenly hes babbling like your favorite crazy art professor. I would watch his face as he stood in front of an artwork. If he didn't like something, it was a flat face. If he liked something, it was as if hed been electrocuted, and hed often look around the room to see if he could commune alone with it. In front of a Rubens, he once said to me, Paintings are not two-dimensionaltheyre three-dimensional. They're like microscopic sculptures. Then he took my hand and rubbed it lightly against the corner of the painting.

Ill admit itfeeling the ridges of the paint that Peter Paul Rubens had applied there in the 17th century, I got goosebumps. I was doing something illegal, but I was also really in the moment. Then he would talk about the workabout the painting, the color, the frame, how it was attached to the wall, how best to remove it from the wall, how to remove the frame, where to hide the painting on your body, which exit to take, where you should drive your getaway car, and where the painting should hang in your home. Hes not your everyday tour guide. I try to capture some of that exuberance and craziness in the book.

You spent a lot of time with Breitwieser in an effort to understand him. You write, He hopes to satisfy some hole inside him. Though no matter how much he steals, the emptiness never feels filled. What do you think that hole is?

At the risk of being a pseudo-psychologist, this is something that does happen with collectors. Whether you think Breitwieser is a kleptomaniac or a common thief, he really does have an aesthetic sense, and he considers himself a collector. Research about the pathology of obsessed collectors suggests theres this sense that you're never finished. Theres never a moment where an obsessed collector thinks, Ive got the last painting. Now I have the complete set, so Im going to stop. I 'm hesitant to compare it to drug addiction, but collecting shares that quality where the pursuit of something almost gives you more adrenaline than the possession of it. I think Breitwieser always thought, This next piece will be the one that finally makes me feel like I 'm like a whole person. Then two days later, he would find his head turning in another direction. In speaking with him, I felt that very fullythis sense that he was trying to fill a bucket with a huge hole in the bottom.

Its heartbreaking and infuriating to read. There are so many times when he comes so close to getting on the straight and narrow, but inevitably, he just cant help himself.

In nonfiction, you get very close to the subject, and sometimes it's hard to lower the boom. The way that everything in his life falls apartI found it to be heartbreakingly sad. But on the other hand, he deserved to be punished and he dug his own grave. What I like in a good story is when an author doesnt tell you how to feel about someone. I like when they put it on the table for you to decide. I don't like to hold back in my storiesIm going to show the whole truth, warts and all. I love when people read my books and tell me, I hated that guy, I loved that guy, and everything in between. When there's a multitude of reactions, I feel like maybe I put this person down on paper correctly. Even after eleven years, Im not sure exactly how I myself feel about him. Theres sometimes respect, sometimes disgust, and sometimes everything else in between.

You write, Very few individuals or gangs have pulled off a dozen or more heists. Breitwieser pulled off hundreds. What were the keys to his success, in your view?

Theres no doubt in my mind that this man is a born master thief. He has amazing amounts of chutzpah, but he also has a spontaneity gene like nobody I've ever seen. But even more complexly, he fell in love with Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus. They truly loved each other, even though it was the most unhealthy relationship I've encountered. The relationship empowered hima good lookout helps immensely. I compare her to a magician's assistant, because half the time it's the assistant that's really doing the trick while the magician is up there waving his cape.

Most thieves spend so much time planning a caper, but Breitwiesers ability to decide how to steal something in the heat of the moment is both insane and brilliant. When I first started writing this book, I thought, People are going to want skylight entries and shootouts and smoke bombs, but that's not what this is about. This is a true story, and I love the little thingslike when a thief gets caught stealing at a major art show, security is tackling the thief, and Breitwieser thinks, This is the perfect time to steal. Give me ten years to plan a heist and I wouldn't have come up with that, but he did it spontaneously. I dont approve of any of it, but I have to nod my head at the sheer risks he took. I can't believe how long he got away with it.

Anyone reading this book would walk away and think, Museums should tighten their security. But as you point out, it's not that simpletheres a complicated equilibrium between making art accessible enough to enjoy, but secure enough to be safe. Where should museums go from here?

This touches on a complicated question that I never really thought about before writing the book: Whats the role of a museum? Public museums are one of the great things about modern society. We can see artworks that only billionaires could own, and we can actually commune with them. The goal of a museum, of course, is to make the art feel as close as possible. Even putting a piece of glass on a painting is considered bad formit's rarely done. Theres a pact between the public and the museum that's unstated: the public wont get too close to these priceless objects, but theyre literally within our reach. If you wanted to punch a hole in a Van Gogh, you could do it, yet nobody does. Breitwieser is a cancer on that public good. I hope that in the future, there wont be big pieces of glass in front of all the paintings that I love to see. But without changing the true nature of museums, there's not much more we can do to keep these artworks safe. The fact of the matter is that by the very nature of a museum's mission, they're going to be vulnerable.

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Breitwieser says of museums, The story of art is a story of stealing. I have to admitI think theres some truth to that statement, particularly when we look at the long history of empires looting treasures from other cultures. The British Museum has an entire webpage devoted to what they call contested objectsor stolen property by another name. Do you think theres any truth to Breitwiesers view?

I do. Theres something profoundly damaging about stealing another culture's heritage. When the European explorers first reached the Inca Empire and tried not just to conquer their people, but to take their treasures, it was like saying, I want to take the things that are attached to your soul. If your house was burning, youd take your photo album and your kids drawingsthose are worth nothing, but theyre worth everything. You can replace your car before you can replace a work of art. Art is unique and individual, and its been stolen forever.

What if we tried to return everything to where it belonged? In the book I mention the crazy case of the Horses of Saint Mark, which were made in ancient Greece. Then they went to Rome, then to Constantinople, then to Turkey, then to Venice, then to Paris. When the British captured them after the fall of Napoleon, they decided to return them to where they belongedwhich they decided was Venice. How do you unwind all that history? Breitwiesers contention that the art world is hive of immorality isn't 100% wrong. But that doesn't mean that we should just throw up our hands. Thats the Lance Armstrong excuse a bunch of other people are doping, so I 'm just going to dope away. There goes the downfall of society. Breitwieser isnt wrong, but as with many bits of logic, it can be twisted to fit an agenda.

DEA PICTURE LIBRARY - Getty Images

What's your view of the women in Breitwiesers life? What's their degree of complicity in this story?

As it says right in the opening pages of the book, I did not have the chance to personally interview Anne-Catherine Kleinklaus, nor Breitwiesers mother, Mireille Stengel. I completely understand why Anne-Catherine did not want to speak to me; she really painted herself into a strange corner in her trial. On some level of the crazy triangle between mother, son, and girlfriend, I almost find the mother and the girlfriend to be the most compelling characters. But in the realm of nonfiction, I can only work with what I have. I wish I knew more, but there's no way to know more. Sometimes in life, a little of a story is better than none. But how much more story is there? Im riveted by them both and think theyre arguably more dimensional than Breitwieser.

Will we ever know what happened to those 80 pieces of art that remain missing? Stengel may be the only person who knows, and that's torture.

I've gotten a little obsessed with that question. In fact, I've been heading to France on a treasure hunt to see if I can find any of those pieces. I was hoping to say that I had found one by now. My plan is to find some of these missing pieces and of course return them to museums. Maybe between the finding and the returning, if it's a great silver chalice, Ill have a good glass of wine.

This is how it starts. Thats how you become the next Breitwieser.

I 'm returning it, I promise. You can see how the fate of these missing pieces has bedeviled me. Where did they go, and why can't they be returned?

I 'm surprised there's been no giant scavenger hunt in France. Youd think that the French would be combing the countryside in search of their treasures.

People don't even know where to start digging on private property, and police officers themselves have given up. Their take is, We caught our guy and well let these mysteries lie. But there are some beautiful pieces that I would like to see again. Where the heck are they? What a weird ending.

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Where is Breitwieser now? Whats his daily life like?

I went to his latest trial in March 2023. He put on quite the performance, crying and begging for mercyit was a little bit heartbreaking. I thought he was going to go to jail for five or six years, but he managed to get house arrest. He has to wear an ankle monitor and he's going to be in the penal system until he's almost 60 years old. Hes living at his grandparents farmhouse that his mother now caretakes, and as always, he probably thinks about stealing more. He's probably not working. Hes like an annoying man child, at times. I 'm sure his mother is continuing to support him. Of course, he has a girlfriend. Will he be able to resist the siren song of art hanging on peoples walls? I wonder.

Why do we love heist stories like Breitwiesers? Somehow we cant get enough of these crimes.

A heist is a very specific formit has to be the right kind of crime, right? The reason why Breitwiesers story so attracted me was the fact that there was no violence used during the heists, and there was no attempt to monetize it until the very end. It was all done out of love. I think everybody wonders what its like on the dark side. I know that I do. What would it actually be like to steal a work of art, or to get away with something so utterly cancerous to society? We all have that curiositywhy else would the news be packed with depressing or uncomfortable stories? I don't think we should resist our curiosity. We should resist our actions, but let our curiosity run wild. We all wonder about the heroes and the freedom fighters, but also the ruffians, the scallywags, and the rule-breakers.

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McCarthy tweeted on Sunday that he wants Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney David Weiss to provide answers to the House Judiciary Committee regarding accusations made by two former IRS agents about Weiss' probe of the younger Biden, on which they worked.

"If the whistleblowers' allegations are true, this will be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garland's weaponization of DOJ," McCarthy wrote. (An inquiry would be a precursor to the House potentially voting on specific articles of impeachment on Garland.)

On Monday, McCarthy said on Fox News: "If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we're going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general."

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One of the whistleblowers, Gary Shapley, has claimed that during an Oct. 7, 2022, meeting at the Delaware U.S. attorney's office, Weiss said he did not have the ability to charge in other districts and unsuccessfully requested special counsel status from the Department of Justice.

Garland refuted that account last week.

PHOTO: Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a meeting with all of the U.S. Attorneys in Washington, June 14, 2023. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

"The only person with authority to make somebody a special counsel or refuse to make somebody a special counsel is the attorney general," he said. "Mr. Weiss never made that request to me."

Garland also told ABC News' Alexander Mallin that he would approve of Weiss speaking or testifying whenever he sees fit.

In a June 7 letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, Weiss wrote that Garland had granted him "ultimate authority" over the Hunter Biden investigation, "including responsibility for deciding where, when, and whether to file charges."

PHOTO: Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy talks with reporters after votes in the House, at the Capitol in Washington, June 22, 2023. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

On Monday, McCarthy referred on Fox News to a July 6 deadline set by Republicans for Weiss to answer the Judiciary Committee's questions before initiating an impeachment inquiry.

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Weiss' office did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News on Monday.

Hunter Biden has agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanors for failing to pay federal income tax in 2017 and 2018. Under the deal, he would also enter into a pretrial diversion agreement to avoid prosecution on a felony gun charge, potentially ending the DOJ's yearslong probe of his conduct.

ABC News' Alexander Mallin contributed to this report.

McCarthy considers impeachment inquiry of AG Merrick Garland over Hunter Biden originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
(Reuters) - The top U.S. consumer finance watchdog on Tuesday said it had fined the Nebraska payment processor ACI Worldwide $25 million for improperly processing more than $2 billion in mortgage payment transactions without customer authorization.

The transactions occurred in April 2021 and affected nearly 500,000 homeowners with mortgages serviced by Mr. Cooper, exposing many to overdraft and insufficient funds fees, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

"The CFPB's investigation found that ACI perpetrated the 2021 Mr. Cooper mortgage fiasco that impacted homeowners across the country," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement, adding that customer accounts had since been fixed but that the agency was penalizing the company for inconveniencing hundreds of thousands of borrowers.

ACI Worldwide consented to the CFPB order without admitting or denying responsibility.

In a statement, the company said the erroneous transactions had occurred after it took control of a newly acquired electronic payments platform and that consumer funds and data were safe at all times. A consumer class action over the incident had been settled last month, it said.

According to the CFPB, during a test of the payments platform in April 2021, ACI improperly used actual consumer data, rather than dummy data, which illegally initiated more than $2.3 billion in payments.

At one bank, more than 60,000 accounts were debited more than $330 million the following morning, with about 7,300 account balances reduced by more than $10,000.

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A ground worker who was ingested into a planes engine at San Antonio International Airport Friday died by suicide, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office.

The cause of death is listed as blunt and sharp force injuries. The manner of death is listed as suicide, an office assistant for the Bexar County Medical Examiners Office told CNN in a phone call.

Delta Flight 1111 had arrived at San Antonio from Los Angeles Friday and was taxiing to a gate using 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 on Sunday evening.

The safety board is continuing to gather information about what happened, it said. San Antonio International is working with authorities on the investigation, a spokesperson said.

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.

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 it was grieving 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.

Unifi Aviation provides aviation services at San Antonio International Airport and employed the worker who died.

Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time, the company said in a statement to CNN. From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifis operational processes, safety procedures and policies. Out of respect for the deceased, we will not be sharing any additional information. While police and other officials continue to investigate this incident, we defer to them on providing further details.

An airport worker who died in an accident at the Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama last New Years Eve also was ingested into the engine of an aircraft, the NTSB said in a January statement.

That aircraft, an Embraer 170 operated by regional carrier Envoy Air, was parked at the gate with the parking brake set when a ground support personnel was ingested, said the agency.

We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of a team member of the AA/Piedmont Airlines, the airports executive director, Wade Davis, said at the time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge has rejected Apple's bid to throw out a class-action lawsuit that accused Chief Executive Tim Cook of defrauding shareholders by concealing falling demand for iPhones in China.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' decision late Monday night clears the way for shareholders led by a British pension fund to sue over a one-day plunge that wiped out $74 billion of Apple's market value.

The lawsuit stemmed from Cook's comment on a Nov. 1, 2018, analyst call that while Apple faced sales pressure in markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and Turkey, where currencies had weakened, "I would not put China in that category."

Apple told suppliers a few days later to curb production, and on Jan. 2, 2019, unexpectedly slashed its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion, blaming U.S.-China trade tensions.

The lowered revenue forecast was Apple's first since the iPhone's launch in 2007, and the Cupertino, California-based company's shares fell 10% the next day.

Judge Rogers, based in Oakland, California, said jurors could reasonably infer that Cook was discussing Apple's sales outlook in China, not past performance or the impact of currency changes.

The judge also said that prior to Cook's comment, Apple knew China's economy had been slowing and had data suggesting that demand could fall.

"A reasonable jury could find that failure to disclose these risks caused plaintiff's harm," Rogers wrote.

Apple and its lawyers did not respond on Tuesday to requests for comment.

Shawn Williams, a lawyer for the shareholders, said: "We are pleased with the ruling and look forward to presenting the facts to a jury."

The lead plaintiff is the Norfolk County Council as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, located in Norwich, England.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  An audio recording from a meeting in which former President Donald Trump discusses a highly confidential document with an interviewer appears to undermine his later claim that he didn't have such documents, only magazine and newspaper clippings.

The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  including a writer, a publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country.

These are the papers, Trump says in a moment that seems to indicate he's holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. This was done by the military, given to me.

Trumps reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the 2021 meeting could undercut his claim in a recent Fox News Channel interview that he didn't have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of a 38-count indictment that also charged his aide and former valet Walt Nauta. Nauta is set to be arraigned Tuesday before a federal judge in Miami.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording, which first aired Monday on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all. And Trump, on his social media platform late Monday, claimed the recording is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe."

___

Follow the AP's coverage of former President Donald Trump at https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump.
By John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) - Latvia and Lithuania called on Tuesday for NATO to strengthen its eastern borders in response to expectations that Russia's Wagner private will set up a new base in Belarus after its abortive mutiny at home.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal negotiated by President Alexander Lukashenko that ended the mercenaries' mutiny in Russia on Saturday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wagner's fighters would be offered the choice of relocating there.

"This move needs to be assessed from a different security point of view. We have seen the capabilities of those mercenaries," Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics told reporters during a visit to Paris with Baltic counterparts.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the speed with which Wagner had advanced on Moscow - driving hundreds of kilometres in a one-day race towards the capital - showed that the defence of Baltic states should be firmed up.

"Our countries' borders are just hundreds of kilometres from that activity so it could take them 8-10 hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus close to Lithuania," Landsbergis said. "It is creating a more volatile, unpredictable environment for our region."

"We need to take the defence of the Baltic region very seriously," he said.

The Baltic envoys' visit to France comes as Western powers gear up for a NATO summit next month in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Wagner's arrival in Belarus should be viewed "in light of the NATO summit and all discussions that we are having about defence, deterrence and the necessary decisions to strengthen the security of the eastern flank," said Latvia's Rinkevics.

Belarus borders NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Germany said on Monday it was ready to station a 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania permanently. Landsbergis told his French counterpart that Paris could help with air defences.

"France can be a valuable partner in strengthening air defence capabilities of Baltic countries," he said. "We know about French technology and it could be used as part of our deterrence strategy so that no Wagner, no Russian military would ever think to cross Baltic states' borders."

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A 25-year-old Singaporean preschool teacher named Nurul Jannah Mohd Nasri ended her wedding day in the hospital after a week of experiencing what she thought was a regular migraine behind her left eye.

Jannah initially thought seeing a gray pixelated line in the middle was just her vision going blurry. It only got worse when the vision in her left eye worsened, and her head would not stop pounding. She asked her newly-wed husband, 27-year-old marketing executive Zamani Razali, to excuse herself to rest in their hotel room.

"I was starting to get worried that I would be unable to fly the next day for my honeymoon [in South Korea] if I was still unwell," she told The Straits Times. "My husband urged me to visit the doctor to get medication."

She was taken to National University Hospital (NUH) by her parents to be checked by eye specialists, who told her she was experiencing optic nerve inflammation, which could cause blurred vision. Doctors also told her she needed to be hospitalized immediately to prevent her symptoms from worsening.

Jannah said she felt bad for Zamani as they had saved and planned for their honeymoon but was repeatedly assured by her husband her health came first.

After undergoing multiple procedures to confirm what was causing the inflammation, including CT and MRI scans, lumbar puncture, and blood tests, a neurologist told her she might have myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease.

MOG antibody disease is a recently recognized autoimmune inflammatory disorder targeting the central nervous system. NUH neurology division senior consultant Dr. Amy Quek said the inflammation primarily targets the optic nerve, spinal cord, and/or brain during an attack.

Patients with an autoimmune disease could experience different symptoms depending on which area was being targeted.

What is Autoimmune Disease?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an autoimmune disease happens when the body's natural defense system cannot distinguish between one's and foreign cells, causing the body to attack normal cells mistakenly.

More than 80 types of autoimmune diseases affect a wide range of body parts.

Jannah's autoimmune disorder is classified as optic neuritis, which means she and other patients may experience vision blurring or loss. Spinal cord inflammation, on the other hand, could result in limb weakness, numbness, and disturbances in urinary or bowel function.

As for brain involvement, Quek said it could result in symptoms like confusion, headaches, vomiting, speech problems, weakness, and seizures. She added the occurrence rate of the disease is unknown as it is a relatively uncommon and newly-recognized neurological disorder.

Other common autoimmune diseases in women include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, thyroid diseases like Graves' disease, and even type 1 diabetes.

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Main Cause of Autoimmune Disease?

The blood cells in the body's immune system help protect against antigens or harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells, and external blood and tissue. The immune system produces antibodies destroying the antigens entering the human system.

When a person has an autoimmune disorder, the patient's immune system does not distinguish between healthy tissue and potentially harmful antigens, resulting in a bodily reaction destroying normal tissues.

While researchers have no idea what causes autoimmune disease, several theories point to an overactive immune system attacking the body after an infection or injury.

Nevertheless, certain risk factors increase the chances of developing autoimmune disorders, such as genetics, weight and how one manages it, and smoking.

Another theory indicates that some microorganisms or drugs may trigger changes that confuse the immune system. Orbai explained certain medications or antibiotics could also be a factor causing autoimmune disease, especially if they can trigger drug-induced lupus, which is often a more benign form.

Common Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease?

Despite the varying types of autoimmune disease, many share similar symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, abdominal pain or digestive issues, recurring fever, and swollen glands. An autoimmune disorder may also result in the abnormal growth of an organ or changes in its function.

"There are different degrees of autoimmune disease," said Dr. Ana-Maria Orbai, a rheumatologist at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. "The symptoms a person gets likely relate to multiple factors that include genetics, environment and personal health."

After her diagnosis, Jannah realized why she felt tired and sleepy almost daily despite having sufficient rest.

"My students caught me falling asleep in class a few times, and I would get tired more easily when I was out," she added.

How Can One Be Diagnosed with Autoimmune Disease?

It can be hard to diagnose an autoimmune disorder, especially in its earlier stages, and if multiple organs or systems are involved. Healthcare providers will need to physically examine those suspected to have autoimmune disease, such as antinuclear antibody (ANA) tests, autoantibody tests, and complete blood count. Other tests include a comprehensive metabolic panel, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and urinalysis.

Orbai added it is also hard to get diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, especially for women, as there is no single test to diagnose autoimmune disease.

"You have to have certain symptoms combined with specific blood markers and in some cases, even a tissue biopsy," she added. "It's not just one factor."

As much as common symptoms for autoimmune disease are difficult, so is diagnosing it because the symptoms could come from other common conditions. Orbai emphasized that women should seek treatment when they notice new symptoms as soon as possible.

Is Autoimmune Curable?

There are no cures or known disease prevention. Still, treatments and medication are available to manage the condition, control the autoimmune process, and maintain the body's ability to fight the disease. Treatments would depend on one's disease and symptoms, which include surgery and blood transfusions if the blood is affected. Physical therapy and supplements are also available to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune disease.

Jannah takes daily medication to manage her symptoms. "I hope that despite living with this condition, it won't hinder me from having children, as having my own family is a dream for me," she added.

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Bryan Kohbergers father called the police on his son nine years before his son allegedly murdered four University of Idaho students in a shocking knife attack that has horrified America.

Court records, newly obtained by ABC News, reveal that Mr Kohberger was arrested and charged with stealing one of his sister Melissas cellphones back in 2014.

The then-19-year-old had recently left rehab for drug addiction issues and had returned to the family home in Pennsylvania.

Then, on 8 February 2014, he stole the $400 iPhone and paid a friend $20 to pick him up and take him to a local mall where he then sold it for $200.

When confronted by his father Michael over the theft, Mr Kohberger chillingly warned him not to do anything stupid, according to the court records. His father reported the incident to the police.

The 19-year-old was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft.

He didnt serve any jail time and his record now appears to be expunged under Monroe Countys program to clear the records of first-time offenders.

A source told ABC News that prosecutors in Idaho are now looking into the 2014 case ahead of Mr Kohbergers trial for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

Prosecutors announced on Monday that they are seeking the death penalty against the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate.

In a notice of intent, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson cited five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought including that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killer is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge will hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and 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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

Mr Kohbergers defence is fighting against the states use of genetic genealogy to tie him to the brutal murders.

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.

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.

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (Jazzmin Kernodle)

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 Judge is set to hear arguments in court on Tuesday.

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 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.
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees who were charged with guarding accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not search his jail cell as required and failed to check on him for hours before he killed himself in 2019, the U.S. Justice Department's internal watchdog said on Tuesday.

In a scathing new report, Inspector General Michael Horowitz singled out 13 BOP employees for "misconduct and dereliction of their duties," saying their actions allowed Epstein to be alone and unmonitored in his solitary cell inside Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center from 10:40 p.m. on Aug. 9, 2019 until he was discovered at 6:30 a.m. hanging from what appeared to be a linen or piece of clothing.

He also criticized the bureau for other serious operational flaws, such as failing to properly upgrade the Metropolitan Correction Center's camera surveillance system and under-staffing its facilities.

"The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in this report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOP's custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life," the report says.

Epstein, 66, killed himself while he was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The federal jail where he was being housed has since been shuttered.

Two jail guards were later charged for falsifying prison records to make it appear as though they had conducted routine checks on Epstein prior to his suicide. Those charges however, were later dropped after both guards entered into deferred prosecution agreements and successfully completed mandatory community service.

Horowitz's report identified at least two other unnamed employees who may have committed criminal conduct by falsely certifying inmate counts and rounds, but prosecutors declined to file charges.

In response to the report, BOP director Colette Peters said the findings "reflect a failure to follow BOP's longstanding policies." She added that the BOP concurs with a list of recommended reforms, which "will be applied to the broader BOP correctional landscape."

Epstein, a registered sex offender who once counted former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton as friends, avoided federal charges in 2008 after he agreed instead to plead guilty to lesser Florida state charges of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex.

As part of that deal, he only served 13 months in jail and was allowed to leave the facility during the day.

Years later, that arrangement became the subject of an investigative report by the Miami Herald, which raised new questions about the Justice Department's handling of the case and ultimately prompted the former top prosecutor who approved the deal to resign as the Trump administration's Secretary of the Labor Department.

In July 2019, federal prosecutors in Manhattan's Southern District of New York filed fresh criminal charges, accusing Epstein of luring dozens of girls, some as young as 14, to his homes in New York and Florida and coercing them into sex acts.

He pleaded not guilty, but died before he could go to trial.

His former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was later charged for helping Epstein abuse young girls.

She was convicted in December 2021 on five charges, including sex trafficking a minor, for recruiting and grooming four girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein. In January 2022, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, from top left, with former California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez during a public hearing to consider the appointment of Judge Kelli Evans to the California Supreme Court in San Francisco in 2022. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

A California reform measure that capped probation to two years for many nonviolent offenders applies retroactively to plea agreements that hadn't been finalized when the law took effect in 2021, the California Supreme Court ruled Monday.

Where such deals included longer probation terms than are allowed under the new law, the state should reduce those terms accordingly while leaving the rest of the deals intact, the state's high court ruled.

How many defendants might qualify for reduced probation as a result of the ruling was not immediately clear, though the court noted that there are a large number of pending plea bargains in the state.

The defendant whose case was before the court, Ricky Prudholme, pleaded guilty and agreed to serve a year in jail and three years of probation for a second-degree burglary in San Bernardino County in 2018. He later filed a notice of appeal. The deal was pending when the state passed Assembly Bill 1950 into law in 2020.

The high court agreed unanimously Monday with Prudholme's claim that his probation should have been reduced to two years as a result of the new law, with the rest of his deal left intact. In doing so, it reversed part of a lower court ruling that would have sent Prudholme's case back to the trial court so the state could reconsider the deal and decide whether to withdraw from it.

California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office, which supported remanding Prudholme's case to the trial court, said it was reviewing the high court's decision but otherwise declined to comment. Prudholme's attorney also declined to comment.

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles), who sponsored AB 1950 when she was a member of the California Assembly, said she was pleased with the court's decision, which she said will "have a huge impact" and help to address inequalities in the criminal justice system.

"We know that Black and brown people are disproportionately impacted by harsh sentencing, including long probationary periods that create barriers for reentering our society," she said in a statement to The Times.

Associate Justice Carol Corrigan, who authored the high court's decision, wrote that reducing Prudholme's probation would not alter the state's deal with him so fundamentally that it warranted giving the state an opportunity to withdraw from the deal completely.

Read more:California's black lawmakers urge support for bills to address systemic inequality

She wrote that the Legislature in passing AB 1950 had determined that shorter probation periods were preferable in such cases and that the intent of the legislation "would be thwarted" if disagreeing prosecutors were simply able to reconsider or withdraw from the terms of affected plea agreements.

That was particularly true, Corrigan wrote, given the "only recourse" of prosecutors displeased with the reform measure's lesser probation periods would be to pursue more serious charges and prison time instead.

Offenders can be sentenced to probation in lieu of or in addition to a prison or jail sentence. The terms of probation vary but can require released offenders to regularly report to a probation officer, submit to drug testing and counseling, complete community service and remain out of trouble. Offenders may be returned to prison for violating probation.

AB 1950 capped probation for many misdemeanors at one year, and for many nonviolent felonies at two years. Those caps do not apply to violent crimes such as robbery, rape or murder, to crimes for which specific probation periods are already spelled out in the law, or to certain theft or financial crimes.

The bill was championed by criminal justice reform advocates who cited evidence that the greatest benefits of probation come early on after an offender's release. Critics, including probation officials in the state, opposed the bill on grounds that it was unclear and would limit the benefits that probation provides, both to offenders and the state.

Corrigan noted one lack of clarity in the law herself, writing that legislators had failed to indicate whether they intended the law to apply retroactively  leaving the "difficult, divisive and time-consuming" process of deciding that to the courts.

She urged lawmakers to "regularly express their intent" as to whether laws should be retroactive in the future.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health alert to doctors, public health authorities and members of the public on Monday after documenting five cases of malaria acquired within the U.S. over the last two months.

The cases  four in Florida and one in Texas  are the first in 20 years to be acquired locally, meaning the infections were not linked to travel outside the country. The last such local cases were identified in 2003 in Palm Beach County, Florida.

There is no evidence to suggest that this year's Florida and Texas cases are related, the CDC said, adding that the risk throughout the country remains extremely low.

Malaria is a serious, sometimes fatal, disease usually transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease does not spread from person to person, but mothers can pass malaria to their fetuses during pregnancy or to their infants during delivery.

"Malaria is a medical emergency," the CDC alert said.

All five patients have gotten treatment and are recovering, according to the agency.

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced last week the detection of a local malaria case in a person who had spent time working outdoors. The person had not traveled outside the country or state.

The department advised Texas residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using insect repellant and wearing long sleeves and pants. Since mosquitos lay eggs in standing water, the department also encouraged people to drain puddles, keep gutters clear, cover trash containers and regularly change the water in pet dishes and bird baths.

The Florida Department of Health, meanwhile, issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory on Monday, which said its four cases were all reported in Sarasota County.

The recent U.S. cases were caused by a parasite that infects mosquitos called P. vivax, according to the CDC. The parasite isnt as deadly as some others that cause malaria, but it can lie dormant in the body and cause chronic infections months to years after an initial illness.

Typical signs of malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. Symptoms typically appear 10 days to four weeks after being bit by a mosquito.

In its health alert, the CDC said that malaria cases may also start to rise this summer due to increased travel to and from places outside the U.S.

Before the Covid pandemic, the U.S. saw around 2,000 cases of malaria each year, nearly all of which were detected in people who had traveled to other countries. Around 5 to 10 people died annually, the CDC said.

The CDC said doctors and hospitals should have a plan for rapidly diagnosing a malaria patient so that they can start administering antimalarial drugs within 24 hours. In particular, the agency said, hospitals should have ready an intravenous version of a drug called Artesunate  the only one approved to treat severe malaria in the U.S.

The CDC also advised anyone planning travel to an area where malaria is transmitted to talk to their doctors about taking preventative medications.
By Kevin Yao

TIANJIN, China (Reuters) -Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said China will take steps to boost demand, invigorate markets, promote development while accelerating the green transition and opening "high level" parts of its economy to the outside world.

Addressing a World Economic Forum summit in Tianjin, Li did not elaborate on China's plans, leaving investors hanging on for concrete details of the government's stimulus policies.

China's economic growth in the second quarter will be higher than the first and is expected to reach the annual economic growth target of around 5%, Li said.

China's GDP grew 4.5% year-on-year in the first three months of the year, but momentum has faded sharply since.

Several major banks have cut their 2023 gross domestic product (GDP) forecasts after May industrial output and retail sales data missed forecasts and indicated Beijing would need to take further steps to shore up a shaky post-COVID recovery.

Nomura has cut its 2023 GDP forecast to just 5.1% from 5.5%, adding in a note that its new forecast incorporated the impact of potential policy stimulus measures.

"We will launch more practical and effective measures in expanding the potential of domestic demand, activating market vitality, promoting coordinated development, accelerating green transition, and promoting high-level opening to the outside world," Li said.

Having just returned from visits to Germany and France last week, Li also alluded to the recent negative rhetoric directed towards China by the leading Western democracies.

"Everyone knows some people in the West are hyping up this so-called 'de-risking,' and I think, to some extent, it's a false proposition," Li said, in an apparent reference to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's assessment that Europe should "de-risk" diplomatically and economically from China.

"The invisible barriers put up by some people in recent years are becoming widespread and pushing the world into fragmentation and even confrontation," Li said, turning to the trade tensions between the United States and China.

"We firmly oppose the artificial politicisation of economic and trade issues," the Chinese premier said, adding that effective communication was vital to avoid misunderstandings between nations.

Taking up one of his key themes since being appointed in March, Li said the trend of globalisation remains intact despite some setbacks, and China remains open for business and welcomes foreign investors.

Speaking in a separate meeting with Chinese and foreign business leaders, Li sought to reassure them that the government would continue to support foreign firms' presence.

For example, Li said China would improve government procurement policies for medicines and pay close attention foreign firms' concerns over new data management regulations.

Without elaborating, Li said China would not misuse security checks on foreign firms, while also cautioning that some had violated Chinese rules.

(Reporting by Kevin Yao; Writing by Joe Cash; Editing by Michael Perry, Himani Sarkar and Simon Cameron-Moore)
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Diego Luna has mixed emotions about the looming end of his Star Wars series Andor.

I am very excited filming, all the time I feel that we are approaching the end and, therefore, the process is lived with a certain melancholy, the Mexican actor said in a recent interview by video call during a break in shoots in Great Britain for the acclaimed series second season.

Luna knew the series, about a Rebel spy introduced to fans in 2016s Rogue One, was meant to last only two seasons. But hes not looking forward to the end.

There is also an inevitable part of saying how sad it is to leave this team, to leave this dynamic, to leave this time living here, he said.

The show has taken a thriller approach to telling the backstory of Cassian Andor, a thief-turned-spy for the rebels resisting the brutal Galactic Empire of the original Star Wars trilogy.

Lunas portrayal of Andors survive-at-all-costs ethos has made placed him on many shortlists for a drama series actor Emmy nomination. If it happens, he would be the first Latino actor to get an Emmy nom in the category in nearly 30 years; Puerto Rican star Jimmy Smits was the last actor to compete in the category in 1995 for his role in NYPD Blue.

There are other possible contenders: Pedro Pascal for The Last of Us, Jenna Ortega for Wednesday and Selena Gomez for the comedy series Only Murders in the Building. While Luna is happy hes in the mix, the long drought for Latin actors is troubling.

What makes me sad is the fact, the fact that the last nomination for a Latino actor in this category was so many years ago, it is very absurd knowing the number of interesting stories that have been told, the number of actors who have done memorable jobs, he said. But its also exciting to know that Im not the only one and that makes me think that good things are coming for people who look like me, who come from where I come from.

For now, Luna focuses on what has already happened, including the positive reception that Andor has received.

Created and produced by Tony Gilroy, Andor has received nominations for honors at the BAFTAs, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards and numerous others. Its a rare achievement for a sci-fi series, which generally do not find themselves in the main categories at shows like the Emmys.

There are many prejudices in some way with science fiction cinema and with Andor very beautiful things have happened, Luna said. Its very nice to see that for the team, the people who do this, the people in the industry are celebrating them and the series.

When asked if there will be more action or if the second season, which will arrive in August 2024, will be darker, Luna stressed that the series lives in the middle of both forces.

Its the balance that makes this series stick, he said. I think that if something characterizes this series, it is the depth it has in the portrait of its characters. Being the last season, you got to follow the path of all these characters that you met in the first, and well, many of them are not in Rogue One and the stories have to be (brought) to an end.
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)
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.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday criticized former President Donald Trump for being too friendly to China during his time in office, while also warning that weak support for Ukraine would only encourage China to invade Taiwan.

Haley, a Republican presidential candidate running against Trump, said in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute that Trump was almost singularly focused on the U.S.-China trade relationship but ultimately did too little about the rest of the Chinese threat.

Specifically, Haley noted that Trump failed to rally U.S. allies against the Chinese threat and that he had congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule in China.

That sends a wrong message to the world, Haley said. Chinese communism must be condemned, never congratulated.

Haleys comments, promoted by her presidential campaign as a major foreign policy speech, came a week and a half after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Xi in Beijing. Blinken said they had agreed to stabilize badly deteriorated U.S.-China ties, but there was little indication that either country was prepared to bend from positions on issues including trade, Taiwan, human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong, Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and Russias war in Ukraine.

Haley did note that Trump imposed tariffs and other trade restrictions on the superpower, saying he deserves credit for upending this bipartisan consensus. But she added, Being clear-eyed is just not enough.

As Trump remains the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his rivals are increasingly lashing out at him. On Tuesday in New Hampshire, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that, unlike Trump, he was actually going to build the wall, a reference to Trump's 2016 signature issue that he fell short of meeting during his first term.

Haley, who served for two years as Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, said President Joe Biden has been much worse when it comes to dealing with threats she said China poses to America's economic, domestic and military security. She also said that China's military buildup and aggression toward Taiwan shows that the nation is preparing its people for war," a conflict she said would draw in the U.S. and other global partners if left unchecked.

We must act now to keep the peace and prevent war, she said. And we need a leader that will rally our people to meet this threat on every single front. ... Communist China is an enemy. It is the most dangerous foreign threat weve faced since the Second World War."

In a question-and-answer session with reporters, Haley was asked about comments earlier Tuesday from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, the newest Republican presidential candidate, who said, Whats a Uygher?" in response to a question from radio show host Hugh Hewitt about the predominantly Muslim group that China has been accused of oppressing.

Haley, who didn't mention Suarez in her response, called the allegations of sexual abuse and religious discrimination against the Uyghurs a potential genocide, adding, The fact that the whole world is ignoring it, is shameful.

For his part, Suarez later tweeted that he is well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China but just didnt recognize the pronunciation."

In her speech, Haley also called Biden far too slow and weak in helping Ukraine, warning that a failure to send enough military equipment to help stem Russias invasion there could only encourage China to invade Taiwan as soon as possible, leading to further international conflict.

The events of this past weekend show how weak and shaky the Russian leadership is, Haley said, referencing the short-lived weekend revolt by mercenary soldiers who briefly took over a Russian military headquarters. Make no mistake: China is watching the war with Ukraine with great interest.

Some of Haley's Republican rivals, including Trump and DeSantis, have faced criticism over their own comments toward Ukraine. Both Trump and DeSantis have said that defending Ukraine is not a national security priority for the U.S. DeSantis also had to walk back his characterization of Russias war in Ukraine as a territorial dispute."

Last month, Biden approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals up to $300 million and includes additional munitions for drones and an array of other weapons. In all, the U.S. has committed more than $37.6 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
(Photo : GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that the West was behind the Wagner group's rebellion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of aiding a rebellion and promised that Prigozhin will be brought to justice.

Monday evening in Moscow, Russia, Putin issued a scathing statement: "The organizers of this rebellion cannot help but realize they will be held accountable. This is an illicit activity designed to undermine the nation."

Putin Contorts with Anger During Speech

Putin stated that "any form of coercion is destined to fail" and that the mutiny leaders "wanted to fragment our society." Since the rebellion, he commended the Russian people for their "support, patriotism, and solidarity" and Belarus's Lukashenko for a peaceful resolution.

Additionally, he commended the Wagner authorities, who made the correct decision to halt and retreat to prevent bloodshed. Putin added that the majority of Wagner mercenaries were "patriots" who were used by rebellion organizers.

The uprising was "destined to fail," and its organizers could not have failed to realize that even if they had lost their sense of right and wrong. Putin also asserted Ukraine's involvement in the weekend's events, dubbing the uprising "revenge for their unsuccessful counteroffensive."

Minutes after it was announced that Vladimir Putin would make a number of statements from the Kremlin on Monday evening, his close ally Alexander Lukashenko released a message of his own.

The Russian state news agency RIA later reported that he would instead be answering queries from correspondents on Tuesday. There have been rumors that Wagner forces could launch an offensive from Belarus, but analysts believe this is highly unlikely, according to Daily Express US.

Read Also: Deadly Roller Coaster Derailment in Sweden Killed 1, Injured 9

Biden Denies US, NATO Involvement in Wagner Mutiny

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden insisted in his first public remarks regarding the short-lived rebellion against Russian military leaders that neither the United States nor its NATO allies were involved. As soon as the tumultuous situation unfolded in Russia on Friday, Biden said he instructed his national security team to prepare for "a various scenarios" and convened with key allies via virtual video call.

Biden stated, "the ultimate consequence of all this is still unknown, but regardless of what happens next, I will continue to ensure that our allies and partners closely align with how we interpret and respond to the situation."

Notably, he did not define what had occurred, instead referring to it as "the situation."

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, told ABC News that he believes the brief revolt signals "the beginning of the end" of the conflict in Ukraine.

The paramilitary Wagner Group, commanded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, spearheaded the armed rebellion. On Friday, Prigozhin accused Russian forces of deliberately bombarding his troops. Prigozhin announced that his mercenaries had occupied the Southern Military District and military facilities in Rostov-on-Don, an important border city, and were marching toward Moscow. However, the march was abruptly canceled.

As part of an agreement to halt the Wagner Group's advances, the Kremlin announced on Sunday that Prigozhin would not be prosecuted and would transfer to Belarus. The agreement involves integrating Wagner party soldiers into the Russian military.

In his first comments since the revolt, Prigozhin published a video on Monday in which he claimed he had "no intention of overthrowing the government" and that he halted the march to prevent carnage.

The spokesperson for the State Department, Matthew Miller, stated that the situation in Russia was still evolving but that the weekend's events were a "significant step" despite the fact that the administration appears to have more concerns than answers.

Related Article: Russian Defense Minister Makes Rare Visit on Frontline Troops Following Wagner Mutiny

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
FIRST ON FOX: The House Weaponization Subcommittee says the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has "facilitated the censorship of Americans directly" and through third-party intermediaries during the Biden administration.

Fox News Digital first obtained a new committee report Monday, stemming from the panels ongoing investigation into government-induced censorship on social media. The report focuses on CISA's alleged work ahead of the 2020 election and the 2022 midterm elections.

JORDAN SUBPOENAS BIG TECH CEOS FOR RECORDS ON 'COLLUSION' WITH BIDEN ADMIN TO 'SUPPRESS FREE SPEECH'

The committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, obtained non-public documents which lawmakers say reveals CISA "expanded its mission to surveil Americanss speech on social media, colluded with Big Tech and government-funded third parties to censor by proxy, and tried to hide its plainly unconstitutional activities from the public."

The report states that CISA engaged in "surveillance," by expanding its mission from cybersecurity to monitor foreign "disinformation" to eventually monitor "all disinformation, including Americans speech."

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

It also says CISA "exploited its connections with Big Tech and government-funded non-profits to censor, by proxy, in order to circumvent the First Amendments prohibition against government-induced censorship." Specificallythe report says CISA-funded entities created reporting portals which "funneled misinformation reports from the government directly to social media platforms."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The report also alleges CISA engaged in "cover-ups" by trying to "cover their tracks ad cover up CISAs censorship of domestic speech and surveillance of American citizens social media activity.

"This included scrubbing CISAs website of references to domestic misinformation and disinformation," the report states.

CISA, which was founded in 2018, was intended to be an agency focused on protecting critical infrastructure and guarding against cybersecurity threats.

"In the years since its creation, however, CISA metastasized into the nerve center of the federal governments domestic surveillance and censorship operations on social media," the report states.

The subcommittee found that by 2020, CISA "routinely reported social media posts that allegedly spread disinformation to social media platforms."

By 2021, CISA had a formal "mis, dis, and malformation" (MDM) team. And by 2022 and 2023, the subcommittee alleged that CISA "attempted to camouflage its activities, duplicitously claiming it serves a purely informational role."

"Although CISAs efforts to police speech are highly troubling overall, one particularly problematic aspect is CISAs focus on malformation," the report states. "According to CISAs own definition, malformation is based on fact, but used out of context to mislead, harm or manipulate."

JORDAN DEMANDS BIG TECH RECORDS DETAILING 'COLLUSION' WITH BIDEN ADMIN TO CENSOR CONSERVATIVES

The report points out that malformation is "factual information that is objectionable not because it is false or untruthful, but because it is provided without adequate contextcontext as determined by the government."

CISA's adivsory MDM Subcommittee has since disbanded, according to the report, but "brought together government, Big Tech, and academic misinformation experts." Those experts included a former chief legal officer of TwitterVijaya Gadde; a former assistant general counsel and legal advisor for the CIA; and a professor for the University of Washingtons Center for an Informed Public.

The report states that in January 2021, after President Biden took office, CISA "transitioned" to "promote more flexibility to focus on general MDM."

Logos of major Big Tech companies

"In doing so, CISA admitted that its focus was no longer exclusively on countering foreign influence, but was also targeting MDM originating from domestic sources," the report states.

According to the report, individuals on the MDM advisory team sought to "disguise the true nature" of its work.

One email obtained by the committee, written by a member of the MDM advisory team in May 2022, stated: "Its only a matter of time before someone realizes we exist and starts asking about our work."

That individual suggested finding time to speak with CISA communications and legislative officials to discuss "how we socialize what were doing."

"It would be good to be proactive in telling our story rather than reacting to how someone else decides to portray it, right?" The email states. "I know neither of us has time for this, but I am telling myself that it might save us time in the long run!"

Days later, the MDM advisory team discussed its "commitment to transparency but expressed concern" for its efforts and "cautioned the group on how to communicate their ongoing work."

Meanwhile, the report states that after the committee began issuing subpoenas to Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta in February 2023, CISA "scrubbed its website of references to domestic MDM." The website had previously described the threats posed by both foreign and domestic MDM.

Now, it only references "Foreign Influence Operations and Disinformation."

The report goes on to state that CISA was working with federal partners to "mature" a whole-of-government approach to curbing alleged misinformation and disinformation. The report also states CISA considered creating an anti-misinformation "rapid response team" capable of physically deploying across the U.S.

MUSK PROVES HUNTER BIDEN CENSORSHIP CAME FROM COLLUSION AMONG BIDEN CAMPAIGN, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TWITTER

The subcommittee also found that CISA moved its "censorship operation" to a CISA-funded non-profit, after the agency and the Biden administration were sued in federal court.

The report also states CISA wanted to use that CISA-funded nonprofit The Center for Internet Security (CIS)as a "mouthpiece" to "avoid the appearance of government propaganda."

The report states that CISA funds CISincluding spending $27 million in FY 2024 for CIS Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center.

MUSK REVEALED EXTENT OF HUNTER BIDEN CENSORSHIP BY RELEASING TWITTER FILES

"CISA still has not adequately complied with a subpoena for relevant documents, and much more factfinding is necessary," the report states. "In order to better inform the Committees legislative efforts, the Committee and Select Subcommittee will continue to investigate CISAs and other Executive Branch agencies entanglement with social media platforms."

But CISA Executive Director Brandon Wales, in a statement to Fox News Digital, said the agency "does not and has never censored speech or facilitated censorship; any such claims are patently false."

"Every day, the men and women of CISA execute the agencys mission of reducing risk to U.S. critical infrastructure in a way that protects Americans freedom of speech, civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy," Wales said. "In response to concerns from election officials of all parties regarding foreign influence operations and disinformation that may impact the security of election infrastructure, CISA mitigates the risk of disinformation by sharing information on election literacy and election security with the public and by amplifying the trusted voices of election officials across the nation."

CISA also said that CIS "never funded CIS to perform any disinformation-related work," and instead, said EI-ISAC "reported potential disinformation to social media platforms in relation to the 2022 election cycle," but stressed that CISA was "not involved."

Jordan and Republicans investigation comes after Republicans have sounded the alarm for years on Big Tech censorship and bias against conservatives.

Jordans committee has vowed to continue investigating the matter.
Prosecutors in Idaho are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in a brutal knife attack that shocked America.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday, citing five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

These circumstances include that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killer is set to appear in court on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge will hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

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.

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 Judge is set to hear arguments in court on Tuesday.

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.
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.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Ju-min Park and Heekyong Yang

SEOUL (Reuters) - When former Samsung executive Choi Jinseog won a contract with Taiwan's Foxconn in 2018, he tapped his former employer's supplier network to steal secrets to help his new client set up a chip factory in China, an indictment by South Korean prosecutors alleges.

Prosecutors announced the indictment on June 12, saying the theft caused more than $200 million in damages to Samsung Electronics, based on the estimated costs Samsung spent to develop the stolen data. The announcement did not name Choi and gave only limited details, although some media subsequently identified Choi and his links with Foxconn.

The unreleased 18-page indictment, reviewed by Reuters, provides details in the case against Choi, including how he is alleged to have stolen Samsung's trade secrets and details about the planned Foxconn plant.

Choi, who has been detained in jail since late May, denied all the charges through his lawyer, Kim Pilsung.

Choi's Singapore-based consultancy Jin Semiconductor won the contract with Foxconn around August 2018, according to the indictment.

Within months, Choi had poached "a large number" of employees from Samsung and its affiliates and illegally obtained secret information related to building a chip factory from two contractors, prosecutors allege.

Jin Semiconductor illegally used confidential information involving semiconductor cleanroom management obtained from Cho Young-sik who worked at one of the contractors, Samoo Architects & Engineers, the indictment alleges.

Clean rooms are manufacturing facilities where the enclosed environment is engineered to remove dust and other particles that can damage highly sensitive chips. Samoo had participated in the 2012 construction of Samsung's chip plant in Xian, China.

Prosecutors allege Choi's company also illegally obtained blueprints of Samsung's China plant from Chung Chan-yup, an employee at HanmiGlobal, which supervised its construction and floor layouts of wastewater treatment and other subsidiary facilities involving the chip manufacturing process. They have yet to establish how the information on floor layout was obtained, according to the indictment.

Choi's lawyer strenuously rejected the claims presented in the indictment.

"What prosecutors allege was stolen has nothing to do with how to design or make chips. For instance, there are public international engineering standards to make cleanrooms and that's not something only Samsung has," said Kim.

"A factory layout? You can take a snapshot from Google Maps and experts would know what is inside which building," Kim said, showing a satellite snapshot of Samsung's plant in Xian, China.

The plant was never built after Foxconn pulled out, according to Chois lawyer and a person with direct knowledge of the case.

Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest memory chipmaker, declined to comment on the matter, citing the ongoing investigations.

In a statement, Foxconn said that while it was "aware of speculation around the legal case in South Korea", the company doesn't comment on ongoing investigations.

"We abide by laws and regulations governing jurisdictions we operate in," Foxconn said.

The indictment does not accuse Foxconn of wrongdoing.

Samoo and HanmiGlobal were not accused of any wrongdoing in the indictment either.

Samoo told Reuters it was not involved in any alleged activities laid out by prosecutors. Its former employee Cho was not charged, and could not immediately be reached for comment.

HanmiGlobal also said the allegation was linked to an individual and the firm had no involvement. Its employee Chung has been charged by South Korean prosecutors with leaking business secrets. A lawyer for Chung did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

TRADE SECRETS

Samsung treats the types of materials Choi obtained as "strictly confidential" and safeguards them through multiple layers of protections, allowing access only to those who have authorisation within the firm and at its third-party partners, the indictment says.

The 65-year-old Choi was once seen as a star in South Korea's chip industry. He worked at Samsung for 17 years, where he developed DRAM memory chips and worked on wafer processing technology, winning internal awards for advancing the companys DRAM technology, before leaving in 2001.

He subsequently worked at rival Hynix Semiconductor, now known as SK Hynix, for more than eight years, serving as chief technology officer of its manufacturing and research divisions and helping turn around the loss making chipmaker.

According to the indictment, the new Foxconn plant had planned capacity of 100,000 wafers per month using 20-nanometre DRAM memory chip technology. While years behind Samsung's latest 12- and 14-nanometre technology, 20-nanometre DRAM is still considered a "national core technology" by South Korea.

The South Korean government prohibits such technologies from being transferred overseas unless through legally approved licensing or partnership.

Lee Jong-hwan, a chip engineering professor at Sangmyung University, said information to make optimal conditions for cleanrooms and factory layout was critical to achieving high yield rates for chips, which would have helped China's domestic chipmaking capabilities.

Lee noted that some data obtained by Choi might turn out not to be sensitive, "But now that China is keen to catch up with South Korean companies... any data related to 10-nanometre, 20-nanometre technology would have been helpful."

CHINA LINK

Choi signed a preliminary consulting contract in around 2018 with Foxconn to build the chip factory potentially in Xian, his lawyer said.

However, Foxconn ended the contract just a year later and only paid salaries related to the project, the lawyer said. He declined to comment on why Foxconn ended the contract or to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

The person with direct knowledge of the case said prosecutors found Foxconn had agreed to provide 8 trillion won ($6 billion) to build the factory, and Foxconn also paid several million dollars to Choi's company every month until it pulled out of the contract for reasons the indictment did not disclose.

Jin Semiconductor's financial statement in 2018 said it entered into an arrangement with "a major customer" for the provision of qualified manpower in the next five years. The customer paid an advance of $17,994,217 to the company, according to the statement.

Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, did not answer questions put to it by Reuters on any payments to or agreements with Jin Semiconductor or Choi.

Choi's lawyer said his client may be a scapegoat in a campaign by the South Korean government, caught in a rivalry between China and the United States, seeking seek to slow China's progress in chip manufacturing.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol this month declared chip industry competition an "all-out war".

"This might be setting an example for the current administration's agenda, such as technology leaks to China," Pilsung, Choi's lawyer said.

A prosecution official declined to comment on the suggestion Choi was a scapegoat.

Choi is charged along with five other former and current Jin Semiconductor employees and a Samsung contractor employee. Trial is set to begin on July 12, court records show.

($1 = 1,294.4600 won)

(Reporting by Ju-min Park and Heekyong Yang; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei, Chen Lin in Singapore and Josh Ye in Hong Kong; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Lincoln Feast.)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has seized millions of dollars worth of digital funds intended for use by the powerful Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah and the foreign Quds Force arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he approved an operation that was aimed at identifying and confiscating funds laundered by organizations supported by arch-enemy Iran.

His ministry said that since the start of this year, "Hezbollah, Quds Force and Syrian operatives have used digital currencies to receive funds from third parties via illegal transactions. It said it had thwarted the transfer of millions of dollars to these operatives.

I issued an order that enabled the confiscation of said funds, as well as their transfer to the State of Israel," Gallant said. "In doing so, we have effectively cut off the flow of terror funds via this channel.

Hezbollah's media office in Lebanon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem and Laila Bassam in Beirut, editing by Mark Heinrich)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Palestinian official discussed violence in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, with Gallant's office saying he offered reassurance about Israel's intention to crack down on Jewish settler riots.

Both the phone call and the announcement that it took place were unusual for Israel's religious-nationalist government and followed mounting expressions of U.S. concern about the situation in the West Bank, among areas where Palestinians, with foreign backing, seek statehood.

A Hamas gun attack that killed four Israeli civilians outside a West Bank settlement sparked days of violent incursions into Palestinian villages and towns by groups of Jewish settlers. Twelve suspects have been arrested in the latter incidents, Israeli police said.

"Israel views with gravity the violence inflicted upon Palestinian civilians in recent days by extremist elements", Gallant's office quoted him as telling Hussein Al-Sheikh, an official in the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organisation.

"Israel would exact full penalty of the law from the rioters," Gallant added, according to the statement.

There was no immediate comment from Al-Sheikh's office.

Israeli forces, which intensified raids against suspected Palestinian militants over the last 15 months, will continue to operate "anywhere required", Gallant said, while describing a calming of the West Bank as his common interest with Al-Sheikh.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday for the occasion of the Muslim fesitival of Eid al-Adha, a statement from Herzog's office said.

Herzog "underlined his unequivocal denouncement of the recent assault on innocent Palestinians by extremists".

(Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
ROME (AP)  Italys culture and tourism ministers have vowed to find and punish a tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent girlfriend in the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, a crime that resulted in hefty fines in the past.

The message reading Ivan+Haley 23 appeared on the Colosseum at a time when Romans already were complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the Eternal City in record numbers this season. A fellow tourist, Ryan Lutz, of Orange, California., filmed the incident and posted the video on YouTube and Reddit.

The video received over 1,500 social media views and was picked up by Italian media. Lutz told The Associated Press on Tuesday he was dumbfounded that someone would deface such an important monument.

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the writing carved into the almost 2,000-year-old Flavian Ampitheater serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility. He said he hoped the culprits would be found and punished according to our laws.

Italian news agency ANSA noted that the incident marked the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum. It said whoever was responsible for the latest episode risked $15,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.

Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche said she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned so that he understands the gravity of the gesture. Calling for respect for Italys culture and history, she vowed: We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way.

Lutz, who is on a two-month backpacking trip through Europe, said he had just finished a guided tour of the Colosseum on Friday when he saw the person blatantly carving his name" in the Colosseum wall. Lutz told the AP he took out his phone to film the man because he was so shocked at what he was doing.

And as you see in the video, I kind of approach him and ask him, dumbfounded at this point, Are you serious? Are you really serious?" Lutz recalled. And all he could do is like smile at me.

Lutz, a recent graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, said he tried to get a guard to take action, but neither the guard nor his supervisor did anything, even after Lutz identified the man and offered to share the video.

He said he decided to post the video online the following morning, after he had calmed down. While saying he appreciates graffiti and art, carving your name seems like a pretty selfish act. He said visitors to foreign countries cannot repay their hosts "with blatant disrespect like this.

Outside the Colosseum on Tuesday, other visitors agreed.

"We have to preserve what we have," said Diego Cruz, an American student. There is a rich history here. It helps us learn from the past.

Guldamla Ozsema, a computer engineer visiting from Turkey, said his country also had difficulty protecting its monuments from disrespectful tourists.

"I really get angry with them, with this behavior, Ozsema said.

Italian tourism lobby Federturismo, backed by statistics bureau ISTAT, has said 2023 is shaping up as a record for visitors to Italy, surpassing pre-pandemic levels that hit a high in 2019.

In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 euros ($25,000) and received a four-year suspended jail sentence for engraving a big letter K on a wall of the Colosseum.

The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they carved their names in the monument.

___

Associated Press journalist Nicole Winfield contributed to this report.

___

This version corrects the last name of the American who filmed the incident to Lutz, not Litz.
TOKYO (AP)  Japan announced a decision Tuesday to reinstate South Korea as a preferred nation with fast-track trade status starting July 21, virtually ending a four-year economic row that was further strained during their bitter historic disputes.

Trade Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters that Japan and South Korea have also agreed to set up a framework to review and follow up on the systems as needed.

Japan and South Korea have been rapidly mending their ties as they deepen three-way security cooperation with Washington in response to growing regional threats from North Korea and China.

Lee Do Woon, spokesperson of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, called Japans step a symbolic measure that underscores the countries fully restored bilateral trust and the removal of uncertainty in trade.

For the first time in four years, all export restrictions between the countries have been lifted, Lee said in a briefing Tuesday afternoon. With import and export procedures getting simplified, we expect exchanges and cooperation between the countries companies to accelerate.

Reinstating South Korea's preferential status will end a four-year trade dispute that began in July 2019 when Japan removed South Korea from its white list of countries given fast-track approvals in trade as ties deteriorated over compensation for Japanese wartime actions.

Japans tightening of trade controls against Seoul was an apparent retaliation for South Korean court rulings in 2018 that ordered Japanese companies to compensate Korean workers for abusive treatment and forced labor during World War II, when the Korean Peninsula was under Japanese occupation.

Japan also tightened export controls on key chemicals used by South Korean companies to make semiconductors and displays, prompting South Korea to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization and remove Japan from its own list of countries with preferred trade status.

Their ties have improved rapidly since March on an initiative by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols government to resolve disputes stemming from compensation for wartime Korean forced laborers. Yoon also traveled to Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and agreed to rebuild the countries security and economic ties.

After their talks, South Korea withdrew its complaint at the WTO. Japan simultaneously confirmed its removal of the key chemicals export controls. South Korea has also since reinstated Japan's preferential trade status.

Meanwhile, the Japanese government has been trying to gain South Koreas understanding in a plan to release to sea the treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It's a highly contentious plan that faces strong opposition from South Korea and other neighboring countries, as well as local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damages.

___

AP writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed from Seoul, South Korea.
By Guy Faulconbridge and Gleb Stolyarov

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flew to Belarus from Russia on Tuesday after a mutiny that has dealt the biggest blow to President Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power more than 23 years ago.

Putin initially vowed to crush the mutiny, comparing it to the war-time turmoil that ushered in the revolution of 1917 and then a civil war, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Prigozhin, a 62-year-old former petty thief who rose to become Russia's most powerful mercenary, was last seen in public when he left the southern Russian city of Rostov on Saturday, shaking hands and quipping that he had "cheered up" people.

Flightradar24 showed an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet appeared in Rostov region at 0232 GMT and began a descent at 0420 GMT near Minsk.

The identification codes of the aircraft matched those of a jet linked by the United States to Autolex Transport, which is linked to Prigozhin by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control that enforces sanctions.

"I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane," President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state news agency BELTA. "Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today."

Under a deal mediated by Lukashenko on Saturday to halt a mutiny by Prigozhin's mercenary fighters, Prigozhin was meant to move to Belarus.

In an address to the nation late on Monday, Putin said the leaders of what he called the "armed mutiny" had betrayed Russia and the Russian people but thanked the army, law enforcement and special services for resisting the mutineers.

The 70-year-old Kremlin chief paid tribute to pilots killed during the mutiny and said he had ordered Russian forces to avoid further bloodshed, thanking those mercenaries in Wagner who stepped back from the brink of "armed rebellion" and bloodshed on Saturday.

Prigozhin's "march for justice", which he said was aimed at settling scores with Putin's military top brass whom he cast as treasonous and corrupt, has raised the prospect of turmoil in Russia while undermining Putin's reputation as unchallenged leader.

WAGNER'S FUTURE

Just hours after casting the mutineers as traitors on Saturday, Putin agreed to a deal to drop criminal charges against them in exchange for their return to camps, with Prigozhin and some of his fighters to move to Belarus.

It is not yet clear whether Wagner - created to fight proxy wars for the Kremlin in a deniable form - will survive the mutiny, and if it does, what it might do next.

Prigozhin, who has bragged about meddling in U.S. elections, said last week his fighting force was 25,000 strong.

With strong ties to Russian military intelligence (GRU), Wagner has been able to recruit some of Russia's best special forces soldiers with significant cash salaries and generous payouts for families of fallen soldiers.

One option, if Wagner survives, would be for it to return to Africa - where it has gained a fearsome reputation especially in Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali - or to attack Ukraine from the north, opening up a new Russian front.

Speaking from the Kremlin on Monday, Putin vowed to stand by his promise to allow Wagner fighters to leave for Belarus, though he did not mention Prigozhin by name.

"You have the opportunity to continue serving Russia by signing a contract with the ministry of defence or other law enforcement agencies, or to return to your family and friends," Putin said.

Putin was shown on state television holding a late-night meeting with top security and military officials, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the focus of Prigozhin's wrath.

Shoigu stood with soldiers on Tuesday on Cathedral Square in the Kremlin as Putin addressed them and again praised their loyalty and courage in standing in opposition to the mutiny.

Prigozhin said on Monday that the mutiny 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.

"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.

The Federal Security Service said it had dropped a criminal case against Prigozhin for armed mutiny while the defence ministry said Wagner group was preparing to hand over its heavy military equipment to the army.

(Reporting by Gleb Stolaryov and Guy Faulconbridge, Editing by Angus MacSwan, Jon Boyle and Alex Richardson)
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.
(Photo : Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveils his restrictive new border plan that includes an end to birthright citizenship as well as various aggressive policies.

Presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a restrictive new border plan that includes ending birthright citizenship and many other policies that largely mirror former United States President Donald Trump's.

The lawmaker's plan also includes ramping up border enforcement, repelling the invasion at the US southern border, and using the "levers at our disposal" to ensure cooperation from Mexico.

Ron DeSantis' New Border Plan

DeSantis revealed the details of his new plan during a campaign trip to the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas. It marks the beginning of a new, policy-focused phase of the Florida governor's presidential run that his campaign has labeled as a more direct effort to challenge President Joe Biden.

Furthermore, the revelation of the plan also acts as an attempt to criticize Trump, the current frontrunner for the GOP's 2024 White House nomination. The Republican businessman's political brand was largely built on his hardline and sometimes inflammatory rhetoric on immigration and border security, as per the Miami Herald.

In a statement on Monday, DeSantis said that he was motivated to bring this issue to a conclusion because he has listened to the call of the people in DC for several years. He argued that lawmakers from both sides have always talked about the topic but have never done anything to conclude it.

The Florida governor committed to ending what is known as "catch and release," which is the policy that allows migrants to be released into the United States while they are waiting for their asylum hearing. DeSantis plans to reimpose the "Remain in Mexico" policy and finish Trump's long-promised border wall.

Furthermore, DeSantis said that Border Patrol agents should be able to "respond with force" if they catch any drug smugglers trying to sneak into the US He said that if cartels are passing through the border wall undetected, they are going to end up "stone-cold dead" due to that bad decision.

Read Also: Eric Adams Join Thousands in LGBTQ+ Pride March From New York to San Francisco

Highly Aggressive Policies

Despite his confidence, DeSantis' new policies face tall odds, with some requiring the reversal of legal precedents, approval from other nations, or an amendment to the US Constitution. However, the Florida governor on Monday excoriated both Democratic and Republican leaders for failing to address the issue, according to the Associated Press.

The Republican lawmaker also addressed his plans while touring Eagle Pass, a community that has become a major corridor for illegal border crossings during the Biden administration.

The DeSantis campaign has also promised to reveal more details about the plan in the following weeks. However, in leading with immigration, the Florida governor is now prioritizing a divisive issue that has long been a focus of the GOP's most conservative voters.

On the other hand, the pro-immigrant group America's Voice criticized DeSantis for making "invasion" references that have long been used by white supremacists. However, many voters in the political middle have started to take more aggressive immigration policies in the last few months as illegal border crossings have surged, said Yahoo News.

Related Article: Chris Christie Political Career: A Brief Look at the Lawmaker's Legislative Transformation

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A man is accused of fatally shooting his mother and aunt in their family home, Pennsylvania authorities say.

Benjamin Selby, 43, was taken into custody without incident following the shooting Saturday, June 24, in New Sewickley Township, police said in a Monday news briefing streamed by WTAE.

Officers were sent to the home when Selbys cousin heard gunshots as he was in the driveway, New Sewickley Police Chief Greg Carney said. The cousin, who the Beaver County Times reported heard about 15 gunshots, discovered his aunt had been shot, police said.

The bodies of the two women were found inside the home by responding officers, Carney said in the news briefing. A third woman, Selbys grandmother, was unharmed, the police chief said.

The victims were identified as Delores Selby and Mary Lihosit, police said. They were 71 and 65 years old, respectively, according to KDKA.

A motive for the killings is unknown. Police said Selby has not given any explanation.

Police said they believe the grandma, who is reportedly 92 years old, could have been a third victim.

It can happen anywhere at anytime, Carney said. Its unusual for our community to have something like this, but we were prepared.

Benjamin Selby was charged with two counts of criminal homicide and one count of kidnapping, KDKA reported. Selby lived at the home with his mother and grandmother, according to the police chief.

Carney said the other family members are going through some very difficult times.

Theyre in shock. No one expected this to happen, he said.

New Sewickley Township is about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

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MILAN (Reuters) -Dozens of people have been arrested in a new police raid against the 'Ndrangheta mafia that has revealed how its multiple illegal activities have spread as far as Austria and Germany, Italian authorities said on Tuesday.

Suspects, including politicians from the 'Ndrangheta home region of Calabria, face charges including mafia association, murder, extortion, fraud, rigging of public contracts, bribery and vote buying, police said in a statement.

Catanzaro Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, one of Italy's best-known anti-Mafia investigators, said in a press conference that regional politicians and public administrators had been "subjugated" by mobsters during 2014-2020.

Police said 22 people have been jailed, 12 put under house arrest, four suspended from office and three given orders not to leave their home town, and a total of 123 people are under investigation, including a former governor of Calabria.

Prosecutors from the German town of Stuttgart and the German federal police cooperated with the investigation, they added.

In a press release European police organisation Europol, which supported the action, said those detained were predominantly Italian but included German and Austrian nationals.

The alleged 'Ndrangheta network ran illegal trades from the south to the north of Italy in real estate, catering, fruit and vegetable and livestock trading, security services and video-poker, Italian police said.

Mobsters also did business with an Austrian fruit and vegetable trader and used German hackers to carry out fraudulent banking and financial transactions on clandestine trading platforms, according to the police.

Tuesday's sting follows two other major anti-'Ndrangheta raids in May, which led to more than 100 arrests across Europe and to the discovery of a drug smuggling ring that relied on shadow networks of Chinese money brokers.

The 'Ndrangheta, which has its roots in the southern Italian region of Calabria, has surpassed Sicily's Cosa Nostra as Italy's most powerful mafia group, and is considered one of the largest criminal networks in the world.

(Reporting by Emilio Parodi, additional reporting by Stephanie van den Berg in The Hague, editing by Alvise Armellini, Christina Fincher, William Maclean)
By Charlotte Greenfield

(Reuters) - Over a thousand Afghan civilians were killed in bombings and other violence since foreign forces left and the Taliban took over in 2021, according to a report by the U.N.'s mission to Afghanistan released on Tuesday.

Between Aug. 15 2021 and May this year 1,095 civilians were killed and 2,679 wounded, according to the U.N. Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA), underscoring the security challenges even after the end of decades of war.

The majority of deaths - just over 700 - were caused by improvised explosive devices including suicide bombings in public places such as mosques, education centres and markets.

Though armed fighting has fallen dramatically since the Taliban took over in August 2021 as the NATO-backed military collapsed, security challenges remain, particularly from the Islamic State. The militant group was responsible for the majority of attacks, according to the UNAMA, which also noted that the deadliness of attacks had escalated despite fewer violent incidents.

"UNAMA's figures highlight not only the ongoing civilian harm resulting from such attacks, but an increase in the lethality of suicide attacks since 15 August 2021, with a smaller number of attacks causing a greater number of civilian casualties," the report said.

The Taliban have said they are focused on securing the country and have carried out several raids against Islamic State cells in recent months.

Just over 1,700 casualties, including injuries, were attributed to explosive attacks claimed by Islamic State, according to UNAMA.

The Taliban-run foreign affairs ministry in a response to the U.N. said that Afghanistan had faced security challenges during war for decades before its government, known as the Islamic Emirate, took over and the situation had improved.

"Security forces of the Islamic Emirate oblige themselves to ensure security of the citizens and take timely action on uprooting the safe havens of the terrorists," it said.

(Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Stephen Coates)
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee agency warned on Tuesday that an earlier projection that conflict in Sudan would prompt 1 million people to flee across its borders is likely to be surpassed.

So far, the conflict between warring military factions that began in mid-April has caused nearly 600,000 people to escape into neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan and Central African Republic.

"Unfortunately, looking at the trends, looking at the situation in Darfur, we're likely to go beyond 1 million," Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, said in response to a question about its estimate in April for the coming six months.

He was referring to ethnically motivated attacks and clashes in the Darfur region, which suffered a major conflict in the early 2000s killing some 300,000 people.

He did not give details on how far above 1 million he expected refugee numbers fleeing abroad to reach. The United Nations estimates more than 2.5 million people have been uprooted since April, most within Sudan.

The latest wave of violence in Darfur has been driven by militias from Arab nomadic tribes along with members of the Rapid Support Forces, a military faction engaged in a power struggle with Sudan's army in the capital, Khartoum, witnesses and activists said.

Witnesses told Reuters this month an increasing number of Sudanese civilians fleeing El Geneina, a city in Darfur hit by repeated attacks, have been killed or shot at as they tried to escape by foot to Chad.

"Lots of women and children are now arriving with injuries. It's very concerning," Mazou said.

He described access to refugees in Chad as "extraordinarily difficult" because the start of the rainy season was making it harder to reach refugees and move them away from the border into safer camps.

The UNHCR has already had to revise its forecast for people fleeing into Chad from Sudan to 245,000 from 100,000 people, he said.

"There's been less and less people wanting to stay at the border as the situation deteriorates in Darfur," he said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Arriana McLymore

NEW YORK (Reuters) - E-commerce marketplace Temu is looking to hire a compliance officer based in the U.S., job ads showed, after lawmakers scrutinized the Chinese company for allegedly lax practices and policies related to blocking goods from the Xinjiang region.

Temu, launched by parent PDD Holdings in the U.S. in September, sells products like $9 dresses and $6 shorts from merchants in China.

Its total value of goods sold in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand reached $634.8 million in April, according to the latest available data from market research firm Yipit.

Temu is seeking a U.S.-based compliance officer to develop policies and procedures relating to its financial operations, such as anti-money laundering, licensing requirements and reporting obligations, according to a LinkedIn job posting seen by Reuters.

It is also looking to hire a lawyer with a specialty in trade compliance to help Temu create a protocol for screening merchandise, another posting showed.

Temu did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The U.S. House Select Committee on the China Communist Party in May launched an investigation into retailers' connections to forced labor in China's Xinjiang region, including any efforts to comply with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

The committee last week released preliminary findings stating that Temu "does not have any system to ensure compliance" with the act. Temu's 80,000 "suppliers agree to boilerplate terms and conditions that prohibit the use of forced labor," the report said.

Other U.S. lawmakers are seeking to restrict the "de minimis" tariff exemption widely used by e-commerce sellers to send orders from China to the United States.

A federal brief in April said Temu and Chinese-owned rival Shein "exploit" the exemption to avoid duties and import illegal items such as those made in the Xingiang region with forced labor. Shein has previously denied using forced labor.

Rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses including forced labor and placing 1 million or more Uyghurs - a mainly Muslim ethnic group - in internment camps in Xinjiang.

China vigorously denies such abuses and says it established "vocational training centers" to curb terrorism, separatism and religious radicalism.

(Reporting by Arriana McLymore in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed)
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Philippine police backed by commandos staged a massive raid on Tuesday and said they rescued more than 2,700 workers from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and more than a dozen other countries who were allegedly swindled into working for fraudulent online gaming sites and other cybercrime groups.

The number of human trafficking victims rescued from seven buildings in Las Pinas city in metropolitan Manila and the scale of the nighttime police raid were the largest so far this year and indicated how the Philippines has become a key base of operations for cybercrime syndicates.

Cybercrime scams have become a major issue in Asia with reports of people from the region and beyond being lured into taking jobs in countries like strife-torn Myanmar and Cambodia. However, many of these workers find themselves trapped in virtual slavery and forced to participate in scams targeting people over the internet.

In May, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed in a summit in Indonesia to tighten border controls and law enforcement and broaden public education to fight criminal syndicates that traffic workers to other nations, where they are made to participate in online fraud.

Brig. Gen. Sydney Hernia, who heads the national Philippine polices anti-cybercrime unit, said police armed with warrants raided and searched the buildings around midnight in Las Pinas and rescued 1,534 Filipinos and 1,190 foreigners from at least 17 countries, including 604 Chinese, 183 Vietnamese, 137 Indonesians, 134 Malaysians and 81 Thais. There were also a few people from Myanmar, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria and Taiwan.

It was not immediately clear how many suspected leaders of the syndicate were arrested.

Police raided another suspected cybercrime base at the Clark freeport in Mabalacat city in Pampanga province north of Manila in May where they took custody of nearly 1,400 Filipino and foreign workers who were allegedly forced to carry out cryptocurrency scams, police said.

Some of the workers told investigators that when they tried to quit they were forced to pay a hefty amount for unclear reasons or they feared they would be sold to other syndicates, police said, adding that workers were also forced to pay fines for perceived infractions at work.

Workers were lured with high salary offers and ideal working conditions in Facebook advertisements but later found out the promises were a ruse, officials said.

Indonesian Minister Muhammad Mahfud, who deals with political, legal and security issues, told reporters in May that Indonesia and other countries in the region have found it difficult to work with Myanmar on cybercrime and its victims.

He said ASEAN needs to make progress on a long-proposed regional extradition treaty that would help authorities prosecute offenders more rapidly and prevent a further escalation in cybercrime.
BERLIN (Reuters) -German police searched properties belonging to the Archdiocese of Cologne on Tuesday as part of a perjury investigation against Cologne Archbishop Rainer Maria Woelki linked to his handling of historic abuse cases, prosecutors said.

Last year, prosecutors said they were investigating whether Woelki, one of the most senior clerics in Germany's Catholic Church, perjured himself in sworn testimony about abuse committed by a priest who died in 2019.

The archbisopric said at the time the attempt to accuse Woelki of perjury was unfounded.

"They are looking for clues that prove or refute the accusation of false testimony against Cardinal Woelki," said lawyer Ralf Hoecker, representing the archbishop.

"It will take time until there is a result," he said in an email, adding that in the end the case would be stopped because the cardinal had told the truth.

The Catholic Church in Germany has for years struggled to deal with the fallout of a historic abuse scandal and criticism that senior clergy failed to act when first told about it.

A report in 2021 found that in Cologne alone, Germany's largest archdiocese, there had been more than 200 abusers and more than 300 victims, mostly under the age of 14, between 1975 and 2018.

Prosecutors in Cologne said some 30 police officers were involved in searches in six locations, four of which were in Cologne and included rooms in the archbishop's residence.

"The aim was to secure written documents and collect communication within the diocese on events linked to statements by the accused that were reported to be untrue," prosecutors said. They added that it would take time to evaluate items that had been secured.

The allegations concern abuse by priest Winfried Pilz who had run a Catholic children's charity and died in 2019.

German public broadcaster WDR, which first reported the raids, had reported last year that its reporters had seen a document indicating Woelki was told about the case earlier than he had said under oath.

In a statement, the archdiocese said by looking into the business documents and emails, it should be established whether the perjury accusation made against Woelki can be proven or refuted.

Woelki last year offered his resignation to the Pope. Rome has not yet made a decision on whether to accept it.

(Reporting by Reuters Television; Writing by Friederike Heine and Madeline Chambers, Editing by Maria Sheahan, Ed Osmond and Alison Williams)
A friend recently asked: Why is there so much hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community all of a sudden?

The unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bias we see today has a history that goes back decades. Whether it was Anita Bryants Save Our Children campaign in Miami-Dade County in 1977 or the nearly 100,000 LGBTQ+ people forced from federal civil service during the last century, our society has a long and sordid history of discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans. Fortunately, the lessons of yesteryear can be instructive as we seek to overcome the latest onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and opposition.

Most recently, conservatives have directed their ire at companies such as Cracker Barrel and Target, which joined dozens of other organizations in recognizing Pride. Given this context, it feels like a surreal time to be LGBTQ+. Gay cant be said, mentioned or referenced in Florida schools. Transgender people cant be affirmed, advocated for or athletically inclined. And domestic terrorists seek to make any Pride celebration a perilous one.

As corporations initiate Pride festivities, they would do well to remember: Pride did not begin as a celebration, it began as a rebellion against police violence and social inequity. On June 29, 1969, a steamy summer night in New York City, a group of courageous patrons at the Stonewall Inn  led by the transgender people among them  decided to fight back against a barrage of public harassment. Over four days of protests, LGBTQ+ people showed the resilience, grit and determination that have become the hallmarks of our community.

Understanding the meaning of that historic moment is important because time and, unfortunately, politics obscure the complex nature of human-rights movements. Just as Florida Gov. DeSantis schemes to erase American history to appease the consciences of the privileged few, Pride has been portrayed in mainstream circles as an unbridled party where our neighbors and friends can be raucous and carefree.

Yet, Pride is about more than mere jubilation: It is the gleaming moment where the community unabashedly honors its beauty. Even in 2023, that is no small feat. With 650+ anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across the country this year alone, for the queer individual, Pride is an opportunity for righteous defiance, self-reclamation and personal liberation.

Accordingly, any attempts by our allies to support Pride should reflect a similar level of strength, resolve and commitment. When companies, civic groups and elected officials bow in the face of LGBTQ+ opponents, they send the signal that their Pride initiatives are performative and superficial. In those instances, Pride celebrations come across as self-serving campaigns rather than genuine measures designed to honor LGBTQ+ constituents, customers, employees and communities.

We must remember: Pride is a celebration born from struggle. It is an occasion made possible by sacrifice. It is a gathering made necessary by hate. And it would not be possible without the people who stand up and speak out, with little tolerance for sanctimonious beliefs, political posturing or the bullying tactics of those who would debase our freedom.

In other words, Pride was, and still is, a lesson in activism. It also highlights a need for courageous leadership. If our corporate allies want to heed the spirit of Pride, then their activism cannot culminate with parade floats, rainbow decorations or hackneyed sloganeering. Companies must intentionally embody the inclusive principles they espouse if they are truly invested in social justice.

Naturally, it would be reckless to dismiss the concerns for employee safety that companies such as Target are facing. Nonetheless, catering to the demands of extremists only emboldens them to demonize any future diversity and equity initiatives.

The physical and psychological safety of employees is important, but the cultural safety of all employees and shoppers is diminished when companies allow extremists to dictate their internal culture and public persona. Companies can use bold and creative measures to stand up to anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry. An equity mindset demands leadership, not deference, denial or capitulation.

Fighting for human rights is never easy, but neither is being LGBTQ+ in the current social landscape. True allyship asks companies like Target to be upstanders for LGBTQ+ inclusion instead of enablers for anti-LGBTQ sentiment. When companies observe Pride, they should avoid hollow gestures like virtue signaling or armchair activism and recognize the true origins, essence and spirit of Pride.

This is not a time to be daunted, dissuaded or deterred. Pride allyship requires the same type of bold leadership that members of the LGBTQ+ community exhibit every single day.

Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown is an organizational development consultant, professor and author of The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Can Transform Your Leadership Practice.
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's relocation to Belarus could be part of a wider strategy by Russian President Vladimir Putin to spread Ukrainian defenses thin.

"It is a strategic move to beef up Russian force posture and open a second front for Western Ukraine war," author and former DIA intelligence officer Rebekah Koffler told Fox News Digital. Koffler said her intelligence analysis has her leaning to believe, "the revolt was not authentic."

"My intel analysis suggests the coup attempt was false flag operation," Koffler told Fox News Digital. "It is a strategic move to beef up Russian force posture and open a second front for Western Ukraine war."

Koffler's comments come as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Tuesday that Prigozhin had landed in his country after staging a rebellion in Russia over the weekend. The Wagner Group leader is reportedly in Belarus as part of a deal struck with the Kremlin to go into exile there in exchange for not facing prosecution, but his presence in the country has bordering NATO countries on edge.

RUSSIAN MERCENARY'S SPEECH ON PUTIN STANDOFF SPARKS QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS FATE

"We are closely monitoring the situation and are fully prepared to react should the situation require," a Lithuanian official told Fox News Digital regarding Prigozhin's move to Belarus.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to Koffler, countries such as Poland and Lithuania, which border Belarus to the west and north respectively, are right to view the move with suspicion, and are likely already discussing ways to beef up security.

"Poland and Lithuania almost certainly understand what has just taken place, in terms of Putins moving the chess pieces, and will likely be pressuring NATO for assistance in increasing their security measures and augmenting the alliances strategic reserves in the region," Koffler said.

Prigozhin's arrival in Belarus comes a day after he gave a speech explaining his rationale for the brief mutiny, explaining that the take-over of Russian towns and short-lived march on Moscow were an attempt to demonstrate the value of his fighters. The Wagner Group leader did not acknowledge any deal with Putin to end the uprising, instead saying that he stood down in an attempt to prevent any Russian bloodshed.

Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

RUSSIAN WARLORD'S DAYS MAY BE NUMBERED AFTER STANDOFF WITH PUTIN: RETIRED ADMIRAL

However, Koffler said that "Prigozhin cannot be trusted any more than Putin," arguing the Wagner Group leader is only honest about his "work on behalf of Mother Russia."

"Mother Russia is now Putin," Koffler said in response to the speech.

With Prigozhin now in Belarus, Koffler believes a much larger plan will be put in motion.

"Putin is expanding the battlefield to stretch Ukrainian resources thin amidst Kievs counter-offensive," she said. "Putin also aims to hold at risk NATOs eastern flank - it is why he recently gifted tactical nuclear weapons to Lukashenko."

The continued hostilities in Ukraine are creating a "permanent simmering crisis in Europe" that will come with "unpredictable consequences," Koffler noted, citing the fact that "nuclear weapons play a very prominent role in Russian military science and war-fighting doctrine."

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) embraces his Belarussian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko during a meeting in Moscow, Russia December 29, 2018. Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool via REUTERS

Koffler added that the standoff has created a "strategic standoff unseen since the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis," tensions she argued U.S. leadership could do more to ease.

"The fact that there have been no attempts, whatsoever, taken by Moscow, Kiev, Washington, or Brussels to de-escalate this crisis is a serious cause for concern," Koffler said. "As the Commander-in-Chief and the leader of the free world, President Biden has the opportunity to step in, exert U.S. influence and ensure stability."
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.

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(Photo : Zach Wilkinson-Pool/Getty Images)

Idaho could execute Bryan Kohberger if he is convicted of murdering four students, prosecutors confirmed.

According to a new court filing, prosecutors will seek the death penalty for Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the horrific University of Idaho murders.

On November 13, 2022, Kohberger was accused of stabbing four college students in an off-campus residence to death.

Death Penalty Sought for Bryan Kohberger

Kaylee Goncalves, her closest friend and roommate of a lifetime, Madison Mogen, a third roommate, Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's fiance, Ethan Chapin, were the victims. Two additional companions survived the startling crime that captivated the nation.

Kohberger, age 28, was apprehended on December 30, 2022, following a six-week manhunt. At the time of the homicides, Kohberger was a Ph.D. student at the adjacent Washington State University.

Monday evening, the family of Kaylee Goncalves released a statement thanking prosecutors for pursuing the death penalty, ABC News reported.

Last month, Kohberger chose to remain silent during his arraignment. By not responding, the judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the defendant. Prosecutors had sixty days following the May arraignment to file a notice if they intended to pursue the death penalty. The trial of Kohberger is scheduled for October 2.

The Latah County Prosecutor's Office notified the court that they would pursue the death penalty because the murders were "particularly abominable, atrocious, or callous, manifesting exceptional depravity."

The death penalty was deemed appropriate by prosecutors due to the number of victims, the defendant's "utter disregard for human life," his "reckless indifference to human life," and his status as a menace to society.

In addition, prosecutors were not given any mitigating circumstances that could be used to argue that Kohberger should not be executed. Prosecutors met with the families of the victims to discuss the case, with Kernodle's mother, Cara Northington, favoring a life sentence for Kohberger if he is convicted.

On the other hand, her father, Jeff, reportedly supports the death penalty for the alleged murderer. The Goncalves and Mogens also favor the death penalty, while the Chapins' position has not been made public.

Read Also: Angry Putin Accuses West of Sparking Turmoil for Russians 'To Kill Each Other,' Says Wagner Chief Will Be Brought to Justice

Lawyer Claims Bryan Kohberger Has No Link to Idaho Student Murders

On Thursday, Kohberger's attorneys alleged that DNA evidence from two other males was discovered at the crime scene. The attorneys stated that their client had "no connection" to the mortally stabbed students in their off-campus Moscow residence.

According to the filing, on December 17, 2022, lab analysts discovered the DNA of two additional males in the residence where the deceased were discovered. The defense team stated that a second man's DNA was discovered inside the Moscow home, and a third man's DNA was allegedly discovered on a glove outside the home.

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 buccal swab-collected DNA was a statistically significant match to DNA found on a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

Previously, prosecutors argued that Kohberger had no access to the FBI data discovered by the method. The defense team stated in their filing, "Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not recognize that his defense does not require this information."

The state appears solely concerned with preventing Kohberger from learning how the investigative genetic genealogy profile was created and how many other individuals the FBI chose to disregard during its investigation.

Per Daily Mail, detectives discovered a Ka-Bar knife scabbard with Mogen and Goncalves' bodies on the bed. According to court documents filed on June 16, the scabbard was partially concealed by Mogen's body and the bed comforter.

Related Article: Ohio Dad Faces Death Penalty for Executing 3 Young Sons, Tried To Hunt 1 Who Tried To Escape

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Russian President Vladimir Putin looked to set the tone Tuesday just days after he faced a mutiny from the Wagner mercenary group, claiming they did not have the backing of the people.

Putin faced the greatest threat yet to his more than 20-year rule over the weekend when Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin sent an alleged 25,000 men from his ranks in Ukraine to oppose the Kremlin and in particular the Ministry of Defense.

However, according to the Kremlin chief, Prigozhins efforts did not have the support of the Russian people.

Members of the Wagner Group prepare to depart from the Southern Military District's headquarters and return to their base on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

TIMELINE OF WAGNER MERCENARY GROUP'S STANDOFF THAT SHOOK PUTIN'S RUSSIA

"The people who were dragged into the rebellion saw that the army, the people were not with them," Putin said in an address to security officials including Russias intelligence agency the Federal Security Service.

Prigozhin, who said his "march for justice" was in retaliation for the ill-treatment his troops had received at the hands of the Russian defense ministry, was able to secure not only the largest city in southern Russia, but its military headquarters without spilling "one drop of blood."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The Rostov-on-Don capture was significant as it is also home to the Russian Southern Military District Command, whose 58th Combined Arms Army is fighting in southern Ukraine against Kyivs counteroffensive.

Prigozhins ability to quietly and quickly take the city, coupled with the images from days events paint a different picture than what Putin claimed Tuesday.

Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin left the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

PRIGOZHIN MONOPOLY OVER WAGNER GROUP FORCES IN AFRICA PEDDLING PUTIN INTERESTS UNCLEAR FOLLOWING MUTINY

Images from the morning of the city takeover showed Wagner soldiers in the streets chatting with locals and drinking coffee.

By the evening, after a Belarus-brokered deal ended the march toward Moscow and Wagner forces began packing up to leave Rostov-on-Don, locals were seen clasping hands and taking pictures with Prigozhin and Wagner mercenary soldiers.

Putin championed the quiet conclusion to the mutiny as a direct result of the security measures put forward by his top agencies, noting that Russia "didn't have to remove combat units from the [Special Military Operation] SVO zone" in Ukraine. Though reports from over the weekend suggested that some 3,000 Chechen forces were dispatched from Ukraine to assist in protecting Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his meeting with officers of Russian army and secret services who prevented invasion of PMC Wagner Group to Russian capital last weekend, on June 27, 2023 in Moscow. Hundreds of Russian officers gathered at the Cathedral Square of the Moscow's Kremlin to listen to Putin's speech.

While Putin looked to counter any claims that Wagner forces had citizen support, he did not look to downplay the threat he faced from the attempted mutiny calling it "extremely dangerous" and a "civil war."

"You defended the constitutional system, life, security and freedom of our citizens, saved our Motherland from upheavals, actually stopped the civil war," he said. "In a difficult situation, you acted clearly, harmoniously, proved your loyalty to the people of Russia and the military oath, showed responsibility for the fate of the Motherland and its future."
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his country Monday for the first time since the end of a short-lived mutiny of Wagner mercenary troops led by Yevgeny Prigozhin over the weekend.

In a short speech, Putin said the mutineers "betrayed the country, their people and those who they dragged into this affair."

Russian President Vladimir Putin gives a televised address in Moscow, Russia, June 26, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via REUTERS

"The enemies of Russia wanted, the Nazis in Kyiv and their Western sponsors and various assorted traitors, wanted bloodshed. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other. They wanted peaceful civilians and military personnel to die so that in the end Russia is defeated, our society is fractured and choked on the blood of internal strife," Putin said.

Putin stopped short of mentioning Prigozhin by name. Earlier Monday, Prigozhin defended his short-lived insurrection.

TIMELINE OF WAGNER MERCENARY GROUP'S STANDOFF THAT SHOOT PUTIN'S RUSSIA

The Wagner leader said he wasnt seeking to stage a coup but was acting to prevent the destruction of his private military company, which has played a key role in the war in Ukraine.

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"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.

Putins speech showed the despot trying to project strength to the nation after one of the most significant challenges to his leadership after more than two-and-a-half decades in power.

Putin said that most Wagner troops are also Russian patriots "loyal to their state" and thanked those who did not participate in the mutiny.

BIDEN MAKES FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WAGNER REVOLT IN RUSSIA: WE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT

The Wagner troops, he said, were "being used (in the dark) and they were being directed against their brothers in arms."

"This is why from the very beginning steps were being taken to avoid bloodshed," Putin said. "We also wanted to give a chance to those who have made a mistake to understand that their actions are rejected by this society and their actions would have resulted in destructive consequences for Russia, they were being dragged into a plot."

FILE: Members of Wagner group detain a man in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023.

Putin extended an offer to Wagner troops to continue their service to Russia by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense or return to their families.

"The promise I gave will be fulfilled. I repeat, the choice is up to you," he said.

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.

BIDEN ADMIN SAYS IT DOESN'T KNOW WHERE WAGNER GROUP LEADER YEVGENY PRIGOZHIN IS AFTER SHORT-LIVED MUTINY

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 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 Russia's 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 toward Moscow without facing resistance.

Members of Wagner group sit on the sidewalk as they patrol the center of Rostov-on-Don, on June 24, 2023.

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.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Reuters) -Sudan's army confirmed on Monday that the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had taken the main base of a well-equipped police brigade in Khartoum and there were reports of fighting spreading for the first time to Blue Nile state near Ethiopia.

The RSF said it had captured dozens of armoured vehicles and pickup trucks after seizing the Central Reserve Police headquarters on Sunday, consolidating its position in southern Khartoum where several important military camps are situated.

The army had leant on the Central Reserve Police for ground fighting in Khartoum, where it has struggled to counter mobile RSF units which quickly spread out across the city once fighting erupted on April 15.

The army said in a statement that the Central Reserve police base had been taken after three days of fighting, accusing the RSF of attacking "state institutions."

Local activists said at least 15 civilians had been killed in the fighting, and more than 80 had been seriously wounded.

Also on Monday, residents on social media reported an attack by the SPLM-N, Sudan's most powerful rebel group, in the city of Kurmuk in Blue Nile State, on the border with Ethiopia.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. The United Nations mission in Sudan said hundreds of civilians had crossed the border into Ethiopia to seek safety due to clashes in Blue Nile on Sunday and Monday, while others appeared set to head north to Damazin, the state capital.

Clashes linked to tribal tensions in Blue Nile State left hundreds dead last year.

The SPLM-N last week clashed with the army in South Kordofan state, raising fears the conflict could spread across Sudan's southern regions.

The war between the army and the RSF erupted amid disputes over internationally backed plans for a transition towards elections under a civilian government.

Fighting has intensified through a series of ceasefire deals negotiated by Saudi Arabia and the United States at talks in Jeddah that were suspended last week.

The war has caused a major humanitarian crisis, uprooting more than 2.5 million people, about 600,000 of whom have crossed into neighbouring countries. Most have headed north to Egypt or west into Chad, where refugees have sought shelter from ethnically motivated attacks and clashes in Sudan's Darfur region.

Some families will spend the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha this week far away from their relatives.

"It's the first time I spend Eid away from Sudan and alone," said Safiya Juma Adam, who fled the war to Giza in Egypt with her three children. "If it weren't for this war, I wouldn't have left Sudan."

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in DubaiWriting by Aidan LewisEditing by Christina Fincher and Matthew Lewis)
By Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers on Tuesday urged the U.S. State Department not to renew a decades-old U.S-China agreement on scientific cooperation, arguing that Beijing would seek to use it to help its military.

The deal, signed when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979 and renewed about every five years since, has resulted in cooperation in areas from atmospheric and agricultural science to basic research in physics and chemistry.

But concerns about China's growing military prowess and theft of U.S. scientific and commercial achievements have prompted questions about whether the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) set to expire on Aug. 27 should continue.

In a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the chair of the U.S. House of Representative's select committee on China Mike Gallagher and nine other Republican representatives said the deal should be scrapped.

The letter cited concerns about joint work between the U.S. and China's Meteorological Administration on "instrumented balloons", as well as more than a dozen U.S. Department of Agriculture projects with Chinese entities that it said include technologies with "clear dual-use applications," including techniques to analyze satellite and drone imagery for irrigation management.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) uses academic researchers, industrial espionage, forced technology transfers, and other tactics to gain an edge in critical technologies, which in turn fuels the People's Liberation Army modernization," the lawmakers wrote.

"The United States must stop fueling its own destruction. Letting the STA expire is a good first step," they said.

China has sought to accelerate efforts to achieve self-reliance in agricultural technology, including in seed development. U.S. authorities have stepped up efforts to counter what they say is industrial espionage by Chinese individuals in the sector.

China's officials hope to extend the deal, and have said publicly they approached the U.S. last year to discuss renewal, but that Washington has been conducting a review of the agreement.

The State Department earlier this month declined to comment on "internal deliberations on negotiations."

Proponents of renewing the deal argue that without it, the U.S. would lose valuable insight into China's technical advances. Nonetheless, many analysts say the agreement must be fundamentally reworked to safeguard U.S. innovation in a time of heightened strategic competition with China.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee and Jamie Freed)
(Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin made a defiant televised address on Monday evening, saying 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.

The statement, his first on the issue since he spoke on Saturday promising to crush the mutiny, appeared intended to draw a line under an event that numerous Western leaders saw as exposing Putin's vulnerability since invading Ukraine 16 months ago.

Wagner's fighters, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, succeeded in taking control of the city of Rostov-on-Don with its military command centre steering the Ukraine campaign, and driving an armed convoy across Russia to within 200 km (125 miles) of Moscow.

"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."

Putin made no mention of Prigozhin, who had demanded that Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, come to Rostov to speak to him. Prigozhin called for both of them to be dismissed.

Nor did Putin mention any planned personnel changes at the Defence Ministry, although at around 11 p.m. Moscow time he was shown on television addressing a meeting of heads of his security departments, including Shoigu.

Prigozhin had said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove towards Moscow; Putin did allude to some bloodshed, but blamed it on Wagner:

"The organisers of the mutiny, having betrayed their country, their people, also betrayed those whom they dragged into the crime. They lied to them, they pushed them to death: under fire, to shoot their own."

Putin thanked Wagner fighters and commanders who had stood down from the mutiny to avoid what he called "fratricidal bloodshed", and said the vast majority of Wagner's members were patriots.

He said those who decided not to sign contracts with the army under a Defence Ministry order could either relocate to Belarus or simply return to their families.

Putin said all levels of society had taken "a firm, unambiguous position in support of the constitutional order".

"Everyone was united and rallied by the main thing," he said, "responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland."

Russia says it is carrying out a "special military operation" in Ukraine to remove what it calls a potential threat against its own security from the Western-leaning government in Kyiv. Ukraine and the West described the February 2022 invasion as an unprovoked land grab.

(Reporting by Reuters Writing by Andrew OsbornEditing by Kevin Liffey and Grant McCool)
By Jennifer Rigby

LONDON (Reuters) - Three global health bodies are teaming up to investigate stockpiling experimental vaccines for rare infectious diseases so the shots can be tested more quickly when outbreaks happen, a top official from vaccine alliance Gavi told Reuters.

The initiative will be led by Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and is likely to be announced later on Tuesday after Gavis board approved it at a meeting earlier in the day.

It will focus initially on Marburg and the Sudan strain of Ebola, after outbreaks of the two deadly viral haemorrhagic fevers in Africa last year. There are no existing vaccines or proven treatments available for either of the infections.

If successful, the scheme  known as the global virtual pooled inventory (GVPI)  could be a pilot for other deadly diseases and wider pandemic preparedness, officials said, which are an increasing threat due to factors like climate change.

In Uganda last year, 55 people died in the Ebola outbreak and there were 142 confirmed cases, according to WHO. Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania saw 25 confirmed Marburg cases and 18 deaths in total. There were a further 23 probable cases, all of whom died, in Equatorial Guinea, which had never experienced Marburg before.

While the governments moved fast with global partners to try to set up human trials of new vaccines, the outbreaks were halted with other public health measures, like testing and isolating patients, before trials could properly begin.

While that speed clearly saved lives, it also meant that the world was not really any closer to having effective vaccines available to help tackle future outbreaks, said Aurelia Nguyen, chief programme strategy officer at Gavi.

Weve had the lesson with Ebola Sudan and with Marburg, she told Reuters. Think about a mechanism where we have the ability to secure some doses of an investigational vaccine ... in a way that actually gets us ahead of the outbreak.

The details of the plan are still being worked out, but Nguyen said it could work with Gavi and partners agreeing deals ahead of time, where manufacturers commit to providing a certain number of vaccine doses very quickly when outbreaks begin. A similar model worked for another Ebola strain, Zaire.

Vaccines for Ebola Sudan are under development by companies and researchers including Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India as well as the International Aids Vaccine Institute (IAVI) and Merck, and the Sabin Institute. The latter is also working on a Marburg vaccine, among other companies and institutions.

Vaccines would need to have been tested for safety and whether they induced an immune response in humans - usually phase II trials - before being included in the stockpile, said Nguyen.

(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Mark Potter)
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.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  The United Nations said Tuesday it has documented a significant level of civilians killed and wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover  despite a stark reduction in casualties compared to previous years of war and insurgency.

According to a new report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, since the takeover in mid-August 2021 and until the end of May, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 people killed in violence in the country.

That compares with 8,820 civilian casualties  including 3,035 killed  in just 2020, according to an earlier U.N. report.

The Taliban seized the country in August 2021 while U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

According to the U.N. report, three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were with improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets, the report said. Among those killed were 92 women and 287 children.

A press statement from the U.N. that followed Tuesday's report said the figures indicate a significant increase in civilian harm resulting from IED attacks on places of worship  mostly belonging to the minority Shiite Muslims  compared to the three-year period prior to the Taliban takeover.

The statement also said that at least 95 people were killed in attacks on schools, educational facilities and other places that targeted the predominantly Shiite Hazara community.

The statement said that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the regions affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province  a Sunni militant group and a main Taliban rival.

These attacks on civilians and civilian objects are reprehensible and must stop, said Fiona Frazer, chief of UNAMAs Human Rights Service. She urged the Taliban  the de facto authorities in Afghanistan  to uphold their obligation to protect the right to life of the Afghan people.

However, the U.N. report said a significant number of the deaths resulted from attacks that were never claimed or that the U.N. mission could not attribute to any group. It did not provide the number for those fatalities.

The report also expressed concern about the lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities.

It noted that the attacks were carried out amid a nationwide financial and economic crisis. With the sharp drop in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to medical, financial and psychosocial support under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

Frazer said that even though Afghan "victims of armed conflict and violence struggled to access essential medical, financial and psychosocial support prior to the takeover, this has become more difficult after the Taliban took power.

Help for the victims of violence is now even harder to come by because of the drop in donor funding for vital services," she added.

The U.N. report also demanded an immediate halt to attacks and said it holds the Taliban government responsible for the safety of Afghans.

The Taliban said their administration took over when Afghanistan was on the verge of collapse and that they managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis" by making sound decisions and through proper management.

In a response, the Taliban-led foreign ministry said that the situation has gradually improved since August 2021. Security has been ensured across the country, the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

Despite initial promises in 2021 of a more moderate administration, the Taliban enforced harsh rules after seizing the country. They banned girls education after the sixth grade and barred Afghan women from public life and most work, including for nongovernmental organizations and the U.N.

The measures harked back to the previous Taliban rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, when they also imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. The edicts prompted an international outcry against the already ostracized Taliban, whose administration has not been officially recognized by the U.N. and the international community.
The passengers and crew of the Polar Prince returned to the Canadian port city of St. John's in the province of Newfoundland Saturday (June 25) after a long week at sea. Investigators interrogated them a few hours after docking before leaving the vessel.

Some passengers aboard were family members of the five passengers of the destroyed OceanGate submersible Titan, which OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush piloted.

Photos published by the Daily Mail showed crew members and relatives were seen looking somber as they received a briefing as they docked at the Canadian Coast Guard's Atlantic headquarters.

RHIB boats were also spotted towing what appeared to be the Titan's launch platform away from the Polar Prince at another location within the port.

One of the passengers was also visibly upset with cameras being trained at the ship, that she was seen raising her middle finger towards the camera lens on her way out.

Read Also: 'Titanic' Director James Cameron Exchanges Words With OceanGate Co-Founder About Safety, Cutting Corners

Polar Prince's Extended Voyage

The Polar Prince took part in a massive search effort for the Titan, which ended Thursday last week (June 22) upon confirmation of its debris at the bottom of the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic.

US and Canadian authorities have since launched investigations into the disaster and the safety practices relating to the incident.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spokesperson Superintendent Kent Osmond said 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," he said.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said investigators had boarded the Polar Prince to collect her voice recordings and other communication details with the sub.

The Polar Prince once served as a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker before she was decommissioned and used as a support ship for OceanGate.

Related Article: Titan Sub Mother Ship's Voice Recordings, Data To Be Examined, Investigators Confirm
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan will reinstate South Korea to its "white list" for exports with fast-track trade status effective July 21, Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Tuesday, a crucial step for resolving an economic row between the two nations.

Japan lifted export curbs on high-tech materials to South Korea in March as the nations mended ties amid North Korea's repeated missile launches and China's stepping up defence activities.

South Korea's trade ministry welcomed the move as a "complete recovery of trust between the two countries in export control". The ministry also said it would work closely with Tokyo on bilateral and multilateral export control issues in future.

(Reporting by Miho Uranaka in TOKYO, Hyunsu Yim in SEOUL, writing by Kaori KanekoEditing by Chang-Ran Kim)
By Inti Landauro

MADRID (Reuters) -The Spanish government on Tuesday angered the ride-hailing transport industry by allowing regions to restrict their activity despite a ruling by the European Union's top court that had overturned a set of local curbs in Barcelona.

Associations representing drivers working with app platforms operating in Spain, such as Uber, Bolt and local rival Cabify, said they would challenge the decision in Brussels and ask the European Commission to open legal proceedings against Spain.

"We regret the aim is again to impose limits on business activity and not the users' right to get a quality service," Bolt said in a statement.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a decree allowing regional authorities to force drivers of private cars for hire to respect additional criteria to be able to operate in specific areas, Economy Minister Nadia Calvino told reporters.

The decree states that these criteria will have to be justified by reasons such as environmental protection, road safety or sustainability of "public interest services" such as regular taxis.

That last motive goes against a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union that struck down restrictions imposed in Barcelona, said Feneval and Unauto, two associations of drivers and fleet owners.

The ruling on June 8 said the Barcelona restrictions aimed at reducing the number of private cars transporting passengers hired through mobile platforms to protect the interests of taxi services violated EU laws as they discriminated between different service providers.

Spain's transport ministry said, however, the new regulation abides by the court ruling, and insisted the protection of taxis is in the general public interest.

The enforcement of the Barcelona restrictions late last year had pushed many self-employed drivers and fleet owners in Barcelona out of business and they welcomed the court ruling as a precedent that institutionalised them as legitimate public transport operators.

(Reporting by Inti Landauro, additional reporting by Belen Carreno; Editing by Andrei Khalip, Alison Williams and Ed Osmond)
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)
An entrance to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside. Three of four people killed in a crash on the 5 Freeway in Downey early Saturday morning were Marines based at Camp Pendleton. (Lenny Ignelzi / Associated Press)

Four people, including three U.S. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, were killed in a fiery one-vehicle crash Saturday morning on the 5 Freeway in Downey, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol received a call about 2:30 a.m. about a crash of a 2018 Dodge Charger on the southbound 5 Freeway, according to CHP Officer Zachary Salazar.

The investigation found that the driver had lost control of the car, which struck a metal guardrail and a concrete pillar of a pedestrian bridge, according to Salazar. The force of the impact caused the car to split in half, ejecting the two passengers in the back of the car onto the right shoulder.

The front of the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames and was on fire when CHP officers arrived; all four people were pronounced dead at the scene.

"It's unknown if the force of the impact or the subsequent fire was the cause of death for the people in the front," Salazar said.

The Los Angeles County coroner identified three of the victims as 27-year-old Joshua Leandra Moore Jr., 26-year-old Daniel Nichols and 21-year-old Rodrigo Zermeno Gomez. The coroner's office did not say whether all of the identified victims were Marines. The fourth victim remained unidentified.

Military officials confirmed that three of the victims were Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, KTLA-TV reported.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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.
By Nathan Layne, Alexandra Ulmer and Gram Slattery

(Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump is leveraging his connections to loyalists in key primary states to lobby for voting rules and dates that could cement his front-runner status in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his team and sources in several states told Reuters.

Trump's campaign is reaching out to Republican state parties to push for the changes, as party officials set the parameters for contests that kick off early next year ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024 presidential election.

Several states adopted Trump-friendly rules in 2020 to ward off competition for the then-president, and a recent change in Michigan appears to have bolstered his advantage in the race to secure delegates who determine the party's nominee. Now the Trump campaign is advocating for modifications in half a dozen additional states, his co-campaign manager told Reuters.

"We work with state parties all over the country to engage in the process," Chris LaCivita said in an interview. "The challenge that we were given by the president was to win every day and win every battle. This is just part of that."

While it is known that Trump's team is trying to exert influence over the Republican machinery in important voting states ahead of 2024, the scale of the effort has not been previously reported.

Holding earlier votes in certain pro-Trump states could give the former president momentum over his Republican rivals. Holding caucuses instead of primaries could also give more weight to grassroots activists loyal to him, political analysts said.

LaCivita confirmed that Nevada - an early primary state with a Trump-friendly state Republican leadership - was one of the campaign's targets. He declined to elaborate on the changes the campaign is seeking or to name the other states they are involved in.

In May, the Nevada Republican Party sued the state to be allowed to hold a caucus, arguing that being forced to have a primary infringed on constitutional rights.

LaCivita said Trump's campaign was supportive of the lawsuit. A source close to the Nevada Republican Party told Reuters - prior to the lawsuit - that Trump's campaign was lobbying for a caucus.

A source close to the Republican state party in Idaho told Reuters that Trump allies had been lobbying to hold a nominating contest before May. Idaho Republicans over the weekend decided to hold an early caucus instead of a primary, seemingly giving Trump an advantage in the state.

Trump's lobbying efforts show a level of sophistication that his freewheeling 2016 campaign lacked and highlight how he stands to benefit now that several state parties are dominated by loyalists.

Trump is not alone in trying to shape the 2024 battlefield in his favor. The Democratic National Committee in February approved President Joe Biden's shakeup of the party's 2024 primary calendar, giving Black voters a greater say in the nominating process and carving an easier path for Biden.

The Democrats' changes boosted the roles of South Carolina and Georgia among other states, and demoted the famed Iowa caucuses.

Jason Roe, a Republican strategist based in Michigan, said the Trump campaign's machinations had the hallmarks of a strategy mapped out by LaCivita, a longtime Virginia political operative whom he called "a skilled convention vote counter."

"Any time you can get delegates selected at a convention or caucus it is more advantageous for Trump than being on the ballot," Roe said. "His base of support is significantly higher among activists than the rank-and-file."

There are an estimated 2,467 delegates up for grabs in the 2024 Republican state-by-state nominating battle. The contest is often effectively over before all the states have a chance to vote, meaning those that vote relatively early like Nevada and Michigan can be of great importance.

In a win for Trump, Republicans in Michigan recently agreed to select more than two-thirds of their delegates via caucus meetings, where active members tend to have the most sway. The change was prompted by a decision by Democratic Party leaders to bring the state-funded primary date forward to earlier than was allowed under Republican National Committee (RNC) rules.

LaCivita said the Trump campaign made itself available as a resource to the state party and the RNC, but suggested they more or less let the process play out.

"Sometimes it requires a light touch and not a heavy one," LaCivita said.

The Republican state parties in Idaho, Nevada and Michigan did not respond to requests for comment about outreach by the Trump campaign.

DESANTIS WATCHING

Lobbying for primary rule changes has been a staple of campaigns in both major parties for decades.

The team backing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is monitoring Trump's lobbying efforts and has identified three or four states where they also are advocating for changes, two campaign sources told Reuters.

His team is also reaching out to party officials in dozens of states in an effort to build goodwill with power brokers, build out the delegate slates that will represent the governor in the primary and study potential rule changes, according to those people.

Among the states they have been paying particularly close attention to, those people said, are Nevada and Idaho, where Trump's camp has been active.

One source close to Never Back Down, the outside super PAC supporting DeSantis, said they were monitoring Alabama, where there could be movement on the minimum thresholds needed to win delegates. The campaign is also keeping an eye on Missouri, where Republicans are planning to hold caucuses but have yet to set delegate selection rules.

"You got to go state by state. This is not an easy process. You've got to be organized in order to do so," said one source within the DeSantis campaign.

The behind-the-scenes battle must conclude by Oct. 1, when all states need to tell the RNC how they will conduct their nomination process.

One source within the DeSantis campaign and another within Never Back Down cast doubt on whether caucuses, which have a lower turnout and require more work from the voter to participate, would in fact be better for Trump.

The Trump campaign sees their supporters as impassioned and therefore likely to show up, while DeSantis' side thinks wealthier, higher-education Republicans - with whom they often poll better - are more likely to have the time to attend.

(Additional reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Alistair Bell)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will continue to push for the speedy conclusion of Sweden's accession to NATO, British foreign minister James Cleverly said on Tuesday.

"We will continue to push for the speedy completion of your accession process," Cleverly said at a press conference, standing alongside his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom during a visit to Sweden.

"Sweden must and shall join NATO, and should do so as soon as possible."

Sweden applied to join NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year but ratification of its membership has been held up by Turkey and Hungary.

Asked whether Britain had spoken to Turkey about its position, Cleverly said he has spoken with his counterpart there and made Britain's position clear.

"It's in Turkey's interest that Sweden become a member of the alliance and does so quickly," he added.

(Reporting by William James, editing by James Davey)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. Security Council urged Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday to avoid actions that can further inflame tensions in the volatile West Bank.

The statement was backed by both the United States and Russia in a moment of unity on a divisive issue, reflecting the widespread international concern at the escalating violence especially by Israeli forces and settlers.

The statement followed what U.N. Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland called an alarming spike in violence in the West Bank that led to numerous Palestinian and Israeli casualties. He warned the council that unless decisive steps are taken now to rein in the violence, there is a significant risk that events could deteriorate further.

Wennesland said he was particularly alarmed by the extreme levels of settler violence, including large numbers of settlers, many armed, systematically attacking Palestinian villages, terrorizing communities, sometimes with support from Israeli forces.

Council members called for restraint and encouraged additional steps to restore a durable calm and de-escalate tensions.

This year has been one of the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank in years, and last week saw a major escalation in settler violence. At least 137 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank in 2023. As of Saturday, 24 people on the Israeli side have been killed in Palestinian attacks.

The United States, Israels closest ally, supported the council statement and U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the council that the Biden administration shares Wenneslands alarm.

He said the United Stated was horrified by the brutal terror attack against Israelis near the West Bank town of Eli on June 21 that killed four and injured several others and condemned it in the strongest terms. He also condemned the recent extremist settler attacks against Palestinian civilians, which have resulted in a death, injuries and significant damage to their property.

At a time of escalating violence, there was widespread council criticism of plans by Israels far-right government to build over 5,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and speed up settlement approvals.

Under international law, all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal.

Wennesland warned that Israels relentless expansion of settlements is fueling violence and is impeding access by Palestinians to their land and resources, reshaping the geography of the occupied West Bank and threatening the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Wood called on Israel to refrain from building settlements, evicting Palestinians and demolishing their homes, and on both parties to refrain from terrorism and incitement to violence, all of which serve to only further inflame the situation.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia also expressed serious concern at the escalating violence, pointing to an Israeli raid on June 19 in the Jenin Refugee Camp that killed seven Palestinians, clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, and intensified Israeli activity to broaden and legalize settlements.

Nebenzia warned that the situation will remain explosive until negotiations resume on a two-state solution that sees Israel and the Palestinians living side by side in peace. And he reiterated Russias call for a meeting with the Arab League and neighboring countries to give impetus to long-stalled talks.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, accused the Israeli government of making a state for the settlers in place of the Palestinian state. He said the settlers know their actions are condemned worldwide but they have military, financial and political support from the Israeli government, while the Palestinians have no real support to rein them in despite having the moral high ground" and international law on their side.

The Palestinians are more convinced every day that there is no help on the way, Mansour said, urging the council, Show them that help is on the way.

Israels U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan accused the council of underreporting the 3,500 attacks he said the Palestinians have committed against Israelis since the beginning of the year.

He condemned the violence against Palestinian civilians and said Israel is working tirelessly to find and hold those responsible accountable. He pointedly noted that the Palestinians have not condemned the murders of innocent Israelis.

Erdan accused the Palestinians of seeking the destruction of the very notion of a Jewish state." He said if Israel withdrew from the West Bank, the Hamas militant group would take control as it did in Gaza.
By Gram Slattery and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley staked out one of the most hawkish positions on China in the 2024 Republican presidential field on Tuesday, calling for Washington to drastically limit ties with its geopolitical foe to address a dramatic rise in overdose deaths attributable to fentanyl in the United States.

"We've tried sanctions but they're not working. We must ratchet up the pressure. As president, I will push Congress to revoke permanent normal trade relations until the flow of fentanyl ends," Haley said at a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank in Washington.

Some Republicans in Congress have pushed bills to end the preferential trade status China has enjoyed for decades and require annual presidential approval for it to receive preferential trade and tariff terms that other approved countries get.

"If China wants to start normal trade again, it has to stop killing Americans," she said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Haley's remarks.

China is a major producer of the chemicals that are required to create fentanyl, which is frequently smuggled over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Haley is well behind in the presidential primary polls, with just 3% of Republicans planning to vote for her, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released earlier in June. She has sought to use foreign policy as a way to differentiate herself in a crowded Republican field, and her hardline stance on China could push her rivals to adopt harsher positions too.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50-100 times more potent than morphine, has contributed to a sharp rise in U.S. drug overdose deaths. Almost 80,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

U.S. officials say the fentanyl issue has been a top priority in talks with Beijing even as relations between the geopolitical rivals have plumbed their lowest depths in decades.

They say China's government has not been cooperative in recent years in helping to crackdown on the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals or on money laundering related to trafficking.

But Beijing has countered that Washington should stop using the fentanyl crisis as a pretext to sanction Chinese companies, and Chinese state media have repeatedly said addiction and demand for the drug are U.S. domestic problems.

Several candidates vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination have adopted a confrontational stance toward China, though Haley appears to be upping the ante by putting forth a series of aggressive, specific policy proposals.

Haley and other Republican candidates are tapping into a deep distrust of China held by the American public. Some 82% of American adults expressed an unfavorable opinion of China, according to a Pew Research Center poll from last year.

Haley also pledged to shut down a pathway for the export of certain sensitive technologies to China from the United States.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Michael Martina, editing by Ross Colvin and Alistair Bell)
BANGKOK (AP)  The U.S. ambassador to Thailand dismissed claims of American interference in recent elections as a disservice" to the Thai people, saying Tuesday that Washington does not support any individual candidate or political party.

Claims of the U.S. meddling in the May 14 vote have swirled since the opposition Move Forward Party emerged as the top vote getter and another opposition party came in second, raising the possibility of a new coalition government that could take power from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The Move Forward Party is seen as nominally more pro-American than Prayuth, a former general who initially came to power in a military coup nine years ago, and the claims of American interference in the election are widely seen as originating from supporters of the current status quo.

A small group of protesters even demonstrated in front of the U.S. Embassy in April, accusing Washington of interfering in Thailand political affairs.

At a roundtable with dozens of Thai journalists, Ambassador Robert Godec said when asked about the rumors and conspiracy theories that they do a disservice to the tens of millions who participated in the political process as voters, as election officials, as poll watchers.

Given the persistent and pernicious conspiracy theories, let me be clear, Godec said. We categorically reject the false rumors that the United States interfered in the Thai election.

The Move Forward Party has signed an agreement with seven other parties on a joint platform that they hope will lead to the formation of a coalition government in July. It made no mention of Move Forward's contentious call for the amendment of a harsh law against criticizing the country's monarchy, a position that has drawn the ire of conservative Thais.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat suggested on Tuesday that he had not abandoned the idea of amending the so-called lese-majeste law, which make it illegal to defame, insult or threaten Thailand's monarchy. However, he emphasized that amendment is not revocation and that he would maintain Thailand's constitutional monarchy system, Thai media reported.

The parties' joint platform did include several of Move Forwards other core policies, however, such as drafting a new more democratic constitution, passing a same-sex marriage law, decentralizing administrative power and transitioning from military conscription to voluntary enlistment except when the country is at war.

It also calls for reforms of the police, military, civil service and the justice process, abolition of business monopolies, and the restoration of controls on the production and sale of marijuana after its poorly executed de facto decriminalization last year.

It is not yet certain, however, that the coalition will be able to take power. It controls a strong majority in the country's lower house, but under the military-drafted constitution the prime minister is selected by a joint vote of the lower house and the Senate, whose members were appointed by the post-coup military government.

Godec stressed that the U.S. has already worked with the current government for years and that Prayuth visited the White House last year along with other Association of Southeast Asian Nation leaders. He also said Washington would continue to work with Thailand's government, whoever is in power.

The United States has no preferred candidate, we have no preferred political party in Thailand, he said. What we do is support the democratic process. The Thai people alone should choose the government.
Feature: Afghans laud Chinese company for essential food aid

Xinhua) 10:51, June 27, 2023

PUL-E-ALAM, Afghanistan, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Standing beside a truck loaded with food donated from China, Shah Agha is eager to take the foodstuff home, which would delight his family.

A crowd of needy Afghans from the east Logar Province gathered at the Mosi Aynak base of the MCC-JCL Aynak Minerals Company Ltd. (MJAM) to receive a package of foodstuff supplied by the Chinese mining firm ahead of the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, which falls on June 28 this year in Afghanistan.

The MJAM supplied humanitarian aid worth 20,000 U.S. dollars to needy families from the province's Mohammad Agha district.

"I took flour, cooking oil, tea and sugar home and my children will be delighted," aid recipient Agha said.

The impoverished Afghan man, also the breadwinner of a 10-member family, said he hadn't taken anything to his family to celebrate the Eid al-Adha.

"I earn a daily wage and the availability of work for me depends on my luck, as each week on average, I work two or three days. I earn 350 afghanis (about 4 U.S. dollars) daily," Agha told Xinhua at the site of the aid distribution.

"The food aid for each recipient will last about 10 days, and I plan to keep it for Eid. At that time, we can make palaw (a traditional dish mainly made of rice)," Bulbul told Xinhua.

"In our daily farming life, we only have a little palaw to eat, just making meals with some vegetables," said Bulbul. "We eat palaw during the Eid al-Adha, in wedding parties or while receiving such food from charity," he said.

Welcoming the aid package, Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi, the acting deputy Minister of Information and Culture, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese company for providing humanitarian assistance to poverty-stricken families.

Over the past year, China has also been providing other humanitarian assistance, including COVID-19 vaccines, winter clothes, food produce and tents to Afghan families who are desperately in need.

Azizi also noted that the almsdeed and presence of Chinese people and China-invested companies in Afghanistan have boosted the country's progress to nation-build via a number of major projects.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP) (KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey maintains its refusal to ratify Sweden's membership with NATO while also threatening to hold up the military alliance's defense strategy.

Turkey refuses to accept Sweden's application to join the NATO military alliance as Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg scrambles before the next summit.

Furthermore, Ankara is demanding even more from NATO's defense strategy, including a request for critical waterways that connect the Black Sea to the Aegean, referred to as the "Turkish Straits" rather than just the "Straits."

Turkey's Continued Defiance

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also continues to pressure Sweden to comply with his demands to crack down on alleged Kurdish terrorist sympathizers. This is a precondition for Ankara to ratify Stockholm's application to join the military alliance.

During a phone call with Stoltenberg on Sunday, Erdogan noted that Turkey engaged constructively with Sweden. However, he noted that the latter's stiffening of its anti-terror legislation was "meaningless" as long as supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party and its Syrian affiliates were allowed to conduct demonstrations against Turkey in the Swedish capital, as per Al-Monitor.

Additionally, the NATO secretary-general announced that a high-level delegation led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, which includes intelligence officials, will meet with their Swedish counterparts. They will assess whether or not further progress could be made ahead of the Brussels summit.

Now, Turkey is adding demands on the alliance itself that threaten to hold up NATO's new defense strategy, which is the most ambitious overhaul to be drafted since the end of the Cold War. The effort received added urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Reports noted that on June 16, NATO defense ministers disagreed on the new strategy. The plans outline how the military alliance would respond to a potential Russian assault.

On Monday, Stoltenberg said he planned to call an urgent meeting in the next few days to try and address Turkey's objections to Sweden's application. According to the Associated Press, it is the NATO secretary-general's last-ditch effort to have the Nordic country stand alongside other global allies.

Read Also: Kyriakos Mitsotakis Hails New Democracy Win in Greece Elections a Mandate for Reform

Sweden's NATO Application

Turkey's objections are crucial to talks about the issue because NATO requires unanimous approval of all members to expand its ranks. Stoltenberg said he held fresh talks on Sweden's application with Erdogan and senior officials from Sweden and neighboring Finland, which was the most recent addition to NATO's members.

In a statement, Stoltenberg said they agreed to convene a high-level meeting in Brussels before the scheduled summit. He noted that the talks aim to progress in completing Stockholm's accession to NATO.

Finland and Sweden's sudden decision to end decades of neutrality and apply to join NATO came amid fears that Moscow would target them after it moved to invade Ukraine. On the other hand, Hungary has also delayed its approval of Sweden's membership but has not publicly stated why.

Most of NATO's member countries ratified the two nations' applications, arguing that Finland and Sweden would strengthen the alliance in the Baltic. Yahoo News said the former is known to share a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia.

Related Article: Xi Praises Putin's Leadership, Downplays Wagner Rebellion as 'Internal Affairs'

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By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States took aim at Russia's Wagner Group and imposed sanctions on Tuesday on companies it accused of engaging in illicit gold dealings to fund the mercenary force.

The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it slapped sanctions on four companies in the United Arab Emirates, Central African Republic and Russia it accused of being connected to the Wagner Group and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The companies engaged in illicit gold dealings to fund the militia to sustain and expand its armed forces, including in Ukraine and some countries in Africa, the Treasury said.

"The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in a statement.

"The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else."

The Wagner Group did not immediately respond to the U.S. allegations.

The U.S. State Department ahead of the announcement said that the action against Wagner was unrelated to an aborted mutiny last weekend.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the finances of Prigozhin's catering firm would be investigated after his mutiny, saying Wagner and its founder had received almost $2 billion from Russia in the past year.

Wagner has fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries, and has fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month-old war in Ukraine. It was founded in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and started supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

The United States has previously imposed sanctions on Wagner and Prigozhin. Washington has repeatedly warned of what it says are Wagner's destabilizing activities and has ramped up sanctions against the private army following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The companies hit with sanctions on Tuesday included Central African Republic-based Midas Ressources SARLU and Diamville SAU, Dubai-based Industrial Resources General Trading and Russia-based Limited Liability Company DM.

The United States also issued an advisory highlighting risks raised by gold trade in sub-Saharan Africa due to what it said was increasingly concerning reporting related to the role of illicit actors, including the Wagner Group.

Washington also imposed sanctions on Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, a Russian national the Treasury accused of being an executive in the Wagner Group and said he worked closely with senior Malian officials on weapons deals, mining concerns and other Wagner activities in the country.

Russia's embassy in Washington and Industrial Resources did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reuters could not immediately reach a spokesperson for Midas Ressources, Diamville or Limited Liability Company DM.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Costas Pitas; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool and Howard Goller)
By Andrew Osborn

(Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin thanked Russia's army and security services for stopping a civil war breaking out in the world's largest country at the weekend by acting efficiently when faced with an armed mutiny by mercenaries heading towards Moscow.

In an appearance on a square inside the Kremlin that looked designed to send a message that he remained firmly in control, Putin on Tuesday told some 2,500 members of the military, the security forces, and the National Guard that they had saved Russia from chaos.

"You have defended the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of our citizens. You have saved our Motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war," Putin said.

"In this difficult situation, you have acted precisely and harmoniously, you have proved by your deeds your loyalty to the Russian people and the military oath. You have shown your responsibility for the fate of our Motherland and its future."

The Kremlin said earlier on Tuesday it did not agree with what it called the opinion of "pseudo specialists" that the mutiny had shaken Putin's position.

It has portrayed the Russian leader, in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, as having acted judiciously to avoid what it has called "the worst case scenario" by giving time for talks to yield a deal that ended the mutiny without more bloodshed.

PILOTS KILLED BY MUTINEERS

Putin told those assembled on the Kremlin's Cathedral Square on Tuesday that an unspecified number of Russian military pilots had been killed when trying to stop the advance of the mutineers - who wanted to oust the top military brass over what they said was their incompetence and corruption - on Moscow.

"In the confrontation with the insurgents our comrades-in-arms, the aviators died," said Putin.

"They did not falter and carried out their orders and their military duty with honour."

Putin then asked for a minute's silence to honour the dead pilots.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had demanded, was present on the square.

Putin said that Russia's military-security apparatus had ensured that key command centres and strategic defence facilities had kept functioning and had been protected during the mutiny and that the security of border regions was guaranteed.

There has been no need, he said, to withdraw combat units from what he called the zone when Moscow is carrying out its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The mutineers and the people he said had been "dragged into the rebellion" had seen that the army and the people were not on their side, said Putin.

"The rapid and accurate deployment of law enforcement units made it possible to halt the extremely dangerous development of the situation in the country and to prevent casualties among the civilian population," he said.

After he had finished speaking the Russian national anthem, which shares the same music as the Soviet one, was played.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
By Martin Quin Pollard and Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING (Reuters) - As news broke on Saturday that mercenary Wagner troops were careering towards Moscow in a short-lived rebellion, several businessmen from southern China began frantically calling factories to halt shipments of goods destined for Russia.

While the mutiny - the biggest test of Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine - quickly faded, some of these exporters are now left questioning their future dependence on Beijing's closest ally.

"We thought there was going to be a big problem," Shen Muhui, the head of the trade body for the firms in China's southern Fujian province said, recalling the scramble among its members exporting auto parts, machinery and garments to Russia.

Though the crisis has eased, "some people remain on the sidelines, as they're not sure what will happen later," he added, declining to name the companies pausing shipments.

China has sought to play down the weekend's events and voiced support for Moscow, with which it struck a "no limits" partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in what Moscow calls a "special military operation".

But a top U.S. official on Monday said the weekend uprising had unsettled Beijing's cloistered leadership, and some analysts inside and outside China have started to question whether Beijing needs to ease off its political and economic ties to Moscow.

"It has put a fly in the ointment of that 'no-limits' relationship," said Singapore-based security analyst Alexander Neill.

China's foreign ministry, which described the aborted mutiny as Russia's "internal affairs" and expressed support for Moscow's efforts to stabilise the situation, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CALLS FOR CAUTION

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private army that has fought some of Russia's bloodiest battles in the Ukraine war, led the armed revolt after he alleged a huge number of his fighters had been killed in friendly fire.

But the mercenary leader abruptly called the uprising off on Saturday evening as his fighters approached Moscow while facing virtually no resistance during a dash of nearly 800 km (500 miles).

China did not comment as the crisis unfolded, but released a statement on Sunday when Foreign Minister Qin Gang hosted a surprise meeting with Russia's deputy foreign minister in Beijing.

At the heart of China and Russia's relations is a shared opposition to what they see as a world dominated by the United States and the expansion of the NATO military alliance that threatens their security.

After securing an unprecedented third term as president earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first overseas trip to Moscow to meet his "dear friend" Putin.

While nationalistic commentators in state-run Chinese tabloids cheered Putin's swift efforts to stamp out the rebellion, even some in China - where critical speech is tightly controlled - have started to question Beijing's bet on Russia.

China "will be more cautious with its words and actions about Russia", said Shanghai-based international relations expert Shen Dingli.

Some Chinese scholars have gone even further.

Yang Jun, a professor at Beijing's China University of Political Science and Law, wrote a commentary published on Saturday that called for China to directly support Ukraine to avoid being "dragged into a quagmire of war by Russia".

"With the development of the current situation and the trend of the war...(China) should further adjust its position on Russia and Ukraine, make its attitude clearer, and decisively stand on the side of the victors of history," he wrote in Chinese-language Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao.

It was unclear if Yang's article was written before the Wagner rebellion and he did not respond to requests for an interview from Reuters.

Other China-based academics, however, said Beijing would not change its stance on Russia as a result of the incident.

INVESTOR UNCERTAINTY

China is Russia's top trading partner, with Beijing exporting everything from automobiles to smartphones and receiving cheap Russian crude oil that faces sanctions in much of the rest of the world.

But even in the energy sector, which fuelled a 40% jump in trade between Russia and China in the first five months of this year, there are some signs of caution in China.

Top company executives at Chinese state energy companies have routinely said it was too early to comment or sidestepped questions on new investments in Russia.

"Should Russia lose the war or see changes in the domestic leadership, it will create huge uncertainties for Chinese investors," said Michal Meidan, head of China energy research at The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

He said the Chinese government also seemed to be exercising caution, pointing out that Beijing had not yet signed a deal for a major new gas pipeline connecting the countries despite a push from Moscow.

While China is vital to Russia's economy, China's trade with the likes of the United States, the European Union and Japan - among the fiercest critics of Moscow's war in Ukraine - dwarfs its dealings with Russia.

"Beijing now has more reasons to have more reservations and to become more transactional in its dealings with Putin's Russia," said Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University.

"There's no point making long-term investment in someone who may not credibly survive into the long-term."

(Reporting by Martin Quin Pollard and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing and the Shanghai newsroom; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Belarus' president says Prigozhin, who led a weekend rebellion in Russia, is in his country

Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russias invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and arrived Tuesday in Belarus.

The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of a deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin was in Belarus, and said he and some of his troops were welcome to stay for some time at their own expense.

Prigozhin has not been seen since Saturday, when he waved to well-wishers from a vehicle in the southern city of Rostov. He issued a defiant audio statement on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, a private jet believed to belong to him flew from Rostov to an airbase southwest of the Belarusian capital of Minsk, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Meanwhile, Moscow said preparations were underway for Wagner's troops fighting in Ukraine, who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin, to hand over their heavy weapons to Russia's military. Prigozhin had said such moves were planned ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contracts  which he opposed  to serve under Russia's military command.

Russian authorities also said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no armed rebellion charge against Prigozhin or his followers.

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for financial wrongdoing charges against an affiliated organization Prigozhin owns. Putin told a military gathering that Prigozhins Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles ($941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over $1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items.

I hope that while doing so they didnt steal anything, or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concords contract.

For years, Prigozhin has enjoyed lucrative catering contracts with the Russian government. Police who searched his St. Petersburg office on Saturday said they found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside, according to media reports the Wagner boss confirmed. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers families.

Prigozhin and his fighters stopped the revolt on Saturday, less than 24 hours after it began and shortly after Putin spoke on national TV, branding the rebellion leaders, whom he did not name, as traitors.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny could have been punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin's escape from prosecution, at least on a armed rebellion charge, is in stark contrast to Moscow's treatment of its critics, including those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have been punished with long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

Lukashenko said some of the Wagner fighters are now in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed last September.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putins grip on power, occurring during the 16-month-old war in Ukraine, and he again acknowledged the threat Tuesday in saying the result could have been a civil war.

In addresses this week, Putin has sought to project stability and demonstrate authority.

In a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday, the president walked down the red-carpeted stairs of the 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address soldiers and law enforcement officers, thanking them for their actions to avert the rebellion.

In a further show of business-as-usual, Russian media showed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in his military uniform, greeting Cubas visiting defense minister in a pomp-heavy ceremony. Prigozhin has said his goal had been to oust Shoigu and other military brass, not stage a coup against Putin.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in the clash between Prigozhin and Shoigu. While the mutiny unfolded, he said, he put Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing and urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, lest the conflict spiral out of control.

He said he told Prigozhin he would be squashed like a bug if he tried to attack Moscow, and warned that the Kremlin would never agree to his demands.

Like Putin, the Belarusian leader portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details about the Kremlin's deal with Prigozhin, saying only that Putin had provided certain guarantees aimed at avoiding a worst-case scenario."

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) from Moscow without facing serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters: We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Zolotov, a former Putin bodyguard, also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports. The Defense Ministry didnt release information about casualties, but Putin honored them Tuesday with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said. They didnt waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists have vented outrage that Prigozhin and his troops won't be punished for killing the airmen.

Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in his statement Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because the aircraft were bombing them.

In his televised address Monday night, Putin said rebellion organizers had played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. He praised the rank-and-file mutineers, however, who didnt engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink.

A Washington-based think tank said that was likely in an effort to retain" the Wagner fighters in Ukraine, where Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

Putin has offered Prigozhin's fighters the choice of either coming under Russian military command, leaving service or going to Belarus.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagners presence in his country, though in Russia, Wagner-recruited convicts have been suspected of violent crimes. The Wagner troops gained priceless military knowledge and experience to share with Belarus, he said.

But exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbors.

Belarusians dont welcome war criminal Prigozhin, she told The Associated Press. If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbors.

While attention focused on the aftermath of the Russian rebellion, the war in Ukraine continued to take a human toll in what U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called terrible scenes from another brutal attack.

Russian missiles struck Kramatorsk and a village nearby in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region with missiles, killing at least four people, including a child, and wounding some 40 others, with still others under building rubble, including in a cafe, authorities reported.

___

Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
COLOMBO (Reuters) -Sri Lanka will enter into an agreement with the World Bank for $500 million in budgetary support after the cabinet approved it on Tuesday, the biggest funding tranche for the crisis-hit nation since an International Monetary Fund deal in March.

The island nation of 22 million is emerging out of its worst economic crisis in seven decades and its economy is expected to shrink 2% this year before returning to growth next year, following last year's record contraction of 7.8%.

Reuters reported last week that the World Bank is likely to approve $700 million in budgetary and welfare support for Sri Lanka at its board meeting on June 28, out of which $200 million will be for welfare programmes.

The government said on Tuesday that funding from the lender will come in two tranches.

(Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Writing by Shivam Patel; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
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.
By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Tuesday she had a "very robust" discussion during an earlier meeting with her Chinese counterpart, as the leaders of the two countries prepare to meet.

A report by the Australian newspaper said Mahuta received an "epic haranguing" and an "almighty dressing down" during a March meeting with China's foreign minister Qin Gang, in a potential sign of tensions in the relationship between New Zealand and its largest trading partner.

"I would say that China is very assertive in the way that it conveys its interests," Mahuta told reporters on Tuesday, characterising the March meeting as "very robust".

"The fact that we were able to achieve an invitation for our prime minister to visit China reflects the nature of the relationship, how mature it is, the fact that we can have robust discussions and still be able to take a trade delegation over there."

Mahuta did not elaborate further on the topics discussed in the meeting.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is currently leading a delegation to Beijing that arrived on Monday and includes some of New Zealand's biggest companies.

He is expected to meet President Xi Jinping later on Tuesday, as well as Premier Li Qiang and the chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji, before he returns home on Friday.

China is New Zealand's largest export market by far, most notably for its dairy industry, and Mahuta has previously taken a more cautious approach towards condemning China's human rights record, in contrast to neighbour Australia.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
Pedestrians walk across a road in Seoul (AFP via Getty Images)

South Koreans will become at least a year younger from Wednesday as the nation adopts a new law to join the international standard of age counting.

All judicial and administrative areas in the country will begin using the international standard or calendar age, a year after the National Assembly announced the move in an effort to reduce confusion.

South Koreans traditionally use the Korean age system, where the newborn is considered one year old at the time of the birth and then gains a year on the first day of each new year.

Elsewhere, a babys age is calculated from zero at birth.

The government is fulfilling a campaign promise made by president Yoon Suk Yeol that was backed by public opinion.

The revision is aimed at reducing unnecessary socioeconomic costs because legal and social disputes, as well as confusion, persist due to the different ways of calculating age, Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the ruling People Power partym had told parliament last year.

Other Asian countries, including Japan and Vietnam, abandoned the Chinese-style age system following an influx of Western culture decades ago.

South Koreans wont need to update any documents or IDs since the age used for government forms is based on the international system, according to Bloomberg.

The mandatory military service and school admissions follow the calendar age which takes into account the year of birth.

However, the legal age for buying liquor or cigarettes will remain the same as before, authorities said.

The definition of minors not allowed to purchase liquor and tobacco will remain the same at below 19 under the Youth Protection Act, the family ministry said on Tuesday. That means, only those born in 2004 or earlier can buy liquor or cigarettes.

The legal age at which children go to elementary schools will also remain the same under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Starbucks will clarify its policy on Pride decorations following criticism and strikes at unionized stores.

We intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand, Sara Trilling, president of Starbucks North America, wrote in an open letter Monday. Additionally, we will continue to provide the flexibility needed so that our stores reflect the communities they serve.

The company said it will lean on resources like its Period Planning Kit and its Sirens Eye program, which include seasonal signage and display guidelines that are distributed across stores several times a year, to help.

Earlier this month, Starbucks Workers United, the union representing organized stores, claimed that Starbucks has restricted decorations celebrating Pride Month in locations in multiple states. Starbucks, in turn, forcefully denied this claim.

I want to reiterate that there has been no change to any of our policies as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners, Trilling wrote in Mondays letter. Since 2013, Starbucks has offered health coverage for gender affirming surgery.

Starbucks workers attend a rally outside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle, Washington, on June 23, 2023. - Matt Mills McKnight/Reuters

Tensions over Starbucks Pride decorations policy escalated on Friday, when members of the union started a days-long unfair labor practice strike against Starbucks treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers, as well as its union-busting campaign, in the words of the union. Organizers are calling for more consistent hours and gender neutral bathrooms, among other things.

As of Monday, over 60 Starbucks locations in 17 states went on strike, the union said. By the end of the week it expects over 150 stores to have gone on strike.

Starbucks (SBUX), which has been engaging in an aggressive battle against the union over the past year and a half, said it has filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board over claims the union has made.

In the complaints, provided to CNN by Starbucks, the coffee company said that the union and its agents have engaged in a smear campaign that includes deliberate misrepresentations to Starbucks partners, adding, among other things, that the union has been making deliberate misrepresentations that include maliciously and recklessly false statements about Starbucks longstanding support of Pride Month and decorations in its stores.

When the union first made claims that Starbucks had been limiting Pride decorations in stores, the company said that store leaders are able to decorate stores as they wish for Pride and other heritage months, as long as those decorations adhere to safety guidelines.

We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community, a spokesperson said at the time, adding, Were deeply concerned by false information that is being spread. The union responded on Twitter that the companys own responses have not been consistent based on internal documents and testimonies from store managers.

The union responds

Starbucks Workers United said in a statement Tuesday that the recent NLRB charges were nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to distract from Starbucks own actions, adding, While attacking the union that represents its own workers, Starbucks has now changed its policies in response to worker actions. The union said it is confident that the charges will be dismissed.

In addition, the union said that while we are glad Starbucks is finally reconsidering its position on pride decorations, Starbucks continues to ignore that they are legally required to bargain with union workers, adding If Starbucks truly wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.

Since the first Starbucks store voted to unionize in late 2021 through mid-June of this year, over 300 stores have voted to unionize and been certified by the NLRB, which has also certified 65 stores voting against the union. So far, a contract has not yet been negotiated, with each side blaming the other for the delay.

Starbucks workers outside of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. - Matt Mills McKnight/Reuters

There are roughly 9,300 company-operated US Starbucks stores in the United States, so unionized locations are relatively few, at this point. But their victories have been hard won.

NLRB administrative law judge Michael Rosas wrote in March that Starbucks displayed egregious and widespread misconduct in its dealings with employees involved in efforts to unionize Buffalo, New York, stores, including the first location to unionize. Starbucks repeatedly sent high-level executives into Buffalo-area stores in a relentless effort, the judge wrote, which likely left a lasting impact as to the importance of voting against representation.

Starbucks said in a statement at the time of Rosas order that it is considering all options to obtain further legal review, adding that we believe the decision and the remedies ordered are inappropriate.

Hundreds of charges have been lodged with the NLRB over Starbucks practices. And some shareholders want answers.

During the companys annual shareholder meeting in March, investors approved a proposal to have the board of directors commission and oversee an independent, third-party assessment of Starbucks adherence to its stated commitment to workers freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

The proposal pointed to allegations that the company intimidated workers and retaliated against them in its battle against the union, saying that the reports put the company at reputational and legal risk.

The company had previously recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, saying that it has already started working on a human rights review and maintaining that it has been acting legally.

 CNNs Jordan Valinsky contributed to this report.

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A boat crash off PortMiami roiled travel plans during one of the busiest days for cruise ships in South Florida  with about 16,000 passengers on three ships idling in the Atlantic Ocean left to wonder when they can get to shore and make it home.

DJ Parker was one of 5,246 passengers on the MSC Seascape that was scheduled to dock at PortMiami at 7 a.m. on Sunday. But at 1 p.m., the real estate agent from Hampton Roads, Va., was having a buffet lunch with his family and worrying whether he could even make it out of Florida at all that day.

We have a flight at 9:30 p.m. he said. Not too confident that is happening now.

READ MORE: PortMiami reopens to cruise ships after sunken boat raised from fatal ferry collision

The closure of PortMiami by the U.S. Coast Guard disrupted travel for an estimated 33,000 people, according to port figures released Sunday. About half of them are on the Seascape and the other two ships awaiting clearance to dock: the Carnival Celebration and the NCL Escape.

Crews recovered a sunken boat following a deadly boat crash with the Fisher Island ferry that killed one person on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Nearly 17,000 people were scheduled to board those three ships Sunday afternoon in the hasty turnaround of passengers and provisions that regularly unfolds at one of the worlds busiest cruise ports. Sunday is typically the busiest day for PortMiami cruise ships, spokesperson Suzy Trutie said.

#Update 2 @USCG Captain of the Port authorized reopening the South channel to resume maritime transportation system operations into @PortMiami while the North channel remains closed as crews continue efforts to remove the sunken obstruction. @MyFWC @MiamiDadeFire @MiamiDadeCounty  USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 25, 2023

The three ships were scheduled to leave PortMiami between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to online schedules, but passengers were left in holding patterns by text alerts from cruise companies.

PortMiami remains closed and the ship is still awaiting clearance to sail in, Carnival texted passengers shortly before noon. We will post a US $20, per person, onboard credit so you can enjoy lunch on us today.

We were sit to arrive at 6am and debark at 7:30 (6hrs ago).. and they keep giving us dumb updates saying their monitoring the situation pic.twitter.com/sOWRYa5UHH  amandeus Watkins (@AmandeusW) June 25, 2023

The delays threaten a wave of missed flights at Miami International Airport. Spokesperson Greg Chin said the county-owned airport notified airlines of the situation at PortMiami, and that all rebooking fees are being waived for cruise passengers impacted by the situation.

Alex Berrios was eating soft serve ice cream with his family on deck Sunday afternoon on the Carnival Celebration. They live in Weston so they arent worried about logistics getting home. He described a cruiseship seeming to do a good job handling an extra day of sea as restaurants and pools reopened, children camps restarted and movies started rolling to accommodate passengers.

Thank God we dont have to travel today, said Berrios, who, like other passengers in this article, were interviewed through direct messages on Twitter.

Passengers did report some signs it wasnt a normal day at sea for the stranded ships. Parker said on the Seaescape, not all of the restaurants opened, leaving the cruise staple of the buffet lunch in high demand. Its extremely busy, he said. Everyone is trying to get there at the same time.

The unexpected time at sea also meant complications. Cruiseships allow passengers to check luggage the night before arriving at a port to make it easier to walk off and then pick up bags in the terminal. When pools reopened Sunday on the stranded ships, many passengers were left without bathing suits for swimming.

We were told to pack up and leave suitcases outside our door last night to be ready for transfer early this morning, said Angela Ludeman, a passenger on the NCL Escape. Now theyre loaded below and we were told that we cant get them back at this point. Not sure if that will change.

Ludeman was heading back to Phoenix, and said she was able to rebook her Sunday flight for Monday while at sea.

After PortMiami reopened around 2:30 p.m., the Escape was at the dock in Miami around 4 p.m. as passengers contemplating another full day at sea were again ashore.

We were just joking about whats for dinner, said Anne Skurnick, a Pembroke Pines resident also aboard the Celebration. Skurnick said her ship docked around 4:45 p.m. and she was leaving the Celebration shortly after 7 p.m.

The crew took really good care of us, she said. Passengers were friendly, too, she added. They knew it was out of anyones control.
(Photo : Jason Connolly / AFP) (JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images)

The defendant in the Club Q shooting, 23-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and has been sentenced to five consecutive life sentences.

The 23-year-old defendant in the Club Q shooting case pleads guilty to five counts of murder and faces multiple life sentences while waiving any right to appeal.

The suspect, identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, pleaded to dozens of charges of murder and attempted murder on Monday. Under the terms of the plea agreement, which was made with prosecutors following months of discussion with survivors and relatives of the fatal victims, Aldrich pleaded "no contest" to two state hate-crime charges.

Club Q Shooting Defendant Pleads Guilty

The 23-year-old was given multiple life sentences, which were meant to ensure that he does not get released. Aldrich, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, stood on Monday in a courtroom packed with shooting victims and the relatives of the fatalities.

The defendant briefly answered a series of questions that Judge Michael McHenry directed at him regarding whether or not they understood the terms of the plea. The judge in the case then read a list of dozens of names, including the five individuals who were killed and others who were injured or targeted, and asked, "How do you plead?" as per the New York Times.

Aldrich simply responded, "Guilty," followed by survivors and relatives walking individually to a microphone to share their memories of the victims. The fatalities were Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, and Ashley Paugh.

They also spoke to condemn the 23-year-old defendant, calling him a "bigot," "coward," and an "animal." An employee of the club where the shooting occurred, Michael Anderson, said that Aldrich destroyed a haven. He added that the defendant broke the community into pieces, which he fears could never be repaired.

Many of the survivors of the shootings and relatives of the victims referred to Aldrich using male pronouns, dismissing the non-binary identification as a simple sham. One survivor's mother also called it a "repugnant attempt" to win leniency in the case.

Read Also: Eric Adams Join Thousands in LGBTQ+ Pride March From New York to San Francisco

Consecutive Life Sentences

Aldrich's shooting spree at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Nov. 19, 2022, left 17 others injured and wounded. According to BBC, he was stopped by club-goers, who restrained the suspect until law enforcement personnel arrived at the scene.

The specific sentences handed out to the suspect are 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.

The judge said that when one person commits a hate crime, they target a group for their simple existence. He argued that the court's sentence reflects its stance that hate will not be tolerated.

McHenry said that, like many other people, he accused Aldrich of finding a power behind the trigger of a gun. He added that the defendant's actions on the day of the incident reflect the deepest malice of the human heart. The judge noted that malice is almost always born out of ignorance and fear, said ABC News.

Related Article: San Antonio Airport Worker Dead After Being 'Ingested' by Plane Engine

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Variety - Getty Images

On Friday, in an interview with UNILAD, actor Tom Holland may have revealed more about his relationship with girlfriend Zendaya than he intended. It started when he shared a sweet story about impressing her with his handyman skills early on in their relationship.

I fixed my girlfriend's door once, really early on in our relationship, he said. I was hanging out at her house, and her door was broken. I was like, I 'm gonna fix that door for you, and now we're in love.

That's all it takes:

I fixed my girlfriends door once, really early on in our relationship. I was hanging out at her house and her door was broken and I was like imma fix that door for you and now were in love



LMAO I love him so much  pic.twitter.com/fsy1WkJri7  emilie  fan account (@tomhollandsdaya) June 23, 2023

But fans noted this story sounds remarkably similar to one Holland told during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2019, back before he and Zendaya were officially known to be dating. In this version, he describes fixing a door for his friend.

woahhhhh Tom Holland saying in a recent interview how he fixed zendayas door early on in their relationship and on Jimmy Kimmel in 2019 he talked about it  pic.twitter.com/Kz1dNUvX59  jaz  (@mrslumax) June 23, 2023

It's possible that Holland just uses fixing people's doors as a way to get closer to them, platonically and romantically, but it has been rumored that the Spider-Man co-stars were a pair long before they were photographed kissing at a spotlight in Los Angeles in 2021.

If they did date as far back as 2019, that implies they had an on-again-off-again relationship of some kind, because in 2020, viral photos showed Zendaya kissing Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi. Both she and Elordi have denied any kind of relationship.

Holland has admitted to being interested in Zendaya for a long time, and in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter recently, he talked about how she was unanimously the choice to play his love interest MJ in the Marvel film. That was way back in 2016.

Obviously, I 'm very happy she came in and tested that day. I 'm sure you can guess why, he said. Aside from being his girlfriend, though, he said, She's wonderful to work with. She's arguably the most talented person I've ever met.

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Heads up, Barbie fans! Barbie's iconic Dream House in Malibu is back at it again and is now available on Airbnb.

This real-life hot pink paradise is a must-visit destination for fans of Barbie's glamorous lifestyle. And here is the icing on the cake: you have a chance to win a free overnight stay.

Barbie's Dream House in Malibu Back on Airbnb

Barbie has been an iconic figure for generations, inspiring imagination, creativity, and endless fun. Her Dream House is the epitome of all things fabulous. Not to mention it has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

And this time, you get to experience all that. As per a report by Deadline.com, the much-awaited return of Barbie's hot-pink DreamHouse in Malibu is in time for the premiere of the highly-anticipated Warner Bros. film, 'Barbie,' on July 21. No less than Ken is hosting the mansions.

Deadline initially reported that they spotted a hot-pink paradise in Malibu over the weekend, which looks much like the iconic DreamHouse.

It is not the first instance that the hot-pink mansion was available for rent on Airbnb. In 2019, the same hot-pink paradise was listed on the online rental service in time for the monumental 60th anniversary of the sensational Barbie brand. During that time, the rent at the pink mansion is $60 per night.

According to Variety, the Malibu mansion now dons the hot pink color of Barbie. It also offers an outdoor disco floor, allowing renters to dance their hearts out. It also features a majestic infinity pool, gym, hot-pink bedroom, and a cowboy-themed room. As TMZ reports, renters also get to enjoy the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

The press release says, "Ken is listing his room in her iconic Malibu DreamHouse on Airbnb and bringing Barbie's all-pink world back by popular demand."

Read Also: Ryan Gosling Responds to Naysayers Calling Him Too Old to Play Ken in 'Barbie'

How to Get a Free Overnight Stay?

The Barbie DreamHouse listing on Airbnb goes live on July 17 at 10 AM Pacific Time (PT). Fans may head straight to airbnb.com/kendreamhouse to book a one-night stay for two people.

Ken, which Ryan Gosling stars, is hosting two free overnight stays. Airbnb is selecting two people to stay at the hot-pink paradise free of charge between July 21 and July 22.

Airbnb reveals that it plans to make a one-time donation to the Save the Children organization to uplift the confidence of young girls. The org seeks to help improve the lives of young minds worldwide.

Related Article: Barbie's New Doll with Down Syndrome Hailed as 'Huge Step' Towards Inclusion

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
YEREVAN, 27 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 27 June, USD exchange rate up by 0.16 drams to 386.71 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.96 drams to 423.45 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.04 drams to 4.55 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.93 drams to 492.24 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 87.05 drams to 23907.44 drams. Silver price up by 5.83 drams to 283.47 drams.
by Stefano Vecchia

The massacre took place in mid-June in a region where the communist insurgency has been fighting against the Philippine state for decades. Local authorities had targeted the Faustos for a while. Various farmers' associations were summoned to sign a resolution against the Communist Party.

Manila (AsiaNews)  Four members of a family of sugar workers, active in the local farmers' association, the Baclayan, Bito, Cabagal Farmers and Farmworkers Association (BABICAFA), were shot dead on 14 June in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

According to human rights groups, the Philippine military, which arbitrarily linked the victims to a communist rebel group, is responsible for the murders.

The Fausto family  Roly Fausto (52), his wife Emelda Fausto (50), and their two sons Ben (15) and Ravin (11) were gunned down at their home. In total, police found 54 M16 bullet shells at the crime scene.

Although some neighbours heard gunshots around 10 am, they did not raise the alarm. The bodies were found the next morning by the dead couples daughter who lives nearby.

The Faustos belonged to the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a religious group suspected by the authorities of subversive activities.

According to Philippine online news website Rappler and local witnesses, the Fausto family had been in the authorities crosshairs for quite a while, seen as rebels, subjected to pressure and searches without warrants, even torture.

In mid-May, they reported a break and entry in their home, following a clash between the military and alleged rebels near the town of Kabankalan, that left two soldiers wounded and an alleged communist rebel, a farmer named Crispin Tingal Jr, dead.

As a result, thousands of residents living in this predominantly rural area, were forced to flee, a situation that is not new.

Negros Island saw thousands of people die or go missing in the 1970s during a communist insurgency against the regime of then dictator Ferdinand Marcos (1972-1986), father of the current president.

Human rights organisations blame the 94th Infantry Battalion for the Faustos death. For months, the 94th has been waging a campaign of terror, starting on 9 January with the alleged kidnapping and killing of a farmer called Jose Gonzales.

By contrast, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claim that the Fausto family were killed by the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In connection with this, five farmers' organisations have already complained that they had been summoned to sign a statement against the CPP and the NPA. According to these groups, the 94th battalion pressured their leaders to go along with the militarys claim.

For human rights groups, the Faustos death is directly linked to these events. In a statement, Peter Murphy, chairperson of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) Global Council, demanded justice for the victims, calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to repeal laws that place some areas of the country under de facto martial law.

Since he took office a year ago, 24 farmers have been killed by government forces in Negros alone.

Photo: Himamaylan City Police Station
by John Ai

According to official media reports, the new model focuses on the ideology and dictates of the party. The rule also embraces overseas Chinese, Hong Kong and the inhabitants of "rebellious" Taiwan. It also includes specific clauses for religious figures and worshippers and Internet service providers.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - Beijing has started the legislative process to promote patriotism among all citizens, including those in Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese.

The highest legislative body in the dragon country, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, has been considering the draft of the so-called patriotic education law since yesterday. And there is no doubt that Congress will pass the law at the conclusion of the three-day session scheduled for this week.

Official Chinese media have been hinting at the guidelines of the draft law, revealing its contents in a cursory manner. According to reports, the normative reference is the "thought of Xi Jinping," and the law will insist on the principle of "unification of love for the country, love for the Party, and love for socialism."

The draft law prioritizes the ideology of the Communist Party and emphasizes the use of the Party's own heritage for patriotically oriented education. To this end, schools must integrate patriotic education, that is, the Party's ideology and political theories, into all stages of the educational process.

The bill establishes specific rituals such as flag raising and singing the national anthem, precisely to promote the patriotic spirit. The weekly ceremony of raising the national standard has become a common practice in Hong Kong schools since the National Security Law came into effect.

In addition to patriotic education for youth and students, the provision also includes specific articles for Hong Kong and Taiwan citizens and overseas Chinese citizens, although Taipei is not under Beijing's rule.

Some analysts believe China is laying the legal groundwork for a subsequent -- and more than potential -- war to be launched against the "rebellious" island. A specific section in the new law is also reserved for religious leaders and worshippers. Official media say the goal is to maintain the unity of the nation and cohesion among the various ethnic groups.

According to the draft law, Internet service providers must disseminate information that reinforces the patriotic spirit and develop new platforms, new technologies and new products for online patriotic education.

In the recent past, China has experienced a series of protests in various parts of the country, including areas under tight control such as Xinjiang and Tibet, against the "zero Covid" policy imposed by the leadership to contain the pandemic.

Some protesters and students have openly challenged Supreme Leader Xi Jinping and the authority of the Communist Party, which is rare after the crackdown on the democracy movement in 1989.

Discontent simmers over a sluggish economy and an unprecedentedly high youth unemployment rate. It seemed that Beijing could not find an acceptable solution in the face of a very complex situation; however, Xi Jinping himself launched a campaign in April requiring Party members to study and implement his thinking and dictates.
A member of the Missions Etrangeres de Paris, the clergyman died in France at the age of 91. A pioneer in rebuilding ties with communities that survived the Cultural Revolution, he published a "Guide to the Catholic Church in China" in 1986 that has become a major point of reference. Their Christian faith is the faith of their ancestors, he wrote elsewhere. If they are sometimes labelled as foreigners, that is because they belong, like Christians in every country, to a Kingdom that is not of this world.

Paris (AsiaNews) - The Church in China today mourns the death of a great friend and close partner, Fr Jean Charbonnier, a French missionary from the Missions Etrangeres de Paris (MEP), who passed away this morning at the age of 91 at the institutes retirement home in Lauris, France.

With him disappears one of the great witnesses of the rebirth of Chinas Catholic communities after the harsh winter of persecution of the Cultural Revolution.

After arriving in Singapore in 1959, he studied Mandarin and began to carry out his ministry serving local Chinese communities. Eventually, he became a crucial protagonist in renewing relations with churches in China during the early thaw in the 1970s.

In 1980 the MEP appointed him to lead the "Service Chine", tasked with resuming contacts with communities in 14 different mainland Chinese dioceses from where as many as 250 MEP missionaries had been expelled in the 1950s under Mao.

In this effort, Fr Charbonnier was alone. His work was closely associated with three other great missionaries and China experts from other institutes: Fr Angelo Lazzarotto (PIME ) from Italy; Fr Jerome Heyndricks (Scheut missionaries) from Belgium; and Fr Roman Malek (Verbite) from Poland, who died in 2019. Jokingly, they were called the Gang of four, a moniker borrowed from four leaders of the Communist Party of China arrested in 1976 in what marked the end of the Cultural Revolution.

Giancarlo Politi, a PIME missionary who also died in 2019, was also very close.

Fr Charbonnier is remembered for writing the Guide to the Catholic Church in China, a precious tool describing his travels in various Chinese provinces. First published in 1986 in English and Mandarin, it was regularly updated until 2008, becoming an essential tool to break the ice between mainland Catholic communities and outside visitors.

His Christians in China: A.D. 600 to 2000  published in 2002 (based on the original French, Histoire des chretiens de Chine published in 1992, updated ten years later)  looks at the deep roots of the Christian faith in China, from the Xi'an stele to the death and resurrection of the 20th century.

"Their Christian faith," he wrote in the Preface, "is the faith of their ancestors. To begin with, during the first and second generations of Christianitys presence in China, that faith was fragile and vulnerable, but later it became part of family tradition, which means that it benefitted from the tenacity of the basic Chinese principle of filial piety.

The Christians of China belong to a Chinese culture, as we will try to show. If they are sometimes labelled as foreigners, that is because they belong, like Christians in every country, to a kingdom that is not of this world, which does not prevent them from fulfilling their task conscientiously and working actively for the renewal of the society they live in.

In September 1993, Fr Charbonnier left Singapore for France called back by the Missions Etrangeres de Paris with another major task for the Church in China, namely accompany seminarians from mainland China coming to study in France.

In this too, he was a pioneer. Welcoming the first four in 1994, from the dioceses of Shanghai and Wuhan, he planted another seed, which is now bearing fruit in China.
The White House condemned the harassment of a Muslim journalist who asked the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the human rights record of India.

The White House spokesperson on national security, John Kirby, addressed the harassment of Muslim journalist Sabrina Siddiqui in a press briefing on Monday, June 26.

White House Slams Muslim Journalist Harassment

As per a report by The Hill, The White House spokesperson slammed the online harassment targeting the Muslim journalist, which includes some of the high-ranking politicians in India who are allies of Modi.

The National Security Council spokesperson Kirby says the harassment over the human rights questing to the Indian Prime Minister is "unacceptable." He told the press they are "aware of the reports of that harassment." He continues, "It is unacceptable, and we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere under any circumstances."

The White House stresses that the harassment that the Wall Street Journal journalist is grappling with is "completely unacceptable" and "antithetical to the principles of democracy that were on display last week during the state visit."

The Indian PM visited the White House last week, wherein United States President Joe Biden hosted. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured everyone that the Biden administration is fully "committed to the freedom of the press." And as such, they denounce any harassment or intimidation hurled against journalists.

The White House's condemnation of the harassment faced by a journalist who dared to ask Prime Minister Modi about human rights issues emphasizes the importance of press freedom.

Read Also: US-India Cooperation: Indian PM Narendra Modi Arrives at White House To Meet Joe Biden

India's Human Rights Records

As Axios reports, Saddiqui, who covers the Biden administration, is facing intense harassment online from people in India, primarily targeting her Muslim faith. The harassment comes after the Wall Street Journal reporters dared to ask the Indian PM about the human rights record of India.

In a press conference with Biden and Modi last Thursday, June 22, Siddiqui told the latter that "there are many human rights groups who say your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics."

The journalist asks the Indian leader, "What steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and uphold free speech?"

NBC News reports that Modi answered the question. He says via a translator, "In India's democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination, neither on the basis of caste, creed, or age or any kind of geographic location."

Modi's human rights record has been under scrutiny in recent years, with critics accusing him of presiding over a crackdown on dissent and religious minorities.

Related Article: India's Opposition Parties Join Forces To Defeat Governing Modi Administration

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Best Mens Sandals for Summer

Let Your Toes Breathe in These Stylish Summer Sandals

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

With temperatures soaring across the country, youll do anything and everything you can to beat the heat. But that shouldnt stop you from going out to dinner, lounging in the park or going hiking. You might want to continue as normal, but your wardrobe might be telling you to stay inside if you dont have the proper shoes to help get you there. Thats where your favorite hot-weather friend, the sandal, comes in.

Since feet are the extremities of your body, they help you feel cooler faster. So wearing sandals instead of sneakers provides much more air flow, helping your body circulate heat and feel cooler in hot weather. Its the same concept as sticking out your foot from under the covers at night when youre feeling warm.

RELATED: The Best Flip Flops for Men

So we know sandals help cool you, but what sandals should you be wearing? It depends on your activity and occasion:

If youre going to be on your feet either going for a walk or for a hike, pick a sportier sandal thats more durable and has a chunkier sole. If its a more rigorous activity, go with one that has a back strap so it wont slip off and soles with extra grip so you dont lose traction.

For a comfortable at-home sandal or one to chill at the beach, pool or park, go with a more casual slide or strap sandal. If youre worried about sand, pick one thats easy to wash off so something thats made from plastic or a similarly resistant material.

Headed to a nicer event, dinner or the office? Choose a high-quality sandal, preferably one made from leather, faux leather or suede. A two-strap sandal is a great choice, as is a closed sandal like the fisherman or huarache style. Stay away from flip flops and slides unless its for a relaxed situation.

Alex Crane Primo Sandals

These stunning Alex Crane sandals are made with raw leather from Leon (Mexico) by a third generation family business. The leather actually tans and turns dark brown when exposed to the sun, so they age beautifully over time, and the soles are made from recycled bus tires, repurposing a product that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The criss-cross upper design is more unique than other sandals while also being extremely simple and chic. Expect to be asked where you bought these every time you wear them.

$85 at AlexCrane.com

All-Weather Outpost Sandal

This sandal from All-Weather is a perfect city/outdoor hybrid for someone looking to go from the street to rockier terrain. The Tough CORDURA ballistic upper provides superior strength and tear resistance, the flexible Vibram XS Trek outsole gives you traction on wet and rugged surfaces and the cushioned EVA midsole offers sneaker-like comfort. It doesnt have a back strap, so it may not be ideal for really hard hiking, but the velcro straps are adjustable for anytime you need a more secure fit.

$125 at Huckberry.com

Vagabond Nate Sandals

Call this a sophisticated slide: the Vagabond sandal has this gorgeous black cow leather upper that feels and looks luxurious. The clean sole leans into the chunky shoe trend but also provides comfortable support. With a slip-on design, padded insole and woven straps, you wont find an easier way to make a summer outfit a little more elegant.

$160 at Vagabond.com

Dandy Del Mar Sayulita Slides

If youre not a fan of having your toes out on display or need a little more coverage for protection from sand, the Sayulita Slides from Dandy Del Mar are for you. Theyre mules, combining the closed-toe shoe front with the open sandal back. These provide more coverage while also letting your feet breathe. These slides are simple with a braided design around the upper for some more flair. And being made from top-grain natural leather, theyll only get better with age. Theyre perfect for a sea-side dinner, backyard bbq or anywhere you want to just look good.

$134 at DandyDelMar.com

Naot Maldive Slide

The Maldive slide from Naot combines a sporty and dressier design for a sandal that can be worn with athleisure or more formal clothes. The sandal contains double hook and loop straps to allow adjustability. Suede lining provides extra comfort while the insole is constructed of cork, rubber and latex covered in leather for ultimate, smooth comfort. This slide is perfect if youre looking for a truly versatile sandal that can transition from running around town to a nice dinner while providing comfort the entire time.

$140 at Naot.com

Merrell Hydro Slide Sandals

Want the ultimate beach-ready sandal? The Merrell Hydro Slide's one-piece construction makes it both supremely comfortable and highly durable, meaning it can withstand salt water, prolonged sunlight exposure and whatever other summer fun you put it through.

From $21.28 at Amazon.com

Abercrombie Logo Slides

A simple and refined slide, this slip-on sandal from Abercrombie takes up little space in your closet while having a large impact on style. With a minimalist look, these slides are fairly durable and extra-wide strap, these are a good looking, relaxed style option that's versatile enough for the beach or a night out. Its an easy slip away to add that last, elevated touch to your look before youre out the door.

$24 at Abercrombie.com

Nisolo Huarache Sandals

If you want sandals that are more shoe-like, consider these Nisolo huarache sandals. Huaraches originated in Mexico many years ago and have since gained popularity around the world for sturdy and breathable properties thanks to a lower profile upper thats made of multiple leather straps. These sandals are hand-woven with a beautifully intricate design that can be dressed down or up depending on the occasion. And you can feel good about these under your feet since theyre made with zero net carbon and 100% living wages.

$150 at Nisolo.com

BRONAX Pillow Slides

Maybe social medias favorite sandal, the cloud slides have been gaining popularity for how comfortable they are. Reviews rave about the cushy sole made from EVA, some saying they feel like marshmallows on your feet. The large sole may not be everyones favorite look, but theres no doubting their functionality. Theyre perfect for wearing around the house, standing while cooking, cleaning and doing other house chores, and of course theyre wonderful for the pool or beach since theyre easy to rinse off. A chore/pool/beach/lounge sandal is something to keep in your closet, and youll probably use them more than you think.

From $23.99 at Amazon.com



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Selwyn Vickers, center, president and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, comments on efforts to fight cancer during the Hope in the War Against Cancer panel discussion in the Greenwald Pavilion of the Aspen Meadows campus on Friday. Flanked by Vickers: Kevin Churchwell, right, president and CEO of Boston Childrens Hospital, and Peter Pisters, president of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Aspen Ideas: Health concluded on Saturday and now the Aspen Ideas Festival is in gear and running through Friday.
Last week I enjoyed a nice, little high-water float down the Upper Colorado River in the section known as Pumphouse to Radium. It's an easy and popular day trip where on summer days you will find...
Russia came dangerously close to civil war last weekend. There were tense moments on Saturday as Wagner troops advanced towards Moscow following threats from their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who rose up against the national army after months of rifts in Ukraine.

Concern reigned in the country. But a possible internal conflict also raised concerns in Europe and around the world, as a civil war in a nuclear-armed nation could pose a direct threat to international security.

PHOTO/REUTERS - There were tense moments on Saturday as Wagner troops advanced towards Moscow

However, despite the great challenge posed to the Kremlin by Prigozhin and his mercenaries, Russian President Vladimir Putin managed to reach an agreement - brokered by Belarus - with his former ally. The so-called 'Putin's chef' has had to go into exile in Belarus, in exchange for which the criminal case against him will be closed. To Wagner's fighters, Putin offered three options: join the ranks of the Russian army, return home or follow Prigozhin's path and move to the neighbouring country. "The vast majority of Wagner members are patriots," the president said in a televised speech after the military uprising.

With calm now restored and Prigozhin in Belarus, Putin has turned to the armed forces to thank them for their efforts to "stop a civil war" at a military event in the Kremlin.

Putin says Russia's armed forces "essentially stopped a civil war" and did such a good job that Russia didn't have to remove any units from the war zone in Ukraine.



He holds a minute of silence for the pilots killed in clashes with Wagner. pic.twitter.com/pzNWSvQZo0 June 27, 2023

"The people and the army were not on the side of the mutineers," Putin assured soldiers and military leaders, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. "You prevented civil war, acting correctly and in a coordinated manner in a difficult situation," Putin said.

The Russian president also made reference to Ukraine during his speech, noting that it was not necessary to "withdraw combat detachments" in the neighbouring country to deal with Wagner's rapid advance towards Moscow.

After the speech, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the Russian pilots killed during the clashes with Wagner. "They carried out their orders and their military duty with honour," Putin stressed.

SPUTNIK/SERGEI GUNEEEV - "The people and the army were not on the side of the mutineers," Putin assured soldiers and military leaders

Putin acknowledges that the state financed Wagner

The Wagner group, made up of mercenaries and ex-convicts and accused of war crimes in countries such as Ukraine, Syria and Libya, has been financed by the Russian state coffers. Putin confirmed this during the military event in Moscow. "The maintenance of the Wagner group was fully covered by the state, by the Ministry of Defence," the president admitted, specifying that between May 2022 and May 2023 alone, the Kremlin allocated 86 billion roubles to Prigozhin's private company, which earned 80 billion roubles in one year for supplying food to the Russian army. "We fully fund this group," he stressed.

AFP/ROMAN ROMOKHOV - Putin acknowledges that the state financed Wagner

This follows Prigozhin's complaints against the Russian Defence Ministry's military elite, whom he accused of looting aid and ammunition. In this regard, Putin has promised to investigate the use of the money earmarked for Wagner. "I hope that no one has stolen anything," he said.

Lukashenko confirms Prigozhin's arrival in Belarus

Belarusian President and loyal Putin ally Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed Prigozhin's presence in the country, the BELTA news agency reported on its Telegram channel. Lukashenko recalled the "security guarantees" promised by Moscow for the Wagner leader and fighters wishing to move to the country.

AFP/PATRICIO ARANA Y SABRINA BLANCHARD - Map showing the M4 motorway where Wagner's mercenaries advanced towards the capital

The Belarusian leader has also expressed his desire to take advantage of Wagner's military experience to educate and train Belarusian soldiers. For the time being, Minsk has already offered the mercenaries abandoned military bases, while Defence Minister Viktor Khrennikov has not ruled out the creation of a Wagner-like militia within the Belarusian army. Indeed, Khrennikov - on Lukashenko's orders - is expected to discuss the issue with Prigozhin himself.

Wagner to continue operations in Africa

Despite the recent mutiny, the Russian mercenary group will continue to operate in African countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "The governments of the Central African Republic and Mali are in official contact with our leaders. At their request, several hundred soldiers were working in CAR as trainers," Lavrov said, confirming that this work "will continue".

The Kremlin's armed wing abroad has strengthened its presence in Africa in recent years, especially in the volatile Sahel region. Feeding anti-French sentiment in the region and taking advantage of the withdrawal of Gallic troops, the paramilitary group has expanded its tentacles in several countries in the region, even entering into defence agreements with governments.

As in many other places, Wagner's presence is linked to war crimes. The group has been accused of attacks against civilians in several regions of Mali and the Central African Republic. "71% of Wagner's involvement in political violence in Mali has taken the form of violence against civilians," notes an ACLED report.
(Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump baselessly claimed that President Joe Biden follows China's order in terms of the crisis in Russia.

Following the Wagner Group insurrection in Russia, Donald Trump lashed out at President Joe Biden, claiming the crisis would benefit China.

In a Saturday post on his Truth Social network, Trump asserted, without evidence, that "Biden will do regarding Russia whatever Chinese President Xi wants him to do."

Trump Lashed Out at Biden

He then asserted, without evidence, that Biden and his son Hunter "illegally took significant sums of money from both countries, but China is currently the greater concern."

Trump, the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, indicated that China could seize Russian territory in the event of an armed insurrection in Russia. Meanwhile, Biden was spotted on Saturday boarding Marine One for a journey to Camp David with his son Hunter, who consented to plead guilty this week to misdemeanor tax evasion charges.

On Saturday, the Wagner group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced that the Russian mercenaries who had advanced nearly to Moscow had consented to retreat to prevent carnage.

According to Daily Mail, it represented a de-escalation of a significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin's hold on power. Prigozhin said the Wagner private army's combatants turned back approximately 200 kilometers from the capital.

Prigozhin, a 62-year-old ex-convict, was a longtime ally of Putin and secured lucrative catering contracts at the Kremlin, earning him the moniker 'Putin's chef.'

He garnered notoriety in the United States when he and a dozen other Russian nationals were charged with running a covert social media campaign to sow disorder prior to Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election.

In November of last year, Prigozhin proclaimed publicly that he had attempted to interfere in US elections and promised to continue doing so. This was a significant change of direction for Prigozhin, who had attempted to operate under the radar for years and avoid scrutiny.

Read Also: Bryan Kohberger Faces Death Penalty as Idaho Prosecutors File for Intent To Execute

China Downplays Wagner Munity

Meanwhile, a failed rebellion by the Wagner group of mercenaries has been described by Chinese officials as Moscow's "internal affairs," while a state media mouthpiece has dismissed the divisions in Russia as an "illusion" exploited by the West.

On Sunday, Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko met with Chinese officials in Beijing following the most significant challenge to Vladimir Putin's grasp on power since he assumed office in 2000.

China's foreign ministry initially stated that Rudenko and Qin Gang had discussed Sino-Russian relations and "international and regional issues of common concern." Per Guardian, China later stated that it supports Russia's efforts to preserve its national stability.

According to the Russian foreign ministry, China has declared its support for Moscow's leadership. It was unknown when Rudenko arrived in Beijing or whether his trip to Russia's most important ally, China, was in response to the apparent rebellion led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

On Saturday, an agreement was reached that exempted Wagner's mercenaries from criminal prosecution in exchange for Prigozhin pulling his combatants back to base and his relocation to Belarus.

Putin claimed that the rebellion posed a threat to Russia's very existence. China had previously made no comment on the rebellion. Chinese media had carefully monitored the uprising but largely refrained from commenting prior to official statements.

The Chinese state-controlled newspaper Global Times stated that Prigozhin's "mutiny" was exaggerated, and an "illusion" was created. Russia has numerous internal contradictions, and "the building is disintegrating" was the latest assault by Western media and another attempt to undermine the social cohesion of Russia.

Despite not being formal allies, China and Russia have maintained close ties during Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has declined to condemn. The United States and other Western powers have urged Beijing to refrain from providing Russia with munitions that could be used in the Ukraine conflict.

Related Article: Angry Putin Accuses West of Sparking Turmoil for Russians 'To Kill Each Other,' Says Wagner Chief Will Be Brought to Justice

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Trade School Programs in Hot Demand in Tennessee

Written by Olivia Sanchez and Danielle Smith, The Hechinger Report-Public News Service Collaboration

Published June 27, 2023

Most of the guys come straight to the shop each afternoon. After long shifts at supermarkets and home improvement stores, they make their way to southwest Nashville just before 4 p.m., sometimes still in uniform, and pull into a massive parking lot shared by the local community college and the Nashville branch of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, or TCAT.

Some might rev their engines and do a few laps around the mostly clear lot first, but they all eventually take a right toward the garage.

There, as the sun begins to set on a 70-degree February day, the students in the auto collision repair night class are preparing to spend the next five hours studying.

One is sanding the seal off the bed of his 1989 Ford F-350, preparing to repaint. Another, in his first trimester, is patiently hammering out a banged-up fender, an assignment that may take him weeks. Another, who has strayed in from the welding shop, is trying to distract the guys in the program he graduated from months before.

Some others linger around a metal picnic table in the parking lot, sipping cool sugary drinks and poking fun at each others projects. Among them is 26-year-old Cheven Jones, taking a break from working on his 2003 Lexus IS 300.

While almost every sector of higher education is seeing fewer students registering for classes, many trade school programs are booming. Jones and his classmates, seeking certificates and other short-term credentials, not associate degrees, are part of that upswing.

Mechanic and repair trade programs saw an enrollment increase of 11.5% from spring 2021 to 2022, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. Enrollment in construction trades courses increased by 19.3%, while culinary program enrollment increased 12.7%, according to the Clearinghouse. Meanwhile, enrollment at public two-year colleges declined 7.8%, and enrollment at public four-year institutions dropped by 3.4%, according to the Clearinghouse.

Many young people who are choosing trade school over a traditional four-year degree say that they are doing so because its much more affordable and they see a more obvious path to a job.

These kids are looking for relevance. They want to be able to connect what theyre learning with what happens next, said Jean Eddy, president of American Student Assistance, a nonprofit dedicated to helping students make informed choices about their educations and careers. (ASA is one of the many funders of The Hechinger Report, which produced this story.) I think many, many families and certainly the majority of young people today are questioning the return on investment for higher education.

Eddy said the increased interest in the trades doesnt necessarily mean these students wont later go on to earn a bachelors degree, but simply means that they are excited, and theyre more interested in getting into something where they can feel as though they are applying their skills and their talents to something that they can be good at.

TCAT is a network of 24 colleges across the state that offers training for 70 occupations. TCAT Nashville offers 16-month to two-year courses including diesel and automotive technology and welding and construction technology, among others. Many of them have waiting lists, said Nathan Garrett, president of the college. To accommodate increased demand, the college has added night classes and is expanding shop space.

In Tennessee, the states overall community college enrollment took a hit during the pandemic, despite a 2015 state program that made community college tuition free. Still, at TCAT, many trade programs have continued to grow despite the downward enrollment trend.

TCAT focuses on training students for jobs that are in demand in the region, which appeals to many students in normal times, but Garrett said the pandemic may have underscored the need for workforce relevance.

When we look at essential workers, a lot of those trades never saw a slowdown, he said. They still hired, they still have the need. Automotive trades are always in demand, he added.

Even so, Joness pursuit of a degree at TCAT Nashville would perhaps be a surprise to his high school self. My parents just basically told me, Finish high school and then just work,  Jones said. I didnt necessarily know what I wanted to do, and my biggest fear was to go to college, put in all that time and effort and then not use my degree.

So, at 18, Jones went to work in warehouses, spending long days loading and unloading heavy boxes from tractor-trailers. But he found it unfulfilling, it was terribly difficult on his body, and he wasnt making enough money. After just a few years, he realized he needed a job that would make him happier, hurt him less and pay him more. Trade school for a career fixing cars, he decided, seemed like the best route.

Nineteen-year-old Robert Nivyayos priorities became clear a bit earlier in his education, when he realized he didnt like high school very much. He said he spent most of his free time watching YouTube videos about fixing up cars before he owned one or was even licensed to drive.

He started saving up the money he earned stocking shelves at a Publix grocery store. And around the time the pandemic hit, he bought a 2005 Mustang off Facebook Marketplace for $800 cash. It didnt run, so he hired a tow truck to lug it to his parents house. He took the engine apart, outfitted it with a new head gasket and put it back together, all while his online high school classes played on his smartphone.

Nivyayos parents, who came to the U.S. from Tanzania in 2007, had long urged their children to go to college, he said. When he enrolled at TCAT Nashville to pursue training in auto collision repair, they were pleased: As long as Im going to college, thats all they really care.

The path made sense for him, because he could earn a credential while doing what he enjoyed, and without spending much time in the traditional classroom. Hes looking forward to the anticipated payoff, when he gets a job in an auto shop.
However, just like many other models born in the '70s, the redesigned Impala had to comply with many regulations that turned it into a dull car. Needless to say, its yearly sales declined as well, though the Impala continued to be one of the nameplates bringing home the bacon for the GM brand.The 1976 example I recently discovered on eBay is a beautiful survivor that ticks all the boxes for a spot in someone's collection. Sure enough, it's not necessarily as desirable as an Impala born in the '60s, but given its condition, this 1976 model is quite a little piece of automotive culture.eBay seller stevenhasenbank says the car was won by an old lady at the PNE fair in Vancouver back in 1976. It was a brand-new vehicle, but as it turns out, the old lady wasnt necessarily impressed with the prize. She barely drove the car before moving it to storage back in 1991.The odometer currently indicates around 20,000 miles (a little over 32,000 km, for our European friends).The current owner says they discovered the 1976 Chevrolet Impala in the same barn where it was moved in 2004, so in theory, it hasn't moved in 19 years.This doesn't mean its tip-top shape has been affected, though. Not at all. The 1976 Impala still looks impressive, with everything obviously in the car.The engine under the hood is a 350 (5.7-liter) V8 unit that starts and runs like new. You can drive the car anywhere, so in theory, the buyer should be able to take the car home on its own wheels. No towing would be necessary, though you should obviously inspect it thoroughly before going on a long journey.Everything is rust-free, and except for a few minor dings and scratches, the original paint still looks almost flawless. A collector would probably want a respray anyway, but otherwise, the Impala looks like it just rolled off the assembly lines.As an Impala born in the '70s, this 2-door model can't be expensive. The bidding has already reached $5,100, but on the other hand, the seller also enabled a reserve. Unsurprisingly, it's yet to be reached, and with no information on its value, we'll just have to wait a few more days to find out if someone manages to unlock it. The vehicle is currently parked in Peachland, British Columbia, so you know what you have to do if you're interested in inspecting the car in person.
There have been two periods in humankind's history when our race has turned to the heavens with hope in its eyes: the 1950s/1960s, a time when we managed for the first time to develop rockets capable of taking us beyond the borders of our own planet and out into space, and the current era, when our sights are set on the colonization of alien worlds.

Photo: Hazegrayart

Photo: Hazegrayart

Ambitious as they are, modern-day space exploration projects can't come even close to the feeling of awe and wonder people of the 1950s and 1960s felt when looking at their future. For some reason, their dreams and aspirations seemed a lot more optimistic, more colorful, and a lot more exciting than ours.We once again get a feeling of what it may have been like to live in that era thanks to a short nostalgic clip depicting something our elders may have enjoyed during their younger years over at Disneyland: the TWA Moonliner.TWA would be, of course, Trans World Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the U.S. during the golden years of aviation and space exploration. Out of business since 2001, the company was owned for a few decades by aviation icon Howard Hughes The Moonliner was what Hughes envisioned TWA would operate several decades in his future, sometimes around the 1980s. A rocket-shaped commercial airliner that could transport people around the planet and who knows, maybe even to the Moon.Back in the mid-1950s, when the concept was put together, we really had no means of leaving our planet, but people were dreaming about it. And they were dreaming about it while taking airplane trips here on Earth, at times using the services of airlines other than TWA.So Hughes, the business genius that he was, saw an opportunity to mix product placement with people's dreams and need to have fun, and gave birth to the TWA Moonliner.The design of the rocket was born in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering. That's because the rocket was not meant to be a working prototype of an actual flying machine, but a neatly shaped billboard advertising TWA's business over at Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Yet it had to look like a real deal, so the man largely responsible for the birth of American rocketry, Wernher von Braun, had a hand in its design as well.The contraption was part of the Rocket to the Moon display at Disneyland in the 1950s, and as shown there it stood 80 feet (24 meters) tall. It had a rocket body the kind of which the world was soon to get accustomed to, with a silver color on it that somewhat resembled the look of today's Starship . Naturally, the TWA logos were featured here and there.The Moonliner was on display at Disneyland from 1955 to 1962, being for this entire time the tallest structure in the park. A 22-foot (6.7 meters) replica of the thing, called Moonliner II, was also installed by Hughes on the TWA corporate building in Kansas City.Closer to our time, in 1998, a two-thirds version of the Moonliner was included in Disney's New Tomorrowland to advertise Coca-Cola.Hughes gave up his grasp on TWA in 1960, so the original Moonliner made no more sense advertising this airline. The Douglas Aircraft Company stepped in and took over, replacing only the color scheme and the logos featured on the rocket's nose and landing legs with its own.Despite being an advertising display, the Moonliner was for a short while considered the precursor of something real, so it came with portholes, a cockpit, and a boarding ramp for passengers.Had it been made for real, the Moonliner would have been operating sometime in the 1980s, and would have been 200 feet (61 meters) tall. A nuclear reactor was envisioned as the main means of propulsion.It's unclear how many passengers would have been able to travel in it, but they most likely would have done so in luxury and style.The last known reference to the Disneyland TWA Moonliner dates back to the early 1980s, when it was spotted somewhere on the park's estate. It's unclear what happened to it since, but smaller replicas can still be seen here and there throughout the park.A life-size, functioning rocket was never made, so sadly we have no way of saying how it might have looked in flight. Or do we?Thanks to modern technology, animation specialist Hazegrayart recently gave us a glimpse of the TWA Moonliner in action, taking off from a digital launch pad. It's a short clip, under a minute long, but more than enough to awaken in us a feeling of nostalgia one rarely gets to experience these days.You can have a taste of that for yourselves, and get all those amazing 1950s vibes back, in the video attached below this text.
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Before that happens, however, the Korean car marque continues testing the zero-emission high-rider in different environments. Our latest sighting came from Europe in a set of scoops that shows a heavily camouflaged prototype being driven in the open. And even if it had lots of fake skin wrapped around the real one, we can still make out a few details, though not that many, because Hyundai isn't willing to disclose anything about it yet.One of the most visible features is the LED headlamp signature and the obvious closed-off grille design. The generously-sized mirrors are also visible, as are the discreet roof rails and the black cladding on the lower parts of the body for a bit of a rugged-y appearance. Unfortunately, a fake hunch still hides the back end of the Ioniq 7, and the only things that we can spot at the rear are the license plate holder mounted on the tailgate, likely below the corporate logo, and the taillights that may or may not have a vertical shape (could it hide a full-width light bar beneath the camo?).As some of you remember, the Hyundai Ioniq 7 was previewed by the Seven Concept well over two years ago. The show car had a lounge-like interior and rear suicide doors, though you shouldn't expect any of those to make their way to the production model. Instead, it will get three rows of seats, with the second row probably being available with captain's chairs and the usual dashboard layout that will mix a pair of screens for the digital dials and infotainment system. Look for sustainable materials, multi-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a plethora of technology gear. All sorts of active safety gizmos will aid drivers on their daily commutes.In terms of underpinnings, Hyundai's Ioniq 7 will be based on the same platform as the Kia EV9. The E-GMP architecture will give it access to single- and dual-motor powertrains. The most humble offering will probably be identical to its cousin, with 215 horsepower, juiced up by a 76.1battery pack. A larger unit, with a 99.8 kWh capacity, should also be available, alongside bi-motor setups with up to 380 horsepower. The GT-Line variant of the Kia EV9 takes roughly five seconds to sprint to sixty miles an hour (97 kph), and the equivalent Ioniq 7 should be just as fast. In terms of range, look for approximately 300 miles (483 km) with the larger battery option on a full charge.
We go through life without duly thanking the thousands of people that made it easier and more comfortable. Just think about electric lamps and the telephone. How many times were you grateful to Thomas Edison or Graham Bell? What about now long-lost names of those who invented bricks, cement, plumbing, clothes, and the long etcetera we now take for granted? Anyone reading this had the privilege to live while John B. Goodenough was still around us. On June 25, he passed away  exactly a month from celebrating 101 years.

BEV

Photo: University of Texas

Photo: Nobel Media AB/A. Mahmoud

Photo: University of Texas

If you have not connected the dots about who this man was yet, ask your laptop, cell phone, tablet, and even your battery electric vehicle () more about him. They only work because of what Goodenough developed based on previous work from M. Stanley Whittingham. Before lithium-ion rechargeable cells made their commercial premiere with Sony in 1991, Akira Yoshino made some improvements that are also considered crucial to lithium-ion cells. These guys created the lithium-ion battery that we know today, an achievement that gave them the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Goodenough was 97, which made him the oldest person ever to receive the award.According to the University of Texas, "Goodenough identified and developed the critical cathode materials that provided the high-energy density needed to power electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles." That happened around 1979  when he and his team discovered that "by using lithium cobalt oxide as the cathode of a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, it would be possible to achieve a high density of stored energy with an anode other than metallic lithium ."It is curious to see the university mention that the battery had a high energy density when current research efforts want to improve what that original lithium-ion cell offered. That needs more historical context: these batteries were indeed much superior to everything that was available at the time. Contrary to his own name, that never stopped Goodenough to keep searching for improvements.One of his most recent scientific creations was a glass battery developed in 2016 in partnership with Maria Helena Braga, a Portuguese researcher from the University of Porto. Although it is called that, its main breakthrough is a glass electrolyte that has the potential to create safer and more affordable solid-state batteries . Several researchers said the Braga-Goodenough papers contained basic calculation mistakes. At some point, Braga and Goodenough said the glass battery would self-charge, which was received with a lot of skepticism.While people were discussing this, the two researchers sold their patents in 2020 to Hydro-Quebec. The Canadian hydroelectric power company committed to delivering a commercial version of that battery in around two years. Matthew Lacey, a scientist from Uppsala University, bet that people would forget about this new cell because it was based on "claims that are completely unsupportable." Three years later, either Lacey was right, or Hydro-Quebec is facing some delays.Goodenough was born on July 25, 1922, in Jena, Germany. His parents were American, and he got back to the US in his childhood. In 1944, the scientist achieved a degree in mathematics from Yale University, going to the Army shortly after that to serve as a meteorologist. After he got back, he completed a master's degree and a PhD in Physics from the University of Chicago in 1952. Goodenough started working for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the same year and only left 24 years later. In 1954, the scientist married Irene Wiseman, and they stayed together until she died in 2016. They did not have children.At MIT, Goodenough helped develop random-access memory (RAM)  yes, that one you have in your computer and in anything that runs software. He also came up with concepts of cooperative orbital ordering, also known as a cooperative JahnTeller distortion, among other critical scientific achievements. After leaving MIT, the scientist joined the University of Oxford, where he headed the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory until he joined the University of Texas in 1986. In interviews when he received the Nobel Prize, Goodenough said that he would not have to retire in Texas. He worked there until he was 98.His colleagues remember him for his characteristic laugh  which you can check in the video below  and for being a humble genius. They also said he was a fantastic mentor for new scientists. Work certainly helped him live that much, even if his body may have failed him before he felt he had done all he could. For a man who contributed so much to science, I just hope he did not feel frustrated he couldn't do more. May this brilliant man forgive me for the pun wherever he is, but what he achieved was more than Goodenough. Above all, may he know we are grateful for everything he did.
Still, a small Italian company with no direct ties to the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand has announced the revival of the nameplate in the form of a restomod project. Based in Milan, the firm is called Eccentrica, and their Instagram account gives a few hints of the reborn project, accompanied by several teasers that reveal a reworked exterior design.For one, it has a modified face with LED headlamps and probably a new front hood. Further back, we can see that the side mirrors are different, and the rear engine cover is new. Overall, it retains the styling of the original, though with a few modern twists. Chances are Eccentrica, which is Italian for eccentric, will retune the chassis, perhaps giving it new suspension for better cornering and improved comfort. We also expect it to have uprated brakes to keep the hypothetical power boost in check.You see, the V12 engine was good for 485 to 595 horsepower over the years, and we now have premium compact sedans that are equally punchy. Therefore, an extra oomph would be just what the iconic supercar needs to align with the modern-day establishment of models with blue blood running through their veins. The exact numbers and other details, including possible interior upgrades like an infotainment system with smartphone integration, will probably be announced during the grand unveiling that was set for a little over a week from today, on July 6.Mind you, Lamborghini is estimated to have made a little under 2,900 copies of the Diablo from 1990 to 2001, and it is unknown how many of them have withstood the test of time and overzealous owners. As a result, production will likely be capped at several examples only, and as every gearhead and their grandmother will tell you, restomod projects, especially those building on iconic models from the recent or far past, tend to cost a lot of money. If we were to guess, we'd say Eccentrica's take on the Diablo will probably be a seven-digit machine when it breaks cover.Some of the most affordable Lamborghini Diablos currently listed for grabs on the used car market cost from well over $200,000 to almost $1,000,000, depending on the model, overall state, and how many miles it has under its belt. As for the latest flagship supercar made by the Raging Bull, the electrified Revuelto , with its 1,001 brake horsepower combined available on tap, it is estimated to cost in the region of $600,000 in our market.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is joining Georgetown University as one of its "distinguished" professors.

His new academic stint comes months after Dr. Fauci left the Biden administration in December last year, or in 2022, to be exact.

Anthony Fauci Joins Georgetown University

According to The Hill, Georgetown University confirmed that the former medical adviser of United States (US) President Joe Biden is joining their faculty members in July. It is the first stint of Dr. Fauci since he resigned from his post in the government.

Georgetown University announced that "Fauci will serve as a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Medicine's Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases." The educational research institution further notes that "it is an academic division that provides clinical care, conducts research, and trains future physicians in infectious diseases."

In his new role as a "distinguished university" professor, Fauci is set to participate in medical and graduate education and engage with students, The Washington Post reports.

Fauci also confirmed that he is joining the university in Washington. The former chief White House medical adviser says his upcoming stint in the academe "is a natural extension" of his "scientific clinical and public health career."

According to The New York Post, Biden's ex-medical adviser says joining the Jesuit school was "a no-brainer" for him. Notably, he tied the knot with his wife, a Georgetown University alumnus, at the university's chapel.

Read Also: Dr. Anthony Fauci Slams Elon Musk's 'Twitter Files' Warning

Fauci's Decades-Long Career in the Government

Fauci stepped down from the Biden administration in December 2022, leaving his role as the chief medical adviser to the President. He also resigned from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, at the National Institutes of Health as its director.

He has led the NIAID for roughly four decades or 40 years, wherein he has served a total of seven presidents. During his stay, he encountered various outbreaks and diseases like Ebola, Zika, and HIV.

But above and beyond those, Fauci served as the face of the US COVID-19 response, which made him some sort of a celebrity during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

While others praised his response, others were highly critical of him, leading to death threats. And as such, in 2021, the doctor had his own armed security detail. It was that intense.

In the early 1980s and 1990s, Fauci was behind the US response to the HIV and AIDS crisis during that time. In fact, former President George W. Bush conferred him a prestigious award named "the Presidential Medical Freedom" last 2008 for his effort against the HIV/AIDS crisis.

And now, Fauci is on to the next. He is joining Georgetown University next month.

Related Article: MAGA Fumes at Ron DeSantis' AI-Generated Ad Showing Trump Kissing Fauci

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lordstown Motors, the maker of the Endurance electric pickup truck, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company is looking for a potential new owner to save it after it failed to solve a dispute with Foxconn over a promised investment.

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Lordstown Motors was founded in 2018 to produce a revolutionary electric pickup. One year later, the company signed an agreement with GM to purchase its Lordstown plant and another one in 2020 with Workhorse Group to license intellectual property rights for its Workhorse W-15 pickup truck. Lordstown Motors wanted to use the W15 design as a base for its own electric pickup, the Endurance.Lordstown Endurance was not just any electric pickup, as it featured a hub motor system instead of the common drive units. The wheel-hub motors would eliminate many moving parts, including wheel axles and transmission gears. The Endurance production was delayed, and an earlier prototype burst into flame in 2021. The startup also suffered setbacks after Hindenburg Research presented evidence that the company misled investors. Lordstown Motors exaggerated the demand for its trucks and its ability to build them.Financial problems culminated in selling its Lordstown plant to Foxconn in October 2021. The Taiwanese company became a contract manufacturer for Lordstown Motors and, at the same time, an investor with a $52.7 million stake in the company. The startup eventually launched the Endurance in the third quarter of 2022, which is still earlier than Tesla Cybertruck.This doesn't mean anything, though, as Tesla has more prototypes roaming the streets than the number of Lordstown Endurance trucks ever produced. To add insult to injury, the "revolutionary" electric pickup proved to be an energy hog with a disappointing EPA range of 174 miles out of a 109-battery pack. This is the lowest range for any electric vehicle with a battery pack larger than 100 kWh.Probably this convinced Foxconn that investing more money in Lordstown Motors would not be the wisest move. The company turned off the money tap, leaving Lordstown Motors high and dry . The startup had no choice but to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the same time, Lordstown Motors took legal action against Foxconn for failing to abide by an agreement to invest up to $170 million in the electric-vehicle manufacturer.Earlier this month, Lordstown Motors was already considering suing the Taiwanese company. In a regulatory filing earlier this month, the startup accused Foxconn of engaging in a "pattern of bad faith" that caused "material and irreparable harm" to the company. On the other hand, Foxconn said that Lordstown Motors had also breached the investment agreement when the startup's stock fell below $1 per share.Lordstown Motors, including the Endurance vehicle and related assets, is up for sale now. I'm still curious who would invest in a company whose only product proved inferior to other electric pickup trucks. Even the company's founder and ex-CEO, Stephen Burns, lost faith in its survival. Burns reportedly sold his remaining stock in the company in three separate transactions during the past two months.
Basically, the main draw of (ultra-luxury) high riders for the aftermarket realm is that they present a larger surface to work with - toward outstanding or controversial results, depending on your POV. Oh, by the way, sometimes they can also hit a bit of both.

SUV

PHEV

And there is no need to take our word for granted, as we have a couple of eloquent examples from the premium and ultra-luxury category, all courtesy of the Los Angeles, California-based forged wheel experts over at Forgiato Designs , who certainly know how to stir a pot of outrageousness with just a hint of their aftermarket greatness.First, let us start with the popular and successful fifth-gen L460 Land Rover Range Rover flagship, which was recently updated for the 2024 model year with  of course  increased prices. Luckily, Land Rover yanked prices for the 2024 Range Rover family just a little bit  from the long-running base of $106,500 to $107,400, while it also upgraded the powertrains for theand SV models. As such, the clients can now have a Range Rover SV with a standard or long wheelbase for no less than $209 or $234!That's biting a chew out of the super-SUV establishment, for sure, as the updated SVs also come with a mighty 606-hp V8 under the hood to make sure the Lamborghini Urus knows it has some mighty competition from the traditional SUV field. Alas, this Range Rover probably doesn't care to zip past its rivals in a hurry, as the model customized and personalized by Houston Custom & Collision (autosuitecustoms on social media) is all about slowly passing by and showing all of its novel assets  including the bronze Forgiato monsters (they look like 26s, for sure) that match the rest of the outrageous body accents.This Range Rover certainly isn't for everyone, but it also looks a bit subtler (despite the gray-bronze-black exterior combination) than the other asset presented by Forgiato  a minty Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge that belongs to the Shane Justin garment brand. It was recently spotted by a regular of custom vehicle photography, and an impromptu (or staged) photo session was only logical. The Cullinan only shows its Black Badge credentials as far as the badges and Spirit of Ecstasy are concerned, as otherwise, just about everything is minty or chromed  including the Forgiato aftermarket wheels (again, we feel these are around 26 inches in size).So, in the end  which one is your favorite? The Range Rover that now looks like it's ready to enjoy a romantic summer sunset with a special somebody? Or the minty Rolls-Royce Cullinan that flaunts subtle Black Badge credentials and an elegant 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 that is tuned to 591 horsepower? Oh, by the way, if you want a 'subtler' Cullinan, do peek at the white version embedded (third) below and tell us if crimson and white work even better!
Earth is a water-rich planet, and with the imminent climate change, the world's glaciers are melting at dramatic speeds, which could eventually lead to significant changes in the current state of the system. That's why scientists and architects have started to think of alternative secure housing solutions in case of an apocalyptic flood.

Photo: Institut auf dem Rosenberg

Photo: Institut auf dem Rosenberg

Photo: Institut auf dem Rosenberg

That is also the assignment that was given to a group of students at the Institut auf dem Rosenberg, a highly-acclaimed private boarding school based in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The students took the assignments very seriously and came up with an impressive solar-powered structure designed to float in the ocean and help people of the future better withstand climate change.The prototype floating dwelling is called Blue Nomad and is inspired by both tiny living and conventional ocean-going vessels, though featuring a futuristic aesthetic . Floating communities already exist in flood-prone nations where sea levels rise and frequent storms cause waters to swell, so the idea of creating a habitat on the water is nothing new. The novelty of this project is that it is designed for the future and focuses on sustainability, from the materials it is built of to the propulsion system and energy source.The students at the Swiss Institut auf dem Rosenberg designed the Blue Nomad floating habitat in collaboration with engineering experts and designers from SAGA Space Architects, a Danish tech design agency specializing in developing habitats for Earth and space.Though it might seem more like a project fit for college students due to its complexity, the Blue Nomad was developed by pupils aged 6 to 18 years old. This kind of assignment is not unusual for this prestigious private school, whose curriculum focuses on coursework with real-life impacts and classes that balance human value and technology."By partnering with forward-thinking enterprises and industry experts such as SAGA, we enable our students to solve real-life problems, with the goal of creating a better future for all," said Bernhard Gademann, president of Institut auf dem Rosenberg.The students envisioned a dwelling able to function as shelter for the modern nomad who will travel and live on the water full time. They studied the first Polynesian nomadic settlements and then used AI to bring their vision to life.The Blue Nomad floating habitat is made from woven flax fiber combined with other sustainable materials, including algae tiles and cork walls meant to ensure insulation and fire resistance. It is powered purely by solar energy, with no less than 48 large solar panels mounted on the roof to generate energy for propulsion, electricity, and food production.The conceptual craft boasts an asymmetric design with a layout that comprises a living space in the larger boom, bunks, a small galley, and a workspace. It can accommodate two people and two guests, but its modular design allows for multiple units to be fused together and create shared living spaces.As for dimensions, the floating habitat measures approximately 22 by 16 feet (6.7 by 4.9 meters), so it is compact enough to fit through the locks and channels found on European waterways.Taking the futuristic structure from conceptual sketch to mock-up stage was a daring endeavor that involved the entire school and encompassed every discipline and subject. The Blue Nomad full-size mock-up took six months to complete, and students were given age-appropriate tasks within the project, highlighting the schools individualized approach to learning. For instance, some took care of the technical aspects and studied buoyancy and the physic behind the system, while others dug deeper into historical precedents.An actual prototype is currently being built, with the team planning to exhibit it at two events this summer: the London Design Biennale in June and the Monte Carlo Energy Boat Challenge in July.In terms of interior design, they plan to furnish it with minimalism in mind in order to provide compact but comfortable living. There is space for two double beds on two levels, a functional kitchen, a bathroom with plumbing, and an outdoor space with seating. A water filtration system and an aeroponic tower for growing vegetables are also part of the project.The idea for the Blue Nomad concept came after a student trip to the Norman Foster Foundation in Madrid and is not the first project developed with help from SAGA Space Architects. Last year, the Swiss private school collaborated with the Danish agency on the Space Habitat, a 3D-printed structure for two people that is meant to fit inside SpaceX's Starship rocket."When our students work on projects and have the opportunity to physically create something, then the learning experience is so much better," explained Gademann.The team has much more ambitious plans for the next years, though these do not involve students anymore. They plan to take the Blue Nomad floating habitat on a maiden voyage on the North Sea in late 2024, an endeavor that will be taken on by the experts at SAGA.Blue Nomad might be just a conceptual floating habitat for the time being, but with the shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, the world's oceans could become a platform for housing solutions and this kind of dwelling could turn into the house of the future.
Out of all the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) concepts gearing up to launch commercial services by 2025, Lilium claims to be the only jet. The German air mobility startup is also one of the few aiming for certification in both Europe and the US. The latest certification milestone proves it's on the right track.

VTOL

Founded in Germany in 2015, Lilium had to focus on getting the green light from EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) first as its primary airworthiness authority. It hit the first milestone in 2020 when EASA issued the certification basis for the Liliumjet.Three years later, Lilium is proud to announce it got a certification basis from FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration) as well. Proud because few eVTOL manufacturers are seeking simultaneous certification in the US and Europe. It's difficult enough to obtain type certification in one area. On the other hand, existing legislation (the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the EU and the US) encourages dual certification.According to Lilium, FAA will use information and data from both the manufacturer and EASA to analyze the VTOL jet's performance and safety before the next step in the process, which is issuing the G-1 certification basis for public consultation.When it gets type certification from FAA and EASA, Lilium will basically be able to sell and operate its aircraft legally in Europe and the US. Since the EASA certification process started earlier, the air mobility startup hopes to kick off commercial services in Europe by late 2025.Lilium's aircraft introduces a proprietary technology called DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) which is said to improve payload, aerodynamic efficiency, and noise profile while making the jet easier to maneuver. Since jet engines are used to power 95% of existing conventional airplanes, the German startup wanted to create something similar but simpler and with the added benefit of zero emissions.This is how the engineers at Lilium came up with electric jet engines that use a single-stage rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. The engines are integrated into the wing flaps. The jet also claims improved aerodynamic efficiency thanks to its innovative design, fixed wings, no tail, and an embedded distributed propulsion system.Thanks to design innovations, the Lilium jet can also operate on existing helipads (doesn't require dedicated infrastructure) with a high payload. It's also remarkably silent due to acoustic liners that capture and dissipate noise before it reaches the environment.The versatile cabin can be configured as a six-seat passenger air taxi, a cargo aircraft with no seats, or a luxury private jet with fewer seats, high-end materials, and wide customization options. So far, Lilium has tested five generations of the VTOL jet and has secured worldwide customers.
Electric air taxis are coming, but are we ready for regular commercial operations? Infrastructure-wise, the answer wouldn't be a positive one. Companies like Urban-Air Port, headquartered in Britain, are working with industry partners to change things and pave the way for emission-free air taxi services.

If you had to remember just one name related to AAM (advanced air mobility) infrastructure, it should be Urban-Air Port . In April 2022, it unveiled the first fully-operational vertiport for drones and eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) in the world. For three weeks, more than 15,000 people got to admire up close this impressive facility in Coventry, UK, with more than 100 drone flight demonstrations.Air One was the name of this truly spectacular demonstrator that showed us a glimpse into the future of air mobility in urban centers. The British startup completed this industry first with support from the UK Government's Future Flight Challenge program and together with its strategic partner, Supernal. Supernal is Hyundai Motor Group's air mobility division, which also provided a full-scale prototype of its S-A1 eVTOL for the Air One event.The Air One is a complex facility that integrates much more than dedicated areas for aircraft take-off and landing . It includes a control and command hub and special equipment for air taxi charging and drone cargo loading. Passengers also have access to a non-aeronautical section. The one showcased at the official unveiling included a fully-working cafe, shops, and vending machines. Air One was designed in record time (just 15 months), and the demonstrator's construction took just 11 weeks.What differentiates Urban-Air Port from other AAM infrastructure developers is the modular, ultra-compact design of its vertiport platform. The Air One concept can be easily adapted for round-based locations, maritime environments, and rooftops. Plus, the company developed a separate concept called Resilience One for DEMS (Disaster, Emergency Management & Security) operations. This futuristic vertiport for special missions is rapidly deployable, entirely off-grid, and customizable.Although Supernal remains the British startup's main partner, Urban-Air Port is working with various industry players to advance its technology. The most recent one is Egis, an infrastructure specialist that has operated 20 airports worldwide.The two are planning to develop and build intermodal transport hubs that are also sustainable and powered exclusively by renewable energy. These mobility networks will complement, not replace, existing infrastructure and will also encourage other green means of transportation and last-mile delivery.Urban-Air Port isn't playing small. It wants to build its first 200 vertiports all over the world over five years from now. South Korea will likely be the first country to benefit from this innovative vertiport technology thanks to the startups close connection to Supernal and other local aviation companies.
For the American soldiers, and some of their allies, the M2 Bradley has been a constant and reliable partner ever since the early 1980s. Produced by BAE Systems, the infantry fighting vehicle saw action in most of the wars and conflicts of our era, including in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and more recently in Ukraine.

But the Bradley is pretty old, and adapting it to the new requirements of the battlefield is not something that can be easily done. That's why by the end of this decade the U.S. Army plans to replace it with something new.That something new was called until now the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV). We're talking about a machine just as capable as the Bradley, but built around an open system architecture that could allow it to be upgraded on the go as technology progresses.The OMFV program kicked off in 2017, and two years ago the Army selected the final five companies which were to work on the vehicle: Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. This week, that list was narrowed down even further, to just two competitors: General Dynamics and American Rheinmetall.The two companies were awarded firm-fixed-price contracts worth a combined $1.6 billion, and they'll have to take the OMFV into detailed design, prototype build, and testing phases.More to the point, each of them will have to design and build 11 prototype vehicles, but also two ballistic hulls and turrets for them. When they're ready, no later than 2027, a competition will be held to choose the winner of what could turn out to be a very lucrative contract with the Army.The military branch plans to field these new vehicles on the ground, in the hands of military units, as soon as 2029. They'll no longer be called the OMFV, as a new designation was chosen for them this week as well: XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle."The XM30 combines transformative improvements in lethality, vehicle and Soldier survivability, and upgradability that are beyond the physical and economic limits of the Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle," the Army said in a statement.The exact capabilities of the two final designs are not known at this point. General Dynamics has auto giant GM's defense branch on its side for developing the XM30, but also AeroVironment . Its solution will likely be based on the existing Griffin III armored fighting vehicle, shown for the first time back in 2018.On its aisle, American Rheinmetall will probably develop the XM30 on the Lynx armored infantry fighting vehicle, designed starting in 2015.Now that the finalists for the program have been announced we expect work to pick up. And that always means a flood of new details, so stay tuned.
Massive congratulations to Louis Paquet, Ingamana, Kim Levan, KOKI-KIKO and Thomas Aufresne for winning Site of the Month May for C2 Montreal. Thanks to everyone who voted, the winner of the Pro Plan is at the end of the article

Imagine a world where cultures intertwine, diverse thinkers collide, and creativity knows no bounds. That's the essence at the heart of C2MTL, Canada's premiere creative-business event. Each year, C2MTL gathers some of the worlds most disruptive, innovative and creative minds from around the world to our vibrant city of Montreal. This years theme? Combined Perspectives.

Website

Breathing New Life into C2MTL

With the goal of infusing C2MTL with a renewed energy, we set out to completely revamp its brand for this year's edition. Through an exploratory phase, we uncovered the brand's essence by identifying key identity pillars (Curiosity x Human x Connection) and visual concepts (Plurality x Imperfection x Festivity) that capture the core spirit of C2MTL.

Animated Logos

We then developed a comprehensive brand toolbox to champion the creation of a very large number of assets, including printed materials, digital ads, animated visuals, event scenography, and, of course, the website. Our approach focused on creating core brand elements that can easily adapt and transform within their environment, reflecting the transformative nature of the event and the humans that make it.

Brand Guideline

Event

Our Iterative Approach to Creativity

Inspired by C2MTLs theme, we approached this project with a holistic mindset, ensuring that every aspect of the brand experience is carefully considered. Rather than adhering to a strict linear process, we embraced an iterative and circular approach. For example, we actively engaged our web designer and developers from the early stages of branding, which ended up influencing some brand elements, including the logo. By fostering a creative culture where all disciplines intertwine, we were able to achieve seamless collaboration and witness the heightened creativity that emerged from the interplay of our very own Combined Perspectives.

Agility, collaboration, curiosity, creativity and respect were the essential ingredients that made this project so seamless, unique, and enjoyable. And thats despite operating in three different time zones, from Buenos Aires  to Amsterdam , with a layover in Montreal .

Zoom

A Festive Welcome

C2MTL is far from (just) a business event; it's a vibrant celebration of diversity and creativity. So it was important to us that users feel this festive energy right from the get-go. As soon as they land on the Homepage, theyre greeted with a dynamic and impactful visual experience full of vibrant colors. The C2 logo, composed of interconnected spheres representing the unique individuals contributing to the C2 experience, initially appears as an abstract pattern. However, as users scroll down, the spheres zoom out, revealing the clear letters of the logo and reinforcing the idea of multiple humans coming together.

Landing scroll

These C2 spheres were crafted using WebGL and Blend Modes, providing users with a captivating 2D experience. Additionally, 3D spheres were also introduced in the event countdown located in the footer of every page. These spheres rotate on their X-axis and display a parallax effect on scroll, enhancing the visual depth and perspective. In order to save time (and unnecessary meetings), we put together a handy interface using a tool called dat.GUI to enable our designer to easily and quickly test out the spheres' aesthetics. By using Blend Modes on the spheres and overlapping content, we knew this could potentially impact the sites performances. To mitigate this, we implemented measures such as avoiding rendering of the WebGL canvas when the spheres are actually not visible to the user, which ensured smooth navigation.

Tool

Layers in Motion

Exploring the concepts of superpositions and layering to bring Combined Perspectives to life was super fun! It led us to incorporate various shapes and cutouts that elegantly unveil hidden content as users scroll. And while we're all about playful design elements, we also had to make sure to keep the website professional and user-friendly. Striking this delicate balance was a top priority as the website has two main objectives: providing the important event details - like dates, locations, and speakers - while also getting users all hyped up and excited to snag some tickets.

Overlays

To create the text cutouts, we harnessed the power of CSS lighten blend mode as well as layering techniques. To ensure optimal legibility and highlight the copy content, we also implemented a backdrop filter. This not only improved text clarity but also subtly toned down the asset behind the mask, allowing the copy to shine bright.

Cutout Text

Striking the Perfect Balance

In terms of movement, we incorporated vibrant user-centric animations, but without compromising on loading speed and information accessibility. Each page of the website is meticulously crafted to meet its unique requirements, striking the perfect balance between captivating visuals and seamless functionality. For instance, the Homepage and "About Us" pages come alive with engaging animations and storytelling elements, while the "Speakers" and "Schedule" pages focus on efficient information delivery with minimal distractions.

Balance

Throughout the website, purposeful micro-animations breathe life into the UI, offering immediate feedback to users, conveying the brand identity, and capturing attention with carefully timed stagger delays that establish a hierarchy of importance. We leveraged overlays on key pages such as Home, Speakers, Programming, and Blog to streamline content access, while seamless transitions facilitated by shared elements like the WebGL canvas in the background ensure a smooth and fluid navigation experience.

To end on a cheesy (but heartfelt) note, we could go on and on about the countless intricacies and details of this project. However, its true essence lies in the passionate humans involved and their remarkable collaborative efforts. It really all boils down to that. 

Tech Stack

About KOKI-KIKO

KOKI-KIKO is the smallest of agencies, run by two, powered by hundreds. We believe in the magic of tailored teams, curating the perfect blend of talent for each unique project. As a strategic creative studio, our power lies in defining, building, and expanding brands that not only catch the eye but also connect to the real world. Fueled by projects that put humans at their core, we value curiosity, collaboration, respect, and pleasure in our work and relationships. Our secret weapon? Next-level agility with a laser-focus on the essential, without any fluff or BS. 

Credits

Brand Strategy: Kim Levan, Khoa Le

Creative Direction: Khoa Le

Brand Artistic Direction: Maude Turgeonn

Digital Strategy: Kim Levan

Web Artistic Direction: Louis Paquet

Web Development: Thomas Aufresne, Ingamana, Vincent Weyh

Thank you for your vote and tweets @OlehMostipan, please DM us to collect your prize!
The opposition party organized a 24-hour sit-in outside the Russian, U.S. and French embassies as well as the European Union mission almost two weeks after Baku halted the movement of humanitarian convoys through the Lachin corridor.

Azerbaijans impunity has led to the fact that Artsakh (Karabakh) is cut off from the outside world, one of the protesters said through a megaphone.

Russia and the EU have expressed serious concern over the further tightening of the blockade, which has aggravated the shortages of food, medicine and other essential items in Karabakh.

Organizers of the sit-in complained that such statements alone cannot force Baku to unblock the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia. They demanded stronger action from the foreign powers and Russia in particular, which brokered a ceasefire agreement that stopped the 2020 Armenian-Azerbaijani war and has peacekeeping troops in Karabakh.

Russia needs to take much more practical steps because Azerbaijans brazenness is transcending all limits, Gegham Manukian, a Dashnaktsutyun leader, told reporters.

After all, its Russia that has the strongest political, diplomatic and military instruments in our region and brokered the November 9 [2020] agreement. Therefore, its Russia that must first and foremost take concrete steps to end the blockade, said Anna Grigorian, another lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan alliance comprising Dashnaktsutyun.

Hayastan and other major opposition groups also blame the Armenian government for the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Karabakh. They say that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians pledge to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over the Armenian-populated region only emboldened Baku to step up the pressure on the Karabakh Armenians.
Armenian border guards opened fire on June 15 to stop Azerbaijani servicemen from placing an Azerbaijani flag near a checkpoint controversially set up by them in the Lachin corridor in late April. Baku denied that they tried to cross into Armenian territory.

Videos of the incident suggest that the Azerbaijanis were escorted by Russian soldiers as they crossed a bridge over the Hakari river in order to hoist the flag. The Armenian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Yerevan on June 16 to express strong discontent with the Russian peacekeepers actions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, defended the peacekeepers and rejected the Armenian criticism as absolutely groundless. She said the incident resulted from the absence of a delimited Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry dismissed that argument on June 22, saying that Zakharova echoed Bakus regular justifications of its aggressive actions against Armenias borders. It said that instead of looking for excuses, Moscow should help to ensure the conflicting parties full compliance with a Russian-brokered agreement that stopped the 2020 war Karabakh.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported late on Monday that Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin received Armenian Ambassador Vagharshak Harutiunian. A short statement released by the ministry said they discussed in detail developments in the Lachin corridor and around Nagorno-Karabakh in general. Galuzin stressed the importance of unconditional implementation of all Armenian-Azerbaijani agreements brokered by Moscow during and after the 2020 war, the statement added without elaborating.

It was not clear whether the Russian Foreign Ministry formally summoned Harutiunian to again hit back at the Armenian Foreign Ministry. The latter did not issue a statement on Harutiunians conversation with Galuzin.

The ceasefire agreement placed the only road connecting Karabakh to Armenia under the control of the Russian peacekeeping contingent and committed Azerbaijan to guaranteeing safe passage through it. Azerbaijan blocked commercial traffic there last December before setting up the checkpoint in what the Armenian side denounced as a further gross violation of the Russian-brokered ceasefire.
He testified before an ad hoc commission of the Armenian parliament for the second time in just over a week in what opposition groups see as continuing attempts to dodge responsibility for the disastrous war.

Pashinian defended his handling of the six-week hostilities in his first lengthy testimony given on June 20. He focused on events preceding them while answering on Tuesday questions from pro-government members of the commission tasked with examining the causes of Armenias defeat.

Im not saying that it was theoretically impossible to avoid the war, he told the panel boycotted by opposition lawmakers. But the necessary condition for that theoretical possibility was a renunciation of, lets put it this way, the Armenian vision for settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Asked what he thinks he had failed to do before the war, Pashinian said: I feel guilty about absolutely everything, but I say, OK, its just a declaration. When I start drawing up my own indictment  I enter a deadlock at some point.

Armenian opposition leaders say that Pashinian made the war with Azerbaijan inevitable by mishandling peace talks mediated by the United States, Russia and France. They specifically accuse him of recklessly rejecting a peace deal put forward by the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

The plan was the last version of their so-called Madrid Principles of the conflicts resolution originally drafted in 2007. It called for an eventual referendum of self-determination in Karabakh that would take place after the gradual liberation of virtually all seven districts occupied by Karabakh Armenian forces in the early 1990s.

In 2021, former President Serzh Sarkisian publicized the secretly recorded audio of a 2019 meeting during which Pashinian said he opposes the plan because it would not immediately formalize Karabakhs secession from Azerbaijan. Pashinian said he is ready to play the fool or look a bit insane in order to avoid such a settlement.

Pashinian has repeatedly alleged that the Madrid Principles recognized Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan. His political opponents and other critics shrug off those claims, arguing that the proposed settlement upheld the Karabakh Armenians right to self-determination.
(Photo : Alex Wong/Getty Images)

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested impeaching Attorney General Merrick Garland over the Justice Department's Hunter Biden probe.

After IRS whistleblower evidence that Attorney General Merrick Garland intervened in the criminal investigation into Hunter Biden, House Leader Kevin McCarthy said, Republicans would open an impeachment probe on July 6.

After IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, a 14-year veteran, said that Hunter Biden was given preferential treatment by investigators looking into his tax troubles and lying on a weapons permit application, Republicans decided to take this step.

Kevin McCarthy Threatens Impeachment for Merrick Garland

Hunter's July 30, 2017, WhatsApp message to Chinese Communist Party official Henry Zhao threatened to follow his "orders" and that his dad was with him, according to Shapley.

Shapley claims DOJ officials dismissed his WhatsApp messaging concerns. McCarthy stated on Fox & Friends Monday that US Attorney David Weiss, who oversaw the Hunter Biden investigation and accused the president's son last week of breaking federal tax and gun laws following a 5-year probe, must come before the House Judiciary Committee.

If the IRS whistleblower charges are verified, an impeachment inquiry regarding Garland will commence on July 6. Per Daily Mail, McCarthy said the main issue is US Attorney Weiss's statements vs. Attorney General Merrick Garland's. According to the whistleblower, Hunter wrote a scary WhatsApp message to a Chinese Communist Party official, implying that his father would punish him if he did not comply with the specific demand.

The charges contradicted the Biden family's and administration's assurances that Joe was not involved in his son's international business transactions, while Hunter Biden's claims were unproven. Hunter's attorneys say the WhatsApp was the ramblings of a sick man with drug addiction, while the White House insists Joe Biden had no awareness of his son's business operations.

On Friday, Shapley's lawyer said prosecutors had blocked his WhatsApp investigation. The House Ways and Means Committee revealed evidence from two IRS whistleblowers, including Shapley, who claimed the Justice Department, FBI, and IRS intervened with the tax fraud case against Hunter Biden.

The testimony "outlines malfeasance and government misuse at the IRS and FBI in the investigation of Hunter Biden," according to committee chairman Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican.

Read Also: Bryan Kohberger Faces Death Penalty as Idaho Prosecutors File for Intent To Execute

Hunter Biden Probe

With each passing second, more lurid evidence emerges that the Justice Department was heavily committed to sheltering Joe Biden's lowlife son from justice for his crimes. Knowing that a court should not rule on Hunter Biden's plea offer next month. As it seems to constitute obstruction of justice, it can wait until House investigators finish their Hunter inquiry, as per NY Post.

This month, Shapley told Congress that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss informed many witnesses in October last year that higher-ups stopped him from pursuing certain charges against Hunter.

The Justice Department refused him special counsel designation, severely limiting his ability to pursue the president's son. Shapley felt "misled" by Weiss since many of these discoveries occurred after the IRS had accumulated evidence to prosecute Biden in California.

The entire sworn testimony extensively details and documents Shapley's experience investigating Hunter, with obstacle after obstacle thwarting the probe, which Shapley called "inconsistent" with the past procedure and Attorney General Merrick Garland's testimony that Weiss had full authority over the matter.

Garland denies interfering, but Shapley said five others heard Weiss say he couldn't press charges. Legal experts slammed the Justice Department's generous plea agreement with Hunter.

Prosecutors want Hunter to get probation and a promise to stay sober and never buy another gun for lying about his shady business operations, avoiding taxes, and buying a pistol while addicted to crack. House investigators cannot contact Shapley, other listeners, or Merrick Garland until the plea hearing before Federal District Judge Maryellen Noreika in a month.

Related Article: Report: Hunter Biden Helps Burisima Execs To Create Account With 'Corrupt' Foreign Bank

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the opening session of the talks in Arlington, Virginia after holding separate meetings with Armenias Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijans Jeyhun Bayramov.

The talks continued in a bilateral format. The U.S. State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said on Monday that they will likely last for three days.

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, Miller told a news briefing in Washington.

Mirzoyan and Bayramov reported major progress towards the peace treaty after meeting outside the U.S. capital for four consecutive days in early May. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held three face-to-face meetings in the following weeks.

The two sides say that despite Pashinians pledge to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh through the peace treaty, they still disagree on other sticking points.

Tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the line of contact around Karabakh have increased over the last few weeks, with the sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire on a virtually daily basis. A June 15 skirmish on the Lachin corridor led Azerbaijan to completely block relief supplies to Karabakh through the sole road connecting the disputed region to Armenia. The move aggravated shortages of food, medicine and other essential items in Karabakh.

Mirzoyan brought up the illegal blockade and the resulting humanitarian crisis in Karabakh with Blinken during their separate conversation. For his part, Bayramov was reported to tell Blinken that Yerevan is attempting to obstruct the peace process.
27 June 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

By Akbar Hasanov, Day.az

Azerbaijan marks the 105th anniversary of its glorious Armed Forces. As is known, on June 26, 1918, by a decree of the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was the first republic in the Muslim East, the Muslim Corps, formed by the decision of the Special Transcaucasian Committee, was renamed into the Separate Azerbaijani Corps.

This decision was the legal basis for the creation of the armed forces of independent Azerbaijan. Lieutenant General Ali-Aga Shikhlinsky was appointed commander of the Azerbaijani corps. Unfortunately, the ADR existed for an extremely short period of time. And the reason for its fall, among other things, was precisely that the process of building a strong army was not completed.

The importance of creating a powerful military elite was well understood by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev. He understood and carried out practical, historical steps in this direction. It was thanks to Heydar Aliyev that in 1971 a special school named after J. Nakhichevansky was formed in Baku. In 1973, the school received the status of a republican one.

It was a very wise, far-sighted step in the formation of a national military elite. And after its return to power, already in independent Azerbaijan, it was by order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev on November 24, 1997 that the special school was renamed the military lyceum named after J. Nakhichevansky.

More than 100 graduates of the school at different times were awarded orders and medals of Azerbaijan, 8 of them were awarded the honorary title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan. These are those who can rightly call themselves the national military elite of Azerbaijan, which was created and raised by Heydar Aliyev. And I am convinced that he would be proud now, seeing the fruits of his historical work for the benefit of our country, our people.

I will add that it was by Heydar Aliyev's Decree of May 22, 1998 that June 26 was declared "Armed Forces Day" and declared a non-working day. This is how the national leader linked our past to our present and future. Thus, he demonstrated the most important priorities in the development of independent Azerbaijan.

There is a well-known saying that a people who do not want to feed their own army will soon feed someone else's. Regardless of who is the author of this aphorism, it is absolutely fair. For, only the presence of a strong, well-trained and armed army makes it possible to solve the most important tasks facing any state.

Starting from protecting their own borders and ending with measures to force countries that have encroached on the territorial integrity of the state to peace. How all this is implemented in practice Azerbaijan has shown more than once. Our army, led by the President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, has a number of glorious victories over Armenia and its patrons.

This happened in April 2016, during the April war. The same thing happened after the 44-day war. Azerbaijan showed the whole world what a strong army of a strong state should be, nullifying the myth about the "invincibility" of the Armenian occupiers and its omnipotence of the world Armenians. They had to accept the new reality.

All these achievements of the Azerbaijani army are based on the political will of the country's leadership and on the competent economic policy of the state. As President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev recently rightly noted, the successful economic policy of Azerbaijan allows the authorities to allocate the necessary state funds for the construction of the army, the purchase of new weapons, new equipment, and the creation of new combat formations.

This is true. In general, our country is independent in the true sense of the word, because it is capable of pursuing an independent policy, and it is our military potential that gives us this strength in the first place. And this is the main result of the huge work to strengthen the state, which was started by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and completed by the current President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
27 June 2023 16:30 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Since the history of independence, two currents have existed in the South Caucasus: constructive and destructive tendencies. Historically, Azerbaijan's location at the most strategic point of the region has led to many advantages for it. However, the 30-year occupation period prevented the country from implementing a number of advanced projects.

Finally, after November 2020, Azerbaijan chose a decisive turning point in the path of economic development. The country began to attract the interest of European and world countries with its unprecedented advantages in the field of energy tourism and many other spheres. Emerging perspectives have created the need for the long and huge transport route connecting the West and the East (Middle Corridor) to be put into operation soon.

Azerbaijan as the most vital segment of this huge transport route

Azerbaijan's incredible victory in the Patriotic War also revealed its friends and enemies around it. For some reason, Iran, which turned a blind eye to the 30-year occupation, openly sided with Armenia in Azerbaijan's rightful war. This biased approach also led Iran and Armenia to unite in many insignificant projects with an obscure future. In April 2023, the issue discussed at the meeting of the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Armenia and India in Yerevan was supposedly the prospects of new economic cooperation, or the creation of a new tripartite format in the South Caucasus and the drawing up of new maps.

The formation of this tripartite format has a number of key strategic implications that could disrupt the geopolitical balance in the South Caucasus.

In fact, the main reason that brought Iran and Armenia closer was known: Tehrans effort to restore the balance of power in the South Caucasus after the Second Karabakh War.

Because Iran, thanks to its dirty intentions, understood very well that there were no conditions left for its existence in the region. In addition, Azerbaijan's fraternal alliance with Turkiye and Pakistan threatened the political "future" of both Tehran and its sister city, Yerevan. In particular, as a symbol of the brotherhood of Azerbaijan, Turkiye and Pakistan, the military drills started in 2021 turned into a nightmare for both countries. Thus, the attempt of Iran and Armenia started a new insidious game under the name of cooperation with the involvement of India as well.

Zangazur Corridor or the most sensitive vein of Iran

Whether it is the BRI or the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Azerbaijan's active and leading role in both projects did not make Iran happy. First, the issue of the Zangazur Corridor becomes an important factor in the development of the BRI project. And this collides with a point that Iran does not like the most - the fear of severing the relations between Iran and Armenia through the only border in Azerbaijans Zangazur. Although the Azerbaijani official presented Tehran with alternative means for this, it did not work. Iran, on the other hand, brought Armenia to the forefront to overshadow the importance of Azerbaijan and even sat at the same table with official Yerevan in the negotiation of the Persian Gulf-Black Sea International Transport and Transit Corridor project.

Indian Ocean dreams of Armenia and Iran

Since Iran is an oppressed state in the region and the world, it always has to choose allies similar to itself. Unable to cooperate with normal countries, Tehran chooses countries that match its character and disposition in the economic field. It is no coincidence that Iran chose Armenia as its most suitable ally in the Persian Gulf-Black Sea International Transport and Transit Corridor project. Both the realities that happened in the region (the end of 30-year occupation of Azerbaijans territories), the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the imposed sanctions caused Iran to start cooperation with Armenia and India on new projects. Iran sees both countries as its only way out of the Wests economic pressure.

For instance, the Port of Chabahar, in the Sistan and Baluchistan province of southeastern Iran, represents the transit and commercial bridge between Iran, India and Armenia. This facility has turned vital as it is the only Iranian port with direct access to the Indian Ocean. Parallel to the participation of Russia and China in the Chabahar Port project, including investments in both the Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari parts of the Chabahar Free TradeIndustrial Zone (FTZ), which have grown since the war in Ukraine began, Armenia has also shown more attention to this Iranian port project in further developing transit and trade with India.

At the same time, all these plans were not as simple as they seemed. Along with creating a new economic alliance, Iran began to develop a policy of disruption in the region, similar to its sister state, Armenia. In order to isolate Armenia from the region and block the Zangazur Corridor, which is important for the world, Iran purposefully opened a diplomatic office in the province that Armenia calls it Sunik. Undoubtedly, this was a policy prepared by Tehran deliberately against the realization of the Zangazur Corridor.

However, Iran also overlooked the main nuances. The first is whether it is the free trade zone of Aras that it announced, or the INSTC project, no matter how much Tehran tries to prioritize Armenia in all these large-scale projects, the reality says its final word.

In a nutshell, despite all the evil intentions of Iran towards Azerbaijan, the Iran-Azerbaijan-Russia land route, which is a part of the INSTC project, has once again left Armenia behind in its quality and importance.

Yerevans inadequate transit infrastructure and the still incomplete North-South highway are the main problems in this regard. The 400-kilometer road from Yerevan to Meghri on the Iranian border passes through mountainous areas and is very narrow, making it difficult and slow to pass through for trucks, especially during the winter. Furthermore, the lack of a rail connection between Iran and Armenia has reduced the volume and speed of goods transferred along this portion of the corridor. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, the passage running through Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia (Astara-Baku-Dagestan) will remain the INSTCs primary route. At the moment, on average, a truck crosses the shared border of Iran and Azerbaijan every seven minutes.

However, sticking to its pro-Armenian and envious nature, Iran will likely try to transfer at least part of this traffic to the Armenian-Georgian land route and the Iranian-Russian sea route in the Caspian. As the saying goes, Leopard will never change his spots. Iran's intention is not for stability and development in the region and the world, but rather to develop all conflicts both from the outside and by direct participation.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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27 June 2023 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

The Confederation of International Theater Unions held a laboratory of young directors from the CIS countries within the framework of the XVI International Theater Festival named after A.P. Chekhov with the support of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the Commonwealth of Independent States member states in Moscow, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan was represented in the laboratory by the production director of the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theater Mehman Fatullayev and the production director of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater Anar Mammadov.

This year's laboratory is dedicated to the memory of Valery Shadri, the founder and president of the International Confederation of Theater Unions.

During 11 days, young actors/actresses and directors from the CIS countries studied the author's method called Sound Drama by the artistic director of the laboratory, director Vladimir Pankov.

In addition to Azerbaijan, representatives of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other countries also participated in the laboratory.

The global mission of the laboratory is to preserve a single cultural space in the territory of the CIS countries and to promote the inclusion of these countries in the world theater process.

The first laboratory for young theater workers was held in 2008, and the meeting held in 2023 was the tenth.

A multicultural performance based on A.P. Chekhov's stories was also shown for the participants. Also, the participants of the laboratory had the opportunity to see the performances of the Chekhov festival and the program of Moscow theaters.

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27 June 2023 10:30 (UTC+04:00)

The American financial and economic magazine Forbes, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic publications, called Ruben Vardanyan "a leader in blocking a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Azernews reports, citing reliable sources.

"On May 28, Vardanyan stated on his Russian-language Telegram channel that the separatists "should not sign any agreements with Azerbaijan." Vardanyan has been associated with the separatists for some time. On his Twitter page, Vardanyan writes "about human rights issues" related to the Karabakh region, and speaks particularly loudly about the so-called "blockade" of the road connecting the region with Armenia," the author of the article notes.

Moreover, as the author rightly writes, Vardanyan, a criminal oligarch who was "exported" to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan from Moscow and used to be the so-called "minister of state" of the separatists, most likely left his "post" to avoid the risk of individual sanctions.

Currently, he is also subject to immediate detention and transfer to the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine or NATO countries, the author added.

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27 June 2023 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

Dear compatriots!

I heartily congratulate you on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and convey my sincerest wishes to all of you.

Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant ceremonies of the Islamic religion, reflects kindness, unity, equality, and the intention of a person to be ready for all kinds of sacrifices for the sake of noble deeds.

The people of Azerbaijan are always loyal to their national-spiritual and religious values and, together with the Muslims of the whole world, are enthusiastically celebrating Eid al-Adha as a symbol of brotherhood, humanism and solidarity. During the Hajj pilgrimage these days and everywhere in our country, prayers are being offered for the progress of our state, the well-being and peace of our people. Charity work is being done and the bright memory of our martyrs is remembered with reverence.

My dear brothers and sisters!

I do hope that your prayers and wishes come true on these blessed holidays and that the Almighty will not spare his mercy on our people. Once again, I convey my sincere congratulations to each of you and all our compatriots living outside the borders of our country. I wish your families happiness, abundance and blessings on your tables.

Happy Eid al-Adha!

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 27 June 2023
27 June 2023 14:20 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to President of DjiboutiIsmail Omar Guelleh on the occasion of the Independence Day of this country, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

It is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Djibouti  Independence Day that on my behalf and behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your people.

I believe we will make joint efforts to develop Azerbaijan-Djibouti interstate relations along a friendly course and continue successfully our efficient cooperation within international bodies, including the Non-Aligned Movement and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, success and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Djibouti," the letter said.
27 June 2023 15:55 (UTC+04:00)

A ceremony to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan has been held here on Monday at the Azerbaijan Cultural Center.

The event assembled top-ranking representatives of state bodies of Germany, media, scientists, Azerbaijanis living in Germany as well as members of Turkish and other communities.

The ceremony participants saw a video on the Azerbaijan Armed Forces and observed a moment of silence to honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Addressing the event, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Germany Nasimi Agayev touched upon the path the Azerbaijani Army has travelled since its establishment 105 years ago. He dwelt upon the fact that the Azerbaijani army under the leadership of victorious Commander-In-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev liberated occupied lands and restored territorial integrity of the country.

The event was also addressed by military attache of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces in Germany Ahmad Gafarov.

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27 June 2023 20:03 (UTC+04:00)

A bilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia - Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan has begun in Arlington (USA), Azernews reports.

It should be noted that today Blinken held bilateral meetings with the heads of the foreign ministries of the two countries behind closed doors, after which the negotiations continued in a trilateral format.

The main topic of the talks, which will continue until June 29, is a peace agreement.

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27 June 2023 18:44 (UTC+04:00)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a trilateral meeting in the United States, Azernews reports.

The meeting was held at the National Training Center for Foreign Affairs. George P. Schultz.

It should be noted that today Blinken held bilateral meetings with the heads of the foreign ministries of the two countries behind closed doors.

The main topic of the talks, which will continue until June 29, is a peace agreement.
On Monday, the Fukushima nuclear plant operator announced that all equipment required to release treated radioactive wastewater from the wrecked plant into the sea had been finished and will be ready for a safety inspection by Japanese regulators this week.

However, the plan is still being opposed both inside and outside of Japan due to safety concerns.

Fukushima Plant Operator's Announcement Sparks Mixed Reactions

(Photo : by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)

In this picture taken on February 21, 2021, Takahiro Kimoto, deputy site superintendent, uses a geiger counter to measure radiation of a filtered water sample during an interview with AFP at Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in the town of Okuma, Fukushima prefecture.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings said the final component of an underwater tunnel built to release water offshore has been placed, completing the equipment's construction, which started last August.

According to Nuclear Regulation Authority Chairman Shinichi Yamanaka, who visited the Fukushima Daiichi facility last week, the mandatory safety examination of the equipment will start on Wednesday, as reported by AP News.

A week after the inspection concludes, assuming everything goes according to plan, TEPCO should acquire a safety permit for the release. Although there is no specific date yet, it is anticipated that the treated water will start to be released this summer.

Local fishing organizations have vehemently opposed the plan out of worry for safety and reputational damage. Safety concerns have also been expressed in neighboring nations like South Korea, China, and some Pacific Island countries.

Officials from the government and the utility claim that the wastewater, now kept at the plant in approximately a thousand tanks, needs to be removed to prevent any unintentional leaks in the event of an earthquake and to create a place for the plant's decommissioning.

According to the claims, it will be diluted to safe levels and released gradually into the ocean over several decades, rendering the treated but still marginally radioactive water harmless to humans and marine life.

Some scientists claimed the release of radionuclides should be postponed until the effects of long-term, low-dose exposure are recognized. Others claim the release strategy is secure but need greater transparency, including inviting outside scientists to participate in sampling and release monitoring.

Japan has asked for assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency to establish confidence and ensure safety procedures adhere to global norms.

Read Also: Fukushima Water Release Aftermath: China Now Boycotting Japanese Cosmetics Brands!

Japan's Radioactive Water

The radioactive water is a byproduct of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It was caused by a tsunami that struck the plant, causing the reactors to melt down and release large amounts of radiation.

The water is stored in tanks at the plant, and it is estimated that there are currently about 1.2 million tons of it. It is contaminated with radioactive isotopes, including tritium, iodine-131, and cesium-137.

The water is treated to remove some of the radioactivity, but it is still considered radioactive. The Japanese government has approved a plan to release the treated water into the Pacific Ocean, but there is some opposition. However, the Japanese government argues that the release is the safest option.

Related Article: Fukushima Water Release Plan Underway Despite Opposition from Fishing Officials

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28 June 2023 00:21 (UTC+04:00)

The United States welcomes the recent efforts of Azerbaijan and Armenia to participate productively in the peace process.

According to Azernews, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said this during a briefing today.

The United States is pleased to host Armenian Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov to facilitate negotiations this week as they continue to work towards a peaceful future for the South Caucasus region. George P. Schultz Foreign Affairs Training Center, the Secretary of State met with each Minister individually and in tripartite formats, stressing at each meeting that direct dialogue is the key to resolving issues and achieving a lasting and dignified peace. The States applaud the recent efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage productively in the peace process, and we will continue to provide them with every possible assistance to advance this process.Today was the first day of the meetings, which will last until Thursday," he said.

It should be noted that yesterday US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia - Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan at the National Training Center for Foreign Affairs. George P. Schultz behind closed doors.

After the meetings, Blinken took part in the first plenary meeting with the foreign ministers of the two countries.

A bilateral ministerial meeting is currently underway.

Negotiations will continue until June 29. The main theme is the peace agreement.

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27 June 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

Pakistan's army has dismissed three senior officers, including a three-star general, after an inquiry into last month's violent protests which erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the military spokesman said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Major Gen. Ahmad Sharif said the army had completed its process of self-accountability, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against those who failed to keep the security and honor of garrisons and military installations intact.

Besides the sackings, he added that a "strict disciplinary" action was taken against another 15 officers, including three major generals and seven brigadier-rank officers.

Sharif said as many as 102 protesters allegedly involved in the attacks were being tried in military courts, already established under the Army Act.

At least eight people were killed and over 300 others, including policemen, injured in the violent protests, and thousands of activists and supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party are in detention over their alleged involvement in the attacks.

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27 June 2023 18:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Bianca Carrera, Yeni Shafak

In Spain, the significant Muslim minority continues to grapple with their ability to freely exercise their religious beliefs. Spanish municipal authorities have consistently dismissed planning approvals for mosque construction, and Islamophobia has left the Muslim community feeling marginalized. This predicament is epitomized by the makeshift Tuba Mosque in Santa Coloma de Gramenet, an underwhelming and marginalized space created in response to public backlash, despite the Muslim community's compliance with local regulations.

Legislative measures have often been misused to hinder the establishment of mosques. The Spanish Constitution assures ideological and religious freedom for individuals and communities. However, regional governments delegate the responsibility of managing worship spaces to city councils, which, influenced by their political ideologies, obstruct the construction of mosques. Muslim rights activist Mustafa Aoulad Sellam accuses regional governments of giving city councils leeway to impose restrictive requirements on worship spaces, disproportionately affecting particular communities. reported by The New Arab social media platform.

Incidents of violence and institutional neglect against Muslim worshippers are rife, exemplified by the 'Japan Street' case in Barcelona in 2017-18. The city's Muslim community faced a series of violent protests, prompting them to seek delayed and insufficient legal assistance.

The post-9/11 portrayal of terrorist activities in Western media has precipitated an atmosphere of fear and prejudice against the Muslim community in Spain. As per Aziz Sabbani of the Islamic Community of Hospitalet de Llobregat, frequent scrutinisation by defence authorities at mosques perpetuates a pervasive atmosphere of suspicion. Activist Sellam further highlights the necessity for the Muslim community to acknowledge their citizenship rights and refuse to adopt a subservient "guest-neighbors" status.

Muslim observances, particularly large celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha, have been another point of contention, with public venues often refusing rental requests from Muslim communities, citing their secular nature. Despite some amelioration in recent years, these issues persist, leaving Muslim communities to resort to unconventional means, such as filling streets around mosques with worshippers, to mark their religious celebrations.

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27 June 2023 19:15 (UTC+04:00)

A special adviser of the UN Secretary-General presented an annual report on Monday which explores the "crucial" relationship between development and the Responsibility to Protect, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Shafak.

Addressing a session at the UN General Assembly, George Okoth-Obbo, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), said the debate proves every year a "poignant moment for us to reflect on the cardinal political and moral commitment the world made 18 years ago to ensure that the contagion of mass atrocities would never again mark humanity."

"The debate is particularly evocative this year in which countless civilians continue to be caught in situations of conflict, violence and egregious human rights violations which may amount to genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing," he said.

Recalling the 2005 World Summit, when the world resounded Never Again, Okoth-Obbo said "the keystone of R2P is, as has been underlined so many times, prevention."

"At the same time, to craft and deliver solutions that are effective for this purpose, it is crucial that the root causes, risks, triggers and multipliers of atrocity crimes are properly discerned.

"The report I am presenting for the debate today explores a relationship that was recognized as crucial from the very inception of the conceptualization of the Responsibility to Protect: the intersection between development and R2P," he added.

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27 June 2023 19:50 (UTC+04:00)

US authorities are keeping 36 employees of Russia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and 59 members of their families on a "waiting list" for visas, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maria Zabolotskaya said, speaking at a meeting of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"At the moment, there are 36 employees of the Permanent Mission and 59 members of their families on the waiting list for visas. Among them, 57 people have already overstayed their current visas, and 15 have been waiting for a visa decision for over a year. All of these people are unable to travel, not only to third countries, but also to their home country, including for serious humanitarian reasons," she said. "By the way, their close relatives from Russia also cannot get entry visas to travel to visit their relatives living in the United States."

Zabolotskaya noted that, through its actions, "the US side is deliberately separating families." "Even with regard to prisoners, international standards, the so-called Nelson Mandela rules, require that prison sentences be served as close to the location of relatives as possible, so that prisoners can be visited. It turns out that, in this respect, Russian diplomats in the US are treated less favorably than convicted persons," she stated.

The Russian diplomat pointed out as well that the situation with new staff appointed to Russias Permanent Mission is also deteriorating, as more than half of the nearly 50 employees have been waiting for visas for more than three months.

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27 June 2023 20:20 (UTC+04:00)

Russias Avtotor automobile holding plans to start manufacturing of BAIC BJ40 off-roader at the Kaliningrad plant this July, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"The start of manufacturing of the new model is planned in July," the company said.

Preparations to production have already started, the press service noted, adding that the company has already produced several off-roaders in a test mode, with preparations to the launch of serial production nearing completion.

Avtotor started industrial assembly of cars of the Chinese brand BAIC in April 2023. BAIC X35 and BAIC U5 plus were the first models to be assembled at the plant. The company plans to launch the production of seven models of the brand by the end of 2023.

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27 June 2023 21:50 (UTC+04:00)

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, Azernews reports, citing Kyodo.

The actions mark the normalization of trade between the two countries after their ties worsened to their lowest point in decades over wartime history. They are also close to an agreement to resume a bilateral currency swap agreement, officials said.

The 2019 removal of South Korea from a "white list" of countries entitled to receive minimum restrictions on trade came after South Korea's Supreme Court in the previous year ordered two Japanese firms to compensate Korean plaintiffs over forced labor accusations connected to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Though widely seen as a retaliatory step, Japan at the time said it had concerns over Seoul's export system and needed to confirm whether it was effective in preventing exported goods from flowing into North Korea and other countries of concern. The measure affected a wide variety of products and technologies that could be diverted for military use.

Seoul later removed Japan from its own white list.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet gave approval following the completion of procedures to collect public opinion on lifting the measure, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a press conference that the two countries have also agreed to establish a follow-up scheme, including reviewing the export control systems of both countries if necessary.

South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry on Tuesday also welcomed the mutual lifting of export controls, saying it had "completely restored bilateral trust."

The finance authorities of the two countries will meet Thursday in Tokyo to discuss issues surrounding their economies, including steps to counter future financial crises, the officials said.

The currency swap agreement, aimed at ensuring they have access to sufficient dollar funds to withstand financial market instability, expired in 2012 amid a territorial dispute.

In March, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit where they vowed to mend ties.

The same month, Japan eased export controls on three key semiconductor manufacturing materials heading to South Korea, in response to Seoul retracting its complaint with the World Trade Organization over the export controls.

The next month, South Korea put Japan back on its list of countries entitled to preferential treatment after its removal more than three years earlier, allowing strategic items to head to Japan with a shorter review period.

The two countries also resumed in April their policy dialogue.

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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
EU member states have passed legislation that will let governments spy on journalists in the name of "national security."

The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) proposal that the Council published last week would increase the authority of media surveillance, including installing spyware on journalists' phones, as reported by The Next Web.

The act was established to preserve media plurality and independence. The act was lauded as a significant advancement for protecting press freedom when the Commission introduced it in September last year.

However, France made an exception to the rule on using spyware against journalists earlier this month, providing it was done in the name of national security.

How It Works

If a member state believes a journalist's sources may be speaking to criminals involved in any threat the state considers, the exemption will let the state hack into the journalist's phone.

Monitoring software on journalists will now be permitted under a wide range of offenses, including murder, theft, and music piracy.

Read also: Prince Harry Accuses Royal Family of Covering Up Tabloids from Hacking His Phone

Will This Drive Abuse?

Advocates for press freedom have cautioned that these impromptu adjustments could "open the door to all sorts of abuses.

(Photo: by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration image, created on June 9, 2023, shows a person using a smartphone to record a voice message in Los Angeles. The biggest peril of Artificial Intelligence, experts say, is its ability to blur the boundaries between reality and fiction, handing cybercriminals a cheap and effective technology to exploit. In a new breed of scams that has rattled US authorities, fraudsters are using strikingly convincing AI voice cloning tools -- widely and cheaply available online -- to steal from people by impersonating family members.

The 320,000 journalists from 45 different nations who make up the European Federation of Journalists said they were "disturbed" by the "dangerous loopholes" in the Council's proposal.

The addition of a national security exception to the EMFA, according to Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire, is a "danger to journalism" and "would poison this law from within."

It is still too early to say what the full impact of the law will be. However, it is likely to have a positive impact on media freedom in the EU.

It is possible that the law could lead to the closure of government-controlled media outlets and the imprisonment of journalists who are critical of the government. It is also possible that the law could discourage journalists from reporting on sensitive topics, such as corruption and government abuses.

The new surveillance media law is a step in the right direction for media freedom in the EU. However, it is important to monitor the implementation of the law and to hold governments accountable for any violations of media freedom.

The draft legislation will now be brought to the European Parliament by EU ambassadors so that the final wording may be put together.

The European Commission praised the accord reached by the group's members and urged swift passage of the proposed legislation.

Related article: Statement from President Joe Biden on the Occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2023

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Half of a trillion dollars was budgeted in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for federal, state and local governments to create plans over the next five years for rebuilding or expanding their infrastructure systems. A measure of success for this program will be how well these projects are managed. If government agencies focus on these three efforts, they can ensure a more efficient implementation.1. Update SystemsEven in this modern age, government agencies still rely on outdated legacy systems. Users need multiple logins for separate systems. The same data must be input in separate places. Hours pass before the new data is live. Reports must be cobbled together. Valuable time is wasted in an already tight timeline.With Kahua's project management information system (PMIS), government agencies can have a central point for all their project data. Kahua's intuitive system requires moderate training, so users get up and running quickly. Team members can collaborate and efficiently share information. Workflows can be created or modified to fit specific requirements and can be scaled as the project grows.2. Monitor Rules and RegulationsEach government agency can be subject to a variety of different rules and regulations. Not only are they held accountable by multiple stakeholders with various objectives and expectations, but they also manage budgets with multiple sources of funds. Failing to maintain compliance with these requirements means penalties leading to project delays or even loss of funding.Kahua can help agencies simplify this complex process and increase transparency. With a flexible PMIS, teams can incorporate unique policies, regulations and processes to ensure the proper framework for project governance. Robust project controls, dashboards, and real-time reporting provide accurate details to assist audit processes and project status reporting.3. Reduce RiskWhen managing capital improvement projects, government agencies encounter risks, including change orders, delays, contractor claims and hidden costs. And as more data is being stored digitally, data breaches, outages and cyber attacks threaten to interrupt business and damage public reputation.Kahua provides access to historical data, real-time reporting and future trend predictions so teams can get a 360-degree view of project data. Hierarchical views allow users to see data across any project or program level. All these resources can be used to help teams foresee any potential project complications. Kahua's system is agile and able to conform to any changes that might arise.Kahua's PMIS is a secure platform that includes extensive security measures. Kahua has earned a comprehensive set of compliance certifications that includes Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). FedRAMP is a U.S. government-wide program that addresses the security of commercial cloud service providers and helps government officials manage risk in a cloud-based environment. With Kahua earning a FedRAMP Authorization for its Kahua Federal Network (KFN), government agencies can have the security controls and compliance features they require.On Time, on BudgetProper implementation can set government agencies' projects on track for success. Addressing these three key areas will increase efficiency, allowing projects to be delivered on time and on budget. Kahua's modern technology provides solutions to effectively manage implementation and the entire lifecycle of government agency capital programs.Click here to learn how General Service Administration (GSA), one of the federal government's largest agencies, replaced its legacy system with Kahua, which now supports 4,000 users and 8,000 projects.
This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff A former top N.C. political donor will likely face a federal retrial on bribery charges before he heads to court in a separate case dealing with his insurance businesses.Greg Lindberg is scheduled to go to trial in July in connection with a 13-count federal indictment. Charges include wire fraud, money-laundering conspiracy, and false entries about insurance business finances.But Lindberg's lawyers filed a motion Friday to delay the trial until no earlier than February 2024. Among the reasons cited for the delay is Lindberg's pending retrial on charges related to his role in N.C. elections. That case is scheduled to begin on Nov. 6.The federal government agrees to the delay, according to the motion.Lindberg's lawyers wrote.Lindberg's motion continued.Lindberg's lawyers wrote.The same legal team is representing Lindberg in both cases.U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn set Nov. 6 as the date for a new bribery and fraud trial for Lindberg. The case had been scheduled for March. It was delayed because of issues related to co-defendant John Gray.Uncertainty late last year about Gray's legal representation helped lead to the delayed retrials for both Gray and Lindberg.Carolina Journal reported on Dec. 5 that court documents had pointed toward a March 2023 retrial date for Lindberg, who was convicted in 2020 and sentenced to seven years in prison. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out that conviction in June 2022.Court filings in December showed that Gray recently had hired a new attorney. That lawyer filed a motion on Dec. 30 to delay Gray's retrial.Cogburn agreed with that request.the judge wrote in January.Cogburn also ruled thatincluding Lindberg.Federal authorities argue that Lindberg attempted to bribe state Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey withafter Causey's 2016 election. Causey worked with federal law enforcement officials to collect evidence against Lindberg and associates.Lindberg was convicted in March 2020. He was sentenced to a seven-year federal prison term. But the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out that conviction last June. Appellate judges ruled that mistakes in Cogburn's jury instructions hadLindberg's convictions.A court filing in December signaled the large number of documents associated with the case.according to the motion.Gray was expected to receive the same volume of documents. He did not get them in November because of the uncertainty about his legal representation.In November Cogburn rejected Lindberg's attempt to end GPS monitoring while he awaited his new trial.Cogburn wrote in a Nov. 10 order.Cogburn added.the judge concluded.A Nov. 8 court filing from Lindberg had disputed the government's argument that he's a flight risk.according to the brief.In addition to the fraud and bribery charges, Lindberg learned in August about a new federal complaint from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC accused Lindberg of raiding his own insurance companies in aIn February a federal grand jury indicted Lindberg on the 13 counts unrelated to the bribery case. Lindberg pleaded not guilty to those charges in March. He was released on an unsecured $100,000 bond after appearing in court in Charlotte.
U.S. Joe Biden's ugly spill at the Air Force commencement ceremony has led the American public to vote to approve adding the questionto the official job application for President of the United States.said concerned voter Zach Lewis.The White House immediately voiced strong opposition to the addition of the question, accusing its proponents of discrimination.said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.Sources say the addition of the question to the job application for President may deal a severe blow to the future aspirations of other potential candidates, such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator John Fetterman. When reached for comment, Fetterman grunted three times before reciting what witnesses believed to be fragments of lyrics from a Linkin Park song. A spokesperson for Kamala Harris was quick to assert the Vice President is capable of speaking in full sentences, regardless of whether or not they convey any actual substance.At publishing time, further questions were under consideration to be added, includingand
Yes, the Religion of Woke must continue; there are so many groups of underprivileged, underserved, a direct result of unrelenting Inequity; they deserve everything.

No; the Woke fools must be toppled from their self-anointed pedestal; a functioning society of a good Constitutional people cannot withstand this level of "existential" favoritism as it exists now.

I just observe; with this thoughtful observation: What will happen "when the Vikings are breeching our walls;" how do the Woke react?

731 total vote(s) What's your Opinion?
By L.A. Williams

Christian Action League

June 23, 2023

Bills designed to expand parental rights and to protect children from transgender surgeries advanced in the N.C. Legislature this week and could become law by the end of the session. The Christian Action League supports both measures.

Parents Bill of Rights

Senate Bill 49, which passed the Senate earlier this year, won the approval of the House Education Committee on Wednesday. Labeled the Parents Bill of Rights, the legislation would ban curriculum on sexuality, sexual activity or gender identity in kindergarten through fourth grades in public schools and would require school employees to notify parents if their children ask to be called by different names or pronouns.

Similar to legislation proposed in 2022, the bill would require schools to make textbooks and other materials available for parental review at the schools and online. It would allow parents to withhold consent for participation in surveys about political beliefs and sexual behavior and allow them to find out what books their child checks out from the schools library. It would also ensure parental access to a students healthcare record and ensure that they are informed about changes to their childs physical or mental health and any healthcare services the child receives.

The bill goes a long way to not only strengthen parental rights in North Carolina, but it also gives parents who are seeking solutions to these issues a pathway forward, said Dr. Robert Luebke, director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation.

The Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, said the bill is necessary because of recent instances around the country where parents rights have been curtailed, and their voices suppressed.

The Parents Bill of Rights addresses this imbalance by ensuring parents have the final say in their childrens education, health and welfare, Creech said. The bill provides transparency and allows parents to participate more fully in their childs progress and maturity.

He acknowledged the state and schools have a role in ensuring that children are not harmed or neglected, but said that when these institutions keep parents in the dark about their childs development, they undermine parental authority and potentially damage the sacredness of the parent-child relationship. Creech said the bill will help safeguard parents against having their decisions overruled by overzealous educators or administrators pushing their own agenda. He pointed to the Biblical truth that children belong to God and are entrusted to parents to raise and said Senate Bill 49 empowers parents, strengthens families, and will make for a stronger, more resilient society.

The bill passed the Senate in February on a party-line vote. It is now headed to the House Rules Committee.

Act to Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures for Minors

House Bill 808 would prohibit medical professionals from performing surgical gender transition procedures on anyone who is younger than 18. With some exceptions, it would also bar them from prescribing or dispensing puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones to minors. And violators of the law could have their licenses revoked. The measure passed the Senate Healthcare Committee on Wednesday and the Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

House Bill 808 is necessary for protecting the well-being of young people, the Rev. Creech told the Judiciary Committee. Undergoing such procedures is a serious and irreversible decision that should only be made by mature individuals who understand better the implications of their choice. Minors lack the emotional, cognitive, and social maturity to understand the consequences of such procedures fully.

He pointed out that by law, we do not permit minors, with or without parental permission, to do many things, including using tobacco, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, gambling or engaging in sex with an adult, all of which may negatively affect their health.

Nevertheless, some would argue, even implore, children should be allowed to do something much more consequential  make the incredibly momentous decision to alter their gender surgically  an act which would unquestionably pose significant risks to their physical and mental health, including complications from the surgery, hormonal imbalance, and an increased risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and suicidal ideation throughout a lifetime, Creech said.

He shared a paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:11 with lawmakers as an example of a Bible verse that undergirds the basic principle behind HB 808: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. As a child, I couldnt see things clearly, but when I became an adult, I began to see things with greater clarity.

Lets let children be children, not miniature adults with full-sized problems, Creech said.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), co-chair of the Healthcare Committee, emailed Creech after the Judiciary hearing.

I was so happy that you spoke. Thank you for your comments, she wrote. Thanks for all you do. Your remarks, as always, were spot on.

Lawmakers also heard from Prisha Mosley, who described the severe and lasting injuries she suffered as a result of so-called gender-affirming care as a minor. Mosley, who lived in North Carolina from third grade through age 18, had surgery as a teenager.

At 17, after meeting with me for a matter of minutes, a counselor told me that I was actually a boy and that changing my body to be more like a boy would fix my mental health issues, Mosley said.

Earlier, she told the Healthcare Committee, My doctors asked my parents if they would rather have a dead daughter or a living son.

She said her parents were manipulated by those pushing for trans surgeries.

And no parent has the right to sterilize their child even if they want to, said Mosley, who supports the bill.

The measure, which passed the House in May with support from Republicans and two Democrats, must go before the Senate Rules and Operations Committee before a potential floor vote. If it becomes law, it would take effect in October.
The suppression of the freedom of speech of college professors is escalating, and two articles on US college professors published on a single day in the UK's largest circulation daily newspaper are glaring.

At Pennsylvania State University, Professor Zack De Piro has sued the university after he was fired as an English professor for refusing to teach that the English language was "racist" and "the embodiment of white supremacy".

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12238519/White-Penn-State-professor-sues-college-claiming-race-discrimination.html

At St. Phillip's College in Texas, veteran biology professor Dr. Johnson Varkey has been fired for teaching in biology class that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. Dr. Varkey, who is black, had four progressive students walk out of his class and complain,

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12237057/Veteran-biology-professor-teaching-sex-determined-chromosomes-X-Y-fired.html

Who wants to send their kids to colleges like these today?
Due to the catastrophic Titan submersible's implosion last week, while examining the Titanic wreck, a Florida couple who had sued OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush have withdrawn their case.

One of the five people killed aboard the sinking submarine was Rush. Marc and Sharon Hagle filed a lawsuit against Rush in February, alleging the OceanGate CEO had failed to pay them $210,000 for a deep-sea excursion they had paid for in 2018, despite his repeated cancellations of the voyage.

However, the Hagles decided to dismiss their lawsuit after Rush's passing, along with those of British entrepreneur Hamish Harding, French naval veteran PH Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The couple told Fox 35, "Like most around the world, we have watched the coverage of the OceanGate Titan capsule with great concern and an enormous amount of sadness and compassion for the families of those who lost their lives." They continued that they had withdrawn all legal actions against Rush, and they said that they would honor their zest for life and commitment to ocean exploration.

Read also: Cultural Observers Find Jokes, Memes About OceanGate Titan Tragedy Sickening, Reeks of Schadenfreude

The Reason Behind the Case

The Hagles are real estate tycoons from Orlando who enjoy extreme sports. They launched aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin spacecraft last year, realizing a "lifelong dream" of theirs to see space.

As early as 2016, the couple made an initial $20,000 deposit for a diving excursion with OceanGate. Then, in 2018, the couple got contracts directing them to pay the expedition's cost in full, which is close to $200,000.

(Photo: by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images) TOPSHOT - Art school students give final touches to a painting depicting five people aboard a submersible named Titan that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, in Mumbai on June 22, 2023.

However, according to the pair, Rush's organization allegedly refused to return their money when they asked for it after canceling a number of planned dives.

The Hagles decided to dismiss their case against Rush and OceanGate in light of the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible last week, saying that "honor, respect, and dignity" were more essential to mankind than money. Instead, they extended their condolences to the families of the victims.

The five crew members of the Titan submarine were identified as dead last week after a week-long search. In a news briefing on Thursday, the US Coast Guard declared that the tail cone and further pieces of the lost submersible were discovered by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the front of the Titanic, confirming the deaths of all five crew members.

The Titan Submersible

On June 18, at 8 a.m., the Titan sank some 400 miles southeast of St. John's, Newfoundland, not far from the well-known Titanic shipwreck, which is buried 12,500 feet beneath the surface of the water.

It lost touch with its mothership, the Polar Prince, around 9:45 am, or one hour and forty-five minutes after it set out, but it wasn't reported missing to the Coastguard until 5:40 pm, or almost eight hours later.

On Sunday, the US Navy found an implosion-like acoustic signature in the vicinity of the dive ship. The US Coast Guard is not hopeful of finding the bodies of the tourists because the location is "a very unforgiving environment," and the tourists would have perished instantly after the catastrophic collapse of the ship.

Related article: Titan Submersible: OceanGate CEO's Wife Wendy Rush Related to Famous Titanic Victims

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The 200+ members of the Idaho Republican State Executive Committee have unanimously passed a resolution calling for the abolition of the FBI as "a corrupt government agency" that is so badly tainted it cannot be reformed. The resolution set out a long list of corrupt politicized moves by the FBI going back decades and including the well known recent ones.

https://www.idahotribune.org/news/idaho-gop-unanimously-passes-resolution-condemning-the-fbi-calls-for-abolition-of-corrupt-government-agency

As the skullduggery of the rogue FBI continues to come to the surface, it has been revealed by a whistleblower that the FBI threatened to fire their employees who raised questions about why the Jan. 6 riots were treated very differently from the BLM / ANTIFA riots.

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2023/06/27/whistleblower-fbi-threatened-to-fire-employees-who-questioned-different-treatment-of-blm-riots-and-jan-6-n767910
At the 20th Annual Spine, Orthopedic + Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, the audience was presented with a unique opportunity to learn from experts on anesthesia partnerships.

Attendees gathered to hear from Matthew Meyer, Critical Care Anesthesiologist at the University of Virginia Health System, Solomon Aronson, MD, MBA, Emeritus Professor from the Department of Anesthesiology at Duke University and President of PeriOptions, LLC, Greg Schooler, Chief Operating Officer of Cincinnati GI, Inc, and Riz Hatton, Assistant Editor of Becker's Healthcare, who moderated the panel.

The panelists discussed what it takes to be great in the world of anesthesia partnerships. They touched on topics such as the complexity of anesthesia relationships, the importance of understanding the pain management landscape, and the need for increased collaboration between ASCs and anesthesiologists. The panelists provided insights on how to optimize anesthesia services within ASCs and the strategies needed to ensure successful anesthesia partnerships.





Key Takeaways:

Defining the kind of anesthesia partnership is important, and key components include communication, trust, and respect.

When looking for an anesthesia partner, adaptability, long-term commitment, accountability, flexibility, and communication are important, as well as in-network status and avoiding buyouts due to anti-kickback issues.

To recruit and retain anesthesia talent, offer competitive salaries, create a positive work culture, triage patients better, and consider hiring military personnel.
Joplin, Mo.-based Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine completed its construction and is set to welcome its first class of students this fall, according to a June 26 report by The Joplin Globe.

The school's first class will have 80 students, which will help address the state's need for dentists in underserved areas.

The $80 million project is expected to have an annual financial impact of $45 million on the Joplin area and create 200 jobs, the report said.

The new school features a simulation lab with 84 stations which can accurately simulate dental decay, periodontal disease and root canals. There are also intraoral cameras that aid in identifying and diagnosing plaque formations, cavities, gum disease and chipped teeth.

Plans for the dental school were initially unveiled in 2019.
A recent study found the greater disruptions at nearby facilities grave enough to consider hospital ransomware attacks a "regional disaster," and the number of attacks are on track to increase in 2023, NPR reported June 25.

UC San Diego Health researchers analyzed an academic emergency room at a Scripps Health facility that fell victim to a month-long ransomware event in May 2021, as well as one located close by at a UC San Diego hospital, comparing the four-week time periods before, during and after the attack. Both ERs are in San Diego County.

They discovered that the UC San Diego ER had significant increases during the cyberattack in daily census, emergency medical services arrivals, patients leaving without being seen or against medical advice, median wait times, ER lengths of stay, stroke code activations, and confirmed strokes. The study was published May 8 in JAMA Network Open.

In the weeks following the breach, the number of patients waiting in the UC San Diego ER increased by 600, and the number of patients leaving without being seen increased by more than twice the normal amount, NPR reported. Additionally, there were more than twice as many confirmed strokes and almost twice as many emergency stroke code activations, according to the team of researchers at UCSD.

The number of hospital attacks had decreased in 2022 but are now on track to increase in 2023, in part due to an increased online availability of hacking tools to smaller groups, Allan Liska, a ransomware expert at the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, told NPR.

Jeff Tully, MD, a co-author of the study and assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego, said there needs to be more data made available, so health systems within a region can begin conversations surrounding coordinated emergency response protocols to hospital cyberattacks, in the same way they exist for natural disasters or other major emergencies. MITRE, a nonprofit that conducts various research for the U.S. government, told NPR they are engaged in research to understand the interconnectedness of infrastructure systems to avoid another regional disaster like in San Diego.

Patient advocacy groups are also making sure that patients are part of the cybersecurity conversation, NPR reported. Andrea Downing, who runs a patient information security advocacy group, said physicians should be informing patients of cybersecurity risks before treatment, not after a security incident.
A data breach lawsuit against Allentown, Pa.-based Lehigh Valley Health Network was sent back to court after the health system said most of the affected patients lived in Pennsylvania, Law360 reported June 26.

The lawsuit alleges that the health system allowed ransomware hackers to obtain protected health information from patients, including nude photos used during cancer treatment.

These photos were later posted to the dark web by a Russian ransomware gang, BlackCat, who claimed responsibility for the attack on the health system.

The health system reported that 657 patients were affected by the February ransomware attack.
As medical schools and now health systems have withdrawn from the U.S. News & World Report rankings, hospital chief marketing officers have differing opinions on how much these recognitions matter.

Some marketing leaders say the rankings are a valuable tool for consumers and a deserved honor for leading hospitals, while others call them misleading and incomplete.

"At Houston Methodist we are fortunate to have a long history of providing excellent patient care, and our reputation has always benefited from that," Laura Lopez, the health system's senior vice president of marketing and communications, told Becker's. "We know that the U.S. News designations validate this success for consumers and patients when they are looking for the best care available to them."

Houston Methodist was named the 15th-best hospital in the country and No. 1 in Texas in the 2022-23 U.S. News rankings. "We know we are leading, but U.S. News helps prove this externally, giving us another marketing tool to help validate the strength of our brand," Ms. Lopez said.

While health systems often tout where they stand in the rankings and use them in their marketing communications, some organizations have begun to push back against U.S. News over its methodology. Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network withdrew its participation in May, calling the rankings "seriously flawed," followed by Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania Health System in June. Those moves came after more than a dozen medical schools stopped cooperating with the publication in 2023.

"Penn State College of Medicine chose long ago not to participate in U.S. News rankings for medical schools," said Sean Young, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State Health. "Through the tenure of at least four College of Medicine deans, dating back nearly 25 years, the consensus among our leadership has been that the methodology employed by U.S. News is insufficient to provide an accurate and complete picture of the quality of individual medical schools, let alone offer a fair and balanced means to compare medical schools against one another."

It's unknown whether the institutions' lack of cooperation will have much of an effect, however. The rankings mostly rely on public data anyway. The only adult healthcare service line where hospitals can complete a survey is maternity care.

Brian Deffaa, chief marketing officer of Baltimore-based LifeBridge Health, said third-party rankings can act as helpful shortcuts, particularly in this digital age, for consumers trying to educate themselves or seek care for themselves or loved ones. But, he asked, are rankings like U.S. News truly reflective of how health systems provide care, outcomes and patient experience?

"When we look at the myriad of methodologies used to assess data, as well as the age and source of the data itself, we believe it often paints a partial picture at best and an inaccurate one at worst," Mr. Deffaa said. "I think the pushback you're seeing is a result of health systems' frustration at a ranking that doesn't align with what is observed and tracked firsthand."
Four community hospitals and health systems have recently adopted Oracle Health's CommunityWorks, an EHR designed for smaller hospitals.

CommunityWorks is a delivery model that tailors Oracle's EHR platform, Cerner Millennium, to the clinical, financial and operational needs of healthcare providers in smaller communities.

CommunityWorks is designed for hospitals with fewer than 250 beds to create a better workflow between its clinic, hospital, ER, lab, X-ray and physical therapy departments by integrating one EHR platform for all its departments.

More than 300 hospitals in 46 states are using the platform, according to a June 27 news release from Oracle.

Here is a list of four hospitals that have recently added CommunityWorks:
A health IT company in the Kansas City, Mo., area has hired dozens of former Oracle Cerner employees after the EHR vendor's recent layoffs, Kansas City Business Journal reported June 26.

Clarivate, a London-based data analytics company, has brought on at least 40 ex-Cerner employees to work at its new 10,000-square-foot office in Overland Park, Kan., set to open by September, according to the story. Many of them worked at the EHR vendor for multiple decades, while 13 have executive roles with the new company. Cerner has closed two Kansas City area-campuses and laid off an undisclosed number of employees since its June 2022 acquisition by Oracle.

"There's talent that's coming into the market, and we saw this as an opportunity for us to expand our capabilities," Bill Graff, senior vice president and CIO at Clarivate and a former Cerner CIO, told the news outlet. "It's proven talent that many of us have worked with or are aware of over the many years that we spent at Cerner."
During a June 26 briefing with congressional leaders, the American Hospital Association pushed back against proposed site-neutral payments for outpatient procedures.

Proposals to reduce Medicare pay rates for hospital outpatient departments by aligning them with rates for ASCs and independent physician offices are "based on the false assumption that Medicare overpays hospitals for outpatient services, when in fact hospitals receive only 84 cents for every dollar they spend caring for Medicare patients, resulting in a staggering negative 17.5 percent Medicare outpatient margin," according to AHA leaders.

The AHA opposed MedPAC's site-neutral payments and Medicare's recommendations, arguing that the plan would cut rural hospitals' average Medicare margin from -17.8 percent to -21 percent.

Coupled with the trend toward sicker patients, longer hospital stays and rising costs for labor, drugs, medical supplies and equipment, hospitals face an unsustainable financial environment that site-neutral payments would worsen, forcing many to close or reduce services, creating serious access to care issues for communities across the country. AHA leaders said.

"Any cuts would significantly cripple our organization's ability to continue meeting the patients' needs in our community and region," said Carl Vaagenes, CEO of Alexandria, Minn.-based Alomere Health, adding that Medicare and Medicaid already pay the rural hospital 25 percent and 48 percent less, respectively, than its actual cost to deliver care. "This year our organization is off to our worst start in my tenure and we are on pace to have close to a $10 million loss in fiscal year 2023 if nothing changes."

The proposed site-neutral pay changes would be a drastic blow to rural hospitals, 11 of which have closed this year and 152 of which have closed since 2010.

Beginning in 2026, site-neutral payments would be made for certain categories of services across ambulatory settings, including hospital outpatient departments  both on- and off-campus, The site-neutral payment rate that would apply to the services in each ambulatory payment classification would be based on the Medicare payment system for the ambulatory setting in which these services are most commonly furnished.

According to the AHA, this proposal would result in a $11.6 billion cut to hospitals in the first year and $180.6 billion over 10 years.
Iran criticizes U.S. for detention of "innocent Iranians"

Xinhua) 11:07, June 27, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Weeks after approving the abortion pill, Japan will now allow the experimental sale of emergency contraception without a prescription.

The decision, which was announced by the media on Tuesday, will bring Japan into compliance with the laws of dozens of other nations where the morning-after pill is currently sold without a prescription.

The law, as it stands now, mandates that all women, including those who have experienced sexual assault, visit a clinic or hospital to obtain an emergency contraception prescription. It is believed that taking the medications within 72 hours of unprotected sex will maximize their effectiveness.

According to the Kyodo news agency, a health ministry panel allowed the sale through March of next year at pharmacies manned by competent pharmacists who can communicate with local obstetrics and gynecology clinics, reported by The Guardian.

The decision to permit over-the-counter sales is a significant policy change and comes shortly after the abortion pill was approved in April. Only surgical abortions during the first nine weeks of pregnancy were formerly permitted.

Read also: Obama Administration Drops Age-Limit For Plan B Contraceptive Pill

A Show of Male Dominance in the Country

Campaigners claim that the lengthy delay in Japan's approval of the abortion pillwhich was already legal in more than 70 other nationsreflects the poor importance that the nation's male-dominated government and medical establishment place on women's sexual health.

(Photo: by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images) This picture, taken on June 8, 2022, shows pharmacist Reina Suzuki putting a box of morning-after pills into a fertility control kit at a pharmacy in Tokyo. - Emergency contraception cannot be bought without a doctor's approval in Japan and is not covered by public health insurance, so it can cost up to 150 USD.

In 1999, it took Japan 40 years to approve oral contraceptives but only 6 months to approve Viagra, a medication for erectile dysfunction.

According to the ministry, emergency contraceptives, which have an efficacy rate of about 80%, are available without a prescription in about 90 other nations.

The trial sale is well-liked by the general public. More than 90% of the 46,312 responses received last year after a health ministry panel asked for public input were in favor of pharmacy sales, according to the public broadcaster NHK.

In 2017, the panel refrained from sanctioning over-the-counter sales out of concern that the medications' accessibility would promote "irresponsible" behavior.

However, medical professionals have demanded that the medications be made more widely available since they would give rape survivors additional options and perhaps lessen the need for pricey surgical abortions.

Contraception in Japan

Contraception in Japan has a long and complex history. It has been influenced by a variety of factors, including religious beliefs, cultural norms, and government policies.

In the early 20th century, the Japanese government was hesitant to promote contraception, as it was seen as a threat to the country's population growth. However, in the 1950s, the government began to change its stance, and contraception became more widely available.

Today, there are a variety of contraceptive methods available in Japan, including condoms, oral contraceptives, IUDs, and emergency contraception. However, the use of contraception in Japan is still relatively low compared to other developed countries.

There are a number of reasons for this, including the fact that many Japanese people still believe that contraception is morally wrong. Additionally, some Japanese women are concerned about the side effects of hormonal contraception.

Related article: Monthly Menstrual Cycle Could Help Scientists Better Understand Mental Health Problems in Women

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Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health, a publicly owned health system, is in dire financial straits due to $585 million in debt, Voice of San Diego reported June 26.

Currently, Palomar's finances are boosted through a partnership with Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente that allows Kaiser members to access Palomar Medical Center. Kaiser is getting ready to open its own hospital in nearby San Marcos.

The partnership will end Dec. 31, 2024.

Credit rating agency Moody's recently downgraded Palomar to "negative" due to risks associated with meeting its financial obligations.
Tenet Healthcare's next CFO comes to the Dallas-based health system with a background working for pharmaceutical companies.

Sun Park  who will become Tenet's CFO in 2024 following the retirement of Dan Cancelmi  has served as executive vice president and group CFO for pharmaceutical distribution and strategic global sourcing since 2018. Before joining AmerisourceBergen, he worked at AstraZeneca from 2011 to 2012 and MedImmune from 2001 to 2011, according to his LinkedIn page.

He also previously served a healthcare investment banking analyst for Merrill Lynch from 1998 to 2000.

Here are the career backgrounds of four for-profit health system CFOs, including Mr. Park's predecessor:

Dan Cancelmi, Tenet: Mr. Cancelmi began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served in various positions, including in the company's national accounting and SEC unit. He joined Tenet in 1999 as CFO of Hahnemann University Hospital, a former Tenet hospital in Philadelphia, before moving to Tenet's corporate office in Dallas. He served in various finance positions for Tenet, including controller and principal accounting officer, before becoming CFO. He is retiring at the end of 2023.

Steve Filton, Universal Health Services (King of Prussia, Pa.): Mr. Filton joined UHS in 1985 as director of corporate accounting after spending six years in the audit division of the accounting firm Arthur Anderson. He was named CFO in 2003 and previously served as controller and secretary.

Kevin Hammons, Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.): Mr. Hammons joined CHS in 1997 from Ernst & Young, where he spent 10 years in various positions in the assurance and advisory services practice, working with both public and privately held companies. Mr. Hammons has held a number of financial leadership roles at CHS, including overseeing accounting and financial reporting, SEC reporting, budgeting, design and implementation of financial systems and processes, capital market transactions, corporate finance and treasury management functions and the company's divestiture program. He became CFO in 2020.

William Rutherford, HCA Healthcare (Nashville, Tenn.): Mr. Rutherford has spent 34 years at HCA across two stints with the health system. He joined HCA in 1986 as a staff auditor. His roles during his first stint included CFO for the Georgia Division and CFO for the Eastern Group. He left HCA in 2005 to start his own training and education company, which led to work with several private equity ventures. He later served as COO of Psychiatric Solutions, a behavioral health services provider. He returned to HCA in 2008. He was named CFO in 2013, previously serving as the COO of the health system's clinical and physician services group.
Gillette, Wyo.-based Campbell County Health is preparing a more 'realistic' budget after posting a $12 million loss through 11 months, Gillette News Record reported June 27.

Despite the losses, the health system had its best financial month in May. CEO Matt Shahan told the Record that the hospital is not pulling back on services. Instead, the hospital is looking to pull back on its capital budget.

The hospital had entered the fiscal year projecting to lose $500,000. The hospital's board of trustees has less than a month to approve the new budget.
Anthony Fauci, MD, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will join Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. as a faculty member beginning July 1.

In his appointment as a Distinguished University Professor  Georgetown's highest honor given to individuals who are exemplary in their field  Dr. Fauci will join the department of medicine and the school of public policy.

Drawing from his expertise in both areas, Dr. Fauci will now be engaging with Georgetown students and passing on his lessons learned as one of the most well-known physician leaders in the U.S.

Joining the university was an easy decision, he told the university in a Q&A, because of deep family ties to Georgetown, including his own wedding which took place in a chapel on the campus.

"All of a sudden it became very clear what I wanted to do because Georgetown essentially filled all of those criteria  and then it has so many other aspects of it that you couldnt make it up," Dr. Fauci said in a statement. "I feel like I'm coming home."
Members of the California Nurses Association voted "no confidence" in both the Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital board and the administration, the union confirmed to Becker's June 26.

The union said the vote is not a vote in an electoral sense, but rather a petition of supporters. For this petition, the CNA estimates gathering more than 200 signatures over the last few weeks.

"Nurses are demanding the hospital board work with community members to end the cuts to services at Hazel Hawkins," the union said. "The [intensive care unit] at the hospital has been closed for more than three weeks because there is not sufficient staff, there have been delays in pharmacy and supply contracts. In addition, the hospital has moved to freeze pensions, cut education credits (important as there is no education provided at the hospital), and cut other agreed upon union benefits."

Diane Beck, BSN, RN, a nurse in the surgical department at Hollister, Calif.-based Hazel Hawkins and the chief nurse representative at the hospital for the CNA, specifically references a June 15 letter from the hospital, which she shared with BenitoLink.

"This notice is to inform you of important changes to the San Benito Health Care District pension plan sponsored by the San Benito Health Care District. The plan has been amended to cease all future benefit accruals for all participants, effective as of July 1, 2023. This means that your plan benefit will be frozen and will not grow beyond the level earned as of the effective date," the letter states, according to the publication.

The letter also states: "All benefit accruals under the normal retirement benefit formula will cease, and no new participants will become covered under the plan. In other words, the amount of your benefit will be 'frozen' at the level it reaches as of the effective date, based on your compensation and service history as of that date."

Additionally, the letter addressed education leave.

"Effective July 1, 2023, the district will offer education Leave in an amount necessary for employees to meet their continuing education obligations for licensure renewal in the state of California for the position in which they are employed by the district. Education leave hours will no longer accrue and are not cashed out," the letter states, according to BenitoLink.

Ms. Beck and other union members have told BenitoLink they believe the letter would violate a 2018 letter of understanding and resolution the board at that time approved to protect the union nurses. According to the publication, the letter specified that within 60 days of a sale or similar event, the hospital would provide the CNA with the contact information for the new owner or operator.

San Benito Health Care District, the board overseeing Hazel Hawkins, voted in May to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, citing a need to "tackle the systemic challenges it continues to face."

Marcus Young, spokesperson for the district and Hazel Hawkins, said in a statement June 26 that neither is experiencing supply or pharmaceutical shortages. He added that patients who come to the hospital in need of intensive care services are being transferred to other facilities and addressed the decision to file for bankruptcy.

"First, it allows us to remain open and operational as a healthcare provider," he said. "Second, it allows us to tackle some of the systemic financial problems that we could not handle outside of Chapter 9, including healthcare premiums and pension considerations, and finally, it signals to interested parties that we were making the effort to address our long-term financial issues."

Mr. Young also took issue with the union's assertion that the district and hospital's "numbers over the last five years have been fairly stable."

"The union's assertion that the HHMH and the district have significant cash on hand because we are currently showing a positive cash flow fail to understand some of the important facts about our cash situation as of today," Mr. Young said. "First, the current cash flow projections represent early one-time payments that we have already collected; extreme cost savings measures that we have already made use of but will not be ongoing; and the simple fact that a healthcare district like ours needs to have at least 100 days of operating cash on hand at all times to be considered solvent. We are not there yet."

The union said nurses are hosting a town hall July 6 to raise awareness about their concerns.
The University of Pennsylvania Health System and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Alliance of Minority Physicians received a grant to expand its diversity program.

The AMP was founded in 2012 to recruit and retain students who are underrepresented in medicine, according to a June 21 news release from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Since the alliance's founding, it has tripled the number of underrepresented residents and fellows at the children's hospital and University of Pennsylvania Health System.

"The expansion of the Alliance for Minority Physicians model is one of the ways we are committed to address equity in medicine through the IBC Foundation Institute for Health Equity," Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, said in the release. "With one out of every six physicians trained in Philadelphia, scaling this model better addresses disparities in the physician workforce."
Before the pandemic, around 23 percent of physicians reported experiencing targeted harassment, but new research published June 14 in JAMA from Northwestern University in Chicago, found post-COVID that number has grown to nearly 66 percent of physicians.

Researchers designed the updated physician survey to mirror a previous one and included self-reported demographic and career information. In total, 359 responses yielded the following information:

Sixty-four percent of respondents said the harassment they've experienced online has been directly related to COVID-19 information.





Thirty-one percent of physicians and scientists who said they have been harassed online over medical information reported that the harassment was of a sexual nature and 18 percent said they had someone share their personal information as a result.

Sixty-seven percent of individuals who reported they were harassed were women.





82 percent of Black physicians and scientists who took the survey said the harassment they experienced was based on their race or ethnicity, and 52 percent of Asian respondents said the same.

In total, 88 percent of all 359 physician and scientist respondents said they experienced harassment as a result of some kind of advocacy they were championing or posting about via social media as a medical professional  something that the U.S. Surgeon General's office encouraged to dispel medical misinformation in 2021.

Researchers said, "At a time when physicians and biomedical scientists need support and their advocacy is vital to the national interest more than ever before, they are being badgered, doxxed, and sexually harassed," they wrote. "Institutions and companies should support those who are attacked and provide mechanisms to reduce harassment and provide accountability."
While artificial intelligence may one day be adopted on a widespread basis for diagnosis, clinicians mostly use it to ease the administrative and paperwork burden, The New York Times reported June 26.

The generative AI tools could help solve the issue of clinician burnout and turnover. Matthew Hitchcock, MD, a family physician in Chattanooga, Tenn., told the Times that with the assistance of generative AI tools, he is done with daily patient visit documentation in 20 minutes.

Vendors developing generative AI-based tools designed to automate clinician paperwork include Abridge, Ambience, Augmedix, Nuance and Suki.

Regulatory uncertainty and patient safety concerns could slow the adoption of AI-powered diagnosis tools.

"At this stage, we have to pick our use cases carefully," John Halamka, MD, president of Mayo Clinic Platform, told the Times. "Reducing the documentation burden would be a huge win on its own."
A former medical device sales representative was arrested June 26 for allegedly defrauding a Boston area hospital and lying to federal authorities, according to the Justice Department.

According to the indictment, Matthew Capobianco, 45, of Winchester, Mass., a former DePuy Synthes sales representative and team lead, allegedly defrauded the hospital out of hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of spine products.

Federal prosecutors, who did not identify the hospital, allege that, from January 2016 through June 2017, Mr. Capobianco represented on usage forms that more  and more expensive  DePuy products were used during spine surgeries than were in fact used, resulting in fraudulent overbilling and higher commissions for Mr. Capobianco.

Federal prosecutors also allege that, in late 2016, Mr. Capobianco "instructed a subordinate DePuy sales representative to bring certain DePuy spinal implants into an operating room at the hospital for a surgery, without those implants first being sterilized." Additionally, they allege that in May 2017, Mr. Capobianco himself brought DePuy spinal implants that were not in compliance with the hospital's sterilization policies to an operating room at the hospital.

Hospital employees confiscated the spinal implants so they were not used in a scheduled surgery that day, and Mr. Capobianco subsequently allegedly lied to federal authorities about his actions, according to the Justice Department.

Mr. Capobianco faces eight counts of wire fraud and one count of making material false statements.

DePuy Synthes shared the following statement with Becker's: "All government claims against the company have been resolved and any allegations of improper billing have been dismissed against the company as part of a civil settlement. The settlement was not an admission of liability under any applicable laws.

"The allegations of a former employee's conduct outlined in this indictment are contrary to company policy. We are committed to ensuring our employees conduct business in a way that complies with our Credo and with all laws and regulations, and we have extensively cooperated with the government's investigation related to this indictment."



Becker's has reached out to Mr. Capobianco's attorneys for comment and will update the story if more information becomes available.
The Biden administration launched the $50 million Persistent Poverty Initiative, which is designed to alleviate the effects of poverty on cancer outcomes.

The initiative is the first major program to address structural and institutional factors of persistent poverty in the context of cancer, according to a June 26 National Institutes of Health news release. The money was awarded to five centers that will conduct research, foster cancer prevention research and promote community-based programs.

The funds were awarded to:
Weibo, a popular Chinese microblogging website, decided to ban finance writers after commenting about the country's stock market.

One of these financial authors is Wu Xiaobo, a prominent Chinese writer focusing on the finance niche. With over 4 million followers on Weibo, he is considered to be among the most influential financial authors in China.

Aside from Xiaobo, two more financial authors (who were not named) were restricted by Sina Corp.'s Weibo. On Monday, June 26, Weibo explained why it banned these financial writers.

Weibo Bans Finance Writers After Commenting About China's Stock Market

According to Time Magazine's latest report, Weibo banned Xiaobo and two other financial authors because of their negative and harmful comments about the stock market of China.

Read Also: TikTok Exec Vanessa Pappas Resigns Amid ByteDance Scrutiny Over China Ties

The Chinese microblogging website put a banner on Xiaobo's official account, saying that the writer had been banned after he violated relevant regulations and laws.

Weibo added that Xiaobo and the two anonymous financial authors were spreading "smears' against China's development of the securities market.

Aside from this, the Chinese microblogging site also believed that the banned writers are creating content that hypes up the unemployment rate, as reported by NDTV.

Why Foreigners Are Concerned

Xiaobo is a trusted Chinese finance author who already published bestselling books on Tencent Holdings Ltd. He also writes for Caixin Global, which is a Chinese investigative journalism website in Beijing.

This means that Xiaobo is an established writer that provides essential information about the financial status of Chinese companies, as well as China's economy.

But, the financial insights shared by Wu on Weibo are no longer accessible since the Chinese website removed all his content starting in April 2022.

Since Weibo banned a prominent Chinese financial author from its website, many foreign investors are now concerned regarding access to independent financial information about China.

Although censoring online information is no longer new in China, the latest ban against Chinese finance writers is still quite concerning, especially since numerous reports stated that China's stock market is failing.

If you want to learn more details about the latest suspensions of Weibo against Chinese financial authors, you can click this link.

Related Article: China Boycotts Japanese Cosmetics Due To Fukushima Water Release

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Of the hundreds of ongoing drug shortages in the U.S., some are lifesaving cancer medications and 14 are among the 20 most commonly prescribed.

Seven drugs are now in shortage according to the FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists:

Editor's note: The drugs are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Atropine sulfate injection is indicated to temporarily block severe or life-threatening muscarinic effects. Four solutions are in limited supply, according to a mid-June post from the FDA. A majority of the 19 solutions listed on the agency's website are available.

2. Cisplatin injection: The FDA reported this shortage June 5. Five cisplatin solutions went into shortage as early as January, and the latest updates from the FDA and ASHP indicate between 10 and 12 solutions are unavailable. Two drugmakers estimate resupply dates for July, and Teva Pharmaceuticals predicts full recovery by the end of 2024.

Seventy percent of cancer centers in the U.S. recently said they do not have enough cisplatin.

3. Enalaprilat injection: Hikma Pharmaceuticals has one solution available and another on back order until August or September, the ASHP said in late June. The drug is used to treat hypertension when an oral medication is not practical.

4. Ferric subsulfate, a hemostatic, has two solutions unavailable as of June 7. One drugmaker, CooperSurgical, told the ASHP it "is having issues with obtaining materials" and forecast resupply in late June. The other company, Gynex, did not disclose a reason for the shortage or an estimated release date.

5. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate: As of June 19, three capsules are in shortage and four are available from Takeda Pharmaceuticals. The medication is indicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

A manufacturing delay caused 40 milligram capsules to be on back order until late June or early July, the drugmaker predicted, and 60 milligram and 70 milligram capsules are expected to be in shortage until September. The chewable tablets are not affected by this shortage, according to the ASHP.

6. Neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates genitourinary irrigant: There is not enough supply for usually ordering as X Gen Pharmaceuticals reports one back-ordered and one allocated solution. There are no forecasted resupply dates for the drug that works to prevent urinary tract infections in the bladder.

7. Rivaroxaban oral suspension: Jannsen has one solution on back order because of a quality issue, and it estimates supply to return to normal levels in July. No presentations of the blood thinner are available as of June 14.
U.S. News & World Report has been receiving backlash for its medical school rankings since the beginning of the year. Now, that discontent is spreading to its popular best hospitals rankings.

On May 24, the CEO and chief quality officer of St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa., announced they would no longer submit data to the publication, which requests information from children's hospitals and hospitals offering maternity care to compile its rankings. The executives alleged the rankings run on "misguided methodology" in a letter to Ben Harder, U.S. News' managing editor and chief of health analysis.

The health system's letter criticized the publication for incorporating "expert opinion" scores from physicians into its methodology; it alleged that using subjective criteria is akin to a popularity contest and that the rankings are primarily used to generate marketing revenue.

On June 20, the rankings were questioned on the opposite coastline. David Chiu, San Francisco's city attorney, sent a letter to U.S. News asking for evidence to substantiate its claims that the hospital rankings are "authoritative," based on "world-class data and technology," and help patients and families "find the best healthcare," "make data-informed decisions," and "find sources of skilled inpatient care."

Mr. Chiu's letter says the publication appears to violate Federal Trade Commission regulations by not disclosing payments it receives from the hospitals it ranks, including fees to license Best Hospitals badges, subscriptions to Hospital Data Insights, and payments for advertisements on the website and in the Best Hospitals Guidebook.

Less than a week after Mr. Chiu's letter, Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine's University of Pennsylvania Health System became the second health system to withdraw from the rankings. Kevin Mahoney, the health system's CEO, spoke against the rankings in a June 26 news release.

"The U.S. News and World Report 'Best Hospitals' methodology changes regularly, making it difficult to meaningfully draw conclusions about hospital quality over time, let alone the enormous amount of care provided outside the hospital," said Patrick Brennan, MD, Penn Medicine's chief medical officer. "More importantly, these measures do not help us deliver better care for our patients, and they incentivize health systems to expend resources both to compete for placement in the rankings and promote their position on the list."

The health system will no longer submit data to U.S. News or the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey, which the publication uses for rankings. It plans to create its own dashboard to share such data.

U.S. News Executive Chair and CEO Eric Gertler disagrees with the recent characterizations of the hospital rankings, he said in a prepared statement shared with Becker's. He holds that the rankings provide an "important journalistic and public service" to those seeking medical care, although they should only be one factor in that decision-making process.

"Our healthcare journalists and data analysts who develop the rankings take their responsibility to produce quality journalism very seriously, which has earned the trust of consumers for more than 30 years," Mr. Gertler said. "Our expert journalistic teams painstakingly evolve the methodology each year to reflect changes in how healthcare gets delivered and in response to input from clinicians, hospital leaders and other healthcare stakeholders. This year's rankings, for example, will be the first to incorporate measures of patient outcomes following outpatient surgeries, reflecting the growing role of outpatient care."

"Families facing a serious or complex medical problem deserve to have a place that helps them determine which hospital is the best suited for their individual needs," Mr. Gertler continued. "Consumers rely on information from trusted, independent sources like U.S. News, and we remain committed to serving them by evaluating and comparing all eligible hospitals on their quality of care."
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A third physician has left Norton (Kan.) County Hospital amid the termination of former CEO Brian Kirk.

Josh Gaede, MD, a family medicine physician, will resign effective June 30. Letters to notify patients are currently being sent out, according to a notice from the hospital obtained by Becker's.

"Norton County Hospital/Medical Clinic and Dr. Josh Gaede have decided to end their current employment relationship," the notice says. "We would like to thank Dr. Gaede for his service to our organization these past three years and wish him well in all future endeavors."

Further reasoning for his exit was not provided.



Dr. Gaede's exit follows two other family medicine physicians who resigned in early May: Miranda McKellar, MD, and Theresia Neill, MD. On May 17, the hospital moved to fire Mr. Kirk, who had spent the first month of the year on administrative leave due to an internal investigation. He was reinstated for a period before being let go, and Kellen Jacobs, the hospital's rehabilitation manager, was named interim CEO.
Matthew Capobianco, a former DePuy Synthes sales representative, was accused of defrauding a hospital in Boston and lying to federal authorities.

Mr. Capobianco faces eight counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements, according to a June 26 news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Between January 2016 and June 2017, Mr. Capobianco allegedly said some spine devices were used in surgeries he covered. In his job with DePuy Synthes, he observed spine surgeries and tracked usage on billing forms to the hospital. His pay was allegedly tied to the volume of products surgeons used.

Mr. Capobianco allegedly lied on forms, saying more  and more expensive  products were being used. His alleged overbilling defrauded the hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Additionally, Mr. Capobianco allegedly told a subordinate sales representative to bring specific implants into an operating room without sterilizing them first. He allegedly then made false statements about the incident during an interview with federal agents.

A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson, DePuy Synthes parent company, said government claims against the company were resolved, and improper billing allegations were dismissed.

"The allegations of a former employees conduct outlined in this indictment are contrary to company policy," according to a June 27 statement emailed to Becker's. "We are committed to ensuring our employees conduct business in a way that complies with our Credo and with all laws and regulations, and we have extensively cooperated with the governments investigation related to this indictment."

Mr. Capobianco faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release if convicted. He was released from custody on conditions June 26.
Augmedics closed $82.5 million in series D financing to support the growth of Xvision, the medtech company said June 27.

The funding round comes as the company marked its 4,000th U.S. patient treated with the augmented reality spine system, according to a news release. The money will grow Xvision's reach in the U.S. and support future platform advancements.

Funding was led by Dallas-based CPMG and adds Evidity Health Capital as a syndicate partner. Kent McGaughy, of CPMG, and Paul Enever of Evidity, will join Augmedics' board of directors.
At the 20th Annual Spine, Orthopedic + Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, the audience was buzzing with anticipation as the session, How Orthopedic ASCs Take the Patient Experience to the Next Level, was about to begin.

The panel was made up of an all-star lineup of experts, including Timothy Ekpo, Orthopedic Surgeon, Henry Ford Hospital; Bruce Feldman, Administrator, Downtown Bronx Ambulatory Surgery Center; James Loging, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Palmetto Bone and Joint; and Jessica Roberts-Becerra, MSN, RN, Ne-BC, Administrator and Director, Nursing, South Carolina ENT Surgical Center. The session was moderated by Brian Zimmerman, Assistant Vice President, Client Content and Strategy, Becker's Healthcare. With such a distinguished panel of professionals, the audience was eager to hear what the session had to offer.

Key Takeaways

1: Recruitment and retention are challenging in the post-COVID healthcare industry.

Mr. Feldman identifies recruitment and retention as the most difficult issues post-COVID.

2: Staff flexibility and empowerment are crucial to recruitment strategies.

Ms. Roberts-Becerra suggests implementing a system of staff empowerment through flexibility and staff rounding to ask hard questions, involving them in decision-making.

3: Mitigating risks involved in complex procedures and creating a positive atmosphere through an educational class, referral bonus and concierge service can enhance patient experience.

The ASC space has risks involved in complex procedures, but an educational class, an internal referral bonus program, and providing concierge service can help create a positive atmosphere.

4: Patient communication preferences, technology, and sharing survey results constructively are crucial to patient satisfaction surveys.

To get patient satisfaction surveys, it is essential to understand their communication preferences, use technology to push notifications, and share survey results constructively.
A woman named Juana Reyes was rescued after suffering from a broken ankle while hiking with her friends in a remote part of Trail Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest in Tujunga, California, Sunday (June 25).

Reyes recalled a part of the trail collapsed underneath her, breaking her leg and injuring her ankle.

She was able to call for help despite not having cell phone service due to iPhone 14's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. "We tried to get a hold of 911 but there was no service on our phones," she told ABC Los Angeles.

Thanks to the iPhone 14's emergency technology, Reyes was located by a helicopter and taken to the hospital for treatment. She is now recovering at home.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) said Reyes was their third "iPhone rescue" of the year.

It was also the iPhone 14's emergency feature that saved the lives of two people after getting involved in a crash last year in another part of the Angeles National Forest.

What is Emergency SOS Via Satellite?

Emergency SOS via Satellite is a feature in the Apple iPhone 14 where users can ask for help if they need it.

According to Apple, the feature could help users connect with emergency services under exceptional circumstances when no other means of reaching emergency services are available. This means users can text emergency services even if they are outside cell or WiFi coverage by simply pointing their device to an available satellite in the area.

Depending on the user's location, an emergency message might take 15 seconds to a minute. However, connection times could also be impacted by the user's surroundings, the length of the message, and the status and availability of the satellite network.

In case the user becomes unresponsive due to a severe crash or a hard fall, iPhone or Apple Watch could detect the incident and send an automatic crash detection or fall detection notification to emergency services.

Emergency SOS via Satellite is free for two years upon activation of iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro.

Read Also: Apple Wants to Trademark Images of Actual Apple Fruit

How to Use Emergency SOS Via Satellite?

Apple advises users to prepare their devices ahead of time in the event they venture into areas where there is no cellular or WiFi coverage by trying the Emergency SOS via Satellite demo.

Users have to be outside to simulate a situation, preferably on open terrain with a clear view of the sky and no trees on the way. Alternatively, they can climb a hill if they have an elevated area nearby.

They have to turn on Satellite Connection on Location Services if they have not yet done so before the demonstration. Then, they open the Settings app, tap "Emergency SOS," and under Emergency SOS via Satellite, tap "Try Demo" and follow the onscreen instructions.

Users could also share their Medical ID from the Health app and notify their emergency contacts when they use Emergency SOS via Satellite. This needs to be set up prior to an emergency.

They can also use the Find My app to share their location via satellite.

In the event of a real emergency, users are advised to try calling their local emergency number first to reach emergency services, such as 911 for the US.

If a call would not connect, users can attempt to text emergency services via satellite by tapping "Emergency Text via Satellite." Alternatively, they can go to Messages to text the local emergency number, then tap Emergency Services.

Afterward, users should tap Report Emergency and answer the emergency questions to best describe their situation. They then choose to notify their emergency contacts that they contacted emergency services, along with their location and nature of the emergency.

In both the demo and real-life situations, users need to connect to a satellite by following the onscreen instructions and turning to where the satellite is positioned to stay connected while sending their emergency message.

Once connected, the iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders by sharing critical information, including the user's Medical ID, emergency contact information, location, and remaining battery of the user's iPhone.

There are certain local emergency numbers that require iOS 16.4 or later to connect to emergency services via satellite.

All messages sent using Emergency SOS via Satellite are sent in encrypted form and decrypted by Apple to be passed along to the relevant emergency services in the area.

In Which Countries Is Emergency SOS via Satellite Available?

To use Emergency SOS via Satellite, users need to have an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.1 or later in the US or Canada; iOS 16.2 or later in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK; and iOS 16.4 or later in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Portugal. The feature can also be accessed in all the mentioned countries.

International travelers who visit a country or region where the feature is available could use it while visiting unless the device was bought in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau. Emergency SOS via Satellite is not offered on iPhone models purchased in the mentioned areas.

In addition, satellite connections might not work in places above 62 latitude, such as northern parts of Canada and Alaska.

Currently, messages in Latin characters, such as English or European French, are supported in messages sent using Emergency SOS via Satellite. The service also supports American Spanish, Canadian French, Dutch, German, Italian, and Portuguese.

The regions were likely dictated by the agreement Apple had with satellite provider Globalstar, Pocket-lint reported.

Further details can be found on the Apple website here.

Related Article: Apple to Upgrade Retail Employees' iPhone XS to iPhone 14

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Belfast company using 1.7m funding to play leading role in UK switch to renewable energy

Tim Harrison talks to Alyson Magee about the takeover of a Queens University spin-out and his companys ambitious plans for the future

Tim Harrison

Alyson Magee Tue 27 Jun 2023 at 08:00
Kanye West is now legally known as Ye (PA)

A former business partner of Kanye West has alleged that the American rapper used offensive phrases about him being Jewish towards him.

Alex Klein, a tech entrepreneur, was speaking in a new BBC Two documentary where he is described as the 46-year-old musicians former friend.

Journalist Mobeen Azhar, who fronted the broadcasters Battle For Britney documentary, presents The Trouble With KanYe.

It looks at the musician, now legally known as Ye, and his 2024 US presidential campaign.

Mobeen Azhar and Malik Yusef (BBC/Forest Ventures/PA)

Klein, who created music streaming platform and remix device Stem Player in collaboration with Ye, which released the Donda 2 album, told Azhar about the alleged reaction his former business partner had when they parted ways.

He said: We turned down 10 million dollars. Kanye was very angry you know, he was saying I feel like I wanna smack you, and Youre exactly like the other Jews  almost relishing and revelling in how offensive he could be, using these phrases hoping to hurt me.

I asked him and I said Do you really think Jews are working together to hold you back?

And he said Yes, yes I do, but its not even a statement that I need to take back because look at all the energy around me right now. Without that statement, I wouldnt become president.

Klein announced in November 2022 that his company Kano Computing had ended its relationship with the musician.

Ye, one of the worlds most successful musicians with more than 160 million records sold, made an unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2020.

A homeless man, referred to as Mark, who lives in a car outside the Cornerstone Christian Church in California, is also interviewed.

Mark told Azhar that Ye asked him to be his campaign manager for his White House bid.

He said: They all said I was the most religiously erudite in the room and Kanye started looking to me for my opinion on every topic that came up.

He called me the following Monday, the Monday before Thanksgiving, and the first thing he said to me was I want you to be my campaign manager to run for president.

The BBC said the church was visited after video emerged of Ye attending it, and in the hope of making contact with him.

The pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church, who the BBC said did not want to be filmed, told Azhar that Ye bought part of the property and had big plans.

He also showed a room of people using sewing machines, with mood boards on the wall showing new designs for Yes Yeezy brand.

Adidas cut ties with Ye in late October saying it does not tolerate antisemitism.

The German sportswear company did say in May it will put his Yeezy shoes on sale and donate some of the proceeds to social justice organisations.

Mobeen Azhar. (BBC/Forest Ventures)

John Boyd, who ran Yes 2020 US presidential campaign, will also feature in the BBC programme, with poet Kevin Coval and Ye collaborator Malik Yusef.

Accompanying the documentary is an eight-part podcast series The Kanye Story.

Netflix previously released Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, which charted his early years in the music industry.

The three-part series drew on reels of intimate footage dating back two decades, showing his evolution from unknown rapper to international star, fashion designer and businessman.

The PA news agency has contacted Yes representatives for a response.

The Trouble With KanYe airs at 9pm on BBC Two on Wednesday.
The remains of Julian Sands were found on Saturday (Ian West/PA)

The remains of British actor Julian Sands have been found more than five months after he was first reported missing while hiking in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department confirmed to the PA news agency on Tuesday that human remains found in the area by civilian hikers were those of Sands.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the discovery.

 Friday January 13

Sands is first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

Neither the report nor the actors name are made public immediately, but it states his disappearance was in the Baldy Bowl area.

A search-and-rescue operation is launched and the last recorded ping is detected from Sands phone.

Sands was first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on January 13 (Ian West/PA)

 Saturday January 14

Search efforts are halted due to risk from avalanches and adverse weather on local trails results in ground crews being pulled off the mountain in the evening.

 Sunday January 15

Aerial searches, conducted by drones and helicopters, continue but nothing is found.

 Wednesday January 18

A car believed to belong to Sands is found and towed away from a location by his family.

 Thursday January 19

Weather conditions and avalanche risk continue to delay ground searches, although the sheriffs department says there is no hard deadline to call off the search.

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 Friday January 20

Federal and state authorities join the search for Sands using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the location of the actor.

One week on from his disappearance, the sheriffs department says there is still no time set for when ground searches can continue.

 Monday January 23

The actors family releases a statement praising the heroic efforts of both local and out-of-county forces conducting the search efforts.

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Sands family say they were deeply touched by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.

The sheriffs office also announces it is looking for a second missing hiker and that searches have allowed ground teams to conduct secondary sweeps of the area, but no evidence of the actor is found.

 Tuesday January 24

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The second hiker is found alive, but there is still no sign of Sands.

 Wednesday January 25

Searches continue by air only, with authorities using special technology that can detect electronic devices and credit cards.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says it was hopeful that the technology will be able to more accurately pinpoint an area on which to focus efforts.

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 Saturday January 28

Kevin Ryan, Sands hiking partner and close friend says he is remaining hopeful of the actors safe return, as searches pass the two-week mark.

Ryan tells PA it is obvious that something has gone wrong but that the actors advanced experience and skill may allow him to overcome difficulty.

 Friday February 3

The sheriffs department said conditions continued to be problematic after three weeks of searching, adding efforts have continued intermittently.

A spokesperson tells PA that efforts would normally be downgraded to a passive search after 10 days, but that plans have been extended due to the ongoing bad weather.

 Friday February 10

Four weeks on from the first reports of Sands disappearance, authorities admit the outcome of the search may not be what we would like.

The sheriffs department says it is still hopeful of finding the actor, but that conditions in the area remain dangerous, adding that ground searches are planned for the future.

 Monday February 13

Exactly one month since Sands has been reported missing, weather conditions still hamper efforts to find him.

 Friday March 3

Authorities temporarily close tourist resorts in the Mount Baldy area due to danger of avalanches.

Snow storms batter the southern Californian region causing search efforts by both ground and air to be halted yet again.

The majority of operations are suspended for the proceeding months with the sheriffs department unable to provide any further updates.

 Monday June 19

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The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department reports that a further ground search in the Mount Baldy wilderness has not yielded any results.

The search, which took place on Saturday June 17, included more than 80 search-and-rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with efforts supported by two helicopters and drone crews.

Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, the department said.

Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow.

 Wednesday June 21

Sands family releases a second statement via the sheriffs department, saying they are continuing to keep the actor in our hearts with bright memories, as searches continue.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, the statement reads.

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.

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 Saturday June 24

Human remains are found in the Mount Baldy wilderness.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says civilian hikers had contacted authorities on Saturday morning after finding the remains in area.

The remains are transported to the Coroners Office for identification.

 Tuesday June 27

The sheriffs department announces the remains found are those are of Sands.
Downing Street has insisted No 10 is a safe environment for women (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

A former Downing Street aide who is facing allegations of groping a TV producer in No 10 a decade ago said it is disheartening the claim has emerged during his bid to become the Tory mayoral candidate for London.

Daniel Korski said it was categorically untrue that he groped screenwriter Daisy Goodwin after she used articles in The Times and Daily Mail to identify the former special adviser.

In a statement posted on Twitter he said he was not aware of an official complaint being made against him.

The Conservative Party said it was not investigating the claim and Downing Street insisted No 10 was a safe environment for women.

Downing Street earlier refused to be drawn on the individual case or whether there would be a Cabinet Office investigation into Mr Korski who, at the time of the allegations, was a special adviser to then-prime minister David Cameron.

A screengrab from Daniel Korskis Mayor for London campaign (Korski4London/PA)

I understand that this news may have caused concern, and I want to assure you I categorically deny any wrong-doing, Mr Korski said in his statement.

Politics can be a rough and challenging business. Unfortunately, in the midst of this demanding environment, this baseless allegation from the past has resurfaced.

It is disheartening to find myself connected to this allegation after so many years, but I want to unequivocally state that I categorically deny any claim of inappropriate behaviour. I denied when it was alluded to seven years ago and I do so now.

To be clear  nothing was raised at the time, nothing was raised with me seven years ago when this was alluded to and even now, Im not aware that there was an official complaint.

A Tory spokesman said: The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

The party considers all complaints made under the Code of Conduct but does not conduct investigations where the Party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority.

It is understood no formal complaint has been made by Ms Goodwin to Conservative Party headquarters.

The TV producer, who was behind the hit show Victoria, wrote in the Times that at the end of a meeting the spad [special advisor] stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Daisy Goodwin first revealed the allegations about an unnamed man in 2017 (PA)

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened.

I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the 80s I knew how to deal with gropers.

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation.

I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10.

His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it.

It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

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It is not the first time Ms Goodwin has spoken about the incident, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given the fact he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

Asked if Mr Sunak thought it was important that allegations of harassment should be investigated, the No 10 spokesman said: Without wanting to be drawn into specifics, I think in any walk of life, I think the Prime Minister would expect that to be the case.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Korski has clearly got to answer questions about his alleged behaviour.

I know very little of the detail here, other than Ive seen the awful allegations, Sir Keir told the New Statesmans Politics Live Conference in central London on Tuesday.

He has clearly got to answer those allegations, as far as Im concerned.

I think there will be a level of concern that yet again it is a sort of pattern of behaviour in politics.
Meet the Belfast mum whose tireless efforts are helping deafblind community in NI

The charity Sense, which raises awareness and the need for services for the deafblind community, is putting on its dancing shoes this weekend to fund a new family hub in NI, writes Stephanie Bell

Jill McManus as a child with her mum Anne

Stephanie Bell Tue 27 Jun 2023 at 11:00
A failure by police to pass on specific details about a dissident republican murder threat may have contributed to the death of a man shot dead outside his sons school in west Belfast, a High Court judge ruled today.

Madam Justice Quinlivan identified negligence around the processing of intelligence received months before Jim Donegan was gunned down in December 2018.

Inaction in dealing with information about the location for an attack and the targets vehicle meant there was a failure to warn Mr Donegan of the danger of being in that area, the judge found.

Backing a challenge by the victims family, she said: The specificity of that threat may have caused Mr Donegan to change his pattern of behaviour, specifically in relation to collecting his son from school, and may have saved his life.

Madam Justice Quinlivan also held that a senior PSNI commander was wrong in deciding not to refer the conduct of any individual officer to the Police Ombudsman.

Mr Donegan, 43, was shot dead in his Porsche car as he waited for one of his children outside St Mary's Christian Brothers School on the Glen Road. No one has yet been charged with the murder.

Although the Ombudsman is investigating the PSNIs handling of a potential threat against Mr Donegan, legal action centred on the route taken to notify the watchdog.

Lawyers representing an older son of the victim, Cris Donegan, claimed the Chief Constable was under a statutory duty to make a referral if it appears an officer's conduct may have resulted in someone's death, or could merit disciplinary proceedings.

It emerged that in June 2018 police received information dissident republicans intended to target an unnamed man they believed to be involved in the drugs trade, who drove a Range Rover and regularly collected a child from school on the Glen Road.

Jim 'JD' Donegan

Mr Donegan picked up his son from St Marys every Tuesday and Thursday.

He had previously driven a Range Rover and kept the same registration number for his Porsche.

Within days of receiving the information, police did inform Mr Donegan that he was under threat from dissident republicans.

However, no specific details about the vehicle or the school were included in the warning.

The court heard PSNI officers submitted an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to identify any cars regularly on the Glen Road for an intelligence document.

A list of potential vehicles was compiled, including one with a registration linked to the victim and which ultimately matched the plates on his Porsche at the murder scene.

But according to police, the link to Mr Donegan was not made because of how the research task had been initially entered into the computer system.

Two possible explanations were offered: either the ANPR document was incorrectly processed to the intelligence hub, or else it had been received but never actioned.

With a preliminary view formed that the first option was more likely, former Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin had to decide whether to declare a critical incident and refer the matter to the Ombudsman.

He concluded that the tests under Section 55 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 were not met - there was nothing to suggest any officers conduct may have resulted in Mr Donegans death or behaviour to justify disciplinary proceedings.

Despite forming the view there was no legal obligation, DCC Martin determined that the watchdog should nevertheless be urgently notified due to the public interest in investigating the circumstances.

The Donegan family and the Ombudsman both contended police should have referred the case under the terms of the Act.

With no allegations of criminal conduct by a PSNI officer, the dispute was instead over any behaviour potentially justifying disciplinary proceedings.

Ruling on the challenge, Madam Justice Quinlivan was not satisfied that any acts or omissions by police, as understood by the commander when he made his decision, could have resulted in Mr Donegans killing.

But she held that the alternative explanations as to how the death threat was ultimately not conveyed to Mr Donegan, represented conduct which may have contributed to the deceaseds death.

The judge added: It appears to me that the consequence of inaction in relation to that particular

death threat meant that there was a failure to warn Mr Donegan of the risk to his life associated with collecting his son from school.

DCC Martin took a flawed approach in considering whether an officers behaviour in dealing with specific intelligence about a threat to life may have warranted disciplinary proceedings, she stated.

Clearly, information of that level of specificity had the potential to enable police to warn people fitting that description of a risk to their lives, Madam Justice Quinlivan continued.

She pointed out: DCC Martin was presented with two possible reasons as to why the death threat was ultimately not communicated to Mr Donegan.

Both involved, at the very least, a degree of negligence on the part of a police officer/s.

The judge added: It is my conclusion that DCC Martin ought to have referred this case to the Ombudsman under section 55(4).
A 32-year-old man convicted by a jury of raping a female in a park in Newtownards was handed a seven-year sentence today.

Deividas Burbulas carried out the serious sexual assault in Londonderry Park, Newtownards, during the early hours of September 15, 2019.

The Lithuanian national, with an address at Thomas Street in Portadown, denied the charge and stood trial earlier this year at Downpatrick Crown Court, sitting in Belfast.

At the conclusion of the week-long trial on April 3, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict and Burbulas was back in court today where he was handed a seven-year sentence.

This was divided equally between prison and licence by Judge Geoffrey Miller KC who presided over the trial and who also placed Burbulas on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period.

As he imposed the sentence, Judge Miller said: The victim was vulnerable through her intoxicated state and the defendant, who was a stranger to her, deliberately took advantage of this to commit the offence.

During the trial, the jury heard that on Saturday September 14, 2019, the young woman  who was 17 at the time  came home from work, had her dinner and then started drinking vodka and Iron Bru.

She contacted her friend and arranged to meet him in Conway Square in the centre of Ard. Once there, she encountered Burbulas who was with two male friends.

The victim met up with her friend, who left the Square to go and purchase cigarettes  and at this point the woman started chatting to Burbulas and his friends and cadged a cigarette from them.

She continued to drink then left the square with the group and walked to the Duck Pond.

After consuming more alcohol at the Duck Pond, the group walked back into town and made their way to the East Street home Burbulas shared with a relative at the time. In the early hours of Sunday September 15, the relative was annoyed at the noise and asked the group to leave.

They made their way to Londonderry Park on the Portaferry Road  and due to her intoxication, the woman has very little memory of how she got there.

During today's sentencing, Judge Miller said: Her memory of what happened once she got to the park was confined to waking up and seeing the defendant on top having sex with her and being aware of the other two men standing and laughing.

Two police officers on mobile patrol in the area witnessed a man being chased by a woman at 6.15am and due to their observations, they stopped the car and spoke to them.

The woman  who police noted to be distraught  alleged she had just been raped and when police took her to the location in the park, they found a white sock, her underwear and Burbulas' mobile phone.

Whilst the woman was taken to the Rowan Centre where she was examined, Burbulas was arrested on suspicion of rape.

He subsequently presented police with several versions of what he claimed happened  including how he had attempted to have intercourse with the girl after she instigated sexual activity  which were rejected by the jury.

Judge Miller said he had given careful consideration to reports regarding the victim, which revealed she was a young woman who has been scarred by many life-experiences, before and aside from the rape.

Also taken into consideration by the Judge was Burbulas background which he said included a difficult childhood, his move to Northern Ireland in 2017 and his clear criminal record.

The Judge added that, despite his conviction, Burbulas continues to deny the offence which he said indicated a lack of remorse.

As well as jailing Burbulas and placing him in the Sex Offenders Register, Judge Miller also made him the subject of a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

Speaking after sentence was passed, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Hedley of the PSNI said: Deividas Burbulas acted callously in his actions, with total disregard to consent of the victim, leaving her shaken and with undoubtedly long-lasting trauma.

There is no defence for disregarding sexual consent. If you take advantage of someone the way Deividas Burbulas did, you are committing a crime and detectives will work hard to bring you before the courts to answer for your crimes.

We would like to commend the young woman for her bravery in coming forward and throughout the investigation and trial process. Your courage should be commended.

As a Police Service we urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report to us. We take every report seriously and treat anyone who comes forward with sensitivity and respect.
Sentences imposed on two men for abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl were not unduly lenient, the Court of Appeal ruled today.

Senior judges in Belfast rejected attempts by the Public Prosecution Service to have Gerard McKenna, 31, and Paul Sheridan, 26, serve longer periods behind bars.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan held that the prison terms they received were within the appropriate range for the offences.

She said: Whilst this court understands the concerns raised in what is a disturbing case, we cannot say that the sentence meets the high test for undue lenience.

In October last year the pair were jailed for the abduction and rape of the vulnerable girl at a beauty spot outside Belfast.

She was attacked on the Lagan towpath near Lisburn while with a 15-year-old friend two days before Christmas in 2019.

A jury heard the girls had been plied with vodka and offered cocaine during the incident.

Sheridan, from Hillfoot Crescent in Ballynahinch, pleaded guilty to rape, sexual assault and child abduction.

He received a sentence of six and a half years.

McKenna, originally from the Whiterock area of west Belfast, protested his innocence at trial.

But following conviction for rape, sexual assault, child abduction, offering to supply a Class A drug and sexual touching of the other girl, he was handed a nine-year prison term.

The PPS referred both sentences to the Court of Appeal, claiming they were unduly lenient.

But Dame Siobhan said the trial judge was uniquely placed to assess all relevant aggravating and mitigating factors.

She acknowledged it was a difficult case which engendered strong emotions because of the vulnerability of the victims.

This type of offending is also deprecated by our society and so there is a deterrent aspect to any sentence imposed, the Chief Justice said.

However (they) were imposed by a highly experienced criminal judge with considerable care in a manner which we cannot criticise.

Despite describing McKennas nine-year term as lenient, she added: Whilst at the lowest possible end of the range, the sentence was within the range open to the judge.

With both offenders designated as dangerous, Dame Siobhan also highlighted how they may end up serving more time in jail under the terms of their extended custodial sentences.

Any release on licence during that period will involve a risk assessment by the Parole Commissioners.

Dismissing the PPS reference, the Chief Justice reiterated: Lengthy extended custodial sentences have been applied in this case to reflect societys abhorrence of such crimes and to deter those who offend in this way.
A new report from educational researchers has said that the cuts currently being suffered in education will cause irreversible harm.

Experts from Ulster University, Queens University and Stranmillis College have called for an immediate end to the reliance on civil servants to make key policy decisions.

Over the last few weeks, several major support schemes have been ended by the Education Authority as it bids to cut costs in line with the 2023/24 budget imposed by he Secretary of State in the absence of an Executive.

The report said that cuts are being made with minimal input from the UK Government and little say from Northern Irelands own elected representatives, and that it is undermining the principle of political accountability and public sector equalities duties.

The authors paint a devastating picture of how the cuts will impact the most disadvantaged children and young people with short-term savings dwarfed by the costs of poverty, deprivation, and mental health issues.

But it continued: The removal of, or deep cuts to, schemes such as those to alleviate holiday hunger, period poverty and digital inequalities, as well as to initiatives to support childrens mental wellbeing and reduce the pandemic learning gap, undermines the realisation of the recommendations made in A Fair Start, published in June 2021 and providing a fully costed roadmap to closing the educational attainment gap.

The report suggests that the situation for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is particularly severe.

The Education Authoritys budget for the transformation of the SEN system is due to be cut by 50% despite the 24% increase in the number of children with statements over the past five years it said.

Cuts will have an unfair cumulative impact on groups which are already disadvantaged. There is a clear and unequivocal breach of educational rights.

Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick of Ulster University convened the group of researchers.

The loss of holiday hunger payments will cause significant harm to children and their families, and there will undoubtedly be children who will not receive the nutrition they need to thrive, she said. The high costs of school uniforms will add further stress to finances that are stretched to the limit.

Professor Noel Purdy of Stranmillis University College, lead author of A Fair Start, said education was facing a catastrophic situation.

The cuts will further exacerbate educational underachievement for those children already identified as having persistent low attainment rates, including children entitled to free school meals, ethnic minority children and children in care, he said.

The special educational needs system is on its knees and is failing to ensure appropriate access to education for the most vulnerable children in our society. Unless we see urgent transformation, policy progression and real investment, the system faces collapse.
Boris Johnson applied as a Daily Mail columnist without even asking ACOBA (Advisory Committee on Business Appointments) first.

Earlier this June, the Daily Mail, a British newspaper company, announced that the former prime minister decided to become one of its columnists.

The main issue here is Johnson only asked for ACOBA's advice 30 minutes after the Daily Mail published his new column on Twitter. Because of this, the U.K. watchdog is now accusing Boris Johnson of a "clear and unambiguous breach" of its rules.

Boris Johnson Applies as Daily Mail Columnist!

According to The Independent UK's latest report, Boris Johnson becoming a Daily Mail columnist is a clear sign that an urgent reform for the "good chaps" approach to ministerial jobs should be conducted.

Read Also: White House Slams Harassment of Muslim Journalist After Questioning Indian PM Modi About Human Rights

As of writing, ACOBA requires ministers to inform it before applying for any job within two years of leaving the government office. However, this rule is criticized by many because it is believed to be lacking enforcement power and is too lenient.

Lord Pickles, the ACOBA chairman and former communities secretary, said that it is up to the U.K. government to take action against Johnson's new job as a columnist.

"I suggest that you take into consideration the low-risk nature of the appointment itself and the need to reform the system to deal with roles in proportion to the risks posed," he explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said that there must be sanctions for those breaching ACOBA's rules.

"They were designed to offer guidance when 'good chaps' could be expected to observe the letter and spirit of the rules," said the official via The Guardian.

Boris Johnson's Daily Mail Articles

The former U.K. prime minister is already raising eyebrows after writing an article for the Daily Mail. In his content, he shared his experience with a weight-loss drug. Aside from this, he also wrote about the OceanGate Titan submersible incident.

As of writing, it is still unclear what actions will ACOBA take against Johnson's rule-breaking job application on the Daily Mail.

If you want to learn more about the latest issue of Boris, you can click here.

Related Article: UK Parliament Supports Condemning Report on Boris Johnson's Partygate

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Families of children with complex needs in tears as they highlight next term uncertainty

Parents of children still waiting for places in special education nursery and primary schools have made an emotional plea for support at Stormont.

The parents, who have all had children in early years support through Mencaps Childrens Centre, fear they will have to give up jobs to look after their children at home.

Its understood a meeting has been arranged for later this week with a view to progressing legal action against the Department and the Education Authority over the failure to place their children unless there is significant change during this week.

Of 52 children supported by Mencap due to go to school or nursery next year, 47 have no place while the remainder have had no option but to chose a mainstream setting, even if that place will not be suitable for their requirements.

The parents at Stormont represented only a handful of 800 families left waiting for places across Northern Ireland.

MLAs are due to hold a crisis meeting with the Education Authority on Tuesday.

Victoria Biners son Aaronn is non-verbal, has a specific learning disability, and an autism diagnosis pending.

She said: I lay at night watching my son sleep and my heart breaks for him.

He has a basic human right to an education without having to battle for it, but thats the reality. Our children need help.

Stressed parents make emotional plea at Stormont over lack of places in special schools

Mum-of-four Laura Lagan Houtman explained the effect the situation is having on family life.

Her daughter Anna Rose (3) has Downs syndrome, global development delays and sever learning disability.

She has been with Mencap for the last year and there has been an incredible amount of work done.

She has complex needs and they can only be met in an appropriate classroom setting with an appropriate classroom assistant. This is now June 26. In three days schools will be closing for the summer and we will have eight weeks of not knowing.

Im currently on maternity leave. Im due to go back on July 5. We have no family support. We rely on wraparound after-school care for our children. I have to tell the creche who will be picking her up in September and I cant as I dont know where shes going. Its impossible and there are no answers coming.

Ive already reduced my job to a three-day week, she added. Im looking at taking a career break. It shouldnt be like this. Why do I have to fight?"

Laura Lagan Houtman from Belfast

The parents said they have received no guarantees that any place, should they receive one, will provide the necessary specialist care.

The emergency meeting was called by Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl, with many parents left in tears as they told MLAs of the difficulties they are facing.

Curtis Coates and Robyn Stevenson said their son Lucas, who has significant complex needs, received an offer from a school only to be told the Education Authority couldnt guarantee the place.

We started this process in January and we still have no idea where Lucas will be in September when he is due to start nursery, and even though we were offered a place that would have been suitable for him by a school, but then the Education Authority said that it could not be confirmed, said Curtis.

We are now hearing that there may not be any places at all for him, as the ones that could be available would be at schools that would be entirely unsuitable.

It feels like SEN parents are constantly having to fight for the basic rights of our children. Its clear there is discrimination. We should have known on April 28 where Lucas was going, like every other parent.

Kate Nicholl MLA said: The key message that came to me from the parents was that it felt discriminatory for them, it wouldnt be an option in mainstream schools to stop nursery places and these are children that need more help than anyone and we need to amplify their needs and do what we can for them.

The distress that this is causing cant be underestimated. These are the most vulnerable children and this is not a party political issue.

There has been a failure from the beginning. We need at least two more special schools in Belfast alone. There is an increase in complex needs, 800 children need places and you wouldnt expect a child from a mainstream school to go to a SEN school. Why should the opposite be okay?

The Education Authority said: Supporting children with SEN and ensuring all children with statements receive a placement which fully meets their needs remains a top priority for the Education Authority (EA).

We absolutely recognise that this is an extremely anxious time for those parents and children waiting for the confirmation of a school place.

The EA is working to ensure all children will be placed appropriately as soon as possible and fully understands the importance of keeping parents informed of progress regarding their childs school placement.

The EA has also promised it will be in contact with all parents of pupils awaiting placement by the week beginning June 26 2023 at the latest.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident

The seizure of more than 10m illegal cigarettes at Belfast port has stopped the streets becoming flooded with them, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has said.

A total of 10.8m cigarettes  understood to be worth around 5.3m in unpaid taxes  were seized by HMRC, working alongside Border Force, at Belfast port on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

The cigarettes were found packed in cardboard boxes inside a container that had been scanned by Border Force.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident.

Lucie Irving, assistant director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, said cheap cigarettes come at a cost.

They often fund organised crime and other illegal activity that causes real harm to our communities, such as drugs, guns and human trafficking, Ms Irving 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.

We urge anyone with information about cigarette fraud to contact HMRC online.

Search Report fraud HMRC on gov.uk and complete our online form.

Darren Brabon, assistant director of Border Force Northern Ireland Command, said illicit cigarettes were dangerous, harmful and fund organised criminal gangs.

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, Mr Brabon said.

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.
Daughters despair over getting body of 60-year-old home

A Co Antrim woman whose mother died in Sierra Leone has said she is livid and totally disgusted with the British Embassys handling of the situation.

Julie Shardlow said her family is living a nightmare because they are unable to get their mothers body home after she died in Africa.

Ms Shardlow from Carrickfergus said her mum Iris Logan (60) had travelled to Freetown in Sierra Leone on May 20 to stay with a friend for four weeks. But she died on June 18, just days before her planned return.

Adding to Ms Shardlows distress, adverts for doll houses that her mother used to make have begun appearing on her Facebook page. Ms Logan collected and sold dolls houses, and up to seven posts have appeared on her Facebook page offering dolls houses for sale since she passed away.

It was suggested that her mother may have scheduled the adverts to appear before she passed away, but Ms Shardlow said her mother wasnt the greatest with technology, so if this was a thing that could have been done, I doubt very much she would have known how to.

Ms Shardlow, who is an only child, said she has been trying to get information from the British Embassy in Sierra Leone but so far it has been unable to identify her mother.

She described the embassy as absolutely useless and said that if she hadnt started chasing information up herself she would be none the wiser as the embassy still hasnt confirmed her mothers death.

After being told initially that a post-mortem was not necessary, she said the embassy has since informed her that a post-mortem will be carried out over the next 14 days.

Ms Shardlow told the Belfast Telegraph: Now I know its her, as the policeman Ive been dealing with over there sent me pictures of her belongings.

But you would think that the embassy would check again just to make sure its definitely her.

Im livid and totally disgusted with the way the embassy have handled this, then to so blatantly ignore me when Ive asked about the paperwork and asked about the death certificate multiple times is making me even more angry.

Im an only child. I myself have six children. Im trying to deal and come to terms with my mothers death I dont know whats happened to her.

There are so many unanswered questions and then someone from there is accessing my mothers Facebook and posting things for sale also you couldnt make this up.

The Foreign Office said in a statement: We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Sierra Leone and are in contact with the local authorities.

Last Friday, June 16, days before she was due to board flights home, Ms Logan had said she was feeling really unwell.

Ms Shardlow is questioning why her mother did not go to hospital, as there was money in her account.

Ms Shardlow heard the desperation in her mothers voice and insisted that she attend hospital for treatment, having no idea the conversation would be their last.

With no response to numerous text messages and repeated calls to her mothers phone, Ms Shardlow had a horrible feeling something wasnt right.

She used Facebook to find the friend her mother had been staying with and got a short message back which will haunt her which told Ms Shardlow her mother died yesterday, midnight and her corps (sic) is with the police.

In circumstances where a person dies overseas, several countries advise contact with a local funeral director to facilitate repatriation.

Julie said she had been in contact with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, which aids people across Ireland whose loved ones die abroad.

However, it has been unable to arrange any transport for the body as the authorities have not issued a death certificate.
The Queens University professor said there was ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment at the US detention centre.

Thirty men being held at US detention centre Guantanamo Bay are subject to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law, a Belfast academic who became the first UN independent investigator to visit the centre has said.

Fionnuala Ni Aolain  who is a professor at both Queens University Belfast and the University of Minnesota  has become the first UN investigator permitted by US administration to visit the facility, which opened in 2002.

Ms Ni Aolain has completed a 23-page to the UN Human Rights Council and told a news conference organised to launch it that the 2001 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that killed nearly 3,000 people were "crimes against humanity".

She also said the US use of torture and rendition against alleged perpetrators and their associates in the years after the attacks violated international human rights law.

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She praised the Biden administration for leading by example by opening up Guantanamo and "being prepared to address the hardest human rights issues", and urged other countries that have barred UN access to detention facilities to follow suit.

Ms Ni Aolain added that she was given access to everything she asked for, including holding meetings at the facility in Cuba with "high value" and "non-high value" detainees.

The Belfast academic said "significant improvements" have been made to the confinement of detainees, but expressed "serious concerns" about the continued detention of 30 men, who she said face severe insecurity, suffering and anxiety.

She cited examples including near-constant surveillance, forced removal from their cells and unjust use of restraints.

"I observed that after two decades of custody, the suffering of those detained is profound, and it's ongoing," said the UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Detainees in a holding area at Guantanamo Bay (US Department of Defence/PA)

"Every single detainee I met with lives with the unrelenting harms that follow from systematic practices of rendition, torture and arbitrary detention."

Ms Ni Aolain said that for many detainees the line between past and present "is exceptionally thin" and for some "it's simply non-existent" because "their past experiences of torture live with them in the present without any obvious end in sight, including because they have not received any adequate torture rehabilitation to date".

She made a long series of recommendations and said the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed.

The US said in a submission to the Human Rights Council on the report's findings that the special investigator's findings "are solely her own" and "the United States disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions".

"Detainees live communally and prepare meals together; receive specialised medical and psychiatric care; are given full access to legal counsel; and communicate regularly with family members," the US statement said.

"We are nonetheless carefully reviewing the (special rapporteur's) recommendations and will take any appropriate actions, as warranted."

Ms Ni Aolain  originally from Co Galway  is also Associate Director at Ulster Universitys Transitional Justice Institute (Belfast).

She took up her role as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism in August 2017.

Her work has focused on the intersection of human rights and societal norms and she has written a number of books looking at that area of law as well as publishing widely in the fields of emergency powers, conflict regulation, transitional justice, and sex-based violence in times of war and theoretical aspects of transition.
Inadequate social security system and absence of Assembly cited as key contributing factors

New report sheds light on scale of food poverty in Northern Ireland as people turn to food banks for support.

One in six people across Northern Ireland has faced hunger in the last year due to a shortage of money, according to a new report.

This equates to around 354,000 people  around the population of Belfast and the surrounding district  the report by hunger and poverty charity the Trussell Trust has found.

Women, disabled people, carers, parents, ethnic minority communities, LGBTQ+ people, and those whove had adverse life experiences, such as a bereavement or domestic abuse. are among groups disproportionately at risk, the research found.

According to the charity, the impact of having a lack of money leads to worrying social isolation and loneliness, spiralling debt, and a decline in physical and mental health.

Interviews by researchers revealed that low income is a key reason people disconnect, as meeting up with friends and family costs money.

More than a fifth (22%) of people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trusts network are experiencing severe social isolation, stating that they have contact with relatives, friends or neighbours less than once a month or never.

The Trussell Trusts food banks provided almost 82,000 food parcels in the last year, a record number, which the charity said is worryingly more than double the amount provided five years ago.

The report notes that this consistent upward trajectory exposes that it is weaknesses in the social security system that are driving food bank need, rather than just the pandemic or cost of living crisis.

The research also finds this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Around 7% of the population of Northern Ireland was supported by charitable food support, including food banks, yet most people facing hunger (75%) had not yet accessed any form of charitable food support.

The landmark research revealed certain groups of people are more likely to face hunger than others.

Across the general population of Northern Ireland, 30% of people meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability.

These figures are much higher for people in Northern Ireland experiencing food insecurity (55%) and for people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland (61%).

One third (34%) of households include children under the age of 16. However, nearly half (48%) of all those referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland are living with children under the age of 16.

Similarly, 12% of people experiencing food insecurity in Northern Ireland, and 25% of those referred to Trussell food banks, are single adults living with children, despite this group only making up 4% of the population.

Only 2% of the population of Northern Ireland are from ethnic minority groups, but this rises to one in ten (10%) of people referred to the Trusts food banks in Northern Ireland.

Over a quarter (27%) of people providing unpaid care are experiencing food insecurity, compared to one in ten (12%) of those who do not provide care.

Craig Harrison, Public Affairs Manager for Carers NI, said these devastating levels of food insecurity among unpaid carers should be a loud wake-up call to political leaders and policymakers in Stormont.

It is atrocious that, in 2023, a group of people who are saving the public purse billions of pounds in care costs dont have the financial resources they need to put food on the table for their families, he added.

We have been warning for months that unpaid carers are being pummeled by sky-rocketing living costs and are now pleading, again, for their cries for help to finally be heeded. Relying on bit-part solutions from Westminster while the NI Assembly sits in silence is not sustainable when carers and other groups in Northern Ireland are going hungry.

The majority (78%) of people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland are in receipt of means-tested benefits, but this did not provide enough to cover the cost of essentials.

Jonny Currie, Network Lead in Northern Ireland at the Trussell Trust, said: Being forced to turn to a food bank to feed your family is a horrifying reality for too many people in Northern Ireland, but as Hunger in Northern Ireland shows, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Many more people are struggling with hunger. This is not right. Food banks are not the answer when people are going without the essentials in one of the richest economies in the world.

We need a social security system which provides protection and the dignity for people to cover their own essentials, such as food and bills.

We also need urgent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly to prioritise the policies that will protect people, such as the full implementation of recommendations from the reviews of welfare mitigations and discretionary support, and the delivery of an anti-poverty strategy.

The research finds the vast majority of people facing hunger (82%) and people referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network (89%) are in debt, compared to 58% of the general population.

Paid work does not always protect people from having to use food banks.

One in five people across the UK forced to turn to food banks in the Trussell Trust network are in a working household. Just under a third (30%) of people in work who have had to use a food bank have insecure job, such as zero hours contracts or agency work.

The report also sheds light on the feelings of shame and stigma attached to being forced to need charitable food support.

Despite the vast majority (95%) saying they were treated with dignity and respect at food banks, six in ten (66%) people turning to food banks say that they feel embarrassed while receiving support.

The Trussell Trust and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation are now calling on the UK Government to create an Essentials Guarantee, to enshrine in law the amount Universal Credit payments should be to guarantee that essential items, such as food and bills, are always covered.

The Essentials Guarantee level would be regularly, independently set and means that while claiming Universal Credit, everyone will be able to afford the basics.

Once this is set, reductions like debt repayments to the Government, or because a claimant has reached the Benefit Cap, should not pull support below this level.

Mr Currie concluded: Nobody in Northern Ireland should face hunger. That is why research like this is so vital. It provides the evidence we need to be able to change systems, policies, and practices, so that no one in Northern Ireland has to face hunger.

We know that if all of us work together, we can end the need for food banks. Its time to guarantee our essentials and create a roadmap to solve this once and for all.
Police at the scene of an incident in the Divis Street area of west Belfast on June 27th 2023 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph)

A man in his 30s has been shot in the leg in west Belfast.

He has since been taken to hospital following the incident, which occurred in the Divis Street area on Monday night.

Man in 30s shot in the leg during west Belfast shooting incident

The PSNIs Detective Sergeant Alexander said: "It was reported just after 11.05pm that a man had been shot in the leg.

"Officers attended, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and the victim, aged in his thirties, was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

Why does NI society tolerate paramilitary-style appointment attacks?

This shooting is a clear violation of the victims human rights. Everyone has the right to live their life free from the threat of violence.

There is no justification for this type of attack. Those responsible place not just the victim at risk, but also the wider community.

Police are appealing for witnesses and further information.
Northern Irelands use of prescribed medicines and the associated costs remains too high, exceeding 800m a year, the chief pharmaceutical officer has said.

Professor Cathy Harrison added that medicine costs here are the second largest single investment made in the health service, after staff.

The average number of prescription items a year is 21 per person, at a cost of 227. This cost is the highest in the UK and the volume of prescription items is still rising each year, she said.

There is an uncomfortable truth that manifests in the prescribing data for medicines. In Northern Ireland, we continue to use more of almost every type of medicine than other parts of the UK.

That includes more antibiotics, more painkillers, more baby milks, more nutritional supplements, even more oxygen.

There are a range of factors contributing to this situation, including an ageing population with more complex needs and deprivation levels.

Professor Harrison, in a blog to reflect on the 75th anniversary of the NHS, noted that underlying issues are multifactorial.

Research conducted by the Community Development & Health Network (CDHN) found a clear link between the social determinants of health and health literacy, and the ability for people to take their medicines safely.

The Department of Healths head pharmacist continued: The evidence in this research provides the opportunity to learn about how peoples everyday lives and social circumstances can impact on their ability to take medication as prescribed and inspire us to drive improvements in medication safety.

I am a huge advocate for the appropriate use of medicines and their role in helping to prevent, treat, and cure disease. Medicines are the most common medical intervention, and in all their forms, they play a vital role in health and wellbeing throughout our lives.

However, advances in therapies and medicines are expensive. Some new medicines can be hugely costly with many examples of treatments costing tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds per patient. In a service that is free at the point of access, this is why we need to start thinking and talking more about our approach to medicines going forward.

Professor Harrison explained that progress has been made to promote improved clinical prescribing and cost-effectiveness, such as good compliance with the Northern Ireland Drug Formulary and a generic prescribing rate of over 80% in primary care.

However, she noted that more needs to be done as the current demand for medicines creates a huge burden on our services, with pharmacies and general practices struggling to meet patient expectations.

Northern Irelands community pharmacies currently dispense over 43 million prescription items a year.

Professor Harrison called for more sustainable use around them, to decrease the carbon footprint and environmental risk that medicines currently create.

Considering environmental impact, medicines account for about 25% of carbon emissions within the NHS.

This is understandable if we consider the life cycle of a medicine, from assembly of ingredients, production, packaging, prescription, dispensing and consumption and finally waste disposal.

So where do we start? You may remember the old ad campaign You dont need a pill for every ill. That is still very true today.

A proportion of GP consultations and prescriptions could be avoided by the safe management of common, self-limiting conditions by individuals either at home or, if needed, with advice and/or treatment from a community pharmacy. This is just one small change in behaviour that could start to make a big difference.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2023 The Prince of Wales visits community hub The Skainos Centre in East Belfast as part of his campaign to end homelessness in the UK. The visit to the East Belfast Mission is part of a two-day UK tour which started in London on Monday. Prince William's charitable foundation is contributing 3m of funding to help tackle homelessness. Prince William meets with members of the public after the visit finished. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.

The Prince of Wales meeting members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 27: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. (Photo by Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty Images)

The Prince of Wales is greeted by Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle ahead of a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales with Grainia Long, Chief Executive at Northern Ireland Housing Executive, during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales is greeted by Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle ahead of a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2023 The Prince of Wales visits community hub The Skainos Centre in East Belfast as part of his campaign to end homelessness in the UK. The visit to the East Belfast Mission is part of a two-day UK tour which started in London on Monday. Prince William's charitable foundation is contributing 3m of funding to help tackle homelessness. Prince William meets staff in the centres cafe. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast

The Prince of Wales during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Prince of Wales meeting members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2023 The Prince of Wales visits community hub The Skainos Centre in East Belfast as part of his campaign to end homelessness in the UK. The visit to the East Belfast Mission is part of a two-day UK tour which started in London on Monday. Prince William's charitable foundation is contributing 3m of funding to help tackle homelessness. Prince William meets with members of the public after the visit finished. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 27: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. (Photo by Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 27: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. (Photo by Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 27: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, United Kingdom. The Prince of Wales has launched Homeward, a five-year programme delivered by the Royal Foundation, which will aim to demonstrate the possibility of ending homelessness. He is currently on a 2 day tour of the United Kingdom, visiting charities working to prevent homelessness in England, Scotland and Wales. (Photo by Tim Rooke -Pool/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 27: Prince William, Prince of Wales meets members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, United Kingdom. The Prince of Wales has launched Homeward, a five-year programme delivered by the Royal Foundation, which will aim to demonstrate the possibility of ending homelessness. He is currently on a 2 day tour of the United Kingdom, visiting charities working to prevent homelessness in England, Scotland and Wales. (Photo by Tim Rooke -Pool/Getty Images)

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 27th June 2023 The Prince of Wales visits community hub The Skainos Centre in East Belfast as part of his campaign to end homelessness in the UK. The visit to the East Belfast Mission is part of a two-day UK tour which started in London on Monday. Prince William's charitable foundation is contributing 3m of funding to help tackle homelessness. Prince William meets with members of the public after the visit finished. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye.

The Prince of Wales has joked he will be in trouble after hugging well-wishers during a walkabout in Belfast.

William made a flying visit to the Northern Ireland capital on Tuesday as part of his UK tour to launch his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

Despite the visit not being notified, crowds of cheering well-wishers gathered on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast to cheer the heir to the throne on a rainy morning.

After meetings in the Skainos community centre with activists around homelessness, the Prince crossed the road for an impromptu walkabout to greet the swelling crowds.

There were shouts of "good morning sir" and "welcome to the east" as well as the waving of union flags, with pensioners, babies and dogs among the crowds.

William laughed as someone asked if he had had a fry-up, before someone else suggested a battered Mars Bar, motioning to a nearby chippie. The owner, standing nearby told the Prince, "anything you want", to which the Royal visitor admitted he had a fry-up that morning.

He posed for photographs and laughed as one lady told him: "You're even more lovely in real life, so handsome."

There was more laughter - and an apology - when one well-wisher told him: "We thought Charles was coming."

Prince William's Belfast visit met with overflowing support and hugs

William joked: "I'll get into big trouble" after hugging Debbie Johnston, 57, before pressing on to shake the rest of the offered hands, adding: "Have a nice day, guys," as he got into his vehicle to travel to the next stage of his tour in Scotland.

Ms Johnston revealed that locals had spotted police cones and cordons being set up on the Newtownards Road on Monday night, sparking intense speculation around who would be coming.

"I knew something was happening," she told the PA news agency.

"Then someone said 'Prince William is coming', so off we went. I got a hug and a kiss from him, he was so friendly, I leaned over - I would have climbed over if I had to.

"He said he's going to get into a bit of trouble for hugging, but I said it'll be okay."

Sam Sloan, 59, said he got to shake William's hand twice.

"An absolutely smashing fella, a person of the people," he said, adding he doesn't want to wash his hand after getting that handshake.

"He's absolutely lovely, Princess Diana all over again."

Prince William made time for the awaiting crowds in east Belfast

The prince toured the UK with his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

William engaged with local initiatives in Belfast to address homelessness during his brief visit, and met with charity representatives from the East Belfast Mission group at Skainos community centre, where he was greeted by Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle.

East Belfast Mission (EBM) is part of the Methodist Church in Ireland and runs a number of projects to help the community across the region.

There he met with representatives from the NI Housing Executive, Belfast and Lisburn Womens Aid, MACS Supporting Children and Young People, Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation.

The heir to the throne 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.

Prince William made time for the awaiting crowds in east Belfast

The five-year project will initially focus on six locations where businesses, local authorities and organisations will be encouraged to join forces and develop "bespoke" action plans to tackle homelessness with up to 500,000 in funding.

Hosford House in Belfast has been recognised as one of the six locations, which has delighted East Belfast MP, Gavin Robinson.

"Hosford house has served East Belfast for over 20 years, providing key tenancy support to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, he said.

"Homelessness and housing stress is at an all-time high across our city, with waiting lists for social homes, increased rent prices and a reduction in the number of private properties available to rent.

This long-term commitment and investment by The Prince of Wales to support Hosford House is significant, giving hope at a time when homelessness is so prevalent.

The Prince of Wales is greeted by Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle ahead of a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness. Picture date: Tuesday June 27, 2023. PA Photo. William has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a thing of the past 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. See PA story ROYAL Homeless. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Grainia Long is the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which has partnered with the princes project.

She said it has the potential to be transformational.

Homelessness is not a problem to be managed, and it is not inevitable, Grainia added.

We are absolutely delighted to be part of Homewards, which will galvanise partners to prevent homelessness for the people we serve.

The discussion this morning with Prince William, members of The Royal Foundation and local partner organisations, confirmed that we share a real and a longstanding commitment to work together to improve the lives of those people who are struggling to find a place to call home.

We share the same vision and are all equally optimistic that we can end homelessness here in Northern Ireland."

The prince also visited Tillydrone Community Campus in Aberdeen as part of the second day of his initiative.

Known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, William was shown around the campus to see various activities taking place, including cooking classes, NHS services and nursery sessions.

He was joined joined by Homewards advocate, David Duke, who founded Street Soccer Scotland and Street Soccer London after playing for Scotland at the Homeless World Cup while sleeping rough.
The sentence handed down to paedophile ex-DUP councillor William Walker cannot be reviewed as it is not legally possible, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has said.

DUP MLA Edwin Poots said he was appalled that Walker avoided jail last week and asked the Public Prosecution Service and Attorney General to review the sentence.

Walker, who served as a councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, contacted what he believed were two teenage girls while posing as a 24-year-old man, and asked for photos of them in their school uniforms.

He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and three years on probation last week after he admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child.

He was also given a five-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order and told to sign the sex offenders register for five years.

Judges are bound by sentencing guidelines and must take into account mitigating circumstances, such as early guilty pleas, co-operation with police and remorse, as well as aggravating factors.

Mr Poots wrote to the PPS and Attorney General on Friday and told the Belfast Telegraph that he thought Walkers sentencing was entirely inappropriate for the crime committed.

William Walker at Downpatrick court (Credit: Pacemaker)

A PPS spokesperson said today that whilst sentencing is a matter for the judge, in certain types of cases the Director of Public Prosecutions has the power to ask the Court of Appeal to review a sentence if he considers it to be unduly lenient.

However, attempted sexual communication with a child is not an offence capable of being referred to the Court of Appeal under the Criminal Justice Act 1998 (Reviews of Sentencing) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Therefore, it is not legally possible for the Director to refer the sentence handed down in [Walkers] case, added the PPS spokesperson.

We will respond directly to any individual communications received.

Last week DUP councillor Glyn Hanna confirmed he wrote a character reference on Walkers behalf.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Miller spoke of the character reference, saying the author obviously doesnt know Walker very well or he wouldnt describe him as a man of good character.

Mr Hanna later told this newspaper the character reference was a very short note that contained nothing of any importance.

On Friday afternoon Mr Hanna said he had withdrawn his character reference.

He said: On reflection and after hearing the full details of the case involving Billy Walker, I have written to the court and withdrawn my letter relating to Billy.

I was misled and lied to by Billy but I was also mistaken to have written the letter in the first place.

Mr Poots did not want to comment on Mr Hannas decision to initially write the letter, but said his view on the matter was clear.

I can only speak for myself and where I stand on it, and Im very clear on that, he added.

I also am a party officer so I would prefer not to comment on Glyn Hanna because if theres complaints about it, then I will be one of the people looking at the complaints and that would be prejudiced.

But, in terms of where I stand on [Walkers crimes], it is entirely unequivocal. Older men should not be running after teenagers. I just think it was an appalling case of grooming and not to have a custodial sentence, to me is just not right.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is now more deformed than Reformed, according to Lord Alderdice.

The first Assembly Speaker and former Presbyterian elder hit out after the churchs ruling body was unable to agree to make plans to encourage more women into leadership roles on the same basis as men.

Saturdays motion at the General Assembly had also called for the church to explore what can be done to facilitate more women exploring a call to ordination in the future.

It has been nearly 50 years since the first female was ordained by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).

Research from 2016 showed that only 21 Presbyterian ministers were female out of a total of 345.

Lord Alderdice, who spent over 30 years as an elder and whose father was a Presbyterian minister, left the church in 2018 after the General Assembly decided that people in same-sex relationships could not be full members.

The former leader of the Alliance Party was one of the key players in restoring peace to Northern Ireland through the Good Friday Agreement, and was made a peer in 1996.

The Ballymena-born Liberal Democrat peer tweeted: Shrinking in numbers, vision, intellect, spirituality and generosity of spirit; PCI is now more deformed than Reformed. It is deeply sad.

He compared this to the instability in Northern Irelands politics.

It mirrors the political trajectory in NI, with the DUP replacing the UUP and the death of the kind of Ulster unionism it tried to represent, he said.

The churchs current policies are that women can be ordained as ruling elders, with responsibility for decision making in local congregations in the same way as men since 1926, and as teaching elders  ordained as ministers in the same way as men  since 1973.

The churchs book of the Constitution and Government states: To be chosen for the office of the eldership in a congregation a person must be a voting member of that congregation and a regular attendant on its ordinances.

It adds that women shall be eligible for election on the same conditions as men.

The code adds that both men and women shall be eligible for nomination as students for the ministry and for ordination on the same conditions.

However, in February, the churchs new moderator has said he is against the ordination of women even though it is church policy.

Rev Sam Mawhinney told the BBC it was a personal view and he respected the churchs stance on the issue.

I dont want to make it a primary issue, but it is something that I hold, he added.

In a response to Lord Alderdices comment, Rev Trevor Gribben, clerk of the General Assembly and the churchs general secretary, said: While acknowledging Lord Alderdices right to hold and express his opinion, I and most other people do not recognise his words as accurately describing the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

Giving his opinions on female leadership in the PCI, Rev Gribben said: The clear, longstanding and settled position of our General Assembly is that the Presbyterian Church in Ireland ordains men and women on an equal basis.

This means that in a local congregation both men and women can be, and often are, elected to the position of elder, he added.
There have been at least 700 reported deaths in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia due to hunger in the last several weeks. This is after food assistance was suspended by the United States and the United Nations, according to local authorities and experts.

After discovering a plot to steal donated wheat meant for the poor, the UN and the US halted food assistance to Tigray in March. Around one-sixth of Ethiopia's population or 20 million people, were affected when the interruption extended to the whole nation at the beginning of June.

Hunger-Related Deaths

Since food assistance was cut off in March, the Disaster Risk Management Commission in Tigray has documented 728 fatalities directly linked to starvation in three of the region's seven zones, as AP News reported. As per the head of the commission, Gebrehiwot Gebregziaher, the data was compiled with input from district authorities.

Tigray is in a really precarious state right now. Gebrehiwot said many people are losing their lives as a result of food scarcity.

In the northwest zone of Tigray, which is sheltering thousands of people who fled a two-year violence that concluded in November, 350 individuals have died from malnutrition. In the middle of March, US assistance workers visited a market in Shire, the largest town in the zone, and discovered adequate food supplies for 134,000 people for sale.

Mekele University in the regional capital has recorded 165 fatalities from starvation in seven camps for internally displaced people in Tigray since the stoppage of food supplies started. Over a hundred of these camps may be seen in the surrounding area.

A source stated that the majority of those deaths were youngsters, the elderly, and those with preexisting health concerns. He connected the fatalities to the cutoff in food assistance.

See Also: USAID Suspends All Food Aid to Ethiopia: Here's Why!

Accusation Against the Ethiopian Government

The recent war has left 5.4 million of Tigray's 6 million inhabitants dependent on food assistance. As a result of government restrictions on humanitarian supplies and widespread looting on both sides of the conflict, the UN has accused the government of "using starvation as a method of warfare." Aid delivery to the area resumed after a truce was agreed in November 2022.

Food assistance was stolen in Ethiopia, according to humanitarian workers who spoke to the AP News, which first reported the story. The US will not resume food assistance until they are no longer involved in the distribution process and stricter controls are put in place.

Ethiopia has committed to a collaborative inquiry with the US as the UN's World Food Program (WFP) investigates the disappearance of supplies in Tigray and other locations.

The US and the WFP continue to administer nutrition initiatives for women and children despite suspending food supplies. However, a shortage of resources has slowed them.

See Also: Ethiopian Airlines Sued for Alleged Tigrayan Travel Bans

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Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald tweeted to say she is recovering after undergoing surgery (Liam McBurney/PA)

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has revealed she is recovering well after having surgery in Dublin.

Ms McDonald confirmed she underwent surgery at the Rotunda Hospital on Friday but did not specify the nature of the operation.

In a social media post she said: Personal news: I had surgery on Friday and am now recovering well. I expect to be back in action in a number of weeks.

A million thanks to all the incredible staff at @RotundaHospital for your excellent care and kindness. Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir. Onwards and upwards.

A number of followers and Sinn Fein party colleagues took to her post to wish Ms McDonald a speedy recovery.

Read more Mary Lou McDonald confirms she would not attend IRA commemorations as Taoiseach

Earlier this month Ms McDonald indicated that she would not attend commemoration events for the provisional IRA if Sinn Fein becomes the biggest party in government.

It came following criticism around MP John Finucanes decision to attend a republican commemoration event in Co Armagh.

The Irish Times reported that while speaking to journalists, the Sinn Fein president said: For me... if I had the privilege of leading government I would be a taoiseach for everybody and I would act in a way to foster respect, reconciliation and understanding and never in a partisan way to give offence to anyone.

If I were taoiseach theres a set pattern of what the taoiseach attends and does not attend.
Dame Ann was best known for her work as a freelance contributor, particularly on the Daily Mail (Fiona Hanson/PA)

Dame Ann, who was best known for her work as a freelance contributor, particularly on the Daily Mail, reported on events including the Cold War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Born in 1941, in what is now modern-day Pakistan, she spent her early childhood in pre-partition India before returning to Britain at the age of nine.

She read English at Oxford, before taking a job at the Daily Express upon graduation in the early 1960s.

She reported from more than 70 countries  often in perilous situations  covering many of the most notorious events of modern history.

Working for various Fleet Street papers, she covered the trials of Charles Manson and OJ Simpson, as well as the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

Among the people she interviewed over the years were Muhammad Ali and the King.

She also won the British Press Awards Feature Writer of the Year in 1981 and 1989.

Speaking to the PA news agency after she was made DBE in 2007, Dame Ann said: I dont talk about great achievements  its just the old thing about journalism being the first rough draft of history.

I was on the East Berlin side when the wall came down and was outside the prison when Nelson Mandela came out. They were two good news stories.

I work a lot in the Middle East. I was in Salvador and got shot at a few times.

She added: The (late) Queen asked me how long I had been in journalism, I said 40 years  I said Im in awe of your stamina. She just smiled.

Dame Ann died in the early hours of Sunday morning. She is survived by her husband Michael Fletcher and her daughter Katharine.
Some 18,517 incidents of people going onto railway tracks and land without permission were recorded in the 2022/23 financial year, according to British Transport Police (BTP)

That is down 1% from the previous 12 months, but remains 14% above the total for 2019/20 which was mostly before the virus crisis began.

The number of incidents surged at the end of the first coronavirus lockdown, possibly due to people becoming used to crossing tracks as there were fewer trains running.

A fifth of reported trespassing incidents involve children.

Tuesday marks the sixth anniversary of the electrocution of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne who was trespassing at a rail freight depot in Northamptonshire more than a mile from his home.

Harrisons family have partnered with Network Rail and BTP in urging parents and carers to talk to their children about the dangers of the railways ahead of school summer holidays.

His mother, Liz Ballantyne, said: The summer holidays should be about freedom, and I always encouraged Harrison to go out and have adventures.

I taught him about stranger danger and to be careful around water, but I just hadnt realised that I needed to teach him about rail safety as there was no railway station near our village.

I learnt of its importance too late, but I dont want others to suffer as I have. Please sit down with your children and loved ones and talk to them about the dangers present around the railway so they know how to keep themselves safe whilst they are out having fun.

The death of her son has been made into a short film named Harrisons Story as part of the anti-trespass You vs Train campaign.

This highlights how electricity can jump, endangering people even if they do not touch its source.

Network Rail trespass prevention lead Louise McNally said: Harrisons Story has been a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that trespass can have, not only to the trespasser but also their loved ones and the wider community.

It is important that we share his story and learn lessons from it so that we can ensure that another family does not suffer as the Ballantynes have.

BTP Superintendent Alison Evans said: As the summer holidays approach we urge parents and carers of young people to talk about trespass and rail safety and warn them of the dangers of straying onto the railway.

We continue to share Harrisons story in the hope that it will resonate with others and make a difference.

The rail network can be a deadly place. Trespassing can result in devastating injuries or death. Please spread the word to stay off the tracks  it could just save a life.
Russian authorities said they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny ceased activities directed at committing the crime.

Over the weekend, the Kremlin pledged not to prosecute Mr Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though President Vladimir Putin had branded them as traitors.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison.

Mr Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has been treating those staging anti-government protests.

Yevgeny Prigozhins whereabouts are unclear (Prigozhin Press Service/PA)

Many opposition figures in Russia have received length prison terms and are serving time in penal colonies notorious for harsh conditions.

The whereabouts of Mr Prigozhin remained a mystery, The Kremlin has said Mr Prigozhin would be exiled to neighbouring Belarus, but neither he nor the Belarus authorities have confirmed that.

An independent Belarus military monitoring project Belaruski Hajun said a business jet that Mr Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on Tuesday morning.

On Monday night, Mr Putin once again blasted organisers of the rebellion as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies.

The media team for Mr Prigozhin, the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Prigozhins short-lived insurrection over the weekend, the biggest challenge to Mr Putins rule in more than two decades in power, has rattled Russias leadership.

In his nationally televised speech, Mr Putin sought to project stability and control, criticising the uprisings organisers, without naming Mr Prigozhin.

He also praised Russian unity in the face of the crisis, as well as rank-and-file Wagner fighters for not letting the situation descend into major bloodshed.

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, right, remains in post (Russian defence ministry/AP)

Earlier in the day, Mr Prigozhin defended his actions in a defiant audio statement.

He again taunted the Russian military but said he had not been seeking to stage a coup against Mr Putin.

In another show of stability and control, the Kremlin on Monday night showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including defence minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Mr Prigozhin had sought to remove.

Mr Putin thanked his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Mr Shoigu.

Earlier, the authorities released a video of Mr Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine.

It also was not clear whether Mr Prigozhin would be able to keep his mercenary force.

In his speech, Mr Putin offered Mr Prigozhins fighters to either come under Russias defence ministrys command, leave service or go to Belarus.

Mr Prigozhin said, without elaborating, that the Belarus leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction, but it was unclear what that meant.

Mr Putin returned to this theme in a Kremlin speech, his third in four days, to soldiers and police officers, praising them for averting a civil war.

He again declared that the army and people did not support the mutiny, but avoided mentioning Mr Prigozhin by name.

As part of the effort to cement Mr Putins authority following the chaotic response to the mutiny, the ceremony featured Mr Putin walking down the red-carpeted stairs of the Kremlins 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address a line-up of troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to deliver a speech (Sergei Guneyev/AP)

Mr Putin mentioned the casualties and honoured them with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said.

They didnt waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Mr Putins mention of the deaths comes amid angry statements from some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists who vented outrage about Mr Prigozhin and his troops not getting punished for killing the airmen.

Mr Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in an audio statement on Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because they were getting bombed.
President Joe Biden told reporters the US and Nato was not involved in the short-lived Wagner military coup (Andrew Harnik, AP)

President Joe Biden has insisted neither the United States nor Nato played any role in the turmoil in Russia.

A powerful mercenary group engaging in a short-lived clash with Russias military at the moment Ukraine is trying to gain momentum would seem like something for the US to embrace, but the public response by Washington has been decidedly cautious.

Officials have insisted this was an internal matter for Russia and declined to comment on whether it could affect the war in Ukraine as they look to avoid creating an opening for Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize on the rhetoric of American officials and rally Russians by blaming his Western adversaries.

In this photo taken from video, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his address to the nation in Moscow (Russian Presidential Press Service/AP)

Mr Biden said he held a video call with allies over the weekend and they are all in sync in working to ensure they give Mr Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or Nato.

We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it, he said. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system.

Mr Biden and administration officials declined to give an immediate assessment of what the 22-hour uprising by the Wagner Group might mean for Russias 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, Mr Biden said. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going.

In his first public comments since the rebellion, Mr Putin 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.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhins rebellion.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (AP)

Over the course of a tumultuous weekend in Russia, US 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 US only a bystander, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia, said that Mr Putin in the past has alleged clandestine US 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 US and Nato dont want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin, Mr McFaul said.

Mr Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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 defence and sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
The Pentagon is to announce it is sending up to 500 million dollars (393 million) in military aid to Ukraine, including more than 50 heavily armoured vehicles and missiles for air defence systems, US officials said.

The aid is aimed at bolstering Ukraines counter-offensive, which has been moving slowly in its early stages.

It was not clear on Monday if Ukrainian forces will be able to take advantage of the disarray in the Russian ranks after a short-lived rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner mercenary group he has controlled.

An announcement on the aid package is expected on Tuesday.

A Stryker armoured vehicle (Alamy/PA)

It would be the 41st time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that the US has provided weapons and equipment through presidential drawdown authority. The programme allows the Pentagon to quickly take items from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine.

Because the aid packages are generally planned in advance and recently included many of the same critical weapons for the battlefront, the contents are not likely to have been chosen based on the weekend rebellion.

But the missiles and heavy vehicles can be used as Ukraine tries to capitalise on what has been a growing feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military leaders, with simmering questions about how many of Mr Prigozhins forces may leave the fight.

The mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and moved hundreds of miles towards Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday.

According to the officials, the US will send 30 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and 25 Stryker armoured vehicles to Ukraine, along with missiles for the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Patriot air defence systems.

The package will include Javelin and high-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missiles, demolition munitions, obstacle-clearing equipment and a wide range of artillery rounds and other ammunition.

According to the Pentagon, the US has delivered more than 15 billion dollars (11 billion) in weapons and equipment from its stocks to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and has committed an additional 6.2 billion dollars (4.8 billion) in supplies that have not yet been identified.

The extra is the result of an accounting error, because the military services overestimated the value of the weapons they pulled off the shelves and sent to Ukraine over the past year.
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.
Big read: Secrets and sadness behind the facade of idyllic family life that led to one of NIs worst murders
Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo speaks to reporters in Pidie regency, Aceh province, during a visit to launch a program to address cases of human rights violations, June 27, 2023.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo launched a program on Tuesday to provide remedies to victims of human rights violations during some of the darkest chapters in the nations history.

The cases include some of the most notorious past episodes of state violence in Indonesia, such as the mass killings of suspected communists in 1965-66, the kidnapping and disappearance of pro-democracy activists in 1997-98, and the torture and murder of civilians by security forces during a decades-long separatist conflict in Aceh province.

These wounds must be healed immediately so that we are able to move forward, Jokowi said during the launch ceremony at the remnants of a building in Aceh known as Rumoh Geudong. At the site, some of the worst human rights abuses occurred during the militarys past counter-insurgency operations, but the building was razed last week on orders from local authorities.

I decided that the government pursue a non-judicial settlement that would focus on restoring victims rights without negating a judicial settlement, the president said at the event, which was live streamed on YouTube.

The conflict in Aceh ended with the signing of a peace pact between the government and the Free Aceh Movement in 2005.

Last year, a team appointed by the government identified 12 events between 1965 and 2003 as serious human rights violations committed by security forces across the countrys flashpoints.

Jokowis government has favored reconciliation and compensation measures to address the abuses. But activists and victims groups have criticized the government for failing to bring perpetrators to justice or providing adequate compensation to the survivors.

Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International in Indonesia, called the so-called nonjudicial remedy a half-hearted process.

This clearly does not absolve the state from its duty to uphold the victims right to truth and their right to receive full and effective compensation for their ordeal, he said in a statement.

Some of the cases have been investigated by the National Commission on Human Rights, but none have been prosecuted by the attorney generals office.

Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo meets local residents in Pidie regency, Aceh, province, June 27, 2023. [Courtesy of Ilham Cut Ngoeh/Government of Aceh province]

At the ceremony in Aceh, eight people, including victims of rights abuses and the relatives of victims, received symbolic certificates of remedy from the president.

They included Akbar Maulana, a high school student whose father was shot and wounded by security forces during unrest in Aceh in 1999.

My father went out because he was curious, then he was shot, Akbar told Jokowi while collecting a certificate on stage.

He said he was grateful for the governments support, which included scholarships from vocational to university levels and health insurance.

Another recipient was Yaroni Suryo Martono, an 80-year-old man who lost his Indonesian citizenship while studying abroad after a failed coup in 1965 blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party.

An estimated 500,000 people were killed in an ensuing anti-communist purge and supporters of then-President Sukarno were exiled following his ousting by Gen. Suharto.

Yaroni, who was 22 years old at the time, was enrolled at a high school in Czechoslovakia on a scholarship from the Indonesian government that required him to work for the state for three years after graduating.

I couldnt go back because they revoked the passports of me and 16 other friends who refused to sign papers endorsing the new government, Yaroni recounted to Jokowi.

Another man, Sudaryanto, who goes by one name, had a similar experience.

He was studying at a cooperative institute in Moscow on a scholarship from the Indonesian Department of Cooperatives and Transmigration. But he failed a screening test that required him to denounce Sukarno.

A week later, they took away my passport, and I was stuck there, he said.

He stayed in Moscow and received support from the Russian government to finish his education and work. He became a lecturer and dean at the Russian Cooperative University. He said he could visit Indonesia only after 2000.

Sudaryanto said he planned to become an Indonesian citizen again. I have grandchildren now, and my wife is Russian, but Im sure I want it if they convince me, he said.

Though he was astonished by the offer of citizenship, Yaroni said he had no intention of accepting it.

I never thought this would happen in my lifetime because it was historic, he said. Im too old now, but maybe it will matter for the younger generations.

Ahead of Jokowis visit to Aceh, human rights groups and Acehnese condemned authorities for demolishing Rumoh Geudong.

Acehnese saw Rumoh Geudong, located in Pidie regency, as a symbol of the Indonesian militarys brutality during its counter-insurgency operations.

A local official said the house was razed to erase painful memories and a mosque would be built on the site at the request of the victims and their relatives.

Aceh is the only Indonesian province where Islamic law is practiced and that has its own local political parties, due to an autonomy scheme granted in 2002 to pacify the clamor for independence.
Italy's culture and tourism authorities are on the hunt to find and punish a male tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent partner in the wall of the nearly 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome.

The name of the alleged man and his partner were "Ivan" and "Haley," as per the graffiti.

Video of the incident went viral on social media at a time when Romans had already been complaining about the influx of tourists to the Eternal City in record numbers for the summer season.

Italian tourism lobby group Federturismo cited ISTAT's 2023 data, saying this year is shaping up as a record for visitors in Italy, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels that hit a high in 2019.

Fellow Tourists Outraged

On social media, many commented how they saw the graffiti being carved firsthand and expressed their outrage on "Ivan."

"I was there and saw that too," one comment read. "The guy didn't even think he was doing something wrong."

"Rome (indeed most Italian cities I visited) are awash with graffiti," another comment added. "But it seems the graffiti people leave the historical stuff alone."

Society, during the height of the Roman Empire, has been characterized by vandalism after discovering period graffiti within archaeological sites. The graffiti in the Colosseum dates back to Roman times after drawings made by gladiators were uncovered during restoration work in 2013. There were also carvings of names drawn by visitors in the 1940s.

However, the Italian government prohibited further vandalizing ancient Roman sites within Rome and elsewhere in the country.

Read Also: Far-Right Alternative for Germany Party Candidate Makes History After Winning Election for Control of a District

Punishing Modern Vandals

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the graffiti "serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility" and hoped for his arrest.

Meanwhile, Italian Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche added she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned in order for him to understand the gravity of the gesture. "We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way," she added.

Previous cases of modern tourists vandalizing the Colosseum have resulted in fines of up to $20,000 or more.

A Russian tourist was fined EUR20,000 ($25,000) in 2014 for engraving a big letter "K" on the Colosseum's wall. He was also given a summary judgment and a suspended four-year jail time.

In 2015, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after carving their names on the Roman-era site.

In 2020, an Irish tourist was also reported to police for allegedly carving his initials into the building.

While the Colosseum and other Roman-era structures have been heavily vandalized with graffiti during the time they were used, archaeologists hoped high fines would discourage visitors from further defacing the structures.

Rossella Rea, the director of the Colosseum, said the large fines for graffiti carving were justified for damaging the structure. "You cannot write on a historic wall, it's absolutely forbidden," she said.

Related Article: Vatican To Release Evidence Related to 1983 Disappearance of 15-Year-Old Girl

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Muslim militants remain active in Central Sulawesis Poso regency despite years of Indonesian security operations, de-radicalization programs and the recent elimination of a group that had terrorized the populace, according to a report published Tuesday.

Authorities last year declared they had finally wiped out the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), a pro-Islamic State group that carried out deadly attacks for more than a decade, but Poso is vulnerable to the rebirth of radicalization because extremist networks still exist, said the new report by the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict.

Poso has a chance to leave violent extremism behind, but it will require more targeted interventions and a willingness to make corrections and improvements in ongoing programs, IPAC said in its report titled Militant Groups in Poso: Down but Not Out.

Some disaffected members also see the governments counter-terrorism measures as heavy handed, according to IPAC, a Jakarta think-tank.

MIT was formed in 2010 and rooted in a bloody conflict between the Muslim and Christian communities that left more than 1,000 people dead in Poso between 1998 and 2001. The conflict attracted Islamic extremists from around the country, who sought to establish a base for their insurgency.

MIT was also known for terrorizing local farmers and occasionally beheading them. In June 2014, it became the first militant group in Indonesia to pledge allegiance to the so-called Islamic State group.

In late 2015, President Joko Jokowi Widodo ordered an end to the violence in Poso, and the police and military intensified their operations against MIT, adopting a shoot-to-kill policy. Security forces also refused to allow burials of those killed in their home villages.

These tactics alienated local families and communities, who felt humiliated and discriminated against by the authorities, the IPAC report said.

IPAC argued that the governments focus on law enforcement has come at the expense of addressing the root causes of extremism in Poso.

The think-tank called on the government to increase efforts to bridge the divide between the Christian and Muslim communities, strengthen the deradicalization programs in place, provide more support to families of former militants and work with local communities to address the root causes of extremism.

Calls to mandate deradicalization programs

Meanwhile, Poso has one of the largest concentrations of released terrorism offenders in the country, and some of these individuals are likely to re-radicalize, IPAC reported.

From 2017 to 2022, some 26 ex-MIT prisoners from Poso who had served their sentences in full were released, and several others were expected to be released in late 2023 and 2024, the report added.

The report identified that potential sources of new extremist activity in Poso include high-risk convicts who will be released without ever renouncing violence or seeking clemency.

One such former offender is Awaludin, who was a teacher at an Islamic boarding school that supported MIT and who planned a bomb attack before his arrest in 2019. He is scheduled for release in 2023.

The report said some of the deradicalization programs run by the government, particularly by the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT), lacked clear criteria, evaluation, or accountability.

Some of these programs have created new resentment against the government among the militants who participated in them, who felt exploited or stigmatized, IPAC said.

BNPT officials could not be reached immediately for comment.



The agencys director, Rycko Amelza Dahniel, told a parliamentary hearing last week that the agency only had enough resources to handle deradicalization programs for 246 of 1,400 former militant inmates nationwide.

We have limited manpower and competence, CNN Indonesia quoted him as saying.

He reportedly said that the agencys budget had dropped to 431 billion rupiah ($28.7 million) this year, from 712 billion rupiah ($47.5 million) in 2016.

Rakyan Adibrata, a counterterrorism analyst, warned that Islamic militants could re-emerge in Poso if the government did not improve its deradicalization programs

They may not engage in terrorist activities, but they still have high levels of radicalism and violence in their views, the analyst from the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals told BenarNews.

He also criticized the anti-terrorism law, which does not mandate deradicalization programs for terrorism offenders, and said that a revision was needed to make them compulsory.

A revision that makes deradicalization programs compulsory will surely improve their effectiveness, he said.
Malaysian soldiers move into Kampung Tanduo, where troops stormed the camp of an armed Filipino group, in Lahad Datu, Sabah state, Malaysia, March 5, 2013.

Malaysia on Tuesday secured its third win against litigants who claim to be descendants of a former sultan, when a Dutch court dismissed a bid to enforce a multi-billion-dollar arbitration award against the Southeast Asian government.

Tuesdays court decision in the Netherlands followed similar victories in French and Spanish courts earlier this year, after a Paris court awarded nearly U.S. $15 billion in arbitration to a group claiming to be heirs to the former sultanate of Sulu, a chain of islands between the southern Philippines and Borneo.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed the landmark victory and dismissed as illegitimate the claims made by those who call themselves heirs to the Sulu sultanate.

The government of Malaysia is confident that we are now closer than ever to completely nullifying the sham and abusive final award  thus consigning the claimants flawed claims to history, Anwar said in a statement.

Anwar said Malaysia would fight the flagrant exploitation and abuse of the international arbitral system as well as take all necessary actions to recover the costs for the public resources that his country had spent in dealing with the claims.

BenarNews contacted the Sulu heirs legal representative, Paul Cohen, for comment but he did not immediately respond.

The former Sultanate of Sulu was centered in the small archipelago by that name, which is located in the far south of the modern-day Philippines, but part of it stretched into what is now Sabah, an oil-rich state in the Malaysian portion of Borneo island.

In 2022, a group of eight people claiming to be heirs of the last sultan of Sulu won the arbitration award against Malaysia from a French court, on the basis that the Southeast Asian nation in 2013 had stopped making annual payments to them under a deal dating to the 1800s.

In September, the group of claimants sought permission from a Dutch court to enforce the award in the Netherlands, Reuters reported. The Sulu claimants had sought to seize Malaysian assets in The Netherlands to enforce the award.

The Hague Court of Appeals decision to dismiss their lawsuit on Tuesday came after the Paris Court of Appeal earlier this month upheld Malaysias challenge to the arbitration award. The Paris court found that the arbitrator who ordered Malaysia to make the payment did not have jurisdiction in the case.

2013 invasion

In February, a Spanish court had nullified the actions of the same arbitrator and rejected the claimants appeal.

Another bid by the purported Sulu heirs to enforce the award in Luxembourg is scheduled to be heard by a court there in September.

Last July, Malaysian state oil firm Petronas received seizure orders on two of its units in Luxembourg, as the Sulu claimants attempted to enforce the arbitration award.

Malaysia stopped paying the claimants after a group of 200-odd armed members of the so-called Royal Sulu Force entered Sabahs Lahad Datu district from the Philippines in an attempt to take over the state on Feb. 11, 2013.

The 2013 invasion led to a standoff with Malaysian security officials that lasted more than six weeks.

Although the government of then-Prime Minister Najb Razak did not officially state that the invasion was the reason the payments stopped, he has often asked on his Facebook page why the Sulu heirs should be paid after what they did in 2013.

The claimants have denied any involvement in the invasion, and the group involved in the arbitration has condemned the attack, Reuters news agency reported.

Four years after Malaysia stopped annual payments to the Sulu heirs, the group of eight people claiming to be the Sulu sultans heirs, decided to begin arbitration in a European court.

In February last year, the Paris court ordered Malaysia to pay nearly $15 billion to the litigants, as compensation for failed payments since 2013. The amount included valuation of the land in Sabah and its natural resources such as oil and gas.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

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Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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Olivia Chow made history by becoming the first Chinese-Canadian to be voted on Monday, June 26, as mayor of Toronto, Canada's largest city. Chow campaigned on a platform of helping tenants, advocating for social concerns, and limiting the mayor's broad authority.

In her acceptance speech, Chow promised her supporters: "I would dedicate myself to work tirelessly in building a city that is more caring, affordable, and safe, where everyone belongs."

Defeating 101 Other Candidates

There were a whopping 102 contenders in Monday night's byelection, but as of 10:30 PM local time, Global News had declared Chow triumphant with more than 268,600 votes.

Former Toronto police chief Mark Saunders, current city councilors Josh Matlow and Brad Bradford, former Liberal provincial education minister Mitzie Hunter, and right-wing columnist Anthony Furey were among the other notable contenders the 66-year-old beat.

Chow's campaign relied heavily on the connections made by her late husband, former New Democratic Party (NDP) and federal opposition leader Jack Layton, and on her credentials as a former member of parliament in Ottawa and as a Toronto city councilor, making her an influential figure in the realm of progressive politics.

According to Reuters, Chow will be the city's first female mayor since Barbara Hall in 1997. In her last bid for mayor in 2014, she finished in third place.

She was elected mayor in October following the departure of John Tory, a conservative who had just won a third term as mayor. The married Tory resigned in February after admitting he had an affair with an employee.

Also Read: Mexico City Mayor Resigns to Launch Presidential Campaign

Pledges to Canada's Largest City

Shortly after her election, Olivia Chow pledged to make affordable housing her top priority as mayor of Canada's largest city. Chow will take office in less than two weeks, as reported by CBC.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve," Chow said on June 27, the Tuesday's episode of CBC Radio's Metro Morning. "I proposed to get sworn in two weeks because I want to get started."

When asked what her first order of business would be, Chow said that she aims to prioritize approving proposals for affordable housing. She hopes to collaborate with the deputy mayor and other council members to speed up the approval process.

To combat increasing leases, she has also promised to construct 25,000 rent-controlled housing within eight years.

The growing cost of living and the rise in violent assaults on public transportation have prompted requests for more police presence in Canada's financial capital. Chow will have to address that.

She had previously told CBC News that she intended for her mayoral term to be "people-centered" and to prioritize the restoration of essential services.

Also Read: Thailand Voters Overwhelming Support Opposition Parties in Defiance of Military Rule

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Mark Tully, left, and his wife, Lisa, pose for a photo with actor Michael Douglas. The actor and a production crew came to The Rusty Anchor Marina & Pub Club in Pittsfield last week to film a scene for his upcoming film, Blood Knot."
If Mayor Tyer chooses to defer the selection of the next chief, it gives her administration the chance to sort out once and for all the delicate issues of whether the city should stick with its residency requirements and civil service process. Study and settle those issues now so the next mayor can move swiftly on what should be a priority for city leaders: selecting a new permanent leader for the Pittsfield Police Department.
Clellie Lynch writes: "From our balcony spreads the lower part of the vila, white buildings, red roofs and distant hills. Birds are zipping by, swooping and chittering. ... One of the swallows has a reddish patch on the rear: a red-rumped swallow, new for us. Check! An addition to our lifelist and weve only been here a day!"
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For those who are willing to surrender their lives entirely to Gods purposes and love Him with all their heart, God will sometimes use them to be a part of world-changing events according to His plan. The Prophet Samuel not only wrote sections of the Old Testament, he was used mightily by God during an important period of Israels history. While he was submitted to Gods service at an early age, Samuel remained faithful to the call of the Lord, and stayed in it of his own volition. His life was preserved by the Holy Spirit, and his story can still be read in the Bible today as a source of encouragement, comfort, and important lessons.

Who Was Samuel?

Samuel was a prophet of the Lord who was born during the time of the Judges. His parents were Elkanah and Hannah. His father actually had two wives; Hannah was his favorite, but she could not conceive. Elkanahs other wife would tease and torment her because of this fact. Hannah prayed fervently at the temple for a son, and promised the baby would serve the Lord in the temple. After Samuel was born and weaned, he served under the High Priest Eli.

One night, God called Samuel three times while he slept, and Samuel responded in obedience. While he had served the Lord as a boy because of his mothers promise, at that time he chose to serve on his own. Eventually, Samuel would go on to judge the nation of Israel, to anoint two kings, and to prophesy for God.

Verses about Samuel

1 Samuel 1:4-7 - On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.

1 Samuel 1:19-20 - And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, I have asked for him from the Lord.

1 Samuel 3:10 - And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, Speak, for your servant hears.

1 Samuel 16:13 - Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 25:1 - Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah.

1 Samuel 28:7-21 - Then Saul said to his servants, Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.... He said to her, What is his appearance? And she said, An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe. And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.  And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.

6 Lessons from Samuels Life

1. God Has Plans for Each Person

God withheld a baby from Hannah until the time was right. Hannah kept her promise to God and put Samuel in place to follow the call God had for him. Even before Samuel was born, God had a plan for Hannahs sadness, and her childs life.

2. Theres a Reason Christians Practice Monogamy

It was always Gods design for people to be monogamous, but because of sin a certain level of polygamy was tolerated in the pre-Israelite Hebrew culture, and for a time after, culminating in the life of King Solomon. The life of Samuels parents is a good demonstration of the conflict caused by having multiple wives, as his dad played favorites, and his wife who could have children would make Hannahs life difficult.

3. Ministry Is a Calling, Not a Profession

In the life of Samuel, he received a direct call to service beyond that to which his mother committed him. His mentor, Eli, had two sons who went into service because of their lineage, not because they were called or because they wanted to serve God, and they were rebuked by their father and rejected by God. God calls His servants, and this calling should be taken seriously.

4. It Is Important to Remember What God Does for Us

When God saved the Israelites from the Philistines early in Samuels ministry, he set up a stone as a monument and a reminder of what the Lord had done, and called it Ebenezer. In moments of difficulty, or times when it is tempting to be prideful and forget that God is the source of all blessings, remembering the times God intervened keeps the focus and the credit on Him.

5. We Can Rebel against Gods Plans, but He Will Still Use It for Our Good and His Glory

Gods original design for the nation of Israel was for them to be ruled directly by Him. He would raise up judges during times of trial and difficulty, but it was chaotic, and Israel continuously fell into sin. Eventually they cried for a king who could bring them stability. Samuel warned them any king they instituted at that time would rule tyrannically, but they didnt care. God relented, but used the desire for a king to eventually set up King David, and the line that would lead to the Messiah.

6. There Is a Lot We Wont Understand on This Side of Heaven

One of the most mysterious passages in the Bible is when King Saul has the Witch of Endor summon the ghost of Samuel for help. When the ghost of Samuel appeared, the witch ran in fear because she did not expect it. No one knows whether or not this was truly the ghost of Samuel, an illusion, or what actually happened. There are many mysteries about the world and the supernatural that will only be made clear in eternity.

Samuel spent his life in service to the Lord, setting a great example for anyone who wants to live a life that pleases God. He was used for leadership, prophecy, and wisdom. For anyone seeking to understand how God calls every person uniquely and individually, studying the life of Samuel can clarify how that happens, and allow someone, in combination with prayer, to discover their calling.

Serving the Lord can come in many forms, since He has a unique plan for every persons life. God worked a miracle for Hannah, and her sincerity and integrity helped lay the groundwork for those same features in her son. God works through the generations, and ultimately His will is going to be accomplished, just like it was in the life of Samuel.

Sources

Alter, Robert. The David Story: A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009.

Steel, Robert. Samuel the Prophet, and the Lessons of His Life and Times. Edinburgh: T. Nelson and Sons, 1860.

Wilmington, H.L. Wilmingtons Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Everste

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.
Opposition leaders in New Zealand have attacked Prime Minister Chris Hipkins for carrying a backup jet on his visit to China this week, citing the additional greenhouse gas emissions that would be produced amid the climate crisis.

Dependability Concerns With the Main Jet

In a statement released by the Prime Minister's office on Tuesday, June 27, using a second aircraft was necessary because of recurrent dependability concerns with the present defense force jet. The plane apparently stranded several of the country's prior leaders during earlier international travels.

According to CNN, a spokesperson said that if the main plane transporting Hipkins and a trade delegation had mechanical difficulties, a "backup aircraft" was pre-positioned in Manila, Philippines.

"Given the importance of the trade mission, the long distance involved, and the large size of the traveling business delegation and media contingent, it was considered that a backup aircraft was justified to ensure the mission's success to our largest trade partner," the spokesperson stated.

From June 25 through the 30th, Hipkins will be heading a company delegation of 29 people to Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai to increase exports with China.

The prime minister's representative also told CNN that the government could save much money by utilizing Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) planes instead of paying for a private one.

Aircraft Failures on NZ Leaders' Key Journeys

Reportedly, former New Zealand prime ministers have suffered political fallout following aircraft malfunctions during important travels.

RNZ reported that in 2016, former leader John Key shortened his trip to India when the RNZAF Boeing 757 jet transporting him and his team broke down during a stopover in Australia.

After the computer malfunctioned on the 757 Air Force jet that was supposed to return then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her staff home three years later, they were forced to take a commercial flight from Melbourne to Auckland.

Also Read: Jacinda Ardern Delivers Final Speech in New Zealand Parliament, Receives Standing Ovation

Ecological Responsible Amid Climate Crisis

Chris Luxon, head of the opposition National Party, told Radio New Zealand (RNZ) that Hipkins' use of two aircraft was not ecologically responsible. "We have a climate change challenge, I thought, in this country - so sending an empty 30-year-old 757 following a full one doesn't seem a good move."

Right-wing ACT Party leader David Seymour made an assertion on Monday, June 26, on his official Facebook page that the additional flight would produce as much pollution as three round trips to the moon in a Ford Ranger.

"New Zealand's embarrassingly ancient Defense Force planes are so decrepit that the PM had to bring a spare on his trip to China in case one of them breaks down on a stopover," Seymour wrote. He deemed the decision to send an extra plane to be "wasteful" and "reckless."

Also Read: Wellington Hostel Fire: 6 Dead, Others Missing After 'Horrific' Incident in New Zealand Capital

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Respect. It is what we all want from others and what we hope to offer everyone in return. It is the belief that the other person values your opinion, morals, and understandings of life, even if it differs greatly from their own. Respect means to consider worthy of high regard; to have reference to, or seeing someone as more worthy than others.

Sometimes we can believe that certain people deserve respect more than others, like celebrities, employers, and even our family members. This can often cause issues and lead to conflict.

However in Scripture, Gods mindset toward respect is that He sees us all in the same way, loved and cherished by Him. And several times, the Bible mentions how God doesnt have more respect for some people and less for others, such as in Acts 10:34:

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.

This verse reveals that, although some may feel that God owes them more respect than others (think the Sanhedrin and those who based their faith on their works), God sees everyone equally and doesnt hold the lives of anyone over another. We are all sinners who have fallen short of Gods glory (Rom. 3:23) and are need of a savior, Jesus Christ, to be freed from sin and one with God.

Where Does It Say God Is Not a Respecter of People?

The situation surrounding Acts 10:34 was the apostle Simon Peter meeting with Cornelius, a centurion who was a believer of God. Cornelius had received a vision that he wanted Simon Peter to discern for him. His vision included an angel of the Lord visiting him and directing him to locate Peter to find out more of what his vision meant (Acts 10:1-8).

Peter had also heard from the Spirit that three men would be coming to seek him and that God had sent them (Acts 10:19-20). When the men arrived and announced they were from Cornelius and were looking for Peter, he willingly went with them and met Cornelius.

Cornelius began worshipping Peter upon his arrival, which Peter asked him to stop. Peter told him that he was just a man (Acts 10:26) and instead listened as Cornelius detailed the vision from God about his prayer being heard and his alms remembered (Acts 10:31). Peter went on to tell Cornelius that God was not a respecter of people but but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him (Acts 10:35).

This truth was to show Cornelius, and all those among his court listening, that God doesnt view some as above others but that anyone, no matter where they are from, is accepted by God if they fear Him and work toward righteousness. Whether its a centurion or a widow with two mites, God sees them the same way when they love Him and witness to others.

Keep in mind that this doesnt mean our works get us into heaven or Gods good graces, but that when we love Him, we will want to live lives pleasing to Him, instead of lives selfishly looking out for ourselves.

What Are Other Examples of Gods Impartiality?

Acts 10:34 is not the only example of Gods impartiality or lack of favoritism. The apostle Paul wrote about this truth in the book of Romans, stating that For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law (Rom. 2:11-12). He also goes on to say in Romans 10:12, For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Even the Old Testament lists examples of Gods love and appreciation for all instead of the select few. Deuteronomy 10:17 says the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 2 Chronicles 19:7 also mentions no partiality with God: Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.

These verses show that God doesnt look at people differently or give blessings and guidance based on who pleases Him most. Look at Job; he was very pleasing to the Lord, but God knew there was more to Job than even Job himself knew. God saw that he would stay true even if all the blessings were removed from his life. And just as everything Job worked for  even his own health  slipped through his fingers, he stayed true to God and was abundantly blessed for his faith.

What is revealed is that no one is more deserving of Gods blessings than another. We are all His children, made equally in His image and all to be blessed equally. God isnt impressed with your case that you should be given blessings that others have been, or will soon be, given, because He sees all as in need of His love, attention, and guidance, no matter who they are in life.

How Should We Live Knowing God Is No Respecter of People?

Ill admit that when I would read this Scripture on occasion, I would at first think that it meant God didnt respect anyone, that God didnt think anyone was worthy of His gifts or love. And with the ways our society views showing respect, often due to favoritism, it is easy to think that God could follow the same pattern of giving to some and withholding from others.

However, this verse clearly shows that God doesnt put anyone above another, but loves us and cares for us equally. This truth should affect not only how we view God, but how we view others.

God shows He loves us unconditionally, so we dont have to worry about proving ourselves to Him or doing enough to warrant blessings from Him. Even when we are the worst versions of ourselves, He still will bless us, love us, and direct us without ridicule. So, we should live knowing God already loves us, but it brings Him joy when we pursue righteousness, representing His love to others. We all are on different journeys that, when guided by God, will lead to blessings for us individually.

Now, some may wonder how this mindset impacts how we interact with others. Although we will have people we like or favor more than others (it happens), what God wants us to remember is to show His love to everyone. That means we value everyone the same way God does, worthy of His love.

Its not easy to do, loving people the way God loves us. But knowing that God doesnt hold anyone more valuable of His love over us should show it is possible to still love someone even when they are not being their best self.

Showing God's Impartiality to Others



Respect is something that all of us like to receive from others we admire and mutually respect. We go to great lengths to make sure we have their respect in order to feel we are important and worthy.

However, as the Bible shows, God is not a respecter of people, but loves everyone equally and directs us equally if we allow Him into our lives. It doesnt matter to Him if you are the richest person in the world or the biggest celebrity; God loves everyone equally and is more adept to add that unconditional, never-ending love when we seek more of Him and less of ourselves.

As we make efforts to love Gods people as we love and value ourselves, we open the door to God bringing more into our lives than previously expected. Thats a respect we can all appreciate.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Marchmeena29

Blair Parke is a freelance writer for BibleStudyTools.com and freelance book editor who wrote her first book, "Empty Hands Made Full," in 2021 about her journey through infertility with her husband. She previously worked for eight years with Xulon Press as an editor. A graduate of Stetson University with a bachelor's in communications, Blair previously worked as a writer/editor for several local magazines in the Central Florida area, including Celebration Independent and Lake Magazine and currently writes for the Southwest Orlando Bulletin. She's usually found with a book in her hand or enjoying quality time with her husband Jeremy and dog Molly. You can order her book at Christian Author Bookstore - Xulon Press Publishing and visit her website at Parkeplaceediting.
Offering a range of services, from early care to advanced evaluation and management

A dedicated campaign for complete care of bladder and other complications has finally resulted in the establishment of a first-ever dedicated Neuro-urological Department in the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in New Delhi.

According to Neuro-urologists at ISIC, there are a large number of cases where post-spinal cord in jury (SCI) surgery patients were never referred to a neuro-urologist. Internal research found that patients, who visited ISIC from other hospitals after spinal surgery, 90% of them had never been referred to a neuro-urologist.

This pioneering development features comprehensive and dedicated neuro-urologists providing urological, sexual, and fertility care for those who are suffering from spinal cord injuries.

Neuro-urology, a specialised field focusing on the nervous control of the urinary system and the management of urological conditions caused by neurological disorders, such as spinal cord injuries, underscores ISIC's commitment to comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for patients with spinal cord injuries. With the establishment of the Neuro-urology Department, ISIC aims to advance the field of neuro-urology and enhance patient outcomes.

The Dedicated Neuro-urology Department will offer a range of services, from early care to advanced evaluation and management along with counseling, education, training, and distance support to the SCI patients and their caregivers even during the longer-term follow-up.
FCB Africa, a leading advertising agency renowned for its commitment to innovation, creativity, and pushing boundaries, has made an indelible mark at the 2023 Cannes Advertising Festival. The agency's exceptional achievements included the appointment of esteemed judges and an impressive collection of awards, highlighting FCB Africa's unwavering dedication to excellence.

Tseliso Rangaka, a revered creative leader and jury president, represented FCB Africa as a judge for the Radio and Audio category at Cannes. Rangaka's invaluable expertise and profound contributions to the jury panel showcased the agency's depth of talent and commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio advertising.

Thabang Lehobye, FCB Africa's head of design, was honoured to serve as a judge in the prestigious Design category at the Cannes Advertising Festival. Lehobye's discerning eye and passion for visual aesthetics solidified FCB Africa's reputation as a powerhouse in the realm of design and creative excellence.

The agency's remarkable success extended beyond the judging panels, with FCB Africa receiving a shortlist nomination for their groundbreaking work on the GBV campaign for the Western Cape Government. This recognition highlights FCB Africa's dedication to using advertising as a force for positive change, addressing critical social issues and amplifying essential messages to create meaningful impact.

In addition, FCB Africa proudly accepted a Silver Lion for their exceptional corporate identity work executed for the Digital Youth ITC Academy (DYITC). This prestigious accolade reinforces FCB Africa's ability to seamlessly blend creativity, strategy, and branding expertise to deliver captivating and impactful brand identities.

FCB's global network has also garnered significant recognition, with 1 grand prix, 1 gold, 11 silver, 12 bronze, and 92 shortlist accolades. This remarkable feat underscores FCB's commitment to raising the bar in the advertising industry, consistently exceeding expectations, and never settling for anything less than excellence.

"We are immensely proud of the exceptional accomplishments of our team at the 2023 Cannes Advertising Festival," said Reagen Kok, managing director at FCB Africa. "These achievements demonstrate our unwavering commitment to innovation and creativity. At FCB, our motto of 'never finished' drives us to continually innovate and deliver impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences and drive results."

As FCB continues to raise the bar in the advertising industry, the agency remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence, leveraging creativity and innovation to drive meaningful connections and create lasting impact.

To view the winning work: https://www.fcb.co.za/our-work/




Brand Finance's Media 50 2023 ranking report reveals since CEO Elon Musk's takeover, Twitter's reputation has decreased substantially while Google remains the world's most valuable media brand for the third consecutive year and is the strongest media brand globally.

The Twitter brand has dropped eight positions in the Brand Finance Media 50 ranking this year.

This is largely due to Brand Finance research finding a significantly weaker perception of the brand causing a very large 11-point drop in brand strength, and subsequent demotion to a brand strength rating of AA.

Aggressive business approaches from Musk have contributed to Twitters brand value and brand equity erosion (brand value down 32% to $3.9bn).

Twitter customers and stakeholders have perceived large redundancies negatively, which compounds difficulties for the brand to retain advertisers and corresponding revenue.

The acquisition and privatisation of Twitter presented a strong and interesting investment case.

However, the positive outcomes that some anticipated for the Twitter brand have not materialised, says Richard Haigh, managing director of Brand Finance.

Brand valuation considers intangible and tangible assets, and Musk has overlooked one of the brands most important resources: people. Twitter needs to address issues surrounding its reputation and brand equity to return to brand value growth, he adds.

This years ranking of the worlds most valuable media brands is again dominated by consumer-facing online tech companies, especially in social media.

Google: most valuable media brand

The Californian tech giant, Google (brand value up 7% to $281.4bn), continues to dominate the sector with a brand value more than four times that of its runner-up, TikTok/Douyin (brand value up 11% to $65.7bn).

Googles healthy year-on-year brand value growth is the result of continued evolution and expansion of its services, including Google Wallet, Google Pixel and Google Cloud.

WhatsApp: Highest new entrant

WhatsApp (brand value $8bn) joins the ranking in 17th as the best-performing new entrant.

As one of the most popular instant messaging platforms, the brand boasts around two billion active users each month.

This past year, the end-to-end encrypted messaging tool launched new features to its services including features such as view once images/videos and online visibility.

WhatsApps sister brand, Facebook (brand value $59bn) sits in 3rd in the ranking. Both WhatsApp and Facebook are owned by the same corporate parent, Meta.

Google: strongest media brand

In addition to calculating brand value, Brand Finance also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance.

Compliant with ISO 20671, Brand Finances assessment of stakeholder equity incorporates original market research data from over 100,000 respondents in 38 countries and across 31 sectors.

As well as being the strongest brand in the US and the world, Google tops the media ranking, earning a brand strength index score of 93.2/100 and a prestigious AAA+ rating.

LinkedIn: Fastest-growing media brand

LinkedIn (brand value up 49% to $15.5bn) claims the title of medias fastest-growing brand. In connection with its improved standing as a recruitment and news advertising tool, LinkedIn grew significantly.

Globally, LinkedIn is building a very strong position amongst professional white-collar users as a dominant tool in this sector. First launched in 2003, the brand is growing strongly in part due to its integration with other Microsoft services.

WeChat: Highest Sustainability Perceptions Score

As part of its analysis, Brand Finance assesses the role that specific brand attributes play in driving overall brand value.

One such attribute is sustainability. Brand Finance assesses how sustainable specific brands are perceived to be, represented by a Sustainability Perceptions Score.

The value that is linked to sustainability perceptions, the Sustainability Perceptions Value, is then calculated for each brand.

WeChat (brand value $50.2bn), the Chinese multi-service super-app, is best-rated for perceived sustainability with a Sustainability Perceptions Score of 6.27 out of 10.

This, in part, can be attributed to Chinese societys prioritisation of ESG factors, deeming them crucial for economic growth and social stability.

Additionally, as part of the Tencent (brand value USD38.1 billion) family, WeChat operates under the same ESG model.

For example, in 2022, the parent company pledged carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as its commitment towards Chinas overall carbon transformation goals.

Every year, leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the biggest brands to the test, and publishes over 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries.

The worlds top 50 most valuable and strongest media brands are included in the annual Brand Finance Media 50 2023 ranking.

View the full Brand Finance Media 50 ranking here.
South African Breweries' Castle Lager Bread of the Nation has been shortlisted for the 2023 Dan Wieden Titanium Lion Cannes Awards category. The campaign became the only African initiative that the panel of adjudicators shortlisted.

Now, in their 70th year, the Cannes Lions Awards celebrated and honoured the creativity and inventiveness of ad agencies from all around the world.

This campaign, carried out under the Castle Lager brand, represents a ground-breaking approach to sustainability and community development through the repurposing of brewing by-products into highly nutritious bread. This initiative is born out of South African Breweries Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme, which was launched within the business last year, which seeks to minimise the impact of the companys operations on the environment and achieve zero wastage.

The Bread of the Nation initiative produced approximately 30,000 loaves of bread through the use of locally grown grains, making it an economically and socially sustainable venture. The Health Food Company, a bakery contracted by Castle Lager, was responsible for producing nutritious bread for distribution to the communities in which SAB operates.

Vaughan Croeser, vice president of marketing at the South African Breweries says being shortlisted for the much-sought after award vindicates the value inherent in this initiative.

We are delighted that we were shortlisted for this prestigious international accolade. The Bread of the Nation campaign eloquently gives expression to our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programme, which governs how we are working to fulfil our vision of creating a future with more cheers by integrating sustainability, responsibility and purpose into our business strategy and actions.

Our commitment to improve the communities we are a part of remains unwavering. We are proud to lead the way to that future and to be a next-generation business today. This accolade assures us that we are on the right path and emboldens us to work harder with a renewed determination to create a future with more cheers through greater shared prosperity, says Croeser.

The winner was announced on Friday, at the Palace of Festivals and Congresses of Cannes in Cannes, France.

The Titanium Lions celebrate game-changing creativity. Entries shortlisted needed to break new ground in branded communications with provocative, boundary-busting, envy-inspiring work that marks a new direction for the industry and moves it forward.

Ogilvy SA, the ad agency behind the campaign, along with the supporting partner agencies such as M-Sports Marketing Communications as well as Little Big Productions were the only African agencies to be named in the Titanium Lions' shortlist.
The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) will set up a fund to fight fake news and misinformation about the journalism profession.

Freedom Writer: My Life and Times, the autobiography of legendary journalist Juby Mayet Source:  The Reading List The Reading List The cover of

In the past communities and journalists worked hand in hand, today local communities have turned on journalists, but this is not a coincidence.

Speaking at the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards held on Saturday at The Venue, Melrose Arch, in Johannesburg, Sbu Ngalwa, Sanef chairperson quoted the example of Juby Mayet, legendary journalist, who worked with the community to help a mixed race couple escape to Eswatini (then Swaziland) from South Africa because of Apartheid laws that forbid mixed relationships.

Collaboration a thing of the past

Previously, under Apartheid, journalists and the community worked hand in hand but today there is a deliberate effort by corrupt and criminal forces to chip away at journalism and undermine the work we do by driving a wedge between communities and journalists.

According to a survey by Reporters without Borders journalists in 180 countries or two-thirds of the countries surveyed said that political activists jeopardised the right to information and worked to weaken journalism.

In South Africa the approaching election will be of the most important since our first democratic election, and as journalists, we must expect that political leaders will target journalists to shift the attention from themselves, says Ngalwa.

A time to fight

But, he says it is time to fight. As we continue to expose wrongdoing as journalists and we will find ourselves confronted by politicians. Fake news can destabilise nations and misinformation undermines democracy. So I argue that we must not stand back.

Sanef has resolved at its AGM, held on the afternoon of the Awards event, to set up a legal fund to help journalists fight against fake news and misinformation against them. Politicians must know that we will not stand back.

He adds that journalists are also facing increasing resistance from the courts to be allowed to sit in on cases.

It is important for us to come together, as there is a lot at stake and we have a lot of work to do. At the very least we need to push back, we cannot leave the lies unchallenged.

Not only must we challenge these who push disinformation and fake news, but we need to hold them accountable for the damage they are causing to our profession.

Definition of journalism

Standard Bank head of business, Simone Cooper says that the definition of journalists as a social construct of reality places a big responsibility on journalists to carry out their work with a higher purpose, ethics and a social consciousness.

This definition could not be more appropriate for the time we are living in.

But she points out that social media such as Twitter, TikTok and WhatsApp have fundamentally transformed word of mouth communication.

This has given those previously without a voice, a means to expressing themselves."

But she says, social media is not without its social undesirables and fake news. "However, it can be applied for good and as a complementary role to traditional news, broadcast and print.

Digital can bring about media freedom and diversity in the media, and to promote free and informative journalism as well as encourage debate. In a democracy the media plays a developmental role by telling the truth of those entrusted to lead, she says.
It's all about making the client experience simpler and better. Keeping it simple. And those dealerships who have nailed this aspect always enjoy customers who come back again and again. And let's face it, price transparency is the biggest benefit for clients. It just makes the buying experience better and without that unnecessary anxiety.

Sybella van Niekerk, finance director at Jaguar Land Rover | image supplied

With this in mind delegates at the Salesforce World Tour Essentials conference held earlier this month at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, in Johannesburg, which I attended virtually, got an insiders view of the recently announced transformation of Jaguar Land Rovers (JLR) operating model in South Africa to that of a direct sales model. Yes, there have been global changes on the JLR front but how did that impact its SA operations?

The conference provided a platform for an interchange of information and experiences among business executives who sought new ways to lower costs, increase productivity, and drive efficient growth for their organisation.

Among those invited to speak was Sybella van Niekerk, finance director at JLR South Africa, who played a key role in JLR South Africas transition to a direct sales model. The direct sales approach is a relatively new concept in the automotive sector where the manufacturer becomes more involved in the relationship with the customer throughout the vehicle buying process, including both online and in-person purchases. The dealership acts more as an agent to interact with the customer, while the rest of the sales process is managed by the manufacturer themselves.

Speaking as a panellist, van Niekerk said: The biggest beneficiary in this new way of doing business is the customer. As we aim to deliver a modern luxury purchasing experience, it is critical that we ensure transparent pricing. This was highlighted in a recent Deloitte study in which more than 50% of respondents listed transparency as one of the top three requirements when purchasing a new vehicle. And nowhere does this matter more than in pricing.

Through our new retail model, we are able to deliver consistent and transparent new vehicle pricing, irrespective of a customers preferred sales channel  online or in-person at a dealer - and regardless of which dealer the client chooses to buy from, she explained.

Van Niekerk also explained how the new approach has significantly simplified the buying process for clients. The entire buying process had to be simplified, which meant developing a brand-new online platform that comprised not only a catalogue of vehicles available but an ability to process finance applications. It also required the development of a clear blueprint for the type of personal experience a client would receive if they preferred to deal directly with a dealer.

According to van Niekerk, the new system enables JLR clients to view the automakers entire new vehicle inventory available nationwide. This includes the latest vehicles available in stock at all dealers. It is also possible to reserve vehicles set for future manufacturing dates and track the build commencement, production progress, shipping schedules, expected arrival in the market, and final delivery date, she said.

The greatest benefit of an online purchasing platform is that we can use data to develop customer intimacy, which will enable us to provide a bespoke and personalised experience for each client.

Until now, our focus has been on the new car market, she pointed out. The next step is to ensure a consistent client experience throughout the entire ownership journey, including aftersales and the pre-owned vehicle space. With input from our clients, we will continue to work closely with all our partners and dealers to ensure we achieve this ideal, concluded van Niekerk.

And there you have it. Keep it simple. A better and simpler client experience together with price transparency and you got a client for a long time.
South Africa's winter months present a myriad of challenges for the construction industry, directly impacting the efficiency of construction workers, increasing the potential for project delays, and creating logistical hurdles and numerous health and safety hazards.

Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation

As an industry, we are acutely aware of the problems that the cold weather brings, and each year we need to prepare and proactively address issues to ensure we dont go over budget, experience any substantial delays, or place our workers in danger, explains Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation.

Navigating the cold season in South Africas construction industry requires a keen understanding of its inherent challenges, from extended project timelines to safety concerns and other project disruptions which may lead to substantial financial losses.

Effects of cold weather on construction projects

Van den Berg notes that while South Africa may not often experience freezing temperatures, colder weather can still slow down various aspects of the construction process. For instance, concrete takes longer to set in lower temperatures, adhesives may not bond as well, and certain types of paint may not apply or dry properly. This can cause delays as work either needs to be redone or postponed until conditions improve.

Construction equipment and tools can also be affected. Lubricants can thicken; batteries can drain faster, and the risk of equipment failure can increase, leading to potential delays and interruptions.

Additional time may need to be allocated for site preparation and maintenance, such as clearing frost in the mornings or dealing with potential flooding from rain. Cold weather can also create slippery conditions, which may require additional safety measures to prevent accidents.

Worryingly, we may also see a considerable drop in worker productivity if the effects of extreme cold on the jobsite are not planned for and correctly counteracted. The cold can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and a sharp reduction in concentration, all of which can slow down the pace of work. More frequent breaks may be needed for workers to warm up, and tasks may take longer to complete due to reduced dexterity from wearing thicker clothing, he says.

Lastly, the winter period often has less daylight hours, reducing the amount of time in which work can be safely carried out  particularly for tasks that require good visibility.

Its essential for construction companies to plan and account for these potential delays in their project timelines during colder seasons to ensure smooth operations and timely delivery of projects.

Steps for companies to reduce cold weather risks

To mitigate the impact of colder weather on productivity and ensure timely project completion, industry leaders must proactively adapt their strategies to ensure ongoing productivity, safety, and operational efficiency.

For example, to counter the effects of cold weather on construction materials, companies can consider using certain substance alternatives that perform better in lower temperatures. It is also best practice to store adhesives, primers, and coatings at around room temperature before application, and to restore them to that temperature if they solidify during outside use.

Regular maintenance checks and using winter-grade lubricants and batteries can help to keep equipment running smoothly in the cold. Employing block heaters on diesel engines can also be beneficial in ensuring that vehicles start properly on exceptionally cold mornings.

Further employing outdoor heating mats on the construction site at key working points can help to quickly clear frost in the morning. Additionally, good drainage systems are essential to preventing flooding from rain. To deal with slippery conditions, applying grit or sand to frosted or wet areas can provide extra traction and reduce the risk of accidents.

Special care should also be placed on enhancing worker comfort on the jobsite. Providing heated shelters for breaks, along with warm drinks, can help to keep the workforce comfortable and maintain productivity. Proper winter clothing, including thermal gloves that allow for normal dexterity, can also help workers stay warm without hampering their ability to work effectively.

To maximise daylight hours, project planning needs to prioritise outside tasks during daylight, while indoor or well-lit tasks can be saved for early mornings or late afternoons. In certain situations, the use of additional lighting may be required to ensure the safety and quality of work at or around dusk, which often occurs earlier on winter days.

The colder season can pose significant challenges to the construction industry in South Africa, and even though we dont often experience freezing temperatures, its still important to be mindful of the change, says Van den Berg.
Sustainability reporting is about to be revolutionised thanks to the International Sustainability Standards Board's (ISSB) two new standards, which are due to be launched globally on 29 June 2023. Milton Segal, executive director for Standards at the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica), believes these standards will bring about positive changes and reforms in the way we approach sustainability.

A few days before the ISSBs global launch of the two new standards, Segal emphasises the growing interest among investors in sustainable investments for the long term. Investors are no longer solely focused on financial returns. They want to invest in businesses that prioritise sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, he explained.

The ISSB has been working diligently to develop these standards in the public interest. Their aim is to create a global framework for corporate reporting that incorporates sustainability measures, metrics, and disclosures. This framework will ensure consistency and comparability across different sectors, industries and continents.

The first standard, IFRS S1, will establish a core baseline for sustainability reporting. It will address important factors such as waste and emissions. The second standard, IFRS S2, will delve into more specific topics, particularly climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Businesses are increasingly realising that sustainability issues, like climate change, have a significant impact on their operations and future prospects. By prioritising sustainability and considering the well-being of their employees, investors, and the market, businesses can increase their chances of long-term success. This shift towards sustainability will create a level playing field for both investors and businesses.

While these standards bring great benefits, businesses may experience initial challenges in implementing them. Some organisations might need to invest in system upgrades and additional resources to meet the requirements, however, the transparency and comparability that these standards bring to Sustainability Reporting are commendable. The ISSB has taken existing reporting frameworks and adapted them to promote consistent reporting globally.

The successful integration of these standards into existing frameworks and systems will require collaboration and support from regulators and standard-setting bodies. Ongoing dialogue between these entities is crucial to ensure effective and efficient implementation. Chartered accountants in particular, with their expertise in reporting, controls, governance, and integrated thinking, have a vital role to play in this process.

Segal concludes: Organisations should view the transition to these new standards as an opportunity rather than a compliance burden. It is a chance to create value, reform reporting practices, and operate sustainably. The ultimate goal is not just reporting but embracing sustainability as a core principle. By continuously reflecting on the standards intent and incorporating sustainability into their operations, organisations can make their reporting more impactful and meaningful.

Saica, in collaboration with the JSE, will be hosting the South African leg of the global launch of the ISSBs first two standards on 29 June. These sustainability standards mark a new era of reporting and accountability, by providing a common language for businesses to showcase their commitment to sustainable practices for the benefit of everyone. Together, we can build a more sustainable future for South Africa and the world.

More information on the ISSB and the standards can be found on the IFRS website.
Mandla Ngidi has always wanted to be a lawyer: "Law profession has always been at the centre of my heart. Of course, when I was still young, in primary school to be particular, I was just in love with the idea of being a lawyer but not actually knowing what it meant. As I grew older, attending high school, I realised that is where my passion lies."

Mandla Ngidi, candidate attorney at Adams and Adams

Now, equipped with an LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Ngidi is ready to make his mark, starting as a candidate attorney with Adams and Adams. Here, Ngidi chats to Bizcommunity as part of our Youth Month feature about what being a lawyer means to him and the role of young attorneys in society today.

Tell us a bit about why you decided to get into law?

The law governs the world and our day-to-day interactions. I wanted to understand how the law fits into all the aspects of life, including business and economy, hence I decided to get into law.

What is the significance of Youth Day to you, as a young attorney?

Youth Day means young attorneys must be the light and the beacon of hope. We must, as young attorneys, live to inspire those who are coming after us. We have a society to build which is a shared responsibility; building that society in essence requires a full commitment from all of us. We must contribute to the well-being, career and professional development and assist those who come after us with all the resources to improve their lives.

What do you feel is the most important right young people have today?

Right to education and freedom of expression.

What is one of the liberties you are grateful for today that weren't available to, or were hard-won by earlier generations?

The earlier generation shed blood and lost lives for the youth of today to have access to opportunities like education. We are living in a country that is thriving to equality, and that is one of profound liberties we have today and that I am grateful for.

Older generations often comment that the youth today "have it easy", but it's not necessarily true. What are some of the challenges youth are currently experiencing that other generations may not understand?

The youth of today is struggling with employment opportunities. Youth is educated, but it seems there is no proper employment system or mechanism that will absorb the educated youth. This struggle is now seen as the biggest contributor to mental issues like depression, anxiety, stress etc.

Share one piece of advice given to you by an elder...

You must climb on the shoulders of those who are successful, follow them, look at what they do. That will push you to greater heights and to succeed as them.
Walt Nauta is one of the White House aides indicted, alongside former US President Donald Trump, for allegedly mishandling confidential documents. After his trip to Florida was disrupted due to storms, his arraignment hearing had to be rescheduled.

Arraignment for Walt Nauta

Nauta was supposed to be arraigned on Tuesday, June 27. But when he failed to appear in Miami, CNN reported that the judge postponed the proceeding.

Nauta's lawyer, Stanley Woodward, explained to the magistrate court that his client missed his trip because of the weather. Woodward said the man spent many hours at the airport attempting to rebook a ticket to Florida.

According to Woodward, Nauta still does not have a local attorney licensed to work in the Southern District of Florida. At a short hearing on Tuesday, the magistrate court informed Woodward that his client had until July 6 to recruit a lawyer licensed to work in southern Florida.

See Also: Donald Trump's Leaked Audio Discusses Sensitive Iran Document

Nauta's Ties to Trump

Nauta was in New Jersey with Trump in recent days, where he was scheduled to enter a not-guilty plea. About 8,000 flights in the US, including many in the Northeast, were either delayed or canceled the day before the planned hearing.

Six charges have been filed against Nauta as a result of his alleged actions related to the scandal on sensitive documents, including numerous counts of obstruction and concealment.

Nauta made his first court appearance this month alongside Trump, but he has not yet filed a formal plea since he was unable to get a local counsel in time for the hearing.

Meanwhile, Trump faces 37 felony counts related to the alleged retention of confidential materials and conspiracy to conceal those papers from both the government and his own counsel. He has pled not guilty to all of the accusations.

Prosecutors claim that at Trump's instruction, Nauta helped transport boxes from a Mar-a-Lago storage area to the former president's house. Prosecutors claim Trump intended to review the boxes before sending 15 of them to the National Archives in 2022.

But the prosecution alleges that in an interview with the FBI in May 2022, Nauta lied about the event, stating that he was unaware of boxes being transferred to Trump's property.

The indictment states: "Nauta did, in fact, know that the boxes in Pine Hall had come from the Storage Room, as Nauta himself, with the assistance of Trump Employee 2, had moved the boxes from the Storage Room to Pine Hall, and Nauta had observed the boxes in and moved them to various locations at The Mar-a-Lago Club."

Later, investigators uncovered video surveillance showing Nauta and another Trump adviser transporting boxes containing highly classified data.

According to prior CNN reports, Nauta altered his account after receiving access to the video clip. Upon hiring new legal representation, he also stopped cooperating with investigators last autumn.

See Also: Donald Trump Denies Showing 'Secret' Government Documents on 2021 Audio Tape

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Heightened scrutiny around mine operations throughout the value chain brings a renewed global focus on the safety of tailings storage facilities (TSF). Delivering a paper at a recent seminar of the South African Institute for Engineering and Environmental Geologists (SAIEG), SRK Consulting senior engineering geologist Hennie Booyens emphasised that 3D models are "not just pretty pictures".

3D geological ground models offer enhanced visualization capabilities. Source: supplied

The value of 3D geological ground modelling, especially in enhancing characterising of sites and effectively communicating subsurface site conditions, cannot be overstated.

A visual representation of the site conditions can often be worth a thousand words, said Booyens. These models should in fact be considered as powerful data management tools, especially as they can be updated as and when new information becomes available.

Addressing all aspects

His presentation, titled 3D Geological ground modelling: Practical examples of tailings storage facility footprint investigations, was delivered as part of SAIEGs seminar series on Engineering Geology in Practice.

It pointed to the importance attached to site characterisation by the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM)  not just during the various design stages but throughout the life cycle of the TSF. He said the engineering geologist plays a critical role in ensuring that adequate characterization of the ground profile is conducted.

Hennie Booyens, SRK Consulting senior engineering geologist

Our discipline ensures that all geological and geotechnical aspects are sufficiently addressed and presented, so that design engineers have a thorough understanding of the site conditions, he explained.

Engineering geologists typically conduct various levels of geotechnical investigations, in line with the South African Institution of Civil Engineers (SAICE) Site Investigation Code of Practice. These investigations take place at different stages of a project life cycle, from pre-feasibility through to post-construction and even remedial stages.

Planning for success

I would recommend working on a 3D model prior to the construction of the TSF, continued Booysens. This helps design engineers to understand not only the underlying ground conditions, but also informs them on the larger scale geomorphological setting of the site.

Using the example of a recent TSF project on a South African platinum mine, Booyens highlighted the critical importance of as-built drawings and surveys in elements such as the foundation footprint preparation and the starter wall foundation excavations. Logging and inspections along open excavations was also critical, as a larger exposure of the underlying material provides invaluable additional insight into the site conditions.

This example illustrates another valuable 3D model benefit. By allowing the engineering geologist to work effectively with all available data, they are better able to identify any gaps; these gaps then guide the planning of future investigations, which can focus on the identified areas of interest.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins went to Beijing Tuesday, June 27, to discuss his country's interest in boosting economic ties with China.

His five-day visit to China was the first since becoming prime minister in January. He arrived in China with a business delegation representing areas including tourism and education.

Hipkins said the focus of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was to reaffirm New Zealand's "close economic relationship" by supporting businesses "(to) renew their connections with Chinese counterparts" and "helping grow new ones to support New Zealand's economic recovery."

Prior to his visit, he described New Zealand's partnership with China as a "critical part" of its economic recovery.

The country officially entered a recession this month after its economy failed for two consecutive quarters. Officials also said China would be key to the country's post-pandemic recovery in terms of exports, tourism, and education.

Despite Wellington issuing critical statements about Beijing's human rights and foreign policy practices through its independent foreign policy, it has generally experienced less friction and friendlier interactions with China than with other Asia-Pacific nations like Australia, as well as other "Five Eyes" security partners like the US.

On the other hand, Xi praised "the great importance" of the strengthening of ties between Wellington and Beijing, saying Hipkins's visit was "very meaningful," Chinese state news agency Xinhua said.

"We will continue to see each other as partners instead of rivals," Xi said as per Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Earlier that day, Hipkins attended the meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Chinese port city of Tianjin alongside other foreign officials and joined a signing ceremony for four NZ exporters and their Chinese counterparts. He would also meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday (June 28).

Read Also: Chris Hipkins Takes Over as New Zealand's PM

Hipkins Slammed by Opposition for Using Backup Plane

Meanwhile, back at home, New Zealand's opposition parties criticized Hipkins for bringing a backup plane on his visit to China this week.

The backlash happened after Hipkins's office told CNN the second aircraft was due to frequent reliability issues with the current air force plane. A spokesperson said the "backup aircraft" was "pre-positioned" in Manila in case the primary aircraft carrying Hipkins and a trade delegation broke down.

"Given the importance of the trade mission, the long distance involved, and the large size of the traveling business delegation and media contingent, it was considered that a backup aircraft was justified to ensure the success of the mission to our largest trade partner," the representative added.

On the other hand, New Zealand opposition leader Chris Luxon said Hipkins's use of two planes was not a good look environmentally. "We have a climate change challenge, I thought, in this country - so sending an empty 30-year-old 757 following a full one doesn't seem a good move," he told Radio New Zealand.

ACT Party leader David Seymour claimed in a post on his official Facebook page Monday (June 26) that "the emissions created by taking the extra plane is the equivalent of driving a Ford Ranger the distance of a trip to the moon three times."

Related Article: Weibo Bans Finance Writers After Commenting About China's Stock Market; Foreign Investors Now Concerned

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U.S. slammed for "flagrantly contradictory" practice on Iranian issues

Xinhua) 11:10, June 27, 2023

TEHRAN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday slammed the United States for its "flagrantly contradictory" practice of requesting negotiations with Iran on the revival of a 2015 nuclear deal while simultaneously taking measures to perpetuate its sanctions on Iran.

Nasser Kanaani made the remarks in a weekly press conference in the capital Tehran, reacting to a bipartisan bill recently advanced by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives to make the 1996 sanctions against Iran permanent, according to a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Kanaani said the move proved that the U.S. is "addicted" to pursuing the policy of sanctions against governments of other countries, particularly the independent ones, and turning sanctions into a tool of its foreign policy, which is an "illegal and rejected" behavior.

Noting the unilateral sanctions would never produce results as the U.S. had expected, as they have so far failed to have any outcome, the spokesman cautioned that Washington must be held accountable for its measures against the Iranian nation.

The Solidifying Iran Sanctions Act was voted in favor on Wednesday. It is capable of making the 1996 sanctions against Iran, due to expire in 2026, permanent by removing the "sunset clause" that provides an expiry date for a measure against the country.

The bill, approved by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is heading to a full vote on the House floor.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015. Under the agreement, Iran accepted certain restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of the 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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Four NASA volunteers are already sealed inside a virtual Mars simulation as part of the CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) mission.

NASA's CHAPEA mission started on Sunday, June 25. It is the first of the three Mars simulation projects of the international space agency.

The CHAPEA mission is critical for NASA as it prepares for human exploration on the Red Planet.

NASA Volunteers Now Sealed in Virtual Mars Simulation

According to Forbes' latest report, NASA announced its CHAPEA mission back in August 2021.

Read Also: Firefly Aerospace Delays Launch of Batch of NASA CubeSats, Setting August Target

Its recruitment process began in 2021. Finally, the space union selected four volunteers who will stay inside the CHAPEA Mars simulation.

They will spend exactly 378 days inside the ground-based simulation environment of the Red Planet.

NASA said that the crew members would live within a 3D-printed, 1,700-square-foot artificial habitat.

Two bathrooms, private crew quarters, as well as dedicated areas for fitness, work, and recreation can be found inside the CHAPEA Mars simulation environment.

After this first CHAPEA mission, NASA will launch the second and third in 2025 and 2026.

"These long-duration mission simulations really bring Mars closer to us," said NASA Engineering Director Julie Kramer-White.

"They help us realize Mars is within our reach as we try to address the issues and challenges that will face us in these long missions," she added.

What NASA Volunteers Will Do

USA Today reported that NASA volunteers are tasked to experience CHAPEA's simulated Mars challenges.

These include communication delays, equipment failure, and resource scarcity.

Researchers will also carry out numerous experiments and other activities, such as robotic operations, habitat maintenance, and simulated spacewalks.

Here are the chosen CHAPEA volunteers:

Anca Selariu: A navy microbiologist.

Nathan Jones: An emergency medicine physician.

Ross Brockwell: A structural engineer.

Kelly Haston: A research scientist.

Haston, who serves as the crew's commander, said that they worked pretty hard to prepare for the CHAPEA mission.

If you want to learn more about these NASA volunteers and the ongoing CHAPEA mission, you can click this link.

Related Article: NASA Puts the Brakes on Lithium Mining at Site Used to Calibrate Satellites

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Mise en garde de la Commission europeenne sur la fusion prevue entre Orange et MasMovil

Mise en garde de la Commission europeenne sur la fusion prevue entre Orange et MasMovil













PARIS, 27 juin (Reuters) - La Commission europeenne a emis mardi un avertissement dans une communication des griefs a Orange et MasMovil a propos de leur accord de rapprochement en Espagne d'une valeur de 18,6 milliards d'euros. (Redige par Nicolas Delame et Zhifan Liu, edite par Kate Entringer)
Belarus's president Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed Tuesday, June 27, that Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived after landing at a military airfield near Minsk.

The mercenary boss's arrival in the country was part of the deal Lukashenko brokered between Prigozin and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prigozhin was also guaranteed to escape Russia without criminal prosecution.

The Belarusian leader's deal happened after Wagner attempted a "march for justice" to Moscow, only for them to turn back and leave Rostov-on-Don, which they had occupied for over 24 hours.

Lukashenko said Prigozhin and some of his troops were welcome to his country "for some time" at their own expense. He added the mutiny was the result of a breakdown in relations between Wagner and the Russian Ministry of Defense.

"The situation got away from us, then we thought it would be resolved, but it hasn't been resolved," Lukashenko told journalists. "There are no heroes in this story."

Experts have since speculated that Prigozhin's exile to Belarus was a trap for him and the Wagner troops accompanying him.

Read Also: Xi Praises Putin's Leadership, Downplays Wagner Rebellion as 'Internal Affairs'

Belarusian Opposition Calls Prigozhin's Arrival Dangerous for Countrymen

Meanwhile, the Belarusian opposition told DW Prigozhin's arrival in Belarus was very dangerous for Belarusian society and independence, as well as for neighboring countries Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

"It's very likely that Prigozhin will not arrive alone, but he will bring his mercenaries, thousands of people who were participating in the torture and killings of Ukrainians," Belarusian opposition official Franak Viacorka said.

The chief political adviser to Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya added the nuclear weapons recently delivered from Russia to Belarus could be used by either Putin or Lukashenko at some point.

Viacorka said Belarusians were shocked to know Prigozhin had arrived in Minsk, stating the opposition would think "how to get rid of [Wagner] as soon as possible."

Related Article: Angry Putin Accuses West of Sparking Turmoil for Russians 'To Kill Each Other,' Says Wagner Chief Will Be Brought to Justice

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
JAMMU (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 in Jammu, 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.


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Elon Musk claims that AI, specifically artificial general intelligence (AGI), is more profound than his Tesla FSD software.

He shared this belief of his after Twitter user Teslaconomics explained why FSD is the "most important, consequential software of our lifetime."

Not as profound as AGI, but certainly profound  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 27, 2023

"Not as profound as AGI, but certainly profound," said the tech executive via his official Twitter reply. Elon Musk's reply to Teslaconomics generated over 300,000 views, 2,500 likes, and 160 retweets.

Elon Musk Claims AI is More Profound Than Tesla FSD Software

According to Business Insider's latest report, numerous advocates claim that AGI models in the future could be as powerful as the human brain.

Read Also: Apple's Vision Pro Mixed-Reality Headset is Looking for a Chinese Manufacturer

This could be why Musk believes that his Tesla FSD software is still less profound than general AI.

Ever since ChatGPT and other advanced artificial intelligence models arrived, AGI became a very hot topic in the tech industry.

Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD) Beta is the most important, consequential software of our lifetime for the safety of anyone that steps in a car. Instead of bashing, fighting, and trying to slow the progression of this revolutionary technology, for the future of humanity, we as pic.twitter.com/g5j5KHax6B  Teslaconomics (@Teslaconomics) June 27, 2023

Google, OpenAI, and other giant tech firms are accelerating their AI development efforts in hopes of creating artificial intelligence systems that can think and understand how humans do.

Difference Between AI and AGI

Forbes explained that AGI is a more specific branch of AI. Although AGI and AI are quite similar to each other, they still have noticeable differences.

Artificial intelligence is a technology based on human cognition. This means that it can conduct tasks that can also be performed by people.

In short, AI is specifically designed to make human tasks easier and faster.

Meanwhile, artificial general intelligence is based on human intellectual ability. This is why it is usually called "strict/strong AI."

Many experts claimed that future AGI models could be as equally smart as humans. This means that it can make decisions and conclusions that are similar to the ones made by real people.

As of writing, there are now real AGI systems available in the tech industry. But, with the AI development acceleration seen in the sector, there's a chance that people will soon see an AGI innovation. You can click this link to learn more about artificial general intelligence.

Related Article: ChatGPT AI-Delivered Sermon Tells German Church Attendees Not to Fear Death

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Sinn Fein has accused the Government of creating excuses to not reform Irelands non-jury court, saying the annual vote to renew the legislation underpinning it was a circus.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has asked the Dail to extend the operation of the Special Criminal Court, to deal with organised crime and counter terrorism cases, for a further year.

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It will not be accepting an amendment by Sinn Fein to accept the findings of a review group to abolish the current provisions of legislation.

Ms McEntee said the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 was established as a necessary and wholly appropriate response to the atrocity of the Omagh bombing, the 25th anniversary of which will be marked later this year.

The legislation underpins the Special Criminal Court.

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In 2021, an independent group was asked to review the act, giving consideration to the current threat posed by domestic and international terrorism and organised crime, as well as Irelands obligations to the constitution, human rights and international law.

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The reviews report, published last week, did not reach consensus on all matters and instead compiled a minority report from two members and a majority report from the remaining four.

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While the majoritys recommendation was to replace the current Special Criminal Court with a new special court with additional safeguards and transparency, the minority warned that establishing a permanent non-jury court by ordinary legislation is constitutionally inappropriate.

Ms McEntee said that on the basis of the information set out in the reports, and on the advice of the Garda authorities, she called on TDs to vote to extend the court for a further 12 months starting from June 30th.

Ms McEntee was asking for an extension of both the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009.

Sinn Fein had tabled a motion to both acts while the Labour Party tabled a motion to the first motion.

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Kerry TD Pa Daly said the recently-published review had reached a similar conclusion to a previous report, that the two separate acts should be abolished and replaced with one piece of legislation.

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The DPP should be considered in every case whether measures can be taken to mitigate the risk of jury intimidation so that juries can be used more often in such court cases.

He said he could detect lethargy, prevarication and excuses layering over each other from Government statements on the matter, but would still hope that the review groups report is implemented.

Theres no commitment, theres no sense of urgency, theres no desire to grasp the baton from the review committee and carry it along to the final lap to legislation, to improve, to renew, and to modernise. And that suits the Government.

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Mr Daly said the annual renewal vote on the legislation was a circus and not ideal, and suggested it suited the Governments own political ends in creating this political setpiece every year.

He called on the partys amendment to the motion to renew the court to be accepted by the Government, which would accept the reviews suggestions for reform and end yearly votes to renew the Special Criminal Court.

In her opening statement, Ms McEntee said the amendment was merely another excuse from Sinn Fein to justify sitting on its hands once more on a hugely significant vote for the criminal justice system.

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As I have said, I have asked my officials to begin detailed consultations on the findings of the reports of the review group, she said.

I do not think it would be appropriate, given how we are dealing with pillars of the criminal justice system which have served us well, to give a commitment to legislation without full consideration of the issues.

A vote is to be held on the issue on Wednesday.
A province leader of the Christian Brothers has adopted a regrettable position in civil cases brought by two survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of former member Jack Manning during the early 1970s, the High Court has been told.

This week Mr Justice Tony OConnor directed Br Edmund Garvey to provide plaintiffs Thomas OCallaghan and Kieran Best with the names of every member of the congregation during 1972 and 1973.

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The orders were required, the court heard, because Br Garvey, who is named in the actions as he is the European province leader, has not nominated a person to act as a nominee in the proceedings.

The Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that unincorporated associations such as religious orders cannot be sued directly and that cases must be brought against the members of the order at the time of the alleged wrongdoing.

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A congregation can select someone to act as its nominee, but the Christian Brothers has opted not to do this. The decision means the plaintiffs have to sue all members of the order from the time of the abuse.

Jailed

Manning (87), who left the order in 1977 and had an address in Donnybrook, Dublin, was in July 2021 jailed for three years after pleading guilty to nine counts of indecently assaulting four of his pupils, aged six to eight, Westland Row CBS, Dublin 2. He admitted to the full facts of the prosecutions case.

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The four former pupils, now aged in their 50s, waived their right to anonymity following the conviction, so Manning could be identified.

Two of the four: Mr OCallaghan and Mr Best, are now suing Manning, Br Garvey as province leader, and the Department of Education seeking damages for alleged sexual assault, infliction of emotional suffering and breach of statutory duty, among other things.

The plaintiffs counsel, Conor Duff, instructed by Connolly ONeill Solicitors, told the High Court this week that Br Garvey has until now completely ignored correspondence from the plaintiffs legal team asking for a nominee or the names of every Christian Brother member during the times of the abuse.

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This was a regrettable position, said Mr Duff, who asked the court to compel Br Garvey to provide a list of names.

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Neutral stance

Counsel for the province leader said he was adopting a neutral stance on the application.

Mr Justice OConnor made the direction sought by the plaintiffs.

The same judge recently made a similar order in another damages case brought against the congregation over sexual abuse by Paul Hendrick, a retired Christian Brothers member who also taught at Westland Row CBS. Mr Justice OConnors order in that case led to the addition of 118 new defendants.

Hendrick is currently awaiting sentencing in the criminal courts, having pleaded guilty to the abuse.

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Mr Best, of Tallaght, Dublin, and Mr OCallaghan, of Ratoath, Co Meath, separately claim in their civil actions that they were sexually abused by Manning on a consistent and regular basis while in his class in 1972.

They allege the abuse occurred when Manning would call up the students, aged between seven and eight, to correct their homework and involved Manning touching the students private parts beneath their trousers.

They both claim there was an incident where Manning oversaw a group of boys running around the schoolyard naked and then towel-dried them and touched them.

Mr OCallaghan alleges his parents reported the issue but Manning was allowed to remain as a teacher. He felt incredibly uncomfortable and unsafe as a child in Mannings classroom and felt he had no other option but to leave school prior to completing his Junior Certificate, he says.

Mr Best says he often skipped school to avoid being in Mannings class. The abuse, he says, has had a profound impact upon him and he continues to experience flashbacks that have increased since the criminal court proceedings against Manning.

Their actions have been adjourned.
A campaigner against bogus medical treatments has won her High Court challenge against a District Court Judge's order not to post anything on social media which is abusive or offensive to any person.

Fiona O'Leary, who actively campaigns against pseudoscience and treatments offered to people with cancer, and autism, had challenged the condition imposed on her by Judge James McNulty at a sitting of Bandon District Court last January, on the grounds that it breached her right to freedom of expression.

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She had challenged the condition by way of High Court judcial review proceedings taken against the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On Tuesday the High Court heard that the action had resolved and that the DPP was consenting to an order quashing the condition.

Judge McNulty sentenced Mrs O'Leary, a mother of five, from Dunmanway Cork to 60 days imprisonment, which he suspended for two years, after she pleaded guilty to an offence contrary to section 13 of the 1994 Criminal Justice Act (Public Order) Act.

Trespass charge

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She was charged with trespassing on a property located at the Priory Maulatanvally, Reenscreena Rosscarbery, Cork in such a manner as to cause or likely to cause fear in another person.

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The prosecution case was based on a statement from a Fr Giacomo Ballini, and the court was informed that Mrs O'Leary had uploaded video footage taken on the premises to social media.

It was claimed that after she pleaded guilty Judge McNulty told Mrs O'Leary that she was entitled to her opinions, but that there were boundaries which are required for civil public discourse and debate.

The judge, it was claimed, also criticised Mrs O'Leary and told her that she had set a bad example to her children.

Rather than fine or sentence Mrs O'Leary to community service, she claimed that the judge imposed a 60-day prison sentence, which he suspended for a period of two years.

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The judge also imposed certain conditions including that she keeps the peace, and that for the duration of the two-year period she does not engage in any behaviour in any public place, or public forum, including social media which is abusive or offensive to any person.

Judicial review

Last month West Cork-based Mrs O'Leary, represented by Bernard Condon SC, with Conor McKenna Bl, instructed by Catherine Ghent launched High Court judicial review proceedings against the Director of Public Prosecutions. where she sought various orders and declarations including an order quashing the condition.

When the matter returned before the High Court on Tuesday Mr Justice Charles Meenan was told that the case was resolved, and the condition that was challenged can be quashed.

Ms O'Leary said she has campaigned against pseudoscience, including the use of a dangerous product called MMS, being used on persons who have cancer and have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition for many years.

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She said that her activism has resulted in her receiving a lot of abuse and threats, particularly online.

She says that she needs to use social media as part of her activism in order to highlight what she says is misinformation.

She said she does not intend to be offensive or abusive on-line, but if she does express her opinions, which she claims she is entitled to do, she cannot control or decide what others find to be offensive or abusive.

She also claimed that the punishment she received from the District Court imposed restrictions on her rights, and "damages the important work" that she has been doing.
A man who subjected his ex-partner to a persistent and serious attack over six years ago has been jailed.

Dean Synnott (28) of Wellmount Road, Finglas pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of assault causing harm at the same address on October 14th, 2017.

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An investigating garda told John Moher BL, prosecuting, that the victim had gone to Synnott's home the night before. In the early hours of the morning, the victim brought Synnott, who appeared intoxicated, to bed and said she was going home.

Punch

When she went to leave his bedroom, he grabbed her and said she wasn't going. He then threw her on the bed and attempted to get on top of her, but she kicked him off. Synnott put his hand over her mouth, then punched her to the side of the head.

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The victim managed to get up, but Synnott pulled her to the ground. He then got on top of her and began to hit the back of her head. There were others in the house and the victim screamed for someone to call 999. Synnott told her she shouldn't have screamed and no one is going to help you.

He then asked her what was wrong, opened the bedroom door and said he was not stopping her from leaving. While the victim was walking downstairs, Synnott grabbed her and said she wasn't leaving.

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He then pushed her down the stairs, got on top of her and wrapped one hand around her neck, so she could not breathe. He hit her around 10 times to her face.

During the attack, Synnott told the victim she was making it hard on herself and he only wanted to talk.

After leaving the house, the victim started to run and was followed by Synnott, who grabbed her and punched her. She managed to get up and started to walk towards Finglas, but he pulled her towards the house.

Drivers didn't stop

The victim ran into the road when a taxi drove past, but the driver didn't stop when she screamed for help. Other cars also drove past without stopping.

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Synnott told her that no one is going to come over to you, you are wasting your time. She agreed to his request to go back to the house and said she would stay outside.

When they got to the house, the woman ran and hid after Synnott went inside briefly. She heard Synnott shouting: Silly little bitch, I'm going to kill you.

She then called the gardai and when they arrived, she again ran towards Finglas. A taxi driver saw her and dropped her to the garda station. Synnott told gardai that he'd had a disagreement with his girlfriend and she'd left the house. They observed he was intoxicated and left as the victim wasn't there.

The victim was later taken to Beaumont Hospital and a medical report was submitted to the court. She sustained a head injury and bruises to her body. Gardai also observed red marks on her cheeks and a cut on her lips.

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A victim impact statement was read on her behalf by Mr Moher. The victim said she was concerned Synnott was going to kill her that night and said she suffers panic attacks each October when it all comes flooding back.

Trauma

She said the incident affected her mental health and she has difficulty sleeping. She also expressed concern that other people did not offer her assistance during the attack.

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Synnott was interviewed following his arrest, but nothing of evidential value was obtained. He has nine previous convictions, all at the District Court, which post-date this incident.

The garda agreed with Aidan McCarthy BL, defending, that his client had no convictions at the time. The garda said he was not aware that the relationship continued for several months after this incident.

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Mr McCarthy offered a sincere apology from his client to the victim. He said Synnott was 22 at the time of this incident and has no memory of the event.

A psychological report was also handed to the court. Mr McCarthy said his client was raised by his grandmother as he was born when his mother was a teenager. Synnott has a diagnosis of ADHD and spent a period of time in care when he was 17. During this time, he was moved out of Dublin, later finding out from his mother that this was because there was a threat to his safety.

Defence counsel said his client has addiction issues, but is currently drug-free. He suffered an overdose in 2018 and spent nine weeks in Beaumont Hospital. Synnott has since developed cognitive and mobility issues.

A letter from the Simon Community was handed to the court. Synnott's mother and his key worker were in court to support him. Mr McCarthy asked the court to consider imposing a suspended sentence to give his client a chance to remain in the community.

Judge Martin Nolan said there were two stages to this attack, that it was persistent, determined and would have been very frightening for the victim.

He noted the mitigation and said it is difficult to know if Synnott will re-offend in future, but the court considers he probably won't to this extent.

Judge Nolan said this was a serious attack and he could not agree to the defence's submission to impose a non-custodial sentence. He handed Synnott a three-year prison sentence, with the final year suspended on strict conditions.

Judge Nolan said Synnott had attacked this young lady in a serious way and he has to go to prison by reason of that behaviour, it's too serious.
The former Deputy Chairman of An Bord Pleanala, Paul Hyde has pleaded guilty to two breaches of planning laws, in what a court heard was a very serious case.

Mr Hyde appeared at Skibbereen District Court where Judge James McNulty was told that he was pleading guilty to two breaches of Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act. One related to his failure to declare in 2015 his ownership of what the court heard was a plot of land of unknown but possibly significant strategic value in Cork City, and a 2018 failure to declare a number of properties which he still owned, but which by then had a receiver appointed to them.

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Mr Hydes barrister, Paula McCarthy, said he had not made the declarations due to a misinterpretation made in good faith of the regulations and relevant codes of conduct, and that he had not gained financially from his failure to do so.

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Ms McCarthy said Mr Hyde had in fact been affected detrimentally by the failures to make the declarations, and has been unemployed since stepping down from his role as Deputy Chair of ABP last July amid increased focus on him and his role.

Judge James McNulty heard that the maximum penalties open to the court on conviction was six months in prison and/or a fine up to 5,000, and that Mr Hyde had no previous convictions.

Mr Hyde, with an address at Castlefields, Baltimore, Co Cork, had cooperated with the Garda investigation, the court was told, attending voluntarily for interviews, as well as cooperating with a previous investigation into various planning decisions that had been conducted by Senior Counsel Remy Farrell.

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Ms McCarthy said that given the circumstances and accepting it was a big ask, she was appealing for leniency and that a conviction not be recorded against her client.

Judge McNulty said that any suggestion that no conviction be recorded or that the matter be dealt with by way of the Probation Act would be optimistic, adding: This matter could not be dealt with in that way. This is a very serious matter.

Judge McNulty, who heard that this appears to be the first such case of its kind in Ireland, said he would reflect on the matter and would deliver the courts verdict in Bandon District Court this Friday at 10.30am.

Mr Hyde was present in court and left shortly afterwards in a waiting car without making any comment.
The British government has promised to close a legal loophole and prevent a flood of compensation claims as a result of court ruling in favour of former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams.

Northern Ireland minister Lord Caine confirmed the UK would bring forward measures to block damages over a technicality in the use of internment at the height of the Troubles in the 1970s.

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Peers had urged ministers to make the change following concerns that a successful appeal by Mr Adams could lead to a flood of similar legal challenges.

Mr Adams won a UK Supreme Court appeal in 2020 over historical convictions for two attempted prison breaks in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.

Former Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams won a Supreme Court appeal in 2020 over historical convictions in the 1970s (Liam McBurney/PA)

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He was interned without trial in 1973 at Long Kesh internment camp, which was also known as the Maze prison.

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The Supreme Court ruled Mr Adams detention was unlawful because the interim custody order used to initially detain him had not been considered personally by the then-secretary of state for Northern Ireland Willie Whitelaw.

This was despite a long-standing convention, known as the Carltona principle, where officials and ministers routinely act in the name of the secretary of state, who is ultimately responsible.

Mr Adams was subsequently denied a pay out for the wrongful convictions when he applied for compensation from Stormonts Department of Justice.

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But that decision was ruled unlawful by a High Court judge in Belfast, paving the way for Mr Adams application to be reconsidered.

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Lord Caine told peers a UK government-backed amendment to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill aimed at addressing the judgement could come as early as next week.

I will commit to bringing forward an amendment at third reading next week following consideration by officials and lawyers that addresses all of these matters, he said.

The minister told the House of Lords in London that the British government was aware of around 300 to 400 civil claims being brought on a similar basis to the Adams case, with 40 writs filed before the first reading of the Bill.

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He added: It is therefore likely that a number of Adams type cases will be allowed to continue in spite of the prohibition on civil claims in Clause 39 of this Bill.

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The minister admitted: There were some of us at the time that the judgement appeared that, if I can put it mildly, were somewhat baffled by its content.

Unaffiliated peer and former Conservative justice minister Lord Faulks had earlier pressed ministers to bring forward the law change, claiming he would call for a vote on his own solution if they did not.

Lord Faulks said: I have indicated to them that if the amendment proposed by the government does not meet the objectives contained in this amendment, we reserve the right and we will vote at third reading.
Irish tourists have been warned they could face fines of up to 36,000 if they listen to loud music on beaches in Portugal.

The use of portable speakers blaring out the latest tunes at a volume which upsets other sunseekers has been banned by Portugals National Maritime Authority (ANM).

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The fines for beachgoers on their own start at 200 but the most serious breaches can be punished with fines of 4,000 for those who are repeat offenders or have ignored previous warnings. For groups the fines can reach a staggering 36,000.

Local and other tourists who are being bothered by loud noise from portable speakers are being urged to contact the local Maritime Police force responsible for the beach where the infraction is occurring.

The ANM confirmed this week: Portable speakers are prohibited on beaches at volumes which can bother other sunbathers.

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A spokesman added: We have seen this problem increase in recent years, and we are increasing our vigilance to combat it.

It was not immediately clear how officials would determine what level of music would be loud enough to decide when fines could be applied and whether police would be given power to confiscate equipment where repeat offenders refuse to turn the volume down.

Confirmation of the prohibition has emerged as the peak tourist season is about to start in areas like the Algarve, a favourite with Irish and British tourists.
The President of the High Court has declared that it is lawful for a prison governor not to force-feed a prisoner who is refusing food and fluids.

Mr Justice David Barniville also found it is lawful for life-saving treatment not to be administered should the prisoner require it even though the prisoner may lose mental capacity or consciousness.

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This is because the prisoner has signed an advance healthcare directive (AHD) provided for under the 2015 Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act which includes provisions enabling people to be treated according to their will and preferences.

It was the first time a court has considered this part of the Act.

The prisoner, whose gender was not divulged and was referred to by the judge as "he or she", is in a prison outside Dublin having been given a two-year jail sentence in 2022. Further criminal proceedings are pending against the prisoner.

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In early May, the prisoner began to refuse food or fluids having similarly refused on four or five previous occasions, most of which were short-lived.

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When the prisoner took a "more determined approach" to refusing food and fluids in May, the "stated intention of the prisoner was to end his or her life", the judge said.

The court heard the prisoner had lost 8kg since March.

Medical intervention

On May 13th, the prisoner executed an AHD whereby he or she was not to receive any medical intervention and medication, and, if actively dying, had a preference to do so in a clinical setting, such as a hospital or hospice.

The prisoner also directed that those wishes were to be respected, should the prisoner become incapacitated or unconscious; and that the AHD was to apply even if the prisoners life was at risk.

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The prison governor then applied to the High Court, on a one side only represented basis, seeking orders to essentially give effect to the prisoner's wishes.

The governor also applied for the hearing to be held in camera (in private) and the judge agreed to do so because there is a provision in the 2015 Act for AHD related proceedings to be held otherwise than in public.

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The judge gave his decision on May 18th and said he would give a written judgment later setting out his reasons in full and which was published on Tuesday.

The court heard evidence from the prison governor, the Irish Prison Service's national nursing manager, the prison chief medical officer, and from an independent consultant forensic psychiatrist.

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The prisoner did not give evidence, but the prisoner's solicitor confirmed that the prisoner had and continued to have full capacity to give instructions and was not opposing the governor's application.

'They will never understand'

The judge said that during the course of the assessment of the prisoner by the nursing manager, the prisoner dictated a note stating that he or she was: making the decision with full mental capacity to end my life by refusing fluids and food".

He or she also had considered my options incredibly carefully and it was a decision not taken lightly.

I have been and am in a deep state of trauma and feel to continue my life is not a feasible option, the prisoner said.

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"I regretfully respect that my decision may not suit everybody but until a person stands in my shoes and carries my weight and my baggage, they will never understand.

I have not been coerced or controlled into making any unlikely decision, however, it is a decision I stand firmly for."

Shortly before the prisoner was offered the AHD option, the prisoner set out a series of demands including to be accommodated with a particular prisoner and better treatment from prison staff.

However, the prisoner said later that it was not a protest and that the demands should not have been made.

The judge said the assessing psychiatrist said there was no doubt about the prisoners capacity to make decisions.

She confirmed that the prisoner was highly intelligent, has a number of degrees, is very articulate and at the time of her assessment, the prisoner was still fully lucid andvery compos mentis, very articulate.

The judge found the decision of the governor not to force-feed the prisoner was lawful.

He also found that while the AHD does not apply while the prisoner has capacity, the governor was entitled to give effect to the AHD which should remain operative in the event that the prisoner loses capacity or becomes unconscious or incapacitated.
A Russian missile strike hit a crowded restaurant area in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk Tuesday, June 27.

According to Ukrainian officials, emergency services arrived at the scene to assist the injured but have not said the number of casualties.

Footage and photos of the missile strike have also been posted on social media.

Read Also: Ukraine Strikes Bridge Linking Mainland to Russian-Occupied Crimea

The missile attack came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country's counter-offensive was advancing on all fronts.

"We are now working in the city to establish the number of wounded and possibly dead," Pavlo Kyrylenko told Ukrainian television Tuesday evening.

The Kramatorsk city council added that Russian forces have also targeted a nearby village.

Kramatorsk was hit by shelling from Russian Forces multiple times since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February 2022.

Related Articles: Russia Intensifies Drone, Missile Attacks on Ukraine, Warns Kyiv Against Striking Crimea

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Environment minister Eamon Ryan said the consultative forum on international security policy had been very beneficial.

He also defended the Green Party proposal to change the triple lock to make it more flexible as one that would strengthen Irelands military neutrality.

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Four days of discussions between experts and academics on global affairs, security and defence issues have been held in Cork, Galway and Dublin over four days.

Environment minister Eamon Ryan defended the Green Party proposal to change the triple lock (Niall Carson/PA)

The days have been marked by protesters who have interrupted proceedings to voice their opposition to the forum and to Ireland joining Nato.

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Tanaiste Micheal Martin accused them of shutting down the debate and has emphasised that it is not Government policy for Ireland to join Nato.

Speaking on the final day of the forum, held at Dublin Castle, the Green Party leader said that a more flexible version of the triple lock would ensure that Irish troops could take part in peacekeeping missions abroad while also protecting Irelands neutral stance.

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This would involve requiring that a peacekeeping mission be approved by the Dail, the Seanad and the UN Security Council  or a regional organisation such as the African Union or the European Union.

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Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said he had listened to criticism of the Green Partys proposal to change the triple lock, but disagreed.

This policy does strengthen, in my mind, our military neutrality. It has to be a functional one, he said.

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Its for peacekeeping, where weve had real strength as a country and to make sure we can do that in an effective way, if we decide to do so, with a triple lock thats relevant to the world today.

Because I dont think anyone would argue that the UN Security Council is a functioning system.

He said that more resources were needed across Irelands security forces.

One thing we do need to do  and this is going across our security forces  we need resources, he said.

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Forum chair Professor Louise Richardson, right (Niall Carson/PA)

We do need to resource the Defence Forces at sea with radar and in the air. We need to have capability where we can get people out  not meeting every eventuality, but more than we have at the present.

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We dont have sufficient resources in our Defence Forces to sometimes carry out those critical, immediate, emergency responses that we do need to be able to do.

He also defended the approach of the forum.

He said that the chair of the forum, Professor Louise Richardson, had said it had been a very unique exercise, very (few) other governments would hold open public forums in terms of how they develop their security policy.

So I think it has been very beneficial, its not over, there is up until July 7 for people to make their submissions, he said.

The more people who follow through on that, I think, the better.
Britain's Prince William has met with community workers in Belfast on the second day of his tour of the UK with his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

William was cheered by well-wishers as he arrived at Skainos, a community centre in east Belfast.

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He was officially welcomed to the city by Lord Lieutanant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle as well as Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson.

The visit came as part of his UK tour to launch Homewards, a five-year locally led programme, delivered by The Royal Foundation.

William during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

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It is set to 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.

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Northern Ireland is the fourth of six locations to be unveiled by William during a UK tour which continued on Tuesday.

In Belfast, William met initial members of the coalition being built through Homewards, and heard from representatives from the East Belfast Mission about their work to tackle homelessness and about their new housing development 240.

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William meeting members of the of at the Refresh Cafe during a visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre, Belfast, as part of his tour of the UK to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness (Liam McBurney/PA)

He also met refugee Mehrshad Esfandiari from Iran who used the services, and now owns his own home.

William spoke with Grainia Long, Northern Ireland Housing Executive chief executive, who afterwards said the partnership has the potential to be transformational.

The discussion this morning with Prince William, members of The Royal Foundation and local partner organisations, confirmed that we share a real and a longstanding commitment to work together to improve the lives of those people who are struggling to find a place to call home, she said.

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We share the same vision and are all equally optimistic that we can end homelessness here in Northern Ireland.

Ms Long said the launch comes at a time when Northern Ireland is facing unprecedented levels of demand in respect of housing and homelessness.

It was fantastic to attend the programme launch today alongside East Belfast Mission, Belfast and Lisburn Womens Aid, MACs Supporting Children and Young People, Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation, she said.

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William meeting members of the public after his visit to the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre (Liam McBurney/PA)

These are some of the organisations that are already delivering transformative support and assistance to many people.

We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them over the next five years, to achieve real and tangible impact around homelessness.

Despite the currently challenging environment, we are very optimistic that, through the Homewards programme, we will make real progress towards ending homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Following the official engagement, William took time to meet a number of well-wishers who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.
The unfolding drama at RTE over pay practices is to be the subject of an external review as the State broadcaster comes under increasing pressure to clarify how the controversial arrangements came to be.

RTE has said no member of its executive board other than former director general Dee Forbes could have known the public was misled on payments to Ryan Tubridy.

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In a lengthy statement on Tuesday evening, the broadcaster said the then director general and the former chief financial officer negotiated the deal.

Interim director general Adrian Lynch said Ms Forbes had all the necessary information in order to understand that the publicly declared figures for Ryan Tubridy could have been wrong.

Here's what we know about the pay scandal at the national broadcaster so far...

What happened?

The story began with reports on Thursday, June 22nd, that RTE was to release a statement concerning issues which had been flagged earlier this year.

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The broadcaster issued a statement in which it confirmed a review by Grant Thornton, which had been carried out following questions raised in an audit in March, found that former Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy had received previously undisclosed payments as part of a commercial deal which was separate to his salary.

Under the deal, Tubridy was to be given a 75,000 payment each year by one of RTE's commercial partners, however, when the commercial partner chose not to renew the arrangement after one year, RTE - having guaranteed the deal - paid the fee in respect of 2021 and 2022.

It was these two payments, both of which were paid in 2022, which prompted the Grant Thornton review.

Did they find anything else amiss?

They did. In that same statement last Thursday, RTE confirmed it conducted an internal review into Tubridy's remunerations after receiving Grant Thornton's findings.

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As one of the broadcaster's top-10 earners, Tubridy's annual remunerations are published each year.

In addition to the undisclosed commercial payments, RTE found Tubridy's reported pay was further understated for the period of his contract from 2017 to 2019 by 120,000.

Photo: PA Images

This meant that Tubridy's previously reported 11 per cent salary reduction from 2019 to 2021, as part of commitments by RTE to reduce the fees of top-earning on-air presenters by 15 per cent, was in actuality only a 5.5 per cent cut.

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How this understatement of earnings, separate from the commercial payments, came about remains the subject of another review by Grant Thornton, who are also verifying the pay deals of RTE's other top-earning on-air presenters.

Is this all legit?

The waters appear to be murky at best.

RTE accepted in the initial statement that the misstating of financial information is a "very serious matter", but moreover, as a public service broadcaster which receives considerable State funding, how RTE spends its money is very much of public concern.

Understandably, the matter was a topic of discussion in the weekend's papers, with notable allegations made in the Sunday Independent regarding Tubridy's commercial deal.

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The article alleged RTE has paid over 50 million to advertising agencies in 'kickbacks' over the last 10 years.

The author, who is described as a 'senior Irish media ad agency figure', conceded the practice is "widespread across the industry", but criticised it as anticompetitive and lacking in transparency, as well as causing potential conflicts of interest.

The ambiguity around the payments is one of the major issues, prompting calls for greater transparency from RTE, and urgings from the Minister for the Media Catherine Martin for RTE to put forward all facts as a matter of urgency.

Are other RTE presenters involved?

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So far, the issue does not seem to extend beyond Tubridy.

Grant Thornton are still conducting their review into the earnings of the top 10 highest-paid on-air presenters, but RTE said their internal review found all other previously reported remunerations, bar Tubridy's were correct.

In addition, a number of the presenters in question have addressed the issue, confirming their reported salaries were correct and that they were not involved in any additional pay arrangements which were not pubically declared.

These include Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy, Miriam OCallaghan, Brendan OConnor, Ray D'Arcy, Mary Wilson, Bryan Dobson and Aine Lawlor.

What has Tubs said?

Initially Tubridy took a hands-off approach, stating he was "surprised" to learn of the errors regarding RTE's reporting of his pay, adding he could not "shed any light" on the discrepancies.

In a statement on Thursday after the news broke, Tubridy said: "It is unfortunate that these errors are in relation to how RTE have reported payments made to me, but I just want to be clear: this is a matter for RTE and I have no involvement in RTEs internal accounting treatment or RTEs public declarations in connection with such payments.

"Obviously, Im disappointed to be at the centre of this story but unfortunately, I cant shed any light on why RTE treated these payments in the way that they did, nor can I answer for their mistakes in this regard."

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However, on Friday, Tubridy "apologised unreservedly" for not questioning why his published earnings were not equal to that which he received.

"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," Tubridy said in a statement.

A protest was held at RTE in Donnybrook on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: PA Images

What's the feeling among staff at RTE?

Frosty to say the least.

This comes at a time when the broadcaster has been attempting to cut costs, so the anger among workers is palpable.

In confirming their salaries, many of RTE's top-paid presenters expressed their disappointment over the matter, and further acknowledged how such issues impact the public's trust in the State broadcaster.

More widely, RTE staff opted to stage a lunchtime protest on Tuesday, calling for "root and branch reform".

Speaking at the protest, NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O Kelly said: "The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

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"Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in. That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad."

RTE News crime correspondent Paul Reynolds added that he was concerned about the "breach of trust" between management and staff.

Who's taking the fall?

While the case is far from closed, RTE's director general Dee Forbes was first to face the music.

On Friday, it was confirmed that Ms Forbes had been suspended by the broadcaster on Wednesday, June 21st.

In a separate statement, she said she had fully engage with RTE's board since the matter arose in March, adding she had participated in the subsequent Grant Thornton review.

Dee Forbes resigned as RTE's director general on Monday. Photo: PA Images

However, on Monday morning, RTE confirmed Ms Forbes had resigned from her position.

"I regret very much the upset and adverse publicity suffered by RTE, its staff and the unease created among the public in recent days," Ms Forbes said.

"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," she added.

How do we get to the bottom of this?

Politicians, led by Minister for the Media Catherine Martin, has called for all of the facts to be laid bare to establish who knew about these pay arrangements and who approved them.

On Tuesday, ahead of RTE's latest statement on the matter, Ms Martin warned the broadcaster it must put "the full facts on public record as a matter of urgency".

"At times of crisis, it is the failure to put all information on the record at the earliest possible juncture that does most damage," the Minister added.

A number of RTE representatives are due to appear before both the Oireachtas Media Committee and Public Accounts Committee this week, however, questions have been raised over who these representatives will be.

Senior Government ministers, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, called on Ms Forbes to appear before the committees to answer questions despite her resignation.

However, on Tuesday, it was confirmed that solicitors acting on behalf of Ms Forbes had written to the chair of the Media Committee Niamh Smyth to inform her that the former director general will not attend Wednesday's hearing for health reasons.

Unions and RTE staff have called for all members of the broadcaster's executive board to appear before the committees, in addition to Ms Forbes.

Furthermore, Ms Martin secured Cabinet approval on Tuesday morning for an external review into RTE's governance and culture.

The Minister said on Tuesday that details of the independent review will be ready by the end of the week, adding a two or three person team will also examine the relationship between management and staff at the broadcaster.
More than one hundred members of staff at national broadcaster RTE have staged a protest at its Dublin headquarters, following a scandal involving undisclosed payments to its highest-paid star Ryan Tubridy.

Staff represented by the National Union of Journalists and the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union gathered on a plaza in the Donnybrook campus of RTE to voice their concern over pay, conditions and governance in the wake of the revelations.

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Chair of the RTE Trade Union Group, Stuart Masterson, said anyone who had involvement in the undisclosed payments had to appear before the Oireachtas committees.

A companys culture is led from the top, he said.

Emma O Kelly, chair of NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Branch (Niall Carson/PA)

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NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O Kelly said she hoped the protest would be the start of serious root and branch reform in the organisation.

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She said: The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

She added: Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in.

That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad.

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Sinead Hussey (Niall Carson/PA)

Caoimhe Ni Laighin, a journalist with the organisations Irish-language services, said her co-workers were performing the miracle of the loaves and the fishes every single day.

Our equipment is all falling apart and we have been begging the management for a long time to deal with this, she said.

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RTE News crime correspondent Paul Reynolds said he was concerned about the breach of trust between management and staff.

Theres a phrase bandied around in here: We are one RTE, he said.

And we can see now we havent been one RTE because everyone hasnt been working together, different people have different agendas.

That has disappointed people here. The trust that people had in here for senior people has been lost.

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Members of staff from RTE take part in a protest at the broadcasters headquarters in Donnybrook (PA/Niall Carson)

RTE News political correspondent Paul Cunningham said there was a cloud hanging over the organisation.

He said the scandal had caused incredible reputation damage.

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Mr Cunningham warned that the Government and other politicians would be reluctant to engage in reform of the organisations funding and the television licence fee.

This is something that has happened as a direct result of senior managements failures at this organisation and it is absolutely disgraceful, he said.

Mr Cunningham also raised the issue of freelancers who he said were paid a pittance.

And now we found out there is a special arrangement for special people, he said.

There shouldnt be any special people in this organisation. Its one organisation, all of us are involved and the same rules should apply.

Orla ODonnell, legal affairs correspondent at RTE News (PA/Niall Carson)

RTE News Midlands correspondent Sinead Hussey said the day she got her job at the broadcaster was one of the happiest days of her life.

Im still proud to work for RTE and I think with the staff we have here we can bring the name of this company back to where it should be and restore trust in the Irish people, she said.

And I hope people will support us through this really difficult patch.

The broadcasters legal affairs correspondent said staff cannot believe what happened.

RTE National Union of Journalists members Vincent Kearney (left) and Conor Macauley outside the RTE studio in Belfast (PA/Liam McBurney)

Orla ODonnell said: We want accountability and responsibility from the people who are in charge.

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We want them to tell the whole truth on the questions that still remain from this whole affair.

RTE Newss Northern editor and correspondent Vincent Kearney and Conor Macauley protested at a separate demonstration at the organisations Belfast office.

Mr Kearney tweeted: Joining @rtenews colleagues across the island demanding transparency from management on the Ryan Tubridy payments crisis and a pay cap for top earners.
The crisis engulfing RTE continues to dominate coverage in the papers ahead of a Cabinet meeting on the issue on Tuesday.

The Irish Times reports that two Oireachtas committees are facing pushback from former RTE director general Dee Forbes in their efforts to investigate hidden payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy.

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The Irish Examiner, Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star focus on the decision of RTE's biggest stars to publicly reveal the full extent of their pay packages, as the State broadcaster prepares to publish details of a review into secret payments.

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RTE will have to clearly break down how public and commercial money is spent in the wake of the payments controversy, the Irish Independent reports.

The Irish Daily Mail reveals that payments to all of RTEs top stars are set to be forensically examined in a trawl dating back 15 years.

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In other news, the Belfast Telegraph reports that a healthcare assistant was "rightly dismissed from her job" for sharing a live feed of loyalist bandsmen mocking murder victim Michaela McAreavey.

The continuing turmoil in Russia and two tragic deaths dominate the front pages of the British newspapers.

Several titles lead on the response to the weekend rebellion in Russia with the response of president Vladmir Putin and mercenary commander Yevgeny Prigozhin.

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The Guardian leads on Mr Putin saying the West wanted the country to choke in bloody civil strife, a topic echoed in The Times which says the Russian leader thanked patriots for stopping their march on Moscow.

Guardian front page, Tuesday 27 June 2023: Enemies wanted Russia to choke in bloody civil strife, says Putin pic.twitter.com/PtjNlqpNKz  The Guardian (@guardian) June 26, 2023 Advertisement

TIMES: Russia shall not choke in bloody strife, vows Putin #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/OHETCq5pBm  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2023

The i also focuses on what it calls Mr Putins fiery late-night speech and says he has vowed to see those responsible punished.

Tuesday's front page: Defiant Putin vows Wagner mutineers will be punished#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/SorVEywYrA  i newspaper (@theipaper) June 26, 2023

Other titles concentrate on Mr Prigozhin, the Wagner boss saying he could have taken Ukraine in one day in The Daily Telegraph.

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The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:



I could have taken Ukraine in a day, says Wagner boss#TomorrowsPapersToday



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/Xy8CmrvyVi  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 26, 2023

The Financial Times also focuses on Mr Prigozhin as he denies his masterclass march on the Russian capital was a bid to oust Mr Putin.

Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 27 June https://t.co/WXJLppxt7y pic.twitter.com/QVHvyav8eo  Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) June 26, 2023

The Daily Star has some simple advice for Mr Prigozhin to stay away from open windows.

Tuesday's front page - 'BEST STAY AWAY FROM OPEN WINDOWS' pic.twitter.com/Ipy3BtYGWt  Daily Star (@dailystar) June 26, 2023

The other main stories of the day concern the deaths of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence and Nicola Bulley.

The Daily Mail reports on Neville Lawrences anger at the naming of a sixth suspect in his sons killing 30 years ago.

MAIL: Lawrence fathers fury at Met as sixth suspect unmasked #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/L3G4znTRdl  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 26, 2023

And the Daily Mirror says the new suspect  Matthew White, who died in 2021  threatened a shopworker with meeting the same fate.

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The Sun says tragic mum Nicola Bulley died within seconds of falling into a river in January as an inquest into her death got underway.

On tomorrow's front page: Nicola Bulley died in two breaths as cop reveals mums final moments after cliff-edge fall into freezing waterhttps://t.co/AM1GfcOgQ5 pic.twitter.com/RkOyxzrbg5  The Sun (@TheSun) June 26, 2023

The Metro focuses on the same story, which sparked a three-week hunt for the missing woman, declaring her death was not murder.

Tomorrow's Paper Today 



NICOLA: IT WASN'T MURDER



 Mum drowned in icy river within seconds 'with no harm by third party', inquest hears#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/zqBQ8Pl0X2  Metro (@MetroUK) June 26, 2023

The future shape of banking in Britain is on the front of the Daily Express which leads on a senior Nationwide executive calling on bosses and retailers to commit to keeping high streets alive.

The Independent looks at immigration with the UK Home Office admitting deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda will not stop small boats heading to Britain.
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson committed a "clear and unambiguous" breach of rules when he took up a job as a newspaper columnist this month, an ethics body said, calling for reform of a system it said was outdated and ineffective.

Mr Johnson, 58, was named as a Daily Mail columnist this month, returning to a journalism career that had seen him write for several leading British titles, including one that sacked him for making up a quote.

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UK ministers and civil servants who leave office are required to consult an ethics body, the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), before taking up new jobs.

The committee had already said Mr Johnson had breached the rules by failing to give it proper notice.

It went further on Tuesday, calling the breach "unambiguous" and saying it showed the need for reform because current rules only offer guidance and lack clarity in areas such as sanctions.

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"They were designed to offer guidance when 'good chaps' could be relied on to observe the letter and the spirit of the Rules," ACOBA Chair Eric Pickles said in a letter to the government.

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"If it ever existed, that time has long passed and the contemporary world has outgrown the Rules."

It is up to the UK government to decide what sanctions, if any, Mr Johnson would face for the breach. Mr Johnson's spokesman declined to comment.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said: "There is work underway in the Cabinet Office, working with Lord Pickles, to improve the operation and efficacy of the rules."

Mr Johnson resigned as a lawmaker earlier this month having seen the findings of a report that concluded that he deliberately misled parliament over rule-breaking parties during Covid lockdowns.

In his broader criticism of the existing system, Pickles also said new areas of corruption were not monitored because they weren't envisaged when the rules were created.

"I am concerned that if the government waits until these reforms can all be implemented together, it risks further scandal in the meantime," Pickles, a former minister, said.
Britain's Prince Harry should be awarded up to 500 (581) in damages for one admitted instance of unlawful information gathering, The Mirrors publisher has told the UK High Court.

Several high-profile figures are suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering at its titles, claiming journalists at the tabloids were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called blagging or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.

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Four representative claimants, including Harry, have given evidence during the seven-week trial.

MGN, publisher of titles including The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, is largely contesting the claims, arguing that some have been brought too late.

As closing arguments began on Tuesday, Andrew Green KC, for MGN, said in written submissions that the vast majority of payment records to third parties either do not concern Harry, do not concern unlawful information gathering, relate to legitimate inquiries or do not relate to articles in the dukes claim.

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Mr Green said: There is only one occasion of admitted unlawful information gathering in respect of the Duke of Sussex, in February 2004.

He continued: In this case the Duke of Sussex should be awarded a maximum of 500, given the single invoice naming him concerns inquiries on an isolated occasion, and the small sum on the invoice (75) suggests inquiries were limited.

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At the start of the trial in May, Mr Green said the publisher unreservedly apologises to the duke for this occasion and that it accepts he was entitled to appropriate compensation.

The barrister said that it was admitted that a private investigator was instructed, by an MGN journalist at The People, to unlawfully gather information about his activities at the Chinawhite nightclub one night in February 2004.

He told the court: MGN does not know what information this related to, although it clearly had some connection with his conduct at the nightclub.

Otherwise, the specified allegations are denied, or in a few cases not admitted, he added.

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The barrister said that there was a People article published in February 2004 giving the recollection of a woman Harry spent time with at the club.

Mr Green later told the High Court this was not one of the 33 articles selected for trial in Harrys claim, so it is not alleged that this instruction led to the publication of his private information.

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Addressing these 33 articles in his written closing submissions, Mr Green said the evidence does not suggest they were written as a result of unlawful activity and therefore Harry is not entitled to damages.

The barrister added: If, contrary to MGNs position, the court finds that any of the articles were the product of unlawful activity, we have included the appropriate award for the articles.

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In most instances that is still zero: this was simply not the Duke of Sussexs private information.

These suggested figures for potential awards, if they were found to be products of unlawful information gathering, include up to 5,000 for an article in 2000 about an injury Harry had suffered.

In his written closing submissions, Mr Green later said that Harry was not entitled to damages for distress and that he had not identified specific distress caused by alleged unlawful acts by MGN.

He was able only to identity upset and anger at the general intrusion he faced by every media outlet, nationally and internationally, over many years, the barrister said.

Mr Green added there was no basis to find the duke was a victim of phone hacking either on an occasional basis, habitual basis, or even on one occasion.

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The barrister also said: It is impossible not to have enormous sympathy for the Duke of Sussex, in view of the extraordinary degree of media intrusion he has been subject to throughout his life due to his position in society.

However, establishing that an individual is a victim of general and widespread media intrusion leading to negative effects at the hands of the press is not the same as demonstrating that he/she is a victim of unlawful voicemail interception and other unlawful information gathering by three specific newspaper titles.

As well as Harry, the other representative claimants are actor Michael Turner, known professionally as Michael Le Vell, best known for playing Kevin Webster in Coronation Street, actress Nikki Sanderson and comedian Paul Whitehouses ex-wife Fiona Wightman.
Italys culture and tourism ministers have vowed to find and punish a tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent girlfriend in the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, a crime that resulted in hefty fines in the past.

The message reading Ivan+Haley 23 appeared on the Colosseum at a time when Romans already were complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the Eternal City in record numbers this summer.

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A fellow tourist, Ryan Litz, of Orange, California, filmed the incident and posted the video on YouTube and Reddit.

The video received more than 1,500 social media views and was picked up by Italian media.



Visitors walk past the Colosseum, in Rome where a visitor was spotted carving their name (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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Mr Litz told the Associated Press on Tuesday he was dumbfounded that someone would deface such an important monument.

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Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the writing carved into the almost 2,000-year-old Flavian Ampitheatre serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility.

He said he hoped the culprits would be found and punished according to our laws.

Italian news agency Ansa noted that the incident marked the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum.

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It said whoever was responsible for the latest episode risked 14,000 euros in fines and up to five years in prison.

Tourism minister Daniela Santanche said she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned so that he understands the gravity of the gesture.

Calling for respect for Italys culture and history, she vowed: We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way.

Litz, who is on a two-month backpacking trip through Europe, said he had just finished a guided tour of the Colosseum on Friday when he saw the person blatantly carving his name in the Colosseum wall.

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Litz told the AP he took out his phone to film the man because he was so shocked at what he was doing.

And as you see in the video, I kind of approach him and ask him, dumbfounded at this point, Are you serious? Are you really serious?' Litz recalled. And all he could do is like smile at me.

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In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 euros ($25,000) and received a four-year suspended jail sentence for engraving a big letter K on a wall of the Colosseum.

The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they carved their names in the monument.

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A US judge is to hear arguments in former US president Donald Trumps attempt to move his criminal case in New York out of the state court to a federal court where he could try to get the case dismissed.

Judge Alvin K Hellerstein will listen to the arguments on Tuesday, although he is not expected to immediately rule.

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Mr Trumps lawyers sought to move the case to Manhattan federal court in April after he pleaded not guilty to charges that he falsified his companys business records to hide hush money payouts aimed at burying allegations of extra-marital sexual encounters.

While requests to move criminal cases from state to federal court are rarely granted, the prosecution of Mr Trump is unprecedented.

His lawyers that while related to his private companys records, the charges involve things he did while he was president.

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A view of the Trump International Hotel in Washington (Julio Cortez, AP)

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US law allows criminal prosecutions to be removed from state court if they involve actions taken by federal government officials as part of their official duties.

Mr Trump is alleged to have falsified records to cover up payments made in 2017 to his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen to compensate him for orchestrating payouts in 2016 to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal.

He has denied having had affairs with either woman.

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Mr Trumps lawyers have said the payments to Mr Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which brought the case, has argued nothing about the pay-offs to either Mr Cohen or the women involved Mr Trumps official duties as president.



Former President Donald Trump at the Oakland County Republican Partys Lincoln Day Dinner(Al Goldis, AP)

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If a judge agrees to move the case to federal court, Mr Trumps lawyers could try to get the case dismissed on the grounds that federal officials are immune from criminal prosecution over actions they take as part of their official job duties.

Moving the case to federal court would also mean jurors would potentially be drawn not only from Manhattan, where Mr Trump is wildly unpopular, but also a handful of suburban counties north of the city where he has more political support.

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In state court, a criminal trial was set for March 25 in the thick of the primary season before next years November presidential election.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg pursued the case after Mr Trump left office. He is the first former president charged with a crime.

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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.

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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 November 13th 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus.

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Bryan Kohberger during an earlier court appearanc (Zach Wilkinson/PA)

The deaths shocked the rural Idaho community and neighbouring Pullman, Washington, where Kohberger was a graduate student studying criminology at Washington State University.

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Police released few details about the investigation until after Kohberger was arrested at his parents home in eastern Pennsylvania early December 30th 2022.

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Court documents detailed how police pieced together DNA evidence, mobile phone 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 mobile phone belonging to Kohberger was near the victims home on a dozen occasions before the killings.

A white car allegedly matching one owned by Kohberger was caught on surveillance footage repeatedly cruising past the rental home around the time of the killings.

But defence 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.

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The motions are among several that will be argued during the hearing Tuesday afternoon.

In an affidavit filed with the motions, defence lawyer 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.

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Defence lawyers 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.

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In his notice of intent, Mr 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, defence lawyers 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 1st, 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.
Ever since ChatGPT's launch, it has had a steady rise in popularity considering how useful it can be. There have already been jobs that the chatbot replaced, in fact. However, lawyers being fined $5,000 for using it to cite cases just shows that it can't do everything for you.

Lawyers Get Fined

Without the knowledge that ChatGPT has the tendency to fabricate information, two lawyers from the firm Levidow, Levidow, & Oberman decided to use ChatGPT to find cases to cite, which resulted in a federal judge throwing out the case.

The two will collectively have to pay a $5,000 fine, as well as send a letter to the real judges that were indicated as the authors of the fake citation made by the chatbot, as mentioned in Ars Technica. Lawyers Steven Schwartz and Peter LoDuca were both called out for their actions.

US District Judge Kevin Castel stated that the two abandoned their responsibilities after submitting fake judicial opinions along with made-up quotes and citations, adding that they advocated for the fabricated citation after being told that they could not be found.

The district judge further described the cases cited by the chatbot to be "gibberish," and that its submission not only wasted the time of the court and harmed the lawyer's client, but risked harming the reputation of the judges and courts in the fake citations as well.

The AI-generated citations were brought before a judge last month, with Schwartz admitting that he did not verify whether the information provided by the chatbot was genuine. The lawyer says that he has not used ChatGPT in other cases before the incident.

Steven Schwartz was representing the plaintiff in the Roberto Mata vs. Avianca case, which was first filed in a New York state court. He had been practicing law for 30 years, and claimed that he was "unaware of the possibility that its content could be false."

Peter LoDuca was involved due to Schwartz not being admitted to practice in a federal court. While the latter went on and wrote the legal briefs for the case, it was filed under the LoDuca's name, which the district judge said was done in "bad faith."

Read Also: Disney Uses AI for 'Secret Invasion' Opening Credits Amidst Writers' Strike

OpenAI Executive Already Admitted to the Flaw

If the lawyers took the time to research the OpenAI chatbot, they would've seen that the company's chief technology officer, Mira Murati, has already stated that the AI chatbot might "make up facts" when writing sentences.

Murati said that ChatGPT generates its responses by predicting the logical next word in a sentence, but what's logical to the AI might not be true, as mentioned in Business Insider.

This was mentioned in early February whereas the court incident happened in May.

The OpenAI executive said that in order to further train the chatbot, users can "challenge responses" if they believe that the generated answer was incorrect. This is where communicating through dialogue becomes useful since it is an easy way to train the chatbot.

Related: New York Lawyer Faces Consequences After Using ChatGPT for Legal Brief
Medibank Private will be required to hold an additional $250 million capital buffer as a consequence of its large-scale data breach last year, the banking regulator said after a review of the incident.

The Australian Prudential and Regulation Authority (APRA) also flagged there should be repercussions to executive pay at the health insurer after it identified weaknesses in Medibanks information security settings.

Medibank will be required to complete a remediation program to APRAs satisfaction following a review of last years data breach. Credit: Steven Siewert

APRA expects Medibank to ensure there is appropriate accountability and consequence management, including impacts to executive remuneration where appropriate, APRA member Suzanne Smith said announcing the regulators findings on Tuesday.

Smith said the October 2022 cyber incident, which resulted in the compromise of basic account details of 9.7 million current and former Medibank customers, was one of the most significant data breaches ever in Australia.
The Victorian state government has declared Taylor Swifts upcoming tour a major event, bringing the two concerts planned for the MCG next February under the umbrella of anti-scalping legislation, while in NSW resale restrictions on tickets for the stars Sydney dates are supposed to confer similar anti-scalping protections automatically.

Under the terms of the Victorian Major Events Act (2009), tickets for a designated major event in the state can only be advertised or resold at face value plus no more than 10 per cent. Penalties for breaches of the act can range from $908 up to $545,220 depending on the nature of the offences.

Around 450,000 tickets are expected to be sold for Swifts two-city, five-date tour next year. But despite prices ranging from a low of $79.90 to a high of $379.90 for regular tickets, and as high as $1249 for the limited edition its been a long time coming package (complete with floor seating, exclusive merch and a VIP tour laminate and matching lanyard  we kid you not), demand is expected to far outstrip supply.

When tickets went on sale in the US for Swifts long-anticipated Eras tour last November, there were more than 3 billion requests (many from automated ticketing bots, but around 14 million reportedly from actual humans) for the 2 million tickets available for presale to verified fans.
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Review Eating outWest Melbourne Icon review: Not much has changed in 63 years at old-school Italian restaurant Amiconi (aside from the tiramisu) Dani Valent 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 / 7 Inside the 63-year-old Amiconi Italian restaurant. Justin McManus 2 / 7 Linguine with prawn and pistachio. Justin McManus 3 / 7 Garlic mushrooms. Justin McManus 4 / 7 The dining rooms cork-lined walls are decorated with mementos and photographs. Justin McManus 5 / 7 Veal scallopini alla arrabbiata. Justin McManus 6 / 7 Chicken livers are a menu mainstay. Justin McManus 7 / 7 Tiramisu. Justin McManus Previous Slide Next Slide Italian$$$ Sometimes walls really do talk. At Amiconi, an Italian restaurant thats been welcoming Melbourne for 63 years, the cork-lined walls tell stories in wedding portraits, caricatures, newspaper clippings, baby snaps, horse racing memorabilia and photographs of epic fishing trips. What does it all say? This cosy room is lived in and  more importantly  loved in. In 1960, Angela and Francesco Amiconi and their son Guy opened an espresso bar where Italians sipped coffee and played scopa. Card playing is a hungry business, so Angela would make osso buco, maybe bolognese, to keep patrons fuelled.

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Amiconi is old-school: portions are generous, trends are unknown. Guy and his wife Paula later turned Amiconi into more of a restaurant and  snap your fingers, its 2023  here we are eating calamari and livers and linguine. Co-owner Michael Cardamone bought the restaurant from the Amiconis in 1982 when he ditched accounting for food. After doing the books for restaurants, he thought there was more money in lunches than ledgers  ah, you have to love the 1980s! Since 2007, Cardamones partners are Joe Musso, a chef here for 30 years, and Vince Alfonso, whos cooked here for 25 years and also works as a waiter. The consistency, the absolute anchoring in community, and a bedrock belief in sincere hospitality are what make this restaurant. Favourite dishes include baked mushrooms made this way since before man landed on the moon. Stuffed with parmesan, garlic and butter, theyre a fail-safe way to launch a meal into the stratosphere.

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Just about everyone has the tender calamari, cut thin on a meat slicer that Guy Amiconi modded in the 1960s. There are always chicken livers, expertly grilled and served with balsamic dressing. Chicken livers are a menu mainstay. Justin McManus The kitchen turns out 60 kilograms of lovingly handmade potato gnocchi each week: its served alla matriciana with bacon and shallots. Of course, pasta is popular, too. Theres a marinara with mixed seafood, but I love the linguine tossed with chilli and garlic prawns, a little wine and fresh tomato, then tumbled with rocket and pistachios.

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Veal can be a controversial meat, but anyone who consumes dairy should probably eat baby boy calves. The scallopini alla arrabbiata sees milk-fed veal pan-fried in a sizzle of brandy, finished with napoli, parmesan and chicken stock. Its sweet and tender with a subtle nudge of chilli. Veal scallopini alla arrabbiata. Justin McManus The wine list does the job, but you can also BYO. Amiconi is old-school: portions are generous, trends are unknown, stock and jus is made on-site. Theyre not immune to innovation, though. Tiramisu is built in a cylindrical mould, rich with house-made marsala-spiked zabaglione, layered with sponge fingers, coffee and mascarpone cream. Its a reworked classic, presented with the warmth and pride that ripples through the whole restaurant. Long live Amiconi.
The local share market has soared on official data showing inflation moderating far more than expected last month, yet some economists warn the news might not be enough to prevent more rate hikes.

The S&P/ASX200 was already modestly in the green on Wednesday morning but spiked by nearly half a percentage point in the space of three minutes following the late-morning Consumer Price Index announcement.

The benchmark index finished Wednesday up 78.3 points, or 1.1 per cent, to a one-week high of 7,196.5 in its best day of gains since a 1.26 per cent rise on April 11.

The broader All Ordinaries finished up 84.1 points, or 1.15 per cent, to 7,384.1.

The Australian share market has soared on official data showing inflation moderating far more than expected last month. Credit: Fairfax

The gains came after the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported consumer prices rose 5.6 per cent for the 12 months through May, down from 6.8 per cent in April and indicating prices actually fell 0.4 per cent for the month.

The readout was at the very bottom of expectations and economists from HSBC, CBA and J.P. Morgan said it would likely lead to the RBA not hiking rates next week - but their peers from NAB, St George and ANZ disagreed.

Dont be head-faked, NAB economist Taylor Nugent wrote in a note. A sharp fall in fuel and travel costs masked that inflation for services and rental housing remained stickier and would likely concern the central bank.

Mr Nugent and ANZ senior economist Adelaide Timbrell both predict the RBA to hike again in July and August, raising the cash rate to 4.6 per cent, while most market participants are expecting a pause.

The futures market late Wednesday was pricing in just a 16 per cent chance of a July 4 rate hike, from implied odds of 23 per cent on Tuesday, according to the ASXs RBA Rate Indicator.

In currency, the Australian dollar on Wednesday dropped to a three-week low against the greenback following the CPI report, indicating traders were betting against higher rates.

Every sector of the ASX finished higher on Wednesday except utilities, which was flat.

AAP
John Goodenough, the scientist who shared the 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his crucial role in developing the revolutionary lithium-ion battery, the rechargeable power pack that is ubiquitous in todays wireless electronic devices and electric and hybrid vehicles, died on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Austin, Texas. He was 100.

Until the announcement of his selection as a Nobel laureate, Dr Goodenough was relatively unknown beyond scientific and academic circles and the commercial titans who exploited his work. He achieved his laboratory breakthrough in 1980 at the University of Oxford, where he created a battery that has populated the planet with smartphones, laptop and tablet computers, lifesaving medical devices such as cardiac defibrillators, and clean, quiet plug-in vehicles.

Nobel chemistry winner John B. Goodenough poses for the media at the Royal Society in London, 2019. Credit: AP

These cars, including many Teslas, can be driven on long trips, thus lessening the impact of climate change and might one day replace petrol-powered cars and trucks.

Like most modern technological advances, the powerful, lightweight, rechargeable lithium-ion battery is a product of incremental insights by scientists, lab technicians and commercial interests over decades. But for those familiar with the batterys story, Goodenoughs contribution is regarded as the crucial link in its development, a linchpin of chemistry, physics and engineering on a molecular scale.
When my car was repossessed by debt collectors a few weeks ago, amid wrapping up loose ends after my company went into liquidation, it made me reflect on the life I once led and the one I lead now.

That war crimes committed on the other side of the world, and my involvement in unearthing them, could set off a chain of events that would bring down Australias greatest military hero, and somehow be part of the same narrative that now included my car being driven off by a stranger.

Dr Samantha Crompvoets has paid a high price for doing her job. Credit: Danielle Smith

It wasnt long ago that I had been a successful business owner with a string of government contracts.

For me, it all began on Australia Day 2016. That was the day I submitted a report to army chief General Angus Campbell that would trigger the biggest inquiry into war crimes in Australias history. It would also be the day that David Morrison, chief of Army from 2011 to 2015, would be awarded Australian of the Year. Chair of the committee that chose the winner was Special Forces soldier Ben Roberts-Smith.
Home owners near Sydneys new international airport will have to wait about four months before they know whether the federal government will pay to help insulate their houses from aircraft noise.

The release of the preliminary flight paths on Tuesday has prompted local mayors to push for the government to soundproof homes in areas that will be significantly disrupted by aircraft noise.

Western Sydney Airport is due to open in late 2026. Credit: Janie Barrett

Modelling shows areas such as Luddenham, Eastern Creek, Glendenning and Werrington are among those that will experience up to 49 flights a day by 2033 where the sound will exceed 60 decibels  the equivalent of a conversation.

Greendale, a largely rural area south of the airport, will be one of the areas worst affected, with up to 199 flights a day each above 60 decibels by 2033, and up to 99 planes passing overhead at 70 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound of a washing machine. Homes near Erskine Park, north of the airport, will also be subject to aircraft noise over 70 decibels.
Developers seeking to increase the height of a Gabba precinct housing project by 50 per cent have cited a nearby government-backed proposal providing affordable housing as a precedent for approval.

But it will not provide any affordable housing of its own.

Aria wants to increase the height of its proposed tower near the Gabba, but wont provide affordable housing. Credit: Aria

Developer firm Aria has Brisbane City Council approval to build a 20-storey residential tower on the corner of Leopard and Vulture streets at Kangaroo Point  just across the road from the under-construction Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station and a short walk to the Gabba stadium.

Now the firm is seeking to increase the height of its tower to 30 storeys  10 storeys above the zoning limit for the site. The increase would result in the number of proposed units to rise from 105 to 136.
The family of a woman hit by a car and killed as she crossed a Perth road is devastated that the driver responsible walked out of court with a drink-driving fine on Monday, with the young mothers death not mentioned during the hearing.

Sharmayne Fishers mother Tracey Howkins, crying outside court, said she was in shock after the driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, walked away with a $1000 fine.

Sharmayne Fisher, inset, was killed in a crash in Midvale last year.

This is not justice, Howkins said.

Sharmayne was loving, caring and honest. She loved her son so much. She was 10 minutes away from home, she was coming home for him. This is not right.
A national row over the Indigenous Voice to parliament has emboldened the Liberal Party in its bid to hold a key federal seat in a looming byelection, setting up the first test of popular support for the change among Queensland voters.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is urging voters to use the July 15 byelection in the Gold Coast seat of Fadden to send a message to Labor that they are not happy with the Voice proposal and want more detail about how it would work.

Peter Dutton is using the byelection to send a message to Labor over the Voice, while Anthony Albanese concentrates on household issues. Credit: Rhett Wyman

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has focused the Labor campaign in Fadden on household issues including federal spending on Medicare, more support for childcare and energy subsidies after last years decisions to impose price controls on coal and gas.

Labor is also seeking to remind voters of the concerns surrounding the previous member for Fadden, former cabinet minister Stuart Robert, who quit parliament earlier this month after months of questions over his help for a lobbyist friend who sought Commonwealth contracts.
In a startling revelation on Sunday, MrBeast, a popular YouTube personality who consistently generates millions to billions of views on his channel, shared via Twitter that he was invited to join a submersible expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. However, he turned down the offer.

"I was invited earlier this month to ride the Titanic submarine, I said no," the tweet reads. "Kind of scary that I could have been on it."

MrBeast Shares Snippet of Titan Trip Invitation on Twitter

With over 162 million followers on YouTube, MrBeast, who is known for his extravagant charitable endeavors, has by far the largest subscriber base among all content creators on the platform.

So, if you're a fan or one of his followers, you know that his videos often showcase daring stunts, exciting endurance challenges, collaborations with fellow content creators, high-stake gaming competitions, as well as noteworthy philanthropic causes to give back to the community that supports him.

With that said, it comes as no surprise that MrBeast, who champions positive influence in the world, will attract invitations to these out-of-this-world adventures.

While MrBeast did not explicitly say whether the invitation was for the ill-fated Titan trip that resulted in a tragic implosion, he did share a snippet of a text message exchange in which someone expressed excitement for him to jump aboard.

The message read, "Also, I'm going to the Titanic in a submarine late this month. The team would be stoked to have you along."

Tragically, the news of MrBeast saying no to the Titan submersible trip invitation comes amid an ongoing investigation into the tragic implosion that claimed the lives of all five individuals aboard the OceanGate Titan submersible during its descent to the Titanic wreckage last week.

Related Article: Titanic Submersible Parts Found After Catastrophic Impulsion'

MrBeast Fans Are Relieved That He Said No; Titan Submersible Investigation Continues

The victims of the incident were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, as well as Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, who held British citizenship.

OceanGate, the company behind the Titanic expedition, issued a statement expressing their deep sorrow over the loss of these remarkable individuals.

According to PEOPLE, the statement read, "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans. Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew."

The U.S. Coast Guard has deep-dived into investigating the incident and recently announced that an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) had discovered debris consistent with a catastrophic pressure loss within the Titan submersible's chamber.

With the world still coming to terms with the shocking loss of these courageous explorers, MrBeast's decision to turn down the invitation serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of these undersea explorations. While the idea of swerving into the depths of the ocean may be exciting, the risks associated with exploring uncharted territory should not be taken lightly.

As the investigation into the Titan submersible tragedy continues, the tech world will pay close attention to how the story unfolds, hoping for answers and measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Meanwhile, MrBeast's millions of followers will likely breathe a collective sigh of relief, grateful that the content creator did not say yes to the Titanic exploration trip that carried devastating consequences.

Read More: MrBeast Sets Another YouTube History, Becomes the Second Mainstream YouTuber to Hit 100 Million Subscribers
When it comes to flying, going green may cost you more. And its going to take a while for the strategy to take off.

Sustainability was a hot topic this week at the Paris Air Show, the worlds largest event for the aviation industry, which faces increasing pressure to reduce the climate-changing greenhouse gases that aircraft spew.

Aviation produces 2 per cent to 3 per cent of worldwide carbon emissions, but its share is expected to grow as travel increases. Credit: iStock

Even the massive orders at the show got an emissions-reduction spin: Airlines and manufacturers said the new planes will be more fuel-efficient than the ones they replace.

But most of those planes will burn conventional, kerosene-based jet fuel. Startups are working feverishly on electric-powered aircraft, but they wont catch on as quickly as electric vehicles.
London: Russian President Vladmir Putin has thanked his military and security forces for preventing a civil war, before admitting for the first time that the Kremlin had bankrolled the exiled Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner group to the tune of billions of roubles.

Putin addressed hundreds of troops on a square inside the Kremlin  his second address in 24 hours  saying they had proven their loyalty to the people of Russia and protected the Motherland and its future.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses members of Russian military units, the National Guard and security services in Cathedral Square at the Kremlin. Credit: Reuters

The Russian leader appeared to be seeking to reassert control after striking what even many hardline supporters of his war in Ukraine have claimed are embarrassing concessions to Wagner.

The Kremlin had earlier announced its decision not to proceed with charges over the countrys first coup attempt in three decades in a significant turnaround after Putin had denounced Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, for a stab in the back.
Madrid: The director of the Spanish-speaking worlds top linguistic institution has rejected an Argentinian authors suggestion to rename the Spanish language to Namericano to reflect the continent where the majority of its speakers now live.

The Spanish Royal Academy, founded in 1713, is best known for compiling the authoritative Spanish language dictionary. It also acts as a gatekeeper for correct usage and linguistic changes.

Under 10 per cent of the worlds half-billion native Spanish speakers actually live in Spain. Credit: Shutterstock

It has issued past edicts against employing feminine or neutral terms for words that are traditionally gendered as male. The Academy also frequently acts as a bulwark against the entry of unnecessary Anglicisms into the Spanish language.

At a conference on the Spanish language held in March, Buenos Aires-born journalist Martin Caparros proposed renaming the language Namericano to remove its colonial origins. Caparros 2021 book about Spanish speakers in the Americas was titled Namerica.
Washington: Staff at the US prison where accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was held committed significant misconduct that contributed to his death, from falsifying reports and failing to fix faulty security cameras, to allowing him to stockpile dangerous items.

Four years after the disgraced financier was found dead with a bedsheet tied around his neck, a damning probe by the Justice Departments own watchdog has concluded that a litany of negligence was largely to blame and effectively deprived Epsteins numerous victims of the opportunity to seek justice.

The jail cell of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The 128-page report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz found staff failed to ensure Epstein was assigned a cellmate, despite being instructed to do so by the New York prisons psychology department following an earlier incident a few weeks before his death, where he was discovered unresponsive in his cell with a cloth wrapped around his neck.

They also failed to ensure that the prisons security cameras were fully functional, resulting in limited recorded video evidence, and failed to conduct the required prisoner counts or cell checks. In addition, some officers falsified records to claim that they completed their mandatory rounds in inmate cells in the hours leading up to Epsteins death, when they had not done so.
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A former Perth financial adviser has been permanently banned from engaging in any credit activities and from providing any financial services.

John Talbot Wertheimer copped the permanent ban after his conviction on Jan. 31 for engaging in dishonest conduct and providing financial services without appropriate authorisation.

In a statement, ASIC said Wertheimer made 48 unauthorised transactions on the trading accounts of clients using the Netwealth online trading platform between May 1, 2020 and May 21, 2020. He also lodged five hard-copy investment instruction documents with Netwealth, which contained forged signatures, purporting to relay instructions to deal with financial products on behalf of clients, between May 29, 2020, and July 22, 2020.

Wertheimer pleaded guilty to the charges on Sept. 16, 2022, and was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment. He was soon released, however, after entering into a recognisance release order in the amount of $5,000, requiring him to be of good behaviour for 18 months. He was also slapped with a $10,000 fine.

ASIC has the power to permanently ban a person from operating in the financial services and credit industry respectively without a hearing if the person is convicted of a serious fraud, under the Corporations Act and National Consumer Credit Act.

Under the permanent ban, Wertheimer will no longer be allowed to provide any financial services or engage in any credit activities, control a financial services business or another person who engages in credit activities, or perform any financial services or credit activities for life.

Wertheimer has the right to appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of ASICs decision.
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Having culturally and linguistically diverse clients could give mortgage brokers the edge, according to new research by brokerage Resolve Finance, especially in an environment where advice is crucial.

The research found the majority of homeowners (70%) with English as a second language (ESL) plan to use a mortgage broker when refinancing after their current fixed rate mortgage ends.

This surpasses the 55% of native English speakers who will engage a broker to navigate the fixed rate cliff borrowing landscape.

A further 45% of native English speakers intend to refinance without a broker, instead opting to DIY when their fixed rate mortgage ends, compared to 30% of ESL homeowners.

Victorian-based Resolve Finance broker Niti Bhargava (pictured above left) said empathy and patience was key to overcoming language or cultural barriers when serving homeowners from different communities.

After moving from India 15 years ago, Bhargava said that while she drew on her own experience as a migrant, any broker could effectively help clients from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Buying a home is confusing for people who already live here and speak English. Imagine how it must feel for these people who face a new environment, new language, new banking processes, Bhargava said.

But before I go into any of the technical stuff, I make it a point to understand their background first. Once you can connect with each other over culture, language, and values, its very easy to build trust.

Don Crellin (pictured above right), managing director of Resolve Finance, said language barriers should never hinder indviduals from accessing the information and support they needed to make informed financial decisions.

This is a unique point in time where we have an unprecedented number of borrowers on fixed rate details who will soon be migrated to steeper variable rates, Crellin said. Brokers have an important role to play helping borrowers navigate the mortgage landscape.

Finding the common ground

Homeowners with English as a second language account for around 12% of mortgage holders  or 700,000 people  in Australia, according to Mozo.

As a result, Crellin said that Resolve Finance had made it a point to hire multilingual brokers such as Bhargava to bridge the gap and ensure that all borrowers can benefit from clear communication and cultural understanding.

But even though she can fluently speak Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, Bhargava has made it a point to educate anyone who has migrated to Australia.

Nowadays most of my clients are migrants and many are from Europe, she said.

Bhargava told Australian Broker about one clients custom of having tea and biscuits from the dining room floor. There was no chair or tables, but I didnt want to project myself as the odd one out, she said.

Instead, Bhargava said they chatted about life and family and found that relatable human connection, and she still is their mortgage broker six years on.

They understood that I respected their customs and values. Its just all about finding that common ground with someone even when you may not understand or agree on everything, she said.

Migration increase

As the Australian governments Permanent Migration Program increases its intake to 195,000 placements in the 2023 financial year, up from 160,000 in the previous financial year, brokers who can overcome cultural and language barriers could have the edge.

With many borrowers already concerned about the impending mortgage cliff, Crellin said it would become even more important for brokers to be on the front foot and make clients aware of all the options.

This includes helping those who plan to stay their current lender negotiate to achieve the best possible terms. For all borrowers, the cost of inaction is too great, said Crellin.
From the beginning of July 2023, bTV will have a permanent correspondent office in Brussels. It will be an integral part of the newly created CME News Bureau, jointly staffed with experienced reporters from its leading commercial television stations in Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Hrvatska and Slovenia are expected to follow in the fall of 2023). The CME News Bureau will serve as the base from which CME correspondents will cover EU, NATO and other European affairs for their respective domestic audiences.

The work of the European institutions and the impact of decisions in the heart of Europe on life in Bulgaria are an important part of the content in bTV News, and through the new position, viewers of the media will have the opportunity to receive even more accurate and timely information. The journalist Desislava Mincheva-Raoul will monitor and cover the topics and cases that are considered in the European institutions and the work of the Bulgarian politicians in them.

Desislava Mincheva-Raoul is a long-time bTV correspondent for France, Belgium and Luxembourg and Western Europe, and will continue to cover the most important from Paris and the region. She is among the most recognizable faces of the media with extensive professional experience. In addition to being a journalist and program director at RFI (Radio France International - Bulgaria), she has dedicated 10 years to the fight of helping victims of terrorism and against the death penalty as Director of Communications at AFVT (the French Association of Victims of Terrorism) and in the - the significant European non-governmental organization working against the death penalty - ECPM ("Together Against the Death Penalty").
Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp on Tuesday announced new options for its business users including the ability to create Facebook and Instagram ads without needing a Facebook account, as global WhatsApp Business App users grow fourfold to over 200 million.

Metas new feature will allow users of WhatsApp Business  the app focused on small merchants  to start advertising on the app by confirming their email address and form of payment. The ads will act as an interface that will take the audience to WhatsApp chat with the business, where they can ask questions, browse products and make a purchase.

Until now, ad managers using Facebook or Instagram needed to have a Facebook page or have an admin, editor or advertiser role on someone else's page and provide their personal ad account ID. In 2020, 15 million out of 50 million users of the business messaging app came from India.

Soon the 200M+ users of the WhatsApp Business app will be able to create Facebook and Instagram ads to find and connect with new customers, without needing a Facebook account, Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post.

WhatsApp Business is a free-to-download app available on Android and iPhone that helps small businesses with tools to automate, sort and quick response to customer conversations. Apart from messaging tools, the app offers a business profile and Labels to organize and easily find chats and messages.

The announcement comes amid Metas growing focus on business messaging and emphasis on small businesses amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment. According to a Reuters report, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta Platforms last year told employees that business messaging could be the next major pillar for the company.

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Starting soon well make it possible for the many small businesses across the world that run their entire operation on WhatsApp to create, purchase and publish a Facebook or Instagram ad directly within the WhatsApp Business app, Meta said in a press release.

As per Meta, such ads would be the most powerful way to attract customers, opening new opportunities for WhatsApp-only small businesses that need a simpler way to get started with advertising.

Meta will also start testing the personalized message feature in WhatsApp Business app. This may include appointment reminders, birthday greetings or even updates on a holiday sale in a faster and more efficient way. Over 10 million advertisers currently use Meta's personalized ad tools  the majority are small and medium businesses.

The new paid service will allow sending personal messages with the customers name and customizable call-to-action buttons to specific customer lists instead of manually sending the same message to multiple customers.
"2001: A Space Odyssey" is becoming real, except for the part about the homicidal robot.

NASA is developing a system that comes with a natural-language ChatGPT-like interface to help astronauts perform maneuvers and conduct experiments.

This system will allegedly be present in the space agency's future endeavors, vehicles, and space stations.

NASA Astronaut AI Assistant Details

"2001: A Space Odyssey" and other movies about AI gave the idea that AI isn't to be trusted, especially in the final frontier, since they always go rogue.

However, NASA is going against that idea with the new system it's developing. According to The Guardian, NASA engineers are creating their own ChatGPT-style interface that could allow astronauts to talk to their spacecraft and mission controllers to converse with AI-powered robots exploring distant planets and moons.

The system also has a natural language interface that allows astronauts to perform maneuvers without having them dive into complex manuals and conduct experiments.

Dr. Larissa Suzuki, at an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers meeting on next-gen space communication, said that the idea of the new system is to reach a point where astronauts have conversational interactions with space vehicles, along with talking back to them on alerts, interesting findings they see in the solar system and beyond, per Engadget.

Read More: ESA To Broadcast Euclid Space Telescope Launch - Here's How To Watch It

She also mentioned that having such a system would be capable of detecting and possibly fixing glitches ad inefficiencies as they occur, along with alerting mission operators about the likelihood that package transmissions from a space vehicle will be lost or would fail delivery.

"It's really not like science fiction anymore," Dr. Suzuki added. She also envisioned that this new system with a ChatGPT-like interface would allow astronauts to seek advice on space experiments from the AI or how to perform complex maneuvers.

NASA plans to utilize an early incarnation of this new ChatGPT-style interface on its Lunar Gateway, the planned extraterrestrial space station orbiting the moon under the Artmis program, per one of the engineers developing the interface.

Interestingly, NASA wrote on a dedicated page soliciting small business support for Lunar Gateway that it would require AI and machine learning technologies to manage various systems when it's unoccupied. These include autonomous operations of science payloads, data transmission prioritization, autonomous operations, health management of Gateway, and more.

NASA's Artemis Program

NASA's pursuit of utilizing Ai for its Artemis program is a logical step. You may recall that the program will eventually take humanity back to the Moon, Mars, and into deep space eventually to better explore the solar system and learn more about it.

To do so, it would need to construct its Lunar Gateway, which would serve as a temporary base where astronauts can dwell and conduct research for brief periods. To that end, NASA had previously launched its Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) spacecraft to serve as a foundation for commercial support for future lunar operations, such as the construction and launch of the Lunar Gateway.

Reated Article: NASA Says 98% of Sweat and Urine Can Now be Turned to Drinkable Water
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said in October that Google had exploited its dominant position in the market and as a result had imposed two fines and antitrust directives for the tech giant to follow in India.

The Android mobile operating system powers 97 per cent of 600 million smartphones in India. In the latest development of this ongoing case, Google has now, reportedly, asked the Supreme Court (SC) to quash antitrust directives against it for abuse of the Android market.

According to sources, the company claims that it did not abuse its dominant position, inasmuch should not be required to pay the penalty.

The CCI has also asked the SC to provide partial relief according to media reports.

Background of the case

In October 2022 the CCI had slapped two fines on the tech giant, Google. This order is regarding the first monetary penalty of Rs 1337.76 crore that was imposed for anti-competitive practices relative to Android mobile devices. In the order, Google was accused of abusing its dominant position in multiple markets.

Also Read Developers pan Google's 'delay tactics' even as it begins heeding CCI order Reviewing SC decision, will cooperate with CCI on way forward: Google NCLAT upholds Competition Commission's Rs 1,337 crore penalty on Google NCLAT declines stay on CCI's Rs 936 cr Google penalty, asks firm to pay 10% NCLAT directs Google to pay 10% of Rs 1,337 crore penalty imposed by CCI Adani Total Gas to expand pan-India presence, build 1,800 CNG stations Tomato prices at Mother Dairy's Safal stores doubled to nearly Rs 80 per kg Lendingkart raises Rs 200cr in debt financing from EvolutionX Debt Capital BLS International Services plans Rs 2,000 cr investment: MD Aggarwal DealShare to invest Rs 1,000 cr in SMEs in 5 yrs, assist its private labels

The fair trade regulator also ordered the tech giant to cease and desist from many of their unfair business practices.

In response, Google filed a petition challenging the CCI order, stating that the verdict was a setback for the Indian users and would make devices more expensive in the country as a result, it also sought an interim stay over the penalty.

This was brought before the SC in January, which upheld the remedies suggested by the CCI . The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) also directed Google to deposit 10 per cent of the total monetary penalty and also abide by the non-monetary sanctions imposed by the CCI.

"We are of the opinion that at the moment given the voluminous nature of the appeal, there is no need to pass any interim order," the panel said.

The SC, however, did ask the NCLAT to hear Googles case and rule by the end of March.

On January 25, Google announced through its blog that it intended to comply with Indias directives.

We take our commitment to comply with local laws and regulations in India seriously. The CCIs recent directives for Android and Play require us to make significant changes for India, and today weve informed the CCI of how we will be complying with their directives, the post read.

On March 29, the NCLAT upheld the monetary penalty by CCI in a two-member bench. NCLAT further directed Google to implement the directions provided by CCI and deposit the penalty amount in 30 days.

The two-member bench comprised NCLAT chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and member Alok Shrivastav.

Grounds on which Google violated Indias competition law

The Android operating system (OS) is essential for running applications on smartphones. One of the most popular OSs is Android, which was acquired by Google in 2005. Google manages the Android OS and licences its proprietary apps like Chrome and Play Store to smartphone manufacturers.

Manufacturers must enter agreements with Google to use these apps on their devices. These agreements, such as the Mobile Application Distribution Agreement (MADA) and Anti-fragmentation Agreement (AFA), govern their rights and obligations.

The CCI stated that Google used these agreements to ensure that manufacturers using Google's apps had to use its version of Android. This restricted the distribution channels for alternative operating systems, as most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) were tied with Google. The MADA restrictions also mandated the pre-installation of Google apps such as the search app, widget, Chrome browser, etc on Android devices that could not be uninstalled.

Furthermore, Google dominates the app store market for Android OS worldwide with Google Play Store accounting for around 95 per cent of Indias market share, according to a report by the Economics Times in October 2022.

The CCI discovered that due to the mandatory pre-installation of the Google Suite, consumers lacked the option to download apps outside of the Play Store. The CCI examined the competition between Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store but concluded that the two were not substitutable.

Moreover, through revenue sharing agreements (RSAs) with mobile manufacturers, Google ensured exclusivity for its search services, excluding competitors. These agreements guaranteed continuous access to mobile users' search queries, protecting Google's ad revenue and providing network effects. Google's default search browser on Android smartphones further solidified its dominance.

As a result of these agreements, Google's revenue-earning app, YouTube, gained a significant advantage over competitors in the online video hosting platforms market, according to the CCI.

Directives given to Google by CCI

Smartphone manufacturers should have the freedom to choose which of Google's apps they want to install on their devices and not be compelled to pre-install the entire suite of Google's proprietary apps.

The licensing of the Play Store to manufacturers should not be tied to requirements for pre-installing Googles apps.

During the initial setup of a device, users should have the option to choose their default search engine for all search entry points and other related features.

Google should not deny access to its Play Services APIs, which enable programs to interact with each other, in a way that disadvantages manufacturers, app developers, or potential competitors.

Google should not offer any form of incentives, such as revenue-sharing agreements, to smartphone manufacturers in exchange for exclusive use of its search services.

Google should not impose anti-fragmentation obligations on manufacturers, meaning that those using alternative versions of Android should be able to access Google's proprietary apps, and vice versa.

Users should have the freedom to uninstall pre-installed Google apps from their devices without any restrictions.
By P R Sanjai and Rakesh Sharma

Indian billionaire Gautam Adani reiterated that his ports-to-power conglomerate remains confident in its governance and disclosure standards five months on from damaging allegations published by shortseller Hindenburg Research.



The Adani Group chairman, commenting in the annual report of flagship firm Adani Enterprises Ltd. released on Tuesday, pointed to a submission last month by Indias Supreme Court appointed panel of experts, which found no regulatory failure or signs of stock price manipulation.

The committees report not only observed that the mitigating measures, undertaken by your company helped rebuild confidence but also cited that there were credible charges of concerted destabilization of the Indian markets, the tycoon wrote. While Indias capital markets regulator is still to submit its report in the months ahead, he said, we remain confident of our governance and disclosure standards.

Adanis commentary is part of a wider effort to rebuild investor trust after US-based Hindenburg accused his eponymous conglomerate of widespread corporate malfeasance in January. The Adani Group has consistently denied the allegations. Prior to the broadside  which at one point wiped out more than $150 billion in the groups market value  Adani stocks were on a years-long runaway rally, vaulting the tycoon into second-place in Bloombergs Billlionaires Index.

US authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, are also looking into what representations Adani Group made to its American investors, Bloomberg News reported last week. The company said it isnt aware of any subpoena to US investors and that it was confident that disclosures were full and complete.

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In a seperate annual report, Adani Total Gas Ltd. said it has plans to invest up to 200 billion rupees ($2.4 billion) within 10 years to build urban gas distribution infrastructure. Adani Enterprises also stated that the next generation of its strategic investments will be focused on new energy, as well as data centers, airport management, water and road infrastructure.
BLS International Services is planning to invest Rs 2,000 crore over the next three years in the domestic and international markets, its Joint MD Shikhar Aggarwal has said.

BLS International Services provides numerous tech-enabled services to governments and individuals in various geographies.

"We have plans to invest over Rs 2,000 crore in domestic and global markets to increase our presence. We will continue to tap business opportunities which come our way," Aggarwal told PTI in reply to a question on the company's growth plans.

The investments will be made in a phased-manner over the next three years till FY2025-26, he added.

When asked about the funding source, Aggarwal said, "It will be sourced from both internal and external sources like debt etc".

The funds will be utilised towards a few strategic acquisitions, which BLS International is eyeing in India and some of the European nations, to increase its presence.

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The company is also eyeing fresh contracts to further strengthen its position in the market, establish long-term partnerships and drive sustainable business growth.

Last month, BSE-listed BLS International bagged a visa outsourcing contract from the Spanish government.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEUEC) of Spain awarded BLS International the global contract for visa application outsourcing for the second time in a row. The contract covers Europe, the Americas, Latin America, the CIS, Africa, the Middle East, and APAC, amongst other regions," Aggarwal said.

The company has also installed and commissioned hardware at 81 offices under Presidency Zones in Kolkata and provided manpower as part of a work order bagged from the West Bengal government.
Social e-commerce platform DealShare said on Tuesday it will invest Rs 1,000 crore in small and medium Indian brands, including its own private labels, over the next five years.

The Bengaluru-based company said it will invest in six states: Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

"DealShare has always been at the forefront of supporting the growth of MSMEs in India. Our latest endeavor of expanding Indian private labels and local and regional manufacturing from MSMEs underscores our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and uplifting local businesses," said Sourjyendu Medda, the companys founder and co-CEO.

"By synergizing our strengths with the innovative and diverse products offered by Indian private labels and local brands, we are confident that together we can create an ecosystem that empowers both entrepreneurs and consumers," he said.

DealShares e-commerce portfolio sources goods and products from more than 500 domestic brands, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of its offerings.

The company said the investment will help small and medium brands find national and regional appeal, ensure manufacturing quality, and create livelihood opportunities. Businesses will "benefit from its established infrastructure, technological expertise, and extensive customer base."

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The firms investment will also benefit its own private labels, which source 100 per cent of their products from MSMEs. DealShare plans to increase the private label's contribution to its overall business from the current 10 per cent to 30 per cent in the next 2-3 years, with the aim to provide consumers with a broader selection across various categories, including grocery, personal care, and homecare.

The company aims to increase its current portfolio of eight brands in 16 different categories to encompass a wider range of product offerings.
Online food and grocery delivery platform Swiggys losses jumped 80 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in FY23, even as gross merchandise value (GMV) of its food delivery business grew 26 per cent, the companys biggest investor Prosus said in its annual financial report on Tuesday. Though Prosus statement says the figures for Swiggy is for FY23, the year in Swiggys section refers to 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022.

On the other hand, Prosus fintech investment PayU witnessed its revenue jump 31 per cent in FY23 to $399 million but saw a trading loss of $10 million as it shut down its LazyPay card business. It said PayU India is close to a breakeven.

The Netherlands-listed international assets arm of South African group Naspers which has made investments in Indian unicorns -- such as Byjus, Pharmeasy, and Eruditus -- holds a 33 per cent stake in Swiggy.

Our share of Swiggys trading loss increased to $180 million (FY22: $100m), driven by investment in Instamart, which peaked in the year, Prosus said. This translates to an overall loss of around $545 million for the food aggregator during the year.

The investor further said: Our share of Swiggys revenue grew 40 per cent to $297 million from $212 million, reflecting higher average order values, and increased revenue from delivery fees and advertising sales. This brings the food delivery firms overall revenue to around $900 million.

Swiggys core restaurant food delivery business, Prosus said, recorded GMV growth of 26 per cent, while Instamart -- its quick commerce vertical  grew its GMV by 459 per cent.

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In the last two reporting periods, Swiggy has concentrated on reactivating users, increasing monthly frequency, and improving user conversion. The benefits are reflected in its results for FY23, with over 272,000 enabled restaurants on its platform, 155 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with GMV at $2.6 billion, the investor said.

In FY23, Swiggy also redoubled its focus on the profitability of its core restaurant food delivery business, which its CEO recently announced had turned profitable in March 2023 (after factoring all corporate costs excluding share-based costs) following an investment phase, Prosus stated.

Swiggy's food delivery business turned profitable in the March quarter, after considering corporate costs and excluding employee stock options (ESOPs), CEO Sriharsha Majety announced last month.

The firms listed rival Zomato, excluding its quick commerce business, also turned adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) positive in the quarter ended March. In FY23, the Gurugram-based firm trimmed its losses to Rs. 971 crore, from Rs. 1,225.5 crore in the previous financial year, with the company targeting profitability at a consolidated level in the next four quarters.

Prosus statement comes a month after reports that two US investors marked down their valuation of Swiggy. A fund managed by asset management firm Baron Capital Group slashed Swiggys valuation by 34 per cent to $7.1 billion (as of December 2022), according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Invesco, which led Swiggys previous funding round, marked down the valuation by 33 per cent from $8.2 billion to about $5.5 billion.

The Bengaluru-based food aggregator, since the start of this year, has undergone retrenchments as it prepares for a public listing. Swiggy laid off 380 employees and shut down some of the companys business verticals, including meat delivery and its premium grocery delivery business Handpicked. In March, the firm also sold its cloud kitchen business, Swiggy Access, to Kitchens@ in a share-swap deal.

Swiggy, in its results for FY22, reported that its losses widened 2.24 times to Rs. 3,628.9 crore, from Rs. 1,616.9 crore in FY21, fuelled by a 227 per cent rise in costs.

Expenses came in at Rs. 9,748.7 crore in FY22, compared to Rs. 4,292.8 crore the year before. Despite this, Swiggy reported revenue of Rs. 5,704.9 crore, a little over twofold jump from the previous financial year.

According to analysts at HSBC, Swiggys cash burn in FY22 stood at Rs. 3,900 crore; Zomato burnt Rs. 700 crore during the same period.

Fintech shows promise

Prosus annual report said PayU witnessed a 31 per cent rise to $399 million in revenue as it experienced growth in enterprise and small and medium-sized businesses, as well as diversification into new segments, such as government merchants, and omnichannel and other non-MDR (merchant discount rate) products.

The Indian arm of the Prosus groups payment service provider (PSP) business contributed 51 per cent of the core PSP business revenues, up from 47 per cent in FY22. Additionally, Indias total payment value (TPV) rose 33 per cent to $58 billion from 44 per cent in the previous financial year as it recorded transaction growth of 25 per cent to 1.4 billion.

The companys core PSP business posted 23 per cent growth in revenue to $790 million as transactions rose 19 per cent to 2.7 billion and TPV clocked $98 billion, growing at 24 per cent.

It registered 47 per cent growth in loan disbursal as it issued $742 million in loans, translating into a loan book of $256m in FY23. The credit business grew revenue three times $83 million, attributed to a growth in the personal loans segment.

The report states that the India credit metrics exclude LazyCard, the groups digital bank offering which was shut down last year in response to regulations. This accounted for the largest part of the credit business trading loss.
AI-powered analytics firm ThoughtSpot on Tuesday announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire business intelligence company Mode Analytics for $200 million, in a move that is expected to double its customer base.

ThoughtSpot expects the deal to take its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) above $150 million and double its customer base. The acquisition will also expand ThoughtSpots presence in India to Kolkata and 31 employees of Mode Analytics will now come onto the rolls of ThoughtSpot in this city.

With very little customer overlap, the transaction will create new opportunities for each company to bring its products to customers, while further scaling Mode across ThoughtSpots international market presence and broad channel and partner alliances, ThoughtSpot said in a press note.

Over the last fiscal year, the business analytics firm's SaaS ARR doubled. The company supports global enterprises such as Verizon, CVS, Anthem, Capital One, and Snowflake, as well as Comcast and digital natives like Wellthy, Modern Milkman, and Huel, more effectively leveraging their data in the cloud.

According to ThoughtSpot, the combined analytical tools of the two firms would transform business intelligence with generative AI and deliver value to the business quickly, securely, and at scale.

The Mountain View, California-based company previously announced plans to invest $150 million in India by 2027. Currently, it has R&D teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Trivandrum spanning engineering and partner engineering, to design and operations. The company plans to grow its headcount in India by 30 per cent over the next five years.

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For too long, data teams have been held back by the last generation of archaic data visualisation tools like Tableau that forced them to endlessly tweak and update dashboards. With this acquisition, were giving both data teams and business users the tools they need to efficiently and quickly turn data into insights and those insights into actions, said Sudheesh Nair, Chief Executive Officer of ThoughtSpot.

Upon the close of the acquisition, Mode will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of ThoughtSpot. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of Modes stockholder approval, and is expected to close later this year.

Today we celebrate the beginning of a new, exciting chapter, not only for Mode but for the modern data stack, which has been sorely lacking a truly modern business intelligence platform - until now. As part of ThoughtSpot, we will help supercharge the business impact of data teams, empowering them to deliver trustworthy AI-powered insights to their organizations quickly, said Gaurav Renwari, CEO of Mode.
The Vedanta-Foxconn joint venture (JV) on Tuesday said it had re-submitted an application to set up an electronic chip manufacturing plant in India.

We have submitted the application as per the revised guidelines. We are committed to building a world-class fab in India, Vedanta Foxconn Semiconductor said in a statement.

Its earlier application could not qualify for receiving financial incentives after it failed to get a partner with technical expertise in producing advanced semiconductor chips.

In the new application for making chips under the governments $10 billion production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, the company has sought government incentive in the 40-nanometer (nm) chip category, instead of 28-nm proposed earlier.

The announcement comes a day after a media report stated that Foxconn was searching for a new partner, stepping back from the year old JV with the Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta group. The report had mentioned that government officials had suggested Foxconn to onboard a different partner due to concerns over Vedantas financial stability.

The company had earlier proposed to set up a plant in Dholera, Gujarat, with an investment of around Rs 1.5 trillion, which would start earning revenue by 2027.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in September 2022 revised the semiconductor PLI scheme with uniform 50 per cent incentives of the project costs for all semiconductor nodes. The ministry last month invited new proposals from existing applicants, as the focus of the scheme shifted away from advanced semiconductors with smaller nodes.

Under the modified PLI programme, the government may provide a fiscal incentive of up to 50 per cent of the project cost for setting up semiconductor fabs in India of any node, including mature nodes.

Similarly, the fiscal incentive of 50 per cent of the project cost is available for setting up display fabs of specified technologies in India.

Earlier, the scheme offered fiscal support of 30 per cent of capital expenditure to approved units for setting up compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, sensor fabs, and semiconductor assembly test marking and packaging facilities in India.
New additions in the coveted unicorn list declined sharply in 2023, indicating a slowdown in the Indian startup ecosystem, a report said on Tuesday.

India added only three unicorns startups having a valuation of over $1 billion in 2023 against 24 in the year-ago period, as per the ASK Private Wealth Hurun Indian Future Unicorn Index 2023.

The slowdown in unicorn additions is indicative of a "slowdown in India's startup ecosystem", the report -- which comes amid a slowdown in investor interest in what is being termed as "funding winter" -- said. The overall number of unicorns also declined to 83 from 84 in the year-ago period.

ASK Private Wealth's chief executive and managing director Rajesh Saluja said unsustainable business models adopted by startups have led to a dip in valuations but stressed that funding to the right companies continues.

Hurun India's chief researcher Anas Rahman Junaid, however, said that the Indian startup story has high potential and he sees the overall number of unicorns in India touching 200 in the next five years.

He said China has over 1,000 unicorns and if India were to grow economically, startups will be very important.

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Junaid said the overall number of startups in the list, which has startups valued at over $250 million, stands at 147 in 2023 compared to 122 in the year-ago period.

A total of 18 companies got dropped off the list last year, but there were over 40 new additions as well, as per the report. Saluja said the overall funding to the startups on the list grew by 6 per cent to $18.8 billion.

Junaid explained that Hurun used regulatory filings and interviews with startup investors to arrive at the valuations and then subsequently make the index of unicorns (valued at over $1 billion), gazelles (valued at over $500 million which are likely to turn unicorns in three years) and cheetahs (valued at $250 million likely to turn unicorn in five years).

There were 51 gazelles and 96 cheetahs in 2023, against 51 gazelles and 71 cheetahs in 2022, as per the index.

Saluja said recent troubles on the governance front in some startups like Byjus will not impact funding to the broader Indian startup ecosystem and pointed to high interest among high networth individuals to invest in funds, which will be deployed in startups.

Earlier, it used to take a year to raise a fund of Rs 1,000 crore, he said, adding that the same can now be raised in under four months.

Peak XV Partners, which was formerly known as Sequoia, is the biggest investor with stakes in 37 unicorns, the report said, adding that Bengaluru continues to be the startup capital of India by being home to 53 probable unicorns.

Quick commerce startup Zepto's twenty-year-old co-founder Kaivalya Vohra is the youngest co-founder in the index. The 147 companies featured in the index employ over 1.02 lakh people.
The Delhi government has set up a centralised GST registration cell Sewa Kendra to improve the registration process, combat tax evasion and boost revenue, said an official statement on Tuesday.

Setting up of the Sewa 'Kendra' marks a significant milestone in the journey towards improving the GST registration process, Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said.

"Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it is a testament to the Delhi government's commitment to promoting transparency, curbing tax evasion and optimising revenue collection," the minister said.

The Trade and Taxes Department of the Delhi government has taken a significant step towards improving the GST registration process with the establishment of the centralised GST registration cell. This new initiative aims to streamline the registration process, minimise deemed registrations, and combat tax evasion, thereby safeguarding government revenue, the statement read.

The primary objective of the cell is to enhance efficiency by reducing the burden on ward officials, who were previously responsible for scrutinising each application for GSTIN registration.

With the introduction of the Seva Kendra, ward officials will have more time to focus on crucial GST-related tasks, including revenue collection, compliance monitoring, return scrutiny, audits, assessments, and appeals, it said.

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Previously, ward officers were inundated with the task of meticulously examining every registration application. This exhaustive process often consumed a substantial amount of their time, leaving little room for other important responsibilities such as compliance monitoring, appeals and audits, the statement said.

The centralised cell will receive and process new GST registration applications, ensuring greater efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, the department has implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) to further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the GST registration process, it added.
Centre is likely to release the draft of the Digital India Bill for public consultation within the next 15 days, The Economic Times (ET) reported on Tuesday. It may contain provisions requiring companies to inform the users of how their data is being used.

The bill was due to be released last month but was delayed due to the need for fresh consultations with experts on topics like fact-checking and misinformation, the report cited a senior official as saying.

In the draft, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) may prescribe "no-go" areas for internet intermediaries and companies that use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These areas will include aspects where there may be potential harm to the users.

The companies may also have to inform users how their data is being processed, and violation may attract "severe penalties".

It may also include provisions for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse and unauthorised use of government-issued IDs.

The bill does not aim to amend the 23-year-old IT Act of 2000 but to entirely replace it. It may also put restraints on big tech firms like Alphabet and Meta.

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In March, the Centre initiated the outreach for consultations with experts across major cities, including Bengaluru and Mumbai. The Centre also conducted two rounds of public consultations at the pre-draft stage.

This will be the third major overhaul of the IT Act. In 2022, the ministry withdrew an older version of the Data Protection Bill as it was pending for over three years. A new bill, Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, was released in November last year and is likely to be introduced in the Monsoon session of the Parliament this year.
From left, actors Lee Chung-ah, Kang Min-hyuk, Park Gyu-young, Lee Dong-gun and Jun Hyo-seong and director Kim Cheol-kyu pose during the press conference for Netflix's new original series "Celebrity," held in western Seoul's Mapo District, Monday. Courtesy of Netflix



By Lee Gyu-lee



Netflix's new Korean original series, "Celebrity," will take viewers into the competitive, cut-throat world of social media influencers, the series' director said.



"The world of social media, primarily Instagram, emerged not too long ago. And as the majority of its users are of the younger generation, the content created within that world is often hot, hip and on the forefront of ongoing trends," director Kim Cheol-kyu, said during a press conference for the series, held at a hotel in western Seoul's Mapo District, Monday.



"So I tried to fill each episode of 'Celebrity' with such stories, aiming to create a hot, hip and trendy series."



The new series, set to hit the platform on Friday, follows an ordinary woman, Seo A-ri (Park Gyu-young), who becomes a social media star overnight with over 1 million followers. The life of glitz and glamour as an influencer comes with a price, dealing with jealousy and haters, which eventually leads to deadly consequences.



The 12-part series is directed by Kim, who is known for the 2020 suspense crime series, "The Flower of Evil," and scripted by writer Kim Yi-young, whose previous work includes the 2019 period series, "Haechi."





A scene from the series "Celebrity" / Courtesy of Netflix
Tomato prices have recently shot up in the markets across the country from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg. The reason behind this is the dip in supply due to heatwaves in tomato-growing areas and heavy rain.

Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory said, "This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year. However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat."

Speaking to ANI, Mohammad Raju, a resident of Delhi said, "Tomato is being sold at a price of Rs 80 per kg. The rate has suddenly shot up in the past two-three days."

According to him, the sudden increase in price is due to heavy rainfall.

"Rain has destroyed tomatoes," added Mohammad Raju.

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult.

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The price of tomatoes touched Rs 100 per kg in a market in Bengaluru and traders said that due to heavy rain, the crops have been damaged.

Tomato, sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UP's Kanpur market is now being sold at Rs 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at Rs 80 per Kg.

"Earlier, the price of Tomato was Rs 30 per kg, after that I bought it for Rs 50 per kg and now it has become Rs 100. Price is going to go up further and we're helpless, we have to buy," said Suraj Gaur, a resident of Bengaluru.

In Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, the acute shortage of the essential vegetable is burning holes in common people's pockets. The wholesale prices range from Rs 80-90 per kg, and the retail shops are selling tomatoes for Rs 100 per kg.

According to vegetable vendors of a market in Kanpur, Karnataka, a major tomato supplier, saw heavy rains that destroyed the crops. The prices soared in just 10 days and are likely to increase further, the vendors added.

"Price rise is because of rain. Tomatoes are coming from Bengaluru. Within 10 days it will increase further. Every year during this month tomato prices usually increase," Lakshmi Devi, a vegetable seller at a Kanpur market said.

Due to rain, significant disruption in the supply of tomatoes has happened in Karnataka's tomato-growing districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Chitradurga and Bengaluru Rural.

Meanwhile, a customer in Kanpur said that he would stop buying tomatoes if prices increase further.

"I will stop eating tomatoes if the price increases. People from households like mine are worried about the price rise. How can we buy vegetables if prices increase like this?," Gopal a resident of Kanpur said.

Meanwhile, a trader in Kanpur said that the prices of tomatoes can shoot up to 150 rupees per kg in the coming days.

"The tomato rate has doubled in the last few days. We are not receiving tomatoes from local areas and there is an acute shortage of them. We rely on Bengaluru for supply in these two months, and in upcoming days, prices will shoot up to 150 rupees per kg", a trader said.

"We are selling tomatoes at Rs 100 kg. Due to rain, the prices have increased," says a tomato seller in Kanpur.

According to the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, per kilo tomato on an average rose from Rs 25 to Rs 41 in retail markets. Maximum prices of tomatoes in retail markets were in the range between Rs 80-113.

The rates of staple vegetables were in tune with the rise in their prices in wholesale markets, which jumped about 60-70 per cent on an average in June.
An India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is really important for both nations and it is for businesses on both sides to help drive that agenda, UK Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson said in London on Tuesday.

Addressing a UK-India Infrastructure Summit hosted by the City of London Corporation as part of the India Global Forum UK-India Week, Johnson said he is very optimistic about an FTA even as he declined to put a timeframe to it.

India and the UK recently concluded their tenth round of FTA negotiations and an 11th round is set to begin in the next few weeks towards a comprehensive agreement expected to significantly enhance the bilateral trading relationship worth an estimated 34 billion pounds in 2022.

I'm very optimistic about a free trade deal with India, said Johnson.

It is hugely important for India if it wants to get the capital flows it needs to take itself to the next step, which is to become a global hyperpower economically. And it's very good for the UK if we're going to ensure that we've got the investment coming from India, he said.

The minister went on to make a clarion call for representatives of business and industry gathered at the summit to be more vocal about voicing their support for such an FTA.

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It's really important for businesses to express their support for such a deal because it's about allowing businesses to function more effectively with greater profits, wealth and security for the world, he said.

Describing the India-UK relationship as the most symbiotic partnership, the minister also backed a City of London suggestion for a new UK-India Green Finance Partnership to promote greater two-way green investment flows.

I truly believe India has reached escape velocity as an economy. And, I truly believe that the UK is literally India's best friend, and the best placed country to take advantage of what is such a mutually beneficial long-term financial partnership, he added.

Under the theme of Financing a Sustainable Future, the summit highlighted the immense scope and potential for investment in sustainable infrastructure development in India, and London's expertise in meeting India's growing demand for green finance.

The UK, particularly the City of London, has excellent capabilities in structuring and funnelling finance where it is needed. The UK has demonstrated technological capabilities while India is at the frontiers of innovation. Combining technology with financing would enhance the cooperation, said BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog.

I would argue that your interests are best served in aligning with us in making sure that the transformation of India happens in a way that does not replicate any of the faults of the past, noted Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK.

The summit, which forms part of a six-day series of events running until Friday as part of UK-India Week, opened with a keynote address by the Lord Mayor of the City of London Nicholas Lyon.

Sustainable infrastructure is critical for India's economic trajectory and to meet the needs of its fast-growing population, while fulfilling its ambition to reach net zero by 2070. With strong government backing and unparalleled global expertise in sustainable finance and infrastructure financing solutions, the City of London and the UK can help India to access one of the largest and diversified global capital pools on the best possible terms, he said.

"As the fastest growing major economy in the world, and the most populous, India has huge aspirations and equally huge responsibilities. The rapid building of high quality sustainable physical and digital infrastructure will be critical to achieving India's growth trajectory, as well as balancing its net zero commitments," added Manoj Ladwa of India Global Forum, organisers of UK-India Week.
The National Exit Test (NExT) for the 2019 batch of final-year MBBS students will be held in two phases next year, official sources said on Tuesday.

According to the sources, the NExT will be conducted in two phases -- NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 -- by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

The NExT Step 1 for the final-year batch is likely to be held in February 2024, the sources said.

After clearing the NExT Step 1, the students will be doing an internship for a year and the NExT Step 1 score will be considered for their admission in post-graduate courses, Dr Yogender Malik, member of the National Medical Commission's (NMC) Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), explained.

After the internship, the students will have to clear the NExT Step 2 to become eligible for getting the licence and registration to practise modern medicine in India, Malik said.

Foreign medical graduates who want to practise in India will have to appear in the NExT Step 1, do the internship and then clear the NExT Step 2, he added.

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"It has been decided that mock or practice tests for the NExT will be held on July 28 and the registration for the same will start from Wednesday (June 28). Only final-year students pursuing MBBS courses in medical colleges are eligible for such mock tests," Malik said.

The aim of conducting these mock tests is to familiarise the prospective candidates with the computer-based exam, software interface and process flow in the examination centre.

The sample questions in the mock or practice tests will only exemplify the pattern and format of the NExT Step 1.

The NExT Step 1 will have six subject papers with respective weightage in items and time allocation.

According to the NMC Act, the NExT will serve as a common qualifying final-year MBBS exam, a licentiate exam to practise modern medicine and for merit-based admission to postgraduate courses and a screening exam for foreign medical graduates who want to practise in India.

NMC Chairman Dr S C Sharma addressed the final-year students and faculty of the medical colleges in the country through a video-conference on Tuesday to allay their anxiety and clear doubts regarding NExT.

Detailed regulations for conducting the NExT will be released soon, Malik said.

The government, in September last year, invoked the provisions of the NMC Act, by which the time limit for conducting the NExT for final-year MBBS students was extended till September 2024.

According to the NMC Act, the commission has to conduct a common final-year undergraduate medical examination -- NExT -- as specified by regulations within three years of it coming into force.

The Act came into force in September 2020.
The Income Tax department of India has received over 10 million income tax returns for last fiscal till 26 June 2023. The 1 million milestone has been achieved 12 days early this year compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.





"Filing an Income Tax Return even when the income is not taxable has many advantages as it serves proof of your income. It can help you claim tax refund, carry forward losses, obtain loan, secure visa approval, and apply for government benefit(s). Also, ITR is an important proof of income for awarding compensation in the cases of accidental death or disability from an accident. Therefore, it is advisable to file ITR without any annual break," said Vipul Jai, Partner, PSL Advocates & Solicitors An ITR is a form that an individual is supposed to fill out to get several benefits from it. This form has information about the persons taxes to be paid during a financial year and his income. An individual whose annual income is less than Rs 2,50,000 is exempted from filing ITRs, as he/she do not fall in the tax bracket. But if they file ITRs even when their income is below Rs 2,50,0000 it is termed Nil Return. Although it is not mandatory to file nil returns, there are many benefits to filing nil returns.

Here are the many reasons why one should file a tax return even if they do not fall in the tax bracket:

Capital loss offset: Filing ITR can help a taxpayer allow carry forward of losses to future years. The same can be offset against ones income and future income, said Maneet Pal Singh, Partner, I.P. Pasricha & Co.

Loan or Credit Card Applications: In order to check creditworthiness of a loan applicant, financial institutions ask for the Income Tax Return of the applicant to be secure while disbursing loan.

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Refund claims: Taxpayer seeking refund of taxes deducted on his income where no taxability arises can claim refund only if he/she files ITR. " If excess tax has been deducted from your income, either through Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) or via advance tax, the only way to claim a refund is by filing an ITR," said Ankit Jain, Partner, Ved Jain & Associates.

Visa procedures: Sometimes, most embassies require ITR documents whilst applying for visa. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada often require copies of tax returns to establish your financial stability when applying for a visa. Even passport applications accept nil ITR as valid proof of address.

Insurance Policies: If you're applying for a high-value life insurance policy, you may be asked to present your income tax returns, said Jain.

Bank TDS: Banks may deduct TDS on interest on deposits. The TDS refund can be claimed by filing nil ITR.

Government Tenders: Some government tender applications require you to show tax return receipts from the previous five years, confirming your adherence to statutory obligations.

Freelancers and the Self-Employed: A few organisations may deduct the TDS of people working as consultants or freelancers while disbursing their payment. They need to file nil ITR to claim a TDS refund when they dont fall in the tax bracket. "For individuals who are self-employed, in partnerships, or freelancing, ITRs usually serve as the primary evidence of income and tax payments," said Jain.

Despite these benefits, there are specific circumstances where filing an ITR becomes mandatory, even if there's no tax to be paid, explains Jain. These are as follows:

Income Exceeding Exemption: If the gross total income, before any deductions under sections 80C to 80U, surpasses the basic exemption limit, you are obligated by law to file an ITR. The limits are set at Rs 2,50,000 for individuals below 60, Rs 3,00,000 for those between 60 and 80, and Rs 5,00,000 for individuals above 80.

Capital Gain Reinvestment: If you have claimed a deduction under Section 54/54F for a residential house purchase, or under Section 54EC for notified bonds, you must file an ITR.

Bank Transactions: If a person has deposited over Rs 1 crore in a bank account or maintains a balance exceeding Rs 50 lakh in a year, he is obliged to file a tax return.

Receipts from Business or Profession: An individual must file a tax return if their total turnover from business exceeds Rs 60 lakh or receipts from profession exceed Rs 10 lakh.

Specific Expenditures: If your annual expenditure on foreign travel crosses Rs 2 lakh, or if your electricity bill exceeds Rs 1 lakh, it is mandatory to file an ITR.



Foreign asset: Filing ITR is mandatory for individuals who own a foreign asset even when their income is below the threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh.
By Emma Court, Robert Langreth and Matthew Griffin



Obesity shots like Wegovy are already a cultural phenomenon. Now its looking like pill forms of the drugs from Eli Lilly & Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S are just as good at helping people lose weight, setting the stage for even more explosive growth in the years ahead.



Novo and Lillys experimental obesity pills helped people lose about 15% of body weight, similar to weight-loss shots on the market already, according to findings presented at the American Diabetes Associations conference over the weekend. Meanwhile, Pfizer Inc. said it will discontinue one of its weight loss pills under development as safety concerns arose.

Drugmakers have been rushing to develop obesity drugs, angling for a piece of a market that some estimate will one day be worth as much as $100 billion. Novos Wegovy injection has been available since 2021 and Lillys diabetes shot Mounjaro could be cleared on the US market for obesity soon: now, the next frontier is developing easy-to-take pill versions.

Lilly and Novo remain at the forefront in developing pill forms of weight-loss drugs, said Richard DiMarchi, an obesity researcher at Indiana University. He worked at Lilly for more than 20 years and later sold a company he founded to Novo, but has no current ties to either company. For other companies trying to catch up, It will be hard but not impossible, he said.

Lilly released its strongest results of any of its treatments yet in a test of retatrutide, a shot that could further boost its efforts to dominate the burgeoning obesity drug market. People with obesity shed an average of 24.2% of their body weight, about 58 pounds, on the highest dose of the drug after 48 weeks, according to a study released Monday by the New England Journal of Medicine.

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All the new drugs mimic GLP-1, a hormone that makes people feel full and eat less. But each companys pill version takes a different approach.

Novos oral drug is a higher dose of an approved pill, the diabetes medication Rybelsus. Adapting a drug thats already on the market reduces the risk of a surprise safety problem, said DiMarchi.

Lillys pill looks safe and effective so far, but a lot will depend on what come out of larger, late-stage trials.

It still needs to be proven that this is truly effective and truly safe for long term use, DiMarchi said.

Pfizer Fumble

Pfizer had a setback on its road to developing an obesity pill Monday, halting development of an experimental drug called lotiglipron after seeing high levels of liver enzymes in patients on the drug. Few details are known about precisely what level of enzymes Pfizer saw. Evercore ISI analyst Umer Raffat called it a big setback for the company.

Pfizer is continuing to test another pill called danuglipron that outperformed a placebo in a recent study, producing around 9 more pounds of weight loss at the highest dose. Sure theyll move ahead with danuglipron, Raffat said in a note to investors, but its not the best shot they had.

Experts say what happened with Pfizers pill isnt a sign of trouble ahead for the other companies oral treatments. Still Pfizers shares were down as much as 5.6% Monday, as investors considered other issues with the therapy.

Danuglipron currently must be taken twice a day, and that could prove challenging, assuming all else is equal, leaving Pfizers $10 billion peak sales estimate for danuglipron looking optimistic, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts John Murphy and Mila Bankovskaia said. Pfizer said it sticks by its estimate for peak sales.

The company is also looking at developing a once-daily version that could be moved into late-stage testing, a Pfizer spokesperson said.

Wall Street analysts dont expect Lilly and Novos pills to have the same problems as Pfizers drug. And all the oral drugs are likely years away from becoming commercially available. But major differences already emerging between the two could set Lillys medicine up for greater success.

Lillys pill, for instance, helped patients lose as much as 15% of their body weight after around eight months of treatment. Longer use could help patients slim down even more, perhaps losing as much as 20% of their body weight, said Daniel Drucker, a co-discoverer of the GLP-1 hormone whos a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto.

Drucker called the drug the star of the show at the conference. He said it was unprecedented for a pill to produce so much weight loss so quickly.

Thumbs Up

In terms of hot new data that was not previously disclosed before, thumbs up to Lilly, he said.

Read More: Lillys Mounjaro Gives Positive Results in Obese Diabetic People

The Lilly medication also helped reduce levels of certain liver enzymes, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Michael Shah said. Its difficult to compare its findings with Pfizers given the lack of detail in company releases.

Novos drug, meanwhile, has other limitations. Oral semaglutide uses high doses of a main ingredient, so its likely to be harder and more expensive to manufacture large amounts. Also, in studies of Novos pill, patients had to fast before taking the drug and then a half an hour afterwards, issues that dont affect Lillys pill.
The income tax department has warned PAN card holders that these reasons can disappoint them while linking Aadhaar with PAN. By paying a fine of 1,000 rupees, you can link your Aadhaar and your Permanent Account Number (PAN) by June 30, 2023. Consequently, people only have four days now to finish the linking process.

To ensure seamless linking of PAN and Aadhaar, in case of any demographic mismatch, the department has provided biometric-based authentication which can be accessed at dedicated centres of PAN Service Providers (Protean & UTIITSL).

PAN-Aadhaar linking: Reasons

While linking PAN with Aadhaar, demographic mismatch may show up for any of the following reasons:

 Name

 Date of Birth

 Gender

Also Read PAN-Aadhaar link status: Are your cards already linked? Learn how to check Pan-Aadhaar link online: What happens if cards are not linked by March 31? PAN-Aadhaar Link: A step by step guide to link two cards before deadline PAN-Aadhaar link: Last date to link these two cards extended to June 30 Link PAN-Aadhaar to avoid restrictions on NPS A/C: Step-by-step guide here Meta launches parental supervision tools to tackle impact on mental health Police seizes Rs 5.50 lakh worth fake Indian currency in Delhi, arrests 2 Mandi-Kullu highway opened in Himachal Pradesh; Tourists' woes continue CAG to conduct audit into 'irregularities' in Delhi CM residence renovation Court to pass order on cognisance of charge sheet against Brij Bhushan

PAN-Aadhaar linking: Websites

For more details, "please check the website of service providers for more information," the income tax division tweeted.

 www/onlineservices.nsdl.com/paam/endUserRegisterContact.html

 UTIITSL at: https://www.pan.utiitsl.com

 UIDAI website at: https://ssup.uidai.gov.in/web/guest/update (for updates).

 Post the demographic mismatch is sorted, users can try linking PAN-Aadhaar at the e-filing portal:

https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/bl-link-aadhaar, the Income Tax department added.

PAN-Aadhaar linking: Linking Procedure

 Visit the official sites of the Income Tax Department of India at eportal.incometax.gov.in or incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

 Register yourself if not done as of now.

 Your PAN card or Aadhaar number will be done as your client ID.

 To access the portal, use your user ID, password, and birth date.

 Your screen will display a pop-up message announcing the PAN-Aadhaar link.

 Open the "Quick Links" section on the left side of the homepage if the notification does not appear.

 On the homepage, select the "Link Aadhaar" option.

 Enter your name, your Aadhaar number, and your PAN number, as shown on your Aadhaar card.

 If applicable, mark the box labelled "I have only year of birth on my Aadhaar card."

 To confirm, type the Captcha code that appears on your screen.

 When the details entered by you match your information in PAN and Aadhaar records, you will get a confirmation alert in regards to the successful link of your Aadhaar and PAN card.

 That will end the process of linking your Aadhaar card with your PAN.
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday reprimanded the makers of the film Adipurush for its dialogues that have angered a large section of the audience and have been accused of hurting religious sentiments, according to a report published by NDTV.

The court's remarks came while hearing two public interest litigations (PILs), which argued that the film had portrayed religious figures like Lord Rama, Hanuman, and others in an objectionable manner.

The court said that the dialogues in the film are a cause for concern and the Ramayana is a paragon for many people. The court ordered that co-writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla be made a party to the case, and issued a notice requiring him to respond within one week.

The Allahabad High Court expressed doubt as to whether the film certification authority fulfilled its responsibility. ''Cinema is the mirror of society....what do you (the board) want to teach the future generations?'' it asked.

The court stated that it was fortunate that people did not destroy the law and order situation after watching the film and it was very difficult to watch such films. The court also remarked that Lord Hanuman and Sita have not been portrayed correctly and such things should have been removed from the start.

The Deputy Solicitor General informed the court that the objectionable dialogue in the film have been removed. The court then asked the Deputy SG to ask the censor board why they did not remove the dialogue before the film was released.

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Adipurush, starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, was released in theatres across the world on June 16. The Hindi dialogues penned by Manoj Muntashir Shukla received heavy criticism for its pedestrian language. The VFX, script, and depiction of religious figures in the film upset many and led to protests across the country with some groups asking for a ban on the film.
Contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways and the Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation went on strike on Tuesday to press for their demands, including an increase in salaries.

The strike left many passengers stranded at bus stands, including in Sangrur, Ludhiana and Patiala.

Gurvinder Singh, secretary of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC Contract Workers' Union, said they are staging demonstrations at all 27 bus stands in the state.

The contractual employees are seeking from the state government, among others, a five per cent hike in their annual salaries. Singh said the hike was promised by the state government but not implemented.

Waving black flags, the protesting employees raised slogans against the government and threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are not met.

The strike inconvenienced many passengers, several of whom were unaware of the strike call.

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A passenger at the Sangrur stand said he waited for a state-owned bus for 25 minutes but "not even a single bus came".

A woman passenger in Ludhiana said she was waiting for a bus to Jalandhar but did not get one.
A clash broke out between two groups at Gitaldaha in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Tuesday morning, in which one person died of bullet injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Babu Hoque.

Speaking to ANI, Sumit Kumar SP, Cooch Behar said, "A clash broke out between two groups in Gitaldaha, Cooch Behar this morning. As per info, 5 people have received bullet injuries, of which one Babu Hoque has died. The situation is peaceful. Police present on the spot."

Gitaldaha is near Jaridharla, one of the most interior places in the Coochbehar district and is very close to the International Border. The only mode of communication is via boat.

The police have reached the area and are speculating about the use of Bangladesh-based criminals by local leaders.

The situation is now peaceful at the site. Further details awaited.

Also Read Union Minister Nisith Pramanik's car attacked in West Bengal's Dinhata WB panchayat polls: Mamata to kick-start full-scale campaign on Monday TMC's Abhishek welcomes SC decision on reassigning hearings in school scam Vande Bharat pelted with stones in Bengal's Malda; BJP demands NIA probe Over 20 arrested in clash between two groups in Bihar on Ram Navami PM Modi flags off Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express via video conferencing Netizens slam Netflix for re-releasing 'Titanic' after submersible tragedy Tandi-Killar state highway-26 in Himachal Pradesh blocked amid flash flood Centre to come up with list of critical minerals, draft policy this week Light rain in parts of Delhi-NCR brings respite, yellow alert issued

Ahead of the Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on July 8, the state is witnessing continuous clashes in various parts of the state.

Violence erupted in Raghunathpur of Purulia district on Sunday after a clash broke out between workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party on Sunday.

Earlier, an incident of violence was reported at the Block Development Office in Birbhum's Ahmadpur, where crude bombs were reportedly thrown. Various houses were vandalised and several people were injured during the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Cooch Behar on Sunday to kickstart the party's panchayat poll campaign. She is scheduled to hold a party meeting in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday.
The Congress on Tuesday staged a demonstration against the AAP government in Delhi over a hike in power tariffs in the national capital.

The monthly electricity bills of the majority of domestic consumers in Delhi -- who use more than 200 and up to 600 units -- will be hiked by up to Rs 265 due to an increase in the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC) levied by discoms, officials said on Monday.

Party leaders and workers, who gathered outside the AAP's office in central Delhi, alleged that the city government has "failed to fulfil its promise" of providing free electricity to consumers.

Power Minister Atishi said consumers who get zero bills with monthly consumption of up to 200 units will not be impacted. However, those who do not get a subsidy will have to pay nearly eight per cent more on their monthly bills.

The hike in the PPAC surcharge by the discoms was allowed by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the officials said.

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Ballerina Kang Mi-sun, who won the best female dancer award at this year's Benois de la Danse, speaks during a press conference held at Universal Arts Center in Seoul, June 27. Yonhap



Ballerina Kang Mi-sun exuded a mixture of disbelief and excitement Tuesday as she reflected on her winning of the best female dancer award at this year's Benois de la Danse during a press conference here to mark her achievement.



"It's been almost a week since I attended the awards ceremony, but I still can't believe that I won the big honor," she said during the press conference.



"Regardless of winning or not, just being nominated was a tremendous honor for me. But the fact that I was able to showcase Korean ballet on that stage itself was already a great privilege for me."



She shared the honor with China's Qiu Yunting during the awards ceremony held at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow a week ago, beating four other competitors from leading ballet companies from around the world.



Kang, a principal ballerina at Korea's Universal Ballet, was recognized for her critically acclaimed lead role as a widow who bids farewell to her husband in "Mirinaegil," a short ballet work choreographed by Universal's artistic director Bingxian Liu.



The piece premiered at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul in March as part of the ballet company's original creative production "Korea Emotion."



Universal Ballet General Director Julia Moon noted that Kang's win was all the more meaningful because it was earned by a Korean creative ballet during the press conference at the Universal Arts Center in eastern Seoul.



"Given that many Korean dancers working abroad have gained relatively higher recognition, I believe this victory could serve as a significant source of pride for ballet dancers based in Korea," she said.





Universal Ballet's General Director Julia Moon, left, speaks during a press conference held in Seoul to mark Kang's winning of the best female dancer award at this year's Benois de la Danse in Russia, June 27. Yonhap
The Gujarat government will on Wednesday sign an MoU with American computer storage chipmaker Micron Technology for a semiconductor assembly and test facility at Sanand in Ahmedabad district, said the state government on Tuesday.

The MoU (memorandum of understanding) will be signed in the evening in Gandhinagar in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, said a government release. On June 22, Micron had announced it will set up a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat entailing a total investment of USD 2.75 billion (around Rs 22,540 crore). Micron's plant has been approved under the central government's "Modified Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) Scheme". Under the scheme, the US-based firm will receive 50 per cent fiscal support for the total project cost from the Centre and incentives representing 20 per cent of the total cost from the Gujarat government. "Phased construction of the new assembly and test facility in Gujarat is expected to begin in 2023. Phase 1, which will include 500,000 square feet of planned cleanroom space, will start to become operational in late 2024," Micron had said in a statement earlier. The company had said the plant will create up to 5,000 new direct jobs and 15,000 community jobs over the next several years. "Micron's new facility will enable assembly and test manufacturing for both DRAM and NAND products and address demand from domestic and international markets," the statement said.
India and France have launched the Strategic Space Dialogue, seeking to further deepen their nearly-six-decade-old partnership in the sector.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the inaugural India-France Strategic Space Dialogue was held in Paris on Monday.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra led the Indian delegation for the talks with French Secretary-General, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Descotes.

The nearly-six-decade-old Indo-French space partnership spans collaborations in technologies for satellite launches, research, operational applications, innovation and NewSpace partnerships for deep space exploration.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) have been partnering in the fields of space medicine, astronaut health monitoring, life support, radiation protection, space debris protection and personal hygiene systems.

Earlier this month, CNES President Philippe Baptiste travelled to the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru to explore potential areas of collaboration, share knowledge and foster innovation in the field of space science and technology.

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In his talks with ISRO Chairman S Somanath, Baptiste recollected the six decades of collaboration between the two space agencies and emphasised their deep commitment to carrying it forward and addressing the challenges and opportunities in the present space ecosystem.

India and France are planning to develop eight to 10 satellites as part of a "constellation" for maritime surveillance to monitor sea-traffic management in the Indian Ocean.

The Indo-French space partnership dates back to 1964 when India's space programme was in its nascent stage as it was experimenting with sounding rockets from Thumba in Kerala.

Somanath had briefed Baptiste on the outcomes emerging from the space sector reforms launched by India and the call for increased participation of industries in France.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh, Bibhudatta Pradhan and Bhuma Shrivastava



At a cremation ground on the banks of the Ganges river in Ballia, a district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, head priest Pappu Pandey says hes never experienced anything like the last few weeks.



One of his jobs is to keep a count of bodies. As a vicious combination of extreme heat and punishing pre-monsoon humidity blanketed the region, the ground became choked with pyres. Pandey says deaths doubled to nearly 50 a day at the peak of the heat wave in mid-June  numbers hes not seen in 20 years at the site outside the Covid pandemic.

It was like a divine curse, Pandey said, describing the deadly spell of heat.

Junes sweltering weather, where the mercury soared as high as 46C (115F), is likely just a foretaste of what is to come. Scientists estimate climate change has made extreme heat 30 times more likely in India and the World Bank has flagged India is likely to be one of the first places in the world where heat waves breach the human survivability threshold.

As such, the numerous anecdotal reports of a spike in deaths among the most vulnerable in society have heightened concerns about both central and local government preparations. As well as the human cost, failure to truly tackle the challenges of new-look summer heat comes with a risk to Indias powerhouse economy. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the lost labor from work in areas exposed to extreme heat, such as construction and agriculture, could put at risk up to 4.5% of Indias GDP by 2030.

I have never seen such kind of heat in my entire life time, said C.P. Thakur, 91, a physician and former health minister of the country. It is worrying that so many people have died.

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Disputed Fatalities



Just how many people have died because of the extreme heat is controversial. Add up estimates from local nonprofit groups and medical officials not authorized to talk to the media, and you quickly get into the hundreds. Ask government representatives, and the numbers dwindle to just a handful. Health authorities have resisted directly connecting the weather with deaths, pointing instead to peoples ages and pre-existing conditions.

One practical problem is that deaths may have multiple causes, said Ronita Bardhan, associate professor of sustainable built environment, University of Cambridge. If somebody with an underlying health condition like diabetes, which makes them more prone to dehydration and hence more vulnerable, dies on a day of 45C temperatures, was it diabetes or the heat that killed them?

It is very challenging to establish a direct correlation between deaths and extreme heat as there is no diagnostic test for heatstroke, Bardhan said.

Complicating the issue in India is that less than a fifth of deaths are certified by a medical professional, a step considered routine in most wealthy countries. In Bihar, one of the epicenters of the recent heat wave, the government estimates just 52% of deaths were even recorded in 2019. That means the common statistical technique of measuring excess deaths as deviations from a baseline is fraught with problems.

Even with these limitations, official figures suggests more than 11,000 people died from heat stroke between 2012 and 2021, according to National Crime Records Bureau data.

Heat waves also hurt the poor, who are least likely to be recorded in the statistics, disproportionately more. Many work outside, dont have access to well-ventilated housing or air conditioning and worry that visiting a hospital will lose them income and savings.

Sree Ram, 55, a mason in Bharauli village about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Ballia city fell sick in early June after working in the heat. He makes 500 rupees ($6) daily. When the heat became unbearable, he decided to take a few days off  a heavy financial burden for his family. Many others decided they couldnt, and were the most common victims of the sweltering summer, according to doctors and health officials who asked not to be named as they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Questions of Preparedness



There is no agreement whether such tragedies were a consequence of inadequate preparation, lack of execution, general under-investment in health care or simply the daunting challenges of the situation.





Its been a brutally hot year across Asia, with maximum temperature records tumbling from Singapore to Vietnam. India saw its hottest February since 1901 and forecasters had flagged the coming high heat and humidity well in advance.

In March Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for hot weather conditions and ordered officials to produce accessible information material. And many states and districts have heat action plans detailing both preparations and responses. Standard operating procedures in Uttar Pradeshs case are detailed enough to assign responsibility for providing shade for stray animals.

Yet local media have reported on medical facilities overwhelmed by a surge in patients suffering from high fever and diarrhea  common symptoms of heat stroke  and of spotty power supplies as the grid struggled to cope with the surge in demand.

In Bihar local people told Bloomberg the heat alerts by the government were erratic. While some said they had received an occasional text message in April or May, most said such text message alerts became more frequent only after the heat peaked and patients had started dying in hospitals.

Local officials reject any suggestion they have been caught out. Ravindra Kumar, the district magistrate in Ballia, said authorities have a tried-and-tested warning system that is followed every year for all natural calamities.

Ranjeet Kumar, chief health surveillance officer for Bihar, said they started alerting people about heat protection in March and made ample preparations in the hospitals.

People too are well aware of these do's and don'ts, Kumar said by phone. But they have to step out for work.

One of the few places in India where there is any mechanism for day labourers to recoup earnings if they heed advice to stay inside is in the western city of Ahmedabad. A pilot project there is experimenting with an insurance scheme where women can receive payouts whenever heat makes it impossible to work outdoors. Its funded by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.

A key question is whether the heat plans are proactive enough. When researchers at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi reviewed 37 such plans in a report, they found significant gaps. Only about a third discussed funding sources. Few identified vulnerable populations and how to target resources. Most werent statutory documents so lack clear legal authority.

Heat waves have historically received less attention compared to other disasters, said Aditi Madan, associate fellow at the Institute for Human Development. While the plans demonstrate progress, the recent fatalities should serve as a stark reminder of the necessity for proactive measures by the government, indicating the gap between planning and implementation of HAPs.

Top bureaucrats in the health departments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar didn't respond to multiple interview requests. In the central government, spokespeople at the home and health ministries didnt respond to email and phone requests for comment.

Political Will



While national elections are slated for next summer, historically natural disasters and other public health crises have had limited consequence at the ballot box.

Consider Indias ferocious second Covid wave in 2021, which saw cases cross 400,000 a day at the peak, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums and forcing people to beg for oxygen. Modi was blamed by the opposition for not doing enough to protect lives, yet his Bharatiya Janata Party retained Uttar Pradesh, the countrys most populous state, in assembly elections in March 2022.

There can also be a sense of fatalism. One myth in Indian political discourse that scientists say must be dispelled is the idea its always been a hot country and Indians are more resilient to heat than people elsewhere.





Yet the risks of not allocating more resources may change as extreme heat gets more common and more cities start to experience dangerous summer highs. The planet has been scorched by eight of the warmest years on record, and last year, temperatures in the country hit a new record of 49C.

In its report on heat action plans, the CPR thinktank said by 2050, as many as 24 urban centres are projected to breach average summer highs of at least 35C.

Many places that need to have local heat action plans do not have one, said Aditya Pillai, lead author of the report. He notes that among the cities not to have published comprehensive plans are many of Indias biggest metropolitan areas  and drivers of its economy  like Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi.
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Principals of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools will undergo leadership and management training at IIMs to "revolutionise" primary education in the city, Delhi Education Minister Atishi announced on Tuesday.

She told a press conference that the first batch of 50 principals will be sent to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad on June 29 for a week-long training programme. There are around 1,700 MCD-run primary schools.

On the tenure of the BJP in the MCD, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said primary education in MCD schools was deplorable, and this impacted higher education of students.

"We have decided to transform the education system by introducing the training at IIMs for principals of MCD schools," said Atishi, whose party won the last year poll to the civic body, wresting control from the BJP after 15 years.

"We have given world-class training to principals of Delhi government schools. We have also started a series of world-class training. The best of the best education needs good leadership and management," she said



The training at IIMs, the minister said, will bring a "revolutionise in education in MCD schools".

Mayor Shelly Oberoi at the press conference said the AAP government wants to bring a change in the education system of MCD schools.

Also Read After much delay, stage set to elect new MCD mayor following SC order CM Kejriwal recommends LG to hold Delhi mayoral election on Feb 22 Municipal House to elect national capital's mayor, deputy mayor today Scholarships worth Rs 75 cr misappropriated by institutes in UP: ED Shelly Oberoi re-elected MCD Mayor: Why fresh polls? All you need to know CVC asks its officers not to seek perks for additional charge assignments New Delhi Hall at SCO Secretariat in Beijing depicts 'mini India': EAM Storage capacity of Maharashtra dams to increase by 230 mn litre: Official Pee-gate saga continues: Inebriated man caught urinating on flight Road safety issue urgent, not enough being done for pandemic on roads: UN

"We know primary education helps in creating the foundation for a student's future. Only if foundation is strong, students can do better. If we want to give better education to children, we need to train teachers and principals," she said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday had said his government has bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in Delhi's education system by improving government schools and promised to redevelop all MCD schools in the next five to seven years.
Animal husbandry, fisheries and dairying minister Parshottam Rupala on Tuesday said that reports of milk shortage was a created thing while the ground reality is that there is no shortage of milk or milk products anywhere in the country.

Briefing the media on the Modi governments achievements during the last nine years, Rupala said the sector is likely to grow at 7 per cent in 2023-24 against over 6 per cent in 2022-23.

I will definitely admit that there has been an increase in milk prices. The government is trying its best to address the problem by increasing milk production and availability, he said.

Leading milk suppliers like Amul and Mother Dairy have hiked prices of milk multiple times in the last one year, citing increasing procurement costs from farmers.

For instance, Mother Dairy has increased milk prices by Rs 10 per litre between March and December 2022.

Our total milk collection is not more than 35 per cent. This means, there are still a lot of supplies in our own country, which we have not tapped. We are making efforts to tap it. We will tap this and boost supply, he added.

Also Read Milky way: Beyond Amul vs Nandini, dairy brands that dominate their states Sweating over milk: India stares at supply crunch as summer sets in Four out of 10 households feeling pinch of higher milk prices, survey shows Further dairy price hikes unlikely as companies cut procurement rates GCMMF turnover up 18% in FY23 to Rs 55,055 cr, eyes trillion rupees by 2025 ITBP cooks, sweepers to be promoted, after govt approves restructuring Delhi's Deer Park de-recognised as 'mini zoo', deers to be shifted out Jain leader honoured with official seal, Congressional proclamation by US INLD claims forged party letterhead being used to seek asylum, writes to US PM Modi to virtually lay foundation stone of 3 DU buildings on June 30

Asked if imports are required in the coming months, Rupala said, For consumers, there is no need to worry about the shortage of milk and milk products.

The minister, however, did not give a timeline for any reduction in milk prices.

Milk production in India, the worlds largest producer, rose by 83 million tonnes to 221 million tonnes in the last nine years.

Per capita consumption has also increased to 449 grams in 2022 from 303 grams in 2014, he added.

On the sectors growth, the minister said the animal, fisheries and dairying sector is growing at a fast pace. It is expected to grow at 7 per cent in 2023-24.
The Indian Army's Spear Corps on Monday accused women activists in Manipur of "deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces", as the state struggles to contain weeks of rioting and unrest.



Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.

???? Indian Army appeals to pic.twitter.com/Md9nw6h7Fx  SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 26, 2023

Since the beginning of May, violence has erupted primarily between the valley-dwelling majority Meiteis and the hills-dwelling Kuki-Zomi groups, as the long-standing Meitei demand for inclusion on the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) has risen dramatically.

The video, which included footage from the Imphal East district, stated that women protesters were "helping rioters flee," including "accompanying armed rioters" in their vehicles and even using ambulances.

It also showed clips of groups of women protesters on the streets, confronting security forces and interfering in the movement of logistics.

But who are these women?

While the women in the video are not identified, activist women have long been a part of Manipur's civil society.

The Meira Paibis, or "women torchbearers," have been the most visible organised face of such actions, so named because of the flaming torches that they carry aloft while marching in the streets, often at night.

The Meira Paibis, also known as Imas or Mothers of Manipur, are Meitei women from all walks of life in the Imphal valley who are widely respected and represent a powerful moral force.

The Meira Paibis are loosely organised, typically led by groups of senior women, but they lack a rigid hierarchy or structure, as well as any overt political leanings.

They may become more visible during certain times, but their presence and importance in Manipuri civil society are constant and palpable, and their role as society's conscience keepers is widely acknowledged.

Home Minister Amit Shah met with Meira Paibis during his recent visit to Manipur as part of his meetings with various civil society groups.
Investments worth Rs 1,723.05 crore were confirmed at the International Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day function held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister M K Stalin here on Tuesday while a special government scheme for SC/ST entrepreneurs was also launched.

The MoU, signed in the presence of the Chief Minister, would help in creating employment for about 30,000 people.

A Memorandum of Understanding between FaMe TN (Facilitating MSMEs in Tamil Nadu) and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) was inked to attract investments worth Rs 1,510 crore to provide jobs for 7,400 people.

The Chief Minister inaugurated three new industrial estates at Kodur in Chengalpattu district, Manapparai in Tiruchirappalli and Sakkimangalam in Madurai district at an estimated cost of Rs 153.22 crore providing employment to 21,500 people and also a cashew processing cluster at Kadampuliyur in Cuddalore district under the MSME cluster development scheme for Rs 2.16 crore including a government subsidy of Rs 1.81 crore.

A virtual business-to-business (B2B) pavilion aimed at creating a market opportunity was also launched on the occasion, an official release here said. The first Common Facility Centre under the Micro Cluster Development programme and sectoral trade exhibition was also inaugurated.

Stalin launched the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABSC) to empower SC/ST entrepreneurs and issued sanction orders for extending subsidies to the tune of Rs 18.94 crore to 100 beneficiaries to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. He handed over the key of an earthmover to a beneficiary. MSME minister T M Anbarasan and officials participated in the event.

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Speaking on the occasion, Stalin said the state government was giving special attention to the development of MSME sector that contributes greatly to the economic development of Tamil Nadu.

As announced by the government, efforts were on to establish four major clusters -- one each in Tindivanam for pharmaceutical products, and Thirumudivakkam for precision engineering -- and steps are underway to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) for setting up aerospace and defence macro cluster and Smart Mobility automobile cluster, the Chief Minister said.

A total of 6,257 startups have registered in Tamil Nadu on the Startup India platform and the number of enterprises registered in the last two years since the DMK came to power is more than double of the registrations from 2016 to 2021, indicating a positive growth graph, he said.
Streaming giant Netflix is being slammed for re-releasing James Cameron's iconic film 'Titanic', just days after the Titan tourist submersible sank, killing all five onboard.

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is bringing back the Oscar-winning 1997 film to the streamer on July 1 in the U.S. and Canada.

The OTT platform's decision has irked many social media users.

"Anyone else find it f***ing terrifying that they ALREADY have a documentary of the Titanic sun on Netflix? It hasn't even been a f***ing week bruh. Wtf. #setup," a Twitter user wrote.

"So Netflix was like "lets capitalize on this sub thing real quick...gone head and put TITANIC back in the rotation," another one wrote.

"Bad timing," a Twitter user commented.

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"Horrible," a social media user wrote.

Five passengers on the submersible named Titan, which was diving 13,000 feet to view the shipwreck of the British passenger liner Titanic which had sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean in the year 1912, died in a "catastrophic implosion," US Coast Guard authorities confirmed on Thursday (local time) last week, CNN reported.

After an extraordinary five-day international search operation near the site of the world's most famous shipwreck, the tail cone and other debris of the submersible were found by a remotely operated vehicle about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the ocean floor about 900 east of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Passengers of the Titan, owned by OceanGate, the private US company that runs submersible tours to the Titanic, were confirmed to have died in the implosion the US Coast Guard authorities said. The Washington Post cited experts to report that the company was operating in a legal gray area out at sea, where the American-made submersible was launched from a Canadian vessel into international waters.

A remotely operated vehicle found "five different major pieces of debris" from the Titan submersible, according to Paul Hankins, the US Navy's director of salvage operations and ocean engineering. The debris was "consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber" and, in turn, a "catastrophic implosion," he said according to CNN.

The passengers included British businessmen and adventurer Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood from a Pakistan prominent business family, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, who acted as the pilot for the Titan.
The Nitish Kumar Cabinet on Tuesday announced that eligible persons from any Indian state can apply for teaching jobs in Bihar government schools.

The decision to this effect was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday.

This proposal was mooted before the cabinet by the state Education department. Earlier, there was a provision to recruit only Bihar residents as teachers in state government-run schools under the new service conditions.

"Now, there will be no domicile-based reservation for recruitment of teachers in state government run-schools. Any Indian citizen can apply for government teachers jobs and it is not binding that he or she should have a state domicile. This decision was taken by the state cabinet today", S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary, (Cabinet Secretariat), told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The state cabinet on May 2 this year had cleared the proposal to recruit 1.78 lakh teachers for primary, middle, and upper classes in the state. The state government had approved the proposal to recruit 85,477 primary teachers, 1,745 middle and 90,804 for upper classes. The recruitment will be done by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). The recruitment process is expected to be completed by the end of this year, said a senior official of the state government.

The Bihar state school teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action and service condition) (Amendment) Rules, 2023, for appointment of all kinds of school teachers states that school teachers will have status equivalent to state government employees, with separate district cadres. Those appointed since 2006, including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), would also have the option of joining this cadre, but for that, they would also have to take the exam, the official said.

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The board members of the Busan International Film Festival have made the decision to oust their recently appointed managing director. Yonhap



By Ra Jae-ki



Board members of the Busan International Film Festival voted to remove its new managing director on Monday, whose appointment in May has been a source of major controversy and bitter infighting, dragging on for nearly two months now.



On Monday afternoon, Busan International Film Festival executives and board members held two emergency meetings at the Busan Cinema Center, where they agreed on a resolution to dismiss managing director Cho Jong-kook. This comes just seven weeks after his appointment on May 6; Cho is reported to be considering legal action over his dismissal.



Cho's brief tenure was met with turmoil, with executive director Huh Moon-young resigning just two days after Cho's appointment. Although Huh did not state any reasons for his sudden decision, many in the film industry saw it as a form of protest against Cho.



There was strong speculation BIFF chair Lee Yong-kwan had appointed Cho, a close associate of his, to expand his personal influence within the organization. The managing director's role was also strengthened to include supervision of corporate affairs, administration and budgeting, while the executive director's responsibilities were restricted only to festival invitations and planning.



The Korean Film Producers Association and Women in Film Korea issued separate statements last month demanding the reinstatement of former executive director Huh Moon-young and the cancellation of Cho's appointment, while others in the film industry even called for a boycott of the upcoming Busan International Film Festival.



Under mounting pressure, Lee announced his intention to resign from his post in an effort to resolve the crisis. The board of directors meanwhile responded by proposing the formation of a new reform committee while demanding Cho to clarify his position regarding the controversy. Although Huh's reinstatement appeared to be gaining traction, new allegations of sexual assault involving Huh forced BIFF board members to officially accept his resignation.



When managing director Cho refused to make a statement on the matter as demanded by the board, a general assembly was held where board members passed a resolution to dismiss Cho from his post, while putting forward program director Nam Dong-chul and deputy executive director Kang Seung-ah to fill Cho and Huh's posts respectively in an interim capacity. Lee announced his resignation on the same day and did not attend any of the board meetings.



While the dismissal of Cho Jong-kook is expected to address the immediate controversy surrounding the Busan International Film Festival, there remain lingering concerns. Cho has rejected the board's decision, saying there were no irregularities in his appointment nor did they have any grounds for dismissing him.



These developments come at an awkward time when there are fewer than 100 days left until the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, which will be held between October 4 and October 13. The primary task of BIFF executives and board members will be to regain the industry's trust in its leadership. Despite stating his intention to resign, Lee is continuing to face mounting criticism, with 18 film industry associations issuing a joint statement calling for the swift formation of a reform committee and the delegation of full authority to the newly-formed body.



A film industry expert said, "Many people in the film industry believe that chairman Lee Yong-kwan is still trying to pull the strings and exert his influence even after resigning. The crisis can only be resolved if Lee makes a clear departure from the industry and a reform committee with its own independent authority is created."



Ra-Jae-ki (wenders@hankookilbo.com) is a reporter at The Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times. This article, previously published in The Hankook Ilbo, has been translated as part of a news-sharing program.


Another case of a passenger urinating on a flight has come to light. The passenger allegedly urinated, defecated and spat in an Air India aircraft during a Mumbai-Delhi flight. The flight captain filed a complaint stating that the incident occurred on June 24, and the man was subsequently arrested at the airport.

The accused passenger, a cook working in Africa, was travelling to Mumbai on Air India flight AI 866.

The cabin crew noticed the misconduct during the flight and issued a verbal warning. The captain was also informed, and the company was immediately notified. Airport security was requested to escort the passenger upon arrival.

Fellow passengers were also angered, and upon landing at Delhi airport, the head of Air India security accompanied the accused passenger to the police station.

"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," said a senior official of Delhi Police to ANI.

According to a report by The Hindu, the accused has been arrested under IPC sections 294 (obscene acts and songs) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person). From these filings, it can be ascertained that the passenger may have been under the influence of alcohol.

This is another incident in a series of reports about similar misconduct on flights.

The first report came out in January regarding an inebriated male passenger who had urinated on a senior citizen seated in business class while flying from the United States to India on an Air India flight on November 26.

The incident made headlines after the accused, Shankar Mishra, was arrested for his misconduct on January 6. Mishra was sent to judicial custody for 14 days and reportedly lost his job at Wells Fargo, a major financial service provider in the US, where he served as vice president of the organisation's India chapter.

A few days after this report came another similar incident where an inebriated man urinated on the blanket of a female co-passenger on a flight from Paris to Delhi. This second incident happened on December 6 on Air India flight 142, and the aircraft's pilot reported the matter to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

However, while the drunk passenger was apprehended when the flight deboarded, the woman passenger chose not to file a police case and accepted a written apology from the man, according to airport officials.

Is banning alcohol the solution?

These back-to-back reports shocked and angered the public, with many even demanding the ban of alcohol on international flights. However, a report by MoneyControl in January stated that airlines have had to deny boarding or deboard drunken passengers who were able to access alcohol before arriving at the flight gate.

Alcohol is accessible in airports, and even if a complete ban was put on, passengers can still carry alcohol undetected to a certain point or show up at the airport inebriated. It should be noted that alcohol is banned on domestic flights in India. The responsibility, therefore, lies with the individual and airlines. It also raises questions about whether these incidents are on the rise or were always an issue and had not been brought to the public's attention before.

Misconduct on flights continue

Despite all the discourse surrounding misconduct on flights and the DGCA issuing strict guidelines for the same, in April, another Indian man travelling from New York to Delhi was apprehended at the airport for allegedly urinating on his co-passenger.

This time the incident took place on board American Airlines flight AA 292, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) apprehended the passenger after the plane landed at IGI Airport.

The airline reported the matter to the Delhi airport, and the victim passenger filed a formal complaint with the Delhi police.

According to the Civil Aviation Rules, if a passenger is found guilty of unruly behaviour, besides action under criminal law, the passenger is banned from flying for a particular period, depending on the level of the offence.

Actions against misconduct on flights

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established guidelines to address disruptive passengers. Airlines must create their own set of procedures and train their staff on handling such situations.

Under the DGCA's rule, disruptive behaviour is divided into three levels. Level 1 includes actions like physical gestures, verbal harassment, and being drunk and disorderly. Level 2 involves physically abusive behaviour such as pushing, hitting, kicking, or sexual harassment. Level 3 incidents are the most serious, involving actions that threaten life, like damaging aircraft systems or carrying out violent attacks.

As per the procedure, pilots must inform the airline's control room about the situation on board. If necessary, the flight may be diverted, and upon landing, a police case can be filed.

The guidelines also require airlines to form a committee of three members, independent of the airline, to decide whether to place the disruptive passenger on a no-fly list within 30 days. The airline must maintain a database of disruptive passengers and inform the DGCA and other airlines about them.

Other airlines may also ban individuals on the no-fly list from travelling to, from, or within India. The length of the ban depends on the severity of the offence:

Level 1 (disruptive behaviour): Up to 3 months

Level 2 (physically abusive behaviour): Up to 6 months

Level 3 (life-threatening behaviour): A minimum of 2 years or longer, with no maximum limit.

In addition, the police can file a legal case against the disruptive passenger under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Individuals identified as a national security risk by the Ministry of Home Affairs can be prevented from flying as long as they are perceived as a risk.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said



Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the BJP's 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' campaign in Madhya Pradesh will infuse new energy among party workers.

Adityanath attended the event hosted in Bhopal virtually from Lucknow.

"Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' (my booth, the strongest) campaign is to realise the dream of a self-reliant and developed India and to make Indian democracy even more participatory," he tweeted in Hindi.

The Prime Minister went to Bhopal to interact with dedicated and hardworking BJP workers and to connect them with the new resolutions of 'New India', the chief minister said.

"This address of the PM will infuse new energy among the workers as well as enrich their approach. Come, join the biggest booth worker discussion program 'Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot' and receive the guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister," he said.

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Two men were arrested for allegedly printing and supplying high-quality fake Indian currency notes in Delhi and NCR, police said on Tuesday.

One of the accused planned to print fake Indian currency notes (FICN) as a means to earn easy money. He was inspired by the web series "Farzi", they said.

The accused were identified as Tajeem and Irshad of Uttar Pradesh's Kairana district. Fake currency equivalent to Rs 5,50,000 (Rs 5.50 lakh) -- all in Rs 2,000 denomination -- was recovered from the pair, they said.

The accused printed and circulated currency notes of Rs 2,000 denomination to take advantage of its phasing out.

The police received a tip-off on June 21 that a member of a gang circulating fake Indian currency would come to Alipur to deliver a consignment. A trap was laid and Tajeem apprehended with high-quality FICN, equivalent to Rs 2,50,000 (2.50 lakh), was recovered from him," Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HGS Dhaliwal said.

Tajeem revealed that he had received the fake currency for circulation from Irshad. The police then apprehended Irshad from Kairana and FICN equivalent to Rs 3,00,000 (Rs 3 lakh) was recovered from his home, Dhaliwal said.

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Irshad disclosed to the police that he started printing the fake notes in his shop after recognising the high demand for FICN and profit margin and began supplying those in Delhi/NCR.

They used appropriate raw materials and equipment to produce the FICN. They also purchased special ink after going through various websites. Tajeem had worked as a dyer and used his contacts to circulate the notes, the police said.

Irshad had suffered huge losses during the Covid pandemic. While devising plans to make money, he thought about earning easy cash by printing fake notes as Kairana was the hub for such activities earlier as well, the police said.
The UN is celebrating Tuesday as International MSME Day, a sector the government says is critical for Indias industrial development, employment generation and poverty reduction.

What are MSMEs?

Micro, small, and medium enterprises are categorised based on investment in plant and machinery or equipment. A micro enterprise is one where the investment in plant, machinery or equipment does not exceed Rs 1 crore and the annual turnover does not exceed Rs 5 crore.

A small enterprise is where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed 10 crore and the turnover does not exceed Rs 50 crore.

A medium enterprise is where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed Rs 50 and turnover does not exceed Rs 250 crore.

MSME sector in India

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India has 63.39 million MSMEs that employ more than 111 million people, as per the 73rd round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, during 2015-16.

The micro sector, with 63.05 million estimated businesses, accounts for more than 99 per cent of the total estimated MSMEs.

The small sector (331,000 businesses) and the medium sector (5,000 businesses) accounted for 0.52 per cent and 0.01 per cent of total estimated MSMEs.

Out of 63.38 million estimated MSMEs, 51.25 per cent of MSMEs are in rural areas and 48.75 per cent are in urban areas.

According to the NSS findings quoted in MSME ministrys Annual Report 2020-21, males constituted over 79 per cent of the total ownership in micro enterprises in India and while females accounted for approximately 20.4 per cent of ownership.

It is important to note that a large number of MSMEs exist in the informal sector and are not registered with any statutory authority, according to the Report of the Expert Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Reserve Bank of India.

Contribution of MSMEs to economy

According to the MSME ministry, the share of MSME Gross Value Added (GVA) in India's economy is as follows:

The share of MSME GVA in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 30.50 per cent in 2018-19, and 2019-20 but it dropped to 26.83 per cent in 2020-21.

Share of export of MSME-related products in all India exports was 49.77 per cent in 2019-20, 49.35 per cent in 2020-21, 45.03 in 2021-22 and 42.67 per cent in 2022-23 (August).

Policies supporting MSME growth

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is the apex body responsible for the development of the MSME sector. Recognising the significance of MSMEs, the Indian government has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote their growth:

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006: The act provides a legal framework for the promotion, development, and enhancement of competitiveness of MSMEs. It also establishes the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and various schemes to support their growth.

Credit Support and Schemes: The government has introduced schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), and Interest Subvention Scheme to facilitate easy access to credit and improve financial inclusion for MSMEs.

Technology Upgradation: Initiatives like the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) provide financial assistance to MSMEs for upgrading their technology and machinery, enhancing their competitiveness.

Challenges facing MSME sector

Some of the challenges that persist include limited access to finance, infrastructure bottlenecks, skill gaps, low adoption of advanced technology, and logistical limitations for last-mile deliveries.

International MSME Day

MSMEs account for 90 per cent of businesses, 60 to 70 per cent of employment and 50 per cent of worldwide GDP, according to the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated June 27 as International MSME Day to highlight the potential of MSMEs worldwide and build resilient supply chains.

This year's UN theme focuses on women and young peoples entrepreneurship and resilient supply chains.

"We must create environments that support MSMEs and drive financial inclusion, to provide equal access to markets and finance. We need to help strengthen the ability of these businesses to withstand hard times. And we need to work to build sustainable supply chains that benefit workers and respect the environment." UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

He added that in doing so, the world community can harness the power of MSMEs to help to reduce inequality, raise living standards, and protect communities and the environment.
Adani Total Gas Ltd (ATGL) plans to construct more than 1,800 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the next 7 to 10 years, Suresh P Manglani, CEO, ATGL said in the firms annual report for the financial year 2022-23 (FY23). ATGL is a joint venture between Adani Group and TotalEnergies.

Manglani added that ATGL is expanding its presence across India. He said that with the addition of 19 GAs through its joint venture with Indian Oil Adani Gas Private Limited (IOAGPL), the company now has a presence in 124 districts.

The company has laid a total of 10,888 inch-kilometers of steel pipeline and added 1,951 inch-kilometers in FY23. The company's CNG station footprint has risen to 460, with 126 new stations added in the last year. Of the 460 stations, 87 are company-owned-dealer-operated (CODO) and the remaining 373 are dealer-owned-dealer-operated (DODO).

ATGL will also diversify its offerings to CNG, compressed biogas (CBG), and electric vehicle (EV) charging along with scaling its gas distribution business. Manglani added that ATGL plans to expand its service portfolio to include a range of clean fuels. He said that this will allow the company to meet the needs of a wider range of consumers and reinforce its position as a one-stop comprehensive service provider.

To expand its clean fuel portfolio, ATGL has created a wholly-owned subsidiary, Adani TotalEnergies E-mobility Limited (ATEL). ATEL is currently setting up EV charging infrastructure for all types of vehicles. Adani TotalEnergies Biomass Limited (ATBL), another subsidiary, will produce and distribute bio-mass-derived energy across the country.

ATEBL is constructing one of Indias largest Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants at Barsana in Uttar Pradesh with a feedstock processing capacity of 600 tonnes per day(TPD). ATGL has also commissioned its first CBG station at Varanasi.

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Manglani added that the company is also looking for opportunities to expand its CBG production footprint in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) segment, in addition to using agricultural and livestock waste as feedstock.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said he had recommended the use of methanol trucks and methanol-blended diesel to achieve the Centres ambitious goal of bringing down the national cost of logistics.

The number of methanol trucks is also growing, which is a success. The petroleum ministry is working on a policy for the introduction of 15 per cent methanol-blended diesel. We (transport ministry) have also sent a recommendation, Gadkari said addressing a conference on the governments nine years achievements here.

One of the projects where the minister anticipates success of the methanol economy is in Assam. Assam Petrochemicals makes 100 tonnes of methanol a day. I have asked the chief minister of Assam on whether the trucks in the state can be converted to methanol, which will result in reduction in cost of logistics, the road, transport, and highways

Methanol is a low-carbon, hydrogen-carrier fuel produced from high ash coal, agricultural residue, and carbon dioxide (CO2) from thermal power plants and natural gas.

The governments planning body, NITI Aayog, has formed a road map to expand the methanol economy. Blending of 15 per cent methanol in gasoline can result in at least 15 per cent reduction in the import of gasoline/crude oil. In addition, this would bring down greenhouse gases emissions by 20 per cent in terms of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur oxide, thereby improving the urban air quality, the Aayog said.

The minister said methanol costs a fourth of diesel and trucks would benefit from shifting to the fuel. Recently, he announced that trucks would soon come equipped with air-conditioned cabins, as hes made it a regulation.

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On the highway front, the ministry plans to finish most major highway projects in the Bharatmala pipeline by 2025-26. The Rs 1 trillion Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has been 62 per cent completed and is targeted for completion by 2024-25. The Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, which is being built at a cost of Rs 37,000 crore, is expected to be completed by 2025-26.

He said the countys road network grew 59 per cent to become the second largest in the world as part of the development work carried out by the government in the past nine years, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday. Indias road network stood at 145,240 km now compared to 91,287 km in 2013-14, the minister said.

On issues of caving in of road and safety concerns, the minister said that even though many of the roads where faulty construction may have led to unfortunate incidents belong to state governments, the union ministry has also started rechecking contractors who were involved in this potentially faulty projects. He added that work has begun on revamping the project planning system, as faulty plans are a contributing factor to road accidents.

(With inputs from Subhayan Chakraborty)
Gold prices fell Rs 100 in Tuesday's early trade, with 10 grams of the yellow metal (24-carat) trading at Rs 59,180, according to the GoodReturns website. Silver price was unchanged, with 1 kg of the precious metal selling at Rs 70,900.

The price of 22-carat gold was unchanged at Rs 54,350.

The price of ten grams of 24-carat gold in Mumbai is at par with that in Kolkata and Hyderabad, at Rs 59,180.

The price of ten grams of 24-carat gold in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai is Rs 59,430, Rs 59,280, and Rs 59,670, respectively.

The price of ten grams of 22-carat gold in Mumbai is at par with the price of gold in Kolkata and Hyderabad, at Rs 54,350.

The price of ten grams of 22-carat gold in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai is Rs 54,500, Rs 54,350, and Rs 54,700, respectively.

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US gold prices were flat on Tuesday, hovering slightly above their three-month lows, while the US

dollar strengthened as traders looked to hedge against a political turmoil in Russia and the Federal Reserve's hawkish outlook.

Spot gold held its ground at $1,923.94 per ounce by 0114 GMT, while US gold futures were also listless at $1,933.90.

Spot silver gained 0.3 per cent to $22.84 per ounce, platinum was flat at $924.93, while palladium rose 0.5 per cent to $1,311.50.

The price of 1 kg of silver in Chennai and Hyderabad is Rs 75,200.

The price of 1 kg of silver in Delhi and Mumbai is Rs 70,900.

(With inputs from Reuters)
Also Read Tata Motors Q3 preview: What to expect from auto major's quarterly results? Bajaj Auto sales jump 7% to 331,278 units in April, exports fall 43% Tata Motors: Solid volumes, ASP may aid Q4 profit, margin expansion No near-term boost likely for auto stocks from Expo 2023, say analysts CNG cars could account for 25% of industry by end of decade: Tata Motors MD Stock market holiday on Bakri Id rescheduled to June 29 from June 28 Angle One, Emkay Global: Brokerage stocks may rally up to 15%, show charts Aditya Birla Capital gains 4%; hits 52-week high post launch of QIP issue Stock of this aerospace & defence company has zoomed 63% so far in June Analysts struggle to find investment-worthy themes in the current market

Shares of Force Motors (FML) hit an over four-year high of Rs 2,570.55, as they rallied 10 per cent on the BSE in Tuesdays intra-day trade amid heavy volumes on expectation of healthy sales momentum in June. The stock of passenger cars & utility vehicles company was trading at its highest level since August 2018. In past three months, it has zoomed 129 per cent, as against 10 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex.Thus far in the month of June, the stock has surged 43 per cent after the company reported 30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM) jump in total sales at 2,645 units in May month. In the year-ago period, the company had sold a total of 2,026 units, whereas last month, it sold total of 2,042 units, the company said.The companys exports sales nearly-doubled on a MoM basis to 491 units in Ma, against 166 units sold in export market in April 2023. On YoY basis, export sales grew 54.8 per cent from 317 units sold in May 2022. The companys domestic sales were up 14.8 per cent MoM and 26 per cent YoY at 2,154 units.Meanwhile, for the financial year 2022-23 (FY23), FML had reported a standalone net profit of Rs 152 crore, against net loss of Rs 74.60 crore in FY22. Revenue grew 55 per cent to Rs 5,029 crore from Rs 3,240 crore. This recovery was aided by healthy volume growth in commercial vehicle (CV) segment. The auto components business has also performed better backed by gradual recovery in volumes for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).FML is a flagship company of the Abhay Firodia group. The company is fully vertically integrated manufacturer of small and light commercial vehicles (LCVs), multi-utility vehicles, and agricultural tractors.Under the auto components division, engines are assembled for Mercedes-Benz India and BMW India. The primary brands in LCVs and multiutility vehicles include Traveller, Trax, Gurkha and Shaktiman, while the brands in tractors are Balwan, Orchard, Abhiman and Sanman.As on March 31, 2023, FML has total 13.18 million outstanding equity shares, of which 8.12 million or 61.63 per cent are with the promoters. The remaining 38.37 per cent holding are with individual shareholders (28.75 per cent), foreign portfolio investors (2.72 per cent), bodies corporate (1.51 per cent) and others (5.39 per cent), the shareholding pattern data shows.CRISIL Ratings in its February 2023 rationale believes FML will continue to benefit from its leadership position in niche products segments, revenue diversity and stable operating profitability. Furthermore, the financial risk profile will improve over the medium term, with limited increase in total debt in future because of healthy cash accrual vis a vis progressive loan repayments and financial flexibility of the Abhay Firodia group.FML focusses on the niche passenger segment of LCV. In the LCV school buses and ambulances segment, the company has a market share of over 70 per cent. The company will continue to benefit from its niche positioning in the auto OEM market, supported by the steady launch of new products and variants and rise in demand in the LCV segment, CRSIL Ratings said.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of organising street violence to secure electoral victories, saying the eastern state is witnessing the "death of democracy" under her leadership.

Surya, who is also the chief of BJP Yuva Morcha, alleged that right after the conclusion of Assembly polls in West Bengal, Banerjee went on a spree of targeted violence against the BJP workers.

"The high court took cognizance of this unprecedented violence. Even now, we are seeing in panchayat elections...how the West Bengal government is resisting the deployment of central forces,' he told reporters here after the conclusion of a public meeting organised by the youth wing of Jammu and Kashmir BJP.

"What is happening in West Bengal is the death of democracy under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Even the Supreme Court and the high court have taken cognizance of it," Surya said.

The BJP leader said that she (Banerjee) only knows how to win elections through booth capturing, organising street violence and sheer abuse of state institutions including police.

Taking a dig at the opposition parties over their recent meeting in Patna, Surya said the event seemed to be more of a conclave for "unemployed" political families rather than a conference of the Opposition.

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"In a way, it was a conclave of unemployed political families. The son of Dr Farooq Abdullah, son of Mulayam Singh Yadav, and families of Sharad Pawar, Karuna Nidhi...the meeting in Patna was a conclave of unemployed political families rather than a conference of opposition parties," the Bengaluru South MP said.

At the Patna meeting, 17 opposition parties, including the Congress, resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in a united manner to defeat the BJP at the Centre. They will meet in Shimla next month to chalk out a joint strategy.

"I want to ask you a question... What political impact would chief minister of Tamil Nadu have in Jammu and Kashmir. What impact will Omar Abdullah have in Karnataka. Will Akhilesh Yadav, who has been rejected by people of Uttar Pradesh, be accepted in West Bengal or Chhattisgarh. This Patna circus was merely a dynastic political conclave," he told the reporters.

When asked about Pakistan and cross-border terrorism, Surya said, "Pakistan is a failed state. The world recognises it as a terror state."



He welcomed the fact that the US has unequivocally condemned Pakistan's support for terrorism and called for the dismantling of all terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

Surya emphasized that the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code is a constitutional requirement. Considering India's diversity, it is crucial to have a uniform civil law that safeguards the rights of all citizens, he said.

He also criticised the Congress and other parties for opposing the UCC, which is a "constitutional obligation".

"This opposition reflects an anti-constitutional stance, with these parties consistently disrespecting the Constitution," he added.

When asked whether the BJP would implement the UCC before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Surya said the BJP has always maintained the stance that the UCC is a constitutional directive.

"The party is committed to working towards its implementation, just as it has fulfilled its manifesto promises in the past, including the abrogation of Article 370," he said.

On the issue of reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Surya highlighted that the Parliament has passed resolutions on PoK three times. He firmly asserted that PoK has always been and will continue to be an integral part of India.

He expressed the readiness of the BJP to support efforts aimed at reclaiming PoK.

Regarding the Karnataka government's decision to withdraw the anti-cow slaughter law, Surya stated that similar to the UCC, the prohibition of cow slaughter is a constitutional mandate.

He criticized the Congress for declaring their objective to repeal the anti-cow slaughter law, and demanded that the grand old party begin respecting the directives of the Constitution.
Delhi BJP legislators on Tuesday staged a sit-in near Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the Civil Lines area over hike in the electricity tariff in the city.

Power tariff has been increased three times from what it was before 2014, said led Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, who led the protest.

Electricity distribution companies here have increased the power purchase adjustment cost (PPAC) by upto more than nine per cent following approval of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, DERC, which would result in a hike in the monthly bills of consumers not getting subsidy.

The BJP will continue to protest against the PPAC hike unless it is reversed by Kejriwal government, Bidhuri said.

"Why Kejriwal who frequently calls special sessions of the Assembly on different issues is not convening a special session now to discuss the electricity rates?" a protesting BJP MLA asked, with many echoing this.

The Aam Aadmi Party government always claims that since they came to power, electricity rates in the capital have not increased. However, the reality is that every year, permission is given to electricity companies to hike rates through the "backdoor", they charged.

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"Electricity bills are burdening the public due to fixed charges, power purchase adjustment costs, and surcharge for pensions for retired electricity employees," Bidhuri claimed.

On Monday, Delhi's power minister Atishi had said the power tariff was increasing due to the Centre's mismanagement".

"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.
Feature: Kenyan coastal fishermen rejoice over export of anchovies to China

Xinhua) 11:30, June 27, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Artist Kwon Nyung-ho poses with his painting after his interview with The Korea Times at his scenic riverside studio in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, May 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Park Han-sol



It was 1981 when a 25-year-old Kwon Nyung-ho, filled with a pocketful of dreams and desires to see the celebrated works of Old Masters in person, set foot on European soil for the very first time in his life.



The budding artist's trip came at a time when Korea still enforced heavy restrictions on overseas travel  as a result of governmental concerns about foreign currency depletion and people's possible "exposure to communist ideologies." So with a temporary passport valid for just six months, Kwon added as many cities as he could to his itinerary, including London, Brussels, Rome and Zurich.



Everything was going according to plan  until a fateful encounter with the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.



"It was like a door to heaven for me," the painter recalled during his recent interview with The Korea Times at his scenic riverside atelier in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province.



His original plan involved staying in the French capital for only one wintry month. But when he learned of the prestigious art school's entrance exam that was set to take place in the coming spring, he knew he had to drop everything. Without a prepared portfolio in hand, he spent the next few months drawing endlessly, while stuffing his mouth with the cheapest baguettes he could buy to keep himself going.



And in the spring of 1981, after passing the competitive exam that included an on-site "dessin" (drawing) test, Kwon became one of the few Korean students enrolled at the Beaux-Arts.





Artist Kwon Nyung-ho readies himself to paint after his interview with The Korea Times at his atelier in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, May 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



While he was already starting to gain recognition within art circles in his home country through a series of wins at competitions and a solo exhibition at the then-reputable Baeksang Memorial Hall in Seoul, he chose to start afresh in Paris.



"In France, I wanted to forget everything I was doing up until then and explore a whole new world (on canvas)," the artist said.



He became the first and only Korean student to study under the renowned Belgian painter Pierre Alechinsky, who served as a professor of painting at the Beaux-Arts from 1983 to 1987. Alechinsky is best-known as a leading member of CoBrA, a short-lived yet influential post-World War II avant-garde movement, in which Northern European creators found inspiration from primitivism and children's drawings for their highly expressionist, spontaneous style of art.





It was during his time at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris that painter Kwon Nyung-ho became a founding member and the first president of the Association des Jeunes Artistes Coreens (AJAC). Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



But Paris turned out to be more than a nurturing ground for Kwon's own art.



"As years went by, the Korean government started easing restrictions on international travel, and the French capital began to attract more and more young creatives from Korea," the painter explained. "Against this backdrop, we felt the need to form an organization that can foster exchanges among us."



Hence, the Association des Jeunes Artistes Coreens (AJAC) was born. Founded in 1983 by young Korean art students in France, the collective consists of members aged between 25 and 40 who are studying or working in the field of painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video and performance.





Installation view of "Exhibition Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of AJAC," which ran from May 3 to June 10 at Space Sazic in central Seoul / Courtesy of Space Sazic





Installation view of "Exhibition Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of AJAC" at Space Sazic in central Seoul / Courtesy of Space Sazic



"As its founding member and first president, I tried to establish this association as a platform that can help the junior creatives find exhibition venues and exchange information about art schools and state-approved organizations like La Maison des Artistes," he said.



Since its launch, AJAC has held annual group shows at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris. And in celebration of its 40th anniversary this year as the oldest surviving organization of Korean artists based overseas, it hosted its very first exhibition in Korea at Space Sazic in central Seoul last May.



Following its month-long Seoul run, the survey of 61 works produced by 49 former and current group members, including Kwon's "Untitled" (2020) awash with infinitely profound hues of blue, will travel to Paris later this year.





For painter Kwon Nyung-ho, the two decades spent in Paris from 1981 to the early 2000s have been a free-flowing journey toward lyrical abstraction. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



For Kwon, the two decades spent in Paris  from 1981 to the early 2000s  as a full-time artist and faculty member of the Paris American Academy have been a free-flowing journey toward lyrical abstraction.



Whereas the painter's earlier works in the 1980s focused on figurative depictions of human forms  alone or in a large crowd  his contemplation about his own identity as an Asian creator in the Western art world opened his eyes to traditional Korean aesthetics in the next decade. He began to embrace icons found in "minhwa," or Korean folk art, such as flowers, clouds and the sun.



And starting from the 2000s, upon his return to Korea, his images moved closer to simplified abstractions  with a stronger emphasis on vibrancy of colors and materiality.



"What I realized in this journey is that today's art must be contemporary, but it also needs to hold onto a certain identity at its core  in my case, an element of Koreanness," he said.





Artist Kwon Nyung-ho, right, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his riverside atelier in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, May 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday said the BJP should once again speak out against alleged corruption by the MLAs who are now part of the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi "should punish" all those against whom BJP leaders had leveled allegations in the past, NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said.

He was responding to Modi, at a BJP program in Bhopal, recounting past corruption allegations against various Opposition parties including the NCP.

He should know there was a time in Maharashtra when his (BJP's) leaders were highlighting scams of the MLAs who are now part of the Eknath Shinde group," Crasto said.

BJP leaders in the state should once again speak out about the scams of the leaders "who are part of the Eknath Shinde group", he added.

Also Read After Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP wants quick decision on MLAs' disqualification Shinde-led Sena denies connection with plea staking claim on UBT's property No LS seat-sharing talks between BJP, CM Shinde-led Sena yet: Mungantiwar Shiv Sena ad claims Shinde more preferred as Maharashtra CM over Fadnavis Efforts to create obstacles for Sena-BJP alliance being made: Shinde' son Oppn leaders question Ahmedabad getting 'prominence' in WC match scheduling Bengal witnessing 'death of democracy' under Mamata Banerjee: Tejasvi Surya Oppn can only guarantee corruption, says PM; cites list of scam allegations What will happen to tribal culture if UCC is implemented? asks Bhagel Don't make such issues part of 'dog-whistle politics': RJD attacks PM Modi
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has expressed "deep anguish" to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the state government's delay in providing the required land for having a runway end safety area at Calicut airport, which witnessed a fatal plane crash in 2020.

Scindia also said that if the land is not provided to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), then the civil aviation ministry will be left with no choice but to proceed with action to curtail the runway length for safe aircraft operations from August.

The airport at Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, is operated by AAI.

Following the deadly crash of an Air India Express aircraft on August 7, 2020, at Calicut airport, a central government-appointed expert panel recommended that the state government may be requested to provide filled-up levelled land for the provision of Runway End Safety Area (RESA).

The committee had also said that in case the required land is not made available, the runway length should be reduced to provide the required RESA of 240 metres from the ends of the runway strip for undershooting and overshooting of aircraft.

With the required land yet to be handed over to AAI, Scindia has written to Vijayan, expressing "deep anguish regarding the inordinate delay".

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In a letter written on June 26, Scindia said the ministry has made tireless efforts to expedite the matter but the lack of prompt actions from the state government "leaves us with no recourse".

The minister noted that provisioning of RESA would take around three years after the land is handed over to AAI.

"...the ministry is left with no choice but to proceed with the necessary action of curtailing the runway length for the safe aircraft operation at Calicut airport from 01.08.2023 unless the land is handed over to AAI immediately," the letter said.

Scindia also said the state government indicated through its letter on January 19 this year that notification for the acquisition of the land has been issued and that the land would be made available by the first week of July.

"However, it has been made to understand that state government will not be in a position to provide the required land before January 2024," the minister said in the letter.

In the August 2020 Boeing plane crash, more than 20 people were killed, including 2 pilots, and several others were injured.

There were 190 people onboard the aircraft, coming from Dubai, that overshot the runway at Calicut airport amid light rain before breaking into pieces.

Currently, only narrow-body aircraft are operating at the airport.
Addressing party workers under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s "Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi questioned the authenticity of 'triple talaq' and asked why it is not practised in Muslim-dominated countries like Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, NDTV has reported.

Supporting the idea of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the prime minister said that there can not be different rules for different members of a family and there can't be two laws in the country. With more than 90 per cent Sunni Muslims in the country, Egypt abolished triple talaq around 80-90 years, PM Modi underlined during his address.

The prime minister said that people supporting triple talaq are doing it for a vote bank and do not care about the injustice they are doing to Muslim daughters, the report added.

"Some people want to hang the noose of triple talaq over Muslim daughters to have a free hand to keep oppressing them," PM Modi was quoted in the NDTV report.

Targeting the opponents of the UCC, PM Modi said that the Indian Muslims need to understand which political parties were provoking and destroying them for their own benefit. The PM underlined that the Constitution also talks about equal rights for all citizens.

Attacking the Opposition that accuses BJP as anti-Muslim, PM Modi said that if the other parties has cared for Muslims, families from the community would have been better educated, with a better shot at employment opportunities.

Also Read PM Modi's joint address to US Congress: Here are key highlights, takeaways Minister's hate speech about Muslims liable for prosecution QR code, the smudgy pattern on a square, is becoming a tool for marketing Uniform Civil Code: Third prong in BJP's three-point core agenda Uniform Civil Code: No uniformity in legal voices over states' power Will probe all scams, irregularities during BJP regime, says Karnataka CM BJP expanding its real estate footprint across India, Congress struggling Decision to cut import duty on US apples to harm Himachal farmers: Cong BJP at Centre for 6 more months, Lok Sabha polls in Feb-Mar 2024: Mamata Rakesh Gupta, supporter of Scindia, quits BJP to re-join Congress

What is Uniform Civil Code?

Simply put, UCC refers to a common set of laws for all citizens of a country. These laws apply to all citizens irrespective of their religious identity. It covers personal laws such as those related to inheritance, adoption, and succession under a common code. BJP-ruled Uttarakhand is in the process of framing rules for their common code.

Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said that Uniform Civil Code is a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution of India and the opposition parties are blowing it beyond proportions in order to secure their vote bank, the NDTV report said.
The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that his comments on the opposition reflect the panic that has gripped the saffron camp after the non-BJP parties' successful meeting in Patna last week.

While addressing a gathering of party workers in Bhopal on Tuesday, Modi attacked opposition parties over corruption, terming their Patna conclave as a mere "photo-op".

Last week, leaders of over a dozen parties, some of them from far-off Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu, and several bitter rivals like the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, and the Left, attended the conclave hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and agreed to build on the momentum at the next meeting proposed in Shimla in July.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "We have heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking about the opposition camp. A panic has set in in the BJP camp after the successful opposition meeting in Patna, as it can sense imminent defeat.

The PM alleged that the opposition parties can only "guarantee" corruption, and accused them of being involved in scams worth "at least Rs 20 lakh crore."



The BJP talks about corruption in the opposition camp, but what about the corrupt leaders that the BJP had inducted in its fold in every state, including West Bengal," Ghosh said.

He said the allegations of corruption levelled by the BJP sound like a broken record being played repeatedly as "those, who were once accused of being involved in Narada and Saradha scams by the saffron camp, are now holding senior positions in the West Bengal BJP".

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"The entire top brass of the BJP had levelled these allegations during the 2021 assembly polls. We have seen how the saffron camp was defeated. The people have rejected the allegations," he said.

Despite the BJP's high-octane campaign in 2021 assembly polls, the TMC steamrolled to power for the third consecutive term in the state by winning 213 of the 292 seats, while the BJP bagged 77 seats.

Reacting to PM Modi's comment that the opposition is using the issue of the Uniform Civil Code to mislead and provoke the Muslim community, Ghosh said, The people of this country are well aware which party tried to push CAA and NRC, and which party was involved in instigating riots in the country."



The West Bengal BJP backed the claims of the prime minister.

"The entire country knows about the TMC's corruption. And regarding opposition unity, we saw similar efforts in 2019 and 2014 and also the results. The people of this country trust the BJP when it comes to good governance and national security," BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao's visit to Maharashtra's pilgrimage town of Pandharpur on Tuesday drew a sharp reaction from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who called the former's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) a B-team of the BJP.

Addressing a rally in Sarkoli village, some 20 km from Pandharpur, Rao countered the charge asserting that they are a team of farmers, marginalised communities, minorities and Dalits and wondered why there is a hue and cry over his party's efforts to expand its base in the neighbouring state.

Rao, also popular as KCR, and his cabinet colleagues arrived in Pandharpur on Monday in a motorcade with 600 vehicles. He offered prayers at the Vitthal Rukmini temple in the town on Tuesday, ahead of Ashadhi Ekadashi on June 29.

Talking to reporters here, Raut said BRS has no other intention in Maharashtra other than trying to hurt the prospects of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress, and divide votes.

He has never visited Pandharpur in the last eight-nine years as the chief minister or when he was a minister in Andhra Pradesh and a minister at the Centre, Raut said.

To whom KCR is trying to show the strength, Raut asked.

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KCR is a personal friend, but he has to decide against whom we are fighting, Raut said, adding that there will be no impact of BRS on Maharashtra politics and the move will only hurt KCR in Telangana.

About his Pandharpur visit, Rao said when they planned to offer prayers at the temple, they were advised to avoid doing politics.

I refrained from discussing politics in Pandharpur. However, here I will talk about it. I fail to understand why there is such a hue and cry among the parties in Maharashtra about us. Why do they fear us, as no party is leaving any opportunity to criticise us, he asked.

Rao slammed what he called the tendency to label BRS as a B-team of other parties.

Congress calls us the B-team of BJP, while BJP calls us the A-team of Congress. We are not anyone's team. We are a team of farmers, marginalised communities, minorities, and Dalits, he asserted.

He also emphasised that BRS is not just a regional party tied to Telangana, but is a national party with a mission to bring about a change in India.

Rao said that every major party in Maharashtra has had the opportunity to govern the state.

The Congress ruled (Maharashtra) for 50 years. You gave chances to NCP, BJP, and Shiv Sena. If they genuinely wanted to work for the state's welfare, at least one of them could have done so, he said.

The BRS chief said that the schemes successfully rolled out in Telangana can be easily implemented in Maharashtra. He questioned why Maharashtra couldn't replicate the farmer-centric welfare programmes implemented by Telangana.

If Telangana can implement such schemes for the welfare of farmers, why can't Maharashtra," he asked.

Rao said claims are being made that whatever is being shown in Telangana is a bhul bhulaiya' (maze) and if Maharashtra implements their schemes, the state will turn bankrupt (diwala').

I would like to assert here that yes, there is be diwala and it will be of political leaders. But there will be Diwali (prosperity) for the farmers, he said.

At Rao's event in Sarkoli village, NCP leader Bhagirath Bhelke joined BRS. He is the son of the late Bharat Bhelke, a former NCP legislator from the Pandharpur Assembly seat.

In the bypoll that took place in 2021 after his father's death, the NCP had fielded Bhagirath as its candidate but the seat was won by BJP's Samadhan Autade.

Rao last month announced a month-long programme to expand BRS' network in over 45,000 villages in urban civic bodies in Maharashtra.
Senior Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said the party will organise a sit-in in New Delhi to press for the demand to clear financial dues of the state.

Addressing a panchayat election rally in Nadia district, Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, said the BJP government has stopped giving funds under the MGNREGA scheme which has 11.36 lakh beneficiaries in the state.

"The BJP-led Centre has halted funds under Awas Yojana and 100-day work scheme. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request him to release the funds. Following this, the TMC MPs met Union Minister Giriraj Singh to request the same, but nothing moved forward," he said.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA) aims to enhance the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.

Banerjee said the only way left was to go to Delhi and fight for the rights of the state's poor people.

"We will go to Delhi and stage a sit-in in front of the Krishi Bhavan demanding justice for our people," he said.

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The two-time TMC MP said the Bengal BJP leaders are writing to the "Centre requesting it to hold the state funds" instead of advocating to release the dues.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had conducted a two-day sit-in in March against the Centre for "not releasing" funds to the state for MGNREGA and other welfare schemes.

Banerjee, addressing the rally in Matua dominated Krishnaganj area in Nadia district, said the BJP is misleading the masses in the name of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

"The BJP government said they will implement CAA for the Matua community. However, even after four years of passing the CAA in Parliament, the rules are yet to be framed. Framing the rules of a bill takes only 15 days or maybe a month, but there is no development even after 42 months," he said.

Banerjee said the Matuas are very much citizens of this country and wondered if they are not, then how come they can vote to elect Prime Minister and Chief Minister during Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

"If people are labelled as illegal, then the Prime Minister and Home Minister's election is illegal too. They need to resign from their posts as well. The BJP is continuously misleading people," he said.

While reaching out to the electorally important Matua community, Banerjee asserted that the people from the community have the same rights as other citizens.

"Nobody can deprive the Matua community of their rights as long as Mamata Banerjee and TMC are here in Bengal. Do the Matuas not have Aadhaar cards, PAN cards or ration cards? Then why do they need to prove their citizenship to the Prime Minister?" he questioned.

Matuas, who comprise a large chunk of the state's Scheduled Caste population, had been migrating to West Bengal from Bangladesh since the 1950s, ostensibly due to religious persecution.
Hong Kong and New York-based Insilico Medicine, a biotech company backed by Fosun Group and Warburg Pincus, has begun human trials for a drug completely discovered and designed by artificial intelligence, The Financial Times (FT) reported.

Calling it an important milestone in the pharma industry, the company said that it has dosed a patient in China with its drug INS018_055 to treat the chronic lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

The company's founder, Alex Zhavoronkov, said in an interview, "For Insilico, it is the moment of truth...but it is also a true test for AI and the entire industry should be watching."

The company has raised billions of dollars to develop AI tools for drug development. The AI platforms, according to Zhavoronkov, can halve the time usually taken to discover drugs as well as the cost of bringing medicines to market.

According to a recent report by Morgan Stanley, AI in the pharma sector provides a market opportunity worth $50 billion.

In the case of the new drug under trial, Insilico's AI tools did not save much time in clinical development but "improved the probability of success" of the drug. According to Zhavoronkov, AI also recruited patients who were most likely to respond to the therapy.

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These platforms can crunch huge amounts of data rapidly, identify proteins that cause illness, and finally, the molecules that can be made into medicines.

Insilico conducted phase 1 trials on INS018_055 in New Zealand and China, which it said demonstrated "favourable results" that supported a phase 2 trial. This trial will now recruit 60 people with IPF in China and the US to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug.

The company also said that it decided to conduct trials in the clinic and not in collaboration with a pharma company to retain control of the program and further refine AI platform use.
Qualcomm on June 26 announced the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, a value-tier chip with support for standalone and non-standalone 5G network in sub-6GHz bands. Based on Samsung 4nm foundry, the chip also brings performance and imaging-related improvements. It is a 64-bit octa-core chip with two performance cores based on ARM A78 architecture (up to 2.2GHz) and six efficiency cores based on ARM A55 architecture (up to 2GHz).

Snapdragon  at its core  is driving innovation while meeting the demands of OEMs and the broader industry, said Matthew Lopatka, director of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. With this generational advancement in the Snapdragon 4-series, consumers will have greater access to the most popular and relevant mobile features and capabilities. We optimised every aspect of the platform in order to maximize the experiences for users.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip is powered by Snapdragon X61 5G modem-RF, based on 3GPP release 16, for download speeds of up to 2.5Gbps and upload speeds of up to 900 Mbps. It supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity.

Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip brings up to 10 per cent better CPU performance compared to previous generation chip. The chip supports UFS 3.1 2-lane storage and up to LPDDR5x (3200MHz) memory for improvements in data processing speeds. Besides, the chip supports up to fullHD+ resolution display of up to 120Hz refresh rate and mobile gaming at up to 120 frames-per-second. It brings AI-enhanced noise cancellation technology, Qualcomm aptX audio codec, and support for Quick Charge 4+.

Location services is enabled by Indias NavIC besides GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Calileo, and QZSS. The chip supports dual-frequency GNSS (L1+L5) and Qualcomm sensor-assisted positioning for vehicular and pedestrian navigation accuracy.

Imaging updates include Qualcomm Spectra Image Signal Processor, dual 12-bit ISPs, up to 16MP + 16MP dual-camera with 30fps zero shutter lag or up to 32MP single camera with 30 fps zero shutter lag, up to 108MP photo capture, 1080p single video capture at 60FPS or 1080p dual video capture at 30FPS, HEIC photo capture, H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC) video capture, and slow-motion video capture 720p at 120FPS.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed on Tuesday that Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary group Wagner, has arrived in Belarus after a short-lived armed mutiny in Russia.

Prigozhin's exile in Belarus had been announced by the Kremlin earlier as part of the deal that ended the rebellion.

Lukashenko on Tuesday said Prigozhin has moved to Belarus and he and some of his troops would be welcome to stay in Belarus for some time at their own expense.

Russian authorities said on Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the aborted armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and are pressing no charges against him or his troops.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny, which lasted less than 24 hours after Prigozhin declared it on Friday, ceased activities directed at committing the crime, so the case would not be pursued.

It was the latest twist in a series of stunning events that have brought the gravest threat so far to President Vladimir Putin's grip on power amid the 16-month-old war in Ukraine.

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Over the weekend, the Kremlin pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though Putin had branded them as traitors and authorities rushed to fortify Moscow's defences as the mutineers approached the capital.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has treated those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have gotten long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

The whereabouts of Prigozhin remained a mystery on Tuesday. The Kremlin has said he would be exiled to neighbouring Belarus.



Putin back in control but Russias elite arent so sure

Vladimir Putin tried this week to show he was firmly in control after the dramatic attempted mutiny by mercenary commander Yevgeny Prigozhin. But among the Kremlin and business elite, many powerful players arent buying it. A banana republic was the phrase one used to describe the spectacle of Prigozhin leading his column of tanks and fighters to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of Moscow and then being allowed to leave for neighboring Belarus without facing criminal charges. Another said the Russian presidents botched handling of the uprising was more of a shock than Putins decision to invade Ukraine last year.

(Bloomberg)

Top manager at US firm sold hi-tech in Russia

US technology company Extreme Networks said last year it had suspended all business activities in Russia to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine living under attack. But Reuters has found that, as the publicly-traded US firm was unwinding its Russia operations, its most senior manager in the region did not stop doing business. The IT equipment sold in Russia is assembled in China.

(Reuters)
Israel's 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 US criticism of Israel's 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 defence 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.

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Israel's 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 Israel's 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 US 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 US 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 US 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 cancelled by the pro-settlement Trump administration.

Ahead of Monday's vote, Israeli Cabinet Minister Issac Wasserlauf, a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, played down the disagreements with the US.

I think the alliance with the US 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.

Netanyahu's government, the most right-wing in Israel's 75-year history, has made settlement expansion a top priority.

Senior members have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israel's 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. Monday's 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.




Korean cosmetics giant Amore Pacific Group said Tuesday it has signed an initial pact with international health and beauty retailer A.S. Watson Group to expand its global business.







With the memorandum of understanding (MOU), the two companies agreed to cooperate to seek the growth of Amore Pacific's brands that have already entered A.S. Watson's platforms, including Innisfree, Etude and Mise-en-Scene.







The companies also agreed to cooperate to help more Amore Pacific brands, such as Illiyoon and Aesotura, break into the global market.







Amore Pacific said it will be able to present its "innovative" products to more global consumers through A.S. Watson's broad distribution network.







A.S. Watson, established in 1841, is one of the world's largest health and beauty retailers, with more than 16,000 stores in 28 markets across the world.







It has maintained a strategic partnership with Amore Pacific Group since 2019. (Yonhap)


Eminent Jain leader Acharya Lokesh Muni has been honoured with an official seal and Congressional Proclamation by the US House of Representatives here.

The Jain spiritual leader, who is the Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti, was in the US on a month-long peace harmony tour.

He has been honoured with the official seal and Congressional Proclamation by the US House of Representatives in Washington. Congressman Jefferson Van Drew honoured Acharya Lokesh for his efforts in promoting non-violence, peace and harmony in the world, a press release said.

It added that the honour has been given to Acharya Lokesh for doing unprecedented work in the field of spreading the message of non-violence, peace, harmony, humanity, love, mutual brotherhood across the world, as well as his efforts towards striving to end terrorism, violence and discrimination globally.

The release added that Congressman Drew described the Jain leader as an inspiration to all and that honouring Acharya Lokesh is a matter of honour and pride.

Acharya Lokesh expressed his gratitude on the occasion and said that the honour belongs to the entire ancient Indian culture.

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"It is the honour of Lord Mahavir and the ideas given by him, he said, adding that India and America together can contribute significantly in establishing peace and harmony in the world.
A US judge is set to hear arguments Tuesday over President Donald Trump's attempt to move his criminal case in New York out of the state court, where he was indicted, to a federal court where he could potentially try to get the case dismissed.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein will listen to the afternoon arguments, though he isn't expected to immediately rule.

Trump's lawyers sought to move the case to Manhattan federal court soon after Trump pleaded not guilty in April to charges that he falsified his company's business records to hide hush money payouts aimed at burying allegations of extramarital sexual encounters.

While requests to move criminal cases from state to federal court are rarely granted, the prosecution of Trump is unprecedented.

The Republican's lawyers say the charges, while related to his private company's records, involve things he did while he was president. US law allows criminal prosecutions to be removed from state court if they involve actions taken by federal government officials as part of their official duties.

Trump is alleged to have falsified records to cover up payments made in 2017 to his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to compensate him for orchestrating payouts in 2016 to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having had affairs with either woman.

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Trump's lawyers have said those payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.

The Manhattan district attorney's office, which brought the case, has argued that nothing about the payoffs to either Cohen or the women involved Trump's official duties as president.

If a judge agrees to move the case to federal court, Trump's lawyers could then try to get the case dismissed on the grounds that federal officials are immune from criminal prosecution over actions they take as part of their official job duties.

Moving the case to federal court would also mean that jurors would potentially be drawn not only from Manhattan, where Trump is wildly unpopular, but also a handful of suburban counties north of the city where he has more political support.

In state court, a criminal trial was set for March 25 in the thick of the primary season before next year's November presidential election.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg pursued the case after Trump left office.

He is the first former president ever charged with a crime.
Members of the powerful India Caucus have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing India access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and boost its security goals with the US in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Indian-American Democratic Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Marc Veasey joined Republican Congressmen Andy Barr and Mike Waltz in introducing the legislation that will allow weapon sales to India from the US to be fast-tracked and deepen the US-India defence ties.

Companion legislation has also been introduced by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Cornyn in the US Senate, a statement issued by Krishnamoorthi's office said.

Barr's office said in a statement that this legislation would place India on equal footing with other U.S. partners and allies by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and exports under the Arms Export Control Act.

It subjects Indian FMS to the same threshold for oversight and accountability as other key US partners and allies, ensuring that India has streamlined access to the high-end capabilities necessary to defend itself.

By deepening the U.S.-India defence partnership, this legislation will buttress India's role as a key provider of security in Asia, the statement said.

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The move came days after the historic state visit to the US by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, India and the US signed a host of defence and commercial pacts, including joint production of jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones.

Krishnamoorthi said that under the Arms Export Controls Act, the review and sales process for weapons to American partners and allies is streamlined and accelerated.

By adding India to this list, FMS will not only be approved faster but they will also be required to clear the same threshold for oversight and accountability as all other American allies.

"This will ensure India has access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and further US-India security goals in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

Krishnamoorthi said strengthening the U.S.-India strategic partnership is vital to the prosperity and security of not only both nations but also other democracies around the world.

That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the United States and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act, he said.

Krishnamoorthi added that on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party, where he serves as the Ranking Member, we passed this legislative recommendation with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now we must pass this bipartisan measure into law.

Congressman Waltz said the US and India are bonded by shared national security interests and democratic values.

"Which is why it's so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today, he said.

"As our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China's rising military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, through which more than USD 5 trillion of trade passes annually.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over some of the areas claimed by China.

Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Congressman Barr added that by removing the red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is."



"Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Barr said as the world's largest democracies, strengthening our global partnership is paramount in addressing the challenges of today and securing a safer future for all.
The Pakistan government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the trial of civilians allegedly involved in attacks on the army facilities has not yet started in the military courts.

A six-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik was hearing the pleas challenging the trial of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the Official Secret Act, 1923.

Attorney General Mansoor Awan told the bench during the hearing that the trial of civilians involved in the May 9 violence was yet to begin after the chief justice on Monday hoped the trial would not commence while the court was hearing the case.

The development came as the military spokesman on Monday told the media that 102 civilians were in military custody for trial at 17 military courts which were already functional under the existing laws.

No trial has started yet and that also takes time. The accused will have time to hire lawyers first, the attorney general informed the court.

Lawyers representing the petitioners asked the court to issue an order to stay the trial of civilians in military courts but the bench said an interim stay was not possible without hearing the arguments of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP).

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However, the chief justice directed that the suspects be allowed to speak to their families.

Later, the hearing was adjourned till the Eid festival which will be observed on June 29.

Pakistan's Punjab government last week submitted a report to the Supreme Court detailing the number of people arrested in the province following the May 9 violence after the top court summoned the records of hundreds of alleged rioters, including women and journalists, in custody.
By Bloomberg News

President Vladimir Putin condemned leaders of the Wagner mercenary group as traitors to Russia in a late-night speech to the nation, his first public comments since the weekend mutiny that posed the most serious threat to his nearly quarter-century rule.

The organizers of the rebellion betrayed their country and their people, and betrayed those who were dragged into the crime, Putin said, without mentioning Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin by name. Their actions were criminal in nature, aimed at polarizing people and weakening the country.

Putin spoke hours after Prigozhin denied that his march on the capital was a coup attempt and said hed keep his mercenary company going despite official efforts to shut it down. The monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported Tuesday that the mercenary chiefs business jet landed at Belaruss Machulishchi military airbase, thoujgh it was not immediately clear if Prigozhin himself was aboard.

Putins comments were the first since a TV address early Saturday when he threatened harsh punishment that never transpired. He said little to clarify the mystery around the weekends events or the fate of Prigozhin, who the Kremlin said had agreed to go to Belarus and avoid prosecution as part of the deal to pull his forces from the capital.

The only news from Putins speech is that Prigozhin was allowed to go to Belarus not alone, but with his comrades, Tatyana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, a political consultant, wrote in a Telegram post. That will be a separate intrigue.

Also Read Nepali Gurkhas joining Wagner group for Russian citizenship, better life Russia's Wagner Group boss threatens Bakhmut pullout in Ukraine Will immerse medals in Ganga, fast unto death: Protesting wrestlers With Russia revolt over, direction of Ukraine war remain uncertain Russia urges Wagner forces to return to 'points of permanent deployment' Since Taliban's takeover, more than 1,000 civilians were killed, says UN Donald Trump's valet set for arraignment in classified documents case Judge to weigh whether Donald Trump's case should be moved to federal court Fire engulfs residential building in UAE's Ajman, no reports of injuries Netizens slam Netflix for re-releasing 'Titanic' after submersible tragedy

The rapid chain of events has left the US, Europe and China puzzling over the political fallout from a rebellion that shattered Putins invincible image as Russias leader and spiraled into the greatest threat to his nearly quarter-century rule. The crisis highlighted bitter divisions within Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine thats the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to try to push Putins forces out of occupied territories.

While excoriating Wagners leaders, Putin said the groups fighters were patriots whod been used without their knowledge. He said they could join the regular military, go home or relocate to Belarus. The promise I made will be fulfilled, he said.

It wasnt clear what that meant for Prigozhin himself, however. State media reported earlier Monday that the criminal case against him opened at the start of the crisis still hasnt been closed.

Prigozhin has accused the Defense Ministry of seeking to destroy Wagner with an order requiring his fighters sign up with the military by July 1. He said Monday that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who negotiated to end the revolt, had offered to allow Wagner to continue operating in his country.

Belarus may turn out to be a trap, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Lukashenko, who is economically and politically beholden to Putin, has shown he is capable of turning over Wagner personnel at Moscows request, analysts at wrote.

Putins speech showed the Kremlin is moving ahead with the plan to integrate Wagner forces and will still need them for the war in Ukraine, as well as other international operations, according to the Washington-based institute.

The president showed support for his close ally, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is the main target of Prigozhins attacks over the handling of the war against Ukraine. Just after his speech, Putin met with Shoigu and heads of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Russian National Guard and the Investigative Committee, thanking them for their work in a 30-second clip broadcast on state television.

Prigozhin continued his criticism of top security officials on Monday. In an 11-minute audio message on his press services Telegram channel, he said the lightening progress of his fighters toward the capital, blockading military units along the way without significant resistance, highlighted serious problems with security on the whole territory of the country.

The mercenary chief said the march on Moscow by Wagner troops to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the capital on Saturday was a protest aimed at bringing to account those responsible for enormous mistakes in Russias war in Ukraine as well as to prevent the destruction of his private army by officials.

We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legitimately elected government, he said, stopping short of openly pledging his loyalty to Putin.

In his audio message on Monday, the mercenary chief pointedly noted the expressions of public support he said his fighters enjoyed as they marched through Russias heartland.

Though he retreated, Prigozhin is now a figure of a totally different scale, Stanovaya wrote. Putin will have to do something about this, balancing the risks of a potentially negative reaction from his followers and those who support him.

US President Joe Biden said it was still too early to determine the impact of the revolt.

Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. It is still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where it is going, he said in his first public remarks on the mutiny, during a White House event on Monday.

Theres an internal power struggle in Russia and we will not get involved, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters Monday as European Union foreign ministers gathered for a scheduled meeting in Luxembourg. We are seeing that Russias leadership is increasingly fighting within itself.
Russian authorities said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny ceased activities directed at committing the crime.

Over the weekend, the Kremlin pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though President Vladimir Putin had branded them as traitors.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has been treating those staging anti-government protests.

Many opposition figures in Russia have received length prison terms and are serving time in penal colonies notorious for harsh conditions.

The whereabouts of Prigozhin remained a mystery Tuesday, The Kremlin has said Prigozhin would be exiled to neighbouring Belarus, but neither he nor the Belarusian authorities have confirmed that.

Also Read Whereabouts, fate of Russian mercenary leader remain mystery after revolt With Russia revolt over, direction of Ukraine war remain uncertain Russian minister Shoigu makes 1st public appearance since mercenary revolt Russia urges Wagner forces to return to 'points of permanent deployment' Prigozhin orders Wagner mercenaries to halt Moscow march, return to Ukraine Whereabouts, fate of Russian mercenary leader remain mystery after revolt Audi ex-boss becomes 1st top manager sentenced for fraud in diesel scandal Pak protests US' joint statement with India on cross-border terrorism China's premier says economic growth accelerating, can hit its 5% target Putin blasts Wagner traitors in speech as Prigozhin defends revolt

An independent Belarusian military monitoring project Belaruski Hajun said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on Tuesday morning.

On Monday night, Putin once again blasted organisers of the rebellion as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies.

The media team for Prigozhin, the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Prigozhin's short-lived insurrection over the weekend the biggest challenge to Putin's rule in more than two decades in power has rattled Russia's leadership.

In his nationally televised speech, Putin sought to project stability and control, criticising the uprising's organisers, without naming Prigozhin. He also praised Russian unity in the face of the crisis, as well as rank-and-file Wagner fighters for not letting the situation descend into major bloodshed.

Earlier in the day, Prigozhin defended his actions in a defiant audio statement. He again taunted the Russian military but said he hadn't been seeking to stage a coup against Putin.

In another show of stability and control, the Kremlin on Monday night showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Prigozhin had sought to remove.

Putin thanked 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.

It also wasn't clear whether he would be able to keep his mercenary force. In his speech, Putin offered Prigozhin's fighters to either come under Russia's Defence Ministry's command, leave service or go to Belarus.

Prigozhin said Monday, without elaborating, that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction, but it was unclear what that meant.
The Nepali Gurkhas are joining Russia's private military company, the Wagner group , The Economic Times (ET) has reported. Three days ago, the Wagner group had revolted against Russia's President Vladimir Putin, however, they are now returning to their base after a mutual understanding was reached and Putin agreed to allow their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to accept exile in Belarus and discharge him of treason charges.

During the Russia-Ukraine war, the Wagner group emerged as an effective military asset for the Russian forces, outdoing the Russian military in certain instances. Their potency came to light when Wagner mercenaries took control of Bakhmut for Russia.

Why are Gurkhas joining the Wagner group?

On May 16, Russian authorities made it easier for Nepali Gurkhas to acquire Russian citizenship after serving for one year in the Military. Since this development, hundreds of Nepali youngmen have joined Russian forces as contract soldiers, the ET reported citing The Diplomat. Some of these Nepali soldiers are retired from the Nepal Army.

Expressing his concern on the situation, Major General Binoj Basnyat (retired) of the Nepal Army told EurAsian Times, "This is a concerning situation. The Nepal government is not able to do anything about it as they have gone in an individual capacity."

While the prospect of Russian citizenship lures the Nepali Gurkhas, discontinuing recruitment to the Indian Army also appears to have played a role in this.

Also Read No reason to interfere with Agnipath scheme, says Delhi HC quashing pleas 1.6 mn Indians renounced citizenship in last 10 yrs, 70K gave up passports To encourage immigration, Germany considering easier citizenship norms AI-powered US military drone kills operator during simulated test: Report Rebel Foods to run American burger giant Wendy's restaurants in India US calls on Pak to take steps to disband terrorist groups: Official Members of India Caucus bring bipartisan legislation to push weapons sales EU foreign ministers allocate over 3 bn euro for military aid to Ukraine China bans negative finance writers from social media as stock market sinks Shooting leaves 3 people dead, 5 injured in Kansas' Missouri: Report

As the Indian government introduced its short-tenure recruitment scheme with no pension, the Nepalese government stopped the 200-year-old recruitment process until further clarity.

The ET report discussed the multiple social media videos showing Nepali youths undergoing military training in Russia. In a bid to relax the terms of recruitment, Russia no longer asks for Russian language proficiency from foreigners who join the Russian army, the ET report said.
Sri Lanka will enter into an agreement with the World Bank for $500 million in budgetary support after the cabinet approved it on Tuesday, the biggest funding tranche for the crisis-hit nation since an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal in March.

The island nation of 22 million is emerging out of its worst economic crisis in seven decades and its economy is expected to shrink 2 per cent this year before returning to growth next year, following last years record contraction of 7.8 per cent.

Reuters reported last week that the World Bank is likely to approve $700 million in budgetary and welfare support for Sri Lanka at its board meeting on June 28, out of which $200 million will be for welfare programmes.

The government said on Tuesday that funding from the lender will come in two tranches.

Country wont be used as base for threats against India: Lanka Prez

Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used as a base for any threats against India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe (pictured) has said, asserting that the island nation remains neutral, having no military agreements with China. Wickremesinghe made the comments during an interview with Frances state media. The President said, "We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India.



Also Read Sri Lanka concludes debt restructuring talks with Japan: Wickremesinghe EAM likely to visit Lanka on Jan 19; talks on debt restructuring expected India will help Sri Lanka in oil sector despite recent changes: Officials Sri Lankan rupee shows appreciation against US Dollar in recent months India provides 75 buses to Sri Lanka to support public transport system Audi ex-boss first VW board member to be sentenced over dieselgate 'You effectively stopped a civil war,' Vladimir Putin hails armed forces Chinese billionaire Jack Ma in Nepal, likely to meet Prachanda India, France launch Strategic Space Dialogue to strengthen partnership Skilled Indians in long queue for US green cards; aspirant on campaign

Wickremesinghe asserted that the island nation has no military agreement with China and said, "There won't be any military agreements. I don't think China will enter into one." PTI

Pak PM pleads IMF chief for early release of bailout fund

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Tuesday during which he expressed hope that the global lender would announce a decision on the release of the bailout fund within a day or two. Pakistans ninth review by the IMF under the 2019 Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for the release of a $1.2 billion tranche is still pending with fewer than 10 days remaining until the programmes expiry on June 30.
Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used as a base for any threats against India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, asserting that the island nation remains "neutral", having no military agreements with China.

Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to the UK and France, made the comments during an interview with France's state media on Monday.

In an interview with France24, Wickremesinghe said, "We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India."



Responding to a question about China's perceived military presence in Sri Lanka, the president said that the Chinese have been in the country for about "1500 years and, so far, there has been no military base".

Wickremesinghe asserted that the island nation has no military agreement with China and said, "There won't be any military agreements. I don't think China will enter into one."



The president said there were no issues of military use by the Chinese of the southern port of Hambantota, which Beijing took over on a 99-year lease as a debt swap in 2017.

He assured that even though the Hambantota harbour has been given out to China's Merchants, its security is controlled by the Sri Lankan government.

"The Southern Naval Command will be shifted to Hambantota, and we have got one brigade stationed in Hambantota in the nearby areas," he added.

Also Read India will help Sri Lanka in oil sector despite recent changes: Officials EAM likely to visit Lanka on Jan 19; talks on debt restructuring expected Sri Lanka concludes debt restructuring talks with Japan: Wickremesinghe S Jaishankar meets Sri Lanka's High Commissioner, bilateral ties discussed Sri Lankan rupee shows appreciation against US Dollar in recent months Since Taliban takeover, over 1,000 civilians were killed in attacks: UN Lithium-ion battery inventor, Nobel laureate John Goodenough passes away Audio emerges with details of Trump's conversation on classified documents ICC 'confident' Pakistan will travel to India for ODI World Cup Pak PM Sharif asks IMF chief for early release of stalled bailout fund

Last year, Sri Lanka allowed the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota port, raising fears in India and the US about China's increasing maritime presence in the strategic Indian Ocean region.

There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.

The ties between India and Sri Lanka had come under strain after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports in 2014.

Wickremesinghe, 74, was elected president last year following the resignation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who fled the country amid the turmoil caused by Sri Lanka's economic crisis, its worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, triggered by forex shortages.
President Vladimir Putin said Russia averted civil war following the armed rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a public display of support for his military leadership that the mercenary chief had sought to overthrow.

You in fact prevented a civil war, Putin told 2,500 troops assembled at a televised Kremlin ceremony on Tuesday. In a difficult situation you acted clearly and coherently.

Putin spoke after a meeting late on Monday with security chiefs that included Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, his close ally whos been the main target of Prigozhins attacks over the handling of the war in Ukraine.

The Federal Security Service announced on Tuesday that its closed a criminal investigation into Prigozhin and Wagner fighters over Saturdays armed mutiny that spiraled into the biggest threat to Putins 24-year-rule. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said preparations have begun to transfer heavy weaponry from Wagner to units of the Russian army.

Putin had pledged to respect a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for Prigozhin to end the uprising in return for being allowed to go to Belarus and to close criminal proceedings against him and his troops.

It was very painful to see the events that happened in southern Russia, Lukashenko said at a televised meeting Tuesday with military officers in the capital, Minsk. The worst thing is that if there were turmoil, in the West they would instantly take advantage of this.

Also Read Why is the world discussing Russian President Vladimir Putin's health? UK announces new tranche of sanctions against Russia over Ukraine war Putin admits Russia's shortcomings as Ukraine presses counteroffensive Putin blasts Wagner traitors in speech as Prigozhin defends revolt Putin bans use of foreign language words: History of loanwords in Russian Chinese billionaire Jack Ma in Nepal, likely to meet Prachanda India, France launch Strategic Space Dialogue to strengthen partnership Skilled Indians in long queue for US green cards; aspirant on campaign Pak govt tells SC trial of those involved in May 9 attacks yet to begin Belarus Prez says Prigozhin, who led rebellion in Russia, is in his country

Prigozhin has accused the Russian Defense Ministry of seeking to destroy Wagner with an order requiring his fighters sign up with the military by

July 1. He said Monday that Lukashenko had offered to allow Wagner to continue operating in his country.

The rapid chain of events has left the US, Europe, and China puzzling over the political fallout from a rebellion that shattered Putins invincible image as Russias leader. The 24-hour crisis highlighted bitter divisions within Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine thats the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to try to push Putins forces out of occupied territories.

The Kremlin and state media continued to tout support for Putin from world leaders. Putin and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview with Germanys Bild that the Russian leader wont be weakened by the mutiny.

In an 11-minute audio message on Telegram Monday, Prigozhin said the lightening progress of his fighters toward Moscow, blockading military units along the way without significant resistance, highlighted serious problems with security on the whole territory of the country.

The mercenary chief also pointedly noted the expressions of public support he said his fighters enjoyed as they marched through Russias heartland.







Mutiny leader Prigozhin arrives in Belarus

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus, the nations President Alexander Lukashenko said. Lukashenko said he will help Wagner mercenaries at their own expense if they decide to spend some time in Belarus. bloomberg Lukashenko said there were no heroes in the story of the mutiny and the effort to resolve the crisis. We let the situation get out of hand, he said.

Russian court fines Google another $47 million

A Russian court has fined Alphabets Google $47 million for failing to pay an earlier fine over alleged abuse of its dominant position in the video hosting market, the countrys anti-monopoly watchdog said on Tuesday.



The decision is the latest multi-million dollar fine in Moscow's increasingly assertive campaign against foreign tech companies.



Reuters




By Yi Whan-woo







Hana Financial Group donated school stationery for children in Myanmar which was hit recently by the powerful storm Cyclone Mocha, the company announced on Tuesday.







The Korean banking group said officials from Hana Microfinance, its corporate entity in Myanmar's largest city of Yangon, visited two cyclone-hit regions in Rakhain and Magway.







They delivered 500 sets of school supplies, pencils, pens, notebooks and water bottles to support the children there.







"We will continue to be a responsible member of the international community along with our support for Myanmarese that fell victim to Cyclone Mocha," Hana Financial Group Vice Chairman Lee Eun-hyung said as he joined the donation.







He noted the group will also step up its campaign on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) values for joint prosperity with rural communities worldwide.







The banking group founded Hana Microfinance in 2013 to offer banking services to low-income individuals who otherwise wouldn't have access to financial services.







Hana Microfinance has since expanded, running 75 branches across Myanmar and employing about 1,400 workers.







Besides the stationery supplies donation, Hana Microfinance raised a relief fund and delivered it to more than 5,300 people affected by the cyclone.


Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, cloud and networking solutions tailored to customers industries, has announced the release of

Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista Cirrus Release 10, its next generation cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) network management system.

The scalable and secure cloud platform offers intuitive user interface and simplified work flows for configuring and monitoring Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar WLAN access points, empowering businesses with greater control, flexibility, and simplicity.

With a subscription-based model, OmniVista Cirrus 10 enables businesses to respond to their evolving needs in the digital era, including:

Digital transformation leading to increased expectations on network scalability and efficiency

Mobility and IoT proliferation that generate constant demand for high network performance and security considerations

and Increased agility to adjust to changing business priorities and technology updates

To support IT teams in overcoming these challenges, OmniVista Cirrus 10 is based on a cloud-native microservices architecture to deliver continuous improvements without downtime. With simplified provisioning, it offers automatic software updates that include critical security patches for enhanced protection and compliance.

It comes with features that cater to network users needs. Proactive Service Assurance enables businesses to monitor the Quality of Experience (QoE) of users, while detailed network and user analytics provide valuable insights for optimising performance.

OmniVista Cirrus 10 helps streamline IT operations by simplifying management and troubleshooting operations, particularly in distributed deployments with limited IT staff.

The cloud platform includes Unified Policy Access Manager (UPAM), a Network Access Control (NAC) service that provides enterprise secure authentication, role management, and policy enforcement for employees, guests, BYOD users, and IoT devices.

The fully Open API-based platform can seamlessly integrate with third-party systems and is highly customisable to fit the needs of IT teams, allowing them to deploy new services or upgrade existing ones without any network disruptions.

Stephan Robineau, Executive Vice President of ALE Network Business Division, comments: Our objective is for OmniVista Cirrus 10 to be the ultimate platform for managing LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, IoT and security through a single unified pane. It will empower businesses to embrace digital transformation, enhance user experiences, and simplify IT operations, while ensuring scalability and security, translating into reduced total cost of ownership (TCO).

With an abundance of new features, OmniVista Cirrus 10 continues to evolve and integrate cutting-edge functionalities. Moving forward, it will be integrated with OmniVista Network Advisor, bringing Artificial Intelligence powered decision-making to IT operations.

The software-as-a-service solution can be tailored to fit business needs based on consumption and is therefore available with a variety of flexible payment options.

#ENDS#

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise:

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

www.al-enterprise.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Mouser Electronics, Inc., the authorized global distributor with the newest semiconductors and electronic components, is pleased to announce a new customer service and support center in Pune, India. The new office in India underscores Mouser's steadfast dedication to serving the world's top design engineers and buyers with the highest degree of customer service and technical support. The new support center is in addition to the existing primary office location in the southern city of Bangalore.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626649658/en/

Mouser's new customer service and support center in Pune, India, will be an important contribution to Indias vibrant environment for innovation, design and manufacturing. (Photo: Business Wire)

"We are very excited about this significant expansion and see our local presence as an important contribution to India's vibrant environment for innovation, design and manufacturing," said Raju Shah, Mouser's Head of India Operations and Senior Vice President of Information Services. "We look forward to better serving our customers in India with best-in-class local service and fast delivery of the newest products and leading technologies from our 1,200+ manufacturer partners."

Mouser has placed a continued emphasis on providing excellent customer service and technical support. With its global corporate headquarters in the Dallas/Fort Worth region of Texas, Mouser has a total of 12 support locations across the Asia/Pacific region to provide specialized customer support in the customer's local language and culture - an approach it calls "glocal."

The global e-commerce distributor is always searching for automated solutions to streamline its performance and ensure accurate and fast service to its customers. The dedication to continuous improvement of the Mouser website paired with local service and technical support offered via phone, email, and live webchat, ensures a great experience for engineers and buyers wherever they are in the world. Along with customer service, the new Mouser Pune office contains other departments, including Internet Business and Information Service staff members to provide global support operations for multiple departments.

To visit Mouser's India website, go to https://www.mouser.in/.

To find a full list of Mouser offices around the world, visit https://www.mouser.com/Contact/GlobalBranches/.

For more Mouser news, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/.

As a global authorized distributor, Mouser offers the world's widest selection of the newest semiconductors and electronic components  in stock and ready to ship. Mouser's customers can expect 100% certified, genuine products that are fully traceable from each of its manufacturer partners. To help speed customers' designs, Mouser's website hosts an extensive library of technical resources, including a Technical Resource Center, along with product data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, engineering tools and other helpful information.

Engineers can stay abreast of today's exciting product, technology and application news through Mouser's complimentary e-newsletter. Mouser's email news and reference subscriptions are customizable to the unique and changing project needs of customers and subscribers. No other distributor gives engineers this much customization and control over the information they receive. Learn about emerging technologies, product trends and more by signing up today at https://sub.info.mouser.com/subscriber/.

About Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor's website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 5 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 27 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 630,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/.

Trademarks

Mouser and Mouser Electronics are registered trademarks of Mouser Electronics, Inc. All other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Organon (NYSE: OGN), a global healthcare company focused on womens health, today released its 2022-2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. The report highlights the companys progress on its comprehensive ESG platform, Her Promise, and its related goals, which are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At Organon, our purpose is fueled by the promise held by the four billion women and girls in the world, said Kevin Ali, Organon CEO. Alongside our partners, Organon has made measurable gains against our ESG strategy, including innovating for womens health needs and helping to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. Im proud of the progress weve made and the impact our initiatives are having in creating a better, more equitable world.

Organon has continued to make focused investments and form strategic partnerships to introduce and expand access to health solutions and advance gender equity. Additional highlights of Organon's progress included in its 2022 ESG Report include:

Completed eight transactions since Organons launch in 2021 that allow the company to advance meaningfully toward its vision of innovating in womens health, with new assets and investments in areas of unmet medical need.

Together with our collaborators, helped to prevent an estimated 57 million unplanned pregnancies since the Her Promise Access Initiative program began, putting the company approximately half-way to its goal of preventing an estimated 120 million unplanned pregnancies by 2030.

Launched Her Plan is Her Power, a three-year, $30 million initiative that expands and accelerates the companys efforts to help reduce unplanned pregnancies through global advocacy as well as investments in community-driven solutions, in the United States, in low- and middle-income countries, and around the globe.

Advanced diversity, equity and inclusion within the company by increasing female representation in leadership and completing its first pay equity studies of employees in the companys largest markets; Achieved the companys supplier diversity goal of increasing addressable spend with diverse suppliers (including women-led businesses) by 25%.

Made progress toward key environmental goals. This includes overall reductions in the energy, waste and water used.



Organon's business mission and its ESG strategy are very much linked, said Carrie Cox, Board Chairman. Our second ESG report, highlighting the companys first full year of operations, shows its progress toward important goals. We look forward to Organon maintaining this momentum as the company grows and continues to help improve the health of women, their families and their communities.

For more details on Organons ESG strategy, goals, and initiatives, download the full 2022 ESG Report at https://www.organon.com/about-organon/environmental-social-governance/.

About Organon

Organon is a global healthcare company formed to focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. Organon offers more than 60 medicines and products in womens health in addition to a growing biosimilars business and a large franchise of established medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. Organons existing products produce strong cash flows that support investments in innovation and future growth opportunities in womens health and biosimilars. In addition, Organon is pursuing opportunities to collaborate with biopharmaceutical innovators looking to commercialize their products by leveraging its scale and presence in fast growing international markets.

Organon has a global footprint with significant scale and geographic reach, world-class commercial capabilities, and approximately 10,000 employees with headquarters located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

For more information, visit http://www.organon.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements and disclosures in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as goals, "may," expects, intends, anticipates, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, will, or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Organon undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Organons filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Organons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent SEC filings, available at the SECs Internet site (www.sec.gov).

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An employee sorts stacks of U.S. dollars at Hana Bank's Counterfeit Notes Response Center in Seoul, Dec. 5, 2022. Yonhap



Korea's Cabinet passed a revised enforcement decree regarding the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, Tuesday, reducing regulations and easing penalties for violations in line with efforts to alleviate burdens experienced by corporations.



Under the revised enforcement decree, fines imposed due to "violation of an obligation to report" as stated under the act, will now be lowered to 2 million won ($1,530) from 7 million won, the Ministry of Economy and Finance said.



The country will also give warnings for such violations regarding transactions below $50,000, compared to the current ceiling of $20,000.



The threshold above which violations of mandatory reporting of foreign currencies will become punishable under criminal law has also been raised to 2 billion won, compared to 1 billion won at present.



The revision also paves the way for brokerages to participate in the foreign exchange swap market.



The revised enforcement decree will take effect on July 4.



The finance ministry said it is currently aiming to allow people to transfer up to $100,000 without documents, thereby doubling the current limit of $50,000.



The adjustment comes as the Korean economy has grown significantly since 1999 when the policy went into effect just after the Asian financial crisis.



To further ease regulations, Korea will require local firms to notify the finance ministry and the Bank of Korea of foreign currency loans totaling $50 million or more, compared to the current ceiling of $30 million. (Yonhap)


By Jung Min-ho





This photo released by police shows a hand-written letter from a person offering help to a financially struggling Korean War veteran who was recently caught stealing food. Courtesy of Busanjin Police Station
Courtesy call Mpoki Thomson, right, managing editor of The Citizen, an English-language newspaper in Tanzania, shakes hands with The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin after making a visit to The Korea Times' office on Monday. The two media outlets have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. Korea Times photo by Ahn Seong-jin
The Rajasthan Staff Selection Board, Jaipur has recently declared a notification inviting applications for the RSMSSB Jr Accountant & TRA Recruitment 2023. This recruitment drive aims to fill 5388 vacancies for the positions of Junior Accountants and Tehsil Revenue Accountants. Candidates who are interested in pursuing a career in accounting and taxation in Rajasthan can apply for these posts through the official website of RSMSSB.

To begin the application process, candidates need to visit the official portal at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in or rssb.rajasthan.gov.in. On the homepage, look for the option "Recruitment Advertisement" and click on it. Search for the application link specifically for "Junior Accountant or Tehsil Revenue Accountant" and click on "Apply Now."

Upon clicking the application link, a new page will open where the online application form can be found. Fill in all the required details accurately in the form. Additionally, candidates must upload the necessary documents, such as academic certificates and ID proofs, as per the instructions provided.

It is crucial for applicants to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete. Any false information or discrepancies may lead to disqualification from the recruitment process.

The online registration process for RSMSSB Jr Accountant & TRA Recruitment 2023 will begin on 27 June 2023 and continue until 26 July 2023. Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical issues or delays.

This recruitment drive by the Rajasthan Subordinate and Ministerial Services Selection Board presents a significant opportunity for individuals aspiring to work as Junior Accountants or Tehsil Revenue Accountants. These positions offer a promising career path in the field of accounting and taxation within the state of Rajasthan, India.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria, selection process, and other relevant details available on the official website before submitting their applications. It is essential to thoroughly understand the requirements and guidelines to ensure a smooth application process.
RVU's School of Law Received Recognition from BCI

The Bar Council of India, India's Legal Education Regulator, has approved the RV University School of Law and its 5-year integrated B.A. LL.B. and B.B.A. LL.B. curricula. The School of Law (SoL) degree offerings will begin in August 2023, making it RVU's sixth school.

Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy, Dean, of the School of Law, and Vice-Chancellor, of RVU stated, "We are excited to launch the School of Law at RVU, which will join the existing five schools to deepen our commitment to interdisciplinarity. He further quoted, "We hope to cultivate future lawyers who will respect the principles of justice, integrity, and social responsibility through the School of Law. Our students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study the convergence of law, business, economics, technology, and public policy." Going on to say on the occasion, Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy says; "Our law students will have the privilege of being guided and inspired by an exceptional pool of faculty hailing from prestigious institutions around the world," he added. We are devoted to providing our students with invaluable learning opportunities through strategic partnerships with corporate and law firms, industry partners, banking and financial institutions, think tanks, and NGOs."

Dr. (h.c.) A.V.S. Murthy, Chancellor of RVU, welcomed the BCI's recognition, saying, "To ensure academic excellence and relevance, we have assembled a distinguished Board of Studies comprised of experts from India and around the world." Our program was carefully created under their direction, embracing interdisciplinary viewpoints to provide our graduates with the abilities needed to survive in a fast-changing legal context. We are also thrilled to give 75 merit scholarships totaling Rs. 1 Crore, which demonstrates our commitment to developing potential and recognizing great achievements."

Professor Emeritus at the School of Law is Justice B.N. Srikrishna, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, and Prof. (Dr.) K. Chockalingam, Father of Indian Criminology and Victimology and Former Vice President of the World Society of Victimology. Scholars with Fulbright, British Chevening, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, Sir Ratan Tata Post-doctoral Fellowships, and other awards from prestigious institutions such as Jindal Global Law School, NLSIU, WBNUJS, RGNUL, University of London, Emory University, University of Warwick, SOAS, Geneva Academy, and Central European University, as well as renowned legal practitioners and industry experts, comprise the faculty. Students will benefit from a dynamic learning environment that encourages critical thinking, research competency, and practical legal abilities, with a focus on experiential learning.

RVU's School of Law will provide a variety of programs aimed at providing students with the information, abilities, and ethical principles required to flourish in the legal industry. Students can pursue a five-year combined B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) or B.B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), LL.M, and Ph.D. programme. Undergraduate, postgraduate, and full-time/part-time Ph.D. admissions are already underway. Candidates can apply online at admissions.rvu.edu.in, which is accessible via the University's website. Admission to the UG program is determined by the RVSAT entrance exam/valid CLAT/LSAT/CUET scores. In the first year, the RVU School of Law established 75 merit scholarships ranging from 25% to 100% for qualified candidates.

In addition, RV University's SoL has established two joint programs in collaboration with Seattle University in the United States. Students enrolled in the first program will have the option of pursuing an LL.M. track, which is a dual-degree curriculum. Students participating in RV University's five-year integrated legal course will be able to receive an undergraduate degree in law from RV University as well as an LL.M. degree from Seattle School of Legal in their chosen area of specialization in just five years. The second program allows an LL.M. student to pursue a second LL.M. degree from Seattle University. In addition, Seattle University will provide a 50% tuition stipend to five applicants. After two years, the student can get two LL.M. degrees from both RV University and Seattle University.

RVU has established worldwide connections with over 50 universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Furthermore, it has over 50 national collaborations with organizations such as the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), People's Archive of Rural India (PARI), SOCHARA, Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), Human Rights Alert, HelpAge India, SICHREM, and others.

Prof. Y.S.R. Murthy, a civil servant turned academic, has served with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in various positions for the past 12 years, including as Director Research. He became a founding faculty member of the Jindal Worldwide Law School in 2009 and oversaw its Centre for Human Rights Studies from 2009 to 2020, contributing to the school's quick rise in worldwide rankings. He was a member of the Indian Society of International Law's (ISIL) Executive Council for six years, serving as Vice President from 2018 and 2021. He is currently a member of the All India Law Teachers' Congress' Executive Council. LexisNexis Butterworths released his books Halsbury's Laws - Human Rights and Human Rights Handbook. For some years, he was also the editor of the NHRC's annual journal as well as the Journal of ISIL. He is a member of the Civil Society Coalition Against Torture and the All India Network of NGOs and Individuals Working with National and State Human Rights Institutions (AiNNI).

RVU is a research-intensive university with numerous research centers, including the Centre for Human Rights Studies, the Centre for Victimological Research and Victim Assistance, the Centre for Democracy and Election Studies, the Centre for the Future of Things, the Centre for Legal Aid and Community Engagement, and the Centre for Law, History, and Ideas. Students can opt to be a member of these centers and help with research and activity planning.

RV institution, which began operations in 2021 and is backed by the 83-year-long tradition of RV Educational Institutions, is a new-age, tech-driven, worldwide institution that provides high-quality, liberal education with an interdisciplinary curriculum. Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies are available in six academic disciplines: Liberal Arts and Science, Design and Innovation, Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, and Law. It has alliances and collaborations with over 100 prestigious overseas universities, institutions, and businesses.
President Yoon Suk Yeol looks at a model of a quantum computer at an exhibition hall of Quantum Korea 2023 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, June 27. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday he will launch a "quantum platform" to spur research and development in quantum science and help it create economic value.



Yoon made the remark while meeting with top quantum scholars and students, including Nobel laureate John Clauser; Charles Bennett, a physicist at IBM Research; and professor Kim Myung-shik of Imperial College London.



The meeting was held on the sidelines of Quantum Korea 2023, an event bringing together scholars, government officials and businesspeople to discuss global trends related to quantum science at Dongdaemun Design Plaza.



"President Yoon Suk Yeol said he would create a quantum platform, a digital and physical space where quantum experts and legal, accounting and business experts from around the world, including the Republic of Korea, will be able to conduct research and development together and share their accomplishments to create economic value," the presidential office said.



During a trip to Switzerland in January, Yoon met with a group of renowned quantum physicists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, saying this year would mark the start of a "grand leap" in Korea's quantum science and technology.



At Tuesday's meeting, Yoon discussed ways to promote the field and create a global quantum ecosystem, according to his office. (Yonhap)


Read Preliminary Statement 

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE (June 27, 2023)  In a preliminary statement released today, The Carter Center expresses concern about transparency and calls for calm as the tabulation of results is underway in Sierra Leones June 24 election.



As the process continues, it is important for all Sierra Leoneans to await the announcement of final results by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), which has sole authority to declare results. The Center urges key political leaders to act responsibly and in the interest of all Sierra Leones people, consistent with the spirit of the Peace Pledge signed by all parties.



The Carter Center mission visited 119 polling stations on election day and observed tallying processes in all five centers. Key findings of the Carter Center mission regarding the voting, counting, and tabulation process to date include the following:

 Poll openings. Carter Center observers report that some polling stations opened late on election day due to a lack of material.

 Voting process. The voting process was assessed by Carter Center observers as reasonable or very good in 93 percent of polling stations observed. In some polling stations prospective voters were noted who claimed to be registered at a polling station where their names could not be found on the list. Some polling stations in Freetown had insufficient ballot papers and ran out in the mid-afternoon.

 Closing and counting. Closing and counting procedures were assessed positively at 100% of poll closings observed.

 Tabulation. Carter Center observers reported that the tabulation process lacked adequate levels of transparency. Carter Center observers directly observed instances of broken seals and inappropriately open ballot boxes in three of the five tally centers.



The Carter Center offers the following priority recommendations:

 Results from any ballot boxes that were opened in violation of procedure and international best practice should be set aside for additional scrutiny and should not be included in the final results until a formal, transparent, and inclusive review can establish whether they can be considered credible.

 The ECSL should publish detailed results at the polling station level to allow for cross-verification in accordance with international best practice.



The Carter Center was honored to observe the elections in Sierra Leone, with voters casting ballots for president, members of Parliament, city mayors, and local councilors. The elections  the fifth general elections in the country since the end of the decade-long civil war  took place in an atmosphere that was largely calm, with the people of Sierra Leone demonstrating their enthusiasm and determination to peacefully express their will at the ballot box.



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 24 hours a day presence in the Western area and nearly 24 hours a day in other regions.

Related

Carter Center Preliminary Statement on Sierra Leones 2023 National Elections (PDF) 

###

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.
Titina is an award-winning 2d animated feature film that tells a death-defying tale of Arctic exploration from a dogs-eye view. Based on the thrilling story of polar explorer Roald Amundson and Italian engineer Umberto Nobile, Titina recounts a stylized version of their story by following a small dog who famously accompanied the explorers on their epic journey.

The film recently played at Annecy as part of the festivals open air screenings and will be available to stream on The Animation Showcase on July 10. To celebrate the films upcoming online release and limited theatrical run, Toon Boom Animation interviewed Tonje Skar Reiersen, a producer behind the production. Tonje offers insights into how the story was brought to life, including how Toon Boom Harmonys precise vector lines were used to create an aesthetic true to cartoons of the era.

Toon Boom: Why was it important to take a 2d approach on this feature film?

Tonje: Kajsa Nss (director) is a big fan of classic 2d animation. She finds it beautiful and very expressive. She wanted a style that reminded us of old-school cel animation with an aesthetic marked by thin lines, avoiding adding shadows or too much texture. Toon Boom Harmony was perfect for this with its precise vector lines.

It also suits the time period for the story we tell, which spans from 1926 to 1978. So this film was intended as hand drawn 2d from the start, and we stuck to that from beginning to end. The Belgian studios (Souza and Lunanime) and artists did a wonderful job bringing Kajsas vision to life.

Are there any notable inspirations behind Titinas charming visual style?

Tonje: Emma McCann (art director, production designer) is a big fan of art nouveau. For Titina, she especially looked at the Scottish architect and painter Charles Rennie Mackintosh for inspiration. The linework in the film is clearly drawn from his work.

With an airship engineer protagonist, there are some impressive aerial vehicular scenes, can you share how these were made?

Tonje: It was important to Kajsa to keep the production 2d. We had a 3d model of the airship that was used as reference, but we tried to avoid using it as much as possible. We wanted a flat and hand-drawn feel all the way.

Much of the story is seen from Titina the dogs eyes. How did you achieve the feeling of seeing the world through the dogs perspective?

Tonje: There are quite a few scenes that take place from Titinas eye height, where we are with her down on the floor witnessing the big men from her perspective. But more importantly, the perspective influenced the story itself.

We created scenes and storylines that had nothing to do with the men and their achievements, but where we drift off with Titina and experience her fascination with the landscapes and animals rather than the celebration of a planted flag.

Can you share a little about the character design process?

Tonje: The first artist who was attached to the project was the Norwegian newspaper cartoonist Siri Dokken. Kajsa loves Siris style and line work. Siri is fun and irreverent, but always with a big heart for the little guy. She has very nice volumes and shapes in her drawings and, being a woman, she likes to draw women of all sizes and forms. There is so much personality in Siris characters, they dont need to move that much to be interesting to look at. Again, Toon Boom Harmony was a perfect match for her line work.

However, Siri has never worked in animation before, so it took a lot of work to get her characters ready for animation. Norwegian character designers Sunniva Fluge Hole and Bulgarian Marta Andreeva did a wonderful job translating Siris sketches to animation-ready model sheets.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when creating Titina, and how was it overcome?

Tonje: The biggest challenge was the Covid pandemic. Immediately after we completed the pre-production in Norway, the whole world shut down. So, for the entire production time in Belgium  which spun over a year and a half  there were lockdown and travel restrictions.

Director Kajsa lived in Brussels during this time and had difficulties traveling home to see her husband and children. So that was a huge sacrifice. It also made it harder for us Norwegian producers to follow the production in Belgium and be by Kajsas side. But artistically, the film turned out beautiful, and we couldnt be happier with the work done by Kajsa and the Belgian studios.
Lafarge Africa launches Eco Label

27 June 2023

Lafarge Africa Plc (part of Holcim) has announced the launch of its Eco Label branding to help communicate the environmental benefits of its sustainable building solutions and build on the companys net zero pledge. Eco Label represents a broad range of green cements for high performance, sustainability and circular construction, says the cement producer,

Lafarges UniCem brand, which contributes about 23 per cent of the companys entire volume, is now eco-friendly. Products that are certified to be eco-friendly have a lower than 30 per cent carbon footprint compared to the local industry standard. Through the production of this eco-friendly cement, Lafarges end-users have the opportunity to make greener choices and accelerate the countrys carbon reduction journey in the manufacturing sector, according to the company.

Lafarge Africa is proud to be the first local cement manufacturer of eco-friendly cement to the Nigerian market. With the rollout of this Eco brand, we are accelerating the transition to more sustainable building materials for greener construction, said Khaled El Dokani, country chief executive officer, Lafarge Africa Plc. We are proud of turning our net zero pledge into action with our broad range of green building solutions. The Eco Label is a key milestone on this journey, confirming our groups commitment to leading the way in sustainability and innovation.

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Discussions on the Asian cement industry's drive and progress towards decarbonisation are well underway at the Cemtech Asia 2023 conference and exhibition in Hanoi, Vietnam, before an international audience of over 250 cement sector professionals.

Opened in the presence of Pham Van Bac, head of Building Materials Department, Ministry of Construction, government of Vietnam, the annual Asian event examines how the global and regional cement industry is transitioning towards a new low-carbon future by providing examples of best practice case studies and innovative technologies available to the sector.

Addressing delegates at the start of the three-day meeting, Thomas Armstrong, Cemtech conference organiser, highlighted that with around 75 per cent of global cement produced in Asia, the industry certainly has its work cut out with its response to carbon reduction, but that "progress is being made, and the cement sector has a viable pathway to eliminating net CO 2 emissions."

With Cemtech Asia 2023 co-organised by the Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA), Dr Nguyen Huang Dung, president of the VNCA, and Dr Luong Duc Long, deputy president and general secretary of the VNCA, set the scene for proceedings by welcoming delegates to the vibrant host city of Hanoi and providing an overview of the domestic cement industrys current status and orientation for sustainable development.

Presentations over the course of the comprehensive conference programme also focus on how some of the leading cement companies in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia have begun the process of transforming themselves into low-carbon cement producers using decarbonisation tools already available to the cement industry, including clinker factor reduction, alternative fuels usage and digitial technologies and machine learning.

Drawing on the experience of India, Kaustubh Phadke of the GCCA India and Girish Sethi of The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), India, also explored what is required to develop a net zero roadmap at a country level, and how this can play an important role for national cement companies seeking to accelerate their decarbonsation activities. Moreover, insights from South Korea offered an informative overview of Asia's most advanced Emissions Trading System and the impact on the country's cement industry.

The Cemtech Asia 2023 event continues with further expert industry commentary and a supporting international exhibition showcasing examples of cement manufacturing excellence that will define the regional and global cement industry for decades to come.
Chovet joins World Cement Association

ICR Newsroom By 27 June 2023

Industrial engineering services company Chovet has the World Cement Association (WCA) as an associate corporate member.

Chovet, based in Lyon, France, has been designing and building cement, lime, and various mineral treatment plants for over 50 years, collaborating with partners ranging from Lafarge, Holcim, Heidelberg Materials, Vicat, CemInEu, Al Safwa, to the Ministry of Economy and Finance in Benin, on industrial engineering projects across the globe.

Chovets work also encompasses sustainability projects, in particular providing feasibility studies to restore, expand, and rebuild on brownfield plants with minimal disruption. Additionally, its in-house specialists and partners offer guidance on major sustainability challenges, including the energy transition and decarbonisation of the industry, specifically advising on alternative fuels, flue gas and waste treatment.

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In this photo released by the Korean finance ministry, Korean Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, left, meets with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki on the sidelines of a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven nations in Niigata, northwest of Tokyo, May 12. Yonhap



Korea and Japan plan to hold a financial ministerial meeting this week to discuss bilateral economic ties, the finance ministry said Tuesday.



Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho will meet with his Japanese counterpart, Shunichi Suzuki, in Tokyo on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The upcoming meeting marks the first of its kind since 2016.



The two had agreed to resume the long-stalled finance ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank held here in early May.



"During the meeting, (the two ministers) will share their views on the global and bilateral economies," the finance ministry said in a statement, noting other issues will include Seoul and Tokyo's cooperation on global agenda, including those of the Group of 20.



"The two countries will engage in discussions to collaborate on infrastructure projects in third countries, along with exploring opportunities for cooperation on finance and tax-related matters," it added.



The finance ministry added Choo plans to meet officials from Japanese banks and asset managers on Friday to share opinions on ways to promote bilateral financial ties.



The bilateral relationship had soured in 2019, as Japan imposed export curbs against Korea in retaliation against the 2018 Korean Supreme Court rulings ordering Japanese firms to compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.



Relations between Korea and Japan began to thaw this year after President Yoon Suk Yeol offered to resolve the forced labor issue by compensating victims on Korea's own without asking for contributions from Japan.



Yoon made a rare visit to Tokyo in March for a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, becoming the first Korean president to make such a trip to Japan in 12 years. Kishida reciprocated Yoon's trip with a visit to Korea in May.



Earlier on Tuesday, Japan announced its plan to reinstate Korea on its "white list" of trusted trading partners, about four years after the removal, in a move to improve the bilateral economic relationship. (Yonhap)


Flags of the European Union and Central Asian countries / Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan



By Ravshanbek Alimov



The renewed Basic Law unites society around the idea of building a new Uzbekistan.



It states that Uzbekistan's foreign policy is based on the principles of sovereign equality, inviolability of borders, territorial integrity of states, non-use of force or threat of force, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, and other generally recognized principles and norms of international law.



In addition, Uzbekistan pursues a peaceful foreign policy aimed at developing bilateral and multilateral relations with states and international organizations. Uzbekistan may form alliances, join and withdraw from commonwealths and other interstate entities in the interests of the State, the people and their welfare and security.



Global and regional cooperation processes have reached a new level. The international community's appreciation of political reforms carried out in our country has become an acknowledgment of this work.



President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's international initiatives have received broad support from the international community. The foreign policy of the New Uzbekistan has led to fundamental changes in the political atmosphere in Central Asia and to the recognition of close interconnectivity and interdependence at the sub-regional and global levels.



In order to strengthen good-neighborly relations with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, the Uzbek government has adopted a comprehensive program of measures. It aims to bring bilateral and regional relations to a new level.



As part of the program, practical work is being carried out to organize top-level and high-ranking reciprocal visits, develop trade and economic relations, and create favorable conditions for increasing trade turnover and strengthening cooperation. In this regard, it is also important to use public diplomacy mechanisms, develop the transit and logistics potential of the region and modernize transport infrastructure.



In order to further strengthen relations with neighboring countries in the Central and South Asian regions, which are important for the development of interconnectivity and cooperation in a spirit of friendship, good neighborliness, strategic partnership and mutual trust, joint events on various topics have been successfully held with the participation of high-level delegations from nearly 30 partner countries and international organizations, and experts from foreign think tanks representing more than 40 states.



The Uzbek parliament, whose importance and powers have been significantly enhanced and expanded in the new version of the Constitution, also actively participates in the development and implementation of a peaceful, open and pragmatic foreign policy aimed at mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries, both near and far.



The Chambers of the Oliy Majlis have established bilateral friendship and cooperation groups with the parliaments of 56 countries and an Inter-Parliamentary Committee for cooperation with the European Parliament to ensure active participation in foreign policy issues. The geography of interaction is wide and includes the countries of Central Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the states of Asia and Europe, as well as the United States, Canada and Argentina.



The Oliy Majlis is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and participates in the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. Parliamentarians in Uzbekistan promote the position of the people in discussions on peacekeeping, security, protection of human rights and freedoms, sustainable development, economic support, social development, environmental preservation and other topical issues of the present.



Special attention is paid to the promotion of Uzbekistan's international initiatives in the main vectors of regional and international development.



The parliament directs its efforts to supporting the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan, addressing the issues caused by the Aral Sea disaster, other environmental challenges and threats, implementation of promising projects needed to create a diversified transport and communications system and transit corridors, ensuring the reliability of trade and economic cooperation.



The renewed Constitution opens new horizons for bilateral and multilateral interaction and gives a strong impetus to the further development of interparliamentary dialogue in the interests of sustainable development and the prosperous lives of our citizens.





Ravshanbek Alimov is Chairman of the Senate Committee of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan on International Relations, Foreign Economic Ties, Foreign Investment and Tourism.


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In this photo provided by foreign ministry, Yoon Jong-kwon, right, director-general for nonproliferation and nuclear affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, and Art Atkins, assistant deputy administrator of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, shake hands during the sixth Korea-U.S. Nuclear Working Group Meeting in Seoul, June 26. Yonhap



Korea and the United States have discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of nuclear security in their latest working group meeting held this week, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.



The sixth Korea-U.S. Nuclear Security Working Group Meeting, co-led by Yoon Jong-kwon, director-general for nonproliferation and nuclear affairs at the ministry, and Art Atkins, assistant deputy administrator of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, was held Monday and Tuesday in Seoul, according to the ministry.



The group is among four working groups under the High-Level Bilateral Commission, which was launched in 2016 following the 2015 revision of the two countries' nuclear energy cooperation agreement.



According to the ministry, the two sides agreed to continue their close cooperation in minimizing the production of highly enriched uranium, strengthening the cybersecurity of nuclear facilities, and boosting preparedness and responsiveness to nuclear and radiological terrorism.



They also agreed to cooperate in the leadup to next year's International Conference on Nuclear Security, scheduled to be held in Vienna, Austria, in May. (Yonhap)


Born and raised in Sweetwater, Dottie Monroe has been a nurse for almost 40 years and an educator for 25 of those years. Although she thought about becoming a veterinarian, Ms. Monroe followed in her mothers footsteps and pursued a career in nursing.After graduating from Sweetwater High School, Ms. Monroe worked at a local restaurant for three years. Returning to school, she earned her registered nurse degree from Roane State Community College, then her bachelor of science and master of science degrees in nursing from East Tennessee State University.As a nurse, Ms.Monroe has worked in medical-surgical, emergency room and home health. While teaching at Sweetwater High School for 15 years, she worked part-time in the emergency room at Sweetwater Hospital. In 2012, Ms. Monroe joined the nursing department at Cleveland State Community College and has worked part-time as a nurse practitioner since then as well. Although retiring from Cleveland State in 2022, she continues teaching as an adjunct instructor.Ms. Monroe has been part of the Cleveland State Workforce Development team for several years as an instructor for CPR and phlebotomy. The Workforce Development department provides short-term training in healthcare fields such as phlebotomy, CPR/first aid and certified nurse assistant."Dottie Monroe is an exceptional instructor who truly cares about investing in and passing along critical healthcare training to students in Workforce Development programs, said Heather Brown, Cleveland State director of Workforce Development. She is an expert instructor with years of both classroom and occupational healthcare experience. Mrs. Monroe's skillset is an asset to Cleveland State and the students we serve."Nine students recently completed the 48-hour phlebotomy class on campus. The students developed the skills to safely perform venipunctures through classroom lecture and practice on training arms and human arms. The class ended with the National Healthcareer Association Phlebotomy Technician Certification exam.Seven students in the phlebotomy program graduated from high school in May. Polk County High School provided funding for the four students from PCHS with an Innovative School Models grant. Four students were funded by the Rural Health Association.These high school graduates chose to spend the last month of their high school careers and the first month of their adult lives training to acquire a new skill and certification for the workplace. We appreciate the dedication of these students and the partnership with their local high schools, said Ms. Brown.Ms. Monroe said, I enjoy teaching phlebotomy because it is secondhand nature, and the students are eager to learn. It is very important to learn the skills and how it should be done safely. Safety first for patients and employees.Ms. Monroe and her husband, Rick, who teaches in the Advanced Technologies Department at Cleveland State, live in Monroe County. They have been married for 41 years and have three children, who are all in healthcare, and eight grandchildren.For more information about phlebotomy or healthcare training for yourself or your employees, contact Chelsea Falana, Cleveland State Workforce specialist, at cfalana@clevelandstatecc.edu or 423-614-8742.
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






Inside a conference room with dimmed lighting at Anna Shaw Childrens Institute, seated rows of health care workers and community volunteers take turns picking up and swaddling dolls the size of a human newborn.



Instructor Kathi Frankel, owner of Bear With Me Family Physical Therapy in Atlanta, explains in detail where to place the babies tiny limbs, how to position their own bodies when transferring the child from one surface to another, and how to assist caregivers in handling their little ones in ways that tune in to their natural reflexes and physiological needs.



Its all part of the 2 Gen Matters Family Integrated Relationships Based Development Care Initiative being piloted at Hamilton Medical Center to improve outcomes for some of the regions most vulnerable families.



Babies whose lives begin with a stay in a neonatal intensive care unit  or NICU  often face an uphill battle even after theyre returned to family care. Not only do those children have developmental delays at higher rates than their peers, their parents and other caregivers face greater challenges too.



NICU stays, while often necessary, are hard on families. Mothers experience higher rates of postpartum mood disorders, children are more likely to have developmental delays, and families must cope with the grief and loss that often come from separation so soon after birth. But a collaborative program being piloted at Hamilton Medical Center aims to reduce that stress as much as possible  and give families a better start.



The care initiative aims to improve outcomes by training health care staff on best practices for supporting babies and families during the vulnerable newborn experience and monitoring for additional support needs as those children grow up. Another key component of the program is pulling in community partners and organizations in the best position to support families as their children grow up.



Hamilton Health Care System is piloting the program, which has plans to expand statewide and beyond. Nikki Pasley, clinical nurse manager for Hamilton Medical Centers NICU, says the facility is continually striving to improve long-term outcomes for babies and foster connection between those babies and their parents.



We know how vital it is for mom, dad and baby to be together, Ms. Pasley says. Ensuring that policies, procedures and staff training reflect a family-centered approach is imperative.

Suzanne Harbin, director of the Early Childhood Initiative of Northwest Georgia, says its all part of an effort to address Georgias above-average rate for NICU stays and above-average rate for postpartum mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Georgia has one of the highest rates of maternal death and infant mortality of any state in the country. We must all pull together to collaboratively find solutions for the health of our mothers and their babies, Ms. Harbin says.

Tremendous innovation and collaboration is happening within our community for our youngest babies and their parents and caregivers, Ms. Harbin says. Clinicians are learning, families are being reached in innovative ways, and strategic conversations are happening to further this crucial care initiative for our youngest babies.

The family-centered approach is a huge focus of the program initiative. Health care workers and volunteers who serve as cuddlers are attending ongoing training sessions at Daltons Anna Shaw Childrens Institute to better understand ways to support families going through a difficult time. ASCI provides services for children with developmental delays.

Participants are also being trained in using language that is sensitive, supportive and encouraging of families during what for many is one of the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives.

We know parents are experiencing intense grief and loss (when they are separated from their babies because of a NICU stay), so maybe this bedside support can help them get to the next level, says Ms. Frankel. We have a lot of power with the words we say.

Ms. Pasley says she and the staff at Hamilton are beyond excited to be piloting the FINE Neurodevelopmental Care Initiative. Led by Ms. Frankel as well as Emily Rubin, MS, CCC-SLP, Communication Crossroads; and Arianne Weldon, MPH, Georgia Family Connection Partnership, the initiative kicked off in February with plans to continue training through the end of the year.

Together with our team of excellent nurses, medical providers and ancillary staff, our goal is to be the place families choose to deliver their baby knowing the needs of their baby and their own needs will be our top priority, Ms. Pasley says.

Ms. Harbin says when she was initially contacted by state leaders to see if Hamilton Medical Center would be interested in applying for the grant, she didnt even hesitate.

Hamilton Medical Center has been a tremendous place to launch this work for NICU babies, their families and their providers, she says. The positive experiences families and babies have at Hamilton will impact them for the rest of their lives.






A man who allegedly injured his 81-year-old grandmother at a house in Chickamauga on Sunday morning has been taken into custody.

The incident happened at 11:57 a.m. at 2057 Old Bethel Road.

Responding to a call of a domestic disturbance, deputies a rrested Jimmie A. Goins, 39.

Walker County Sheriff said Goins was charged with aggravated battery and elder abuse.

He allegedly pushed his grandmother against a wall and forcibly took the car keys from her hand. The grandmother sustained an injury to her thumb and exhibited redness to her arm.

The victim left the residence and went to a neighbor's house where she called 911.





Initial responding deputies were unsuccessful in getting Goins to come to the front door. After repeated attempts, the Special Operations Group (SOG) were summoned to the residence. After about one hour, the SOG made a soft entry into the residence and took Goins into custody without incident.





Goins' bond has been set at $50,000.




Scott Martin, left, and Noel Durant photo by John Shearer Sterchi Farm trailhead of South Chickamauga Creek Greenway photo by John Shearer 1911 Chattanooga parks map by designer John Nolen City of Chattanooga map showing possible future park or buffer locations in circles Previous Next

As Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors administrator Scott Martin and Trust for Public Land state director Noel Durant talked on June 12 from the Parks & Outdoors office by Coolidge Park, they seemed to have differing personalities.

Mr. Martin had a faster cadence to his words, while Mr. Durant was a little more deliberate in expressing his thoughts.

But they both showed a very similar and obvious excitement and enthusiasm over the future, or at least the opportunity Chattanooga has with improving and expanding park space for mostly passive recreation within the city.



As Mr. Martin said, Theres a chance to get it right, before adding, What if we build a great place to live?

He was referring to the citys first new parks plan in 25 years, a plan designed to upgrade and expand park, greenway, and green space areas within the city limits.

As was announced in the news after it was presented to the Chattanooga City Council in broad terms on June 20, the Parks and Outdoors Plan calls for focusing on the five principles of access, equity, nature, place, and quality in its implementation. And in more concrete terms, officials say they will also focus on fixing parks, building amenities, connecting people to parks better, and preserving green space, or fix, build, connect and preserve.

Mayor Tim Kelly has endorsed the plan, saying it helps Chattanooga take even better advantage of its scenic setting by improving and expanding its park and green space to all. And that in turn will help Chattanooga continue to be a high-quality city in which to live, he said in a press release.

I ended up meeting with Mr. Martin and Mr. Durant after writing a recent greenway series story about examining Chattanooga Creek in the Alton Park area and visualizing how some additional green spaces might work around it. It was simply my fun way in part of dreaming about how neat it would be for me personally to see future greenways and additional park space in that somewhat overlooked area of Chattanooga economically. I simply would like to see an undeveloped area become a park or natural area in most cases rather than be turned into a residential or commercial zone, even though I understand and appreciate the complexities of all urban and economic forces at work.

Mr. Martin saw the story and emailed me and said that he had found an old map by park designer John Nolen from the early 20th century that called for plenty of protected park space around Chattanooga Creek, which of course did not really occur. He also sent me via email an image of the map.

He also wanted to update or debrief me as a member of the media about the soon-to-be-revealed new overall park plan for the city of Chattanooga. And, as was later announced, it includes future park spaces for Chattanooga, which were included in general or broad spots on another and more futuristic map he emailed me.

He also invited Mr. Durant from TPL, whose non-profit firm has helped raise funds for and secure natural areas for future parks and amenities for entities like the city of Chattanooga locally. The work on developing the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway is one example.

He was also invited in part due to TPLs work in progress on Chattanooga Creek. As Mr. Durant told me in an email before the meeting, The Trust for Public Land has been working alongside the city of Chattanooga in the vicinity of Chattanooga Creek since the early 2000s, and we are currently working on an effort to link neighborhoods in South Chattanooga across Chattanooga Creek with a greenway that would create another window to the creek.

Mr. Durant also provided a map at the meeting that showed a future greenway trail link from South Broad Street along West 33rd Street, on to Southside Community Park, through the Chattanooga Creek flatland below Crabtree Farms, and on toward East Lake.

I was flattered to be invited to attend a meeting with two busy and key local people whose work focuses on green spaces.

While Mr. Martin asked me not to write anything about the future parks plan until it was officially released to the public and City Council last Tuesday, he was not holding back his enthusiasm regarding the overall plan. He also was trying to say it would complement any future growth that seems to have already hit Chattanooga since the pandemic of people reportedly wanting to move to the area in growing numbers.

Its been a while since we moved at this scale. he said of the parks overview planning that has been going on for a year or so with recent and planned future feedback from the citizenry. People are going to continue to move here. Are we ready to give them a good city to live in 50 years from now?

Mr. Durant hinted of the past and memorable Riverwalk planning of the 1980s when he added enthusiastically in comparing it to the current plan, That feels like the last time the city embarked so wholeheartedly.

Some other plans had also been made in 1998 and 2008 regarding park planning in the Recreate plan, officials had said in the announcement material.

Mr. Martin early in the conversation had referenced the 1911 John Nolen plan that called for green space along the Tennessee River and Chattanooga Creek and apparently what is now South Chickamauga Creek. Mr. Nolen had also drawn plans for park space across the top of Lookout Mountain a few hundred yards south of Point Park  and where residences are today  as well as park space at the southern tip of Moccasin Bend, where the mental hospital now stands.

Other greenspaces the designer of yesteryear envisioned included Woodland Park, which apparently became Montague Park. And northeast of the already developed Olympia Park that became Warner Park, a Locust Street Park was suggested. And just north of it was Harrison Pike Park. The latter two evidently did not come to fruition or have long since disappeared. A park space is also on the southwestern side of Missionary Ridge on the map and that might be East Lake Park. There is also an Erlanger Park near the longtime site of the hospital.

Mr. Nolen also called for apparently tree-lined boulevards at places that today look like Crest Road and Dodds Avenue (and referred to on the map as the Mission Ridge Circuit Drive), and perhaps in the areas of what is today maybe Main Street and McCallie Avenue.

Mr. Nolen, who died in 1937 while in his late 60s, had been educated under Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and others after a previous career and had an office in Cambridge, Ma. His Wikipedia page said he worked with such cities as Madison, Wi.; Savannah, Ga.; Kingsport, Tn.; and Asheville, N.C. In Madison, a street is named for him.

He also went down to Florida and tried to help it beat some of the planned growth with an ambitious urban park and preserve plan for St. Petersburg. But the private land grab was evidently too much and that and other factors among the citizenry kept it from coming to fruition.

Mr. Nolens work in Chattanooga is not listed in his brief biographies, so his plans must not have gotten much beyond the initial visualization stages or were not carried out in much detail, although further research would be required to know for sure.

But Mr. Martin said old plans do work today. He showed the Central Park of today in Manhattan with Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.s original plans, and they are almost identical. If you get it right, these things are timeless, he said.

And he said that natural features of Chattanooga would jump out to any park designer over time. Geography in Chattanooga leads us (and folks from 100 years ago) in some pretty straightforward ways when it comes to connecting people and nature, he said in his initial email.

Regarding the Chattanooga park plans of today, he did emphasize that situations and desires do change from decades ago. For example, he pointed out that a park playground of 20 years ago is not what people necessarily want today, as those contraptions seem to be getting bigger and greater in amenities, based on some photographs he showed me.

He also pointed out that all is not well with Chattanooga parks of today, despite its reputation as the outdoor city. He pointed out that in certain measurements like per capita spending, Chattanooga does not spend as much as other cities that might not seem as naturally pretty. He also pointed out that the airport land takes up more percentage of space in the city than do parks.

Also, little-visited parks like Boulevard Park just west of Rossville Boulevard need some upgrading, and they contrast sharply with showcase parks like Miller Park and Coolidge Park.

But he is hopeful the short- and long-term goals over multiple phases can fix these issues.

He also points out that Chattanooga already has plenty of good aspects in place besides just natural beauty. For example, he said rock climbing can be done off a Walnut Street Bridge pier and kayaking can be done on the Tennessee River by downtown, not miles away as is sometimes the case for such outdoor activities in some cities. A good diversity of fauna and fishes can also be found within the city, he added.

Its not about a big government land grab but focusing on what is good about the city and is already here, he said about a main emphasis on the parks plan.

I was also curious about the potential future parks or at least undeveloped buffer zones that are part of the new plan, and I tried to study the map provided, although only major streets were listed. And, of course, all this is general and not already specifically pinpointed or already on the schedule, I realize.

But I was able to figure out the general areas of potential new parks. And there were almost as many being eyed as there are subdivisions and apartment complexes that have been unveiled before the local planning commission over the last couple of years.

Using a distance of about a mile or two away at the most from familiar sites mentioned below, I found that the potential future park or natural buffer zones include: about 6 sites completely surrounding Heritage Park in East Brainerd, two northwest of Pinnacle Point, one southwest of Tyner-East Brainerd Park, one southwest of the Standifer Gap Marsh, one near Belvoir Park and Belvoir Place Park, four east of Avondale Park, two north of Eastdale Park, another east of Eastdale Park on the west side of South Chickamauga Creek, two on the east side of South Chickamauga Creek between Sterchi Farm and Wilcox Boulevard, three between St. Elmo and Chattanooga Creek near the Georgia state line, and another one on the state line south of East Lake Park.

Other future park or buffer sites in the envisioning stages include one near where the new Lookouts Stadium and separate Bend development are planned near I-24 and the Tennessee River, one between the foundry and Ross Landing along the Riverwalk, one behind the Walmart and Food City by Mountain Creek at the foot of Signal Mountain, one just north of the Amnicola refuge where the Tennessee Riverwalk is, one just north of Riverview, one northeast of Rivermont Park, two northwest of DuPont Park, six north of Red Banks city limits and west of the North Chickamauga Creek Wildlife Management Area, one in the North Chickamauga Creek Wildlife Management Area, four between Hixson Greenway Farm and the North Chickamauga WMA, two southwest of Ridgeside and Overlook Park near Missionary Ridge, and one east of East Chattanooga Park.

Some of these, like the Mountain Creek land, are among the roughly 500 acres already owned by the city, according to Blythe Bailey, director of design and connectivity with Parks & Outdoors.

There also seemed to be additional greenway trails planned that cut more across the city in an east-west direction like the one planned for Alton Park and over Chattanooga Creek. Greenways to date in Chattanooga have primarily gone along the river and creeks.

Would you like to have an additional park or two or greenway near you to frequent? I know I might enjoy having one or two additional ones closer to me that I can jog in along with the three or four I regularly visit and the other ones farther away I occasionally visit. Variety is the spice of life for me when it comes to parks primarily to jog in.

However, I realize part of the parks plan is to have a park nearby for all residents, some of whom cannot travel easily, and the nearby park might be the only one they are able to visit frequently. Parks and city officials want to make parks accessible to all residents.

Although the map with the possible parks is visionary and perhaps a long-term look, officials have officially pinpointed seven new parks, four new special-use facilities and 16 miles of new greenway or connector trails.

While the implementation and planning of much of this park space is still being developed, Mayor Kelly has said he hopes to get some of this funding through state help, including as much as $100 million.

Although nothing has been announced about any new fund-raising efforts in addition to seeking governmental funds for this projects, Mr. Durant, whose TPL is working to raise funds for the planned Chattanooga Creek/Alton Park area greenways, said Chattanooga has historically had a philanthropic tradition of helping with land donation. He said it dates to when publisher Adolph Ochs helped secure land around Lookout Mountain in connection with the national park development there.

There has been a generational focus on giving back through public space, he said. We as a city have a pretty unique legacy of philanthropy.

Mr. Martin, who added that all of Chattanoogas problems related to its parks and park space compared to other cities is fixable, considers a parks plan very important to the future.

This is about how we live here, he said.

* * *

jcshearer2@comcast.net
Central Church of Christ will host its first annual Outdoor Trivia Night, an event designed to bring together community members for a night of brainteasers and food. Set to take place on this Friday, this event is designed for trivia enthusiasts of all ages.

Attendees can expect an evening filled with trivia challenges that encompass a wide range of topics, including pop culture, history, sports, and general knowledge.

The Trivia Night will take place outdoors at Central Church of Christ Chattanooga. The event kicks off at 6 p.m., allowing attendees to arrive, get settled, and immerse themselves in the excitement that awaits. The beauty of this event is that it not only offers an intellectual challenge but also promotes community bonding and celebration, said organizers.

Adding to the festivities, the Central Church will provide free food and drinks for all participants.

"We are excited to host the Outdoor Trivia Night and bring our community together for a memorable evening," said Harrison Allison, the event organizer. "This event embodies our commitment to fostering connections, providing engaging experiences, and creating a space where everyone can build lasting relationships. We invite individuals of all ages and backgrounds to join us and be part of this exciting event."

Since 1909, Central Church of Christ has been operating in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. The congregation is known for its welcoming atmosphere and its focus on living out the gospel in the community. Central Church of Christ offers a variety of programs and ministries for people of all ages, including worship services, Bible studies, and community outreach initiatives.
Marie Mott, Harvard Emerging Leader and founder of ALTundergrad, announced the establishment of Hutchins Academy, a mentorship program "designed to bridge the gap in student development and provide invaluable support to high school students on their journey to college and beyond. Named after the revered Styles Hutchins, Hutchins Academy aims to cultivate leadership, academic excellence, literacy, and parental support, nurturing the seeds of love, knowledge, and time in each student, enabling them to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential."





She said Hutchins Academy "is driven by the unwavering belief that mentorship and future success are deeply interconnected.Recognizing the critical need for guidance and encouragement during the pivotal high school years, the academy has been met with overwhelming community support and a surge of student interest."

She said it "promises to empower brilliant youth from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. The mission of Hutchins Academy is rooted in fostering inclusive excellence. Through comprehensive mentorship programs, students will be equipped with the tools, skills, and opportunities to thrive academically, positively contribute to their communities, and extend their impact beyond geographical boundaries. With a vision of creating the next generation of leaders who can effect lasting change, Hutchins Academy will collaborate with esteemed organizations, elected officials, and a loving community to ensure the growth and success of each young person entrusted to its care."





Ms. Mott said, "I am immensely proud and humbled by the incredible support and interest we have received from our community. At Hutchins Academy, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where students can flourish. We aim to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and guidance needed to excel academically and professionally, ultimately positively impacting society. Together, we will build a brighter future for our youth."




SCO sees rapid increase in number of sister cities

13:29, June 27, 2023 By Qiang Wei, Qu Song ( People's Daily

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities were recently held in Qingdao city, east China's Shandong Province.

According to data released by the forums, China and relevant SCO countries have formed over 450 pairs of friendship cities in the past 22 years since the organization's establishment. The mutually beneficial cooperation among friendship cities of the SCO has led to the implementation of a large number of projects for the benefit of the people in new areas such as smart city governance, data economy and innovation development.

Sea gulls attract visitors at the Trestle Bridge in Qingdao city, east China's Shandong Province. (People's Daily Online/Shu Qing)

Friendship among the people is a fundamental force for world peace and development and is a basic precondition for win-win cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed to hold an SCO non-governmental friendship forum in November 2020, which received strong endorsement and warm support from SCO member states.

At the SCO Samarkand Summit last September, President Xi proposed to host an SCO forum on sister cities, which further enriched the connotation of the SCO in promoting non-governmental friendly cooperation.

Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, and Qingdao established sister-city relations in 2021. Deng Xiaoping Street in the west part of Bishkek is the starting section of a road between the Kyrgyz capital and Osh, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan located in the south of the country. Last year, Qingdao and Bishkek conducted cooperation in the upgrading construction of the street, which was included in the list of deliverables of the meeting of heads of state of China and Kyrgyzstan by the website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Guests watch works of inheritors of intangible cultural heritage at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries People-to-People Friendship and Friendship Cities Cooperation Achievements Exhibition during the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities. (Photo provided by the SCO Committee on Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation)

Human beings share a common future, said Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov. To achieve modernization, a country needs to pursue common development through solidarity and cooperation. Non-governmental friendship is conducive to promoting solidarity and cooperation and jointly addressing global challenges.

Supporting the establishment of sister-city relations and comprehensively advancing sub-national and sister-city cooperation have continuously expanded the "circle of friends" among SCO members.

Qingdao, for instance, has expanded exchanges and cooperation with cities in SCO countries on all fronts, and has now established friendship-city relations or confirmed its intention in this regard with 15 cities in 12 relevant SCO countries, including its new sister cities such as the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, Bishkek, and Armenia's capital Yerevan.

As of the end of March 2023, relevant SCO countries had had 419 investment projects in Qingdao, with the utilized foreign investment totaling $240 million. In the first three months of this year, relevant SCO countries set up 13 projects in Qingdao, with the actual arrival of foreign investment reaching $380,000.

Guests holding a paper-cut silhouette work pose for a group photo at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries People-to-People Friendship and Friendship Cities Cooperation Achievements Exhibition during the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities. (People's Daily/Qu Song)

People-to-people friendly exchanges among relevant SCO countries and mutually beneficial cooperation among friendship cities have witnessed fruitful highlights, and the "Shanghai Spirit" has gained wide acceptance, said Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Lin added that there are more and more member states, observer states and dialogue partners of the SCO, which fully demonstrates how the 'Shanghai Spirit,' with main themes of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, is in line with the trend of the times, wins the sincere support of the people, and sets an example for building a new type of international relations.

SCO countries attach great importance to people-to-people diplomacy, and actively support their friendship organizations or establish agencies to carry out people-to-people friendly exchanges and cooperation, which greatly promotes mutual understanding and amity among the people.

In recent years, all parties have actively conducted exchanges and cooperation in people-to-people and cultural fields such as women, youth, culture, education and sports, initiated well-recognized programs including the women's forum, the children's art exhibition and the youth exchange camp, and organized art festivals, film festivals, cultural exhibitions and other thematic activities, enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and mutual trust among people of various countries.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)




Two Koreans were shot in Mexico on Tuesday morning (Korean time) and are in critical condition, the foreign ministry here said.





Two Koreans were brought to a local hospital after the shooting incident that took place in Toluca, 40 kilometers west of Mexico City, at 4:50 p.m. on June 26 (local time), a foreign ministry official said over the phone.





Whether the Koreans were local residents or tourists was not immediately known.





The Embassy of Korea in Mexico asked local police to initiate an investigation to capture the culprits, the official said. (Yonhap)


The Chemistry/Plastics Cluster Award of the 19th IQ Innovation Award Central Germany goes to enaDyne GmbH from Freiberg. The Saxon startup has developed a plasma catalysis reactor that can be used to produce green chemicals and e-fuels from CO2 . Some of the most widely used chemicals can thus be produced more cheaply than fossil alternatives. CO2 thus becomes a resource for a CO2-negative circular economy. Preparations are currently underway to test the system in an industrial environment, for example at biogas plants. The company has now received two awards: They won the Chemistry/Plastics Cluster Prize of the 19th IQ Innovation Award Central Germany and also secured the overall prize at the awards ceremony in Zundmagnet Wurzen.

"In order to effectively counter climate change, we must not only save CO2 , but ideally also consume the greenhouse gas as a resource. For this cycle, enaDyne GmbH provides the decisive building block with its technology, which uses the CO2 from industry for new products. This is not only climate-neutral, but CO2-negative - a real feat in the chemical industry, which was previously dependent on fossil raw materials. The number one climate killer thus becomes a valuable raw material. We see this as a real leap innovation and a breakthrough in the fight against global warming," says Jorn-Heinrich Tobaben, Managing Director of Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland Management GmbH, explaining the jury's decision.

The overall prize of the IQ Innovation Award Central Germany with prize money of 15,000 euros was jointly sponsored by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce from Halle-Dessau, Leipzig and Eastern Thuringia. In addition, four other cluster winners and the winners of the local IQ competitions in Halle (Saale), Leipzig and Magdeburg were announced at the award ceremony. These are:
Cherokee Phoenix Executive Editor Tyler Thomas, third from left, met with a group of dignitaries and representatives from Moldova on June 26 in Tahlequah.
If youve ever gotten into learning about peoples frightening paranormal experiences, then you may have heard about the haunting tales that have taken place at military bases in Afghanistan.

TikTok user Che Jim (@che.jim) posted a reenactment of one of the many true stories he has heard happening at Observation Point Rock, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2009.

In the video, set to eery music, a military man is crouching down in the trenches, looking for any enemies.

Suddenly, the soldier hears odd disturbances on his personal radio, which soon sounded like gunfire and yelling in Russian. The man picks up his radio, asking if anyone is there, trying to determine what is happening.

He is then distracted by a sound coming from the distance and quickly uses his binoculars to look around him and sees something moving out there.

He grabs hold of his weapon and starts to look through the scope, which can measure temperature. He is shocked to see a man standing out in the distance, who is visibly colder than the environment thats surrounding him!

Suddenly, everything on the military mans radio cuts out, and when he goes to look at the man through his scope again, he is nowhere to be found.

This is just one of many ghost stories that have been reported by soldiers who have served in this area.

When British soldiers and U.S. Marines began digging on the grounds to build positions of defense, they were shocked to find a huge number of human bones buried in the dirt.

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Raw Pixel/U.S. Government

Many of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats are urging him to bring up the growing crisis in Manipur with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi's upcoming trip to Washington.

A group of U.S. lawmakers voiced their concerns in a letter to Biden. They highlighted issues in India, such as religious intolerance, press freedom, internet access, and the frequent harassment of non-governmental organizations.

Democrats Appeal for Human Rights Dialogue with Modi Amid Lingering Tensions in Manipur

An article from Premier Christian shared that Modi began his journey with a public yoga session at the United Nations in New York City. He lauded the practice, saying it's inclusive of all ages, beliefs, and cultures. His trip is being touted as a crucial point in US-India relations.

However, the chaos in Manipur casts a shadow over Modi's foreign engagements. Reports suggest that the violence has resulted in almost 50,000 people being displaced or rendered homeless. It's believed that hundreds of Christian tribal communities have been destroyed, over 300 churches burnt, and around 100 lives lost due to communal clashes.

The lawmakers' letter to Biden painted a bleak picture. They referred to numerous independent reports outlining concerns such as political oppression, rising religious intolerance, attacks on journalists and civic organizations, and tightening restrictions on press freedom and internet access. The letter was signed by 75 Democratic Senators and House Representatives and was delivered to the White House on Tuesday.

In contrast, Modi has been warmly received by the American business community during his diplomatic trip to the United States. An article by Malaya suggests that significant deals in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other technology initiatives could be announced during Modi's visit.

Companies like Micron Technology are reportedly planning large-scale investments in India, which could signal a strengthening bond between the two nations.

During his visit to Washington, Modi met with "young and creative minds" and was invited by First Lady Jill Biden to encourage American students to study in India, a proposal he enthusiastically agreed to. He highlighted that India is committed to the advance of technologies, especially AI.

The White House reported that over 200,000 Indian students were studying in American universities, highlighting the educational synergy between the two nations.

Also Read:Indian Religious Leaders Applaud USCIRF, Lawmakers' Call to Address Shrinking Religious Freedom with Prime Minister Modi

Manipur's Turmoil Continues

Contrary to reports, pastor Thong Lun, quoted in the Baptist Standard, argues that there's no "ethnic cleansing" or "religious persecution" against Christians in Manipur. The conflict, primarily between the largely Christian Kuki and Meitei ethnic groups, started over disagreements about land ownership and tribal identity.

Both Kuki and Meitei Christians are at risk, with over 250 churches torched and police stations searched for weapons. While the Chief Minister of Manipur reported 98 deaths, indications suggest the number might be much higher.

Related Article: Indian Catholic Bishops Raise Concerns as Criminal Cases Target Church Leaders
Pixabay/Andrzej Rembowski

The leader of a Christian aerobics' organization known as Body & Soul Fitness traveled around Arkansas and engaged at several churches to strengthen people's muscles and their Christian Faith. This group upholds the Gospel through the music they play at their events.

Body & Soul Fitness' Mission

Body & Soul Fitness stated that Jeannie Blocher and Nan McCullough-Huhta proposed organizing a day for the ladies of their local church to participate in activities together that included fitness and camaraderie in 1981. As a result of the tremendous success of this event, a new ministry was established, and they named it Body & Soul. As mentioned, even while their workout programming and the type of music they play have changed over the years, the core of Body & Soul has not changed since they are a place where faith and physical activity come together.

Based on a report from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers, the first Body & Soul Fitness class was held in Maryland over 40 years ago. The classes occur mainly in churches, and instructors guarantee to have neither mirrors nor critics, only acceptance and encouragement. Amy Stafford of Panama City, Florida, who serves as the organization's president, mentioned that there are approximately 175 teachers across the United States and possibly around 90 located overseas. Participants in Body & Soul Fitness can work out to modern Christian music instead of the traditional workout music of classics. In addition, there is time spent in prayer and companionship. The group is responsible for providing devotional materials, choreographing the dances, and paying for the music used in the performances.

Moreover, since the early 1980s, Body & Soul Fitness has provided Central Arkansas residents with various class options. Recently, classes have been reportedly conducted at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship in Sherwood, and Trinity Baptist Church in Searcy. The organization's regional director, Ruth Ann Dreyer, noted that they have men participants, but 98% of those attending are women. As stated, aerobics attendees spend "$25 per month for once-weekly classes, $40 per month for twice-weekly sessions, or $55 per month for the Ultimate package," which comes with up to five training per week along with unlimited membership to Body & Soul FitTV, which provides extra on-demand workout alternatives.

Also Read: Living Hope Community Church Explores Three Essential Aspects of Christian Faith

Influence of Gospel-Affirming Musics on Christians

The presence of music significantly enriches the life of a believer. Although various categories and subcategories are used to classify worship music, in general, Christian music refers to any song written to praise God. As per Gospel Chops, the piece used in worship is not more profound than any other component of Christianity; nonetheless, the music can directly impact individuals. It is undeniable that music significantly affects a person's physical body, whether it alters their mood, brings their blood pressure down, or assists them in becoming more focused.

Accordingly, an individual can be reached in a way that a lecture or sermon cannot by participating in worship. The words and music of a song cannot bring a person physically closer to Jesus, but they can make them more receptive to the message being conveyed by the song. Furthermore, some individuals like to be entertained by great orators; others get more out of seeing pictures and watching videos, while others find that they connect better with others through community participation.

Related Article: This Christian Fitness Expert Uses Her Faith To Get Fit And Healthy
South Korean military drones fly during joint drills with the United States at Seungjin Fire Training Field in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, in this May 23 photo. The Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday promulgated a decree for the launch of a multipurpose drone operations unit. AP-Yonhap



Gov't declares decree to create multipurpose UAV command



By Jung Min-ho



The Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday promulgated a decree for the launch of a multipurpose drone operations unit as part of efforts to counter North Korea's evolving air threats and to reinforce the capabilities that have become increasingly critical in modern warfare.



The declaration comes six months after President Yoon Suk Yeol told his military officials to create a command center for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strategies for both offensive and defensive missions.



The unit, which is expected to be established in September, will take direct orders from Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and take on reconnaissance, strike and other roles. Its presence in the military may well expand as its interoperability with other units improve, officials said.



But the location and leader of the unit have not been determined yet.



"We expect the drone operations command to play a key role in joint battlefield domains by carrying out strategic and operational missions systematically and efficiently," the ministry said in a statement.



Pocheon, a city in the northeastern part of Gyeonggi Province, is among the candidates for the command's location. Pocheon is just south of Cheorwon and Hwacheon, two counties bordering the North, and contains military facilities once used by the now-disbanded Republic of Korea Army VI Corps. This means that the command can be set up quickly, given that most facilities can still be serviceable after some repairs and improvement work.



The residents of that region, however, have not been supportive. The city council recently issued a statement criticizing the military for considering the area without asking the opinions of the residents.



Aware of the sensitivity of the issue, Jeon Ha-kyu, a spokesman for the ministry, said nothing has been determined. He also said, even if the military decides to operate the unit there, its location "may not be permanent."



"We will try our best to explain the situation to the residents living near the base, including how we will address their concerns," he said.





A Ukrainian soldier looks at the sky searching for a drone on the frontline in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Monday. Russia's war in Ukraine has demonstrated the expanding roles of drones in battlefields. AP-Yonhap
Pixabay/NoName_13

The Assam Christian Forum (ACF) and Conference of Religious India Northeast (CRI-NEI) joined forces in a powerful display of unity and faith as they held a solidarity prayer on Saturday, Jun 24. The event called for ending the killings, violence, arson, and hatred that have plagued Manipur for over 50 days.

Call to End Killings in Manipur

Despite the deployment of a heavy Army, armed forces, and police presence, the unrest has shown no signs of abating. Thus, religious leaders from various denominations within the Christian community gathered to pray fervently for the troubled state of Manipur, appealing to both the Central government and the Manipur Government to take decisive action that will restore peace, security, and justice for its people, The Times of India reported.

AC spokesman Allen Brooks stated that the people of Manipur had been hoping against hope that the bloodshed would stop after the union home minister came to their state. However, to their great disappointment, the situation on the ground has not changed, which is a significant setback and saddens the people. The Assam Christian Forum represents the collective voice of the Christian community in Assam, encompassing members from various denominations. Their unity and determination to seek divine intervention in times of crisis serve as a testament to the unwavering faith and commitment of the community.

On the other hand, The Sentinel reported that members of the National Boro Christian Council (NBCC), the apex body of Boro churches in Assam, also gathered in the Church Hall owned by the NELC, Bongaigaon Mission on Saturday. The purpose of their assembly was a solidarity prayer dedicated to the troubled state of Manipur. In addition, the prayer program, centered around the theme of peace for Manipur, saw the congregation holding two placards symbolizing their unwavering support. Among the attendees was Lawrence Islary, the respected MLA from Kokrajhar East, who actively participated in the event. The prayer gathering was a powerful testament to the solidarity and empathy the NBCC and its members displayed. By coming together in prayer, they reportedly showcased their support for the people of Manipur and emphasized the significance of peace and harmony in the face of adversity.

Also Read: Manipur Christians Left Shattered as Frightening Violence Targets Tribal Communities, 44 Churches Burned

Restoring Peace

According to Reuters, the Indian federal government has directed the chief minister of Manipur state to intensify efforts to bring about peace, as violent clashes between ethnic groups have persisted for over 50 days despite heightened security measures. N. Biren Singh, the chief minister of the northeastern state, revealed that he was summoned to New Delhi for discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah, who advised him to redouble his efforts towards achieving lasting peace in Manipur.

As mentioned, Singh has been tasked with establishing additional communication channels with all stakeholders to facilitate long-lasting peace in the state. Furthermore, Manipur's government has extended the ban on internet services for an additional five days until Friday, Jun 30, to manage the crisis effectively. As the violence and unrest in Manipur persist, it remains crucial for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue meaningful solutions to restore peace and harmony in the state.

Related Article:Manipur Church Organizations Appeal for Peace Amid Claims of Targeted Christian Persecution
Wikimedia Commons/Isabeljohnson25

The search for Titan, the missing OceanGate submersible, came to a sad end on Thursday in a terrible turn of circumstances. Near the Titanic wreckage, the search and rescue crews discovered a debris field consistent with the submersible. As Fox News Digital revealed earlier today, the missing submersible and its crew were en route to the Titanic disaster when they lost contact with their surface craft on Sunday morning.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger stated at a press conference that the debris indicated the occurrence of a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. It was reported that the families were promptly notified once this determination was made. Additionally, Rear Admiral Mauger expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families, emphasizing that this sentiment was extended on behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command.

Religious Leaders Respond to Tragic Loss of Titan Submarine Crew

According to the article in Fox News, upon receiving this very sad news, other religious leaders also conveyed their sorrow and sympathy. The five people who sadly lost their lives in the OceanGate submersible catastrophe received Alex McFarland's sympathies and sympathy, according to an email he sent to Fox News Digital as a youth, culture, and religion specialist from Greensboro, North Carolina. In his message, Mr. McFarland expressed his deepest thoughts and condolences to the impacted families.

McFarland also pointed out that since Sunday evening, people around the globe have been closely following this story with deep concern and offering prayers. He further remarked on the poignancy of the situation, noting that it is remarkable how, 111 years after the sinking of the Titanic, a shipwreck can still claim human lives.

McFarland criticized OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush for excessive confidence in the Titan's abilities, ignoring warnings about its seaworthiness. Comparing Rush's approach to Titanic's constructors' overconfidence, McFarland emphasized the value of human life, the sacredness of each day as a gift, and the inevitability of a meeting with a higher power, urging not to underestimate this invaluable gift.

According to the shared article in Yahoo! News, using his Navy background and knowledge of ocean threats, Troy A. Miller, president and chief executive officer of National Religious Broadcasters, sent prayers and condolences to the families devastated by the Titan submarine disaster. He prayed for the grieving to find comfort and healing.

The founder of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Rev. Franklin Graham of North Carolina, tweeted his message, claiming that God is present even at the depths of the sea. The response from the religious community emphasized the need for human empathy and spiritual consolation in difficult circumstances.

Also Read: New Apostolic Churchs Members Died In A Car Accident While Heading to A Church Meeting

James Cameron Expressed His Grief

The well-known director of Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron, expressed his deep sorrow for the Titan submarine mishap, which tragically claimed five lives. According to the article in Screen Daily, Cameron, a seasoned deep-sea explorer, recognized that many experts in the area had severe concerns about the Titan. He even cautioned OceanGate, the Titan's operators, about the possible dangers of transporting passengers on such a cutting-edge vessel. He highlighted the importance of paying attention to warnings by drawing unsettling parallels between the Titan disaster and the tragic Titanic.

Cameron underlined the critical significance of safety procedures using his extensive knowledge of submersible design and deep-sea exploration. He compared the Titan to other deep-sea ships from all across the world that have excellent safety records. The CEO of OceanGate, a former French Navy diver with expertise in the Titanic, and a British-Pakistani businessman with his young kid were among the sadly killed.

Related Article:Senior Pastor Mourns Following Queenslands Horror Crash That Killed People Close to Him
Pixabay/Mary Bettini Blank

The Human Rights Council discusses discrimination based on the perception of a contradiction between the right to freedom of religion and the invasion of LGBT rights. It states that the freedom of faith was frequently exploited to harm the rights of members of the LGBT community.

Contradictions Between Freedom of Faith and Violation of LGBT Rights

Victor Madrigal-Borloz, a UN Expert on protection against violence and discrimination, stated that during the presentation of his most recent report to the Human Rights Council's 53rd Session on Wednesday, Jun 21, acts of violence, discrimination, and marginalization could have severe and detrimental effects on the humanity, dignity, and spirituality of LGBT individuals. As per the United Nations of Human Rights, Madrigal-Borloz asserted that in social and political discussions, religion or belief traditions are frequently and intentionally positioned in adversarial stances against the human rights of LGBT individuals. It reportedly feeds the claim that there is a fundamental discrepancy between them.

The UN expert also emphasized that the fundamental right to freedom of belief or belief should not be employed as a justification for aggression or prejudiced rejection of the human rights of members of the LGBT community. According to Madrigal-Borloz, embracing one's spirituality and faith is a route that should be accessible to everyone, including those of varying sexual preferences and different gender identities.

On the other hand, in response to the expert's call for inputs, he acquired many submissions that raised concerns regarding religious or belief executives sustaining misinformation and hatred against LGBT individuals. These inputs raised issues such as religious leaders scapegoating LGBT individuals for controversies, portraying LGBT individuals as an imminent danger to the conventional family and translating religious doctrines to discourage and encourage acts of violence and prejudice against homosexuality and gender irregularities.

Based on a report from FSSPX News, Madrigal-Berlioz continues by stating that exploratory data reveals that many of the anti-LGBT views surfacing today in particular streams of religious belief systems are relatively recent. He rejoices that even among these religious traditions, several religions in modern times have welcomed LGBT identities and considered liberation from SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) based violence and discrimination as an essential component of their spiritual tradition.

The final report's objective would be to present legal and policy components that demonstrate how LGBT rights and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) connect. Additionally, it will provide suggestions for governments and other participants to strictly comply with their commitments under international human rights law to safeguard and enable LGBT people to find happiness and to exercise and benefit from all of their human rights.

Also Read:Christ Methodist Church Decides to Leave United Methodist Church Due to New Stance on LGBT Rights, Paid $65,000

About Victor Madrigal-Borloz

In the Human Rights Program at the Harvard Law School, Victor Madrigal-Borloz currently serves as both a Lecturer on Law and the Eleanor Roosevelt Senior Visiting Researcher (20192023). Moreover, he was given the position of UN Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity by the United Nations Human Rights Council in late 2017. His term began on Jan 1, 2018, and was extended for another three years in 2020.

In this role, Madrigal-Borloz evaluates how the global human rights framework is being implemented, works to increase public understanding of the issue, and engages in discourse with every interested party. He reportedly offers consulting services, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs to address violence and discrimination directed toward individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Related Article:Churchs Opposition on LGBT Rights Allegedly Influence Banning of Pride Flags
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Leaders, emphasizing the central role of Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation. Before mission leaders gathered at the Missionary Training Center on Friday, Jun 23, President Oaks highlighted the unique understanding of the plan held by the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ's Central Role in the Plan of Salvation

Based on a report from The Church News, during his speech, President Oaks referred to the plan of salvation as a map that guides individuals on their journey through mortality toward their Heavenly destination. He highlighted the immense love of Heavenly Father, who, out of love for His children, sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Savior and Redeemer of humankind. In contrast to the traditional concept of only heaven and hell, President Oaks revealed that Heavenly Father has a better plan in place, consisting of different degrees of glory where individuals can dwell according to the laws they choose to follow. These kingdoms of glory surpass human comprehension and are made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

As mentioned, President Oaks further emphasized Jesus Christ's significance in God's salvation plan. Referring to the second edition of "Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ," President Oaks drew focus on the plan of salvation and encouraged missionaries to deepen their understanding of this crucial doctrine. He stressed the importance of sharing the eternal truths with others while respecting their agency to accept or reject them.

Also Read: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Around the World Unite to Serve Community

New Edition of 'Preach My Gospel' Missionary Manual

In an impactful opening message at the four-day 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders held at the Provo Missionary Training Center, President Russell M. Nelson, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, unveiled an eagerly anticipated update to the "Preach My Gospel" missionary manual on Thursday, Jun 22, Newsroom reported. President Nelson brought up the transformative potential of the new edition, urging the attendees to delve into its teachings along with the scriptures and guidance from living prophets. He assured them that embracing these invaluable resources would bring blessings in their personal lives and enhance their ability to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Moreover, Deseret News reported that President Nelson addressed the 138 couples attending the 2023 Seminar for New Mission Leaders at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, through a prerecorded video. Later in the morning, he held a briefing for local media at the MTC, followed by a public release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org at noon. Accordingly, the manual's latest edition has undergone a significant alteration, particularly in its subtitle, which can be found on the cover. The first edition of the guidebook for missionary work was named "Preach My Gospel," while the second edition has been titled "Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ." On the other hand, church members are encouraged to view and utilize "Preach My Gospel" as a valuable resource rather than solely a missionary guide.

Related Article: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' Members Worldwide Gathered To Learn About Importance of Relationship With God
Pixabay/Nikolay Ribarov

At the Pride Month celebration that was being held at Enfield's Congregational United Church of Christ, two men rudely interrupted the sermon that was being delivered by a pastor and yelled out verses from the Bible. There have been no charges brought against the protesters.

Mass Interruption

On Sunday, Jun 25, the Rev. Greg Gray was in the middle of his Pride Month service at Enfield Congregational Church of Christ when two men stormed up to the platform and shouted at the pastor, accusing him of encouraging sexual behavior among the congregation members, Chron reported. Rev. Gray revealed that he observed the two men in the middle of the worship session that began at ten in the morning and immediately thought they did not belong there. They were reportedly in the sacred space but were not actively engaging in the service. Around an hour into the service, the pastor noticed the two men stood up, approached him, and shouted their allegations.

As per EyeWitness News, after two persons disturbed a church service honoring Pride Month, law enforcement officials are investigating the possibility that the incident was motivated by hate. Moreover, a trespassing notice was sent to the two individuals after they were located by the Enfield police department and were not allowed into the church under any circumstances. But the law enforcement officials will take them into custody if the two suspects are seen inside the church again.

On the other hand, on Wednesday, Jun 28, the church will have a service and a vigil to discuss the behavior that Gray considers unacceptable. Gray does not anticipate any problems on Wednesday but is relieved that authorities will ensure the safety of those who attend the church service. This event will be accompanied by Mayor Cressotti, which aims to demonstrate that "love is louder than the hate."

Also Read: Human Rights Council Addresses Discrimination That 'Perceives Contradiction' Between Freedom of Faith, Violation of LGBT Rights

Pastor's Response to the Incident

The Pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Enfield feels compelled to clarify that this behavior is unacceptable. As mentioned, to demonstrate solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community, the church has been decorated with rainbow flags, balloons, and banners. "Hate has been strong in this blue state of Connecticut. Hate is strong, and we're going to love louder," Rev Gray asserted. Based on a report from MSN, throughout the chaos, the safety of the pastor's people was his primary concern. He claimed that this congregation is not entirely composed of people who identify as queer. They have folks who identify as cisgender and who are heterosexual, and this has never been their experience.

Furthermore, Rev. Gray declares that the House of Worship makes no secret that it supports the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, both the pastor and the congregation he leads have been the targets of harassment in the past. Yet he noted that the protester's behavior is unacceptable in their church or community. According to Mayor Cressotti, the hatred is repulsive and has no place in Enfield. "I did find out that both these two gentlemen are out-of-towners, they're not from Enfield, and we are not going to tolerate this type of behavior at all," he added.

Related Article: Sydney Megachurch Pastor Claims That 'Homosexuality Will Never Be Normal,' Sparks Outrage on LGBTQIA+ Community
Unsplash/mostafa meraji

Christianity is seeing a huge increase in adherents despite being declared illegal in Iran and converts being threatened with detention, torture, and even execution. A testimonial to the tenacity of faith in the face of difficulty is the fact that more than 1.2 million believers today live under the strict authority of the Islamic Iranian regime.

The regime's continued efforts to discourage conversions, which include disseminating misleading information and encouraging unfavorable attitudes toward Christianity, are in direct opposition to the rise in Christian believers.

The Surge in Christian Conversion in Iran Despite Persecution

According to the article in Christian Broadcasting Network, Lela Gilbert, who holds the position of Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom at the Family Research Council, they hinted that the oppressive steps taken by Iran have barely slowed down the expansion of Christianity. She further clarified that newly converted Christians are propagating their faith through private conversations, internet-based Bible studies, and recounting their personal encounters of visions, dreams, and answered prayers.

Gilbert continued by saying that, in spite of the risks, converts to the faith are eager to share their transformative experiences with their loved ones. Their subdued but unwavering affirmations have contributed to Christianity's quick spread in Iran, where believers meet in simple home churches. She added that those involved with the 'house church' movement in Iran believe that the actual number of Christian believers could be in the millions.

Women like Marziyeh Amirizadeh, who maintained her religious convictions while being imprisoned and subjected to torture in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, serve as a symbol of this development. According to Charisma News, Amirizadeh, who now resides in the United States, continues to "plant seeds" of Christianity in Iran, share her religion, and fight for the liberation of the Iranian people.

Amirizadeh emphasized the vital importance of international cooperation and urged Christians everywhere to pray for their Iranian neighbors. She urged people to pray for their ability to proclaim the gospel of salvation, for those who have relatives behind bars, and for the fortitude, bravery, and ultimate overthrow of the tyrannical political order.

Also Read: Rising Religious Persecution: The Top 50 Countries Where Following Jesus Is Most Dangerous in 2023

Christian Persecution in Iran

The persecution of Iranian Christians who converted from Islam, in particular, is getting worse. Christian congregations are at greater risk in the nation's urban areas, where police surveillance and arrests are more common. According to the story in Open Doors, rural areas, however, provide a unique set of problems. Even holding Christian meetings is extremely challenging because of the heavy social pressure and control.

The Iranian Christian community has not experienced any relief during the past year. Instead, it has resulted in a worsening of their circumstances as enormous pressure is applied to every element of life. A more dangerous environment for the faithful is evident from the increase in reported acts of violence against Christians, including kidnappings.

Hardliners who have no tolerance for Christianity, especially conversions, rule all important institutions in the country's political system, including the presidency. A worrisome step toward a totalitarian society is the modification and tightening of the penal code in 2021, which is commonly used to punish Christians. State control over daily life is expanding, as is state monitoring. The harsh responses to the demonstrations that followed Mahsa Amini's passing on September 16, 2022, only serve to highlight this tightening of controls by the authorities.

Related Article:Christian Persecution Reaches Alarming Levels in April 2023: Urgent Action Needed
Pixabay/Gerd Altmann

Former President Donald J. Trump made a triumphant appearance at a Faith and Freedom Coalition gala in Washington on Saturday night, June 24. The event is intended to commemorate the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Trump's Impact on the Conservative Majority

According to a report from New York Times, Trump emphasized his instrumental role in shaping the court's conservative majority, ultimately ending almost half a century of constitutional protections for abortion. He proudly pointed out that his appointment of three out of the six justices who voted to strike down the law was a crowning achievement of his presidency. Trump stated that no president has fought for Christians as hard as he has. He added, "I got it done, and nobody thought it was possible."

As mentioned, it was Trump's eighth time talking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition event. He is working hard to get their support as he runs for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. In his speech, he said that Republican voters should not believe what some of his rivals said about how strongly they were against abortion. He also noted that this doubt had come up during the campaign, showing that his record and commitment to the pro-life cause made him stand out.

Moreover, Politico reported that while expressing discomfort with the increasing number of restrictive abortion laws being implemented across the country, Trump did not explicitly endorse a proposed 15-week national abortion ban advocated by Senator Lindsey Graham, one of his allies. However, he acknowledged the federal government's vital role in protecting unborn life and assured the audience that progress would be made on the issue. The conference highlighted the challenge faced by the 2024 Republican field, especially after the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade. In addition, the landmark decision, which occurred just months before the midterm election, energized the Democratic Party. Democrats reportedly have capitalized on Republican discussions of a national abortion ban, while some Republicans have cautioned against the potential backlash from general election voters.

Also Read: California Pushes for Abortion Licensing in Response to the Overturn of Roe v. Wade

Year After Overturning Roe v. Wade Case

Abortion rights advocates and opponents are gearing up to commemorate the first anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which had previously legalized abortion nationwide. They plan to hold events that rally voters and draw attention to the ongoing battles over access to abortion, Reuters reported. The ruling, which took place last year and will mark its anniversary on Saturday, June 24, had an immediate impact by granting states the freedom to ban abortion.

Since then, Republican-controlled legislatures in many states have enacted restrictive laws, resulting in near-total abortion bans in 14 states. Yet abortion rights supporters have achieved victories in certain states by successfully fighting off proposed restrictions and enshrining protections for abortion rights into law. Various national groups sponsored the rally and aimed to ensure that the day would not merely be celebrated by those seeking to undermine reproductive rights in the country, Carmona added.

Related Article: Kamala Harris Urges Faith Leaders To Support Roe V. Wade
Unsplash/Rod Long

The Davis School District in northern Utah has announced the return of the Bible to its libraries after receiving significant opposition. The ruling follows a temporary ban on the Bible that was imposed last month due to claims that it contained "sex and violence."

The district board said in a statement issued on Tuesday that authorities had acknowledged the Bible's "significant, serious value for minors," which they believed outweighed any violent or profane material it could have included. After taking the book from the library shelves at eight of its elementary and middle schools, the district had received as many as 70 appeals. The announcement represents a fast about-face for the district.

Utah School District Reinstates Bible After Brief Ban Amid Controversy

According to the article in Christian Today, the parent of a single student complained, which led to the Bible's initial removal. Interestingly, the district allowed other religious texts, such as the Book of Mormon and the Quran, to continue to be freely accessible to kids of all ages.

The move to reinstate the Bible has now sparked new discussion on the inclusion of other religious books in school libraries. Following the recent incidents, a request has been made to examine the Book of Mormon, a sacred text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for any references to violence.

The LDS sees the Book of Mormon as "a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible," hence its suitability for school libraries will be reviewed. But as of Thursday, it was unclear how far along that evaluation was. Although this incident signifies a significant change in district policy, it also raises concerns about the place of religious materials in public school libraries. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fine line that educators must walk when using religious content in the classroom.

Also Read: Colorado Christian School Files Lawsuit Against State Officials, Alleging Discrimination in Universal Preschool Program Due to Religious Beliefs

Broader Book Removal Debate

A 2022 law in Utah mandates the removal of "sensitive material" from school libraries, and this procedure has drawn criticism for allegedly increasing censorship. According to CNN, parental engagement in vetting anything labeled "pornographic or indecent" is required by law. Critics claim that the policy enables the quick and careless banning of books.

While conceding the possible need for policy updates, Davis School District maintains that the current procedure is nonetheless effective despite its flaws. A discussion on where to draw the line between protection and censorship has been sparked by the entire removal of 37 novels and the partial removal of 14 of the 60 books that have been reviewed so far.

Pushback is growing against school book-banning efforts, as exemplified by a lawsuit in Florida. According to The Guardian, the Lake County school district and state's board of education are being sued by students and authors of a children's book, "And Tango Makes Three," about a two-father penguin family. The book's removal, the plaintiffs argue, is unconstitutional as Lake County lacks any valid educational reason for the decision. This action is in response to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's "don't say gay" law, which prohibits classroom discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation up to 12th grade.

Related Article:Bible Banned from Elementary, Middle Schools in Utah District, Citing Concerns of Vulgarity or Violence
The recent death of pastor-theologian Tim Keller sparked nostalgia for my young, restless days as part of the Young, Restless, and Reformed (YRR) movement he helped lead.

As someone raised in Christian fundamentalism, it offered me a kind of holy rebellion where free grace, contemporary music, and cultural engagement came packaged with Gods glory and power. But two decades on, I find myself less Young, Restless, and Reformed and more Old, Tired, and Reorienting.

I cant help but wonder how I got from here to there. What path led me from the traditions of my childhood to and through other ones? How much of my spiritual path was chosen, and how much was given? Was my spiritual life begotten or made?



The idea that our faith journeys are larger than our choices challenges the very spirituality most of us take for granted. A committed personal relationship with God is a feature of most modern expressions of Christianity. My 17-year-old son, for example, finds it anathema that children could be baptized against their will. Hes not making a theological claim so much as an anthropological one, informed by a larger American culture that assumes self-creation through choice.



In fairness to him, the majority of low church traditionsincluding the one I was reared inhold this same individualist assumption. Commitment to personal conversion and voluntary association may also explain why nondenominational churches now represent the largest segment of American Protestants.

These churches are deeply and inexhaustibly modern, not because of their sneakers and fog machines, but because they align with our contemporary understanding of choice. Without a denominational progenitor, they embody self-determination and self-creation at an organizational level.

However, modern Christians dont necessarily reject older traditions. When a friend of mine recently confessed that he was contemplating Anglicanism, another wondered out loud, Isnt that what it means to be evangelical these days? These traditions fill a void in modern life by offering a sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves.

As Catholic priest Henri Nouwen writes in The Wounded Healer, modern humans are a generation without fathers, rootless and unbound. For many, then, returning to more ancient practices is a way to find home. Thats been true for me. My discovery of the Reformed doctrines of the 16th century helped give me some theological roots. But in an irony for the ages, revisiting premodern spaces happens by the very modern means of personal choice.



Even as we Christian leaders decry church shopping as consumeristic, we still teach people to practice it. We teach them that the richness and realness of their spiritual lives correspond with their choices. In doing so, weve all but guaranteed that their Christian walks become a never-ending search for the next true thing. Having begun by choice, they are made perfect by choice.



In an even stranger irony, the churches we choose to associate with can become a way to project our identities into the world. Our own religious biographies get reduced to linear sets of decisions that explain our current spiritual state. To riff on Robert Frost, we came to a fork in the road, and whatever path we chose made all the difference.



But as I reflect on my own journey, I doubt the role that personal choice played in itnot because I lacked agency but because Providence delivered my choices to me as a closed set. They were limited by knowledge and what was possible at a given moment in time. (If one doesnt live near a Lutheran church, for example, the odds of converting to Lutheranism are drastically reduced.)



Instead of reflecting on my past through the lens of what I chose, Im thinking more about what was given to me. Along with Nouwen, Im conceiving of my faith as the acceptance of centuries-old traditions [rather than] an attitude which grows from within. This framework has freed me to see my spiritual story with a detachment that allows me to evaluate it more honestly. Since my path is no longer a statement about myself, I can weigh and consider it. I can honor the good, true, and beautiful while rejecting the bad and ugly.

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This act of differentiation is particularly important for those who come from dysfunctional or spiritually toxic spaces. As documentaries like Shiny Happy People and The Secrets of Hillsong catalog the sins of unhealthy evangelical movements, theyve set off a public reckoning. Historian Kristin Du Mez, reflecting on the popularity of these series and her own book, Jesus and John Wayne, notes that for insiders, its helped them understand their world and can give some clarity for moving forward.



I see similar dynamics at play in the recent Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) vote to ensure the role of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men. While the stance of the Convention was never in doubt, even staunch complementarians like Denny Burk were surprised by the speed and intensity of the change.



In public responses, commentators outside the Convention wondered why women stay in it. Some went so far as to suggest that complementarian women are functionally in abusive relationships and cant leave because theyre being controlled. Others called women complicit in their own oppression. In other words, outsiders were asking, Why do women choose to be there?



From my perspective, these responses place too much weight on individual choice. Many womenincluding those who disagree with the Conventions stancestay in the SBC because thats where they have been placed. They may stay forever, or they may not. Some are wrestling right now with whether to leave their SBC-aligned churches, while others will never ponder the question.

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However, their choices are not the point. Their spiritual journeys and ours are part of a larger matrix of converging forces, traditions, and beliefs. We have to navigate them faithfully and honestly, but we dont do so alone or strictly by our own wills. Yes, we have agency over our faith stories, but by decentralizing the role of choice, were released of its paralyzing power.



In my own faith life, accepting the givenness of my past spiritual journey has allowed me to make peace with its winding contours and move into the future with confidence. By relinquishing control over my past, I simultaneously relinquish control over my future. And because I didnt cut the path Ive taken to this point, Im free to follow wherever God is leading me now.

All of us can take heart that something larger than our own decisions is at work. Just as God birthed us into certain spaces, he can call us to live in others. In that process, we can surrender ourselves and our choices to him, knowing that hell guide our wandering days on the earth.

Hannah Anderson is the author of Made for More, All Thats Good, and Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul.

[ This article is also available in Portugues. ]
For centuries, Christians have leaned on the promise that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. No matter the worlds shifting tides, the gospel remains the same. How that gospel message is proclaimed and heard, however, changes depending on cultural context. If the modern age of Christianity has taught us anything, it is that an unchanging Jesus can meet Christians right where they are.

One of the ways a local church can meet people where they are is by keeping up with evolving technologies, something that became apparent as congregations adapted during the pandemic. While some congregations still pass an offering plate down the pew on Sunday mornings or distribute labeled envelopes for parishioners checks or cash, giving electronically has revolutionized the tithing experience for giver and clergy alike.

As congregations seek to make disciples and bless their communities in the years to come, ministry leaders can empower their congregants to give with confidence and purposewhich starts by first understanding some of the major trends affecting giving.

Trend #1: Users Increasingly Expect Digital Giving Options

Just a few years ago, whether a church offered an app, live streamed its services, or even had a functional website was a bit of a toss-up. While the pandemic pushed congregations online en masse, it simply accelerated a shift toward the digital that was already taking place. In 2018, 40 percent of millennials were already donating via a website.

A study of 2,200 churches revealed that online giving solutions are by far the most-used feature in churches mobile apps. Users love the simplicity of digital giving, as well as the ways it can prompt both immediate and recurring gifts.

When pastor Danny Anderson returned to his Indiana church after a trip to Haiti, he invited his congregation to partner with the orphanages he had visited. He pitched a $50,000 campaign to his congregation on Sunday morning. Within 24 hours, Emmanuel Church raised $24,000 through their online giving portal and text giving. They proceeded to more than double their goal in just a few weeks, raising $113,000. The right digital tools enabled the church to communicate and meet a need in record time.

In addition to empowering spontaneous giving, digital giving options also encourage and increase planned giving. Celebration Church, which has 11 American locations and one in Zimbabwe, increased their recurring givers by six times when they switched from a complicated website interface to a streamlined digital giving option.

Churches that want to cultivate generosity in their congregations in the coming years will find simple, well-designed online giving options to be an invaluable asset to their ministries.

Trend #2: Great Software Plays a Vital Role in Maintaining Church Financial Health

From increased cybersecurity to greater gift completion, the right digital tools can play a key part in assessing and ensuring financial health in congregations. Pastors and ministry leaders do not need to become technology experts in order to navigate the next era, but they do need to know the right questions to ask of a digital giving provider. Digital giving software that includes security measures like payment card information certification, machine-learning fraud protection, and independent annual audits can help churches maintain financial health.

In addition to greater gift security and completion, technology can empower consistency of giving throughout the year. While many churches report a summer slump when it comes to tithing, the right digital giving software and messaging can stop that downward trajectory. For example, Irving Bible Church in Irving, Texas, eliminated their typical seasonal dip in giving by regularly communicating with their congregants about text message giving options, which has increased their first-time givers, upped recurring donations, and helped the church maintain financial consistency throughout the year.

Asking the right questions about giving software can help church leaders determine how to best steward their churchs finances, reinforcing the congregations confidence and encouraging consistent giving.

Trend #3: Technology Empowers Church Leaders to Focus on Ministry

Pastors and ministers who are hesitant to implement new tech in their churches often cite the learning curve and the time it will take to maintain the software. Then there are glitches to consider, and the fact that many church leaders are already overwhelmed and overworked.

The right technology, though, reduces the burden many leaders experience when thinking about the breadth of their responsibilities. For example, set-and-forget live streaming technology like Resi can ensure that Sunday services run smoothly in the sanctuary and the living room.

Technology can also bridge the gap between the church and its donors desire to give through gift completion support. Instead of fielding calls from congregants whose credit cards wont process, or losing out on donations altogether because the giver gave up, the right software can reduce time spent on giving challenges and increase donations received. Pushpay, the leading payments and engagement solutions provider for mission-driven organizations, recently introduced Everygift TM, which reduces failed payments and increases payment reliability. Internal research shows that Everygifts combined features contributed to more than $213.5 million in additional church gifts in 2022.

As church leaders implement technology solutions that free their time, focus, and energy, they will find themselves better able to focus on their mission.

Face the Future with Confidence

Keeping up with the latest technology and trends can feel like an overwhelming prospect for church leaders. But it doesnt have to be. Pushpays suite of church technology toolsincluding Everygift, Resi, and Text Giving and morehelps churches keep up with current trends and contributes to overall satisfaction with the giving experience. Learn more about Pushpays technology solutions by downloading their ebook designed to help church leaders find the right tools for their congregations.
This May 1, 2022 file photo shows the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office in Seoul. Yonhap



Two doctors have been indicted on charges of illegally and habitually prescribing fentanyl, a highly potent opioid used mainly for terminal cancer patients, to a drug addict, prosecutors said Tuesday.



The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said it has arrested and indicted a family medicine doctor, surnamed Shin, 59, for prescribing 4,826 fentanyl patches to the 30-year-old drug addict, known only as Kim, between November 2020 and April this year.



It marks the first time that a doctor has been arrested and indicted for illegally distributing a medical drug.



The prosecution has also indicted an orthopedist, surnamed Lim, 42, without detention on charges of prescribing 686 fentanyl patches to Kim in 2021.



Kim was also arrested and indicted for having been prescribed about 7,660 fentanyl patches from 16 hospitals, including the ones run by Shin and Lim, for three years.



Fentanyl, nicknamed a "zombie drug," is a powerful narcotic pain reliever that is only used to help patients suffering from extreme pain. The drug is said to be about 100 times more potent than morphine, and more than 70,000 people reportedly died from fentanyl poisoning in the United States in 2021. (Yonhap)


Christian couple found murdered on 50th wedding anniversary

A beloved couple who didnt show up for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration at Our Lady Help of Christians Church as expected on Sunday were found brutally stabbed and beaten to death along with the wifes mother inside their home in Newton, Massachusetts.

The victims, Gilda DAmore, 73, her husband, Bruno DAmore, 74, and her mother, Lucia Arpino, 97, were discovered bloodied and battered at 10:14 a.m. by a person known to them, a release from the Middlesex County District Attorneys Office said.

She had gone to check on the victims after they did not arrive at church to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, the statement said.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Newton Chief of Police John Carmichael identified Christopher Ferguson, 41, of Newton as the main suspect in the killings and he has been charged with murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and burglary.

Investigators say the crime scene showed signs of forced entry including broken glass and missing screens at the basement windows. The medical examiner said Gilda DAmore suffered multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma. Autopsies for the other two victims were still pending.

In a statement to the church community on Monday, Paul and Ginny Arpino, cousins of the couple, and members of the church community asked for prayers for their family. Paul is the churchs long-time choir director, while Ginny is the Collaborative's Coordinator of Pastoral Care.

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, they wrote. Jill and Bruno D'Amore and Jill's mother Lucia Arpino lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. They were our cousins and aunt.

The Arpinos remembered Gilda as someone who simply followed her heart in serving the church.

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, they said.

Her husband was remembered for his big voice and his exuberant personality along with his culinary skills, especially when he proudly flipped the burgers at the parish picnic.

Gildas mother was remembered for being a faithful churchgoer whose commitment was only disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lucia, until Covid, 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 Arpinos said. 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.
Church members say they fired their pastor, but he refused to leave after judge overruled the decision

Members of the 118-year-old New Central Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, say they voted to fire their pastor after accusing him of behaving like a dictator and a laundry list of offenses, including misappropriating $16,000 meant for emergency church expenses, but he refuses to leave after a judge overruled their decision.

The pastor has since changed the locks on the church, but the tenacious members are fighting back with an appeal currently pending before the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Billy Penn at WHYY reports.

In his most recent sermon livestreamed on Facebook on April 30, Bernard Reaves, the pastor of New Central Baptist Church at 2139 Lombard St. in South Philadelphia, welcomed his audience with a familiar greeting.

"We do greet you in the marvelous name of Jesus who is the Christ," he said. "We greet you from the New Central Baptist here in South Philadelphia, where Jesus Christ is central. Where the table is spread and a feast of the Lord is going on. "

Though "a feast of the Lord is going on" inside Central Baptist Church, which once boasted 3,000 members in its heyday, it did not appear there were many partakers inside the church beyond Reaves by the echo in the background. The livestream had only 49 views as of Monday.

Barry Canady, a former church trustee, and other members fighting against Reaves' reign told Billy Penn that the dispute erupted in 2018. They say the church has bled so many members that the membership, approximately 100 before the pandemic, has dropped to about 35 while the historic building is falling into disrepair.

"The ceiling and some of the walls have already collapsed," Canady, a former church trustee, told Billy Penn. "Once we get back in there, there's major work for us to do."

New Central Baptist Church did not immediately respond to calls for comment from The Christian Post on Monday, and Reaves did not give an interview with Billy Penn.

A group of disgruntled members said when they voted to fire Reaves in 2018, according to their lawsuit, he had been ignoring the longstanding bylaws of the church by unilaterally appointing deacons and a trustee. They also allege that he interfered with trustee elections and misappropriated church funds. He also dismissed criticisms based on findings of a church survey as "out of line with the Word of God."

The disgruntled members and the church's board of trustees sued in April 2019 to have a court remove Reaves as pastor. But after a two-day trial in December 2021, Judge George Overton overruled Reaves' firing, saying it didn't follow church bylaws. Overton also noted Reaves' notice of termination was not adequate.

Last October, the Pennsylvania Superior Court accepted an appeal asking the court to reverse Overton's ruling.

The area where the church is located has rapidly gentrified over the years, and property prices have skyrocketed as a result.

"There are three $2 million condominiums adjacent to the church," one member said during court testimony. "I fear that if the current situation is not resolved, that the church will at some point be forced to be sold and a developer will probably purchase the church and turn it into condominiums."

Members like Canady say they plan on maintaining the fight for the church and have no plans to move on to a different congregation.

"God didn't put it on my heart and mind to go somewhere else," Canady said. "I'm not going to do it. It's New Central or nothing."
Inside the innovative cancer hospital on a mission to save lives through faith, prayer and science

Christian Post reporter Leonardo Blair recently visited Oasis of Hope Hospital, a Mexico-based alternative cancer center where patients and doctors mix faith and science.

Blair had the chance to speak with people "who say they have been blessed by the work of the alternative cancer treatment clinic [and] are singing praises to both God and the medical team helping to keep them alive."

Listen to Blair unpack his visit, what he observed, how faith and prayer play a role in healing and more on the latest episode of "The Inside Story" podcast:

Plus, read Blairs written report.

The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms:
Mexican politician convicted for misgendering lawmaker in social media posts, awaits appeal

A former Mexican congressman convicted of "gender-based political violence" over social media posts referring to a trans-identifying congressional representative as a "man who self-ascribes as a woman" is calling on the international community to intervene concerning "systematic violations of fundamental rights."

Rodrigo Ivan Cortes, the current head of the political advocacy group Frente Nacional por la Familia (National Front for the Family), addressed the Organization of American States last Wednesday as he awaits an appeal of his conviction.

"[In Mexico] the freedom of expression of citizens is canceled and their free participation in the democratic conformation of laws is prevented," Cortes said, according to ADF International, the advocacy group supporting him.

"Unfortunately, I suffer this in my own flesh in the cases that are being carried out against me and the organization that I preside over, the National Front for the Family, for objecting to initiatives that ostensibly violate human rights."

The charges against Cortes stem from a series of social media posts in 2022, where he allegedly "misgendered" congressional Salma Luevano, a Mexican congressional representative.

Cortes' social media posts were in response to a draft bill in Mexico's Congress, presented by Luevano, which critics say sought to categorize the teaching of Christian views on sexuality as "hate speech." Cortes' organization expressed its concern about the bill on Twitter, claiming it was a significant infringement on freedom of speech and religious liberty in Mexico.

Luevano filed a complaint against Cortes over a series of nine posts on Twitter and Facebook that he claims violated the right to be acknowledged as a woman and a "denial of identity."

Mexico's Specialized Regional Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Power agreed that Cortes was guilty of gender-based political violence and digital, symbolic, psychological and sexual violence against Luevano, ADF International reports. The chamber found that the social media posts undermined "the political and electoral rights of women, and the unencumbered exercise of their public office."

The case was appealed to the Superior Chamber of the Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judicial Power, and a ruling is expected in the near future.

"Disagreement is not discrimination, and peaceful dissent should never be penalized as violence," ADF International legal counsel Kristina Hjelkrem said in a statement.

"It is deeply disturbing that Cortes, who is exercising his right to peaceably share his views on a matter of significant current debate, has been convicted as a violent political offender when in fact it is his opponents that have a history of perpetuating unrest within Mexico's political institutions. We eagerly await a ruling on his appeal."

Luevano, along with another trans-identified representative, Maria Clemente, are well-known figures in Mexico's Congress for their bold approach towards political opponents.

They are members of the left-wing MORENA party, which is working toward laws to protect "sexual rights," a proposal that has been vocally opposed by the Cortes' group.

"The real purpose of this process is to silence me from saying what every concerned citizen needs to hear  that these proposed laws are driving forward a radical agenda, which poses a very serious threat to the wellbeing of our society, especially our children," Cortes was quoted as saying.

ADF International said it has filed a similar case of Mexican Congressman Gabriel Quadri at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Quadri, too, was convicted of "gender-based political violence" for his tweets on transgender ideology, following a complaint filed by Luevano. He is currently awaiting a decision on admissibility by the commission.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is a project of the Organization of American States that works to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.
New York becomes a 'safe haven' for minor sex-change surgeries, hormone drugs

New York has passed a law to become a so-called "safe haven" for trans-identified youths, barring state agencies and courts from cooperating with other state governments who may be investigating if people receive gender transition interventions in the state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.2475-B and A.6046-B on Sunday to amend existing laws to bar courts in certain cases from considering statutes from other states that would authorize removing a child from a parent or guardian's care based on the caretaker allowing the minor to undergo interventions to identify as the opposite sex.

In addition, the new "safe haven" bill prohibits authorities from cooperating with individual or out-of-state agencies in investigating people seeking sex-change surgeries or hormonal interventions in New York, as well as those who provide or aid someone in obtaining these services.

"As the birthplace of the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights, New York is proud to protect, defend and affirm our LGBTQ+ community," Hochul said in a Sunday statement. "From Stonewall to Marriage Equality to GENDA, New Yorkers have been on the forefront of the fight for equal rights."

"Now, as other states target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and fearmongering, New York is fighting back," she continued. "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."

The "safe haven" legislation comes when about 20 states have enacted laws banning sex-change surgeries or hormonal interventions on minors with gender dysphoria. A federal judge this month struck down an Arkansas law seeking to ban these types of interventions for minors. However, the state plans to appeal the ruling.

U.S. District Judge James M. Moody, Jr. of the Eastern District of Arkansas, an Obama appointee, issued the decision on Tuesday. The judge's ruling struck down House Bill 1570, signed in 2021. The legislation is also known as the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act or Act 626.

"It is widely recognized in the medical and mental health fields that, for many people with gender dysphoria, the clinically significant distress caused by the condition can be relieved only by living in accordance with their gender identity, which is referred to as gender transition," the Obama-appointed judge wrote.

"If Act 626 takes effect, adolescents whose parents and doctors agree that gender-affirming medical care is appropriate treatment for their gender dysphoria will be unable to receive that care in their home state and unable to get referrals from their doctors to receive care in other states. This will cause irreparable harm to the Plaintiff adolescents, Plaintiff parents and Plaintiff doctor."

As debates about allowing minors to surgically or hormonally transition continue in the United States, other countries have begun to take a more cautious approach as the number of children being referred for intervention services has exponentially increased in the past decade.

Earlier this month, England's National Health Service announced that it is restricting access to puberty blockers unless children participate in clinical trials. The NHS previously warned medical professionals last October that minors who profess that they identify as the opposite gender may be going through a "transient phase."

An independent review led by Dr. Hillary Cass, the former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, stated that "social transitioning" is not a "neutral act" and could have "significant effects" in terms of "psychological functioning."

While Sweden was the first country to introduce a legal gender transition, it has also taken steps to restrict hormonal interventions for minors, except in rare cases. As AFP reported, the country determined that mastectomies for teenage girls struggling with their gender identity should be limited to a research setting.

On Sunday, Hochul also signed legislation amending New York's mental hygiene law, requiring the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to ensure individuals receive addiction treatment regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Hochul also signed legislation to remove "stigmatizing language" from the definition of "sexual orientation" in New York's Human Rights Law.

As a result, the phrase "However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to protect conduct otherwise proscribed by law" has been struck from the definition of sexual orientation. It now reads, "The term' sexual orientation' means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or asexuality, whether actual or perceived."
Radical Fulani kill over 150 Christians; 3 pastors among the slain in spate of attacks

ABUJA, Nigeria  Fulani terrorists in Plateau state, Nigeria, killed more than 150 Christians in the first three weeks of June, including a church pastor, sources said.

The killing of the Rev. Nichodemus Kim of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Gana-Ropp, Barkin Ladi County on June 11 brought to three the number of pastors slain in recent attacks in Plateau state.

Plateau Gov. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang last week issued a statement confirming the killings.

Conservatively, in the last three weeks, we have buried not less than 150 people in Mangu Local Government Area, he said. And this is aside from not less than 30,000 people scattered in various Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps that we are having to deal with now.

Residents of Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom counties said the terrorists destroyed dozens of houses belonging to Christians, along with a COCIN worship building, in the first three weeks of the month.

Fulani terrorists on June 20 attacked Mangu, Riyom and Barkin counties, killing 15 people in the predominantly Christian communities of Bwoi and Chisu, said area resident Bamshak Ishaya.

The attackers of our villages are Muslims who are Fulani herdsmen, Ishaya said in a text message to Morning Star News. They attacked our villages of Bwoi and Chisu while we were sleeping at about 11 p.m. The herdsmen burned down our houses, including a church worship building of the COCIN and the offices of the COCIN Regional Council in Bwoi. Some of the Christian victims were burned alive in their houses as the herdsmen set fire to their houses.

Markus Artu, a member of the Mangu Local Government Council, confirmed the attacks in a press statement, as did Bala Fwangje, the legislator representing the area in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

All I can say is that war has been declared on Christians in Mangu, Fwangje said. The terrorists are just attacking and killing Christians in most of the communities around Mangu. The attacks started on June 20, in the Bwoi community, and then spread to Mangu town and Sabon Gari areas. Christians here really need help.

Also on June 20, in Riyom County, herdsmen ambushed and killed six Christians in Rahoss-Sambak village as mourners transported the corpse of an accident victim to their village for burial, said area resident Christopher Pam.

There was an accident involving a Christian villager from Rahoss-Sambak village, Pam said. Some members of our community had gone to convey the corpse of the victim back to the village for burial at about 7 p.m. when armed Muslim Fulanis ambushed them. Six of them were killed during the ambush.

On June 18 in Barkin Ladi County, herdsmen killed 20 people in the predominantly Christian villages of Kak, Ranyam, Nging, Lohala and Buka, while two others were killed in Mangu town, Mangu County, area residents said.

Herdsmen attacks on Barkin Ladi had begun the night of June 17 in Rawuru, where 13 Christians were killed, said area resident Solomon Dalyop.

Herdsmen on June 11 killed 21 Christians in Riyom and Barkin Ladi countries, said area community leader Rwang Tengwong.

Twenty one Christians were killed and several others injured on Sunday [June 11] during coordinated attacks by Fulani militias on residents of Rim, Jol and Kwi communities of Riyom LGA, as well as Gana-Ropp community in Barkin Ladi LGA, Tengwong said.

Tengwong, spokesman of the Community Development Association of the affected communities, said two Christians were killed in Rim village, seven were killed in Jol and 11 were killed in Kwi village, besides the killing of Pastor Kim in Gana-Ropp, Barkin Ladi County.

The attacks on Rim, Jol and Kwi were simultaneously coordinated by the terrorists between the hours of 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Tengwong said. In Kwi, an entire community, Hei-Gwe, was completely burned down, and over 100 farmlands destroyed.

Pastor Kim was killed at about 8 p.m. in his home by Fulani herdsmen, he said.

It is a great concern that these communities, especially Rim, Jol and Kwi, have come under attacks severally in the past two weeks, Tengwong said.

Alabo Alfred, spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, confirmed the slayings.

The command is saddened by these killings, Alfred told Morning Star News. We dont want more deaths in Plateau state.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation.  Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
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.
Pastor who shot wife at hotel constantly beat and threatened to kill her: report

Danny Prenell Jr., the 25-year-old senior pastor of Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Pineville, Louisiana, who shot his wife and then himself at a hotel in McComb, Mississippi, in the presence of their three children last Wednesday, had a history of violence against his wife prior to the shooting, court records show.

Court records cited by KALB say Prenells wife, Gabrielle Prenell, 27, who remains hospitalized in stable condition, filed a petition for protection from abuse against Prenell in Rapides Parish in 2016, noting that Ive been constantly getting beaten by my husband and I fear for the life of myself and my unborn child.

Gabrielle Prenell also alleged in her petition for protection that her husband often pointed guns and threatened to kill her, the KALB report says.

Prenell, who became the pastor of Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in January 2022, was serving as a deputy with the Rapides Parish Sheriffs Office until he resigned last December. He is now facing charges of aggravated domestic violence and disturbance of a business for the June 21 shooting.

Investigators say Prenell shot his wife twice at the Hampton Inn & Suites McComb, in Mississippi, before shooting himself once around 3:30 p.m., WGNO reported.

Vickie Carter, chief detective working on the case at the McComb Police Department, told The Christian Post Monday that Gabrielle Prenell was shot in the stomach and her arm by her husband. She remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Shes still hospitalized. 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.

The detective said because of her condition, investigators have not yet been able to interview the pastors wife.

Carter added that Pastor Prenell, who was treated and released from the hospital into police custody, suffered one gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen. She further stated that she could not reveal anything about what he has revealed to the police about what happened because the investigation is still active.

Calls to Bright Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church went unanswered on Tuesday.

A representative at the Hampton Inn & Suites McComb declined comment when contacted by CP Monday, but 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.

Just two days before he shot his wife and himself while they were at the hotel, Prenell admitted to being flawed but still favored by God in a post on Facebook.

I may not be a perfect man, but Ill always be a family man, he said with a picture of his smiling wife and their three young children who are in the custody of CPS.

The young pastor who maintains 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 a statement on Facebook in April. 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 toI 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 importantlyyoure 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.
Christians are living in constant fear: UK report highlights religious dimensions of Manipur violence

In a report circulating among policymakers in the United Kingdom, violence in India's troubled state of Manipur has been underscored as having "a clear religious dimension" with the burning of hundreds of churches and Christian villages since the start of last month.

The report, authored by journalist David Campanale and presented to the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, was circulated by British parliamentarian Fiona Bruce, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The June 21 report analyzes the reasons behind the violence that began on May 3 in the northeast Indian state, leading to over 100 deaths and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.

The violence predominantly occurred in the Imphal Valley, where the majority Hindu Meiteis live, and the Churachandpur district, home to the Kuki-Zomi Christian tribes, igniting at least four days of tumult. This turmoil was followed by near-daily firearm incidents across the state.

The report's findings are based on eyewitness testimonies from survivors of ethnically-driven attacks on Christians.

Pastor T., who represented the Kuki Christian Church and a seminary in Churachandpur, recounted a traumatic event on May 4 when a mob of more than 500 people attacked and burned the campus.

Identified as belonging to the extremist Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun groups, the mob destroyed the church, the church's head office, the offset press, the book room and 12 residential quarters.

Pastor T. had been serving at the church for two years. He claims to have witnessed the inaction of the Manipur police commandos and paramilitaries at the entrance gate, who failed to prevent or control the destruction. The police were preoccupied with containing the fire from spreading to the neighboring areas, despite those areas not being vulnerable to fire. From a distance, Pastor T. observed the engulfing flames.

The Meitei Christian community, trapped amid religious and ethnic conflict, is also facing severe persecution, with over 250 churches vandalized or destroyed by a violent mob, according to a Baptist pastor who spoke with the hearing panel.

Their property, especially those of Christians, is targeted, often looted before being burned. They encounter hostility from the Meitei community for their Christian faith and the Kuki community for their Meitei identity.

According to Baptist Pastor S., churches were burned in at least three districts. He has heard firsthand reports from Meitei Christians and began to compile a list.

"The headquarters of Manipur Baptist association, Meitei Presbyterian Synod, and the Church of God, Manipur have been destroyed," Pastor S. was quoted as saying. "Another campaign by the extremists is to convert church land into community centres, village gyms, and other buildings."

He said Christians are "living in constant fear about being attacked at any time."

"Part of our identity and our churches are being destroyed," the pastor said.

"Our churches are being burned down, and we have not been able to gather together for worship or prayer since 3rd May 2023. We feel like strangers in our own land, and we are in effect being required to choose between our faith or our land."

Tensions were ignited by an April 2023 order from the High Court of Manipur that directed the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list. This would grant the Meiteis similar constitutional privileges enjoyed by the tribal communities, including the ability to purchase land in the hill regions, a move that sparked fear among the tribal groups.

On May 3, tribal students organized a rally across the state, mainly in Churachandpur, against the Meiteis' demand for tribal status. The violence began after the rally.

The hearing panel was chaired by David Campanale, a former BBC journalist and a member of the Council of Experts advising Bruce. Campanale visited the Imphal area for three days and the Churachandpur hills for three days.

Church associations in Manipur report the destruction of over 400 churches, Christian schools, homes and seminaries belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities.

"The Meiteis are fearful of their community members converting to Christianity and so they are being violent," the Baptist pastor told the panel. "We ask the community around the world to raise a voice on behalf of us for our safety."

The report was commissioned by the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance last month at the request of the Council of Experts.

According to its findings, the violence has resulted in the displacement of nearly 50,000 individuals, the devastation of hundreds of villages and the loss of over 100 lives.

David Landrum, director of advocacy at Open Doors UK & Ireland, commented on the report, saying that "Tribal tensions have been co-opted by radical Hindutva extremists."

Hindutva refers to the Hindu nationalist ideology, which sees India as land belonging only to Hindus.

Landrum told Premier that he hopes the report will highlight the role of "Hindutva forces" in fuelling the violence. He expressed concern about the lack of accountability and justice for these attacks, with local authorities and police forces often being seen as complicit.

"We want to see the international community call for a commission of inquiry on India generally, on what's been happening, on the anti-conversion laws, which are spectacularly discriminatory, and on the attacks that we're seeing now across different parts of India," Landrum said.

Having visited the region, Campanale warned that the speed of the violence was noteworthy.

"In only 2-3 days, at least 3,000 homes and 290 churches were damaged, destroyed and burned  and this is a conservative estimate because the actual number could double this. The conservative estimate of numbers equates to 60 houses vandalized every hour during those violent days, or one house per minute."

The report advocates for the deployment of the Indian Army to vulnerable tribal villages to reinstate peace. It further advises providing relief workers access to affected regions and displaced individuals, particularly in remote camps, to effectively meet their needs.

The report also asserts the significance of permitting investigative journalists, inter-religious leaders and specialists on religious freedom into these areas to gather reliable information, alleviate tensions and evaluate the impact.

Researchers recommend the establishment of helpline numbers and the restoration of internet connectivity. They suggest increasing flight availability while introducing fare caps and establishing a claims commission for victims' compensation. Moreover, the report underscores the need to facilitate the rehabilitation of victims back to their original homes.

The report also calls for courts to scrutinize the roots of the violence, the utilization of media for disseminating misinformation and the repercussions on religious freedom.
ADF Int'l seeks justice for Mexican politician convicted of 'misgendering' male colleague who identifies as a woman

WASHINGTON, D.C.  ADF International, a legal nonprofit specializing in religious freedom cases, is seeking justice for a Mexican politician who has been censored because he purportedly misgendered a trans-identified member of the national legislature.

ADF International spoke to The Christian Post and other media outlets Thursday about several of their cases, including one involving Mexican Congressman Gabriel Quadri who's been labeled a gender-based political violator for opposing trans-identified men being identified as women for the purpose of assigning congressional seats based on gender.

On Dec. 19, ADF International filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of Quadri after Mexican courts repeatedly ruled against him. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is a project of the Organization of American States that works to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.

Tomas Henriquez, who serves as senior counsel for the Organization of American States and Latin America with ADF International, said Thursday that Quadri, whom he described as an avowed liberal, has been convicted by the highest electoral court in Mexico of what they deem to be a gender-based political offense of having misgendered a [trans-identified] lawmaker that is currently sitting in the Mexican legislature.

Noting that Mexico has passed legislation requiring a 50/50 split between men and women in Congress in Mexico, Henriquez said Quadri is opposed to allowing trans-identified men to occupy seats reserved for women. The case against Quadri centers around 11 Twitter posts the lawmaker sent in December 2021, and a tweet posted on Feb. 16, 2022, declaring that In the Chamber of Deputies of the 65th legislature, there is no parity between men and women because we have 252 men and 248 women, thanks to trans ideology.

Additional tweets sent out by Quadri in February 2022, obtained by The Christian Post, took issue with trans-identified male swimmer Lia [Will] Thomas competing on the womens swimming team at the University of Pennsylvania.

Because he said these things, his colleague in the legislature who is a transgender individual  filed a complaint against him and he was censored, Henriquez said. The courts forced him to take down everything that he had said in his tweets and slapped a gag order on him.

The Specialized Regional Chamber of the Superior Chamber of the Federal Electoral Tribunal concluded on April 21, 2022, in a decision that said the expressions analyzed were intended to deny the identity of trans women, thus they violate the right to identity, which is in turn a form of denial of equal dignity, thus the tweets are discriminatory.

The court determined that the tweets in question had the intention of undermining the exercise of the political-electoral rights of trans women, especially Salma Lavueno, the member of Congress who filed the complaint against Quadri.

Henriquez attributed Quadris adverse treatment to a treaty passed in 2013 at the Organization of American States titled the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance. Henriquez explained that while the treaty purports to fight back against intolerance, it has a provision defining intolerance as any manifestation of disrespect, rejection, or contempt for the dignity, characteristics, convictions, or opinions of persons for being different or contrary, which he characterized as overly broad.

Any sort of debate that you might have, whether it be in politics, religion, morality, even sports, can qualify as a form of intolerance, he warned. It legitimizes efforts of states to try to control legitimate discourse within their own countries. Henriquez condemned the treaty, which has been ratified by Uruguay and Mexico, as a fundamental threat to freedom of expression in our whole sub-region.

According to Henriquez, the treaty creates a new human right to be protected from intolerance so you as an individual  under this treaty being applied in your country, have a positive claim against the state in saying that you have a duty to protect me from anybody that disagrees with me on whatever issue it is that were discussing. It is really the death knell for freedom of expression and also freedom of religion.

The gag order issued by the Mexican court prevents Quadri from speaking on transgender issues as a result of its finding that the lawmakers comments amount to impeding Salma Luevano from peacefully enjoying his political rights to exercising 'her' office as a lawmaker.

Quadri sees the courts decision, which also required him to issue a public apology on Twitter twice a day for more than two weeks and register as a gender-based political violator as an affront to his fundamental human rights.

In standing up for my right to free speech, I am fighting for the free speech rights of my constituents, and that of every Mexican, Quadri declared in a statement. My career has been dedicated to a prosperous and free Mexico for all, and that demands that our country abide by its human rights obligations. I am committed to safeguarding our precious democratic values, and for this reason will seek justice at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Quadri added, We cannot shut down the conversation about womens rights and speaking about these important issues falls firmly within my free speech rights, protected under national and international human rights law. Anyone is free to challenge my assertions, and I would wholeheartedly defend their free speech right to do so.

Everyone should be free to speak without fear of punishment, ADF International Attorney Julio Pohl asserted in a statement shared with CP. The silencing and sanctioning of Gabriel Quadri  including forcing him to issue an apology on Twitter several times a day  is not an isolated incident and represents one of the most dangerous threats in Mexico today.

Pohl expressed hope that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will admit this case and call on Mexico to comply with its international human rights obligations, respecting freedom for all.
Korea's first lady Kim Keon Hee visiting the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., U.S. is seen in this April photo provided by the presidential office. Yonhap



First lady Kim Keon Hee has said she hopes to be a "K-culture salesperson" promoting Korean culture and art overseas, according to a recent interview with a U.S. media outlet.



In the written interview with Artnet News, an online art journal, published Monday (local time), Kim also said she believes she can serve as a cultural bridge between Korea and the United States, citing her experience organizing major exhibitions of artists, such as Mark Rothko, and discussions she had while accompanying President Yoon Suk Yeol on his state visit to the U.S. in April.



"I could sense how greatly the stature of Korean culture and art has risen when I traveled abroad or met with international dignitaries in this first year since the inauguration of President Yoon Suk Yeol," she said, referring to growing interest in a variety of fields, including K-pop, dramas, films, fashion and food.



"Given Korea's diversity, originality and creativity, our culture has tremendous potential," she said. "I think I could play the role as a 'K-culture salesperson' to publicize and promote it overseas."



Kim talked about how she helped introduce Korean culture to visiting foreign dignitaries, such as when she discussed the cultural aspects of Korean traditional architecture with then Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc during his visit to Seoul last December.



She also said she prepared gifts imbued with Korean culture when she traveled overseas, including a moon jar decorated with mother-of-pearl for U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, and traditional Korean confections for Japanese first lady Yuko Kishida.





Korea's first lady Kim Keon Hee talks with Matthew Teitelbaum, director of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, during a visit to the museum in Boston in this April photo provided by the presidential office. Yonhap
Persecuted evangelicals in Mexico help Traditionalist Catholics break free from pagan idolatry

Most Americans presume that Mexico is a Christian country, unaware that many Mexicans who identity as Catholic regularly practice a form of pagan idolatry, according to Universidad Cristiana de Mexico President Jaime Castro.

Castro leads an evangelical Christian university in Queretaro, Mexico. As Mexican Christians share the Gospel, they often face persecution from Mexican traditionalist Catholics, he told The Christian Post.

Unlike Christianity, traditionalist Catholicism relies on giving gifts to the gods in exchange for health, good fortune and protection from evil. They often participate in animal sacrifices to the gods and worship saints, incorporating practices from pagan Aztec beliefs.

I was a pastor, and I have the experience to know some American Catholics. They werent like [Mexican Catholics]. The syncretism between Catholics that came to Mexico adopted every idol and every goddess [from the Aztec religion], he said.

Castro told a story to illustrate the difference. Once, a Catholic parish in the U.S. noticed that it had many Latinos in the area. Leaders brought in a bilingual priest and invited Hispanic Catholics into the American Catholic church. Three-hundred-and-fifty new people arrived.

The shock came when the Dia de los Muertos happened. Catholic seniors were scared about what the [Hispanics] were doing in their parish  idols and skeletons and offerings and all these rites that were not biblical. Its just to show Latin American Catholicism is very different, he said.

Syncretism worships Catholic saints as pagan gods, said Castro.

People give saints offerings to get favors. Cartel members usually make offerings to saints who have a reputation for granting success for both evil and good actions.

The Catholic Church has officially condemned devotion to Mexicos most infamous cartel death saint, Santa Muerte. However, Mexican Catholics worship other saints as an expression of syncretism. Some argue that Mexicos Virgin of Guadalupe represents an Aztec mother goddess, but Pope John Paul II canonized the man who allegedly first had a vision of her.

Syncretist Catholics who worship saints are responsible for almost all the persecution against Mexican Christians, said Castro. Although evangelical Christianity has been in Mexico for 120 years, it still faces hostility from local Catholic communities. The government may allow religious freedom, but local people often ostracize, threaten or attack Christians. The worst persecution happens in remote areas where the government cannot exert its power.

Christian advocacy group Open Doors USA's World Watch List ranks Mexico as the 37th worst country for Christians to live in due to the high rate of persecution of believers. The threats surrounding the Church include secularist pressure, syncretist persecution and cartel violence. Persecution in Mexico increased in 2020 because COVID-19 hampered the Mexican government from using its power to protect believers.

Mexico has three main religious zones, said Castro. Most evangelical Christians live in the south, Catholics dominate central Mexico, and northern Mexico is increasingly secular and materialist due to the influence of American culture.

[The state of Oaxaca] has a lot of mountains, many isolated communities, and its hard for the government to establish safety for Christian missionaries. Some are killed, some get expelled from their villages. That still happens in Oaxaca and Chiapas. It also happens in Central Mexico and Hidalgo, he said.

Small towns in Mexico have many Catholic festivities. A community leader will ask each local family for money or resources to support the festival. When evangelical Christians refuse to support it, town authorities refuse to provide them with community resources like public school, he said.

They do not allow Christians to receive any services from the community if they dont support [Catholic festivals], he said. Thats against the law, but its happening. An evangelical church tried to hold a revival two years ago and asked to rent the city hall. They quickly answered, no. Why? We dont have a permit for you. The next weekend the Catholic church had a festivity.

Despite these setbacks, the percentage of Mexican evangelical Christians has grown by 49% since 2010. According to a survey Castro cited, 11.2% of Mexicans now practice evangelical Protestantism. According to the Joshua Project, that figure is 10.39%.

Catholics in Mexico dont call themselves Christians, the pastor said. But the knowledge they already have of the Christian faith gives evangelists much to work with. Sycretists already know the basics of the Christian faith, he said, adding that they need to turn from transactional saints to a personal God.

When you want to do door-to-door evangelism, almost every door you go to knock on has a sticker that says, This home is Catholic. We do not accept propaganda from other religions, said Castro. Evangelical Christians are doing a great job and the Gospel is being spread. The most optimistic people will tell you that we are within 15-to-20% evangelical Christian in Mexico.

When people convert from traditionalist Catholicism to Christianity, their families change for the better, he said. Catholicism in Mexico forbids divorce, but it doesnt teach married men how to be good husbands. Often, they spend money on alcohol and have affairs with other women. Some men even have secret second families.

[When men become Christians], the home becomes strong and they have more opportunities, said Castro. The head of the house used to spend a lot of money on alcohol, on parties. But now he becomes more committed to his marriage and becomes a committed father, a committed husband, and it makes a difference in the community.

Living a responsible life has such a significant impact that families become financially better off, he argued. Castros parents were missionaries and the community where they ministered accused them of paying people to convert because people had more money when they left Catholicism.

Evangelical Christianity also brings real knowledge of the Bible and a community that supports believers, he said. New Christians rejoice for the opportunity to learn about and understand the Bible.

They dont understand why the Catholic churches dont preach so people understand. In Catholicism, they dont have a fellowship. You walk in. You walk out. You dont talk with anyone. Evangelical churches in Mexico provide a fellowship, Castro said.
Justin Welby honors late OM founder George Verwer with posthumous award for evangelism and witness

The late Operation Mobilisation founder George Verwer has been posthumously awarded the Archbishop of Canterbury's Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness.

Verwer died on 14 April at the age of 84 after decades spent spreading the Gospel around the world and inspiring others to do the same.

He was nominated prior to his death for the award that recognizes "outstanding services to Christian ministry and evangelism."

It was collected on his behalf at an awards ceremony on Thursday night at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The other recipients of the annual Lambeth Awards were:

George Barber, Stockton-on-Tees, England: Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship for sustained excellence over 57 years in his service to church music in Stockton-on-Tees and in the Durham Diocese.

Brother Christopher John, Society of St Francis, Australia: Dunstan Award for Prayer and the Religious Life for a lifetime of outstanding service through SSF across the Anglican Communion.

The Venerable Dr. Hirini Kaa, New Zealand: The Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship for outstanding service as a Church Historian and Educator and for outstanding scholarship in the research and publication of the award-winning book, Te Hahi Mihinare  the Maori Anglican Church, chronicling the struggle to establish the Maori Church and the appointment of the first Maori Bishop.

The Rev. Canon John Kafwanka Kaoma : Cross of St. Augustine for Services to the Anglican Communion for his outstanding leadership in the Anglican Communion as director for mission at the Anglican Communion Office.

Cross of St. Augustine for Services to the Anglican Communion for his outstanding leadership in the Anglican Communion as director for mission at the Anglican Communion Office. Professor Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D., United States of America: Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation for developing awareness about Jesus' Jewish identity and the Jewish contexts of the New Testament, and for unflagging education efforts in church and popular settings.

Ms. Clair Malik, Cairo, Egypt: Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship for committing her whole life to the education of special needs children, especially the hearing impaired in Egypt.

Mrs. Margaret Riordan-Eva, MA, England: Canterbury Cross for Services to the Church of England for outstanding voluntary service as a calligrapher to two archbishops of Canterbury and to Lambeth Palace.

Commenting on the awards, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said, "We live in a troubled world, where all around us we see conflict, war, discrimination, division, poverty and deep inequality, but our faith in Jesus gives us hope. We see that hope exemplified in the wonderful service of the people we have recognized today.

"Many of the people who have received awards today have worked unseen and unsung, striving for justice, peace, reconciliation, advances in education, worship and prayer.

"Not all are followers of Jesus Christ, but, through their endeavors, they have made significant contributions to the mutual respect and maintenance of human dignity, which is so vital to spiritual and social health and the flourishing of mankind. The Lambeth Awards shine a light on their outstanding efforts and dedication."

Originally published at Christian Today
You just feel the hate: Maryland church vandalized, suffers $100K in damages

A church in Maryland is trying to recover from a vandalism attack that left approximately $100,000 in damages, including a large cross being torn down and Bibles being ripped apart.

Earlier this month, Fowler United Methodist Church, a predominantly African American congregation in Annapolis, was the victim of a vandalism attack. Anne Arundel County Police is investigating the act as a potential hate crime.

Fowler UMC Senior Pastor Jerome Jones told the Annapolis-based Capital Gazette in an interview published Saturday that he has never seen a church desecrated to where you just feel the hate.

And it was so disturbing to my soul. And it was a weight, I would say, that I have never anticipated I would have to carry, said Jones. The pain of what the cross stands for, and to see someone desecrate it to that capacity.

Anne Arundel County authorities were informed of the vandalism on June 9. The large cross that had been attached to the wall of the sanctuary had been torn down and thrown into the pews.

Additionally, hundreds of pages from Bibles and hymnals belonging to the church had been torn out and tossed all over the sanctuary floor. Sound equipment cords were cut, and five televisions were reportedly destroyed.

Eastport United Methodist Church, also located in Annapolis, posted to its Facebook page on June 16 that it was working to help Fowler UMC recover.

Over the past week their pastor and I have been in touch, discussing ways their congregation can be supported. So far, we have been able to support them with some sound equipment while other churches have supported them with hymnals and bibles, stated Eastport UMC.

They still require additional financial support to cover remaining audio/visual needs, so on Sunday we will collect a love offering to support them during this time. You can give ahead of time online at eastportumc.org/give and select Mission Offering.

Fowler UMC posted information on Facebook Sunday outlining ways to give, with the congregation thanking people in advance for their generosity.

According to a report by Arielle Del Turco of the Family Research Council published in April, attacks on churches in the United States have been steadily on the rise for the past several years, and the first quarter of 2023 has continued the upward trend.

The first three months of 2023 saw approximately three times the number of acts of hostility perpetrated against churches in the same timeframe last year, wrote Del Turco.
Nicaraguan court sentences Catholic bishop to 26 years in prison, strips him of citizenship for 'treason'

A Nicaraguan court sentenced Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez to more than 26 years in prison on charges of treason, undermining national integrity and spreading false news after the critic of President Daniel Ortega declined to be expelled to the United States as part of a prisoner release.

Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa diocese, was also fined and stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship, Reuters reported, noting that his sentencing was moved up unexpectedly from its original date in late March without explanation.

The bishop declined to join 222 other political prisoners, including four priests, who were expelled to the United States on Thursday as part of an agreement with the U.S. State Department, Catholic News Agency said, adding that he chose to remain in Nicaragua to support the Catholics facing repression under the dictatorship.

In televised remarks, Ortega criticized the released prisoners as criminal mercenaries for foreign powers seeking to undermine national sovereignty.

Alvarez, who was being held under guard at a house in the capital city Managua, has been moved to La Modelo Tipitapa prison, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide said in a statement.

CSWs Head of Advocacy, Anna Lee Stangl, said while her group appreciates the work of the U.S. to open a legal and safe channel for the prisoners to leave Nicaragua, we note that the choice reportedly offered to these individuals by the Nicaraguan government of remaining in prison in inhumane conditions or going into forced exile is one no one should ever be forced to make.

Bishop Alvarez and several other priests and seminarians were arrested last August amid escalating tensions between the Catholic Church and Ortega's government, which has grown increasingly intolerant of any form of dissent.

The Nicaraguan federal police claimed they arrested Alvarez in order to recover normality for the residents and families of Matagalpa, and had they not arrested him, he would have continued with destabilizing and provocative activities, Catholic News Agency reported at the time.

Silvio Baez, a senior Nicaraguan bishop exiled in Miami, called the sentencing irrational and out of control, praising Alvarezs moral high ground and predicting in a tweet that he would eventually be freed.

The Nicaraguan congress, dominated by Ortegas Sandinista National Liberation Front, had ordered the closure of over 1,000 nongovernmental organizations, including Mother Teresas charity, PBS reported at the time.

Pope Francis has expressed concerns about the persecution of Catholic Church leaders deemed a threat to the ruling powers.

I am following closely, with concern and sorrow, the situation in Nicaragua, which involves both people and institutions, the pope said in his address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for his weekly blessing after Alvarezs arrest. I would like to express my conviction and my hope that, through open and sincere dialogue, the basis for a respectful and peaceful coexistence can still be found, he said, as reported by Vatican News at the time.

An earlier report by Nicaraguan lawyer Martha Patricia Molina Montenegro, a member of the Pro-Transparency and Anti-Corruption Observatory, said more than 190 attacks had occurred against the Catholic Church since 2018. She was quoted by CNA as saying that Ortega fears no one.

The police are acting like a criminal group that does not submit to the rule of law and once again it makes clear that Nicaragua is a dictatorship where they proceed according to the whim and state of mind of President Daniel Ortega and his consort, she said.

An ideology in Nicaragua portrays Ortega as being anointed by God  for sacred Nicaragua.

A trend of persecution started in Nicaragua after protests against reforms to the public pension system in April 2018. The protests came after about a decade of deteriorating economic conditions in the country. Protesters, mostly students, demanded democratic reforms and that President Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, step down as they allegedly established a dictatorship marked by nepotism and repression.

During the initial days of the 2018 protests, Ortega requested that the Catholic Church act as a mediator. But his administration also began using brutal force against the protesters and later on Catholic clergy.

Catholic clergy aided and provided sanctuary to protesters and voiced support for the right to protest peacefully. But as a result, Ortega used his government and supporters to persecute clergy members, worshipers and various Catholic organizations.

Hundreds of people died in the protests in 2018.
UMC body elects openly gay bishop in defiance of denomination's rules

A regional body of The United Methodist Church has voted to promote a man in a same-sex marriage to the office of bishop, despite denominational rules prohibiting such a move.

At their official meeting last week, the UMC Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the California-Pacific Conference a bishop.

Bridgeforth, who has served as the California-Pacific Conferences director of innovation and communication, became the first openly gay African American bishop in the UMC.

Western Jurisdiction delegates elected Bridgeforth on the 18th ballot, with him receiving 73 votes out of 93 valid ballots cast, having needed at least 63 ballots to be elected.

During remarks made shortly after being elected, Bridgeforth told those gathered at the Western Jurisdiction meeting that he was grateful to God Almighty and to my husband, Christopher.

Its in the Church where I have found purpose, even when I felt like it was chewing me up and spitting me out, I still couldnt let it go, Bridgeforth said.

It wasnt about the institution; it wasnt about its rules or its regulations. It was about the call of God upon my life, to be bigger, to be better, to open doors where possible and to chart new ground where we have to.

Bridgeforths election goes against the UMC Book of Discipline, which prohibits the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals, and thus does not allow them to become bishops.

The Christian Post reached out to the Western Jurisdiction for comment, however, a spokesperson explained that they were unable to respond by press time due to travel schedules and meetings.

John Lomperis of the Institute on Religion & Democracy, who has served as a UMC General Conference delegate in the past, viewed Bridgeforth's election as part of a broader shift among UMC leadership to embrace views that are contrary to traditional Christian teaching.

The first new bishop elected last week [Kennetha Bigham-Tsai] has refused to say if she believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. Apparently [she] does not believe in basic biblical doctrine about His incarnation, Lomperis told CP.

Lomperis added that he views Bridgeforth's election as further direct defiance of the UMCs official rules, which is increasingly becoming normalized.

No one forced Mr. Bridgeforth to seek ordination and leadership in our denomination. He knew our rules forbidding same-sex partnerships, along with adultery and pre-marital sex, for our clergy, continued Lomperis. Bishops are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of upholding and enforcing our churchs doctrinal and moral standards. When the bishops are so openly breaking these standards, then this is a true inmates running the asylum situation.

For the past several years, the UMC has been embroiled in a divisive debate over whether to change its official rules barring same-sex marriage and noncelibate homosexual ordination.

Although efforts by theological progressives to change the denominations rules have consistently failed, many have openly refused to enforce the standards regarding marriage and ordination.

In 2016, the Western Jurisdiction unanimously elected Karen Oliveto to be bishop of the UMC Mountain Sky Area, making her the first openly gay bishop in the history of the UMC.

While the UMCs highest court, the United Methodist Judicial Council, ruled in 2017 that Olivetos election was invalid, as of November of this year, she remains in office.

These and other events have prompted many theological conservatives in recent months to leave the mainline denomination and join the newly created Global Methodist Church.

Lomperis told CP that he believes such events will encourage more to the leave the UMC, as remaining United Methodist will require one to pay for and submit to the spiritual authority of theologically secularized leaders who openly, forcefully oppose the biblical, Wesleyan doctrine and moral standards of the United Methodist Discipline.

Time is running out for congregations to act if they do not want to become permanently trapped in such a dysfunctional, unfaithful and hypocritical system, he added.
UMC pastor files complaint against election of openly gay leader to bishop hierarchy

A United Methodist Church pastor has filed a complaint against a regional bodys leadership over a recent decision to elect an openly gay bishop, which is in defiance of denominational rules.

The Rev. W. Timothy McClendon of St. Johns United Methodist Church in South Carolina filed a complaint earlier this month against the College of Bishops of the UMC Western Jurisdiction.

At issue was both the Western Jurisdictions recent election of Cedric Bridgeforth as bishop, as well as the 2016 election of Karen Oliveto as bishop by the same regional body.

McClendon said the election of openly gay bishops undermined all United Methodist clergy who uphold the highest ideals of the Christian life and said it sends a confusing message about the meaning of marriage to the community and potential parishioners.

He also said it increased the likelihood of further fracturing of the denomination, which is presently seeing large numbers of churches vote to leave due to its ongoing debate over homosexuality.

The pastor also invited others to sign on to his complaint against the Western Jurisdiction bishops, with more than 900 people adding their names to it as of Monday morning.

Earlier this month, the Western Jurisdiction voted to make the Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth of the California-Pacific Conference a bishop in their regional body.

Bridgeforth became the first openly gay African American bishop in the UMC after he was elected on the 18th ballot, getting 73 votes out of 93 valid ballots cast.

Its in the Church where I have found purpose, even when I felt like it was chewing me up and spitting me out, I still couldnt let it go, Bridgeforth said shortly after being elected.

It wasnt about the institution; it wasnt about its rules or its regulations. It was about the call of God upon my life, to be bigger, to be better, to open doors where possible and to chart new ground where we have to.

Bridgeforths election violated the UMC's Book of Discipline, which prohibits the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals, and thus does not allow them to be elected bishops.

In 2016, the Western Jurisdiction unanimously elected Karen Oliveto to be bishop of the UMC Mountain Sky Area, making her the first openly gay bishop in UMC history.

While the United Methodist Judicial Council, which is the highest court of the UMC, ruled Olivetos election invalid back in 2017, she remains in office as of this month.

Olivetos election and other instances of UMC leaders refusing to enforce denominational rules on ordination and marriage have led many theological conservatives to leave the UMC and join the newly created Global Methodist Church.

Earlier this month, for example, the UMC Louisiana Conference held a special session that approved the votes of 58 congregations who had voted to leave the mainline denomination.
How Gods justice prepares hearts for His mercy

How much do you know about God? In addition to the Lords love, Scripture also reveals His justice. It is not only part of His nature, but it actually permeates everything He does. And if you hope to know Gods love and the mercy He extends to sinners, then you will also need to wrap your mind around His justice.

After all, how can one begin to understand and embrace the cross of Christ without first coming to terms with the justice of God? If God was unjust, He would not require payment for sin. He could simply let it slide. But since He is perfect in justice, every sin must be paid for one way or the other.

John F. Walvoord wrote, Forgiveness on the part of God always has a judicial basis, not an emotional basis, and represents an attitude of God based upon the satisfaction of his righteousness in some way.

Since God is perfectly just and Jesus revealed the truth about Heaven and Hell, we are left with only two options. Brace yourself for what I am about to share. You will either pay for your sins in Hell, or you will come to Christ and have your sins washed away with the blood He shed on the cross. Jesus consistently warned people about the horrors of Hell, while affirming the beauty and perfection of Heaven.

A.W. Tozer wrote, The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions.

Meanwhile, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Do you have a holy fear of sinning against your Creator and engaging in behavior that God hates? If not, you do not have the fear of the Lord or a proper understanding of Gods justice. If you did, you would respect the Lord far too much to continue deliberately doing things that stir up His anger.

Anger? Yes, anger. How else would a perfectly holy God react to willful sin? If God was imperfect, he could overlook some of our sinful behavior. But since God does not have a single flaw, his love and his justice extend way beyond what you and I tend to assume about Gods nature. And the sooner we realize that God does not think or act like us, the better.

Hell reflects Gods justice, whereas Heaven reflects Gods love. And it was at the cross where Gods perfect love and perfect justice collided, with the force of the collision falling on the sinless Son of God.

God is the Creator of all things, and we are His created beings who were made to worship him and serve him. But when sin rules our hearts, we are too proud to bow before our Creator and worship Him. Such blatant pride is reflective of Lucifer. When he got tired of serving and worshipping his Creator, he took things into his own hands. And the rest is history.

Most of the Pharisees in the New Testament were self-righteous. They assumed that their religious efforts made them acceptable to God. And while they took great pride in the history and laws of the Old Testament, they were skilled at casting stones at others while refusing to humbly turn away from their own sins. Hence, most of them were far too proud to receive Jesus as their Messiah and Savior.

Do you have a heart of stone, or is your heart fertile soil in which the Gospel can be planted and begin to grow?

The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). The Law prepares hearts for the Gospel because Gods justice prepares hearts for his mercy. The Law shows us our sins, whereas the Gospel reveals Gods remedy for sin. The Gospel informs us that the cross is our only lifeline and our only way to the Father.

Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

The Apostle Paul wrote, We know that a man is not justified by observing the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the Law, because by observing the Law no one will be justified (Galatians 2:16).

Woodrow Kroll said, Justice is for those who deserve it; mercy is for those who dont.

Do you want God to convict you of your sin, or would you prefer to remain oblivious to where your sin is leading you? Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

Once again, I must ask you: Do you have a holy fear of the Lord and an awareness of the punishment you deserve as a result of your sins? Jesus said, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Hell (Matthew 10:28).

It is absolutely critical that you open your eyes and your ears to the truth about Gods justice and his love. Come near to God and he will come near to you (James 4:8).

What do you say? Are you ready to humble yourself before the Judge of the living and the dead? Your time on Earth is running out like sand in an hourglass. You can either accept the love of God in Christ, or be prepared to face Gods anger, judgment and justice. You see, Gods justice and His love are unchanging, even when individual sinners choose to ignore the inevitable.
American street preacher arrested in Canterbury during LGBT Pride event

An American street preacher was arrested and detained after preaching from the Book of Romans during Pride events in Canterbury.

Ryan Schiavo says he was unaware that Pride events were taking place in the city when he went there to preach on the streets earlier this month.

He told The Christian Post that five officers arrived on the scene after he started preaching from Romans 1:18-32.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul discusses sinful men and women who have exchanged "natural sexual relations for unnatural ones".

Schiavo said he was arrested for breaching a "hate-related public order" and detained overnight. Officers also confiscated his Bible, microphone, speaker and Gospel tracts.

Despite confiscating his personal Bible, he says officers gave him a Bible to read while in the police cell.

"I actually sat in my cell and I read the exact same passages in my cell that I just preached from in the street an hour earlier, which got me arrested," he said.

Schiavo was later released on condition that he refrain from returning to the city of Canterbury for 90 days or attending Pride events for the rest of June.

The police have since informed Schiavo that no further action will be taken. He is awaiting the return of his confiscated Bible and other personal items.

Schiavo, who spends around half of each year in the UK street preaching and evangelising, told The Christian Post that he believes the country is becoming more hostile towards orthodox Christians.

He says that in the last four years he has been stopped by police around 25 times while street preaching in the UK.

"Without question, it's worse [than before]," he said.

"When the police bring politics into their work and they bring Cultural Marxism and far-left agendas into their work, they are incapable of being unbiased anymore, and that's what's happening here."
Evangelicals in the Church of England are running out of options

The latest attempt by the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) to hold up the launch in November of services of blessing for same-sex couples has little chance of becoming reality.

Ahead of the General Synod meeting in York in July, CEEC is circulating a paper by Dr Andrew Goddard, tutor in Christian ethics at CofE theological college, Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He says same-sex blessings, called in CofE parlance "Prayers of Love and Faith", which were approved by simple majorities in the three Houses of Synod (Bishops, Clergy, and Laity) at February's meeting, should be put to a vote requiring two-thirds majorities.

Goddard's argument is that, "as this is clearly a highly contentious issue", the "only defendable option" is for the bishops to follow Canon B2 of the CofE's rules, which "requires Synod's scrutiny and enhanced majorities" for new services.

Unfortunately, that tactic was tried in February and failed. The Rev Patrick Richmond of Norwich diocese moved an amendment requesting that a draft of the services be brought to General Synod "for approval prior to publication".

Though this amendment succeeded in the House of Laity by 104 votes to 96, it fell in the House of Bishops by 39 to 4 and in the House of Clergy by 106 to 94. Measures need a majority in all three Houses to pass, so by 241 votes to 202 Synod effectively voted itself out of the Prayers of Love and Faith drafting process and passed the buck to the bishops.

The Prayers of Love and Faith bus has departed and there is nothing CEEC can now do to stop it. At the pre-Synod press briefing on June 22, the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, said the new services "are on track for November". CofE evangelicals now belong to a denomination whose leadership has forsaken the traditional Christian sexual ethic and has earned the condemnation of the overwhelming majority of the worldwide Anglican Communion for doing so.

Officially the services will be optional. But there is a lack of clarity about the decision-making process for parishes. Will clergy be able to use them without approval by Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) or will the services require a PCC vote?

Will curates (assistant clergy) serving in churches whose PCCs have approved the services be allowed to opt out of taking them on conscience grounds? What about clergy in teams serving several churches with perhaps differing views on the services? Episcopal clarity on such issues is awaited.

Do Anglican evangelicals wish to remain in such a denomination? Do they really believe they would be serving the gospel of eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ by staying in? Apart from the problems caused by the Prayers in Love and Faith services, do they think that a denomination in the depth of the safeguarding chaos the CofE is now in is a good place for them to be?

It is actually not too late for CEEC to start to co-ordinate an exit strategy out of the CofE. The large evangelical churches among its members have resources and they could lead the way. Of course, leaving would be difficult, risky and messy. Among the various hurdles, new meeting places would have to be found for churches and accommodation for their ministers.

But a manageable way of leaving might be for large evangelical churches to disperse around a city or town in groups of, say, 50 people each supporting their own minister. Through regional trust funds, the larger evangelical churches could help smaller churches in rural areas to leave the CofE as well.

The Goddard proposal would seem to indicate that institutional routes are running out of road for CofE evangelicals. They need to start tunnelling out! It would take just one large evangelical church to emerge beyond the barbed wire and others could follow. These orthodox churches could form a new Anglican federation in the UK, similar to the Anglican Church in North America, which launched in 2009.

In proclaiming and defending the biblical gospel and the legacy of the 16th century English Reformers, Anglican evangelicals should arguably be looking to the derring-do of the Allied escapees from Colditz castle during World War II for inspiration rather than to Canon B2.

Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire.
The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act  let's have a proper conversation

The Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, has added to the existing divisions within the Anglican Communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury strongly criticising the act and the Church of Uganda's support for it and GAFCON equally strongly rejecting his criticism and his right to make it.

What I want to suggest in this article is that both the response from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the reply from GAFCON fail to engage with the real issues that need to be discussed. What is needed is a dialling back of the rhetoric and the beginning of a genuine Christian conversation about the moral issues raised by the Ugandan legislation.

The purpose and content of the Ugandan Act

The purpose of the Ugandan act, which became law at the end of May this year is explained as follows in the act's preamble:

The object of the Bill is to establish a comprehensive and enhanced legislation to protect the traditional family by

(a) prohibiting any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex and the promotion or recognition of sexual relations between persons of the same sex.

(b) strengthening the nation's capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional, heterosexual family. This legislation further recognizes the fact that same sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic.

(c) protecting the cherished culture of the people of Uganda, legal, religious, and traditional family values of Ugandans against the acts of sexual rights activists seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda.

(d) protecting children and youth who are made vulnerable to sexual abuse through homosexuality and related acts.

The key clause is (c). The reason the law has been passed is that people in Uganda feel that there is an international campaign to change the traditional sexual ethics of the country to bring them into line with those of the liberal Western world and the act is designed to stop this happening.

The act has seventeen sections and the key points are that it makes homosexual activity a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and that it makes a series of acts of 'aggravated homosexuality' subject to a maximum punishment of death.

The responses of the Archbishop of Canterbury and GAFCON

In his comments on the act on 9 June the Archbishop of Canterbury criticised the Church of Uganda's support for the act on the basis that it was contrary to the agreed position of the Anglican Communion. He declared:

'The Church of Uganda, like many Anglican provinces, holds to the traditional Christian teaching on sexuality and marriage set out in Resolution i.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference. That resolution also expressed a commitment to minister pastorally and sensitively to all  regardless of sexual orientation  and to condemn homophobia. I have said to Archbishop Kaziimba that I am unable to see how the Church of Uganda's support for the Anti-Homosexuality Act is consistent with its many statements in support of Resolution i.10.

'More recently, at the 2016 Primates Meeting in Canterbury, the Primates of the Anglican Communion 'condemned homophobic prejudice and violence and resolved to work together to offer pastoral care and loving service irrespective of sexual orientation.' We affirmed that this conviction arises out of our discipleship of Jesus Christ. We also 'reaffirmed our rejection of criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people'  and stated that 'God's love for every human being is the same, regardless of their sexuality, and that the church should never by its actions give any other impression.'

'These statements and commitments are the common mind of the Anglican Communion on the essential dignity and value of every person. I therefore urge Archbishop Kaziimba and the Church of Uganda  a country and church I love dearly, and to which I owe so much  to reconsider their support for this legislation and reject the criminalisation of LGBTQ people. I also call on my brothers in Christ, the leadership of GAFCON and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), to make explicitly and publicly clear that the criminalisation of LGBTQ people is something that no Anglican province can support: that must be stated unequivocally.'

The problem with what the Archbishop of Canterbury says here is that it assumes that support for the Ugandan legislation is motivated by homophobia, is incompatible with a commitment 'to minister pastorally and sensitively to all  regardless of sexual orientation' and is about 'criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people.' The Ugandans would dispute all these points.

They would say that the act is not motivated by homophobia but by a desire to defend Uganda against an attack on its traditional sexual ethics, they would say they are committed to ministering to all regardless of sexual orientation and that the act does not prevent this and they would say that the act does not impose criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people but against forms of sexual activity (some of which, such as homosexual rape and sexual activity with children is also illegal under current British law).

The GAFCON response to the Archbishop of Canterbury's comments, issued by the Archbishop of Rwanda, was to declare that he had no right to talk to Uganda and GAFCON about observing Lambeth 1.10:

'We hereby question the rights and legitimacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury to call the leadership of Gafcon to honour commitment to Lambeth Resolution I.10, when he has led his church to undermine the teaching of the church as expressly stated in the same resolution. It is contradictory and self-serving for the Archbishop of Canterbury to cite Resolution I.10 to defend practising homosexuals whereas the following very vital parts of the Resolution have been flagrantly and repeatedly violated by Canterbury and allied western revisionist churches....

'Rather than becoming a spokesperson and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, Archbishop Justin Welby, the Church of England and other revisionist Anglican Provinces in the West which have chosen the path of rebellion against God in matters of biblical authority should instead, show sorrow for sin and failure to follow the word of God, the primary source for Anglican theology and divine revelation. The Archbishop and co-travellers should first protect Lambeth I.10 by repenting of their open disregard for the Word of God and harbouring sin.'

The problem with this response is that it does not engage with the points that the Archbishop of Canterbury is making. Saying that the Archbishop of Canterbury and Western revisionist churches have not observed Lambeth 1.10 may be true, but this does not mean that criticisms that they make about the support of the Church of Uganda for the new Ugandan legislation can therefore simply be dismissed. If criticisms of that support are valid then they are valid whoever makes them.

The issues that need to be discussed in a proper Christian conversation

What is needed is a proper Christian conversation about the Ugandan law. This would start by acknowledging that the Ugandan government, like all governments (see Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17) has a God-given responsibility to promote the well-being of its country by taking action to punish acts of wrongdoing that have taken place and to prevent acts of wrongdoing from occurring in the future.

This being the case, the questions that need to be asked about the new Ugandan legislation are:

Are all, or some, of the acts penalised by this legislation acts of wrongdoing?

If they are, are they acts of wrongdoing that are sufficiently serious as to be regarded as crimes?

If they should be regarded as crimes, are the penalties for them proportionate or too severe? In particular, is it ever right to impose the death penalty, or does this go against the Christian belief in the sanctity of human life (as the Archbishop of Uganda himself has argued)?

In addition, there is an issue about whether the legislation will have unintended consequences. Will it, for instance, worsen the public health situation in Uganda by making people reluctant to come forward for treatment for medical conditions, such as HIV, contracted as a result of homosexual activity when to do so would potentially lead to arrest and prosecution?

Likewise, how will the Church be able to minister effectively to people engaged in homosexual activity if confessing to such activity would mean confessing to a crime? This issue of unintended consequences was one that weighted heavily in the Church of England's decision to support the de-criminalisation of homosexual activity in this country in the 1960s and it is one that the Church of Uganda will also need to take seriously.

So, please can the two sides of the debate about the Ugandan Act stop questioning the other's good faith and engage in a proper conversation about the points just outlined. Only in this way can we hope to reach a consensus about the matter based on a proper Christian assessment of the issues involved.

Martin Davie is a lay Anglican theologian and Associate Tutor in Doctrine at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford.




The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Tuesday to provide all elementary, middle and high schools with 24 million won ($18,474) each to help pay their air-conditioning bills.







The fund will bring the total amount of money each school receives from the government for their electricity bills to 76.5 million won, Rep. Park Dae-chul, the PPP's chief policymaker, said after a policy meeting with the government.







"We anticipate building an environment where there are no steam-bath classrooms," Park said.







The two sides also agreed to expand the number of underprivileged households that can receive energy vouchers to over 1.1 million households from the current 857,000, while raising the value of each voucher to 43,000 won from the current 40,000 won. (Yonhap)


Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea  Rep. Yoon Jae-gap, left, and Rep. Woo Won-shik, center  stage an indefinite hunger strike at the National Assembly, Monday, in protest of Japan's plan to discharge radioactive wastewater into the sea. At right is DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung. Yonhap



IAEA expected to issue final report on Fukushima wastewater in early July



By Lee Hyo-jin



Rival parties are showing contrasting responses to Japan's imminent discharge of radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Opposition lawmakers have launched a hunger strike, while ruling party lawmakers are visiting local markets to eat seafood so as to reassure the public that the contaminated water will not affect Korea's seafood products.



However, such political displays that are of no help in seeking practical responses to the issue are causing anger as they only incite conflict, without meaningfully addressing the critical issue at hand.



Rep. Woo Won-shik of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) started an indefinite hunger strike, Monday, in protest of Tokyo's plan to discharge tons of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean. By doing so, he joined his fellow lawmaker Rep. Yoon Jae-gap who has been fasting for a week since June 20 for the same reason.



During a press conference held at the National Assembly, Woo said his protest targets not only the Japanese government but also the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.



"I will stage an indefinite hunger strike until Japan cancels the discharge plan and President Yoon reconsiders his wrong decision," Woo said, criticizing Yoon for not taking proper measures against the neighboring country.



On the same day, Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the minor opposition Justice Party, also began a hunger strike in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. She accused Yoon of acting like a parrot of the Japanese government by turning a blind eye to the issue.



The ruling People Power Party (PPP) condemned the DPK for "staging a show" which only aggravates public concern.





Rep. Jun Joo-hyae of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) eats raw fish at Garak Market in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of People Power Party


By Arthur I. Cyr







As the costly war in Ukraine grinds on, Russian President Vladimir Putin adopts an increasingly menacing posture. In particular, he is making more references to the possibility of using nuclear weapons.







On June 16, Putin delivered a 90-minute keynote address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He referred specifically to the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the war, and noted that Russia is emplacing relatively less destructive or so-called "tactical" nuclear weapons in the sympathetic state of Belarus, just north of Ukraine.







This is in the context of generally deteriorating Russia-U.S. relations, including in military fields. In January 2021, the important New START Treaty was extended for five years. The agreement, which was about to expire, limits nuclear warheads on each side to 1,550, plus limitations on missiles and bombers.







However, talks on resuming inspections were suddenly suspended last November. Russia has announced the treaty is now in jeopardy. In January, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rablov denounced U.S. efforts to impose a "strategic defeat" on Moscow in Ukraine.







Putin repeated the refrain about the alleged Western goal of strategically defeating Russia in his address, along with again spouting the fiction that the West is the aggressor.







He also declared that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "is a disgrace to the Jewish people." He included the often-repeated falsehood that Ukraine is being run by "Nazis" supported by the West. This ugly Orwellian reversal of reality harkens back to the worst years of Soviet totalitarianism.







The Trump administration experienced problems in arms control. Initial emphasis on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program was unsuccessful. In August 2019, the administration withdrew from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, complaining of violations by Russia.







The Obama administration emphasized nuclear summits involving large numbers of nations and international organizations. The 2016 Nuclear Summit in Washington D.C. concluded with a formal statement underscoring nuclear weapons control.







Unfortunately, Russia did not participate. That reflected strained relations following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.







The first Nuclear Summit took place in 2010, also in Washington D.C.







In 1986, during a summit meeting in Iceland, Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan reached a broad accord on arms control. The practical result was the INF Treaty sign in 1987.







Another benchmark in the history of nuclear weapons, arms control and the Cold War occurred in 1972 when the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) led to treaties between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a historic achievement of President Richard Nixon and associates.







Additionally, the International Atomic Energy Agency, an initiative of President Dwight Eisenhower, facilitates peaceful nuclear energy and provides a long-term drag on military pressures to get the bomb. Ike, always comprehensive in vision, also achieved demilitarization of Antarctica.







This record of sustained advocacy of arms control dates all the way back to the earliest phase of the Cold War. The Truman administration proposed a comprehensive United Nations effort to regulate nuclear energy and fissionable materials. The Soviet Union vetoed the initiative.







Putin's aggressive, threatening rhetoric directly reflects the weaknesses of Russia and the severe drains of the war. Keep that in mind, but also that in contrast to earlier Soviet leaders Putin has no military experience. He rose in the KGB, technically part of the military but actually a separate intelligence arm.







Schemes, not strategies, are his familiar milieu, along with cold-blooded cunning.







Our policies must be planned and executed carefully. Nuclear war is unlikely but possible.









) is author of "After the Cold War" (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan).























Arthur I. Cyr ( acyr@carthage.edu
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Seoul must deal more effectively with activist investors



To appeal or not to appeal?



That Shakespearean question might be the biggest headache for Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon right now.



Last week, an international tribunal told the government to pay 69 billion won ($53.6 million) to U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management. The total payment, including interest and legal costs, will be about $100 million.



The Permanent Court of Arbitration's verdict ended a years-long dispute over the controversial merger of two Samsung Group affiliates in 2015. Elliott and some other shareholders of Samsung C&T, a builder, opposed the merger with Cheil Industries, a food company. The opponents claimed the deal sharply undervalued Samsung C&T and its investors' interests.



However, Samsung pushed ahead with the deal which was essential for transferring the group's management control from Lee Kun-hee to his son, Jae-yong. The National Pension Service (NPS), which had an 11.2-percent stake compared to Elliott's 7.12 percent, played a decisive role with its swing vote.



Later, the deal stood at the center of a corruption scandal that led to the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye. Park allegedly told officials to "keep an eye on the NPS' exercise of its voting rights" in return for bribes from the younger Lee, who also served jail time. Park and Lee denied the relationship between the deal and the bribe in trials. However, the Supreme Court rejected it, upholding the lower court's ruling.



The arbitration process and its outcome left a bad taste in the mouths of Koreans in more than a few ways.



Of course, paying almost 130 billion won with taxpayer money is a waste. However, even more embarrassing is how the government had come to stand before an international court with a hedge fund. It's not very difficult to cite reasons, such as Korea's unique and outdated family-controlled conglomerates, the collusion between tycoons and politicians, the undue influence of bureaucrats on economic decision-making, and foreign vulture funds ready to capitalize on these systemic weaknesses.



How much longer must the world's 10th-largest economy keep falling into its own trap?



According to a report in this paper, Korea faces five more investor-state dispute settlement cases. Five of the 10 ISDS cases filed against it have been settled. Most famous  or rather infamous  among them was the Lone Star case, in which the Korean government was ordered to pay an "additional" 280 billion won to the Texas-based hedge fund, which had already raked no less than 5 trillion won here by acquiring a failed bank and reselling it based on dubious qualifications.



The cumulative claims of the 10 foreign investors totaled 12 trillion won, approaching the 14 trillion won in total university tuition in Korea. The same Korea Times story says eight more would-be claimants have sent letters to establish arbitration cases. That's ridiculous.



When the arbitration court ruled on the Lone Star case last August, the justice minister vowed to appeal, saying there are enough chances to repeal it. This time around, Han and his justice ministry remain mute. It is less because Elliott based its claims on the Korean top court's ruling than because Han was the prosecutor who indicted the former president and the Samsung Group heir directed by then Prosecutor-General Yoon Suk Yeol.



The justice minister must appeal and fight till the end. Appeals may not lead to practical gains, more likely incurring additional interest and legal expenses. Still, Korea must no longer remain an easy target of Wall Street gadflies and their short-term opportunism. The government must make Samsung pay all related expenses. Claiming indemnity and appeal may be two conflicting goals. Still, foreigners will not, and should not care, from whom the money comes.



Seoul must also join forces with Asian and European countries to abolish the ISDS from the FTA deals it signed with key partners, including the U.S. It has long been a toxic clause in this post-neo-liberalistic world prioritizing environment, social, and corporate governance (ESG) values.



Korea must stop outdated practices to cease being a global ATM.




On Sundayas the world waited to hear from Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group that, a day prior, had embarked on then aborted a mutinous march on Moscowhis press service indicated that the world would have to wait some more. Prigozhin says hi to everyone and will answer questions when he has good reception on his cellphone, the service said. Yesterday, Prigozhin finally broke his silence in an eleven-minute voice message posted to Telegram, saying that he had received thousands of press questions and wanted to set the record straight. The march on Moscow, he insisted, was not an attempted coup against President Vladimir Putin but merely a protest against Wagners mistreatment by Putins defense officials. Prigozhin also compared the march favorably to Russian troops botched advance on Kyiv last year, bragging that Wagner forces had put on a master class.

In recent days, Prigozhin has emerged as a character almost custom-made for the glare of global media interest: a petty crook turned hot-dog vendor turned ritzy caterer who served caviar to George W. Bush, then founded a private military empire, then used it to puncture the authority of an autocrat once seen as untouchable, if only in the realm of media archetype. In the course of his mutiny, as The Intercepts Alice Speri noted yesterday, Prigozhin deftly spun his preferred narrative to the public, leveraging his decade-plus of experience in the field of information warfare. And yet, for most of that decade, Prigozhin lived in the shadows and aggressively fought journalists who attempted to shine a light into them. If the time between the mutiny and Prigozhin breaking his silence about it felt long, it was a heartbeat compared with the years that he spent on the margins of global attentionfighting a steady drift toward its center before finally seeming to decide, against the fraught backdrop of the war in Ukraine, to embrace it.

Claims of Prigozhins involvement in information warfare on Putins behalf date back to at least the early 2010s, when, according to the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, he backed a documentary casting anti-Putin protesters as paid puppets, including of the US. Novaya Gazeta would also link Prigozhin to the financing of the Internet Research Agency, a troll farm that pumped out fake news of increasingly international import, after a reporter from the paper went undercover to seek a job at the agency and discovered that one of its managers was an employee of Prigozhins holding company, whom Prigozhin had allegedly asked to spy on Novaya Gazeta. The IRA, of course, would go on to dominate headlines in the US after it launched an online operation aimed at influencing the 2016 presidential election. Early in 2018, Prigozhin himself was indicted in the US. The Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see, Prigozhin was quoted as saying in response, denying any involvement in election meddling. If they want to see the devil, let them see him.

Even by this point, however, Prigozhin was hardly a household name in the US. In Russia, too, he had taken steps to stay out of the limelight. In 2016, Prigozhin seized on a new right to be forgotten law in a bid to force Yandex, a Russian search engine, to scrub critical articles about him from its results. According to a 2018 profile in the New York Times, Russian reporters found it hard to link him to his various corporate interests, whose ties to one another were kept murky, and he rarely gave extended interviews. Journalists who investigated his affairs sometimes faced threats. When Novaya Gazeta reported on Prigozhin, also in 2018, a funeral wreath was sent to the journalist who wrote the story. Novaya Gazetas newsroom reportedly received a severed animals head and a delivery of caged sheep wearing vests with the papers name on them.

By this time, the Wagner group was up and running, and had a footprint everywhere from Ukraine to Syria to various countries in Africa, where it offered governments military services in exchange for rights to precious natural resources, among other benefits. As with Prigozhin himself, Wagners operations were shrouded in secrecy. In 2018, three Russian reporters working with an outlet funded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an exiled Russian oligarch who has publicly opposed Putin, traveled to investigate Wagners activities in the Central African Republic. Three days later, they were shot and killed by the side of a road; officials blamed robbers, but nothing of value was taken from the scene, and CNN later reported that the killings appeared to have been orchestrated by a senior police officer with ties to a Wagner operative. (Prigozhin denied any connection to Russian activities in the CAR; he later proposed paying for a memorial to the journalists on the spot where they died.) Meanwhile, Wagner was accused of waging information warfare in both the CAR and Mali. As I wrote last year, both countries clamped down on journalists, especially from French publications, after Wagner forces arrived.

In recent years, Prigozhin increasingly found himself on the radar of international investigative newsrooms. In 2019, CNN reported, citing leaked documents, that a company linked to Prigozhin proposed a coordinated disinformation campaign and public executions in response to protests that eventually dislodged Omar al-Bashir as the president of Sudan. Then, in 2020, Bellingcat, The Insider, and Der Spiegel published a series of stories about Prigozhin, dubbing him the Renaissance man of deniable Russian black ops, linking his operations to the Russian state, and accusing him, among other things, of systemic unlawful surveillance, intimidation and harassment of journalists and bloggers, both in Russia and abroad, conducted by Prigozhins security apparatus with the connivance of the Kremlin and/or the direct assistance from Russias security services. (Among the alleged targets: a CNN team in the CAR.)

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In response to this type of scrutiny, Prigozhin set about retaining Western lawyers to sue journalists who reported various claims about him, including the basic fact of his ties to Wagner. (According to a report in the Financial Times, a Russian law firm that coordinated legal action on Prigozhins behalf dubbed this work Project Hamlet.) In 2021, Prigozhin sued Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, in the UK; by this point, Prigozhin was the subject of financial sanctions in that country, but Britains finance ministry granted special dispensation for the case to go ahead. In the end, it took Russias invasion of Ukraine to derail it; amid a broader debate about whether Russian oligarchs should be allowed to abuse Britains libel laws to silence journalists, Prigozhins London lawyers got cold feet and dropped him, according to the FT. Prigozhin accused the UK of Russophobia. Last May, the case was thrown out by a judge.

Then Prigozhin dropped the facade. In September, a video showed him introducing himself to Russian prisoners as a representative of Wagner; he then publicly admitted to having founded the group in 2014I cleaned the old weapons myself, he braggedand, for good measure, owned up to having founded the IRA, too. Ive never just been the financier of the Internet Research Agency, he said. I invented it, I created it, I managed it for a long time. (A Russian court has since upheld Prigozhins defamation claim against a journalist who described him as Wagners owner.)

Since stepping officially out of the shadows, Prigozhin has been increasingly outspoken about the Ukraine war, to which his fighters have been central; as Speri put it, in recent months, he issued dozens of often bombastic statements to journaliststhrough the PR arm of his catering business, while also increasingly turning to Telegram to launch screeds against his rivals in Russia, not least officials in the defense establishment whom Prigozhin saw as betraying Wagners efforts in the field. This irked the Kremlin, which, according to the independent Russian news site Verstka, ordered state news agencies to stop quoting Prigozhin (unless, for example, he was delivering good news from the battlefield). Last month, a pro-Kremlin journalist ran a candid interview with Prigozhin, and was fired. Then came the mutiny, which Prigozhin launched via a series of messages posted to Telegram.

Its not yet clear what might happen to Prigozhin now. As part of a deal with Putin to call off his mutiny, he apparently agreed to go into a form of exile in Belarus in exchange for legal immunity. Yesterday, various state-connected Russian news outlets reported that Prigozhin remained in legal jeopardy, after allIn a final irony, Higgins noted, Prigozhin becomes a victim of Russian disinformationbut this morning, the security services announced that the case against him has been formally closed. Given Putins track record of extrajudicial reprisals, this doesnt mean that Prigozhin can breathe easy. (The jokes about tea and balconies have written themselves.) And various analysts have cast his mutiny as an act not of strength, but of desperation, in the face of growing government pressure on his control over his fighters.

Still, as Max Seddon, the FTs Moscow bureau chief, noted, Prigozhin is at least setting the agenda in a way that has little immediate precedent in Putins Russia; after Prigozhin broke his silence yesterday, Putin appeared to feel compelled to respond in a televised address that was billed as a big deal, but ultimately constituted little more than reheated ranting. As The New Yorkers Masha Gessen put it, Prigozhin has shown Russians that they now have a choice. As his forces took control of the city of Rostov-on-Don en route to Moscow over the weekend, Prigozhin posted a video of talks that he held with two senior defense officials. This was the first unscripted top-level political conversation that Russians had seen in years, Gessen wrote. It sounded like two thugs haggling over the terms of their protection racket, but it was a negotiationit was politicsand it was possibility. The shadows are receding.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: WTF is going on in Russia?

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.
Chapter 542 of the Texas Insurance Code, also known as the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act (TPPCA), generally allows an insured to recover interest and attorneys fees, in addition to the amount of the insurance claim, when an insurer delays payment of a claim longer than the statutes imposed deadlines. Following the Texas Supreme Courts opinion in Barbara Technologies Corporation v. State Farm Lloyds, state and federal courts applying Texas law have grappled with issues concerning the interplay between the TPPCA and the contractual loss appraisal process  including the insureds ability to recover statutory attorneys fees following the insurers payment of an appraisal award and all TPPCA interest potentially owed on the claim.

A more recent statutory enactment, Chapter 542A , also known as the Hail Bill, brings an additional layer of analysis to the issue for weather-related claims.

Early opinions in weather-related matters governed by both Chapters 542 and 542A signaled a split of authority on this issue. However, more recent decisions  including the Eastern Districts opinion in Morakabian v. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company and the Dallas Court of Appeals opinion in Rosales v. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company  reflect a clear and ever-growing consensus that in weather-related claims governed by Chapter 542A, an insurers payment of an appraisal award and all statutory interest, defeats any remaining claim for attorneys fees as a matter of law.

Setting the Stage  Ortiz and Barbara Technologies

In 2019 the Texas Supreme Court issued a pair of opinions intended to clarify rights of insureds and insurers post-appraisal. More specifically, in Ortiz v. State Farm Lloydsandthe aforementioned Barbara Technologies case, the Texas Supreme Court considered the effect of an insurers payment of an appraisal award on an insureds claims for breach of contract, bad faith, and violations of the TPPCA. In Ortiz, the Texas Supreme Court held that an insureds breach of contract claim is barred by an insurers payment of the appraisal award. It also held that the payment of an appraisal award bars statutory and common law bad faith claims. In Barbara Technologies, the Texas Supreme Court concluded that an insureds claim for alleged violation(s) of the TPPCA (under certain circumstances) may survive an insurers payment of an appraisal award.

Taken together, Ortiz and Barbara Technologies stand for the general proposition that only an insureds claims under the TPPCA remain viable after the payment of an appraisal award. However, given the age of the claims at issue in those two cases,neither Ortiz nor Barbara Technologies addressed how the 2017 enactment of Chapter 542A of the Texas Insurance Code might apply to an insureds TPPCA claims in the post-appraisal context.

Chapter 542As Formula for Calculating Attorneys Fees

In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed H.B. 1774. The bill created Chapter 542A of the Texas Insurance Code, which applies to actions arising out of weather-related property insurance claims filed on or after September 1, 2017. Among other changes, the legislature added Section 542A.007 to the Insurance Code, which limits the amount of attorneys fees a plaintiff may recover in a weather-related property insurance action to the lesser of:

(1) the amount of reasonable and necessary attorneys fees supported at trial by sufficient evidence and determined by the trier of fact to have been incurred by the claimant in bringing the action;

(2) the amount of attorneys fees that may be awarded to the claimant under other appliable law; or

(3) the amount calculated by:

(A) dividing the amount to be awarded in the judgment to the claimant for the claimants claim under the insurance policy for damage to or loss of covered property by the amount alleged to be owed on the claim for that damage or loss in a notice given under this chapter; and

(B) multiplying the amount calculated under Paragraph (a) by the total amount of reasonable and necessary attorneys fees supported at trial by sufficient evidence and determined by the trier of fact to have been incurred by the claimant in bringing the action.

Early decisions from the federal courts in Texas reflected conflicting opinions on the application of Chapter 542A.007s fees-calculation formula in the post-appraisal context. A few courts held the payment of an appraisal award has no impact on an insureds right to recover attorneys fees under Section 542A.007, whereas the majority of federal courts to address the issue held that such a payment, coupled with a preemptive payment of all TPPCA statutory interest potentially owed in connection with an appraisal award, precludes the award of attorneys fees under the calculation detailed in Section 542A.007.

In matters of first impression for both courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) and the Dallas Court of Appeals recently joined the fray  with both courts endorsing and adopting the majority view that for matters governed by Chapter 542A, there is no obligation for payment of attorneys fees.

Morakabian v. Allstate

In Morakabian,the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Sherman Division) joined the long list of federal courts to hold that an insurers payment of an appraisal award in a weather-related claim, plus all related interest that may be owed under the TPCCA, defeats any remaining claim for attorneys fees.

Morakabian arose out of a disputed claim for storm-caused damage. When Morakabians homeowners insurer declined to pay his claim, Morakabian filed suit and demanded appraisal. Upon completion of the appraisal process, the insurer paid the resulting award and an additional $4,699, which represented the insurers calculation of the maximum amount of TPPCA interest potentially owed on the claim. The payment included no attorneys fees.

The insurer later moved for summary judgment on the insureds case in its entirety, and Morakabian responded by nonsuiting all but his claims for interest and attorneys fees under the TPPCA. Relying on section 542A.007 of the Texas Insurance Code, which includes a statutorily-prescribed formula for calculating the maximum amount of attorneys fees potentially recoverable by an insured in a weather-related action, the insurer argued that its payment of the appraisal award and all TPPCA interest potentially owed on the claim rendered the amount recoverable by Morakabian at trial $0, which, in turn, yielded a calculated fee award of $0.

In response to the insurers motion, Morakabian did not contend that the insurer failed to pay the full amount of the appraisal award, nor did it argue that the insurers additional payment of $4,699 was insufficient to cover all TPPCA interest potentially owed on the claim. Instead, Morakabian argued more generally that the insurer could not preclude the insured from litigating its TPPCA claim through trial (and recovering attorney fees) by preemptively paying all interest potentially due under the TPCCA.

After analyzing the plain language of section 542A.007 and examining several recent opinions addressing the post-appraisal recovery of attorneys fees, the court rejected Morakabians argument and granted summary judgment for the insurer. The court reasoned that, given the insurers payment of the appraisal award and all interest potentially recoverable under the TPPCA, Morakabians potential recovery on the claim at trial was $0, whichunder the plain language of the fees-calculation formula set forth in section 542A.007could not support an award of attorneys fees. And, in so doing, the Morakabian court expressly noted that it was unpersuaded by [the] analysis of the only two cited holdings to the contrary.

Rosales v. Allstate

The Dallas Court of Appeals reached the same conclusion in Rosales, becoming the first Texas appellate court to address the impact of section 542A.007s fees-calculation formula on an insureds claim for attorneys fees in the post-appraisal context.

Rosales  like Morakabian arose out of a disputed claim for storm-caused damage. When Louis Rosales homeowners insurer refused to pay for a full roof replacement, citing an absence of covered damage, Rosales filed suit and demanded appraisal. Upon completion of the appraisal process, the insurer paid the resulting award and an additional $1,408, which represented the insurers calculation of the maximum amount of TPPCA interest potentially owed on the claim. The payment included no attorneys fees. The insurer then sought (and obtained) summary judgment on all contractual and extra-contractual claims asserted by Rosales, including Rosales cause of action for alleged violation(s) of the TPPCA. And, because the trial courts summary disposition of Rosales contractual and extracontractual claims reduced Rosales potential recovery on those causes of action to $0, the trial court further held that application of section 542A.007s formula for calculating attorneys fees precluded Rosales from recovering attorneys fees as a matter of law.

Rosales appealed and, in a matter of first impression for a Texas state appellate court, the Dallas Court of Appeals affirmed the trial courts judgment disposing of Rosales statutory claim for attorneys fees. In so holding, the Dallas Court of Appeals adopted the reasoning of Morakabian and the many other federal courts in Texas that have concluded the formula prescribed by section 542A.007 precludes any award of attorneys feesand an insurer is entitled to summary judgment on a TPPCA claimwhen it preemptively pays both the appraisal award and any possible interest.

The court also addressed (and noted its disagreement with) the dwindling minority of contrary opinions in Texas, noting that such holdings:

generally revolved around (1) the view that prepaying damages in this fashion is impermissible attempt to unilaterally settle the case . . . and (2) the perceived unfairness of allowing a party to zero out one variable of the damage equation by eliminating, through a strategic concession another variable on which it depends and, in so doing preventing the party pursuing attorneys fees from being made whole.

In rejecting the first of these two rationales, the Dallas Court of Appeals held that an insurers payment of TPPCA interest prior to trial does not constitute an involuntary, unilateral settlement, but rather a permitted (and desired) effort by the insurer to extinguish the eventual judgment obligation. And, in rejecting the second rationale, the court held that Texas law not only allows, but encourages, the prepayment of damages to reduce or offset a statutes formula-based calculation of penalties.

Conclusion

With the issuance of the Eastern Districts opinion in Morakabian, judges in all four federal district courts in Texas have now held that an insurers payment of an appraisal award in a weather-related claim, plus all related interest that may be owed under the TPCCA, precludes an insured from recovering attorneys fees under section 542A.007. And, in reaching the same conclusion, the Rosales court became the first Texas state appellate court to weigh in on the issue. These well-reasoned opinions not only signal a clear consensus regarding Chapter 542A.007s preclusive effect on the recovery of attorneys fees in the post-appraisal context, but also confirm that the few early federal court holdings to the contrary have been relegated to outlier status and stripped of any purported precedential value.

This leaves one to ponder the ethical issues raised by certain policyholder attorneys who sign up insureds on a full contingency-fee basis knowing that: (1) they intend to invoke the appraisal process, (2) they will have little work to do on the file once put into appraisal,and, based on these recent authorities, (3) there exists no viable legal avenue for their clients to recoup their attorneys fees. Is charging a full contingency fee on a matter put into appraisal an unconscionable fee under Rule 1.04 of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct? Thats a subject for another article. For now, it has become clear in Texas that attorneys fees are not recoverable in a weather-related matter after the insurer pays the appraisal award and all statutory interest potentially owed on the claim.
Travelers must pay a $2 million claim by the owner of a 92-foot-long yacht that was sunk by Hurricane Irma because Florida law does not allow insurers to deny claims based on inconsequential technicalities.

A panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed a District Court decision that granted summary judgment for Ocean Reef Charters LLC. The opinion says a Florida law, known as an anti-technical statute, bars Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America from refusing payment solely because the owner did not have a full-time captain assigned to the the yacht as required by a warranty included with the insurance policy.

The decision cites two previous rulings by a Florida state appellate court and the 11th Circuit against insurers that denied claims because the policyholder did not comply with a warranty.

The rule from these cases is clear: to meet its burden under Floridas anti-technical statute, the insured must show that, under the circumstances of the specific accident at issue, the breach of the warranty had some material effect on the loss, the opinion says.

The motorized yacht known as My Lady did not have a full-time captain assigned to it in September 2017, when Hurricane Irma approached South Florida. Richard Gollel, whose company operated the yacht, asked the previous captain to temporarily retake the helm and drive the boat to safer waters.

Capt. Michael McCall initially agreed to fly down from Massachusetts, but after watching weather reports decided that there was no safe place to take the My Lady because Hurricane Irma was forecasted, at the time, to turn to the north and take a path straight up the east coast.

Gollel decided to tie the boat up behind his home on the Intracoastal Waterway in Pompano Beach. Wind from Hurricane Irma a category 4 storm, tossed the boat until a mooring pile broke loose and My Lady struck a concrete seawall, breaking open its hull.

The yacht was a total loss. Gollels company filed a claim seeking the $2 million policy limit.

Travelers tried to steer the case to New York, where Gollels company is based in Rochester. The carrier filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory judgment in the Western District of New York.

New York law, like federal law and the laws of most states, requires insureds to strictly comply with warranties such as the full-time captain requirement, according to the opinion. The district court in New York, however, transferred the case to the Southern District of Florida, finding it a more suitable jurisdiction because of the location of the accident and witnesses.

The Southern Florida court initially ruled that federal law applies and granted a summary judgment motion in favor of Travelers. The 11th Circuit reversed, however, holding that Florida law applies to the claim.

On the second time around, the Southern Florida District Court ruled in favor of the insured because Travelers did not produce an expert witness who said that the hurricane damage could have been avoided if a licensed captain had been operating the yacht. Ocean Reef Charters called two expert witnesses who testified that having a professional captain would have made no difference because Gollel, an experienced boat pilot although not a licensed captain, had taken all the proper precautions.

On appeal, Travelers argued that it was not required to call an expert witness to show that the lack of compliance did increase the risk of damage to the yacht. But the 11th Circuit panel said the trial court made the right call.

The effect of Ocean Reefs failure to retain a full-time captain and crew leading up to and during Hurricane Irma is exactly the kind of issue that requires expert testimony, the opinion says.

The panel explained that the question of whether the presence of a full-time captain would have avoided the damage is hypothetical. The ability to answer hypothetical questions is what separates expert witness from lay testimony, the opinion says.

A lay witness cannot offer a hypothesis about what caused the My Lady to sink or what professional captains or crews might have done to change the outcome, the panel said. Indeed, the question here is what experts would have done differently to avoid the accident.
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- A Medina homebuilder wants to construct a 90-townhome subdivision off the east side of Marks Road south of Ohio 82.

However, Pride One Construction first needs City Council to rezone the vacant site from general industrial to a townhouse cluster district. The rezoning would not have to go to the ballot.
BEREA, Ohio -- Olmsted Township property owners Joseph and Suzanne Hollo, who seek to annex 72 rural acres to Berea so developers can potentially build 162 homes, filed a Petition for Annexation June 16 with Cuyahoga County Council.

As a result, Berea City Council held a special meeting Monday (June 26) to discuss an ordinance officially objecting to the annexation.

Council members ultimately suspended the second and third public readings of the legislation and passed it 7-0.

The ordinance urges Cuyahoga County Council to reject the annexation petition.

This council does not agree to provide any services to the territory proposed for annexation, the legislation says. And (Berea City Council) does not agree to assume maintenance of any portion of any street or highway that will be divided or segmented by the boundary line between Olmsted Township and the City of Berea, which will create a road maintenance problem, and does not agree to correct the problem.

The potential Hollobuck Subdivision would sit between two Sandstone Ridge housing developments.

At a recent council work session, Berea officials contended that existing Sandstone Ridge sanitary sewer pipes already have structural issues and could not handle the additional flow; Hollobuck representatives disagreed.

It totally burst my bubble when I found out about the deficiencies in the sewer system, Councilman Gene Zacharyasz said prior to Mondays vote. (The development) cant go forward with the existing infrastructure.

I just dont want to take that kind of a gamble with peoples homes.

Berea officials also previously stressed several ongoing traffic backups in and near Sandstone Ridge, but the development teams traffic study concluded that the added vehicles would not worsen the situation.

Fiscal analyses estimate that Berea would only net $100,000 in annual income taxes from Hollobuck residents, while the city would be tasked with providing water, sewer, police, fire, trash collection and road services.

Real estate tax collections would go to Olmsted Township and the Olmsted Falls School District.

If Cuyahoga County Council agrees with the annexation request, a recommendation will be returned for Berea City Councils final determination. If county officials reject the request, the annexation petition dies and is not subject to appeal.

It could take 60 days or more for the entire process to be completed.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The city will ask voters in November to prohibit any further construction of townhomes, townhome subdivisions or apartments in Broadview Heights, except for in the center of town.

If voters approve, the city will remove B-1 zoning, which permits and regulates the development of townhome condominiums, and B-2 zoning, which does the same for both townhomes and apartments, from the municipal code.

Council voted May 22 and June 5 to place the two issues on the Nov. 7 ballot. In the meantime, a nine-month moratorium on any new residential developments, which council passed in April, will remain in effect until January.

Council President Robert Boldt, who helped lead the effort to present the B-1 and B-2 issues to voters, has stated that townhomes dont fit in or near Broadview Heights single-family-home neighborhoods. Yet the last two or three subdivisions proposed have been townhome developments.

At an April 24 council work session, Boldt, according to meeting minutes, said he opposed any future dwellings that have a common wall. He said the city should allow only single-family homes from now on.

The exception would be in the citys special planning districts, which are in the mixed-use downtown, centered around Broadview and Royalton roads. Dwelling units with common walls and apartments over retail buildings would still be permitted there.

Boldt said he favored allowing townhomes and apartments over retail in the town center only to discourage lawsuits accusing the city of discriminating against townhomes.

Boldt added, however, that Mayor Sam Alai is reviewing the citys master plan and may recommend changes to center-of-town zoning in the future.

Council hosted a May 22 public hearing on the elimination of B-1 and B-2 zoning. Only two residents spoke, according to meeting minutes.

James Smith of Chaucer Boulevard said there is still a place for townhome-type living units in Broadview Heights. He said such dwellings allow people to live close together and build a sense of community.

Marilyn Houdek of West Royalton Road said the city has too many townhomes and that they detract from the feel of Broadview Heights, which has always been a rural community.

Previously, during March meetings of the Broadview Heights Planning Commission, Boldt expressed concern about townhouses on top of each other in newer residential developments.

Boldt said he didnt oppose townhomes in the center of town -- where the city has been trying to create mixed-use districts with office, retail and residential -- but didnt like townhomes in exclusively residential areas.

Commissioner Bill Ridgeway recommended dissolving B-1 zoning, calling the zoning classification just awful.

Ridgeway said the city might keep B-2 zoning, even though it also allows townhomes, because B-2 provides more rigid and detailed guidelines.

Indeed, in city code, the B-1 classification contains only about 20 paragraphs. In comparison, B-2 zoning contains more than 50 paragraphs, plus charts.

Joe Mandato, the citys chief building official, said the most significant difference between the two zoning classifications is that B-2 requires wider spaces between buildings, while in B-1 developers can cluster all the homes together and leave large green spaces.

Read more from the Sun Star Courier.
CLEVELAND, Ohio-- Russias two war hawks, Vladimir Putin and Yevgeny Prigozhin, blackened by war crimes and failing invasion of Ukraine, nosedived and clawed at each other Friday and Saturday before flying off.

Prigozhin leads the Wagner militia group, Russias most effective fighting force. Fed up with inept Russian military leadership and orders for his group to be absorbed into the regular army, Prigozhin led his Wagner group from their camps in Ukraine back into Russia where they took control of Russias Ukraine war H.Q., the city of Rostov-on-don. From there, they began a convoy march to Moscow, shooting down 7 Russian aircraft along the way. Wagner came within 150 miles of Moscow before halting and suddenly turning back after a deal to do so had reportedly been brokered via Putins Belarus puppet president Alexander Lukashenko.

As they exited Rostov-on-don, Wagner forces and Prigozhin could be seen cheered on by the townspeople. Aside from the 7 aircraft shot down, Wagner faced no other opposition in its march from Ukraine to Moscow. In conjunction with leading the mutiny march, Prigozhin also called out Putins reasons for invading Ukraine as complete lies.

Initially the deal was reported as Prigozhin being given exile in Belarus with treason investigation/charges being dropped and Wagner soldiers given amnesty. By Monday Putin gave a national address during which he was clearly attempting to divid the Wagner soldiers from their commanders who he was accusing of treason. He called on the soldiers to either just go home or join the Russian regular army.

Putin and Prigozhin came apart when Putin tried to disband the Wagner militia group

Wagner has been a for profit, private proxy army formed by Prigozhin under Putins direction and working with Russian military intelligence. Much of it is made up of Russian inmates recruited to do Russias dirty work in Syria, and in several African nations before also taking the lead in Russias invasion of Ukraine. They are like the Nazi SS and are actually named after German Opera composer Robert Wager.

Prigozhin halted the march towards Moscow claiming he wanted to spare spilling anymore Russian blood and that his aim hadnt been to overthrow Putin but to protest the inept Russian military leadership, in particular Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

After spending 9 years in Russian prisons for robbery, Prigozhin went from being a hot-dog vendor to operating a group of restaurants including one Putin loved, which is how he became known as Putins chef. Hed go on to become a billionaire and also operate a bot/troll farm that worked to get Trump elected President, for which he was indicted by Robert Mueller.

Since the Wagner group had been effective, its good for Ukraine that they are now being disbanded. In Ukraine battles, the regular Russian army of conscripts are known for running off. What continues to thwart the Ukraine forces is Russian artillery and air power.

The big danger now is that a cornered Putin may not only resort to destroying Ukraines nuclear power plant but resort to actually using nuclear weapons. That two-headed Russian Eagle now pecking at itself is doing that atop a nest on nuclear warheads.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Two of Clevelands hottest breakfast spots went hash to hashbrown to determine who serves the best breakfast in the city. The competitors -- Grumpys Cafe, 2621 West 14th Street and Martha on the Fly, 2173 Professor Avenue  are both in Tremont.

They faced off at Collision Bend Brewing Company for Good Morning Americas 8 a.m. live broadcast on June 27. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges that included former Cleveland Browns player Josh Cribbs, Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu and Good Morning Cleveland anchor Mike Brookbank.
CRESCO, Iowa  A Texas man employed as a carnival worker was arrested after authorities say he used pepper spray in an unprovoked attack on two people attending a county fair.

Terry Harley Jr., 43, of Fort Worth, has been charged with assault causing injury and assault causing serious injury, KWWL Channel 7 reports. Harley admitted to spraying a man and woman Saturday, the Howard County Sheriffs Office tells ABC 6.

Investigators tell WHO Channel 13 that Harley used the pepper spray on the man and woman intentionally and without provocation. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment because of problems with her vision and breathing, WHO reports.

Harley was arrested on Sunday, ABC 6 reports. He reportedly turned over a canister to authorities.


By Eugene Lee



In several of my previous articles, I continued noting that the United States has unfinished business in Asia. Arguably, in the last 150 years, the U.S. has had a bigger influence on the region than any other big country, like China or Russia. And all of that time it was done under the slogan of the fight for freedom.



It is hard to trace all the wrongs, but they ended in the U.S. drawing lines. Those drawings eventually even welcomed a conflict into the region. I rephrase one author, after World War II, Dean Acheson, the U.S. Secretary of State, kept repeating the view of the Defense Department and the State Department, in essence, the much-heralded view of General MacArthur. In March 1949, the General had told the Arizona Daily Star, "From the line we hold beginning in Alaska and running from the Aleutians through Okinawa and the Philippines, we can with our air and sea power break up any amphibious operation of a predatory power embarking from the Asiatic mainland."



In those days Korea and Formosa (today's Taiwan) were put outside the system. The policy may have been wrong, and it was almost certainly foolish to broadcast it as we did but that does not alter the fact that the policy was policy and was based on the considered judgment of our military leaders. End of the quote.



A prelude to that was General Douglas MacArthur's supervision of the prosecution of 28 Japanese war criminals at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE)  the Tokyo Trials. The trials lasted from 1946 to 1948 and resulted in 25 death sentences, seven life sentences and two sentences of 20 years in prison. Later MacArthur also authorized the prosecution of thousands of other Japanese war criminals by the Japanese government. However, many Japanese war criminals were not prosecuted and even had their sentences suspended.



Some even were granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for their cooperation with the Allies. Others were never caught or brought to justice. The trials were to ultimately serve an important purpose in bringing justice to the victims of Japanese war crimes and helping to prevent future atrocities. One of the Judges, Bert Roling, later lamented, "It is a bitter experience for me to be informed now that centrally ordered Japanese war criminality of the most disgusting kind was kept secret from the court by the U.S. government."



Why is that all a problem? It is simple. It is about who gets what and why. It is about fairness and eventually, about legitimacy. If you were thinking that everyone would get what belonged to them before colonization and would be reimbursed after you would be dead wrong. And there are many reasons for that.



A small example. If you read about Korea before 1900, you would find a completely different country compared to one, let's say, after the year 1946. Everything had changed! Before colonization, Korea was a kingdom run on archaic rules and practices. In some cases, the paperwork for land or any other property ownership, was nonexistent, as it was a normal practice to run things verbally. Some families were rich by title, not by paper. When colonized, if you weren't able to provide proper papers. Your land would be seized.



As a result, the land ownership in Korea by the Japanese went from 8 percent in 1910 to over 52 percent in 1932. Some of that land was redistributed between pro-Japanese collaborators, who helped the Japanese colonialists run the country. What happened after the liberation was quite a messy process, where yet again, the land was redistributed under Syngman Rhee's government. Though some citizens were able to get some small patches of land, they were heavily taxed and weren't able to use their land for any purposes, other than agriculture. The system of ownership after decolonization changed very little afterward, and the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), General Douglas MacArthur, allowed it to happen.



His influence is still echoing in the present day. Gen. MacArthur was heavily involved in shaping views on intelligence. He emphasized the importance of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the predecessor of the CIA, for the U.S.'s success in Asia. Many machinations of the secretive M-fund are yet to be properly researched. According to some researchers, the M-Fund was named after General William Frederic Marquat, one of MacArthur's inner circle of advisers known as the Bataan Boys.



He, as the chief of the Economic and Scientific Section in SCAP headquarters and the figure in charge of zaibatsu, (chaebol in Korean, or conglomerates) and their dissolution during the occupation, allowed MacArthur to use the M-Fund to influence politics during the occupation as well as for other politically difficult operations, such as creating the Police Reserve Force, the predecessor of today's Self-Defense Force, after the outbreak of the Korean War. This gray financial area may well remain hidden for all of us indefinitely, as it may have repercussions on today's geo-financial politics in Asia.



In other words, "the fight for freedom," or "the freedom world," cliches that we hear even today, evoke the ghosts of the past that the politicians in the U.S. need to reconcile with and put them to rest in peace in order for countries, like South Korea and the North, to live normal lives and hopefully be one again.





Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia.


ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico  A 19-year-old male has been charged with murder police say he shot and killed a 52-year-old man because of a dispute over a seat at a movie theater.

Enrique Padilla is under guard at a hospital in after being treated for a gunshot wound, according to reports.

Police tell KOB Channel 4 the dispute at Century Rio movie theater occurred Sunday night before a showing of No Hard Feelings. Padilla and his girlfriend reportedly got into an argument over reserved seats with Michael Tenorio, who was at the theater with his wife. Witnesses said Tenorio and his wife were in at least one seat reserved by Padilla and his girlfriend.

This started an argument, which kept going despite attempts to resolve it by staff at the theater. Padilla is accused of throwing a bucket of popcorn at the couple, according to KRQE Channel 13.

Tenorio reportedly stood up and pushed Padilla toward a wall. Moments later shots were fired, reports say.

Tenorio, who according to his wife was unarmed, died at the scene. Padilla and his girlfriend ran from the theater, but he was found hiding behind a bush near an emergency exit. KOB reports Padilla was wounded in the stomach by one of his own bullets during the shooting.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
PANAMA CITY, Florida  A county sheriff took to social media on Monday to express frustration after three more people died in the Gulf of Mexico despite warnings to stay out of the water because of dangerous conditions.

At least seven people have died in the gulf in what Panama City calls fatal water incidents in less than 10 days, according to USA Today. Three tourists died Saturday at three different locations on the beach even though there was a double red flag warning, meaning no one should enter the water.

Im beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford writes on Facebook. 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.

Ford says visitors can be fined up to $500 for entering the water during a double red flag warning. But he said there are not enough deputies to fine all violators. He also said that visitors sometimes curse and make obscene gestures at officials trying to stop them.

Government and law enforcement can only do so much in these situations, Ford says. Personal responsibility is the only way to ensure that no one else dies. Please make the effort to know the flag status and stay completely out of the water.

Saturdays victims are Kimberly Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia; Morytt Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Ga.; and Donald Wixon, 68, of Canton, Michigan, according to USA Today. The deaths occurred behind three different resorts on the beach.

USA Today reports that rip currents are blamed for most of the deaths. Swimmers caught in the strong currents can be swept away from shore and become exhausted trying to swim back. Lake Erie also can have dangerous rip currents. The National Weather Service issued a warning about dangerous currents effective until 2 p.m. today for Cuyahoga, Lake and Lorain counties.

Panama City police tell WFLA Channel 8 that the department received 70 calls in the past 10 days about swimmers in distress, with 39 of the calls coming on Saturday.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A North Carolina charter school will not be able to force female students to wear skirts after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear its appeal of an earlier ruling against the school, reports say.

The decision is part of a longtime legal battle between the families of three students against Charter Day School in Leland, N.C., the Star News reports. The parents and students sued the school in 2016 over the dress code requiring female students to wear skirts.

School founder Baker Mitchell had said the dress code was intended to promote chivalry by the male students and respect for the female students, according to court documents.

The Washington Post reports the case highlights the gray area in which charter schools operate, accepting public funding even though they are run by private organizations. Charter Day School receives 95% of its funding from the public, the Post reports.

If accepted, Charter Day Schools argument that it should be free to violate students constitutional rights would have  threatened the freedoms of 3.6 million public charter school students nationwide, Ria Tabacco Mar of the American Civil Liberties Union tells the Post.

Mitchell tells the Post that the Supreme Courts ruling is disappointing. Mitchell said it charter schools are now subject to rules, regulations, and political machinations that have crippled government-run school systems.

The dress code already had been changed to allow girls to wear pants after an appeals court ruled against the school.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
CHICAGO  Smoke from Canadian wildfires in Quebec blowing into the upper Midwest left Chicago and Milwaukee with the worst air quality in the world Tuesday.

The raging fires have been affecting parts of the United States since early June. Chicago and Milwaukee both were in the purple zone of the AQI, or air quality index, on Tuesday.

At one point on Tuesday, Chicago was at level 228, veering into the purple or very unhealthy zone, and nearby Milwaukee was at level 221, according to AirNow, a government site that measures air quality.

Air Quality maps for the United States from AirNow showed Illinois, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan in the red or unhealthy zone.

The East Coast, which suffered dangerous air quality from the Canadian wildfires earlier this month, now appears mostly clear, but some areas are in the yellow or moderate zone, which means the air quality is acceptable but could pose a risk for some people, CBS News reported.

New York City became blanketed in an orange haze as wildfire smoke spread across the nation on June 7. That day, the city ranked second in the world for worst air quality after Delhi, India.

Chicagoans were largely spared severe effects from wildfires earlier this month, but not Tuesday.

Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago warned residents  especially children, older people and those with heart or lung disease  to stay indoors if possible, or to wear masks if they had to be outside, to avoid the worst effects of the smoky air, The New York Times reported.

This summer, cities across North America have seen unhealthy levels of air quality as a result of wildfire smoke, impacting over 20 million people from New York City; Washington, D.C.; Montreal; and today here in Chicago, Johnson said in a statement. As we work to respond to the immediate health concerns in our communities, this concerning episode demonstrates and underscores the harmful impact that the climate crisis is having on our residents, as well as people all over the world.

Reuters reported Tuesday that smoke from the wildfires has crossed the Atlantic and is fouling the air in Europe.

The worsening fires in Quebec and Ontario will likely make for hazy skies and deep orange sunsets in Europe this week, Copernicus senior scientist Mark Parrington told Reuters. However, because the smoke is predicted to stay higher in the atmosphere, its unlikely surface air quality will be impacted.

But with unusually warm and dry conditions continuing for much of Canada theres still no end in sight, Parrington said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  The campaign working to defeat State Issue 1 has placed its first ad buy of the campaign, offering for the first time an idea at what kind of resources the group will have leading up to the special election in August.

One Person One Vote announced Tuesday it had launched its first statewide ad buy of the campaign. The group has held its cards close and has refused to discuss its broader strategy as it tries to defeat the measure in the Aug. 8 special election. That includes not divulging any information about what its spending in this new ad campaign.

But Scott Schweitzer, an Ohio Republican consultant who tracks political ad spending, said the group paid $1.1 million to air TV and radio ads across the state for one week, from June 26 through July 3.

Here are a few questions raised by the ad and that amount, as well as a few answers.

And as a reminder: State Issue 1, if voters approve it, would amend the state constitution to require future amendments to get a 60% supermajority in a statewide vote in a future in order to pass. Thats compared to the current 50% simple majority standard thats been in place for more than a century.

It also would make it harder for potential ballot issues to qualify by expanding mandatory signature-gathering requirements for amendment campaigns.

A yes vote would approve the proposed changes. A no vote would reject them.

Read more: Coverage of State Issue 1

Is $1.1 million a lot of money for something like this?

As a rule of thumb, spending $1 million a week on ads promoting a political candidate translates to a highly visible campaign that voters will notice. So yes, the $1.1 million figure  particularly if the amount it spends on ads stays the same or increases for the five subsequent weeks before the Aug. 8 election  suggests the anti-Issue 1 campaign will be adequately funded.

It will be solid if they keep this up through Election Day, Schweitzer said.

However, money for issue campaigns doesnt go as far as it does for candidate committees, since federal law requires TV stations to offer lower rates to candidates.

For example, Tim Ryan, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, during last years race spent less than $250 for each gross rating point, a metric used to measure how many times an ad airs.

One Person One Vote will spend around $500 per GRP for its first week of ads, according to data provided by Schweitzer.

How much will the pro-Issue 1 group spend?

The yes on State Issue 1 campaign, Protect Our Constitution, hasnt yet launched any ads. On Tuesday, Spencer Gross, a spokesperson for the group, refused to say when or if it will.

But the group privately has shared a $6 million fundraising goal, according to a presentation it gave to a roomful of Columbus lobbyists earlier this month. That would mostly cover $1.1 million a week in ads.

However, outside groups also could spend for and against the measure. Richard Uihlein, an Illinois billionaire and GOP megadonor, already has spent $1 million pressuring lawmakers to place State Issue 1 on the ballot

Gross said for now, the yes campaign is focusing on raising money and engaging with grassroots activists to build support for Issue 1.

Were continuing to go about our work, but not going to get into too many details at this point on that stuff yet, Gross said.

Need to Know: How to register, where to vote, when the polls are open

Whos paying for the no ads?

Issue campaigns working on State Issue 1 are required to file multiple campaign finance reports with the state. Their first is due on July 27, 10 days before the Aug. 8 election.

Until then, One Person One Vote is refusing to disclose its contributors, although its publicly listed coalition members include organized labor groups, Democrats, and abortion-rights advocates.

We have an enormous coalition of more than 200 organizations who want to protect majority rule and preserve the sacred principle of one person one vote, and we will be filing reports with the Secretary of State at the end of the reporting period, said Dennis Willard, a spokesperson for the group.

In Arkansas, where voters defeated a similar measure last year, organized labor groups were a major source of money for the no campaign. In South Dakota, where voters also defeated a similar measure, state hospital systems funded the no campaign, since the measure was linked to a Medicaid expansion proposal that voters approved later in the year.

Ohios proposal, however, is connected to a potential abortion-rights ballot issue in November, which could draw in a whole new set of donors for the campaign to defeat State Issue 1. Business groups, meanwhile, have endorsed the yes campaign.

The new ad itself is very similar to those seen in the Arkansas campaign, warning the proposal would give corrupt politicians and special interests more control over the states laws. It depicts a pair of scissors snipping up a document that resembles the Ohio Constitution, compared to the Arkansas version, which showed the document slowly going up in flames.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mayor Justin Bibb on Tuesday indicated that his recently-fired economic development director wasnt responsive enough to developers and the business community.

Bibbs statement on Tuesday was the first time the mayor has publicly offered any reason for why he fired Tessa Jackson on June 15.
BOSTON  A suspect was arrested Monday following the recent killings of a Massachusetts couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, as well as the womans 97-year-old mother, according to officials.

The bodies of Bruno DAmore, 74, Gilda Jill DAmore, 73, and Lucia Arpino, 97, were found Sunday in their Newton, Massachusetts, home by a friend who visited after they did not arrive for church service, police said, according to ABC News.

On Monday, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said police arrested Christopher Ferguson, 41, and charged him with killing Gilda DAmore after an autopsy revealed her death was a homicide, the Associated Press reports. Authorities were able to match a bloody footprint at the scene to that of Ferguson, who lived in the same neighborhood, Ryan said.

Ferguson is charged with one count of murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and burglary, according to AP. Additional charges are expected after the autopsies of Bruno DAmore and Arpino are completed, AP reports.

Ryan said there were obvious signs of struggle at the victims home, where authorities found broken furniture and a crystal paper weight covered in blood. The preliminary investigation indicated the victims died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma, according to Ryan.

Ryan also noted Bruno and Gilda were celebrating their 50th golden wedding anniversary.

As you can imagine, this would be tragic on any day, she said. To have family gathered for this kind of a celebration makes it particularly tragic.

Ferguson is expected to appear in court Tuesday or Wednesday. Investigators said they believe the attack is random.

At this time we know of no established connection between the family members and Mr. Ferguson, Ryan said.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that state lawmakers cannot make congressional redistricting decisions unchecked by state law and courts in a rejection of an argument Ohio Republican legislative leaders cited last year as they ignored an Ohio Supreme Court order that ordered them to redraw the states congressional district map for the 2024 election.

The high-stakes decision came in response to a challenge from Republican lawmakers in North Carolina, who appealed a decision by their Democratic-leaning state Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court by citing the so-called independent state legislature theory. Ohio Republicans faced a similar situation last year, and sought to piggyback onto the case while appealing a decision by the Ohio Supreme Court.

But Tuesdays 6-3 ruling rejected the theory, which argued that state constitutions cant limit lawmakers decisions in drawing congressional maps. The argument, backed by Senate President Matt Huffman and ex-House Speaker Bob Cupp, would have fundamentally undermined Ohios new redistricting system by saying the limits voters overwhelmingly approved in 2018  and which Republican state lawmakers themselves helped write  were unconstitutional.

The argument to the contrary does not account for the Framers understanding that when legislatures make laws, they are bound by the provisions of the very documents that give them life, reads the decision, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts. Thus, when a state legislature carries out its federal constitutional power to prescribe rules regulating federal elections, it acts both as a lawmaking body created and bound by its state constitution, and as the entity assigned particular authority by the Federal Constitution. Both constitutions restrain the state legislatures exercise of power.

Two conservative appointees of former President Donald Trump, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, joined Roberts and the courts liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in Tuesdays decision. Conservative justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.

Democrats and civil-rights groups hailed Tuesdays ruling. It was the second from the U.S. Supreme Court this month that rejected arguments that sought to narrow courts ability to rule in gerrymandering cases. The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision on June 8 ruled in favor of a group of Black voters from Alabama, rejecting Republican arguments that sought to make it harder to cite the landmark Voting Rights Act in racial gerrymandering cases.

Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, said in an interview that Tuesdays ruling likely will lead the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss Ohio Republican lawmakers appeal.

The ACLU was one of the plaintiffs that challenged Ohios congressional and state legislative maps last year.

The court agreed with the entire history of jurisprudence in our country that establishes that state legislatures are not above the law even when it comes to drawing congressional maps, that theyre subject to court judicial review and they need to follow the constitution of the state Levenson said.

John Fortney, a spokesperson for Huffman and other Ohio Senate Republicans, didnt offer a detailed reaction to the ruling on Tuesday.

Senate Republicans are reviewing the decision, Fortney said. Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, a Lawrence County Republican, didnt offer a meaningful comment about the decision when speaking with reporters following a House session Tuesday afternoon.

Eric Holder, a former U.S. attorney general under ex-President Barack Obama, issued a statement praising the ruling. Holders National Democratic Redistricting Committee also was involved in challenging Ohios congressional map last year.

By rejecting the independent state legislature theory, the Supreme Court preserved the vital role state courts play in protecting free elections and fair maps for the American people, Holder said.

The Ohio Supreme Court last year found the map that Ohio used for the 2022 election was illegally gerrymandered in favor of Republicans, under redistricting rules voters added to the state constitution in 2018.

But the ruling came in July, after the primary election already had been held. The ruling at the time ordered state officials to redraw the map for the 2024 election. But Republicans ignored that order, refusing to even convene a meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, and instead pursued an appeal.

State officials are expected to take up remapping later this summer. But the Ohio Supreme Court now has a new Republican majority after former Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, a key swing vote in the decisions rejecting the maps, retired due to judicial age limits at the end of last year.

OConnors replacement, Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, who won Novembers election, repeatedly ruled in favor of the maps. Thats one of the reasons that the new court majority is widely viewed as more likely to be favorable to state Republicans when it comes to redistricting.

Tuesdays ruling involves congressional redistricting, and does not directly affect the redrawing of state legislative district maps.

More about the North Carolina case

A high court ruling on the North Carolina case was a potentially critical piece to Ohios redistricting puzzle. State officials last year sought to piggyback on the North Carolina case, hoping for broad latitude when they redraw congressional district lines later this year after the Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly rejected maps drawn by state Republicans.

In North Carolina, the initial ruling  issued when Democrats controlled the states highest court  declared the congressional map was a partisan gerrymander that would have created a disproportionate number of GOP congressional districts. It ordered the state to use a map it said complied more with the states constitution that gave each party seven seats.

A new ruling  issued after Republicans took control of the states supreme court in Novembers elections and reconsidered the case  said the state supreme court lacks authority to review congressional map challenges. It means North Carolina will draw a new state congressional map that favors Republicans.

Republicans who control North Carolinas legislature appealed the first decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. They said it violated the elections clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says the Times, Places and Manner for holding congressional elections shall be prescribed by each states legislature, unless Congress overrides them, and the state supreme court had no right to reject its map.

The elections clause requires state legislatures specifically to perform the federal function of prescribing regulations for federal elections, the GOP legislators attorney, David H. Thompson, said during December arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. States lack the authority to restrict the legislatures substantive discretion when performing this federal function.

Opponents of that stance  which is known as the independent state legislature theory  contend it defies historical precedent, would endanger numerous state court decisions and state constitutional provisions, and would allow partisan state legislators to draw unfair congressional maps without being reined in by courts.

The blast radius from their theory would sow elections chaos, forcing a confusing two-track system with one set of rules for federal elections and another for state ones, Neil Katyal, an attorney for North Carolina Common Cause and League of Conservation Voters, told the U.S. Supreme Court when the case was argued in December. Case after case would wind up in this Court with a political party on either side of the V. That would put this Court in a difficult position instead of leaving it to the 50 states.

Ohioans wage arguments in SCOTUS case

The courts decision in the case will likely affect Ohios congressional map. Ohios Supreme Court last year rejected the congressional map drawn by the states Republican-controlled legislature as illegally gerrymandered, and ordered that it be redrawn for the 2024 congressional election.

The Ohio General Assembly was waiting for the outcome of the North Carolina case before starting the remap.

American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio deputy policy director and voting rights expert Collin Marozzi says the Ohio General Assembly petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to join the North Carolina case, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to agree with their North Carolina counterparts that state legislatures have sole authority to draw congressional maps and regulate federal elections.

A legal brief filed by Ohios Republican legislative leaders asked the court to hear a separate case from Ohio, or to hold onto the Ohio case pending its North Carolina decision. The court has not yet decided whether to hear the Ohio legislators case.

This case presents an excellent companion to, yet is uniquely distinct from, Moore, the legal brief said. The Ohio Constitution contains several specific limitations on the Ohio legislatures authority to regulate congressional elections; the North Carolina Constitution (at issue in Moore) does not. Thus, hearing this case alongside Moore would allow the Court to fully address whether state courts can enforce substantive limits on a state legislatures authority to regulate congressional electionswhether the state court relies on general state constitutional provisions (as in Moore) or more specific ones (as here).

Levenson said there are key differences between Ohios redistricting case and North Carolinas. The Ohio Supreme Court decisions that overturned Ohios congressional maps relied on language in Ohios constitution that specifies how congressional maps are supposed to be drawn and cautions against gerrymandered districts that unduly favor one party.

The contested decision by North Carolinas Supreme Court cited broad language in the states constitution that said people have the right to fair elections.

In addition, she said the North Carolina court imposed its own map on the state when it rejected the legislatures districts, while Ohios court required the states redistricting commission to devise a new map.

A ruling endorsing the controversial theory would have cut the state supreme courts oversight authority over redrawing congressional maps out of the equation entirely. Ohio Republicans were repeatedly dogged by unfavorable state supreme court rulings last year, with OConnor siding with the courts three Democrats.

A U.S. Supreme Court endorsement of the GOP legislators theory also would have hamstrung Ohioans ability to reform how the state draws its congressional maps and thwart efforts to establish independent redistricting commissions similar to those established in states like Michigan, California, Arizona and Colorado.

But Tuesdays ruling also reaffirmed a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision, decided by a slim 5-4 majority, that found that independent redistricting commissions do not run afoul of the power the U.S. constitution gives to state lawmakers when it comes to redistricting.

Ohioans want fair districts, Marozzi said in a blog post. They want impartial actors when we are drawing our maps so we have fair elections, so peoples voices matter, and so we create good policy. At the end of the day, we know gerrymandered maps lead to extreme policies that average Ohioans dont want and the policies that average Ohioans do want go ignored because the state legislature is insulated from accountability.

OConnor, the former Republican Ohio Supreme Court chief justice, has been working on a redistricting reform measure in Ohio since she retired. Its unclear when one may come, although supporters next chance will be sometime in 2024. The proposals chances of making the ballot will be affected by the result of Ohios upcoming special election on Aug. 8 on State Issue 1, which would make it harder to propose and approve amendments to the state constitution.

Andrew Grossman, a senior legal fellow at the conservative Buckeye Institute in Columbus, filed a Supreme Court brief on behalf of state legislators in Texas, Missouri, South Carolina and Pennsylvania that backed the North Carolina legislators. It argued that the nations founders deliberately vested the power to draw congressional maps with state legislatures because theyre proper forums for politics and the exercise of broad discretion it entails.

The core of American democracy is rule by the people through their elected representativesnot by judges, whether elected or appointed, Grossman wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. Legislation can be good, and court decisions can be bad, as easily as the reverse.

A separate legal brief filed in the case by a group of Democratic and independent U.S. Senators including Ohios Sherrod Brown said the nations founders were particularly skeptical of state legislatures and took pains to guard against state legislative overreach, including by empowering Congress to oversee federal elections.

In the absence of any express statement to the contrary, the Elections Clause cannot be read to empower state legislatures to supersede the structures by which state constitutions define and constrain the legislative power, their brief continues.

Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

Reporter Laura Hancock contributed to this story
Seen is Vallis Schrodinger, a long and narrow valley on the far side of the moon. The Danuri lunar orbiter photographed the valley on March 24. The science ministry said Tuesday that it will extend Danuri's exploration period by two years to the end of 2025 from the end of 2023. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT



By Baek Byung-yeul



The exploration period of Danuri, the country's first lunar orbiter, will be extended for two more years to the end of 2025 from the end of 2023, the science ministry said Tuesday, explaining that the lunar orbiter consumed less fuel than expected while traveling from the Earth to the moon.



The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) held a lunar exploration project implementation committee and announced that the Danuri's mission period has been extended to three years from January 2023 to December 2025. It was originally planned that the satellite would conduct exploration while in lunar orbit for one year.



The science ministry said researchers have asked for an extension of the mission because the lunar orbiter has been useful for observing the lunar surface and has plenty of fuel to spare. Danuri was expected to burn 202.64 kilograms of fuel during the transition from the Earth to the Moon, but actually burned only 172.92 kilograms, the ministry added.



"Due to the excellent observation results of Danuri, including taking images of the dark side of the moon  a first for Korea  and the sufficient amount of fuel for the mission, domestic and overseas researchers have been requesting an extension of the mission period to expand the research results of lunar exploration," the science ministry said.



"In the initially planned one-year mission operation period, only a limited range of data could be acquired, but researchers expect that the extension will allow them to expand their achievements by securing additional lunar surface images and conducting complementary observations with magnetic field meters and gamma-ray spectrometers," the ministry added.





Models introduce stamps issued to commemorate the successful launch of Korea's Danuri lunar orbiter at the Korea Postage Stamp Museum in central Seoul, April 6. Yonhap



The lunar orbiter was launched on Aug. 5, 2022, and entered the moon's orbit on Dec. 17. After confirmation of orbital entry, the Danuri spent about a month undergoing checks of the initial operation of its payload, testing the functions of the main body and undergoing adjustments for errors and distortions. It began its official mission on Feb. 4.



The data acquired through the operation of the orbiter will be utilized to produce 3D terrain images of lunar landing candidate sites and lunar surface element and resource maps by 2026, and will also be used by domestic researchers to conduct creative convergence research, the ministry said.





Researchers of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) check the status of the Danuri lunar orbiter in Daejeon, June 8, 2022, before it was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, Aug. 5. Courtesy of KARI
WTO Director-General: the world cannot afford decoupling

By Lin Rui and Xie Runjia (People's Daily App) 15:08, June 27, 2023

The world cannot afford decoupling and fragmentation, the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at a meeting of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, in North China's Tianjin Municipality on Tuesday.

"The situation of slower growth in trade would be made far worse if the world were to decouple or fragment," she said.

If two trading blocks were decoupled, it will cost the world a 5 percent loss in the global GDP in the longer term, which is the equivalent of the whole economy of Japan, Okonjo-Iweala noted.

"So decoupling or fragmentation is something that the world simply cannot afford to have."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Dangjin City Council's members pose at the city council in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, June 9, after adopting a resolution to call for the relocation of Hyundai Steel's headquarters to the city. Courtesy of Dangjin City Council



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hyundai Steel has been urged once again to move its headquarters from Incheon to Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, in the aftermath of POSCO's acceptance of Pohang residents' request to relocate its holding company to the steelmaker's hometown, according to industry officials, Tuesday.



Earlier this month, Dangjin City Council adopted a resolution to ask for the relocation of Hyundai Steel's headquarters to the city, where the company runs its steel mill, which generates nearly half of the steelmaker's revenue.



This came nine years after the council had adopted a similar resolution in 2014.



"Despite the sacrifice of Dangjin residents for the development of the steelmaking industry, Hyundai Steel's headquarters is still located in Incheon," said Kim Seon-ho, vice chairman of the council's operating committee.



"Dangjin residents still remember Hyundai Motor Group Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo's promise in 2007. During his visit to our city, he vowed to make efforts to fulfill the company's social responsibility regarding the growth of national and regional economies."



Founded in 1953 as Korea Heavy Industry, which was renamed Incheon Heavy Industry in 1962, the steelmaker has stayed in Incheon, even after Hyundai Group's acquisition in 1978 and spinoff into a Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary in 2000.



Hyundai Steel acquired its Dangjin steel mill from Hanbo Steel in 2004.



The council members also visited the Pohang City Council in May to learn about how the North Gyeongsang Provincial city's residents had successfully convinced POSCO to relocate its holding company from Seoul.



Hyundai Steel has maintained a cautious stance toward this issue, because the company could be embroiled in a potential conflict between the residents of Incheon and Dangjin.



In Pohang, its residents were divided as some civic groups urge the remaining 200 POSCO Holdings employees to move from Seoul to Pohang, while business lobbies claim that the city should cooperate with the company to host an industrial complex specializing in the rechargeable battery business.



"Unlike Pohang residents who asked POSCO to move its newly established holding company to the city, the Dangjin City Council is asking us to move our existing headquarters," a Hyundai Steel official said. "Although some members of the city council have made the claim, we have yet to face any pressure from Dangjin residents."




Schindler's headquarters in Ebikon, Switzerland / Courtesy of Schindler





Schindler Chairman Silvio Napoli / Courtesy of Schindler

By Park Jae-hyuk



Swiss elevator maker Schindler has come under suspicion that its announcement on Monday of a partial sale of its stake in Hyundai Elevator was intended to lower the Korean firm's stock price, in order to wrest management control from Hyundai Group Chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun, according to industry officials, Tuesday.



Such suspicions were triggered after Schindler's notification confused reporters and investors, causing a sharp fall in Hyundai Elevator's stock price on Tuesday.



In one of two regulatory filings posted on Monday, Schindler said its stake in Hyundai Elevator dropped to 15.95 percent as of last Friday from 21.48 percent in July 2015, after selling its shares to retrieve investments in the Korean company.



In another regulatory filing, the second-largest shareholder of Hyundai Elevator said its stake would fall to 15.95 percent as of Tuesday from 16.49 percent in July 2020.



On the day of the announcement, Schindler sent an email to reporters to explain that it is reducing its exposure to Hyundai Elevator by selling a portion of its stake at the favorable current market price. However, the Swiss elevator maker did not disclose the exact amount of shares it had sold.



"Schindler remains a large shareholder in Hyundai Elevator with a significant stake above 10 percent," the Swiss company said. "Schindler will continue to watch the company carefully to ensure that the company and all of its shareholders are protected, and that the management does not damage the company's corporate and shareholders' values."





Hyundai Elevator's headquarters in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province / Courtesy of Hyundai Elevator




By Lee Kyung-min







POSCO International, a general trading subsidiary of the country's steel titan POSCO, will partner with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world's largest green energy asset managers, to advance offshore wind power and green hydrogen businesses in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, according to the firm, Tuesday.







POSCO International Vice Chairman Jeong Tak and CIP Vice Chairman Torsten Rodberg Smed signed a memorandum of agreement whereby the two firms will fortify cooperation to bolster businesses in Pohang, where POSCO steel mills and POSCO Future M, a chemical subsidiary of POSCO, are located.







POSCO International is reorienting its business portfolio to foster sustainable growth and future competitiveness in energy, steel, food and new businesses.







It plans to expand its renewable energy business to include offshore wind power, as underpinned by profitable liquefied natural gas (LNG) business.







The ultimate goal is to become a leading local offshore wind business to partner with Korea-based overseas wind businesses for nurturing of promising new wind power players.







POSCO International plans to develop a 300-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm by 2027 near Sinan County, South Jeolla Province, where a wind farm is located on land.







It then will speed up offshore wind projects in the East Sea, and push up the total wind power energy production to 2 gigawatts (GW).







Jeong said POSCO International is redefining itself as a global green comprehensive business.







"We are driving qualitative growth of the energy business, as bridged by the business agreement with CIP," he said.







CIP was established in Denmark in 2012. Its assets under management stand at about 28 billion euros (40 trillion won).







CIP has joint offshore wind power business projects with 14 countries.










Google users have long been able to append their search queries with the term "Reddit" to find helpful resources on specific topics.

When thousands of Reddit forums went dark earlier this month, that tactic lost its effectiveness. Many pages in search results were suddenly inaccessible or unhelpful, because moderators of some of the most popular forums turned their pages to private as part of a widespread protest of Reddit's decision to start charging developers for access to its data.

It's an issue that Google executives say is at least partially resolved by a new feature called Perspectives that was unveiled Monday. The Perspectives tab, available now on mobile web and the Google app in the U.S., promises to surface discussion forums and videos from social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Reddit and Quora.

At an all-hands meeting earlier this month, Prabhakar Raghavan, Google's senior vice president in charge of search, told employees that the company was working on ways for search to display helpful resources in results without requiring users to add "Reddit" to their searches. Raghavan acknowledged that users had grown frustrated with the experience.

"Many of you may wonder how we have a search team that's iterating and building all this new stuff and yet somehow, users are still not quite happy," Raghavan said. "We need to make users happy."

Raghavan was responding to an employee comment about negative user feedback because of too many ads and irrelevant results. "What can we do to improve the user experience on the core product that made Google a household name?" the employee asked, according to audio of the meeting obtained by CNBC.

Google is in the process of trying to revamp search to keep pace with rivals in taking advantage of the latest advances in generative artificial intelligence, which involves providing more sophisticated and conversational answers to text-based queries.

At its annual developer conference in May, the company said it was experimenting with an effort called Search Generative Experience, which still isn't available to everyone, showing more in-depth results powered by generative AI. Google also launched a ChatGPT competitor called Bard earlier this year. Bard remains separate from search and is still in experimental mode.
European leaders have struggled to formulate a unified Sino-European strategy, with some states echoing U.S. calls for a complete disassociation  or decoupling  while others have preferred a softer, derisking approach. Thomas Trutschel | Photothek | Getty Images

Hungary's foreign minister said Tuesday that any move to decouple, or even de-risk, from China would be an act of "suicide" for Europe. Peter Szijjarto said that curtailing ties with Beijing  one of Europe's biggest trade partners and a major source of foreign direct investment  would essentially kill the region's economy. "Both decoupling and de-risking would be a suicide committed by the European economy," Szijjarto told CNBC's Sam Vadas at the World Economic Forum's annual conference in Tianjin, China. "How could you decouple without killing the European economy?" European leaders have until now struggled to formulate a unified Sino-European strategy, with some states echoing U.S. calls for a complete disassociation  or decoupling  with Beijing, while others have preferred a softer approach of mitigating risks.

We look at China as a country with which, if you cooperate, you can take a lot of benefit out of it. Peter Szijjarto Foreign Minister of Hungary

The issue is a particularly sensitive balancing act for Europe, which remains deeply reliant on U.S. support in Ukraine but also has critical economic ties with Beijing. China was the largest source of EU imports and the third-largest buyer of EU goods in 2022, according to Eurostat. Szijjarto, for his part, said that Hungary  which holds notably more cordial relations with China than some of its European counterparts  does not view China as a threat or a risk, and therefore sees no reason for "de-risking." "We look at China as a country with which, if you cooperate, you can take a lot of benefit out of it," he said.

Hungary-China ties deepen

Beijing is Budapest's largest trading partner outside of the European Union and its number one investor so far this year. Szijjarto said he expected Chinese foreign direct investment in the country to double this year, from 6.5 billion euros ($7.1 billion) to 13 billion euros. The majority of last year's inflow was due to a $7.6 billion investment  Hungary's largest ever  by Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited in a new factory in the country. The plant is expected to service automakers with factories in Hungary, including Mercedez Benz , BMW , and VW .

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends a meeting on June 26, 2023, with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization ahead of the World Economic Forum New Champions meeting in Tianjin, China. Pool | Getty Images News | Getty Images

BEIJING  Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Tuesday his country was still on track to reach its annual growth target of around 5%. He said growth in the second quarter was expected to be faster than it was in the first. China's economy grew by 4.5% in the first quarter, better than expected. However, subsequent data have pointed to slower growth. Economic data for May missed analysts' expectations. "From what we see this year, China's economy shows a clear momentum of rebound and improvement," Li said, via a livestream of an official English translation. Li was speaking at the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

watch now

The conference will run from Tuesday to Thursday in Tianjin, China. This year's gathering marks the first time since the pandemic that the World Economic Forum's annual China conference is being held in person. Li became premier in March, following a twice-a-decade leadership reshuffle in October that packed the core team with loyalists of Chinese President Xi Jinping. China announced its growth target of about 5% for the year in March. At the time, Li told reporters that China's economy is picking up and that some international organizations had raised their forecasts for full-year growth. On Tuesday, the Chinese premier repeated the line about forecast upgrades, again without mentioning specific institutions or dates. Economists' forecasts for China's gross domestic product this year have fluctuated.

Several investment banks  including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, UBS and Bank of America  have trimmed their full-year China GDP forecasts in the last few weeks. Earlier this year, many firms had raised their expectations for 2023 growth. In June, the World Bank raised its forecast for China's growth this year to 5.6%, up from 4.3% previously. The International Monetary Fund in April raised its forecast for China's GDP to 5.2%, up from 4.4% previously.

On de-risking and security
After New York City was cleared late last week to move forward with a congestion pricing plan, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday said the largest U.S. city is leading the way to "achieve cleaner air, safer streets and better transit."

The Federal Highway Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, on Friday gave the green light for New York to go ahead with a plan to manage congestion, primarily through tolls in parts of Manhattan.

The measure could go into effect as soon as spring 2024 and would be the first of its kind in the U.S., according to New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. State agencies have 310 days to stand up the tolling program and associated infrastructure.

"We are going to be the very first state in the nation, the very first city in America, to have a congestion pricing plan," Hochul said in a press conference Tuesday. "Others will look at us. Other cities are paying attention. How is it going to work here? Well, we're going to show them. We're going to show them how you do this."

While it's a new model for the U.S., congestion pricing plans have previously been implemented in London, Stockholm and Singapore.

The cost of the toll is still being decided. A six-member Traffic Mobility Review Board is tasked with determining the specific pricing structure.

A report last August on the environmental effect of the plan included toll rates that ranged between $9 and $23 at peak times, $7 to $17 at off-peak times and $5 to $12 during overnight hours.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre looks on as National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., June 26. AFP-Yonhap



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.



"We're going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications from Russia and Ukraine," Biden said. "But it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going."



Putin, in his first public comments since the rebellion, blamed "Russia's enemies" and said they "miscalculated." He did not specify whom he meant.



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 that 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 "don't want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin," McFaul said.









A feud between the Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny 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. They rolled for hundreds of kilometers toward Moscow, before turning around on Saturday, in a reported deal whose terms remain uncertain.



Biden's national security team briefed him hourly as Prigozhin's forces were on 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 it's in nobody's 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. "It's not good for, certainly, Ukraine and not good for our allies and partners in Europe. Quite frankly, it's not good for the Russian people."





People walk past a billboard with an image of a Russian serviceman and reading 'The Motherland we defend' at a street exhibition of military photos in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 26. EPA-Yonhap
Rawan, 29, a content creator and former Meta employee poses with her Meta badge after getting laid off and having to turn it in.

In early November, Meta employee Rawan, 29, came across an eerie Sunday headline in the New York Times: "Meta Is Said to Plan Significant Job Cuts This Week." She put the article in the back of her mind. She had a big presentation coming up and had to focus. And anyway, she was a top performer at the company  what could she have to worry about? Rawan joined Meta in 2019 after several jobs at various businesses around the world and a year in China on a Schwarzman Scholar fellowship. The daughter of Eritrean immigrants, Rawan grew up traveling between Saudi Arabia and California and knew that she wanted some aspect of her life to be "global." She moved to Silicon Valley on the advice of mentors who told her it was the best place to build a career in tech. Rawan's last name has been omitted due to privacy concerns. Upon joining Meta, she fell in love with the work and ascended through different roles, tackling some of the biggest problems in machine-learning and content moderation. In her last six months, she transitioned to a product marketing manager role and was invested in her job until the very end, putting in hours of overtime to prepare for a presentation to her director and ignoring any layoff murmurs. "I even remember joking to my manager saying, 'All this time and effort spent prepping  imagine if I get laid off and I don't even get to present this,'" Rawan tells CNBC Make It in an email. They both laughed and moved on. Three days later, Rawan had an email in her inbox: She was one of Meta's 11,000 laid-off employees in the November round. "My first thought was 'Um, OK. Lemme get up and wash my face because today is about to be a long day,'" Rawan recalls.

The long day

Within hours of the company-wide announcement slashing 13% of Meta's workforce, Rawan watched her coworkers' accounts get deactivated. She knew it was only a matter of time before hers met the same fate. "I remember logging on LinkedIn that day and it was like a memorial board. Colleagues of all roles and levels were impacted, including directors," Rawan adds. The psychological toll that comes with experiencing a layoff is well-documented. It is not the same as being fired, but it comes with its own set of emotional wounds. For Rawan, shock came first. She spent the last hours of her time at the company reaching out to close colleagues and mentors, thanking them for their support over the years. Then, confusion set in. The day after Rawan lost her job, she spoke to more friends she had at Meta, attempting to "make sense of things." "There was no rhythm or reason," she says. Of course, there was a reason. In an email to staff, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that he "made the hard decision to let people go" in order to "bring our expenses in line with our revenue growth." But Rawan was looking for "patterns," something that would explain how the company chose who stayed, why she was specifically impacted. Ultimately, she realized it might have just been as arbitrary as her start date: She was the newest member of her team. Still, the random nature of such a life-shifting moment felt unfathomable to her at the time. It was especially jarring because she believed she had done everything "right": getting a great education, choosing what appeared to be a stable company and earning high performance reviews. It then became clear to her that the "safety net was an illusion." Now, she sees the randomness of the decision as comforting  it means it wasn't her fault: "I know it's not a reflection of my value or work ethic."

The pivot

The question of what comes next is tough to answer when you lose job security overnight. Rawan first wondered whether she should follow the crowd and post her own layoff story on LinkedIn. She ultimately decided against it, realizing that she was not yet ready to jump into the hunt for a new 9-to-5. She already had plans to travel to South Africa for a friend's wedding and a week post-layoff, she decided that time out of the U.S. could be exactly what she needed even if it didn't feel like the most "financially responsible thing" at the time. The distance from New York City, where she moved in 2021, gave her time to reflect on her career path so far and what she truly wanted going forward. She also had more time to dedicate to her content creation hobby: While at Meta, she had been running social media accounts for personal and professional development. She has a love for making information about college, career and travel opportunities more accessible to under-represented communities. As she began to build her social media platforms, the passion project turned into something else: a living. Though she did not disclose her social media income, Rawan says she is "able to comfortably cover" her expenses. Rawan now has nearly 200,000 followers on TikTok and 60,000 on Instagram, partnering with brands like Microsoft, Glassdoor, LinkedIn and Canva. But to her, the most important perk of her new hustle is the freedom that comes with it: "I don't have to wake up one day and worry about someone firing me." Rawan also now has full control of her time and schedule. Plus, the flexibility of content creation affords her the ability to take on other kinds of work when she wants to. "The benefit of being a content creator is that I don't have to just choose one path," Rawan says. She is now toying with the idea of reentering the corporate world or starting a business of her own. Whatever she chooses, she says that content creation is a career that can be in her back pocket along the way because she built it from scratch and it is fully her own. "Getting laid off has been the catalyst I needed to reevaluate my life, my priorities and my career in a way that I'm certain wouldn't have happened had I stayed at Meta," says Rawan.

The secret to a layoff rebound
The Google logo is seen with the rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and social movements in New York City, June 7, 2022.

Google is distancing itself from a drag performance it planned as the closing event for Pride month after a group of employees circulated an internal petition opposing it, claiming religious discrimination.

Each year, Google sponsors a series of Pride events in San Francisco and other locations for employees and the public. This year, the closing event was a "Pride and Drag Show" featuring popular performer "Peaches Christ," who was scheduled to perform Tuesday at LGBTQ+ bar Beaux in San Francisco to "wrap up this amazing month," according to a now-removed internal description of the event viewed by CNBC.

However, employees noticed the company removed the show from the internal company events page at around the same time a petition began circulating opposing the event, according to internal discussions viewed by CNBC.

A few hundred employees signed the petition opposing the drag performance, claiming it sexualizes and disrespects Christian co-workers, and accused Google of religious discrimination, according to the petition viewed by CNBC. "Their provocative and inflammatory artistry is considered a direct affront to the religion beliefs and sensitivities of Christians," the petition stated, referring to the drag performer.

Google confirmed to CNBC that it no longer categorized the performance as a Google-recognized diversity, equity and inclusion event. The company set up a separate social gathering at Google offices that it is now encouraging employees to attend instead.

An internal team planned the closing drag event "without going through our standard events process," said spokesperson Chris Pappas in a statement to CNBC. "While the event organizers have shifted the official team event onsite, the performance will go on at the planned venue  and it's open to the public, so employees can still attend."

Pappas added, "We've long been very proud to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community. Our Pride celebrations have regularly featured drag artists for many years, including several this year."

The company did not address whether the employee petition played a part in the decision to change its closing event.

The petition states that organizers complained to People Operations, Google's human resources department, and claimed the venue violates one of Google's event guidelines, which bans sexuality explicit activity. The petition also demands an apology from organizers and promoters of the event.

Some employees criticized the petition, saying the complaints were subjective and feed into political culture wars, according to internal discussions viewed by CNBC. Drag shows have been a target of religious and conservative organizations and politicians leading up to the 2024 presidential election. That includes a flurry of legislative proposals backed by GOP governors taking aim at drag events.

Employees also criticized Google leadership for what they viewed as the quiet removal of the event from the internal website and a buckling to petitioners' pressure. A company spokesperson said changes to the event were communicated to a team employee resource group last week.

San Francisco venues host Pride events every June, which is recognized as Pride month, and those events commonly include drag shows of various stage acts. Google is one of many corporate sponsors of various Pride events that also include fireside chats with influential figures and community documentary screenings for the public and employees.

The company's Pride website features several affirmations supporting the LGBTQ+ community with statements such as "A Space to Belong," writing that "a global shutdown reaffirmed our universal need for the inclusive spaces that bring us together and celebrate belonging."
A pilot views a departure board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Christopher Occhicone | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Millions across the country are waking up to more severe weather Tuesday, with hundreds of flights in and out of the East Coast canceled overnight after thunderstorms struck the region and a deadly heat wave smothered the South. More than 715 flights in, to and out of the United States were canceled as of early Tuesday, with almost 280 of those going to and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, according to the online tracker FlightAware. LaGuardia Airport had more than 115 cancellations, while John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than 70 and Boston Logan International Airport had almost 60. Newark, LaGuardia and JFK all warned on Twitter that weather conditions were causing flight disruptions, delays and cancellations as they warned travelers to allow extra time and contact their airlines for updates. The National Weather Service warned that widespread clusters of showers and thunderstorms would hang over the region into the early hours of Tuesday, with another front expected to bring more severe weather.

'It's definitely an adventure'

For Toya Stewart Downey and her family, the severe weather has caused major disruption, turning what was meant to be a direct flight from New York to Minneapolis into a potentially dayslong journey. Stewart Downey, 57, and her two children, Cameron, 24, and Dallas, who will soon turn 16, had been in New York to celebrate the upcoming birthday. When they arrived at LaGuardia around 4 p.m. ET for their 6:30 p.m. flight back to Minneapolis, they noticed a string of flights being canceled due to severe weather, but they held out hope their own journey would not be affected. More from NBC News: 'Planned in plain sight': Senate report finds intel agencies failed in the lead-up to Jan. 6

Plane belonging Russian mercenary chief lands in Belarus, flight-tracking website shows

TikTok announces it will establish a youth council in hopes of building a better platform for teens After hours of waiting, they learned their own flight had been delayed and then canceled due to severe weather, with the next flight available not until Thursday. "We said we'll take any flight to any city," Stewart Downey, a communications director for a school district in Minnesota, said in a phone interview. She said she and her family ended up having to take a Lyft, which she said Delta Air Lines paid for, all the way to Hartford, Connecticut, a nearly 2-hour drive, in hopes of catching a flight to Detroit and then, finally, to Minneapolis. The journey could result in the family not arriving at their destination until Wednesday, she said. "We sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience to their travel plans as weather and air traffic control challenges have impacted our operations," a Delta spokesperson said. "We are working to get them quickly and safely to their destination and encourage them to use the Fly Delta app for the latest updates to their flights." The family had commitments at home in Minneapolis, Stewart Downey said, adding: "We all want to get back as soon as possible." "It's definitely an adventure," Cameron said of the unexpected journey to get to home. She said that after spending almost 9 hours at LaGuardia, and then having to take a Lyft in the early hours of Tuesday, her family was "tired, but I think there's enough to do and figure out that it's not hard to stay awake either." Had they waited for the Thursday flight, she said, it would have "kind of felt outlandish that suddenly, I would have to be in New York for an entire week."

More severe weather on the way

More severe weather is expected in the area, with the weather service warning that a front extending from parts of the Great Lakes/mid-Atlantic to the Southeast and then to the southern Plains was also moving toward the East Coast. The associated front was expected to bring showers and moderate to severe thunderstorms over parts of New York state, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and North Carolina, with a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Northeast/mid-Atlantic through Wednesday morning, the weather service said in a later update. "The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a minimal threat of tornadoes," it said. Already, photos and videos shared on social media appeared to show hail storms in areas in Pennsylvania and North Carolina on Monday. Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Monday that "severe weather is expected across the state this week, bringing with it persistent rain, thunderstorms and the potential to cause flash flooding." "Our state agencies are preparing emergency response assets and we are in close contact with local governments across the state to ensure they are prepared," she said. "I encourage all New Yorkers to monitor their local weather forecasts, pay attention to alerts and plan accordingly." Along the western end of the front moving eastward, showers and severe thunderstorms were expected to develop over parts of southern Kansas, Oklahoma, extreme southwestern Missouri and northwestern Arkansas, the weather service said, adding that an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms was in place for parts of the central and southern Plains through Wednesday morning. "The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes," along with the threat of "two-inch or greater hail," it said. Showers and severe thunderstorms were separately expected over parts of South Dakota and Nebraska.

Potentially record-breaking heat in Texas

As many braced for stormy conditions, residents of Texas and neighboring states continue to face severe heat, which turned deadly after two people died hiking in Big Bend National Park. Excessive heat warnings with triple digit heat indices were expected to continue Tuesday, bringing potentially record-breaking temperatures, the weather service warned. "The stagnant upper-level ridge over the south-central U.S. and resultant multi-week heatwave will not only continue but begin to expand in reach over the next couple of days as the ridge builds northeastward," the weather service said in an online update. "Highs from southeastern Arizona through southern New Mexico and into Texas will remain in the 100s Tuesday, with upper 90s to 100s spreading northward into the Central Plains and Middle/Lower Missouri Valley as well as east into the Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday," it said. Some daily record-tying or even potentially record-breaking highs were "once again possible for portions of Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley. "

Recovery after deadly storm
U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019.

"Significant misconduct" by federal Bureau of Prisons staff made it much easier for sex predator Jeffrey Epstein to kill himself in a New York jail in August 2019, a Department of Justice watchdog said in a new report Tuesday.

The 120-page report, which made eight recommendations to the BOP to address "numerous issues," also said that "the combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures" also led to widespread skepticism about the circumstances of Epstein's death.

And "most importantly," those failures deprived "his numerous victims, many of whom were underage girls at the time of the alleged crimes, of their ability to seek justice through the criminal justice process," the report by the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General said.

The report details how BOP employees failed to check in every 30 minutes on the 66-year-old investor in his cell, lied about their failure to do so and allowed him to have extra clothing.

It also said staff failed to replace a cellmate that Epstein lost on Aug. 9, 2019, the day before he was found dead in his cell in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan. The jail's psychology department had issued a directive that he be given a new cellmate.

Epstein's death came a month after he was arrested on federal child sex trafficking charges.

The city's medical examiner's office ruled shortly after his death that Epstein's injuries were consistent with him hanging himself, rather than from being strangled by another person.
Struggling electric-truck maker Lordstown Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday and said that it would put itself up for sale amid an ongoing dispute over investments that had been promised by Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn.

Shares fell as much as 60% in early trading following the news, but recovered some ground to end Tuesday's session down 17% from Monday's close.

Simultaneously with its bankruptcy filing, Lordstown filed a suit against Foxconn. The company accused Foxconn of fraud and of failing to abide by an agreement that called for the Taiwan-based firm to invest up to $170 million in Lordstown, and for the two to work together on a range of new electric vehicles.

In a statement provided to CNBC, Foxconn said it had hoped to continue discussions to reach a solution that would "satisfy all stakeholders" without "resorting to baseless legal actions." But in light of the litigation and what it characterized as Lordstown's attempts to "mislead the public," it is suspending talks and reserving the right to take legal action of its own.

Lordstown, launched in 2019 with a factory acquired from General Motors and the enthusiastic support of the Trump administration, struck a deal to sell that Ohio factory to Foxconn for $230 million last year. Following the deal, which closed in May 2022, Lordstown and Foxconn agreed to a second deal in which Foxconn would invest up to $170 million in Lordstown, taking a 19.3% stake in the startup.

Foxconn paid the first $52.7 million due under that deal last year. The next payment, of $47.3 million, was due within 10 days of regulatory approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. That approval was secured in late April, Lordstown said  but Foxconn never made the payment.

Instead, Foxconn told Lordstown that the startup had breached the deal by allowing its stock price to fall below $1 per share. Lordstown executed a 1:15 reverse stock split in May, pushing its share price back over the critical $1 mark.

In early May, Lordstown warned investors that a bankruptcy filing was likely if it didn't reach an agreement with Foxconn or acquire additional funding elsewhere. A few days later, Lordstown said that it was nearly out of cash and that it would be forced to stop production of its Endurance electric pickup unless it could find a strategic partner.

Lordstown had just $108.1 million in cash available at the end of March, after losing $171.1 million in the first quarter.
The eyes of the world remain on Russia after Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's attempted mutiny on Saturday posed what many regard as the greatest challenge yet to President Vladimir Putin's two-decade grip on power.

In a speech inside the Kremlin Tuesday, Putin thanked Russia's army and security forces for preventing what he called a "civil war" within the country.

It follows a televised address to the nation on Monday, during which the president called the organizers of the uprising "criminals" and vowed to bring them to justice. He also said the uprising would have been crushed  even if Prigozhin had not cut a deal with the Kremlin that reportedly sees him exiled to Belarus.

The revolt raised questions about Putin's grip on power and what could be next for the country. Some analysts expect a "purge" as Putin looks to reassert his dominance in the country, while many are skeptical that the peaceful exile of Prigozhin and his fellow mutineers will go ahead.

Stateside, President Joe Biden clarified on Monday that the United States was not involved in the aborted weekend rebellion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, called for further support from Western leaders to repel the Russian invasion. European foreign ministers and NATO officials on Monday pledged fresh military support to Ukraine, with the EU's military assistance fund set to increase by 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) to roughly 12 billion euros in the coming years.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy also praised Ukrainian troops later on Monday for advancing "in all directions" after he spent the day visiting soldiers on the frontline in eastern and southern Ukraine.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil giant Aramco is bullish on oil markets for the rest of 2023 as demand from major importers China and India is expected to be strong despite an expected global downturn.

"We believe that oil market fundamentals remain generally sound for the rest of the year," CEO Amin Nasser said at the Energy Asia conference in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

His optimism comes even as the world's largest oil importer China is showing signs of stalling growth, prompting several cuts in the country's key lending rates.

"Despite the recession risks in several OECD countries, the economies of developing countries, especially China and India, are driving oil demand growth of more than 2 million barrels per day this year," said Nasser.

Once the broader global economy starts to recover, the industry's supply demand balances will likely tighten, he projected.

"Although China is facing some economic headwinds, the transport and petrochemical sectors are still showing signs of demand growth," the CEO added.
Baupost Group's Seth Klarman called real estate a "hunting ground" for investors searching for opportunities. "There are hunting grounds that one would want to look," the press-shy Klarman told CNBC's "Squawk Box" in an exclusive interview Tuesday morning. "We think real estate is an area that is full of so many fundamental challenges. But the fundamental challenges have caused urgent selling  you can see a pullback in lending, you can see vacancies in office, troubles in retail for years and years." "That doesn't automatically make it interesting, but it may mean that as other people abandon it, as other people face urgent pressure, there might be opportunities to buy, to inject capital, to make some rescue loans," said Klarman, who manages almost $30 billion in assets. Investors have been steering away from real estate this year. The S & P 500 sector is down nearly 1%, even as the broader index is 12% higher. Regardless, the hedge fund manager says there are opportunities for investors willing to take a closer look. "And we hover around looking for opportunity, trying to meet counterparties that are eager to transact. We think we're a great counterparty for them because we can move quickly. We can write any size check," the 66-year-old Harvard and Cornell graduate said. Klarman is a long-time proponent of value investing, which has drawn him comparisons to Warren Buffett. Last year, the billionaire investor posted a mid-single-digit decline, outperforming the S & P 500's double-digit retreat, according to a Financial Times report .
Seth Klarman has some words of advice for regular investors who are following the guidance of Warren Buffett, and others, and are putting their money into stock index funds. "You don't want to go into index funds, experience a bad market and then bail out," the founder of the Baupost Group said Tuesday on CNBC's " Squawk Box " in a rare interview. "That's what investors tend to do. They get in at the wrong time and they get out at the wrong time, so investors who go into index funds should go in with the idea they are going to stay through thick and thin." Studies have shown the damage investors can do to the value of their portfolios if they try to time the market instead of staying invested for the long term. Bank of America calculations found that since the 1930s, if investors missed the 10 best market days of each decade, their returns would be reduced to just under 30% from more than 17,000% for those who stayed invested. In other words, when using index funds, you have to stay in the markets to capture the upside when it comes. The notable value investor also gave one other word of caution on index funds. Even he agreed they were a good vehicle for the unsophisticated investor with their focus on low costs. .SPX ALL mountain S & P 500 long term "I think one of the critical things about the long-term return for investing is that it depends on the entry price. So, if you enter when the market is very expensive at a high valuation, you may be disappointed because you might match the index, but the index may not do very well from there," said Klarman. So, putting all your money into index funds in one shot could be disappointing if you happen to do it at the top of a bull market. Many financial advisors recommend steady buying over time when investing in index funds. Klarman is the editor of the recently released seventh edition of Benjamin Graham and David Dodd's investing classic "Security Analysis."
In this grab taken from video and released by Prigozhin Press Service, June 23. AP-Yonhap



The leader of the Wagner mercenary group defended his short-lived insurrection in a boastful audio statement Monday as the Kremlin tried to project stability, with authorities releasing a video of Russia's defense minister reviewing troops in Ukraine.



Yevgeny Prigozhin 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 Russia's 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 wasn't 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 couldn't 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.





A Russian woman watches Russian President Vladimir Putin's video address to the Nation on a tv screen in Moscow, Russia, June 26. EPA-Yonhap



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.



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, 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 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 Putin's confidence and could be replaced.





Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, second right, holding a meeting with officers in an undisclosed location is seen in this June 26 Russian state television broadcast footage. AFP-Yonhap



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 war's longest and bloodiest battle.



Prigozhin's 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 Ministry's 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 Wagner's camp, prompting them to move sooner.



Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said on Twitter that 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 the military leadership.



While Prigozhin could get out of the crisis alive, he doesn't 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 Russia's troops suffer low morale. Wagner's forces were key to Russia's only land victory in months, in Bakhmut.





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. Reuters-Yonhap
Protesters in Seattle join a Starbucks Workers United strike over what the union alleges is a change in policy over Pride decor in stores. Starbucks maintains it has not changed its policies and encourages stores to celebrate within the company's security and safety guidelines, while the union alleges workers in 22 states have not been able to decorate.

Starbucks fired back Monday at the union that represents baristas at hundreds of its stores, filing charges with the National Labor Relations Board over Starbucks Workers United's allegations that dozens of its stores were not allowed to put up Pride month decor.

The charges come after employees of some Starbucks locations started picketing Friday in response to the claims. More than 150 stores pledged to join the strikes around the country, representing nearly 3,500 workers, Workers United said. Starbucks has more than 9,000 company-owned cafes in the U.S.

The union has alleged instances in at least 22 states where managers have told baristas they can't decorate for Pride month in June, or where Pride flags were taken down. The company has said it has not changed its policies on decorations.

In the NLRB complaint Monday tied to the union's allegations, Starbucks said the "union and its agents have engaged in a smear campaign that includes deliberate misrepresentations to Starbucks partners."

"The union's violations have ignited and inflamed workplace tension and division and provoked strikes and other business disruptions in Starbucks stores," Starbucks said in the filing. "The union's unlawful campaign includes, without limitation, making deliberate misrepresentations that include maliciously and recklessly false statements about Starbucks' longstanding support of Pride month and decorations in its stores. The union has knowingly and falsely stated that Starbucks has banned all Pride decorations from its stores."

In a second filing with the NLRB responding to the union's depiction of benefits for LGBTQ+ workers, the coffee giant said, "Starbucks continues to provide its partners with industryleading gender affirming care benefits. The union has knowingly and falsely stated that Starbucks eliminated or changed the benefits coverage for its LGBTQIA2+ partners."

The union said it filed a charge of its own in response to the allegations that stores were barred from decorating. It said some of the strikes were tied to those accusations along with its claims that Starbucks is stalling in labor negotiations.

The first Starbucks location unionized in December 2021, and more than 300 stores so far have voted in favor of a union. But the sides have not agreed to a contract at any store. For its part, Starbucks maintains Workers United has responded to only a quarter of the more than 450 bargaining sessions Starbucks has proposed for individual stores nationally, and said it is committed to progressing negotiations toward a first contract.

The union has said Starbucks is stalling contract negotiations. On Friday, it said, "despite having our non-economic proposals for over 8 months and our economic proposals for over a month now, Starbucks has failed to tentatively agree to a single line of a single proposal or provide a single counter proposal."

Starbucks Workers United's latest NLRB filing alleges Starbucks "failed to bargain in good faith" by without notice "eliminating" or "prohibiting" Pride decorations at organized Oklahoma City stores and "refusing to bargain" with the union over the move and its effects. It also said the company refused to "furnish information relevant to bargaining over" the alleged moves to prevent employees from putting up decorations.

Workers United said it was confident the charges Starbucks filed would be dismissed and called them a "public relations stunt meant to distract from Starbucks' own actions."

"Every single charge that Starbucks has filed against our union has been dismissed by the NLRB for lacking merit.  Watch what Starbucks does, not what it says," the union said in a statement.

"While attacking the union that represents its own workers, Starbucks has now changed its policies in response to worker actions. If Starbucks truly wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith," Starbucks Workers United added.

Starbucks took additional steps Monday to communicate to employees that its policies on decor in stores had not changed. Managers are given safety and security guidelines and can make decisions within that framework.

Starbucks says it has and continues to encourage stores to celebrate heritage months with partners, including Pride.

"I want to reiterate that there has been no change to any of our policies as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners. To further underscore this, we intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines, and leveraging resources like the Period Planning Kit (PPK) and Siren's Eye, for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand," Sara Trilling, executive vice president of Starbucks North America, said in a message to partners sent Monday. "No one can take away our legacy and our continued commitment to being a place where we all belong."

"Throughout our journey, we have heard from our partners that you want to be creative in how our stores are represented and that you see visual creativity in stores as part of who we are and our culture," Trilling said. "Equally, we have also heard through our partner channels that there is a need for clarity and consistency on current guidelines around visual displays and decorations."

In response to Trilling's message, Alisha Humphrey, national worker leader from Oklahoma City, said in a statement to CNBC, "We are glad that Starbucks is folding in response to our nationwide strike, and we view this as a major victory in our fight to hold Starbucks accountable."

"However, at my store, there was a clear policy change when we were told that pride decorations were not allowed and I am tired of being gaslight by this company. Moreover, our strike is about more than pride decorations," Humphrey added. "This strike is about the fact that me and my co-workers voted for a union and, despite Starbucks being legally required to bargain with us, they have refused to do so. This is about Starbucks threatening benefits, intimidating us, and making us feel unwelcome in our own workplace. Our union isn't damaging Starbucks' legacy  Starbucks is doing that all by themselves."

The clash over Pride decorations in Starbucks stores comes as states across the country have passed a string of laws targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender Americans. Conservative consumers have boycotted inclusion of or marketing to transgender people by brands such as Bud Light and Target.

The allegations by the Starbucks union suggested that backlash had reached Starbucks, which has long had a reputation as a liberal bastion in corporate America and touted its health benefits for LGBTQ+ workers.

 CNBC's Amelia Lucas contributed to this report.
A man walks out of a Walgreens pharmacy in New York City, March 9, 2023.

Check out the companies making the biggest moves in premarket trading.

Walgreens Boots Alliance  The retail pharmacy chain sank about 7% after the company lowered its full-year earnings guidance to $4 to $4.05 per share from its previous forecast of $4.45 to $4.65 per share. It also reported adjusted earnings per share for its fiscal third quarter of $1, missing a Refinitiv forecast of $1.07.

Kellogg  Shares added 2.5% in premarket trading after an upgrade from Goldman Sachs to buy. The firm said Kellogg was "mispriced" compared with the potential growth opportunity offered to investors.

Lordstown Motors  Lordstown Motors tumbled 61% in the premarket after the U.S. electric truck maker filed for bankruptcy protection and sued Taiwan's Foxconn for a deal that came apart.

Delta Air Lines  The travel stock added about 1% in premarket trading after Delta forecast full-year adjusted earnings of $6 per share, at the high end of previous guidance. The company cited strong demand and customers trading up to more expensive share classes as reasons for the more optimistic outlook.

American Equity Investment Life  The stock jumped 15% in premarket trading after Bloomberg reported Canadian investment firm Brookfield was close to making a deal to buy the insurance firm for approximately $4.3 billion.

Eli Lilly  Shares gained 1.5% in the premarket. Eli Lilly released clinical results Monday that showed its experimental drug retatrutide helped patients lose up to 24% of their weight after almost a year.

Host Hotels & Resorts  Shares fell nearly 2% following a downgrade by Morgan Stanley to underweight from equal weight. The Wall Street firm said it expects deteriorating trends in key markets and higher competitive supply versus its peer group.

 CNBC's Sarah Min, Brian Evans, Jesse Pound and Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Passengers wait at the Newark Liberty International Airport as more than 2000 flights were canceled due to the nationwide storm in New Jersey, United States on June 27, 2023.

Flight disruptions mounted Tuesday as severe storms and staffing issues kicked off a rocky start to summer.

More than 7,700 flights U.S. flights were delayed Tuesday and nearly 2,200 were canceled, FlightAware data showed, as thunderstorms that derailed thousands of trips over the weekend lingered in airspace that is heavily congested on a clear-weather day. That's on top of more than 8,800 U.S. delays and close to 2,250 cancellations Monday.

The Federal Aviation Administration paused flights bound for New York's LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Delays were averaging three hours or longer at those airports. The FAA said that the thunderstorms were blocking arrival and departure routes.

The disruptions come ahead of the busy Fourth of July holiday travel period, when millions are expected to fly. The Transportation Security Administration said it could screen more travelers than in 2019, before the pandemic, raising competition for spare seats.

The Biden administration has pressured airlines to improve their operations after widespread flight disruptions last spring and summer, which prompted carriers to trim their overambitious schedules. But the industry struggled to recover this past weekend from a series of thunderstorms that didn't let up for days.

Thunderstorms are difficult for airlines because they can form with less warning than other major weather obstacles like winter storms or hurricanes. Rolling delays could force crews to reach federally mandated workday limits and further worsen disruptions.

About 30,000 flights have arrived late since Saturday, FlightAware data showed, with cancellation rates from Saturday through Monday up more than three times the average for the year.

Some airline executives have also blamed some of the disruptions on shortages of air traffic controllers.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby told staff on Monday that "the FAA frankly failed us this weekend." He said that during Saturday's storms the FAA reduced arrival rates by 40% and departures by 75% at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, one of the airline's biggest hubs.

"It led to massive delays, cancellations, diversions, as well as crews and aircraft out of position," Kirby wrote in a staff note, which was seen by CNBC. "And that put everyone behind the eight ball when weather actually did hit on Sunday and was further compounded by FAA staffing shortages Sunday evening."

An FAA spokesman said in a statement, "We will always collaborate with anyone seriously willing to join us to solve a problem."

The staffing challenges aren't new. The Covid-19 pandemic derailed hiring and training of new air traffic controllers, and the agency is now trying to catch up.

The Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General said in a report last week that air traffic control staffing shortfalls put air traffic operations at risk. In March, the FAA and some airlines agreed to reduce flights to help ease congestion at busy New York airports because of the staffing issues.

But the problems persist at a time when airlines are readying crews and schedules for a busy summer season, fueled by sustained travel demand.

And the disruptions frustrated flight crews who were left waiting on hold for reassignments.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents flight attendants at United and others said in a memo to members Monday that hold times for crew scheduling were longer than three hours.

"There is an absolute recognition by Union leadership and Inflight management that something must be done in order to permanently address these adverse situations resulting from irregular operations," the union said.

In response to the union's memo, United said it has "deployed all available resources to catch up on call volume, including increasing staffing in crew scheduling and mandatory overtime on the scheduling team."

The airline is offering flight attendants triple pay to pick up trips between June 27 through July 6, according to a message from their union.

New York-based JetBlue Airways also faced high levels of flight delays over the past few days and acknowledged it can improve how it handles disruptions in a note to crew members Monday, which was reviewed by CNBC.

Don Uselmann, vice president of inflight experience at JetBlue, said the airline could have updated crew reporting times more efficiently so staff wouldn't be waiting for flights and reducing wait times for hotel assignments.

"Summer peak is officially underway, and extreme weather events, ATC staffing constraints, and the resulting delays will put all airlines to the test," he said in his note. "This weekend's [irregular operation] won't be our last, but the combination of events put acute pressure on the operation and made it more challenging than most."
Supersizer | E+ | Getty Images

How term and permanent life insurance differ

Life insurance is a form of financial protection that pays money to beneficiaries, such as kids or a spouse, if a policyholder dies. Term insurance only pays out a death benefit during a specified term, perhaps 10, 20 or 30 years. Unless renewed, the coverage lapses after that time. By contrast, permanent insurance policies  such as whole life and universal life  offer continuous coverage until the policyholder dies. They're also known as cash value policies since they have interest-bearing accounts.

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Permanent insurance is generally more costly, advisors said. Policy premiums are spread over a longer time, and those payments are used to cover insurance costs and build up cash value. "Term insurance will probably be the most cost-effective way to address survivor income needs, especially for minor children," said Marguerita Cheng, a CFP based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, also a member of CNBC's Advisor Council. Premiums can vary greatly from person to person. Insurers base them on a policy's face value and the policyholder's age, gender, health, family medical history, occupation, lifestyle and other factors.

Reasons you may need permanent life insurance

There are three main reasons it may make more sense to buy a permanent policy, despite the higher premiums, said McClanahan, founder of Life Planning Partners. This would aim to ensure there's an insurance payout upon death, no matter when that occurs. For example, some beneficiaries such as kids with special needs may need financial help for a long time, and a policyholder's lifetime savings wouldn't be adequate to fund their needs, McClanahan said. Some policyholders may also want to leave a financial legacy for family or charities. Additionally, others may have a relatively minor health complication with the potential to worsen later. At that point, the policyholder may be uninsurable, in which case, it'd be beneficial to buy a permanent policy today to ensure coverage later, McClanahan said.

Most people just need term insurance. Carolyn McClanahan founder of Life Planning Partners

Some shoppers buy permanent life insurance for the cash value, thinking they can borrow against that cash value or use it as a retirement savings account. But that's a "horrible reason" to buy a permanent policy, said McClanahan, adding that the primary reason for buying a policy is always for an insurance need. For one, there may be taxes and penalties for accessing a policy's cash value. Withdrawing or borrowing too much money from a permanent policy could cause the policy to lapse inadvertently, meaning the owner would lose their insurance. Policyholders should instead treat the cash value as an emergency fund at the end of one's life, as the last asset someone taps, similar to home equity, McClanahan said.

How to determine life insurance amount and term
Thailand is awaiting the formal appointment of Pita Limjaroenrat as its new Prime Minister after his Move Forward Party swept the Thai elections in May.

Thailand's leading prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat said on Tuesday he has enough support in the upper house to become the country's next premier, just days ahead of the new parliament's first session.

Pita, the leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, faces an uncertain path to the premiership despite scoring a stunning victory in a May poll that saw Thais reject nearly nine years of military-backed government.

His eight-party alliance together has 312 seats in parliament. Under the constitution, to become prime minister, Pita needs at least 376 votes in a joint sitting of the bicameral legislature, including the 250-member upper house, most of whom were chosen by the military when it took power in 2014.

When asked on Tuesday how much Senate support he had secured, Pita said: "enough for me to become prime minister."

Doubts have lingered over whether Pita has enough support because of his party's controversial proposal to amend Thailand's strict royal insult law or lese majeste. Move Forward has said the law, which prescribes up to 15 years of jail for perceived offences against the monarchy, is used as a political tool against opponents of the current government.

The stance has antagonized country's royalist establishment and old-money elite, including the conservative-leaning Senate.

The party was in the process of explaining its position to senators ahead of the July parliamentary vote, said Pita.

"Amending the law in keeping with society's context is not something that will stop government formation," he said.

After convening on July 3, parliament is expected to vote on a prime minister on July 13.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump addresses The Faith and Freedom Coalition's 2023 "Road to Majority" conference in Washington, U.S., June 24, 2023.

Hours after the release of an audio tape in which Donald Trump discusses a classified document that he kept after leaving office, the former president intensified his attacks on the special counsel who oversees the probe that led to Trump's historic indictment.

In an all-caps social media post Tuesday morning, Trump decried the criminal charges that have been filed against him in federal court and asked "somebody" to "explain" his position to special counsel Jack Smith, "his family, and his friends."

A spokesman for the Department of Justice declined to comment on Trump's latest broadside against Smith, who was tapped last year to lead multiple criminal investigations involving the former president.

Trump was indicted on charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of classified documents and efforts to keep them from the government after leaving office. He pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts, including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Trump's post claimed that "as president of the United States, I come under the Presidential Records Act," instead of the Espionage Act, which is the law cited in 31 of the counts against Trump. Fact-checkers have disputed Trump's characterizations of both laws.

That statement on Truth Social was not the first time Trump has referenced Smith's personal circle. On the morning of his arraignment in federal court in Florida, the ex-president wrote that Smith is a "Trump Hater, as are all his friends and family." That post also asserted without evidence that materials found in the boxes of records at the center of the classified documents case were "probably 'planted.'"

Trump's latest post followed the Monday night release by CNN of an audio recording of a July 2021 meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey, in which Trump references a document that he says is "highly confidential" and "secret." NBC News obtained the audio recording Tuesday.

"This was done by the military, and given to me," Trump said in the tape, which was recorded months after he left the White House. Trump indicates that the document has to do with a plan of attack on Iran.

"As president I could have declassified it. Now I can't," he said in the recording.

Trump was reportedly speaking to a writer and publisher who were working on a book about former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Two of Trump's staff members were also present.

None of them had security clearances or any need to know the classified information referenced by Trump, according to the indictment, which references a transcript of the recording.

In a Fox News interview last week, Trump said "there was no document" and that he was referring to "newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles."

When asked about the newly released audio in a subsequent interview with Fox published Tuesday afternoon, Trump said, "I said it very clearly  I had a whole desk full of lots of papers, mostly newspaper articles, copies of magazines, copies of different plans, copies of stories, having to do with many, many subjects, and what was said was absolutely fine."

"We did nothing wrong. This is a whole hoax," Trump told Fox.

Trump's attacks on Smith fit the pattern and style that the former president has employed against many of his other legal and political foes.

He has regularly fired rhetorical salvos against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is leading a separate, state-level criminal prosecution against Trump in connection with hush money payments made before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump in April pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in that case. Ahead of that court appearance in Manhattan, Trump targeted the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, accusing him and his family of being "Trump haters."

Smith is overseeing a separate probe of the facts surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and the post-presidential transfer of power in 2020. No charges have yet been filed stemming from that investigation, which is ongoing.
Walt Nauta, aide to former president Donald Trump, disembarks Trump's airplane, known as Trump Force One, in Bedminster, New Jersey, following a court appearance at Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Miami, June 13, 2023.

Donald Trump aide Walt Nauta has been unable to find a local Florida lawyer to represent him in the criminal case against him and the former president over the retention of classified government documents.

Nauta's arraignment Tuesday in Miami federal court was postponed until July 6 to give him more time to hire a local attorney to represent him, as required by court rules for such a proceeding.

Nauta did not appear in court for Tuesday's truncated hearing because his flight from New Jersey was canceled, his out-of-state lawyer Stan Woodward told Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres, according to a court filing.

Woodward, whose legal practice is based in Washington, D.C., declined to comment when asked by CNBC why his client has not yet hired a Florida attorney.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Tuesday he does not know if former President Donald Trump is the "strongest" Republican candidate to compete against President Joe Biden in 2024.

"Can he win that election? Yeah he can," McCarthy said on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "The question is, is he the strongest to win the election?"

"I don't know that answer," McCarthy said.

"But can anybody beat Biden? Yeah, anybody can beat Biden. Can Biden beat other people? Yes, Biden can beat them. It's on any given day," he added.

The remarks on CNBC offered a rare lapse in McCarthy's usually firm posture of support for Trump. McCarthy leads a narrow House Republican majority that includes sizeable factions loyal to the former president.

Spokesmen for Trump and McCarthy did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the speaker's remarks.

Trump is the clear frontrunner in the Republican presidential primary. National polls consistently show him outpacing his nearest rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, by hefty double-digit margins.

But Trump also lost to Biden in the 2020 election, was impeached twice, has spent years spreading false claims of widespread election fraud and has seen his latest White House bid rocked by two criminal indictments.

After the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, which led to Trump's second impeachment in the House, McCarthy initially said Trump bore some responsibility. But the GOP House leader met with Trump shortly afterward, and has since been a consistent defender of the former president.

Trump endorsed McCarthy for speaker in January, urging skeptical Republicans to consolidate support around the California lawmaker.

On Friday, McCarthy said he supported a proposal to expunge both of Trump's impeachments.

In his Tuesday morning appearance on CNBC, McCarthy offered praise for Trump's agenda over the Democratic incumbent's.

If Trump is the nominee, then on "sheer policy to policy, it's not good for Republicans  it's good for America," McCarthy said. "Trump's policies are better, straightforward, than Biden's."

He acknowledged that Trump's legal exposure, from two criminal cases and multiple other active investigations, "makes it complicated."

In an interview later Tuesday with Breitbart News, McCarthy offered more full-throated praise of Trump, saying the former president "is stronger today than he was in 2016."

McCarthy accused news outlets of "attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans."

"The only reason Biden is using his weaponized federal government to go after President Trump is because he is Biden's strongest political opponent, as polling continues to show," McCarthy told Breitbart.
Here are Tuesday's biggest calls on Wall Street. Citi reiterates Meta as buy Citi raised its price target on the stock to a Street-high $360 per share from $315 and said it's bullish on the company's Reels product. "With Reels ad loads reaching 17% QTD per our proprietary tracking, and our view that the broader online advertising market is stable-to-improving based on our attendance at the Cannes-Lions Festival of Creativity last week, we are raising our '24 ad projections and price target to $360 on shares of our top-pick Meta ." Read more about this call here. Bank of America reiterates Roblox as buy Bank of America said Roblox is the "Metaverse" category leader. "We see an extended runway for mid-20% growth as users worldwide adopt Roblox's Metaverse, in a virtuous cycle that will draw developers, brands, and merchants to the platform." Goldman Sachs upgrades Kellogg to buy from neutral Goldman said it sees the stock as mispriced. "We upgrade K to Buy, as we see a stock mispriced for the growth potential it offers investors; we see opportunity to exploit the dislocation we believe this exacerbated concern has created and recommend investors buy this secularly advantaged growth stock on sale." Oppenheimer reiterates Nike as outperform Oppenheimer said it's standing by its outperform rating heading into earnings later this week. "Overall, as we consider this week's forthcoming quarterly announcement from NKE , we are optimistic that a combination of now downbeat investor sentiment and prospects for still solid underlying trends should position shares well for potential 'pop higher' near term, all the while helping to create a stronger foundation for continued gains, over the next several months." Bank of America reiterates Disney as buy Bank of America said it's standing by its buy rating on the stock. "We remain confident that Disney has the proper mix of IP, content library/rights, brand value, park expansion opportunities and leadership to manage through the present challenging environment and position the company for future growth." Bernstein reiterates Tesla as underperform Bernstein said it's not very optimistic that Tesla's entry into electric vehicle charging will help the company's margins. "We see EV charging as a low barrier-to-entry business, which likely points to relatively low margins and ROI." Wolfe initiates Frontier Communications as outperform Wolfe said the cable and communications company has "leading speed and reliability." "Our investment thesis hinges on Frontier's advantages in service of perpetually rising consumer data demand. Frontier's network passes 15M homes, of which Frontier is upgrading 10M+ to fiber." JPMorgan upgrades Coterra to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said shares of the hydrocarbon energy company are attractively valued. "We view CTRA's commentary at our conference as among the most positive in our coverage group, and we come away with increased confidence in the company's operations going forward." Bernstein downgrades Alibaba to market perform from outperform Bernstein said the setup looks too challenging right now for Alibaba. "We upgraded Alibaba a year ago on the basis that the stock had discounted perpetual low growth, and that reopening would help support growth via better category mix. Alibaba's shares have traded in a range since  but while they remain cheaply valued, perpetual low growth no longer feels like an aggressive bear case." Citi reiterates Micron as buy Citi said it's standing by its buy rating heading into earnings Wednesday. "We expect the company to miss F3Q23 Consensus and guide F4Q23 below Consensus given DRAM market weakness (73% of F22 sales) and the China ban. However, we still believe Micron fundamentals are driven by the DRAM cycle and expect a DRAM recovery in 2H23 driven by undersupply regardless of the China ban." Bernstein downgrades Alphabet to market perform from outperform Bernstein downgraded the stock mainly on valuation. "To many investors (and sell-siders), Google's stock is akin to a warm hug. Yet every so often Google's stock appears fairly valued just as it does today, with a balanced risk/reward and narrative that has quickly caught up to fundamentals, driving Google's stock up +40% from November lows. It's time to move to the sidelines." Wells Fargo initiates Unity Software as overweight Wells Fargo said in its initiation of Unity Software that it sees an attractive buying opportunity. "Waning metaverse hype and questions around IS (right asset, wrong price, inopportune time) have overshadowed a meaningful mobile cross-sell opportunity, cost synergies, and Industry TAMcreating an attractive buying opportunity." Evercore ISI upgrades Saia to outperform from in line Evercore said in its upgrade of the transport company that the risk/reward is skewed to the upside. "But in those rare cases where results may actually hold in (beat?!), and a long-term story is improving, the risk does appear skewed to the upside (even if a stock has vastly outperformed YTD). As such, we upgrade SAIA to Outperform." Barclays reiterates Eli Lilly as overweight Barclays raised its price target on the stock to $500 from $420 and says its oral obesity drug is best in class. " Lilly incretin pipeline bests even high expectations into ADA, emerging with reinforced leadership supported by best-in-class oral." Northcoast upgrades Wingstop to buy from neutral Northcoast said it's getting more bullish on the stock after a meeting with company management. "We are raising our rating for Wingstop to BUY from NEUTRAL following our meeting with Wingstop CFO Alex Kaleida last week in Dallas. We left the meeting encouraged that Wingstop's growth strategy in play will sustain industry-leading performance." JPMorgan initiates Cars.com as overweight JPMorgan said the online auto marketplace is a "safe place to hide." "We initiate on CARG and CARS at OW as we believe the auto marketplace sector is a relatively safe place to hide in the current macro backdrop given undemanding valuation and some cyclical support as new car inventory builds and both dealers and consumers look to get increasingly efficient in buying and selling vehicles." Jefferies initiates Roper as buy Jefferies said in its initiation of the diversified tech company that it provides a "cushion against a softening macro." " ROP is a diversified portfolio of 27 businesses serving niche end markets in noncyclical industries. The majority of ROP's assets are software-based and mission critical to end users, providing cushion against a softening macro." Bank of America reiterates Analog Devices as buy Bank of America said the stock has "best-in-class free-cash flow generation and returns." "With ADI FCF margin well above TXN, we see room for multiple expansion, especially as ADI reverses 2-3 points of headwinds from various items."
Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., speaks during the House Republicans press conference on the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in the Rayburn Room in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

WASHINGTON  A bipartisan congressional delegation led by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers landed in Taiwan on Tuesday for a three-day visit, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. The Alabama Republican was joined on the trip by several members of the committee, including its ranking member, Adam Smith, D-Wash., as well as several committee members and other lawmakers. The delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday, according to the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit comes at a sensitive time for America's relationship with China, its largest trading partner and strategic competitor in political, economic and security arenas. Taiwan is at the center of a broader effort by Washington to contain China's military and diplomatic expansion throughout the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy, but China views Taiwan as a province of the Chinese mainland. Beijing considers any attempt by Taiwan's leaders to act independently of Beijing as a threat to Chinese sovereignty.

Who's in the congressional delegation to Taiwan Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee

Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii

Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla.

Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn.

Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C.

Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala.

James Moylan, Republican, Guam's delegate to the House

Rogers' trip to Taiwan marks at least the third time this year that members of Congress have made public trips to the island, but the first time Rogers has done so. The fact that Rogers chairs the committee charged with funding and oversight of the U.S. military likely won't be lost on Beijing or Taipei. A spokeswoman for the House Armed Services Committee declined to comment on the trip. Congressional visits to geopolitically sensitive areas like Taiwan are typically kept under wraps until the delegation arrives, and any public comments about the trip are usually reserved until after it is over. Rogers' visit to Taipei comes as the Biden administration is taking several steps aimed at stabilizing the bilateral relationship with China, which reached a low point in February, after the United States shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in June, a trip that was originally scheduled for February, but postponed in response to the spy balloon dust-up. At that point, "the relationship was at a point of instability, and both sides recognized the need to work to stabilize it," Blinken said at a news conference at the end of his June visit. "My hope and expectation is: we will have better communications, better engagement going forward," he added.
Germany soldiers take part in the bilateral Lithuanian-German military exercise 'Griffin Storm' at the General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area in Pabrade, Lithuania, June 26. AFP-Yonhap



Berlin is ready to station a 4,000-strong army brigade in Lithuania permanently in coordination with NATO defense planning following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the German defense 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 defense will finalize in 2025."



Germany already leads NATO's multi-national battlegroup in Lithuania, a reinforced battalion of some 1,000 troops.





German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, left, visits soldiers taking part in the bilateral Lithuanian-German military exercise "Griffin Storm" at the General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area in Pabrade, Lithuania, June 26. AFP-Yonhap
German soldiers take part in the bilateral Lithuanian-German military exercise "Griffin Storm" at the General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area in Pabrade, Lithuania on June 26, 2023. Petras Malukas | Afp | Getty Images

The fallout of the Wagner Group's short-lived armed rebellion has raised the alarm among Europe's Baltic countries. A weekend of chaos posed what many regard as the greatest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's authority in his more than two decades in power. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the notorious boss of the Wagner private mercenary group, launched an apparent insurrection on Saturday, sending an armored convoy toward the Russian capital. The 24-hour revolt was abruptly called off, 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. Speaking alongside his counterparts from Latvia and Estonia on Tuesday, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that the speed of the Wagner uprising underscored the strategic importance of strengthening NATO's eastern flank. "I think apart from showing the reality of the political instability in Russia, they showed also an additional factor of how fast can detachments within Russia mobilize and move within its territory," Landsbergis said at a news conference in Paris. "Our countries' borders, all three of ours, are just hundreds of kilometers away from the activity, meaning that it would take for them eight to 10 hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus, somewhere close to Lithuania, somewhere close to Estonian border  and that gives you an idea how we [view] this situation."

Germany has offered to send around 4,000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to bolster NATO's eastern flank. Petras Malukas | Afp | Getty Images

Landsbergis warned that Russia's political crisis was "creating a more volatile and more unpredictable environment" in the Baltic region. "Therefore, our request has always been, we need to take the defense and also the deterrence of the Baltic region very seriously." Germany on Monday offered to send around 4,000 troops to Lithuania on a permanent basis to bolster NATO's eastern flank, an announcement that has since been welcomed by lawmakers in Vilnius. Ahead of a NATO summit to be held in the Lithuanian capital on July 11-12, Landsbergis said Germany's offer to permanently station troops in the country does not mean other areas of defense should be taken lightly. Standing alongside French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Landsbergis said the French government could be an "invaluable partner" in strengthening the air defense capabilities of the Baltic countries.

Sabotage activities from Belarus 'cannot be excluded'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who on Monday met with Lithuanian and German troops training together in Pabrade, Lithuania, reiterated that the military alliance stands ready "to defend every inch of Allied territory." Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year had already fueled concerns about the regional security of the Baltic region. That's because, despite being member states of both NATO and the European Union, the geographic location of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania makes them vulnerable. Like Ukraine, they all share a border with Russia. Notably, Latvia and Lithuania also share a southern border with Belarus, an ally of Russia in the Kremlin's war with Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who on Monday met with Lithuanian and German troops training together in Pabrade, Lithuania, has reiterated that the military alliance stands ready "to defend every inch of Allied territory." Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

A jet linked to Wagner's Prigozhin, a former ally of Russia's longtime president and a man known as "Putin's chef," was reported to have arrived in Belarus from Russia on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear whether the mercenary boss was on board, however. Mario Bikarski and Federica Reccia, Russia and Ukraine analysts at the Economist Intelligence Unit, told CNBC that Prigozhin's role in Belarus was unlikely to pose a direct threat to NATO members. "However, given the use of hybrid warfare techniques by Prigozhin and the Wagner group in the past  including meddling in US presidential elections  the coordination of subversive and sabotage activities from the territory of Belarus cannot be excluded," they said. A spokesperson for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry was not immediately available to comment.

Regional security concerns

Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics described the Wagner rebellion as an example of "one evil fighting another evil." "We need time to assess how this is going to impact the internal situation in Russia but also how this is going to impact regional security," Rinkevics said Tuesday. The minster added that Latvia's government had listened "very carefully" to Putin's defiant address on Monday evening, the Russian president's first remarks since the Wagner Group's attempted revolt.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the country's top security officials, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (3L), in Moscow on June 26, 2023. Gavriil Grigorov | AFP | Getty Images

Putin's suggestion that Wagner fighters could move safely to Belarus was another regional security issue that must be taken seriously, Rinkevics said. In a separate statement to CNBC, a spokesperson for Latvia's Foreign Ministry said the government was closely following internal developments within Russia. "The recent instability is an internal matter of Russia and the result of the policies and decisions of [Vladimir] Putin and his ruling elites. But it makes Russia increasingly unpredictable, and Latvia as a neighbouring country must stay vigilant," the spokesperson said. They added that confirmation of the presence of the Wagner Group in Belarus would constitute an additional argument to "significantly strengthen" sanctions against the Lukashenko regime and to reinforce the security of the EU and NATO member states bordering Belarus and Russia. Russia's Foreign Ministry was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26)  The provincial government of Albay plans to partner with private water refilling stations to provide clean water to Mayon evacuees.

According to Albay Provincial Health Office (PHO) Sanitary Engineer William Sabater, access to clean water for domestic use and drinking remains the topmost concern of the provincial government in its Mayon disaster response.

"Importante 'yung quality of water that we have to provide our evacuees so that we could ensure na walang waterborne diseases outbreak na mangyayari sa evacuation centers," he said.

[Translation: It is important to provide good quality of water so that we could ensure that there will be no waterborne disease outbreaks in evacuation centers.]

Sabater said he agrees with the provincial governments plan to provide drinking water to evacuees from refilling stations.

"We could ensure the quality of the water kasi dumaan siya ng water treatment process, na 'yung tubig na iinumin o gagamitin ng mga evacuees would be safe to drink," he added.

[We could ensure the quality of the water because it went through a water treatment process, that the water the evacuees will drink or use is safe.]

According to Sabater, refilling stations were also the evacuees' source of water during the 2018 Mayon eruption, adding that there was no waterborne disease outbreak during the period.

A partial evacuation report from the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) on Monday showed that 20,063 individuals (5,745 families) have evacuated from the volcano's six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

APSEMO head Cedric Daep clarified that they will extend the mandatory evacuation radius to seven kilometers if Mayons alert status is raised to Level 4, and to eight kilometers if it is raised to Level 5.

'Increasing volcanic earthquakes'

In its 4 p.m. advisory on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it has recorded 102 volcanic earthquakes on Mayon volcano since Sunday.

"Some of the analyzed earthquakes that could be located emanated from the summit lava dome, indicating origins from lava extrusion processes at the crater," Phivolcs stated.

The country's most active volcano is currently under Alert Level 3, as it continues to exhibit a high level of unrest, including low-frequency earthquakes and slow effusion of lava from the crater.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26)  The Department of Justice has alerted the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to be on the lookout for prison guards allowing inmates to sneak out of the facility.

This was prompted by an incident at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where a detainee and six security personnel were arrested for leaving the detention center without permission.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said they have already talked to BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang about the matter.

This is not only a lesson for us dito sa NBI. We will take this investigation to the BuCor as well to make sure none of this happen as well there. Dahil nakita ho natin yung dynamics dito sa NBI na possible rin nangyayari rin sa BuCor [Because we've seen the dynamics here at the NBI, which could possibly be happening at the BuCor as well], Clavano explained.

Clavano also pointed out that inmate Jad Dera, who was arrested after his trip outside his detention facility in the NBI, was enjoying privileges in exchange for hundreds of thousands [of pesos] as payment.

Clavano said they will investigate everyone, including the head of the detention center who is currently suspended.
CNN Philippines (Metro Manila, June 26) -- Some farmers are hesitant about planting rice this coming season, amid the state weather bureaus warning that El Nino could begin as early as next week, which could lead to supply problems next year.

READ: PAGASA may declare start of El Nino next week

Camarines Norte and Southern Leyte could see a drought by the years end, while 36 other provinces could face a dry spell, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Dito sa Tiaong [Quezon] yung ibang parte ng barangay na umaasa sa ulan ay di nagtanim, Danilo Guevarra, president of the Farmers Association in Tiaong town, told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: Here in Tiaong, some parts of the barangay dependent on rain arent planting this season.]

Sumibol man ang palay, mamulaklak man ito at nakaturo na ang uhay, ibig sabihin walang laman ang uhay nito, Quezon province farmer Rene Cerilla said.

[Translate: Even if the rice grows and its flowers bloom, if the ear is pointed this means it's empty.]

Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives national manager Raul Montemayor said that rice stock would be stable until December but warned that grain inventories would shrink.

This could lead to major rice supply problems in the lean months of July to September next year, especially if farmers stop planting, he said.

He added that rice import costs have gone up because top exporters will also be hit by dry spells.

Vietnam and Thai [Thailand] prices have gone up by 5% compared to January, February this year. 5% translates to 2 per kilo landed in Manila with tariff. Yun ang increase sa [thats the increase in] import prices, Montemayor said.

Meanwhile, PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section Chief Ana Solis explained that El Nino doesnt always mean absence of rain.

It just gives you the possibility na mas mataas ang potential na may reduction ng tubig-ulan na posibleng mauwi sa dry spell or drought. May ulan pa din po tayo, she said.

[Translation: It just gives you the possibility of greater reduction in rainwater which could lead to a dry spell or drought. But there will still be rain.]

Montemayor pointed out that a dry season that isnt too intense might even be good for the crop.

When you say less than normal rain because of the onset of El Nino, if it is not a very intense El Nino, it will actually be good for palay. Walang masyadong masisira sa sobrang ulan [There wont be as much damage due to rain], he said.

CNN Philippines correspondent Lois Calderon contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 26)  As far as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is concerned, the Marcos administration has not done much in the past year to address current issues facing the education sector.

For one, ACT said the Department of Education has yet to fulfill its promise to lessen the workload of public school teachers by hiring non-teaching personnel to take on administrative tasks.

"Walang items na na-create for non-teaching (personnel) for the past year. So, kung may non-teaching man na pumasok sa schools, ito ay mga contractual paid under maintenance and other operating expense ng school or ng local government unit, na ibig sabihin maliit na pa-sweldo, pero hindi po ito sustainable, ACT secretary-general Raymond Basilio said in a press conference on Monday.

[Translation: There are no items created for non-teaching personnel for the past year. So, if there are non-teaching personnel in schools, these are contractual employees paid under maintenance and other operating expenses of the school or the local government unit, which means small salaries, but it is not sustainable.]

During his campaign, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to increase the salary of public school teachers.

The group, however, said no concrete actions have been taken yet to secure a pay hike for teachers after this year as the government implements the last tranche of salary increase for government employees, including public school teachers, under the Salary Standardization Law.

ACT Party-list Representative France Castro said there are pending measures seeking to increase the salary and benefits of teachers but none have been certified as urgent.

"Karamihan sa amin ang daming may utang, iba nga ay nagpa-part time Grab driver na dahil sa liit ng sueldo, yung iba nagtitinda sa loob ng paaralan, ACT chairperson Vladimir Quetua said.

[Translation: Most of us have a lot of debts, others are part-time grab drivers because of the small salaries, and others are selling within school.]

Education spokesman Michael Poa said the department is working on additional non-financial benefits for teachers, including free legal aid.

He also assures the ACT that the agency is now hiring 5,000 non-teaching personnel to help teachers with clerical tasks. Poa added the DepEd also plans to allocate funds for the same purpose next year.

Ang hina-hire natin na admin personnel yung hiningi sa budget last year at hihingin ulit sa budget this year. Hindi po sila contractual, plantilla positions po iyan. Thats why its a discussion with DBM because they also create these plantilla items, Poa explained.

[Translation: The admin personnel that we hired were funded from last years budget and we will ask the budget again this year. They are not contractual but plantilla positions. That's why it's a discussion with DBM because they also create these plantilla items.]

The group also slammed the education department for worsening conditions in public schools such as classroom congestion and lack of learning materials.

"Yung iba sa amin 80-100 students sa isang class ang ratio at para sa atin hindi ito ligtas at hindi mabibigay ang conducive learning environment, ACT NCR Union president Ruby Bernardo said.

[Translation: Some of us have a ratio of 80-100 students in a class and for us it is not safe and does not provide a conducive learning environment.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  The chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said they are conducting an impact assessment of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, adding that one party might be non-compliant.

What I have been given is some latitude to actually present a cumulative impact assessment of different individual projects. We are undertaking that. We need to evaluate the cumulative impact of all of those projects together, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said when asked about President Ferdinand Marcos position on Manila Bay reclamation.

Last May, the Philippine Reclamation Authority said that 22 applications for reclamation projects had been processed so far, with some of them securing approval, or up for implementation, and subject to compliance.

Loyzaga said the DENR is already looking at compliance for those that have already begun working and also calling them in.

There are discussions ongoing for at least one party, she said when asked if the DENR has spotted some violations.

They will be called in for a technical conference to see whether may explanation sila sa mga in-observe na (they have an explanation on) potential non-compliance, the DENR chief added.

Late last year, Senator Cynthia Villar slammed the DENR for allowing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, which also reaches Cavite, despite worsening flooding in the capital.

READ: Villar lashes out at DENR over reclamation projects
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 27)  The Sandiganbayan found a former water district official from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur guilty of pocketing over 10 million in public funds through a bogus water supply improvement project in 2011.

The court convicted Tugaya Water District general manager Jamaloden Faisal of graft and malversation of public funds.

"Aside from the fact that the accused was able to gain possession, custody, or control of the said funds, the prosecution was also able to prove that the alleged water supply improvement project of the Tugaya Water District was neither implemented nor partly completed," the anti-graft court's Third Division said in its decision dated June 23.

State prosecutors said Faisal used his position to open a bank account for the office and withdrew the funds intended for the project for personal use.

They presented the disbursement voucher, acknowledgment receipt, withdrawal slips among other bank documents to prove Faisal acquired the money.

"Accused Faisal himself proffered no evidence to dispute or rebut the abovementioned facts and circumstances against him," the court said.

"Neither did he offer any evidence to explain where the LWUA-drawn funds, over which he had custody, were used," it added.

Faisal was sentenced to up to 40 years in prison and is perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of 10,074,680 million or the amount he took plus 6% interest per year until fully paid.

Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno wrote the decision with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez.
Craftsmen work on bamboo weaving handicrafts in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province. GT





By Cui Fandi







In the watery villages along the southern part of the Yangtze River, bamboo is a major part of people's daily life. Before Wuzhen, a village in East China's Zhejiang Province, became famous for tourism and the World Internet Conference, it was a major handicraft town with a centuries-old history of bamboo weaving.







Since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Wuzhen bamboo weaving has made a name for itself. At that time, several craftsmen from Wuzhen were invited to serve at the imperial court. Later, the number of practitioners, bamboo ware houses and factories in the small town boomed. Bamboo weaving as a trade thus became one of Wuzhen's long-term labels.







However, the nationwide rise of plastic products in the late 1990s marginalized the bamboo weaving industry. The widespread use of plastics led to the complete closure of bamboo factories, and the historical status of bamboo products was then quickly replaced.











An inheritor of bamboo weaving, Qian Jihuai recalled to the Global Times that the handicraft in Wuzhen was rapidly declining at that time.







Between 1985 and 1993, Wuzhen's bamboo weaving industry witnessed its last massive boom, Qian said. At that time, there were at least 400 households in the village dedicated to bamboo weaving. Craftsmen wove bamboo into a variety of daily necessities and sold them to buyers all over the country.







Now, however, only about 20 families in the town are still engaged in bamboo weaving, as demand for daily necessities made from bamboo has continued to shrink, Qian said.







What we're about to tell is not a conventional story of "Renaissance." It does not end with a historical legacy finally triumphing over the "soulless modern industrial assembly line." However, Qian has indeed found a way to keep it going.







In 2007, Qian, at the age of 27, quit his job working for a company and followed his father, Qian Xinming, to engage in bamboo weaving full time. At that time, it was the era of the decline of bamboo weaving in Wuzhen so his father was always considering ways to make a living with the craft.







He came up with the idea of linking bamboo weaving with Wuzhen's tourism industry. He applied for a store at a tourist attraction and then tried to weave some Chinese characters out of bamboo as tourist souvenirs. It turned out that tourists loved these novel souvenirs.







Qian and his father therefore saw this as a new path to promote bamboo weaving and began developing related products. They traveled to other towns in China with a tradition of bamboo weaving and studied and researched extensively on the development of bamboo weaving in other countries.







"We gradually discovered that there was a lot of room for the expansion of bamboo weaving as an art," Qian said.







A bamboo weaving decoration / GT









Although these non-traditional bamboo weaving products have proven successful, the Qians have encountered many difficulties during this transition.







Bamboo weaving is a craft in which craftsmen are the most important element, Qian said. However, there were few workers who are able to combine decorative artistic elements in bamboo weaving.







"Most of the craftsmen in the village who were engaged in bamboo weaving were elderly people. They were used to weaving everyday items and their skills were rather crude," Qian said.







"It was difficult for them to make the transition to artistic bamboo weaving."







In addition, although bamboo weaving has a long history, Qian had no access to systematic knowledge, let alone scholars.







"In the entire province, there were only five books on bamboo weaving that I could borrow from the library," he said.







"And the internet was not well developed at that time, if you wanted to learn about non-traditional bamboo weaving, you could only go out into the field."







The plight made Qian more determined than ever to train more talent, as well as archive Wuzhen bamboo weaving techniques and historical heritage, so that no one would have to go through the difficulties he had encountered.







When Wuzhen bamboo weaving was named as an intangible cultural heritage of the city in 2010, the related departments involved were surprised by the innovations that the Qian family had introduced. Some officials even recommended the Qians' bamboo weaving artworks to various exhibitions.







During the 2nd Wuzhen Internet Conference in December 2015, Wuzhen bamboo weaving was presented at the press reception dinner, receiving great attention from global media. Exquisite Wuzhen bamboo weaving was thus brought to the world stage.











As Wuzhen bamboo weaving was rising to an art form, Qian stuck to his ideals.







He set up his own bamboo weaving studio with his father and brother, brought systematic bamboo weaving classes to schools, and introduced bamboo weaving skills to more people through online livestreams. In his studio, the Zhuyun Workshop, 15,000 visitors study bamboo weaving and take part in learning experiences every year.







Qian, however, refuses to idealize the future of Wuzhen bamboo weaving. When he entered the industry more than a decade ago, he felt that a gradual decline was the future of bamboo weaving. In 2023, his thoughts on the matter remain unchanged.







"Mass production is out of the question," he said.







"Those bamboo products that were historically common are no longer needed. If some new products emerge that need to be produced through mass manufacture, this goes against the history of bamboo weaving. Traditional bamboo weaving has lost the soil on which it was built."







So what is the point of all this effort?







"It's not very realistic to say that we're going to develop a lot of bamboo weaving talent or to drive a lot of people into the industry," he told the Global Times.







"While we, and the craft of bamboo weaving will survive, we'll probably only help a small number of people make a living, and that's good enough for me."







"Even though there may be fewer real bamboo weaving practitioners, and even people who pay attention to bamboo weaving because of momentary media exposure may leave, this historical legacy of bamboo weaving will not die out," Qian said. "I have learned that we Chinese are born with the feelings for bamboo and bamboo weaving art. The feelings are inherent." (Global Times)











This article was originally published on Global Times.
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Serhii Zinko, a 12 year-old boy, waves a national Ukrainian flag to a military car on the highway near Lyman, Ukraine, Monday. AP-Yonhap



Russia summarily executed 77 civilians being held in arbitrary detention during its invasion of Ukraine  killings which constitute war crimes, the United Nations said Tuesday.



Since the invasion, the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented 864 individual cases of arbitrary detention by Russia  763 men, 94 women and seven boys  many of which also amounted to enforced disappearances.



"We documented the summary execution of 77 civilians while they were arbitrarily detained by the Russian Federation," Matilda Bogner, head of the mission, told a press briefing in Geneva.



"It is a war crime... it's also a gross violation of international human rights law," said Bogner, speaking via video-link from Uzhhorod in western Ukraine.



"Clearly there are more" summary executions than the mission was able to document, "but we don't expect it to be enormous numbers," she added.



'Widespread' torture



The U.N. human rights office published a 36-page report on civilian detentions in the war, based on the mission's findings. It covers the period from the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 last year until May 23 this year.



"Russian armed forces, law enforcement and penitentiary authorities engaged in widespread torture and ill-treatment of civilian detainees," said Bogner, presenting the report.



More than 91 percent of civilians detained by Russia told interviewers they had been subjected to torture and ill treatment, and in some cases sexual violence including rape and electric shocks to genitals.



"Torture was used to force victims to confess to helping Ukrainian armed forces, compel them to cooperate with the occupying authorities, or intimidate those with pro-Ukrainian views," said Bogner.



The torture methods used included punching and cutting detainees, strangling, waterboarding, electric shocks, deprivation of water and food, putting sharp objects under fingernails and mock executions.



Conflict-related detainees were also subjected to so-called welcome beatings and random group beatings, the report said.



Detainee numbers 'much higher'



The report's findings were based on 1,136 interviews with victims, witnesses and others, plus 274 site visits and 70 visits to official places of detention run by Ukrainian authorities.



Ukraine gave the monitoring mission unimpeded confidential access to official places of detention and detainees, with one exception. Russia did not grant such access, despite requests.



Bogner said that beyond the documented cases of civilians being arbitrarily detained, "clearly the numbers are much higher."



In around a quarter of the known cases, civilian detainees were transferred to other locations within Russian-occupied territory or deported to Russia, she said.



More than half of those civilians arbitrarily detained have been released, while some remain "disappeared", said Bogner.



Ukrainian detentions



Besides those held by Russia, the mission documented 75 individual cases of arbitrary detention of civilians by Ukrainian security forces, mostly of people suspected of conflict-related offences.



A significant proportion of these cases also amounted to enforced disappearances, perpetrated mainly by the Security Service of Ukraine, said Bogner.



"Over half of those arbitrarily detained were subjected to torture or ill-treatment by Ukrainian security forces. This happened while people were being interrogated, usually immediately after arrest," she said.



The mission has not documented any summary executions of civilian detainees by Ukrainian forces.



The report said grave violations of the human rights of conflict-related detainees, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, "must be immediately halted."



Russia must "immediately cease the summary execution of civilians and take necessary measures to guarantee its non-repetition", the report said. (AFP)


India summons Pakistan envoy over incidents of violence against Sikh community

The Indian government issued an official summons to a senior diplomat of the Pakistan High Commission to lodge a strong protest over the recent incidents of attacks against members of the Sikh community in that country, sources said.

India apparently stated that investigation reports of the attacks on members of the Sikh community should be shared. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@PublicDiplomacy

It has been conveyed to the diplomat that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities who live in "constant fear of religious persecution", sources said.

Four incidents of attacks on Sikh community members have taken place between April and June and India has taken serious note of these incidents, they said.

"India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on Sikh community with sincerity, and share the investigation reports," said a source.

India apparently stated that investigation reports of the attacks on members of the Sikh community should be shared. It has also been conveyed that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution.

On March 31, a 35-year-old Sikh shopkeeper was killed in the outskirts of Peshawar by an assailant inside his shop.

In April, a 50-year-old Sikh man who was on his morning walk in Lahores Nawab Town neighbourhood was shot by gunmen on a motorcycle.

In the same month, two more Sikh men were shot and killed in Peshawar. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had claimed that Pakistans enemies were responsible for the incident and vowed to eradicate them from the face of the earth, Dawn newspaper had reported.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had said in May that that was not the first time that the Sikh community in KP has been targeted and we demand that the KP police identify and arrest the perpetrators promptly.

HRCP strongly condemns the killing of two Sikh men in Peshawar in the space of 48 hours and demands a swift investigation into the incident. pic.twitter.com/F5VDrBQ8ff  Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) June 26, 2023

In the latest incident, another Sikh shopkeeper was shot down by unknown men in Peshawar on June 25. This was after an attack on another Sikh, but who managed to survive with minor injuries.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded a swift investigation into the incident. (with PTI inputs)
Stop 5: 2023 China RACC Expo Global Promotion

The Indonesia International Seafood and Meat Expo (IISM) and the Indonesia International Cold Chain Expo (ICE) opened in Jakarta on 10 May 2023 and lasted for four days. The Expo was a great success, attracting over 200 exhibitors from many countries and regions around the world.

The Expo was held independently in 2023. On the first day of the Expo, it attracted more than 200 exhibitors from many countries and regions around the world, and many dealers and potential buyers came one after another. Visitors continued to be enthusiastic as they stopped to admire and discuss the Expo.

PANASONICBARCOINSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNGALPHA JWCNAYATITOPRE REFRIGERATORKRAMA YUDHAPOLYTRONINTI ALBINDO SUKSES

Some of the well-known companies such as PANASONICBARCOINSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNGALPHA JWCNAYATITOPRE REFRIGERATORKRAMA YUDHAPOLYTRONINTI ALBINDO SUKSES, etc attended the Expo as well.

Chinese pavilion in the spotlight at IISM and ICE

Enterprises from China include Brother Ice, HPEOK Refirgeration, Tianyi, Sifang, Dofun, Grant, Zhigao, Xingnuo, Fosco, Qingdao Jialunfeng, Guangzhou Icesource, etc. They showcased highly innovative products and technologies at the Expo, bringing more professional and systematic solutions to the food refrigeration industry, becoming the focus of the Expo and attracting many overseas buyers to stop by and consult and discuss cooperation.

Shandong Dofun Refrigeration Technology Co., Ltd

Shenzhen Brother Ice System Co., Ltd

Zhejiang Xingya Heating Tech Co., Ltd

Nantong Sinrofreeze Equipment Co, Ltd

Guangzhou Zhigao Freeze Equipment Co., Ltd

Ningbo Grant Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd

HPEOK Refrigeration Co., Ltd

Jiangsu Fusco Environmental Technology Co., Ltd

Qingdao Tianyicool Co., Ltd

Guangzhou Icesource Co., Ltd

Overseas buyers are looking forward to meeting at RACC 2023

With a population of 271 million, Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and the largest economy in ASEAN. Rapid economic growth has been taken place in Indonesia in recent years. Although the foundation of Indonesia's refrigeration industry is weak, the local market's demand is huge. Indonesia's small refrigeration units, air conditioners, refrigeration equipment, refrigeration and air-conditioning accessories and other products almost all rely on imports. It came into effect that Indonesia offered zero tariff treatment to more than 700 tariff numbers of our products since 2 January 2023. The supply chains of the two countries are more complementary. Both sides will cooperate deeply to create more opportunities for future bilateral trade prospects in the field of refrigeration and cold chain.

As the professional cold chain expo in Indonesia, the RACC organising committee also seized this opportunity to promote the exhibition, introducing RACC to exhibitors and buyers and extending sincere invitations at the exhibition site.

RACC staff took photo with the Indonesia Expo organiser Titi

We are the exclusive agent and the only organiser of the expo in China, providing quality services to Chinese exhibitors on site, which gained widely recognition from the clients. Through face-to-face invitations to visitors, we have also received positive responses from many buyers and exhibitors in the Indonesian Exo, who have expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation with Chinese suppliers and looked forward to visiting RACC2023 for exchange or purchasing.

The RACC organizing committee distributing materials and inviting buyers at the site
Simon Pegg doesnt care to look back on his early work. If anything, the Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz star calls nostalgia a neurological disorder. And no, he doesnt want to have a nice cold pint and wait for this to blow over at the fucking Winchester.

Last summer, the creative duo of Pegg and his once-and-maybe-not-future collaborator Edgar Wright reunited in their native England to explore the possibility of adding a fourth entry to their shared filmography after nearly a decade of separate massive Hollywood success since the finale of what they named The Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. Between the inaugural Shaun of the Dead, the beloved Hot Fuzz and the concluding The Worlds End, the director and writer/star pair produced some of the most iconic comedies of the 21st century  and then they moved on.

Whatever Edgar and I do next, were not going to rely on what weve done before, Pegg told The Guardian, explaining that progress on their next film has slowed significantly. He added cheekily, I like the idea of pissing people off. Theres something fun about torching everything. Everything that people think we are, thats what we wont be. First item to be torched  his fans.

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If I ever do an Instagram Live or whatever, people are always like, I need Shaun of the Dead 2 in my life, Pegg complained of the Cornetto stans who still spam his social media posts with a small rotation of quotes and GIFs from movies he wrote 20 years ago. Im like, No, you dont fucking need Shaun of the Dead 2! The last thing you need is Shaun of the Dead 2! Its done. Move on!

Pegg, who has appeared in the last four Mission: Impossible movies, acknowledged a moment of historical irony stemming from an interview he and Wright gave after the release of Shaun of the Dead, in which he was asked whether his newfound Hollywood success would steal him away from his roots. Pegg boldly declared, Its not like were going to go away and do, I dont know, Mission: Impossible III, shortly before the Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia title card flashed Simon Pegg Does Mission: Impossible III.

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Pegg acknowledged the irony of the gaff, explaining that it came from a place of frustration that his authenticity could be called into question. Or as he put it, At that time, there was this attitude that anyone who went off to Hollywood was betraying their roots in some sense or selling out. Its not like you cross some misty bridge at night and never come home again. So many people assume that I live over there. But, you know, I live in Hertfordshire.

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Despite his devotion to his home, one thing Pegg doesnt do anymore is look back  the former nerd icon admitted that hes aged out of his old image, saying, I dont feel like Im that geeky guy any more, particularly. I dont have the same interests I had when I was 35 or 40 even. Id much rather watch Succession than some sci-fi.

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Later on in the interview, Peggs frustration with his fans demands of a return to the kind of action-comedy projects that put him on the map turned into anger at the nostalgia-dominated media landscape as a whole, saying hes sick of this culture of infantilised adulthood, all these grown-ass men arguing about fucking superheroes online, and meanwhile the world is falling apart in so many different ways. And thats why we will all go to hell. Because no one will grow the fuck up any more. Everybodys so plugged into being a child, you know?

So, yep, no Shaun of the Dead 2 for you. I mean, how else will we all grow up?
Much like an eight-year-old boy, the French wont let the absence of genitals stop them from making Barbie and Ken fuck.

For some strange reason, the country that gave the art of cinema such giants as Jean-Luc Godard and Agnes Varda also contributed a bizarre tradition to the international movie market  every time an American movie studio plans a French release for a film, the French translate the titles and poster copy into strange phrases that confound and delight movie buffs on both sides of the Atlantic. For instance, the French think The Hangover is called Very Bad Trip, and Cool Runnings is actually Rasta Rocket  though they might be onto something with the latter.

Unfortunately, the upcoming mononymous movie Barbie leaves little to be lost in translation, which is why French importers interpreted the tagline Shes everything, hes just Ken into a double entendre that can be loosely translated into, She knows how to do everything. He just knows how to fuck.

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The clean interpretation of the tagline, Elle peut tout faire. Lui, cest juste Ken, simply means, She can do everything. Hes just Ken. However, in France the word ken is slang for fuck, since the French famously have so few ways to describe sex.

The Hollywood Reporter detailed the linguistics at play in the indecent idiom, noting how a French marketing professional shot down the suggestion that the double entendre was the unintentional result of a high-school-level-French-speaking American intern poorly executing on their assignment. Its definitely deliberate; theres no way a French speaker wouldnt have noticed the dirty pun, the unnamed executive said. Its sort of genius, really, that they slipped that in.

Pretty sure Kens the one slipping it in there, Frenchie.
Hong Kong: Alice Mak meets Hubei official

Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak today met Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the Hubei Provincial People's Government Director-General Zhang Xiaomei to discuss enhancing youth exchanges between Hubei and Hong Kong.

Welcoming the delegation led by Ms Zhang to Hong Kong, Miss Mak said Hong Kong and Hubei have frequent contact and close ties in areas including finance, innovation and technology, and tourism.

Both places established a high-level government co-operation mechanism in 2021 to support Hong Kong youths to join exchange activities in Hubei, which has rich historical and cultural resources, so as to deepen their understanding of national affairs and history as well as to cultivate their sense of national identity.

The home affairs chief said she looks forward to exploring proposals to jointly promote youth exchanges with Hubei to provide more opportunities for Hong Kong youngsters to travel there and see for themselves the countrys latest developments.

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese colleges face head-on with AI-generated research papers

Xinhua) 15:11, June 27, 2023

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- It was the night before the deadline and Cheng Guangyu, a Beijing college junior, was still four research papers away from meeting the academic requirements of the semester. However, as if by miracle, Cheng submitted all the papers the following day without delay.

Tech-savvy people may know this "miracle" by the name of ChatGPT. For students like Cheng, who didn't bother to look up source materials, add citations or even do their own typing, ChatGPT is a thing of wonder.

"I just fed ChatGPT the general research directions and let it finish the papers all by itself," said Cheng. "It did a better job than I ever could."

ACADEMIC WRITING WITHOUT "WRITING"

Cheng was not the only college student in China who took advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In colleges across the country, a growing number of students are resorting to AI-writing applications when doing homework or writing research papers, with some going as far as finishing their graduation theses with the help of AI.

On Chinese online experience-sharing platforms like Zhihu, many netizens shared stories about how their AI-generated papers won the praise of tutors, further proving the popularity of this writing method.

However, fantastic as it may sound, AI-assisted academic writing has its limitations. One college student in Hunan felt that AI writing tools can only be useful in polishing articles, for they were not competent enough in illustrating innovative ideas.

On the other hand, AI can sometimes be too "innovative." "If looking closely at the citations of some AI-generated academic writings, one can spot that nearly all the critical information, including the names of authors and publications, are fabricated," said He Shiming, a professor at Changsha University of Science and Technology. "Even some of the historical events referenced in these papers are nonexistent."

CURSE OR BLESSING?

The popularity of AI-assisted academic writing has triggered a series of debates among experts, particularly college teachers. Currently, several Chinese higher education institutions have made their own stipulations regarding the matter. But people still couldn't seem to agree on whether using AI-assisted writing is a novel research method or an act of academic dishonesty.

Some experts consider AI writing as just another handy tool brought by the advancement of technology. Yang Zhiping, a professor at Northeast Normal University, summarized his experience using AI writing. He said that conversations with an AI model fed with enough material helped him clarify his research approaches.

"It's like exchanging views with an expert who is extremely knowledgeable," said Yang. "The collision of thoughts can be helpful in developing new academic ideas."

However, some college teachers argue that the convenience of AI-assisted writing can cause students to become dependent on it when conducting academic research, which will lead to the deterioration of academic atmosphere.

On this matter, Fu Weidong, a professor at Central China Normal University, said that any AI-generated thesis should be reviewed in accordance with existing academic standards as well.

According to Fu, AI writing is a technology based on collecting and processing existing knowledge, and therefore can't avoid repeating the thought or even exact texts from existing academic works. "Once the repetition reaches over the allowed level, it should be considered plagiarism," Fu said.

ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Facing the irreversible development of AI use in academic writing, experts believe that measures should be taken to standardize the application of advanced technology.

It is necessary to specify the scope and extent of AI use in writing, rather than just prohibit the tool, according to Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute in Beijing.

Xiong also suggested that universities should introduce courses on the use of AI writing tools to inform students of the standards, methods, and ethics of AI-aided academic writing.

In a bid to detect AI-assisted academic plagiarism, efforts should be made to the research and development of related software which can identify whether an essay is "written" by AI writing tools, said He.

The education sector should pay more attention to cultivating students' problem-solving mindset and enhancing their capability of observing, understanding, and analyzing nature and society, instead of making academic writing a matter of formality, said Xie Di, an associate professor with the School of Public Administration, Hubei University.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nimesh Patel says Tucker Carlson took his Joe Rogan interview out of context following an overblown insensitivity incident at a college show. In one stupid story, we filled our entire Cancel Culture Caterwauling bingo card.

The first Indian-American writer in Saturday Night Live history has a new YouTube special, Lucky Lefty OR: I Lost My Right Nut and All I Got Was This Stupid Special, in which he follows an important rule handed down to him by Hannibal Burress  You got to talk about it right when it happens. One week after he had his right testicle surgically removed in reaction to a cancer diagnosis, he was onstage at the Comedy Cellar in New York building what would become his latest and best hour of stand-up.

This isnt the first time Patel has had limited space to process adversity before duty called him up to the mic  in 2018, he was kicked offstage at a Columbia University comedy event in a viral incident shortly before he was set to film a separate set in New York, and the controversy quickly became one of the hot-button topics in the cancel culture complainer circuit. Patel turned down offers to appear on numerous conservative platforms before deciding to tell his side of the story on The Joe Rogan Experience, a clip from which was used without Patels permission in the promo for a Tucker Carlson-produced documentary earlier this year.

People wanted to make me a martyr, Patel told The Last Laugh Podcast, clarifying that his not-cancellation cannot be co-opted by anyone  especially any idiot who thinks comedy is dying.

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In 2018, student organizers from Columbia Universitys Asian American Alliance invited Patel to perform a set at an event hosted by the club. About 20 minutes in I said something that some of them found a bit offensive, which at the time I never found offensive and still dont find offensive, Patel told The Last Laugh Podcast, recalling how he quipped that ones sexuality clearly couldnt be chosen because Black people can be gay, too -- Nobodys doubling down on hardship, said Patel. Later on in the set, those same student organizers interrupted Patels performance to ask him to leave, despite the majority of the young progressive audience taking no issue with Patels act. A video of the cut-short set quickly disseminated on the internet, with commentators on each end of the political spectrum projecting their own ideas onto the awkward incident.

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If I was gonna talk about it, it was going to be on the biggest platform possible, Patel said of his newfound massive media attention, electing to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience to explain the situation. During the talk, Patel walked through his initial anger at being asked to leave in the middle of a performance, as well as the gratitude he felt when many members of the student audience reached out to him after the event in order to express their own frustration and show their support.

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People were DMing me from the show, saying, Were so sorry that happened, thats so fucked up, Patel told Rogan, That gave me a beat to be like, Alright, maybe everyone isnt this way. The comic concluded his thoughts on the matter by saying, Its so easy to buy into the shit that everyones a soft motherfucker.  To me, this Columbia incident, even (among) the students there, it seemed like the exception rather than a rule of like, Everyones a soft person.

Earlier this year, former Fox News demagogue Tucker Carlson launched a documentary defense of comedians who cover controversial topics in The Death of Comedy?, stealing quips and quotes from unwitting comics who never agreed to join his crusade. Patel, who turned down an offer to appear on Carlsons show after the 2018 incident, appeared in the promotional video for the documentary in the form of a clip from his telling of the story on JRE, saying, And then one girl goes, We think youre not entitled to make the jokes youre making. Patel quickly shot back at Carlson on Twitter, saying, Hey clown, your whole documentary is wrong. I see you only used my Rogan clip because I said no to your producers. This take is stupid.

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Talking to The Last Laugh, Patel explained his full thoughts on the ordeal and its aftermath, including the attempts to lionize him as a victim of cancel culture, saying, I had the same sentiment then that I do now about people trying to hype this idea that comedy is dying, and that you cant say anything that you want, or whatever the hell it is. He posited, I dont know how these people sustain the argument when there are right-wing millionaire podcasts. There are people who are fully bona fide right wingers going on national tours and selling out. What is dead? What are you talking about?

Patel in no way considers himself canceled  though, perhaps hed like to be. Last I checked, Chappelle is still selling arenas out, He said, So if thats getting canceled, then cancel me.
An ongoing malware campaign has been pushing the Android banking Trojan, Anatsa, to online banking customers in the US, the UK, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, according to research by cybersecurity firm ThreatFabric.

The threat actors are distributing their malware via the Play Store, and already had over 30,000 installations as of March. The focus of the ongoing campaign is banks from US, UK, and DACH, while the target list of the malware contains almost 600 financial applications from all over the world, ThreatFabric said in its research.

"ThreatFabric is aware of multiple confirmed fraud cases, with confirmed losses caused by Anatsa, due to the Trojan's very advanced device takeover capabilities, which are able to bypass a wide array of existing fraud control mechanisms," ThreatFabric said.

Multiple droppers on Google Play in four months

In March, the threat actors launched a new malvertising campaign that would entice victims to download Anatsa dropper apps from Google Play. Researchers identified the dropper application on the Google Play Store used to deliver Anatsa on infected devices, posing as a PDF-reader application.

"Once installed, such an application would make a request to a page hosted on GitHub, where the dropper would get the URL to download the payload (also hosted on GitHub). The payloads would masquerade as an add-on to the original application (similar to what we have seen in previous campaigns)," ThreatFabric said.

Shortly after the researchers reported this dropper to Google, it was removed from the store. However, within a month the actors published another dropper, posing as a PDF viewer.
Researchers warn that a vulnerability patched this month in VMware Aria Operations for Networks, formerly known as vRealize Network Insight, is now seeing exploitation en masse. The flaw allows for remote code execution through command injection and is rated with critical severity.

New data from Akamai shows the scale of active scanning for sites vulnerable to CVE-2023-20887 is much greater than originally reported, researchers from Akamai told CSO via email. There have been 695,072 total attacks thus far by 508 unique IP addresses. Akamai has also observed more than 27,000 of its customers' sites being scanned.

Not the only VMware Aria Operations flaw

VMware released patches for the CVE-2023-20887 vulnerability on June 7, along with fixes for two other flaws in Aria Operations for Networks, one of which is also critical and can lead to remote code execution. While CVE-2023-20887 is a command injection flaw, the second vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2023-20888, is a deserialization issue. In programming languages, serialization is the process of transforming data into a byte stream for transmission to another application and deserialization is the reverse of that process. Because deserialization routines involve the parsing and interpretation of user-controlled data, they have been the source of many vulnerabilities.

Attackers can exploit both CVE-2023-20887 and CVE-2023-20888 if they have network access to the vulnerable application, but the latter also requires the attacker to have "member" role credentials to perform the attack, which makes it less practical to expose.

The third vulnerability, CVE-2023-20889, is a command injection vulnerability that can lead to sensitive information disclosure and is rated 8.8 (High) on the CVSS severity scale.

VMware advises customers to deploy the patches available for their respective version as soon as possible. The company has updated its advisory on June 13 to warn that exploit code for CVE-2023-20887 was released and again on June 20 to warn that active exploitation has occurred in the wild. According to Akamai and telemetry from attack monitoring service GreyNoise, since then the number of attacks have increased.
The number of fileless or memory-based attacks that exploit existing software, applications, and protocols have surged 1,400% in the last year. That's according to Aqua Security's 2023 Cloud Native Threat Report, which summarizes research and observations of threat actors' changing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), along with outlining strategies for protecting cloud environments.

Based on analysis by Aqua Nautilus researchers of 700,000 real-world attacks, the report covers three key areas: software supply chain, risk posture (including vulnerabilities and misconfigurations), and runtime protection. Among key findings is that threat actors are heavily investing resources to conceal campaigns and avoid detection to establish a stronger foothold in compromised systems. Meanwhile, various areas in the cloud software supply chain remain vulnerable to compromise and pose significant threats to organizations, the report stated.

Threat actors use multiple techniques to conceal campaigns

Threat actors are using many techniques to conceal their campaigns from agentless solutions, according to the report. Aggregated honeypot data collected over a six-month period showed that more than 50% of attacks focused on defense evasion. Attacks include masquerading techniques, such as files executed from /tmp, and obfuscated files or information, such as dynamic loading of code. In addition, threat actors used memory resident malware in 5% of attacks, Aqua said.

The most persuasive evidence of threat actors' increasing and successful efforts to evade agentless technology was found in the "HeadCrab" campaign, detected in early 2023. "This advanced threat actor uses state-of-the-art, custom-made malware that is undetectable by agentless and traditional antivirus technologies," the report read. Aqua found evidence that HeadCrab has taken control of at least 1,200 Redis servers, some of them belonging to security companies. "The malware uses Redis commands and creates new commands to increase capabilities on its victims' servers." Such evasive attack techniques highlight the importance of agent-based runtime security, Aqua said.

4 steps to tackling evasive, concealed attacks

Assaf Morag, lead threat intelligence researcher for Aqua Nautilus, advises businesses to implement four steps to mitigate the threats of attacks that use evasion/concealment to avoid cloud security defenses:

Regularly monitor and analyze logs. "Collect and analyze logs from various cloud services and infrastructure components, Morag says. Implement a robust log management system and employ security information and event management (SIEM) tools to detect and respond to suspicious activities and potential evasion attempts." Implement network segmentation, as segmenting cloud networks into separate zones or virtual networks with different security controls helps contain the impact of a successful attack, Morag says. "This limits lateral movement within the cloud environment and reduces the chances of an attacker successfully evading detection." Use intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic and detect known attack patterns. "These systems can identify and block evasion techniques employed by attackers to bypass security defenses," he adds. Use behavior-based anomaly detection. Employ advanced security solutions that conduct behavior analytics to identify abnormal activities and deviations from normal patterns, Morag says. "This helps detect evasive tactics employed by attackers that may be difficult to identify using traditional signature-based approaches, including defense evasion techniques."

Software supply chain complexity creates large attack surface

The report also highlights how software supply chain complexity presents a large attack surface that includes various applications, potentially leading to misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. Aqua's data indicates that supply chain attacks grew by more than 300% year-over-year. One area that the report focuses on is how threat actors exploit software packages and use them as attack vectors to subvert the wider software supply chain. "Through our research, we demonstrated how attackers can perform reconnaissance and exploit packages in the NPM package manager," Aqua wrote. This involved using NPM's API to detect private packages and identifying flaws in two-factor authentication that could enable account takeover attacks.
Around 100 members of Revolution, the French section of the International Marxist Tendency (IMT), gathered in Paris on 16 and 17 June, for our 2023 National Congress. Attendees came from Paris, Toulouse, Marseilles, Lyon, Montpellier, Grenoble, Brest, Morlaix, Lille and Rambouillet. We also welcomed comrades from the IMTs sections in Switzerland and Belgium, and were joined by Fred Weston from the International Secretariat of the IMT.

A world in crisis

Fred introduced the first session, which dealt with the main economic, political and social developments taking place around the world. He particularly outlined the different stages of the organic crisis of capitalism since the world recession of 2008, stressing the deep impact of this crisis on the consciousness of the masses in every country.

A growing layer of workers and youth are starting to draw revolutionary conclusions. This is the objective basis for the incredible progress of the IMT over the past few years. It will also be the basis for coming successes, provided we seize every opportunity as they arise. Fred mentioned the example of the Are you a communist? Then get organised! campaign, being run by the IMT in Britain. The country has been flooded with stickers and posters, on the back of which, hundreds of young people have got in touch.

French capitalism in turmoil

The second session, on Saturday afternoon, was dedicated to the central document of the congress: French Perspectives 2023. Jerome Metellus, editor in chief of Revolution, introduced the discussion and dealt with many topics, including the decline of French imperialism, the crisis of the regime, the fight against pension reform, the development of a left wing within the CGT  the main trade union confederation in France  and the internal contradictions of the NUPES  an alliance of left-wing parties for the recent parliamentary elections.

The dynamics of French capitalism are pushing the country into a period of intense class struggle. For Revolution, the central task is to build a revolutionary organisation, that will be strong enough to allow our class to seize power, expropriate the French bourgeoisie and begin the socialist transformation of society. But in France, as everywhere else, the future cadres of this revolutionary party are to be found among the young workers and students.

After discussing and voting on several amendments, the document was approved by the delegates. It will soon be published and sold as a pamphlet.

Esteban Volkov

At the very beginning of the congress, we were told of the passing of Esteban Volkov, the grandson of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. Esteban was living with Trotsky in Mexico when the latter was murdered by an agent of Stalin in August 1940. Just 14 years old at the time, Esteban was deeply impacted by this tragic event. His whole life, he defended the memory and the political legacy of his grandfather. For many years, he collaborated closely with the IMT. Paying tribute to our friend and comrade, the congress observed a minutes silence.

Build the IMT!

On Sunday, we dealt with the practical work of our organisation, as well as its finances, its internal bodies and the election of its leadership.

 Retour en images sur notre Congres national !



Une centaine de revolutionnaires venus de tout le pays, mais aussi des camarades d'autres sections de la Tendance Marxiste Internationale, se sont reunis ce week-end a Paris, a l'occasion du Congres national de Revolution ! pic.twitter.com/Fo18di1tkC  Revolution (@revolution_tmi) June 19, 2023

Our organisation carries out systematic work on several university campuses. This includes selling our newspaper, books and pamphlets, but we also organise Marxist Circles, involving a dozen public meetings every year, on every campus where we are active. Next year, we will organise such meetings  mostly dealing with theoretical or historical themes  in about ten different universities across the country. The congress discussed ways of improving the various aspects of this work, which is the backbone of our activity.

Our systematic work in universities and our commitment to Marxist theory are often mocked by some on the left. They accuse us of neglecting the real struggles of the workers. Ultimately, though, this criticism reveals their lack of understanding of the crucial part played by theory in the building of a revolutionary party. They neglect this fact, despite Lenin  among others  insisting on precisely this point, as is well known. But what is known is not always understood!

Our monthly newspaper is not only sold on campuses, but on demonstrations and, more broadly, within the workers movement. We are not building a student organisation. We are building a proletarian organisation. We closely follow every development of the class struggle, and intervene within it as much as we can.

The enthusiasm and determination of this congress was shown in many ways, particularly during the financial collection, which brought in nearly 34,000. This money will be shared between the IMT and the French section, and the collection will continue until the World Congress of the IMT in August. To support us, make a donation!
Even after 30 years, no one from the Metropolitan Police has described to me how my son was murdered. Yet from various eyewitness accounts, his last moments will for ever torment me.

The most compelling recollections came from Stephens best friend, Duwayne Brooks, who was waiting for a bus with him when those teenage boys charged across Well Hall Road with weapons in their hands and hatred in their hearts.

From the outset, Duwayne told the police there were at least six attackers, and that the one who led them  shouting that racially-charged rallying-cry Wot, wot n****r  had wavy, fair hair, whereas the other gang members had dark hair. At least one other witness supported this vital piece of evidence.

The revelation that the police chose to ignore it, or at the very least failed to investigate it, allowing the sixth boy in this case, Matthew White, to remain free for 28 years before he died, is simply appalling.

However, 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.

Even after 30 years, no one from the Metropolitan Police has described to me how my son was murdered

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

Down the years, the Daily Mail has fought our cause admirably, publishing crucial stories that helped to put two of Stephens killers in prison, while Whites 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.

When I came here from Jamaica in 1960, I arrived safe in the belief that London had the worlds finest police force. The question that troubles me is: why have they so often let my family down?

Sadly, I have concluded that, partly because of their own prejudices, they quickly decided the motive for Stephens murder, identified a culprit  and stuck to this hastily concocted theory  even though it was obviously wrong.

As my son was a black boy, out at night, they decided  without any evidence whatsoever  that Stephen (a dutiful scholar with ambitions to be an architect) must be a criminal. Only hours after he died, when they should have been looking for White and the other racist gangsters, they were asking me if Stephen possessed any woolly gloves, the type worn by burglars.

That night, their wild theory went, Duwayne had probably argued with Stephen at the bus stop and stabbed him.

To sustain this ridiculous supposition, they had to prove Duwayne to be a liar  so they gave no credence to his evidence, and never even bothered to look for the fair-haired sixth attacker he described.

Did the police make this error, and so many others, because they were racially prejudiced, inept, or corrupt?

I think it was a bit of all three. What I do believe is that if Clive Driscoll  the man who secured the convictions of David Norris and Gary Dobson in 2012  had been permitted to continue the investigation, Whites involvement would have been detected long before now.

When Dobson and Norris were jailed, the judge ordered the Met to continue hunting the other gang members. Clive was keen to do just that. But Cressida Dick, then the Met commissioner, insisted he must retire without completing the job, and I have never understood why.

My own view is that something about Stephens case is still being hidden. Something that would explain all these catastrophic police failings.

We might not know the answer until after Im gone. But Im 81 now and Ill keep on searching for the truth until I draw my last breath.

Dr Lawrence was talking to David Jones
Poor Ben Wallace. For a moment there it looked as though that Nato secretary general job he was lusting after might provide the perfect evacuation chute.

A chance to escape, a chance to break out of this tired, sclerotic government and on to the international high table to sup with the big boys. Heaven knows he deserves it.

Best of all though, perhaps, a chance to never again have to endure another session of Defence Questions  the ministerial equivalent of a long, sweltering afternoon on the parade ground.

That doddery old fool Joe Biden has apparently put paid to those daydreams. He and Macron want someone from the EU in the job. Far easier for them to deal with a career politico than an ex-army officer. More malleable.

Such a rude snub would certainly have explained why Mr Wallace looked so peeved in the Commons yesterday. His shoulders were slumped, his face arranged in a perma-pained expression.

Poor Ben Wallace. For a moment there it looked as though that Nato secretary general job he was lusting after might provide the perfect evacuation chute (Pictured: Ben Wallace during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on June 15)

Every now again during a question, he would avert his rheumy eyes heavenwards as if to ask why on earth do I bother?

Mind you, with some of the dross being spoken it was hard not to sympathise. There was the usual finger-wagging lectures from Tobias Ellwood (Con, Bournemouth E) about army funding.

Mark Francois (Con, Rayleigh) broke into one of his customary claret-faced rants about the abs-sol-ute-ly disgraaaayshfull condition of some of the armed forces accommodation.

Most groan-inducing of all was a query from Marion Fellows (SNP, Motherwell) who asked how the government could justifying spending 3billion renewing our nuclear weapons when there were people out there using food banks. That sort of level Im afraid.

Wallace sat, delicately cradling his cranium in his hands as though it were an explosive device in danger of going off. Easy now, gently does it. At one point he accused his opposite number John Healey of selectively quoting him.

At another, he dispatched his procurement minister James Cartlidge to answer a question, presumably in case he lost his rag. Even the disclosure by Veterans Minister Andrew Murrison that he was attending Londons Pride Parade this weekend failed to cheer Wallaces spirits.

Dr Murrison, FYI, is one of Parliaments drier biscuits. The idea of him pumping and grinding away on a parade float in his Royal Navy tie is simply too delicious to contemplate.

Mischievous John Spellar (Lab, Warley) sensed Mr Wallaces irritable mood. It is probably a bit of a shame but, after missing out on the job of secretary general of Nato, the Secretary of State seems to have reverted to no more Mr Nice Guy mode today, although it may improve as the day goes on, he quipped.

A chance to escape, a chance to break out of this tired, sclerotic government and on to the international high table to sup with the big boys. Heaven knows he deserves it

Spellar chuckled merrily at this own jocularity. Mr Wallace, you may be unsurprised to learn, did not.

Later on, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly came to the House to deliver an update on the weekends unnerving events in Russia.

Cleverly is not the zingiest of performers. He tends to chew on his sentences too long and is gratingly prone to repetition.

Of far more interest was the presence of Liz Truss several rows behind him, who was making a rare appearance in the chamber to urge the Government to continue supporting Ukraine.

Good old Liz. She still carries on as if those topsy-turvy couple of months last autumn never happened and does that funny thing with her left arm when she speaks, bobbing it up and down gormlessly while her head wobbles from side to side like one of the Flowerpot men.

Oh and also present: Boriss Partygate accuser Bernard Jenkin (Naturist Party, Harwich), his first appearance in the chamber since going to ground after he was accused of bending lockdown rules himself.

All the hermits popping out of the woodwork at once. Must be rain coming.
William's homelessness campaign finally scotches rumours that King Charles wants Andrew out of Royal Lodge so William and Kate can move in. Upgrading from four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage in less than a year to Andrew's 30-room mansion would be disastrous PR for the campaigning prince. Though should Charles succeed in evicting Andrew, might the disgraced duke be rendered homeless and qualify for help from his nephew's crusade?

Buckingham Palace courtiers share a collective sigh of relief that Harry's bid to interview the likes of Pope Francis and Putin has come to naught. They still shudder at his stint as guest editor of BBC Radio 4's Today when he interviewed his father Charles. Sufficiently cringe-making that the King called his son 'my darling boy' but then Harry addressed him as 'Pa'. Hardly cutting edge.

With Prince George apparently soon to be measured for his Eton top hat and every likelihood brother Louis will follow suit, whither Princess Charlotte? My source whispers that Windsor-based Kate and William would like to keep Charlotte close to home and are considering St George's School, opposite Ascot racecourse. She could board or be a day girl. It is the alma mater of Princess Beatrice, the Duke of Gloucester's daughters and, curiously, Winston Churchill. It was a boys' school until 1904.

William's homelessness campaign finally scotches rumours that King Charles wants Andrew out of Royal Lodge so William and Kate can move in

Though should Charles succeed in evicting Andrew, might the disgraced duke be rendered homeless and qualify for help from his nephew's crusade?

Last year Eamonn Holmes, sacked from ITV's This Morning, branded the channel 'a ministry of lies' in the winners' room after getting a gong from the Television and Radio Industries Club. For today's event organisers have taken steps to avoid a repeat. No, they haven't banned gabby Holmes, pictured, from the Grosvenor House Hotel. But they've axed the winners' room. Decrees a TRIC factotum: 'Guests will only speak on the red carpet.'

Last year Eamonn Holmes, sacked from ITV's This Morning, branded the channel 'a ministry of lies' in the winners' room after getting a gong from the Television and Radio Industries Club

Has Elton had a bust-up with Gucci? The retiring Rocket Man wore Versace at Glastonbury instead of Gucci, the sponsors of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Sources whisper that Elton is unhappy with the recent departure of the fashion house's head creator Alessandro Michele who designed all the costumes for his final tour. Maybe Gucci's style boffins baulked at constructing Elton's gold lame Bacofoil-like suit.

Elton's tribute to George Michael on what would have been his 60th birthday reminded aficionados of their bust-up when, criticising George's marijuana use, Elton said: 'There is a deep-rooted unhappiness in his life.' George fired back: 'Elton just needs to shut his mouth and get on with his own life.' The pair made peace in 2011, five years before George's death.

Elton's tribute to George Michael on what would have been his 60th birthday reminded aficionados of their bust-up when, criticising George's marijuana use

Kathy Lette, ex-wife of lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, warns against sharing a tent on holiday, claiming that it is a catalyst for rows. And the worst aspect of camping? 'It's just not so dramatic, storming out and slamming the flap!'
Scores of news vans, clicking camera lenses, journalists poised to jot down his every word. For a minute, Matt Hancock's arrival at the Covid Inquiry must have felt like the good ol' days.

Even the protesters spitting his name in disgust outside the building will surely have provoked in him a sharp pang of nostalgia.

All that was missing was the bomb-proof Jag and the swarm of sycophantic Spads calling him 'Minister'. Sigh. Losing the glistening baubles of office must make his innards ache far worse than any of the kangaroo's whatnots he ate in Bush Tucker Trials on I'm A Celebrity...

While the former health secretary cuts a more humble figure these days than he did as an oily upstart who strode into Downing Street press conferences with ill-deserved confidence, it's clear he has lost none of his hammy theatrics.

Less than an hour into his evidence and the Norma Desmond of politics was ready for his close-up, unleashing one of his well-rehearsed mea culpas, first honed and then perfected in the Aussie outback.

Scores of news vans, clicking camera lenses, journalists poised to jot down his every word. For a minute, Matt Hancock's arrival at the Covid Inquiry must have felt like the good ol' days

Inquiry chairman Baroness Hallett has adopted a faintly regal air. It can't be long before she starts giving a little wave with the back of her hand

Turning to the section where the families of Covid victims were seated, his voice wobbling like a vinyl LP, he announced: 'I am profoundly sorry for each death that has occurred. I also understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me. I understand that and I get it. But it is honest and heartfelt.'

Silence filled the room. Then a faint, high-pitched sound from a woman among the bereaved. A sob? Actually no, a giggle.

Three weeks into this ruddy inquiry and the number of staff are growing by the day, along with their swelling sense of self-importance. One blameless chap this morning was ejected for drinking tea.

Inquiry chairman Baroness Hallett has adopted a faintly regal air. It can't be long before she starts giving a little wave with the back of her hand.

As for the head counsel Hugo Keith - as rich and smooth as a bowl of truffled vichyssoise - he continues to blame everything on Brexit.

Last week, Keith had treated Hancock's former boss in the Cabinet Office, Sir Oliver Letwin, with something approaching respect. But this morning he peered at Hancock through a very different lens.

To him, his quarry was an irritant. 'I'll ask the questions, Mr Hancock,' he barked at one point. One sensed he'd practised that line a few times in the bathroom mirror.

Hancock insisted that, when he'd joined the Cabinet Office, the UK was 'one of the best-placed countries in the world' to respond to a pandemic. The World Health Organisation had said so. Like a lot of what's come out of the WHO in recent years, that prediction turned out to be utter tosh.

The big mistake was our planning. Hancock said that civil servants were focused on issues such as 'where are we going to bury the dead' rather than thinking about how to stop people dying in the first place.

Such remarks sounded worthy of further probing, yet Keith wasn't interested. He remained fixated with the idea that poor civil servants were too tied up dealing with the possibility of a No Deal Brexit to do anything else. Actually, Hancock replied, No Deal preparations probably saved lives as they stopped our medicine supplies running out.

Poor Matt. This was toughest ride any of the witnesses have suffered so far. Perhaps the lawyers felt that public mood demanded the ex-health secretary spend a day in the ducking stool. Throughout the session, the bereaved held up pictures of dead loved ones in Hancock's eyeline, a practice that has been going on since the inquiry began. One wonders how long the baroness should allow it to continue.

Meanwhile, outside the hearing, angry anti-vax protesters waved their placards and encouraged passers-by to honk their horns. Good luck to Hancock if he was hoping to hail a cab home.
Daisy Goodwin's account of being groped by Daniel Korski, a former special adviser to David Cameron and now one of three Conservative candidates for Mayor of London, is quite shocking.

In yesterday's Daily Mail, she recounted how ten years ago, having been 'summoned' to Downing Street to discuss an idea for a TV programme (Goodwin is an acclaimed producer), Korski flirted with her throughout their meeting and then, as they were saying goodbye, 'put his hand on my breast'.

'Are you actually touching my breast?' she asked him, at which point, she claims, 'he dropped his hand and laughed nervously' before Goodwin 'swept out in what can only be called high dudgeon'.

She is careful not to over-dramatise or to cast herself as a helpless victim. Indeed, her approach to the incident is resolutely pragmatic: 'What he had done to me in the Thatcher Drawing Room had not ruined my life.'

Goodwin's story is both laced with self-deprecating humour and commendably balanced  which is partly what makes it so credible.

SARAH VINE: Then, not long after, Enfield released a sketch in which two posh old blokes  played by him and Paul Whitehouse  are sitting in a gentleman's club discussing my ex, Michael Gove. Pictured: Harry Enfield in London in 2021

SARAH VINE: Everyone laughed  including Enfield, who concurred. He then said something along the lines of 'do you mind if I have a go?' before reaching out, grabbing them in both hands and sort of jiggling them around with a vigorous enthusiasm that, I must confess, rather took me and everyone else by surprise

SARAH VINE: Maybe that was Enfield's way of apologising. Or at least acknowledging his behaviour. My point is: life is a rich tapestry, and not all the stitches are even. We do and say things that later, with hindsight, seem more than a shade inappropriate. Pictured: A still from Enfield's sketch about Sarah Vine

Instead, she talks about facing a 'genuine moral dilemma' about whether to name Korski or not. What happened wasn't 'the end of the world'  but still, if a man is going to be mayor of London, doesn't that cast his actions in a slightly different light? Shouldn't he be held to a higher standard than others?

READ MORE: Defiant Tory London mayoral candidate Dan Korski says it is 'disheartening' to be accused of groping a female TV producer while working as a No10 aide as he denies any wrongdoing and refuses to quit race to take on Sadiq Khan Advertisement

On balance, Goodwin, now 61, decided that it does, and he should  and so she named him.

Korski has denied the allegations 'in the strongest possible terms'. But perhaps the damage is done. Even though it would be almost impossible for Goodwin to prove her story or Korski to disprove it (it happened ten years ago and there were no witnesses), even the whiff of such behaviour tends to coat the nostrils in an indelible smell.

I remember Korski from those days. Super-bright, charming  and undeniably rather in love with himself, a bit like Matt Hancock. Some might call him cocky, though a more polite way of putting it would be self-assured. But as Goodwin says, that was the vibe in No. 10 back then.

'As I waited to see him [Korski], I drank in the aroma of Downing Street, which took me back to the boys' public school I attended [for sixth form] a sweaty combination of testosterone and socks.'

The working culture doesn't excuse his alleged behaviour. Then again, it could be that Korski, in his youthful enthusiasm (he would have been in his mid-30s), catastrophically misread the situation. As Goodwin says, they met at a party, then arranged over email to meet again. Perhaps he mistakenly thought there was something more on offer.

She claims he was flirtatious from the off, telling her she looked like a 'Bond Girl' in her sunglasses. Sexual assault  or ill-judged attempt at seduction? I would err towards the latter  especially since he backed off immediately after being rebuffed.

Sometimes these things are not malicious or predatory; sometimes it's just a case of crossed wires, an awkward and embarrassing misunderstanding. Seen in the right light, these episodes can even be mildly amusing: so awful they're quite funny.

Because, you see, Goodwin isn't the only woman to have had her breasts allegedly groped at Downing Street. And I have witnesses.

Daisy Goodwin, who has accused former David Cameron aide Daniel Korski of groping her a decade ago

Daisy recounted how ten years ago, having been 'summoned' to Downing Street to discuss an idea for a TV programme, Korski flirted with her throughout their meeting and then, as they were saying goodbye, 'put his hand on my breast'

Daisy Goodwin's account of being groped by Daniel Korski, a former special adviser to David Cameron and now one of three Conservative candidates for Mayor of London, is quite shocking

Korski has denied the allegations 'in the strongest possible terms'. But perhaps the damage is done

Because, you see, Goodwin isn't the only woman to have had her breasts allegedly groped at Downing Street

It was at a party very early on in David Cameron's premiership  probably late 2010. I think the event was a general 'thank you' to everyone  either way, the place was crammed with a mixture of friends, relatives, supporters, MPs, journalists, politicos and more.

I was standing around, as you do, glass in hand, chatting to various people, when Harry Enfield, the comedian, joined the conversation. I remember it was very loud, and everyone was a bit hyper, all over-excited about being there. Enfield, I think, was slightly in his cups.

I can't remember what I was wearing but it must have been some kind of party dress because at one point my gay friend commented on it and said  in a fruity Oscar Wilde sort of voice  that it made my breasts look 'rather magnificent'.

Everyone laughed  including Enfield, who concurred. He then said something along the lines of 'do you mind if I have a go?' before reaching out, grabbing them in both hands and sort of jiggling them around with a vigorous enthusiasm that, I must confess, rather took me and everyone else by surprise.

Afterwards, I really wasn't sure what to make of it. I wasn't particularly upset  after all, he did it in full view of everyone, so it wasn't threatening or sinister. But it did rather take the wind out of my sails. In the end, I decided to file it under 'someone having a bit of fun at my expense'.

Then, not long after, Enfield released a sketch in which two posh old blokes  played by him and Paul Whitehouse  are sitting in a gentleman's club discussing my ex, Michael Gove.

'I met his wife once, she's a fine woman,' says Enfield. 'I wanted to grope her breasts.'

'Did you ask her why she married a queer?' says Whitehouse.

'No, I wanted to grope her breasts,' says Enfield. 'Have you seen his wife?'

'No . . .' says Whitehouse.

'You'd like to grope her breasts, you really would,' says Enfield, before going back to his newspaper.

'Wife's breasts gropable,' declares Whitehouse.

Maybe that was Enfield's way of apologising. Or at least acknowledging his behaviour. My point is: life is a rich tapestry, and not all the stitches are even. We do and say things that later, with hindsight, seem more than a shade inappropriate. But does that make us bad people? Not necessarily. Ten years is a long time. People grow and change.

If Korski did what Goodwin alleges, then he made a stupid mistake. But should that be the end of him? Unless concrete evidence emerges of more incidents in a similar vein, no. There is not yet, nor do I hope there will ever be, a law against flirting, larking around  or simply just being a damn fool.

Research shows that electric cars cause twice as much pothole damage to roads as old-fashioned combustion engines  for the simple reason that their batteries are so heavy. Yet their owners contribute nothing to the upkeep of the network as they pay no road tax. Time to reconsider?

Poor Lewis Capaldi, who was so crippled by his Tourettes that the crowd ended up singing his songs for him

Tragic lesson from Ukraine boy heroes

Next time either of my children complain about the fact Ive bought supermarket own-brand of tomato sauce instead of Heinz, I shall point them firmly in the direction of two Ukrainian teenagers, Tigran Hovhannisyan and Nikita Khanganov, killed on Saturday during a gunfight with Russian forces in the occupied city of Berdyansk.

Were talking 16-year-old boys here: they should have been chatting up girls and going to pop concerts, not wielding Kalashnikovs.

By comparison, our kids dont know theyre born.

The inquest into the death of Nicola Bulley has confirmed what most people suspected: it was all a tragic accident.

But while no one was to blame for what happened, there is one thing I cant forgive: the decision of the police to cast poor Nicola as some kind of menopausal drunkard. That is something her family will have to live with for ever  and its disgraceful.

Glasto should focus on music

Glastonbury was interesting this year (not that I went  no tickets left after they were all snapped up by the BBC). But the main acts either seemed to consist of geriatrics (Elton John, Candi Staton, Debbie Harry) or vulnerable youngsters  in particular poor Lewis Capaldi, who was so crippled by his Tourettes that the crowd ended up singing his songs for him. Meanwhile, Lana Del Rey spent most of her time whispering into her hair.

Admittedly I was watching from the sofa, but it seemed more like an extended therapy session than a rock festival to me.

The truth is out on the Sussexes

Why are so many people suddenly popping out of the woodwork telling their truth about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex?

First, an executive at Spotify brands them f*****g grifters, and now Jeremy Zimmer, chief executive of United Talent Agency, has said: Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent . . . And you know, just because youre famous doesnt make you great at something.

Looks like the Hollywood honeymoon is well and truly over.
She taught the importance of the charity to her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie

The Duchess of York's stoicism in the face of her breast cancer diagnosis will have warmed the hearts of her many fans.

It was announced on Sunday that she had undergone a mastectomy to treat the disease, which she opened up about on the latest episode of her podcast, Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah.

But, as well as being a current patient, Sarah has been actively involved with cancer charities for decades.

She said in her podcast how she began working with the prominent Teenage Cancer Trust after her step-father Hector Barrantes, whom she called a 'wonderful man', died from the disease in 1990.

The Duchess added that her experience of talking to 'so many sufferers with cancer' helped her to 'glean from them certain tips' to help her through her own struggle.

Sarah, who is now a patron of the TCT, began volunteering with the charity in the 1990s and has opened the majority of its new units since.

Her first such engagement came in November 1990, when the Duchess opened TCT's first specialist cancer unit at the Middlesex Hospital in London.

Sarah said on her podcast how she began working with the prominent Teenage Cancer Trust after her step-father Hector Barrantes, whom she called a 'wonderful man', died from the disease in 1990. Above: The pair in 1988

The Duchess of York clasps a young boy's hand as she says goodbye following her visit to a cancer ward in Bytom, Poland, June 7, 1995

Barrantes, an Argentine polo player who married Sarah's mother Susan after she left her first husband Ronald, passed away just six months after being told he had cancer.

Speaking to her podcast co-host Sarah Thomson, the Duchess said: 'I volunteered to work for the Teenage Cancer Trust... because my step father died of cancer. He was just a wonderful man, I adored him.

'And he died at 50. And so I decided that I would focus a lot of my attention on... three different things.

Cancer struggle of the Duchess of York's polo-player step-father Hector Barrantes's lymphatic cancer struggle came to light in February 1990, when he was flown to New York after having an emergency operation in Buenos Aires. The Duchess flew to the U.S. to be with her stepfather and mother despite being eight months pregnant with Eugenie. Hector then passed away aged 50 at the isolated cattle ranch he shared with Sarah's mother. The Duchess told in her podcast how Barrantes was a 'wonderful man' whom she 'adored'. Hector Barrantes with his wife Sarah Ferguson Advertisement

'One would be cancer and really working hard for action research, and to really get research into cancer and how people deal with it.'

She said the experience of opening the Middlesex Hospital unit made her realise that teenagers 'didn't have a voice'.

'The doctors and scientists were looking at grown-up cancer, they were looking at paediatric cancer, but no one was listening to the voice of a teenager, and that is serious.

'I've been their ambassador ever since.'

She added: 'I'm so grateful I've talked to so many sufferers with cancer that I can glean from them certain tips that can help me through this moment.'

Sarah previously told Hello!: 'Every time I meet one of these young people with cancer, it reminds me how lucky I and my family are.

'These young people demonstrate such strength that I never fail to find inspiring.'

The Duchess then ensured her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie got involved, telling how they spent their respective 18th birthdays at teenage cancer units.

'So that they could see that they've got so much to give and they could really help,' she said.

'You lead by example, I believe... They've since become ambassadors for life and they work tirelessly,' Fergie said.

In July 2022, the three royal women virtually opened a new blood cancer ward at University College London Hospital, supported by the TCT.

During the call, Beatrice recalled the impact meeting cancer patients has had on her life.

She said: 'On my 18th birthday I got to come down to the ward and meet some of the young people.

'I think when you're a young person yourself, it changed for me the trajectory of what it is to be in service.'

The royals were joined on the call by young people affected by cancer.

Both princesses and their mother became visibly upset during the conversation and were seen wiping away tears and forming hearts with their hands to send love to others on the call.

Barrantes, an Argentine polo player who married Sarah's mother Susan after she left her first husband Ronald, passed away just six months after being told he had cancer. Above: The couple at their farm in Argentina

Sarah said in the podcast: 'I volunteered to work for the Teenage Cancer Trust... because my step father died of cancer. He was just a wonderful man, I adored him.' Above: The pair at a Polo match in 1988

The Daily Mail's report on Hector Barrantes' cancer diagnosis in 1988

The Duchess of York sits with patient Ben Essex, a patient in the teenage cancer unit at the Middlesex Hospital, November 1990

Eighteen-year-old cancer patient Shelley Brockhurst pictured in May 2001 in Manchester being helped by Fergie to put on a bandana specially created for the Teenage Cancer Trust

Speaking on her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess & Sarah, Sarah Ferguson detailed how she has been actively involved with the Teenage Cancer Trust for over three decades. Pictured: The Duchess launching the Bandana '03 campaign to benefit the TCT in May 2003 in London

Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of York, Joe McElderry and Princess Beatrice attending the opening of the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at the Great North Children's Hospital on May 19, 2010 in Newcastle upon Tyne

Sarah and her daughter Princess Eugenie walking together during a visit to the new Teenage Cancer Unit at St James' Hospital on October 23, 2008 in Leeds

The Duchess with her oldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, during their visit to the Teenage Cancer unit at University College Hospital, central London, on July 11, 2006

Duchess of York smiled as seven-year-old cancer patient Crystal Gonzales peered over a table during a visit the British royal made to the Childrens' Hospital in Los Angeles in 2001

The Duchess of York comforted six-year-old cancer patient Brian Macias at the Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles in November 2005

Speaking about their legacy continuing, Beatrice added how her two-year-old daughter Sienna is 'already a lifelong patron' because of her grandmother's influence.

In another video call to mark the 30th anniversary of the Teenage Cancer Trust in December 2020, Eugenie praised her mother for teaching 'us how to give back to people' and inspiring them to become involved with the charity.

Eugenie was moved to tears as she told her mother: 'We're very honoured to be here, but we wouldn't be here unless you had educated us in how we give back to people.'

As well as her work with the TCT, the Duchess of York also visited sick children in Poland in 1992 to deliver toys and medical equipment to those being treated in Katowice.

Touching on how her volunteer work is now benefitting her following her diagnosis, Sarah said; 'I've talked to so many sufferers with cancer, that I can glean from them certain tips that can help me through this moment,

'I'm taking this as 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?''

Sarah added that her father Ronald, also who suffered from prostate cancer during the last decade of his life, 'went on the radio and told people to get checked' after his diagnosis, only to be hit with a horrible response.

Major Ronald Ferguson (pictured), the Duchess' father, suffered from prostate cancer during the last decade of his life

The Duchess of York speaks to a a young cancer patient and his mother during a 1987 hospital visit

The Duchess of York speaks to a young cancer patient during a hospital visit in 1987

The Duchess of York gave cancer patient Irving Putterman a kiss in return for a rose he presented her during her visit to New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center in February 1994

'He said 'It doesn't matter if you see it feel fine. Cancer can be so silent, go get screened, go get checked. Don't wait.'

'Most of his friends rang him up and said 'no one 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.

She said: 'I don't mind if no one wants to hear from me, because I'm telling you that I am doing this.

'I want every person who is listening to this Podcast to get checked.'

The mother of two added: '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 mother of two with Anglea Hartgen and her daughter Stacey at the teenage cancer unit, Middlesex Hospital, in March 1999

The Duchess of York with young cancer patients in the newly opened cancer unit at a Birmingham hospital on June 13, 2000

Sarah and Beatrice posed for a photo with Victoria Stokes when they visited the Teenage Cancer unit at University College Hospital, central London, on July 11, 2006

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.

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.

The Duchess said she is 'hugely thankful' to hospital staff involved in the mammogram which detected her cancer and believes her experience 'underlines the importance of regular screening'.

After undergoing surgery at the private King Edward VII hospital in Marylebone, which is regularly used by the Royal Family, she has been told her prognosis is good and she is recuperating at Windsor with her family.
There's a much used phrase saying revenge is a dish best served cold. For Coleen Rooney, however, her revenge over arch-rival Rebekah Vardy has been a dish served not only straight from the fridge, but also spooned out over multiple courses, with each more chilling than the last.

And last week, the feast finished in the sweetest way of all when it was announced that Coleen, 37, will be on the cover of Vogue magazine later this year, a pinnacle hitherto unscaled by any mere WAG.

Admittedly, Victoria Beckham got there first but then she has more than a decade as a fashion designer under her belt. Mrs Rooney is simply a housewife superstar.

The October issue will feature Mrs Rooney at her 20 million home  that 'Morrisons mansion' in Cheshire, a riot of plush carpets and crushed velvet. The pictures will be accompanied by an interview about the Wagatha Christie affair and its aftermath.

And what a story she's got to tell  of betrayal by a fellow WAG whose intentions she came to doubt. The magazine coup comes 15 months after Coleen's triumph in the High Court over Becky in the sensational 'Wagatha Christie' court case, triggered when mum-of-four Coleen turned detective to find the source of a number of stories about her leaked to newspapers.

There's a much used phrase saying revenge is a dish best served cold. For Coleen Rooney, however, her revenge over arch-rival Rebekah Vardy has been a dish served not only straight from the fridge, but also spooned out over multiple courses, with each more chilling than the last

Rebekah Vardy arrives at the Royal Courts Of Justice, London on May 16, 2022

In a tweet in October 2019 she said how she'd gradually limited the number of people who could see her Instagram stories until only one account remained  and still the leaks came.

It concluded with the bombshell line: 'It's . . . Rebekah Vardy's account.'

Becky denied she was responsible and sued Coleen for libel, with the case eventually coming to court in May last year. However, she lost her claim when the judge ruled in July that Coleen's post was 'substantially true'. It left Becky Vardy not only with an almighty, humiliating slap in the face, but also with Coleen's 1.8 million legal bill, which she is currently disputing.

Now, the 41-year-old mother of five will have to suffer the ignominy of seeing Coleen's jubilant face on the front of fashion's bible. Let's not forget that before she married Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, the ferociously ambitious Becky worked as a fashion model, and will feel the blow keenly. The talk with Vogue, which happened 'because they asked', will coincide with the broadcast of a three-part documentary which will go out on Disney+ in September.

The Rooneys and others in the case have spoken and the programme is essentially edited and finished. (I am a part of it, speaking about interviewing Mrs Vardy before the case, in which she delivered the memorable line: 'Arguing with Coleen Rooney would be like arguing with a pigeon. You can tell it that you are right and it is wrong, but it's still going to s*** in your hair.') The trial already has been turned into a stage show and a two-part Channel 4 drama.

After the fresh flurry of media attention, Coleen will once again withdraw from public life.

A friend tells me: 'For Coleen it's over and done, and over and won. She is getting on with her life and does not spend her time looking back. Wayne is in America [he manages Washington-based DC United], they speak every day and her focus is, as ever, the children. Her view has always been simple, which is that she was confident of her case.

'She was always very clear that she would not walk away from the fight. Remember, the case was brought by Becky. She has a very strong sense of right and wrong, and gave evidence on that basis. Of course, it was very satisfying to win.'

Her only regret, the friend said, is that the money 'could have gone somewhere other than into the pockets of the lawyers'.

Coleen's side have asked Becky to pay a legal bill totalling 1.8 million, which represents 90 per cent of their costs. Becky is protesting, feeling that costs have been inflated.

Last week it was announced that Coleen, 37, will be on the cover of Vogue magazine later this year, a pinnacle hitherto unscaled by any mere WAG

Coleen's litigator, Paul Lunt, said last week that he thinks Becky's own bill is up to 4 million, a figure Becky's side say is a ludicrous overstatement. That means this minor, wildly entertaining dispute could have cost nearly 1 million for every day in court, by the reckoning of the lawyer involved.

Now, in a fittingly bitter post-script, Wagatha 2.0 is being fought over the costs racked up. Becky is actually keen to bring the whole matter once again under the nose of a judge, to ask Coleen's legal team to explain just how their costs ended up being so high.

Team Coleen scoff that this is a fool's errand. 'It's like asking for a re-match when your team has been smashed by Man City,' said one last week.

In addition, they say that the court order has been made and simply needs to be paid.

'It is not up for debate at this point,' says one.

However, as events show, Becky Vardy is not a woman to shy away from a fight. I'm told she is 'disgusted and appalled' by what she has been asked to pay and is fully prepared to go back to court again for a costs hearing.

'Her view is that someone has to stand up and be counted, and she is happy for it to be her,' I'm told.

It has to be admitted that some of the figures, exclusively obtained by this newspaper, are quite jaw-dropping.

One of Coleen's legal team made a claim for working all but six minutes of a 24-hour period on February 4, 2021. A few months later, the same lawyer claims to have worked for 22.5 hours straight. You can see why Becky's side are questioning those billing hours.

That same lawyer also submitted a claim for a 1,994 stay at the luxury Nobu Hotel in Central London. There was also a 225 bill for the 'mini bar, breakfast and lounge drinks'.

The costs are, by any standards, enormous: Coleen hired the flamboyant barrister David Sherborne, a favourite with celebrities. The cost was budgeted at 299,000 but this rose to 524,000.

Issuing a statement of claim  a document served in a High Court action  was budgeted at 9,800. The final amount billed was 21,050. Similarly, 'disclosure' was budgeted at 25,095. The final amount billed was 137,656, a 449 per cent difference. Paying experts for evidence was budgeted at 32,376. Becky has been billed 148,695, a 359 per cent difference. The pre-trial review was budgeted at 12,575. Becky has been billed 45,330.

Coleen's side have asked Becky to pay a legal bill totalling 1.8 million, which represents 90 per cent of their costs. Becky is protesting, feeling that costs have been inflated

Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has billed 117,486.50 plus VAT for project management. A further 6,000 is said to be owed for media briefing fees. Some substantial legal fees were incurred after the judgment.

Becky received the final tally of costs in April last year, amounting to a colossal 1.8 million. She was told to pay Coleen an interim payment of 800,000 last autumn. In a statement last week from Coleen, her lawyers Brabners said the High Court had ordered Becky Vardy to make payment of 90 per cent of the costs incurred by Mrs Rooney on an 'indemnity' basis, because of the court's finding that Mrs Vardy had 'deliberately deleted or destroyed evidence'.

During the trial, the court heard how potentially important WhatsApp messages had been manually deleted; her agent had 'accidentally' dropped her mobile phone off the side of a boat in the North Sea and an IT expert lost the password to a backup of her WhatsApp account.

As to the payment made, they noted that Mrs Vardy had said she would need more time to raise the interim payment and that this had been granted by Coleen Rooney.

'Although it was open to Mrs Rooney to contemplate enforcement action against Mrs Vardy, such as instructing bailiffs or even pursing bankruptcy, Mrs Rooney declined to do so and allowed her extra time to pay.' As for the soaring costs, the statement said: 'Inevitably, the way in which a case is pursued has a direct impact on the costs actually incurred in running a case. One example of that concerns the fees for forensic IT experts.

'The IT experts' job was to review the digital evidence provided to them. However, in a case where the court has found that digital evidence was deliberately deleted or destroyed, the task of the IT expert expands considerably in order to chase down the relevant audit trails to seek to prove that evidence was deleted.'

Paul Lunt, who is head of litigation at law firm Brabners, said: 'Costs budgets are produced at the very start of these cases, almost two years before the final decision in this case.

'They are merely 'best guesses' of the costs that are likely to be incurred if the case proceeds as expected. Where a case develops in an extraordinary or unexpected manner, the costs will often increase substantially from what was originally envisaged.

'That goes for both parties and it would not surprise me if Mrs Vardy's own costs ended up approaching something in the order of 4 million.'

So where does all of this leave Becky Vardy? Can she pay  and how does she feel about the Wagatha affair?

Friends of hers say that she appears to be in no financial straits at all.

Rebekah Vardy arrives at Royal Courts of Justice, Strand in London on May 12, 2022

Rebekah Vardy arrives at Royal Courts of Justice, Strand in London on May 12, 2022

Home remains the giant 2.5 million pile in Lincolnshire with an indoor pool and gym. The Vardys still have their lovely holiday house in Portugal, which some predicted they might have to sell.

She has turned down a number of media appearances that would have brought in large amounts of money, including Celebrity SAS and Scared Of The Dark for Channel 4. Jamie Vardy is said to earn 140,000 a week, so they are hardly on their uppers.

Without question, though, the experience has been distressing. In an interview after the legal action failed, she said: 'I feel physically sick when I talk about the trial and what happened, and I have nightmares. I haven't gone to get a diagnosis yet but I do know I probably need some more therapy. It's been a horrible time.'

Months on, she is concentrating on a 'meaningful' new direction fronting documentaries about causes which matter to her.

Earlier this year, Channel 4 screened Rebekah Vardy: Jehovah's Witnesses And Me, which reflected on her own experiences growing up in the religion and saw her interview others. It has been widely hailed as a brave and intelligent piece of film-making.

Next up, she is considering a project focusing on homelessness as she herself was homeless in her teens after being sexually abused between the ages of 11 and 15 by someone within the Jehovah's Witness community.

She is also hoping to make a film about female prisoners and their experiences, with the possibility of filming inside a prison.

A pal said: 'She doesn't talk about the court case or about Coleen. I don't think she has any personal feelings which are negative towards Coleen. Her position is that it was a miscarriage of justice.

'She is negative about Coleen's legal team, particularly David Sherborne who she feels bullied her terribly in court. She also can't believe that the female judge sat by and allowed him to do it. She thinks he is an idiot.'

Like Coleen, she is focused on her children. Her eldest, Megan, is about to start university, and her youngest Olivia  born during the Wagatha maelstrom  is only three.

I'm told: 'She has no interest in prolonging focus on the court case, but she thinks that someone is trying to get one over on her with the bills.'

And come October, she'll no doubt be avoiding magazine stands as she attempts  once and for all  to put the case behind her.
The BBC risks angering Enid Blyton fans by chosing a controversial director to revive her wholesome Famous Five story for a new generation.

Counting Valhalla Rising, Drive and the Neon Demon among his most successful films, Nicolas Winding Refn, 52, is known not to shy away from ultraviolence, depictions of gruesome murder and rape.

The Danish director has been called 'sadistic,' 'creepy' and 'ultraviolent' throughout his career, which includes a scene in Neon Demon with audio depicting a 13-year-old girl being raped.

When it debuted at Cannes critics openly booed with some even leaving the screening due its graphic nature and cannibalism theme.

For this reason, the announcement that he will be the creator and executive producer on the BBC's new three-part re-adaptation of the children's classic series has come as a shock.

So who exactly is Winding Refn, and does his penchant for gruesome depictions of violence hide a more wholesome inner child?

Controversial director Nicolas Winding Refn has been picked by the BBC to revive the Famous Five children's series. Pictured at the Tribeca Festival in New York earlier this month

The Famous Five series, by Enid Blyton, centres around a group of young children  Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy as they go on adventures together during their school holidays.

Winding Refn's past projects, have been more focused on exploring themes of ultraviolence rather than wholesome children's content.

The filmmaker, who launched his career in the 1990s, has worked with a plethora of famous faces, including Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas and Tom Hardy, as well as Mads Mikkelsen.

In his private life, he is a happy father-of-two daughters, Lizzielou and Lola and married his wife Liv Corfixen in 2007.

His 2011 movie Drive, starring Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stunt getaway car driver, was a smash hit.

The movie's violent themes, including a scene where Gosling repeatedly stomps on a man's head in an elevator, shed the soft image the actor had earned for his part in Nicholas Sparks The Notebook.

However, speaking of the movie, which has earned a 93 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Winding Refn likened it to a fairy tale from the Grimm Brothers, in line with Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella.

Winding Refn's 2011 hit Drive stars Ryan Gosling as a getaway driver, and depicts a number of ultraviolent scenes

'I read Grimm fairytales to my daughter a few years ago, and the idea with Drive was similar. You have the driver [Ryan Gosling] who's like a knight, the innocent maiden [Carey Mulligan], the evil king [Albert Brooks] and the dragon [Ron Perlman]. They're all archetypes,' the director told Digital Spy in 2011.

Two years later, Gosling collaborated with Winding Refn once again for Only God Forgives alongside Kristin Scott Thomas, a thriller exploring Bangkok's underworld.

He later said his inspiration for Scott Thomas' matriarch character came from Barbie and Donatella Versace.

Meanwhile, in 2009's Valhalla Rising, Mads Mikkelsen is at the centre of several gruesome Viking fights to the death, as well as a rape scene.

The Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning, has been particularly decried by critics as 'creepy,' and 'sadistic.'

The 2016 horror thriller stars Fanning as budding model Jesse, with depictions of her being forced to swallow a knife, while elsewhere a make-up artist has sex with a dead body.

The climax of the movie sees two models butcher Jesse's body and consume parts of it before bathing in her blood.

It was dubbed by the Daily Mail at the time 'Rancid, pretentious and downright creepy,' gathering a low one-star review rating.

Meanwhile, Winding Refn's 2019 Amazon Series Too Old To Die Young has shocked audience with disturbing scenes.

The first episode of the series shows a detective named Martin as he takes down two brothers who film rape porn.

The Daily Mail dubbed Winding Refn's 2016 Neon Demon, starring Elle Fanning 'Rancid, pretentious and downright creepy'

Winging Refn with his wife Liv Liv Corfixen and their daughters Lizzielou and Lola at the Prada show during Milan Fashion Spring/Summer 2023 last September

In 2009's Valhalla Rising, Mads Mikkelsen, centre, is at the centre of several gruesome Viking fights to the death, as well as a rape scene

In the second episode, one of these brothers is shown force-feeding a date-rape drug to a terrified young man before a group of men force themselves on him

An equally disturbing scene in the same episode shows a man dousing a woman in water before slicing off her underwear.

Meanwhile, in his own statement about the project, Winding Refn said: 'All my life Ive fought vigorously to remain a child with a lust for adventure.

It is unknown which one of the 90 novels that make up the Famous Five series will be adapted in the new BBC project, which has already started filming in the South West.

Blyton's body of work, which centres around a group of young children  Julian, Dick, Anne, George and their dog Timmy as they go on adventures together during their school holidays.

The first book of the series, called Five on a Treasure Island, was released in 1942 during the second World War.

In the past, adaptations were produced by companies specialising in children's content, such as an animated version created by the Disney Channel which was released in 2008 in France and Britain.

The 1978 TV adaptation, which ran for two series, was a wholesome hit which spawned merchandise deals.

Only God Forgive stars Kristin Scott Thomas as a matriarch, right. Her role was inspired by Donatella Versace and Barbie

Whilst announcing the new Winding Refn adaptation, Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBCs children programmes, describe the new project as a 'treat.'

She said in a statement: '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,' she added.

'By re-imagining 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,' he added.

'This will be a modern, timely and irreverent action series with adventure at its heart,' said Will Gould, co-founder of BBC backed Moonage Pictures, announcing the project.

But others have questioned whether Refn is the right man for the job.

'Given Refns reputation as a boundary-pushing auteur with a penchant for extreme visuals and sometimes OTT violence he is, depending on your take, either an inspired or insane choice to take on The Famous Five,' the Hollywood Reporter wrote.
Long Lost Family fans criticised Davina McCall for her 'long awkward pauses' while revealing information on Monday evening's show.

Viewers were left frustrated after watching the moment Chris Mason, now 56, from Surrey, who was left in a London phone box as a baby, found out about his birth mother and father.

Many took to Twitter claiming that host Davina dragged out the information with 'long drawn out pauses'.

Some suggested the silences were 'torturous' with others joking that they have managed to read books between the pauses.

One person wrote: 'The long drawn out pauses was painful to watch and seemed totally unnecessary. He's waited 55 years, god love him. Just bloody spit it out already #LongLostFamily'

Long Lost Family fans criticised Davina McCall for her 'long awkward pauses' while revealing information on Monday evenings show

Another said: 'Love Nicky in this, Davina was awful. The way she strings out giving the info is torturous. That poor man was so desperate to know and shes just silently nodding at him?!'

Someone else wrote: 'Why is Davina leaving long pauses like this? This guy looks so awkward. Just talk to him normally #longlostfamily'

A fourth said: 'Is there something wrong with Davina on #LongLostFamily she is taking so long to tell this lovely man about his family. I've just read War & Peace in between her pauses. #LongLostFamily'

While another wrote: 'Im mildly concerned about the length of silence Davina offers between revealing details. It feels a bit awkward waiting for the guy to ask questions.'

However many suggested that the star was simply allowing Chris time to process the information that she was sharing with him.

One person wrote: 'It's to allow him to take in and process what's being said, rather than bombarding him with info. She's allowing him to ask the questions at his own pace.'

Another said: 'I think its so they can process the information bit by bit. Its a lot to take in all at once. If Davina feels they are about to burst in to tears shes not exactly going to carry on bombarding them with the information.'

Viewers were left frustrated after watching the moment Chris Mason, now 56, from Surrey, who was left in a London phone box as a baby, found out about his birth mother and father

Many took to Twitter claiming that host Davina dragged out the information with 'long drawn out pauses'

However many suggested that the star was simply allowing Chris time to process the information that she was sharing with him

While someone else said: 'I think its really important that theyre given time and space to process whats happening for them when that information hits '

Davina even took to Twitter herself to reply to a fan of the show saying: 'When u have been looking for any kind of information  anything at all , if I deliver it all at once , its too overwhelming.

'So I explain that I will deliver it but by bit and when they're ready I will tell them the next bit . Sometimes it takes a while.'

The emotional episode followed Chris, who was found just before Christmas 1966 - and knew nothing of his biological family until appearing on the ITV documentary, which aired yesterday 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 meeting his maternal half-sister Marie (pictured left) in Spring Hill, Florida, for the first time

In emotional scenes 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) 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.
Stepping out in Leicester Square on Monday evening, Phoebe Waller-Bridge looked every inch the Hollywood star, as she attended the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiere in London.

The 37-year-old, who stars as Indiana's goddaughter Helena Shaw in the fifth and final instalment of the film franchise, donned an elegant chainmail dress and a striking white cape as she greeted fans on the red carpet, alongside veteran actor Harrison Ford.

The glitz and glamour of a London premiere feels a million miles away from the down-to-earth Underbelly venue in Edinburgh, where Waller-Bridge first performed her one-woman show Fleabag at the 2013 Fringe festival.

In the decade since, Waller-Bridge, who had an upper-middle-class upbringing in West London, has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame.

The multi-talented brunette is acting in Dial of Destiny but she could easily have written the George Lucas film herself single-handedly.

Hello Hollywood: Waller-Bridge has recently joined the Indiana Jones franchise; pictured with Harrison Ford in Leicester Square on Tuesday evening at the premiere for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

The Fleabag and Killing Eve writer appears as Indiana's goddaughter Helena Shaw in the latest film

The Fleabag jumpsuit became popular with fans; and Waller-Bridge herself clearly loves the wardrobe staple, wearing a version of it to the Indiana Jones after party on Monday

Waller-Bridge has racked up a bulging awards cabinet for the TV adaptation of her Fleabag show, as well as for her work on Killing Eve, which left audiences hooked and saw Jodie Comer become a global star for her role as Russian hitwoman Villanelle.

The after show party for last night's premiere, which took place at fashionable London hotspot Louie, saw the writer, who dates playwright Martin McDonagh, change her outfit to a Fleabag fashion favourite - the black halterneck jumpsuit, perhaps a nod to the show that set her onto a path to stardom.

Here FEMAIL looks at how the 37-year-old from West London became the toast of Hollywood...in just a decade...

A CHILDHOOD OF PRIVILEGE...AND A MISERABLE TIME AT RADA

There's no doubting Waller-Bridge's phenomenal writing talent, and there's no doubting her posh upbringing.

She is the daughter of father is Michael Cyprian Waller-Bridge, and mother Teresa, with baronets on both sides of the family.

Dad Michael co-founded Tradepoint, the first fully electronic stock market and mother Teresa worked for the Ironmongers Company, in the City.

She enjoyed an upper-middle-class upbringing in Ealing, London's 'Queen of the Suburbs', with her siblings Isobel, a composer, and brother Jasper in the music industry.

Pheobe Waller-Bridge with her mother Teresa in 2018; She enjoyed an upper-middle-class upbringing in West London, with baronets on both sides of her parents' lineage

After Rada, the star embarked upon roles in TV comedies...but eventually decided to write, after becoming dispirited with the roles on offer

A flourishing talent for acting and writing became clear during her time at St Augustine's Priory, a Catholic independent school for girls in West London, and her private sixth form college.

When she accepted her BAFTA in 2019 for Fleabag, she told the Royal Festival Hall exactly what kind of parental encouragement she'd had as a child, saying: Most of all, I want to say thank you to my mother, who said to me: Darling, you can be whatever you want to be as long as youre outrageous. 

A place at RADA, one of the country's most prestigious acting schools followed, with Waller-Bridge studying Drama...but her time there left her questioning her career choices because she struggled to 'cry on demand' and was told she might not have the emotional range to act.

She told the Guardian in 2018: 'I went to Rada thinking I was quite a good actor and came out thinking I was appalling.'

During her twenties, Waller-Bridge might not have predicted her future success; she took bit parts in BBC comedies including The Cafe and Crashing before starting to write parts she'd actually want to play.

FLEABAG: THE ONE-WOMAN SHOW THAT STARTED IT ALL - AND CREATED A FASHION FAVOURITE

In an interview with Radio 4's Women's Hour in 2020, Waller-Bridge said feeling dispirited about how society treated women had been her inspiration for writing Fleabag, her dark comedy-drama about the life of a flawed, chaotic 20-something woman often frustrated with love and life in London.

She said: 'When I was in my 20s and feeling quite cynical, I was standing on the precipice of being too cynical or being depressed about society pressures and waking up to the reality of pressures women are under.

When the show was picked up by BBC Three, it set Waller-Bridge on the path to major fame, with 2.5million viewers watching the final series in the UK

By series two of the show, Andrew Scott's hot priest had viewers well and truly hooked

'If I look down into the chasm below, at the bottom was Fleabag wearing lipstick and looking back at me. This was a woman who felt she was really valued, primarily by her sexual desirability.'

The show - not autobiographical - was first performed by Waller-Bridge in 2013 at Edinburgh venue Underbelly as part of the Fringe festival.

it proved to be her breakthrough, catapulting her into the mainstream and paving the way for a stellar raft of opportunities.

The one-woman performance was picked up by BBC Three in 2016, where additional characters including Claire (Sian Clifford), Fleabag's sister, and later the 'Hot Priest' played by Andrew Scott, were added in.

The series became a huge hit, wowed Americans - including Barack Obama - and when the show had its finale in April 2019, 2.5 million UK viewers tuned in.

Waller-Bridge promised there would never be a revival of the show, and the final series saw awards - including Emmys, BAFTAS and Golden Globes - come thick and fast.

THE KILLING EVE YEARS...THAT LED TO A BOND MOVIE

The Fleabag star brought her signature dark wit to the first series of Killing Eve in 2018, which followed the cat and mouse story of MI5 investigator, Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), obsessed with capturing psychopathic assassin, Villanelle (Jodie Comer).

On writing Villanelle's part, based on a trilogy of books by Luke Jennings, she said: 'I'm comfortable writing about women who are full of rage, as long as it's not without the other side of the story.

Luke Jennings' novels about psychopathic assassin, Villanelle, were transformed into TV gold by Waller-Bridge in the first series of Killing Eve (Pictured Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh)

Killing Eve also swept the board at awards ceremonies across the globe, making Jodie Comer a huge star

'Villanelle has these vulnerable and childlike moments after she commits the most heinous acts. I want to see the full picture.

'It's rare to see that with female characters. Normally they are bad ass and not be emotionally connected to it.'

The first series was a certified hit, and Waller-Bridge's path to Hollywood was quick. She was commissioned as co-writer on Bond movie, No Time To Die.

Describing how she accepted, she said: 'It was a big old yes please. Those phone calls happen, incredible conversations and suddenly, when you're on board it's like every other job.

'You're in a room again with post-its on the wall, but see a set and say "oh this is different".'

'It was really challenging, the script was there, I was there to offer things, it was in development for a long time. I think it's just about stepping back and saying I'm going to give you these options, everyone was writing on it.'

ROMANCE: BECOMING ONE HALF OF A HOLLYWOOD POWER COUPLE

Waller-Bridge and current squeeze playwright and director Martin McDonagh, 15 years her senior, are clearly well matched - they've won nearly 20 major awards between them during their careers - including for McDonagh's movie The Banshees of Inisherin.

Let's write! Waller-Bridge has been dating director and playwright Martin McDonagh since 2017 (Pictured at the Taormina Film Festival on June 25)

A bigger cabinet? The couple have awards a plenty between them, having both scooped major accolades for their work

The couple began dating in late 2017 and, when in LA for awards season, they've been known to have stayed at the legendary Chateau Mormont, famed for its decadent Oscar after parties.

Yet away from the spotlight it seems the couple, who live quietly in London, are determined to remain as low key as possible.

Phoebe doesnt have an online presence and once told how she shied away from social media as she 'would feel pressure to be funny the whole time.

Martin is on Instagram but he hasnt apparently posted anything on it for more than four years. He follows just 17 people including actor Woody Harrelson and legendary director Martin Scorsese.

Prior to dating McDonagh, Waller-Bridge was married to Irish presenter Conor Woodman from 2014 until 2018.

Phoebe and Martin first stepped out together in October 2017 when they were spotted at a screening of his hit film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

The pair also attended the Golden Globes together in January 2018, with the duo sharing a quick celebratory peck as Martin won Best Screenplay and Best Drama.

HOLLYWOOD'S DARLING: INDIANA JONES COMES CALLING

The offers on the table clearly keep in coming, with the part of Helena Shaw in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny just the latest on the table.

The fifth instalment of Indiana Jones - Dial of Destiny - sees Waller-Bridge joining Harrison Ford in George Lucas' latest film

The Fleabag and Killing Eve writer appears as Indiana's goddaughter Helena Shaw in the latest film

On Monday, the star posed for snaps on the red carpet at Cineworld Leicester Square.

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is the fifth and final film of the beloved franchise created by legendary director George Lucas.

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.
The Princess of Wales penned a heartwarming message to women in the justice system as she opened a new charity centre founded by her friend Lady Edwina Grosvenor.

The royal, 41, travelled to Hampshire today to unveil Hope Street in the city centre.

Hope Street has been developed by the charity One Small Thing, which was founded by Lady Edwina and provides community-based centres for women in the justice system.

The redeveloped building will house five women who are deemed 'low-risk' after committing a non-violent offence.

The new centre will offer a community alternative for women who would otherwise be imprisoned unnecessarily due to a lack of safe accommodation or concerns around their wellbeing.

Lady Edwina Grosvenor (left) is the sister of Prince George's godfather, the Duke of Westminster

As such, Hope Street will offer accommodation to women and also allow them to remain with their children in a home environment.

After walking through the doors, Kate's face lit up as she greeted Edwina - who, in turn, placed her hands on Kate's shoulders.

Kate said to Lady Edwina: 'How are you? Well done! I love the location as well as it's not out on its own, it's in the community in many senses.'

During the engagement, Kate was taken on a tour of the newly-renovated facility by Lady Edwina Grosvenor, who is herself a tireless prison reformer and the founder of One Small Thing, a charity dedicated to redesigning the justice system for women and their children in a way that can be replicated and scaled across the UK.

The philanthropist is close friends with Kate - as she is the sister of Prince George's godfather, the Duke of Westminster, one of Britains richest men.

The Princess listened intently as her friend discussed the work they've done on the five en-suite apartments.

Kate was shown round one of the fully-fitted eight flats in the development, which cost 7million from private money and donors, as well as Lady Edwina herself. Kate said: Gosh, look at this. It's aspirational.

Once the tour had come to a conclusion, Kate and Edwina were joined by other members of the charity in the courtyard.

Admiring a tree full of swing-tags with inspiring messages written on them, the Princess then contributed her own personal note to residents.

The Princess of Wales looked delighted as she greeted Lady Edwina Grosvenor, who is the founder of the charity One Small Thing

Pictured: The Princess of Wales wrote this heartwarming messages to residents of Hope Street

The Princess of Wales styled her luscious brown hair in her signature waves and opted for minimal makeup

Hope Street will house five women who are currently in the justice system and will allow them to remain with their children

The Princess of Wales shares a laugh with Lily Lewis - who helped create Hope Street. She told the Princess: 'For me, prison is barbaric.'

During her tour of the premises, Kate sat down with women who have previously been in the justice system

The Princess of Wales seen during a discussion with women in the justice system who have been supported by One Small Thing

Opening up about her experience in the justice system, Lily Lewis - who helped create Hope Street - told the Princess: 'For me, prison is barbaric'

It read: 'I see you and I am with you. Good luck in all that lies ahead. Catherine.'

Opening up about her experience in the justice system, Lily Lewis - who helped create Hope Street - told the Princess: 'For me, prison is barbaric.'

Meanwhile, spoke to Kate about how the community support group gave her a 'routine' to stick to.

Kate chatted in the building's common room with two women who were among the first to get keys to a flat.

One of them was in tears as she described having her children taken into care and that Hope Street made her realise people care about me.

Kate said: I understand your story and your journey. She added: Just looking around and seeing the flats it's an inspirational place.

During a speech to mark the opening, Lady Edwina told fundraisers and supporters including newsreader Jon Snow that she challenged the system.

Afterwards Claire Hubberstey, CEO of One Small Thing, said: The problem with the justice system is we have a huge number of women who have committed a crime but they lack a safe place in the community and have to go to prison. As a result, in these circumstances their children go into the care system.

Some receive short prison sentences and when released have lost their home, she added.

She said the aim was to end women stuck in a circle of short sentences and working with magistrates across Hampshire.

Hope Street has room for 24 women and eight children but space for 120 women at other centres across Hampshire.

The project - which has been independently monitored by The University of Southampton, The Prison Reform Trust and EP:IC - hopes to demonstrate how a compassionate and supportive approach to women in the justice system can have a transformative impact on lives.

In the courtyard, the Princess of Wales beamed at her friend Lady Edwina Grosvenor - who had spearheaded the project

The Princess of Wales pictured clapping after Lady Edwina Grosvenor had delivered her speech

The Princess of Wales beamed as she listened intently to her friend Lady Edwina Grosvenor delivering a speech

The Princess of Wales pictured meeting residents during a visit to the new facilities in Southampton

The Princess of Wales was all smiles as she spokes with members of staff at Hope Street in Southampton

The Princess of Wales pictured waving to royal fans as she leaves Hope Street in Southampton today

Kate Middleton, 41, was given a bouquet of roses as her tour of the premises came to an end this afternoon

The Princess of Wales looked pensive as she was taken on a tour of the new residential community space in Southampton

The Princess listened intently as her friend discussed the work they've done on the five en-suite apartments

The royal opted for an Alessandra Rich midi dress - which she wore to the Wimbledon men's final last year - to unveil Hope Street in the city centre.

Kate's stunning designer gown, which retails for 1,335 features a frilly V-neck cut and gold button-down detail.

The mother-of-three styled her sophisticated dress with a pair of towering white high heels by Alessandra Rich., which she also wore to Wimbledon.

She then paired this with a box-shaped mini white bag by Mulberry. Opting for her signature blow dry, Kate kept her make-up minimal - opting merely for a brown smokey eye and nude lip.

Kate finished off her outfit with a pair of pearl dangly earrings and wore no other jewellery other than her sapphire engagement ring, which once belonged to Princess Diana.

Kate, 41, kept her jewellery minimal - opting for a pair of gold pearl earrings to attend the openn

Perfect in polka dots! The Princess of Wales recycled a 1,335 Alessandra Rich polka dot dress to attend the charity centre opening

The Princess of Wales has spent years raising awareness about the importance of early childhood and launched her Shaping Us campaign in January.

Kate's ongoing campaign aims to improve society's understanding of the significance of early childhood in shaping adulthood and society as a whole.

In recent months, the Princess of Wales has met with families who spent time in the care system to highlight the importance of strong relationships for children who experience trauma early in life.

Earlier this year, Kate outlined the scope of her campaign and described it as a long-term project beginning with how a child develops and the importance of the formative years.

Lady Edwina's brother Hugh (pictured centre with Prince William in 2018) is Prince George's godfather

Spot on! The Duchess of Cambridge wore a 1,335 polka dot midi dress from go-to label Alessandra Rich for the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final last year

Diana's double! How Alessandra Rich's design lead to comparisons with the late princess Alessandra Rich, the woman behind the label, is an Italian-born designer based in London who says she is inspired by the 'polite rebels' of history, like Princess Diana. So it is perhaps then of little surprise that Kate often wins comparisons to the stylish princess when she steps out in one of Rich's frocks, including the yellow peplum creation she wore on the final day of the royal tour to the Bahamas in March 2022. Strikingly similar: The Duchess of Cambridge in May 2019 and Diana in October 1985 Lookalike yellow: Kate in the Bahamas on Sunday and Diana in Australia in 1983 Advertisement

Scientific evidence has shown that early experiences can affect children not only socially and emotionally but in their physical development too.

Reports produced by the Early Childhood centre have revealed that the first five years shape future wellbeing more than any other stage of development, with our brains growing faster than at this time then any other.

It also hopes to 'break the cycle' of parents who experienced difficult childhoods themselves.

Palace aides say the idea for the project began even before Kate became a mother.

The Italian-born, London-based designer Alessandra Rich has become a go-to for Kate in recent years - with the Princess of Wales previously wearing her designs to Prince Philip's memorial service and on a royal tour of the Bahamas.

The designer has previously said she is inspired by the 'polite rebels' of history, like Princess Diana.
A woman who believed she had 'no hope' of having her own children after being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries has welcomed 'miracle' triplets.

Monique Bertrand, 38, was told she had the condition - which affects how the ovaries work and can make it difficult to conceive naturally - in October 2013.

Due to the severity of her condition, Ms Bertrand, from Lewisham in south east London, was told it was unlikely she would be able to conceive.

She and her partner, John, 39, decided that they would foster if they were unable to fall pregnant by the end of 2022.

Ms Bertrand lost six stone in order to aid her journey to motherhood, but still believed there was 'no hope' before eventually conceiving in April of last year.

The mother-of-three said she was 'over the moon' to find she was pregnant.

Monique Bertrand, 38, was told she had PCOS - which affects how the ovaries work and can make it difficult to conceive naturally - in October 2013

However, it wasn't until Ms Bertrand was eight weeks along that the couple discovered they were expecting triplets in an emergency ultrasound.

The healthy triplets - Lylah, Macho and Trinity - were born on 9 November 2022.

'When the doctors told me I wouldn't be able to have children it was just a disaster,' Ms Bertrand said.

'I waited a long time to be a mum so when the sonographer said it was triplets I just shouted in confusion and happiness. I just burst into tears on the table.

'It's been a blessing with so many challenges. The doctors called them miracle babies.'

Last November, doctors delivered Lylah at 2.27pm, and Macho at 2.28pm, both weighing 2lbs 8oz, while, Trinity was delivered at 2.29pm weighing 2lbs 1oz, all via c-section.

The triplets, now six months old, are thriving after spending the first 50 days of their lives at the Special Care Unit at University Hospital Lewisham.

Ms Bertrand's long journey to motherhood began when she was 28 and diagnosed with PCOS - a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work.

Due to the severity of her condition, Ms Bertrand, from Lewisham in south east London, was told it was unlikely she would be able to conceive

She and her partner, John, 39, decided that they would foster if they were unable to fall pregnant by the end of 2022

She said: 'I kept having a lot of pain during ovulation and my period and was getting a bit sick.

'My GP sent me for a scan and did tests to rule out everything else, and after that called me to discuss. I left the doctors and went into a deep depression.'

After meeting partner John, the mother told him about her fertility issues a year later.

The couple fell pregnant unexpectedly for the first time in November 2019.

'I had a miscarriage in February 2020, I was broken,' she said. 'I just thought, this is a nightmare.'

Following advice from one of the midwives treating her, Ms Bertrand decided to try and lose weight as lockdown hit in 2020. She dropped from 18st 8lbs to 12st 5lbs in just one year.

Ms Bertrand lost six stone in order to aid her journey to motherhood, but still believed there was 'no hope' before eventually conceiving in April of last year

The mother-of-three said she was 'over the moon' to find she was pregnant

However, it wasn't until Ms Bertrand was eight weeks along that the couple discovered they were expecting triplets in an emergency ultrasound

Then, in April 2022, she learned she was pregnant.

At eight weeks, the couple rushed to the early pregnancy unit at King's College Hospital, Lambeth after Monique began to bleed.

'The sonographer asked if we'd done IVF,' she said. 'After we said no, she told us it was triplets. To have three was a lot to take in.

'I called my mum that day to tell her and she thought I was pranking her.'

But the pregnancy wasn't smooth sailing, with the couple being told one of their daughters, Trinity, was at risk with her umbilical cord not working properly.

Ms Bertrand was offered an abortion to secure the health of two triplets - but she refused.

'It was terrifying,' she said. 'There is literally no help for multiple mums and so much need. Even now people tell me I'm a superwoman but this is not easy for me.'
The Duchess of Edinburgh looked typically stylish as she opened the new Charfleet Book Bindery in Canvey Island on Tuesday.

Sophie, 58, stepped out in an elegant khaki wrap dress, which was cinched at the waist, for the grand opening.

The royal beamed as she cut the red ribbon and got a tour of the new premises in Essex.

The mother-of-two, completed her ensemble with a white T-shirt underneath the stylish gown.

She added height to her frame in brown stilettos and she accessorised with a matching khaki handbag.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked typically stylish as she opened the new Charfleet Book Bindery in Canvey Island on Tuesday

The historic bindery, founded in 1919, has moved to a modern facility on the edge of Canvey Island town.

Charfleet, which specialises in producing high-end notebooks and diaries, was acquired in 2015 by the former head of fashion boutique Browns, Simon Burstein.

Speaking to Print Week earlier this month Burstein said: 'When I sold Browns in 2015 to [luxury e-commerce company] Farfetch, I had no idea I would end up owning a bindery business, but a series of serendipitous events combined with an unrealised love of artisanal bookmaking has led to where we are today, opening a brand-new state-of-the-art bindery facility.'

It comes after Sophie looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral number last week for the Order of the Garter service in Windsor.

She looked typically stylish in a pink and white midi dress from Emilia Wickstead, priced at  1,628, when attending the ceremony at St George's Chapel, alongside other Royal Family members, including the Princess of Wales.

Sophie, who was also celebrating her 24th wedding anniversary with Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, Prince Edward, teamed the elegant frock with a statement pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks in a neat up-do.

Sophie, 58, stepped out in an elegant khaki wrap dress, which was cinched at the waist, for the grand opening

The royal was shown how the diaries are made at the premises by a member of staff

Sophie beamed for a few snaps as she took a look around the new Charfleet Book Bindery premises

The royal beamed as she cut the red ribbon and got a tour of the new premises, which is based in Essex

If that wasn't enough, the fashionable royal added a touch of glitz to her look with a pair of silver earrings and an array of gold bracelets.

She completed her ensemble with white strappy heels and a matching handbag, while holding a pink shawl.

Meanwhile, joining Sophie at the service, the Princess of Wales was the picture of elegance in a chic black-and-white polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich for the occasion.

The sophisticated high-necked gown featured voluminous sleeves with dainty button detailing.

Kate paired her stunning dress with a black-and-white hat - featuring feathering which perfectly matched the print of her dress - by her go-to designer Philip Treacy.

Sophie styled her hair back into a chic bun while her neutral makeup enhanced her flawless features

Charfleet, which specialises in producing high-end notebooks and diaries, was acquired in 2015 by the former head of fashion boutique Browns, Simon Burstein (right)

Owner Simon Burstein showed the royal around the new facility after she cut the ribbon

She added height to her frame in brown stilettos and she accessorised with a matching khaki handbag

Sophie was shown how the workers would bind the book together during her visit

(L to R) Simon Burstein, Sophie, Geoff K Cooper, Sagaboi Creative Director, Isabella Charlotta Poppius and Alistair Guy attend the grand opening of the new Charfleet Book Bindery

Keeping her jewellery minimal, the Princess opted for a pair of simple dangly pearl earrings.

The royal finished off her ensemble with a nude clutch bag and white heels with a black toe.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is the oldest British order of chivalry and the oldest national order of knighthood in existence, is limited to 24 Knights or Ladies Companion in addition to the King and Prince of Wales.

It also includes 'supernumerary members', including foreign monarchs and other royals.

The royal gor a short lesson on how the book making process worked while she visited the location

Sophie spoke to staff during the tour of the prememes and she got an insight into book making

Sophie looked ready for summer as she stepped out in a chic floral number for the Order of the Garter service in Windsor last week

The mother-of-two (pictured right), who is married to Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, Prince Edward, teamed the elegant frock with a statement pink headpiece and kept her blonde locks in a neat up-do.

The Order of the Garter is a 700-year tradition founded by Edward III in 1348, and recognises contributions of great public service from those honoured - usually Lords and Ladies of the UK.

Foreign royals have been given honorary 'Stranger Knight' status since 1813, with controversial recipients over the years including Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany before World War I.

King Felipe was appointed by the late Queen during his July 2017 state visit while King Willem-Alexander received the honour during his state visit in October 2018.
The former monarch, 89, is the father of Belgium's current King Philippe

Belgium's former King Albert II was hospitalised earlier today with signs of dehydration, a palace spokesman has said.

The ex-king, 89, 'was admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure,' the spokesman, Xavier Vaert, told AFP, confirming reports by state broadcasters VRT and RTBF.

'Examinations are being done. He is conscious,' Vaert said.

Albert II, the father of Belgium's current King Philippe, was the third and youngest child of King Leopold III.

He became monarch on August 9, 1993 at the age of 59, taking over after his brother Baudouin died without children.

King Albert II abdicated the throne in 2013 citing health concerns and his son King Phillipe took his place alongside his wife Queen Mathilde

Prince Emmanuel was spotted arriving at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels to be by the former King's side

Albert II reigned until his abdication on July 21, 2013, handing the crown to Philippe, who today is aged 63. The former king and his wife, Queen Paola, 85, have spaced out their public appearances in recent years.

King Philippe cancelled his planned engagement at the University of Ghent in order to visit his father in the hospital, according to People.

Other relatives including Prince Laurent, King Albert's younger son, and Prince Emmanuel were reportedly spotted arriving at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels to be by his side.

Speaking to the BBC at the time of his abdication, King Albert said: 'I realise that my age and my health are no longer allowing me to carry out my duties as I would like to. Prince Philippe is well prepared to succeed me.'

At the time of his abdication his love child Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert's daughter - which she won in October 2020.

After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself.

Now the 55-year-old has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Josephine of Belgium, 19, and Prince Oscar of Belgium, 14, who she shares with partner James O'Hare.

Speaking to Tatler last year, the princess, who is an artist, revealed her father's rejection when she was young still hurts, but added she doesn't blame him and holds no ill-will towards him.

Prince Emmanuel arrives in a car at the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels

The ex-king, 89, 'was admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure,' the spokesman, Xavier Vaert, told AFP, confirming reports by state broadcasters VRT and RTBF. Pictured, the entrance of the Saint-Luc hospital in Brussels

She argued that royal life is 'isolating' and she believed her father had been badly advised at the time.

However, she said: 'You don't just have a child and kick it.'

Reflecting on her seven-year legal battle, Delphine said the action she brought was not about money or status but 'principles'.

Now Delphine has attended royal engagements and says her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.

When she launched her legal action in 2013, she told Belgian radio show Matin Premiere: 'I feel like I have a right to exist. Not to exist in the royal family but as me.

'My decision to call for help through the law, I feel today that it was the right thing to do... The judicial system said that I was right and that I had the right to exist.'

Since the legal action has been settled, Princess Delphine has slowly become integrated in the Belgian royal family.

She met her brother, King Philippe of Belgium who is one of 20 Belgian royals she is related to - in 2020, where they posted a socially distanced picture to Facebook, describing it as a 'warm meeting.' Her other royal half-siblings are Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent.
Get ready to take a walk down memory lane because the upcoming fifth and final instalment to the Indiana Jones franchise is set to include an epic cameo from Karen Allen - the actress who played the titular character's love interest in the original flick more than four decades ago.

Karen, now 71, was shot to stardom when she starred as Marion Ravenwood in Raiders of the Lost Ark 42 years ago - when she was only 29 - and she's now reprising the role for the brand new film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which will premiere this Friday.

She graced the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere for the movie last week, and the actress certainly looked very different from when she first captured the nation as Marion all those years prior.

Karen reflected on reuniting with her on-screen costar Harrison Ford while chatting with People magazine at the event, gushing, 'We have a lot of fun together.'

The upcoming fifth and final instalment to the Indiana Jones franchise will include an epic cameo from Karen Allen (pictured with Harrison Ford in the original 1981 movie)

The actress (seen left in the 1981 movie and right recently), now 71, was shot to stardom when she starred as the titular character's love interest in Raiders of the Lost Ark 42 years ago

She graced the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere for the movie last week (seen), and the actress certainly looked different from when she first played Marion Ravenwood years ago

She added: 'When we first worked together, we were both pretty young, but we've had marriages and children.

'I think we've all kind of grown and matured and lived interesting lives along the way that have really affected who we are as people.'

Karen reflected on reuniting with her on-screen costar Harrison while chatting with People magazine at the event, gushing, 'We have a lot of fun together.' They're seen together in Raiders of the Lost Ark

Karen made her acting debut in National Lampoon's Animal House in 1978, but it was her role in Raiders that truly propelled her into the spotlight.

Her other big acting credits since then have included the John Carpenter flick Starman, the holiday classic Scrooged, and the comedy The Sandlot.

She made a brief appearance in 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which saw her and Harrison's character reuniting and walking down the aisle together in the last moments.

When it was first announced that Harrison would be returning to play the adventurer one more time for Dial of Destiny - many were dying to know if Karen would appear in the film.

She stayed tight lipped about it until last week, giving vague answers to numerous outlets who pressed her on the topic - and her name was not listed on the official cast list until recently.

But now, to fans' delight, she has finally confirmed that she's going to return after many months of speculation.

She added: 'When we first worked together, we were both pretty young, but we've had marriages and children. We've all kind of grown and matured'

Karen made a brief appearance in 2008's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (seen), which ended with her and Harrison's character walking down the aisle together

When it was first announced that there would be one more Indiana Jones movie - many were curious if Karen (seen with Harrison in 2008) would appear in the film

While speaking to NPR recently, Karen dished on what it was really like to film the now-famous scene where she and Harrison's character are surrounded by tons of snakes

While speaking to NPR ahead of the new movie, Karen dished on what it was really like to film the now-famous scene in which she and Harrison's character are surrounded by tons of snakes in the first Indiana Jones flick.

She revealed that they used real reptiles - 6,000 of them, in fact - when making the movie, but that it wasn't as scary as you'd imagine because they were harmless.

'Those were real snakes, 6,000 snakes. It was pre-CGI,' she said. 'I am not fortunately particularly frightened of snakes.

Karen (seen at the premiere last week) revealed that they used real reptiles - 6,000 of them, in fact - but that it wasn't as scary as you'd imagine since they were harmless

'[They used] a kind of snake called a glass snake - you could put your finger in its mouth and it wouldn't bite you.'

However, she recalled some of the animals escaping from the set and slithering over to other areas of the studio, which wasn't ideal.

'We were filming in London at the time and... there were three or four other films shooting at the studio,' she continued.

'The snakes would get off our set and onto other people's sets. They would go crawling across the set.'

An official synopsis of the upcoming fifth Indiana Jones movie, which was directed by James Mangold, reads: 'Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history.

'Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jurgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.'

It will also star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, and Toby Jones.
Almost everyone knows that certain foods that aren't cooked properly can pose a risk for food poisoning - but there are some dishes that people consume all the time, which they may not realize are actually putting them in danger.

Two food safety scientists have reveal the six surprisingly 'risky' foods that they always avoid. Keith Schneider, a professor in the food science and human nutrition department at the University of Florida, is seen

Thankfully, two food safety scientists spoke to the Today show recently about the surprisingly 'risky' foods that they always avoid.

From sunny side up eggs and runny omelets to rare beef and raw oysters, there's a slew of very popular foods that actually have a high potential of containing bacteria.

Raw sprouts - which are often added to salads for texture - and unpasteurized milk - which has become popular among health buffs due to its immense minerals and vitamins - are also foods that the experts would never consume.

According to the CDC, one in six Americans get sick from bad food every year, 128,000 of which need to be hospitalized and 3,000 of which die.

Of course, it's up to you whether or not you decide to take the risk - but here are six shocking things that nutrition professors have deemed as too dangerous to eat.

Raw sprouts

According to Keith, eating raw alfalfa, bean, lentil, or clover sprouts can pose a serious risk (stock image)

According to Keith Schneider, a professor in the food science and human nutrition department at the University of Florida, eating raw alfalfa, bean, lentil, or clover sprouts can pose a serious risk.

Many like to add raw sprouts to salads to add some texture - but the expert explained that they can potentially contain 'disease-causing pathogens.'

He pointed out that sprouts require 'warm and moist conditions to grow' safely, which is the same type of environment that illnesses like E. coli or salmonella thrive in.

He said: 'Its very hard to produce sprouts in a completely safe manner.'

While Healthline reported that they can be 'a rich source of nutrients,' can reduce risk factors of heart disease, and improve digestion, the outlet confirmed Keith's warning.

'One issue often linked to eating sprouts is the risk of food poisoning,' it said. 'Over the last two decades, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked 48 outbreaks of foodborne illness to raw or lightly cooked sprouts.'

Unpasteurized milk

Another food that Kevin said you should steer clear from is unpasteurized milk - also known as raw milk (stock image)

Another food that Kevin said you should steer clear from is unpasteurized milk - also known as raw milk.

When milk has been pasteurized, it means that it was heated to a certain temperature to ensure that any bacteria inside of it was killed.

According to Healthline, some health buffs choose to drink raw milk because it contains 'more amino acids, antimicrobials, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

But the CDC describes unpasteurized milk as 'one of the riskiest foods' you can consume.

'Its a raw agricultural product coming out of the udder of a cow right next to its fecal disposal unit,' Keith stated.

'Theres a high probability the udder can become contaminated, and the bacteria makes it into the milk. This whole thing that raw milk is healthier for you is absurd in my opinion.'

Raw oysters or clams

Raw oysters are very popular - but a second professor advised against consuming any uncooked shellfish because they can contain a disease called vibriosis (stock image)

Raw oysters and clams are very popular seafood dishes - but a second professor has advised against consuming any uncooked shellfish.

Robert Gravani, a teacher in the food science department at Cornell University, told Today, 'I dont consume raw molluscan shellfish, like clams or oysters, for obvious reasons ... They're very risky.'

Robert Gravani, a teacher in the food science department at Cornell University, told Today, 'I dont consume raw molluscan shellfish, like clams or oysters, for obvious reasons ... They're very risky'

The CDC reported that consuming raw oysters or clams can put you at risk for catching a disease called vibriosis, which causes diarrhea and vomiting.

It's estimated that about 80,000 people get vibriosis in the US every year.

'People with a vibriosis can get very sick. As many as one in five people with a Vibrio vulnificus infection die,' the organization reported.

'This is because Vibrio vulnificus infection can lead to bloodstream infections, severe skin blistering, and limb amputations.'

'An oyster that contains Vibrio doesnt look, smell, or even taste different from any other oyster. You can kill Vibrio in oysters and other shellfish by cooking them properly.'

Undercooked eggs

Almost everyone is guilty of trying some raw batter or cookie dough when baking - but the experts advised against it, since it could pose a risk of catching salmonella (stock image)

Almost everyone is guilty of trying some raw batter or cookie dough when baking - but the experts advised against it, since it could pose a risk of catching salmonella.

Robert even warned against eating eggs 'runny' or 'sunny side up,' stating, 'In the US, we have certainly done a good job of reducing the risk of salmonella in eggs ... and keeping salmonella out of breeder flocks of chickens, but as a precaution, you want to cook eggs thoroughly to reduce the risk even further.'

The CDC has confirmed that chicken can carry salmonella bacteria, which can spread to their eggs.

'Always handle and cook eggs properly to prevent illness,' it suggested. 'Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.'

Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and stomach cramps - and while most people recover on their own without treatment, it can very rarely spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.

Steak tartare or rare meat

Some of the world's most acclaimed restaurants have steak tartare on their menus - a raw beef dish - but the food experts said they would avoid it at all costs (stock image)

In fact, Robert said he personally refuses to eat any meat that's not cooked to the 'well done' level (stock image)

Some of the world's most acclaimed restaurants have steak tartare on their menus - a raw beef dish - but the food experts said they would avoid it at all costs.

Like raw eggs, any uncooked meat can contain bacteria in it, and the US Department of Agriculture recommends that all beef be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit before being consumed.

In fact, Robert said he personally refuses to eat any meat that's not cooked to the 'well done' level.

The food scientists added that you shouldn't 'rely on color' when cooking meat, but rather, always 'check the temperature' to ensure it's cooked enough to kill any bacteria.

Anything from a swollen or damaged can

Last but not least, Kevin said you should not eat any food that comes from a can that appears to be swollen because that can be an indication that the food is contaminated (stock image)

Last but not least, Kevin said you should not eat any food that comes from a can that appears to be swollen or damaged because that can be an indication that the food is contaminated.

The FDA explained that food spoilage can cause a hydrogen gas when interacting with the metal of the can - which then causes the can to bloat.

An illness called botulism can develop in canned goods - which can be 'deadly.'

'It can cause difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death,' the CDC said of the condition.

'Improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods can provide the right conditions for the bacteria to make the toxin.

'You cannot see, smell, or taste the toxin, but taking even a small taste of food containing it can be deadly.'
Customers are shopping at The Reject Shop to score huge discounts

An employee from The Reject Shop shown just how much money customers can save by shopping at the discounted retailer instead of traditional supermarkets.

The young staff member told her mum Yvette packets of Oral B 3D White Whitening Emulsions, which is designed to whiten teeth quickly, costs just $6 at The Reject Shop.

However, the same product costs a whopping $60 at Woolworths and is currently on sale for $21 at Coles and $44.99 at Chemist Warehouse.

Yvette was shocked after seeing the massive price difference and alerted other shoppers.

'My daughter works for The Reject Shop and it almost physically hurts her to see some of the prices at Woolworths. Here is an example that has us wonder why,' she wrote.

The $54 discount has left hundreds online gobsmacked.

Aussie mum Yvette was shocked when her daughter who works at The Reject Shop pointed out the discount retailer is selling an Oral B product for a heavily discounted price (pictured left Oral B product priced at $6 compared to $60 from alternative retailer)

The Oral B 3D White Whitening Emulsions (pictured) is designed to whiten teeth quickly

The shocked mum also shared two images of the product on shelves showing the labels.

The price comparison led others to question how The Reject Shop is able to sell items for such a low price.

'That's disgusting,' one commented, another added: ''All this post has made me want to do is go to The Reject Shop tomorrow.'

'Price difference is crazy. I buy my vanish powder 2kg bucket at reject shop for $20 and at woolies it's $42!' a third wrote.

'If I have time I always check Reject Shop first,' another customer admitted.

Daily Mail Australia understands a number of other retailers' standard price for this product is set at $60.

At Woolworths the same product costs $60 in store and online (pictured)

Currently the product is on sale for $21 down from $60 at Coles (pictured). It also costs $44.99 at Chemist Warehouse. The price comparison led others to question how The Reject Shop is able to sell items for such a low price

Daily Mail Australia understands all products sold by The Reject Shop comply with the Australian Consumer Law and are within the use-by or best before date.

Occasionally The Reject Shop receives deal that are closer to the use-by date but do not accept any deals with less than a three month period until the use-by date.

Many of the products come from National Brands here in Australia and have the same use-by dates that customers will find in supermarkets.

TRS sources its branded products both locally and internationally.

Daily Mail Australia also understands a number of other retailers' standard price for this product is also set at $60

Amy Eshuys, Chief Operating Officer at The Reject Shop told FEMAIL the brand is proud to offer customers the 'lowest everyday prices in the market on branded, essential items across cleaning, toiletries, confectionary and pet.'

'Anytime you walk into The Reject Shop, you can save on a basket of everyday items compared to the supermarket, including a basket we highlighted to our customers recently with a saving of $19 and 35 per cent,' Ms Eshuys said.

'How do we do it? Well, we are a low cost operator and our team works closely with our suppliers to find amazing deals for our customers. There is nothing we love more than finding a great deal and passing the benefit on to our customers, especially while the cost of living is a challenge for so many Australians.

'At the moment, The Reject Shop is running a health and beauty event. The Reject Shop offers an extensive range of health and beauty products at unbeatable prices, giving customers the opportunity to look and feel great without breaking the bank.

'From makeup and skincare to haircare and oral care, customers can find all the essentials and more in our health and beauty range. With our every day low prices, customers can stock up on all the essentials for a fraction of the cost.'
Ozempic and Wegovy have become two of the fastest-selling drugs ever, irrevocably changing the obesity treatment landscape - but there have been a couple of catches.

They come with some very unappealing side-effects. And they need to be injected.

One of those issues is being addressed by the pharmaceutical industry, which is racing to develop the next generation of obesity medications in pill form. Easy-to-take tablets could prove even more profitable than the injectable formulations that have earned drug makers tens of billions in profits.

Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as Indiana-based Eli Lilly and New York-based Pfizer, are vying to become the first company to introduce a highly effective, safe, and extremely lucrative weight loss pill.

So when could they be rolled out, how effective will they be, and what would the downsides be of taking them? Dailymail.com has compiled answers to the most pressing questions about the pills:

Wegovy and Ozempic work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals

Who's in the race?

Three giants in the pharmaceutical industry have put plans in motion to market pill iterations of injectable weight loss medicines.

Novo Nordisk appears to be in the lead with its oral semaglutide, the same main ingredient that makes up weekly Ozempic and Wegovy shots.

Novo's once-daily pill is similar to its type 2 diabetes drug Rybelsus, which is a low dose of semaglutide.

A lower-dose version of oral semaglutide from Novo, called Rybelsus, is already approved for Type 2 diabetes. The dose tested in the clinical trial for weight loss was higher

The latest iterations come in much higher doses, as the currently approved Rybelsus dosages of 7mg and 14mg would not result in significant weight loss.

Eli Lilly is another major player, having already hit the jackpot with its drug tirzepatide, branded Mounjaro.

Now, the company is testing an oral version called orforglipron, which was found to help people lose as much as 15 percent of their body weight.

Pfizer scrapped one of its obesity medicine candidates on Monday after patients in a clinical trial showed elevated levels of liver enzymes, which could indicate liver damage.

But the drugmaker will continue with clinical trials of its other obesity medicine called danuglipron, which so far has not been shown to damage the liver.

How would they work?

The next iteration of Ozempic and Wegovy would work similarly if not exactly the same as the injectable versions.

The active ingredient semaglutide spurs weight loss by mimicking the actions of GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone in the brain that regulates appetite and feelings of satiety.

But rather than require patients to stick themselves weekly with a medication injector, which likely turns off a lot of needle-phobic potential users, the semaglutide pill would be taken every morning on an empty stomach.

Meanwhile, Lilly's orforglipron is what is known as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) that works by activating hormones that regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and decrease appetite.

When will people have access?

The timeline for access to pill versions of blockbuster Wegovy and its sister drug Ozempic is murky for now, though Novo appears to be in the lead.

Dr Shauna Levy, an obesity medicine specialist at Tulane University

The Danish powerhouse announced recently that it expects to file for FDA approval in the US and the EU in 2023.

Semaglutide has already been made available in a pill form since 2020 in the US for people with type 2 diabetes under the brand name Rybelsus, but the dosages are too low to effectively lead to weight loss.

It remains to be seen how many people will actually benefit from the medication, which belongs to a class of drugs that are exorbitantly expensive and seldom covered by insurance.

Dr Shauna Levy, an obesity medicine specialist from Tulane University told DailyMail.com: 'Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease that has been increasing in prevalence in recent years... and will need multiple treatment options for patients.

'Treatment should be individualized to the patient, and more treatment options will allow us to better treat our patients.'

Have the pills been tested?

Novo Nordisk unveiled the results of two gold-standard clinical trials showing the efficacy of semaglutide pills at the 2023 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions this past weekend.

Dr Levy called the studies' findings 'very exciting'.

'I am glad they studied the higher doses because the oral semaglutide that is currently available [Rybelsus] doesn't lead to as much weight loss as the injectable.'

The Phase 3 OASIS 1 trial set out to test the semaglutide pill in people with overweight or obesity but without diabetes.

Researchers funded by Novo tracked 667 people over 68 weeks, half of whom received a daily 50mg dose and the other half who received a dummy pill. Those who took the pill lost an average of 15 percent of their body weight (about 35 lbs) at the end of the trial versus roughly 2.4 percent in placebo recipients.

The results showed that an oral version of the drug worked about as well as the injectable 2.4mg dose of Wegovy, which has been shown to successfully shave off up to 15 percent of a persons body weight.

Another trial with oral semaglutide, named the Phase 3 PIONEER PLUS trial, tested the pills effectiveness specifically for people with type 2 diabetes. About 1,600 patients being treated for diabetes were broken into three groups and given daily 14mg, 25mg or 50mg doses.

Participants who took the two higher doses saw greater improvement in their blood glucose levels than those on the lower 14mg dose.

They also saw greater reductions in body weight. Starting at a baseline average weight of about 212 lbs., people taking either a 25mg or 50mg pill lost between 15 and 21 lbs after 68 weeks, compared to people who took a low dose and lost an average of 10 lbs.

Lillys mid-stage trial showed that the highest dose of its pill orforglipron helped people who were obese or overweight lose between 9.4 percent to 14.7 percent of their body weight after 36 weeks.

That trial, the results of which were published on Friday in the New England Journal of Medicine, sought to find an oral equivalent to its breakout star Mounjaro, another injectable that has proven highly effective at decreasing body weight by up to 22 percent.

Alex Guevara (pictured left at his heaviest, 266 lbs and right after losing weight) first took weight-loss drug semaglutide (Wegovy is the brand name) three years ago. He rapidly lost weight but says that when he stopped taking it he put pounds back on. After restarting treatment, in the past five months, he has shed 7 lbs

What are the downsides?

The infamous side-effects of Wegovy and Ozempic injections - including severe diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal upset  do not go away when the administration changes to pill form.

Moreover, around 13 percent of patients experienced 'altered skin sensation' like tingling, which was mostly resolved after several weeks.

With a higher dose appears, those side-effects only become more severe, according to Novos trial results.

In the Pioneer trial geared toward diabetic patients, 80 percent who took the 50mg dose reported adverse effects, versus 79 percent in the 25mg group, and 76 percent in the 14mg group.

GI issues were most common and determined to be mild to moderate overall. Thirteen percent of users taking a 50mg dose stopped taking it because of the GI discomfort.

And in the Oasis trial for obese patients without diabetes, a staggering 80 percent reported 'mostly mild to moderate' GI issues including vomiting, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.

Roughly six percent of trial participants decided to stop taking the drug before the trial ended because of the side effects.

Who would benefit?

Nearly 40 percent of American adults are obese  which qualifies them for one of the blockbuster injectable drugs  and the majority of us are projected to be too fat by 2030, expanding the multi-billion-dollar market even further.

The drugs are widely popular, with at least five million prescriptions being doled out in 2022 alone.

The arrival of the medications in pill form would be a major boon for needle-phobes who have struggled for years to lose excess weight. But the advantage may not be as widely felt as obesity medicine experts would like.

The injectable medications are prohibitively expensive, without a guarantee that insurance companies will cover at least part if not all of the costs. Wegovy and Ozempic are weekly injections that cost a little more than $1,300 per package, which breaks down to nearly $270 per week or about $16,190 per year.

The price of Mounjaro is similar, hovering around $1,087 for a supply of 2 milligrams.

The sky-high price point and insurance firms' reluctance to foot the bill has been a source of frustration for obesity medicine specialists like Dr Levy, who told DailyMail.com earlier this year that access to the drugs, or lack thereof, is a major discrimination issue.

Dr Levy said: The cost is a real concern. But even more than that is access. It's truly discrimination against this disease, why employers and even our own government don't cover anti-obesity medication.

Pharmaceutical companies have not given any indication yet as to whether pill versions would be more affordable or likely to be covered by insurance. Regardless of coverage, big pharma stands to gain billions more in revenue.

The nascent obesity medication industry is growing fast, and analysts at Barclays estimate it could be worth as much as $200 billion within the next decade.

Novo Nordisk owns a staggering majority  94 percent  of the branded obesity medicine market in the US.

What about the iterations of semaglutide currently on the market?

Wegovy and Ozempic are the same drugs - semaglutide - at different doses.

Wegovy is a higher-dose version thats approved for weight loss in people who have a body mass index of at least 30, or in overweight people with a BMI of 27 or greater, who also have a weight-related medical condition.

Ozempic is approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, but it is being prescribed 'off-label' for obesity.

Will insurance cover Ozempic for prediabetes?

Many insurance plans will cover Ozempic if it's for diabetes or prediabetes, but not all.

Even fewer will cover Ozempic if prescribed off-label for obesity. And most insurance plans decline to cover obesity medications outright.

How long has Ozempic been on the market? And Wegovy?

The FDA approved Ozempic for people with diabetes in 2017 and approved Wegovy for people who have obesity or are overweight and have additional health problems in 2021.

How do Wegovy and Ozempic help you lose weight?

The active ingredient semaglutide mimics the actions of hormones in the brain that govern appetite and feelings of fullness, which can help people cut the number of calories they consume.

People prescribed weekly Wegovy injections start out at a dose of 0.25 mg once a week, increasing the dose every four weeks until you reach the full 2.4 mg dose.

How much weight can you lose on Wegovy or Ozempic?

Studies have revealed that Ozempic and Wegovy can lead to patients shedding up to 15 percent of their body weight in about a year and four months.

How can I get Wegovy or Ozempic online?

Many Americans eager to get their hands on the miracle slimming shots have done so through online retailers.

The online retailers - which often included words like 'laboratory' or 'asylum' in their title - sell a range of research chemicals, including hormones and steroids, which they state are 'not for human consumption'.

Listings for many of the chemicals state they are only to be purchased for scientific research purposes - a warning that allows the sites to exploit a legal loophole.

DailyMail.com also found semaglutide on 10 sites. It was sold in powder form, to be mixed with bacteriostatic water before being injected into the abdomen.

How quickly do Wegovy and Ozempic work?

The body typically adapts to the medication after about two weeks, or two injectable doses.

Once the body gets used to the drug, patients can expect weight loss results within the first four weeks of taking the medication.
Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical advisor to the Biden White House and long-serving director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will be teaching some of his hard-won lessons managing the Covid pandemic to college students.

Starting this July, Dr Fauci will become a 'distinguished university professor' at Georgetown's Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, for an as-yet-not-public fee.

Outside the department, which 'provides clinical care, conducts research and trains future physicians in infectious diseases,' as the school noted in their announcement, Dr Fauci will also hold a position with Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy.

Starting this July, Dr Fauci will become a 'distinguished university professor' at Georgetown's Department of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases for an as-yet-unknown fee. Pictured above is Dr Fauci delivering the Class Day Remarks at Princeton University

The immunologist and policymaker has faced mounting criticism since leaving government last August, in no small part over allegations that he reaped the rewards of his controversial, pandemic-era fame by pocketing sky-high speaker fees.

'I am delighted to join the Georgetown family,' Fauci said in statement with the school, 'an institution steeped in clinical and academic excellence with an emphasis on the Jesuit tradition of public service.'

'This is a natural extension of my scientific, clinical and public health career,' he said, '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.'

Dr Fauci - whose net worth is estimated at more than $12 million - became a highly divisive figure during his pandemic response. Critics slammed him for exaggerating the effectiveness of vaccines to boost uptake, flip-flopping on face masks and pushing for lockdowns.

Last month, Dr Fauci gave the commencement address to graduates at the Yale School of Medicine, a gig which may have netted him somewhere between $50,000 and $100,000, based on rates posted by his representation at Leading Motivational Speakers.

Dr Fauci's speaking fees were taken off of Leading Motivational Speakers' site last February

By the time of his retirement last year, Fauci, 82, had spent over half a decade in public service and had advised every US president since Ronald Reagan.

Since joining the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 1968, Fauci worked for over 40 years as its director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. There Fauci's career came to be defined by his work on, first, the HIV and AIDS crisis and, later, the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the 1980s, Fauci became a target of activists, who fiercely criticized the Ronald Reagan administration and him for being too slow to address AIDS and throw government resources behind treatment of it.

As a leading figure in America's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he became a polarizing figure as a lightning rod for both criticism and praise, but indisputably a leading voice on infectious diseases guiding US pandemic policy.

In a statement announcing the appointment, Georgetown's President John J. DeGioia said, 'We are deeply honored to welcome Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, a dedicated public servant, humanitarian and visionary global health leader, to Georgetown.'
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced its obesity-busting drug could offer even greater weight loss benefits than Ozempic and Wegovy.

The Indiana-based company announced results from its mid-stage trial of its next-generation obesity drug candidate 'retatrutide', which led to 24.2 percent weight loss after 48 weeks, the greatest amount seen yet with any obesity medicine.

The once-weekly injectable has been dubbed 'triple g' because it targets three different hormones, compared to Ozempic and Wegovy which target one, and Eli Lilly's other weight-loss drug Mounjaro, which targets two hormones.

Retatrutide is part of a class known as incretins, designed to mimic the action of hormones in the gut to help regulate blood sugar, slow stomach emptying and decrease appetite.

Lilly's triple g, if approved, would join a growing field of revolutionary pills and injections such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy to help chronically overweight and obese people lose weight and improve their overall health.

Eli Lilly's trial results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, followed 338 overweight and obese adults for 48 weeks. Those taking the highest dose of the weekly injection - 12 mg - shed nearly 25 percent of their bodyweight by the study's end

Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy (shown here) is one in a growing number of medications for obesity currently revolutionizing the field

Lilly's trial enrolled 338 adults who had a body mass index of 30 or higher (indicative of obesity) or who had a BMI of 27 (considered overweight) with at least one weight-related underlying condition.

The subjects, roughly half of whom were male and half were female, were broken into distinct groups that either received a placebo or one of four doses of retatrutide as a weekly injection.

After 24 weeks, patients on 12mg, the highest dose, lost an average 17.5 percent of their body weight, the equivalent of about 41 pounds.

At 48 weeks, that amount of weight lost had increased to 24.2 percent, roughly 58 pounds.

The most common adverse reactions were gastrointestinal, such as diahrrea and constipation. These also happen to be the most oft-reported side effects for injectable Wegovy and Ozempic.

Dan Skovronsky, Lilly's chief scientific and medical officer, said: 'These phase 2 data have given us confidence to further explore the potential of retatrutide in phase 3 trials that will look beyond weight reduction and focus on treating obesity and its complications comprehensively.'

The new family of drugs has reignited interest in the weight-loss treatment market, which is estimated to reach $100 billion by the end of the decade.

At the end of 48 weeks, the amount of weight lost had not plateaued, which suggests the subjects could have lost even more weight had they stayed on the medicine for longer

Lilly's Mounjaro, which is awaiting U.S. regulatory approval for treatment of obesity, targets GLP-1 as well as a second obesity-related hormone called GIP.

The company reported last year that a trial of Mounjaro in people who were obese or overweight found it led to weight loss of 22.5 percent after 72 weeks.

Retatrutide targets GLP-1, GIP and the body's receptors for a third hormone, glucagon.

Given the three targets, retatrutide has earned the moniker triple G.

Lilly is conducting longer-duration phase 3 trials of retatrutide to see if weight loss might be further improved. It is expected that remaining on the drug for longer than 48 weeks could lead to even more weight loss.

Those studies will evaluate the drug's safety and effectiveness for chronic weight management as well as obstructive sleep apnea and knee osteoarthritis.

Results from the phase 2 trial were presented in San Diego at a meeting of the American Diabetes Association and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Also revealed at the ADA meeting were results from two gold-standard trials funded by Novo Nordisk into pill versions of its groundbreaking obesity drug Wegovy.

The first trial pertained to a pill version for people with type 2 diabetes. About 1,600 patients being treated for diabetes were broken into three groups and given daily 14mg, 25mg or 50mg doses.

Participants who took the two higher doses saw greater improvement in their blood glucose levels than those on the lower 14mg dose as well as greater reductions in body weight.

Starting at a baseline average weight of about 212 lbs., people taking either a 25mg or 50mg pill lost between 15 and 21 lbs after 68 weeks, compared to people who took a low dose and lost an average of 10 lbs.

The other trial pertained to people with overweight or obesity but not diabetes. The researchers tracked 667 people over 68 weeks, half of whom received a daily 50mg dose and the other half who received a dummy pill.

Those who took the pill lost an average of 15 percent of their body weight (about 35 lbs) at the end of the trial versus roughly 2.4 percent in placebo recipients.

The results showed that an oral version of the drug worked about as well as the injectable 2.4mg dose of Wegovy, which has been shown to successfully shave off up to 15 percent of a persons body weight.

The development of triple g, whose approval could coincide closely with approval of Mounjaro for obesity, will add to an ever-growing arsenal against the plague of obesity, which affects nearly 40 percent of American adults.

Dr Shauna Levy, an obesity medicine specialist at Tulane University who attended the ADA meeting told DailyMail.com: 'Obesity is a chronic disease that has been increasing in prevalence for years.

'Treatment should be individualized for the patient, and more treatment options will allow us to better treat our patients.'
Patients could book GP appointments through robot receptionists under plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) to make the NHS more efficient.

Such systems are thought to be up to 10 times quicker than humans, and cheaper.

AI software could also be available for doctors to transcribe their notes, to provide test results and analyse referrals, it was suggested today.

Calls to make use of pioneering technology comes as part of the long-awaited NHS workforce plan, which is set to be released in full later this week.

Rishi Sunak said the blueprint will be 'one of the most significant announcements in the history of the NHS'.

The proposals form part of the long-awaited NHS workforce plan, which is set to be released in full later this week and will be 'one of the most significant announcements in the history of the NHS', according to the Prime Minister (pictured yesterday with Health Secretary Steve Barclay)

The Prime Minister said the plan will 'reduce our reliance' on foreign staff, while also helping to tackle chronic NHS waiting lists.

The current cap on medical school places is set to be doubled from 7,500 in England to 15,000, allowing a greater number of students to train as doctors.

A section of the report, yet to be seen by MailOnline, sets out that AI and robotics should be used in the NHS to overhaul how it interacts with patients and its role in diagnostics and screening.

It contains a push for the use of 'robotic process automation', according to The Daily Telegraph.

Such processes could involve scheduling appointments.

Doctors could use artificial intelligence (AI) software, such as ChatGPT, to transcribe their notes, the document suggests.

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NHS trusts will be urged to use software to analyse performance and identify where more appointments can be squeezed in.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Mr Sunak said technology is 'part of the answer' to tackling the NHS crisis and said 'advances such as artificial intelligence can lend a helping hand'.

The health service is currently battling a record backlog and 124,000 vacancies.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay lobbied for potential advances in technology to be set out in the plans, according to The Telegraph.

A source close to Mr Barclay told the paper: 'Technology and innovation, particularly AI, are changing the nature of healthcare, and the Health Secretary is keen that they play a huge part in improving diagnosis and treatment, and cutting waiting lists.

'He wants AI to help reduce workload and raise productivity, supporting staff and freeing up their time to focus on caring for patients.'

Last week, the Health Secretary unveiled a 21milion fund to use AI to speed up cancer diagnoses and treatment times and slash record waiting lists.

Other leaked sections of the plan include doubling the cap on medical school places in England from 7,500 to 15,000, allowing a greater number of students to train as doctors.

And tens of thousands of aspiring doctors are expected to start working in the NHS without going to university. Instead, they would 'earn while they learn' for five years, before sitting the same exam as medical students to become doctors.

Officials believe up to one in 10 doctors and a third of all nurses could eventually be trained through this radical new approach to recruitment.

Mr Sunak has also indicated that plan will include an expansion of 'specialist GPs'.

The PM told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: 'This week we're going to do something that no government has ever done.

'It's going to be one of the most significant announcements in the history of the NHS, and that is to make sure that it has a long-term workforce plan so that we can hire the doctors, nurses and GPs that we need, not just today, but for years into the future, to provide the care that we all need.'

He added: 'What it will represent is the largest expansion in training and workforce in the NHS's history.' But he conceded the changes might take up to 15 years for patients to feel the benefits.'
When veteran radio DJ Les Ross was told he had prostate cancer, he was prepared for the bad news  despite having no symptoms of the disease.

Thanks to the advice of friends, the 74-year-old was having regular PSA blood tests for seven years prior to his diagnosis in July 2021.

Les's most recent results had shown a rise in prostate-specific antigen  indicating a problem.

It meant Les 'was expecting something' and that the cancer, which affects up to one in eight men in the UK in their lifetime, was caught quickly enough to be treated.

Les, who began working for BBC radio in 1970, opted to undergo a five-hour radical prostatectomy to have his prostate removed 'by robot claws' at Coventry University Hospital.

When veteran radio DJ Les Ross was told he had prostate cancer, he was prepared for the bad news  despite having no symptoms of the disease. Thanks to the advice of friends, the 74-year-old was having regular PSA blood tests for seven years prior to his diagnosis in July 2021. Now, Les, who presents a show on Boom Radio  the national radio station aimed at Baby Boomers, is sharing his story to raise awareness of the tests that saved his life

Les, who was appointed MBE in 1996 for services to broadcasting and charity, said: 'I wouldn't have known anything had been wrong with me.' He is pictured right, with late BBC radio star Terry Wogan (centre)

Just three days after the surgery, Les, who was appointed MBE in 1996 for services to broadcasting and charity, said: 'I wouldn't have known anything had been wrong with me.'

Now, Les, who presents a show on Boom Radio  the national radio station aimed at Baby Boomers, is sharing his story to raise awareness of the tests that saved his life.

'I was diagnosed with prostate cancer four months after Boom Radio started in 2021,' Les said.

'I had no symptoms, which goes to show what a silent disease it is. I had never really been to the doctors as I've had a marvellous life health-wise.

'Nine years ago, when I turned 65, I got a letter from my GP about a wellness check. I was speaking to a friend who was one of about four men my age who I knew had had prostate cancer and he said to ask for a PSA blood test, as it could give you an indication about your prostate.

Prostate cancer: All your questions answered How many people does it kill? More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer. It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year. Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind. How many men are diagnosed annually? Every year, upwards of 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK - more than 140 every day. How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages. But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms. Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Tests and treatment Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment. Men over 50 are eligible for a 'PSA' blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not fool-proof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org Advertisement

'So I went, and had my check. The nurse said "anything else?", so I asked for a PSA test. She leaned back and said "What do you want one of those for?'!

'I explained. She asked if I had any symptoms, I said no. But she said to come back the following week for a test. I did and the results of the test showed my prostate-specific antigen levels were 4.6, which my doctor said were "highish" as it should be less than four.

'I had tests every six months, and for seven years, my number went up very slowly. Every so often, I had an MRI scan to check for cancer, but the last one showed there was nothing wrong.'

Just weeks after Les had his fourth all-clear MRI scan in April 2021, he had his regular PSA test. He received a call from a GP who 'sounded very serious' and explained the results had increased.

He said: 'She said, "I've just seen the results of your blood test and it's suspiciously high. It's gone from 11 to 14 in just six months, which is quite a jump". She then said it was time for a biopsy.'

A score above 6.5 warrants a referral to a specialist for people in their 70s.

Les, who has worked for BBC Radio WM, Radio Tees and Xtra AM, added: 'It was in the middle of Covid  in June 2021. I knew people who were having chemotherapy for serious cancer that had their treatment cancelled, so I thought it would take ages.

'But the GP said she would put it down as urgent. I didn't unduly worry, I was glad someone was looking out for me.'

Les underwent a biopsy, where a small sample of body tissue is taken from the prostate so it can be examined under a microscope, at Warwick Hospital in July 2021.

A week later, he was called by a consultant surgeon who delivered the news that Les had established prostate cancer.

The disease, when the cells in the gland start to grow in an uncontrolled way, is the most common cancer in men.

More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with it every year on average in the UK  143 men every day.

Symptoms can include difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder; a weak flow when urinating; and needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night.

Les said: 'It wasn't a shock, it was a slight jolt, but I was expecting something thanks to the PSA tests.

'The consultant said I had two choices; six months of radiotherapy, which is the normal thing. But as my cancer was a seven on a scale of one to 10, it was established enough for me to have my prostate removed, which certainly gets rid of the cancer. I said "get it out, operation please!".'

Les had a robotic-assisted radical laparoscopic prostatectomy, which lasted for five hours, on September 20, 2021 while he was under a general anesthetic.

'I drove myself to the hospital, and my partner, Phillip, drove me home the following day  I was in hospital overnight for 30 hours,' he said.

'The operation was done by robot claws, which the surgeons control on a screen. It's a fairly new way to do it.

Les, who began working for BBC radio in 1970, opted to undergo a five-hour radical prostatectomy to have his prostate removed 'by robot claws' at Coventry University Hospital

Les, who plays on Boom Radio every Sunday at 10am, doesn't have to take any medication but he does need to undergo a PSA test every six months

'The consultant said before the operation that I could have it done the old way, and they'd cut me open, but I said no thanks.

'They put two rows of three stitches above and below the belly button then open a stitch and take out your prostate. Those six lots of stitches disappeared within six months.

'I had the operation on a Thursday, and was out on the Friday. By the Monday, I wouldn't have known there had been anything wrong with me. They did say I had a really good constitution for a man of my age.

'I was on air on Sunday. Sometimes I can't believe it myself. So far so good.'

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Les said that he felt 'lucky in some ways that the cancer was just about serious enough for them to get on with it'.

He added: 'If I'd been a four out of 10, they would have given me radiotherapy. My friend has had two courses of radiotherapy for prostate cancer and now it's come back.

'So it's my luck it was advanced enough and they gave me the treatment straight away.

'The process was all very quick - I couldn't have got it done any quicker if I'd opted for private. The NHS was brilliant,' Les added

Les, who plays on Boom Radio every Sunday at 10am, doesn't have to take any medication but he does need to undergo a PSA test every six months.

He's keen to talk about his experience to help others who might be in a similar situation. And he is urging every man over 50 to speak to their doctor about having regular PSA tests.

'I mention my diagnosis on air when I have my post-operation blood test and my reading is now zero, but I need to keep a watch on any cancer activity,' he said.

'Men can be hopeless with health and embarrassed about stuff going on "down there". I'm as prudish as the next guy, but when I was told I had prostate cancer, I thought "let's get on with this".

'There are thousands of men walking around who don't know they have prostate cancer. And perhaps I would have been one of them if my friend hadn't recommended having regular PSA tests - I think every man over 50 should be tested regularly.

'And if that can make a difference to just one person, then I'm happy with that.'

Les will be taking part in the 10k March For Men in London, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, on Sunday 23 July. To sponsor Les, visit here.
Crippling NHS nurse strikes are over after the Royal College of Nursing failed in its attempt to organise another six months of carnage.

Walk-outs already organised by the union in pursuit of a better pay deal have led to tens of thousands of operations and appointments being cancelled.

RCN bosses needed a fresh strike mandate to plot further action because their old one expired. But not enough members voted to meet the legal threshold.

Union chiefs urged members to reject the Government's settlement offer of a 5 per cent rise for this year and one-off bonus of up to 3,789 for last year.

The RCN's failure to achieve another strike mandate comes despite union boss Pat Cullen promising Glastonbury attendees that nurses would strike again.

The latest Royal College of Nursing strike ballot for England has failed to achieve a required 50 per cent membership turnout for further NHS industrial action. Pictured an RCN member on the picket line during a walkout in May

According to the Morning Star Ms Cullen told a left-leaning panel entitled Power in a Union: a Year of Strikes and Solidarity, that: 'Taking strike action is the difference between paying your rent next month or standing up for yourself.

'But the fight isnt over. Nurses will strike again, but we strike for our patients.'

But today Ms Cullen admitted to members that the union's latest ballot had failed.

In an email she wrote: 'While the vast majority of members who returned their ballot papers voted in favour of strike action, we did not meet the 50 per cent turnout threshold necessary for us to be able to take further strike action.

'To every one of you who took part, whether by voting or encouraging others to, thank you. We have so much to be proud of.'

'While this will be disappointing for many of you, the fight for the fair pay and safe staffing that our profession, our patients, and our NHS deserves, is far from over,' she added.

'We have started something special - the voice of nursing has never been stronger and were going to keep using it.'

The 106-year-old RCN has 300,000 members and under trade union law needed to convince 50 per cent of its NHS membership in England to vote in the ballot for it to be valid.

In addition, because the strike action covers the NHS, at least 40 per cent of the total eligible membership must have been in favour of the action for it to count.

The RCN said only 122,000 members voted in the latest ballot, about 43.5 per cent of the eligible membership, 6.5 per cent short of the legal threshold.

But they added among those who did vote around 84 per cent (some 100,000) were in favour of continuing the strike action.

It is understood the RCN will not seek to re-ballot its members over the 2022/23 or 2023/24 pays again.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay welcomed the end to the nursing strikes.

He wrote on the social media platform Twitter: 'I hugely value nurses work & welcome the end to disruptive strikes so staff can continue caring for patients and cut waiting lists.

'1M+ eligible NHS staff are receiving their pay rise & one-off payments this month.

And, with a hint to upcoming industrial action by doctors, he added: 'I hope other unions recognise its time to end their strikes.'

NHS Confederation, a membership group for NHS services, also welcomed the result.

The body's chief executive Matthew Taylor said: 'Leaders will be grateful for the certainty that the result of the RCN ballot brings and will be pleased to have a full cohort of nursing staff available as we head into winter.'

'However, while the vote has resulted in no more strikes, we must not overlook the concerns and conditions nurses are working in.

'With 112,000 vacancies in the NHS and large numbers of nurses continuing to leave the service, the government must do all it in can to address workforce shortages by implementing a fully funded and long overdue workforce plan, so nurses and other health staff can feel supported in delivering essential care to their patients.'

More than half a million NHS appointments in England have been cancelled due to health service strikes since December, official figures show

Fellow NHS membership body, NHS Providers echoed these statements, saying they were 'relieved' there would be no more strikes.

But its chief executive Sir Julian Hartley warned that while the vote had failed, ministers mustn't ignore the 'strength of feeling' from within the profession.

'Trust leaders will of course be hugely relieved there will be no more strikes by nurses for the foreseeable future, but it is vital the government and RCN now take this opportunity to "reset" their relationship and to resolve wider, ongoing issues affecting the NHS workforce, including understaffing and burnout.

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'Anything less risks compounding the damaging legacy of increasingly long and drawn out industrial disputes between the government and different groups of healthcare staff.'

The failed vote brings to a close months of unprecedented, and bitter, strike action by the RCN.

Not only was it the first RCN strike in England but the dispute also saw the union at one point threaten to withdraw so-called 'life and limb' exceptions to industrial action.

The union had campaigned for a pay rise of about 5 per cent above inflation, at one point demanding a 19 per cent pay hike.

RCN officials argued such an increase was necessary to help their members combat the cost-of-living crisis as well as attract more nurses into working for the NHS, with some quitting to work in supermarkets for similar pay.

While the latest strike result means nurses will not down tools in the near future, the Government is still in open dispute with NHS junior doctors over pay.

British Medical Association (BMA) bosses just last week announced junior medics will undertake a crippling five-day strike next month  the biggest ever to rock the NHS.

The walkout will take place in England from 7am Thursday 13 July until 7am Tuesday 18 July.

It represents a huge escalation of the never-ending dispute between the union and ministers over pay in the health service.

The BMA is demanding an inflation-busting 35 per cent rise for its members.

Union officials bragged that the action would represent the 'longest single walkout by doctors in the NHSs history'.

But junior doctors could set to be offered an additional 1,000 on top of a 6 per cent pay rise in a bid to avert further devastating strikes.

It is understood that ministers are minded to accept the recommendation from the independent pay review body for the financial year 2023/24.
Pandemic preparation plans 'never envisaged' that mass contact tracing and mass testing would be needed, the former head of Public Health England (PHE) said.

Duncan Selbie told the Covid Inquiry this afternoon that he never discussed 'the scale of pandemic that we faced' before Covid hit.

And he said he was 'accountable' for pandemic flu plans not being updated in the six years before Covid.

But Mr Selbie did praise the 'gold standard' work of his former colleagues in the early months of the pandemic, which he said was 'never part of our remit'.

He was asked about his written evidence, which said that Public Health England 'was not mandated for at scale, pandemic readiness and response'.

Former Public Health England chief executive Duncan Selbie told the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry that he never discussed 'the scale of pandemic that we faced' before Covid hit

In the first week of the Inquiry, 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

Giving evidence remotely from Saudi Arabia, Mr Selbie told the inquiry: 'So the big gap was mass testing and mass contact tracing, because the flu plan didn't ever envisage that that would be necessary.

'And all the thinking none of that required a mass response, it required what we called in Public Health England a large-scale response, but the numbers were in the few hundreds, not what was eventually required.

'And there had never been any discussion at any point with anyone in my discussions, with the secretary of state, the chief medical officer, before and current, or in any place, about the scale of pandemic that we faced.

'When I look at the budget for Public Health England, it is one quarter of 1 per cent  0.23 per cent of 1 per cent  of the NHS budget.

'It doesn't even add up to the cost of a small hospital, and for this we ran amazing gold-standard science at Porton Down and Colindale, and our regional laboratories, and everything else that we've been speaking about this afternoon  it was just not ever part of the remit, it was never part, it was never part of what we were asked to do.

'Notwithstanding that, I'm intensely proud of what Public Health England were able to do in those first few months.'

Asked about the 2014 pandemic influenza response plan, Mr Selbie said: 'It was entirely sensible for the country to have an influenza pandemic plan.

'Even if that's not what we then faced, it would have been negligent not to have had such a plan.'

He added: 'If I could turn the clock back, and I wish I could on so many fronts, it would have still been a flu plan.'

Challenged about the plan not being updated since it was first published, inquiry counsel Kate Blackwell KC said: 'Are you concerned, Mr Selbie, that there was in place during your watch an important plan that that was not updated in any respects over the six years between its inception and the Covid pandemic hitting?'

He replied: 'Yes, of course. I'm accountable for that.'

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

Mr Selbie was ousted as head of PHE when the Government decided to reshuffle public health work in 2020.

PHE was disbanded and two separate organisations, the UK Health Security Agency and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, were formed in its place.

Mr Selbie told the inquiry that PHE's 'first priority' was health protection.

'That was our raison d'etre, it was what we did 24 hours, seven days a week, at no point, not ever, did we compromise on that,' he said.

Meanwhile, he told the inquiry that a reduction in public health grants between 2015 and 2021 was 'very disappointing'.

PHE was formed in 2013 in a bid to tackle health inequalities at a local level.

Asked by Ms Blackwell whether Public Health England succeeded in reducing health inequalities, Mr Selbie replied 'evidently not'.

He added: 'What we did do was make it transparent, bring it into consciousness, we produced evidence, reviews, we gave advice.

'We tried to get government to focus on the things that would make the biggest difference.

'We made good progress in certain areas like TB, HIV and Hep C, we made less good progress in areas like childhood obesity, but it wasn't for the want of Public Health England.'

Mr Selbie said 'politics and public health are inseparable' and issues cannot be addressed without 'political commitment'.

He added: 'Show me your budget, and then I'll know what you care about.

'Don't show me your strategy. And don't tell me that you care about health improvement in inequalities. Show me your budget and then I'll know whether you do.

'And I'm afraid that I would say that there has not been a sufficient interest and focus, because the spending does not reflect that.'
The number of e-cigarettes sold in the US has nearly tripled to 9,000 in just three years, driven almost exclusively by a wave of unauthorized fruity vapes from China.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tried to crack down on vapes in early 2020, outlawing fruity flavors that appeal to teenagers. But disposable versions of the flavors  including gummy bear, lemonade and watermelon  continue to be sold.

Now sales data obtained by the Associated Press and published today has revealed how the agency appears to have lost control of the situation.

It shows that new brands are regularly being set up and new vapes imported from Shenzhen in China. The number of disposable vape products available has risen 5,800 percent, from 365 in early 2020 to more than 5,800 now.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tried to crack down on vapes in early 2020, outlawing fruity flavors that appeal to teenagers (stock image)

The maximum level of nicotine permitted in a vape is fixed at 20 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid (two percent) in Europe, the UK, and Canada. These devices last for around 550 to 600 puffs. In the US, it's fairly easy to find a device or pod containing as much as 5 percent nicotine

The Associated Press reports that all fruity-flavored vapes are technically illegal in the United States, but the influx has turned regulations on their head.

Instead of carefully reviewing individual products that might help adult smokers, regulators must now somehow claw back thousands of illegal products sold by under-the-radar importers and distributors.

Most disposables mirror a few major brands, such as Elf Bar or Puff Bar, but hundreds of new varieties appear each month.

Companies copy each others designs, blurring the line between the real and counterfeit.

Entrepreneurs can launch a new product by simply sending their logo and flavor requests to Chinese manufacturers, who promise to deliver tens of thousands of devices within weeks.

Once a niche market, cheaper disposables made up 40 percent of the roughly $7billion retail market for e-cigarettes last year, according to data from analytics firm IRI obtained by the AP.

The companys proprietary data collects barcode scanner sales from convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers.

More than 5,800 unique disposable products are now being sold in numerous flavors and formulations, according to the data, up 1,500 percent from 365 in early 2020.

Thats when the FDA effectively banned all flavors except menthol and tobacco from cartridge-based e-cigarettes like Juul, the rechargeable device blamed for sparking a nationwide surge in underage vaping.

But the FDAs policy, formulated under President Donald Trump, excluded disposables, prompting many teens to simply switch from Juul to the newer flavored products.

'The FDA moves at a ponderous pace and the industry knows that and exploits it,' said Dr. Robert Jackler of Stanford University, who has studied the rise of disposables.

'Time and again, the vaping industry has innovated around efforts to remove its youth-appealing products from the market.'

Adding to the challenge, foreign manufacturers of the prefilled devices dont have to register with the FDA, giving regulators little visibility into a sprawling industry centered in Chinas Shenzhen manufacturing center.

Under pressure from politicians, parents and major vaping companies, the FDA recently sent warning letters to more than 200 stores selling popular disposables, including Elf Bar, Esco Bar and Breeze.

The agency also issued orders blocking imports of those three brands. But IRI data shows those companies accounted for just 14 percent of disposable sales last year.

Tobacco use among 11 to 18-year-olds has risen by almost a quarter compared to last year, estimates suggest. The CDC warns, however, against the comparison because in 2021 the surveys had to be done from home due to the pandemic. This may have affected the results

A lack of federal regulation over flavors and nicotine content has led to a patchwork of state- and city-level restrictions

Dozens of other brands, including Air Bar, Mr. Fog, Fume and Kangvape, have been left untouched.

The FDAs tobacco director, Brian King, said the agency is 'unwavering' in its commitment against illegal e-cigarettes.

'I dont think theres any panacea here,' King said. 'We follow a comprehensive approach and that involves addressing all entities across the supply chain, from manufacturers to importers to distributors to retailers.'

The IRI data obtained by the AP provides key insights beyond figures released last week by government researchers, which showed the number of vaping brands in the US grew nearly 50 percent to 269 by late 2022.

IRI restricts access to its data, which it sells to companies, investment firms and researchers.

A person not authorized to share it gave access to the AP on condition of anonymity. The company declined to comment on or confirm the data, saying IRI doesnt offer such information to news organizations.

To be sure, the FDA has made progress in a mammoth task: processing nearly 26 million product applications submitted by manufacturers hoping to enter or stay on the market.

And King said the agency hopes to get back to 'true premarket review' once it finishes plowing through that mountain of applications.

But in the meantime disposable vape makers have exploited two loopholes in the FDAs oversight, only one of which has been closed.

The FDAs authority originally only referenced products using nicotine from tobacco plants. In 2021, Puff Bar and other disposable companies switched to using laboratory-made nicotine.

Congress closed that loophole last year, but the action gave rise to another backlog of FDA applications for synthetic nicotine products. Under the law, the FDA was supposed to promptly make decisions on those applications. The agency has let most stay on the market while numerous others launch illegally.

An earlier loophole came from a decision by Trumps White House, which was made without the FDAs input, according to the previous director of the agencys tobacco program.

More than 2.5 million US children use e-cigarettes - rising a half-million from last year and reversing downward trends in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) reports that 2.55 million Americans in middle or high school admit using the device in the past 30 days. It is a jump of 500,000, or 24 percent, from 2021. It is the first increase since the CDC started gathering annual data in 2019

'It was preventable,' said Mitch Zeller, who retired from the FDA last year. 'But I was told there was no appeal.'

In September 2019, Trump announced at a news conference a plan to ban non-tobacco flavors from all e-cigarettes  both reloadable devices and disposables. But political advisers to the president worried that could alienate voters.

Zeller said he was subsequently informed by phone in December 2019 that the flavor restrictions wouldnt apply to disposables.

The FDA has cracked down on the use of flavored disposable e-cigarettes like Elf Bars

'I told them: "It doesnt take a crystal ball to predict that kids will migrate to the disposable products that are unaffected by this, and you ultimately wont solve the problem".' Zeller said.

In retrospect, the governments crackdown on Juul now seems relatively simple.

In September 2018, FDA officials declared teen vaping an 'epidemic,' pointing to rising use of Juul, Reynolds Americans Vuse and other brands.

Within weeks, FDA investigators conducted an unannounced inspection of Juuls headquarters. Congressional committees launched investigations, collecting hundreds of thousands of company documents.

By October 2019, Juul had dropped most of its flavors and discontinued all advertising.

'In a way, we had it good back then, but no one knew,' said Dorian Fuhrman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes.

Parents, health groups and major vaping companies essentially agree: The FDA must clear the market of flavored disposables.

But lobbying by tobacco giant Reynolds American, maker of the best-selling Vuse e-cigarette, has made some advocates hesitant about pushing the issue.

Reynolds and Juul have seen sales flatline amid the surge in disposables, according to the IRI data. Disposable e-cigarettes generated $2.74billion last year.

The economic barriers to entry are low: Chinese manufacturers offer dozens of designs and flavors for as little as $2 per device when ordering 10,000 or more. The devices sell in the U.S. for $10 to $30.

The CDC and FDA-led study also found that children who mostly got Fs were most likely to vape or use another tobacco product. A-grade students were least likely to

'If you have $5 billion you probably cant start a traditional cigarette company,' Jackler said. 'But if you have $50,000 you can just send your artwork and logo to one of these companies and it will be on a pallet next week.'

Esco Bars come in flavors like Bubbleberry, Citrus Circus, Bahama Mama and Berry Snow.

The Austin, Texas company behind the brand, Pastel Cartel, racked up more than $240million in disposable sales before the FDA blocked its Chinese imports last month.

FDA tells 180 stores to stop selling Elf Bar vapes The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered more than 180 stores across the country to stop selling fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes. Elf Bars - the most popular disposable brand in the US - and Esco Bars were among those in the firing line because of their appeal to teenagers. The vapes are not approved for use by the FDA and have previously been linked to health problems, including lung damage and heart issues, and can lead youngsters to try other drugs. Brian King, the director of the agency's Center for Tobacco Products, warned: 'This latest blitz should be a wake-up call for retailers. If theyre waiting for a personal invitation to comply with the law, they might just get it in the form of a warning letter or other action from the FDA.' The crackdown saw letters sent to stores across as many as 30 states between June 5 and June 16 this year following a 'nationwide inspection blitz'. Shops were told to immediately remove the illegal products from sale. Dr Robert Califf, the FDA's commissioner, said: 'The FDA is prepared to use all of its authorities to ensure these, and other illegal and youth-appealing products, stay out of the hands of kids. 'We are committed to a multipronged approach using regulation, compliance and enforcement action and education to protect our nations youth.' Advertisement

CEO Darrell Suriff says his company has gone to great lengths to comply with the FDA, spending $8million on an application that the agency refused to accept. Hes appealing that decision and considering challenges to the import ban.

'Were a company that does very positive things for society and the community, and the government just attacked us,' said Suriff, who added that he recently purchased new cars for several longtime employees.

Import alerts are one of the FDAs strongest tools to block illegal products, but industry experts say theyre easy to skirt.

'Chinese companies tend to just rename their products and change their shipping address so that the products can easily be marketed again,' said Marc Scheineson, a former FDA attorney who now consults for tobacco clients.

The FDAs import ban against Chinese manufacturer Elf Bar, the best-selling disposable in the US, demonstrates the weaknesses of the whack-a-mole approach.

The alert doesnt mention several other brands made by the company, including Lost Mary and Funky Republic.

Made by iMiracle Shenzhen, Elf Bar alone has generated nearly $400million in US sales since late 2021, the IRI data shows. The company recently rebranded its US products to EB Design, due to a trademark dispute.

IMiracle criticized the FDAs recent actions in an emailed statement, saying the agency is 'dead-set on eliminating all vaping products from the U.S. marketplace'.

The company said it would defend its adult customers by 'fighting back' against the agencys actions.

National retail chains tend to avoid disposables.

But new distribution networks have sprung up, according to those in the industry. A wholesaler will import a shipping container of disposables and then sell the contents to smaller distributors, who then sell the products to local independent stores out of vans or trucks.

The 2009 law that gave the FDA authority over the tobacco industry was focused on cigarettes and other traditional products made by a handful of huge US companies.

The aim was to subject tobacco manufacturing and ingredients to the same kind of scrutiny and inspections as foods and medical supplies. Todays vaping manufacturers, based almost exclusively in China, werent part of the discussion.

Fourteen years later, the FDA hasnt finalized manufacturing rules that would extend its authority to foreign vaping factories. In fact, regulators only released a draft regulation in March.

'FDA theoretically has the authority to inspect foreign manufacturing facilities,' said Patricia Kovacevic, an attorney specializing in tobacco regulation.

'But practically speaking, the inspection program that the FDA has in place only happens in the US,'

Of more than 500 tobacco-related inspections conducted since the FDA gained authority over e-cigarettes, only two were in China, according to the agencys public database.

Those two inspections took place at Shenzhen factories used by major U.S. vaping firms, which have filed FDA applications for their products.

A study from Ohio State University has found that banning flavored and menthol vapes could drive down vaping rates among youngsters

Currently, those applications are essentially the only way that FDA learns exactly where and how e-cigarettes are produced. Many disposables have simply skipped the process altogether.

The FDA itself recognizes the problem, stating in its proposed guidelines: 'Covering foreign manufacturers is necessary to assure the protection of the public health,' and noting 'numerous reports of battery fires and explosions,' with Chinese e-cigarettes.

The agency has been playing catch-up on the vaping issue for over a decade.

The FDA announced plans to start regulating the products in 2011, and it took regulators another five years to finalize rules.

Once implemented in August 2016, no new e-cigarettes were supposed to enter the U.S. and companies on the market had to submit applications for review by September 2020.

Only products that could help smokers  by reducing cigarette exposure  while not appealing to youngsters were supposed to win authorization.

With limited resources, the FDA used 'discretion' to delay decisions on many applications, allowing products  including major brands like Vuse  to stay on the market for years.

The backlog now includes thousands more e-cigarettes using synthetic nicotine.

To date the FDA has only authorized about two dozen e-cigarettes from three manufacturers. None are disposables.

'Any product that doesnt have authorization is on the market illegally,' King says.

Industry representatives say the FDAs refusal to approve more options has forced it into an untenable position.

'When an agency declares that everything on the market is illegal, it puts itself in the position of being completely unable to enforce its own regulations,' said Tony Abboud, of the Vapor Technology Association.

Even with broad agreement that flavored disposables are a problem, theres little consensus on the solution.

In February, Reynolds petitioned the FDA to begin subjecting disposables to the same flavor restrictions as Vuse and other older products.

Three weeks later, legislation that would have the same effect appeared in the U.S. House. (A Reynolds spokesman said the company did not lobby for the bills introduction.)

Anti-vaping groups note that the companys Vuse, which is still available in menthol, was the second most popular e-cigarette among teens last year.

'They want groups like ours to call for a ban on all Chinese vapes so that they can take over the market,' said Fuhrman, of Parents Against Vaping E-cigarettes. 'Were not calling for that. Were calling on the FDA to do its job.'

Indeed, the FDAs King says the agency already has ample authority to regulate disposables.

'Theres no loophole to close,' King said, pointing out that FDA has recently shifted its focus to target disposable manufacturers.

But that assertion has stoked frustration about why the agency hasnt been more aggressive in using the legal tools it has available, including fines and court orders.

Former agency officials note that some legal actions require cooperation from other agencies, including the Justice Department.

If theres less urgency around underage vaping than a few years ago thats likely because government data suggests an improving picture.

Since 2019, the governments annual survey has shown two big drops in vaping among middle and high school students, and FDA officials no longer describe the issue as an 'epidemic'.

Educators say vaping is still a big problem.

At Mountain Range High School near Denver, art teacher Kyle Wimmer says about 20 percent of his students report regularly vaping when he polls them using the classrooms anonymous computer system.

'Esco Bars and Elf Bars are absolutely taking over right now,' he said.

Last school year, Wimmer collected 150 e-cigarettes from students who handed them over hoping to quit. Most dont make it more than a few weeks.

'The success rate is not very high,' Wimmer said. 'They dont want to do it anymore, but they cant stop because the nicotine is too high.'
When it comes to the best age for having children, there is a nine-year Goldilocks zone for women.

That's the conclusion of a study of more than 31,000 births, which showed that women aged 23 to 32 had the lowest risk of birth defects.

Teenage moms and women in their early twenties were more likely to give birth to children with defects to the central nervous system, affecting things like brain and spine development, while mature pregnancies were associated most closely with deformities of the head, neck, eyes, and ears.

Young mothers are often unprepared for pregnancy and must contend with more unhealthy lifestyle factors such as drug and alcohol use, the researchers said.

Older women have been exposed to environmental stressors such as air pollution for longer, which the team believes may contribute to their risk of different birth defects.

The window for having a baby safely is fairly narrow, according to researchers, and the risk factors for various birth defects vary based on maternal age

The lowest risk 10-year period was between 23 and 32 years, and lower and higher ages at birth were almost equally risky

Men are now having their first child at 26.4 years old on average, while women are giving birth for the first time at 23.7. Both have increased greatly in the last two decades

The study comes as the average age of new moms in America hits its highest point on record.

American women are now giving birth for the first time at age 30 on average, up from 27 in 2000 and 24 in 1970.

The rising age of new mothers has been attributed to changing family values, women prioritizing their careers, and the rising cost of living.

For the latest study, scientists at Semmelweis University in Hungary analyzed data from 31,128 pregnancies with confirmed non-chromosomal birth defects recorded in an official Hungarian database between 1980 and 2009.

They compared that data with more than 2.8million births registered in the country during that same 30-year period.

Overall, the risk of birth defects increased by about a fifth for births in women under the age of 22 compared to those within the ideal childbearing window of ages 23 to 32.

That risk increased by about 15 percent in women above the age of 32 when compared to those within the optimal age window.

The most common and life-threatening complications affected the fetus circulatory system and, in the case of mothers under 20, the central nervous system.

Compared to older mothers, younger moms were 25 percent more likely to see defects in their babies brains and central nervous systems, leading to serious conditions such as spina bifida, compared to older mothers.

Women who gave birth younger than 20 saw an even greater risk of these problems relative to women 23 to 32.

Older mothers, on the other hand, were twice as likely to have a baby with malformations of the eyes, ears, face, and neck caused by an infant's skull or facial bones fusing together too soon or in an abnormal way.

This can lead to a baby's ears being situated abnormally low on the head, their eyes being medically too small, or vocal cord paralysis.

Women on the older end of the spectrum were also more likely to see heart defects as well as more malformations of the urinary system than those in the healthy age window.

And older mothers have a considerably higher likelihood  45 percent in fact  of giving birth to a baby with a cleft lip and palate, while a younger mothers risk increases by nine percent.

While the risk of birth defects in the digestive system was higher for younger mothers than older ones  23 percent and 15 percent respectively  older mothers had a slightly higher chance of fetal genital malformations.

The findings pertained to non-chromosomal and non-genetic birth defects which are not influenced by the mothers genes. Some non-genetic, non-chromosomal causes of birth defects include alcohol and tobacco use in pregnancy, the presence of certain medical conditions and being on certain medications while pregnant.

Dr Boglarka Petho, assistant professor at Semmelweis University and the first author of the study said: 'We can only assume why non-chromosomal birth anomalies are more likely to develop in certain age groups.

'For young mothers, it could be mainly lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, drug or alcohol consumption) and that they are often not prepared for pregnancy.

'Among advanced-aged mothers, the accumulation of environmental effects such as exposure to chemicals and air pollution, the deterioration of DNA repair mechanisms, and the ageing of the eggs and endometrium can also play a role.'

Previous research has confirmed that increased maternal age likewise increases the risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, an example of a genetic disorder. But less research has been conducted in the case of non-genetic anomalies

The number of American women with at least one child has fallen to just 52.1 percent, while the number of men dropped to 39.7 percent in 2019

The report was published in the journal BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

A baby boom in the mid-20th century saw the average woman give birth to between three and four children. Today, just 1.6 children - the lowest level recorded since data was first tracked in 1800.

Women who get pregnant and give birth beyond age 35 typically have more dangerous pregnancies. Older mothers may be at increased risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and a difficult labor.

Previous research has confirmed the association between older maternal age and certain genetic disorders, namely Downs syndrome, for which the risk increases from about 1 in 1,250 for a woman who conceives at age 25, to about 1 in 100 for a woman who conceives at age 40.

Prof. Nandor Acs, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Semmelweis University, said: Non-genetic birth disorders can often develop from the mothers long-term exposure to environmental effects.

Since the childbearing age in the developed world has been pushed back to an extreme extent, it is more important than ever to react appropriately to this trend.
I suffered a cardiac arrest in October 2020 and tried to make a claim on my critical illness insurance with Royal London. The claim was refused.

I contacted the Financial Ombudsman Service but didnt proceed as I wanted to put events behind me and move on with my life. Unfortunately, two weeks before Christmas 2022, I suffered another cardiac arrest and spent two days in hospital.

I had thought the original incident was just a blip which I was very lucky to survive but now I accept that this will be something I have to live with.

While I was laid up, I saw your article on December 28 in which you helped a fellow cardiac arrest survivor successfully make a claim on his critical illness insurance with Royal London.

My experience is similar, and I wondered if you could help me. I have had a policy with Royal London since 2006 with a critical illness benefit of 36,258. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Anon.

Declined: Insurer Royal London refused to pay out on a reader's critical illness insurance policy after she suffered a cardiac arrest

Sally Hamilton replies: To recap on the cardiac arrest case, referred to in your letter, the policyholder I helped was initially told he could not claim on his critical illness insurance because this type of health incident was excluded from his policy.

But, after my intervention, Royal London investigated his case fully and agreed to pay him the full cover of 244,000, by taking additional aspects of his health condition into account.

Cardiac arrest is a typical exclusion in old-style critical illness policies because, to put it bluntly, few people survived such incidents in the past. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops pumping blood around the body, usually triggered by an irregular heart rhythm.

With heart attacks (which are usually covered) the chances of pulling through were far greater and policyholders would benefit from the financial cushion of a pay-out.

Heart attack means the death of a portion of the heart muscle, typically due to a blockage, a clot or narrowing of the arteries.

However, medical advances mean the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are greater today. As a result some more modern critical illness plans than yours now include cover for these episodes, so long as they are serious enough to need an implant as part of the treatment.

As happened with the first case I investigated, you were put off from proceeding with an official claim in 2020, beyond the initial enquiry made to Royal London, as the call handler had told you cardiac arrest was not covered.

After contacting me, you wrote to Royal London quoting my article and asked the company to look at your case again.

At the same time, I made a similar request, and the insurer agreed to take a closer look at your case to check if anything had been missed, so long as you submitted a full claim.

This you quickly did, with the help of your wife. As you were still poorly, I checked in with her, and with Royal London over the weeks and months that followed, with the insurer confirming that investigations were continuing.

As with any medical related insurance claim, it can take an age to reach a conclusion, with letters and documents going to and fro, between policyholders, doctors, claims handlers and in-house medical experts.

But finally, more than five months after I set the ball in motion, Royal London came back to me with some excellent news. It had decided to pay your claim after all.

Royal London said that while cardiac arrest may not have been covered, the fact that you were unconscious and unresponsive following the original incident meant your claim could be considered under the policys coma definition, which is covered.

A Royal London spokesman says: Having considered all of the medical evidence and reviewed the case with our consultant medical officer, we will pay the full sum assured.

'The case is a complex one that didnt definitively meet any of the definitions covered by his policy.

'Cardiac arrest is not one of the defined events covered in his policy and our claims assessors, in consultation with our medical officers, found no evidence in this instance to allow the claim to be paid under the heart attack definition. We also examined the evidence to see if the coma definition was met.

While it isnt clear-cut that the policy definition of coma is satisfied, we recognise the significance of the event he suffered and taking into account all of the overall circumstances, weve concluded that sufficient elements of the coma definition are satisfied to warrant making a payment.

The decision is in line with Royal Londons aims to pay as many claims as possible and the amount of 36,258 will be paid.

Your wife told me you were both very pleased with the outcome.

Scam Watch - TV Licence emails Households should be on their guard against a major new wave of bogus TV Licence emails. Emails are sent to potential victims telling them: Please renew your licence today. It only takes a few minutes. The message is written in a format that resembles genuine correspondence from TV Licensing  including a customer reference number and logo. It states that your TV Licence online could not be automatically renewed and requests you view your TV Licence online and update your details by a given date. Under no circumstances should you click on the link because it will send you to a copycat website designed to steal your personal details. It may also fraudulently ask you to pay 159. The fraud can be spotted by hovering your cursor over the address the email has been sent from  which reveals a lengthy email address that reads like gobbledegook. Genuine emails from TV Licensing should appear from the email address donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk. It is also worth checking the email for spelling mistakes. The latest TV Licence scam includes a misspelling of untill. Visit the official website tvlicensing.co.uk and tap in scams in the search bar. It gives full details of how to spot scammers and what you should do to avoid them.

DVLA scrapped granddaughter's number plate

In 2014 I bought my granddaughter a personalised registration plate from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for 799 to keep and give to her for her 17th birthday in 2027.

I put the paperwork in a drawer for safe keeping.

In 2020, I read in the Press that unless cherished numbers like mine, held on retention, were re-registered, then they could be lost.

But when I tried to re-register the plate, I found out that there was a problem.

Because I hadnt made a one-off payment of about 25  which I knew nothing about  DVLA had scrapped the number.

Ive tried appealing but to no avail. Ive been thinking about it again recently and wondered if you can help because it seems totally unfair.

G.R., Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sally Hamilton replies: You were pleased with yourself at finding the number plate YV13 JAY, based on your granddaughters name, to present as a special gift, albeit many years in the future.

You explained to me that on receiving the documentation by post you could see the correct registration number through the envelopes window, so left it unopened and filed it away.

This proved to be a big mistake. If you had opened the letter, it would have revealed that the document  a V750 Certificate of Entitlement  had an expiry date and that you would need to re-register the personalised number after 12 months and pay a 25 fee.

Your timing was unlucky in this respect, as a year after you made your purchase in 2014, the DVLA rules changed.

From 2015, buyers of personalised plates (also known as cherished number plates) for future use only needed to renew the certificate after ten years, if the number had still not been assigned to a vehicle.

I asked DVLA to check whether anything had been overlooked in your case but Im afraid it confirmed that there was nothing it could do because you had not made the appropriate payment.

A DVLA spokesman says: As per standard procedure, DVLA correctly issued the customer with a V750 Certificate of Entitlement which included the expiry date.

As a courtesy service, DVLA also issues reminders three to four weeks before the expiry date to remind customers of the retention fee payment, which was issued in this case.

You told me you never received the reminder from DVLA. With this in mind, I asked whether, as a goodwill gesture, DVLA might consider issuing you a similar registration number in place of the one that was lost.

After all, it had taken payment for the original number. Im afraid to say that DVLA declined.

For people who hold a personalised registration, whether it is for their own use later, or as an investment or a gift for someone else, it is vital to check the expiry date to avoid the same loss and disappointment.

To sum up, registration numbers bought before March 9, 2015, were typically valid for 12 months and required renewing each year for a fee.

Purchases made since March 2015 come with a certificate with a ten-year expiry date, after which holders must renew, if it has not been transferred to a vehicle. Unfortunately, if a certificate has expired, then so does the registration number, as happened with you.

Im sorry to be the bearer of this bad news. Yours was an expensive lesson to learn that it is vital to read important documents received in the post before filing them away.
Holidaymakers often take out the cheapest travel insurance available, spat out by a comparison website - but doing so can sometimes mean not getting vital protection when you need it most.

Now a new travel insurance comparison website called Albert & Eddie has launched which ranks policies based on what you need, rather than the lowest price.

The website could be especially helpful for people with pre-existing medical conditions, as it aims to help them find specialist insurance deals quickly.

Albert & Eddie aims to crack a common problem with travel insurance - that consumers buy something cheap that isn't fully suited to their needs.

Up and away: A new travel insurance site called Albert & Eddie aims make it easier for people with medical conditions to get travel insurance

The rise of price comparison websites means Britons tend to buy insurance based on price, and travel cover is no exception.

Cheap policies are cheap for a reason - they tend not to cover as much as more expensive ones.

That is not a problem provided the inexpensive deal does everything a traveller needs it to.

But when a policy does not give sufficient cover the results can be catastrophic - and can mean travellers paying medical bills of tens of thousands of pounds.

While all insurance deals clearly state what is covered in the small print, it is easy for customers not to understand this, or to ignore it.

Another common issue is for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, who struggle to get cover from existing price comparison websites.

Currently, people in this group have three options with travel insurance.

They can go overseas with no cover, they can run the gauntlet of trying to get protection through price comparison websites or they can spend time contacting specialist insurers individually.

Aiming to crack this problem, Albert & Eddie is a new price comparison website backed by travel insurance giant Tifgroup.

The name is a nod to physicist Albert Einstein and inventor Thomas Edison, whose inventiveness was an inspiration to the Albert & Eddie team.

How does Albert & Eddie measure up?

We crunched the numbers for travel insurance cover from the new site and from the four biggest price comparison websites, to see how premiums - and cover - stack up.

We looked at single trip travel insurance for a week long trip to France for a traveller with serious asthma.

Cover at Albert & Eddie for one person for a week starts from 11.12, from the insurer Alpha 175.

This price is right in the middle of the pack of rival quotes from the mainstream price comparison websites.

The cheapest policy for this traveller elsewhere was from Confused.com and GoCompare, which both offer cover at 6.30 from Post Office Insurance.

At CompareTheMarket it was 9.72 from insurer Virgin Money and on MoneySupermarket premiums start at 11.64 from Admiral.

Albert & Eddie is as easy to use as any of the mainstream price comparison sites, but it does takes slightly longer to answer all the questions in the medical screening section - which is a good thing.

You also need to fill in each of the medications you are taking for any medical conditions.

Amber Moon, brand manager for Albert & Eddie, said: Because its relatively quick and easy, travellers are used to using price comparison websites to buy travel insurance.

'This has led to an over-emphasis on the cost of the policy rather than what cover it offers.

Getting wrong cover can mean 20,000 bills

Travellers who have to claim on their travel insurance but dont end up having the right cover can be hit with huge bills.

Tifgroup shared some of the worst travel insurance bill horror stories they have seen.

In one instance, a 28-year-old man was faced with a 20,000 medical bill after sustaining serious injuries, including a fractured skull, after a motorbike crash in Thailand.

Although he had had worldwide travel insurance, the policy would not pay out for medical expenses as he had been away from the UK for more than 31 days.

Another man, from Scotland, has found himself stuck with a 20,000 hospital bill after suffering a heart attack on holiday in Tenerife  despite having travel insurance.

However, as he had forgotten to mention he had asthma on his insurance form, the firm refused to cover his expenses.

Ticking the boxes: The new site offers the choice of two medical screening tools, bespoke and standard

Albert & Eddie is also helpful to people with pre-existing medical conditions because it is the only price comparison website to use two medical screening tools, instead of the standard one.

In practice this means consumers with medical conditions can find more appropriate cover, faster.

There are two main screeners that travel insurance providers on the market use  Protectif and Verisk  and they both work in different ways.

Protectif looks at what medication customers are taking. It them prompts them to reveal all their health conditions that they otherwise might forget, which means no surprises at a later point.

Verisk looks at the medical conditions themselves and assesses risk in a different way.

As a result, they can both result in vastly different quotes depending on what kind of medical conditions the customer is declaring.

Tony Brown, director of underwriting at Tifgroup, said: 'The price comparison sites only work with one of them, Verisk.

'This can dishearten or disillusion the customer if they cant find affordable cover on the price comparison sites and may even deter people from travelling if they cant get affordable cover or any cover at all.'

The only alternative, until now, was for those with complex medical conditions to spend time trawling through all the specialist providers individually to try and secure cover for their trips.

'This can be a challenging and time-consuming task which can take many hours.'

Asked how thorough medical screening checks on price comparison websites are, consumer champion Martyn James said: 'Rubbish, generally. Comparison sites work because they skip you through the process of getting quotes really quickly.

The faster it takes the more likely you are to stick with the process. However, its only when you click through to the website to the insurer that these questions often crop up. And even then, I dont think the exclusions or ramifications are nearly clear enough.'

What the price comparison websites say

Matthew Harwood, lifestyle insurance expert at Confused.com, said: 'At Confused.com our aim is to help as many customers as possible, including those with pre-existing conditions.

'To do this we work with a wide range of travel insurance providers. And this means we are able to provide guaranteed quotes online for over 90 per cent of customers with pre-existing medical conditions, meaning those who quote will likely find a policy to suit them, while also comparing prices at the same time.'

A Compare the Market spokesperson said: 'During the process required to receive quotes for travel insurance, all of our customers are asked if anyone in the travelling party has a pre-existing medical condition, or are on the waiting list for treatment(s) or undergoing any medical investigation.

'For those who say yes, they are then asked follow up questions about their condition(s). This allows the providers on our panel to return the most suitable results.

'A range of results are then displayed and the customer can adjust filters so they can select a policy that meets their needs.'

MoneySupermarket and GoCompare have been approached for comment.
The head of Britains car industry body has compared Britains strategy for the sector unfavourably with the slow-witted sidekick to TVs Blackadder.

Whatever you thought about Baldrick, at least he had a plan, said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

That is what our UK industry needs  a proper plan.

The character of Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson over four series of the BBC sitcom, was best known for his catchphrase I have a cunning plan before setting out a hopeless idea.

Hawes also made reference to Rowan Atkinson, who played the titular role of Blackadder in the same series, and who recently said he felt duped after becoming an early convert to electric cars. I hope we can all prove him wrong, he said.

Hapless: The character of Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson over four series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, was best known for his catchphrase 'I have a cunning plan'

The SMMT wants to see faster roll-out of car charging points as well as car tax reform to incentivise motorists to make the switch, plus greater incentives for investment and a level playing field on energy prices, which are much higher in the UK than in Europe.

Were not asking for handouts, were asking for ambition, Hawes said, adding that the car industry was as vital to the nations manufacturing future as the NHS is to the nations health.

Hawes added: We have the innovation, the people, the creativity - we just need the Government  whichever Government  to work with us and for us. We just need that plan, and one more cunning than Baldricks.

Hawes reference to Baldrick in a speech to an industry audience in London drew laughs yesterday but aimed to make a serious point to the Government about a key industry which employs 800,000 people.

Britains car makers are grappling with challenges including soaring energy costs, supply chain strains and transition to electric vehicles.

The SMMT is proposing a strategy for a tenfold increase in the value of electric vehicle making, to 106billion by 2030.

But it faces a cliff edge at the end of this year when the delayed implementation of post-Brexit rules of origin come into force.

The free trade arrangement between Britain and the European Union is based on the idea that goods sold from one side to the other mainly have their origin in that country.

But because so much of the value of electric vehicles resides in their batteries  made elsewhere  those rules are suspended until the start of 2024.

Car makers on both sides of the Channel have been lobbying for the rules to be pushed back until 2027 and the parent company of Britains Vauxhall warned recently that without an agreement it may have to move production out of the UK.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged the EU to heed the calls and Hawes yesterday hinted that it was the Europeans who were dragging their feet.

To be honest, its with Brussels, he told reporters. Weve had discussions with Government  theyre fully supportive.

They recognise the negative impact on cross-border trade going in both directions.

But things seem to happen incredibly slowly. If there is no change and tariffs are imposed it will hurt manufacturers and have an environmental impact, he warned  as the tariffs will be added to prices, making them less attractive to consumers.

He said: We cant afford to have a last-minute, 31 December agreement because business needs to plan.

The industry has also identified the roll-out of UK charging infrastructure as holding back the take-up of electric vehicles, as petrol and diesel cars are phased out over coming years.

Hawes said the pace had been increasing but needed to go faster, calling for the removal of outdated planning rules.
Crispin Odeys beleaguered asset management firm has suspended two more funds to prevent investors from fleeing.

Odey Asset Management has blocked withdrawals from its flagship Odey European Inc fund after it received requests to return 19 per cent of its value.

It also suspended its OEI Mac Inc fund after investors tried to withdraw 35 per cent of its value.

Combined, the two funds managed assets worth around 1.2billion.

Odey, who was ousted from his own firm this month amid a string of sexual harassment allegations which he denies, managed both of the funds prior to his exit from the business.

Accused: Crispin Odey was ousted from his own firm this month amid a string of sexual harassment allegations which he denies

In a letter to clients regarding the European Inc fund, the firm said allowing withdrawals would not be in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders as a whole, Bloomberg reported.

The asset manager is considering restructuring some operations to allow clients to transfer their money into a new fund.

The group has been in crisis since the Financial Times published allegations of sexual misconduct against Odey by 13 women, sparking a rush of withdrawal requests from clients while several City institutions began to cut ties.

The company has said it was considering several options for its future as the allegations took a serious toll.

The group has also said it was in advanced discussions to break itself up and transfer funds and staff to rivals in what could spell the end of the firm.

The debacle is a catastrophe for Odey, one of the UKs most prominent financiers who set up the firm in 1991 and gained a reputation for profiting from risky bets including against the pound during the Brexit vote.

The 64-year-old has lost his status as a fit and proper individual in the City of London, days after being ousted from the hedge fund in a symbolic blow.
Troubled cosmetics firm Revolution Beauty endured an apparently acrimonious and chaotic annual general meeting yesterday as its biggest shareholder Boohoo staged a rebellion.

Derek Zissman, the chairman, attempted to postpone the meeting amid a proposed boardroom coup by Boohoo, which has a stake of around 26.6pc.

But in a convoluted series of manoeuvres, disclosed last night, the postponement was blocked.

The drama deepened when Zissman, chief executive Bob Holt and finance director Elizabeth Lake were removed from the board.

That left just one director, Jeremy Schwartz, who appointed a new slate of directors including the three who had just been ousted, and will remain in their prior roles.

Investor unrest: Revolution Beauty shares were suspended last autumn amid an accounting scandal

It was the latest bizarre development at a firm whose shares were suspended last autumn amid an accounting scandal.

The company said that, after the AGM, the shares were expected to be restored to trading on Londons junior Aim market imminently.

Meanwhile an emergency meeting proposed by Boohoo to take control of the board will be held later this summer.

Revolution Beauty also revealed that the chaos was having wider implications, having received notice from certain key customers... that they would not be prepared to continue doing business with the group during the current uncertainty.

It added: The company remains convinced that it has the right senior management team in place for the future, and the restoration of trading in its shares on Aim will be concrete evidence that this board is moving the company in the right direction.

The Boohoo proposal is a cynical, short-sighted and misguided attempt to engineer a boardroom coup solely for Boohoos benefit.

Boohoo declined to comment.

The upheaval came a week after it emerged that Revolution Beauty is considering taking legal action against co-founder and former boss Adam Minto.

Trading in the shares has been suspended since September after auditors refused to sign off its books for the financial year.

Minto quit with immediate effect in November after the launch of an investigation into the companys finances.

When the audited accounts were published last month, it revealed the company made 23million less than it had previously reported.

The cosmetics retailer sent a letter to Minto last month alleging that he breached his fiduciary, statutory, contractual and/or tortious duties to the company.
Lassiter's lawyers want to go after the mysterious 'John Doe' next  but don't yet know his name or whether he was working solo or as part of a team

Former North Carolina councilman Scott Lassiter has accused the state House Speaker Tim Moore of spying on him with a secret hidden camera

North Carolina's embattled House Speaker allegedly used a secret camera hidden in a bush to spy on a local official whose wife he is accused of bedding, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Tim Moore, one of the most powerful elected officials in the Tar Heel State, is said to have hired a mysterious goon to creep up to the home of Scott Lassiter under cover of darkness to plant the device in shrubbery.

The camera was placed in the flower bed in the early hours of June 1  the Lassiters' 10th wedding anniversary  a time stamp shows.

The caper backfired, however, when shocked Lassiter, 36, went to clear leaves from his driveway and spotted the tiny gadget, which is seen for the first time in exclusive DailyMail.com images.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (left) is being sued by Scott Lassiter, a former local official who claims the Republican lawmaker used 'his position' to entice his wife Jamie into a three-year affair

In his lawsuit Lassiter included photos of a man he claims is linked to Moore planting a secret camera in his bushes

The filing contained a close-up photo of where the flower bed security camera was hidden

Instead of raising the alarm, Lassiter says he switched the camera for one of his own to spring a trap for the hapless prowler, who was caught on film when he returned to the suburban Raleigh home six nights later to figure out what was happening.

The intruder's image is included in a bombshell lawsuit which accuses Moore, 52, of having a sordid three-year affair with Jamie Liles Lassiter, 33, then trying to bury the news by intimidating her husband.

Lassiter's lawyers want to go after the mysterious 'John Doe' next  but don't yet know his name or whether he was working solo or as part of a team.

'John Doe is currently an unidentified defendant. We would like to identify him as soon as possible so that he can be named and served in Mr. Lassiter's pending civil action,' Lassiter's attorney Alicia Jurney told DailyMail.com.

'The actions of the unidentified defendant have caused Mr. Lassiter a considerable amount of stress.

'It's upsetting to realize that, while he was sleeping in what he believed to be the privacy of his home, an unknown person was setting up a hidden camera only a few yards away intending to capture him in this intimate setting.'

North Carolina is one of a handful of states that allow jilted spouses to sue someone for interfering in their marriage.

Filed earlier this week, Lassiter's complaint accuses Moore of wrecking his marriage by enticing Liles Lassiter into group sex and other 'degrading' acts.

The veteran GOP pol has vehemently denied Lassiter's claims, as has Liles Lassiter, who says she separated from her husband long before the events described in his suit.

Lassiter's filing includes two CCTV images of a man spotted wandering across his lawn in the daylight but it hasn't been established whether this is the same man who planted the camera

Exhibits included in the lawsuit show photos of a man on the front yard and porch of Lassiter's home in Cary, North Carolina

The motion-activated device, planted at 3:18am on June 1  the Lassiters' 10th wedding anniversary  was designed to 'surreptitiously record private actions', the lawsuit claims

The mole allegedly returned to the property to retrieve the camera six days later on June 7

Lassiter insists, however, that the pair were still happily married when he began hearing rumors about his wife's 'illicit' affair with Moore, a divorced dad-of-two whom she had gotten to know through her job as executive director of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court.

When Liles Lassiter told him last December 21 that she was headed to the movies with a female friend, Lassiter, an assistant principal at a middle school, decided to 'surveil' her, the complaint says.

The gal pal turned out to be Moore, a staunchly conservative lawmaker 19 years her senior, who has served in the North Carolina state House since 2002.

The suit offers a blurry photo of the pair emerging from a steakhouse as proof of their 'secret' date.

'After dinner, Defendant Tim Moore drove Mrs. Lassiter, in the Lassiters' car, to his residence in Raleigh, where they spent hours together and, upon information and belief, had sexual intercourse,' it adds.

Lassiter states that he grilled his wife when she returned to the marital home in Cary, a smart Raleigh suburb, early the next day.

'Mrs. Lassiter tearfully confessed that she had been involved in an extramarital affair with Defendant Tim Moore for more than three years, that she had engaged in sexual activity with Defendant Tim Moore (including group sex with other individuals seeking Defendant Tim Moore's political favor), and that she feared ending the relationship with Defendant Tim Moore would result in losing her job,' his suit adds.

Lassiter says that, while his wife was 'adamant' she wanted to save their marriage, she refused to end her fling with Moore 'for fear of retaliation'.

Lassiter, a former Apex City councilman, says his wife Jamie, executive director of the North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court, admitted to having an affair with Moore

Moore and Jamie Lassiter are seen together at a December 2022 work event, in a photo submitted to the court

Lassiter admitted to spying on his wife and Moore after becoming suspicious of their affair. He photographed the two leaving Sullivan's Steakhouse together on December 2

The couple tried religious counseling and therapy but decided to go their separate ways on January 11, he claims.

The split came several weeks after Lassiter, a former Apex City town council member, met Moore at a Biscuitville restaurant in Raleigh to confront him over the alleged tryst.

The trio had all been longtime Facebook friends, the Lassiters donated to Moore's election campaign and he was aware they were happily married, the complaint argues.

Moore responded to the December 26 showdown by admitting to the affair but asking 'if there was anything he could do' for Lassiter, 'implying that he could use the power held as Speaker in some way to benefit Plaintiff,' it's alleged.

Lassiter says he angrily rejected the offer leaving Moore worried that his political ambitions would be thwarted if the affair leaked out.

It was around six months later that Moore allegedly hired the private investigator-type to secretly install a trail camera on Lassiter's $800,000 property, pointing straight up at his four-bed house, the complaint says.

The motion-activated device, planted at 3:18am on June 1, was designed to 'surreptitiously record Plaintiff's private actions in his own home' that Moore could use to 'persuade [Lassiter] not to pursue any valid legal claims against him,' it states.

Lassiter stumbled across the camera nestling in shrubbery as he was clearing pine needles with a leaf blower.

According to his complaint, Lassiter claims Moore hired the private investigator-type earlier this year to secretly install a trail camera on his 800,000 property, pointing straight up at his four-bed house

A photo included as evidence shows the flower bed where the camera was hidden from the perspective of someone facing the flower bed with their back to Lassiter's house

Lassiter is now seeking $200,000 in damages from Moore for destroying his marriage

He checked the contents of its memory card and found footage of the intruder peering into the lens as he placed it under a bush.

After replacing it with his own camera, he was able to capture further video of 'John Doe' returning to the scene in the early hours of June 7.

Realizing he'd been rumbled, the puzzled prowler snatched the gadget and made off with it, however the image had already been uploaded to the cloud, Lassiter's suit says.

The filing also includes two CCTV images of a man spotted wandering across Lassiter's lawn in the daylight but it hasn't been established whether that individual is the same man or even involved.

Lassiter wants upwards of $200,000 for humiliation and mental anguish caused by 'alienation of affection', according to the suit, filed in Wake County Superior Court.

Moore 'used his position as one of the most powerful elected officials in North Carolina to entice Plaintiff's wife, Jamie Liles Lassiter, a mid-level employee of the state government, to participate in an illicit relationship with him,' he alleges.

'This was more than the ordinary dalliance of an unfaithful spouse and an unscrupulous paramour.

'Defendant Tim Moore's intentional conduct with Mrs. Lassiter revealed a perverse form of symbiosis in which he persuaded her to engage in degrading acts to satisfy his desires.'

Moore, who has served as Speaker oof North Carolina's House of Representatives since 2015, told Raleigh TV station WRAL the lawsuit was 'baseless' and that he had no idea who the man in Lassiter's yard was.

He said his relationship with Liles Lassiter was 'sporadic at best' and that she had 'always made it very clear to me that she was separated.'

Liles Lassiter, meanwhile, called the lawsuit 'outrageous and defamatory.'

She told the NBC affiliate that her ex-husband had 'serious mental health and substance abuse issues.'

'The claims are not only false but impossible as we've been separated with a signed separation document for years,' she continued.

'To be clear, I'm a strong professional woman, and the only person who has ever abused me or threatened my career was my soon to be ex-husband.

'Our marriage was a nightmare, and since I left him it has gotten worse. We are reaching the end of our divorce process and this is how he's lashing out.'
Comes as report reveals many renters are struggling

A pair of Sydney landlords are bucking the trend and refusing to raise the rents of their tenants.

The nation's rental crisis is so dire that housing experts say the official records show no comparable shortage of available tenancies since the 1930s.

That's pushing up rent six times faster than wages - making it very hard for working Aussies to keep up with price hikes.

But Pete and Alana, the owners of Paramatta's oldest restaurant Kouzina Greco, can't bring themselves to take advantage of the housing shortage in Sydney.

'We have an investment property that gets rented, where we weren't out of pocket except for the council rates,' Alana said.

'But now we're putting in roughly $1,500 from our own pocket every month. We don't have a mortgage, but it's almost like a mortgage.

'I can't raise the rates for our tenants, I can't do it. I'll leave it for as long as I can, because I feel sick to do that to them.

'For me now to put rent up $20 or $30 for each tenant - alright, so I'm going to make $1,000 or more profit each year, but you know what? I'd rather stick it out than make these families uncomfortable.'

Pete and Alana, the owners of Paramatta's oldest restaurant Kouzina Greco, can't bring themselves to take advantage of the rental market like so many other landlords

Their comments come as the spiralling cost of living leaves a family of four with two full-time minimum wage workers with just $73 left after expenses, as many struggle to cope with rising rents.

That's the conclusion of a new living cost analysis by Anglicare Australia, which points to people on the lowest incomes falling behind.

The report showed a single full-time minimum wage worker has $57 left after essential weekly expenses.

And a single parent with one child on the minimum wage cannot afford essentials, falling short by $180 after rent, transport, food, education and child care.

Housing was the biggest living cost, with average rents rising by more than 30 per cent over the past three years.

'These numbers confirm what Australians already know - living costs are spiralling,' Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said.

'Essentials like food and transport are shooting up, and housing is more expensive than ever.'

Ms Chambers said many people were taking on extra jobs and heading to charities for help with food, rent and medicines.

'Australians doing it tough need real action, and real leadership. That means making the minimum wage a living wage, limiting unfair rent increases, and investing in housing for people in need.'

The report called for the scrapping of planned top-end income tax cuts, stronger rental laws, more social and affordable housing, emergency payments to cover power bills and an urgent injection of funds into emergency relief providers.

In late 2022, all Anglicare Australia emergency relief providers reported an increase in demand for services, ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent compared to the beginning of the year.

Many reported that they were seeing new clients who had never used their service before, and the new clients were often from households with paid employment.

Anglicare compared data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics household expenditure survey and a recent SQM Research rent report with the minimum wage, which from July 1 will be $882.80 per week for a 38-hour week.

The single household figure of $57 income left each week had improved from last year's result of $29 but remained 'precariously low', the report said.
A woman whose body was discovered on a Southern California highway more than 25 years ago has finally been identified as a 41-year-old mother-of-four.

Investigators in Riverside County used genetic genealogy to positively identify Juana Rosas-Zagal as the woman whose remains were discovered in January 1996.

After the remains were found along the 60 freeway near Moreno Valley, authorities released a composite sketch of the woman's likeness to no avail from the public.

Police are now looking for the person responsible for her homicide.

'He destroyed my family. He didn't kill only one person, he killed all of us,' one of Rosas-Zagal's daughters said in an audio recording provided by the DA's Office.

Investigators in Riverside County, California, have identified Juana Rosas-Zagal (pictured) as the woman whose remains were found on the side of a SoCal highway in 1996

After the remains were found, authorities released a composite sketch of the woman's likeness

Rosas-Zagal's body was discovered east of Gilman Springs Road near the Moreno Valley in California

Rosas-Zagal was a Los Angeles resident at the time of her death.

'Her body was found on the side of the road in a trash pile, and we believe she had been killed at that location (hours earlier),' investigator Jason Corey said in 2022.

No information was given on how she died, but authorities confirmed she was the victim of a homicide.

For decades, the case lacked leads and the victim went unidentified.

In December, however, the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team identified Rosas-Zagal thanks to genetic testing.

'Using current DNA technologies, such as Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, the team was able to locate a close ancestral link,' the DA's office.

Riverside Country District Attorney Mike Hestrin and Supervising Investigator James Campos announced the update on Monday during a Facebook video update.

The pair said investigators used technology that utilizes 'direct-to-consumer databases to explore the ancestral ties of unidentified homicide victims.'

Prior to the December discovery, Rosas-Zagal's daughters had reportedly given up on ever finding out what happened to their mother.

Thanks to genetic testing, and databases such as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a link was positively made.

A crime scene photo shared by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office

 BREAKING NEWS  After 27 long years, the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team (RCCHT) has identified the victim found along Highway 60. Meet Juana Rosas-Zagal, a vibrant soul from LA, taken from her loved ones at 41. With no leads, her case remained unresolved until December 2022. Miraculously, four of her daughters have been found by the efforts of RCCHT, bringing hope amidst despair. Detectives seek any information to shed light on Juana's disappearance. If you knew her or have any information, contact (951) 955-0740 or (951) 955-2777. Please share this message to help us provide justice for Juana and her family. Read the news release here: bit.ly/ColdCaseNewsRelease Posted by Riverside County District Attorney's Office on Monday, June 26, 2023

Riverside Country DA Mike Hestrin (left) and Supervising Investigator James Campos (right) announced the update in the case in a video on Facebook

Investigators are now asking for anyone who may have information on her disappearance and death to come forward.

'I really really wish if somebody knows something, they can let us know,' Rosas-Zagal's daughter said in the audio recording shared by the DA's office.

'Because for me, all of this is so difficult, but at the same time, I really want to know who killed my mother,' the woman said.

Those who have info are asked to call detectives at 951-955-0740 or 951-955-2777.

'Detectives believe there are still friends, neighbors or colleagues of Juana who may be able to provide more information to help clarify Juana's disappearance,' the D.A.'s office said.
A popular Sydney restaurant has hit back at a customer's online review complaining they weren't allowed to split the bill by explaining why it's such a huge problem for businesses.

'Good food and good quantities. We were a large group and they accommodated a long table with well-timed service,' the customer, named Sarah, recently wrote in her review.

'Just one issue - only two card payments allowed per table and no split bills. There was a little sign in the corner as the only warning,' she added, giving the restaurant three out of five stars.

The restaurant's management then posted a response saying it was 'great to see that you enjoyed your dinner and our service'.

'Sorry that we could not split the bill so that 19 people could pay individually. I guess that's why we lost two stars tonight.'

A popular Sydney restaurant has hit back at a customer's online review complaining they weren't allowed to split the bill

The response then continued on, offering a polite explanation so the customer could see things from the manager's point of view.

'We have done splitting the bill before, but the problem is a combination of issues.'

They went on to explain that it is firstly time-consuming for staff to divide up the bill and then process each transaction separately.

Some customers may have declined cards, which can further draw out the process, and most importantly there is usually confusion and items left unpaid for at the end.

'It might only take one minute to pay, but for 19 guests that's 19 minutes we are not looking after other customers.'

The restaurant then gave a scenario to illustrate its point.

Pictured is a worker at the Atom Thai restaurant in Sydney

'A table splits the bill and the last guy refuses to pay for drinks or side dishes he didn't have, so he goes back to the table to ask but most people have left.

'He then complains we've done a poor job splitting the bill and is either upset he has to cover the rest or refuses to pay.

'It's rare but it can get messy, and we don't want the hassle.'

The restaurant then said it would look into putting up a larger sign making clear its policy on splitting the bill.

RESTAURANT'S MESSAGE TO CUSTOMER WHO COMPLAINED Sorry that we could not split the bill so that 19 people could pay individually. I guess that is why we lost two stars tonight. If I could please kindly explain to you why we can not provide you with splitting bill service. And I can only hope for your understanding. From different perspective, we might see this issue differently. We had done splitting the bill before. Splitting bill is a combination of issues, including the time it takes for staff to divide up bills, card payments that are time-consuming (card declined, insufficient funds, etc.) the items left unpaid and, more importantly, an unhappy customer that had to cover for the table. It went something like this... The last guy to pay refused to pay for drinks that he didn't have or side dishes that he didn't order. Then he went back to ask who ordered that drinks, everyone already left. Then he complained that we done a poor job splitting bill. He upsets and pay to cover the bill (or worse that he refuse to pay any extra at all). Cases like these are rare, but it's such a turn-off. It might seem easy to tap card nowadays; it might only take one minute to pay. But if I could kindly ask you to imagine 10 guests, that will take 10 minutes extra. Or 19 guests - that is 19 minutes that we could have to look after our costumers. Once you get to bigger tables, it becomes even more messy. We don't want the hassle of doing this kind of thing. There are already so many sign we put out (food allergy, BYO, etc.) We'll definitely see if we can put a bigger "no split bills" sign somewhere. Advertisement

While it seems restaurants don't like splitting the bill for you, there are apps that can help those who dine out with friends often.

Settle Up, Plates by Splitwise, Tab, and Splid are just a few that can track who ordered what, who paid, and who still owes cash.

These apps can also be used for other scenarios, such as road trip expenses, group gifts, and holiday accommodation.
Karl Stefanovic has expressed grave concerns that Australia's youth crime wave is worsening.

The Today show host revealed juveniles had been captured on CCTV 'doing things' at his family home on Sydney's north shore that he shares with his wife Jasmine and their three-year-old daughter Harper.

Melbourne neighbourhoods have resorted to pooling their money together to pay for 24-7 private security patrols in a desperate effort to keep their homes and families safe.

It comes as homicide detectives launched a manhunt after a teenage boy was stabbed to death at St Albans in the city's north-west on Monday night.

Elsewhere, three youths have been charged over a string of armed robberies involving Facebook Marketplace in Queensland.

Stefanovic has been vocal in urging authorities to do more to address the crime youth epidemic and became fired up when he spoke out again on Tuesday morning.

He opened up about his own terrifying experience while interviewing private security expert Anthony Schaepman about the crime wave in Melbourne.

Karl Stefanovic (pictured with wife Jasmine) has revealed his family home has been targeted by juvenile criminals

'Enough is enough,' the father-of-four said.

'This has happened to me, happened to my family. 'I've had kids come to my house, doing things. I've got them on tape. I know who they are.

'I have to decide what I'm going to do with it. If I didn't have that vision, I wouldn't know what to do, and this would keep on happening and happening because the cops can't be everywhere at once. It is only relatively minor offences.'

'But if it is getting to that level for me, it is getting to that level for me. It is getting to that level across the country. We keep having to talk about it and keep saying we've got to do something about it, nothing happens.'

Pictured is Karl Stefanovic's holiday home in Noosa. The TV star also owns a property in North Sydney

He fears youth crime is getting worse as he detailed the tremendous impact it has on families.

'Whenever the crime comes to their doorstep, whenever someone breaks into their car, whenever something happens that's close to home, it has a tremendous psychological impact,' Stefanovic said.

'That's the problem here. If people are going to you, then you're running the risk of vigilante activities happening outside that. That's my big concern, that's the big concern for a lot of authorities in various states.'

A teenage boy was found lying in a St Albans street in Melbourne after being stabbed on Monday night. He died on the way to hospital

'I don't understand how authorities can't see how significant an impact this is having on the day-to-day life of people, law-abiding citizens at home.

'It's not stopping and that's the problem. It is getting worse.'

Stefanovic also spoke out about the problem in Queensland, where three teens aged 15-17 have been charged with 31 offences over a string of armed robberies involving Facebook Marketplace in the state's south-east.

The Queensland government recently pledged a funding package worth more than $3m to fight the scourge of youth offending.

'It is a massive problem,' Stefanovic said.

'These people come into people's homes. They're saying they're going to buy something, then they're going to buy something, then they get robbed.'

Karl Stefanovic spoke out about the youth crime crisis after a teenager was stabbed to death in Melbourne overnight (pictured, police at the scene in St Albans)

Stefanovic was astounded to learn families are paying thousands for private security in Melbourne.

'Crime is something that occurs on a daily basis unfortunately,' Mr Schaepman explained.

'We have the police resources that are currently out there in play. They're doing a brilliant job. At the end of the day, crime is increasing unfortunately, so people are going above and beyond with alternative methods at the moment.

Stefanovic has previously spoken out about youth crime and recently broke down while discussing possible solutions with former Australian Law Council director Bill Potts during an emotional interview.

'I'm a parent, and if I saw it ... and it happened to my kid ... I'd want that, whoever it was, locked up forever, at best,' Stefanovic said.
Westpac has announced it will be changing its withdrawal limit from ATMs as fears are raised over the dangers of an increasingly cashless society.

The major bank is allowing customers to set a different cash withdrawal limit on their Westpac Debit Mastercard, either above or below $1,000 but up to a maximum amount of $2,000.

Other cards have a daily limit of $1,000.

Westpac has brought in a $1,000 default cash withdrawal limit as fears are raised of the dangers of becoming a completely cashless society

It comes after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) found on June 15 that there had been a sharp decline in cash transactions across the country.

'Most Australians now use cash infrequently,' the RBAs Cash Use and Attitudes in Australia June 2023 Bulletin read.

'Indeed, 72 per cent of Australians were classed as "low cash users" in 2022, using cash for 20 per cent or less of their in-person transactions, compared with 50 per cent in 2019.'

The number of high cash users, Australians who use cash for 80 per cent or more of their in-person transactions, now constitute only seven per cent of the countrys population  half of what it was in 2019.

The dominance of digital banking has sparked fears that society has become too reliant on potentially vulnerable systems.

On Monday, Commonwealth customers were left paralysed after the bank's app went down, leaving them unable to access their accounts, transfer funds online or use their cards to make purchases.

The outage triggered a deluge of angry calls and social media posts from concerned customers who demanded to know why they could not use the bank's services, including some ATMs.

The bank remained tight-lipped on what caused the technical glitch but by Monday evening most services were back up and running.

Independent payments market expert Lance Blockley estimated that by 2025 traditional cash would make up less than 4 per cent of total retail purchases across the country

Experts have warned of the dangers of an increasingly cashless society, including privacy and security fears, in addition to making life more difficult for elderly people, who are less likely to be tech savvy

Now experts have argued the troubling Commonwealth bank episode is an insight into what can go wrong when people rely too much on online banking instead of old-fashioned cash.

Cyber security expert Ben Britton, who works as a chief information security officer, told Daily Mail Australia events like these exposed the vulnerabilities of relying too heavily on digital payments.

'If there's no internet, there's no transactions, there's no access to your money,' he said.

'But if you have your money in your hand, or in your pocket, there could be no electricity and you'll still be able to make payments to people.'

'The huge weakness to the system is that it's dependent on the internet, internet secuity and individual device security.

'Whereas no one can remotely access the cash in your pocket.'

There are major security concerns with online banking too.

Often fraudsters can pose as banks and catch unwitting customers off-guard and convince them to transfer large sums of money in a instant.

An Australian businessman was recently conned out of $130,000 in a sophisticated text message scam after a fraudster sent him a message from the same number used by his bank.

It comes after research published in January found that physical cash is set to almost vanish from circulation within a decade.

Independent payments market expert Lance Blockley estimated that by 2025 traditional cash would make up less than 4 per cent of total retail purchases across the country.

Mr Blockley, who is the managing director of consulting firm The Initiatives Group, said in a submission to the ACCC in 2021 that banknotes across all uses, not just retail, would be at 10.2 per cent in 2025 down from 24.2 per cent in 2019.

Millions of Commonwealth Bank users were unable to access NetBank internet banking on Monday

Card transactions - covering tap-and-go and inserting into a machine - still comprise three quarters of transactions (stock image)

But Mr Britton said online transactions have opened new frontiers for criminals in terms of the number of people they can target and the vast sums of money they can steal.

'If you look at cyber criminal organisation or individuals that are cyber criminals who wish to rob a large amount of people, they can rob millions of dollars from tens of thousands of people in one day,' he said.

'That would not be possible to go and do that on the street, robbing individual citizens of their cash money.'

Mr Britton said many criminals have stopped selling drugs, instead turning to online fraud because it is far more profitable and they are far less likely to be caught.

'The old system, coins and physical cash, has worked for thousands of years. It's undoubtedly got its problems but we know what they are,' he said.

'But if you look at the digital world, there's so many unknown problems that we haven't even encountered yet.'

Another disadvantage to a cashless society is the lack of privacy. Whenever you pay for something digitally it leaves a digital footprint, which can be monitored by banks.

Banks are frequently hit with data breaches whether through hacking or mistakes, exposing customer's data to criminals.

In November, 9.7 million current and former customers of Medibnak had their details exposed in a major data breach when an unnamed group hacked the health insurers system.

A cashless society also effectively shuts out many elderly people, who have always used physical currency and are more likely to be less tech savvy.

National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke told Daily Mail Australia the decline in the use of cash was 'no doubt accelerated by COVID-19'.

'While we understand the move to a more cashless society  and closely related  the phasing out of cheques, ATM and bank closures, are a part of progress, these decisions should be made with seniors in mind,' he warned.

'Some seniors may not be comfortable banking or doing business online because theyre not tech savvy, theyre fearful of potential online scams, cash is what theyve always known, and they have no other way to make financial transactions.

'Cash is still a valid form of currency. And, as weve seen many times before, online banking or doing any business online can come with problems and risks.'

Cash transactions are dying in Australia with just 13 per cent of purchases done with banknotes or coins - making a cyber hack a real threat to everyday life as more and more people use cards and mobile methods of payment (pictured is a Sydney shop sign)

Rural communities could also be left vulnerable by such a move, because of poor broadband and mobile connectivity.

Some have also argued a move away from cash payments makes it harder for hard-pressed families to budget as its easier to lose track of spending when its not a tangible currency you can see in your wallet or purse.

Also, many credit card and mobile payments come with a processing charge, which can restrict the profit margins of smaller, independent businesses. In many cases, these charges will be passed back on to the consumer.

A Brisbane mum recently shared a simple explanation of why banknotes were superior to digital payments on social media where it went viral.

Fiona Edmunds showed that physical money would retain its value no matter how many times it is used.

However whenever you use a bank card, some of the money will invariably be eaten away by fees, which the shop owners are forced to pay.

The Reserve Bank estimated just 13 per cent of transactions in late 2022 were in cash, a halving in just three years since the start of the pandemic.

Ellis Connolly, the RBA's head of payments policy, said resources were being deployed to protect the resilience of electronic payments - mentioning the word 'safety' six times in a speech in March this year.

'Australians are relying on electronic payments more than ever, so our retail payment systems must be safe and resilient,' he told The Australian Financial Review Banking Summit on Tuesday.

He added: 'The dominance of cards and the consumer shift to mobile devices raise some important issues within the RBA's mandate.'

Commonwealth customers were furious with Monday's outage, which confronted them with the message: 'Sorry, something's gone wrong.'

'Can't make payments, can't transfer funds into Commonwealth Bank,' wrote one angry person.

'Did you sack your entire Australian IT department to pay the CEO salary?'

A Brisbane mother-of-three shared an elegantly simple explanation of why cash is superior to paying by card

Last year, Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn received a 35 per cent pay rise to $6.97 million.

His pay package is 77 times greater than Australia's average, full-time salary of $90,917.

Another customer said: 'What will it take before people recognise that allowing their financial security to be completely dependent on online banking is a really terrible and bad idea?'

The problem of an increasingly cashless society was articulated perfectly by Julie Christensen from Melbourne who said cash 'simplifies life' and urged authorities not to restrict its use.

'My $50 note cant be hacked. If Im robbed, I lose $50, not my entire life savings. If my $50 note is accidentally immersed in water, it still works,' she wrote in a letter to The Age newspaper.

'My $50 note doesnt need batteries, it cant be out of range and it wont break if its dropped. If the system is down, I can still use my note. My $50 note can be put into a charity box or given to a homeless person.'
Investigators probing a deadly helicopter crash claim crucial evidence may have been withheld, and have called in police.

Outback Wrangler star Matt Wright is facing charges over the helicopter tragedy which killed Chris 'Willow' Wilson while collecting eggs in Northern Territory's west Arnhem Land in February 2022.

But Australian Transport Safety Bureau officials now fear some vital information relating to their investigation has been kept from them.

They have passed on details of 'possible offences' to Australian Federal Police which has since brought in NT Police and the NT Director of Public Prosecutions.

'The Northern Territory Police can confirm they received a referral from the ATSB via the AFP,' an NT Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

'The circumstances surrounding the matters referred were investigated, and a brief has been provided to the NT DPP for consideration.'

Chris 'Willow' Wilson had been dangling 30m below the Robinson R44 helicopter on a sling to collect the crocodile eggs before tragedy struck

Pictured, the scene of a crash which killed Mr Wilson while he was collecting crocodile eggs

Matt Wright (pictured with wife Kaia) is accused of seven serious criminal offences

An ATSB spokesman said the referral related to 'the status of evidence available' for its 'no blame' safety investigation, reports The Australian.

'The referral did not concern the circumstances of the accident itself,' the spokesman added.

Wright, 43, is accused of seven serious criminal offences relating to the tragedy where his company's Robinson R44 helicopter collided with trees and plunged to the ground on February 28 last year.

Wilson was a fearless crocodile egg collector, hanging precariously under the chopper on a 30m-long thread of rope to pluck eggs from crocodile nests.

He was a sidekick star in Wright's reality TV series Outback Wrangler, which has run for 10 years on National Geographic and is shown in 100 countries.

The father of two died in the crash, with his body located close to the wreckage in the croc-infested swamp, and pilot Sebastian Robinson suffered life-changing spinal injuries.

Wright, ex-NT policeman Neil Mellon and pilot Michael Burbidge have since been hit with a range of charges, including destroying evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

They are due back in court in December, while the ATSB's final report into what happened before, during and after the crash is expected in September.

The crash happened during a three-chopper egg hunt in the remote King River swamps of West Arnhem Land, 500km out of Darwin.

Two choppers would be the main egg-seekers, with the daredevil collectors swinging through the trees below, while the third would transport the fragile cargo.

The three Robinson R44 helicopters - each with one pilot and one collector - set off just after dawn at 7.03am to fly 90 minutes to an unmanned refuelling site deep in the bush near Mount Borradaile.

There they refilled their dual fuel bladders from pre-positioned drums before flying another 20 minutes to the King River staging point, then headed off in different directions around 9am.

Two choppers flew 12km north-east and swooped to collect eggs from nine different nests before realising around 10.14am that the third chopper had fallen silent.

Chief helicopter pilot Michael Burbridge, 44 - director of Remote Helicopters Australia - turned back towards where Mr Robinson had been headed, 30km south of South Goulburn Island.

He spotted the wreckage of the missing chopper on the ground just 300m from the staging area where they had split up 90 minutes earlier, and immediately landed nearby.

Wilson was found some 40m away from the main crash scene, already dead from horrific fatal injuries.

Outback Wrangler is a hit adventure television series filmed in remote Top End locations that airs in more than 90 countries. Mr Wilson (centre) was one of three cast members along with Mr Wright (right) and Jono Brown (left)

Pilot Seb Robinson (pictured) was thrown from the aircraft and was lying nearby with severe spinal injuries

Matt Wright (left), pictured with wife Kaia and son Banjowill, faces a series of charges over the crash in February 2022

Mr Robinson was seriously hurt with serious spinal injuries, lying on the ground near his aircraft, despite having been wearing his four-point harness.

The chopper was upright but badly damaged. Trees nearby showed signs of being damaged by its rotors, but there was no fire at the scene.

There was no radio reception at ground level so Mr Burbridge took-off once more so he could make radio contact with emergency services and raise the alarm.

Former NT Police Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, (pictured) allegedly flew to the scene with Matt Wright and croc farmer Mick Burns

At some point, it is alleged Outback Wrangler Matt Wright was alerted to the crash.

He operated Mr Robinson's R44 Raven II aircraft VH-IDW through his company Helibrook.

Wright allegedly gathered off-duty Darwin police sergeant Neil Mellon as well as crocodile farmer and Darwin publican Mick Burns and flew to the scene.

What happened next is yet to come before the courts, but Wright and Mellon are both accused of tampering with evidence at the crash site.

Wright has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawful entry, making a false declaration, and interfering with witnesses.

Mr Burbridge has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Mr Burns has not been charged with any offence.

The ATSB began its investigation and published initial findings in April, reporting that the chopper's engine had stopped mid-air, sending it plummeting to the ground, with the rotors chopping at trees as it fell.

Just after they had refuelled from the drum, Wilson had sent a photograph to the group's WhatsApp channel of his chopper's fuel gauge, showing it was almost full, around 20 minutes before the crash.

But crash investigators drained just 250ml of fuel from the aircraft's fuel tanks - which were both intact - and there was no fire at the crash scene nor any other obvious mechanical issues.

They allegedly could not find Wilson's mobile phone anywhere at the scene.

Investigators said the final report will further probe 'fuel system components, refuelling practices and fuel quality... as well as relevant maintenance records, operational documentation and regulations.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ATSB for comment.

Outback Wrangler TV star Matt Wright (centre) was at the centre of a media scrum when he flew back to Darwin and presented himself to police to face a string of charges

Chris 'Willow' Wilson and Seb Robinson were part of a three-chopper egg collection expedition (map pictured) to the remote King River swamps in West Arnhem Land
If you or someone you know is struggling, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255. An online chat is also available.

Family of the man who died by suicide jumping into the engine of a Delta plane at San Antonio International Airport said he lived a challenging life with past suicide attempts - but he had been happy and living a clean life in months, giving no indications of self-harm.

David Renner was identified as the airport worker killed and his brother, Joshua Renner, told DailyMail.com David's childhood was 'complicated at times with living in two separate households growing up just like all the other divorced kids.'

'This isnt the first time David has tried something like this from my knowledge,' Joshua said. 'There were other times. This time I thought it was different.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday ruled his death a suicide and confirmed David Renner's identity.

The plane had arrived on Friday night when it appeared, at that time, Renner was 'ingested' into the engine of an outgoing flight as his colleagues watched in horror.

David Renner, 27, was killed Friday night when he apparently jumped into the engine of a taxiing Delta Airlines flight at the San Antonio International Airport. A coroner ruled his death a suicide

The plane (pictured here) remained at the gate the next morning and flights in the airport were delayed. The National Transportation Safety Board said it would not be investigating Renner's death

David Renner was working for a company that Delta contracts with for ground support. An autopsy found he died from blunt and sharp force injuries, The Guardian reported.

His brother said in recent months that David had given no hints of self-harm.

'The reason I say that is because he was almost five months clean and living every day to the fullest,' he said, claiming 'there was zero indication this time.'

'David had been clean for over eight months, was in therapy, [was] actively taking his prescribed medication and had finally became the David we all knew he could be.'

Joshua told how his older brother 'loved magic.

'He was always trying to perform some little sleight of hand for his friends and family,' he recounted.

'He also loved making people laugh - he made it his mission to tell everyone at least one joke a day.'

But, he said, his older brother had struggled with mental health in the past.

Their parents 'were making sure that he was taking good care of himself' prior to his death on Friday night.

Joshua said his family is now 'doing the best they can do right now,' noting that 'some days are tougher than others.

'David is one of many others that suffer with mental illness and its not always very clear to us to see,' he said.

He is urging people to reach out when they notice someone is struggling 'because someone random can save a life to a random stranger.

'The simplest smile can always make a difference.'

Renner's brother, Joshua, told DailyMail.com that David 'also loved making people laugh he made it his mission to tell everyone at least one joke a day.'

Emergency personnel are seen on the tarmac after he was sucked into the engine and killed

Authorities announced Friday night that an employee at San Antonio International Airport had been 'ingested' into the engine of Delta Flight 1111 at around 10.25pm.

The plane had just arrived from Los Angeles and was taxiing to a gate.

It had just one engine on at the time, when a source briefed on Renner's death said it appeared he 'intentionally stepped in front of the live engine.'

The plane remained at the gate the next morning and flights in the airport were delayed.

Unifi Aviation, the company for which Renner worked, released a statement Saturday saying: '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.'

San Antonio airport officials also said they were 'saddened' by the worker's death.

The National Transportation Safety Board responded to the news of his suicide by saying it would not be investigating Renner's death.

'The NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event,' a spokesperson for the federal agency said. 'There were no operational issues with either the airplane or the airport.'

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255. An online chat is also available.
Tam Paton, who died in 2009, was accused of forcing boys to have sex with him

Nicky Campbell has compared Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton to Britain's most notorious paedophile Jimmy Savile in the way he abused and groomed his victims in a new ITV documentary.

Campbell will present a new TV show on the channel charting the rise of the tartan-clad group, which secured worldwide success with songs including Bye Bye Baby, I Only Wanna Be With You and Shang-a-Lang, as well as Paton's dark history of sexual assault.

Paton, who died of a heart attack in 2009 aged 70, allegedly abused band members and enticed boys from care homes to his home where he would force them to have sex with him.

Campbell said: 'Paton was similar to Savile in the way he groomed and abused people. It's that sense of entitlement, whether it's Savile, Paton [or] a teacher at a posh school. They can have what they want and there's no repercussions.

Manager of the Bay City Rollers Tam Paton (pictured in 2003) has been compared to Jimmy Savile in the way he abused and groomed his victims

Pictured: Scottish pop group the Bay City Rollers. Left to right: Eric Faulkner, Les McKeown, Alan Longmuir, Stuart 'Woody' Wood and Derek Longmuir.

After his death, police concluded that Jimmy Savile had been a predatory sex offender and prolific peadophile

'You got these lads  17, 18 years old  who wanted to be pop stars, but to live the dream, there's a deal with the Devil.'

The band's guitarist Pat McGlynn claimed that he had been the subject of an attempted rape by Paton in Australia in 1977, but the police could not gather sufficient evidence to mount a prosecution.

McKeown claimed in a 2015 interview that Paton had also helped another man force himself on McKeown while he was high on Quaaludes.

'It was hell,' McKeown said. 'But we were just daft wee laddies, following someone.'

In 1982, Paton served one year of a three-year jail sentence after pleading guilty to molesting boys over a three-year period.

Paton, who became a successful property developer in Edinburgh, was questioned over child sex abuse allegations in 2003 but the investigation was later dropped. At the time he said: 'I was in my house at the time, because really since all this started I have not been able to go out.

A documentary fronted by Nicky Campbell (pictured with band member Pat McGlynn) explores the Bay City Rollers' rise - as well as Paton's dark sexual assault claims

Pictured: Paton in 1976 (left) and in 2006 (right). He died in 2009 at the age of 70

'Last week I went through to a restaurant in Falkirk where I was meeting my lawyer and my accountant. When I walked in the manager came running up to me and asked me to wait for a few moments.

'When he came back he asked if I was Tam Paton. I told him I was and he said, 'We don't want your kind in here. Please leave immediately and remove your vehicle from the car park'. That is the kind of reaction I have been getting because of this.'

The following year he was fined 200,000 after admitting to supplying cannabis.

He denied two charges of supplying the class A drugs cocaine and ecstasy. Paton was told in view of his age and poor health he would not face jail but would incur a substantial financial penalty as punishment.

Paton, who never married, survived two heart attacks and a stroke before dying of a suspected heart attack in April 2009, at the age of 70.
Voice to Parliament architect Thomas Mayo spent years insisting it would be the only way for the nation to determine 'how and when we should celebrate Australia Day'.

But the prominent 'Yes' campaigner and signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart has sensationally backflipped, falling into step with a Labor government which remains adamant a date change would not be of interest to an advisory body.

Newly unearthed tweets written by Mr Mayo between 2018 and 2021 reveal he hoped the Voice would be 'an appropriate body, with appropriate authority to discuss an appropriate date' to celebrate Australia Day.

And in January 2021, he tweeted: 'Celebrating 26 Jan is disgusting... prioritise the campaign for a First Nations Voice referendum. Twitter and Facebook warriors, and peaceful demonstrators without coordination... is changing f**k all.'

In a 2022 opinion piece, Mr Mayo even suggested the new date could be the day the Voice to Parliament referendum passes.

Mr Mayo has since told Daily Mail Australia this is a view he no longer supports, stating he does not 'share that particular view about Australia Day anymore'.

'These comments are from number of years ago, with many of them around the time of reporting about Indigenous deaths in custody,' he said.

'I support celebrating our nation, Im a proud Australian and I believe our democracy is important, and it will be enhanced when Indigenous people are given a say on the matters that affect them such as health and education.'

Mr Mayo said he is now of the understanding a Voice will 'focus on practical issues that matter to Indigenous communities such as better employment outcomes and housing'.

The sudden about-face comes amid criticism aimed toward Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney, who assured Parliament the Voice advisory body would have no interest in the date of Australia Day.

A prominent 'Yes' campaigner described his vision for life with a Voice to Parliament - detailing ambitions for reparations to Indigenous people, 'rent' being paid to live on Australian land and the abolishment of 'harmful colonial institutions'

Mr Mayo has long advocated for a Voice to Parliament, insisting it would be the best way to shore up a date change

She said: 'It won't be giving advice on changing Australia Day. It will not be giving advice on all of the ridiculous things that that side has come up with.

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald on Australia Day last year, Mr Mayo even suggested 'the date of a successful Voice referendum' could be considered as the new date to celebrate our nation.

'The day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are finally heard,' he said in the opinion piece.

In January 2021, Mr Mayo tweeted: 'The 26 Jan debate is useless without a Voice.'

Two years earlier in January 2019, Mr Mayo said: 'Theres only one serious place to start: At the referendum ballot box voting YES to a First Nations Voice enshrined in the rule book - the constitution.

'Write to your MP on 26 Jan - demand that the #UluruStatement - VoiceTreatyTruth - is backed in parliament.'

Mr Mayo said in January 2021: 'The 26 Jan debate is useless without a Voice'

Mayo has become one of the most prominent campaigners in the Voice after contributing to the creation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017

Mr Mayo's most thorough and direct assessment of the scope of a Voice to Parliament came in an opinion piece he wrote for the SMH on January 26, 2022.

He wrote: 'The answer to the Australia Day debate  exactly how we finally decide to mature as a nation and stop celebrating genocide  is already with government.

'A constitutionally enshrined Voice is the answer to the question of Australias identity  how we mature as a nation and how we should celebrate it.

'Guaranteeing us the ability to have the discussion with the Australian people, in a proper way, about when and how we should celebrate.

'A future Australia Day could be on the date a successful Voice referendum  the day Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are finally heard.'

Daily Mail Australia has obtained a series of old tweets dating back to 2018 and published by Thomas Mayo, an architect of the Voice referendum question and signatory of the Uluru Statement of the Heart

Linda Burney has repeatedly avoided questions from the Opposition this week - Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, in particular - about the scope of the advisory body

This is just the latest in a series of tweets which have emerged from Thomas Mayo discussing the power of the Voice.

Mr Mayo described his vision for life after a Voice introduced - complete with reparations for Indigenous people, 'rent' being paid to live on Australian land and the abolishment of 'harmful colonial institutions'.

This vision for a Voice to Parliament appears to directly contradict Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's hope for a 'modest' concession to assist the nation's most vulnerable.

He listed 'all the things we imagine when we demand' a Voice, including 'reparations, land back, abolishing harmful colonial institutions'.

Additionally, Mr Mayo said his sights were set on 'getting ALL our kids out of prisons & in to care... integration of our laws & lore, speaking language, wages back'.

Mr Mayo said a 'guaranteed representative body' was 'needed [to]... properly pursue the rent that is owed and an abolishment of systems that harm us'.

In 2020, Mr Mayo got into a heated online exchange with Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe - a vocal critic of the Voice to Parliament.

She has long argued a treaty is more important than constitutional recognition, denying the legality of the constitution and expressing concerns about the sovereignty of First Nations people if the referendum passes.

Mr Mayo told her a constitutional Voice will give Indigenous people a platform to 'negotiate' with the Commonwealth on their 'obligations'.

'Australians already will support a referendum to recognise our Voice,' Mr Mayo said. 'They are much less likely to support what we may claim in a treaty (reparations, land back, etc).

'A constitutionally enshrined Voice is important to establish to use the truth to support treaty negotiations.'

Mr Mayo described the advisory body as a 'vital step in the fight for justice'.

These tweets reveal Mr Mayo has been pushing for a Voice to Parliament with hopes it could be utilised down the track to negotiate a treaty, which would demand reparations and land being handed back to First Nations people

In March, Mr Mayo stood shoulder to shoulder with a tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as the official wording of the referendum question was announced

The 'Pay the Rent' movement, supported by Mr Mayo, wants homeowners to voluntarily pay a percentage of their income to Aboriginal elders without any government oversight or intervention.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister said Australians will be afforded a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to improve the lives of First Nations people between October and December.

'Where's the downside here?' he asked. 'What are people risking here?

'From my perspective this is all upside.'

Mr Albanese said 'the truth is for most people watching this it will have no impact of their lives', but that it 'might make things better for the most disadvantaged people in Australia'.

Mr Mayo said a 'guaranteed representative body' was 'needed [to]... properly pursue the rent that is owed and an abolishment of systems that harm us'

Speaking at the Sydney Writers Festival to promote his new handbook to the Voice to Parliament, Mayo said he's throwing 'everything he has' at this referendum

After years of doing things 'for' Aboriginal people, often with the best of intentions, the PM said a Voice to Parliament would allow Indigenous people to take the front seat on matters crucial to them.

There have been many concerns about what exactly this means. Critics of the Voice say there is not enough detail provided on just what matters the advisory body will have input in.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus tried to clear up that confusion during the press conference.

He listed five key issues which will become the core focus of the advisory group: health, employment, education, housing and justice.

'No harm can come from this referendum, only good,' he said. 'The parliament has done its job and now it's up to the Australian people.'
A transgender woman who murdered a lesbian couple in what was termed a hate crime has been sent to a women's prison under a new California law - sparking fears about the safety of other inmates.

Dana Rivers, 68, was convicted in November of the 2016 killings of Oakland resident Charlotte Reed, 56; her wife Patricia Wright, 57; and Wright's adopted 19-year-old son, Benny Toto Diambu-Wright.

A court in Oakland heard that Rivers served as an 'enforcer' of an all-female biker gang, and was enraged at Reed for leaving the gang.

Judge Scott Patton called the triple murders 'the most depraved crime I ever handled in the criminal justice system in 33 years', and sentenced Rivers, a former high school teacher, to life in prison on June 14.

But Rivers has now been sent to the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, thanks to a Californian law which took effect in 2021, allowing prisoners to request where they are held based on their gender identity.

Dana Rivers, 68, was sent to a female prison earlier this month after she murdered a lesbian couple and their son in their California home on November 11, 2016

Patricia Wright (left), her wife Charlotte Reed (right) were found stabbed and shot multiple times in their Oakland home. Their son Benny Diambu-Wright, 19, was also found shot dead in front of the home

Activists have said that it is dangerous to keep other female inmates with Rivers, a pioneering transgender woman who was open about her transition in 1999, and discussed her 2001 surgery on ABC News' 20/20.

Rivers shot Reed twice and stabbed her 40 times at the home she shared with her family; shot her wife in the back and left breast and stabbed her in the neck and shoulder; then fatally shot their son.

Police were called to the sound of gunshots and officers arrived at the home to find a blood-covered Rivers holding a can of gasoline, with knives, brass knuckles and ammunition in her pockets.

She has been in custody since her arrest.

Kara Dansky, an author who describes herself as a 'feminist fighting for the sex-based rights of women and girls,' said Rivers was not safe to be housed with other women.

'They did it,' she tweeted.

'On June 16, 2023, the CDCR transferred him to the Central California Women's Facility.'

Dansky said female inmates were being put at risk by Scott Wiener, a state senator representing San Francisco, who introduced the prisons bill, and Governor Gavin Newsom, who signed it into law.

'But it's not over,' said Dansky. 'We'll never stop fighting.'

Dansky, who referred to Rivers as 'he', told The New York Post: 'There was something truly vile about the way this was carried out and his obvious hatred of her.

'My feeling from knowledge of the case is that he killed her because he couldn't be her - and he shouldn't be in prison with other women.'

The Central California Womens Facility in Chowchilla is the largest female prison in the state

Rivers has already been transferred to Chowchilla prison, where well over half of all California's female inmates are housed

Amie Ichikawa, 41, who spent five years at the same Chowchilla prison Rivers is going to, said the law was 'lesbophobic', and endangered the lives of half of California's female prison population.

California currently has 3,158 women behind bars - over half the 5,849 state total.

Ichikawa said the law 'has allowed over 50 percent of the population in women's prison to be forcibly housed with Dana Rivers who is a #lesbian killer. One hundred percent of these #women are at risk.'

She said Rivers committed a 'hate crime' and was not safe among other inmates, who were frightened by trans prisoners.

'They get very anxious when a [trans woman] gets processed in,' she told The New York Post.

'Even when they're post-op, if they get mad they go right back to angry man mode.'

Wright was a semi-retired teacher at Esperanza Elementary School and had been married to Reed, a US Air Force veteran and businesswoman, for more than a year.

Reed and Wright adopted Diambu-Wright from Africa together, but Wright also had another son separately. He was not injured in the triple-murder.

That son, Khari Campbell-Wright, previously said Rivers was an acquaintance.

In a 2016 interview with the East Bay Times, he suggested it was a random act of violence.

'My mom had no part in it. My brother had no part in it. Wrong place, wrong time,' Campbell-Wright said.

The married couple was pictured on Facebook riding a motorcycle after getting hitched. River attempted to escape on the same motorcycle the night of the murders.

Wright, left, and Rivers, right, knew their killer

Wright and Reed share two other children together. Their son Diambu-Wright, who was also killed, was from Africa

Rivers is formally known as David Warfield. She was terminated from her job at Center High School in Antelope after transitioning

Rivers was a US Navy Veteran and former award-winning teacher when she went by the name David Warfield in the 1990s.

The veteran notified Center High School in Antelope about her plans to undergo surgery to change her gender and was put on leave before she was fired.

Rivers gained media attention in 1999 following her termination and the launch of a lawsuit against the school that reached a $150,000 settlement.

The alleged murder was in the spotlight for a short period of time and appeared on several television shows, including the Today show.

Rivers' case and status in prison isn't the only trans housing situation that has been in the news recently. In Minnesota, a trans inmate was moved to a women's prison and give a vaginoplasty.

Christina Lusk, 56, was recently transferred to a women's prison after successfully suing the state for $495,000 and the surgery.

Lusk, who is legally recognized as a female, came out as transgender 14 years ago, started hormone therapy, and legally changed her name in 2018. The following year she pleaded guilty to a felony drug possession charge.

Christina Lusk, 56, was recently transferred to a women's prison in Minnesota after successfully suing the state for $495,000 and the surgery.

The settlement also promises Lusk will be given further gender-affirming healthcare and will strengthen its policies to protect transgender inmates.

'This journey has brought extreme challenges, and I have endured so much. My hope is that nobody has to go through the same set of circumstances. I relied on my faith, and I never gave up hope. I can truly say that I am a strong, proud, transgender woman, and my name is Christina Lusk,' she said in a statement.

Paul Schnell, the Minnesota DOC Commissioner, said the state is 'constitutionally obligated' to treat gender dysphoria and will do so for Lusk.

Lusk had been seeking a vaginoplasty since her incarceration but DOC Medical Director James Amsterdam determined that she should not be allowed the genital surgery whilst in prison, but 'could pursue that after release', according to the lawsuit.

Lusk wrote in the complaint: 'I have been diagnosed with severe Gender Dysphoria. I have attempted suicide four times due to my severe distress caused by my GD as well as self mutilation. My mental capacity is under control, and I am able to make good decisions as far as surgery.

'I have letters of support from my primary physician, my gender specialist, my therapist, as well as my psychiatrist, only two letters are required for surgery but I go up and beyond what is required.'

The move by the corrections department to hold Lusk in a men's prison and deny her the surgery is unconstitutional and a violation of her human rights, according to the lawsuit.
Kevin McCarthy made a visit to New York City on Monday to lay a wreath at Ground Zero with the sister of a pilot who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, the House Speaker and Debra Burlingame were seen laying a wreath and placing American Flags and flowers at the 9/11 Memorial in the southern tip of Manhattan.

Burlingame's brother Charles 'Chic' Burlingame was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, which was en route from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles before it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the Pentagon.

All 64 onboard the aircraft were killed, as well as another 125 people that day in the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy laid a wreath at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on Monday with Debra Burlingame, whose pilot brother Charles 'Chic' Burlingame died when his plane was hijacked during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks

The duo laid a wreath and put American Flags and flowers by Burlingame's brother's name on the Ground Zero Memorial on Monday

It's not immediately clear if McCarthy engaged in any other business while in New York  but he did stop by the News Corporation building for an in-studio interview with Fox & Friends.

The California Republican threatened during that appearance to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland as his Party laments of politicalization of the Justice Department after it indicted former President Donald Trump on 37 counts in the classified documents case.

McCarthy and Burlingame paid their respects at a wreath for the victims of the attack.

They then walked over to a fountain where the California Republican laid flowers and an American Flag to honor the late pilot.

The duo were followed by heavy security detail at Ground Zero.

In posting some images from the wreath laying, McCarthy wrote on Twitter: 'In New York at the @Sept11Memorial to pay tribute to all those lost in one of the most horrific days in American history.'

It is unclear if McCarthy attended to other business while in the Northeast, but he did appear in-studio on Fox & Friends Monday morning

Burlingame's brother piloted America Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001, which took off from Washington's Reagan National Airport before it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the Pentagon  killing everyone on board and 125 people in the building that day

'I joined the family of Charles Burlingamea pilot and American hero who lost his life flying American Airlines Flight 77,' he continued. 'We will never forget.'

It is unclear if McCarthy is in the Northeast for any other business and his team did not comment to DailyMail.com on whether he will have any other engagements in New York.

The Speaker did, however, engage in an in-studio appearance on Fox & Friends on Monday morning.

Also unclear is why Monday was decided as the day to lay and wreath and honor Burlingame's brother at the 9/11 Memorial.

McCarthy and Burlingame were followed around Ground Zero by a large security detail
Taxpayers will save 106,000 for every migrant deterred from reaching the UK by small boat, the Home Office has estimated.

An official analysis of the Government's Illegal Migration Bill said the potential savings could reach 165,000 per person if hotel costs for would-be refugees continue to rise.

But the Impact Assessment also estimated it would cost 169,000 to deport someone denied asylum in Britain to another country such as Rwanda.

As a result, it concluded that more than one in three potential arrivals would have to be deterred from trying to cross the English Channel in order for the policy to break even.

Ministers are now braced for a crucial ruling by the Court of Appeal on Thursday on whether or not the flagship policy of deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda is legal, which could pave the way for flights to start as early as September.

Taxpayers will save 106,000 for every migrant deterred from reaching the UK by small boat. Pictured: A training exercise for the RNLI to prepare for small boat incidents in the Channel

More than one in three potential arrivals would have to be deterred from trying to cross the English Channel in order for the policy to break even. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants, including young children, walk up the beach in Dungeness, Kent, after being brought from the RNLI Dungeness Lifeboat

It comes as latest figures show that another 163 people arrived by dinghy on Sunday, taking the total for the year to more than 11,000 and putting fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak over his pledge to 'stop the boats'.

Last night Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: 'Our Impact 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.

'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 Home Office said the costs of accommodating illegal migrants have increased 'dramatically' since 2020, with 3.6billion a year now spent on putting up 51,000 asylum seekers in hotels.

Its analysis estimates that 'relocating an individual' to a third country such as Rwanda would cost the public purse 169,000.

This figure is made up of 105,000 in payments to the country receiving them to cover their processing costs, along with 22,000 on flights and on-board guards, 7,000 for detention, 18,000 Home Office legal and case costs plus 1,000 in legal aid.

By contrast, the savings from 'reduced asylum support' are estimated at 106,000 per person, rising to 165,000 if the 'per night cost' of hotels continues to soar.

There would be further savings for councils no longer having to support asylum seekers as well as a reduced burden on public services such as healthcare and transport.

The impact assessment said that if 1,000 people arrive and every one of them is deported, it would cost taxpayers 63m - but if the same number were deterred from arriving it would save 106m.

The break-even point was 'calculated to be at 37 per cent deterrence'.
An American fugitive should have his extradition case scrapped because police in England want to question him about an alleged rape, a court heard.

Lawyers for Nicholas Rossi, who is fighting extradition to Utah where he is accused of sex offences, said he could be jailed south of the Border if he is found guilty.

Mungo Bovey, KC, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday if he were to serve a custodial sentence in England, his poor health could deteriorate.

He added that, if the extradition hearing went ahead, this would mean Rossi could be sent to the United States under terms set in Edinburgh when he was in better health.

Advocate depute Alan Cameron yesterday argued the extradition hearing should go ahead and that Mr Boveys argument was based on possibilities and not certainties.

Lawyers for Nicholas Rossi (pictured) said he could be jailed south of the Border if he is found guilty

It has been alleged he faked his own death in 2020 and fled to the UK to evade prosecution

After a lengthy adjournment, sheriff Norman McFadyen agreed the hearing could continue but said the subject of Rossi being wanted for questioning in England being raised at its outset was deeply unsatisfactory.

Rossi, who arrived at court wearing a black legal gown and skullcap, claims he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight. But a sheriff ruled last November he is Nicholas Rossi.

The 36-year-old came to the attention of authorities when he was at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in December 2021.

It has been alleged he faked his own death in 2020 and fled to the UK to evade prosecution. He was identified by tattoos matching police records for Rossi.

While in Scotland, under the alias Knight and posing as a tutor, Rossi developed Covid pneumonitis and became the sickest patient on the ward, according to medical staff caring for him.

It was at this point Police Scotland officers were issued with an Interpol Red Notice  a document that asks law enforcement to find and provisionally arrest a person in their country  with pictures of the wanted man.

The court later heard Rossi claim he did not receive a crucial legal document from the National Crime Agency (NCA) when he was served in hospital.

But a police officer who served the Interpol Red Notice and the NCA crime certificate to Rossi in hospital in Glasgow on December 14, 2021, said he had delivered the document.

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 a court 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.

Rossi leaves Edinburgh Sheriff And Justice Of The Peace Court towards the end of last year

Defending Rossi, Mr Bovey put it to PC McLarnon that he did not serve the NCA certificate because there is no record of its receipt.

But 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.

Rossi continued to deny his identity yesterday.

Mr Cameron accused Rossi of lying about his identity, which also called his credibility as a witness into question.

He said: The court has heard on another occasion that you are Nicholas Rossi.

Rossi responded: That is not true. My name is Mr Knight.

The week-long hearing will continue at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.
A truck driver has been arrested and charged after he allegedly veered into oncoming traffic to overtake and forced another car off the road.

Khoda Mokbel, 41, was tracked down after the near miss on Old Northern Road in Glenorie, in Sydney's northwest, on Friday, which was caught on dashcam.

The Padstow man allegedly returned a positive test for drugs on Monday when police caught up with him at a Revesby depot.

The dashcam footage showed the truck Mokbel was driving cruising down the 80km/h road behind a black vehicle on Friday at about 12.30pm.

The truck was seen in the footage pulling out onto the other side of the road across double white lines to overtake the dashcam vehicle and other cars in front.

Khoda Mokbel (pictured at Bankstown police station) allegedly returned a positive test for drugs on Monday when police caught up with him at a Revesby depot

The small car was forced onto the shoulder of the road (pictured), avoiding a possible roadside fatality as the truck careered past

But as the truck barreled downhill on the wrong side of the road an oncoming white SUV approached.

The smaller car was forced to drive off the road to avoid the truck, which inched back over the double white lines as the SUV passed - prompting another driver on the opposite side to veer out of the way.

A motorist immediately reported the incident to Castle Hill police and followed up three times over the weekend, Nine News reported.

Police told Daily Mail Australia officers received a report of a truck driving in a dangerous manner, including performing an illegal overtaking manoeuvre at Glenorie.

'Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command commenced inquiries to identify the driver of the vehicle,' the statement said.

Mokbel, who has a Victorian licence, was arrested on Monday morning at Revesby where he allegedly tested positive for drugs.

Police said he also failed another drug test done later at Bankstown police station, 'which will undergo further analysis before any action is taken'.

He remained tight-lipped as he left the station while reporters peppered him with questions about his driving and drug test reading.

Police said Mokbel was charged with drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Police also slapped him with a 24-hour prohibition notice from driving.
RNLI lifeboatmen have accused the charity of being fixated with a 'woke crusade' amid a row over 'alpha male' bad behaviour.

The sea rescue charity has ordered a 'full-scale cultural review' at Hastings Lifeboat Station in East Sussex after a damning internal report alleged female volunteers are barred from missions by the 'old crew'.

The report says: 'Female crew are generally unwelcome. Only 'alpha males' with a history at the station are welcome. There is a feeling women are fine on shore, but not to go afloat.'

All lifeboat staff at Hastings have been ordered to attend diversity and inclusivity training by the charity's safeguarding chief to stamp out bias against women and ethnic minorities.

The report, written by RNLI managers, adds that there is 'evidence of racism by way of lack of opportunities for people of colour' who intend to volunteer, and through 'racist language'.

'Female crew are generally unwelcome and only 'alpha males' with a history at the station are welcome, according to damning review of Hastings Lifeboat Station in East Sussex

It goes on: 'Physically intimidating gestures have been made towards females.' These included the 'I'm watching you' sign, where a person puts two fingers to the eyes signifying defiance, contempt or derision.

The report, seen by The Daily Mail, cited alleged comments such as 'we don't like her, get rid of her' from old crew to their female counterparts.

Critics have accused the RNLI, which will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year, of acting as a 'taxi service' for illegal migrants crossing the Channel.

Its website states it is a member of LGBTQ+ lobby group Stonewall's controversial 'Diversity Champions' programme, and it actively encourages volunteers with disabilities and different ethnic or gender backgrounds.

A lifeboat whistleblower who approached the Mail accused the charity of putting diversity ahead of seamanship training at Hastings.

The uproar comes after two male crew members were asked to 'stand down' this year following an inquiry. The whistleblower, who wished to remain anonymous, said last night: 'We rescued hundreds of people last year. A lot of them migrants, but other casualties too.

'The RNLI, sitting in their plush head offices in Poole, Dorset, are ruining the institution with their latest woke crusade.'

The whistleblower added: 'I am speaking because I can't stand what's going on here any longer.

'The sea doesn't care about your feelings. You need a solid boat, a strong pair of hands, and a belly for it,' they said. Five years ago two lifeboat volunteers were sacked in a row over mugs featuring a naked woman were discovered in a cupboard at Whitby lifeboat station in North Yorkshire.

After the men were dismissed, three others resigned in protest, arguing the mugs were 'banter' and the reaction was overkill. The charity responded that the incident was 'not trivial' and threatened serious consequences for such behaviour.

The RNLI said earlier this month that it saved 108 Channel migrants' lives in 2022. It launched 290 times to rescue migrants, mainly from the South-East coast, including Hastings.

The charity said: 'The RNLI takes allegations and concerns raised by staff and volunteers very seriously and has a process in place to ensure these are heard and investigated effectively.

The RNLI said earlier this month that it saved 108 Channel migrants' lives in 2022. It launched 290 times to rescue migrants, mainly from the South-East coast, including Hastings

'The RNLI has a code of conduct which outlines the behaviours and values which the charity expects all staff and volunteers to adhere to. Where these standards fall short, we will take action.

'A thorough investigation has taken place into behaviour at Hastings Lifeboat Station and appropriate action has been taken based on the findings.

'Local management continue to work closely with the station to create a positive environment to continue saving lives at sea.'

It added: 'At the RNLI we aim to be truly inclusive, valuing diversity and appreciating everyone for their individual contribution to saving lives at sea.

'To help us achieve this we are members of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme, an advisory service based on the Equality Act, which assists employers to embed LGBT+ inclusion across their organisation.'
Britain's most senior soldier has launched a blistering attack on the Armys armoured vehicles, tanks, bureaucracy and belief that part-time soldiers can replace regulars.

General Sir Patrick Sanders said many of the Armys platforms were outdated and not fit for purpose, and derided our reservist force as neither capable nor credible.

The head of the Army likened vehicles such as Warrior and Challenger 2 to rotary dial telephones in an iPhone age.

Such antique pieces remain in service, he argued, because the UKs industrial base has withered.

General Sir Patrick was speaking as the Ministry of Defence unveiled an overhaul of Army structures and a 35billion investment in new kit over the next decade.

General Sir Patrick Sanders (pictured) has launched a blistering attack on the Armys armoured vehicles, tanks, its bureaucracy and its belief that part-time soldiers can replace regulars

The head of the Army likened vehicles such as Warrior and Challenger 2 (pictured) to rotary dial telephones in an iPhone age

This will see 35 out of 38 existing Army vehicles replaced, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence systems and a much greater emphasis on uncrewed vehicles and drones.

He said: I trained on the 432 armoured personnel carrier in the 1980s when it was already 30 years old; it is still in service today.

Our armoured reconnaissance vehicle came into service in 1973, our infantry fighting vehicle Warrior in 1987 and Challenger 2 in 1998. These are rotary dial telephones in an iPhone age.

Our procurement record has been poor and our land industrial base has withered. Furthermore our Army Reserve is not as capable and credible as we need it to be.

Sir Patrick said previous assumptions that reservists could fill in for regular troops had been unrealistic. So under new plans they will be categorised as a second echelon force.

He said the reserve force of the future will move away from insisting upon equivalence and would recognise that reservists are constrained by the time they can offer.

The British Army is expected to shrink considerably in the decades ahead, continuing a fashion for smaller brigades and regiments which followed the Cold War.

While the introduction of new technologies, such as AI, will make conflict even less labour intensive, so armies will not require as many soldiers.

The British Army is expected to shrink considerably in the decades ahead, continuing a fashion for smaller brigades and regiments which followed the Cold War

Sir Patrick said the changes will make the British Army one of the most modern, connected and lethal armies in the world.

He added: Change is coming. We will think and fight differently. We must structure ourselves to meet our core purpose. We will reprioritise investment towards remote and autonomous systems.

The Armys AI Centre is already establish and, by 2024, we will have built a new Land Component Data Fusion and Analytics Engine; both exponentially increase the tempo of our decision making and targeting.

The Army is expected to shed around 3,000 troops by 2025 to meet a target of 73,000 full-time soldiers.

Some military observers expect a further 10,000 posts to go over the next decade. The infantry is likely to be the hardest hit.
Sixteen CEOs from some the biggest homelessness organisations in the country have written an unprecedented open letter speaking of their pride at the Prince of Wales ambitious new bid.

They described it as a sad reality that in 2023, homelessness still exists in the UK.

It is estimated that over 300,000 people - nearly half of whom are children - are sofa surfing, sleeping on the streets, staying in hostels and other temporary accommodation, or living in their cars, they wrote.

The letter added: At times the issue of homelessness can feel entrenched, inevitable, and insurmountable but we know it doesnt need to be that way. Every day our organisations help prevent and end homelessness for many people.

We know how to end it (in all its forms), making it rare, brief and unrepeated. But to achieve this, and to do so sustainably, we now need a truly collective and national response.

Prince William speaks onstage during his visit to Mosaic Clubhouse

The Prince of Wales and Geri Horner during a visit to Maindee Primary School in Newport

Calling for a nationwide response to the problem, they added: As homelessness organisations, we know that to prevent homelessness, we need more and better collaboration and input from across the whole of society. This is a societal issue, and it requires a whole of society response.

READ MORE: Prince William arrives in Brixton for Homewards project Advertisement

But for the level of change required, we need support from everyone, from every sector, throughout the UK (and beyond), and on a greater scale than ever before. This is where Prince Williams involvement will be crucial.

Praising the prince for his ability to convene players from across the spectrum and push these issues to the top of the agenda, they said of his intervention: This will be essential if we want to truly end homelessness.

The challenge is significant and should not be underestimated. But as a sector, we are excited to see how the six Homewards locations will use the space, tools and relationships provided by this programme to unlock solutions that prevent and end homelessness.

Signatories ranging from Seyi Obakin of Centrepoint to Mick Clarke of The Passage, added that they felt proud to work together as a sector with the future king and his Royal Foundation to find a lasting solution to ending homelessness.
A Bronx mother and her boyfriend have been indicted after two young children were found locked in a feces-smeared room, naked and eating bits of a filthy foam mattress because they were starving, authorities said.

The girls, aged three and four, were rescued from an apartment in a public housing complex by police on May 3.

Their mother, Stephanie Grabowski, 40, and her partner, Mark Russell, 45, were indicted Monday on multiple criminal charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, child endangerment and burglary.

New York City police officers and city workers saved the girls from a 'house of horrors' at New York City Housing Authority's Mitchel Houses and were found to be abused and neglected, according to representatives from the Bronx District Attorneys Office.

Grabowski and her boyfriend Russell were squatters in the apartment and they were arrested after officials went to the property to clear it out and discovered the children.

A Bronx mother and her boyfriend were indicted after two young children were found locked in a feces-smeared room, naked and eating bits of a foam mattress because they were starving

Two girls, aged three and four, were rescued from an apartment in a public housing complex by police on May 3. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark (pictured) said they were badly neglected

The girls were found bruised and naked in a feces-covered room and were so hungry they resorted to eating bits of foam from a mattress, prosecutors said.

Grabowski and Russell were charged with two counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-degree unlawful imprisonment, two counts of child endangerment and second-degree burglary.

While Grabowski was also indicted with two counts of first degree kidnapping in connection to another case. Its unclear if the victims in the kidnapping case are the same as the children from the neglect case.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said: 'The defendants allegedly kept these little girls in a house of horrors.

'They illegally occupied the apartment and left the children alone without food or clothing.

'Fortunately, police rescued the girls and a nurse discovered signs of abuse for which they are being treated. The situation is beyond the pale. '

Grabowski and Russell were arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio on Monday.

Grabowski's bail was set at $150,000 cash or a $400,000 bond, and his was set at $100,000 cash or a $200,000 bond.

New York Police Department officers and Field Intelligence Detectives attended the property at 10.30am on May 3 to vacate it from squatters.

The apartment was in terrible condition and had urine and feces all over the home and authorities noted there was not sufficient food, amenities, clothing or clean diapers, according to representatives from the Bronx District Attorneys Office.

The doorknob of one bedroom and the doorknob of an adjacent closet door were tied together with a ropelike cord, police said.

Officers kicked down the door and found the young girls on a sponge mattress on the floor.

The room was allegedly scattered with feces, dirty diapers and garbage as one of the children was seen eating pieces of the mattress.

The girls were observed at Jacobi Medical Center on May 5 and found to have significant bruising and marks in various stages of healing and rashes throughout their bodies, prosecutors said

Authorities arrested Grabowski and Russell and noticed she had an outstanding Family Court warrant for absconding from Administration for Childrens Services in November 2022 and brought her to Family Court.

Orders of Protection were issued and the children were taken to the Childrens Advocacy Center on May 4, where a nurse examined them and alerted the police's Bronx Child Abuse Squad.

The girls were then observed at Jacobi Medical Center on May 5 and found to have significant bruising and marks in various stages of healing, rashes throughout their bodies, Bronx District Attorneys Office officials said.

They are also said to have had difficulties walking, standing and speaking.

Grabowski and Russell are due back in court on September 13, 2023.
A $500,000 reward has been offered for information that could help solve the suspected cold case killing of a 25-year-old woman more than two decades ago.

Meaghan Rose, originally from the Victorian town of Morwell, was found at the base of the Point Cartwright Cliffs in Mooloolaba, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on July 18, 1997.

Ms Rose's car, which contained a number of her personal belongings, remained at the top of the cliff.

Meaghan Rose, originally from the Victorian town of Morwell, was found at the base of the Point Cartwright Cliffs in Mooloolaba, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on July 18, 1997

Originally believed to be a death by suicide by police, the case was reopened in 2019

Originally believed to be a death by suicide by police, the case was reopened in 2019.

Queensland Police announced the reward on Tuesday with Ms Rose's sister Fiona Ratcliffe issuing a heartfelt plea.

'Meaghan was a loved friend to everyone she met. Meaghan was my best friend,' Ms Ratcliffe said.

'I would like to ask the greater community for any information regarding Meaghan's death to please come forward to help bring closure to her family.'

Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team is re-examining the case and officers are confident it can be solved.

'We're particularly appealing to members of the community who knew Meaghan around the time of her death, many who live at the Sunshine Coast and Victoria, to think back and provide any information about her, no matter how irrelevant they think it may be,' Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.

'A number of lines of enquiry are being examined as we speak, and while we cannot go into detail around investigative strategies to ensure the integrity of the case, we are confident this reward will bring forward vital information.'

Police are also appealing to anyone who may have seen Ms Rose's white 1995 Suzuki Chino hatchback, with number plates 415DNN, and anyone in the vicinity of Point Cartwright on the evening of July 17, 1997.

The reward is for any information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Ms Rose's murder.

The Queensland Government reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.

Police are also appealing to anyone who may have seen Ms Rose's white 1995 Suzuki Chino hatchback, with number plates 415DNN, and anyone in the vicinity of Point Cartwright on the evening of July 17, 1997
They have issued a grovelling apology to the country

The couple, who are from Iraq, were spared prison time

A migrant couple who ran an elaborate childcare subsidy fraud syndicate staged photographs of kids supposedly in their care to claim government benefits.

The syndicate set up suburban homes as bogus day care centres, furnished to look like classrooms with items from Officeworks, Kmart and Toys R Us.

They decorated walls by hanging craft works purportedly made by children to fool government inspectors and even held a fake graduation ceremony for students.

Alee Farmann and Lubna Hashimy - both refugees from Iraq - were spared jail last week despite admitting scamming taxpayers out of almost $90,000 and not a cent of that sum being recovered.

The pair apologised to their adopted country for their well-organised crimes in letters tendered to Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.

A migrant couple who ran a childcare subsidy fraud syndicate staged photographs of kids supposedly in their care to claim government benefits. Alee Farmann (above) and Lubna Hashimy were spared jail last week despite admitting ripping almost $90,000 off taxpayers

Farmann, 53, was sentenced to 33 months' imprisonment on June 21 but immediately allowed to walk free after entering a $5,000 recognisance release order.

Judge Jane Culver also sentenced 44-year-old Hashimy to three years' imprisonment but immediately released her on a similar order.

The couple had used Red Roses Family Day Care Pty Ltd to defraud the government's child care subsidy scheme of $89,938.05 from February 2018 to May 2019.

Farmann was recorded telling an unidentified person he could watch his staff from two large screens in his office which were linked to 12 CCTV cameras.

The full extent of the loss suffered by taxpayers a result of all Red Roses's faked reports of child care sessions was never uncovered.

Red Roses had an office at Fairfield and managed child care services provided by 'educators' in private homes across the city's south-west and in Wollongong.

No such services were provided but children were sometimes taken to the educators' addresses and photographed to legitimise business records.

Lubna Hashimy (pictured), who fled to Australia in 2006 on a partner visa, said in a letter of apology to the NSW District Court: 'I apologise to the Australian people. This is a shameful event in my life that will stain my heart'

Hashimy instructed staff on how to fill out timesheets and subsidy submissions to the Department of Education, as well as signing off on fraudulent claims for child care.

Farmann, who drove a Range Rover and purchased a $1.5million townhouse in 2018, showed educators how to prevent the fraud being exposed during particular periods of intensified government scrutiny.

The frauds were committed with the complicity of some Red Roses staff members, educators and parents. Some educators paid cash to the parents whose children they falsely claimed were in their care.

A statement of facts tendered to the court revealed the lengths Farmann and Hashimy went to avoid detection of their rort.

NSW Police formed Strike Force Mercury in July 2018 to investigate organised fraud committed upon government welfare and insurance schemes.

As part of that operation investigators undertook covert surveillance of Red Roses premises including monitoring the activities of 15 educators.

Farmann and Hashimy set up suburban homes as bogus day care centres, furnished to look like classrooms with items from Officeworks, Kmart and Toys R Us. One of their fake day care centres is pictured

Under the relevant legislation, an educator can care for up to seven children at one time, including four children below school age.

Surveillance established Red Roses submitted false claims that an educator had cared for children on 166 dates at a Fairfield home between October 2018 and May 2019.

The educator claimed he generally looked after seven children at once, when no care was provided for children at that residence at any time.

When Red Roses undertook monthly inspections of each educator's premises children would be brought to the address and photographed.

At three educators' premises, Red Roses employees dressed up the location, including by designing crafts which were hung on the walls and attributed to children.

At least one employee undertook 'inspections' at a local library or in the Red Roses offices instead of visiting the homes of the educators.

At a 'graduation' ceremony held in December 2018 (above), children were paraded across a stage at Bill Lovelee Youth Centre in Chester Hill and Farmann shook hands with 'educators'

On one occasion Farmann ordered items from Officeworks and instructed a staff member to ensure a location appeared legitimate by telling her to 'make it look like a classroom'.

Other items bought from Kmart and Toys R Us to maintain the illusion were never used by children.

A Red Roses report dated May 26, 2018 noted seven children present at a Fairy Meadow home between 9am and 7pm and included a photograph of them all in school uniform despite it being a Saturday.

At a 'graduation' ceremony held in December 2018, children were paraded across a stage at Bill Lovelee Youth Centre in Chester Hill and Farmann shook hands with educators.

Farmann pleaded guilty to aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Red Roses to dishonestly cause a loss to the Commonwealth, knowing or believing the loss would occur. Hashimy pleaded guilty to two counts of the same charge.

He faced a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment while she could have been jailed for 15 years.

Farmann was recorded telling an unidentified person he could watch his staff from two large screens in his office which were linked to 12 CCTV cameras. He is pictured outside court

Farmann fled to Australia in 1999 by boat following deteriorating conditions for Iraqi expats in Iran after the Gulf War.

He apologised to Australia for his crimes in a letter to the court. 'I've let the principles of my country down,' Farmann wrote.

Ms Hashimy left Iraq due to her mother being of Iranian background, moving to Sydney in 2006 on a partner visa.

'I apologise to the Australian people,' she wrote in her own letter to the judge. 'This is a shameful event in my life that will stain my heart.'

Judge Culver acknowledged full time custody for Hashimy and Farmann would be difficult on their mental and physical health.

She also acknowledged imprisonment would challenge caretaking of their children.

Farmann, who purchased a $1.5million townhouse (above) in 2018, showed educators how to prevent the fraud being exposed during particular periods of intensified government scrutiny

The couple's daughter, 23, wrote a letter to the court, outlining the impact media reports of the court proceedings had on her two younger siblings.

'We began to feel racially attacked,' the daughter wrote.

'As for my younger brother, boys from his school began to recognise his name  and to harass him about it.'

Judge Culver agreed imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence, but it did not necessarily have to be conducted in full custody.

Imprisonment within the community would be more suitable for the offences, she said.

The couple will be required to maintain good behaviour for three years under community corrections supervision.
China calls for more support for Honduras from UN Peacebuilding Commission

Xinhua) 15:14, June 27, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to provide more support for Honduras.

Under the leadership of President Iris Xiomara Castro, Honduras has adopted a series of measures in upholding the rule of law, improving livelihoods, fighting corruption and organized crime, strengthening public services, empowering women and youth, and ensuring fair elections, all of which have consolidated effectively the country's peace and stability, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Honduras' successful practices have provided valuable experience for international efforts in peacebuilding. China appreciates such contribution, he told a PBC ambassadorial-level meeting on peacebuilding in Honduras.

China hopes the PBC will continue to leverage its own strengths to provide more support to Honduras' nation-building and sustainable development under the framework of peacebuilding, said Geng.

It is important to fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of Honduras and listen to the needs and thoughts of the Honduran government in a timely manner. It is also important to curate well-designed cooperation programs conducive to strengthening the internal drivers of development, in line with the country's priorities in the next phase and with the 2030 Agenda, he said.

The PBC should utilize its convening and coordinating power to mobilize broad-based resources from UN entities, the Peacebuilding Fund, and international financial institutions, so as to build powerful synergy for the development of Honduras, he said.

Not long ago, President Castro paid a state visit to China, which opened a new chapter of China-Honduras relations. China firmly supports Honduras in its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and independence, promote development, and improve livelihoods, he said.

"We firmly support Honduras in its own choice of a development path suited to its national conditions. We also firmly support the country's efforts for promoting socioeconomic development. China stands ready to continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Honduras and work with Honduras to make greater contributions to maintaining international and regional peace and security and promoting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda," said Geng.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The organiser of a controversial fundraiser for 'Tuula Vintage' travel blogger Jessica Stein promotes fringe medical treatments and conspiracy theories on social media.

Sara McGregor is the frail young mum's cousin and started a GoFundMe for Ms Stein, 34, and her daughter Rumi, six, last week, after claiming the Instagram influencer had been 'gaslit' by doctors.

Ms Stein - who boasts three millions fans on social media, including Liz Hurley - was said to be unable to 'leave the house outside of medical necessity' and 'cannot lift anything' because she suffers from conversion disorder - a rare mental illness where stress or trauma manifests as real physical pain. Ms Stein disputes this diagnosis, however, and believes her symptoms are caused by other conditions.

The GoFundMe raised $62,424 in just two days, but was frozen after Daily Mail Australia photographed Ms Stein outside her Central Coast home on Thursday.

In pictures, Ms Stein was seen laughing and smiling with Ms McGregor, and at one stage held Ms McGregor's newborn child in her arms while Rumi played by their side.

A previous fundraiser four years ago raised more than $235,000 to pay for medical treatment for Rumi's Mosaic Trisomy 2 genetic condition.

Ms Stein declined to comment to Daily Mail Australia, but GoFundMe confirmed she was the beneficiary for the appeal 'and will receive the funds'; however, it has been 'paused' by Ms McGregor, the campaign organiser.

Ms McGregor's personal social media posts warn about, among other things, the danger of 5G radio waves and the electromagnetic field risks of induction cooktops.

'Who would have thought it's the worst thing in the house?' she said.

Sara McGregor (left), the woman behind a controversial fundraiser for travel blogger Jessica Stein (right), promotes fringe medical treatments and conspiracy theories on social media

Jessica Stein at one stage held Sara McGregor's newborn child in her arms (Ms Stein is seen above from behind with the child next to Ms McGregor)

Jessica Stein was seen laughing and smiling with Ms McGregor as Rumi played with the family dog by their side (pictured

In 2020, she revealed how she had stripped her home of Wi-Fi - replacing it with an ethernet cable.

She recommended people ditch smartphones for old-fashioned Nokias, and even threw out the family's microwave oven.

She added: 'This will protect our kids' reproductive systems in a huge way!'

Other posts claim walking barefoot will prevent blood coagulation, while alleging pharmaceutical drugs 'accelerate organ/tissue degeneration and failure'.

She has also reposted claims linking deaths to Covid vaccinations, while another post says: 'The pain will leave once it has finished teaching you.'

She also includes links to a product called Lifewave X39 which is said to use lightwaves and amino acids to stimulate stem cell production.

Conventional medicine disputes the science behind the patches which have been branded a form of marketing and sell for US$99 for a month's supply.

'Time to kick my petides [sic] & stem cells into gear to repair and regenerate,' Ms McGregor captioned one post with details of the product, which compared it to '$25,000 stem cell therapy'.

The post adds: 'X39 is stem cell therapy with all the benefits, without the side effects, risk, inconvenience, cost and invasiveness.'

The patch promises 'significant' short-term memory and vitality boosts and lower blood pressure, as well as several other 'near significant' improvements.

But some online reviews say they received no benefit from the treatment. 'Ive stopped my auto renewal and cannot believe I fell for this!' posted one user.

Sara McGregor (centre) has been alongside Jessica Stein (left) helping her to cope with sick daughter Rumi (right)

Mother and daughter wore matching blue dresses for Rumi's fourth birthday party as cousin Sara McGregor (left) helped the pair celebrate

Sara McGregor's Facebook posts include this one promoting Lifewave X39, a product that claims to stimulate stem cell production but has been branded multi-level marketing by some

Ms Stein shot to fame for blogging her idyllic overseas adventures with ex-partner and Rumi's father, Patrick Cooper.

But she suddenly vanished four years ago, after her previous GoFundMe raised more than $235,000 when she first revealed her daughter's genetic Mosaic Trisomy 2 condition.

Her social media accounts suddenly came back online last week with the post to promote Ms McGregor's GoFundMe appeal for her and Rumi.

List of symptoms Jessica is reported to be suffering It's claimed Ms Stein is suffering from vascular congestion symptoms including: Bilateral jugular vein distention, also while upright

Inability to lay down without strangulation and fainting

Face, tongue, upper body and arm swelling

Breathlessness and coughing

Daily haemoptysis (spitting blood) and pink phlegm

Hoarse, strained or complete loss of voice

Highly vascularised throat and oesophagus

Heavy face, neck and chest flushing when laying down

Crackling, popping noises from upper chest

Purple tongue with dilated veins underneath

Intracranial hypertension with wet ears, pulsation in eyes, TIA episodes

Episodes of semi consciousness

Blurred vision and nystagmus

Tachycardia and high blood pressure, often with different pressures in each arm

Crushing chest and upper abdominal pain

Severe tearing pain in centre of chest, between shoulder blades and from behind. Source: GoFundMe Advertisement

The fundraiser says Ms Stein and Rumi are now suffering from a matching condition of 'multiple complications' of 'a connective tissue disorder'

'They both have complex conditions and present with atypical symptoms the system seem unable and unwilling to manage,' Ms McGregor says in the new online appeal.

'Jess has suffered gaslighting by the health system for many years.

'She was repeatedly told the symptoms she was explaining were "physiologically impossible to survive" and that "she wanted to have a sick child in hospital".'

Ms McGregor's GoFundMe post included a picture of Ms Stein and her daughter wearing matching neck braces, but said doctors had told her the crippling symptoms were all in her head.

Doctors insist Ms Stein is suffering 'conversion disorder' in which anxiety and trauma manifest as real physical pain, said the post.

Ms McGregor's appeal says Ms Stein needs treatment by a 'top specialist neurosurgeon' in New York which is predicted to cost $310,000.

'Their family shares features of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome and brittle bone,' the fundraiser states.

'Jess is completely unable to lay down. She is forced to prop herself up on a wall or wedge and pillows.

'This would make even the strongest of people go insane. She has been unable to work, drive, cook, clean or properly co-parent.'

She is said to have suffered an often deadly 'aortic dissection' - which can lead to total heart failure within hours - but was denied treatment for it by her neurologist.

The post adds: 'She can barely walk or talk before losing her breath and voice, fainting and appearing to be strangled internally.'

Last Thursday, Ms Stein was seen wearing a dressing gown as she sat outside her detached three-bedroom $720-a week rental home in Kincumber, holding her cousin's baby in her arms.

Her father Patrick, who lives ten minutes from Ms Stein's home, still maintains daily contact with his daughter and ex-partner, and assisting with Rumi's latest hospital visit over the weekend.

Jessica and Rumi are 'unable to lay down without strangulation and fainting and need to wear neck braces at times', her cousin said

This is all in stark contrast to how Jessica once travelled around the world blogging under the name Tuula Vintage (pictured in Italy in 2017)

Jessica Stein and partner Patrick Cooper fuelled the travel dreams of millions with their pictures from exotic overseas locations

While in hospital with Rumi in 2019, Ms Stein first began to show symptoms including light sensitivity and migraines, which is said to have led to a lumbar puncture procedure where she blacked out.

'She woke up to severe tearing chest pain, visualised full body circulation changes, leg weakness, numbness and often different blood pressures in each arm,' said her cousin.

'Jess has continued to get worse over time, and has become incapacitated at home. She knows that the [aortic dissection] injury could have, and should have killed her.

'Each time she was sent to hospital with acute and visible symptoms, medical professionals continued to say it was conversion disorder.

WHAT IS CONVERSION DISORDER? Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, is a condition characterised by the presence of physical symptoms without any identifiable medical or organic cause. Individuals with conversion disorder experience a range of symptoms that may mimic neurological or medical conditions, such as paralysis, blindness, seizures, or speech difficulties. However, these symptoms cannot be explained by a known medical condition or the physiological effects of a substance. The underlying cause of conversion disorder is thought to be psychological or emotional distress, often related to a traumatic event or unresolved psychological conflicts. It is believed the symptoms manifest as a way for the individual to cope with or express their distress. Treatment for conversion disorder typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including psychotherapy, physical therapy, and supportive interventions. The goal is to address the underlying psychological factors and help the individual manage their symptoms and improve functioning. Advertisement

'Jess's limbs would completely change colour, nails blue and her face would flush and swell when laying down with jugular distension on both sides.

'She began coughing up blood and pink phlegm multiple times a day, every day.'

But her cousin said: 'She continued to be told that her scans were clear (as are Rumi's) and that these physical and acute symptoms were due to anxiety.'

The post said Ms Stein had been silent on social media in recent years 'for multiple reasons', including feeling 'isolated and defeated'.

'She is so tired of having to fight so hard for them both to receive adequate and appropriate health care and cant do it anymore,' the GoFundMe page added.

Jessica Stein and daughter Rumi were pictured wearing matching neck braces in the latest GoFundMe appeal

Ms Stein was seen laughing and smiling outside her home wearing a dressing gown last week

Little Rumi (pictured) has been suffering from sickness her whole life and the genetic condition is incurable

In a now-deleted post on Ms Stein's Instagram page, one of her followers noted: 'It's actually not common for doctors to gaslight people that have extremely rare illnesses.

'There is also a very distinct difference between being gaslit by medical professionals [versus] being appropriately challenged on self-reported information if it's doesn't align with diagnostic criteria, medical tests and treatments or other medical assessments.'

Minutes after Daily Mail Australia tried to speak to Ms Stein - who declined to be interviewed - her GoFundMe was put on hold after it had raised more than $62,000.

The webpage now states: 'The organiser has disabled new donations to this fundraiser at the moment.'

There is no suggestion Ms Stein or her cousin are attempting to deceive or defraud anyone.

Minutes after Daily Mail Australia tried to speak to Ms Stein - who declined to be interviewed - her GoFundMe was put on hold after it had raised more than $62,000

This is not the first time Ms Stein has sought to raise money online to cover medical expenses. A previous GoFundMe she organised in 2017 (seen here) raised over $235,000

In a new post with a picture of Rumi in hospital for 'minor spinal surgery', Ms Stein added: 'My symptoms are very real, and does not fit the usual CTD co-morbidities.

'Last week I asked my cardiologist if I can just take strong pain relief and lay down, because Im so tired and sick of it all.

'He said absolutely not. Do not lay down. Thats it. They have no management ideas.'

She added: 'Ive had everyone around me doubt me at some stage and I am so irreparably damaged by it.

'Doctors, nurses, my partner, family, friends. Gaslighting, misdiagnosis and delay in appropriate care can, and does rip some people and relationships apart.

'It has ripped my mental health apart, as well as Pat's.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms McGregor for comment.
The wife of slain drug baron Alen Moradian once unfavourably compared him to TV mafia boss Tony Soprano and warned in an email his 'big head' would get him killed.

'Why do you just sit there and show off, "I am the man, I am the man"?' Natasha Moradian wrote in a note tendered at a drug trial.

'Do you see Tony Soprano doing that? He doesn't care who people think is the boss. He points it all off on a junior for a reason - to take the heat away from him...

'You, on the other hand, want the attention, you get a big head, you love it. People like that won't survive.'

Moradian, known as 'Fathead' in the underworld, was shot dead in the front seat of his car in Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Tuesday morning.

Slain gangster Alen Moradian had links through his wife to murdered Sydney mother Lametta Fadlallah (above) who was shot dead outside her Revesby home last August

The 48-year-old was gunned down in the underground carpark of an apartment building next to the Holiday Inn on Spring Street shortly before 8.30am.

A burnt out car was later found 15 minutes' drive away in James St, Zetland, while the shooter or shooters have not been located.

Moradian had links through his wife to murdered Sydney mother Lametta Fadlallah who was shot dead outside her Revesby home last August.

Ms Fadlallah once ran a car hire company with Ms Moradian and the spouse of Moradian's fellow drug dealer Luke 'Fatboy' Sparos.

Business records show Ms Fadlallah, Ms Moradian and Sparo's wife Christine Saliba were directors of Got 2 Go rentals between 2007 and 2008.

There is no suggestion the Moradians, Sparos or Ms Saliba had any involvement in Ms Fadlallah's death or that Ms Moradian, Ms Saliba or Sparos were involved in Tuesday's execution.

The killers of 48-year-old Ms Fadlallah have not been identified.

Alen 'Fathead' Moradian was shot dead in the front seat of his car in Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Tuesday morning. The crime scene is pictured

Moradian and Sparos were arrested in 2007 as part of a cartel responsible for importing huge quantities of cocaine from the United States.

Police seized assets including luxury cars, boats, jet skis, motorbikes and 17 firearms including a gold-plated .357 magnum during the operation.

Moradian had spent $1million in cash on Versace furniture and homewares for his marital home at Pennant Hills, which was likened to an Italian palazzo at his trial.

The 'Mr Big' of the crime world pleaded guilty in 2010 to importing a large commercial quantity of cocaine and in 2011 was sentenced to a maximum 16 years and nine months in jail.

The NSW District Court heard that while Moradian admitted to trafficking 40kg of the drug, investigators believed the total amount was closer to 200kg.

Moradian, who received a sentencing discount for pleading guilty and co-operating with police, was given a non-parole period of 10 years and five months and became eligible for release in December 2017.
A desperate search is underway for a missing young mum and her baby son in Sydney's west.

Police have serious concerns for Abbi Trappel, 24 and her four-month-old Jahbari Williams after frantic family and friends reported them missing.

The pair were last seen leaving a a home on Carrington Street, Parramatta, around 7pm Sunday night, with the last known contact with Abbi around 10am Monday.

The pair haven't been seen or heard from in the last 24 hours.

Police inquired about the pair's whereabouts after concerned family and friends raised the alarm.

Abbi Trappel (pictured) and her son were last seen leaving a Parramatta home on Sunday night

Police hold serious concerns for Abbi's welfare as her disappearance is out of character.

Frantic family and friends have take to social media to share the police public appeal.

'Please bring my cousin home,' a relative posted.

Another wrote: 'We are frantic.'

Abbi is described as Caucasian appearance, thin build, 155cm to 160cm tall and has long brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a grey jumper, trackpants, cream coloured adidas shoes, and carrying a cream bag and a black baby bag.

Abbi Trappel, 24 and her four-month-old son Jahbari Williams were reported missing by family and friends

Baby Jahbari is described as African and Caucasian ethnicity, with dark hair and dark skin.

Abbi is known to frequent the Merrylands, Parramatta and Liverpool areas.

She recently announced on Facebook that she was pregnant with her second child, just month after Jahbari was born in February

The pair may be traveling in a black 2006 Peugeot 307 Sedan with the NSW registration NXM75X.

It is believed the pair may also be travelling with a 23-year-old man known to them, who is described as African appearance, about 170cm tall, of thin build, with black hair.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cumberland Police or Crime Stoppers.
The grieving family of an Army soldier who died training in South Carolina to be a drill sergeant says they were denied the right to see his body following an autopsy.

US Army Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras, 40, was found unresponsive on June 12 on a land navigation course, nearly 10 hours after officials at the US Army Training Center and Fort Jackson announced he was missing.

He was located about 54 meters  or 164 feet  off the course in an area Fort Jackson officials say has 'unforgiving terrain.'

Army officials insist he did not die of anything nefarious, but the cause of Contreras' deviation from the course and subsequent death has not yet been released by federal investigators.

His family in Flagstaff, Arizona, said they are not allowed to view his remains and must bury the father-of-five under cloths obscuring his body.

US Army Staff Sgt. Jaime Contreras, 40, was found unresponsive on June 12 while on a land navigation course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina

His mother, Thelma Gomez, now said she was not allowed to see her son's body following an autopsy

Contreras' mother, Thelma Gomez, told WIS-TV that she and other family members were denied the opportunity to view her son's body on June 15  leaving them with more questions than answers.

'Why is the body unviewable?' she asked. 'So that I don't, in turn, go into the dark and make speculations and assumptions that I don't want to make, I'd like to know why,' she said.

Gomez said she had originally planned to have an open casket for Contreras' funeral, but under the Army's policies, he will now be wrapped head-to-toe in opaque bandages and placed underneath a blanket or cloth.

The uniform Gomez selected will then be placed on top of the coverings.

She described her son as a devoted father who was committed to his service in the US military, saying he loved his time as a noncommissioned officer at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina, where he worked in food operations.

Contreras had served for 12 years, including a stint in which he was deployed to Afghanistan.

Gomez insisted she respects the Army's procedures, saying her brother, Armando Cespedes, also served in the military for 25 years before he retired.

'He devoted his life to the military,' she said. 'My son was in the process of devoting, and I guess you could say he did devote his life to the military.

'So I'm respectful of their procedures, but I don't know their procedures.'

Cespedes also said: 'We've been trying to get answers and we've been put to the side. I feel like my Army has failed me.'

Contreras' sister told the South Carolina news station that without any answers about his death 'we're left to speculate or fill in the holes ourselves. And that just makes this grieving process more challenging.

'Jaime deserves better.'

Contreras' family said they are left with more questions than answers as an investigation continues into his death

Gomez said she respects the Army's procedures, noting that her brother, Armando Cespedes, also served in the military for 25 years before he retired. But, she said, she doesn't know the Army's procedures

Contreras was found 10 hours after he was reported missing in an area Fort Jackson officials say has 'unforgiving terrain'

Fort Jackson officials say Contreras was in the eighth week of a 10-week drill sergeant training program.

He was one of about 90 trainees sent on an individual mission on June 12 to find a variety of locations within a 1,500-acre wooded course.

Contreras began the exercise around 10am and was scheduled to return around 1pm.

Following procedure, Army officials waited about an hour to search for the soldier when he failed to return and then called in a number of civilian agencies to assist in the search.

An investigation into his death is ongoing, with Army's Criminal Investigation Division officials saying it may take weeks.

Contreras was engaged to Erin Kern at the time of his death, and the two had recently bought a house in North Carolina

A GoFundMe has been set up to support his fiancee whom he was set to marry once he graduated the program

Contreras' fiancee, Erin Kern, said Contreras had described the USADA training as tedious and challenging, but said he was proud to be a candidate and was adamant about graduating.

The two had planned to get married after he graduated the program, and had already purchased a marriage application and two customized wedding rings.

'I didn't just lose Jaime. I lost everything we worked for,' she told WIS-TV in a separate interview.

'I'm just the fiancee. I don't think I will be able to live in this house we bought together. Our plans and dreams went with him.'

Contreras and Kern had purchased their home in Roseboro, North Carolina, just one year prior and were said to be building it into their dream home.

'Jaime was my entire world,' Kern said in a statement. 'He would tell me that I was his peace and comfort, but he was everyone's peace and comfort.'

She described him 'a born caregiver' who was 'incredibly funny and so loving' with 'the biggest heart.'

'He loved hiking with his kids and exploring new places, he loved cooking with me and found enjoyment out of watching horrible movies,' Kern continued.

'We spent a lot of time renovating our new home and dreaming about the future. Home is where the heart is.'

A GoFundMe has now ben set up to help Kern keep the house and pay off hers and Contreras' bills, with the friend who created the online fundraiser saying: 'I know Jaime would be devastated to see her lose the home they created together.'
A man has been arrested after Finance Minister Katy Gallagher's Canberra electorate office was allegedly vandalised.

ACT Police were called to the scene in Phillip, in the city's south-west, shortly before 2pm on Monday after reports of a 'property damage incident'.

'A man was arrested at the scene shortly after the incident,' an ACT Police spokesperson said.

'He has been charged with damaging Commonwealth property, and will face court in July.'

ACT Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have dashcam footage of the area around the time of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.

A man has been arrested after Finance Minister Katy Gallagher's (pictured) Canberra electorate office was allegedly vandalised

Senator Gallagher has come under fire in recent weeks, when the Coalition mounted an attack over what she knew about Brittany Higgins' allegations she was raped inside Parliament House before she went public.

Text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged during the last sitting fortnight, which called into question Mr Sharaz's friendship with the ACT Senator.

The Coalition demanded she admit to misleading Parliament after telling Senate Estimates last year 'no one had any knowledge' before Ms Higgins' allegations were broadcast in the media.

In a speech to the Senate earlier this month, Senator Gallagher clarified that she was made aware of Ms Higgins' plans to go public with her allegations in the days before her interview with The Project aired and a story was published online, but did not know the full extent of the claims, and so did nothing with the information.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Labor colleagues have also denied accusations the Finance Minister misled parliament.

Senator Gallagher has served as a senator on and off since 2015, before which she was ACT Chief Minister.

She made her foray into politics in 2001, when she won the seat of Molonglo in the ACT election.

ACT Police were called to Katy Gallagher's office (pictured) in Phillip, in the city's south-west, shortly before 2pm on Monday after reports of a 'property damage incident'

She became chief minister in 2011, and announced she would resign in 2014 to pursue a senate vacancy.

After winning the seat in 2015 following the resignation of Kate Lundy, Senator Gallagher went on to retain the seat in the 2016 federal election.

That win was determined ineligible in a 2018 High Court finding, because she had still been a British citizen at the time of the election.

She renounced her citizenship and was able to renominate for an ACT seat in 2019.
A transgender man who gave birth to a boy has claimed he is being shut-out and isolated by the LGBTQ community.

JaMel Ware, from Atlanta, gave birth to his child in May 2022 but said he has struggled to fit in as a new father and that he feels alone.

He shared his grievances at a workshop that was part of The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Transgender Justice Initiative.

Ware spoke to non-profit news website The 19th along with seven other black transgender men and questioned 'Where do I fit?'

The group pointed to gay cisgender men as being problematic and felt the LGBTQ community often doesn't stand up for them even though they are part of the queer identity.

A transgender man who gave birth to a boy has claimed he is being shut-out and isolated by the LGBTQ community

JaMel Ware, pictured with his partner Alphonso Mills (right), gave birth to his child in May 2022 but says he has struggled to fit in as a new father and that he feels alone

Ware, who is from Atlanta, shared his grievances at a workshop that was part of The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Transgender Justice Initiative

'Ive been struggling over this past year and a half, almost two years now. Its like, where do I fit,' Ware said at the workshop.

'Because a lot of trans men dont want to be open about their queerness, he said. I also have a child that I carried.  Every time I walk into a room, I feel alone.'

Another member of the group, Alex Santiago, claimed men do not call him 'bro' after they find out he is transgender and said he felt more scrutinized within LGBTQ spaces.

'Thats a weird space to be in, but it happens more often than not,' he said.

C.J. Moseley agreed with Santiago and DJamel Young added they were often viewed as 'too masculine to be queer'.

Ware shared his journey through pregnancy on Instagram. He is seen smiling with his partner Alphonso Mills while they show off his bump, celebrating with friends and family at their baby shower and then cuddling with their son.

He was featured in an AJ+ report last year and shared his experience as a pregnant man in Atlanta

Ware transitioned from female to male at 22 and struggled with his identity while he was carrying his son

Ware was featured in an AJ+ report last year and shared his experience as a pregnant man in Atlanta.

Ware transitioned from female to male at 22 and struggled with his identity while he was carrying his son.

'It made me question my identity. How does the world now see me?', he told AJ+.

'How will they see me? Will they understand who I am? Pregnant women are celebrated. Trans people are not.

'And to be a pregnant trans man just made me feel vulnerable in the world.'

He describes himself as an 'actor, entrepreneur, public speaker, advocate, and educator' on his website.

Ware began traveling across the country aged seven but was orphaned at 15.

He said he centers himself through his belief in God and lives by the motto 'Live Life Whole. Be your complete self, and live life fully' to achieve success.
A first-in-the-nation congestion charge for New York City was given its final federal approval on Monday, meaning that from next year anyone wanting to drive in lower Manhattan could pay up to $23.

The Federal Highway Administration officially green-lit the plan on Monday, meaning that it is now up to the New York transit officials - the Metropolitan Transportation Authority - to make a final decision on toll rates, discounts, hours and exemptions.

A plan published in August suggested vehicles would be charged $23 to enter the area south of 60th Street during peak daytime hours.

The off-peak rate would be $17.

All areas south of Central Park will have a flat entry rate of up to $23 for all drivers

The potential congestion fees are projected to bring in $1 billion a year for MTA, which runs the city's public transit system

The scheme, first proposed in 2007 but seriously launched in 2019, is due to begin in the spring of 2024 and is predicted to generate $1 billion for the MTA to spend on public transport.

'Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the MTA.,' said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

'With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program.'

Last month the Biden administration approved the release of the final environmental assessment.

The toll would be applied on top of existing bridge and tunnel tolls to congestion charges, meaning the cost of a round trip by car from areas like Princeton, New Jersey, could be as much as $120.

Activists calling for the introduction of the congestion charge are seen on April 21

A rally in support of congestion charging is seen in March 2018

New York said drivers could face a traffic congestion charge of up to $23 a day by mid-2024

Mayor Eric Adams and City Comptroller Brad Lander applauded the announcement

A study released last year projected the fee would reduce the number of cars entering Manhattan by 15 to 20 percent.

Other major global cities such as Singapore and London already have congestion pricing policies to minimize traffic, speed up essential services and reduce pollution.

In New York, the city wants to charge a daily variable toll for vehicles entering or remaining within the central business district, defined as between 60th Street in midtown Manhattan and Battery Park on Manhattan's southern tip.

New York, which has the most congested U.S. traffic, would become the first major U.S. city to follow London, which began a similar charge in 2003.

MTA officials have said they would need almost a year to set up the new tolling infrastructure once it obtains federal approval, putting it on track to meet its current target of launching congestion pricing in the second quarter of 2024.
Daily Mail Australia looks at the winners and losers

Range from cash boosts and rebates to price hikes

New rules come into effect July 1

Australians are just days away from a raft of new rules which will impact their everyday lives.

From industry reforms and electricity hikes to new superannuation rules, a wide range of changes come in effect from July 1.

Some will leave millions already struggling with the soaring cost of living even further out of pocket due to electricity and telecommunication price hikes.

But other changes will be more positive, from minimum wage rises and stamp duty exemptions to cash boosts, energy and childcare rebates and amendments to the age pension.

There are also industry reforms to education, cosmetic and aged care, new rules for New Zealanders wanting Australia citizenship, and a newly-established disaster relief fund is days away from coming into effect.

Here Daily Mail Australia takes a look at some of the new rules.

The minimum wage will increase to $23.23 an hour or $882.80 a week. Pictured is a cafe worker in Sydney

First home buyers

The NSW government's increased stamp duty exemptions for first-home buyers kick in on July 1.

No stamp duty will need to be paid on homes worth up to $800,000 and will save first-home buyers save $31,090, according to government figures.

The First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme raises the threshold for stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers from $650,000 to $800,000 and lifts concessions from $800,000 to $1million.

It comes after newly elected Labor vowed to abolish stamp duty for almost all first home buyers if they won the state election in March.

'We promised to deliver a fairer and simpler way to help more first home buyers and that will become a reality from 1 July,' NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

The state government will also axe the previous government's opt-in property tax scheme, which allowed first-time buyers of more expensive properties to avoid stamp duty.

Increased stamp duty exemptions for first-home buyers in NSW kick in on July 1. Pictured are potential homebuyers at an auction in Sydney

Minimum wage increase

Changes to the minimum wage previously announced are in effect from July 1.

The minimum wage will be increased to $23.23 an hour or $882.80 a week.

Those on an award will also see a 5.75 per cent increase to base rates.

Telstra and Optus bill hikes

From July 4, Telstra will hike its prices on market post-paid mobile and data plans in line with CPI.

This means a monthly increase of between $3-$6 depending on your plan.

Customers on a 'basic' package' will see a $4 rise on their monthly plans rise to $62 per month.

Those with the 'premium' package will see their phone plans rise from $89 a month to $95.

'We know price rises can be hard for some people, especially when cost of living pressures are high,' Telstra states on its website.

'Increasing our prices means we can continue investing in the things that matter for our customers.'

Post-paid mobile customers who receive a concession discount on the Starter Plan will see the discount increased to ensure they are not impacted by these changes and wont pay any more for that plan.

The concession is available for customers with a valid Health Care Card, Pension Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Card.

Optus has also come under heavy fire after quietly hiking up its mobile plan prices.

Customers will see an average $4-5 increase on their monthly bills.

'There are also some instances where customers will receive a $9 increase, but that is the maximum increase per service,' a spokeswoman said.

Optus added that the price changes only apply to some customers and that others won't be impacted at all.

Vodafone also recently announced it would be increasing the cost of its services by $5 per month.

Electricity price hikes

The Australian Energy Regulator has confirmed power prices will increase by up to 25 per cent from July 1, depending on your provider and where you live.

The price hike includes three of Australia's largest providers - Origin, AGL, and Red Energy.

Households in NSW, south-east Queensland, South Australia and Victoria will see hikes of between 19.6 per cent and 24.9 per cent from July 1, and in some cases as high as 30 per cent.

As price rise, millions of households earning under $120,000 a year will be eligible for energy relief rebates.

A $500 rebate on power bills will be offered to eligible householders in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

Those in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT will only get $350.

Telstra customers on post-paid mobile and data plans will be slugged with a price hike of up to $6 a month from July 4

Some changes will see Aussies better off from minimum wage rises and stamp duty exemptions to cash boosts, energy and childcare rebates and amendments to the age pension

Rental relief

In Queensland, laws to restrict the frequency of rent increases to once a year come into effect from July 1.

The limit on rent increases will apply to all new and existing tenancies from that date in a bid to ease cost of living pressures.

Disaster relief

The federal government's newly Disaster Ready Fund is just days away from being established.

The fund will providing up to $1billion over the next five years to improve Australias resilience and reduce risk to natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones.

This investment seeks to mitigate potential disaster loss and damage, reduce harm, loss of life, property loss and the impacts on economic productivity and furthermore is cheaper than disaster response.

For every dollar spent on disaster risk reduction, there is an estimated $9.60 return on investment.

Up to $200 million in funding was available under the first round of funding for projects to commence from 2023-24.

Projects that successful secured funding were recently announced.

The Disaster Ready Fund will provide up to $1billion over the next five years to improve Australias resilience and reduce risk to natural disasters. Pictured is Lismore in northern NSW during its March 2022 flood crisis

Aged pension

Australians born on or after January 1, 1957, will have to reach 67 years of age before becoming eligible for the pension.

From July 1, singles can earn $204 a fortnight and couples $360 a fortnight, before losing their full pension.

Home-owning singles can have $301,750 worth of assets before their pension is reduced, while non-homeowners can have $543,000.

These asset amounts increase to $451,500 for home-owning couples or $693,500 for couple who don't own a house.

Those who were previously ineligible for a pension could also qualify for a part payment as income thresholds are raised to $2332 a fortnight for singles and $3568 for couples.

Childcare payments

Families who earn less than $530,000 of combined income will be able to access an increased childcare subsidy from July 10.

The maximum subsidy amount will also see an increase of 5 per cent from 85 to 90 per cent.

Changes to Child Care Subsidy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will mean eligible families can get at least 36 hours of subsidy per fortnight for each child.

Parental leave

On July 1 2023, Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay are combining into one payment.

It increases from 90 days (18 weeks) to 100 days (20 weeks), and a combined family income limit of $350,000 will be introduced.

From July 10, if your family earns under $530,000, youll get increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS).

Education reforms

A second round of National Quality Framework changes to the early childhood education sector will come into effect.

The changes range from better flexibility when replacing educators during short term absences and resignations to amended documentation requirements for Outside School Hours Care providers in Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.

All family day care educators hold at least an approved certificate III level qualification prior to commencing their role and increasing several prescribed fees.

Families who earn less than $530,000 of combined income will be able to access an increased childcare subsidy from July 10

Tax changes

There are no changes to personal income tax thresholds from July 1, 2023.

From July 2024, however, some tax thresholds will be removed, leaving only the 19 per cent, 30 per cent and 45 per cent tax brackets.

The low and middle income tax offset (LMITO) is no longer available for this year or 2024, which will see many people get lower refunds.

From July 1 this year, the threshold for the Medicare levy surcharge will be raised.

For singles, this increases from $90,000 to $93,000 before the tax applies, while for families it will increase from $180,000 to $186,000.

In Victoria, a windfall gains tax will apply to land subject to a government rezoning resulting in a value uplift to the land of more than $100,000.

Superannuation

The super guarantee rate increases from 10.5 to 11 per cent on July 1 this year.

It will also increase by 0.5 per cent over the next two years to reach 12 per cent.

The change means employers will be putting more of your pay into your superannuation.

The minimum amount you can withdraw from your super income stream each financial year will also change as the temporary drawdown reduction comes to an end.

Firearms crackdown

In WA, firearms and ammunition designed to shoot over long ranges with extraordinary power and precision will be outlawed from July 1.

Under the changes, 56 types of firearms and 19 calibres of ammunition will become illegal, with a total of 248 licensed firearms in the state also becoming illegal.

The WA Government will also fund a market-value buyback.

Farm work boost

The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission has updated the Farm Employees Award with new provisions for part time employees.

They include a requirement for employees and employers to agree in writing on hours of work, an updated definition for the Farm Tradesperson classification, new provisions enabling employment of trainees, changes to the requirements for full time and part time employees to provide notice of termination

Clauses in relation to record keeping, leave entitlements and public holidays have also been updated in the award.

Cosmetic surgery crackdown

The Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency will introduce overhauled rules for cosmetic medical and surgical procedures.

From July 1, patients wanting cosmetic surgery must first obtain a referral from their GP before and have at least two pre-operative consultations

Cosmetic surgery premises must also be accredited against the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care standards, and there must be improved patient assessment by practitioners

Migration

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $53,900 to $70,000 from July 1.

The result is employers looking to sponsor overseas workers will need to offer an annual salary of at least $70,000 plus superannuation to candidates.

Some Labor Market Testing (LMT) requirements will also be removed so companies do not need to advertise jobs locally before inviting overseas candidates. This applies to the top two tiers of skilled workers earning above $70,000.

Temporary Skill Shortage visa holders will get increased pathways to permanent residency from July 1.

Also, Kiwis living in Australia for four or more years will no longer have to get permanent residency before applying for Australian citizenship.

Children born in Australia to New Zealand parents will also qualify for Australian citizenship.

'Australia and New Zealand have a deep friendship, which has been forged through our history, shared values and common outlook,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of the changes.

'We know that many New Zealanders are here on a Special Category Visa while raising families, working and building their lives in Australia. So I am proud to offer the benefits that citizenship provides.'

A new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) will also allow people from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to apply for permanent residency, with 3,000 places available.

The super guarantee rate increases from 10.5 to 11 per cent on July 1 this year

Employers looking to sponsor overseas workers will need to offer an annual salary of at least $70,000 plus superannuation to candidates

Student visas

Student visa holders will be limited to working 48 hours per fortnight again from July 1 after restrictions were removed during the Covid pandemic.

Some holders of subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas will be allowed to stay in Australia for a longer period.

From July 1, it will be four years for a bachelor's degree graduate, up from two years previously.

For master's degree graduates it will be five years, up from three years previously

Doctoral graduates are allowed six years, up from four years previously.
Big W has slapped down a customer who gave a one-star review to a $12 book explaining how the Indigenous Voice to Parliament would work.

One purchaser wrote a scathing summary of the Voice to Parliament Handbook, written by a key architect of the Voice, Thomas Mayo, and the former ABC presenter Kerry O'Brien.

'Absolutely no detail about what changing the constitution will do,' the dissatisfied customer wrote.

'Was hoping to learn about what will happen when we enshrine the voice. Just propaganda and fluff.'

The discount variety store's brand managers were so upset with the review it fired back at the customer with a response about its commitment to the Voice.

Big W has used a very woke response to slap down a customer who gave a one-star review to a $12 book explaining the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, written by Thomas Mayo (pictured) and Kerry O'Brien

Big W responded in a very woke way (pictured) to a negative comment on a book about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament

Poll Should Big W be passing judgement on customers' views of the Voice? Yes No Should Big W be passing judgement on customers' views of the Voice? Yes 43 votes

No 1374 votes Now share your opinion





'As a diverse workplace, BIG W recognises the significance of National Reconciliation Week for all Australians and as part of Woolworths Group, we are committed to Reconciliation and support the Uluru Statement from the Heart,' it said.

'We hope we can continue to learn together with our team, customers and communities to take actions towards a more inclusive Australia.'

The poster's comment got six thumbs up votes agreeing with them, but it also got 15 thumbs down from those who disagreed with the comment.

A further one-star review called the book 'absolutely appalling propaganda'.

'The two authors are all you need to see to know what this book is about nothing other than race baiting socialist ideology dressed up as social virtue signaling, trying to guilt shame people into voting for constitutional change which will forever divide Australian people into warring racial groups,' the reviewer, called 'Proud Australian' wrote.

'Not worth the paper its written on, total waste of time and money. I will be returning the book and requesting a refund. Only gave one star because zero was not an option.'

Big W posted a similar response to that review too.

Despite the negative reviews that led to Big W's responses, Mr Mayo's book has been well received by many other commenters on the retailer's website.

'At less than 100 pages it can be read in an afternoon and is filled with easy to understand information about the Voice, previous "voice" attempts and Referendums. Buy it, read it and pass it on. Then vote YES,' wrote one.

'Thankyou Big W for making this book available to all at an affordable price and for working towards a more inclusive Australia,' wrote another.

'Will be buying more copies to pass on to others.'

Big W (storefront pictured) was so upset with the review it issued a very rare response

A dissatisfied customer left a negative review of the book (pictured) on Big W's website

Mr Mayo, a prominent Indigenous campaigner, made headlines last week when his controversial old tweets were unearthed by Daily Mail Australia.

In them, he described his vision for life after a Voice to Parliament is introduced, including reparations for Indigenous people, 'rent' being paid to live on Australian land and the abolition of 'harmful colonial institutions'.

A series of tweets dating back to 2018 showed that Mr Mayo supported an eventual treaty that would see land handed back to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This vision for a Voice to Parliament appears to directly contradict Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's hope for a 'modest' concession to assist the nation's most vulnerable.

He listed 'all the things we imagine when we demand' a Voice, including 'reparations, land back, abolishing harmful colonial institutions'.

Additionally, Mr Mayo said his sights were set on 'getting ALL our kids out of prisons & in to care... integration of our laws & lore, speaking language, wages back'.

Mr Mayo said a 'guaranteed representative body' was 'needed (to) properly pursue the rent that is owed and an abolishment of systems that harm us'.

In March, Mr Mayo (pictured right) stood shoulder to shoulder with a tearful Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) as the official wording of the referendum question was announced

In 2020, Mr Mayo got into a heated online exchange with Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe - a vocal critic of the Voice.

She has long argued a treaty is more important than constitutional recognition, denying the legality of the constitution and expressing concerns about the sovereignty of First Nations people if the referendum passes.

Mr Mayo told her a constitutional Voice will give Indigenous people a platform to 'negotiate' with the Commonwealth on their 'obligations'.

'Australians already will support a referendum to recognise our Voice,' Mr Mayo said. 'They are much less likely to support what we may claim in a treaty (reparations, land back, etc).

'A constitutionally enshrined Voice is important to establish to use the truth to support treaty negotiations.'

Mr Mayo described the advisory body as a 'vital step in the fight for justice'.

The unearthed tweets came days after footage surfaced of Mr Mayo making inflammatory comments about his vision for the future.

In one clip from 2020, Mr Mayo spoke about the proposal being a step towards making compensation for Indigenous people a reality.

Daily Mail Australia has obtained a series of old tweets dating back to 2018 and published by Thomas Mayo, an architect of the Voice referendum question and signatory of the Uluru Statement of the Heart

Mr Mayo was speaking about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, two years before the Albanese government announced there would a referendum on a First Nations Voice.

'Pay the Rent for example, how do we do that in a way that is transparent and that actually sees reparations and compensation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people beyond what we say and do at a rally?' he said.

The 'Pay the Rent' movement wants homeowners to voluntarily pay a percentage of their income to Aboriginal elders without any government oversight or intervention.

Mr Mayo said in another unearthed video posted in 2021 that politicians would be 'punished' if they ignored advice from the advisory body.

'The power in the Voice is that it creates the ability for First Nations to come together through representatives that they choose, representatives that they can hold accountable,' he said.

'And then be able to campaign for that, and punish politicians that ignore our advice. That is where the power comes from.'

Speaking in Parliament last week, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney was unable to condemn Mr Mayo's comments.

'I am not responsible for what other people say,' she said.

'At the end of the day, this is about doing things differently so we can move the dial on a national shame in this country.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Big W and Mr Mayo for comment.

Speaking in Parliament last week, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney (pictured right) was unable to condemn Thomas Mayo's (pictured left) comments
Her license has been suspended for eight months

The outraged family of a woman who was mowed down while walking home has demanded justice after the driver walked free from court with just a $1,000 fine.

Sharmayne Fisher, 22, was returning from her local 7-Eleven when she was hit by a black BMW hatchback in Midvale in Perth's east at about 10:30pm on December 2.

The driver, a 32-year-old woman, immediately stopped and rendered assistance to the young mum before paramedics arrived.

Despite the efforts of first responders, Ms Fisher died at the scene.

Her mother, Tracey Howkins, sobbed outside court on Monday after the driver was handed a $1,000 fine and suspended from driving for eight months.

'This is not justice,' Ms Howkins said through tears.

'Sharmayne was loving, caring and honest. She loved her son so much. She was 10 minutes away from home, she was coming home for him. This is not right.'

Sharmayne Fisher, 22, was returning from her local 7-Eleven when she was hit by a black BMW hatchback in Midvale in Perth's east at about 10:30pm on December 2

The driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to drink driving but has not been charged with any other offences over the crash.

The 32-year-old was breathalysed at the scene and returned a BAC reading of 0.122.

A reading of 0.15 or over would have seen the woman automatically charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Major crash investigators had determined the driver had the green light when Ms Fisher stepped out onto the road and in front of her car, 9News reported.

Terrence Howkins, Ms Fisher's grandfather, said he couldn't understand why his granddaughter's name wasn't mentioned once during the hearing.

'It's like she wasn't there,' he said outside court on Monday.

Tracey Howkins, Sharmayne's mother, sobbed outside court on Monday after the drunk driver was handed a $1,000 fine and suspended from driving for eight months

Major crash investigators had determined the driver had the green light when Ms Fisher (pictured) stepped out onto the road and in front of her car

Friend Denise Prior said the driver should have been hit with more charges.

'There should have been some other charge other than drink driving,' she said.

'Even if it was an accident, she was drunk. That's the fact here. She shouldn't have been behind the wheel.'

Jessica Lawson, one of the young mum's closest friends, said she was 'beautiful'.

'She was the most caring person in the world,' she said.

'She had so many friends, but she loved her son so much.'
A veteran biology professor in Texas who has been teaching that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes for over 20 years was allegedly fired after four students walked out of his classroom.

Dr. Johnson Varkey has claimed he was let go from his teaching position at St. Philips College in San Antonio after he was accused of 'religious preaching'.

He was discussing the human reproductive system on November 28, 2022, when four students stormed out of the lecture.

Varkey was then accused of 'discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter'.

The professor said he received an email from the Alamo Colleges District Human Resources department in January, which said his credentials would be revoked pending an investigation. He was later fired.

Veteran biology professor Dr. Johnson Varkey, who has been teaching that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes for over 20 years, was allegedly fired after four students walked out of classroom

He has claimed he was let go from his teaching position at St. Philips College in San Antonio, Texas after he was accused of 'religious preaching'

Lawyers from the First Liberty Institute representing Varkey sent a letter to St. Philips College last week to demand he be reinstated.

'In January 2023, St. Philips College fired Dr. Varkey for teaching human biology just as he did in his previous twenty-year career as a professor,' it read.

'His statements are not only supported by his extensive education and experience, but they also reflect his sincerely held religious beliefs.'

The law firm argued the firing of Varkey, who taught Human Anatomy and Physiology at the college for 22 years, was against federal and state law and it targeted his First Amendment rights.

Varkey is also an associate pastor at a local church and a devout Christian who follows the religion's teachings on sexuality and abortion.

But his attorney's added he has not expressed any of those beliefs in the classroom.

'As his stellar performance reviews suggest, Dr. Varkey gladly taught students of all beliefs and backgrounds,' the letter continued.

'Throughout his employment, he never discussed with any student his personal views  religious or otherwise  on human gender or sexuality.'

Varkey was accused of 'discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter'

Lawyers representing him, from the First Liberty Institute, sent a letter to St. Philips College to demand he is reinstated. Pictured: Varkey delivering sermon at International Bible Church in February

In January, Varkey was informed that he was not scheduled to teach in the spring and that he wouldn't have any further teaching opportunities at St. Philips College

'On November 28, 2022, four of Dr. Varkeys students walked out of his class when he stated, consistent with his study of human biology and his religious beliefs, that sex was determined by chromosomes X and Y.'

The lawyers argued Varkey taught from school-approved and science-based curriculum, but the college claimed his teaching was religious.

'While some of the subject matter may be connected to class content, it was very clear, from the complaints, that you pushed beyond the bounds of academic freedom with your personal opinions that were offensive to many individuals in the classroom,' school officials told him in a letter.

Varkey was informed that he was not scheduled to teach in the spring and that he wouldn't have any further teaching opportunities at St. Philips College.

St. Philip's has not responded to the letter publicly.

The community college has received complaints from conservative-leaning professors before with political science professor Will Moravits claiming last month that his contract was terminated because of his beliefs due to student complaints.

A lawyer representing Moravits said he tried to get them 'to engage all sides of controversial issues, such as police brutality and gender ideology. Many of his engagements with students in class discussions came in direct response to their questions.'
Haunting footage has captured the final moments of a 14-year-old boy before he was struck by a car and killed in a horrifying attack.

The 14-year-old was found injured on Bailey Street, in the northwest Melbourne suburb of St Albans, at around 11pm on Monday.

He was rushed to Sunshine Hospital before he died along the way.

CCTV footage has since emerged of his final moments showing him running around the area with two friends.

CCTV footage has since emerged of his final moments showing him running around the area with two friends

The trio are seen in the video looking back and shouting before disappearing near Ginifer Station, in north-west Melbourne, at about 10.47pm.

A light-coloured SUV later pulled over next to the group before two knife-wielding men got out and attacked one of the teens, The Herald Sun reported.

Detective Inspector David Dunstan said the attack appeared to be targeted.

'Any incident involving knives and fatal injuries to victims of this age is concerning,' he said.

'We're doing everything we can, we've had police at the scene last night.

'They've worked through the night and working with local police and the homicide squad to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible.'

Victoria Police had received a report on Monday night that a number of people had been seen in the area who appeared to be armed with knives.

A homicide squad spent Monday night and Tuesday morning searching the area for clues.

Emergency services were too late to save the victim, who was found with critical injuries at about 11pm on Bailey Street and died on his way to Sunshine's hospital

Investigators had taped off a section along the corner of Furlong Road and Lima Street early Tuesday morning as the hunt for evidence continued

Investigators had taped off a section along the corner of Furlong Road and Lima Street early Tuesday morning as the hunt for evidence continued.

Shattered glass was seen scattered along Bailey Street and around the corner along Furlong Road.

SES crews were seen removing drain lids as residents in the area came to grips with the shocking attack that had taken place the night before.

Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers as investigations continue.
The suburbs that will be impacted the most by noise pollution when flights begin at Sydney's new international airport have been revealed.

The $5.3 billion Western Sydney International Airport in Badgerys Creek, 45km from the CBD, will be the first in NSW to have no curfew, with flights taking off and landing 24 hours a day, seven days a week when the facility opens in 2026.

The Federal Government released the airport's preliminary flight plans on Tuesday, showing homes in Sydney's south-west and north-west would be the most affected by the noise.

Residents near Greendale, Luddenham, Twin Creeks, Penrith, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Prospect Reservoir, Windsor, Orchard Hills will be impacted the worst.

Residents near Greendale, Luddenham, Twin Creeks, Penrith, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Prospect Reservoir, Windsor, Orchard Hills will be impacted the worst (stock image)

The Federal Government released the new Western Sydney Airport preliminary flight plans showing homes in Sydney's south west and north west as the most affect by the noise

Properties in Erskine Park are also among the areas most affected with between 20 and 49 flights to occur over the area in 2033..

Noise pollution is expected to exceed 70 decibels - a level that stops conversation inside, when all the windows are closed, and can cause hearing damage.

Suburbs most affected by noise pollution Western Sydney International Airport will be the first in the state to not have a curfew. Below is a list of suburbs that will be affected by the noise pollution: Penrith Mount Druitt Windsor Prospect Orchard Hills Bankstown Mount Druitt Erskine Park Greendale Blue Mountains Advertisement

Residents can use an online Aircraft Overflight Noise Tool to get a picture of the preliminary flight paths and how their homes will be disrupted by the noise.

The interactive tool allows a user to type in their address to see the expected altitude of planes, the daily number of aircrafts and the predicted noise at the requested location.

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.

When Runway 23 is used, residents around Greendale are most affected, predicted to experience 20 to 49 flights exceeding 70 decibels over 24 hours.

There are also fears communities in the Blue Mountains will be affected by the curfew-free flight plans.

Some flight paths headed to Brisbane or Cairns are set to fly along the Great Western Highway, north of the Blue Mountains' main residential areas.

Flights bound for Queensland are set to take off at the south west end of the airport and are expected to take a right turn around Silverdale before flying over the Blue Mountains area.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said he was concerned about the noise disruption to residents and the potential impact of an airport on the World heritage-listed area.

'The flight paths show a complete disregard for the people of the Blue Mountains as well as the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area,' Mr Greenhill told 9News.

'Our quality of life in the Blue Mountains is clearly threatened. The people of the Blue Mountains deserve better.

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 (pictured)

When Runway 23 is used all planes will arrive from the north-east and depart to the south-west (pictured)

'If our World Heritage Listing is pulled because aircraft noise adversely impacts the World Heritage values of the Blue Mountains, then the four million tourists a year who come to the Blue Mountains will evaporate  and so will the jobs they create.'

A third runway direction will be used at night when air traffic demand is lower - provided wind conditions are calm.

Flights between 11pm and 5.30am will mostly depart and land from the south west of the airport to reduce noise for heavily populated western Sydney communities.

Minister for Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the airport will minimise flights over residential areas at night but explained the airport was always going to operate without a curfew.

'My department will hold community information and feedback sessions as well as community information stalls across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains over the coming months,' Ms King said in a statement.

'The preliminary flight paths were developed according to Airspace Design Principles that reflect community feedback.'

'These principles include minimising flights over residential areas and reducing the impact on the community of aircraft operations at night,' Ms King added.

'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 WSI's flight paths.'

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.
A Gold Coast man who fought with a terrorist organisation in Syria will remain behind bars for more than eight years.

Agim Ajazi, 34, was sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three terrorism charges linked to his involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

An investigation by the Queensland Joint Counter Terrorism Team found that Ajazi had engaged in armed conflict in a bid to overthrow the Assad regime as part of a group aligned with proscribed terrorist organisation Jabhat Al-Nusra.

A Gold Coast man who fought with a terrorist organisation in Syria will remain behind bars for more than eight years

Ajazi was also advocating acts of terrorism in the West.

Ajazi had left Australia in 2013 and travelled to Turkiye before he made multiple trips into Syria between 2014 and 2016.

He was later detained in Turkiye in 2018 and held in custody before he was deported to Australia in December 2019.

He pleaded guilty in November to one count each of advocating terrorism, engaging in hostile activity and engaging in hostile activities in a foreign country.

Justice Sue Brown sentenced Ajazi on Tuesday to eight years and two months prison with a non-parole period of six years and 45 days.

She also ordered the 3 years Ajazi has already spent in custody as time served.

Outside court, AFP Assistant Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP had worked closely with Queensland Police to provide the unique ability to reach across international borders to investigate and prosecute terrorists.

'This investigation was long and complex, involving law enforcement partners here in Australia and overseas in the Middle East,' she said.

Ajazi had left Australia in 2013 and travelled to Turkiye before he made multiple trips into Syria between 2014 and 2016

Agim Ajazi, 34, was sentenced in Brisbane Supreme Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three terrorism charges linked to his involvement in the Syrian Civil War

'The safety of the Australian community is always our prime concern and this result shows the AFP's ongoing commitment to protecting Australians from the threat of violent extremism.'

QPS Security and Counter-Terrorism Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Christopher Jory said 'combating terrorism and violent extremism is a global challenge and one which we cannot defeat alone'.

'We rely of the cooperative efforts of our national and international partners to keep the community safe,' he said.

'I commend the dedication and professionalism of our counter-terrorism investigation teams and their commitment to disrupting and apprehending those who advocate or participate in terrorism and violent extremist activities.'
A toddler has been described as having 'the biggest smile' in a heartbreaking note left by a friend after he was fatally run over while playing in his driveway.

The baby boy, who was just weeks away from celebrating his first birthday, was found in a critical condition at a home in Deception Bay, north of Brisbane on Monday morning after he was tragically struck by the reversing car.

The infant is understood to have suffered serious head injuries in the collision, with a male relative reportedly behind the wheel.

A heartfelt note has been left at a home where a toddler was tragically ran over while playing in his driveway

Mourners are seen leaving flowers and candles at the home in Deception Bay, north of Brisbane

In the wake of the toddler's death, stuffed toys, flowers and heartfelt notes have been left behind at the house.

One heartbreaking letter was left behind by the boy's 'best friend' Alexus.

'Dear Ethan, I watch you cry, laugh and smile,' it read.

'I watch you crawl, stand and walk. But you also showed me how to be patient, kind and not to cry over spilt milk even if you did.

'You gave me the biggest heart filled with love and joy. You will always be my little buddy. I will never forget you, the boy with the biggest smile.

'Lots of love.'

Earlier on Tuesday mourners were seen delivering bouquets of flowers and candles.

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.

'You see this stuff happen to other families, I can't believe it's happened to us.'

The boy's aunt said she still couldn't believe she had lost her nephew.

Donna Lo Giudice had been walking by the house when tragedy struck.

Mourners have paid their respects to the baby boy

The boy had been playing in the driveway at the time of the tragic accident

'The screaming I heard has just broken me,' she said.

'It was a really loud scream, which was hard to explain, then next minute there was silence then the police came a few minutes later.'

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

The Queensland Family and Child Commission's annual report Deaths of Children and Young People Queensland 2021-22 revealed 17 people had died from 'low speed vehicle run overs' in the last five years.

Some 82 per cent of the deaths happened at the child's home or the home of a person known to them.

The QFCC was part of serious discussions with the federal government and explored the possibility of mandating reversing detection systems.

'Reversing aid technologies in vehicles such as cameras and proximity alerts have the potential to prevent run-overs,' the report read.

'The QFCC made a submission supporting the option which would mandate a new national road vehicle standard.
A man accused of rape offences has had his charges thrown out because the vile video he made of the attack was obtained by police without a warrant to search his property.

The man - who cannot be named for legal reasons - faced four charges of rape due to the discovery of a horrific 30-minute video in which he filmed himself repeatedly raping his former partner who appeared unconscious at the time.

She has since told police she did not consent to the sexual acts and had no recollection of the event.

The man from Greensborough on Melbourne's northeast fringe was committed to stand trial at the Victorian County Court last year but the Court of Appeal ruled the vision inadmissible as evidence in March, the Herald Sun said.

The Office of Public Prosecutions then dropped the charges late last month.

The police who found the appalling video went through the man's belongings without the correct warrant during the Christmas Day raid in 2020

'A determination was made that, on the available evidence, there were not reasonable prospects of conviction,' an OPP spokesman said.

On Christmas Day in 2020, the police arrived at the home of the man's parents with a safe custody warrant to search for a 17-year-old in state care.

After two minutes of searching the officers realised the teen was not at the home.

The police then spent an hour scouring the home, with one officer looking at devices and going through a campervan.

In the van he found an iMac computer upon which was discovered the rape video.

The parents of the accused then came home and asked if their son was in trouble, with one officer telling the pair, 'not at this point in time'.

It was not until four months later in April 2021 that a search warrant was executed where multiple items were seized including the iMac.

A County Court judge ruled the vision was admissible as evidence but the defence team appealed against the decision.

The Court of Appeal upheld that challenge, ruling the officers had 'astonishing disregard' of the rights of the man and the law during the initial search.

County Court judge said the vision was admissible as evidence but the defence team appealed against the decision

'But for the Christmas Day search, the April warrant would not have been obtained,' the judgment read.

'Accordingly, the items seized were obtained in consequence of an impropriety and a contravention of Australian law.

'Whilst the iMac video is critical to the prosecution of very serious charges, the impropriety and contravention of the law  is stark and deliberate.'

The officer who discovered the alleged rape video told a Magistrates' Court at an earlier hearing he had never seen a copy of the safe custody warrant.

He believed he had the authority to search the premises in spite of not finding the teenager the officers were looking for.

When asked why he searched the computer, the officer said he was looking for information on the missing teenager.

But Justices David Beach, Terence Forrest and John Forrest refused to accept what he was saying.

They agreed that 'no part of the search after five minutes' was directed to find the 17 year old but instead seemed to be a 'forensic exercise' to find evidence of criminality.

The accused man's rights to privacy were 'seriously violated' while no consideration was given to the illegal nature of the search, Justices David Beach, Terence Forrest and John Forrest agreed

The accused man's rights to privacy were 'seriously violated' while no consideration was given to the illegal nature of the search, they added.

Victoria Police said the actions of all three officers - a senior sergeant, detective sergeant and senior constable - are being reviewed.

A Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation.

Prosecutors said the rape charges  and a charge of trafficking drug of dependence as well as two charges of possession of a drug of dependence  had 'fallen away', a directions hearing in late May heard.

But a number of minor offences are expected to be heard at the Magistrates' Court which are not related to rape.
The thug named as the sixth suspect in the Stephen Lawrence murder called himself 'the lucky one' after the police bungled their investigation and he got away scot free, it was revealed today.

Matthew 'Matty' White, who died aged 50 of a drugs overdose in 2021, also attacked a black shopkeeper yards from where the aspiring architect died in Eltham and warned him: 'You'll be Stephen Lawrenced'.

'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 in 2020.

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 on Well Hall Road when he was set upon and killed.

Matthew White (left) was yesterday 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

In 2020, White (pictured in a more recent image) attacked a man while trying to shoplift. He then told him: 'Remember you're in Eltham, remember where you are, remember what happened to Stephen Lawrence'

According to a BBC investigation, the so-called 'sixth man' in the most notorious racist murder in British history was White. MailOnline revealed last night that he even arranged to meet a police officer to discuss the racist killing - but the officer didn't turn up.

An informant, known only Witness Purple, said White later described himself as 'the lucky one' because he started the attack but was never mentioned alongside the other five men.

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.

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 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.'

Stephen Lawrence's father berated Scotland Yard last night. Neville Lawrence said it was 'appalling' to learn that '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.

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.

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

'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.'

Thirty years seeking justice for Stephen Lawrence 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 culpable 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, Matty White, revealed. Advertisement

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'.

A string of police blunders and missed opportunities may have helped White  twice arrested on suspicion of murdering A-level student Stephen  to escape justice for nearly three decades.

Leaked police files and surveillance pictures publicly linking White to the Lawrence murder raise serious questions about Scotland Yard's controversial decision in 2020 to stop investigating the case.

So far only two of the original five main suspects have been convicted of Stephen's murder.

After an acclaimed campaign for justice by this newspaper, 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. They have denied any involvement in the case.

The Met has repeatedly said there were six attackers, as Stephen's friend Duwayne Brooks, who witnessed the murder, said on the night.

The 1999 public inquiry into the stabbing in Eltham, south-east London, in 1993 said there were 'five or six' attackers. In a bombshell finding, it also branded the Met 'institutionally racist'.

In 2020, then commissioner Cressida Dick effectively closed the murder inquiry. Declaring the case 'inactive', she said all identified lines of inquiry had been followed.

Dame Cressida, later forced to resign after a tumultuous five years in charge of Scotland Yard, which included her bungled handling of the VIP abuse inquiry Operation Midland, said she had assured Stephen's family that police would investigate any new information.

But her judgement is under renewed scrutiny after the BBC revealed evidence of White's key role in the Lawrence case  prompting questions over whether more could have been done to secure evidence from him or even a dramatic death bed confession.

He was initially known as Witness K but in 2011 was named publicly at the trial of Norris and Dobson, but only as a witness.

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 police surveillance photos of White showed a resemblance to eyewitness accounts of an unidentified fair-haired attacker.

Neville Lawrence said it was 'appalling' to learn that Matthew 'Matty' White had escaped justice for 28 years

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

Responding to the revelations, BBC presenter Paul Gambaccini, an arch 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 honours. 'Their honours diminish the country,' he told the Mail.

In a statement, the Met said White was twice arrested on suspicion of murder  in March 2000 and in December 2013. It revealed that on both occasions the Crown Prosecution Service advised there was no realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.

Scotland Yard chiefs 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.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct 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 Lawrence murder investigation may have committed criminal offences of misconduct in public office.

The Mail has learned that a decision on whether any will face charges is expected 'within weeks'. All four retired officers vehemently deny any wrongdoing.

In response to the BBC investigation, the IOPC said: 'The issues that have been raised were comprehensively explored as part of our investigation into whether corruption played a part in the original investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the attack on Duwayne Brooks. We await a charging decision.'
Vladimir Putin delivered a rallying cry to Russia's military and security services today, telling them they halted a slide into civil war when Wagner mercenaries rebelled and marched on Moscow, and held a minute's silence for those killed in the brief clash.

Moscow was brought to the brink of chaos on Saturday as mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his forces into action, but backed down at the last minute upon striking an amnesty deal with the Kremlin.

As part of this deal, Prigozhin agreed to go into exile in Russia's neighbouring ally Belarus, with the country's President Alexander Lukashenko confirming that he had arrived on Tuesday, according to Belarusian state news agency BELTA.

Hours after a plane belonging to Prigozhin landed in Minsk, the Russian president spoke to thousands of soldiers, telling them they 'de facto stopped civil war.'

Addressing some 2,500 members of Russia's security forces, National Guard and military units, he said the people and the armed forces had stood together in opposition to rebel mercenaries.

Vladimir Putin (pictured today) told Russian troops in Moscow that they prevented a civil war as he held a minute's silence for those killed during Wagner's weekend mutiny

Addressing some 2,500 members of Russia's security forces, National Guard and military units, Putin (pictured left) said the people and the armed forces had stood together in opposition to Wagner's rebel mercenaries

Vladimir Putin (right) delivers a speech to 2,500 Russian soldiers gathered in Moscow, June 27

The gathering was held on a square in the Kremlin complex (pictured) today

Moscow was brought to the brink of chaos on Saturday as mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured June 24) ordered his forces to march on Moscow, but backed down at the last minute upon striking an amnesty deal with the Kremlin

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

At the gathering, held on a square in the Kremlin complex, Putin was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal the mercenary fighters of the Wagner group had demanded during their mutiny.

Putin requested a minute of silence to honour Russian military pilots who were killed during the mutiny. As many as 15 Russian pilots were killed on Saturday after being ordered to engage a mercenary convoy headed to Moscow which shot them down, but a further escalation and a wider conflict was avoided.

'In the confrontation with rebels, our comrades-in-arms, pilots, were killed. They did not flinch and honourably fulfilled their orders and their military duty,' Putin said.

In a rare official insight into Moscow's relationship with Wagner, Putin said the group had been entirely financed by the Russian state which spent 86 billion roubles ($1 billion) on it between May 2022 and May 2023.

In addition, Prigozhin made almost as much during the same period from his food and catering business, Putin told his security forces.

Putin's latest public address came after a private jet belonging to Prigozhin landed in Belarus following his agreement to go into exile there.

According to flight tracking website Flight Radar, the Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with the number RA-02795 arrived in Minsk at 7.40am local time (5.40am GMT).

The website showed the plane's flight path, travelling from an unspecified location close to Rostov-on-Don (the Russian city seized by Wagner forces overnight on Friday), skirting around Ukraine through Russian airspace, before landing in Minsk.

The jet's arrival came amid reports that Moscow is preparing to transfer weapons and military hardware held by Wagner to the Russian army, and that the Kremlin is dropping charges against the group - following suggestions that the charges had in fact not been dropped, despite the amnesty deal.

Belarusian strongman leader Lukashenko said long-standing tensions between Moscow's army and the Wagner mercenary group had been mismanaged.

'We missed the situation, and then we thought that it would resolve itself, but it did not resolve... There are no heroes in this case,' Lukashenko said. He is understood to have negotiated the deal between Prigozhin and Putin.

Separate from Putin's comments, the Kremlin said on Tuesday it did not agree with what it called the opinion of 'pseudo specialists' that an aborted armed mutiny had shaken or weakened Putin's position.

It has portrayed the Russian leader, in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, as having acted judiciously to avoid what it has called 'the worst case scenario' by giving time for talks that ended the mutiny without more bloodshed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the mutiny had shown how consolidated Russian society was around Putin when the chips were down.

'The level of public consolidation...around the president is very high. These events demonstrated just how consolidated the society is around the president'.

Asked if the Russian leader's position had been 'shaken' by the dramatic events, Peskov said:

'We do not agree. There is now a lot of ultra-emotional hysteria among specialists, pseudo-specialists, political scientists and pseudo-politicians.

'It is also rippling through some hysterical new media, and on the Internet and so on. It has nothing to do with reality.'

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

Members of the Wagner Group military company load their tank onto a truck on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24

According to flight tracking website Flight Radar, the Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with the number RA-02795 belonging to Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Minsk at 7.40am local time (5.40am GMT) - suggesting he has begun his exile

Peskov said the Kremlin had no information on the whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the mercenary Wagner group, who led the brief mutiny in protest at what he saw as the poor handling of military operations in Ukraine.

Under the terms of a deal that ended the mutiny, Prigozhin was to be allowed to move to Belarus, and his fighters were given the chance to sign contracts with Russia's regular armed forces or to move to Belarus with him.

Peskov said the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented, and that Putin always kept his word.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban agreed with Peskov's assessment, saying he does not believe the Wagner mercenary group's mutiny has weakened Putin, calling it an 'event of no major significance'.

Prigozhin broke his silence yesterday, insisting that he marched on Moscow to stop the Kremlin taking control of his mercenary army and denying a plot to overthrow Putin and the Russian government.

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.

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 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.

'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.

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 120 miles 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.
Police have launched a murder investigation over the death of a 17-month-old baby who died after being cared for by his parents' friends.

South Australian Police determined the baby, named Ronan, suffered 'not survivable' injuries on June 7.

Detectives are focusing on a two-day period when the boy was being cared for by family friends at a home in Glenelg North, in west Adelaide.

Ronan was returned to his Ottoway home about 4pm but his father called an ambulance shortly after when he couldn't wake him.

The infant was taken to the Women's and Children's Hospital where he died just two days later on June 9.

Police are treating the death of Adelaide 17-month-old Ronan (above) as a murder after he was found with 'not survivable' injuries

No one has been charged in relation to his death however police believe the baby was assaulted.

Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said the 'beautiful' boy's injuries wouldn't have been obvious as he suffered 'critical head injuries and other serious internal injuries'.

'Ronan's been returned home, apparently asleep. We suspect he sustained injuries prior to that,' Insp McEachern said on Tuesday.

'We're not eliminating anybody in relation to the investigation, but we are focusing on events at the Glenelg North address on the Wednesday afternoon while he was in the company of the carers.

'Anyone who's had contact or cared for Ronan are being spoken to, but we suspect the injuries were caused at Glenelg North on the Wednesday afternoon.

'We have been provided an explanation of how Ronan's injuries were caused, we're not satisfied as to the truthfulness of that explanation and that is certainly subject to our murder investigation now.'

Police allege Ronan suffered critical head and internal injuries while under the care of his parents' friends (pictured, Ronan in his pram - police asked anyone who saw him being pushed through Glenelg to contact Crime Stoppers)

Detectives want to hear from anyone who may have seen Ronan in the lead-up to his death - specifically anyone who heard or saw anything involving a young child in Ferguson Street at Glenelg North on the afternoon of June 7.

Police released photos of Ronan's pram, noting someone may have seen him being pushed through the streets of Glenelg.

'We're appealing for anyone who may have knowledge in relation to this matter to contact Crime Stoppers,' Inspector McEachern said.

'That includes who may have seen or heard anything on Ferguson Street or in that vicinity.'
It's one of several measures to address worker exploitation

Migrants who lose their job can stay in Australia longer

The government has announced changes to the TSS visa

Skilled migrants will be able to stay in Australia for longer if they find themselves out of work under new visa changes.

Migrants working in Australia on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa will now have six months to be without an employer sponsor.

They currently only have 60 days to either find another employer to nominate them, apply for a new visa or leave the country.

It gives TSS visa holders more time and flexibility to find a new employer.

Migrants with a TSS visa will also retain their work rights under the changes.

Skilled migrants who find themselves out of work will be able to stay in Australia for longer under new changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (stock image)

Immigration minister Andrew Gilles announced the changes to the TSS visa earlier this month as a part of a broader aim to address migrant worker exploitation.

'People working on Temporary Skilled Shortage visas will have six months instead of 60 days to be without an employer,' he said.

'While this is not a silver bullet, it is a necessary step to mitigate the worst aspect of employer-bound visa rules.'

Mr Giles described the current conditions for temporary visa holders as exploitative.

'A temporary skilled work visa with no permanent residency pathway is not one of mutual respect  it is Australian mercantilism, based on extracting whatever we can from people before discarding them when we are done,' he said.

'The union movement, like the Labor Party, like our country, has a deep and at times fraught history with migration.'

'There have been points in our history where Governments, including Labor Governments, and union officials alike sought gains for workers through exclusion.'

'Today, we organise collectively, regardless of skin colour or visa status. Today, every union speaks multiple languages. Today, we recognise this history by fighting against division and hatred.'

'Because in a good society, built on immigration, we are all in this together and because united, we are stronger.'

Immigration minister Andrew Giles (pictured) announced the changes as part of a broader move by the Albanese government to address migrant worker exploitation

The change to the TSS visa is one of a number of measures being enacted by the Albanese government to support migrant workers.

The government has also pledged $1.5million to a social enterprise that will help new arrivals find employment in Australia.

About 400 refugees or migrants can engage with the organisation because of the funding package.

The government says the move will provide refugees and migrants with stable jobs and fill workforce shortages in the country.

It's not yet known when the changes to the TSS visa will be implemented.
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Vladimir Putin survived the greatest threat to his 23-year rule over the weekend, which took the form of a mutiny led by former ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, but questions remain over how long those within his inner circle are willing to support him.

Wagner mercenary forces seized the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don overnight Friday, and were 120 miles outside of Moscow when Prigozhin announced he had struck a deal with the Kremlin and called off his 'march for justice'.

On Monday night Putin made a defiant televised address, saying he had deliberately let Saturday's 24-hour mutiny by the Wagner Group go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed, and that it had reinforced national unity.

Prigozhin, for his part, has insisted that he marched on Moscow to stop the Kremlin taking control of his mercenary army, and denied a plot to overthrow Putin and the Russian government. It is understood that he has agreed to go into exile in Belarus.

But analysts have said that Putin has never looked weaker, suggesting the mutiny showed how simple an armed rebellion would be in Russia with the main bulk of its military forces currently occupied in a bloody war across the border in Ukraine.

In the face of the significant challenge to Putin's leadership, senior Russian officials have largely rallied around the Russian despot, but it remains to be seen how long they are willing to support him in the face of mounting opposition.

Meanwhile, Putin will have serious questions for many of his top allies. Those in charge of security in particular will come under intense scrutiny for their failure to warn the Kremlin of Wagner's threat, and to stop their advance on Moscow.

Here, MailOnline looks at some of the key figures inside Putin's inner circle...

Dmitry Medvedev: Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council

Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, once stepped into Putin's shoes as President in 2008 for a four year term.

During that time, Putin became the Russian Prime Minister, in a move seen as largely symbolic, with Putin maintaining ultimate power.

Nevertheless, Medvedev's tenure as President raised hopes that there might be a future in which Russia becomes closer with the West.

The now 57-year-old promised to modernise and liberalise Russia, and often spoke of his love of tech gadgets and of blogging. He even visited California and was given a brand new iPhone 4 from Apple founder Steve Jobs.

But in 2012, Putin resumed his role as President, and Medvedev became Prime Minister, a role he held until 2020, when he was handed the position of Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he has frequently embarked on tirades on the Telegram messaging app to he followers about Russia's place in the world, and his hatred of the West - and has even called on Putin to nuke enemies of his motherland.

Dmitry Medvedev: Deputy Chairman of Russian Security Council

Observers have said his new persona is a desperate attempt to retain relevance in Moscow's political circles, which have become significantly darker since he left the presidency and Putin reclaimed the top job in the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, there have been rumours of Medvedev's increasing alcohol consumption, with Putin telling him to resign as Prime Minister, instead handing him the token job as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council - which, as with many other political organisation in Moscow, Putin has ultimate control over.

Some analysts see Medvedev as positioning himself for a new run at the Kremlin presidency if Putin is forced out by ill health or through dissatisfaction.

But there was no sign of this in the wake of the Wagner revolt at the weekend, with the former Russian president coming out against Wagner.

He said he was worried about the mercenaries gaining control of Russian weapons as the uprising roiled on Saturday.

'The history of mankind hasn't yet seen the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons under control by bandits,' he said. 'Such a crisis will not be limited by just one country's borders, the world will be put on the brink of destruction.'

He added that 'we won't allow such a turn of events.'

Medvedev was so fearful that Wagner might seize control in Moscow that he is suspected to have secretly flown out of Moscow for Oman in the aftermath of the weekend 'coup march' on the Russian capital, according to a report.

The reason for his plane's trip to Oman is unclear and the Russian state media has not listed any official meetings for him.

Sergey Lavrov: Foreign Minister

Sergey Lavrov has been Putin's Foreign Minister for nearly two decades, and has been a loyal servant in pushing Russian propaganda on the world stage.

He often accuses the West of transgressions against Russia, even when Moscow is the clear aggressor, and frequently backs dictators to further the Kremlin's goals.

He is a member of Putin's Silovik - or inner circle - meaning a person who works for one of the state organisations that is authorised to use force against civilians.

While the 73-year-old did not appear publicly during the Wagner mutiny, he wasted no time in suggesting that Ukraine's western allies were somehow behind the mercenary group's uprising.

He has said Russia is investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhin's rebellion and in attempting to orchestrate a coup.

Sergey Lavrov: Foreign Minister

He also told Russian media that US Ambassador Lynne Tracy had contacted Russian representatives on Saturday to stress that the US was not involved in the mutiny.

Lavrov also quoted Tracy as saying the mutiny was Russia's internal affair.

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.

And amid questions over what will become of the Wagner private military company and specifically its operations in Africa, he said the firm would continue to operate in Mali and the Central African Republic.

He 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'.

Sergei Shoigu: Defence Minister

In announcing his armed uprising, Yevgeny Prigozhin cited the actions of Putin's defence minister Sergei Shoigu as one of his main grievances.

One of Prigozhin's principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russia's top general, citing their failures in the on-going war in Ukraine and corruption within the armed forces.

Shoigu, 68, assumed the position of defence minister in 2012, and like Sergey Lavrov, is among Putin's exclusive Silovik group.

As head of the Russian army, he has overseen the war in Ukraine, which has proved disastrous ever since Moscow's forces attempted to seize Kyiv in February 2022.

This failed spectacularly, and they were pushed back east where they lost significant ground last year and are now facing down yet another counteroffensive.

Despite these failures, in a show of stability and control, the Kremlin on Monday night showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Shoigu. Putin thanked his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled defence minister.

Earlier, the authorities released a video of Shoigu reviewing troops in Ukraine, in an apparent message to Prigozhin that Putin would not be caving to the demands.

Sergei Shoigu, Putin's Defence Minister (right) and General Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff (left)

General Valery Gerasimov: Chief of the General Staff

Like Shoigu, Prigozhin also blasted General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov in a video filled with expletive-ridden insults as his Wagner forces seized Rostov.

He accused them of failing to provide his troops with enough ammunition during the fight for the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, the war's longest and bloodiest battle.

Unlike Shoigu, Gerasimov, 67, has not appeared in public since the mutiny, leading to speculation that he may have been captured by Wagner.

He is directly responsible for running the war in Ukraine, and could be the first in-line for the chopping block should Putin decide he needs more military changes.

Mikhail Mishustin: Prime Minister

Mikhail Mishustind has been Russia's Prime Minister since 2020, when he took over from Dmitry Medvedev.

As Wagner's forces marched on Moscow, he made no public comment, with some speculating that he may have been waiting to see the outcome of the rebellion before picking sides.

Mikhail Mishustin: Prime Minister

As it became clear that Wagner was not going to overthrow Putin, Mishustind, 57, called on Russians to rally around their president as 'one team'.

In comments on Monday, he 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.

Alexander Bortnikov: FSB Director

As director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) - the successor to the Soviet Union's feared KGB - Alexander Bortnikov is another of Putin's inner sanctum, with their alliance dating back to working for the USSR's security agency in Leningrad.

He is also another of Putin's inner circle that remained silent during Wagner's mutiny.

However, his agency was the one to announce charges against Wagner - and Bortnikov perhaps thought that actions speak louder than words.

The FSB and its chief will still have some uncomfortable questions to answer.

According to the US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War, the Kremlin 'faces a deeply unstable equilibrium' after the deal to end the rebellion.

Alexander Bortnikov: FSB Director

And, the ISW said, the Kremlin's apparent surprise at Prigozhin's rebellion doesn't reflect at all well on the FSB.

The ISW noted that Prigozhin 'consistently escalated' his rhetoric against the Russian Defense Ministry before starting his revolt 'and Putin failed to mitigate this risk.'

Amid reports that US intelligence services were aware of Prigozhin's plan, Bortnikov will be forced to answer why he didn't raise the alarm.

On Tuesday, the FSB said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny 'ceased activities directed at committing the crime' and dropped the charges against Wagner.

Nikolai Patrushev: Secretary of the Russian Security Council

Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, has previously been described as Russia's most 'hawkish hawk'.

He is one of just three Putin loyalists to have served the Russian president since the 1970s in St Petersburg, when the country's second city was still named Leningrad.

Russian experts say few hold as much sway over the Russian leader as Patrushev, having worked with him at the KGB during the Soviet era, but also replacing him as the head of the FSB - a role he held from 1999 to 2008.

Nikolai Patrushev: Secretary of the Russian Security Council

In the build up to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Patrushev pushed the idea that the West was out to get Russia, and that the US wanted to 'break up' the country.

He has since peddled a number of anti-Western conspiracy theories.

Since the mutiny, Patrushev has remained silent, likely working in the shadows to shore up support for Putin.

He was present along with Shoigu and other top security officials when Putin thanked them for quelling the uprising. But like Bortnikov, Patrushev could have some awkward questions to answer over Russia's preparedness for Wagner's mutiny.

Sergey Naryshkin: Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service

Along with Patrushev and Bortnikov, Naryshkin is the third of Putin's close allies that date back to the days of working for the FSB in Leningrad - and has remained at Putin's side for much of his political career.

But their close relationship did not stop the Russian president from giving Naryshkin a very public dressing down when he hesitated when giving his assessment on the situation in Ukraine in the days leading up to the 2022 invasion.

Naryshkin has spoken since the Wagner mutiny, saying it was clear that Prigozhin's attempt to destabilise society and ignite a fratricidal civil war has failed, the TASS news agency reported.

Like his close allies Bortnikov and Patrushev, Naryshkin may also have some tough questions to answer when Putin launches his inquest into Wagner's actions.

Sergey Naryshkin: Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (centre)

Margarita Simonyan: Head of RT

Margarita Simonyan, the head of Russia Today - one of the Kremlin's most prominent vehicles of propaganda - has long hailed Prigozhin, Wagner and the group's brutal approach to the war in Ukraine.

Perhaps for this reason, one of Prigozhin's biggest cheerleaders was nowhere to be seen over the weekend as his forces closed in on Moscow.

In fact, she has since claimed to have missed the shocking events altogether.

Speaking after the weekend, she said she was spending time cruising down a local river as Prigozhin hit global headlines with his mutiny.

She has since argued for dropping the charges against him and his troops, saying that Russian legal norms - which punish treason severely - 'are not the commandments of Christ or the tablets of Moses'.

Margarita Simonyan: Head of RT

'In some exceptional, critical cases, it turns out that legal norms cease to fulfil their function of protecting law and order and stability, but perform the reverse function, then these legal norms take a running jump,' she said.

Over the weekend, the Kremlin pledged not to prosecute Mr Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though President Vladimir Putin had branded them as traitors.

Vladimir Solovyov: Propagandist in chief

Along with Simonyan, Vladimir Solovyov has long been seen as Putin's Propagandist in Chief through his television shows on channel Russia-1.

He regularly hosts groups of hard-line Russian hawks, calling on Moscow to escalate its war against Ukraine and to strike the West for its support of Kyiv.

As host, Solovyov rarely takes an impartial position, and often joins these calls.

Speaking on Sunday on his television Show, Solovyov said he was shocked at the country's preparedness that allowed Wagner troops to close in on Moscow.

But he also praised Russian officials for avoiding bloodshed.

'On this day, we found out a lot about our own country. We turned out to be much wiser than anyone might have thought... Yesterday, our leadership demonstrated strength and wisdom,' he said.

'Most importantly, it demonstrated strength without a bloodlust.'

Vladimir Solovyov: Propagandist in chief

Ramzan Kadyrov: Chechen Republic Warlord

Like Prigozhin, Ramzan Kadyrov fancies himself as somewhat of a warlord, and has previously sided with the Wagner leader in his criticism of the military leadership.

As the Head of the Chechen Republic, which Russia seized by force in the Second Chechen War, Kadyrov commands a force of around 12,000 soldiers.

Prior to the war, his fighters were said to be elite soldiers, although the fighting in Ukraine has exposed them as being less effective than initially thought.

Nevertheless, as news spread of Wagner's apparent betrayal of Putin, the Kadyrovites sprung into action.

Ramzan Kadyrov: Chechen Republic Warlord

In a clear signal of support for Putin, Kadyrov declared that 'the mutiny needs to be suppressed' as Chechen fighters were deployed to Russia's Rostov region to fight Prigozhin's Wagner loyalists if the mutiny led to bloodshed.

While the fighting was averted by Prigozhin's deal, Kadyrov's willingness to send his troops into action against fellow Russians leaves no question over his loyalty.

Viktor Zolotov: Director of Russian National Guard

Another senior figure present at Putin's meeting with security officials on Monday was Viktor Zolotov, the head of the national guard. He too will have some tough questions to answer.

Zolotov's unit has suffered huge casualties in the on-going war in Ukraine, and some have suggested that he could hold a grudge over this.

However, The Times writes that he is unlikely to have the courage to plot a coup against Putin, and his presence at the meeting suggests he has not fallen out of favour in the corridors of power in Moscow.

Speaking on Tuesday, he told reporters that in order to defend Moscow from Wagner, 'everyone was ready to die'.

Addressing why mutineers from the Wagner mercenary group were able to advance so fast towards Moscow, he said forces loyal to the state had focused on bolstering the defences of the capital.

Viktor Zolotov: Director of Russian National Guard

Prigozhin said that his fighters marched 480 miles in a day to within just 120 miles of Moscow on Saturday, in what he said was a 'master class' in how the Ukraine war should have been fought by the Russian army.

But Viktor Zolotov gave a different interpretation.

'It is very simple: we concentrated all our strength in Moscow,' said Zolotov, who served as head of the presidential bodyguard from 2000 to 2013 and was sometimes seen carrying an automatic weapon to protect Putin on dangerous trips.

Zolotov, 69, said he had been in constant contact with Putin on Friday and Saturday. The guards, he said, will in future be equipped with heavy weaponry and tanks after having to prepare to defend Russia's capital against the Wagner fighters.

The National Guard, a force of more than 340,000, was set up in 2016 to ensure order and security alongside the police and security services.

Zolotov, who as a bodyguard stood beside Boris Yeltsin on a tank as he led resistance to the 1991 coup attempt by hardliners against Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, said his men had been ready to fight to the death to defend the state.

'They will all stand to the death,' Zolotov said.
Five Thai demonstrators will receive a verdict on Wednesday as to whether they will be executed for impeding the queen's motorcade during a pro-democracy march in 2020.

Hundreds of criminal cases have arisen from student-led protests in recent years, but the five defendants are the only ones charged with violating Article 110 of the Criminal Code, an offence that, if judged egregious, could carry a death sentence.

This Thai law prohibits an 'act to cause harm to the liberty of the queen, the heir apparent and the regent.' There is uncertainty whether that part of the law has been used in any previous case.

The incident followed an anti-government rally in Bangkok on October 14, 2020 - the anniversary of a popular uprising in 1973 that led to the fall of a decade-long military dictatorship.

As hundreds of protesters marched to the prime minister's offices in Government House, a royal motorcade with a limousine carrying Queen Suthida, wife of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and his son, Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, then 15, appeared on the same route.

Queen Suthida, wife of King Maha Vajiralongkorn appears to look out in shock as her motorcade drives through a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok on October 14, 2020

Protesters hold up a banner and the three-finger salute during an anti-government rally in Bangkok, October 14, 2020

Hundreds of anti-government protesters take to the streets in mass protests on on the 47th anniversary of the 1973 student uprising, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 14, 2020

Images from that day do not show any obviously threatening behaviour toward the queen's car, though several people in the crowd hold up the pro-democracy movement's three-finger salute.

Loud but mostly indistinct shouting can be heard from the crowd as the motorcade, bracketed by police officers, slowly wends its way through.

A royal motorcade usually has tight security, with routes closed to the public long in advance.

Student activist Bunkueanun Paothong, widely known by his nickname Francis, is one of the defendants, and holds the highest profile because of his eagerness to speak about the case.

The indictment accuses Francis, 23, and his fellow defendants of breaking away from the march to urge fellow protesters to block the motorcade. It also alleges they scuffled with police officers who were securing the car's path.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Francis denied knowing a royal motorcade would be in the vicinity and said he urged people to move away from the queen's car once he saw it.

He said the charge alleges he conspired with the four others to harm the queen's liberty, 'but if one had seen the evidence, if one had been there on that day, they would realize that what I did there was nothing short of trying to avoid that very same outcome. I have to say it again now: I did not intend to harm her.'

Francis surrendered to police two days later and was charged under Article 110. The minimum punishment for a conviction is 16-years' imprisonment, but the death penalty or life imprisonment is possible if it is proven that a defendant caused the queen's life to be in danger.

The law reinforces the exalted status of Thailand's royal family, as does the more frequently employed lese majeste law, which makes insulting the monarch, his immediate family and the regent punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

A police officer reacts to clashes between pro-democracy demonstrators and royalists during a Thai anti-government mass protest

Student activist Bunkueanun Paothong, widely known by his nickname Francis, is one of the defendants - here holding up the three-finger salute as he was marched into a police station two days after the 2020 protest

Protesters form a line around the Democracy Monument as they take part in the anti-government rally

Protesters remove potted plants from an area around the Democracy Monument in an attempt to occupy the area

The protesters marched from Democracy Monument to Government House in Bangkok

Demonstrators gave the three-fingered salute as they marched towards Government House

Pro-democracy demonstrators and royalists clashed during the Thai anti-government mass protest

Demonstrators give a three-finger salute while riding in a car during a Thai anti-government mass protest

Critics have alleged that the lese majeste, or royal defamation, law - commonly known as Article 112 - is often used to quash political dissent. The charge has been filed against many pro-democracy activists who, like Francis, protested against the military-backed government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

Devotion to the monarchy has long been a pillar of Thai society and was considered untouchable until recent years. Sharp political schisms that began appearing two decades ago affected its reputation, and the public debate on the topic has grown louder, particularly among young people seeking change.

Acquittals are rare for those charged with offences against the monarchy.

Kritsadang Nutcharat of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights said that although he believes the evidence is in favour of the defendants in this case, there is no guarantee the court will agree.

'I think that there's a chance that the verdict will be influenced by social trends, and the emotions, feelings of the judges, prosecutors, or society, about whether these people should be found guilty or not,' he said.

Judges in Thailand have a reputation for serving as a conservative bulwark protecting the royal institution.

David Streckfuss, a Thailand-based American scholar who has written extensively on the monarchy, said the verdict in the case couldn't be coming at a worse time for the ruling conservative establishment.

A group of demonstrators give the three-finger salute as part of their protest against the Thai monarchy

Police stand guard as the pro-democracy protesters marched towards the Government House

Anti-government demonstrators stand in front of royalists during the Thai anti-government mass protests

Police align themselves to block off the protesters as they try and march to Thailand's Government House

Police officers try to separate Thai royalists supporters, dressed in yellow, from pro-democracy protesters

Hundreds raise their hands to give the pro-democracy movement's three-finger salute

'It will inevitably highlight all those anxieties and worries that many, many Thais have about the institution and its role within democracy in Thailand,' he told AP in a video call.

The verdict is being issued just weeks after a sound election defeat of the governing coalition led by Prayuth - who came to power in a 2014 coup and was returned to office in a 2019 election.

The progressive Move Forward Party, which captured the most seats and most popular votes in the May election, ran on a platform vowing reform of several institutions, including amending the lese majeste law.

Francis said he remains optimistic and is ready for the verdict, whatever the outcome.

'At least I still have some kind of history attached to my name already, so even if it comes to, like, the worst of it all, I don't mind,' he said.
Lush was today accused of encouraging human traffickers after unveiling an 'all refugees welcome' poster featuring a small boat.

The cosmetics chain was criticised over a new campaign featuring an image of a craft similar to the ones used by cross-Channel people smugglers to ferry tens of thousands of migrants across the dangerous route.

The poster, produced in partnership with Refugee Action, says 'wherever you're from, however you got here, all refugees are welcome' - despite ministers making it illegal to come to Britain in a small boat to claim asylum.

All of the chain's 103 UK stores are set to promote the poster campaign. They are also selling a special bath bomb with 'welcome' embossed on the side.

Proceeds will go to Refugee Action, which has been battling the Government's Rwanda policy and helped ground last June's deportation flight.

The cosmetics chain was criticised over a new campaign featuring an image of a craft similar to the ones used by cross-Channel people smugglers

Critics took to social media to call for a boycott of the chain.

Meanwhile, Tory MP Jonathan Gullis told The Sun: 'To encourage people to needlessly risk their lives is one of the most reckless things you can do, and will help put thousands of pounds in the hands of smuggling gangs.

'Lush needs to get a grip, have a cold shower check with reality, and maybe they will be able to come back smelling like roses.'

READ MORE - Estimates reveal 169K cost of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda Advertisement

Lush is well known for its outspoken stance on political issues, and in 2018 was forced to drop a campaign about the so-called 'spy cops' scandal after critics said it amounted to an attack on the police.

The posters accused police officers of being 'paid to lie' and 'spying' on innocent victims.

Lush said it hoped to bring attention to the issue of women being tricked into sexual relationships by undercover officers. But the chain, based in Poole, Devon, eventually took the posters down.

Tim Naor Hilton, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, defended the refugee campaign.

'No one wants to see refugees risking their lives in dangerous dinghies,' he said.

'But its Government's refusal to open safe routes that's driving people  many of who have family here  to make life-threatening Channel crossings.

'It's shameful that Ministers prefer to indefinitely lock up refugees under its new Refugee Ban Bill than find a compassionate fix to this lack of safe routes. It must scrap this Bill now.'

All of the chain's 103 UK stores are set to promote the poster campaign, which promotes a special bath bomb with 'welcome' embossed on the side.

Andrew Butler, Lush Campaigns Manager, said: 'It is utterly shameful how certain politicians and pundits seek to scapegoat and blame people who are trying to escape war and conflict.

'Rather than focusing on why they are leaving their homes they instead focus on the way they try to reach a place of safety.

'The fact is, the only way refugees can claim asylum in the UK is if they first reach these shores, and the government has closed off all safe routes to Britain for the vast majority of those seeking safety.'
A surgeon who married a cancer-stricken multimillionaire colleague on her death bed is locked in a High Court fight with her sister over her 10million estate.

Dying Dr Evi Kalodiki had originally left her fortune split between her co-worker and partner Dr Chris Lattimer and her family.

But hours after signing the document on her last wishes on December 27, 2018, she and Dr Lattimer tied the knot.

The wedding meant the will was revoked under 200-year-old laws and when Dr Kalodiki died on January 31 she was intestate. It meant all her money would go to her new husband.

Now Dr Lattimer is locked in a High Court battle with her sister Maria Karamanoli, who says the original will - which gave her a sixth - should remain valid.

In a preliminary ruling in the case ahead of an upcoming trial, judge Master Julia Clark said the whole saga had played out over two weeks at the end of Dr Kalodiki's life.

Dr Lattimer is locked in a High Court battle with his late wife's sister Maria Karamanoli, who says her original will - which gave her a sixth of her 10m estate - should remain valid

Dying Dr Evi Kalodiki had originally left her fortune split between her partner and her family

The late Dr Evi Kalodiki's former home in Paddington is part of the 10million contested estate

She was terminally ill with lung cancer when she was admitted to the St John's Hospice on December 17, 2018, with Dr Lattimer accompanying her and described as her 'next of kin'.

'On December 24, 2018, the testator left the hospice on a temporary basis to spend Christmas with the claimant and his family in Croydon,' said the judge.

'On December 27, 2018, the claimant drove the testator back to the hospice. His evidence is that on the drive back, she looked terrible, and he became concerned that her time was short.'

In his evidence, Dr Lattimer said: 'I told her that it would be irresponsible and unkind of her to die and leave me all alone and unsupported to face her family.

'Evi interjected and stated "Are you asking me to marry you?" At this point, I said that this was not what I meant, but I agreed to the marriage, which Evi took as a proposal by me.'

Dr Kalodiki wrote her final will at the hospice on the same day, dictating the terms to Dr Lattimer and telling him that a sixth share for him was 'about right because you were with me for a decade.'

The will left equal one-sixth shares to Dr Lattimer, Mrs Karamanoli, her two nieces and nephew, and the Sarantaris Society.

She then enlisted her 'long time confidant and friend' Father Damian Konstantinou to marry the couple in a Greek Orthodox ceremony in the chapel at the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth that night.

But the scene was set for the court fight the following day when, three days before she died, the couple underwent a civil marriage at the hospice, with her sister one of the witnesses.

The original will left equal one-sixth shares to Dr Lattimer, Mrs Karamanoli, her two nieces and nephew, and the Sarantaris Society.

Judge Master Julia Clark said the whole saga had played out over two weeks at the end of Dr Kalodiki's (pictured) life

In his claim, Dr Lattimer - who has since remarried - says that because the marriage came after the will, the will was automatically revoked under the Wills Act 1837.

The general rule is that marriage revokes a will made previously by either party and he says a declaration should be made to confirm that that is the case.

That would mean Dr Kolodiki died intestate and he - as her widower - would inherit everything she has in the UK and her 'moveable assets' abroad, despite the terms of the will written days earlier.

But Mrs Karamanoli is counterclaiming in a bid to 'rectify' the December 27 will in order for her sister's fortune to be divided up as she had wanted when she wrote it.

She claims the will was made 'in expectation of marriage' and her sister must have wanted it to survive, because it would have been pointless making it otherwise.

The case reached court as Dr Lattimer applied for the strike out of Mrs Karamanoli's claim for rectification of the will on the basis that she stands no chance of succeeding.

But Master Clark refused the application, saying that Mrs Karamanoli should be entitled at trial to challenge Dr Lattimer's evidence as to how her sister's estate should be divided.

She said Mrs Karamanoli has a 'real prospect' of showing that the will is 'ambiguous' and that her sister had intended it to 'survive her forthcoming marriage'.

'Any other conclusion would defy common sense,' she said, adding that if Mrs Karamanoli wins, the court could rectify the will so that it does survive the marriage.

She also said that Mrs Karamanoli would be able to put forward the argument at trial that Dr Lattimer might have made a clerical error in writing the will or did not understand Dr Kalodiki's intentions when he did so.

However, she did strike out Mrs Karamanoli's claim that the marriage was 'invalid', finding that she has no chance of showing that her sister lacked the capacity to marry.

She said it was clear from hospital records that Dr Kalodiki was capable of having detailed discussions on a variety of subjects, including rearranging her furniture if she was able to move home.

The doctor was born in Larnaca, Cyprus, but moved to the UK in 1984, earning a PhD in venous diseases at Imperial College London, and going on to have a long and distinguished career in medicine before her retirement in 2016.

She was also an ambassador for the understanding of Greek culture in the UK, a board member of the Hellenic Society and a founder member of the society in honour of the Greek poet Giorgos Sarantaris.

She left an estate worth about 10million, of which 3million is in England, including her home in Junction Place, Paddington, and the rest in land, money and shares in Cyprus and Greece.

Dr Lattimer is also a respected consultant vascular surgeon and a senior lecturer at Imperial College, as well as the author of numerous scientific papers.

The full trial of the dispute is set to take place at a later date.
The teacher, 56, caused her pupils at the school near Venice to go on strike

Cinzio Paolina De Lio only showed up to teach for four out of 24 years

A teacher who avoided going to work for 20 years using sick leave, holiday and permits to attend conferences has been dubbed Italy's worst employee.

Cinzio Paolina De Lio was employed by a secondary school near Venice to teach literature and philosophy - but only showed up for four out of the 24 years she worked there.

The disgraced teacher, who is 56 years old according to Italian news outlets, was finally sacked on June 22.

Even on a rare occurrence that she did show up to teach, her pupils went on strike after she texted during their oral exams, gave out grades randomly and didn't have a copy of the textbook.

De Lio was described by the Italian supreme court as 'permanently and absolutely unsuitable' for the job, despite her claims to have three degrees.

Cinzio Paolina De Lio was employed by a secondary school near Venice to teach literature and philosophy - but only showed up for four out of the 24 years she worked there

She even refused a request for comment from Italian journalists because she was 'at the beach'.

Eventually her actions caught the attention of school inspectors, who described her lessons as 'confused'. The school then sacked her.

Even then, De Lio's career was not over as the court initially reinstated her.

However, after it came to light she had only worked four out of 24 years, the court reversed its decision and she was sacked for good on June 22.

De Lio is not the only worker who has been accused of cutting corners during employment in Italy.

In 2021 it was revealed that public health worker Salvatore Scumace, 66, had allegedly cost the state 538,000 (464,410) as he falsely claimed to work as a fire safety officer in the Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital in Catanzaro for 15 years.

He was only seen at the hospital once - on the day he went to sign his work contract in 2005, according to The Telegraph.

As a result, he was dubbed the 'King of absenteeism' and was charged with aggravated extortion, fraud and abuse of office.
Dozens of Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested after the eco-mob threw paint over an office building in Canary Wharf this morning.

A total of 27 eco-zealots were detained after staging a sit-in at the headquarters of Total Energies and using repurposed fire extinguishers to spray-paint its exterior fluorescent orange.

Footage shared by the group also showed them entering the reception area and blasting the floor with black paint just as employees were arriving.

Workers took to Twitter to brand them 'morons' as they shared photos of the activists holding up signs reading 'Stop EACOP [East African Crude Oil Pipeline], stop genocide'.

Among the arrested was Edred Whittingham, 25, who forced a World Championship snooker match at the Crucible to be cancelled in April after leaping on a table and throwing orange powder all over it.

Edred Whittingham, 25, who forced a World Championship snooker match to be cancelled in April after leaping on a table and throwing orange powder all over it, is detained by police in Canary Wharf on Tuesday morning

Ringleader Phoebe Plummer (left) was once again front and centre for Tuesday morning's action. More than a dozen activists were seen sitting crossed legged outside the headquarters of Total Energies after daubing it with their signature fluorescent paint

A Just Stop Oil protester is all smiles as he is carried away by a squad of police officers

The Metropolitan Police said: 'Following this morning's incident, 27 people were arrested for a combination of suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.

'They have been taken to a police station.'

Tuesday's action was the latest in a series of protests that have cost the British taxpayer 5.5million in policing costs alone, according to figures released this week.

Thousands of police officer shifts have been dedicated to monitoring their disruptive demonstrations over the past year.

In 2022, there were 750 arrests made and at least 116 have been cuffed for taking part in slow-walks on busy roads in recent months.

The Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told LBC yesterday that a staggering 16,500 officer shifts had been used to tackle the protesters.

He said: 'If you want to put a monetary value on it, it's about 5.5million - that's about 150 officers a day.

'What I could do with 150 officers preventing robberies or investigating crime or supporting victims, is really significant.'

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Canary Wharf just before 8am today and that they remain at the scene.

The force said: 'Police were called just before 08:00hrs to reports of Just Stop Oil protesters in Upper Bank Street, Canary Wharf...Officers were on scene by 08:03hrs.

'Four people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after a building was spray painted.

'There are no reports of any road obstructions at this time, traffic is flowing. Officers remain on scene.'

Just Stop Oil said its action today was 'in solidarity with @StopEACOPug, a group of Ugandan student climate activists fighting to stop this devastating project.'

A Just Stop Oil protester is dragged away from Canary Wharf by two police officers on Tuesday morning

Another climate activist is detained after activists threw orange paint at the UK headquarters of TotalEnergies. A fellow protester holds up a sign claiming 12,000 people have already been displaced by the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline

The activists are placed in cuffs after the group doused an office building with paint in Canary Wharf on Tuesday

Just Stop Oil climate activists react as they are detained after throwing orange paint at the UK headquarters of Total Energies on Tuesday morning

A group of police officers detain and escort a Just Stop Oil protester after they allegedly doused a building in orange paint in Canary Wharf on Tuesday

Edred Whittingham (right), was jailed last year, glued himself to a Turner painting and has bragged about his multiple arrests to raise money from supporters

The group branded the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline a 'carbon bomb' and claimed there had been 'continued human rights violations' in its construction.

It wrote on Twitter that it targeted Total Energies because it is the majority shareholder in the project.

A spokesman for Students Against EACOP, said: 'Total Energies are involved in grave human rights violations. Thousands of people have lost their property and many have been evicted from their land with little or zero compensation.

'Those who have raised their voices to speak-out against the dangers of EACOP have been silenced. Journalists have been arrested, there have been incidents of forced disappearances and kidnappings.

'This pipeline is destroying national parks, lakes and rivers, causing massive ecological damage and displacing wildlife. We are calling on everyone in the UK to come out and resist Total Energies for its direct participation in these criminal acts.

'Many financial institutions have refused to underwrite this project and if Total Energies backs off, the government of Uganda would have a hard time funding this project, so we can win.'

Ringleader Phoebe Plummer was once again front and centre for Tuesday morning's action.

The protester hit headlines around the world when she threw Heinz tomato soup at Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in the National Gallery last October.

Police said the 76million piece of art was 'unharmed' but some minor damage was caused to the frame during the climate demonstration, which also saw the pair gluing themselves to a wall inside the Gallery.

Just Stop Oil activists threw orange paint over an office building in Canary Wharf this morning as part of their latest protest against new oil licences

Just Stop Oil said its action today was 'in solidarity with @StopEACOPug, a group of Ugandan student climate activists fighting to stop this devastating project.'

More than a dozen eco-warriors sit outside Total Energies HQ in Canary Wharf on Tuesday

The group said that it targeted Total Energies because it is the majority shareholder in the EACOP project

The group branded the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline a 'carbon bomb'

JSO climate activists stage a sit-in after throwing orange paint at the UK HQ of Total Energies

The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Canary Wharf just before 8am today and that they remain at the scene

A spokesperson for Students Against EACOP, said: 'Total Energies are involved in grave human rights violations. Thousands of people have lost their property and many have been evicted from their land with little or zero compensation'

One of those taking action at Canary Wharf this morning, Solveig, 27, a Doctor of Philosophy student at the University of Oxford, said: 'I believe that it is my duty to support the brave protesters of Students against EACOP'

Plummer was later arrested on June 5 this year for taking part in a slow-march in London before being cuffed two days later for breaking her bail conditions to join another one.

Footage of her arrest in an upmarket cafe in Islington, London, was widely shared on social media as Met Police officers politely told the University of Manchester graduate she would have to leave her coffee and could not wait for her hash browns.

Edred Whittingham, 25, who forced a World Championship snooker match to be cancelled in April after leaping on a table and throwing orange powder all over it, was also present for Tuesday's demonstration.

The student was jailed last year, glued himself to a Turner painting and has bragged about his multiple arrests to raise money from supporters, MailOnline previously revealed.

One of those taking action at Canary Wharf this morning, Solveig, 27, a Doctor of Philosophy student at the University of Oxford, said: 'I believe that it is my duty to support the brave protesters of Students against EACOP, who are standing up to Total Energies as it destroys the lives of people for profit.

'The extractive colonialism executed by Total is not only making 100,000 people homeless, but it will exacerbate climate breakdown globally. I wish we could stop these atrocities through peaceful and quiet protest, but we can't. This is why I have to stand up to Total and push for the de-funding of EACOP.'

A spokesman for Total Energies told MailOnline today: 'TotalEnergies fully respects the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression, but deplores all forms of violence, whether verbal, physical or material.

'TotalEnergies promotes transparent and constructive dialogue with all its stakeholders.'

The Metropolitan Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told LBC yesterday that a staggering 16,500 officer shifts had been used to tackle the eco-mob

The group yesterday began its tenth week of slow-marches and proudly announced that it had caused blockages on key roads across north, south and west London during the rush hour

Activists also entered the reception area where they sprayed black paint on the floor

The former fire extinguishers repurposed by Just Stop Oil protesters to spray paint

It comes after Just Stop Oil yesterday began its tenth week of slow-marches and proudly announced that it had caused blockages on key roads across north, south and west London during the rush hour.

However, in what is becoming an increasingly common occurrence, there were ugly interactions between the group and fed-up commuters.

In Camberwell shortly after 8am on Monday, 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.

And Just Stop Oil 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.'
A Florida couple who sued OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush have dropped their lawsuit out of respect for the victims of the tragic Titan submersible, which imploded while exploring the wreck of the Titanic last week.

Marc and Sharon Hagle in February filed a lawsuit against Rush, one of five to die aboard the doomed sub, claiming the OceanGate chief had refused to refund $210,000 they had paid for a deep-sea exploration in 2018 even after he repeatedly cancelled the tour.

But the death of Rush, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, French navy veteran PH Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, led the Hagles to drop their case.

'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,' they told Fox 35.

'In light of these tragic events, we have informed our attorneys to withdraw all legal actions against Stockton.

'We honour their zest for life, as well as their commitment to the exploration of our oceans.'

Marc and Sharon Hagle in February filed a lawsuit against OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of five to die aboard the doomed sub

OceanGate CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush

The OceanGate Titan submersible which imploded during an exhibition to the Titanic

Marc and Sharon Hagle are pictured prior to their journey to space aboard Blue Origin

The Hagles are Orlando-based real estate moguls and have a penchant for thrillseeking.

Last year they fulfilled a 'lifelong dream' of going to space when they blasted off aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin spacecraft.

They had planned a deep sea tour with OceanGate as early as 2016, when they paid an initial $20,000 deposit for a dive expedition.

Then in 2018, the pair received contracts instructing them to pay the full cost of the expedition, close to $200,000.

But the couple said a series of planned dives were cancelled by Rush, whose company allegedly refused to refund their money when requested to do so.

In light of the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible last week, the Hagles said that 'honor, respect and dignity' were more important to humanity than money, chose to drop their lawsuit against Rush and OceanGate, and instead sent well-wishes to the victims' families.

After a week-long search, the five members aboard the Titan submersible were confirmed dead last week.

The US Coast Guard announced the death of all five crew members in a press conference on Thursday, declaring that the tail cone and additional debris from the missing submersible were found by a remotely operated vessel approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic.

The Titan submerged at 8am on Sunday, June 18, around 400 miles southeast of St John's, Newfoundland, near to where the famous shipwreck lies 12,500ft under the ocean.

At 9:45am, an hour and 45 minutes after its departure, it lost contact with its mothership the Polar Prince, but wasn't reported missing to the Coastguard until 5:40pm - some eight hours later.

The US Navy detected an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion on Sunday in the area were the vessel was diving.

The tourists would have died instantaneously amid the catastrophic implosion of the vessel and the US Coast Guard is not hopeful of recovering their bodies, describing the area as 'a very unforgiving environment.'

News of their death came after DailyMail.com revealed that OceanGate refused to put their submersible through an independent inspection process and fired a director in 2018 after he asked for more rigorous safety tests.

Bosses fired David Lochridge, who was Director of Marine operations for the Titan project, after disagreeing with his demand for more rigorous safety checks on the submersible, including 'testing to prove its integrity'.

The company also opted against having the craft 'classed', an industry-wide practice whereby independent inspectors ensure vessels meet accepted technical standards.

OceanGate, which charges up to $250,000 for a seat on the submersible, suggested that seeking classification could take years and would be 'anathema to rapid innovation'.

In 2019, the firm added that seeking classification for Titan would not 'ensure that operators adhere to proper operating procedures and decision-making processes  two areas that are much more important for mitigating risks at sea'.
Labour is braced for an internal row over free school meals for all primary-age pupils after Sir Keir Starmer ruled out doing it on cost grounds.

Senior party figures in power including London mayor Sadiq Khan have already introduced local programmes to feed all youngsters regardless of need.

But the party leadership is resisting pressure to roll out such programmes to the whole of England if they win the next election, after it was estimated it could cost taxpayers 1billion a year.

Sir Keir has made financial prudence a key plank of his plan to win the next election, amid worsening economic conditions in the UK.

Currently all children in England at maintained state schools are eligible for free dinners until the end of Year 2, after which it is means tested. Extending it had provoked 'stormy' discussions within the party, the Financial Times reported.

A Labour spokesman said: 'This is not Labour policy and we have no plans to implement it.

Senior party figures in power including London mayor Sadiq Khan have already introduced local programmes to feed all youngsters regardless of need.

But the party leadership is resisting pressure to roll out such programmes to the whole of England if they win the next election, after it was estimated it could cost taxpayers 1billion a year.

The Labour government is rolling out free meals gradually, with a 70million programme to cover years Three and Four from September (First Minister mark Drakeford pictured last September). It will then cover years Five and Six from September 2024.

'Labour recognises the cost of living crisis that families are facing across the country. That's why our policy of universal free breakfast clubs for primary school pupils will make a big difference to families facing financial pressure while giving children the best start to their day.'

Mr Khan today unveiled a taxpayer-funded 130million plan to give all London primary schoolchildren free meals in February - and suggested the scheme should be copied nationwide.

The capital's mayor will fund meals for one year from September for up to 270,000 students, funded by business rates paid by firms, in a move he said would save families up to 440 per child.

According to the Food Foundation, an estimated 800,000 children in England are living in poverty but do not qualify for free school meals.

Currently, households in England receiving Universal Credit must earn below 7,400 a year before benefits and after tax to qualify for free school meals.

Mr Khan said he was 'stepping forward' after years of Government inaction.

He followed it up last month by trying to pressure the government into following his lead, saying: 'Families need this now more than ever.'

The Labour government is rolling out free meals gradually, with a 70million programme to cover years Three and Four from September. It will then cover years Five and Six from September 2024.

The SNP Government in Scotland has already brought in the measure.
A grandmother has been killed after a car being chased by police lost control and crashed.

The tragedy occurred on Monday afternoon when officers were pursuing a vehicle that had failed to stop in Wigan.

The vehicle lost control in Bolton Road and slammed into another car - which then hit the victim, today named as Kathleen Kirby, who was in her 60s, police said.

She was rushed to hospital but tragically died a short time later. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed a man has been arrested and that an official probe into the fatal chase has been launched.

The news came as Mrs Kirby's heartbroken family paid tribute to the 'beloved mum, nanna, sister, partner, aunty and best friend to so many'.

In a statement the family said Kathleen only ever saw the 'good in everyone' and was a person who 'took everyone under her wing'.

Kathleen Kirby was killed after a car being chased by police lost control and crashed into another vehicle, which then hit her

Heartbroken relatives of Mrs Kirby have paid tribute to the 'rock of the family'. Pictured is a view of where the fatal smash took place

'Kathleen would be there no matter what and was the rock of our family, she held everyone together with her strength and passion for life,' the family told the Manchester Evening News.

'She will never be forgotten and we will all make her proud in everything we do.'

The force has now referred itself to GMP's Professional Standards Branch and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The man arrested following the incident remains in police custody.

Superintendent Ian Jones of GMP's Wigan district said: 'Our sincere thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of the woman that has sadly passed away following the incident earlier on today.

'We understand that the public are concerned by incidents of this nature and in-line with normal procedure, referrals have been made to GMP's Professional Standards Branch and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

'Investigations like this often result in road closures which can cause significant disruption and we thank the local community and road users for their patience during the road closure.'

Anyone with information or dashcam footage should call GMP on 101, quoting incident log 2166 of 26/6/2023.
Three men have been seriously injured after they were crushed by pallets at a Woolworths factory.

The major workplace incident took place at the Woolworths Distribution Centre at Minchinbury in Sydney's west at about 3.30pm on Tuesday.

The workers, aged in their 20s and 30s, were struck by falling pallets and pinned to the ground at the centre.

It's understood one of the men was crushed by the pallets and the other two were injured after they came to their colleague's aid.

The three employees suffered head injuries and were rushed to Westmead Hospital.

Three Woolworths workers have been seriously injured at the supermarket's distribution centre in Sydney's west

One of the men was flown to hospital while the other two were transported by ambulance.

A Primary Connect spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the injured workers were being 'supported'.

'Three team members from our Sydney Regional Distribution Centre have been transported to hospital following an incident this afternoon,' they said.

'We're supporting the team members and their families.'

The three men, aged in their 20s and 30s, suffered head injuries after they struck by falling pallets and pinned to the ground at the centre

'We'd like to thank the emergency services involved and we're assisting the relevant authorities.'

Primary Connect is Woolworths' supply chain platform.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Safework NSW for comment.
An Australian traveller has warned that tourists could face steep fines in Europe for a habit that's commonplace Down Under.

Melbourne woman Marti, who has been documenting her preparations for a European holiday on TikTok, warned that in Italy bikinis are strictly for the beach and wearing them in town can attract fines up to $800.

'You are likely to get a fine if you wear something like this around the beach towns,' Laura said gesturing towards a photo of a bikini-clad woman.

'I don't know what it is about Italians but they do not want tourists going around in their bikini around the little towns near the beaches.

'If you're planning on going to the beach, bring an extra T-shirt with you so you can cover up, and the old Italian ladies and men will be happy.'

Melbourne woman Marti has delivered a warning that could save tourists to Italy hundreds of dollars

A number of people commenting pointed out that this rule didn't only apply to Italy, even if other countries might not inflict fines for the behaviour.

'I will say almost anywhere in Europe you should only wear bikinis at the beach, and in the city summer ( ish) but proper clothes even if its hot!' one person commented.

'It's not just about Italy being catholic, Netherlands is pretty much atheist and it's the same here, u dont only wear ur bikini if ur not at the beach,' another person noted.

A few people were dismayed to learn of the norm.

'This makes me rly sad bc i just got comfortable in my skimpy bathing suits but i usally bring a long dress for a cover up but i plan on living there,' one person said.

'That's okay!' Marti replied.

'Once you live there you get used to it trust me!!! You can easily cover up and be fine I promise.'

Most people thought prohibition was not too much to ask.

'Ppl just need to stop assuming that their culture/norms are gonna be the same in other countries. do research before traveling to be more respectful!' one person wrote.

Marti, who works in marketing, also offered the warning that it wasn't just around beaches where visitors to Italy might cause unintended offence.

In some European countries swimwear is considered to only be appropriate attire for the beach

'If you're visiting a church or anything religiously historical chances are some places will tell you to cover up before you go in,' she said.

A commenter noted that this could apply for Spain as well as other traditionally Catholic countries.

'I literally had to put on a jean jacket in Seville before touring the cathedral bc my spaghetti strap dress was 'inappropriate' it was 90+ degrees out,' the comment lamented.

Last year the southern Italian beachside town of Sorrento brought in a fine of over $800 for those wearing inappropriate bathing suits away from the sand.

Other towns, mainly in the south, have similar local penalties as do Spanish cities such as Barcelona and Mallorca.
The crew attempted to give him oxygen and emergency CPR to save him

The passenger from Stamford Hill was due to volunteer at a US summer camp

A British air passenger has died from an asthma attack on a flight from London to New York.

The man, 25, dropped his inhaler in a panic 45 minutes before he was due to land on Monday morning, a member of his local Orthodox Stamford Hill community revealed.

The crew attempted to give him oxygen and emergency CPR but were unaware that his airways weren't open enough due to his asthma.

The passenger, who was en route to volunteer at a summer camp in the US, died on the flight despite the attempts to save his life, according to Jewish News.

He reportedly fell unconscious as attempts were made to give him oxygen, and later CPR.

A British air passenger has died from an asthma attack on a flight from London to New York (file image)

An investigation by a coroner is due to take place at a later date.

Earlier this year, Brit Michael Morris died after getting off a British Airways flight to South Africa with his wife.

After landing in Johannesburg he went to the bathroom while he awaited his luggage.

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) CEO Mpumi Mpofu revealed that he suddenly collapsed in the international arrivals toilet and received medical aid.

Despite the immediate response from paramedics, the man was declared dead at the scene, Ms Mpofu said, leaving his wife 'distraught'.
The French diver who was one of five victims in the Titan disaster was a director of a controversial firm accused of 'pillaging' thousands of items from the Titanic.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who died in the submersible tragedy in the Atlantic on June 18, spent two decades working with RMS Titanic Inc which owns the sole salvage rights.

Mr Nargeolet, 77, also known as 'PH', earned the nickname 'Mr Titanic' as an expert on the 1912 wreck - and led several expeditions for the US firm based in Georgia.

The explorer, who served as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic Inc, had two adult children and owned a $1.5million (1.2million) home in New York state.

He had previously told how relatives of Titanic victims have told him they did not agree with his work with RMS Titanic Inc - which filed for bankruptcy along with its parent firm in 2016 and came close to auctioning off the relics in their possession.

RMS Titanic Inc operates 'Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition' which has two locations in Las Vegas and Orlando that it says have been visited by more than 35million people.

But after the Titan disaster, politicians and relatives of the Titanic's passengers and crew have urged explorers to leave the wreck alone and stop recovering artefacts. Some have also called for relics from the wreck to be donated to a museum.

Gavin Robinson, the MP for East Belfast, where construction on the Titanic began in 1909, pointed out that the ship 'remains a maritime tomb for over 1,500 souls'.

He added that there is an 'uncomfortable conflict between respectfully honouring the site and extreme tourism', and that 'issues around pilfering and profiteering have gone far beyond efforts that assist historical understanding' over the years.

Families of those who were on board when disaster struck on its maiden voyage in April 1912 have also called for potential tourists to leave the wreck as a 'grave site'.

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet looks at a model of the Titanic wreck in Paris in 2013

'Mr Titanic' Paul-Henri Nargeolet was part of the first expedition to visit the wreck in 1987

Mr Nargeolet spent two decades in the French Navy then specialized in deep submersibles

Linda Reader, whose great grandfather, and great uncle died in the 1912 Titanic disaster, has called for the treasure trove of relics to be donated to a museum

Linda Reader's great grandfather Arthur William May (left) was a stoker/messman on the RMS Titanic and her great uncle, also called Arthur William May (right), was another stoker

In the Las Vegas site, more than 400 artifacts and full-scale room re-creations are on display along with a 15-tonne section of Titanic's starboard hull. In Orlando, there are 300 items as well as room recreations and a three-tonne section of Titanic's hull.

How Paul-Henri Nargeolet spent more time at the wreck than any other explorer Nicknamed 'Mr Titanic', Paul-Henri Nargeolet was thought to have spent more time at the shipwreck than any other explorer. The former French naval diver was part of the first expedition to visit it in 1987, just two years after it was found. A veteran of dozens of trips to site, he has recovered more than 5,000 objects from the remains of the ship, including crystal decanters, a chandelier and even deckchairs. Three years ago he warned about the risks involved with deep water expeditions, saying: 'If you are 11 metres or 11 kilometres down, if something bad happens, the result is the same. 'When you're in very deep water, you're dead before you realise that something is wrong, so it's just not a problem.' Describing the risks of being at the wreck site last year, Mr Nargeolet said a typical expedition would see them spend between five and eight hours at the bottom of the ocean. 'You don't really want to go come back up, so you use up as much of the batteries as you can, sometimes even a little more,' he recalled. 'I got yelled at several times because of that, by the way. And then, the ascent lasts about as long, so a dive can last between 10 and 12 hours.' And speaking of the experience of seeing the Titanic's 'beautiful' foredeck, he said: 'You can see the anchor chains, the winches which are still polished by the water and the sediments that the water contains. 'For ten minutes, there was not a sound in the submarine.' Also known as PH, he is director of underwater research at private firm RMS Titanic Inc, that owns the rights to the Titanic wreck and has raised at least 6,000 items. Previously Mr Nargeolet served in the French Navy for 25 years where he was a captain in its deep water submarine service. Before the latest expedition he was planning a mission next year to recover more objects from the wreck. Mr Nargeolet was married to American newsreader Michelle Marsh until her death in 2017 aged 63. In January 2022, he bought a $1.5million home on 2.75 acres in the New York hamlet of Holmes, located in in the town of Pawling in Dutchess County. Mr Nargeolet had previously lived in the Connecticut town of Kent in Litchfield County. He had two adult children who live in Cork, Ireland. Advertisement

RMS Titanic Inc insists it is 'dedicated to preserving the legacy of the ship, wreck site and all her passengers', but critics have accused it of trying to 'profiteer' by 'pilfering and pillaging' the ship.

Mr Nargeolot, who said his aim was always 'education and preservation', had already taken part in dozens of dives to the site before his journey on the Titan.

The other four victims were Stockton Rush, boss of OceanGate Expeditions which organised the $250,000 tour, and three Britons - Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman, 19 - who died shortly after making their 12,500ft descent.

Speaking about future trips to the wreck, DUP MP Mr Robinson told MailOnline today: 'The insatiable interest in Titanic often fails to respect that it remains a maritime tomb for over 1,500 souls.

'Though human interest and the quest to explore will never wane, there is an uncomfortable conflict between respectfully honouring the site and extreme tourism.

'The idea that a vested connection would warrant pilfering and pillaging what is essential a tomb to the sacrifice to those who were aboard Titanic, I think it's entirely misguided.

'Over the years, issues around pilfering and profiteering have gone far beyond efforts that assist historical understanding. Some of it could be likened to piracy.

'Perhaps the time has now come to let the site of RMS Titanic be at peace, respectfully honouring all those lost at sea.'

Mr Robinson has previously spoken out against RMS Titanic Inc, criticising the firm's plans to salvage artefacts from the Titanic and put them on display in Las Vegas.

He told the Daily Telegraph in January 2020 that the company's work amounted to 'pilfering and pillaging what is essentially a tomb to the sacrifice to those who were aboard Titanic'.

RMS Titanic Inc has carried out eight expeditions to recover artefacts from the shipwreck - in 1987, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2004.

Vast numbers of jewels were also recovered from the wreck - including an 18 carat gold and diamond ring, dazzling necklaces and sets of earrings.

One relative of two Titanic victims has now called for the full treasure trove of relics to be donated to a museum.

Linda Reader, whose great grandfather, and great uncle died in the 1912 disaster, said items should be available for all the world to see.

She told MailOnline: 'From a personal point of view I would like to see those artefacts put into a museum. That way many people can view them and not just a few.

'I don't agree with the artefacts being taken in the first place. They belong to family members of those who died and should have a say where they go. I have never agreed with artefacts being taken from the ship. It is a graveyard, and you do not plunder a graveyard.'

Mrs Reader, 63, of Southampton, plans to make a pilgrimage to Newfoundland later in the year to lay a wreath for her long-lost relatives.

Her great grandfather Arthur William May was a stoker/messman on the RMS Titanic and her great uncle, also called Arthur William May, was another stoker.

RMS Titanic has always maintained it wished to preserve the relics on the wreck before they are lost forever, and has received the blessing of relatives of those who died in the 1912 disaster.

But several other relatives of those on board the Titanic have now come forward to voice their concerns about future trips to the wreck following recent events.

Gloves recovered from the Titanic were put in chemicals to remove oxides from the fabric

A piece of the Titanic's hull was pulled to the surface following an expedition in 1998

Old US dollars are also among the items salvaged from the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic

Among the objects that have been salvaged from the Titanic wreck since it was found in 1985 include the ship's bell - pictured on display in 2010 at an exhibition at the O2 Bubble in London

Among them was Jacqueline Hall, of Burslem, Staffordshire, who told the Daily Mail in a letter published yesterday that her grandfather Harry Senior, was a stoker on the ship who survived.

She wrote: 'I cringe when I see Titanic fancy-dress parties and computer games. How disrespectful. I believe the ship is a grave site and should not be the focus of tourist trips.

'My grandfather managed to clamber onto the upside-down collapsible lifeboat B after being hit with oars. He never spoke about the horrific events of that night until he was dying of cancer 25 years later.'

She was writing in response to an article published in the Mail last week by Julie Cook, whose great-grandfather William Bessant was also a stoker and one of the 1,500 crew and passengers who died.

Ms Cook wrote: 'It is high time we stopped this Titanic tourism and left the ship and her dead to rest.'

She also said: 'The Titanic sinking was a real-life tragedy, not a film. If we stop for a minute and imagine what it was really like for those on board, we can't help but feel a visceral horror at their plight  just as we do now, imagining the situation faced by those inside the missing submersible.

Ms Cook had accepted an invitation two years ago by a US production firm to visit the wreck in an OceanGate vessel for a documentary, but it was cancelled 'because of various problems involving the post-pandemic world, travel visas and so on'.

She added: 'Now, listening to news of the tragic disappearance of the sub, I feel sick with relief.'

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.

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

A file photograph of Titan which has been used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic

She told MailOnline: '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.'

Ms Richardson, who said that Mr Shulver looked 'exactly' like her own father, added: 'We have got those great scans now and recovered artefacts, so now we have just got to be respectful. It is where they were laid to rest. It's not a spectacle to go and look where people lost their lives.'

Englishman Percy Thomas Ward, a bedroom steward on the luxury 'unsinkable' vessel, was among those who lost their lives in the 1912 sinking.

Writing on a Facebook group for relatives of victims, his great-granddaughter Anna Roberts said: 'I deplore the fact Titanic has become a tourist attraction. It is a graveyard and should be left in peace and respect.'

And Brett Gladstone, whose great-great-grandmother was killed on the Titanic, told Inside Edition: 'I've always been uncomfortable with the exploitation of the ship down there.

'Over 1,000 people died. My great great-grandmother's body was never found, it lies at the bottom. Her soul and the souls of a thousand people remains in a kind of graveyard.'

Gavin Robinson (right), the MP for East Belfast, pictured meeting Prince William (left) today, wants tourists to remember that the Titanic 'remains a maritime tomb for over 1,500 souls'

Titan is prepared for its dive to view the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean on June 18

John Locascio, whose uncles perished on the Titanic, told CNN: 'I compare it to looking inside a grave. I mean, people died there tragically, very tragically.

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

'Why make it a place for people to go see? Why, why do you have to do that? Let the people rest.'

And Shelly Binder, whose great-grandmother Leah Aks and great-uncle F. Philip Aks survived the 1912 disaster, told The Sun: 'For those who lost family members, they see it still as a grave site and they think it's tacky and obnoxious to go there.'

She added: 'It's horrific. And you can see the wreckage without having to physically go down there yourself. Is there really much they were going to see by looking out those windows?'

Mr Nargeolet recovered 5,000 artifacts from the ship in his career and has even lifted a 20-tonne section of the ship's hull for analysis.

The items recovered from the ship have long captured the imaginations of historians and hobbyists interested in the tragedy.

There are also many separate collections of items that were carried by survivors from the ship and have been privately sold, including a menu of the last meal served to first-class passengers and objects carried by the ship's crew.

Mr Nargeolet served as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic Inc and has appeared on numerous films and documentaries about the ship.

The company's mission is 'exploring the wreck of Titanic and its surrounding ocean areas; obtaining oceanographic material and scientific data; and using the data and retrieved artifacts for historical verification, scientific education, and public awareness'.

A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules plane flies over L'Atalante during the search last Wednesday

A file photo of people on board the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions

PH, as he was known to friends, was born in Chamonix, in the French Alps, but spent his early years in Africa with his parents.

Mr Nargeolet spent more than 20 years in the French Navy, becoming a Commander.

He then specialized in deep submersibles and in 1987 led the first recovery expedition of the Titanic.

Mr Nargeolet was married to American newsreader Michelle Marsh until her death in 2017 aged 63.

In January 2022, he bought a $1.5million home on 2.75 acres in the New York hamlet of Holmes, located in in the town of Pawling in Dutchess County.

Mr Nargeolet had previously lived in the Connecticut town of Kent in Litchfield County. He had two adult children who live in Cork, Ireland.

In 2016, RMS Titanic Inc and its parent company, Premier Exhibitions Inc, filed for bankruptcy and came close to auctioning off the relics in their possession.

Some campaigners, including Titanic film James Cameron, led a failed campaign to have the collection brought into the ownership of a consortium of museums. The auction never took place.

Mr Nargeolet said in 2012: 'I remember talking to [a Titanic victim's relative], a woman, who told me, 'I don't like what you're doing because my father died on the ship,''

'I'm OK with that. But I've met other survivors who like what we're doing. They believe that it helps keep the ship and its legacy alive.'

He added: 'My belief is that it is good to record the artefacts, that it's good for education and preservation. That's the goal.'

Over the weekend, it was revealed that investigators looking into the implosion of the Titan were 'taking all precautions' in case they find bodies on the sea floor.

Captain Jason Neubauer, who is chairing the US Coast Guard investigation into the implosion of the vessel, made the comments as the search and rescue aspects of the response came to an end.

Salvage operations are continuing and investigators have mapped the accident site, Captain Neubauer said.

He added that 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.

Investigators are working 'in close co-ordination' with the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch as well as the US National Transportation Safety Board, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the French Marine Casualties Investigation Board.
The sixth suspect in the murder of Stephen Lawrence started a new life in Cambridgeshire to try and escape the hassle he was exposed to after his arrest, it has been revealed.

Matthew White is said to have moved from London with his mother and stepfather to a detached bungalow in the quiet town of Wisbech in 2004.

Whites mother Carol Smith allegedly admitted to neighbours soon after arriving in the town that her son had been arrested by detectives hunting 18-year-old Stephens killers.

MailOnline can reveal that he is remembered by local residents as being a drug addict who was off his face most of the time.

Mrs Smith and Whites stepfather Gary Smith paid 116,500 for the three bedroom bungalow at the end of a cul-de-sac in Wisbech in 2004.

The couple sold the property last year and are said to have bought a camper van to go touring around Spain, but they are since believed to have returned to the UK.

The BBC reported that Whites former stepfather Jack Severs had told police in the days after the murder that White had been at the scene when Stephen died.

Matthew White (left) is 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

Mrs Smith and Whites stepfather Gary Smith paid 116,500 for the three bedroom bungalow

He said to have acted like it was an everyday occurrence and insisted Stephen had deserved it.

But Mr Severs who died in 2020 was only spoken to for the first time 20 years later in 2013 due to an apparent astonishing police blunder.

The BBC suggested that Whites mother had remarried twice since her relationship with his father ended.

Somehow the name of his second stepfather was entered on the police database as the source of the tip about Whites alleged admission to being at the scene, it was reported.

The BBC claimed that police investigation teams in 1993 were sent in the wrong direction and initially did not speak to Mr Severs.

Mr Smith who married Whites mother after her relationship with Mr Severs declined to comment in detail about his late stepson being officially named by the Metropolitan Police as a suspect.

He told MailOnline: What good would that do? The damage to our family has been done. Matthew is dead and cannot defend this accusation. Jack Severs is dead and cannot state if this account was true. We know its all a pack of lies.

Everybody now wants to speak to us. We have gone through hell over the last 30 years. Matthew was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but happened to know the others accused and/ or convicted.

Mother-of-three Marilyn Patrick, 71, who lived next door to Mr and Mrs Smiths former bungalow in Wisbech which they used to share with White said the family had moved to the town because they were trying to get away from London to make a new start.

In 2020, White (pictured in a more recent image) attacked a man while trying to shoplift. He then told him: 'Remember you're in Eltham, remember where you are, remember what happened to Stephen Lawrence'

Ms Patrick said: As soon as she moved in, she (Carol) told me about the Lawrence case.

'She said Matthew had been pulled in and that he had not murdered him, but he might have been there. It went on and on, and he was arrested again. I have always thought there was a possibility that he might have done it.

Ms Patrick, a widowed great grandmother, said that two men who appeared to be fighting fit arrived at the familys home in Wisbech soon after they moved in, and were hammering on the door.

She said: One of them had a big chain around his neck. When they couldnt get in, they left. I dont know what that was about.

Ms Patrick said that Whites mother had repeatedly told her that the family had moved to the town to get peace and quiet.

The retired Conservative Club cook added: She said it was because of the hassle and her son being arrested. She mentioned it quite a lot.

Matthew lived here for quite some time. He was off his face all the time. He had a good four years here. Then he went back to London. Then he came back for a couple of years.

He used to come round here at weekends and ask to borrow 10, but I never lent him anything. You couldnt talk to him because he was in a different world.

'His mother chucked him out because he was a bit of a nasty boy. He was selling drugs and having drugs himself.

One Christmas, a shop in town had some wreaths in a rack and he dragged the rack away on his bike. Then he was trying to sell the wreaths for his drugs.

Jamie Acourt (left) and his brother Neil were also suspects but were never convicted. They were later jailed for drugs offences

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

I used to talk to him, but he never mentioned Stephen Lawrence to me.

Ms Patrick also revealed that White had worked for a period at a scrap yard in Wisbech.

The BBC reported that White died aged 50 of a drug overdose in a bedsit in 2021.

Thirty years seeking justice for Stephen Lawrence 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 culpable 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, Matthew White, revealed. Advertisement

He was said to have been depressed and suicidal at the time. It was revealed yesterday that he had been arrested twice on suspicion of the murder of Stephen in March 2000 and in December 2013.

The 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 Metropolitan Police named White as the sixth suspect in the case, after BBC News detailed a series of police failings in handling information linked to him.

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 attackers - Gary Dobson and David Norris  have ever been brought to justice.

They were jailed for life for murder in 2012. Two of the other gang members, brothers Neil and Jamie Acourt, have served time in prison for drug dealing, 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. Stephens mother Baroness Lawrence said that she believed White had evaded justice because of police failures.

She said in a statement: 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.

'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.'

The Met claim that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised there was no realistic prospect of White being convicted of any offence after his two arrests.

The Metropolitan Police today apologised again for its handling of the case, saying they had made many mistakes in the initial investigation, including not tracking down Jack Severs.

The force said: This was a significant and regrettable error.

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.'

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.
This is the shocking moment a man brazenly kicks a woman to the ground on the streets of Ireland before they continue to exchange blows.

A woman clad in pink pyjamas is seen marching towards a man as a bystander films outside a shopping centre in Limerick, County Limerick, on Tuesday last week.

In a disturbingly nonchalant manner, the man kicks the woman in the face.

The woman is knocked backwards, falling back onto the pavement. She is seen holding her face as another woman dressed in grey jogging bottoms and a pink jumper scampers past to confront the man.

Seemingly unfazed by the altercation, the man has already walked off in the opposite direction.

In a disturbingly nonchalant manner, the man is seen raising his leg as the woman comes towards him before he thrusts his foot down

The man kicks the woman as she is knocked backwards, falling to the pavement

The woman who had been kicked to the ground follows and tries to thrust a kick at the man's shin but misses.

He puts a hand out and tries to walk off but is still being pursued by the two women. As the filming bystander appears to find the altercation rather comical, others make failed attempts to stop the situation from escalating further.

The attacker responds by again unleashing a further two kicks at the woman wearing the pink pyjamas.

'Absolute scenes up in Limerick city, ... boys kicking jaws all over the shop,' the cameraman commentates as the ruckus continues.

'His kick was so clean, it knocked her clean out,' he adds.

The man then attempts to walk away again but one woman is still in close pursuit. He swiftly spins around, this time punching her in the face and knocking her into a wall. Other bystanders start to scream at the man.

A later clip shows the man and woman still at each other's throats. This time the woman is restrained by an elderly man, but she pushes him away running towards the attacker.

The man behind the camera continues his commentary, dubbing it 'theatrical' and 'like something you see at the theatre'.

With the woman in close pursuit, the man swiftly spins around and appears to punch her in the face and knocking her into a wall. Other bystanders start to scream at the man

As the two women continue to follow the attacker, the man responds by again aiming a further two kicks at the woman wearing the pink pyjamas

The man once again thrusts a kick on the woman as he extends his leg, this time catching her on her arm

The man lunges a kick at the woman in pink pyjamas again and she tumbles onto the floor

The force of the kick sends her spinning around and onto the pavement again. This enrages the elderly man who goes after the attacker himself

The man knocks the woman back into a parked car and her head bounces off the driver-side door where she remains on the floor. The woman appears to be seriously hurt as she yells out before her friend comes to her aid

The man once again thrusts a kick on the woman as he extends his leg, this time catching her on her arm.

The force of the kick sends her spinning around and onto the pavement again. This enrages the elderly man who goes after the attacker himself.

The cameraman chirps in again: 'Aw lads, fight, round four, oh my God.'

The fighting continues on the other side of Arthur's Quay shopping centre as the woman and man lock hands. He knocks her back tumbling into a parked car.

Her head bounces off the driver-side door of the car and she remains on the floor. The woman appears to be seriously hurt as she yells out before her friend comes to her aid.

A Gardai spokesman said today: 'A woman in her 30s and a man in his 20s have been arrested and charged as part of the investigation into a public order/violent disorder incident in the Arthur's Quay/Patrick Street area of Limerick city that occurred on the evening of Tuesday 20th June 2023.

'Gardai are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward.

'Gardai can be contacted at Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

'Investigations are ongoing.'
Soldiers from one of the British Armys most prestigious regiments wore cat onesies as they sparked a mass drunken brawl at a fancy dress event - with one described as looking like Freddie Mercury, a court martial heard.

Lance Corporal Piers Callaway and Lance Corporal James Holden, of the Household Cavalry Regiment, were involved in a full-on fight with numerous other soldiers as violence erupted at the Corporals Club event.

The pair, both wearing child-sized cat onesies, were among servicemen celebrating the end of their deployment in the Falkland Islands when the booze-fuelled night last July turned sour.

The court heard that as blows were traded, LCpl Holden - who sported a large moustache and was described as looking like Freddie Mercury - even punched a service policeman and an onlooker.

What started as a minor incident that night reportedly erupted into a full-on fight when they rushed to the aid of Trooper Kweku Ayensu, a colleague from the Royal Yeomanry.

Lance Corporal Piers Callaway, from one of the British Army's most prestigious regiments, was involved in a 'mass drunken brawl' at the fancy dress event

Lance Corporal James Holden was said to have resembled Freddie Mercury while wearing a child-sized onesie

As they went to join a fracas which Tpr Ayensu was involved in with a soldier from another troop, it erupted into a huge brawl, the court heard.

Prosecutors allege the three cannot claim to have acted in self defence because they initiated the mass brawl with LCpl Holden lashing out by delivering two blows to a service policeman and an onlooker.

While Cpl Holden denies two counts of battery, LCpl Callaway and Tpr Ayensu each deny counts of fighting and obstructing a service policeman.

Prosecutor Major James Eveleigh told Bulford Military Court, Wilts, the three soldiers had been celebrating the end of their three month deployment in the Roulement Infantry Company (RIC), providing security in the Falklands.

This matter revolves around a drunken brawl, he said.

They went out to celebrate their time in the Falklands and it is understood the evening was going reasonably well.

However, a degree of friction arose between RIC and non-RIC personnel and it is understood there was some degree of bad blood.

At 11pm on July 30 last year, people were ushered out into the reception area having left the Corporals Club.

The court was shown CCTV footage of people coming and going from the Corporals Club room into a reception area.

Maj Eveleigh described the crowd quickly splitting into RIC and non-RIC.

Pushes are exchanged and there is a backwards and forwards, he continued.

There is a punch thrown and effectively everything erupts and turns into a brawl.

We can see LCpl Holden has then been thrown out of the initial ruckus and punches were being thrown.

Trooper Kweku Ayensu was among servicemen at the event, which descended into a 'full on fight' after two colleagues rushed to his defence

Maj Eveleigh described LCpl Holden and LCpl Callaway as being dressed in childrens-size cat onesies at the fancy dress event.

He told the court: LCpl Holden had a moustache at the time and was described at one point as looking like Freddie Mercury.

As the fight continued, a service police officer tried to control LCpl Holden, but was obstructed by Tpr Ayensu and LCpl Callaway who pulled him away - unaware of his authority.

In a further altercation, LCpl Holden lashed out at the service police officer and a bystander who was filming proceedings, it was heard.

Maj Eveleigh told the court: Effectively during this confrontation are the battery charges.

People were trying to control LCpl Holden and he was being aggressive and shouting.

He delivers a blow to two people - he was angry and simply lashing out at people who were nearby.

Maj Eveleigh continued: The defendants were not happily waiting around for no apparent reason - they were waiting for things to escalate.

Tpr Ayensu, when things were starting to calm down, kicked everything back into life again.

LCpl Callaway then turned what was a minor incident into a full-on fight and he and LCpl Holden between them turned it into a brawl.

When the service policeman tried to control LCpl Holden, LCpl Callaway tries to pull him away and then Tpr Ayensu does as well.

'A degree of friction' broke out between soldiers from the Roulement Infantry Company and non-RIC personnel, Bulford Military Court was told

Maj Eveleigh told the court the three soldiers cannot claim to have reacted in any kind of self defence.

LCpl Callaway and Tpr Ayensu started the incident and LCpl Holden acted much further then he could say was self defence, he added.

LCpl Holden - who has already admitted to a charge of fighting - denies two counts of battery.

LCpl Callaway and Tpr Ayensu both deny charges of fighting and obstructing a service policeman.

The Household Cavalry is made up of the two most senior regiments of the British Army, The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals.

These regiments are divided between the Household Cavalry Regiment, at Wing Barracks, Wilts, and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, of Hyde Park Barracks in London.

The Household Cavalry is part of the Household Division and is the Kings official bodyguard.

The trial continues.
Netflix viewers were left distraught after watching the harrowing documentary Take Care of Maya about the ordeal of the Kowalski family.

Maya Kowalski, now 17, was placed into state custody for three months after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms of her debilitating complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) at the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida.

Hospital staff wrongly accused Maya's mother Beata of Munchausen by proxy (MSP) - a mental illness and a form of child abuse in which the caretaker of a child, most often a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick.

After being separated from her daughter for more than 87 days and a court order which denied her access to her child, Beata took her own life - a tragedy that continues to haunt the Kowalskis. The family from Florida detailed the harrowing experience in a damning new Netflix documentary that was released June 19, which raises criticism of the hospital for how they handled Maya's case.

The family is now suing the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital seeking $55 million in compensatory and $165 million in punitive damages. A trial date has been set for September.

Viewers were left horrified after watching the 'gut-wrenching' documentary and shared their outrage on social media, with one tweet liked more than 2,000 times saying: 'Just finished watching Take Care of Maya and I'm emotionally exhausted. Had to be one of the most gut-wrenching documentaries I've ever seen.

Maya Kowalski, now 17, was placed into state custody for three months after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms of her debilitating complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS)

Hospital staff wrongly accused Maya's mother Beata (second from right) of Munchausen by proxy (MSP) - a mental illness and a form of child abuse in which the caretaker of a child, most often a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick

'Shame on the hospital, court system and all those that stood by complicit while this injustice was happening.'

Another agreed and added: 'If a 100-minute experience can shatter you so completely, I can't imagine what it must be like to live with the injustice every day.'

People agreed the ordeal the Kowalskis had to go through was 'shocking' and 'heart-breaking'. One user said: 'I have never in my life had to stop a documentary so many times, just to compose myself and wipe the tears away.

'How is this happening in a 'first world country'? Take Care of Maya just destroyed me, I am shook to my core.'

Another viewer tweeted: 'The Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya is heartbreaking, terrifying and enraging. Don't miss it.'

After she started the programme, a woman named Nicole said hearing 'You have the audacity to ask me why I'm afraid of hospitals? You traumatised me' immediately made her cry and another shared her feelings, saying she was bawling.

Beata was also formally evaluated and diagnosed with a depressive mood and adjustment disorder upon being separated from her daughter

The documentary shows how the ordeal started when Maya was nine, and she began suffering from excruciating headaches, asthma attacks and painful lesions that formed on her arms and legs, as well as cramping and curling sensations in her feet

The documentary shows how the ordeal started when Maya was nine, and she began suffering from excruciating headaches, asthma attacks and painful lesions that formed on her arms and legs, as well as cramping and curling sensations in her feet.

What is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)? Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that causes extreme discomfort that does not ease. It usually affects just one arm or leg following an earlier injury, such as a fracture or sprain with no nerve damage, or nerve damage to a limb. The body's reaction is much stronger than usual and often causes pain worse than the original injury. CRPS' exact prevalence is unclear, however, a study claimed up to one in 3,800 people in the UK develop the condition each year. And in the US, between 5.5 and 26.2 people suffer from CRPS per 100,000 every year. What are the symptoms? Pain is the main symptom, which may be burning, stabbing, stinging or throbbing. The affected limb is usually sensitive to touch, with even clothing causing agony. CRPS also causes swelling that can lead to stiffness, limb weakness and jerky movements. Joints may also appear redder or warmer than usual. Many CRPS patients become anxious or depressed. What causes CRPS? CRPS' cause is unclear but is thought to be due to the nerves in the affected area becoming more sensitive, which may change the pain pathways between the limb and the brain. Rarely, stroke or multiple operations to the limb can be to blame. In one out of 10 cases there is no obvious cause. What are patients' treatment options? There is no one treatment. Therapies aim to maintain movement through rehabilitation and pain relief. This may include physio and occupational therapies, coping strategies and medications. Source: Versus Arthritis Advertisement

When doctors at a local hospital were baffled with her medical condition Maya's parents started doing research on their own.

Maya's mom, a registered nurse, discovered that her daughter may have the condition CPRS and after visiting a specialist, this was confirmed.

Dr Anthony Kirkpatrick, an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist in Tampa who specializes in CRPS, gave Maya the anesthetic drug ketamine through infusions.

He then recommended a more aggressive treatment, described as a 'ketamine coma' - where the patient receives five days of treatment to essentially 'reset' the nervous system.

The procedure, still experimental, had not yet been approved by the FDA so Maya and her family traveled to Mexico in 2015 - despite knowing the risks involved.

The teenager said she felt 'amazing' after the procedure and continued to receive ketamine infusions to manage flare ups as the specialist said there was no cure for the disorder.

Less than a year after the experimental treatment, Maya was rushed to the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St Petersburg, Florida with excruciating stomach pain.

Maya's parents told the medical team treating her that she had CRPS and needed high doses of ketamine - which they believed was the only way to help alleviate their daughter's crippling pain.

Hospital staff reportedly alerted protective services who later accused Beata of child abuse due to MSP.

Child Services' Dr Sally Smith, who has since retired, was regarded as some what of a 'doyenne in her field' and was formally asked to investigate Maya's case after Beata was deemed to have 'mental issues.'

At the time, its been claimed that Smith was removing children from their homes at one of the highest rates of Florida's counties, according to the documentary.

Dr Anthony Kirkpatrick, who first diagnosed Maya with CRPS, confirmed her diagnosis to Smith in her initial investigation.

He also formally warned that a child abuse case would cause 'needless and permanent harm to the child and family,' according to The Cut.

However, Smith filed the case without including Kirkpatrick's warnings.

After Maya's symptoms did not improve her Munchausen's by proxy diagnosis was withdrawn. Smith and other doctors began to believe she was entirely fabricating her symptoms.

Beata was also formally evaluated and diagnosed with a depressive mood and adjustment disorder upon being separated from her daughter.

AndersonGlenn LLP has launched a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and a trial date has been set for September with the Kowalski family seeking $55 million in compensatory and $165 million in punitive damages.

After the CPRS was confirmed Dr Anthony Kirkpatrick, an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist in Tampa who specializes in CRPS, gave Maya the anesthetic drug ketamine through infusions

AndersonGlenn LLP has launched a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and a trial date has been set for September with the Kowalski family seeking $55 million in compensatory and $165 million in punitive damages

Child Services' Dr Sally Smith, who has since retired, was regarded as some what of a 'doyenne in her field' and was formally asked to investigate Maya's case after Beata was deemed to have 'mental issues'

Maya's mom, a registered nurse, discovered that her daughter may have the condition CPRS and after visiting a specialist, this was confirmed

Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, who first diagnosed Maya with CRPS, confirmed her diagnosis to Smith in her initial investigation

Since the documentary's release on June 19, the details of other families being wrongly accused at the same hospital have also surfaced including 'American Idol' finalist Syesha Mercado and father-of-two Vadim Kushner.

Kushnir and his wife had their son William, July 2018. His umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, turning him blue and bruises dotted his head and shoulders, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal.

For weeks he would cry at every touch and when he started to have seizures the worried parents took him into Johns Hopkins.

The next day, Smith came to inspect him and without introducing herself or answering their questions took photos of the newborn, including his genitals.

Astonished fans and parents watched the drama unfold on a live social media feed - the reality star making a desperate plea to get her son home after she was wrongly accused of abuse

In 2021, a petition to fire Smith began to circulate - At the time, American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado and her partner Tyron Deener faced an eight month nightmare starting in Feb 2021 - when they brought their then 13-month-old son Amen'Ra to Johns Hopkins

'This is child abuse, and I'm going to prove it,' she said, according to Vadim. Then she left.

According to court records William's seizures were determined to be 'the result of shaken baby or blunt force trauma' according to Smith.

The Kushnirs fought back spending $30,000 on attorneys and experts who argued the baby's condition resulted from a complicated birth not abuse.

The judge agreed and in the final order, even criticized the state's doctors for not knowing their month old son wasn't breathing at birth.

One doctor who provided testimony admitted he 'never reviewed all his medical records,' according to court records.
Police are investigating the sudden death of a 29-year-old holidaymaker after falling unconscious on BA flight to Antigua.

The British man reportedly died after becoming 'unresponsive' on the flight to the Caribbean island with his 65-year-old mother.

The unnamed man was immediately rushed to hospital following his arrival at Antigua and Barbuda's V.C. Bird International Airport.

However, the man, who is believed to be from London, was later pronounced dead at 6.37pm on June 22.

His mother reportedly told police her son had been hospitalised multiple times, including in nearby St Kitts and Nevis, after being diagnosed with multiple serious health conditions.

A 29-year-old man died after fall unconscious on a BA flight to Antigua (File photo: Shirley Heights in Antigua)

Police officers reportedly found no marks of violence on the body of man after visiting the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, and said no foul play is suspected.

Local authorities were notified of the death by a hospital doctor, who contacted the Criminal Investigations Department.

A spokesman from the airport, said that the man's 65-year-old mother told the Police that her son had been diagnosed with hypotension, DM Type 1, and ulcerative colitis.

In an interview, police learned that the woman and her son had been in St. Kitts and Nevis and, while there, the young man had fallen ill and been hospitalised.

He spent five days in the Intensive Care Unit of the Joseph N. France General Hospital, in St Kitts where he was further diagnosed with sepsis and blood poisoning.

He had received IV fluid, antibiotics and insulin as treatment, the mother said, as she noted her son had become dehydrated and was losing weight rapidly.

She said he also had a habit of discharging himself from various hospitals, the most recent being the one in St. Kitts and Nevis.

His mother, 65, told police her 29-year-old son had previously been hospitalised in nearby St Kitts and Nevis (File photo: St John's, the capital city of Antigua and Barbuda)

Coroner Joanne Walsh was informed of the man's death and gave permission for the body to be removed to Barnes Funeral Home for storage, on request of the family.

A police spokesman said: 'We are investigating this incident like we investigate all incidents of this nature.'

'However, foul play is not suspected at this stage and we will be working with the family and will be cooperating with them fully.'

'We offer our condolences to the mother and the rest of the family. Imagine coming to our beautiful island and to end up like this. It is so sad. Our sympathy is with the family.'

A UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are assisting the family of a British man who died in Antigua and Barbuda.'

British Airways was contacted for comment.
A Conservative MP has heaped pressure on Bernard Jenkin after she apologised for attending an event in Parliament while Covid restrictions were still in place.

Virginia Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, said she had made 'a momentary error of judgment' in attending an event on December 8 2020, also allegedly attended by the Liaison Committee chairman.

The Guido Fawkes website last week quoted 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'.

Ms Crosbie confirmed the event took place but said she had not sent out any invitation. But it raises pressure on Sir Bernard to break his ongoing silence over whether he was there.

Sir Bernard, a member of the privileges committee which investigated Mr Johnson over his statements on Partygate, has been criticised for repeatedly dodging questions over claims that he attended.

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.

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, also allegedly attended by the Liaison committee chairman.

Sir Bernard, a member of the privileges committee which investigated Mr Johnson over his statements on Partygate, has been criticised for repeatedly dodging questions over claims that he attended.

In a statement Ms Crosbie said: 'Regarding reports of an event held on 8th December 2020 I would like to set out the facts.

'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.

Last night it was claimed Baroness Jenkin attended a second 'party' which was potentially lockdown-busting.

She held a bash to celebrate the 15th anniversary of co-founding the Women2Win group, according to Guido.

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.

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.

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

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.
Matt Hancock today tore into Britain's 'completely wrong' planning for a potential pandemic prior to the coronavirus crisis.

The former health secretary, giving evidence to the Covid Inquiry, lashed out at the 'doctrine' of Whitehall preparations for a possible virus outbreak prior to 2020.

He claimed officials were focused on planning for the 'consequences of a disaster' - such as buying enough bodybags or working out where to bury the dead - rather than stopping the spread of a dangerous disease.

Mr Hancock described a pre-2020 assumption that it would not be possible to halt the spread of a new pandemic as 'at the centre of the failure of preparation'.

He described problems with issuing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers, a lack of plan to provide mass-testing, a reliance on foreign vaccine manufacturers and the absence of any stockpiles of antivirals targeting a coronavirus.

During his evidence session, the inquiry was also shown an astonishing document that revealed Whitehall planning for various risks ahead of the Covid pandemic.

It showed the risk of a major infectious disease outbreak as marked in red - but accompanying boxes to detail the mitigation plans in place were left blank.

Matt Hancock today tore into Britain's 'completely wrong' planning for a potential pandemic prior to the coronavirus crisis

The ex-health secretary, arriving to give evidence to the Covid Inquiry this morning, lashed out at the 'doctrine' of Whitehall preparations for a virus outbreak prior to 2020

The inquiry was shown an astonishing document that revealed the risk of a major infectious disease outbreak was marked red - but boxes to detail the mitigation plans were left blank

Members of the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice group hold up pictures of their loved ones as Mr Hancock arrives at the inquiry

Mr Hancock's evidence to the inquiry this morning focused on the Government's plans for a potential pandemic prior to the Covid crisis, rather than the actions of ministers during the 2020 coronavirus outbreak itself.

This is set to be covered in further parts of the inquiry later this year.

Mr Hancock, who took over at the Department of Health in July 2018, told the inquiry he asked for more details on emergency preparedness on his first day as health secretary.

'One of the areas that I pushed hard on was the lack of UK domestic vaccine manufacturing given the importance of a vaccine to responding to any pandemic,' he said.

But Mr Hancock revealed planning for a potential pandemic was not one of his three main priorities while health secretary as he focused on rolling out more technology in the NHS, tackling obesity and boosting staff numbers.

He pointed to assurances he had been given that the UK was 'one of the best-placed countries in the world for responding to a pandemic'.

'I was assured the UK was one of the best-placed countries in the world for responding to a pandemic and, indeed, in some areas categorised by the World Health Organisation as the best place in the world,' Mr Hancock said.

'You can understand when you're assured by the leading global authority that the UK is the best prepared in the world, that is quite a significant reassurance - that turned out to be wrong.'

Mr Hancock said he was told there were plans in place for dealing with a potential pandemic in a range of areas.

'For instance, on stockpiles I was told we have a very significant stockpile of PPE and we did - the problem was it was extremely hard to get it out fast enough when the crisis hit,' he added.

'I was told that we were good at developing tests and indeed we were. We developed a test in the first few days after the genetic code of Covid-19 was published.

'The problem was there was no plan in place to scale testing that we could execute.

'On antivirals, we had a stockpile of antivirals of a flu but not for a coronavirus.

'On vaccines, I was concerned that we weren't in a strong-enough position because we were reliant on manufacturing vaccines overseas.

'And I thought that in a pandemic scenario, force majeure would mean it would be hard to get hold of vaccine doses if they were physically manufactured overseas no matter what our contracts said.

'And so I insisted that we pushed on domestic manufacture and sought the funding to deliver on that.'

Mr Hancock lashed out at an 'absolutely central problem' with Whitehall planning prior to 2020.

'The attitude, the doctrine of the UK was to plan for the consequences of a disaster - can we buy enough body bags, where are we going to bury the dead?,' he told the inquiry.

'That was completely wrong. Of course it's important to have that in case you fail to stop a pandemic but central to pandemic planning is how do you stop the disaster from happening in the first place, how do you suppress the virus?'

Previously, the inquiry has heard how 'groupthink' saw Britain spend more time on preparing for a flu pandemic rather than a widespread outbreak of another respiratory disease.

But Mr Hancock insisted this was 'not the main flaw' in UK preparations.

'My central point that to say that the main problem with that plan was that it was a flu plan and there was and we ended up with a coronavirus pandemic is, of course, a flaw, but it is not the central flaw,' he added.

'If we'd had a flu pandemic, we would have had a massive problem because of the doctrinal failure of how to respond to it as well  that was a much bigger error, it was an error across the western world, but it was a much bigger error and it is absolutely central.'

The former health secretary revealed he 'had to overrule the initial advice not to quarantine people being brought back from Wuhan' in China, where Covid-19 was first detected.

'I mean it's madness,' he said. 'And it was written into the international health regulations that you shouldn't close borders.

'This was not a UK problem. It was a WHO problem.

Earlier, Mr Hancock was quizzed about the Department of Health's 'high-level risk register' for the third quarter of 2019 to 2020.

It showed a 'major national infectious disease outbreak and pandemic flu' as marked in red, which Mr Hancock said demonstrated the 'significance of the impact of this, should it strike, could be very serious'.

Lead counsel to the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, asked why parts of the document to detail 'mitigations' for managing the risk were left blank.

Mr Hancock replied: 'No, I don't know why those boxes are empty but I do know there was significant activity underway both in the Department and Public Health England to make sure we were prepared, as prepared as then thought possible.'

The ex-Cabinet minister later said more should have been done to prepare for a lockdown prior to 2020.

He said: 'It is central to what we must learn as a country that we've got to be ready to hit a pandemic hard: that we've got to be able to take action  lockdown action if necessary, that is wider, earlier, more stringent than feels comfortable at the time.

'And the failure to plan for that was a much bigger flaw in the strategy than the fact that it was targeted at the wrong disease.'

He added: 'The doctrinal flaw was the biggest by a long way because if we'd had a flu pandemic, we still would have had the problem of no plan in place for lockdown, no prep for how to do one, no work on what, how best to lock down with the least damage.

'I understand deeply the consequences of lockdown and the negative consequences for many, many people  many of which persist to this day.'

Mr Hancock also described a 'very significant problem' in being able to deal with the Covid outbreak when it came to care homes, as responsibility for them rested with local councils.

He said the responsibility 'formally fell to local authorities and there was work required of local authorities to put in place pandemic preparedness plans'.

'When the pandemic struck and I was told that local authorities were required to have pandemic preparedness plans, I asked to see them and my minister for social care, Helen Whately, found that there were only two which she saw and reported to me them to be wholly inadequate,' he added.

'One of the central challenges in social care is that whilst I have the title Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the primary responsibility, legal responsibility, contractual responsibility for social care, falls to local councils.

'In a national crisis this is a very significant problem because, as I put it in my witness statement, I had the title, I was accountable but I didn't have the levers to act.'

Mr Hancock said the situation was 'terrible' when asked whether the social care sector was prepared for a pandemic.

He concluded his evidence by saying that nothing can bring back those who died but 'we must learn that lesson that we need to take the measures necessary, early, to stop a future pandemic from killing people'.
A 400-year-old Chinese table made during the Ming Dynasty and found in a modest terraced house is tipped to sell for 100,000.

The rare rosewood table, standing 31in (79cm) high and 37in (94cm) wide, was made around 1600.

It is valued at between 50,000 and 80,000 but is likely to spark a bidding war when it goes up for sale at Hansons Auctioneers in October.

Bargain Hunt's Charles Hanson discovered the remarkable piece in a two-up-two-down property in Derby.

He said: 'It's a really important table. Though it was made centuries ago, its simplicity reflects modern design.

Hansons' associate director Helen Smith with the Ming table, which could fetch 100,000

'It is a work of art. It was crafted during the Ming Dynasty period which dates back to 1368-1644. Its simplicity defines modern style.

'Hansons' Asian works of art consultant Adam Schoon has dated the table to around 1600.

'To put that into historical context, that was the end of the Tudor period in England and Wales.'

The Banzhuo side table is made of huanghuali wood, which was used to make fine furniture in China centuries ago.

The unique floating panel construction is supported by three dovetail transverse stretchers underneath.

Mr Hanson, who owns Hansons Auctioneers, added: 'It is an example of the finest Ming furniture, the pinnacle of table design.

'Items like this are mentioned in 16th-century Chinese novels about life in grand houses.

Similar tables to the one for sale take pride of place in London's Victorian and Albert Museum

'Its design has been seen in wall murals relating to the Jinyuan Dynasties of 1115-1368.

'It would have been owned by a high-ranking member of society, perhaps a government official or magistrate.

'Banzhuo literally means 'half table' and is so-called for its size, which is half that of an 'eight immortals table'.

'The banzhuo was mainly used for serving wine and food and is also sometimes referred to as a jiezhuo, meaning extension table.'

Similar tables take pride of place in London's Victorian and Albert Museum and in the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in Beijing, China.

The sellers inherited it from a relative who was an avid collector of Asian artefacts.

Mr Hanson said: 'The sellers were aware of its importance and potential high value.

'They inherited it from a relation who was 'head-over-heels for anything Asian' and had a real understanding of architectural beauty.

Bargain Hunt's Charles Hanson discovered the table, which he has described as 'a work of art'

'Despite its age, it displays minimal lines to suit modern interiors.

'The simplicity of its construction is impressive, too. It has mortise and tenon joints, which have been used by woodworkers round the world for thousands of years.

'The industrial revolution of the early Ming Dynasty led to a golden age in furniture design.'

Emperor Longqing lifted a ban on maritime trade which allowed huanghuali, a tropical hardwood, to be imported from South-east Asia.

Due to the wood coming from slow-growing, small trees, the availability of furniture made from it is extremely rare.

Mr Hanson added: 'The wood itself is a thing of beauty. Its dense, beautifully-figured grain and displays a broad range of colours from pale honey to rich mahogany.

'It polishes to a translucent golden sheen. The finest huanghuali has a translucent shimmering surface with abstract patterns.

'Ming huanghuali furniture was admired for its simplicity and purity by wealthy Europeans who savoured the Ming aesthetic.

'After a long period of China being closed off from the world, it was seen as a symbol of an emancipated China that had once again opened its doors.

'Today, huanghuali furniture is in demand at auction. It appeals to wealthy collectors from the Far East due to its elegance and historical significance.

'They're keen to repatriate works of art to their homeland to celebrate and honour their culture.'
Platis Gialos in Mykonos is said to be well-known for ripping off customers

The customer said they were shocked after being presented with a 360.80 bill

A furious customer has left their Mykonos holiday enraged after they claimed they were 'cheated' and forced to spend 310 on a light lunch.

Presented with a bill of 360.80, the holiday-maker said they were left shocked at the restaurant's prices as they tried to enjoy the sun on their Greek family vacation.

Detailing the incident on Reddit, the tourist shared how they were ripped off in Platis Gialos, Mykonos.

The customer explained that their family had been looking for a good spot to sit and enjoy the sun when a waiter at beach-side restaurant Eclipse told them they could 'use their cabanas or loungers provided we bought two drinks'.

Believing it was a good deal initially, the customer soon realised they were in for a ride when the waiter would not stop pestering them to order.

Presented with a bill of 360.80, the holiday-maker said they were left shocked at the restaurant's prices

One tourist shared how they were ripped off after trying to find a spot in front of the beach at Platis Gialos in Mykonos

The customer said they had asked for the prices and a menu, but that the waiter cleverly avoided their questions, telling them it was 'cheap'.

The two parents ordered a beer and mojito each but, in the process of supposedly being swindled out of their cash, were also 'forced' to order milkshakes for their children.

READ MORE: Tourists send warnings to fellow travellers over notorious Greek restaurant where you could be charged HUNDREDS for 'snacks' Fact-box text Advertisement

'As were sitting there for about an hour, we thought we might as well order some food which he recommended some calamari and on the menu it said 19,' the customer said. They were also told it came with a side salad and bread included.

To the customer's shock, they said they were then handed a bill costing their four drinks at 78 (67) and the calamari at 75 (65). Being pestered for payment, they eventually gave the waiter their card.

But to even further dismay, the customer said they were charged even more.

'When the bill came back I was appalled as the Calamari was 148 (127), the milkshakes which we never wanted but were forced to order for our kids were 38 (33) each and the salad and bread which we were told were free were 28 (24) and 14.50 (12) respectively,' they said.

After telling the staff of his shock and anger at the payment, they said the staff started 'grouping up and getting mad'.

They said the cashier then tore off the top part of the receipt containing the transaction details and the restaurant's name and address.

The customer said a waiter at beach-side restaurant Eclipse told them they could 'use their cabanas or loungers provided we bought two drinks'

'They didnt bother for a signature after the transaction and simply charged my card a whopping 360.80 (310),' they added.

'I felt so cheated and wouldnt ever want anyone to feel this way,' they concluded as other Reddit users sided with the customer.

One said: 'Man I got angry just reading about this. Unfortunately it's pretty common in places like that and you did good to ask for a menu but you should (everyone should) insist more or you know, leave.'

Another wrote: 'Add a comment on google, those seem to hurt them nicely, also on their Facebook page if they have any.'

A third said: 'Sorry you got ripped off and thanks for sharing. Its always those free beach bed if you use the lounge places from what Ive seen.'

Platis Gialos is already well-known for one 'rip-off restaurant' which Britons have been warned to avoid over their exorbitant prices.

DK Oyster bar has caught tourists unaware - with negative reviews and previous complaints

DK Oyster Bar by Platis Gialos beach has become notorious as a tourist trap

DK Oyster in Mykonos already faces a string of complaints from outraged tourists who say they were overcharged for their meals and drinks.

Alex and Lindsay Breen, from Toronto, Canada, were supposed to be having the time of their lives while on honeymoon in Mykonos, Greece, in May last year.

However, the couple, both 31, were soon living a nightmare when DK Oyster charged them almost 350 (406) for a beer, a cocktail and a dozen oysters.

The Breens claimed the restaurant staff failed to give them a drinks menu with prices before shocking them with the astronomical sum.

They also accused the restaurant of taking them to a back room to pay, rather than presenting them with the bill at the table. And when they quizzed staff for a breakdown, they were shown a computer screen which was all in Greek. The owners of DK Oyster has since branded their complaint a lie.

Earlier this year an American couple were slapped with an eye-watering 692 bill for two mojitos, four crab legs and a salad - which the owners of DK Oyster have since defended.

Jessica Yarnall, 31, and Adam Hagaun, 30, from Montana, say they believed the cocktails to be $27 (21) each when they ordered at the oyster bar by Platys Gialos beach.

When they challenged the bill, they claim staff produced a 'shot glass' drink that they said was an example of the $26.80 (21) mojito and informed them that their mojitos were different ones, at $107 (84) per drink.

The menu made it appear like it was $40 for a crab leg but in reality it was $40 (31) for a gram of crab leg with a minimum amount to place an order.
A firefighter has died after he fell through the first floor of a blazing Maryland home and became trapped in the basement.

Crews arrived at the three-story property on leafy Deer Wood Park Drive, Leonardtown, at around 4am Tuesday, officials have said.

By the time emergency services arrived, flames had already engulfed the first and second floors, and were scorching through the roof, according to Southern Maryland News.

One firefighter was on the first floor when the structure began disintegrating, and he fell through to the basement, where he became trapped.

He was taken to hospital but later died.

Crews arrived at the three-story property on leafy Deer Wood Park Drive, Leonardtown, at around 4am

One firefighter died after the home collapsed and he became trapped in the basement. He was taken to hospital but confirmed dead a short time later

Surrounding roads have been closed as the county sheriff warned the incident is still 'active', and crews continue to tackle the fire.

On-scene photographs taken overnight show apocalyptic scenes - with flames rising several feet above the roof of the home, which is surrounded by woodland and trees.

Aerial footage taken later in the morning show a huge plume of smoke rising from the property, which is almost completely burnt out.

Maryland State Police Helicopters landed nearby, and fire teams from Leonardtown, Hollywood, Bay District, NAS Patuxent River, Valley Lee, and Seventh District have attended the ongoing incident.

The rural property which burned in the early hours of Tuesday is around 6.5 miles from Leonardtown, on the southern edge of Maryland

The firefighter who died has not yet been named. He was trapped in the basement of the blazing Maryland building after the first floor collapsed

Aerial footage shows the building was completely burned out, as fire crews continue to tackle the blaze

Surrounding roads have been closed as the county sheriff warned the incident is still 'active', and crews continue to tackle the fire.

Maryland police deputies are at the scene assisting Leonardtown VFD with traffic control.

The rural property is around 6.5 miles from Leonardtown, on the southern edge of Maryland.
A Missouri teenager who was shot in the head and arm after mistakenly knocking on the wrong door has described what happened for the first time.

Ralph Yarl, now 17, was shot in April after he went to the wrong address while going to collect his twin younger brothers from their friend's house in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yarl, who is black, knocked on the door of Andrew Lester, a white man, who shot him twice with a revolver. Lester was released on $200,000 bail and is awaiting trial after being charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Now the teenager has spoken out for the first time since the ordeal - revealing the sinister five words that the gunman said to him before hitting him twice on his porch.

Ralph Yarl, now 17, was shot in April after he went to the wrong address while going to collect his twin younger brothers from their friend's house in Kansas City, Missouri. He is pictured with his mother Cleo Nagbe

Ralph Yarl has spoken out for the first time since the ordeal - revealed the sinister five words that the gunman said to him before hitting him twice on his porch

Recalling the moments before he was shot by the homeowner, Yarl told Good Morning America: 'I go into the driveway, I walk up the steps, I rang the doorbell.

'I didn't even know their family at all...so I think this is their house.

'I actually waited a long time. I hear the door open. I see this old man, and I'm assuming his must be their grandpa, and then he pulls out his gun.

'I'm like woah, so I back up. He points it at me so I brace and I turn my head.

Ralph, center, was said to be trying to pick up his younger siblings from a friend's house but went to the wrong address

'Before that I'm thinking, there's no way he's actually going to shoot, the doors even open, he's going to shoot through his door and glass is going to get everywhere.

'And it happened. I'm on the ground, I fall on the glass, the shattered glass. Before I know it I'm running way shouting help me help me.

'I was bleeding from my head. I was thinking, how is this possible.'

'He only said five words: "Don't come here ever again."'

His mother Cleo Nagbe said 'it was traumatizing' when she first saw her son in the hospital bed after being shot twice.

Now 10 weeks later, the budding musician and school scholar has made a full physical recovery - but he said mentally there is still a strain following the ordeal.

The teen, who took his SATs when he was just in the eighth grade, now struggles with daily tasks which would normally be easy to him.

He said: 'There's a lot of things that are going on inside my head that aren't normal. I've been having headaches, trouble with sleep, and sometimes my mind is just foggy. I cant concentrate on things that would be easy to do.

A police officer is parked outside of the property where Ralph Yarl was shot

More than $1.7million has been raised by a GoFundMe account to help Ralph and his family with medical bills

The house is Kansas City, Missouri, had a 'no solicitors' sign on top of the doorbell which Ralph mistakenly rang

'I'm just a kid. I going to keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy and just living my life the best I can and not let this bother me.

'Justice is the rule, the law, regardless of race, ethnicity and age. He should be convicted for the crimes he made. I'm past having any personal hatred for him.

'He should suffer repercussions because that's what our society is made of, trust in each other and reassurance that we can coexist together in harmony.'

The shooting happened on April 13 when Yarl accidentally went to Northeast 115th Street instead of Northeast 115th Terrace - one block from one another - in the north of Kansas City.

The teenager approached the door but did not 'cross the threshold' into the house, prosecutors said.

MISSOURI 'STAND YOUR GROUND' LAWS Missouri is one of twenty US states which has stand-your-ground laws, which removes the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense. The law permits homeowners to protect themselves, or a third party (with exceptions) with deadly force should a person feel it is necessary. According to Missouri Revised Statutes 563.031 residents must be faced with a threat before shooting trespassers on the property. It states: '[Protective] force is used against a person who unlawfully enters, remains after unlawfully entering, or attempts to unlawfully enter a dwelling, residence, or vehicle lawfully occupied by such person.' 'Stand-your-ground' laws roughly define how an individual can defend themselves when faced with an imminent threat anywhere else; imminent being a keyword here because even threatening words towards a defending person can lead to a justified homicide. Advertisement

Lester was said to have opened the door and fired two .32-caliber rounds from a revolver that struck Yarl on the forehead and the arm. Prosecutors previously said there was no indication any words were exchanged.

Lester told a police officer after the shooting that he saw a black man 'pulling on the exterior storm door handle,' and that he believed the person was attempting to break in.

During an interview with a detective Yarl said that he only rang the doorbell and did not pull on the door.

Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson confirmed there was a racial factor in the attack - after the teenage music scholar was shot twice, in the head and arm, after ringing the wrong doorbell when he went to pick up his younger brothers.

'I can tell you there was a racial component to the case,' said Thompson.

Ralph was known among his peers for his intellect and for being a 'musical genius'.

The teen had received a letter from Yale Undergraduate Admissions Board identifying him as a 'good candidate' for the prestigious university.

Ralph is part of his high school's Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team, plays in the marching, jazz, and competition band, and is one of the top bass clarinet players in Missouri.

He had big dreams of attending college after being recognized as a Missouri scholar academy alumni in 2022.

Ralph's attorneys specialize in civil rights and previously represented the families of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Cameron Lamb.
Bryan Kohberger was arrested back in 2014 after stealing one of his sisters' iPhones while battling a drug addiction, a new report has revealed.

The suspect in the killing of four University of Idaho students was 19 when he was arrested in his native Pennsylvania and charged with misdemeanor theft after his father Michael reported him to authorities.

Official records reviewed by ABC News show Michael told police his son had warned him to 'not do anything stupid' after he learned he had taken the phone. The father also reportedly mentioned Kohberger's addiction to heroin.

Now 28, he is facing the death penalty if convicted of the murders of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20.

Kohberger had recently left rehab when he took his older sister's Melissa's $400 iPhone and allegedly paid a friend $20 to drive him to the mall, where he sold the phone for $200.

Bryan Kohberger was arrested back in 2014 after stealing one of his sisters' iPhones while he battled a drug addiction, per a new report

Kohberger has an older sister, Melissa (right), and a younger one, Amanda

He served no jail time for the theft charge and there is no public record left of it; first-time offenders can have their records expunged if they complete a pre-trial program and complete probation.

Prosecutors are reportedly looking into the 2014 arrest as they prepare for trial, scheduled for October 2.

The murder suspect is expected to make his next appearance at the Latah County Courthouse on Tuesday at 1:30pm PT.

Judge John Judge will hear arguments from both sides on several motions, including one filed by Kohberger's team asking the prosecution to hand over more evidence regarding the DNA allegedly tying him to the crime scene.

The criminal psychology student was arrested on December 30 at his family home in Pennsylvania.

On Monday, 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.'

Kohberger's father Michael, pictured with him during a traffic stop last year, was reportedly the one to alert authorities about the phone theft

Kohberger is facing the death penalty if convicted of the murders of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20

Last week, 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 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.'
A legal expert has slammed a George Soros-backed prosecutor for filing murder charges against a mother and her son after she was accused of 'ordering' the teen to kill a man in a Chicago restaurant.

Chicago lawyer Irv Miller claims that the murder charges should never have been fired because of Illinois self-defense laws, telling CBS that there were 'multiple mistakes' in the handling of the case.

Carlishia Hood, 35, was accused of getting her son, 14, to shoot dead Jeremy Brown, a stranger, on June 18, after the pair became embroiled in an argument.

Brown, 32, was caught on camera beating Hood after shouting at her to 'get her food', with surveillance footage then showing Hood's teenage son shooting him in the back.

Cooks County DA initially charged the mother with murder and contributing to the delinquency of a minor  but has since dropped the charges after the video of Brown repeatedly punching Hood came to light.

Miller cited a local law permitting the use of deadly force against violent criminals putting victims in mortal danger. That force can either be used by the victim themselves - or someone such as a family member trying to save them.

Carlishia Hood, 35, (right) was initially accused of murder along with her son (left) when footage emerged of him running into a Chicago restaurant and shooting a man dead

Miller said: 'I don't know where the mistake is. I think there are multiple mistakes.

'You saw this woman getting hit multiple times. Illinois law allows you to defend yourself if you're being attacked.

'But it also mandates that if you see somebody else being attacked, you have the right to use deadly force in a situation like this to defend that other person and that video is exactly what the statute is referring to.

'I think the State's Attorney owed a little bit more to the family and to the public as to what happened in this case; why it went this far. It should not have gotten this far.'

Hood was released from the Cook County Jail on Monday after being locked up for nearly five days, and her son was also freed from the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

She went to the Maxwell Street Express fast-food takeout restaurant in the West Pullman district just before 11pm, with her son staying in the car.

Footage released by police initially just showed the boy running into the restaurant and opening fire, shooting Brown in the back.

Hood, a tax preparer, was a valid FOID card and concealed carry license holder at the time of the incident.

The new video shows her going into the restaurant and ordering her food, before Brown starts to shout at her  yelling 'get your food!'.

Chicago lawyer Irv Miller claims that the murder charges should never have been fired, telling CBS that there were 'multiple mistakes' in the handling of the case

But prosecutors have since dropped the charges after footage emerged of Jeremy Brown, 32, attacking Hood

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced Monday her decision to drop charges against Hood and her son

While she continued to yell back at him, he shouted: 'Oh my God, if you say one more thing, I'm going to knock you out.'

He then took a big swing and punched her repeatedly, with other customers in the store looking on in horror and running away.

The footage did not emerge until after Hood, who legally owned the gun, handed herself in with her son on June 21.

Hood is seen in her mugshot after her arrest on a murder charge.

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx decided to drop criminal charges against the mother and son based on the new footage.

Court documents state that Brown 'punched (Hood) in the head three times' - but did not bring up self-defence. It is unclear exactly what was in the new footage to make the DA change her stance on the charges.

Foxx said in a statement: 'Based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence, today the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) has moved to dismiss the charges against Carlishia Hood and her 14-year-old son.

'Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law, we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases.'

Hood broke down in tears during a press conference on Tuesday, where she announced that she would be filing a lawsuit against the City of Chicago.

Attorneys for the family filed the four-count complaint where they alleged malicious prosecution, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Chicago police released surveillance footage of the incident in early June, which showed Hood and her son arriving at the store.

In the Chicago police video, Hood could be seen arriving with her teen at the market

Hood, 35, (left) went inside the Maxwell Street Express fast-food takeout restaurant in the West Pullman district on June 18 while her 14-year-old son (right) initially waited outside

Hood's 14-year-old son is seen in the Chicago police video entering the restaurant, hands in pockets, then drawing a gun

Chicago police released surveillance footage of the incident in early June, which showed Hood and her son arriving at the store

Hood can be seen making her order, before the footage cuts to her son in the doorway pulling a gun from his pocket.

The Chicago police video did not show Brown, with the final part of the footage showing the teenager outside with the gun.

She can then be seen returning to her car with her son, with police asking for help to track down the two suspects  who later handed themselves in.

Initial reports by the Chicago Defender reported that Hood had ordered her son to shoot Brown, as well as to aim for his girlfriend, but this has since been disputed.

The decision to drop the charge is the latest in controversial decisions by DA Foxx. Many have accused her of being soft on crime, as Chicago has seen a spike in crime and high-profile incidents.

In 2020, liberal funder George Soros donated $2million to a PAC that backed Foxx in her re-election campaign. She won the race and has since offered deferred prosecutions and softball deals to criminals.

In 2021, there were more murders in Chicago than in any other year since 1994.

Last month, Foxx announced she would not seek re-election in 2024 after serving eight years as the county's top prosecutor.
Experts say the delays and cancelations could extend into the upcoming holiday weekend , when airports will be packed with summer travelers

Tuesday is shaping up to be another frustrating day for travelers as continued storms in New York and other east coast cities mean another wave of delays and cancelations.

On Monday, more than 40 percent of flights out of LaGuardia and Newark airports were canceled, some after being delayed for hours. Nearly 20 percent of United Airlines' flights were canceled, while more than 50 percent of JetBlue's were delayed.

In total there were nearly 9,000 US delays on Monday, a number that may be rivaled by Tuesday's schedule. By early Tuesday morning, there were already 1,200 recorded flight delays across the US and more than 800 cancelations.

More than 300 United Airlines flights have been canceled and that number is climbing. The airline's CEO Scott Kirby blamed the Federal Aviation Administration, telling staff in a letter that the 'FAA frankly failed us this weekend.'

Inclement weather conditions coupled with technical failures left thousands of travelers stranded across the east coast and in the Midwest over the weekend and leading into the week. Storms are expected to continue in the northeast for the next several days

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby addressed his company after weather and technical failures hit the major carrier especially hard over the weekend. United has canceled nearly 1,000 flights between Monday and Tuesday of this week - in addition to hundreds over the weekend

US airports are attempting to return to normal operations after storms and some technological issues severely impacted flight schedules in the Midwest and on the east coast.

Hundreds of flights scheduled to fly into New York area airports on Monday were also canceled as JFK and LaGuardia closed their runways for hours and instructed arriving flights not to depart from their origins.

Despite no apparent rain in the New York area Monday evening, strong storms delivered intermittent rain, thunder and lightning to some parts of the Northeast.

In his letter to staff, United's Kirby estimated that some 150,000 customers alone were impacted over the weekend by delays and cancelations, which he blamed primarily on the FAA.

He said that the delays and cancelations out of east coast hubs were due to 'FAA staffing shortages and their ability to manage traffic.'

The FAA had also previously warned passengers that summer travel in the New York area may be difficult due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Thousands of people stranded at Newark airport, flights getting cancelled left, right and centre. People not being allowed to just get their luggage and leave. The staff keep shouting no retrievals. The line to get your luggage is 5 plus hours long. United airlines seems clueless pic.twitter.com/I2Mc0Gqeyd  COURAGE (@ClaudeRonnie2) June 27, 2023

A weather channel forecast map from Tuesday shows that storms are expected to continue in the northeast through the next few days

Travelers remain stranded at the Newark Airport in New Jersey on Tuesday June 27

One third of flights out of LaGuardia were canceled Tuesday, after facing mass delays and cancelations Monday as well

Newark, a United hub, saw nearly 300 outbound flights canceled on Monday alone

Some travelers were told Monday that they may not be able to get on flights until Thursday

The high concentration of flight issues may bleed over into the forthcoming holiday weekend

A note from United CEO Scott Kirby to staff on Monday about the delays and cancelations that impacted an estimated 150,000 United customers over the weekend. He primarily blamed the FAA

More than 40 percent of inbound and outbound LaGuardia flights were canceled Monday, stranding thousands of travelers

Passengers who remain stranded expressed their frustrations after waiting many hours as flights were delayed multiple times before finally being canceled.

Maryann McGinniss told ABC7: 'They were sending us notices it's delayed, it's delayed, it's delayed...now it's canceled. Next flight out? Thursday.'

Some passengers were taxied around the airport for more than two hours before being instructed to deplane from their canceled flights.

Others were told there was no realistic scenario in which they were getting their luggage back following cancelations, due to the incredibly high number of people lining up to wait for their possessions to be deboarded.

Aviation Analyst Henry Harteveldt said the issues for passengers are likely to stretch into the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend.

'In addition to the bad weather problems, we're in the peak of the vacation season and we're approaching July 4, so all these flights are booked close to or are completely full, so there's very little slack in terms of empty seats to accommodate people,' he told the outlet.
The family of an Oakland baker who was dragged to her death by a getaway car during a purse snatching is calling for no jail time for the suspect because it 'goes against her social justice beliefs.'

Ishmael Burch, 19, was taken into custody earlier this month on charges in connection to the February 6 death of Jen Angel, 48, who was robbed by two thieves while she was sitting in her car in the downtown area of the city.

Burch was allegedly driving the getaway car as a second person smashed Angel's car window and grabbed her purse. She tried to chase down the car, but got caught in the door and was dragged 50ft down the street. She died two days later.

Angel's loved ones said in a statement shortly after her death that she was a 'social justice activist' who 'did not believe in state violence, carceral punishment, or incarceration as an effective or just solution to social violence and inequity.'

Their statement was reiterated in the wake of Burch's arrest as they urged prosecutors not to jail the suspect. He is currently being held without bail at Santa Rita Jail and is set to appear in court on July 14.

Loved ones of Oakland baker Jen Angel who was dragged to her death by the getaway car during a purse snatching is calling for no jail time for the suspect because it 'goes against her social justice beliefs'

Ishmael Burch, 19, was allegedly driving the getaway car as a second person smashed Angel's car window and grabbed her purse. He is at Santa Rita Jail and is set to appear on July 14

The purse snatching happened around 12:30 p.m. on February 6 in the parking lot on Wells Fargo Bank in Oakland. Burch, of San Francisco, was identified as the driver of the getaway car through cell phone data and surveillance footage, according to Mercury News.

He was first taken into custody on June 2 on battery charges and then charged on June 5 by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office in Oakland on suspicion of felony murder with robbery enhancements.

Angel, who opened her famed Oakland cupcake shop 'Angel Cakes' in 2008, was a longtime community activist who did not believe in incarceration.

She founded founded Aid and Abet, a social-justice event-production platform that served dozens of nonprofits and activist groups, and co-founded magazine Clamor.

Angel's close friend Moira Birss told KUTV that her friend strongly disagreed with the current criminal justice system, and would not want her alleged killer to go to prison.

'Hopefullywe're not defined by the worst thing we've ever done, and that the possibility for redemption and for her healing and care for each other and mutual support is really, was really, important to Jen,' Birss said.

Angel's close friend Moira Birss told KUTV that her friend strongly disagreed with the current criminal justice system, and would not want her alleged killer to go to prison

Angel, who opened her famed Oakland cupcake shop 'Angel Cakes' in 2008, was a longtime community activist who did not believe in incarceration

In response to Burch's arrest, her loved ones released a statement reiterating Angel's beliefs as they called for 'all available alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as restorative justice.'

'Because the State has discretion in charging and sentencing, we know that Jen would want the DA to work towards generating true accountability and healing. Jen believed that extreme sentencing is not a pathway to true justice,' the statement read.

In the original statement made just after Angel's death, her family detailed her beliefs in a post on her GoFundMe page.

'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.'

'Her family is 'committed to pursuing all available alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as restorative justice.

'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,' the family added.

Angel in front of her store, also founded founded Aid and Abet, a social-justice event-production platform that served dozens of nonprofits and activist groups

'The community that Jen built and surrounded herself with was vast. The group of us working to carry out her wishes reflect a variety of life experiences. Some of us share Jen's political beliefs and ideals. Some of us are newer to alternatives to the status quo,' the statement reads.

'Others of us may make very different decisions on our own behalf than what Jen believed in. Among all of us, no matter where we stand individually, collectively we are committed to ensuring that harm is not done in Jen's name. We are committed to working together to uphold the values Jen lived for.'

The family's call comes months after it was revealed that Oakland's new District Attorney, Pamela Price, expressed her hope to reduce prison sentences for criminal defendants

'Jen lived her full and vibrant life with the understanding that the potential for a healthy and just society depends on replacing racist and violent institutions like policing, jails, and prisons with models of public safety that actually keep everyone safe,' it continues.

'This case is an opportunity for Alameda County to not only honor the wishes of Jen and her loved ones, but also to model a framework that seeks to address the root causes of harmful behavior and find meaningful ways to ensure true justice in our communities.'

The family's call for no jail time comes just months after Oakland's new District Attorney, Pamela Price, said in a memo that she hoped to bring back balanced sentencing and subsequently reduce reoffending, according to the Berkley Scanner.

The directive also said that probation shall be the 'presumptive offer' during plea negotiations, and that low-end prison terms should be offered in cases that aren't eligible for probation.

The policy allows for exceptions in 'extraordinary' circumstances, including human trafficking, hate crimes, child or elder abuse and crimes that cause 'extensive' physical injury.

But will require prosecutors to obtain supervisory approval before moving forward with enhancements to any new case or plea deal, the memo stated.

It comes as the first major policy shift proposed by Price.
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security repeatedly ignored intelligence warnings of violence on January 6th and failed to adequately share information with Capitol officials, a scathing new Senate report found.

The 106-page report, entitled 'Planned in Plain Sight,' examined the role the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) played in the lead up to the insurrection.

It details how the two agencies failed to recognize and warn of the potential for violence from some of former President Donald Trump's supporters and, as a result, the government did not prepare a security response for that day.

'The intelligence failures in the lead-up to January 6th were not failures to obtain intelligence indicating the potential for violence,' the report finds, noting the two agencies 'obtained multiple tips from numerous sources in the days and weeks leading up to the attack that should have raised alarms.'

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security repeatedly ignored intelligence warnings of violence on January 6th, a new Senate report found

'Rather, those agencies failed to fully and accurately assess the severity of the threat,' it notes. 'At a fundamental level, the agencies failed.'

The report from the Senate Homeland Security Committee details tips the FBI received ahead of the insurrection, including a December 2020 tip that members of the far-right group Proud Boys planned to be in Washington, D.C., and their 'plan is to literally kill people.'

In January, the report found, the FBI became aware of multiple posts calling for armed violence, such as a Parler user who stated, '[b]ring food and guns. If they don't listen to our words, they can feel our lead. Come armed'; plans to 'set up 'armed encampment' on the [National] Mall'; and a tip about 'a TikTok video with someone holding a gun saying 'storm the Capitol on January 6th.

But officials didn't act with a sense of urgency on what they were seeing because they 'were biased toward discounting the possibility of such an unprecedented event.'

Additionally, officials didn't sound the alarm 'in part because they could not conceive that the U.S. Capitol Building would be overrun by rioters.'

Democratic Senator Gary Peters, the chairman of the committee who ordered the report, said the results were shocking.

'What was shocking is that this attack was essentially planned in plain sight in social media,' Peters told NBC News. 'And yet it seemed as if our intelligence agencies completely dropped the ball.'

Democratic Senator Gary Peters, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said: 'What was shocking is that this attack was essentially planned in plain sight in social media ... And yet it seemed as if our intelligence agencies completely dropped the ball'

The report does not absolve Donald Trump, who addressed supporters on the National Mall on the morning of January 6th (above)

The report adds to the information from the now-defunct House Jan. 6 committee, a bipartisan 2021 Senate report, and several separate internal assessments by the Capitol Police and other government agencies about what happened in the lead up to the assault on the Capitol that resulted in five deaths.

While the report's main focus is on the intelligence side, it doesn't absolve Donald Trump from involvement on that day. It cites Trump's tweets denying the election results and his call for a protest on Jan. 6th that would 'be wild' as 'directly contributing to this attack.'

'But the fact remains that the federal agencies tasked with preventing domestic terrorism and disseminating intelligence  namely FBI and I&A  did not sound the alarm, and much of the violence that followed on January 6th may have been prevented had they done so,' the report concludes.

Trump held a rally on the National Ellipse in front of the White House the morning Congress was preparing to certify the electoral college results.

In his remarks, he urged his supporters to 'fight like hell' and called on them to march on Capitol Hill in protest of the election, which he falsely claimed was 'rigged' and stolen from him.

The report found that as crowds gathered on the National Mall on the morning of January 6, 2021, intelligence analysts were more concerned that violence could break out between the crowd of Trump supporters and counter protestors rather than a storming of the Capitol.

'The threats to the Capitol on January 6th were not made solely in private conversations that required secretive law enforcement investigative tactics to detect,' the report states. 'On the contrary, these threats were made openly, often in publicly available social media posts, and FBI and I&A were aware of them.'

Intelligence analysts were more concerned that violence could break out between the crowd of Trump supporters on the National Mall (above) and counterprotestors rather than a storming of the Capitol

In response to the report, the FBI said that it had been working with law enforcement agencies, including the Capitol Police, in the lead-up to and on the day of Jan. 6. It also said that after the attack it increased its focus on 'swift information sharing' with law enforcement partners, and that it also 'made improvements to assist investigators and analysts in all of our field offices throughout the investigative process.'

And a DHS spokesperson said the agency has been conducting a 'comprehensive organizational review' of its intelligence office, which 'will soon be developing recommendations for how [the office] can better meet the homeland security threats of today and tomorrow.'

Overall, the report finds a general lack of coordination, bureaucratic delays or general trepidation about what intelligence officials were seeing online meant that law enforcement were not adequately prepared for the day.

That resulted in the lack of a hard security perimeter around the Capitol that day, as there is during events like the annual State of the Union address and presidential inaugurations.

The report found that the FBI, for example, was hindered in its attempt to find social media posts related to Jan. 6 protests when the contract for its third-party social media monitoring tool expired.

It also found that I&A - the DHS intelligence wing - was reluctant to issue warnings related to Jan. 6, partially because of criticism it received for how it handled intelligence related to the protests in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a police officer that previous summer.

The report has a long list of recommendations to prevent a similar type of situation. It calls on both the FBI and DHS to perform full after-action reviews. And it says Congress' certification of future presidential elections should be declared National Security Special Events, which would provide special security enhancements.
An English professor who worked at Pennsylvania State University is suing the college on claims that they racially discriminated against him and other white staff.

Zack De Piero, 40, served as an assistant professor of English and Composition at Penn State-Abington from 2018 to 2022.

During this time he claims he was forced to grade 'hispanic and black' students differently and was subject to exercises centered on critical race theory where white staff were made to feel 'terrible.'

The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, also claims he was forced to teach that the 'English language is racist and embodies white supremacy.'

Zack De Piero, 40 - an English professor who worked at Pennsylvania State University - is suing the college on claims that they racially discriminated against him and other white staff

De Piero, the son of first generation immigrants from Italy, said his family were 'actively discriminated against - instilling a life long commitment to treating all Americans equal,' the lawsuit reads.

The 40-year-old said that after alerting the university of his perceived discrimination officials allegedly retaliated by filing a bullying and harassment complaint against him and handed down lower scores on his annual performance review.

'When he complained about the continuous stream of racial insult directed at White faculty in the writing department, the director of the Affirmative Action Office told him that 'There is a problem with the White Race,'' the lawsuit alleged.

It added that he 'should attend 'antiracist' workshops 'until [he] gets it,' and that he might have mental health issues.'

According to the court filing some of the workshops included a presentation captioned 'White Teachers are a problem.'

De Piero told Fox News that because he was white he was 'inherently flawed on the basis of history.'

'As a White individual, I'm somehow responsible for all the injustices and suffering currently in the world and in the history of the world,' he said.

'I think there is almost a religious, cult-like environment where you had this Original Sin. In this case, I'm White. I need to repent for that sin.

'I need to keep going to these [trainings], keep doing the work I think they were waging a psychological war campaign and they're trying to break people and they almost broke me, but they didn't.'

He was enraged by his treatment after dedicating his career to working with underprivileged and marginalized communities at work and in his personal life.

'How dare you demean anybody based on their natural characteristics that they have no control over,' De Piero told the outlet.

During this time he claims he was forced to grade 'hispanic and black' students differently and was subject to exercises centered on critical race theory where white staff were made to feel 'terrible' - Liliana Naydan (L) and Alina Wong (R) were named as defendants in the suit

The lawsuit against Penn State was filed earlier this month in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Liliana Naydan, who De Piero said he had to report to 'expressed her view that racism practiced against White faculty and students is legitimate,' according to the lawsuit.

Its been claimed that Nayden tried to introduce equity into the grading process to ensure there weren't disparities by 'penaliz[ing] students academically on the basis of race.'

'Defendants' bigotry manifests itself in low expectations - they do not expect black or hispanic students to achieve the same mastery of academic subject matters as other students and therefore insist that deficient performance must be excused,' the lawsuit said.

'Second, Defendants' bigotry manifests itself in overt discrimination against students and faculty who do apply consistent standards, especially White faculty.'

In one exercise, a former equity officer named in the suit, Alina Wong, allegedly engaged staff in a breathing exercise suggesting white staff hold their breath longer than people of color to 'feel the pain that George Floyd endured,' the lawsuit claimed.

'De Piero and other faculty were thus singled out, caused to experience discomfort, and feel 'the pain' on the basis of their skin color,' the lawsuit said.

Wong no longer works at Penn State and is currently the vice president for institutional equity at Macalester College, according to her LinkedIn.

It was also claimed that Naydan 'instructed her writing faculty to teach that White supremacy exists in language itself.'

'Therefore, that the English language itself is 'racist' and, furthermore, that White supremacy exists in the teaching of writing of English, and therefore writing teachers are themselves racist white supremacists,' the suit said.

It was also claimed that Naydan 'endorsed a view that racism against white people isn't racism.'

The lawsuit continued: 'Penn State actively treated De Piero as the problem, suggesting mental health treatment and disciplining him for bullying when he dared to complain.

'As a result, De Piero's only option to escape the hostile environment was to leave Penn State. This constructive termination occurred on August 2, 2022.'

When contacting Naydan for comment, Penn State Assistant Vice President for Media and Executive Communications for the University told DailyMail.com: 'Penn State does not generally comment on pending litigation.'

Speaking to centredaily.com Powers added a lengthier response and said: '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.'

DailyMail.com has also contacted Wong for comment but did not immediately hear back.

De Piero now works as an assistant professor of English at Northampton Community College

In June 2022, De Piero received his annual performance evaluation and disagreed with the lower scores.

He told the outlet that 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, I'm 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.'

He now works as an assistant professor of English at Northampton Community College.
Donald Trump's lead isn't slowing in national polling as 57 percent of Republican primary voters say they would cast their ballot for the former president over any other candidate in the crowded field.

The second place finisher in the latest Morning Consult poll released on Tuesday is still Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  but he remains a massive 38 points behind Trump with just 19 percent support.

Both DeSantis and Trump are visiting the early primary contest state of New Hampshire on Tuesday for campaign events. DeSantis is going to Hollis to interact with voters, while Trump is headlining the opening of his campaign headquarters in the Granite State.

There are 12 other candidates in the GOP primary contests besides Trump and DeSantis.

A new Morning Consult poll shows Donald Trump with a widening lead with 57% support among Republican primary voters

No one other than the two frontrunners earned double-digit support from Republican primary voters.

But if the presidential general election was held tomorrow, DeSantis has the best chance of beating President Joe Biden.

A DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners poll of 1,000 likely general election voters found that in a Biden-DeSantis matchup, the Democratic candidate would take 44 percent of the vote to 43 percent.

But Democratic voters appeared more motivated in an election against Trump, giving Biden a lead of 46 to the former president's 44 percent.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is one of the more recent entries into the race, is in third place with 7 percent support in the Morning Consult poll, and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is in fourth with 6 percent.

The two candidates from South Carolina  Sen. Tim Scott and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley  are tied for fifth with 3 percent each.

Once-Gov. for New Jersey Chris Christie has 2 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson just 1 percent.

No other candidates among the longshots broke the 1 percent.

The Morning Consult poll was conducted June 23-25 among 3,650 voters registered to cast a ballot in the Republican primary contest in 2024.

The poll has Trump 38 points ahead of second place Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the two head to New Hampshire for dueling campaign events Tuesday

Most other polls have yielded similar results with Trump as the far frontrunner, DeSantis in second place a few dozen points behind the former president and the rest of the field falling much further behind.

It appeared that DeSantis was gaining ground in New Hampshire, but a new survey showed the gap widening between the governor and Trump as the campaign continues.

Additionally, some polls have shown Trump receiving a post-indictment bump.

Most times, DeSantis is at least 20 points behind Trump, showing the governor has a lot of ground to make-up if he wants to give the ex-president a run for his money in the 2024 primary.
His lawyer is now arguing for a conditional plea that would allow Meek to withdraw a guilty or no contest plea after appeal

Investigators believe the Emmy-winner possessed and distributed child pornography, knowingly sexted underage girls and engaged in perverted online conversations about abusing children

A former ABC investigative journalist charged with child pornography offenses is seeking a plea deal that would allow him to later appeal, court documents indicate.

James Gordon Meek's attorney has filed a motion to delay his trial, set to begin on July 5, The Daily Beast reported.

The filing argues a delay would allow Meek's team and prosecutors to 'engage in discussions regarding the possible resolution of the case.'

The disgraced producer, 53, was indicted on three child pornography counts in April, including the possession and distribution of images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

After an FBI raid on the Emmy Award-winning producer's Virginia home in April 2022, evidence was discovered allegedly showing Meek sent explicit images of himself to minors, impersonated an underage girl in order to engage with minors online, and partook in conversations where participants expressed desire to abuse children, the DOJ said.

Disgraced former ABC investigative journalist James Gordon has been indicted on three child phonography counts

Meek pictured in a photo from his Twitter account - which is no longer active

If convicted, Meek faces between five and 20 years in prison.

Meek's lawyer, Eugene Gorokhov, is now seeking a conditional plea that would allow his client to withdraw a guilty or no contest plea if an appeals court later rules in his favor.

The defense attorney alleged in pre-trial motions that the FBI raid on Meek's Arlington property illegally obtained evidence.

Although these arguments were dismissed by the judge, any later appeal may re-center such claims.

Meek is currently in federal custody awaiting trial after a federal judge revoked his bail, considering that he posed a risk to the community.

Meek's predatory behavior was first exposed when Dropbox alerted authorities to child porn stored in his account in March 2021, the New York Post reported.

In the April 27 2022 raid agents seized a laptop, external hard drive, and multiple iPhones that reportedly contained child porn.

Shortly after, he abruptly resigned from the network and disappeared from public view.

Meek, 53, was spotted by DailyMail.com last October after keeping a low profile following the raid of his apartment in Arlington, Virginia

Meek built his reputation at the New York Daily News, where his five-year investigation forced military brass to admit that Army Private First Class David Sharrett II was shot by his own commanding officer

Meek was a 2022 Foley Freedom Awardee

Meek's apartment building, where he lived until April in Arlington, Virginia

Following the raid, the department obtained a search warrant for Meek's iCloud account on November 14.

They allegedly contained backups of two of his devices and included a screenshot of one of the explicit discussions.

They also uncovered an Apple laptop that contained 'approximately 90 images and videos of child pornography.'

Snapchat and Instagram accounts were also uncovered that contained conversations and images of unidentified females alleged to be minors.

Meek was then arrested the following January and formally arraigned in April.

Federal investigators unsealed a series of letters in April in which federal investigators and attorneys describe how Meek and others had 'pressured' a 16-year-old girl to sext them, despite the minor sharing her age with Meek, the Daily Beast reported.

Before his downfall Meek had built up a reputation for trailblazing journalism, which had exposed shocking military cover-ups, friendly fire deaths, and foiled terror plots.

In 2017 he won an Emmy Award for his work on the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Downing Street today dismissed a demand from Spain to take effective control of Gibraltar's airport.

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman warned that the UK would not allow anything that 'compromised sovereignty' amid wrangling over post-Brexit arrangements.

Talks have been going on over the status of the overseas territory - which has a land border with Spain - since Britain left the EU.

In theory it is outside the bloc's customs union and not under free movement rules, but Madrid has granted a temporary exemption for workers and tourists to avoid disruption.

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman warned that the UK would not allow anything that 'compromised sovereignty' in Gibraltar amid wrangling over post-Brexit arrangements

There now appears to be a standoff over a Spanish proposal that would mean it having jurisdiction over Gibraltar's airport - which is on an RAF base

Earlier this year there were hopes that a deal was close to establish a common travel area with EU's Schengen zone, removing the need for most border controls.

But there now appears to be a standoff over a Spanish proposal that would mean it having jurisdiction over Gibraltar's airport - which is on an RAF base.

'The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate,' Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, told The Times.

There are also tensions over the role of Spanish police.

'We have reached a formula which would mean Frontex (the EU border agency) would manage the border on behalf of the EU, overseen by Spanish officials,' Mr Steel said.

'What does 'overseen' look like? We must ensure that it doesn't stretch into sovereignty that it does not exceed what we can accept in terms of jurisdiction and control.'

The situation has been added an extra edge because a snap election is due to be held in Spain - which has always claimed Gibraltar - on July 23.

The PM's spokesman made clear that ceding control of the airport would undermine Gibraltar sovereignty.

'We remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar and we are not going to do anything to compromise sovereignty.'
A sexual predator who took advantage and sexually assaulted a woman with a sleep disorder after meeting her at a nightclub has been jailed for four years.

Kemalettin Kurt, 28, met the victim and her friends at a club in London's west end in October 2019. The group then made their way to an after party, but the woman was unable to stay awake due to her sleep disorder.

She was carried to a bedroom by a couple of friends. Kurt then entered the room as she slept and sexually abused her before returning to the party.

The victim later realised she had been attacked in her sleep, alerted her friends and the Met Police's Sapphire team launched an investigation.

Kurt, of Woodstock Crescent, Enfield, was later identified after his DNA was found on the woman's underwear and arrested in November that year.

He was convicted of sexual assault and assault by penetration, following a four-day trial at Southwark Crown Court. Kurt today was jailed for four years with two years' on extended licence. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Kemalettin Kurt, 28, (pictured) met the victim and her friends at a nightclub in London's went in October 2019. He then sexually abused her at an after party while she slept

The victim was introduced to Kurt while out with friends at a nightclub just off Tottenham Court Road on Saturday, October 29, 2019.

The victim was initially 'hesitant' to report the assault, but told Southwark Crown Court she was 'had friends who encouraged me'.

'I'm glad that I did because it ended up being rewarding. I got the justice I needed,' she said, praising the 'supportive' Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques (SOIT) officer who 'genuinely believed in me'.

'She also fought as hard as she could for me and that helped me a lot. I think that's integral for cases like these,' the victim said, adding: 'The success rate is so low that I always needed that boost to think that I still had a chance at receiving justice.

'I really want others who have been in a similar situation to have the courage to report the incident.'

The victim said she 'cannot stress the significance of reporting an incident sooner'.

She explained: 'It means you can collect the evidence whilst it's still fresh in your mind and collect any DNA before it goes away.

'The jury have a lot of pressure to determine someone's life so making sure the DNA is available to find is key.

Kurt was convicted of sexual assault and assault by penetration, following a four-day trial at Southwark Crown Court (pictured). Today he was jailed for four years with two years' on extended licence. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life

'I also encourage people to go straight to the station as doing it online results in the police showing up at your door and depending on the situation you are in, it may not be the best option.'

Furthermore, the woman reiterated that people need to 'believe that justice is available for survivors'. She explained that it 'may not come in the way that you would expect' but argued it 'can be obtainable'.

Detective Sergeant Henh Song, from North East Command, added: 'This man took complete advantage of a vulnerable woman. I would like to commend the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation and her willingness to give such strong evidence in court.

'I know this sentencing will not take away her trauma but I hope it offers her some justice. This case really highlights the fact that if you are a victim of sexual assault, you will be listened to, believed and we will seek justice.'
A haunting last photo has emerged of a Belgian backpacker who disappeared more than two weeks ago.

Tasmanian police say they hold 'grave concerns' for Celine Cremer, whose car was found abandoned on Tuesday at the entrance to the Philosopher Falls Track, a remote walking trail in the top north west corner of the island state.

A photo, posted to Facebook on February 22, shows a playful and smiling Ms Cremer standing at wilderness lookout using her hands to make 'devil's horns' on her head.

The photo is captioned 'Un petit diable en Tasmanie' (A little devil in Tasmania).

Ms Cremer was reported missing on Monday but her family and friends said the last contact they had from her was on June 12.

The last known photo of missing Belgian backpacker Celine Cremer was posted on Facebook in February with the caption 'A little devil in Tasmania'

The family have made a desperate plea for help finding Ms Cremer, who had previously said she planned to be on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry to Victoria on June 21.

'If you have any information on my sister, please contact me directly or my mum Ariane,' Celine's sister Amelie wrote on Facebook.

'Please share this post widely and help us find her.' 

Celine's mother has confirmed the registration for the abandoned white Honda CRV, which was found roughly 500 metres up an unpaved road, was the backpacker's vehicle.

Police have urged anyone who has been in the Philosopher Falls car park since June 12 to call them.

Ms Cremer's (pictured) friends and family have put out desperate pleas for anyone with information who might help find the missing backpacker to contact Tasmanian police, who hold 'grave concerns' for her welfare

Search and rescue crews have been using drones to scour the area.

The falls are about 10km from the town of Waratah and the walking track only takes about 45 minutes.

Night-time temperatures in the area have been dropping to near freezing.

Police believe when Ms Cremer left Hobart earlier in June she planned to travel to Tasmania's west coast.
A search is underway for more debris but officials fear it's unlikely that remains of the five men who perished will be found

US officials ultimately decided against deploying the remote operated vehicle, that is similar to the Odysseus 6000 which discovered Titan debris

A friend of billionaire Hamish Harding has paid tribute to the explorer and described the efforts to mobilize help for the search and rescue mission - before it emerged he died in a 'catastrophic implosion' on the Titan submersible.

Tracy Ryan said she joined the attempt to have a Magellan sub brought to the search site before the devastating news that Titan had suffered a 'catastrophic' implosion.

Magellan is a Guernsey-based company which owns remotely operated vehicles that can reach depths of around 20,000ft. They are similar to the Odysseus 6000 which found Titan debris close to the Titanic.

The company offered one of its ROVs to aid the search but it was not used after US authorities, including the Coast Guard, did not request its help because of 'how far out that vessel would be from the area needed'.

Ryan said she had joined efforts to lobby officials to bring a Magellan into the search after receiving an email. She contacted Congressman Eric Swalwell, who spent 'two days' trying to get Magellan signed off.

Tracy Ryan, right, with Hamish Harding and his family, has paid tribute to the explorer and described efforts to mobilize additions submersibles to help the search for Titan

British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding was one of five men who perished on Titan

She was encouraged by the 'banging sounds' that the Coast Guard said it heard during the search. It has since emerged the US Navy believes it detected the implosion of Titan just hours after it went missing and the banging, which was picked up by a Canadian search aircraft, was not related to submersible.

An investigation is expected to be held to determine whether the sounds the Navy believes it heard on the Sunday Titan went missing was the implosion.

'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 told People.

She said she met the Harding family in 2019 on a visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Station and 'really bonded' with Linda Harding.

'She has such a beautiful soul,' said Ryan. 'When I heard it was Hamish my heart dropped to my stomach.'

'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,' she added.

The search operation is still underway but officials have said it's unlikely that any remains will be found.

Harding, 58, died alongside French explorer PH Nargeolet, 77, Shahzada Dawood, 48, a UK-based board member of the Prince's Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61.

Pelagic Research Services, which operates Odysseus, said it was working closely with authorities in the ongoing search for Titan wreckage. Odysseus has carried out at least four searches of the seabed for more debris and evidence.

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 U.S. Navy has ruled out using its most advanced deep sea recovery tool to pick up the pieces.

Machinery needed for the rescue effort (pictured) had allegedly been held up on the island of Guernsey, where Magellan is based

Magellan is a Guernsey-based company which owns remotely operated vehicles (pictured) that can reach depths of around 20,000ft. They are similar to the Odysseus 6000 which found Titan debris close to the Titanic

Stockton Rush perished on board the Titan last Sunday along with his four passengers, including PH Nargeolet, right, 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

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.

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.

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.'
FTX's former chief regulatory officer, Daniel Friedberg, is seen above

A former senior attorney for collapsed crypto exchange FTX has been accused of helping disgraced founder Sam Bankman-Fried of misappropriating billions in client funds.

FTX CEO John J. Ray III, who was brought on to oversee the company's bankruptcy, made the allegations in a report released on Monday, detailing staggering lapses in the handling of client funds.

The report accused the former senior attorney and Bankman-Fried of lying to banks about the true purpose of a 'shell company' used to accept client deposits, and drafting 'sham' documents to deceive independent auditors.

Though the attorney is not named in the report, the Wall Street Journal identified him as FTX's former chief regulatory officer, Daniel Friedberg, citing people familiar with the matter.

Friedberg, who could not be immediately reached for comment, has not been criminally charged in the implosion of FTX, and has reportedly been cooperating with prosecutors.

A former senior attorney for collapsed crypto exchange FTX has been accused of helping disgraced founder Sam Bankman-Fried (above) of misappropriating billions in client funds

Federal prosecutors have alleged that Bankman-Fried stole billions of dollars in customer funds to plug losses at Alameda, buy luxury properties in the Bahamas, and splash out huge political donations.

FTX, which filed for bankruptcy in November after Bankman-Fried resigned as CEO, has estimated that approximately $8.7 billion in customer assets were misappropriated from the exchange.

Ray's latest report said his team of liquidators have recovered approximately $7 billion in assets that can be easily sold, adding that they anticipate additional recoveries.

The report details extensive allegations regarding the conduct of 'a senior FTX Group attorney' identified only as 'Attorney-1', claiming the lawyer 'actively facilitated and covered up the FTX Group's commingling of customer and corporate funds.'

The report describes how FTX had difficulty establishing relationships with banks to set up an account to accept customer deposits, and initially used accounts associated with Bankman-Fried's hedge fund, Alameda Research, for that purpose.

When some US banks grew suspicious and began rejecting wire transfers to and from the Alameda accounts, FTX 'lied' to an unidentified US bank in order to open new accounts in the name of North Dimension, according to Ray.

The attorney and other FTX execs falsely claimed that North Dimension was a crypto trading firm, when in fact, it was a shell company intended only to facilitate client deposits and withdrawals, according to the report.

'Attorney-1 and Bankman-Fried played leading roles in carrying out this deception,' states Ray's report.

FTX CEO John J. Ray III, who was brought on to oversee the company's bankruptcy, detailed staggering lapses in the handling of client funds in a report on Monday

Ray's report shows the tangled flow of client deposits into FTX entities and related accounts

After the attorney directed staff to copy information from Alameda's bank applications, 'Bankman-Fried signed and certified that this response to the bank's questionnaire was correct and complete to the best of his knowledge and belief,' the report adds.

However, Ray's report notes: 'Unlike Alameda, which was a crypto trading and market-making firm with employees, operations and trading activity, North Dimension had no business operations or employees.'

Elsewhere, the report says the attorney 'created and directed the creation of sham agreements that purported to legitimize certain improper transfers'.

For example, the attorney in early 2021 drafted a purported intercompany agreement that was backdated by nearly two years 'for the sole purpose of providing it to an external auditor' who had been brought on as FTX considered a public stock offering, the report says.

Friedberg has not been charged and has not been told he is under criminal investigation, a source told Reuters in January.

Instead, he expects to be called as a government witness in Bankman-Fried's October trial, the person said.

An attorney who previously represented Freidberg told DailyMail.com on Tuesday morning that he was no longer a client.

Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of fraud and conspiracy. He has previously said that when FTX did not have a bank account, some customers wired money to Alameda and were credited on FTX.

Ray's report also revealed that certain banks working raised questions about Alameda Research's wire activity as early as 2020

Former Alameda chief executive, Caroline Ellison, has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors

Former FTX technology chief Gary Wang (left), and former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh (right) have also pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors

In 2020, certain banks working with Alameda pressed the firm on its wire transfers, according to the report.

One bank representative wrote to Alameda about references to FTX in the company's wire activity and asked whether the account was being used to settle trades on FTX.

An Alameda employee responded that while customers 'occasionally confuse FTX and Alameda,' all wires through the account were to settle trades with Alameda, according to the report.

The Alameda employee's response was false, FTX said on Monday.

In 2020 alone, one of Alameda's accounts received more than $250 billion in deposits from FTX customers and more than $4 billion from other Alameda accounts that were funded in part by customer deposits, the report said.

Former Alameda chief executive, Caroline Ellison, has pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

Former FTX technology chief Gary Wang, and former FTX engineering chief Nishad Singh have also pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors

Bankman-Fried, a 31-year-old former billionaire, rode a boom in digital assets to accumulate an estimated net worth of $26 billion, and became an influential political and philanthropic donor before FTX declared bankruptcy.

He is currently free on bond, and his trial has been set for October.
The Georgia parents who allegedly hid their adopted 10-year-old son and tried to starve him to death so no one would know he existed have been denied bail ahead of their trial.

Tyler and Krista Schindley, from Griffin, Spalding, were charged in May with attempted manslaughter and child abuse, and they appeared in the county's Superior Court on Monday morning ahead of a criminal trial.

The well-to-do Christian couple were arrested after their emaciated son escaped from home and was found wandering barefoot through their upscale Griffin neighborhood, telling locals he had been locked in a closet.

On Monday, Judge Benjamin D Coker agreed with prosecutors that the pair should not be granted bail because they 'pose a significant threat or danger' to others, and due to the 'serious nature' of their alleged offences, which span from 2020 to 2023.

A court document signed by Coker adds that the couple are considered at 'significant risk of committing a new felony pending trial'.

Georgia parents Tyler and Krista Schindley, from Griffin, Spalding, were charged with attempted manslaughter and child abuse in May, and they appeared in the county's Superior Court on Monday morning where they were denied bail

The Schindleys lived in a $450,000 suburban home boasting five bedrooms and a pool, located in an affluent part of Griffin, Georgia, and ran a spa business

Judge Benjamin D Coker agreed with prosecutors that the Schindleys should not be released on bail because they 'pose a significant threat or danger' to the wider community

During the hearing, prosecutors argued that the Schindleys had planned to allow their foster son to die of starvation while hidden away so that no one would know he existed, according to Atlanta-based affiliate WSB-TV.

Tyler, 46, and Krista, 47, 'gain quite a bit of financial benefit from fostering five children' which has given them 'access to uncounted funds that would give them the ability to flee the jurisdiction', they added.

The couple have been prolific foster parents over the past decade, with a brood of eight, including five adopted children - twin boys and twin girls, and the 10-year-old they are formally charged with neglecting.

They also have three biological sons - two are related to Tyler and one is related to Krista, each with previous partners.

Tyler's eldest son, now an adult, told DailyMail.Com that the couple were 'physically and mentally abusive' to several of the children, and he ran away from home at the age of 17.

The Schindley survivor, who did not want to be named, said his dad and stepmom would lock him in his room without food for several days at time, and force him to pick up rocks for hour or run bootcamp-style laps of their swish neighborhood.

Before the alleged neglect was unearthed, church-goers Tyler and Krista maintained a clean-cut facade and were highly praised by friends and neighbors for their apparent altruism.

Tyler and Krista (pictured) are accused of causing 'cruel and excessive physical and mental pain' and leaving their son alone for 'extended periods of time and, on multiple occasions, with no access to lights, food, clothing or adult interaction and/or assistance'

The back of the $447,000 Griffin, Georgia home where the Schindleys lived

However, he said the punishments were not dished out universally - the couple targeted only Tyler's sons - including one who is autistic, and the adopted 10-year-old, who they fostered when he was six.

The sibling said his ordeal began in 2012 when Tyler split from the boy's biological mom and married Krista less than a year later, relocating the family from Sandusky, Ohio, to a smart four-bed home in Jackson, Georgia.

They ran a spa business and lived in a $450,000 suburban home boasting five bedrooms and a pool, while being regulars at Eagles Landing Baptist Church.

However, their alleged dark secrets were unearthed when their 10-year-old adopted son roamed into the street barefoot weighing only 36 pounds, saying he was walking to the Kroger grocery store to find food.

A Good Samaritan ushered the youngster into her garage and dialed 911 even as Krista raced out of her home and drove around the neighborhood anxiously looking for him.

Court documents revealed the boy was also suffering from untreated dental injuries and facial 'disfiguration'.

The couple have been charged with criminal attempts to commit a felony, cruelty to children, false imprisonment and simple battery. Pictured: The couple in court on May 23

Police in Griffin arrested Tyler and Krista Schindley after neighbors found their emaciated son roaming through the streets on May 12

Tyler and Krista are accused of causing 'cruel and excessive physical and mental pain' and leaving him alone for 'extended periods of time, and on multiple occasions, with no access to lights, food, clothing or adult interaction and/or assistance.'

The 10-year-old boy's half-brother, Ethan Washburn, 20, who lives in Tennessee, has also since been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly choking the child with his bare hands.

According to public records, Tyler and Krista Schindley have only ever been written up for minor traffic offenses, including speeding, an improper turn and an expired registration.

Krista is thought to have been a franchise owner of the Peachtree City True Rest Float Spa and both she and husband Tyler managed the spa together.

Tyler's Facebook page also listed him as a manager at an Under Armour store in McDonough.

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The Honduran armed forces have taken control of the nation's troubled prison system a week after a gang riot left 46 women dead.

The military police conducted sweeps at jails it took over in the cities of Tamara and La Tolva on Monday and removed hundreds of prisoners from their cells, leading them to the courtyards.

Footage released by the government showed male detainees sitting on the ground half naked with their hands over the heads and necks at the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary.

Inmates at the Women's Center for Social Adaptation, a women's-only prison, the lone one in the Central American nation, were also forced out of their cells and sat in the yards with their hands across their necks, but the female military cops permitted them to keep their shirts on.

The images were reminiscent of El Salvador's crackdown on gang violence when prisoners were lined in formation during the opening of a new jail in February.

Inmates at a prison in Tamara, Honduras, were rounded up and forced to sit half naked in the courtyard after the military police took control of the country jail system Monday. The move was ordered by President Xiomara Castro almost a week after 46 detainees were massacred at in the nation's only penitentiary for women, which is also located in Tamara

Honduran soldiers guard an entrance to the Women's Center for Social Adaptation in the northwestern town of Tamara last Tuesday after 46 inmates were murdered during a riot led by members of the Barrio 18 gang

As part of the Honduran government's Operation Faith and Hope, military police searched the cellblocks controlled by the Barrio 18 gang at the Tamara prison and recovered a cache of ammunition, guns, assault rifles and grenades.

'The corruption in the prisons is over,' military police colonel Fernando Munoz said in a press conference. 'We are going to control it and there will be no calls coming out of here to order extortions or executions.'

'Our mission is to defeat organized crime inside the prisons and we are (also) going after the intellectual authors operating from outside,' said Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelaya in a tweet.

The full takeover comes after female inmates, who are members of the Barrio 18 gang, had firearms, machetes and a flammable liquid smuggled into the women's prison in Tamara last Tuesday.

Inmates at Honduras' only prison for women are lined up moments before a full search of the facility took place in the town of Tamara on Monday.

Members of the military police remove inmates from the yard at a prison in Tamara, Honduras after the military took over the control of the jails across the country

As part of Operation Faith and Hope, the military police seized a cache of firearms, ammunition, drugs, mobile phones and other items during a search at the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, on Monday

A grenade was found by the military police during a full search of the cellblocks at a men's prison in Tamara, Honduras, on Monday

The suspects were able to disarm the guards and broke into one of the cellblocks where members of their main rival, the MS-13, where housed and launched an attack.

The gang shot and hacked their victims before locking their cells and setting them on fire.

In response to the massacre, leftist President Xiomara Castro imposed strict measures to regain control of all prisons by putting the military police in charge and gave them a year to hire and train new guards.

The country's penitentiary system is comprised of 26 prisons that hold about 20,000 detainees. According to the United Nations, the jails are 34.2 percent over capacity.

Military police agents guard inmates at a Honduran prison, one of 26 in the country that are now under the supervision of the armed forces

An inmate is escorted through Hondura's only penitentiary for women in the municipality of Tamara

Several hundred male inmates were lined up half naked in the courtyard at the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, on Monday

Hundreds of guns and rifles are displayed on the grounds of the Francisco Morazan National Penitentiary in Tamara, Honduras, after the military took control of security

At least 2,000 members were forced to sit half naked at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in February

The Tamara prison is designed to hold 2,500 inmates, but 4,200 are crammed inside the 12 cellblocks largely controlled by the Barrio 18 gang.

The tragedy could have been avoided, after inmates complained about the jail's lack of security, according to Insight Crime.

In April, the Washington-based think tank visited the prison and was given access to 30 detainees.

'We are afraid, we don't sleep. This prison is like a time bomb,' one of them said.

Another prisoner who once was a member of the MS-13 was injured during a melee between the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gang members that was witnessed by the Insight Crime team of investigators.

'[The authorities] don't care about this prison,' she said. 'Here we have elderly people, people in wheelchairs and pregnant women. If something happens, how are they going to run?'
Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis have been following each other around early primary states and on Tuesday are holding dueling campaign events in the first presidential primary election state of New Hampshire.

The frontrunner candidates faced some criticism over the coinciding timing of their events.

Meanwhile, polling in New Hampshire shows that Trump is maintaining a wide lead over DeSantis despite signs of the Florida governor earning some early ground there.

DeSantis is holding an event with voters in Hollis, New Hampshire Tuesday morning, while former President Trump is scheduled to speak at a lunch in Concord around the same time.

Trump is also headlining on Tuesday an event in Manchester officially opening his campaign headquarters in the Granite State.

Presidential election frontrunners  former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  are holding dueling campaign events in New Hampshire on Tuesday

Other candidates are in New Hampshire this week, including longshot candidate Vivek Ramaswamy who is visiting a senior center in Londonderry Tuesday evening.

The New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, which is hosting Trump, issued a statement last week expressing disappointment with DeSantis' campaign for scheduling a town hall around the same time as its own event.

DeSantis' and Trump's events Tuesday morning are just 40 miles apart in the small Northeastern state.

The hosting organization said Desantis was 'attempting to steal focus' from their so-called Lilac Luncheon fundraiser. They claimed that other candidates scheduled around the event and asked DeSantis to do the same.

The campaign apparently refused to bow to requests to keep focus on Trump and the governor is still scheduled to speak at 10:00 a.m. in Hollis.

'We are confident that the governor's message will resonate with voters in New Hampshire as he continues to visit the Granite State and detail his solutions to Joe Biden's failures,' the DeSantis campaign press press secretary Bryan Griffin said in a statement.

Selling himself as the more conservative candidate against Trump, DeSantis is attempting to take the lead over the former president in key early contest states that could determine the primary results.

The Florida governor has asserted he would appoint more conservative Supreme Court justices than the three Trump appointed to the court during his tenure, criticized Trump for implying the six-week abortion ban in Florida is 'too harsh' and accused the former president of generally 'moving left.'

While conservative bona fides are important in heavy GOP states like Iowa, the leadoff caucus state, they're politically trickier in New Hampshire, a political battleground state in the more liberal Northeast area.

Finishing first in New Hampshire's 2016 Republican primary after losing Iowa to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump earned momentum that propelled him to dominance in the party  even if he lost the general elections there in both 2016 and 2020.

DeSantis visited the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas on Monday where he unveiled a plan to address the migration crisis that closely mirrored what Trump has put forward in the past, like building the border wall and ending birthright citizenship.

But the governor claims while Trump has good promises, he failed to deliver on them during his four years in office.

He claims that he will actually deliver on his agenda  noting the massive strides he has made in Florida over the last six years.

While in the lead in New Hampshire, Trump is also maintaining a massive head start in national surveys with a new Morning Consult poll showing 57 percent of Republican primary voters supporting the former president over any of the other 13 candidates in the crowded field.

The second place finisher is still DeSantis  but he remains a whopping 38 points behind Trump with just 19 percent support.

No other candidate earned double digit support from Republican primary voters.

A new national Morning Consult poll released Tuesday shows Donald Trump with a widening lead with 57% support among Republican primary voters

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is one of the more recent entries into the race, is in third place with 7 percent support and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is in fourth with 6 percent.

The two candidates from South Carolina  Sen. Tim Scott and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley  are tied for fifth with 3 percent each.

Once-Gov. for New Jersey Chris Christie has 2 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson just 1 percent.

No other candidates among the longshots broke the 1 percent.

The Morning Consult poll was conducted June 23-25 among 3,650 voters registered to cast a ballot in the Republican primary contest in 2024.

Most other polls have yielded similar results with Trump as the far frontrunner, DeSantis in second place a few dozen points behind the former president and the rest of the field falling much further behind.
The regional government can fine authorities 430,000 for not allowing the law

2020 Catalan equality law allows women to go topless in public swimming pools

'Free Nipples' activists in Spain are celebrating after public swimming pools were ordered to allow women to go topless.

An equality law passed in 2020 has meant women are allowed to go topless in public swimming pools in Catalonia.

The regional government led by the pro-independence Catalan Republican Left (ERC) is allowed to fine authorities who do not follow the ruling by up to 500,000 euros (430,000).

But some local authorities have still banned topless swimming for women, leading to complaints from members of the feminist group Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples).

Now, the Catalan government's department of equality and feminism has written a letter to the town and city halls, intended to be a 'reminder' of the compulsory law, according to a spokesperson.

'Free Nipples' activists in Spain are celebrating after public swimming pools were ordered to allow women to go topless (file image)

The letter said preventing women from going topless 'excludes part of the population and violates the free choice of each person with regard to their body'.

It confirmed local authorities must 'defend against discrimination for any motive including sex or gender, religious convictions or dress'.

Mariona Trabal, a spokesperson for Free Nipples, said: 'This is a gender equality issue: Men could [go topless] and women couldn't.'

She added of the letter: 'We don't know why they have taken so long but we are very happy.'

The Catalan government also allows breastfeeding and the use of full body bathing suits, including the Muslim burkini.

Last year Catalan authorities launched an advertising campaign to support a woman's right to go topless after some complained they had been stopped from doing so.

'The sexualisation of women starts when they are young, and it accompanies us all our lives. That we must cover up our breasts in some spaces is proof,' a video released as part of the campaign said.

The advert included a topless picture of a man, saying: 'This nipple is free' (left) and one of a woman, covering her nipple, captioned: 'This one is not' (right)

The video also took aim at double standards between genders, pointing to the fact that it is more acceptable for men to go topless than women.

Authorities at Catalonia's equality department decided to launch the campaign after two women complained about being told to cover up the breasts at public pools.

Neus Pociello, executive director for the Catalan Women's Institute, told The Telegraph that the campaign was an attempt to fight back against discrimination.

'We wanted to try to combat the discrimination that women suffer sometimes when they go topless in some situations like swimming pools. Women should have the right to freedom of expression with their bodies,' Pociello told the newspaper.

'This discrimination stems from the sexualisation of women's bodies and it starts from a young age when girls are dressed in bikinis, even when they are pre-pubescent. We hope this campaign reverses this.'
Alone in her living room, 15-year-old Paris Mayo silently gives birth to her newborn son, Stanley, as her parents and brother slept upstairs.

Weighing just 7lb 12oz, the tiny infant was schoolgirl Mayo's first child but his life was to be cut short in the most horrific and savage way by his mother.

Terrified of what her family would think about her child, the teenager stamped on Stanley's head, fracturing his skull, and rammed five cotton balls down his throat, blocking his airways, before dumping his body in a bin bag and going to bed.

Stanley had been just two hours old when his life was snuffed out so brutally by his mother - who has since been jailed for a minimum of 12 years for his murder.

The lifeless infant was discovered the next morning, on March 24, 2019, by his horrified grandmother Coralie Brown in a bin outside the family home in Springfield Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.

'You could have told me darling. Poor baby. Why didn't you tell me?', Mayo's distraught mother was heard saying to her daughter during a harrowing call with a 999 on the morning Stanley was found.

In reality, the teenage killer had hidden her pregnancy from everyone because she feared how her family would react, with her defence lawyer, Bernard Richmond KC, later telling a court she was a 'pathetic and vulnerable individual' who had not been supported by people around her.

Paris Mayo murdered her newborn son Stanley after secretly giving birth to him when she was 15 at her family's home in Ross-on-Wye, Worcestershire

Mayo, now 19, has since been jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years for her crime

The 'immature' teenager had started having sex when she 13 to make boys like her, as she was 'insecure' about how she looked. She was 14 when she fell pregnant with Stanley.

During her murder trial Mayo, now 19, claimed she had not known she was pregnant until minutes before her child was born. Denying murder, she claimed he hit his head when he 'fell out' as she gave birth standing up.

She told jurors when she finally realised she was pregnant, she refused to call for help, despite going through the anguish of childbirth, because she was scared her parents would become angry.

Calling the case 'sad and terrible'. Judge Mr Justice Garnham said the 'overwhelming likelihood' was that Mayo had felt her child moving inside her despite having 'steadfastly maintained' she was not pregnant.

The judge accepted this was not a 'campaign of deceit' by the teen. 'You simply didn't want to acknowledge the truth. You refused to face what was becoming obvious,' he told her.

Mr Richmond, for Mayo, told the court she had refused to face up to the pregnancy until she was in labour.

'Then the full impact of what was happening hit her like a tsunami. She was in pain, she was frightened,' he told jurors, who later convicted her of murder after just eight hours and 38 minutes of deliberation.

He said the thought that her parents were available to help was 'misplaced', the barrister claimed. He told the court that before her father Patrick Mayo had fallen ill, he had been difficult and 'emotionally cruel' and would make his daughter 'feel worthless'. Mr Mayo needed home dialysis at the time of Stanley's killing.

A court heard how as a young 'insecure' girl, Mayo had started having sex with boys at 13 to try and get them to like her. Mayo is pictured outside court on May 12, 2023

Mayo's mother Coralie Brown (pictured) found baby Stanley's lifeless body in a bin outside her home on March 24, 2019

Mayo inflicted complex skull fractures on baby Stanley at her parents' home (pictured) in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Mayo's mother had moved back in with him to look after him and had been under immense pressure. Speaking of Mayo, he said: 'She did not feel able to call her parents.'

'In the midst of this, there was a 15-year-old girl who was vulnerable, who was abused, who was not supported,' he added.

Mayo had started having sex with boys when she was just 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.'

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 Mayo's mother had not been able to face seeing her daughter in the dock. Her father Patrick 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: '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.

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.

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

Mr 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.

'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.'

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.

Mayo (pictured) apparently stamped on her newborn son's head shortly after giving birth to him, a murder trial heard

Stanley's remains were discovered the following morning by Ms Mayo's mother Coralie Brown (pictured)

'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.

'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.'
A bride who missed her flight after leaving her wedding dress at airport security has said she was forced to watch as staff took her bags off the plane before it left without her.

Katie Latham, 36, left a suitcase containing her wedding dress at Manchester Airport's security while on her way to Paphos, Cyprus.

The mistake ruined her hen do and almost cost the bride her perfect day after she ended up missing the Ryanair flight to her wedding destination.

The bride and her fiance David Moore, 40, were instead forced to watch for 40 minutes as airport staff emptied the plane while their children cried hysterically.

The newlyweds from Moreton, Merseyside, have now slammed airline staff over their handling of the situation.

Katie Latham, 36, (right) and her her future husband David Moore, 40, (left) missed their flight to Paphos, Cyprus after leaving a suitcase at Manchester Airport's security

The panic started after a voice over the tanoy announced that a pink suitcase had been left at security.

The bride quickly realised the case was hers and that she had forgotten to pick up her wedding dress while rushing through the airport.

Husband-to-be Mr Moore then rushed back to collect the case as the bride begged Ryanair staff to hold back the flight.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, the bride explained: 'I said to her "we're getting married, I've got to be in Cyprus three days before we get married, we can't afford to miss this flight".'

'Please can you just hold the gate he'll be back in a few minutes,' Ms Latham begged after explaining the fiasco had the potential to ruin her wedding.

Airport staff, however, refused the bride's pleas, as she was instead told that if her fiance's 'not back in the next three minutes he won't be getting on the plane.'

'It's my fault because obviously I didn't pick up my bag as I went through security. It's just the way they treated us,' she said.

'They didn't show any sort of compassion to us at all to be honest.'

In the meantime, the family were forced to watch as staff emptied the plane so they could reclaim their luggage.

'They made us wait and watch the plane - it was literally there in front of us - for 40 minutes while they took everyone's luggage off and to reclaim our bags' she said.

'My kids were screaming, crying looking at the plane through the terminal window,' the bride said.

The couple (pictured) were forced to watch for 40 minutes as airline staff took their luggage off the plane before it took off without them

The couple were then unable to catch another flight to Paphos until three days later, meaning Ms Latham missed her hen do.

The couple were, however, able to get married on 31 May, in what Ms Latham described as a 'perfect wedding day'.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'These passengers regrettably missed their flight from Manchester to Paphos (26 May) as they did not present for boarding on-time.

'It is standard procedure that we close our boarding gates on time so that we can ensure an on-time departure and it is each passengers responsibility to ensure they present at the gate before it closes.'

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: 'Passenger safety is our number one concern and where unattended bags are concerned, we have strict procedures that need to be followed, regardless of the departure time of a passengers flight.

'Having investigated, in this instance we are satisfied that all these procedures were followed and that every effort was made to try to help the passengers make their flight. Unfortunately, that was not possible on this occasion.

'Our records show that queuing times at security on the morning in question were below 15 minutes.

'If the passengers have any specific concerns about their experience at the airport, they should contact our customer service team.
Spain has demanded jurisdiction over Gibraltar airport as part of a post-Brexit border settlement, angering locals who say they are facing a 'catastrophe'.

Talks have been ongoing over the status of the overseas territory - which has a land border with Spain - since Britain left the EU, but have stalled over the airport issue.

British diplomats have accused the Spanish government of making unacceptable demands that would threaten the sovereignty of British Overseas Territory, with Downing Street today dismissing Spain's demand.

'The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate,' Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, told The Times.

Steel also said there were tensions over the role of the Spanish police.

Spain has demanded jurisdiction over Gibraltar airport (pictured, file photo) as part of a post-Brexit border settlement, angering locals who say they face a 'catastrophe'

'We have reached a formula which would mean Frontex (the EU border agency) would manage the border on behalf of the EU, overseen by Spanish officials,' Mr Steel said, asking: 'What does 'overseen' look like?

READ MORE: No10 says UK will NOT bow to Spanish demand for control of Gibraltar airport in post-Brexit wrangling Advertisement

'We must ensure that it doesn't stretch into sovereignty that it does not exceed what we can accept in terms of jurisdiction and control.'

On the other side, Spain has accused Britain of 'quibbling' over small details, saying the UK's approach has been 'penny-wise and pound-foolish'.

As the dispute drags on, there are fears the talks between Madrid and London could break down entirely after the Spanish general election next month.

Polls in Spain suggest that it is likely the country will see a return of a more conservative government that is against making a compromise with Britain.

In theory, Gibraltar - home to more than 32,000 people - is currently outside the EU's customs union and not under free movement rules.

However, Madrid has granted a temporary exemption for workers and tourists to avoid disruption on the narrow peninsula that jets off Spain's southern coast - leaving the overseas territory in a state of limbo since Brexit.

The temporary agreement could be rescinded by Spain at any time, and so the negotiations are working towards agreeing common travel between Gibraltar and the EU's Schengen zone, which would remove most border controls.

The airport sits on an RAF base, and also on the border between Gibraltar and Spain. Those passing across the Spanish border must travel down Winston Churchill Avenue - a road that cuts through the airport's single runway.

Hopes were growing earlier this year that a deal was close to being made.

However, in addition to the disputes over the police and the airport, negotiations have also been complicated by the snap general elections in Spain set for July 23.

Currently, Spain's conservative People's Party leads over the left-wing ruling coalition, although that lead has narrowed.

A survey carried out between June 16 and 23 by El Mundo newspaper showed the PP would get 140 seats in the 350-member lower house, down from 141 a week earlier.

Talks have been ongoing over the status of the overseas territory - which has a land border with Spain (pictured) - since Britain left the EU, but have stalled over the airport issue

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) would get 102 seats and Sumar, the far-left grouping replacing Podemos, would get 35 seats up from 30 a week earlier, pollster Sigma-Dos said.

The poll, commissioned by El Mundo newspaper, showed far-right party Vox, the PP's likeliest post-election ally, would get 35 seats, down from 36 a week earlier, Sigma-Dos said. A likely coalition between Vox and PP would be one seat short of the 176 outright majority. Prior polls gave the two parties an outright majority.

Spain's return to a right wing government could kill off any hopes of an agreement being reached, especially one that includes Vox.

The party has previously called on the land border between Spain and Gibraltar to be closed in order to 'suffocate' the territory and for Madrid to regain control over it.

A Spanish official has said the deal would be 'as good as dead' should Vox enter a power sharing agreement with PP.

Speaking to The Times, Steel lamented that Britain and Spain currently have - for the first time since 1713 - the best chance of ending the 'anxiety' between the two countries over the often contentious issue of Gibraltar.

With 90 percent of the agreement settled, he expressed his hope that officials could get the final 10 percent over the line, according to The Times.

Freedom of movement is essential to the people living on the peninsula.

The territory is dependent on the 15,000 Spanish workers who cross the border every day, providing vital services such as healthcare.

A view from the top of the rock of Gibraltar, with the airport and Spanish border below (left)

Speaking to The Times, John Isola - head of the Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce, said it would be a 'catastrophe' for Gibraltar if no deal is struck.

On Tuesday, the British government dismissed Spain's demand to take effective control of the airport.

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman warned the UK would not allow anything that 'compromised sovereignty' amid wrangling over post-Brexit arrangements.

'We remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar and we are not going to do anything to compromise sovereignty,' they said.
The eight remaining staffers who formerly worked on Fox's Tucker Carlson Tonight have been told that their positions are being eliminated after the network officially announced its new primetime lineup on Monday.

At least one Carlson employee did not take that news lying down. Gregg Re - the show's former head writer - unleashed a series of 'scorched earth' tweets Monday evening that targeted Fox's Executive Vice President of Primetime Programming Meade Cooper.

According to a source familiar with the situation, the staffers, who have been working on Fox News Tonight - the placeholder show that's been airing as the network decided what would replace Carlson's show - were individually told that their jobs will no longer exist come mid-July.

The eight were offered 'enhanced severance' if they decide to stay on through July 14, which is the last day of Fox's current primetime lineup before the new schedule takes effect.

The staffers were also offered the opportunity to apply for other roles at the network.

The remainder of Tucker Carlson's staffers were told their positions were being eliminated Monday after the network announced its new primetime lineup

44-year-old Jesse Watters was announced as the new face of Fox News' coveted 8pm slot, a spot he had been the frontrunner to assume for weeks

Earlier in June, two former Carlson staffers, Alexander McCaskill and Thomas Fox - both senior leadership for the show - departed the network. Both men were mentioned by name in the discrimination suit filed against the network by former producer Abby Grossberg.

Former head writer Re specifically aimed his harsh commentary at Fox's Executive Vice President of Primetime Programming Meade Cooper.

'Meade Cooper did not simply fire all of Tuckers old team. Its important to capture the callousness. First, she let the employees hear about the news of their shows cancellation from a Fox press release. Then, Meade told the employees to hunt around the Fox website to see if they could maybe find another gig,' he wrote.

He continued: 'Tune into Fox News tonight for its last two weeks on air. Enjoy watching the work product of nine producers, whom Meade Cooper is forcing to work before she fires them. (Under threat of losing their severance). Im sure itll be great content.'

Supporting Re's comments, Chadwick Moore, an author who wrote a book about Carlson due out later this summer, wrote: 'Meade Cooper, the exec who fired all of Tucker's former team yesterday, is a "terrible leader" with no regard for the people who perform day in and day out, Fox staffers tell me.

'She "lacks creativity" and "pretended to have oversight of Fox Primetime programming for years, they said. Cooper benefited from the ascension of women at the network after Roger Ailes departed,' he wrote.

'She has now executed the highest performing producers in cable news history. While riding a womens advocacy wave, many of those she fired yesterday were women, sources tell me.'

Re excoriated Fox News executive Meade Cooper after she fired the remaining eight staffers who used to work on Carlson's show on Monday. McCaskill, who used to work on Carlson's show, departed the network earlier this month after he ran a chyron that called Joe Biden a 'dictator'

Meade Cooper, the Fox executive who allegedly made the decision to fire the rest of Carlson's staff

Rupert Murdoch's Manhattan-based news outfit announced Jesse Watters would be replacing Carlson in a statement early Monday morning

Carlson remains locked in a legal battle with Fox about the exit from his contract and the launch of his new Twitter show

Carlson's shocking ouster came in late April after the company settled a massive $787.5million lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. Even then, the move puzzled many who thought Fox would never have backed down from a fight when it came to their lucrative golden boy - who technically is still under contract.

Earlier this month, the network touted this arrangement after top brass threatened to sue Carlson for violating his contract by way of the launch of a low-budget Twitter show that was watched by more than 80million people.

In a report from Axios, lawyers for the media giant are said to have sent official correspondence to Carlson's legal team claiming the newscaster was 'in breach' of his contract when he aired his new Twitter show.

Carlson's lawyers reportedly argued any legal action by Fox would be a direct violation of their client's First Amendment rights, as the pundit is said to be looking for a way out of a $20million-a-year contract with the company.

Carlson left his Fox News show on April 23, with no official reason given for why the company let their most-watched anchor go. The aforementioned contract has prevented him from taking work at competing networks.

In the statement to Axios, Carlson's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, accused Fox executives of engaging in hypocrisy by silencing Carlson, pointing to how the company claims to 'defend its very existence on freedom of speech grounds.'

On Monday, Fox announced that Jesse Watters will take over the 8pm prime time slot after Carlson was yanked from the air by the network this spring.

Announced as part of a shuffle that will also see Laura Ingraham shift earlier in the evening and late-night host Greg Gutfeld move up to 10pm, Watters will now man the hallowed 8pm slot - left vacant by Carlson back in April.

The brand-new lineup will also see Ingraham, previously the host of the 10pm hour, kick off the primetime programming block at 7pm. Seasoned commentator Sean Hannity, meanwhile, will keep his old 9pm time, top brass confirmed in a statement.

It comes almost two months to the day that Carlson was abruptly axed from his longtime post at Fox, days after it paid $787.5million to settle a defamation suit linked to remarks made on air by the commentator.

In the time since, rumors swirled as to a possible replacement - with a frontrunner eventually surfacing in 44-year-old 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.

Suzanne Scott, the network's CEO, announced Watters would be replacing Carlson in a statement early Monday morning.

'Fox News Channel has been America's destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,' Scott, the network's top exec since 2018, wrote in the bombshell notice.

She added: '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's announcement came as many had pegged Watters to be the clear-cut choice to replace Carlson, given the ratings he commands and the screen presence he exhibits on-set.

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.

In addition to his prime time duties, Waters also hosts Fox's panel-style program The Five - where he appears alongside fellow network personalities Gutfeld, Dana Perino and Judge Jeanine Pirro. It is assumed he will continue in that role while serving as the new 8pm hour host.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Republican efforts to radically reshape how elections are conducted across the country by giving state legislatures almost unchecked powers to redraw congressional maps and set electoral rules.

The justices voted 6-3 to uphold a decision made by North Carolina's top court, saying it had not overstepped its authority in striking down a new map of congressional districts as overly partisan.

Republican lawmakers essentially asked the nation's highest court to allow state legislatures ultimate authority, unchecked by state courts, in federal elections.

In his majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: 'State courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the Elections Clause.'

'But federal courts must not abandon their own duty to exercise judicial review.'

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Republican efforts to radically reshape how elections are conducted across the country by giving state legislatures almost unchecked powers to redraw congressional maps and set electoral rules. It came from a North Carolina case in which Republicans were accused of gerrymandering

The justices voted 6-3 to uphold a decision made by North Carolina's top court, saying it had not overstepped its authority in striking down a map of congressional districts as partisan

A different ruling could have had a major impact on the 2024 elections.

And it comes at a time when the role of partisan lawmakers in state elections is under intense scrutiny because of the way former President Donald Trump and his allies attempted to overturn the results of the 2020 and influence the 2022 midterms.

The White House welcomed the decision.

'We're pleased that the Supreme Court rejected the extreme legal theory presented in this case, which would have interfered with state governments, which would have opened the door for politicians to undermine the will of the people and would have threatened the freedom of all Americans to have their voices heard at the ballot box,' said Olivia Dalton, principal deputy press secretary.

The case before the Supreme Court relied on the 'independent legislature theory. It is based on a hardline reading of the Constitution's Clause, which states: 'The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof.'

Adherents argue that means that courts, governors or independent commissions cannot interfere in a legislature's authority over elections, even if lawmakers gerrymander election maps or violate protections enshrined in state constitutions.

Four of the Supreme Court's justices have issued opinions suggesting some support for the controversial theory.

In North Carolina, the state supreme court struck down Republicans' proposed map in February last year.

Former President Barack Obama welcomed Tuesday's ruling by the Supreme Court

Of 14 Congressional districts, the GOP would have been in control of all but three.

The Tar Heel state's highest court voted 4-3 along party lines that the map was 'unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt' in its partisan advantage.

'Achieving partisan advantage incommensurate with a political partys level of statewide voter support is neither a compelling nor a legitimate governmental interest,' the court ruled.

Instead, the midterm elections were conducted with a court-drawn map, designed to split support evenly.

Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives Tim Moore talks to reporters outside the U.S. Supreme Court after he attended oral arguments in the case December 7, 2022

Republican leaders in the legislature made their case to justices in December, arguing that the state supreme court had overstepped its authority.

At the time, Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, told the Associated Press that 'this case could profoundly alter the balance of power in states and prevent state courts and agencies from providing protections for peoples right to vote.'

'There's a wide range of ways the court could rule on this. Taken to its extreme, it would be a radical reworking of our system of running elections,' he said.

Former President Barack Obama also welcomed the decision.

'This ruling rejects the far-right theory that threatened to undermine our democracy, and makes clear that courts can continue defending voters' rights  in North Carolina and in every state,' he tweeted.
Ron DeSantis wants to break the system in Washington, D.C., claiming that Donald Trump's 2016 tagline of 'draining the swamp' isn't enough anymore.

The Florida governor spent much of his remarks in New Hampshire on Tuesday railing against the federal government establishment and urged Americans to move to the nation's capital for a few years to replace the bureaucracy.

He also lamented that much of the wealthiest counties in the United States are located in the suburbs of D.C.  and claimed those connected in this area have 'a different standard of justice applied.'

'D.C. has benefited by all this borrowing and spending  seven of the 10 wealthiest counties in our country are suburbs of Washington DC. How does that happen?' DeSantis questioned.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told a New Hampshire campaign event crowd that he wants to 'break the swamp', claiming Donald Trump's 2016 tagline of 'draining the swamp' wasn't enough because it could be 'refilled by the next guy'

'You can understand if it was Silicon Valley area or Texas energy area,' the presidential hopeful continued. 'D.C. you know  they're not producing very much of anything except loads of debt and a lot of hot air and yet they have all this money pouring into those communities.

'It's because the people that are politically connected tend to benefit from the way the economy operates. And if you're not part of that class, then you end up paying the bill.'

Trump has long called for corruption and bureaucracy to be taken out of D.C. During his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, crowds at his rallies would often chant 'Drain the Swamp.'

But DeSantis says it doesn't go far enough and that Trump was unsuccessful in his mission because someone can always come in and 'refill' the swamp.

When asked why he's the right candidate to become president in 2024, DeSantis vowed: 'One thing you'll get from me  if I tell you I'm going to do something, I'm not just saying that for an election.

'There are promises I could make that may help me marginally politically that I don't know that I could necessarily follow through on, so I will not make that [promise],' he added.

The presidential hopeful and Florida governor claims that Trump has not delivered on much of his 2016 premises after getting four years in office and says he doesn't think that another four years will give the ex-president time to get things done.

'I think the idea of draining the swamp in some respects,' DeSantis said during a conversation with voters in New Hampshire on Tuesday. 'I think it misses it a little bit, because we didn't drain it, it's worse today than it's ever been by far. And that's a sad testament to the state of affairs of our country.

'Even if you're successful at draining it, the next guy can just refill it,' he said, referencing the failures of President Joe Biden's administration.

'So I want to break the swamp. That's really what we need to do.'

A new Morning Consult poll Tuesday shows Donald Trump with a widening lead nationally with 57% support among Republican primary voters  compared to 19% for DeSantis

Later, DeSantis called for new blood in the political system.

'Part of what you have to do to really break the swamp, is you got  your president cannot do it all by his lonesome  and you have to have the humility to understand that,' he said. 'And the idea that you're not just going to come in, snap your fingers and everyone's going to bow down to you  these people are not giving up their power willingly. Are you kidding me?

'So you got to have thousands of people come into Washington with you, willing to serve in the administration  some in the White House, mostly in the cabinet and the agencies,' DeSantis continued.

'You can't just recycle everyone from D.C.,' he told the New Hampshire crowd. 'You got to bring people from other parts of the country. You may go for two years, four years, six years, eight years  bring your family, go and serve.'

Five of the 10 counties with the highest median household income in the United States are in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. This includes Arlington, Loudon, Fairfax and Falls Church in Virginia, as well as Howard in Maryland.

All five counties have median incomes upwards of $125,000 and capping out at $156,000.

But the income inequality isn't DeSantis' only concern  it's the unbalanced way he claims justice is applied to the elites who not only have money, but are connected to government leaders.

'I can tell you this right now: in this country, If you are connected to the entrenched DC class, you have a different standard of justice applied on you than if you're somebody that is not part of that faction of our society,' DeSantis said when asked about the 'slap on the wrist' Hunter Biden received in relation to his tax and gun charges.

He added: 'Hunter Biden, if he were Republican, would have been in jail a long time ago and we all know that.'

DeSantis demanded that a 'single-standard of justice' be reimplemented in the federal government  especially within the Department of Justice.

President Biden's son Hunter agreed earlier this month to plead guilty to two tax-related misdemeanors and reached a deal to avoid jail time for lying on a federal form to purchase a firearm by saying he was not addicted to drugs at the time.
A heroic miniature pig defended its farmyard family from a black bear on Vancouver Island earlier this month.

Barbie Q was caught on the farm's security camera squaring up to the intruder before aggressively charging and sending the bear packing.

In the June 18 footage the miniature pig is seen waiting patiently in its pen as a large black bear slowly inches closer.

Brave Barbie Q, then charges at the beast with her snout causing the bear to flee without harming the other animals.

The farm's owner, Crystal Walls, was away at the time with her four dogs, who usually defend the farm.

The heroic pig defended its farmyard family from a black bear on Vancouver Island earlier this month

When her house-sitter told Walls that the farmyard fence appeared to have been breached she immediately watched the surveillance footage and discovered Barbie Q's courageous actions.

'Lo and behold, there was our little mini pig Barbie Q fighting off a bear,' Walls told CBC News.

'He definitely did not put up a fight to Barbie. He got out of her way, it was very unbelievable to see' she added.

Walls even suggested that protective Barbie Q, who enjoys kisses and cuddles with her owner, attempted to coral the other animals into the safety of their pens after becoming too close to the bear.

The farmer said the act of bravery was out of character for timid Barbie Q who was raised inside the farmhouse, even sleeping in Walls' bed and coming on family trips alongside her dogs.

The six-year-old pig is also usually frightened by the farm's goats and will run away if they approach her.

'I did not think something that size, that she would even attempt to charge it' Walls explained.

Barbie-Q was rewarded for her service with a bowl of fruit salad and plenty of belly rubs.

Barbie Q was caught squaring up to the intruder before charging and sending the bear packing

Brave Barbie Q, then charged at the beast with her snout causing the bear to flee without harming the other animals

The bear sat down in contemplation after being charged before leaving shortly afterwards

Christy Brookes, who was house-sitting for the family at the time, told CHEK News she has noticed the pig now likes to be in charge.

'She'll try to be the boss of anyone. She is definitely the boss of me,' Brookes said.

But she says Barbie Q deserves recognition for her valiant efforts: 'I love her even more. She is a star.'
A four-year-old cowboy is recovering from severe injuries after he was kicked in the head by a horse near his family's rural Utah farm.

Houston Hampton was left with a fractured skull and spine as well as brain damage following the accident on Friday in the small town of Aurora.

He and some relatives had been walking to his grandparents' house when they decided to take a look at a fish trap in a lake.

But as the relatives crossed back over the fence, one of the horses became spooked and kicked the boy in the head, according to his parents.

'The older cousin walked through and out and he kind of kept walking up the fence and spooked one of the horses as [Houston] came behind it and it kicked him in the head,' his father, Trey, told ABC4.

Houston's family has said the little cowboy has been riding horses with help since he was about one year old

The boy suffered a fractured skull and spine and brain damage. He is currently recovering after undergoing surgery

Houston was aided by EMS and airlifted to the Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City

The boy's family rushed to help Houston, who became unconscious after the kick and had his forehead split open.

He was treated by EMTs and airlifted to the Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City where he underwent surgery.

During surgery, doctors reportedly had to remove the boy's skullcap and five percent of the brain tissue from his frontal lobe, which was damaged.

His mother Kodi shared on Facebook that the fracture was on the very front side of Houston's skull, which allowed the brain to swell, saving his life.

However, the family is crediting Houston's dad and uncle's quick response as well as that of first responders.

'Between myself knowing the basics of what I know, my brother being instructed by dispatch, and the fast response of the first responders we were able to get Houston loaded quickly,' his uncle Tyler told NBC affiliate KTSU.

Houston has been moving his fingers and toes but is still in critical condition and has a long recovery ahead of him

Houston Hampton was severely injured on Friday after a spooked horse kicked him in the head

Houston has been moving his fingers and toes but is still in critical condition and has a long recovery ahead of him.

On Monday, his mom shared an update on Facebook, explaining that the bandage was removed from the surgery incision.

'We just didnt know what to expect, but we are so thrilled with how good it looks. The incision on his scalp is zigzagged to make his hair blend better when it grows back,' the mom wrote.

'His little body is so swollen from head to toe. Partially due to the trauma he experienced and also the fluids that are being pumped into him to help keep his pressures and numbers balanced.

'We are hoping his fluid output will increase soon. It absolutely breaks my heart to see him like this,' she added.

Houston's family has said the little cowboy has been riding horses with help since he was about a year old.

The central Utah community has rallied around Houston's recovery, and have scheduled a fundraising event named Hats off for Houston for July 19.

Tickets for the event held at the Blackhawk Arena in Salina cost $5, with all the money going to Houston's family.
Carlishia Hood was accused of ordering her son, 14, to shoot dead Jeremy Brown

She has been accused of 'legitimizing' vigilante justice after the latest incident

Kim Foxx has been hit with a slew of criticism in her two terms as a prosecutor

Prosecutor Kim Foxx has been slammed for 'legitimizing vigilante justice' after she dropped a murder charge against a mother who 'ordered' her son to shoot dead a stranger who attacked her.

Liberal George Soros-backed Cooks County State Attorney Foxx, 51, announced that she would be ditching all the charges against Carlishia Hood, 35, after her teenage son shot Jeremy Brown dead on June 18.

The decision to backtrack on the charges has caused widespread outrage, with Chicago City Councilman Raymond Lopez saying: 'Kim Foxx is not a hero. She has only legitimized vigilante justice. Consider yourself warned!'

Foxx, whose role is equivalent to District Attorney for the windy city, initially charged the mother with murder and contributing to the delinquency of a minor  but has since dropped the charges after a new video of Brown repeatedly punching Hood came to light.

Brown, 32, was caught on camera beating Hood after shouting at her to 'get her food', with surveillance footage then showing Hood's son, 14, shooting him in the back.

Liberal George Soros-backed Cooks County State Attorney Foxx, 51, has been slammed for her decision to drop the charges against Carlishia Hood

Hood, 35, (right) was initially accused of murder along with her son (left) when footage emerged of him running into a Chicago restaurant and shooting a man dead

Prosecutors initially claimed that Hood told her son to keep shooting Brown until he was dead, as well as encouraging him to aim for his girlfriend.

The teenager, who has not been named, followed Brown out of the restaurant and fired additional shots.

Mother and son then took off in their car, with police asking for help tracking them down until they handed themselves in on June 21.

Hood broke down in tears during a press conference on Tuesday, where she announced that she would be filing a lawsuit against the City of Chicago.

Attorneys for the family filed the four-count complaint where they alleged malicious prosecution, false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Speaking at the press conference, Hood said: 'I've experienced pain in many ways, many ways that I would never have thought. Never.

'What happened to me was totally unnecessary. Never in a million years would I have imagined being brutally attacked, beaten and then arrested.

'I am thankful that the Cook County State's Attorney dismissed the case.'

Hood broke down in tears during a press conference on Tuesday, where she announced that she would be filing a lawsuit against the City of Chicago

Chicago City Councilman Raymond Lopez slammed the decision, saying: 'Kim Foxx is not a hero. She has only legitimized vigilante justice. Consider yourself warned!'

Hood, 35, (left) went inside the Maxwell Street Express fast-food takeout restaurant in the West Pullman district on June 18 while her 14-year-old son (right) initially waited outside

The charges were dropped after Brown (left) was seen beating Hood inside of the restaurant before the shooting incident

Attorneys for Hood claim Brown was out on bond for a firearm offense at the time of the shooting and say he had a 'documented criminal history for being violent against African-American women.'

They added that additional lawsuits will be forthcoming, as community activist Ja'Mal Green claimed the shooting was self-defense.

He said: 'I would never praise a situation that ends in violence. In this case, the young man did what he felt like he needed to do.'

Chicago City Councilman Raymond Lopez criticized Foxx's decision to drop the charges

It is not the first time that Foxx has been criticized for her handling of a case, with several members of staff leaving the office since her appointment.

James Murphy resigned in 2022 and publicly said that he had 'zero confidence' in the leadership of Foxx  claiming she rushed state law and is 'focused on PR stunts'.

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot had previously accused Foxx of harming public safety after she prioritized vacating convictions for those framed or falsely accused of drug crimes by corrupt police officers.

In 2020, liberal funder George Soros donated $2million to a PAC that backed Foxx in her re-election campaign. She won the race and has since offered deferred prosecutions and softball deals to criminals.

In 2021, there were more murders in Chicago than in any other year since 1994.

It comes after Foxx announced in April that she would not seek re-election after she was hit with criticisms over two high-profile cases in her county that went awry.

Prosecutors initially claimed that Hood (pictured with two young children) told her son to keep shooting Brown until he was dead, as well as encouraging him to aim for his girlfriend

Attorneys for Hood claim Brown was out on bond for a firearm offense at the time of the shooting and say he had a 'documented criminal history for being violent against African-American women'

Hood's 14-year-old son is seen in the Chicago police video entering the restaurant, hands in pockets, then drawing a gun

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced Monday her decision to drop charges against Hood and her son

She dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett for staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself.

Smollett was charged with disorderly conduct for perpetrating a hoax, but Foxx recused herself from the case because she had spoken to one of Smollett's relatives.

Prosecutors then dropped all charges against him and he was not required to admit to wrongdoing.

Hood is seen in her mugshot after her arrest on a murder charge

The resulting outcry prompted an investigation by special prosecutor Dan Webb, who refiled charges and Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, which he is appealing.

Webb found the prosecutor's office committed 'substantial abuses of discretion and operational failures'.

More recently, she was slammed by the family of a six-month-old baby killed by two teens driving a stolen car after Foxx charged them only with misdemeanors.

Foxx was also the first prosecutor to file new charges against R Kelly following his acquittal on child pornography charges in 2008. The new charges were filed in 2019, but she dropped them in January after federal prosecutors in Chicago and New York secured convictions against the disgraced R&B star.

Announcing her decision to step down in November 2024, Foxx said that she will leave with her 'head held high'.

She added: 'I leave now with my head held high, with my heart full, knowing that better days are ahead.

'And it has been my honor and my privilege on behalf of project kids across this city.'

In the Chicago police video, Hood could be seen arriving with her teen at the market

The mother-of-four told the City Club of Chicago that she wasn't running for a third term because she had promised her family she would stop after two

Overall crime in Chicago is up 47 percent since last year, with theft up by 25 percent

Her office was found to have committed 'substantial operational failures' during the affair, in which Smollett (above) was found to have staged a brutal attack on his person in 2019 in order to claim he was the victim of homophobic thugs

Court documents state that Brown 'punched (Hood) in the head three times' - but did not bring up self-defense. It is unclear exactly what was in the new footage to make the DA change her stance on the charges.

Foxx said in a statement: 'Based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence, today the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) has moved to dismiss the charges against Carlishia Hood and her 14-year-old son.

'Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law, we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases.'

A legal analyst previously said that no charges should have even been brought against Hood in the first place, because of Illinois self-defense law.

Local law permits the use of deadly force against violent criminals putting victims in mortal danger.

That force can either be used by the victim themselves - or someone such as a family member trying to save them.

Hood was released from the Cook County Jail on Monday after being locked up for nearly five days, and her son was also freed from the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.

She went to the Maxwell Street Express fast-food takeout restaurant in the West Pullman district just before 11pm, with her son staying in the car.

Footage released by police initially just showed the boy running into the restaurant and opening fire, shooting Brown in the back.

Six-month-old Cristian Uvidia was killed when a stolen car collided with his family's truck

Police say on April 16, two boys sped down West Washington Road in a stolen Hyundai sedan when they tore through an intersection and collided with a pickup truck. Pictured: Pieces of the cars and chunks of wood from a tree where the cars landed

Hood, a tax preparer, was a valid FOID card and concealed carry license holder at the time of the incident.

The new video shows her going into the restaurant and ordering her food before Brown starts to shout at her  yelling, 'get your food!'.

While she continued to yell back at him, he shouted: 'Oh my God, if you say one more thing, I'm going to knock you out.'

He then took a big swing and punched her repeatedly, with other customers in the store looking on in horror and running away.

The footage did not emerge until after Hood, who legally owned the gun, handed herself in with her son on June 21.

Chicago police released surveillance footage of the incident in early June, which showed Hood and her son arriving at the store.

Hood can be seen making her order before the footage cuts to her son in the doorway, pulling a gun from his pocket.

The Chicago police video did not show Brown, with the final part of the footage showing the teenager outside with the gun.

She can then be seen returning to her car with her son, with police asking for help to track down the two suspects  who later handed themselves in.

Initial reports by the Chicago Defender reported that Hood had ordered her son to shoot Brown, as well as to aim for his girlfriend, but this has since been disputed.
The Metropolitan Police are appealing for information about two men suspected of sexually assaulting a female officer in a crowd at Notting Hill Carnival.

The two men are accused of using the dense crowd as cover to sexually assault the police officer on the final day of the carnival on 29 August 2022.

Police said the officer was unable to identify her attackers as they assaulted her from behind in a crowd on Westbourne Grove in London's Notting Hill.

A video released by the Metropolitan Police shows one man wearing a white vest and a green cap and another holding a red plastic cup.

The force is now appealing to the public for information about the two men after their own enquiries failed to identify them.

The Metropolitan Police are appealing for information about two men accused of sexually assaulting a female police officer at Notting Hill Carnival

PC Richard Spears, who worked in the Notting Hill Carnival post-incident team, said: 'Sadly, the suspects in this incident have used the cover of a dense crowd to sexually assault a female police officer, presumably in the belief they would get away with it.

'Assaults on officers during the course of their duty are unacceptable, and the fact this one is sexual in nature makes it particularly disturbing.

'We are releasing CCTV footage of two men we would like to speak to as part of our inquiries. Do you recognise them? Please contact us if you can help.'

'Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant event which sees communities come together to celebrate, and the atmosphere is generally very friendly and welcoming,' PC Spears said.

The two men are suspected of using the dense crowd as cover on the final day of the Notting Hill Carnival on Westbourne Grove

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Officers investigating assaults on a female police officer at last year's Notting Hill Carnival are appealing for the assistance of the public to trace two men they wish to speak to.

'The PC was sexually assaulted by two individuals while she worked at the event on Monday, 29 August 2022.

'When the offences occurred the officer was part of a large crowd of people slowly making their way along Westbourne Grove, W11.

'Due to the large numbers present, the crowds were tightly packed together, and the suspects took this opportunity to sexually assault the officer from behind.

'Due to the volume of people present, she was unable to identify who was responsible at the time.

'Despite extensive enquiries neither of the suspects has been identified yet. Officers are now turning to the public for help.'
One of the late Queen's former vergers is facing prison after he admitted sexually assaulting a teenage boy at his flat and another on the day of his grandmother's funeral.

'Vile predator' Clive McCleester, 77, served at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle and supervised visitors to the Queen Mother's tomb.

McCleester appeared at Inner London Crown Court yesterday and admitted eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child.

One of the boys was abused by McCleester on the day of his grandmother's funeral, while the former church official was working as a welfare officer at a Tylney Hall School in Hampshire.

He served as a welfare officer at school between 1960 and 1971 and also lived there.

Clive McCleester (pictured), 77, pleaded guilty at the Inner London Crown Court yesterday to eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child, against two teenage boys

McCleester was labelled a 'vile predator' by Detective Sergeant Hannah Stewart, from the Met's Central Specialist Crime unit

A chorister at Southwark Catherdral was also preyed upon when McCleester was working as a verger, which is an official who assists in the ordering of religious services.

McCleester had been assigned to look after the first victim after the death of his grandmother and abused him between 1 January 1969 and April 1971.

The victim complained to the police about the abuse after speaking with a counsellor but passed away in 2020.

The second victim was abused between January 1984 and May 1987 while McCleester was working as head verger at Southwark Cathedral.

He abused the chorister at his flat in the vicarage.

Police reviewed historical documentation, archive files and employment records to trace witnesses.

Detective Sergeant Hannah Stewart, from the Met's Central Specialist Crime unit, said today: 'This has been a long and arduous investigation with McCleester maintaining his innocence throughout.

'We are pleased he has finally admitted his guilt just three days before we were due to take him to trial to present our case.

'The initial victim survivor, having sadly passed away after giving police his evidence, was unable to hear the guilty verdict but his family represented him at court in his absence.

'The second victim survivor was also sexually abused and exploited by McCleester - a verger in his Cathedral.

'The impact to both at such a young age has been devastating. They have been extremely brave and shown tremendous strength and courage.

'The officers involved in this case have worked relentlessly and shown incredible commitment to securing these convictions. Both the victims and their families feel they have been failed by institutions that were supposed to protect them.

'We hope they can feel an element of peace knowing that justice has been finally served.

'McCleester is a vile predator who has no place in society.

'We urge anyone who has been a victim of McCleester to come forward to police. We will support you.'

McCleester, who lives in the Grade I listed Hospital of St Cross almshouse in Winchester, Hampshire, will be sentence on July 10.

Judge Rosina Cottage, KC, granted McCleester bail ahead of sentence.

A spokesperson for Southwark Cathedral said: 'Clive McCleester, a former senior employee of Southwark Cathedral has pleaded guilty today on charges of safeguarding offences which took place in the 1980s.

'Mr McCleester's crimes are a grievous breach of trust, which will have life-long effects.

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where McCleester worked. He oversaw visitors to the Queen Mother's tomb and helped organise royal funerals

'We would like to offer a full and unreserved apology to all those affected by this matter and we commend the bravery of those who brought this to light, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have been.

'We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr McCleester and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.

'We have cooperated fully with the police in the course of their investigations. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority and we continually monitor our practice and processes to ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.'
High street pharmacist and retailer Boots has announced plans to cut 300 stores in a move which will see the number of branches fall from 2,200 to 1,900.

The move is reported to be an effort to increase efficiency by closing stores which are located near to other branches.

It comes despite a 13.4 per cent jump in retail sales in the three months leading to May, compared to the same time last year.

Reflecting on its latest quarterly results, the chain stated: 'Over the next year Boots will continue to consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other.

'Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment.'

The move could place thousands of jobs at risk - the company currently has around 52,000 members of staff (File photo)

James Kehoe, global chief financial officer at Boots parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, told analysts yesterday: 'We will continue to optimise our locations and opening hours, and expect to close an additional 300 locations in the UK and 150 locations in the US.'

It is understood that the retailer does not expect to make any redundancies.

The stores will be closed over the next year. The company currently has around 52,000 members of staff.

Previously, Boots said it would be shutting down more than 200 stores over an 18-month period beginning in 2019.

Several of the closures were because they were loss-making and two thirds of them were within walking distance of each other, the chain said.

In 2020, Boots announced 48 opticians were shutting down, with the loss of 4,000 jobs.

There has been speculation that the company's owner Walgreens Boots Alliance is considering a breakup.

It comes despite a 13.4 per cent jump in retail sales in the three months leading to May, compared to the same time last year (File photo)

Last year, Walgreens Boots shelved a sale of the retail chain after failing to find a buyer, pointing to an 'unexpected and dramatic change' in financial markets.

A number of major retailers including Argos and Lloyds Pharmacy announced this month that they are closing stores.

Figures published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in April showed the scale of the decline of Britain's high streets in the North compared to the South, with the highest number of vacant stores in the North East (17.5 per cent), Wales (16.5 per cent) and the West Midlands (15.8 per cent).

By contrast, the lowest vacancy rates are in London (11.1 per cent), the South East (11.3 per cent) and the East (12.8 per cent).

The overall vacancy rate in the first three months of this year stands at 13.8 per cent - the same as the previous quarter, the BRC said.

Towns such as Wigan have seen major high street chains including Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, BHS, H&M and Next all shutter outlets in recent years.

In the North East, Hartlepool, Newcastle and South Shields have all suffered, while Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham had a 20 per cent vacancy rate in 2019 although this is now falling.

But shopping areas in the South have also been dealt a hammer-blow by the cost of living crisis - such as Margate in Kent, where some empty stores have been turned into classrooms.
A gay man who claimed he 'lit up like coals on a barbecue' after a man doused him in liquid and set him on fire has now been outed for lying - after a police investigation found he actually beat up a woman first.

Scott Rowin, 39, said he was attacked in a hate crime while walking through Hillcrest, San Diego, on June 12 as he was leaving a local restaurant. But cops now say he was the one who started the assault.

Rowin is now accused of battering the pregnant woman on the street, leaving her bleeding with multiple injuries. Cops say she then used the flammable liquid in retaliation.

The 39-year-old man claimed he had just left The Loft around 8pm and was walking down a street when he claimed he first heard at least two people yelling gay slurs.

Scott Rowin, 39, said he was attacked in a hate crime while walking through Hillcrest, San Diego, on June 12 as he was leaving a local restaurant. But cops now say he was the one who started the assault

He was burned during the attack. But while he said it was a hate crime, police now say that it was in retaliation after he beat up a pregnant woman on the street

He said that it was a man who threw clear liquid on him and lit him on fire - but police now say that it was actually the pregnant woman who Rowin had just assaulted. She was rushed to hospital.

Footage discovered by cops suggest that it was Rowin who started the attack - before she then used fire as a weapon against him.

This part of the story was not told by Rowin, when he spoke to local news.

Rowan previously claimed that he started hearing "f**got this, f**got that' in the moments before he was attacked.

He said he heard footsteps behind him, turned around, and saw a man in his 20s or 30s coming right at him. He claimed the man threw a clear liquid and lit him on fire, causing Rowin to react quickly.

He said he immediately stopped, dropped, and rolled on the sidewalk, attempting to put out the flames started by the attackers.

But the series of events now seem to be different, according to police, who are still investigating the situation.

A San Diego Police Department press release stated: 'At 10:41 p.m., the San Diego Police Communications Center received 911 calls about a man attacking a pregnant woman in the 900 block of 6th Avenue.

Footage discovered by cops suggest that it was Rowin who started the attack - before she then used fire as a weapon against him. This part of the story was not told by Rowin, when he spoke to local news

Rowin said that it was a man who threw clear liquid on him and lit him on fire - but police now say that it was actually the pregnant woman who Rowin had just assaulted. She was rushed to hospital

'Officers were dispatched and arrived within minutes, but the suspect had already fled the scene. Officers spoke with the pregnant woman.

'They also spoke with witnesses. The pregnant woman was bleeding and was suffering from multiple injuries. Paramedics from San Diego Fire-Rescue transported the pregnant woman to a local hospital for treatment.

'Officers began an investigation for assault. They searched for the suspect but were unable to find him.'

It was an hour later, at 11.55pm, that the department received a call from a man saying someone had set him on fire an hour earlier.

The cops confirmed: 'Investigators determined that this man was the suspect who battered the pregnant woman from the earlier incident at 900 6th Avenue.

'Simultaneously, officers started a criminal investigation for assault relating to the mans burn injuries.

'Investigators have since determined the pregnant female was responsible for the burn injuries.'

Rowin is now accused of lying to local news after police found footage of him beating up a pregnant woman before she set him on fire

The police say that they've now got security video footage on 900 6th Avenue that captured the incident.

They said: 'The video shows the initial physical assault by the man on the pregnant woman and the subsequent use of fire as a weapon by the pregnant woman on the man.'

Police admitted that it is a 'complex investigation' and said that detectives are examining all aspects and allegations.

Rowin previously told ABC 10 that two attackers shouted 'f**got' at him prior to rushing up and dousing him with a liquid that had the consistency of water.

'Immediately after that, I went up like coals on a barbecue. It started off really big,' said the man who sustained serious burns in the incident.

Rowin said that the attack was targeted against him for being LGBTQ - but police now think the assault against him was in retaliation for him attacking a pregnant woman.

Rowin said the attack caused second-degree burns across his body and showed ABC 10 the large mesh bandages around his body.

'The majority of the burns are on my side torso, hip, and back,' said Rowin.

'It's very painful,' he continued, adding that surgery is still on the table.

In horrific photos shared to his Facebook, massive burn marks can be seen across his body, some appearing to be several inches long.

He said that the 'healing has begun' but that an infection caused some setbacks.
A pro-Trump artist has flung pizza slices over the gates of New York City Hall in protest over a proposed new law which could see pizzerias scrapping coal and wood-fired ovens.

The bizarre demonstration was caught on camera, as self-described 'freedom fighter' Scott LoBaido tossed an entire pie piece by piece over the black iron gates to the official building on Monday.

LoBaido screams: 'Give us pizza or give us death!' and claims the administration is 'destroying every small business' as he flings the margarita slices.

His demonstration seems to take aim at the city's proposals to introduce new rules requiring pizzerias with ovens installed before May 2016 to buy expensive emission-control devices.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) drafted the legislation in hope of slashing carbon release by 75 percent.

WARNING EMBEDDED TWEET BELOW CONTAINS PROFANITY.

Scott LoBaido marched up to the gates of New York City Hall before flinging slices of margarita pizza over them in a protest against a proposed new emissions law

The pro-Trump artist hurling a slice of pizza over the gates of City Hall in Lower Manhattan

It comes as Greenhouse gas emissions have hit 'an all-time high' - with 54 billion tons of carbon dioxide having been emitted each year for the past decade.

Wearing an off-white shirt and blue denim jeans, LoBaido loudly aired his grievances with the city's recent policies on migration, LGBT pride events, and crime rates before launching the first slice.

His declaration 'give us pizza or give us death' references a famous phrase from the Revolutionary War.

'Give me liberty or give me death' is a quote attributed to 18th-century American politician Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention in 1775.

Henry is credited with influencing the convention to pass a resolution to deliver Virginian troops for the war, in which George Washington's American Patriot forces defeated the British, establishing the independence of the United States.

LoBaido said he was confronted by uniformed cops but was not arrested, getting away with a summons instead.

New York Mayor Eric Adams responded to the incident by inviting LoBaido to eat a vegan pie with him and talk over the new proposed environment law

LoBaido loudly aired his grievances with the city's recent policies on migration, LGBT pride events, and crime rates before launching the first slice

Pizza gate is the latest stunt by the Staten Islander, who is known for his right-wing political art demonstrations and for depicting the American flag

New York Mayor Eric Adams responded to the incident by inviting LoBaido to eat a vegan pie with him and talk over the new proposed law, according to Fox News.

'Every toxic entity that we remove from our air is adding up to the overall desire to deal with shrinking our carbon footprint,' Adams said on Monday.

'The public can weigh in without throwing pizza over my gate.

'They could have delivered me the pie and allowed me to eat the pie and sat in the COW and have a conversation with me.

'And so, I'm going to call the person who threw pizza over my gate to tell him he needs to bring a vegan pie to me, so we can sit down, and I want to hear his side of this.'

Adams added: 'I love my vegan pizza with vegan cheese. And something about pizza, like, does anyone dislike pizza? Everyone likes pizza.'

LoBaido is a pro-Trump artist who has made headlines with his political stunts before, including after he waved a banner over the Staten Island Expressway depicting former mayor Bill de Blasio holding up Lady Liberty's severed head.

The Staten Islander, who has been painting murals for 25 years and specialises in images of the American flag, claimed the 2020 New York City mayor was turning the Big Apple into a 's***hole'.

In January last year, he poured fake blood on the doorstep of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office to protest what he called the newly-elected DA's 'woke policies'.

The Pro-Trump artist is known for his depictions of the US flag. Pictured: LoBaido painting the Betsy Ross American flag outside the headquarters of Nike in New York

LoBaido's controversial art pieces include a guillotine with the words 'BRING ME BACK' written on, suggesting he is in favor of capital punishment

Last year, the Staten Island artist poured fake blood on the doorstep of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office to protest what he called the newly-elected DA's 'woke policies'

Before flinging the pizza slices, LoBaido takes aim at the 'woke-ass idiots who run this city are doing everything in their power to destroy it'.

Referencing the latest New York Pride parade, which took place on Sunday, LoBaido claimed there were 'naked men with their titties bouncing around all over this city... in front of children'.

He also blasted what he called 'the most violent, raging crime rate ever' in the Big Apple and claimed that 'we are being invaded by illegal immigrants who are being treated way better than our homeless veterans'.

'Our city's schools produce the dumbest kids, and the woke-ass punks who run the city are afraid of PIZZA,' LoBaido shouts.

'The world used to respect New Yorkers as tough, thick-skinned and gritty - now we've been pussified, it's a damn shame.

'You've heard of the Boston Tea Party, well this is the New York Pizza Party - give us pizza, or give us death!'
Despite early gains in New Hampshire, Ron DeSantis has slid 10 points among Republican voters  giving former President Donald Trump an even bigger advantage.

According to a Saint Anselm poll released Tuesday, Trump is ahead in the early presidential primary state with 47 percent support to DeSantis' 19 percent.

The 28 percent gap between the two frontrunners is a deviation from previous polling that showed DeSantis making some gains in New Hampshire.

Both Trump and DeSantis visited New Hampshire on Tuesday for dueling events.

The Florida governor gave remarks in Hollis, New Hampshire, before opening up the floor so voters could ask him questions town hall-style.

Meanwhile, Trump gave remarks at the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women luncheon fundraiser in Concord  about 40 miles away from DeSantis. The ex-president then head-lined the opening of his New Hampshire campaign headquarters in Manchester.

Former President Donald Trump (left) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) held dueling campaign events in New Hampshire on Tuesday

A new Saint Anselm poll taken among New Hampshire Republican voters shows Trump with a 28% lead over DeSantis  a 10% increase from polling taken earlier this year

The Granite State is key in primary races considering it holds the first election in the country and could help set the tone following Iowa's primary caucuses.

No other candidates of the 12 additional Republicans in the crowded primary race earned double-digit support in New Hampshire's latest poll.

In the middle of the field fell former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with six percent, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley with five percent and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott with four percent.

More long shot candidates falling even further behind in New Hampshire are biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson  all with two percent support each.

A good chunk of the field had to divide in the latest Saint Anselm poll after New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu ruled out a presidential bid following earning 14 percent in polling back in March.

Trump and DeSantis have been following each other around early primary states and on Tuesday held their dueling campaign events.

The frontrunner candidates faced some criticism over the coinciding timing of their events.

What once was a kinship between Trump and DeSantis quickly turned sour when the two found themselves up against one another in the 2024 Republican primary

Other candidates are in New Hampshire this week, including longshot candidate Vivek Ramaswamy who is visiting a senior center in Londonderry Tuesday evening.

The New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, which is hosting Trump, issued a statement last week expressing disappointment with DeSantis' campaign for scheduling a town hall around the same time as its own event.

DeSantis' and Trump's events Tuesday morning are just 40 miles apart in the small Northeastern state.

The hosting organization said Desantis was 'attempting to steal focus' from their so-called Lilac Luncheon fundraiser. They claimed that other candidates scheduled around the event and asked DeSantis to do the same.

'We are confident that the governor's message will resonate with voters in New Hampshire as he continues to visit the Granite State and detail his solutions to Joe Biden's failures,' the DeSantis campaign press press secretary Bryan Griffin said in a statement.

Selling himself as the more conservative candidate against Trump, DeSantis is attempting to take the lead over the former president in key early contest states that could determine the primary results.

The Florida governor has asserted he would appoint more conservative Supreme Court justices than the three Trump appointed to the court during his tenure, criticized Trump for implying the six-week abortion ban in Florida is 'too harsh' and accused the former president of generally 'moving left.'

While conservative bona fides are important in heavy GOP states like Iowa, the leadoff caucus state, they're politically trickier in New Hampshire, a political battleground state in the more liberal Northeast area.

Finishing first in New Hampshire's 2016 Republican primary after losing Iowa to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump earned momentum that propelled him to dominance in the party  even if he lost the general elections there in both 2016 and 2020.

DeSantis visited the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday where he unveiled a plan to address the migration crisis that closely mirrored what Trump has put forward in the past, like building the border wall and ending birthright citizenship.

But the governor claims while Trump has good promises, he failed to deliver on them during his four years in office.

He claims that he will actually deliver on his agenda  noting the massive strides he has made in Florida over the last six years.

While in the lead in New Hampshire, Trump is also maintaining a massive head start in national surveys with a new Morning Consult poll showing 57 percent of Republican primary voters supporting the former president over any of the other 13 candidates in the crowded field.

The second place finisher is still DeSantis  but he remains a whopping 38 points behind Trump with just 19 percent support.

No other candidate earned double digit support from Republican primary voters.

A new national Morning Consult poll released Tuesday shows Donald Trump with a widening lead with 57% support among Republican primary voters

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is one of the more recent entries into the race, is in third place with 7 percent support and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy is in fourth with 6 percent.

The two candidates from South Carolina  Sen. Tim Scott and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley  are tied for fifth with three percent each.

Once-Gov. for New Jersey Chris Christie has two 2 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson just 1 percent.

No other candidates among the long shots broke the one percent.

The Morning Consult poll was conducted June 23-25 among 3,650 voters registered to cast a ballot in the Republican primary contest in 2024.

Most other polls have yielded similar results with Trump as the far frontrunner, DeSantis in second place a few dozen points behind the former president and the rest of the field falling much further behind.
The suspect allegedly convinced a casino cage worker to hand over several installments of cash totaling more than $1.1million

A man in Las Vegas is accused of posing as a hotel and casino owner and convincing an employee to fork over more than $1million in payments she believed were going toward fire safety equipment.

The suspect, Erik Gutierrez, 23, has been charged with the theft of more than $100,000, according to records obtained by KLAS.

Earlier this month, Las Vegas Metro Police said they responded to the Circa Hotel & Casino following reports of a possible scam.

The Circa Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, which was allegedly scammed out of more than $1.1million by a 23-year-old pretending to be the hotel's owner

'Vegas Vickie' a restored neon sign that was placed in the Circa Resort and Casino

An individual from the hotel's security office informed them that 'an unknown person' had contacted the casino cage - where money, casino chips, credit chips, and other paperwork are kept - and claimed to 'be the owner of the hotel.'

The person then requested $320,000 for an emergency payment to the fire department.

The cage supervisor told police that the person said 'the fire department needed to do a check on the fire extinguishers' and 'they would need a payment for further safety devices.'

The cage supervisor provided the money in four installments to the unknown individual at multiple off-site locations, according to police documents.

The payments respectively totaled $314,000, $350,000, and $500,000, in addition to three smaller deposits. The total loss of funds amounted to $1,170,000 from the hotel.

The cage supervisor said she believed she had been on the phone with the hotel's owner and texting with her manager. Police documents also indicate that she believed she was meeting with the hotel owner's lawyer to hand over the payments.

Detectives then managed to track down the car involved in the suspected scammer theft. Police believe the car belonged to Gutierrez's aunt, with whom he resides.

Law enforcement also surveilled the aunt's home, during which time they saw a different car arrive and then leave with Gutierrez and another man inside. No money was found when searching that vehicle, police said.

When police searched the home, they found ID belonging to Gutierrez, and as well as a 'large bag of U.S. currency bundled together with the name Circa written on the bundle.'

Gutierrez was arrested on Sunday June 18 - one day after cops had been called to Circa - at a gym. Another man in the car with Gutierrez prior to his arrest was not detained.

Police later recovered close to $850,00 - though the location of the remaining $314,000 remains a mystery.

A man is accusing of scamming a hotel and casino out of more than $1.1million by tricking a cage worker into forking over the money

The man - 23-year-old Erik Gutierrez - was arrested one day after the police were called to the resort and casino due to the alleged theft

Gutierrez's bail was set at $25,000 by Judge Amy Ferreira, who also ordered him to stay away from Circa should he post bond. Gutierrez is on the hook for a similar charge out of the Mesquite Justice Court - a judge there has set his bail at $20,000.

The details of the second charge have not yet been released.

In a statement about the alleged scam and theft, Circa CEO Derek Stevens said: 'Although I love a good PR story, this isnt one of them.'

'Circa Resort & Casino is cooperating with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in this investigation. We greatly appreciate their efforts to date and cannot comment further due to an ongoing investigation.'
A New York court on Tuesday said Ivanka Trump should be dismissed as a defendant in the state's case against former President Donald Trump and his family business for 'staggering fraud.'

The court also narrowed Attorney General Letitia James' civil lawsuit, saying statutes of limitations prevented James from suing over transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant.

The charges against Ivanka were dismissed because they were too old.

The trial against the former president and his Trump Organization is set to begin in October.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in Spain on vacation

Ivanka Trump left the family business in 2016 and served her father as an adviser in his White House.

Her brothers - Donald Jr. and Eric - remain defendants.

James, a Democrat, has said in court filings that her office has uncovered 'significant' evidence that Trump's company 'used fraudulent or misleading asset valuations to obtain a host of economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions.'

James alleges the Trump Organization exaggerated the value of its holdings to impress lenders or misstated what land was worth to slash its tax burden, pointing to annual financial statements given to banks to secure favorable loan terms and to financial magazines to justify Trump's place among the worlds billionaires.

The company even exaggerated the size of Trump's Manhattan penthouse, saying it was nearly three times its actual size - a difference in value of about $200 million, James' office said.

Filed last September after a three-year probe, James' lawsuit seeks at least $250 million in damages, and to stop the Trumps from running businesses in New York.

James alleged Trump 'inflated his net worth by billions of dollars' and said his children helped him to do so.

Trump was deposed as part of the lawsuit in April for the second time.

He answered questions at that time. The first deposition took place in August, but Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights.

Donald Trump raises a fist to bystanders as he departs Trump Tower in August to face a deposition from New York Attorney General Letitia James

Ivanak Trump left the family business in 2016 to work for her father in the White House

New York AG Letitia James announced in September that her office is suing former President Donald Trump and his adult children

The former president has dismissed the charges against him.

He has said James investigation is part of a politically motivated 'witch hunt' and that her office is 'doing everything within their corrupt discretion to interfere with my business relationships, and with the political process.'

In what was seen as a troubling sign for Trump, in January, longtime Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in jail for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in job perks.

He admitted to a 15-year scheme where executives received bonuses and perks instead of a higher salary to save the company and themselves huge sums of money in taxes.

The company-provided perks included rent on his Manhattan apartment, car leases for him and his wife, and private school tuition for his grandchildren.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty in August after paying nearly $2 million in taxes, penalties and interest and testifying at the criminal trial of the Trump Organization, which was convicted on all counts it faced.

In return for his testimony, he was offered the five-month sentence as part of a plea deal.

In that case, the Trump Organization was fined $1.6 million.

Longtime Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg has been jailed for five months for dodging taxes on $1.7 million in job perks. He is pictured in a Manhattan court before he was put behind bars

Alan Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's former chief financial officer, pleaded guilty in August, admitting that from 2005 to 2017 he and other executives received bonuses and perks that saved the company and themselves money. Pictured: Weisselberg is pictured with President Trump in January 2017 inside the lobby of Trump Tower, New York City

Weisselberg remains a defendant in James' lawsuit alleging that Trump and his company inflated asset values and Trump's net worth.

Weisselberg testified that neither Trump nor his family knew about the scheme as it was happening.

He told jurors: 'It was my own personal greed that led to this.'

But prosecutors, in their closing argument, said Trump 'knew exactly what was going on' and that evidence, such as a lease he signed for Weisselbergs apartment, made clear that Trump was 'explicitly sanctioning tax fraud.'

Trump Organization lawyers have said Weisselberg concocted the scheme without Trump or the Trump familys knowledge.
The criminal half brother of Hollywood actor James McAvoy was handed another prison sentence today for having an illegally-modified phone in a top security jail.

Donald McAvoy, 33, from Drumchapel, was serving four years and 10 months at the time after being jailed at the High Court in Glasgow in 2021 for a road-rage attack on a 57-year-old grandfather.

Today, Stirling Sheriff Court was told that warders had gone to McAvoy's cell in high security Glenochil Prison, Clackmannanshire, on January 18.

Prosecutor Lindsey Brooks said: 'He was asked if he had any contraband and he produced a prison-issue mobile phone with an illicit SIM card from under his bed.'

McAvoy, appearing by video link, pleaded guilty to having an illegal communications device in jail.

Donald McAvoy, 33, from Drumchapel, Glasgow, has been handed another prison sentence today for having an illegally-modified phone in a top security jail

Donald McAvoy (left) pictured during a brutal road rage attack in Glasgow in March 2020. He is thought never to have met his half-brother, Hollywood star James McAvoy (right)

The court heard he had already been punished by the prison authorities, with seven days loss of recreation, seven days loss of earnings and 30 days loss of physical training.

Defence solicitor Abby Russell asked that, because of that, he should be dealt with in a way that did not interfere with his release date.

Sheriff Frank Gill jailed him for seven months, to run concurrently with his existing sentence.

McAvoy has more than 40 previous convictions for offences including a string of violent crimes.

Prisoners in Scottish jails are issued with mobile phones and locked SIM cards, as part of changes introduced during the Covid pandemic.

Outgoing calls made on the jail-issue devices can be monitored, and should only be possible to numbers already included in existing prisoner call lists.

The phones are not text or Internet enabled, and are unable to receive incoming calls.

The official devices also ration calls to 300 minutes a month. Extracting the official SIM card and inserting a standard one circumvents some of these restrictions.

X-Men actor James McAvoy, 44, who has also starred in films including Filth, Atonement and Trance, is thought to have never met Donald, with whom he shares a father.
A teenager accused of killing four migrants when an 'unseaworthy' small boat capsized 'initally refused to pilot it before smugglers threatened to kill him,' a court heard.

Senegal national Ibrahima Bah, now believed to be 19, was travelling on the unvarnished, plywood-constructed boat - which was overcrowded with at least 43 passengers.

They had paid thousands in Euros to an organised crime group for their crossing from northern France into UK territorial waters on December 14, a jury at Canterbury Crown Court, Kent, heard today.

In a prepared statement, Bah, who jurors were told was also a migrant, accepted he knew how to pilot a boat and, in doing so, was permitted by the smugglers to travel for free.

But he claimed he initially refused, only to be threatened he would be killed.

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

'He asserted in interview that he had refused to pilot the boat when he learnt on the beach that the boat was not wooden but he had been forced to go through with the agreement when he was assaulted and threatened with death by the smugglers,' said prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC.

'He said the intention of all of them on the boat was to get to the middle of the Channel and then seek help from the British authorities.

'The plan was to surrender themselves while at sea and claim asylum.'

But the small craft, just 25 to 28ft in length, was 'unseaworthy' and neither 'typically designed nor manufactured' to undertake a journey in what is the world's busiest shipping lanes.

There was insufficient lifejackets, no safety equipment such as flares or a radio, no deckboards and was being navigated without lights and by mobile phone.

It was also overcrowded with more than double its maximum passenger capacity of 20 and Bah himself was untrained, unlicensed, and said to be driving at excessive speed, the court was told.

'The defendant, like his passengers, was a migrant seeking unlawful arrival in the UK,' said Mr Atkinson

The incident saw a UK fishing boat attempt to save passengers travelling on the boat in the English Channel after they heard cries for help in the early hours.

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.

Three of the bodies had been taken ashore at Dover by boat and the fourth had been picked up from the Channel by helicopter.

Cause of death for each was 'consistent with drowning', pathologist Dr Benjamin Swift concluded.

Among the 39 rescued was Bah, of no fixed address. He denies four charges of manslaughter in respect of a male identified as Hajratullah Ahmadi and three unknown males.

Jurors at Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) were told to put any 'bias, emotion, sympathy and prejudice' aside while deciding the case

He also denies facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law.

Bah was arrested and interviewed by police two days later on December 16.

Despite Bah's claims of being threatened, Mr Atkinson told the jury that he 'deliberately and knowingly' facilitated the migrants' arrival.

'It was in the course of that unlawful action, in which his was at the material time a central facilitation role, that at least four migrants drowned,' he said.

'His actions, in piloting them across the Channel, exposed them to the risk of physical harm, as any sober and reasonable person would have appreciated, and therefore amount to the offence of manslaughter.'

Mr Atkinson said the boat did not reach minimum manufacturing standards, including pressure testing or the bonding of its seams, and if properly made, was designed, for use closer to the shore in favourable weather and water conditions.

Survivors later told police that the craft had quickly taken on water and was knee-high within 30 minutes. Attempts were made to bale it out with a bucket but it was then described as deflating or bursting before it 'broke apart' and split in two, the court heard.

Migrants fell off or clung to the side. They were scared, screaming and had even at one point on their journey contacted the French police for help, said Mr Atkinson.

Concluding the prosecution opening, Mr Atkinson told the court: 'By setting sail across the Channel in an overcrowded and obviously unseaworthy boat, and having regard to the risk of death involved, the conduct of the defendant can be said to be so bad in all the circumstances as to amount to a criminal act.'

The trial had been due to continue tomorrow but has now been adjourned by Mr Justice Cavanagh until Thursday.
Ford is set to lay off at least 1,000 employees and contract workers in its latest attempt to alleviate some of the heavy costs of investing in electric vehicles.

The planned job cuts will be focused on the engineering ranks of the business, a company spokesperson confirmed to the Wall Street Journal.

The redundancies will be the latest move in Ford's cost-cutting spree, after several rounds of global layoffs this year, including a 3,000-person reduction in the U.S last summer.

Ford, alongside other car manufacturers, have invested heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years, aiming to invest more than $50 billion by 2026.

The company plans to be able to manufacture EVs at a rate of 600,000 per year by the end of this year and 2 million a year by 2026.

Ford CEO, Jim Farley, suggested the cuts were due to the company's workforce not possessing the right skills for the more towards clean energy (pictured: Farley at the Amerex Technology summit in February)

Ford, alongside other car manufacturers, have invested heavily in electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years (pictured: Ford all-electric Mustang Mach-E)

The company says it is expected to lose $3 billion in operating profit on its EV business this year.

'Teams that were affected were pulled together yesterday to let them know that there would be actions taken this week' Ford spokesman T.R. Reid said.

'Then individual people will be notified today and tomorrow,' they added.

The company's stock appeared to be performing well, closing 2.37 percent higher on Tuesday, and up more than 14 percent in the last month.

Ford CEO, Jim Farley, also suggested the cuts were due to the company's workforce not possessing the right skills for the move towards clean energy, and that the company is adapting.

'It's more real time and not kind of big titanic events,' he said, adding that the company is hiring in some areas, such as software development.

As well as cost-cutting internally Ford has sought government financing to expand its battery-manufacturing operations.

The US energy department last week confirmed it would loan a Ford joint venture $9.2 billion to expand its production across its factories in Kentucky and Tennessee.

News of the job cuts come just weeks before Ford is set to start negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union

Ford's planned job cuts will be focused on the engineering ranks of the business

Ford's stock appeared to be performing well, up more than 14 percent in the last month

News of the job cuts come just weeks before the company is set to start negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union over a new our-year labor contract for its hourly factory workers.

There is a higher than usual risk of strikes, analysts have suggested, after the election of a tough new leadership team.

UAW President Shawn Fain, who was elected in March, has criticized the federal loan, suggesting it is not actually benefitting the company's workforce.

'These companies are extremely profitable and will continue to make money hand-over-fist whether theyre selling combustion engines or EVs. Yet the workers get a smaller and smaller piece of the pie,' he said.

Company officials said the electric vehicle unit, called Ford Model e, will be profitable before taxes by late 2026 with an 8% pretax profit margin.

Other businesses have also announced brutal job cuts this week, including KPMG who say they are to cut 5 percent of its US workforce.

A spokesperson for the accounting firm said on Monday the decision was in reaction to 'economic headwinds, coupled with historically low attrition.'

It comes after the Big Four firm already cut about 2 percent of its US employee count in February.

'We do not take this decision lightly. However, we believe it is in the best long-term interest of our firm and will position us for continued success into the future,' KPMG said in an emailed statement.
A six-year-old is fortunate to be alive after his zip line harness broke and sent him crashing into a man-made lake at an amusement park in the northeastern Mexico state of Nuevo Leon on Sunday.

The frightening incident was caught on video by the family and shows Cesar Moreno zip lining 40 feet above the artificial lake at Amazonian Expedition in Fundidora Park.

An adult male can be seen sliding up next to Moreno and guiding him along the way when the safety belt suddenly snaps.

The man comes to a full stop and several people in the background scream before the recording ends.

Six-year-old Cesar Moreno (bottom) fell into a man-made lake after his zip line harness broke at an amusement park in Monterrey, Mexico, on Sunday. A Good Samaritan jumped in the pool to save him from drowning and encountered problems reaching the shore before the boy's brother and his sister's boyfriend pulled them out to safety

Cesar Moreno rests on a bench at Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico, after he suffered a zip line accident. Activities at the amusement park have been suspended as investigators look into what caused the harness to snap before the six-year-old boy fell into a man-made lake

The boy's sister, Nataly Moreno, revealed on Facebook that a Good Samaritan jumped into the lake to save her little brother from going under and nearly drowned while doing so.

But her brother and boyfriend rushed into the lake and brought them to safety.

She alleged that Fundidora Park did not have the necessary staff in attendance to rescue her brother and the man who attempted to help him.

'The park does not have people trained for this type of situation, none were there to help get him out of the water,' Nataly Moreno said. 'Terrible park, it's incredible how disastrous things can happen in the blink of an eye. I only thank God that my Cesar is well.'

Cesar Moreno's relative, Mayra Hernandez, claimed that none of the park workers were trained to swim.

'Thanks to the fact that we were close, we were able to get him to safety since a relative jumped in to get him out of the water,' she wrote on Facebook. 'Due to the poor training of the staff, everything could have been worse. The harness burst in the middle of the ride!'

Cesar Moreno (right) was on a zip line accompanied by an adult family member moments before the six-year-old boy's harness broke and sent him crashing into a lake

A Nuevo Leon Civil Protection worker places a do not cross barricade tape at the entrance of the zip line ride at Fundidora Park in Monterrey

The Nuevo Leon Civil Protection said in a statement that boy did not suffer any injuries and was able to walk out with his parents and family.

Fundidora Park announced Monday that activities on all of the attractions had been suspended and that they were reviewing the responsibility of the company that operates the zip line ride.

The park management added it 'will maintain communication with the minor's family to provide institutional support and deal with everything related to the situation.'

'In this Park's new era, the priority is the experience and safety of our visitors,' Fundidora Park said. 'So, we will continue to implement the necessary measures to guarantee that the companies rigorously comply with their contracts.'
Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko has revealed the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Yevgeny Prigozhin, noting that Vladimir Putin was furious that the Wagner chief wouldn't take his calls during the brief uprising.

Lukashenko said he told Prigozhin that he would be 'squashed like a bug' if he tried to attack Moscow, and warned that the Kremlin would never fulfill his demand to oust Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, General Valery Gerasimov.

Prigozhin arrived in Belarus today under a deal that ended a short-lived mutiny against the Russian military by his fighters, state news agency Belta said, quoting Lukashenko.

On its Telegram channel Belta quotes the Belarusian leader as saying: 'Security guarantees, as he promised yesterday, were provided. I see that Prigozhin was already flying on this plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today.'

Flight tracking service Flightradar24's website showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents, descending to landing altitude near the capital Minsk.

Lukashenko warned Prigozhin that the Kremlin would never fulfill his demand to oust Russian defence miniter Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, General Valery Gerasimov

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

The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of a deal that ended the mutiny in Russia.

Earlier on Tuesday, Russia's FSB security service dropped charges against participants in the brief uprising as part of a deal negotiated by Lukashenko and his long-term ally Putin.

Lukashenko said Prigozhin and some of his troops are welcome to stay in Belarus 'for some time' at their own expense.

In Moscow, Putin praised Russia's armed forces for preventing a civil war as he sought to reassert his authority after the crisis.

Lukashenko detailed his back-and-forth phone calls with Putin and Prigozhin on Saturday to try to bring an end to the coup attempt, during which the Wagner chief swore profusely.

He said Prigozhin had been determined to advance to Moscow to protest the alleged wrongdoings against Wagner, but he quickly changed his mind once the negotiator informed him that he would face grave results.

'For a long time, I was trying to convince him. And in the end, I said, "You know, you can do whatever you want. But don't be offended by me. Our brigade is ready for transfer to Moscow," ' Lukashenko told state media.

Lukashenko told Prigozhin that even if he considered the rebellion a protest, the results of an attack could be disastrous not only Moscow, but for neighbouring nations.

He said: 'This situation does not only concern Russia. It's not just because this is our Fatherland and because, God forbid, this turmoil would spread all over Russia, and the prerequisites for this were colossal, we were next.'

Touting his successful negotiation on Tuesday, Lukashenko claimed he was the key player in securing peace over the weekend.

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, on June 24, 2023

Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023

PMC Wagner Group servicemen are seen pulling out of downtown Rostov-on-Don and returning to their bases on June 24, 2023

According to flight tracking website Flight Radar24, the Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with the number RA-02795 belonging to Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Minsk at 7.40am local time (5.40am GMT) - suggesting that he has begun his exile

Lukashenko asserted that he spoke with Putin over the phone at 10am local time on Saturday after Wagner forces set up a base in the Russian city of Rostov to march on towards the capital.

'The most dangerous thing, as I understand it, is not what the situation was, but how it could develop and its consequences. I also realised there was a harsh decision taken  to destroy,' Lukashenko said, suggesting that the Russian President was more than ready to order an assault on Wagner.

'I suggested Putin not to hurry. Let's talk with Prigozhin, with his commanders,' he added.

Lukashenko claimed that Prigozhin did not answer calls from Putin, so they set up three communication channels with Rostov to negotiate with Wagner.

Within an hour of his first call with Putin, Lukashenko said, he was able to connect with Prigozhin, who immediately picked up and sounded elated at the opportunity to negotiate.

Despite Prigozhin being pleased to talk, Lukashenko said, the conversations were initially fiery, with the first half an hour spent by the Wagner chief issuing a number of oaths over the phone.

READ MORE: Putin tells Russian troops they 'stopped civil war' and holds minute's silence for those killed during Wagner 'mutiny' as mercenary chief Prigozhin begins life in exile in Belarus Putin stands in front of members of Russian military units, the National Guard and security services during his address to pay honour to armed forces, that upheld order during recent mutiny, in Cathedral Square at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on June 27, 2023 Advertisement

After things quietened, Lukashenko said, he managed to negotiate an end to the coup attempt by offering Prigozhin and his troops immunity, with the Wagner leader also agreeing to exile in Belarus.

Prigozhin said on Monday that his troops remain loyal to him despite admitting that around 1 per cent to 2 per cent of them have already accepted the Kremlin's offer to join the Ministry of Defence.

Putin spoke of the offer later that day, telling the mercenaries that they can either choose to join the Russian government or throw down their arms and go home.

Meanwhile, preparations were underway for Wagner's troops, who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin, to hand over their heavy weapons to the Russian military, the Defence Ministry in Moscow said.

Prigozhin had said those moves were being taken ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contracts - which he opposed - to serve under the Russian military's command.

Prigozhin issued no public statements on Tuesday.

Lukashenko said some of the Wagner fighters are now in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed last September.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putin's grip on power amid the 16-month war in Ukraine, and he again acknowledged the threat on Tuesday in saying the result could have been a civil war.

In addresses this week, Putin has sought to project stability and demonstrate authority.

In a Kremlin ceremony on Tuesday, Putin walked down the red-carpeted stairs of the 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address soldiers and law enforcement officers, thanking them for their actions to avert the rebellion.

In a further show of continuity and business-as-usual, Russian media on Tuesday showed Shoigu, in his military uniform, greeting Cuba's visiting defence minister in a pomp-heavy ceremony.

Prigozhin has said his goal had been to oust Shoigu and other military brass, not stage a coup against Putin.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in the clash between Prigozhin and Shoigu.

While the mutiny unfolded, he said, he put Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing and urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, so that the conflict with Wagner did not spiral out of control.

Like Putin, Lukashenko portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying: 'If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.'

Prigozhin has long expressed hatred and distrust of Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu (centre)

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details about the Kremlin's deal with the Wagner chief.

He said only that Putin had provided Prigozhin with 'certain guarantees,' with the aim of avoiding a 'worst-case scenario'.

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometres from Moscow without facing serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters: 'We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.'

Zolotov, a former Putin bodyguard, also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports.

The Defence Ministry didn't release information about casualties, but Putin mentioned them on Tuesday and honoured them with a moment of silence.

'Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny,' he said. 'They didn't waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.'

In a televised address on Monday night, Putin said rebellion organisers had played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies.

Although critical of their leaders, he praised the rank-and-file mutineers who 'didn't engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink'.

A Washington-based think tank said that was 'likely in an effort to retain them' in the fight in Ukraine because Moscow needs 'trained and effective manpower' as it faces a Ukrainian counter-offensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

Prigozhin said, without elaborating, that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate 'in a legal jurisdiction'.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagner's presence in his country, though in Russia, Wagner-recruited convicts have been suspected of violent crimes.

The Wagner troops have 'priceless' military knowledge and experience to share with Belarus, he said during a meeting with his defence minister.

But exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbours.

'Belarusians don't welcome war criminal Prigozhin,' she told The Associated Press. 'If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbours.'

As Russia announced preparations to disarm Wagner's mercenaries, Putin's arch foe, jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, launched a stinging attack on the president in his first comments since the aborted mutiny.

'There is no bigger threat to Russia than Putin's regime,' Navalny wrote on social media.

'Putin's regime is so dangerous to the country that even its inevitable demise will create the threat of civil war,' he added.

Putin himself attempted to portray the dramatic events at the weekend as a victory for the Russian regular military.

'You de facto stopped civil war,' Putin told troops from the defence ministry, National Guard, FSB security service and interior ministry gathered in a Kremlin courtyard to hold a minute's silence for airmen slain by Wagner.

'In the confrontation with rebels, our comrades-in-arms, pilots, were killed. They did not flinch and honourably fulfilled their orders and their military duty,' Putin said.

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, on June 24, 2023

Prigozhin, a former Kremlin ally and catering contractor who built Russia's most powerful private army, has boasted - with some support from news footage - that his men were cheered by civilians during his short-lived revolt.

But Putin insisted that Wagner's ordinary fighters had seen that 'the army and the people were not with them'.

In a separate meeting with defence officials, Putin confirmed that Wagner was wholly funded by the Russian federal budget, despite operating as an independent company, adding that in the past year alone since the assault on Ukraine, Moscow had paid the group 86.262 billion rubles (around 791,000) in salaries.

Russian officials have been trying to put the crisis behind them for three days, with the FSB dropping charges against rank-and-file Wagner troopers and the military preparing to disarm the group.

'Preparations are underway for the transfer of heavy military equipment from the private military company Wagner to units of the Russian armed forces,' the defence ministry said.

NATO's chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the power of Russia's military shouldn't be underestimated following the mutiny.

He said the alliance may decide to further boost its strength and readiness to face Russia and its ally Belarus when NATO leaders meet in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on July 11 to 12.

'It's too early to make any final judgment about the consequences of the fact that Prigozhin has moved to Belarus and most likely also some of his forces will also be located to Belarus,' Stoltenberg told reporters.

'What is absolutely clear is that we have sent a clear message to Moscow and to Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally and every inch of NATO territory,' he said after dinner with seven national leaders in The Hague.

'So no room for misunderstanding in Moscow or Minsk about our ability to defend allies against any potential threat, and that is regardless of what you think about the movement of the Wagner forces.'
Suarez later claimed he had misheard the question

The Trump administration labeled the abuse of the Muslim minority as 'genocide'

GOP White House hopeful Francis Suarez made a major blunder on Tuesday when he admitted he was unaware of human rights abuses committed by China against Muslims.

Radio host Hugh Hewitt has asked Mayor of Miami Suarez if he planned to raise the plight of the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority from northern China who have been put in detention camps by the Chinese Communist Party.

'What's a Uyghur?' Suarez asked the stunned conservative talk show host.

Hewitt then shot back at the mayor: 'You've got to get smart on that.'

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez seemed stumped by a question on China's human rights record

He had to be corrected by the host Hugh Hewitt, leading to an awkward exchange on air

Then in a bizarre exchange, Suarez said Hewitt had given him 'homework' in identifying exactly what a Uyghur is.

'I'll look at what a, what was it, what did you call it, a Uyghur,' he said.

'The Uyghurs. You really need to know about the Uyghurs, mayor,' Hewitt told Suarez. 'You've got to talk about it every day, okay?

Suarez later claimed on Twitter that he had misheard Hewitt's correct pronunciation of the Muslim minority.

UN investigators interviewed former detainees of the Uyghur camps that Beijing calls 'deradicalization centers'

The United Nations accused China last August of 'serious human rights violations' and possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

The 48-page report, based on interviews with former detainees, said Beijing had repeatedly singled Uyghurs and other minorities between 2017 and 2019.

It uncovered 'patterns of torture' at the camps and cited 'credible' allegations of torture or ill-treatment, including cases of sexual violence.

UN investigators said 'arbitrary and discriminatory detention' of such groups amounted to a possible breach of international law.

Human rights groups believe more than one million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been detained in the notoriously squalid camps.

China denies those claims and insists the camps are 'learning facilities' intended for de-radicalization.

In a parting shot at the CCP before leaving office, the Trump administration decided to brand the abuses as 'genocide.'

That sparked an angry response China's embassy in Washington, who called the statement 'a farce used to discredit China.'

Officials rejected the U.S. declaration as a 'gross interference in China's internal affairs.'

Suarez's presidential rival, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, hit out at Beijing during a foreign policy speech in Washington, D.C., earlier on Tuesday.

Nikki Haley lambasted China over its human rights record in a speech in Washington on Tuesday at a center-right think tank

'I mean, genocide  we promised never again to look away from genocide, and it's happening right now in China,' Haley replied. 'And no one is saying anything because they're too scared of China.'

It follows Joe Biden calling Chinese leader Xi as 'dictator' last week, while former president Donald Trump said he 'stood up to China like no administration has ever done before.'

Suarez launched a long-shot presidential campaign in a quickly widening GOP field earlier this month.

He was first elected mayor of Miami in 2017, then won reelection in 2021
Bryan Kohberger's lawyers on Tuesday requested from prosecutors details of DNA used to charge the 28-year-old and information about the training of the officers who questioned witnesses - arguing that the material was crucial given their client is now facing a potential death sentence.

Prosecutors on Monday confirmed they would seek the death penalty for the criminology student, who is accused of the November 2022, killings of roommates Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20.

Kohberger's lawyers said the death penalty hanging over the case made it even more important that the prosecution turn over all their evidence.

The prosecution have argued that they have already handed it all over, including 10,000 tips and 51 terabytes of audio and video information.

Judge John Judge on Tuesday heard arguments at the Latah County Court from both sides on several motions, and said he would make a written decision on all points soon.

Kohberger was wearing a suit and tie as he entered the courtroom on Tuesday, rather than his orange prison jumpsuit.

Bryan Kohberger is seen on Tuesday at a pre-trial hearing in Latah County Courthouse in Moscow, Idaho

Anne Taylor, the public defender who is representing Kohberger, stands on Tuesday to address the judge

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 judge decided to extend a gag order to law enforcement and investigators at the start of the hearing.

He also clarified that under a strict order regarding cameras, the cameras present should not focus on Kohberger only, but should show the entirety of the hearing.

Last week, Kohberger's lawyers had requested proceedings stop until they have access to the materials seen by the grand jury who indicted him.

That information is typically private but the lawyers have argued they need it to build a strong defense.

During the latest court hearing, the defense said they are not on a 'fishing expedition,' but looking for specific materials needed for an adequate defense.

'There is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty... and these are very relevant pieces of information,' said Kohberger's defense.

Specifically, the defense team is asking for the training records of three police officers who conducted 'critical' interviews with witnesses and made decisions regarding the investigation.

They also asked for additional information about the FBI team who provided cell phone records used in the probable cause affidavit. Prosecutors said they will hand over these items but the defense wants to know a specific date.

Finally, Kohberger's lawyers said they need more information on the report by the FBI forensic examiner who told police to look for a white Hyundai Elantra.

However, prosecutors claimed the defense has everything the State has, including 10,000 tips and 51 terabytes of audio and video information.

Judge John Judge is seen on Tuesday presiding over the pre-trial hearing

The 28-year-old is seen on Tuesday arriving for his pre-trial hearing

Kohberger is pictured looking composed, ahead of the judge hearing arguments about his case

Anne Taylor, the chief of the Kootenai County public defender's office, is representing Kohberger

Kohberger is seen with another member of the legal team

Bill Thompson, the Latah County prosecutor, who is representing the state of Idaho

Kohberger is seen during Tuesday's pretrial hearing, which was procedural and dealt with evidence presented by prosecutors

They added that the three officers' training records are not material to the case as they probably will not even testify at trial.

Prosecutors said that they will hand over the FBI forensic reports to the defense as soon as the review process is ready 'within the next few weeks.'

Judge said the materials have to be turned to the defense team by July 14.

He will take both sides' arguments under advisement will release a written decision soon., he said.

In a filing last week, the defense tied to poke holes in the indictment, accusing prosecutors of 'hiding their case' and not being transparent about the methods used to obtain DNA evidence and match it to the suspect.

Prosecutors had previously claimed DNA found on a knife sheath left at the scene of the murders 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.

But in documents filed on Thursday, Kohberger's attorneys claimed there was 'no connection' between Kohberger and the students fatally stabbed in their off-campus Moscow home.

The team of lawyers stated there was a 'total lack' of victims' DNA found at Kohberger's apartment, office or vehicle.

Kohberger's lawyers also 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.

A Ka-Bar knife similar to the one thought to have been used in the murders

The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf

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.'

Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16.

A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said.

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.

On Monday, 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.'

If convicted, Kohberger could be executed by a firing squad if the state cannot obtain the lethal necessary drugs.

Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, a cleaning company was seen parked outside the Moscow home where the murders took place.

The University of Idaho told Court TV they are beginning the process to remove all the personal items from the home for the families which will take several weeks.

The home is set to be demolished, but there is no set date for the demolition yet, the school added.
A Florida hospital has come under fire after the harrowing details of a teen who claims she was 'held captive' by them in 2016 surfaced in a Netflix documentary.

Maya Kowalski, now 17, was placed into state custody for three months after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms of her debilitating complex regional pain syndrome (CPRS).

The feature revealed that hospital staff called child services twice to falsely accuse Maya's mother Beata of Munchausen-by-proxy (MSP) - a mental illness and a form of child abuse in which the caretaker of a child, most often a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick.

After being separated from her daughter for more than 87 days and a court order which denied her access to her child, Beata took her own life - a tragedy that continues to haunt the Kowalskis.

Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital is under fire after harrowing doc 'Take Care of Maya' revealed staff called child services hotline twice to falsely accuse Beata Kowalski (right) of abusing her daughter (left), 10 at the time, before killing herself in 2016

In a recorded deposition revealed in the film, ER Physician Dr Laleh Bahar-Posey said there were concerns about how 'pushy' Beata had been.

'She was belligerent, demanding,' she said.

'You don't understand how much medication it takes to control her pain,' Beata is heard explaining in a recording to the hospital she made prior to her death.

'We began questioning the diagnosis of complex generalized pain syndrome,' explained Dr. Farhan Malik during this deposition.

'Things started to become belligerent, thing started becoming talks of leaving the hospital - that's where I started feeling unsafe about Maya and if you have a suspicion of child abuse, well then, you're required to contact Child Protective services.'

AndersonGlenn LLP launched a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and a trial date has been set for September, with the Kowalski family seeking $55 million in compensatory and $165 million in punitive damages.

Despite the damning allegations in the documentary, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital posted its ranking as the number one hospital in Florida by U.S. News and World Report on June 21.

'We're ranked as the #1 children's hospital in Florida by @usnews,' they captioned the tweet.

'This ranking is a testament to the hard work, compassion, and dedication of our staff. Help us celebrate our teams for their commitment to kids' health!'

The post was met with a stream of criticism from enraged Netflix viewers who have been left distraught after watching the film released June 19.

The documentary shows how the ordeal started when Maya was nine, when she began suffering from excruciating headaches, asthma attacks and painful lesions that formed on her arms and legs, as well as cramping and curling sensations in her feet

Of the thousands of tweets that have circulated with the hashtag #TakeCareOfMaya a majority of the vitriol has been directed toward Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital social worker Catherine Bedy and pediatric physician Sally Smith, former medical director of the Pinellas County Child Protection Team.

Bedy is named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed by the Kowalski family.

The court filing alleges that under her watch Maya was videotaped for 48 hours and, on another occasion, stripped down to her underwear and photographed without the permission of her parents or the dependency court.

Smith, who retired from her position as medical director in July 2022, and the nonprofit that employed her at the time were originally named in the lawsuit.

However, they settled with the Kowalski family for $2.5 million, according to The Cut.

'Shame on you! Justice for BEATA, Maya and the Kowalski family. And Sally Smith! You are the worst,' wrote one user.

'My family and I used to donate money every year to this child abduction institution. We all feel as guilty conspirators in your crimes,' said another.

One user went as far as to call the institute 'disgusting' and tweeted 'get those rotten people out and face the trial vs the Kowalskis!'

Meanwhile, others who were horrified by the documentary tweeted about how appalled they were after watching the film. One - liked more than 2,000 times - said: 'Just finished watching Take Care of Maya and I'm emotionally exhausted. Had to be one of the most gut-wrenching documentaries I've ever seen.

'Shame on the hospital, court system and all those that stood by complicit while this injustice was happening.'

Another agreed and added: 'If a 100-minute experience can shatter you so completely, I can't imagine what it must be like to live with the injustice every day.'

Another viewer tweeted: 'The Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya is heartbreaking, terrifying and enraging. Don't miss it.'

On Facebook, a page calling for Smith to be banned from working at any hospital has gained 550 members after the film's release.

Her profile has also been removed from the website of the Fifth Avenue Pediatrics clinic in St. Petersburg.

'Health care providers are legally obligated to notify the Department of Children and Families when they detect signs of possible abuse or neglect,' Ethen Shapiro, an attorney representing Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times.

'It was (the Florida Department of Children and Families) not Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital that investigated this situation and made the ultimate decision that it was in the best interest of the child to be sheltered.'

An attorney representing the Kowalski family said the 'horrific' incident amounts to abduction, incarceration and abuse' of the girl

DailyMail.com has contacted Shapiro for comment but he did not immediately respond.

An attorney representing the Kowalski family said the 'horrific' incident amounts to 'abduction, incarceration and abuse' of the girl.

Gregory Anderson, who founded the firm in 1990 and focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, admiralty and personal injury law said the incidents of late 2016/early 2017 have had an 'irreparable' affect on Maya, her father Jack and her brother Kyle.

'The horrific events from the October 7, 2016 admission through Maya's release on January 14, 2017 have been well-documented,' Anderson told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'These events amount to an abduction, incarceration and abuse of a 10-year-old girl. Her parents were irreparably defamed and damaged.

Gregory Anderson, who founded the firm in 1990 and focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, admiralty and personal injury law

'Beata took her own life to free her daughter from "care" by Johns Hopkins [All Children's Hospital]. The resulting litigation has been the worst I've seen.'

He said the incident took place in the fall of 2016. Maya was released and the Kowalskis exonerated Jan 14 2017 - after Beata took her own life.

'We were retained in the fall of 2017 and sent our first demand letters for information in December. We filed suit in 2018 - that was five years ago, five years of brutal litigation,' he said.

'The Kowalskis have incurred millions in legal fees and costs. Maya, Jack and Kyle will need medical care and therapy for the rest of their lives.'

The ordeal started when Maya was nine, and she began suffering from excruciating headaches, asthma attacks and painful lesions that formed on her arms and legs, as well as cramping and curling sensations in her feet.

When doctors at a local hospital were baffled with her medical condition, Maya's parents started doing research on their own.

Maya's mom, a registered nurse, discovered that her daughter may have the condition CPRS and, after visiting a specialist, this was confirmed.

Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist in Tampa who specializes in CRPS, gave Maya the anesthetic drug ketamine through infusions.

He then recommended a more aggressive treatment, described as a 'ketamine coma' - where the patient receives five days of treatment to essentially 'reset' the nervous system.

The procedure, still experimental, had not yet been approved by the FDA so Maya and her family traveled to Mexico in 2015 - despite knowing the risks involved.

After the CPRS was confirmed Dr. Anthony Kirkpatrick, an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist in Tampa who specializes in CRPS, gave Maya the anesthetic drug ketamine through infusions

Kirkpatrick, who first diagnosed Maya with CRPS, confirmed her diagnosis to Dr Sally Smith in her initial investigation into child abuse - but she did not include his findings

Less than a year after the experimental treatment, Maya was rushed to the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital with excruciating stomach pain.

Maya's parents told the medical team treating her that she had CRPS and needed high doses of ketamine - which they believed was the only way to help alleviate their daughter's crippling pain.

Hospital staff reportedly alerted protective services who later accused Beata of child abuse due to MSP.

'One of the most startling injuries which will come out at trial is the exacerbation of Maya's CRPS as a result of Johns Hopkins [All Children's Hospital's] malpractice in misdiagnosing CRPS as Munchausen-by-proxy,' Anderson said.

'Maya was fortunate to finally locate experts who put her in the care she needed, specifically ketamine therapy and more gentle forms of physical therapy involving warm water exercises.

'CRPS caught early and treated using the most advanced therapies need not be a death sentence or destroy someone's life.'

Anderson said that when Maya relapsed she could have 'very successfully' recovered but Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital 'removed all proven therapies and treated her as a psychiatric patient.'

'As a consequence, her CRPS is now a threat to her life and will manifest over her '30's-early '50's with more frequent, longer duration and more severe and painful events,' he said.

Smith was regarded as somewhat of a 'doyenne in her field' and was formally asked to investigate Maya's case after Beata was deemed to have 'mental issues.'

At the time, it's been claimed that Smith was removing children from their homes at one of the highest rates of Florida's counties, the documentary claims.

AndersonGlenn LLP has launched a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and a trial date has been set for September with the Kowalski family seeking $55 million in compensatory and $165 million in punitive damages

Smith, who retired from her position as medical director in July 2022, and the nonprofit that employed her at the time, were originally named in the lawsuit. However, they settled with the Kowalski family for $2.5 million

Kirkpatrick, who first diagnosed Maya with CRPS, confirmed her diagnosis to Smith in her initial investigation.

He also formally warned that a child abuse case would cause 'needless and permanent harm to the child and family,' according to The Cut.

Smith filed the case without including Kirkpatrick's warnings.

After Maya's symptoms did not improve her Munchausen-by-proxy diagnosis was withdrawn. Smith and other doctors began to believe she was entirely fabricating her symptoms, the documentary claims.

Beata was also formally evaluated and diagnosed with a depressive mood and adjustment disorder upon being separated from her daughter.

Smith retired in July this year telling the outlet that she's not a 'horrible person whose goal in life is to disrupt families.'

'I have spent my adult life attempting to serve children in my community to ameliorate conditions of abuse and neglect,' she said.

'I wish our society did more to help struggling families to provide safe, nurturing homes to their children.

'I'm not a big proponent of punitive approaches for such families, contrary to media portrayals about me.'

In December 2021 Smith and the Suncoast Center settled their portion of the lawsuit with the Kowalski family.

'We have children that come to see us that have less serious injuries, where a recommendation is made for a child to be removed for their safety,' she told the Cut.

'The next day, the judge declines that request, just because they determine they're not going to proceed with criminal charges doesn't mean that there wasn't child abuse or that I quote-unquote made a mistake.'

Beata was also formally evaluated and diagnosed with a depressive mood and adjustment disorder upon being separated from her daughter

Anderson said that the incident took place in the fall of 2016, Maya was released and the Kowalskis exonerated Jan 14 2017 - after Beata took her own life

Smith added that she 'saw dozens of children who were literally beaten to death.'

'I saw hundreds of babies and children who were killed or maimed by Abusive Head Trauma.

'I saw hundreds more babies and children who had multiple broken bones from abuse including young infants with more than 20 fractures in different stages of healing.

'I saw numerous children with ruptured intestines and internal organs from abusive abdominal trauma, some of whom died.'

She admitted to the outlet that these factors as well as biased news coverage and threats by phone and social media to kill her and burn down her home led to her eventual retirement.

'Maya has CRPS and will have an exacerbated form the rest of her life. Jack, Kyle and Maya will continue to live with the consequences of JHACH's actions the rest of their lives.'

When DailyMail.com reached out to JHACH, Danielle Caci, a hospital spokesperson, said they are 'extremely limited in the amount of information we can release.'

'Our priority at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital is always the safety and privacy of our patients and their families. Therefore, we follow federal privacy laws that limit the amount of information we can release regarding any particular case,' Caci said in a brief statement they provided.

'Our first responsibility is always to the child brought to us for care, and we are legally obligated to notify the Department of Children and Families (DCF) when we detect signs of possible abuse or neglect.'

'It is DCF that investigates the situation and makes the ultimate decision about what course of action is in the best interest of the child,' she said.

Since the documentary's release on June 19, the details of other families being wrongly accused at the same hospital have also surfaced including 'American Idol' finalist Syesha Mercado and father-of-two Vadim Kushner.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was long the most public face of Congress' right-wing flank - but now she appears to be on the outs within a group of her conservative allies.

On Friday the House Freedom Caucus discussed removing her from their 40-member band of rabble-rousing conservatives, based on her close relationship with Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

The group did not come to a final conclusion on whether to oust Greene - a move that would be unprecedented since the group's inception in 2015 - a source familiar confirmed to DailyMail.com.

A spokesperson for Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., declined to comment on the move to oust the Georgia Republican.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was long the most public face of Congress' right-wing flank - but now she appears to be on the outs within a group of her conservative allies

Greene most recently found herself at the center of an intra-party spat when she called Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colo., a 'little b***h' on the House floor for 'copying' her articles of impeachment against President Biden instead of signing on to Greene's

A spokesperson for Greene could not be reached for comment.

Never one to shy away from dominating the news cycle, Greene herself has not directly addressed the reports. But after news of the discussion of her ouster she did tweet: 'The medias specialty is dividing Republicans. Its time for Republicans to stop being sucked into playing the dumb game. Defeat the Democrats America Last agenda and save America.'

Greene most recently found herself at the center of an intra-party spat when she called Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colo., a 'little b***h' on the House floor for 'copying' her articles of impeachment against President Biden instead of signing on to Greene's.

'I've donated to you, I've defended you. But you've been nothing but a litte b***h to me,' Greene told Boebert, sources told the Daily Beast, which Greene later confirmed. 'And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them.'

Greene was a political headache for then-Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy when she was elected in 2020.

Democrats removed her from committees and McCarthy was forced to distance himself from her embrace of QAnon and claims that 9/11 and the Parkland School shooting were staged from the inside.

But since Republicans took power at the start of this year, McCarthy has had Greene squarely in his camp. The congresswoman put President Donald Trump on the phone with McCarthy defectors during the 20-ballot speaker's race in January.

On Friday the House Freedom Caucus discussed removing Greene from their 40-member band of rabble-rousing conservatives, leery of her close relationship with Speaker Kevin McCarthy

Once McCarthy got over the finish line he put her in high-profile postings on the Oversight and Homeland Security committees where she can take part in the Biden family investigation.

Both Greene and McCarthy have maintained an alliance with Trump. Greene strongly supports his reelection in 2024 while McCarthy has demurred when asked about the presidential race.

But Trump may not have the sway with the Freedom Caucus he once had. Some of McCarthy's most vocal antagonists - Reps. Ken Buck, Colo., and Chip Roy, Texas, opposed Trump's pushing to decertify Biden electors.

Roy and Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., have endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president. Rep. Ralph Norman has endorsed fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley.

Since the speaker's race McCarthy's right-wing detractors have forced him to work overtime to wrangle votes even for the party-line debt ceiling bill - the Limit, Save, Grow Act.

The negotiated debt deal scored more votes from Democrats than Republicans - rankling conservative detractors yet again. Weeks later they halted floor business and tanked widely popular gas stove legislation in protest.

Business moved forward after McCarthy agreed to renegotiate a power-sharing agreement with Freedom Caucus members.

But Republicans like Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., threatened to paralyze the floor again and again if they weren't happy with the changes to the speaker's leadership style.
The wife of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson has been his top cheerleader - former model Chandra Janway is frequently pictured at his races with their children and by his side on red carpets.

But on Tuesday the 44-year-old's family name made a different kind of headline when tragedy struck, as her parents are believed to have been involved in a murder-suicide in their home.

The Daily Mail explains who Janway is, details of the couple's whirlwind romance, and the devastating events which unfolded on Monday night - nine years after the death of Janway's brother.

Who is Chandra Janway?

Beyond the racecourse where Jimmie takes center stage, Oklahoma-born Janway is known for her career as a former model and actress.

Chandra stunned on the red carpet when she joined Jimmie on the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards at Wynn Las Vegas in December 2016

'Chani has always supported me to the nth degree,' Johnson said when he retired from full-time racing last year

The couple, who live in Charlotte, North Carolina, have two daughters together: 12-year-old Genevieve and Lydia, nine

She starred in the 2007 remake of American western Devil's Canyon, and joined New York agency Wilhelmina Models, which also recruited the likes of Whitney Houston.

Beyond the lens, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Business Communications major.

In recent years, she strayed away from the spotlight and spent her time spearheading the charitable Jimmie Johnson Foundation, which the couple co-founded in 2006.

The model-turned-altruist helps the foundation fund K-12 public education in North Carolina through its grant program, and raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation for children with life-threatening diseases.

She does not have a notable social media presence - although her husband frequently posts family photographs showing she is front and center in his life.

How did the couple meet and when did they marry?

Johnson and Janway were reportedly introduced by none other than four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordan in 2002.

Johnson and Janway were reportedly introduced by none other than four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordan in 2002, and they got engaged the following year

As an actress Janway starred in the 2007 remake of American western Devil's Canyon, and she joined New York agency Wilhelmina Models, which also recruited the likes of Whitney Houston

The family of four are close-knit and frequently appear on Johnson's social media

Janway, who Johnson affectionately nicknames 'Chani', took his last name when they married, becoming Chandra Johnson

They enjoyed a whirlwind romance - the couple got engaged during a ski trip to Colorado the following year, according to fabwags.com - before tying the knot in 2004.

Janway, who Johnson affectionately nicknames 'Chani', took his last name when they married, becoming Chandra Johnson.

During his announcement on retiring from full-time racing last year, Johnson expressed his gratitude for the support his wife has provided over the years.

'Chani has always supported me to the nth degree and also at the same time had her objectives, desires and pursued her pathway and her career,' he told the Associated Press.

How many kids do the Johnsons have?

In his Instagram bio, Jimmie Johnson describes himself as a 'two-time dad' and 'husband' ahead of mentioning his racing career.

The children frequently feature on Johnson's Instagram account, which has more than 530k followers, often pictured with him trackside and on family holidays

Janway and their children are often seen supporting Johnson trackside

The couple, who live in Charlotte, North Carolina, have two daughters together: 12-year-old Genevieve and Lydia, nine.

The children frequently feature on Johnson's Instagram account, which has more than 530k followers, often pictured with him trackside and on family holidays.

What happened to Janway's parents?

Shortly after 9pm on Monday, Janway's parents Jack and Terry Lynn Janway, and their 11-year-old grandson Dalton, were found dead at their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

It is unclear who made the call but officers are treating Terry, 68, as the suspect in the shooting

Dalton, 11, (right) and his grandfather Jack (left) were both killed at the family home in Muskogee, Oklahoma

All three suffered gunshot wounds, and Muskogee Police said they believe they died in a murder-suicide perpetrated by Terry Lynn, who was 68.

One devastated relative posted online: 'Please tell me this isn't really happening, please god someone', while tributes poured in for the 11-year-old.

This is not the first time tragedy has hit the Janway family.

Nine years ago, Jack and Terry's son - and Chandra's brother - Jordan Jor-El Janway, died aged 27 during a skydiving accident in 2014.

He collided with another jumper during freefall and could not open his parachute as he tumbled towards the ground.

Jordan served with the U.S. Naval Special Warfare from 2007-2008, and had been training other employees at the time of the incident.
The White House briefing room had a new look Tuesday when Olivia Dalton took questions from the podium for the first time, and quickly made an impression by closing down a line of questioning about the investigation into Hunter Biden.

Dalton, the principal deputy press secretary, is seen as a potential successor to Karine Jean-Pierre.

She has held informal 'gaggles' with journalists aboard Air Force One but this was her briefing room debut.

And she showed she wasn't going to be a soft touch, deliberately calling on one of the room's most awkward customers.

Steven Nelson of the New York Post asked about President Joe Biden's lunch with his former boss Barack Obama on Tuesday, and whether the former president had offered the same advice he did for his 2020 run when he reportedly said: 'You don't have to do this, Joe, you really don't.'

The White House Briefing Room had a new look Tuesday when Olivia Dalton took questions from the podium for the first time, and quickly made an impression by closing down a line of questioning about the investigation into Hunter Biden

Dalton replied: 'I don't know what you're referring to and I don't have any comment.'

Nelson followed up with an involved question about Attorney General Merrick Garland, and whether information from an I.R.S. whistleblower about the probe into the president's son contradicts his sworn testimony.

'Does the White House believe Attorney General Garland committed perjury when he testified under oath that Delaware US Attorney David Weiss could bring charges outside of his district,' he asked.

'I don't have any comment on that,' she answered, turning to another reporter.

Nelson tried to ask again but got short shrift.

'Steven I'm moving on,' came the abrupt putdown.

And with that Dalton put her stamp on a Briefing Room where Jean-Pierre has at times struggled to keep control of the daily briefing.

Jean-Pierre has frequently been supported by guests  most notably the National Security Council's John Kirby  to take some of the heat off her.

And although Dalton was accompanied by Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, she had little need for her training wheels  referring only briefly to her briefing book of prepared answers.

Dalton arriving in the White House briefing room before the daily news conference

Dalton arrived at the White House after Karine Jean-Pierre was promoted to press secretary last year and has been touted as a potential successor

Dalton was asked about Attorney General Merrick Garland, and whether information from an I.R.S. whistleblower about the probe into the president's son contradicts his sworn testimony

Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, answered questions on 'Bidenomics' and the administration's economic plans at the start of the briefing

It will all heighten speculation that Dalton could be first in line if Jean-Pierre steps down from the demanding role of press secretary.

She joined the White House last year from the U.S. delegation to the United Nations in New York, where she was communications director to U.S. Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

'Olivia is a seasoned communications strategist with experience at the highest levels of government, national campaigns and leading non-profits,' Jean-Pierre said in a statement when she was hired.

'She is smart, savvy and a true pro. She will be a tremendous addition to the press team and true asset for the entire Biden-Harris administration.'

On Tuesday, she was also asked more questions about Hunter's business affairs and what message the president was trying to send last week by inviting him to the state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi days. It came days after he accepted a plea deal over the investigation into his tax affairs and gun ownership.

'Every president of the United States has invited their family to state dinner. This president also has a family. He is no different. And beyond that, I'm just not going to engage on this.'
Riots erupted on the streets of Paris overnight after a police officer shot dead a French-Algerian teenager during a traffic stop, after telling him: 'I'm going to lodge a bullet in your head.'

Nael M., a 17-year-old delivery driver, was gunned down at the wheel of a Mercedes in the western suburb of Nanterre, sparking a night of anarchy in the French capital.

The killing, described by witnesses as 'an execution', was captured on video which quickly spread across social media, fuelling anger at the police after they initially tried to claim they opened fire after the driver rammed them with his car.

Youths poured onto the streets yesterday, setting fire to bins and hurling fireworks at police. As night fell, cars and buildings were torched and the violence spread to other suburbs across the city. The police officer who shot the boy was last night in custody, and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin appealed for calm.

By this morning police had made 24 arrests. Meanwhile, a picture of smiling Nael was released by his family, along with the words: 'The love of my life'.

Left: A picture of smiling Nael released by his family, along with the words: 'The love of my life'. Right: A picture published in French media of the victim

Firefighters work to put out a burning car on the sidelines of a demonstration in Nanterre

Disorder broke out this evening after French police killed a teenager who refused to stop for a traffic check in the city

Youths started fires throughout Nanterre this evening in protest at the shooting of 17-year-old Nael

Firefighters attempt to extinguish a blaze in Nanterre, on the western outskirts of Paris

Police in riot gear stand guard during last night's riot in Nanterre, Paris, which saw nine people arrested

Firefighters work to put out burning street furniture after youths took to the street in anger over the killing of 17-year-old Nael

Fireworks were set off in Nanterre this evening, with claims that some were pelted at police officers

Video footage shows fireworks being thrown by a throng of youths in Paris tonight, with claims that several were aimed at police officers

'There are mobs setting fire to cars and shooting firework rockets at officers,' said a Paris police spokesman

Mr Darmanin told the National Assembly in Paris that the images posted on social media were 'extremely shocking and worrying,' and urged people to 'respect the grief of the family and the presumption of innocence of the police'.

The shooting happened close to the Nanterre-Prefecture RER train station, near Nelson-Mandela Square, behind La Defense business district.

A verified video of the shooting shows an armed traffic officer pointing his service pistol into the yellow hired Mercedes AMG and saying: 'I'm going to lodge a bullet in your head'. There is then a bang and the car lurches forward, before Nael dies at the scene of the shooting, which happened at about 8.30am.

The victim was confirmed dead soon after 9am. There were two other unidentified people in the vehicle at the time.

Prosecutors confirmed that the unnamed officer responsible for the shooting was being investigated for 'murder'.

Officers claimed the teenager had been driving the car erratically, but questions have been raised over the version of events presented by the officers involved.

'At first police said the teenager had tried to run them over, but they changed their tune when the video appeared,' said an investigating source.

As the violence intensified, police reported nine arrests in Nanterre by 10pm.

'There are mobs setting fire to cars and shooting firework rockets at officers,' said a Paris police spokesman. 'Nine people are in custody, mainly for public order offences.'

Local residents held a protest outside the police headquarters. Some groups set alight barricades and rubbish bins, smashed up a bus stop and threw firecrackers toward police, who responded with tear gas and dispersion grenades, according to videos broadcast on local media.

The killing was videoed in Nanterre on Tuesday after the youth - who is from an Algerian background - allegedly broke traffic rules

The crashed vehicle hit a signpost and railings at a junction shortly after a shot was allegedly fired at the driver

Paramedics tried in vain to save the 17-year-old driver, later identified as Nael, 17,

Dashcam footage from another motorist showed Nael's vehicle after it crashed. The victim was confirmed dead soon after 9am. There were two other unidentified people in the vehicle

Nael's heartbroken mother, who asked not to be named, said: 'I lost a 17-year-old, I was alone with him, and they took my baby away from me.

'He was still a child, he needed his mother.'

Nael is currently being referred to by the first initial of his surname.

His grandmother, who also remained unidentified, said: 'I will never forgive them.

'My grandson died, they killed my grandson. We are not happy at all, I am against the government. They killed my grandson, now I don't care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never.'

Yassine Bouzrou, lawyer for Nael's family, said the video 'clearly showed a policeman killing a young man in cold blood.'

Mr Bouzrou added: 'This is a long way from any kind of legitimate defence'.

Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry said he was 'shocked' by the video images and passed his 'sincere condolences to the boy's mother'.

The IGPN national police inspectorate has opened an investigation into possible intentional killing by a person holding a position of public authority.

Firefighters extinguish a burning vehicle destroyed by protesters in Nanterre on June 27

A firefighter walks past a smouldering vehicle destroyed by protesters in Nanterre

Nanterre mayor Patrick Jarry said he was 'shocked' by the video images and passed his 'sincere condolences to the boy's mother'

The shooting has prompted expressions of shock and questions over the readiness of security forces to pull the trigger

One car was set alight as dozens of youths took to the streets of Nanterre and rallied against police

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said the action of the officer 'raises questions', while claiming that the officer may have 'felt threatened'

Vehicles and rubbish bins were set alight in Paris this morning as the violence continued

Youths run wild in a Paris suburb tonight amid widespread anger over the death of 17-year-old Nael

Rioting broke out on the streets of Paris after a policeman was accused of executing a teenager in cold blood

A separate probe is being carried out by regional police into the driver's failure to halt and alleged attempt to kill a person holding a position of public authority.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said the action of the officer 'raises questions', while claiming that the officer may have 'felt threatened.'

The family's lawyer Yassine Bouzrou told the same channel that while all parties needed to wait for the result of the investigation the images 'clearly showed a policeman killing a young man in cold blood.'

'This is a long way from any kind of legitimate defence' he said, adding that the family had filed a complaint, accusing police of 'lying' by initially claiming the car had tried to run down the officers.

'It's so sad, he was so young,' said Samia Bough, 62, the teenager's former neighbour, who came to lay a bouquet of yellow roses at the scene.

In 2022, a record 13 deaths were recorded after refusals to stop for traffic controls. Five police officers have been charged in these cases.

Pictures and video purporting to show the killing have been widely shared on social media, prompting anger from teenagers who took to the streets tonight

The yellow car moved a short distance after a shot was fired into it in the Parisian suburb

Authorities and police unions blame the 2022 figures on more dangerous driving behaviour, but researchers also point to a 2017 law modifying the conditions of the use of their weapon by the police.

Two weeks ago, a 19-year-old was killed by a police officer he had injured in the legs with his car in the western town of Angouleme.

The Left reacted with anger, saying police had no right to kill people simply because they refused to stop.

'Yes, a refusal to stop is against the law. But death is not one of the sanctions provided for by the penal code,' tweeted the coordinator of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, Manuel Bompard.

'A refusal to stop does not provide a licence to kill,' said Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure.
A New York City financier has appeared in handcuffs in a Manhattan courtroom after being accused of raping a girl and plying her with drugs.

Michael Olson, 54, is accused of targeting young Asian girls on Instagram by seizing on ones who posted about not being able to afford clothes, or about self-harm.

Olson was charged after a 14-year-old child he was with overdosed on cocaine, ketamine and Xanax in a hotel room in Midtown Manhattan.

Earlier today he appeared at the New York Supreme Court for the second time in two weeks for what is said to have been a compliance matter.

During his last appearance in court, he was denied bail with his attorney Jeffrey Lichtman saying he was 'very upset'.

Olson, pictured earlier today, is accused of targeting young girls on Instagram who posted about not being able to buy clothes or self-harm

Olson, pictured here in cuffs and in a prison uniform, appeared at the court on a compliance matter

According to police, Olson stored a screenshot of the New York City public school calendar on his phone.

There were also allegedly records of pick-ups and drop-offs from NYC elementary and middle schools.

According to the New York District Attorney's Office, Olson had found the 14-year-old girl's Instagram profile in December 2022 and responded to a post she made about clothes being too expensive.

They claim he sent her a gift card for clothing and began to pay her to spend time with him.

Prosecutors allege that for the next six months, Olson repeatedly raped the girl and paid her $700 a week to engage in sexual conduct with him at hotels in Manhattan and Queens.

Prosecutors say he kept a spreadsheet detailing the drugs he gave young girls, and who he'd sent messages to.

The girl he was allegedly found in the hotel with had also been on trips with him, traveling to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami.

Prosecutors claimed he pretended she was his daughter on the trips to avoid suspicion.

Olson, pictured here at a hearing earlier this month, is said to have paid the teen $700 a week to engage in sexual conduct with him at hotels in Manhattan and Queens

Earlier this month he was arraigned in court and denied bond , which is said to have left him 'very upset'

In May, EMTs were called to a hotel room where the child had overdosed and found the girl and Olson with narcotics present.

Olson was arrested but released after posting a $1million bond, while the girl was taken to hospital where she recovered from the overdose.

But once free, police say he continued to target young girls on social media.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesman for Dwight Mortgage Trust - the firm where he worked - previously confirmed he'd been fired.

'We became aware of the serious criminal allegations against one of our employees, Michael Olson, and immediately after learning about these allegations, he was terminated.

'The allegations are horrific and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will cooperate fully with any request by law enforcement regarding Mr. Olson.'

The investigation into Olson will continue, says Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, whose office is asking any other victims to come forward.
A New York father has been charged with murder after allegedly firing a crossbow at his wife while she was holding their 3-week-old daughter, injuring the mother and killing the baby.

Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, - who had a history of domestic abuse incidents including a Stay Away order in place - fired the weapon at his wife, Megan Carey, on Monday at their home in Colesville.

The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child, Eleanor M. Carey, in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before striking her mother in the chest, Broome County police revealed in a statement.

Proefriedt, described by police as 'a repugnant human being', allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911.

Just a week before the tragedy, the suspect wrote on Facebook that his 'style' was to 'protect his family and friends at all costs.'

Proefriedt and his daughter Eleanor, who he described on Facebook as 'my little baby girl' on June 9, before allegedly murdering her with a crossbow less than three weeks later

Broome County Sherriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday they are holding Proefriedt on murder charges without bail while he awaits arraignment

Emergency responders, arriving at the house on State Route 41 near Cass Road around 5:15 am on Monday, attempted lifesaving measures on the baby but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Carey, reportedly aged 31, was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

Proefriedt allegedly fled the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck.

He was quickly found by multiple patrol units using aerial drones in the woods less than a mile from the residence after his vehicle had become stuck in the mud.

He has been taken into custody and charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree.

The criminal contempt charge relates to the violation of an order of protection.

The incident occurred less than three weeks after Proefriedt posted a picture of himself and baby Eleanor on Facebook, who he described as 'my little baby girl'.

'This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,' said Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar in a statement.

'Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey. I commend the quick and decisive action of our Law Enforcement division in responding to this tragedy and ensuring Mr. Proefriedt did not escape justice.

'Its just a tragic case. Its a senseless case. Reminder to all of us standing here today that domestic violence is incredibly real,' Akshar told reporters at a press conference.

Emergency responders arrived at the house on State Route 41 near Cass Road in the town of Colesville in upstate New York around 5:15 am on Monday

Proefriedt, described by police as 'a repugnant human being', allegedly removed the broadhead bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911 (pictured June 16, Facebook)

The alleged murderer, 26, had a history of domestic abuse incidents including a Stay Away order in place

The Broome County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the investigation is currently ongoing and that Proefriedt remains in custody without bail while he awaits arraignment.
Prince Harry should be paid no more than 500 compensation for his hacking claims against the publisher of the Mirror, the High Court heard today.

Mirror Group Newspapers said the Duke of Sussex was not a victim of phone hacking and the 'true purpose' of his legal claim was to further his campaign to 'reform' the British Press.

The publisher has accepted one instance of unlawfully obtaining Harry's private information, at a nightclub, for which it has apologised. Today its KC Andrew Green suggested the duke was due no more than 500 in damages for this 'isolated' and 'limited' incident.

The rest of Harry's case should be thrown out, said the barrister. He said the duke's unique role in public life did not spare him from the burden of proving his case and the onus of doing so lies 'squarely on him'.

The trial has been going on for seven weeks and both sides will have racked up millions of pounds in legal costs.

Prince Harry should be paid no more than 500 compensation for his hacking claims against the publisher of the Mirror, the High Court heard today

The newspaper group denies it ever hacked the prince, 38. Closing its case, Mr Green said it was impossible not to have enormous sympathy for the duke 'in view of the extraordinary degree of media intrusion he has been subject to throughout his life'.

But he said being a victim of widespread media intrusion was not the same as proving the Mirror's titles had hacked him.

Mr Green said: 'The true purpose of this litigation appears not to be to achieve compensation for unlawful activity by MGN, but instead it forms part of the Duke of Sussex's campaign to 'reform' the British Press.'

He said some of the articles referred to were published 30 years ago. He branded the duke's case 'wildly overstated and substantially baseless'.

Mr Green said that in the duke's testimony, he had 'accepted on multiple occasions' that supposedly private information about which he complains 'had in fact been previously and extensively published elsewhere by other media outlets or had been placed into the public domain by palace spokespeople'.

Mr Green said there was a 'complete absence of evidence' the Mirror's titles had ever phone-hacked Harry, and that his complaint 'in reality is against general intrusion by the entire media'.

He said that despite testimony from the Sunday Mirror's 'designated hacker' Dan Evans and another former journalist, Graham Johnson  both convicted hackers turned 'whistleblowers'  neither had suggested that they knew Harry had been a target of voicemail interception.

The KC urged the judge to reject Harry's claim that he was hacked by the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People newspapers on an industrial scale.

Mirror Group Newspapers said the Duke of Sussex (pictured with his Barrister David Sherborne) was not a victim of phone hacking and the 'true purpose' of his legal claim was to further his campaign to 'reform' the British Press

David Sherborne, representing the duke and three other claimants, told the court there was 'enough hard evidence' that unlawful activity such as hacking, 'blagging' and deception had been widespread at Mirror newspapers between 1991 and 2011.

He said illicit methods were 'the stock in trade at these newspapers across the entire period'.

The barrister claimed MGN's board of directors and legal department, 'the very people whose duty it was to run this public company', were 'well aware' of unlawful information gathering being widespread.

Mr Sherborne urged the judge to draw 'adverse' inferences from MGN's 'extraordinary decision' not to call key witnesses such as former Mirror editor Piers Morgan and other journalists, which he described as a 'gaping hole in their case'.

The trial is due to conclude on Friday, with Mr Justice Fancourt delivering his ruling at a later date.
But the SBA hit out at the findings, saying they were inaccurate

The U.S. government handed out some $200 billion to potential fraudsters who illegally raked in bailout funds designed to weather the economic storm from the Covid-19 pandemic.

That is according to a report published Tuesday by the inspector general of the Small Business Administration, the entity charged with managing the payouts.

The eye-watering sum amounts to approximately 17 percent of the $1.2 trillion dispersed by SBA.

The money was set to aside to compensate businesses affected by successive COVID-19 lockdowns

The report focuses on two schemes: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

SBA inspector general Hannibal 'Mike' Ware, who is independent of other SBA officials, said his team is still probing further misuse of taxpayer cash and other abuses that occurred during the pandemic.

His investigation said there could be billions more in fraudulent payments linked to a low-interest disaster loan that would later require repayment.

Ware's report said the total could be as much as $136 billion of potential fraud in the EIDL program, representing 33 percent of the total funds dispersed to businesses.

For PPP, officials gave a much-lower estimate of around $64 billion, representing 8 percent of the total funds sent out.

It follows an analysis by the Associated Press that found that tricksters had passed off social security numbers of dead people or federal prisoners as their own to rake in unemployment checks.

They sometime even collected benefits in multiple states, the report said.

Investigators accuse the U.S. government of failing to provide enough oversight during the pandemic's early stages.

They also claim that they slapped too few restrictions on applicants, giving possible fraudsters easy access to money stumped up by hard-working Americans.

Joe Biden signed a law in August that extended the statute of limitations for fraud-related crimes

Donald Trump signed off on more than $3 trillion in COVID-related bailout aid, according to official figures

In an October 2020 interim report, Inspector General Ware said to expedite the process, SBA 'lowered the guardrails' or relaxed internal controls, which significantly increased the risk of program fraud.'

In a response to his latest findings, the SBA appeared to doubt his numbers and queried how he had arrived at such an estimate.

The government body said Ware's report 'contains serious flaws that significantly overestimate fraud and unintentionally mislead the public to believe that the work we did together had no significant impact in protecting against fraud.'

The inspector general's review allowed for 'a high percentage of false positives,' or potential fraud cases that, upon further inspection were not fraud, Bailey DeVries, Acting Associate Administrator of the SBA, said.

But DeVries did not cite specific examples in his reply to Ware.

In total, the U.S. government handed out estimated $5 trillion in relief funds since the beginning of the pandemic and across several programs.

DOJ officials have so far brought charges against 2,230 people for fraud related to Covid relief funds.
Lord Frost has accused ministers of treating Brexit as an 'awkward embarrassment' to be forgotten about quickly.

The former Cabinet minister said the government is not doing enough to stand up to 'pro-EU fanatics' who see Britain's departure from Europe as the cause of every problem facing the country.

He claimed politicians and the civil service are trying to get the system back to what it was before 2016, and warned the Tory Party may not get another chance to take advantage of voters' desire for change.

In a speech setting out an 'action plan to rebuild Britain', he suggested there should be a referendum on Rishi Sunak's deal on Northern Ireland  while praising Boris Johnson's firmness on Brexit.

Speaking at the Legatum Institute think-tank about the fight for conservative values across the West yesterday, the former Brexit negotiator said: 'Our debate is bedevilled by a small number of unreconciled pro-EU fanatics who portray every difficulty we face as a consequence of Brexit regardless of the facts.

The former Cabinet minister said the government is not doing enough to stand up to 'pro-EU fanatics' who see Britain's departure from Europe as the cause of every problem facing the country

In a speech setting out an 'action plan to rebuild Britain', he suggested there should be a referendum on Rishi Sunak's deal on Northern Ireland  while praising Boris Johnson's firmness on Brexit

'It is also true the government is doing little to rebut these criticisms of Brexit, and gives the impression of regarding the whole thing as an awkward embarrassment to be moved on from rapidly.' He said the vote to leave the EU was the 'first stage in getting a grip on our problems' but there are many people 'who oppose leaving the EU and don't like giving voters a say'.

'The wish in much of Britain's political class is to get back to doing politics like it was before 2016, just outside of the EU rather than in it.

'A politics in which changing anything significant seems to be beyond government capacity and in which lobby groups, the well-connected and rich all have a decisive stake,' he added.

He warned this would lead to politics becoming disconnected from the voters who wanted change, as had happened when 'old politics' struck in 2017 and 2018.

After the 2019 election the government did 'deliver our national independence' but now 'old politics is messing it up again', the Tory peer said. 'And the Conservative party may not, on current polling will not, get a third chance,' he warned.

In his manifesto to put the country on a different path and give people more freedom, Lord Frost said taxes and public spending should be reduced, benefits frozen, Net Zero targets postponed, planning reforms introduced to build millions more houses and most tariffs abolished to boost free trade.
Bernard Jenkin was yesterday under mounting pressure to come clean about an alleged lockdown-busting party after a fellow MP admitted being at the bash was an error.

One of Boris Johnsons leading inquisitors over Partygate, Sir Bernard has remained silent for nearly two weeks in the face of questions about the celebration of his wifes birthday in December 2020.

Tory MP Virginia Crosbie has now become the first attendee to break cover. The event was advertised as jointly marking the birthdays of Ms Crosbie and Anne Jenkin, the baroness wife of Sir Bernard.

Ms Crosbie, who was parliamentary private secretary to then-health secretary Matt Hancock, said: 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 judgement in attending the event.

No comment: Bernard Jenkin pictured alongside his wife Anne

Also no comment: Maria Miller, former culture secretary

It piles more pressure on Sir Bernard because Ms Crosbies admission that her attendance was an error of judgement suggests rules were potentially broken.

Scotland Yard yesterday said it was still assessing information it had received about the event.

Last week Sir Bernard voted in favour of the Commons privileges committee report he co-authored that condemned Mr Johnsons statements to parliament over Downing Street gatherings during lockdown, all but ending the former premiers parliamentary career.

This was despite Sir Bernard himself facing a police probe over his attendance at his wifes birthday drinks bash in December 2020, which took place in the Westminster office of Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing.

Dame Eleanor, Sir Bernard and Baroness Jenkin maintained their silence again yesterday after requests from the Mail for comment.

Others said to have attended, including former culture secretary Maria Miller and Tory MP Miriam Cates, also remained silent.

Sources with knowledge of the gathering claim alcohol and cake were on offer, that at least ten people attended, and that social distancing went out of the window.

At the time, socialising indoors was against Englands Covid regulations. An ally of Sir Bernard has claimed he believed it was a work event.

The Conservative MP Miriam Cates who has not commented

No comment: The Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing

'I apologise': Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie

But an invitation sent by Baroness Jenkin via WhatsApp described the planned bash as a birthday drinks party for a few of our favourite people next Wednesday 8th [2020] 6.30 to 7.30 in Eleanor Laings conference room.

When the Mail caught up with Sir Bernard last week he refused to answer any questions about the Westminster event.

On Monday it emerged that Baroness Jenkin may have attended a second potentially lockdown-busting party.

She held a bash to celebrate the 15th anniversary of co-founding the Women2Win group just two weeks before her birthday drinks.

Scotland Yard said yesterday: It remains accurate to say officers are assessing the information.
You may think it hard to believe that any woman who has been shot at in Bosnia, hunted by secret service goons in Mugabes Zimbabwe, attacked by a knife-wielding would-be rapist in the Gulf and survived being propositioned by the film star David Niven, would see herself as having had it all.

But that is how Dame Ann Leslie of the Daily Mail saw it.

Who else but Ann could arrange her life so that she spent six months of the year with her adored husband Michael and daughter Katharine  and the other six months a witness to global history?

Anns death on Sunday at the age of 82 robs every one of us of a voice to which we had to listen. For half a century she travelled to some of the most dangerous and unstable places on earth, where she encountered gangsters, gun-runners, drug-smugglers and corrupt politicians, as well as the ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events.

Her interviews were vivid and uncompromising  but they were also disarming and compellingly readable. She had a genius for puncturing the pomposity of strutting dictators and tyrants, but threaded through all her articles was compassion, decency and humanity. And always Ann was at the centre of the action.

In an extraordinary career, Ann Leslie reported from 70 countries, witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and Mandelas liberation

Knockout: With Muhammad Ali, whom she punched for not paying attention

Although she was by no means addicted to danger, she was drawn to it and admitted experiencing the rush generated by the camaraderie, the anger against those who inflict suffering on others and, as she put it, the fierce bursts of exhilaration when you escape official obstruction or, indeed, death.

Described in a compendium of journalism as one of the greatest reporters who ever lived, her mascara ran when she joined the throng dismantling the Berlin Wall. She lost her shoes in the crush waiting for the release from prison after 27 years of Nelson Mandela. She punched Muhammad Ali when he didnt seem to be paying close attention to her questions. He listened after that, she observed.

She also put herself in her acclaimed dispatches  the dreaded letter I  frowned on by most of her rival foreign correspondents. But that was at the very heart of her skill and artistry  that was how she took her readers with her to wherever she reported, always managing to get alongside the most significant people from Mikhail Gorbachev to Salvador Dali.

The Soviet leader instantly warmed to her straight manner and intelligent curiosity. When she dropped in on the Spanish surrealist painter Dali, he wanted to paint her  nude. She refused to take off her clothes for him.

Dali, a man with unusual and extravagant sexual peccadilloes, immediately undid his trousers to allow her to cast her eye over what he described as his divinity.

Ever to the point, Ann Leslies classic description: It was a shrimp and two peas.

Dali was not the only man to drop his trousers for her. David Niven, whom shed got to know as a young showbusiness reporter invited her up to his room at Mayfairs Connaught Hotel . Look, do you mind coming up to my suite for a few minutes? he asked her. Im expecting a call from LA.

But as Ann later ruefully wrote: Calls from LA do not require to be answered without trousers or underpants and in any case the phone never rang. I suddenly realised Id fallen for that oldest of ploys, Come up and see my etchings.

Making what she thought were witty and urbane excuses, she left and thought no more about it. But then Niven, the perfect English gentleman, began spreading rumours about me which ranged from ah, Ann Leslie, always available, to Ann Leslie, typically spinsterish convent girl. Maiden Aunt Annie, I call her.

One famous figure who did win her over, however, was the British actor James Mason. They had a lengthy affair in Anns early Fleet Street years when she was writing about Hollywood. Mason, in fact, proposed to her.

Its a near-impossible calculation but Ann Leslie reported for the Daily Mail from at least 70 countries. During these years she won an astonishing nine British press awards, two awards for lifetime achievement as well as the James Cameron award for international reporting. She was made a dame for services to journalism in 2006.

The job took her all over the world, from the Balkans and the Middle East to Africa, Central America and the U.S.

Dame Ann Leslie is pictured at Buckingham Palace at her investiture

Shanghai: Giving us a glimpse behind the Bamboo Curtain

Bosnia: At the heart of the action with troops on the front line

Manila: Ann interviewing shoe-obsessive Imelda Marcos

Closer to home: On the campaign trail with Margaret Thatcher

She covered nine American presidential campaigns from 1980 and in 2000 secured an interview with George W. Bush which began by trading gossip about a certain Camilla Parker Bowles.

It undoubtedly helped oil the wheels of this particular assignment that she had been one of only a handful of reporters with whom Prince Charles sat down to discuss his life on the eve of his 50th birthday a couple of years earlier. With her trademark insouciance she even accused Bush of being two sandwiches short of a picnic, a jibe intended to irritate but which prompted only presidential puzzlement.

Incidentally, that interview with Charles included his remarkable observation that the public outpouring of grief over the death of Princess Diana had made him feel an alien in my own country.

In 1970 she covered the Charles Manson trial in Los Angeles, returning to the same city 25 years later when O.J. Simpson was charged with murdering his wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman. Ann considered the not guilty verdict by a mostly black and female jury to be an affront to justice.

Her assignments took her to the Philippines, where she reported on Imelda Marcoss obsession for shoes, and to Cuba, where she exposed the dark underbelly of Castros brutal Communist regime.

When four months pregnant with Katharine, she found herself helpfully carrying a loaded sub-machine gun in Rhodesias bush war. She was sent to Mexico to write about the dangerous drugs cartel gangs, covered five superpower summits and travelled with Mrs Thatcher on her 1979 Election-winning campaign.

She witnessed at first-hand the marital squabbles of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon whom she joined at the home of the publisher Jocelyn Stevens in the Bahamas. Ann felt sorry for Snowdon, whom she kept supplied with Fleet Street gossip, but considered the princess vain and lazy.

Reporting from Soviet Union-era Moscow, she found the quickest way to get her stories out was to take a flight to Finland. Years later she went back with the Queen and then as a stalwart of royal tours accompanied Her Majesty on the historic visit to South Africa.

She had her bad back cured by a voodoo priest in Haiti and chatted about make-up to two women prisoners on Americas death row.

With such a vast portfolio, it was difficult to know what she considered her finest work. But when, to mark its 125th anniversary, the Daily Mail did just that, she chose two highlights: the fall of the Berlin Wall when she reported from East Germany in 1989 and the following year when she  shoeless  found herself looking on as Mandela made his slow walk to freedom.

On the front line of history, Ann was a distinctive figure, stylishly dressed with a capacious handbag over one arm  always ready with a deceptive smile to overpower the most hostile of interviewees.

In her memoir, Killing My Own Snakes, there is a striking photograph of Ann at work taken in Port Stanley soon after the recapture by British forces of the Falkland Islands.

Shes wearing jeans, a T-shirt, boots and silver fox-fur coat.

Anns death on Sunday at the age of 82 robs every one of us of a voice to which we had to listen. Pictured here on the Korean border with China

Injured people are carried to nearby ambulances after they were shot by South African police during clashes that ensued after Nelson Mandela's release

Hundreds of Berliners climb on top of the Berlin Wall at Brandenburg Gate during the November 1989 protests that saw the East German communist government collapse

During her career she met John Lennon, Tom Jones and Bill Clinton, shared a flat with the actress Janet Suzman and was violently sick in Indira Gandhis toilet. In her later years, Ann was much in demand on chat shows and on the panel for Any Questions and Question Time. But while her forthright commentary and witty repartee were always a joy, Ann remained what she had always been, a reporter at heart.

Ann Leslie was born in Rawalpindi in what is now Pakistan, on January 28, 1941, the daughter of an oil industry executive. At four, she was sent to a local boarding school, and at nine, to a convent school in Matlock, Derbyshire which she hated then to St. Leonards-Mayfield School in East Sussex. For the rest of her childhood she rarely saw her parents again. I was absolutely heartbroken, she once said.

She was clever, however, and won a place at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. It was there that she met Michael, a studio manager at the BBC.

Ann was taken on as a graduate trainee at the provincial office of the Daily Express in Manchester and learned her trade on rain-soaked doorsteps interviewing policemen, union leaders and striking workers. It was an absolutely grisly time. I hated it so much, she later said.

It was not a promising beginning. Her first boss hated me on all sorts of grounds. Firstly I was a woman; secondly I was posh and went to Oxford; thirdly that I was young.

Like all good journalists she made her own luck. In her case it was an interview with a dwarf who had been a schoolmate of the Hollywood star Cary Grant. They got on like a house on fire, sipping the whisky he kept hidden from his wife in a kettle.

The resulting story was her passport from Manchester to London, where she was given a column with the title, Shes young, shes provocative and shes only 22.

In her autobiography, she recalled being driven by Steve McQueen in a Mini Cooper at terrifying speed up and down Park Lane in Central London  mostly on the pavement.

She gave up her column after insisting she be allowed to do proper reporting. And she quit the paper when an offer to run its New York bureau was withdrawn by the Expresss then editor who snootily observed: Women cant run bureaux.

She turned freelance, and when David English who had offered her the New York job, became editor of the Daily Mail she signed a contract to write exclusively for the paper.

Over the next 40-plus years she filed stories from around the world, including many wars and disasters: civil wars in Zimbabwe, El Salvador and the former Yugoslavia; the first Gulf War in Iraq; and the Middle East.

In Israel, she was reported to have narrowly escaped three suicide bombings in a single day. She also donned full Islamic dress to report undercover from Iran and once ran out the back door of a shop in Harare to escape Robert Mugabes secret police.

Fearless and formidable, she was wary of what she sometimes called shrieking feminists. Women should stop whingeing, she used to say. The point is that you have to be tough, and we learn to be tough by being challenged.

Ann Leslie was the reporters reporter. She had no ambition beyond the thrill of seeing things  and writing about them  that will become history. In her years of distinguished reporting for the Daily Mail she has secured her own place in history, too.
Patients face the worst strike disruption in NHS history after consultants announced a walkout straight after one by junior doctors.

The British Medical Association today said senior medics would stop work for 48 hours next month.

The move had 86 per cent backing from those who voted. Covering seven days, the strikes are expected to result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of appointments and procedures.

The announcement came after the Royal College of Nursing halted its own industrial action.

Only 43 per cent of its members voted  well below the 50 per cent legal threshold. But up to 34,000 consultants, who earn an average of 128,000 a year, will now walk out on July 20 and 21. Only emergency care will be provided, with most routine treatment axed.

Patients face the worst strike disruption in NHS history after consultants announced a walkout straight after one by junior doctors (Pictured: Junior doctor's strike in Trafalgar Square on April 11)

Junior doctors were already set to strike for five days from 7am on July 13 to 7am on July 18  making for the longest walkout since the NHS was founded in 1948.

The impact will be even more damaging because there will be only a one-day gap before the consultants halt work.

Health leaders said the double whammy would cause widespread disruption to many thousands of patients and was a huge risk for the NHS to manage.

The combined action is likely to lead to the cancellation of more than 300,000 appointments, hampering efforts to clear record waiting lists of 7.4million.

It is estimated that more than 650,000 routine operations and appointments have been put off since December due to industrial action.

Some consultants covered for junior colleagues during recent strikes, helping to lessen their impact  but this cannot happen the other way around.

The BMA said it would plough on with the strikes unless the Government made a credible pay offer that it could put to its members.

It claims take-home pay for consultants in England has fallen by 35 per cent in real terms since 2008/2009.

Consultants last participated in a one-day strike in 2012 over pension changes.They also took industrial action in 1975.

Describing the result of the consultants ballot as an unmitigated disaster, Labours health spokesman Wes Streeting said the risk to patients and the NHS was intolerable.

Dr Vishal Sharma, chairman of the BMAs consultants committee, said: It is not too late to avert strike action and the Government simply needs to come back to us with a credible offer that we can put to our members. But if they refuse, it is with a heavy heart that we will take action next month.

It is estimated that more than 650,000 routine operations and appointments have been put off since December due to industrial action

Dr Naru Narayanan, president of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association, said: The Government is drinking in the last chance saloon. It has a golden opportunity now to thrash out a deal and reduce current high levels of discontent.

Its also in patients interests that it does so, because the NHS needs to remain competitive to be able to retain the experienced doctors it has and continue to attract those we need in future. This tense situation is not just going to go away by itself.

Sir Julian Hartley of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, said: This is a huge risk for the NHS to manage. These strikes dont have to go ahead. Theres still time for the Government and the doctors unions to settle their differences and find a way through. The urgency cant be overstated.

A Department of Health spokesman said: We hugely value the work of NHS consultants and it is disappointing the BMA consultants have voted to take strike action.

Consultants received a 4.5 per cent pay uplift last financial year, increasing average earnings to around 128,000, and they will benefit from generous changes to pension taxation in the budget.

We urge the BMA to carefully consider the likely impact of any action on patients.

Rishi Sunak today hosted health chiefs in Downing Street to discuss an NHS workforce plan due to be published later this week.
Anger erupted last night after the chairman of a key climate watchdog said the Government 'should learn' from Just Stop Oil extremists.

At the launch of the Climate Change Committee's (CCC) annual report, Lord Deben said young people are drawn to the group as they think older generations are 'not facing up to the realities'.

It came after the Tory peer appeared in a video at Glastonbury festival saying protesters 'ought to make themselves a nuisance in every circumstance they can'. This sparked a backlash, with Tory MP Philip Davies accusing him of 'spouting tripe'.

The CCC quango is effectively the UK's legal adviser on climate change. Tory MP Peter Bone said Lord Deben was wrong 'giving any support to Just Stop Oil'. Labour has been challenged to return 1.5million given to it by Dale Vince, a key figure in bankrolling JSO.

Rishi Sunak claimed JSO has 'been writing Labour's energy policy' as the party supports no new oil and gas fields.

Lord Deben (pictured) said young people are drawn to Just Stop Oil as they think older generations are 'not facing up to the realities'

Just Stop Oil climate activists are detained after throwing orange paint at the UK headquarters of TotalEnergies in Canary Wharf

The report questions the Government's ability to meet its pledge of reducing emissions by 68 per cent by 2030, and is particularly concerned about progress in industry, transport, buildings and fuel supply. UK greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 46 per cent from 1990 levels.

Lord Deben said: 'I perfectly understand why people don't want this kind of protest  and I myself am opposed to it, I think it's counterproductive  but I think government should learn from it.'

At Glastonbury, he said: 'These protests come from people who are desperate... they ought to make themselves a nuisance in every circumstance they can, because we have to act now.'

Last night Shipley MP Mr Davies said: 'Lord Deben is right to one extent that lots of people are taking extreme measures because they are genuinely frightened about the future of the planet. But the reason they are so frightened is because of people like Lord Deben who basically spout a lot of tripe.

'Instead of scaremongering, people like Lord Deben should be more responsible and have a sensible debate about these things.'

A Just Stop Oil spokesman said: 'Lord Deben is right to suggest that governments are not moving fast enough but he is being too polite. In fact our government is criminally disregarding its most fundamental duty of care to its citizens.
Butterfly boom leads autonomous county in SW China to prosperity

15:38, June 27, 2023 By Yang Wenming, Li Maoying ( People's Daily

Photo taken on June 8, 2022 shows jungle queen butterflies in the butterfly valley in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county in southwest China's Yunnan province. (People's Daily Online/Liang Zhiqiang)

Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county in southwest China's Yunnan province, home to the well-known Honghe Butterfly Valley in Ma'andi township, was recently recognized as the "hometown of butterflies" in China by the Entomological Society of China.

It fully proved the rich biodiversity resources in Ma'andi township and laid a solid foundation for the township's development into a scientific research destination and world-class ecological tourist attraction.

In summer, Ma'andi township is a sea of butterflies. Every May and June, hundreds of millions of butterflies emerge from their chrysalises in the butterfly valley and form an astonishing sight of "butterfly explosion."

There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies recorded in the world, and China is home to around 2,100 of them. Ma'andi township, where over 320 butterfly species have been identified, is one of the regions in the world that see the richest butterfly resources and the most butterfly populations.

Yang Zhenwen, curator of the butterfly valley museum in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county, told People's Daily that the sound ecological environment in the valley has created favorable conditions for the propagation of various butterfly species.

According to Yang, Ma'andi township is located in a mountainous area, with a forest coverage rate of 70 percent and an average annual rainfall of 2,500 mm. The warm and humid climate, as well as the vast forests in the township, offer a suitable living environment and ample food resources for caterpillars.

Jungle queen butterflies constitute the majority of the butterfly resources in the township. Other species include Neorina patria, Kallima inachus and Papilio memnon.

A woman dances with butterflies in the butterfly valley in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county in southwest China's Yunnan province, May 2021. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the Party committee of Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture)

At 8:00 a.m., Yang changed into camouflage clothes, put on his backpack and carried a large bucket to a butterfly observation site, which is 5 kilometers away.

Yang started working for a local forestry station in 1998. Since then, he has been observing, monitoring and protecting butterflies.

Butterflies, as transmitters of pollen, a food resource for other animals and an indicator species of biodiversity, play an important role in the ecosystem. However, they face challenges posed by both nature and human activities in their life cycle.

Over recent years, Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county launched butterfly protection regulations, established a specialized management agency for the butterfly valley and strengthened public education on ecological protection, so as to ensure the living environment and space for butterflies to the fullest extent.

"Protecting forests, water sources and butterflies has been incorporated into conventions of each village in Ma'andi township and become a part of the daily life of villagers," said Yang.

Relying on its rich butterfly resources, the autonomous county has been actively engaged in ecotourism and outdoor education activities over recent years. It has blazed a new trail in balancing conservation and development, and better introduced butterflies to the public.

On May 18 this year, the butterfly valley museum in the autonomous county completed its renovation and reopened to the public for free.

Photo shows a butterfly in the butterfly valley in Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai autonomous county in southwest China's Yunnan province. (Photo from Honghe Daily)

"When the museum was just built in 2010, there were only some 20 kinds of butterfly specimens. Today, there are more than 270, which all came from the butterfly valley," Yang said, adding that the museum will continue to carry out surveys to better demonstrate the biodiversity in the butterfly valley.

The thriving ecotourism sector has led to huge progress in local infrastructure.

"There are many B&B hotels and agritainment facilities in the township today. It takes only five hours to get here from Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, which is much more convenient than before," said Wang Yanchun, a butterfly photographer from northeast China's Liaoning province.

Wang, who plans to stay a week in the autonomous county this time, said the county is more tourist-friendly today than it was in 2011 when he first visited.

Since 2010, the butterfly valley has received a total of 1.9 million tourist visits. An art festival held there on May 20 this year attracted more than 50,000 visitors.

Thanks to the massive arrivals of tourists, the income of local villagers has been significantly improved. Yang told People's Daily that villagers have built butterfly sightseeing paths, as well as a butterfly base where tourists can release butterflies and learn butterfly knowledge.

Besides, villagers have also set up a cooperative engaged in butterfly breeding and the development of relevant cultural products. The butterfly business is leading more and more villagers to prosperity.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Schofield's mother Pat has been treated for an unknown condition in hospital

Phillip Schofield is holding a vigil by his mother's hospital bedside after the 87-year-old fell seriously ill.

The former This Morning presenter's mother, Pat, has been treated for an unknown condition at a hospital in Cornwall for several days.

Following his controversial extra-marital affair with a younger male colleague, Schofield, 61, sought support from her at his 'darkest moment'.

The pair were pictured hugging on a bench overlooking the sea in Newquay, Cornwall, last month.

A TV insider revealed how much the former TV presenter 'adores' his mother and he is trying to remain hopeful over her illness.

Phillip Schofield shares an emotional moment with his mother Pat in Cornwall

She has been treated for an unknown condition at a hospital in Cornwall for several days

'Given the stress Phillip has been through in recent weeks, this couldnt have come at a worse time for the family,' the source told The Sun.

'Given that his mother was the woman Phillip turned to in his hour of need, her illness is a particularly cruel twist of fate.'

Prior to seeing Phillip being axed from This Morning, Pat had to endure seeing her other child, Timothy Schofield, being jailed for child-sex offences in May.

READ MORE: Phillip Schofield breaks cover for the first time in a month Advertisement

The 54-year-old was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child, after a trial at Exeter Crown Court in April.

The civilian police worker from Bath, Somerset told the jury while giving evidence that he had watched pornography with the boy who he insisted was over the age of 16 at the time.

He claimed they had performed sexual acts while sitting apart, but the jury found Schofield guilty on all counts with a majority of 10-2 after more than five-and-a-half hours of deliberation.

Avon and Somerset Police later dismissed Schofield, who had been suspended from his job at the force's headquarters in Portishead after being arrested and charged, without notice.

Phillip, who recently broke his cover for the first time in a month as he clutched his car keys, mobile phone and a vape, has said he and his brother did not have close relationship because of a seven-year age gap and the broadcaster's decision to leave home aged 10.

The brothers grew up in Newquay, Cornwall together after the family moved there when Philip was 18 months old.

Their parents, Pat and Brian, fell in love with the region on their honeymoon and eventually decided to relocate there from Lancashire.

Phillip Schofield and his brother Tim Schofield kiss their mother Pat on the cheek

The paedophile brother of TV presenter Phillip Schofield (pictured together) has been jailed for child sex offences

Timothy Schofield was found guilty of 11 offences between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child

The former This Morning presenter broke his cover for the first time in a month recently

Philip also once described his love for growing up in Cornwall in his autobiography, calling it a great place to grow up.

He said: 'To grow up in the place where everybody else came on their holidays was lucky and then some. The beach was core to the life of the town, our family and my school friends, though I have a problem with sand.'

The TV star's first job was working at an ice cream shop on Fistral beach.

Phillip said following the jury's verdict today: 'My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected. If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family. These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.'

READ MORE: Phillip Schofield apologises to wife Stephanie Lowe after admitting to having affair Advertisement

Schofield was axed from the popular daytime television show on May 20 after spending 21 year there.

The scandal which ended his career centered around an affair he had with a runner who was more than 30 years his junior.

In his grovelling apology one month ago, Schofield said: 'I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story [sic] which they wanted to write about me a few days ago.

'The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.

'Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over...

'I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife...

'I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.

Schofield pictured alongside his former co-star Holly Willoughby

Phillip stepped down from ITV after he admitted to having an affair with a much younger male This Morning colleague

'I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.'

Holly Willoughby, who has kept her role presenting on This Morning, was last seen partying away at Glastonbury Festival.

The 42-year-old was spotted arriving at the hotly-anticipated festival by helicopter along with her husband Dan Baldwin.

She reportedly enjoyed a boozy 12-hour day out at Glastonbury on Friday, when the Arctic Monkeys headlined.

She also partied and danced with the likes of Princess Eugenie, Peter Crouch, actor Jamie Dornan and Lily James until the early hours of the morning, according to The Sun.

However, it appeared that the crowds at Glastonbury on Friday night couldn't resist an opportunity to mock Schofield.

Some members of the crowd were seen by The Mirror holding up a huge flag displaying Schofield puffing on his Lost Mary vape in his interview with The Sun - his first newspaper chat since admitting to the affair.

It was captioned: 'Phillip Schofield says he's vaping so much his hands are blistered,' mocking the presenter's dishevelled appearance in the interview.

During the interview, Schofield showed his 'collection' of blisters and calluses, according to The Sun.

He said: 'I've been vaping, a lot. I didn't realise until suddenly it hurt, but I've been sitting looking up at the sky or out of the window, just staring into space.

'I just sit on the sofa and stare. I realise by doing that, I've blistered both hands.'

Holly Willoughby put the recent Phillip Schofield drama behind her as she partied in a '12-hour' boozy day out at Glastonbury with her pals on Friday

Crowds at Glastonbury on Friday night couldn't resist an opportunity to mock fallen TV presenter Phillip Schofield

Earlier on Friday, Phillip was pictured looking 'very tired' with a plastic shopping bag in Cornwall

Last week it was revealed that Willoughby is set to return to ITV's Dancing On Ice after her former co-star was axed.

Despite rumours she would be replaced, sources close to the presenter say that she plans to be back on the show when it airs early next year.

MailOnline has learned the This Morning host is keen to stay on and will begin contract talks in the autumn where she will also have a say in the identity of her new co-host.
Water bills will need to rise 40% to meet the cost of pollution costs, households have been warned.

Ministers are considering renationalising Thames Water and arranging contingency plans for its collapse - amid growing concerns over whether it can service its 14billion worth of debts.

Water price hikes, to be announced next year, could see annual bills rise from 450 to 680.

Under a process run by water regulator Ofwat, Englands water firms have been asked to submit plans by October to tackle pollution from sewage, which include improving storm overflows discharging in or near designated bathing spots and improving 75% of overflows discharging to high-priority nature sites.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to raise the bill hikes issue at a meeting today with Ofwat. It comes after water prices already rose by up to 11 per cent in April.

Earlier today, Thames Water's CEO Sarah Bentley stepped down with immediate effect weeks after being forced to give up her bonus over the company's environmental performance.

And ministers are understood to have met with Ofwat, the industry regulator, to explore the prospect of putting Thames Water into a Special Administration Scheme (SAR), resulting in temporary public ownership.

The government last used this insolvency process after the downfall of energy supplier Bulb in 2021, Sky News reports.

But critics of the process are angered at taxpayers footing the bill worth billions - far smaller than when the government acquired Bulb.

Whitehall talks with Ofwat have also involved representatives from DEFRA and the Treasury and so far are believed to be at a preliminary stage.

The premise of the talks is reportedly for contingency plans, which may not need to be put into effect.

Thames Water provides for 15m customers across London and southeastern England.

But it has faced heavy criticism in recent years, with headlines about leaks, sewage contamination, and shareholder dividends.

Earlier today, Thames Water's CEO stepped down with immediate effect weeks after being forced to give up her bonus over the company's environmental performance.

The company said that Sarah Bentley would leave the board on Tuesday, but will continue to support her interim replacement until a new full-time boss can be found.

Ms Bentley, who was appointed in 2020, said in May that she would give up her bonus after the company's environmental and customer performance suffered.

But even after giving up the bonus, the chief executive managed to double her pay, raking in 1.5 million.

At the time Gary Carter, a national officer at the GMB union, said that Ms Bentley's plan to give up the bonus was 'nothing more than a flimsy PR stunt'.

On Tuesday chairman Ian Marchant said: 'I want to thank Sarah for everything she has done since joining the company in 2020, building a first class executive team and leading the first phase of the turnaround of the company.

'On behalf of everyone at Thames, the board wishes her every success for the future.'

Ms Bentley said: 'It has been an honour to take on such a significant challenge, and a privilege to serve Thames Water's dedicated and inspirational colleagues.

'The foundations of the turnaround that we have laid position the company for future success to improve service for customers and environmental performance.

'I wish everyone involved in the turnaround the very best.'
The cocaine cartel boss executed in a gangland hit in Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs was described as Australia's 'Tony Soprano' by his own wife who warned him he would not 'survive' if he kept showing off.

Alen Moradian, 49, was shot in the underground carpark of an apartment building next door to Bondi Junction's Holiday Inn hotel on Spring Street before 8.30am on Tuesday. The shooter or shooters remain at large.

Alen Moradian had used the proceeds of the 'Golden Gun' drug-smuggling operation to deck out his West Pennant Hills mansion in designer decor, complete with a Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling (pictured)

Moradian had allegedly spent $1 million in cash in Versace to kit out his 'palace'

He was handed a 16-year jail sentence in 2011 for his role as boss of the 'Golden Gun' drug syndicate which imported and sold more than 300kg of cocaine into Australia 2005 and 2006.

The syndicate, which was was reportedly paying $30,000 a kilogram for cocaine in the US and selling it for $190,000 in Sydney, was given its name after police found a gold-plated .357 Magnum Desert Eagle handgun during one of the raids.

Moradian, who was nicknamed 'Fathead' and had links to the Comanchero bikie gang, used the proceeds of the drug-smuggling operation to deck out his West Pennant Hills mansion in designer decor and antiques.

At his trial a Versace salesman told the court Moradian 'loved the Versace furniture and the excess', with police later dubbing it a 'Versace palace'.

The salesman later told the cocaine kingpin he should have lived in 16th-century Italy due to his opulent tastes.

Moradian's mansion contained a $440,000 Sistine Chapel-esque ceiling showing sky and angels.

He was said to be mulling over an $850,000 Versace-decorated Lamborghini before police arrested him, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report from the time.

Moradian, who had links to the Comanchero bikie gang, had used the proceeds of the drug-smuggling operation to deck out his West Pennant Hills mansion in designer decor

At his trial a Versace salesman told the court Moradian 'loved the Versace furniture and the excess'

The 'Golden Gun' syndicate, which was was reportedly paying $30,000 a kilogram for cocaine in the US and selling it for $190,000 in Sydney, was given its name after police found a gold-plated .357 Magnum Desert Eagle handgun during one of the raids

But during his trial it emerged his wife, Natasha Moradian, had warned her husband against showing off.

'Why do you just sit there and show off... do you see Tony Soprano doing that? He points it all off on a junior for a reason - to take the heat away from him,' an email Ms Moradian wrote to her husband read.

'You, on the other hand, want the attention, you get a big head, you love it. People like that won't survive,' the email read.

Her eerie warning, sent over a decade ago, came true on Tuesday.
Tragic footage has emerged of the final days of a Belgian tourist before she died in a motor-scooter crash in Australia.

Romy Styleman had celebrated her 26th birthday just days before she crashed her scooter into a street sign on Queensland's Magnetic Island about 3pm on Friday.

During her last weeks on the island, Ms Styleman was seen soaking up the winter sun, watching sunsets with friends and even feeding a group of wallabies.

She had been posting almost daily updates of her travels to social media and celebrated her 26th birthday with a sweet video montage on June 20.

In the video, the keen traveller is seen somersaulting into clear blue water in Vietnam, dancing in a nightclub and sitting on a rope swing.

Romy Styleman had celebrated her 26th birthday just days before she crashed her scooter into a street sign on Magnetic Island, near Townsville, at about 3pm on Friday

Bystanders frantically gave the young woman first aid after she crashed her scooter before the 26-year-old was rushed to Townsville University Hospital.

Ms Styleman then underwent emergency surgery before dying later that night.

She had been working at Magnetic Island's Saltwater Restaurant for about six months before her life was tragically cut short.

Daniel Blakeman, who owns the venue with his wife Jen, said the bubbly blonde had been an 'amazing' person and a 'true inspiration' to her fellow employees.

'The first thing I noticed about Romy was her big, beautiful smile and her blonde, shoulder-length hair,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'She was amazing at creating our entrees and desserts.

'Front of house superstar with a great big smile every time. It's not fair that her life was taken from this world so soon. Romy will be very missed.

'On behalf of Saltwater and the team, we send out condolences, strength and prayers to her family and friends in Belgium and the ones she created here.'

Ms Styleman first arrived in Australia in November and recently spent time in Vietnam, where she hiked mountains and went swimming.

She commemorated the trip with a tattoo which reads: 'Chaos makes the muse'.

She reflected on her 26th birthday with a video montage on June 20, just three days before she would fatally crash.

'Celebrating your 26th birthday on the other side of the world feels odd,' she wrote.

The keen traveller first arrived in Australia in November and recently spent time in Vietnam

Ms Styleman (pictured) had been providing her followers on social media with almost daily updates of her time on Magnetic Island, about 8km offshore from Townsville

'On one hand, it makes me miss my family and friends. Wishing they were here today. But on the other hand, it makes me feel grateful to be able to live this type of life. To be surrounded by new friends who impacted your life in such a short period of time. There are not enough words to describe how genuinely happy I am today.

'Every day I am becoming a better version of myself, doing things I want and love and making the best of this life. This will be the one I'll never forget.

'Me to myself Happy 26th Birthday Rooms, you got this.'

Devastated friends and family from her home in Belgium and her travels in Australia left tributes to the bubbly graphic designer in the comments.

'I can't believe this happened. She is the most amazing soul,' one woman wrote.

'Meeting her in Australia was a blessing and I'll never forget that beautiful energy. Definitely too good for this world.'

'Oh, sweet thing. The world is a sad place without you. You have brought much joy to everyone's life. You won't be forgotten. Rest easy,' a second wrote.

A third wrote: 'Already missing you'.

A GoFundMe campaign to help Ms Styleman's family cover repatriation and funeral costs has so far raised almost $3,000

Ms Styleman (pictured) reflected on her 26th birthday with a sweet video montage on June 20, just three days before the fatal scooter crash

A GoFundMe campaign to help Ms Styleman's family cover repatriation and funeral costs has so far raised almost $3,000.

'Romy, who was chasing her dreams in Australia, died in an accident there,' organiser Ester Patroons wrote.

'Unfortunately, there are some costs involved in the event of a death abroad. With this action I would like to lend a helping hand to the family to keep the financial side of this drama bearable.

'All support is welcome to be able to offer Romy a nice and warm farewell.'

Ms Styleman was wearing a helmet when she crashed into the street sign last Friday and suffered internal injuries in the collision.

Police said the indication she was speeding or under the influence.
While Mars and Earth are similar in many ways, living on the Red Planet would be far from easy.

Dust devils, dangerous radiation and harsh temperatures are among its numerous challenges - and that excludes the complete lack of oxygen.

But now, four volunteers will battle these for themselves, having entered a Texas-based Mars simulation where they will spend the next year.

NASA launched its 'CHAPEA' (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog) project just yesterday in a major step towards rocketing to Mars.

A four-person crew will now spend 378 days in a 1,700 square-foot home dubbed the 'Mars Dune Alpha' equipped with four rooms, a gym and even leather sofas - but no windows.

The exterior of the CHAPEA home - covered in red sand to simulate Martian conditions

Here, the group of volunteers will conduct an array of 'mission activities', such as robotics operations, growing crops and maintaining hygiene amid 'extraterrestrial' obstacles.

'They are about to embark on an analogues mission that encompasses Operation Logistics and research of living and working on Mars. The importance of this study cannot be understated,' said Judy Hayes, Chief Science Officer of CHAPEA.

WHAT DOES 'MARS DUNE ALPHA' HAVE? Four small rooms

A gym

Two bathrooms

Vertical farm

Area for relaxing

Medical care room

Workstations

Treadmill

Airlock to 'outdoors'

Weather station

Brick-making machine

Small greenhouse

A lot of red sand Advertisement

'As the journey unfolds over the coming year, it's through the stealth of this stellar crew that NASA scientists will learn critical insights on the physical and behavioural aspects of a mission on Mars.'

Microbiologist Anca Selariu, research scientist Kelly Haston, engineer Ross Brockwell and medic Nathan Jones are among the four-person crew in the CHAPEA habitat.

Their new home hosts four small rooms, two bathrooms and a lot of red sand as the US space agency has attempted to replicate Martian conditions.

While you may not expect life on Mars to be luxurious, their living space is also complete with a living area, TVs and several workstations.

It even has an airlock which leads to an 'outdoor' reconstruction of the Martian environment, although this is still located inside the hangar where the facility is housed.

Various pieces of equipment are also scattered around the sandy floor, including a weather station, a brick-making machine and a small greenhouse.

The home is equipped with a treadmill too, on which the volunteer astronauts will walk suspended from straps to simulate Mars' lesser gravity.

Microbiologist Anca Selariu (pictured left), research scientist Kelly Haston (centre right), engineer Ross Brockwell (centre left) and medic Nathan Jones (far right) are among the four-person crew in the CHAPEA habitat

A recreational area is seen inside the Mars Dune Alpha, complete with leather sofas and a TV

The Martian-like exterior of the Texas-based home where the crew will conduct various tests

One of the working areas within NASA's Mars Dune Alpha base in Houston, Texas

As the mission goes on, NASA intends to monitor the crew's physical and mental health to better understand humans' ability to endure such a long isolation.

Researchers will regularly test the crew's response to stressful situations, such as restricting water availability or equipment failures.

NASA's lead researcher on the project, Grace Douglas, said this data would allow the agency to better understand astronauts' 'resource use' on Mars.

'We can really start to understand how we're supporting them with what we're providing them, and that's going to be really important information to making those critical resource decisions,' she said during a previous press tour of the habitat.

Nathan Jones, among the crew, also added on Sunday: 'Humanity yearns to reach higher than ever before. Metaphorically and physically we seek to climb the highest of mountains.

Lead associate professor of industrial and organizational psychology Suzanne Bell, and advanced food technology lead scientist Grace Douglas speak to members of the media during a previous media tour of the Mars Dune Alpha

The base is equipped with a gym and various machines that can be used for excercise

There is a treadmill on which the volunteer astronauts will walk suspended from straps to simulate Mars' lesser gravity

The living/dining area inside of CHAPEA's Mars Dune Alpha where the team will spend a year

The oxygen generator system inside the the Mars Duna Alpha, simulating realistic conditions

The habitat was created for three planned experiments called the Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA). Pictured is a floor plan for the facility

'So, we set our sights on a distant tomorrow when we might stand upon mountains such as Olympus Mons which is the tallest mountain in our solar system - as far as I'm aware. That is a mountain on Mars.

'But I believe that tomorrow will only be possible because we step into Mars Dune Alpha today.'

Another interesting feature about the habitat, which the team have worked on since 2019, is that it is 3D-printed.

This comes at a time when NASA is looking at potential ways to be self-reliant and build habitats on other planetary surfaces.

Although NASA is currently in the early stages of preparation for a mission to Mars, its primary focus is the upcoming Artemis missions.

These aim to return humans to the moon for the first time in half a century, and will kick off in 2024 with Artemis II flying around our lunar satellite.

The first woman and first person of colour is set to walk on the Moon's surface a year later for Artemis III.
Rumours come just over a month after Netflix cracked down on account sharing

It has stirred up speculation that this option could soon be unavailable in the UK

Netflix has killed off its 'Basic' cheapest ad-free subscription option in Canada

Netflix has killed its cheapest ad-free streaming offer for Canadian citizens, in a move that has stirred up speculation over what's next for the rest of the world.

Canadians no longer have the option to pay $9.99 CAD/month for ad-blocked TV watching and will now be forced to splash out a minimum of $16.49 CAD/month to do so.

While this isn't new, its quiet disappearance has triggered rumours that the UK's 'Basic' option - costing 6.99 ($9.99 US) - could also soon be taken on off the market.

Like Canada, this would force Brits to pay up a minimum of 10.99 ($15.49 US) for ad-free watching or simply put up with adverts at much cheaper cost of 4.99 ($6.99 US).

These rumours come just a month after the tech giant's controversial crackdown on account sharing, with millions barred from lending logins to those outside their household.

Netflix has cut off its 'Basic' subscription option in Canada, being the cheapest ad-free choice

READ MORE: What does Netflix's password sharing crackdown mean for YOU? Millions are now barred from lending Netflix logins to people outside their household Advertisement

In the midst of these changes, complaints have flooded Twitter, with some users suggesting they are pulling out of Netflix altogether.

'Don't cancel that "basic" Netflix subscription,' one user wrote.

'Netflix is testing getting rid of it. Hold on to your "basic" Netflix subscription if you want it. Because it might soon go away.'

Another added: 'I'm sure they won't remove that in India cuz if they will... They'll face a huge loss!'

Meanwhile, one user appeared to joke: 'Piracy has never been sweeter,' while another said: 'Don't worry, we already pulled our Netflix subscription.'

Others also suggested that interest in the service must be plummeting as they wrote: 'Netflix is losing subscribers left and right.'

Alongside its 10.99 ($15.49 US) ad-free 'Standard' option, users have the chance to pay 15.99 ($19.99 US) for the 'Premium' service on four devices at once in 'Ultra HD'.

This option also allows two additional members from outside a household to be put onto the account, while the 'Standard' option only offers one extra member.

The extra member feature came as part of Netflix's hit against account sharing, with anyone using a VPN or living in a different country blocked from a member slot.

The ban comes to 103 countries including the UK, the US, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Mexico and Brazil, having been tested first in Peru, Chile and Costa Rica last year.

The Canada cancellation has stirred up rumours that this could soon be unavailable in the UK

Rumours come just over a month after Netflix cracked down on account sharing

It has been a drastic turnaround for the company, which tweeted that 'love is sharing a password' just six years ago.

But the scheme has not been met with overwhelming success, with Netflix losing more than a million Spanish subscribers in the first three months of 2023, according to Kantar.

Analysis of Google search data also revealed that online searches for 'Cancel Netflix account' rocketed 2,939 per cent in the UK towards the end of last month.

A Netflix spokesman declined to comment on what may be next for service, but told MailOnline: 'Existing members on Basic are unaffected by this change. Basic is not available to new and rejoining members in Canada.'
Our ancestors mingled with dinosaurs shortly before they went extinct, according to a new study.

Debate has long raged among researchers over when placental mammals  the group that includes humans, dogs and bats  first originated.

Some believe they were present alongside the dinosaurs before an asteroid hit Earth, causing catastrophic destruction, while others claim they only evolved after the dinosaurs were done away with.

Now, an in-depth analysis of the fossil record finally provides the answer  that our ancestors co-existed with dinosaurs for a short time before the reptiles went extinct.

So far fossils of placental mammals have only been found in rocks younger than 66 million years old, which is when the asteroid hit Earth.

Our ancestors mingled with dinosaurs shortly before they went extinct, according to a new study (artist's impression)

The colossal event wiped out all dinosaurs except for birds and other smaller animals such as lizards and frogs.

In a new paper published in the journal Current Biology, a team of palaeobiologists used statistical analysis of the fossil record to determine that placental mammals originated before the mass extinction, meaning they co-existed with dinosaurs for a short time.

Primates, the group that includes the human lineage, as well as Lagomorpha - rabbits and hares - and Carnivora - dogs and cats - were shown to have evolved just before the mass extinction, which means our ancestors were mingling with dinosaurs.

After they survived the asteroid impact, placental mammals rapidly diversified, perhaps spurred on by the loss of competition from the dinosaurs, the researchers said.

Lead author Emily Carlisle of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences said: 'We pulled together thousands of fossils of placental mammals and were able to see the patterns of origination and extinction of the different groups.

So far fossils of placental mammals have only been found in rocks younger than 66 million years old, which is when the asteroid hit Earth (artist's impression)

'Based on this, we could estimate when placental mammals evolved.

'Unfortunately we don't know what our placental mammal ancestors would have looked like back then.

'Many of the earliest fossils of placental mammals are quite small creatures such as Purgatorius  an early ancestor of primates  which was a small burrowing creature a bit like a tree shrew.

'So it's likely that many of our ancestors were small and squirrely.'

Co-author Daniele Silvestro , from the University of Fribourg, explained: 'The model we used estimates origination ages based on when lineages first appear in the fossil record and the pattern of species diversity through time for the lineage.'
More whistleblowers in the Pentagon have come forward with 'first-hand knowledge' of secret UFO crash retrieval programs, US Senator Marco Rubio has revealed.

The Republican Florida Sen said officials with 'very high clearances' who have occupied 'high positions within our government' have come forward with 'first-hand knowledge or first-hand claims' of top secret Government programs.

Ex-Air Force officer David Grusch made worldwide news earlier this month when he claimed alien craft and bodies had been recovered and back-engineered by US officials.

Grusch noted that these beings are cautiously described as 'non-human intelligences' by insiders within these highly classified programs, because even experts can't say for sure where these beings really come from.

Sen. Rubio said that some of these witnesses who spoke with the Senate Intelligence Committee  where Rubio is vice chairman  were likely some of the same individuals referenced by Grusch.

Sen. Rubio said that some of these witnesses who provided their 'first-hand knowledge or first-hand claims' were likely some of the same individuals referenced by UFO whistleblower David Grusch, publicly and in a formal complaint to the Intelligence Community Inspector General

Ex-Air Force officer David Grusch made worldwide news earlier this month when he claimed the craft and bodies of 'non-human intelligences' had been recovered and studied by the US

'A lot of these people came to us even before these protections were in the law for whistleblowers to come forward,' Rubio told NewsNation Monday.

Grusch, an Air Force veteran who went on to posts at both the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the NRO, told the inspector general that he had faced illegal retaliation for his inquiries into these same highly classified UFO programs.

For their part, the inspector general described Grusch's complaint as 'credible and urgent' in July 2022  forwarding the filing to the US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Rubio's own Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, among others.

Sen. Rubio - who is vice chair of the Senate's intelligence committee - emphasized that there have been similar credible threats to the committee's other unnamed witnesses, their livelihoods and their lives.

'I'm not trying to be evasive,' Sen. Rubio said, 'but I am trying to be protective of these people.'

'Some of these people still work in the government, and frankly a lot of them are very fearful,' the Florida Republican noted, 'fearful of their jobs, fearful of their clearances, fearful of their career, and some frankly are fearful of harm coming to them.'

Senator Rubio called for 'a mature understanding' from his fellow legislators, policymakers, and the public  saying that he sees his duty as to 'just sort of intake the information without any prejudgment or jumping to any conclusions in one direction or another'

An image from an unclassified video taken by US navy pilots showing interactions with 'unidentified aerial phenomena'

Rubio's comments illustrate the need for Congress's newly created UFO whistleblower protections  which were enacted last year through a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.

But the senator's comments also help explain the bold recent moves by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Last week, the committee unanimously adopted a provision to cut off all federal funding to any secret UFO reverse-engineering program, whether conducted by the US government or hidden away in the private sector via a defense contractor.

The Intel committee chose their words carefully, broadly targeting any reverse-engineering programs involving unidentified craft of 'non-earth' or 'exotic' origin.

Despite the shocking directness of these legislative moves, Rubio was more circumspect about the complete accuracy of these high-level whistleblowers and their claims.

'I don't find them either not credible or credible,' Sen. Rubio told NewsNation Washington correspondent Joe Khalil. 'Understand some of these claims are things that are beyond the realm what any of us has ever dealt with.'

Earlier this June, AARO director Sean Kirkpatrick played a 2022 military UFO video taken by an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Mid East for NASA's own UFO advisory panel. 'We see these ['orbs'] all over the world,' he said, 'and we see these making very interesting apparent maneuvers'

In Rubio's assessment, the sheer number and stature of the first-hand witnesses who have briefed the intelligence committee is  by itself  a cause for concern and worthy of more attention.

'Most of these people at some point, or maybe even currently, have held very high clearances, and high positions within our government,' Rubio noted.

'So, you do ask yourself, 'What incentive would so many people, with that kind of qualification, have to come forward and make something up?''

'These are serious people,' Rubio said.

Given the stature of these sources and the volatility of their claims, the senator called for 'a mature understanding' from his fellow legislators, policymakers, and the general public  saying that he sees a duty to 'intake the information without any prejudgment or jumping to any conclusions in one direction or another.'

'We're trying to gather as much of that information as we can,' Rubio said.
It also finds that 88% of Brits are open to travelling to lesser-known destinations

Underrated alternatives to some of the usual summer holiday hot spots have been revealed, and what's more - flights to them are cheaper.

According to Skyscanner, for example, Britons could trade Tenerife for Naples this summer and save 58 per cent on flights.

It recommends leaving Naples' airport and heading to the nearby village of Atrani, located along the Amalfi Coast, to enjoy its colourful cliffside perch and idyllic beach with views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

If Britons swap Dalaman in Turkey for the French seaside town of Menton, meanwhile, theyll enjoy more savings  flights are 56 per cent cheaper to Nice Airport this summer, which is less than an hours drive away from Menton.

Skyscanner notes that historic Menton is nicknamed the Pearl of France and boasts picturesque cobblestone streets and a warm climate.

Skyscanner has revealed underrated alternatives to some of the usual summer holiday hot spots - and flights to them are cheaper. Swap Tenerife (image one) for Atrani (image two) near Naples and save 58 per cent on flights

Flights are 56 per cent cheaper to Menton in France (image two) than to Dalaman in Turkey (image one) this summer

Instead of flying to Larnaca in Cyprus, opt for the surfers paradise of Biarritz  Skyscanner notes that flights are 55 per cent cheaper to the French resort. While there, it recommends you enjoy the spectacular beaches along with the great foodie scene and vibrant nightlife.

Or trade in the pyramids of Cairo for the White City of Amman in Jordan - described by Skyscanner as 'one of the worlds oldest continuously inhabited places in the world' - and save 45 per cent on flights.

What's more, the flight booking site reveals that UK travellers could save 35 per cent on flights if they swap the sunny shores of Valetta in Malta for Pula, Croatia - a city 'filled with Roman ruins and ancient historic sites' and 'rocky beaches'.

Instead of flying to Larnaca (image one), opt for the surfers paradise of Biarritz (image two)  Skyscanner notes that flights are 55 per cent cheaper

Trade in Cairo (image one) for Amman in Jordan (image two) and save 45 per cent on flights

UK travellers could save 35 per cent on flights if they swap the sunny shores of Valetta (image one) for Pula in Croatia (image two)

FLIGHT PRICE COMPARISON Popular - Tenerife Average Price  July 2022 - 193 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 233 Underrated - Naples Average Price  July 2022 - 163 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 153 Popular - Dalaman Average Price  July 2022 - 234 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 314 Underrated - Menton Average Price  July 2022 - 220 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 196 Popular - Larnaca Average Price  July 2022 - 289 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 313 Underrated - Biarritz Average Price  July 2022 - 124 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 115 Popular - Valetta Average Price  July 2022 - 185 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 206 Underrated - Pula Average Price  July 2022 - 199 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 123 Popular - Cairo Average Price  July 2022 - 530 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 527 Underrated - Amman Average Price  July 2022 - 486 Average Price  Aug 2022 - 502 Source: Skyscanner Advertisement

These findings are part of research carried out by Skyscanner in association with OnePoll, which also found that a huge 88 per cent of Brits are open to travelling to more alternative or lesser-known destinations.

Almost half (49 per cent) of those polled said they would be likely to swap their holiday favourites for an alternative option if it meant they were likely to save money.

And 43 per cent of Britons polled admitted they actually prefer booking a trip to a new and alternative holiday destination over a tried-and-tested getaway spot.

Skyscanner notes that it has seen an increase in searches to underrated, alternative destinations, with searches for Biarritz booming by 166 per cent and searches for Valencia up by 165 per cent.

Elsewhere in its research, Skyscanner discovered crowd-pleasing  yet crowd-free  destinations that are popular with locals in Europe, but little known to Britons.

For instance, it found that 52 per cent of Britons surveyed had been to Amsterdam, but only 10 per cent had holidayed in The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government - even though 86 per cent of Dutch travellers had been there.

Skyscanner notes that the coastal city is less crowded and cheaper than Amsterdam - it recommends flying direct to Amsterdam from as little as 72 this August and taking a direct train to The Hague for 12.

Furthermore, 37 per cent of UK travellers have been to Palma in Mallorca, but only seven per cent have explored El Hierro, the second-smallest Canary Island, versus 20 per cent of Spanish travellers surveyed.

Skyscanner notes that UK travellers can fly to Tenerife this summer from 200 return and take the ferry direct to El Hierro for around 46.

A third (31 per cent) of Britons have yet to book their summer holiday this year, Skyscanner reveals, with 49 per cent of that group admitting that theyre still deciding on their ideal summer holiday destination.

To help travellers find underrated alternatives to the conventional holiday hot spots, Skyscanner is launching a new Destination Decider feature on Instagram.

Hosted via the direct message function on Instagram, the 'Destination Decider' bot asks travellers a series of travel-oriented questions before matching them with their 'perfect' alternative holiday destination.
British tourists have been warned they could face extraordinary fines if they make too much noise on the beach under new rules in Portugal.

Playing loud music through portable speakers at a volume which upsets other sunseekers has been banned by Portugal's National Maritime Authority (ANM).

The fines for beachgoers on their own start at just over 170 (200 euros) but the most serious breaches can be punished with fines of 3,440 (4,000 euros) for those who are repeat offenders or have ignored previous warnings.

For groups the fines can reach a staggering 30,953 (36,000 euros).

Local and other tourists who are being bothered by loud noise from portable speakers are being urged to contact the local Maritime Police force responsible for the beach where the infraction is occurring.

British tourists have been warned they could face extraordinary fines if they make too much noise on the beach under new rules in Portugal (file image)

The ANM confirmed this week: 'Portable speakers are prohibited on beaches at volumes which can bother other sunbathers.'

A spokesman added: 'We have seen this problem increase in recent years and we are increasing our vigilance to combat it.'

It was not immediately clear how officials would determine what level of music would be loud enough to decide when fines could be applied and whether police would be given power to confiscate equipment where repeat offenders refuse to turn the volume down.

Confirmation of the prohibition has emerged as the peak tourist season is about to kick in in areas like the Algarve, which traditionally welcomes more than one million UK travellers every year.

More than 2.5 million British nationals pick Portugal as a holiday location.

Last year Portugal made itself more attractive to British visitors by announcing it would remove Brexit restrictions and treat UK visitors under the same conditions as those from the European Union.

The new rules meant travellers from the United Kingdom were no longer treated as third-country nationals as required under Brexit.
Masterchef Australia fans are disappointed with the latest season, complaining the Channel 10 cooking show is lacking 'energy' and is 'boring'.

Several viewers have noted the show isn't what it used to be and lacking context and the backstories of the contestants, with barely any details about their personal and family life.

'Has anyone felt that there's a distinct energy missing from this latest season?' a fan posted in the Masterchef Australia Facebook fan page.

'It's nothing to do with Jock's passing because the series was completed way before. To me it's mainly that there is no back story for the contestants.'

Other viewers said they thought tough-talking judge Andy Allen had 'taken over the show'.

Masterchef Australia fans are disappointed with the latest season, complaining the Channel 10 cooking show is lacking 'energy' and is 'boring'

'He is so negative to some of the contestants, upsetting their confidence right at the end of their cook so they start to doubt themselves,' a fan said.

'This season really is not the same,' another commented. 'Even the contestants are not really that good compared to all the previous seasons.'

'I agree. This season is flat and the top eight [are] not that good. It also feels manipulated,' someone else said.

Several viewers have noted the show isn't what it used to be and lacking context and the backstories of the contestants, with barely any details about their personal and family life

One fan defended the program, pointing out the series was mostly filmed during the pandemic and with several contestants and crew members getting sick, the team were faced with more issues that ever before.

'So often contestants were sick, crew were sick and all sorts of issues that were not normal had to be dealt with. Hence the altered format,' they said.

Others agreed and said they believed this season is 'heavily edited' following Jock Zonfrillo's death.

Other viewers said they thought tough-talking judge Andy Allen had 'taken over the show'

'He is so negative to some of the contestants, upsetting their confidence right at the end of their cook so they start to doubt themselves,' a fan said

'We are missing a lot of what we are used to,' one said.

'We were told it was going to be heavily edited due to Jock passing.'

Another added: 'I agree [to be honest] feels heavily scripted, not the best series really. Some bits are ok but not much soul in it now.'

Masterchef episodes were heavily reviewed following Zonfrillo's death in April, with producers meticulously examining each episode to avoid any potential insensitivity surrounding his passing.

Some also believed this season is 'heavily edited' following Jock Zonfrillo's death

The episodes were heavily reviewed following Zonfrillo's death in April

'There are two schools of thought,' an insider shared with The Australian.

'If there is too much of an edit, it can take away from what he was as well.'

It comes as Ten continues its search for contestants to appear on the next season of MasterChef.

No filming dates have been set for the new season, but applicants have been told they must be over the age of 18 by the time October 16 comes around.

There is still no word on who will be replacing Zonfrillo as judge following his tragic death.

It comes as Ten continues its search for contestants to appear on the next season of MasterChef Australia

Zonfrillo died on April 30 aged 46. He was laid to rest in a private funeral in Sydney in May, surrounded by 200 family and friends.

There are also swirling rumours that hosts Melissa Leong and Andy Allen could be planning to quit the show as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star.

Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced altogether.

'Has anyone ever thought, 'What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?'' one Facebook user wrote on a MasterChef fan page last week

'That crossed my mind too,' another user wrote.
Ruby Tuesday Matthews has raised eyebrows after sharing a video of herself watching the movie Titanic, just days after the OceanGate submersible tragedy that left five people dead.

The Byron Bay influencer, 27, revealed on Monday that she was spending the night watching the iconic James Cameron film with her two eldest children, sons Mars, five, and Rocket, four.

'Are you excited for this?' Ruby asked her kids as she filmed her television from the couch.

'I remember my first time I watched the Titanic,' she asked one of her sons, who replied: 'When was that?'

'Like it was yesterday,' she replied.

Ruby Tuesday Matthews, 27, (left, with her son Mars, five) has raised eyebrows after sharing a video of herself watching the movie Titanic on Monday night, just days after the OceanGate submersible tragedy that left five people dead

Ruby's decision to relive Rose and Jack's tragic love story came less than a week after an OceanGate submersible imploded on its journey to the wreck of the Titanic.

The minivan-sized Titan sub, operated by US company OceanGate Expeditions, began its descent around midday UK time on Sunday.

After a desperate four-day search it was announced on Thursday that all five people aboard died instantly.

'Are you excited for this?' Ruby asked her kids as she filmed her television from the couch

Ruby's decision to relive Rose and Jack's tragic love story came less than a week after an OceanGate submersible imploded on its journey to the wreck of the Titanic

After a desperate four-day search, it was announced Thursday that all five people aboard perished when the OceanGate craft (pictured) suffered a 'catastrophic implosion' near the site of the iconic shipwreck

British billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French navy veteran PH Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who was just 19, are all believed to have died in the tragedy.

The US Coast Guard has confirmed that the tail cone of the deep-sea vessel was discovered around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreckage.

The final 'ping' to its mothership came around 3pm - putting it just above the famous wreck.

Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood both died in the Titan tragedy

(From left) Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding also died in the disaster

Questions have been asked about the speed at which OceanGate informed the authorities that it had lost contact with Titan and the sub's alleged technical inadequacies - as well as the failure to address repeated warnings it was unsafe.

There has also been a push to toughen laws to prevent anyone else suffering a similar fate.

Legal experts have said liability waivers signed by passengers on Titan may not shield the vessel's owner from potential lawsuits by the victims' families.
Vanderpump Rules fans on social media claim to have found 'proof' that Scheana Shay can make a fist after the star claimed she couldn't due to her false nails.

On an episode of the Bravo series, Scheana denied accusations she had 'punched' co-star Raquel Leviss after finding out about Raquel's affair with Tom Sandoval.

In her confessional, Scheana said that she 'couldn't make a fist' because her false nails prevented her from doing so.

Now fans are hilariously refusing the star's claims by sharing a recent photo of Scheana grasping a microphone while performing alongside DJ James Kennedy.

'A fist!' exclaimed one fan on Facebook, who then circled her hand in the photo.

Vanderpump Rules fans on social media claim to have found 'proof' that Scheana Shay (pictured) can make a fist after the star claimed that she couldn't due to her false nails

On an episode of the Bravo series, Scheana denied accusations that she had 'punched' co-star Raquel Leviss because her false nails prevented her from making a fist

However, other fans quickly pointed out that Scheana wasn't technically making a fist.

'Around a mic, doesn't count,' wrote one, while another said, 'Clearly someone has never made a fist!'

Raquel previously took a restraining order out against Scheana, but it's now been dropped.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in April, Scheana admitted to 'shoving' Raquel after learning that she'd had an affair with Sandoval behind best friend Ariana Madix's back.

'Now that Raquel has dropped her restraining order. Did you physically assault her an hour after getting off air with me that night?,' host Andy Cohen asked her.

'I did not punch her in the face,' responded Scheana.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in April, Scheana admitted to 'shoving' Raquel (pictured) after learning that she'd had an affair with Sandoval behind best friend Ariana Madix's back

'There's a shove and a punch and I did not punch her,' Scheana told fellow guest Michael Rapaport

Scheana, wearing a black sweatshirt that read 'Every Nite is VPR Nite' and sequined boots, showed Andy that with her long nails that she couldn't form a proper fist.

Fellow guest Michael Rapaport, 53, pointed out that Scheana was asked if she 'physically assaulted' Raquel.

'There's a shove and a punch and I did not punch her,' Scheana said.

'You shoved her,' Andy said. 'Did you throw her phone?'

'Yes, I did,' Scheana confirmed. Andy asked if she regretted any of it. 'No,' Scheana said.

Vanderpump Rule airs on Bravo in the US and Hayu in Australia and the UK.
Ellen DeGeneres was reminiscing about her August 2008 wedding with Portia de Rossi on Monday, to honor a very important date.

The 65-year-old comedienne and former talk show host shared a snap of her and de Rossi, 50, to honor the eighth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that guaranteed same-sex marriages in the United States.

It was on June 26, 2015 that Obergefell v. Hodges was decided by the Supreme Court, who voted 5-4 in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages across the country.

DeGeneres decided to celebrate the occasion by sharing a black-and-white snap of her and Portia embracing in their white outfits on their wedding date.

'8 years ago today marks an important moment. Its when the Supreme Court said yes to letting everyone feel the same joy I got to feel in this moment,' Ellen said.

Reminiscing: Ellen DeGeneres was reminiscing about her August 2008 wedding with Portia de Rossi on Monday, to honor a very important date

Honor: The 65-year-old comedienne and former talk show host shared a snap of her and de Rossi, 50, to honor the eighth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that guaranteed same-sex marriages in the United States

The post received over 28K likes in just under an hour after she posted it to her 139 million Instagram followers.

The news comes just days after Ellen's one-time friend Rosie O'Donnell opened up and revealed she has not accepted Ellen's apology.

O'Donnell, 61, told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, 'She texted me a few weeks ago checking in, seeing how Im doing, and I asked her how shes surviving not being on TV.'

'Its a big transition. But weve had our weirdness in our relationship. I dont know if its jealousy, competition or the fact that she said a mean thing about me once that really hurt my feelings.'

Last year Rosie first revealed the long time feud with Ellen on an episode of Watch What Happens Live.

Rosie revealed that sometime after that Ellen had reached out to apologize as she explained to THR: 'She wrote, "Im really sorry, and I dont remember that." I guess she saw me talk about it on Andy Cohens show.'

'I remembered it so well, I had T-Shirts printed and I gave them to my staff that said I dont know Rosie. Were not friends.'

Rosie went on to explain that she isn't willing to let her back in the circle of trust despite the two a long history together.

Refused: The news comes just days after Ellen's one-time friend Rosie O'Donnell opened up and revealed she has not accepted Ellen's apology

Texted: O'Donnell, 61, told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, 'She texted me a few weeks ago checking in, seeing how Im doing, and I asked her how shes surviving not being on TV'

She explained; 'I have a picture of her holding [my then-infant son] Parker. I know her mother. I could identify her brother without her in the room. I knew her for so many years. It just felt like I dont trust this person to be in my world.'

The drama all began when Ellen appeared on Larry King Live back in May 1998 shortly after Rosie came out as lesbian.

Ellen was asked what her thoughts were about the news and she replied: 'I don't know. You know, maybe she didn't -- I don't really know Rosie that well.'

'I mean, I've spoken to her, but we're not really friends. We don't, like -- so I don't really know and I couldn't say what her...' she added.
Netflix has been ripped by a number of fans amid news that it will be streaming the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster Titanic on its platform beginning July 1.

People questioned the timing of the film's arrival, as it comes in the wake of the recent tragedy in which five people died in the OceanGate Titan submersible on a mission to explore the remains of the ill-fated ship in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

'Netflix is overstepping the boundaries of decency on this timing,' one fan wrote. 'People died in a tragic accident [at] the Titanic site and now to capitalize on the moment to garner viewers is beyond distasteful.'

Others had similar takes on the situation, saying that it's 'CRAZY shameless' to promote the film as 'the timing is so wrong;' and that the streamer 'saw the opportunity and wasted no time.'

Said one fan: 'Nah this is insane they really tryna make a bag off 5 people dying,' while another summed it up: 'This is business.'

The latest: Netflix has been ripped by a number of fans amid news that it will be streaming the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, on its platform beginning July 1, following the OceanGate Titan tragedy

'Netflix is overstepping the boundaries of decency on this timing,' one fan wrote of the service, while another said, 'This is business'

Killed in the implosion were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The news comes as Cameron - the director of the Kate Winslet-Leonardo DiCaprio film - has been prominently featured in media as an ocean exploration expert who has been critical of the structure of the submersible vessel, and how authorities relayed the news to the public.

Insiders told Variety Monday that the return of the film to the service following the OceanGate tragedy is completely coincidental.

Sources told the outlet that licensing arrangements are worked out months ahead of time, and that the film had been scheduled to hit the platform long before the Titan submersible began making headlines.

The latest news circulating around the streamer comes as an international group of agencies investigate the fate of the Titan submersible, with U.S. maritime officials saying they'll 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.

People questioned the timing of the film's arrival, as it comes in the wake of the recent tragedy in which five people died in the OceanGate Titan submersible on a mission to explore the remains of the ill-fated ship in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean

This image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet and 111 years of history

The film's director James Cameron has been prominently featured in media as an ocean exploration expert who has been critical of the structure of the submersible vessel, and how authorities relayed the news to the public

'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 underwater and roughly 1,600 feet 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.

Components of a Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System, or FADOSS, rest on the deck of a vessel in this photo provided by the U.S. Navy Office of Information

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District (R), speaks to members of the media as Capt. Jason Neubauer, chief investigator, U.S. Coast, looks on during a news conference Sunday at Coast Guard Base Boston

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 wasn't 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 U.S., 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 submersible's 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 south of St. John's. 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.
Angelina Jolie looked effortlessly stylish on Monday as she was spotted out in New York City while accompanied by her children: son Pax and daughters Zahara and Shiloh.

The 48-year-old actress and humanitarian had all eyes on her as she emerged from an SUV in a cool tan double-breasted trench coat that she wore partially buttoned.

Pax, 19, had brought along a professional-looking camera affixed with a telephoto lens.

The motherson outing comes amid Angelina's ongoing conflict with her ex-husband Brad Pitt over the custody of their children and her decision to sell her half of their interest in his beloved French vineyard Miraval to a Russian oligarch.

Those conflicts seemed far from Angelina's mind on Monday, though, and she looked care-free.

The latest: Angelina Jolie looked effortlessly stylish on Monday when she was spotted out in New York City while accompanied by her son Pax and daughter Shiloh

Family day: Angelina with her kids Zahara and Shiloh plus their bodyguard

Leading lady: Angelina, 48, showed off her movie star glamour in a classic double-breasted trench coat while out in New York City on Monday

Family outing: She was joined by her son Pax, 19, who was dressed casually and carried a professional-looking camera affixed with a telephoto lens

Angelina added a touch of glamour to her trench coat by wearing a sleek black dress underneath it.

She elevated her 5ft7in stature with a set of classic black pumps, and her coat was short enough to showcase her trim legs.

The Tomb Raider star carried along a large beige tote bag and she sported a large set of black sunglasses.

Earlier this month, Angelina debuted a new blonde dye job, which she continued to show off while out and about in the Big Apple.

The change from her usual brunette tresses was reminiscent of a period in the 1990s when she went blond, though she has mostly stuck to her darker hair since then.

Jolie wore her hair blond for one of her most acclaimed performances in 1999's Girl, Interrupted. The psychological drama, which was led by Winona Ryder, earned Jolie her only Academy Award to date for best supporting actress.

Pax contrasted his mother with a casual look featuring a long-sleeve white graphic shirt that he paired with black jeans.

The celebrity child added a splash of color to his outfit with weathered yellow sneakers, and he capped it off with a black flat-billed hat.

Shiloh, 17, rocked a hoodie pulled over her head with coordinating trousers and maroon sneakers.

Zahara, 18, wore a black dress and jacket for their family outing.

Their comes amid her seemingly never-ending divorce negotiations from her 2016 split from Brad Pitt, 59.

Brad and Angelina are parents to six kids: Maddox, 21, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne, 14.

They have been in a dispute over their once-beloved French winery, Chateau Miraval, after Jolie sold off her half of the business to a Russian oligarch, apparently without Pitt's knowledge, which was detailed in a recent Vanity Fair article.

The report notes that in 2021, Jolie and Pitt appeared to have come to an agreement in which he would purchase her half of the business. The deal stalled when Pitt tried to insert an NDA that would prevent the Maleficent star from publicly talking about their infamous argument in front of their kids on a private jet in 2016, according to the Vanity Fair piece.

Representatives for Pitt have maintained that in fact it was Jolie who first broached the idea of an NDA, when the 12 Monkeys star began negotiating about the contents of the agreement, that's when Jolie backed away from the deal.

Back in black: Angelina added a touch of glamour to her trench coat by wearing a sleek black dress underneath it

On point: She carried a large beige tote bag and elevated her 5ft7in stature with black pumps

Chatting: Zahara, Pax and Angelina seen heading out of a NYC establishment

Casual: Pax and his mom Angelina seen during their outing

Heading out: Zahara, Shiloh, Pax and Angelina seen leaving a spot in Soho in New York City

Blonde bombshell: Angelina has revisited her Girl, Interrupted roots and gone back to honey blonde tresses; (L) pictured 2023 (R) pictured in a 1999 still from Girl, Interrupted

Bad blood: The outing comes amid Jolie's ongoing legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt, 59, over the sale of her half of his beloved French winery Miraval; seen in 2014 in London

Not long afterwards, Jolie sold her share to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, who has been designated as an 'oligarch' by the US Treasury Department.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Angelina Jolie's representatives for comment on this story.

Both Pitt's attorneys, and anonymous sources quoted in Vanity Fair's piece, alleged that Jolie decided to sell her half of the business after Pitt was granted a win in their custody battle with a 5050 time-sharing arrangement.

Sources close to Jolie denied that that was her motivation and said she had every right to sell her share to move on from her painful connection to her ex-husband.
Susan Sarandon attended a special screening of the 'Lakota Nation vs. The United States' documentary on Monday in New York City that was executive produced by Mark Ruffalo.

The 76-year-old actress opted for the casual chic look in a black-and-white horizontally striped top along with a black leather jacket and matching black pants upon arrival at the IFC Center.

Susan added a pop of color with green sneakers and accessorized with a black cap.

Mark, 55, is an executive producer of the 118-minute documentary along with Sarah Eagle Heart, Bryn Mooser, Kathryn Everett, Salman Al-Rashid and Sam Frohman.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe star looked sharp at the screening in a dark blue suit, light blue dress shirt sans tie and black dress shoes.

Special screening: Susan Sarandon attended a special screening of the 'Lakota Nation vs. The United States' documentary on Monday at the IFC Center in New York City

Mark at the screening teamed up with co-producer Sarah and actress-activist Amber Morning Star Byars for a group photo.

The documentary was directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli and the cast includes Nick Tilsen, Phyllis Young, Krystal Two Bulls, Henry Red Cloud and Candi Brings Plenty.

The special screening was co-presented by DOC NYC and also was set to include a question-and-answer segment with Mark and the directors moderated by journalist Addie Morfoot.

The documentary was written and narrated by Oglala poet Layli Long Soldier and examines the history and controversy around the Black Hills, the birthplace of the Lakota.

It delves into the Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868 in which the United States formally recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation, but was later broken leading to 'the creation of a most ironic shrine to white supremacey, Mount Rushmore,' read a description of the documentary.

The 1868 treaty was modified by the US Congress three times between 1876 and 1889 with the Lakota losing land originally granted each time, including the unilateral seizure of the Black Hills in 1877.

The Lakota Sioux have continued to demand the return of the territory from the United States and have refused to accept money awarded by the US Supreme Court in 1980 for the illegal taking of the Black Hills.

'Lakota Nation vs. The United States' will be in theaters in New York City on July 14 and in Los Angeles on July 21.

Executive producer: Mark Ruffalo is an executive producer of the 118-minute documentary along with Sarah Eagle Heart, Bryn Mooser, Kathryn Everett, Salman Al-Rashid and Sam Frohman

Hollywood stars: Susan and Mark teamed up for a photo on the red carpet

Own style: The 76-year-old actress opted for the casual chic look in a black-and-white horizontally striped top along with a black leather jacket and matching black pants

Looking sharp: The Marvel Cinematic Universe star looked sharp at the screening in a dark blue suit, light blue dress shirt sans tie and black dress shoes
She recently shared her devastation after the death of her MasterChef co-star Jock Zonfrillo.

But Melissa Leong, 41, managed a smile as she arrived back in Melbourne after a trip to Sydney on Monday.

The culinary expert looked typically chic in a cropped brown leather jacket, high-waisted khaki trousers and sneakers as she strolled through Melbourne Airport.

She carried her belongings in a $2700 Gucci tote bag, and wheeled her luggage in a bright green suitcase.

For accessories, the style maven wore drop earrings, an array of bejewelled earrings and a pair of keyhole sunglasses.

Melissa Leong, 41, (pictured) arrived back in Melbourne on Monday toting a $2700 Gucci tote bag, almost two months after the death of her MasterChef Australia co-star Jock Zonfrillo

Melissa wore her black hair parted in the centre and accentuated her cheekbones with a swipe of pink blush.

The sighting comes almost two months after the death of Melissa's MasterChef co-star Jock, aged 46.

Jock died in Melbourne on May 1, on what was supposed to be the premiere date of the latest MasterChef series, which was delayed by a week following his passing.

Looking upbeat, the culinary expert sported a cropped brown leather jacket, high-waisted khaki trousers and sneakers as she strolled through Melbourne Airport

In May, Melissa explained the grieving process is a quiet one for her, after she was criticised for not taking part in a special tribute to late co-star.

The MasterChef Australia star wrote in her column for Stellar magazine that there is no wrong way to grieve.

'We all deal with loss differently, and we need to honour that,' the 41-year-old said.

Melissa wore her black hair parted in the centre and accentuated her cheekbones with a swipe of pink blush

'Some people need to talk in order to process emotions, while other take more time to find the words, if they can at all,' she continued.

'Some people need to be with people, while others need time alone to stare at a wall, clean incessantly or sleep.'

Meanwhile, rumours are swirling that Melissa and her fellow judge Andy Allen could be planning to quit the show as they continue to grapple with the tragic death of their co-star.

Some fans are convinced the entire hosting panel may be replaced altogether, after Channel 10 refused to confirm Jock's replacement in a recent casting call for contestants next season.

'Has anyone ever thought, 'What if Mel and Andy decide not to continue being judges next season?'' one Facebook user recently wrote on a MasterChef fan page.

'That crossed my mind too,' another user wrote.

The sighting comes almost two months after the death of Melissa's MasterChef co-star Jock, aged 46. In May, Melissa explained the grieving process is a quiet one for her, after she was criticised for not taking part in a special tribute to late co-star. (L-R: MasterChef judges Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo)
Sophie Guidolin has been caught up in another social media scandal.

On Monday, the fitness influencer spruiked a 'sleepy hot chocolate' she has launched with Happy Way to promote a 'healthy sleep routine'.

But just hours after promoting the product on Instagram, the model , 34, complained about suffering from insomnia.

'Cue sleepless night hearing every possible noise,' she wrote before adding the time was 2.46am.

The post came just hours after Sophie announced the launch of her new product on Instagram, writing: 'I am BEYOND excited to announce: my sleep tight hot chocolate. This is my ultimate bedtime routine.'

Influencer fail as Sophie Guidolin spruiked a 'sleepy hot chocolate' to promote a 'healthy sleep routine'... before complaining of insomnia just hours later

'This delicious hot chocolate has been developed with all natural Ingredients and no artificial flavours or sugars.'

'We have created both a dairy based and vegan friendly option and both are infused with a calming blend of chamomile, dandelion and passionflower.'

She explained the product was designed to 'prioritise a healthy sleep routine' as it can have an 'effect on our overall productivity, moods and mental health'.

It comes just weeks after Sophie was called out by Instagram sleuth account Dutch Minty after she accidentally shared confidential details on social media.

On Monday, Sophie announced the release of a 'sleepy hot chocolate' she has launched with Happy Way

But just hours after promoting the product on Instagram, the model complained that she was suffering from a 'sleepless night'

Sophie posted a photo to her Instagram stories of her laptop screen as she sat in bed.

But an email address, cover letter and employment history of a prospective hire was clearly visible on the screen.

'Waiting for room service, working and then bath before tomorrow's big day,' she captioned the post.

Dutch Minty captioned their discovery: 'That's what I love in a boss! Someone who will share my email address, cover letter and previous place of employment.'
Nicki Minaj is facing a new lawsuit, where a musician claimed she stole his beat in her 2014 song I Lied.

The 40-year-old rapper (born Onika Tanya Maraj) was sued alongside music producer Mike Will Made It by musician Julius Johnson, according to TMZ.

Johnson claims that same beat used in I Lied, a track from her December 2014 album The Pinkprint, was a 'carbon copy' of a beat he created for the 2011 song he published on YouTube, called, onmysleeve.

Johnson claims he had the beat on a computer hard drive in 2013, when he attended the Art Institute of Atlanta.

However, he also claims that drive was taken from him without his consent during a studio recording session, without his consent.

Lawsuit: Nicki Minaj is facing a new lawsuit, where a musician claimed she stole his beat in her 2014 song I Lied

Sued: The 40-year-old rapper (born Onika Tanya Maraj) was sued alongside music producer Mike Will Made It by musician Julius Johnson, according to TMZ

He also claims that both Minaj and producer Mike Will Made It were at the Art Institute of Atlanta at the same time, and somehow procured the drive with the beat on it.

While I Lied was released in 2014, Johnson claimed in his lawsuit that he didn't hear it until 2022, stating in the lawsuit that he immediately recognized the beat.

Johnson acknowledges the lyrics are clearly different from his track onmysleeve, though the beat and the instrumentation is practically the same.

He is suing Minaj and the producer for the profits they earned from it, and is seeking a judge to have Minaj stop using the song or give him proper credit for his contribution.

While a rep for Minaj had no comment, a source close to the rapper hinted that Minaj herself may not have selected that beat.

'Clearly Nicki is a lyricist, so the claim in terms of production will obviously have to be addressed by the applicable parties,' the source contended.

Still, it seems that Mike Will Made It is the 'applicable party' who provided the beat for the track, though that has yet to be confirmed.

The news comes just days after it was revealed that fans of Minaj's rapper rival Cardi B are apparently behind a petition to remove both Minaj and her husband Kenneth Petty from their Hidden Hills home.

Same time: He also claims that both Minaj and producer Mike Will Made It were at the Art Institute of Atlanta at the same time, and somehow procured the drive with the beat on it

Recognized: While I Lied was released in 2014, Johnson claimed in his lawsuit that he didn't hear it until 2022, stating in the lawsuit that he immediately recognized the beat

Minaj and Petty purchased a home in the exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood, though residents have created a Change.org petition to remove them, citing his status as a, 'level 3 sex offender, convicted for the attempted rape of a 16-year-old-girl.'

The petition also claims that Petty has a 'high likelihood to reoffend' and 'is currently under house arrest for failing to register as a sex offender in California as law demands it.'

'The Petty couple moving in would lead to appraisal value of our homes to go DOWN due to safety concerns. It would lead to children and women being a target,' the petition added. 'Dont wait to receive a letter from the government saying a predator has moved in near you.'

The petition was first started in December, 2022, after the couple purchased a $19.5 million home in the same gated community as as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian.
Kendall Jenner sent social media users into fits of laughter after she walked the runway at the Jacquemus show near Versailles during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

The model, 27, put on a leggy display in a white cloud-like mini dress and bloomers for the show, which the creative director revealed was inspired by Princess Diana.

But fans back at home joked about the outfit, which seemed to shrink Kendall's torso unnaturally, and several people mocked the dress as looking like a big diaper that had swallowed her up.

The controversial number featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and ruffled material which stuck out in a circular shape.

Kendall captured attention as she sported a dazzling diamond choker necklace which bore a striking resemblance to one worn by Princess Diana.

Thumbs down: Kendall Jenner sent social media users into fits of laughter after she walked the runway at the Jacquemus show near Versailles during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

Wow! Kendall wore a white mini cloud-like dress and bloomers as she walked the runway at the Jacquemus show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

Yikes: Several users joked that her dress looked like a puffed-up diaper

One user called Kendall 'Bloomer girl' and wondered, 'What the hell is this fashion designer thinking?!?!?'

Another person said the outrageous look could only exist at a fashion show, 'cuz ain't no way someone casually going out w this.'

The sentiment was echoed by a user who wrote, 'Nobody would ever wear that,' while one person wrote that the outfit wasn't 'even clothing.'

One jokester posted a photo of a woman wearing a diaper outside her clothing to mock Kendall, while another jokingly asked if the catwalk star was a 'marshmallow.'

Another user joked, 'Who used all the paper towels?!' about Kendall outfit.

Still, a diaper was the thing Kendall's outfit was most commonly compared to.

'Looks like an oversized diaper,' wrote one person, while another user joked that 'No one wears a diaper like Kendall Jenner.'

Specific diaper brands mentioned included Pampers and Huggies.

Not for regular folks: Several people complained that the outfit would never be worn outside of a fashion show

Not great: In addition to diaper jokes, other called it a 'mozzarella ball' and an exploded 'airbag'

Others offered that she looked like a 'mozzarella ball' and what happens 'when the car airbag explode[s] on your face without any accident.'

One notable comparison was to the Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by the US over the coast of South Carolina.

A funny photo showed a claymation style anthropomorphic cloud, which the person though Kendall's dress resembled.

Another person said she looked like a 'scrunchie,' while one person joked, 'When you accidentally grabbed the comforter instead of a towel.'

'Babe they got you in a garbage bag,' joked an Instagram user, while others said the look was 'brutal' and called the Kardashians star the 'tackiest ever.'

One slightly more positive reaction suggested that Kendall looked like a marshmallow.

'Need a giant graham cracker and Hershey bar!' joked one person.

Despite all the jokes, Kendall's look was partially inspired by the glamorous style of Princess Diana.

Taking style inspiration from the late Princess of Wales, the model sported a silver choker necklace with a large stone in the middle, and wore matching earrings.

Having a laugh: 'Babe they got you in a garbage bag,' joked one person, while another said she looked like 'When you accidentally grabbed the comforter instead of a towel'

The jewelry was inspired by a strikingly similar silver necklace worn by Princess Diana in November 1994 for her famous 'revenge dress' look.

Strutting the runway, Kendall looked sensational in her attention-grabbing ensemble for the star-studded show.

Elevating her enviable frame, the star wore a pair of white heels, featuring a ballet style pump at the front and stiletto at the back.

The beauty had her brunette locks swept into a slicked back bun and boasted a flawless palette of makeup, including a soft blush and light brown lipstick.

Kendall is currently dating musician 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.

Inspiration: Kendall captured attention as she sported a dazzling diamond choker necklace which bore a striking resemblance to one worn by Princess Diana

Favourite: Diana wore the stunning piece of jewellery on a number of occasions, including during a trip to Budapest, Hungary (right) in 1990

Strut: The model, 27, put on a leggy display in a white puffer dress for the show near Versailles in the French city

Star: Putting her toned pins on full display, Kendall looked sensational as she stormed the outdoor runway

Beauty: Elevating her enviable frame, the star wore a pair of white heels, featuring a ballet style pump at the front and stiletto at the back

Inspiration: The show was inspired by the late Princess Diana with Creative Director Simon Porte Jacquemus (pictured) sharing his insight back stage

Oo la bra! Emily Ratajkowski flashed underboob in a tiny bralet at Jacquemus' Paris Fashion Week show on Monday as she joined Tina Kunakey and chic Eva Longoria at the show

A vision in white: Emily, 32, showcased her enviable figure as she posed for snaps inside the Chateau de Versailles, ensuring her toned abs were on full display

Demure: One star who appeared to miss the less clothing is more memo was Eva Longoria. The Desperate Housewives star, 48, looked sensational in a more conservative look

Outfit: Victoria Beckham looked effortlessly chic in a long silky nude dress and wore statement dark shades as she posed with her husband David

Posing up a storm: She put on a typically confident display as she worked her best angles for the camera

Eyes down! Elsewhere at the event, Victoria Beckham appeared to have her husband David well trained as he quickly avoided snapping photos of lingerie-clad Gigi Hadid

Hot stuff: Gigi, 28, sizzled in a sheer lace lingerie complete with knee-high socks as she left very little to the imagination

Sheer: Gigi's sheer mini dress was worn over an underwear set and she slicked back her blonde hair into a bun

Legs 11: Her saucy ensemble left very little to the imagination

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.'

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.'

Love life: The beauty is currently dating musician Bad Bunny, (pictured) aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29

Criticism: It comes after Kendall received online backlash after making comments attempting to distance herself from nepotism - pictured earlier this month

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.'
Karl Stefanovic officially returned to the Today show on Tuesday following a two-week holiday in Europe.

However it was a bizarre detail in the background of the Channel Nine studio that really has fans talking.

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the image of Sydney's CBD skyline that was used as a backdrop featured a skyscraper once known as the AMP Centre, despite the fact it no longer exists.

The 1970s-built structure underwent a massive redesign between 2018 and 2021, which increased its height and modernised the tower's form and design.

It was re-opened to the public in 2022, and is now known as the Quay Quarter Tower.

Karl Stefanovic (left, with Sarah Abo) officially returned to The Today show on Tuesday following a two-week holiday in Europe. However it was a bizarre detail in the background of the Channel Nine studio that really has fans talking

This means the image used in Today's backdrop is at least five years old.

One anonymous user pointed out the faux pas on industry forum MediaSpy, writing: 'That's a very old Sydney skyline shot they use as a background. The AMP building in the middle doesn't exist any more.'

The faux pas came a day after Today show viewers were left cringing when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese performed a dance live on-air during an interview with Today host Abo.

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the image of Sydney's CBD skyline that was used as a backdrop featured a skyscraper once known as the AMP Centre, despite the fact it no longer exists

The 1970s-built structure underwent a massive redesign between 2018 and 2021, which increased its height and modernised the tower's form and design. (Pictured before its reconstruction)

It was re-opened to the public in 2022, and is now known as the Quay Quarter Tower. (Pictured after its reconstruction)

The Labor leader and Swiftie superfan, 60, appeared on the Today show on Monday morning to talk about the Anti Hero hitmaker - who is making just two stops in Sydney and Melbourne as part of her world tour.

The relatively brief Down Under schedule means major cities like Brisbane and Perth miss out.

When asked by host Sarah Abo if the PM had the power to make Swift 'tour the whole country', Albo laughed and revealed he's a huge fan.

The faux pas came a day after Today show viewers were left cringing when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) performed a dance live on-air during an interview with Today host Abo

The Labor leader and Swiftie superfan, 60, appeared on the Today show on Monday morning to talk about the Anti Hero hitmaker (pictured) - who is making just two stops in Sydney and Melbourne as part of her world tour

'I'm looking forward to seeing Tay Tay I've got to say,' he replied.

Swift's hit track Shake It Off began to play in the background of the live interview, which sparked the hosts to start dancing and encourage Albo to join in.

Albo then proceeded to shake his hands and dance awkwardly to the song.

'That'll do. That'll do us,' reporter Alex Cullen laughed.
He's the popular Australian actor best known for his incredible roles in The Mentalist and several Hollywood films.

But Simon Baker had fans doing a double take as he revealed his shock new look for his role in Indigenous filmmaker Ivan Sen's new movie, Limbo.

In a sneak peek for the film, the 53-year-old looked unrecognisable with short hair and a stubble beard.

The actor has long been known for his luscious long blonde wavy locks, but has cut his famous hair for his new role.

The movie follows Simon's character Travis, as he arrives in a small Australian outback city to research a twenty-year-old murder.

Simon Baker doesn't look like this anymore! Aussie actor unrecognisable as he unveils shock look in new film Limbo

Travis meets and forms bonds with those impacted by the homicide and unravels the challenging truths surrounding injustice and loss.

According to The Guardian, the film is 'the grit of crime, but a heartbeat of compassion'.

The film also stars Mystery Road actor Rob Collins and Rabbit Proof Fence's Natasha Wanganeen.

In a sneak peek for the new film, the 53-year-old looked unrecognisable with short hair and a stubble beard

Director Ivan discussed the film's meanings and thought provoking conversations at the Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin.

He explained during the panel that one of the themes is 'the unresolved issues facing indigenous Australians when it comes to being victims of crimes in Australia'.

It had its world premiere at the film festival on 23 February 2023.

Limbo will be screened on Sunday 9 July at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC IVIEW.
Married At First Sight's Melinda Willis has finally broken her silence about her alleged 'feud' with co-star Evelyn Ellis.

The reality TV brides were reportedly at war during last week's TV Week Logie Award nominations event in Sydney, leading to whispers of a rift between the two.

Willis, 33, has now shed light on the situation, dismissing rumours of a dramatic fall-out in a video shared to her Instagram stories, obtained by MAFS Uncensored.

'There was an article that came out. It was about the breakfast nomination for the Logies and it's saying, "like bride's at war, besties Mel and Evelyn are no longer friends", so that's not entirely true,' she said.

The reality TV star confessed the recent press coverage has taken a toll on her.

Married At First Sight's Melinda Willis, left, has finally spoken out about the alleged 'feud' with co-star Evelyn Ellis, right, after they avoided each other at the Logie Nominations last week

Willis, 33, has now shed light on the situation, dismissing rumours of a dramatic fall-out during a Q&A on her Instagram stories

'Lately I've done some interviews and I feel that a lot of things have been taken out of context and there's a lot of media stirring the pot and you just don't really know who to believe,' she vented.

It was previously reported Evelyn was upset about 'certain things Melinda said about her relationship and about Duncan.'

The tension was palpable at the event, with the two women avoiding each other.

Melinda explained when she walked over to greet Evelyn and Duncan James at the event, things were 'really awkward' when she didn't give her a hug. Melinda with Layton Mills

Melinda shared her side of the encounter: 'When I walked over to greet Evelyn and Duncan at the event, things were really awkward when she didn't give me a hug. 'I went into the corner where Tahnee, Ollie, and Layton were, and I stayed over there.'

Melinda shared her side of the encounter.

'When I walked over to greet Evelyn and Duncan at the event, things were really awkward when she didn't give me a hug,' she said.

'I went into the corner where Tahnee, Ollie, and Layton were, and I stayed over there.'

According to an eyewitness, the reality TV stars were noticeably distant from each other at the event.

According to an eyewitness, the reality TV stars were noticeably distant from each other at the event amid recent reports they haven't spoken to each other for weeks

'[Evelyn and Melinda] were on opposite sides of the room and purposely avoiding each other,' a spy told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'It was very awkward as photographers were expecting them to pose together since MAFS was up for two awards.'

In addition to the awkward encounters, Willis has been in hot water for comments she made about Evelyn's relationship with Duncan James.

Last month, the Gold Coast beautician suggested to Heat World that the couple were 'only dating for the hype.'

'It feels like in the beginning, you know, maybe they didn't realise it was going to be like a real relationship. Maybe it was more like a bit of a hype, then it turned into a real relationship. That's all I'm going to say,' she divulged.
Rachel Brosnahan got her week off to a stylish start by attending the opening night premiere of Just For Us on Broadway.

The 32-year-old star and creator of Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - who turned heads in a sleeveless silver top at the Chanel Dinner earlier this month - was all smiles on the red carpet.

She attended the event, held at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan, with her husband Jason Ralph on Monday.

The actress and writer stepped out in a black crop top that showed off her toned midriff for the event.

She also donned a sleeveless grey pinstriped vest over the black top and accessorized with silver earrings.

Stylish Rachel: Rachel Brosnahan got her week off to a stylish start by attending the opening night premiere of Just For Us on Broadway

Jason and Rachel: She attended the event, held at the Hudson Theatre in Manhattan, with her husband Jason Ralph on Monday

Brosnahan completed her look with matching grey pinstriped pants and black pumps for the event.

Her husband Ralph stepped out with a dark green form-fitting t-shirt, tan pants and black dress shoes.

They stepped out to see the critically-acclaimed one-man show from Alex Edelman entitled Just For Us, which will play on Broadway in an exclusive nine-week run.

The show follows Edelman, a stand-up comic who, after receiving a bevy of anti-Semitic threats online, decides to go to a white nationalist group in Queens and confront the hate face to face.

Also attending the opening night performance was Jen Tullock and Busy Philipps, who were all smiles on the red carpet.

Stage star Kathryn Gallagher rocked a black leather top, matching black leather skirt and black pumps for the event.

Actress Laura Benanti also stepped out in a low-cut white minidress and heels for the red carpet event.

The star and writer of the show, Alex Edelman, also hit the red carpet in a tie-less black suit with a white dress shirt and pristine white sneakers.

All smiles: Also attending the opening night performance was Jen Tullock and Busy Philipps, who were all smiles on the red carpet

Kathryn: Stage star Kathryn Gallagher rocked a black leather top, matching black leather skirt and black pumps for the event

Laura: Actress Laura Benanti also stepped out in a low-cut white minidress and heels for the red carpet event

Alex: The star and writer of the show, Alex Edelman, also hit the red carpet in a tie-less black suit with a white dress shirt and pristine white sneakers

Leary family: Also in attendance was comedian Denis Leary, who hit the red carpet with his son Jack and daughter Devin

Billy: Comedian Billy Eichner also hit the red carpet in a white dress shirt, black pinstriped coat, brown pants and black shoes

Jeremy: Playwright Jeremy O. Harris also rocked the red carpet with red hair and a colorful suit

Krysta: Actress Krysta Rodriguez also hit the red carpet in a sleeveless black dress with black pumps

Also in attendance was comedian Denis Leary, who hit the red carpet with his son Jack and daughter Devin.

Comedian Billy Eichner also hit the red carpet in a white dress shirt, black pinstriped coat, brown pants and black shoes.

Playwright Jeremy O. Harris also rocked the red carpet with red hair and a colorful suit.

Actress Krysta Rodriguez also hit the red carpet in a sleeveless black dress with black pumps.
Adam Sandler looked like a proud father on Monday night when he celebrated the premiere of his latest film, The Out-Laws.

He was representing the Netflix-distributed film, which he produced with his production company Happy Madison, while his wife Jackie Sandler, 48, and their daughter Sadie, 17, also walked the red carpet with him at the Regal LA Live theater in Downtown Los Angeles.

The comedy  which stars Adam DeVine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin and Nina Dobrev  features DeVine as a bank manager about to marry Dobrev, until his bank is robbed.

He begins to suspect her parents (Brosnan and Barkin), and a rival criminal then kidnaps her, forcing him to join forces with his future in-laws to rescue her.

Adam, 56, was dressed appropriately for the low-stakes comedy in a white Hawaiian-style shirt decorated with baby blue leaves.

Family night: Adam Sandler, 56, looked over the moon as he joined his wife Jackie, 48, and their daughter Sadie Sandler, 17, at the premiere of his new Netflix film The Out-Laws in LA on Monday

What a contrast! Adam wore a blue-and-white Hawaiian-style shirt, while his wife looked glamorous in a satin slip-style dress with a double-breasted blazer draped over her shoulders

The comedian, who is known for his ultra-casual style, didn't disappoint with his simple gray pants and navy blue trainers with scarlet show strings.

Sandler also sported a burly salt-and-pepper beard and shaggy, curly hair.

Jackie, who has appeared in several of her husbands films, provided a striking contrast with his low-key outfit.

She looked glamorous in a cream-colored silk mini dress that highlighted her trim legs and emphasized her 5ft9in height.

The gorgeous brunette covered up with a chic double-breasted blazer that she wore draped over her shoulders, and she carried a slim, quilted clutch and wore her long brunette hair parted down the middle and styled in thick waves.

Sadie was the spitting image of both her parents and even split the distance between their wildly disparate fashion choices.

She had on a gray sleeveless dress with spaghetti straps, which complemented her mother's silky ensemble, but also featured white floral designs reminiscent of her father's shirt.

She also wore silver open-toe heels and had her hair styled almost identically to Jackie's.

The trio were also spotted at the premiere premiere with one of The Out-Laws' stars, Nina Dobrev, who wore a glittering black mini dress and sported stylish bangs.

Spitting image: Sadie wore a lovely gray-and-white satin floral dress, and the trio also posed with Nina Dobrev, one of the stars of The Out-Laws, which Adam produced but does not act in

The protagonist: Adam looked happy to hang out with his leading man, The Righteous Gemstones star Adam DeVine

Jaw-dropping figure: The film is part of Sandler's second Netflix deal, in which he will produce four films for the streamer for an eye-popping $250 million

Actioncomedy: DeVine plays a back manager about to marry Dobrev. After he suspects her parents (Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin) of robbing his bank, he has to join forces to rescue her after a rival criminal kidnaps her; Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty are also pictured

Adam looked chummy with his leading man Adam, who rocked a chic striped suit, as the smiled for a photo.

The Out-Laws is part of the former SNL star's ongoing deal with Netflix to produce a series of films for the streamer.

He originally signed a deal for six films in 2014, and his films have gone on to be some of the most viewed Netflix originals of all time, including the massively popular mysterycomedy Murder Mystery in 2019.

In 2019, he signed a follow-up deal for an eye-popping $250 million to have his company Happy Madison produce four more films for Netflix.
Alyssa Barmonde made a shocking confession on Monday when she revealed she is attracted to men and women.

The Married At First Sight bride, 35, said her bisexuality is something she has now 'come to terms with' and wished to express it on the matchmaking show.

However, Channel Nine producers shot down her idea to talk openly about her sexuality during Confessions Week, she revealed on the Lara on Eyre podcast.

Instead, they zeroed in on the affair she once had with a married man because it was 'juicier' and likely to make better television.

'When I told production that I wanted to have that confession [about the affair], their eyes lit up like, "Bing, bing, bing, this is gold,"' she said.

Alyssa Barmonde, 35, (pictured) revealed on the Lara on Eyre podcast on Monday that she is bisexual, but the Married At First Sight producers refused to let her confess it on the show

Alyssa added: 'I almost wanted to tell them that I was a bisexual, which I have kind of come to terms with a little bit.'

'But they were kind of like, "Oh, you know, that's not interesting enough. We need something a little bit more juicier." So, they kind of led me down that path.'

The confession comes as the blonde beauty was recently spotted on Tinder looking for dates - she did not have her sexuality listed.

The confession comes as the blonde beauty was recently spotted on Tinder looking for dates - she did not have her sexuality listed

Instead, the reality television star poked fun at herself as she prompted suitors to ask about her appearance on Judge Judy

Alyssa also confessed she wants more children before listing her interests as coffee, walking, travel, gym and baking

Instead, the reality television star poked fun at herself as she prompted suitors to ask about her appearance on Judge Judy.

She then wrote her iconic line, 'I have a child', before admitting she likes to 'bake cakes' and text one line at a time.

Alyssa also confessed she wants more children before listing her interests as coffee, walking, travel, gym and baking.

She then wrote her iconic line, 'I have a child', before admitting she likes to 'bake cakes' and text one line at a time

Fans will recall that Alyssa was originally paired with cyber security sales director Duncan James.

However, the road to love wasn't smooth sailing for them as she was brutally dumped by Duncan at the final vows.

Duncan has now moved on with the show's 'hottest bride ever' Evelyn Ellis, while Alyssa was most recently linked to groom Josh White.

The pair were spotted on a double date with golden couple Tahnee Cook and Ollie Skelton, though Alyssa denies there is a romantic connection between her and Josh.
Cara Delevingne celebrated her first sober Glastonbury over the weekend, declaring this year's festival as 'by far my favourite.'

The model partied with her pals Anya Taylor Joy and Stella McCartney, sister Poppy and girlfriend Minke at Worthy Farm, and posted a gushing message in tribute to her weekend on Instagram on Monday night.

Posting alongside clips of her favourite performances. Cara, 30, wrote that she has 'been going to Glastonbury since I was 15 but this year was my first sober one and it was by far my favorite.'

'Filled with tears, full belly laughs, long awaited reunions and so much love. Till next time'

Happy: Cara Delevingne celebrated her first sober Glastonbury over the weekend, declaring this year's festival as 'by far my favourite' (pictured over the weekend with girlfriend Minke and friend Anya Taylor Joy)

Sober: The model posted a gushing message in tribute to her weekend on Instagram on Monday night, writing: 'I've been going to Glastonbury since I was 15 but this year was my first sober one and it was by far my favorite'

Cara's friends posted supportive messages for the model, with Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor commenting 'happy for you Cara'.

Earlier this year Cara revealed she checked herself into rehab after 'heartbreaking' images published by DailyMail.com in 2022 gave her a wakeup call.

The model, 30, said she reflected on her mental health struggles and addiction battle after sparking concern with a series of troubled public appearances.

Speaking to Vogue magazine as their April cover star, she confessed that she hadn't been 'ready' to tackle her demons until she fell into a 'bad place'.

She explained: 'I've had interventions of a sort, but I wasn't ready. That's the problem.

'I hadn't seen a therapist in three years. I just kind of pushed everyone away, which made me realize how much I was in a bad place.'

Disturbing images from September showed the 30-year-old appearing jittery and anxious outside Van Nuys Airport while she wandered around in dirty socks and no shoes.

Later, the Only Murders in the Building star said being visited by friends and family during her crisis made her realize how loved she is.

Support: Cara's friends posted supportive messages for the model, with Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor commenting 'happy for you Cara'

Previously: Cara explained that in 15 years of Glastonbury experiences she's never been sober before (pictured at the 2013 festival)

Cara continued: 'I always thought that the work needs to be done when the times are bad, but actually the work needs to be done when they're good.

'The work needs to be done consistently. It's never going to be fixed or fully healed but I'm okay with that, and that's the difference.'

Her wellbeing had been at the forefront of her friends and family's concern last year after she was pictured behaving erratically on various occasions.

The model explained that she had been lying to herself about her health and it wasn't until she saw herself in the airport photographs that she realized she needed help.

'I hadnt slept. I was not okay,' she explained. 'Its heartbreaking because I thought I was having fun, but at some point it was like, "Okay, I dont look well."

'You know, sometimes you need a reality check, so in a way those pictures were something to be grateful for.'

She confessed that she had many 'shallow' relationships because she would hold back on her emotions so as not to 'burden' anyone and because of her fear of abandonment.

'If you ask any of my friends, they would say theyd never seen me cry,' she confessed.

'From September, I just needed support. I needed to start reaching out. And my old friends Ive known since I was 13, they all came over and we started crying. They looked at me and said, "You deserve a chance to have joy."'

Through her work in therapy, Cara realized that she needed to stop chasing the idea of a 'quick fix' to healing and has committed to following the 12-step program.

She explained: 'Before I was always into the quick fix of healing, going to a weeklong retreat or to a course for trauma, say, and that helped for a minute, but it didnt ever really get to the nitty-gritty, the deeper stuff.'

She shared her frustrations at people simplifying her struggles, noting that her recovery won't happen 'overnight' and she's aware it will be a lifelong commitment.

She explained: 'This process obviously has its ups and downs, but Ive started realizing so much. People want my story to be this after-school special where I just say, "Oh look, I was an addict, and now Im sober and thats it."

'And its not as simple as that. It doesnt happen overnight. Of course I want things to be instant - I think this generation especially, we want things to happen quicklybut Ive had to dig deeper.'

Friends: The model and actress spent the weekend with her girlfriend and close friends, gushing that her weekend was 'filled with tears, full belly laughs, long awaited reunions'

It is certainly a sad chapter in the story of Cara's life - which has already been filled with many twists, turns, and excitement.

As well as her modeling career, Cara also dove into the acting industry and graced the big screen numerous times, including starring in Suicide Squad and Paper Towns.

Her time in Hollywood saw her rack up a slew of celebrity gal pals, as well as design her own collection of handbags with fashion brand Mulberry.

Despite her recent troubles, her early successes also included the release of a novel, and the launch her own champagne brand with her socialite sisters.

In recent weeks the talented star has been filming for American Horror Story: Delicate. She has also been happily loved up with girlfriend Minke, 31 - whose real name is Leah Mason - since confirming their romance last year.
A mother from Adelaide has lashed out at Taylor Swift over the limited number of concerts she will be performing in Australia during her Eras Tour.

The American pop superstar will perform two shows in Melbourne and three in Sydney in February - but has missed other major cities, including Adelaide.

That's left her biggest fans scrambling for pricey pre-sale tickets available from Wednesday, ahead of the general sale on Friday, June 30, as well as forking out for flights and accommodation if they need to travel to see the show.

One mum, writer and mother-of-four Amanda Blair, vented her frustrations in a Facebook post earlier this week, which has garnered 28,000 likes.

'Dear Taylor Swift. Hi, hope you're well. Hey the announcement of your Australian tour has put all parents under enormous pressure,' she began her open letter.

A mother from Adelaide has lashed out at Taylor Swift (pictured) over the limited number of concerts she will be performing in Australia during her Eras Tour

'We're being hassled day and night to get on the "priority list" for tickets and being urged to "PAY AS MUCH AS YOU CAN" for a seat.

'Personally I've been told that if I don't secure tickets on Wednesday my child will "DIE" by "CRYING HERSELF TO DEATH".

'So just letting you know Tay-Tay that unless you announce more concerts so that every child who wants "nothing else for birthday and Xmas for the next four years Mum I promise" can get a ticket without their parents selling their souls, possessions and dignity, you will have blood on your hands. Not going to shake this off...

'Signed - Counting down the minutes till Wednesday at 1.30 pm parent'.

Many agreed with the post, with thousands of other parents sharing their own opinions in the comments.

One mum, writer and mother-of-four Amanda Blair (pictured), vented her frustrations in a Facebook post earlier this week, which has garnered 28,000 likes

'Only a mother of a teenage daughter will understand and feel the empathy of your post, I remember the same situation over One Direction,' wrote one.

'Get the tickets. I'm 49 and still traumatised I never got to see New Kids On The Block, like my friends in school did. In fact, I didn't get to see them until I was an adult and they started touring again. I actually cried at the concert,' another said.

'Oh that's hilarious! I think I might have said something similar to my mother when I wanted to go see Slade in concert in Melbourne in about 1972! And again when I wanted to see Daddy Cool in 1973. Times change, but kids don't,' one more added.

'I too am hoping for tickets - thinking they'll be way up in the nose bleed section if I'm lucky enough lol. Hope you manage to get tickets for your daughter and she has a blast seeing Tay-Tay and no doubt be forever indebted to her mum,' one more said.

'I'm hearing ya sista! However I'm the mum that desperately wants tickets, love Tay Tay, however I'm not tech savvy so have zero chance of scoring tickets,' another parent wrote.

'So just letting you know Tay-Tay that unless you announce more concerts so that every child can get a ticket without their parents selling their souls, possessions and dignity, you will have blood on your hands,' she wrote

After a slew of negative comments, Amanda clarified that her original post had merely been a joke and written for comedic effect

Others however felt that Amanda should teach her children to be more grateful and accept that disappointment happens to us all.

'Part of life is learning that we don't always get what we want and that everything isn't always fair. I hope your daughter gets tickets, but there are going to be tons of kids that don't get to go and it's just the way it is,' one parent wrote.

Another said: 'This is pretty entitled. Your lack of ability to tell your kid that you can't afford something doesn't put blood on her hands. It puts lack of accountability and living within your means on yours. No one owes you affordability. Period.'

'Teach your kid that she will be able to live without seeing Taylor's concert. Teaching her discipline and acceptance is a better gift than Taytays ticket,' one more wrote.

After a slew of negative comments, Amanda clarified that her original post had merely been a joke and written for comedic effect.

Many agreed with the post, but others however felt that Amanda should teach her children to be more grateful

'Next time I write a post that's entirely tongue-in-cheek, I'll be mindful to make sure it's more clearly stated that it's "A JOKE"' she wrote.

'Thanks to all those people who have told me to stand up to my kids, that my kids are spoilt, that I'm a bad parent, that I should donate my money to charity instead, that this wouldn't happen in their day blah blah blah. Glad you got the joke! Sheesh'.

Taylor announced last Wednesday she will be bringing her Eras Tour to Sydney and Melbourne in February 2024.

The concerts will be the first time the Love Story hitmaker, 33, has performed in Australia since 2018.

Basic tickets for Swift's shows went on pre-sale on Wednesday from official vendors for between $80 and $380 - and have already sold out.

Taylor announced last Wednesday she will be bringing her Eras Tour to Sydney and Melbourne in February 2024

The VIP packages came in at between $350 to $1,249 and includes merchandise such as tote bags and posters, and have also sold out in Monday's pre-sale.

Frontier member pre-sale for her Aussie shows start on Wednesday, June 28 at 10am with tickets and VIP packages available.

General tickets will go on sale Friday, June 30, with Sydney kicking off at 10am local time, and Melbourne going on sale at 2pm.

The Melbourne shows will be performed at the MCG on February 16 and 17.

Swift will then fly to Sydney to perform over three consecutive nights at Accor Stadium, on February 23, 24 and 25.
Pierce Brosnan made Monday night's premiere of his new movie The Out-Laws a family affair as he was supported by sons Dylan and Paris on the red carpet.

The actor, 70, proudly posed with Paris, 22, and Dylan, 26, whom he shares with his wife Keely Shaye Smith, at the Regal LA Live theater in Downtown Los Angeles.

Pierce looked dapper in a pale blue suit while his eldest son, musician Dylan, was sharp in a suit and tie and Paris rocked a leather jacket.

Model Paris also bought along his stunning girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon to the starry event.

Their father Pierce revealed in a September 2022 interview with GQ that he dissuaded his sons from pursuing acting, telling them, 'It's hard f***ing work.'

Father and sons: Pierce Brosnan made Monday night's premiere of his new movie The Out-Laws a family affair as he was supported by sons Dylan and Paris on the red carpet

Sharp: Pierce looked dapper in a pale blue suit at the Regal LA Live theater in Downtown Los Angeles

'Its a cross to bear. Youre constructing and destroying yourself.'

To their credit, both Dylan and Paris haven't followed in his footsteps, with Paris working as a model, walking runways for Moschino and Dolce & Gabbana, and Dylan working as a musician.

Piece's co-star Adam Sandler was also a proud father on Monday night, walking the red carpet with his wife Jackie Sandler, 48, and their daughter Sadie, 17.

He was representing the Netflix-distributed film, which he produced with his production company Happy Madison.

The comedy  which stars Adam DeVine, Pierce , Ellen Barkin and Nina Dobrev  features DeVine as a bank manager about to marry Dobrev, until his bank is robbed.

He begins to suspect her parents (Brosnan and Barkin), and a rival criminal then kidnaps her, forcing him to join forces with his future in-laws to rescue her.

The Out-Laws is part of Adam's ongoing deal with Netflix to produce a series of films for the streamer.

He originally signed a deal for six films in 2014, and his films have gone on to be some of the most viewed Netflix originals of all time, including the massively popular mysterycomedy Murder Mystery in 2019.

In 2019, he signed a follow-up deal for an eye-popping $250 million to have his company Happy Madison produce four more films for Netflix.

Proud dad: The actor, 70, proudly posed with Paris, 22, and Dylan, 26, whom he shares with his wife Keely Shaye Smith

Long term couple: Model Paris also bought along his stunning girlfriend Alex Lee-Aillon to the starry event

Forging their own paths: Their father Pierce revealed in a September 2022 interview with GQ that he dissuaded his sons from pursuing acting, telling them, 'It's hard f***ing work'

New movie: Pierce also caught up with his co-stars in the movie Adam DeVine and Nina Dobrev

Catching up: Pierce also had an animated conversation with the movie's producer Adam Sandler

Family night: Adam joined his wife Jackie, 48, and their daughter Sadie Sandler, 17, at the premiere of his new Netflix film
Lorraine was left extremely red-faced on Tuesday after a hilarious on-air gaffe saw her saying something very crude to actor Idris Elba.

The British star, 50, has long been touted as a possible replacement to Daniel Craig's 007.

And addressing the rumours during a sit-down interview, Lorraine, 63, told him he would make an 'excellent Bond', but suggested there could be another role in the franchise out there for him instead.

She said: 'Now look, you keep getting asked about James Bond. But can we turn it on it's head for a second? Because I think you would be an amazing baddie in James Bond.'

Adding that he should play villain Blofeld: 'Yes. I was going to say I can see you stroking a white p***y.'

Awkward: Lorraine Kelly was left extremely red-faced on her show on Tuesday after a hilarious on-air gaffe saw her say something very vulgar to actor Idris Elba

Shocked! The British star, 50, has long been touted as a possible replacement to Daniel Craig's 007 and referencing baddie Blofeld, Lorraine said: 'I can see you stroking a white p***y'

In the films, Blofeld - who is the founder and head of the global criminal organisation - has a white blue-eyed Persian cat which sits on his lap.

Realising what she had just said, she continued: '....But I'm not going to say that, because it's naughty and rude.

'And we'll take that out, thank you very much. We're not going to put that in.'

Holding in her laughter, Lorraine said: I'll just say that you'd be a really good James Bond.'

Idris, seemingly taken back by Lorraine's remarks, joked: 'It's out there now! I've got it in my head, the image... but anyway.'

'I'm sorry!' Lorraine pleaded.

Holding in his own laughter, Idris continued: 'Now Im excited about being in a meme with you for the rest of our lives!'

Although it's been a year and a half since Daniel Craig's last appearance as Bond in No Time To Die - producers are taking their time when it comes to making their choice as this role will entail one of the biggest reboots the franchise has seen.

Embarrassing: Lorraine insisted that her words be taken out of the edit but cheeky show bosses decided to leave the moment in

Iconic: Donald Pleasence as Blofeld in the 1967 movie You Only Live Twice

No going back: Idris said about Lorraine's comments: 'It's out there now! I've got it in my head, the image... but anyway'

And despite Lorraine's wishes, Idris appeared to have already ruled himself out of playing James Bond so he can focus on his deal with Netflix in Luther: The Fallen Sun.

The actor brought up the persistent discussions about him taking over as Ian Fleming's famed British spy in February earlier this year.

When asked about his upcoming film at the World Government Summit in Dubai, he said: 'It's very dark.

'We've been working on the television show for about 10 years and so the natural ambition is to take it to the big screen, and so we're here with the first movie.

'You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with J and ends with B, but I'm not going to be that guy.

'I'm going to be John Luther. That's who I am.'

Not for me: The actor brought up the persistent discussions about him taking over as Ian Fleming's famed British spy in April (Daniel Craig is pictured in the role)

Action packed: Despite Lorraine's wishes, Idris appeared to have already ruled himself out of playing James Bond so he can focus on his deal with Netflix in Luther: The Fallen Sun

Back in August last year, it was reported Idris had walked away from 'years of talks' with movie bosses to take over the famous role.

He had been the bookies' favourite to replace Daniel Craig as the super spy, but is keen to pursue other roles - and has even put forward a list of proposed names to producer Barbara Broccoli of actors to play 007.

A source told The Sun: 'Fans and Barbara wanted Idris but he wants to create something for himself.

'However, he's put forward names to play 007. He's 'informally' in the decision-making process as he's been in talks with producers for so long.'

MailOnline contacted reps for Idris and James Bond producers at the time.

While at the premiere of his movie The Harder They Fall in 2021, Idris said when asked if he'll be considered as the next 007 he said: 'No, I'm not going to be James Bond.'

He also told The Express about the rumours: 'I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I haven't even played the role.'

Idris then added: 'Enough is enough. I can't talk about it anymore.'
Tegan Kynaston is proving herself every inch the doting new mother as she plays with son Otto on holiday in France.

The FM radio WAG, who is currently on her honeymoon with husband Kyle Sandilands and part of the KIIS team, was seen cooing over the youngster.

In a photo shared by Kyle's manager Bruno Bouchet to Instagram on Tuesday, the adorable 10-month-old was seen staring at the camera.

The youngster proved to be growing up quickly with him seen with a full head of hair and a dinosaur T-shirt on.

Otto is with his parents on their honeymoon in France where Kyle and Jackie 'O' Henderson are broadcasting the show.

Kyle Sandilands' wife Tegan Kynaston was every inch the proud mother when she shared a picture of son Otto in France on Tuesday. Pictured: Kyle and Tegan

In a photo shared to Instagram on Tuesday, Otto was seen staring at the camera. Pictured

The location broadcast hasn't been without his troubles with Kyle recalling how a woman 'spat' at Tegan earlier this week.

Kyle also got into a heated argument with a waiter who objected to him parking in a loading zone, ringing the police on him.

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.

The location broadcast hasn't been without his troubles with Kyle recalling how a woman 'spat' at Tegan earlier this week

Aussie celebrities in attendance on the day included NSW Premier Chris Minns, Today host Karl Stefanovic, and 'King of the Cross' John Ibrahim.

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.

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.
Jonnie Irwin looked in good spirits as he attended the TRIC Awards on Tuesday afternoon with his Escape To The Country co-stars.

The A Place In The Sun presenter, 49, is bravely battling terminal cancer after he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. It has since spread to his brain.

He was joined by his co-stars Nicki Chapman, Jules Hudson and Sonali Shah as they threw their support behind him.

But it was bittersweet for Jonnie as he watched A Place In The Sun scoop the best Daytime Award, as he was axed from the show after revealing his cancer diagnosis.

The Channel 4 show beat This Morning to the gong at the award ceremony, which recognises the very best TV, radio and online shows.

Event: Jonnie Irwin looked in good spirits as he attended the TRIC Awards on Tuesday afternoon

Friends: He was joined by his co-stars from Escape To The Country and A Place In The Sun Nicki Chapman, Jules Hudson and Sonali Shah as they threw their support behind him

Winners: But it was bittersweet for Jonnie as he watched A Place In The Sun scoop the best Daytime Award (team pictured with Ellie Simmonds)

Jonnie previously said he was 'heartbroken' when his contract wasn't renewed, with Free Form Productions, who make the programme, saying they were 'unable to secure adequate insurance cover' for him to continue international filming amid the Covid crisis.

The 2023 TRIC Awards welcomed a host of Britain's best known TV stars to Park Lane's Grosvenor House on Tuesday including Eamonn Holmes and Charlotte Hawkins.

Jonnie looked smart in a light green jacket and waistcoat which he wore with dark trousers, shades and a cap.

It comes after earlier this month Jonnie revealed that he sometimes leaves his family home to spend time in a hospice amid his cancer battle.

He admitted that the pain can get so bad that he seeks solace at a hospice, unwilling to let his family see him suffer.

Jonnie shares his three sons Rex, three, and twins Rafa and Corma, two, with his wife Jessica Holmes and also revealed they have not told their children about his diagnosis.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, he explained: 'I remove myself on a number of occasions because I'm not good to be around when I'm in pain.

'I'm like a bear with a sore head and I don't want them to be around that.'

Discussing his death, the dad-of-three added: 'It can happen at any time. Im here to stop it for as long as possible.'

Sad: Jonnie was heartbroken when he was axed from A Place In The Sun (pictured) as the production were 'unable to secure insurance cover' for him to continue international filming'

Outfit: Jonnie looked smart in a green jacket and waistcoat which he wore with dark trousers, shades and a cap

Star-studded: The 2023 TRIC Awards welcomed a host of Britain's best known TV stars to Park Lane's Grosvenor House on Tuesday

Chic: Sonali looked summery in a white dress

Style: Beside him Nicki wore a pink and yellow silk dress

Smart: Next to Jonnie Jules wore a beige jacket and pink shirt

Sad: It comes after earlier this month Jonnie revealed that he sometimes leaves his family home to spend time in a hospice amid his cancer battle

Tough: He admitted that the pain can get so bad that he seeks solace at a hospice, unwilling to let his family see him suffer

Health: Jonnie recently revealed he received irreversible damage to his liver after travelling overseas for cancer treatment

The presenter also discussed his decision to keep the cancer battle a secret from his children.

'I keep being asked, 'Are you going to tell them?' but tell them what? It would be horrible news that they'd have to get their heads around,' he said.

'And it would confuse the hell out of Rex  he's got a shocking enough day coming. Let's bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible.'

Jonnie recently revealed he received irreversible damage to his liver after travelling overseas for cancer treatment.

He told how he recently went to Turkey for treatment but has now been left with liver damage following the procedure.

He said: 'It's blocked in a place they can't operate on, so there's no point fighting the cancer elsewhere if the liver's not working. It's a cruel blow.'

The star told how he is keeping a positive attitude at home because he doesn't know 'how long I have left'.

He said: 'My attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it. I set little markers  things I want to be around for. I got into the habit of saying: 'Don't plan ahead because I might not be well enough.'

Jonnie said he is confident his boys will have a good upbringing and a 'softer one than if I was around'.

The star has continued to work throughout his cancer battle as he doesn't have critical illness cover on his insurance.

Earlier this month, Jonnie issued a health update as he revealed doctors were monitoring changes in his medication to help manage his pain.

Horrible: Jonnie was given just six months to live when he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, which has spread to his brain, in August 2020 (pictured with co-host Jasmine Harman)

From Lutterworth to Lanzarote: How former estate agent Jonnie Irwin's TV career took off after he beat hundreds to present A Place in the Sun TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has revealed he is suffering with terminal cancer, saying he hopes sharing his terminal cancer diagnosis will inspire others to 'make the most of every day' Born in 1973, Jonnie Irwin grew up in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, and attended Lutterworth Grammar School and Community College before becoming an estate agent. In 2004, Irwin was selected from hundreds of applicants alongside co-presenter Jasmine Harman to present Channel 4's show A Place In The Sun - Home Or Away. The property programme was a surprise hit and syndicated widely. Irwin also regularly presents the BBC's Escape To The Country and To Buy Or Not To Buy. In January 2011, Sky 1 broadcast Irwin's own show called Dream Lives for Sale, in which he helped people leave their lives in the UK in order buy their dream business. Later that year, he started a new series The Renovation Game which aired on weekday mornings on Channel 4. Outside of presenting, he is also a commercial director for Judicare, which describes itself as a 'specialist law firm providing clients with legal advice on all matters related to overseas property'. Irwin married Jessica Holmes in September 2016. Together they have three sons and lived in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire before moving to Newcastle. On November 13, Irwin was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He told Hello magazine: 'I don't know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it.' Advertisement

The presenter has been undergoing brain therapy, which he described last week as 'brutal'.

Jonnie said he was keeping his fingers crossed he will be out of hospital in time for Sunday, where he was due to make an appearance at A Place In The Sun Live at Kensington Olympia.

He said: 'In hospital this week monitoring a changeover in my pain management regime.

'Fingers crossed I'll be out in time to make an appearance on Sunday for this weekends @aplaceinthesunofficial LIVE event at @olympialondon in Kensington. Hope to see you there.'
Lewis Capaldi cancelled his Australian tour dates on Tuesday with a heartfelt message to all his fans.

The international singing sensation, 26, apologised profusely on Instagram as he announced he would no longer be touring 'for the foreseeable future'.

He was initially slated to play shows in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne between July 1 and July 15, before heading to Byron Bay for Splendour in the Grass on July 21.

However, the Scotsman has cancelled all shows in Australia moving forward due to persistent struggles he is experiencing with his Tourette's symptoms.

'I'm so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve,' he wrote in a lengthy message.

Lewis Capaldi, 26, (pictured) cancelled his Australian tour dates on Tuesday with a heartfelt message to all his fans

He added: 'Playing for you every night is all I've ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I'll be back as soon as I possible can.'

The move didn't come as a shock to fans as the Someone You Loved hitmaker had difficulties completing his most recent show in Glastonbury on Saturday.

Lewis became emotional during the set as his tics made it difficult to complete songs, prompting fans to sing along in a heartwarming show of support.

The international singing sensation apologised profusely on Instagram as he announced he would no longer be touring 'for the foreseeable future'

He had taken three weeks off before his gig on the Pyramid Stage, but admitted it was not enough as he cancelled the remaining 24 live dates he had scheduled.

'I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I'd hoped three weeks away would sort me out,' he explained in his message.

'But the truth is I'm still learning to adjust to the the impact of my Tourette's, and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.

'I know I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can't and I'd like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who've been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I've needed it more than ever.'
Intern Pete has joined Kyle Sandilands on his honeymoon with new wife Tegan Kynaston in Saint-Tropez.

And the KIIS FM radio producer was making the most of the getaway on Tuesday, showing off his physique in some very revealing budgie smuggler swimwear.

In a video shared to Instagram Stories by Kyle's longtime manager and friend Bruno Bouchet, Pete worked out by the pool before heading in for a swim.

He worked his angles in the miniscule swimmers while Bruno giggled behind the camera.

'They're really ill fitting aren't they?' Bruno commented, to which Pete sarcastically replied, 'Oh thank you'.

Intern Pete (pictured) has joined Kyle Sandilands on his honeymoon with new wife Tegan Kynaston in Saint-Tropez

The KIIS FM radio producer was making the most of the getaway on Tuesday, showing off his physique in some very revealing budgie smuggler swimwear

In a video shared to Instagram Stories by Kyle's longtime manager and friend Bruno Bouchet, Pete worked out by the pool before heading in for a swim

Pete was then asked what the image printed on his swimwear was, which Bruno mistook for a baby.

'A little boy!' he called out, to which Bruno reacted with a stunned and appalled, 'Oh gosh!'

Happy as Larry, Pete headed into the pool for a dip without a care in the world, clearly proud of his Speedos.

Newlyweds Kyle and Tegan are finally free to enjoy a work-free honeymoon as his KIIS FM radio goes on break this week.

They made the most of their time in paradise on Saturday as they headed out for a meal with Bruno and Pete.

Newlyweds Kyle and Tegan (both pictured) are finally free to enjoy a work-free honeymoon as his KIIS FM radio goes on break this week

On Sunday, the foursome indulged in a private yacht tour around the French Riviera before stopping off at a coastal town for lunch with Bruno and Pete

The group 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

On Sunday, the foursome indulged in a private yacht tour around the French Riviera before stopping off at a coastal town for lunch.

Waving 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!'

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.

According to Yahoo Lifestyle, an insider has revealed that the KIIS FM presenter has spent around $500,000 on the three-week holiday.
Following their triumphant set at Glastonbury, Foo Fighters have announced more shows in the UK, as they will embark on a tour in 2024.

The band - who released their tenth studio album 'But Here We Are' in June 2023 - will embark on a stadium tour across England, Scotland and Wales.

But how exactly can you get tickets to their UK gigs in 2024? When do tickets come out? Is there presale access?

Read on below for everything you need to know about how to get Foo Fighters tickets for their UK shows in 2024.

Following their triumphant set at Glastonbury, Foo Fighters have announced more shows in the UK, as they will embark on a tour in 2024

When and where are Foo Fighters touring the UK in 2-2024?

The US rock band - fronted by Dave Grohl - will play a total of six dates: one in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and Manchester, in addition to two at the London Stadium, where they previously played in 2018.

Foo Fighters have announced the following dates for their 2024 UK stadium tour, as well as the supports acts for each date:

13 June 2024: Manchester, Emirates Old Trafford Stadium. Support acts: Wet Leg, Loose Articles

15 June 2024: Manchester, Emirates Old Trafford Stadium. Support acts: Chroma, Courtney Barnett

17 June 2024: Glasgow, Hampden Stadium. Support acts: Courtney Barnett, Honeyblood

20 June 2024: London, London Stadium. Support acts: Wet Leg, Shame

22 June 2024: London, London Stadium. Support acts: Courtney Barnett, Hot Milk

25 June 2024: Cardiff, Principality Stadium. Support acts: Wet Leg, Himalayas

27 June 2024: Birmingham, Villa Park Stadium: Support acts: Courtney Barnett, Hot Milk

How to get Foo Fighters tickets

Tickets for all six UK dates go on general sale at 9am BST on 30 June via Ticketmaster and See Tickets.

Presale tickets will go on sale from 9am BST on 28 June.

The band's confirmation of a UK tour comes after an electric performance at Glastonbury 2023, where they surprised fans with a secret set, having been billed under the pseudonym of 'The Churnups'.

Grohl and co. were due to play in the UK as part of their 2022 world tour, which was cut short after the tragic passing of the band's drummer at the time, Taylor Hawkins.

Their last performance prior to his death was on 20 March 2022 at Lollapalooza Argentina.

Josh Freese, who has been a member of Devo since 1996 and the Vandals since 1989, became the group's new drummer in May 2023.

He has also toured with the Offspring, Guns N Roses, Danny Elfman, Weezer, Sting, Paramore, Nine Inch Nails and 100 Gecs.

A statement released across the rock group's social media channels read: 'It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins.

'We're sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won't be seeing one another as planned. Instead, let's take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we've made together.'

Josh Freese, who has been a member of Devo since 1996 and the Vandals since 1989, became the group's new drummer in May 2023 following the tragic passing of Taylor Hawkins

How do I get a Foo Fighters presale code?

Anyone who pre-registered and purchased the new Foo Fighters album 'But Here We Are' before 8 June 2023 should have received a unique online code on the morning of Tuesday 27 June.

This code will give them early access to presale tickets, but does not guarantee that they will be successful in purchasing tickets.

Others who should have received a unique presale access code include those who bought tickets to their cancelled 2022 UK world tour dates.

They should also have received an unique online code granting them access to presale tickets from 9am BST on 28 June.
Crown Princess Mary has become a style icon since her rise to fame as a Danish royal.

And she looked picture perfect again on Tuesday when she lent her star power to the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.

Mary looked radiant as she spoke at the lectern and posed on the red carpet at the city's famed concert hall.

The elegant royal opted for a belted cream top and matching blazer for the event which she paired with an eye-catching tan polka-dot skirt.

She finished her look with pointy heels and an always fashionable tan handbag.

Crown Princess Mary, 51, lived up to her iconic style status when she attended the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Pictured right

The elegant royal opted for a belted cream top and matching blazer for the event which she paired with an eye-catching tan polka-dot skirt

The royal star wore her brunette tresses down and slightly curled and opted for a minimal makeup look.

The summit bills itself as agenda-setting discussions and presentations on the most critical environmental, social and ethical issues facing the industry and planet.

It has been a busy couple of months for Mary.

She recently toured the Mary Elizabeth Hospital's construction site in the Danish capital.

She finished her look with pointy heels and an always fashionable tan handbag

The royal star wore her brunette tresses down and slightly curled and opted for a minimal makeup look

Mary spoke to the assembled crowd at the prestigious event

The new hospital, which is named after the royal, focuses on children's health as well as teenagers and pregnant mothers.

It is still under construction, and should be ready for purpose in 2026.

She met with its architect, Stig Vesterager Gothelf, who talked her through the building's main points, including a play area that will play a huge part in the well-being of its young patients, the Righospitalet's website read.

She also watched local children draw and play in one of the site's common areas.

The summit bills itself as agenda-setting discussions and presentations on the most critical environmental, social and ethical issues facing the industry and planet
Nicolas Coster, who enjoyed a varied career on an array of soap operas, died Monday night at the age of 89.

He was best known for playing the wealthy adventurer and womanizer Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara, the NBC daytime soap of the 1980s and 1990s.

His heartbroken daughter Dinneen broke the news of his death on Facebook, showering praise on her late father.

'There is great sadness in my heart this evening, my father actor Nicolas Coster has passed on in Florida at 9:01 pm in the hospital,' she wrote.

'Please be inspired by his artistic achievements and know he was a real actors actor! I will remember him as always doing his best and being a great father. Rest In Peace.'

Dearly departed: Nicolas Coster, who enjoyed a varied career on an array of soap operas, died Monday night at the age of 89; pictured 2018

Throwback: He was best known for playing the wealthy adventurer and womanizer Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara, on which he is pictured with Judith McConnell

Born in London in 1933, Nicolas was brought to the safety of North America as a child, away from the shadow of war gathering over Europe.

'I arrived as a very little boy in Canada, escaping what was to become the Second World War,' he told a French fan site for Santa Barbara. 'My American mother brought her three children then to the USA where I stayed until 16.'

Nicolas caught the performing bug at his Los Angeles high school after entering a speech contest at the behest of the public speaking teacher.

The teacher took an interest in him after she overheard him in the principal's office demanding the expulsion of a 'fascist' student who had beaten up a Mexican schoolmate, he said in a YouTube interview with Real Deal Of Hollywood.

After returning to postwar Britain, he enrolled in the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art, already intent at a young age on pursuing an acting career.

By his early 20s he had scored a part on an anthology series called The United States Steel Hour, kicking off a long and consistent career on TV.

Through the next couple of decades he jobbed around on such era-defining shows as Charlie's Angels, Another World, One Day At A Time and One Life To Live.

He also repeatedly acted on Broadway, including a stint as a standby for the 1973 musical Seesaw starring Michele Lee and Giancarlo Esposito.

Remember when: Through the next couple of decades he jobbed around on such era-defining soaps as Charlie's Angels (pictured), Another World, One Day At A Time and One Life To Live

Unmistakable uniform: During his run as Lionel, he also found time to appear on such memorable series as Murder, She Wrote and Star Trek: The Next Generation (pictured)

In the early 1980s he found himself acting alongside Elizabeth Taylor in a revival of Lillian Hellman's classic The Little Foxes.

It was in 1984 however that he landed the part that brought him his most devoted fanbase, acting on nearly 600 episodes of Santa Barbara.

Reflecting on his character years later, Nicolas remarked: 'He was presented as a spoiled rich guy, who has fun, is naughty, but has his redeeming qualities.'

Per Nicolas, Lionel 'loves his kids, loves his wife, who is also great fun, he has a shall we say, "adventurous" marriage, which gets him into trouble.'

The show brought him an international fanbase who fell in love with his turn as the rich, rakish Lionel Lockridge from 1984 to 1993.

'When I went to Croatia last year,' he said in 2009: 'a woman came up to me on the streets of Dubrovnik, with tears in her eyes and said: "We watched you on Santa Barbara during the bombing .We found comfort doing that as we lay huddled in the basement in the cold." I was very touched that she remembered.'

During his run as Lionel, he also found time to appear on such memorable series as Murder, She Wrote, The Facts Of Life and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

After wrapping up Santa Barbara, he continued working in the soap opera space, featuring on such programs as All My Children and As The World Turns.

Remember when: Nicolas also had a recurring part on The Facts Of Life (pictured)

Nicolas continued acting throughout his 1980s, even playing White House counsel Lloyd Cutler on Impeachment: American Crime Story, the 2021 anthology series about the Clinton scandals starring Beanie Feldstein as Monica Lewinsky.

Just earlier this year, he had a guest shot on the drama series The Rookie: Feds, starring Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts.

Although he was nominated for four Daytime Emmys during his years on Santa Barbara, he finally won as recently as 2017 for the Peacock show The Bay.

On the personal front, Nicolas had two daughters called Candace and Dinneen by his ex-wife Candace Hilligoss, herself an actress.
Former Hollyoaks actress Jessica Ellis has reportedly split from her partner Michael Shaw.

The couple, who have been together for five years, are said to have called an end to things after realising 'marriage really wasn't going to work.'

Jessica, 36, has since removed all traces of Michael from social media and is vowing to make a 'fresh start'.

The sad news comes nearly two months to the day that the pair got engaged in May 2021.

A source told The Sun: 'Jessica has quietly split from Matt after they decided marriage really wasn't going to work.'

Happy news: Hollyoaks star Jessica Ellis has split from her fiance Michael Shaw two years after getting engaged (pictured together on their engagement day)

The insider continued: 'She's already moving on and is looking for love with the help of her friend Kimberly Hart-Simpson.

'She's removed all trace of Matt from social media and is really looking for a fresh start.'

MailOnline has contacted Jessica's representatives for comment.

Jessica - who played Tegan Lomax in the Channel 4 soap from 2013 to 2018 - revealed in 2021 that her boyfriend popped the question while enjoying a romantic date at a swanky rooftop bar in London.

Sharing the happy news she wrote on Instagram: 'Well yesterday was a bit of alright thanks to my fiance @mtshaw91'.

Alongside the caption she posted a sweet picture of her with Michael as she excitedly pointed at the pretty ring on her finger while he beamed beside her.

In another picture the couple posed for a selfie as Jessica showed off the ring, before sharing another snap of the piece of jewellery close up to show off its colourful design.

Meanwhile sharing the same snap, Michael wrote on his Instagram: 'She said YES!'

Moving on with her life: Jessica, 36, has since removed all traces of Michael from social media and is vowing to make a 'fresh start'

Supportive: Jessica is said to be leaning on former co-star Kimberly Hart Simpson for support after the split

Following the proposal, Jessica's former Hollyoaks co-stars and real-life couple Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy - who are also engaged - joined the pair to celebrate.

The two couples enjoyed champagne at the rooftop bar and shared snaps posing together after the proposal.

Daisy - who played Kim Butterfield in the Channel 4 soap from 2014 to 2018 - wrote on her Instagram: 'Had the most special day yesterday, surprising our best friend after her proposal!!! CONGRATULATIONS @jellis1987 & @mtshaw91!!

'Is there anything better than seeing your friends SO happy?! I can't wait for the most wild, crazy, unique, hilarious and special wedding we've got in store for us here (trust me, the initial plans made a woman on the table next to us interrupt to ask if she could be invited).

'Wishing a lifetime of happiness, trips to Wales, visits to Flamingoland and boozy nights (all with Bob & Rita in tow) to the MR & MRS ELLIS / SHAW to be!! Love you sooooo much! (sic)'

Jess admitted Daisy's heartfelt post made her emotional.

She commented: 'I'm crying!!!! Thanks for the best day EVER!'

Several other soap stars congratulated the happy couple on their engagement news.

Jennifer Metcalfe who played Mercedes McQueen wrote: 'Congratulations. your ring is beautiful.'

Amanda Clapham who starred as Holly Cunningham shared: 'Congratulations !! Beautiful ring xXx.'

Ross Adams - who played Scott Drinkwell - posted: 'AWWWW MASSIVE CONGRATS to both of you. Lovely news.'

Jessica left Hollyoaks in 2018 and revealed at the time that she had to keep her shock exit a secret for six months.

Her character Tegan was crushed by a falling tree after a storm and ended up in hospital.

Pals: When Jessica and Michael got engaged her former Hollyoaks co-stars and real-life couple Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy - who are also engaged - joined the pair to celebrate
When Sex and the City's Chris Noth was accused of sexually assaulting two women, his former co-stars took to Instagram to tell the world they stood with his alleged victims.

But now it appears that Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis have kissed and made up with the man who played Mr Big on the US series.

Noth, 68, used social media on Saturday to hit back an American newspaper report that he had been 'iced out' by the women following the allegations.

The report also claimed that he is 'not invited to their parties' and that he 'doesn't get greetings cards or happy birthday texts.'

It went on to claim that Noth feels his former co-stars 'owe him an apology for the rude behavior' he experienced and that 'he wonders why SJP and her troupe continue to leave him out in the cold.'

Not impressed: Chris Noth has insisted he's still close with his Sex And The City co-stars as he hit back an American newspaper report that he had been 'iced out' by the women

But in an apparent sign that Parker, 58, Nixon, 57, and Davis, 58, have rekindled their once close friendship with him, Noth took to Instagram to share a defiant post.

Alongside a picture of the article, which had the headline 'Chris Noth feels "iced out" by Sex and the City cast after sexual assault claims: report', he wrote: 'I usually don't respond to this kind of thing.

'And I do know that people like drama and gossip...but this article is absolute nonsense. Just thought you'd like to know.'

It comes after Parker and her co-stars issued their own statement in 2021 after Noth was accused by five women of sexual assault.

Two shared their stories with The Hollywood Reporter newspaper and the next day.

Actress and screenwriter Zoe Lister-Jones alleged that Noth was 'consistently sexually inappropriate' when she worked with him on a 2005 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Two other women claimed that he forced them to kiss him.

While no police action was taken, the Sex and the City stars, who play Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York, wrote: 'We are deeply saddened to hear the allegations against Chris Noth.

We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.'

Friendly? Noth claimed that Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristin Davis have made up with the man who played Mr Big on the US series after their bombshell statement

Hitting back: In an apparent sign that the ladies have rekindled their once close friendship with him, Noth took to Instagram to share a defiant post

Noth categorically denied the allegations, describing the incidents as 'consensual' in a statement which also said: 'the accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false.'

The accusations led to Noth's second planned appearance in the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That being axed.

He also lost a lucrative advert with exercise bike brand Peloton in which he starred alongside Ryan Reynolds.

Noth shares two sons with wife Tara Wilson, 43 - Orion, 14, and Keats, two. He previously shutdown rumors that their marriage was 'hanging by a thread' following his sex assault scandal.
Kodak Black was booked once again at a jail in Florida before being released on a $250K bond but his lawyer has insisted that it is a legal win.

The 26-year-old rapper - born Bill Kahan Kapri - has been under strict supervision during his pretrail release for his prescription drug case but his lawyer Bradford Cohen told TMZ on Tuesday morning that is about to change.

Kodak was supposed to regularly check in with authorities including taking mandatory urine tests, however, he failed to check in recently and he and Cohen went to court on Monday over the issue.

Cohen claims that he was able to argue in court to get rid of the stringent pretrial supervision and the judge agreed but did increase Kodak's bond from $75K to $250K in the process.

However due to this change, the Pimpin Ain't Eazy hitmaker had to go through the booking process again at jail.

Kodak Black was booked once again at a jail in Florida before being released on a $250K bond but his lawyer Bradford Cohen has insisted to TMZ that it is a legal win as he was able to argue in court to get rid of stringent pretrial supervision; he is pictured in February 2018

The 26-year-old rapper - born Bill Kahan Kapri - has been under strict supervision during his pretrail release for his prescription drug case

His lawyer said that Kodak posed for a new mugshot at the Broward County jail and posted the new bond before being released in under an hour.

Cohen sees the move as a win for his client as he will be able to travel and your without having to check in due to that strict supervision.

Kodak was originally arrested in July 2022 and charged with trafficking oxycodone as it is claimed that police had found 31 oxycodone pills in his car.

This comes at an interesting time as the Super Gremlin rapper had fans concerned when he went on Instagram Live on Sunday night as he complained about his situation.

Back in February, the rapper was wanted by the police in Florida for violating the conditions of his bail and failing a drug test.

According to TMZ at the time, a judge signed off on an arrest warrant for Kodak, 25, on Thursday, and the rapper is to be taken into custody if any deputies encounter him.

The warrant was filed due to two missteps by Kodak - who was also recently sued by two shooting victims - in recent weeks.

At the beginning of February, he failed to appear at the agency he was supposed to report to for drug testing.

Warrant: Back in February, the rapper was wanted by the police in Florida for violating the conditions of his bail and failing a drug test: Kodak in 2022

The agency then claimed that the following week he submitted a sample, but it came back confirming that he had drugs in his system.

It was reported that the test came back positive for traces of fentanyl, although it's unclear how much was in his system.

Kodak was originally arrested in July of last year for possession of a controlled substance without prescription and trafficking.

Cops also revealed that they found upwards of 31 oxycodone pills in his car in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

He posted his $75K bail but was released under the condition that he would remain drug-free.

If he is caught, there are additional orders to hold him without bail until his next hearing.

Kodak was also recently involved in another legal battle, having been sued a year after a shooting outside of Justin Bieber's Super Bowl afterparty.

Both the rapper and Bieber were sued by two victims of the shooting that occurred on February 12, 2022.

Arrested: The rapper failed to report to his scheduled drug test and the proceeded to test positive for drugs in his system once he finally showed up

Sued: The 25-year-old has also been sued by two victims of a shooting that happened at Justin Bieber's Super Bowl after party in 2022; Kodak during Paris Fashion Week in 2022

Mark Schaefer and Adam Rahman claimed they were struck during the shooting that happened over Super Bowl weekend and were consequently 'severely injured.'

The incident had taken place just outside of The Nice Guy restaurant in West Hollywood, where Bieber was throwing a Super Bowl afterparty.

It was reported that four victims were shot, including Kodak.

However, the alleged victims suing the performers have claimed that Kodak played a major part in the escalation of the fight that occurred outside of the establishment.

Reportedly, an unknown assailant attacked someone from Kodak's group, prompting him to get into a scuffle to protect his friend.

TMZ reported that in the lawsuit documents, the two victims claimed that the rapper had 'escalated' the fight, resulting in shots being fired.

Kodak's representative, Bradford Cohen, spoke out in regard to the lawsuit and informed TMZ, 'I have seen a lot of bad complaints in my day. This is the most poorly drafted complaint I have seen in 26 years.'

He added: 'I expect Kodak to be dismissed from this suit fairly quickly.'

Cohen also explained that 'there is zero specificity' and that the victims' rep, Gloria Allred, 'groups the defendants all together instead of making specific allegations against each.'

Kodak's rep concluded: 'It's law school 101. I am embarrassed for Ms. Allred that she actually signed her name to that complaint.'

Reports: The victims explained that Kodak 'escalated' the situation, and believe that caused the shots to be fired; seen in 2022
Ben Foden and Jackie Smith learnt the hard way that five minutes is five minutes too long when leaving your daughter with a tempting jar of Nutella.

The 37-year-old mother was looking after her daughter Farrah, three, only to find the toddler covered head to toe in the hazelnut spread after she successfully unscrewed the lid herself.

Posting the hilarious video on Instagram, the American businesswoman wrote 'Happy Tuesday! Don't leave the Nutella out around a 3 year old, even if it's screwed tight, even for just 5 minutes!'

As if that wasn't funny enough, Jackie then confessed that Farrah proceeded to keep licking herself in the shower and she exclaimed 'MMMmmm that's delicious!'

Father Ben, also 37, reshared the clip over on his Instagram account, commenting 'I leave for 5 minutes'!

Uh Oh!: Ben Foden and Jackie Smith, both 37, learnt the hard way that five minutes is five minutes too many when leaving your daughter with a jar of tempting Nutella

Is Nutella the new moisturiser? Farrah, three, smothered herself in the sweet spread from head to toe

'MMMmmm that's delicious': Jackie revealed her daughter kept licking herself in the shower

Fans found the incident hilarious and were quick to comment. One fan joked 'I hear that's the new trend for skincare very moisturizing'.

This isn't the first time Farrah has stolen the show on her mother's Instagram after Jackie shared a video back in April of Farrah looking confused while getting her hair dyed at the hairdressers.

Jackie confessed to her followers: 'Did I accidentally put peroxide in my child's hair in the Bahamas thinking it was just lemon juice and then turn her ginger? Yes. Yes I did.

So we're correcting mama's woopsie and going back to brown. Because I can't have people thinking she's a soulless ginger.'

This comment created a frenzy online as fans assumed she making a dig at Ben's first wife Una Healy and her trademark auburn locks.

Jackie went onto apologise for the remark, but clarified that the comment was in no way aimed at Una: 'To those of you thinking the soulless ginger comment was a dig at Una, lol, y'all need to move on with your day. Una's red hair is about as natural as my blonde.'

The couple famously married after just two weeks of dating back in August 2019 and have one child together.

The rugby player is also father to Aoife Belle, eight, and Tadhg, five, who he shares with ex-wife Una.

The Three Musketeers: The family celebrated Farrah's third birthday in May with their friends and family

What's going on Mum?!: Jackie shared a video back in April of Farrah looking confused while getting her hair dyed at the hairdressers

Mother-daughter trips: Jackie responded to jibes that her daughter was too young to get her hair dyed by joking that she would now be taking her for spray tans and bikini waxes

A 'soulless ginger': Farrah's mum was forced to explain her comments after fans assumed she was making jibes at her husband's ex-wife Una Healy

Farrah celebrated her third birthday in May with a mermaid themed party which saw the whole family sporting shiny-mermaid themed leggings.

Jackie thanked all their friends and family for coming before expressing her love for her daughter.

She wrote 'Farrah we love you so much, you make us so proud.'
Barbie star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig argued with Mattel president and CEO Richard Dickson about an 'off-brand' scene for the upcoming blockbuster.

The live-action film, which is set for release on July 21, has sparked a fan frenzy but one scene - which has not been disclosed - forced Dickson to fly to the film's London set to row with Robbie and Gerwig about its inclusion in the movie.

Speaking to Time Magazine, Robbie, 32, and Gerwig, 39, detailed how they had convinced Dickson to keep the scene in after performing it for him live on set.

Robbie said at the time: 'When you look on the page, the nuance isnt there, the delivery isnt there.'

Robbie revealed when she first met Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz to attempt to get the rights, she told him she planned to include on-brand and off-brand topics.

Coming soon: Barbie star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig argued with Mattel president and CEO Richard Dickson about an 'off-brand' scene for the upcoming blockbuster

Line-up: The live-action film, which is set for release on July 21 , has sparked a fan frenzy but one scene - which has not been disclosed - forced Dickson to fly to the film's London set to row with Robbie and Gerwig about its inclusion in the movie (pictured with Ken actor Ryan Gosling)

She said: 'In that very first meeting, we impressed upon Ynon we are going to honor the legacy of your brand, but if we dont acknowledge certain things - if we dont say it, someone else is going to say it. So you might as well be a part of that conversation.'

Robbie also revealed Mattel choosing to have a array of Barbies, as well as her stereotypical version of the iconic doll, she would not have wanted to make the film.

She said: 'If [Mattel] hadnt made that change to have a multiplicity of Barbies, I dont think I would have wanted to attempt to make a Barbie film.

'I dont think you should say, This is the one version of what Barbie is, and thats what women should aspire to be and look like and act like.'

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.

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.

Lol: Speaking to Time Magazine , Robbie, 32, and Gerwig, 39, detailed how they had convinced Dickson to keep the scene in after performing it for him live on set

Head honchos: Richard Dickson and Ynon Kreiz are seen in 2019

Let the count down begin: The live-action Barbie movie is slated to premiere in theaters on July 21 in the U.S. and U.K.

'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.
Bethenny Frankel looked cheerful while preparing to step in as a guest co-host on the Today Show, alongside Hoda Kotb, in New York City on Tuesday morning.

As she arrived to fill in for Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of NBC's popular morning news program, the reality star, 52, rocked a blue terry cloth romper, with a tie belt to accentuate her slim waist, and a pair of black Birkenstocks.

The Real Housewives of New York City alum completed her laid-back ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings and large white handbag, which she toted on the crook of her arm.

For her early morning, the mother-of-one, who is engaged to Paul Bernon, made sure to stay caffeinated as she held onto an aqua and black coffee tumblr.

Ahead of the show, Frankel revealed that she was left scrambling for an outfit after discovering that she left it in The Hamptons.

Bright and early: Bethenny Frankel looked cheerful while preparing to step in as a guest co-host on the Today Show, alongside Hoda Kotb, in New York City on Tuesday morning

Opps! Ahead of the show, Frankel revealed that she was left scrambling for an outfit after discovering that she left it in The Hamptons

Despite rocking a glamorous makeup look, using only drugstore products, the self-made mogul expressed concern that she had less than an hour to find something wearable.

'When you see the stupid thing I chose to wear, and lean in, on the Today Show, I think you'll appreciate [it],' she teased. 'But, it's committing to the bit. That's for sure.'

Once she met up with Kotb, Frankel informed her and the audience what happened as she mused about wearing a black patterned swimsuit, with 'TODAY' across her chest and cutouts on the side and black pants for the appearance.

Still, Kotb remarked that she's physically never looked better.

Frankel explained that she has gotten to the age that 'you care about what's important, but the rest of it is...just funny.'

Kotb then asked: 'Did you care before?'

'I think I was always just worried because I was broke and I was really in my late thirties and I had no idea what was going to happen to me,' she replied. 'I was a late bloomer in business. And, I was also a late bloomer in having a child... so things came together later.'

Later in the episode, the the businesswoman's daughter Bryn, 13, made her TV debut as she sweetly joined her mother on stage.

Leggy display: As she arrived to fill in for Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of NBC's popular morning news program, the reality star, 52, rocked a blue terry cloth romper, with a tie belt to accentuate her slim waist, and a pair of black Birkenstocks

Oozing cool: The Real Housewives of New York City alum completed her laid-back ensemble with a pair of gold hoop earrings and large white handbag, which she toted on the crook of her arm

Kotb asked Bryn to tell viewers what it is like having Frankel as a mom, to which she answered 'crazy.'

'What's crazy about it?' Kotb pressed.

'Like, all of the stories and everything,' Bryn said, before adding that her mother can be really strict.'

She then joked that when Frankel hits her boiling point, she can get 'really mad.'

Meanwhile, Frankel called parenting a 13-year-old 'amazing' and gushed about their spontaneous adventures 'every day.'

She told Kotb, who is a mom to Haley, six, and Hope, four, that she's going to 'love' the teen years.

'You're good at it because you're very thoughtful about it. You have to be thoughtful about it, and you are. You're in the  you know it's the ocean,' the star added.

Comitting to the bit: Once she met up with Kotb, Frankel informed her and the audience what happened as she mused about wearing a black patterned swimsuit, with 'TODAY' across her chest and cutouts on the side and black pants for the appearance

Happier than ever: Frankel explained that she has gotten to the age that 'you care about what's important, but the rest of it is...just funny'

Too cute! Later in the episode, the the businesswoman's daughter Bryn, 13, made her TV debut as she sweetly joined her mother on stage

Funny: Kotb asked Bryn to tell viewers what it is like having Frankel as a mom, to which she answered 'crazy'

Doting mom: Meanwhile, Frankel called parenting a 13-year-old 'amazing' and gushed about their spontaneous adventures 'every day'

Wrapping up: Bethenny was also spotted later on Monday as she exited the Today Show's studios. She emerged after a spotted of rain and hurried to her waiting vehicle

Family: Bethenny's daughter Bryn was also seen leaving the studio while trailed by her mother's assistant after making her TV debut. She paired her coral dress with white-and-green sneakers and carried a thick green backpack

Frankel concluded: 'It's moving. You cannot predict the ocean. You cannot predict the tide. You have to swim under the wave. You cannot fight the wave.'

Just last month, on Bryn's birthday, her mother gushed she is 'loving, sweet, silly, natural, grounded' and perfect on Instagram.

'She was born a nice girl and she has never strayed. She was blessed with as many gifts as I have flaws, and I am so grateful to go through this beautiful life with her,' Frankel told her Instagram followers.

Additionally, the TV personality said that her 'sweet angel Bryn' gave her 'everything' she has 'ever needed in this lifetime.'
Joe Swash has revealed that he and his wife Stacey Solomon have discussed fostering another child - as she ruled out the prospect of carrying a sixth baby.

The presenter, 41, told the Netmums podcast that it's something he 'definitely wants to do,' after seeing his own mother Kiffy work as a foster carer for 15 years.

Joe added that if he and Stacey did decide to foster, it wouldn't be until their own children are much older.

Stacey has sons Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, from previous relationships and Rex, four, Rose, 20 months, and four-month-old Belle with Joe, while he also has son Harry, 16, from a previous relationship.

It comes as Stacey admitted she is taking 'every precaution possible' to ensure she doesn't have a sixth baby after enjoying a romantic mini break with Joe.

Parenting plans: Joe Swash has revealed that he and his wife Stacey Solomon have discussed fostering another child - as she ruled out the prospect of having a sixth baby

Discussing his life at Pickle Cottage with their six children, Joe said: 'Before you know it you've got six!

'This is it, I'm pretty sure that his is it, we can't go there again which is really sad, we love kids, we love the baby stage, and the toddler stage, and the baby stage goes by really fast, so it is a little bit sad but I think this will be it.'

'As long as the house is full of love and we all love each other exactly the same. I never make a distinction between my kids and Stacey's kids.

'Even that makes me feel funny. They're all our kids. We're just one big family and we all love each other, that's the most important thing.'

Joe went onto reveal that he and Stacey are 'renewing' their interest in fostering a child, even after the birth of their latest child, Belle.

He said: 'Fostering is something that me and Stacey have talked about and would love to do. We'd love to foster, we'd love to give something back, you know?'

'It is something that we definitely want to do, when our kids get old enough that they're not as reliant on us.'

'Touch wood, we're both healthy enough and fit enough. We'll have to wait until the time comes, but we're open to the option.

Family: Stacey has sons Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11, from previous relationships and Rex, four, Rose, 20 months, and baby Belle with Joe, while he also has son Harry, 16

Not yet! It comes as Stacey admitted she is taking 'every precaution possible' to ensure she doesn't have a sixth baby after enjoying a romantic mini break with Joe

He added: 'My mum sort of knew she had so much more to give and so much more love to give.

'And there are so many kids out there that really need that love and support. So, we were really behind my mum.

'We are super proud of what she's done and what she's achieved. She's an incredible, strong independent woman. We're super proud of her.'

Meanwhile Stacey told her fans that while she and her husband Joe Swash are 'really loving each other' even more than usual after returning from a romantic mini break in Austria, they are not planning on having another child.

Stacey said in an Instagram video: 'We are on a mini-break high and really loving each other. We were kissing yesterday and the boys were like, ''Urgh! You disgust me!''

'Oh, for those of you messaging me saying is this baby number six - no, no no! Don't worry, we're taking every precaution possible to make sure that doesn't happen!'

Stacey admitted life can get 'a bit tense' at times when they are working and running around at home after their kids, so the couple enjoyed getting away.

She added: 'I got to say, me and Joe had the best time together. I think sometimes, when you're in the thick of it and we've got all the kids and I'm working and then he's working and then we're tag teaming it, it all gets a bit tense.

'So yeah, that little 36 hours together has just made me love him so much. Not that I didn't love him before!'

Stacey and Joe went to Austria for their friends' wedding over the weekend, and she got 'a little tipsy' at the bash.

She wrote on Instagram: 'Mum and Dad. Out alone. In The Actual Sound Of Music House. For Our Friends Wedding. P.S I'm a little tipsy or maybe a lot. Or maybe totally gone. I don't look like this anymore. Send help (sic).'

The Netmums podcast is available to stream now.
The Chase star Mark Labbett stepped out hand-in-hand with his girlfriend Hayley Palmer as they attended their first TV interview together.

The couple looked as loved up as ever as they made their way to Steph's Packed lunch in Leeds on Tuesday, after Hayley told MailOnline she has met his parents.

Mark, 57, looked smart in a black blazer with a polo neck top and smart trousers as he smiled for photos.

Meanwhile the presenter, 41, caught the eye in a plunging dress with a pretty pleated skirt and gold strappy heels.

She topped off her look with a slick of berry lipstick and styled her bright blonde hair into soft curls.

Sweet: The Chase star Mark Labbett, 57, stepped out hand-in-hand with his girlfriend Hayley Palmer, 41, as they attended their first TV interview together on Tuesday

Confirming that she has been introduced to her boyfriends parents, Hayley told MailOnline: 'I met Mark's family last night, they took me for dinner! They're so lovely!'

Their outing comes just days after Mark enjoyed an overseas holiday with his new girlfriend.

The TV star was joined by the presenter after flying to Los Angeles to begin work on his big return to US TV.

The couple have shared a glimpse at their glamorous trip on social media, and went public with their romance in an interview with Woman's Day.

'This is our first holiday!' the stunning blonde excitedly told the publication this week.

'Mark and I have both been working and filming, but we've been able to make the most of our time together,' she continued.

'This is the first time we've been able to do more than the odd date, so it's been fantastic.

'We've spent some quality time together, and it's been wonderful for our relationship.'

Adorable: The couple looked as loved up as ever as they made their way to Steph's Packed lunch in Leeds on Tuesday, after Hayley told MailOnline she has met his parents

All smiles: Mark looked smart in a black blazer with a polo neck top and smart trousers as he smiled for photos while Hayley opted for a plunging dress and gold heels

Abroad: Their outing comes just days after Mark enjoyed an overseas holiday with his new girlfriend

The trip is the pair's first holiday abroad together. Hayley has also secured a series of big TV and radio gigs across the pond.

A source told The Sun: 'Hayley caught a plane to LA on Wednesday to see Mark. He's working really hard on Master Minds for Game Show Network in the States but wants to make time for her at the weekend.

'She's been so busy with her own projects back in London, but they're both determined to make this work.

'Hayley's even bagged herself an interview with a US radio station, a podcast appearance and she'll be reporting from Hollywood for GB News.'
A look at the stars who have played Superman

KIRK ALYN: 1948-1950

The very first actor to sport the iconic Superman emblem in a live-action movie was Kirk Alyn in 1948's Superman.

He also returned to play the DC Comics character for a second time in the 1950 sequel Atom Man vs. Superman.

Kirk, who died in March 1999, starred opposite the late Noel Neill, who played the first ever Lois Lane on-screen.

Iconic: The first actor to sport the iconic red cape was Kirk Alyn in 1948's movie Superman. He also returned to the role for a second time in the 1950 sequel Atom Man vs. Superman

As is common for stars connected to the Superman universe, Kirk also made a cameo appearance years later - playing Lois Lane's father alongside Noel as her mother in 1978's Superman, starring Christopher Reeve.

Kirk was hired by Columbia Pictures because he resembled Clark Kent but later blamed his success as the character and his superhero alter-ego for ruining his acting career.

However, he benefited from a wave of nostalgia for the franchise in the 1970s, which saw him grace comic book conventions to meet eager fans.

According to reports, he said in 1972: 'Playing Superman ruined my acting career and I've been bitter for many years about the whole thing. But now, it's finally starting to pay off.'

Blame: Kirk was hired by Columbia Pictures because he resembled Clark Kent but later blamed his success as the character and his superhero alter-ego for ruining his acting career

GEORGE REEVES: 1951 -1958

George Reeves then took over as the Son of Krypton in 1951's independent film Superman and the Mole Men.

He reprised his role for the first Superman TV series, Adventures of Superman, which premiered in 1952 and ran for six series until 1958, producing a total of 104 episodes.

As well as his Superman role, he was a skilled amateur boxer and musician and previously starred as an actor in 1939's Gone With The Wind and So Proudly We Hail! in 1943.

But his war service then interrupted his career after he was drafted in early 1943 and was assigned to the US Army Air Forces, before being transferred to Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit, where he made training films.

Star: George Reeves took over as the Son of Krypton in 1951's film Superman and the Mole Men and reprised his role for the first Superman TV series, titled Adventures of Superman

It was after his wartime service that he found success on TV in the Adventures of Superman, where he starred alongside Noel Neill as Lois Lane, before she was replaced by Phyllis Coates in the first season.

In June 1959, George as found dead in his bedroom from a single gunshot wound to the head, with the police concluding his death was suicide.

CHRISTOPHER REEVE: 1978-1987

Next to wear the iconic red cape was Christopher Reeve, who took on the role in Richard Donner's iconic 1978 movie, titled Superman: The Movie.

He arguably became the best-known and most-loved version of the famous superhero during his string of iconic movie appearances as the character from 1978 until 1987.

Beloved: Next to wear the iconic cape was Christopher Reeve, who took on the role in Richard Donner's iconic 1978 movie, titled Superman: The Movie

Christopher reprised his role in 1980's Superman 2, 1983's Superman 3, and 1987's Superman 4: The Quest for Peace and became the face associated with the iconic franchise for many years.

However, Christopher was tragically paralysed from the neck down after a riding accident in 1995 and then stepped away from acting, becoming a campaigner for the disabled.

He set up the Christopher Reeve Foundation and raised more than 25million for research and 5million in grants to patients, while he also worked hard appealing for research into spinal injuries.

By 2000, he had regained some movement and sensation in his body and could feel when his wife Dana or his children - William, Alexandra and Matthew - embraced him.

Fan favourite: He arguably became the best-known and most-loved version of the famous superhero during his string of iconic movie appearances as the character from 1978 until 1987

He welcomed his two eldest children, William and Alexandra, during his ten-year relationship with Gae Exton before they split in 1987. He shared his youngest son William with his wife Dana, who died from cancer in March 2006.

Christopher survived ten years of near total immobility after his accident but died of complications in October 2004, shortly after his 52nd birthday.

JOHN NEWTON: 1988

John Haymes Newton landed his first ever on-screen role as Superboy, which ran for four series and 26 episodes from 1988 until 1991.

However, American actor John only appeared as Clark Kent in the show's first season before he was replaced by Gerard Christopher.

It was reported producers weren't happy with John's performance as the younger version of the beloved superhero and decided to recast him after he tried to negotiate his salary.

TV show: John Haymes Newton landed his first on-screen role as Superboy in the show's first season before he was replaced by Gerard Christopher as producers were not impressed

His replacement Gerard later also served as a producer and writer on the show and auditioned for Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman after Superboy's cancellation.

Although he was chosen by the casting director, when producers discovered he had played a version of the character before, he was dismissed.

DEAN CAIN: 1993-1997

So it was Dean Cain who ended up taking on the role of Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

He played the role of Clark Kent and his alter-ego Superman alongside Teri Hatcher, who played Lois Lane, in the show, which ran from 1993 until 1997.

Much to the annoyance of longtime fans, the show was cancelled before one unresolved plot thread could be tied up.

Superhero: Dean Cain then ended up taking on the role of Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Dean, now 56, rejoined the DC universe between 2015 and 2017 on Supergirl, where he played Kara Danvers/Supergirl's father Jeremiah Danvers.

Dean has previously said he looks back on his time as Superman with 'extremely fond memories' and believes it was an amazing start to his career.

He said: 'When I get associated with the character now, I'm still happy as a clam because what would you want to be called, if you were ever going to be called the same character for life, I think Superman pretty much takes the cake.'

In 2018, Dean took a slight career change as he became a reserve officer and was sworn in in the US state of Idaho.

Emblem: He played the role of Clark Kent and his alter-ego Superman alongside Teri Hatcher, who played Lois Lane, in the show, which ran from 1993 until 1997

TOM WELLING: 2001-2011

Tom Welling spent ten years playing a teenage Clark Kent on Smallville, which ran for ten series and 217 episodes from 2001 until 2011.

The actor, now 45, starred alongside the likes of Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan, Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang and Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor on Smallville.

However, Tom never got to put on Superman's iconic suit during his long stint playing a young Clark trying to find his place in the world with his superpowers.

Back in 2017, he told Entertainment Weekly that he strongly supported the show's 'no tights, no flights' mantra.

Younger version: Tom Welling spent ten years playing a teenage Clark Kent on Smallville, which ran for ten series and 217 episodes from 2001 until 2011

'It was something that we discussed before we ever shot the pilot with [creators] Al [Gough] and Miles [Millar],' he said.

'We literally had a sit down where we talked about the show and I asked about the suit and the tights and the flying, and they said, 'No, absolutely not,' part of the reason being is that show is about a teenager trying to figure out who he is.'

The only time Tom was seen in the red, blue and yellow was in the series finale, when he ripped open his shirt to reveal the House of El symbol on his chest.

Tom also revealed he turned down a chance to play Superman once again in Supergirl, but he did return to the role for a cameo scene in Arrowverse's crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Hit show: The actor, now 45, starred alongside the likes of Kristin Kreuk and Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville, which saw a young Clark trying to find his place in the world

BRANDON ROUTH : 2006

Brandon Routh was next to slip on the iconic red and blue suit in 2006's Superman Returns, which saw him gain international fame and become a household name.

The star, now 43, starred alongside Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane for the Superman revival, only appearing as the Son of Krypton for one movie instalment.

However, Brandon briefly returned to his role in Arrowverse's sixth crossover series Crisis on Infinite Earths.

New face: Brandon Routh was next to slip on the iconic red and blue suit in 2006's Superman Returns, which saw him gain international fame and become a household name

Back in 2006, Brandon admitted he was aware of the 'legacy' of both Superman as a whole and fan favourite Christopher Reeves before he took on the role.

He said: 'I was aware of the great legacy, not only of Superman, but also of Christopher Reeve. He's the one that made me love Superman, watching him perform.

'I did my best to always remember that there was this great respect that needed to be paid but also not worry about whether I was going to be good enough, as that would have got in the way of my performance.

Shot to fame: The star, now 43, starred alongside Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane for the Superman revival, only appearing as the Son of Krypton for one movie instalment

'You have to try to imagine what it's like to be the most powerful person on earth and there's no room for fear in that.'

In 2016, Jude Law revealed that he turned down the chance to star as the titular character, making way for Brandon in Superman Returns.

He explained: 'I just felt like... it just didn't seem to fit. And I was always worried about the outfit it and I, I just didn't fancy it. And this director was very keen to meet and impress it upon me.'

TYLER HOECHLIN: 2016 - PRESENT

Tyler Hoechlin then put on the esteemed cape and made his small screen debut as Superman back in 2016 on The CW's Supergirl, who is Superman's cousin.

The Teen Wolf star went on to appear as the superhero in episodes of Arrow, The Flash, DC's Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman.

Ongoing role: Tyler Hoechlin put on the esteemed cape and made his small screen debut as Superman back in 2016 on The CW's Supergirl, before starring in his Superman & Lois series

The CW then finally gave the green light to his Superman & Lois series, which came to screens in February 2021.

He stars alongside Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane.

On-screen family: He stars alongside Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane, with Jordan Elsass and Alexander Garfin playing their on-screen sons Jonathan and Jordan Kent

Announcing his departure, a Warner Bros spokesperson said in August: 'Jordan Elsass has notified the Studio that he will not be returning to Superman & Lois for season 3 due to personal reasons. The role of Jonathan Kent will be recast.'

Before starring as Superman, Tyler starred as Tom Hanks' son in the 2002 film Road to Perdition, Martin Brewer in 7th Heaven and Derek Hale in Teen Wolf.

HENRY CAVILL: 2013-2022

Henry Cavill made his foray into the Superman universe in 2013's Man of Steel and proved popular with longtime fans of the franchise.

The actor, 40, returned to the role once again in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and the much-maligned 2017 Justice League.

Big break: Henry Cavill made his foray into the Superman universe in 2013's Man of Steel and proved popular with longtime fans of the franchise

Henry made another appearance in HBO Max's Zack Snyder's Justice League, which debuted on the streaming service in 2021, and most recently made a cameo at the end of Warner Bros. Black Adam.

He started his acting career at 18 with small roles in Vendetta (2001) and The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) that lead to bigger roles in Red Riding Hood (2006), Stardust (2007) and the TV series The Tudors, along with Immortals (2011) and The Cold Night of Day (2012).

However, Henry announced in December that he would not be returning to the role of Superman, despite confirming he would be back just weeks earlier in October.

Return: The actor returned to the role once again in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice alongside Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot, and the much-maligned 2017 Justice League

'I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it's sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,' he revealed.

'After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn't the easiest, but that's life,' he added.

'The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build,' he added.

'I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and happiest of fortunes,' he added.

'Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It's been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards!' he concluded.

The news that he's not returning as Superman marks the second major role he has lost this year, after it was announced in October he would not return for Season 4 of Netflix's The Witcher, with Liam Hemsworth taking over the role.

DAVID CORENSWET: 2025-?

New guard: Look Both Ways actor David Corenswet will replace booted Henry Cavill in the new Superman film, Superman: Legacy

Look Both Ways actor David Corenswet will replace booted Henry Cavill in the new Superman film, Superman: Legacy.

The actor, 29, who has never taken on a leading role in a major studio production before, will portray Clark Kent in the rebooted film series alongside Rachel Brosnahan, 32, as Lois Lane, replacing Amy Adams, reports Deadline.

Corenswet played Jake alongside Lili Reinhart in 2022 Netflix film Look Both Ways and has previously also starred in Hollywood, The Politician, and A24 film, Pearl.

Superman: Legacy will be released on July 11, 2025 and is described as about Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.
As Doctor Who, he was accustomed to jumping through space and time.

And in real life David Tennant has been channel-hopping after dominating screens with his new TV projects.

The Scottish actor, 52, finally managed to enjoy some down time with his wife Georgia, 38, after appearing in four shows in two weeks.

The couple were dressed casually as they enjoyed a stroll hand-in-hand in west London.

Tennant kept cool in a pair of blue shorts and a stripy shirt and looked to be going incognito in a pair of sunglasses and a navy cap.

The Scottish actor, 52, finally managed to enjoy some down time with his wife Georgia, 38, after appearing in four shows in two weeks. The couple were dressed casually as they enjoyed a stroll hand-in-hand in west London

Tennant kept cool in a pair of blue shorts and a stripy shirt and looked to be going incognito in a pair of sunglasses and a navy cap

On Thursday, Tennant reprised his role as Simon in a one-off special of BBC drama There She Goes, alongside Jessica Hynes as Emily. They play the parents of two children, including one with a severe learning disability.

At the same time on ITV, he could be seen as the Russian defector who accused Vladimir Putin of ordering his murder in Litvinenko.

It comes days after he returned to BBC comedy Staged, which was born out of a Zoom project in lockdown, with Michael Sheen.

He is also currently providing the voiceover on Sunday night documentary, Spy in the Ocean.

On Thursday, Tennant reprised his role as Simon in a one-off special of BBC drama There She Goes, alongside Jessica Hynes as Emily. They play the parents of two children, including one with a severe learning disability

At the same time on ITV, he could be seen as the Russian defector who accused Vladimir Putin of ordering his murder in Litvinenko

It comes days after he returned to BBC comedy Staged, which was born out of a Zoom project in lockdown, with Michael Sheen. Also pictured: Anna Lundberg and Georgia Tennant

Tennant is also currently providing the voiceover on Sunday night documentary Spy in the Ocean

And Tennant may want to enjoy his rare rest period as he will return to screens later this year as an angel to Sheen's demon in Good Omens, as well as Doctor Who to mark the 60th anniversary of the BBC sci-fi series.

Tennant will also return to the stage in December, taking on Macbeth as part of the 30th birthday celebrations of the Donmar Warehouse in London.

'I don't know if it's remarkable or unfortunate,' he told Radio Times about his hectic work schedule.

'But having five kids does generate a certain necessity to keep going, and I do like to know what the next thing is because I don't think one ever quite relaxes. Ultimately, though, you want your work to be seen by as many people as possible.'

Tennant and his wife have children Olive, Wilfred, Doris, and Birdie, as well as Georgia's 21-year-old son Ty who starred alongside the actor in Staged and Around the World in 80 Days.
Hailey Bieber put her own spin on business casual as she arrived for a meeting in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.

The model, 26, who recently shared some sultry selfies while she was stuck in traffic over the weekend, showcased her toned legs and firm abs in a pair of denim shorts and white crop top.

The influencer accessorized with a pair of gold hoop earrings.

She was on trend, pairing white socks with her black sandals.

Hailey's dark blonde bob was parted on the side.

Business casual: Hailey Bieber put her own spin on business casual as she arrived for a meeting in Beverly Hills Tuesday

Toned: The model, 26, showcased her toned legs and firm abs in a pair of denim shorts and white crop top

Her makeup looked natural with a neutral pink lip and she wore a pair of dark sunglasses.

The runway veteran completed the outfit with a long sand colored trench coat and a black shoulder bag.

The entrepreneur recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her very successful Rhode Skin line.

Her Glazing Milk, which was launched to coincide with the date, has already sold out.

Fans are anxiously awaiting a re-stock, so they can try it for themselves.

Hailey wrote on Instagram the new product 'renew skins delicate moisture barrier, leaving your skin feeling hydrated, cushiony-soft, and glistening.'

Consumers have become obsessed with her peptide lip treatment, which regularly sells out.

The company has also expanded, shipping the product to Canada and the UK, with plans to make the line available in more countries in the future.

Trend: Hailey was on trend, pairing white socks with her black sandals. Her dark blonde bob was parted on the side

Trench coat: The model's makeup looked natural with a neutral pink lip and she wore a pair of dark sunglasses. The runway veteran completed the outfit with a long sand colored trench coat and a black shoulder bag

Trench coat: The runway veteran completed the outfit with a long sand colored trench coat and a black shoulder bag

In November 2022, Forbes reported that Rhode Skin had a waitlist of more than 700,000 people for each of its three first productsPeptide Glazing Fluid, Peptide Lip Treatment, and Barrier Restore Cream.

'Ive lent money, my name and my face to other peoples creative process,' the burgeoning business mogul told attendees at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Detroit. 'I think that actually has helped me develop mine in a lot of ways. It feels very empowering to be the one thats in charge.'

Hailey has also collaborated with Vogue Eyewear to create collections with the company.

Last year she teamed with Wardrobe.NYC to create a capsule collection.
Kevin Costner's estranged wife Christine Baumgartner was spotted driving in Carpinteria, California on Tuesday amid the couple's bitter divorce battle.

Christine, 49  who claims Costner informed their children of the split via Zoom  had her cellphone in hand as she sat behind the wheel of a gray Range Rover.

She was arriving at her and Costner's $145million compound, which the Yellowstone star alleged she refuses to vacate.

The outing comes just one day after it was reported that Costner, 68, was totally 'blindsided' when Christine served him with divorce papers in May.

A source told The Sun that it came as a shock to Costner 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.

Spotted: Kevin Costner's estranged wife Christine Baumgartner was spotted driving in Carpinteria, California on Tuesday amid the couple's bitter divorce battle

Christine, 49  who claims Costner informed their children of the split via Zoom  had her cellphone in hand as she sat behind the wheel of a gray Range Rover

Home: She was arriving at her and Costner's $145million compound, which the Yellowstone star alleged she refuses to vacate

Instead, Christine  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 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.

'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.

Didn't see that coming: The outing comes after it was reported that Costner, 68, was totally 'blindsided' when Christine served him with divorce papers in May, according to The Sun; seen in March 2022

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.
Some children avoid going on holiday with their parents, but Dame Emma Thompson's daughter, Gaia Wise, is having a whale of a time with the Oscar winner in Italy.

'The Aperol is flowing and it feels illegal how much fun we're having,' said aspiring actress Gaia, who shared a video of them enjoying cocktails in a pool in Tuscany.

Gaia's father is Dame Emma's second husband, Strictly star Greg Wise, 57.

The actress, 64, became a citizen of Venice  where she and actor Wise own a home  in 2020.

Gaia revealed earlier this year that she celebrated her mother's 60th birthday by getting a tattoo  of Emma's footprint.

Family! Some children avoid going on holiday with their parents, but Dame Emma Thompson's daughter, Gaia Wise, is having a whale of a time with the Oscar winner in Italy

Having fun? 'The Aperol is flowing and it feels illegal how much fun we're having,' said aspiring actress Gaia, who shared a video of them enjoying cocktails in a pool in Tuscany

'The tattoo was taken from a print that my parents did when I was born and shows my mum's big foot next to my baby foot,' she told me. 'It was very painful.'

Emma has been happily married to her second husband Greg for 20 years.

Despite their wedded bliss, however, she has described romantic love as a 'myth' that can be quite 'dangerous'.

The Love Actually star said that people should think 'sensibly' about love and how to nurture it.

'It's philosophically helpful and uplifting to remember that romantic love is a myth and quite dangerous,' she told the Radio Times.

'We really do have to take it with a massive pinch of salt. To think sensibly about love and the way it can grow is essential.

'Long-term relationships are hugely difficult and complicated. If anyone thinks that happy ever after has a place in our lives, forget it.'

The Oscar-winning actress has had her fair share of heartbreak in the past following her very public break-up with first husband, Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Living it up! The actress became a citizen of Venice  where she and her husband Wise own a home - in 2020

loved up: Emma has been happily married to her second husband Greg for 20 years (pictured together earlier this year)

The pair wed in 1989 and were the British acting scene's golden couple until Sir Kenneth had an affair with Helena Bonham Carter while directing her in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Dame Emma and Sir Kenneth, 62, divorced in 1995 and he continued to date Miss Bonham Carter until 1999.

Dame Emma said she drew on her real-life heartbreak while playing her Love Actually character, who is betrayed by her husband played by Alan Rickman.

'That scene where my character is standing by the bed crying is so well known because it's something everyone's been through,' she said in an interview in 2018.

Dame Emma has also admitted she still struggles with the 'pressure' of awards ceremonies. 'Both times I had to do the Oscars I got seriously ill. I found the pressure and glare of it too much,' she said.

'It's astonishing  and then afterwards you want to lie down in a dark room. You think, "Please don't ask me any questions or make me talk about myself".'
Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid looked nothing less than glamorous as they were captured stepping out for dinner amid Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday night, and were also joined by Kylie Jenner's ex and baby daddy, Travis Scott.

Kendall showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a yellow sparkling bodycon dress, which enhanced her slender physique.

The brunette bombshell kept her essentials in a cream shoulder bag and accessorised with chunky gold earrings.

Kendall kept her chocolate tresses loose straight with a centre parting as she was captured stepping out of Siena restaurant in the French capital.

She displayed her stunning looks as she opted for a very subtle make up look, with delicate peachy tones and a nude lipgloss to finish off.

Dynamic duo: Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid looked nothing less than glamorous as they were captured stepping out for dinner amid Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday night

Crossing paths: Rapper Travis Scott, 32, was also seen arriving to the Siena Restaurant in Paris where Kendall and Gigi were dining at

Slim: Kendall, 27, showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a yellow sparkling bodycon dress

Gorgeous: The brunette bombshell kept the essentials in a cream shoulder bag and accessorised with chunky gold earrings

The media personality toted the chic ensemble with white strappy heels.

Meanwhile Gigi, 28, displayed her sculpted abs in a brown cut-out co-ord.

The revealing strappy top featured cut-out details on her bust, finishing off with a low opening as she showed off her perfectly flat tummy.

She teamed it with matching low-waist flared trousers and accessorised with a glamorous pearl necklace as well as a gold one.

The mother-of-one nailed a very clean look as she perfectly slicked her golden locks back into a bun.

The duo appeared in good spirits as they stepped out after dinner - with a flock of fans and paparazzi waiting for them outside.

The Sicko Mode rapper also showed off his personal sense of style wearing a pair of black and yellow-checkered Louis Vuitton shorts as well as a striped, leather collared sweater on top, also from the brand.

He slipped into a pair of tan-colored Nike sneakers for a casual flare to the look and added a large, chained necklace for a flashy touch to the ensemble.

The performer, who shares daughter Stormi, five, and son Aire, one, with Kylie Jenner, was spotted arriving to the eatery where Gigi and Kendall were also dining at. However, the models and the rapper left the restaurant separately during the night.

Beauty: She displayed her stunning looks as she opted for a very subtle make up look, with delicate peachy tones and a nude lipgloss to finish off

Extra inches: The media personality toted the chic ensemble with white strappy heels

Toned: Meanwhile Gigi, 28, displayed her sculpted abs in a brown cut-out co-ord

Stunner: The mother-of-one nailed a very clean look as she perfectly slicked her golden locks back into a bun

The outing comes shortly after sources informed TMZ in an article published on Monday that both he and Kylie have no intentions of getting back together.

The sources further explained that although the reality star has primary custody over their two little ones and 'both live at Kylie's house,' Scott can visit and see the children any time he chooses.

Speculation arose that the two might have begun sparking up a relationship once again when the pair attended their daughter's pre-kindergarten graduation earlier this month in June.

However, the sources close to the former couple stated that, 'it was solely to support their daughter.' Insiders also told the entertainment tabloid that their split 'feels more permanent' this time.

Kylie and Travis were first romantically linked back in 2017, and welcomed daughter Stormi the following year.

They split in 2019 but reunited during the pandemic, and welcomed their son, Aire, in February 2022. Earlier this year in January, the pair were confirmed to have once again split.

Earlier in the same day, Kendall cut a stylish off-duty look as she was spotted having a stroll around the French capital during the day.

The model oozed fashion in a grey dress which featured a cut-out plunging neckline. The quirky but stylish garment featured a convex skirt with ruched details from the bust to the train.

Kendall couldn't look more neat as she slicked her dark tresses into a perfect low-bun. The bombshell also rocked a pair of squared black shades, and wore black loafers for her daily stroll.

She kept the essentials in a black maxi clutch bag and accessorised with dainty silver earrings. The stunning number boosted her jaw-dropping physique as well as her toned arms.

Dressed for the occasion: The Sicko Mode rapper also showed off his personal sense of style wearing a pair of black and yellow-checkered Louis Vuitton shorts as well as a striped, leather collared sweater

Classy: Earlier in the same day, Kendall cut a stylish off-duty look as she was spotted having a stroll around the French capital during the day

Kendall is currently in Paris amid the Paris Fashion Week - and on Monday the bombshell stunned the fashion crowd at the Jacquemus show near Versailles.

The model put on a leggy display in a white cloud-like mini dress and bloomers for the show, which the creative director revealed was inspired by Princess Diana.

The dramatic number featured an off the shoulder neckline and ruffled material which stuck out in a circular shape.

Kendall captured attention as she sported a dazzling diamond choker necklace which bore a striking resemblance to one worn by Princess Diana.

Taking style inspiration from the late Princess of Wales, Kendall sported a silver choker necklace with a large stone in the middle, and wore matching earrings.

The jewellery was inspired by a strikingly similar silver necklace worn by Princess Diana in November 1994 for her famous 'revenge dress' look.

Strutting the runway, Kendall looked sensational in her attention-grabbing ensemble for the star-studded show.

Elevating her enviable frame, the star wore a pair of white heels, featuring a ballet style pump at the front and stiletto at the back.

Oozing fashion: The quirky but stylish garment featured a convex skirt with ruched details from the bust to the train

Accessorising: She kept the essentials in a black maxi clutch bag and accessorised with dainty silver earrings

The beauty had her brunette locks swept into a slicked back bun and boasted a flawless palette of makeup, including a soft blush and light brown lipstick.

Kendall is currently dating musician 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.

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.'

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.'

New couple: Kendall is currently dating musician Bad Bunny (pictured), aka Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, 29

Growing closer: A source told People that 'it was a slow start,' to the relationship, 'but they spend almost every day together now'

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.'

Making memories: During the dinner festivities on Monday in Paris, Kendall also gifted her Instagram fans and followers close-up footage of her glittering dress

Having a blast: The star additionally uploaded a snap onto her stories that was taken as she twirled around in a lavish room

Selfie time! The beauty lastly shared a mirror selfie that she took to show more intricate details of the dress

During the dinner festivities on Monday in Paris, Kendall also gifted her Instagram fans and followers close-up footage of her glittering dress.

She shared a clip of herself posing in front of an ornate mirror and made a few different poses to show off the glamorous outfit for her 'night out in Paris.'

The star additionally uploaded a snap onto her stories that was taken as she twirled around in a lavish room.

The beauty lastly shared a mirror selfie that she took to show more intricate details of the dress. She could be seen holding up her vibrant, red smartphone as she quickly took the photo.
New additions in the coveted unicorn list declined sharply in 2023, indicating a slowdown in the Indian startup ecosystem, a report said on Tuesday.

India added only three unicorns  startups having a valuation of over $1 billion  in 2023 against 24 in the year-ago period, as per the ASK Private Wealth Hurun Indian Future Unicorn Index 2023.

The slowdown in unicorn additions is indicative of a slowdown in Indias startup ecosystem, the report -- which comes amid a slowdown in investor interest in what is being termed as funding winter -- said. The overall number of unicorns also declined to 83 from 84 in the year-ago period.

ASK Private Wealths chief executive and managing director Rajesh Saluja said unsustainable business models adopted by startups have led to a dip in valuations but stressed that funding to the right companies continues.

Hurun Indias chief researcher Anas Rahman Junaid, however, said that the Indian startup story has high potential and he sees the overall number of unicorns in India touching 200 in the next five years.

He said China has over 1,000 unicorns and if India were to grow economically, startups will be very important.

Junaid said the overall number of startups in the list, which has startups valued at over USD 250 million, stands at 147 in 2023 compared to 122 in the year-ago period.

A total of 18 companies got dropped off the list last year, but there were over 40 new additions as well, as per the report. Saluja said the overall funding to the startups on the list grew by 6 per cent to USD 18.8 billion.

Junaid explained that Hurun used regulatory filings and interviews with startup investors to arrive at the valuations and then subsequently make the index of unicorns (valued at over USD 1 billion), gazelles (valued at over USD 500 million which are likely to turn unicorns in three years) and cheetahs (valued at USD 250 million likely to turn unicorn in five years).
Universities in the State, once famous for their quality, have fallen into an abyss from where it is difficult to salvage their dignity

The acronym MA stands for Master of Arts, a postgraduate degree awarded by universities across the world in literature, humanities or arts. Some universities offer an M A degree in Mathematics. But if the trend in Kerala is any indication, the term M A stands for Material Alteration. The last name is a phrase from the Negotiable Instruments Act that governs rules and regulations dealing with the acceptability of Bank cheques.

One is likely to ask what Material Alteration has to do with the postgraduate degrees awarded by the universities in Kerala. The sad fact is that the universities in the State, well known once for their standards and etiquettes have fallen into an abyss from where it is difficult to salvage their dignity and quality. The last 14 days saw more than six cases of students fabricating fake M-A, M.Com and Ph D Degrees from various colleges that come under the jurisdiction of Kerala University and Mahatma Gandhi University.

All the students were leaders and activists of the Students Federation of India (the students wing of the CPI-M) and the fabrication of the counterfeit and fake degrees was done with the connivance of the party bosses. R Bindu, Keralas Minister for Higher Education, whose academic and professional qualifications themselves were under the shadows of clouds, came out in the open and declared that these were isolated incidents to which one need not give any importance. M V Govindan, the partys Kerala secretary, issued a stern warning to the media persons asking them not to write anything against the SFI or the CPI-M. This has been the practice of the CPI-M when the party finds the going tough. Way back in 1982, when E K Nayanar was the chief minister with the support extended by the A K Antony faction of the Congress, a similar incident happened. The CPI-M which has an inherent hatred for the Congress wanted to do away with the Congress in the State once and for ever. The party unleashed a reign of terror across Kerala, physically assaulting the Congress leaders and demolishing the offices of the Congress party. When the agitated Congress leaders like Oommen Chandi warned the CPI-M that they would be forced to withdraw from the Government if the CPI-M continued with the practice of its class annihilation, the then minister of home T K Ramakrishnan declared that the Congress Government at the Centre had deputed agents of its secret police to finish off top Congress leaders in the State. Senior Congress leaders like Aryadan Mohammed asked Ramakrishnan for proof. While a timid Ramakrishnan withdrew from the face, the Congress pulled out of the CPI-M-led front leading to the downfall of the Nayanar Government.

What the present Pinarayi Vijayan government has done is file cases against journalists who reported on the fabrication of fake degree certificates by SFI leaders. It is interesting to note that all young CPI-M leaders consider it a privilege to possess a Ph D degree which allows them to add the prefix Doctor to their names. If they are asked about the subject of their research and what have they substantiated through their studies, chances are that they may cock a snook at the person who asked the questions. The CPI-M led by Vijayan which was returned to power in the 2021 assembly election has made a mockery of democracy and has thrown decency to the winds whereas they were expected to be more responsible towards the requirements of the people. All initiatives like Silver Line Rail, K Phone, K Vaccine, and start-up ventures labelled as development programs are embroiled in corruption. Adding insult to injury is the finding that there exists a Green Light WhatsApp group of senior police officials in Kerala Police to extend help to the anti-national elements. The second innings of Pinarayi Vijayans tenure are full of disharmony and cacophony.

(Writer is Special Correspondent, The Pioneer. Views expressed are personal)
Many schools in rural areas have computer infrastructure, but it is often insufficient to provide proper computer education to the students, especially girls

IIn today's era of advanced technology, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovations are transforming lives, it is disheartening to acknowledge that several remote villages in India still lag behind, lacking even the most basic digital literacy. Talking about remote hilly villages in Uttarakhand, the privilege of knowledge and access to digital literacy still remains elusive, especially for girls. One such village is Selani, located in the Garur block of Uttarakhand, where Kumari Mamta, an adolescent girl, faces numerous challenges in accessing computers.

Mamta travels a distance of 27 kilometres from Selani to Baijnath in Garur block to access the Common Service Centres (CSC), which serve as the primary delivery points for e-services. Due to the absence of computers in her own school and village, Mamta must rely on the CSC to fill out any applications related to education or scholarships. However, due to her lack of computer skills, Mamta and her friends find themselves dependent on the distant CSC for their basic needs.

Mamta lamented, "In order to have computers in our village, we first need a reliable network. Currently, even filling out a simple form for college or other courses requires us to travel long distances. Unfortunately, we often miss deadlines due to lack of information or money to cover travel expenses. After completing higher secondary education, the career options for girls diminish significantly as we are not provided with computer education. Furthermore, we do not have any facilities nearby to access digital services and learn. Consequently, girls are frequently compelled into early marriages, with limited choices available to them."

Lack of access to computers may seem like a minor problem, but its impact on people's lives, particularly girls living in rural areas, is significant. Acquiring basic computer skills can empower these girls, providing them with access to knowledge that allows them to make informed decisions. Moreover, computer literacy opens up opportunities for employment once they have completed their education.

According to a recent report, digital literacy rates among women in India are significantly lower compared to men, with only 23% of women being digitally literate compared to 59% of men. One of the primary reasons for this disparity is the lack of access to digital infrastructure and opportunities, particularly in close proximity to where girls live. As a result, they are unable to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in this field, leading to the mentioned data.

Sangeeta Devi, a mother of an adolescent girl from the village, highlights the challenges faced by girls in pursuing digital literacy. Due to safety concerns, it is not feasible to send girls from the village to the towns for computer classes. However, establishing a computer centre within the village would greatly facilitate their learning process. This would provide a convenient and safe environment for girls to access digital education, empowering them with valuable skills for the future, Sangeeta shared.

Kumari Asha Dosad, another teenager from the village, expressed her frustration about the current situation. It has been two years since I completed 12th grade, and I find myself sitting at home with no prospects for the future, lamented Asha. Like many others, Asha aspires to achieve something meaningful in her life, but she can't see any way forward. She understands that computers can be powerful tools for acquiring knowledge, but unfortunately, she and her fellow villagers have no means to access this valuable resource. Despite their strong desires, they have been unable to accomplish anything due to the lack of opportunities.

Neelam Grundy, a development practitioner from the region, similarly highlights the significance of digital literacy for adolescent girls. She believes that it is crucial for them to possess this skill set as it empowers them and makes them self-reliant. While women and girls in cities have multiple opportunities for self-reliance, those in rural areas rarely have such prospects. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including the lack of educational opportunities, gender-based discrimination, and the absence of free and accessible computer literacy programs. Consequently, girls in rural areas are deprived of holistic development, expressed Neelam.

Many schools in rural areas have computer infrastructure, but it is often insufficient to provide classes to the students. As a result, some students, who have the facilities and consent from parents can acquire the knowledge by going to centres in the towns. While the rest who lack such privileges remain entrenched in an unyielding cycle of adversity.

(The writer is a student in BA first year from Selani village in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand)
The change is introduced following a strategic assessment and holistic review. India is guilty of transgressing this concept and principle

India and US have taken one giant step in defence technology transfer and upgrade that makes their Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership approach an alliance but allows India to preserve its strategic autonomy. In 1971 India joined USSR in an alliance that curiously mentioned Indias strategic autonomy. India is on the cusp of a transformative revolution in national defence and security incorporating change in an adhoc fashion. As a founder member of the Defence Planning Staff which is the forerunner of the current Integrated Defence Staff, I have watched India undertake defence reforms in fits and starts and piecemeal. But a different beginning was made in the mid-1980s with a firm foundation for initiating and incorporating change systematically and logically against a strategic canvas.

The DPS integrated tri-service team carried out an elaborate evaluation of the Strategic and Technological Environment comparable to the contemporary Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). From that evaluation emanated the 15-year Defence Plan which was referred to by then Defence Minister KC Pant in Parliament. It was the first time ever that an Integrated Defence Plan was devised. Another milestone was the significant change that occurred in national security policy following the Kargil Review Committee Report in 2000. Sadly its recommendations were implemented in bits and parts.

Although many defence reviews and several task forces have made piecemeal recommendations, no holistic review or any White Paper has been sought nor presented in Parliament. To date, parliament has not called on the government to do an SDSR which is mandatory in all democracies. When a new government takes up office in Whitehall UK, it is required to present SDSR or whenever the strategic environment changes, like in Ukraine, the government presents an Integrated Review or an Integrated Review Refresh, as done recently in the UK. It is the long view of the future and what it might reveal internationally and domestically. The point is, change is introduced following a strategic assessment/holistic review. India is guilty of transgressing this concept and principle.

Fast forward to 2019. A Defence Policy Committee was created under NSA Ajit Doval which was expected to write the National Security Strategy (NSS) (equivalent to SDSR). He was elevated from MoS to Cabinet rank but NSS remained a mirage. From NSS hatched the National Defence Strategy. Till then, the Defence Ministers' Operational Directive was the Magna Carta. It was written by the Armys Military Operations Directorate and refined by the MoD. The last one was signed by Defence Minister AK Antony in 2009. Another was attempted in 2015. It contained orders for a two-front war to be fought for 30 days on an intense scale and 60 days normally. In 2013, Army Chief Gen VK Singh created a storm by writing to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that war stocks were sufficient for just 10 days of intense war. In 2020 the Operational Directive was fine-tuned with war stocks upgraded to 20 days intense and accepted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is mysterious how the nature and duration of the war  two-front, Cold start, nuclear or conventional  were decided without an strategic review.

The CDS was announced at the end of 2019 along with establishing the Department of Military Affairs, planning for integrated theatre commands and associated inter-service procedural changes, atmanirbharta in defence and the Agniveer recruitment scheme in 2022. These were groundbreaking changes. Further, the criteria for selecting CDS were changed after the first incumbent Gen Bipin Rawat died in an accident. His replacement was curiously a retired three-star General; the first time in the history of CDS appointments anywhere that someone who had not been a service chief was appointed to the job. Before being elevated to four-star rank and CDS, Gen Anil Chouhan worked with Mr Doval as security advisor to National Security Council Secretariat. The selection from a contrived system was baffling. The revolutionary reforms implemented since 2019 were unaccompanied by any inkling of a strategic assessment. No NSS nor NDS was forthcoming or expected.

When President Joe Biden came into office, an NSS document was prepared by NSA Jake Sullivan. Defence Minister Lloyd Austen then produced the NDS. What the SDSR does is: informs the people and the armed forces who their adversaries are and how the government evaluates threats, challenges and opportunities from their behaviour. The three priorities in defence scenarios are Taiwan, the South China Sea and LAC. The centrality of NDS is in the concept of integrated deterrence that India must work to operationalize as on its own it cannot deter China for a long time to come. This could lead to jointness in the defence ecosystem as done in the joint production of GE414 jet engines. Cooperating and collaborating with the US in defence is perhaps the only way for the capability to catch up with China.

India is fighting shy of naming China as a threat and challenge. Even so, it is not too late to write a White Paper on China and then an Integrated Defence and Security Review. But all one gets is the end-of-the-year report card from different ministries. This is insufficient and archaic for aspiring world power.

(The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal)
New York City has officially declared Diwali as a school holiday, recognising the cultural significance of the festival and celebrating the diversity of its residents, including the Indian community. Mayor Eric Adams announced the decision, describing it as a "victory" for the city and its various communities.

Mayor Adams expressed pride in the passage of the Bill by the State Assembly and the State Senate, stating his confidence in the Governor's approval. Speaking from City Hall during a special announcement, he said, "This is a victory, not only for the men and women of the Indian community and all communities that celebrate Diwali, but it's a victory for New York."

New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman elected to a New York State office, highlighted the long-standing efforts of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community in securing this recognition. She emphasised that Diwali would now be enshrined as a school holiday in law, underscoring the importance of the occasion for over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain Americans across New York City.

Rajkumar celebrated the broader significance of the decision, stating, "Today, we proudly say that Diwali is not just a holiday. It is an American holiday, and the South Asian community is part of the American story."

She referenced the civil rights tradition in America, noting that Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist individuals have played an important role, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. himself acknowledged Mahatma Gandhi's influence on his movement of nonviolent social change.

Mayor Adams, alongside community leaders, diaspora representatives, city officials, and lawmakers, emphasized the ever-evolving nature of New York City as a welcoming home for diverse communities. He asserted that the school calendar should reflect the city's reality and ensure the acknowledgment of all communities.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, expressed her happiness at the imminent realization of their efforts. Meng emphasized the importance of acknowledging and appreciating Diwali as an observance alongside holidays of other cultures and ethnicities, reflecting the city's rich and vibrant diversity. She also highlighted her introduction of a bill in Congress to establish Diwali as a federal holiday.

New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks emphasized the educational value of the decision, stating that it would open minds and provide an opportunity for students to learn about the history and heritage of Diwali. He expressed joy for the children, families, and communities across New York City who would gain a deeper understanding of the community's culture.
Women activists were deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations by security forces in violence-hit Manipur, the Army said, urging people to help it in restoring peace in the Northeastern State. Terming such "unwarranted interference" detrimental to the timely response by security forces, the Army's Spears Corps shared a video on Twitter late on Monday of some such incidents.

The statement came two days after a stand-off in Imphal East's Itham village between the Army and a mob led by women that forced the forces to let go of 12 militants holed up there.

"Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. 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 population to support our endeavours in restoring peace. Help us to Help Manipur," it tweeted.

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 force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, officials said.

Twelve members of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, were holed up in the village, they said. The security personnel left with seized arms and ammunition.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Tuesday, two days after the restive state's Chief Minister N Biren Singh met him.

Nearly 120 people lost their lives and over 3,000 have been injured ever since the ethnic violence broke in Manipur nearly two months ago.

"The Governor of Manipur, Ms. Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah," Shah's office tweeted.

Singh met Shah on Sunday and after the meeting said he had briefed the Home Minister about the "evolving situation on the ground" in Manipur and that the State and Central Governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent".

In another development, the Manipur Government has decided to invoke "no work, no pay" rule for its employees who are not attending office. The General Administration Department (GAD) has been asked to furnish details of employees who are not able to attend their official work due to the prevailing situation in the State. A circular issued late on Monday night by GAD Secretary Michael Achom said: "In pursuance of the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on June 12 and decision taken at para 5-(12) of the proceedings, all employees drawing their salaries from General Administration Department, Manipur Secretariat are informed that no work, no pay may be invoked to all those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave." Manipur Government has one lakh employees.
BJP wont adopt a policy of appeasement but satisfaction of all, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a stinging swipe at the Opposition by describing their unity bid as "guarantee" for corruption and batted for the introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying, "How will the country be able to run with such a dual system?"

Modi maintained that the BJP would not adopt the policy of "tushtikaran" (appeasement) but that of "santhushtikaran" (satisfaction) of all communities and criticised them for supporting triple talaq. Speaking about the alleged "discrimination" faced by the backward Muslims when the BJP was not in power at the Centre, he said, "Those who do vote-bank politics have destroyed Pasmanda Muslims and they did not get any benefits."

Modi regretted that there was no discussion on the plight of the Pasmanda Muslims in the country who are not treated equally but considered lowly and untouchable and were discriminated against for endless generations by their more privileged brethren and were exploited by the vote-bank politics.

The Prime Minister further said even the Supreme Court has advocated for the Uniform Civil Code, but those practicing vote-bank politics are opposing it. While drawing attention to what he said was the "vote-bank and appeasement politics," Modi sought to affirm that "the BJP is working for 'Sabka saath, Sabka vikas' and giving Muslims all benefits of Government schemes like PM Ayushman Bharat and PM Awas Yojna.

Talking about the Uniform Civil Code, Modi said, "We are seeing that work is being done to instigate such people in the name of Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?"

"If you want the welfare of your sons, daughters, and grandchildren, then vote for the BJP and not any family-oriented parties," he said.

Modi also said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters. "Triple talaq doesn't just do injustice to daughters...Entire families get ruined. If triple talaq is an essential part of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia," Modi asked.

Modi said that in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, South India, especially in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, and a number of other States, many castes were bereft of development because of the policy of appeasement.

In the interactive session with the BJP workers in Bhopal where Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and BJP president JP Nadda were also present, Modi was asked by a BJP worker about the Opposition parties' bid for unity vis-a-vis the BJP to which he replied saying, "You seem to be very angry with them, but you need to sympathise with them...daya karni chahiye."

He said the Opposition parties are "more restless and worried today than they were in 2014 and 2019 elections.  Aaj jo chatpatahat aap Opposition mein dekh rahain hain vo pahle nahin thi," Modi said.

Those who used to be staunch enemies of each other are today prostrating before each other...they are worried and scared, which signals that voters have already made up their minds to elect the BJP again in 2024 Lok Sabha polls," said Modi amidst heavy clapping and slogan-shouting.

"In 2024 elections main BJP ki prachand vijay tay hain" (in 2024 LS elections BJP's roaring majority is decided), announced the Prime Minister with Nadda and Chouhan clapping along with the BJP workers.

Taking a dig at the Opposition unity, he said, "You must have seen a group photo of Opposition party leaders, this is a guarantee of corruption of 20 lakh crore." Modi was referring to various corruption cases faced by Opposition party leaders.

Modi asked workers to understand the importance of groundwork at the booth level and the feedback coming from the booth-level workers. "Even PM-CM policies depend on booth workers," he said and maintained that "BJP is not the party where leaders sit in air-conditioned rooms and issue 'fatwas'."

"But for the booth committee, Ujjwala Yojna could not even be thought of, but you gave the feedback and the poor got LPG," Modi said and asked party workers that they should carry out their booth work with seva bhav and try to be "social workers".

Earlier, Modi inaugurated five Vande Bharat trains virtually on Tuesday, connecting various cities across the country. The event took place at the Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal, where he gave the green signal to two semi-high-speed trains physically and flagged off the remaining three virtually. The ceremony was attended by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Jyotiraditya Scindia. With the launch of these five trains, the total number of indigenous semi-high-speed trains operating in the country has reached 23. Earlier this month, Minister Vaishnaw had pledged to connect each state through a Vande Bharat Express train by the end of June, and the remaining states on the list were Goa, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The court of additional session judge Amit Shekher in Seraikela-Kharswan district on Tuesday convicted ten persons in connection with the 2019 Tabrez Ansari lynching case.

The court will announce the quantum of punishment on July 5, public prosecutor Ashok Kumar Rai said. 11 out of the 13 persons accused in Tabrez Ansari mob-lynching case were held guilty by a Saraikela Court in Jharkhand. One of the accused, Kushal Mahali, had died during the course of trial, he said, adding two were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The convicted persons - Bhim Singh Munda, Kamal Mahato, Madan Nayak, Atul Mahali, Sumant Mahato, Vikram Mandal, Chamu Nayak, Prem Chand Mahali, Mahesh Mahali - were taken into custody soon after they were convicted by the court of Additional District Judge-I Amit Shekhar. The prime accused, Prakash Mandal alias Pappu Mandal, is already in judicial custody.

Out of the 13 people accused in the case, the court of additional session judge Amit Shekher on Tuesday held 10 of them guilty under section 304 of IPC, while the other two  Sumanto Mahto and Satyanarayan Nayak, were acquitted

Ansari, who was beaten up with rods over alleged theft, was lynched in Dhatkidih village under Seraikela police station on June 17, 2019.

Ansari, who worked as a labourer and welder in Pune, had come home to celebrate Eid when he was killed over suspicion of trying to steal a motorcycle.

The police had dropped murder charges against all the 13 accused in the mob lynching case and converted it into one of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 of the IPC) on the basis of postmortem, medical and forensic reports which said 24-year-old Ansari died of cardiac arrest. The autopsy report, prepared earlier by the medical board in the case, suggested that the

stress-induced cardiac arrest was what killed Tabrez Ansari on June 22.

Notably, 24-year-old Ansari was thrashed for several hours after being tied to a pole and forced to chant Jai Shri Ram and Jai Bajrang Bali on June 18, 2019, on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle with two other persons at Dhatkidih village in Seraikela-Kharsawan district when he and two of his associates allegedly tried to enter a house with the intention of committing theft.

The police reached the spot the next morning and took Ansari to jail on the basis of a complaint lodged by the villagers. When Ansaris condition deteriorated in jail, he was taken to the Sadar Hospital in Seraikela-Kharsawan, where he was diagnosed with multiple injuries.

Later, he was referred to the Tata Main Hospital in Jamshedpur where he died on June 22.
As the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) accepted the power distribution companies pleas to increase tariffs on the basis of the high cost of power purchase, Delhi Power Minister Atishi on Monday clarified that power consumers 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).

She further blamed the Central Government for the power tariff hike in the national Capital.

Atishi said 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.

The Centres NTPC selling electricity to Delhi at a massive 25-50% hike over DERC stipulated rates. This is Indias first coal supply crisis ever, caused by the Central Governments failure to ensure sufficient production. 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.

If the Central government decides to raise the cost of coal, the PPAC and the prices of NTPC power, the entire country will suffer from an electricity price hike. 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.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government administration said the fresh rise in power tariffs will not affect the consumers. Consumers will not be directly affected by this increase. Under the Power Purchase Agreement, electricity prices keep increasing and decreasing. Electricity becomes cheaper in winter, while the price increases slightly in summer. In every quarterly review, there is a marginal increase or decrease in the prices under the power purchase agreement, an official statement by the Delhi NCT administration 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. Atishi alleged, I want to say that if the electricity is getting costlier in Delhi, it is only because of the Centres 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 Centres mismanagement, there is an artificial shortage of coal in the country for the first time in the last 70 years, shooting its prices (up).
Capacity Building Programme at SBPS

SBPS Ranchi hosted a one-day Capacity Building Programme in the B.K. Birla Auditorium on the topic, Stress Management. The resource persons for the training programme were Dr. Moushumi Das and Soni Kumari. The inauguration of the event was done by the Principal, Paramjit Kaur along with the two resource persons. 72 teacher trainees from different schools of Jharkhand attended the session with great vivacity and optimism. School Head Personnel & Admin., Dr. Pradip Varma, appreciated the initiatives taken by our institution to hone the professional skills of the teaching community. Principal, Paramjit Kaur, expressed her gratitude to CoE Patna for undertaking such pertinent training for stress management and for developing resilience among the faculties to combat unfavourable circumstances.



Villagers block Pithoria Chowk

In protest against a murder the villagers blocked Pithoria Chowk on Tuesday near the State Capital. There was an incident of fighting between two parties in a land dispute on June 16 in Katamkuli village of Pithoria police station area. In which three people from one side were seriously injured. Injured Ashok Sahu died late on Monday night in RIMS. After which the angry villagers protest by blocking the road.In this case, the victim Dinesh Sahu has registered an FIR against 12 people in the police station.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren will distribute appointment letters to 500 students of Nursing and ITI Skill College and Kalyan Gurukul on Wednesday. The program is organized by the Prejha Foundation working as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Welfare Department, Government of Jharkhand at ITI Kaushal College Nagra Toli. On this occasion, the Chief Minister will also inaugurate the Seva Cafe run by the girl students of the Culinary Department under Kaushal College.

Prejha Foundation, which is working as a special purpose vehicle of the state government, has set a target of making girl students successful entrepreneurs through the experience of Seva Cafe. Through Seva Cafe, practical knowledge related to entrepreneurship will be imparted to the daughters during their studies in the college. It may be known that the SPV of the Welfare Department. Prejha Foundation is running 28 Kalyan Gurukuls, 8 Nursing Skill Colleges and one ITI in 24 districts of the state. Kaushal College is running. So far, more than 30,000 young men and women have got employment through this project in reputed companies of the country.

Recently, on June 22 the CM handed over appointment letters to 2550 youths. He handed over appointment letters to 1633 Panchayat secretaries and 707 in Revenue Registration and Land Reforms Department, 166 in Finance Department and 44 lower division clerks in Food Supply Department. The CM had said, Your joining as a part of the government will strengthen the system. Quality and effectiveness will increase with development schemes reaching the last person of the society and speeding up government works.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has also announced that the State Government will recruit 26, 000 school teachers this year and it will also hold Jharkhand public Service Commission examination for fresh recruitment this year.
Punjabs bus commuters were a harried lot on Tuesday as around 3,000 government buses stayed off the roads in the wake of the strike call given by the contractual employees of Punjab Roadways and the Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation (PRTC).

However, the two-day strike was called off on Tuesday evening following the assurance of a meeting of the Roadways-Punbus Contract Workers Union with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on July 10 to discuss their demands.

The union leaders maintained that a message was received from the Chief Ministers Office through the administration officials, during the strike period, that a meeting has been fixed with the Chief Minister, after which a decision has been taken to call off the strike, which was to be observed on Wednesday also.

Besides, we have been assured, as per the message received from the CMO, that all efforts will be made to fulfill all the demands of the contractual employees, said a union leader.

Notably, on Tuesday, the contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways and the PRTC began a two-day strike to press for their demands, including regularization of their jobs and a five per cent hike in their annual salaries.

Apart from regularization and salary hike, they are demanding 30 per cent salary increase, a five per cent increment for underpaid employees, inclusion of their own buses instead of hiring under the kilometre scheme, an end to outsourced hiring, giving opportunities to blacklisted employees, among others.

The strike left many passengers stranded at bus stands, including in Sangrur, Ludhiana, Moga, Muktsar, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Patiala.

Earlier in the day, Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC Contract Workers Union secretary Gurvinder Singh said that they are staging demonstrations at all 27 bus depots in the state, including nine PRTC depots and 18 Punbus depots.

As per information available, there are approximately 2,800 employees under PRTC and 1,800 employees under Punbus  hired on a contractual basis. The protesters are demanding to end the practice of outsourcing employee hiring.

Demanding a second chance to the blacklisted employees, the union representatives pointed that the regular employees receive fines or other penalties for the same offenses and are given another chance to continue working while the contractual employees are terminated and blacklisted. Notably, around 200 employees in Punbus and approximately 130 employees in PRTC have been blacklisted for various violations, including absenteeism, ticket theft, and oil pilferage.

Waving black flags, the protesting employees raised slogans against the government and threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are not met.

Because of the strike by contractual employees, approximately 70 per cent of the buses have ceased operations, while the regular staff managed the remaining 30 per cent. In the private sector, there are around 6,000 private buses, including mini-buses, which have become overcrowded with passengers due to the strike.

According to the protesters, around 3,000 buses, including over 1,200 PRTC buses, have stayed off the roads. The strike inconvenienced many passengers, several of whom were unaware of the strike call. Women, who generally prefer state-owned buses because of the free travel scheme, were forced to take private vehicles.

Demands

 Regularization of services

 30% salary hike

 5% increment for underpaid employees

 Inclusion of their own buses instead of hiring under the kilometre scheme

 End to outsourced hiring

 Second chance to blacklisted employees
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday claimed there was a considerable decline in Maoist activities in the state.

Due to development works, the government had won the trust of people of the affected areas, he said.

Baghel was addressing a meeting of the State Unified Command here in the presence of Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Ashok Juneja and officials from central security forces.

Baghel stressed the need to step up the anti-Maoist operations.

He told the officials to stick by the Chhattisgarh Maoism Elimination Policy to curb leftwing extremism in the state.

The Chief Minister said infrastructure development work was going on in the affected areas on priority after taking villagers into confidence.

Vigilance was also called for on the borders with Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to prevent the entry of Maoists from these states, he said.

Emphasis was also laid on sharing intelligence with neighbouring states and launching joint operations with them against the Maoists.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has approved draft Delhi Grievance Redressal Rules for addressing grievances related to Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Fair Price Shop (FPS) pending since 2013. Central assistance may be withheld if the rules are notified on or before this month end.

Giving his nod to the proposed rules, the LG also questioned the Delhi government for unexplained and unforgivable delay. The Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court had directed the AAP government in 2017 to frame rules and constitute the Commission the same year. Delhi has not constituted a State Food Commission and not framed Grievance Redressal Mechanism as mandated by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 even after 10 years. The Mechanism and the Commission meant to look into critical aspects of 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 2017 itself.

However, despite the Supreme Courts clear orders, the government had been sitting on the file for the past six years and has finally moved only after 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.

What was even more shocking, the LG noted, was 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., has been treated with such insensitive negligence and lackadaisicalness by a government that has, on more than one occasion, made serious political issue out of PDS and FPS.

While approving the draft, Saxena observed 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.

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., has been treated with such negligence and lackadaisicalness by a government that has, on more than one occasion, made serious political issue out of PDS and FPS.

It has taken about six years for the file to be resent to the Lt. Governor for approval, and that also under pressure from the Govt. of India which expressed its inability to continue with the Central Assistance, if the above mentioned rules and body were not put in place by June 30th, 2023. It will be in the fitness to things to mention here that this laxity on the part of government has also been in violation/contempt of orders passed by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, Raj Niwas said in a statement.
The guest, who is ours is dearer than life. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who used to often recite this part of a film song in his address, left no stone unturned to honor the guests. Workers from different states who came to Bhopal to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address and participate in the conference were pleasantly surprised when Chief Minister Chouhan reached Rani Kamlapati Railway Station to see them off on their return journey. Workers from Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and many other states became very emotional at the time of their return from Bhopal.

Chouhan interacted with many workers, shook hands with them and put his hand on their shoulder and said "Phir Madhya Pradesh aana".

Overwhelmed by this affinity, the workers thanked Chief Minister Chouhan and also took selfie with him.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the party workers should explain the difference between the policy of appeasement of opposition and the policy of satisfaction adopted by the BJP government to the masses. In response to a question by the president Mahila Morcha of BJP in Chamoli district, Himani Vaishnav during the Mera Booth Sabse Majboot programme of BJP, the PM said that the party workers should inform about the welfare schemes of the government and people beneficiaries of these schemes. Modi said that due to policies of appeasement adopted by the opposition a section of the society has lagged in development and has only become vote banks.










Former MLA and Khatiani Party leader Amit Mahato surrendered in the court of ADJ, Prabhat Sharma of Ranchi Civil Court on Tuesday. The court has sent Mahato to judicial custody.



Case number 208/2022 was registered against Mahto at Dhurva police station in Ranchi after the assembly gherao program in the year 2022. Several charges were leveled in the FIR, including obstructing Government work and blocking the road without permission. In this case, he had sought anticipatory bail from the Ranchi Civil Court. But the court refused to give him advance bail. After which he had also filed a petition for anticipatory bail in the High Court which was rejected by the High Court. After not getting anticipatory bail, Mahato surrendered in the court on Tuesday.





Before surrendering in the civil court Mahto held a press meet. During this, he warned the Government and said that if the local policy is not made, the existence of the Government will end. The public will give a befitting reply to this Government. The Government sitting in power is afraid of him, so it is working to send him to jail, he added.



Mahato further said that in case number 42 in Sonahatu police station in 2006, the then CO, Alok Kumar conspired to send me to jail. On March 23, 2018, I was sentenced to two years. Because of which my legislation went away. The CO sent him to jail by presenting the wrong seizure list in the FIR. When appealed in the High Court, on May 2, 2023, the sentence of 2 years was reduced to 1 year. On the other hand, on August 3, 2022, the assembly was held regarding the local policy but the Government filed a case against me under the wrong mindset. Appealed for bail in both civil court and high court but the bail application was rejected. It is in this context that I have to surrender today, he added.
Noted author Shantanu Gupta, who has written two bestseller titles on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, launched his new graphic novel, Ajay to Yogi Adityanath, for the young readers in Chennai on Tuesday.

The book was launched at a grand event at the Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai with over 800 children in the presence of S Gurumurthy, Shahzad Poonawalla and Swami Mitrananda.

This graphic novel was launched in more than 51 schools of Uttar Pradesh in the first week of June, on the 51st birthday of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, i.e. June 5.

Speaking at the Chennai launch, Thuglak editor S Gurumurthy said that this was the first time that he was making an exception for a book launch of a living politician. He said that he made this exception because it was a book on Yogi Adityanath, who transformed the negative perception of Uttar Pradesh into a transformative development story.

Shahzad Poonawalla, Bharatiya Janata Partys national spokesperson, who was present in the city for the grand launch, addressed the students. He said that this book and the life of Yogi Adityanath taught the art of character building.

Shahzad Poonawalla also talked about the infrastructure and governance changes brought about by Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. Poonawalla also drew the childrens attention to how big of an animal and nature lover Yogi Adityanath was.

Swami Mitranand of Chinmaya Mission pointed to page number 5 of the graphic novel, which depicts how Yogi Adityanath grew up with seven siblings in a one-room house and, through his hard work, divinity and dedication, became the leader of Uttar Pradesh today.

Speed artist Amit Verma, who came from Uttar Pradesh, enthralled the children by making a grand portrait of Yogi Adityanath in a few minutes.

There was great enthusiasm shown on social media regarding the launch of the book in Tamil Nadu. #YogiBookRocksChennai trended on Twitter across India for several hours.

Shantanu talks about his new graphic novel, Ajay Se Yogi Adityanath Tak, the journey of Ajay Singh Bisht, a young boy born in a remote village in Uttarakhand. His father, Anand Singh Bisht, was a junior forest officer, and mother, Savitri Devi, was a homemaker. Ajay was fond of taking care of the family cows, listening to stories of freedom fighters, and participating in school debates since his childhood. They all lived in a small house in a remote village named Panchur in present-day Uttarakhand.

It was from here that Ajay went on to become the Mahant of the Gorakhnath Math, the youngest member of the Parliament of India and the chief minister of Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh.

Shantanu added that Ajay to Yogi Adityanath is a story of grit, determination, and hard work for every student to follow and take inspiration from. For literature buffs, Shantanu narrated the detailed literary and artistic journey that the graphic novel has gone through in the last one year. To make the book more engaging, it also has many puzzles and games about Yogi Adityanath at the end. The QR code in the book takes the readers to a website, where young readers can play 100+ games and puzzles to learn more about Yogi Adityanath and Uttar Pradesh.








Deputy Director General (Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, a Government of India Enterprise, Dr RC Agarwal visited BAU on Tuesday. On this occasion, he inaugurated the upgraded and equipped button mushroom production unit operated by the Department of Plant Diseases in the Faculty of Agriculture of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU).



The University Experts informed Agarwal about the opportunities and possibilities of entrepreneurship in the mushroom sector from the graduate students of agriculture doing experiential learning program in the unit. On the occasion BAU, Vice Chancellor, ON Singh was also present. In-Charge Dr. Narendra Kudada gave information about quality seed (spawn) production of mushrooms, production of various mushrooms and regular training in the unit. Dr. Aggarwal emphasized on conducting a comprehensive training program on mushroom production by BAU.





The DDG also inaugurated the newly constructed PG Girls Hostel in BAU campus by cutting the ribbon, courtesy of ICAR. He said that a large number of girl students are studying in UG courses of all the agricultural universities of the Country. In such a situation, a girls hostel has been established in the university to extend the facility of a healthy, calm and safe environment to PG students.



On the occasion, VC Singh urged ICAR to provide additional girls hostel facilities in various colleges in view of the increase in girl students studying in BAU.

The foundation stone of this 100-bed hostel was laid in January 2019 by the then Governor, Draupadi Murmu. This two-storey building built at a cost of about Rs 3 crore is spread over about 24,000 square meters. This building also has the facility of residence, common room, guest room, gymnasium, sick girl's room and warden's room for differently-abled girl students.

In a high-level meeting held in the BAU Management Council room, University ICAR Coordinator Dr MS Mallick informed about the delay in getting the ICAR Development Grant to BAU affecting the academic development work and discrepancy in fund allocation. On the occasion, Dean Veterinary, Dr Sushil Prasad, Dean Agriculture, Dr DK Shahi, Dean PG, Dr MK Gupta, Associate Dean, EDK Rusia informed about the problems of the students. Dr Aggarwal listened carefully and asked to send proposals on points. On the request of VC, Dr Singh, it was said to provide all possible help from ICAR.

Aggarwal visited the Giloy Processing and Research Center located at the Faculty of Forestry. He appreciated the achievements of BAU in the field of medicine.
The Delhi BJP lashed out at AAP Government saying Arvind Kejriwal Government has cheated the people of Delhi in the name of giving free power, as electricity bills in the national Capital are set to go up with the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) allowing power distribution companies (discoms) to increase power purchase agreement cost.

Addressing a Press conference,BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Ramesh Bidhuri, demanded the Kejriwal government to withdraw the hike. In a related development, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri on Monday held a meeting with all MLAs and decided to protest over the power tariff hike at the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday. BJP MLAs also demanded a special session of the Delhi Assembly to discuss the power tariff hike.

Taking a dig at Kejriwal who had stated that power purchase agreement cost (PPAC) increases in Summer due to higher demand, Tiwari said when the PPAC was increased from 16 per cent to 22 per cent in June 2022, then why not tariff was reduced in winter. Did the winter not come in Delhi, because since then why the increased rate did not come down, he said. This is a direct cheating with the people of Delhi. In 2022, PPAC was increased in summer, then why not decreased in winter and now it has been increased again and this total amount is Rs. 4000 crores which should be recovered from Arvind Kejriwal.

Tiwari said Kejriwal is a cunning Chief Minister who first allows power tariff hike and then with his ministers lies on the issue.

At the Press conference, Bidhuri showed some electricity bills in the Press conference in which electricity theft bills were waived by Kejriwal government and all these electricity bills belonged to a particular religious community which was exposing the politics of appeasement of Arvind Kejriwal. Why are the electricity theft bills of Batala House and Jamia areas being reduced ?

He said that Kejriwal, who talked about investigation against Ambani, should explain why he did not get power discoms works audited for 9 years. Not only this, where is the more than Rs. 16,033 crore collected in the name of fixed charges. Where is the account of 26 thousand crores given to private companies in the name of subsidy ? Why didnt Kejriwal give the account of total Rs 75,000 crore to the people of Delhi ?

After meeting with BJP MLAs, Leader of Opposition demanded a special session of Delhi Assembly. The BJP MLAs have also decided to hold a protest hike at the residence of Kejriwal on Tuesday. Bidhuri alleged the Kejriwal government has hiked electricity rates in the capital city by up to 10 per cent through the backdoor.
Ranchi - Patna Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing on Tuesday. The train left in the presence of Special guest Governor, CP Radhakrishnan and guests Transport Minister, Champai Soren, Minister of State for Education, Annapurna Devi, MPs, Jayant Sinha, Sanjay Seth, CP Choudhary, MPs (Rajya Sabha) Deepak Prakash, Aditya Prasad, Mahua Maji, MLA, Ranchi CP Singh and General Manager, South Eastern Railway, Archana Joshi and Divisional Railway Manager, Ranchi, Pradeep Gupta.

On the occasion of inauguration of Vande Bharat special train students of various schools, public representatives, representatives of Railway Consumer Advisory Committee, senior citizens, media representatives and other people from the state of Jharkhand witnessed this historic moment by boarding India's first Vande Bharat Express train.

On the occasion Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan said that 'Vande Bharat Express' is a symbol of progress, innovation and better connectivity. Indigenously manufactured by our skilled engineers and technicians, this state-of-the-art train showcases the growth of our country's technological capabilities and commitment to environmental responsibility.

The Governor said that the Ranchi-Hazaribagh-Koderma new line, which was envisaged by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999, has been completed today and the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express is running on this route. It is not just a train, but it is presenting a golden picture of a changing India under the leadership of Prime Minister, it is showing commitment towards becoming a developed India.

The Governor interacted with school students on the Vande Bharat train at the railway station on the said occasion. After this he travelled from Namkum station to Mesra railway station in 'Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Train'. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire state to the Honorable Prime Minister for dedicating the Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat train.

Hazaribag MP Jayant Sinha said that the demand of Hazaribag and Ramgarh residents has been fulfilled today. This is a historic day for us, because for almost 100 years the residents of Hazaribag have been demanding long distance trains. The foundation stone of this railway section was laid in 1999 by the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This railway section is very beautiful. Travellers will enjoy traveling here very much. This track is a marvel of engineering. When Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the construction of this railway section was started at double the speed. He started the train between Hazaribag and Koderma in 2015.After this we started Hazaribag to Barkakana rail route in 2016.After this, the rail route has also started from Ranchi to Barkakana, Hazaribag and Patna.

Sinha said that Vande Bharat is the new train of New India. This train will pass through beautiful valleys. This train is very comfortable and convenient. This is the wonder of public vote. The whole country including Hazaribag knows that all-round development of the country is possible only under the leadership of Modi ji. The public knows that if Modi ji is there then it is possible.


Buoyed by the success of digitization of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in Punjabs two districts  Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr), the states Health and Family Welfare Department is all set to roll out U-WIN  a digital platform for UIP  in all the districts of Punjab from August this year.

The pilot programme had remained a huge success with both the districts having been able to achieve the desired targets by registering 92 per cent session sites on board, while 102 per cent newborns were registered against pregnancy outcomes, and 90 per cent of the registered newborns were provided birth doses of vaccines through this digital platform.

The state Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, congratulating the health staff for achieving this another milestone, emphasized that providing world-class healthcare facilities and best possible health-related services to the people of Punjab is the mandate of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The Minister, who joined via video conference, was addressing the two-day state-level workshop of Training of Trainers for U-WIN, that commenced on Tuesday. All the District Immunization Officers, Vaccine Cold Chain Managers from all the districts of Punjab are participating in this workshop, which will conclude on Wednesday. After getting training, these trainers will further impart training to the concerned health staff in their respective districts for a successful roll out of the U-WIN platform.

Pertinently, immunization has been a proven and cost effective strategy to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and UIP in Punjab covers 11 diseases and aims to reach over 4.37 lakh newborns and 4.80 lakh pregnant women every year.

As of now, this vaccination programme is being conducted in manual form and with execution of the U-WIN platform from August, all the data pertaining to vaccination will be digitized on the lines of Co-WIN.

The CO-WIN platform has been very successful in India for COVID vaccination in the pandemic times. With digitalization, the benefits not only include improvement in record keeping, but it also empowers the beneficiaries and with increase in vaccination coverage contributes to better public health outcomes.

Underlining the benefits of U-WIN platform, the Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Vivek Pratap Singh said that this digitalization will be of tremendous help as it will help in reducing the workload of the health staff as unnecessary time in preparation of reports will be considerably saved because online record-keeping of data will help in auto generation of required reports.

The beneficiaries will also be empowered through this portal as they will be able to register and book their vaccination, while sitting at their homes at any of their nearby session sites, he said, while clarifying that on-site registration of the beneficiaries will also be available in this portal.

Secretary Health-cum-National Health Missions mission director Dr Abhinav Trikha said that U-WIN platform will also enable beneficiaries to download their vaccination certificates. Reminders, in the form of text messages, will also be sent on their mobile to keep them up to date about their upcoming vaccinations, follow-up of dropouts, and planning of RI sessions, he said.

Vaccine acknowledgment and immunization card, linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID (ABHA ID), will be generated for pregnant women and children, he added, insisting on the popularization of ABHA ID for every citizen.
S K Behera, vice chairman and managing director of RSB Transmission, one of the leading manufacturers of automotive components, has commended Jharkhand's Industrial Policy, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure development to further bolster the state's industrial growth. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, he expressed his appreciation for the state government's initiatives and highlighted the potential for economic advancement in the region.

Jharkhand's Industrial Policy, formulated with the aim of promoting industrialization and attracting investments, has gained recognition from various business entities operating within the state. RSB Transmission, a prominent player in the automotive sector, has benefited from the supportive policies, which have created a favourable business environment for companies to thrive.

During the conference, Behera acknowledged the state government's commitment to creating an investor-friendly ecosystem and facilitating ease of doing business.

However, Behera also emphasized the crucial need for improved infrastructure in the state. He highlighted the significance of well-connected road networks, airports, and efficient logistics systems to enhance the movement of goods and materials. The Managing Director urged the government to prioritize infrastructure development to support the growth of industries and promote Jharkhand as a preferred investment destination.

"Investment in infrastructure is essential for sustainable industrial growth. Jharkhand has immense potential, and with the right infrastructure in place, it can attract more investments, generate employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to the state's economy," stated Behera .

Discussing the expansion plans of his company, Behera revealed that after establishing successful ventures in Adityapur and Pune, the company is now embarking on expansion in Mexico, with the process already underway. The companys fourth plant has been set up, and production has commenced.

He emphasized the future demand for electric vehicles and announced the companys foray into e-vehicle manufacturing through a collaboration with an Israeli company. He disclosed that work on an electric motor system is underway at the Pune plant in association with the Israeli firm, and soon the company will supply electric vehicles to Tata and Ashok Leyland Company.

In addition to focusing on industrial development, the company is concurrently constructing a state-of-the-art super specialty hospital near Adityapur Auto Cluster, expected to be fully operational within the next two years. The initial phase will feature a 500-bed hospital, with plans for future expansion to accommodate 1000 beds. Behera informed that Padmavati Hospital is being built by RSB Group near Adityapur Toll Bridge and it would soon be inaugurated. It is designed to benefit the people of Kolhan.

During the press conference, Behera was accompanied by Jaya Singh, the HR head of the company, and other officials. The discussion shed light on the challenges and opportunities present in Jharkhands industrial landscape, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development to unlock the full potential of the states industrial policy.

Beheras remarks resonate with the broader sentiments of the business community in Jharkhand, who have long emphasized the importance of infrastructure development to unlock the full potential of the state's industrial sector. The government's continued focus on creating a conducive business environment and prioritizing infrastructure development is expected to attract more investments and pave the way for sustained economic growth.
Seven people died in four separate accidents in Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag and Almora districts of the State on Tuesday. A car carrying two people, including a woman, fell into a 300-metre deep gorge on Tuesday afternoon in the Hokra area of the Pithoragarh district. The police have identified the deceased as Khushal Singh (41) and Yamuna Devi (32), who were residents of the Kapkot area of the Bageshwar district. The local police along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a search operation to retrieve the body of victims from the deep gorge, said the police circle officer of Pithoragarh Narendra Pant. The accident reportedly occurred near the same spot of Hokra where a vehicle fell into a 500-metre deep gorge a week ago in which 10 people lost their lives. The authorities had to conduct a nearly four hour long search operation with the help of the National Disaster Response Force and SDRF to retrieve bodies. The authorities concerned have still not been able to ascertain the cause of that accident. Many have also speculated that the said route is not safe for four-wheeler driving which is leading to frequent accidents in the area. The Pithoragarh CO told this correspondent that the authorities concerned will work on figuring out the probable cause of these accidents in the area. "Experts from the Road Safety Committee along with the officials of other departments concerned will inspect the route to analyse the condition of the road and other associated factors. The accidents that occurred within a span of a week are quite tragic and the authorities will work to figure out whether there is an issue with the roads in the area or it happened because of the drivers mistake," said Pant.

Another accident occurred near Delhi-bend in Pithoragarh district late on Monday night in which a man identified as Manoj Kumar lost his life. His body was found near his vehicle that reportedly fell 100 metres down the road near a river, as per the officials. Apart from this, a car carrying two women, who were on their way to Dehradun, fell into a 300-metre deep gorge in the Khankra area of the Rudraprayag district. The officials said that when the police reached the accident site, it was revealed that the driver of the car Mahendra Singh Rawat had stopped the car to respond to the natures call but he forgot to apply hand brake due to which the car fell into the deep gorge. The officials said that the deceased have been identified as Kamla Devi (60) and Lakshmi Devi (45) who were mother and daughter. The police said that they are probing the matter and will take action accordingly. Besides this, two teenagers Bhawna (17) and Aditya (16) died after drowning in the Vishwanath River in the Dharanaula area of Almora district late on Monday night. The police along with SDRF conducted a search operation late at night and recovered their bodies in the wee hours of Tuesday, said the officials. They said that the bodies will be handed over to the families after completion of necessary procedures as per the rules.
Chhattisgarh Police on Tuesday arrested two persons who impersonated as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers and extorted money from four state government officials by promising them to settle their departmental probe.

The two were brought here from Maharashtra.

Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Neeraj Chandrakar told The Pioneer that Ashwani Bhatia (54) and Nishant Ingade (24), have been taken into custody.

The excise and environment conservation board officials lodged a cheating and an extortion case with the police in March and May this year.

The two were nabbed from Amarawati in Maharashtra.

After arrest, they told the police that they took Rs 5.30 lakh each from two officers of the environmental conservation board in Chhattisgarh.

Also, they cheated five officials including four in Chhattisgarh of lakhs of rupees.

They have also similarly extorted money from bureaucrats in Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, New Delhi and other states.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that as many as 7.5 lakh youths would get employment in the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector through the PM-CM Internship Programme being implemented in the state.

Presiding over a loan distribution programme held by public sector undertaking banks to mark International MSME Day-2023, the chief minister said MSME clusters were proposed to be developed along Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Ganga expressways.

The chief minister disbursed loans amounting to Rs 20,000 crore to 3.41 lakh MSME entrepreneurs spread across the state. The MSME Day was celebrated in each district of the state and beneficiaries were given loans.

The chief minister also inaugurated gobar biogas plant in Prayagraj district through virtual mode. The chief minister also announced that for the benefit of the MSME entrepreneurs, a packaging institute would be set up in Lucknow.

Emphasising the significance of the MSME units in the economy of Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said the MSME units were the source of livelihood for crores of people in the state.

He said the MSME sector had huge potential for employment. He said that jobs would be provided to seven and a half lakh youths through the PM and CM Internship Programmes that were running in the state.

The chief minister said that the MSME department should develop MSME clusters by marking land along Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Ganga expressways. He also directed the authorities concerned to take forward the setting up of Unity Malls in Lucknow, Varanasi and Agra and providing facilities to the entrepreneurs of the MSME sector as per their requirements.

The chief minister said, Under the loan distribution programme, loans are being simultaneously distributed to 3.41 lakh MSME entrepreneurs in the state. This sector is going to provide maximum employment after agriculture. The entrepreneurs of the MSME sector have given a new identity to Uttar Pradesh by infusing new life in this sector.

The chief minister called for opening Unity Mall in Avadh Shilpgram of Lucknow within three months in the first phase of the project.

Chief Minister Yogi said that there was a time when the MSME sector in Uttar Pradesh was gasping for breath. Due to lack of due attention from the government, the entrepreneurs of this sector had become frustrated and disappointed. However, in the past six years, with the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has been running nearly 96 lakh MSME units, which serve as the source of livelihoods for crores of people.

He added, Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme to keep the MSME sector alive, which has now become a brand within the country. Whenever MSME and ODOP are mentioned in the country today, the name of Uttar Pradesh comes first on peoples lips, Chief Minister Yogi asserted.

Praising the ODOP scheme in the state, the chief minister mentioned that Uttar Pradesh was one of the leading states in the country to receive a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for 52 of its products. Varanasi alone has obtained GI tags for 23 products. We have 75 districts, and in the coming time, many other products of Uttar Pradesh will get a GI tag. The day is not far when the traditional products of Uttar Pradesh will be known both within the country and across the world, he added.

Chief Minister Yogi also inaugurated a biogas plant in a village in Prayagraj district and a woolen yarn production centre in Gram Ganja. The chief minister distributed funds to 14 MSME entrepreneurs under various schemes of the state government. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was exchanged between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP). The IIP will help the MSME entrepreneurs in addressing the problems faced by the entrepreneurs in packaging of the finished products.

Chief Minister Yogi also distributed certificates to 11 ODOP entrepreneurs whose products have got GI tags. They include dholak from Amroha, tala (lock) from Aligarh, home furnishing from Baghpat, shajar stone from Banda, handloom from Barabanki, Nagina good craft from Bijnor, Kalpi handmade paper from Jalaun, gora stone from Mahoba, Tarakashi from Mainpuri, horn craft from Sambhal, and Bakhira metal product from Sant Kabir Nagar.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath virtually attended the Bharatiya Janata Partys Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot campaign, which was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Praising the event held in Bhopal, the chief minister wrote on his Twitter handle, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot campaign is a movement to realise the dream of self-reliant and developed India and to make Indian democracy even more participatory. To ensure its success, the prime minister went to Bhopal to interact with dedicated and hardworking BJP workers and to connect them with the new resolutions of New India.

BJP state president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, former Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, local legislators Neeraj Bora and Mukesh Sharma and party media in-charge Praveen Garg also attended the programme virtually.

The BJP state president said that the inspirational address of the prime minister would further strengthen his resolve for a developed India and increase the enthusiasm of crores of Bharatiya Janata Party workers.

During the programme, Lucknow Mahanagar Mahila Morcha general secretary Reena Chaurasia also asked a question from the prime minister about the vote bank politics and how some people used to oppose triple talaq and now they were opposing Uniform Civil Code.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked in length about the ills of triple talaq and UCC. He said triple talaq was anti-women and even Islamic countries had abolished it.

Nowadays, we are seeing that in the name of Uniform Civil Court, people are being misled. The country cannot run with a dual system where one community is governed by one law and the other by another. Our Constitution talks about equal rights and even the Supreme Court advocates Uniform Civil Court, he said.

If you look at our Muslim brothers and sisters, Pasmanda Muslims are denied equal rights. Bharatiya Janata Party is working to ensure equal rights for them, he added.
Over 300 protestors were detained in three districts of Assam's Barak Valley on Tuesday during a 12-hour bandh called by political parties to protest against the delimitation exercise of constituencies in the state, the draft proposal for which was published last week.

The bandh, initially called by the Barak Democratic Front (BDF) and later supported by the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and the AIUDF, began at 5 am with shops and business establishments closed in Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts of the Valley.

Schools and government offices remained open but attendance was thin.

The number of vehicles was lower than usual in the three districts and the protestors were seen urging people who had come out on the streets to return home.

The police detained over 300 protestors, including Congress MLA from Karimganj (North) Kamalakhya De Purukayastha, and the party's Cachar district president Abhijit Paul.

Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said protestors from all parties have been detained as they were preventing people to go out for work.

"These are preventive arrests. We are trying to help the common people", he said.

According to the draft delimitation proposal published by the Election Commission, the number of assembly seats in the three districts will be reduced to 13 from the existing 15. There was also a proposal for a change in names of a few constituencies.

Several political leaders, including from the ruling BJP, have expressed their dissatisfaction over the draft proposals.

Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, representing the Dholai assembly seat, said people of his constitutency are unhappy with the proposal for changing the name of the constituency from Dholai to Narsingpur.

Congress MLA Kamalakhya De Purukayastha said that the delimitation draft is a "conspiracy against the people of Barak Valley and also against a particular community".

In the draft delimitation document released on June 20, the poll body has proposed to retain the number of assembly seats in Assam at 126 and the Lok Sabha constituencies at 14.

The commission has also planned to alter the geographical boundaries of most of the constituencies, both assembly and the Lok Sabha, while eliminating some seats and creating a few new ones.
China's muted reaction to the Wagner mercenary group uprising against Russia's military belies Beijing's growing anxieties over the war in Ukraine and how this affects the global balance of power.

China's ruling Communist Party called the swift end of the 22-hour revolt Moscow's internal affair, with state media affirming China's support for Russia.

Chinese observers said the incident showed how overblown Western rhetoric was regarding the Russian internal conflict and that President Vladimir Putin's hold on power remains secure.

But the uprising also threatens to deepen growing anxieties in Beijing over Russia's war in Ukraine.

China claims to be neutral over the war but has backed Russia in practice, blaming the US and NATO for provoking Russia's full-on and thus-forth thwarted invasion of the eastern European country while continuing with frequent state visits, economic exchanges and joint military drills with Russia.

Of course, this incident also shows the complexity, delicacy, and uncertainty of Russia's internal situation, Shen Yi, a professor of international relations at Fudan University in Shanghai, wrote on his blog.

The Wagner rebellion has likely raised doubts about whether Beijing made the right bet in designating the Kremlin, and Putin specifically, as a close ally and partner, said Patricia M. Kim, an expert on Chinese politics and foreign policy at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington, DC.

Chinese leaders must be concerned that China's strategic alignment with a weakened Russia may turn out to be a net burden rather than a plus to China's strategic interests, Kim said.

It remains unclear whether China will nudge Putin to cut his losses and scale back his ambitions in Ukraine, and whether the Russian leader would be receptive to any such suggestions, she said.

China is seen as closely watching the conflict in Ukraine for indications of possible ramifications to its threat to enforce a blockade, invade or coerce the self-governing island democracy of Taiwan, a close US ally, into accepting the Communist Party's control.

Economic competition with the US is also a key issue, accentuated by the prospect of economic sanctions targeting wealthy Russians, Kim said.

Watching Russia's isolation has also increased urgency in Beijing to become more self-reliant, to reduce its overall vulnerability, she said.

Chinese state military academics worry about Russia's underwhelming performance in the war, and that China has not sufficiently adapted its defense structure away from the former-Soviet Union model on which it was based.

As to the recent developments in Russia, China realises that the system is more brittle than they thought, that Putin is more incompetent than they would love to see," said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

What leads to this frustration to an extent is that China cannot do anything about it, he said.

Some draw comparisons with China's relationship with North Korea, which similarly benefits from Chinese economic aid and diplomatic support at forums such as the United Nations.

It's not that China wants to be closer to Russia. It's that the US is forcing that," Wang Huiyao, a Chinese foreign policy advisor and president of the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based think tank.

Chinese and Russian officials have also had travel and financial sanctions imposed against them by the US while watching how the Ukraine war has reinvigorated pro-US alliances in Asia.

Chinese foreign policy experts are worried that the war has revitalized NATO and the US alliance with Europe, and fret that this could prompt a renewal of American alliances in East Asia.

Chinese military experts grilled Western diplomats in private about reports that NATO might open a liaison office in Japan, worried that it might represent the expansion of the organization's interests in East Asia, three people with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press.

A civil war or major political conflict in Russia would have a definite impact on relations between Beijing and Moscow, particularly with the Chinese president seeing the two aligning to challenge the US-led liberal world order.

Historically, the US never trusted Russia and has always attempted to dismember it into smaller countries. To the United States, Russia and China are their major threats, said Li Xin, director of the Institute of European and Asian Studies of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
Bank of Georgia Group PLC (OTCMKTS:BDGSF  Get Rating)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $39.15 and last traded at $39.15, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $39.15.

Bank of Georgia Group Stock Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $36.67.

About Bank of Georgia Group

(Get Rating)

Bank of Georgia Group Plc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and wealth management services. It operates through the following business segments: Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and JSC Belarusky Narodny Bank (BNB). The Retail Banking segment provides consumer loans, mortgage loans, overdrafts, credit cards and other credit facilities, funds transfer, and settlement services.

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GMS Inc. (NYSE:GMS  Get Rating) major shareholder Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 371,725 shares of GMS stock in a transaction on Monday, June 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.70, for a total transaction of $25,537,507.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 4,235,321 shares in the company, valued at approximately $290,966,552.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Coliseum Capital Management, L also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, June 22nd, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 35,278 shares of GMS stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.27, for a total transaction of $2,408,429.06.

On Friday, June 16th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 800,000 shares of GMS stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.06, for a total transaction of $52,848,000.00.

On Wednesday, June 14th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 80,071 shares of GMS stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.89, for a total transaction of $5,355,949.19.

On Monday, June 12th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 201,213 shares of GMS stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.93, for a total transaction of $13,668,399.09.

GMS Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GMS traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $67.85. 962,561 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 287,285. The companys 50-day moving average is $62.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 2.19 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The company has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.69 and a beta of 1.85. GMS Inc. has a 1 year low of $38.31 and a 1 year high of $70.47.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

GMS ( NYSE:GMS Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The company reported $2.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion for 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 businesss revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that GMS Inc. will post 6.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

GMS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of GMS from $55.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Friday. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of GMS from $67.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Friday. StockNews.com cut shares of GMS from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of GMS from $68.00 to $76.00 in a research note on Friday. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of GMS from $70.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Friday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.14.

Institutional Trading of GMS

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in GMS by 2.4% during the 3rd 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 grew its holdings in GMS by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Coliseum Capital Management LLC now owns 6,336,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $253,526,000 after purchasing an additional 205,000 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in GMS by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,242,989 shares of the companys stock valued at $209,773,000 after purchasing an additional 154,926 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in GMS by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,552,203 shares of the companys stock valued at $147,743,000 after purchasing an additional 40,521 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in GMS by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,903,763 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,209,000 after purchasing an additional 181,514 shares during the last quarter. 99.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

GMS Company Profile

(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.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Equity Commonwealth (NYSE:EQC  Get Rating) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

Equity Commonwealth Price Performance

EQC opened at $20.38 on Friday. Equity Commonwealth has a fifty-two week low of $19.41 and a fifty-two week high of $28.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.24 billion, a PE ratio of 44.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.30. The companys 50-day moving average is $20.73 and its 200 day moving average is $22.43.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equity Commonwealth

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EQC. Ariel Investments LLC increased its stake in Equity Commonwealth by 17.6% in the 4th quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 6,029,652 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $150,560,000 after buying an additional 904,535 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in Equity Commonwealth by 9.2% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 5,665,251 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $159,817,000 after buying an additional 475,759 shares during the last quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC increased its stake in Equity Commonwealth by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 4,592,629 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $95,113,000 after buying an additional 79,617 shares during the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. increased its stake in Equity Commonwealth by 200.5% in the 1st quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 2,673,189 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $55,362,000 after buying an additional 1,783,462 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Equity Commonwealth by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,256,705 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $46,736,000 after buying an additional 101,982 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.33% of the companys stock.

About Equity Commonwealth

Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) is a Chicago based, internally managed and self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) with commercial office properties in the United States. EQC's portfolio is comprised of four properties totaling 1.5 million square feet.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) in a research note released on Saturday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Price Performance

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:THM opened at $0.43 on Friday. International Tower Hill Mines has a 1-year low of $0.38 and a 1-year high of $0.75. The company has a market capitalization of $84.73 million, a P/E ratio of -21.73 and a beta of 0.70. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $0.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $0.52.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Virtu Financial LLC lifted its stake in International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Get Rating) (TSE:ITH) by 314.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock after buying an additional 46,910 shares during the quarter. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in International Tower Hill Mines were worth $26,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.34% of the companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile

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.

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B. Riley began coverage on shares of Shift4 Payments (NYSE:FOUR  Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, The Fly reports. The firm issued a buy rating and a $81.00 price target on the stock.

FOUR has been the topic of a number of other reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Shift4 Payments from $77.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Shift4 Payments from $35.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Shift4 Payments from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group raised Shift4 Payments from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $85.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Stephens raised Shift4 Payments from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $80.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Shift4 Payments has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $79.60.

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Shift4 Payments Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FOUR opened at $60.06 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 3.71, a quick ratio of 3.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.31. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.26 and a 200-day simple moving average of $63.55. The company has a market cap of $5.00 billion, a PE ratio of 41.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.24. Shift4 Payments has a 12-month low of $29.39 and a 12-month high of $76.40.

Insider Buying and Selling

Shift4 Payments ( NYSE:FOUR Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $200.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $191.93 million. Shift4 Payments had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 4.55%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Shift4 Payments will post 1.64 EPS for the current year.

In related news, insider David Taylor Lauber sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.33, for a total value of $663,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 212,192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,074,695.36. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 32.14% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Shift4 Payments

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Prospera Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in Shift4 Payments in the 4th quarter valued at $375,000. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in Shift4 Payments by 950.2% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 334,693 shares of the companys stock valued at $18,720,000 after acquiring an additional 302,823 shares in the last quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in Shift4 Payments during the 3rd quarter worth about $492,000. Ratan Capital Management LP lifted its position in Shift4 Payments by 165.6% during the 4th quarter. Ratan Capital Management LP now owns 130,883 shares of the companys stock worth $7,320,000 after buying an additional 81,601 shares in the last quarter. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Shift4 Payments by 31.2% during the 1st quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 106,591 shares of the companys stock worth $8,080,000 after buying an additional 25,359 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.00% of the companys stock.

About Shift4 Payments

(Get Rating)

Shift4 Payments, Inc (NYSE FOUR) provides integrated payment processing and technology solutions in the United States. Its payments platform provides omni-channel card acceptance and processing solutions, including end-to-end payment processing for various payment types; merchant acquiring; proprietary omni-channel gateway; complementary software integrations; integrated and mobile point-of-sale (POS) solutions; security and risk management solutions; and reporting and analytical tools, as well as tokenization, risk management/underwriting, payment device and chargeback management, fraud prevention, and gift card solutions.

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Shares of PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE:PPG  Get Rating) have been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the eighteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $150.18.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of PPG Industries from $143.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on PPG Industries in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on PPG Industries from $160.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of PPG Industries from $150.00 to $145.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of PPG Industries from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $130.00 to $156.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th.

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PPG Industries Stock Up 1.6 %

Shares of NYSE PPG opened at $141.08 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The company has a market cap of $33.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.32, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.18. PPG Industries has a 12 month low of $107.40 and a 12 month high of $145.51. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $139.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $133.22.

PPG Industries Dividend Announcement

PPG Industries ( NYSE:PPG Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The specialty chemicals company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.27. PPG Industries had a return on equity of 23.35% and a net margin of 7.18%. The company had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.37 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that PPG Industries will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.76%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 9th. PPG Industriess payout ratio is currently 46.27%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On PPG Industries

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PPG. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in PPG Industries in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in PPG Industries by 84.9% in the 1st quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 220 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co grew its stake in PPG Industries by 81.7% in 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 during the period. Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new position in PPG Industries in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its stake in PPG Industries by 90.6% in 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 during the period. 78.95% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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Shares of Telia Company AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Rating) have received a consensus rating of Reduce from the ten analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $33.25.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on TLSNY shares. Berenberg Bank began coverage on Telia Company AB (publ) in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. They set a buy rating on the stock. Citigroup raised Telia Company AB (publ) from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th.

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Telia Company AB (publ) Stock Performance

Telia Company AB (publ) stock opened at $4.30 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.95. Telia Company AB has a one year low of $4.08 and a one year high of $7.85. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $4.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.45 billion, a PE ratio of -6.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 0.31.

Telia Company AB (publ) Cuts Dividend

Telia Company AB (publ) ( OTCMKTS:TLSNY Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The technology company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter. Telia Company AB (publ) had a negative net margin of 15.36% and a negative return on equity of 17.59%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Telia Company AB will post 0.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 11th were issued a $0.0644 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 4.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, April 10th. Telia Company AB (publ)s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -37.14%.

Telia Company AB (publ) Company Profile

(Get Rating

Telia Company AB (publ) provides communication services to businesses, individuals, families, and communities in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. It offers mobile, broadband, television, and fixed-line services; and networking, cloud and security, mobility, enterprise mobile network, contact center, managed mobility services, collaboration solutions, enterprise telephony, Internet of Things (IoT), carrier ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelengths, IP Transit, dark fiber, and colocation solutions.

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Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, June 1st, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of 0.07 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, July 17th. This represents a $0.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th.

Chatham Lodging Trust has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 62.4% annually over the last three years. Chatham Lodging Trust has a dividend payout ratio of 63.6% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Chatham Lodging Trust to earn $1.32 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.28 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 21.2%.

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Chatham Lodging Trust Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of CLDT stock opened at $9.19 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $9.82 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $11.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 1.51 and a quick ratio of 1.51. Chatham Lodging Trust has a 1 year low of $9.04 and a 1 year high of $14.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $449.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 65.64 and a beta of 1.79.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In related news, Director Edwin B. Brewer, Jr. bought 8,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $18.95 per share, for a total transaction of $166,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 18,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $356,260. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . 5.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 13.2% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 33,025 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $455,000 after buying an additional 3,844 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 13.9% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 54,186 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $747,000 after buying an additional 6,597 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 57.5% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,525 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $118,000 after buying an additional 3,111 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 55.4% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 25,843 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $356,000 after buying an additional 9,215 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in Chatham Lodging Trust by 14.1% during the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 42,043 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $580,000 after buying an additional 5,184 shares during the period. 92.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on CLDT. Oppenheimer decreased their price target on shares of Chatham Lodging Trust from $18.00 to $15.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 28th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Chatham Lodging Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, B. Riley decreased their price target on shares of Chatham Lodging Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th.

Chatham Lodging Trust Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels. The company owns 39 hotels totaling 5,915 rooms/suites in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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The North West Company Inc. (TSE:NWC  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, June 7th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.38 per share on Friday, July 14th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th.

North West Stock Down 0.0 %

NWC opened at C$31.17 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of C$37.06 and a 200 day moving average price of C$36.67. The company has a market cap of C$1.49 billion, a PE ratio of 13.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.61. North West has a 1 year low of C$30.55 and a 1 year high of C$40.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 69.23, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 2.23.

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North West (TSE:NWC  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, June 7th. The company reported C$0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$593.60 million during the quarter. North West had a net margin of 4.83% and a return on equity of 19.07%. Sell-side analysts expect that North West will post 2.6887417 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

North West Company Profile

A number of analysts recently issued reports on NWC shares. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of North West from C$38.00 to C$36.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 12th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of North West from C$41.00 to C$39.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. CIBC increased their price objective on shares of North West from C$37.00 to C$39.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, TD Securities lowered their price objective on shares of North West from C$41.00 to C$39.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 8th.

(Get Rating)

The North West Company Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in northern Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The Canadian operations comprises Northern stores, which offers food, financial services, and general merchandise; NorthMart stores that provides fresh foods, apparel, and health products and services; Quickstop convenience stores that provides ready-to-eat foods, and fuel and related services; Giant Tiger junior discount stores, which offers family fashion, household products, and food; Valu Lots discount center and direct-to-customer food distribution outlet; solo market, a store in remote market; Pharmacy and Convenience stores; and North West Company motorsports dealership offering sales, service, parts and accessories for Ski-doo, Honda, Can-am and other premier brands.

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Reading kindles youngsters' dreams in Tibet

Xinhua) 16:04, June 27, 2023

LHASA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The day that Ding Zhi came to Nyima, a remote county in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, brought sixth grader Kalzang Gyatso closer to his dream of becoming a writer.

Ding, together with three other volunteers, spent half a month trekking more than 2,600 km, only to bring 14,000 books, 18 computers, and more than 60 cartons of stationery donated to children in the remote county, situated at an average elevation of over 5,000 meters.

Kalzang Gyatso was thrilled to find a new version of his favorite book, "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms," one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.

"The new book is more complete with abundant illustrations than the current version here, and I will definitely read it frequently," said Kalzang Gyatso.

"The landslides and avalanches disrupted our trip, and at first, there were 12 volunteers, but only four eventually made it due to various unexpected situations," said Ding.

"All the books were picked by experts in Beijing. It's all worth the effort as long as the students can gain something from them," he added.

"I love reading and want to become a writer too so that everyone can read books I wrote," said Kalzang Gyatso. "I'm especially fond of reading history books which I find very inspiring."

Pan Hongpei, Kalzang Gyatso's English teacher, spent hours organizing and categorizing the new books. "Books are the best gifts which nurture and enlighten the children. The students here enjoy reading very much, and sometimes they even bring books to the canteens."

To Ding, books also take up the majority of his life. He opened a library running 24 hours in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and across the country, he has donated 300,000 books and established 96 libraries, benefiting more than 50,000 students.

Since he visited Tibet in 2017 for the first time, he has donated books and tables to 12 schools across the region.

Speaking of his cause, the 52-year-old is quite modest. "I'm just a transporter of knowledge," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Karimnagar police arrested six persons including five minors for the alleged rape and sexual harassment of a Class 10 student over several months, after trapping and blackmailing her. The incident came to light when the girl, a minor, informed her parents when three of the six persons demanded sex. Representational Image/DC

KARIMNAGAR: The Karimnagar police arrested six persons including five minors for the alleged rape and sexual harassment of a Class 10 student over several months, after trapping and blackmailing her. The incident came to light when the girl, a minor, informed her parents when three of the six persons demanded sex.

The five minor boys are studying Intermediate and the major, who faces a harassment case, was identified as Lingampalli Maruti, 19 studying polytechnic. The other five cannot be named as they are minors.

According to One Town circle inspector M. Ravi Kumar, an Intermediate student trapped the minor girl by professing love. In due course, when they were having an intimate moment, two of the boys friends (minors) took pictures and videos.

Blackmailing the minor girl by threatening that they would release videos to her parents, the duo started sexually assaulting her about a year ago.

Two days ago, three other friends of the Intermediate student (two minor boys and the major) joined in and tried to blackmail the girl. That is when the girl informed her parents who lodged a complaint with the police.

Sub-inspector Chandh Pasha said the police would not provide details of the five minor accused. The case was registered against the six persons.

Police registered a case under IPC Section 376 (D) for gang rape and under the Pocso Act against the three minors and against three others for sexually harassing a minor girl. Police arrested the six accused and sent them to remand. The girl was taken to the government main hospital in Karimnagar for medical tests, he added.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao felicitated during the public meeting at Sarkoli in Maharashtra on Tuesday. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: Hitting back at the Congress and BJP and for calling the BRS a B-team of their respective opponents, BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao stated that the BRS was not anyones B-team but the A-team of farmers, women, minorities, Dalits and the downtrodden.

Later, making a grand show of strength in Maharashtra, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao took the darshan of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur and Goddess Tulja Bhavani at Tuljapur on Tuesday. However, his visit came in for sharp criticism from the ruling as well as opposition parties in Maharashtra, who asked him to look after his own state.

The CM visited the holy towns in a convoy of over 300 SUVs. Rao was accompanied by his Cabinet ministers, 103 MLAs, seven MPs and over 30 MLC.

Addressing a public meeting in Sarkoli in Maharashtra on Tuesday, Rao said the BRS was not confined to Telangana and Maharashtra, but was a national party working for the people of the country.

He said the BRS was the only party that came up with the slogan Ab ki bar kisan sarkar,' and asked why no other party had come up with the slogan in the last seven decades.

The CM lashed out at the parties in Maharashtra who were questioning the BRS foray into the state. "It's just four months since we entered Maharashtra. Both the BJP and the Congress are calling us the B team of their respective opponents. We are a small party. Why do these parties feel so frustrated and jittery? This shows they fear the response the BRS is receiving from the people in Maharashtra in such a short span," Rao said.

Rao reiterated that he was ready to drop Maharashtra from his plans, if the incumbent government declared that it would implement "Telangana model" of welfare schemes and development programmes.

"When I addressed the first public meeting in Maharashtra in February this year, the Maharashtra government announced `6,000 financial aid to farmers per year on the lines of Rythu Bandhu. Why was it not implemented before," Rao asked.

The CM dismissed the argument of a few Maharashtra leaders that implementing schemes similar to Telangana would lead to bankruptcy. "They say Maharashtra will become bankrupt (diwala niklega). Yes, I agree. But parties and leaders in Maharashtra will become bankrupt (diwala) and people will celebrate Diwali," he remarked amid applause.

Rao urged the people to give one opportunity to the BRS so that it could implement Telangana model of welfare schemes and development programmes.

Leaders from various parties in Maharashtra joined BRS in the presence of CM including former NCP MP Bhagirath Bhalke. Earlier the CM offered special prayers at the Vitthal Rukmini temple in Pandharpur.

After the public meeting, the CM visited Tuljapur Bhavani temple and offered prayers before returning to Hyderabad on Tuesday night concluding his two-day visit to Maharashtra.

In Pandharpur, Rao and a few accompanying him got VIP darshan while the others got mukh darshan. The entire route was decked up with the pink BRS flags. The BRS supporters had planned to shower petals on warkaris, devotees of Lord Vitthal at Pandharpur, from a helicopter but were denied permission.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has hit out at rao, saying the latter should look after his own party and the state. "We are capable of taking care of Maharashtra," he said.

Saying that he was not worried about the BRS chief, Shinde said there is no need to take note of his Maharashtra visit. "We have worked for all sections of people in Maharashtra, so we have no concerns about him. We are capable of taking care of Maharashtra. But KCR should look after his own party and state. He should make a show of strength in Telangana," he added.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused Rao of acting as the B team of BJP and stated that BRS attempts to expand into Maharashtra would have no effect on the states politics.

Raut criticised Rao's actions, suggesting that his visit to Maharashtra was driven by fear of losing support in Telangana. He stated that his tactics could cost him politically in his home state.

Raut maintained that the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the ruling coalition in Maharashtra comprising Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and Congress, remained strong and resilient.

When asked about Raos trip, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said, "The impact of his (KCRs) trip remains to be seen," without elaborating further.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government has decided to further improve the GER and encourage students continue their studies. (Image: Twitter)

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy would release Jagananna Amma Vodi funds for the fourth year, directly into the bank accounts of students mothers, by the press of a computer button at Kurupam in Parvathipuram Manyam district on Wednesday. The Chief Minister will address a public meeting at Kurupam.

The Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government provided Amma Vodi for the past four years without fail. This tranche will be the last of this term.

Stated the Chief Minister, "Education is the real asset that we can give to our children. I strongly believe that the expenditure incurred on Education is an investment for our childrens future. Send your wards to school. I take the responsibility of their education."

"Including the 6,392 crore assistance being provided on Wednesday, the total financial assistance provided so far under Jagananna Amma Vodi alone is 26,067.28 crore," he said.

"The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Andhra Pradesh in Primary Education for 2018 was as low as 84.48 compared to national average of 99.21. AP then was at the lowest place among the 29 states. In the last four years, the state has witnessed a remarkable surge in GER from 84.48 to 100.8."

The CM said the government has decided to further improve the GER and encourage students continue their studies. Even those who failed in Class 10 and Intermediate are readmitted in schools and colleges and are once again provided with the Jagananna Amma Vodi benefit."

Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana said that a financial assistance of 6,392.94 crore will be deposited into the bank accounts of 42,61,965 mothers in a festive atmosphere across the state for 10 days. This, he said, would benefit 83,15,341 students of Classes 1 to Intermediate.

He said that the benefits are provided in a most-transparent manner to all the eligible poor without discriminations of caste, religion, region, community or party affiliation in a 100 per cent saturation mode. This is irrespective of whether a student is studying in government, aided or private school.

The minister said, "It is the same state budget and official machinery. Only the leader has changed.

In these four years, the state government has spent 66,464,62 crore on reforms in the education sector. With a noble intention to reduce the dropout rate significantly in schools, 75 per cent attendance was made mandatory for availing benefits under the Jagananna Amma Vodi.

"Mothers should take the responsibility of sending their children to school regularly to ensure 75 per cent attendance," the minister said.

Satyanarayana said, "Like nowhere else in the country, revolutionary reforms are being implemented by the Jagananna Government in the education sector."

"Taking steps towards the digital mode of education, schools are being provided with Interactive Flat Panels with a private online education players content, which can work in both online and offline mode in over 62,000 digital classrooms of the 6th - 10th classes. These were developed under the Mana badi Nadu  Nedu scheme.
Home minister Md.Mahmood Ali felicitate Mahamoud Abdillahi Miguil, Charg'e d'affaires, Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in India while celebrating the 46th Independence Day in Hyderabad on Monday. (P.Surendra)

Hyderabad: Natives of Djibouti, an east African country, who are living in the city on Monday celebrated their countrys 46th Independence Day, June 27, on the Osmania University campus.

Students of the country, which has French and Arabic as official languages, sang their countrys songs and danced to their favourite numbers.

Home minister Mohd Mahmood Ali was the chief guest of the event, while OU registrar Dr P. Laxminarayana took part as a special guest. The celebrations were flagged off by Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan, a grandson of Nizam VII.

Students expressed their joy towards India, especially Hyderabad, for providing them with opportunities in learning and for their friendly approach.

Hamze Ibrahim, of Balbala province, who is a second-year BCA student in OU, said: "Hyderabad has the best people, who are friendly and helpful. They treat us like their own and go out of their way to extend help."

Dr Shaimaa of Integro Hospitals said, "Foreign students who are in our city should be encouraged. These students carry a message about our country when they return. This meet not only brings harmony, but also more commerce to the state in the form of education and medical tourism."
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leader Rahul Gandhi during a meeting at the AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. (PTI)

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the people for Telangana wanted change and were looking to the Congress to provide it. The Congress was ready for the challenge, he said after a strategy meeting in the Capital.

Apart from Kharge, top leaders like former party president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary K.C. Venugopal joined the strategy meeting for the forthcoming state elections with the Telangana unit leaders at the AICC office in Delhi on Tuesday, including Telangana Congress president A. Revanth Reddy.

After the meet, Kharge tweeted, "The people of Telangana are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress party." Kharge asserted that the Congress is ready to take on any challenge. "Together, we will usher in a brighter future for Telangana, based on shared democratic values and all-around social welfare," he said.

AICC Telangana in-charge Manikrao Thakre reiterated that the Congress would not have an alliance with the BRS. "It will not even be a part of the national opposition alliance," he said.

Later, the Congress shared pictures of the meeting on Twitter. The other leaders who attended the meeting were Renuka Chaudhary, V. Hanumantha Rao, Shabbir Ali, T. Jayaprakash Jagga Reddy and N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.

"The people are reeling under poverty even 10 years after the formation of Telangana. The situation has changed and people are looking for change. The BRS is trying to help the BJP to damage the Congress. A massive outreach plan will also be formulated soon to reach out to all the households in the state," Thakre said.

"The Telangana government has not fulfilled its promises to the people. Loot is going on and the people want a change," Thakre said, adding that the party high command heard out leaders from the state and all the leaders have pledged to work together.

Thakre and other leaders hinted that efforts would be made to reach out to like-minded secular parties, suggesting that some sort of an alliance could be stitched up.

The Congress also accused the K. Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS government of helping the BJP in Telangana and other states.

Explaining the issues that came up for discussion Manthani MLA, D. Sridhar Babu told this newspaper, "Efforts will be made to reach out to all communities with more declarations akin to the Youth Declaration and Farmers declaration. We will dump the Dharani portal as promised by Rahul Gandhi. Separate declarations will be issued for women and BCs shortly."

Those airing difference of opinions in the media will be taken to task was the message driven out to the leaders. The term of the 119-member Telangana Assembly will end in December.
Telugu Desam state president K. Atchannaidu said, "Political alliances will be there and these will be worked out at an appropriate time to defeat the common enemy, the YSRC. (File Image: DC)

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is heading for a fierce political battle with the ruling YSRC targeting a win of all the 175 Assembly seats while the opposition Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and BJP are getting themselves set to give the ruling party a tough fight at the hustings.

The opposition parties, as also the YSRC, are taking up a series of programmes to reach out to the people even as the elections are 10 months away.

As the YSRC is claiming credit for implementing a lot of welfare schemes and developmental works, the Telugu Desam, Jana Sena and the BJP have started targeting the incumbent government with a common agenda, by exposing its failures, and are reaching out to the people with a promise of good governance.

As TD chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced a series of freebies at the partys annual Mahanadu recently, the party leaders are reaching out to the people by organising bus yatras and a series of meetings. Their aim is principally to lure the various communities that are the traditional vote banks of the YSRC.

Naidus son Lokesh is busy with his Yuva Galam programme to attract the youths and seek their support. He is blaming the YSRC government for its "failure" to provide them jobs.

Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyans first leg of AP tour in erstwhile Godavari districts has proven to be a success. He attempted to identify the problems of the people, targeted the YSRC government and sought support to JS from all social groups. He promised good governance.

The state BJP too has intensified its campaign against the YSRC government even by releasing a charge-sheet against it at Assembly segment levels. The party would go to the district and state levels to expose the failures of the government.

BJPs top leaders Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda have visited the state and targeted the YSRC government to drive home the message that the people should support the BJP if they needed more development in the state.

The three opposition parties have not referred to their chances of a political alliance against the YSRC. They say they would go independently for now but would try and forge an alliance at the time of the elections to defeat the YSRC and avoid a split in the anti-incumbency votes.

BJPs former MLC, P.V.N. Madhav, said, "We have already started our preparations for the polls by meeting the people and explaining to them about what the Modi government has been doing for AP in the last nine years. We have also started exposing the failures of the ruling dispensation by releasing charge-sheets. We welcome Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan starting his poll campaign independently and even claiming he would be CM. Nobody can stop anyone if he has the requisite numbers in the Assembly to claim the top post."

Jana Sena political affairs committee chairman Nadendla Manohar said, "We are getting a huge response from the people, especially from the youth. People are looking for a change."

Telugu Desam state president K. Atchannaidu said, "We are expecting a complete sweep in the Assembly polls. Our freebies announced at the Mahanadu went down well with the masses and we are also publicising them in a big way while in the campaign mode. Political alliances will be there and these will be worked out at an appropriate time to defeat the common enemy, the YSRC."


AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (ANI)

New Delhi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code and Pasmanda Muslims in Bhopal and said that it seems PM Modi could not understand Barack Obama's advice properly.

"It seems PM Modi could not understand Obama's advice properly. Modi ji tell me, will you end the "Hindu Undivided Family" (HUF)? Because of this, the country is suffering a loss of Rs 3064 crores every year," said Asaduddin Owaisi.

Earlier, former US 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".

Owaisi's remark comes after PM Modi said that even SC said Uniform Civil Code should be implemented. "Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights...Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics," said PM Modi while addressing Bharatiya Janata Party booth workers in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal..

Notably, Part 4, Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, corresponds with Directive Principles of State Policy, making it mandatory for the State to provide its citizens with a uniform civil code (UCC) throughout the territory of India.

Accusing PM Modi of shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, he said, "On one hand you are shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other hand your pawns are attacking their mosques, taking away their jobs, bulldozing their homes, killing them through lynching, and they are also opposing their reservation. Your government has abolished the scholarship of poor Muslims."

He asked PM Modi about his initiatives for Pasmanda Muslims if they are exploited. "What are you doing if Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited? Before seeking the votes of Pasmanda Muslims, your workers should go door-to-door and apologize that your spokesperson and MLA had insulted the glory of our Nabi-e-Kareem," he added.

The Hyderabad MP also questioned PM Modi over taking inspiration from the laws in Pakistan.

"Citing Pakistan, Modi ji has said that there is a ban on triple talaq. Why is Modi ji getting so much inspiration from the law of Pakistan? You even made a law against triple talaq here, but it did not make any difference at the ground level. Rather, the exploitation of women has increased further. We have always been demanding that social reform will not happen through laws. If a law has to be made, then it should be made against those men who run away leaving their wives even after marriage," AIMIM chief further said.

Notably, PM Modi hit out at Opposition parties for "vote bank politics" and their "policy of appeasement" and said that those who are supporting triple talaq are doing grave injustice to Muslim women.

Stating that advocating Triple Talaq is a "grave injustice" to Muslim women, PM Modi said that if it is a necessary tenet of Islam, then why Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh do not have it?

"Whoever talks in favour of Triple Talaq, whoever advocates it, those vote bank hungry people are doing a great injustice to Muslim daughters. Triple talaq doesn't just do injustice to daughters. It is beyond this; the whole family get ruined. If it has been a necessary tenet of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh," said PM Modi.
Baidu Inc , China's leading search engine provider, said the latest iteration of its ChatGPT-style service had surpassed the widely popular Microsoft-backed OpenAI chatbot on multiple key metrics.

Baidu said in a statement on Tuesday that Ernie 3.5, the latest version of its Ernie AI model, had surpassed "ChatGPT in comprehensive ability scores" and outperformed "GPT-4 in several Chinese capabilities".

The Beijing-based company cited a test that the state newspaper China Science Daily ran using datasets including AGIEval and C-Eval, two benchmarks used to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) models.

Also Read | Over 1 lakh ChatGPT accounts hacked; India tops list: Report

OpenAI did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment outside of usual business hours.

The Baidu announcement comes amid a global AI buzz kicked off by ChatGPT that has spread to China, prompting a flurry of domestic companies to announce rival products.

Baidu was the first big Chinese tech company to debut a AI product to rival ChatGPT when it unveiled its language AI Ernie Bot in March. Ernie Bot, built on Baidu's older Ernie 3.0 AI model, has been in invite-only tests for the past three months.

Other big Chinese tech firms, including Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings, have all since revealed their respective AI models.

Baidu said its new model comes with better training and inference efficiency, which positions it for faster and cheaper iterations in the future. Baidu also said its new model would support external "plugins".

Plugins are additional applications that will allow Baidu's AI to work on more specific scenarios such as summarizing long text and generating more precise answers.

ChatGPT rolled out plugin support in March.
A woman who had just given birth was among 141 migrants detained at a bus checkpoint in southeastern Mexico on Monday, the same day another large group of migrants was found in the area crowded into the back of a trailer truck. The mother and her newborn girl were taken to a hospital after being detained, according to a statement by the National Migration Institute (INM).

The mother was among a group of mostly Guatemalans found on the bus in the Gulf state of Veracruz. The group also included 26 unaccompanied minors, the statement said.

Also Read | World Bank approves $700 mn for Mexico to boost women's economic opportunities

"(The woman) gave birth with the help of those that traveled with her, who cut the umbilical cord," the INM added.

"We helped the lady and told her to push so (the baby) would come out," one of the men detained said in a video shared by the agency. "Then we gave our sweaters... She kept asking about the baby. You could see she was scared."

Images released by the agency showed the mother holding the newborn in a thick purple blanket and a surgical cover. It comes after the institute reported on Monday that another 130 Guatemalan migrants had been detained in a truck in the same state. 19 of them were reported to be unaccompanied minors.

The journey through Mexico to the US is often perilous for migrants. More than 50 migrants died last year in a truck in Texas in the worst human smuggling tragedy in recent US history.

The United States has encouraged migrants to use legal pathways to seek entry, including using an app called CBP One to schedule appointments at the border to request asylum.
Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin flew into exile in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal that ended a brief mutiny by his fighters, as President Vladimir Putin praised his armed forces for averting a civil war.

A plane linked to Prigozhin was shown on a flight tracking service taking off from the southern Russian city of Rostov early on Tuesday and landing in Belarus.

"I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane," state news agency BELTA quoted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as saying. "Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today."

In Moscow, Putin sought to reassert his authority after the mutiny led by Prigozhin in protest against the Russian military's handling of the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian authorities also dropped a criminal case against his Wagner Group mercenary force, state news agency RIA reported, apparently fulfilling another condition of the deal brokered by Lukashenko late on Saturday that defused the crisis.

Also Read | Perils of private armies go beyond Wagner in Russia

Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose mercenaries have fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war and taken heavy casualties, had earlier said he would go to neighbouring Belarus at the invitation of Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin and an acquaintance of the Wagner chief.

Ukraine hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny attempt will undermine Russian defences as Ukraine presses a counteroffensive to recapture occupied territory in the south and east.

There was little news about progress on the battlefield on Tuesday, but two Russian missiles struck a restaurant in the eastern city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region. Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's administration, said on Telegram that four people were killed and 42 injured, including a child.

The building was reduced to a twisted web of metal beams. "None of the glass, windows or doors are left. All I see is destruction, fear and horror," Valentyna, 64, said.

Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians since launching what it terms a "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.

'YOU HAVE STOPPED CIVIL WAR'

Early on Tuesday, flight tracking service Flightradar24's website showed an Embraer Legacy 600 jet, bearing identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in U.S. sanctions documents, descending near the Belarus capital Minsk.

It first appeared on the tracking site above Rostov, the southern Russian city that Prigozhin's fighters captured during the mutiny.

Prigozhin was seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders as he rode out of Rostov in the back of an SUV after ordering his men to stand down. He has not yet been seen in public in Belarus.

Putin meanwhile told some 2,500 Russian security personnel at a ceremony on a square in the Kremlin complex in Moscow that the people and the armed forces stood together in opposition to the rebel mercenaries.

"You have saved our motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war," he said.

Putin was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal had been one of the mutineers' main demands.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing on Tuesday the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented.

Russian leaders have tried to convey that the situation is returning to normal. Peskov dismissed the idea that Putin's grip on power had been shaken by the mutiny, calling such thoughts "hysteria".

DEMONSTRATION OF PROTEST

Prigozhin, 62, said he launched the mutiny to save his group after being ordered to place it under command of the defence ministry, which he has cast as ineffectual in the war in Ukraine.

His fighters halted their campaign on Saturday to avert bloodshed after nearly reaching Moscow, he said. "We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said in an audio message on Monday.

Lukashenko said on Tuesday that his country offered Wagner fighters an abandoned military base. "Please - we have a fence, we have everything - put up your tents," Lukashenko said, according to BELTA.

The prospect of Wagner establishing a base in Belarus was greeted with alarm by some of its neighbours. Latvia and Lithuania called for NATO to strengthen its eastern borders in response, and Polish President Andrzej Duda described the move a "negative signal".

Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said deployment of Wagner fighters in Belarus would destabilise neighbouring countries.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting with leaders of seven NATO countries in the Hague that the alliance "sent a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally, every inch of NATO territory."

Washington, which has given Ukraine more than $10 billion in military assistance, announced $500 million in new aid including vehicles and munitions, according to a Pentagon statement.

(Reporting by Reuters journalists; writing by Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson and Cynthia Osterman; editing by Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich and Grant McCool)
President Vladimir Putin thanked Russia's army and security services for stopping a civil war breaking out in the world's largest country at the weekend by acting efficiently when faced with an armed mutiny by mercenaries heading towards Moscow.

In an appearance on a square inside the Kremlin that looked designed to send a message that he remained firmly in control, Putin on Tuesday told some 2,500 members of the military, the security forces, and the National Guard that they had saved Russia from chaos.

"You have defended the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of our citizens. You have saved our Motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war," Putin said.

"In this difficult situation, you have acted precisely and harmoniously, you have proved by your deeds your loyalty to the Russian people and the military oath. You have shown your responsibility for the fate of our Motherland and its future."

Also Read  Jet linked to Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flies to Belarus from Russia

The Kremlin said earlier on Tuesday it did not agree with what it called the opinion of "pseudo specialists" that the mutiny had shaken Putin's position.

It has portrayed the Russian leader, in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, as having acted judiciously to avoid what it has called "the worst case scenario" by giving time for talks to yield a deal that ended the mutiny without more bloodshed.

Pilots killed by mutineers

Putin told those assembled on the Kremlin's Cathedral Square on Tuesday that an unspecified number of Russian military pilots had been killed when trying to stop the advance of the mutineers - who wanted to oust the top military brass over what they said was their incompetence and corruption - on Moscow.

"In the confrontation with the insurgents our comrades-in-arms, the aviators died," said Putin.

"They did not falter and carried out their orders and their military duty with honour."

Putin then asked for a minute's silence to honour the dead pilots.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose removal Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin had demanded, was present on the square.

Putin said that Russia's military-security apparatus had ensured that key command centres and strategic defence facilities had kept functioning and had been protected during the mutiny and that the security of border regions was guaranteed.

There has been no need, he said, to withdraw combat units from what he called the zone when Moscow is carrying out its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

The mutineers and the people he said had been "dragged into the rebellion" had seen that the army and the people were not on their side, said Putin.

"The rapid and accurate deployment of law enforcement units made it possible to halt the extremely dangerous development of the situation in the country and to prevent casualties among the civilian population," he said.

After he had finished speaking the Russian national anthem, which shares the same music as the Soviet one, was played.
Russia and China's foreign ministries on Tuesday held a round of consultations on anti-missile defence, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"A thorough exchange of views took place on various aspects of this issue, including its global and regional dimensions," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

"The intention was reaffirmed to hold such consultations on a regular basis in the future."

Also Read | US imposes sanctions on one individual, four entities linked to Wagner group

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022 in what it calls a "special military operation", Russia has increasingly courted China for trade and diplomatic support.

China has not condemned the invasion, and Washington and other Western allies said earlier this year that China was considering providing weapons to Russia, something Beijing denies.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the gunpoint robbery of a delivery agent and his associates inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, police said on Tuesday.

CCTV footage received by the Delhi Police showed four motorcycle-borne men intercepting a car and looting about Rs 2 lakh from the delivery agent of Omiya Enterprises, Chandni Chowk, and his associate. The incident happened when they were going towards Gurugram in a taxi to deliver the money.

The 22-second video shows the four men following the taxi on two motorcycles and intercepting it inside the tunnel as other vehicles passed by.

Also Read  Watch: Delivery agent robbed of Rs 2 lakh in Delhi's Pragati Maidan

As the taxi stopped, the two men, wearing helmets, got off the motorcycles. One of them went towards the driver's side and the other to the rear door on the other side and whipped out their pistols. All four were wearing helmets.
The World Bank on Tuesday said the board of executive directors has approved a $300 million (Rs 2,459 crores) loan to help expand and improve the quality of education in government-run schools in Chhattisgarh.

The project aims to benefit about 4 million students, mostly from poor and vulnerable communities in the state.

Almost 86 per cent of schools in the state are run by the government.

While enrolment at the elementary school level is 95 per cent, it is only 57.6 per cent at the senior secondary level and the enrolment for boys is 10.8 per cent lower than that for girls, it said.

Read | Girls have outshone boys in school education in the past decade

This is due to the non-availability of science and commerce education across many senior secondary schools, a shortage of trained science and mathematics teachers, and the lack of necessary infrastructure like laboratories and facilities, it said.

The Chhattisgarh Accelerated Learning for a Knowledge Economy Operation (CHALK) aims to improve access to education across all grades, and also address the growing demand for science and commerce studies at the senior secondary level, it said.

For schools in remote locations, it will also provide access to residential facilities for male students and teachers, it added.

The project will help develop and operate around 600 model composite schools -- from Grades 1 to 12 -- and offer science and commerce at the senior secondary level, it said, adding, these schools will provide a quality education through trained teachers, strong school leadership and management, and adequate infrastructure facilities for learning.

The support will also include climate-proofing school infrastructure using environmentally sound construction practices, it said.

The $300 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) uses the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument that links disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of specific programme results, it said.

The loan has a maturity of 18.5 years with a grace period of 5 years.
The National Exit Test (NExT) for the 2019 batch of final-year MBBS students will be held in two phases next year, official sources said on Tuesday. According to the sources, the NExT will be conducted in two phases -- NExT Step 1 and NExT Step 2 -- by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The NExT Step 1 for the final-year batch is likely to be held in February 2024, the sources said.

After clearing the NExT Step 1, the students will be doing an internship for a year and the NExT Step 1 score will be considered for their admission in post-graduate courses, Dr Yogender Malik, member of the National Medical Commission's (NMC) Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB), explained. After the internship, the students will have to clear the NExT Step 2 to become eligible for getting the licence and registration to practise modern medicine in India, Malik said. Foreign medical graduates who want to practise in India will have to appear in the NExT Step 1, do the internship and then clear the NExT Step 2, he added.

Also Read | 50k students clear II PU repeat exam in Karnataka

"It has been decided that mock or practice tests for the NExT will be held on July 28 and the registration for the same will start from Wednesday (June 28). Only final-year students pursuing MBBS courses in medical colleges are eligible for such mock tests," Malik said. The aim of conducting these mock tests is to familiarise the prospective candidates with the computer-based exam, software interface and process flow in the examination centre.

The sample questions in the mock or practice tests will only exemplify the pattern and format of the NExT Step 1. The NExT Step 1 will have six subject papers with respective weightage in items and time allocation. According to the NMC Act, the NExT will serve as a common qualifying final-year MBBS exam, a licentiate exam to practise modern medicine and for merit-based admission to postgraduate courses and a screening exam for foreign medical graduates who want to practise in India. NMC Chairman Dr S C Sharma addressed the final-year students and faculty of the medical colleges in the country through a video-conference on Tuesday to allay their anxiety and clear doubts regarding NExT. Detailed regulations for conducting the NExT will be released soon, Malik said.

The government, in September last year, invoked the provisions of the NMC Act, by which the time limit for conducting the NExT for final-year MBBS students was extended till September 2024. According to the NMC Act, the commission has to conduct a common final-year undergraduate medical examination -- NExT -- as specified by regulations within three years of it coming into force. The Act came into force in September 2020.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is neither A-Team nor B-Team of anybody, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao asserted and wanted to know as to why political parties in Maharashtra are worried and rattled by his entry.

The BRS is a national party. Let me tell the people of Maharashtra, the people of India that we are neither A-Team nor B-Team of any part. We dont need to be. We are the team of Dalits, farmers, downtrodden, minorities, and workers, Rao said addressing a political meeting on Tuesday coinciding with his pilgrimage to Pandharpur in Solapur and Tuljapur in Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra.

Explaining his Telangana-model, KCR, as he is popularly known, said that the Central government over the years has failed in several aspects.

Also Read | KCR's massive show of strength in Maharashtra ahead of Lok Sabha polls

During the meeting, NCPs Bhagirath Bhalke formally joined the BRS. Bhalke is the son of late NCP MLA Bharat Bhalke who died of post-Covid complications in November 2020. In the bypolls that followed, the NCP fielded the junior Bhalke as its official candidate for the Pandharpur Assembly, however, he lost to BJP's Samadhan Audate.

KCR asked Rao to coordinate efforts to bring in two buses - one for men and another for women - from each and every tehsil to Telangana so that they can for themselves what his government has done. You should come and stay for a few days, visit temples, see the development that we have carried out, he said.

Talking about the criticism from political parties of Maharashtra, he asked as to why the parties and their leaders are rattled. What is there to fear, he asked.

Also Read | KCR launches month-long programme for BRS expansion in Maharashtra

Today you see the plight of villages and farmers. Water for drinking, irrigation purposes and electricity are not being provided to people. Are these resources, water and coal, not available in India? Do we lack them? Then why is the situation like this? Power and water are the two key things for all, particularly the farmers, Rao pointed out.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi described BRS as the B-Team of BJP even as the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance said KCR should not engage in politics though he was welcome for pilgrimage.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and top leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday told leaders from poll-bound Telangana that the party will not enter into an alliance with the K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS in the state or as part of the national Opposition alliance.

Rahul also asked leaders to forget whatever differences they have with each other and work together to form a Congress government in Telangana, which is now ruled by the BRS, party leaders said after a meeting senior Telangana leaders had with central leadership.

The assertion of the top Congress leaders came as Rao ventured into Maharashtra by holding a public meeting on Monday, a move which was not taken kindly by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP, and the Congress.

BRS was also not part of the meeting of 15 Opposition parties in Patna last Friday, as it felt that sharing a platform with the Congress, which is perceived to have gained ground in Telangana after the recent victory in Karnataka, would be detrimental to its interests.

Also Read | Congress releases 'mohabbat ki dukaan' video as online battle for 2024 Lok Sabha elections hots up

It was also not part of the 19 parties that issued a joint statement boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Though it did not officially announce the boycott, the BRS MPs were not present at the function.

Kharge-ji and Rahul-ji have told us that there will not be any alliance with the BRS. BRS is also not going to be part of the national Opposition alliance because BRS and BJP are working together. They are nothing but one, Telangana Campaign Committee chairman Madhu Goud Yaskhi told reporters.

When asked whether there is a possibility of a post-poll alliance in case of a hung assembly, Yashki ruled out such a possibility. In such a scenario, BRS and BJP will join hands, he told DH.

The Congress is specifically unhappy with the BRS for entering Maharashtra and other states where it is stronger. Wherever Congress is strong, BRS is coming there to help the BJP. That is happening across India, Congress Telangana in-charge Manikrao Thakre said.

He said Rahul told the meeting that the state unit should start preparations for the elections and whatever differences they have, they should forget it and unitedly fight to win the polls. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal too acknowledged that there are differences in the party but they have decided to face the elections unitedly.

At the meeting also attended by senior leaders like Congress General Secretary Uttam Kumar Reddy, Renuka Chowdhury and Hanumantha Rao among others, the leaders decided to focus on the poor and formulate specific programmes targeting farmers, youth, women, minorities and other social groups.

The major thrust of the campaign would be the alleged corruption of the BRS government, like the way the Congress heralded its campaign in Karnataka.

Also Read | AAP-Congress rivalry upsetting Opposition unity plans

The central leadership also asked Telangana leaders to start a door-to-door campaign. We need to move faster, Thakre said.

Kharge tweeted, people of Telangana are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress party. The Congress party is ready to take on any challenge. Together, we will usher a brighter future for Telangana, based on shared democratic values and all-around social welfare.

People of Telangana are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress party. Congress party is ready to take on any challenge. Together, we will usher a brighter future for Telangana, based on shared democratic values and all-around social welfare. pic.twitter.com/YGg6JtjUWt  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 27, 2023

Venugopal said in a tweet, Telangana is ready to defeat KCR's feudal govt and crush the unholy alliance between BRS and BJP. Telangana is just the beginning. In every village, in every town, the people are looking at the Congress with hope. All over the country, leaders with their ear to the ground are picking up this huge undercurrent in favour of the Congress and are eager to join.
A magistrate's court here has issued summons to Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut over alleged defamatory articles carried by the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' against Rahul Shewale, a leader of the rival Sena faction.

Metropolitan Magistrate (Sewree court) S B Kale issued the summons in response to a complaint filed by Shewale, MP from the Mumbai South-Central constituency. Thackeray, a former Maharashtra chief minister, and Rajya Sabha MP Raut have been directed to appear before the court on July 14.

Also read: Shiv Sena (UBT) goes full throttle ahead of July 1 mega morcha

Shewale, who belongs to the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, has sought action against the two leaders under Indian Penal Code sections 500 (punishment for defamation) and 501 (printing or engraving matter knowing it to be defamatory) for publishing 'defamatory articles' against him in the Marathi and Hindi editions of `Saamana'.

While Thackeray is the chief editor of 'Saamana', Raut is its executive editor. In the complaint, filed through advocate Chitra Salunke, Shewale took objection to the articles with the headline 'Rahul Shewale has hotel, real estate business in Karachi' published on December 29, 2022.

The complainant strongly refuted all the allegations made in the said articles and categorically stated that this is merely a feeble attempt to damage the reputation and political career of the complainant by levelling false accusations against him to malign his image before the public at large, the complaint read. The articles were a concocted story, devoid of any merits and a classic example of vendetta journalism, it added.
A local court here on Tuesday granted interim bail to a former Students Federation of India (SFI) member arrested in connection with a case related to allegedly furnishing a fake teaching experience certificate to secure a guest faculty post in a college.

Vidya K Maniyodi, who was earlier arrested by Agali police in Palakkad district in a case registered on June 21, was on bail but was arrested today by a police team from Nileshwar, in a similar matter, in which she was given interim bail today.

A court in Hosdurg town has now posted her bail plea on June 30.

Also Read | Kerala: Congress, CPI(M) spar over fake certificate issue

She was arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by a government college at Karinthalam here.

"She was arrested today in the case related to Karinthalam college here. We produced her before the court and she was granted interim bail," a senior police official told PTI.

The court has, however, directed her to appear before the investigating officer on June 28 and 29.

Agali police in Palakkad had registered a case against her for allegedly forging a fake experience certificate to secure a job there.

Vidya, who had been absconding since the case surfaced three weeks ago, was arrested from a village in Kozhikode district.

The Left government in Kerala had come under attack from the opposition Congress and the BJP for the delay in arresting the accused, who was a former activist of SFI, the student wing of the ruling CPI(M).

She was booked by the police under Sections 465 (forgery), 471 (using forged documents as genuine), and 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

In her anticipatory bail plea filed before the high court, Vidya claimed the case against her has been "initiated for political reasons" and at any rate "the allegations on the face of it do not attract the offences alleged".

The FIR against her was registered on the complaint of government colleges in Ernakulam and Palakkad.

According to the complaints, the woman claimed in the "fake certificate" that she was a guest lecturer at Maharaja's College in 2018-19.
Two male cheetahs at Kuno national park received injuries on Tuesday while fighting two others for space with the officials claiming that the injured cheetahs are under veterinary care and responding well to the medical treatment.

South African male cheetahs Vayu and Agni were attacked by two younger Namibian cheetahs. All of them were in the wild. The park staff managed to swiftly intervene, separating the animals to avoid further conflict.

Two cheetahs at Kuno are in hospital after fighting with another two. They are under treatment and responding well, one of the officials told DH. The spokesperson for the Union Environment Ministry has not responded to the queries.

The South African male cheetahs were among the oldest of the 12 animals that reached Kuno in February. One of them is around eight years old, while the second one is over eight years.

The attackers, a Namibian male coalition consisting of Freddy and Elton, were younger. They were among the first batch of cheetahs that came from Namibia and were released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last September.

While battles for space are not uncommon among large predators, a section of wildlife experts outside the government in the past raised questions on whether Kuno national park has enough space to house a large number of cheetah population.

Our understanding of the spatial ecology of cheetahs, which the Cheetah Action Plan hasn't taken into consideration, suggests that Kuno is just too small to host a viable population of cheetahs, Ravi Chellam, CEO of Metastring Foundation and Coordinator of Biodiversity Collaborative told DH.

"As more cheetahs are released, especially males, such conflicts are likely to happen at elevated rates and the cheetahs will also range well beyond the boundaries of Kuno National Park.

Out of 20 cheetahs that were brought from Namibia and South Africa, three died and 11 have been released in the wild. A decision on releasing the others will be taken after the monsoon.

At the population level, with 10 individuals within Kuno NP, the density has gone above densities recorded in unfenced systems in Africa. While we cannot attribute a single, opportunistic, territorial fight to the high density situation, this event demonstrates why territorial males will prefer to space themselves apart in due course and why the action plan has likely overestimated the carrying capacity within Kuno NP, said ecologist Arjun Gopalaswamy, Chief Scientist, Carnassials Global.

Last month, officials said a second site at Gandhisagar would be ready by around November, while work had begun on Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary for housing the felines at a later date. But there is no decision on Mukundara Hills in Rajasthan so far.
It was exactly 10:52 am, when the Vande Bharat, semi-speed train departed from Platform 1 in Dharwad after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged it off virtually.

The train, which boasts of blending luxury with speed, would reach Bengaluru in less than seven hours during the initial days.

At the stage program in Dharwad, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot expressed his happiness and gave a call for the youths to make India self-reliant in all sectors. Vande Bharat is an example of what the technocrats in India can prove. Similar efforts are required in other fields to lessen import and increase export, he added.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that there is a demand to reverse the train schedule and start it from Dharwad. However, the maintenance unit of Vande Bharat at present is only in Bengaluru and hence, the train begins its journey from the State capital.

Also Read | 6 hrs 25 mins likely travel time for B'luru-Dharwad Vande Bharat train

However, South Western Railway (SWR) has invited tender to start a maintenance unit in Hubballi. Once this unit is functional, Vande Bharat will start from Dharwad, he promised. This may take 6 more months.

The minister asked SWR General Manager Sanjeev Kishore to increase the speed of the train as the doubling and electrification work on the route is completed. Joshi said the train will catch speed ensuring the travel time between Bengaluru and Dharwad is reduced to just 5 hours.

On the occasion, Joshi assured of introducing another Vande Bharat from Belagavi shortly.
In a move to enhance the New Mangalore Port Authoritys (NMPA) capability to serve the growing EXIM container traffic in the hinterland, the NMPA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) to develop a Container Freight Station (CFS)-cum-warehousing facility at NMPA through a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

The project is expected to be completed by June 2025, said NMPA Chairman Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, after signing the MoU with CWC MD Amit Kumar Singh and SDCL MD Dilip Kumar Gupta.

The CFS-cum-warehouse is proposed to be developed on 16.6 acres of port land at an estimated cost of Rs 125.42 crore. The contribution of the NMPA will be the cost of the land offered for the project, which comes to around Rs 44.25 crore, while the remaining amount will be comtributed equally by SDCL and CWC.

The NMPA Chairman said that NMPA has handled 1.65 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during 2022-23 despite not having all-weather road conditions connecting the port. The port mulls over handling 1.85 lakh to 2 lakh containers during 2023-24 and 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh containers by 2024-25. The cargo and vessel related charges at NMP are competitive and economical when compared to the neighbouring major ports.

The dedicated container terminal developed by the port on PPP mode has seen phenomenal growth of 8.5 per cent in one year while handling only Full Container Load (FCL) cargo. The CFS will facilitate aggregation of Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo in addition to further growth of FCL containers.

The proposed CFS will be useful for small exporters as well as agri product exporters who require adequate temperature-controlled storage for aggregation and handling facilities for stuffing of containerized cargo. The envisaged facility will directly reduce the container dwell time for both import and export containers.

To a query on road connectivity, the Chairman said, By February 2024, we expect the Ghat road to be an all-weather road catering to improved movement of the cargo to the port.

Amit Kumar Singh said that the CWC has CFSs at 21 locations in the country catering to the global standard. The CWC is working on bringing down the logistics cost and provide facilities at par with international standards.

Dilip Kumar Gupta said the CFS-cum-warehousing station will have weather, temperature and gas-controlled facilities to cater to all types of goods. As soon as the SPV is formed, the first warehouse will be built for the Coffee Board.

Speaking on the facility that will come up, Nagaraj Shetty of Ganesh Shipping said, It should have a multi- purpose facility to cater to general goods as well. In addition, it should have a custom-bonded warehouse facility," and also stressed the need for cold storage. "Once all the facilities are ensured then cargo from South Goa to North Kerala can be diverted to NMP, he said.

Shekhar Poojary of Association of New Mangalore Port Stevedores said that the facility will help more cargo to reach the port. Further, Mangaluru will have two CFS with the government giving permission for Mangaluru-based Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) Ltd to set up a CFS facility.

NMP Users Association members said that the facility will boost LCL cargo operators who were depending on Bengaluru and Kochi in the past.
Cameco Corporation, the world's largest publicly traded uranium company, is based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1988, Cameco has established itself as a key player in the global uranium market, providing the essential fuel for electricity generation through nuclear power plants. The company operates through two main segments: Uranium and Fuel Services. The Uranium segment focuses on exploration, mining, milling, and selling uranium concentrate. In contrast, the Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, converting, and fabricating of uranium concentrate and offers nuclear fuel processing services. Cameco serves nuclear utilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Cameco Corporation's mission is to be a leading provider of sustainable, reliable, and low-carbon energy through the production and supply of uranium. The company aims to contribute to a cleaner energy future while maintaining a commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and corporate responsibility.

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Cameco Corporation operates in the uranium industry, which is vital in the global energy landscape. Uranium is a key fuel source for nuclear power plants, which provide a significant portion of the world's electricity. The industry is characterized by long-term contracts, regulatory considerations, and geopolitical factors that impact supply and demand dynamics. Cameco's competitive positioning stems from its extensive experience, global reach, and reliable supply chain, giving it a competitive advantage in the market.

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A new law that makes non-fatal strangulation a crime in Northern Ireland has been welcomed by a Derry domestic abuse service.

Foyle Family Justice Centre (FJC), which provides a multi-agency response to family violence, has been campaigning since 2014 about dangers of non-fatal strangulation.

Police in Northern Ireland can now charge people with non-fatal strangulation. Attackers who strangle or asphyxiate their victims are now facing up to 14 years in prison.

Chief Executive Officer of the FJC, Marie Brown, said that strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence and places victims at the highest risk.

Ms brown said: It is the most terrifying experience for victims, which has devastating psychological effects on them, in addition to a potentially fatal one. Victims who have been strangled are eight times more like to murdered by their perpetrator.

We know from victims coming forward to us that it is a very prevalent practice, designed to silence and control.

The fact that there arent usually any visible external injuries means that people, including victims themselves, do not understand the dangers of non-fatal strangulation.

The Foyle Family Justice Centre has been campaigning for the introduction of legislation and raising awareness among professionals and victims since 2014, when FJC board members, solicitor Karen OLeary, Judge Barney McElholm and Ms Brown learned about the dangers of non-fatal strangulation at an Alliance for Hope conference in San Diego.

We were really struck about the lack of awareness here on this issue and we have been working since to bring in legislation, said Marie Brown.

We hosted training in partnership with the Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention for professionals and members of the judiciary in 2019 and the issue was championed by Judge McElholm, in particular.

We are grateful to him for his role in getting this legislation in place and ultimately saving lives.

Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson also welcomed the news that the new non-fatal strangulation laws have come into effect.

She said the law is another important step forward in how the criminal justice system, and indeed wider society, tackles the scourge of domestic and sexual abuse, and violence against women and girls.

The links between non-fatal strangulation and domestic abuse are well-established. We know that strangulation is used to control and terrify victims, and it can often cause serious physical and psychological injury, including fatal injuries.

"Non-fatal strangulation is widely believed to be a predicator of domestic homicide and it is vital our laws now reflect the seriousness of the offence.

"Strangulation is a vicious and deplorable act and it is right the PSNI now have the tools to prosecute perpetrators effectively.

"The creation of a new offence of non-fatal strangulation is another important step forward in how the criminal justice system, and indeed wider society, tackles the scourge of domestic and sexual abuse, and violence against women and girls.

The Department of Justice said the new offence provided 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.

"Research shows that this type of abuse is eight times more likely to result in domestic homicide.

"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."
Loughs Agency has appealed to anglers and the general public to remain vigilant and report the presence of any Pacific pink salmon encountered in the Foyle Catchment area during the coming months.

In 2017, 2019 and 2021 this non-native fish species unexpectedly appeared in unprecedented numbers in multiple river systems on the island of Ireland. A small number of confirmed pink salmon were observed in the Foyle system in 2021.

As pink salmon predominantly have a two-year lifecycle, there is potential for the species to reappear in Irish rivers again this year and every second so called odd year thereafter.

Also known as humpback salmon, pink salmon are a migratory species of salmon, native to river systems in the northern Pacific Ocean and nearby regions of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean.

The species also has established populations in rivers in northernmost Norway and in the adjacent far northwest of Russia, originating from stocking programmes undertaken in this part of Russia since the 1950s until 2001. Although a single specimen was first recorded in Ireland in 1973, until 2017 individuals have been rarely encountered on the island of Ireland.

Dr Sarah McLean, Head of Science at Loughs Agency said: There is potential for pink salmon to be observed in rivers in the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments this year. Loughs Agency is asking all anglers and other water users to be on the lookout for pink salmon and report any specimens encountered in the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments to Loughs Agency.

"We are also asking that, if possible, any specimens found are retained for the purposes of verification and advancing understanding on this species.

"We do not have enough information at this stage to fully evaluate the effect this non-native species will have on our native species but there is significant potential for negative impacts."

Loughs Agency is appealing to anglers to report catches of pink salmon to the organisation 24 hours a day on +44 (0) 2871 342100. As these fish die after spawning, some dead specimens could also be encountered along Irish rivers. Anyone who catches a pink salmon is asked to:

Keep the fish and do not release it back into the water (even in rivers only open for catch and release angling);

Record the date and location of capture, and the length and weight of the fish;

If possible, on rivers where tags are issued and where anglers are in possession of tags, tag the fish and present it to Loughs Agency and a new tag will be issued to replace the tag used;

Take a photograph of the fish.

Loughs Agency will then arrange collection of the fish for further examination. This will help establish the abundance and extent of distribution of the species in our waters.

Pink salmon are blue-green to steel blue on the back, with silver sides and a white underbelly. Pink salmon can be distinguished by a number of unique characteristics which are different to Atlantic salmon, notably: Large black oval spots on the tail; 11-19 rays on the anal fin; Very small scales - much smaller than a similarly sized Atlantic salmon; No dark spots on the gill cover; Upper jaw typically extending beyond the eye; Males develop a pronounced humpback on entering freshwater.
A 1km resurfacing scheme on the A2 Ballykelly Road began on Monday (June 26) as part of improvements to the road which connects Ballykelly and Limavady.

For 11 days- weather dependent- the entire main A2 road will be closed 1km from Kings Lane in Ballykelly towards Limavady each night between 7pm and 7am from Monday June 26 to Friday July 7.

During these times, a diversion will be in place via the A371 Lisnakilly Road, B69 Baranailt Road, A6 Foreglen Road, A6 Glenshane Road, B118 Tamnaherin Road, B118 Woodvale Road and B118 Coolafinny Road.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said drivers should expect "some delays".

A spokesperson for the DfI said: "To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement a full road closure.

"These works will deliver significant improvements to both the structural integrity and surface quality of this busy trunk road between Derry and Belfast for many years to come.

The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience.

"However, drivers should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time for their journey.

In order to help ensure the safety of road users and road workers the public is asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions and to drive with extra care when travelling in the vicinity of the works.

"Subject to favourable weather conditions all work will be completed by 7 July 2023 however, the Department will keep the public informed of any unforeseen changes."

East Derry MLA, Claire Sugden, has welcomed imminent improvements to the road between Ballykelly and Limavady, but warned motorists to be aware of the disruption and potential delays caused.

This road has needed upgrading for some time and it is good this has been prioritised amid significant cuts to the roads budget, Ms Sugden said.

It is a very busy and congested section of the A2 and the condition of the road must be maintained to avoid safety risks or damage to vehicles.

The ideal solution to this bottleneck would be the delivery of the long-awaited bypass for the town, but until then, the volume of traffic using it means that regular repairs will be required.

Local Councillor, Dermot Nicholl, explained he had spoken to TNI Road Service about the upcoming roadworks and urged motorists to be patient at this time.

"Like you, they want the traffic to flow as smoothly as possible on this busy section of road and therefore I would urge motorists to be patient and show care and consideration to other motorists and workers carrying out the work," Mr Nicholl said.

For traffic information about this closure and other improvement schemes visit: Trafficwatchni
Donegals premier summer event, Earagail Arts Festival has a full programme of events for all ages.



Earagail Arts Festival officially launched its 2023 programme of events at Kinnegar Brewery, Letterkenny on Friday last.

With a full programme of events along the Wild Atlantic Way from July 8-23, the line-up and brochure were officially launched by Cathaoirleach of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Bradley.



This years official launch was open to the public and guests were entertained by music from Donegal artists George Houston and Shauna McDaid who will also be closing the festival.





With a family-orientated, participatory and engaging programme from the Gaeltacht islands off the West Donegal coast to East Donegal and the Inishowen peninsula, Earagail Arts Festival has something for all ages and backgrounds.

Marking the official opening, Cllr Bradley said the festival provided an important annual boost to the county.



Earagail Arts Festival has a long and proud history as the countys premier summer event, attracting visitors from across the island of Ireland and much further afield, providing an important economic and cultural boost.



In this current economic climate, it also great to see so many free events being hosted by the festival, from performances at its Wild Atlantic Weekends in Gaoth Dobhair and Raphoe, spectacular night-time parades in Buncrana and Arranmore Island; to Nepalese group Kanta Dab Dab who will be performing on Tory Island, Letterkenny and Culdaff.





I would like to extend a special thanks to our hosts, Kinnegar, today  It is great to see respected local businesses giving back to the community by supporting events such as this festival and I would encourage other members of the business community to do the same.



Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals at Failte Ireland said: Festivals and events are a key element of the tourism offering in Ireland, and Failte Ireland is pleased to support this years Earagail Arts Festival, which will showcase the very best of Irish arts, heritage and culture to domestic and international visitors.



Developing unique and immersive visitor experiences like Earagail Arts Festival plays an important role in the recovery of the tourism sector for the county and the wider Wild Atlantic Way region. Festivals like Earagail Arts Festival create new and compelling reasons for visitors to explore Ireland and experience first-hand our world-famous arts and culture. They have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, which in turn generates revenue and supports jobs in communities and revenue generation.





CEO & Artistic Director of Earagail Arts Festival, Paul Brown added: We want to encourage access to the arts for all citizens of Donegal, with a range of events for everyone to have an opportunity to create and enjoy with participatory creative projects such as Fado Fado and the circus camps, all ages gigs by new curators, body movement and visual arts workshops and a special tattoo exhibition to celebrating cultural diversity and self-expression through body art.

"On top of all of this, Donegal can look forward to a stellar line-up of festival concerts and shows from Inishowen to Gaoth Dobhair, including two free night-time, outdoor events in Buncrana and Arranmore Island with renowned landscape spectacle group, Luxe.



The festival features an expanded programme of circus, street arts performances and camps as part of its annual event, the Wild Atlantic Weekend, which comes to two new locations this year, Raphoe and Gaoth Dobhair.



Aniar TV is also returning to film four concerts the second season of the TG4 series, Feile Ealaine an Earagail, at An Grianan Theatre Letterkenny during the festival. The concerts feature a celebration of the legendary Donegal fiddle family, The Campbells, and top class acts such as Flook, Fidil, Na Casaidigh, Ushers Island and Lisa ONeill.



Other musical highlights include a mini tour of Donegal by Nepalese group Kanta Dab Dab, The Frank and Walters, Ger ODonnell & Trevor Sexton, Anna Mieke, The Henry Girls, Pretty Happy, George Houston and more.





Earagail Arts Festival is delighted to be working with a number of festivals, RAMP - Rathmullan Music Project, Irish Aerial Dance Festival and Brod na Gaeltachta, which will all present an exciting line-up of events in July.



The festival line-up features a host of theatre, dance and spoken word events, as well as workshops, including Jimmys Winnin Matches, Yes and Yes, Na Mic Ua gCorra, Errigal - A Sacred Mountain, Cosan Thorai, Telling the Whole Story: Taking Our Place, Afro-Brazilian Body Movement Workshops and much more.



As well as fantastic live events the festival also showcases an extensive visual arts programme, working with Glebe House & Gallery, Artlink Fort Dunree, Donegal County Museum and Regional Cultural Centre. The visual arts programme will showcase the work of both established and emerging artists from Ireland and beyond.
The PSNI appeared to ignore the rules by not ensuring an appropriate adult was present at the vast majority of strip searches carried out on children in custody last year, a review has found.

The human rights review carried out by the Policing Board also said the absence of proper records makes it difficult to ascertain whether any of the 27 strip searches carried out by police in 2022 was lawful.

The review was launched after concerns were raised across the UK about strip searches carried out on children and young people in custody.

The review has made a number of recommendations, including that legislation should be rewritten so that the reasonable suspicion test applies to search and seizure in custody.

It also recommended that the the PSNI should publish annual figures on the strip searching of children and commit to additional training for custody officers.

A number of issues were raised by the review, including the reliability of data provided by the PSNI and the lack of attendance during the majority of searches of an appropriate adult (an adult who is not a police officer).

The review said that, despite the introduction of a new policy by the PSNI in January 2023, strip searches which have been carried out since then are still problematic.

Of the 27 searches carried out on juveniles last year, 22 individuals were 17 years old, three were 16, one was 15 and one was 14. Four were female and 23 were male.

An appropriate adult was present on only six occasions.

The report said that 10 of these young people identified as Catholic, four as Protestant, six as having no religion, and seven refused to provide details.

A prohibited item was found in two of the searches.

The report said: The human rights adviser found both the justification for the strip search and any justification for the failure to ensure that an appropriate adult was present were inadequately recorded.

The absence of a proper record makes it difficult to assess whether any of the strip searches were lawful.

The report raised questions about whether proper assessments were carried out on the need for the searches and the delay in contacting an appropriate adult in a number of the cases.

It said: It is of the greatest concern that in the vast majority of cases identified by this research during 2022 the PSNI appeared to ignore the rules, and no-one was present to support the young person during this very invasive and humiliating use of power by officers.

The report added: A fundamental issue to be considered is the potential impact of a strip search on a child, and this does not appear to have been considered by PSNI.

It went on: It appears that strip searching of juveniles followed a long-standing custom and practice approach by PSNI, rather than that of the guidance provided by the Pace (Police and Criminal Evidence) codes.

No-one in PSNI appears to have thought this was unusual and no senior officer seems to have challenged this before questions were asked by agencies and NGOs, the media, or by Policing Board members.

The report concluded: It is particularly concerning that, despite the issue being in the media, the significant number of questions by board members and the creation of a new policy by PSNI, that the strip searches that have happened since January 2023 are still problematic.

John Wadham, the Human Rights Adviser on the NI policing board, said the issues with strip searching were not a wholesale problem.

What we have is a particular minority of people in custody, 2%, and a process whereby custody officers are trying to do their best. What we have criticised is, are they given the information that they need? he said.

Because, I dont know whether anybodys looked at the current rules, but I find them incredibly difficult to understand.

So we would like to see better rules, and we would like to see better recording of the justification for those, as well.

He added: Im not trying to sugar the pill, our criticisms are in the report. There are problems and we knew there were problems, thats why we did this report.

The evidence of those problems is in the report and some ideas about how those problems could be resolved and you heard from the PSNI about their commitment to do that. So I dont think its a wholesale problem, but it is a problem that does affect those 27 people.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said the force welcomes the report.

Mr Todd added that safeguarding had to be understood in the context of a complex environment and that it was justifiable for the searches of minors to take place, but more transparency was required.

Safeguarding is important, but its safeguarding for us in a very complex environment, he said.

The fact that we only use this power with 2% of the children and young persons arrested illustrates that we use it very very, very, very, very sparingly, because we understand the impact.

He added: What we absolutely have to get better at is outlining our rationale and reasons for taking those decisions, because I dont think any of us are making the case that none of those searches should have taken place.

And I dont think any of us are making that all those cases, you know, should have absolutely waited for whatever length of time for an appropriate adult.

What were missing, and in fairness to our staff what we need to do to support them better, is to be able to be fully accountable and transparent around our decision making process.

Mr Todd said the PSNI would work to improve in this area.

We will continue to work closely with the Policing Board to further improve our performance in this crucial area and will review our internal guidance in line with the recommendations made in this report, he said.

We will continue to closely monitor this situation with the safety of children and young persons in our care at the forefront of all our decisions.
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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. &&
Almost 100,000 farmers across Ireland are due to receive refunds from Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, today (June 27) announced the commencement of payments of 15.6 million to approximately 95,000 farmers.

The money is deducted from 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments in line with EU regulations under the Financial Discipline mechanism.

Speaking today, Minister McConalogue said, "I am pleased to confirm that these payments are now being reimbursed to eligible farmers. These payments will bring the total paid to Irish farmers under the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme to over 1.18 billion."

The financial discipline mechanism - part of the annual budgetary procedure of the European Union - involves a monetary deduction (1.65% for the 2021 reduction) from some direct payments for the provision of a financial Crisis Reserve for the European Union.

The Crisis Reserve is for the provision of additional support for the agricultural sector across the EU in the case of major crises affecting agricultural production or distribution.

If this Reserve is not activated or fully utilised in the financial year, the unused balance is refunded to farmers in the following financial year.
The security forum has been hailed as very beneficial and a unique exercise in forming policy on its final day of discussions at Dublin Castle.

Forum chair Professor Louise Richardson said she could think of no other country that has had such an open and transparent discussion around foreign security policy.

Environment minister Eamon Ryan said the event had been very beneficial.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Prof Richardson said most countries make these decisions among a small group of senior officials instead of an open airing of wide-ranging opinions.

She said she would now read the 300 submissions made to date, copies of the transcripts from the forum, refer to her extensive notes from the discussions, aiming to synthesise and analyse the past four days.

When asked had she been given direction on how to compile the report, she replied: Im an academic, I dont take direction  and Im an independent chair  so, no, theres been no effort to give me direction.

In his closing speech, Tanaiste Micheal Martin made reference to those who care passionately about the subject of security and neutrality  referring to those who protested inside and outside the forum.

He said the four days of discussions between academics and experts in Cork, Galway and Dublin had just scratched the surface of the global issues.

As a militarily-neutral country, our security, indeed our very existence as a sovereign state, relies on the compliance by all nations, however large and powerful, with the rules-based international order, he said.

We cannot ignore the reality that Russias actions have emboldened those who would like to see a world where might is right, and that size and military power, rather than international law, governs how the world functions.

His thanks to Prof Richardson for chairing proceedings with authority and with grace drew applause from the audience as proceedings came to a close.

Prof Richardson told reporters afterwards that though it would be disingenuous to suggest that everybody in Ireland is suddenly sitting around talking about the triple lock, she believed far more people would be aware of it now than before the forum began.

Given that it was about raising awareness and launching a conversation, I think that is success, she said.

Addressing the forum about the triple lock, Green Party leader Mr Ryan said a more flexible version of it would ensure that Irish troops could take part in peacekeeping missions abroad while also protecting Irelands neutral stance.

This would involve requiring that a peacekeeping mission be approved by the Dail, the Seanad and the UN Security Council  or a regional organisation such as the African Union or the European Union.

As he concluded, former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna criticised the partys proposal.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mr Ryan said he had listened to criticism of the proposal to change the triple lock, but that he disagreed.

This policy does strengthen, in my mind, our military neutrality. It has to be a functional one, he said.

Its for peacekeeping, where weve had real strength as a country, and to make sure we can do that in an effective way, if we decide to do so, with a triple lock thats relevant to the world today.

Because I dont think anyone would argue that the UN Security Council is a functioning system.

He said more resources were needed across Irelands security forces.

One thing we do need to do  and this is going across our security forces  we need resources, he said.

We do need to resource the Defence Forces at sea with radar and in the air. We need to have capability where we can get people out  not meeting every eventuality, but more than we have at the present.

We dont have sufficient resources in our Defence Forces to sometimes carry out those critical, immediate, emergency responses that we do need to be able to do.

He also defended the approach of the forum.

He said that Prof Richardson had said it had been a very unique exercise, very (few) other governments would hold open public forums in terms of how they develop their security policy.

So, I think it has been very beneficial, its not over, there is up until July 7 for people to make their submissions, he said.

The more people who follow through on that, I think, the better.

Speaking to reporters after bringing the forum to a close, Prof Richardson described the four days as extraordinary and brought new issues to the fore such as the implications of Northern Ireland being in Nato in the context of a new Ireland.

She said: I would hope that those who were critical, who came and attended the sessions, actually felt reassured that this was actually an open process.

I wouldnt anticipate that their strongly-held views have been radically altered, I would certainly hope that they had a lot more faith in this process than they had at the beginning.

I would hope that they heard some things that caused them to at least to revisit their views.
An inmate who called a female prison officer a tramp and told her he would slice her has been jailed for two and half years.

Damien Clarke (40) of North Strand, Drogheda, Co. Louth pleaded guilty to two counts of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a prison officer at Cloverhill Prison on January 3, 2022.

Imposing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Tuesday, Judge Orla Crowe said that prison officers perform an important function in society and to threaten one in the course of their work was a serious offence.

She accepted that Clarke had pleaded guilty at an early stage and that he was suffering from mental health issues and had polysubstance abuse issues at the time.

Judge Crowe imposed a sentence of three years and suspended the final six months on strict conditions including that Clarke engage with the Probation Service for two years upon his release from prison.

Garda Mark Grant told Fiona Crawford BL, prosecuting, that the first complainant was on duty from 8am on the day in question, assisting with the unlocking of prisoners' cells to let them go to breakfast.

Clarke told the prison officer that he had moved landing to get away from her and called her a tramp.

When he returned a short time later, Clarke told the prison officer in an aggressive manner: When I get you, I'm going to slice you. You're nothing but a tramp.

The court heard the complainant felt he was capable of carrying out the threat as he had been hostile towards her in previous dealings.

At around 8.30am, Clarke asked a male prison officer to move him to a different landing.

When the officer said he would check if this was possible, Clarke's demeanour changed.

He then told this prison officer that he would box the head off him if he didn't arrange to move him.

The male prison officer told Clarke to get his breakfast and go back to his cell.

Clarke continued to scream and shout abuse.

He also made a gun symbol using his thumb and finger.

When asked what that meant, Clarke said: You know what it means. You'll see at your house.

Other prison officers also observed Clarke's behaviour towards their colleagues.

Victim impact statements were submitted to the court, but not read aloud.

Clarke has 44 previous convictions including 12 for theft, 13 for public order offences and one for assault causing harm. At the time of this incident, he was on remand.

Gda Grant agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that Clarke had longstanding polysubstance abuse issues.

He accepted that Clarke appears to be a different person following a period of treatment at the Central Mental Hospital and a new medication regime.

Mr Rea told the court that his client has seven children and another child was stillborn in 2015.

His client has a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, was transferred to the Central Mental Hospital last August for treatment and seems to be doing well.

A psychological report was handed to the court.
A 31 year old man who told gardai he was holding over 6,000 worth of cannabis herb to pay off part of his cocaine debt, was given a two and half year suspended sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court last week.

Thomas Preston with an address at Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamore, Dundalk pleaded guilty to having cannabis herb for sale or supply at his home on June second 2021.

The defendant was not at home when gardai executed a search warrant but his mother showed the officers his bedroom, where they recovered a plastic bag in a drawer containing cannabis herb, which had a street value at the time of 6, 276.

Empty plastic bags, weighing scales and what appeared to be a tick list were also seized.

The defendant who had 14 previous convictions, when interviewed initially told gardai he was minding the drugs for someone and he didnt know the value.

He said he was minding the cannabis herb for a good while but said he couldnt say who for, and denied selling it.

He also claimed the weighing scales were for his own weed.

In a further interview he exercised his right to silence, but when pressed again, he said if hed refused to pay his debt hed be in big trouble and was too scared of the consequences.

The court heard the defendant, who developed a cocaine addiction in his late 20s, was told the dealer would take 300 off his debt.

Judge Dara Hayes noted the defendant claims to be now free of drugs.

He had no previous for having drugs for sale or supply and two unlawful possession convictions, related to having cannabis and cocaine within days of the search and he has not come to adverse attention since then.

He suspended the two and a half year sentence he imposed in full on the defendant placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service, and on condition that he engages with addiction services as directed, provides clear urines and engages with the training and employment office of the Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities.
Loughs Agency has appealed to anglers and the general public to remain vigilant and report the presence of any Pacific pink salmon encountered in the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments during the coming months. In 2017, 2019 and 2021 this non-native fish species unexpectedly appeared in unprecedented numbers in multiple river systems on the island of Ireland. A small number of confirmed pink salmon were observed in the Foyle system in 2021.

As pink salmon predominantly have a two-year lifecycle, there is potential for the species to reappear in Irish rivers again this year and every second so called odd year thereafter.

Also known as humpback salmon, pink salmon are a migratory species of salmon, native to river systems in the northern Pacific Ocean and nearby regions of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean. The species also has established populations in rivers in northernmost Norway and in the adjacent far northwest of Russia, originating from stocking programmes undertaken in this part of Russia since the 1950s until 2001. Although a single specimen was first recorded in Ireland in 1973, until 2017 individuals have been rarely encountered on the island of Ireland.

Dr Sarah McLean, Head of Science at Loughs Agency said: There is potential for pink salmon to be observed in rivers in the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments this year. Loughs Agency is asking all anglers and other water users to be on the lookout for pink salmon and report any specimens encountered in the Foyle and Carlingford Catchments to Loughs Agency.

"We are also asking that, if possible, any specimens found are retained for the purposes of verification and advancing understanding on this species. We do not have enough information at this stage to fully evaluate the effect this non-native species will have on our native species but there is significant potential for negative impacts.

Loughs Agency is appealing to anglers to report catches of pink salmon to the organisation 24 hours a day on +44 (0) 2871 342100. As these fish die after spawning, some dead specimens could also be encountered along Irish rivers. Anyone who catches a pink salmon is asked to:

Keep the fish and do not release it back into the water (even in rivers only open for catch and release angling);

Record the date and location of capture, and the length and weight of the fish;

If possible, on rivers where tags are issued and where anglers are in possession of tags, tag the fish and present it to Loughs Agency and a new tag will be issued to replace the tag used;

Take a photograph of the fish.

Loughs Agency will then arrange collection of the fish for further examination. This will help establish the abundance and extent of distribution of the species in our waters.

Pink salmon are blue-green to steel blue on the back, with silver sides and a white underbelly. Pink salmon can be distinguished by a number of unique characteristics which are different to Atlantic salmon, notably:

Large black oval spots on the tail;

11-19 rays on the anal fin;

Very small scales - much smaller than a similarly sized Atlantic salmon;

No dark spots on the gill cover;

Upper jaw typically extending beyond the eye;

Males develop a pronounced humpback on entering freshwater.

Mature male pink salmon with characteristic humpback and spotted tail (photo credit: Eva Thorstad, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research).

The emergence of pink salmon in our waters is an issue of concern across the island. As such, corresponding advice is available for the detection of pink salmon outside of the cross-border Foyle and Carlingford catchments:

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has provided advice on what to do if pink salmon are detected in Irish waters: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/news/press-releases/ifi-issues-alert-over-pacific-pink-salmon-in-irish-rivers

IFI has also developed an identification guide to help anglers and the general public identify pink salmon which can be viewed at: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/sites/default/files/migrated/docman/Pink%20Salmon%20Alert%202019.pdf

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Inland Fisheries has also issued advice regarding detection of pink salmon in Northern Irish rivers: Notice to Anglers on Pacific, Pink Salmon | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
A company has been fined 750,000 euro over a fatal fall from height in a workplace.

In Dublin Circuit Court, Judge Orla Crowe fined Ove Arup and Partners Ltd 1,500,000 euro but this was reduced to 750,000 euro due to mitigating factors, including early plea and charitable donations.

The fatal incident occurred on the morning of September 23 2019 where a worker, whilst in the process of undertaking a pre-install survey for the installation of telecommunication cables in a plant room located on the sixth floor of the building, stepped on to a fragile surface.

The fragile surface that sealed a vertical service duct gave way and the worker fell from a height.

Mark Cullen, assistant chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said: Where there is a known risk in a workplace, in this case working from height, employers in control of that workplace have a duty to ensure that the appropriate precautions are in place.

This will protect employees and others who may be carrying out work activity at the place of work under their control.

Failure by the employer in this case as led to the tragic death of a worker.

We urge employers to carry out risk assessments and engage with their employees and others to ensure that incidents like this one are prevented.
Posted by Jay on at 08:50 PM CST

Marvel has sent out solicitations for their September 2023 titles, including 8comics and 2 trade paperbacks!On Sale: 9/6/2023CHARLES SOULE (W)  MADIBEK MUSABEKOV (A)  COVER BY STEPHEN SEGOVIARETURN OF THE JEDI 40TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSESTAR WARS: CLONE WARS 15TH ANNIVERSARY CODY VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHERDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVASTATOOINE TREASON!  A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! As the SCOURGE OF THE DROIDS makes its way through the palace of JABBA THE HUTT on Tatooine, LANDO CALRISSIAN is faced with a dire situation as he attempts to save the life of his old friend LOBOT. Their salvation is hidden deep within the palace but will they live long enough to find it?32 PGS./Rated T $3.99(of 4)On Sale: 9/6/2023CHARLES SOULE (W)  LUKE ROSS (A)  Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YUVARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHERSCOURGED VARIANT COVER BY RACHAEL STOTTSCOURGED VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY RACHAEL STOTTDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVAS The horror continues as THE SCOURGE begins to execute its grand plan, orchestrating its droid minions across the galaxy. It learns more with every passing moment, grows stronger...and is selecting the next targets on its path to total dominion over all mechanical intelligence! Standing in its way, only the warrior-priest droid AJAX SIGMA and the sentient droids of the SECOND REVELATION.32 PGS./Rated T $3.99On Sale: 9/13/2023GREG PAK (W)  RAFFAELE IENCO (A)  Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YURETURN OF THE JEDI 40TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSESTAR WARS: CLONE WARS 15TH ANNIVERSARY PADME VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVASTHE SCOURGE COMES FOR THE EXECUTOR!  A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! As DARTH VADERS Super Star Destroyer flagship faces its deadliest threat ever, the DARK LORD fights the war on two fronts  against a horde of SCOURGED DROIDS...and against the forces of THE EMPIRE itself! Featuring a rare glimpse into the true character of ADMIRAL PIETT!32 PGS./Rated T $3.99(of 6)On Sale: 9/13/2023JODY HOUSER (W)  SALVADOR LARROCA (A)  Cover by PHIL NOTOVARIANT COVER BY LEE GARBETTVARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKE  VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY TAURIN CLARKEOBI-WAN KENOBI PHOTO VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLETHE HIT DISNEY+ SERIES OBI-WAN KENOBI HAS ARRIVED! When agents of the Empire pose a new threat, OBI-WAN KENOBI emerges after years of hiding. Taking place after the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi is tasked with keeping both of the SKYWALKER children safe from a distance until young LEIA ORGANA finds herself held in a ransom plot. Introducing REVA, THE THIRD SISTER OF THE INQUISITORS!40 PGS./Rated T $4.99On Sale: 9/20/2023ETHAN SACKS (W)  DAVIDE TINTO (A)  Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTOGENERAL GRIEVOUS VARIANT COVER BY BJORN BARENDSRETURN OF THE JEDI 40TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSESTAR WARS: CLONE WARS 15TH ANNIVERSARY CAD BANE VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVASGRIEVOUS ATTACKS!  A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! ZUCKUSS, 4-LOM and their fellow bounty hunters face a deadly droid ambush! VALANCEs life hangs in the balance! What role has GENERAL GRIEVOUS played in the chaos roiling the galaxy?32 PGS./Rated T $3.99(of 4)On Sale: 9/20/2023MARC GUGGENHEIM (W)  SALVA ESPIN & DAVID MESSINA (A)Cover by AARON KUDERACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHERDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVASVARIANT COVER BY TOM REILLYVARIANT COVER BY MIKE MCKONETHE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE CLONE WARS RETURN! A terrible scourge is corrupting the galaxys droids! To fight this menace, ARTOO-DETOO has to assemble a team of droid heroes: THE D-SQUAD! Filled with guest stars from across the galaxy, including a special appearance (and showdown!) by CHOPPER from STAR WARS REBELS. PLUS: THE BOOK OF AJAX provides the missing pieces linking REVELATIONS, DARK DROIDS and HAN SOLO & CHEWBACCA  read to see how ITS ALL CONNECTED.32 PGS./Rated T $3.99On Sale: 9/27/2023ALYSSA WONG (W)  MINKYU JUNG (A)  Cover by DERRICK CHEWRETURN OF THE JEDI 40TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSESTAR WARS: CLONE WARS 15TH ANNIVERSARY AHSOKA VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTSTAR WARS: CLONE WARS 15TH ANNIVERSARY AHSOKA VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY E.M. GISTDROIDS CONNECTING VARIANT COVER BY JOSEMARIA CASANOVASVARIANT COVER BY LUCIANO VECCHIOAMBUSHED!  A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! Trapped in a warehouse full of DEADLY BATTLE DROIDS, DOCTOR APHRA fights for her life! But shes about to come face-to-face with THE ONE ENEMY she never expected to see again!32 PGS./Rated T $3.99On Sale: 9/27/2023RODNEY BARNES (W)  STEVEN CUMMINGS (A)  Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLIVARIANT COVER BY DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON  VARIANT COVER BY RYAN BROWNCONCEPT ART COVER ALSO AVAILABLETHE SEIGE! THE MANDALORIAN rejoins old allies for a new mission. Featuring the DARK TROOPERS!40 PGS./Rated T $4.99On Sale: 11/8/2023Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM, ALYSSA WONG, STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, JODY HOUSER, ALEX SEGURA& DANIEL JOSE OLDERPenciled by ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO, LEE GARBETT, PAULINA GANUCHEAU, KYLE HOTZ, CASPAR WIJNGAARD, ALVARO LOPEZ, JETHRO MORALES, MATT HORAK & PAUL FRYCover by RYAN BROWNCelebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi! Presenting stories spotlighting major players on both sides of the conflict  and those scoundrels who straddle the line! Someone is plotting to overthrow Jabba the Hutt! On the forest moon of Endor, Ewoks share tales of triumph, defeat and horror! Lando Calrissian and Chewbacca find themselves on a high-stakes mission! One lowly technician must figure out how to survive under the Empires control! Admiral Ackbar teams with Poe Damerons parents, Shara Bey and Kes Dameron, to save Mon Mothmas life! And Max Rebo and his band have big plans! Plus: the full story of Return of the Jedi retold in Chris Sprouses dynamic variant covers! Collecting STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI  JABBAS PALACE, EWOKS, LANDO, THE EMPIRE, THE REBELLION and MAX REBO.216 PGS./Rated T $29.99ISBN: 978-1-302-95337-9Trim size: 6-5/8 x 10-3/16On Sale: 11/21/2023NO DETAILS
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EBRD extends 50 million credit line to Bank of Africa (BOA) in Morocco

Facility to increase financing for MSMEs to stimulate job creation and resilience in Morocco's value chains and underserved regions

25 million limit increase to an existing trade finance line to boost international trade

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a 50 million credit line to Bank of Africa - BMCE Group (BOA) for on-lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to support the resilience and competitiveness of Moroccos private sector.

The 50 million loan is provided under the EBRD Financial Intermediaries Framework (FIF) and will assist BOA in funding MSMEs, which remain underserved in Moroccos banking sector.

A segment of the loan will help finance companies operating in value chains located in Tangier and Kenitra, as well as in underserved regions to make it easier for small businesses to access finance.

The credit line was signed by Mark Bowman, EBRD Vice President, Policy and Partnerships; Brahim Benjelloun-Touimi, Director and General Manager of Bank of Africa; and Khalid Nasr, BOAs Executive General Manager responsible for CIB and Morocco.

We are pleased to sign this facility with Bank of Africa, explained Mark Bowman. It will support one of the EBRDs key partners in Morocco in this challenging global economic environment, which is aggravated by the war on Ukraine, and help mitigate its impact on MSME lending. We also hope that the recently approved TFP limit increase will help address trade finance gaps and foster economic resilience in Morocco.

BOAs Director and General Manager, Brahim Benjelloun-Touimi said: The signature of this 50 million facility is one of the milestones of an ever-closer partnership that we have maintained for a decade with the EBRD. We continue with our strategy of more inclusive finance, particularly regarding those who represent the bulk of the Moroccan productive fabric, namely SMEs, and remain resolute in our quest for a positive impact on our customers, our stakeholders and more generally on the environment of our activities.

The EBRD recently increased the total trade line limit granted to Bank of Africa under its Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP) from US$ 150 million to US$ 175 million. This will support BOA in issuing guarantees in favour of confirming banks and provide cash financing for pre-export, post-import financing and local distribution. It also means that BOA and its private MSME and corporate clients can continue to import a large variety of goods into Morocco.

With this increased limit, BOA can also further support Moroccos green economy, as it is a key contributor to the EBRDs Green Trade Facilitation Programme, notably by sourcing transactions for scrap metal and forestry from sustainable sources. To maximise the impact of this programme, BOA will receive a comprehensive technical assistance package under the TFP framework consisting of advisory services, access to the EBRD Trade Finance e-Learning Programme, and interactive workshops on different trade finance topics.

BOA is the third-largest bank in Morocco. The group is listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange and is present in 32 countries, including sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Asia and North America. It is one of the EBRD's main partners in financing SMEs in Morocco and its largest partner in supporting foreign trade. Since BOA joined the TFP, a total of 500 trade finance transactions have been supported for a cumulative volume of more than 1 billion. In 2022 the TFP supported 67 transactions for a total volume of more than 184 million.

Morocco is a founding member of the EBRD and became a beneficiary of Bank resources in 2012. To date, the EBRD has invested 4.2 billion in the country through 93 projects.
EBRD signs 23 million loan along with 20 million EU grant to Moldovan Railways

Rehabilitating two railway line segments will boost Moldovas economy

Solidarity Lanes improvements will facilitate goods transport from Ukraine via Moldova to EU

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending 23 million to Moldovan Railways to support the rehabilitation of two key sections of railway lines on the countrys North-South Rail Corridor, part of the EU Solidarity Lanes initiative to improve transport to and from Ukraine.

The project will boost Moldovas economic development, and at the same time make it easier to transport goods more quickly and efficiently from Ukraine to the European Union via EU candidate Moldova. Shipping routes to and from Ukraine, which is a major food producer, have been compromised since Russias full-scale invasion last year, giving strategic importance to upgrading other routes to maintain global food security.

With road and rail traffic between Ukraine and the European Union expected to increase further once Ukrainian reconstruction gets underway, the project has also attracted an investment grant of up to 20 million from the European Union via its Foreign Policy Needs instrument.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis signed an agreement to support the project at the EBRDs Annual Meeting last month. EBRD Head of Office in Moldova Angela Sax signed both loan and grant agreements with Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Liliana Dabija today.

The final 28 million of co-financing for the 71 million project will come from Moldovan Railways (Calea Ferata din Moldova, or CFM), which will be responsible for implementing the project.

The project aims to increase Moldovas logistics and transit potential and bring operational efficiency from improved regional infrastructure through the rehabilitation of railway infrastructure first on Moldovas Valcinet  Balti  Ungheni rail section and then, in a second phase of works, on the Chisinau  Cainari section of the corridor.

The EBRD funds and EU grant will finance the acquisition of materials needed to rehabilitate the sections of line.

The project will increase food security by making it easier for Ukrainian goods to reach the largest operable port on the Black Sea, Constanta, as well as ports in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine, at Galati, Reni, Ismail and Giurgiulesti. These have a cumulative operating capacity that can absorb a significant part of Ukraines export needs.

Moving these goods on to the railway will also bring environmental benefits. The Moldovan networks current low capacity means that most goods moved west from Ukraine via Moldova travel by road, which is more carbon-intensive. The project will allow train lines to carry more freight faster.

As well as the investment grant, this project will receive technical cooperation support of 230,000 for project implementation from the EBRDs Shareholder Special Fund (SSF).

The EBRD, Moldovas biggest institutional investor, has invested more than 2 billion in 163 projects to date.
BUSINESS leaders from across Cork and Kerry, joined educators from primary, second and third levels and students to celebrate Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) industry and education partnerships across the region this week.

Dell Technologies, a founding member and partner of JAI since 1996, hosted the event at the companys campus at Ovens.

JAI is the largest non-profit organisation of its kind in the region. JAI recruits, trains and supports volunteers from businesses to deliver education programmes across a range of employability, financial literacy, STEM subjects and entrepreneurship skills. In total, there are 14 structured primary and second-level JA programmes for six to 16-year-olds.

In welcoming attendees, Bob Savage, Vice President Regional CIO for EMEA and Cork Site Leader, Dell Technologies Ireland, said: Were delighted to host the Junior Achievement Business breakfast at our campus in Cork. Our Dell Technologies team in Cork as well as those in Limerick and Dublin have enjoyed a long relationship with Junior Achievement Ireland. Dell volunteers have given their time to engage with students and give them an insight into the exciting world of technology.

We look forward to continuing to work together as we help create new possibilities for students within the community and ensure they reach their full potential.

An expert panel was convened to explore how volunteering can be a strategic enabler for employee engagement and retention.

Helen Raftery, CEO Junior Achievement Ireland; Cliona OGeran, Janssen; Gillian Bergin, Dell Technologies and Elysia Hegarty, CPL, at the breakfast. Picture: Jim Coughlan

The panel comprised Gillian Bergin, Global Business Transformation, Dell Technologies; Cliona OGeran, CSR site lead, Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences and Elysia Hegarty, Associate Director at Future of Work Institute, CPL. In an engaging discussion, the panel exchanged views on how our approach to employee engagement must adapt to post-pandemic working practices while also ensuring employees have opportunities to volunteer either as individuals or in group to support connectedness within teams.

All agreed that volunteering opportunities must align with both company values and that of individual employees.

As one example of how volunteering can achieve all those goals, a group of students who had completed a JA in-classroom programme with a business volunteer were invited to share their feedback. Fifth-class students from Scoil Nicolais, Frankfield, described their experience of the Our World programme which was delivered by business volunteer Alex OKeeffe from Janssen Sciences, Ringaskiddy. The students left no one in attendance in any doubt as to their belief in the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM).

The students showcase included a sample of their engineering constructions, key messages about sustainability as well as an outline of their app design which was a Home Energy Conservation online game that they had developed during their five-week Junior Achievement programme.

A very impressive group of students reinforced the impact that industry-education partnerships can have in complementing the work of teachers and helping young people connect their in-school learning with their post-school futures.

CEO of Junior Achievement Ireland, Helen Raftery said: We at Junior Achievement Ireland truly appreciate the generosity of business leaders in the Cork Region in enabling more than 7.000 students to participate in JA programmes and events during the 2022/23 school year.

In highlighting why JA programmes are so impactful, she said: Research shows us that helping young people to see the relevance of their academic studies to their everyday lives is a vital factor in persuading them to stay in school and to take maximum advantage of the opportunity that education offers.
WHEN Connor Sweeney, aged eight, led a prayer at his First Holy Communion, he received huge praise.

He spoke so well and with such confidence, we were so proud of him, says mum, Julie, who is a secondary school teacher from Mallow.

Connor is a person with the genetic condition called 22q11 deletion, which he was diagnosed with age six-and-a-half, having presented with various, ongoing health issues from six months old.

The pregnancy was healthy, and Connor was born healthy, says Julie, who is married to Jonathan. Connor has an older brother and an older sister.

There was nothing untoward to worry about, recalls Julie of Connors arrival.

But things changed.

Then Connor got his first chest infection and that was the start of a horrendous three year period of him being sick, and in and out of hospital with multiple chest infections.

Conor was dealing with a lot of medical issues as well as chest infections, fever convulsions, and chronic asthma as well as issues around speech and language.

As a toddler, he had numerous hospital admissions, often going to hospital in the ambulance. It was full on, says Julie.

Connor was screened for Cystic Fibrosis in the Mercy Hospital. That was ruled out, says Julie.

He went through auto-immune screening and blood tests, but the reason for his multiple chest infections was not discovered. I think a crucial step was missed as nobody brought up genetics.

Conor was treated for what he was at hospital for on the day, but there was nobody looking to find out why he was in and out of hospital so much.

Instead of starting local primary school, Connor did Junior Infants and Senior Infants at a language class.

At five, he was non-verbal and couldnt communicate, says Julie.

I recognised that when he was two. He was not able to go to mainstream school with his friends. There are 45 language classes in the country, and we were lucky that there is one in Mallow. It is over-subscribed, and it is difficult to get in, but he did.

Connor did well at the language school.

He thrived, says Julie. They were magical classes. Connor was assigned to a specific class of his level geared towards language.

Julie learned something important.

A speech and language therapist (SLT) suggested that we look into getting a paediatric review for Connor. She said because of the chest infections, he had a weak immune system. That was true, says Julie.

We often had a laugh that Connor was like a childhood encyclopaedia; the GP confirmed that he had chicken pox twice because of his compromised immune system.

The SLT was a great help.

She gave me the lingo to know what to ask for in terms of medical services for Connor. I feel let down that no-one else from the medical community whom we had seen had recommended the pathway of a paediatric review before then.

From there, Connor underwent blood tests at the paediatric neurology department in CUH.

At the first appointment, Connor had 13 vials of blood taken. I also underwent a blood test, says Julie.

Six months later, we received some test results.

It was six months after that again that Connor received a clinical diagnosis of 22q11 deletion.

I was on my own at the appointment, says Julie.

The Get Rare Aware campaign is urging politicians to take action on Irelands under-resourced genetic services. Pictured are Vicky McGrath, CEO of Rare Diseases Ireland, Nancy ONeill, a person with cystic fibrosis, Padraig OSullivan, TD. Picture by Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.

I remember the neurologist spoke of congenital heart defects and scoliosis. Connor was pulling out of me. It was all so hard to take in. It was scary stuff.

Recalling the moment she was informed about Connors diagnosis, Julie says: I got a horrendous handout so poorly photocopied, stapled and handed to me. I took a couple of reads of it and I realised that the pages werent even in sequence. I had to pull it back together.

It got more scary.

Furthermore, I was left to explain Connors diagnosis to my husband. There was no human empathy.

I couldnt think straight. I had a print-out but no signpost for the next step.

Julie took the next step herself.

I googled 22q11 and after a period of time, I found a support network and a number for me to ring, something that I should have been given in the hospital.

I made contact with Ann Lawlor in Dublin, whose own child had 22q11.

Ann was a source of knowledge.

I was never signposted to any support services, says Julie.

I myself found a support group, also Rare Diseases Ireland and the genetics clinic at CHI Crumlin, which I had to ask Connor to be referred to.

I asked Ann all about Connors experiences with convulsions, asthma, and chicken pox. Ann had years of experience with 22q11. She put my mind at ease.

Time passed.

More than a year later, Connor, Jonathan and I were called to an appointment at CHI Crumlin, says Julie.

Jonathan underwent a blood test. My blood tests had come back negative for 22q11. Around nine months later, due to delays caused by the cyber-attack on the HSE, Jonathans test came back positive for 22q11. Our other two children went on to be genetically tested at CHI Crumlin.

According to Julie, more and more parents are being diagnosed after their children, and the ramifications are significant.

We struggled with big, impactful issues, like what impact does this have on Jonathans work and what are his supports?

How is Connor doing now?

He is in mainstream school in Ballyhass National School, says Julie.

School can be tough, Connor is a bit behind his peers but he is happy and he has support in school with a part-time SNA.

Is Connor, being the youngest, the boss of the house?

Julie laughs.

He is a very happy child, his older brother and sister are very good to him. They missed out when we had to cancel holidays due to Connors hospitalisations over the years. We could never go abroad.

The other two gave up a lot when our time and focus was on Connor.

What now for the youngster?

We hope he progresses as much as he can, says Julie.

We really dont know in the long term. He will have on-going screening. Right now his eyes are an issue.

A rare disease diagnosis can turn your world upside down.

You enter a different world, says Julie. A secret world with medical jargon that you dont always understand.

You have to be tough.

"You have to fight the educational system and you have to fight the HSE, says Julie.

As a family, all that is very time-consuming on a family. Yet, there is no other way.

Connor oozes positivity.

He has such confidence, says Julie. He is a confident little fellow.

Connor has a great attitude too, which helps.

His attitude is important, says Julie. Its like, this is me, I cant change that. You adapt to me!

Well said, Connor!

The Get Rare Aware campaign is urging politicians to take action on Irelands under-resourced genetic services Pictured are Vicky McGrath, CEO of Rare Diseases Ireland, Patricia Towey, Huntingtons Disease Association of Ireland, Padraig OSullivan, TD. Picture by Shane O'Neill, Coalesce.

GET AWARE CAMPAIGN

Julie is involved in Rare Disease Irelands (RDI) Get Aware Campaign.

Our experience highlights the importance of a proper genetic referral, she says.

Why didnt one of the doctors or medical consultants refer Connor earlier?

Why werent both me and Connors dad tested at the same time?

Why wasnt I signposted to a paediatric review earlier and also to genetic services at Crumlin?

Our experience also highlights a serious lack of structural supports, such as counselling and information.

A doctor referring to Connors case as a medical mystery isnt good enough, says Julie.

Nor is a poorly put-together handout.

The Get Aware campaign is calling on politicians, including in Cork, to take action and press the government to deliver on its promise in the Programme for Government to support the medical genetics service at CHI at Crumlin by accelerating the allocation of resources to reduce the waiting list for routine genetic services.

For more information about the Get Rare Aware campaign, visit: www.getaware.ie.

For further information about the online information events, including how to register to attend, go to: www.rdi.ie/gra
CORK culinary hot-spot, Ballymaloe House, is hosting a unique collection of sculptures from Richard Scott Gallery, bringing art to the great outdoors.

Driving through the lush grounds, you can see the magnificent pieces set atop their pedestals, arranged in a circular shape.

Humming Bird in Blue, Life Does Goes On, Moon Gazer, Striptease, and Glide, are among almost 50 sculptures that are on display at the grounds this summer.

Artist Richard Healy with one of his pieces titled Stripeas at Ballymaloe House Hotel. Picture: Darragh Kane

The exhibition, free of charge, continues until August 31.

I am so grateful that the artists trust me to represent them, says Richard Scott, from Douglas.

The world-renowned hotel in East Cork has partnered with the prominent local art curator to run an outdoor sculpture exhibition for the ninth year.

Laura Behan, general manager of Ballymaloe House Hotel, said; We are very much embedded in the local community here at Ballymaloe, and we love to champion Irish artists through the many events we hold throughout the year.

Its an absolute pleasure to host the Richard Scott Sculpture exhibition once again, and wed encourage visitors to take a walk through the vast expanse of the estate to see all the sculptures on display here this summer.

Richard says he is more than happy to bring the work of 27 artists from his gallery to a place as beautiful as Ballymaloe.

Theres nothing I love more than to showcase the pieces created by phenomenal artists that I work with, and we feel privileged to be able to put these sculptures on display at Ballymaloe House. I know visitors who come to see the exhibition will love the creations as much as I do. These are a cultural asset to Cork and beyond and they deserve to be displayed in such a great setting.

Artist Ester Barrett with one of her sculptures titled Messenger at Ballymaloe House Hotel for the launch of the Richard Scott Sculpture Gallery Exhibition, which runs at the venue until August 31. Picture: Darragh Kane

Among the 47 pieces created by 27 Irish artists on display are an intricate violin and bow sculpture in bronze by Darragh Wilkins entitled Siabh Luachra. His father, Mick Wilkins, also based at Kilnagleary Studios Carrigaline, is exhibiting Glide.

For the past 30 years, he has explored the qualities of Kilkenny Limestone through carving, cutting, laminating, sandblasting, polishing, surface treatment and drawing on the ancient and durable material.

What is Micks sculpture at Ballymaloe based on?

My sculpture for the annual show at Ballymaloe is based on a gliding seabird whose wing tip touches a wave, says Mick.

I have blended the bird and wave into one to portray this connection. I cast this in bronze at our foundry in Carrigaline.

"There are ten artists working in various disciplines based at the studios, two of which are also exhibiting at Ballymaloe this year; my son Darragh and also Peter Killeen.

Mary Looby, Cloyne and Triona Ryan, Carrigaline looking at a pice titled Sliabh Luachra by Darragh Wilkins at Ballymaloe House Hotel. Picture: Darragh Kane

The annual Ballymaloe Sculpture Exhibition has become a showcase for contemporary Irish work.

The Gallerist, Richard Scott used to be a vet!

I did! says Richard. I am a big animal lover and I still love the horses and the breeding industry. I studied veterinary medicine in UCD. From there, I went working in the Curragh and London, before travelling to Cornwall, where I worked in the early 1990s. I found the work very satisfying. I really enjoyed it.

Richard moved to Dublin.

I was there for 12 years, before returning to Cork where I wanted to set up my own practice.

The timing wasnt right.

The recession hit in 2008 and I got cold feet about my plans, Richard adds.

Artist Peter Killeen with one of his pieces titled Horus II. Picture: Darragh Kane

He looked to another area to occupy himself.

When I was living in Cornwall, I started buying work by a seascape artist called Paul Lewin, Richard says.

Paul Lewin is an artist who resides in Oakland, California. He was born in Kingston, Jamacia, in 1973 and relocated to Miami with is family when he was five.

Paul contacted me expressing an interest in doing a painting exhibition here and we opened an exhibition for him in the Grainstore. Another artist, Carl Cathcart also featured in the show, says Richard.

Richard had found his niche.

Because of the recession, I was having doubts about the financial feasibility of setting up a veterinary practice, he says.

And I decided to dedicate myself to being a gallerist.

A gallerist is a person who owns an art gallery or who exhibits and promotes artists work in galleries and other venues in order to attract potential buyers.

Richard got a break.

A key moment was almost 11 years ago when Mount Juliet got in touch with me.

They were keen to do an outdoor sculptural exhibition. Afterwards, I approached Ballymaloe to see if they would like to host something similar at Ballymaloe House. I knew Fawn, Hazel and Rorys daughter, who was managing the Grainstore at the time. From there we started doing exhibitions and this current exhibition is our ninth.

Artist Sonia Caldwell with one of her pieces titled Craobhfholt. Picture: Darragh Kane

How does Richard do his research?

Early in the year, I travel to as many sculptors studios as I can, he explains.

I have about 70 sculptors on the books. They are all very willing to be involved in the sculptural exhibition at Ballymaloe. I see and discuss what they might have for the Ballymaloe show. Then I start locking in the list of artists, and how their work is going to be delivered to Cork and displayed.

Siting the exhibition is labour intensive, and it takes about five weeks to set up in the lead up to the opening.

"The grass has to be cut in a certain pattern so that it looks good, and the sites for the sculpture have to be staked out; they are sited in a central circle in a relatively small area.

Richie is working on another task today.

Im going down now with my bucket of water and wire brush to get the bird st off the pieces!

Richard adds: During the summer, the focus is on highlighting the exhibition.

Every Thursday at 5.30pm at Ballymaloe, we give people a free tour and talk on the sculptures.

The tours are free and booking is not required.

At the end of August, everything has to be de-assembled, and the sculpture goes to its new home if it has been purchased, or it goes back to the sculptor.

We are so blessed in Ireland with the sculptors we have, says Richard.

This year we have 47 sculptors represented. The show runs until August 31.

It is open every day from 9am to 9pm, and it is free of charge.

Does Richard enjoy being a gallerist, despite the chores that go with it?

I enjoy my relationships with the sculptors and the buyers, says Richard.

Sculpture is expensive and youre depending on a small number of people to support the gallery, so you have to take care of them.

With the artists, its about crating an alliance with them so when a piece is sold and theyre paying you, they say, I know exactly why that fee was charged, it was well worth it.

The Ballymaloe Sculptural Exhibition is well worth a visit too.

For more see https://www.ballymaloe.ie/outdoor-sculpture-exhibition
A decision by Cork City Council to reject planning permission for more than three dozen apartments at a brownfield site on the northside of the city has been upheld by An Bord Pleanala (ABP).

Bridgewater Homes Ltd had sought permission from the council for the demolition and removal of existing structures including a dwelling house and steel shed and the construction of 39 apartments at a site at Popes Hill in The Glen.

The application said the proposed development would range in height from three to five storeys containing two three-bed units, 21 two-bed units and 16 one-bed units.

It also sought permission for 84 bike spaces and all ancillary site development works including the development of amenity areas.

A planning and design report accompanying the application asserted that the proposed development would utilise an infill, brownfield site, within the urban fabric of the northern suburbs of Cork city.

It also stated that the proposed layout was designed to respond positively to the existing context of the site and provide much needed apartment units.

However, Cork City Council decided to refuse planning permission deeming that the proposed development, by reason of siting, site coverage, design, scale and massing, would be excessive and would represent over-development of the site.

It also stated that the development, as proposed, had minimal public communal space and poor standard of residential accommodation on the lower levels, among other factors, that would result in an unacceptable level of residential amenity for future occupants.

Also among its reasoning, the council said that the proposed development, by reasons of siting, height massing and scale, elevational treatment and the use of materials, would relate poorly to its receiving environment and have an unduly overbearing relationship with adjoining properties.

A first party appeal was subsequently lodged with ABP in a bid to overturn the councils decision.

However, earlier this month the planning board also ruled to refuse permission, citing similar concerns to the local authority.

ABP, in its Board Order, said it also deemed the apartment scheme as proposed would constitute over development of the site and would be out of character with the existing residential properties in the vicinity and surrounding area.

Also cited among the decisions for refusing planning, the board said it was not satisfied that the Daylight, Sunlight, Overshadowing Assessment undertaken for the proposed development would not be detrimental to the residential amenity of existing residential properties in the vicinity of the site in particular those in Motor Villas to the south west.
Students and faculty members from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) recently engaged extensively with the Fairhill Community Association as they assisted with the development of a positive communications strategy for the neighbourhood.

The initiative was supported by UCC Civic and Community Engagement, the Cork Centre for Architecture Education (CCAE), and the UCC School of Education.

Over the course of a three-week period in June, nine UNCG kinesiology and communication studies students, along with two professors, engaged with the Fairhill Community Centre to create a plan to communicate and promote the positive aspects of the Fairhill community.

They worked closely with Lisa OSullivan and Trina Murphy, the chairperson and secretary of Fairhill Community Association, respectively.

In addition to community-based research, the students also got to know the residents through voluntary work and assisting with various neighbourhood improvement activities.

A group attending the presentation of research by students of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, for Fairhill/Fairfield Community Association at CCAE, Cork.

The visit began on Thursday, June 1 with a workshop hosted by UCC at the Cork Centre for Architecture Education, where local resident, Derry OFarrell, talked about the history of the community and then conducted a walking tour around the Fairhill area.

The visiting students also attended classes offered at the community centre, including the mens art group, and they participated in a visit from the then Lord Mayor of Cork Deirdre Forde to Fairhill.

Following their successful fact-finding mission, the UNCG students ultimately presented their findings on Thursday, June 15 in the Cork Centre for Architectural Education.

The chairperson of the Fairhill Community Association, Lisa OSullivan, said the students and faculty members had a busy three-week period in Cork.

They were only here for three weeks, but we kept them very busy. The time and effort that they put in during their three weeks was outstanding. They engaged with the Fairhill Community Association. They did a brilliant presentation.

Ms OSullivan explained the students conducted their research through various methods, which included interacting with the local community and the Fairhill Community Association.

It was fantastic to get this information from a fresh perspective because they didnt know anything about our area."

They sourced their information from talking to people and they did walkabouts of the area. They came to the mens art group where they did a questionnaire. They also did a questionnaire with the ladies crochet group. They collaborated with our childrens after school group where they did a wall of friendship. They painted in our community setting and we all painted our hands and put our hands on the friendship wall. The Lord Mayor joined in as well.

Lord Mayor Cllr Deirdre Forde and children who added their painted handprints to the 'Wall of Friendship'. Pic: Larry Cummins.

Ms OSullivan said the presentation will prove very beneficial for Fairhill Community Association with regards to securing extra grants and funding.

The reason they were paired with us is we are trying to get a youth and community centre in Fairhill. We dont have a centre.

We work out of a community house which is a two-bedroom council house. We need a youth and community centre for our area. We have outgrown the facility that we are using. We will have this presentation for submitting when we are looking for grants or funding, Ms OSullivan said. Our next project with UCC is the architectural college. We will have the architecture students from third year next year coming up to help design a community centre for our area.
CORK-based DJ and music artist Mark OCarroll, also known as Uncle Knows, will play at the Groove in the Wild music festival in Vancouver next month.

The Galway native hopes to reach the heights of his debut appearance there last year.

I played there last year and had a good set and was asked to play again this year. Hopefully I can perform like I did last year, he said.

Mark met the event organisers in college and they would regularly cross paths on nights out or on holidays. They created the Vancouver-based festival and booked Mark to take part.

This years line-up includes Versatile, Boots and Kats, Chasing Abbey, and Huxley.

Uncle Knows style can be described as techno and trance inspired. His latest release, Rain Before Sun, is in contention to make his setlist in Vancouver. My new song is a techno-esque song  it samples a Rastafarian vocal with an element of trance at the end layered over a strong beat, he said.

His latest track is the title tune for his upcoming EP.
A WORKMAN who was paid 2,500 to erect a fence for an elderly woman in Cork left the work undone and then ignored her calls to find out what was happening.

44-year-old Michael Burke of 144 Kilbarry Place, Farranree, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining money by deception.

Detective Garda Diarmuid ONeill testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that on July 17, 2020, Burke went to the home of an elderly lady in Cobh and entered an agreement with her for the building of a fence.

A price of 3,500 was agreed and 1,000 was handed over in the beginning.

He arrived to do the work and brought materials to the location and began working.

He also asked for a further payment. Another 1,500 was paid to him.

But he failed to come back and he did not answer any of her phone calls. Both payments were in cash.

In Burkes defence, barrister Donal OSullivan said that he had become ill and his phone was stolen, but that he was willing to go back and finish the work.

Burke had previous convictions that included an old conviction for robbery.

Mr OSullivan said the accused was given payments totalling 2,500 and had now brought 3,000 compensation to court for the woman.

Mr OSullivan commented that Burke was paying 500 more than was paid to him.

Judge Helen Boyle said that in all the circumstances, she would impose a sentence of two years which she would suspend.
Update: Axel the wolfdog who had been missing from Rumleys Open Farm since Thursday evening has sadly passed away.

The Waterfall-based farm confirmed the news in a social media post this afternoon.

After a long search, we regret to inform everyone that unfortunately Axel our beloved wolfdog has passed away today.

We conducted a long search in conjunction with the ISPCA in bringing him back home but sadly he suffered a heart attack during this rescue, explained Ivan Rumley.

We would like to thank everyone who has helped us with Axels search over the past few days it was greatly appreciated, and we are so sad that this is the outcome.

Rest in peace Axel.

Earlier: Rumleys Open Farm has moved to reassure Cork residents that its missing wolfdog is not considered to be a threat to the public, but people are asked to keep their distance and to contact the business if the animal is spotted.

The Waterfall-based farm posted an update on social media last night explaining that the wolf hybrid has been missing since Thursday evening and despite some sightings, Axel the Czech Wolfdog is still on the loose.

We experienced a sudden thunderstorm on Thursday evening, and it was the following morning that we discovered Axel was missing, explained Ivan Rumley.

There have been sightings since, including on Sunday, when he was spotted in the Ballinhassig area, interacting in a playful manner with another dog. However, we were unable to retrieve him.

Axel is an older dog and has been with us for 12 years. He is very shy and unlikely to approach people.

While he is not considered to be a threat to the public, we ask that if you spot him, please give him plenty of space.

Do not approach him, but instead call us on 021 488 5122.

The farm explained that the breed, which originates in the former Czechoslovakia - now the Czech Republic and Slovakia - was developed in the 1950s as a border patrol dog by crossing German Shepherds with the Carpathian Wolf.

Rumleys said the modern Czech Wolfdog is predominantly German Shepherd but still retains a significant percentage of wolf DNA.

Rumleys Farm would like to thank the public for their assistance as we attempt to locate Axel and return him safely home, the farm said, also paying thanks to An Garda Siochana, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and local media for their assistance.
MTU Technological University (MTU) has won a prestigious award for its pop-up restaurant at Cork Prison at a global event recognising the role of universities in the community.

The university was declared the outright winner in the European Awards' EDI Community Engagement Initiative of the Year at the ACEEU Triple E Awards in Barcelona.

It was awarded for the highly innovative pop-up restaurant in Cork Prison, designed to train prisoners in the culinary arts and hospitality industry.

Accepting the award on behalf of MTU and the staff of the pop-up restaurant, Dr Noel Murray, head of the department of tourism and hospitality at MTU, paid tribute to all involved.

"This is a fantastic endorsement of the impact that this initiative has had on the participants, their families and their communities.

"There has been an incredible effort by so many people in MTU, in Cork ETB, in Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities (IASIO) and the Irish Prison Service, so this European award recognises this collaborative effort and is testament to the contribution of everyone involved," he said.

'The Open-Door Restaurant: Unlocking Potential' is a unique collaboration between MTU, Cork ETB, IASIO and Cork Prison, working together to train and educate prisoners to improve and develop their culinary skills and workplace learning.

The programme culminated in a pop-up restaurant, aptly called The Open Door, allowing the students on the programme to demonstrate and be assessed on their knowledge and skills in the culinary domain.

Subsequently, four former prisoners are now working in the culinary arts, while two others were offered jobs pending release.

Speaking from Barcelona, where the awards are being held, professor Irene Sheridan, founder and head of MTU extended campus, said the initiative "demonstrates the role of MTU in supporting change through ensuring access and raising expectations across society as a whole".
A woman who passed away after she jumped into the water to save her son from drowning in Cork on Sunday has been described as a beautiful human being by her friend who has set up a GoFundMe to help the grieving family with funeral costs and other expenses.

Joanna Wisniowska, originally from Poland, rushed into the sea at Ballycroneen beach in East Cork on Sunday afternoon in a bid to help her ten-year-old son who had gotten into difficulty.

The boy managed to make his way onto rocks on the shore but unfortunately Ms Wisniowska 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.

Speaking on Cork's 96FMs Opinion Line, Louise van Balderen, a friend of Ms Wisniowskas, said the late mother of two was a beautiful person and a fantastic mother.

She lived for her children. I couldnt tell you of a better mum  I know mums are all good, but she was just such a kind and warm person that no one could ever fault her, she told PJ Coogan.

She was just such a beautiful human being and its just so sad that this has happened to such a beautiful family.

Ms van Balderens said her daughter is best friends with Ms Wisniowskas daughter and was on the beach with the family on Sunday and witnessed the tragedy unfold.

She paid tribute to the people of East Cork and further afield for rallying around Ms Wisniowskas husband and other grieving loved ones at this immensely difficult time.

The Irish really, really do know how to rally together to support their fellow humans  it doesnt matter where they come from, who you are, the Irish when it comes to that they are probably one of the most genuine people that Ive ever met, the South African native, who moved to Ireland in 2018, said.

Ms van Balderen has set up a GoFundMe page to assist the family with funeral costs and other expenses and thanked everyone who has kindly donated so far.

She urged listeners to remember that life is precious and asked people to go hug their loved ones.

Please, please, please if you could do one thing today its go and find your kids, find your husband, your wife, your partner [and] just give them a hug, tell them you love them because you just dont know if its the last time youre going to see them, she said.

The GoFundMe page can be found here.
Three family members and a teenager accused of murdering father of seven Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, who died after he was attacked by a group of men while attending a funeral at a cemetery in Co Kerry last year, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in May next year.

The brother of the late Mr Dooley, Patrick Dooley, 35, with an address at Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Mr Dooleys cousin Thomas Dooley Senior, 41; and that mans son, Thomas Dooley Junior, 20, both of a halting site at Carrigrohane Road, Cork; as well as a 17-year-old boy are all charged with murdering 43-year-old Mr Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022.

Thomas Dooley Jnr is also charged with assault causing serious harm to the wife of the late Mr Dooley, Siobhan Dooley, at Rath Cemetery on the same date.

The fourth defendant, a teenager  who cannot be named because he is a juvenile  is further charged with the production of an article likely to intimidate or capable of causing serious injury while committing or appearing to commit serious harm to Ms Dooley on the same date.

The Central Criminal Court heard on Tuesday the boy is due to turn 18 years of age later this year.

The late Mr Dooley, from Hazelwood Drive in Killarney, died after he was attacked by a group of men at Rath Cemetery shortly after he, his wife, and four of his seven children had attended the funeral of a close family friend. Mr Dooleys wife Siobhan also suffered serious injuries in the course of the attack.

Pictured are Thomas Dooley and his wife Siobhan. Photo: Eye Focus LTD

Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, defending Patrick Dooley, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott on Tuesday he was unhappy about the disclosure in relation to several juvenile witnesses in the case and he was looking for the taped interviews with these witnesses.

A solicitor in attendance for the Director of Public Prosecutions informed the court there may be other accused in the case but that this would be resolved shortly.

Nine Arrests

There have been nine arrests to date in relation to the killing of Mr Dooley.

Mr Justice McDermott asked the solicitor if it was intended that other accused would be added to the trial as this would add to the length of the case. The solicitor said this was not known at the moment.

Mr Justice McDermott set May 29, 2024, as the date for the four defendants' trial before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

The judge said he would give the whole of the Trinity term [May 29 to July 31] to complete the trial and was anxious for the defendants to be provided with the case materials.

The case was listed for mention on July 10 next in the expectation that tapes and transcripts are furnished to the defence by that date.

Mr Grehan told the court if other accused persons are to be added to the indictment, then this should happen as soon as possible.

Mr Justice McDermott said there were an extensive number of accused persons involved in the case, who all had family members. He said there was a "clear interest" in the deceased's family attending the trial and he was sure this matter was being "borne in mind in terms of the venue".
The former deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanala, Paul Hyde, will learn on Friday whether he will receive a conviction after he pleaded guilty to two breaches of planning laws, in what a court heard was a very serious case.

Mr Hyde appeared at Skibbereen District Court where Judge James McNulty was told that he was pleading guilty to two breaches of Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act. One related to his failure to declare in 2015 his ownership of what the court heard was a ransom strip - a panel of land of unknown but possibly significant strategic value - in Cork city, and a 2018 failure to declare a number of properties, which he still owned but which by then had had a receiver appointed to them.

Mr Hydes barrister, Paula McCarthy, said he had not made the declarations due to a misinterpretation made in good faith of the regulations and relevant codes of conduct, and that he had not gained financially from his failure to do so.

Ms McCarthy said Mr Hyde had in fact been affected detrimentally by the failures to make the declarations, and has been unemployed since stepping down from his role as deputy chair of ABP last July amid increased focus on him and his role.

Judge James McNulty heard that the maximum penalties open to the court on conviction was six months in prison and/or a fine up to 5,000, and that Mr Hyde had no previous convictions.

Mr Hyde, who is 50 and lives at 4 Castlefields, Baltimore in Co Cork, had cooperated with the garda investigation, the court was told, attending voluntarily for interviews, as well as cooperating with a previous investigation into various planning decisions that had been conducted by senior counsel, Remy Farrell.

Ms McCarthy said that given the circumstances and accepting it was a big ask, she was appealing for leniency and that a conviction not be recorded against her client.

Judge McNulty said that any suggestion that no conviction be recorded or that the matter be dealt with by way of the Probation Act would be optimistic, adding: This matter could not be dealt with in that way. This is a very serious matter.

Judge McNulty, who heard that this appears to be the first such case of its kind in Ireland, said he would reflect on the matter and would deliver the courts verdict in Bandon District Court this Friday at 10.30am.

Mr Hyde, dressed in a suit, white shirt and striped red tie, was present in court and left shortly afterwards in a waiting car without making any comment.

Proceedings

Proceedings opened with barrister for the state, John Berry, outlining that the prosecution was accepting two pleas of guilty, relating to offences in the years 2015 and 2018, on the basis of full facts, that on the conclusion of proceedings another seven summons against Mr Hyde would be withdrawn.

Mr Berry and Det Garda Shane Curtis of the Garda Economic Crime Bureau went through the evidence against Mr Hyde, specific to Section 147 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Under that section Mr Hyde had to make annual declarations regarding his property interests and the court heard that when it came to his 2015 declaration, Mr Hyde did declare four properties at Popes Hill in Cork city, as well as other properties including what are now his principle residences - in Douglas and in Baltimore - but that he did not declare what he later described in interviews with gardai as a ransom strip.

That was what the judge described as a small piece of land in Popes Hill in an unusual shape, as seen on land registry records, and which has an undetermined value. The judge later clarified that the value of such strips can be negligible or significant and often depend on their location adjacent to other sites or as potential access points to possible future developments.

Paula McCarthy, BL for Mr Hyde, said the failure to declare this piece of land, referred to in land records as BEB59, was because Mr Hyde had mistakenly believed it did not need to be declared due to its lack of a minimum valuation. However, while this was the case with the Standards in Public Office Act, there was no such minimum valuation aspect when it came to any declaration under Section 47 of the Planning and Development Act.

He believed that if it was not of a certain value threshold he did not have to declare it, Ms McCarthy said, adding that Mr Hyde had mistakenly conflated requirements of the Planning and Development Act with the requirements of acts that pertain to public officeholders.

Then in 2018 Mr Hydes declaration did not include a number of properties that had previously been declared, including those in Popes Hill, as by that time they had had a receiver appointed to them. Ms McCarthy said Mr Hyde had lost the day-to-day running of those properties and was not making any financial gain from them, and mistakenly determined that they did not need to be declared. However, she said he now accepts that he was the legal owner and that they should have been declared, even though his decision not to do so had been made in good faith and was an incorrect interpretation.

Judge McNulty said that ignorance of the law is no excuse and referred to a section of the contract Mr Hyde signed on becoming a member of ABP which outlined his obligations. He said any interpretation of the requirements by Mr Hyde was a self-interpretation and that the requirements of the various declaration and obligations were there to assist the public.

The court heard that the controversy around Mr Hyde was initially sparked by articles by The Ditch and Village Magazine.

In asking for leniency, Ms McCarthy said her client was a qualified architect and hoped to return to the workforce and that a conviction would have a serious adverse impact in that regard. She said Mr Hyde was living in West Cork, was divorced and was helping to support his three young children in what was a difficult financial situation. She emphasised his early guilty plea, avoiding what she said may have been lengthy proceedings, and his good character.
THE interim deputy director-general of RTE, has said former director-general Dee Forbes was directly involved in aspects of negotiating Ryan Tubridys 2020-2025 contract, including the underwriting of an agreement with a commercial partner.

He said no member of the RTE executive board, other than Ms Forbes, had all the necessary information in order to understand that the publicly-declared figures for Mr Tubridy could have been wrong.

Adrian Lynch said the national broadcaster has received external legal advice that there was no illegality in previously undisclosed payments to Mr Tubridy.

On the basis of the Grant Thornton findings, there was no illegality and payments were made pursuant to an agreed contract.

He said the Grant Thornton review makes no finding of wrongdoing on the part of Mr Tubridy in relation to any payments made by RTE.

Ryan Tubridy was not aware of the credit note provided by RTE to the commercial partner.

He said the review also found no findings of wrongdoing on the part of the commercial partner.

More than one hundred members of staff at Irish national broadcaster RTE have staged a protest at its Dublin headquarters, following the scandal involving undisclosed payments to its highest-paid star.

Staff represented by the National Union of Journalists and the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union gathered on a plaza in the Donnybrook campus of RTE to voice their concern over pay, conditions and governance in the wake of the revelations.

Chair of the RTE Trade Union Group, Stuart Masterson, said anyone who had involvement in the undisclosed payments had to appear before the Oireachtas committees.

A companys culture is led from the top, he said.

RTE staff protesting about pay disparities outside RTE on Father

Emma O Kelly, chair of NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Emma O Kelly, chair of NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Branch (Niall Carson/PA) NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O Kelly said she hoped the protest would be the start of serious root and branch reform in the organisation.

She said: The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

She added: Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in.

That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad.

STAFF ANGER

Caoimhe Ni Laighin, a journalist with the organisations Irish-language services, said her co-workers were performing the miracle of the loaves and the fishes every single day.

Our equipment is all falling apart and we have been begging the management for a long time to deal with this, she said.

RTE News crime correspondent Paul Reynolds said he was concerned about the breach of trust between management and staff.

Theres a phrase bandied around in here: We are one RTE, he said.

And we can see now we havent been one RTE because everyone hasnt been working together, different people have different agendas.

That has disappointed people here. The trust that people had in here for senior people has been lost.

RTE News political correspondent Paul Cunningham said there was a cloud hanging over the organisation.

He said the scandal had caused incredible reputation damage.

Mr Cunningham warned that the Government and other politicians would be reluctant to engage in reform of the organisations funding and the television licence fee.

This is something that has happened as a direct result of senior managements failures at this organisation and it is absolutely disgraceful, he said.

Mr Cunningham also raised the issue of freelancers who he said were paid a pittance.

And now we found out there is a special arrangement for special people, he said.

There shouldnt be any special people in this organisation. Its one organisation, all of us are involved and the same rules should apply.

RTE News Midlands correspondent Sinead Hussey said the day she got her job at the broadcaster was one of the happiest days of her life.

Im still proud to work for RTE and I think with the staff we have here we can bring the name of this company back to where it should be and restore trust in the Irish people, she said.

And I hope people will support us through this really difficult patch.

The broadcasters legal affairs correspondent said staff cannot believe what happened.

Orla ODonnell said: We want accountability and responsibility from the people who are in charge.

We want them to tell the whole truth on the questions that still remain from this whole affair.

RTE Newss Northern editor and correspondent Vincent Kearney and Conor Macauley protested at a separate demonstration at the organisations Belfast office.

Mr Kearney tweeted: Joining @rtenews colleagues across the island demanding transparency from management on the Ryan Tubridy payments crisis and a pay cap for top earners.
A native of Nebraska living in Cork has confessed to the distribution of child abuse images.

David Boettcher of Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, faced two counts of distribution. His solicitor, Shane Collins-Daly, said the 60-year-old was pleading guilty to the charges.

Those charges relate to his home address on two separate dates: May 14, 2018, and June 4, 2018.

Each charge refers to the allegation that he did knowingly distribute any child pornography or knowingly show it or facilitate its distribution.

Detective Garda Craig Peterson also charged David Boettcher with possession of child pornography, to which he also pleaded guilty.

This refers to September 29, 2018, at his home on Lower Glanmire Rd when he had possession of 212 child abuse images.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case should proceed by indictment in a trial by judge and jury unless there is a plea of guilty to the charges, in which case it could be sentenced at district court level.

Sgt Kelleher said the possession of child pornography charge related to a total of 212 images, of which 117 were Category 1 images  the most serious category of such images depicting children involved in or observing sexual acts.

Mr Collins-Daly said of Boettcher: He has no convictions. He is an American.

He grew up in Nebraska and Colorado. He moved to Ireland in the 1980s, he was never in any trouble in his life.

He had worked in IT. He is a carer for his wife.

These offences date back to May 2018.

There had been a significant delay in processing cases of this kind.

This has been weighing on him, essentially since May 2018.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: It is a very serious charge, he is at serious risk of prison. I am going to ask for a probation report.

The accused was remanded on bail until September 11 for that purpose.

Bail conditions require the accused to sign on three times a week at Mayfield Garda Station, reside at his home and notify gardai of any change of address, provide a phone number to the investigating garda and be contactable at all times, and surrender all travel documents, and undertake not to apply for replacements.
A climate change protestor who threw soup on a painting in the Crawford art gallery said he was not a criminal and his actions did not kill anyone but that climate change will.

Thomas Shinnick has appeared before Cork District Court a number of times as this case was adjourned and on occasions he wore a jacket with words of protest pinned to it.

Today the case was due to go to hearing at Courtroom 3 in the courthouse on Anglesea Street. As video evidence of the incident was being prepared to show to the court for the contested case, Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said the accused was pleading guilty to causing criminal damage and being in possession of a screwdriver.

Mr Kelleher said Thomas Shinnick wanted to address the court and Judge Marian OLeary gave him permission to do so.

The defendant was sworn in and said: I did no damage to the painting which was behind glass. I would never have done it if it wasnt behind glass. I did not kill anyone but climate change will.

"I recognise that it is a ridiculous action and I am not saying everyone should be throwing soup at paintings. I am not a criminal. I am a scared little kid trying to fight for their future.

Approximately a third of the worlds food is wasted. That is 1.3bn tonnes a year. Many people are living off soup kitchens in this country. My choice of vegetable soup from Penny Dinners was intended to be a reference to the current cost of living crisis in Ireland.

The Governments Climate Action Plan is murderous, issuing new oil and gas licences. The Climate Action Plan is very aspirational and lacks substance.

The young man then made some personal remarks about himself and concluded by saying: I would describe what I did as disruptive non-violent direct action. Mr Kelleher said the accused had an unrelated case before the same court on June 29 and he suggested that it would be appropriate to put sentencing in this case back until then.

Inspector James ODonovan summarised what happened at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. Thomas Shinnick from Kilcolman West, Buttevant, County Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing criminal damage to the painting  George Atkinsons Anatomical Study  at the gallery on Emmet Place, Cork.

The painting is protected by glazing. The painting was not permanently damaged but the clean-up cost 450.

He also admitted being in possession of a screwdriver on the same occasion without a lawful excuse.

Inspector ODonovan said the defendant told gardai he had been planning to screw the frame off the painting but he did not do this.
WITH primary schools closing for the summer this week we are officially in holiday time. Im skipping the airport queues, the brutal European heatwaves and the planeload of carbon emissions and am holidaying in Ireland.

Im one of those insufferable Corkonians who love the place so much that I go on my holidays here too. I find it hard to leave the county bounds, Youghal, Courtmacsherry, Schull, Bere Island, Baltimore have all been holiday destinations in recent years. Ive even gone on a weekend break away to The Montenotte Hotel for the Jazz Festival because I wanted a reunion with old friends post-pandemic but didnt want to waste precious babysitting time travelling. When you have world class hotels and destinations on your doorstep its hard to walk past, and its easy to convince your friends to come visit.

In a break with tradition, Im just back from a weekend in Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula soaking up the wildness of Slea Head.

Its pretty special to think there were people constructing dry stone beehive huts without mortar on this inhospitable corner a thousand years ago and we can still marvel at their craftsmanship today.

Dingle town is beautifully presented with terraces of cheerful painted businesses and not a derelict or graffitied facade in sight. People like to joke that Ireland is a great country if only you could only put a roof on it, well Kerry County Council have installed picnic bench areas with very simple roofs that look smart and provide ample cover for tourists dodging one of those Irish cloudbursts with simultaneous pelting rain and bright sunshine.

The Blasket Centre is a fascinating heritage museum which reopened last year after a 3 million facelift and honours the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in 1953. It brings the islands people, history, and culture to life through imaginative displays and interactive exhibitions. The building itself is stunning and the whole experience is very moving. I think Peig would approve.

The resourcefulness, ingenuity and strong will of the people to survive on Blasket for so long is evident, as is the deep loss about how the draw of the new world brought an end to the unique community.

We were in Kerry with a returning relative home for a week from Canada and its sad that emigration continues to separate Irish families.

The whole Gaeltacht area made me want to sign up for an Irish language course to resuscitate whatever bit of Gaeilge is lodged in my brain, it even helped convince my eight-year-old that Gaeilge is worth learning because there are places where you can go and speak it. Holidays outside Cork are good for the soul too!

Irish holiday equipment

Packing for an Irish holiday requires some consideration, raincoats, swimsuits, shorts, hoodies are all required as are multiple types of footwear but here are three items that are always thrown into the boot of our car and are holiday essentials...

Nice one neoprene

I say a prayer of thanks to Fr Julius Nieuwland, inventor of neoprene, the synthetic rubber material made of a type of polymer whenever I enter frigid Irish waters protected by my wetsuit.

A two-minute hyperventilating dunk and go in a swimsuit can become a leisurely lengthy swim thanks to the insulating properties of neoprene.

Wetsuits are a complete game changer for kids at the beach. Wetsuits help retain body heat so kids can play for hours on the shoreline without developing the blue lipped clue that it is time to go home. I havent done a randomised controlled trial, but I think when kids wear wetsuits parental nagging to not get wet, cold, or completely covered in sand reduces by 50 per cent. Nice one neoprene.

Thermos Flask

Is there a house in Ireland that doesnt have a flask? Its as important as a hot water bottle in household inventory. Every outdoor pursuit - a picnic in a park, a mountain summit, a GAA match - is enhanced by a cupan tae from a steaming flask.

The first version of the vacuum flask was invented in 1892 but it was a German glassblower who commercialised the design in 1904 and manufacturers have been improving them since.

Ubiquitous coffee shops and machines are a threat to the humble flask because you can get a cup of caffeine most places but there are no baristas at the top of Hungry Hill and a cup of tea and a rest at the top of a mountain will remain one of lifes great treats.

Kelly Kettle

I first came across Kelly Kettles watching the survivalist expert Tom Ban on the television show Bush Kids with my children. It is a portable outdoor kettle beloved by campers and hikers and a handy bit of kit to make a day outdoors feel more comfortable.

It was first designed in the 1890s by a Mayo man called Patrick Kelly who fished on Lough Conn and wanted a rapid way of boiling water. He created a sort of hollow kettle where the water is contained in the walls of the kettle and a small fire is lit at the base, so the flames and smoke escape up the central funnel heating the water in the walls.

The great grandsons of Patrick Kelly now run the Kelly Kettle business, and they ship these kettles around the world. Its success lies in its simplicity.

Just gather twigs, leaves, and small bits of wood, light a small fire in the base of the kettle, fill with water and wait for the kettle to start whistling.

We bring it to the beach or on hike so we can have hot drinks throughout the day and the kids love the ritual of gathering firewood and waiting for it to boil. We have toasted marshmallows on the dying embers and that is a big part of the Kelly Kettles appeal too!

Wherever you end up on your holidays biodh samhradh alainn agaibh!
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Environment minister Eamon Ryan said the consultative forum on international security policy had been very beneficial.

He also defended the Green Party proposal to change the triple lock to make it more flexible as one that would strengthen Irelands military neutrality.

Four days of discussions between experts and academics on global affairs, security and defence issues have been held in Cork, Galway and Dublin over four days.

Environment minister Eamon Ryan defended the Green Party proposal to change the triple lock (Niall Carson/PA)

The days have been marked by protesters who have interrupted proceedings to voice their opposition to the forum and to Ireland joining Nato.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin accused them of shutting down the debate and has emphasised that it is not Government policy for Ireland to join Nato.

Speaking on the final day of the forum, held at Dublin Castle, the Green Party leader said that a more flexible version of the triple lock would ensure that Irish troops could take part in peacekeeping missions abroad while also protecting Irelands neutral stance.

This would involve requiring that a peacekeeping mission be approved by the Dail, the Seanad and the UN Security Council  or a regional organisation such as the African Union or the European Union.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said he had listened to criticism of the Green Partys proposal to change the triple lock, but disagreed.

This policy does strengthen, in my mind, our military neutrality. It has to be a functional one, he said.

Its for peacekeeping, where weve had real strength as a country and to make sure we can do that in an effective way, if we decide to do so, with a triple lock thats relevant to the world today.

Because I dont think anyone would argue that the UN Security Council is a functioning system.

He said that more resources were needed across Irelands security forces.

One thing we do need to do  and this is going across our security forces  we need resources, he said.

Forum chair Professor Louise Richardson, right (Niall Carson/PA)

We do need to resource the Defence Forces at sea with radar and in the air. We need to have capability where we can get people out  not meeting every eventuality, but more than we have at the present.

We dont have sufficient resources in our Defence Forces to sometimes carry out those critical, immediate, emergency responses that we do need to be able to do.

He also defended the approach of the forum.

He said that the chair of the forum, Professor Louise Richardson, had said it had been a very unique exercise, very (few) other governments would hold open public forums in terms of how they develop their security policy.

So I think it has been very beneficial, its not over, there is up until July 7 for people to make their submissions, he said.

The more people who follow through on that, I think, the better.
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.

Coral reefs in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba at the northern tip of the Red Sea. Shachaf Ben-Ezra

A new study by researchers at Plymouth University has found that coastal cities can cause enough light pollution to trick coral reefs so that they spawn outside of times that are best for reproduction.

The release of eggs is triggered by lunar cycles on particular nights of the year. These are called coral broadcast spawning events, and they are essential to the recovery and maintenance of coral reefs that have been affected by mass bleaching and other comparable events, a press release from Plymouth University said.

Corals synchronise their spawning events to maximise the probability of reproductive contact. Our results suggest that lit and unlit reefs are spawning on different nights, reducing the probability of reproductive contact, which reduces reproductive success and genetic exchange between reef systems, Dr. Thomas Davies, a professor of marine conservation at the University of Plymouth, who is also the studys lead author and the main investigator of the Artificial Light Impacts on Coastal Ecosystems (ALICE) project, told EcoWatch in an email.

Through a combination of spawning observations and light pollution data, the researchers demonstrated for the first time that coral reefs exposed to artificial light at night (ALAN) spawn one to three days nearer to the full moon than reefs that are not.

The study, Global disruption of coral broadcast spawning associated with artificial light at night, was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Coral eggs are less likely to be fertilized and survive to produce new corals if they spawn on different nights, and new adult corals are needed to help reefs that have been affected by disturbances such as bleaching events to recover.

The research is the most recent example of the ALICE project, funded by the National Environment Research Council.

The study of ALANs effects on spawning corals expanded on earlier research which mapped the parts of the ocean that had suffered the greatest effects of light pollution.

The earlier study discovered that at a depth of 0.0006 of a mile, biologically important ALAN affects 0.73 million square miles of coastal ocean, which is about 3.1 percent of the Exclusive Economic Zones worldwide.

Impacts are documented across all levels of biological organisation, all aspects of the life cycle and across multiple phyla in the sea, on land and in lakes and rivers, Davies told EcoWatch.

In the recent study, the scientists used a global dataset of more than 2,100 observations of corals spawning and paired them with the data from the earlier study.

Using the combined information, they were able to show that ALAN may be moving spawning triggers forward due to the minimum illuminance it creates from sunset to moonrise after the full moon.

Corals are critical for the health of the global ocean, but are being increasingly damaged by human activity. This study shows it is not just changes in the ocean that are impacting them, but the continued development of coastal cities as we try and accommodate the growing global population. If we want to mitigate against the harm this is causing, we could perhaps look to delay the switching on of night-time lighting in coastal regions to ensure the natural dark period between sunset and moonrise that triggers spawning remains intact. That would potentially raise a number of economic and safety issues, but is something we potentially need to consider to ensure our coral reefs are given the best chance of survival, Davies said in the press release.

Coral reefs are critical for the health of the worlds ocean in part because they are home to 25 percent of all known marine species, Davies told EcoWatch.

Dr. Tim Smyth, Head of Science for Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the studys senior author, said the detrimental effects of ALAN have only recently begun to be understood.

This study further emphasises the importance of artificial light pollution as a stressor of coastal and marine ecosystems, with the impacts on various aspects of biodiversity only now being discovered and quantified. A critical first step along that path was enabled with our global in-water light pollution atlas which highlighted for the first time the true extent of the problem, which hitherto had gone unrecognised, Smyth said in the press release.

Coastal regions worldwide were examined during the study, and it was found that reefs in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea are especially affected by light pollution.

Davies told EcoWatch that Ninh Diem, Vietnam, is another particularly affected area.

These places have coastlines that have seen heavy development in recent years, as well as coral reefs that are close to the shore and especially at risk.

The Red Sea and the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba are heavily impacted by Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) due to urbanization and the proximity of the reefs to the coastline. Despite the challenges posed by ALAN, corals in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba are known for their thermal tolerance and ability to withstand high temperatures. However, a disturbance in the timing of coral spawning with the moon phases can result in a decline in new coral recruits and a reduction in the coral population, said co-author of the study professor Oren Levy, who heads the Laboratory for Molecular Marine Ecology at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, in the press release. It is crucial that we take immediate action to reduce the impact of ALAN on these fragile marine ecosystems. By implementing measures to limit light pollution, we can protect these vital habitats and safeguard the future of the worlds oceans. Its our responsibility to ensure that we preserve the biodiversity of our planet and maintain a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

So what can people do to reduce light pollution in order to protect coral reefs and other organisms from its adverse effects?

The simple answer is stop using artificial light at night, however the reality is more complex. Subtle interventions such as avoiding wavelengths that cause ecological harm, or avoiding times during important biological events might go a long way, Davies told EcoWatch.

Davies said the long-term prognosis for coral reefs globally is, Not great. Most forecasts see existing reef systems disappearing by the end of the century if carbon emissions are not drastically cut. However, transplantation, relocation and genetic modification might help to preserve coral reefs as an ecosystem, even if many existing reefs are lost.
The Bangladesh Students Union wrote to the University Grants Commission, Bangladesh today, June 27, urging the body to intervene in the matter of the suspension of four faculty members at the South Asian University, Delhi.

In the representation, the union mentions that SAU was founded by the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Nations  and points out that the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh must interfere to call off the suspension of the faculty members as legitimate stakeholders of the University.

The issue at hand

On June 21, the South Asian University suspended four faculty members, for allegedly inciting students against the interest of the University in violation of the universitys code of conduct. These suspensions came after masters students protested against the reduction of their monthly stipends for months last year.

The suspended faculty are Dr Snehashish Bhattacharya from the Faculty of Economics, Dr Srinivas Burra from the Faculty of Legal Studies, Dr Irfanullah Farooqi from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Dr Ravi Kumar from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

In addition, student bodies in India, particularly the All India Students Association (AISA) have also protested against the fact the university allegedly protected and even promoted a teaching staff member who had been accused of sexual misconduct.

Speaking against their suspensions, Bangladesh Students Union says, These professors had raised their voices against the compassionless manner in which the SAU administration dealt with the students protesting a decrease in their monthly stipend and demanding fair representation in sexual harassment and gender sensitization committees, and that the suspension of these professors for advocating for a fair and compassionate approach to resolving conflicts undermines the principles of openness, dialogue, and mutuality that are the hallmarks of the Indian education system.

Need for a constructive academic environment

Further arguing for the need for intervention, the representation goes on to claim how the university authorities refuse to take any tangible action to resolve the case in a democratic way, despite constant appeals from the students, alums and fellow professors.

The universitys actions, alleges the representation, demonstrate a disregard for accountability, transparency, integrity, and sustainability within academia, and create a hostile environment that goes against the essence of a vibrant and productive academic community.

It is crucial to establish a congenial academic environment at SAU that upholds the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for all stakeholders, the Bangladesh Students Union appeals in the representation.




Ghana aims to become top soybean exporter by 2030

Bryan Acheampong, Ghana's Minister of Food and Agriculture, said that Ghana will become the leading exporter of soybeans by 2030, GhanaWeb reported.

This ambitious target is expected to be achieved through the government's Planting for Food and Jobs programme, which aims to boost agricultural production in the country.

Highlighting Ghana's current soybean production, Acheampong said that the country produced 250,000 metric tonnes of soybeans last year. He emphasised the ministry's commitment to increasing soybean production in the coming years.

Speaking at the launch of the 'Support to Soya Bean Development in Ghana' event in Accra on June 23, 2023, the minister said that they intend to increase this number by 2027 to 1 million metric tonnes.

He said that Ghana is the number one exporter of yam and the number two exporter of cocoa in the world, and the government is hoping that Ghana will be the number one exporter of soybeans in the world by 2030.

The Ghanaian government implemented a ban on the exportation of maize, rice, soybeans, and other grains to eight countries on May 18, 2022. The countries affected by this directive include Niger, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Congo, the UK, Qatar, the US, Italy, and Canada.

The ban was put in place as part of efforts to promote local poultry and livestock production while enhancing food security within the country.

Minister Acheampong's vision for Ghana's soybean industry aligns with the government's broader strategy to bolster agricultural productivity and contribute to the country's export capabilities.

- GhanaWeb




Lallemand: Poultry microbiota research in spotlight during European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition

Lallemand Animal Nutrition poultry experts recently gathered in Rimini, Italy, to share state-of-the-art knowledge with worldwide experts in poultry nutrition at the 23rd European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN).

The event represented an opportunity to share two new studies focusing on poultry nutrition and microbiota modulation developed using high throughput sequencing techniques, Lallemand said. In addition, the company's team introduced a new practical method to assess pullet quality on-farm.

Assessing and improving pullet quality

It has been reported that body weight measurement is not sufficient to evaluate pullet quality. Muscle development and protein retention are also important criteria for pullet quality and future laying performance.

As such, Lallemand's team developed an original, on-farm indicator to evaluate pullet quality. This new method is based on the measurement of the pectoralis muscle (breast muscle) thickness using handheld ultrasonography.

The study shared at ESPN reported the validation of this method in a rearing environment (30,000 pullets). The trial also validated the effect on pullet performance of probiotic supplementation (Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622; BACTOCELL).

The bacteria supplementation led to improved and efficient growth performance and thicker pectoralis muscles. By improving feed digestibility and lowering inflammation, BACTOCELL appears to contribute to better protein retention from the feed and more efficient protein deposits in the muscle. The probiotic was considered a promising nutritional strategy to secure laying hen performance.

Deep diving into poultry microbiota

Two other studies used metagenomic techniques to assess the effects of microbiota modulation on poultry using either a probiotic (P. acidilactici CNCM 4622; BACTOCELL) or the natural microbiota isolated from healthy poultry (AVIGUARD).

In the first study, the probiotic was supplemented to laying hens during the late phase of the production cycle with confirmed benefits on laying performance. The probiotic favored a more diverse gut microbiota, which is likely to be more resilient. The modulation of the microbiota profile may also help improve gut health and performance.

In pullet rearing, a trial conducted with AVIGUARD confirmed the ability of the natural microbiota to enhance intestinal development and immune maturation in pullets. The microbiota study showed a reduction of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in the pullet gut (Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus sp.).

AVIGUARD favored faster maturation of the gut microbiota and the immune system, as shown in the development of the bursa of Fabricius. As a result, pullet robustness and resilience to invading pathogens is enhanced at a time when early colonisation by opportunistic pathogenic bacteria represents a major threat to the health of a flock.

- Lallemand Animal Nutrition
Putin lays out options for Wagner soldiers, Biden denies U.S., NATO involvement

Xinhua) 16:26, June 27, 2023

MOSCOW, June 27 (Xinhua) -- In a national address on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry, or return to their families.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Russian intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency reported.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States and its NATO allies were not involved in the incident and Washington would not take sides in the "internal matter" of Russia.

OPTIONS FOR WAGNER SOLDIERS

"We knew that the vast majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are also Russian patriots, devoted to their people and state," Putin said in his address to Russian citizens Monday night, stressing that they were simply used (by some people) without their knowledge during the armed mutiny.

The president noted that the mutiny organizers betrayed the country and those who followed them and "an armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He urged the soldiers of the Wagner group to sign a contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Putin thanked "all servicemen, law enforcement officers, special services who stood in the way of the rebels."

He also thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediating role in resolving the attempted mutiny.

Local reports said on Monday that a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin -- head of the Wagner private military group -- for organizing an armed mutiny has not been closed.

"The criminal case against Prigozhin has not been closed. The investigation continues," Sputnik reported, citing a source in the Russian Prosecutor General's Office.

DISCLAIMER FROM U.S.

Biden declared that the United States and its allies were not involved.

"We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this," Biden said on Monday in his first comments on the Wagner incident.

Biden said he spoke with key allies in a video conference to make sure everyone was "on the same page" and coordinated in their response.

While stressing his team would continue assessing the fallout from the incident, Biden said: "It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going."

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States does not know the details of the deal reached between Putin and Prigozhin that ended the mutiny, nor did he know Prigozhin's whereabouts.

"We're not taking sides in this internal matter," he said.

Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, said he would also talk to the latter again soon to make sure they were "on the same page."

Zelensky on Monday travelled to the front line running through the eastern Donetsk region to hand out decorations to troops near the occupied city of Bakhmut, his office said.

COUNTERTERRORISM REGIME IN MOSCOW LIFTED

On Saturday, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee announced that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts after the Wagner private military group was accused of trying to organize an armed rebellion.

After Moscow and Prigozhin reached a compromise through the mediation of Lukashenko, the committee declared on Monday that the legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation had been canceled in the above-mentioned places due to normalization of the situation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Teslas North American Charging Standard (NACS) is one step closer to becoming the de-facto electric vehicle charging system in the US. On Tuesday, SAE International, one of the automotive industrys most important standards bodies, shared it is working to support the plug, a move that will make it easier for manufacturers to add NACS connectors to their vehicles and charging stations.

Standardizing the NACS connector will provide certainty, expanded choice, reliability and convenience to manufacturers and suppliers and, most of all, increase access to charging for consumers, the SAE said in a statement. According to the organization, the US Joint Office of Energy and Transportation helped bring together Tesla and the SAE. The association says it will create a standardized NACS connector on an expedited timeframe, all in hopes of improving the countrys charging infrastructure that much faster.

As The Verge points out, the announcement comes on the same day that ChargePoint said customers could begin ordering charging stations with NACS connectors. Starting later this year, the company will offer the port as an option on its home AC charging systems. More broadly, the last month has seen Ford, General Motors and Rivian all announce they plan to adopt NACS. In turn, that has pushed states like Texas to mandate government-funded EV charging stations feature Teslas connector. With the momentum behind NACS growing, holdouts like Electrify America may reconsider their stance on the connector.
Internacional

Rusia convoca al encargado de negocios de Reino Unido para protestar por las ultimas sanciones
Pfizer plans to discontinue its obesity drug lotiglipron and focus instead on its weight loss drug danuglipron as it races to rival the success of other weight loss treatments.


The NIA has mentioned in its charge sheet that gangster Bishnoi ' title='Lawrence Bishnoi '>Lawrence Bishnoi had proposed an idea of forming alliances with other gangs, a 'Mahagathbandhan' to confront rivals and expand terror network. The NIA states that Bishnoi utilised social media tools and various websites to reach a wider audience.



"The accused, Bishnoi ' title='Lawrence Bishnoi '>Lawrence Bishnoi is the mastermind behind this syndicate, orchestrating the dangerous concept of forging alliances with gangs in almost all states of northern India, except Punjab.



"He formed alliances with Sandeep alias Kala Jatheri and Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana in Haryana, Jitender Maan Gogi in Delhi, Anandpal in Rajasthan, and later his protege, Anuradha Choudhary alias Revolver Rani, also joined this terror syndicate. These alliances significantly augmented Lawrence Bishnoi's influence as a gangster," stated the charge sheet.



According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), after establishing these alliances, Bishnoi was able to operate even from jail. The profits from targeted killings and extortion were shared among all members, including Rajesh Kumar alias Raju Mota, Kala Rana, Dalip Bishnoi, Surender Singh alias Chiku, and others, to support the foot soldiers and invest in properties.



The NIA investigation also revealed that Bishnoi aimed to reach a larger audience, prompting him to employ various social media tools and platforms to showcase his terror network.



"Bishnoi gained notoriety by exploiting Facebook and YouTube to his gang's advantage, promoting all their terror activities through these platforms. From sharing pictures of his court appearances while in custody to ensuring widespread coverage on social media, Bishnoi used Instagram and YouTube to amplify the slogan 'Jai Balkari ji,' which became synonymous with him.



"The hundreds of thousands of views boosted his image and facilitated more extortion demands. Inspired by his tactics, gangsters in Delhi and Haryana also became active on social media. In addition to social media, news articles and stories in TV and print media satisfied the syndicate's thirst for publicity, particularly Lawrence Bishnoi," the charge sheet said.






Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has just posted an 11-minute audio message, speaking for the first time since the weekends aborted Wagner Group rebellion. In the message, he says his men headed to Moscow to "hold to account" leaders he blamed for "mistakes" in the Ukraine war. He denied his "march for justice" was aimed at toppling Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Randi Weingarten, the powerful president of the American Federation of Teachers, hasnt been a working teacher in more than a quarter of a century.

Of the six years she spent teaching social studies, half of them appear to have been as a substitute. Yet despite the long absence from her short tenure in the classroom, the union leader described herself during a recent congressional hearing as being on leave from Brooklyns Clara Barton High School. Through her decades of union activism, Weingarten has clocked service time as a public school teacher, enabling her to accrue an educators pension on top of the more than $500,000 in annual salary and benefits she earns as a labor executive, according to records obtained by the Freedom Foundation. She would receive about $230,000 total over her first 15 years of retirement, according to the public sector union watchdogs analysis.

Weingarten has called that analysis completely wrong, without explaining why. She did not respond to RealClearInvestigations request, via the American Federation of Teachers press office, to clarify where the Freedom Foundation erred.

Weingartens work arrangement is not uncommon among public sector employees, thanks to a little-scrutinized feature often found in collective bargaining agreements: so-called official time or release time provisions. Such clauses enable employees to engage in union-related activities full- or part-time during their working hours, while sometimes continuing to earn salary and/or accrue benefits.

The practice is also common in the private sector, where many companies pay employees doing union business, according to Peter A. List, editor of LaborUnionNews.com. But critics argue release time for public employees is different for two main reasons. First, it is taxpayers, rather than shareholders, who are picking up the cost. Second, because unions dont have to pay many representatives, this frees up money for political activities which some taxpayers do not support. Across the federal government, official time diverts more than $100 million in public funds toward union work annually. Combining the cost of release time at the state and local levels, one estimate puts the total bill for public sector union activities as high as $1 billion. Proponents of these arrangements say they provide bang for the taxpayers buck.

The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest public sector union, argues that by fostering labor-management collaboration, official time reduces employee turnover, improves customer service, [and] prevents costly litigation, contributing to [g]ains in quality, productivity, and efficiency year after year, in department after department.

In congressional testimony, Darrell M. West, a senior fellow at the liberal Brookings Institution, said that by establishing vehicles for communications, grievance-airing, and conflict resolution, this paid time  aid[s] in agency operations. Critics contend these provisions create a costly and potentially unconstitutional publicly funded benefit for unions  without providing any labor peace dividend. James Sherk, a labor expert in the Trump administration who helped lead its efforts to curtail federal official time, told RCI that the practice creates an enormous taxpayer subsidy to government unions, forcing the public to pick up a large share of the unions basic operating expenses, while freeing up resources for them to spend on politics and lobbying.

Sherk disputes the idea that official time makes for more harmonious government, claiming that on the contrary it encourages unions to drag out negotiations and file frivolous grievances because they dont have to pay for it.

A Trump administrative executive order taking aim at official time noted that many agencies and collective bargaining representatives spend years renegotiating CBAs [collective bargaining agreements].

Federal Costs of Official Time

Until 1962, federal workers were forbidden to join unions, for fear any strike would threaten essential services and national security. In the years since President John F. Kennedy issued executive order 10988 permitting them to unionize, the public sector would come to be disproportionately organized relative to the private sector.

In 1978 Congress granted federal employees performing representational functions official time, enabling them to engage in non-internal union activities like collective bargaining negotiations or dispute resolution processes, while earning their salaries, provided the time so dedicated is reasonable, necessary, and in the public interest.

Federal workers spent 2.6 million hours on union activities while on the clock at a cost of $135 million in taxpayer-funded salary and benefits in fiscal year 2019, the last year for which such data is available. This represented a slight decrease from historical figures, typically totaling three million hours in official time, at a cost of well over $150 million annually.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which reported these figures, directs agencies to classify official time in four buckets covering time used to: collectively bargain; bargain during the life of a collective bargaining agreement; process grievances and appeals, and; engage in other representational functions. The federal human resources agency found that more than three-quarters of the union-devoted time federal agencies recorded in 2019 covered activities other than negotiating or dispute resolution, falling into this fourth bucket officially dubbed general labor-management relations work.

Such work might include meeting with management on employment conditions, lobbying Congress, or participating in formal meetings and investigative interviews.

The Office of Personnel Management noted in its fiscal year 2019 official time report that it had no means of confirming that the data it received from agencies was a full and accurate representation of official time actually utilized. Republican lawmakers and appointees have expressed skepticism about the practice, fearing it may be abused, and suggesting that at minimum the lack of detail and transparency about official time usage makes it hard to conduct oversight that would reveal any such issues.

House Democrats claim the bulk of official time stems from meetings called for by agency management, and for which agency management is the primary beneficiary.

A congressional survey of 24 agencies covering 840,174 employees represented by unions found that more than 12,500 such employees used official time in some capacity during fiscal year 2017. Just under 1,000 of these employees spent at least half of their working hours as union representatives. Hundreds, many of whom earned salaries of more than $100,000 per year, were on 100% official time  solely doing union work  ranging from a social worker and pharmacist at the Department of Veterans Affairs to air traffic controllers at the Department of Transportation. Republicans said such employees were being paid for work they were not hired to do without doing the work they were hired to do.

Local Costs Harder to Deduce

Generally, state and local employees like their federal counterparts may also take release time to execute union-related work.

Unlike at the federal level however, there is not necessarily an Office of Personnel Management collecting and reporting related data. Labor experts say that measuring the full extent of release time across the states is difficult, in part because doing so would require obtaining data not just from state governments, but from more than 36,000 jurisdictions nationwide ranging from cities to school districts, each with specific policies regarding unions and release time.

Compiling relevant figures often requires soliciting records from authorities by bargaining unit, a tedious and time-consuming process providing no guarantee of success given not all jurisdictions diligently track release time metrics. Freedom Foundations Maxford Nelson, author of the report on Randi Weingartens teachers pension, said it took him the better part of a year, mostly waiting on FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] requests, just to piece together the story about the single prominent union leader.

Weingartens union leave arrangement  whereby she accrued time towards her pension but was not receiving salary  is itself the product of a specific collective bargaining agreement. Teachers on leave in other locales may do so subject to different conditions, and for different benefits. Despite these nuances, analyses conducted in recent years do provide an indication as to the prevalence of the practice and the associated costs in at least some locales.

A 2017 study of the 77 largest municipalities in the U.S., covering 231 collective bargaining agreements of police, firefighter, and other public employee unions, found that 72% of such unions receive some kind of release time  usually paid for by the city or through cost-sharing arrangements. States and think tanks have performed analyses that provide an incomplete but still telling picture of the nature and extent of these arrangements. For example: New Jerseys Commission of Investigation found that over a six-year period from 2006-2011, taxpayers shelled out $30 million in salaries and medical benefits to public sector employees on leave. During a single-year period, 88 government employees operated on full-time union leave, at a cost of over $7 million to the state. The report shows several public employees on long-term union leave who, like Weingarten, nevertheless were set to receive substantial state pensions.

The free market-oriented Yankee Institute found that in 2015, Connecticut employees spent 121,000 hours on union time, at a cost of $4 million to taxpayers.

The libertarian Competitive Enterprise Institute found that, based on record requests covering fiscal years 2014-2016, three Florida municipalities  Miami-Dade County, the City of Tampa, and City of Jacksonville  totaled annual release time over 100,000 hours, at a cost of $3.5 million to taxpayers. None of the authorities recorded the activity engaged in by those public employees  many of whom spent 100% of their work hours performing union business.

The think tank argues this lack of transparency is troubling because of its findings for example in Missouri that government unions have used release time to lobby public officials for legislation including that antithetical to employee free choice, and in Texas that employees spent release time attending barbeques and other recreational events.

A 2020 study by the Goldwater Institute which queried agencies in all 50 states found that union officials on release time routinely engage in partisan electioneering through union endorsements, fundraising, and get-out-the-vote efforts, as well as lobby[ing]  on issues that often put them at odds with the governments paying their salaries. Like the Competitive Enterprise Institute, it too noted that some have been found using release time for recreational purposes, including going on vacation.

Jonathan Riches, the Goldwater Institutes national litigation director, concluded that there are few arrangements where taxpayer resources, or the resources of nonunion employees, are so clearly outside the control of the public, or so clearly earmarked for purely private activities.

RCI asked both the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, two of the largest and most powerful unions nationally, whether there should be transparency for taxpayers regarding public employees release time usage, by cost and activity. Neither union responded.

Nor did the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, an AFL-CIO affiliate representing more than 1.6 million active and retiree members  the largest and fastest growing public service employees union in the country.

The issue of official or release time has taken on a partisan hue as these and most other public sector unions overwhelmingly contribute at the federal level to Democrat causes. In the 2020 election cycle alone, public sector unions contributed $93 million to federal candidates, parties, and outside groups, according to OpenSecrets. More than 97% of those funds went to Democrats or liberal organizations.

Stiff Resistance to GOP Opposition

Efforts to combat taxpayer-funded union work have enjoyed limited success. President Trump issued an executive order in May 2018 intended to cut official time spending by nearly two-thirds. That order drew the hackles of organized labor, one of several orders that the American Federation for Government Employees said aimed to kill our union and harm our members.

President Biden rescinded Trumps official time-limiting executive order on the third day of his presidency. At least one related legislative proposal during the Trump years floundered.

On the state level, GOP strongholds including Florida, Montana, Ohio, and Utah all considered bills to limit release time this year. Those bills, however, either did not become law, or the relevant release time provisions did not make it through the legislative process, suggesting the power unions have even in red states.

Nelson told RCI that conservative lawmakers on the whole tend to have less experience and expertise related to labor unions, which can mean that government union reforms face a longer road to passage. He added that attempts to limit or regulate release time are fairly new, suggesting it is common for it to take several legislation sessions for such novel policies to advance.

Arizona is an exception. In 2022, its legislature passed into law Senate Bill 1166, barring public employers from spending public funds on union activities, defined as those advocating for the election or defeat of any political candidate or lobbying  to influence the passage or defeat of federal or state legislation, local ordinances or any ballot measure.

The first-of-its-kind legislation was modeled on a bill drafted by the libertarian Goldwater Institute.

While several states reassess official time agreements, the Phoenix-based think tank and other conservative legal groups have in recent years been seeking to overturn the practice in the courts.

The Goldwater Institute has brought cases in Arizona, New Jersey, and Texas under state constitutional gift clauses or anti-aid clauses, which prohibit the use of public funds to advance private interests  like those of unions. The landmark Janus 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision, which ruled it a First Amendment violation for public sector unions to mandate that non-union members pay union fees, has further fueled such litigation, under the theory that if non-union members are forced to fund the release time of their unionized colleagues  as the Goldwater Institute argues occurs in Phoenix, Arizona  this too would constitute a First Amendment violation.

Several courts have struck down release time practices as unconstitutional or unlawful, only for decisions to be reversed at the state supreme court level.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, a conservative public interest litigator, sued Milwaukee Public Schools in 2021. It alleged that Milwaukees release policy violated various aspects of Wisconsins constitution in allowing public funds to be used for a private entitys private purposes  including union political activities. Milwaukee would amend its release policy to ensure that permissible activities include solely those that are politically and ideologically view-point neutral.

Despite public sector unions, and particularly teachers unions like Weingartens American Federation for Teachers, facing mounting scrutiny for their role in school closures and broader left-wing political activism, the practice of release time has garnered little attention.

Lucas Vebber of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty told RCI that when his group brought the Milwaukee case, I was surprised as to how few people were aware of this policy and just how little was known about it. There seemed to be very little oversight or records available on it. It seemed to be flying under the radar.
A Montana Rail Link train derailed on Twin Bridge east of Reed Point on the morning of Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo courtesy Montana FWP)

A dive team and large crane will assess the condition of the 10 rail cars in the Yellowstone River east of Reed Point to try to remove them after Saturday mornings derailment and bridge collapse.

The Montana Rail Link 55-car train derailed around 6 a.m. about five miles east of Reed Point in Stillwater County after the bridge underneath it collapsed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on its website for the event.

Until two years ago, the bridge had been adjacent to a road bridge that was disassembled after structural concerns were found during a 2019 inspection.

According to a Monday afternoon release from a Unified Command of Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the EPA, and Montana Rail Link, 10 cars ended up in the river when the bridge collapsed.

Three of the cars were carrying molten sulfur, six carried asphalt  both of which are materials that solidify rapidly under cooler temperatures, officials said  while another contained scrap metal. Two of them remain submerged in the river, and the dive team will shed light on the situation officials said is a key unknown when it comes their removal.

The Unified Command said Monday that two cars containing sodium hydrosulfide that derailed on the west side of the bridge but did not fall into the water had their contents transferred into other rail cars and transported away.

Eight other rail cars on the eastern side of the bridge also derailed  five of which contained asphalt and three that contained fertilizer. The three containing fertilizer and one containing asphalt were also removed Monday, leaving four more cars on the east side of the bridge that will also be moved in coming days, officials said.

The Unified Command said the dive team was brought in to look at the cars under the waters surface, and that contractors and a crane were brought in to stabilize and remove the cars from the river.

A Montana Rail Link contractor is performing water quality sampling for asphalt, sulfur and other materials with oversight from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Globs of asphalt have been found downstream in and on the banks of the river, but officials said they were not likely to affect water quality and had not detected any risks so far.

The solid waste is not water soluble and is not anticipated to impact water quality. Water quality testing results from Saturday show no detectable levels of petroleum hydrocarbons or sulfur and samples continue to be taken and analyzed, the release from Unified Command said. At this time, there are no known risks to public drinking water or private drinking water wells.

A fiber line that ran across the tracks was also damaged in the derailment and bridge collapse that was still causing some phone issues statewide on Monday afternoon, but telecommunications were working on fixing the issue, officials said.

A spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board said the Federal Railroad Administration was leading the investigation into the derailment and bridge collapse and that the NTSB was assisting the investigation.

Dan Griffin, a spokesperson for the Federal Railroad Administration, said investigators arrived Saturday afternoon to analyze the cause of the derailment, while the EPA is monitoring potential impacts on air quality, soil and water.

FRA will continue to work with the EPA, local officials, and Montana Rail Link on the ground and remain in communication with NTSB as part of this ongoing investigation, Griffin said in a statement.

A spokesperson for MRL directed the Daily Montanan to the Unified Commands afternoon brief when reached for information on the incident and prior inspections.

The Billings Gazette reported the companys president said the trestle was inspected in May, and the rail line was scanned for potential flaws sometime in the past two months. He said he expected a lengthy outage for the oft-used route.

In 2021, the state closed the section of the river after investigations found the Twin Bridges vehicle bridge adjacent to the rail bridge, which was built in 1931, had structural damage because of scour and rust, which led to the disassembling of the bridge in April of that year. A 2019 MDT fracture critical inspection report found there were issues with the substructure, superstructure and deck of the vehicle bridge.

U.S. Department of Transportation data from 2022 found that of Montanas 4,478 bridges not controlled by the federal government, 64% were in fair condition, 29% were in good condition, and 6% were in poor condition. In Stillwater County, out of 90 bridges, 74% were in fair condition, 24% were in good condition, and one bridge was in poor condition.

Montana Rail Link is working with BNSF Railway Co. and its unions to find alternative routes for other trains to limit supply chain disruptions, the Unified Command said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks closed several sections of the river and nearby fishing sites over the weekend following the crash. Sections of the river below the Indian Fort access site were still closed Monday afternoon. FWP spokesperson Greg Lemon said the department was still in assessment mode on Monday afternoon.

Gov. Greg Gianforte toured the derailment and received a briefing on Sunday from Stillwater County Fire and MRL. The rail company will assume all the costs of cleanup, recovery and rebuilding the bridge, the Governors Office said.

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 statement. Well continue to do our part to support the response of Montana Rail Link and county officials as they assess their ongoing needs.

Montanas congressional delegation also responded.

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Republican, said he had spoken with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the crash and hoped the Department of Transportation would conduct a swift and thorough investigation.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, wrote to Buttigieg and the administrators of the EPA and FEMA asking them to work with local and state governments and saying he appreciated their prompt responses.

Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale also thanked the same group for their quick response and posed questions about the cause of the bridge collapse, supply chain disruptions and a timeline for the bridges repair and cleanup of the spill.

Stillwater County and MRL said Sunday evening they were grateful for the support.

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, they said.

The Unified Command group plans to host a Zoom news conference at 7 p.m. Monday evening. A public meeting on the derailment and response is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Columbus High School gym.

The post Dive team to assess derailed train cars in Yellowstone River before removal appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan)

The Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office told House Majority Leader Sue Vinton the white powder contained in a suspicious letter she received Monday tested as flour.

The Billings representative was the fourth Republican Montana legislator to receive a letter containing white powder since Friday, according to a press release from Senate Republicans, with lawmakers in Kansas and Tennessee reportedly receiving similar packages in recent days.

While Im hopeful that the other letters received by Montana Republican legislators are also benign, I want to encourage all lawmakers to continue exercising extreme caution and work with their local law enforcement to handle any suspicious mail that they receive, Vinton said in the release.

A spokesperson for the District of Montana U.S. Attorneys Office confirmed Monday an FBI investigation into the letters is underway.

House Speaker Matt Regier of Kalispell was sent the same letter addressed to his office at the Capitol, featuring a local Helena return address but stamped with Kansas City post markings, using the same kind of stamp as the letters sent to Reps. Rhonda Knudsen of Culbertson and Neil Duram of Eureka last week.

Capitol staff flagged the letter sent to Regier as suspicious Saturday after it was delivered and stored in House leadership offices for several days. Montana Highway Patrol then took over possession of the letter, a Sunday press release said.

No Montana lawmakers reported any symptoms after receiving the suspicious letters.

The timeline for test results for the other three letters was unclear Monday. Saturday, a spokesperson for the state DOJ said federal agencies have jurisdiction.

At this time, it does not appear that the state crime lab will do the testing, Kyler Nerison of the DOJ said in an email Saturday. Because the suspicious envelopes were delivered by U.S. Mail, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspectors Office have primary jurisdiction on the matter.

More than 100 letters containing white powder were sent to legislators in Kansas, the Kansas Reflector reported last week.

In Tennessee, a legislative office building was put on temporary lockdown after receiving similar letters on Thursday, according to the Associated Press.

Vinton turned over the suspicious letter to the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office without opening it and said she was thankful to them and the Billings Fire Departments Hazmat Team for their work investigating the powder.

She shared a post on her Facebook page from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen where he shared the news she and Regier received suspicious letters and urged lawmakers to continue to be cautious.

We will not be intimidated by nameless, faceless cowards. Rest assured we will continue to serve the people of Montana, Vinton said.

The post Four GOP lawmakers get threatening letters, white powder; substance in one tests as flour appeared first on Daily Montanan.
HELENA, Mont. - The substance included in the suspicious letter received by House Majority Leader Sue Vinton Monday was determined to be not hazardous.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office informed Rep. Vinton the substance was flour and tested negative for harm.

"These letters are designed to stoke public fear. They're designed to disrupt public government. And our democratic process," said Bryan Lockerby, administered of the Division of Criminal Investigation for the Montana Department of Justice.

The Billings Fire Department Hazmat Team assisted YCSO in testing the substance.

I want to sincerely thank the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Department and the Billings Fire Departments Hazmat Team for their very quick and decisive work on this matter. They handled it professionally and rapidly and Im relieved to learn the white powder contained in the letter sent to me was nothing harmful, Vinton said in the release from Senate Republicans.

"This goes back almost three weeks that this has been happening in other states. It just happened to hit Montana. Every substance that has been tested so far has been negative," said Lockerby.

While Im hopeful that the other letters received by Montana Republican legislators are also benign, I want to encourage all lawmakers to continue exercising extreme caution and work with their local law enforcement to handle any suspicious mail that they receive, Vinton said in the release from Senate Republicans.

UPDATE, JUNE 26:

House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, R-Billings, received a suspicious letter Monday morning, bringing the total of suspicious letters addressed to the Capitol to four.

A release from Senate Republicans said Vinton did not open the letter, but immediately brought it to the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.

UPDATE, JUNE 25:

A third suspicious letter addressed to House Speaker Matt Regier at the State Capitols address.

A release from Senate Republicans says the letter was delivered to the Capitol several days ago and stored unopened in the House leadership offices.

The letter was flagged as suspicious Saturday night by staff, and the Montana Highway Patrol took possession of it Sunday morning.

While the letter was not opened, the outside post markings follow the pattern of the first two letters addressed to Reps. Rhonda Knudsen and Neil Duram. The letter addressed to Speaker Regier has a local Helena return address but is stamped with Kansas City post markings and uses the same kind of stamp as previous letters, the release said.

ORIGINAL POST:

Law enforcement is currently investigating white powder that was mailed to multiple Republican lawmakers in Montana.

According to a spokesperson for the Montana Republicans, law enforcement is expediting the testing of the powder. That same spokesperson said the return addresses are local to Montana but the postmark came from Kansas.

An alert was sent out to members of the state government encouraging them not to open any suspicious letters or packages.

"I will not be intimated by these kinds of tactics, I want to acknowledge the very quick response by the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Jason Frederick sent a deputy to my residence and the deputy secured the letter and immediately removed it from my home, Rhonda Knudsen said.

Rhonda Knudsen is from Culbertson and Neil Duram is from Eureka, both received letters, Knudsen is the House Speaker Pro Tempore and Duram is a House Majority Whip.

Knudsen is the only female Native American Republican serving in the legislature and Duram is former law enforcement.

According to the Montana GOP the letters look like similar ones to those that have been received by Republican lawmakers in Kansas and Tennessee earlier this week.

House leadership released the following statements in response to the letters:

"Anonymous actions like this are not expressions of free speech but rather are cowardly attempts to coerce and harm elected officials. I will not be intimidated by these kinds of tactics. I also want to acknowledge the very quick response by the Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Jason Frederick sent a deputy to my residence and the deputy secured the letter and immediately removed it from my home. -House Speaker Pro Tempore Rhonda Knudsen, R-Culbertson

"These letters mailed to Speaker Pro Tempore Rhonda Knudsen and Rep. Neil Duram containing an unknown substance are a continuation of the threats and hate directed at legislators during the session. We pray and hope that the white powder is benign while we await test results. Just as we stood firm during the session, we will not be threatened or distracted now. We are in tumultuous times and House leadership will continue our objective to protect Montanans' freedom and safety no matter what cowardly threats are directed at us. -Speaker of the House Matt Regier, R-Kalispell

"I stand in support of our members and condemn any acts of intimidation directed at our citizen legislators. -House Majority Leader Sue Vinton, R-Billings.
WASHINGTON, Pa.  No one likes methane leaks. Theyre bad for the environment, with methane emissions contributing significantly to anthropogenic climate change and polluting the nearby air and water. Leaks are also costly for the oil and gas industry, which loses marketable product every time methane leaks into the atmosphere.

So, in order to be sustainable, both financially and environmentally, many companies are pledging to reduce leaks and other emissions.

One of those companies is Diversified Energy, the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the country and a major player in the regions oil and gas industry. The company made its bones buying decades-old marginal wells and keeping them productive. Its faced criticism for this business model that some say allows dysfunctional wells to continue leaking methane.

Despite this, Diversified announced in its latest corporate sustainability report that it inspected 100% of its Appalachian wells for leaks last year.

That was no small feat considering the company owns more than 50,000 wells in the region. That includes more than 22,000 wells in Pennsylvania, 23,000 in West Virginia and 7,000 in Ohio, as well as wells in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

The boots-on-the-ground surveys found most of Diversifieds infrastructure was tight, meaning no leaks were detected, said Paul Espenan, senior vice president of environmental and safety for Diversified.

In 2022, we found we were 90% tight, Espenan said. In successive surveys, we got to 95% tight.

Why

Diversified, headquartered in Alabama, is now expanding its efforts to inspect all of its 7,500 wells in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma for leaks.

Were doing it because its the right thing to do, Espenan said.

But thats not the only reason. Diversified Energy  publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange which requires Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG, reporting from its companies  has a goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. It might sound impossible for a company dealing in fossil fuels to become net zero, but Espenan says Diversified is already well on its way.

The company reported it reduced its direct methane emissions by 25% since 2020, to 1.2 MT CO2e per MMcfe. Its new program to find and fix leaks was the largest contributor to that reduction, according to the sustainability report.

Oil and gas production is one of the largest contributors of methane emissions in the country, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Methane, which is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide, accounts for about 11% of emissions in the U.S., compared with carbon dioxides 79%.

Methane has a much higher-heat trapping potential than carbon dioxide, but it breaks down in the atmosphere much faster. That means cutting methane emissions could have a significant impact on cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions, and potentially reducing the immediate impacts of human-caused climate change.

Theres also the money. Methane is the primary component of natural gas, so when it leaks out of a loose valve or a faulty fitting, the company is losing its valuable product. Reports have found that fixing methane leaks could save energy companies billions of dollars.

We sell natural gas, so we want to put it back in the pipe, Espenan said.

Criticism

While these efforts are significant, Diversified has been criticized often by environmental groups for the types of wells it operates and the way it operates them. These groups argue the company is kicking the can down the road when it comes to plugging wells and, in the process, allowing marginal wells to continue leaking methane. The company has also been accused of underreporting emissions to regulators.

Reporters with Bloomberg in 2021 took a handheld gas detector and FLIR camera to inspect a few dozen Diversified wells on public lands and found leaks at most of them, including some the company reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection were not leaking.

The company responded to the story, which came out before Diversified launched its emissions reduction program, by fixing the reported leaks and reiterating its commitment to take care of its assets.

The company complies with all state and federal regulatory requirements and has undertaken key environmental initiatives over the past few years to directly measure, report and reduce emissions, the company said in a statement, to Farm and Dairy.

How

Most of Diversifieds methane emissions come from leaks, also called fugitive emissions, and from gas-driven pneumatic devices, according to its sustainability report.

Diversified also spent $1.4 million to train and equip its 600 Appalachian field workers, called lease operators, to become leak detection and repair, or LDAR, techs. These employees are already visiting these sites regularly in the daily course of their jobs, so it made sense to train them instead of contracting out this work.

Espenan said they did 167,000 LDAR surveys on the ground in 2022. Wells are inspected quarterly. Operators go over everything with handheld gas detectors. The detector is highly sensitive. When it detects a leak over 500 ppm, the device lets out a shrill alarm.

Each leak is written up, even if it could be easily fixed with the turn of a wrench, said Jason Mounts, director of operations for Diversified Energy. Others might involve changing out a part.

Operators demonstrated how they comb over each fitting, flange and valve with the GT-44 during a site tour June 16, at a well pad in Washington County.

Surveying an unconventional well pad with multiple well heads could take between 30-45 minutes. Going over one conventional well head and its associated equipment could take about five minutes.

The company spent nearly $1 million last year to convert 57 facilities from gas-based pneumatic devices, which are designed to vent a small amount of natural gas through regular operations, to compressed air. Espenan said they plan to do another 50 in the coming year.

Diversified also launched a program to survey all of its pipelines and other midstream facilities for leaks. It contracted out this work to Bridger Photonics, a Montana-based company that uses aerial Light Detection and Ranging, or LiDAR. So far, 11,000 miles of pipeline, or about 60% of the companys assets have been surveyed.

Can an oil and gas company be net zero? Yes, absolutely, Espenan said. We have charted a real path to obtain that.

(Reporter Rachel Wagoner can be reached at 724-201-1544 or rachel@farmanddairy.com.)
WELLINGTON New Zealand  Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited, CRP or the Company (TSXV: NZP, NZX: CRP FSE 3GRE) notes with interest the continuing strong market prices of rock phosphate. This is despite declining nitrogen and potash market prices.

An article in World Fertilizer Magazine (May/June 2023) helps explain why:

Except for a small amount of production in Finland, there is no commercial mining of phosphate in the EU. Traditionally, Europe has relied on two main sources; Russia accounts for almost 60%, and Morocco around 40%. While phosphate fertilizer imports from Russia have not technically been banned, complications arising from financial payment restrictions and transportation insurance premiums have greatly impeded their movement, not only to Europe, but to many consuming nations. Morocco, which has the worlds largest phosphate reserves, has been increasing its production to take advantage of the gap. State-owned OCP has announced that it will boost shipments by 50%, and is building three 1 million tpy granular phosphate units at Jorf Lasfa. While farmers are calling for increased imports from Morocco, there is a complication. Production from the North African nation is relatively high in cadmium. The toxic trace element and its compounds can cause cancer, attacking the renal, digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Fertilizer is one of the major sources for the build-up of cadmium in soils, and, in 2022, the EU emplaced a cap of 60 mg/kg on cadmium levels in fertilizers. Producers were able to meet the cap by mixing Russian-sourced phosphate (which is significantly lower in cadmium than Moroccos products), but now that option has largely disappeared.

Conclusions that can be drawn from this state of affairs are:

1. Phosphate rock prices are not likely to fall for quite some time.

2. Low cadmium rock phosphate is going to become increasingly highly sought after.

All of Chathams rock phosphate that will be mined in Korella (Queensland), Makatea (French Polynesia) and on the Chatham Rise is ultra-low in cadmium.

As such our diversely located phosphate reserves are likely to be viewed by phosphatic fertilizer producers as increasingly attractive strategic products/assets.

Our reserves are expected to be able to sustain forecast production levels of four million tonnes per annum for decades.

For further information please contact:

Chris Castle

President and Chief Executive Officer

Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited

64 21 55 81 85, chris@widespread.co.nz or chris@crpl.co.nz

Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Neither the Exchange, its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the Exchange), or New Zealand Exchange Limited has in any way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and associated transactions, and has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

CHATHAM COMMENTS ON STRONG INTERNATIONAL PHOSPHATE PRICES

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Now that grain markets have roared higher on spreading drought across much of the 18 important corn and soybean states, prices have become choppy on any idea we will get rain.

Last week, both July and December corn futures actually lost a little over nine cents as late-week weather forecasts predicted good coverage of scattered rain over much of the Midwest. This followed a week when most areas got a little, but all of the farmers were worried.

If we take a look back, we have seen September corn futures (we will switch our cash bean basis to September futures this week) trade a low of $4.92 1/4 on May 17 and a high of $46.24 3/4 June 21. That is a recent range of $1.32 1/2.

In a similar time, the November soybeans (cash buyers are using September and November futures now for basis) went from a low of $11.30 1/2 May 31 to a high of $13.78 June 21, a range of $2.45 1/2.

Given the recent prices, it would be easy to say they were too cheap a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen if we are looking at a good price now. If timely rains continue, the party is over. If we get dry in some areas for a week at a time, we have room to move up.

Ohio crops

I had a long talk with a Knox County reader this morning, and I reminded him that even in the Big One in 1988, the party was over when it rained, if I remember the date right, on July 3.

Normally, even in drought markets, we see corn highs in June, and June is about over when you read this. The crop can get worse, but the market goes up on premature fear.

That Knox County farmer said his corn was not knee-high yet, which is short for him. On the good farms in Northeast Ohio, it has been knee-high for a week, but it is not growing fast.

I am told some soybeans have brown spots in the fields, and as far as I know, this is not from disease, but from poor emergence in powder conditions. The corn roots are still going down, looking for moisture. The beans are trying to live in the first inch or two.

Progress report

The crops we see are being fairly reflected in the U.S. Department of Agricultures crop progress report every Monday. We have seen declines in condition for several weeks.

Two weeks ago, Ohio was one of the worst, but we escaped that dubious distinction this week. We actually have a combined rating of the good and excellent categories of 66%. I am surprised it is that high, actually.

The nation as a whole is rated at just 50% good and excellent, down 5% from last week. Last year our rating was 67% at this time. Another reflection of conditions is that one prominent observer has cut his yield estimate by another bushel, to 177 bpa. Remember, if we finish with that yield, we have a lot of acres, and we would still add to carryout.

If you are scared to get on the pricing wagon, remember, that in that 1988 year, we still ended up with something like 85% of the original estimated crop production.

The 81 acres behind my mothers house tasseled overnight after that July 3 rain and managed to put out 50 or 60 bushels. These are some of the awful memories that I measure markets by, and this one will come out better than that, partly because our planting practices are better and partly because we are not as bad off now as we were with the weather then.

Soybeans

We always say that it is August weather that is most critical for soybeans, as they set pods and fill them, regardless of plant height sometimes. This may be why the USDA soybean crop ratings are still as good as the corn, even though we are seeing some poor stands and very short growth so far.

Ohio came out today with ratings for soybeans of 61 good plus 5 excellent, for a 66% total. The nation, as a whole, is only at 51%, down three percent from last week. That compares to 65% last year at this time.

Other factors

There are other fundamental factors in the market to talk about. One interesting one is the idea that the Black Sea shipping agreement will not be renewed, as Russia thinks they are getting put at a disadvantage with it. They probably are, as the Ukrainians are determined to export by rail through Poland if they have to.

Meanwhile, wheat prices were up June 27 on the Chicago Board, as a knee-jerk reaction to political problems in Russia over the weekend. The Wagner Group, a large, nasty mercenary army supposedly controlled by Russia and doing their dirty work without the benefit of Russian insignia on otherwise Russian uniforms, revolted as the leadership got in a shouting match with the regular Russian army and started to march on Moscow.

Things have cooled off, but the temporary reaction to war news is always to increase the value of food grains until the truth is traded instead of the rumor.

There are other minor items, such as an upturn in possible soybean sales to China.

The most interesting news to me, and to the future production costs on the farm, is that, even though we saw crude dip below the magic $70 per barrel that the administration said they would use to refill the petroleum reserve, that reserve is now reported at 290 million barrels, the lowest since 1983. It has been emptied to moderate the rise in gasoline and diesel, and it is not being refilled yet.
The first-ever Welsh Agriculture Bill moves to its final stage of Senedd scrutiny today, but industry concerns remain over the direction of support in the country.

The Wales Agriculture Bill paves the way for transformational legislation to support farmers to produce food and other goods in a sustainable manner.

As part of it, the Welsh government says farmers will help "tackle the climate and nature emergencies" and "conserve and enhance the Welsh countryside, culture and language".

The landmark legislation will provide the framework for future agriculture support in Wales and is the first time Wales will have legislated in this way.

Should the vote on the historic Bill be passed by Senedd Members later this evening, it will then seek Royal Assent, and if received, it will become law in Wales.

However, Welsh farm leaders warn that the absence of economic viability of family farms from the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) objectives remains a significant concern.

SLM is at the heart of the Bill and establishes a policy and legislative framework with the aim of ensuring farmers can produce food and agricultural goods alongside taking action to combat climate change.

The proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme will be the main source of future government support for farmers in Wales.

But while the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) says there were some welcome developments in the bill's amendments last month, ministers "should have gone further".

"We have been consistent in our calls for the inclusion of an economic objective," said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

"Without viable farm businesses, we will not see the wider environmental, social and cultural gains that we all want to achieve.

NFU Cymru has said the bill should underpin the financial resilience of Wales' family farms and in so doing, sustaining rural communities, language, culture and heritage.

The union said that access to safe, high quality, affordable food is "the most basic fundamental right for all people in society".

"A key objective of the bill must be to underpin the production of a stable supply of safe, high quality, affordable food," NFU Cymru President Aled Jones siad.

"The bill must also include mechanisms to ensure levels of domestic food production are assessed, maintained and enhanced alongside climate, biodiversity and broader environmental objectives.

"This framework should deliver a comprehensive suite of outcomes that includes food security, incentivises on farm productivity and safeguards our rural communities and the Welsh language alongside a range of environmental outcomes."

The SLM objectives are being used to underpin the design of the proposed SFS actions that the Welsh government will ask farmers to undertake in future.

The Bill will also provide agricultural tenants with protection to ensure they are not unfairly restricted from accessing financial support.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said the Bill provided an opportunity to develop a first-ever made-in-Wales system of support.

Our farmers continue to deal with different challenges and this Bill will provide an important framework on which future support for agriculture can be delivered," she said.

"By working together, we can make a real difference to the future of our farmers and rural communities, by taking significant steps to tackle the climate and nature emergencies."
A Northern Irish farmer has been fined 15,000 following the death of his niece, who was struck by a JCB wheeled loading shovel operated by another child.

Derek Nummy's niece Abbie suffered fatal crush injuries when she was struck by the vehicle, which was being driven by a 12-year-old child.

The two children had been using the loading shovel to move tyres from a silage clamp to another area of the farmyard when the incident occurred.

Mr Nummy, from Co Down, was fined 15,000, and was handed a forfeiture order in respect of the machinery involved in the incident.

The prosecution followed a joint investigation by Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland with its enforcement partners in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the hearing, Anne Boylan, principal health and safety inspector said: Our thoughts today are very much with Abbies family.

"Whilst incidents involving children on farms occur less frequently than with adults, it is no less shocking that in the past 10 years, three children in Northern Ireland have sadly lost their lives in farm incidents.

"Children are naturally inquisitive and are keen to help out around the farm. Their immaturity and lack of experience means they do not always understand the risks around them."

Farmers and others working in agriculture should know that children under 13 years of age are prohibited from operating any agricultural machinery, she said.

"All those involved in agricultural activities are advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant age restrictions and training requirements around the operation of agricultural machinery on farmland.

Speaking on behalf of the PSNI, Detective Constable McAteer added: "Our thoughts and sympathies today remain with Abbie's family and friends as they continue to come to terms with her death.

"This was a tragic loss of a young life and serves as a salutary reminder of the dangers presented on a working farm, particularly when there is heavy machinery in use.

"While nothing can bring Abbie back, we hope that this case shows how important it is to exercise care and attention when farming."
Semen from North Country Cheviot rams has been exported to the US for the first time in more than 30 years, to help strengthen the gene pool of the American flock.

Top Scottish breeders Roderick Runciman and Andrew Polson were selected to export semen across the pond after US breeders expressed a desire for Caithness and border-type genetics.

The move follows President Bidens scrapping of the beef and lamb import ban in September 2021, which had been in place since 1989 due to fears over the UK outbreak of BSE.

As well as meat, the ban included semen and embryos, meaning the US gene pool for native breeds such as the North Country Cheviot has been severally restricted for more than three decades.

Andrew, who runs the Smerlie flock in Caithness, described being asked to provide semen as an honour as he has only established his flock in recent years.

He returned to Northies in 2012 after a 25 year break, but has since established himself as one of the UKs top breeders.

He said: I was contacted directly by a breeder in the US whose grandfather was from Caithness. He had studied agriculture at university in Scotland, too, and visited sales in Caithness, so he knew what he was looking for.

They had seen some of my sheep and Rodericks sheep go into the sale ring and because of that we were asked to supply semen.

"Roderick has a fantastic track record and it was a great honour for the Smerlie flock to be asked. Its going to be good for the North Country Cheviot breed and for our fellow breeders.

Andrew and Roderick both put forward four rams each to donate the semen, with the process being managed by AB Europe, a leading supplier of assisted breeding services to the UK livestock industry.

It involved each ram being placed into isolation and undergoing a range of tests before the semen could be approved for export, which took almost a year to complete.

Roderick said his rams  Sebay Excitable, Pengreos Xcalibre, Allanshaws XR3, and Allanshaw ACDC  were all proven sires and passed the tests with flying colours.

He said: The Americans are keen to improve the breed and they watch every sale and show and comment on them. They see when you win a show and they seemed to like my type.

The Scottish blood will widen the gene pool but Rome wasnt built in a day. It isnt going to suddenly make them into the quality we see over here but I do think its a big step forward to improving the genetics across the pond.

He added the semen will enhance the characteristics of the American North Country Cheviots. I like them to be eye catching and I try to look after their bodies, too.

"Thats the basics. A lot of folk buy a tup to breed a tup, but I buy a tup to breed females. Females will breed a tup. Always keep the females right as theyre the foundation of every flock.

Roderick, who has the famous Allanshaws flock, runs 750 North Country Cheviot ewes that scan between 190% - 200% and are capable of raising two lambs even at heights of up to 1,400ft on his farm near Galashiels in the Scottish borders.

He keeps 300 of his ewes pure and the rest are put to a Blueface Leicester to produce Cheviot Mules which he sells privately to a regular client list.

Andrew runs 200 pure bred ewes and sells shearling rams and gimmers at Caithness and Lockerbie.

The rams he put forward to donate semen are Smerlie Ambassador, Smerlie Admiral, Smerlie Whisky and Cairnside Brightspark.
Scottish farming bodies are calling on the government to issue more support to help farmers integrate trees, hedges and woodlands while maintaining food production.

The groups, which include NFU Scotland, Soil Association Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland, say there are still significant barriers to making this more common.

They are calling on the Scottish government to make it easier for people to access funding options to integrate trees on farms and crofts.

Farmers and landowners need the process to be "more farmer-friendly" while "reducing red tape and bureaucracy".

More flexibility and options are also needed for smaller areas of planting, according to the three groups.

Andrew Connon, vice president NFU Scotland said: The integration of trees on farms is not about land use change, it is about integrating trees, hedges and woodlands while maintaining agricultural production.

"While there are concerns from our members in relation to large scale woodland creation on agricultural land in Scotland, NFUS supports an integrated approach which prioritises the right tree in the right place.

"By removing the barriers associated with planting trees alongside agricultural production, we can ensure that the great many benefits of farming can continue while also delivering on food production, climate change and biodiversity.

According to the groups, the Scottish government should provide adequate, accessible and flexible funding options to integrate trees on farms and crofts.

The government should also ensure there are non-competitive options that are not bound to a time-restricted application process.

And the process should be made easier for tenant farmers to access support.

Alastair Seaman, director of Woodland Trust Scotland, said there was demand for tailored, accessible schemes and advice.

However, there needed to be a "mechanism tailored to farmers and crofters".

He said: We think more support should be made available through public grants to allow the well-planned integration of trees on farms and crofts alongside food production.

"Woodland Trust Scotland is delighted to collaborate with Soil Association Scotland and NFU Scotland to get this important message out.
Farmers in Wales will embark on a gruelling 24 hour challenge to tackle 15 mountains in order to raise 50,000 for a mental health charity.

Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) has set the challenge to raise vital funds for the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity in Wales supporting farmers.

The team of eight, led by DPJ Foundation volunteer and mountain guide Iwan Meirion, will take part in the 24 hour challenge on 6 July to tackle the Welsh 3000s.

The 15 mountains in Wales that have a height of 3,000 feet or more and the challenge is over 50km in length and involves nearly 3,700m of elevation gain.

It is a strenuous outing on Wales' highest mountains, split into three sections, that will push the team to their limits.

The challenge starts by tackling Yr Wyddfa, using the PYG Track to ease into things, but it won't be long before the team start their ascent of Crib Goch and tackling around 400 yards of knife-edge ridge, which will take them to the first summit of the day.

On to the higher Garnedd Ugain and Snowdon thereafter, shortly after they will be descending steep hillsides to reach the first Checkpoint at Nant Peris.

The second section will see them climb up to Elidir Fawr, which is relentless. Whilst not technically difficult, this section does include about 900m of almost continual climbing.

A few ups and downs follow - over Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan before the steep descent to the Ogwen Valley, and Checkpoint 2.

The last big climb of the day up to Pen Yr Ole Wen, will be a test for the team. Described as fairly easy going to Carnedd Dafydd, and a deviation to the outlier - Yr Elen, the route then takes them back onto the main ridgeline and up to Carnedd Llewelyn.

Once here, almost all of the ascent is done, and it'll be a case of getting their heads down and putting one foot in front of the other to tick off the remaining bumps of Foel Grach, Carnedd Gwenllian and Foel Fras, and completion of the challenge.

After the obligatory photo on top of the last peak, there is still the matter of the 1.5hr descent to the finish and pick-up point.

Leading the FUW team is senior county executive officer Emyr Wyn Davies, who said it would be a mental and physical challenge.

He said: "We want to give our fundraising efforts for the DPJ Foundation one absolute giant push and break the 50,000 barrier.

"The work the DPJ Foundation does every day for our farming and rural communities is immense.

"They save lives every single day and we want to make sure that they can continue to do that.
A senior politician in the Kremlin, Leonid Slutsky, has claimed Vladimir Putin will need to establish an army of seven million soldiers to replace the disbanded Wagner mercenary group.

A senior politician in the Kremlin, Leonid Slutsky, has claimed Vladimir Putin will need to establish an army of seven million soldiers to replace the disbanded Wagner mercenary group

Slutsky argued Russia requires a contract army of that magnitude as well as its current conscript army, following the failed coup attempt by Wagner.

He stated on the Telegram channel: The country does not need any PMCs (private military companies) and their likes. There are problems in the regular army, but PMCs cannot solve them.

In response to the coup attempt, Putin, 70, has vowed to bring the Wagner group to justice.

The White House denied any involvement, emphasising it was an internal Russian matter.

National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said: The United States was not involved and will not get involved in this situation.

Speculation arose regarding the possible role of Western influences in the rebellion, as suggested by the Kremlin.

The Wagner Group, also known as PMC Wagner, is a Russian paramilitary organisation founded in 2014, led by Putin's former ally, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

While Russia refers to it as a "private military company" its been branded an army of barbaric mercenaries.

As of December 2022, the group was believed to have approximately 50,000 personnel in Ukraine, comprising contractors and convicts from Russian prisons.

Following the mutiny, videos circulated on social media showing banners encouraging people to join the Wagner Group being torn down in Russian cities.

Meanwhile, two planes connected to Prigozhin have landed in Belarus.

Prigozhin, 62, is said to have struck a deal with Putin, resulting in him fleeing to Belarus and his forces being halted just 120 miles from Moscow.

The planes, an Embraer Legacy 600 and a BAE 125-800B, arrived at an air base near Minsk.

While it remained unconfirmed whether Prigozhin was on board, it was expected Prigozhin would arrive in Belarus for his exile.

US Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner suggested the Wagner boss had reached Minsk, possibly staying in a windowless hotel in the capital to avoid the danger of assassination.

He told NBC News: I understand, literally as I was coming on air, that he says he's in Minsk and he actually is.
Comvita Limited (NZX: CVT ) is pleased to report record sales in the recent 618 shopping festival in China. The 618 festival is the second biggest of the year and Comvita reported sales improved by over 12% vs pcp, outperforming all other Manuka honey brands on the two leading e-commerce platforms confirming their strong brand and market leadership in China. Comvita was the number one honey brand on Tmall, Tmall Global and Tmall Supermarket along with being number one in JD, Hema and TikTok. Comvita also made the Tmall Top 10 Brands in the healthy food category and was the leading international brand in this prestigious list, reflecting the fact that Comvita is being recognised more and more as a premium health and wellness lifestyle brand.

Commenting, David Banfield Group CEO said I am so proud of our performance in China. Once again, the team have been able to deliver a standout result in the second most important shopping event in China. We believe that our unique premium and differentiated business model, and long-term strategy is continuing to build momentum and is further evidence of our ability to materially increase long-term household penetration and consumer loyalty in the China market.

Comvita has a unique End to End business model with around 350 people employed in markets outside of New Zealand to ensure that Comvita is better connected to customers and consumers in market and is able to adapt at speed to meet local market changes and needs.

Comvita retains its full year guidance as previously reported.

Ends.

For further information contact:

Kelly Bennett, One Plus One Communications

Mobile: +64 21 380 035

Email: kelly.bennett@oneplusonegroup.co.nz

Background information

Comvita (NZX: CVT ) was founded in 1974, with a purpose to heal and protect the world through the natural power of the hive. With a team of 550+ people globally, united with more than 1.6 billion bees, we are the global market leader in Manuka honey and bee consumer goods. Seeking to understand, but never to alter, we test and verify all our bee-product ingredients are of the highest quality in our own government-recognised and accredited laboratory. We are growing industry scientific knowledge on bee welfare, Manuka trees and the many benefits of Manuka honey and propolis. We have pledged to be carbon neutral by 2025 and carbon positive by 2030, and we are planting 1-2million native trees every year. Comvita has operations in Australia, China, North America, South East Asia, and Europe  and of course, Aotearoa New Zealand, where our bees are thriving.

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Don Lemon has declared he was fired by CNN for refusing to put liars and bigots on his news shows.

Don Lemon has declared he was fired by CNN for refusing to put liars and bigots on his news shows

The ousted host, 57, who was sacked from the network in April following a 17-year stint there  as part of an apparent shake-up of its image as a liberal station  also insisted people have a duty to stand up for what is right so they can fulfill the promise of the US Constitution.

He told ABC24 Memphis in his first sit-down interview since his dramatic departure from CNN: We have to stand up for the truth. 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.

I think that would be a dereliction of journalistic duty to do those sorts of things.

I have a responsibility as an American  not only as a journalist  to tell the truth and abide by the promises of the Constitution.

Because the Constitution says a more perfect union  not a perfect union. Im not perfect. No one is.

Since he was ousted from CNN, Don has maintained a relatively low profile, and told Page Six he was planning to enjoy my summer, spend it on the beach and have a great time thats it!

Dons ousting was widely seen as part of a move by network boss Chris Lichts campaign to shake up the networks liberal-leaning image and reinvent it as a down-the-middle and facts-first news organisation.

It has been reported Dons tensions with Chris, 51, dated back at least to last autumn, when the outlet said a wardrobe dispute erupted during a rehearsal.

The Atlantic said in early November, during a final rehearsal before the launch of CNN This Morning, Lemon baffled producers by arriving back on set from a break wearing a white jacket with fur collar over a turtleneck.

Chris is said to have asked in the control room: What the f*** is he wearing?, according to a first-hand account from Atlantic staff writer Tim Alberta, who was there working on a lengthy profile of the boss.

A junior producer was said to have reluctantly relayed Chris concern through Dons earpiece, which apparently provoked a miffed look from the CNN host as he was allegedly told: Don, uhh, were not too crazy about the jacket in here.
Jennifer Lawrence sent a "baby nurse" to Robert De Niro after he welcomed his seventh child into the world.

Jennifer Lawrence sent the 'ultimate gift' to Robert De Niro

The 32-year-old actress - who has son Cy, 16 months, with husband Cooke Maroney - gave her 'Silver Linings Playbook' co-star and his partner Tiffany Chen the "ultimate present" when their daughter Gia was born in April.

Asked if she had sent a baby gift to De Niro, she told a caller on 'Watch What Happens Live': I did one better I sent over a baby nurse.

I did. Im really happy for him."

Host Andy Cohen - who is dad to Ben, four, and 17-month-old Lucy - praised Jennifer for the gesture, saying a "night's sleep" would be the best gift for someone.

The 'No Hard Feelings' star was also asked how her own son is doing.

She smiled: "He's good."

Meanwhile, 'Taxi Driver' star Robert introduced his daughter to the world on 'CBS Mornings' in May, where he revealed the tot's full name and confirmed she weighed 8lbs 6oz when she was born on 6 April as he showed off a photo of her.

When host Gayle King asked Robert if the baby was planned, he replied: Yes, this baby was planned.

We are over the moon. She was brought here by love.

The 'Meet the Parents' star originally let slip the news about his seventh child during an interview with ET Canada.

Reporter Brittnee Blair said: I know you have six kids..., prompting Robert to reply: Seven, actually. I just had a baby.

He later told 'Access Hollywood' he thinks fatherhood is both exciting and scary.

Robert added: Sometimes I don't think people really know what being a good father is, you know you have a responsibility, but its a mystery, its a lot of excitement but scary and you do your best.
Netflix "values" its partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have many projects with Netflix still to come

The couple signed a rumoured $100 million deal with the streaming service when they stepped down as senior royals to move to California three years ago and vowed to become financially independent.

So far, they've released the fly-on-the-wall docuseries, 'Harry + Meghan', and another documentary programme called 'Live to Lead'.

And their Archewell company has a number of projects in the pipeline, including making 'Bad Manners', a prequel based on Charles Dickens' classic character Miss Havisham but with the lonely spinster reimagined as a strong woman living in a patriarchal society, though the show has yet to be greenlit.

Harry's documentary series about the Invictus Games is also near completion, however, Meghan's animated children's series 'Pearl' was cancelled last May, and the couple have also had a number of other proposals quashed.

The streaming giant has insisted its partnership with the pair is still going strong following a report by The Sun that alleged they will get the rest" of their money "only if they produce content of real interest."

A Netflix spokesperson told ET: We value our partnership with Archewell Productions. Harry + Meghan was Netflixs biggest documentary debut ever, and well continue to work together on a number of projects, including the upcoming documentary series Heart of Invictus'."

A spokesperson for Archewell has said: New companies often make changes in their start-up phase, both with people and strategy, and we are no exception. Were more equipped, focused and energised than ever before.

She also noted the company had recently hired actress and producer Tracy Ryerson as head of scripted content.
Noah Schnapp has celebrated his first Pride Month since coming out as gay.

Noah Schnapp and his mum Karine celebrate Pride

The 'Stranger Things' actor revealed his true self in January this year and was joined by his mother Karine, kissing her on the cheek as he shared photos of himself during New York City's celebrations.

Alongside a red love heart emoji, he simply wrote on Instagram: "First pride."

As well as the sweet snap of him and his mum, Noah also posted a photo of himself dancing in the fountain at Washington Square Park, and then taking a dip in a rooftop pool.

In the joyous pictures, he can been seen wearing a rainbow 'Straight Outta The Closet' t-shirt, which is a parody of NWA's iconic 'Straight Outta Compton' design.

Six months ago, the 18-year-old star announced he was gay in a video on TikTok and admitted his friends and family told him they already knew.

In the clip, he said: "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.'

"You know what it never was? That serious. It was never that serious. Quite frankly, it will never be that serious."

Noah's on-screen character in 'Stranger Things', Will Byers, is gay, and the teenage actor even referenced his alter ego's sexuality in the TikTok caption.

He wrote: "I guess Im more similar to Will than I thought."

Meanwhile, Noah previously addressed Will's sexuality during an interview in July.

The actor confirmed that Will had feelings for his best friend Mike Wheeler - played by co-star Finn Wolfhard - adding that it was "100 percent clear that he is gay".

He told Variety: "Obviously, it was hinted at in Season 1: It was always kind of there, but you never really knew, 'Is it just him growing up slower than his friends?'

"Now that he's gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing. Now it's 100 percent clear that he is gay and he does love Mike."
The Duchess of York has declared it is time to heal and nurture herself after having a mastectomy.

The Duchess of York has declared it is time to heal and nurture herself after having a mastectomy

Sarah Ferguson, 63, was revealed at the weekend to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and on an episode of her podcast recorded last week, she revealed she was having the affected breast removed and vowed to get super fit as part of her recovery.

Her long-time friend Piers Morgan, 58, said moments after he read the news Sarah had cancer he texted her and she replied: Time to heal and nurture me now!

The former Americas Got Talent judge added Sarah also said: Hopefully caught in time x thank you.

Piers revealed the texts in his column for The Sun on Monday (26.06.23) night, in which he added about Sarahs vow to look after herself in the wake of surgery: It was the first time Id ever heard her speak about the need to put herself before others, and it took a life-threatening moment to do it.

Its typical of her to instantly try to turn such a negative experience into a positive, but very untypical of her to suspend her astoundingly selfless instincts and focus instead on helping herself.

Im very glad she is though, because the worlds a better place with a healthy vibrant Sarah Ferguson in it.

Shes one of my favourite people; incredibly kind and empathetic, absurdly generous, endearingly modest, hilariously fun-loving, and ferociously loyal.

Yes, shes flawed and prone to dropping massive clangers, but so are all my favourite people.

Recalling their initial meeting, Piers added: I first met Fergie in 1996 at the instigation of Princess Diana who begged me to go a bit easier on her scandal-engulfed sister-in-law when I was editor of the Daily Mirror.

Shes her own worst enemy, I said. I know, sighed Diana, but she means well, she has a big heart.

Sarah said on her Tea Talks podcast: Tomorrow Im going in for a mastectomy... I have to go through this operation, and I have to be well and strong. And therefore, no choice is the best choice.

Im going to go out there and get super, super well  super strong.

Sarah  who has daughters Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33, with her 63-year-old former husband Prince Andrew  added she was grateful for her diagnosis as it has forced her to focus on herself instead of other people.

She said: I taking this as a gift to make real changes for myself and to nurture myself and stop trying to fix everyone else.
Sarah Ferguson almost cancelled the routine mammogram appointment that led to her breast cancer diagnosis.

Sarah Ferguson has undergone a mastectomy after the diagnosis

The Duchess of York, 63, was revealed at the weekend to have been diagnosed with the disease but has since undergone a mastectomy.

And the charity spokesperson - who has been helping cancer patients and children for years and has been a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 1990 and also founded Children in Crisis and Sarah's Trust - has admitted she was going to put off her appointment because she didn't feel like the journey on a "hot day".

Speaking on an episode of her 'Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah' podcast, which was uploaded just after the diagnosis was made public, Sarah recalled: It was after a bank holiday, and I live in this area  in the Windsor area  and it was a hot day, and I didnt feel like going to London. Its easy to put it off  Ill do it next week.'"

Fortunately, her sister, Jane Ferguson Luedecke, persuaded her to go.

She continued: I always normally do what she says because she gets so cranky. She said, No, go. I need you to go. I need you to go.'

A small shadow was detected by the mammogram and if she hadn't gone, she would have delayed the immediate attention it needed.

Sarah said: Had it not been for that extraordinary, they put an injection in you, contrast and it shows the contrast, and it shows them where to go, if I hadnt had done that  it was only a shadow.

They wouldnt have found out that it needs to be immediately sorted."

Sarah - who was reminded of her late father Ronald's battle with prostate cancer - is trying to remain positive.

She added: Im taking this as a real gift to me to change my life, to nurture myself, she said. To stop trying to fix everyone else.

And she has vowed to get super fit as part of her recovery.

Her long-time friend Piers Morgan, 58, said moments after he read the news that Sarah had cancer that he texted her and she replied: Time to heal and nurture me now!

The former Americas Got Talent judge added that Sarah also said: Hopefully caught in time x thank you.

Piers revealed the texts in his column for The Sun on Monday (26.06.23) night, in which he added about Sarahs vow to look after herself in the wake of surgery: It was the first time Id ever heard her speak about the need to put herself before others, and it took a life-threatening moment to do it.

Its typical of her to instantly try to turn such a negative experience into a positive, but very untypical of her to suspend her astoundingly selfless instincts and focus instead on helping herself.

Im very glad she is though, because the worlds a better place with a healthy vibrant Sarah Ferguson in it.

Shes one of my favourite people; incredibly kind and empathetic, absurdly generous, endearingly modest, hilariously fun-loving, and ferociously loyal.

Yes, shes flawed and prone to dropping massive clangers, but so are all my favourite people.

Sarah said on Tea Talks: Tomorrow Im going in for a mastectomy... I have to go through this operation, and I have to be well and strong. And therefore, no choice is the best choice.

Im going to go out there and get super, super well  super strong.

Sarah  who has daughters Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33, with her 63-year-old former husband Prince Andrew  added how she was grateful for her diagnosis as it has forced her to focus on herself instead of other people.

She said: I taking this as a gift to make real changes for myself and to nurture myself and stop trying to fix everyone else.
Lew Palter has died.

Titanic star Lew Palter has died

The actor - who portrayed businessman and Macy's co-owner Isidor Straus in 1997 epic 'Titanic' - died from lung cancer on 21 May at the age of 94, his daughter Catherine Palter told the Hollywood Reporter.

As well as roles in the likes of 'The Flying Nun', 'Delvecchio' and 'L.A. Law', Lew also taught at CalArts School of Theater from 1971 until his retirement in 2013, as well as conducting private workshops around the world, and his daughter was proud of his impact in the world of education.

She said: "As a teacher, he seemed to have truly changed people's lives."

The school's dene, Travis Preston, praised Lew for the way he instilled a love of the craft of acting in his students.

He said: "He fostered deep curiosity, care, intellect and humor in every scene, play and class. "He had the utmost respect of his students and encouraged all to find truth in their work and lives."

Lew's students over the years included Don Cheadle, Ed Harris, and Cecily Strong, who he encouraged to try out for improv collective The Groundlings before her breakout on 'Saturday Night Live'.

After acting and directing in plays off-Broadway, Lew joined the Millbrook Playhouse in Pennsylvania in the mid-1960s and made his TV debut on a 1967 episode of 'Run for Your Life'.

His 'Titanic' role was one of the most memorable in the film, with he and on-screen wife Elsa Raven, who played Ida, featuring in a montage embracing on a bed in their stateroom while the ship's string quartet played as the water rushed in.

Isidor and Ida were two of the wealthiest passengers to lose their lives in the disaster, with the businessman refusing to get onto a lifeboat while women and children were waiting, and his wife insisting she wouldn't leave without him.

Catherine revealed her mother, Lew's wife Nancy Vawter - who died in November 2020 - had been suggested for the role of Ida Straus, but her agent was told producers were looking for "a different type of actress".

As well as his daughter, Lew is survived by grandchildren Sam, Tessa, and Miranda.
The emergence of OTT platforms has paved the way for actors to make triumphant comebacks, captivating audiences with their exceptional performances. These actors, once celebrated in traditional mediums, have reinvented themselves in the digital realm, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

Here top 5 actors who have been showered with love for their spectacular performances on OTT platforms marking successful comebacks:

Harman Baweja

Harman Baweja's performance in "Scoop" showcased his acting prowess and marked a successful comeback for the actor. With his captivating portrayal, he brought depth and nuance to his character, leaving audiences enthralled. Baweja's on-screen presence and compelling performance in "Scoop" garnered widespread acclaim, solidifying his place in the world of OTT platforms.

Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit, a renowned Bollywood actress, made her debut on OTT with the series "Fame Game" in 2022. Madhuri Dixit's performance in "Fame Game" was a testament to her versatility and undeniable talent as an actress. With her magnetic presence and captivating portrayal, she breathed life into her character, earning accolades and reaffirming her status as a beloved icon in the realm of OTT platforms.

Dino Morea

Dino Morea, known for his work in Bollywood films, made a successful comeback with the series "Empire" in 2021. Dino Morea's performance in "Empire" showcased his impressive acting skills and left fans in awe of his talent. His compelling portrayal of his character resonated with audiences, earning him immense love and praise for his successful comeback on the OTT platform.

Shefali Shah

Shefali Shah is an acclaimed Indian actress who gained immense recognition for her role in the series "Delhi Crime" (2019). Shefali Shah's performance in "Delhi Crime" was a tour de force, delivering a gripping and emotionally charged portrayal of a police officer involved in a harrowing crime investigation. Her impeccable acting and portrayal of a strong, determined character garnered widespread acclaim, solidifying her position as a powerhouse performer in the realm of OTT platforms.

Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi, a Bollywood actor, delivered a notable performance in the series "Inside Edge" (2017). Vivek Oberoi's performance in "Inside Edge" was a revelation, as he portrayed a charismatic and manipulative character with great finesse. Fans were captivated by his nuanced acting, making him a fan favorite and highlighting his successful comeback on the OTT platform.
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Aju Varghese Apologizes To T. S. Raju For False Statement: Today morning, fake reports circulated about the death of actor T. S. Raju, but he quickly refuted them in an interview with Asianet News, confirming his good health.

Raju expressed that this incident marks his third rebirth. He also shared that Aju Varghese, a film actor who initially posted a condolence message on Facebook, personally called and apologised upon realising the mistake.

Mohanlal To Join Hands With Amal Neerad After 'Empuraan'? Excitement Peaks After Years Of Anticipation!

Aju Varghese took to Facebook to apologise to T.S. Raju, sincerely expressing regret for his incorrect statement and the distress caused to Raju and his family. Aju admitted that he fell victim to false news circulating on social media. T.S. Raju revealed that this wasn't the first time such rumours about his demise had surfaced.

Earlier, actor and producer Dinesh Panicker came forward to confirm that the news of Raju's passing was false. Dinesh Panicker mentioned that Kishore Satya, the president of 'Atma,' an association of serial actors, directly spoke with T. S. Raju and assured everyone of his well-being. Dinesh Panicker emphatically declared the news about T.S. Raju to be fake.

Kishore Sathya, in an interview with the media, shared that upon seeing the news spreading on social media, he immediately reached out to T. S. Raju. Raju clarified his good health, while Kishore expressed that Raju had informed him about the challenges caused by the false propaganda and the flood of phone calls since morning. From the early hours, several film groups active on social media had been spreading the false news of T.S. Raju's demise.

Production Controller N M Badusha took the lead in debunking the fake news about veteran actor T S Raju's death, effectively putting an end to the rumours.

T. S. Raju: A Talented Artist Across Movies, Serials, and Theatre

T. S. Raju, hailing from Puthuveli near Koothattukulam in Kottayam district, is an accomplished artist who has showcased his exceptional talent in movies, serials, and theatre. Educated at St. Mary's School in Aluva and UC College, Raju nurtured a deep passion for acting from a young age, leading him to Madras in search of opportunities in the cinematic world. In 1969, under the guidance of assistant director Hariharan, Raju made his debut as a police sub-inspector in M. Krishnan Nair's "Anachchadanam," starring the legendary Prem Nazir. He went on to secure another role in Sathyan's "Velliyazhcha."

Prithviraj Sukumaran Shares Health Update: Recovery Underway After Injury, Determined To Return To Action Soon

Expanding beyond films, T. S. Raju captivated audiences with his performances in numerous theatrical plays, showcasing his versatility. He also ventured into television serials, winning the hearts of family viewers with his portrayal of Marcos in the popular Asianet serial "Kumkumapoovu."

In 1995, Raju made a remarkable comeback to the film industry with "Three Men Army," followed by diverse roles in approximately fifty films. Notably, his portrayal of a circus manager in A. K. Lohithadas' "Joker" received immense praise and acclaim from audiences.
Malayalam Actor T S Raju Death Hoax: On June 27, false reports circulated on the internet claiming that popular Malayalam film and television actor T S Raju, known for his antagonist roles, had passed away.

Mammootty's 'Big B' Director, Amal Neerad, Sparks Frenzy With Exciting Hints Of 'Bilal' Realisation!

The news quickly spread like wildfire, causing a buzz online. While a few news websites initially reported the death of T. S. Raju, they later deleted the articles, clarifying that it was a hoax.

Actor and producer Dinesh Panicker has come forward to confirm that the news of Raju's passing is false. According to Dinesh Panicker, Kishore Satya, the president of 'Atma,' an association of serial actors, spoke directly to T. S. Raju and reassured everyone that he is in good health and high spirits. Dinesh Panicker categorically stated that the news regarding T.S. Raju is fake.

N M Badusha Debunks The Fake News

Production Controller N M Badusha was the first to step forward and firmly debunk the fake news of veteran actor T S Raju's death, putting an end to the rumours.

T. S. Raju: A Talented Artist Across Movies, Serials, and Theatre

T. S. Raju, born in Puthuveli near Koothattukulam in Kottayam district, is an accomplished artist who has demonstrated his exceptional talent in movies, serials, and theatre. He received his education at St. Mary's School in Aluva and UC College.

Even during his studies, Raju harboured a deep passion for acting, leading him to embark on a journey to Madras in search of opportunities in the world of cinema. In 1969, with the help of then-assistant director Hariharan, Raju made his debut in the role of a police sub-inspector in the M Krishnan Nair-directed film "Anachchadanam," featuring the legendary actor Prem Nazir. Subsequently, he secured another role in Sathyan's film "Velliyazhcha."

Actor And MLA K.B. Ganesh Kumar Offers A Helping Hand And Heart To Injured Artist Mahesh Kunjumon

Beyond the realm of films, T. S. Raju extended his acting prowess to dramas, captivating audiences with his performances in numerous plays. Additionally, he ventured into television serials, where his portrayal of Marcos in the popular Asianet serial "Kumkumapoovu" endeared him to family viewers.

In 1995, Raju made a comeback to the film industry with "Three Men Army" and subsequently took on diverse roles in around fifty films. Notably, his portrayal of a circus manager in A. K. Lohithadas' "Joker" garnered immense praise and acclaim from audiences.
Police Complaint Filed Against Ravindar Chandrasekaran: There has been a complaint that film producer Ravindar Chandrasekaran, the husband of serial actress Mahalakshmi, cheated a young man from America by getting Rs. 15 lakhs from him.

Ravindar Chandrasekaran is one of the famous producers of Tamil cinema. He is producing films through a company named Libra Production. He became hugely popular on social media after his sudden marriage to serial actress Mahalakshmi last year.

Happy Marriage Life With Serial Actress Mahalakshmi

These two are living happily as a couple despite being mocked and facing many comments. They are taking pictures of their fun life like buying a new car, going to a hotel and uploading it on their Instagram page.

In this case, it is said that producer Ravindar asked Vijay from America on May 8 last year for Rs. 20 lakhs to pay advance for an actor in his film. For this Vijay from America said, that he have only 15 lakhs and sent it in two installments, first 10 lakhs and then 5 lakhs on the next day to Ravindar's bank account.

Ravindar's Used Obscene Language?

Ravindar, who received money from Vijay, said that he will return the money in the amount of 16 lakhs within a week. But he dragged the time without giving it back to Vijay. When asked about money from Ravindar, he blocked Vijay's mobile phone number by telling various stories like it was a bank holiday and that he had sent a cheque.

It is also said that when Vijay's wife asked Ravindar for money, he talked to her in obscene language. Because of this, Vijay who was enraged filed a complaint to the Chennai Commissioner with audio evidence and online transaction details.

When Ravindar was asked about this complaint, he said that it is true that he bought Rs. 15 lakhs from Vijay, but Vijay gave it to him because he could not bring this money here from abroad. He also that he would give the cheque if Vijay's relatives come. This issue is currently going viral on social media.
Dhruv Tara: Sony SAB's 'Dhruv Tara - Samay Sadi Se Pare' depicts the extraordinary tale of love between Tarapriya (Riya Sharma), and Dhruv (Ishaan Dhawan), who belong to different eras. The show has won the audience's love with an endearing story and an adorable romance between Dhruv and Tara.

As Tara's brother Mahaveer (Krishna Bharadwaj) seeks guidance from Maharishi, he faces a shocking truth about Dhruv and Tara's love story. The union of Dhruv and Tara is forecasted to bring destruction and chaos. Alarmed by this prophecy, Mahaveer is faced with a difficult choice. He decides to protect his sister Tara and avoid the upcoming threat by taking Dhruv's life.

In the upcoming episodes, the viewers will witness that despite being aware of Tara and Dhruv's deep love for each other, Mahaveer finds himself torn between duty and emotions. However, in a heart-wrenching decision, Mahaveer raises his sword to kill Dhruv leaving everyone stunned. The tragic events send shockwaves through the kingdom and leave Tara shattered and inconsolable.

Has Mahaveer really killed Dhruv? Is this an end to Dhruv and Tara's love story?

Krishna Bharadwaj, who plays the character of Mahaveer, said, "Sometimes, the hardest choices we make are the ones that test the depth of our love and devotion. Mahaveer's decision to save his sister's life over Dhruv was heart-wrenching, given the complexities of duty and the lengths one goes through to protect those who are dear. It is a reminder that love is not always about what feels right but about what is necessary for the greater good."

Ishaan Dhawan, who plays the character of Dhruv, said, "It's always believed that love can lead us to the highest peaks of happiness and the deepest valleys of pain. In the upcoming episodes, Mahaveer will unexpectedly make a decision which will lead to a significant twist in the story. The filming of this scene was very challenging as blood oozes out of a deep cut Mahavir inflicts on Dhruv, but as a team, we worked together and gave our best shot. Stay tuned to find out what happens next in Dhruv and Tara's love story."
Adipurush: High Court Slams Makers Over Dialogues That Hurt Religious Sentiments, Asks Are People Brainless Photo Credit: Gallery

Allahabad High Court Slams Makers Of Adipurush:The Allahabad High Court reprimanded the makers of the Adipurush, Prabhas' epic mythological drama based on the Ramayana movie, for 'hurting the religious sentiments' of the people.

In the recent hearing on a petition demanding a ban on Adipurush, the Court directed the film's co-writer, Manoj Muntashir Shukla, to be included in the case and also issued a notice to him. Regarding the dialogues that infuriated a section of society, Shukla was asked to respond to the issue within a week.

The Court stated, "The nature of dialogues in the film is a big issue. Ramayana is a paragon for us. People read Ramcharitmanas before leaving home," and a few religious and sensitive issues shouldn't be revised or altered.

As quoted by a report in ndtv.com, "Do You Consider Countrymen Brainless? If we close our eyes on this issue too, because it is said that the people of this religion are very tolerant, will it be put to the test as well?" the bench remarked.

The Court also questioned if the Film Certification Board has performed its duty responsibly, terming it a 'very serious matter.' "It is good that people did not harm the law and order situation after watching the film. Lord Hanuman and Sita have been shown like they are nothing. These things should have been removed from the very beginning. Some scenes seem to be in the 'A' category. It's very difficult to watch such films," added the Court.

When the Deputy Solicitor informed the Court about the removal of objectionable dialogues, the High Court expressed severe disappointment and said, "That alone won't work. What will you do with the scenes? Seek instructions; then we will definitely do whatever we want to do.. In case the exhibition of the film is stopped, then the people whose feelings have been hurt will get relief," opined the court.

The Court also reacted to the addition of the disclaimer by saying, "Do the people who put the disclaimer consider the countrymen and youth to be brainless? You show Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravana, and Lanka and then say it is not Ramayana? Be thankful nobody vandalized the theatres."
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.

SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) is planning to turn small local shops into delivery partners, under the program dubbed 'Amazon Hub Delivery', according to Axios. The company has actively started recruiting existing small businesses in 23 states in the US to help deliver packages. It also implied that the company isn't looking for any prior experience to make this partnership work. The company said that it will be working with a wide range of businesses to complete shipments to customers. Those businesses need secure storage areas and must deliver an average of 30 packages every day outside of major holidays. The company will be paying a small fee to small partner shops for each package they deliver to Amazon customers. Amazon wouldn't explicitly state how much it would pay per package, though based on earnings of $27,000 a year, the rate would probably be about $2.50 a package. This Hub Delivery is basically an expansion of previous schemes. Amazon had introduced an 'I Have Space' system in India in 2015, and branched out to both Japan and Spain. Amazon stated that it's looking to partner with 2,500 small business drivers by the end of 2023. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The HOPE (Hydrogen Offshore Production for Europe) project is being coordinated by Lhyfe (France) and implemented by eight European partners: Alfa Laval (Denmark), Plug (the Netherlands), Strohm (the Netherlands), EDP NEW (Portugal), ERM (France), CEA (France), POM-West-Vlaanderen (Belgium) and DWR eco (Germany).

This project of unprecedented scale (10 MW/up to 4 tonnes of green hydrogen produced a day) has been selected by the European Commission as part of the European Clean Hydrogen Partnership, under which it has been awarded a 20 million grant.

HOPE will be located in the North Sea, off the port of Ostend, in an offshore testing zone aiming to be the nerve centre of the green hydrogen industry in Belgium.

For the first time in the world, green hydrogen will be produced at sea and then exported ashore via a composite pipeline to supply the needs of the regional ecosystem.

Brussels (Belgium) - 27 June 2023 - The HOPE (Hydrogen Offshore Production for Europe) project consortium has signed a 20 million grant agreement with the European Commission. This followed the positive evaluation of the proposal submitted by the partners in response to the call for proposals issued by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, co-founded and co-financed by the European Union.

The consortium aims to pave the way for the deployment of large-scale offshore production of renewable hydrogen. The HOPE project involves developing, building and operating the first 10 MW production unit in the North Sea, off the coast of Belgium, by 2026. The aim is to demonstrate the technical and financial viability of this offshore project, and of pipeline transport for supplying onshore customers.

HOPE Takes Offshore Hydrogen Production to Industrial Scale

Lhyfe completed a first step in 2022 with a world first - the inauguration of Sealhyfe, the world's first pilot production plant for offshore hydrogen already integrating Plug's technology and powered by a 1 MW floating wind turbine.

With HOPE, the consortium partners are moving up a gear and aiming for commercialisation. This unprecedentedly large-scale project (10 MW) will be able to produce up to four tonnes a day of green hydrogen at sea, which will be exported to shore by composite pipeline, compressed and delivered to customers for use in industry and the transport sector. HOPE is the first offshore project of this size in the world to begin actual implementation, with the production unit and export and distribution infrastructure due to come on stream in mid-2026.

HOPE will benefit from an ideal location, one kilometre from the coast, in the offshore testing area in front of the port of Ostend (Belgium), which aims to be the central link in the hydrogen chain in Belgium and has contributed to the development of the project since its inception.

The production site will be powered by electricity supplied under PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) contracts that guarantee its renewable origin. The water used for electrolysis will be pumped from the North Sea, desalinated and purified.

The production site will comprise three units: production and compression (at medium pressure) at sea, export by composite pipeline, then compression (at high pressure), storage and distribution onshore.

The first kilos of HOPE hydrogen could be produced as early as 2026. They will supply mobility needs and small industries in Belgium, northern France and the southern Netherlands, within a 300-kilometre radius.

A Flagship Project for the European Commission and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership

This project has been selected for funding under the Clean Hydrogen Partnership call for proposals co-financed by the European Union. HOPE is thus recognised as a flagship project making a decisive contribution to energy transition. By means of a first large-scale demonstration, the project will make it possible to improve the technological solutions for the production of renewable hydrogen offshore and its export onshore, helping to reduce the investment risks for much larger-scale projects in the years to come and paving the way for the production of massive quantities of renewable hydrogen in Europe.

The grant awarded by the European Commission covers a period of five years. This includes three years to develop the demonstrator, and then two years to demonstrate the technical reliability and commercial viability of the model. The commercial operation of the hydrogen production, export and distribution infrastructures developed in this context is intended to continue beyond the duration of the project.

The 20 million grant will be used to finance the design phases, the supply of equipment and the construction work, as well as research, development and innovation work focusing mainly on optimising technological solutions and the operation of this type of infrastructure. The techno-economic analysis of offshore renewable hydrogen production solutions on a much larger scale will be another of the areas of work.

Thanks to an ambitious plan to disseminate and utilise the results, the consortium intends to accelerate the deployment of large-scale offshore hydrogen solutions to help achieve the target set by the European Commission of 10 Mt of clean hydrogen produced in the European Union by 2030 to decarbonise the European economy.

First-Rate Partners for a Series of Technological Innovations

HOPE will combine the expertise and know-how of each of the nine partners involved, covering the entire renewable hydrogen value chain.

Main Key Innovations to be Developed in the Project

Recycled offshore barge: The structure housing the production unit will be a second-hand jack-up barge, demonstrating that it is possible to transform infrastructure previously used for oil and gas and give it a second life for the production of renewable energy, while helping to reduce costs and lead times.

The structure housing the production unit will be a second-hand jack-up barge, demonstrating that it is possible to transform infrastructure previously used for oil and gas and give it a second life for the production of renewable energy, while helping to reduce costs and lead times. 10 MW PEM electrolyser: This highly compact electrolyser will be the first of its size to be installed offshore.

This highly compact electrolyser will be the first of its size to be installed offshore. Seawater treatment system: This low-energy system which is compact, economical and able to use the heat emitted by the electrolyser, will be used for the first time to produce green hydrogen from seawater purified by evaporation.

This low-energy system which is compact, economical and able to use the heat emitted by the electrolyser, will be used for the first time to produce green hydrogen from seawater purified by evaporation. Underwater flexible hydrogen pipeline for hydrogen export: The hydrogen will be exported ashore via a flexible thermoplastic composite pipeline of over a kilometre long, which for the first time will transport hydrogen produced at sea after having been technically certified for this specific use.

Expertise and Role of Partners (ranked by requested EU contribution):

Lhyfe (France) : Engineering, equipment procurement, works supervision, operation, optimisation of the overall production, export and distribution system, project coordination.

: Engineering, equipment procurement, works supervision, operation, optimisation of the overall production, export and distribution system, project coordination. Plug (the Netherlands) : Supply and engineering of the 10MW electrolyser.

: Supply and engineering of the 10MW electrolyser. EDP NEW (Portugal) : Contribution to the optimisation of operations and impact analysis. Steering of techno-economic studies for large-scale developments.

: Contribution to the optimisation of operations and impact analysis. Steering of techno-economic studies for large-scale developments. POM West-Vlaanderen (Belgium) : Project implementation support in the testing area (studies, permits) and analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project.

: Project implementation support in the testing area (studies, permits) and analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the project. CEA (France) : Optimisation of operations via digital simulation.

: Optimisation of operations via digital simulation. Strohm (the Netherlands) : Supply of the subsea flexible thermoplastic composite pipeline (TCP).

: Supply of the subsea flexible thermoplastic composite pipeline (TCP). Alfa Laval (Denmark) : Supply of the seawater treatment system.

: Supply of the seawater treatment system. DWR eco (Germany) : Communication and dissemination of project results throughout Europe.

: Communication and dissemination of project results throughout Europe. ERM - Element Energy (France): Coordination support.

Acknowledgements

This project has received funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership under Grant Agreement No. 101111899. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.

Lhyfe is a European group devoted to energy transition, and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen. Its production sites and portfolio of projects intend to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities, and enable the creation of a virtuous energy model capable of decarbonising entire sectors of industry and transport. In 2021, Lhyfe inaugurated the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm. In 2022, Lhyfe inaugurated the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world. Lhyfe is represented in 11 European countries and had 149 staff at the end of 2022. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 - LHYFE).

For more information go to www.lhyfe.com. Access the Lhyfe media kit (press releases, images)

Plug is building an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem, from production, storage and delivery to energy generation, to help its customers meet their business goals and decarbonize the economy. In creating the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology, the company has deployed more than 60,000 fuel cell systems and over 185 fueling stations, more than anyone else in the world, and is the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen. With plans to build and operate a green hydrogen highway across North America and Europe, Plug is operating a state-of-the-art Gigafactory to produce electrolyzers and fuel cells and is commissioning multiple green hydrogen production plants that will yield 500 tons of liquid green hydrogen daily by 2025. Plug will deliver its green hydrogen solutions directly to its customers and through joint venture partners into multiple environments, including material handling, e-mobility, power generation, and industrial applications.

EDP NEW is a subsidiary of the EDP Group with the mission to create value through collaborative Research and Development in the energy sector. EDP NEW is entirely committed to R&D with a strong focus in technology demonstration projects. Among other areas, EDP NEW is very active in the topics of smart energy systems, smart cities and buildings, renewable energy, storage and flexibility, green hydrogen and digitalization. EDP NEW has carried out work in several EU H2020 and Horizon Europe in all the energy value chain, adopting an integrated and sustainable approach towards disruptive solutions that empower its partners and bring value to the shareholders.

POM West-Vlaanderen is a regional development agency in Belgium that aims to further develop a sustainable and innovative economy by promoting partnerships between industry & SMEs, knowledge institutions, the public sector and the general public (with a quadruple-helix approach). Five cluster policies are being implemented, in alignment with regional, national and European strategies. One of these clusters focuses on blue energy, covering offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, floating solar PV, hydrogen and a range of hybrid solutions, such as multi-use and multi-source applications in a marine environment. The programme around the offshore test facility Blue Accelerator covers the entire value chain in all stages of innovation and development. The Blue Accelerator is owned and operated by POM West-Vlaanderen.

CEA is a leading European Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) with almost 20 000 employees. The CEA has positioned itself as a key player in building the European research area (ERA) through its involvement and recognition in numerous European research initiatives and bodies. Its actions are carried out in line with its strategies in four main areas: defence and security, low carbon energies (nuclear and renewable energies), technological research for industry, fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences. Through its Division of Technology and four institutes (LETI, LITEN, LIST and CTREG), the CEA develop a broad portfolio of Key Enabling Technologies for ICTs, energy, and healthcare. It leverages a unique innovation-driven culture and unrivalled expertise to develop and disseminate new technologies for industry, effectively bridging the gap between the worlds of research and business.

Strohm is the leading composite pipe technology company and has the world's largest track-record for Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP) after being the first to bring the technology to the oil and gas industry in 2007. TCP is a strong, non-corrosive, spoolable pipe technology delivered in long lengths reducing total installed and life cycle cost for subsea flowlines, jumpers and risers and has proven to reduce the CO2 footprint of pipeline infrastructures by more than 50%. The company is committed to driving sustainability with its range of TCP solutions which enable clients towards their net-zero carbon emissions targets and supports the renewables sector. Strohm's shareholders are Aker Solutions, Chevron Technology Ventures, Evonik Venture Capital, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, Shell Ventures, Subsea 7, Sumitomo Corporation, HPE Growth, HydrogenOne Capital Growth, and ING Corporate Investments (a 100% subsidiary of ING Bank N.V.).

Alfa Laval is a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling, and is active in the areas of Energy, Marine, and Food & Water, offering its expertise, products, and service to a wide range of industries in some 100 countries. The company is committed to optimizing processes, creating responsible growth, and driving progress to support customers in achieving their business goals and sustainability targets. Alfa Laval's innovative technologies are dedicated to purifying, refining, and reusing materials, promoting more responsible use of natural resources. They contribute to improved energy efficiency and heat recovery, better water treatment, and reduced emissions. Thereby, Alfa Laval is not only accelerating success for its customers, but also for people and the planet. Making the world better, every day.

DWR eco is a cleantech strategy consultancy dedicated to positioning innovative and sustainable technologies. With 10 years of expertise in strategic communications, traditional and digital marketing, political positioning, and business development, the company has helped accelerate the growth of cleantech companies and markets throughout Europe.

ERM is the world's largest pure-play sustainability advisory firm, working with organizations to implement integrated low-carbon technology solutions that help solve their net zero and decarbonization challenges. With the acquisition of E4tech and Element Energy, ERM has 20+ years of technical, environmental and policy expertise in the hydrogen sector and a unique expertise of the management of large-scale innovative projects. ERM will build upon this unique understanding of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership's requirements to strongly ease the progress of the project, the reporting to the CHP and the grant management.



For more information, please contact: Lhyfe Industry Press Relations

Nouvelles Graines

Clemence Rebours:

+33 (0)6 60 57 76 43

c.rebours@nouvelles-graines.com Financial Press Relations

ACTUS

Manon Clairet

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

mclairet@actus.fr Investor Relations

LHYFE

Yoann Nguyen

investors@lhyfe.com Plug GLOBAL MEDIA CONTACT

Caitlin Coffee

Allison+Partners

plugPR@allisonpr.com Strohm Business contact:

Mathieu Feisthauer

Business Development Manager

+31 6 26 34 41 26

m.feisthauer@strohm.eu Alfa Laval Maria Blomqvist

maria.blomqvist@alfalaval.com EDP NEW Ines de Amorim Almeida

INES.AMORIMALMEIDA@EDP.PT POM West-Vlaanderen Press relations:

Brecht Vanruymbeke

+32 496 622 018 Technical matters:

Tom Baur

+32 479 792 617 CEA Guenael Le Solliec

Guenael.lesolliec@cea.fr Element Energy Lisa Ruf

Lisa.Ruf@erm.com DWR Eco Julia Benford

+49 3060 9819 501

benford@dwr-eco.com

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After an initial phase of trials at quay, the Sealhyfe platform joined Centrale Nantes' SEM-REV offshore testing site, off Le Croisic, France (Atlantic Ocean).

Sealhyfe is now connected to the subsea hub which is already connected with a floating wind turbine, and has entered the second trial phase which consists of producing hydrogen offshore, under the toughest conditions.

Sealhyfe represents a historic step towards this new clean and sovereign energy model which the whole world hopes that the large-scale production of green H2 will achieve.

Lhyfe's projects - on land and at sea - are already benefiting from the first learnings from this exceptional pilot project.

Nantes (France), 27 June 2023, 6:00 am - Lhyfe (EURONEXT: LHYFE), one of the world's pioneers in green and renewable hydrogen production, has announced that its offshore hydrogen production pilot, known as Sealhyfe, was successfully towed 20 kilometres out into the Atlantic and connected with the SEM-REV power hub. As of 20 June 2023, the platform began producing its first kilos of offshore hydrogen, marking a decisive milestone for the future of the sector. The progress of the Sealhyfe trial once again demonstrates Lhyfe's ability to bring about concrete advances in the hydrogen industry and at great strides.

Sealhyfe: Designed to meet unprecedented challenges

In launching the world's first offshore hydrogen production pilot, Lhyfe wanted to prove the technical feasibility of such a project and acquire the operational experience needed to quickly scale up.

The company therefore voluntarily chose to confront Sealhyfe with the toughest conditions. It will be tested under real conditions, on a floating platform, which has been re-engineered to stabilise the production unit at sea (the WAVEGEM platform, engineered by GEPS Techno), and connected to Central Nantes' SEM-REV offshore testing hub operated by the OPEN-C Foundation, which is already linked with a floating wine turbine (FLOATGEN, engineered and operated by BW Ideol).

For this, Lhyfe and its partners designed, built and assembled all of the technology necessary for producing hydrogen offshore, including the 1 MW electrolyser supplied by Plug, in just 16 months. The Sealhyfe platform, which is less than 200 sq. metres in area, is capable of producing up to 400 kilograms of hydrogen a day.

Eight months of trials at quay to "derisk" this world first

From September 2022 to May 2023, Sealhyfe was moored at the Quai des Fregates, in the Port of Saint-Nazaire. Lhyfe and its partners have thus been able to draw knowledge from a series of start-up tests in order to approach the second phase of the project with confidence, and get the most out of the trials. Tests included:

Benchmarking tests : Hundreds of tests were carried out at quay recording the precise behaviour and performance of the platform, so that they can be compared with the Phase 2 trial results via the thousands of sensors installed on the platform.

: Hundreds of tests were carried out at quay recording the precise behaviour and performance of the platform, so that they can be compared with the Phase 2 trial results via the thousands of sensors installed on the platform. Technology and system optimisation : All of the technology has been adapted to operate offshore in extreme conditions and designed to minimise the number of maintenance interventions required at sea. The tests performed at quay allowed Lhyfe to further optimise and approve the technology's behaviour.

: All of the technology has been adapted to operate offshore in extreme conditions and designed to minimise the number of maintenance interventions required at sea. The tests performed at quay allowed Lhyfe to further optimise and approve the technology's behaviour. Development of key solutions: Lhyfe also developed the software and algorithm building blocks necessary to manage the site remotely. It will operate fully autonomously, more than 20 kilometres off the coast and in connection with the SEM-REV testing site's subsea hub.

Following this first phase, Lhyfe has already updated its specifications for all its sites - on and offshore - so that they can apply this valuable expertise. All Lhyfe units will therefore benefit from the state-of-the-art operating optimisations trialled under this experiment.

Start of offshore production: Millions of data to collect

Sealhyfe was towed this 19 May to the SEM-REV offshore testing site, 20 kilometres off the coast of Le Croisic (France). It was then connected to the site's subsea hub via a dedicated umbilical cable that was specially designed for the hydrogen application. The system was restarted and on stream in just 48 hours.

Lhyfe will now reproduce all of the tests carried out at quay several times in order to have a strict comparison of results and will then tackle additional offshore-specific tests.

In achieving the reliable offshore production of hydrogen in an isolated environment, the company will develop a unique operating capability which involves managing the platform's movement and environmental stresses, and validating green and renewable hydrogen production software and algorithms.

Kick-off for offshore hydrogen production: Next steps

As a logical follow-up to this first stage, Lhyfe just announced that the HOPE project, which it is coordinating as part of a consortium of nine partners, has been selected by the European Commission under the European Clean Hydrogen Partnership and is being awarded a 20 million grant. With HOPE, Lhyfe and its partners are moving up a gear and aiming for commercialisation. This unprecedentedly large-scale project (10 MW) will be able to produce up to four tonnes a day of green hydrogen at sea, which will be exported ashore by pipeline, and then compressed and delivered to customers.

Through these two pioneering projects in offshore hydrogen production, Lhyfe aims to validate industrial solutions which it will submit in response to future calls for projects from various governments, to help achieve the target set by the European Commission as part of the REPowerEU plan of 10 million tonnes of clean hydrogen produced in the European Union by 2030.

To achieve this, Lhyfe has already signed partnership agreements with wind turbine developers and offshore power specialists, such as EDPR, Centrica and Capital Energy.

Matthieu Guesne, Founder and CEO of Lhyfe said: "Our team - supported brilliantly by our partners - has achieved a genuine feat of technology in successfully designing this first floating green hydrogen production site. We are extremely proud to be the first in the world to produce hydrogen at sea. This has been our wish since the launch of the company and we continue to move very quickly on offshore, which for us represents a tremendous development opportunity for mass producing hydrogen and decarbonising industry and transport. We are continuing to build on the successes we have had so far, firstly to prove to the world that transition is possible today, and of course to accelerate it."

For an interview with the spokespersons above, please contact the press department.

Click to access the Lhyfe Media Kit (press kit and visuals)

About Lhyfe

Lhyfe is a European group devoted to energy transition, and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen. Its production sites and portfolio of projects intend to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities, and enable the creation of a virtuous energy model capable of decarbonising entire sectors of industry and transport.

In 2021, Lhyfe inaugurated the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm. In 2022, Lhyfe inaugurated the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world.

Lhyfe is represented in 11 European countries and had 149 staff at the end of 2022. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 - LHYFE).

Lhyfe.com

About Plug

Plug is building an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem (production, storage, delivery) to help its customers achieve their business goals and decarbonize the economy. In creating the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology, the company has deployed more than 60,000 fuel cell systems and more than 165 fuelling stations, which is more than anyone else in the world. Plug is also the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen. With ambitions to build and operate a green hydrogen highway across North America and Europe, Plug is building a state-of-the-art Gigafactory to produce electrolysers and fuel cells, as well as several green hydrogen production plants that will produce 500 tonnes of liquid green hydrogen per day by 2025. Plug will provide its green hydrogen solutions directly to its customers and through joint venture partners across multiple industries, including handling, e-mobility, energy production and industrial applications.

For more information visit www.plugpower.com

About Chantiers de l'Atlantique

Thanks to the expertise of its staff and its network of sub-contractors, combined with first-rate industrial facilities, Chantiers de l'Atlantique is a key player in the fields of design, integration, testing and turnkey delivery of cruise ships, military ships and electrical substations for offshore wind farms, and fleet services. The company is addressing tomorrow's challenges head on, offering ships with proven high energy efficiency, which go beyond the most drastic environmental regulations, as well as offshore wind systems that make it a major player in energy transition.

www.chantiers-atlantique.com

About GEPS Techno

The blue economy Innovation Lab, GEPS Techno, is an incubator for new isolated offshore applications. The company draws on the results of its research on autonomous solutions, its teams of experts and its test platforms to support customers from the expression of their needs right through to commercialisation. Since 2011, the systems developed by GEPS Techno have accumulated more than 250,000 hours at sea, across the globe. Its design office and operational department, staffed by experts in their field, offer a complete solution for the successful completion of offshore projects. The company caters for the needs of a wide range of markets, including offshore wind energy, oil & gas, defence, submarine cables and ocean science.

www.geps-techno.com

About Centrale Nantes

Centrale Nantes is a French engineering school founded in 1919. It ranks among the best French engineering schools (Le Figaro, L'Etudiant) and in the top 250 worldwide (Times Higher Education). It also came No. 1 in the Les Echos Start and Change Now ranking of schools changing the world. Its graduates engineers, masters and doctoral students that have completed academic courses involving very high level scientific and technological development work. It is an international school with 43% international students, representing over 87 nationalities. Agreements have been signed with 178 universities in 48 countries and two-thirds of students follow a dual degree course. Research and training at Centrale Nantes are organized around three major growth and innovation challenges: sustainable development, digital transition and health. With research platforms ranging from digital simulation to experimentation on prototypes, some of which real sized, and an incubator with 20 years of experience, the school has excellent tools for innovation and collaborations with the business world. As part of a proactive research policy that integrates research labs with industry, Centrale Nantes has 15 industrial chairs and joint laboratories with leading economic players.

For more information: www.ec-nantes.fr. Media library: https://phototheque.ec-nantes.fr / @CentraleNantes

About the OPEN-C Foundation

The OPEN-C Foundation, created in March 2023, is Europe's largest offshore testing centre for marine renewable energy. It brings together all the French offshore testing resources for floating offshore wind, tidal power, wave energy, offshore hydrogen and floating photovoltaics. Over the next three years, the OPEN-C Foundation will undertake key innovation work, such as the testing of new prototypes of second-generation floating wind turbines. The OPEN-C Foundation is a high impact project which contributes to a more rapid energy transition and to enhancing France's position on these strategic issues. www.fondation-open-c.org

About Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port

As an industrial base for economic development and a regional developer, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port works in partnership with the Region's public and private players to enhance the economic and environmental value of the Loire estuary. It provides a strategic interface between land and sea, serving an entire Region and its economy. As an international industrial and logistical platform, it welcomes nearly 3,000 ship calls a year. The port's activities generate 28,500 jobs within about 730 entities, forming an industrial port complex (source: 2022 Insee study based on 2018 data). It owns 2,722 hectares of land, including a 1,545 ha developed area including port, logistics and industrial zones, and 1,177 ha of natural space.

Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port is committed to energy and ecological transition, and supports the development of complementary alternatives to fossil fuels. It supports and facilitates the acceleration of projects promoting the production of renewable energy at its sites.

More information at nantes.port.fr

Contacts:

Lhyfe: Industry Press Relations

Nouvelles Graines

Clemence Rebours:

+33 (0)6 60 57 76 43

c.rebours@nouvelles-graines.com Financial Press Relations

ACTUS

Manon Clairet

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 73

mclairet@actus.fr Investor Relations

LHYFE

Yoann Nguyen

investors@lhyfe.com

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On May 13, 2023, KD College Prep released a new digital practice test platform that prepares students for the changes coming to the PSAT/NMSQT(R) and SAT(R) tests in fall of 2023 and early 2024.

Coppell, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - On May 13, 2023, KD College Prep released a new digital practice test platform that prepares students for the changes coming to the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT tests in fall of 2023 and early 2024.

The new digital practice test platform is part of a company-wide effort to prepare KD students for the new digital PSAT and SAT tests, a shift which the College Board first announced in January 2022. Students in the U.S. will encounter the first national digital PSAT test in October 2023.

KD's in-house curriculum writers and test prep instructors collaborated with the development and design teams to produce new test content. This involved months of researching the new question types found on the national tests and writing original content that mirrored the type of questions that students will encounter on their test dates.

The new set of core curriculum also includes a revised final lesson in which instructors go over specific guidance for how students can improve their scores during this unique transitional period when some students will need to prepare for both the paper and digital versions of the national tests.

While the curriculum team worked on new test content, the development team went to work on the new testing platform. The scope of this project involved not only the development of the platform itself but score report changes, an enhanced test review experience, beta-testing, and more. After many rounds of edits and functionality checks, the first digital practice test was ready for release.

"For years, KD has produced practice tests that accurately replicate the type of content found on the national tests, and these new digital practice tests are no different. We believe that our new digital testing platform will help KD students better prepare for the test changes they will encounter this fall, which will greatly increase their chances of reaching their score goals," said George Steininger, president of KD College Prep.

Currently, the tests are only available to students who are enrolled in an in-person or live-online classroom-based program at KD College Prep. The first set of digital practice tests will prepare students for the October PSAT test. Practice tests designed to prepare students for the SAT test will become available in the fall of 2023.

PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board. Neither were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, KD College Prep.

Contact Info:

Name: Jenny Moore

Email: j.moore@kdcollegeprep.com

Organization: KD College Prep

Address: 621 Texas 121 Suite 450, Coppell, TX 75019, United States

Website: https://kdcollegeprep.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171433
Company emerges from stealth with financing led by AdBio partners, co-syndicated with M Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC Inc., and Bpifrance Large Venture to advance their ground-breaking cell and gene therapy manufacturing solution

World leading technology miniaturizes and automates cell and gene therapy manufacturing in a unique, modular, end-to-end, microfluidic solu ti on that mimics the function of natural systems

Potential to transform patient access to life-changing therapies

PARIS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astraveus SAS ("Astraveus" or the "Company"), the creator of modular, microfluidic cell foundries that transform cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing, today exited stealth with the completion of an oversubscribed 16.5 million Series Seed financing led by AdBio partners, co-syndicated with M Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC Inc., and Bpifrance Large Venture.

Astraveus is revolutionizing the field of CGT manufacturing with its Lakhesys platform, an end-to-end cell foundry that uses deep process optimization and single-use, microfluidic bioprocessors to deliver better results with reduced inputs. By removing the need for large-scale infrastructure, reducing costs and processing time, and overcoming the logistical challenges associated with CGT manufacturing, Astraveus is seeking to considerably widen patient access to these life-changing therapies. The recently completed financing will allow the company to significantly advance the development of its technology and expand the team.

At the innovative core of Lakhesys are microfluidic bioprocessors, which mimic organ perfusion and significantly accelerate the molecular exchanges needed to sustain and transform cells into potent therapeutic agents. The high degree of precision and miniaturization enabled by microfluidic bioprocessors allow more efficient manufacturing, reducing labour, floor space and energy requirements, thereby generating less waste and making the process far cheaper and greener.

While CGT is a young market, it has received considerable investment - an average of >$18 billion per year since 20201 - but the high per patient cost of up to $2m has been a brake on both development of new therapies and deployment of those already identified. By minimizing the changes between process development and the clinic, and offering an immediate modular scalability, Lakhesys saves critical time and cost, and has the potential to transform both clinical research and manufacturing of approved products, accelerating the adoption of CGTs.

Following the fundraising, Alain Huriez of Adbio partners, Christian Uhrich of M Ventures, Fiona MacLaughlin of JJDC Inc., and Laurent Higueret of Bpifrance Large Venture will be joining the board of Astraveus.

Jeremie Laurent, Founder and CEO of Astraveus, said: "Astraveus has an ambitious vision to revolutionize the development and commercialization of cell and gene therapies. By reducing costs, increasing precision and driving scalability, we are enabling the realization of the full potential of these therapies and making them accessible to a far wider audience of patients."

Alain Huriez MD, Chairman and Managing Partner of AdBio Partners, said: "Astraveus' disruptive technology, combined with the team's vision and the ability to address significant unmet needs in CGT enabling technologies, immediately convinced us of the company's potential. We were highly motivated to lead this financing, which was syndicated with first class co-investors. All ingredients are in place for Astraveus to become a leader in this highly important field."

Christian Uhrich, Principal at M Ventures, added: "Astraveus' technology and approach are truly unique and a step change in a therapeutic area in need of solutions to deliver access to life changing therapies. Supported by a strong local innovation ecosystem, we have been particularly impressed by the company's early achievements and are confident in their ability to develop the technology to its full potential."

Laurent Higueret, Senior Investment Director at Bpifrance Large Venture, commented: "We are thrilled to join such a great syndicate of expert and long-term investors, and contribute to accelerating this great story in the making. The company's cutting-edge, next generation CGT platform holds the promise of dramatically reducing vein-to-vein times for patients in need of cell therapy products, thus positioning the company as a key player in its field. Astraveus perfectly fits our mission to turn most disruptive technologies into great entrepreneurial successes."

Astraveus has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement N 850358, and from the French Minister of Education and Innovation and Bpifrance as part of i-Lab prize and the "Investissements d'avenir" program.

About Astraveus

Astraveus is developing the next generation of cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing solutions. Astraveus's cell foundries miniaturize and automate cell and gene therapy manufacturing in a unique, modular, end-to-end, microfluidic solution that mimics the elegance of natural systems. The deep process optimization of the platform enables greater precision and therefore easier replication of optimal manufacturing, delivering better therapies in a more cost- and time-efficient manner, using fewer materials and with reduced environmental impact. With the full potential of cell and gene therapies restricted today by high costs and limited throughput, this transformative solution has the potential to enable a therapeutic revolution at scale, helping to make these lifesaving therapies accessible to the many thousands of patients around the world that need them. Astraveus is a Paris-based company, founded in 2016 by Jeremie Laurent at the St Louis Hospital.

Astraveus is a member of the FrenchTech2030, a program by La French Tech, granting support from prestigious French institutions like the Secretariat general pour l'investissement and BPIFrance.

www.astraveus.com

About AdBio partners

AdBio partners (previously Advent France Biotechnology) is an AMF-regulated (the French financial market authority) company that invests in a range of sectors within life sciences - specifically in therapeutics-oriented projects. Its unique strategy combines early-stage investments in promising enterprises and strong entrepreneurial support to strengthen the company's growth. Created in 2016, AdBio partners has made 22 European investments in France, Belgium, Spain and Ireland - with two funds: AFB Seed Fund I and AFB FII. AdBio partners has developed strong relationships within the European innovation ecosystem; as a result, it has attracted international VC syndicates to its portfolio companies. The operational team includes investment professionals with long-standing track records in entrepreneurial ventures, combined with strong scientific, medical and operational expertise.

www.adbio.partners

About M Ventures

M Ventures is the strategic, corporate venture capital arm of Merck. From its headquarters in the

Netherlands and offices in Germany, USA and Israel, M Ventures invests globally in transformational

ideas driven by innovative entrepreneurs. Taking an active role in its portfolio companies, M Ventures teams up with management teams and co-investors to translate scientific discoveries into commercial success. M Ventures focuses on identifying and financing novel solutions to some of the most difficult challenges, through company creation and equity investments in fields that will impact the vitality and sustainability of Merck's current and future businesses.

www.m-ventures.com

About Bpifrance and its Large Venture fund

Bpifrance - the French Public Investment Bank - is a one-stop-shop offering domestic companies, at every stage of their development, a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including equity, loans, guarantees and export insurances, as well as consultancy or training.

Large Venture - the late-stage VC arm of Bpifrance - is a 1.75 billion fund dedicated to fast-growing, highly innovative startups looking to accelerate organic or external growth. Large Venture has already invested in more than 60 companies in healthtech and life sciences, digital as well as greentech since its creation in 2013.

www.bpifrance.com

1 http://alliancerm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Investments-2022-Q4-20230328V3.pdf

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/astraveus-raises-16-5-million-series-seed-round-to-advance-the-development-of-its-automated-microfluidic-cell-and-gene-therapy-manufacturing-platform-301863474.html
by Eric Margolis

The former Pentagon and Rand Corp official Daniel Ellsberg, who died earlier this month, created two big bombshells. Hated by the right, lauded by the left and libertarians, Ellsberg, in our view, was a genuine American hero.





The first bombshell was his revelation of a series of secret Pentagon studies of the Vietnam War that showed the 1970s war was based on a farrago of lies and false premises and doomed to failure. I was in the US Army at the time and most of us knew the war was a giant screw-up propelled by billions of dollars and big-time lies.





The Datang Taiyuan No. 2 Thermal Power Plant in Taiyuan, North Chinas Shanxi province, in October 2017. Photo: IC





The Pentagon papers pulled the rug out from under the Vietnam War and exposed its military and civilian backers as liars and fools. President Lyndon Johnson wisely decided not to run for a second term because of the Vietnam disaster.





Nuclear war planner Ellsberg did it again in his fascinating 2017 book the Doomsday Machine. In this study of nuclear warfare, Ellsberg made his second bombshell revelation that was hardly noticed by the media and public.





Ellsberg revealed that in the event of war, the US government intended to hit all of Chinas major cities and ports with nuclear weapons. This plan has particular resonance today as Communist China and the United States edge ever closer to a major war over Taiwan and the South China Sea.





According to Ellsberg, the Pentagon planned to first cripple Russia, then devastate its ally, China. Both would be bombed back to the Stone Age by massive nuclear attack.





Ellsberg also revealed the alarming fact that the White House had delegated senior military regional commanders to authorize the use of nuclear weapons without preliminary presidential approval.





Ellsbergs courageous act was later mirrored by American patriots Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning, and Edward Snowden, who exposed the war crimes and the administrations lies about Afghanistan. Telling the truth about Americas addiction to wars and out of control militarism was deemed a major crime under the absurd 1917 Espionage Act of World War One era.





China, which is on the verge of accidental war with the US, has reacted to the targeting of Chinese cities by putting its nuclear weapons program into high gear. Chairman Mao used to jest that his nation could easily afford to lose 100 million in a nuclear exchange with the US and barely notice the loss. But now that most of China appears to be under US nuclear targeting the mood of levity in Beijing has been replaced by war fever and grim determination.





Such is not the case in the US where the powerful war party keeps beating the drums and pretending its 1945 all over again. In the event of war, its likely North Korea will also be involved. Such crazed behavior recalls the sheer idiocy of the days before World War I in which small groups of fanatics ignited the Great War that wrecked Europe and undid the British and Russian empires.





Now, extreme right-wing Democrats are driving the US into a potentially nuclear confrontation with Russia. They are so giddy with hubris over the thought of finishing off Putins Russia that they have no concept of the manifest dangers that a disintegrating Russia will bring.





China must be asking itself if it should launch nuclear attacks on the US before Washington decides to attack China. Germany faced the same dilemma in two world wars. In nuclear warfare, the side that strikes first wins. China knows its on the knives edge. Most Americans and Canadians, besotted by anti-Putin propaganda, do not.





Copyright Eric S. Margolis 2023
The new company intends to become one of the largest renewable power producers in Europe with a combined installed capacity of 4.2 GW and an 18 GW pipeline.

MILAN and EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renantis and Ventient Energy - owned by institutional investors advised by the Global Infrastructure group at J.P. Morgan Asset Management - today announce that they intend to join forces to form one of the largest renewable independent power producers (IPPs) in Europe.

With a total of 4.2 GW of installed capacity across over 200 plants, the integrated business will become one of the top five European onshore wind IPPs. Combined, the organisations operate a diversified portfolio of onshore wind farms, solar plants and energy storage facilities across nine countries in Europe and the USA.

The companies' development pipeline stands at 18 GW, comprised of onshore wind, floating offshore wind, solar PV, energy storage and green hydrogen projects and, by combining the development strength of Renantis and the operational excellence of Ventient Energy, the pair will create a leading organisation that owns, develops and operates a diverse renewable energy asset portfolio.

The intended combined organisation will continue to deliver customised energy management, asset management and technical advisory solutions, continuing its longstanding track record of delivering services to industrial and tertiary-sector clients at all stages of the value chain.

The companies have begun the integration process and expect to operate as a combined group in 2024.

Over 750 Renantis employees and 250 from Ventient Energy will form one organisation that brings scale, opportunity and diversified expertise to employees, stakeholders and shareholders.

Renantis CEO, Toni Volpe, will lead the new organisation towards its goal of building a business of scale that matters to both people and planet.

Announcing the integration, Toni Volpe commented: "Sustainability and people are at the centre of everything we do at both Renantis and Ventient Energy. Together, we will create an organisation that will allow us to accelerate towards building a better future for people and the planet. Both companies share aligned values, purpose and culture, so this integration is a natural step in the strategic evolution of our businesses."

Kevin McCullough, ad interim CEO of Ventient Energy, said: "This is an exciting milestone in the growth of our companies. The synergies and complementary expertise that already exist will allow us to reach as yet untapped potential. Standing alone, our businesses are making positive steps to accelerate the energy transition and build a more sustainable energy future. But together those steps become strides, which we can transform into future leaps."

Present globally and headquartered in Italy, Renantis has been delivering renewable energy since 2002. Formerly Falck Renewables, the company evolved its brand to Renantis after its acquisition last year. With 1,420 MW capacity across almost 70 renewable energy plants, Renantis has a pipeline of projects totalling 17 GW, including 8.6 GW of floating offshore wind projects in development - 5.5 GW in Italy and 3.1 GW in the UK.

Ventient Energy is a pan-European renewable energy business and one of the leading independent generators of renewable energy in Europe with 2.8 GW of installed onshore wind capacity and integrated energy market solutioning across 145 sites. Wind and solar PV colocation projects are being developed at several sites in Iberia and the company has a further colocation development pipeline of over 1 GW of solar PV to deliver a more integrated energy offering and maximise the efficiency of its renewable energy generation.

About Renantis

Renantis exists to build a better future for all by powering people's everyday lives with care. It develops, designs, constructs and operates onshore wind farms, solar PV plants, floating offshore wind farms and energy storage facilities globally.

Headquartered in Italy, Renantis has delivered renewable energy since 2002. The company's plants span the United Kingdom, Italy, United States, Spain, France, Norway and Sweden, with a total capacity of 1,420 MW in operation.

Sustainability is part of Renantis' DNA, creating shared value for all stakeholders, safeguarding and enhancing the environment in which they operate and building relationships with communities.

As responsible pioneers in the renewable energy sector, Renantis has a strong track record of providing specialised services and expertise at all stages of the value chain. From production to consumption, they provide technical advisory, asset management and energy management services to clients and these activities span 40 countries.

About Ventient Energy

Ventient Energy is a pan-European non-utility developer and generator of renewable energy. Its portfolio has grown quickly since its inception in 2017, and it currently owns and operates renewable assets in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK, with a total installed capacity of 2.8 GW.

As a business, it focuses on sustainable growth that provides long-term returns to those who invest their future in its vision - generating renewable energy to secure the future of the people and the planet.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140887/Ventient_Logo.jpg

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MUNICH, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global transport sector emits approximately 7.3 billion tonnes of CO2 a year, around 20% of global CO2 emissions. A Finnish team; consisting of Pia Bergstrom, Annika Malm, Jukka Myllyoja, Jukka-Pekka Pasanen and Blanka Toukoniitty; have been part of developing an innovative process to convert waste and residue raw materials into renewable products for road transportation, aviation and other sectors. The Finnish team are finalists for the European Inventor Award 2023 in the 'Industry' category in recognition of their promising work.

The inventors from Finland have been part of developing Neste's proprietary NEXBTL technology and related processes to turn a wide variety of renewable fats and oils into premium-quality renewable products.

The company uses a wide variety of globally-sourced raw materials, such as animal fat waste, used cooking oil and vegetable oil processing waste and residues, to produce its renewable products.

Currently, Neste produces ca. 3.3 million tonnes of renewable diesel and other renewable products each year and plans to increase production capacity to 5.5 million tons by the end of 2023. It also plans to introduce liquefied waste plastic as a drop-in feedstock for petrochemicals.

Innovation is a team effort, drawing on expertise across the company and with partners, including from chemists, engineers, research and development professionals, and experts in renewable raw materials. When talking about disruptive ideas, Blanka Toukoniitty says: "Everything is possible, impossible just takes more time. We really believed and worked hard. In the times of challenges and disbelief, it is important to remain focused on the goal. In research and development, you have to have patience and really just keep going".

Myllyoja describes the difficulties and their collective motivation to reduce transport carbon emissions; "climate change is a huge challenge. All possible solutions are needed to reduce the transport GHG emissions, no individual technology can solve this issue",Bergstrom adds, "we consider ourselves the forerunners in the field of renewable fuels"

The team has been shortlisted by an independent international jury. The winners of the 2023 edition of the European Inventor Award will be announced at a hybrid ceremony on 4 July 2023 in Valencia (Spain). This ceremony will be broadcast online here and will be open to the public.

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Artificial intelligence yields major dividends for growers

Tel Aviv, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the scorching heat and swirling dust of the Arava Desert, Bayer Crop Science, Israel, has just concluded a collaboration with Fermata on a project designed to validate a model for reducing the use of pesticides through the application of artificial intelligence. The project involved conducting a feasibility study of Fermata's automated pest & disease detection platform, Croptimus, with the goal of verifying the capabilities of this computer vision system, and proving how early detection of pests and disease increases sustainability. To this end, Croptimus was installed to monitor melons growing in mesh covered tunnels within this harsh environment.

The system employs AI to analyze thousands of images collected daily by cameras installed within the facility to detect the tiniest indications of both pests and pathogens which, left untreated, quickly get out of hand - leading to crop loss and a reduction of produce quality. Early detection being key, Croptimus is designed to substantially reduce crop loss, crop inputs (including pesticides), and dramatically reduce scouting time - in aggregate a significant savings.

The endeavour was an unqualified success according to Imri Gabay, Crop Protection Customer Advisory Manager at Bayer, Israel, "The initial experiment was extremely successful, and the system copes well with the many challenges in the field. We are already working on continuing cooperation between our companies." Commenting further, he elaborated, "Early detection enables the application of less toxic substances, quickly dealing with the pest or disease before a major outbreak, allowing for precise spraying of a small area - and as a result, saving pesticides while obtaining cleaner produce."

Alon Kapon, the grower heading the study, concurred, "Often Fermata found things I did not see at the time. The later I discover a problem, the more treatment is needed. If I find problem later, I need to do two to three treatments before it helps, but if I find it early enough with Fermata, even one treatment can be enough and I can use targeted mitigation - without spraying the entire facility."

With energy prices soaring and greenhouse profits shrinking, Croptimus boosts the bottom line for growers while simultaneously reducing the need for pesticides and other inputs which would be otherwise wasted on lost crops - dramatically improving sustainability in agriculture.

Fermata CEO, Valeria Kogan PhD, added, "We at Fermata very much appreciate the opportunity to work with Bayer on reducing the amount of chemicals applied by growers. We are looking forward to this continuing collaboration and making our AI for early pest and disease detection available to farmers around the globe."





ABOUT BAYER

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2022, the Group employed around 101,000 people and had sales of 50.7 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.





ABOUT FERMATA

Fermata is focused on the application of data science and computer vision solutions to challenges faced by commercial agriculture. Engaged in extensive research since the company's inception in 2020, Fermata has now developed an adaptive computer vision platform designed to automatically detect pests and diseases at their earliest stages. This early-detection platform enables growers to reliably mitigate these issues well in advance of the point crop loss becomes inevitable, and further reduces the amount of time and money spent on traditional scouting.?www.fermata.tech.





MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Ray Richards

CMO, Fermata

ray.richards@fermata.tech

+1 250-797-1991
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I (CI ABF I) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Wega Group OY to establish an advanced bioenergy platform in Finland

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Under the partnership announced today, CIP and WEGA will join forces to source, develop, and construct advanced bioenergy projects in Finland - primarily focused on technologies such as biogas and gasification. The collaboration brings together CIP's expertise in financing and developing large-scale green transition infrastructure and Wega's expertise within renewable energy and sustainable supply chains in Finland.

Once fully established, the platform will seek to develop multiple projects with individual investment sizes of EUR 50m - 200m within the foreseeable future. The projects will produce green molecules (hydrogen and/or ammonia?) which can be used for the transportation sector and hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, contributing to the circular economy and the green transition.

Thomas Dalsgaard, Partner at CIP, says: "We see a strong potential within the advanced bioenergy sector in Finland, and already have visibility on a robust pipeline within biogas and gasification. We look forward to progressing the project and pipeline development with WEGA and contributing to Finland's further transition to renewable energy."

CEO of WEGA Niko Ristikankare added: "At Wega, we all are very excited to start building a new advanced fuels platform together with CIP. We are impressed by their rock-solid expertise and forward looking strategy. We believe that cooperation with strong partner like CIP enables us to grow the Finnish advanced fuels production to the next level."



About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focuses on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages ten funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 19 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 140 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 11 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com

About Wega Group OY

Founded in 2012, Wega is a detective of better energy for its customers. Wega has specialised in services covering the production and distribution of renewable fuels as well as building reliable and sustainable supply chains. Their solution-focused team investigates energy related questions and issues for small and large companies as well as for municipal operators. Wega employs over 35 energy professionals and has offices in Espoo, Finland. For more information, visit www.wega.fi/en

For further information, please contact:

E-mail: media@cip.dk

Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media Relations

Phone: +45 30541227

Email: orsk@cisc.dk

Thomas Knig, Partner - Investor Relations

Phone: +45 7070 5151

Email: tkon@cip.dk

Toni Hemminki, Partner and Chief Operating Officer

Phone: +358 40 668 4441

Email: toni.hemminki@wega.fi

Niko Ristikankare, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +358 50 347 2528

Email: niko.ristikankare@wega.fi
atNorth strengthens position in the market with new roles dedicated to growing the business and ensuring diversity and quality of service as extensive expansion continues

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- atNorth, the leading Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has appointed three industry leaders to oversee strategy, marketing and compliance as part of their continued dedication and aggressive growth whilst promoting excellence, sustainability and diversity in the industry.

The new roles are as follows:

Mardis Heimisdottir, Director of Strategy Implementation

With 9+ years' experience within strategic planning, strategy implementation and program and change management, Mardis will contribute to atNorth's significant growth plans by developing and managing strategic initiatives to drive business performance. She leaves a long career at SS&C Advent in New York and will now be based in atNorth's offices in Iceland. Mardis will report to CSMO Fredrik Jansson.

Tracey Pewtner, Marketing Director

As Head of Brand for STACK EMEA Nordics (formerly DigiPlex), Tracey was instrumental in several brand transformations and the business was recognized for 20+ industry awards for Brand & Marketing during her tenure. With over 13 years' experience in the data center industry, she joins atNorth to increase market awareness and bolster its significant growth plans through a strong sustainability profile and intelligent creative content. Based in the UK, Tracey will report to CSMO Fredrik Jansson.

Elisabet Arnadottir, Director of Security and Compliance.

Based in Iceland, Elisabet previously worked as a Security Officer for Rapyd and Advania and also as a consultant for atNorth but now joins in a full time capacity to oversee its commitment to robust security and quality and compliance standards. With 10 years' experience in Information and Cyber Security, she has extensive capabilities in developing and executing information and quality management systems and will lead atNorth's dedication to meeting sustainability regulations. Elisabet will report to COO Benedikt Grondal.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase the formidable leadership that atNorth is creating. Here we have three strong women that have all played a part in businesses that have aggressively scaled with huge success. We are thrilled to have them support us at this time of continued expansion" said Eva Soley, Deputy CEO and CFO, atNorth.

The hires showcase atNorth's enduring commitment to meet the needs of global businesses at a time when cost efficient, sustainable infrastructure is in more demand than ever and highlights their commitment to being the go-to decarbonization platform for today and tomorrow's global organizations.

atNorth's expansion has been bolstered by the recent launch of their sixth operational data center in the Nordics, the acquisition of two data centers from Advania in Finland and the announcement of a New 15MW Data Center Campus in Helsinki; which follows the opening of its SWE01 data center in Stockholm in 2022. The company now operates six data centers in strategic locations across three Nordic countries, with a seventh to open in 2024 in Helsinki, Finland.

The considerable expansion of atNorth's business is supported by its meticulous onboarding process that has seen the recent appointment of a number of high profile industry professionals, including Torborg Chetkovich to the Board of Directors, Fredrik Jansson as Chief Strategy and Marketing & Communications Officer, David Sandars as Sales Director for the UK, Pekka Jarvelainen as Sales Director for Finland and Michael Endres as Sales Director for the DACH Region, Stephen Donovan as Chief Development Officer and Wayne Allen, Sales Director?-?US.

About atNorth

atNorth is a leading Pan-Nordic data center services company that offers sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable colocation and high-performance computing services across Iceland, Sweden and Finland. The company operates six data centers in strategic locations across the Nordics, with a seventh site to open in Finland in 2024.

With sustainability at its core, atNorth's data centers run on renewable energy resources and support circular economy principles. All atNorth sites leverage innovative design, power efficiency, and intelligent operations to provide long-term infrastructure and flexible colocation deployments. The tailor-made solutions enable businesses to calculate, simulate, train and visualize data workloads in an efficient, cost-optimized way.

atNorth is headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, and is trusted by industry-leading organizations to operate their most critical workloads. The business was founded in 2009 and acquired by Partners Group in 2022. For more information, visit atNorth.com or follow atNorth on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.

Press Contact:

Caroline Brunton

Kite Hill PR for atNorth

+44 (0) 7796 274 416

caroline@kitehillpr.com

The following files are available for download:

https://news.cision.com/atnorth/i/tracey-mardis-elisabet,c3193416 Tracey Mardis Elisabet

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Since integration with NHS Lothian, in eye cases alone Infix has helped enable service change within the health board, completing an additional 570 operations, equivalent to savings of approximately 2 million

Infix develops cloud-based software that improves efficiency of surgical operating theatres, and a virtual portal to optimise patient pathway

Infix also announces partnership with InterSystems

Scottish HealthTech startup Infix Support has secured two additional contracts with Scottish health boards, with NHS Highland and NHS Forth Valley joining NHS Lothian in implementing Infix's cloud-based software that improves operating theatre efficiency.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627436482/en/

Infix CEO and founder Dr Matthew Freer with Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf (Photo: Business Wire)

Since integration with NHS Lothian's existing systems earlier this year, in eye cases alone Infix has helped enable service change within the health board, completing an additional 570 operations, equivalent to savings of approximately 2 million while significantly reducing waiting lists.

Infix, founded by consultant anaesthetist Dr Matthew Freer in 2019, has developed cloud-based software, Infix: Schedule, that improves the efficiency of surgical operating theatres and tackles patient waiting list backlogs, and a virtual portal, Infix: Preop, to optimise the patient pathway. An independent review by the University of Stirling in 2022 found that Infix: Schedule can improve operating theatre efficiency by close to 40 per cent.

Dr Matthew Freer, CEO and Founder of Infix Support, said: "Eye cases are only one area where our technology can have transformational impact, so as we roll the tech out across other operations, we're going to see the easing of waiting lists on a much larger scale, with associated cost savings."

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: "The support of the Infix scheduling system and the transparency within which it presents system improvement opportunities is excellent."

Infix is also announcing a partnership with InterSystems. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with 36 offices in 26 countries worldwide, InterSystems is a leading provider of next-generation solutions for enterprise digital transformations in the healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and supply chain sectors. The partnership with InterSystems will extend Infix's integration capabilities and enable Infix to access global markets.

Dr Matthew Freer said: "The partnership with InterSystems is a validation of our best-of-class technology, and is the first step in an exciting tie-up between the two companies aimed at internationalising our technology."

Chris Norton, Managing Director UK and Ireland, InterSystems added: "We're delighted to be partnering with Infix and working with the business to help support its customers on a global level. Our integration capabilities will allow Infix's customers to benefit from advanced interoperability within healthcare settings, and we look forward to seeing this relationship continue to grow in the future."

In May, Infix won one of Scottish EDGE's top awards at a ceremony hosted by Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf and Sir Tom Hunter at RBS Gogarburn in Edinburgh.

John Waddell, the former CEO of Edinburgh-based investment firm Archangels and an experienced Non-executive Director, was appointed as Infix's Chair earlier this year, while Angela Brown joined the Infix team as CFO, David Freer is in place as Head of Product, and Forrit CEO and Founder Peter Proud is on the company's board.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627436482/en/

Contacts:

Nick Freer

nick@freerconsultancy.com
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise launches its next generation network management system, OmniVista Cirrus Release 10

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, cloud and networking solutions tailored to customers' industries, has announced the release of

Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista Cirrus Release 10, its next generation cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) network management system.

The scalable and secure cloud platform offers intuitive user interface and simplified work flows for configuring and monitoring Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar WLAN access points, empowering businesses with greater control, flexibility, and simplicity.

With a subscription-based model, OmniVista Cirrus 10 enables businesses to respond to their evolving needs in the digital era, including:

Digital transformation leading to increased expectations on network scalability and efficiency

Mobility and IoT proliferation that generate constant demand for high network performance and security considerations

and Increased agility to adjust to changing business priorities and technology updates

To support IT teams in overcoming these challenges, OmniVista Cirrus 10 is based on a cloud-native microservices architecture to deliver continuous improvements without downtime. With simplified provisioning, it offers automatic software updates that include critical security patches for enhanced protection and compliance.

It comes with features that cater to network users' needs. Proactive Service Assurance enables businesses to monitor the Quality of Experience (QoE) of users, while detailed network and user analytics provide valuable insights for optimising performance.

OmniVista Cirrus 10 helps streamline IT operations by simplifying management and troubleshooting operations, particularly in distributed deployments with limited IT staff.

The cloud platform includes Unified Policy Access Manager (UPAM), a Network Access Control (NAC) service that provides enterprise secure authentication, role management, and policy enforcement for employees, guests, BYOD users, and IoT devices.

The fully Open API-based platform can seamlessly integrate with third-party systems and is highly customisable to fit the needs of IT teams, allowing them to deploy new services or upgrade existing ones without any network disruptions.

Stephan Robineau, Executive Vice President of ALE Network Business Division, comments: "Our objective is for OmniVista Cirrus 10 to be the ultimate platform for managing LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, IoT and security through a single unified pane. It will empower businesses to embrace digital transformation, enhance user experiences, and simplify IT operations, while ensuring scalability and security, translating into reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)."

With an abundance of new features, OmniVista Cirrus 10 continues to evolve and integrate cutting-edge functionalities. Moving forward, it will be integrated with OmniVista Network Advisor, bringing Artificial Intelligence powered decision-making to IT operations.

The software-as-a-service solution can be tailored to fit business needs based on consumption and is therefore available with a variety of flexible payment options.

ENDS#

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise:

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers' success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

www.al-enterprise.com LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627649683/en/

Contacts:

Press Contacts:

Carine Bowen

Global press

press@al-enterprise.com
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

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.
DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP (ISIN: DE000A3G3ZD0; WKN: A3G3ZD, Ticker: SLCT) is now listed and starts trading on Deutsche Borse Xetra on June 27, 2023

DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP tracks the MarketVector Digital Assets Max 10 VWAP Close Index ("MVDAMV")

With the newly launched ETP, investors can gain exposure to a basket of top 10 crypto assets in a cost-effective way

The ETP is 100% collateralized by coins held in an institutional-grade custody solution with Aplo SAS

FRANKFURT, Germany, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP (ISIN: DE000A3G3ZD0; WKN: A3G3ZD, Ticker: SLCT) is now listed and starts trading on Deutsche Borse's Xetra on June 27, 2023. The exchange traded product (ETP) becomes a cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to the top 10 largest crypto assets by market capitalization on Xetra with a total expense ratio of 1.69%.

The DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP is 100% physically backed by a basket of cryptocurrencies composing the MarketVector Digital Assets Max 10 VWAP Close Index ("MVDAMV") and is held in an institutional-grade custody solution with with Aplo SAS.

The ETP offers investors the opportunity to achieve portfolio diversification with a single investment, which is a significant advantage for those seeking to balance their portfolio risk or gain exposure to a variety of crypto assets.

"We are excited to announce the listing of DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP, our first multi-asset crypto ETP, which represents a major step forward in our product offerings and unlocks new opportunities for our valued investors," said Dominik Poiger, CFA, Chief Product Officer of DDA. "The DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP was designed with institutional and individual investor interests in mind and allows them to gain exposure to a variety of crypto assets."

"We are proud to partner with Deutsche Digital Assets to support the launch of their innovative Crypto Select 10 ETP," said Steven Schoenfeld, CEO of MarketVector. "We are confident that MarketVector's experience with both multi-asset crypto benchmarks and optimizing investability and liquidity will benefit investors of this new ETP."

"We're thrilled to see our MarketVector Digital Assets Max 10 VWAP Close Index underpin the new DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP," Martin Leinweber, CFA, Digital Asset Product Strategist of MarketVector. "This index provides a balanced and diversified selection of the top 10 cryptocurrencies, providing a robust basis for this innovative ETP. It marks another step in our commitment to delivering effective and dynamic indexes in the evolving digital asset market. We look forward to continued collaboration with DDA and to further advancing the digital asset ecosystem together."

The new listing complements DDA's offering of crypto exchange traded products including DDA Physical Bitcoin ETP (IETH, ISIN: DE000A3GTML1) on multiple European exchanges. The company also has its DDA Physical ApeCoin ETP (IAPE, ISIN: DE000A3GYNY2) listed on Borse Stuttgart.

For more information on the DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP, please visit the DDA website https://deutschedigitalassets.com/select-10/ or contact the team directly under contact@deutschedigitalassets.com .

Product name DDA Crypto Select 10 ETP Ticker Xetra / Bloomberg SLCT / SLCT GY ISIN / WKN DE000A3G3ZD0 / A3G3ZD TER 1.69% Base Currency USD Trading Currency EUR Underlying MarketVector Digital Assets Max 10 VWAP Close Index ("MVDAMV") Product Structure Physically replicating Rebalancing Frequency Quarterly Index Provider MarketVector Domicile Liechtenstein Issuer DDA ETP AG Security Trustee Bankhaus von der Heydt GmbH & Co. KG Custodian(s) Aplo SAS Authorized Participant(s) Flow Traders B.V.

Jane Street Financial Ltd.

DRW Europe B.V.

Bluefin Europe LLP Launch date



May 22, 2023 Listing date Jun 27, 2023

About Deutsche Digital Assets - www.deutschedigitalassets.com

Established in 2017, Deutsche Digital Assets GmbH (DDA) is a German crypto and digital asset manager that serves as a trusted gateway for investors seeking exposure to crypto assets. DDA, through various subsidiaries, offers a menu of crypto investment products and solutions, ranging from passive to actively managed, as well as financial product white-labeling services for asset managers. By leveraging traditional financial products, DDA provides investors with familiar access to a range of crypto asset ETPs, professional investment funds, and hedgefunds strategies, making crypto and digital asset acquisition as easy as buying a stock. For more information, please visit https://deutschedigitalassets.com/

Press contact:

Syuzanna Avanesyan

press@deutschedigitalassets.com

www.deutschedigitalassets.com

About MarketVector Indexes - www.marketvector.com

MarketVector IndexesTM ("MarketVector") is a regulated Benchmark Administrator in Europe, incorporated in Germany and registered with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). MarketVector maintains indexes under the MarketVectorTM, MVIS, and BlueStar names. With a mission to accelerate index innovation globally, MarketVector is best known for its broad suite of Thematic indexes, long-running expertise in Hard Asset-linked Equity indexes, and its pioneering Digital Asset index family. MarketVector is proud to be in partnership with more than 25 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) issuers and index fund managers in markets throughout the world, with approximately USD27 billion in assets under management.

Media Contacts:

Eunjeong Kang, MarketVector

+49

Sam Marinelli, Gregory FCA on behalf of MarketVector

610-246-9928

sam@gregoryfca.com

Important Notices:

This article represents solely a non-binding preliminary information which serves exclusively advertising purposes. It is not a prospectus in the sense of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129(Prospectus Regulation) and the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz - WpPG). It does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and the securities referred to in this notice may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.



Risk Considerations:

The price of an investment in a DDA ETP may go up or down and the investor may not get back the amount invested. The price performance of cryptocurrencies is highly volatile and unpredictable. Past performance is hence no guarantee of future performance. You agree to do your own research and due diligence before making any investment decision with respect to securities or investment opportunities discussed herein. The approval of the prospectus should not be construed as an endorsement of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a Regulated Market. These are not extensive risk considerations. Prospective investors should read the prospectus before making any investment decision in order to fully understand the potential risks and rewards of deciding to invest in the securities.

The prospectus is available at https://deutschedigitalassets.com/
HELSINKI, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caverion Corporation Investor news 27 June 2023 at 10:00 a.m. EEST

Caverion delivers one of the world's largest CO2 refrigeration systems to Oulun Energia in Finland

Caverion will implement a smart refrigeration system, including cooling and heat production, for a new energy centre being built by Oulun Energia. After completion, the energy centre will produce clean cooling energy for Nokia's new campus in Oulu and heating energy for the district heating network of Oulun Energia. The system is based on cooling and heating production in the same process, where intelligent controls ensure minimum waste of energy.

"The energy centre is a concrete demonstration of a modern, energywise innovation made possible through the close cooperation of Caverion and Oulun Energia. The size of the project is significant for both parties, further strengthening the already fruitful cooperation between the two companies," says Tommi Kantola, Business Director of Energy Services at Oulun Energia.

Clean energy with CO2 technology

By using clean, non-toxic and climate neutral CO2 heat pump technology, the energy centre will upon completion be one of the world's largest district cooling and heating plants based on CO2 technology. Caverion's delivery also includes the energy system automation, remote management, and technical maintenance during the warranty period.

"We want to be part of the energy transition and produce solutions enabling the green change. This energy centre is a technological pioneer for modern, zero-emission cooling and heating plants. We believe that carbon dioxide will play an important role as a technology for future high-capacity energy centres. We are very pleased to be working together with Oulun Energia," says Ville Tamminen, Head of Caverion Finland division.

Caverion's part in the project begins in summer 2023, with the refrigeration system ready for production at the end of 2024. The entire energy centre is expected to be completed in early 2025.

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Illustration: Arkkitehtitoimisto ALA

Further information:

Kirsi Hemmila, Communications Manager, Caverion Finland, tel. +358 50 390 0941, kirsi.hemmila@caverion.com

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/14078/3794586/2153625.pdf Release https://news.cision.com/caverion/i/nokia-new-campus-arkkitehtitoimisto-ala,c3194276 Nokia New Campus-Arkkitehtitoimisto ALA

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/caverion-delivers-one-of-the-worlds-largest-co2-refrigeration-systems-to-oulun-energia-in-finland-301864059.html
EQS-Ad-hoc: fox e-mobility AG / Key word(s): Financing

fox e-mobility AG: Yangji confirms payment commitment  delay caused by Korean regulatory process



27-Jun-2023 / 18:33 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





fox e-mobility AG: Yangji confirms payment commitment  delay caused by Korean regulatory process

Munich, June 27, 2023. The Management Board of fox e-mobility AG (DE000A2NB551) announces that it has investigated the delay for the payment of the tranche of EUR 2m (initially expected for 31st May 2023) by Yangji Investment Partners LLC.

Yangji Investment Partners LLC (Delaware) is part of the Yangji Investment Group in Korea, which provides the investment funds through its venture capital and private equity firm Yangji Investment Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea.

On the basis of the information received by the company and through mutual discussion between the management of fox e-mobility and Yangji, the company has learned that the delay had been caused by the Korean regulatory process (Financial Supervisory Service, money export regulation).

Yangji has today informed the board of the company that it expects the payment of the first tranche of EUR 2m to be completed before the end of the second quarter 2023 (ending 30th June).

In these circumstances

the financial report 2022 will be presented in August 2023, based on the availability of the companys auditor;

the companys cash position remains strained and will be significantly strengthened by Yangjis investment.

Contact:

ir@fox-em.com
AB "Ignitis grupe" (hereinafter - the Group) informs that on 27 June 2023 its subsidiary UAB "Ignitis renewables" (hereinafter - Ignitis Renewables) has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement with UAB "E energija" for the acquisition of 100% of the shares in its two companies developing an onshore wind farm in the Kelme district.

The wind farm's capacity is estimated to reach up to 300 MW. The first phase of the project has entered the construction stage and the second phase is in an advanced development stage. The commercial operations date of the project is estimated for 2025. The completed project will operate under market conditions. After the transaction is closed, Ignitis Renewables will manage the construction of the wind farm.

The expected investments, including the acquisition price and construction costs, should reach around EUR 550 million. The expected project's return is in line with the Group's target return range.

The transaction is expected to be closed by Q4 2023. The potential acquisition does not change the Group's Adjusted EBITDA guidance.

This acquisition is a significant step towards the Group's objective to increase the Green Generation capacity 4 times from the current 1.2 GW to 4-5 GW by 2030. For further details, see the Group's strategy ( link ).

For more information, please contact:

Arturas Ketlerius

Head of Corporate Communications at Ignitis Group

arturas.ketlerius@ignitis.lt

+370 620 76076
Orange SASE Advanced reduces complexity and provides greater scalability, agility, visibility, and network control

Stolt-Nielsen, a global expert in bulk liquid logistics and sustainable land-based aquaculture, has chosen Orange Business to provide a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution. It combines SD-WAN connectivity with global Security Service Edge (SSE) to securely support the company's global, hybrid workforce and drive business growth.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627517104/en/

The multinational enterprise was an early adopter of SD-WAN and is now moving to the next generation of advanced solutions. (Photo credit: Orange Business Services)

Stolt-Nielsen has a diverse business portfolio, including the world's largest fleet of chemical tankers, terminals for the safe storage and handling of bulk liquids, and bulk door-to-door chemical delivery logistics. It prides itself on being a trailblazer in adopting technology in its field.

The multinational enterprise was an early adopter of SD-WAN and is now moving to the next generation of advanced solutions. It was looking to replace a set up of internet providers and network solutions with one integrated service to optimize performance and security for its 2,500 hybrid users globally.

Phased SASE deployment

Stolt-Nielsen wanted a trusted partner to help migrate from its former infrastructure and develop a phased SASE strategy. It chose Orange as the integrator, impressed by its global network capabilities, security expertise, and broad portfolio of services.

The fully managed Orange SASE Advanced offering, created for Stolt-Nielsen in partnership with Netskope, provides enhanced global connectivity and consistent internet security on and off the network. With Netskope's SSE infrastructure located across more than 70 regions globally, plugging it into the Orange network ensures data security can be managed centrally without affecting business productivity.

"As part of our transformation, we needed to define a secure, centralized, future-proofed digital infrastructure to support our business growth and innovation. We chose Orange because of its ability to provide seamless, reliable global connectivity with the highest security standards delivered via SASE," explains Peter Koenders, CIO at Stolt-Nielsen.

"Stolt-Nielsen will reap the benefits of Orange SASE Advanced with a secure, flexible infrastructure built on our Evolution Platform and secured by Orange Cyberdefense. This innovative approach will help to drive the company's secure digital transformation plans, advancing operational efficiency and propelling digital business growth," adds Nemo Verbist, Senior Vice President, Europe, at Orange Business.

About Stolt-Nielsen Limited

Stolt-Nielsen is a long-term investor and manager of businesses focused on opportunities in logistics, distribution and aquaculture. The Stolt-Nielsen portfolio consists of its three global bulk-liquid and chemicals logistics businesses Stolt Tankers, Stolthaven Terminals and Stolt Tank Containers Stolt Sea Farm and various investments. Stolt-Nielsen Limited is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Oslo Brs: SNI).

About Orange Business

Orange Business, the enterprise division of the Orange Group, is a leading network and digital integrator, supporting customers to create positive impact and digital business. The combined strength of its next-generation connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity expertise, platforms, and partners provides the foundation for enterprises around the world. With 30,000 employees across 65 countries, Orange Business enables its customers' transformations by orchestrating end-to-end secured digital infrastructure and focusing on the employee, customer, and operational experience. More than 3,000 multinational enterprises, as well as two million professionals, companies and local communities in France, put their trust in Orange Business.

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with sales of 43.5 billion euros in 2022 and 288 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2023. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.

Orange is listed on the Euronext Paris (ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ORAN).

For more information: www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter: @orangebusiness

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627517104/en/

Contacts:

Press:

Elizabeth Mayeri, Orange Business, elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com, +1 212 251 2086
Expansion of AcadiaPlus platform capability drives more collaboration across the industry

Acadia, a leading industry provider of integrated risk management services for the derivatives community, today announced the launch of Settlement Manager, a unique industrywide central service created to improve settlement efficiency and reduce settlement fails.

Settlement Manager was created at the request of clients that were losing a well-known central settlement service and needed a replacement capability. Acadia quickly responded to ensure that an industry solution would be in place for any of its community of over 3,000 clients. Settlement Manager initially focuses on a set of key industry requirements: enabling messaging required for regular market settlements whether cash or securities and for tri-party and third-party segregation. Additionally, for the first time within the Acadia platform, it establishes the ability for counterparties to leverage the power of shared Standing Settlement Instructions (SSI's) and shared real-time settlement status, thereby enabling a workflow with the potential to eliminate operational complexity and increase automation across the industry.

"Through industry collaboration, we have developed Settlement Manager to enable a more streamlined workflow. By leveraging Acadia's widely used Margin Manager service, firms can settle their pre-agreed transactions within the same shared infrastructure. This shortens the distance between agreeing to transfer collateral and actually making it happen," said Will Thomey, Co-head Business Development

With extended strategic benefits to the entire industry, Settlement Manager enables clients to:

Share confirmed settlement status simultaneously to each party of the margin requirement;

Provide a centralized mechanism to store various forms of settlement instructions necessary for collateral management;

Remove reliance on manual processes through automated cash and security collateral settlement messaging;

Eliminate fragmented workflows with automated messaging to bilateral counterparties and their custodians, as well as to triparty agents; and

Remove settlement redundancies by agreeing and settling collateral moves in one workflow.

Krzysztof Wierzchowski, Vice President at Franklin Templeton, commented, "We have been working with Acadia to help shape a fresh approach to margin settlement. We are constantly working to improve efficiency, reduce collateral transfer times, and improve settlement transparency. Accomplishing it all within Acadia's existing workflows is a strategic win."

Following the announcement in December of LSEG acquiring Acadia, this is the first of many combined initiatives, whereby Settlement Manager is leveraging the LSEG SWIFT gateway to provide downstream messaging creating significant industry efficiencies.

To develop Settlement Manager, Acadia has been working with the industry via its working groups to continually improve and expand its usability, and the service went live on June 20th with an initial client set. With the service's successful launch, Acadia is immediately pivoting to the next set of enhancements (prioritized by the industry) to unlock additional value across the network.

ABOUT ACADIA

Acadia is a leading industry provider of integrated risk management services for the derivatives community. Our risk, margin and collateral tools enable a holistic risk management strategy on a real-time basis within a centralized industry standard platform.

Acadia's comprehensive suite of analytics solutions and services helps firms manage risk better, smarter, and faster, while optimizing resources across the entire trade life cycle. Through an open-access model, Acadia brings together a network of banks and other derivatives participants, along with several market infrastructures and innovative vendors.

Acadia is used by a community of over 3,000 firms exchanging more than $1 trillion of collateral on daily basis via its margin automation services. Acadia is headquartered in Norwell, MA and has offices in Boston, Dublin, Dusseldorf, London, New York, Manila, and Tokyo. Acadia is a registered trademark of AcadiaSoft, Inc.

Acadia is an LSEG Business within the Post Trade division. For more information, visit acadia.inc. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627760661/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts:



Laura Craft

Head of Marketing Corporate Communications, Acadia

laura.craft@acadia.inc

+44 (0)1727 324 5513

or

Rakin Sayed

Lansons (London)

rakins@lansons.com

+44 207 294 3638



Ed Shelley

Lansons (London)

eds@lansons.com

+44 7825 427 522
Industrial customers can safeguard critical infrastructures with TXOne Networks' award-winning OT Zero Trust approach

Picture is available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com)

LONDON, and EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TXOne Networks, a leader of industrial cybersecurity, is proud to announce that it has been honored with the prestigious SC Awards Europe 2023, which are run by key cybersecurity publishing house SC Media. The SC Awards Europe recognize and reward products and services that defeat imminent threats and cyber-security attacks, stand out from the crowd and exceed customer expectations. TXOnes' innovative OT Zero Trust concept was awarded in the category "Newcomer of the year". Now since more and more people are aware of the importance of cybersecurity in OT, the next challenge for companies is to move in that direction without impacting their day-to-day missions. TXOne accompanies and supports them in this.

"The quantity and quality of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructures continues to increase, and cyber-defence must keep pace. TXOne again proved that we offer the comprehensive OT-native solutions needed to do so. We are delighted to have been awarded Newcomer of the Year, but even more delighted to have won again after last year's successful awards, further establishing us as one of the top players in OT cybersecurity.", said Dr. Terence Liu, CEO of TXOne Networks. He continues: "With our OT Zero Trust approach, specifically tailored for the industrial world, TXOne safeguards the business and its operations and keeps them running even when there is a potential incident."

The OT Zero Trust concept

TXOne believes that legacy systems are critical to keep the operation running. In this case, all of the company's products are designed to accommodate the special needs of OT, with minimum system footprints to fit in the OT environments where most computing power are reserved to the operation. True to the Motto "Never trust - always verify" TXOne's OT Zero Trust methodology establishes a comprehensive framework in which every device is safeguarded by at least one security countermeasure throughout its entire life cycle. This includes rigorous pre-service inspections, endpoint protection, and robust network defenses.

With this OT Zero Trust concept in mind, TXOne offers complete solutions consisting of supply chain security, anti-malware for endpoints, and industrial network protection. The company is keen to protect critical assets across multiple OT verticals in their entire life cycle, modern as well as legacy ones, with multi-layered measures.

Follow TXOne Networks at our Blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About TXOne Networks

TXOne Networks offers cybersecurity solutions that ensure the reliability and safety of industrial control systems and operational technology environments through the OT zero trust methodology. TXOne Networks works together with both leading manufacturers and critical infrastructure operators to develop practical, operations-friendly approaches to cyber defense. TXOne Networks offers both network-based and endpoint-based products to secure the OT network and mission-critical devices in a real-time, defense-in-depth manner. www.txone.com

European press contact TXOne Networks GlobalCom PR-Network GmbH

Martin Uffmann / Slavena Radeva

martin@gcpr.net / slavenae@gcpr.net

+49 89 360363-41 / -50

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/txone-networks-wins-sc-awards-europe-2023-for-newcomer-of-the-year-with-the-ot-zero-trust-concept-301861131.html
-- Acquisition joins Luciole's innovative brain monitoring solutions with an established manufacturer and supplier of brain monitoring devices --

Luciole Medical AG, a Swiss medical technology company specialized in brain monitoring,today announced the acquisition of Spiegelberg GmbH Co. KG (Spiegelberg), an established medical device company and provider of highly specialized devices and consumables for neurosurgery, from SHS Capital. Following the acquisition, the companies will combine their product suites, manufacturing, and distribution channels to optimize their strengths aiming at becoming a global leader in providing innovative next-generation brain monitoring devices.

Spiegelberg has developed an internationally recognized, strong brand for its innovative neurosurgical devices and consumables and is a leading manufacturer of probes for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement. The company works with recognized research institutes, leading clinics, and specialists in neurosurgery to develop products that are best tailored to the patient.

Luciole Medical will leverage Spiegelberg's manufacturing, regulatory, and commercial capabilities, including its global supply network, to bring improved brain monitoring devices to a broad patient population. Spiegelberg's recognized ICP monitors and wide-reaching sales channels that span neuroclinics, hospitals, and special distributors highly complement Luciole's easy-to-use, minimally invasive, next-generation brain monitoring solutions and non-invasive patch. Under Luciole's leadership, the two companies will be in the position to individualize and optimize comprehensive brain monitoring devices on an international scale.

"We have known the Spiegelberg team and products for a long time and were impressed by the quality of the business they have built. This strategic acquisition will allow us to accelerate the accessibility of our products in Europe and prepare for the market launch of our innovative brain monitoring technologies in the US. We at Luciole believe that brain monitoring is an important tool both in the operating room and the intensive care setting to understand the pathologies linked to a fundamental but poorly understood organ," said Luciole CEO, Dr. Philippe Dro.

"Joining forces with Luciole Medical AG will allow us to offer an extensive range of truly innovative products to our large and growing network of clinicians, partners, and distributors, which will benefit both patients and clinicians and improve neurosurgery outcomes. We are looking forward to this next stage of our development," added Spiegelberg CEO, Stefan Paschko.

Brain oxygenation, intracranial pressure and blood flow are critical parameters for assessing proper brain function. Impaired oxygenation in the brain can rapidly lead to severe consequences such as cognitive decline, speech impairment, paralysis, coma, and even death. Measuring these parameters in patients during surgery and in a comatose setting is vital for the immediate diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Luciole Medical has developed a minimally invasive platform of next-generation devices to monitor these parameters. The technology measures oxygenated and de-oxygenated hemoglobin content in the brain as well as cerebral blood flow, thus giving precious information on tissue metabolism and brain function. The company, which has been certified under the new Medical Device Regulation (MDR), received the CE mark for its minimally invasive probe for use in comatose patients following a stroke or traumatic brain injury as well as for its non-invasive new generation patch used in various settings such as cardiac surgery.

About Luciole Medical:

Luciole Medical AG is developing a unique next-generation platform of brain monitoring sensors to rapidly provide important information allowing the proper diagnostic and monitoring of compromised oxygen supply conditions and complications. The platform also uses a proprietary complex algorithm to analyze large data sets and extract clinically relevant information. The company obtained the CE mark for a minimally invasive probe for ICUs (RheoProbe) and a new generation patch for external measurement of brain oxygenation parameters (RheoPatch). The Swiss-based private company is a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University of Zurich. For more information, visit www.luciolemedical.ch

About Spiegelberg:

The medical technology company Spiegelberg GmbH Co. KG, based in Hamburg, was founded in 1986 by Dr. Andreas Spiegelberg. Spiegelberg develops, produces and distributes products for intracranial pressure measurement, cerebrospinal fluid drainage and IAP measurement in more than sixty countries. The focus is on reliability, robustness and easy handling, so that the work is made easier and the treatment of the patient is the centre of attention.

More information at: https://www.spiegelberg.de/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627743615/en/

Contacts:

Media requests for Luciole Medical:

Stephanie May or Alexander Siebert

Trophic Communications

Phone: +49 171 1855682

luciole@trophic.eu
JZ Capital Partners Ltd - Notice of AGM

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 27

JZ Capital Partners Limited

(A closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 48761)

LEI Number: 549300TZCK08Q16HHU44

(The "Company")

27 JUNE 2023

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey on 25 July 2023 at 13:00 BST.

The Notice of Annual General Meeting together with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 has been posted to shareholders.

Shareholders are strongly encouraged to exercise their voting rights by completing and submitting a Form of Proxy. It is highly recommended that shareholders submit their Form of Proxy as early as possible to ensure that their votes are counted at the Annual General Meeting.

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.3, a copy of the Notice of Annual General Meeting, Form of Proxy and Annual Report and Accounts have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

and will be uploaded to the Company's website at Reports and Accounts | JZ Capital (jzcp.com) .

Enquiries:

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

The Company Secretary

Trafalgar Court

Les Banques

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 3QL

Tel: 01481 745001

END
Superhero Capital joins private and public investors to scale Lygg's direct-route platform available to corporations and individuals.

Lygg optimizes underutilized private aircraft assets for cost-effective and time-efficient flights.

Startup's premium travel experience reduces carbon emissions by up to 75 percent compared to existing commercial routes.

New routes in the Netherlands and Scotland are set to join existing services in Finland, Sweden, and Estonia.

As the model for regional air travel continues to collapse post-pandemic in both Europe and the United States, door-to-door air mobility startup Lygg announced it raised 3.6 million (over USD 3.9 million) to support the expansion of its contracted private aircraft routes to more locations in Europe and beyond. The company's mission to reduce the cost, time, stress, and carbon emissions associated with business travel simultaneously resonates with corporate customers anchoring new Lygg routes from underserved locations to larger economic centers. The funding round, led by Superhero Capital, was joined by private investors, with also the Finnish government providing funding. The company plans to utilize the funds to expand its routes to locations such as Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Stockholm, Sweden; Aberdeen, Scotland; and Frankfurt, Germany, as well as expand its reservation portal that integrates with booking tools used by major travel management companies (TMCs).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627123293/en/

With Lygg's dynamic scheduling capabilities, flights are optimized to minimize empty seats, increase passenger load, and eliminate unnecessary layovers and connecting flights, consequently reducing fuel consumption and emissions. (Photo: Business Wire)

"Think of Lygg as the 'Uber of aviation.' They are democratizing private air travel by leveraging dormant assets and matching routes with demand for a seamless door-to-door experience for busy travelers," said Juha Ruohonen, General Partner of Superhero Capital. "As we watch more and more cities lose their regional air travel services, Lygg is filling the gap with transforming regional air travel that passengers actually look forward to, in a reliable, profitable and scalable model."

Lygg simplifies regional air travel for business travelers by offering an alternative to the conventional hub approach to commercial air travel. The company caters to locations underserved by commercial carriers but where a density of travelers from an anchor corporate client exists to justify a route. Once established, anyone can book a flight on the new Lygg route. Time and cost efficiency is achieved by flying passengers directly to their destinations rather than connecting flights and door-to-door airport transportation using Teslas.

For instance, the Lygg route from Tampere, Finland, to Stockholm, Sweden, saves six hours per roundtrip for both business travelers and anchor corporate customers. Rather than traveling over seven hours across two flights, with a connection in Helsinki, passengers are flying direct to Stockholm in the comfort of a private aircraft in just two hours (door-to-door). This reduces total travel costs by 530 per traveler and reduces emissions by 43 percent (180 kg vs. 102 kg).

"With a traditional regional carrier, you're up before dawn and home well after dinner. It's not uncommon for people to travel ten hours or more door-to-door just for a meeting," said Roope Kekalainen, co-founder and CEO of Lygg. "Post-pandemic, corporations are not in a position to require such arduous travel schedules from their employees. With Lygg, our corporate clients are cutting these travel times in half, saving money, and making these requested business trips more enjoyable and productive."

In today's business climate, corporations and travelers are stuck between reduced connections offered by regional airlines and increased pressure to reduce the carbon emissions of their travel. With Lygg, travelers can save up to 87 percent of their travel time, while corporations can save on costs while prioritizing employee wellbeing. Additionally, a Lygg flight can reduce the carbon footprint of a traveler, thus further reducing a corporation's travel emissions by up to 75 percent. The technology and associated smartphone app powering Lygg's platform enables accurate passenger and cargo volume measurement over time, which allows Lygg to sustainably organize direct flights and frequencies with as few empty seats as possible.

"Throughout Europe and the United States, there is still a high percentage of executives that must travel to conduct business, yet telling people they have to take a train or simply fly less is not the answer," Jari Viinikkala, co-founder and CFO of Lygg. "Instead, the answer is optimization, and Lygg is answering this call with our direct-route platform that's future-proofed to scale with the zero-emission solutions currently in development."

While Lygg provides regional air travel passengers with seamless door-to-door direct connections via private aircrafts and electric vehicles, the platform also serves as a management solution for operators of small aircraft assets. Lygg offers operators of its digitalized and shared fleet the unprecedented benefit of predictability and guarantee of income that comes from recurring aircraft privatizations and flight subscriptions over selected periods of time.

"Lygg caters to a two-sided market, offering travel solutions that leverage under-used assets, including smaller, peripheral airports and business terminals, and adapted aircraft categories," continued Viinikkala. "Our offering allows aircraft owners and operators the ability to maximize their assets and increase their revenue. With this new round of funding, we look forward to expanding our operator base and offering more routes."

Superhero Capital, a venture capital firm with stakes in Finland and Baltic-based startups, revolutionizes the startup investment landscape with a focus on the technology and innovation sectors. Led by a seasoned team of industry experts, Superhero Capital empowers visionary entrepreneurs, shaping the future of business and technology and providing strategic investments and invaluable support to innovative companies.

Since June 2022, when operations began, Lygg has completed 154 flights flying thousands of happy passengers to 17 destinations in 12 European countries, including Germany, France, Holland, UK, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Estonia.

About Lygg

Through its first in the world platform, Lygg provides door-to-door, direct connection, private regional air travel at commercial costs to customers as a service. Started in Finland in 2020, Lygg was founded by FlymaasOy to transform the business flying experience. Through its platform and app, customers save time and enjoy ease of travel while fostering a sustainable aviation ecosystem. www.lygg.com

About Superhero Capital

Superhero Capital is a venture capitalist firm that invests in seed-stage, insight-driven startups. www.superherocapital.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627123293/en/

Contacts:

Technica Communications

Sarah Malpeli

lygg@technica.inc
Dolly's gifting a special bookmark to seven children in her Imagination Library program as part of "200 Million Reasons to Celebrate"

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is turning over a new chapter in The Imagination Library legacy - celebrating 200 million books gifted globally since inception in 1995. The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to age five and is now excited to celebrate with every child/family enrolled in the program and its Local Program Partners.

To celebrate this global 200 million book milestone, seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program. (Children must be enrolled by July 31, 2023 to receive Imagination Library books in September).

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9180851-dolly-partons-imagination-library/

Seven random children/families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 USD/CAD/AUD or 2,000 GBP on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to who Dolly calls the true heroes of her program.

Inspired by her father's inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts over 2.4 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world. There is never a charge to families who participate in the program and it is open to all children under the age of five in geographic areas with operating programs.

"I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books," said Dolly. "It's been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I'm so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we're just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more."

Participating in 200 Million Reasons to Celebrate is voluntary and does not affect enrollment in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. All children under five years of age who are actively enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library by July 31, 2023, can participate. To learn more, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/200-million-books.

About Dolly Parton's Imagination Library:

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has become the premier early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has mailed well over 200 million free books in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than two million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring children to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dolly-partons-imagination-library-celebrates-200-millionth-book-milestone-301863766.html
SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global infrastructure monitoring market size is expected to reach USD 10.26 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 11.0% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Infrastructure monitoring focuses on the development, deployment, and utilization of technologies, systems, solutions, and services that are aimed at monitoring and assessing the condition, performance, and integrity of various types of infrastructure across the verticals including oil & gas, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, construction, automotive, and power generation. This includes but is not limited to equipment, buildings, bridges, roadways, and utility networks. Infrastructure monitoring aims to gather real-time data, often through sensors and monitoring systems, to enable proactive maintenance, detect potential issues or failures, ensure the safety and reliability of infrastructure assets, and optimize their performance.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

Infrastructure monitoring is to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of infrastructure systems, such as machinery, bridges, roads, buildings, equipment, and utility networks.

The services segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period.

The wired technology segment is expected to dominate the market in 2022 with a revenue share of 56.8% and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2023 to 2030.

The damage detection segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 12.3% over the forecast period.

The manufacturing segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 18.5% over the forecast period.

Read full market research report, "Infrastructure Monitoring Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Component (Hardware, Software, Services), By Technology, By Application, By Vertical, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Infrastructure Monitoring Market Growth & Trends

The market encompasses a wide range of technologies, including sensors, data acquisition systems, analytics software, and communication networks, as well as the associated services required to implement, operate, and maintain monitoring solutions. The infrastructure monitoring industry plays a crucial role in enhancing infrastructure systems' longevity, safety, and efficiency, contributing to the overall development and sustainability of societies and economies. Based on components, the market is divided into hardware, software, and services. Hardware components play a critical role in enabling effective and reliable monitoring of various infrastructure assets.

Based on technology, the market is divided into wired & wireless technology. Based on application, the market is divided into corrosion monitoring, crack detection, damage detection, vibration monitoring, thermal monitoring, multimodal sensing, strain monitoring, and others. Vibration monitoring is an essential tool in infrastructure monitoring, providing valuable data for assessing structural integrity, optimizing performance, enabling condition-based maintenance, and enhancing safety across a wide range of infrastructure assets. Based on vertical, the market is divided into oil & gas, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, construction, automotive, power generation, and others.

Some of the key players operating in the global market for infrastructure monitoring include Siemens AG; Emerson Electric; Digitex Systems; General Electric; Campbell Scientific, Inc.; National Instruments; Honeywell; Acellent Technologies, Inc.; Parker Hannifin; Rockwell Automation; AVT Reliability Ltd.; Bridge Diagnostics, Inc. (BDI); and Yokogawa Electric Corporation. These key players are implementing various development strategies such as business expansion, product launches, partnerships, and others to expand their presence and market share.

In February 2023, Komatsu and Cummins joined forces to introduce a cutting-edge remote equipment monitoring solution that offers seamless integration. This innovative solution aims to minimize unexpected equipment downtime, expedite maintenance procedures, and prolong the lifespan of components while extending maintenance intervals. By leveraging the power of this integrated monitoring solution, customers can optimize their operations, enhance productivity, and achieve greater efficiency in their equipment management practices.

Infrastructure Monitoring Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 4.96 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 10.26 billion Growth Rate CAGR of 11.0% from 2023 to 2030 Historic year 2017 - 2021 Base year for estimation 2022 Forecast period 2023 - 2030

Infrastructure Monitoring Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has bifurcated the global infrastructure monitoring market based on component, technology, application, vertical, and region:

Infrastructure Monitoring Market - Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Hardware

Software

Services

Infrastructure Monitoring Market - Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Wired

Wireless

Infrastructure Monitoring Market - Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Corrosion Monitoring

Crack Detection

Damage Detection

Vibration Monitoring

Thermal Monitoring

Multimodal Sensing

Strain Monitoring

Others

Infrastructure Monitoring Market - Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Oil & Gas

Manufacturing

Aerospace and Defense

Construction

Automotive

Power Generation

Others

Infrastructure Monitoring Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

UK



Germany



France

Asia Pacific

India



China



Japan



South Korea



Australia

Latin America

Brazil



Mexico

Middle East & Africa

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)



U.A.E.



South Africa

List of Key Players in the Infrastructure Monitoring Market

Acellent Technologies, Inc.

Parker Hannifin

Siemens AG

Emerson Electric

Digitex Systems

General Electric

Campbell Scientific, Inc.

National Instruments

Honeywell

Rockwell Automation

AVT Reliability Ltd.

Bridge Diagnostics, Inc. (BDI)

Yokogawa Electric Corporation

Check out more market research studies published by Grand View Research:

5G Indoor Network Infrastructure Market - The global 5G indoor network infrastructure market size is expected to reach USD 87.79 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 40.2% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth of the market can be attributed to the factors, such as enhanced connectivity indoors and the growing adoption of 5G in applications, such as data centers, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate, among others. The high speed and low latency provided by 5G indoor network infrastructure indoors are expected to drive the market's growth over the forecast period. Countries across the world are rapidly adopting 5G technologies for enhanced connectivity. Countries, such as China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, the UK, Italy, and Spain, are deploying 5G to keep pace with the growing digitization.

- The global 5G indoor network infrastructure market size is expected to reach USD 87.79 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 40.2% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth of the market can be attributed to the factors, such as enhanced connectivity indoors and the growing adoption of 5G in applications, such as data centers, manufacturing, healthcare, and real estate, among others. The high speed and low latency provided by 5G indoor network infrastructure indoors are expected to drive the market's growth over the forecast period. Countries across the world are rapidly adopting 5G technologies for enhanced connectivity. Countries, such as China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, the UK, Italy, and Spain, are deploying 5G to keep pace with the growing digitization. Enterprise Network Infrastructure Market - The global enterprise network Infrastructure market size is anticipated to reach USD 86.02 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to grow due to the increasing need for bandwidth, technology shifts to wireless, and the rising adoption of smart devices. Enterprises are adopting digital technology to improve business operations. With increasing digitalization, the importance of network infrastructure is increasing, and thus the demand for network infrastructure is also growing. Moreover, the increasing virtualization of servers, hybrid cloud technologies, personal cloud, and growing demand for enterprise mobility are expected to favourably impact the market over the forecast period.

- The global enterprise network Infrastructure market size is anticipated to reach USD 86.02 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to grow due to the increasing need for bandwidth, technology shifts to wireless, and the rising adoption of smart devices. Enterprises are adopting digital technology to improve business operations. With increasing digitalization, the importance of network infrastructure is increasing, and thus the demand for network infrastructure is also growing. Moreover, the increasing virtualization of servers, hybrid cloud technologies, personal cloud, and growing demand for enterprise mobility are expected to favourably impact the market over the forecast period. Battery Swapping Charging Infrastructure Market - The global battery swapping charging infrastructure market size is expected to reach USD 811.5 million by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 20.2% from 2022 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Battery swapping charging infrastructure, also known as battery-as-a-services, eliminates the maintenance and service cost required, reduces the upfront cost of an Electric Vehicle(EV) considerably, cuts down CO2 emissions, and minimizes EV battery wastage. Owing to these advantages of the battery-swapping charging infrastructure, the industry is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

Browse through Grand View Research's Next Generation Technologies Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

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Acuity RM Group Plc - Result of AGM

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 27

27 June 2023

Acuity RM Group plc

("Acuity", or the "Company")

Result of Annual General Meeting

The Company is pleased to announce that at the Annual General Meeting held today, all resolutions, with the exception of Resolution number 4, were duly passed.

Resolution 4 was the proposal to reappoint Simon Marvel as a director of the Company. As previously announced, Simon has decided to retire and therefore this resolution was not put to the meeting. The Board has appointed Kerry Chambers, the CEO of Acuity Risk Management Limited ("ARML"), as Simon's successor and the Board is delighted that the Group will continue to benefit from Simon's experience, as he will remain as a non- executive director of ARML.

The results of the proxy voting will be made available in due course on the Company's website.

For further information please contact: Acuity RM Group Plc www.acuityrmgroup.com Angus Forrest +44 (0) 20 3582 0566 WH Ireland (NOMAD & Broker) www.whirelandcb.com Mike Coe / Sarah Mather 020 7220 1666 Peterhouse Capital Limited Joint broker Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey 020 7469 0936 Clear Capital Markets Limited (Joint Broker)

Andrew Blaylock 020 3869 6080

Note to Editors

Acuity RM Group plc

Acuity RM Group plc (AIM: ACRM), previously known as Drumz plc, is an established provider of risk management services. It's award-winning STREAM software platform, which collects data about organisations to improve business decisions and management. It is used by around 70 organisations in markets including government, utilities, defence, broadcasting, manufacturing and healthcare.

The Company is focused on delivering long term, sustainable growth in shareholder value. In the short to medium term this is expected to come from organic growth and thereafter may also come from complementary acquisitions.
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.
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.

SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon (AMZN) said Business Prime Duo is now free for Amazon Prime members who also purchase for businesses. The service was previously priced at $69 per year. Business Prime Duo is an Amazon Business membership that helps small-business owners by bringing together business buying tools and access to business-only pricing on select items, alongside free business delivery. The company noted that current Business Prime Duo members will be reimbursed for the remainder of their pre-paid yearly membership. Amazon said its Prime members can sign up for Business Prime Duo by creating a free Amazon Business account using a different email address than their Amazon.com account, and verifying their status as a business. Todd Heimes, director of Amazon Business Worldwide, said: 'Free access to Business Prime Duo with a Prime membership is another way Amazon Business supports small businesses at every stage of their journey.' 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.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company" or "NDM") reminds shareholders of the upcoming deadline to vote at the Company's Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting"), which is scheduled to be held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., local time.

The Board of Directors of Northern Dynasty recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of all the proposed items

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to elect the board of directors and appoint the auditors for the ensuing year.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT - PLEASE VOTE TODAY

The proxy voting deadline is 10:00 am PDT on Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Questions & Voting

Shareholders are encouraged to vote today via the internet or telephone using the control number found on the proxy or voting instruction form that was mailed to you to ensure your vote is received in a timely manner.

Registered Shareholders Beneficial Shareholders Common Shares held in own name and represented by a physical certificate or DRS. Common Shares held with a broker, bank or other intermediary. Internet www.investorvote.com www.proxyvote.com Telephone 1-866-732-8683 Call the applicable number listed on the voting instruction form. Mail Return the form of proxy in the enclosed postage paid envelope. Return the voting instruction form in the enclosed postage paid envelope.

If you have questions about the Meeting matters, the voting instructions or require assistance completing your proxy form, please contact Northern Dynasty's strategic shareholder advisor and proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill, toll-free in North America at 1.877.452.7184, outside North America at 1.416.304.0211, or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com.

Annual General Meeting Details

Please visit the Annual General Meeting page on our website under Investors for complete details and links to all relevant documents ahead of the Meeting at https://northerndynastyminerals.com/investors/agm/.

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1- 800-667-2114. Review public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project in Canada at www.sedar.com and the US at www.sec.gov.

Mark Peters

Chief Financial Officer

U.S. Media Contact:

Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897

SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

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EQS-News: European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. / Key word(s): AGM/EGM

General meeting of shareholders of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. adopts all resolutions



27.06.2023 / 12:55 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





General meeting of shareholders of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. adopts all resolutions

Amsterdam, June 27, 2023

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. ("EHC"), a Dutch operators-led special purpose acquisition company listed on Euronext Amsterdam aiming to acquire one or more companies in the European healthcare sector, announces that its annual general meeting of shareholders has adopted all resolutions on the agenda, as amended by resolution of the EHC board of directors and communicated on June 26, 2023, at the annual general meeting of shareholders held today at 10:00 CEST ("AGM").

The adopted resolutions include the adoption of the financial statements for the financial year 2022, the discharge from liability of the directors and the re-appointment of Deloitte Accountants B.V. as independent external auditor entrusted with the audit of the financial statements for the financial year 2023 (subject to acceptance procedures to be performed by Deloitte Accountants B.V.).

The voting results from the AGM will be published on the website of EHC in the "Investor Relations" section under 'Shareholder Meetings': www.ehc-company.com . The minutes will be made available on the Company's website in due course.

-----------

General Enquiries

+49 89 4523240

info@ehc-company.com

Media Enquiries EHC

FGS Global

Kai Peter Rath

+49 171 861 98 06

kai.rath@fgsglobal.com

Disclaimer

This press release may include forward-looking statements, which are based on EHC's current expectations and projections about future events and speak only as of the date hereof. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not within or outside the control of EHC. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. EHC operates in a rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor to assess the impact that these factors will have on EHC. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date at which they are made and EHC undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

This press release contains information that may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7, paragraph 1, of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

27.06.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to Headline Event

After thrilling wins by GM Fabiano Caruana and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the first two legs of the Grand Chess Tour, the next tour stop will be in Zagreb, Croatia for SuperUnited Rapid Blitz Croatia, July 4-9, 2023.

"The Grand Chess Tour features the world's best chess players and this year's competition has been no exception thus far," said Grand Chess Tour Executive Director Michael Khodarkovsky. "We are eager to see which player will take top honors when they face off over the board in Croatia in another fast paced Rapid Blitz event."

SuperUnited Rapid Blitz Croatia will mark the midway point of the Grand Chess Tour and will feature $175,000 in prizes. Five full-tour and five wildcard players will compete over nine rounds of rapid and 18 rounds of blitz to see who comes out on top. The field includes:

Player Name Invitation Method Country FIDE Rating URS Rating 1 Magnus Carlsen Wildcard NOR 2848 2849 2 Alireza Firouzja Full Tour FRA 2811 2795 3 Fabiano Caruana Full Tour USA 2781 2780 4 Ian Nepomniachtchi Full Tour FID 2778 2789 5 Jan-Krzysztof Duda Full Tour POL 2767 2767 6 Viswanathan Anand Wildcard IND 2739 2750 7 Richard Rapport Full Tour ROU 2736 2746 8 Dommaraju Gukesh Wildcard IND 2655 2690 9 Ivan Saric Wildcard CRO 2624 2656 10 Constantin Lupulescu Wildcard ROU 2584 2602

Grandmaster Wesley So from the United States is currently at the top of 2023 Grand Chess Tour leaderboard, followed by Poland's GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda and GM Fabiano Caruana, also from the United States.

The Grand Chess Tour is a leading global circuit of international chess tournaments featuring the world's best players competing for $1.4 million in cash throughout the 2023 season. The tour will conclude in America's chess capital at the Saint Louis Chess Club with the Saint Louis Rapid Blitz and the Sinquefield Cup, taking place in Fall 2023.

"We are happy to welcome back to the Grand Chess Tour former World Champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand," said Michael Khodarkovsky, Executive Director of the Grand Chess Tour. "They will be challenged by young and rising stars like Firouzja and Gukesh, which promises us thrilling and exciting competition in Zagreb."

Tune in daily at 3:00 p.m. CEST (8:00 a.m. CDT) to watch the exciting coverage, featuring commentators Yasser Seirawan, Nazi Paikidze, Evgenij "Miro" Miroshnichenko and Cristian Chirila. For more information and the full tournament standings, visit grandchesstour.org.

About the Grand Chess Tour

The Grand Chess Tour is a circuit of international events, each demonstrating the highest level of organization for the world's best players. The legendary Garry Kasparov, one of the world's greatest ambassadors for chess, inspired the Grand Chess Tour and helped solidify the partnership between the organizers. All Grand Chess Tour 2023 events will comply with local and regional COVID-19 restrictions. For more information about the tour, please visit grandchesstour.org.

About the Superbet Foundation

Since 2019, Superbet Foundation has made chess one of its core initiatives by organizing the first tournament of the Grand Chess Tour in Bucharest. The Foundation is committed to establishing a tradition of Grand Chess Tour tournaments within the Romanian and Polish chess communities. For more information, visit www.superbetfoundation.com.

About the Saint Louis Chess Club

The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit saintlouischessclub.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627506008/en/

Contacts:

Rebecca Buffington

Grand Chess Tour Public Relations

Email: press@grandchesstour.org
Leading Breast Pump Brand Hosts Global Event to Advance Breastfeeding Research and Understand Current Hospital-Based Practices, Sharing Research Findings Free of Charge

Switzerland, Baar, June 27, 2023from next week.

"By bringing together top minds in lactation science from around the world, we are able to further our shared goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes," said Annette Bruls, CEO of Medela worldwide. "We know that conducting the research is only half of a much larger picture, which is why our Global Symposium is committed to creating a dynamic learning opportunity to transfer this knowledge from the experts in science and research to the leaders in healthcare settings around the world. We are bridging the gap between research and practice, making it accessible, free of charge, to the people who use and need it, with the sole intention of nurturing health for generations."

The global event featured presentations and discussions from experts, including:

PROF. LARS BODE (USA) | Lactation as a biological system: The dynamics of human milk composition

"Human milk and lactation do not stand in isolation; they are part of a dynamic biological system that is embedded in socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral, and environmental contexts," explains Professor Bode, Ph.D., at the University of California San Diego. "As a scientist, it was exciting to participate in Medela's Breastfeeding & Lactation Symposia because the events connect the science with the clinical application of human milk and lactation, which together is a major driver to advance the field with maximum impact on infant health and development."

PROF. DONNA GEDDES (AU) | Lactation as a biological system: The importance of dose

"As we seek to understand how human milk composition impacts the health of our next generation, we often default to analyzing concentrations of milk components. Yet when we measure the dose the baby receives, a new world opens up with the promise of innovative ways to improve the health of our children," says Professor Geddes from the University of Western Australia. "I appreciate the opportunity to share my scientific findings at this stellar conference, but I find the interaction with the participants invaluable, as they come from all disciplines essential to improving breastfeeding and breast milk delivery for all lactating women and their babies."

DR. REBECCA HOBAN (CA) | Initiation of lactation: Prophylactic lactation support as standard of care for mothers of NICU infants

"Although we know that mother's milk is literally lifesaving for preterm infants in the NICU, many mothers struggle to make enough milk for their babies, limiting their infant's lifelong milk dose and it is my passion to optimize lactation for these vulnerable families," shares Dr. Hoban, staff neonatologist and Director of Breastfeeding Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. "Medela's Symposium brings new lactation evidence to clinician leaders who will translate the science to the bedside for families around the world. It's a great way to 'spread the word' about the latest findings in breastfeeding research!"

PROF. DIANE SPATZ (USA) | A call to action: Improving human milk and breastfeeding outcomes by prioritizing effective initiation of lactation

"There is a critical window for the establishment of a milk supply and, we as advocates and clinicians have an obligation to families to teach them the science of human milk and the physiology of lactation," explains Professor Diane Spatz, who also serves as chairperson for Medela's Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board in the Americas. Prof. Spatz presented a call to action about the need for prioritizing effective initiation of lactation in order to improve exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. Prof. Spatz is a Professor of Perinatal Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing sharing a joint appointment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Held as a hybrid event in Beijing on May 13-14, the China Symposium focused on providing a platform for like-minded breastfeeding professionals to share ideas, experiences and best practices. In partnership with the China Maternity and Child Health Association, the event marked a shared commitment to educating individuals on the benefits of human milk, while strengthening the collective efforts to foster a supportive environment for breastfeeding in China.

PROF. CAO YUN (CHINA)| The impact of human milk feeding on the outcomes of NICU premature infants based on clinical research in China

"As an experienced NICU physician, I have been promoting human milk feeding since I learned of its benefits for NICU infants. I am pleased to see so many obstetrics, pediatrics, and nursing experts gathered here. The promotion of breastfeeding cannot be achieved without the cooperation of various departments and multi-disciplinary teams." says Prof. Cao Yun from Fudan University Children Hospital. "It is great that Medela organizes such an informative symposium that allows us to unite to promote breastfeeding in China."

PROF. YU HONG (CHINA)| Quality improvement study on breastfeeding in mother-infant-separation dyads after standardized interventions

"I was very excited to participate in this grand event organized by Medela and learned about global cutting-edge research," says Prof. Yu Hong from Southeast University Zhongda Hospital. "I led a multiple-center quality improvement study in Jiangsu Province, and our objective is to support lactation and improve the dose of own mother's milk feeding through the evidence-based interventions."

PROF. FENG QI (CHINA)| Clinical study on promoting breastfeeding of premature infants in China

"Breastfeeding is not only a mother's business, but also depends on family and social support," says Prof. Feng Qi from Peking University First Hospital. "At present, the government has issued documents to support breastfeeding, and we also have the consensus from professional groups. As more and more hospitals are paying increasing attention to breastfeeding, we need to proactively adopt best clinical practices to improve breastfeeding in the NICU."

DR. YUKI TAKAHASHI (JAPAN)|Effect of epidural analgesia on infant sucking and opportunities for improvement to achieve the standard of care for infants

"Intrapartum interventions such as epidural analgesia or induction of labor can influence skin-to-skin contact and rooting/suckling behavior, not only right after, but up to two days after birth," says Dr. Yuki Takahashi from Nagoya University Japan. "And the important thing is to prioritize breastfeeding support resources to provide behaviorally appropriate and individualized care during this critical period."

On June 23-24, Medela hosted the European Edition of their world tour in Munich, Germany, and welcomed two internationally renowned British speakers who shared their insights for improving lactation support in the neonatal intensive care unit. On day two of the symposium the healthcare experts on-site took these findings into curated workshops with the goal of translating them into clinical practice.

PROF. NEENA MODI (UK) | Perspectives: Prioritizing own mother's milk in the neonatal unit - need for standardized metrics that capture lactation and infant feeding

"Prioritizing the provision of own mother's milk (OMM) is a crucial step in neonatal care and thorough, high-quality data on lactation and infant feeding are fundamental in assessing the success of OMM provision and understanding the extent to which infants leave the neonatal unit breastfeeding," asserts Professor Neena Modi of the Imperial College London, who also serves as President-elect of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine. Prof. Modi underscored that by implementing standardized information recording in neonatal units, we can develop universally accepted quality indicators, improve care, and drive research for better breastfeeding outcomes.

DR. SARAH BATES (UK) | Spotlight: Improving survival & outcomes for preterm infants through optimizing early maternal breast milk - a national Quality Improvement toolkit from BAPM

"Optimizing own mother's milk (OMM) is crucial for the long-term health of preterm infants," explained Dr. Sarah Bates, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. In her talk Dr. Bates shed light on the innovative national toolkits created by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, demonstrating its utility in optimizing OMM for preterm infants from initiation of lactation to post-discharge. Her session, infused with success stories and insightful parental views, showcased how this initiative can positively reshape the health trajectories of preterm infants nationwide.

Turning science into care

Presentations from speakers will be available free of charge for virtual access through Medela University, an online professional education platform for lactation science offering continuing education units (CEUs).

In addition, Medela will host a series of educational webinars in the US and Europe to translate existing research findings into clinical practice and share important conclusions and expert recommendations. While the US webinars will focus primarily on disparities in breastfeeding and resources for clinicians to assess their own implicit bias and alter clinical practice to better support Black women who breastfeed, the European webinars will focus on improving lactation science and improving care in neonatal units.

Learn more about the Global Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium at medela.com/symposium.

Media resources, including language versions of the press releases and visual assets are available for download at medela.com/symposium-media.

About Medela

Through advancing research, observing natural behavior, and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients, and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world. As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. For more information, visit www.medela.com.

* Medela global sales, 2022

Attachments
New program aims to both eliminate follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injections from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg freezing protocols and reduce the need for IVF by improving outcomes with ovulation induction and by treating male infertility directly.

Celmatix Inc., the leading women's health biotechnology company focused on ovarian biology, today announced the identification of promising early leads in its latest drug program, aimed at developing the world's first oral FSH receptor (FSHR) agonist drug. The innovative investigational product has the potential to revolutionize fertility treatments. The announcement coincides with the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), currently underway in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Our goal is to eliminate the need for injections during ovarian stimulation ahead of egg freezing and IVF procedures," said Dr. Piraye Yurttas Beim Founder and CEO of Celmatix. "We also want to reduce the need for women to undergo IVF procedures in the first place, by both providing a more effective strategy for restoring ovulatory function in women with ovarian conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and addressing the significant burden that male infertility places on couples by also advancing our program to help men increase their sperm count and viability."

Infertility rates are rising rapidly: according to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 married women (ages 18-49) in the United States experience infertility and 1 in 4 women in this group have difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term. Despite this, very little innovation has occurred in bringing novel fertility drugs to market.

"Hormone injections for treating infertility date back to studies first performed literally 100 years ago, at a time when the average life expectancy for a woman in the US was just 48," explains Dr. Beim, "Now that women are living into their 80s, they naturally want to start and expand their families much later in their lives. That means that more women are proactively seeking egg freezing but also are increasingly relying on fertility treatments, including IVF, to get pregnant."

Women undergo, on average, 60 injections across two treatment cycles to generate enough viable eggs to achieve a pregnancy. Injectable fertility drugs generate an estimated $5 billion dollars of sales for the pharmaceutical industry globally.

Dr. Beim continues, "We have heard for over a decade from both women and their doctors about the high burden of hormone injections, which are required for these procedures. Interestingly, the same hormone injections could be used to improve sperm quality in men and avoid IVF altogether for many couples with infertility; however, men have rejected the idea of undergoing months of painful injections. The burden of infertility treatment, therefore, disproportionately and unfairly falls on women. We also know that many women undergo IVF because current methods of improving ovulation for conditions like PCOS have low success rates. We knew that a simple pill that could eliminate injections from fertility treatments and provide alternatives to IVF would be a game changer."

The Celmatix drug program benefits from recent advances in AI/computational methods for drug design and decades of publications in the field on the prior challenges of developing oral FSHR agonists. FSHR is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family of proteins, which are among the most common class of targets for small, orally available therapeutic drugs. One challenge to developing oral drugs targeting FSHR has been that it is closely related to the receptor for thyroid hormone. Therefore, a successful oral FSHR drug must stimulate the FSH receptor without stimulating the thyroid hormone receptor (TSHR). Early Celmatix data suggests that their unique, rationally designed compounds overcome this significant hurdle to drug development for this target.

Celmatix Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Stephen Palmer, notes, "We are very pleased to see that several of our novel compounds demonstrate the desired potency and selectivity required for a successful oral FSH drug. Furthermore, several of these early leads also demonstrate solubility and metabolic stability that are a 20-fold improvement compared to previously reported FSHR small molecule ligands. As we move these promising hits into lead optimization, we are hopeful to be on track to initiating clinical studies by 2025."

Celmatix has previously announced pioneering drug development collaborations with industry leaders, its lead AMHR2 agonist program, aimed at optimizing ovarian health and making menopause a choice, and its novel melatonin agonist program for PCOS.

About Celmatix

Celmatix Inc. is a preclinical-stage women's health biotech focused uniquely on ovarian biology. With its growing pipeline of innovative drug programs including an AMHR2 agonist program focused on ovarian aging, novel melatonin agonist program for PCOS, oral FSH for infertility, and collaborations with industry leaders, Celmatix is addressing areas of high unmet need by developing the next generation of interventions and pioneering advancements in ovarian health. Celmatix's proprietary multi-omic ovarian health platform, the world's largest of its kind, is the foundation of the company's novel pipeline of first-in-class therapies. For more information, visit the company's website at www.celmatix.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627912436/en/

Contacts:

Ariel Kramer

ariel@klovercommunications.com
MONTVALE, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Luxury Lease Partners ("LLP"), a leading automotive leasing company specializing in top of the line luxury and exotic cars, today announced the successful closing of a senior corporate notes financing. The transaction was assigned a BBB rating by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (NRSRO). The funds from the transaction will be used to support the Company's growth initiatives and strengthen its balance sheet.

Founded in 2016, Luxury Lease Partners specializes in providing flexible lease solutions to customers from across the credit spectrum who have the financial resources to support the lease. Customers and dealer partners turn to LLP for its smooth approval process and quick time to close. Luxury Lease Partners is majority-owned by PruVista Capital LLC, a Jacksonville, FL-based private equity firm investing and lending to companies within the specialty finance space.

"LLP has established itself as a premier lessor in the high-line and exotic space and this financing will enable us to continue to grow and support our dealer partners across the country," said Doug Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of Luxury Lease Partners. "We are pleased to complete this transaction, in a challenging capital markets backdrop, with the support of an outstanding group of institutional investors who recognize the solid track record and long-term potential of our business."

Mark Blair, Chief Financial Officer at Luxury Lease Partners, added, "This new credit facility enhances our balance sheet and provides increased financial flexibility to support our growth goals."

Brean Capital, LLC served as the Company's exclusive financial advisor and sole placement agent in connection with the transaction.

About Luxury Lease Partners

Based in Montvale, NJ, Luxury Lease Partners is a premier independent luxury vehicle lessor offering customized leasing options for a wide range of luxury and exotic vehicles from a range of premium brands, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce and more. With a commitment to exceptional service and value, Luxury Lease Partners is dedicated to helping its customers get behind the wheel of their dream vehicle. For more information, please visit www.luxuryleasepartners.com.

About PruVista Capital LLC

PruVista Capital LLC is an investment company focused on building specialty finance platforms through equity and debt capital investments with over $225 million of assets under management. PruVista is led by a tenured management team of former consumer banking executives and founding partners of a privately-held, multi-billion-dollar specialty finance company. PruVista has built an exotic auto leasing platform (Luxury Lease Partners), a commercial lending platform (Iron Horse Credit), an affordable modular housing company (Custom Home Shop) and a payroll-linked payment and identity solution provider (Paywallet). For more information about PruVista Capital, please visit www.pruvista.com.

Contact Information:

Kayleigh Wickersham

info@luxuryleasepartners.com

201-822-4870

SOURCE: Luxury Lease Partners, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763819/Luxury-Lease-Partners-Closes-Corporate-Note-Financing
New Mexico MLS to Bring the Showing Service Statewide to New Mexico

SANTA FE, NM / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / MLS Aligned, LLC is proud to announce that the New Mexico MLS (NMMLS) has signed an agreement to bring the Aligned Showings service statewide to New Mexico. NMMLS joins other leading MLSs to provide the Aligned Showings platform, which will reach over 150,000 agents by the end of the year.

Aligned Showings

Aligned Showings Logo

Megan McFarlane, Executive Director of NMMLS, said, "The product is exciting. What MLSs can build when they work together is not just strong because of the relationships, but strong because Aligned Showings is cutting-edge technology."

New Mexico members will benefit from Aligned Showings' mobile app, optimized route mapping, real-time messaging, advanced showing approval system and other features.

Earlier this year, UtahRealEstate.com launched Aligned Showings to its nearly 20,000 members. Brad Bjelke, CEO of UtahRealEstate.com, said, "We immediately had fast adoption of the product in our market. The product is easy to use, looks great, and works efficiently. MLS Aligned is a special organization that is laser focused on serving MLSs, brokers, and agents, and Aligned Showings is a shining example of that mission."

NMMLS is the first non-owner customer for Aligned Showings. Owners MLSListings and UtahRealEstate.com have launched while ARMLS, Metro MLS, RMLS and Beaches MLS are set to launch soon.

About New Mexico MLS

The New Mexico MLS is one of the top three MLSs in the state of New Mexico and the only New Mexico-based MLS with statewide coverage of listing information, and is the statewide network of New Mexico REALTORS. The New Mexico MLS is a solely owned incorporated subsidiary of the New Mexico Association of REALTORS.

About MLS Aligned

MLS Aligned, LLC was founded by five forward-thinking multiple listing service organizations with the intent to collaborate and solve pain points in the real estate industry. Those organizations include ARMLS (serving Arizona), Metro MLS (serving Wisconsin), MLSListings (serving Silicon Valley and coastal California), Regional MLS (serving Oregon and Southwest Washington), and UtahRealEstate.com (serving Utah and Southern Idaho). MLS Aligned offers Aligned Showings and an API-driven data distribution. The organization also partners with its members on product offerings and services to better serve their more than 150,000 real estate professionals.

Contact Information:

James Marcus

Director of Brand

info@mlsaligned.com

623-810-3491

SOURCE: MLS Aligned

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763822/New-Mexico-MLS-to-Launch-Aligned-Showings
The combination of data science expertise, cloud resources, and Cato's vast data lake enables real-time, ML-powered protection against evasive cyber-attacks, reducing risk and improving security.

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, provider of the world's leading single-vendor SASE platform, introduced today real-time, deep learning algorithms for threat prevention as part of Cato IPS. The algorithms leverage Cato's unique cloud-native platform and vast data lake to provide highly accurate identification of malicious domains, which are often used in phishing and ransomware attacks. In testing, the deep learning algorithms identified nearly six times more malicious domains than reputation feeds alone. Cato's Security Research Manager, Avidan Avraham, and Cato Data Scientist Asaf Fried presented on the use of machine learning to detect C2 communications at the AWS Summit in Tel Aviv.

Tapping Deep Learning to Stop Phishing and Ransomware Attacks

Real-time identification of malicious domains and IPs is essential to stopping phishing, ransomware, and other cyber threats. The traditional approach - relying on domain reputation feeds to categorize and identify malicious domains - has proven far too inaccurate as domain generation algorithms (DGAs) enable attackers to quickly generate new domains, which lack reputation. At the same time, users continue to click through to malicious domains mimicking well-known brands (such as microsoftt[dot]com or amazonlink[dot]online) whose lack of reputation also makes detection by reputation feeds alone unreliable.

Cato's real-time, deep-learning algorithms address both problems. The algorithms prevent access to DGA-registered domains by identifying those new domains infrequently visited by users and with letter patterns common to DGAs. They block cybersquatting by hunting for domains with letter patterns similar to well-known brands. And the algorithms stop brand impersonation by examining parts of the webpage, such as the favicon, images, and text.

These radical advancements in network security are enabled by the cloud-native architecture of Cato's technology. Real-time deep learning algorithms require significant compute resources to avoid disrupting the user experience. The Cato SASE Cloud provides those resources. In milliseconds, Cato inspects flows, extracts their destination domain, measures the domain's risk, and infers the necessary results from the traffic without disrupting the user experience.

At the same time, deep learning models need extensive training data. The massive data lake underlying Cato SASE Cloud provides that resource. Built from the metadata of every flow traversing Cato and further enriched by 250+ threat intelligence feeds, the deep learning algorithms benefit from analyzing patterns across all Cato customers. Those insights are further enhanced by custom analyses derived from customers' traffic-the result: precise, algorithmic identification of suspicious domains.

Real-time Deep Learning Yields 6X Improvement in Threat Detection

Cato Research Labs routinely observes tens of millions of network connection attempts to DGA domains from across the 1700+ enterprises using the Cato SASE Cloud. For example, of the 457,220 network connection attempts to DGA domains made in a sample period, only 66,675 (15 percent) were listed in the 250+ threat intelligence feeds consumed by Cato. By contrast, Cato algorithms identified the rest, over 390,000 additional DGA domains, a nearly six-fold improvement.

Real-time, Deep Learning: Just One Part of Cato's Multitiered Security Protection

Cato's real-time, deep learning algorithms are not the only way Cato detects and stops threats. The Cato SASE Cloud's combination of SWG, NGFW, IPS, NGAM, CASB, DLP, RBI, and ZTNA provides multitiered protection against exploitations, disrupting cyberattacks at multiple points in MITRE's ATT&CK Framework.

The deep learning algorithms are the latest AI and ML additions to the Cato SASE Cloud. Cato has long used machine learning for offline analysis to solve problems at scale, such as OS detection, client classification, and automatic application identification. ChatGPT is also used in various ways, including automatically generating descriptions of threats for Cato's threat catalog.

To learn more about Cato and its security capabilities, visit https://www.catonetworks.com/security-service-edge/.

CLICK TO TWEET: How do enterprises increase their ability to detect phishing & ransomware attacks by 600 percent? Deploy @CatoNetworks' IPS, a key part of CatoNetworks SASE Cloud platform. https://www.catonetworks.com/news/

Supporting Quotes

Elad Menahem, senior director of security, Cato Networks

"ML and AI are essential to defending against the ever-evolving, sophisticated, and evasive cyber-attacks. But that's easier marketed than done," says Elad Menahem, senior director of security at Cato Networks. "ML algorithms must be trained and re-trained on high-quality data to provide value. Cato's data lake provides an enormous advantage in that area. Its convergence of rich networking data and security sources, coupled with its sheer scale, enables Cato to train algorithms in unique ways. Our current work is only the start of AI and ML innovation."

Asaf Fried, Data Scientist, Cato Networks

"Real-time ML must be continuously trained and updated to deal effectively with evasive attacks. A SASE cloud allows training on quality data at scale and continuous updates. Appliance-based solutions can't offer either, making enterprises who rely on them for their network security an easier target."

Digital Assets

[Photo] Elad Menahem

Elad Menahem [Photo] Asaf Fried

Asaf Fried [Image] Cato Networks logo

Supporting Resources

Read Cato Blog

Read about Elad Menahem

Read about Asaf Fried

For more information about Cato's news and activities, follow the company via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Cato Networks

Cato provides the world's most robust single-vendor SASE platform, converging Cato SD-WAN and a cloud-native security service edge, Cato SSE 360, into a global cloud service. Cato SASE Cloud optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations everywhere. Using Cato, customers easily replace costly and rigid legacy MPLS with modern network architecture based on SD-WAN, secure and optimize a hybrid workforce working from anywhere, and enable seamless cloud migration. Cato enforces granular access policies, protects users against threats, and prevents sensitive data loss, all easily managed from a single pane of glass. With Cato, businesses are ready for whatever's next.?

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cato-networks-revolutionizes-network-security-with-real-time-machine-learning-powered-protection-301863738.html
PIEDMONT, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Goldflare Exploration Inc. (TSXV:GOFL) ("Goldflare" or "the Company") announces the closing of a flow-through private placement of $324,000 offered to eligible investors at a price of $0.08 per common share. The offering totals 4,050,000 flow-through shares.

No insider participated to this placement and $18,000 intermediary fees were engaged.

The offering is subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities to be issued will be subject to a minimum holding period of four months plus one day.

The placement proceeds will be used to finance "Canadian Exploration Expenses" ("CEEs") (within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)) on Goldflare's Goldfield mining claims, located in Quebec.

The Company will therefore agree to renounce these exploration expenditures in Canada with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023.

For more information:

Ghislain Morin

CEO

819-354-9439}

ghislainmorin@goldflare.ca Serge Roy

Chairman of the Board

819-856-8435

sergeroy@goldflare.ca

SOURCE: Goldflare Exploration Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763680/Goldflare-Announces-the-Closing-of-a-Flow-Through-Financing
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.

NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - Payment business operator American Express Co. (AXP) announced on Tuesday that it has appointed Christophe Le Caillec as the chief financial officer, effective August 14. The company said its current Finance Chief and Vice Chairman Jeffrey Campbell has decided to retire on the same day. Campbell will continue as the vice chairman until March 2024. Le Caillec is currently serving as the deputy finance chief of the company. He leads the Corporate Planning team as well as Risk, Technology, and Global Services Group Finance functions of the company. In pre-market activity, shares of American Express are trading at $167, down 0.07% or $0.11 on the New York Stock Exchange 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.
May's auction results in New York showed that after all the records set by the Paul G. Allen, Anne H. Bass, and Thomas Ammann collections, 2023 began with relative sobriety. In an interview with journalist Amy Shaw for the Art Newspaper at Art Basel, art dealer Dominique Levy said he detects the presence of a " clear correction ". Artprice takes this opportunity to review the acceleration of the art market since the beginning of the 21st century, via a quick look at the works that the market values ??the most.

Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting

[ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image1-1964-artmarket-com-auction-turnover-by-year-of-creation-in-painting.png ]

"The analysis of auctions results is a fascinating way to examine the evolution of Art History ", explains thierry Ehrmann, President of Artmarket.com and Founder of Artprice. " Our d atabases, have collected objective and comprehensive Fine Art auction data for more than 30 years from all over the world . They therefore provide an extraordinary tool for studying the appetites of collectors and revealing what our contemporaries value the mo st".

The triumph of Pop Art

In 1964, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Ed Ruscha were at the peak of their careers and these four artists all have auction price records for works created that year, in the midst of the Cold War, just a few months after the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy. These records, to which must be added more than thirteen thousand other auction results for artworks made that year, make 1964 the year-of-creation that generated the greatest volume of auction turnover in the period 2000 to 2023 (twenty-two years), all creative periods combined: $2.48 billion.

Having fetched the second best art auction result of all time at $195 million on 9 May 2022 at Christie's in New York, Andy Warhol's Shot sage blue Marilyn (1964) is now a sort of figurehead for that year (1964). Although from a market perspective the previous two years were just as important for Warhol, 1964 is also remembered in the art world for another reason: in 1964 Robert Rauschenberg won the Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale. Indeed, promoted by Leo Castelli (and perhaps even supported by the CIA), in 1964 Pop Art imposed itself in the art world thereby consolidating a significant shift of art (and the art market) to the West a transfer of power from Paris to New York on the international scene. The way this transfer came about has been the subject of intense discussion.

Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964

[ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image2-1964-artmarket-com-top-15-auction-prices-artworks-produced-in-1964.png ]

Abstraction, Pop Art and Expressionism

In the mid-1960s, several major artists of the first half of the 20th century were still creating important works. Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, and Rene Magritte were still active. In Asia, Li Keran and Fu Baoshi were perpetuating the art of traditional Chinese painting by giving it very personal touches of modernity, while in Europe Zao Wou-Ki and some of his compatriots were exploring Lyrical Abstraction. In England, a new generation was making its mark: David Hockney was 27 in 1964, Frank Auerbach was 33 and Lucien Freud was 42. They were just at the beginning of their careers, but that year Francis Bacon, aged 55, painted some of his best portraits.

In the United States, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Willem De Kooning, and Clyfford Still were still exploring Abstract Expressionism and Jackson Pollock had passed away a few year back, while a new artistic revolution was emerging: Pop Art. It was this movement that truly imposed America on the international art scene and the international art market. The works themselves were often brilliant and eye-catching but they also often contained covert or less-covert criticism of the American dream. In France, Pierre Soulages has already painted his best canvases, but a new Expressionist scene was beginning to emerge in Germany, with Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, and Anselm Kiefer, among others. Their work unfolded over many years and therefore did not produce the same concentration of market value as the American Pop Art movement.

The success of this movement was notably due to a relatively small number of series of works on which collectors focused heavily, and these series were created by the great names of American Pop Art and were generally worked and reworked for a few years... around 1964.

Sources

Art Basel may be busy, but cautious sales reflect a complex market picture, Amy Shaw, The Art Newspaper, le 15 June 2023.

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/15/art-basel-may-be-busy-but-cautious-sales-reflect-a-complex-market-picture

1964: P op A rt arrives in Europe, a betrayal as seen from France, Thomas Snegaroff, France Info, 2 October 2015.

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/histoires-d-info/1964-le-pop-art-debarque-en-europe-une-trahison-vue-de-france_1788541.html

Market analysis of works created by the Warhol-Basquiat duo exhibited at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Artprice, 25 April 2023

https://www.artprice.com/artmarketinsight/works-co-signed-by-jean-michel-basquiat-and-andy-warhol-are-currently-showing-at-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-in-paris

Images:

[ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image1-1964-artmarket-com-auction-turnover-by-year-of-creation-in-painting.png ]

[ https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image2-1964-artmarket-com-top-15-auction-prices-artworks-produced-in-1964.png ]

Copyright 1987-2023 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to c ontact our E conometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: econometrics@artprice.com

Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who's who :

Biographie-thierry-Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 817,000 artists.

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 7200 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 7.2 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market.

Artprice by Artmarket's Global Art Market Report, "The Art Market in 2022", published in March 2023:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2022

Artprice releases its 2022 Ultra-Contemporary Art Market Report:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2022

The Artprice 2022 half-year report: the art market returns to strong growth in the West:

https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/global-art-market-in-h1-2022-by-artprice-com

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department:

https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 6.3 million followers)

twitter.com/artmarketdotcom

twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-80622-artmarket-com-art-made-in-1964-more-auction-turnover-than-any-other-year-20th-century.pdf
Ampligen has shown therapeutic synergies with checkpoint inhibitors, potentially increasing survival rates and efficacy

Patient enrollment expected to commence before the end of 2023

OCALA, Fla., June 27, 2023.

The authorizations are from the Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects, which is the Competent Authority for the review of clinical trials in the Netherlands, and the Medical Ethics Review Committee Erasmus MC, which is the governing ethics board.

The investigator-initiated clinical study, entitled "Combining anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab with TLR-3 agonist rintatolimod in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for therapy effect" (the "DURIPANC Study"), is an exploratory, open-label, single center, Phase 1b/2 study which will use Study Drugs provided by AstraZeneca and AIM ImmunoTech. The primary objective of the Phase 1b portion of the study is to determine the safety of combination therapy with durvalumab and Ampligen. The primary objective of the Phase 2 portion of the trial is to determine the clinical benefit rate of combination therapy with durvalumab and Ampligen.

"We continue to successfully advance the synergistic potential of Ampligen with checkpoint blockade therapeutics. The DURIPANC Study is an important step forward in our strategic development plan. This plan expands the reach of Ampligen with another type of checkpoint blockade therapy we believe to be ideally suited for the treatment of pancreatic cancer," commented AIM Chief Executive Officer Thomas K. Equels.

Prof. Casper H.J. van Eijck, MD, PhD, Pancreato-biliary Surgeon at Erasmus MC, added, "With this authorization now in hand, we are working to get the clinical study up and enrolling patients as quickly as possible. At Erasmus MC, we see the promise of combining Ampligen with durvalumab and believe this approach has the potential for synergistic anti-tumor activity."

The DURIPANC Study is expected to enroll between 9 and 18 subjects in the Phase 1b portion and between 13 and 25 patients in the Phase 2 portion of the study. All included patients will receive combination therapy with Ampligen and durvalumab. Patients will start with Ampligen 200mg via IV infusion twice per week for a total of 6 weeks (12 doses). Ampligen dose will be escalated to 400mg according to a 3+3 DLT design. The first dose of Ampligen will be administered preferably 4-6 weeks after the last chemotherapy FOLFIRINOX dose. After two doses of Ampligen, the first dose of durvalumab 1500mg via IV infusion will be introduced in week 2. Patients will continue to receive 1500 mg durvalumab via IV infusion every 4 weeks for up to a maximum of 48 weeks (up to 12 doses/cycles) with the last administration on week 48 or until confirmed disease progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria in solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), unless there is unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion is met.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders and viral diseases, including COVID-19. The Company's lead product is a first-in-class investigational drug called Ampligen (rintatolimod), a dsRNA and highly selective TLR3 agonist immuno-modulator with broad spectrum activity in clinical trials for globally important cancers, viral diseases and disorders of the immune system.

For more information, please visit aimimmuno.comand connect with the Company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among other things, for those statements, the Company claims the protection of safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. The information found on the Company's website is not incorporated by reference into this press release and is included for reference purposes only.
CORESTATE CAPITAL HOLDING S.A. 4, rue Jean Monnet, L-2180 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register

under registration number B199780 CONVENING NOTICE TO THE RECONVENED

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS

Dear Shareholders, An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of Corestate Capital Holding S.A. (the Company) was initially convened for 15 June 2023, at 10:00 a.m. CEST (the First Meeting). At the First Meeting, less than one half (1/2) of the share capital of the Company was represented. Thus, the First Meeting did not meet the requirements of article 10.2 of the articles of association of the Company (the Articles) and article 450-3(2) of the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended. Thus, the First Meeting could not validly deliberate on all the proposed matters on its agenda. Therefore, the management board (the Management Board) and the supervisory board (the Supervisory Board) of the Company, in accordance with article 10.2 of the Articles, hereby reconvene all shareholders to the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the Meeting), which will be held: on 14 July 2023, at 10:00 a.m. CEST, at Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg,

6 Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, L-2226 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Proxy Forms (as defined below) or Correspondence Voting Forms (as defined below) submitted for the First Meeting will be automatically counted at the Meeting, as long as the relevant shareholder is still eligible to vote at the Meeting and produces to the Company a Record Date Attestation (as defined below) and has not validly submitted another Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, for the Meeting in accordance with the instructions set out below. If the number of shares held by the shareholder has decreased, votes will only be counted for the amount held on the Record Date (as defined below). If a shareholder submitted a Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, for the First Meeting and such shareholder wishes to change its vote, the relevant shareholder may cast a new vote in accordance with the instructions below. The latest Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, submitted by a shareholder to the Company shall prevail. The shareholders can ask questions, subject to certain time limits set out herein (please refer to Section VIII below). The Company will answer duly submitted questions at the Meeting. I. Quorum and majority requirements The Meeting, being reconvened with the same agenda as the First Meeting, due to a lack of a quorum of representation of at least one half (1/2) of the share capital of the Company at the First Meeting, will deliberate and resolve validly, regardless of the capital represented. The agenda items are adopted by a simple majority of the votes expressed by the shareholders duly present or represented, except with regard to (i) the matters referred under items 03 and 04 of the below agenda, for which a majority of at least two thirds of the votes expressed by the shareholders duly present or represented shall apply, and (ii) the matter referred under item 08 of the below agenda, for which a majority exceeding 75% of the votes expressed by the shareholders duly present or represented shall apply. II. Agenda The Meeting will consider and vote on the agenda items of the First Meeting as reproduced here below: 01 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 420-26(5) OF THE LUXEMBOURG LAW DATED 10 AUGUST 1915 ON COMMERCIAL COMPANIES, AS AMENDED (THE COMPANIES ACT), RELATING TO THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE STATUTORY PREFERENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IN RELATION TO THE INCREASE OF THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY REFERRED TO UNDER ITEM 03 BELOW The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting acknowledges the report of the Management Board prepared in accordance with article 420-26(5) of the Companies Act, relating to the withdrawal of the statutory preferential subscription rights of the shareholders of the Company in relation to the increase of the share capital of the Company referred to under item 03 below (the 420-26(5) Report). The 420-26(5) Report is available on the homepage at www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". 02 WITHDRAWAL OF THE STATUTORY PREFERENTIAL SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF THE EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAPITAL INCREASE REFERRED TO UNDER ITEM 03 BELOW The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves the withdrawal of the statutory preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders of the Company in connection with the increase of the share capital of the Company referred to under item 03 below. 03 RESTRUCTURING OF THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY CONSISTING OF A REDUCTION OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY FOLLOWED BY A SUBSEQUENT INCREASE OF THE ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY, SUBJECT TO THE SATISFACTION OF A CONDITION PRECEDENT The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves, subject to and effective as of the satisfaction of the Condition Precedent (as defined below): (i) the reduction of the issued share capital of the Company by an amount of EUR 2,558,497.50 in order to bring it from its current amount of EUR 2,564,671.50 to EUR 6,174.00 without cancellation of shares or reimbursement to the shareholders of the Company (the Capital Reduction); and (ii) immediately following and subject to the Capital Reduction, the subsequent increase of the issued share capital of the Company by an amount of EUR 23,826.00 in order to bring it to an amount of EUR 30,000 by the issue of a total amount of 131,963,836 shares (the New Shares), without nominal value, for a total subscription price of EUR 23,826.00 (the Subscription Price) and the subscription of the New Shares and payment of the Subscription Price by way of contributions in cash by the subscribers of such shares as confirmed by the Management Board in accordance with the 420-26(5) Report (the Capital Increase, and together with the Capital Reduction, the Capital Measures). The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves that the Capital Measures shall be conditional to and effective as of the approval by the meetings of the noteholders of the  200,000,000 1.375% convertible notes originally due 28 November 2022 issued by the Company and as amended from time to time (the 2022 Notes) and the  300,000,000 3.50% notes originally due 15 April 2023 issued by the Company and as amended from time to time (the2023 Notes), that will be held on or around 21 June 2023, of, inter alia, the write-down of the 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes to an aggregate amount of EUR 100,000,000, the write-off of 50 per cent. of all interest accrued on the 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes, the increase of the aggregate principal amount of the reinstated senior notes by an amount corresponding to 50 per cent. of all interest accrued on the 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes, as well as the comprehensive amendment of the respective terms and conditions of the 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes and collateralisation of the 2022 Notes and the 2023 Notes (the Condition Precedent). The satisfaction of the Condition Precedent, the identity of the subscribers and the number of New Shares subscribed by each of the subscribers shall be confirmed by a certificate to be issued by the Management Board. Following the satisfaction of the Condition Precedent, the realisation of the Capital Measures shall be acknowledged pursuant to a notarial deed (theAcknowledgment Deed), which records the subscription and payment of the New Shares by the relevant subscribers. The Capital Measures shall be effective as of the date of the Acknowledgement Deed. If and to the extent approved and subject to the satisfaction of the Condition Precedent, a Luxembourg notary shall enact in the Acknowledgment Deed the amendment of article 5.1 of the Articles, which shall read as follows: "5.1 Outstanding share capital The share capital of the Company is set at thirty thousand Euros (EUR 30,000) represented by one hundred sixty-six million one hundred fifty-nine thousand four hundred fifty-one (166,159,451) shares without nominal value (each a Share and together the Shares).". 04 CANCELLATION OF THE EXISTING AUTHORISED CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves the cancellation of the existing authorised capital of the Company (the Cancellation of the Authorised Capital), and to consequently delete article 5.5 of the Articles. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves that the Cancellation of the Authorised Capital shall be conditional to, and effective as of, the effectiveness of the Capital Measures. If and to the extent approved and subject to the satisfaction of the Condition Precedent, a Luxembourg notary shall enact in the Acknowledgment Deed the deletion of article 5.5 of the Articles. 05 GRANTING OF POWER OF ATTORNEY TO RECORD THE SATISFACTION OF THE CONDITION PRECEDENT The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants power of attorney to (i) any lawyer or employee of the law firm Allen & Overy, societe en commandite simple, all with professional address at 5, Avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, (ii) any employee of the notarial office of Maitre Dirk Leermakers, residing in Clervaux, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, or (iii) any employee of any other notarial office in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, each one of them acting individually, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, in order to represent each of the shareholders of the Company before Maitre Dirk Leermakers or any other Luxembourg notary public in order to acknowledge and record the confirmation of the satisfaction of the Condition Precedent in the Acknowledgment Deed and, as a consequence, to record the effectiveness of the Capital Measures and the Cancellation of the Authorised Capital as of the date of the Acknowledgment Deed. 06 CONFIRMATION AND APPOINTMENT OF DR. SVEN-MARIAN BERNEBURG AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting (i) confirms the appointment by co-optation of Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg as member of the Supervisory Board, with effect as of 3 December 2022 and (ii) appoints Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg as member of the Supervisory Board, for a term of office ending after the annual general meeting of the Company which will be held in 2026. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board further propose that the Meeting recommends that Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg shall continue to act as chairman of the Supervisory Board. Further information about the proposed candidate is available on the homepage at www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting" and will be available for inspection during the Meeting. 07 CONFIRMATION AND APPOINTMENT OF DR. CARLOS MACK AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting (i) confirms the appointment by co-optation of Dr. Carlos Mack as member of the Supervisory Board, with effect as of 4 May 2023 and (ii) appoints Dr. Carlos Mack as member of the Supervisory Board for a term of office ending after the annual general meeting of the Company which will be held in 2026. Further information about the proposed candidate is available on the homepage at www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting" and will be available for inspection during the Meeting. 08 APPROVAL OF THE CONTINUATION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMPANY DESPITE THE LOSSES OF THE COMPANY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 480-2 OF THE COMPANIES ACT The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting acknowledges the report of the Management Board prepared in accordance with article 480-2 of the Companies Act, in relation to the losses of the Company resulting in the net assets of the Company falling below one quarter (1/4) of the Company's share capital, setting forth the causes of this situation (the 480-2 Report) and its proposal in that respect to approve the continuation of the activities of the Company. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board propose to the Meeting to approve the continuation of the activities of the Company despite the losses of the Company, in accordance with article 480-2 of the Companies Act. The 480-2 Report is available on the homepage at www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". III. Total amount of shares On the date of the convening of the Meeting, the Company's subscribed share capital equals EUR 2,564,671.50, represented by 34,195,615 shares without nominal value, all of which are fully paid up. Each share carries one vote. The total number of voting rights is therefore 34,195,615. IV. Available information and documentation The following information is available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting" and at the Company's registered office in Luxembourg, as of the day of the publication of this convening notice: (i) full text of any document to be made available by the Company at the Meeting, including draft resolutions in relation to the above agenda items to be adopted at the Meeting and related documents (i.e. the 420-26(5) Report and the 480-2 Report); (ii) this convening notice; (iii) the total number of shares and attached voting rights issued by the Company as of the date of publication of this convening notice; (iv) the Proxy Form as further mentioned below; (v) the Correspondence Voting Form as further mentioned below; and (vi) the Record Date Attestation as further mentioned below. V. Participation On or before the Record Date (as defined below), each shareholder shall indicate to the Company his/her/its intention to participate at the Meeting. Shareholders having indicated to the Company his/her/its intention to participate at the First Meeting will be automatically considered as intending to participate at the Meeting, provided the relevant shareholder is still eligible to vote at the Meeting and produces to the Company a Record Date Attestation and has not indicated to the Company that he/she/it has no longer the intention to participate at the Meeting. The participation at the Meeting and the exercise of voting rights attached to the shares held by a shareholder is determined in relation to the number of shares held by each shareholder at 11:59 p.m. (CEST) on the 14th day prior to the Meeting (30 June 2023) (the Record Date). Shareholders must produce an attestation from their depository bank stating the number of shares held by the shareholder on the Record Date in order to be permitted to exercise their rights at the Meeting (the Record Date Attestation). The Record Date Attestation must be received (by post or e-mail) by the Company on 8 July 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (CEST) at the latest at the following address: Corestate Capital Holding S.A.

c/o Better Orange IR & HV AG

Haidelweg 48, 81241 Munich

Germany

corestate@better-orange.de Record Date Attestations are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". By sending a Record Date Attestation, the relevant shareholder shall have confirmed his/her/its intention to participate at the Meeting and no separate declaration will be required in that respect. Proxy Forms or Correspondence Voting Forms submitted for the First Meeting will be automatically counted at the Meeting, as long as the relevant shareholder is still eligible to vote at the Meeting and produces to the Company a Record Date Attestation and has not validly submitted another Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, for the Meeting in accordance with the instructions set out below. If the number of shares held by the shareholder has decreased, votes will only be counted for the amount held on the Record Date. If a shareholder submitted a Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, for the First Meeting and such shareholder wished to change its vote, the relevant shareholder may cast a new vote in accordance with the instructions below. The latest Proxy Form or Correspondence Voting Form, as applicable, submitted to the Company shall prevail. Any shareholder that fails to duly and timely (i) inform the Company of its intention to participate at the Meeting, or (ii) deliver a duly completed Proxy Form, or (iii) provide a Record Date Attestation, will not be able to participate and vote at the Meeting. VI. Representation Shareholders may appoint a proxy holder in writing (the Proxy Form), who does not need to be a shareholder of the Company, to attend the Meeting on their behalf. In order for the Proxy Form to take effect, the Company must be provided with an attestation by the depository bank relating to the shareholder and proving his status as shareholder. The duly completed and signed Proxy Form must be received (by post or e-mail) by the Company on 8 July 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CEST) at the latest. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with Proxy Forms received after such date will not be possible. Proxy Forms are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". VII. Vote by correspondence Shareholders may also vote by correspondence (the Correspondence Voting Form). Please note that such Correspondence Voting Form must be fully completed, signed and sent back to the Company in two originals. Correspondence Voting Forms which do not specify how a vote shall be counted or if the vote is retained, are void (nul). Correspondence Voting Forms must in any event include an attestation from the depository bank stating the number of shares held by the shareholder on the Record Date as attachment. The duly completed and signed Correspondence Voting Forms must be received (by post or e-mail) by the Company on 8 July 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (CEST) at the latest. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with Correspondence Voting Forms received after such date will not be possible. Correspondence Voting Forms are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". VIII. Ability to ask questions before the Meeting Shareholders' questions in relation with the agenda must be sent (by post or e-mail) to the contact information mentioned under Section V (Participation) above and received by the Company on 8 July 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (CEST) at the latest. A Record Date Attestation must be attached to such questions to allow the Company to proceed with a satisfactory identification of the relevant shareholder. The answers to these questions will be provided during the Meeting. IX. Additional important information for shareholders Shareholders are hereby informed that exercise of voting rights is exclusively reserved to such persons that were shareholders on the Record Date (or their duly appointed proxyholders). Transfer of shares after the Record Date is possible subject to usual transfer limitations, as applicable. However, any transferee having become owner of the shares after the Record Date has no right to vote at the Meeting. If you have questions regarding the Meeting feel free to call our Meeting-hotline +49 89 8896906 610 or send us an e-mail at corestate@better-orange.de (hotline available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CEST except on bank holidays in Luxembourg or Germany). X. Data Protection Notice Since the European Data Protection Act came into effect, data protection laws and regulations apply throughout Europe from 25 May 2018 onwards. The protection of your data and the legally compliant processing of your data have a high priority for us. In our data protection notice for shareholders, we have summarized all information regarding the processing of personal data of our shareholders in a clear and structured way. The data protection notice for shareholders can be retrieved and is available for viewing and downloading on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com under "Shareholders" and "General Meeting". The direct link is: https://corestate-capital.com/data-protection-agm-2022.pdf

Luxembourg, 27 June 2023 Corestate Capital Holding S.A. The Management Board
LifeArcstrengthens Board of Trustees with newappointments

27 June 2023: LifeArc, the self-funded medical research organisation, announces today that Dr Terri Cooper, Dr Sameer Mistry and Dr Rima Makarem have joined the Board of Trustees as Non-Executive Directors, effective from 27 June 2023.

Dr Terri Cooper, a retired Principal of Deloitte's US consulting practice is a 35-year life sciences-healthcare veteran. She led Deloitte's global healthcare sector and built the firm's Life Sciences R&D practice. From 2017, Terri led Deloitte's US Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) programme and from 2020 was Vice-Chair of the firm's External DEI practice. As a recognized life sciences healthcare expert, Terri has worked across sectors globally in both public and private domains with complex industry, business, technology, DEI, brand-building, and regulatory imperatives. Terri is the Board Chair for Verso Biosense, the Vice Chair of the Board for Classical Theatre of Harlem, and also sits on the advisory boards of the USTA Foundation and EnrichedHQ. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and pharmacology from the University of Nottingham and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of London.

Dr Sameer Mistry is a senior industry physician leader with over 18 years of international experience in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer healthcare across multiple disease areas. He is currently Global Medical Lead, Early Drug Development at GSK where he provides medical affairs input in the early stages of drug development from candidate selection to phase 2, with a particular focus on immunology and specialty care. Before taking on this role, Sameer was Global Medical Lead for Digital Health & Devices at GSK Consumer Healthcare. Prior to joining GSK, Sameer held senior roles at Johnson & Johnson, where he gained experience in surgical care and medical devices within J&J MedTech and in pharmaceuticals at Janssen. Before joining industry, Sameer spent four years as a doctor in the UK NHS. He holds an MBChB in Medicine and a BSc in History of Medicine, both from the University of Manchester, and qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Dr Rima Makarem has 15 years' experience working at board level within the NHS and has an in-depth understanding of patient engagement. She is Chair of Sue Ryder, a charity that supports people living with a terminal illness, neurological condition or who have lost someone. Rima initially trained as a scientist before going on to hold senior roles within the global pharmaceutical sector, including at GSK. She has built up a broad non-executive track record over recent years, and works extensively with patients locally, regionally and nationally in the health and care sector. Rima currently chairs the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System. Other roles in her portfolio include Lay Council member for the General Pharmaceutical Council and Chair of Queen Square Enterprises Ltd. She has previously been the Senior Independent Director & Audit Chair of NICE; and the Audit Chair and an External Commissioner at the UK House of Commons Commission, working closely with the Speaker and the Leader of the House. Rima holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester and a BA in Biological Sciences from Cambridge University.

Dr Ian Gilham, Chair of the Board, commented: "Terri, Sameer and Rima bring an unrivalled breadth of life sciences experience to LifeArc and their diverse thinking, wealth of knowledge and impressive network will be invaluable as we deliver on our strategy to accelerate medical progress and bring potentially life-changing breakthroughs to patients with unmet needs."

ENDS -





For further information please contact:

Consilium Strategic Communications

Tracy Cheung, David Daley, Melissa Gardiner, Lindsey Neville

LifeArc@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

About LifeArc

LifeArc is a self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation. We take science ideas out of the lab and help turn them into medical breakthroughs that can be life-changing for patients. We have been doing this for more than 25 years and our work has resulted in five licensed medicines, including cancer drug pembrolizumab, and a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance.

Our teams are experts in drug and diagnostics discovery, technology transfer, and intellectual property. Our work is in translational science - bridging the gap between academic research and clinical development, providing funding, research and expert knowledge, all with a clear and unwavering commitment to having a positive impact on patient lives. LifeArc is committed to spending 1.3 billion by 2030 in areas of high unmet medical need.

LifeArc is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.
All NFP's North American and UK broker management operations are now on a single global view

Brighton, UK., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Applied Systems today announced that three NFP UK brokers, NFP Commercial Solutions (formerly Linkfield Corporate Solutions), ER Shaw and KGJ Insurance Services Group, all went live onto the Applied Epic broker management system. US-owned NFP, a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement advisor, which entered the UK market in 2016, intends to partner its remaining three UK broker operations with Applied Systems later this year.

NFP will benefit from having all its North American and UK operations on Applied Epic, as well as a single view of its business, customers, and standardised workflows worldwide.

The move enables NFP to continue driving increased productivity and profitability, whilst also supporting the onboarding of future acquisitions. It also helps align NFP's European operations with its wider business in the US and Canada, which already uses Epic and has more than 2,600 users.

Applied Epic now serves as the foundation of NFP's digital broking operations strategy worldwide.

"This transition onto the same modern, cloud-based platform will provide consistency and scale, plus ensure we continue to deliver the high-quality customer service our clients expect and a seamless digital experience across multiple channels," commented JP Allcock, managing director, NFP Europe. "The system's enhanced data functionality and API-friendliness support the development of valuable customer insight, helping us cement our strong relationships with carriers."

Applied Epic is a foundational management platform and insurer connectivity solution that is hosted in the cloud. The flexible, open platform can integrate with both Applied and third-party technologies. The solution enables brokers to eliminate re-work and create higher-value business transactions, delivering superior customer experiences throughout the entire policy lifecycle. Brokers using Applied Epic operate more efficiently, better leverage insurer relationships, improve customer service and accelerate growth and profitability across all lines of business.

"This milestone is significant for our global partnership with NFP and the momentum of our business in the European market," said Dave Chapman, chief revenue officer at Applied Systems Europe. "NFP has been a long-standing partner of Applied in the US, so it's exciting to have the global broker now on the same system, opening up a host of future potential for both customer and carrier insights and growth."

# # #

The Applied products and logos are trademarks of Applied Systems, Inc., registered in the U.S.

About Applied Systems

Applied Systems is the leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance. Recognized as a pioneer in insurance automation and the innovation leader, Applied is the world's largest provider of agency and brokerage management systems, serving customers throughout the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. By automating the insurance lifecycle, Applied's people and products enable millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most.

About NFP

NFPis a leading property and casualty broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager, and retirement plan advisor that provides solutions enabling client success through the expertise of over 7,400 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors, and financial institutions. NFP is the 9th best place to work for large employers in insurance, 7th largest privately-owned broker, 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue and 13th largest broker of US business (all rankings according to Business Insurance).
Data security leader pioneers a unified, high-performance solution that is thousands of times faster than current technologies and supports off-the-shelf databases to accelerate adoption.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 27, 2023 - Fortanix Inc., the innovative multi-cloud data security company and the pioneer of Confidential Computing, today announced the release of Fortanix Confidential Data Search, an industry-first, high-performance solution that supports highly scalable searches in encrypted databases with sensitive data, without compromising data security or privacy regulations. Fortanix will showcase the product at the 2023 Confidential Computing Summit on June 29 in San Francisco. Available now as a private preview, the fully featured general availability of Fortanix Confidential Data Search is targeted to roll out in the second half of 2023.

Current solutions that enable secure searches of encrypted data are predominantly based on complex and expensive cryptographic technologies, such as Homomorphic Encryption (HE), which are impractical for data-mining complex medical or financial datasets. According to a current blog from the Confidential Computing Consortium, such computationally intensive approaches can be 1,000 to 1,000,000 times slower than standard non-encrypted databases and often require customized hardware to alleviate the delay. Homomorphic encryption-based technologies provide a severely restricted scope of search parameters, making them impractical beyond strict numerical searches. In addition, they require additional third-party solutions to police the different levels of access and secure the cryptographic keys, as mandated by security best practices and regulations.

Fortanix's new Confidential Data Search solution addresses data security requirements while maintaining full support for streamlined business operations. The solution supports intra-organizational analysis of complex data sets that are subject to regulatory compliance controls, such as HIPAA, GDPR, FINMA, PCI-DSS, or similar. The Fortanix solution differentiates from other point search products by integrating Confidential Data Search within an end-to-end data privacy and security platform that includes granular access controls, key lifecycle management with integrated Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) for secure key storage, data masking and tokenization, secure DevOps capabilities such as secrets management and code signing.

"The growth of privacy laws around the globe has been apparent since the introduction of GDPR, and it's vital for organizations to meet regulatory compliance by keeping their data both encrypted and accessible at the same time," said Anand Kashyap, CEO and co-founder of Fortanix. "Fortanix Confidential Data Search enables organizations to meet these mandates with an elegant solution that secures data at a high level while still making it available, ensuring that business operations never slow down."

"Integrating Fortanix Confidential Data Search with Equideum Health's offerings is a huge leap forward for multi-party computing and trusted AI in the complex healthcare and life sciences industry. Ethically leveraging data splintered across an ever-growing number of opaque data silos is critical to improving clinical research, care delivery, public health, and health equity. These aims have long been challenged by two polarizing priorities: to improve privacy preservation while also increasing data access," said Heather Leigh Flannery, Chief Executive Officer at Equideum Health. "Now, together with our partner, Fortanix, we are rapidly reconciling these competing priorities. We are democratizing confidential data discovery and compliant data use across our industry's many regulatory constructs, each varying by jurisdiction."

A New Era of Secure Data Search and Retrieval Powered by Confidential Computing

Fortanix Confidential Data Search enables organizations to rapidly deploy their data-driven initiatives with:

High performance and scale: In contrast to proprietary mathematical search solutions, such as homomorphic encryption where query granularity exponentially increases the computational demand, regular database queries produce faster results , especially when the query granularity increases. For example, searching a national healthcare database for men produces many results, but searching for men in the state of Oregon, between the age of 40-50, who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19, reduces the records to analyze, and speeds up the overall process. Depending on the search granularity, the Fortanix solution is expected to be thousands of times faster than traditional cryptographic solutions. Limited computational demand allows the solution to easily scale for large data sets with complex data , such as medical or financial records, in the Terabyte order.

In contrast to proprietary mathematical search solutions, such as homomorphic encryption where query granularity exponentially increases the computational demand, , especially when the query granularity increases. For example, searching a national healthcare database for men produces many results, but searching for men in the state of Oregon, between the age of 40-50, who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19, reduces the records to analyze, and speeds up the overall process. Depending on the search granularity, the Fortanix solution is expected to be than traditional cryptographic solutions. Limited computational demand allows the solution to easily , such as medical or financial records, in the Terabyte order. Proven technology with an unrestricted search scope: Confidential Computing technology transparently adopts applications. Therefore, the new solution allows data analysts to use off-the-shelf, unmodified databases. A standard, unrestricted SQL environment is familiar to any data analyst and enables them to retrieve more accurate results, faster. Users do not need to convert their datasets to new complex proprietary database formats or deploy proprietary agents. In addition, the solution uses proven encryption standards for increased trustworthiness, including readiness for post-quantum cryptography (PQC).

Confidential Computing technology transparently adopts applications. Therefore, the new solution allows data analysts to use off-the-shelf, unmodified databases. A standard, unrestricted SQL environment is familiar to any data analyst and enables them to retrieve more accurate results, faster. Users do not need to convert their datasets to new complex proprietary database formats or deploy proprietary agents. In addition, the solution uses proven encryption standards for increased trustworthiness, including readiness for post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Lower TCO: Confidential Data Search uses commodity databases and hardware. The secure trusted execution environments (TEEs) are consumed as a cloud service, so customers only need to pay for what they actually use. Fortanix Confidential Data Search provides confidentiality for the query issuer and the data owner, and any arbitrary SQL query can be performed without a loss of fidelity or prohibitive system latency.

Fortanix will make the solution available for early trials in the second half of 2023. Initial participants already include large financial services and healthcare firms. The solution can be consumed as part of the DSM SaaS or as an on-premises offering.

To see the new solution in action, visit Fortanix at the 2023 Confidential Computing Summit at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis on June 29.

Fortanix will serve as a Premier Sponsor of the event, and Dr. Jethro Beekman, the company's Vice President of Technology and Director of European Operations, will deliver a keynote presentation titled, "VMs Are the Next Perimeter." In addition, Fortanix's Vice President of Confidential Computing, Dr. Richard Searle, will deliver a presentation titled "Enabling Confidential Information Retrieval for Regulatory Compliance," showcasing Fortanix Confidential Data Search.

Additional References:

Confidential Computing and Homomorphic Encryption

Homomorphic Evaluation of the AES Circuit

Comprehensive Performance Analysis of Homomorphic Cryptosystems for Practical Data Processing

About Fortanix

Fortanix secures data, wherever it is. Fortanix' data-first approach helps businesses of all sizes to modernize their security solutions on-premises, in the cloud and everywhere in between. Enterprises worldwide, especially in privacy-sensitive industries like healthcare, fintech, financial services, government, and retail, trust Fortanix for data security, privacy and compliance. Fortanix investors include Goldman Sachs, Foundation Capital, Intel Capital, In-Q-Tel, Neotribe Ventures and GiantLeap Capital. Fortanix is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit https://www.fortanix.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627521955/en/

Contacts:

BOCA Communications for Fortanix

Fortanix@bocacommunications.com
Formerly known as Secure AI Labs (SAIL), the company helps patient-focused organizations accelerate their research goals with technology that puts patient privacy first.

CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Clinical breakthroughs are fueled by patient data. The medical community needs ways to connect researchers to valuable patient data sets - without engaging with data brokers that might make patient data available to third parties for profit. In other words, they need cures without compromise.

Array Insights , the company formerly known as Secure AI Labs (SAIL), has launched its next-generation data federation platform that helps patient-focused organizations gather, manage and permission their patient data for more representative, secure and collaborative healthcare research. This set of solutions allows patient-focused organizations and non-profit health organizations to safely grant researchers access to previously siloed datasets from hospitals and other institutions - and ultimately, accelerate their research goals with technology that puts patient privacy first.

"Our new name - Array Insights - is really reflective of the larger vision of our company," says Anne Kim , Co-founder, and CEO of Array Insights. "When patient-focused organizations tap into our clinical data federation platform, they're able to access an array of data sets that had previously been inaccessible. Researchers are able to glean tremendous insights from this data, in a way that puts privacy first for patients, hospitals and everyone involved."

As an agnostic software and service provider, Array Insights uses a pioneering form of patient-centric AI technology - machine learning and analytics on federated data - to ensure that patient data stays contained, and all data uses are loggable and auditable by the patient-focused organization. Clinical researchers can run queries on patient data sets, and Array Insights' technology ensures that this data can't be copied and pasted, emailed, forwarded, downloaded or end up on unauthorized servers. This is a stark contrast to data brokers, who often sell de-identified patient data - which can often be easily re-identified - to third parties for profit.

Next-generation PAGs and non-profits, such as the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF), are already working with Array Insights to set up clinical data federations.

"Anne and the Array Insights team are at the forefront of establishing a true privacy first economy for patient data"" said Mohamed Nanabhay, Managing Partner at Mozilla Ventures . "Array's patient-centric technology could help enable a future where patient-focused organizations are the stewards of patient data. Patients will be able to use their data to contribute to groundbreaking research while maintaining confidence in its privacy and security."

The new brand name comes after the company raised $4.7 million in Seed funding in late 2022. The round was led by Asset Management Ventures, with additional investment from Mozilla Ventures, Future Labs, and York IE - and brought SAIL's fundraising total to $9 million.

Array Insights also welcomed Kanchana Padmanabhan , Ph.D. as its new Vice President of Engineering. Dr. Padmanabhan is deeply experienced in productizing machine learning solutions and now leads Array Insights' engineering team as it refines the strategy and implementation of its clinical data platform.

To learn more about implementing a clinical data federation that empowers disease-ending insights, visit arrayinsights.com.

ABOUT ARRAY INSIGHTS

Array Insights helps patient-focused organizations gather, manage and permission their patient data for more representative, secure and collaborative healthcare research. As an agnostic software and service provider, Array Insights offers a next-generation data federation platform that ensures patient data won't end up on unauthorized servers or fall into the hands of third parties. With a pioneering form of patient-centric AI technology - machine learning and analytics on federated data - patient data stays contained, and all data uses are loggable and auditable. Next-generation patient-focused organizations, such as the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF), trust Array Insights to accelerate their research goals with technology that puts patient privacy first. Enable cures without compromise at arrayinsights.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Troy Keyser

VP of Partnerships

troy@arrayinsights.com

(617) 936-9534

SOURCE: Array Insights

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763690/Array-Insights-Launches-a-Data-Federation-Platform-To-Help-Advance-Collaborative-Health-Research
The "Europe Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities 50+ KPIs on Embedded Lending, Insurance, Payment, and Wealth Segments Q1 2023 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Embedded Finance industry in the region is expected to grow by 35.6% on annual basis to reach US$46.964.4 billion in 2023.

The embedded finance industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 25.4% during 2023-2029. The embedded finance revenues in the country will increase from US$46.964 billion in 2023 to reach US$134.874 billion by 2029.

Across Europe, retailers are looking at embedded finance as an opportunity to drive revenue and accelerate business growth. E-commerce platforms and distributors are offering financial products, such as credits, loans, and even debit cards, to their customers. With more and more consumers changing the way they source financial services and moving out of traditional banking channels, the trend is projected to further accelerate in Europe.

Furthermore, with innovative embedded finance platforms making integration of regulated products into the customer journey as simple as creating an online account, the embedded finance industry is projected to record significant growth. As the appetite for embedded finance continues to grow, the mergers and acquisition trends are also expected to gain momentum in the European market from the short to medium-term perspective.

Fintech firms are launching embedded finance products amid growing demand in Europe

As more businesses seek to add another revenue source to their core business operations, firms are increasingly adding embedding financial services into their products and services. Amid the growing demand for such solutions, fintech firms are launching new products in the market. For instance,

In October 2022, Adyen, the Dutch fintech firm, announced the launch of new embedded finance products, Capital and Accounts. Capital allows digital platforms to offer finance solutions to businesses. The credit availability is based on historic payment data. On the other hand, Accounts allow users to run their finances on platforms where they do their business, while also allowing them to receive the funds instantaneously.

With the demand for working capital growing among businesses, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, the author expects the Capital product launched by Adyen to gain widespread adoption among businesses across the region. Several players are competing for market share in the B2B embedded lending space, including MarketFinance and Amazon. The entry of Adyen into the space will further boost the competitive landscape in the European market from the short to medium-term perspective.

The demand for embedded finance is growing across Europe in the mobility sector

Embedded finance has shown growing prominence across different industry verticals. To drive customer loyalty, revenue streams, and customer basket, businesses across verticals have adopted embedded finance solutions. From the short to medium-term perspective, businesses in the mobility sector are also projected to follow suit, as the consumer appetite to access such services is growing in the mobility sector.

According to a report from Solaris and the Handelsblatt Research Institute, more than a third of the consumers in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, open accounts and apply for credit with mobility brands. Italy has taken the lead over other countries in terms of consumers willing to use embedded finance services from mobility providers. This is followed by Spain, Germany, and France. In Germany, the trend is much higher among consumers aged 25 34.

Amid the growing trend, pay33, the Germany-based e-mobility payments firm, entered into a strategic collaboration with Swan, the embedded finance provider, in December 2022. Under the partnership, the firms will launch payment-enabled mobility cards for the e-mobility market. Furthermore, pay33 will also provide its users with a smart account, thereby bringing embedded financial services to the mobility sector.

From the short to medium-term perspective, more such strategic collaborations are expected to take place in the mobility sector. This will keep supporting the growth of the industry across the European region over the next three to four years.

Travelers are demanding embedded insurance services from their travel-based booking platforms in Europe

The pandemic has reiterated the need for insurance policies among consumers in Europe. With travel activities being the major source of Covid-19 infection, more and more travelers bought insurance to keep them protected in case of potential infection. This led to the demand for embedded insurance services and the trend has continued to grow ever since the pandemic outbreak.

As a result of this growing demand, more insurtech firms are launching embedded insurance products in the region. In November 2022, VisitorsCoverage, the travel insurtech firm, launched an embedded software-as-a-service to cater to the growing demand for insurance among travelers. Owing to its convenience, automated claim processing, reliable services, and instant fixed pay-outs, the demand is projected to further continue over the next three to four years.

Furthermore, the pent-up travel demand is projected to drive more revenue for travel booking platforms that offer embedded insurance services. Consequently, the author expects more players to offer such solutions on their platforms in Europe from the short to medium-term perspective.

This report provides regional insights into key trends and drivers along with a detailed data centric analysis of market opportunities in embedded finance industry at regional and country level.

Region and countries included in this report are:

1. Europe Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

2. Austria Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

3. Belgium Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

4. Denmark Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

5. Finland Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

6. France Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

7. Germany Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

8. Greece Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

9. Ireland Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

10. Israel Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

11. Italy Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

12. Netherlands Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

13. Poland Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

14. Russia Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

15. Spain Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

16. Switzerland Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

17. United Kingdom Embedded Finance Business and Investment Opportunities

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ci6q5f

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627933536/en/

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press@researchandmarkets.com

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 HMD       LCO2 multi-gas carriers LCO    Capital Ship Management
CHENGDU, China, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 17th EU-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair is set to take place at the Centre for China-Europe Cooperation in Chengdu from June 30 to July 1, 2023. The Fair will be co-hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and co-organized by the CCPIT Chengdu Sub Council, the Management Committee of Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, and the Chengdu International Chamber of Commerce. With the theme "Challenge, Opportunity, Integration, Development," the Fair will provide a comprehensive platform for discussions on promoting in-depth cooperation in trade and investment between China and the EU.

The Fair will host an opening ceremony and abundant activities, including the Summit on EU-China Cooperation in the Era of Digital Economy, the Second China-EU Geographical Indications Cooperative Conference, etc. Concurrently, the China-EU Geographical Indication Products Exhibition and the Swiss Vocational Education and Training Exhibition will be displayed. Focusing on global supply chain dilemmas, challenges faced by multinational enterprise investments, and other real-world challenges, the EU-China Fair is aimed to further deepen dialogue and cooperation in the China-Europe economic and trade field, jointly explore new opportunities for China-Europe trade development, and work together to create a new chapter in China-Europe economic and trade cooperation. Over 2,000 representatives, including officials, experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs from China and Europe, will conduct communication, exchange, and cooperation through a combination of online and offline events, focusing on topics such as the economic background and trends of China and Europe, vocational education, and the digital economy.

In recent years, Chengdu has actively integrated into and served the "Belt and Road" initiative, seizing major opportunities such as the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe. By 2022, Chengdu has achieved a total import and export volume of RMB 834.64 billion, with a growth rate of 1.6%, among which the import and export volume with the European Union was RMB 120.97 billion, making the EU one of Chengdu's top three trading partners.

With an open attitude, Chengdu warmly welcomes people from the global business community to attend, investigate and exchange cooperation opportunities in Chengdu. The organizing committee will provide a higher quality platform and service, and more precise and efficient cooperation chances to share the "Chengdu Opportunities" of Sino-European economic and trade cooperation.

website:www.eucnfair.org.cn

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-17th-eu-china-fair-will-be-held-in-chengdu-china-on-june-30-301864488.html
Invesco Bond Income Plus Ltd - Result of AGM

PR Newswire

London, June 27

Result of the Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of

Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited (the 'Company')

held on 27 June 2023

The Company confirms that all resolutions set out in the Notice of Meeting for the AGM of the Company held on 27 June 2023 were duly passed by shareholders on a poll.

The results of the poll for each resolution were as follows:

VOTES

FOR (including votes at the discretion of the Chair) % VOTES

AGAINST % VOTES

TOTAL % of ISC VOTED VOTES

WITHHELD Resolution 1 33,416,625 99.83 57,859 0.17 33,474,484 18.84 10,169 Resolution 2 32,849,746 98.75 417,413 1.25 33,267,159 18.72 217,494 Resolution 3 33,417,486 99.83 57,859 0.17 33,475,345 18.84 9,308 Resolution 4 33,145,473 99.09 303,711 0.91 33,449,184 18.82 35,469 Resolution 5 33,292,540 99.62 127,120 0.38 33,419,660 18.81 64,993 Resolution 6 32,068,192 96.63 1,117,209 3.37 33,185,401 18.67 299,252 Resolution 7 32,051,756 96.58 1,133,645 3.42 33,185,401 18.67 299,252 Resolution 8 32,048,482 96.57 1,136,919 3.43 33,185,401 18.67 299,252 Resolution 9 32,034,496 96.53 1,150,905 3.47 33,185,401 18.67 299,252 Resolution 10 32,075,598 96.67 1,103,224 3.33 33,178,822 18.67 305,831 Resolution 11 33,061,615 99.01 329,084 0.99 33,390,699 18.79 89,954 Resolution 12 33,037,809 98.86 381,375 1.14 33,419,184 18.81 65,469 Resolution 13 30,784,980 92.21 2,600,623 7.79 33,385,603 18.79 99,050 Resolution 14 33,318,281 99.53 155,790 0.47 33,474,071 18.84 10,582 Resolution 15 33,285,918 99.47 176,973 0.53 33,462,891 18.83 21,762 Resolution 16 30,005,445 90.43 3,173,776 9.57 33,179,221 18.67 305,432

The full text of the resolutions passed was as follows:

Ordinary Resolutions:

1. To receive the annual financial report for the year ended 31 December 2022.

2. To approve the Report on Directors' Remuneration and Interests.

3. To approve the Company's Dividend Payment Policy to pay four quarterly dividends to shareholders in May, August, November and February in respect of each accounting year.

4. To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers CI LLP as the Company's auditor.

5. To authorise the Audit Committee to determine the remuneration of the auditor.

6. To re-elect Tim Scholefield a Director of the Company.

7. To re-elect Heather MacCallum a Director of the Company.

8. To re-elect Tom Quigley a Director of the Company.

9. To re-elect Caroline Dutot a Director of the Company.

10. To re-elect Christine Johnson a Director of the Company.

Special Business:

Ordinary Resolution

11. THAT, in accordance with Article 158 of the Company's Articles of Association, the Directors of the Company be and they are hereby released from their obligation pursuant to such Article to convene a general meeting of the Company within six months of the AGM at which a special resolution would be proposed to wind up the Company.

Special Resolutions

12. THAT, pursuant to Article 14.1 of the Company's Articles of Association, the Directors be and are hereby empowered to issue shares, up to 10% of the existing shares in issue at the time of the AGM, without pre-emption.

13. THAT, pursuant to Article 14.1 of the Company's Articles of Association, and in addition to any authority granted under Resolution 12 above, the Directors be and are hereby empowered to issue shares, up to 10% of the existing shares in issue at the time of the AGM, without pre-emption.

14. THAT, pursuant to Article 8.2 of the Company's Articles of Association and Article 57 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 as amended (the Law), the Company be generally and unconditionally authorised:

(a) to make purchases of its issued ordinary shares of no par value (Shares) to be cancelled or held as treasury shares provided that:

(i) the maximum number of Shares hereby authorised to be purchased shall be 14.99% of the Company's issued ordinary shares, this being 26,431,506;

(ii) the minimum price which may be paid for a Share is 1p;

(iii) the maximum price which may be paid for a share must not be more than the higher of:

(i) 5 per cent. above the average of the mid-market values of the Shares for the five business days before the purchase is made; and

(ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade in the shares and the highest then current independent bid for the Shares on the London Stock Exchange;

(iv) any purchase of shares will be made in the market for cash prices below the prevailing net asset value per share (as determined by the Directors);

(v) the authority hereby conferred shall expire on the earlier of the conclusion of the next AGM of the Company held after passing of this resolution or 15 months from the date of the passing of this resolution, whichever is the earlier.

15. THAT, the period of notice required for general meetings of the Company (other than AGMs) shall not be less than 14 days.

16. THAT, the maximum annual aggregate remuneration payable to the Directors under article 98 of the Company's Articles of Association be and is hereby increased from 185,000 to 250,000.

The Company has 177,702,596 ordinary shares of no par value in issue. On a poll these carry one vote per share and accordingly the total voting rights are 177,702,596. The above table represents the number of votes registered.

A copy of the poll results for the AGM will also be available on the Company's website:

www.invesco.co.uk/bips

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.2, copies of the resolutions that were passed at the annual general meeting, which do not constitute ordinary business will shortly be available for inspection via the National Storage Mechanism:

https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

Board & Committee Composition and Senior Independent Director

The Company confirms that, as previously announced, Kate Bolsover retired from the Board at the conclusion of the AGM. Heather MacCallum has been appointed Senior Independent Director on Kate's retirement and Caroline Dutot has taken over the Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.



27 June 2023

Contact:

Hilary Jones

JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited

Telephone: 01534 700000
BEDFORD, NS / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / (TSXV:SSE) Silver Spruce Resources Inc. (the "Company") announced today the first closing of its private placement consisting of the issuance of 6,000,000 units at a price of $0.025 per unit for proceeds of $150,000 with each unit consisting of one flow-through common share and a warrant to purchase an additional common share at an exercise price of $0.05 per share on or before June 26, 2025.

The securities issued pursuant to the private placement will have a hold period expiring October 27, 2023.

The proceeds from the flow-through private placement will be used for exploration of the Company's mineral properties in Newfoundland.

About Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company which has signed Definitive Agreements to acquire 100% of the Melchett Lake Zn-Au-Ag project in northern Ontario, and with Colibri Resource Corp. in Sonora, Mexico, to acquire 50% interest in Yaque Minerales S.A de C.V. holding the El Mezquite Au project, and up to 50% interest in each of Colibri's Jackie Au and Diamante Au-Ag projects. Silver Spruce has signed Definitive Agreements to acquire 100% interestin the Mystery Au projectin the Exploits Subzone Gold Belt, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Pino de Plata Ag project in western Chihuahua, Mexico. Silver Spruce Resources Inc. continues to investigate opportunities that Management has identified or that have been presented to the Company for consideration.

Contact:

Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

Michael Kinley, CEO

(902) 402-0388

mkinley@silverspruceresources.com

info@silverspruceresources.com

www.silverspruceresources.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.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, statements regarding the private placement.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate.

SOURCE: Silver Spruce Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763838/Silver-Spruce-Announces-First-Closing-of-Flow-Through-Private-Placement-for-150000
CHENGDU, China, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 19, the 2023 Times Young Creative Awards series activities co-sponsored by Chengdu Media Group and Want Want China Times Media Group and hosted by Chengdu New East Exhibition and Times Young Creative Awards Organizing Committee were held in Chengdu. At the event, the 32nd Times Young Creative Awards were awarded, and the design award of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu", a designated theme award proposed by Chengdu Media Group, was also announced.

Based on the cultural elements of Chengdu, such as the Sun Bird, and incorporating the mecha elements, the jewelry design work "The Golden Bird as a Gift in Chengdu" created by Yang Yulin, Wang Jiyuan, Yu Xiaohan and Wang Xinhui from the Sino-British Digital Media Art College of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts won the design prize of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu". Lai Yuyin of Shixin University won the silver prize for the creative work of "Creation Gift Box of Guanghua, Shu" designed with Chengdu 339 Tianfu Panda Tower as the element; Zhou Juxin of Sichuan Normal University's video work "Cyber Shu" of Chengdu's city image won the bronze award.

This design award of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu" includes two categories: the publicity design of urban digital image and the creative works of "Chengdu Gift", aiming at creating "Chengdu Gifts" which have both the significance of urban commemoration and the IP of Chengdu Digital Cultural Creation.

Chengdu will also provide a broader development space for the winning team - the winning works will be held in copyright registration, and Chengdu also plans to launch related online digital creative works, and link with Chengdu Stock Exchange to open up the trading chain of related cultural theme resources.

It is reported that the Times Young Creative Awards is the most influential youth creative award in Chinese-speaking areas. In 2023, more than 730,000 people from more than 100 cities, over 1,500 colleges and universities around the world participated in the 32nd Times Young Creative Awards, and more than 100,000 entries were submitted.

This year is also the fourth time that Times Young Creative Awards was held in Chengdu. During the event, creative design talents from all over the world will visit all parts of Chengdu, have in-depth exchanges with local creative institutions, enterprises and parks.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2141697/photo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-most-influential-youth-creative-award-in-the-chinese-speaking-region-was-announced-in-chengdu-301864517.html
TUSTIN, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The trend toward and popularity of quick money movement, where digital payment platforms give consumers the opportunity to send money quickly and directly to other people's bank accounts, has unfortunately also become popular with scammers.

Bryan Wallace is Vice President of Security and Fraud Management for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

Sometimes it's the same old scams, with faster delivery methods applied. The difference is the finality of the event. Similar to paying with cash, when the money is sent, it's gone. Typically, there is little chance of getting it back.

"We're seeing a new wave of activity based on these technologies," said Bryan Wallace, Vice President, Security and Fraud Management for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. "Scammers are using the same ideas -the fake romance scam, the phony tax preparation scam, the grandchild in trouble scam - but now they're requesting the money in real-time."

According to Wallace, there are systems in place to stop payment on a check or credit card, but it is much more difficult when the money is sent immediately. "These quick money-sending methods work well and are very convenient for consumers, but they require an extra layer of caution."

Wallace recommends a new take on the traditional road safety campaign - STOP, LOOK, LISTEN - to make sure quick money movement works to a consumer's advantage.

STOP. Before you send funds in real-time, take a moment to consider whether this is the best method of payment. If so, make sure that you're using the technology appropriately and have entered all information correctly.

LOOK. Make sure you know the recipient. Quick payment methods are designed for payments between friends and others you know.

LISTEN. If your inner voice is suspicious, hold back. Make sure the situation represents an appropriate need, and not an urgent request for quick money from a stranger.

"Person -to-person payment methods are a great way for consumers to send money directly between accounts at almost any U.S. financial institution, typically within minutes between enrolled users," Wallace said. "At the same time, these payments should be treated the same as cash. By using a little extra caution, members can help ensure their transactions are safe and convenient, while still providing the speed they desire."

# # #

About SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union is the fifth-largest credit union in the country. Serving school employees and their families, the organization is dedicated to providing World-Class Personal Service and improving the financial lives of its Members. Today they serve more than 1.3 million Members with a full range of financial products and services. SchoolsFirst FCU was founded in 1934, when 126 school employees pooled $1,200 and established a Member-owned cooperative to help improve each other's lives. In 2022, the Credit Union reported nearly $28 billion in assets and remains the largest credit union in California. For more information about SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, visit schoolsfirstfcu.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Larry Meltzer

larry.meltzer@mm2pr.com

214-536-7456

SOURCE: SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763576/SHIELD-YOURSELFFROMSCAMSWhen-Money-Moves-Quickly-Its-Time-To-Slow-Down
The nation's largest system includes 1,298 healthcare facilities

IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / HippoFi, Inc. (OTC PINK:ORHB) a leading healthcare technology company focused on the development and distribution of innovative biologic products, is proud to announce that its flagship subsidiary, PUR Biologics, has obtained national approval to sell its comprehensive portfolio of biologic products throughout the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This milestone approval will further support the care of veterans within the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States.

The VHA currently serves over 9 million veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. With 1,298 healthcare facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care, the VHA plays a crucial role in delivering comprehensive medical assistance to our nation's heroes.

PUR Biologics' diverse range of biologic products has met stringent quality standards and demonstrated results in various therapeutic areas. Through this new relationship with the VHA, PUR Biologics provides veterans with access to advanced treatment options that can improve their health outcomes and overall quality of life.

"We are thrilled to have received national approval to distribute our biologic products throughout the VHA," said Ryan Fernan, Head of PUR Biologics. "We are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of our nation's veterans, this achievement with the VHA allows us to expand our impact and bring the benefits of our innovative biologics to those who have served our country."

CJ Wiggins, HippoFi's Executive Chairman and CEO, noted, "We could not be more excited about the Company's progress with sales. The VHA channel is set to serve as a major driver of sales for the Company and is our largest sales milestone achievement to date. PUR Biologics continues to add new distributors to our national sales network, including targeting those selling specifically to the VHA." Wiggins closed by stating, "Investors can expect to see HippoFi and PUR further its continued success as we anticipate announcing our achievement of several additional, and even more significant goals in the months ahead."

To learn more about PUR Biologics' full line of biologic products, visit: www.PURbiologics.com

About PUR Biologics

PUR Biologics, a wholly owned subsidiary of HippoFi, Inc. (OTCPK: ORHB), is a leading biologic company committed to supporting surgeons and hospitals in providing the best care for their patients. PUR Biologics' complete line of biologic products currently includes advanced allografts and demineralized extracellular matrices (d-ECM), innovative synthetic bone-forming solutions, cellular-derived tissues, and a future of patented and next-generation regenerative stem cell and growth factor-driven therapeutics for treating osteoarthritis and cartilage regeneration.

About HippoFi, Inc.

HippoFi, Inc. (OTCPK: ORHB) delivers its cutting-edge healthcare innovations and propriety technologies through an extensive sales channel network, while implementing first-to-market solutions in the multibillion-dollar biotech, fintech, and artificial intelligence (AI) markets. HippoFi comprises three segments: Regenerative Therapeutics, Digital Payments, and AI, and utilize the same customer channels to commercialize solutions, drive revenue, and improve patient outcomes. HippoFi, Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol: ORHB and is headquartered in Irvine, California, USA.

For more information, please visit: www.HippoFi.comand www.PURbiologics.com

Contact:

Jason Brown

Shareholder Communications

HippoFi, Inc.

612-209-7565

SOURCE: ORHUB, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763839/HippoFis-PUR-Biologics-Granted-National-Approval-at-the-Veterans-Health-Administration-VHA-the-Largest-Integrated-Healthcare-System-in-the-United-States
Pleuger Industries, the leading manufacturer of submersible underwater pumps and motors, today announces the appointment of Andreas Schulte as Chief Commercial Officer in a further push towards the renewable energy sector.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627329451/en/

Pleuger Industries Announces New Chief Commercial Officer Andreas Schulte in Push Towards Renewables (Photo: Business Wire)

Andreas will take on a leading role in growing and expanding the business and has extensive expertise in the pump industry. He has worked for several highly-regarded companies in the sector, including KSB, Sulzer, SPX and Andritz, where he applied his in-depth knowledge and experience across manufacturing and equipment.

During his time at KSB, Andreas gained extensive experience in international sales and successfully drove the company's expansion into new markets. At Sulzer, as Managing Director, he contributed significantly to the company's growth in the Middle East, demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities. Most recently, he was Managing Director and Head of the Pump Division at Andritz.

Andreas will join Pleuger, which specializes in flow control pumps, from the beginning of July and as CCO will take on a key role and be responsible for further developing and implementing global sales and commercial activities. His extensive experience, market knowledge, and strategic thinking will help achieve key business goals and deliver outstanding value to customers.

Anton Schneerson, CEO Pleuger Industries, said: "I am delighted to welcome Andreas Schulte to Pleuger. He will bring a wealth of experience from his many years in the industry at the world's largest pump companies. His arrival is aligned with our global renewable strategy to reinforce our position in the market, and will strengthen our push deeper into the renewable energy sector".

Michael Flacks, Chairman, CEO and Founder, Flacks Group, said: "Pleuger Industries continues to go from strength to strength. The product quality is among the highest in the industry, and we are excited to draw on Andreas' experience to export our expertise across Europe, to the US, Middle East and beyond".

About Pleuger

Pleuger is an international manufacturer and supplier of submersible motors, pumps, thrusters and plunger pumps and related services with headquarters in Miami, USA and a renowned manufacturing and Centre-of-Excellence based in Hamburg.

Renowned worldwide across the energy, mining, water, industrial processing and the oil gas industries for absolute reliability and outstanding longevity, our products are designed, engineered and manufactured to solve some of the toughest applications in the most challenging and harshest environments.

With over 90 years' experience we are experts in electric submersible motors and pumps for municipal water supplies, flood protection, mining, offshore wind farms and oil rigs.

With German engineering expertise, Pleuger meets the demands of customers worldwide for performance, durability, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership.

Pleuger is part of global investment company Flacks Group. Flacks Group's portfolio exceeds $3bn and over 7,000 employees, and specializes in the acquisition and operational turnaround of medium sized businesses in complex situations, where a rapid solution is of paramount importance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627329451/en/

Contacts:

press@pleugerindustries.com
The "Global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Size By Product (Instruments, Accessory And Disposable), By Type (IVF, AI-IUI), By Procedure (Fresh Donor, Fresh Non-Donor), By End-User (Fertility Clinic, Hospital), By Geographic Scope And Forecast" report has been published by Verified Market Research. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, including its growth prospects, market trends, and market challenges

JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 15.17 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 30.05 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=12269

Browse in-depth TOC on "Assisted Reproductive Technology Market"

202 - Pages

126 - Tables

37 - Figures

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market Poised for Remarkable Growth Driven by Technological Advancements

The global Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Market is set to experience substantial growth in the upcoming years, fueled by rapid technological advancements. With an increasing trend of delayed pregnancies among women due to factors such as economic pressure, career interests, and changes in relationships, the demand for ART procedures is on the rise. Furthermore, enhanced government investments in sex education programs have led to a surge in the use of contraception, particularly long-acting forms, resulting in a decline in birth rates among women in their twenties and a corresponding increase among those aged 30 to 44.

The age-related decline in fertility has created a need for repeated testing and reliance on assisted reproductive technologies, driving the growth of the ART market. Moreover, rising awareness campaigns focused on cost-effective procedures are expected to contribute to market expansion. Infertility has emerged as a prevalent global issue, affecting not only women but also one in every ten men. Factors such as increasing obesity rates, rising stress levels, and sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the rising infertility rates worldwide. Additionally, public awareness campaigns advocating affordable fertility treatments will play a significant role in driving market growth, especially in countries with a high prevalence of infertility.

The growing acceptance of same-sex marriages is anticipated to be a significant market driver for the global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market. As the social and legal recognition of same-sex marriages continues to increase, the utilization of fertility services and sperm donations among same-sex female couples has seen a notable rise. However, potential obstacles to market growth include the adverse effects of infertility treatments, the high cost of treatment, and the socio-ethical stigma associated with such procedures. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for the sustained development of the market in the coming years.

Key Players in the Assisted Reproductive Technology Market:

Genea Limited

Vivaneo Deutschland GMBH

Care Fertility Group

California Cryobank

Fujifilm Irvine Scientific

Bloom IVF Centre

Ovascience, Inc.

Boston IVF

Monash IVF Group

Apollo Fertility

Merck KGaA (EMD Serono, Inc.)

Millendo Therapeutics, Inc.

Oxford Gene Technology

CooperSurgical Inc.

Ferring B.V.

Hamilton Thorne Inc.

To maintain a competitive edge in the market, these key players are expected to focus on financial statements, product benchmarking, SWOT analysis, and key development strategies.

The infertility clinic sector has witnessed significant dominance in the market due to the rising prevalence of reproductive cases, unhealthy lifestyles, and an increase in the number of fertility clinics. This trend is projected to continue during the forecast period. Europe is expected to display noteworthy growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of infertility and the growing demand for ART procedures. Active countries in Europe such as Spain, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are anticipated to be at the forefront of market expansion. Similarly, North America is poised for growth, with the acceptance of fertility services among patients in the United States contributing to the expansion of the ART market.

For further information, detailed market insights, and a comprehensive analysis of the Global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, please Contact Verified Market Research.

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Assisted Reproductive Technology Market into Product, Type, Procedure, End-User, And Geography.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, by Product

Instrument



Sperm Separation System





Cryosystem





Incubator





Imaging System





Ovum Aspiration Pump





Cabinet





Micromanipulator





Laser Systems





Others



Accessory & Disposable



Reagents & Media



Cryopreservation Media





Semen Processing Media





Ovum Processing Media





Embryo Culture Media

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, by Type

IVF



IVF With ICSI





IVF Without ICSI



AI-IUI



FER



Other

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, by Procedure

Fresh Donor



Fresh Non-Donor



Frozen Non-Donor



Frozen Donor



Embryo/Egg Banking

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, by End-User

Fertility Clinic



Hospital



Surgical Center



Clinical Research Institute

Assisted Reproductive Technology Market, by Geography

North America



U.S





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K





Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific



China





Japan





India





Rest of Asia Pacific



ROW



Middle East & Africa





Latin America

Browse Related Reports:

Femtech Market By Type (Devices, Software), By Application (Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Nursing Care), By End-User (Direct-to-consumer, Hospitals), By Geography, And Forecast

Digital Genome Market By Product (Sequencing & Analyzer Instruments, DNA/ RNA Analysis Kits), By Application (Microbiology, Reproductive & Genetic, Transplantation), By End-User (Academics & Research Institutes, Diagnostics & Forensic Labs, Hospitals), By Geography, And Forecast

Female Fertility and Pregnancy Rapid Test Market By Device Type (Digital Devices and Line-indicator Devices), By Geography, And Forecast

Injectable Reproductive Hormone Market By Product (Estrogen And Progesterone, Testosterone), By Application (Hospitals, Clinics, Others), By Geography, And Forecast

Top 15 Pharma Companies contributing for a healthier future

Visualize Assisted Reproductive Technology Market using Verified Market Intelligence -:

Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future.

VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market.

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Aircraft to Be Delivered from Lessor's Orderbook

CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing"), announced today the signing of lease agreements for a series of six Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to its current customer, Turkish Airlines ("Turkish"), the flag carrier of Turkiye.

All six aircraft are part of the lessor's existing orderbook with Boeing. They will be powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines and built with the AnadolouJet-specific configuration, which is a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines. Deliveries are set to take place in 2024 and 2025.

"We're delighted to have signed these new lease agreements with our valued customer, Turkish Airlines, for the financing of the upcoming six 737 MAX aircraft deliveries from our orderbook," stated Jie Chen, CDB Aviation's Chief Executive Officer. "Turkish has become a leader among airlines in undertaking sustainability-focused initiatives to modernize every stage of their flight and ground operations. These highly efficient aircraft will bring Turkish closer to achieving their ambitious sustainability goals by lessening the environmental footprint of their mainline and subsidiary carrier's flight operations."

Levent Konukcu, Turkish Airlines Chief Investment and Technology Officer, commented: "We are proud to collaborate with partners like CDB Aviation in our pursuit of excellence. Adding these aircraft to the AnadoluJet fleet will contribute significantly to our goals and allow us to present remarkable travel experiences to our passengers."

With the addition of the six MAX aircraft, CDB Aviation will have nine aircraft on lease to the carrier, including 1x 737-800, 1x 777-300ER and 1x A320neo. In 2022, the lessor delivered Turkish Airlines' first A320neo, which marked a significant step forward in the airline's ongoing fleet modernization process.

"As you would expect for a lessor with a sizable orderbook, CDB Aviation is continually in discussions with existing and prospective customers on how we can leverage our orderbook and price-competitive leasing products to help the airlines modernize their fleets with new technology aircraft and meet long-term business growth objectives," concluded Chen.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviation's business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "may," "will," "seek," "continue," "aim," "anticipate," "target," "projected," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "believe," "achieve" or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviation's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Turkish Airlines

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 419 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 344 worldwide destinations as 291 international and 53 domestics in 129 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing") a 38-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody's (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.

CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623467536/en/

Contacts:

Media contact: Paul Thibeau

Paul.THIBEAU@CDBAviation.aero; +1 612 594 9844
All resolutions were approved.

35% of the issued shares represented.

MADRID, Spain and BOSTON, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oryzon Genomics, S.A. (ISIN Code: ES0167733015, ORY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging epigenetics to develop therapies in diseases with a strong unmet medical need, announced today the voting results from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders held on Monday, June 26, 2023, in Madrid. A total of 20.009.878 of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Corporation (35,01%) were represented either in person or by proxy at the meeting.

The shareholders of the Company approved all resolutions listed below, as proposed by the Board of Directors at the Company's Annual General Meeting, with favorable votes ranging from 90% to 96%.

The annual report and the financial statements for the year 2022

The appropriation of loss

The discharge of the members of the Board of Directors

Re-election of the Audit Firm (Deloitte SL)

Modification of the Company's Bylaws to include approval of "Loyalty Shares"

Approval of a Long-Term Incentive Plan within the Directors' Remuneration Policy

Customary delegations to formalize and notarize the resolutions.

The compensation for the members of the Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2022

Full details of the resolutions and their independent item voting results may be examined on the Company's web page and on the Market Regulator's (CNMV) web page as Other Relevant Information.

About Oryzon

Founded in 2000 in Barcelona, Spain, Oryzon (ISIN Code: ES0167733015) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company considered as the European leader in epigenetics. Oryzon has one of the strongest portfolios in the field, with two LSD1 inhibitors, iadademstat and vafidemstat, in Phase II clinical trials, and other pipeline assets directed against other epigenetic targets. In addition, Oryzon has a strong platform for biomarker identification and target validation for a variety of malignant and neurological diseases. For more information, visit www.oryzon.com

About Iadademstat

Iadademstat (ORY-1001) is a small oral molecule, which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme LSD1 and has a powerful differentiating effect in hematologic cancers (see Maes et al., Cancer Cell 2018 Mar 12; 33 (3): 495-511.e12.doi: 10.1016 / j.ccell.2018.02.002.). A FiM Phase I/IIa clinical trial with iadademstat in R/R AML patients demonstrated the safety and good tolerability of the drug and preliminary signs of antileukemic activity, including a CRi (see Salamero et al, J Clin Oncol, 2020, 38(36): 4260-4273. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.03250). In a recently completed Phase IIa trial in elder 1L-AML patients (ALICE trial), iadademstat has shown encouraging safety and efficacy data in combination with azacitidine (see Salamero et al., ASH 2022 oral presentation). Iadademstatis currently being evaluated in combination with gilteritinib in the Phase Ib FRIDA trial in patients with relapsed/refractory AML with FLT3 mutations. Beyond hematological cancers, the inhibition of LSD1 has been proposed as a valid therapeutic approach in some solid tumors such as small cell lung cancer (SCLC), neuroendocrine tumors (NET), medulloblastoma and others. In a Phase IIa trial in combination with platinum/etoposide in second line ED-SCLC patients (CLEPSIDRA trial), preliminary activity and safety results have been reported (see Navarro et al., ESMO 2018 poster). Iadademstat is being evaluated in a collaborative Phase II basket study with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in combination with paclitaxel in R/R neuroendocrine carcinomas, and the company is preparing a new trial in combination in SCLC. Oryzon has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) to collaborate on potential further clinical development of iadademstat in different types of solid and hematological cancers. In total iadademstat has been dosed so far to more than 100 cancer patients in four clinical trials. Iadademstat has orphan drug designation for SCLC in the US and for AML in the US and EU.

About Vafidemstat

Vafidemstat (ORY-2001) is an oral, CNS optimized LSD1 inhibitor. The molecule acts on several levels: it reduces cognitive impairment, including memory loss and neuroinflammation, and at the same time has neuroprotective effects. In animal studies vafidemstat not only restores memory but reduces the exacerbated aggressiveness of SAMP8 mice, a model for accelerated aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), to normal levels and also reduces social avoidance and enhances sociability in murine models. In addition, vafidemstat exhibits fast, strong and durable efficacy in several preclinical models of multiple sclerosis (MS). Oryzon has performed two Phase IIa clinical trials in aggressiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders (REIMAGINE) and in aggressive/agitated patients with moderate or severe AD (REIMAGINE-AD), with positive clinical results reported in both. Additional finalized Phase IIa clinical trials with vafidemstat include the ETHERAL trial in patients with Mild to Moderate AD, where a significant reduction of the inflammatory biomarker YKL40 has been observed after 6 and 12 months of treatment, and the pilot, small scale SATEEN trial in Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive MS, where antiinflammatory activity has also been observed. Vafidemstat has also been tested in a Phase II in severe Covid-19 patients (ESCAPE) assessing the capability of the drug to prevent ARDS, one of the most severe complications of the viral infection, where it showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in severe Covid-19 patients. Currently, vafidemstat is in two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder (PORTICO) and in schizophrenia patients (EVOLUTION). The company is also deploying a CNS precision medicine approach with vafidemstat in genetically-defined patient subpopulations of certain CNS disorders and is preparing a clinical trial in Kabuki Syndrome patients. The company is also exploring the clinical development of vafidemstat in other neurodevelopmental syndromes.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication contains, or may contain, forward-looking information and statements about Oryzon, including financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, capital expenditures, synergies, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates" and similar expressions. Although Oryzon believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and holders of Oryzon shares are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Oryzon that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the documents sent by Oryzon to the Spanish Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV), which are accessible to the public. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and have not been reviewed by the auditors of Oryzon. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. All subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements attributable to Oryzon or any of its members, directors, officers, employees or any persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statement above. All forward-looking statements included herein are based on information available to Oryzon on the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, Oryzon does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Oryzon's securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. Any public offering of Oryzon's securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Oryzon or the selling security holder, as applicable, that will contain detailed information about Oryzon and management, as well as financial statements.
MBABANE  We have become a laughing stock, but its not entirely our fault.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Prince Simelane, has pleaded for mercy from the nation with regard to the challenges that the ministry encountered during the Local Government Elections. Following reports that some of the polling stations were marred with drama as they ran out of ballot papers, the minister admitted that they indeed encountered the challenges. Our sister publication, Times SUNDAY, reported that voters in some polling stations such as Fonteyn Social Care and Msunduza Community Hall had to wait for at least five hours due to delayed delivery of ballot papers.

Exercising

It was reported that while others endured the situation, some voters ended up not exercising their right to vote because they decided to leave. Prince Simelane said the ministry was aware of the difficulties in some of the polling stations and he pleaded with the nation, particularly residents of the areas affected, to forgive them. The minister was addressing the media during a press conference that was held at the ministrys conference room yesterday. He shared that as much as they had become a laughing stock for failure to execute the elections smoothly, it was not entirely their fault as they procured the ballot papers on time, only to be told by the supplier that they were not readily available. We had prepared everything on time and the update we got from the supplier was that the ballot papers would be available by 3pm on Friday. However, when we made a follow-up, we were requested to wait again until at least 9pm that evening but the wait lasted the whole night, he shared.

The minister emphasised that they had done all that they had to do in preparation for the elections, but unfortunately it was not enough to ensure a smooth elections exercise.

The minister further mentioned that the results that were announced by the ministry after the voting exercise were a true reflection. He shared that so far, there were no complaints from the people who contested the elections, but the ministry was not popping the champagne yet as people may come to register their dissatisfaction. Activities like elections are prone to complaints from the people who contested, but so far, we have not received any complaint. However, it is not to say we do not anticipate receiving them as there might be those that complain of foul play, he said. It is on record that some candidates who did not make it have been making a hue and cry about what they termed unfair elections. Apart from claiming that certain individuals who were supposed to vote for them failed to do so on the day, due to shortages of ballot papers, they also complained about alleged corrupt elements.These include some candidates transporting voters to the polling station. Prince Simelane forwarded the ministrys gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the elections, especially the officers tasked with the administration of the whole exercise for their dedication. The minister also announced that the interim council that was appointed into office would continue to be there as the new elected councillors were still going to be orientated before they commenced their duties.
KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Katie Ireland, an industry-leading packaging expert with more than two decades of experience across iconic global brands including Starbucks, Kellogg, Ford Motor Company, Unilever, and Hershey has joined CRB as a senior packaging engineer. For CRB - one of the world's top providers of engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions for food and beverage clients - Ireland's arrival bolsters clients seeking holistic packaging, equipment and line design that maximizes a product's shelf life, safety, ease of use and marketing appeal.

"In an intensely competitive environment, manufacturers are more focused than ever on product packaging that's safe, simple to use and can capture consumer attention," said Jason Robertson, CRB's Vice President of Food and Beverage. "No one is more locked in on those goals than CRB, and few in this industry can match Katie's deep packaging credentials and impact. We can't wait to see what she'll do for clients."

Before CRB, Ireland spent more than 10 years at Starbucks, where she led numerous global packaging solution and innovation efforts that streamlined the coffee giant's packaging lines. She led a center of excellence (CoE) equipment group that oversaw standards, specifications and governance, and she helped set asset management strategy for the company's aging plants.

Before Starbucks, Ireland performed lead packaging roles at ConAgra, Kellogg Company, Ford Motor Company and Unilever. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University - one of the nation's leading institutions in the discipline - before earning her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

"Smart and sustainable package design can retain customer loyalty while reducing the amount of material used and making products easier to manufacture and designed with consumer use in mind," Ireland said. "I've spent my career tackling these critical challenges on the client side, and I'm excited to bring that unique perspective to CRB, whose culture of collaboration, client focus and technical excellence are unmatched."

About CRB:

CRB is a leading global provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to the life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our innovative ONEsolution service provides successful integrated project delivery for clients demanding high-quality solutions -- on time and on budget. Across 22 offices in North America and Europe, the company's nearly 1,700 employees provide world-class, technically preeminent solutions that drive success and positive change for clients and communities. See our work at crbgroup.com, and connect with us on social media here.

CONTACT:

Clarity Quest Marketing:

877-887-7611

Bonnie Quintanilla, bonnie@clarityqst.com

CRB:

816-200-5234

Chris Clark, chris.clark@crbgroup.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CRB on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CRB

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crb

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: CRB

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763911/Katie-Ireland-Senior-Packaging-Engineer-With-Experience-Across-Iconic-Brands-Joins-CRB
DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / ForCast Orthopedics today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation for ForCast's lead program, FC001, for the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).

Forcast Orthopedics

PJI is a rare but serious complication of joint replacement procedures that can threaten the function of the joint, the preservation of the limb and even the life of the patient. PJI is challenging to treat because the infecting bacteria adhere to the prothesis and form a protective biofilm that can be resistant to standard systemic antibiotics.

FC001 is being developed to address these challenges by delivering a targeted antibiotic therapy directly into the infected joint using ForCast's proprietary technology.

The FDA's Office of Orphan Drug Products grants orphan status to support the development of medicines for rare disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Orphan drug designation provides certain benefits, including market exclusivity upon regulatory approval, assistance during the development process, exemption from certain FDA fees, and tax credits for qualified clinical trials.

"We are extremely pleased to receive Orphan Drug designation from the FDA," said Peter Noymer, PhD, Executive Chairman and CEO of ForCast Orthopedics. "Along with the recent designation of FC001 as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) by the FDA, this helps to further validate the potential superiority of our approach to treating PJI relative to the current standard of care."

"This is a great achievement for ForCast and an even greater signal to PJI patients about our commitment to improving the treatment options available to them," added Jared Foran, MD, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of ForCast Orthopedics.

About ForCast Orthopedics

ForCast is a development-stage company with a focus on pioneering the treatment of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) with targeted antibiotic therapy. Our mission is to modernize the standard of care for PJI and improve the quality of life for the growing population of joint replacement patients.

Contact Information

Peter Noymer

Executive Chairman and CEO

pnoymer@forcastortho.com

SOURCE: ForCast Orthopedics

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763902/ForCast-Orthopedics-Receives-Orphan-Drug-Designation-From-FDA-for-the-Treatment-of-Periprosthetic-Joint-Infection-PJI
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / South Pole



They are increasingly aware of the impact of their own purchasing decisions, and are calling for radical transparency on the value chains of the companies they support, the products they buy, and the events they attend.

As a result, businesses face pressure to transparently communicate the climate impact of their products and events, but also their own corporate climate journey. But with the right strategy, companies can address the needs of their most important stakeholders, their clients, protect their reputation, and unlock a host of other business benefits.

Putting true climate impact front and centre for all to see

One powerful way for companies to communicate about their climate action is through the use of climate labels. Credible labels provide instant and full transparency to the customer, spelling out the steps that the company has taken to reduce their emissions and the global climate action projects they have supported. Solutions like these provide customers with the relevant details they need to make more informed decisions, and to utilise their purchasing power to make a difference.

While the consumer push for transparency around corporate climate efforts is clear, many companies are still failing to prioritise sustainability. However, the businesses that do address their customers' expectations can benefit from:

Enhanced consumer trust

Instant and full transparency can enhance consumer trust and lead to customer loyalty and customer referrals. Consumer research on the Funding Climate Action label by South Pole found that 78% of respondents trusted that credible climate-preservation efforts had been taken when viewing the label (conducted in December 2022 with 1,500 participants across Europe and the US). Differentiating themselves from competitors

Climate labels can help companies to differentiate themselves from their competitors by showcasing their commitment to sustainability - beyond compliance. A visible commitment to climate action can attract new customers who actively look for companies who share their values. Boosted engagement and sales

Companies can embed climate action into their brand image and reputation which in turn boosts engagement and sales. In a recent survey it was reported that 69% of companies captured more financial value than expected from climate initiatives alone.

The call for a new claim: funding climate action

The rise in the number of green claims of climate action, the lack of universally accepted definitions, and in some cases, poor substantiation have made it difficult for customers to understand what 'green' claims really mean. Despite the term "climate neutral" having inspired thousands of companies to act for the climate as part of a 20-year global success story, the category has been misused by certain actors and led to allegations of greenwashing and widespread consumer confusion and mistrust. Consumer protection agencies are now calling for viable alternatives as well as more increased transparency around green claims more generally.

To effectively respond to the evolving landscape while maintaining the highest standards of credibility, South Pole has developed a new actionable vision of a climate funding claim that is aligned with the Paris Agreement, and that builds on the SBTi's beyond value chain mitigation guidance. The claim "Funding Climate Action' can be used by companies to demonstrate that they are contributing to climate action beyond their value chain through high-quality certified mitigation contributions, in line with their residual carbon emissions.

The Funding Climate Action label

To empower companies to communicate their 'Funding Climate Action' claim effectively, with maximum transparency, South Pole has developed The Funding Climate Action label. The label indicates that an organisation has successfully passed a comprehensive, verified process to ensure credible climate action. Organisations display this climate action directly to their stakeholders via a bespoke QR code and personalised landing page that provides detailed information on the organisation's climate action within and beyond their value chain. This level of detail and transparency enables companies to communicate their sustainability goals and related progress more effectively.

The Funding Climate Action label by South Pole has passed consumer tests on transparency and desirability* with flying colours:

84% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product with the Funding Climate Action label

83% feel well informed by the label's landing page

82% understand the label's meaning immediately

Transparency in corporate climate action is critical in tracking our collective progress towards global net zero emissions and a world where climate change is no longer a threat to life on earth. When corporate emission reduction plans are under scrutiny, it pushes corporate sustainability teams to pursue the best possible solutions for reducing a company's overall emissions.

Companies working to transition to net zero emissions have a responsibility to communicate their plan to the public with honesty and clarity, and a strong incentive to address the growing consumer demand on transparency and more informed purchase decisions. South Pole's new Funding Climate Action label allows them to do exactly that.

* Research conducted in December 2022 with 1,500 participants across Europe and the US

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from South Pole on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: South Pole

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/south-pole

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: South Pole

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763920/A-New-Generation-of-Labels-Provides-Companies-a-Credible-Way-To-Talk-About-Climate-Action
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Cooper Equipment Rentals Limited proudly announces the promotion of Brian Spilak to the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Since joining Cooper in 2016, Mr. Spilak has played a central role in the Company's growth and development, becoming an integral part of Canada's largest independent construction equipment rental company. With nearly 30 years of experience in the equipment rental industry, he has held various leadership roles encompassing operations, fleet management, customer relationship management, and technology.

As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Spilak will continue to spearhead the Company's initiatives aimed at driving profitable business growth, efficient team management, expansion into new markets, and the implementation of optimized technology solutions across 65 locations nationwide. His unwavering commitment to customer engagement combined with his exceptional execution skills have been key differentiators in Cooper's growth trajectory. Mr. Spilak's ability to build cohesive teams across diverse sectors of the business has played a pivotal role in the successful integration of Cooper's numerous acquisitions and his deep understanding of sales and operations have had far-reaching impact on all levels of the organization.

"We are thrilled to announce Brian's promotion to the role of Cooper's Chief Operating Officer," stated Doug Dougherty, CEO. "Over the past seven years, Brian has been a driving force, actively contributing to the Company's growth. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing Cooper as a top-tier provider in the construction equipment rental industry. Brian's focus on innovation, customer-centricity, and team building has made him an outstanding leader within our organization, and we have full confidence in his ability to excel in his new role as COO."

Darryl Cooper, President of Cooper, expressed his excitement regarding the appointment: "We are very pleased to announce Brian's well-deserved promotion to Chief Operating Officer. Brian's contributions across various facets of our organization have significantly enhanced our operations, fostering deeper customer relationships and operational efficiency. His rapport with our operations teams has been instrumental in our success, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in his new role."

"I am excited to embrace the responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer and continue working closely with our talented teams nationwide," Mr. Spilak said. "At Cooper, we are firmly committed to our customer-first focus, ensuring our customer service and support is second to none while expanding our national brand. Our teams across the country possess a remarkable level of passion and dedication, which truly sets us apart. This genuine determination to go above and beyond for our customers is a key factor that drives our success. I am eager to continue leading our teams, contributing to driving growth, fostering innovation, and leveraging this invaluable attribute to provide outstanding experiences for our customers."

Brian Spilak, Cooper Equipment Rentals COO.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9844/171322_94548dec94195b24_002full.jpg

About Cooper Equipment Rentals

Established in 1972, Cooper Equipment Rentals Limited is a full-service construction equipment rental company, servicing contractors across Canada. With more than 65 branches in six provinces, Cooper specializes in the rental of compact, aerial, heavy construction, pump and power, and trench safety equipment, while providing a wide range of supplies, along with unparalleled service and support.

For further information:

Media Contact:

Lindsay Glasspoole

Communications Manager, OnPrpose

lindsay@onprpose.com

416-738-9506

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171322
Innovative Research Shows a 24% Decrease in Anxiety Levels with the Use of Fidget Rings

CINCINNATI, OH / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / A recent research project conducted at the Abramowitz Anxiety Lab at UNC Chapel Hill explored the potential of fidget rings in alleviating anxiety. The study, led by Jennifer Persia, a senior psychology student and lab research assistant, under the guidance of Dr. Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Clinical Psychology Professor and Director of Clinical Training, unveiled compelling findings.



UNC research shows CONQUERing fidget rings reduce anxiety.

Image showing the experimental fidget ring and the control non-fidget ring and the results of each. The control ring did not reduce anxiety with statistical significance but the fidget ring did significantly lower anxiety.

Considering the nearly nonexistent academic research available on the benefits of fidget rings, the study was very much needed. The test group received fidget rings with spinning and clicking features, donated from CONQUERing, a jewelry brand specializing in interchangeable fidget jewelry, while the control group received similar rings without these features.

Participants, aged 18-64, were asked to rate their level of anxiety before and after the study. The results were groundbreaking, demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in anxiety levels among individuals wearing the fidget rings compared to those in the control group.

Tammy Nelson, Founder & CEO of CONQUERing, expressed, "We often receive feedback from customers about how our fidget rings help alleviate anxiety. However, until now, this has been based on anecdotal evidence. This research project not only confirms our customers' experiences but also highlights the importance of further academic exploration into alternative methods for managing anxiety."

Persia, the lead researcher, shared her excitement, stating, "Conducting research on the effectiveness of fidget rings and witnessing their positive impact on reducing anxiety levels was truly remarkable. I hope this study inspires further investigations into alternative strategies for managing feelings of anxiousness."

The study conducted at UNC Chapel Hill represents a significant step in understanding the potential of fidget rings in addressing anxiety and related mental health conditions.

CONQUERing is a global jewelry brand on a mission to help people feel empowered with its interchangeable fidget jewelry. CONQUERing is driven to create products that help its customers feel calm, focused and inspired so they can live with intention to "conquer their day." CONQUERing is a certified WBENC women-owned business based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Featured in Fashion Magazine, on BuzzFeed and in Parade Magazine, and the fastest-growing jewelry brand on the 2022 Inc. 5000, its products have been sold to customers in more than 60 countries.

Connect with CONQUERing on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube. Products can be found at www.myconquering.com and at select retailers.

Contact Information:

Alisha Molloy

Business Manager

info@myconquering.com

513-216-5222

SOURCE: CONQUERing

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763726/CONQUERing-Fidget-Rings-Used-in-UNC-Chapel-Hill-Study-That-Finds-They-Can-Reduce-Anxiety
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV: DM) (FSE: D4G) (OTCQB: DTMXF) (the "Company" or "Datametrex') announces it has unilaterally terminated its previously announced marketing services agreement with Octagon Media Corp. ("Octagon Media"), effective immediately. The Company has cancelled all options granted to Octagon Media.

The Company is actively looking to enhance its brand awareness and exposure to a larger audience, and as such, will be reviewing other opportunities for services that align with its goals and objectives. With verticals in leading industries, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and healthcare, the Company recognizes the vast growth opportunities that these sectors offer and remains to have a strong focus on earnings, operations, and stock performance.

About Datametrex

Datametrex AI Limited is a technology-focused company with exposure to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and telehealth and has recently entered the electric vehicle (EV) market. Datametrex's mission is to provide tools and solutions that support companies in fulfilling their operational goals, including health and safety, with predictive and preventive technologies. By working with companies to set a new standard of protocols through artificial intelligence and health diagnostics, the Company provides progressive solutions to support the supply chain.

For additional information on Datametrex and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.datametrex.com.

To learn more about how our AI is used in Cyber Security, Telehealth and EV, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApFk3sWAXtg.

For further information:

Investor Relations & Communications

Priya Monique Atwal, Director of Communications

Email: investors@datametrex.com

Tel: 416-901-5611 x 204

Marshall Gunter, CEO

Email: mgunter@datametrex.com

Tel: 514-295-2300

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171469
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Acre

Our planet continues to face a desperate climate emergency, sparking renewed calls for urgent action from the global population for a greener, more equitable future.

That's why this year's theme for Earth Day is no different than the last: "Invest in our Planet." Now.

It calls on governments, institutions, businesses and communities to reflect on and consider the impact they make on the planet every single day.

It's no secret that human activity has prompted the loss of biodiversity, depletion of species, a mass of pollution contributing to global warming, loss of trees from agriculture, overconsumption of meat and fish, unsustainable travel, excessive energy use the list goes on.

Businesses cannot ignore the benefits of investing in the green economy and are adapting to ensure they are more sustainable throughout their entire operations, focusing on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards to align with the climate agenda and ensure a just transition.

You might be thinking, "How can I support Earth Day?"

Earth Day, the world's largest environmental movement, which first started in 1970, has devised avaried itinerary in which populations are urged to push for:

Climate literacy

Grow more trees

Support sustainable fashion

Banish plastic pollution

Attend a beach clean up

Vote to save the earth

There is further information and petitions online to support the above pledges on the Earth Day website.

What else should you know about the climate emergency's impact on our global population?

Over the past decade, the climate crisis has affected around one in seven people, according to the Red Cross, with 86 per cent of all disasters attributed to extreme weather conditions, from heatwaves to storms.

Hazardous weather and climate-related events during this ten-year period have caused disasters around the globe, including 1,100 deaths in Pakistan due to record-breaking floods and a severe food crisis in parts of Africa.

It has been predicted that by 2050, Britain will be 50 per cent more likely to experience hot summers, which could triple the number of heat-related deaths to approximately 7,000 each year.

Last year, Acre published a blog about Earth Day 2022 and discussed the necessary steps that are needed to be taken by the government, businesses and consumers. Those same steps are still relevant to effect change.

How does all this fit in with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change?

A legally binding agreement was signed by 174 countries and the European Union on Earth Day in 2016. Those who signed the Paris Agreement pledged to develop policies and plans to limit global temperature rises to below 2C above pre-industrial levels.

One of its commitments was to ensure developing and climate-vulnerable countries received help to achieve the same goals, via practical and financial help from industrially developed countries.

As many as 93 per cent?of people most impacted by climate disasters?live in low-resource countries that contribute the least to climate change.?

Progress is monitored by the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COPs) every year, aiming to keep global efforts on track to meet the target.?To date, some progress has been made on global emission reduction targets, but despite this small feat, the temperatures are on track to rise above the?2C target, hence mounting pressure for urgent action and the need for global days to reiterate this.

Earth Day shouldn't just fall on one day, though, if the planet is to be thrown the lifeline it deserves- collaboration, innovation, solutions, and action need to be dominating the conversations more frequently to ensure sustainability sits at the top of every single agenda.

Without the health of the planet, the human race will, quite simply, be obliterated. Yet ironically, humans are the ones armed with the knowledge and tools to save the world as well as themselves.

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years' experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Acre on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Acre

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/acre

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Acre

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763961/Earth-Day-Why-Should-We-Invest-in-Our-Planet
Lenovo has increased its investment in renewable energy, tripling its solar energy generation since FY 2018/19.

Lenovo's early adoption of science-based targets resulted in its inclusion in the first group of companies to have both its near-term 2030 targets and 2050 net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Lenovo's global philanthropy efforts have grown again this year, resulting in more than US$30M in charitable impact for communities around the world (investments of funds, product, and estimate of volunteer time) and impacting more than 16 million lives.

Lenovo's global supply chain increased its ranking this year, reaching #8 in Gartner's Top 25 Global Supply Chains.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Today, Lenovo (HKSE:992)(ADR:LNVGY) published its 17th annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, further demonstrating its commitment to being a responsible corporation around the world with a focus on building a sustainable planet, promoting inclusion, and closing the digital divide. In the new report, the global technology powerhouse reported its increased investment in solar energy, tripling generation since FY 2018/19 driven by solar energy installations at factories and offices around the world. The company also increased its philanthropic investment, measuring nearly US$30M in philanthropic investments resulting in more than 16 million people impacted through global programs and partnerships.

"As a global company, we have seen the impact of climate change on our stakeholders and feel the urgency to combat it together" said Yuanqing Yang, Lenovo's CEO and Chairman. "In the last fiscal year, we were proud to affirm our commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 with net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and their first-of-its-kind Net-Zero Standard."

Click to launch and explore an interactive map of Lenovo's global ESG impacts.

Lenovo's leadership in sustainability was bolstered this year when it became one of the first group of companies to have net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company is on-track to meet its near-term emissions reduction targets for 2030, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions intensities by 66.5% from purchased goods and services, 35% from sold products, and 25% from upstream transportation and distribution. Lenovo is collaborating with suppliers to reduce its Scope 3 (value chain) emissions, traditionally the largest category of emissions and the most difficult to track in a complex, global supply chain.

Lenovo is building on its tradition of holistic innovations that increase the sustainability of its products and services. In FY 2022/23 Lenovo continued its transition to a circular economy by continually increasing the number of products that integrate 'closed loop' recycled content that comes from end-of-life IT and electronics. Lenovo reported nearly 300 products (298) that included recycled plastic content from end-of-life IT and electronics. As an example, the ThinkPad X1 laptops launched at CES 2023 include up to 97% Post Consumer Content (PCC) plastic in the battery enclosure and up to 95% PCC plastic in the speaker enclosures and AC adapter.

Lenovo's workforce is industry-leading1 in gender inclusion, with 37% women in its overall population and 28% women in technical roles. Lenovo's efforts to advance women have been recognized through inclusion in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fourth time as the company pursues its goal to reach 27% women executive representation by 2025 (current 21%). Lenovo's values of diversity and inclusion are practiced through 17 employee-led resource groups in offices and regions around the world. The groups are customized for the unique needs across a location's diversity segments, with specific groups for today's workforce, from early career talents (Rising Employees At Lenovo) to groups supporting parents in the workplace and career development for people from underrepresented backgrounds. Lenovo's workforce inclusion initiatives have been recognized by Forbes, the Disability Inclusion Index, and the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

In FY 2022/23, Lenovo's global philanthropy efforts driven by the Lenovo Foundation grew year-on-year, resulting in more than US$30M in charitable impact for communities around the world (investments of funds, product, and estimate of volunteer time). The Foundation's focus has been on empowering underrepresented populations by helping them access technology and STEM education through strategic partnerships, programs like the TransforMe Skilling Grant Round, and employee volunteerism like the Love on Month of Service.

While Lenovo continues its journey to net-zero and works toward more inclusive workplaces and communities, the company is focused on governing its global operations with the highest standards of ethics and compliance. Lenovo's global supply chain increased its ranking this year, reaching #8 in Gartner's Top 25 Global Supply Chains. Furthermore, Lenovo's ESG programs have been recognized by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International), and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

This is Lenovo's 17th annual ESG Report, covering the Fiscal Year 2022/23 (April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023).

To find out more about Lenovo's ESG global and local impacts, explore the interactive map here.

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.

1As determined by internal competitive benchmarking within the technology industry.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Lenovo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Lenovo

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763935/Lenovo-Announces-FY-202223-ESG-Report-3X-Generation-of-Solar-Energy-and-16M-Lives-Benefitted-Through-Philanthropy
PayRetailers, the leading payment processor in Latin America, has integrated PIX, the flagship payment system of Brazil, into its all-in-one payment platform. PIX is a real-time payment system introduced by the Central Bank of Brazil in November 2020. This integration marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the payment landscape and has been inspiring a regional shift.

The key to PIX's success?

With over 126 million users, 24 billion transactions, and an average of 66 million daily operations, PIX has become the preferred payment method in Brazil. Its success lies in its widespread adoption across all types of businesses, enabling seamless and instant transactions for everyday payments. Whether it's buying a "milho" on a beach in Rio de Janeiro or a caipirinha in Fortaleza, PIX has become synonymous with convenience and reliability.

PayRetailers understands the immense potential of PIX and has integrated it for the benefit of its merchants, adapting to the specific needs of Brazilians. By offering PIX as an instant payment method, PayRetailers is working on local strategies so that international businesses can take advantage of the extensive Latin American user base and provide them with efficient and secure payment systems, just like the one in Brazil.

Harness the Advantages of PIX Integration with PayRetailers

With PIX integrated into a robust payment platform like PayRetailers, merchants can reduce bureaucratic obstacles, improve control over shared data, and streamline their operations. The 24/7 availability of the system eliminates delays associated with traditional payment methods, ensuring faster and seamless transactions for both merchants and customers.

Furthermore, PIX addresses security concerns by establishing a trusted environment for instant online transactions. Customers no longer need to share their card details, which generates trust and peace of mind. The integration of PayRetailers with PIX ensures that merchants can offer their customers a secure and convenient payment experience, fostering loyalty and trust, reducing risks, and increasing sales.

In this way, PIX represents a great opportunity for cross-border merchants with over 45 million users and its real-time transaction system, which is faster for making digital payments, thus increasing the online purchase of goods and services by Brazilian consumers.

Moreover, several industries benefit from this method, particularly the iGaming industry, which is strongly represented in Brazil. This year, Brazil hosted the SiGMA Americas event in Sao Paulo, where PayRetailers had the great opportunity to connect with merchants and industry leaders in gaming and showcase the benefits of its solution for Latin American market players.

Inspiring Other Economies

The impact of PIX extends beyond Brazil, inspiring other Latin American economies to explore similar instant payment systems. By leading the way in adopting this transformative technology, PayRetailers is laying the groundwork for further growth and innovation in the region's payment ecosystem.

Currently, countries like Mexico and Colombia are taking the first steps towards implementing immediate digital transfer systems (SPI) similar to PIX in Brazil. The goal is to replicate the secure environment and peace of mind that this method provides to both users and businesses across all industries.

As PayRetailers continues to evolve in the dynamic Brazilian market, merchants can rely on its comprehensive payment solutions to drive business growth and capitalize on the potential of PIX. With PayRetailers as their trusted partner, merchants gain access to cutting-edge payment technologies and the ability to offer their customers a seamless and secure payment experience.

Click here to learn more about how PayRetailers is revolutionizing the Brazilian market with its PIX integration and explore the comprehensive payment solutions available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627455157/en/

Contacts:

press@payretailers.com
Global pioneers in asset management tokenization Smart Wealth and Chartered Investment have achieved a major milestone by introducing the world's first security token for an AI-based multi-asset investment strategy in accordance with the German Investment Code (eWpG) and BaFin regulations.

Structuring security tokens requires a blend of asset management, legal, structuring, and IT expertise to fully leverage the benefits of blockchain technology.

Smart Wealth and Chartered Investment combine this expertise with an efficient proprietary IT solution and a scalable issuance platform.

Based in Zurich, Switzerland Smart Wealth AG is an independent and Finma-licensed asset manager that applies and leverages artificial intelligence to revolutionise asset management.

Through dynamic adjustments in client portfolios, Smart Wealth strives for highest returns with minimal risk and has established itself as a trusted partner for numerous companies, banks, asset managers, and high-net-worth clients since 2016.

Chartered Investment is a financial technology company specializing in financial engineering. Headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany, Chartered offers several innovative technological platform solutions that will be essential for the global financial industry in the future.

Smart Wealth said this ground-breaking step allows the group to offer its clients access to their flagship Multi Asset Global Rotation AMC (CH0590207988) through regulated security token with own ISIN on the blockchain.

Since its launch in February 2021, the Multi Asset Global Rotation AMC has proven to be one of the top-performing multi-asset products worldwide, it stated.

Now, by tokenizing traditional investment strategies, the Swiss firm has overcome a significant challenge that required intensive pioneering work in the legal, IT, and asset management fields.

The process of issuing a security token presented previously unresolved issues that have been resolved through the collaborative efforts of regulatory authorities, online banks, asset managers, and issuers.

Melanie Kottas v. Heldenberg of Smart Wealth AG said: "We are very proud to offer the first security token which enables our clients to easily invest in our AI-based multi asset flag ship portfolio of liquid stocks and ETFs while benefiting from blockchain technology."

"This allows our clinets self-custody of the security tokens in their own wallets with the safety net of a BaFin crypto register," she stated.

The advantages of the Electronic Securities Act (eWpG) and security tokenization are:

The leading legal framework of the Electronic Securities Act anticipates European MiCA and makes it future-proof.

Regulatory best practices for tokenizing assets.

Official list of crypto securities maintained by the German regulatory authority BaFin.

Possibility of recovering the blockchain register in case of loss through the regulated crypto register.

There is no issuer risk for the customer due to issuance by a segregated Luxembourg compartment.

The customer can store the security token directly in their personal wallet.

Placement rules for securities, such as MiFID II, local laws, etc., also apply to security tokens.

According to Heldenberg, tokenizing traditional investment strategies is a significant challenge that requires years of pioneering work in the legal, IT, and asset management fields.

The process of issuing a security token needs to solve new, previously unresolved problems. This requires joint efforts from regulatory authorities, online banks, asset managers, and issuers, she noted.

She pointed out that security tokens were the safest bet as these are issued through a distributed ledger system.

Three essential aspects are required for its issuance:

Designation as a crypto security.

Publication in the official register.

Notification to the supervisory authority.

Due to registration in a regulated register and the new issuance process, the new crypto securities are referred to as security tokens.

Security tokens enable new paths in finance, offering direct interaction with investors and barrier-free issuance processes, said Heldenberg.

These security token solutions are best suited for those who have acquired significant cryptocurrency and stablecoin holdings and are open to blockchain investments.

"Due to the high correlation between cryptocurrencies, many customers seek suitable investments in traditional assets such as liquid stocks and ETFs while continuing to hold their assets on the blockchain to avoid higher fees, default risks, and maintain full control and transparency over their investments," she explained.

Instead of purchasing a security through Clearstream, the customer acquires a security token through a smart contract, she added.-TradeArabia News Service
EQS-News: KROMI Logistik AG / Key word(s): Squeeze Out

KROMI: Squeeze-out resolution entered in the commercial register



27.06.2023 / 18:05 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





KROMI: Squeeze-out resolution entered in the commercial register

Hamburg, June 27, 2023 - KROMI Logistik AG announces that the squeeze-out resolution adopted by the Shareholders' General Meeting on February 27, 2023 (squeeze-out in the meaning of Section 327a et seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act [Aktiengesetz]) has today been entered in the commercial register at Hamburg District Court. Upon entry of the transfer resolution in the commercial register, all of the shares held by the minority shareholders of KROMI Logistik AG were transferred by operation of law to the majority shareholder, Investmentaktiengesellschaft fur langfristige Investoren TGV.

The majority shareholder has engaged Baader Bank AG with the technical processing of the securities and the payment of the cash settlement. Baader Bank will now initiate the necessary steps for the technical completion of this securities procedure.

The listing of the shares of KROMI Logistik AG on the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the inclusion of the shares for trading in the over-the-counter market are expected to end shortly.

Company profile:

KROMI is a manufacturer-independent specialist in optimising tool availability and tool deployment, especially technologically advanced machining tools for metal and plastics processing in machining operations. As a trustworthy and transparent partner to manufacturing industry, KROMI combines machining technology, data management, streamlined logistics processes and tools wholesaling to form compelling all-round solutions. Thanks to interconnected tool dispensers in customers' production areas in combination with digital inventory controlling, KROMI ensures the optimal utilisation and availability of the requisite working resources at the right time and in the right place. KROMI's activities aim to always offer maximum benefits for customers' machining operations. This entails continuously analysing in detail processes on the customer side and identifying opportunities and potential improvements, in order to optimally integrate tool supplies with all requisite services. KROMI currently has sites in Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Spain and Brazil. KROMI is also active in seven further European countries. Visit us online at: www.kromi.de

Investor relations contact:

cometis AG

Claudius Krause

Phone: +49 (0)611-205855-28

Fax: +49 (0)611-205855-66

Email: krause@cometis.de

27.06.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 27

For immediate release

27 June 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 100,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 865.10 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 18,095,544; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 206,895,759.

The figure of 206,895,759 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
MOORESVILLE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The Hemp Doctor is thrilled to announce the return of their Delta 8 THC Medibles. These D8 gummies are back by popular demand. They come in a range of incredible flavors and pack a punch for those who love the experience of D8 THC.

Available now in 30-count bottles, the Medibles come in five different flavors. The new, mouthwatering flavors are Blue Razz (more commonly known as Blue Raspberry), Orange, Green Apple, Strawberry, and Watermelon. These incredible Medibles are available in two strengths, 30 mg of Delta 8 THC per piece and 60 mg of Delta 8 THC per piece.

The best parts of these new and improved Medibles are the enhanced texture and flavor. Gone are the days of goopy gummies, these delicious candies are smooth and chewy, in all the right ways.

These Medibles combine the delicious taste of high-quality candy and the wonderful experience of Delta 8 THC. It has a mild psychoactive effect that provides the user a euphoric experience without the paranoia of stronger cannabinoids.

Delta 8 THC is milder than other cannabinoids and the side effects are milder as well. This means that if someone is prone to paranoia while using Delta 9 THC, that person may have a better experience with Delta 8.

Delta 8 THC in brief

The Hemp Doctor's Delta 8 products are federally legal in compliance with the 2018 Federal Farm Bill. That means that these products all contain less that 0.3% Delta 9 THC by weight and are derived from hemp grown in the United States of America.

While Delta 8 THC is federally legal, some states have restrictions on its use. Check out this blog here for more information on the legality of Delta 8 THC in the USA.

Delta 8 THC is a federally legal, hemp-derived alternative to Delta 9 and marijuana products. To ensure that their products remain compliant with legal requirements, they perform in-house and external lab testing. These labs are available on The Hemp Doctor website for customers to view.

While Delta 8 can be used recreationally for its psychoactive benefits, it also offers wellness benefits. These wellness benefits include improving rest and promoting relaxation.

About The Hemp Doctor

The Hemp Doctor has been a leader in hemp cannabinoids since CBD was introduced to the family in 2018. Beginning with CBD, The Hemp Doctor has branched into other cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, Delta 8, Delta 9, and more.

If you require additional information regarding this release or the latest industry information, don't hesitate to contact The Hemp Doctor's customer service or visit a website at thehempdoctor.com

Contact Information

Robert Shade

Owner at The Hemp Doctor

customerservice@thehempdoctor.com

SOURCE: The Hemp Doctor Wholesale

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763677/Announcing-New-and-Improved-Delta-8-THC-Medibles
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The National Diversity Council (NDC) provides the following statement in anticipation of the pending U.S. Supreme Court decision that may impact affirmative action in admissions for higher education institutions nationwide and the latest legislation passed in Florida affecting funding for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education.

For more than 40 years, higher education institutions have considered race as one of multiple factors in the admissions process.

"Race-conscious admissions programs have effectively enhanced diversity in colleges and universities across the United States and advanced greater opportunity for all," said Anika Rahman, CEO of the National Diversity Council. "Any change to this policy will have devastating implications for academia, the corporate sector and our society."

By the end of June, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its decisions in the Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFAI) v. President and Fellows of Harvard and the SFAI v. University of North Carolina cases.

"Regardless of the outcome of this decision, the National Diversity Council will continue to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in higher education and beyond," said Rahman. "DEI is an essential pillar of a just society."

The NDC and its affiliate, the Florida Diversity Council, have additional concerns about Higher Education Bill SB-266, signed recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and due to become effective on July 1st. The law prohibits expenditures by any member of the Florida College System on programs and campus activities that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

"We are especially concerned about anti-DEI efforts in Florida, because this state has the third largest Latino population in the nation, with one-third of its public colleges and universities designated as Hispanic-serving institutions," said Rahman.

"As a nation, we must address and respond to the structural barriers that have systematically impacted marginalized communities, limiting their access to higher education and future opportunities for full participation in the workforce," said Rahman. "DEI in higher education promotes greater levels of cultural awareness and decreases inequities while enhancing representation, knowledge-sharing and diversity of thought across different backgrounds and lived experiences," she added.

The work of the National Diversity Council and its various state affiliates is critical to advancing DEI. "We are committed to providing our partners with the resources and tools to move the needle in the evolving DEI landscape," said Rahman.

About The National Diversity Council

A non-profit organization committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow in their knowledge of diversity. The council affords opportunities for organizations to share best practices and learn from top corporate leaders in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. More information about the National Diversity Council is available at: www.nationaldiversitycouncil.org.

Media Contact:

Kamaria Monmouth

Sr. Communication Specialist

National Diversity Council

kamaria.monmouth@nationaldiversitycouncil.org

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from National Diversity Council on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: National Diversity Council

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/national-diversity-council

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: National Diversity Council

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/764014/The-National-Diversity-Council-Addresses-the-US-Supreme-Courts-Pending-Decision-on-Affirmative-Action
WESTBURY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / FAVO Capital Inc. (OTC Pink:FAVO)

FAVO Capital, Inc, a company which provides customized, short-term funding to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide announced today the addition of Rocco Trotta to its Corporate Advisory Board.

"I am excited to add Mr. Rocco Trotta to our Corporate Advisory Board," said Vincent Napolitano, CEO of FAVO Capital, Inc. He added "We are seeing great momentum at FAVO Capital with the recently closed acquisition. I have known Rocco my entire life and his track record and vision is second to none and I am excited to add him to our Advisory Board." Vincent Napolitano added, "In watching Rocco build The LiRo Group from when I was a teenager through today, I always admired him and his business acumen and my goal is to duplicate his simple, yet highly effective business philosophy here at FAVO; Hire the best people, empower them, cross train them in various disciplines, and continuously support their professional development."

Mr. Rocco Trotta co-founded The LiRo Group in 1984 and has molded the firm from a small group specializing in construction administration, to one of the top construction management and full-service engineering firms in the nation. Mr. Trotta's leadership and contributions to the engineering profession have been recognized repeatedly by community and local organizations highlighted by his being named as Engineer of the Year by the New York State Society of Professional Engineers.

Under Mr. Trotta's leadership, The LiRo Group has grown from a handful of people to over 900 employees in twelve offices throughout the northeast. Over the past few decades, The LiRo Group has won dozens of awards for a multitude of projects nationwide.

Throughout its history, The LiRo Group has been nationally recognized by the most prestigious organizations in America. Most recently in 2022, The LiRo Group has been ranked by the Engineering News Record as: Top 50 Construction Management Firms: (LiRo #9); and Top CM/PM-for-Fee Ranking: (LiRo #19).

Mr. Trotta owns, controls, and invests in various businesses around the country. He is the proud owner of one of New York City's most popular restaurants with his namesake; Rocco's Steakhouse in the Nomad section of Manhattan. Rocco's Steakhouse is also opening a second location later this year in Midtown Manhattan a few blocks from Central Park.

Mr. Rocco Trotta stated. "I am extremely excited to be joining FAVO Capital's Corporate Advisory Board and I look forward to bringing my experience in building companies to help FAVO reach its goals in becoming one of the top funders nationwide."

Shaun Quin, President of FAVO Capital, Inc., added, "Adding Rocco to our team is a tremendous accomplishment in and of itself. He is an extraordinarily successful entrepreneur and investor in many companies nationwide and he will add tremendous value to our Advisory Board."

More About FAVO Capital Inc.:

FAVO CAPITAL is a Direct Funding Company, which provides customized, short-term funding to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide. FAVO Realty is a Real Estate Investment Company which invests in a diversified portfolio of quality commercial real estate properties throughout the United States. "FAVO" is "Honeycomb" in Latin - The Honeycomb (Hexagon) is the most efficient shape in the universe. FAVO Capital Inc. intends to be Efficient, Flexible & Durable.

www.favocap.com

More About Stewards Investment Capital, LTD ("SIC"):

STEWARDS INVESTMENT CAPITAL, LTD, (SIC) forms part of the Stewards affiliation of financial services companies established two decades ago. SIC provides investment management services to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors across multiple asset classes and acts as a market makers and liquidity provider in specialized niche markets. SIC holds a Global Business License and an Investment Advisor (unrestricted) License from the Mauritius Financials Services Commission.

www.stewardsinvestment.com

More About The LiRo Group:

The LiRo Group is an award-winning integrated construction, design, and technology solutions firm, consistently ranking among the United States's top companies in a variety of sectors. Since its founding in 1984, The LiRo Group has designed and managed the construction of thousands of projects in a variety of sectors. They continue to meet tough construction/program management, engineering, environmental, and architectural challenges head on and consistently complete projects with the highest level of expertise, quality, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness. The LiRo Group is now part of the Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc. (GISI) Family of Companies which has 12,500 employees in ninety countries around the globe.

www.liro.com

More About Rocco's Steakhouse:

Rocco's Steakhouse is a modernized version of a traditional New York City steakhouse in the NoMad section of Manhattan. For the past decade Rocco's Steakhouse has been providing patrons with world-class service, impeccable quality in the finest wines, steaks, and the freshest seafood. Rocco's Steakhouse is opening a second location later this year in midtown Manhattan near Central Park.

www.roccosteakhouse.com

CONTACT:

Email: info@favocapital.com

Tel: 833.328.6477

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements, estimates, and projections of future trends and of the anticipated future performance constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Series' expectations, beliefs, or future strategies that are signified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," or similar language. These forward-looking statements concern the Company's operations, economic performance and financial condition and are based largely on the Company's beliefs and expectations. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from expected results. Given these uncertainties, the reader is advised not to place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release FAVO Capital, Inc and its Management Team expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this document to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, unless specifically required by law or regulation.

SOURCE: FAVO Capital, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/764018/FAVO-Capital-Inc-Strengthens-Its-Corporate-Advisory-Board-with-the-Addition-of-Renowned-Businessman-and-Co-Founder-of-The-LiRo-Group-Rocco-Trotta
Cape Town, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - A leading FX and CFD broker in South Africa, Banxso, has successfully obtained licenses in Comoros to broaden its services for online operations.





Banxso

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9243/171475_999dc90434a03b03_001full.jpg

Banxso has also acquired a class "A" banking license and an international brokerage license from Comoros in order to grow its company in Africa.

Banxso's development into these regions is in line with the company's plans for the next quarters. The South African trading platform has made significant efforts to expand to the continent's north. In addition to these advancements, Banxso will expand horizontally by launching Bank de Banxso, an online banking service.

The company also stated that it is actively working with regulators to get licenses for the Central Banks of Cabo Verde, Seychelles, Kenya, Mauritius, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe in 2023. This will make the company's fast development in Africa more secure.

The year 2023 will be critical and has already proven to be pivotal for the organization as it begins to grow internationally and into new regions.

About Banxso

An award-winning, FSCA-licensed multi-asset brokerage firm in South Africa, Banxso offers cutting-edge financial services, including zero-fee trading.

Since its establishment, Banxso has grown significantly to become a leading broker in South Africa, earning a reputation for its cutting-edge, customer-focused methodology and sophisticated technology.

The Banxso trading platform allows users to trade major world currencies, buy and sell fractional shares on international exchanges with no fee, and speculate on commodities like gold, silver, and oil. The Banxso platform also comes with cutting-edge features like AI automatic decision tools and social trading capabilities for individuals who don't want to trade alone.

Manuel De Andrade

+27 104 464 170

pr@banxso.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171475
MANTECA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / MTM Transit is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract with the City of Manteca to operate its comprehensive Manteca Transit system. The contract, which goes live on July 1, includes a three-year term with two additional one-year options.





MTM Transit to Begin Operating Manteca Transit





Under the contract, MTM Transit will provide a wide range of transportation options on behalf of the City, including fixed route, dial-a-ride, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit. MTM Transit will also manage supplementary services for the City, such as ADA eligibility determinations, travel training, and application processing for dial-a-ride service. The City of Manteca's goals of improving vehicle maintenance, increasing ridership, enhancing data and reporting, improving customer service, and implementing route changes identified in its 2019 Short Range Transit Plan were key factors in selecting MTM Transit as the new contractor.

Scott Transue, MTM Transit's Regional Vice President, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the new partnership, stating, "We are honored to have been chosen by the City of Manteca to operate its transit services. With our experience and knowledge gained through serving the local community as the provider of travel training and assessment services for the San Joaquin Regional Transportation District, we are well-positioned to deliver reliable, safe, and high-quality transportation services to Manteca residents and visitors."

In addition to serving as the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) for San Joaquin County, MTM Transit has other operations in the Central Valley area in nearby Tracy and Escalon. The company's proven track record of managing transportation programs both in California and nationally, coupled with its commitment to innovation and technology, will enable the City to effectively manage its growing transit system. The partnership will also facilitate the implementation of the City's Short Range Transit Plan, ensuring that the transportation needs of the expanding population and visitor base are met with efficiency and reliability.

"We look forward to working collaboratively with the City and its passengers to develop a well-rounded, excellent transit program that we can all be proud of," added MTM Transit's Chief Operating Officer Brian Balogh.

MTM Transit's local team in Manteca will consist of approximately 20 employees, including management staff, vehicle operators, maintenance and utility workers, dispatchers, and a road supervisor. Operations will be based out of the existing Manteca Transit Center, allowing for a seamless transition and minimal disruption to service.

Since 1995, MTM has managed NEMT for state and county governments, managed care organizations, health systems, and other programs involving transportation for the disabled, underserved, and elderly. In 2009, MTM's leadership established MTM Transit, an affiliate that provides direct paratransit and fixed route transit services. Every year, MTM and MTM Transit collectively remove community barriers for 15.4 million people by providing more than 20.75 million trips in 31 states and the District of Columbia. MTM and MTM Transit are privately held, woman-owned business enterprises.

Contact Information

Ashley Wright

Senior Manager, Marketing

awright@mtminc.com

SOURCE: MTM, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/762537/MTM-Transit-Awarded-Contract-to-Operate-Manteca-Transit-System
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. ("Lincoln" or the "Company") (TSXV:LMG) is pleased to announce that following its previous news release on May 3, 2023, it has received approval to issue 9,886,364 units ("Debt Units") to settle $1,680,681.88 of debt to various creditors (the "Debt Settlement").

Under the terms of the Debt Settlement, the Company will now issue 9,886,364 Debt Units of the Company to individuals who had loaned funds to the Company and to individuals for services rendered which were considered trade payables.

Each Debt Unit consists of one common share of the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") valued at $0.17 per share and one full Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder, on exercise thereof, to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.35 for a period of 36 months from the approval date of this transaction by the TSX Venture Exchange.

As well, Messrs. Saxton, Sawyer and Attaway assigned some of their debt to other persons not related to the Company. Each of Messrs. Saxton, Sawyer, and Attaway are considered to be a "related party" of the Company within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Messrs. Saxton, Sawyer and Attaway received no cash, shares, or warrants for their transactions.

No finder's fees were paid in connection to this Debt Settlement.

The Debt Settlement was unanimously approved by the Company's board of directors with the exception of Mr. Saxton, who has disclosed his interest in the Debt Settlement and abstained from consideration or approval of matters relating to the Debt Settlement.

All securities issued or issuable under the Debt Settlement are subject to a four month hold period expiring on October 28, 2023.

The Company expects that the proposed Debt Settlement and Debt Reorganization will assist the Company in preserving its current cash for working capital and seeking new financing opportunities in order to maintain its operations and advance the exploration, permitting and development of the Company's Pine Grove project in Nevada, its Shawinigan Lake project in Quebec, and the acquisition of other projects.

About Lincoln

Lincoln Gold Mining Inc. is an advanced-stage gold mine exploration and development company holding a 100% interest in the Pine Grove Gold Project, in the Walker Lane structural zone of western Nevada. The Company has prepared a preliminary economic assessment of the Pine Grove Gold Project pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Lincoln is working with the USFS to secure the permits necessary to develop the Pine Grove Gold Project into a low-cost, open pit, heap leach operation with a high-grade gravity circuit.

Lincoln also has an option on the Shawinigan Lake nickel, copper and cobalt project in Quebec.

Lincoln holds its interest in the Pine Grove project through its wholly owned subsidiary Lincoln Resource Group Corp., a Nevada corporation.

For more information, please contact Paul Saxton, President and CEO of the Company.

On behalf of Lincoln Gold Mining Inc.

Paul Saxton

President and CEO, Lincoln Gold Mining Inc.

Tel: (604) 688-7377

Email: saxton @ lincolnmining.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 Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the effective date of the Consolidation, the number of common shares outstanding following the Consolidation, the treatment of fractional shares in the Consolidation, measures to be taken by shareholders regarding post-consolidated common shares and other statements relating to the Consolidation 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 release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include those relating to the Company's ability to complete the Consolidation, the Company not being able to obtain the Exchange's final confirmation of the Consolidation, the number of post-Consolidation common shares being different from the number set out herein and the treatment of fractional shares in the Consolidation being different from what is set out herein and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

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, without limitation, the Company not being able to obtain the Exchange's final confirmation of the Consolidation. 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 not update or revise publicly any of the included forward- looking statements unless as expressly required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Lincoln Gold Mining Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/764045/Lincoln-Gold-Debt-Settlement-Approved


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep and Chrysler, is launching a new business unit focused on charging and energy management solutions.



The unit will oversee a service called Free2move Charge, which will cover a range of offerings from home charging wall boxes to the aggregation of public charging networks.



The announcement stated that the new service aims to meet the needs of electric vehicle customers at home, in business settings, and on-the-go. Additional announcements from the business unit are expected in the coming months.



Ricardo Stamatti, Stellantis Senior Vice President of Charging and Energy, emphasized the company's goal of providing as many charge points as possible to customers.



He mentioned the plan to offer electrified vehicle customers access to a wider range of charging options, starting in North America and Europe. While other automakers such as General Motors, Tesla, and Volkswagen have their own divisions dedicated to charging infrastructure, Stamatti noted that Stellantis has a unique approach.



He suggested viewing the new unit through the lens of Mopar, a separate division of Stellantis focused on parts and accessories. Stamatti highlighted the alignment among automakers in recognizing the importance of charging needs and offerings.



Stamatti clarified that the new business unit, despite sharing part of its name with the company's car-sharing and mobility service, Free2move, remains a separate entity. During a media roundtable discussion, reporters inquired about Stellantis adopting the Tesla charging connector, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS). While there was no specific news regarding this matter, Stamatti mentioned a 'pending NACS announcement.' The transition to the NACS by various automakers is expected to expand the public charging network, potentially addressing one of the perceived barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption.



While Stellantis plans to introduce several fully electric vehicles in the coming years, Stamatti emphasized that customers would initially benefit from the new business unit through the company's plug-in hybrid electric models. He mentioned the popularity of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which is currently the most popular plug-in model in the United States according to Stellantis.



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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
Leading Omani budget carrier SalamAir is set to boost its services to the northern emirate of Fujairah, with four flights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting from July 12.



Fujairah is the latest addition to SalamAir's growing list of destinations, offering travelers an exciting new opportunity to experience the unique culture, history, and natural beauty of the UAE, reported Emirates News Agency WAM.



The launch of this new destination comes in response to the rising demand for economical and practical air travel options among both leisure and business travelers.



With the latest addition of Fujairah, SalamAir now serves a total of 39 destinations across 13 countries, making it one of the region's fastest-growing value-for-money airlines.



The new destinations through Fujairah Airport and Muscat International Airport include several cities, namely Riyadh, Shiraz, Tehran, Trabzon, Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Dhaka, Chittagong, Colombo, Jaipur, Karachi, Salalah, Muscat, Kathmandu, Lucknow, Sialkot and Trivandrum.



Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said: The introduction of Fujairah to our destination network is part of our strategic plan to expand our reach within the regional routes we offer. We are certain that this new route will be a popular choice for all travelers, especially given the convenient connections from Fujairah to some of our most sought-after destinations on the network, and we look forward to welcoming our guests on board our flights to and from Fujairah.



Fujairah Airport enjoys a readiness that conforms to international standards in the operations of passenger traffic, which reflects the confidence of airlines by selecting the airport as a destination for travelers through facilities, logistical services and other elements that made it proceed to achieve the desired goals in strengthening the role of the airport at the regional and international levels.



The airlines scribes describe the city as a treasure of the Arabian Peninsula with an illustrious history that extends back thousands of years.



The destination is best known for its stunning beaches, clean oceans, and rugged mountain terrain.



It is also famous for its markets and distinctive culture and heritage. Markets are packed with spices and textiles. There is also a thriving trade in gold and jewellery in the citys busy marketplaces. The Fujairah Fort and the Al-Bidya Mosque, the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and a tribute to the citys rich cultural past, are just two of the citys historical sites.
Speaking at India Global Forum, Leader of Labour Party outlines his approach towards India

Sir Keir Starmer: Opportunity for this to be an Indian century

Labour Government will seek serious and deep diplomatic relationship with India based on shared values of democracy and aspiration, says Starmer

Starmer says seeking open-handed, respectful, forward-looking and aspirational relationship with India.

India Global Forum's flagship event convenes key players in the UK-India partnership across politics, business, trade and culture

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Keir Starmer, Leader of the UK Opposition, used a keynote address at India Global Forum's UK-India Week to declare that Labour under his leadership will be a changed party that looks beyond the shadows of the past to collaborate with modern India.

"I have a clear message for you all today - This is a changed Labour Party. Across the board we've embraced the power of enterprise; understand that this is the only way to pay your way in the modern world. And this means that we see the Indian Community for the success story they are in 21st century Britain. Success is such an important word. In the past, I accept - Labour gave the impression we could only see the lives of people and communities who needed our support. But my Labour Party understands that what working people want in every community is success, aspiration and security."

Reflecting on India's current standing in the world, Starmer said this was an opportunity for it to be India's century. "When the history of two nations are as intertwined as ours - that can cast a long shadow. But, I don't see that shadow over today's India. I see a modern nation, a confident nation, a nation that knows, that while there are profound challenges in the world at the moment - this is, without question, a time when the stability of nations is under threat - that the opportunity is there for this to be an Indian century, with India shining as the biggest democracy and a huge contributor to global growth and prosperity."

Calling for a new approach towards India, the Labour Leader said, "The challenge, as I see it now, is for Britain to step out of the shadows in its mind, to cast aside the entitlement of history and deepen our relationship with the real India, the modern India, the future India."

On asked about the occasionally challenging relationship between Labour and India in the past, Starmer responded saying, "There are lots of issues in the Labour Party where over the past two years we have openly taken the decision to change our party, to look out to the world in a different way, and to recognise when it comes to India what an incredible, powerful, important country India is, and modern India is going forward, and ensure we have the right relationship going forwards."

Welcoming Starmer to India Global Forum, Founder and Chairman, Manoj Ladwa said, "Whilst British politicians will vigorously seek out every vote, the relationship with India is now of national strategic importance. We cannot and must not allow it to be held hostage to the vagaries of domestic politics."

Encompassing 12 marquee events with 150 speakers and 2,000+ participants, 'UK-India Week 2023' brings together business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India and the UK to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between the two countries. UK-India Week 2023, described as a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, runs until 30 June 2023.

For highlights from the day, a list of Speakers, and programme details, click here

About India Global Forum

IGF is the agenda-setting forum for international business and global leaders. It offers a selection of platforms that international corporates and policymakers can leverage to interact with stakeholders in their sectors and geographies of strategic importance. Find out more here

Social Media Handles & Hashtag

Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa

LinkedIn: India Global Forum

UKIndiaWeek

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LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame has announced that it will induct Michter's President Joseph J. Magliocco on September 13th, 2023.

A native New Yorker who later adopted Louisville as his second home, Magliocco initially fell in love with Kentucky bourbon while bartending during college at Yale, where he was a Religious Studies major. After earning a JD from Harvard Law School, during which time he spent summers selling Kentucky bourbon and other spirits, Magliocco embarked on a full-time career in the spirits and wine business. One of his first industry jobs was at a distributor, where he reported to the company's President R.C Wells, the former President of Four Roses.

Magliocco subsequently led the effort to develop Chatham Imports, the Manhattan-based spirits and wine supplier and eventual parent company of Michter's Distillery. During the 1990s, a challenging period for the American whiskey industry, Magliocco teamed up with his mentor and adviser Richard Newman, the former President of Austin Nichols, to enter the bourbon business, which they both viewed as being only temporarily out of favor. While selling the brand during a summer job, Magliocco had grown familiar with Michter's, a Pennsylvania-based whiskey company with a legacy stretching from the founding of a predecessor in 1753 until its bankruptcy in 1989. After the Michter's brand name went abandoned, Magliocco spearheaded Chatham's acquisition of the Michter's trademark in the 1990s for $245 and set out to restart the historic brand with whiskey made in Kentucky, which he considered the best place in the world for bourbon.

Magliocco has played a role in the resurgence of American whiskey. "There is no one who believes more in the potential of the Kentucky bourbon category," stated Michter's Master Distiller Dan McKee. "I know I speak for our entire team when I say we are grateful for Joe's unwavering support, which has enabled us to make decisions that prioritize making the highest quality whiskey every step of the way." Michter's Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson added, "Joe's contributions will have a lasting impact on the Kentucky Bourbon industry and on how American whiskey is perceived around the world."

Over the years, the Louisville-based Michter's team assembled by Magliocco has made progress with the brand, which is now sold in all 50 United States and over 60 export markets. In its present form, Michter's has two Louisville distilleries - Michter's Shively Distillery and Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery - as well as a 205-acre farm and operations hub in Springfield, Kentucky. Magliocco joins Andrea Wilson, Michter's Master of Maturation and Chief Operating Officer, as Michter's second Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member.

"Kentucky bourbon has thrived and reached its current level of success because of all the great people working in all the positions in our industry. I am humbled and deeply honored to be included among this year's extraordinary inductees into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame," remarked Magliocco.

Magliocco actively volunteers with schools and not-for-profit organizations. An Associate Fellow at Yale University's Benjamin Franklin College, Magliocco serves as a trustee of The Frazier History Museum and The Fresh Air Fund, as well as a member of the Harvard Law School Dean's Advisory Board. Magliocco splits his time between Louisville and New York. He works at Michter's with a team that includes his son Matt Magliocco and his niece Katharine Magliocco.

For more information, please visit www.michters.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Contact: Lillie Pierson

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has unveiled a series of safety features aimed at safeguarding teenagers who use its apps and helping them manage their time more effectively on the platforms. The most significant announcement involves the introduction of parental supervision tools for Messenger. Parents and guardians will now have access to information such as the amount of time their teens spend on Messenger, updates to their contacts list and privacy settings, and details about who can message them and view their Messenger stories.



Alongside Messenger, Meta is also developing features to restrict who can send direct messages on Instagram. Users will need to send an invite and obtain permission from others before initiating direct messages on the platform. Only one invite can be sent at a time, and users must wait until the invitation is accepted before sending another. It's important to note that invites will be limited to text, preventing the inclusion of images, videos, or voice messages and calls.



In addition to the new Messenger and Instagram tools, Meta has announced enhanced supervision features for Instagram. When teens block someone, they will receive a notice encouraging them to add their parents for account supervision. Although it may be unlikely that many teens will opt for this option, it provides an additional layer of protection. Moreover, parents will have visibility into the number of mutual friends their teens have with the accounts they follow and are followed by, enabling a better understanding of their kids' relationships with other users.



These announcements come shortly after a Wall Street Journal investigation uncovered instances where Instagram's recommendation systems facilitated connections related to the sharing of illicit material involving minors. In response, Meta disabled thousands of hashtags and dismantled 27 networks associated with such content over the past two years.



While Meta's apps have a minimum age requirement of 13, the company acknowledges that children can find ways to bypass these restrictions. In addition to the safety features, Meta has implemented measures to encourage healthier usage patterns among teens. After spending 20 minutes on Facebook, teens will receive a notification urging them to take a break from the app. Meta is also considering implementing a notification that reminds teens to close Instagram when scrolling through Reels at night.



The social media industry is facing increased scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators regarding the impact of social media on teenagers. In May, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory highlighting the effects of social media use on young users. In the same month, the Biden administration established a task force dedicated to examining the influence of social media on children. Meta faced additional scrutiny in 2021 when Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen revealed internal documents indicating that the company was aware of the negative impact Instagram had on teen girls.



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NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Facts and Factors study, the global industrial robotics market size was nearly $27.11 billion in 2022 and is set to increase to about $60.57 billion by 2030 along with securing the highest CAGR of 10.7% from 2023 to 2030.

Report Link with All Related Graphs & Charts: https://www.fnfresearch.com/industrial-robotics-market

Industrial Robotics Market: Overview

Industrial robotics is referred to as robotic arms with sensors and controllers that have the ability to carry out a spectrum of operations in manufacturing units. Moreover, robots which make use of robotic arms are programmable, automated, and can move on three as well as more than three axes. For the record, the key industrial robotic applications include assembly, welding, painting, palletizing, product inspection & testing, and packaging & labeling.

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Key Insights:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global industrial robotics market is projected to expand annually at the annual growth rate of around 10.7% over the forecast timespan (2023-2030)

In terms of revenue, the global industrial robotics market size was evaluated at nearly $27.11 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $60.57 billion by 2030.

The global industrial robotics market is anticipated to record massive growth over the forecast period owing to the rise in the Industrial 4.0 revolution has boosted the application of robotics & smart manufacturing in the industrial sector.

Based on the component, the robot accessories segment is predicted to contribute majorly towards the global market share over the forecast timeline.

In terms of application, the handling segment is projected to record the highest CAGR over 2023-2030.

Based on the end-use industry, the electrical & electronics segment is slated to dominate the segmental surge over the forecast period.

Region-wise, the Middle East & African industrial robotics market is projected to register the highest CAGR during the assessment period.

Facts and Factors published the latest report titled "Industrial Robotics (ECM) Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis Report By Solutions (Document Management, eDiscovery, Web Content Management, and Digital Asset Management), By Deployment (Cloud and On-Premise), By Enterprise Size (SMEs and Large Enterprises), By Industry Vertical (BFSI, IT & Telecom, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Consumer Goods & Retail, Government, and Transportation & Logistics), and By Region - Global and Regional Industry Insights, Overview, Comprehensive Analysis, Trends, Statistical Research, Market Intelligence, Historical Data and Forecast 2023 - 2030" into their research database.

Industry Dynamics:

Global Industrial Robotics Market: Growth Drivers

The need for increasing production capacities will boost the demand for industrial robotics in a slew of sectors.

Growing demand for SCARA and collaborative robots will drive the growth of the industrial robotics market across the globe. The massive need for expanding their production capacities has increased the penetration of industrial robots in manufacturing firms, thereby driving global market trends. Escalating trend of autonomous vehicles has led to humungous demand for industrial robots, thereby steering the expansion of the global market.

With the embedding of AI tools in industrial robots, the market for industrial robotics is predicted to gain momentum in the upcoming years. The launching of 5G networks will further proliferate the market growth globally in the years ahead. The surge in labor charges has led to demand for industrial robots in factories. Citing an instance, in October 2022, labor costs in the U.S. increased manifold.

Nevertheless, the growing need for allocating huge funds for deploying industrial robots can put brakes on the global industrial robotics industry demand. However, the evolution of Industry 5.0 is likely to generate new avenues of growth for the global industry. This, in turn, will nullify the negative impact of hindrances on global industry expansion.

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Global Industrial Robotics Market: Segmentation

The global industrial robotics market is divided into type, application, component, end-use industry, and region.

The component segment of the industrial robotics market is sub-segmented into robot arms, robot accessories, and robotic hardware segments. Furthermore, the robot accessories segment, which contributed over half of the global market share in 2022, is predicted to continue leading the segment in the coming years.

The growth of the segment in the next eight years can be subject to humungous demand for robot accessories enabling long-term productivity. In the last quarter of 2022, Neato Robotics, the Silicon Valley-based customer robotics firm, declared a new initiative "Customize Your Clean" that includes Neato fragrance pods and Neato D-series smart robot vacuum filters.

In terms of application, the industrial robotics industry across the globe is segmented into assembling & disassembling, processing, handling, dispensing, and welding & soldering segments. Moreover, the processing segment, which contributed majorly towards the segmental growth in 2022, is anticipated to record the fastest CAGR in the ensuing years. The segmental growth over the forecast timeframe can be due to growing demand for reducing the number of errors in painting and cutting procedures.

On the basis of the end-use industry, the industrial robotics market globally is bifurcated into automotive, electrical & electronics, metals & machinery, food & beverages, optics, precision engineering, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics & rubbers, and chemicals segments.

Moreover, the chemicals segment, which accounted for a major share of the global market in 2022, is anticipated to establish its dominant status even in the ensuing years. The segmental surge can be owing to the necessity of maintaining consistency in tasks including testing and measurement.

Apart from this, industrial robots can easily handle toxic chemicals without any human intervention, thereby preventing health hazards for humans. For instance, in the second half of 2022, Hibot Corporation made use of a float arm robot for inspecting pipelines at the Mitsui Chemical unit in Japan.

Recent Developments:

In the first half of 2022, ABB Limited, a Swiss-based firm, launched the next-gen of flexible automation products under the new OmniVanceTM brand. The move will boost the demand for industrial robotics across Europe.

ABB Limited, a Swiss-based firm, launched the next-gen of flexible automation products under the new OmniVanceTM brand. The move will boost the demand for industrial robotics across Europe. In the first quarter of 2022 , Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a Japanese firm manufacturing industrial robots, acquired a stake in Doolim-Yaskawa Company Limited for expanding its business in robotic painting and sealing systems.

, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, a Japanese firm manufacturing industrial robots, acquired a stake in Doolim-Yaskawa Company Limited for expanding its business in robotic painting and sealing systems. In the first half of 2022, FANUC launched new kinds of collaborative robots, thereby expanding its current product portfolio. The move will provide impetus to the growth of the industrial robotics business globally.

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List of Key Players in Industrial Robotics Market:

KUKA AG

ABB Ltd.

Comau SpA

Fanuc Corporation

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp.

Yaskawa Electric Corporation

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

Denso Corporation

Omron Corporation

Others

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Industrial Robotics Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Industrial Robotics Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Industrial Robotics Market Industry?

What segments does the Industrial Robotics Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Industrial Robotics Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2022 USD 27.11 Billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 60.57 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 10.7% 2023-2030 Base Year 2022 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Segments Covered By Type, Component, Application, End-Use Industry, and Region Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered KUKA AG, ABB Ltd., Comau SpA, Fanuc Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp., Yaskawa Electric Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Denso Corporation, Omron Corporation, and others. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.fnfresearch.com/customization/industrial-robotics-market

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Regional Dominance:

Asia-Pacific Industrial Robotics market to establish a dominant status over the forecast timeline.

Asia-Pacific, which garnered more than half of the global industrial robotics market revenue in 2022, is anticipated to record humungous growth during the projected timeline. The regional market expansion over 2023-2030 can be subject to a rise in the number of end-use industries in the countries such as India, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan. Apart from this, the rise in demand for AI and automation will embellish the growth of the regional market.

Furthermore, the industrial robotics industry in the Middle East & Africa is predicted to record the highest CAGR in the anticipated timeframe. The factors that are likely to impact the growth of the regional industry are favorable government initiatives toward the use of industrial robotics.

For instance, in the third quarter of 2022, the government of UAE introduced the Dubai Robotics and Automation program and this initiative will boost the demand for industrial robotics in the country. As per the program, the government will offer nearly 2 lac robots to industrial & logistics sectors for enhancing their manufacturing capacities.

Global Industrial Robotics Market is segmented as follows:

Industrial Robotics Market: By Type Outlook (2023-2030)

Traditional Robots

Collaborative Robots

Industrial Robotics Market: By Component Outlook (2023-2030)

Robot Arm

Robot Accessories

Robotic Hardware

Industrial Robotics Market: By Application Size Outlook (2023-2030)

Assembling & Disassembling

Processing

Handling

Dispensing

Welding & Soldering

Industrial Robotics Market: By End-Use Industry Outlook (2023-2030)

Automotive

Electrical & Electronics

Metals & Machinery

Food & Beverages

Optics

Precision Engineering

Cosmetics

Pharmaceuticals

Plastics & Rubbers

Chemicals

Industrial Robotics Market: By Region Outlook (2023-2030)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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Browse Other Related Research Reports from Facts and Factors

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Market : According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global enterprise content management (ECM) market size was evaluated at $11.04 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $30.07 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 14.4% between 2023 and 2030.

According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global enterprise content management (ECM) market size was evaluated at $11.04 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $30.07 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 14.4% between 2023 and 2030. Industrial Robotics Market : According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global industrial robotics market size was evaluated at $27.11 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $60.57 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 10.7% between 2023 and 2030.

According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global industrial robotics market size was evaluated at $27.11 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $60.57 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 10.7% between 2023 and 2030. Mobile Gaming Market : According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global mobile gaming market size was worth around USD 108.15 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 339.45 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 13.55% between 2023 and 2030.

According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global mobile gaming market size was worth around USD 108.15 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 339.45 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 13.55% between 2023 and 2030. Speech and Voice Recognition Market : According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global speech and voice recognition market size was evaluated at $17.18 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $54.70 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 14.10% between 2023 and 2030.

According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global speech and voice recognition market size was evaluated at $17.18 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $54.70 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 14.10% between 2023 and 2030. SCADA Market: According to the report published by Facts & Factors, the global SCADA market size was evaluated at $9.9 billion in 2022 and is slated to hit $16.3 billion by the end of 2030 with a CAGR of nearly 7.9% between 2023 and 2030.

Browse through Facts and Factors's coverage of the Global Technology & Media Industry

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Interra Copper Corp. (CSE: IMCX) (OTCQB: IMIMF) (FSE: 3MX) ("Interra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that was held on June 27, 2023 (the "Meeting"). Shareholders were asked to vote on several items of business as described in the Company's Management Information Circular dated May 23, 2023 (the "Circular"), and all proposals put forward to the Company's shareholders were approved. A total of 3,748,261 Common shares representing approximately 16.77% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares were voted in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

Shareholders fixed the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at six (6) and elected incumbent directors Chris Buncic, Rick Gittleman and Jason Nickel as well as new directors Mike Ciricillo, Dr. Mark Cruise, and Rich Levielle. At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors, Paul Robertson was appointed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

Chris Buncic, President, CEO and a Director of Interra Copper, commented, "We are excited to welcome Mike, Mark and Rich to Interra's Board of Directors as we chart our course for growth for the Company. Their combined technical experience is unparalled among the leadership teams of junior exploration and development companies, and we expect great things to come for our business. Paul has been working with the Chilean team since inception and has a valuable experience in Latin America, and we look forward to continuing our work with him."

Mike Ciricillo is a mining executive with over 30 years of operational and project experience, having lived and worked on 5 continents over the span of his career. Mike began his career in 1991 at INCO Ltd in Canada and later joined Phelps Dodge in 1995 which was acquired by Freeport-McMoRan. There he served in positions of increasing responsibility in the United States, Chile, The Netherlands, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the DRC, Mike served as President of Freeport McMoRan Africa and spent 5 years at Tenke Fungurume from the construction phase into the operations phase. Mike then joined Glencore in 2014 as Head of Copper Operations in Peru, followed by the role of Head of Copper Smelting Operations, and eventually, he was placed in the role as Head of Glencore's Worldwide Copper Assets. He is currently President of the Natural Resources Sector for the NANA Corporation in Alaska.

Dr. Mark Cruise, PGeo, ICD.D is a professional geologist with over 27 years of international exploration and mining experience. A former polymetallic commodity specialist with Anglo American plc, Dr. Cruise founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Trevali Mining Corporation. Under his leadership, from 2008 to 2019, the company grew from an initial discovery into a global zinc producer with operations in the Americas and Africa. He has previously served as Vice President Business Development and Exploration, COO and CEO for several TSX, TSX-Venture and NYSE-Americas listed exploration and development Companies.

Rich Leveille has a lifetime's worth of experience in the mining sector, having grown up in major copper camps in the western US where his father worked for Kennecott. He has a B.S. Geology from the University of Utah and an M.S. in geology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He worked for a progression of companies including AMAX, Kennecott, Rio Tinto, Phelps Dodge and Freeport-McMoRan in the US and internationally, where he was directly involved with and/or managed teams that made several major discoveries. His last corporate position was Sr VP Exploration for Freeport-McMoRan, based in Phoenix. Mr. Leveille retired in September 2017 and has devoted his time since then to hiking, backpacking, fishing, writing, advocacy for immigrants and geological consulting.

Paul Robertson, CPA, CA is the founding partner of Quantum Advisory LLP and has over 20 years of accounting, auditing, and tax experience. He has developed extensive experience in the mining sector and provides financial reporting, regulatory compliance, internal controls and taxation advisory services to a number of junior resource companies.

Interra would also like to thank David McAdam, Scott Young, and Oliver Foeste for their past services to the Company and wishes them well in their future pursuits.

At the Meeting, shareholders also supported the re-appointment of D&H Group LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.

About Interra Copper Corp.

Interra Copper Corp. is focused on building shareholder value through the exploration and development of its portfolio of highly prospective/early-stage exploration copper assets located in Chile and Northern British Columbia.

The Company's portfolio includes three copper projects located the Central Volcanic Zone, within a prolific Chilean Copper belt: Tres Marias and Zenaida in Antofagasta Region, and Pitbull in Tarapaca Region. The Company now holds a significant land package covering an area of 20,050 ha with the projects situated amongst several of the world's largest mines owned by the largest global mining companies including Glencore, Anglo American, Teck Resources and BHP among others. The Company also owns two exploration projects in Northern British Columbia: Thane and Chuck Creek. The Thane Project is located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC and spans over 20,658 ha with 6 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization.

Interra Copper's leadership team is comprised of senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Interra Copper is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which we operate. The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol "IMCX". For more information on Interra Copper, please visit our website at www.interracoppercorp.com.

On behalf of the Board and Interra Copper Corp.

Chris Buncic

President & CEO, Director

For further information

Katherine Pryde

Investor Relations Contact

investors@interracoppercorp.com

Twitter

LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Information

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration on the Company's Tres Marias Copper Project, and the potential results of exploration work on the project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171514
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has lost faith in Crown Indigenous Relations Minister Marc Miller after years of ignoring and excluding hundreds of thousands of off-Reserve, non-status, Metis and Southern Labrador Inuit Indigenous people. The Congress believes these acts and policies can only be remedied with the removal of Marc Miller, with hopes of a replacement with compassion and a clear understanding of the Indigenous reality in Canada.

"CAP has spent 52 years advocating for our People and fighting assimilation, yet the Trudeau government is dead set on ignoring the needs of urban and rural Indigenous people - a policy of partisanship and division," says CAP National Chief Elmer St. Pierre. "The government's own statistics clearly show the majority of Indigenous people now live off-Reserve and in urban and rural areas. Despite their growing needs, Indigenous people living in cities and rural areas struggle to find the same supports as those living on-Reserve or in northern settlements."

In recent months, Marc Miller has decided to exclude CAP and urban Indigenous voices from the proposed National Reconciliation Council and Canada's UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Right's of Indigenous Peoples) Action Plan. And furthermore, on National Indigenous Peoples Day when unveiling the action plan and intentionally excluding CAP, Minister Miller decided to credit another National Indigenous Organization for the historic CAP/Daniels Case that affirmed the rights of off-Reserve Indigenous Peoples and the federal government's responsibility.

"Those comments were not just an insult to former CAP leader Harry Daniels who spearheaded the 17 year long legal battle, but an insult to the hundreds of thousands of Indigenous Peoples who still lack the support of the federal government," says CAP National Vice-Chief Kim Beaudin. "Whether the comment was an insult or lack of knowledge, the Minister has consistently displayed his intentions to dismiss our People and divide our communities based on where they live. He must step down and allow for new leadership that will approach our issues in an inclusive way. Life is not getting better for our people and serious change is needed."

CAP is profoundly disappointed with, and concerned about Canada's current Crown Indigenous Relations Minister, and hopes the government will recognize its missteps and faults in recognizing our People. Reconciliation must start with inclusion - not exclusion.

-30-

For media inquiries contact:

Nigel Newlove

Director of Media Relations

n.newlove@abo-peoples.org

613-286-9828

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is the national voice representing the interests of Metis, status and non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous People living off-reserve. Today, over 70% of Indigenous people live off-reserve.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171522
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CTN) ("Centurion", or the "Company") wishes to report that its private placement financing is being extended by up to 30 days.

As previously announced, the Company is arranging a non-brokered private placement financing for up to $750,000 priced at $0.02. Up to $600,000 will consist of a Unit offering comprising one common share and one-half share purchase warrant. Each full warrant shall have a term of 24 months commencing on the Closing Date and shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.05 during the first year and $0.10 during the second year. Up to $150,000 will consist of a Flow-through share only.

A minimum of 25% of the proceeds from the financing shall be used for property payments and furthering exploration activities on the Project, up to 15% for non-arm's length payments and 10% for corporate communications. The balance shall be used for working capital and general corporate activities. Centurion has received commitments for approximately 40% of the total financing to date. Closing will be subject to TSX-V approval, and any shares issued will be subject to a four-month hold period.

Casa Berardi West Gold Project:

Centurion executed a previously announced Option Agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Casa Berardi West Gold Project (the "Project"). The Project consists of 3 claim groups comprising a total of 4,700 hectares, strategically located northeast of Cochrane, Ontario, Canada in the mineral endowed central north Abitibi greenstone belt.

Highlights:

Historical exploration includes more than 70 RC drill holes returning encouraging results that include 18 samples greater than 1,000 ppb (1 g/t) gold and the highest returning 38,000 ppb (38g/t) gold; Situated along structural corridors hosting world-class discoveries, operating mines, and significant past-producing operations; Located near historical production from Normetal Mines as well as currently active, Amex Exploration Inc. which is undertaking one of the largest drilling programs in Canada on its Perron project. (Amex Exploration Highlights Accomplishments From 2022 And Reviews Exploration Plans for 2023); Excellent access and infrastructure.

An NI 43-101 Technical Report outlining the Project's historical activities has been completed and can be found on the Company's website. Project overview link (Casa Berardi West - Centurion Minerals Ltd)

Centurion has received conditional approval from the TSXV for this property transaction and subject final approval, immediate exploration efforts will be focused on: (i) compilation of all historical data; (ii) ground geophysics over priority targets; and (iii) an initial drill program covering identified targets.

Qualified Person

Mike Kilbourne, P. Geo, an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Centurion Minerals Ltd.

Centurion Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based company with a focus on mineral asset exploration and development in the Americas. Centurion has executed an Option Agreement enabling it to earn a 100% interest in the Casa Berardi West Gold Project which is located in the prolific gold-producing, greenstone belt of the central Abitibi Subprovince of north-eastern Ontario. The Agreement has received conditional Exchange approval.

"David G. Tafel"

President and CEO

For Further Information Contact:

David Tafel

604-484-2161

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the timing of final approval of the Project; the timing, terms and completion of any proposed private placement; the expected use of proceeds from the financing; the Company's undertaking of initial exploration on the Project; and the Company's intention to exercise its option to purchase a 100% interest in the Project.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company will not receive final approval on the Property acquisition; that the Company will not obtain the requisite approvals, to complete the proposed private placement; the inability of the Company to raise capital on acceptable terms, or at all; unanticipated costs; adverse changes in legislation; that the Company will not undertake initial exploration on the Project within the timeframe anticipated or at all; market uncertainty; that the Company's operations, business, personnel or financial condition is adversely impacted by COVID-19 or the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe; and the risk that Company is not able to exercise its option to purchase a 100% interest in the Project.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation; that the Company will receive all requisite approvals on the Property acquisition, and the proposed private placement; that the Company will be able to raise capital on acceptable terms; that the Company will undertake exploration on the Project, as anticipated; that the Company will retain the key personnel required to complete its business objectives; that there will be no adverse changes in legislation; and that the Company will have the resources required to exercise its option to acquire the Project.

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 or forward-looking information disclosed herein, except in accordance with applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171545
During the annual Google I/O developer conference, the tech giant showcased its vision for the future of Google Search and generative artificial intelligence (AI).

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / As Zib Digital, the leading SEO agency Brisbane-wide explains, the introduction of AI to Google will see the search results page undergo a major transformation. Unlike Microsoft Bing, which completely replaces the search results page with a messaging system, Google has opted to integrate AI-generated answers into the existing layout while retaining the list of blue links. The result is what Google refers to as an "AI-powered snapshot" that appears at the top of the search results page.

Zib Digital

Zib Digital

According to Zib Digital, this snapshot provides users with a concise summary generated by AI, complete with relevant links to corroborate the information presented. It offers a list of potential follow-up questions to further explore the topic. Users also have the option to view the snapshot broken down into individual sentences, with links to the specific sources for each piece of information.

While traditional search results in the form of blue links still exist, they now appear below the snapshot. However, Zib Digital points out that as the majority of users do not scroll beyond the top three results, the era of plain blue links may be drawing to a close.

The premier digital marketing agency Brisbane-wide explains the introduction of AI-generated search results does not mark the end of advertisements. As Google derives around 80 percent of its revenue from ads, they will continue to be a part of the new experience. Ads will appear beneath the AI snapshot, clearly labeled as "sponsored." Google aims to refine the ad experience and provide advertisers with highly targeted placements based on improved AI capabilities.

The implications of AI-generated search results are significant, says Zib Digital. Users may no longer need to carefully phrase their search terms or conduct multiple searches to find relevant information. Instead, AI will interpret user intent and provide meaningful results.

While the trial is currently limited to the United States, it provides a sneak peek into what's in store for Google Search users in Australia.

To learn more from the leaders in SEO Brisbane-wide, contact Zib Digital.

About Zib Digital

Zib Digital is a leading digital marketing agency in Australia and New Zealand. With a team of experts specializing in SEO, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing and email marketing, Zib Digital empowers businesses to maximize their online presence and drive sustainable growth.

Contact Information

Zib Digital

Manager

(03) 8685 9290

SOURCE: Zib Digital

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763640/Zib-Digital-Explains-What-to-Expect-from-Googles-AI-Generated-Search-Results-Experiment
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Just Kitchen Holdings Corp. (TSXV: JK) (FSE: 68Z) ("JustKitchen" or the "Company"), an operator of ghost kitchens specializing in the development of delivery-only food brands for customers, announces, further to the Company's press release dated May 23, 2023, that it has entered into an amended and restated arrangement agreement (the "A&R Arrangement Agreement"), effective as of the date hereof, which amends and restates the previously announced arrangement agreement dated May 19, 2023 (the "Original Arrangement Agreement") among the Company, JustKitchen Co. Ltd. ("JK Taiwan"), the Company's wholly-owned Taiwanese subsidiary, and JF Investment Co., Ltd. (the "Purchaser"), pursuant to which the Purchaser will acquire (the "Transaction") all of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

Since the execution of the Original Arrangement Agreement, the Company has continued consultation with its advisors in Taiwan, which have advised the Company that the receipt of approval by the Ministry of Economic Affairs Investment Commission (the "Taiwan Investment Commission") for the Transaction, as described in the Original Arrangement Agreement, may cause closing delay. As such, the A&R Arrangement Agreement has been entered into to reflect certain revisions to the Transaction structure regarding the consideration to be received by Electing Shareholders (as defined below) in order to accommodate the requirement to receive Taiwan Investment Commission approval in a more timely manner. All other terms and conditions of the A&R Arrangement Agreement are substantially similar to those of the Original Arrangement Agreement

Pursuant to the terms of the A&R Arrangement Agreement, holders of Common Shares ("Shareholders") will be provided with the option to elect not to receive the cash consideration of CAD $0.09 for each Common Share held and instead receive shares of the Purchaser (the "Electing Shareholders") and hold such number of class A preferred shares of the Purchaser (the "Purchaser Shares") that will result in such Shareholder holding the same equity interest in the Purchaser following completion of the Transaction as the Shareholder held in the Company immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction.

Under the terms of the A&R Arrangement Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to effect a post-closing reorganization, pursuant to which all of the continuing assets of the Company will be transferred to JK Taiwan pursuant the terms and conditions of an assignment and assumption agreement to be entered into between the Company and JK Taiwan and the Purchaser Shares will be exchanged for shares of JK Taiwan ("JK Taiwan Shares"). The ownership of Purchaser Shares and JK Taiwan Shares by the Electing Shareholders must be approved by the Taiwan Investment Commission.

Further details regarding the Transaction are set out in the Company's press release dated May 23, 2023 and the A&R Arrangement Agreement, each of which will be located under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The foregoing description of the A&R Arrangement Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the A&R Arrangement Agreement.

As a result of the revised Transaction structure, the Company has postponed its annual general and special meeting of securityholders (the "Meeting") that was originally scheduled for July 26, 2023 to August 4, 2023. Additional information regarding the Transaction will be contained in a management information circular (the "Circular") that the Company will prepare, file and mail to its securityholders in connection with the Meeting. All securityholders of the Company are urged to read the Circular once available as it will contain additional important information concerning the Transaction.

ABOUT JUSTKITCHEN

Just Kitchen is primarily an operator of ghost kitchens specializing in the development and marketing of proprietary and franchised delivery only food brands for customers and businesses. The Company currently operates in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia. It has also signed an agreement that will allow JustKitchen to sell several of its proprietary food brands in Japan and it has also signed a brand swap agreement in India. Where appropriate, JustKitchen utilizes a hub-and-spoke operating model, which features advanced food preparation taking place at larger hub kitchens and final meal preparation taking place at smaller spoke kitchens located in areas with higher population densities. The Company combines this operating model with online and mobile application-based food ordering via its proprietary mobile food ordering app and other third-party ordering apps. Delivery is fulfilled by third-party delivery companies, to minimize capital investments and operating expenses and reach more customers in underserved markets. The Company's other business, JustMarket, is an e-commerce grocery delivery platform that allows customers to purchase groceries for delivery or add select grocery items to meals ordered through JustKitchen.

For more information about the Company, please visit investors.justkitchen.com. JustKitchen's final prospectus, financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, among other documents, are all available on the Company's profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. More particularly without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information regarding the anticipated timing of the Meeting and of the completion of the Transaction, and the completion of the Post-Closing Reorganization. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from JustKitchen's expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements and that the objectives, plans, strategic priorities and business outlook may not be achieved. As a result, JustKitchen cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statements will materialize, or if any of them do, what benefits JustKitchen will derive from them.

In respect of forward-looking statements and information concerning the timing of the completion of the proposed Transaction, JustKitchen has provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that it believes are reasonable at this time, including assumptions as to the ability of the parties to receive, in a timely manner, the other conditions for the completion of the Transaction, and other expectations and assumptions concerning the proposed Transaction. The anticipated dates indicated may change for a number of reasons, including the necessary regulatory, court and securityholder approvals, in the approval of the Taiwan Investment Commission, the necessity to extend the time limits for satisfying the other conditions for the completion of the proposed Transaction or the ability of the board to consider and approve, subject to compliance by JustKitchen of its obligations under the Arrangement Agreement, a superior proposal for JustKitchen. Although JustKitchen believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, that the proposed Transaction will be completed or that it will be completed on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. Accordingly, investors and others are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties inherent in the nature of the proposed Transaction include, without limitation, failure of the parties to satisfy the conditions for the completion of the Transaction; termination of the Arrangement Agreement in certain circumstances; failure to complete the Arrangement or if completion of the Arrangement is delayed, there could be an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, operating results and the price of the Common Shares; the Company is restricted from taking certain actions while the Arrangement is pending; the Company's directors and officers may have interests in the Arrangement that are different from those of Shareholders; Shareholders will no longer hold an interest in the Company following the Arrangement; Electing Shareholders will receive shares of a private entity organized under the laws of Taiwan; and the Post-Closing Reorganization may not be completed following the completion of the Transaction. Consequently, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Just Kitchen Holdings Corp.

Suite 1430, 800 West Pender Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 2V6

Jason Chen, CEO

Toll-Free: 1-855-JST-KCHN (1-855-578-5246)

E-mail: ir@justkitchen.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171519
Carthera, a Lyon and Paris, France-based developer of an ultrasound-based medical device, raised 37.5M in Series B funding.

The round was led by an undisclosed investor, alongside the European Innovation Council Fund (EICF), Panakes Partners, Relyens Innovation Sante (Turenne Sante) and Supernova Invest with its Supernova 2 fund.

The company intends to use the funds to launch a pivotal multicenter trial with its SonoCloud technology and to continue developing its clinical pipeline and technology.

Founded and led by CEO Frederic Sottilini, Carthera is a clinical-stage medtech company focused on developing ultrasound-based medical devices to treat a wide range of brain disorders. SonoCloud is an intracranial implant that temporarily opens the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) and increases the concentration of therapeutic molecules in the brain. This ultrasound-induced opening of the blood-brain barrier offers a new treatment option for a wide range of indications, including brain tumors and Alzheimers disease. It is currently in clinical trials in Europe and the United States.

Carthera is a spin-off from AP-HP Paris and Sorbonne University that leverages the inventions of Pr. Alexandre Carpentier, head neurosurgeon at AP-HP Sorbonne university, who has achieved a recognition for his developments in treating brain disorders.

FinSMEs

27/06/2023
Srinagar, June 27 (UNI) Security forces shot dead a local militant of Al-Badr in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district, police said on Tuesday.

A policeman was also injured in the initial exchange of fire.

The encounter broke days ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra which is all set to begin from July 1.

Police said an encounter erupted at Hoowra Kulgam when a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation last night following an input about militant presence.

During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, in which one J&K police personnel got injured who was subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment. The hiding terrorist was also given an opportunity to surrender, however he kept on firing on the joint forces. The fire was effectively retaliated, leading to an encounter, a police spokesman said.

He said in the ensuing encounter, a local militant linked with Al-Badr was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter.

He was identified as Adil Majeed Lone, a resident of Akbarabad Hawoora, Kulgam.

Police said incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including a Pistol with live ammunition and a grenade were recovered from the site of the encounter.

All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, police said.

UNI MJR GNK 1549/1610
Ermes Cyber Security, a Turin, Italy-based AI powered cybersecurity company, raised 3m in Series A funding.

The round, whose closing is expected for the end of the year, was led by Sinergia Venture Fund.

The company intends to use the funds to expand abroad and invest in the product, research, communication and marketing efforts.

Led by Hassan Metwalley, CEO, Ermes Cyber Security provides a real time browser security platform that reduces cyber threats exposure to a few minutes. Its solutions protect +30k users through their brwosers. The platform is used by KPMG, Carrefour, Reale Mutua, Bonelli Erede, Sol Group and supplied via TD Synnex, Attiva Evolution and Icos to over 50 partners in 4 continents.

The company has raised 4.5m to date.

FinSMEs

27/06/2023
It seems the nightmare of dealing with unruly passengers is not over for airlines yet. From peeing on co-passengers to abusing crew, commercial aircraft carriers in India have witnessed some of the worst flyers this year.

A new incident has come to light after the police said on Monday (26 June) that a male passenger travelling on a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight allegedly defecated and urinated on the floor mid-air.

According to the FIR, Ram Singh, onboard flight AIC 866 on 24 June, pooped, peed and spat in row 9 of the aircraft, reported PTI. After the flight landed, he was escorted to the local police station and a case was filed against him under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Lets take a look at how non-compliant and unruly flyers have been a headache for airlines recently.

Peeing incidents

Two peeing incidents on flights caused widespread outrage in India earlier this year. While these instances took place late last year, they hit headlines in early 2023.

On 26 November 2022, a drunk man identified as Shankar Mishra  a Mumbai businessman  urinated on a female senior citizen onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi. Although the incident took place in November, Air India filed a police complaint only on 4 January against the offender, NDTV reported citing the FIR.

Another similar incident that occurred in 2022 caused an uproar as it came to light this year. A male flyer, who was in an inebriated state, allegedly urinated on a blanket of a woman on a Paris-New Delhi Air India flight on 6 December.

In March this year, a student onboard the New York-New Delhi American Airlines flight also allegedly urinated on a fellow passenger. The accused is a student in a US university. He was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep. It somehow leaked and fell on a fellow passenger who complained to the crew, an airline source was quoted as saying by PTI at the time.

ALSO READ: Whats the punishment for urinating on co-passengers, fighting on flights?

Abusing flight attendants

Klas Erik Harald Jonas Westberg, a 63-year-old Swedish national, onboard the IndiGo 6E-1052 Bangkok-Mumbai flight was arrested by the Mumbai police on 1 April for allegedly molesting a crew member.

According to PTI, he was accused of touching a crew member inappropriately while buying food on the flight and assaulting a co-passenger.

Westberg was the eighth flyer to be arrested in India if the first three months of 2023 for unruly behaviour.

Air India deplaned a 25-year-old male passenger in April for causing physical harm to two cabin crew members onboard a Delhi-London flight.

Two drunk passengers, hailing from Maharashtra, onboard a Dubai-Mumbai IndiGo flight were arrested in March for allegedly hurling abuses at crew and co-flyers.

As per reports, they started celebrating one year of working in Dubai by opening alcohol on the flight. When co-flyers objected to the ruckus, the two abused them as well as the crew that intervened. One of them was drinking while walking down the aisle. The crew took away their bottles, a police official was quoted as saying by India TV.

In January, an Italian woman travelling from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai on a Vistara flight was booked for allegedly creating a ruckus midair.

As per media reports, the woman insisted on sitting in business class despite having an economy ticket, punched a cabin crew member, and spat on another.

Paola Perruccio, who was in an inebriated state, also removed some of her clothes, moved around in the vacant space on board and hurled abuses, reported Times of India (TOI).

Smoking, opening emergency exits

Three separate incidents of passengers smoking inside flights were reported in March.

A man was booked for allegedly smoking inside the lavatory of an Air India Kolkata-Delhi flight on 4 March. He was smoking inside lavatory when the alarm started ringing which alerted the flight crew, an official source told IANS. The Delhi ATC was informed about the incident and the passenger was handed over to Delhi Police as soon as the flight landed at IGI Airport.

A 24-year-old woman on an Indigo flight from Kolkata was arrested after the plane landed in Bengaluru for allegedly smoking in the toilet. The incident was reported by the Indian media on 9 March.

An Indian-American man flying on a Mumbai-bound Air India plane from London was booked for allegedly smoking in the toilet, abusing and trying to assault the co-passengers. A passenger on our flight AI130, operating London-Mumbai on 10 March 2023, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently, he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings. He was handed over to the security personnel upon the flights arrival in Mumbai. The regulator has been duly informed of the incident, a spokesperson for Air India was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

In May, a 28-year-old man onboard the Goa-Chandigarh IndiGo flight tried to open the emergency door of the aircraft. He was detained at Dabolim Airport for allegedly tampering with the wing cover flap and pulling the doors control handle, Indian Express reported citing police sources.

A similar incident was reported in April when a male flyer on a Delhi-Bengaluru Indigo flight tried to open the emergency door of the plane.

Rise in unruly passengers

Unruly flyer incidents increased last year as compared to 2021.

According to an analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released in June 2023, these incidents on commercial passenger flights surged globally by 37 per cent in 2022 as compared to the year before.

In 2021, airlines reported one unruly passenger incident per 835 flights, while, in 2022, this number rose to one incident per 568 flights.

The most common categorisations of incidents in 2022 were non-compliance, verbal abuse and intoxication. Physical abuse incidents remain very rare, but these had an alarming increase of 61 per cent over 2021, occurring once every 17,200 flights, PTI cited the IATA release as saying.

Smoking of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes and puff devices in the cabin or lavatories; failure to fasten seatbelts when instructed; exceeding the carry-on baggage allowance or failing to store baggage when required; and consumption of own alcohol on board were among the most common examples of non-compliance, according to the association.

IATA deputy director general Conrad Clifford expressed worry about the increasing trend of unruly passenger behaviour. In the face of rising unruly incident numbers, governments and the industry are taking more serious measures to prevent unruly passenger incidents. States are ratifying MP14 and reviewing enforcement measures, sending a clear message of deterrence by showing that they are ready to prosecute unruly behaviour, he said, as per PTI.

In April, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released an advisory for airlines underlining the existing norms to deal with unruly passengers. Indias DGCA also called for sensitising pilots, cabin crew and post holders on handling unruly passengers through appropriate means.

With inputs from agencies

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has gone on the defensive after reports emerged of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asking the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to hold a special audit into alleged irregularities and violations in the renovation of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwals official bungalow.

Hitting out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, the AAP said the move reeks of desperation as the saffron party anticipates a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

These sharp remarks come after the Union home ministry called for a CAG audit following Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxenas recommendation.

Lets take a closer look at the controversy.

Delhi LGs allegations

According to Indian Express, in a letter dated 24 May, the LG Secretariat underscored gross and prima facie financial irregularities in the reconstruction of the Delhi chief ministers official residence in the name of addition/alteration recorded in a factual report on the matter.

In the letter, the LG said that, as per the Delhi chief secretarys report, the Public Works Department (PWD) carried out deviations/violations while renovating Kejriwals Civil Lines residence, reported India Today.

The chief secretarys report alleges that in the name of renovation (addition/alteration), full-fledged construction/re-construction of a new building was carried out by the PWD.

It further says that the initial cost for construction work was between Rs 15-20 crore, but this was inflated from time-to-time to approximately Rs 53 crore.

To avoid obtaining approval from the competent authority for felling/transplantation of more than 10 trees as per the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, split approvals were taken five times, India Today cited the chief secretarys report as saying.

Delhi vigilance departments notice to PWD officers

Last week, the Vigilance Department issued a show cause notice to seven PWD engineers alleging wasteful expenditure of around Rs 53 crore on the renovation of Kejriwals government bungalow.

Citing Ministers Residences (Amendment) Rules 2007, the notice said the Delhi chief minister is eligible for residences below Type VIII accommodation. It also asked these PWD engineers to explain why the old building at 6, Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines was demolished without survey report and why no building plans were sanctioned for the new building constructed by the PWD, reported Indian Express.

According to ThePrint, the Delhi vigilance departments 12 May report to LG Saxena alleged a total of Rs 33.49 crore was spent on revamping the chief ministers house, while Rs 19.22 crore was the cost for the camp office.

These expenses include more than a crore worth of fancy modular kitchen items, designer accessories and fittings amounting to Rs 48 lakh, artistic and ornamental work costing Rs 5 crore, marble work worth Rs 2.4 crore and sauna bath and jacuzzi worth Rs 20 lakh, ThePrint reported in May.

BJP, Congress attack AAP

Referring to the show cause notice by the vigilance department to seven PWD engineers, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva claimed Kejriwals renovated bungalow is much bigger than what he is eligible for as the chief minister of a Union Territory.

We want to know who asked the PWD to carry out renovations and expansion of the CM bungalow without any proper tender and budgetary provisions.

The PWD had initially issued a proposal only for the renovation and beautification of the bungalow, but they constructed an entirely new bungalow, the Delhi BJP leader said on 20 June, as per PTI.

Earlier in April, the BJP had slammed Kejriwal over the expenses incurred on the renovation work of what they called his palace.

Arvind Kejriwal is an example of the heights of both luxury and the open loot of public money A total number of 22 TVs were bought for his palace including 13 measuring 85 inches, five of 55 inches and five of 43 inches, which together cost Rs 1.42 crore; six people, including his parents, in a house with 22 TVs installed with the publics hard-earned money, BJP leader Harish Khurana was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Dubbing Kejriwal a luxurious king at the time, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Ramvir Bidhuri demanded the chief ministers resignation. When Delhi was struggling with COVID, the CM of Delhi was spending crores on getting his house renovated. In 2013, he used to say he will neither take a house, security or official vehicle. But he ended up spending Rs 45 crore on renovation of his house, the BJP leader said, as per Indian Express.

The Opposition parties in Delhi further ramped up the political clamour with Congress training its guns at Kejriwal. In May, Congress Ajay Maken claimed the revamping of the Delhi chief ministers bungalow cost a whopping Rs 171 crore and not Rs 45 crore.

There are four buildings around Kejriwals house which house 22 officers. Since the renovation began, these flats are being vacated for the expansion of Kejriwals bungalow. Now, to accommodate the officers, the government bought 21 type-5 flats at Commonwealth Village at the cost of Rs 6 crore each. This money comes from the state exchequer and this should be added to expenditure made for the CMs bungalow, the Congress leader alleged, according to Hindustan Times (HT).

ALSO READ: Why is AAP at loggerheads with Centre over services ordinance in Delhi?

AAPs response

The AAP has repeatedly denied the accusations of financial irregularities.

In a statement today (27 June), the party attacked the Narendra Modi-led BJP government over the CAG probe. This move by the Modi government reeks of desperation as the BJP anticipates an inevitable defeat in the upcoming 2024 general elections. As far as the CAG inquiry into the reconstruction expenses of the Chief Ministers residence, it is important to note that it was already conducted last year, revealing no evidence of financial irregularities, the party said, as per PTI.

CAG inquiry into reconstruction expenses at CMs residence already conducted last year; no evidence of irregularities found: AAP  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 27, 2023

Earlier in April, AAP MP Raghav Chadha acknowledged Rs 45 crore was spent on the renovation work of the Delhi chief ministers residence but noted it was a necessary expenditure, according to a Mint report.

He said the renovation work was done following an audit by the PWD.

The AAP said the decades-old building was in a dilapidated state.

The roof of the room where Kejriwals parents were staying caved in, then the same thing happened in Kejriwals room and the room where Kejriwal meets people, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said at the time.

The AAP had also pointed to the amount spent by other governments on similar projects.

The estimate for the new Prime Ministers sprawling house alone is Rs 467 crore, while the actual cost of the Central Vista project is estimated to be Rs 20,000 crore. Further, the renovation cost of the PMs 7 RCR residence was three times the estimate. Just renovation was carried out at a whopping Rs 89 crore against an estimated cost of Rs 27 crore, the party said in a statement in April, as per Indian Express.

Repair work of Delhi LG house alone has cost Rs 15 crore in the past few months BJP is raising this non-issue only to divert attention from real issues, it further alleged.

With inputs from agencies

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Diwali, the festival of lights celebrated prominently by Hindus, will now be a public school holiday in United States New York City (NYC), Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday (26 June). The development comes after the New York Senate and Assembly voted in favour of the bill earlier this month making Diwali a public school holiday in New York City.

Im so proud to have stood with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know its a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali! the NYC Mayor said in a tweet.

Now, the bill has to be signed by Governor Kathy Hochul to add Diwali to the list of public school holidays in NYC.

As per Associated Press (AP), there are 200,000 people in New York City who observe the festival.

In April, Pennsylvania reportedly became the first US state to recognise Diwali as an official holiday.

How has the US embraced the festival of lights? Lets take a closer look.

Diwali at the White House

Diwali celebrations at the White House started under George W Bushs presidency. According to a rediff.com report from October 2003, Bushs chief political advisor Karl Rove marked the festivities by lighting a brass lamp in the Indian Treaty Room. The event was attended by some 70 members of the Indian American community.

In 2009, Barack Obama became the first US president to light a diya in the Oval Office of the White House to mark Diwali.

In a post on the White House Facebook page, the then US president wrote: I was proud to be the first President to host a Diwali celebration at the White House in 2009, and Michelle and I will never forget how the people of India welcomed us with open arms and hearts and danced with us in Mumbai on Diwali.

This year, I was honoured to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office  a lamp that symbolises how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue, news agency PTI further quoted him as saying.

The tradition was continued by Obamas successor Donald Trump who also hosted Diwali celebrations at the White House during his tenure.

Last October, the current US president Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden threw the largest Diwali celebration ever at the White House, reported NBC News.

The ongoing story of America, a story that is firmly stamped in the Indian American and South Asian American experience, thats why were here today, the US president said in his speech.

Vice President Kamala Harris, who also attended the event, shared her childhood memories of Diwali in India. I have such fond memories of celebrating Diwali as a child. Like many of you, we would go to India about every other year, avoiding monsoon season, and we would go for Diwali.  My mother would give us lit sparklers, and we would go into the streets to celebrate this very important occasion, she said last year, as per NBC News.

Bill on Diwali in US Congress

In May this year, Congresswoman from Queens, Grace Meng, introduced legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday.

If the Diwali Day Act is passed by the US Congress and gets Presidents approval, then Diwali would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in America, she said, as per PTI.

My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day, and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress, Meng said last month.

New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney hailed Meng for introducing the bill.

My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over four million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you, Rajkumar said in May.

In October 2013, the US Congress marked the first-ever Diwali celebrations, with around two dozen lawmakers and notable Indian-Americans gathering at Capitol Hill to light the traditional diyas, reported PTI.

Diwali in the US

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and even some Buddhists. Besides India, it is a significant festival in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other nations with South Asian diasporas.

With the population of Indian Americans growing since 2000, Diwali has turned into a more mainstream festival in the US, noted CNN.

According to Pew Research Center analysis in 2021, Indian Americans account for 21 per cent of the 18.9 million Asian American community.

APs 2017 article shows how Diwali celebrations have spread from Disney California Adventure Park in Californias Anaheim to Times Square in New York.

Speaking to AP at the time, Neeta Bhasin, President and CEO of Event Guru and ASB Communications  the marketing firm behind Diwali celebrations at Times Square, said that although immigrant Indians have found success in the US, still people dont know much about India. I felt its about time that we should take India to mainstream America and showcase Indias rich culture, heritage, arts and diversity to the world. And I couldnt find a better place than the center of the universe: Times Square.

Melas or fairs have also become common every year, with shops and vendors selling Diwali paraphernalia wherever there is a notable Indian American population.

We buy our diyas (oil-wick lamps), puja stuff, aarthi (prayer) books, and Indian sweets and snacks from local Indian stores, Neena Shah, a resident of Roslyn, Long Island, New York, told Quartz in 2018.

Earlier, there would be pockets (of such stores) where Indians used to live, like in Flushing or Hicksville (in New York), but now theres a Patel Brothers, an Usha Foods, or an Apna Bazaar in most places.

In Cary, North Carolina, Hum Sub, a non-profit Indian cultural organisation, has been organising one of the biggest Diwali events in the region since 2000, as per the Quartz report.

The day-long celebration held around Diwali sees performances from local community members and, also, Indian celebrities, the report added.

According to AP, the Texas city of San Antonio holds one of Americas largest city-sponsored celebrations of Diwali.

Acknowledging the rising recognition of Diwali in the US, major brands have tried to seize the opportunity through their products and advertising.

As per CNN, fireworks are available at Costco, Target has party decorations and Hallmark is selling greeting cards.

After yearslong efforts by influential Indian Americans, including lawmakers, the US postal service launched a Diwali stamp in 2016.

The growing acknowledgment of the holiday in the US is a marked shift for many first- and second-generation South Asian Americans who grew up celebrating the festival at home but rarely saw it acknowledged outside of their communities, Soni Satpathy-Singh, who runs the meal delivery review website Meal Matchmaker, was quoted as saying by CNN last year.

For the next generation

Many Indian Americans have started having big celebrations on Diwali as they want their children to continue observing the festival of lights as they grow older.

Ive tried to incorporate that much more consistently in their lives so that when they get to high school or later, theyve got that fundamental that I feel like I was missing, Radha Patel, who grew up in Maryland, told CNN in 2021. Then they can evolve and grow in their own traditions and practices moving forward in a way that makes sense to them.

She told the US-headquartered news channel that her Hindu parents did not particularly celebrate the festival of lights at home. But now that she has kids of her own, she marks Diwali with a mix of Indian and Western traditions.

The idea is were coming together as a community, Patel, who now lives in Dallas, told CNN. The fundamental part of Diwali that I want to pass on is that this is something special that our community celebrates, and I want that to be special for my children.

With inputs from agencies

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An odd calm has descended over Russia following the sudden end to an armed rebellion that presented the greatest danger to Vladimir Putins almost quarter-century rule.

The Russian president hasnt been seen in public since calling the mutiny treason and promised harsh punishment, which never came to pass.

And amid all this, there are still many unanswered questions.

What will happen to Prigozhin?

Yevgeny Prigozhins whereabouts remain unknown. He was last seen late Saturday in an SUV leaving the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, where his fighters had seized a military headquarters.

The Kremlin said Prigozhin will be allowed to leave the country for Belarus, and will not be prosecuted.

But experts say it is unclear if Prigozhin will be left in peace.

Military blogger Michael Nacke suggested that Prigozhin planned to set up base with some of his Wagner forces in Belarus and continue his operations in Africa.

However, he said that personal guarantees of Putin and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, who mediated the conflict, did not mean anything.

Prigozhin has become an extremely vulnerable target  he can be imprisoned, he can be killed and nothing will happen, Nacke told AFP.

He added that many members of the Wagner group were disappointed by the climbdown.

What will happen to Wagner?

Prigozhin attempted a mutiny after President Vladimir Putin said members of his increasingly-powerful mercenary outfit must sign contracts with the defence ministry.

They wanted to disband PMC (Private Military Company) Wagner, Prigozhin said in his last audio message when he announced he was aborting his bid to storm Moscow and topple the countrys military leadership.

The Kremlin said that members of Prigozhins outfit who did not take part in the rebellion would still be able to sign contracts with the defence ministry, while the mutinous members of Wagner will not face criminal charges given their battlefield successes in eastern Ukraine.

Wagner might be disbanded in its entirety, or absorbed, wrote Michael Kofman of the Centre for Naval Analyses, a US-based think-tank.

The Russian state had been trying to set up competing organisations and this process is likely to accelerate now.

Tatiana Stanovaya, head of political analysis firm RPolitik, added: Putin doesnt need Wagner or Prigozhin. He can manage with his own forces.

What are the consequences for Russias top commanders?

The modalities of the deal between the Kremlin and Prigozhin remain unclear.

Also Read: What the brief mutiny in Russia says about Putins hold on power

In a sign that Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will keep his post for now, on Monday television broadcast footage of him inspecting Russian troops, in his first public appearance since the mutiny.

Under pressure from the rebel, Putin will do nothing, said pro-Kremlin political observer Sergei Markov.

Rob Lee of the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute said that the insurrection made Shoigu and armed forces chief of staff Valery Gerasimov look weak.

But it also demonstrated how important it is for Putin to have loyal figures in charge of his military and security services, particularly after an armed Russian group showed that is a potential threat to him, he tweeted.

Did Prigozhin have support?

Wagners march sparked a series of questions: why was his thousands-strong convoy allowed to take over a key military headquarters in southern Russia and advance on Moscow seemingly unopposed?

Analysts pointed out that a mutiny of such scale might have taken weeks to prepare.

Some analysts said that Prigozhin would never launch a suicide mission alone.

Others said the mercenary chief acted out of desperation, and his march of justice was the only way for him to receive security guarantees as the defence ministry was about to dismantle his outfit.

Also Read: How the Wagner Group chiefs revolt could benefit Ukraine

The role of Vladimir Alekseyev, the first deputy head of the GRU, Russias military intelligence service, raised further questions. In a video address, Alekseyev said GRU had closely worked with Wagner for years as he urged them to halt their action.

Alekseyev also appeared to mock Shoigu and Gerasimov when Prigozhin told him in Rostov-on-Don that he wanted to see them. Take them away, Alekseyev said with a smile and a wave of the hand.

What effect on Russias Ukraine assault?

The Kremlin vowed that the mutiny would not affect Moscows assault on Ukraine, and some military analysts appear to agree.

After Bakhmut, the military was far less dependent on Wagner, said Kofman.

Folks often conflated Bakhmut for the entire Russian winter offensive, and Wagners role as though it was omnipresent on the front. It was quite narrow, and Wagner was not used for defence in the south.

However, in the middle of Kyivs counter-offensive, the events could have a demoralising effect on Russian soldiers, Cedric Mas, a military historian, told Franceinfo.

With inputs from AFP

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Orcas, also known as killer whales, are continuing to attack boats in Europe.

The latest example of this occurred last week in Spain when a pod of killer whales barged into a boat near the Strait of Gibraltar.

The crew, competing in The Ocean Race, said no one was injured but they were shaken up.

Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek, in a video posted on The Ocean Race website, called it a scary moment.

Twenty minutes ago, we got hit by some orcas, Beek said. Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders. Impressive to see the orcas, beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team.

But what is happening exactly? And why is this happening?

Lets take a closer look:

What is happening?

Last week, an orca rammed into a seven-ton yacht several times in Scotland near the Shetland Islands, according to The Guardian.

Retired Dutch physicist Dr Wim Rutten, who was on the vessel, said the orca repeatedly ploughed into the boats stern.

What I felt most frightening was the very loud breathing of the animal, Rutten told the newspaper.

While this is the first incident in the northern sea, the Strait of Gibraltar has seen such orcas ram into boats repeatedly.

According to CNN, the area has witnessed over 500 interactions between boats and orcas in the past three years.

According to The Telegraph, marine biologist Renaud says researchers have identified one juvenile orca in the Strait of Gibraltar as a key force behind the behaviour.

USA Today quoted the Atlantic Orca Working Group as saying the area has seen 20 such incidents last month.

In May, three orcas slammed into a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar.

There were two smaller and one larger orca, skipper Werner Schaufelberger told the German publication Yacht. The little ones shook the rudder at the back while the big one repeatedly backed up and rammed the ship with full force from the side.

Since the previous summer, killer whales have downed three boats in Southern Europe.

Scientists have also noted increasing reports of orcas, which average from 16-21 feet and weigh more than 3,600 kilograms, bumping or damaging boats off the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula in the past four years.

Veteran skipper Daniel Kriz recounts two such encounters with the animals  this April and in back 2020.

We were suddenly surprised by what felt like a bad wave from the side, Kriz told CNN about his latest encounter.

That happened twice, and the second time we realized that we had two orcas underneath the boat, biting the rudder off. They were two juveniles, and the adults were cruising around, and it seemed to me like they were monitoring that action.

Kriz was left with rudders destroyed and only his engines with which to reach the closest marina.

In 2020, the attack lasted almost an hour and was not as organized, Kriz said. This time we could hear them communicating under the boat. It only took about 10 to 15 minutes.

Live Science quoted Schaufelberger as saying the orcas were taking cues from their elders.

The two little orcas observed the bigger ones technique and, with a slight run-up, they too slammed into the boat.

Why is this happening?

Experts arent quite sure.

The two most prominent theories are that the animals are either playing or there is some trauma behind the incidents.

The Telegraph quoted de Stephanis as saying the orcas were probably seeking a massive adrenaline rush.

We think it is just a game for them, said de Stephanis said.

If two or three killer whales really attacked a yacht, they would sink it in a matter of seconds. It might feel like an attack to us humans but, without wanting to be too dismissive, a furious attack by this animal could have much worse consequences for a boat and for whoever is on board than a mere feeling of fear for a few minutes, he was quoted as telling Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Orca researcher at University of Washington Deborah Giles told Live Science, They are incredibly curious and playful animals and so this might be more of a play thing as opposed to an aggressive thing.

The other, more sensational theory, is that they are responding to some traumatic event with a boat.

According to Live Science, experts think a female orca called White Gladis suffered a critical moment of agony.

That traumatized orca is the one that started this behavior of physical contact with the boat, Alfredo Lopez Fernandez of the Atlantic Orca Working Group, told the website.

Fernandez added, The orcas are doing this on purpose, of course, we dont know the origin or the motivation, but defensive behavior based on trauma, as the origin of all this, gains more strength for us every day.

Monika Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute, told NPR, I definitely think orcas are capable of complex emotions like revenge.

I dont think we can completely rule it out.

But others like de Stephanis dismiss the revenge theory  and say its impossible to figure it out.

Dont ask me how they started it because I dont know, and I dont think anyone ever will, he told The Telegraph.

Andrew Trites, professor and director of Marine Mammal Research at the University of British Columbia, agreed.

Trites told CBS News the motive behind such attacks remains unknown.

Trites said is it possible that that are playing or reacting to some trauma.

Thankfully, the sailors were well aware of the hazard.

We knew that there was a possibility of an orca attack this leg, Team JAJO on-board reporter Brend Schuil said. So we had already spoken about what to do if the situation would occur.

Schuil said there was a call for all hands-on deck and the sails were dropped to slow the boat from a racing speed of 12 knots.

The crew made noises to scare the orcas off, but not before it had fallen from second to fourth on the leg from The Hague to Genoa.

They seemed more aggressive/playful when we were sailing at speed. Once we slowed down they also started to be less aggressive in their attacks, he said. Everyone is OK on board and the animals are also OK.

With inputs from agencies

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Its a genuine case of Phas Gaye re, Obama. The former United States presidents remarks while his good friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on American soil for his first state visit has set off a political firestorm in India.

Several Union ministers as well as BJP leaders have derided comments made by Obama, with some of them even accusing the former US president of being hypocritical. Even the former commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Johnnie Moore said that the American leader should spend his energy complimenting India more than criticising it.

During Modis state visit to the US last week, Obama in an interview to CNN said the issue of the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority-Hindu India would be worth raising in his meeting with US president Joe Biden.

Obama said that without such protection there was a strong possibility that India at some point starts pulling apart.

The former US presidents remarks were slammed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, saying: Perhaps six Muslim-dominated countries were bombed due to him (Obama). More than 26,000 bombs were dropped  from Syria and Yemen to Saudi (Arabia) and Iraq.

She added, How will people trust his allegations?

But, is Nirmala Sitharamans statement correct? Did US under Obama drop 26,000 bombs on different countries?

Obamas rain of bombs

Barack Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, but the former American leader also acknowledged that there were times when military force is necessary. In fact, he said the same when he accepted his award, saying there could be instances when war is morally justified.

The Obama administration did order airstrikes on different countries, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Iraq and Syria.

A report by the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), an American think tank specialising in US foreign policy and international relations, in 2016 revealed that the US dropped an average of 72 bombs every day  the equivalent of three an hour.

The CFR report, which came as Obama was exiting office, revealed that 26,171 bombs were dropped on Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan during the year. A similar study looking at 2015 revealed that the Obama administration had rained down a total of 23,144 bombs across countries  the maximum being 22, 110 in Iraq and Syria while fighting the Islamic State terrorists.

The report stated that these estimate were undoubtedly low, considering reliable data is only available for airstrikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya, and a single strike, according to the Pentagons definition, can involve multiple bombs or munitions.

Another news outlet, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, in a separate report had revealed that Obama in his two terms authorised 563 strikes, targeting Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. These strikes led to the death of 384 to 807 civilians.

The report published by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism added that these strikes were 10 times more than those authorised by Obamas predecessor, George W Bush. The report stated  the Democratic president authorised more strikes in his first year in office than Bush ordered during his entire presidency.

But what was the reason behind the bombs on these countries? In Afghanistan and Pakistan, Obama launched these attacks as a way to strike down Taliban militants. In Yemen, his administration significantly ramped-up the use of armed drones to take down the Al Qaeda threat.

US drones in Somalia were targeting militants associated with al Shabaab, a terrorist network that perpetrated a high-profile attack last year at a mall in Kenya. In 2014, Obama citing a humanitarian crisis and potential threats to American interests had ordered airstrikes.

At the time of his leaving the White House, several experts questioned his legacy. The Los Angeles Times, quoting Jon Alterman, a Middle East specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: The whole concept of war has changed under Obama. He got the country out of war at least as we used to see it. Were now wrapped up in all these different conflicts, at a low level and with no end in sight.

The New York Times in a 2016 report titled For Obama, an Unexpected Legacy of Two Full Terms at War wrote that the American leader had been at war longer than Bush, or any other American president. The newspaper further stated that Obama would leave behind an improbable legacy as the only president in American history to serve two complete terms with the nation at war.

Also read: Obamas bogus narrative on Muslims in India and vile targeting of Modi undermines American efforts to woo India

Rajnath Singh, others question Obama

It wasnt just Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who criticised Obamas remarks against the Modi government and the rights of Muslims in the country.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday that said that the American leader 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 Obamas 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

Questioning Obama, he said, 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.

Also read: Ilhan Omar to Barack Obama attack India with fount of propaganda, drought of facts

Union Minister Hardeep Puri also slammed the former US president for his remarks on India, saying: 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.

And BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi added, Today, all the sections of the society are developing. Today riots like 1984 are not happening in the country.

With inputs from agencies

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Pakistan is a dangerous country. Its even more unsafe for religious minorities who continue to face discrimination and are regularly targeted. There has been an increase in the attack on Sikhs in the neighbouring nation in recent months, prompting India to intervene.

The government on Monday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat to the External Affairs Ministry and lodged a strong protest over the recent attacks on the Sikh community.

There have been at least such four killings in Pakistan between April and June. The Indian government expressed its concern to the diplomat from the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.

India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate the violent attacks on the Sikh community with sincerity and share investigation reports, a source told news agency PTI.

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.

The recent attacks on Sikhs

Last week, gunmen shot and killed a Sikh man in the northwestern city of Peshawar. According to the police, the attack on Manmohan Singh, 35, appeared to be a targeted killing.

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 that it wounded another member of the community in the northwestern city a day earlier.

These are not isolated incidents. 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 the Sikh community, reports The Associated Press.

Also read: Decoding why minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan continue to face persecution



A fight for identity

Sikhs are among the smallest minority groups in Pakistan. In the countrys 2017 census report, they were listed as Others with a percentage of 0.07. However, in December 2022, the Pakistan Statistics Bureau announced that census forms will have a column for the community.

This came after a five-year court battle started by five Sikhs who filed a petition in a Peshawar court in 2017. The court ruled in their favour but no action was taken. The Supreme Court then intervened and ordered a separate column for Sikhs in the census forms.

While the move might give Pakistani Sikhs representation in institutions, it has done little to stop discrimination.

The persecution of Sikhs

Last December, Pakistan was designated as a country of particular concern under the Religious Freedom Act by the United States because of its flagrant violations. The Act mandates that countries be designated such if they are found to breach religious freedoms systematically and consistently, according to a report in the news agency ANI.

Pakistan, on paper, guarantees freedom of religion. But there is growing intolerance against minorities in the country.

The narrative that Sikhs are relatively safe in Pakistan is false. The Sikhs in the country are not mostly Punjabis  they are either Pashthuns or Sindhis. And attacks on them have become a regular affair.

There have been several targeted killings in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). From 2014 to 2022, there were at least 12 such incidents where Sikhs were attacked by extremists in Peshawar and the surrounding districts of the province.

The Sikhs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa trace their roots to the times when the region was part of Afghanistan. During British rule, Peshawar and other northwestern districts of Punjab were part of the North-Western Frontier Province, which went to Pakistan after the partition.

In 2010, it was renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the Pakistan government on demand of the Paktun population that speaks Pashto. The Pashtun Sikhs settled in the province in the districts of Kurram, Khyber and Orakzai, the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the border of Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which merged into KPK in 2018, according to a report in The Indian Express.

But as persecution of religious minorities increased they moved to cities like Peshawar, Lahore and Nankana Sahib, which they considered safer.

Most Sikhs in the region are from lower-income families and run small shops that sell groceries, spices and medicines. They consider themselves Pakistanis and live in harmony with Muslims.

There is no fear of law. Sikhs are shot dead simply because they are religious minorities. This persecution of Sikhs has to stop. Each Sikh living in Pakistan loves their country very much, we are proud of being Pakistanis but then our people are being shot dead every other day without any fear, Balbir Singh, a local gurudwara sewadar-cum-school teacher, told The Indian Express after people from the community were murdered by the Islamic States Afghanistan affiliate, dubbed Islamic State Khorasan last year.

The rise of Taliban and other terror groups in the tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa proved to be dangerous for Sikhs. In interior Sindh, religious extremism saw a rise during the regime of General Pervez Musharaff.

Many look at Sikhs as killers of Muslims, who migrated from India. It does not help that the educational curricula propagate this narrative.

Targeted killings, violence, and arson in non-Muslim neighbourhoods are common. Forced conversions and accusations of blasphemy followed by lynchings or imprisonment are the reality of Sikh minorities in the country.

The Sikh population in Pakistan is in a vulnerable state and has seen a massive decline in the last two decades amid rising cases of forced conversions and targeted attacks by Islamic outfits because of their unique religious identifications. According to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, there are just 15,000 to 20,000 Sikhs estimated to be left in Pakistan of which some 500 Sikh households are in Peshawar.

The growing demands to impose Sharia laws in the country and the rise in atrocities have made it difficult for Sikhs to survive in the country. Religious minorities are treated as second-class citizens and this community is seeing the worst of it.

With inputs from agencies

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Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday night blasted the organisers of the Wagner Groups rebellion as traitors.

This came days after the Kremlin announced that Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters would not be prosecuted.

But where is Prigozhin? And what is happening with the Wagner Group?

Lets take a closer look:

Where is Prigozhin?

According to CNN, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said he is unaware of Prigozhins whereabouts.

The Kremlin earlier said a deal had been reached to exile Prigozhin to Belarus, but details of such an agreement have not been made public.

We are talking about a rather sad and very extraordinary event. A lot of work has been done by a number of people. I repeat once again, the will of the president was demonstrated to prevent the development of events according to the worst scenario, Peskov was quoted as saying by CNN.

There were certain promises from the president, certain guarantees from the president.

But an independent Belarusian military monitoring project Belaruski Hajun said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on Tuesday morning.

Flightradar24 showed the business jet appeared in Rostov region and began a descent near Minsk, news agency Reuters reported.

Prigozhin on Monday in his first statement since the deal was reached, claimed he was not staging a coup, but simply protesting top Russian brass ineffective leadership in the Ukraine war, as per DW.

We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said on the 11-minute Telegram clip as per DW.

We went to demonstrate our protest and not to overthrow power in the country, he added.

Overnight, we have walked 780 kilometers. Two hundred-something kilometers were left to Moscow, Prigozhin said as per CNN. Not a single soldier on the ground was killed.

We regret that we were forced to strike on aircraft, he added. but these aircraft dropped bombs and launched missile strikes.

According to Mint, Prigozhin was last seen in public in an SUV on Saturday as his troops withdrew from Rostov.

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, as per DW.

Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally who brokered a deal with Prigozhin to stop the uprising, didnt immediately address Prigozhins fate in a speech Tuesday.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years, relentlessly stifling dissent and relying on Russian subsidies and political support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in a clash between Prigozhin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Their long-simmering personal feud has at times boiled over, and Prigozhin has said the revolt aimed to unseat Shoigu, not Putin.

Lukashenko framed the insurrection by Wagner as a significant threat, saying he placed Belarus armed forces on a combat footing as the mutiny unfolded.

Like Putin, he couched the Ukraine war in terms of an existential threat to Russia, saying: If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Russian authorities on Tuesday they said have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants.

The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny ceased activities directed at committing the crime, so the case would not be pursued.

But the Institute for the Study of War noted that the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

What happens next with Wagner Group?

Experts arent quite sure what happens next.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the Kremlin on Tuesday announced as per the terms of the deal the Wagner Group mercenaries have agreed to hand over their weaponry, as per Sydney Morning Herald.

Preparations are ongoing for the transfer by Wagner PMC of heavy military equipment to active units of the Armed Forces of Russia, the ministry said.

While Putin was critical of Prigozhin in his speech, he praised the work of Wagner commanders, that was likely in an effort to retain them in the Russian effort in Ukraine, because Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces the early stages of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, according to a Washington-based think-tank.

But according to NPR, it remains unclear whether the group itself will be dissolved  or what doing so could do in places like Ukraine and Africa where its mercenaries are operating.

In his speech, Putin offered Prigozhins fighters to either come under Russias Defence Ministrys command, leave service or go to Belarus.

BBC editor Ros Atkins predicted the end for Wagner Group in its current form.

Russias defence ministry has plans to centralise control of irregular forces like Wagner, Atkins said. But his mutiny failed to stop the plans.

Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder and chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator think-tank, told NPR, Its really important for us to reserve our judgment and see how things play out over the coming days, and in particular to watch what Prigozhin is going to say and where hes going to pop up in the coming days.

AFP reported that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction.

It remains unclear what this means.

With inputs from agencies

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Tomato prices have recently soared in several states in the last few days, with the essential vegetable costing as much as Rs 100 in retail markets.

The prices have gone up as its supply has been impacted due to uncertain weather conditions, according to reports.

Tomato prices have shot up in the markets across the country from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg.

Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory said, This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year. However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat.

Speaking to ANI, Mohammad Raju, a resident of Delhi said, Tomato is being sold at a price of Rs 80 per kg. The rate has suddenly shot up in the past two-three days.

According to him, the sudden increase in price is due to heavy rainfall. Rain has destroyed tomatoes, added Mohammad Raju.

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult. The price of tomatoes touched Rs 100 per kg in a market in Bengaluru and traders said that due to heavy rain, the crops have been damaged.

Tomato, sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UPs Kanpur market is now being sold at Rs 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at Rs 80 per Kg.

Earlier, the price of Tomato was Rs 30 per kg, after that I bought it for Rs 50 per kg and now it has become Rs 100. Price is going to go up further and were helpless, we have to buy, said Suraj Gaur, a resident of Bengaluru.

In Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, the acute shortage of the essential vegetable is burning holes in common peoples pockets. The wholesale prices range from Rs 80-90 per kg, and the retail shops are selling tomatoes for Rs 100 per kg.

According to vegetable vendors of a market in Kanpur, Karnataka, a major tomato supplier, saw heavy rains that destroyed the crops. The prices soared in just 10 days and are likely to increase further, the vendors added.

Price rise is because of rain. Tomatoes are coming from Bengaluru. Within 10 days it will increase further. Every year during this month tomato prices usually increase, Lakshmi Devi, a vegetable seller at a Kanpur market said.

Due to rain, significant disruption in the supply of tomatoes has happened in Karnatakas tomato-growing districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Chitradurga and Bengaluru Rural.

(With inputs from ANI)

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The Central government has planned to launch a Tomato Grand Challenge to address the sudden spike in the price of the vegetable.

Tomato prices have been witnessing an unprecedented hike in several states across India with many cities selling it for Rs 100 per kilogram.

Through the Tomato Grand Challenge, the Consumer Affairs Ministry will invite innovative ideas for improving the production, processing and storage of the commodity.

We will launch the Tomato Grand Challenge this week. We will invite innovative ideas, create prototypes, and then scale up as we did in the case of Onion, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI.

The Grand Challenge aims to bring innovative, modular, and cost-effective solutions to develop technologies for pre-production; primary processing, post-harvest, storage and valorisation of tomato at the farm, rural and urban levels, he added.

The purpose of the challenge is to come up with a comprehensive strategic solution for reducing the loss while imparting value addition.

We have done in onion in the last one year. We received 600-odd ideas for Onion, out of which 13 ideas are now mentored under the guidance of experts, the secretary said.

The prices of tomatoes can be brought back to normal levels by improving storage and processing. Singh said that to ensure prices remain stable, innovation at the seed level, primary storage, post-harvest and crop information is necessary.

The ideas will be invited for four verticals. First is developing and popularising improved tomato varieties, production technology or practices suiting the rainy season, dry and humid heat weather conditions, processing, enhanced fruit shelf life, and mechanised harvesting.

Next, information pertaining to crop planning, market intelligence for farmers and interface platforms will be designed and their functions would be familiarised with various stakeholders.

Third is innovative post-harvest treatments and packaging solutions to minimise post-harvest losses during harvesting, handling, and transportation.

Fourth is innovative storage technologies and solutions for longer preservation and so on to reduce panic selling due to perishability.

With inputs from PTI

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Operations launched by security forces have helped in killing of as many as 11 foreign terrorists along with the recovery of huge quantities of narcotics, weapons, and ammunition in the Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The heightened surveillance based on specific intelligence provided by the agencies has helped security forces to foil three major infiltration bids in the Kupwara sector of J-K which led to the killing of 11 foreign terrorists and recovery of huge quantities of narcotics, weapons and ammunition, security forces officials told ANI.

The Indian Army along with the intelligence agencies began heightened surveillance along specific areas in Kupwara after new faces started getting active in the areas opposite Indian positions on the Line of Control, security forces.

After the inputs about the presence of newcomers or new faces in these areas, their activities were closely monitored and when they tried to infiltrate into their own territory, they were eliminated by the alert troops already in position to tackle such enemy action, they said.

The initial incident occured in Machchil sector where two foreign terrorists were eliminated by their own troops resulting in the recovery of two AK-series rifles along with grenades and ammunition with Pakistani markings in them.

The second major encounter across the LoC was witnessed in the Keran Sector where five terrorists were killed and recoveries included five rifles along with sniper rifle ammunition with Pakistani markings.

We have been able to recover a lot of surveillance equipment including night vision goggles and night-enabled binoculars which could have helped terrorists to move through the area with ease they said.

According to sources, the latest infiltration bid, which was specifically to attack the Amarnath Yatra preparations in the Kashmir valley, was foiled on June 23 in the Machchil Sector.

The recoveries include 12 weapons which were found with four foreign terrorists who have been killed in the encounter.

Sources said the recovery of 55 kgs of A1 grade narcotics which could have been sold in metros for at least five crores per kg is pointing towards Pakistan Army and ISIs attempts to find terrorism through narcotics smuggling.

Security agencies are continuing to probe through the recovered items and documents from the terrorists to find out the linkages between terrorists and their links in India to know the destination of the drugs they were trying to being inside India.

The 12 weapons recovered also point out that the additional weapons were meant for being given to other terrorists who could have been either already inside the Kashmir Valley or may try to do so in the near future.

The Army and the security forces have made additional deployments in the suspected areas to counter any attack by terrorists in the Amarnath Yatra as Pakistan Army is desperate to deflect attention from their internal politics.

Army has also heightened vigil along the LoC using new high-tech surveillance equipment which can help in easily analysing any unusual movements or activities on the other side.

With inputs from ANI

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A day after the shocking case of daylight robbery occurred in New Delhis Pragati Maidan area, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Central government and Lt Governor over the capitals law and order situation.

Kejriwal said that jungle raj was prevailing in a city gearing up for the G20 Summit. He claimed that if the Aam Aadmi Party is given in charge of Delhis law and order, it would make Delhi the safest city in the country.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event to inaugurate new electric vehicle charging stations, Kejriwal said, It seems that the Centre does not have a solid plan to improve the law-and-order situation in Delhi.

Some men carried out a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan underpass. The G20 Summit will be held near the underpass. People are feeling unsafe in Delhi. This is jungle raj, the chief minister said.

Referring to other cases of crime, Kejriwal asked, What is happening in Delhi? Should the national capitals law-and-order situation be like this?

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi hits back

Arvind Kejriwal is running a government where Deputy CM is in jail. His minister Satyendar Jain has recently come out on bail. Over 40 MLAs are found indulging in corrupt and criminal practices, said Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi while slamming Kejriwal.

VIDEO | Arvind Kejriwal is running a government where Deputy CM is in jail. His minister Satyendar Jain has recently come out on bail. Over 40 MLAs are found indulged in corrupt and criminal practices. It is to protect all these criminals is why he (Delhi CM) wants law and order pic.twitter.com/JJIpLqV62j  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 27, 2023

She added, It is to protect all these criminals is why he (Delhi CM) wants law and order in his hands.

Kejriwal writes to LG

Last week, Kejriwal wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor bringing his attention to the crime situation in the national capital and proposing a meeting with the cabinet.

In the letter, Kejriwal said that the rise of crime has shaken the national capital while no substantial action has been taken by LG & MHA to fix the situation, a press release said.

I am writing this letter to draw the urgent attention of your good self towards an alarming spurt in serious crimes in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from a heart-rending fact that four murders have taken place during the last 24 hours in different parts of Delhi, the letter read.

With inputs from agencies

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday said he has asked the state police to maintain strict vigil and seal borders to ensure there is no transportation of cattle from neighbouring states and also no attack on gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes).

The speaker also said he has asked the police to set up squads to visit and patrol sensitive areas.

Narwekar said he had a meeting with the additional director general of police (law and order) and Nandeds superintendent of police over the fear among institutions and NGOs that there could be mass gau-vansh hatya (bovine killing) during the upcoming period of Bakr-Eid.

So, precautionary measures should be takenalso with regards to the violence that had erupted in Nanded and other places, he said.

We have asked them (police) to maintain strict vigilance and set up squads to visit and patrol sensitive areas, seal the borders to not allow any flow of cattle between states and also to ensure there is no attack on these gau-rakshaks, the said.

Notably, a 32-year-old man was lynched allegedly a group of cow vigilantes on suspicion of transporting beef in Maharashtras Nashik district on Saturday.

This was the second incident in Nashik in nearly two weeks of killing of a person by cow vigilantes.

Last week, a 32-year-old cow vigilante was killed in an attack in Nanded after he and his friends sought to intercept a vehicle on suspicion that it was smuggling cattle, police said.

Narwekar said the state is doing its bit to control everything and this is not happening for the first time.

It has been happening and we want to ensure this time it is controlled totally. It was a pre-emptive meeting, precautionary meeting that was taken, he said.

On Monday, the Congress slammed the Eknath Shinde government over the incident in Nashik on Saturday and asked if the rule of law existed in the state.

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Amid the ongoing conflict in Manipur, the government has decided to invoke no work, no pay rule for its employees who are not attending office.

The General Administration Department has been directed to gather details of the employees who arent able to attend the office due to the current situation prevailing in the protest hit northeast state.

Currently, Manipur government has one lakh employees functioning under it.

A circular issued on Monday night by GAD Secretary Michael Achom said: In pursuance of the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on June 12 and decision taken at para 5-(12) of the proceedings, all employees drawing their salaries from General Administration Department, Manipur Secretariat are informed that no work, no pay may be invoked to all those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave.

The circular further asked for all administrative secretaries to furnish details of those employees who could not attend their official duty due to prevailing situation in the state indicating the details of employees such as designation, name, EIN, present address, to the General Administration Department and to the Personnel department, latest by 28 June so as to take appropriate necessary action.

More than one month to Manipur violence, the death toll has risen to 100, as the ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities continue to take place in the some parts of the state.

Clashes first broke out on 3 May after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals  Nagas and Kukis  constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

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A terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district on Tuesday, officials said.

The police further informed that one security personnel was injured in the operation.

01 local #terrorist neutralised. Identification and affiliation being ascertained. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow, the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

#KulgamEncounterUpdate: 01 local #terrorist neutralised. Identification & affliation being ascertained. Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/f2AdOK0nqa  Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 26, 2023

Earlier this month, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district. According to officials, the encounter was reported in Dassal forest area of the district.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradeshs Bhopal and said that for every worker of the party the interest of the country is paramount, the country is bigger than the party.

Earlier, PM Modi also flagged off five Vande Bharat trains connecting important cities in different parts of the country.

I congratulate the people of Madhya Pradesh for getting two Vande Bharat Express trains today. The journey from Bhopal to Jabalpur will be faster and more comfortable now. Vande Bharat train will boost connectivity in the state, he said.

"I congratulate the people of Madhya Pradesh for getting two Vande Bharat Express trains today. The journey from Bhopal to Jabalpur will be faster and more comfortable now. Vande Bharat train will boost connectivity in the state," says PM Modi while interacting with BJP booth pic.twitter.com/pNzOKJTq6r  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

BJPs biggest power is its workersI thank JP Nadda for organising this event today through which I am able to virtually address around 10 lakh booth workers of the BJP virtually. No such virtual programme has ever taken place in the history of any political party, he added.

The BJP workers are not among those who sit in the air-conditioned booth and rooms and run the party, rather they go to remote areas to work in sweltering heat, chilling winters and even during incessant rainfall, the prime minister said.

BJPs booth committee should be identified with service, it should be with service spirit. There is no need for struggle inside the booth, service is the only medium Booth itself is a very big unit and we should never underestimate this unit of booth. There are many such things where ground feedback is very important and our booth mates play a big role in this. If the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister make a successful policy, then believe that there is a huge power of booth-level information in it, he said.

He added, BJP workers are strong soldiers not only of BJP but also of achieving the resolutions of the country. For every worker of BJP, the interest of the country is paramount, the country is bigger than the party. Where the country is bigger than the party it is auspicious for me to talk to such hardworking workers.

PM Modi said we want to make India a developed nation till 2047 when the nation will celebrate 100 years of Independence. Our country will become a developed country only when our villages will developEvery booth worker of BJP should work towards making their booth strong and developed, he said.

Our goal doesnt involve benefitting people with just one scheme of the government. Saturation is our goal and we give 100 per cent coverage. The genuine beneficiaries should get the benefits of all the schemes they are eligible for, he added.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Delhi Police seized a drone flying near the Akshardham Temple on Monday and quizzed a Bangladeshi woman for operating it, officials said.

On receiving complain about the flying of the drone near Delhis famous temple, police officials from nearby Mandawali police station reached the spot, detaining a Bangladeshi national and taking custody of the unmanned aerial flying object.

The Bangladeshi woman identified herself as Momo Mustafa (33). She informed the police that she ran a photography business back home in Dhaka, Bangladesh and was in India on a six-month tourist Visa since May.

The drone has been seized and a case for the illegal activity has been registered under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code.

Police further said that they are questioning the woman and further probe is underway.

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A male passenger onboard a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was arrested for allegedly urinating, defecating and spitting on the floor of the aircraft.

The passenger, identified as Ram Singh, seated on 17F in Air India flight AIC 866 defecated, urinated and spat in the aircraft on row 9 DEF when it was mid-air, said the flight captain in the FIR filed at Delhis IGI Airport police station on 24 June.

The FIR further stated that the misconduct was spotted by the cabin crew and a verbal warning was issued to Singh by the cabin supervisor of the flight. He was secluded from the other passengers in the flight.

Later, the pilot-in-command was informed of the misconduct and a message was immediately sent to Air India office seeking security on arrival to escort the passenger.

The situation agitated a number of other passengers on board the aircraft, the FIR stated

On arrival in the Delhi airport, the head of Air India security attended and escorted the passenger to the local police station.

According to a report by ANI, the accused passenger is a cook working in Africa.

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, ANI quoted a senior official of Delhi Police as saying.

A case under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) was registered, the FIR stated.

A spokesperson from Air India said, A passenger on our flight AI866 operating Mumbai-Delhi on June 24 behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers. In doing their best to manage the situation in the circumstances, the crew immediately secluded the passenger for the rest of the flight and issued a warning.

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, the spokesperson said.

Air India follows a zero-tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations, Air India said.

The incident comes months after a man, who was in an inebriated condition, on 26 November, 2022, allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi.

On 6 December, 2022, merely 10 days after the Air India pee-gate case, another episode of a drunk male passenger allegedly urinating on a blanket of a female passenger was reported on a Paris-New Delhi Air India flight.

With inputs from agencies

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Delhi Police Crime Branch announced on Tuesday that they have apprehended seven individuals in connection with the recent tunnel robbery at Pragati Maidan.

The incident occurred on Saturday when four unidentified men, armed with guns, reportedly robbed a delivery agent and his associate of Rs 2 lakh while they were traveling in a cab towards Gurugram to deliver the money.

Police identified Usman, a 25-year-old resident of Kaushik Enclave in Burari, as the mastermind behind the robbery.

Usman had been working as a courier agent in the Chandani Chowk area of North Delhi for seven years. According to police sources, Usman possessed extensive knowledge about the cash transactions that take place in crowded market areas.

Allegedly driven by the need to repay his loans, Usman meticulously planned the robbery. His first recruit for the crime was his cousin Irfan, who also resided in Burari and worked as a barber.

Subsequently, they enlisted the assistance of several other individuals from Baghpat and nearby regions. One of the motorcycle drivers involved in the crime was Anuj Mishra, also known as Sunky, who worked as a mechanic at Delhi Jal Board in Adarsh Nagar.

Additionally, Sumit, known as Akash, a vegetable seller, was implicated in the incident. Among the arrested suspects are Pradeep, believed to be another major player in the crime, and an individual named Bala, apprehended in eastern UP.

Seven people arrested, Rs 5 lakhs recovered till now. A 25-year-old Usman from Burari, a debt-ridden delivery, planned the loot. He also roped in his cousin Irfan for the job. His accomplices included people from Loni, Baghpat. One Anuj Mishra alias Sunky, a mechanic working at pic.twitter.com/nXhGr8tA09  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

During the planning phase, the accused men meticulously surveyed the area for three days and ultimately selected the tunnel as the ideal location to carry out the crime, as they presumed that other vehicles would not halt inside it, stated Special CP Crime Branch Ravinder Yadav during a media briefing.

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Who can forget Mohan Bhargava, the successful NRI from USA, whose journey leads him into the rural heart of India to the village of Charanpur and sets him on both an outward and inner quest to find where he truly belongs. Well, that was Bhargava from Ashutosh Gowarikers film  Swades but now, Anukriti Sharma, the 2020 batch IPS officer, shared her own Swades moment when she successfully brought electricity into the 70-year-old Noorjahans home in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh.

The IPS officer posted a video on Twitter which captured the exact moment when the UP police brought the electricity to the elderly womans house that operated without light for decades. The smile on her face was immensely satisfying, wrote Anukriti Sharma in the now-viral tweet. Towards the end of the video, Noorjahan expressed her happiness by offering them sweets. The clip was shared on 26 June and it has now amassed more than 8 lakh views.

Noorjahan  a poor old widow  who lived alone without an electricity connection for decades approached the police station with a simple request to have light in her home. After learning about it, IPS officer Anukriti Sharma decided to bring the electricity connection into the home of Noorjahan. She along with her team, contacted the electricity department and arranged the meter which was to be installed.

As seen in the video, a man installs the electricity meter outside the home while Anukriti and Noorjahan are standing inside the dark room, waiting for the bulb to light. Aa gayi light (Light has come) is heard in the video, as soon as the bulb starts illuminating the room. Once there was light again in the house, NoorJahan started smiling and blessed everyone including the IPS officer Anukriti Sharma.

Further, the police team taught Noorjahan how to operate the switchboard. Later in the video, UP Police were seen celebrating this joyful moment by offering sweets to the elederly woman.

Swades moment of my life. Getting electricity connection to Noorjahan auntys house literally felt lyk bringing light into her life. The smile on her face ws immensely satisfying. Thank u SHO Jitendra ji & the entire team 4 all da support, wrote Anukriti Sharma in her tweet.

Swades moment of my life  Getting electricity connection to Noorjahan auntys house literally felt lyk bringing light into her life. The smile on her face ws immensely satisfying.Thank u SHO Jitendra ji & the entire team 4 all da support #uppcares @Uppolice @bulandshahrpol pic.twitter.com/3crLAeh1xv  Anukriti Sharma, IPS  (@ipsanukriti14) June 26, 2023

This heartwarming post received a flurry of likes and comments. A fellow IAS officer of the 2009 batch, Chhattisgarh cadre, Awanish Sharan appreciated Anukiriti for her exemplary effort to help the needy.

This is awesome Anukriti. Keep it up   Awanish Sharan  (@AwanishSharan) June 27, 2023

Others blessed her and asked her to keep helping.

God bless and Best wishes  Prince (@BhandulaPrince) June 27, 2023

Good job. This is the need of the hour. May your example of caring inspire your team under you, and thereby all the police stations in #UttarPradesh. Love conquers Hatred.  Leo DSouza (@lmdsouza567) June 27, 2023

For these past few weeks, the problem of electricity sheltered several homes in urban and rural areas, especially in Karnataka. Last week, a 90-year-old woman in Karnatakas Koppal who used to live in a shanty with a few bulbs received an electricity bill of Rs 1.03 lakh. The problem was immediately resolved by the electricity department and she was not obligated to pay the amount. The high bill was a result of an error in the electricity meter.

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The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) envisioned in Constitution and even Supreme Court has also asked for it to be implemented, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

However, the issue of UCC is being used to mislead and provoke the Muslim community, the PM said while addressing the BJP workers after flagging off five Vande Bharat trains in Bhopal.

PM Modi also hit out against proponents of the Triple Talaq, saying that those who are supporting it, are doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters.

Addressing BJP booth workers across the country via video conferencing, PM Modi said Why are Opposition parties supporting the practice when Muslim-majority countries like Egypt Indonesia and Pakistan have outlawed it?

We want to make India a developed country by 2047, but India will be developed only when its villages will be developed. Hence, it should be the resolution of every village to become developed before 2047, he said.

PM Modi also said that BJP workers should connect with the regular lives of the people where there is no politics, but only aspiration to move forward. If you connect with their aim to strive, you too will strive, he added.

The Prime Minister also talked about National Education Policy (NEP), saying that children should gain practical knowledge. The NEP says that children should gain practical knowledge  less teaching and more learning. The school does what it does, but if the booth workers are able to make a connection with them (children), it brings a change in the lives of children and the new education policy is itself enforced, said PM Modi.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister flagged off five Vande Bharat trains from Bhopals Kamlapati Railway station.

The five Vande Bharat Express trains are Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-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.

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A criminal, identified as Gufran, wanted in multiple murder and dacoity cases has been shot dead by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in an encounter on Tuesday around 5 am near the Samda sugar mill of Manjhanpur, Kaushambi district.

SP Kaushambi Brijesh Srivastava said, He (Gufran) was carrying a reward of Rs 1,25,000.

A 9mm cartridge, .32 bore pistol and an Apache bike were recovered from the encounter site, an official said.

Gufran, against whom more than 13 cases of murder, loot and robbery were registered in Pratapgarh and Sultanpur districts was shot during the encounter that broke out around 5 am in Kaushambi. He was taken to a hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.

On April 24, Gufran had shot and looted Saresham Jeweler in Pratapgarh. A video of the incident showed the criminal firing after the loot.

The Uttar Pradesh Police in a statement said around 5:00 am this (Tuesday) morning, a team of the STF was conducting a raid in Kaushambi district. "Gufran was confronted by the team and opened fire following which the cops retaliated, and in the cross-firing, Gufran was shot and injured," the police added.

The statement further said that Gufran was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The encounter on Tuesday comes within hours after the Uttar Pradesh government launched Operation Conviction to identify 20 cases each in every district related with rape, murder, dacoity, conversion and cow slaughter for speedy trial and conviction within 30 days of framing of charges.

According to a report by NDTV, since Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, there have been over 10,900 encounters, in which over 185 criminals have been killed.

With inputs from agencies

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A farmer takes extensive measures to safeguard his crops from harm. In a similar scenario, farmers of the Jahan Nagar village in Uttar Pradeshs Lakhimpur Kheri donned bear costumes to protect their hard-earned sugarcane crops. According to ANI, around 40-45 monkeys have been meandering in the area and harming crops. Since no action had been taken upon repeated requests to the authorities, the farmers had to jump in to care for their crops themselves.

In general, farmers use various techniques like scarecrows, fences, cannons, sirens, motion lights, predator silhouettes, repellants among others to protect their crops. However, when everything else failed, Uttar Pradesh sugarcane farmers took to themselves. Gajender Singh, a farmer belonging to the same place said: We appealed to authorities but no attention was paid. adding, So, many farmers contributed money and bought this costume for Rs 4,000 to protect the crops.

Twitter Reactions

ANI shared the news on Twitter. The picture shows black bear-clad farmers seated in the fields. The heavily built mammals with large skulls and strong jaws possessing shaggy hair can certainly shoo monkeys away with their might.

The post has attracted over 13 lakh views. It has also received many comments.

The responses have been shared below. Have a look:

The crucial information reached concerned authorities, leading to a reply from Sanjay Biswal, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Lakhimpur Kheri. He said: I assure farmers that we will take all measures to stop monkeys from damaging crops.

Another user commented jokingly: Monkey fear Bear.

Monkey fear Bear..   u/ Shan.95 (@Real112RB) June 25, 2023

Eeb Allay Ooo, wrote another user in reference to the 2019 drama-comedy movie by the same name. In this movie, a young migrant worker is hired as a monkey repellent after becoming the newest member of the team to be stationed outside government buildings.

Similar incidents

According to a report by The Times of India, earlier, a farmer named Bhaskar Reddy from Koheda Mandal in Siddipet came up with the same ingenious way to frighten monkeys away. This was to protect maize, paddy and vegetables in his fields. As a result of the bear, monkeys would rarely venture into his agricultural fields.

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Authorities in Uttar Pradeshs Fatehpur on Tuesday demolished the house of a man who is accused of raping and murdering a 19-year-old woman.

The accused, identified as Sikandar Khan, allegedly raped the woman five days ago and then killed her by crushing her head with a brick.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the woman was found dead in an under-construction house in Faridpur on 23 June. She was rushed to Kanpur Hallett Hospital and was undergoing treatment in its intensive care unit (ICU) but succumbed to injuries, the report added.

The demolition was carried out in the presence of sub divisional magistrate and amid heavy police deployment.

The victims family has alleged that Khan hid his identity to trap the woman and right-wing outfits have called it a case of love jihad, according to the report.

The accused is in police custody on charges of murder and rape.

With inputs from agencies

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was left injured after her helicopter made an emergency landing at Sevoke base on Tuesday due to low visibility.

She was taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital where an MRI was conducted on her. The chief minister was injured to her waist and legs when she tried to deboard the chopper at the air base.

The injuries do not appear to be serious. We are waiting for the MRI report, a hospital official said.

Several specialist doctors examined the chief minister, he added.

Whether or not Banerjee requires hospitalisation will be only decided after her results are out.

Earlier, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing after the helicopter started shaking terribly when it ran into bad weather on the way to Bagdogra airport.

Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, then travelled by road to reach the airport and took a flight back to the city.

With inputs from PTI

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In a recent tweet, the Chief Minister of Assam, Hemant Biswa Sarma said that AI tools like ChatGPT for health care diagnosis needs effective regulation because it is prone to hallucinations. To this, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology responded, saying, that the upcoming Digital India Act will ensure that AI platforms will be responsible to ensure no user harm is created  intentionally or unintentionally.

CM of Assam @himantabiswa is absolutely right  the usecases of Chatgpt in particular n AI in general shd be chosen very carefully n ONLY where theres no risk of harm to any users. In the works is #DigitalIndiaAct that will ensure that AI platforms will be responsble to ensure https://t.co/S5zJJWCgVc  Rajeev Chandrasekhar  (@Rajeev_GoI) June 27, 2023



While the Digital India Act will have provisions for how AI is used and developed in the Indian context, what applications it will be allowed for, and under what parameters will AI be allowed to develop and function, it has a much broader concept.

The need to replace/update the Information Technology Act

Over the years since the implementation of the IT Act of 2000, several revisions and amendments (such as the IT Act Amendment of 2008 and IT Rules 2011) have been made in an effort to define and regulate the digital space. These changes aimed to place greater emphasis on data handling policies.

However, due to its initial focus on protecting e-commerce transactions and defining cybercrime offences, the IT Act did not adequately address the complexities of the current cybersecurity landscape or adequately safeguard data privacy rights.

Simply put, the Indian IT Act in its current provisions, did not have the teeth to deal with the Internet and the Digital World of 2023.

What is the Digital India Act?

The Digital India Act 2023 is a forthcoming law designed to replace the Information Technology Act of 2000 in India. Its primary objective is to establish a comprehensive structure for governing the digital realm. It will be applicable to all tech-based businesses whose services or products are available in India.

The proposed legislation will address various subjects including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybercrime, data protection, deep fakes, competition concerns pertaining to internet platforms, and online security. Additionally, the act will re-evaluate the notion of safe harbour, which grants social media platforms immunity from responsibility for user-generated content.

The Digital India Act, or the DIA is going to be one of the most important pieces of legislation to have been passed in years. Not only will it be the basis upon which various other tech-based legislations be developed, but it is also a cornerstone of PM Modis Digital India Goals 2026.

If India is to become a $1 trillion economy, it will have to do so by emerging as the go-to destination for all things tech. It has to position itself at the centre of global innovation and have a world-class entrepreneurship system. Only then, will it be able to shape the future of emerging technologies.

If everything goes as per plan, and if there arent many revisions or changes to the draft that has been prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is supposed to be passed as legislation by the end of July or August.

What will the new Digital India Act entail?

From something as rudimentary as how social media platforms regulate hate speech and fake information to more complex subjects AI, the DIA will have provisions for everything. And while the end users, the people of India will be at the centre of DIA, MeitY will also have to balance it in a way that ensures that India leads the world when developing new technology.

Minister Chandrasekhar best explained the Digital India Act, while speaking to Moneycontrol. He said, The Digital India Act will follow a principle-based approach, while the accompanying rules will be more specific and detailed. For instance, if we have 10 types of platforms classified into 10 categories, each category will have a set of clear and precise rules. These rules will outline what actions are prohibited and what actions are required.

He added, For example, fintech platforms will have distinct rules, governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), with MeitY emphasizing the reporting of cybersecurity breaches. On the other hand, social media intermediaries will have more extensive rules. Online gaming platforms may also have comprehensive rules, but they will differ from those applied to social media intermediaries.

What will be the goals of the new DIA?

Keeping in mind the end users, or the people of India, the DIA has a few basic goals. It aims to allow for an open internet, one that is diverse, easily and fairly accessible and allows ease of doing business and ensures easy compliance.

The DIA also aims to foster online safety and trust, especially for women and children. For that, it will not only look at harm in the physical sense but also how it impacts mental health, whether a service or piece of tech is highly addictive, especially for children.

The DIA also aims to ensure that online platforms are accountable in whatever they do and ensure a certain quality of service. And finally, it aims to set up new adjudicatory and appellate mechanisms that are easily accessible and deliver timely remedies to citizens for online civil and criminal offences.

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Noting multiple events in the past where women-led mobs interfered with the operations of security forces in Manipur, the Indian Army on Monday said that blocking the movement of security personnel is not only illegal but also damaging to their efforts to restore law and order.

In a tweet on Monday, the Spear Corps of the Indian Army posted a video showing several incidents of women activists deliberately interfering in the operations of the security forces, ranging from blocking their route to accompanying armed rioters.

Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property. Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace, Spear Corps of the Indian Army said in a tweet.

A recent such instance happened last week when security forces had to release 12 cadres of the proscribed extremist outfit, including self-styled Lt Col Moirangthem Tamba, who is the mastermind of the 6 Dogra ambush case of 2015, which had killed 18 army personnel.

On 24 June operation, 12 cadres of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) were apprehended along with arms, ammunition and War like stores.

The army said that the officer on the ground made a considerate decision to hand over all 12 cadres to the local leader, after a mob of approximately 1200-1500, led by women and the local leader immediately surrounded the target area and prevented Security Forces from continuing with the operation, which was launched in Village Itham (06 km East of Andro) in Imphal East district.

With inputs from agencies

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Eid al-Adha which translates to Feast of Sacrifice is one of the two main festivals of Muslims, the other being Eid-al-Fitr. It is also known as Bakra Eid. People celebrate this day to showcase their devotion to the almighty Allah and his desires. According to the Islamic Lunar Calendar, the festival takes place on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. This year, Eid al-Adha will fall on 29 June (Thursday) and will continue till the next evening. However, the dates may depend on the sighting of the moon. Saudi Arabia will celebrate the festival on 28 June. Eid ul-Adha also marks the completion of Hajj for Muslims.

History

Prophet Ibrahim had a dream of slaughtering his child, Ishmail, which he thought was the commandment of Allah. Ibrahim told this to his son. Ishmail, the man of the god himself, agreed with his father and decided to execute Allahs wishes. They both started their journey to Mount Mina near Mecca. After reaching Mecca, Ishmail asked his father to put on a blindfold before slaughtering him on the altar. When he opened his eyes after the act, he saw a slaughtered goat and was shocked while his son was standing unharmed next to him. Later, it was revealed to Prophet Ibrahim that it was the test of faith and devotion of him towards Allah.

Thus, this festival Eid-al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims across the world by sacrificing a goat. It is done to show supreme devotion to Allah as Prophet Ibrahim displayed.

Significance

On this day, Muslims across the globe mark their devotion to Allah by sacrificing what they love the most in the form of slaughtered sheep. They then divide the dish made from the sacrificed sheep into three portions. Primary for the families, second for the relatives and the last portion is for the poor and needy people. Through this, the Muslims express their devotion to Allah by helping others and sacrificing the goat.

It is that time of the year when Muslims gather with family and friends, exchange gifts and participate in charity work by helping the poor people. Eid al-Adha symbolises joy, love, generosity and gratitude. Traditional dishes are also made during this festival.

Here are some wishes to share on the occasion:

I wish you and your family, a very happy Eid ul-Adha

Eid al-Adha Mubarak! May your heart lighten up with the holiness of this day

Eid Mubarak to you and your family. May Allah accept your sacrifice and bless you with his mercy

May Allah grant you and your family, a happy and peaceful life. Eid al Adha Mubarak!

Eid Mubarak to you all! May the almighty bless you and your family with his Rahman.

May this day be filled with laughter, love and good food. Eid Mubarak

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Indias commitment to defending the Indian Ocean Region is growing in importance, driven by strategic interests and security concerns. The International Day of Yoga, proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, coincided with Chinas launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. The BRI mission, embraced by Sri Lanka, raised concerns in India from the outset due to its potential impact on regional stability and infringement upon Indias traditional sphere of influence.

The high-tech Indian submarine arrives from Mumbai

In addition to conventional security measures, India has been utilising cultural diplomacy and innovative approaches to showcase its presence and dedication in the region. An example of this is Indias use of yoga as a tool for cultural diplomacy. Through events like the Ocean Ring of Yoga, India symbolically demonstrated solidarity and unity in protecting the Indian Ocean Region.

Indias naval capabilities, including submarines, play a significant role in safeguarding its interests in the Indian Ocean. The recent visit of INS Vagir, a newly commissioned indigenous Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy, to Colombo exemplifies Indias cultural diplomacy of a different class. During its stay from 19-22 June 2023, thousands of individuals, including school children, scouts, guides, members of the NCC, and officers from the Sri Lanka Navy, had the unique opportunity to visit the submarine and witness its capabilities firsthand. This submarine, commissioned on 23 January 2023, was built in India by MDL Mumbai in collaboration with Naval Group, France.

Four such Kalvari-class submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy. These submarines are stealthy and equipped with multirole capabilities, designed to target surface warships, underwater submarines, conduct mine-laying operations, surveillance, and more. The submarine named Vagir sailed from Mumbai to Colombo, a journey that took six days.

Yuan Wangs surveillance mission in the Indian Ocean

The visit of the Indian submarine to Sri Lanka came after the controversial presence of the Chinese surveillance ship Yuan Wang-5 in the Indian Ocean last November. Many in Sri Lanka and India raised suspicions about the Chinese ship, with India declaring it a spy ship. However, there was no information available about its activities in the Indian Ocean Region.

The Chinese spy ship was docked at Hambantota port from 16 to 22 August 2022. This research ship belongs to the PLAs 5th branch, the Strategic Support Force (PLASSF), which was created in December 2015 to engage in space, cyber, and electronic warfare. Equipped with advanced electronic equipment, sensors, and antennae, the ship assists Chinas Peoples Liberation Armys land-based stations in tracking satellite, rocket, and ICBM launches within a range of 750 km.

India rejected the arrival of the Chinese spy ship, asserting its own interest in maintaining dominance over the Indian Ocean Region, despite Chinas claim that the Indian Ocean does not belong to India. Commenting on the docking of the Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 in Sri Lanka, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that any developments that affect Indias security are of interest to them.

In response to the arrival of the Chinese spy ship last year, India came in style to conduct its own surveillance operations. It was after ten months of the spy ships arrival that the Indian submarine visited Sri Lanka as part of the Ocean Ring initiative.

The Indian Ocean region is defined by the Indian Ocean rim, which includes 29 littoral countries and six island countries, including Sri Lanka. However, the concept of the Indian Ocean region can be expanded to include landlocked countries that are dependent on the Indian Ocean, resulting in a potential range of 35 to 52 states included in the region.

India recognizes the immense strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region due to its critical role in maritime trade, energy security, and overall national security. In light of this, India has actively worked towards enhancing its presence and influence in the region through initiatives such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Indian Navys Mission Based Deployment strategy. These efforts aim to strengthen cooperation, ensure regional stability, and protect Indias interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

While Yoga is widely accepted worldwide, the sailing of ships and submarines cannot be solely seen as a matter of security importance but can also be understood in a cultural context. Despite there may not be a direct link between International Yoga Day and Indias mission to protect the Indian Ocean Region, it is plausible that the Indian government aimed to utilize the occasion to demonstrate its commitment to unity and solidarity, both domestically and internationally.

No military base for China

Given Sri Lankas existing commitment to China, India has taken precautionary measures and prompted the Sri Lankan government to acknowledge that China is merely a commercial partner. During President Ranil Wickremesinghes visit to France on 25 June, 2023, he reiterated in an interview with the French media outlet France24 that there are no military agreements with China and that no bases would be established that could pose a threat to India.

This statement emphasises the potential risks that can emerge from the geographical proximity between India and Sri Lanka if Sri Lanka fails to take significant preventive measures to ensure the security and interests of both countries.

With that being said, Sri Lanka should carefully consider Indias interests and concerns when implementing measures for domestic economic growth. Interestingly, in the first half of 2023, India has already sent six warships, including a submarine, to the Port of Colombo, averaging one ship per month. From January to June 2023, a total of 16 warships have visited Sri Lanka. According to Ceylon Today, the Sri Lanka Port Authority reported that in the previous year, 27 warships and two submarines from Russia docked at the Port of Colombo. While it is not unusual for an island nation to receive such visits, it highlights how Sri Lanka is entangled in its own geopolitical dynamics.

The author is a freelance journalist and researcher based in Colombo. Views expressed are personal.

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Mariana Lenharo in Nature:

A 25-year science wager has come to an end. In 1998, neuroscientist Christof Koch bet philosopher David Chalmers that the mechanism by which the brains neurons produce consciousness would be discovered by 2023. Both scientists agreed publicly on 23 June, at the annual meeting of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness (ASSC) in New York City, that it is still an ongoing quest  and declared Chalmers the winner. What ultimately helped to settle the bet was a key study testing two leading hypotheses about the neural basis of consciousness, whose findings were unveiled at the conference. It was always a relatively good bet for me and a bold bet for Christof, says Chalmers, who is now co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness at New York University. But he also says this isnt the end of the story, and that an answer will come eventually: Theres been a lot of progress in the field.

The great wager

Consciousness is everything a person experiences  what they taste, hear, feel and more. It is what gives meaning and value to our lives, Chalmers says. Despite a vast effort  and a 25-year bet  researchers still dont understand how our brains produce it, however. It started off as a very big philosophical mystery, Chalmers adds. But over the years, its gradually been transmuting into, if not a scientific mystery, at least one that we can get a partial grip on scientifically. Koch, a meritorious investigator at the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle, Washington, began his search for the neural footprints of consciousness in the 1980s. Since then, he has been invested in identifying the bits and pieces of the brain that are really essential  really necessary to ultimately generate a feeling of seeing or hearing or wanting, as he puts it.

More here.
On his return from an official state visit to the United States, Narendra Modi had a two-day stopover in Egypt, where he was also on his first state visit at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. India-Egypt engagement has seen a dramatic rise under Modi and El-Sisi. The countries are breaking new ground. The trajectory is upward and positive.

The Egyptian president was the chief guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations this year. The El-Sisi government spared no effort to convey the message that Modis presence was eagerly awaited and treasured. This, after all, was the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister since 1997. In many ways, in terms of the deals signed, elevating ties to strategic partnership and unlocking possibilities for the future, this was a landmark visit.

In a special gesture, Egyptian prime minister Mostafa Madbouly received Modi at the airport on Saturday. Both sides have been steadily investing in bilateral ties. For instance, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made trips to Cairo last year in September and October, respectively, to facilitate El-Sisis arrival in India.

For his part, the Egyptian president has set up a special group of senior ministers and high-ranking officials headed by Prime Minister Madbouly to develop bilateral ties, indicating a whole of government approach. High on Modis agenda on Saturday, Day 1 at Cairo, was a meeting with this India Unit in Madboulys cabinet. According to a readout by Indias Ministry of External Affairs, the India Unit explained to the prime minister the activities it has undertaken and proposed new areas of cooperation. Topics of discussion included trade and investment, renewable energy, green hydrogen, IT, digital payment platforms, etc.

Beyond the statecraft, Modis visit to Egypt, the most populous Arab country, an ancient civilization with an incredible Islamic heritage and history, is in itself a huge statement. Even more so since he went there straight from the United States where among all the friendship, warmth and hospitality displayed by the Joe Biden White House, the signing of important deals, state dinner and address to a joint session of US Congress  the dubious narrative of Modis Hindu nationalist government persecuting Muslims at home, snatching away their rights and freedoms kept rearing its head at regular intervals.

The steady drumbeat of spurious assertions on discrimination against Muslims and erosion of minority rights that are unsupported by facts and downright deceitful formed a relentless ambient noise during the length of Modis visit.

It reached a crescendo when former US president Barack Obama added fat to the fire by adding his own version of unsubstantiated, provocative remarks about the state of Muslims in India, criticized Modi, advised Biden to talk to his guest about protection of Muslim minorities and dropped dark predictions of India getting Balkanized again on religious lines.

Lies, if repeated, can sometimes take the colour of truth. Apart from Obama, whos still incredibly powerful in the power corridors of Washington DC, some progressive lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party also added to the narrative.

Squad members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar boycotted Modis address to the US Congress. AOC accused Modi of systematic human rights abuses of religious minorities and caste-oppressed communities, Tlaib, an Islamist radical, slammed it as shameful that Modi has been a given a platform, while her colleague Omar, an anti-Semite and Islamist fundamentalist who has deep roots with Pakistani lobbyist groups, accused Modi government of repressing religious minorities.

Bernie Sanders claimed that Modi has pushed an aggressive Hindu nationalism that leaves little space for Indias religious minorities, without caring to cite any evidence, while Pramila Jayapal, another Democratic lawmaker, collected signatures from 70 House and Senate Democrats in a letter urging Biden to press Modi on human rights and democratic values in India.

The irony couldnt be starker. In 2016, Obamas last year as president, the United States dropped 26,171 bombs on Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. The equation amounts to an average of 72 bombs dropped every day on the seven Muslim-majority nations  the equivalent of three bombs an hour. And yet, tracking Modis visit through the lens of American media might give one the impression that Modi is a genocidal maniac out to cleanse India of its Muslim population.

What does data say? Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan American think tank, in a major survey on Indias population growth and religious composition, released in 2021, found that Indias six largest religious groups have remained relatively stable since Partition. The greatest shift has been a modest rise in the share of Muslims, accompanied by a corresponding decline in the share of Hindus. Between 1951 and 2011, Muslims grew by 4.4 percentage points to 14.2% of the population, while Hindus declined by 4.3 points to 79.8%.

Easy to see why, despite the insidious and baseless narrative about a Hindu nationalist government led by Modi persecuting Muslims in India dominating American mainstream discourse, theres little appetite for this nonsense worldwide. In this context, Modis visit to the heart of the Arab world, with whom he has totally transformed Indias relations, carried added significance.

The respect and enthusiasm with which the prime minister was greeted in Egypt, one of the most important Arab nations that may serve as the gateway to Africa and Europe for India, speaks volumes about his and Indias image in the Arab world and belies the phoney narrative about Hindu majoritarian India that pervades the discourse in western media and academia.

One of the key engagements that the prime minister had lined up in Cairo was with the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawky Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, who was elected to the post in 2013. He holds the office of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide.

The Grand Mufti, who had visited India last month at the governments invitation, praised the prime ministers leadership. News agency ANI quoted him, as saying, wise policies are being adopted by PM Modi in bringing co-existence between the various factions in India. At the religious level, we have strong cooperation with India. The Indian side is also going to provide an Information Technology Centre of Excellence here. We have lots of scope of cooperation.

Modis itinerary also included a visit to the 11th-century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo. Renovated with the help of Indias Dawoodi Bohra community, a project that was completed just a few months back, the Fatimid era Shia Mosque is an important landmark and a symbol of India and Egypts friendship, syncretic culture, and shared heritage.

On Sunday, the prime minister made an unscheduled trip to the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World built more than 4,000 years ago.

For a man vilified by Western media as anti-Muslim, Modi was conferred with the Order of the Nile, Egypts highest civilian honour, by President El-Sisi on Sunday. The prime minister is the first Indian to receive this award.

It is a recognition of Modis stature, who is now the recipient of 13 state honours in his nine-year tenure. The list includes Saudi Arabias highest civilian honour  the King Abdulaziz Sash, Afghanistans highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, The Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, the Order of Zayed  the UAEs highest civilian award, Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, the highest civilian honour of the Maldives, as well as The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, by the King of Bahrain.

The list of awards by the Muslim majority and Islamic states, the honour and appreciation showered on him by not only the Egyptian government but also the larger community, puts in perspective the toxic and fallacious narrative about India and the Modi government that has now been normalized in the West.

The narrative has dominated American discourse on India in such a way that it has taken on the character of established wisdom. The peddlers of this narrative are a motley crew of Western liberal media, well-funded evangelical and Islamist advocacy groups, regime change operators masquerading as human rights activists, Pakistani lobbyists and left-liberal academia that might misunderstand, but also purposefully misrepresent and mischaracterize Hindu nationalism.

The interplay between these groups  that lend legitimacy to each other in an incestuous citation loop  shape the dominant discourse, for instance, in the US where the knowledge base about India is weak and there is not even a superficial understanding of the myriad complexities that define this diverse nation.

Perhaps India could do with a bit of lobbying, at least in the United States where such efforts go a long way in shaping narratives. India as a country is far too insular and unwilling to tell its story to the world, and the Hindu-American community is too self-centred to involve itself in religious advocacy or local politics. It doesnt fit an aspiring great powers profile and gives a poor account of its ambition if it fails to effectively counter the battle of narratives.

The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed are personal.

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Had one read a BBC (Nepali) report where Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud said before Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals( Prachanda) visit to India earlier this month that Nepal was not prepared to take up the Agniveer issue with India, there would have been neither anxiety nor speculation over it. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra at his press briefing confirmed saying that as far as he knew, Agniveer did not come up during the discussions but Prachanda did inform a Nepali journalist after his meetings that he had raised the matter informally and would say more on it on returning to Nepal. That has not happened so far and is unlikely to, in the near future. It may come up for internal parliamentary discussion in the Foreign Affairs Standing Committee but it seems it is low priority when speculation of another regime change is already in the air. But it might have either come up in his restricted talks with Modi or earlier with NSA Ajit Doval. Surprisingly such a crucial strategic issue was not raised in Nepals parliament also after the visit.

The grapevine in Kathmandu indicates that former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is in Singapore meeting R&AW officials. Singapore and Hong Kong are the usual places where confidential conversations take place between Nepali leaders and Indian agencies. Two weeks ago, a Samajwadi Morcha came into being where former prime minister Baburam Bhattarai and Madhav Nepal (CPN-Socialists), along with Upendra Yadav (Janata Samajwadi Party); former Maoist leader Netra Bahadur Chand; and Prachanda met in Kathmandu. The Samajwadi Morcha took root in Kathmandu with 57 seats in parliament. It is understood that Prachanda wishes to further secure his own position as Prime Minister. But how the Samajwadi Morcha is going to instrumentalise this is not clear as toppling unstable governments has become political pastime.

Prachandas official visit to China has been rescheduled to late August or early September as number of Chinese CCP leaders including Chinese Ambassador Chong Seng are trying to improve prospects of revival of a Left alliance government. At the same time Prachanda has taken a lot of flak from the opposition for the visit to India which he has called highly successful. Official or state bilateral visits are never not successful given the hype both sides attach to it. Speaking first during joint statement before the media where no questions were allowed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to resolving the border dispute and take India-Nepal relations to Himalayan heights without indicating any concrete pathway, given the several irritants and issues dogging the relationship. During his first visit abroad and on his third stint as Prime Minister, Prachanda did not wish to roil relations by raising long-pending issues like Eminent Persons Group, and 1950 Treaty. Prime Minister Modi helped in this by himself raising the emotive border issue.

Prachanda was grilled over the Akhand Bharat mural displayed in Indias new Parliament showing Lumbini as part of India. Lumbini is a very sensitive issue in Nepal  every public or private bus or transport carries the hoarding Lumbini is part of Nepal. The unsatisfactory response of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi was that it was a cultural and historical map. He should simply have acknowledged that Lumbini is a part of Nepal  and the matter would have ended there, hopefully. The engineer cum rapper Mayor of Kathmandu the effervescent Balendra Shah ordered his office to hang a map of Greater Nepal that would include all territory from Rivers Sutlej to Teesta rive which was the peak of the Nepali empire. Similarly, Harka Sampang, Mayor of Dharan, ordered a new map incorporating territories claimed in India.

In Parliament, there was long discussion on the border issue. The opposition Rashtriya Swatantra Party, Rashtriya Prajatantra Party and CPN UML questioned Prachanda whether he had cited the Bangladesh model  exchange of enclaves  with Mr Modi. Prachanda insisted that he had not recommended the Bangladesh model in any territorial exchange to settle the boundary dispute. Nepalese media went to town citing a possible solution to the boundary dispute of a land corridor between Nepal and Bangladesh near Siliguri Corridor emanating at Kakarbhitta in Nepal as a swap for territory in Indian occupation including Kalapani. Prachanda said that he rubbed the point that territory currently being occupied by India belongs to Nepal  I wanted to establish the truth that Kalapani belongs to Nepal, as also Lipulekh and Limpiya Dhura. He claimed that he had spoken clearly and openly with Prime Minister Modi to resolve the dispute. What is notable is that this is the very first time that any Indian prime minister has said that the border problem will be resolved and India-Nepal relations brought to Himalayan heights.

The Nepali media also questioned why the visiting prime minister did not meet any opposition leader.

On the deliverables, it could be said that economics triumphed over politics. A number of hydroelectric projects were commissioned including reviving the1990s era Pancheswar Mahakali 5,000 MW project. A final DPR is to be presented within one year to both governments. The Nepalese request to increase sale of power to India from the current 500 MW was increased to 10,000 MW in 10 years. Similarly, Nepal had been urging India to let it sell power to Bangladesh via India. India yielded by committing to sale of 40 MW to Bangladesh via Indian transmission lines. A trilateral agreement is to be signed shortly between the three countries. The focus in bilateral relations was on development with Kwatra calling it India-Nepal Development Partnership.

Dahals own makeover went unnoticed. This is the first time of his four visits that he wore the Nepali Daura Suruwal and not a western suit. It is also the first time that his daughter Ganga Dahal accompanied him and sat through bilateral meetings for which he was heavily criticized. For example, when National Security Advisor Ajit Doval came to call on him at the Maurya Hotel, Ganga Dahal was present during the conversations. It is probably here that he might have raised the issue of Agniveer. Nepali Gorkhas are known to be joining the Russian Army as recruitment is accompanied with lucre of citizenship. Many have joined the French Legion. All this because of Agniveers unattractive terms of engagement which is damaging the Indian Gorkha Brigades longevity. Doval who is hands on in Indias Nepal policy can retrieve the situation.

The author is a veteran of Gorkha Regiment who has travelled in Nepal since 1959, understands its domestic politics and was involved in back channel with Maoists. Views are personal.

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Islamabad: The United Nations said Tuesday it has documented a significant level of civilians killed and wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover  despite a stark reduction in casualties compared to previous years of war and insurgency.

According to a new report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, since the takeover in mid-August 2021 and until the end of May, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 people killed in violence in the country.

That compares with 8,820 civilian casualties  including 3,035 killed  in just 2020, according to an earlier U.N. report.

The Taliban seized the country in August 2021 while U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

According to the U.N. report, three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were with improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets, the report said. Among those killed were 92 women and 287 children.

The figures indicate a significant increase in civilian harm resulting from IED attacks on places of worship  mostly belonging to the minority Shiite Muslims  compared to the three-year period prior to the Taliban takeover, according to a press statement that followed the report.

The statement also said that at least 95 people were killed in attacks on schools, educational facilities and other places that targeted the predominantly Shiite Hazara community.

The statement said that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the regions affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province  a Sunni militant group and a main Taliban rival.

These attacks on civilians and civilian objects are reprehensible and must stop, said Fiona Frazer, chief of UNAMAs Human Rights Service. She urged the Taliban  the de facto authorities in Afghanistan  to uphold their obligation to protect the right to life of the Afghan people.

However, the U.N. report said a significant number of the deaths resulted from attacks that were never claimed or that the U.N. mission could not attribute to any group. It did not provide the number for those fatalities.

The report also expressed concern about the lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities.

It noted that the attacks were carried out amid a nationwide financial and economic crisis. With the sharp drop in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to medical, financial and psychosocial support under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

Frazer said that even though Afghan victims of armed conflict and violence struggled to access essential medical, financial and psychosocial support prior to the takeover, this has become more difficult after the Taliban took power.

Help for the victims of violence is now even harder to come by because of the drop in donor funding for vital services, she added.

The U.N. report also demanded an immediate halt to attacks and said it holds the Taliban government responsible for the safety of Afghans.

The Taliban said their administration took over when Afghanistan was on the verge of collapse and that they managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis by making sound decisions and through proper management.

In a response, the Taliban-led foreign ministry said that the situation has gradually improved since August 2021. Security has been ensured across the country, the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

Despite initial promises in 2021 of a more moderate administration, the Taliban enforced harsh rules after seizing the country. They banned girls education after the sixth grade and barred Afghan women from public life and most work, including for nongovernmental organizations and the U.N.

The measures harked back to the previous Taliban rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, when they also imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. The edicts prompted an international outcry against the already ostracized Taliban, whose administration has not been officially recognized by the U.N. and the international community.

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Ivan Rossomakhins neighbors in the village east of Moscow were terrified when he returned from the war in Ukraine three months ago.

Rossomakhin was found guilty of murder three years ago and was given a long prison sentence; however, he was released after volunteering to fight alongside the Wagner private military contractor.

Rossomakhin wandered the streets of Novy Burets, a hamlet located 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of Moscow, carrying a pitchfork and threatening to kill everyone,residents said.

The 28-year-old former inmate was arrested in a nearby town on charges of stabbing to death an elderly woman from whom he rented a room, despite police assurances that they would keep an eye on him. He reportedly confessed to committing the crime, less than 10 days after his return.

Rossomakhins case is not the only case. The Associated Press found at least seven other instances in recent months in which Wagner-recruited convicts were identified as being involved in violent crimes, either by Russian media reports or in interviews with relatives of victims in locations from Kaliningrad in the west to Siberia in the east.

Wagners mercenaries have been deployed in Ukraine as part of Russias extraordinary efforts to bolster its troops there. That has had far-reaching consequences, as was evident this weekend when the groups leader sent his private army to march on Moscow in a short-lived rebellion. Another has been the use of convicts in battle.

The sudden influx of often violent offenders with recent and often traumatic combat experience will likely present a significant challenge for Russias wartime society British Defense Ministrys said warning of the fallout in March.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, estimated that he had recruited 50,000 inmates for Ukraine. Olga Romanova, the director of the prisoner rights organization Russia Behind Bars, agreed. Western military officials say convicts formed the bulk of Wagners force there.

Before his unsuccessful rebellion against the Defense Ministry, Prigozhin stated last week that approximately 32,000 Ukrainians have returned. Beginning in June, Romanova estimated it to be around 15,000 people.

Those prisoners agreeing to join Wagner were promised freedom after their service, and President Vladimir Putin recently confirmed that he was signing pardon decrees for convicts fighting in Ukraine. Those decrees have not been made public.

Putin recently said recidivism rates among those freed from prison through serving in Ukraine are much lower than those on average in Russia. But rights advocates say fears about those rates rising as more convicts return from war are not necessarily unfounded.

People form a complete absence of a link between crime and punishment, an act and its consequences, Romanova said. And not just convicts see it. Free people see it, too - that you can do something terrible, sign up for the war and come out as a hero.

Rossomakhin wasnt seen as valorous when he returned from fighting in Ukraine but rather as an extremely restless, problematic person, police said at a meeting with fearful Novy Burets residents that was filmed by a local broadcaster before 85-year-old Yulia Buyskikh was slain. At one point, he even was arrested for breaking into a car and held for five days before police released him March 27.

Two days later, Buyskikh was killed.

She knew him and opened the door, when he came to kill her, her granddaughter, Anna Pekareva, wrote on Facebook. Every family in Russia must be afraid of such visitors.

The Soviet Union sent 1.2 million convicts to fight in World War II, according to a 2020 research paper by Russias state penitentiary service. It did not say how many returned, but the criminology expert told AP a significant number ended up behind bars again after committing new crimes for years afterward.

Romanova from Russia Behind Bars says there have been many troubling episodes involving convicts returning to civilian life after a stint in Ukraine.

Law enforcement and justice officials who spent time and resources to prosecute these criminals can feel humiliated by seeing many of them walk free without serving their sentences, she said.

With inputs from AP

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Australian authorities have launched a probe after dozens of birds were found covered in oil south of Perth, an ABC News report said.

At least 10 birds have been found dead while several of the impacted birds have been taken to WA Wildlife in Bibra Lake for treatment.

The probe was launched after fresh cases were reported from Furnissdale, Wellard Wetlands, Tern Island, Lake Richmond and Penguin Island, the report added.

While authorities are yet to identify the source, sample testing suggests it is engine oil, ABC News quoted DWERs senior environmental officer Mark Brand as saying.

An update on the oiled birds south of #Perth: We are using drones to try to find the source of the oil. At least 11 pelicans and one spoonbill have been impacted. Five pelicans have been treated. Please report spills to Pollution Watch: 1300 784 782.#OilSpill pic.twitter.com/mbLZYFV2Jt  DWER WA (@DWER_WA) June 14, 2023

If its actually a commercial enterprise that were able to identify as being responsible for this, there are some significant penalties for an incident of this nature up to $500,000 as a maximum penalty for causing pollution, Brand added.

How oil spill affected the birds

When a bird is oiled it loses its waterproofing, becomes waterlogged and cannot fly, ABC News quoted WA Seabird Rescue volunteer Rachel Olsen as saying.

With inputs from ABC News

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The Australian government has drafted new legislation aimed at addressing the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, says a report by The Age, a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia.

The proposed law could result in significant fines for these companies. Under the plan put forth by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), social media companies would be obligated to maintain records demonstrating their efforts to combat the dissemination of such information online. Failure to do so repeatedly could lead to fixed fines in the millions of dollars.

Australia to hold platforms responsible for failure to remove fake news

Michelle Rowland, the communications minister in Canberra, emphasized that mis- and disinformation creates division in society, erodes trust, and can endanger public safety. She further stated that the Albanese government is committed to ensuring the safety of Australians on the internet.

The governments proposal grants the ACMA the authority to enforce a new code of practice on social media platforms that consistently fail to monitor the spread of fake news on their platforms. It also aims to establish an industry-wide standard that compels the removal of specific content, necessitating stronger methods to identify misinformation and greater utilization of fact-checkers.

Hefty fines

If a company repeatedly breaches the code, it could face a maximum fine of AUS $2.75 million (US $1.83 million) or 2 per cent of its global turnover, whichever is higher. For violating the industry standard, the maximum penalty would be AUS $6.88 million (US $4.6 million) or 5 per cent of global turnover.

The Age highlighted that under the latter terms, Facebooks parent company Meta could potentially face a fine of approximately AUS $8 billion (US $5.35 billion) in a hypothetical situation.

The European Union implemented similar regulations concerning social media content last year, with social media companies also being subject to fines based on their annual global turnover.

Who will decide whats fake news and whats not?

Notably, the proposed legislation does not grant the Canberra government the authority to determine what content online qualifies as misinformation or disinformation. Rowland emphasized that the law aims to strike a balance between curtailing fake news and safeguarding freedom of speech on the internet.

The proposed powers would not cover standalone pieces of content, official electoral information, and professional news services. Previously, Google removed approximately 3,000 videos from YouTube in Australia that spread what it deemed dangerous or misleading information related to Covid-19.

The draft legislation was released on Saturday and is currently open for public consultation, providing an opportunity for Australians and social media companies to express any objections.

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Amid bankruptcy, Shehbaz Sharif-led government in Pakistan has decided to lease out the New Islamabad International Airport to interested international investors in the first phase in the wake of practical difficulties to execute the outsourcing of two international airports of Karachi and Lahore, local media reported.

So far, the property has been declared as the clean transaction compared to other airports so the Pakistani government is considering moving ahead with its outsourcing as early as possible, The News reported.

In a presentation to Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has mentioned that there are parties interested in securing the operations of these three airports.

The government, however, is yet to advertise the outsourcing of any airport.

There are some practical issues that need resolution before handing over airport to any international party. For instance, the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become a defaulter of various facilities of these airports, top official sources told The News.

Even if the government were to take over the past liabilities of PIA, how would the new airport operator allow free-of-cost facilities to the carrier? This was one of the major concerns that needed to be resolved before moving forward.

In Karachi and Lahore, certain parts of the airports are occupied by some relevant agencies so that requires a permanent solution because the potential investors would like to utilise the complete airport for commercial purposes, sources added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Diwali, which is celebrated with great pomp and fervour across India, will now see equal enthusiasm for people of New York City as the US most populous city will add the festival to the list of public school holidays.

Announcing the decision, Mayor Eric Adams said the decision to add Diwali as a public school holiday has been taken in recognition of the growth of New York Citys South Asian and India-Caribbean communities.

The NYC mayor also said he was proud to be part of the legislation to make Diwali a holiday in schools.

Officials said more than 200,000 New York City residents celebrate Diwali, which is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists.

When he contested for mayor in 2021, Adam had pledged to make Diwali a school holiday.

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! pic.twitter.com/WD2dvTrpX3  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 26, 2023

This is a city thats continuously changing, continuously welcoming communities from all over the world, Adams said, 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 mayor added.

But there's a catch

As per the Hindu calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya, the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year.

Diwali this year will be celebrated on 12 November but it will not be a holiday for students in New York City as the festival falls on Sunday.

Public school holiday on Diwali in NYC will become official if Gov. Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, signs the bill passed by the New York state legislature earlier this month.

'Fight of over two decades'

New York Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar, who led the "fight" to make Diwali a holiday in the city, said after a fight of over two decades by the South Asian community, she was proud to deliver the win for the community, for New York, and for America.

I said I would do it, and I did! @QNS covers the passage of my legislation to make Diwali a school holiday. After a fight of over 2 decades by the South Asian community, I was proud to deliver this win for the community, for NY, and for America.  https://t.co/0ELNGOyqYe  Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) June 13, 2023

As per a report by AFP the population of New York City residents categorised 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.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said, "We have been pushing for this school holiday to happen, and I cannot be happier that now we are on the cusp of our efforts becoming a reality. The time has come for our school system to acknowledge and appreciate this important observance, just as it rightly does for holidays of other cultures and ethnicities.

Meng further said Diwali to the school calendar will further reflect the rich and vibrant diversity that exists in the city and hoped that it will pave the way for other cities across the country as well.

She went on to say that establishing a federal holiday for Diwali is not just about a day off for kids.

But it's a chance for all students and New Yorkers of all backgrounds to better understand the culture and the diversity and the inclusivity of this city and including holidays like Diwali, she said.

Meng introduced a bill in Congress last month to make Diwali a federal holiday. Under the Diwali Day Act, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States.

With inputs from agencies

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Google has requested the Supreme Court of India to dismiss the directives issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) as part of its antitrust orders, accusing it of abusing the Android market.

This move is part of Googles ongoing legal fight against the competition watchdog in one of its most crucial markets.

The Charges Against Google

In October last year, the CCI stated that Google, whose Android operating system is utilized by 97 per cent of the 600 million smartphones in India, had taken advantage of its dominant position.

Given its dominant position in the Android ecosystem and how it had allegedly taken some anti-competitive behaviour, the CCI had imposed some massive fines and issued directives that would have forced Google to change the way it operates in India.

The CCI had alleged that Google had mandated smartphone and other mobile device manufacturers to instal the Google Play Store and other Google apps as the default, and sometimes, non-removable options when installing Android.

The Directives That The CCI Had Imposed

The CCI then issued orders to Google, instructing the removal of restrictions on device makers, including those about pre-installed apps. Additionally, Google was fined $163 million, which it duly paid.

Furthermore, the CCI issued the following directives to Google:

The licensing of Googles Play Store, the platform through which users download mobile apps, should not be permitted with the condition that device manufacturers must pre-install Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, or the Chrome browser.

Google should not be able to compel device makers to pre-install a specific set of apps or dictate their placement on the devices.

Google should be restricted from entering agreements that guarantee exclusivity for its search services on smart devices.

Google must not impose restrictions on smartphone users, preventing them from uninstalling pre-installed apps such as Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube, which are currently non-removable on Android phones.

Google should provide users with the option to choose their preferred search engine for all relevant services during the initial setup of a phone.

Google should not enforce any limitations in India on the practice of sideloading, which involves downloading apps without utilizing Googles app store.

Google should allow the hosting of third-party app stores on its Play Store platform.

Competitors and app developers should not be denied access to the programming interface of Google Play services, the underlying software system that powers Android devices. This directive aims to ensure compatibility between apps on the Play Store and third-party app stores based on Android variants, as stated by the antitrust authority.

Google should refrain from providing incentives or imposing obligations on manufacturers to discourage them from selling smart devices that operate on Android variants.

The CCI also directed Google not to impose restrictions on manufacturers of Android smartphones, preventing them from developing other devices such as tablets or TVs based on modified versions of Android.

A Tribunal Comes To Googles Relief

In March this year, an Indian tribunal provided partial relief to Alphabet Incs unit by setting aside four out of the ten directives issued in the case.

Google was told by the tribunal, that they will now not need to allow hosting of third-party app stores inside Play Store. Google was also told that they dont need to allow users to remove pre-installed apps such as Google Maps, Gmail and Youtube. The company can also continue imposing curbs on so-called sideloading, a practice of downloading apps without using an app store, which CCI had said must be discontinued.

Although the tribunal acknowledged the CCIs findings of Googles anti-competitive behaviour, it granted some respite to Google by annulling certain directives that required the company to modify its business model. Now, Google is seeking the Supreme Courts intervention to dismiss the remaining directives, as confirmed by the first source familiar with the matter.

Google Goes To The Supreme Court, Again

This isnt the first time that Google has approached the Supreme Court to get the directives quashed. Right after the CCI issued the fine and the orders to change the way Google conducts its Android and app businesses in India, Alphabet Inc approached the Supreme Court asking for the directives to be quashed.

However, the Supreme Court in January this year, refused to suspend any of the antitrust directives that were ordered last year. The Supreme Court then asked the tribunal to hear the case on merit and rule by March end.

Google has argued in its filing submitted on Monday that it has not engaged in any market position abuse and should not be held responsible for paying penalties. In response, Google confirmed its filing in a statement and expressed its anticipation for presenting its case, emphasizing how Android has benefited users and developers.

Google further explained that the Indian tribunal failed to apply the requirement of proving harm caused by anti-competitive behaviour to several of the CCIs directives related to Android, which forms the rationale behind its latest legal challenge. This Supreme Court challenge by Google has not been previously reported.

In parallel, the CCI has also approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the tribunals decision that granted Google partial relief.

Google has been particularly concerned about the implications of Indias Android decision, as the directives were perceived as more far-reaching compared to the ones imposed by the European Commission in its significant 2018 ruling against the operating system.

Consequently, Google has made some substantial changes to Android in India over recent months in response to these directives, including enabling device makers to license individual apps for pre-installation.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Tuesday said that if Russia collapses, we will all perish, after he was asked to explain his position on Moscow.

Lukashenko has largely taken credit for mitigating the Wagner groups mutiny against the Russian defence ministry. My position: if Russia collapses, we will remain under the rubble, we will all perish, he said.

The Belarusian leader, who has proven to be Russian President Vladimir Putins closest ally for supporting the country in the Ukraine war and by allowing Russian troops to invade it via Belarus, said, The threat of a new global conflict has never been as close as it is today. They (West) are once again asking to blow up our country, our entire region, to disorient people.

Unfortunately, our attempts to settle the situation through peaceful negotiations are now called a diplomatic imitation. The price of this imitation is hundreds of thousands of human lives, he added.

Belarusian forces put on combat readiness

Explaining the events that unfolded in Russia just three days ago, Alexander Lukashenko said that he was closely monitoring the attempted coup against Putin on Saturday.

He also said that Belarus armed forces and the police were put in on full combat readiness in case things went south.

I wont lie, it was painful to watch the events that took place in the south of Russia. Not only me. Many of our citizens took them to heart. Because the fatherland is one, he told reporters.

Lukashenko brokers deal with Wagner chief

On Saturday, Wagner groups chief Yevgeny Prigozhin receded their steps from Moscow after reaching halfway to avoid bloodshed, hence effectively aborting his mutiny plan.

A deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Lukashenko, his office said.

 President of #Belarus #Lukashenko held talks w/ head of PMC Wagner #Prigozhin. Negotiations continued throughout the day. Y.Prigozhin accepted the proposal of President of  to stop the movement of armed people of the Wagner company on the territory of #Russia pic.twitter.com/Kpf2SW7RNu  Belarus MFA  (@BelarusMFA) June 24, 2023

Meanwhile, Russian authorities dropped charges on the Wagner group after Lukashenko struck a deal between the two parties.

Prigozhin also accepted an exile in Belarus under this deal.

Lukashenkos office said in a statement, 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].

The president of Russia supported and thanked his Belarusian counterpart for the work done, it added.

Meanwhile, Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhins purported jet landed in Belarus on Tuesday after he announced an exile following an aborted mutiny led by the Russian mercenary group against the military.

According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, an Embraer Legacy 600 jet carrying the identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents landed near the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

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Jackson Lears in Harpers:

The war in Ukraine has resurrected the ultimate technocratic fantasy: a winnable nuclear war. Intellectuals at the Hoover Institution are urging American strategists to think nuclearly again, reestablishing the idea that nuclear weapons are tools to assert U.S. primacy over Russia and China. This isnt just talk. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recently noted steadily increasing U.S. bomber operations in Europesome near the Russian border. Though most Americans are unaware of it, escalation toward nuclear conflict is already under way.

In this strange atmosphere, I feel moved to revisit my own experience as a naval officer on a nuclear-armed ship more than fifty years ago. My story is all too relevant today. As Daniel Ellsberg demonstrates in The Doomsday Machine, the shape of U.S. nuclear strategy has remained unchanged since the early Sixties.

More here.
The Group of Seven (G7) nations met for a two-day summit on gender equality and womens empowerment in the Japanese city of Nikko, but to the utter embarrassment of host Japan.

Japan was represented at this meet by a man!

The gathering at the summit was expected to highlight womens activities in Japan with all the members having women representative, but Japans Masanobu Ogura was the only man at the gender equality meeting.

Japan has longed lagged its G7 peers in gender equality was the host of the summit which took place over this weekend 70 miles north of Tokyo discussed everything from sexual violence to LGBT rights, economic imbalances.

The members vowed to reduce the wage gap and enhance womens representation in executive and managerial positions.

How did he feel?

A report by a local paper Shimotsuke Shimbun in Japan, when Ogura was asked how he felt being the only male representative, he said male leaders with strong enthusiasm for gender equality are still needed.

Gender disparity in Japan

The G7 summit in Nikko came mere days after the World Economic Forum (WEF) 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 ranked the lowest among the G7 states and was 125 of 146 countries in the index.

Ranking of other G7 countries were  Germany (6th), the UK (15th), France (40th), US (43rd), and Italy (79th).

At a press conference, Ogura said: I explained during the event that Japan has been slow to make progress in promoting [women] in the political arena, but such moves are starting to gain momentum. Despite being the only male minister [in attendance], I received warm support from the other representatives.

As per the WEF index, Japan is one of only seven countries that have regressed on this metric since 2017.

A report by TIME said though the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan fielded several female candidates in recent elections with some have been elected as lawmakers, but men still make up about 90 per cent of parliamentary and ministerial posts.

Also, Japan has never yet been a female head of state.

With inputs from agencies

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Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhins purported jet landed in Belarus on Tuesday after he announced an exile following an aborted mutiny led by the Russian mercenary group against the military.

According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, an Embraer Legacy 600 jet carrying the identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents landed near the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

Following this, Russias RIA state news agency reported that authorities had dropped all charges against the Wagner group as the participants had ceased actions directly aimed at committing the crime.

On Saturday, Prigozhin and Russian authorities struck a deal to defuse the three-day-long fiasco. Under this deal, the Kremlin said fighters who participated in the mutiny would not be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Wagner boss said that he will visit Belarus at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko. However, details of his proposed journey into exile were not made public and his whereabouts remained unconfirmed for three days.

Without taking Prigozhins name, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address on Monday that those who participated in the mutiny had betrayed their motherland. Putin said Wagner fighters would be permitted to establish themselves in Belarus, join the Russian military or go home.

After reaching halfway to the capital city of Moscow, Wagner group mercenaries receded their steps to avoid bloodshed, their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed on Saturday.

The fighters of the Wagner private army run by former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin were already most of the way to the capital, having captured the city of Rostov and set off on a 1,100 km (680 mile) race to Moscow.

In an audio message, Prigozhin said that his army would return to their bases owing to the risk of blood being spilled.

Following this episode, the 62-year-old former Putin ally said that he launched the mutiny only to protest and save his group from being commanded by the Russian defence ministry.

We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country, Prigozhin said in an audio message on Monday.

With inputs from Reuters

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Kyivs mayor Vitali Klitschko was reprimanded on Tuesday by the Ukrainian government after city officials criticised him over the state of bomb shelters in the capital city.

The audit came after three people died after they were locked out on the street during a Russian air raid.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of the heads of two Kyiv districts and two acting heads of districts.

It is however not yet clear if Klitschko, a former boxer, will be punished any further.

Uncertainty about his political future grew after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised officials in the capital over the June 1 incident, in which two women and a girl were killed by falling debris after rushing to a shelter and finding it shut.

Following the incident, Zelenskyy ordered an audit of all bomb shelters in Kyiv and also ordered personnel changes.

Now in his ninth year as mayor, Klitschko was seen as one of Zelenskyys highest-profile opponents before Russias invasion in February 2022, and they had a public spat last November when the president accused him of doing a poor job setting up emergency shelters to help people with power and heat.

Klitschko, while acknowledging that he bore some responsibility, said that others were to blame, especially presidential appointees to some districts of the capital.

Klitschko had earlier on Tuesday inspected a Kyiv bomb shelter equipped with an automated opening system, signalling that moves are underway to improve access to such shelters in the capital following the June 1 deaths.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a government meeting that the audit ordered by Zelenskyy had found that 77 [er cent of the shelters in Ukraine were fit for use, but that many did not meet any standards.

He said the situation was unacceptable in some places, and mentioned districts in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions, as well as the city of Kyiv.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of district officials in Zhytomyr, Bila Tserkva and Konotop.

Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin had been appointed to coordinate all questions and processes related to bomb shelters, it said.

With inputs from Reuters

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Aiming at providing India access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and boost its security goals with the US in the strategic Indo-Pacific region, bipartisan legislation was introduced by members of the powerful India Caucus.

Indian-American Democratic Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Marc Veasey joined Republican Congressmen Andy Barr and Mike Waltz in introducing the legislation that will allow weapon sales to India from the US to be fast-tracked and deepen the US-India defence ties.

Companion legislation has also been introduced by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Cornyn in the US Senate, a statement issued by Krishnamoorthis office said.

Barrs office said in a statement that this legislation would place India on equal footing with other U.S. partners and allies by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and exports under the Arms Export Control Act.

It subjects Indian FMS to the same threshold for oversight and accountability as other key US partners and allies, ensuring that India has streamlined access to the high-end capabilities necessary to defend itself.

By deepening the U.S.-India defence partnership, this legislation will buttress Indias role as a key provider of security in Asia, the statement said.

The move came days after the historic state visit to the US by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, India and the US signed a host of defence and commercial pacts, including joint production of jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones.

Krishnamoorthi said that under the Arms Export Controls Act, the review and sales process for weapons to American partners and allies is streamlined and accelerated.

By adding India to this list, FMS will not only be approved faster but they will also be required to clear the same threshold for oversight and accountability as all other American allies.

This will ensure India has access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and further US-India security goals in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

Krishnamoorthi said strengthening the U.S.-India strategic partnership is vital to the prosperity and security of not only both nations but also other democracies around the world.

That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the United States and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act, he said.

Krishnamoorthi added that on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party, where he serves as the Ranking Member, we passed this legislative recommendation with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now we must pass this bipartisan measure into law.

Congressman Waltz said the US and India are bonded by shared national security interests and democratic values.

Which is why its so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today, he said.

As our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, through which more than USD 5 trillion of trade passes annually.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over some of the areas claimed by China.

Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Congressman Barr added that by removing the red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is.

Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Barr said as the worlds largest democracies, strengthening our global partnership is paramount in addressing the challenges of today and securing a safer future for all.

With inputs from PTI

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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced that he has been invited to China, a Reuters report said.

While making the announcement, Netanyahu also emphasised that the US remained Israels key ally.

Washington was notified of the expected visit a month ago, the statement from Netanyahus office said. The development comes as US scrutinizes Israeli commercial ties with its rival China, the report added.

China and the United States agreed this month to stabilise their relations but failed to produce any major breakthrough during a rare visit to Beijing by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The invitation to Netanyahu also comes as China attempts to make inroads in West Asia.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas also visited Beijing in June, where Chinese president Xi Jinping told him China was willing to help promote peace talks with Israel. US-brokered negotiations have been frozen since 2014.

With inputs from Reuters

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The director of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Zhuang Rongwen, has expressed concerns about the power and potential disruptive impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Zhuang highlighted that generative AI could have wide-ranging effects on society and daily life, posing a new challenge for internet governance.

The CAC, which is responsible for generative AI regulation in China, aims to ensure that AI is reliable and controllable.

Chinas concern for privacy

Zhuang specifically mentioned concerns about the data used in generative AI, the opaque nature of large language models, and privacy implications. Currently, the CAC has not issued any official permits or licenses for generative AI products in China, despite the trial-based rollout of ChatGPT-style services by Chinese tech companies like Baidu and Alibaba.

Zhuangs agency has published a list of 41 registered generative AI algorithms as a pre-screening step before official licensing. All generative AI algorithms and products must undergo security testing and review by the CAC before being publicly released.

China desperate to regulate AI

The launch of OpenAIs ChatGPT, a conversational bot, has sparked a global race to develop similar technologies. However, China faces a dilemma as it sees AI as a technology of the future but also seeks to regulate it to prevent the generation of unwanted information.

Zhuang emphasized the integration of AI into the real economy to improve traditional industry operations and called for international cooperation in AI research and development.

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.

Daniel Zhang Yong, Alibabas outgoing chairman and CEO, echoed Zhuangs concerns about the responsible development of AI and the need to maintain safety measures in light of the rapid advancements in AI technologies.

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With just days left for the scheduled expiry of the $6.5 billion loan programme, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held a phone call with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, expressing hope that the global lender would announce a decision pertaining to the release of bailout funds within a day or two.

The ninth review by the IMF under the 2019 Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for the release of a $1.2 billion tranche will expire on June 30. The cash-strapped nation was expected to get the amount in October last year, however it has not materialised yet as the IMF said Pakistan has been unable to meet important prerequisites, Dawn reported.

Last week, Sharif held back-to-back meetings with Georgieva in Paris.

Sharif and Georgieva discussed the IMF programme today, according to a statement released by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

In connection with the meetings held in Paris, the IMF director general acknowledged efforts by the finance minister and his team for completion of the programme, it said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Confirming the death of pilots killed fighting an aborted mutiny for the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday paid tribute to the fallen heroes saying that they saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences.

In an televised address on Monday, which was Putins first public comment since Saturdays armed revolt led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, he also thanked Russians for showing patriotic solidarity in the face of the Wagner militia groups march on Moscow.

Thanking the Russian people, servicemen, law enforcement and security services for remaining united to protect the Fatherland, Putin said it showed Russia would not succumb to any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil.

He said Russias enemies wanted to see the country choke in bloody civil strife, before singling out the actions of the pilots.

The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences, Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russias very existence and those behind it would be punished.

There has been no official information about how many pilots died or how many aircraft were shot down.

According to Reuters, some Russian Telegram channels monitoring Russias 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.

It was also not clear in what circumstances the aircraft were shot down and pilots killed.

Putin said the leaders of the mutiny had engaged in a criminal act, in a split and a weakening of the country, which is now facing a colossal external threat and unprecedented pressure from within.

The mutinys organisers had also betrayed the soldiers that they led, he said.

They lied to them, they pushed them to death: under fire, to shoot their own, Putin said. It is this very phenomenon  fratricide  that is sought by Russias enemies.

He said steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed during the insurrection, which ended abruptly with Wagner forces standing down and Prigozhin agreeing to go into exile in neighbouring Belarus.

Wagner leader Prigozhin also spoke in an 11-minute audio message posted on his press services Telegram channel, and gave few clues to his whereabouts or the deal.

He said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove nearly 800km (500 miles) towards the capital, before abruptly calling off the uprising.

Numerous Western leaders saw the unrest as exposing Putins vulnerability following his decision to invade Ukraine 16 months ago.

The Russian president said he would honour his weekend promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus, sign a contract with Russias 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 spokesperson.

One of Prigozhins principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russias top general, who by Monday evening had not appeared in public since the mutiny.

The defence ministry said early on Tuesday it was conducting tactical fighter jet exercises over the Baltic Sea.

Prigozhin whereabouts unclear

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.

Last seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders from the back of an SUV as he withdrew from a Russian city occupied by his men, Prigozhin said his fighters had halted their campaign to avert bloodshed.

We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country, Prigozhin said in the audio message.

On Saturday, Prigozhin had said he was leaving for Belarus under a deal brokered by its president, Alexander Lukashenko. In Mondays remarks, he said Lukashenko had offered to let Wagner operate under a legal framework, but did not elaborate.

Belarusian state media reported that Lukashenko would speak with journalists on Tuesday, which could potentially shed more light on the whereabouts of Prigozhin.

The White House said it could not confirm whether the Wagner chief was in Belarus.

Russias 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.

Lawmaker Leonid Slutsky said in a post on Telegram that Russia needed a contract army of at least seven million military and civilian personnel, on top of the current conscript army, so that there would no longer be a need to use private military companies like Wagner.

With inputs from agencies

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The US-China face off only continues to spike, showing no signs of abatement. The latest case in point can be the recent China visit of American Secretary of State Antony Blinken that failed to break any ice between the two warring giants.

America has been speaking in different, at times contradictory tongues, that has only added fuel to the fire.

White House called Xi Jinping a dictator and yet released a statement saying it had all the right to expect a positive outcome to the Blinken visit.

A prolonged and stretched out hostilities between the two nations does not augur well for industry and business that have sizeable presence in both countries. In fact, the regime of sanctions against China, at this point, only promises to be expanded and hardened.

China too could retaliate at any point and the face off could soon convert into protracted hostilities.

Businesses and industry giants, though, seem to have cracked the code of safely operating under both the jurisdictions, without jeopardising their sales and data.

The solution is Siloing and most of the businesses that have trade going on in both US and China have started resorting to it.

According to a WSJ report, Salesforce, an American cloud-based software company headquartered in San Francisco, California and providing customer relationship management software and applications focused on sales, customer service, marketing automation, e-commerce, analytics, and application development, is relying on a local Chinese partner separating its China business from its global operations.

Another example cited by WSJ is passenger vehicle giant Volkswagen. The company is planning to separate its chip development operations in China within China, thereby insulating it from US-led Western sanctions if any in the future.

Lixil, the Japanese bathroom fittings maker with brands such as American Standard and Grohe in its kitty, is reshaping its supply chains to make products for China in China, WSJ report pointed. It will make products for the US in North America.

Venture-capital angel investor Sequoia hit the matter out of the park as it announced that it would separate its China and US business completely.

While a number of companies are moving their manufacturing out of China altogether, moving to the greener pastures of India and Vietnam, Siloing is different. It means that businesses are breaking up their trade and manufacturing into a China silo and a US silo to insulate the two from each other.

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Former Samsung executive Choi Jinseog is facing a sealed indictment by South Korean prosecutors, alleging that he stole trade secrets from Samsungs supplier network to help his new client, Foxconn, set up a chip factory in China.

The indictment, reviewed by Reuters, provides details of the case against Choi and outlines how he allegedly poached employees from Samsung, obtained confidential information, and illegally acquired blueprints of Samsungs China plant.

Choi, however, denies all the charges. The theft is said to have caused more than $200 million in damages to Samsung Electronics. Foxconn, aware of the legal case, stated that it doesnt comment on ongoing investigations.

The indictment claims that Chois Singapore-based consultancy, Jin Semiconductor, won a contract with Foxconn in 2018 and soon thereafter obtained secret information related to building a chip factory.

Prosecutors allege that Chois company illegally used confidential information obtained from two contractors: Cho Young-sik of Samoo Architects & Engineers and Chung Chan-yup, an employee at HanmiGlobal.

Chois lawyer, Kim Pilsung, vehemently denies the claims, arguing that the alleged stolen information is not exclusive to Samsung and can be obtained through public engineering standards and satellite images.

Foxconn, one of the worlds largest electronics manufacturers, responded to the allegations by stating that it abides by laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates.

Samsung Electronics, the leading memory chipmaker, declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing investigations.

Samoo Architects & Engineers and HanmiGlobal distanced themselves from the allegations, with the latter confirming that the accused employee has been charged with leaking business secrets.

The indictment emphasizes that the types of materials obtained by Choi are treated as strictly confidential by Samsung, with multiple layers of protection in place.

Choi, once a prominent figure in South Koreas chip industry, worked at Samsung for 17 years, where he contributed to the development of DRAM memory chips and wafer processing technology. He then joined rival company SK Hynix, where he played a crucial role in the turnaround of the struggling chipmaker.

According to the indictment, the planned Foxconn plant intended to utilize 20-nanometer DRAM memory chip technology, which, while behind Samsungs latest technology, is still considered a national core technology by South Korea.

The transfer of such technologies overseas is restricted unless approved through licensing or partnerships.

The indictment suggests that the stolen data could have assisted China in catching up with South Korean chipmakers, as China is keen on enhancing its domestic chip manufacturing capabilities.

Choi initially signed a consulting contract with Foxconn in 2018, but the contract was terminated after a year.

The reasons behind the termination and the subsequent withdrawal from the project remain undisclosed.

Prosecutors reportedly found evidence that Foxconn had agreed to provide 8 trillion won ($6 billion) to build the factory and had been making monthly payments of several million dollars to Chois company until the contract was ended.

Chois lawyer suggests that his client may be a scapegoat in a larger campaign by the South Korean government, caught in the rivalry between China and the United States.

The lawyer speculates that the government is seeking to slow Chinas progress in chip manufacturing, aligning with President Yoon Suk Yeols declaration of chip industry competition as an all-out war.

Choi, along with five other former and current Jin Semiconductor employees and a Samsung contractor employee, is set to go on trial starting on July 12.

The case continues to attract attention due to its potential impact on the competitive landscape of the chip industry and the allegations of technology leaks to China.

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In an audio exclusively obtained by CNN, former President Donald Trump can be heard admitting the possession of secret documents that he did not declassify.

Earlier this month, Trump appeared for his arraignment at a Miami courthouse where he pleaded not guilty to over 37 felony charges filed against him related to the manhandling of classified government documents.

The recording that first appeared in CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, uncovers new details of the meeting that occurred in Bedminster, New Jersey where the Republican leader spilled the beans.

The conversation is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump.

In the audio clip, Trump can be heard saying, These are the papers, while he also discussed Pentagons plan to attack Iran.

The two-minute-long clip also records Trump and his aides joking about Hillary Clintons emails.

Hillary would print that out all the time, you know. Her private emails, one of Trumps staffers said.

Referring to former Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner, Trump responded, No, shed send it to Anthony Weiner.

The conversation

This is how the rest of the conversation between Trump and his staffer went.

Staffer: Like when Milley is talking about, Oh youre going to try to do a coup. No, they were trying to do that before you even were sworn in.

Trump: He said that I wanted to attack Iran, Isnt it amazing? I have a big pile of papers; this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this  this is off the record but  they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him.

This was done by the military and given to me.

See as president I could have declassified it. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Staffer: Now we have a problem. (Laughs)

Trump: Its so cool. I mean, its so, look, her and I, and you probably almost didnt believe me, but now you believe me.

Staffer: No, I believed you.

There was no document

Meanwhile, in an interview with FOX News last week, Trump said, There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things.

He added, And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

In an apparent response to the leaked audio clip, Trumps campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said, The audio tape provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all.

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Brace yourself for a journey into the abyss of human depravity. In this spine-chilling listicle, we delve into the twisted minds and gruesome acts of the worlds worst serial killers. From the cunning charm of Ted Bundy to the terrifying reign of Jack the Ripper, these notorious individuals left a trail of terror and devastation in their wake. Prepare to be captivated and disturbed as we unveil the dark side of humanity and explore the chilling tales that have become infamous chapters in the annals of history.

Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy, a handsome and charismatic figure, used his charm to lure unsuspecting victims. His estimated kill count ranges from 30 to over 100. Bundy often pretended to be injured, seeking help from kind-hearted strangers. Once they let their guard down, he attacked, leaving a trail of devastation.

Jack the Ripper

One of the most infamous and elusive killers in history, Jack the Ripper terrorised the streets of London in the late 1800s. This unidentified serial killer targeted prostitutes, gruesomely mutilating his victims. Despite countless theories and investigations, his identity remains unknown.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Known as the Milwaukee Cannibal, Dahmers crimes shocked the world. He lured young men into his apartment, where he engaged in acts of necrophilia, dismemberment, and cannibalism. Dahmers disturbing acts continued for years until his arrest in 1991.

Aileen Wuornos

Aileen Wuornos, dubbed the Monster, was one of Americas few female serial killers. A prostitute herself, Wuornos claimed to have killed in self-defence, targeting men who solicited her services. Her troubled past and violent tendencies make her case a complex one.

John Wayne Gacy

Gacy, known as the Killer Clown, dressed as a clown for childrens parties, while leading a double life as a sadistic murderer. He sexually assaulted and murdered young boys, burying many of them beneath his house. Gacys horrifying actions earned him a place among the most deranged killers.

Harold Shipman

As a trusted British physician, Harold Shipman used his position to prey on his patients. Over his career, he murdered an estimated 250 individuals, primarily elderly women. Shipman administered lethal doses of drugs, disguising his crimes as natural deaths.

Richard Ramirez

Dubbed the Night Stalker, Ramirez terrorized Los Angeles in the 1980s. He broke into homes at night, brutally attacking and killing his victims. Ramirezs heinous acts included rape, burglary, and satanic rituals, leaving a trail of fear and devastation in his wake.

Andrei Chikatilo

Known as the Butcher of Rostov, Chikatilo murdered and sexually assaulted over 50 people, mostly children and young women. Operating in the Soviet Union, his brutal acts shocked the world. Chikatilo would often mutilate his victims, earning him his terrifying nickname.

Gary Ridgway

The Green River Killer, Ridgway is one of Americas most prolific serial killers. He targeted prostitutes and vulnerable women, strangling them and discarding their bodies in the Green River. Ridgways crimes remained unsolved for years, leading to a reign of terror in the Pacific Northwest.

Dennis Rader

Known as the BTK Killer (Bind, Torture, Kill), Dennis Rader sent taunting letters to the media, detailing his sadistic crimes. He murdered ten people over several decades, often strangling his victims. Raders ability to blend into his community and live a seemingly normal life made his capture all the more shocking.

These ten notorious serial killers have left an indelible mark on history with their horrifying acts. Their crimes continue to fascinate and disturb us, serving as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can exist within humanity.

DISCLAIMER: This article has been generated using Artificial Intelligence

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Hitting out at the US after the aborted mutiny in Russia last weekend, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday said that Washington enthusiastically supports regime change whenever it can benefit from the process.

In an interview to Russia Today, Lavrov added that if a protest movement targets a government more pliant to American interests, Washington will inevitably reject it.

There have been numerous attempts at regime change around the world in recent years and they were met with a different response on the part of the US, depending on who was in power and who was trying to carry out the coup, Lavrov said.

Where the West is happy with the current government, in such situations no protest can be legitimate. But where the government doesnt reflect the interests of the hegemon and is pursuing the national interests, in those cases we see various unlawful forces are being stimulated to attack the authorities, the Foreign Minister added.

Giving an example of such a differentiated approach by the US and its allies, Lavrov pointed to regime change in Ukraine in 2014 and the conflict in Yemen the next year.

The so-called Maidan coup in Kyiv was a revolt that happened against the legitimate president and which was marred by bloody provocations against the unarmed police, he told Russia Today.

The diplomat recalled Ukraines democratically elected leader Viktor Yanukovich had been forced to flee violence despite his government and the opposition reaching an EU-sponsored agreement on settling the crisis just hours before that.

There were no protests against that insurgency from the US or its European allies. So, they just recognised it as a zig-zag in the democratic process, he said.

All those years, all our attempts to bring the Ukrainian situation to a political settlement were met with the response [from the Americans and Europeans] that Yanukovich left the country, Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia Today.

At the same time, he said, when Yemens Western-backed leader Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi ran to Saudi Arabia in 2015 from advancing Houthi rebels, weve heard the West saying that hes still a legitimate president and that he needs to be installed back in Yemen. And only after that the settlement process will start, he pointed out.

The top Russian diplomat also said there was an attempted coup in Gambia in 2014 and the White House announced that the US will never recognise the forces that seized power in the country by unconstitutional means.

Prigozhin stages insurrection

Russias notorious mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin late on Friday staged an apparent insurrection, sending an armoured convoy towards Moscow and raising questions about Vladimir Putins grip on power.

Prigozhin declared a march of justice to oust Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, during which the mercenaries captured the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and then marched on Moscow.

The rebellion 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 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.

It was unclear what would ultimately happen to Prigozhin and his forces. Few details of the deal were released either by the Kremlin or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who brokered it. Prigozhins whereabouts have been unclear since he drove out of Rostov-on-Don in an SUV Saturday.

US goal is to secure profit

Commenting on Washingtons reaction to the aborted mutiny, Lavrov said the US goal in any situation is to secure profit for itself and it readily goes against its stated principles when it sees an opportunity.

US media have claimed that the US opted to postpone planned sanctions against the private military company Wagner Group, whose leader Prigozhin tried to use the force to oust senior Russian Generals.

The US wanted to avoid the optics that it was siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the turmoil, the reports said.

This is just another piece of evidence that the US position depends on what it wants from every particular player, be it on the international arena or in some particular nation, Lavrov told Russia Today about the reports.

The US has repeatedly shown bias and vested interests regarding the Ukrainian conflict, he said, adding, They are the ones waging a war against Russia with Ukrainian hands, after all.

With inputs from agencies

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A top US state department official has said that the country has been consistently calling on Pakistan to step up efforts to permanently disband all terrorist groups like the LeT, JuD and their various front organisations.

State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday said the US will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials and will continue to work together with it to counter mutual terrorist threats.

We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations, he said.

We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue, he said.

Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

In the joint statement, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.

Miller declined to comment on Indias response to former US president Barack Obamas statement about minority rights in India.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly 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.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers have slammed Obama for his statement, saying, He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president).

Singhs comments came a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US bombing during Obamas tenure.

In response to another question, Miller said, We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi.

(With inputs from PTI)

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In a viral video, a high school student in Norway reportedly refused to shake hands with the female principal during the graduation ceremony on religious grounds.

The video has been shared by journalist Rakesh Krishnan Simha on Twitter.

Harmful student graduating from school in Norway refuses to shake hands with his female high school principal on religious grounds. These Harmfuls have no problem committing taharrush and rape of European women but shaking a womans hand is haram?

In the video, the school principal can be heard saying, You live in Norway. If you want to succeed here you will have to work with women and shake hands with them.

Harmful student graduating from school in Norway refuses to shake hands with his female high school principal on religious grounds. These Harmfuls have no problem committing taharrush and rape of European women but shaking a woman's hand is haram? Good to see the principal not pic.twitter.com/Qhf22UxbR9  Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) June 26, 2023

Good to see the principal not letting this pass. She tries to forcibly shake his hands: You live in Norway. If you want to succeed here you will have to work with women and shake hands with them. Is this a case of too little, too late? Woke Norwegians allowed hundreds of thousands of Harmfuls to enter their country and now are faced with high crime rates, terrorism, unsafe cities, unemployment doles. And still Norway wont learn. Instead of focusing on jehad and the virus within, they believe Russia is the enemy and are pouring billions of dollars and weapons into Ukraine. Harmful immigrants are Europes karma, Simha wrote.

The video has received over 1,08,000 views so far.

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A man was filmed allegedly carving his and his fiancees names into the Colosseum in Rome. The viral video has sparked outrage in Italy.

Gennaro Sangiuliano, Minister of Culture of Italy, tweeted, 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, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee. I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.

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 viral clip, the young man can be seen using keys to carve letters into one of the walls of the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheatre.

CNN quoted the Italian news agency ANSA saying, The inscription read Ivan+Haley 23.

The alleged incident took place on Friday, and authorities were informed by social media recordings, according to ANSA.

The man could face a punishment of at least EU 15,000 (USD 16,360) or up to five years in jail.

In 2020, according to CNN, an Irish visitor was accused of vandalisingvandalizingeum after security guards noticed him apparently scratching his initials into the ancient building and reported him to the police.

With inputs from agencies

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that the government had paid the Wagner Group over $1 billion.

His comments came after the Russian mercenary group staged a failed coup against the countrys military.

The state paid to the Wagner group 86.262 billion rubles (around $1 billion) for salaries for fighters and incentive rewards between May 2022 and May 2023 alone, Putin said.

Russia once denied the very existence of Wagner, a shadowy mercenary army that defends Moscows interests with operations in several African and Middle Eastern states.

Putin added, The content of the entire Wagner group was fully provided by the state, from the Ministry of Defence, from the state budget. We fully funded this group.

Russias RIA state news agency reported that authorities had dropped all charges against the Wagner group as the participants had ceased actions directly aimed at committing the crime.

On Saturday, Prigozhin and Russian authorities struck a deal to defuse the three-day-long fiasco. Under this deal, the Kremlin said fighters who participated in the mutiny would not be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Wagner boss said that he will visit Belarus at the invitation of President Alexander Lukashenko. However, details of his proposed journey into exile were not made public and his whereabouts remained unconfirmed for three days.

Without taking Prigozhins name, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an address on Monday that those who participated in the mutiny had betrayed their motherland. Putin said Wagner fighters would be permitted to establish themselves in Belarus, join the Russian military or go home.

With inputs from agencies

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Former head of Israel Defence Intelligence Amos Yadlin slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plans regarding upcoming visit to China and said this is a move that will harm the Israeli interest and not promote it.

On Tuesday, a statement from Netanyahus office said the Israeli PM was invited to China and further emphasised that the United States remained Israels key ally.

US President Joe Bidens administration was notified of the expected visit a month ago, the statement from Netanyahus office said.

According to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu has been seeking an invite to the White House but has been kept at arms length by US President Joe Biden, amid disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem over the Israeli governments judicial overhaul push, policies in the West Bank and a potential interim nuclear deal between Iran and the US.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Amos Yadlin noted that the move appeared to be aimed at imitating Saudi Arabia.

The briefing on the Prime Ministers intention to visit China next month, as a signal to the Biden administration that Israel has strategic alternatives to a powerful support, is an Israeli attempt to imitate the Saudi diversification of supports policy. This is a move that will harm the Israeli interest and not promote it, Yadlin wrote.

       ,           ,         .        .

1/5  Amos Yadlin (@YadlinAmos) June 27, 2023

He said that they are making a bitter mistake and we do not understand the importance of the competition between the powers in the geopolitics of the 21st century.

Unlike Israel, Saudi Arabia does not receive billions annually in US military assistance; doesnt depend on an American veto at the UN Security Council; is not reliant on US financial guarantees; and does not have the most advanced American weapons systems, the former official noted.

Israel needs the Biden administration to advance its strategic goals: preventing Iran from (obtaining) nuclear weapons and adding Saudi Arabia to the circle of normalization, he added, while referring to a potential peace deal between Jerusalem and Riyadh.

He further highlighted that the Xi Jinping-led country regularly votes against Israel at the UN, is a longtime supporter of the Palestinians and has a strategic alliance with Iran.

He believes China cannot match the US in terms of security, strategic and operational cooperation.

The Israeli signal is a bluff that isnt expected to improve Israels position vis-a-vis Washington, said Yadlin, and added, The prime minister has much stronger cards (to play) in order to put ties with the US back on track.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After teasers, Samsung has confirmed the launch of Galaxy M34 5G, the companys next mid-range 5G smartphone in the M series in India on July 7th.

In the new teasers, Samsung has confirmed a 6.5-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster technology, and the image shows that it will have a notch.

It will pack a 50MP rear camera with OIS, Monster Shot 2.0 feature that powers the AI Engines behind the camera and allows consumers to capture up to 4 videos and 4 photos in a single shot.

The company also highlights Nightography feature from the flagship series is coming to the Galaxy M34 5G. It will also sport Fun Mode, which has 16 different inbuilt lens effects.

The phone will pack a 6000mAh battery that promises up to 2 days of battery life.

The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G will be sold on Amazon.in, in addition to Samsung India online store and offline stores. The phone is expected to be priced under Rs. 20,000.
According to Ars Technicas Ron Amadeo, the Pixel Fold foldable device had a short lifespan of only four days due to various design flaws, as reported by him.

Despite minimal usage, the device experienced issues such as the bottom pixels dying, resulting in a line of fully lit pixels at the bottom of the screen. The left half of the screen became unresponsive to touch, and a white gradient appeared within an hour.

The demise of the Pixel Fold can be attributed to an exposed OLED gap, which seems to be a common flaw in other units as well. Ron speculates that something might have entered the gap when the screen was closed, leading to a puncture in the panel.

Google has cautioned users about the vulnerability of flexible screens to sand, crumbs, and sharp objects, emphasizing the need to avoid contact with such materials.

Another concern is the incomplete coverage of the plastic layer on the OLED panel, leaving vulnerable areas that are prone to damage. It is uncertain whether this was intentional or an oversight by Google, but it raises further apprehensions among users who have purchased these devices.

Ron also highlights the issue of nearly flush bezels on the Pixel Fold, which allows the two sides of the display to touch when the device is closed. Even the tiniest debris can cause irreversible damage to the screen.

Given the significant design flaw, Ron suggests caution before investing in a foldable device. The form factor, despite several iterations, has not yet reached a point of complete reliability and safety. The extent of this issue will become evident in the coming days, as the Pixel Fold is set to be released in several countries this week.

Source
  aillarionov



24 hours of Putins fear. What was this?



What is known so far:



With Putins consent (or on Putins order), Russias Minister of Defense, Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, attempted to disband the private company The Wagner Group.

As a first step, the Ministry of Defense required members of Wagner to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, refused to sign contracts, which was viewed as a sign of disobedience, punishable by the physical destruction of some of his people, forcing others to subordinate.

It appears that Prigozhins rebellion was provoked by the Ministry of Defenses threat, and was aimed exclusively at obtaining security for Prigozhin himself and for his people.

It turned out to be more successful than anyone could have imagined. Prigozhins rebellion was the most impressive special military operation involving Russias forces at least in the last three decades.

Detachments of Wagner took Rostov (with population of 1 million) and the headquarters of the Southern Military District (essentially, the center of the army operations against Ukraine) and advanced relatively easily through the Rostov, Voronezh, and Lipetsk regions.

The Wagner forces could not pass through the Tula region. If they could go through, they would certainly do it. Aleksey Dyumin, the governor of Tula and a former Putin bodyguard and one of his most loyal and trustful lieutenants, played a role in blocking Wagners advance.

The chance for further advancement rapidly disappeared, and Prigozhin was forced to negotiate. He tried to protect himself and his people by sending them to Belarus. Whether this part of the deal will be fulfilled remains to be seen.

Prigozhins rebellion greatly frightened the regime and caused significant reputational damage to Putin, who turned to leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan for help. For the first time in the countrys history, the leader of Turkey offered mediation services to Putin to settle a Russian domestic crisis. Putin himself apparently left the Kremlin and flew to his Valdai residence 400 km north-west of Moscow.

Most of Putins officials and propagandists remained conspicuously silent during the 24-hour crisis, and some hastened to leave Moscow.

Putin will not forget the horror that engulfed him and the betrayal of some of his entourage and will be forced to start the reorganization of the regime.

Representatives of the Russian Berlin-Brussels opposition who, in recent months, blocked their democratic colleagues standing up for resistance to the regime, but immediately expressed support for the outright criminal Prigozhin, publicly discredited themselves.

The regime showed its weakness, but it stood. It will not remain the same after this.

Once again it has been exceptionally demonstrated that there is no non-violent way to change or replace Putins regime.

https://centerforsecuritypolicy.org/24-hours-of-putins-fear-what-was-this/

On June 23, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, released several social media posts critical of Russian military leadership and accusing the Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, of ordering airstrikes on Wagner fighters. He said that he and his mercenary force would lead a march for justice to Moscow. The Federal Security Service (FSB) opened an investigation against Prigozhin. After initial success, Prigozhin announced his forces were turning around on June 24. Tags: , , , , 

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Policemen attached to the Ogbia Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have repelled an attack by gunmen suspected to be sea pirates.Spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Asinim Butswat, said the suspected gunmen opened fire on the policemen on duty at the Ogbia Divisional Headquarters around 2.30 am on Monday, June 26, 2023, with the intention of dispossessing them of their rifles.

"Tactical squads, the Marine Police and other security agencies have been alerted. Security operatives are making frantic efforts to identify the perpetrators and arrest them. Investigation is ongoing, the PPRO said.
Report: Cybercriminals Utilize Bitcoin Demands in Bomb Threats Targeting US Retail Stores News oi -Kabir Jain

In recent months, a concerning trend has emerged in the United States, as scammers have begun targeting retailers with bomb threats and extortion demands. Major companies, including Kroger, Target, Walmart, Amazon's Whole Foods Market, and others, have received these threats, accompanied by demands for payment in various forms such as gift cards, Bitcoin (BTC), or cash. The scammers threaten to detonate bombs unless their demands are met.

Uncommon and Targeted Extortion

Incidents of bomb threats accompanied by payment demands have already impacted stores in New Mexico and Wisconsin. Retailers have confirmed that such threats, demanding ransom payments, are uncommon and represent a new form of targeted extortion specifically aimed at their businesses.

One example involved an employee at a Whole Foods Market in a Chicago suburb who received a call from a scammer demanding $5,000 worth of BTC. The scammer claimed that a pipe bomb had been placed inside the store and threatened to detonate it unless the ransom was paid.

Threats and Evacuations

Law enforcement agencies have been promptly notified in each instance, resulting in the evacuation of the premises. However, thorough searches conducted by authorities revealed no suspicious objects, and no bombs were detonated.

Intensified Investigations

Efforts are now being intensified to investigate these Bitcoin scammers. Tracking them through their blocked phone numbers has proven challenging, leaving uncertainty as to whether they are operating individually or as part of a larger systematic effort.

Singular Store Targeting

Upon closer examination, it has been observed that each targeted store has only received a single bomb threat call. Multiple calls to the same store have not been reported, adding to the complexity of identifying and apprehending the culprits.

Collaborative Measures

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is working closely with local and state

law enforcement agencies to identify and bring these criminals to justice. Retailers have been advised to treat these calls seriously but not to make any payments. Instead, employees are encouraged to gather as much information as possible from the callers to assist in the investigations.

Bitcoin Ransom: A Familiar Tactic

Demanding Bitcoin as a form of ransom is not a new tactic employed by criminals. In 2022, cybercriminals breached the systems of Oil India Limited (OIL) and demanded $7,500,000 (approximately Rs. 61,51,31,250) in Bitcoin as ransom.

The Concerns Surrounding Cryptocurrencies

The exploitation of cryptocurrencies by criminals raises significant concerns for governments worldwide. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies and their lack of control by any financial institution make them attractive tools for illegal activities. According to a recent report by Reuters, the unlawful use of cryptocurrencies reached a record $20.1 billion (approximately Rs. 1,64,895 crore) last year.

Regulatory Efforts and Challenges

Governments in many countries are actively working on implementing regulations to govern the cryptocurrency sector. The aim is to establish measures such as taxation and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to enable better transaction tracking while ensuring a certain level of privacy that traditional banks may not offer.

Via

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OnePlus Nord 3, Nord CE 3 India Launch Date, Design Confirmed News lekhaka -Subhrojit Mallick

OnePlus has been gearing up to launch the OnePlus Nord 3 smartphone in India. The company has been teasing the smartphone since last week, along with the OnePlus Nord CE 3, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r and the Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC. All these products are confirmed to launch next month onJuly 5.

Apart from the launch date, the company has also revealed the design of the upcoming mid-ranger from the Nord series, the OnePlus Nord CE 3, as well as the OnePlus Nord 3. The Nord CE 3 is expected to come in an Aqua Surge color option along with a gray/black color variant, which recently leaked out. The Nord 3 is also coming in two colors and looks to be a copy of another OnePlus phone out in China. Here are all the deets.

OnePlus Nord 3 Release Date Confirmed

OnePlus has confirmed the launch date of the OnePlus Nord 3. The Nord 3 will be launching in India on July 5. The Chinese brand is also expected to launch the OnePlus Nord CE 3 along with a bunch of audio products.

Ahead of the launch, the company has revealed the design of the OnePlus Nord 3. The Nord 3 looks uncannily similar to the OnePlus Ace 2V which launched in China a few months back. The Nord 3 design also confirms the return of the alert slide. It will also sport a flat display, as is the trend these days. The Nord 3 is confirmed to come in Green and Slate Gray colors.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Design Confirmed

Confirming the previous leaks, OnePlus also released a teaser poster of the upcoming OnePlus Nord CE 3 - launching on the same day - revealing the design. The Nord CE 3 will sport a triple camera, housed in two circular modules along with an LED flash. The teaser image also confirms an IR blaster on the top edge.

The teaser poster doesn't however, reveal the front fascia of the device, which if leaked images are to be believed, will sport a curved display, much like the new Realme 11 Pro smartphone.

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Red Magic 8S Pro: First Phone with 24GB RAM to Launch on July 5 News lekhaka -Subhrojit Mallick

Android phone makers have been competing for ages now, in trying to be the first to bring the best and higher specifications in their phones. This has led to phones having 200MP cameras and 210W fast charging capacities in phones available in the market today. Now, the first phone with a massive 24GB has been announced by Nubia's RedMagic.

The new RedMagic 8S Pro by Nubia's RedMagic is expected to come loaded with a 24GB RAM, which will be the first of its kind. This was confirmed by Nubia on an official Weibo post. Let's take a closer look.

Red Magic 8S Pro To Have 24GB RAM

Nubia has now confirmed that its upcoming RedMagic 8S Pro will feature a never-seen-before 24GB RAM capacity. If you're wondering if this will be made possible through the use of virtual RAM, it won't. The phone will actually boast of 24GB physical RAM.

What this massive RAM capacity entails, is a super fast and smooth experience for users. Gaming, heavy editing, multitasking will all be made easier and faster with the help of a huge RAM. Whether phones need this capacity or if it is just another big number added to attract customers is the big question.

There are rumours afloat about two other brands, OnePlus and Realme, working on phones that come with 24GB RAM. A new phone set to launch soon, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro, is also expected to come with a mammoth RAM.

Red Magic 8S Pro: Specifications and Launch Date

The parent company has confirmed that the new smartphone will come with a overclocked version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. This will have a 3.36GHz clock speed, higher than the 3.19GHz speed on the standard model.

The phone is set to be launched on July 5th, in an event in China.

Other specifications of the Magic 8S Pro are expected to be the same as the RedMagic 8 Pro, which was launched earlier. That means the phone will have a 6.8-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It will come with a 50MP triple rear camera setup at the back and a 16MP under-display front camera. The phone will also come loaded with a 6000mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging.

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Samsung Galaxy M34 5G launch date in India set for July 7: Key specifications revealed News oi -Carlsen Martin

Samsung is gearing up to launch a new smartphone in its Galaxy M series soon. The South Korean smartphone maker recently launched the Samsung Galaxy F64 5G in the country's sub-30K market.

And now, Samsung has confirmed the launch of the Galaxy M34 5G in India. The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G follows last year's Galaxy M33, which debuted in the country's sub-20K segment.

Samsung Galaxy M34 Launch Date in India

The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G launch date in India is set for July 7, 2023. Additionally, the Galaxy M34 5G will go on sale through Amazon India after its launch. Ahead of its launch, Samsung has already confirmed key details about the Galaxy M34 5G, which suggests an upgrade over its predecessor.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy M34 5G will feature a 120Hz Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster technology. We can also see a waterdrop notch and thick bezels on the front of Samsung's upcoming Galaxy M series smartphone.

Moreover, the Galaxy M34 5G will pack a massive 6,000 mAh battery. The device will feature a triple-camera setup on the back with a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS support. The M34 5G also features various camera modes, including Samsung Nightography feature.

Samsung Galaxy M34: What to Expect

The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is also expected to run Android 13 out of the box with One UI 5.1 on top. The other the cameras in the M34 5G's triple-camera setup are likely to be an ultrawide shooter and a macro lens.

Moreover, Samsung will likely bundle a 25W charger in the box with the Galaxy M34 5G. The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G price in India is likely to fall under Rs 20,000, considering last year's Galaxy M33 5G fetched a starting price of Rs 17,999 at the time of its launch.

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Microsoft Was Serious About Acquiring Sega, Bungie, And Other Gaming Studios For Xbox Game Pass Subscriptions Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai

The ongoing hearing to address the US FTC's concerns with Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard have been revealing several interesting insider information. Microsoft has disclosed how it was seriously considering buying Sega and Bungie, two of the biggest game developers and publishers for its Microsoft Xbox Game Pass subscriptions.

Microsoft isn't hiding its ambitious plan of going big in the world of Cloud Gaming. After revealing how it sacrificed computing power and sales of its popular Xbox Series X|S, the company has now revealed how it was serious about pursuing Sega Sammy and several other game developers and publishers.

Microsoft Wanted Sega, Bungie, Zynga, and IO Interactive For Xbox Game Pass

According to internal documents from the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft hearing, Microsoft was looking at acquiring multiple game developers and publishers to bolster its Xbox Game Pass subscription.

Specifically, Xbox chief Phil Spencer emailed both Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Microsoft CFO Amy Hood, requesting strategy approval to approach Sega Sammy over a potential acquisition of its Sega gaming studios.

Microsoft considered acquiring Bungie and Sega to bolster Xbox Game Pass, internal emails show https://t.co/d1PTCHMajF pic.twitter.com/RJUiHFPToR  Wario64 (@Wario64) June 26, 2023

"We believe that Sega has built a well-balanced portfolio of games across segments with global geographic appeal, and will help us accelerate Xbox Game Pass both on and off-console."

"The global appeal of Sega's beloved IP will help expand Xbox Game Pass's reach to new audiences around the world, most notably in Asia, where localized content is critical to success."

It goes without saying that global game publisher Sega has enjoyed decades of loyalty and popularity from millions of gamers. Adding game titles from Sega would invariably boost the appeal and subscriptions of the Microsoft Xbox Game Pass.

In fact, Microsoft believed a Sega acquisition would drive Xbox Game Pass subscriptions across PC, console, and cloud, the disclosed court document revealed. Sega would also offer game transactions value for monetization opportunities in the future, Spencer claimed.

Just like they did with Sega. Good thing Microsoft built for it #Xbox pic.twitter.com/1DHwlE9vvO  Uni Sensei (@UniDaSensei) June 23, 2023

Apart from Sega, owned by Sega Sammy, Microsoft had identified key areas for PC, mobile, and console acquisitions across different markets. Game publishers with popular titles, such as Bungie, Thunderful, Supergiant Games, Niantic, Playrix, Zynga, and IO Interactive were part of a list of companies Microsoft was seriously looking at acquiring.

Microsoft hasn't revealed if its CEO greenlit the talks for acquiring Sega. However, it appears the company was quite serious about quickly picking up game development studios and publishers before the competition scooped them up. Incidentally, that's precisely what happened with Bungie, which is now owned by Sony.

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European Defence Fund: EU to invest 832 million in 41 ambitious defence industrial projects

European Commission

Press release

26 June 2023

Brussels

Today, the Commission announced the results of the 2022 calls for proposals under the European Defence Fund (EDF) amounting to 832 million of EU funding in support of 41 joint defence research and development projects across the EU.

The selected projects will help further develop EU's high-end defence capabilities in critical areas such as, naval, ground, air combat, space-based early warning and cyber. For example, in the Naval field, the E-NACSOS project will focus on a new collaborative standard for anti-air and missile defence. In the Air category, the project REACTII will improve the resilience and management for electronic warfare. Another project in the space domain, ODIN'S EYE II, will build on the progress on space-based missile early warning and will gather industry from 14 EU Member States and Norway to increase European capability in this area. The EDF will also directly contribute to Cyber defence in three specific research and development projects.

For the first time, the EDF will launch a 25 million technological challenge under the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS). In this technological challenge teams will compete to bring forward the best solution to detect hidden threats through unmanned systems and allow military and civilian personnel to operate safer in conflict environments.

The outcome of the 2022 calls reaffirms that the EDF contributes to the EU's strategic autonomy and to creating a more competitive and integrated European defence technological and industrial base. The 2022 call results also confirm the strong interest and active engagement of the EU defence industry in all call topics and demonstrate their strong commitment to the ambition pursued through the programme. Selected consortia bring together 550 entities from across the EU and Norway and strongly involve SMEs, which represent 39% of all entities.

The success of this second year of EDF calls shows that the programme, building upon its two precursor programmes (the Preparatory Action on Defence Research and the European Defence Industrial Development Programme), is fit for purpose:

Highly attractive programme with strong interest by EU industry : 134 proposals received by diverse consortia, encompassing large industries, SMEs, midcaps and Research and Technology organisations, and covering all calls and topics published.

: 134 proposals received by diverse consortia, encompassing large industries, SMEs, midcaps and Research and Technology organisations, and covering all calls and topics published. Wide geographical coverage : 550 legal entities from 26 EU Member States and Norway participate in the selected proposals.

: 550 legal entities from 26 EU Member States and Norway participate in the selected proposals. Wide cooperation within projects : on average, selected proposals involve 22 entities from 9 EU Member States and Norway.

: on average, selected proposals involve 22 entities from 9 EU Member States and Norway. Strong involvement of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) : SMEs represent over 39% of all entities in selected proposals receiving 20% of the total requested EU funding.

: SMEs represent over 39% of all entities in selected proposals receiving 20% of the total requested EU funding. Good balance between research and capability development actions : 317 million to fund's 25 research projects and 514 million to fund 14 capability development projects.

: 317 million to fund's 25 research projects and 514 million to fund 14 capability development projects. Support for disruptive technologies for defence : 4.5% of the budget dedicated to fund game-changing ideas that will bring innovation to radically change the concepts and conduct of defence projects.

: 4.5% of the budget dedicated to fund game-changing ideas that will bring innovation to radically change the concepts and conduct of defence projects. Balanced support for strategic defence capabilities and new, promising technology solutions.

Consistency with other EU defence initiatives: through the EU Strategic Compass, EU capability priorities, and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), with 11 of the selected development proposals linked to PESCO.

The Commission will now enter into grant agreement preparation with the selected consortia. Following the successful conclusion of this process and the adoption of the Commission's award decision, the grant agreements will be signed, before the end of the year.

Last week, the Commission proposed to reinforce the long-term EU budget and to create a Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). This new instrument will reinforce and allocate an additional 1.5 billion to the European Defence Fund, as well as additional funding for other existing EU programmes. The top-up of the European Defence Fund will be used for actions focused on deep and digitial technologies that can significantly boost the performance of future capabilities throughout the Union, aiming to maximise innovation and introduce new defence products and technologies. This will further boost the innovation capacity of the European defence technological and industrial base.

Background

The European defence industry submitted, by 24 November 2022, 134 proposals for joint defence R&D projects in response to the 2022 European Defence Fund (EDF) calls for proposals, reflecting all the thematic priorities identified by the Member States with the support of the Commission.

The EDF is the EU's key instrument to support defence R&D cooperation in Europe. Without substituting Member States' efforts, it promotes cooperation between companies of all sizes and research actors throughout the EU. The EDF supports collaborative defence projects throughout the entire cycle of research and development, focusing on projects resulting in state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. It also fosters innovation and incentivises the cross-border participation of SMEs. Projects are selected following calls for proposals which are defined based on the EU capability priorities commonly agreed by Member States within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and particularly in the context of the Capability Development Plan (CDP).

The EDF is endowed with a budget of 7,953 billion for the period 2021-2027. This financial envelope is divided into two pillars:

2,651 billion will be allocated to funding collaborative defence research to address emerging and future security threats; and

5,302 billion to co-finance collaborative capability development projects.

Between 4% and 8% of the EDF budget is devoted to development or research for disruptive technologieshaving the potential to create game-changing innovations in the defence sector.

The EDF is implemented through annual work programmes structured along 17 stable thematic and horizontal categories of actions during the Multiannual Financial Framework period 2021-2027, focusing on:

Emerging challenges to shape a multidimensional and holistic approach to the modern-day battlespace, such as defence medical support, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) threats, biotech and human factors, information superiority, advanced passive and active sensors, cyber and space.

to shape a multidimensional and holistic approach to the modern-day battlespace, such as defence medical support, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) threats, biotech and human factors, information superiority, advanced passive and active sensors, cyber and space. Boosters and enablers for defence to bring a key technology push to the EDF and which are relevant across capability domains, such as digital transformation, energy resilience and environmental transition, materials and components, disruptive technologies and open calls for innovative and future-oriented defence solutions, including dedicated calls for SMEs.

to bring a key technology push to the EDF and which are relevant across capability domains, such as digital transformation, energy resilience and environmental transition, materials and components, disruptive technologies and open calls for innovative and future-oriented defence solutions, including dedicated calls for SMEs. Excellence in warfare to enhance the capability pull and support ambitious defence systems, such as air combat, air and missile defence, ground combat, force protection and mobility, naval combat, underwater warfare and simulation and training.

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The President: Germany's contribution to collective defense is invaluable

President of the Republic of Lithuania

June 26, 2023

On Monday, President Gitanas Nauseda met in Pabrade with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is visiting the joint Lithuanian-German Exercise Griffin Storm.

The President and the German Defense Minister discussed bilateral defense cooperation between Lithuania and Germany, the security situation in the region, as well as preparations for the NATO Summit to be held in Vilnius on 11-12 July.

"The threats posed by Russia are only increasing. Therefore, an increased allied presence in Lithuania of the size of a combat brigade unit is a necessity dictated by reality. We see and appreciate Germany's efforts. The role of Germany as a leader, both in strengthening national armed forces and in contributing to collective defense, is of utmost importance," the President underlined.

Gitanas Nauseda stressed that Lithuania is intensively preparing for the arrival and permanent deployment of the German brigade by developing its military infrastructure and training facilities. Lithuania expects to be ready by 2026, but the training area can already be used now if needed.

President Gitanas Nauseda also thanked Germany for securing Lithuania's skies during the NATO Summit with the Patriot air defense system. According to the Lithuanian leader, this is a good start towards enabling the rotational air defense model recently adopted by the Allies, which is crucial for strengthening NATO's eastern flank.

Speaking on Russia's war against Ukraine, Gitanas Nauseda stressed that security and stability in Europe will only be ensured by Ukraine's victory and its integration into Western organizations, including NATO.

"As the NATO Summit in Vilnius approaches, there is an increasing pressure over the future of Ukraine and elements of blackmail, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. We cannot give in to this and we have to set a clear, firm and united course for Ukraine's future membership of NATO. Allied unity is, of course, very important, but it has to create opportunities, not paralyze," the President spoke.

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Three Kosovar Police Officers Released Following Serbian Court Order

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service June 26, 2023

Three Kosovar police officers arrived in Kosovo after a court in the central Serbian city of Kraljevo on June 26 ordered their release following their detention by Serbian authorities earlier this month along the border between Serbia and Kosovo in an escalation of already simmering tensions between the two neighbors.

The three -- Beqir Sefa, Mustafa Shemi, and Rifat Zeka -- had been charged with unauthorized production, possession, carrying, and trafficking of weapons and explosive substances.

The three men went missing under unclear circumstances on June 14. Kosovo said they were on a regular patrol aimed at preventing cross-border smuggling.

Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla has accused Serbia of "entering the territory of Kosovo and kidnapping" the three policemen.

Belgrade has said the officers were arrested "deep inside" Serbian territory.

KFOR, the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, has said it was unclear where the police officers were at the time of their arrest.

The United States and the European Union had urged Serbia to immediately release the three policemen.

Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani in a tweet thanked the United States for helping secure the policemen's release "after the act of aggression that Serbia did in Kosovo," while Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Twitter that even though the men have been returned to their families, "this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation & must be reprimanded."

The European Union welcomed the release of the officers and urged Kosovo and Serbia to take further steps to defuse tensions, including holding new local elections in northern Kosovo.

EU foreign police chief Josep Borrell warned the EU would take "political and financial" measures against either government if it did not move toward normalizing relations.

In its statement announcing the release of the men, the High Court in Kraljevo said that while the indictment of the three has been confirmed, the panel has "issued a decision terminating the defendants' detention."

The three later on June 26 crossed the border into Kosovo and then continued their journey to the capital, Pristina, in a police vehicle.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Belgrade does not recognize the independence of its former province, and tensions with Pristina have crept back up.

Late last month, violent clashes between KFOR peacekeepers and protesting Serbs in northern Kosovo injured dozens after Pristina ignored Western pleas to avoid escalation and instead tried to forcibly seat ethnic Albanian mayors after boycotted elections in the mostly Serb north.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-releases-kosovo- policemen/32476074.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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Russo-Ukraine War - 26 June 2023 - Day 488

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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 As part of its broader counter-offensive, Ukraine has gained impetus in its assaults around Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast.

In a multi-brigade operation, Ukrainian forces have made progress on both the northern and southern flanks of the town.

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.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day June 26, the Russian occupiers launched a missile and air strike on the territory of Ukraine. 2x Caliber-type cruise missiles and 7x Shahed-136/131 type strike UAVs were destroyed by Ukrainian Air Defense. Also, Russian forces attacked from the northern axis with four unmanned aerial vehicles of an unknown strike type, all drones were destroyed.

In addition, during the day Russian forces carried out 36x airstrikes and launched 17x MLRS attacks.

The threat of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Lymansky, Bakhmutsky and Marinsky axiss - more than 35 combat clashes took place during the day.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected. There are no signs of the formation of offensive groupings.

On the training grounds of the Republic of Belarus, combat training and coordination of units of the Russian armed forces are ongoing before they are sent to frontlines in Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains an enhanced military presence. They shelled with mortars and artillery the settlements such as Hirs'k, Chernihiv Oblast; Sorokyne, Korenyok, Stukalyvka, Yunakivka, Loknya of the Sumy Oblast, as well as Udy, Chervona Zorya, Odnorovka, Veterinary, Hoptivka, Strelecha, Pilna, Kozacha Lopan', Morokhovets, Lukyantsi, Izbytske, Pletenivka, Okhirtseve, Volohivka, Budarka, Zemlyanki, Chugunivka, Pleasant in Kharkiv Oblast.

Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensives in the vicinities of Stelmakhivka. Krasne Pershe, Vasyltsivka, Figolivka, Novomlyns'k, Dvorichna, Masyutivka, Kislivka, Berestovka of the Kharkiv Oblast were shelled by artillery and mortars.

Lyman axis: Russian forces launched airstrikes in the areas of Belogorivka, Luhansk Oblast; Spirny and Rozdolivka, Donetsk Oblast. Belogorivka in the Luhansk Oblast and Torske, Serebryanka, Verkhnyokamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk Oblast were hit by artillery fire.

Bakhmut axis: Russian occupiers carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the vicinities of Bohdanivka. They carried out airstrikes in the Soledar and Bila Hora areas of the Donetsk Oblast. Vasyukivka, Markove, Khromove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivs'ke, Ozaryanivka and Pivdenne of the Donetsk Oblast were under Russian artillery shelling.

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces carried out unsuccessful offensives in the Pervomayskyi area. Airstrikes were conducted in Avdiyivka and Severny areas. russians shelled Sukha Balka, Avdiivka, Orlivka, Vodiane, Karlivka, Nevel's'ke, Oleksandropil', Valentynivka, Keramik, Stepove and Pervomais'ke of the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'inka axis: the Russian forces carried out offensive actions in the Mar'inka area, albeit without success. Conducted an air strike near Krasnohorivka. At the same time, russians shelled Georgiyivka, Mar'inka, and Pobyeda in the Donetsk Oblast.

Shakhtars'k axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated the Rivnopil village, Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces launched airstrikes in the Prechistivka, Blagodatny, and Makarivka areas. They shelled the settlements of Illinka, Paraskoviivka, Novomykhailivka, Vugledar, Prechistivka, Storozheve, Elizavetivka, Bogoyavlenka, Vugledar, Zolota Niva, Makarivka, Novosilka, Novopil', Makarivka, Zelene Pole of the Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russian forces are on the defensive, and concentrate their main efforts on preventing the advance of Ukrainian troops. They carried out airstrikes at Levadny and Oleshok. russians shelled Temyrivka, Novodarivka, Levadne, Olgivs'ke, Malynyvka, Zaporizhzhia, Chervone, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Orihiv, Shcherbaki, Pyatikhatky, Lobkovo of the Zaporizhia Oblast; Nikopol', Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Dudchany, Olhivka, Respublikanets, Lviv, Tyaginka, Burgunka, Kachkarivka, Mykolaivka, Zmiivka, Antonivka, Naddniprians'ke, Molodizhne, Ingenierne, Zelenivka, Kherson, Belozerka, Berehove, Dniprovs'ke, Belozerka, Romashkove, Charivne of the Kherson Oblast and Ochakiv of the Mykolayiv Oblast.

Ukrainian Air Force carried out 6x strikes on Russian manpower concentrations.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit the control post and 10x Russian artillery units at firing positions.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a long-range maritime and airborne high-precision strike at foreign-made ammunition, sent to Ukraine by Western countries.

The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have continued their attempts to conduct offensive operations in Donetsk, Krasny Liman, and South Donetsk directions during the previous 24 hours.

Two enemy attacks have been successfully repelled due to skilful and committed actions of the Yug Group of Forces units in the vicinity of Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic) during the day.

Up to 195 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, as well as two American-made Paladin self-propelled artillery units have been eliminated in this direction during the day.

In Krasny Liman direction, Tsentr Group of Forces' units, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses to the units of 21st and 63rd Armed Forces of Ukraine Mechanised Brigades close to Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terny, Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Two sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been eliminated close to Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy has suffered losses of over 90 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, five pick-up trucks, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours.

In South Donetsk close to Vremevka salient, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Vostok Group of Forces have repelled four enemy attacks in the area of Rovnopol (Donetsk People's Republic).

Moreover, the Russian Forces have repelled an attack of the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, actions of one sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been thwarted near Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The total losses of the enemy in these directions during the day amounted to over 150 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, and one Msta-B and one D-20 howitzers.

?? In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces launched strikes at enemy manpower and hardware near Novomlynsk, Timkovka (Kharkov region), and Artyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses in this direction during the day amounted to over 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems.

In Kherson direction, up to 35 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and two Msta-B howitzers have been neutralised by fire.

An ammunition depot of the 126th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been obliterated close to Kazatskoye (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 83 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 104 areas during the day.

A communication centre of the 25th Airborne Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been destroyed close to Ivanovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

An armament repair and recovery facility of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been hit near Novoyakovlevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russia's Air Defence shot down 19 unmanned aerial vehicles close to Privolye, Rubezhnoye, Zaliman, and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Vladimirovka and Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Mirnoye, Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Proletarka (Kherson region).

In total, 444 airplanes and 240 helicopters, 4,798 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,356 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,131 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,238 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,197 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Pakistan Army: More Than 100 Ex-PM Khan Supporters on Trial in Military Courts

By Ayaz Gul June 26, 2023

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 party's 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 Khan's 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" a are some of the human rights violations stemming from previous such trials.

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Putin after mutiny: West, Ukraine wanted Russians to kill each other

Iran Press TV

Monday, 26 June 2023 7:40 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he ordered his country's forces to avoid bloodshed during Wagner group's armed mutiny over the weekend, adding that the West and Ukraine wanted Russians to "kill each other."

"From the start of the events, on my orders, steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed," Putin said in a Monday televised address to the nation.

"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."

The Russian president also lauded his fellow countrymen for their "endurance unity, and patriotism."

"It was precisely this fratricide that Russia's enemies wanted: both the neo-Nazis in Kiev and their Western patrons, and all sorts of national traitors. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other," Putin added.

He warned that any attempt to sow unrest in Russia would fail, saying, "Civilian solidarity showed that any blackmail, [and] any attempts to organize internal turmoil is doomed to fail."

The Russian president also thanked Wagner fighters and commanders who stood down to avoid bloodshed, saying he would honor his promise to allow them to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, or to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry, or simply return to their families.

"Today, you have the possibility 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 close ones... Whoever wants to can go to Belarus," he said.

Putin, however, made no mention of the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who initiated the mutiny.

"Virtually the entirety of Russian society... was united by its responsibility to defend their homeland," the Russian president said, adding that most Wagner fighters were "patriots" who were "used" by organizers of the mutiny.

"The organizers of the mutiny, having betrayed their country, their people, also betrayed those whom they dragged into the crime. They lied to them, they pushed them to death," he said.

Following his address, Putin attended a meeting of Russia's security officials.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as well as head of FSB security service, Alexander Bortnikov, and National Guard head Viktor Zolotov were present in the meeting.

Other participants included Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov, head of the Kremlin administration Anton Vaino, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, head of the Federal Protection Service Dmitry Kochnev, and head of the federal Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin.

Addressing the meeting, Putin thanked his security officials for their work during the armed mutiny, saying, "I gathered you to thank you for the work that was done."

The mutiny started over differences between Prigozhin and Shoigu.

The Wagner chief had accused Russia's military top brass of ordering a rocket attack on the group's field camps in Ukraine -- where Russia has been conducting a military operation -- killing "huge numbers" of his paramilitary forces. Authorities in Moscow, however, strongly denied his claim.

Following negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aimed at deescalating the situation, the leader of Wagner paramilitary forces ordered his fighters on Saturday to turn around from their march towards Moscow to avoid bloodshed.

The Kremlin then announced that Russia has dropped a criminal case previously filed against the head of Wagner group.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov 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."

Earlier on Monday, Prigozhin admitted that the aborted mutiny was not an attempt to overthrow the Russian government, adding that the armed march he led on Moscow over the weekend was meant "to demonstrate our protest, not to topple the government."

The Wagner boss said the fleeting mutiny was intended to prevent his forces "from being dismantled."

In an earlier address, Putin had said Wagner's "betrayal" and "any actions that fracture our unity" were "a stab in the back of our country and our people."

The Wagner leader, a former close ally of Putin, was critical of Russia's military leadership and their handling of the war in Ukraine, saying if his troops carried out the first attacks in the military campaign in Ukraine, the war would have been over much sooner.

Before the mutiny ended, Prigozhin had threatened to "go all the way" to topple Russia's military leadership, accusing Shoigu and Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, of not giving his forces ammunition.

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Putin Extends Response Measures to Russian Oil Price Cap Until Year-End

Sputnik News

20230626

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended response measures to the oil price cap imposed by the Western nations until the end of 2023, according to a decree published on Monday.

The response measures were set to expire on July 1, but the Monday decree now indicates a new deadline of December 31.

Following the launch of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine last year, the United States and its allies imposed a large number of economic sanctions against Russia, including ones targeting Russian energy exports.

Claiming the need to cut Moscow's revenues from exporting oil, the US and EU moved to impose a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil, threatening to punish parties who would purchase oil from Russia at a higher price.

In response, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak warned that Russia would not trade its oil with any country who would adopt any such price cap measure, while Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would not supply anything abroad if it contradicted its own interests.

A Sputnik

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Putin Excoriates Wagner Group Over Rebellion, Absolves Soldiers of Culpability

By VOA News June 26, 2023

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 a "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 a if anywhere a 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.

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Australia to Allocate Another $74 million in Military Support for Kiev

Sputnik News

20230626

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - 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," 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.

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.

A Sputnik

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Selbyville, Delaware, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging Market is set to surpass USD 5 billion by the end of 2032 , as per a recent study by Global Market Insights Inc.

The rising popularity of 5G technology worldwide for improved packaging will drive the market growth. In recent years, 5G chipsets are designed by deploying innovative packaging technologies for achieving excellent performance, compact size as well as low power consumption in 5G-enabled products. FOWLP offers potential environmental benefits, including limited material waste, energy efficiency during manufacturing, and the higher usage of lead-free processes. The growing environmental concerns will thereby accelerate the market growth.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/5810







Standard-Density Packaging process to amass significant gains

With respect to process, fan-out wafer level packaging (FOWLP) market value from the standard-density packaging segment is projected to grow at over 10% CAGR from 2023-2032. Standard-density packaging processes mainly cater to applications where moderate interconnect density is required in the consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications sectors. Furthermore, the increasing number of input/output (I/O) connections and interconnects within given package sizes is likely to support the market expansion.

Consumer electronics application segment to observe substantial growth

Fan-out wafer level packaging market share from the consumer electronics applications segment accounted for over USD 1 billion in 2022. The growth can be attributed to the various benefits offered by FOWLP including compact size, high performance, and improved thermal dissipation in consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones, wearables, and tablets. The rising popularity of FOWLP for advanced packaging solutions in the consumer electronics industry will contribute to the market growth.

Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/5810



North America to emerge as a lucrative market destination

North America fan-out wafer level packaging market is estimated to generate more than USD 1 billion by 2032 impelled by the introduction of favorable government initiatives to support the global semiconductor supply chains to cater to the chip shortages. North America is a hub for consumer electronics, automotive, and telecommunications sectors, which extensively utilize FOWLP technology. The strong presence of well-established semiconductor industry coupled with the growing demand for advanced packaging solutions will augment the regional market outlook.

FOWLP Market Leaders

Some leading companies operating in the fan-out wafer level packaging market include Deca Technologies, Amkor Technology, Powertech Technology Inc., ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd., GlobalFoundries Inc., Nepes Corporation, Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd. and JCET Group Co., Ltd.

Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging Market News

In March 2023, ASE Inc. launched its newly developed advanced fan-out package-on-package (FoPoP) solutions for mobile and networking markets. The company introduced this solution to offer low latency and deliver high bandwidth advantages for consumer electronics applications.

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About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider, offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology.




RICHMOND HILL, N.Y., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AI-based health screening company iHealthScreen recently announced raising $150,000 in investments on StartEngine. To date, the company has raised $3 million+ in seed and NIH funding combined.



iHealthScreen presents a unique opportunity to capitalize on AI-driven health screening software developed by medical professionals who are emerging leaders in this multi-billion-dollar market. This integrated, retinal imaging-based system is unprecedented in the surgical robotics industry.

iHealthScreen is the first company in the world to receive CE certification and Australian and UAE health approvals for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and glaucoma screening. Additionally, hospitals arent required for the companys surgical robotics to be used; its systems can be incorporated into primary care provider facilities at the local level.

U.S. testing is known to be cost prohibitive for the people that need it most, and primary care providers don't have the resources to do more than basic screenings. This leaves patients without the screening they need and can potentially result in serious health consequences.

iHealthScreen is taking advantage of this problem by developing a fast, easy, accessible and low-cost solution for eye disease screening.

Investment Highlights:



Raised $750K as seed funding.

Awarded $2.7M in NIH funding.

Working on securing additional research grants.

One U.S. patent (the first patent in late AMD prediction).

One patent is pending, with four provisional patent applications submitted.

Existing customers already in place.

For those interested in iHealthScreen and its crowdfunding raise, visit the companys raise page on StartEngine to learn more .

About iHealthScreen

iHealthScreens integrated, retinal imaging-based system makes the company one of the first in the world to receive CE certification, Australian and UAE health approvals for AMD, DR and glaucoma screening. The company is gaining international traction with contracts in the U.S., E.U., Bangladesh and UAE and has been collaborating with Global Victoria in Australia.

Company Contact:

Alauddin Bhuiyan

Founder and CEO

bhuiyan@ihealthscreen.org

728-926-9000

New York, NY 11418
NEWARK, Del, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The automotive MEMS sensors market is anticipated to secure a valuation of US$ 3.9 billion in 2023 and is predicted to reach US$ 14 billion by 2033. The market is estimated to capture a CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period.



How the Top Countries Surge the Automotive MEMS Sensors Market?

The top countries are surging the global market through various strategies and factors. Here are several ways these countries contribute to global market growth.

The United States: The United States is driving the market through its technological advancements and strong automotive industry. The country dominates the global market by collaborating with sensor manufacturers and automotive OEMs. The country is driving by developing advanced driver assistance systems and electric vehicles. Additionally, government initiatives, plans, and environmental policies contribute to market growth.





The United States is driving the market through its technological advancements and strong automotive industry. The country dominates the global market by collaborating with sensor manufacturers and automotive OEMs. The country is driving by developing advanced driver assistance systems and electric vehicles. Additionally, government initiatives, plans, and environmental policies contribute to market growth. Germany: Germany is a key player in the market due to its advanced automotive industry. German automakers, manufacturers, and suppliers integrate advanced MEMS sensors into vehicles to enhance safety, performance, and efficiency. The country has advanced manufacturing techniques, and strong research and development capabilities drive the market size further.





For insights on global, regional, and country-level parameters with growth opportunities from 2023 to 2033 - Download your sample report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8450

Japan: Japan plays a significant role in the market through its strong automotive industry, technological innovation, and focus on quality and reliability. Sensor manufacturers in Japan collaborate closely with automotive OEMs and develop tailored sensor solutions for advanced technologies. Further, Japan's commitment to technological advancements and miniaturization capabilities also contributes to market growth.





Japan plays a significant role in the market through its strong automotive industry, technological innovation, and focus on quality and reliability. Sensor manufacturers in Japan collaborate closely with automotive OEMs and develop tailored sensor solutions for advanced technologies. Further, Japan's commitment to technological advancements and miniaturization capabilities also contributes to market growth. China: China's booming automotive industry and growing consumer demand for advanced vehicles drive the market. Automakers in China increasingly integrate MEMS sensors into their vehicles to meet safety regulations and enhance performance. Additionally, the government of Chinas push for electric vehicle adoption, and the development of smart transportation infrastructure fuel the demand for MEMS sensors.





China's booming automotive industry and growing consumer demand for advanced vehicles drive the market. Automakers in China increasingly integrate MEMS sensors into their vehicles to meet safety regulations and enhance performance. Additionally, the government of Chinas push for electric vehicle adoption, and the development of smart transportation infrastructure fuel the demand for MEMS sensors. South Korea: South Korea significantly contributes to the market through its renowned electronics and automotive industries. Companies in Korea are involved in developing and producing MEMS sensors for automotive applications. The country's focus on advanced technologies, such as connected cars, drives the demand for MEMS sensors in the automotive sector.





South Korea significantly contributes to the market through its renowned electronics and automotive industries. Companies in Korea are involved in developing and producing MEMS sensors for automotive applications. The country's focus on advanced technologies, such as connected cars, drives the demand for MEMS sensors in the automotive sector. France: France has a strong presence in the market due to its automotive manufacturing industry and expertise in sensor technologies. French companies develop and supply MEMS sensors for various automotive applications, including safety, environmental sensing, and vehicle dynamics. France's commitment to sustainable transportation and government support for research & development also contribute to market growth.





These countries leverage their automotive manufacturing capabilities, technological expertise, collaborations with OEMs, government support, and market demand for advanced automotive technologies to surge the automobile MEMS sensors market. The strategies and factors driving growth may vary based on each country's strengths and industry focus.

Not getting the data you are looking for? Our experts provide you with customized reports: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-8450

Key Takeaways:

The market is estimated to secure a CAGR of 13.7% with a valuation of US$ 14 billion by 2033.

In the historical period, the market secured a valuation of US$ 3.4 billion with a CAGR of 15.7% between 2018 and 2022.

The United States is leading the global market by securing a valuation of US$ 2.8 billion by 2033.

During the forecast period, Japan is estimated to register a CAGR of 13.65% in the global market.

China is capturing a valuation of US$ 3 billion in the global market by 2033.





How are Key Players Adding Value in this Global Market?

The market is highly consolidated by several prominent players globally. They are adopting strategic innovations and collaborations to upsurge the global market. They are focused on developing unique and advanced products to satisfy end users' demands.

Key Companies Profiled:

Bosch Sensortec (Germany)

STMicroelectronics (Switzerland)

Analog Devices, Inc. (United States)

Texas Instruments Inc. (United States)

InvenSense (a TDK Group Company) (United States)

Sensata Technologies (United States)

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Japan)

NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands)

Infineon Technologies AG (Germany)

Denso Corporation (Japan)

Panasonic Corporation (Japan)

Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany)

TE Connectivity Ltd. (Switzerland)

Aptiv PLC (Ireland)

Delphi Technologies (United Kingdom)

CTS Corporation (United States)

Amphenol Corporation (United States)

Freescale Semiconductor (United States)

Honeywell International Inc. (United States)

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd. (Japan)

Recent Developments in this Market:

Texas Instruments announced its newly launched products, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and accelerometers, to meet automotive requirements. The company further focuses on low-power sensor solutions for cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions.

Got a few queries - Ask our expert Analyst now: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-8450

Automotive MEMS Sensors Market by Categorization:

By Sensor Type:

Accelerometer

Pressure Sensor

Gyroscope

Others

By Distribution Channel:

OEM

Aftermarket

By Application:

Classic & Safety

Body Electronics

Powertrain

Infotainment

Others



By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

The Middle East and Africa





Table of Content (ToC):

1. Executive Summary | Automotive MEMS Sensor Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario

3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario

3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Product Life Cycle Analysis

3.5. Supply Chain Analysis

3.5.1. Supply Side Participants and their Roles

3.5.1.1. Producers

3.5.1.2. Mid-Level Participants (Traders/ Agents/ Brokers)

3.5.1.3. Wholesalers and Distributors

3.5.2. Value Added and Value Created at Node in the Supply Chain

3.5.3. List of Raw Material Suppliers

3.5.4. List of Existing and Potential Buyers

3.6. Investment Feasibility Matrix

3.7. Value Chain Analysis

3.7.1. Profit Margin Analysis

3.7.2. Wholesalers and Distributors

3.7.3. Retailers

3.8. PESTLE and Porters Analysis

3.9. Regulatory Landscape

3.9.1. By Key Regions

3.9.2. By Key Countries

3.10. Regional Parent Market Outlook

3.11. Production and Consumption Statistics

3.12. Import and Export Statistics

4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033

4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (Units) Analysis, 2018 to 2022

4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (Units) Projections, 2023 to 2033

4.2.1. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis

4.2.2. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis

View the Complete TOC of this report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8450

Explore Wide-ranging Coverage of FMIs Automotive Landscape:

Automotive Sensors Market Size: Is projected to reach US$ 44 billion by 2033, anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

Automotive Cabin Air Quality Sensors Market Growth: Is anticipated to develop at a CAGR of 13.8% and reach US$ 1497.73 million by 2032.

ADAS Sensors Market Share: Is expected to boost sales at an impressive 14.1% CAGR over the forecast period, with the market valuation reaching US$ 43.2 Billion by 2030.

Electric Vehicle Sensor Market Demand: Is growing at an impressive 16.6% CAGR, the market valuation is projected to reach US$ 37.1 Billion by 2032.

Aircraft Sensors Market Trends: Is anticipated to surpass a market valuation of US$ 13,211.0 million by 2033.

Automotive TCU Market Share: Is poised to grow at 5.1% CAGR from 2023 to 2033, with an overall valuation expected to reach US$ 13.66 billion in 2023.

Adaptive Cruise Control Market Size: Is capturing a valuation of US$ 4.1 billion in 2023 and is predicted to reach US$ 13.7 billion by 2033.

Driver Monitoring System Market Demand: Is expected to reach an average CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period.

Automotive Connectivity Control Unit Market Growth: Is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% to be valued at US$ 11.7 Billion from 2022 to 2032.

Automotive Radar Market Outlook: Is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 13.20% between 2022 and 2032, totalling around US$ 15,803.3 Million by the end of 2032.

About Future Market Insights (FMI):

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, Stevie Award - recipient market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10 years.

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TORONTO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JOURDAN RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: JOR; FRA: 2JR1) (Jourdan or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed its second tranche of a previously announced non-brokered private placement financing of common shares of the Company issued on a flow-through basis (each, a Flow-Through Share) at a price of $0.08 per Flow-Through Share (the Offering) for gross proceeds of $200,000 (the Second Tranche). For more information about the Offering and the first tranche closing (the First Tranche), please see the Companys press release dated March 24, 2023 and June 12, 2023, respectively, which are available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.



Pursuant to the Second Tranche, Jourdan issued 2,500,000 Flow-Through Shares at a price of $0.08 per share, each of which are subject to a statutory four month hold period, which expires on October 27, 2023. Completion of the Offering (including the First Tranche and Second Tranche) is subject to receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV).

In connection with the Second Tranche, Jourdan paid finders fees of $16,000 in cash and issued 200,000 non-transferable finders warrants (Finders Warrants) to Roche Securities Limited in accordance with TSXV policies. Each Finders Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.08 at any time prior to June 26, 2025. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration expenses on its Baillarge lithium mining property.

About Jourdan Resources Inc.

Jourdan Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol JOR on the TSX Venture Exchange and 2JR1 on the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, production, and development of mining properties. The Companys properties are in Quebec, Canada, primarily in the spodumene-bearing pegmatites of the La Corne Batholith, around North American Lithiums Quebec Lithium Mine.

For more information:

Rene Bharti, Chief Executive Officer and President

Email: info@jourdaninc.com

Phone: (416) 861-5800

www.jourdaninc.com

Cautionary statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the First Tranche, Second Tranche and the Offering, including the Companys intended use of net proceeds, receipt of final approval of the TSXV, and other matters related thereto. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Jourdan to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future mineral prices and market demand; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of the mining industry. Although Jourdan has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Jourdan does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

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.
NEWARK, Del, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The copper pipes and tubes market is forecast to expand at 3.2% CAGR over the estimated period, as per FMI's analysis. The industry's size is predicted to reach a market value of US$ 34.8 billion in 2023.



A surge in the installation of HVAC units due to accelerated construction activities is fueling market growth. Apart from this, copper pipes and tubes are deployed in charging stations and Electric Vehicles (EVs). Thus, the heightened adoption of EVs amid growing concerns for the environment has solidified product demand.

In support of EVs, worldwide governments have introduced subsidies and incentives to purchase EVs, thus augmenting the sales of copper pipes and tubes. Additionally, this equipment is used in the transportation of gases, thanks to coppers non-permeability to air and gas.

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Copper also lessens the incidence rate of contamination and leakage caused by UV rays, oxygen, and unsuitable temperature caused by the external environment. Other factors fueling the demand for copper pipes and tubes consist of increasing demand from waste heat recovery systems, solar thermal energy, the transition toward sustainability, rapid urbanization, and many others.

Key Takeaways:

The United States copper pipes and tubes industry is estimated to attain US$ 8.2 billion by 2033. Over the forecast period, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.1%. From 2018 to 2022, the market registered a CAGR of 4.4%.

The United Kingdom copper pipes and tubes industry is projected to be worth US$ 1.8 billion by 2033. Over the estimated time, the market is projected to record a CAGR of 2.9%. Before this, the market registered a CAGR of 4.2%.

The China market stands prominently among the top-tier copper pipes and tubes economies. The market is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 10.4 billion by 2033 end. From 2023 to 2033, the market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 3.1%.

The Japan market is projected to be valued at US$ 9.4 billion by 2033. In the next ten years, the market is presumed to pace at a CAGR of 3.1%.

The South Korean copper pipes and tubes industry is projected to be valued at US$ 2.5 billion by the end of 2033. Over the assessment period, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.8%.

Based on end use, the HVAC segment is expected to be at the top. The segment is expected to register a CAGR of 3%, as compared to the 4.1% CAGR recorded in the historical period.

The seamless copper pipes and tubes are expected to record a CAGR of 3.1% in the forecast period. The segment had grown at a CAGR of 4.2% in the historical period.



Competitive Landscape:

In February 2023, Mettube Copper India Private Limited, which is an Indian arm of the Malaysian firm, entered an arrangement with the Gujarat Government to establish its copper tube production factory in Sanand. The MNC has decided to invest around INR 1,000 crore in the first phase to set up the facility. The company's copper tubes are used in the air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Since the plant is expected to produce 5th Gen copper tubes, the plant can be instrumental in reducing the carbon footprint in the future.

In January 2023, Lawton Tubes, a leading manufacturer of medical-grade copper tubes in the United Kingdom, announced that it may exhibit its expertise at Arab Health this year. The company has been a critical distributor of copper pipelines in and out of the United Kingdom, covering 35+ countries. At the event, the company is going to celebrate its assistance during the fight against COVID and discuss the feasibility of copper tubes in carrying medical gases.

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Key Segments Profiled:

By Product Type:

Seamless

Welded

By End Use:

HVAC

Industrial Heat Exchange

Plumbing

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Asia Pacific

The Middle East and Africa



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Table of Content (ToC):

1. Executive Summary | Copper Pipes and Tubes Market

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Product Life Cycle Analysis

3.5. Supply Chain Analysis

3.6. Investment Feasibility Matrix

3.7. Value Chain Analysis

3.8. PESTLE and Porters Analysis

3.9. Regulatory Landscape

3.10. Regional Parent Market Outlook

3.11. Production and Consumption Statistics

3.12. Import and Export Statistics

4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033

4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Analysis, 2018 to 2022

4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Projections, 2023 to 2033

5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Product Type

5.1. Introduction / Key Findings

5.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Analysis By Product Type, 2018 to 2022

5.3. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Analysis and Forecast By Product Type, 2023 to 2033

5.4. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis By Product Type, 2018 to 2022

5.5. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis By Product Type, 2023 to 2033

6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By End-Use

6.1. Introduction / Key Findings

6.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Analysis By End-Use, 2018 to 2022

6.3. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Million) & Volume (MT) Analysis and Forecast By End-Use, 2023 to 2033

6.4. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis By End-Use, 2018 to 2022

6.5. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis By End-Use, 2023 to 2033

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Washington, D.C., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) penalties have exploded in size in recent years, in large part because the agency ignores statutory penalty caps Congress set in 1990. SEC civil penalties have become wildly inconsistent and unpredictable from case to case, depriving regulated parties of any semblance of fair notice about the potential consequences of their behavior. The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed a petition for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of its client Richard Gounaud in Jocelyn M. Murphy, Michael S. Murphy, and Richard C. Gounaud v. SEC. NCLA asks the Justices to stop SEC from counting the number of violations in arbitrary ways when seeking penalties, to clarify who must register with SEC as a broker, and to uphold jury trial rights when the government seeks to impose punitive sanctions.

Mr. Gounaud was fined more than $300,000without a jury trialfor not registering with SEC as a securities broker under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a penalty Congress capped below $10,000. SEC obtained a penalty more than 30 times the statutory cap by convincing the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to count each month Mr. Gounaud was unregistered as a separate violation. This arbitrary approach has no textual basis in the Securities Exchange Act, obliterates the statutory cap for this strict liability offense, and violates the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment. SEC also convinced these lower courts to adopt a novel interpretation of who must register as a securities brokerone that threatens to require many market participants to register who never before considered themselves brokers.

On behalf of Mr. Gounaud, NCLA is requesting that the Supreme Court review the case and bring much-needed consistency, predictability, and discipline to the assessment of SEC penalties, as well as to the definition of what it means to be a securities broker. The cert petition is joined by Jocelyn Murphy and Michael Sean Murphy, who are separately represented by Robert Knuts of the Sher Tremonte law firm.

NCLA released the following statements:

The case raises several important, recurring issues in SEC enforcementfirst and foremost that SEC statutory penalty caps are routinely manipulated, resulting in wildly inconsistent and unpredictable penalties that vastly exceed those caps and violate the Eighth Amendment.

 Russ Ryan, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

SEC routinely seeks penalties many times the size of statutory caps established by Congress, employing a wide variety of inconsistent methods to count the total number of violations. When district courts bless such SEC slicing and dicing, they effectively permit the prosecutor to set penalties instead of Congress.

 Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: GATO) (Gatos Silver or the Company) today announced that it has completed disclosure of outstanding 2021 and 2022 securities regulatory filings and has reached an agreement in principle to settle the US class action lawsuit.



The Company also today announced that it has set the date of its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders (the Annual Meeting) as September 6, 2023. The record date for the Annual Meeting is July 14, 2023. The time, format and other details for the Annual Meeting will be set forth in the Companys proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, which will be filed on both EDGAR and SEDAR systems.

The Company has a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture (LGJV), which in turn owns the Cerro Los Gatos (CLG) mine in Mexico. The Companys reporting currency is US dollars.

Dale Andres, CEO of Gatos Silver, said: We are pleased with how the CLG operation is performing to start the year, and we continue to maintain our current annual production and cost guidance for 2023. We are working to finalize our quarterly report for Q1 2023 which we expect to file shortly. We are also looking forward to providing an updated mineral resource and reserve estimate in the third quarter of this year, including a new life of mine plan as we continue our strategic focus on mine life extension, accelerating the drilling on the mineralization discovered at depth in the new South-East Deeps zone and exploration in the highly prospective Los Gatos district.

Completed Filings

The Company has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, its amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and its amended Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A for the periods ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022 on the EDGAR system. All of these filings are also posted on the Companys website at https://gatossilver.com.

Consistent with the Companys prior disclosures, the adjustments to the restated financial statements for 2021 and the first three quarters of 2022 were non-cash items, consisting primarily of changes to the timing and recognition of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities at the LGJV and the timing and recognition of the priority distribution obligation on the previously recognized income from affiliates for the Company. During the process of correcting the deferred tax assets and liabilities, the Company also identified an overstatement in the fair value financial model used to calculate the impairment of the investment in affiliates.

As a result of these adjustments, 2021 restated results include a non-cash impairment of $80.3 million (previously $51.6 million) in Gatos Silvers investment in affiliates. The 2022 results include a loss allowance of $7.9 million for the US class action lawsuit. Additional information regarding the financial results can be found in the Companys filings on EDGAR and SEDAR, which are also available on the Companys website.

LGJV 2022 results compared to 2021 (100% basis):

Revenue of $311.7 million, up 25% from $249.2 million

Cost of sales of $107.1 million, up 10% from $97.7 million

Net income of $72.2 million, down 8% from $78.6 million

Cash flow from operations of $157.4 million, up 31% from $119.8 million

By-product cash cost of $2.17 per ounce of payable silver, down 56% from $4.98 ( 1 )

By-product all-in sustaining costs (AISC) of $10.24 per ounce of payable silver, down 35% from $15.72 (1)

(1) These measures are non-GAAP measures. See Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures below for additional information.

For the full year 2022, Gatos Silvers net income was $14.5 million or $0.21 per share compared with a net loss of $65.9 million or $(1.03) per share in 2021. The improvement in net income for the year 2022 versus 2021 was primarily due to the above-mentioned 2021 impairment charge of $80.3 million and, for 2022, higher equity income from the LGJV resulting from an increase in revenue due to strong production from the CLG mine. Comparisons against 2021 are based on the restated financial statements.

Corporate Update

On June 13, 2023, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle the U.S. class action lawsuit for a payment by the Company and its insurers of $21 million to a settlement fund which the Company expects will result in a disbursement by the Company of no more than $7.9 million. The settlement is subject to certain customary conditions, including class certification and approval of the settlement by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

The 2023 mineral reserve and mineral resource estimate update, including a new life of mine plan, is expected to be announced prior to the end of the third quarter, incorporating drill results from surface and underground holes completed in 2022 and in Q1 2023. The LGJV currently has six surface drill rigs active on the South-East Deeps zone, and three underground drill rigs operating in in the NW and Central zones with a view to further defining and expanding mineral resources.

About Gatos Silver

Gatos Silver is a silver dominant exploration, development and production company that discovered a new silver and zinc-rich mineral district in southern Chihuahua State, Mexico. As a 70% owner of the Los Gatos Joint Venture, the Company is primarily focused on operating the Cerro Los Gatos mine and on growth and development of the Los Gatos district. The LGJV consists of approximately 103,000 hectares of mineral rights, representing a highly prospective and under-explored district with numerous silver-zinc-lead epithermal mineralized zones identified as priority targets.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical disclosure in this press release was approved by Anthony (Tony) Scott, P.Geo., Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Technical Services of Gatos Silver who is a Qualified Person as defined in S-K 1300 and NI 43-101.

Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures

The Company uses certain measures that are not defined by GAAP to evaluate various aspects of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide additional information only and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP.

Cash Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs

Cash costs and AISC (defined above) are non-GAAP measures. AISC was calculated based on guidance provided by the World Gold Council (WGC). WGC is not a regulatory industry organization and does not have the authority to develop accounting standards for disclosure requirements. Other mining companies may calculate AISC differently as a result of differences in underlying accounting principles and policies applied, as well as definitional differences of sustaining versus expansionary (i.e., non-sustaining) capital expenditures based upon each companys internal policies. Current GAAP measures used in the mining industry, such as cost of sales, do not capture all of the expenditures incurred to discover, develop and sustain production. Therefore, the Company believes that cash costs and AISC are non-GAAP measures that provide additional information to management, investors and analysts that aid in the understanding of the economics of the Companys operations and performance compared to other producers and provides investors visibility by better defining the total costs associated with production.

Cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, treatment and refining costs, general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes. AISC includes total production cash costs incurred at the LGJVs mining operations plus sustaining capital expenditures. The Company believes this measure represents the total sustainable costs of producing silver from current operations and provides additional information of the LGJVs operational performance and ability to generate cash flows. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of silver production from current operations, new project and expansionary capital at current operations are not included. Certain cash expenditures such as new project spending, tax payments, dividends, and financing costs are not included.

Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures

The table below presents a reconciliation between the most comparable GAAP measure of the LGJVs expenses to the non-GAAP measures of (i) cash costs, (ii) cash costs, net of by-product credits, (iii) co-product all-in sustaining costs and (iv) by-product all-in sustaining costs for our operations.

CLG 100% Basis Year Ended December 31, Amounts in thousands unless otherwise stated 2022 2021 Cost of sales $ 107,075 $ 97,710 Royalties 3,069 4,781 Exploration 9,800 5,383 General and administrative 14,307 13,345 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 69,380 52,402 Expenses $ 203,631 $ 173,621 Depreciation, depletion and amortization (69,380 ) (52,402 ) Exploration1 (9,800 ) (5,383 ) Treatment and refining costs2 21,871 21,601 Cash costs 146,322 137,437 Sustaining capital 76,526 72,979 All-in sustaining costs 222,848 210,416 By-product credits3 (125,782 ) (103,571 ) All-in sustaining costs, net of by-product credits $ 97,066 $ 106,845 Cash costs, net of by-product costs 20,540 33,866 Payable ounces of silver equivalent4 15,552 11,045 Co-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent $ 9.41 $ 12.44 Co-product all-in sustaining cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent $ 14.33 $ 19.05 Payable ounces of silver 9,482 6,797 By-product cash cost per ounce of payable silver $ 2.17 $ 4.98 By-product all-in sustaining cost per ounce of payable silver $ 10.24 $ 15.72

1 Exploration costs are not related to current mining operations.

2 Represent reductions on customer invoices and included in Revenue of the LGJV combined statement of income (loss).

3 By-product credits reflect realized metal prices of zinc, lead and gold for the applicable period.

4 Silver equivalents utilize the average realized prices during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 of $20.72/oz silver, $1.58/lb zinc, $0.90/lb lead and $1,678/oz gold and average realized prices during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 of $24.38/oz silver, $1.38/lb zinc, $1.01/lb lead and $1,761/oz gold.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. and Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the potential settlement of the U.S. class action, timing of an updated mineral resource and reserve report and life of mine plan, drilling in CLG mine zones and potential resource delineation and expansion, exploration in the Los Gatos district, and production and cost guidance for 2023 are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on managements beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and such other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities commissions. Gatos Silver expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Investors and Media Contact

Andre van Niekerk

Chief Financial Officer

investors@gatossilver.com

(604) 424-0984
Westford, USA, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest's latest global research on Cyber Insurance Market , increasing demand for standalone cyber insurance policies, the rise of cyber risk assessment and underwriting tools, integration of cyber insurance with other risk management solutions, growth of industry-specific cyber insurance offerings, expansion of coverage for emerging cyber risks (e.g., ransomware), focus on proactive risk management and loss prevention services, development of innovative pricing models and coverage options, emphasis on employee training and cybersecurity awareness programs, integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in underwriting and claims processes, are the trends that aid in the market's growth.

Browse in-depth TOC on the "Cyber Insurance Market"

Pages - 242

Tables - 140

Figures  78

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Cyber insurance is a type of insurance that covers businesses against the financial losses that can result from a cyber attack. These losses can include the cost of repairing or replacing hacked systems, the cost of notifying customers of a data breach, and the cost of defending against lawsuits. It is a rapidly growing market, as the number and sophistication of cyber attacks continue to increase.

Prominent Players in Cyber Insurance Market

Chubb

AXA XL

American International Group (AIG)

Beazley

AXIS Capital

CNA Financial

Lockton

Munich Re

Zurich Insurance

Travelers

Allianz

Lloyd's of London

Hiscox

Liberty Mutual

Esurance

NFP

Hartford

Willis Towers Watson

Aon

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Standalone Cyber Insurance Policy Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Standalone Cyber Insurance Policy dominated the global market due to its comprehensive coverage. The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, with new attack vectors and techniques emerging regularly. Standalone cyber insurance policies allow insurers to stay agile and adapt their coverage to address these evolving threats more effectively. This flexibility enables policyholders to mitigate risks associated with emerging cyber threats.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical are the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, healthcare and pharmaceuticals are the leading segment due to the increasing cybersecurity risk. In addition, the segment industries are subject to stringent regulations and compliance requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. These regulations mandate the protection and privacy of patient information, imposing significant financial and reputational risks for non-compliance. Cyber insurance provides financial protection and assistance in meeting regulatory obligations, making it an attractive option for organizations in the healthcare sector.

North America is the leading Market Due to the High Cybersecurity Awareness

Region-wise, North America is one of the largest growing markets with a huge emphasis on cybersecurity awareness. The region has robust data protection regulations, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which require organizations to safeguard personal and healthcare data. Compliance with these regulations often necessitates adopting cyber insurance coverage to mitigate potential financial risks associated with data breaches.

A recent report thoroughly analyses the major players operating within the Cyber Insurance 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 endeavours to develop innovative solutions that cater to the ever-increasing demand for Cyber Insurance.

Key Developments in Cyber Insurance Market

In January 2023, Chubb announced a partnership with Google Cloud to provide cyber risk management solutions to businesses.

In February 2023, AXA XL partnered with Mimecast to help businesses protect themselves from email-based cyber attacks.

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Key Questions Answered in Cyber Insurance 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?

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On the initiative and following the resolution of the Board of Panevezio statybos trestas AB, the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Panevezio statybos trestas AB (address of registered office P. Puzino Str. 1, Panevezys, company code 147732969) is convened on 27 July 2023.

The place of the meeting shall be Panevezio statybos trestas AB at P. Puzino Str. 1, Panevezys.

The beginning of the meeting shall be at 11:00 (registration shall start at 10:30).

The accounting day shall be 20 July 2023 (only the persons who are on the shareholder list of the company at the end of the accounting day of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, or the persons who are proxies for them, or the persons with whom an agreement on the transfer of voting rights is concluded, have the right to participate and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders).

The Agenda of the Meeting shall be as follows:

Amendment of the Articles of Association of Panevezio statybos trestas AB. Selection of the audit company to carry out the audit of the set of annual financial statements of Panevezio statybos trestas AB and determining the terms of payment for audit services.

The company shall not provide any possibilities to participate and vote at the meeting using any means of electronic communications.

Draft resolutions on the items of the agenda, any documents to be presented to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders and any information related to realisation of the shareholders rights shall be published on the website of the company at www.pst.lt under the menu item Investor Relations not later than 21 days before the meeting date. The shareholders shall also be granted access to the information thereof at the secretarys office at the headquarters of the company (P. Puzino Str. 1, Panevezys) from 7:30 till 16:30. The telephone number for inquiries: (+370 45) 505 508.

The shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all votes may propose additional items to be included in the agenda and present a draft resolution of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders for each proposed additional agenda item or, in case no resolution has to be adopted, give an explanation. Any proposals for additional items of the agenda shall be submitted in writing or by e-mail. The proposals in writing are to be delivered to the secretarys office at or sent by registered mail to the following address: Panevezio statybos trestas AB, P. Puzino Str. 1, LT- 35173, Panevezys. The proposals by e-mail are to be sent to the following e-mail address pst@pst.lt .

Any proposals for additional items of the agenda may be presented by 16:00 on 13 July 2022. In the event new items are added to the meeting agenda, not later than 10 days before the meeting date the company shall inform about the additions thereof using the same means as have been used for convening the meeting.

The shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all votes may propose new draft resolutions on the items that are on or to be included in the agenda, additional candidates for the members of the company bodies and the audit company. The proposals thereof may be presented in writing or by e-mail.

The proposals in writing may be delivered (on work days) to the secretarys office in the company or sent by registered mail to Panevezio statybos trestas AB, at P. Puzino Str. 1, LT- 35173, Panevezys by 10:00 on 27 July 2023. The proposals presented in writing shall be discussed during the meeting provided they have been received at the company before 9:00 on the meeting day (27 July 2023). Any proposals in writing may be presented during the meeting after the chairman of the meeting reads the agenda out but not later that the meeting starts working on the agenda items.

Any proposals delivered by e-mail are to be sent to pst@pst.lt . The proposals received at the e-mail address thereof by 10:00 on 27 July 2023 shall be discussed during the meeting.

The shareholders are entitled to present their questions related to the agenda items to the company in advance. The questions may be sent by the shareholders by e-mail to pst@pst.lt not later than 3 work days before the meeting date. The company shall answer the questions thereof by e-mail before the meeting. The company shall not deliver the answer to any question of the shareholders in person provided the relevant information is published on the website of the company at http://www.pst.lt .

When registering to participate at the meeting, the shareholders or their proxies shall present a document which is a proof of their personal identity. The proxies to the shareholders are to present their proxies certified following a prescribed procedure. The proxy issued by a legal person has to be certified by a Notary Public. The proxy issued in a foreign country has to be translated into Lithuanian and legalised following the procedure prescribed by law. The proxy may be given the authority by more than one shareholder and vote in a different manner based on the instructions given by each shareholder. The company has no special form for the proxy.

Using the means of electronic communications, the shareholder may authorize some other natural or legal person to participate and vote at the meeting on behalf of the shareholder. Such proxy requires no certification by a Notary Public. The proxy issued by the means of electronic communications is to be certified by the electronic signature of the shareholder created using any safe electronic signature software and attested by the qualified certificate valid in the Republic of Lithuania. Both the proxy and the notification are to be in writing. The shareholder shall notify the company about the proxy issued by the means of electronic communications by e-mail to pst@pst.lt not later than at 16:00 on the last work day before the meeting date. The electronic signature shall be affixed on the proxy and the notification and not on the letter sent by e-mail. When sending the notification to the company, the shareholder shall refer to the internet address to be used for the purpose of free downloading of electronic signature verification software. In case the shares hold by the shareholder are kept on a few securities accounts, the shareholder may authorise separate proxies to participate and vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with the rights carried by the shares kept in each securities account. In that case any instructions given by the shareholder shall be valid only for one Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

The shareholder who holds the shares of the company acquired in his name, however for the interests of other persons, before voting at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall disclose to the company the identity of the end client, the number of voting shares and the content of given voting instructions or any other explanation related to the participation and voting at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders agreed with the client. The shareholder may vote in a different manner using one part of his shares carrying votes and the other part of shares carrying votes.

The shareholder or his proxy may vote in advance in writing by filling in the general ballot paper. Not later than 21 days before the meeting date the form of the general ballot paper shall be published on the website of the company at http://www.pst.lt under the menu item Investors Relations. In case the shareholder submits a written request, not later than 10 days before the meeting date the company shall send a general ballot paper by registered mail or deliver it in person against signature. The filled in general ballot paper is to be signed by the shareholder or his proxy. In case the general ballot paper is signed by the proxy, the document validating the voting right shall be attached to it. The filled in general ballot paper with the attached documents (if applicable) shall be delivered to the company by registered mail at Panevezio statybos trestas AB, P. Puzino Str. 1, LT-35173, Panevezys, to the secretarys office not later than the last work day before the meeting date.

The following information and documents shall be published on the website of the company at http://www.pst.lt under the menu item Investors Relations throughout the entire period starting not later than 21 days before the meeting date:

the notice of convening the meeting;

the total number of company shares and the number of voting shares as of the date of convening the meeting;

draft resolutions on the items of the agenda and any other documents to be presented to the meeting;

the form of a general ballot paper.



For more information contact:

Egidijus Urbonas

Managing Director

Panevezio statybos trestas AB

Phone: (+370 45) 505 503
Dublin, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Bioadhesives Market - Types and Applications" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report forecasts that the global market for Bioadhesives is projected to reach US$15.7 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 10.5% between 2022 and 2029. The report reviews, analyzes and projects the global Bioadhesives market for the period 2020-2029 in terms of market value in US$ and the compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) projected from 2022 through 2029.

The demand for Bioadhesives has been growing significantly, owing primarily to the fact of their natural origin, and also because of their range of applications as substitutes to regular synthetic adhesives. Regulatory agencies across the globe have mandated strict rules against the uncontrolled use of petroleum-derived products because of serious ecological consequences. Hence, there has been a manifest shift towards using natural resources as materials in a variety of application areas, to which end Bioadhesives are also a part.

Despite being used for centuries as general-purpose adhesives by various cultures and civilizations, the importance of Bioadhesives as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-derived adhesives has been realized over the past few decades.

Paper & Packaging applications dominate the global demand for Bioadhesives which accounted for an estimated share of 45.3% in 2022 and is projected to reach US$7.8 billion by 2029. Overall, it can be said that the market for Bioadhesives will maintain a steady growth over the 2022-2029 analysis period because of a range of factors in favor of these innovative materials.

The report studies the market for Bioadhesives product types including Animal-based Bioadhesives and Plant-based Bioadhesives. The study also explores the market for Bioadhesives applications comprising Construction, Medical & Healthcare, Paper & Packaging, Personal Care Products, Woodworking and Others.

This report reviews, analyzes and projects the Bioadhesives market for global and the regional markets including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of World for the period 2020-2029 in terms of value in USD. These regional markets further analyzed for 11 independent countries across North America - The United States, Canada and Mexico; Europe - France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom; Asia-Pacific - China, India, Japan and South Korea.

This report includes 117 charts (includes a data table and graphical representation for each table), supported with a meaningful and easy to understand graphical presentation of the market. This report comprises brief business profiles of 16 key global players and also provides a listing of the companies engaged in the manufacturing and supply of Bioadhesives. The global list of companies covers addresses, contact numbers and the website addresses of 60 companies.

Research Findings & Coverage

Global Bioadhesives market is analyzed in this report with respect to key product types and applications

The study exclusively analyzes the market for Bioadhesives by key product type and application in each geographic region/country

Bioadhesive Based on White-Light Cross-Linkable Casein with Rapid Gelation for First-Aid Wound Treatment Developed

Plant- and Water-based Eco Super-Glue Offers a Multitude of Prospective Uses

Lignin Gains Acceptance as a Nontoxic Bioadhesive Option for Engineered Wood Products

Key business trends focusing on product innovations/developments, M&As, JVs and other recent industry developments

Major companies profiled - 16

The industry guide includes the contact details for 60 companies

Product Outline



The report analyzes the market for the following key product types of Bioadhesives:

Animal-based Bioadhesives

Plant-based Bioadhesives

Applications market for Bioadhesives is analyzed in this study comprise the following:

Construction

Medical & Healthcare

Paper & Packaging

Personal Care Products

Woodworking

Other Applications

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 212 Forecast Period 2022-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $7.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $15.7 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.5% Regions Covered Global

Companies Mentioned

Artivion, Inc.

Avebe UA

Beardow Adams (Adhesives) Ltd.

C.B. Adhesives

Danimer Scientific LLC

Ecosynthetix, Inc.

Emsland Group

Henkel AG & Co KGaA

Ingredion, Inc.

Jowat SE

Kollodis Biosciences, Inc.

L.D. Davis Glues and Gelatins

Paramelt BV

Premier Starch Products Pvt. Ltd.

Tate & Lyle PLC

U.S. Adhesives

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8640cy

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
Dublin, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Single-use Filtration Assemblies Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Membrane Filtration, Depth Filtration, Others), By Product (Filters, Cartridges), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global single-use filtration assemblies market size is expected to reach USD 11.8 billion by 2030. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 18.70% from 2023 to 2030.

The increasing demand for biopharmaceutical products, rising research and development activities, and the need for cost-effective filtration systems are the major drivers of the market. The biopharmaceutical industry is growing rapidly, with an increasing number of companies investing in R&D to bring new drugs and therapies to market. Biopharmaceutical products are sensitive to contaminants, which can affect their efficacy and safety.



Therefore, biopharmaceutical companies require high-quality filtration systems that can remove impurities and contaminants from their products. Single-use filtration assemblies offer several advantages over traditional filtration systems, such as reduced contamination risk, lower capital costs, and increased flexibility. As a result, the adoption of single-use filtration assemblies is increasing in the biopharmaceutical industry, which is expected to boost the industry growth during the forecast period.



The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the global market, particularly on the research and development of medical treatments for non-COVID-19 conditions, as well as the supply chain of biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.



In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the market, as single-use technology was adopted for research activities in COVID-19 vaccine development. The rise in the production of COVID-19 treatment therapeutics, which in turn increased downstream processing that required separation and filtration and techniques.

Furthermore, the demand for effective biopharmaceutical drugs and products has increased due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases among the population. This has resulted in an increased need for single-use assemblies, which is expected to drive market growth.

For instance, in 2022, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research approved 37 novel drugs as new molecular entities (NMEs) as new therapeutic biological products. The growing number of biological approvals is expected to increase the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process, leading to greater adoption of single-use assemblies during the forecast period.



Furthermore, increasing spending on life science research and development is also contributing to the development of new drugs.The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Association (IFPMA) reported in 2022 that there has been a notable increase in drug development for certain disease areas. Specifically, there are currently 3,148 new drugs in development for cancer, 1,677 for immunology, and 1,668 for neurology.

Additionally, the pharmaceutical sector in the UK has also seen a 6% increase in annual R&D spending, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2021 report, reaching a record high of Euro 5.02 billion (USD 5.34 billion). Hence, the increasing R&D spending is expected to lead to the development of more drugs and boost growth of the industry.



Single-use filtration assemblies are designed for one-time use and disposal, reducing their potential for reuse and leading to increased costs for some companies. However, the market growth of these assemblies is hindered primarily by high initial setup costs and biologics manufacturing, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries.

Companies Mentioned

Sartorius AG

3M Purification

Danaher

Repligen Corporation

Merck KGaA

MEISSNER FILTRATION PRODUCTS, INC.

DrM, Dr. Mueller AG

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Single-use Filtration Assemblies Market Report Highlights

By type, the membrane filtration segment accounted for the largest share of 47.8% in 2022. This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of filtration systems by various industries. Membrane filtration sub segmented into TFF and direct flow filtration (DFF) /dead-end filtration /normal flow filtration. Within this segment, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) accounted for the largest revenue share.

By application, the bioprocessing/biopharmaceuticals market segment held a largest share of 41.6% in 2022. This growth can be attributed to the increasing research and development funding for the development of biopharmaceutical products.

By product, filter segment held a largest share of 21.1% in 2022.Single-use filters are one the most popular and widely used single-use technologies. Single-use filters eliminate the need for cleaning and sterilization, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between batches and reducing downtime between runs.

North America held the largest share of 36.4% in 2022, owing to the well-established healthcare infrastructure and increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals are further propelling the growth of the market in this region.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 21.75% in a projected time period. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals and rising focus on research and development activities in the region. Furthermore, government and regulatory bodies are supporting the development of the biopharmaceutical industry, which is expected to boost the demand for single-use filtration assemblies in this region.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $2989.7 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $11800 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 18.7% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2. Executive Summary

2.1. Market Snapshot

2.2. Segment Snapshot

2.3. Competitive Landscape Snapshot



Chapter 3. Market Variables, Trends, & Scope

3.1. Market Lineage Outlook

3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook

3.1.2. Related/Ancillary Market Outlook

3.2. Market Dynamic

3.3. Market Driver Analysis

3.3.1. Rapidly Evolving Biopharmaceutical Industry

3.3.2. Operational Benefits Of Disposable Filtration Units

3.3.3. Expansion Of Contract Manufacturing Business

3.4. Market Restraint Analysis

3.4.1. Production Of Leachable And Extractable During Single-Use Bioprocessing

3.4.2. Sequencing Slow Adoption Of Single-Use Technology In Downstream Application

3.5. Industry Challenges

3.5.1. Investment In Multi-Use Components By Well-Established Players

3.6. Penetration &Growth Prospect Mapping

3.7. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Swot Analysis

3.8. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.9. Covid-19 Impact Analysis



Chapter 4. Type Business Analysis

4.1. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Type Movement Analysis

4.2. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Type Segment Dashboard

4.3. Membrane Filtration

4.3.1. Membrane Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.2. Tangential Flow Filtration

4.3.2.1. Tangential Flow Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.2.2. Ultrafiltration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.2.2.1. Ultrafiltration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.2.3. Micro Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.2.3.1. Micro Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3.3. Direct Flow Filtration (Dff) /Dead-End Filtration /Normal Flow Filtration

4.3.3.1. Direct Flow Filtration (Dff) /Dead-End Filtration /Normal Flow Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.4. Depth Filtration

4.4.1. Depth Filtration Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.5. Centrifugation

4.5.1. Others Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.6. Others

4.6.1. Others Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)



Chapter 5. Product Business Analysis

5.1. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Product Movement Analysis

5.2. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Product Segment Dashboard

5.3. Filters

5.3.1. Filter Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.4. Cartridges

5.4.1. Cartridges Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.5. Membranes

5.5.1. Membrane Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.6. Manifold

5.6.1. Manifold Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.7. Cassettes

5.7.1. Cassettes Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.8. Syringes

5.8.1. Syringes Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.9. Others

5.9.1. Others Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)



Chapter 6. Application Business Analysis

6.1. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Application Movement Analysis

6.2. Single-Use Filtration Assemblies Market: Application Segment Dashboard

6.3. Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Market

6.3.1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

6.4. Bioprocessing/Biopharmaceuticals Market

6.4.1. Bioprocessing/Biopharmaceutical Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

6.5. Laboratory Use

6.5.1. Laboratory Use Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)



Chapter 7. Regional Business Analysis



Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/luu650

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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KITCHENER, Ontario, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ApplyBoard, the leading platform for international student recruitment, is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural International Alumni of Impact program. Launched in 2023, ApplyBoards International Alumni of Impact celebrates the remarkable achievements and contributions of former international students who have graduated from Canadian higher education institutions and have made a significant positive impact in their communities, fields, and across the world.



The International Alumni of Impact program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of 10 former international students who studied in Canada and have not only excelled academically but have also leveraged their education and experiences to create a meaningful difference both in Canada and their home countries. These remarkable individuals have become agents of change, demonstrating the transformative power of international education in fostering global leaders and positively impacting society. ApplyBoard is proud to highlight these individuals and shed a spotlight on their incredible stories.

"The impact that one person can have is immense and the winners of the International Alumni of Impact awards embody this and have gone above and beyond to create lasting change for themselves and others," says Meti Basiri, Co-Founder and CEO, ApplyBoard. "Their accomplishments reinforce our belief in the transformative power of education and reaffirm our commitment to supporting the aspirations of students worldwide."

Our winners hail from eight different countries across three continents and represent the diverse experiences of international students. They each studied at esteemed post-secondary institutions across Canada, and have continued to contribute to the communities where they received their education. They started out as students coming to Canada from countries like Bangladesh, Guatemala, Nigeria, and the Philippines; now, theyre making a difference in their own communities and paving the way for the next generation of leaders.

The 2023 International Alumni of Impact winners are:

Anjo Colago , Philippines, Coast Mountain College, 2021

, Philippines, Coast Mountain College, 2021 Asif Hossain , Bangladesh, Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2018

, Bangladesh, Justice Institute of British Columbia, 2018 Chetanya Sharma , India, University of Ottawa, 2021

, India, University of Ottawa, 2021 Christine Qin Yang , China, Mount Saint Vincent University, 2014

, China, Mount Saint Vincent University, 2014 Gurpreet (GP) Singh Broca , India, Cambrian College, 2018

, India, Cambrian College, 2018 Iyinoluwa Aboyeji , Nigeria, University of Waterloo, 2012

, Nigeria, University of Waterloo, 2012 Kajol Bhatia , United Arab Emirates, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, 2020

, United Arab Emirates, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, 2020 Ramneet Brar, India, George Brown College, 2017

India, George Brown College, 2017 Walter Alvarez-Bardales , Guatemala, Cape Breton University, 2020

, Guatemala, Cape Breton University, 2020 Woohyung (Roy) Cho, South Korea, Vancouver Community College, 2020

In recognition of the winners' exceptional contributions, ApplyBoard will establish one-time scholarships in each of their names, which will be awarded to deserving incoming international students. These scholarships aim to support the next generation of international leaders and provide them with the opportunity to pursue their dreams and positively impact their communities.

ApplyBoard extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the International Alumni of Impact program. Their achievements showcase true resilience, innovation, leadership, and generosity, and stand as a testament to the transformative power of international education.

To learn more about the International Alumni of Impact program and the winners, please visit applyboard.com/info/iaoi .

About ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education by simplifying the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process to more than 1,750 institutions across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. ApplyBoard, headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has helped more than 600,000 students from more than 125 countries along their educational journeys since 2015. To learn more, visit: www.applyboard.com

For more information contact:

Brooke Kelly

Manager, Public Relations, ApplyBoard

brooke.kelly@applyboard.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5668735e-8d78-492b-9f39-2a7aa714e3d0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4d4d202c-793f-4d08-8d29-3a7d05a55f7e
Pune, India, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global air compressor market size stood at USD 16.51 billion in 2022. The market is set to expand from USD 17.22 billion in 2023 to USD 25.60 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% over the estimated period. The rise can be attributed to the ease of maintenance of these compressors. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report, titled Air Compressor Market, 2023-2030.

Get free Sample of Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/air-compressor-market-101672

List of Key Players Mentioned in the Report:



ELGi Equipments Limited (India)

Atlas Copco AB (Sweden)

Sulzer Ltd. (Switzerland)

Hitachi Ltd. (Japan)

Ingersoll Rand (U.S.)

Campbell Hausfeld (U.S.)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan)

Doosan Infracore Portable Power (South Korea)

Siemens AG (Germany)

EBARA CORPORATION (Japan)

Report Scope and Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 5.8% 2030 Value Projection USD 25.60 billion Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 USD 16.51 billion Historical Data for 2019 - 2021 No. of Pages 178 Segments covered By Mode of Operation, Product Type, Lubrication, Application, and Region Growth Drivers Growing Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies to Enhance Operational Efficiency and Smart Capabilities to Boost the Market Expansion

COVID-19 Impact:

Industry Growth Hindered Due to Disturbed Trade Flow on Account of the Pandemic

The market was mildly affected by the coronavirus pandemic on account of disturbed trade flow. Major companies focused on crafting robust strategies to sustain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Industrial air compressors recorded a considerable demand from manufacturing, petrochemical & gas, and other industries. The equipment was designed to clean the air even in extreme environments and circumstances.

To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/air-compressor-market-101672

Segments:

Rotary Compressors to Register Substantial Growth Driven by Reduced Maintenance Costs

On the basis of mode of operation, the market is fragmented into rotary, centrifugal, and reciprocating. Of these, rotary compressors are expected to record commendable expansion over the estimated period. The rise is being driven by their reliability and advanced operational capabilities.

Stationary Compressors to Record Appreciable Expansion Owing to Rising Product Demand

Based on product type, the market is segmented into portable and stationary. The stationary segment is poised to register lucrative growth throughout the forecast period. The surge can be attributed to the increasing product demand for the development of in-house facilities.

Oil Filled Segment to Gain Traction due to Growing Usage in Heavy-Duty Applications

On the basis of lubrication, the market is segregated into oil free and oil filled. The oil-filled segment is slated to exhibit a CAGR of 6% over the projected period. The upsurge is on account of growing product adoption to avoid issues of high maintenance.

Energy & Power Segment to Register Commendable Growth Over the Forecast Period

On the basis of application, the market is subdivided into manufacturing, electronics & semiconductor, oil & gas, healthcare, food & beverages, energy & power, and others (aerospace). The energy & power segment is poised to record considerable growth throughout the projected period. The surge can be attributed to the growing product usage in areas such as air blowers and gas turbines.

Speak To Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/air-compressor-market-101672

Report Coverage:

The report delves into the major trends set to propel the industry scenario across various regions. It further provides an account of the significant steps taken by major market participants for the consolidation of their industry position. These insights have been furnished after extensive data collation and research.

Drivers and Restraints:

Market Share to Rise Due to Increasing Usage of Industry 4.0 Technologies

The air compressor market growth is being driven by the increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Cloud, Industrial Internet of Things, and Big Data technologies are being deployed for solving complex issues and the enhancement of operations.

However, the industry expansion could be hampered on account of high energy losses and high maintenance costs.

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific to Emerge Prominent Due to Rising Demand from Dominant Countries

The Asia Pacific air compressor market share is anticipated to record a notable surge throughout the forecast period. The surge can be attributed to the increasing demand for smart compressors from various countries such as India, Japan, and China.

The North America market is estimated to register substantial growth over the estimated period. The rise is being driven by the growing demand for cost-effective and energy-efficient air compressors.

Competitive Landscape:

Major Players Enter into Partnership Agreements to Enhance Product Penetration

Leading air compressor companies are focused on the adoption of various strategies to strengthen their market position. These include product developments, acquisitions, mergers, and others. Some of the other steps comprise rising participation in trade conferences and increase in research activities.

Ask For Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/air-compressor-market-101672

Table of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Global Air Compressor Market Key Players Market Share/Ranking, 2022

Global Air Compressor Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2017-2030 Key Findings By Mode of Operation (USD) Rotary Centrifugal Reciprocating By Product Type (USD) Stationary Portable By Lubrication (USD) Oil Filled Oil Free By Application (USD) Manufacturing Oil and Gas Energy and Power Electronics and Semiconductor Healthcare Food and Beverages Others By Country (USD) North America South America Europe The Middle East & Africa Asia Pacific

North America Air Compressor Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2018-2029

Continued

Key Industry Development:



December 2022  Atlas Copco agreed on the acquisition of CVS Engineering GmbH. The deal was focused on the usage of mobile on tanker trucks.

About Us:

Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

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Baner, Pune-411045,

Maharashtra, India.

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APAC: +91 744 740 1245
GREENWICH, Conn. and LONDON, U.K., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the worlds largest pure-play contract logistics provider, announced today that it has expanded its partnership with leading global specialty apparel and accessories retailer Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F Co.), managing its ecommerce fulfillment and returns in the U.K. from its dedicated, newly refurbished 170,000-square-foot facility outside London. The expansion follows the success of GXOs partnership with A&F Co. in the U.S. where the company operates a high-tech distribution centre featuring advanced automation and goods-to-person robotics, intelligent analytics and AI.



Gavin Williams, GXOs Managing Director, UK and Ireland, commented, After sucessfully launching a major warehouse operation in the U.S. last year, were excited to bring Abercrombie & Fitch to the U.K. with a dedicated warehouse, underpinned by our WMS, to seamlessly manage their fulfilment and returns. Our facility puts stock closer to Abercrombie & Fitchs U.K. consumers, improving delivery and returns processing speeds and reducing environmental impact. This is a long-term, global partnership, and were looking forward to supporting their growth plans in the U.K.

By moving services to the U.K., Abercrombie & Fitch, the adult apparel brand of A&F Co., will expand its ecommerce offering, increase service flexibility and reduce inventory concentration from a sole location.

GXO currently employs over 60 team members at the site who provide picking, packing and sortation services using modular technology, with plans to more than quadruple that number in line with Abercrombie & Fitch Co.s growth plans. In addition, GXO will leverage its industry leading reverse logistics solutions to process returns within 48 hours of receipt, maximizing value through recovery by making products available for resale, while reducing waste and delivering significant cost savings. GXO will also progressively implement goods-to-person automation and adaptive technology into the operations to improve efficiency and quality.

Larry Grischow, EVP Supply Chain of A&F Co., said, Staying close to our customers is top priority at A&F Co. By expanding our partnership, GXO will support our efforts to improve ecommerce experiences for customers globally. We are confident that the additional fulfillment capacity will improve speed and the overall omnichannel shopping experience for our U.K. customers.

In late 2021, GXO opened a new, highly automated 715,000-square-foot distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona that serves as Abercrombie & Fitch Co.s hub for its West Coast operations. The facility features hundreds of goods-to-person robots that process millions of items a year, while helping team members increase productivity and improve safety. GXO is also leveraging intelligent analytics, including AI and machine learning, to deliver fast, efficient distribution of products to customers.

In 2022, over half of GXOs annual revenue came from customers that, like Abercrombie & Fitch Co., work with GXO in more than one country, a testament to the global scale, trusted expertise and technology advantage that make GXO the partner of choice for the worlds leading brands.

About GXO Logistics

GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO) is the worlds largest pure-play contract logistics provider and is benefiting from the rapid growth of ecommerce, automation and outsourcing. GXO is committed to providing a diverse, world-class workplace for more than 130,000 team members across more than 970 facilities totaling approximately 200 million square feet. The company partners with the worlds leading blue-chip companies to solve complex logistics challenges with technologically advanced supply chain and ecommerce solutions, at scale and with speed. GXO corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA. Visit GXO.com for more information and connect with GXO on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About Abercrombie & Fitch Co.



Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) is a leading, global specialty retailer of apparel and accessories for men, women and kids through five renowned brands. The iconic Abercrombie & Fitch brand was born in 1892 and aims to make every day feel as exceptional as the start of a long weekend. Abercrombie kids sees the world through kids eyes, where play is life and every day is an opportunity to be anything and better anything. The Hollister brand believes in liberating the spirit of an endless summer inside everyone and making teens feel celebrated and comfortable in their own skin. Gilly Hicks, offering intimates, loungewear and sleepwear, is designed to give all Gen Z customers their daily dose of happy. Social Tourist, the creative vision of Hollister and social media personalities, Dixie and Charli DAmelio, offers trend-forward apparel that allows teens to experiment with their style, while exploring the duality of who they are both on social media and in real life. The brands share a commitment to offering products of enduring quality and exceptional comfort that allow consumers around the world to express their own individuality and style. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. operates approximately 770 stores under these brands across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as the ecommerce sites www.abercrombie.com, www.abercrombiekids.com, www.hollisterco.com, www.gillyhicks.com, and www.socialtourist.com.

Media contacts



Anne Lafourcade

+33 (0)6 75 22 52 90

anne.lafourcade@gxo.com

Matthew Schmidt

+1 203-307-2809

matt.schmidt@gxo.com








TORONTO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQB: LTHCF; FSE: H3N) (Lithium Ionic or the Company) is pleased to announce a maiden National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE) on its Itinga Lithium Project (the Project) in Minas Gerais, Brazil, of 7.57 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.40% lithium oxide (Li2O) of Measured and Indicated (M&I) and 11.86Mt grading 1.44% Li2O of Inferred resources.



The Project is located between the towns of Aracuai and Itinga within Brazils Lithium Valley - a hard rock lithium district that is quickly emerging as an important global lithium producer. The MRE includes the Bandeira and Outro Lado (Galvani) lithium deposits (see Figure 1), on properties which together cover only 872 hectares within its large land package of 14,182 hectares.

Highlights:

M&I Resource estimate of 7.57Mt grading 1.40% Li2O and Inferred of 11.86Mt grading 1.44% Li2O . The MRE incorporates the Bandeira and Outro Lado (Galvani) deposits, using a cut-off grade of 0.5% Li2O for Bandeira Open Pit and 0.8% Li2O for Outro Lado and Bandeira Underground. Approximately 39% of the MRE is classified in the M&I categories.

The MRE incorporates the Bandeira and Outro Lado (Galvani) deposits, using a cut-off grade of 0.5% Li2O for Bandeira Open Pit and 0.8% Li2O for Outro Lado and Bandeira Underground. Approximately 39% of the MRE is classified in the M&I categories. Rapid growth in a short timeframe. The MRE is based on 181 diamond drill holes and 28,204 metres of drilling.

The MRE is based on 181 diamond drill holes and 28,204 metres of drilling. Significant expansion potential. Based on drill holes that occurred outside of the MRE, SGS identified potential for significant additional lithium-bearing mineralization at Bandeira once tighter drilling is completed in these areas, estimated to be in the range of 1.5 - 3.0Mt at grades of 1.3 - 1.6% Li2O.

Based on drill holes that occurred outside of the MRE, SGS identified potential for significant additional lithium-bearing mineralization at Bandeira once tighter drilling is completed in these areas, estimated to be in the range of 1.5 - 3.0Mt at grades of 1.3 - 1.6% Li2O. Expanded drill program with 13 drills in operation. The drilling program for the remainder of 2023 has been expanded to 50,000 metres to increase the size of the MRE and establish an NI 43-101 mineral reserve estimate at Bandeira and Outro Lado, while defining an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate at other prospective regional targets, including the Salinas and Itira targets.

The drilling program for the remainder of 2023 has been expanded to 50,000 metres to increase the size of the MRE and establish an NI 43-101 mineral reserve estimate at Bandeira and Outro Lado, while defining an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate at other prospective regional targets, including the Salinas and Itira targets. Accelerated project engineering. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) is underway and expected to be completed in Q3 2023, with the objective of accelerating a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) targeted for completion by the end of 2023.

A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) is underway and expected to be completed in Q3 2023, with the objective of accelerating a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) targeted for completion by the end of 2023. Permitting process underway. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for both deposits are underway and expected to be complete within H2 2023, at which time the applications are expected to be submitted for the respective environmental and social licenses.

Blake Hylands, P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Ionic, commented, This initial mineral resource estimate marks the most important milestone to date for our Company, highlighting large scale and high-grade lithium deposits with significant future growth potential. I commend our excellent team in Brazil for the speed at which these pegmatites have been delineated; the past year has been an impressive demonstration of how quickly these deposits can be defined and expanded. We are very excited to be undertaking one of the largest drill programs in the region with 13 drills now turning at several regional properties which have exhibited anomalies and exploration results as strong as Bandeira and Outro Lado. Our execution strategy is to advance Bandeira and Outro Lado through engineering and permitting as quickly as possible, while expanding and upgrading resources at these, and our various other prospective targets in this belt. We look forward to delivering resource updates later this year in parallel with the planned PEA in Q3 and Feasibility Study by year-end.

Carlos Costa, P.Geo., Lithium Ionics VP of Exploration, commented, This maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate is a major achievement for Lithium Ionic and I am very proud of what our exploration team has accomplished in such a short period of time. We have established a strong foundation to build upon, and we are focused on continuing to grow our lithium resources significantly over the next 6 months. Since the cut-off for this MRE database, we have already drilled 28 additional holes that have continued to expand mineralization. We are very excited by the immense upside in the potential resource size as we advance our expanded 50,000 metre program and accelerate the development of this very special lithium project in Brazil.

Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at Itinga

Large Scale, High Grade, Lithium Deposit with Outstanding Exploration Potential

The MRE was prepared by independent consultants, SGS Geological Services (SGS) and is reported in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) standards.

The maiden MRE includes the Bandeira and Outro Lado deposits and was based on 181 diamond drill holes comprising 28,204 metres of drilling completed between April 2022 and June 2023, of which 120 holes (20,509 metres) are from Bandeira and 61 holes (7,659 metres) are from Outro Lado.

These deposits are estimated to contain M&I resources of 7.57Mt grading 1.40% Li2O, containing 261,187 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE), the benchmark equivalent raw material used in the lithium industry, as well as Inferred resources of 11.86Mt grading 1.44% Li2O in the Inferred category, or 421,521 tonnes of LCE (see MRE results in Table 1).

SGS collaborated closely with the Companys geological team to confirm the presence of a series of North-East trending moderately dipping pegmatite veins extending up to 750 meters along dip, from surface to a depth of approximately 500 meters.

In addition to the MRE, SGS analyzed results from drill holes that fell outside of the mineral resource area in the eastern-most extent of the Bandeira property (Bandeira East) and identified the potential for additional lithium-bearing mineralization with estimated volumes of 1.5 - 3.0Mt and grades ranging from 1.3 - 1.6% Li2O when closer spaced drilling is completed. The current interpretation suggests that the modelled pegmatites potentially increase with depth, however additional drilling is required to confirm these observations. The Bandeira East target is located just 2 kilometres East of the Bandeira deposit.

The potential quantity and grade of the lithium mineralization at the Bandeira East target is conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will confirm the target ranges.

The NI 43-101 technical report for the MRE, will be accessible on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under the Company issuer profile within 45 days of this news release.

Table 1. Mineral Resource Estimate for the Itinga Lithium Project Deposit /

Cut-Off Grade Category Resource (tonnes) Grade

(% Li2O) Contained LCE (t) Bandeira

Open-Pit

(0.5% Li2O)

Measured 1,137,247 1.43 40,162 Indicated 3,105,047 1.33 102,324 Measured + Indicated 4,242,294 1.36 142,486 Inferred 5,914,961 1.40 205,379 Bandeira

Underground

(0.8% Li2O)

Measured 3,445 1.10 94 Indicated 353,363 1.26 11,008 Measured + Indicated 356,808 1.26 11,102 Inferred 5,529,821 1.47 200,974 Outro Lado (Galvani)

Underground (0.8% Li2O)

Measured 2,577,915 1.47 93,691 Indicated 393,370 1.43 13,908 Measured + Indicated 2,971,285 1.46 107,599 Inferred 415,767 1.48 15,168 TOTAL

Measured 3,718,607 1.46 133,947 Indicated 3,851,779 1.34 127,240 Measured + Indicated 7,570,387 1.40 261,187 Inferred 11,860,550 1.44 421,521

1) The results from the pit optimization are used solely for the purpose of testing the reasonable prospects for economic extraction by an open pit and do not represent an attempt to estimate mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves on the Project. The results are used as a guide to assist in the preparation of a Mineral Resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cut-off grade.

2) Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resources has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured and Indicated Resources and must not be converted to Mineral Reserves. It is reasonably expected that most of the Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

3) The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues.

4) The effective date of the MRE is June 24, 2023.

5) All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and numbers may not add due to rounding.





Figure 1  Lithium Ionic Properties in Lithium Valley Brazil Highlighting MRE Deposits





View Figure 1 here: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3bfbaf9-c54b-45a5-870f-79ea6daa9c03

Expanded Drill Program to Accelerate Mineral Growth and Classification Upgrade

The Company currently has 13 drills operating on select properties within the Itinga and Salinas projects as part of an expanded 50,000 metre exploration program planned in H2 2023. The drill program is designed to increase the size of the MRE and upgrade the mineral resource estimate classification at Bandeira and Outro Lado, while also defining NI 43-101 mineral resource estimates at other regional targets. Currently, six rigs are drilling at Bandeira, four are drilling at Salinas and three at Itira. Additional regional targets with strong surface anomalies will also be tested.

As part of the MRE calculation, SGS interpreted strong potential for additional lithium-bearing mineralization at Bandeira East, located 2 kilometres east of the Bandeira deposit. In addition to expanding and improving the resource classification at Bandeira, the Company will aim to further define the pegmatites at Bandeira East, which are interpreted to potentially increase with depth. Six drills are currently operating at Bandeira.

The Salinas Project properties are located approximately 100 kilometres north of the Itinga Project. Four drills are currently exploring the property directly adjacent to Latin Resources Colina deposit, which was recently expanded to 45.2Mt grading 1.34% Li2O (see press release related to this JORC MRE HERE). Lithium Ionic is currently following-up and expanding upon a 4,000-metre, 24-hole, drill program completed in 2022 which showed strong grades and widths from well-formed, coarse-grained spodumene in pegmatites, including 1.53% Li2O over 11.36m, 1.22% Li2O over 13.76m and 1.71% Li2O over 9.82m, extending directly northeast from the Colina deposit.

Three drills are operating on the west side of the Itira property, approximately 3 kilometres southwest of the Outro Lado deposit, where strong surface anomalies were observed.

PEA and Definitive Feasibility Study Underway

The Company has engaged independent Brazilian consultancy, GE21 Consultoria Mineral Ltda ("GE21"), based in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, to complete a PEA (the Study) based on the MRE at the Bandeira and Outro Lado deposits. The Study is expected to be completed in Q3 2023. In addition, a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) commenced in May 2023 by SNC-Lavalin Brazil and is targeted for completion by the end of 2023. Data from the PEA will support and accelerate certain aspects of the DFS.

Permitting process underway with EIA completion expected in H2 2023

Lithium Ionic has been working with WSP (formerly Golder) since early 2023 to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the Bandeira property, which will contain an analysis of the projects potential environmental and social impacts. Following the completion of the EIA which is expected in Q4 2023, the Company can apply for the Prior License (LP or Licenca Previa in Portuguese), the first stage of the environmental licensing process for mining projects in Brazil.

For the Outro Lado deposit (Galvani property), the Company intends to apply for a Concomitant Installation License (LAC, or Licenca Ambiental Concomitante in Portuguese), which is a scenario that is available when the plant and other project infrastructure is expected to cover a small footprint of approximately 8 hectares that will not require deforestation. The Company has been working with Neo Agroambiental since March 2023 to complete the required field work and report for this application, which is expected to be made in Q3 2023.

Details related to the calculation of the MRE

The MRE was estimated by Maxime Dupere, P.Geo., and Faisal Sayeed, P.Geo of SGS (collectively, the Authors or QPs) with an effective date of June 24, 2023. This estimate is the Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate produced by Lithium Ionic since the acquisition of the Project.

The MRE was estimated using the following geological and resource block modeling parameters which are based on geological interpretations, geostatistical studies, and best practices in mineral estimation.



The QP is not aware of any factors or issues that materially affect the MRE other than normal risks faced by mining projects in the province in terms of environmental, permitting, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, and political factors, and additional risk factors regarding inferred resources.

The Project geology comprises Neoproterozoic age sedimentary rocks of Aracuai Orogen intruded by fertile Li-bearing pegmatites originated by fractionation of magmatic fluids from the peraluminous S-type post-tectonic granitoids of Aracuai Orogen. Lithium mineralization is related to concordant and discordant swarms of spodumene-bearing tabular pegmatites hosted by cordierite-biotite-quartz schists.

Drilling conducted by Lithium Ionic included diamond core drilling of NTW (64.2mm diameter).

Diamond core has been sampled in intervals of ~ 1 m where possible, otherwise intervals less than 1 m have been selected based on geological boundaries. Geological boundaries have not been crossed by sample intervals.  core samples have been collected and submitted for analysis, with regular field duplicate samples collected and submitted for QA/QC analysis.

Drill core samples were submitted to SGS Geosol laboratories in Brazil where they were analyzed for a 31-element suite via ICP90A (fusion by sodium peroxide and finish with ICP- MS/ICP-OES). Assay data were composited to 1 m.

The MRE was estimated from the diamond drill holes completed by Lithium Ionic since April 2022. A total of 181 drill holes comprising 4,674 assays were used for the mineral resources model.

The 3D modelling of lithium Mineral Resources was conducted using a minimum cut-off grade of 0.3% Li 2 O within a preliminary lithological model. The initial mineralized solids were developed using SGSs proprietary modelling software Genesis.

O within a preliminary lithological model. The initial mineralized solids were developed using SGSs proprietary modelling software Genesis. The interpolation was conducted using Inverse Distance Squared (ID2) methodology with three interpolation passes.

The block model was defined by a block size of 5 m long by 5 m wide by 5 m thick and covers a strike length of approximately 1,100 m to a maximal vertical depth of 550 m below surface.

The MRE was classified as Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource based on data quality, sample spacing, and pegmatite continuity. The Measured Mineral Resource was defined using a search ellipsoid of 55 m by 55 m by 35 m, and where the continuity and predictability of the mineralized units was reasonable. The Indicated Mineral Resource was defined using a search ellipsoid 110 m by 110 m by 55 m. The Inferred Mineral Resource was assigned to areas where drill hole spacing was greater than 110 m by 110 m by 55 m for all remaining blocks.

Classification focused on spatial relation using a minimum of five composites in at least three different drill holes for the Measured and Indicated resources.

Validation has proven that the block model fairly reflects the underlying data inputs. Variability over distance is relatively moderate to low for this deposit type therefore the maximum classification level is Indicated.

Mineralization at the deposits extends to surface and is expected to be suitable for open cut mining; no minimum mining width was applied; internal mining dilution is limited to internal barren pegmatite and/or host rock intervals within the mineralized pegmatite intervals; based on these assumptions, it is considered that there are no mining factors which are likely to affect the assumption that the deposit has reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

It is the QPs opinion that the current classification used is adequate and reliable for this type of mineralization and mineral resource estimate.

Initial Metallurgical tests were available at this stage of project advancement. An assumed concentrate (DMS) recovery of 65% has been applied in determining reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction.

Mineral Resources were constrained within the boundaries of an optimized pit shell using the following constraints: Concentrate price: USD$1,500; mining costs: USD$2.5/t ROM; Processing costs: USD$13/t ROM, General/Admin: USD$4.0/t ROM, Lithium Recovery: 65%, Mining Recovery: 95% and Pit slope: 60.

The MRE reported is a global estimate with reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction.

About Lithium Ionic Corp.

Lithium Ionic is a Canadian mining company exploring and developing its lithium properties in Brazil. Its flagship Itinga and Salinas projects cover 14,182 hectares in the northeastern part of Minas Gerais state, a mining-friendly jurisdiction that is quickly emerging as a world-class hard-rock lithium district. The Itinga Project is situated in the same region as CBLs Cachoeira lithium mine, which has produced lithium for +30 years, as well as Sigma Lithium Corp.s Grota do Cirilo project, which hosts the largest hard-rock lithium deposit in the Americas.

Qualified Persons

Faisal Sayeed, P.Geo of SGS is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data regarding the MRE included in this news release. Mr. Sayeed is independent of Lithium Ionic. All other scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared by Carlos Costa, Vice President Exploration of Lithium Ionic and Blake Hylands, CEO and director of Lithium Ionic, and both are qualified persons as defined in NI 43-101.

Investor and Media Inquiries:



+1 647.316.2500

info@lithiumionic.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. 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. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the prospectivity of the Companys mineral properties, the Companys ability to increase the size of the MRE and convert to a reserve; the Companys ability to produce a PEA and/or DFS, the economic viability of the Project, the Companys ability to complete the EIA, the Companys ability to obtain all requisite permits, the mineralization and development of the Companys mineral properties, the Companys exploration program and other mining projects and prospects thereof and the Companys future plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. 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. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Information and links in this press release relating to other mineral resource companies are from their sources believed to be reliable, but that have not been independently verified by the Company.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
English Norwegian

(Oslo, 27 June 2023) Anna Nord Bjercke has been appointed new Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer and IT (EVP CFO & IT) at Statkraft. Bjercke is currently CFO at Mller Mobility Group. She succeeds Anne Harris, who will retire from the position on 30 June.

"Statkraft has an ambitious growth strategy. Solid support to the business combined with financial control are key to delivering on our strategy. Anna Nord Bjercke brings outstanding experience as CFO and I look forward to welcoming her to the corporate management team," says CEO Christian Rynning-Tnnesen.

Anna Nord Bjercke has held several leading positions in Nordic and international companies. Prior to her current CFO position at Mller Mobility Group she was CFO at Norway Seafoods Group AS and has experience from leading management positions in Statoil ASA and Svenska Statoil AB.

"I look forward to joining Statkraft, which is Europes largest producer of renewable energy, in a time of rapid growth and exciting opportunities for the company. We are in the beginning of the green energy and industrial transition. Statkraft has the position, competence and financial strength to play a key role in this transition and continue its impressive value creation, says Anna Nord Bjercke.

Statkrafts current EVP CFO & IT Anne Harris has held the position since 2019 and wishes to retire and step down from the position.

I respect Annes desire to step down after four years as CFO and want to thank her for her solid performance including managing our liquidity, financial risk and reporting, and for developing and digitalizing the CFO area, says Christian Rynning-Tnnesen, CEO of Statkraft.

Anna Nord Bjercke will join Statkraft no later than 1 January 2024, exact date will be confirmed later. Thomas Geiran, Senior Vice President Performance and Risk Management, will be acting CFO from 1 July until Anna Nord Bjercke starts in the position.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

For further information, please contact:



Debt Capital Markets:



Vice President Stephan Skaane, tel: +47 905 13 652, e-mail: stephan.skaane@statkraft.com



Media:



Head advisor Lars Magnus Gunther, tel: +47 912 41 636, e-mail: lars.gunther@statkraft.com

Vice President Torbjrn Steen, tel: +47 911 66 888, e-mail: torbjorn.steen@statkraft.com

or www.statkraft.com







About Statkraft

Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europes largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has 5.300 employees in 21 countries.







Attachment
MONTREAL, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) ("Osisko Development" or the "Company") is pleased to announce underground sampling results from its ongoing exploration program at its 100%-owned Trixie test mine ("Trixie"), within the Company's wider Tintic Project ("Tintic" or the "Tintic Project"), located in the historic East Tintic Mining District in central Utah, U.S.A.

Chris Lodder, President of Osisko Development, commented, "The underground face chip sampling at Trixie continues to define mineralized zones, namely below the main 625 level and into the 750 level at Trixie, and further to the south of the deposit closer to the Sioux Ajax fault within our current drill areas. These results will assist in furthering our knowledge of the extents of the deposit and improve our targeting in our underground exploration program at Trixie."

DRILL ASSAY HIGHLIGHTS

This news release includes assays from 444 underground exploration face, back and rib chip samples from 130 chips strings in development at Trixie (refer to Table 1). Select assay highlights include:

58.43 grams per tonne ( " g/t " ) gold ( " Au " ) and 551.10 g/t silver (" Ag ") over 0.30 meters (" m ") in CH01357 (1.70 troy ounce per short ton (" oz/t ") Au and 16.07 oz/t Ag over 1.00 feet (" ft. ")

" " " " and 551.10 g/t silver (" ") over 0.30 meters (" ") in CH01357 (1.70 troy ounce per short ton (" ") Au and 16.07 oz/t Ag over 1.00 feet (" ") 47.69 g/t Au and 214.33 g/t Ag over 0.46 m in CH01358 (1.39 oz/t Au and 6.25 oz/t Ag over 1.50 ft.)

and 214.33 g/t Ag over 0.46 m in CH01358 (1.39 oz/t Au and 6.25 oz/t Ag over 1.50 ft.) 15.36 g/t Au and 56.34 g/t Ag over 3.02 m in CH01366 (0.45 oz/t Au and 1.64 oz/t Ag over 9.90 ft.) including 37.95 g/t Au and 128.87 g/t Ag over 0.79 m (1.11 oz/t Au and 3.76 oz/t Ag over 2.60 ft)

and 56.34 g/t Ag over 3.02 m in CH01366 (0.45 oz/t Au and 1.64 oz/t Ag over 9.90 ft.) including 37.95 g/t Au and 128.87 g/t Ag over 0.79 m (1.11 oz/t Au and 3.76 oz/t Ag over 2.60 ft) 154.82 g/t Au and 990.71 g/t Ag over 0.43 m in CH01394 (4.52 oz/t Au and 28.90 oz/t Ag over 1.40 ft)

and 990.71 g/t Ag over 0.43 m in CH01394 (4.52 oz/t Au and 28.90 oz/t Ag over 1.40 ft) 25.64 g/t Au and 138.26 g/t Ag over 0.61 m in CH01399 (0.75 oz/t Au and 4.03 oz/t Ag over 2.00 ft)

and 138.26 g/t Ag over 0.61 m in CH01399 (0.75 oz/t Au and 4.03 oz/t Ag over 2.00 ft) 74.05 g/t Au and 351.18 g/t Ag over 0.15 m in CH01401 (2.16 oz/t Au and 10.24 oz/t Ag over 0.50 ft)

and 351.18 g/t Ag over 0.15 m in CH01401 (2.16 oz/t Au and 10.24 oz/t Ag over 0.50 ft) 20.81 g/t Au and 558.21 g/t Ag over 0.30 m in CH01445 (0.61 oz/t Au and 16.28 oz/t Ag over 1.00 ft)

and 558.21 g/t Ag over 0.30 m in CH01445 (0.61 oz/t Au and 16.28 oz/t Ag over 1.00 ft) 13.94 g/t Au and 640.46 g/t Ag over 0.30 m in CH01450 (0.41 oz/t Au and 18.68 oz/t Ag over 1.00 ft)

and 640.46 g/t Ag over 0.30 m in CH01450 (0.41 oz/t Au and 18.68 oz/t Ag over 1.00 ft) 10.18 g/t Au and 300.79 g/t Ag over 0.61 m in CH01501 (0.30 oz/t Au and 8.77 oz/t Ag over 2.00 ft)

and 300.79 g/t Ag over 0.61 m in CH01501 (0.30 oz/t Au and 8.77 oz/t Ag over 2.00 ft) 7.85 g/t Au and 497.81 g/t Ag over 0.91 m in CH01502 (0.23 oz/t Au and 14.52 oz/t Ag over 3.00 ft)

CHIP SAMPLE RESULTS SUMMARY

A total of 444 underground exploration face, back and rib chip samples were collected in 130 chips strings in development at Trixie.

Chip samples were collected from the T2 structure and T4 stockwork on the 625 and 750 levels.

Samples on the 750 level assayed 20.81 g/t Au and 558.21 g/t Ag over 0.30 m and additional cross cuts are recommended for this area.

Sampling on the 625 level focussed on development to the south towards the Sioux Ajax fault (Figure 2) and the majority of the sampling was within the T4 zone to avoid historical workings intersected in late 2022.

Samples to the south of the current Trixie Mineral Resource Estimate (" Trixie MRE ") are located in a crosscut in the T4 zone where underground diamond drilling is ongoing. Chip samples in this area assayed 10.18 g/t Au and 300.79 g/t Ag over 0.61 m and 12.38 g/t Au and 19.34 g/t Ag over 1.22 meters. See below under the heading "About Trixie" for details of the Tintic Technical Report (as defined herein).

") are located in a crosscut in the T4 zone where underground diamond drilling is ongoing. Chip samples in this area assayed 10.18 g/t Au and 300.79 g/t Ag over 0.61 m and 12.38 g/t Au and 19.34 g/t Ag over 1.22 meters. See below under the heading "About Trixie" for details of the Tintic Technical Report (as defined herein). These sampling results will provide valuable data to improve our understanding and the confidence level of the mineralized zones defined in the Trixie MRE and to support a future mineral resource estimate update.

Face Sampling Methodology

As most structures at Trixie are steeply dipping to the east or west, current sampling procedures are designed to sample the structure. Chip samples are collected and do not exceed 1.0 m (3 ft.) in length. The face is washed for safety, and for better identification of mineralization, alteration and structures. The hanging wall and footwall of the structures are marked up on the face and back, samples intervals are marked up and follow lithological contacts.

About Trixie

The Trixie test mine is one of several gold and base metal targets within the larger Tintic Project consisting of >17,000 acres of patented mining claims and mineral leases within the historic East Tintic Mining District of Central Utah, U.S.A. The T2 and T4 structures at Trixie show multi-ounce gold grades associated with high sulphidation epithermal mineralization, structurally controlled and hosted within quartzites. The T2 structure mineralization consists of native Au, and rare Au-Ag  rich telluride minerals with quartz. The T4 is a mineralized stockwork zone is located in the hanging wall of the T2 and is comprised of Au-Ag rich mineralization in host rock quartzite with quartz-barite-sulphosalt stockwork veining. Mineralization reports consistent multi-ounce gold grades along the entire strike length.

A 3D model and virtual site tour of Trixie and the wider Tintic Project is accessible on the Company's VRIFY page at: https://vrify.com/decks/12801.

Information relating to the Tintic Project and the Trixie MRE is supported by the technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Trixie Deposit, Tintic Project, Utah, United States of America", dated January 27, 2023 (with an effective date of January 10, 2023) prepared for the Company by independent representatives of Micon International Limited (the "Tintic Technical Report"). Reference should be made to the full text of the Tintic Technical Report, which was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is available electronically on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskodev.com.





Figure 1: Trixie Project Area





Figure 2: Trixie Long Section





Figure 3: Trixie Long Section Sample Highlights

Table 1: Chip Length Weighted Assay Composites at Trixie

METRIC IMPERIAL Hole ID Depth from (m) Depth to (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Depth from (ft.) Depth to (ft.) Length (ft.) Au (oz/t) Ag (oz/t) Target CH01357 0.00 0.30 0.30 58.43 551.10 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.70 16.07 T4 625 CH01358 5.21 5.67 0.46 47.69 214.33 17.10 18.60 1.50 1.39 6.25 T4 625 CH01365 2.44 2.83 0.40 5.18 11.42 8.00 9.30 1.30 0.15 0.33 T4 625 CH01366 0.85 3.87 3.02 15.36 56.34 2.80 12.70 9.90 0.45 1.64 T4 625 CH01366 Including 2.07 2.87 0.79 37.95 128.87 6.80 9.40 2.60 1.11 3.76 T4 625 CH01387 0.91 1.83 0.91 11.90 33.67 3.00 6.00 3.00 0.35 0.98 T4 625 CH01390 0.94 1.62 0.67 5.45 50.94 3.10 5.30 2.20 0.16 1.49 T4 625 CH01392 1.49 1.74 0.24 3.19 70.52 4.90 5.70 0.80 0.09 2.06 T4 625 CH01393 0.00 0.61 0.61 8.40 49.26 0.00 2.00 2.00 0.24 1.44 T4 625 CH01394 3.05 3.47 0.43 154.82 990.71 10.00 11.40 1.40 4.52 28.90 T4 625 CH01395 1.34 2.96 1.62 8.94 86.10 4.40 9.70 5.30 0.26 2.51 T4 625 CH01395 Including 1.34 2.26 0.91 12.38 125.61 4.40 7.40 3.00 0.36 3.66 T4 625 CH01398 0.00 0.85 0.85 3.98 85.12 0.00 2.80 2.80 0.12 2.48 T4 625 CH01399 0.00 1.28 1.28 14.53 76.36 0.00 4.20 4.20 0.42 2.23 T4 625 CH01399 Including 0.00 0.61 0.61 25.64 138.26 0.00 2.00 2.00 0.75 4.03 T4 625 CH01401 0.00 0.15 0.15 74.05 351.18 0.00 0.50 0.50 2.16 10.24 T4 625 CH01401 2.41 2.56 0.15 3.39 195.72 7.90 8.40 0.50 0.10 5.71 T4 625 CH01402 1.37 1.74 0.37 7.61 102.64 4.50 5.70 1.20 0.22 2.99 T2 750 L CH01410 0.00 0.61 0.61 5.55 53.89 0.00 2.00 2.00 0.16 1.57 T2 750 L CH01423 1.22 1.83 0.61 6.79 52.38 4.00 6.00 2.00 0.20 1.53 750 L CH01430 0.00 0.52 0.52 18.81 53.46 0.00 1.70 1.70 0.55 1.56 T2 750 L CH01433 0.00 0.21 0.21 8.88 8.40 0.00 0.70 0.70 0.26 0.24 T2 750 L CH01436 0.67 0.82 0.15 11.69 56.81 2.20 2.70 0.50 0.34 1.66 T2 750 L CH01445 0.00 0.30 0.30 20.81 558.21 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.61 16.28 T2 750 L CH01449 0.00 0.76 0.76 1.02 127.97 0.00 2.50 2.50 0.03 3.73 T4 625 CH01449 Including 0.00 0.30 0.30 2.09 197.29 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.06 5.75 T4 625 CH01450 0.00 0.30 0.30 13.94 640.46 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.41 18.68 T2 750 L CH01489 0.00 1.10 1.10 7.20 358.76 0.00 3.60 3.60 0.21 10.46 T2 625 L CH01490 0.00 1.22 1.22 12.38 19.34 0.00 4.00 4.00 0.36 0.56 T2 625 L CH01491 7.59 7.83 0.24 1.06 70.14 24.90 25.70 0.80 0.03 2.05 T2 625 L CH01492 1.22 5.12 3.90 0.56 74.97 4.00 16.80 12.80 0.02 2.19 T2 625 L CH01492 Including 2.50 3.72 1.22 1.06 154.17 8.20 12.20 4.00 0.03 4.50 T2 625 L CH01501 2.44 3.05 0.61 10.18 300.79 8.00 10.00 2.00 0.30 8.77 T4 625 CH01502 3.05 3.96 0.91 7.85 497.81 10.00 13.00 3.00 0.23 14.52 T4 625 CH01503 3.05 4.57 1.52 3.50 16.52 10.00 15.00 5.00 0.10 0.48 T4 625 CH01505 0.00 0.18 0.18 1.51 419.92 0.00 0.60 0.60 0.04 12.25 T4 625 CH01507 0.00 3.66 3.66 2.06 216.71 0.00 12.00 12.00 0.06 6.32 T4 625 CH01507 Including 0.00 0.30 0.30 2.54 1299.31 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.07 37.90 T4 625 CH01507 and 0.30 1.22 0.91 2.57 304.63 1.00 4.00 3.00 0.07 8.88 T4 625 CH01509 0.00 0.49 0.49 6.21 284.68 0.00 1.60 1.60 0.18 8.30 T2 625 L CH01511 0.00 0.91 0.91 4.77 15.15 0.00 3.00 3.00 0.14 0.44 T2 625 L



Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maggie Layman, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Osisko Development, and a "qualified person" within the meaning of NI 43-101.

Quality Assurance (QA)  Quality Control (QC)

All underground face samples are collected by Company geologists from each of the active mining faces, with samples transported by the geologists from Trixie to the on-site Company laboratory located at the Burgin administrative complex. Underground samples are dried, crushed to <10 mm and a 250 g split is taken. The split is pulverized, and a 30 g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish is completed to determine gold and silver grades, reported in oz/short ton and g/t.

The Company's Burgin laboratory is not a certified analytical laboratory, but the facility is managed by a qualified laboratory manager with annual auditing by technical staff. Inter-laboratory check assays using ALS Laboratory as a third-party independent analysis of samples is routinely carried out as part of ongoing Quality Assurance-Quality Control ("QA/QC") work. Certified OREAS QC standards and blanks are inserted at regular intervals in the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance.

True width determination is estimated to be approximately 0.3 m to 2.4 m (1 to 8 ft.) wide for the T2 structure and approximately 3 m to 25 m (10 to 80 ft.) for the T4 mineralized stockwork zone located in the hanging wall of the T2 structure.

About Osisko Development Corp.

Osisko Development Corp. is a premier North American gold development company focused on high-quality past-producing properties located in mining friendly jurisdictions with district scale potential. The Company's objective is to become an intermediate gold producer by advancing its 100%-owned Cariboo Gold Project, located in central BC, Canada, the Tintic Project in the historic East Tintic mining district in Utah, U.S.A., and the San Antonio Gold Project in Sonora, Mexico. In addition to considerable brownfield exploration potential of these properties, that benefit from significant historical mining data, existing infrastructure and access to skilled labour, the Company's project pipeline is complemented by other prospective exploration properties. The Company's strategy is to develop attractive, long-life, socially and environmentally sustainable mining assets, while minimizing exposure to development risk and growing mineral resources.

For further information, please contact Osisko Development Corp.:

Sean Roosen Philip Rabenok Chairman and CEO Director, Investor Relations Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685 Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644



CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

Cautionary Statement Regarding Test Mining Without Feasibility Study

The Company cautions that the decision to commence small-scale underground mining activities and batch vat leaching at the Trixie test mine has been made without the benefit of a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result there may be increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of material or the cost of such recovery. The Company cautions that historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. Small scale test-mining at Trixie was suspended in December 2022, if and when test mining re-commences there is no guarantee that production will continue as anticipated or at all or that anticipated production costs will be achieved. The failure to continue production may have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs may have a material adverse impact on the Company's cash flow and potential profitability. In continuing current operations at Trixie after closing, the Company will not be basing its decision to continue such operations on a feasibility study, or reported mineral resources or mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. The Company cautions that mining at Trixie could be suspended at any time.

Cautionary Statement to U.S. Investors

The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the applicable Canadian securities laws, and as a result reports information regarding mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in the Technical Reports, the Financial Statements, MD&A and this news release, in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements, which are governed by NI 43-101. As such, such information concerning mineral properties, mineralization and estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, including the information in the Technical Reports, the Financial Statements, MD&A and this news release, is not comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this news release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These forwardlooking statements, by their nature, require Osisko Development to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forwardlooking statements. Information contained in forwardlooking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments; the utility and significance of historic data, including the significance of the district hosting past producing mines; future mining activities; the unique mineralization at Trixie; the potential of high grade gold mineralization on Trixie; the results (if any) of further exploration work to define and expand mineral resources; the ability of exploration work (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization; the ability to generate additional drill targets; the ability of management to understand the geology and potential of Trixie; the ability of the Company to expand mineral resources beyond current mineral resource estimates at Trixie; the timing and ability of the Company to complete upgrades to the Trixie MRE (or any subsequent MRE) (if at all); the timing and resumption of test mining activities at Trixie; the information and the scope of the contemplated Trixie MRE (and any subsequent MRE); the impact of the Trixie MRE; the ability of the Company to complete its exploration objectives in 2023 in the timing contemplated (if at all); the ongoing advancement of the Trixie decline; the deposit remaining open for expansion at depth and down plunge; the ability to realize upon any mineralization in a manner that is economic; as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances, and any other information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward looking information". Material assumptions also include, management's perceptions of historical trends, the ability of exploration (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization, budget constraints and access to capital on terms acceptable to the Company, current conditions and expected future developments, results of further exploration work to define or expand any mineral resources, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. Osisko Development considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of Osisko Development, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that affect Osisko Development and its business. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks relating to capital market conditions and the Company's ability to access capital on terms acceptable to the Company for the contemplated exploration and development at Tintic; the ability to continue current operations and exploration; regulatory framework and presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; errors in management's geological modelling; the ability to expand operations or complete further exploration activities, including drilling; property and stream interests in the Tintic Project; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals and permits; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to exploration, development and mining activities; the global economic climate; metal and commodity prices; fluctuations in the currency markets; dilution; environmental risks; and community, non-governmental and governmental actions and the impact of stakeholder actions. Readers are urged to consult the disclosure provided under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the Financial Statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which have been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Osisko Development's issuer profile and on the SEC's EDGAR website (www.sec.gov), for further information regarding the risks and other factors applicable to the exploration results. Although the Company's believes the expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information available as of the date hereof, no assurances can be given as to future results, levels of activity and achievements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.



Figures accompanying this announcement are available at



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/34535747-f8b5-48ff-9b8a-abf796654e12

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f4650c5-1fcc-4c37-a2e0-2b1ed9825048



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb5161de-1005-4387-b45d-968a26f7ea0a
Westminster, Colorado, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Space, a leading space tech solutions company, is supporting the University of California Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) by creating technology that enables deep space and planetary exploration, in particular Mars. NASAs Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission management and operations will be led by the University of California Berkeley.

ESCAPADE, a part of NASAs Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, will study Mars magnetosphere using two small spacecraft, providing simultaneous observations in two different positions. ESCAPADE will launch on a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket with launch targeted for late 2024. Both spacecraft are planned to arrive at Mars in September 2025 and will establish the first-ever formation of two spacecraft in orbit about another planet. The primary science mission takes 11 months, including two separate science campaigns. The mission, with technology developed by Advanced Space, will provide insight into Mars' atmosphere and how it responds to the space environment, which will inform our understanding of potential space weather effects as NASA explores Mars.

The two spacecraft will be called BLUE and GOLD, the traditional colors of UC Berkeley. Weve worked with Advanced Space all the way back to 2016 on the ESCAPADE concept through many iterations. We couldnt be happier with the rigor, responsiveness, and creativity they have consistently shown. said Mission Principal Investigator Dr. Robert Lillis of UC Berkeley SSL.

Our teams work to create new and exciting technology will continue enabling novel mission designs, furthering the potential of space exploration, said Advanced Space CTO and ESCAPADE mission design lead Dr. Jeffrey Parker. Our goal is always to push the envelope alongside our partners in a way that is innovative enough to reach new frontiers yet sustainable enough to apply to future missions.

Being such a technically challenging mission, Advanced Space created mission design, including the interplanetary cruise, orbital design and the post-launch Earth-orbit strategy. They also worked with the rest of the mission team to build navigation capabilities to avoid any impact with Mars, satisfying NASAs policies for planetary protection. ESCAPADE will help to establish a new pathway for high capability scientific missions at a fraction of the cost of previous Mars orbiters.

Advanced Space works harmoniously with all team members of ESCAPADE, including the science team at the University of California Berkeley, the spacecraft team at Rocket Lab, and the rocket team at Blue Origin and NASA, all to enable a successful mission. The tools and capabilities developed by Advanced Space to empower a successful ESCAPADE mission will undoubtedly expand the possibilities of space exploration through innovative technology and mission design practices.

ABOUT ADVANCED SPACE:

Advanced Space (https://advancedspace.com/) supports the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through software and services that leverage unique subject matter expertise to improve the fundamentals of spaceflight. Advanced Space is dedicated to improving flight dynamics technology development and expedited turn-key missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Attachment
LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MetAlert, Inc. (OTC: MLRT), a pioneer in location sensitive health monitoring devices and wearable technology products for remote patient Monitoring, announced it has signed an agreement with HandsFree Heath to offer their HFH Go Digital Health Tool, a mobile health solution designed to improve compliance and healthcare management. Included with the app will be access to a nationwide urgent care Telehealth service.

MetAlert, Inc. will begin early enrollment starting July 1st, 2023, through the HFH virtual healthcare assistant app and the MetAlert portal. This medical concierge and virtual urgent care service will enable individuals to reach a medical provider by phone, chat, or webcam within minutes, rather than hours or days, through a nationwide urgent care Telehealth service and national network of US-licensed, board-certified medical providers. The service will include diagnosis and personalized treatment plans without having to leave your home.

Some of the benefits include:

Track your health, (blood pressure, glucose, heart rate, temperature, weight and more);

Chart your progress;

Set appointments and reminder notifications;

Search for providers;

Ask WellBe health related questions.



WellBe, the HIPAA-compliant smart health assistant which runs on AI technology, is a voice-enabled digital health platform that keeps seniors, caregivers, families, and even businesses connected to their health and wellness.

This is one more piece of MetAlerts 360-degree approach to provide additional subscription services for comprehensive remote patient monitoring and long-term predictive analytics, to the ADA community we serve, stated Patrick Bertagna MetAlert CEO. With our patented GPS SmartSole plus, 3D infrared RoomMate for indoor remote patient monitoring, and now adding Telehealth urgent care and WellBe (your AI smart health assistant), MetAlert is able to provide a host of data collection wearable devices, wander assistance with real-time recovery, fall prevention assistance, remote urgent care assistance, and symptoms and treatment assistance, all under one platform, with easy monthly payments.

For more information on early enrollment please visit https://metalert.com/hands-free-tele-health/

For all press or sales inquiries, please contact MetAlert at info@metalert.com

About HandsFree Health

HandsFree Health offers a suite of SaaS for health and PERS needs for consumers and businesses to move individuals closer to compliance and optimal health. HandsFree Health makes intelligently designed, fully integrated health and wellness platforms. HandsFree Health has quickly become the benchmark for voice technology in healthcare. HandsFree Health is the creator of WellBe, the premier voice-enabled virtual health AI assistant platform. WellBe is a secure voice-activated assistant, built on a trusted, HIPAA-compliant platform.

Media contact: media@handsfreehealth.com

Sales contact: contactus@handsfreehealth.com

About MetAlert, Inc.:

MetAlert (OTC: MLRT) and its subsidiaries are engaged in designing, developing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, and licensing products, services, and intellectual property in the GPS/BLE wearable technology, personal location, wandering assistive technology, and health data collection and monitoring. With over 20 years of experience and an extensive patent portfolio, MetAlert is a leading solution provider for consumers/patients afflicted with Alzheimer, dementia, and autism. This market represents approximately 2.9% of the worlds population. The company offers global end-to-end hardware, software, and connectivity solutions, in addition to developing two-way tracking technologies, which seamlessly integrate with consumer products, enterprise and government agency applications. Utilizing the latest in miniaturized, low power consumption GPS, Cellular, RF, NFC, and BLE technologies, enabling caregivers to track and monitor patients in real time. Known for its game-changing and award-winning patented GPS SmartSole -- think Dr. Scholls meets LoJack, the worlds first invisible wearable technology tracking device created for those at risk of wandering due to Alzheimers, dementia, autism, and traumatic brain injury. MetAlerts subscription-based business model is built around technology innovation with intellectual property protection. The company has international distributors servicing customers across the globe with subscribers in over 40 countries and is a U.S. Military Government contractor. Other customers include public health authorities, municipalities, emergency and law enforcement, private schools, assisted living facilities, NGOs, small business enterprises, senior care homes, and consumers. www.MetAlert.com

Social Media:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/metalertinc

IG: https://www.instagram.com/metalert/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/metalertinc

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metalertinc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUlYP1WQoLdKkDzwhGkx40Q

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The terms and phrases expects, would, will, believes, and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by MetAlert considering its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that MetAlert believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause MetAlerts actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain risk factors that may cause actual results to differ are outlined in MetAlerts Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which may be obtained on the SEC Website). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not rely on MetAlerts forward-looking statements. MetAlert has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required.

Disclaimer: MetAlert does not warrant or represent that the unauthorized use of materials drawn from this document's content will not infringe the rights of third parties who are not owned or affiliated by MetAlert. Further, MetAlert cannot be held responsible or liable for the unauthorized use of this documents content by third parties unknown to the company.

General information, investor relations, wholesale licensing, consumer purchase:

MetAlert, Inc.

Tel: 213.489.3019

Email: info@metalert.com or ir@metalert.com

MetAlert

United Kingdom, London

Nelson Skip Riddle

Tel: +44 7785 364100

Email: nsriddle@metalert.com
DALLAS, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa, the community management industrys largest company, is proud to continue supporting Americas disabled veterans with its third consecutive year of sponsoring Patriot PAWS Service Dog awareness initiative. Associa funds donated to Patriot PAWS will help support the care and training of a service dog that will eventually help one of Americas disabled American Veterans restore their physical and emotional independence.

As part of its sponsorship, Associa team members will help name a future service dog. Company donations will go directly to supporting the day-to-day activities related to its care and training. In addition, Associa will continue to create awareness of the vital role service animals play in the lives of the Veterans they assist. Associa and Patriot PAWS work together to share facts about the training process and cost of service animals, laws protecting service dogs and their handlers and the role that these animals play in communities throughout North America.

Service dogs begin their journey at just 8-10 weeks old. Patriot PAWS service dogs-in-training learn more than 65 different commands specifically tailored to help with mobile disabilities or post-traumatic stress. The training process for each dog takes 18-24 months at a significant cost. Service animals trained by Patriot PAWS are provided to veterans in need at no cost.

Associa thanks our veterans for their service this Independence Day and is proud to continue its support of those individuals who now require mental and physical support as a result of their contribution, said Andrew Fortin, Associa senior vice president of external affairs. If our efforts can make their lives easier we pleased to continue our involvement.

About Patriot PAWS

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Rockwall, TX. We are solely funded by private donations and are accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Our organization specializes in training and providing Service Dogs for disabled American Veterans who suffer from Mobile Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and/or Post-Traumatic Stress. For more about Patriot PAWS, please visit their website at www.patriotpaws.org.

About Associa

With more than 225 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 11,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.

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NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- M&C Saatchi Performance , global performance marketing agency, announces the promotion of Kabeer Chaudhary, currently the Managing Director for APAC, to the role of Global Chief Executive Officer.



Chaudhary takes over the reins from James Hilton, the CEO and Founder of M&C Saatchi Performance, who will continue his role as Chairman.

M&C Saatchi Performance was born in 2006 under the name of Inside Mobile, one of the worlds first mobile marketing agencies and has evolved over the past 17 years to offer a full breadth of media buying services.

The agency has won numerous accolades for its innovative campaigns and was most recently recognized by Campaign as one of the top performance marketing agencies globally.

Chaudhary has been with M&C Saatchi Performance since 2015 and has served in the role of Managing Director APAC for the past two years. Under his guidance, the agency has strengthened its positioning in the region onboarding clients across different verticals.

In his new remit, he will continue to be based out of Singapore and will be responsible for managing the agencys operations across APAC, Middle East, Europe and US working closely with the global leadership and the country heads to evolve the agencys global proposition.

Chaudhary will report to James Hilton and will continue to manage APAC operations until a replacement has been appointed.

James Hilton, Founder at M&C Saatchi Performance said, "In Kabeer we have a dynamic and respected leader with a clear vision for the agencys future. Over the past 8 years working at M&C Saatchi Performance, he has been gaining trust and recognition from our team and clients taking our APAC business to the next level and driving operational excellence. Kabeer is a renown digital marketing expert and has a distinctive ability to put people first. I am looking forward to seeing what we will achieve with him at the helm."

On his appointment, Kabeer Chaudhary said, "It is a huge honour for me to take on the CEO role from James and further expand on the exceptional legacy he has created. During my time at M&C Saatchi Performance, I have witnessed firsthand the hard work which has led us to becoming a trusted and recognized performance marketing powerhouse. My focus will remain on driving incremental business growth for our clients while expanding our portfolio of services and geographies. With the strong M&C Saatchi brand name, a global team of performance marketing experts and an envious list of clients, Im really excited to lead the agency through the next era of growth."

About M&C Saatchi Performance

M&C Saatchi Performance is a global digital media agency that takes a human approach to connecting brands to people, across all channels. The agency creates targeted, measurable, evolving media strategies to deliver business growth for its clients. For more information, visit www.mcsaatchiperformance.com , and also on LinkedIn or Twitter .

Media Contacts

Audree Hernandez

Jmac PR for M&C Saatchi Performance

MCSP@jmacpr.com





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed68ba0e-f0ac-4488-b660-fd0d767a808d
Not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giyani Metals Corp. (TSXV:EMM, GR:A2DUU8) ("Giyani" or the "Company"), developer of the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project (K.Hill or the Project) in Botswana, is pleased to provide an update on the installation of the crystallization unit at its demonstration plant (Demo Plant) facility in Johannesburg and other activities.

Highlights

Crystallization unit successfully installed at the Demo Plant facility.

Comments received from Botswanas Department of Environmental Affairs ( DEA ) on the K.Hill Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS ) submitted in March 2023.

) on the K.Hill Environmental Impact Statement ( ) submitted in March 2023. Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for K.Hill being finalized.



Installation of Crystallization Unit

Following the completion of the civil works at the Demo Plant facility, the crystallization unit, which stands 15 meters (m) tall, has been installed. The unit comprises two crystallizers and an evaporator which, once commissioned, will be capable of producing up to 600 kg of dry high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) crystals per day.

The crystallization unit serves as a core component of the Demo Plant, which has been established to validate the process flowsheet, mitigate risks associated with the scaling up of the commercial plant at K.Hill and facilitate off-take contracts. The design emulates the continuous process of the proposed full-scale K.Hill commercial plant, enabling the steady state production of HPMSM crystals that meet the rigorous product specifications set by potential off-takers.

EIS Update

Following the submission of the EIS on March 31, 2023, Giyanis wholly-owned subsidiary, Menzi Battery Metals (Pty) Limited (Menzi), has received formal comments from the DEA as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The Company has reviewed the comments and will submit responses in the coming days.

Under legislation, the DEA will have 14 working days to provide any further comments and once all comments are addressed to the satisfaction of the DEA, the EIS will be made available for public disclosure. The EIA process will culminate in the issue of an Environmental Authorisation by the DEA, which will enable the Company to apply for a Mining Licence for K.Hill from the Botswana Department of Mines.

K.Hill MRE Update

The Company has engaged CSA Global (CSA) to prepare an updated K.Hill MRE. The MRE will include data from all 187 reverse-circulation and diamond drill holes from all drilling campaigns conducted over the Project since 2018, totalling 10,710 m. The 2022 in-fill drilling campaign included 40 step-out holes along strike into a previously untested section to the south and confirmed the presence of further mineralization and the potential to add tonnage to the existing resource. The Company intends to undertake an independent peer review of the results of the MRE before finalization.

Danny Keating, President and CEO of the Company, commented:

The size and scale of the crystallization unit sets Giyanis Demo Plant apart from similar facilities being developed in the high purity manganese space. Its successful installation is a testament to the efforts of our team and our contractors and brings us another step closer to the production of HPMSM at scale for qualification by off-takers.

In addition, the response of the DEA to our EIS submission means that we are able to advance the permitting process of K.Hill in conjunction with the Demo Plant. We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with the Government of Botswana as we develop the Project. With the updated K.Hill MRE being finalized, the Company is looking forward to a busy second half of 2023.

About Giyani

Giyanis mission is to become a sustainable, low carbon producer of battery materials for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The Company has developed a hydrometallurgical process to produce high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate, a lithium-ion battery cathode precursor material critical for EVs, directly from ore from its manganese oxide deposits in Botswana, wholly-owned by its Botswana subsidiary Menzi Battery Metals (Pty) Limited. The Companys assets include K.Hill and the Otse and Lobatse manganese prospects, each of which has seen historical mining activities.

Qualified Persons / NI 43-101 Disclosures

Mr. Jacques du Toit CEng. PrEng. MscEng. PMP is a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. du Toit is the Companys VP, Technical Services and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content contained in this press release but is not independent for the purposes of NI 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp.

Danny Keating, President & Chief Executive Officer

Contact:

Danny Keating

President & Chief Executive Officer

dkeating@giyanimetals.com

George Donne

VP Business Development

+44 7866 591 897

gdonne@giyanimetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. persons," as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act ("U.S. Persons"), except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities to, or for the account of benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Giyani expects to occur, are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur.

All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the relevant management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to certain assumptions, important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Giyani's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In the case of Giyani, these facts include their anticipated operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. This information relates to analyses and other information that is based on expectations of future performance and planned work programs.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation: inherent exploration hazards and risks; risks related to exploration and development of natural resource properties; uncertainty in Giyani's ability to obtain funding; commodity price fluctuations; recent market events and conditions; risks related to the uncertainty of mineral resource calculations and the inclusion of inferred mineral resources in economic estimation; risks in how the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 or a similar public health threat is managed; risks related to governmental regulations; risks related to obtaining necessary licences and permits; risks related to their business being subject to environmental laws and regulations; risks related to their mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers, or claims and other defects in title; risks relating to competition from larger companies with greater financial and technical resources; risks relating to the inability to meet financial obligations under agreements to which they are a party; ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; and risks related to their directors and officers becoming associated with other natural resource companies which may give rise to conflicts of interests. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Giyani's forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information or statements.

Giyani's forward-looking information is based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of their respective management on the date the statements are made, and Giyani does not assume any obligation to update forward looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For a complete discussion with respect to Giyani and risks associated with forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, please refer to Giyani's Annual Information Form, which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.




HONG KONG, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Klaus Heymann, founder and Chairman of the Naxos Music Group, the worlds leading classical music company, has been awarded the medal of Commander of the Order of Rio Branco by the Brazilian government for his contribution to Brazils classical music heritage through the award-winning Music of Brazil series on the Naxos record label.



'When I was young, Brazil was the land of my dreams, and I was planning to emigrate and live there.' The idea of living in Brazil did not become reality, but interest in the country remained. 'Brazilian music has to be heard more in the world. Music publishers who control the works of the major composers have to make a greater effort to get the music performed. And we need more Brazilian musicians at an international level that can help promote the countrys music,' emphasised Heymann, who embraced the project from the very first moment.

To recognise Mr Heymanns dedication and efforts to introduce and promote Brazils classical music to a global audience, the Consul General of Brazil in Hong Kong and Macau, Ambassador Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Jr conferred the insignia of the Order of Rio Branco on Mr Heymann last week. The Order of Rio Branco distinguishes meritorious service and civic virtues, stimulating the practice of actions and deeds worthy of honourable mention. Notable past recipients include Laurindo Almeida, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Toots Thielemans and Ban Ki-moon. Consul General Lacerda Santos Jr had this to say: On behalf of the Brazilian government and people, I would like to congratulate Mr. Heymann for receiving the Commander of the Order of Rio Branco Award, one of the highest distinctions that Brazil can bestow upon a foreign citizen. We not only celebrate his extraordinary achievements but also express our heartfelt gratitude for his invaluable contributions to the cultural enrichment of our society. This recognition serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the arts, his tireless efforts in fostering cultural understanding, and his deep appreciation for Brazil's classical music heritage. He is an example of how one person can make a difference in the world through his work and his ideals. He is an inspiration for all of us who believe in the power of music to bring people together and to make our world a better place.' In his acceptance speech, Mr Heymann said, Brazil is a country of 220 million people and most of them are music lovers. Its a music-loving country, probably more than any other country in the rest of the world. I hope this project will help not only to make the music of Brazil better known in the world, but also to put Brazil on the map as a land of culture and with a big musical background.

This ambitious project, Brasil em Concerto, developed by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promotes music by Brazilian composers dating back to the 18th century. The series has reached its halfway point of releasing 100 orchestral works from 19th and 20th century Brazilian composers, performed by the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra, the Minas Gerais Philharmonid Orchestra, and the Goias Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a selection of vocal and chamber music featuring Brazilian artists such as Latin GRAMMY-winning pianist Sonia Rubinsky. Most of the works recorded for the series have never had recordings available outside Brazil; many others are and will be world premiere recordings. An important part of the project is the preparation of new or even first editions of the works to be recorded, many of which, despite their relevance, have only been available in the composers manuscripts. This work will be carried out by the Brazilian Academy of Music and by musicologists working together with the orchestras.

Photo Caption:



Photo - Ambassador Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Jr (right), the Consul General of Brazil in Hong Kong and Macau, conferring the insignia of Commander of the Order of Rio Branco on Mr Klaus Heymann, Founder and Chairman of the Naxos Music Group (left) (Credit: Naxos Music Group)





Notes to Editors:

About Naxos Records

Launched in 1987 and currently offering over 10,000 titles, Naxos has been the worlds leading classical music label for over 35 years. Naxos works with artists of the highest calibre and its recordings have been recognised by over 30 GRAMMY awards and numerous nominations, Opus Klassik and Gramophone Editors Choice awards and International Classical Music Awards (ICMA), among many other accolades. Naxos received the 'Label of the Year' Award in 2023 from the ICMA jury panel. The labels audiobooks, apps and subscription services have also garnered countless awards. Please visit www.naxos.com.

About the Naxos Music Group

Established in 1987 as a record label, the Naxos name is synonymous not only with classical music recordings, but also with a host of other products and services. Today, the Group is a global enterprise that owns, administers and/or distributes many independent and major classical record labels. The company was the first to make its catalogue available for online streaming back in 1996, four years before other streaming platforms began to emerge, pioneering todays music streaming business model. With its suite of digital educational subscription platforms, including NaxosMusicLibrary.com, Naxos MusicBox, NaxosVideoLibrary.com and several others, the Group remains a leader and innovator in the classical music industry. For more information, please visit www.naxosmusicgroup.com .

Contact:

Raymond Bisha

raymond.bisha@naxosusa.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da4fa90e-7d12-45f3-a9ff-a4ae3c2958d0
Pune, India., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to our latest study on  Internet of Things (IoT) Market Size Report, Forecast to 2028  COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis  by Offering, End User, and Geography, the Internet of Things (IoT) Market is expected to grow from US$ 483.28 billion in 2022 to US$ 2,270.42 billion by 2028; it is estimated to register at a CAGR of 29.4% from 2022 to 2028. The increasing connectivity, and surge in product innovations and launches. However, the lack of adoption in low-income countries is expected hinder the growth of the market.





Download PDF Brochure: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000128/







Germany has played a significant role in the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) market due to its focus on innovation, strong manufacturing industry, and investments in research and development. The country has a long history of manufacturing excellence, and German companies have quickly adopted IoT technologies to improve their operations and gain a competitive edge. One of the key ways that Germany has contributed to the growth of the IoT market is through the development of Industry 4.0. This term is used to describe the fourth industrial revolution, which involves the integration of IoT technologies into manufacturing processes. German companies have been at the forefront of this movement, using IoT technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity. Germany has also been a leader in the development of smart cities. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure and has implemented IoT technologies to improve traffic flow, reduce energy consumption, and enhance public safety. The city of Hamburg, for example, has implemented a smart lighting system that uses sensors to adjust the brightness of streetlights based on the amount of traffic in the area. Another area where Germany has contributed to developing the IoT market is autonomous vehicle development. German car manufacturers such as BMW and Audi have been working on autonomous vehicle technology for many years, and the country has invested heavily in research and development in this area. The German government has also been supportive of autonomous vehicle technology, providing funding for research and development and creating a regulatory environment conducive to developing this technology. Finally, Germany has contributed to the growth of the IoT market through its focus on cybersecurity. As IoT devices become more prevalent, the risk of cyber-attacks increases. German companies have been developing cybersecurity solutions to protect IoT devices from cyber threats. Also, the German government has been working to create a regulatory framework that ensures the security of IoT devices. Overall, Germany's contributions to the growth of the IoT market can be attributed to its focus on innovation, strong manufacturing industry, and investments in research and development. The country is expected to continue leading in developing IoT technologies in the coming years.





IoT can Enhance the Shopping Experience, Streamline Inventory Management, and Enable Personalized Marketing Strategies Provides Lucrative Opportunities for IoT Market:

The application of IoT in the retail industry offers significant opportunities for market growth by enhancing the shopping experience, streamlining inventory management, and enabling personalized marketing strategies. Firstly, IoT can enhance the shopping experience by providing customers with a seamless and personalized journey. Smart shelves with sensors can detect when a product is running low and automatically trigger restocking processes, ensuring that popular items are always available. Additionally, IoT-enabled shopping carts or handheld devices can assist customers in finding products, providing real-time location-based information and personalized recommendations. This level of convenience and personalization can improve customer satisfaction, leading to increased sales and loyalty. Secondly, IoT enables retailers to streamline their inventory management processes. By deploying IoT sensors throughout the supply chain and in-store, retailers can gain real-time visibility into inventory levels, location, and condition. This data can be leveraged to optimize stock levels, reduce overstocking and out-of-stock situations, and improve overall inventory accuracy. Automation in inventory management helps retailers save costs, minimize manual errors, and ensure efficient operations. Lastly, IoT facilitates personalized marketing strategies in the retail industry. Retailers can gather insights into customer behavior, preferences, and shopping patterns by collecting data from IoT devices, such as beacons, smart shelves, and customer wearables. This data can deliver targeted and personalized marketing messages, promotions, and recommendations to customers at the right time and place. Personalized marketing strategies increase the likelihood of customer engagement, conversion, and repeat purchases. Combining enhanced shopping experiences, streamlined inventory management, and personalized marketing strategies can lead to market growth in the IoT industry. Retailers who adopt IoT technologies can benefit from increased operational efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and higher sales revenue. Moreover, as the IoT ecosystem expands, there are opportunities for IoT solution providers to develop and offer innovative IoT devices, platforms, and analytics solutions tailored specifically for the retail sector. This market demand for IoT solutions in retail is expected to drive growth and foster innovation in the industry.





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Global Internet of Things (IoT) Market: Segmental Overview

Based on offering, the IoT market is segmented into hardware, software, and services. The hardware segment held the largest share of the market in 2020, whereas the services segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Based on end user, the IoT market is segmented into industrial, commercial, and residential. The industrial segment held the largest share of the IoT market in 2020, whereas the commercial segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.





Global Internet of Things (IoT) Market Analysis: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Microsoft Corporation; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP; SAS Institute Inc.; VMware, Inc.; Google, LLC; Oracle Corporation; Cisco Systems, Inc.; SAP SE; IBM Corporation; and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc are a few of the key companies operating in the IoT market. The market leaders focus on new product launches, expansion and diversification, and acquisition strategies, which allow them to access prevailing business opportunities.

In April 2023, Qualcomm introduced cutting-edge IoT solutions to enable new industrial applications and help scale the IoT ecosystem. The latest IoT solutions deliver superior performance, advanced connectivity, and next-gen processing for a wide range of IoT use cases for smart buildings, enterprises, retail, and industrial automation.

In Apr 2023: Texas Instruments developed the SimpleLink series of Wi-Fi 6 companion integrated circuits (ICs) to assist designers in implementing highly reliable, secure, and effective Wi-Fi connections at a reasonable cost for applications to operate with high-density or high-temperature settings up to 105oC. Devices for Wi-Fi 6 only or Wi-Fi 6 plus Bluetooth Low Energy 5.3 connectivity in a single IC are among the first items in TI's new CC33xx family. The CC33xx devices allow a secure Internet of Things (IoT) connection with dependable radio frequency (RF) performance in wide-ranging industrial industries like grid infrastructure, medical, and building automation when coupled with a microcontroller (MCU) or CPU.

In November 2022, Texas Instruments (TI) introduced new Matter-enabled software development kits for Wi-Fi and Thread SimpleLink wireless microcontrollers (MCUs) that will streamline the adoption of the Matter protocol in the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The software builds on TI's close involvement with the Connectivity Standards Alliance and innovation in the 2.4-GHz connectivity space, where engineers can use the new software and wireless MCUs to create ultra-low-power and secure, battery-powered smart home and industrial automation IoT applications that seamlessly connect with devices across proprietary ecosystem.





Go through further research published by The Insight Partners: (Purchase with 10% Instant Discount):

IoT in Healthcare Market to 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts

IoT Managed Services Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts

IoT Sensors Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts

Cellular IoT Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts

IoT in Elevators Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis





About Us:

The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

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High River, AB, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 1, 2023, Western Financial Group (Western) welcomed Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd (HIAL) to the Group. Following an initial investment in HIAL in 2021, Western closed a deal to purchase the remaining shares of HIAL effective May 1, 2023. This transaction reinforces Westerns service offering to the Maritimes, with physical locations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Western now owns and operates insurance brokerages from coast to coast and continues to be one of the largest Insurance brokerages in Canada.

This is an excellent fit for Western and HIAL as both companies share important values and a strong focus on exceeding customer expectations, putting our customers and people first, and emphasizing community relationships and social responsibility.

The week of May 8, representatives from Westerns Executive Leadership Team met with HIAL employees in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to introduce themselves, respond to questions and get to know more about how they carried out their business.

It was great to go into the branches and talk with HIAL employees, said Kenny Nicholls, President and CEO, Western Financial Group. They are a positive and hard-working group. We are all looking forward to a successful future together.

While in Saint John, David Huestis, Executive Advisor to the President and CEO, and Kenny made a $5,000 donation to the Salvation Army and another $5,000 donation to Bobbys Hospice on behalf of the newly-expanded Western Financial Group.

Both HIAL and Western strongly believe in supporting our communities, said David. We were pleased to join together in giving back to these two worthy causes.

Both companies have a long history of providing insurance expertise, serving the communities where our employees and their families live, work and play, added David. We are excited about this solid partnership that will benefit all our Maritime customers.

HIALs leadership is remaining on board, with David Huestis as the Executive Advisor to the President and CEO and Troy Bohan, Vice-President, Sales and Operations, HIAL, leading the entire brokerage group. With the support of Westerns Executive Leadership Team, David, Troy and HIAL will continue to ensure business as usual, remaining committed to HIAL customers and employees as they have been doing for over 57 years.

Western Financial Group Inc.

Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance services company focused on creating security and peace of mind and has provided over one million Canadians with the proper protection for over 100 years. Western is committed to community service, customer service, innovation, growth, and people while providing personal and business insurance through our engaged team of over 2,000 people in over 200 locations, affiliates, and various connected channels.

Since the very beginning, supporting our local communities has guided everything we do - its who we are. In 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation (our non-profit charity) was created as a way for our team members to give back and positively impact the people and pride in the places where we live, work and play  to date we have invested over $5 million back into our communities.

Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company.

Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd

Founded in 1966 and based in Saint John, New Brunswick, HIAL is the largest brokerage group in the Maritimes, with 27 branches in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. We are a traditional brokerage that offers full service to customers in personal, commercial, life and health insurance lines.

HIAL believes in giving back to our communities. Reinvesting time and resources into the communities in which we live and work is our way of showing our appreciation for the clients who have shown us their support and have trusted us with their insurance over the years.

Media Inquiries

Michelle Doll St-Amand

media@westernfg.ca

SOURCE: Western Financial Group
Chicago, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright announced today that intellectual property litigation lawyer John McBride has joined the firm as a partner in the Chicago office.

Joining from Sidley, McBride is a trial lawyer who represents technology sector clients in complex patent and trade secret cases, both in courts and the International Trade Commission. He also appears before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in connection with inter partes review proceedings. He frequently works on patent matters international in scope that involve a wide array of technology. McBride also advises on transactional and strategic intellectual property issues, including licensing negotiations, developing intellectual property assets and evaluating patent portfolios for acquisition or litigation.

Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Managing Partner, said:

Since entering the Chicago market last April, our presence has more than doubled as we now have 30 lawyers with innovation at the heart of their practices and deep connections to the city. John further strengthens our technology and IP capabilities in Chicago, where we just moved into our new offices in the vibrant Fulton Market District.

Andrea DAmbra, Norton Rose Fulbrights US Head of Technology who also leads the firms eDiscovery and Information Governance practice, commented:

John represents leading technology companies in complex IP litigation matters. His strong track record in IP disputes and the depth and breadth of his technical skills will appeal to clients seeking creative solutions to their high-stakes matters.

McBride, who started his career as a software engineer, said:

Norton Rose Fulbright is a legal leader in intellectual property and technology, which are both areas ripe with opportunity. My clients are developing cutting-edge technology and facing novel and complex legal challenges; I know they will appreciate the firms global reach as well as its deep bench of premier practitioners.

Among other honors, McBride has received the Northern District of Illinois Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service for his work as part of a team in a civil rights case filed against Cook County Jail personnel.

Licensed to practice in Illinois, McBride earned his law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School and his bachelors degree from St. Johns College.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the worlds preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including Houston, New York, London, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets. For more information, visit nortonrosefulbright.com.

Attachment
English French

Press release

Paris, 27/06/2023

BOUYGUES COMPLETES CAPITAL INCREASE RESERVED FOR EMPLOYEES

As announced in its press release of 14 April 2023, Bouygues today carried out a capital increase of 150 million, inclusive of share premium, as part of the Bouygues Confiance n12 employee share ownership plan.

The capital increase was reserved for employees of French companies belonging to the Group, effected via a dedicated mutual fund (FCPE), the units in which will be subject to a lock-up period of five years except where early release is allowed under the law. As a result, 6,845,564 new shares were issued at a subscription price of 21.912.

Following the capital increase, the capital of Bouygues is made up of 381,332,341 shares with a par value of 1 each, equating to a total share capital of 381,332,341.

ABOUT BOUYGUES

Bouygues is a diversified services group operating in over 80 countries with 200,000 employees all working to make life better every day. Its business activities in construction (Bouygues Construction,

Bouygues Immobilier, Colas), energies and services (Equans) media (TF1) and telecoms (Bouygues Telecom) are able to drive growth since they all satisfy constantly changing and essential needs.

PRESS CONTACT:

presse@bouygues.com  Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 20 12 01

BOUYGUES SA  32 avenue Hoche  75378 Paris CEDEX 08  bouygues.com

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GAINESVILLE, Fla., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2024 Design and Verification Conference and Exhibition United States (DVCon U.S.), sponsored by Accellera Systems Initiative, announces its call for extended abstract proposals. The 36th annual DVCon U.S. will be held March 4-7, 2024, at the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California.



Our Technical Program Committee is looking forward to putting together an exciting and informative program for DVCon U.S. 2024 attendees, stated Tom Fitzpatrick, DVCon U.S. 2024 General Chair. We welcome your proposals focused on your challenges, experiences and use of standards and new technology. Id like to point out that this year is a little different as far as submission deadlines are concerned. This year weve added more time after the summer break before abstracts are due, so we wont be extending the submission deadline past September 15th. Submitting an abstract is a great opportunity to be a part of the industrys must-attend conference for the practicing engineer, Fitzpatrick concluded.

Suggested Topics for Extended Abstracts

The call for extended abstracts solicits papers and corresponding presentations that are highly technical and reflect real-life experiences and emerging trends in a variety of domains. Submissions are encouraged, but not restricted to, topic areas: Verification and Validation; Safety-Critical Design and Verification; Machine Learning and Big Data; Design and Verification Reuse and Automation; Mixed-Signal Design and Verification; and Low-Power Design and Verification.

Submissions may incorporate the use of EDA tools; FPGA-based designs; the use of specialized design and verification languages; assertions in SVA or PSL; the use of general purpose and scripting languages; applications of the Accellera Portable Test and Stimulus Standard; applications of design patterns or other innovative language techniques; the use of AMS languages; and IoT applications. Extended abstracts should be a minimum of 600 and no more than 1200 words.

The submission site opens July 10 and the deadline for proposals is September 15, 2023. More information and guidelines can be found here.

As in the past, attendees will vote for the Stuart Sutherland Best Paper and Best Poster awards to be presented toward the end of the conference.

The proceedings from DVCon U.S. 2023 are now available to view on demand.

About DVCon

DVCon is the premier conference for discussion of the functional design and verification of electronic systems. DVCon is sponsored by Accellera Systems Initiative, an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating design and verification standards required by systems, semiconductor, intellectual property (IP) and electronic design automation (EDA) companies. For more information about Accellera, please visit www.accellera.org. For more information about DVCon U.S., please visit here. Follow DVCon on Facebook, LinkedIn or @dvcon_us on Twitter or to comment, please use #dvcon_us.
New York, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Colorectal Procedure Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Product, Surgery Type, Indication, End User" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06470848/?utm_source=GNW





The colorectal procedural market players focus on launching new products to expand their geographic reach and enhance capacities to cater to a large customer base.In August 2021, Ethicon announced the ECHELON CIRCULAR Powered Stapler results.



The product helped in 74% reduction in the anastomotic leak and a 44% reduction in 30-day inpatient hospital readmission rates after colorectal surgery compared to the manual circular staplers.Moreover, in April 2021, Medtronic plc announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted de novo clearance for GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module in the US.



The GI genius is the first and the only commercially available computer-aided detection (CADe) system using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify colorectal polyps.The module, compatible with any colonoscope video, provides physicians with a powerful new solution to fight against colorectal cancer.



Likewise, in April 2022, Safeheal announced the first patient enrollment in its pivotal study of Colovac, a groundbreaking endoluminal bypass sheath. Colovac is an alternative to temporary diverting ostomy for patients undergoing colorectal resection.



Similarly, Medicare, the popular government insurance program, provides cover for PAP tests, pelvic exams, and clinical colon examinations for colorectal cancer screening every two years. Such programs and developments and launches of new products are likely to bring new trends in the colorectal procedural test market in the coming years, thereby supporting its growth.



A few of the recent developments related to the colorectal procedure are mentioned below:



 In July 2022, B.Braun Medical Inc launched its new Introcan Safety IV Catheter with one-time blood control that ensures a truly automatic passive safety device protects clinicians. Introcan Safety 2 helps reduce clinician and patients exposure to blood with its one-time Blood Control Septum, which is designed to restrict blood flow from the catheter hub after needle removal until the first connection of a Luer access device. The newly launched Introcan Safety 2 will allow clinicians to experience passive needlestick prevention and a reduced risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens when removing the introducer needle from the Introcan Safety 2. This is all achieved with a product similarly sized to the widely popular Introcan Safety Catheter.



 In May 2022, Medtronic announced final findings from a randomized, international, multi-center center that confirmed the effectiveness of the GI Genius intelligent endoscopy module, which uses AI to aid in detecting colorectal polyps during colonoscopy, potentially helping to prevent colorectal cancer.



 In February 2022, Safeheal closed a EURO 40 Million financing round led by Sifinnova Partners, a European venture capital firm, and Singapore-based medical device company, Genesis Medtech The Colovac device aims to ease digestive surgeries. The funding will help the company to continue and accelerate a running clinical trial named SAFE-2 in the US and Europe, which the FDA has already approved. The study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the novel surgery approach.



 In November 2021, Medtronic announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance for its PillCam Small Bowel 3 System for remote endoscopy procedures. The PillCam SB3 @HOME program combines Medtronics PillCam technology with Amazon logistics, a combination intended to ensure both timely and accurate results for patients from the comfort of their homes. PillCam SB3 @HOME provides a telehealth option for direct visualization and monitoring of the small bowel to help better detect lesions not detected by upper and lower endoscopy that may: 1) indicate Crohns disease, 2) locate obscure bleeding, or 3) identify sources of iron deficiency anemia (IDA).



The overall cost of healthcare is surging significantly in North America. The US health system incurred a direct cost of US$ 5.3 billion in 2020. The healthcare system contributed US$ 60 billion in addition to the overall annual costs of the country in 2020. Over 40% of the population in North America canceled their appointments in 2020, and 13% reported that they needed care but did not schedule or receive care. The COVID-19 pandemic altered economic conditions and social behaviors in North American countries. Containment measures enacted by governments to mitigate the spread of disease changed the US healthcare service delivery pattern. According to the Department of Emergency Medicine, in many cities across the country, emergency department (ED) visits decreased by ~40% in 2020. Moreover, outpatient appointments and elective treatments were postponed or replaced by telemedicine practices.



The procedures, including screening colonoscopies, were delayed until the pandemic stabilizes.This was also done to reduce the potential risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 as the virus is present in feces from COVID-19 patients.



In response, there was a 90% drop in colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings, resulting in a 32% drop in new CRC diagnoses and a 53% drop in CRC-related surgical procedures by mid-April 2020.In addition, through April 2021, the rate of routine screening colonoscopies remained 50% lower than before the pandemic.



The COVID-19 pandemic presented surgeons with patients with significant complications and more advanced stages of the disease due to delayed presentations to healthcare facilities.However, hospitals gradually resumed elective and surgical procedures as the COVID-19 recovery rate decreased.



Thus, the demand for the colorectal procedure is expected to increase. Organized colorectal cancer diagnosis programs and some opportunistic screening through individuals health care providers had been resumed, and thus the required surgical procedures. The surgical approach is changing and moving towards less invasive procedures to minimize aerosolized biological fluids to minimize the spread of the virus. Hence, the colorectal procedure market is gaining attention after the COVID-19 impact.



Based on product, the colorectal procedure market is segmented into endoscope, electrosurgery, handheld devices & visual systems, sealing & stapling devices, ligation clips and dilators and speculas, cutter & shears, accessories, and others. The endoscope segment accounts for the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% during the forecast period.



Based on surgery type, the market is segmented into right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, subtotal colectomy, low anterior resection, abdomino-perineal resection, and others (including endoscopic surgery etc). The subtotal colectomy segment leads the market in terms of share in 2022 and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.



Based on end user, the colorectal procedure market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, surgery centers, and others. The hospital & clinics segment leads the market in 2022 and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.



Based on indication, the market is segmented into colon polyps, crohns disease, colorectal cancer, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other indications. The irritable bowel syndrome segment leads the market in 2022 and is expected to retain its dominance during the forecast period.



The World Health Organization (WHO), National Healthcare Service (NHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) are among the major secondary sources referred to while preparing the report on the colorectal procedure market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06470848/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Sydney, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sydney, New South Wales -

Science has informed leadership and management practices for over a century  now the skills of the business world are available to medical science professionals.



The Master of Medical Science Leadership is a new, 100% online course that equips medical science professionals from any background with key leadership principles. This distinctive masters course is the first in Australia that combines leadership and innovation tailored to this professional cohort.

Leadership

Whether youre a scientist, medical clinician, clinical researcher, nurse, allied health professional, or lab technician, chances are you studied medical science to help people rather than lead them. However, leaders with medical science backgrounds are in high demand in hospitals and health services that are accountable for activity-based government funding, as well as clinics of ASX-listed healthcare companies and multinational pharmaceutical laboratories.

In addition to effectively managing clinical performance and operations, medical science leaders also need to be ready for new and evolving challenges. While COVID-19 put an enormous strain on all medical services, its not the only threat  the impact of climate change has been felt in healthcare services through catastrophic bushfires, and cybersecurity risks continue to rise.

While the need for medical science leaders is already being felt, UTS Online also know that strong employment growth is expected for laboratory managers as well as research and development managers.

Students of the Master of Medical Science Leadership (Online) will learn key leadership principles they can apply in medical science contexts in roles such as Head of Clinical Operations, Quality Assurance Manager, and Senior Medical Manager.

Innovation

Health systems are under pressure around the world due to an increasing number of people living with more than one chronic health condition. Already, researchers are exploring ways to use big data, AI, co-design, and interdisciplinary approaches to develop innovations in healthcare delivery.

The future of medical science needs leaders who can communicate these sorts of ideas effectively and engage with others. Digital health is an area that is continually evolving, and leaders in health services must be able to lead and manage digital transformation to capitalise on the latest medical science technology.

The importance of medical science leaders and innovators is that they will be the individuals who shape the future as policy advisors, lead scientists, and medical liaisons.

Science has informed leadership and management in the business world for over a hundred years. Frederick Taylors principles of scientific management and Max Webers bureaucracy dominated the first half of the last century, while the Systems Approach and Contingency Approach to management dictated leadership in the second half.

Now, for the first time in Australia, medical scientists can benefit from the 21st-century learnings of the business world in a masters course offering leadership development and innovation updates specifically for a medical science audience.

Leadership and innovation are the beating heart of the UTS Online Master of Medical Science Leadership, which has been co-designed with Australian industry experts for real-world application.

Students can also customise their degree to fill any knowledge gaps and meet their upskilling needs. Select from electives in a range of study areas, including:



Technology management

Business Analytics

Business Administration

Public Health

Leading people and change

Health services management 

Stude will receive tailored professional development to build their confidence in leading people to perform effectively in dynamic and complex environments. Medical science experts and trailblazers who are shaping the future of medical research, diagnostics and testing will guide you through the latest technological advances.

Students will also develop best-practice communication and engagement skills to explain complex scientific ideas in an effective and influential way to a diverse audience. And, to futureproof their career, they will learn advanced medical science skills that are globally transferrable to prepare them for a broad range of outward-facing roles.

Dr Robyn Dalziell is the Program Director of the UTS Online Master of Medical Science Leadership and sees this postgraduate course as an opportunity for medical science professionals to upgrade and broaden their careers.

The opportunity to develop new leadership skills that can be applied to medical science, and to acquire deep knowledge of cutting-edge innovation in this field, will benefit professionals wanting to make their mark in the medical science sector, said Dr Dalziell.

For medical science professionals seeking a shorter, sharper and more specific postgraduate qualification, UTS Online offers three graduate certificates:



Graduate Certificate in Science Leadership

Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Innovation

Graduate Certificate in Public Engagement in Medical Science



On successful completion of any of these graduate certificates, students can apply to progress to the masters course.

The Master of Medical Science Leadership (Online) will ensure students at the forefront of technology, innovation, and emerging trends while being able to advocate and communicate complex scientific ideas to different audiences. UTS Online are meeting the growing need for leadership in the field of medical science with the goal of transforming health outcomes for all.





To join the vanguard of medical science leadership, inquire about the UTS Online Master of Medical Science Leadership today.

###

For more information about University of Technology Sydney, contact the company here:



University of Technology Sydney

University of Technology Sydney

enquire@studyonline.uts.edu.au

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW
New York, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Frozen Waffles Market Forecast to 2030 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Type, Category, and Distribution Channel" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06279439/?utm_source=GNW





Owing to this, frozen waffles are witnessing increasing global demand, mainly in developed countries.Due to the strong cultural influence on peoples consumption habits in various countries, including India, Japan, and China, there is a high predominance of traditional breakfast food.



Thus, the adoption of frozen waffles in these countries is limited, which is creating hurdles in the growth of the frozen waffles market.



Based on distribution channel, the frozen waffles market is categorized into supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, and others.The online retail segment is predicted to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.



Online retail is one of the fastest-growing distribution channels due to the convenience of shopping and product delivery.Online retail stores offer various products with heavy discounts; consumers can conveniently buy desirable products remotely.



Furthermore, home delivery service attracts many customers to shop through e-commerce platforms.Moreover, these websites offer descriptive product information and user reviews, which help buyers compare products and make informed decisions.



During the COVID-19 pandemic, online retail channels became popular as they offered home delivery services. These factors are propelling the segments growth.



In 2022, North America accounted for the largest share of the global frozen waffles market.The market in the region is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico.



The rising marketing campaigns is the key factor driving the markets expansion in the US.Manufacturers rely extensively on marketing strategies such as advertising and product promotions to increase sales.



Manufacturers use electronic and print media to promote their brands and products.For example, in 2017, the Netflix series Stranger Things featured Kellogg Companys Eggo brand frozen waffles.



This has resulted in a considerable increase in sales of frozen waffles for the company. A rise in demand for frozen waffles among all age groups drives the market in this region. Moreover, the growing awareness about the health benefits of organic products is a significant factor boosting the demand for organic breakfast products in the region. To meet the growing consumer demand, manufacturers have introduced organic waffle varieties. For instance, Natures Path Foods, a USDA-certified manufacturer, offers a wide range of organic breakfast and snack foods, including waffles, cold cereals, granolas, hot oatmeal, bars, and cookies. The factors mentioned above are boosting the growth of the regions frozen waffle market.



The key players operating in the global frozen waffles market include Kelloggs Company; DELY Wafels; Kodiak Cakes, LLC; Deligout; B Boys LLC DBA Belgian Boys; AVIETA S.A.; Make Each Day Delicious LLC; Natures Path Foods; Julians Recipe, LLC; and Vans Foods HP INC. Players operating in the global frozen waffles market focus on providing high-quality products to fulfill customer demand. They are also focusing on strategies such as investments in research and development activities, new product launches, and expanding production capacities.



The overall global frozen waffles market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources.To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market.



Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managersalong with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leadersspecializing in the frozen waffles market.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06279439/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Newark, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 65 billion in 2022 global eHealth market will reach USD 312.44 billion in 2032. Telemedicine is reaching new heights with the introduction of AR and AI. Doctors can consult with their patients in a 3D virtual reality environment using telemedicine. It eliminates the obstacle to conducting face-to-face meetings. It enables patients to consult with their doctors whenever it is most convenient for them from the comfort of home, lowering the possibility of hospital infections that may arise when attending in-person consultations. eHealth will speed up the development of improved medical technologies, devices, instruments, procedures, and medications by facilitating partnerships between healthcare practitioners and institutions. The increase in collaborative efforts between private market players and government authorities to develop better healthcare technologies will also facilitate the growth of the global eHealth market.



Get Sample PDF Brochure: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/13535

Key Insight of the Global eHealth Market



North America is expected to rise the fastest during the forecast period.



The region's users are being provided high-speed internet by a well-established and mature IT sector with the requisite infrastructure. The market will do well due to the rising awareness of eHealth and the promotion of the same by a large number of market players in the area. Numerous studies have found that Americans and Canadians use eHealth applications because of how convenient and simple they use them.



In 2022, the solutions segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 63% and market revenue of 40.95 billion.



The product type segment is divided into services and solutions. In 2022, the solutions segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 63% and market revenue of 40.95 billion.



In 2022, the cloud segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 68% and market revenue of 44.20 billion.



The deployment type segment is divided into cloud and on-premises. In 2022, the cloud segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 68% and market revenue of 44.20 billion.



In 2022, the healthcare providers segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 40% and market revenue of 26 billion.



The end-user segment is divided into healthcare providers, patients, health insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies, app companies and others. In 2022, the healthcare providers segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 40% and market revenue of 26 billion.



Advancement in market



June 2023 - eHealth Technologies, a top provider of solutions for retrieving and organising medical records, has confirmed that it will attend the eagerly awaited 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago. They will be available to meet with delegates, members of the media, and healthcare professionals. Their in-depth knowledge of the field and opinions will provide insightful viewpoints on the most recent developments and difficulties in oncologic-related record retrieval. eHealth will display its services, including its most recent solutions enhancing the clinical trials prescreening process, in booth 2085. Participants will have the chance to learn more about how eHealth Technologies' cutting-edge solutions, such as retrieval, digitalization, and organisation of medical records, empower healthcare professionals and enhance overall patient outcomes.



For more information in the analysis of this report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/ehealth-market-13535



Market Dynamics



Driver: Demand for digital healthcare management solutions is on the rise.



The covid-19 outbreak highlighted the shortcomings in even the most industrialised nations' national healthcare systems. A lack of hospital beds, medications, immunisations, etc., caused millions of avoidable deaths. Financial authorities and other stakeholders facilitated reforms to enhance the healthcare ecosystem and infrastructure to fulfil the rising demand for healthcare due to the healthcare systems' failure. Automation and digitisation are revolutionising the healthcare industry to increase productivity, enhance patient outcomes, and achieve the aim of timely and universal treatment for all. Digital healthcare systems are being implemented To standardise, streamline, and consolidate the healthcare sector. Digital tools, for instance, offer clinicians a more complete picture of patient health and give people more responsibility for their health. By incorporating cutting-edge tech solutions, digital healthcare management systems have assisted healthcare businesses in improving worker happiness and patient care, enabling better and quicker diagnostics. It also allows advancing healthcare solutions to travel the final mile. Costs for both patients and providers are decreased. Therefore, the rising demand for and acceptance of digital healthcare management systems will encourage the market's growth.



Restraints: inadequate healthcare infrastructure to integrate IT solutions.



The underdeveloped and emerging countries do not have the essential IT infrastructure to support the growth of the eHealth business. The adoption of eHealth has stopped due to low internet penetration or bad data connectivity. The market's modest development is also a result of the low level of data literacy in these countries. The structural issues and lack of qualified experts to operate the eHealth components also impede the market's expansion.



Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire here at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/13535



Opportunities: integration of AI, IoT, and 5G technology.



The 4.0 decade is known for using technology to digitise and automate the economy. The healthcare sector is experiencing the same thing. Untapped potential in the healthcare sector has compelled market participants to spend money on technology breakthroughs and product developments that can be used in the sector in exchange for attractive prospects. As technology advances swiftly, ideas like data analytics, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence are spreading like wildfire. It's feasible that introducing and using these cutting-edge technologies in the healthcare industry would revolutionise the industry, improving patient outcomes, productivity, and efficiency while lowering costs. By studying data trends, artificial intelligence (AI) technology may help healthcare organisations make the most of their data, resources, and assets. This will increase efficiency and improve the performance of clinical and operational workflows, processes, and financial operations. Therefore, the technical advancements in AI, AR, big data, IoT, and cyber-security will all impact the market's growth and development throughout the projection period.



Challenges: The lack of data privacy rules and regulations.



Without preventive authentication methods, the risk of unauthorised access to patient data increases, jeopardising the patient's physical and mental health. Without adequate rules and regulations controlling patient data storage, transmission, and use, the advancement of technology and the promotion of digitalization in the healthcare sector only worsen the problem. This is because no one is in charge, and the laws are in horrible shape. Therefore, the absence of data privacy laws and regulations will hinder industry expansion.



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Some of the major players operating in the global eHealth market are:



 Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc

 Athenahealth, Inc,

 Cisco Systems Inc

 International Business Management Corporation

 Koninklijke Philips N.V

 Medtronic Plc

 Motion Computing Inc.

 Siemens AG

 Teladoc Health, Inc.

 UnitedHealth Group Inc.



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Production Type



 Services

 Solutions



By Deployment Type



 Cloud

 On-Premises



By End User



 Healthcare Providers

 Patients

 Health Insurance Providers

 Pharmaceuticals Companies

 App Companies

 Others



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



About the report:



The market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyses driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges to gain critical market insight. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, Product analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



Schedule a Consultation Call with Our Analysts/Industry Experts to Find Solution for Your Business at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/13535



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The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirements whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



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ALEXANDRIA, VA, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Impact, as fiscal sponsor for the Advancing Health Online (AHO) Initiative, is pleased to announce the selection of 11 organizations that will receive grants totaling $5 million through the Vaccine Confidence Fund. This is the second program of the Vaccine Confidence Fund (VCF). The Fund provides grants to researchers and organizations that are exploring how best to use behavioral science, social media, and digital platforms to build confidence in and access to vaccines.

The Vaccine Confidence Fund is playing a crucial role in leveraging innovative research to demonstrate new ways in which social media platforms can play a positive role in societal health, said Heidi Larson, Director of The Vaccine Confidence Project and Professor of Anthropology, Risk and Decision Science at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The VCF is bringing multiple disciplines together to take on this global health challenge to be more responsive to questions and concerns, as well as build public confidence in vaccines.

Grantees were selected in a competitive, open process managed by Global Impact, the fiscal sponsor and Fund manager, with the support of the VCF Advisory Council, a small interdisciplinary group of domain experts from the vaccination confidence, public health, social media, and behavioral and data sciences fields.

We believe social media can be a powerful tool for social impact. We are excited to see this research come to fruition so that social media can be scaled to its full potential as a tool to increase vaccine confidence and routine vaccination. said Luchen Foster, Metas Director of Global Partners & Programs.

Grantees from the Fund were selected from a pool of almost 100 applicants and cover research topics touching all regions of the world with a strong focus on historically excluded or marginalized communities and authentic community engagement. This time research will focus on routine vaccination, health care workers, and understanding drivers of vaccination uptake.

The projects selected will use a variety of novel research approaches and explore how behavioral design interventions, behavioral nudges, and the use of chatbots can impact vaccination confidence and vaccine uptake. They will focus on pediatric vaccinations, displaced persons, indigenous communities, vaccine hesitant populations, healthcare workers and caregivers, and other underserved communities. Finally, the majority of grantees will be investigating the connection between social media (online) and routine vaccine uptake (offline) through vaccination bookings and/or actual vaccinations via health clinics. Please see the sample list below of grant recipients from the Fund or visit VCFs website for a complete overview of the research.

Vaccine confidence is critical to reducing vaccine hesitancy, which threatens to stall and reverse progress made in combatting vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide, said Drew Otoo, President, Merck Vaccines. Building on the previous Fund, we are excited to see a heightened focus on routine vaccination and the role of health workers. I am confident these efforts will demonstrate opportunities for social media platforms to elevate and amplify accurate, scientifically sound information, build trust and help strengthen vaccination programs around the world.

Vaccine Confidence Fund II grant recipients:

AHA! Behavioral Consultancy

The Behavioral Insights Team

Busara Center for Behavioral Economics

Christian Aid

Cognition, Values, Behaviour (CVBE) Ludwig Maximilian University & Universidad Torcuato Di Tella

Grameen Foundation

Institute for Global Health Sciences, UCSF

Institute for Vaccine Safety, JHU

The Johns Hopkins University International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC)

Stanford Center for Health Education

Wits VIDA Research Unit

For more information, please visit www.aaho.org.

About AHO

Advancing Health Online (AHO), a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact, is an initiative launched and financially supported by Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ USA (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), and Meta in June 2021 to advance public understanding of how social media can be utilized to better understand and increase the health and resiliency of communities around the world by bringing actors together from technology, health, global development, and the academic sector. AHOs goal is to support effective integration of social media as a core component of social behavior change (SBC) to improve health outcomes. To achieve this, AHO collaborates with organizations working at the intersection of technology, global health, and SBC.

About Global Impact

Global Impact works on charitable ventures to inspire greater giving. We serve as a trusted advisor, intermediary and implementing partner across the private, nonprofit and public sectors. Through these partnerships, we have raised nearly $2 billion for causes such as disaster relief and global development. Global Impacts reach and services are complemented by the work of our subsidiary company, Geneva Global.
Transaction increases TerrAscends retail footprint to three dispensaries in the state with adult-use launch set to begin on July 1, 2023



Attractively priced US$6.75 million transaction is expected to be immediately accretive on an EBITDA and cashflow basis

TORONTO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerrAscend Corp. ("TerrAscend" or the "Company") (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced that on June 26, 2023 it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hempaid, LLC (d/b/a Blue Ridge Wellness), a medical dispensary in Maryland. The transaction expands TerrAscends footprint to three dispensaries in the state. Blue Ridge Wellness is well positioned to achieve substantial sales growth following the commencement of adult-use sales in Maryland, which is set to begin on July 1, 2023.

Under the terms of the agreement, TerrAscend will acquire Blue Ridge Wellness for total consideration of US$6.75 million (the "Transaction"), including US$3.0 million in cash, with the remainder in a sellers note. The acquisition, which is expected to be accretive to TerrAscend on an EBITDA and cashflow basis, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. Following the close of the Transaction, TerrAscend's retail footprint will increase to 36 dispensaries nationwide.

Blue Ridge Wellness, a medical dispensary located in Parkville, Maryland, is currently on a revenue run rate of approximately US$4.3 million. TerrAscend expects to achieve significant sales and margin improvement at this location with the launch of adult-use and by offering a complete selection of its high-quality brands including Kind Tree, Gage, Cookies and Wana. The Company has plans to relocate the Blue Ridge dispensary to a new, larger storefront it has already secured. This 3,900 square foot, prime location is conveniently located near the White Marsh Mall, a high-traffic retail center. The Company expects to complete the relocation of Blue Ridge in the next six months.

Upon closing, Blue Ridge will be our third dispensary in Maryland ahead of the imminent launch of adult-use sales. We anticipate that Blue Ridge, combined with our other Maryland dispensaries, will drive substantial revenue growth and profitability for TerrAscend in Maryland, even prior to our scheduled move to a prime location later this year. We are focused on acquiring an additional dispensary to reach the four-dispensary cap in Maryland, said Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About TerrAscend Corp.

TerrAscend is a leading cannabis company with interests across the North American cannabis sector, including vertically integrated operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and California through TerrAscend Growth Corp. and retail operations in Canada. TerrAscend Growth operates The Apothecarium and Gage dispensary retail locations as well as scaled cultivation, processing, and manufacturing facilities in its core markets. TerrAscend Growths cultivation and manufacturing practices yield consistent, high-quality cannabis, providing industry-leading product selection to both the medical and legal adult-use markets. The Company owns or licenses several synergistic businesses and brands including Gage Cannabis, The Apothecarium, Cookies, Lemonnade, Ilera Healthcare, Kind Tree, Legend, State Flower, and Valhalla Confections. For more information visit www.terrascend.com.

Caution Regarding Cannabis Operations in the United States

Investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable US federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with medical or adult-use cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve TerrAscend of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against TerrAscend. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of TerrAscend and any proceedings brought against TerrAscend thereunder may adversely affect TerrAscend's operations and financial performance.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as, may, would, could, will, likely, expect, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment, and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2023.

The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether, as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

For more information regarding TerrAscend:

Keith Stauffer

Chief Financial Officer

717-343-5386

IR@terrascend.com

Briana Chester

MATTIO Communications

424-465-4419

terrascend@mattio.com
RICHMOND HILL, N.Y., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- AI-based health screening company iHealthScreen today announces it will host an exclusive Q&A webinar on July 11 at 9 a.m. PDT. Join CEO Alauddin Bhuiyan to learn more about iHealthScreen's investment opportunity and how the company is disrupting the billion-dollar health screening market.



iHealthScreen presents a unique opportunity to capitalize on AI-driven health screening software. With its integrated, retinal imaging-based system, iHealthScreen has become one of the first companies in the world to receive CE certification and Australian and UAE health approvals for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR) and glaucoma screening.

Interested parties can register for the online event here .

The company is currently holding an equity crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine .

About iHealthScreen

iHealthScreens integrated, retinal imaging-based system makes it one of the first companies in the world to receive CE certification, Australian and UAE health approvals for AMD, DR and glaucoma screening. The company is gaining international traction with contracts in the U.S., EU, Bangladesh and UAE and has been collaborating with Global Victoria in Australia.

Company Contact:

Alauddin Bhuiyan

Founder and CEO

bhuiyan@ihealthscreen.org

728-926-9000

New York, NY 11418

Wire Service Contact:

IBN

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alta Copper Corp. (TSX: ATCU; OTCQB: DNCUD; BVL: ATCU) (Alta Copper or the Company) announces the voting results for its Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia.



A total of 13,981,784 common shares, representing 18.45% of the Companys outstanding shares were represented at the Meeting and all motions put forward were passed.

The following sets forth a summary of the voting results:

Votes For Votes Against Number of Directors 12,946,154 (92.59%) 1,035,630 (7.41%) Election of Directors Voted For Votes Withheld/Abstain Giulio T. Bonifacio 11,290,009 (97.03%) 345,743 (2.97%) Joanne C. Freeze 13,826,388 (99.56%) 61,743 (0.44%) L. Miguel Inchaustegui 11,632,116 (99.97%) 3,636 (0.03%) Steven Latimer 11,298,366 (97.10%) 337,386 (2.90%) Christine Nicolau 11,441,447 (98.33%) 194,305 (1.67%) Sean I. Waller 11,453,753 (98.44%) 181,999 (1.56%) Appointment of Auditor 13,958,279 (99.83%) 23,505 (0.17%) Votes For Votes Against Approval of Unallocated

Options, Rights and Other

Entitlements under Option

Plan 12,429,801 (89.50%) 1,458,330 (10.50%)



Mr. Jeremy Meynert did not stand for re-election as a director. Alta Copper thanks Mr. Meynert for his contributions as a director of the Company.

About Alta Copper

Alta Copper is an emerging copper developer advancing with the global shift toward electrification and decarbonization.

Alta Copper is focused on the development of its 100% owned Canariaco advanced staged copper project. Canariaco comprises 97 square kilometers of highly prospective land located 150 kilometers northeast of the City of Chiclayo, Peru, which include the Canariaco Norte deposit, Canariaco Sur deposit and Quebrada Verde prospect, all within a 4km NE-SW trend in northern Perus prolific mining district. Canariaco is one of the largest copper deposits in the Americas not held by a major.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the effective date of the consolidation and name change of the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Although the Company believes the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws.

On behalf of the Board of Alta Copper Corp.

Giulio T. Bonifacio Executive Chair and Director

For further information please contact:

Joanne C. Freeze, President, CEO and Director

jfreeze@altacopper.com

+1 604 512 3359

or

Giulio T. Bonifacio, Executive Chair and Director

gtbonifacio@altacopper.com

+1 604 318 6760
Tiverton, Ontario, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government of Canada has announced its intent to lead the fight against cancer at home and around the world with funding announced today that will support the development of a medical isotope ecosystem in Canada. The partnership includes Indigenous communities, Ontarios nuclear industry, and leading research facilities, academics, and firms working to commercialize novel therapies.

As part of the funding announced today at the Bruce Power Visitors Centre, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) will take the next step in their partnership with Bruce Power to jointly produce, advance and market new isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer, while also working together to create new economic opportunities within the SON territory.

This funding will ultimately enable a pan-Canadian consortium  the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE)  to advance and accelerate the development of the next generation of novel medical isotopes and technologies. The CMIE will position Canada as a leader across all stages of the isotope production cycle, most importantly to ensure cancer patients and health care professionals have access to the critical isotopes they need, when they need them.

Canada is a world leader in medical isotope research and production, and Bruce Power is proud to be among the innovative companies that places Canada at the forefront of nuclear medicine, said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Powers President and CEO. We are honoured to partner with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation to market isotope production and thank the federal government for its support in leveraging this historic opportunity, while creating sustainable economic benefits within the SON territory.

The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, advanced the funding to support projects that strengthen Canadas leadership position in research, development and production of medical isotopes and pharmaceuticals.

Our government is proud to partner in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, which includes support for the SON First Nations communities partnership with Bruce Power to innovate in the fight against cancer, said Minister Champagne. The pandemic has shown us how important it is to have strong domestic production of pharmaceuticals, and we are delivering on our commitment to providing Canadians with the best therapies they need to care for their health. With this investment, we are making our country a major player in the global biomanufacturing and life sciences industry while creating good jobs for Canadians and stimulating the local economy.

Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and the Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington, has been a strong advocate for Canadas medical isotope sector, and announced the funding on behalf of Minister Champagne at todays event.

With this investment in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, the Government of Canada is taking another major step towards building resiliency in our domestic medical production capabilities, which will help to ensure the health and safety of Canadians in the event of any potential future global supply chain disruptions, said Damoff. This investment will not only grow the economy, as the Ecosystem is expected to attract over $75 million in investment, and create or maintain over 600 highly skilled, well-paying jobs, but also contribute to economic reconciliation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Bruce Power partnered with the SON in 2019 in an historic collaboration for the marketing of current and new isotopes produced through the first-of-a-kind Isotope Production System (IPS) that was installed at Bruce Power in 2022. The partnership, named Gamzookaamin aakoziwin, which translates to We are Teaming Up to Fight the Sickness, includes a revenue-sharing program that provides a direct benefit to the community.

Today marks another important milestone in the Gamzookaamin Aakoziwin partnership between Bruce Power and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, said Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. By working together, patients around the world have access to cancer-fighting treatments made possible through medical isotope production.

We are proud to be part of this innovative project, which will deliver benefits beyond the local community, to people across the world in the global fight against cancer, said Chief Conrad Ritchie, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.

The Made-in-Ontario IPS, designed and installed by Isogen (a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics) at Bruce Power, irradiates ytterbium-176 to produce lutetium-177, which is then transported to ITMs manufacturing facility in Germany for processing of pharmaceutical-grade, non-carrier-added lutetium-177 (n.c.a. lutetium-177) and used in various clinical and commercial radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments.

With commercial production of lutetium-177 well underway at Bruce Power, physicians and their patients worldwide now have access to a new, dependable, large-scale supply of lutetium-177 for their cancer treatments, said John DAngelo, Chair, Isogen Corp.

The funding announcement was made possible through Innovation, Science and Economic Developments Strategic Innovation Fund, which provides major investments in innovative projects that will help grow Canadas economy for the well-being of all Canadians. The investment will help develop Canadian technologies and support advancements in Canadas medical isotope industry, supporting projects at Bruce Power, TRIUMF, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization, McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and BWXT Medical.

About Bruce Power

Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (Endeavour or the Company) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) announces it has entered into a sales agreement dated June 27, 2023 (the Sales Agreement) with BMO Capital Markets Corp. (the lead agent), CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, B. Riley Securities, Inc., Raymond James (USA) Ltd. and National Bank of Canada Financial, Inc. (collectively, the Agents) pursuant to which the Company may, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the 25 month term of the Sales Agreement, sell, through the Agents, such number of common shares of the Company (Common Shares) as would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to US$60 million (the Offering). Sales of Common Shares will be made through at the market distributions as defined in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE), or any other recognized marketplace upon which the Common Shares are listed or quoted or where the Common Shares are traded in the United States. The Common Shares will be distributed at the market prices prevailing at the time of each sale and, as a result, prices may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. No offers or sales of Common Shares will be made in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) or other trading markets in Canada. All references to dollars ($) in this news release are to United States dollars.



The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2023 to the Companys existing U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (the Registration Statement) and Canadian short form base shelf prospectus (the Base Shelf Prospectus), each dated June 16, 2023. The prospectus supplement relating to the Offering has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada (other than Quebec) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The U.S. prospectus supplement (together with a related Registration Statement) is available on the SECs website (www.sec.gov) and the Canadian prospectus supplement (together with the related Base Shelf Prospectus) is available on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, BMO Capital Markets will provide copies of the U.S. prospectus upon request by contacting BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036, by telephone: (800) 4143627, or by email: bmoprospectus@bmo.com.

Net proceeds of the Offering, if any, together with the Companys current cash resources, will be used to fund the construction and development of the Companys Terronera Mine, to advance the evaluation and development of the Pitarrilla and Parral properties, to assess potential development stage mineral properties for acquisition, to fund the potential acquisition of other development stage mineral properties, for continued exploration on the Companys existing mineral properties and to add to the Companys working capital.

The Company will pay the Agents compensation, or allow a discount, of 2.00% of the gross sales price per Common Share sold under the Sales Agreement. Sales under the Sales Agreement remain subject to necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX and the NYSE.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Endeavour Silver  Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is advancing construction of the Terronera Project and exploring its portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

For Further Information, Please Contact



Galina Meleger, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: (604) 640-4804

Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to the anticipated Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Companys mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with managements expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as described in the section Risk Factors contained in the Companys most recent Form 40-F filed with the SEC and Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Since forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and address future events, conditions and expectations, forward-looking statements by their nature inherently involve unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors well beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Material factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in such forwarding-looking statements include risks related to the conditions requiring the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering to change, timing of, and ability to obtain, required regulatory approvals and general economic and regulatory changes. These forward-looking statements represent the Companys views as of the date of this release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.




TOPSFIELD, Mass., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN -- XSurgical Inc., an artificial intelligence surgical robotics company, today announces it will host a Q&A webinar on July 11 at 11 a.m. PDT, hosted by co-founder and CEO Dr. Gianluca De Novi and Chairman of the Board Michele Marzola. The objective of the online event will be to discuss Xsurgical as a business, as well as the companys equity crowdfunding raise on Netcapital.



XSurgical is bringing an innovative, unique approach to the surgical robotics industry. The companys mission is to democratize surgical robotics by creating a versatile platform accessible to anyone worldwide. The company aims to increase the quality and number of robotic procedures by offering a modular, open-architecture surgical robot.

Those interested in learning more can access the webinar here .

The surgical robotics market is valued at $15 billion-$20 billion annually (2022). To date, XSurgical has raised approximately $6 million.

About XSurgical

XSurgical's system uses AI and machine learning to perform a range of procedures with precision and accuracy, while remaining affordable and easily deployable. By aiming to offer these solutions, XSurgical is working toward making surgical robotics more cost-effective, efficient and accessible, thereby improving patient outcomes and increasing the utilization of surgical robots in a variety of environments.

Company Contact:

Dr. Gianluca De Novi

CEO

gdenovi@xsurgicalrobotics.com

857-204-2932

Boston, Massachusetts
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Exploration Inc. (NGE or the Company) (TSX-V:NGE; OTCQB:NVDEF) announces a non-brokered private placement offering of up to 13,000,000 units (the Units) at a price of $0.11 CAD per Unit (the Offering), for total gross proceeds of up to C$1,430,000.

Units priced at CAD$0.11 to be Comprised of one Common Share and a full Warrant

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a Warrant), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire an additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.20 per Common Share for 36 months after the date of issuance (the Closing Date). If after four months plus one day from the Closing Date the closing price (or closing bid price on days when there are no trades) of NGEs common shares is greater than C$0.40 per share for 10 consecutive trading days, NGE may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the 30th day after the date on which NGE gives notice to the Warrant holders of such acceleration, with such notice being the issuance of a news release by the Company announcing the acceleration of the expiry date.

Use of Proceeds

Proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes.

Offering Subject to Necessary Approvals

The Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory and TSX Venture Exchange approvals. The securities issued at closing of the Offering will be subject to a four month plus one day hold period from the date of issue, as well as to any other re-sale restrictions imposed by applicable securities regulatory authorities. Subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities legislation, NGE may pay finders fees with respect to certain subscriptions from arms length subscribers in accordance with the TSX Venture Exchange Policies.

Offering Available to Existing Shareholders and in Accordance with Other Prospectus Exemptions

In addition to other prospectus exemptions commonly relied on in private placements, such as the accredited investor exemption, the Offering is being made available to qualifying existing shareholders of the Company in reliance on BC Instrument 45-534 Exemption from prospectus requirement for certain trades to existing security holders and other provincial equivalents (the Existing Security Holder Exemption). To comply with the criteria of the Existing Security Holder Exemption, the ability of existing shareholders to participate in the Offering under the Existing Security Holder Exemption shall be subject to, among other criteria, the following:

June 26, 2023, has been set as the record date (the Record Date) for the purpose of determining existing security holders entitled to purchase Units pursuant to the Existing Security Holder Exemption;

To participate, a qualified shareholder must deliver an executed subscription agreement in the required form, which will include the requirements of the Existing Security Holder Exemption;

The aggregate acquisition cost to a subscriber under the Existing Security Holder Exemption cannot exceed C$15,000 per twelve-month period unless that subscriber has obtained advice from a registered investment dealer regarding the suitability of the investment; and

Subscriptions will be accepted by the Company on a first come, first served basis; therefore, if the Offering is over-subscribed it is possible that a shareholders subscription may not be accepted by the Company.

Further terms and conditions shall be set out in the form of subscription agreement that will be made available to interested shareholders, who are directed to contact the Company as soon as possible in accordance with the contact information provided below. There is no material fact or material change of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

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.
English Dutch

Regulated Information

Nyrstar NV - Results of the annual general shareholders' meetings held on 27 June 2023

27 June 2023 at 11.55 CEST

Nyrstar NV (the "Company") held its annual general shareholders' meeting ("AGM") in Brussels today.

The AGM did not have an attendance quorum requirement for the items on the agenda. The shareholders meeting approved all items on the agenda of the AGM with the exception of the agenda item seeking the appointment of Mr. Thierry Buytaert as an independent director of the Company.

About Nyrstar

The Company is incorporated in Belgium and is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information please visit the Nyrstar website: www.nyrstarnv.be

For further information contact:

Anthony Simms - Head of External Affairs and Legal / Company Secretary anthony.simms@nyrstarnv.be

Attachment
SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.



Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/XPOF

Contact An Attorney Now: XPOF@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Xponential Fitness, Inc. (XPOF) Investigation:

The investigation focuses on Xponential Fitness past claims that [t]he foundation of our business is built on strong partnerships with franchisees and [w]e are highly focused on providing franchisees with extensive support to help maximize their performance and enhance their return on investment.

But, on June 26, 2023, analyst Fuzzy Panda Research published a scathing report based in part on interviews with former business partners, franchisees, and employees of Xponential Fitness CEO (Anthony Geisler), concluding the XPOF house of cards is beginning to fall.

With respect to Geisler, Fuzzy Panda's research reveals: (1) Geisler was previously CEO of a reverse merger, pink sheets, pump & dump called Interactive Solutions (INSC) that used Bangkok boiler rooms and (2) former franchisees, and colleagues of Geislers described him as a crook and detailed his many scams and illegal business practices[.]

Fuzzy Panda also found that over 50% of the companys average studios are losing money, 80% of its brands have unprofitable business models, franchisees are giving their studios back to XPOF for $1, more of the worst loss-making transition studios are on XPOFs balance sheet and they have become harder for XPOF to re-sell, and XPOF has closed lots of studios despite managements claim to never closed a single studio.

In response, the price of Xponential shares crashed as much as 42% lower on June 27, 2023.

Were focused on investors losses and whether Xponential lied about its business model and financial metrics, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Xponential Fitness and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Xponential Fitness should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email XPOF@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Advanced the Necessary Fieldwork, Resource Model and Trade-Off Studies to Prepare the Donlin Gold Project for the Next Phase of Development



Robust Treasury of $109 Million in Cash and Term Deposits, with $25 Million of Receivables in the Third Quarter 2023

The 2023 Donlin Gold field program which commenced in February 2023 has safely and successfully advanced ahead of schedule, with 63% of its direct hires being from the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region.



The comprehensive fieldwork and trade-off studies will provide valuable information for the Donlin Gold LLC board and its owners to consider with respect to an updated feasibility study decision.



NOVAGOLDs treasury remains strong with $109 million in cash and term deposits as of May 31, 2023, with an additional $25 million due in July 2023 from Newmont Corporation (Newmont), keeping NOVAGOLD in a healthy financial position to advance the Donlin Gold project up the value chain.



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NOVAGOLD or the Company) (NYSE American, TSX: NG) today released its 2023 second quarter financial results and an update on its Tier One1 gold development project, Donlin Gold, which NOVAGOLD owns equally with Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick).

Details of the financial results for the quarter ended May 31, 2023, are presented in the consolidated financial statements and quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q on June 27, 2023 that is available on the Companys website at www.novagold.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.

Second Quarter 2023 Donlin Gold Highlights:

Advanced the fieldwork and geotechnical drilling for data collection required for the Alaska Dam Safety certificates of the water retention structures (including proposed Tailings Storage Facility).

Progressed with hydrological drilling to further define the depth and flow of groundwater in the areas of the planned Donlin Gold pit and surrounding infrastructure to support mine planning and design.

Updated the resource model and advanced the trade-off studies with the data derived from recent drill programs and fieldwork at the Donlin Gold project site.

In collaboration with Calista Corporation (Calista) and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), Donlin Gold accomplished the following in areas spanning education, health and safety, cultural traditions, and environmental initiatives: Finalized Shared Values Statements with two villages from the Y-K region, for a total of 14; Supported Crooked Creek, the closest village to the project site, with supplies, transportation and housing following a major flooding event caused by the Kuskokwim River during ice break-up; Held the first informational meeting of the Subsistence Community Advisory Committee (SCAC) in Aniak with Y-K residents of varying perspectives on Donlin Gold; Supported the annual Clean-up Green-up program for 52 Y-K villages; Sponsored the Lower Kuskokwim School Districts annual college and career fair, which hosted 70 students and 30 vendors; and Provided financial assistance to multiple Y-K community health and safety initiatives, including the Covenant House Alaska and Bethel Community Services, to address chronic youth shelter and food security issues.



NOVAGOLD released its third annual Sustainability Report, which features a comprehensive review of the Companys performance in the areas of environmental stewardship, health and safety, social and community engagement, and corporate governance.

Visited Washington, D.C. with Calista and the Crooked Creek Traditional Council, to pursue bipartisan outreach to the Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress to emphasize the benefits of the project, as well as the strength of the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal permitting process undertaken for the project.

Presidents Message

A Perfect Asset for an Imperfect World

With approximately 39 million ounces of gold grading 2.24 grams per tonne in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, Donlin Gold hosts one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped open-pit gold endowments in the world.2 As currently envisioned, the project would produce an average of 1.1 million ounces per year over its 27-year mine-life. This, in turn, enables Donlin Gold to potentially become one of the lowest-cost producers in the gold space, and we believe it possesses an extraordinary capacity to grow. Excellent exploration potential exists beyond the defined resources, which is located on only three kilometers of an eight-kilometer mineralized belt and represents less than 5% of the total land package. For all of these reasons and more, we believe that Donlin Gold is poised to become one of the greatest gold stories in the development space. Over time, and by keeping its promises to stakeholders, NOVAGOLDs management has diligently protected these resources, substantially de-risked Donlin Gold, committed to responsible mining, dedicated both time and effort to building trust and transparency, and continuously found ways to improve and enhance the project while building a legacy.

Donlin Gold truly is among the rarest of gold development assets  a Tier 1 Asset in a Tier 1 Jurisdiction. Or, as we like to say, one that offers unique leverage to gold in a place where one can keep the fruits of that leverage. As the premier gold development project in Alaska  itself the second largest gold-producing state in one of the worlds safest jurisdictions  our project benefits from a well-established tradition of responsible mining. As such, Donlin Gold has the potential to form the cornerstone of genuine and sustainable economic development for the Y-K region for decades to come.

Steadfast Commitment to Advancing the Donlin Gold Project Up the Value Chain

Donlin Golds expansion of our investments and partnerships with the people and communities of the Y-K region is indicative of our commitment to advancing this exceptional project up the value chain. Indeed, the extensive and cumulative work invested into Donlin Gold to date has enhanced its value  and in the most responsible manner  to all stakeholders, Alaska residents as well as our shareholders.

In the second quarter, activities advanced in five key areas at Donlin Gold: 1) we updated the geologic and resource models with the data derived from the extensive drill programs over the last three years; 2) all key project assumptions, inputs, and design components for optimization (mine engineering, metallurgy, hydrology, and infrastructure) were subjected to extensive analysis; 3) the fieldwork and geotechnical drilling were advanced to collect the necessary data to inform the design documentation for the Alaska Dam Safety certificates required for construction, as was the hydrological drilling to further define the depth and flow of groundwater in the areas of the planned Donlin Gold pit and surrounding infrastructure to support mine planning and design; 4) the remaining permits needed for the project proceeded through the regulatory process, while existing federal and state permits are maintained and the new air quality permit is anticipated to be issued by June 30, 2023; and 5) most importantly, as social license constitutes the cornerstone of our philosophy of creating a true win-win in Alaska, we built long-term value through continued engagement with our partners and stakeholders, while sustaining and even expanding project support in the Y-K region.

The successful execution of these activities at Donlin Gold would not be possible without a dedicated team in the Anchorage office and a committed workforce at camp  of which 63% are from the Y-K region. Over the past three months, our team has safely advanced site work and maintained open and transparent communication with all the project stakeholders. Thanks to their hard work, the 2023 field program at Donlin Gold is anticipated to be completed in July.

The comprehensive work being completed will provide valuable information for the Donlin Gold LLC board and its owners to consider with respect to an updated feasibility study decision. The owners will continue to advance the Donlin Gold project in a financially disciplined manner with a particular focus on engineering excellence, environmental stewardship, a strong safety culture and continued community engagement.

Collaboration with Alaska Native Corporation Partners to Secure the Remaining State Permits

Donlin Gold continues to work closely with its Alaska Native Corporation partners, Calista and TKC, in supporting the Federal and State agencies to keep the projects permits in good standing. Specifically, the team continues to support efforts to advance the Alaska Dam Safety certificates  with fieldwork anticipated to be completed next month.

Work on the new air quality permit based on updated air quality modeling and emissions controls information, and the regularly scheduled re-issuance of its Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) permit from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is also underway. The new air quality permit is anticipated to be issued by June 30, 2023. ADEC has extended the existing APDES permit indefinitely until a new permit is finalized.

Two appeals of the Right-of-Way (ROW) lease for the portions of the natural gas pipeline on state lands were previously filed in Anchorage Superior Court, one by Earthjustice and Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) and a second by Robert Fithian, an outdoor business owner in the pipeline area. The cases have been considered by the same judge. On April 12, 2023, the Superior Court affirmed the Alaska Department of Natural Resources issuance of the ROW lease in the Earthjustice and ONC case. This decision has been appealed by Earthjustice to the Alaska Supreme Court. With respect to the Fithian case  a lodge owner in proximity to the proposed Donlin Gold natural gas pipeline, we anticipate a Superior Court decision by the end of the year.

On April 6, 2023, Earthjustice, together with ONC and two other Y-K villages, filed suit against the U.S. government in Anchorage federal District Court. The lawsuit asks the Court to invalidate the Joint Record of Decision, including the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and ROW lease for the portions of the pipeline on federal lands issued by the Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of Interior. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will defend the issuance of the permits by those federal agencies. Donlin Gold and Calista have been granted intervenor status in this case.

A key distinguishing factor which sets Donlin Gold apart from many other mining assets in the United States and around the world is the projects location on private land, specially designated for mining activities through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971. To date, all appeals challenging Donlin Gold permits have been unsuccessful, often on multiple occasions, and we have full confidence in the process. We do not take this for granted. Our project leadership and litigation teams have always prepared and organized accordingly for potential challenges to the federal and state permitting processes. With the steadfast advocacy of Donlin Gold and its owners, we will continue to support the agencies in the defense of what constitutes an exceptionally thorough and diligent permitting process.

Longstanding Partnerships with Regional Stakeholders are Reinforced by Ongoing Engagement

Donlin Gold continues to work with Calista and TKC in all aspects of outreach and engagement throughout the Y-K region. Our commitment to meaningful tribal inclusion throughout project development and permitting has been reinforced by decades of reliable and dependable outreach with the communities in the projects region. In the second quarter, Donlin Gold signed additional Shared Values Statements with two villages in the Y-K region, bringing the total to 14. These documents formalize current engagement with key local communities, expand upon the long-term relationships already established with them, and address specific community needs including: water, sewer and solid waste projects; the ice road that connects remote villages in the Y-K region; salmon and other aquatic life studies; and suicide prevention and public safety programs.

Furthermore, Donlin Gold was recognized as a leader for providing support to Crooked Creek, the village closest to the project site, following major spring flooding because of the ice break-up on the Kuskokwim River. Donlin Gold staff were on-site providing support, supplies, transportation, and comfort to those affected by the flood. Donlin Gold staff were able to fly over the river to take pictures and provide them to the State, which ultimately prompted the declaration of a state of emergency. A similar event occurred twelve years ago in Crooked Creek and Donlin Gold was then also privileged to be close by and provide much needed support.

In partnership with Calista and TKC, Donlin Gold held the first informational meeting for the SCAC in Aniak during the second quarter. All attendees, who hold varying perspectives on the Donlin Gold project, completed an application to join the SCAC. As part of the commitment between Donlin Gold, Calista and TKC, the Committee was established to maintain a well-defined process for communications, dialogue, problem-solving, and seeking the views of the broader community regarding subsistence matters.

In the past three months, visits were also made to Washington, D.C. to pursue bipartisan outreach to the Biden Administration and the U.S. Congress, including meetings with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and with Representative Mary Peltola from the Y-K region. In early March, TKC, Calista and Crooked Creek held a tribal consultation meeting with the Corps Alaska District leadership to emphasize the benefits of the project, as well as the strength and transparency of the NEPA review and Federal permitting process. In early May, the village of Crooked Creeks Traditional Council, which recently affirmed its support for the project, accompanied Calista and Donlin Gold on a visit with Administration and Congressional staff in Washington, D.C. In all of these meetings, Calista, Donlin Gold, and now Crooked Creek, highlighted the thoroughness of the projects environmental review and permitting processes, as well as the deep partnerships that exist with Native Alaskans that own the land.

Long-Term Commitment to Supporting Local Communities and People of the Y-K Region

For NOVAGOLD, community and social responsibility represents a wide-ranging, essential activity that is core to all that we do at the Donlin Gold project site and in the communities of the Y-K region. It has been our consistent practicing philosophy for more than two decades. At the project level, Donlin Gold continues to work with Calista and TKC in all aspects of outreach and engagement throughout the Y-K region in the areas of education, health and safety, cultural traditions, and environmental initiatives.

In partnership with Covenant House Alaska and Bethel Community Services, Donlin Gold has been developing an action plan to address the chronic and ongoing youth shelter and food security issues in the Y-K region. In the context of these efforts, space was successfully leased from Bethel Winter House to provide young adults aged 18 to 24 with shelter and food  with the grand opening taking place in the second quarter. Donlin Gold also helped the Chevak Search and Rescue team and provided funding to various health and safety initiatives of communities throughout the Y-K region. Donlin Gold also supported 52 villages as part of the annual Clean-up Green-up program, which aims to collect and dispose of trash from the tundra, roads, public areas and beaches in the Y-K region that accumulate over the winter months.

Education is a key component of Donlin Golds community engagement efforts. In the second quarter, Donlin Gold sponsored the Calista Education and Culture, Inc.  an organization that provides educational scholarships to Calista shareholders and descendants; the Rural Alaska Honors Institute  a competitive program that gives Alaska Native and Y-K region students an opportunity to discover college life with an in-dorm experience on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, and offers college credit courses; and the Lower Kuskokwim School Districts annual college and career fair with excellent student and vendor participation.

A Robust Treasury  and Exceptional People to Steward our Ascent

With $109 million in cash and term deposits as of May 31, 2023, and another $25 million due in July 2023 from Newmont, we believe that we have sufficient resources to cover anticipated costs to fund our share of the Donlin Gold project through an updated feasibility study.

At the end of the day, of course, its always about the people. Thus, in closing, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated professionals at NOVAGOLD  from our employees all the way to the Board of Directors, and to Donlin Gold, Barrick, Alaska Native Corporation partners Calista and TKC, contractors, and representatives from the federal and state agencies who adhere to best practices so that we can responsibly advance this consequential, high-quality gold asset up the value chain.

Last but certainly not least, I wish to thank each and every single one of our dedicated shareholders for choosing to invest in NOVAGOLD, as well as for their engagement, patience, and valuable insight over the years. We look forward to continuing to deliver on our promises and to keeping an open line of communication between us as we aim to reach further milestones and achievements together in 2023.

Sincerely,

Gregory A. Lang

President & CEO

Financial Results

in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per share amounts

Three months ended

May 31,

2023

$ Three months ended

May 31,

2022

$ Six months

ended

May 31,

2023

$ Six months

ended

May 31,

2022

$ General and administrative expense (1) 5,535 5,371 11,142 10,548 Share of losses  Donlin Gold 7,543 8,441 12,018 12,481 Total operating expenses 13,078 13,812 23,160 23,029 Loss from operations (13,078) (13,812) (23,160) (23,029) Interest expense on promissory note (3,212) (1,684) (6,156) (3,196) Accretion of notes receivable 217 209 434 419 Other income, net 1,424 317 3,649 841 Income tax expense   (75)  Net loss (14,649) (14,970) (25,308) (24,965) Loss per share, basic and diluted (0.04) (0.04) (0.08) (0.07) At At May 31,

2023

$ November 30,

2022

$ Cash and term deposits 108,954 125,882 Total assets 142,870 159,189 Total liabilities 134,065 129,286

(1) Includes share-based compensation expense of $2,140 and $2,105 in the second quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $4,301 and $54,196 in the first six months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2023, net loss decreased by $0.3 million from 2022, primarily due to lower field expenses at Donlin Gold and increased interest income on cash and term deposits, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on the promissory note and higher corporate travel and legal expenses. Donlin Gold expenses were lower in the second quarter of 2023 with fieldwork and geotechnical drilling for the Alaska Dam Safety certificates and hydrological drilling to support mine planning and design in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the large exploration drilling program in the second quarter of 2022.

In the first six months of 2023, net loss increased by $0.3 million from 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest expense on the promissory note and higher corporate travel and legal expenses, partially offset by increased interest income and other income related to the 2021 sale of the Companys interest in the San Roque mineral property.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In the second quarter of 2023, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $7.2 million, mainly to fund our share of Donlin Gold and for corporate administrative expenses. The decrease in cash used in operating activities in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to interest proceeds received on cash and term deposits. The increase in cash used in investing activities was due to proceeds from term deposits in the second quarter of 2022, partially offset by reduced funding of Donlin Gold in the second quarter of 2023.

In the first six months of 2023 cash and cash equivalents decreased by $16.9 million, mainly to fund our share of Donlin Gold and for corporate administrative expenses. The decrease in cash used in operating activities in the first six months of 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily due to interest proceeds received on cash and term deposits in 2023, and the timing of corporate liability insurance payments and withholding tax paid on share-based compensation in 2022 (no Performance Share Units vested in 2023). The increase in cash used in investing activities was due to proceeds from term deposits in 2022, partially offset by reduced funding of Donlin Gold and proceeds received from the sale of the Companys interest in the San Roque mineral property in 2023.

2023 Outlook

We anticipate spending approximately $31 million in 2023, which includes $17 million to fund the Donlin Gold project, $13 million for corporate general and administrative costs, and $1 million for working capital and other items.

NOVAGOLDs primary goals for the remainder of 2023 include continuing to advance the Donlin Gold project toward a construction decision; maintaining support for Donlin Gold among the projects stakeholders; promoting a strong safety, sustainability, and environmental culture; maintaining a favorable reputation of NOVAGOLD; and preserving a healthy balance sheet. Our operations primarily relate to the delivery of project milestones, including the achievement of various technical, environmental, sustainable development, economic and legal objectives, obtaining necessary permits, completion of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, preparation of engineering designs, and the financing to fund these objectives.

Conference Call & Webcast Details

NOVAGOLDs conference call and webcast to discuss these results will take place on June 28, 2023, at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET). The webcast and conference call-in details are provided below.

Video Webcast: www.novagold.com/investors/events/

North American callers: 1-800-319-4610 International callers: 1-604-638-5340

NOVAGOLDs quarterly reporting schedule for the remainder of 2023 will be as follows:

Q3 2023  Tuesday, October 3, 2023; financial statements and a Donlin Gold project update will be released after market close. A conference call and webcast will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. ET to discuss Q3 financial results.



About NOVAGOLD

NOVAGOLD is a well-financed precious metals company focused on the development of its 50%-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska, one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories, inclusive of Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (541 million tonnes at an average grade of approximately 2.24 grams per tonne, in the Measured and Indicated Resource categories on a 100% basis)2, the Donlin Gold project is regarded to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective known open-pit gold deposits in the world. According to the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Report (both as defined below), once in production, the Donlin Gold project is expected to produce an average of more than one million ounces per year over a 27-year mine life on a 100% basis. The Donlin Gold project has substantial exploration potential beyond the designed footprint of the open pit which currently covers three kilometers of an approximately eight-kilometer-long gold-bearing trend. Current activities at the Donlin Gold project are focused on State permitting, engineering studies, community outreach, and workforce development in preparation for the eventual construction and operation of this project. With a strong balance sheet, NOVAGOLD is well-positioned to fund its share of permitting and advancement efforts at the Donlin Gold project.

NOVAGOLD Contacts:

Melanie Hennessey

Vice President, Corporate Communications

604-669-6227 or 1-866-669-6227

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This media release includes certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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, would or should occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on several opinions, estimates and assumptions that management of NOVAGOLD considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the implementation of the corporate climate change policy and the biodiversity policy; the anticipated timing of certain judicial and/or administrative decisions; the 2023 outlook; the timing and potential for a new feasibility study on the Donlin Gold project; our goals and planned expenditures for the remainder of 2023; ongoing support provided to key stakeholders including Alaska Native Corporation partners; Donlin Golds continued support for the state and federal permitting process; the potential development and construction of the Donlin Gold project; the sufficiency of funds to continue to advance development of Donlin Gold, including to a construction decision; perceived merit of properties; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; Donlin Golds ability to secure the permits needed to construct and operate the Donlin Gold project in a timely manner, if at all; legal challenges to Donlin Golds existing permits and the timing of decisions in those challenges; whether the Donlin Gold LLC Board will continue to advance the Donlin Gold project up the value chain; the success of the strategic mine plan for the Donlin Gold project; the success of the Donlin Gold community relations plan; the outcome of exploration drilling at the Donlin Gold project and the timing thereof; and the conversion of Galore Creek into a mine and the receipt of $25 million due in July 2023 from Newmont and the $75 million contingent payment from Newmont. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent the expectations of NOVAGOLD managements estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances on the date the statements are made. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the need to obtain additional permits and governmental approvals; the timing and likelihood of obtaining and maintaining permits necessary to construct and operate; the need for additional financing to explore and develop properties and availability of financing in the debt and capital markets; the coronavirus global pandemic (COVID-19); uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drill results and geological tests and the estimation of reserves and resources; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation and exploration successes; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in the United States or Canada; the need for continued cooperation between Barrick and NOVAGOLD for the continued exploration, development and eventual construction of the Donlin Gold property; the need for cooperation of government agencies and Native groups in the development and operation of properties; risks of construction and mining projects such as accidents, equipment breakdowns, bad weather, disease pandemics, non-compliance with environmental and permit requirements, unanticipated variation in geological structures, ore grades or recovery rates; unexpected cost increases, which could include significant increases in estimated capital and operating costs; fluctuations in metal prices and currency exchange rates; whether or when a positive construction decision will be made regarding the Donlin Gold project; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in NOVAGOLDs most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, particularly the "Risk Factors" sections of those reports and other documents filed by NOVAGOLD with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting NOVAGOLDs website at www.novagold.com, or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections of NOVAGOLD on the date the statements are made. NOVAGOLD assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

_____________________________
Richmond, VA, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kaleo, a fully integrated pharmaceutical company dedicated to creating innovative healthcare solutions to protect and empower patients, today announced appointments at the C-suite and executive level to continue positioning Kaleo for growth in 2023 and beyond.

George Parise has been named chief financial officer, responsible for overseeing financial operations at Kaleo. Mr. Parise has more has than 40 years of experience leading the financial functions of small to mid-sized companies, working strategically with each companys CEO and investors to enhance the long-term value of the business. Prior to joining Kaleo, he served as chief financial officer at Pharmaceutical Associates, Inc. He previously held financial leadership positions at various pharmaceutical and telecommunications companies.

Steve Gaeth has been named vice president and controller, responsible for the day-to-day financial operations at Kaleo. He previously served as senior director and controller at Kaleo. With more than 30 years of experience in finance, Mr. Gaeth also held financial leadership positions at James River Coal and Ernst & Young/Arthur Andersen LLP.

"We warmly welcome George to our team and extend our recognition to Steve for his valuable contributions to the company," stated Kaleo President and CEO Ronald Gunn. "Their seasoned leadership and financial acumen will be instrumental in accelerating our commitment to expanding our product portfolio."

###

About Kaleo

Kaleo is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company dedicated to creating innovative healthcare solutions that can help protect and empower patients to live fuller, bolder lives. With our patient-centric approach and unwavering commitment to quality and advanced manufacturing techniques, we have set the industry standard for drug-device combination product development. Our auto-injection technologies are protected by an extensive intellectual property portfolio of more than 200 issued patents and meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) draft guidance standard for 99.999% device reliability. Kaleo is a privately held company headquartered in Richmond, VA. Visit www.kaleo.com to learn more.

CC-US--0136

Attachments
VANCOUVER, June 26, 2023 - 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 Company's 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 Company's 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.
POSITIVE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY AT THE DOROPO GOLD PROJECT

Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") work underway assessing upside opportunities

PERTH, June 27, 2023 - Centamin ("Centamin" or "the Company") (LSE:CEY)(TSX:CEE) is pleased to provide the outcomes of the pre-feasibility study ("PFS") at its Doropo Gold Project ("Doropo") located in north-eastern Cote d'Ivoire, including maiden Mineral Reserves estimate, detailed project parameters and economics, with identified upside opportunities for evaluation during the definitive feasibility study ("DFS").

MARTIN HORGAN, CEO, commented: "The results from the Doropo PFS demonstrate an economically robust project that meets Centamin's hurdle rates to proceed with a definitive feasibility study. A life of mine average production rate of approximately 175kozpa at US$1,000/oz AISC over 10 years delivering an IRR of 26% at a gold price of US$1,600/oz in a well-established mining jurisdiction represents an excellent outcome. We have identified opportunities to further optimise the project which will be assessed as part of the DFS which is scheduled for completion in mid-2024. A substantial part of the DFS fieldwork has already been completed in 2023 which derisks the timeline to completion and further confirms our faith in the potential of Doropo to support a commercially viable project which will bring significant investment and job creation to northeastern Cote d'Ivoire."

HIGHLIGHTS[1]

 Maiden Mineral Reserve Estimate of 1.87 million ounces ("Moz") of Probable Mineral Reserves, at an average grade of 1.44 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"), supporting a 10-year life of mine ("LOM")

 Average annual gold production of 173koz over the LOM, with an average of 210koz in the first five years

 All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of US$1,017 per ounce ("/oz") sold over the LOM, with an average AISC of US$963/oz for the first five years

 The mine plan assumes conventional open pit mining of a sequence of shallow pits

 Mineral processing via a 4.0 to 5.5 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") semi-autogenous grinding ("SAG") mill, ball mill and crusher ("SABC") circuit, and conventional carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit for an average LOM gold metallurgical recovery rate of 92%

 Total construction capital expenditure ("capex") of US$349 million, inclusive of a 10% contingency, with a 2.3 year payback[2] at a US$1,600/oz gold price

 Robust economics with a post-tax net present value of US$330 million and internal rate of return ("IRR") of 26%, using 5% discount rate ("NPV 5% ") and US$1,600/oz gold price (Discount rate and gold price sensitivity table available below)

 Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") and environmental and social impact assessment ("ESIA") completion expected in H1 2024 ahead of mining license submission deadline

 Upside opportunities identified for potential resource and reserve growth and improvements to capital and operating expenditure estimates

 The Company will host a webcast presentation of the Doropo project with the interim financial results on Wednesday, 26 July at 08.30 BST (UK time)



 Link to print-friendly version of the announcement including PFS cash flow summary table

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY

Units Years 1-5 LOM PHYSICALS Mine life Years 5 10 Total ore processed kt 22,138 40,554 Strip ratio w:o 3.9 4.1 Feed grade processed g/t Au 1.59 1.44 Gold recovery % 92.6% 92.4% Total gold production koz 1,048 1,729 PRODUCTION & COSTS Annual gold production oz 210 173 Cash costs US$/oz 813 869 AISC US$/oz 963 1,017 PROJECT ECONOMICS (post-tax and at US$1,600/oz) Construction capital expenditure US$m 349 Cash flow US$m 526 NPV 5% US$m 330 IRR % 26% Payback period years 2.3

POST-TAX NET PRESENT VALUE (US$M) SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Gold price Discount rate US$1,500/oz US$1,600/oz US$1,700/oz US$1,800/oz US$1,900/oz US$2,000/oz 5% 248 330 428 526 624 701 6% 222 300 393 486 579 652 7% 198 272 360 448 536 606 8% 176 247 330 414 497 563 9% 156 223 302 382 461 524 10% 137 201 276 352 428 487

PROJECT CASH FLOW SUMMARY: link

WEBCAST PRESENTATION

The Company will host a webcast presentation with the interim results on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 08.30 BST to discuss the results and Doropo Gold Project, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

Webcast link: https://www.investis-live.com/centamin/64632d444170900d004d0607/lubo



PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION of the announcement: www.centamin.com/media/companynews.

DOROPO GOLD PROJECT PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY

OVERVIEW

The Doropo Gold Project is in the northeast of Cote d'Ivoire, situated in the north-eastern Bounkani region between the Comoe National Park and the international border with Burkina Faso, 480km north of the capital Abidjan and 50km north of the city of Bouna.

The license holding is currently 1,847 km2 and covers thirteen gold deposits, named Souwa, Nokpa, Chegue Main, Chegue South, Tchouahinin, Kekeda, Han, Enioda, Hinda, Nare, Kilosegui, Attire and Vako. Approximately 85% of the gold deposits are concentrated within a 7km radius ("Main Resource Cluster"), with Vako and Kilosegui deposits located within an approximate 15km and 30km radius, respectively.

Geologically, Doropo lies entirely within the Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite domain, bounded on the eastern side by the Boromo-Batie greenstone belt, in Burkina Faso, and by the Tehini-Hounde greenstone belt on the west.

MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES

The PFS is based on the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate for Doropo published in November 2022 (link to regulatory announcement here). The maiden Mineral Reserve estimate has converted 74% of Mineral Resource ounces to Mineral Reserves.

There is potential for additional resource conversion and further resource growth. Several exploration targets have been identified across the license holding which have the potential to increase the resource and reserve base.

Detailed Mineral Resource and Reserve notes can be found within the Endnotes.

Jun-23 Tonnage (Mt) Grade

(g/t) Gold Content (Moz) MINERAL RESERVES Proven - - - Probable 40.55 1.44 1.87 P&P Reserves 40.55 1.44 1.87 MINERAL RESOURCES (including reserves) Measured - - - Indicated 51.51 1.52 2.52 M+I Resources 51.51 1.52 2.52 Inferred 13.67 1.14 0.5

MINING

 11 years of mining operations, including pre-commercial works

 LOM 4.1x strip ratio (waste to ore)

 24 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") peak total material movement

The relatively shallow deposits will be mined using a conventional drill, blast, load and haul open pit operation. The basis for the PFS is a contract mining operation, delivering up to 5.4 Mtpa of ore to the run of mine ("ROM") pad and stockpiles annually, with variation based on the location and the combination of oxide, transition and fresh ore mined. The project plans to mine 41Mt of ore to be fed into the process plant and 166Mt of waste over the life of mine.

PROCESSING

 Free milling gold leads to conventional closed SAG/ball mill and CIL flowsheet

 Mill capacity 5.5Mtpa (oxide/transition ore), 4.0Mtpa (fresh ore)

 Averaging 92% gold recovery over the LOM

Flowsheet development has been supported by extensive metallurgical test work at the PFS stage. The results showed high gold extractions and low reagent consumption results in most fresh rock master composites tested and excellent gold extraction in oxide and transitional master composite samples. As a result the flowsheet has been simplified by removing the pyrite flotation, ultrafine grind circuit and subsequent flotation concentrate leaching circuits which were assumed in the 2021 preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") flowsheet.

Processing at Doropo will involve primary crushing and grinding of the mined ore, using SAG and ball mills in closed circuits to a target grind size (P 80 ) of 75 microns (m) for fresh ore and 106 m for oxide and transition ore. A gravity circuit will recover any native/free gold, before entering the carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit. After which the gold will be recovered by an elution circuit, using electrowinning and gold smelting to recover gold from the loaded carbon to produce dore.

INFRASTRUCTURE

 Access to 90kV national grid for the Doropo project power provision

 Tailings storage facility ("TSF") will be fully geomembrane lined and the embankment will be built using the downstream construction method

Knight Piesold Consulting, the global mining services specialists, carried out a PFS of the site infrastructure for Doropo includingTSF?, water storage/harvest dam, airstrip and haul access road.

The TSF was designed in accordance with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management ("GISTM") and Australian National Committee on Large Dams ("ANCOLD") guidelines. The TSF will be fully lined with a geomembrane liner and constructed by the downstream construction method with annual raises to suit storage requirements. The TSF is designed to have a final capacity of 29Mm or 41Mt of dry tails and will cover a total footprint area (including the basin area) of approximately 346 hectares for the final stage facility.

The power supply for the project will use the Cote d'Ivoire national grid, this offers a cost and potential carbon saving relative to other options including self-generation as the tariff is based on a mix of hydro and thermal generation with a large portion of hydroelectric.The proposed power supply solution for the project is via the existing Bouna Substation which is approximately 55km southeast of Doropo.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

The Company has established engagement forums with local communities and authorities at Doropo through the PFS phase and consulted with project affected communities on impact management and mitigation measures.

The project baseline ESIA was prepared by Earth Systems and H&B Consulting working in conjunction with Centamin. Early development of the baseline ESIA information has allowed its incorporation into the PFS design and decision-making process. The baseline studies indicate 2,000 to 3,000 people may require physical resettlement and up to 5,000 hectares of agricultural land could be impacted by the project development.ThePFS plans for a staged approach to project development, mining sequencing and therefore Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP"), with progressive rehabilitation to help minimise community and physical impacts as resettlement and livelihood restoration outcomes are a key factor for project success.

The project provides a valuable opportunity to boost local social development and regional infrastructure with a commitment to invest 0.5% of project revenues into a social development fund, and through local job creation.

The outer extent of the Doropo project is 7.5km from the Comoe National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Doropois being designed to avoid adverse impacts to the park and its biodiversity, including assessing the opportunity to create a 'buffer-zone' to further safeguard the natural area.

The full ESIA work programme is now underway to support formal mining licence application in 2024 and the inform the DFS work programmes.

COSTS

Operating Costs

Operating cost estimates for mining have been prepared by the consultant Orelogy, through a competitive bid process. Contract mining has been selected as the basis for all the open pit mining activities managed by Centamin's operation team. Cost estimates for processing and general and administration ("G&A") costs were prepared by Lycopodium with input from Centamin. Key input costs used are a delivered diesel price of $1.00 per litre, and power costs of $0.113/kwh, down from the PEA cost of $0.159/kwh due to the ability to utilise grid power versus on-site power generation.

LOM Average Costs

Area Unit Cost Mining US$/t mined 4.1 Processing US$/t processed 12.9 G&A US$/t processed 3.5

Capital Costs

 Total up-front construction capital costs of US$349 million, including US$34 million in contingency

 LOM sustaining capital costs of US$110 million, including closure costs

The below table is an estimate of the initial construction capex prepared by Lycopodium and Knight Piesold. Centamin provided the Owner Project Cost.

Construction Capital Estimate US$m Construction distributable 26 Treatment plant costs 99 Reagents & plant services 18 Infrastructure 73 Mining 19 Management costs 27 Owner project costs 54 Total excl. Contingency 315 Contingency 34 TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CAPEX 349

The below table is an estimate of ongoing capital commitments to sustain operations over the LOM, as well as closure and rehabilitation costs. It uses input from Knight Piesold as well as closure estimates based on similar operations.

Sustaining Capital Estimate US$m Sustaining capital expenditure 80 Closure and rehabilitation 30 TOTAL SUSTAINING CAPEX 110

OWNERSHIP, PERMITTING, TAXES AND ROYALTIES

 Financial modelling based on current Ivorian mining code and tax regime

 Sliding scale royalties between 3%-6% depending on the gold price

 Social development fund royalty of 0.5%

The Doropo project is contained within the current exploration permits that were granted to Centamin's 100% owned subsidiaries, Ampella Mining Cote d'Ivoire and Ampella Mining Exploration Cote d'Ivoire.

Under the current Ivorian mining code, mining permits are subject to a 10% government free-carry ownership interest. However, for the purpose of the PFS project evaluation and disclosures included within this document, the cash flow model is reflected on a 100% project basis.

The financial model has assumed the corporate tax ("CIT") rate of 25% for the LOM, adjusted for a 75% rebate on CIT for the first commercial year of production and 50% rebate on CIT for the second year of commercial production, as per the mining code. The full 25% CIT rate is applied thereafter. The project benefits from a VAT and import duties exemption during the construction phase and until first production.

Royalties are applied to gross sales revenue, after deductions for transport and refining costs and penalties on a sliding scale depending on gold price. Please refer to the table below:

Spot Gold Price (US$/oz) Applicable Royalty Rate <1,000 3.00% 1,000 - 1,300 3.50% 1,300 - 1,600 4.00% 1,600 - 2,000 5.00% >2,000 6.00%

The project will support local development through the payment of a social fund royalty of 0.5% of gross sales revenue.

PROJECT TIMELINE

 Submit mining license application by the middle of 2024

 Final commissioning two years from final investment decision (T=0)

NEXT STEPS

The Company completed a high-level of detailed work during the PFS stage, to de-risk and expedite the delivery of the DFS and meet the mining licence application deadline.

The 2023 Doropo budget remains unchanged and on track at US$23 million, of which US$13.2 million has been spent year to 31 May 2023 primarily on drilling and ESIA baseline study work.

DFS work programmes are underway:

 Drilling: To take advantage of the favourable drilling conditions during the dry season, the DFS drilling programme was prioritised and is 94% complete. To date 64,922 metres have been drilled, costing US$6.1 million:

o 39,649 metres of reverse circulation ("RC") resource infill drilling

o 4,096 metres of diamond drill ("DD") resource infill drilling

o 14,708 metres of RC grade control drilling

o 5,650 metres of DD metallurgical drilling

o 818 metres of DD geotechnical drilling

o The remaining 4,000 to 4,500 metres of drilling to do will be split between some geotechnical drilling, and infill and twin hole drilling at the Vako and Sanboyoro deposits.

 ESIA: Data collection for the ESIA and RAP is underway, including and not limited to extensive public consultation with our local stakeholders. Completion of the draft report is targeted by the end of 2023 for submission to the Ivorian authorities for approval and permitting.

 Desktop and laboratory work programmes, including but not limited to, metallurgical test work to establish grade recovery curves and optimise reagent consumption. Continued geological and hydrological work such as structural interpretation and domaining, refining lithology models, groundwater modelling and geotechnical testing of the main lithologies.

PROJECT UPSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

 Resource upgrade: there are Inferred Mineral Resources situated both outside and within the current pit shells. With additional drilling and metallurgical test work, these resources could support conversion of some of the material into Indicated Mineral Resources which can then be converted into reserves for evaluation and inclusion in the DFS.

o Potential extensions to mineralisation at the Han, Kekeda and Atirre deposits within the Main Resource Cluster

o Potential at depth where the Souwa mineralised structure (which dips north-west) intersects the trending Nokpa mineralised zone

 Additional mineralisation from target areas, systematic surface exploration work has identified multiple exploration targets (gold-in-soil/auger anomalies) across the project footprint. Some targets have been drill tested and warrant further development work, whilst others remain untested. These have the potential to provide resource growth which could be supported by a Mineral Resource Estimation and provide upside potential to the current mine life. Some of the drilling results could be incorporated in the DFS resource update, otherwise, further brownfields exploration will be undertaken during the life of mine.

o At Kilosegui, mineralisation remains open along strike in both directions from the mineral resource area, indicated by gold-in-soil and sample auger geochemical anomalies. In addition, there is a second short parallel structure evident from soil and auger sampling on the south side of the Kilosegui resource area.

o Untested soil anomalies in the Vako-Sanboyoro area 10-15km west of the Main Resource Cluster

o Untested soil anomalies to the North and to the South of the Main Resource Cluster

 Operational cost-saving opportunities

o Further pit optimisation and evaluation of owner-mining, instead of contract-mining, given the Company's extensive operating experience at the Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt.

o Further processing optimisation, including evaluation of the comminution parameters and reagent consumption

 Construction cost-saving opportunities by increasing in-house project execution versus the use of engineering, procurement and construction management contractors.

 Environmental and social opportunities to minimise the requirement for physical community resettlement through the DFS and ESIA workstreams.

ENDNOTES

Investors should be aware that the figures stated are estimates and no assurances can be given that the stated quantities of metal will be produced.

MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE NOTES

Mineral Resource Notes

 Mineral Resource Estimates contained in this document are based on available data as at 25 October 2022.

 The gold grade estimation method is Localised Uniform Conditioning.

 The rounding of tonnage and grade figures has resulted in some columns showing relatively minor discrepancies in sum totals.

 All Mineral Resource Estimates have been determined and reported in accordance with NI 43-101 and the classification adopted by the CIM.

 A cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t gold is used for reporting as it is believed that the majority of the reported resources can be mined at that grade.

 The Mineral Resource cut-off grade of 0.5g/t was established prior to the PFS study, confirming the economic viability of a smaller portion of lower-grade oxide resources. As Centamin proceeds with the DFS, a review and revision of the Mineral Resource cut-off grades for oxide resources will be conducted.

 Pit optimisations based on a US$2,000/oz gold price were used to constrain the 2022 Mineral Resource and were generated by Orelogy Mine Consultants.

 This Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Michael Millad of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd who is the Qualified Person for the estimate.

 This Updated Mineral Resources Estimate is not expected to be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues.

Mineral Reserve Notes

 The Mineral Reserves were estimated for the Doropo Gold Project as part of this PFS by Orelogy Mine Consulting.

 The total Probable Mineral Reserve is estimated at 40.6 Mt at 1.44 g/t Au with a contained gold content of 1.87Moz.

 The Mineral Reserve is reported according to CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2014).

 The mine design and associated Mineral Reserve estimate for the Doropo Gold Project is based on Mineral Resource classified as Indicated from the Cube Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) with an effective date of 25 October 2022.

 Open pit optimizations were run in Whittle 4X using a US$1,500/oz gold price to define the geometry of the economic open pit shapes.

 Mining costs were derived from submissions from mining contractors to a Request for Budget Pricing. Other modifying factors such as processing operating costs and performance, general and administrative overheads, project capital and royalties were provided by Centamin.

 Ore block grade and tonnage dilution was incorporated into the model.

 All figures are rounded to reflect appropriate levels of confidence.

 Apparent differences may occur due to rounding.

 The Mineral Reserve was evaluated using variable cut-off grades of 0.39 to 0.71g/t Au depending on mining area and weathering as detailed in the table below:

Mining Area Unit Weathered Fresh Souwa / Nokpa / Chegue Main & South g/t Au 0.39 0.6 Enioda g/t Au 0.44 0.66 Han g/t Au 0.43 0.64 Kekeda g/t Au 0.42 0.63 Kilosegui g/t Au 0.5 0.71

QUALIFIED PERSONS

A "Qualified Person" is as defined by the National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The named Qualified Person(s) have verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this announcement in accordance with standards appropriate to their qualifications. Each Qualified Person consents to the inclusion of the information in this document in the form and context in which it appears.

Information of a scientific or technical nature in this document, including but not limited to the Mineral Resource estimates, was prepared by and under the supervision of the Centamin Qualified Persons, Howard Bills, Centamin Group Exploration Manager, and Craig Barker, Centamin Group Mineral Resource Manager, in addition to the below independent Qualified Persons.

The following table includes the respective independent Qualified Persons, who have the sign-off responsibilities of the final NI 43-101 Technical Report. All are experts in their relevant disciplines who fulfil the requirements of being a "Qualified Person(s)" under the CIM Definition Standards.

Author(s) Company Discipline Michael Millad Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Stephan Buys Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design and operating estimate Ross Cheyne Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods David Morgan Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design

Independent Technical Consultants

The following table includes the consultant companies that contributed to the Centamin PFS report:

Company Discipline Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Earth Systems Environment and social studies ECG Consulting Power supply and distribution Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design, capital and operating estimate Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods SRK Consulting Open pit geotechnical design TetraTech (Piteau Associates) Hydrology, hydrogeology, geochemical studies

ABOUT CENTAMIN

Centamin is an established gold producer, with premium listings on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Sukari Gold Mine ("Sukari"), Egypt's largest and first modern gold mine, as well as one of the world's largest producing mines. Since production began in 2009 Sukari has produced over 5 million ounces of gold, and today has 6.0Moz in gold Mineral Reserves. Through its large portfolio of exploration assets in Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire, Centamin is advancing an active pipeline of future growth prospects, including the Doropo project in Cote d'Ivoire, and has over 3,000km2 of highly prospective exploration ground in Egypt's Nubian Shield.

Centamin recognises its responsibility to deliver operational and financial performance and create lasting mutual benefit for all stakeholders through good corporate citizenship, including but not limited to in 2022, achieving new safety records; commissioning of the largest hybrid solar farm for a gold mine; sustaining a +95% Egyptian workforce; and, a +60% Egyptian supply chain at Sukari.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit the website www.centamin.com or contact:

Centamin Plc Alexandra Barter-Carse, Head of Corporate Communications

investor@centaminplc.com FTI Consulting Ben Brewerton / Sara Powell / Nick Hennis

+442037271000

centamin@fticonsulting.com



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference) contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements with respect to future financial or operating performance. Such statements include "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlook" with respect to prospective financial performance, financial position, EBITDA, cash flows and other financial metrics that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" and "anticipates" and include production outlook, operating schedules, production profiles, expansion and expansion plans, efficiency gains, production and cost guidance, capital expenditure outlook, exploration spend and other mine plans. Although Centamin believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Centamin can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Centamin about future events and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition, there are a number of factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements; the risks and uncertainties associated with direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19 or other pandemic, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the results of exploration activities and feasibility studies; assumptions in economic evaluations which prove to be inaccurate; currency fluctuations; changes in project parameters; future prices of gold and other metals; possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; climatic conditions; political instability; decisions and regulatory changes enacted by governmental authorities; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or completing development or construction activities; and discovery of archaeological ruins. Financial outlook and future-ordinated financial information contained in this news release is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook or future-ordinated financial information contained or referenced herein may not be appropriate and should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments at the date hereof, and represent, to the best of management's knowledge and opinion, the Company's expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, the risks and uncertainties associated with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

LEI: 213800PDI9G7OUKLPV84

Company No: 109180

[1] 100% project basis, NPV calculated as of the commencement of construction and excludes all pre-construction costs

[2] Payback calculated from the commencement of commercial production

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Centamin Plc

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/763831/Centamin-PLC-Announces-Positive-Doropo-Gold-Project-Pre-feasibility-Study
ir@fissionuranium.com

www.fissionuranium.com

TSX SYMBOL: FCU

OTCQX SYMBOL: FCUUF

FRANKFURT SYMBOL: 2FU

PLS High-Grade Uranium Mine and Mill Project Continues to Advance

KELOWNA, June 27, 2023 - Fission Uranium Corp. ("Fission" or "the company") is pleased to announce it has completed all drilling required for the Front End Engineering Design ("FEED") at its PLS high-grade uranium project in Saskatchewan, Canada. A total of twelve holes were successfully drilled on time and on budget. The data will be used for optimizing the design of the underground mine infrastructure and proposed tailings management facility. Additionally, the Company has appointed Tetra Tech Canada as lead engineering consultant for the FEED stage. Tetra Tech is a globally recognized leader in engineering and consulting services with 550 offices and over 27,000 employees worldwide.

News Highlights

Twelve-hole drill program has been completed on time and on budget at PLS, gathering hydrogeological and geotechnical data for mine infrastructure and facilities

Tetra Tech Canada has been appointed as lead engineering consultant for the FEED

Development at PLS continues to progress on schedule through permitting towards a construction decision

Ross McElroy, President and CEO for Fission, commented, "With all FEED drilling data now in hand, and one of the world's top engineering consulting groups on board, we continue to make excellent progress through this important engineering design stage for the PLS high-grade uranium mine and mill project."

FEED Team

Tetra Tech, as lead consultant during the course of the FEED phase, will be supported by two specialist engineering companies: Clifton Engineering and Mining Plus. Clifton is an award-winning engineering and environmental consultancy retained by Fission to work on the Tailings Management Facility section of the FEED. Mining Plus is a global mining services provider specialising in geology, mining engineering & geotechnical engineering, which Fission has hired to work on the underground mine section of the FEED.

PLS Mineralized Trend & Triple R Deposit Summary

Uranium mineralization of the Triple R deposit at PLS occurs within the Patterson Lake Conductive Corridor and has been traced by core drilling over ~3.18 km of east-west strike length in five separated mineralized "zones", which collectively make up the Triple R deposit. From west to east, these zones are R1515W, R840W, R00E, R780E and R1620E. Through successful exploration programs completed to date, Triple R has evolved into a large, near-surface, basement-hosted, structurally controlled high-grade uranium deposit. The discovery hole was announced on November 05, 2012, with drill hole PLS12-022 from what is now referred to as the R00E zone.

The R1515W, R840W and R00E zones make up the western region of the Triple R deposit and are located on land, where overburden thickness is generally between 55 m to 100 m. R1515W is the westernmost of the zones and is drill defined to ~90 m in strike length, ~68 m across strike and ~220 m vertical and where mineralization remains open in several directions. R840W is located ~515 m to the east along the strike of R1515W and has a drill-defined strike length of ~430 m. R00E is located ~485 m to the east along strike of R840W and is drill defined to ~115 m in strike length. The R780E and R1620E zones make up the eastern region of the Triple R deposit. Both zones are located beneath Patterson Lake, where water depth is generally less than six metres, and overburden thickness is generally about 50 m. R780E is located ~225 m to the east of R00E and has a drill-defined strike length of ~945 m. R1620E is located ~210 m along strike to the east of R780E and is drill defined to ~185 m in strike length.

Mineralization along the Patterson Lake Corridor trend remains prospective along strike in both the western and eastern directions. Basement rocks within the mineralized trend are identified primarily as mafic volcanic rocks with varying degrees of alteration. Mineralization is both located within and associated with mafic volcanic intrusives with varying degrees of silicification, metasomatic mineral assemblages and hydrothermal graphite. The graphitic sequences are associated with the PL-3B basement Electro-Magnetic (EM) conductor.

Patterson Lake South Property

The 31,039-hectare PLS project is 100% owned and operated by Fission Uranium Corp. PLS is accessible by road with primary access from all-weather Highway 955, which runs north to the former Cluff Lake mine.

Qualified Persons

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., President and CEO for Fission Uranium Corp., a qualified person.

About Fission Uranium Corp.

Fission Uranium Corp. is an award-winning Canadian-based resource company specializing in uranium exploration and development. The company is the owner and developer of the PLS uranium project - a proposed high-grade mine and mill located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada. The company is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ross McElroy"

___________________________

Ross McElroy, President and COO

Cautionary Statement:

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Fission and Fission Uranium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company and Fission Uranium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Fission Uranium Corp.
Vancouver, June 27, 2023 - Tearlach Resources Ltd. (TSXV:TEA) (OTC:TELHF) (FRANKFURT:V44) ("Tearlach" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has started mapping and sampling on our Georgina Stairs Lithium Project in the Georgia Lake pegmatite field, Jellicoe, Ontario. Mapping targets are being generated daily and followed up by Tearlach's geology team. The Project is located 9 km east of Rock Tech Lithium's Georgia Lake Project and is being explored for lithium mineralization hosted in spodumene pegmatites.

Highlights:

Data compilation on the Project area, including topography, geology and geophysics data, was completed in the spring of 2023 and used to identify specific exploration targets in the Project area.

Satellite images were used to identify outcrops, access roads and logged areas.

172 sample locations were described in the month of May.

76 samples have been submitted to the lab for assays.

20 granite outcrops were discovered and sampled.

Tearlach signed an MOU with four local First Nation communities.

Tearlach's geology team has discovered 20 granite outcrops hosted by biotite metasedimentary rocks on the Georgina Stairs claim block, whereas previously Ontario Regional Geology Map (MRD126) indicated that there was no granite on the claim block (Figure 1). The medium- to coarse-grained biotite granite outcrops occur in the southern part of the claim block. The mapping results have been interpreted and indicate three (3) exploration target areas for additional mapping. The discovery of granite is important because pegmatite dykes are derived from granite. For example, Rock Tech's spodumene pegmatites are hosted by metasedimentary rocks in close proximity to granites.

A total of 172 sample locations were described in the month of May, of which 76 samples were submitted to Actlabs, Geraldton location for assay. Results are pending. The samples include granite to examine their rare-element content and metasediments to examine rare-element metasomatism as an indicator of blind pegmatites. Diabase was also sampled to distinguish between different generations of sills and dykes to see if one generation is associated with pegmatites. The Li, Rb, Cs, Nb, Ta and Be content of the granite will be plotted on a map to determine in which direction these rare-elements are increasing. This will be the direction to look for the possible presence of pegmatites.

Prospecting is ongoing and has been facilitated by access from the Peck Lake Road, which passes north to south through the middle of the property, and there are many logging trails on the Property (Figure 1). The geology team has been able to park the truck next to the outcrops.

The Project is underexplored in part because it is located outside E.G. Pye's Georgia Lake Area map (Ontario Geological Survey, M2056, 1964), which has guided lithium pegmatite exploration in the area for many decades. The majority of the Property has had no historical exploration on it despite being so close to the Trans Canada Highway. The limited historical exploration on the Property consists of drilling in 1972 and 1973 in search of sulphides and prospecting in 2009 and 2011 also for sulphides.

The Property's geology is similar to Rock Tech Lithium's Georgia Lake Project and is 9 km east of Rock Tech's spodumene pegmatites. The geology is also similar to Balkan Mining and Minerals Limited's Gorge Lithium Project and is located 4.7 km north of their spodumene pegmatites.

Dr. Selway, VP of Exploration for Tearlach, commented, "I am pleased to finally get into the field to look at the rocks on the Georgina Stairs Property. Tearlach staked the property in February 2023. The discovery of granite on the property is a good first step to finding pegmatites."

Tearlach welcomes Aboriginal Consultation and has met with four First Nation communities (Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek and the Red Rock Indian Band) with traditional territories on Georgina Stairs Property face-to-face on April 20 and 21, 2023. These meetings led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") dated May 9, 2023, with all four communities. Tearlach has also hired a member of the First Nation communities as a geological assistant to join our geology team, as he has excellent knowledge of and experience hunting and fishing in our project area.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1. Geology map for Georgina Stairs Project, Jellicoe, NW Ontario.

Qualified Person:

Julie Selway, Ph.D., P.Geo. supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that formed the basis for the written disclosure in this news release. Dr. Selway is the VP of Exploration for Tearlach Resources and the Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Tearlach:

Tearlach, a member of the TSX Venture 50, is a Canadian exploration company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and developing lithium projects. Tearlach is focused on advancing its flagship Gabriel Project in Tonopah, Nevada, bordering American Lithium's TLC Deposit, and has completed 11 drill holes on the Gabriel Property. Tearlach has three lithium assets in Ontario: Final Frontier, Georgina Stairs, and New Frontier. Final Frontier is located adjacent to and near Frontier Lithium's PAK lithium deposit north of Red Lake. Georgina Stairs is located northeast of Rock Tech Lithium's Georgia Lake deposit near Beardmore. Tearlach has two lithium assets in Quebec: Rose-Fliszar-Muscovite Project in the James Bay area and Shelby Project adjacent to and near Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette lithium project and Winsome Resources' Cancet and Adina lithium projects. Tearlach also has the Savant Property, an exploration stage Gold-Silver-Copper Property, in Northwestern Ontario. Tearlach's primary objective is to position itself as North America's leading lithium exploration and development company. For more information, please get in touch with the Company at info@tearlach.ca or visit our website at www.tearlach.ca for project updates and related background information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Tearlach Resources Ltd.

Charles Ross

Chief Executive Officer

Suite 610 - 700 W. Pender Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8

Tel: 604-688-5007

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Statements and information that are not historical facts 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 and the assumptions made in respect thereof involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions of the Company. Mineral exploration is highly speculative and characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date herein. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Toronto, June 27, 2023 - QC Copper and Gold Inc. (TSXV: QCCU) (OTCQB: QCCUF) ("QC Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed all obligations under its option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Opemiska Project.

"This achievement marks a significant milestone for QC Copper's journey, and we express our gratitude to the vendors, Ex-In and the Gaucher family, for their partnership in the development of Opemiska, with the common goal of establishing the next copper and gold open pit mine in Canada," said Stephen Stewart, QC Copper CEO.

As per the Company's news release on December 12, 2018, QC Copper and Explorateurs-Innovateurs de Quebec Inc. ("Ex-In"), a private arms-length company, entered into a definitive agreement to provide the Company with a 100% interest in the Opemiska Project.

For the latest videos from QC Copper & Gold, Ore Group, and all things Mining, subscribe to our:

YouTube Chanel here.

About the Opemiska Copper Complex

The Opemiska Copper Complex is adjacent to Chapais, Quebec, within the Chibougamau district. Opemiska is also within the Abitibi Greenstone belt and within the boundaries of the Province of Quebec's Plan Nord, which promotes and funds infrastructure and development of natural resource projects. The greater Opemiska property, which includes the Ex-In option, the object of the current news release, covers 24,412 hectares and covers the past producing Springer, Perry, Robitaille and Cooke mines, previously-owned and operated by Falconbridge between 1953-1991. The project hosts excellent on-site infrastructure, including a power station and direct access to Highway 113 and the Canadian National Railway.

For information and updates on QC Copper and Gold, please visit: www.qccopper.com

And please follow us on Twitter @qccoppergold

To speak to the Company directly, please contact:

Stephen Stewart, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 416.644.1567

Email: sstewart@qccopper.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. 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. QC Copper and Gold Inc. 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 QC Copper and Gold Inc. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by QC Copper and Gold Inc. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under QC Copper and Gold Inc. profile at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171382
Vancouver, June 27, 2023 - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE:ERKA) (OTC:SCMCF) (FWB:S580) ("Eureka" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has appointed Independent Trading Group, Inc. ("ITG") as a market maker for its shares traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE").

ITG is a leading Canadian broker dealer, providing liquidity and execution services to clients around the world. As a market maker for Eureka, ITG will strive to enhance the liquidity of, and contribute to a fair and orderly market for Eureka's shares in accordance with the policies of the CSE by buying and selling Eureka's shares on the CSE as well as other alternative Canadian trading venues.

Jeff Wilson, CEO of Eureka, commented, "ITG brings tremendous experience and commitment to outstanding client service, which we believe will help Eureka deliver the best possible trading experience for our investors. This is an important step forward for the Company and we are eager to work with ITG."

"ITG is excited to be working with Eureka to provide market-making services to their growing shareholder base," said ITG's Managing Director, Jeff Gamble. "Our experienced traders and proven technology will help to provide a liquid and efficient trading environment for Eureka shares."

ITG is a wholly owned subsidiary of DVX Capital Markets. The contract with ITG is for an initial 3-month period, with automatic monthly extensions thereafter for a monthly fee of CDN $5,000. ITG will not receive shares or options as compensation for its services. ITG and Eureka are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and, at the time of the agreement for ITG's services, to the knowledge of the Company, neither ITG nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company.

About Independent Trading Group

Independent Trading Group, Inc. is a Toronto based IIROC dealer-member that specializes in market making, liquidity provision, agency execution, ultra-low latency connectivity, and bespoke algorithmic trading solutions. Established in 1992, with a focus on market structure, execution and trading, ITG has leveraged its own proprietary technology to deliver high quality liquidity provision and execution services to a broad array of public issuers and institutional investors.

The Company also announces an agreement with MIC Market Information & Content Publishing GmbH ("MIC") (Address: Gerhart-Hauptmann-St. 49b 51379 Leverkusen; email: contact@micpublishing.de; phone: +49 2171-7766628) for marketing services beginning June 27th, 2023 and to be provided until August 30th, 2023 or until budget exhaustion. MIC will utilize their online programs with the aim of increasing investor awareness and interest in the company through various online platforms and methods of engagement in consideration of EUR 250,000. The promotional activity will occur by email, Facebook, and Google. MIC does not have any prior relationship with the Company, and will not receive any shares of the Company as compensation.

The Company is pleased to announce that its website www.eurekalithiumcorp.com is now live.

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:

Jeffrey Wilson: Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: jeffreyrwilson1@gmail.com

Website: www.eurekalithiumcorp.com

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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 forward-looking statements We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

FOR CANADIAN DISSEMINATION ONLY

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Timmins, June 27, 2023 - Melkior Resources Inc. ("Melkior" or the "Company") (TSXV:MKR) (OTC:MKRIF) is pleased to announce it has closed the final tranche of a non-brokered flow-through and non-flow-through private placement (the "Private Placement") for gross proceeds of C$144,000, subject to final TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") approval. The Company raised a total of $803,266 with this final closing combined with the first tranche of $659,266 that closed on June 12, 2023, resulting in the issuance of 2,663,609 flow-through common shares and 100,000 non-flow-through common shares.

The Company issued 600,000 common shares at a price of $0.24 per common share, with each such share issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada)(the "Tax Act").

Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Melkior, remarks, "We appreciate the continued support from our current and new shareholders, which positions the Company well for 2023/2024 with over $2.7 million in working capital and only 31.1 million shares outstanding. We look forward to continuing our work at Genex, the summer field program at Beschefer East, updates from our partnership at Carscallen, and potential property acquisitions."

Proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to conduct further exploration on the Company's mineral properties. The Company issued 42,000 finders' warrants exercisable for a period of 24 months at an exercise price of $0.24 and paid finders' fees of $10,080 in respect of the Private Placement as permitted by the policies of the TSXV and applicable securities laws.

All securities issued under the Private Placement will have a hold period of four months and a day from closing.

About Melkior Resources

Melkior Resources is an exploration stage resource company in world-class mining jurisdictions with a strong partner. Melkior's flagship Carscallen Project is being advanced by Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. through an option agreement pursuant to which Agnico Eagle has the option (but not the obligation) to acquire up to a 75% interest to the Carscallen Project by spending $110 million on the Carscallen Project over a 10-year period. See the Company's news release dated September 28, 2020 for more information. Melkior, under 100% ownership, is focused on advancing its Genex, Val D'Or, White Lake and Maseres Projects. Agnico Eagle also owns approximately 6% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Company.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Jonathon Deluce, CEO

For more information, please contact:

Melkior Resources Inc.

E-mail: info@melkior.com

Tel: 226-271-5170

The reader is invited to visit Melkior's web site www.melkior.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.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Ottawa, June 27, 2023 - Stria Lithium Inc. ("Stria" or the "Company") (TSXV:SRA), (OTC:SRCAF) an emerging resource exploration company developing Canadian lithium reserves to meet legislated demand for electric vehicles and their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce it has successfully entered a definitive option agreement to acquire 100% ownership of mineral properties adjacent to its Pontax II Project in the lithium-rich Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of Quebec, Canada.

The 24 claims, for 1276.5 hectares, are strategically located northeast of Stria's recently acquired Pontax II project and along the prospective Chambois Greenstone Belt hosting spodumene bearing pegmatites.

The new claims are in highly active prospective zones, situated to the south west of Stria/Cygnus lithium discovery and situated to the west of the Patriot Battery Metals (PMET.V) Pontax project, and south of Brunswick Exploration (BRW.V). The properties are also close to the Nemiscau-LaGrande boundary zone in a geological environment similar to the nearby Allkem James Bay Lithium project1 with a published Mineral Reserve Estimate of 40.3Mt at 1.4% Li2O.

The region, known as the Canadian "Lithium Triangle," is one of only a few known sources of lithium available for hard rock mining in North America. In addition, the two properties recently acquired by Stria are accessible by the major paved highway connecting the James Bay region to Quebec's industrial and urban areas to the south. They are also close to an industrial powerline and commercial accommodation.

Dean Hanisch, CEO of Stria Lithium, said today: "Stria's successful 100% option of these 24 claims are strategic for Stria New Pontax II project. Our first project Pontax Central is being developed rapidly under the astute leadership of Cygnus metals, who have stated they expect a resource estimate within the next few months. As we move forward to aggressively exploring Pontax II it was key to expand our land package in this direction. An exploration prospecting program has been slated for this July."

The proximity of these properties to Pontax1 (Central) also allows us to capitalize on our experience, expertise and resources, creating economies of scale and opportunities to expedite exploration and development at all of Stria's rapidly expanding assets in the area.

Stria is also pleased to announce it has staked 3 new property claims based on glacial till samples within the region for a total of 76 claims and 4062 hectares.

1 Allkem's James Bay Lithium project:

NI 43-101 compliant Indicated mineral resources of 40.33 Mt @ 1.40% Li2O dated Nov. 23, 2017. Source: G Mining Services Inc., 2022. NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study James Bay Lithium Project, Quebec; Effective date, January 11, 2022 (available at: https://www.allkem.co/projects/james-bay).



Figure 1: Newly acquired VCT claims - Pontax 2 property



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 2: Reginal map and newly acquired VCT claims and newly staked claims



Click Image To View Full Size

Transaction Details

The latest mineral property acquisitions named VCT options will be added to the Pontax 2 project and is being financed entirely from Stria's cash reserves.

Stria has purchased 24 adjacent claims as follows ($CAD):

VCT Claims (Private Stakeholder)

 Phase I:

o 24 mineral claims totalling 1276.5 hectares

o Payment of $25,000 plus 100,000 common shares of Stria Inc. on closing

On or before 18 months, at Stria's option to proceed

 Phase II: Payment of $40,000 plus 250,000 common shares of Stria

Royalty of 1% with an option to buy back 50% for 200K

About Stria Lithium

Stria Lithium (TSX-V: SRA) is an emerging resource exploration company developing Canadian lithium reserves in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of Quebec, Canada, to meet legislated demand for electric vehicles and their rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium is a rare metal and an indispensable component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, one of the safest and most efficient energy storage technologies available today, used in everything from cell phones and power tools to electric cars and industrial-scale energy storage for renewable power sources such as wind and solar generation.

Stria's Central Pontax Lithium project covers 36 square kilometres, including 8 kilometres of strike along the prospective Chambois Greenstone Belt. Stria's Pontax II lithium project is due south east to Pontax Central. These 104 individual claims totalling 5535 hectares (55 square kilometres) are on strike with stria's existing Pontax Central project along the prospective Chambois Greenstone belt hosting spodumene bearing pegmatites. These key newly acquired adjacent VCT claims add to the land position of Pontax II and pave the way for uniformed exploration work to begin during July 2023.

The Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory of Quebec is one of only a few known sources of lithium available for hard rock mining in North America. All of Stria's properties in the region are situated close to an industrial powerline and a major paved highway that connects the northern region with the industrial and urban centres to the south.

As momentum builds for the green energy revolution and the shift to electric vehicles, governments in Canada and the U.S. are aggressively supporting the North American lithium industry, presenting the industry and its investors with a rare, if not unprecedented, opportunity for growth and prosperity well into the next decade and beyond.

Cygnus Metals is committed to fully funding and managing the current two-stage exploration and drilling program to a maximum of $10 million at Stria's Central Pontax Property, and will also pay Stria up to $6 million in cash. In return, Cygnus Metals may acquire up to a 70% interest in the Pontax Central Property.

Stria can acquire 100% ownership of VCT any time as per details of the agreement above.

Stria is committed to exceeding the industry's environmental, social and governance standards. A critical part of that commitment is forging meaningful, enduring and mutually beneficial relationships with the James Bay Cree Nation (Eeyouch), and engaging openly and respectfully as neighbours and collaborators in this exciting project that has the potential to create lasting jobs and prosperity for Eeyou Istchee and its people.

The technical content disclosed in the current press release was reviewed and approved by Rejean Girard, P.Geo and president of IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc, a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI-43-101.

For more information about Stria Lithium and the Pontax Lithium project, please visit https://strialithium.com

Follow us on:

Twitter@StriaLithium

Instagram@strialithium

Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/strialithium

LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/stria-lithium/

For more information on Stria Lithium Inc., please contact:

Dean Hanisch

CEO Stria Lithium

dhanisch@strialithium.com

+1(613) 612-6060

Investors Relations, Stria Lithium Inc.

ir@strialithium.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 accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, 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" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date 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 anticipated in the forward-looking information. Please refer to the risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Vancouver, June 27, 2023 - 79 Resources Ltd. (CSE:SNR)("79 Resources" or the "Corporation") today provides the following corporate update.

Director Appointment

The Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Eugene Hodgson to its Board of Directors (the "Board Appointment"), the Board Appointment having immediate effect.

Mr. Hodgson has had an extensive career in the capital markets and with listed issuers incorporating leadership roles in a diverse range of private industry companies, including currently as the Chief Financial Officer at Tevano Systems Holdings Inc. which holds Aqua-Eo Ltd., an ESG-focused industrial technologies company that is developing commercial extraction solutions for lithium and other critical minerals by way of effluent treatment for the mining and oil & gas sectors. Mr. Hodgson has also served as an investment banker at Corpfinance International Inc. for 11 years, specializing in infrastructure debt and equity financing and his experience includes First Nations negotiations, corporate and financial strategy development as well as public issuer undertakings. He is an experienced corporate director and has served on the boards of numerous public companies throughout his well-established career.

Incentive Stock Option Grant

Subsequent to the Board Appointment, the Corporation further announces that it has today granted the aggregate of 3,000,000 incentive stock options, having an exercise price of $0.05 each, to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Corporation.

The incentive stock options are exercisable for a period of 60 months, vest immediately and are subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the terms of the Corporation's stock option plan.

About 79 Resources Ltd. (CSE:SNR)

79 Resources is a Vancouver-based junior mining exploration company. Traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol SNR, the Corporation seeks to acquire, explore and develop mineral exploration projects. 79 Resources is currently focused on its Five Point Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia and holds the North Preston Uranium Project in Saskatchewan. For additional information, please visit www.79resources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Ryan Kalt

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

Email: info@79resources.com

Tel: 604.687.2038

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, June 27, 2023 - Western Copper and Gold Corp. ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE: WRN) announces the voting results from the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on June 27, 2023.

Shareholders voted in favour of setting the number of directors at five (5) and elected all directors, as follows:

Director Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Tara Christie 71,492,356 98.09 % 1,391,025 1.91 % Michael Vitton 71,981,699 98.76 % 901,682 1.24 % Bill Williams 72,321,112 99.23 % 562,269 0.77 % Kenneth Williamson 72,164,913 99.01 % 718,468 0.99 % Klaus Zeitler 71,323,374 97.86 % 1,560,007 2.14 %



Shareholders also approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company and authorized the directors to set their remuneration.

The Company's report of voting results will be available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), and on the Company's website.

CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT

The Company informs that Mr. Cam Brown is stepping down from his position as Vice President Engineering and effective July 1, 2023 will no longer be an officer of the Company, but will continue to remain employed by the Company as a Special Technical Advisor. The Company would like to thank Mr. Brown for his valued contribution as an officer of the Company and congratulates him in his new role.

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corp. is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the board,

"Paul West-Sells"

Dr. Paul West-Sells

President and CEO

Western Copper and Gold Corp.

SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corp.
5 Key Education Trends

Human capital is perhaps the single most important long-term driver of an economy, wrote Rebecca Strauss, associate director for the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Renewing America publications. Smarter workers are more productive and innovative. It is an economists rule that an increase of one year in a countrys average schooling level corresponds to an increase of 3 to 4 percent in long-term economic growth. Most of the value added in the modern global economy is now knowledge based.Strauss was discussing a 2013 CFR study, which found the United States had slipped 10 spots in both high school and college graduation rates in the last three decades. Other studies show similar results. According to a global report by Pearson, the U.S. ranked 17th in the developed world for education, with Finland and South Korea placing 1st and 2nd, respectively.As the U.S. is part of a global economy with education systems that are producing increasingly competitive students, it must operate in an emerging paradigm that is marked by changing demographics, methods, technology, funding and accountability. IBM refers to this paradigm as the educational continuum, which creates a smarter way of achieving economic objectives by aligning talent in the form of precious human capital in a region to the growth initiatives of a labor market.But to anticipate and embrace the continuum, education and government leaders need to understand the shifting dynamics and trends impacting students, teachers and leaders. Capitalizing on these trends can enable an education system to create transformation for the future.With connectivity already globally pervasive, a plethora of new devices will emerge over the next decade as microchips continue to proliferate and technology becomes even more affordable. By the beginning of the next decade, the number of unique objects connected wirelessly to the Internet should reach 27 billion. Thereafter, the number of connected devices is expected to double every five years.Data analytics will serve as a foundation for transformation in education by improving how governments, schools, colleges and universities allocate resources, create and deliver curricula, assess learning and teaching, and support student success. Analytics translates volumes of data into insights for policy makers, administrators and educators alike so they can identify which academic practices and programs work best and where investments should be directed. By turning masses of data into useful intelligence, educational institutions can create smarter schools for now and for the future.Students and parents are increasingly free to choose from a wide variety of primary and supplementary educational services (including online learning) from providers that complement their needs, abilities, means and preferences. Students can seek out relevant instructional materials that help them master particular concepts and then augment their experiences with online videos and supplemental courseware. Instructors have access to learning materials that enable them to build personal learning programs for remediation of low-performing students or acceleration of more challenging paths for advanced students.Employers are increasingly hiring workers who possess job-related skills and foundational competencies that indicate an individuals ability to adapt to changing markets and economic circumstances, including the increasing globalization of business. Workers of the future will be expected to solve problems that have not been encountered before; assimilate data from proprietary and unconnected sources; derive insights to make decisions; and communicate effectively in ways that transcend languages, countries and societal boundaries.Education is a key differentiator in developing the workforce talent to create and sustain economic prosperity in the 21st century. Local and national leaders are calling for closer alignment between educational systems and the economic development initiatives and goals of their regions. New partnerships and interactions among governments, employers, educational institutions, teachers, parents and students will be essential. Data from such partnerships will help create a better understanding of the global workforce. Employers, policy makers and administrators alike should support better alignment between jobs that are produced by economies around the world and the graduates produced by educational systems locally.These trends require educational systems to respond boldly. To be successful, leaders need to adopt and implement advanced and predictive tools, any device learning, student-centered processes and learning communities. U.S. governmental and educational leaders must increasingly view education as an integral component in a sustainable foundation for economic recovery and long-term health.Educational systems need to transition from outcome metrics that assess the performance of individual institutions to measuring the efficacy of the entire system in contributing to economic goals.To learn more, read  The Future of Learning: Enabling Economic Growth ."
The financial vulnerability so many Americans are experiencing in the current health and economic crisis is being felt as well by many of our nearly 19 million state and local government workers, 56 percent of whom report suffering financially as a result of the pandemic recession. In an effort to ensure benefit sustainability and adequacy, many governments in recent years have reformed retirement and health plans, often shifting more costs and decision-making onto individual employees. As a result, it is increasingly clear that now is the time for public-sector employers of all sizes and types to incorporate financial wellness programs into their employee-benefit offerings.Though 65 percent of state and local government employees believe it is important for their employers to offer a financial literacy program, only 29 percent of those governments have such a program. Yet even before the pandemic, 88 percent of public-sector employees reported worrying about their finances and financial decision-making, and two-thirds reported worrying about these while at work.Since March, state and local employment has contracted by some 1.1 million jobs . The longer-term impact that the current economy will have on state and local revenues and public workforce employment levels is still unclear, but at the individual level 47 percent of state and local workers predict that their own financial situations will worsen. The need for financial wellness in the public sector is far from new, but it has certainly been exacerbated.The benefits of financial wellness programs for governments go beyond simple concern for employees' wellbeing. Going into 2020, governments struggled to recruit and retain enough employees with the essential skills needed to fill key positions at a time when low national and regional unemployment rates supercharged talent competition. The revenue losses and reduced government hiring resulting from the pandemic have pushed that problem aside for now, but there's every reason to think it will return to center stage when the economy begins to recover.In the near term, financial wellness programs will help public-sector workers mitigate the impacts of the current economy. In the longer term, the programs will help demonstrate that states and localities want to invest in their employees, assist them in planning for important financial life events, and aim to reduce workplace stress, all of which increase job satisfaction, retention and productivity.Financial wellness programs encompass a broad range of financial-literacy subjects , from retirement planning to budgeting to home ownership to managing debt, savings and medical expenses. While these programs have been expanding overall, they are not one-size-fits-all. An effective program requires an acute understanding of a given audience's particular needs, and few initiatives have been developed and tailored for use by either state and local government workers, or subsets of employees within the sector.In an effort to improve the financial wellness of the state and local public-sector workforce, our organizations have collaborated and, with the support of the Wells Fargo Foundation, created a new national initiative that has provided financial wellness grants to state and local governments. Twenty-four organizations recently received a combined total of nearly $1.4 million from the initiative to establish financial wellness programs or improve existing ones.Additionally, new digital tools will assist public-sector organizations in their ongoing efforts to promote financial wellness. Whether or not entities received a grant, they will be able to use these tools to help build a common understanding of financial wellness with employees, support the development of new or ongoing policies and/or programs, and garner public support and participation. These resources aim to assist programs in guiding public-sector employees toward both their short-term and long-term financial goals, while taking into account their various life stages and broad array of financial management and planning needs.While industry experts are predicting that financial wellness will become a main priority for employers following the pandemic, we must continue taking steps to ensure that this includes public-sector employees and their unique attributes. In creating these resources and supporting existing programs, we hope to help governments take action.GoverningGoverning
Embrace digital eco-systems to scale up  Governor urges financial institutions

Kester Aburam Korankye Business News Jun - 27 - 2023 , 04:40

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Ernest Addison, has said the success of digital platforms and ecosystems depends on the active participation and collaboration of all financial institutions and private businesses.

He said all stakeholders must, therefore, embrace digital initiatives and make them work for their respective businesses as joining such platforms and leveraging digital technologies could help financial institutions to expand their reach, enhance efficiency and unlock new market opportunities.

Dr Addison said private businesses, on the other hand, could tap into the vast potential of intra-African trade, access a wider customer base, and foster mutually beneficial partnerships.

Together, we can create a thriving digital ecosystem that drives economic growth, boosts investment, and propels Africa forward, Dr Addison said at the 30th AFREXIM Bank annual meetings and stakeholder side event in Accra last week.

It was held on the theme, Unlocking Africas Trade, investment and commerce opportunities leveraging digital platforms and Ecosystems.

Digital economy

He said facilitating SMEs participation in the digital economy would enhance efficiency, extend market reach, and build their capacity to generate employment opportunities and boost economic growth.

The broad-based acceptance of digital payments by SMEs will scale up products and services deployment, and provide digital footprints for improved credit services by financial service providers, he said.

The central bank, Dr Addison said, was committed to supporting digitalisation and providing an enabling regulatory environment for Fintechs and financial institutions to unlock Africa's trade, investment and commerce opportunities leveraging digital platforms and ecosystems.

Our involvement in the MANSA Platform and integration with the PAPSS platform are concrete contributions that aim to streamline processes, enhance transparency and facilitate seamless transactions.

We invite all financial institutions and private businesses to actively participate in these initiatives and harness the transformative power of digitalisation, he said.

Partnerships

Dr Addison said the government was currently working with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to develop a Business sans Borders project aimed at boosting the international trade prospects of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He said the project aimed at bringing on board financial service providers to build mutual access to enhance information to facilitate non-collateralised lending based on borrower intent to pay.

Through the implementation of digital trade platforms for market discovery, the project is expected to significantly impact SMEs in both countries to reach new markets and expand production.

This solution has been admitted to the Bank of Ghanas regulatory sandbox for testing and I am of the firm conviction that the success of this bold solution could be replicated in other countries under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project, he said.

The Business sans Borders is a groundbreaking public initiative led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

It is a hybrid global meta-hub for businesses and digital services that enables enhanced domestic and international trade opportunities for SMEs, Interoperability between SME ecosystems and Quick and intuitive access to the provision of digital services with seamless integration, among others.

The project is aligned with the governments national digitisation agenda, as well as the Bank of Ghanas cash lite and financial inclusion agenda, which has led to the implementation of widespread reforms in the payment and settlement systems.
Graphic MD, 43 others honoured at 13th Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executives Awards

Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jun - 27 - 2023 , 03:50

44 industry leaders have been honoured at the 13th edition of the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executives Awards organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana.

The awards ceremony seek to celebrate and honour entrepreneurs, corporate, and public service who have made significant impact on the economy, sustained business performance and adhered to good corporate governance principles and demonstrated outstanding leadership and significant business success in their respective fields over the past years.

The event held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Friday was on the theme: Promoting Business Cooperation between Private and Public Sector Development in Ghana.

It brought together industry leaders and professionals to network and discuss strategies for fostering business cooperation between the private and public sectors in Ghana.

Winners

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, received the Lifetime Achievement Award; the Outstanding Ambassador of the Year was the Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir, while the Greatest Entrepreneur of All Time went to the Executive Chairman of Delta Paper Mill Ltd and Alpha Industries Ltd.

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 and the Director-General of the Social Security & National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) winning the Outstanding Public Service Personality Award.

The Managing Director (MD) of Engen Ghana Limited, Brent Nartey, won the Most Promising Corporate CEO; the MD of ABSA Bank Ghana, Abena Osei-Poku, received the Outstanding Corporate CEO award while the MD of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) was the Outstanding Corporate CEO Award-Print Media Service.

The CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr Efua Asabea Asare, received the Outstanding Public Service CEO Award - Trade and Export Development Sector; the CEO of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah won the Outstanding Public Service CEO Award- Digital Information Technology Sector; the CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yofi Grant, won the Outstanding Public Service CEO Award-Business and Investment Development Services while the CEO of BOST, Edwin Provencal, received the Outstanding Public Service CEO Award- Petroleum Storage and Transportation Sector.

Government interference

The Founder and President of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana, Sam Ato Gaisie, said SMEs were the backbone of every economy therefore it was necessary as a country to look at how best entrepreneurs could be supported to compete with entrepreneurs in Africa.

However, he mentioned the change of government as a major challenge that interfered with the growth of many entrepreneurs in the country.

There is the need for us to look at how best we can support our entrepreneurs to get to the level of Dangote. But another problem we have as Africans is that the change of government sometimes affects some of these companies. There should be a system where the government is not allowed to interfere in the operations of businesses in the country, he added

Creating enabling environment

Congratulating the awardees for their immense contribution to the countrys economy, the Director-General of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Edward Boateng, said 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 explained that SIGA 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, he 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.
IPPs demand 30% of $1.4bn debt: To keep lights on, Kick against debt restructuring

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Jun - 27 - 2023 , 06:25

EVEN before government presents a formal proposal to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) on how it intends to restructure a US$1.4 billion debt, in a second round of domestic debt rationalisation, the group of six say any debt restructuring discussion is off the table.

Consequently, the IPPs have made a demand for the government to immediately pay 30 per cent of the debt, noting that failure to do so would mean they cant guarantee power supplies beyond June 30, 2023.

This stand by the IPPs have sparked fears of an impending load shedding exercise, and also threaten governments objectives of reforming the energy sector under the extended credit facility (ECF) programme with the nternational Monetary Fund (IMF).

Following the approval of Ghanas IMF programme by the Executive Board in May, the Bretton Woods institution released the first tranche of US$600 million out of the US$3 billion to the country.

A key condition to trigger the additional US$600 million budgetary support which is due in September is for the government to institute measures to reform the Energy Sector, which is reeling under legacy debts totalling US$2 billion as of May 2023 and an estimated debt projection of US$5.9 billion between 2023 and 2025.

It is expected that the structural reforms in the energy sector should reduce the shortfall by at least US$2.95 billion over the period.

As part of the reforms, the government is seeking to also restructure its debt of about US$1.4 billion owed to six Independent Power Producers (IPPS) between January 2022 and March 2023.

The government is, however, faced with some challenges in this regard as the IPPs, who produce about 65 per cent of the countrys thermal power, have from the onset rejected any debt restructuring proposal.

The six IPPs are Karpowership, Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd, CenPower Generation, AKSA, Twin City Energy and Cenit Energy.

No free cash flow

In an interview with the Graphic Business, the Chief Executive Officer of the IPPs Chamber, Elikplim Apetorgbor, said the IPPs rejected the debt restructuring proposal on the grounds that they did not have any free cash flows which they could sacrifice to help government in these difficult times.

He said what was owed them were obligations that they have already accrued to their stakeholders, including lenders, creditors and suppliers and there was therefore no way they could go back to them to discuss any form of restructuring with them.

It is practically impossible for private companies like us. The government has that luxury and privilege of going back to its creditors for debt forgiveness and restructuring but we dont have that, he stated.

No proposal from government

Mr Apetorgbor said although the government was yet to make any firm proposal regarding the issues, it had already indicated to government that debt restructuring was off the table.

We have had some meetings and engagements and nothing has been proposed yet but there is no option for debt restructuring, he stated.

We have made a demand on government to pay at least pay 30 per cent of the outstanding debts of about US$1.4 billion as at the end of April to enable us to redeem our repayment pledges to our lenders and suppliers, he added, stressing that the IPPs have defaulted on their first quarter payments and fear that they would again default on their second quarter payments if government does not make payments on due debts.

We are open to a payment plan of how our arrears could be settled but debt restructuring is not an option, he reiterated.

He cautioned that should the government fail in honouring their demands; they cannot stretch themselves beyond 30th June 2023.

PPAs

Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) signed between 2013 to 2016 has been cited as a major contributing factor to the countrys current economic woes, as these agreements were signed under a take or pay basis.

That meant that the country still had to pay for excess power it did not need, some of which were very expensive as well in terms of pricing; a situation which has prompted calls by the IMF and World Bank on the need for the country to renegotiate some of these PPAs.

Early this month on June 4, the World Bank Country representative in Ghana, Mr Pierre Frank Laporte, criticised the Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) signed by the government, stating that they were expensive and burdened the country with paying for unused energy due to "take or pay contracts".

He pointed out that the mismatch between the production cost of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and the amount consumers paid for electricity led to a surge in debts, as the government was unable to meet its financial obligations to the IPPs.

Laporte also noted that the country had entered into agreements at unfavourable rates and prices in recent years, which had further impacted the debt situation.

More efficient power plants

Giving his perspective on the ongoing challenges in the energy sector, the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), a civil society organisation in the energy sector, Mr Benjamin Boakye, revealed that although the contracts for some of the power plants which have been described as expensive were coming to an end, the government had no plan to bring in more efficient power plants before the emergency ones run their course.

He said the government has therefore been forced to renew the contracts of some of the emergency plants.

Instead of bringing in efficient ones that will pass on benefits to the consumer, we are signing on to more expensive power, he stated, a situation he described as worrying.

He mentioned the torny issues of the reliability associated with aging power plants, adding that as power plants age, their reliability also reduces.

Benjamin questioned why in spite of the aging of these power plants, government has gone ahead to sign 15 years contract with some of these IPPS, saying you have these old power plants, some of them 20 years and we are still giving them 15 years contracts.

The government recently announced that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has signed a new PPA with AKSA Energy.

Debt restructuring

In an attempt to reduce its debt to GDP ratio from the current 93.5 per cent to 55 per cent under the IMF programme, the government last year embarked on an exercise to restructure both its domestic and external debts.

The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme which was announced in December last year saw the government swap a total of GH82 billion of old bonds for 12 new ones at a reduced coupon rate and longer tenors.



Negotiations for the restructuring of cocoa bills and dollar denominated bonds are also at an advanced stage.

On the external front, the government is targeting an external debt relief of US$10.5 billion between 2023-2026 as it engages its external creditors for debt restructuring. The external creditors include both bilateral and commercial creditors.

The government announced a suspension of debt service on external commercial obligations on December 19, 2022 and has since then been engaging with them on a debt restructuring.It is also seeking to restructure debts totalling $14 billion, out of which $13 billion are in bonds with its external commercial creditors.

Following the formation of the Creditor Committee, the government is also expected to begin debt restructuring negotiations with its bilateral creditors in the coming days in a bid to restructure debts totalling $5.4 billion.

The IMF at the end of its recent visit reiterated that the timely restructuring agreements with creditors were essential to secure the expected benefits of the Fund-supported programme.
Hajia 4Reall plans to be in Ghana in July

Gifty Owusu-Amoah Showbiz News Jun - 27 - 2023 , 17:32

Ghanaian social media influencer and musician, Hajia 4Reall who is currently facing charges of 2million dollars for romance scam in the US has disclosed her intentions to be in Ghana by end of July this year.

In a conversation with her publicist, GH Hyper during a tiktok live session yesterday, June 26, to mark her birthday and perhaps keep her followers updated on happenings in her life, the popular socialite said she has strong belief in God to make her dreams come true.

This was after Hajia 4Reall had asked when her publicist will be visiting America.

When are you coming to America? July? Maybe by that time, I should be in Ghana you know. With God, everything is possible. Nothing is impossible,

GH Hyper also requested Hajia4Reall should be in Ghana by July if possible for the opening of his lounge since she will be the guest of honour for the event.

You should be in Ghana by then for the opening of my lounge. You are the one opening it, I told you, he said.

Hajia4Reall approved the suggestion and once again affirmed her faith in Gods ability to make things happen.

Earlier in May, Hajia 4Reall was extradited from the United Kingdom to the US for allegedly swindling over $2 million from older, single American men and women in a twisted lonely hearts scam, US federal prosecutors said on Monday (May 15, 2023).

Hajia 4Reall, real name Mona Faiz Montrage, who is 30 years-old, appeared in Manhattan federal court for her alleged involvement in a series of romance schemes targeting older people who lived alone, prosecutors said.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges and later released on home detention to her aunts New Jersey residence on $500,000 bond with GPS tracking via an ankle monitor.

Hajia 4Reall  who had around 3.4 million Instagram followers of her page Hajia4Reall at one point  from at least 2013 through 2019 was involved with a group of con artists from West Africa who assumed fake identities to trick people into thinking they were in relationships with them using emails, texts and social media messages, the feds said.

The scammers would then get the victims to transfer money to them under false pretenses  such as to help move gold to the US from overseas, to resolve bogus FBI investigations and payments to help fake US Army officers in Afghanistan, court papers allege.

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Adopt social and behaviour change communication to fight galamsey

Raymond K. Baxey Opinion Jun - 26 - 2023 , 15:33

In 2017, the government of Ghana mounted a decisive onslaught against galamsey to end the destruction of the nation's natural resource base.

Galamsey, a Ghanaian term for illegal mining, leaves in its wake ruthless destruction of vegetative cover, water bodies, and risks to life and property.

It has left many people battling terminal diseases, resulting in countless losses of life and property.

Through law enforcement, high-handedness, deterrence, and others, the government succeeded in expelling thousands of illegal miners, yet galamsey persists.

There even seems to be a more voracious appetite for galamsey than before.

Our survival is, therefore, under threat, and I couldn't agree more with the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that galamsey is an existential threat to our beloved country.

The citizenry is deeply worried about the canker, yet only a few have fought tooth and nail to stop it.

While news reports allege authorities have been two-faced in their attempts to stop the threat, most of us have been reticent about it and sat aloof for it to degenerate into such a precarious reality.

It is self-inflicted destruction, and only the "self" can undo it.

The "self" refers to our readiness to change and adopt the behaviour needed to end illegal mining, particularly among illegal miners and their facilitators.

Hence, what we need as a nation is a social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) strategy to complement other interventions to end illegal mining.

SBCC is a development communication intervention that is systematic in its planning process, interactive, evidence-based, and grounded in theory to address change at the individual, community and societal levels.

Therefore, its goal will be to ensure a sustainable behaviour change that will end the practice of galamsey and not just raise awareness about it, as has been the case.

It particularly recognises that behaviour change in an individual is often not enough because human behaviour is understood to be grounded in a particular socio-ecological context, and change usually requires support from multiple levels of influence.

These include intrapersonal (attitude, knowledge, beliefs, etc.), interpersonal (families, friends, peers, social and business networks, etc.), community (chiefs, opinion leaders, media, influencers, etc.), and societal-level enabling environments such as policy, legislation, religion, politics, socio-cultural issues, etc.

There are interactions and relationships between these levels, so interventions must address all the factors influencing the illegal miners and their facilitators concurrently in a multilevel approach to tackle the menace.

Multilevel interventions

Multilevel interventions at each level will address the root causes of these factors of influence that prevent the illegal miners and their facilitators from ending Galamsey.

Some root causes certainly include unemployment, greed, ignorance, impunity, influence peddling, abuse of power, spiritual beliefs, getting rich quickly, illiteracy, etc.

These root causes, whether, are a set of beliefs or negative attitudes require change.

It is not just about law enforcement, legal amendments or social interventions.

The wanton and wilful depletion of our natural resources may not end soon if we rely solely on these interventions without an SBCC strategy.

Behaviour change is a great enabler and the way to go.

We can only achieve this by conducting formative research to identify the behaviour that needs to change, know who is performing that behaviour, understand the motivating factors that can drive the change we need, and identify barriers to the current and desired behaviour.

Thus, understanding the situation, the first of the five steps in designing an SBCC strategy is crucial.

It will provide suggestions for crafting compelling stop-galamsey messages and materials that resonate with current and potential illegal miners.

It will also unearth the most effective channels for communicating with them.

For instance, it may reveal that one-on-one communication is more suitable with the mass media serving as a mop-up for the campaign.

Dont get it twisted.

Dr Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey and the Media Coalition against Galamsey have done a yeomans job raising awareness about the menace.

Today, the public is much more aware of the canker because of their efforts.

It has awakened our consciousness to the disturbing reality.

Inadequate

However, using an information-education-communication (IEC) approach in the hope of ending galamsey will not help our cause because knowledge and awareness alone are not enough to change behaviour, which is the predilection of the IEC.

It is the reason why the SBCC uses three key strategies in its campaigns: behaviour change communication (BCC), social and community mobilisation (SCM), and advocacy to tackle issues.

Nations have used SBCC to fight illegal wildlife trade and other conservation-related issues, as well as malnutrition and Ebola, among others.

We can also do the same.

What we need is behaviour change, not just awareness creation.
Corporate tax compliance policy, a must-have

Bartholomew Darko Opinion Jun - 27 - 2023 , 14:42

There is a general maxim that two things are certain in life; taxes and death.

This is not limited to personal finances, but corporate as well.

Governance of corporate entities is through policies and procedures, both for their internal and external publics.

The policies conceived of are written and approved by the Board of Directors for implementation by management for smooth operations daily.

Most corporate standards of operations procedures (SOPs) do not have tax compliance policies, though some have generic statements about tax expenses in their financial reporting.

Causes, sanctions

What could be the possible reasons?

The reasons for this could be various, such as treating tax as an after-thought item of expenditure.

Because organisations know that the percentage to charge is predetermined, there is no direct benefit to it, but to the government as revenue to the state, which is often not judiciously used, thus making them not worry too much about it.

Irrespective of the reasons, organisations have not seen the need to have a clear-cut policy on taxation and its compliance.

The recent Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) compliance exercises are evidence of that.

With the other corporate policies, sanctions apply for infringement, such as, when one takes a leave without without prior approval, reporting late for work, stealing, fighting, sexual harassment, etc.

In the same way, non-compliance with taxes comes with sanctions, such as, fines, penalties and interests, apart from possible imprisonment if criminality is established on the part of those charged with governance of the institution, and these are all defined in law.

Avoid non-compliance

To avoid situations where staff of institutions could plead ignorance of the work policies (though ignorance is not an excuse), they are made available to staff, who sign them to indicate having read and understood for compliance.

New members orientated fully during on-bonding and subsequent changes.

It is in the same light that tax compliance can be handled.

Tax reviews, amendments to existing ones, new taxes, and changes in rates and thresholds in the economic policy of the government go through to make corporate policies current and relevant.

These are important features of any institution operating in a dynamic environment.

The aims of corporate policies are to live by corporate values, and cultures, and comply with state laws that emanate from the mission, vision or objectives of the entity concerned.

Need for tax policies

Taxes are legally bounded obligations, but sadly, most institutions do not have specific tax compliance policies as part of their SOPs to ensure seamless compliance.

There are policies on minor outflows, such as, petty cash for minor stationery items, but taxes under withholding taxes (three per cent, five per cent up to 20 per cent of taxable supplies); value-added tax and levies (21 per cent); corporate tax (25 per cent of taxable profit); employment tax (up to 35 per cent tax band); capital gains tax, gift tax, international taxation with its jurisdictional issues, double taxation agreements and others.

These taxes can run into millions of cedis, depending on the turnover and profits of the organisation, however, they are not given much attention until a tax audit brings a liability for non-compliance mostly after some years have gone by.

The GRA tax audit normally brings these seemingly unexpected liabilities.

Could this be the result of tax compliance benefits not coming directly to us, or simply because it is a cost to our businesses, forgetting that it takes as much as 25 per cent of the taxable profit, and significant of our turnover as collection agents for the state?

Some expenses that are settled through petty cash for minor stationery items have policies and procedures guaranteeing their smooth administration, how much more tax in thousands and millions of cedis?

Limits, documentary formats with approval, and accounting for the same are all unambiguously codified for compliance.

Tax Compliance has benefits, including allowing the taxpayer to pay their fair share of taxes (not more, not less than required of the taxpayer).

It saves costs by preventing penalties, fines and interests.

It also improves corporate image  CSR, business continuity and sustainability is assured to an extent.

It allows the taxpayer to enjoy exemptions, such as withholding taxes  having proven yourself to the satisfaction of the commissioner in terms of cash flow management; it helps the taxpayer to pay in good time to avoid piling up, leading to cash flow distortions.

When the compliant taxpayer has cash flow challenges, the commissioner general may find it easier to grant an extension for payment with the prior written approval of the commissioner.

Furthermore, it helps to avoid legal tussles with tax authorities  where 30 per cent of tax liability due and in dispute should be paid before an appeal to the courts could be heard (after settling all previous outstanding tax debts that are not in dispute).

Compliance helps to attract investors into the business  stock market, bankers feel comfortable in dealing with the entity or the individual.

In view of the above, share price and value preservation is assured with listed companies and there are no price shocks that come with huge impositions for non-compliance with tax laws.

Mobilisation drive

Given the economic challenges and government target of aggressive domestic revenue mobilisation as stated in the 2023 Budget, it is expected that the GRA will intensify its tax enforcement and compliance function.

Voluntary compliance is better for the corporate image and sustainable business.

Therefore, taxpayers must craft tax compliance policies to guide their operations and to show commitment to being good corporate citizens.

The writer is a Chartered Tax Professional (CITG) and a fellow of ICAG.

E-mail: barth.darko @gmail.com
D-Day in Assin North

Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng Opinion Jun - 27 - 2023 , 10:31

There comes a time when something that is ordinarily not much of an issue takes centre-stage with the force of a hurricane and drives everything around it because it is huge and significant in a certain context.

Until the drama around the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, George Quayson, erupted over his nationality issues and, therefore, the legitimacy of his parliamentary election, not many people had paid attention to the constituency, including where exactly it is located, some of the towns there and just about everything about it.

After several hoops, swings and roundabouts, including Supreme Court hearings and the subsequent removal of Mr Quayson from Parliament, things have come to a dizzy climax.

By the end of today, one of the two candidates for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will probably be hoisted high on sturdy shoulders, receiving a liberal sprinkling of talcum powder in victory, whilst the other will put on a brave smile in an attempt to hide the pain of his defeat.

By-election dynamics

In the normal scheme of things, a bye-election is supposed to be a purely local affair, decided by particular dynamics.

But that does not quite translate into reality.

In the 31 by-elections held in the lifetime of the 4th Republic, which has seen the NPP winning 16, the NDC winning 13, the CPP winning one and an independent candidate winning one, these events have been, in several cases, treated as barometer of the national political inkling and, therefore, a popularity verdict particularly on the incumbent government.

What this has, in turn, meant is that both parties have marshalled all their political resources, both financial and human, and rolled their artillery into these constituencies, swarming the place like army ants in their hunt for every single vote, especially if it is not a stronghold of either party.

Overnight road construction works by governments under the glare of powerful lamps ahead of bye-elections have evoked cynical comments from many citizens.

It happened under the NDC government in 2015, ahead of the Amenfi West bye-election, and recently in Kumawu, ahead of the bye-election.

The vehement insistence by government officials that these works had been planned much earlier has been met with snorts of derision.

Eventually, seats have been retained and seats have been flipped.

Assin North

Interestingly, the Assin North parliamentary seat has been won by both the NDC and the NPP at various points in the Fourth Republic.

So, neither party can take todays contest lightly, as it is a battleground that can go either way.

Every vote counts and must be mopped up.

Further, this by-election is probably unique for the simple reason that it is the first time that a person who was elected as MP and removed by the courts is putting his hat back in the by-election ring, following the vacancy occasioned by his removal.

With a majority of over 4,000 in the 2020 general election that saw him enter parliament, he is entitled to feel confident about his chances once again.

I would be surprised if, for extra measure, he did not seek to ride on some sympathy votes, projecting himself as a victim of persecution by the NPP government.

With a criminal prosecution hanging over his head, some feel he is displaying stubborn bravado in contesting, as it could turn out to be a hollow victory if he won and then got convicted, which would then trigger his removal from Parliament yet again, and then, possibly another bye-election.

But then, I believe Mr Quayson, with the support of his party, has done his analysis and arrived at his decision to contest.

After all, there is no legal barrier to his candidature in the bye-election, and I suppose the criminal trial will go on regardless of whether or not he takes part in the contest.

With the crucial general election only about 18 months away, the NDC is desperate for a boost to psyche up its base, and a win would give them exactly that tool because the party could leverage it as a vindication of its stance that the governing NPP has mismanaged the country and ought to be booted out.

They would be able to proclaim loudly that a rejection of the NPP in Assin North was a clear sign of what lies ahead.

The NPP is equally desperate to shut down that argument by the NDC and be able to claim, with a win by Charles Opoku, that in spite of all the economic challenges, the people still trust the NPP to govern this country better.

The governments projects in the constituency, from roads to schools and others, have been touted loudly in the constituency for all to hear.

Snatching the seat from the NDC is an important tool the NPP needs to drive its breaking the 8 agenda.

And, just as with the NDC, it desperately hopes its base will be fired up by a win.

Of course, given the partys representation in Parliament, a win, from the NPP perspective, will make the conduct of government business slightly easier, even if with just a single extra seat on its side of the house.

Vox populi, Vox Dei

Today is D-Day in Assin North. The door-to-door canvassing is over.

The boots stomping the grounds all over the constituency are silent.

The loudspeakers and megaphones have been turned off, the rally grounds have been deserted and the wooden platforms have been dismantled.

The banners and posters remain forlorn reminders of the intense campaign that has taken place by both parties.

When the people have exercised their franchise and all is done, we will know, by nightfall tonight, which of the two main candidates has carried the day and given his party invaluable bragging rights.

Of course, my bias as to who I hope wins is evident and I need not belabour it, even if I do not have a vote in this election.

In any event, as I learned in my Latin class in my first three years at Opoku Ware School back in the 1980s, vox populi, vox Dei (the voice of the people is the voice of God).
TEMASCO buffer land under siege

Daily Graphic Opinion Jun - 26 - 2023 , 16:22

The Tema Secondary School (TEMASCHO), located in Tema Community 5, was one of the first senior secondary schools built in the 1960's by Dr Kwame Nkrumah under the Accelerated Development Plan aimed at enhancing the rapid development and provide quality education at all levels of the educational programme.

The school has produced prominent Ghanaians such as Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Kenneth Thompson, CEO of Dalex Finance, Reverend Steve Wengam (Assemblies of God), Umaru Sanda (Broadcast Journalist with Citi FM), Senyo Hosi (CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Bulk Oil Distributors), Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye (Chairman of the Church of Pentecost) and many more.

The school, located at the heart of a then serene harbour city, originally peaceful, unclouded with calm tranquillity and surrounded with lofty trees which provided health and aesthetic value to the learning environment, is currently disturbed by a chain of containers, table top business and other hooligans who have gradually broken into the fence wall of the school.

It has emerged that among the squatters who have invaded the school is an indian hemp dealer, who is likely to offer his services to vulnerable students.

The school authorities have made every attempt to engage the municipal chief executive, the assembly member, as well as the Member of Parliament to intervene in this looming danger but all attempts have proved futile.

Some of these traders located on the school buffer and road reservation have intimated they have permits to operate on the schools buffer land, a situation the school authorities cannot comprehend.

More shocking is a pub, which has electricity and water.

The situation begs the question of what site plan was submitted for acess to a meter.

The school authorities are calling on the assembly to take swift action to clear the area of all illegal structures situated on the school buffer land.
NGO seeks to bridge gap in basic schools

Jemima Okang Addae Education Jun - 27 - 2023 , 15:38

The United Way Ghana, a not for profit organisation, has launched its Improving Basic Education (IBE) programme to help bridge the gap that exists in several basic schools in the country.

It aims to ensure that every child has access to quality education and the appropriate books to enhance literacy in basic schools.

The programme incorporates sustainable development goals (SDG) four, eight and 17 which seek to improve access to and delivery of quality basic education in underserved communities, provide productive employment and decent work for all through mutually beneficial partnerships.

The project is in collaboration with the Ghana Library Authority, Ghana Education Service, Engage Now Africa and other partners.

The IBE programme is funded by the Larry MacDonald Family Foundation over a period of three years and is expected to be implemented in Parkoso and Ejisu.

The Executive Director of United Way Ghana, Felix Kissiedu-Addi, explained that by 2025, the programme was expected to improve over 500 young learners ability to read and comprehend age appropriate books and improve their general educational performance by over 60 per cent.

He said projects under the programme included basic literacy, practical science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, mentorship, teachers capacity enhancement and economic empowerment for parents.

Mr Kissiedu-Addi noted that the programme would create opportunities for communities to attain self-resilience by empowering learners to improve their academic performance, develop their leadership and soft skills, and equip parents with the required skills and tools to set up viable businesses.

Assessment

Mr Kissiedu-Addi explained that prior to the launch, the organisation conducted a pre-assessment test to identify the literacy levels of 345 primary pupils in Parkoso RC Basic School.

The Deputy Director of Education at the Ghana Education Service in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, Edward Bransah, said education could not thrive in a country where the well-being of the child was not first sought.
$7m Food security project launched

Joshua Bediako Jun - 27 - 2023 , 15:37

The government has launched a $7 million project to bolster food security in the country.

Dubbed Farmer support activity, it is in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The project would support 17,000 farmers in their agricultural activities in the lean season in selected districts in the Upper East, Upper West, North East and Northern regions, as well as adjacent areas for a period of three months.

Each farmer will receive the equivalent of $315 million via mobile money for a three-month period starting this month.

The initiative is being implemented through a well-designed cash transfer system to be disbursed in two tranches to the beneficiaries.

The multi-sectoral project includes the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the National Identification Authority (NIA) and MTN.

The WFP has already identified, targeted and registered the beneficiaries who include vulnerable smallholder farmers.

The project was launched by the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture,Yaw Frimpong Addo, in Accra yesterday.



Lack of capital

The deputy minister said that what held many people back from embarking on farming was the lack of capital.

He, however, said that under the initiative, farmers would receive funds directly on their phones to support them in their activities.

All what is needed is to ensure that the programme is monitored to ensure its success.

I also urge the beneficiaries to prove to the donors that this money will not be used for their personal gains, but for productivity, the minister added.



Disbursement

The Country Director for WFP, Barbara Clemens, said beginning this month, 17,000 targeted productive smallholder farmers in 17 selected districts in the northern part of the country would be assisted with mobile money cash transfers.

She said the selected farmers had landholdings of between one and 10 acres, while the threshold for women, youth and marginalised groups such as persons with disability had been lowered from one to 0.5 acres to ensure their inclusion.

The country director said during the selection and registration phase which was undertaken in May this year, farmers who had registered but had not yet received their Ghana cards had been given the chance to do so.

She said the WFP was also exploring opportunities to leverage a geographic information system technology to monitor crop types, trends and patterns of productivity of the farmers.



Commendation

Ms Clemens commended the government for the partnership, and USAID for its generosity in providing the funds and for the confidence it had in the WFP.

She also expressed appreciation to the national, regional and district level officials of MoFA and other partners for working to ensure the success of the initiative.

While global events may call to question attainment of Zero Hunger by 2030, it is clear to me that it is doable only through coordination, collaboration and synergising our collective efforts to maximise our impact.

It is only then that we can occupy a transformative space to achieve Zero Hunger, Ms Clemens added.


AH Hotel upgrades to 3-star facility

Daily Graphic Jun - 27 - 2023 , 11:44

A hospitality facility, AH Hotel and Conference, has accomplished another feat by upgrading into a three-star hotel.

The hotel had originally received a licence from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) as a provider of hospitality services in the two-star category.

But now has a licence to operate as a three-star hotel, a statement issued in Accra, said.

Facility

The AH Hotel and Conference is a limited liability company that is fully owned by a Ghanaian and was established in 2017 as part of the Jospong Group of Companies.

The AH Hotel and Conference is one of the best locations for local and international conferences, from small get-togethers to significant conventions.

Our cutting-edge conference facilities will impress with two unique language translation systems outfitted with the best audibility technology and capable of handling up to four languages simultaneously, it said.

Business

The statement said the primary business goal of the facility was to maximise conferencing and leisure time,.

It said the hotel had one of the biggest lobbies among the three-star hotels' category in the country.

As a result, despite only receiving a three-star rating, we distinguish ourselves from our competitors.

We provide services that are comparable to that of four- to five-star hotels.

We are a business-minded hotel that, although being situated in a residential neighbourhood, has been successful in luring clients from the city's financial sector thanks to the superior services we offer in contrast to other hotels of the same grade, it said.

The selection of food and beverage, including regional, international and continental cuisine, it said were all available at AH.
Ashanti GJA holds excellence awards

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Jun - 27 - 2023 , 12:01

The Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has held an Excellence Awards to recognise media practitioners who have contributed to the growth of the profession in the region.

Held at the Dome event centre at the Rattray Park in Kumasi last Saturday, the event was on the theme: Recognising the media as partners in National Development.

In all, 20 individuals and institutions were recognised for their contribution to the development of journalism and the media industry in the Ashanti Region.

Also, some institutions and individuals that have supported the promotion of professional journalism in the region were also honoured on the night.

Awardees

The awardees included Beatrice Spio-Garbrah and Victor Opoku of Media General, Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group Limited, retired educationist, I K Gyasi, Prince Bempong Marfo, popularly known as Kojo Marfo, and Justice Isaac Bediako of the EIB Network.

The institutions included the Multimedia Group Limited and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.

Maintain watchdog role

The Chief of Nkwantakese, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, who was the special guest on the night, encouraged the media to continue to shed light on the ills in society without fear or favour.

While at it, he urged the media not to use their platform to malign anyone and to remain professionals in the discharge of their duties.

He said the media had a very important role to play in society and as such, the practitioners must live above reproach.

Stop attacks

The special guest also asked society to stop attacking journalists for reporting on issues and instead to support them to throw light on the wrongs in their communities.

He said journalists played a very critical role in the socio economic development of society and that without them, some communities would not have seen any form of development.

Recognition

Nana Boakye Yam Ababio commended the association for recognising and celebrating the awardees while they were alive instead of waiting for them to die before eulogising them at their funerals.

He said the recognition would inspire other practitioners to also do their best in their endeavour.

Free press no luxury

The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, also reiterated the critical role of the media in national development.

Media has a critical role to play in everything that we do.

Society will stagnate if there was no media.

Therefore, the role of the media is very very significant and it must be appreciated, he said.

He explained that communication was the bedrock of all social interactions and a key ingredient in democracy as it facilitated knowledge transmission, thereby enhancing transparency.

To reduce poverty, we have to liberate access to information and improve the quality of information, the NMC chairman said.

Free press, he emphasised, was, thus, not a luxury, but was at the core inequitable development.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh further said the media was crucial to democracy as it provided the basis for empowering and enabling the people to express their views and opinions and to participate in the process of governance, conflicts resolution and peace building.

He admonished those in the media to see the production of information as a public duty and service and, thus, act with the public good.

Objective

The regional chairman of the GJA, Kingsley E. Hope, said unlike the previous year where there was a call for nomination, the association decided to handpick some of the pioneers and budding journalists in the region who were doing exceptionally well to honour them.

He said most of the awardees were practitioners who had held aloft the torch of the profession in the region and blazed the trail for the profession to thrive in the region.

The objective for this years event was to celebrate the efforts of practitioners whose works continue to reflect what journalism stands for and in so doing, inspire others to also emulate the good works, Mr Hope said.
Commemoration of UN/AU Public Service Day: Creation of digital platform will facilitate AfCFTA  Dr Arthur

Mary Anane-Amponsah Jun - 27 - 2023 , 06:45

The Coordinator at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Accra, Dr Fareed Arthur, has said the creation of a digital platform will enable institutions to relate to one another and work better under the initiative.

The reality is that the world is changing and we cannot extend the same attitude we exhibited as public servants during independence to drive AfCFTA, he said.

Dr Arthur was speaking at the 2023 UN/AU Public Service Day celebration in Accra yesterday on the theme: Building an African Continental Free Trade Area ready Public Sector.

The event was attended by the leadership of workers from public sector institutions, among others.

Priorities

Dr Arthur who was speaking on the topic Priorities for public sector support in the implementation of AfCFTA and trade agreements, said the public sector had a huge task in ensuring the smooth implementation of AfCFTA for the country to derive the benefit associated with the continental trade.

He said the world was moving at a fast pace and it required that public servants embraced transformation for accelerated growth.

Dr Arthur further urged the public sector to change its attitude towards infrastructure development, investment promotion and reforms, and enhance stakeholder engagements and public/private sector collaboration.

He said that investment promotion was critical to the successful implementation of AfCFTA, adding that hosting the secretariat makes Ghana the commercial capital of Africa, but it must be attractive to be a good capital.

We need to consciously put in place measures to make the country an investment centre and business-friendly to attract the right investments, Dr Arthur said.

He observed that some regulations in the country were too prohibitive which will not enable us build a team that can win.

Dr Arthur, therefore, called on policymakers to find ways to reduce such constraints to make business more competitive.

Vibrant public sector

The Kenya High Commissioner to Ghana, Eliphas Barine, said what Africa needed was a vibrant public sector to push its development agenda forward.

He said the public sector was not only expected to do things in an orderly manner, but were also expected to uphold the highest ethical standards and evidence-based advice to the government in the implementation of the continental trade.

Efficiency

The Chairman of the Public Services Commission, Prof. Victor Kwame Agyeman, said without an effective, efficient and competent public service, achieving the goals of AfCFTA would remain a mirage.

A Senior partner of AB & David Africa, David Ofosu-Dorte, said although African businesses were ready to work with the public sector, the attitude of some public servants had remained a stumbling block towards the growth of private businesses.

He also said that the private sector was not being engineered to be competitive because of barriers, ranging from policies, programmes and regulations in the public space.
Daboase drowning tragedy: 3rd body retrieved

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu Jun - 27 - 2023 , 13:00

The body of the third student who drowned at Daboase in the Western Region has been retrieved.

It was recovered in the early hours of yesterday.

The three were among seven students of the Daboase Senior High Technical School who went to wash their clothes and swim in the flooded River Subri at the weekend.

The students, all of whom were boarders, reportedly left the dormitory without the knowledge of school authorities and their housemaster.

Their action, however, ended in a heartbreaking incident as three of them, all first-year technical students, drowned.

The three students who died were identified as 19-year-old Lesley Nana Yaw Bimpon, 18-year-old Christian Dennison Acquah and Richard Baidoo, also 19 years old.

While two of the bodies had been retrieved, the third body was recovered from the river yesterday morning after three days of a fruitless search.

This was after the traditional leaders had performed a libation ceremony to help in the retrieval.

Swimming competition

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Boakye, said the bodies of the three were in the mortuary and that their relatives had been contacted.

He said the students were competing among themselves as to who was the best diver and could perform acrobatics in the river, resulting in the fatality.

This emerged after interrogations, and the victims said they were from the coastal areas and swam in the ocean and not a small river compared to the sea and were there for bragging rights.

The students, according to the school, went to compete two weeks ago and were punished and asked not to go near the river again.

But these seven students sneaked out to go and compete among themselves again, he said.

Security challenge

During a visit to the school yesterday, the Daily Graphic observed a sober mood among staff and students as they went about their activities.

One tutor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said last Friday, the headmaster at assembly, warned all the students not to go near the river because the downpour had caused it to overflow its banks and was thus dangerous to swim in.

This was because it had come to the notice of school authorities that some of the boys go to the river to organise swimming competitions among themselves and we have had to punish them for that since it was not sanctioned by the school, she explained.

I was with them on Saturday morning after breakfast and told them to go back to their dormitories and study because of the heavy downpour.

But I dont know what happened, these boys sneaked out, she said in tears.

She blamed the situation that encouraged students to sneak out of the school on the large school compound that was not walled, as well as the way the school structures were sited, which made it difficult to enforce strict supervision.

School structures are scattered all over the large school compound which is not walled, therefore, the students easily sneak out on the blind side of teachers, most of whom do not also live on the campus, she complained.
Fish company provides Akuse police with office accommodation

Ezekiel E. Sottie Jun - 27 - 2023 , 10:51

Maleka Farms Limited, a fish farm company at Kadjanya near Asutsuare in the Shai-Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region, has provided office accommodation at a cost of GH750,000 for the Akuse Police Station.

The Akuse Police Station in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region, is one of the oldest police stations in the country, which was built in 1911 when Akuse was the only harbour centre where foreign ships docked to deliver goods from Ghana and abroad.

Companies such as AB Olivant, UAC and GNTC were all located at Akuse at the time and there was therefore the need for a police station to protect lives and property, hence the early establishment of the police station at Akuse.

Handover

At the hand over ceremony of the facility to the police service last Friday, the General Manger of the Maleka Farms, Roger Aboujaoude, said the company upon commencement of business in the vicinity struck acquaintance with the police who assisted it to apprehend and stop activities of thieves who were stealing materials and other items from the companys site.

He said the building from which the police were operating at Akuse as the district headquarters was not in good shape and was crying for attention.

With the deplorable state of the building, the company decided to take it upon itself to construct a better edifice for the police for the benefit of the community and to enhance the operations of the police specifically, since working in an ideal office definitely enhances performance, he added.

The Eastern Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Emmanuel Twumasi-Ankrah, who represented the Inspector General of Police, said the idea of bringing modern policing to the door steps of the local people was capital intensive.

Mr Twumasi-Ankrah said although the Akuse Police District had a wide jurisdiction covering areas such as Kpong, Teye-Kwame, Asutsuare, Volivo, Adakope to Tokpo, there were only three police stations at Akuse, Kpong and Asutsuare Junction serving the numerous communities.

He, therefore, appealed to stakeholders and philanthropists to help the police administration to establish police stations at Okwenya, Kpong-Ahudjo and Volivo, explaining that when that was done, both Kpong and Asutsuare would be upgraded to police districts that would lead to the upgrade of the Akuse district to a divisional level.

Cooperation

The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, Theresa Lardi Awuni, entreated both the police and communities in the area to cooperate with the Maleka Farm to continue to help the communities as part of its corporate social responsibility, adding What you have seen today is the beginning of better things to come if you continue to cooperate with the benefactor.

The Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Chief Executive, Simon Kweku Tetteh, urged community members within the operational area of the Akuse Police Station to collaborate with the Ghana Police Service at Akuse and the municipal assembly to fight crime in the area.
Germany ready to return expropriated African cultural objects, expert claims knowledge gaps

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Jun - 27 - 2023 , 08:32

Ghanaian Archaeologist, Ethnographer and researcher, Professor Kodzo Gavua, has expressed the view that the expropriated cultural artefacts from African countries by the European colonial countries, has created a knowledge gap in the African continent.

The knowledge gap, which he explained exists between the past and the present generation, has affected our predicament and development in many areas of life as a people.

He has, therefore, stressed the need to enhance restitution and reparation processes to ensure that such expropriated cultural artefacts from Africa, which are now in custody in many museums in Europe and Americas, are returned to their root.

Prof. Gavua, who is with the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Ghana, made the remarks during a one-day conference organised by the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) in collaboration with the University of Ghana in Accra on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

The conference, which was held at the Auditorium of the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research, University of Ghana, was on the theme: Restitution, museums, and cultural policies in West Africa.

The overall objective of the conference was to establish a dialogue between academic experts and experts in museums as well as to establish a dialogue between African experts and European experts on the issues of restitution and reparation of cultural objects.

MIASA

MIASA is an Institute under the College of Humanities at the University of Ghana and is jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the University of Ghana.

MIASA serves as a hub for exchange, networking, and collaboration among leading researchers from Germany, Ghana, and other scholars from around the globe.

Expropriated objects

Prof. Gavua said restitution goes beyond just the return of expropriated cultural objects and that there was the need to find a cultural balance within which the returned objects could be put to use to help contribute to Africas knowledge generation.

He explained that the objects were part of the daily lives of the countrys forebears and embodied aspect of the countrys philosophy, view, beliefs and practices.

Additionally, he noted, some of the objects were basis for producing knowledge about Africans and that Africans were denied the opportunity to learn from the objects.

For Prof.Gavua, restitution and reparation would re-assert the identity of the people and inspire the youth, saying Restitution and reparation would help in repairing the damage that the actions of the colonial masters caused.

He charged the countrys leadership to lead the process in getting the expropriated cultural objects returned, explaining that even though the objects belonged specific communities, pushing the agenda to get the objects returned, must be led by the state.

Prof. Gavua also called on museums in West Africa to partner museums in other parts of the world so that they could share knowledges and experiences, expressing the concern that most museums in West Africa work in silos, a situation he said, was not the best in terms of museums management.

Germany ready to return cultural objects

Speaking at the conference, the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Daniel Krull, pledged the readiness of the Germane Government to facilitate the return of expropriated cultural artefacts from Ghana and other African countries.

For him, the German government was ready and was only waiting for the Ghanaian government to make the request.

He, however, called for more research to elicit data that would help determine the right origins of the expropriated African cultural artefacts in order to aid their return.

There should be research to ensure that artifacts are coming back to where they originated, he said, adding that the debate on the issues of restitution and reparation should move beyond the boundaries of academia to the larger society.

In a presentation, Prof. Peter Hahn said restitution is driven by the objects and their histories and that restitution is accepted by almost everyone in the realm of museums.

For him, restitution would contribute to a better future of the collaboration between countries in the North and South.

Restitution is not only related to remediating the evil of the past. It is intended rather as a joint action for the future, he said.

Growing debate on restitution

In a speech read on behalf, the Provost of College of Humanities, Prof. Daniel Ofori, commended MIASA for holding the conference on the subject, noting that the issue of restitution and reparation had become topical in the College in recent times.

That, he noted, the conference was appropriate and timely, considering the fact that restitution of cultural expropriated artefacts ought to be tackled from different perspectives.

He noted that to get the expropriated objects returned to their home countries, there was the need to use both diplomatic and militant languages in making those demands by countries where the items were taken from.

Prof. Ofori expressed the hope that MIASA would play a key role to facilitate the return of the expropriated African cultural objects.
Ghana will achieve debt sustainability  Chinese envoy

Samuel Doe Ablordeppey Jun - 27 - 2023 , 06:11

The Chinese government has given an assurance that it will work with its Ghanaian counterpart to ensure that Ghana achieves debt sustainability.

China said it remained Ghanas biggest trading partner and major investment source, and would, therefore, join hands to deliver tangible benefits to the people of Ghana.

We will work with our Ghanaian counterpart closely under the G20 Common Framework in the following consultation to help Ghana realise debt sustainability, the Director of Political Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana, Catherine Danzhu Lou, reiterated during the presentation of some items to the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) last Friday.

The Managing Director of GCGL, Ato Afful, supported by Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey; the News Editor, Samuel Doe Ablordeppey; the Foreign News Editor, Mary Mensah, and the Photo Editor, Douglas Anane Frimpong, received the items, which included cameras, lenses, computers and a laptop.

The Chinese Embassy said the support to the largest circulating newspaper house would be annual.

Bilateral debt treatment

Ghana owes China, its biggest trading partner, about $1.9 billion in bilateral debts, and Chinas presence at the Paris Club table to decide debt treatment for Ghana was crucial in securing an International Monetary Fund deal.

This was made possible after the establishment of the Official Creditor Committee of the Paris Club, which China agreed to co-chair.

In the run-up to that, many countries and analysts expressed the position that China, as a matter of principle and policy, did not want to offer debt treatment to any of its support recipient countries.

This elicited some pressure at the country level, the donor community and the IMF for China to support its partner countries who were finding it difficult to service their indebtedness to her.

The difficulty in debt servicing has been occasioned mainly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine.

Trade relations

Recounting the trading relationship between both countries, Ms Lou said last year, bilateral trade volume reached the unprecedented height of $10.2 billion, up by 7.3 per cent over the previous years.

She said Ghanas exports to China, which included cocoa, precious minerals and non-traditional commodities, also increased by 60 per cent.

On the flip side, Chinese companies continued to invest in many areas of the Ghanaian economy such as airline, power generation, steel and ceramics, which had made significant contributions to Ghanas productivity, Ms Lou said.

The Chinese Embassys Director of Political Affairs also referenced the establishment of the China-Ghana Agriculture Luban workshop which was designed to increase the production of cassava through mechanisation.

We will continue to support vocational and technical education in Ghana to empower the Ghanaian youth with cutting-edge technologies, Ms Lou stated.

Civilisation initiative

The Director of Political Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Ghana again made reference to Chinese President Xi Jinpings proposed Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) which called for the advancement of inter-civilisational exchanges, mutual learning and the promotion of human civilisation.

She said the value of different civilisations could be realised, and that their beauty glowed only when they were shared.

Today the world is changing in ways like never before. The historical trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits are unstoppable, Ms Lou averred.

However, hegemonic, high-handed and bullying acts of using strength to intimidate the weak, taking from others by force and subterfuge, and playing zero-sum games were exerting grave harm and posing unprecedented challenges for human society, the Director of Political Affairs of the Chinese Embassy stated.

It was in that vein that the GCI urged all countries to promote the new concept of win-win for all and the exchanges of mutual learning between different civilisations.

Ms Lou added that by working together, the world could build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Drawing on the long-standing Ghana-China relationship which dates back to pre-independence, she expressed the belief that the GCGL would make its due contribution to consolidate the time-honoured friendship between our two countries and peoples.

Chronicling history

For his part, Mr Afful thanked the Chinese Embassy for its continuous relationship with GCGL, the newspaper house that had chronicled the countrys history prior to its independence in 1957 till date.

The MD said the company, with the support of a technology solutions firm, TechGulf, was digitising its archives from inception to the year 2000 to facilitate thematic electronic search.

The beauty of the Graphic Group is that it actually comes way before Ghana gained independence. And so we've been around chronicling the relationships that Ghana or the Gold Coast previously had with friends and international partners such as China, over the last 73 years.

It will be instructive that one day, when you come back, we'll take you to go and see the archives of Graphic from the last 73 years, that's from 1950.

We will do a search and present you with some content of the relationship that has existed between our country and China, Mr Afful said.

Success story

Mr Afful indicated that China was an example that when people decide to look within themselves and commit to doing things right they would succeed.

China has taught the world one significant thing that when people look within themselves and commit to do that which they set out to do, it is possible to achieve so much, he said.

He added that through collaboration, the Daily Graphic could share with China information from the 16 regions in the country, while throwing more light on China to deepen knowledge about that country in Ghana.

I believe that through this collaboration, the people of Ghana would also learn what China has been able to do over the last 50 years or so, which is quite phenomenal in developmental terms, and we would also be a better developed country going forward, the Managing Director said.

Cooperation

The two sides also discussed how to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between GCGL and the Chinese media.

The Media Relations Manager of the Chinese Embassy, Kwame Ren, commended the Daily Graphic for doing generous stories about the first visit of a Chinese Prime Minister to Ghana 60 years ago, and also for sending two journalists to cover former President Kwame Nkrumahs visit to China two years later.

He said the Chinese Embassy would continue to enhance its relationship with the GCGL while facilitating exchange and knowledge sharing programmes with the Chinese media.
Low patronage of meat, livestock "Public advised to avoid consuming sick, dead animals"

Daily Graphic Jun - 27 - 2023 , 10:13

The outbreak of anthrax, a disease that affects livestock, in the northern parts of the country appears to have tampered with meat consumption as Muslims prepare to mark the Eid-ul-Adha tomorrow.

Butchers and livestock traders in the Northern, North East, Eastern and Greater Accra regions say they are recording low patronage following the outbreak of the anthrax disease in the Upper East Region.

Although the localised outbreak has been largely contained by health professionals through restriction of livestock and vaccinations, many consumers said they were still skeptical about consuming meat.

Meat consumption is a cardinal part of the Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

At various meat sales points, popularly called chinchinga joints and livestock markets, patronage was remarkably low, with cattle, sheep, goats and meat almost without buyers.

Advice

With soaring prices consumers have been advised against consuming sick and dead livestock.

The West Mamprusi Municipal Veterinary Director, Dr Abaki Abdulai, who gave the advice, said the cause of death of the livestock was not known, it was a health risk to consume those livestock.

Rather, incidents of dead livestock, irrespective of where it happens, should be reported to the veterinary for examination.

Low patronage

From Tamale Fugu Mohammed reports that butchers and traders in parts of the Northern and North East regions said the ban on transportation and trade in livestock in the Upper East Region had slowed down their businesses as most of them bought from farmers and retailers in that region.

A livestock dealer, Mohammed Hudu, told the Daily Graphic that all my cattle and rams are locked up in the Upper East Region where my farm is located.

I had orders for the Eid-ul-Adha, but I could not deliver them because of the ban.

He said due to the outbreak of the disease, prices of livestock had also increased astronomically, a situation which had also scared some consumers from buying.

A butcher, Salifu Rahaman, lamented the low patronage of the meat for the past weeks, saying business is very bad.

Before the outbreak of the disease, I used to kill a cow and sell everything within two days, but these days, even a week I am unable to finish selling the meat.

He appealed to authorities to speed up the vaccination exercise to contain the disease in order for business to bounce back.

From Koforidua, Haruna Yussif Wunpini reports that the Koforidua Magazine, the main livestock market in the area, patronage of livestock and meat products were slow, with some residents expressing fears over the outbreak of the anthrax disease.

The place looked deserted with virtually no buyers although there were sheep, goats and cattle for sale.

Alhaji Iddrisu Abdul Rahman, a dealer in both cattle and ruminants, attributed the low patronage to the outbreak of the anthrax disease.

Price hikes

Alhaji Rahman said prices of livestock had increased by more than 40 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Nonetheless, he said some Muslims were prepared to buy the livestock for the Islamic festival.

He said prices of a bull ranged from GH7,000 to GH8,000 and GH15,000 depending on their sizes, while sheep cost between GH2,500, to GH3,500, with the mostly preferred white bigger ram selling at GH5,000.

Short supply

Another dealer, Tajudeen Sulemana, said although sheep, goats, rams and cattle were in short supply because of the anthrax, a number of Muslims had lamented the high cost and the economic difficulties that had eroded their purchasing power.

He said although he had been selling cattle for many years ahead of the Eid, he was making far less sales this year.

Budget doubled

Mohammed Awal, a resident of Koforidua Zango, said his budget for a ram had doubled this year as compared to previous years.

Hajia Habiba Mohammed, a resident of Asokore Zango in the New Juaben North Municipality in the Eastern Region, said although the prices of sacrificial animals were high, she would manage to get a ram for the celebration.

Some livestock sellers in Accra, especially cow and ram dealers, have expressed concern over low patronage of animals as Muslims prepare to celebrate this years Eid-ul-Adha, report by Mary Anane-Amponsah and Yaa Kuffour Senyah.

At some animal and meat sales outlets, including the James Town Slaughter Slab and Avenor Abattoir, although there were a lot of goats, sheep and cattle available for sale, very there was little trading activity as sellers sat idle, with a few buyers spotted bargaining for livestock.

A number of the animals had also been slaughtered and were being prepared to be sold to meat sellers.

High CFA Rate

One of the leaders at the James Town Slaughter Slab, Issah Tahiru, attributed the low patronage to the high cost of the animals due to the high exchange rate of the CFA although he acknowledged the recent outbreak of anthrax as a contributory factor.

He said the price of a cow ranged between GH13,000 and GH15,000 depending on the size or weight; a ram ranged between GH4,000 to GH5,000, and goat from GH1,000 to GH3,000.

As to whether people were not buying the animals because they were afraid of the anthrax disease, Tahiru said the sellers at the James Town Abattoir made sure their animals were examined before being slaughtered or sold alive.

I dont believe that is the issue because we have not recorded any of such disease here, but we make sure that animals that were sick were not slaughtered as we take them to the veterinary officers for examination, he added.

A buyer at the Avenor Abattoir, Sulley Amadu, said he could only settle for a small ram due to the price although it could not be enough for the family.

He said he was not aware of a localised outbreak of the anthrax disease.

Anthrax effect

A veterinary officer, Abdul Gafaru, at the Jamestown Slaughter Slab said the disease had affected the market a bit due to the ban, stating that he used to examine about 70 to 80 animals on a daily basis but for the past one month, he had been examining about 40 to 50.

He indicated that for animals that were slaughtered within the James Town Abattoir, they made sure they were examined.

Mr Gafaru called on the district assemblies, security services among other stakeholders to put in stringent measures to ensure that laws on the movement of animals and their slaughtering were adhered to.

He additionally cautioned the public to be mindful of the meat they consumed by actively checking for permits or stamps at various shops and slaughter houses where they purchased meat.
MESTI implements producer policy for plastic waste management

Timothy Ngnenbe Jun - 27 - 2023 , 14:19

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) is working to enforce the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system to manage plastic waste in the country.

The EPR is a strategic policy intervention where by the estimated environmental costs associated with a product throughout the products life cycle are added to the market price of that product, especially in the waste management sector.

Currently, the ministry is working on a law that will make the EPR mandatory for all producers or marketers of plastic products in the country.

The Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at MESTI, Lydia Essuah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic last Wednesday (June 21), said the move was meant to stop plastic pollution in the country.

We want to ensure that once you put out a plastic product on the market, you are mandated by law to collect it.

In this regard, you have to make sure that as part of your marketing arrangement, you put in place a collection system so that anyone who buys your product knows where to take the waste to after using it, she said.

Mrs Essuah made this known during a stakeholders workshop organised for key actors in the waste management sector in Accra.

The workshop discussed lessons learnt from the implementation of a project dubbed:

Marine Litter and Microplastics: promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste and achieving the prevention and minimisation of the generation of plastic waste in Ghana.

The project was implemented by MESTI in collaboration with its partners, including the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (UNEA) and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions.

The project looked at the transboundary movement of plastics, the reduction of plastic waste into the ocean and capacity building for law enforcement.

As part of the project, MESTI trained officers from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on their transboundary movement of plastics and what they could do to intervene.

The officers are to ensure that at the point of entry when plastics are coming in and going out, we know what to look out for, what to admit in and what not to admit, Mrs Essuah said.

More interventions

MESTIs Director of Policy added that efforts were also being made to limit the use of plastics in restaurants and food packaging joints.

We are working with the restaurant operators and encouraging them to come up with takeaways that are made from sea weeds instead of plastics, she said.

Again, she said MESTI had completed processes for the roll out of a plastic-free schools initiative in senior high schools and tertiary institutions.

Mrs Essuah said as part of the initiative, MESTI had set up eco-friendly committees in those schools to help establish plastic waste segregation.

We have linked these schools with off-takers who come to take the plastics once it has been gathered.

Training modules have also been developed on how to teach children plastic management, she said.

Financing plastic waste management

Mrs Essuah said since waste management was a shared responsibility, MESTI had strengthen partnership with the private sector to put in place the required infrastructure in the value chain for managing plastic waste.

She noted that the main challenge had to do with financing, which is why we are engaging them on how to explore innovative financing for plastic management.

The MESTI director said at the policy level, the ministry had identified the polluter pay principle as the prudent way of raising funds for plastic waste management.

Data shows that 74 per cent of companies operating in Ghana make use of plastic packaging; so if we put plastic products on the market, then there should be a system to get it collected, she said.



Attitudinal change

Mrs Essuah further urged members of the public to cultivate the habit of purchasing products with their own bowls and containers.

Such a move, she noted, would reduce the amount of plastic that was littered.

The Administrator of Ghana National Canoe Fisheries Council, Sadat Kofi Morgan, said the plastic menace had affected fisher folk because harvest had gone down.

"They are really caching plastic instead of fish.

Also, because of the pollution of the water by plastic, the plastic bags get entangled in their outboard motors and it causes damage," he said.

He urged the fishermen to take steps to ensure that their surroundings and the beaches were clean.
MTN Ghana in u-turn over increase in Mobile Money withdrawal transaction fees

Kweku Zurek Jun - 27 - 2023 , 07:11

MTN Ghana, one of the leading telecommunications companies in the country, has decided to cancel its proposed implementation of a flat fee of GH20 on all cash-out transactions of GH2,000 and above.

The decision, which was originally set to take effect on July 1, has now been withdrawn.

In a statement released yesterday, MTN Ghana announced the reversal, stating, "The planned review of the cash-out fee for MoMo has been withdrawn. The current cash-out fee of 1%, capped at GHS10, still remains and will be charged to your wallet. Do not pay any other fees. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

The proposed fee adjustment had attracted significant attention and sparked concerns among MTN MobileMoney users. An SMS circular was sent to customers by MTN MobileMoney Limited, informing them of the change and subsequent cancellation.

According to the circular, cash-out transactions below GH2,000 would have continued to attract the existing fee structure of 1% of the transaction amount. However, for cash-out transactions of GH2,000 and above, a flat fee of GHS20 would have been directly deducted from the customer's wallet.

MTN Ghana's decision to retract the fee adjustment comes as a relief to many MobileMoney users who were concerned about the potential impact of the flat fee on larger transactions.
Petroleum, gas tanker drivers declare strike over poor roads

Benjamin Xornam Glover Jun - 27 - 2023 , 08:34

Petroleum Tanker Drivers under the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers and Petroleum Gas Drivers Union have declared a sit-down strike over the deplorable condition of the Tema Oil Refinery to Kpone road in the Greater Accra Region.

The members of the union, who load their products from petroleum enclaves in Takoradi, Kumasi and Buipe, have withdrawn their services until the deplorable roads leading to those depots are rehabilitated.

The Chairman of the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers union, George Teye Nyaunu, who declared the industrial action yesterday, told journalists that they were taking the action for their safety.

He explained that since the products they carried were highly immflammable products, it was not safe for them in case of an accident and emphasised that the strike would be in force until the authorities showed more commitment to fix the problem.

The strike will continue until the authorities commit themselves firmly to a timeline for repairing the roads in the petroleum enclaves, the chairman of the tankers drivers union stressed.

Some of the roads the union is complaining about include the one leading to the Fuel Trade company Ltd, the Tema Oil Refinery, Quantum Petroleum, Chase Petroleum and other petroleum and gas installations in the Kpone and Tema enclave, which it has described as a serious risk to both health and safety due to the huge potholes.

Petition, project

Mr Nyaunu said in 2017, the union petitioned the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who instructed the Minister of Roads and Highways to rehabilitate the roads in the enclave.

In August 2020, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, undertook a sod-cutting ceremony for the reconstruction of the 7.2 kilometre stretch from the Valco Roundabout Area to the Kpone link road.

The project was designed to expand the existing single carriageway to a dual carriageway with improved drainage systems.

The first two kilometres within the heavy industrial zone was to have a concrete surface, while the remaining five would be asphaltic.

Per the timelines, construction works were expected to be completed within a 24-month period, but Mr Nyaunu said construction works had stalled, while the already deplorable road had further deteriorated.

He indicated that the recent rains had caused more destruction to the roads, making them very difficult for motorists to use.

He, therefore, called on the Minister of Roads and Highways to ensure that the road is fixed.

Impact

The chairman of the Gas Tanker Drivers Association, Shafiu Mohammed, said the bad roads were not only a danger to the tanker drivers and other road users but also took a toll on the health of drivers.

He said calls by the executive of petroleum unions had fallen on the deaf ears of the government as the roads in the petroleum and gas enclave continued to deteriorate not only in Tema, but Takoradi, Kumasi and Buipe.

Other drivers

Apart from the petroleum and gas tanker drivers, some commercial and private vehicle owners, as well as drivers of companies in the industrial area expressed concern about the state of the road.

Some road users, mostly taxi and heavy-duty vehicle drivers, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, complained that the nature of the road posed a great danger to users and businesses on the stretch.

"We are not asking for too much. the government should just ensure that roads are graded and compacted to ease movement.

The state of the road poses a great danger to the BVRs we drive, one of the drivers said.
Tullow, NGO support physically challenged with wheelchairs

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu Jun - 27 - 2023 , 11:04

The lead operator of the countrys two independent premier oil fields, Tullow Ghana, has partnered with Walkabout Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to present custom-fitted wheelchairs to 175 persons across the country, who are mobility challenged.

The chairs are to help people in selected communities, especially pupils and students who are unable to make it to school on time or cannot move around without assistance due to their condition.

The project is a collaborative and inclusive effort, with Tullow Ghana providing the funding and necessary national, regional and local stakeholder support and alignment while Walkabout Foundation provides expertise, wheelchairs and training.

As part of the package, Tullow Ghana, through the foundation, is also ensuring the training of staff of the Orthopaedic Training Centre (OTC) at Nsawam in the Eastern Region, to support their beneficiary rehabilitation programme and physiotherapy expertise.

An estimated 175 physically challenged individuals will receive the free, new custom-fitted wheelchairs, while 10 staff members of the OTC receive rigorous training in the World Health Organisations approved basic wheelchair service training programme.

The staff will learn the theory and practice, as well as recent trends in the provision of orthopaedic healthcare for the benefit of those who would visit the centre.

Presentation

At the presentation ceremony at Apowa in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, the Regional Director of the Social Welfare Department, Jonathan Djan-Gyawu, said the move by the company to collaborate with the NGO will bring a lot of relief to those who are mobility challenged.

The move by the company to support people with special needs will make the beneficiaries feel part of society, and let me tell the families and society that there is no need to be ashamed of them, he said.

According to the Deputy Managing Director of Tullow Ghana, Cynthia Lumor, To promote sustainable operations, we look out for the welfare of members of our host communities, particularly students.

The companys support, she said, would not only directly benefit the wheelchair recipients, but would increase local capacity in basic and rehabilitative orthopaedic service delivery through the training.

Beyond that, the life-changing effects of this intervention will impact the families and caregivers of the direct beneficiaries.

We know that this can translate into economic empowerment as well, she stated.

Impactful

The Programme Director of Walkabout Foundation, Ellen Gamble, commended Tullow Ghana for the partnership and investment into the project, which she described as impactful.

This project is our way of contributing to the advancement of society, and we thank Tullow Ghana for the support to provide the training and wheelchairs to the beneficiaries.

Using the Wheels for Humanitys calculator for wheelchair distributions, we estimate over 600 individuals will be positively impacted through this initiative, she said.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Effia-Kwesimintsim, Kojo Armah, commended Tullow Ghana for the continued show of support for the communities in the Western Region and parts of the country.

He urged families with persons who had special needs not to be ashamed to seek help to make life comfortable for them, adding that through the help, they would be able to contribute to society.
Assin North by-election: Police deploy drones to complement security measures

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 00:03

The Ghana Police Service will deploy drones at conflict-prone areas in the Assin North Constituency to capture situations of conflict and violence in real time during todays by-election.

Also, absolutely no weapon will be allowed at the polling stations in an election which would be supervised strictly by regular police personnel.

These are part of security measures the Ghana Police Service has taken to ensure a violence-free election.

They are part of the ground rules established for the by-election during a meeting at Assin Bereku on Monday with leaders of the political parties and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

Security in the constituency has been extremely beefed up with thousands of police personnel deployed to the area to ensure todays by-election is peaceful, while the Electoral Commission (EC) says it has made adequate provision to ensure that the rain did not have any adverse impact on the election.

IGP/parties meeting

The IGP and the Police High Command met the leadership of the two major parties, the NDC and the NPP, in a closed door meeting ahead of the by-election.

Graphic Online gathered that the IGP cautioned the political parties to abide by the rules of the election and to desist from any acts that could compromise the security of the area.

While assuring the constituents of a peaceful election, the Police Administration warned all to desist from acts that would disrupt the peace of the area.

No motorbikes

Addressing the media personnel shortly after the meeting, Dr Dampare explained that no motorbikes would be allowed at polling stations.

Also, voters would not be allowed to take mobile phones into the voting booths.

Again, the IGP indicated that the meeting agreed that party paraphernalia were also not allowed at the polling centres.

EC

The Central Regional Director of the EC, Gladys Pinkrah, told the Daily Graphic that the polling stations were located mostly in schools which meant that the rain would not affect voting at those centres.

She stated that for the others which were not in sheltered places, canopies would be used to ensure that voting went on smoothly.

The constituency has experienced a lot of downpour this season which could disrupt todays exercise but the EC assured that it had made provision for a smooth exercise even if it rained.

Mrs Pinkrah said the ballot boxes would also be in polythene bags to ensure that the voting materials were not destroyed if it rained.

The Regional Director of the EC stated that all voting materials were ready and available, adding that the EC was optimistic that the election would be smooth.

"For our part, we are ready. We don't have any challenges," she added.

We have also made available polythene bags in which the materials and ballot boxes would be kept so that the materials are not destroyed by possible rains," Mrs Pinkrah said.

Traditional authorities

The traditional authorities in the constituency have on separate fora stressed the peace of the area was paramount to them.

The Chief of Assin Dansame, Okofo Dr Twum Barimah, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, asked constituents to desist from acts likely to disrupt the peace in the area.

The election is not war. Everybody must come together to seek peace, he stated.

Okofo Twum Barimah warned persons who planned to create commotion and chaos during the election to desist from such behaviour.

No intimidation

Okofo Barimah also urged the security personnel to ensure that there was a conducive environment to allow constituents to exercise their franchise.

He said the security agencies must protect all constituents and ensure that there was no form of intimidation, threats or fear from any quarters that would prevent the electorate from exercising their franchise.

No matter what, there should be no intimidation, no threatening, don't put fear in anybody, make sure everybody has his right to vote.

He said there were rumours of people who had come into the constituency to create confusion, urging the security agencies to be alert.

Okofo Barimah appealed to the electorate and all political functionaries to play to the electoral rules to ensure a peaceful election.

Two parties

The National Chairmen of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim, respectively, also addressed the media at Assin Bereku after the meeting yesterday.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the party was satisfied with the ground rules set for the election and was willing to comply with all arrangements outlined by the police to ensure a peaceful election.

He said the party had confidence in the police and was certain it would be a peaceful election.

For his part, the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ntim, said the NPP was prepared to ensure a violence-free election.

He indicated that the party would collaborate with the police to ensure the election was peaceful.

Mr Ntim added that the government had delivered development projects and the party was convinced of victory.

Voter statistics

Todays poll will see 41,168 constituents expected to turn out at the 99 polling stations in Assin North in what has been described as a critical by-election that would determine who controls the country's legislature.

For the past few weeks the constituency has been a battle field as party bigwigs, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama had all joined the election campaign to canvass for votes for their respective parliamentary candidates.

Many voters have intimated that they would turn out massively to vote, rain or shine, for who should represent them in Parliament.

Some of them indicated that it was unfortunate that the Member of Parliament for the constituency who was elected in 2020 had a brush with the law which had eventually led to his removal from Parliament and consequently the by-election.

The residents said the by-election would hopefully bring closure and finality to who held the seat.

A resident of Assin Praso, Benedicta Ofori, said she was ready to cast her vote and that the by-election would be her first time of casting her ballot in any election.

Maame Kyaah, also a resident of Assin Praso, said she was ready to exercise her franchise.

"Even if I fall sick I will let someone carry me to the polling station to cast my vote. This is an important election for us and I want to be part," she stated.

Background

The Assin North by-election has been occasioned by the eviction of the NDC MP, James Gyakye Quayson, following a court application over his allegiance to Canada at the time of filing to contest the election.

The NDC has put up Mr Quayson again to contest the seat and he is being challenged by the NPPs Charles Opoku in a two-horse race, with the Liberal Party of Ghana also putting up Bernice Enyonam Sefenu.
Enforce bye-laws that prohibit littering  Hassan Ayariga

Emmanuel Bonney Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 07:52

The Founder and Leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has entreated Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to strictly enforce bye-laws that prohibit the littering of their localities.

In addition, he charged the citizenry to endeavour to clear choked gutters in their communities to avoid flooding.

Interacting with the media in Accra, he intimated that flooding had become perennial in almost every suburb of the country during the rainy season.

Drizzle

He wondered why anytime it drizzled, there was flooding, and expressed worry about how people lost their lives when God blesses us with rains.

He, therefore, called on individuals, landlords, the clergy, chiefs, assembly members and politicians to organise communal labour every two weeks to clear gutters that were choked.

Mr Ayariga further stated that we cannot blame politicians when it comes to saving human life.

Condolences

In a related development, the APC founder expressed his condolence to the bereaved family of the police officer who was killed last Thursday.

He said there were worst things happening in the University of Ghana, Legon, with robbers and hooligans attacking, butchering and robbing our children of their valuables in broad daylight and at night.

The university, he said, was no longer safe for students to attend evening lectures and go about their daily activities anymore.

I am calling on government and the school authorities to put measures in place to ensure that the safety of students is guaranteed and stop the situation.

The number of students being assaulted and harassed is becoming increasingly dangerous, he said.

Lets work together to make sure our future leaders are protected from these threats and attacks, he stated.
James Gyakye Quayson wins Assin North by-election with 57.56%

Enoch Darfah Frimpong and Shirley Asiedu Addo Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 19:23

James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) took an early lead in the Assin North constituency by-election when the Electoral Commission (EC) started collating the results Tuesday evening.

The Returning Officer for the election, Kofi Tsibu declared James Gyakye Quayson winner by raising his hand at the Youth Centre at Assin Bereku at 9:50 pm.

Quayson won with 17,245 votes representing 57.56 percent of the valid votes cast with the New Patriotic Party candidate, Charles Opoku coming second with 12,630 votes representing 42.15 percent.

The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) candidate Sefenu Bernice Enyonam got 87 votes representing 0.29 percent.

Mr Gyakye Quayson said his win was a win for the conscience of well-thinking Ghanaians who were not influenced by money.

In what he described as "injustices meted" out to him, he said he was unperturbed because he knew he had the support of his constituents, the NDC fraternity and even people from the NPP saying the election results has spoken.

He said the win was a reposition of confidence in him and pledged to work together with the NDC and his constituents to accelerate the development of the area.

In all there were 29,962 valid votes out of the 30,418 votes cast representing 74.23 percent turn out.

In the 2020 Parliamentary election in Assin North, Gyakye Quayson won with 17,498 votes representing 55.21 percent as against the then NPP candidate Abena Durowaa Mensah's 14,193 votes representing 44.79 percent.

There were early indications by 6:30pm on Tuesday that Quayson was retaining the Assin North parliamentary seat.

Functionaries from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had earlier released some figures projecting the party's candidate James Quayson was winning.

This threw NDC supporters in the constituency into celebratory mood with many pouring white powder on themselves in jubilation.

We have lost it - NPP Director of IT

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of IT, Eric Ntori speaking at the collation centre to Joy News said the NPP has lost it and that the party will do its home work.

"Things didn't go well for us," he said and added the party will go back to the drawing board and come back in 2024 and "snatch" the seat back for the NPP.

Background

There used to be two constituencies in the Assin area of the Central Region - Assin South and Assin North.

Prof Dominic Fobih and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong since 2001 were the two who occupied the south and north seats respectively for three continuous terms for the NPP.

In 2012, the Electoral Commission carved the Assin Central seat and Kennedy Agyapong's area became Assin Central.

The NDC won the Assin North seat in 2012 with Samuel Ambre.

In 2016, the NPP snatched it from the NDC with Abena Durowaa Mensah.

In 2020, the NDC won it back with James Gyakye Quayson beating the incumbent Abena Durowaa Mensah.

Quayson used to be a dual citizen with allegiance to Canada and Ghana.

Prior to the 2020 parliamentary election, he had initiated moves with an application to renounce his Canadian citizenship but had not received his renunciation certificate at the time of filing with the EC to contest.

Per the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 1992 Constitution, since Quayson had not received his renunciation certificate, he was still a Canadian citizen at the time he filed with the Electoral Commission to contest the 2020 election, and so he was therefore not qualified.

The 2020 parliamentary election results at Assin North was therefore annulled and the seat was declared vacant.

With his Canadian citizenship renunciation certificate currently in his grip as he received it later in 2020, he was therefore now qualified to contest and so the NDC gave him the nod to re-contest.

The NPP went in for Charles Opoku.

Earlier at a press conference on Tuesday night, the National Democratic Congress (NDC ) Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi said the win was more convincing than the about 3,500 votes Gyakye Quayson won in 2020.

Jubilations continued in the communities far into the night.

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Police assure Assin North residents of adequate security

Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 07:46

The Ghana Police Service has assured the people of Assin North that adequate security measures have been put in place within the constituency to ensure security, law and order before, during and after todays election.

We wish to urge the people of the Assin North Constituency to go about their normal activities freely including going out to exercise their civic duty of casting their vote, it said.

It gave the assurance at a meeting held at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare and the Police Management Board with key stakeholders in the election including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and the Electoral Commission (EC) to enhance the working relationship among all stakeholders towards a peaceful election.

False information

A statement issued and signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said the security concerns of all the stakeholders were noted and had been factored into the final security strategy for the election.

However, one concern all the stakeholders want the public to help them address is the circulation of false information on social media.

In this regard, we wish to urge the public to be circumspect in their reportage on the election and avoid circulating false information that has the likelihood to occasion a breach of peace since the police will take the necessary action against anyone found culpable, it said.

The statement said the NPP team was led by its National Chairman, Stephen Ntim, and National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, while the NDC team was led by the National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey.

The LPG was also led by its General Secretary, Jerry Owusu Appauh, and regional executive members and the Electoral Commission was led by its Director of Operations.

We wish to express our gratitude to all our stakeholders for their cooperation so far and look forward to the same level of cooperation for the last lap of the election to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful exercise, it said.



Voters/Candidates

A total of 41,168 registered voters are expected to cast their votes in 99 polling stations across the Assin North Constituency in the poll today.

The by-election has three candidates.

They are Charles Opoku of the NPP, James Gyakye Quayson, NDC, and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana.

It was necessitated by the removal of Mr Quayson of the NDC as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency due to a Supreme Court ruling on his dual citizenship case.

Observers

In a related development, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says it has deployed 15 observers for todays by-election.

It said the deployment was in fulfilment of its mandate to mobilise citizens to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of the Electoral Commission in ensuring a transparent, free, fair and peaceful by-election.
Promote citizens participation in local governance - Expert to stakeholders

Juliet Akyaa Safo Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 07:37

A Local Governance Expert, Dr Eric Oduro Osae, has said that one surest way to increase interest in local governance and voter turnout in this years District Level Election (DLE) is to encourage citizen participation.

He said considering the low turnout in the DLE over the past years, projections had been made that the 2023 DLE might not receive more than 35 per cent turnout if something was not done about it.

He said Section Six of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936), as amended by Act 940, stated that DLE shall be held every four years, at least six months apart from the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

However, he said majority of Ghanaians did not show interest in local governance and subsequently did not participate in the DLE.

Dr Osae in a paper he presented at a forum on this years DLE said the countrys current local governance and decentralisation system had assigned decision-making powers to local residents; a deliberate government strategy to bring equitable, rapid and balanced development to all areas in the country.

Improve voter turnout

He has, therefore, called for the amendment of Article 55(3) and allow political parties to sponsor candidate to District and Unit Committee elections as done in the presidential elections to drive voters to vote during the DLE.

He said there must be a national conversation on whether or not to amend Article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution to allow political parties to sponsor candidates to local government elections, including the election of MMDCEs at the lower level.



Education on DLE

To increase turnout, Dr Osae also called on the government to intensify education on the DLE, urging civil society organisations, opinion leaders and traditional authorities to take interest in preparing their people, including womens participation in local governance.

The NCCE should also be resourced to start its sensitisation and civic education activities on the DLE early enough.

The EC must also publish the 2023 DLE time table early enough to whip up interest, he said.

He said professional bodies must encourage their members to put themselves up for election to make their skills available to the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

He mentioned that the MMDAs were the ultimate beneficiaries in the activities of those elected, urging them to work through the district information officer to disseminate information on the upcoming elections.
Speaker attacks politics of monetisation - Speaker

Albert K. Salia Politics Jun - 27 - 2023 , 06:02

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has bemoaned the high level of monetisation of politics in the country.

He explained that such was the situation that some writers had christened Ghanas democracy monecracy.

Conscience is on sale. Truth and honesty are scarce commodities. Elections have been reduced to a farce, open auctions, where the highest bidder wins, he stated.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Bagbin said there was pervasive disregard for law and order with impunity.

Vigilantism, gangsterism and the use of hoodlums are gradually becoming a norm of competitive politics, he added.

Mr Bagbin said the democratic decay in Ghana was very pronounced and visible, and questioned if the country was witnessing the death of the Fourth Republic.

He said the situation should serve as a wake-up call to the political leaders to be the leaders that they had claimed to be.

This calls for credible, honest and patriotic leaders not only in politics, but also in all facets of our lives, he said.

He said indications were that the electorate were losing confidence in democratic governance.

Ghanaians are losing confidence in national leadership, particularly the political elite. The level of patriotism and the commitment to the national cause of Ghanaians are waning.

There is a genuine worry about whether the interests and concerns of the electorate and the general public  the people the politicians are supposed to serve  are taken into consideration in the management of national affairs, he said.



New legislation

Mr Bagbin said the Office of the Speaker was working with a number of civil society organisations to come up with new legislations to address the monetisation and corruption in the countrys body politic.

He said the situation where the highest bidder at all levels of political elections prevailed must end.

I hope all political leaders must be ready and willing when such legislations are brought forward and enacted, he stressed.

He cited, for instance, the Rwandan case where election into office was by proportional representation, adding that based on the issues, the political parties elected or chose representatives who could best express the political partys vision and ideas, and not those of an individual.

When this happens, then we would be moving forward to fighting monetisation and corruption in our politics, he stated.

Mr Bagbin said that would compel leaders to focus on issues and not recoup any investments made in the conduct of their election as political leaders.

Fourth Republic

He said the initial populous majoritarian parliament had transitioned into a hung parliament of equal representation, presided over by a non-member Speaker whose party was not in government.

He said the multi-party parliament of five active parties had become a duopoly of two major parties.

In theory, the jinx of instability has been broken, and Ghana has been made an oasis of free, fair and credible elections with smooth and commendable democratic transitions from a party in government to one in opposition, he said.

He noted, however, that Ghana was backsliding in its democratic journey, stressing that the recent call on Ghana and Ghanaians to accept the reality and collectively stand up to the challenge of creeping lawlessness and national disintegration is a call that must be responded to decisively.

Parliament

Mr Bagbin conceded that some of the aberrations could be blamed on the weakness of parliament, saying these happenings are loud evidence of parliament not measuring up to the standard expected of it in the performance of its functions and duties.

That, he said, called for a renewal of parliament through an all-inclusive and vibrant legislature to turn the tide and reverse the downward trend of democracy in Ghana.

Protecting our democracy must, therefore, be the responsibility of all Ghanaians. We must work towards the strengthening of the institutions of democracy and other state institutions in order to make our democracy strong.

We must fortify our democratic practices, processes and capability. Indeed, we must reinforce the representational role of parliament, and by extension public participation in the work of parliament if we desire to continue to celebrate many more milestones of parliamentary democracy.

Mr Bagbin said the electorate expected a lot more consultation and involvement in the issues that affected them as they were less impressed by political showboating and filibustering.

He called for a strong partnership with the public in order to succeed in this effort at consolidation.

We need to build that partnership that will offer security to this country and our choice of political superstructure, he stressed.

He explained that people often considered the conduct of elections and the attendant change of government as what consolidated democracy.

It includes the full participation and understanding of the citizens in the democratic journey. It also includes the readiness of the citizens to protect and preserve the countrys gains in democracy; so does it include the degree to which genuine efforts are made to ensure inclusiveness in all national endeavours. That is the essence of democracy, he stressed.

Engagement

In recognition of the need for a more effective engagement with the public and a wider participation in the work of parliament, he said the legislature had decided to set up a Citizens Bureau within the Parliamentary Service.

The bureau will work to institutionalise parliament-citizens engagement through partnerships with the media, civil society organisations (CSOs) and think tanks. The bureau will develop and maintain a database of CSOs and think tanks operating in Ghana, and provide the media and CSOs with the opportunity to easily share information and research findings with parliament while accessing relevant information from parliament to support their work, he said.

The Speaker said with that arrangement, it would help to bring the hopes and aspirations, concerns and anxieties of the public to the fore and enable parliament to respond timeously to them.

It will reduce the misunderstanding between parliament and the public, and serve as an early warning signal to alert the elected representatives of the people on vexed issues before they degenerate beyond resolution, he stated.
General Motors and Australia-based Element 25 Limited announced an agreement for Element 25 to supply up to 32,500 metric tons of manganese sulfate (MnSO 4 ) annually to support the annual production of more than 1 million GM EVs in North America.

Under the agreement, GM will provide Element 25 with a US$85-million loan to partially fund the construction of a new facility in the state of Louisiana for production of battery-grade high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM)a key component in lithium-ion battery cathodesstarting in 2025. Element 25 will produce manganese sulfate at the facility by processing manganese concentrate from its mining operations in Australia. It is expected to be the first facility of its kind in the United States.

The comminution circuit at the plant will take ROM (run-of-mine) manganese ores from Element 25s 100%-owned Butcherbird Manganese Project in Western Australia and reduce them to P90 < 2mm. This circuit will consist of a small cone crusher and rolls crusher and small drum plant capable of processing approximately 10 tph. Following reduction to less than 2mm, the manganese ore will be leached in a multi-stage tank leach circuit.

Once leached the PLS (pregnant leach solution) will be purified by addition of various reagents wherein the base metal contaminants within the PLS will drop out of suspension and will be filtered from the polished leach solution. The polished leach solution will be crystallised in a multi-stage crystallization process to produce HPMSM.

Element 25 projects that the HPMSM plant will produce a nominal 65,000 t/year of battery-grade HPMSM per train, expanding to 130,000 tonnes per annum with a second train. Additionally, the plant will produce re-usable material in the form of a fertilizer feedstock, a ferro-silicon (FeSi) smelter feedstock suitable for use in steel production processes, and a gypsum by-product for industrial use.

GM is scaling EV production in North America well past 1 million units annually and our direct investments in battery raw materials, processing and components for EVs are providing certainty of supply, favorable commercial terms and thousands of new jobs, especially in the US, Canada and free trade agreement countries like Australia. The facility E25 will build in Louisiana is significant because its expected be the first plant in the United States to produce battery-grade manganese sulfate, a key component of cathode active material which helps improve EV battery cell cost. Doug Parks, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain

Element 25 expects to invest approximately US$290 million to build a 230,000-square-foot facility for the first train. Site preparation is planned to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and the plant is scheduled to open in 2025. The facility is projected to create around 200 permanent jobs when it is fully operational.

Butcherbird hosts a large manganese resource of more than 260 million tonnes. Butcherbird has very simple geologywhich simplifies mining operationsand extremely low levels of contaminants. It is mined in an environmentally benign manner with no explosives, no waste water and only water used as a reagent.





The ore zone at Butcherbirds Yanneri Ridge is at surface, and dips shallowly to the north, resulting in a very low strip ratio estimated at 0.2:1. Source: Element 25.

GM continues to strengthen its domestic supply base for EV production. In addition to manganese sulfate, GM has announced direct investments in lithium, nickel and other commodities, as well as cathode active material (CAM) and CAM precursor.

GM and its joint venture partners are installing 160GWh of battery cell manufacturing capacity in the US, and its suppliers are onshoring production of permanent magnets and other EV components to North America. To date, these initiatives are creating thousands of jobs in states and provinces including California, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Ontario and Quebec.
The Committee on Health, Land, Justice, and Culture held a public hearing on the status of the raceway on June 23 at the Guam Legislature building, which led to heated testimonies from former and current government officials, Guam Raceway Federation stakeholders and other invested members of the public.

The Chamorro Land Trust Commission evicted GRF effective June 2. GRF provided a statement saying, at the advice of their attorney, theyve decided not to move and that if the CLTC wanted to evict them, they would have to take GRF to court.

The public hearing consisted of informational briefings from the CLTC and the Office of Public Accountability. Public testimonies on Bill Number 56-37 (COR) were then provided and the hearing concluded after 8 p.m.

Bill 56-37(COR) was introduced by Sens. Dwayne T. D. San Nicolas, Joe San Agustin, William Parkinson and Roy Quinata. This bill intended to transfer the authority of the Guam Raceway Park from the CLTC to the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation as a community recreation facility.

Speaker Therese Terlaje first noted some history between the legislature, the CLTC and the GRF during the first informational briefing.

Since 1998, the Guam Legislature has supported the racing community through the authorization of tax credits to the GRF, up to 9 million US dollars for the development of a raceway and a 20-year license by the CLTC of 250 acres to the GRF, said Terlaje. Public Law 34-142 was also passed in December of 2018, which authorized another 50-year license with the GRF after expiration of the 20-year license that year.

Terlaje also noted a few permits in the early 2000s that allowed GRF to contract other companies for clearing, grubbing and removing processed coral.

On Oct. 28, 2005, the Department of Agriculture issued a Notice of Violation to GRF for the unauthorized clearing of conservation areas.

In December 2010, Public Law 30-204 was passed to require an admissions assessment of 10% for any event held at the park since the $2 admissions per person was never implemented.

Independent financial audits for Fiscal Year 2012-2016 and FY 2020-2021 all included findings that royalties for coral extraction were not adequately controlled by the CLTC.

In June 2016, the CLTC issued a moratorium on coral extraction by GRF and required GRF to provide quarterly validated methods of coral extraction. In February 2018, a site inspection by the CLTC found that GRF was not compliant with Public Law 30-204.

A license proposal from GRF in June 2019 was denied by the CLTC as there were conflicts regarding the extraction of minerals and the cost of the license would only be 10% of the appraisal value.

The CLTC continued a month-to-month negotiation with GRF until June 2 in order to allow GRF to host Smokin Wheels 2023.

The CLTC and GRF have since not come to a new negotiated lease as the CLTC argued that there is non-authorized quarrying, excavation and refilling being performed by GRF.

Vincent Duenas, Accountability Auditor III, noted that the OPA report for the raceway park is still being finalized as they are in the reporting phase. However, all information has already been gathered, which should allow the findings to be published around the end of July.

Sen. Joanne Brown noted that the reason for the leasing of the property while being under the CLTC jurisdiction is for revenue gain, so Alice Taijeron, Administrative Director of the CLTC, heavily opposed Bill 56-37, which resonates with the CLTC Board in their Resolution 2023-02.

We support racing activities, said Taijeron. The eviction that was issued to the GRF because of a breach of their contract with CLTC, which included other activities not associated with the race track, not being good stewards of our land, and a tenant who did not act in good faith with the CLTC. The GRF had over 20 years to build the raceway, but they have done little to nothing to enhance the property.

Instead, they mined, quarried, and sold what they extracted for their profit, not CLTC profit, said Taijeron. Taking Lot 7161-R1 away from CLTC beneficiaries will be another injustice committed against our people, and sadly, should the body choose to pass the bill, it will be an injustice committed by our representatives against our people for special interest gain. I urge this body not to pass this bill.

Senators, I ask you to stand with us. Vote for the next generation, not the next election. Vote no on Bill 56-37, said Taijeron.

Earl Garrido, the newest commissioner for the CLTC, provided his testimony as well to urge the legislative body not to pass the bill and to share the intentions of the lot should GRF be finally evicted.

The CLTC envisions rezoning the asset to make the best use of the land and parceling the assets to provide multiple single-unit residences aligned with CLTCs mission statement and bylaws, said Garrido. The existing facility will provide monetary enhancements into CLTCs coffer. With enhanced financing, we will be in a better position to survey residential and agricultural properties. We want to move forward aggressively, correct the mistakes of the past, and forge forward with our mission statement providing residential and agricultural land to the people of Guam.

Speaker Terlaje also noted that DPR submitted a testimony, where they opposed the bill due to a lack of experience and a substantial loss of revenue for the people of Guam.

GRF General Manager Henry Simpson attempted to clarify the federations intentions since 2005 to clear the property.

I can explain what we did at the racetrack because its done for a purpose, stated Simpson. It wasnt done for mining, mineral extraction or any other purpose except to build a racetrack.

Simpson also noted that they consider themselves a public-private organization where they hold private races for the public and to the benefit of the people, which added to the delays in leases that are intended for commercial organizations.

With over 700 registered drivers and 6,000 people that signed a petition to save the track, Simpson iterated his approval for Bill 56-37.

Many residents believe that the only way to keep the raceway park alive is through the passing of the bill or through GRFs leadership. Senator Chris Barnett noted that that shadow seems to be cast by the federation and the leadership of Mr. Simpson.

This is very unfortunate because it has jeopardized the use of the facility for the children, stated Barnett. We already established on the record that we can save the track and move forward with someone else running it. Youve admitted that you exceeded what is allowed. Mr. Simpson, I know you have contributed so much for this island, so it is rather unfortunate that it has culminated in this scandal that I hope we can get past.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was created to help assist those who could not avail of regular SNAP benefits.

Updates have shown that the Department of Public Health and Social Services received a total of 12,496 applications as of June 25. Out of those, 12,046 were approved to receive D-SNAP benefits, which is about 96.4% of all applications.

However, these individuals had to endure standing for hours in line at the three open enrollment sites, which included the Micronesia Mall, the Guam Premier Outlets, and the Inalahan Senior Citizens Center.

Thus, on Tuesday, the Department of Public Health and Social Services announced a three-day extension for D-SNAP under the direction of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

The D-SNAP extension will start this Thursday through Saturday. This is to accommodate the high volume of D-SNAP applicants.

The extension will be used as make-up days for those who were unable to apply during the original seven-day period.

The last day of the original seven day period is Wednesday, for residents who have last names that begins with U, V, W, X, Y, or Z. Those who missed their assigned days can also be served on this day.

The public is reminded that in order to apply for D-SNAP, they must bring a valid I.D. and must apply at the approved D-SNAP enrollment centers.

The following approved centers will now be open from Wednesday to Saturday:

Residents of Dededo, Harmon, Tumon, and Yigo are encouraged to apply at the Micronesia Mall in Dededo, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Friday through Saturday.

Residents in Agana Heights, Hagatna, Mangilao, Mongmong-Toto-Maite, Ordot-Chalan Pago, Piti, and Yona are encouraged to apply at the Guam Premier Outlets in Tamuning, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Residents in Hagat, Inalahan, Talofofo and Humatak are encouraged to apply at the Inalahan Senior Citizens Center, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

All applications must be submitted in person to any one of the three designated enrollment sites. Line cut-off times are subject to the length of the line at each respective location and will be determined on a day-by-day basis.

Additional information about the D-SNAP program can be found here.

When applying, residents are encouraged to bring items to help them feel comfortable waiting in line, such as portable chairs, umbrellas, snacks, and drinks. Applicants are also reminded to take their medication.

The seven-day period for D-SNAP is a standard duration approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture across the nation during times of crisis. However, an extension may be granted by the USDAs Food Nutrition Service depending on the volume of demand for D-SNAP.

Immediately following the passage of Typhoon Mawar and during the initial planning for D-SNAP, most Guam residents were without power and had limited access to the internet.

In the best interest of the people of Guam, the in-person application process was adopted and implemented. The paper application process for Guams D-SNAP program mirrored the process for individuals applying for regular SNAP.

Due to the high volume of D-SNAP applicants, approved applicants may see their benefits within five to seven days.
Through the preparation, duration and recovery from Typhoon Mawar, numerous individuals held substantial fears of finances, damages, and basic survival.

Unfortunately, Guam was held in Condition of Readiness 1 since 1 p.m. of May 23, and was not put into COR 4 until 5 p.m. on May 25.

This loss of time working may have adversely affected numerous individuals who needed the funds to get by. Some companies had to shut down until they were properly cleaned and ready for business as many establishments sustained damages during the typhoon and could not be in a state to process transactions.

For those individuals who have completely been unemployed since the storm, they may now have an opportunity to slowly get back on their feet.

The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration has been approved for 10.2 million US dollars in funding through the National Dislocated Worker Grant to support Typhoon Mawar recovery efforts. This funding will support the hiring of 398 individuals to work for the village mayors offices, the Department of Parks and Recreations, the Department of Public Works, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency Debris Management Sites and mass shelter operations.

The variety of positions include jobs as community program aides, laborers, and laborer supervisors. Temporary workers will assist with village cleanup, green waste removal, trimming of fallen trees, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, building repair and maintenance, food distribution, and mass shelter operations.

Our administration continues to look for meaningful ways to support our islands recovery following Typhoon Mawar, and today, we are proud to announce hundreds of available jobs through the National Dislocated Worker Program, said Gov. Leon Guerrero. This is a great opportunity to restore not only wages but also a means of onboarding an influx of staff for our GovGuam agencies charged with leading the islands clean up and beautification efforts.

We are yet again maximizing the federal support available to restore our community in this time of recovery, said Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio. Now that funding has been secured for this program, we encourage interested applicants to contact their Mayors Offices to begin the application process.

The priority for eligibility goes as follows:

1. Individuals who were temporarily or permanently laid off as a consequence of Typhoon Mawars disaster declaration

2.Dislocated worker/displaced homemaker

A dislocated worker is an individual who has either been terminated, laid off or has received a notice of termination or layoff from employment.

A displaced homemaker is an individual who has worked in the home for a number of years and suddenly finds that they are the primary source of household income.

3. Long-term unemployed  there are 3 categories to fit in this description:

Unemployed at the time of eligibility determination; and

Has been unemployed for 12 or more non-consecutive weeks over the last 26 weeks; and

Has made an effort to find a job; or

Is an incarcerated individual within 6 months of release; or

Is underemployed at the time of eligibility determination; and

Has been unemployed for 12 or more non-consecutive weeks of the last 26 weeks; and

Has made an effort to find a job with self-sustaining wages/hours.

The Office of Grants Management typically awards NDWGs in thirds, which would be around 3.36 million US dollars of the allocated 10.2 million US dollars.

However, due to the severity of the storm, of the 10.2 million dollars, the OGM issued an initial increment of close to 50% of the allocation, which is 4.5 million dollars. More funding will be disbursed as the need arises.

Interested applicants can contact their mayors offices for more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

For a full directory of each of the 19 village mayors, residents can log on to mcog.guam.gov/directory, or contact the Mayors Council of Guam at (671)472-6940 or (671)477-8461.

For more information on the NDWG program, contact the Guam Department of Labor at (671)475-7000/1 or visit dol.guam.gov.
Internet access has seen continuous development in Guam. From the era of dial-up connections to 5G capabilities of mobile data, the digital reach continues to expand.

However, all these capabilities for worldwide connection relies on an abundance of resources.

Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Guam $156 million in Broadband Equity Access Deployment funding to increase access to reliable high-speed internet for the island. US Pres. Joe Biden made the announcement on Tuesday, Chamorro Standard Time.

The funding for Guams broadband infrastructure was increased from an initial allocation of $25 million. The $156 million award will be under the purview of the Office of Infrastructure Policy and Development, which has responsibility for broadband funding. OIPD, as Guams designated broadband office, is charged with overseeing the implementation of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal broadband investments over the next five years.

This once-in-a-generation funding is a game changer for Guam, said Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. We long recognized the need for improved broadband infrastructure on the island, and this funding will allow us to make significant progress in bridging the digital divide and providing equal access to opportunities for our residents.

The BEAD funding will be used to expand broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of Guam with the goal of bringing improved high-speed internet service to all, added Leon Guerrero. The initiative will also address affordability, increased access, and help grow jobs and a stronger workforce.

The recent devastation of Typhoon Mawar and the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of reliable high-speed internet for remote work, telehealth, and distance learning, added Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio. This ongoing stakeholder communication will help direct our path moving forward, ensuring this funding improves the quality of life for our residents, and expands the growth of businesses and industries on our island.

The increase in funding represents more than a year of work and the investment in broadband structure will not only help bridge the digital divide but also help create new businesses and jobs by diversifying the economy, according to Tyrone J. Taitano, OIPD Infrastructure Coordinator.

This allocation could not have come at a better time, said Del. James Moylan, referring to the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar. While there is a still a process in place, inclusive of each state or territory, creating and administering their challenge process, we are optimistic that initial proposals shall be submitted immediately upon the opening date of July 1, 2023. Applications will be approved upon a rolling basis, and our office will certainly share more details once received from the NTIA.

The federally-funded program was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

In securing this award, Guam received more funding than six states: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Rhode Island.

For more information, contact OIPD Coordinator Mr. Taitano at (671) 988-4612.
A man faces a second felony charge as well as two misdemeanor charges following an incident in Dededo Monday night.

According to a magistrates complaint filed at the Superior Court of Guam, police arrived at the Dededo 76/Circle K for a shoplifting complaint. Employees there said that a bushy-haired man in a long-sleeved shirt walked into the store just after midnight.

He took a 12-pack of Budweiser and walked out without paying. The employees saw the suspect headed toward the Dededo Skate Park, where police found him later.

The suspect, Tom Sisera, said that his sister had bought him the beer. During his arrest, Sisera allegedly did not heed officer instructions, was uncooperative and tried to run away. He punched an officer, causing her to lost balance and breath, according to the complaint.

Sisera was positively identified by the gas station employee. Employees also told police it wasnt the first time Sisera stole from the store, according to the complaint.

Sisera is also on pretrial release in a felony case from last year.

Belligerent son faces felony charge

Police responded to a Humatak home around lunchtime Monday in response to a removal request.

A resident had requested the removal of her son, Jake John Aguon Sanchez, who was yelling when officers arrived.

When told to quiet down, Sanchez reportedly took an aggressive stance and made a motion as if he was going to do a head butt, but fell forward to the ground when another officer stunned him from behind.

While police were securing the suspect, Sanchez pulled his arm away and kicked an officers leg, according to the complaint.

Sanchez was charged with assault on a peace officer as a third-degree felony and resisting arrest as a misdemeanor.
Guam residents are still trying to get back to normalcy after just over a month from the impact of Typhoon Mawar, and because Guam is an island thousands of miles away from the mainland, help will almost always be delayed to arrive and resources will not be as abundant.

Del. James Moylan wanted to help ensure that residents can get additional relief during this time of need.

With the objective of ensuring that Guam residents are not shortchanged from qualifying for disaster relief programs because of Super Typhoon Mawar or future natural disasters, Moylan joined Representative Jared Moskowitz as a Co-Lead for House of Representatives Bill 4295.

The legislation would replenish the funds in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which is also known as the Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was initially projected to be depleted by August of this year.

H.R. 4295 is also the House Companion Bill for S. 2029, which would appropriate 11.5 billion US dollars to be expended to carry out the necessary objectives of the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a critical funding piece for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Upon learning of FEMAs financial state as it correlates with Guams recovery efforts, it was vital for our team to identify solutions, to ensure that no one in our community is denied the opportunity of disaster relief benefits due to the funding source depleting, stated Moylan. Sadly, we are heading towards both a hurricane and El Nino season, hence the importance of the replenishment,. 

Moylan noted the accolades of his co-lead Moskowitz as he was also credited with historic reimbursements for the state so Moylan and his team look forward to seeking guidance from Moskowitz as they pursue their recovery efforts together.

Both Del. Moylan and Rep. Moskowitz will now focus their efforts on seeking additional co-sponsors in the House, working with their Senate counterparts, and advocating for the movement of the legislation. Moylan has also reached out to Pres. Joe Biden to seek what that administrations position is on this issue and has yet to receive a response.

Considering the stated figure, the measure proposes to be appropriated, there will certainly be some challenges with this measure, added Moylan. Our belief is that it is inevitable that Congress replenishes the disaster relief fund, but the question is by how much, and in what approach. We will continue to do our part.
One month has passed since Mawar made its pass through the Marianas, striking Guam as the strongest typhoon since Pongsona in 2002.

For some of us, it feels like only a week has passed, while for others, months. Either way, many of us are still picking up the pieces and cleaning up the mess.

Ive missed the past two Weather Wednesday columns simply because weve been so busy here at NWS with the post-storm assessments and finalizing the tropical cyclone outlook for 2023 (originally planned for public release on June 1). That outlook will be publicly released tomorrow, Thursday.

Mawar is, and will be, a memorable storm for me. I just passed my 13th anniversary (June 17th) of both arriving on Guam and employment with the NWS (June 20th). In my 13 years, Mawar is the strongest typhoon Ive personally experienced. Its aftermath (power, water and comms outages) was more difficult and longer in duration than any I had experienced prior to Mawar.

Some residents stated that Mawar was not so bad and that theyd experienced worse, but others stated it was the worst typhoon theyd ever lived through. Both statements are true. Southern Guam was spared the worst conditions with category 1 to 2 typhoon conditions over the southern half of Guam, while the strongest conditions were felt over the northern half with category 3 to 4 typhoon conditions there, closest to the eye passage.

I was at the office for three days during Mawars passage but my house experienced the strongest storm conditions, located in the NCS area. I had no clue what to expect when I first visited my home that Thursday morning. My home did not have the damage and destruction I expected, but other damage occurred that I did not anticipate. And like most homes, there was a LOT of water inside. The power, water and communications outages seemed never-ending, with discussions frequently centered on the post-Pongsona days and the struggles many experienced in 2002 and 2003.

After every storm event, our office, and the agency, looks at best practices and lessons learned. What worked well? What could work better? Typhoon exercises and table top discussions are designed to do these exactly: get stakeholders and key agencies discussing problem areas and actions at various stages of a typhoons approach and passage. Im doing that now in my personal typhoon preparedness plans.

Once Mawar passed and I first ventured out, it hit me that I did not properly prepare. I never took the time to take actions in the days leading up to Mawar. My food supply was a bottle of Gatorade, a package of Oreo cookies, three browning bananas and two boxes of Ritz cheese crispers. I also had a bowl of soup given to me for Tuesdays lunch that sat on my desk until I got around to it Thursday morning. This was not going to be a post-Dolphin (2015) or a post-Mangkhut (2018). We were now hunters and gatherers. Damage was extensive for many of us, but catastrophic for others, who lost everything.

As the island continues down the road to recovery, what worked well for you and your family? What could have been done differently? Tossing out all the contents of my refrigerator was a first for me. And despite some minimal preparation, finding cash and gas was another difficulty.

Three weeks (or more) of sweaty, stuffy, sticky, humid, windless, sleepless nights with loud dogs barking and roosters crowing became torturous. Ive since created my shopping list (well) in advance of our next typhoon threat. Portable ACs, dehumidifier(s), generator(s), a canopy or two, additional gas tanks and fans are on my shopping list. I will also plan to have more cash on hand, as well as food and water.

With the likelihood of a busier year ahead, what additional actions will you take to prepare? What will you do differently?
Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda extends beyond mere promotional interests and holds strategic implications. The core intention behind this acquisition is to preclude the possibility of Starfield, a much-awaited game, becoming exclusive to PlayStation 5, thus aligning with Microsoft's strategy to stay competitive in the console market.

In the past, Bethesda had engaged in exclusive contracts for titles such as Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo. Observing the potential threat of lagging in terms of console sales and content, Phil Spencer, the CEO of Xbox, emphasized the necessity of obtaining exclusive content, as reported by The Verge, among other sources.

Following the procurement of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft commenced its defensive strategies in the U.S, unveiling crucial details. Acknowledging Xbox's lagging position in the console market, the firm confirmed that Starfield will not be released on PlayStation 5, dashing the hopes of fans who desired an exclusive launch on this platform.

Pete Hine, Bethesda's VP of Marketing and Communications, stated that launching Starfield across multiple platforms would have jeopardized the intended release date of September 6. By focusing on a limited number of platforms, the development team has managed to minimize time pressure, cut costs, and mitigate the risks associated with developing for multiple platforms.

In an interview, Phil Spencer disclosed that Bethesda had initially planned to release Starfield prior to its acquisition by Microsoft. Nevertheless, the decision was made to afford the development team extra time for enhancement.










Haiti - FLASH : Acts of piracy and kidnapping at sea





The Directorate General of the Maritime and Navigation Service of Haiti (SEMANAH) expresses its deep concern at the acts of piracy and kidnapping perpetrated by unidentified armed individuals against fishermen and passengers.



These repeated attacks have resulted in material and human losses, physical violence, abuse and trauma inflicted on innocent victims, especially passengers and small traders.



The SEMANAH :



a) Shares the suffering and sorrows of the seafarers, passengers and traders who are victims of these acts of violence;



b) Strongly protest against the resurgence of violence in the maritime sector;



c) Denounces the wickedness of sea pirates;



d) Oppose to the constraints imposed by pirates that impede the free movement of goods and people.



Facts observed :



 On April 18, 2023, the ship "LA SOUCIENNE" under the command of Captain Sam Bazile, carrying 5 sailors and an undetermined number of passengers, was hijacked by pirates between Wharf Jeremie and Arcahaie.



 On May 21, 2023, the ship "PA PRESE DI SA", piloted by Captain Lubin Kervens, was attacked and taken hostage during its journey between Arcahaie and Wharf Jeremie, with passengers and goods on board.



 On June 23, 2023, the ship "LA VIE DES ENFANTS" was hijacked and directed by the pirates to the Minoterie d'Haiti. Captain Bareno Louis, father of 9 children, was killed and the ship was looted. The 4 crew members and 25 passengers are still sequestered.



 The ship "GRAS A DYE" carrying 3 sailors, 6 passengers and Captain Ricardo Vilsaint, was sequestered by pirates on June 23, 2023 during its journey between Mariani and Arcahaie.



Taken measures :



SEMANAH asks the National Police of Haiti, in collaboration with the Coast Guard of Haiti (GCH), to strengthen maritime patrols in order to counter acts of piracy on the coast.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Health : Haitian ambulances bring parturient women to give birth in the DR





Ambulances carrying pregnant Haitian women arrive daily in the Dominican Republic from Haiti to give birth in various border hospitals, mainly the hospital of the municipality of Restauracion (province of Dajabon)



The arrival of ambulances from the Haitian health system is a constant and so far this year, of the 80 women who have given birth at Restauracion Hospital, 68 are Haitians in an irregular migration situation, according to medical personnel sources. These heavy medical assistances considerably affect the budget of this hospital allocated by the "National Health Service" (SNS). In addition, the Restauracion public hospital has barely four general practitioners, a gynecologist and a few nurses. This flow of Haitian women results in a surplus of work for these staff who say they are exhausted.



On numerous occasions, these pregnant women arrive accompanied by Haitian medical personnel who, after leaving them at the Dominican hospital, leave the country.



These women generally come from Tiroly, a community in Haiti where most basic services are non-existent to take care of just over a thousand families, about twenty kilometers from Restauracion. Sometimes due to the serious condition in which these women arrive, they have to be transferred to the provinces of Dajabon, Valderde and Santiago.



A situation that raises questions in the population of Restauracion, as to the ease with which these ambulances arrive in Dominican territory, because before entering the municipality of Restauracion, the ambulances must pass two or three military checks on the international highway...



Let's recall that in the report of births of Haitian mothers between January and May 2023, maternities notified 14,745 deliveries to the SNS, or 33.6% of the total of all births within the public network (at 43,914 births), an average more than 3,000 births of illegal Haitians per month.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-38213-icihaiti-health-85-of-deliveries-at-the-melenciano-de-jimani-hospital-were-haitian-women.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37188-haiti-health-tens-of-thousands-of-haitians-continue-to-give-birth-each-year-in-the-dominican-republic.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36069-icihaiti-health-despite-the-restrictions-imposed-more-haitians-give-birth-in-dom-rep.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35396-haiti-dom-rep-despite-protests-expulsions-of-pregnant-women-continue.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35296-icihaiti-dr-gaar-deplores-the-continued-repatriation-of-pregnant-women.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35171-haiti-dom-rep-end-of-health-services-to-illegal-haitians-except-in-emergencies.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-21694-haiti-dr-nearly-8-billion-pesos-in-hospital-care-and-services-for-haitians.html



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Message from Martine Moise

"Jovenel Moise my love would be 55 today [June 26, 2023]. A father who gave himself totally to his children. A President who sacrificed himself to open the eyes of his people. The truth will see the light of day. Justice will be done. Happy Birthday my heart," Martine Moise



Gold Cup 2023, Haiti vs Mexico

Although Mexico is the favourite, it should be remembered that during the last meeting between the two teams on July 3, 2019 in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup, Mexico, following a disputed penalty, narrowly won on Haiti after extension [1-0]. Rendezvous Thursday, June 29, 7:00 p.m. (local time) 10:00 p.m. (Haiti) (at the "State Farm Stadium" in Glandale, Arizona) for the Haiti vs Mexico match.



Hearing of former PM Joseph Jouthe

Former Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe announced on Monday that he answered questions from the investigating judge in charge of the investigation into the assassination of the late President Jovenel Moise, who would have turned 55 on June 26. "Justice must be done. I want to believe that my answers will have been used to move the case forward. The Moise family and the Haitian people, myself included, need to know the truth about the assassination of the president in order to finally mourn . Let those who concocted this macabre plan, those who gave the means and who carried it out, pay."



Signing of an MCC-UEH agreement

This Tuesday morning took place the signing ceremony of a Partnership Agreement between the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) and the State University of Haiti (UEH), relating to cultural development actions , enhancement of Haitian cultural heritage, communication and digital.



RIP Claude Barzotti

"We say goodbye today to Claude Barzotti, a true pillar of French music. His memorable voice and iconic songs will live on in our hearts. Thank you for the unforgettable memories you have given us. You will be missed by all, but your music will live forever. Rest in peace," Laurent Lamothe.



Justice : 2 SOGEBANK employees released

Saturday June 24, Daphcar Saint Paul and Catherine Barochin, 2 SOGEBANK employees, suspected of embezzlement of client funds and arrested on May 4, were reportedly released on Saturday June 24, 2023 according to several sources. No charges were brought against them.



New Police Substation

This Monday, June 26, 2023, in the presence of the Mayor Yvrose Pierre, the Departmental Director North of the PNH, the Divisional Commissioner Frantz MATHURIN, the Municipal Commissioner Mackenzy Jean Noel and the notables of Madeline, the first symbolic stone of the construction of the new Police Substation has been made. The Sub-Commissariat which will be delivered in the coming months will be housed in a modern building offering all the amenities and will meet the latest security standards.



Distribution of 235 metric tons of...

Since the start of this year's floods, in collaboration with the Civil Protection Directorate (DPC), WFP has assisted nearly 35,000 affected people with: 235 metric tons of dry rations; 22,900 ready-to-eat meals and 186,000 hot meals



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2023/06/26 | Source

Actor Kim Sung-min marked the 7th anniversary of his death.

Advertisement

The deceased was diagnosed with brain death on June 26th, 2016, ending his short life. He was forty-three years old.

The bereaved family decided to donate his organs in accordance with Kim Sung-min's will, who expressed his intention to donate organs during his lifetime, and the deceased presented five patients with a new life.

Kim Sung-min, who made his debut as an advertising model in 1991, started to stand out through the MBC drama "Miss Mermaid", and then acted in "The Fairy of the Royal Flower", "Fantastic Couple", and "My Wife is a Superwoman".

In 2010, he was arrested urgently for taking methamphetamine, sentenced to two and a half years in prison and four years of probation, returned the following year, and remarried in 2013 to announce his new start. However, in 2015, during the probation period, he was indicted again for taking methamphetamine and was released from prison in January 2016 after serving a 10-month prison term, but eventually ended his life.
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(HedgeCo.Net) The Securities and Exchange Commission has 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 Finnish National Museum's eight museums and two castles offer exhibitions, events, and a wealth of experiences throughout Finland this summer. The summer-open museums Hvittrask, Langinkoski, Vankila, Louhisaari, and Seurasaari Open-Air Museum are all open at least until the end of August, with many extending into September. The Museokortti card is valid for admission to all Finnish National Museum sites.

Arabian Art Department Association brings contemporary ceramics to Hvittrask

This year, the Arabian Art Department Association celebrates its 20th anniversary by integrating contemporary ceramics into the unique environment of Hvittrask. Each artist from the association has their own unique approach to working with clay. The exhibited artworks showcase the many possibilities of clay and its fired form.

The exhibition "Ateljee-elamaa" (Studio Life) will be open at Hvittrask until the end of September, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.

The stark reality of prison life reflected in the walls and objects at Vankila

The former Hameenlinna County Prison, located near Hame Castle, is now Finland's largest prison museum. Completed in 1871, it served as Finland's first cell-based prison.

This summer, Vankila features a small exhibition on prison tattoos, with musician Remu Aaltonen being one of the main figures. Aaltonen, who admired tattoos since childhood, got his first tattoo, a star, in Katajanokka Prison. The star was a typical prison tattoo, and its points were added with each prison sentence.

Another exhibition at Vankila showcases cells and objects that reveal the harsh realities of prison life. Visitors can see special cells, the prisoners' sauna, clothing storage, and the nurse's room. The exhibition extends to the prison yard, where remnants of the exercise yard's structure can be found.

Vankila is open every day until the end of August, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Exploring the fish-rich waters at Langinkoski's Imperial Fishing Lodge

The imperial fishing lodge located in Langinkoski offers programs for all ages this summer. Open guided tours are available daily from June 26 to August 13, at 2 pm.

Special guided tours called "Keisarin kalavedet" (The Emperor's Fishing Waters) will take place on June 28, July 14, July 17, and August 4 at 12 pm. These tours provide insights into the history and present-day of fishing at Langinkoski. The guide for these tours is Teemu Tast, a tourism services guide and fisheries expert from Kotka.

During the summer vacation period, Langinkoski offers activities for children visiting with adults. On Wednesdays and Fridays until June 30, children can embark on an adventurous self-guided tour with their accompanying adult and solve the "Keisarin kadonneet kalat" (The Emperor's Lost Fish) mystery task. The task concludes with a small crafting moment.

The "Lohen kalastajan" (The Salmon Fisher) children's tour takes place on Wednesdays and Fridays from July 5 to August 4 at 12 pm. This tour, suitable for children aged 5 to 11, introduces them to the fish species and fishing during the emperor's time.

Langinkoski is open every day until September 3, from 11 am to 6 pm. Guided tours are included in the admission fee, and visitors under 18 years old enter for free.

Museum Ships Kemi and Tarmo: Nautical history brought to life
The daily newspaper reported last week that 49 per cent of the survey respondents agreed fully or partly with the statement, I am afraid of the change caused by artificial intelligence. A large share of the population appears to be unperturbed by the change, with 41 per cent of respondents saying they disagree fully or partly with the statement.

ALMOST A HALF of Finns are worried about the change caused by the proliferation of artificial intelligence, reveals a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat .

The responses varied based on factors such as age, gender and party affiliation, according to Helsingin Sanomat.

Artificial intelligence was more likely a cause of concern for men than women, for over 60-year-olds than other age groups, and for supporters of the Centre, Finns Party and Social Democrats than those of the Greens and National Coalition.

About 40 per cent of respondents indicated that they expect artificial intelligence to offer new opportunities and a similar share that they could utilise artificial intelligence at work or in free time.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents estimated that the utilisation of artificial intelligence should absolutely or probably be restricted in circumstances that entail major risks. Although support for restricting use of the technology was found across party lines, restrictions were regarded as necessary especially by supporters of the Left Alliance.

Most Finns, the survey also found, perceive artificial intelligence an opportunity rather than a threat, with 45 per cent of respondents leaning toward opportunity and 34 per cent toward threat. While most men perceived the technology more as an opportunity than a threat, women were more divided, with 38 per cent landing on opportunity and 37 per cent on threat.

Helsingin Sanomat also asked the respondents whether the use of artificial intelligence should be allowed or disallowed in certain circumstances.

The respondents voiced their support especially for using artificial intelligence in automated production processes, pricing systems, information search and software programming.

While 87 per cent of respondents viewed that it should be prohibited to use artificial intelligence to unconsciously manipulate people, almost half said they would allow the use of artificial intelligence for designing consumer marketing.

Over half of respondents would also prohibit the technology in legislative work, diagnosing and categorising people into health risk groups, recruiting new employees, selecting students, drafting magazine and newspaper articles, and predicting the behaviour of criminals.

The EU is presently drafting a regulatory framework for the artificial intelligence industry, proposing, for example, that the technology not be used for real-time face recognition in public spaces.

Kantar Public collected 1,007 responses for the survey on the internet between 12 and 17 May 2023.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
In a united front , the Green Party, the Left Alliance, and the Social Democratic parliamentary group in Finland are expressing a vote of no confidence towards Minister of Economic Affairs, Vilhelm Junnila . The reason for this is the minister's alleged connections with extreme right-wing movements. The motion of no confidence was put forward by Green Party MP Hanna Holopainen during a full session of parliament on Tuesday, 27th June. The Group Chairperson, Atte Harjanne , commented on the matter remotely via Twitter.

According to Holopainen, "Members of the Council of State should be known as honest and competent Finnish citizens. Upon swearing their oath of office, they vow to act justly and impartially for the benefit of citizens and society. An equally important unwritten rule is that ministers must adhere to the truth."

Holopainen sees extreme right-wing movements as a threat to a democratic society. She says, "Extreme right-wing movements represent a completely condemnable ideology of hatred. The starting point of a democratic society is the universal human dignity of all people, regardless of their skin color, ethnic background, gender, or sexual orientation. This human dignity is questioned by extreme right-wing movements by idealizing racial doctrine and the genocides committed by past fascist states. By denying the fundamentals of the democratic system, right-wing extremist thinking is also a direct threat to democracy itself and thus differs from ordinary political disagreements."

Holopainen emphasizes that Vilhelm Junnila's communication with extreme right-wing movements appears to be continuous and close. "Minister Junnila's contacts with extreme right-wing movements are not a single accident, misunderstanding, or poor humor, but repeated, systematic, and comradely communication. Last term, he served as the official keynote speaker at extreme right-wing events and hosted visitors from these movements in Parliament this spring," Holopainen says.

Holopainen is also concerned about Finland's national image. "Ministers must represent Finland in international contexts. Minister Junnila's extreme right-wing connections have already caused dismay and indignation worldwide. The promotion of our trade relations cannot rest on the shoulders of a minister equipped with such sympathies," Holopainen concludes.

"Extreme right-wing, anti-democratic, and anti-human rights political ideology should not be given space and influence. A member of the Council of State's connections to such movement do not belong in Finland. That is why the Greens are proposing a vote of no confidence against Minister Junnila today," Atte Harjanne, the Chair of the Green Parliamentary Group, commented on Twitter.

The Green Party, the Left Alliance, and the Social Democrats proposed a motion of no confidence against Economic Affairs Minister Junnila due to his alleged Nazi sympathies, which is currently being discussed live in the parliament.

According to Hanna Holopainen (Green), Minister Junnila's connections with the extreme right are not a single mistake or a joke but systematic communication. The Parliament is currently discussing the government program.

The Parliament can vote on the matter if another MP supports the proposal. If that's the case, the vote will be held on Wednesday.

HT
The European Consumer Centre and the Consumer Advisory Service of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority occasionally receive inquiries from passengers regarding congestion issues at European airports. These congestions are often caused by various labor strikes, staffing shortages, and the rapid increase in travel following the COVID-19 pandemic. The congestions have resulted in flight delays and cancellations, and in some cases, passengers have missed their flights due to the congestion.

These congestion situations primarily occur during the summer months.

In case of an error, passengers may be entitled to compensation, but each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, congestion is caused by exceptional circumstances, and therefore, no right to compensation exists. Passengers should pay particular attention to identifying the party responsible for the error - the airline or the airport operator. The general principle is that the responsibility for the error lies with the party responsible for the congested service. This is also the party to which the passenger can address their compensation claim.

Airline responsibility in congestion situations

Passenger rights are regulated by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, which covers flight cancellations, delays, and denied boarding. According to the regulation, passengers are entitled to fixed compensation, for example, when a flight is canceled or delayed, and the passenger arrives at their final destination at least three hours late. The fixed compensation is intended to compensate for lost time. However, if the situation is caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken, there is no right to fixed compensation.

Passengers may also be entitled to compensation for damages paid by the airline if the flight is delayed and it causes harm to the passenger. Such damages may include unused accommodation or loss of earnings. The liability of airlines for damages is regulated in the Montreal Convention, which aims to unify certain rules relating to international carriage by air. As with fixed compensation, compensation for damages is generally not granted in exceptional circumstances.

An circumstance is considered exceptional if it is not part of the airline's normal operations and is beyond the airline's control. If the cancellation or delay of a flight is caused by congestion in a service that is not the airline's responsibility, such situations can be considered beyond the airline's control. Therefore, the airline is not liable for compensation to the passenger, for example, in a situation where the delay is caused by congestion due to a shortage of airport personnel.

However, the airline's responsibility may apply to its own services. The airline must ensure, for example, proper handling of check-in by having sufficient staff available. If deficiencies in providing such services lead to a passenger missing their flight, the airline may be liable for damages.

Airport operator responsibility in congestion situations

In the contacts received by consumer authorities, congestion at airport security checks has been particularly highlighted. The organization of security checks is regulated by Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as well as by aviation legislation in Finland. It is important to note that the operating airline itself does not perform passenger or baggage security checks at the airport; usually, it is the responsibility of the airport operator. For example, Finavia Oyj operates Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

Passengers must allocate sufficient time for security checks. If a passenger misses their flight specifically due to an error in the security check, the responsibility lies with the service provider, usually the airport operator, and the passenger must address their claim to them. An error may include, for example, insufficient staff assigned to the security checkpoint, leading to congestion.

In Finland, security checks are considered a public administrative task, and the questions related to it are beyond the jurisdiction of consumer authorities. Therefore, if you encounter issues with security checks at a Finnish airport, it's advisable to contact the appropriate authorities responsible for overseeing security operations at the airport.
For the first time in history , the Supreme Administrative Court is presiding over the board of the Association of the Councils of State and Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions of the European Union (ACA-Europe). This prestigious role was transferred from the Consiglio di Stato, Italy's highest administrative court, to the Supreme Administrative Court at the General Assembly of the Association held in Naples, Italy, on June 27, 2023.

The Supreme Administrative Court's presidency, which will last from June 27, 2023, to May 28, 2025, is set to orchestrate a series of six seminars, two of which will take place in Finland. This rotating presidency will involve the collaboration of the highest administrative courts in Croatia, France, and the Netherlands, each hosting a seminar during the term.

ACA-Europe's primary focus is on the analysis and promotion of awareness regarding the implementation of European Union law. As part of its mandate, ACA-Europe ensures the uniform application of EU law across the territory of the European Union, thereby playing a vital role in upholding the rule of law in Europe.

During the past Italian Presidency, the focus was on comparing the activities of the highest national administrative courts. However, under Finland's Presidency, the focus will shift to the dialogue between the Supreme Administrative Courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), as well as the national effects of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). According to Kari Kuusiniemi, President of the Supreme Administrative Court, the viewpoint is moving from a horizontal to a vertical perspective.

One of the main themes during the Presidency will be the analysis of national court rulings in relation to the case-law of the CJEU and the ECtHR. The Presidency will emphasize the importance of preliminary ruling procedures before national courts, such as the consideration of a reference for a preliminary ruling and the enforcement of a ruling.

In addition to analyzing the relationship between national courts and supranational law, the Presidency will examine the national constitution's impact on each country's supreme court's decisions. The goal is to assess whether the Constitution has the same interpretative effect as EU directives.

Founded in 2001, ACA-Europe includes supreme courts from 34 European countries, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland as guests, and Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey as observers in administrative justice matters. The Association promotes understanding of EU law and the functioning of other administrative courts in Europe within their jurisdiction. Its activities involve organizing seminars, conducting research on case-law, maintaining a public database of member court decisions related to EU law, and facilitating the exchange of judges. The Association's secretariat is located in Brussels, Belgium.

With the beginning of the Finnish-Swedish presidency, there is great anticipation for the series of seminars that will take place across various European cities over the next two years. The first seminar, hosted by the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court in Stockholm from October 9 to 10, will focus on how the national administrative courts deal with the preliminary rulings system of the European Court of Justice.

The Finnish-Swedish presidency is expected to bring a new dynamic to ACA-Europe's operations, promoting greater understanding of the EU law, enhancing collaboration between national supreme administrative courts, and upholding the European rule of law.

HT
Labor agency hosts $17-20/Hour and Beyond Job Fair Thursday

FLETCHER  Mountain Area Workforce Development will hold a $17-20/Hour and Beyond Job Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at the WNC Agricultural Centers Expo Building, 775 Boylston Highway, Fletcher.

The entrance to the Expo Building is located across from the Asheville Regional Airport at Gate 5. The job fair will feature more than 90 local employers who are offering more than 2,000 jobs paying $17-20 an hour or more.

Employers are in a talent war to attract the best candidates as the regions unemployment rate is 2.5 percent and this job fair is an opportunity to highlight many of the best career opportunities in Western North Carolina.

Participating employers include Altec Industries, Anderson Automotive Group, Asheville City Schools, Biltmore Company, Biltmore Farms LLC, Benton Roofing, Buncombe County Government, Buncombe County Schools, city of Hendersonville, ConMet, Cummins Meritor, Eaton, Elkamet, Epsilon, Gentry Service Group, Givens Communities, Harrison Construction, Henderson County government, Ingles Markets, IPEX, Linamar North Carolina, MB Haynes, Mission Health, N.C. Department of Public Safety, N.C. State Highway Patrol, State Veterans Home, Printpack Medical, Reich LLC, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Western Carolina University, YMCA of Western North Carolina, Young Transportation and many more. Visit mountainareaworks.org to see the list of participating employers.
BRCC Foundation announces new director

Trina Stokes

Blue Ridge Community College announced that it has welcomed Trina Stokes as the new executive director of the colleges Educational Foundation.

Stokes will assume the role in July, leading the philanthropic organization that contributed more than $1.2 million in Brighter Futures Free College scholarships and more than $1.1 million in other scholarships and program support during the 2022-23 academic year.

We are privileged to welcome Trina Stokes to our Blue Ridge family, and we know her wealth of higher education and nonprofit experience will serve our Foundation, students and community well, said Jim Rasmussen, president of the Educational Foundations Board of Directors.

Blue Ridge Community Colleges Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the students, faculty, and programs of Blue Ridge Community College. Under the direction of its volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation assists the College in its work to transform lives through education and strengthen the workforce.

Joining the team at Blue Ridge Community College allows me the opportunity to combine my passion for higher education with my desire to advance philanthropy and collaborations in our community, Stokes said. Blue Ridge has a clear vision for the future and makes a generational impact on individuals, families and businesses throughout Western North Carolina and beyond. I look forward to continuing their legacy of empowering individuals to enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce.

A Western North Carolina native, Stokes earned a bachelor of arts degree from UNC Asheville and a master of business administration degree from the University of Tennessee. Prior to joining Blue Ridge Community College, she previously held roles as the Foundation director of AdventHealth Hendersonville, the executive director of Henderson Countys Council on Aging and the executive director of South College. Stokes currently serves as chair of the board with Carolina Village Inc., as a member of the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Board and as a member of the Henderson County Partnership for Health. She formerly served as a board member with WNCSource. She lives with her husband and three children in Henderson County.
SHIPLAKE College starred in the heats of the opening day of Henley Royal Regatta.

Its crews won three of their four races today (Tuesday) while there were also wins for Leander Club and Upper Thames Rowing Club.

While racing conditions were perfect in the morning session, a light wind of up to 10mph made steering conditions more challenging later in the day.

Shiplake College beat Green Lake Crew, USA, in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, for junior mens eights, which was opened up to clubs as well as schools for the first time this year.

The Bees held a consistent lead of three-and-a-half lengths from the Barrier to Fawley, which widened to five lengths. They ended up winning the race easily in a time of six minutes and 53 seconds.

Shiplake Colleges A team beat Great Marlow School in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, for junior womens quadruple sculls.

At the Barrier, the Bees were four lengths ahead, although this dropped to three lengths and then to two-and-a-half lengths at the finish, winning with a time of eight minutes and 22 seconds.

In the same event, Shiplakes B crew beat Surbiton High School in the Diamond Jubilee event, Shiplake slowly grew the gap, the B crew finshed two-and-three-quarters lengths ahead, with a time of eight minutes and five seconds. One of the Surbiton rowers lost her oar.

But the college suffered defeat to Leander Club in the Fawley Challenge Cup, for junior mens quadruple sculls. The race was close, however it was Leander Club who took the win, with a close distance of two-thirds of a length ahead and a finishing time of seven minutes ans 17 seconds.

Leander also beat Strathclyde Park RC in the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, for mens quadruple sculls.

By the quarter mile mark the Henley-based crew took a one-and-a-quarter length lead which increased to three-and-a-quarter lengths by the mile mark.

They ended winning the race by two-and-a-quarter lengths in a time of six minutes 47 seconds.

Former Leander captain Jack Beaumont competed as Star and Arrow Club in the Prince of Wales but lost out to London Rowing Club by two-and-a-half lengths in a time of six minutes and 57 seconds.

Beaumont, who won Silver for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, will be competing in the single sculls later in the week.

Meanwhile, Henley Rowing Club was beaten by Marlow Rowing Club B in the Fawley Challenge Cup.

Marlow maintained a lead and ended up winning by three lengths in a time of seven minutes and 26 seconds.

Upper Thames RC was successful in defeating Welsh team, Monmouth Rowing Club. Upper Thames achieved an early gap between opposition, finishing four-and-a-half lengths in front with a time of seven minutes and 33 seconds.

Elsewhere, Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning won its heat in the Princess Elizabeth against Emanuel School.

At the Barrier, Blue Coat had taken a three-quarter-of-a-length lead and at the finished this had stretched to two-and-three-quarter lengths in a time of seven minutes and nine seconds.
Revisiting the past and producing a personal account of ones experiences can be therapeutic for the author just as reading these accounts can be cathartic for the readers who, perhaps, have been through similar experiences. The memoir exists in the sweet spot between autobiographies and journals, and remains an immensely popular literary genre, with sales growing by 26% in 2021 according to research and analytics group WordsRated. Prince Harrys memoir Spare, which divulged the long-kept secrets of the British monarchy and discussed the effect of his mother Dianas death on the authors mental health, saw record-breaking sales earlier this year. The revelations, which came immediately after a controversial Netflix documentary, made Spare a best seller with 1.43 million copies sold in the US, Canada and Britain. PREMIUM Readers seem to devour memoirs with great enthusiasm. (Shutterstock)

Prince Harry photographed on June 7, 2023 (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Britney Spears memoir too was all set to hit the bookshelves later this year until it was put on hold by the publishers after they received strongly worded legal letters from several A-listers. Apparently, the troubled pop star had written at length about her conservatorship, her mental breakdown, the moment she shaved her head, which caused a media frenzy in the late aughts, her marriages and about, according to Hola magazine, past relationships with actors and people from the music world.

Britney Spears (Mario Anzuoni/REUTERS)

But what is it like to write a memoir? When an author revisits a past experience, are they likely to find closure? Or can it bring back unpleasant memories? Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, says: Revisiting past events and reflecting on them can be therapeutic and also aid the author in self-discovery. She believes memoir writing can be empowering. Memoirs help authors heal from past wounds, reclaim their narrative, and give them agency over their past, she says. This possibly rings true in the case of Spears, who might have felt helpless during her conservatorship but is now regaining control over her life by sharing her side of the story, thus transforming her pain into something more meaningful.

Revisiting traumatic events But reprocessing unpleasant experiences can also be triggering for some. It all depends on where the author is on their healing journey, says Dordi. Given the personal nature of memoir writing, the answer varies from person to person. But how do memoirs affect readers? Memoirs not only offer a feeling of validation and connection to readers but also comfort them and give them a sense of belonging, she says. There are downsides too: Sometimes, reading memoirs can lead to the reawakening of past trauma and emotional stressors in the reader. They might find themselves falling short of the achievements and emotional resilience shown by the author, which can lead to an unfair comparison. The reader must not overlook the overall complexity and the nuances of the authors life, and also keep in mind the cultural and social context while comparing their situation with the authors. But reprocessing unpleasant experiences can also be triggering for some. It all depends on where the author is on their healing journey, says Dordi. Given the personal nature of memoir writing, the answer varies from person to person. But how do memoirs affect readers? Memoirs not only offer a feeling of validation and connection to readers but also comfort them and give them a sense of belonging, she says. There are downsides too: Sometimes, reading memoirs can lead to the reawakening of past trauma and emotional stressors in the reader. They might find themselves falling short of the achievements and emotional resilience shown by the author, which can lead to an unfair comparison. The reader must not overlook the overall complexity and the nuances of the authors life, and also keep in mind the cultural and social context while comparing their situation with the authors. Navigating toxic families In the Indian context, memoirs that are frank and unusually brave about topics like abuse, trauma, family rifts and betrayal, and mental well being can have a powerful impact on readers as these subjects are rarely discussed. In Open Book: Not Quite a Memoir, actor Kubbra Sait opens up about her relationship with her father who struggled with what seems like a gambling addiction. I learnt that my father had changed six jobs in seven years, over-written checks, dumped us under a debris of loans and gambled our money away under the pretext of having a good time, she said at the Spoken Fest in 2017. In the Indian context, memoirs that are frank and unusually brave about topics like abuse, trauma, family rifts and betrayal, and mental well being can have a powerful impact on readers as these subjects are rarely discussed. Inactor Kubbra Sait opens up about her relationship with her father who struggled with what seems like a gambling addiction. I learnt that my father had changed six jobs in seven years, over-written checks, dumped us under a debris of loans and gambled our money away under the pretext of having a good time, she said at the Spoken Fest in 2017.

Kubbra Sait, actor, author, Open Book: Not Quite a Memoir (SUJIT JAISWAL / AFP))

In her memoir, she writes about establishing firm boundaries with her father. At 17, she asked him to leave and never come back after she realised he wasnt willing to change. But she has forgiven him since. Forgiveness isnt something we do for others. In the truest sense, we do it for ourselves. I did it for me, she said in an interview with Grazia magazine, adding that she has accepted that her father wasnt raised to fulfill her expectations. In a country where those who choose to walk away from abusive families are often shamed, these aspects of Saits story provide some solace to individuals caught up in toxic struggles with difficult parents. Her memoir also focuses on the abuse she suffered at the hands of Mr X, who befriended her parents and helped them out monetarily. X was married and had a child. In the two-and-a-half years that he sexually abused me, he went on to father another child. All the while telling me how much he loved me and that if I told my family or Mumma about us, it would destroy us. I believed every word he said. Looking back today, if I am to be completely honest, I dont know if I wouldve done anything differently had I been dealt the same cards, she writes in her memoir. In a society that prefers to be silent even about the most egregious abuse, Sait fell in with the prevailing norms and stayed silent about what was happening to her. That is until she wrote Open Book, a memoir thats unusually frank for an Indian celebrity.

Destigmatizing mental illness While things might be changing, as Saits book shows, brutally honest memoirs are a rarity among Bollywoods older generation. Certainly, few stars have written anything as candid as Kabir Bedis Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of an Actor. The chapter on his son Siddharth Bedis suicide in 1997 is almost too painful to read. Bedi writes that Siddharth tried to fight his schizophrenia but in the end, he chose to go. The star of such international hits as Sandokan talks about the challenges faced by the families of those struggling with mental illness. The family suffers as much as the person [who is ill]. No matter what, the family should not stop loving the person. On a subconscious level, the person who is suffering continues to receive that love and is nourished by it, he says. While things might be changing, as Saits book shows, brutally honest memoirs are a rarity among Bollywoods older generation. Certainly, few stars have written anything as candid as Kabir Bedis. The chapter on his son Siddharth Bedis suicide in 1997 is almost too painful to read. Bedi writes that Siddharth tried to fight his schizophrenia but in the end, he chose to go. The star of such international hits astalks about the challenges faced by the families of those struggling with mental illness. The family suffers as much as the person [who is ill]. No matter what, the family should not stop loving the person. On a subconscious level, the person who is suffering continues to receive that love and is nourished by it, he says.

Kabir Bedi at a book store in Chandigarh on December 18, 2021. (Sanjeev Sharma/Hindustan Times)

He also touches on the pain and insecurities that came with the open marriage he shared with his former wife the dancer Protima Bedi and provides an insight into his girlfriend Parveen Babis deteriorating mental health during a trip to Italy. Parveen knew she had a problem but she wouldnt admit it to herself. Because admitting it to herself would mean allowing doctors into her life, which would mean doctors would talk [to others]. She could be an outcast in the industry, he said in an interview with Bollywood Hungama. Kabir Bedis memoir stands out for its honesty and its sensitive exploration of difficult marriages, family troubles, and mental health issues, all still taboo topics in Indian society, which generally prefers to brush everything under the carpet.

Reclaiming the narrative

Vivek Tejuja, author, So Now You Know: A Memoir of Growing Up Gay in India (Courtesy HarperCollins)

Lately, memoirs by Indian writers have also been giving a voice to the marginalized. Vivek Tejuja, author, So Now You Know: A Memoir of Growing Up Gay in India says that, after the memoir was published, he got lots of messages from people who related to his story. It is not easy to grow up with identity and gender crises. It is extremely traumatic and needs support and comfort at every step. I hope my book continues to provide that, says Tejuja. The book also looks at the impact of popular culture on how an individual perceives their identity. Watching Mast Kalandar (1991) which featured Anupam Kher as a stereotypical gay character, Pinku, Tejuja realized he didnt want to be Pinku. So he tried to walk differently, gesticulate differently, and speak in as gruff a voice as he could  all to avoid being Pinku. I hope it [the memoir] validates the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and helps them know that they are never alone in this struggle, he says.

Tejuja wants more people from marginalized communities to write their memoirs. Its important to see who is writing the story because of the influence that they could have on readers lives, and because they could make others want to know more about particular communities and how they live. Was writing the memoir a therapeutic experience? It was cathartic for sure to revisit memories, but it was not therapeutic, he says adding that the process did not help him discover anything new. But it certainly made me go back and relook at how I was, how the culture was back then, and how it is now; so the comparison helped. Writing the book helped me find myself to some extent, and also drop some pieces of me that were not needed, like certain relationships. The search for validation

Manish Gaekwad, author, The Last Courtesan: Writing My Mothers Memoir (Courtesy the subject)

Author Manish Gaekwads The Last Courtesan: Writing My Mothers Memoir, narrates the story of Rekhabai, a member of the Kanjarbhat tribe of Pune, who was sold and trained as a nautch girl. Through his memoir, Gaekwad gives a face and dignity to the many nameless women of Kamathipura and their difficult stories. My mother was not a body of shame for me. I didnt feel ashamed of my mother or her identity. Yes, the outsiders did all that [pass unsavoury comments] but I never brought them home. One builds a strong wall of emotional resilience around them over time, says Gaekwad. Perhaps, my mother passed on her resilience to me. One acknowledges that it [shaming and harassment] happened but one cannot fight it because there are just too many [people] to fight.

He reveals that, as the children of women from Kamathipura take on the roles of taxi drivers, store salesmen and other professionals, they often feel a sense of shame and guilt about their origins. When I went to Calcutta and tried to speak to some people whom I knew, they completely shunned me. They have moved to a life where their past doesnt come up in conversations. They were ashamed to talk about it. They didnt understand that I was trying to celebrate it [the past], not bring shame to it, says the former journalist who believes his childhood companions might actually feel validated if they ever do read his memoir. All it takes is one person to stand up and say Hey  it is not that bad. Too many celebrity voices? Despite the many rewards of writing and reading memoirs, the most popular examples of this genre continue to be celebrity tell-alls. But this doesnt have to be a given. Gaekwad thinks publishers should commission books by a more diverse set of authors. Right now, it is an unhealthy balance. Celebrity memoirs are heard more and marketed better so their sales are better. It is time this changed, he says. Tejuja, however, thinks its the story that matters. If by reading their stories, people are encouraged to talk about their own struggles, then thats a good thing. Its important to read memoirs written by anyone. An introduction to a life different to yours  its a privilege and an honour to encounter that in the pages of books, he says. Despite the many rewards of writing and reading memoirs, the most popular examples of this genre continue to be celebrity tell-alls. But this doesnt have to be a given. Gaekwad thinks publishers should commission books by a more diverse set of authors. Right now, it is an unhealthy balance. Celebrity memoirs are heard more and marketed better so their sales are better. It is time this changed, he says. Tejuja, however, thinks its the story that matters. If by reading their stories, people are encouraged to talk about their own struggles, then thats a good thing. Its important to read memoirs written by anyone. An introduction to a life different to yours  its a privilege and an honour to encounter that in the pages of books, he says. One thing is certain, we enjoy reading first-person accounts about life and its many unpredictable twists and turns. Memoirs offer us an insight into different ways of thinking and being and give us an idea of how those ways might be applied to our own lives. Perhaps thats why it continues to be a popular genre. Deepansh Duggal writes on art and culture. He tweets at Deepansh75.

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With the July 1 deadline for its controversial tax on international credit card spends looming, the government is still working on knotty issues to evolve a uniform reporting system, even as experts continued to emphasize that the tax itself is against the principle of the liberalised remittance regime and the governments promise of ease of doing business. The new Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, which was notified last month on May 16, deleted a section that exempted credit card payments from the LRS.

The governments plan is to charge up to 20% tax collection at source (TCS) for foreign remittances through credit cards under the liberalised remittance scheme (LRS) of the move. Experts have also pointed out that the move is also a round about way of reducing the overall LRS limit of $250,000 a year.

Number theory: Charts that explain NDA govts tax performance

The government will soon issue some clarifications on charging different TCS rates varying between 0.5% and 20% along with specific exemptions following which the Reserve Bank of India will develop a reporting framework for authorised dealers such as banks, two officials with direct knowledge of the matter said on condition of anonymity.

Reporting framework can be developed quickly if the rules are simple, one of them added, hinting at the proposed multiple TCS rate structure for various types of transactions.

Also read | Bribes-for-jobs scandal: No fraud by or against us', says Tata Consultancy Services

At least three experts, who did not wish to be named, said the governments decision to bring in international credit cards under the $2,50,000 limit goes against the grain of LRS, and also runs counter to the medium-term objective of convertibility.

HT on May 20 wrote that the governments move effectively reduced the LRS limit.

If the idea is to reduce the amount Indians can spend or invest overseas in a year, or use to buy assets such as houses or stocks, then it is anti-reformist, and goes against the original reasons why LRS was introduced. If the idea is to crack down on untaxed income finding its way overseas  a cumbersome process given that even credit card spends are on the radar anyway  going after individual violators perhaps makes more sense than a sweeping rule change, it pointed out.

The new Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, which was notified last month on May 16, deleted a section that exempted credit card payments from the LRS. Thus, foreign remittances made through credit cards would also come under the LRS limit of $2,50,000 from July 1.

After the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 16, issued amended rules to include usage of international credit cards under LRS in lines with debit cards, the finance ministry on May 18 issued a clarification, exempting business expenditure undertaken through credit cards subject to verifying the bona fide of the transaction.

On May 19, after more concerns were raised, the finance ministry issued a statement exempting transactions up to 7 lakh a year from the TCS requirement.

To avoid any procedural ambiguity, it has been decided that any payments by an individual using their international debit or credit cards upto 7 lakh per financial year will be excluded from the LRS limits and hence, will not attract any TCS, it said.

Even as the July 1 deadline kicks-in this week, banks are still awaiting specific clarifications regarding applicability of different TCS rates on various transactions undertaken through international credit card, one of the experts said.

For example, how to differentiate between business transactions and personal expenses undertaken through the same credit card while spending abroad? .

The LRS scheme, introduced in February, 2004, allows resident individuals to freely remit up to $2,50,000 per financial year for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. Any person crossing this foreign remittance limit requires prior approval of Reserve Bank of India. The May 16 notification was issued to bring international credit cards into the LRS limit.

However, multiple TCS rates ranging from 0.5% to 20% for different types of transactions and exemptions  such as exclusion of an amount up to 7 lakh per annum from the LRS limit if spent using a credit or a debit card  require clarifications for the reporting purpose, experts said.

They pointed to several issues that still require clarification: How to get the 20% TCS amount reversed if the item purchased via credit card is returned? What TCS rate would be applicable for travel and incidental expenses related to education and medical treatment? And what about the person accompanying the patient? How to distinguish travel and incidental expenses related to education, medical treatment and expenses by the help visiting along with the patient?, one of the experts asked.

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The Income Tax e-Filing portal is open for registered users to pre-fill and file their Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2023-24. It is mandatory to file your ITR if your total income from all sources exceeds the basic exemption limit. Salaried individuals can file Income Tax returns online. (File Photo)

Here we give step-wise detail on how can a salaried individual taxpayer file ITR-1 using Form 16 online through the e-Filing portal.

What is the threshold limit for ITR filing?

The threshold amounts vary based on age: 2.50 lakh for individuals below 60 years, 3 lakh for those between 60 and 80 years, and 5 lakh for individuals above 80 years.

Before we proceed, here are the prerequisites

1. Registered user on the e-Filing portal with valid user ID and password

2. Status of PAN is active

3. PAN and Aadhaar are linked (mandatory w.e.f July 1)

4. Pre-validate at least one bank account and nominate it for a refund (recommended)

5. Valid mobile number linked with Aadhaar / e-Filing portal / your bank / NSDL / CDSL (for e-Verification)

6. Form 16

ALSO READ: Filing income tax return? Key points to know before submitting ITRs

What is Form 16?

Form 16 is a document provided by the employer to employees with details of tax deducted at source (TDS) and break up of salary component. As per the income tax latest rules, every employer must issue Form 16 to employees with income subject to TDS by 15 June this year. (ALSO READ: Income tax return filing: How to file your ITR without Form 16? Follow these steps)

What is the deadline for ITR filing?

The last date to file the ITR for the financial year 2022-23 is July 31.

Follow the step-wise process to complete it easily.

How to file Income Tax Returns online for AY 2023-24

1. Visit the Income Tax e-Filing portal at www.incometax.gov.in.

2. Log in to the e-Filing portal using your PAN, Password, and Captcha.

3. Access the "e-File" menu and click on the "Income Tax Return" link.

4. Your PAN will automatically appear on the Income Tax Return page. Select the Assessment Year, ITR Form Number, Filing Type, and Submission Mode. Verify the details and click on submit.

5. Continue after selecting the necessary details.

6. Fill in the mandatory fields of the online ITR form and click on "Save Draft" to save the data.

7. Review details like gross total income, total deduction, taxes paid, and tax liability.

8. Choose the appropriate Verification option under the "Taxes Paid and Verification" tab.

9. Preview and verify all the data in the ITR form.

10. Submit the form online and thus you have successfully filled your ITR.
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. 2023 Tesla Model Y (Representative Image/AP)

The Tesla was travelling 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.

ALSO READ: Tesla recalls 3.63 lakh cars over 'Full Self Driving' safety concerns

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.

ALSO READ: Elon Musk drives hype with free Tesla FSD trial for North America, but will it take control?

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.

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After a few reports suggested that the Karnataka government is going to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Bitcoin and other cases during the previous BJP rule, state home minister G Parameshwara clarified that they do not have any plans to form a SIT. However, he confirmed that the Karnataka government is going to strictly investigate the alleged scams during the previous government. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara.(PTI File Photo)

Speaking to news agency ANI on Tuesday, G Parameshwara said, I did not say that we are going to form an SIT to investigate the Bitcoin scam. We want the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take up the case and a discussion regarding the same is going on. But we will re-investigate the case and expose those involved in the Bitcoin scam. He also stressed that the government is examining the corruption charges at various departments and assured that a probe will be initiated against all the allegations.

What is Bitcoin scam?

Srikrishna, aka Sriki, was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police on November 18, 2020, in a drug peddling case. He had allegedly bought drugs from international dealers using bitcoins on the dark web. In the interrogation that followed, CCB found that the software engineer turned hacker was also involved in a series of online crimes.

He allegedly hacked into websites to steal their data and locked the owners out of it. He would then demand payment in bitcoins to unlock the websites. He also confessed to creating mirror sites, or fake payment portals that mimicked real ones, to steal credit or debit card information to steal money.

The police also said that he agreed to steal Rs. 11.5 crore from the e-procurement cell of the Karnataka e-governance centre, apart from hacking into some Bitcoin exchanges. The Congress, which was in opposition then alleged that the BJP was protecting the hacker involved in the cryptocurrency case. However, erstwhile CM Basavaraj Bommai had denied all the charges and clarified that fair investigation was going on in the case.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the armed forces special powers act (AFSPA) has been largely removed from north-east, where lasting peace has returned and hoped that permanent peace for Jammu and Kashmir as well, to remove the act from the region. He, however, refused to give a deadline. Defence minister Rajnath Singh being felicitated with a turban by BJPs J&K unit president Ravinder Raina during the India's National Security Conclave in Jammu on Monday. (HT Photo)

We want to make the situation normal in J&K so that democratic process is initiated. I cant give a deadline but people wont have to wait for long, the defence minister said.

Also read | 'PM Modi took just 10 minutes to decide': Rajnath Singh's veiled warning to Pakistan on terrorism

Addressing a national security conclave to mark nine years of the Bharatiya Janata Partys rule, Singh said, National security is our top priority and the government is committed to protecting the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country

He asserted that the country has seen a paradigm shift in its security scenario in the last nine years. Pointing out that Indias image in 2013-14 was that of a weak nation, he said that it allowed the countrys adversaries to create problems. He added that today, the country has the ability to overcome every threat.

Read: Pakistan illegally occupying Kashmir, was and will remain part of India: Rajnath Singh

Singh stated that no stone is being left unturned to equip the military with latest weaponry and modern technology, assuring that the armed forces are capable of protecting the borders and seas.

Our goal is to bring our armed forces in the frontline of modern militaries, he said.

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 across the borders, following Uri and Pulwama incidents, are proof of Indias zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, he said.

The defence minister added, 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. Singh further said that the network of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has substantially weakened as strict action is being taken against them.

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 their network, he said.

On abrogation of Article 370, he said that the decision has connected the people of the union territory with the countrys mainstream and helped them usher into a new era of peace and progress.

Talking about Pakistan occupied Kashmir, he said, Pakistan does not have a locus standi there as it has illegally occupied the area. Our Parliament has passed at least three resolutions, which state that PoK is a part of India.

Talking about the situation along the Line of Actual Control with China, The defence minister called it as a matter of perception difference between the two sides.

There are agreements and protocols, based on which the armies of both the countries carry out the patrolling, he said.

Referring to the stand-off in east Ladakh in 2020, he said, the Chinese army violated the agreed protocols and tried to change the status quo on the LAC.

Talks are on at military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute. But let me assure the nation that the government will never compromise on Indias border, its honour and self-respect, he added.
{Monsoons arrival} The shortage of labourers has also led to an increase in the transplantation charges, with the farmers now paying  3,500 to  4,000 per acre against  2,800 to  3,000 last year. (HT Photo)

With monsoons arrival in northern India, the transplantation of paddy has also gained momentum in the rice-growing belts across the state.

Most parts of Haryana received heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon.

But with a majority of growers in the state opting for transplantation in view of the rainfall, paddy growers stare at a shortage of labour for transplantation of paddy.

The conventional and labour-intensive method of sowing the crop requires massive manpower and farmers say around 90% transplantation is done by migrant labourers.

This year, however, a drop was witnessed in the number of migrant labourers coming to the state. The shortage of labourers has also led to an increase in the transplantation charges, with the farmers now paying 3,500 to 4,000 per acre against 2,800 to 3,000 last year.

Also, some farmers had hired local women labourers for the work. We could not get required labourers for the paddy transplantation our 38 acres, now we are taken help of local women labourers to complete the task but they are very slow and also they will take 300 more than the migrant labourers, Raghubir Singh of Karnals Nilokheri said.

Farmers turning to DSR

Amid the labour shortage, more farmers shifted to direct seeding rice (DSR) technique. Notably, the state government had earlier revealed that over 44,000 farmers have opted for the DSR methods on around 3 lakh acres.

Officials in the state agriculture department, meanwhile, predict that the acreage under paddy cultivation in Haryana may increase above 14 lakh hectares this year, of which around 50% will be under Basmati varieties.

Weather joy

According to IMD reports, Haryana received 17.40 mm rainfall from June 25 to June 26 morning with a maximum 48.4 mm in Panipat, 44.2 mm in Sonepat, 42.8 mm in Jhajjar, 35mm in Sirsa, 31.1 mm in Rohtak, 29.1mm in Yamunanagar, 23.7 in Kurukshetra, 22.9 in Karnal and 15.9 mm in Ambala.

The rainfall came as the much-needed respite for farmers, who had been eagerly waiting for showers to prepare their fields for the transplantation. Farmers limited resources for irrigation need not spend on the diesel.

We needed rains as the paddy transplantation was already delayed and now, we have started puddling to prepare fields for the paddy transplantation, Sandeep Kumar of Karnals Gharaunda, who is planning to sow paddy on around 18 acres, said.

Echoing the sentiments, Suresh Kumar of Kurkshetras Ladwa said, Rain is good for small farmers like me as we dont have tubewell irrigation and borrow water from our neighbour at 50 per hour. With the help of this rain, we will be able to begin the transplantation.

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A day after traffic on the Chandigarh-Manali national highway was restored, the threat of landslips at Pandoh and other vulnerable stretches persists as the meteorological department has issued an orange alert warning of heavy to very heavy rain in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked after a landslide near Pandoh in Mandi district for 22 hours till traffic was restored on Monday night. (Birbal Sharma/HT)

The alert was sounded for Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Una and Sirmaur.

Hundreds of commuters, mostly tourists, were stranded for 22 hours till Monday evening on the highway after heavy rains triggered landslides at 5-Miles and 7-Miles near Pandoh, 40km from Mandi town. Many tourists, including women and children, were forced to spend the night in cars and buses as there were no hotels nearby.

Also read: Monsoon news LIVE updates: IMD predicts thunderstorm, rainfall in Himachal today

Rajender Singh, a tourist from Ghaziabad, said he along with his family planned a five-day trip to Manali but two days were wasted en route at Mandi. I learnt that this stretch of the highway is prone to landslides. Why cant the authorities take preventive steps and alert in visitors in advance? he said.

Another tourist, Govind Kumar, claimed that dhaba owners in Pandoh made a fast buck by hiking the cost of food items. They charged 20 per chapatti and 170 for a plate of dal, he said.

A Gujarati tourist, Vivek Patel, described being stranded on the highway as a nightmarish experience.

The highway was closed on Sunday evening and restored partially after 22 hours. Tourists were stranded as the alternative route via Kataula-Kamand was also closed. The traffic jams on both sides stretched to 15km.

Mandi superintendent of police Soumya Sambasivan said nearly 5,000 vehicles were stuck at different locations on the highway. Kudos to all officials of Mandi Police who worked for 24x7 to ensure the restoration of traffic. We are thankful to tourists and local residents for their patience and for obeying traffic rules, she said.

Govt advisory to tourists, locals

Meanwhile, the state government has issued an advisory to tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel and not to venture near rivers and landslide-prone areas. When travelling in hilly areas, particularly in upper Shimla, Kinnaur, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, and Chamba districts, people must gather comprehensive information about the weather and road conditions and follow the advisory provided by the local administration, the Himachal Pradesh Police Traffic, Tourist and Railways (TTR) wing said.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) chairman RS Bali said tourists should keep their GPS location on on their phones, commute on guided routes and drive slowly, particularly when visibility is low due to mist.

The meteorological centre has forecast rain in the state till July 1. A yellow alert for heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorm has been sounded for five days.

15 lives lost in rain-related incidents

Since its onset in Himachal on June 24, the monsoon has wreaked havoc across the state, causing losses pegged at over 164 crore, while 15 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, according to the data released by State Emergency Operation Cell of the State Disaster Management Authority. Three people are missing and 27 have been injured.

With more than 1033 drinking water supply and irrigation schemes hit, the jal shakti department has suffered losses of 89.95 crore and the public works department (PWD) 72.90 crore.

Seven incidents of major landslides, a cloudburst and four incidents of flash floods have been reported across the state in three days. Five houses have been damaged and 34 partially damaged.

More than 300 roads, mostly rural roads, are blocked due to landslips. Traffic on National Highway-5, which was blocked at Theog, was restored on Monday, nine days after the PWD constructed a bailey bridge on the stretch that was swept away by a landslide.

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Police have booked a man for allegedly setting his wife ablaze at their house at Shadipur locality of Yamunanagar after she refused to give him money for drugs. (HT File)

The accused has been identified as Zulfan of Saharanpur.

The victim, Sultana, had taken up work as a labourer at a plywood factory to sustain the family as the accused remained out of a job given his addiction. The couple had been living together for seven years and had three children. The victims family alleged the accused would often beat his wife up.

In his complaint, the womans father, Jamaludin, told police that the incident took place during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, when Sultana got into an argument with Zulfan after returning from work .

He snatched away the money she earned and left the house. At around 12.30 pm, he returned again with petrol filled in a plastic bottle, when Sultana and her sons were sleeping separately on their beds. He poured the petrol on her and lit a fire, while the kids ran outside crying for help, he added.

The woman was rushed to the civil hospital, from where she was referred to PGI, Chandigarh. She died during treatment on Sunday.

Sharing further details, Yamunanagar Sadar police station house officer (SHO) inspector Joginder Singh said a case was registered under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and a hunt is on for the arrest of the accused.

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The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will conduct a special audit into alleged administrative and financial irregularities in the reconstruction of chief minister Arvind Kejriwals official residence in Delhis Civil Lines, officials in the lieutenant governors (LGs) office said. The renovation of chief minister Arvind Kejriwals official residence in Civil Lines was carried out between 2020 and 2022. (HT PHOTO)

Delhi LG VK Saxena, on May 24, wrote to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), pointing out alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the CMs official residence. MHA recommended a special CAG audit taking note of the LGs letter which flagged irregularities, added the officials, who asked not to be named. The LG claimed there were gross and prima facie financial irregularities in the reconstruction.

The move follows a request by the Centre to the CAG in this regard, said officials aware of the matter. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemned the decision.

The reconstruction was carried out between 2020 and 2022 when the coronavirus pandemic was raging across India. The LGs letter was based on a report Delhi chief secretary Naresh Kumar submitted to him on April 27 which detailed prima facie violations of rules, guidelines and ownership in the reconstruction. The chief secretary prepared the factual report on the directions of the LG.

Read | Delhi CM house renovation cost 52 cr, vigilance submits to LG: Report

A month later, the Delhi governments vigilance department said in a report that the renovation of Kejriwals official residence incurred a total cost of 52.71 crore  33.49 crore on the construction of the house and 19.22 crore on a camp office for the chief minister.

Reacting to the news of the audit, the AAP in a statement said, the allegations were fabricated, and it was part of an attempt to suppress the voice of the Opposition.

As far as the CAG inquiry into the reconstruction expenses of the CMs residence, it is important to note that it was already conducted last year, revealing no evidence of financial irregularities. The decision to initiate the same CAG investigation once again is a clear reflection of the BJPs frustration, paranoia, and authoritarian tendencies, the statement added.

There was no official comment from the CAGs office. However, a CAG official said, The audit is on.

Since April, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AAP have been engaged in a war of words over the Delhi governments expenditure on renovation and reconstruction of the CMs official residence . The BJP has pointed to the use of imported marble and high-end kitchen equipment in the exercise.

The officials cited in the first instance said that the chief secretarys report said that in the guise of renovation (addition/alteration), the public works department carried out a full-fledged reconstruction and built a new building, and that this was done without mandatory and pre-required sanction of the building plans by the departments own building committee.

HT has not seen a copy of the report.

The officials also added that to avoid approvals from principal secretary (PWD), who has been delegated powers for giving financial sanction above 10 crores, split sanctions of amounts less than 10 crores on every occasion were obtained .

The initial cost for construction work was 15-20 crores. However, the same was inflated from time-to-time and as per report, a total expenditure of 52,71,24,570/- (approximately 53 Crores) have been spent till date which is more than 3 times the initial estimategross violation of the MPD-2021, which is the law of the land in matters of land and spatial development/redevelopment has been brought out, said the officials cited above, citing the chief secretarys report.

In its statement, the AAP accused the BJP of trying to tarnish the partys image.

Conducting a CAG inquiry is a prerogative of an elected government, and by interfering in the affairs of the Delhi government, the central government is violating constitutional principles, the statement said.

It is evident that the BJP, troubled by its consecutive electoral defeats in Delhi, is not only tarnishing the reputation of the honest government led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, but also engaging in clandestine efforts to undermine the established power structure, it added.

AAP leaders said the renovation was required because the CMs residence was constructed 80 years ago, and that following three incidents of partial roof collapse, PWD, the agency responsible for the maintenance of the bungalow, recommended rebuilding the CMs residence.

The AAP has claimed that while the exercise cost 45 crore, the repair of the Delhi LGs residence cost 15 crore, and the renovation of PM Narendra Modis residence, 90 crore.

If the Prime Minister truly possesses the courage he claims, he should order a comprehensive investigation into the Adani scam by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Moreover, the CAG or other central agencies should also conduct thorough investigations into the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, the Chanda (donation) scam in Ayodhya Ram Temple, and the various scandals involving the Chief Minister of Assam, the AAP statement added.

The Delhi unit of the BJP welcomed the CAG audit. After the CAG audit, Kejriwals truth will come in front of the public, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said.

A former Delhi chief secretary, who wished not to be named, said that MHA can request CAG to carry out special audit if it thinks irregularities have been committed. ... CAG can audit accounts of the Union and states and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed under any law. CAG is a constitutionally independent body. MHA can request the CAG to carry out special audit if it thinks irregularities have been committed. CAG shall consider the request from the MHA for special audits in UTs with an assembly. Under the CAGs (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, CAG can conduct audits including in UTs with assembly, said the former chief secretary.

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NEW DELHI: South Delhis Deer Park has been derecognised as a mini-zoo by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and its deer population will have to be shifted out, officials familiar with the matter said. The park will continue to remain open to the public. The park in Hauz Khas, officially known as the AN Jha Deer Park, will be classified as a protected forest (HT File Photo)

The park in Hauz Khas, officially known as the AN Jha Deer Park, will be classified as a protected forest and will be overseen by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the land-owning agency.

A DDA official said the decision to derecognise the park was taken at recent CZA meetings because of overcrowding in the enclosure for the deer.

In a June 8 communication, CZA informed DDA about the change in the parks status and added that the deer would be handed over to the Rajasthan and Delhi forest departments in a 70:30 ratio.

...the spotted deer population, as estimated might have increased to say 600 and the same shall be transferred in ratio (70:30) to the Rajasthan forest department and the forest department of NCT of Delhi respectively. Both the organizations have agreed to the same, the letter said, referring to a CZA meeting on January 30 this year.

Among those who attended the meeting were CZA member secretary Sanjay Shukla, Delhi chief wildlife warden Suneesh Buxy, DDA principal commissioner Rajeev Kumar Tiwari, and CZAs evaluation and monitoring officer Devender Kumar. The proposal was approved by CZAs technical committee at its meeting on April 19, 2023.

The DDA official said the park started with six deer in the 1960s and their population increased over the decades. Over the last decade alone, the deer population is estimated to have risen from 200 to 600

The issues that led to this decision include the rapid growth of population, inbreeding, possibility of spread of disease and the lack of trained manpower to maintain this mini-zoo. Now, after the order has been issued by the CZA, the Rajasthan and Delhi forest department shall take further action for the translocation of the deer. Deer park is a protected forest area and after shifting of deer, it shall be maintained that way too, the official said.

A Delhi forest department official said they were carrying out an assessment at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, following which it will be decided how many deer have to be shifted there. We are yet to decide what will be done with the deer. At Asola, we will assess which pockets will be suitable for the deer and how many can be accommodated there.

The park, spread over an area of 25.95 hectare, is also home to other smaller animals such as rabbits and ducks.

There have been plans to shift out the deer for years. In March this year, the CZA attempted to shift them out to the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary but the plan was paused after the Delhi forest department underlined that it needed to repair its broken boundary walls first.

The other protected forests under the DDA include the Jahanpanah city forest, Sanjay Van, Vasant Vihar district park; district parks in Gokulpuri and Jhilmil; Dhaula Kuan park complex, a forest in Wazirpur and Hastal; and district parks in Rohtak and Pitampura.

A protected forest under the Indian Forest Act places restrictions on commercial activities as compared to regular parks and bars the construction of permanent structures inside.
The Delhi Police announced late on Monday that they apprehended two people in connection with a brazen robbery in the Pragati Maidan tunnel. They added that the remaining two suspects were identified, and raids were on to nab them. The CCTV footage of Saturdays robbery emerged on Monday, and was shared widely on social media.

The development came even as a dispute raged between the police and the Public Works Department (PWD) over when the crime was reported.

Staff at a control room set up to monitor live CCTV footage from the Pragati Maidan tunnel told the Delhi Police about the 2 lakh robbery that took place there around 3pm on Saturday within five minutes of the incident, PWD officials said on Monday.

The police refuted this, saying that the crime was reported to them around 5.30pm when the two victims visited the Tilak Marg police station.

PWD officials, who asked not to be named, said the control room staff reported the matter to police control room (PCR). The police team came two hours later to collect the footage which we gave them, a PWD official said, asking not to be named.

A senior police officer said this was not accurate. We checked with the Tilak Nagar police station and PCR. No call was made either by the victims or anybody from the PWD control room staff, the senior officer said. He, too, asked not to be named.

This is the latest in a spree of crimes in full public view in the city. Such instances are a strong stain on law and order, especially since street crimes, while not always heinous, can strip a city of its sense of safety.

Last Thursday, a man was shot at in his car in Chittaranjan Park area. Then on June 18, a DU student was stabbed to death by a group of people outside Aryabhatta College; and on the same day two sisters were shot dead in front of their family in RK Puram.

The CCTV footage of Saturdays robbery emerged on Monday, and was shared widely on social media. The footage shows four men on two bikes  a TVS Apache and a Hero Splendor  force a Maruti Suzuki Dzire taxi to stop. As soon as the car comes to a halt, the Apache motorbike stops in front of the car and two men on the other bike stop near the front passenger door.

Footage shows the pillion riders from both the bikes get down, flashing guns. While one opens the door and points the gun at the driver, the other rider goes to the left side of the car and opens the rear door. He snatches a black bag from the passenger on the rear seat and quickly sits on the Splendor bike. Several vehicles slow down and pass by during the robbery, the footage shows.

The tunnel is close to Pragati Maidans convention centre, the venue for the G20 Summit meeting in September, and is guarded by at least 70 CCTV cameras and 12 private security guards, according to PWD officials.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Patel Sajan Kumar, told the police that he and his colleague, Jigar Patel, boarded the cab from near Red Fort to reach Gurugram. The cab entered the tunnel from the Ring Road loop, when the robbers struck. The robbers wore helmets, so I could not see their faces and wouldnt be able to identify them. I informed my employer about the robbery and he arrived there. Thereafter, he brought us to the police station, Kumar said in his complaint.

Police said that the robbers exited through the tunnel on Purana Quila Road and were further captured on a CCTV camera on Mathura Road near Delhi Zoo, moving towards south Delhi. The police suspect that the robbers either took the India Gate Circle and Shershah Road to reach Mathura Road or they could have taken a U-turn on the Purana Quila Road after exiting the tunnel to reach Mathura Road. Our investigation so far revealed that the robbers were following the delivery agents from Chandni Chowk area. They might be aware that cash was being transported in the cab. We are also probing if an insider tipped off the robbers, said an investigator.

On Monday night, police announced that two of the suspects had been apprehended from north Delhis Burari  one nabbed by the crime branch, and the other by north district police. They said two others involved in the robbery were identified.

Experts have raised questions over the brazenness of the crime. The armed robbery did not happen at any isolated spot, but at a place where people are moving in their vehicles. The way the robbers committed the crime shows that they had no fear of police and were confident that they would get away, said former IPS officer Ashok Chand.

Police in a statement said that special commissioner of police (law and order) Sagar Preet Hooda along with other officers is patrolling New Delhi, especially around the Pragati Maidan tunnel, to take stock of the police presence in the area.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees helicopter made an emergency landing at the Sevoke air base near Siliguri on Tuesday afternoon due to inclement weather conditions, officials said. She was on her way to Bagdogra from where she was supposed to take a flight back to Kolkata. (Mamata Banerjee | Facebook)

The chopper took off from Jalpaiguri district where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief had addressed a political rally ahead of the upcoming panchayat polls in the state.

She was on her way to Bagdogra from where she was supposed to take a flight back to Kolkata.

Also Read: Bengal Panchayat polls: TMC worker shot dead, 6 others injured in fresh clash

The chief ministers helicopter made a precautionary landing at the Sevoke Military Station at Salugara, said an army official.

The passengers, including the chief minister in the helicopter, were safe. The pilot made a safe landing on the airstrip at Salugara near Siliguri.

When the aircraft was somewhere around the Baikunthapur forest, it met with a thunderstorm. The pilot had to change course and land the aircraft safely at the defence airstrip.

The captain decided to go for a precautionary landing following heavy rainfall over the forest area, said the official.

Banerjee later left for Bagdogra airport around 15km from the army base.

Voting for panchayat polls in the state will take place on July 8.

Around 5.67 crore voters are set to vote to elect nearly 75,000 candidates in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats.

The counting for the single-phase elections will be held on July 11.
A clash broke out between two groups at Gitaldaha in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Tuesday morning, in which one person died of bullet injuries. The situation is now peaceful at the site. Further details awaited.(ANI)

The deceased has been identified as Babu Hoque.

Speaking to ANI, Sumit Kumar SP, Cooch Behar said, "A clash broke out between two groups in Gitaldaha, Cooch Behar this morning. As per info, 5 people have received bullet injuries, of which one Babu Hoque has died. The situation is peaceful. Police present on the spot."

Gitaldaha is near Jaridharla, one of the most interior places in the Coochbehar district and is very close to the International Border. The only mode of communication is via boat.

The police have reached the area and are speculating about the use of Bangladesh-based criminals by local leaders.

The situation is now peaceful at the site. Further details awaited.

Ahead of the Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on July 8, the state is witnessing continuous clashes in various parts of the state.

Violence erupted in Raghunathpur of Purulia district on Sunday after a clash broke out between workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party on Sunday.

Earlier, an incident of violence was reported at the Block Development Office in Birbhum's Ahmadpur, where crude bombs were reportedly thrown. Various houses were vandalised and several people were injured during the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Cooch Behar on Sunday to kickstart the party's panchayat poll campaign. She is scheduled to hold a party meeting in Jalpaiguri on Tuesday.

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Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday morning gunned down a criminal identified as Muhammand Gufran during an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) in state's Kaushambi district. The criminal was carrying a reward of 1.25 lakh for his arrest. Police killed notorious criminal Gufran

A resident of Pratapgarh district, Gufran had 13 criminal cases including seven cases of murder, attempt murder and loot. He has been synonymous of crime and terror in Pratapgarh and Sultanpur districts for years.

According to Amitabh Yash, additional director general, STF, the criminal suffered a bullet wound in a retaliatory firing after a confrontation which led to cross-firing. He later succumbed to his injury during the treatment. The STF team recovered on 9mm carbine and a 32 bore pistol from him.

The reward of 1 lakh on his arrest was declared by the Prayagraj Zone ADG along with an additional 25,000 reward by Sultanpur Police.

We were trying to trace him (gangster Gufran) for a while. After we reached Kaushambi to nab him, he opened fire to which we retaliated. He was shot in the firing and subsequently was shifted to the hospital, during which he succumbed to his injuries, Dharmesh Kumar Shahi, CO STF, said.

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A former cadet under officer from UP 19 Girls Battalion NCC (Lucknow Group) has been selected to hold the position of an officer in the Indian Air Force. Sanchita Singh being felicitated by Group Commander of Lucknow Group NCC Headquarters Brigadier Neeraj Punetha. (HT)

The cadet under officer Sanchita Singh who was a part of the 19 UP Girls Battalion NCC from 2007 and 2020, will join the Indian Air Force after she completes her 52-week training at the Hyderabad Air Force Academy beginning next month.

A felicitation function was organised to celebrate her achievement here on Tuesday morning. She was felicitated by brigadier Neeraj Punetha, group commander of the Lucknow Group NCC Headquarters.

Sanchita attributes her personality development and desire to be a part of the Indian Armed Forces to her time spent in the NCC battalion.

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Around 553 people have been detained in Assams Barak Valley during a 12-hour-bandh against the draft proposal the Election Commission of India (EC) released this month for the fresh delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies. Police detaining protesters. (Sourced)

The draft triggered protests in the Barak Valley, which includes districts of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi, as the number of assembly seats in the area is proposed to be reduced to 13 from 15.

Barak Democratic Front called for the bandh. Other parties such as Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) backed it.

Inspector-general (law and order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said 206 were detained in Cachar, 184 in Karimganj, and 91 in Hailakandi until 2pm.

Singh said that they conducted marches in Barak Valley on Sunday and Monday to boost confidence among the people. Today [Tuesday] some people demonstrated and tried to disturb society, he added.

Congress leader Abhijit Paul, who was among those detained, said police forced businessmen to open their shops and asked the transporters to send as many vehicles as possible on the streets to show that there is no bandh.

The attitude of the police is a concern. During the 1961 language movement, Assam Police opened fire on protesters which killed 11 youths. We see a similar attitude in the polices behaviour.

Police Superintendent Numal Mahatta said they have detained people for trying to stop people from going out.

Congress leader Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha said that 4.5 million people live in the Barak Valley and it will be impossible for everyone to reach out to the ECI. So this protest was important. ECI did not give the people of Barak Valley the opportunity to express their views.

The protesters chanted slogans against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). One of them asked the police to shoot him instead of arresting him while protesting in front of the Cachar deputy commissioners office. This delimitation will reduce our presentation at the state assembly. We are already deprived and it will increase our deprivation further. The state government is killing us slowly. It s better if they shoot us at once, he said.

On Monday, BJP leaders appealed to the people to ignore the call for the bandh and come out on the streets. Bimalendu Roy, a BJP leader, said there is a conspiracy against them and that anti-nationals were involved in the protests.

Most of the businesses were closed even as no violence was reported during the bandh.
LUCKNOW Students pursuing MBBS at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) created a ruckus late on Monday night at their campus. Angry students allegedly thrashed a youth for stopping them from beating a dog on the institute premises. A written complaint has been received on behalf of the victims family members. (HT File)

The youth, Satvik, is a ward of RMLIMS pathology technical officer, Richa Saran Chaturvedi, who lives on the 12th floor of the institute. The students assaulted him. Somehow, he managed to escape from their grip and ran back to his residence.

The medical students chased him and banged at the door and windowpanes of the girls hostel where he lives with his mother. Richa, in her complaint to police, said that about 15-16 MBBS students banged at the door. In panic, the youths parents called the police. There are allegations that the police also did not take any action. The family members of the victim have given a written complaint to the institute administration.

There are girls and boys hostels in the Lohia Institute campus. Along with MBBS girl students, some flats are also allotted to paramedical staff and employees in Girls Hostel. Richa Sharan Chaturvedi, working in the Histo Pathology department, lives with her family on the 12th floor of the building. Her son is doing paramedical course from private college in Hussainganj.

Richas son Satvik had returned from college on Monday night at around 9.30 pm. There are allegations that MBBS students are beating a stray dog with a stick. Satwik tried to stop the MBBS students from thrashing the dog. This irked MBBS students who beat up Satwik in which he sustained injury.

Satwik was horrified to see the mob of MBBS students. He ran towards his flat in the hostel. The MBBS students reached the girls hostel gate looking for Satwik. There are allegations that the banged door at every flat. This rowdyism by students created panic.

Frightened family members called the police and briefed them about the whole incident. Satwiks mother Richa Chaturvedi alleges that when she came outside the hostel to pacify the issue with MBBS students, the students abused her.

When contacted, Dr Nuzhat Hussain, dean, Lohia Institute said, MBBS first year students stay inside campus hostel. A written complaint has been received on behalf of the victims family members. The matter is serious. A two-member committee has been constituted for this. Dr Anurag Gupta of Pathology Department, Chief Warden of Hostel and Dr. Vikas Singh of General Surgery Department will look into the incident. They were asked to complete the investigation in 24 hours. Strict action will be taken against the guilty students.

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A special investigation team (SIT), formed by the Bihars anti-terrorist squad (ATS), visited Bhagalpur on Sunday probe the blast in which a 17-year-old died while three others were injured on Saturday evening. According to police, the debris from the house was scattered far and wide after the explosion. (Representative file image)

However, the main suspect has been absconding since the blast in his building.

Besides collecting samples from the blast site, the ATS members spoke to the Quareshi Tola residents as well as officials of local Babarganj police station.

Investigations revealed that the deceased, along with his mother and sister were living at Barauni in Begusarai.

Also Read: Youth dead, 3 injured in explosion in Bhagalpur house

All three had come there on June 18 to celebrate Eid at their native place. The mother of the deceased is presently undergoing treatment and is critical.

According to police, the blast, which took place inside a two-storeyed building in Hussainabad Quareshi locality around 5:30 pm, brought down a part of the house, which is owned by one Mohammad Abdul Gani.

A fire also broke out and was doused by a fire tender that was rushed there.

According to police, the debris from the house was scattered far and wide after the explosion. It is suspected that miscreants had been using the house for storing explosives.

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Teaching jobs in Bihar government schools has now been thrown open to all Indians as the state cabinet on Tuesday removed the domicile status as one of the eligibility criteria by amending the new teacher recruitment rules it had brought earlier this year. A protest in Patna in support of aspirants for teaching jobs in government schools. (HT file)

The decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday.

This proposal was mooted before the cabinet by the state education department.

Earlier, there was a provision to recruit only Bihar residents as teachers in state government-run schools under the new service conditions  Bihar state school teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action, and service condition) rules, 2023.

Now, there will be no domicile-based reservation for recruitment of teachers in state government-run schools. Any Indian citizen can apply for government teacher job and it is not binding that he or she should have a Bihar domicile. This decision was taken by the state cabinet today, S Siddharth, additional chief secretary (cabinet secretariat), told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The whole matter is also pending before the Patna high court, where a number of petitions have been filed against the new recruitment rules under which all future appointments of school teachers will be carried out by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) through an examination. The next hearing is due in the first week next month.

The latest amendment may also lead to extension in the last date for submission of application forms, which is July 12.

On June 15, the BPSC had started the process for online submission of applications for 1.75 lakh vacancies in secondary and higher secondary schools, though nearly four lakh working teachers have decided not to associate with the process, demanding that they be given the status of government employees without any exam rider due to their old service.

The government has categorically said that all fresh appointments of school teachers would be done through the BPSC and only those clearing the exam will have the government employee status.

The existing lot of teachers, appointed through panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies since 2006, will also need to take the BPSC exam for upgrade as government employees, else they will get pay hike but not the status as the new lot.

As the existing lot of teachers have stayed away from the recruitment process, the number of applicants fulfilling the laid down requirements is not very high. The candidates having already qualified the teacher eligibility test and waiting for appointment for the last four years have also moved the court separately, said former MP Shatrughan Prasad Singh, who is currently the president of the Bihar Secondary Teachers Association.

Besides, the domicile restrictions anyways could not have stand the scrutiny of law. The Jharkhand high court had earlier rejected the state governments similar notification on its domicile policy. Besides, the poor pay scale compared to other states is a big deterrent for talented candidates even from Bihar, leave alone those from other states, Singh said.

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The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday amended the teachers recruitment rules opening the recruitment for all Indian citizens. An application process for recruiting 1 lakh 70000 teachers in Bihar is underway on the official website. (Teachers of Bihar | Twitter)

The decision to amend the Bihar State School Teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action and service condition) Rules, 2023 was taken in the state cabinet meeting, presided by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Also Read: Teachers planning protests against new recruitment rules in Bihar to face action

Earlier, the vacancies were confined to only permanent residents of Bihar and the matter was also challenged in the Patna high court, where many petitions have been filed against the new recruitment rules under which all future appointments of school teachers will be carried out by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).

The matter will be heard on July 4.

Now the precondition for a candidate to be a permanent resident of India has been removed, the notification issued by the education department stated.

This may also lead to an extension of the date for submission of application forms.

The last date for filling out applications is July 12.

On June 15, the BPSC had started the process for online submission of applications for 1.75-lakh vacancies in secondary and higher secondary schools.

Nearly four lakh working teachers have, however, decided not to associate with the process, demanding that they should be given the status of government employees without any exam rider due to their old service.

The government has categorically said that all fresh appointments of school teachers would be done through the BPSC, as laid down under the new rules.

Only those who clear the examination will have government employee status.

The existing lot of teachers appointed through panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies since 2006 will also need to go through the process for upgrade as government employees.

As they have stayed away from the recruitment process, the number of applicants fulfilling the laid down requirements is not very high. The candidates, having already qualified for the teacher eligibility test and having been waiting for an appointment for the last four years, have also moved the court separately. Besides, the domicile issue cannot stand the scrutiny of law. The Jharkhand high court had earlier rejected the state governments notification on its domicile policy. Besides, the poor pay scale compared to other states is a big deterrent for talented candidates even from Bihar, leave alone those from other states, said former MP and president of the Bihar secondary teachers association Shatrughan Prasad Singh.

He said that the teachers having worked in schools since 2006 have only one demand - the status of government employees.

The government is just whiling away time. The school teachers are banking on the court to set things right, he added.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Kumar Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues. ...view detail
The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval for construction and operationalisation of three five-star hotels in capital Patna, on the land of Ashok Patliputra hotel, Sultan Palace and Bankipur bus stand premises, according a statement issued by the state government. The historic Sultan Palace in the heart of Patna, where one of the three proposed five-star hotels would come up. (PTI)

Managing director, BSTDC ( Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation) Nand Kishore said the three five-star hotels in Patna would come up in the next three to four years after necessary formalities, like inviting bids for developing the hotels on the government land to be given on long lease.

First we will hire a consultant and then there would be approval from board of Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority( BIADA). Then bids would be invited from the interested parties who would be given the land on long lease for construction and operationalisation of the hotels, he said.

The Ashok Patliputra hotel is spread around 1.5 acres while the Sultan Palace is on around 3 acres and Bankipur bus stand premises over 3.5 acres.

In another key decision, the state cabinet approved the proposal for signing of a MoU between the state government and Centre for implementation of the Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System ( SMART-PDS) , a centrally sponsored scheme for bringing in reforms in the PDS system through new technology. A software would be developed for its implementation, the statement said.

The state cabinet also gave its nod to the subsidy scheme to promote cattle farming of indigenous breeds in a bid to boost milk productivity, generate employment and enhance farmers income.

The scheme would provide subsidy up to 75% of the cost of cowshed installation, purchase of cattle and farming management to applicants from scheduled caste/ scheduled tribe and extremely backward classes. The general category beneficiaries would be provided 50% subsidy, the release said.

In another decision, the cabinet cleared the state government decision to engage SBI Capital Markets (SBI CAPS) as transaction advisor and state-run Metal Scrap Trading Company (MSTC) for providing the platform for auction of the mineral reserves discovered recently in the state.

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The Bihar government and the Raj Bhawan are engaged in a turf war over the introduction of four-year integrated graduation programme with choice based credit system (CBCS) from the new session even as state universities have already reached the advance stage of the admission process and the new session set to start from July 4, as per the annual calendar. Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. (HT file)

Additional chief secretary (education) KK Pathak has categorically written, in response to the reply to his earlier letter from the Governors officer on special duty (OSD) Balendra Shukla, that that Raj Bhawans communications and meetings with the departments top brass and vice chancellors with regard to introduction of four-year programme would not suffice without the approval of the Bihar State Higher Education Council (BSHEC).

As we have come to know that the universities are about to begin the admission process/entrance examination process without the approval of the Council, they may also be advised to withhold the admission process for the four-year programme till the time Council considers the above issue, says the Pathaks letter dated June 24, which has been seen by HT.

Earlier this month, states education minister Chandrashekhar had defended his officers earlier letter and said at a meeting with vice chancellors and principals that the four-year programme with CBCS, for which the Raj Bhawan had moved ahead with ordinance and statute in consultation with vice chancellors, was not immediately possible in the state under the prevailing circumstances.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar later responded to it at a function in his speech that the four-year programme was flexible and the students could opt out of it even after three years, but the matter did not settle.

For the universities, the continued uncertainty could do further harm to their belated attempts to streamline the derailed academic sessions and vie for accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which they lack due to poor track record in adopting reforms.

Bihars premier Patna Womens College has already adopted its own four-year programme and is moving ahead as per scheduled calendar. Most of the universities have already passed resolution to implement it as per mandate of NEP (National Education Policy).

The admission process in institutions like Patna University, Patliputra University and a few others have been almost completed.

This is sad. Such uncertainty should have been avoided. It will affect the students in the end. Institutions should not be reduced to a political tool. Bihar is already a laughing stock in the sphere of higher education due to this tendency of oneupmanship. If any good is happening from any side to make a fresh start, it should be welcomed and encouraged. For the present mess, both sides are equally to blame, said NK Choudhary, former head of department of economics at Patna University.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Arun Kumar Arun Kumar is Senior Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times. He has spent two-and-half decades covering Bihar, including politics, educational and social issues. ...view detail
Two days after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) started dismantling the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) stretch on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road, between Yerawada to Vimannagar Chowk (Phoenix Mall), civic activists who are working to strengthen the public transport system have opposed the civic bodys decision. PMCdismantled the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) stretch on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road (HT PHOTO)

According to activists this decision has exposed the civic bodys true face. Harshad Abhyankar of Save Pune Traffic Movement (SPTM), Ranjit Gadgil of Parisar, Sanskriti Menon of Centre for Environment Education and Pranjali Deshpande, Public Transport expert criticised the PMC.

The Pune municipal commissioner has exposed his true approach towards urban transport by deciding to remove the Ahmednagar Road BRT corridor. PMPML buses do not get stuck in a traffic jam due to the BRT lane, saving the time for several commuters. Thus, the BRT is a boon for commuters even in its present condition. However, instead of acting in the interest of PMPML commuters, the commissioner favoured interests of the users of personal motor vehicles, said Abhyankar.

As per the activists the PMC is favouring users of personal vehicles and projects beneficial to them. From parking structures to road widening, PMC is undertaking these projects only because they are part of the Development Plan (DP). However, they are demolishing important projects that benefit public transportation, from the same DP. What is the basis for such selective treatment? Would PMC publish what study was conducted to justify removing the BRTS on Ahmednagar Road?asked Gadgil.

According to activists, it is a universally accepted fact that congestion is caused due to the increasing use of personal motor vehicles.

What steps has the PMC taken to reduce use of personal vehicles? How would removing the BRTS reduce congestion? On one hand the construction of a BRTS corridor along the old Mumbai-Pune Road is announced and on the other hand, the PMC is dismantling a corridor that is beneficial to PMPML. This clearly explains the civic bodys confused state and haphazard policy towards public transport, said Deshpande.

Nikhil Mijar, traffic planner, PMC, said, As the work on Pune metro began on Ahmednagar Road, the PMPML stopped plying buses from the dedicated corridor of BRTS since past three years causing authorities to rethink. The BRTS and metro are competing with each other and they should not run parallel. The PMC has carried out all types of experiments regarding the BRTS but they have not been successful.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said that prime minister Narendra Modi, who attacked the Opposition, including NCP, over corruption at a programme in Bhopal, should think whether it was appropriate to speak about current and former chief ministers in this way. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar (HT PHOTO)

The prime minister while speaking in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday recounted allegations of corruption against the governments of the Opposition parties who met at Patna recently for forging a united front against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The PM in Bhopal said, As to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), there are allegations of scams of nearly 70,000 crore against it, including the Maharashtra Cooperative Bank scam, Maharashtra irrigation scam and illegal mining scam. The list is too long.

These parties (in the Opposition) scam meter is never down, the prime minister said, adding that the Oppositions common minimum programme is to save themselves from action against corruption.

The PM has presented before the country a new example of how to talk about people, Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Pune on Tuesday evening.

Among those present at the Oppositions meeting were the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, several former chief ministers, who had the responsibility of governing their respective states and who enjoy peoples support. How appropriate it is to make such statements about (ones) colleagues? The prime minister should think about it, he said.

About alleged Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam referred by Modi in his speech, the NCP chief said he was never a member of this bank.

I am not a member of the bank and have never done any financial or loan-related transactions with it. So how appropriate it is to level an allegation about an institution of which we are not even members? he said.

He said that there was no reason for the prime minister to mention NCP MP (and Pawars daughter) Supriya Sule who too was never a part of any such institution.

But such statements are made just because some people cannot digest the fact that Opposition leaders came together to discuss the issues plaguing the country, Pawar said.

The NCP chief also criticised Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and his cabinets arrival at Pandharpur saying that if a chief minister from a neighbouring state is coming to offer prayers, there is no need to object.

But the attempt to show a big strength in terms of number of vehicles (during the visit) was worrisome, he said, adding that he doesnt want to comment further on the matter.

He also mentioned that it would have been better if the visit had focused on enhancing cooperation between the two states.

When asked about Bhagirath Bhalke, who joined BRS in the presence of Rao after being the NCPs candidate in the 2021 Pandharpur assembly by-poll, Pawar said that there is no need to worry if an individual leaves the party.

After giving the ticket to Bhalke, we realised that our selection was wrong, but I do not want to talk about it, he said.

In the poll that took place in 2021 after the death of Bharat Bhalke, the NCP fielded his son Bhagirath as its candidate, but the seat was won by the BJPs Samadhan Autade.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) submitted a 357 crore proposal to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) this week to get funding under the Union governments Urban Flood Management Project. The PMC submitted a  357 crore proposal to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) this week (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

According to the 15th Finance Commission for 2021-26, Pune was one of seven cities shortlisted for urban flood risk management to counteract the negative effects of climate change and excessive rainfall.

The NDMA granted a 50 crore annual allocation for the city through the fiscal year 2025-26.

The civic body submitted a detailed report for implementation by the road department, drainage department, and river improvement department in accordance with the project agreements.

In response to the development, Ganesh Sonune, head of the PMCs Disaster Management Department, stated, Although the central government had approved the funds, they asked the PMC to submit a detailed plan for addressing a floodlike situation in the city. We have developed a strategy outlining how the PMC intends to spend the allocated funds to fix rain-related emergencies.

Sonune further added that the civic body has identified 137 spots across the city where flood problems are prevalent.

PMC is primarily proposing to install stormwater lines and a box drainage system along the road where waterlogging is a chronic issue. PMC is also expected to restore an old drainage system with these funds.
As the two public holidays of Bakri Eid and Ashadi Ekadashi are falling on the same day on June 29, the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) along with its affiliated colleges has rescheduled the examination to another date. The university exams are already scheduled and are underway. However, considering the request from many students, the varsity has decided to adjourn the original exam schedule. As the two public holidays are falling on June 29, the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has rescheduled the examination (HT FILE PHOTO)

As per the information given by the SPPU examination department, the exams scheduled for various departments on June 29 are being rescheduled for July 9.

A circular has been issued by the examination department on Tuesday in this regard which states, There were several requests and demands raised by the affiliated colleges to SPPU about the two festivals lying on the same day of June 29 which is Bakri Eid and Ashadhi Ekadashi. So, the board of examination has decided to postpone all the exams scheduled on this day to July 9 in all the affiliated colleges in Pune, Nashik, and Ahmednagar districts.

The SPPU convocation ceremony for the academic year 2022-23 is going to be held on July 1 and Maharashtra Governor and chancellor of all state universities Ramesh Bais is going to be the chief guest for the ceremony.
Around four years after the incident that triggered a national outrage, Saraikela district court in Jharkhand on Tuesday pronounced a guilty verdict for 10 of the accused in the mob lynching case involving the death of 24-year-old Tabrez Anasri, who was beaten to death for allegedly attempting burglary at a house in Dhatkidih village in the intervening night of June 17-18, 2019. A protest against the 2019 lynching. (HT file)

Of the 13 accused who faced trial in the case, the court of additional district judge Amit Sehkhar acquitted two, public prosecutor Ashok Kumar Rai said. One accused died during the trial.

Ten accused, including the main accused Prakash Mandal alias Pappu Mandal, have been convicted under section 304 and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Though charges were framed under section 302 (murder) as well, the court held them guilty under 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other sections of the IPC, said Rai.

While section 302 attracts a maximum penalty of death (capital punishment), section 304 attracts a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

We would pray for maximum punishment of life imprisonment for the accused when the court decides on the quantum of punishment on July 5, Rai said.

Tabrez was brutally beaten up by an angry mob after he was caught allegedly attempting burglary in the house of one Kamal Mahato. He was handed over to the police by the villagers on June 18 and was sent to jail the same day. He, however, fell sick in jail and died during treatment on June 22 morning.

Tabrezs wife Sahistha Parveen had lodged a murder case against one Prakash Mandal and others who were unidentified. Names of other 12 other accused were added by the police through the course of the investigation.

Initially, the police had registered FIR (first information report) under section 302 (murder) and other sections of the IPC.

However, it filed the charge sheet under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC in Saraikela court after dropping the murder charge. It had pointed out that the available evidence, doctors report and autopsy report indicated it was not a premeditated murder and, therefore, Section 302 was converted into Section 304 of the IPC.

The autopsy report had mentioned cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

Complainant Sahishta then moved the Saraikela court, challenging the police decision to drop the murder charge.

Following a national outrage, the police then filed a supplementary charge sheet on September 18, 2019, and brought back section 302 (murder charge) against the accused.

After the verdict, Shaishta Praveen said she would move high court to ensure the accused are held guilty under murder charges.

I welcome the verdict, but I was expecting that the accused would also be held guilty for murder. I would get real justice only when they are punished for murder. I had approached court even when murder charges were dropped by police. I would approach the high court now, she said.

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The University of Mumbai will announce the second merit list tomorrow, June 28 at 7 pm. Candidates who have registered for Mumbai University admission 2023 can check the second merit list on the official website at mu.ac.in or on the official website of individual colleges. Mumbai University Admission 2023 second merit list releasing tomorrow

The online verification of documents and online fee payment can be submitted from June 30 to July 5. The Mumbai University's third merit list will be announced on July 6. The online verification of documents and online fee payment can be submitted from July 7 to July 10.

Mumbai University Admission 2023: How To Check the Mumbai University 2nd merit list

Visit the official website of a particular college or mu.ac.in.

On the home page, navigate to the merit list link

A PDF file will open on your screen.

Download and take the print for future reference.
Sonam Kapoor to attend UK-India week 2023

She will be seen at the reception which will take place at the PM's official residence and office on 10 Downing Street. The celebration is a part of India Global Forum's flagship event UK-India week, which is being held from 26th June to 30th June in London. Sonam will be attending the reception on Wednesday and will talk about India and its cultural influence across the globe.

UK-India Week 2023

UK-India Week 2023 is the 5th iteration of IGFs flagship event. The weeklong programme intends to honour and strengthen the longstanding partnership between UK and India by providing a platform to talk about crucial topics, including politics, trade, business, sustainability, inclusion, and innovation among others for progress and harmony.

Talking about the role of IGF in bringing both countries closer, PM Rishi Sunak was quoted by News18 saying, "India Global Forums annual UK-India Week is a highly anticipated fixture in the bilateral calendar of our two great nations. It is a catalyst for forging new trade ties, lasting collaborations, and a better future for our people. Im confident this partnership will be a defining one for our times.

Sonam Kapoor in London

Sonam shifted to London during the first wave of Covid-19 in India. She married Anand in 2018. The couple frequently travelled to London where Anand spent most of his time, until they shifted to the country for good. The actor keeps sharing glimpses of her life in the UK on social media and visits her family in India.

She welcomed her first born, son Vayu Kapoor Ahuja, in August 2022 in India. Later, the couple returned to London. Sonam will be next seen in Shome Makhija's upcoming Blind. It also stars Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, Lilette Dubey, and Shubham Saraf. It will stream on Jio Cinema from July 7.

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Amber Heard is ready to make her comeback to acting after her highly publicized defamation trial. Her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp sued the actor for defaming him in a 2018 article. Now, in a new article the director of her upcoming independent film In the Fire, Conor Allyn, has said that Amber is ready to make one 'hell of a comeback' with the film.(Also read: Amber Heard's film premiere ignites controversy at prestigious film festival. Whose side is Hollywood on?) Actor Amber Heard is ready for one 'hell of a comeback,' feels her new movie director Conor Allyn. (Reuters)(REUTERS)

Amber's new film In the Fire

Amber Heard was present along with Conor Allyn and the cast of the film to attend the premiere of In The Fire at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy over the weekend. Amber Heard stars as a psychiatrist named Grace in the film which is set in the 1890s. The film wrapped production in March 2022, several months before her infamous trial began.

Amber ready for a comeback

Now, in a new interview with People magazine at the premiere, Connor praised Amber and said: "Amber has an incredibly bright future ahead. I think In the Fire showcases her talents as an actor. I know this is something she is very proud of, and its something we are very excited to release to the public. I think it will be a great opportunity for her to have something beyond the trial and stuff to talk about and to be a platform for a hell of a comeback."

Conor on casting Amber

Further speaking on the casting of Amber and the film's requirement, he said, "As a director, I never look for more competition than there already is. But Amber absolutely has the ability and the intelligence and the charisma to direct or to write if she wants to... There are a lot of different talents involved in making a movie... but most of all you need to be able to tell a story, to find the interesting elements, whether it is in the character or in the story as a whole, and to understand the entirety of whats happening. And she gets that. I can see her directing... People dont do indie films for the paycheck, they do it out of passion. Your job as a director is to get everyone as excited as you are. With Amber, I had a partner who had the same passion for the role and for the movie and the story itself."

Meanwhile, Johnny Depp made his comeback at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May, with Maiwenn's historical drama Jeanne du Barry. He starred as King Louis XV. The film received a standing ovation after the premiere, pictures of which were widely shared on social media.

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Gal Gadot took to Instagram on Monday to post a video in which she says she's just been informed that she's getting a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame. She says in the video that she got the news from her husband in the middle of her press junket for upcoming Netflix action thriller Heart of Stone. (Also Read: Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow have a Friends reunion as they attend Courteney Coxs Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony) Chadwick Boseman, Gal Gadot and Kevin Feige are among the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024

Gal Gadot's reaction

This is unbelievable. I'm so so grateful and thankful and humbled. Thank you so much to Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for choosing me. This brings so much fuel to the fuel I already have and to continue doing what I love doing so much, an elated Gal Gadot said in the video she posted on Instagram.

Not just Gal

Among other Hollywood celebrities who'll be part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024 are the late Chadwick Boseman. The Instagram Stories of the Black Panther actor posted a picture of this announcement with the caption, We are so proud of you, You deserve this!

Among other celebs in the Class of 2024 are Michelle Yeoh, the Malaysian actor who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role this year for her sci-fi film Everything Everywhere All At Once.

The list also included Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios that's currently dishing out Phase 5 of its Marvel Cinematic Universe in both cinemas and on streaming. There's also Eugene Levy, veteran Canadian actor best known for the Emmy Award-winning Netflix show Schitt's Creek.

Gwen Stafani, vocalist and musician from the band No Doubt, and Chris Pine, actor who recently appeared as the lead in the Hollywood tentpole film Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, are also included in the list.

Kerry Washington, best known for her 2020 Hulu show Little Fires Everywhere, will also get a star. Iconic English rock band Def Leppard, who recently reunited for their 12th studio album Diamond Star Halos, will also be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About Hollywood Walk of Fame

The historic landmark consists of stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard in California. It was built in 1957, when the first class of honourees were selected by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

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After a dramatic loss in the defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp, Amber Heard is back to her confident self. Her first movie since the trial, a psychological thriller named "In the Fire" premiered at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy last weekend. Director Conor Allyn of her latest film and her co-star Luca Calvani have praised the "Aquaman" star in an interaction with the Deadline. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard(File)

Im so happy that Amber went through something so awful and it didnt change her as a person. Shes still the shining light that we explained earlier and to go through something that terrible and be able to come out the other side and be whole, well I cant imagine it, said Allyn.

ALSO READ| Kim Zolciak calls 911 on estranged husband Kroy Biermann over issue involving their son

Anyone that suffers that sort of ordeal and is able to overcome it with grace, no matter what side youre on, no matter what you believe or which social media [outlet] you plug into or whatever your hashtags are, you have to give credit for the incredible journey this woman has been through and she can teach us all a couple of things as far as resilience and courage, said Amber's co-star Calvani.

Notably, there were speculations that Amber had quit the film industry after losing the trial. Her relocation to Spain's capital city, Madrid further fueled the rumours. In May, Never Back Down actress confirmed to fans in a TikTok video that she had several projects lined up and had not quit acting.

In her comeback film since the trial, Amber plays the role of an American psychiatrist who travels to a remote plantation in Colombia in the 1890s to treat a disturbed boy. The movie showcases an ideological clash between science and religion as Amber's character finds herself in a war with the local priest who believes the boy is possessed by the devil.
As Pride month is being celebrated with lot of pomp and show across the world, Paris Hilton stood out in a support statement for the LGBTQ+ community. During her DJ set at Sunday's Dreamland Pride Festival in New York City, Hilton was dressed in a rainbow mini dress. Notably, the rainbow colours are symbolic of the LGBTQ+ community. Paris Hilton(Instagram)

Hilton paired her mini dress with glittering pink ankle boots. She also wore pink wristbands and a pink choker. She took to Instagram to share several images from her performance at the event.

"Thank you, NYC! I had the most incredible time playing for you all tonight @DreamlandPride So proud to be closing out #Pride Month with this incredible night. Thank you @KimPetras & @Aqua.DK for making this even more iconic thank you everyone for all the love!! #SummerOfSliving," posted Hilton.

Sharing a video of her incredible performace at the event, Hilton wrote "So honored to perform at the first-ever #Pride concert in Central Park for @DreamlandPride! Such an iconic night celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community#SummerOfSliving".

ALSO READ| Britney Spears' ex-husband Kevin Federline denies moving to Hawaii to extend child support for their sons

At the concert, Hilton played the famous hit "Padam Padam" by Kylie Minogue among other songs.

Before her concert at the Dreamland Pride Festival, Hilton had interacted with People and shared how she was elated to have the opportunity to perform there. She also talked about her support to the LGBTQ+ community.

"I am beyond honored for the opportunity to perform at New York Pride.I'm so excited to celebrate, support, and champion everyone living true to themselves in the same way the LGBTQ+ community has advocated for me and my voice. I will continue to use my platform to speak out and spread love, tolerance, acceptance, and support. It's the Summer of Sliving, and I can't wait to Sliv with everyone at Dreamland Pride in Central Park!," Hilton had said.
Bengali actor Shubhashree Ganguly on Tuesday announced the news of her second pregnancy with her husband, filmmaker and TMC leader Raj Chakrabarty. The couple took to their respective Instagram handles and dropped a photo of their son Yuvaan wearing a t-shirt that says big brother. In the caption, they wrote, Yuvaan is promoted to 'BIG BROTHER' Also read: Shubhashree Ganguly on criticism for kissing pic with husband Raj Chakrabarty Shubhashree Ganguly and Raj Chakrabarty to welcome second child soon.

Shubhashree Ganguly and Raj Chakrabarty to become parents again

Soon after the post went live, fans and celebrities rushed to wish Shubhashree and Raj for embracing parenthood again. Joining them Mouni Roy commented, Heartiest congratulations my darling girl. Cant wait for a play date with the lil one & youvan. LOVE LOVE LOVE & all my love for the lil one Im gonna be the fav Maasi. Have no doubts, she also added.

Celebs wish Shubhashree Ganguly and Raj Chakrabarty

Meanwhile, June Banerjee commented, Super congratulations full house now. Vikram Chatterjee said, All my love! Srabanti Chatterjee extended best wishes and wrote, Congratulations sweetheart so happy. Nussrat Jahan said, Congratulations to the whole family.

Shubhashree and Raj's love story began in 2016 while working on the Abhimaan. Later, they got engaged in March 2018 and tied the knot on May 11 of the same year. In 2020, the couple welcomed their son Yuvaan.

Shubhashree Ganguly on trolls

Earlier this year, Raj and Subhashree celebrated the director's birthday together and later shared their romantic pictures online, including one where they shared a kiss. Talking about mixed reviews of social media users on their personal life, the actor had told Hindustan Times, I am really amazed. This time I am seeing a lot of comments which were supporting the post. See these things dont matter to us, only one expression comes out and it is this (flips the bird). Those who love me, their comments matter to us. Those people (trolls) are invisible to us. We are doing our thing. I mean every minute we kiss each other, and we will do that.

Subhashree made her web series debut with Indubala Bhaater Hotel. She has Bengali films like Paakhi and Dawshom Awbotaar in the pipeline. She is also appearing on Dance Bangla Dance Season 12 as a judge, alongside Mouni Roy, Mithun Chakraborty, Srabanti Chatterjee and Puja Banerjee.

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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
Cut marks found on fossils of human leg bones are one of the earliest pieces of evidence that show that in ancient times, humans butchered each other and ate the flesh for survival, a recent study by science journal Nature stated. While the marks looked nothing like animal bites, they did resemble those that had been made by stone tools. (File)

As per the study published by Nature on Monday, Early Pleistocene cut marked hominin fossil from Koobi Fora, Kenya, mentions that a 1.45-million-year-old hominin (human ancestral) bone had cuts similar to butchery marks that have been found on animal bones from around the same time.

One of the co-authors of the study, Briana Pobiner, a palaeoanthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, said, The most logical conclusion is, like the other animals, this hominin was butchered to be eaten. She added that the discovery was shocking, honestly, and very surprising, but very exciting.

Pobiner said that she had been examining a collection of fossils to look for animal bite marks at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, when she found unexpected linear markings a few millimetres long on the fossil of a tibia belonging to an unidentified hominin species, the report said.

She concluded that while the marks looked nothing like animal bites, they did resemble those that had been made by stone tools.

After taking these impressions, Pobiner compared them to around 900 marks, in a database, which had been made on new bones that had been marked by her colleagues using different methods.

The researchers then concluded that two of the 11 marks had been made by lion bites, however, the other nine were by stone tools, which suggested that one human might have butchered another.

As per the report, Pobiner said the authors then ruled out other cut-making processes, such as wear or blemishes left by people handling the bone after it was were discovered; the colour of the marks match that of the bones surface, indicating they are of the same age.

As quoted by Nature, Jessica Thompson, a palaeoanthropologist at Yale University has said that the context and position of the scratches made by humans on other humans is just as important to know.

The report stated that the flesh could be cut for other purposes than eating it, like ritualistic of funerary. However, such behaviour has not been found in Kenyan societies around that time.

Thompson said, This discovery represents more than simply a single odd tale of an unfortunate and long-ago event. It suggests that hominins using stone tools to butcher and consume other hominins happened as a typical part of life for our ancestors.

Zeresenay Alemseged, a palaeoanthropologist at the University of Chicago, Illinois, said, as quoted by the journal, The evidence is so sporadic at this point, all were doing is connecting the dots. We are trying to go inside the brains of the early hominids, which means its going to be very complex.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanskriti Falor Sanskriti Falor is a Senior Content Producer at the News Desk of HT Digital. Having worked in Digital Media for the past two years, she is interested in covering civic issues and global affairs. ...view detail
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on triple Talaq, Uniform Civil Code and Pasmanda Muslims in Madhya Pradesh.



The Hyderabad MP invoked former US President Barack Obama's remark on Indian Muslims amid the PM's state visit to the United States. "@narendramodi made certain comments on Triple Talaq, UCC and Pasmanda Muslims. It seems Modiji did not understand Obama's advice properly. Will the PM end "Hindu Undivided Family"? Because of HUF, the country is loses 3064 crores every year", Owaisi tweeted.



In an interview to CNN, Obama had said that India may fall apart if the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. The ex-US president suggested that the issue is worth mentioning during Modi-Biden discussions. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi.(ANI)

Accusing the PM of shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, Owaisi said," On the other hand his pawns are attacking their mosques, taking away their livelihoods, bulldozing their homes and lynching them. They are also opposing reservations for backward Muslims. His government has stopped scholarships for poor Muslims".

If Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited, what is Modi doing about it? Before seeking votes from Pasmanda Muslims, BJP workers should go door-to-door and apologize that their spokespersons and MLAs tried to insult our Dear Prophet, he said, referring to alleged derogatory remark made by now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

Citing Pakistan, Modi ji has said that there is a ban on triple talaq. Why is Modi ji getting his inspiration from Pakistani law? He even made a law against triple talaq here, but it did not make any difference at the ground level. Rather, the exploitation of women has increased further. We have always been demanding that social reform will not happen through laws. If a law has to be made, then it should be made against those men who flee from their marriages, he added, responding to PM Modi's remarks in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh today.

Addressing a public meeting, PM Modi said Triple Talaq has been abolished in countries like Egypt, Qatar and even Pakistan. He added that Triple Talaq not just do injustice to daughters but the entire family gets ruined.

Modi also said that the Supreme Court had reportedly called for bringing the Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?

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A Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was on Tuesday morning shot dead and six others were injured in a clash allegedly involving the supporters of West Bengals ruling party and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Cooch Behar districts Dinhata days before the July 8 panchayat polls in the state. Police and paramilitary personnel at the site of violence in Birbhum last month. (ANI/File)

The clash was the latest in a series of violent incidents in the run up to the polls. At least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured in clashes since June 8 when the State Election Commission (SEC) announced the poll schedule.

A political clash broke out between two groups. Seven persons sustained bullet injuries out of which one died. He has been identified as Babu Haque, said a police officer posted in Cooch Behar, requesting anonymity.

The fresh clash scene is close to the unfenced portion of the India-Bangladesh border. There is a probability that Bangladeshi criminals might have been used by local leaders in the incident, said a second police officer. Further investigation is going on.

On Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee stared her campaign for the polls with a rally in Cooch Behar. She attacked the Border Security Force (BSF) saying that the border guarding force was terrorising and killing people in villages along the international border. She has earlier also attacked BSF.

In a statement on Monday, the BSF denied the allegations as totally baseless and far from truth. No complaint of intimidating any person has been received so far by BSF or any other sister agency.

The pre-poll violence has continued even as the state government has sought 822 companies of central paramilitary forces for conducting the elections. The Supreme Court on June 20 upheld a June 13 Calcutta high court order for their deployment. The high court directed the SEC to immediately requisition central forces and deploy them especially in sensitive constituencies. The state government and SEC challenged the order in the Supreme Court, which dismissed their appeals.

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The BJP on Tuesday hit out at the Congress and other Opposition parties for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stand on the UCC, saying it is there in the Constitution as a directive principle of state policy and there is a Supreme Court "decision" also in this regard. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav (ANI)

The Congress attacked Modi after he made a strong pitch for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at an event in Bhopal on Tuesday and said he should first talk about poverty, price rise and unemployment in the country. The RJD said the prime minister should not make such issues an instrument of "dog-whistle politics".

Slamming the Opposition parties, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said, "This (UCC) is written in our Constitution. In Article 44 of the Constitution, it has been mentioned as the directive principle of state policy. There is a Supreme Court decision also in this regard."

"There should not be any discrimination. There should not be any discrepancy, Right to Justice should be ensured to everybody, including those who are exploited, deprived and oppressed in society. There should be equality in society," he told a press conference here.

READ | 'Why Pakistan does not have triple talaq': In poll-bound MP, Modi pitches for Uniform Civil Code

On Opposition parties accusing the BJP of trying to create a division among Muslims by wooing the Pasmanda Muslim community, Yadav said they should be "ashamed" of not doing anything for those belonging to the "exploited, deprived and oppressed" sections of society.

There are extremely backward sections among the backward classes, the BJP leader noted and attacking the Opposition parties, said those pursuing vote bank politics in their name, have "never" paid attention to them.

"Why does it trouble the Opposition when the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has been making efforts to change the lives of those exploited, deprived and oppressed?" he asked.

"They (Opposition parties) should rather be ashamed as they never did anything for the OBC (Other Backward Classes). The Pasmanda community also comes under OBC. For a long time, the Pasmanda community has been ignored," Yadav said.

During the Bhopal event, Prime Minister Modi, while making a strong pitch for the UCC, said the Constitution also mentions of having equal rights for all citizens.

READ | Vote bank politics: Cong, DMK slam PM Modi's remark on Triple Talaq, Uniform Civil Code

Modi also said the BJP has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics and alleged that the Opposition is using the issue of UCC to mislead and provoke the Muslim community.

Pasmanda Muslims, who are backward, are not even treated as equal because of the vote bank politics, the prime minister said.

'Pasmanda', a term for backward classes among Muslims, often finds a mention in Prime Minister Modi's speeches, at party forum as well as government events, and how the government has worked for the deprived without any discrimination.

Reacting to Modi's remark on the UCC, Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the prime minister can say anything, but "he has to answer the real questions of this country - unemployment, price rise and Manipur issue".

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, "We are seeing that work is being done to instigate such people in the name of Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?"

Hearing the prime minister makes one feel that he is looking for occasions to make "dog whistles", he said.

In a tweet, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Will the PM end 'Hindu Undivided Family'? Because of HUF, the country is losing 3,064 crores every year."

On one hand, the prime minister is shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other, his "pawns" are attacking their mosques, taking away their livelihoods, bulldozing their homes and lynching them, Owaisi alleged.

Opposing reservations for backward Muslims, the NDA government has stopped scholarships for poor Muslims, he alleged.

"If Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited, what is Modi doing about it? Before seeking votes from Pasmanda Muslims, BJP workers should go door-to-door and apologise that their spokespersons and MLAs tried to insult our Dear Prophet," Owaisi tweeted.

During the press conference, Yadav highlighted the achievements of the Ministry of Labour and Employment as well as the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the two portfolios he holds.

"If we look at wildlife conservation over the nine years, there has been a 42 per cent increase in the number of tigers...Besides, there is an increase in the number of leopards and rhinos also," he said.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest has completed work pertaining to restoration of 19 million hectare of degraded land out of the target of 26 million hectare of degraded land, Yadav added.

Highlighting the reform measures taken by the ministry, he said, "We know how forest clearances were given during the Congress rule, how some illegal tax used to be imposed then."

"The Parivesh portal was launched to provide single-window system for giving clearance. Now, forest clearance is given in 75 days while it used to take 600 days in 2014 (before the BJP came to power at the Centre)," he added.

Yadav also highlighted measures taken to check air pollution, saying his ministry has done "very good work" to improve the air quality "to a great extent" in Delhi and the National Capital Region.

He said the labour and employment ministry has brought several policy reforms and schemes over the last nine years for the welfare of workers in the organised and unorganised sectors as well as facilitated ease of doing business in the country.

"In 2015, we launched the NCS (National Career Service) portal for employment in which about 3.16 crore registrations have happened since 2015. There are 11.15 lakh active employers and the number of active vacancies is 3.5 lakh to 5 lakh," he said

Terming the e-Shram portal, launched in 2021, as one of the "major" initiatives of the labour ministry, Yadav said about 29 crore workers from the unorganised sector are registered in the portal in over more than 400 occupations.

"For the first time, the government has created such a huge database and deliberations are on for integration of our portals to take the government's welfare programmes to them," he added.
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Dehradun: More than 20 Muslim families that fled Purola town in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district nearly a month ago have returned to their homes as the region inched closer to normalcy after weeks of communal tension, police said on Monday. Many shops run by Muslims in Purola main market remained shut for nearly three weeks. (HT Photo)

Several members of the minority community, which comprises less that 2% of the towns population, were forced to flee the town following tension over an alleged abduction attempt on a minor girl by two men, including a Muslim, on May 26.

Many shops run by Muslims in Purola main market remained shut for nearly three weeks after members of the community were asked to leave the state by right-wing organisations, who alleged the abduction was part of a love jihad attempt  a claim denied by the minor girls uncle, who is a complainant in the case.

Love jihad is a term used by right-wing groups to describe an alleged conspiracy by Muslim men to woo and seduce Hindu women, although courts and the Union government do not officially recognise it.

A month after tensions engulfed the town, police on Monday said the law-and-order situation is normal and more than 20 Muslim families, who fled over safety concerns, have returned to their homes.

Over 20 Muslim families who left after communal tensions have returned. Everything is peaceful here now. The law and order is intact, Purola station house officer (SHO) Ashok Kumar said.

Some of the returnees corroborated the SHOs comments and expressed satisfaction over normalcy being resumed in the town.

Everything feels normal right now, just like it was earlier. Everything that happened seems like a bad dream. The police and vyapar mandal (traders union) have been very supportive, Bablu, who left the town on June 4 and returned recently, said.

The 40-year-old lives in a rented accommodation in Purola and runs a salon in the main market. He shifted to Dehradun with his wife and two children when tensions erupted.

We left for my sisters place in Dehradun on June 4 after I came across a poster pasted on my shop, asking Muslim traders to vacate the premises. There has always been a sense of brotherhood among the people here. It was some outside elements who communalised the atmosphere here, he said.

Arshad, 22, who also owns a salon in Purola market, fled to Dehradun last month. I left for Dehradrun on May 27. My family lives there. I returned a week ago and subsequently resumed business as the situation is normal now, he said.

Even amid the tension, my landlord did not ask me to vacate the premises. But I left due to safety concerns. I knew hate cannot prevail for very long, he said.

However, some families expressed apprehensions of discrimination by the majority community.

We returned because we have been assured of our safety by the administration. While we have been told that we wont be harassed, we fear we will face discrimination by the majority community, a Muslim resident said on condition of anonymity.

Another local resident, who also did not wish to be named, said he was forced to return to the town to earn a living. My family was running short of money and for how long can we stay with relatives. We have a business in Purola and we are ready to resume our life again, the resident said.

Brij Mohan Chauhan, president of Purola Vyapar Mandal, said, Most Muslim families have returned. They had left on their own will and returned on their own will. We never had problem with them. They are free to do trade here. We rather spoke to administration to persuade them to come back and open their shops.

Vikas Verma of Bajrang Dal said, We will ask locals for their economic boycott. It is the only way to evict them out of hills permanently. It is necessary if locals want to save their daughters from love jihad.

The interfaith tensions trace back to May 26 after two men, a Muslim and a Hindu, allegedly tried to abduct a 14-year-old girl. Local residents alleged it was a case of love jihad.

While the two accused  Ubed Khan (24), a local shopkeeper, and Jitender Saini (23), a motorcycle mechanic  were arrested on May 27, the incident led to right wing groups holding protests in several areas and attacking shops and houses of several Muslims.

According to people aware of the details, the main market roughly consists of 650-700 shops and of these, around 30-40 are run by Muslims.

On May 29, a protest march by right wing outfits in Purola turned violent after some of the agitators attacked shops and establishments belonging to the Muslims. A similar protest was held on June 3, under the banner of Yamuna Ghati Hindu Jagriti Sangathan. Nearly 900 people took part in the stir.

Posters began to appear across Purola, asking Muslim traders to leave before a proposed Hindu mahapanchayat  which was later disallowed by the district administration  on June 15.

Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits the gathering of four or more people in a particular area, was enforced for three days.

On June 17, HT reported that the minor girls uncle said there was no communal angle in the case. There were attempts from the first hour to make this a communal issue. Right-wing activists even prepared a police complaint for us on their own, but the police didnt accept it. It was never a love jihad case, but a regular crime. Those that committed it, are behind bars, the 40-year-old man, he said.

Meanwhile, police are yet to file an FIR in connection with the ransacking of Muslim shops.
The Capitals residents will need to pay more for electricity from their next billing cycle, with the regulator clearing the way for power companies to increase a surcharge known as the power purchase adjustment charge (PPAC), officials said on Monday, as a political spat broke out between the Delhi government and members of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). HT Image

The increase in PPAC, which will differ based on what part of the Capital a consumer resides in, is meant to offset the increase in the cost of the electricity the distribution companies (discoms) buy from power generation companies, which in turn have raised rates due to an increase in the cost of coal.

There are variations in the percentage hike in different areas. It does not mean that power will remain cheaper in some areas while in other areas the power will be much costlier in comparison. After the latest revision, the PPAC throughout the capital varies from 27% to 30% which will be charged over and above the tariff and fixed charges, said a power department official.

The hike will not affect those consuming fewer than 200 units of electricity per month, which is made free by the government, Delhis power minister Atishi said, hitting out at the Union government for the mismanagement of coal.

The Delhi unit of the BJP, in power at Centre, instead blamed the AAP and said it will launch a protest on Tuesday to seek a roll-back. The AAP government which came with the promise of free electricity has increased the power rates in Delhi through the back-door, leader of opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said.

What has added to the controversy is that the decision by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) comes within days of former Allahabad high court judge Umesh Kumar taking over even though the Delhi government approved the names of two other retired judges for the role. The matter is also due to be heard by the Supreme Court, which the AAP government approached prior to the lieutenant governors decision to name Kumar.

Delhi has three power distribution companies that have carved out the city (except Lutyens areas) in supply zones. BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), which supplies to east and central Delhi, has been allowed to increase PPAC by 9.42 percentage point; BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), which serves south and west Delhi, by 6.39 percentage point, and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, which serves north and northwest parts of the capital, by 1.49 percentage points. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which serves the Lutyens areas has been allowed to raise it by 2 percentage point.

In practical terms, it means all domestic, commercial and industrial power consumers in south and west Delhi (served by BRPL) will have to pay 5.3% more in their bills, those in east and central Delhi (served by BYPL) will have to pay 7.7%, while those in north and north west Delhi (TPDDL served areas) will have to pay 1.2% more, the government said in a statement. The actual increase in bills will be slightly lower than what the Delhi Electricity Regulator Commission (DERC) allowed discoms because PPAC is a surcharge that is levied on per unit consumption before several other levies and taxes are added.

The hike varies across the city because the separate discoms purchase power under different agreements with various power-generating companies.

The bulk of the citys consumers  at 45% -- are covered by BRPL, with TPDDL accounting for 29% and BYPL accounting for 26% of consumers.

People aware of the matter said according to rough calculations, a consumer in South Delhi (under BRPL) using up 600 units of power will likely bear an additional burden of around 190 in their monthly bill. For an East Delhi consumer, this number will be around 265 and for a north Delhi consumer, roughly 44 more.

Delhi power minister Atishi blamed Centres mismanagement of the power sector for the power hike said that the power hike will not have any impact on the free power and power subsidy being given by the Delhi government. Those who consume less than 200 units and get zero electricity bill, will continue to get zero electricity bill, Atishi said.

The minister further said, Electricity has become costlier due to Centres mismanagement there is an artificial shortage of coal in the country for the first time in the last 75 years. The central government has forced companies to use at least 10 per cent imported coal, which is 10 times costlier than domestic coal. This is despite there is no lack of coal in the country.

PPAC is generally revised once every quarter of the financial year and it can increase or decrease depending on various factors, including coal and gas prices used in power generation. Previous changes, such as the one in July, 2022, was of a lower 4 percentage point value.

Delhi BJP leader Manoj Tiwari and Ramesh Bidhuri -- both MPs -- in a press conference targeted the AAP government over the power hike. The AAP government has increased electricity prices through PPAC and put financial burden on the people of the city. We demand the withdrawal of the hike and if the AAP does not roll back the hike, we will launch protests, Tiwari said.

Delhi mostly purchases power from outside because it does not have own power generation sources --- from at least 40 power plants spread across the country including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and also southern states.

A Delhi discom official said the current decision to increase the PPAC is based on three factors including blending of imported coal by the coal generating stations; increased gas prices and high prices in power exchanges.

The power purchase cost is dependent upon the coal and fuel prices. Recently, there has been significant increase in coal prices due to higher imports and transport costs. The ministry of power has permitted automatic pass through of fuel and power procurement cost in tariff, but in the capital the pass-through mechanism does not exist and the discoms levy PPAC only after approval of DERC, the official said.

According to state load dispatch centre data, shared by an official, after clocking a record power demand of 7695 MW in 2022, Delhis peak power demand during the summers of 2023 may cross the 8000 MW - reaching upto 8100 MW - for the first time. Earlier, in 2021, Delhis peak power demand had clocked 7323 MW, 6314 MW in 2020 and 7409 MW in 2020.

The number of electricity consumers in Delhi has grown by 82.97% during the decade (2011-2021).

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Tuesday took a sharp jibe at Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman amid the soaring price of tomatoes across the country. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.(Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

In a tweet, Chaturvedi asked, "Does the country's finance minister eat tomatoes? Will you be able to answer the rising prices of tomatoes?"

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's remark was in an apparent reference to Sitharaman's comment on onion prices during the winter session of Parliament in 2019. Interrupted by opposition benches over the soaring onion prices, Sitharaman quipped that she belongs to a family that has little to do with the vegetable bulb.

I don't eat a lot of onions and garlic, so don't worry. I come from a family that doesn't have much to do with onions, Sitharaman had remarked.

Tomato prices have skyrocketed from 10-20 per kg to a price of 80-100 per kg in the markets across the country. The reason behind the steep rise is said to be a dip in supply due to heatwaves and heavy rain in tomato-growing areas.

This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year, ANI quoted Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory, as saying.

"However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat," he added.

Tomato, sold at 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UP's Kanpur market is now being sold at 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at 80 per kg.

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The Election Commission of India on Tuesday announced the schedule for ten Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat, West Bengal and Goa. The polling will be held on July 24 and counting will take place on the same day.



As per the notification released by the poll panel, 10 Rajya Sabha seats in these three states are falling vacant due to the retirement of the respective members.



Here are the members whose terms will end during July and August.



1. Vinay Tendulkar (Goa)



2. Dineshchandra Jemalbhai Anavadiya (Gujarat)



3. Jugalsinh Mathur (Gujarat)



4. S Jaishankar (Gujarat)



5. Derek O' Brien (West Bengal)



6. Dola Sen (West Bengal)



7. Pradip Bhattacharya (West Bengal)



8. Sushmita Dev (West Bengal)



9. Shanta Chhetri (West Bengal)



10. Sukhendu Shekhar Ray (West Bengal)



Here is the entire schedule of the Rajya Sabha elections to the seats whose members will retire.



Issue of notification: July 6



Last date of nominations: July 13



Scrutiny of nominations: July 14



Last date of withdrawal of candidatures: July 17



Date of poll: July 24



Time of voting: 9 am to 4 pm



Counting of votes: July 24 at 5 pm



Date before election shall be completed: July 26



The Election Commission also announced the schedule for the election to another seat in West Bengal which fell vacant due to the resignation of its member Joaquim Falero.



Issue of notification: July 6

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's tenure as Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat will end on August 18.(PTI)
NEW DELHI: India and Australia are looking to finalise a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) and arrangements for cooperation in critical minerals by the end of the year, Australias outgoing high commissioner Barry OFarrell, has said. Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry OFarrell (AFP File Photo)

In his final interview before completing his term at the end of the month, OFarrell said Australias pension funds and banks are keen to invest in India, especially in areas such as infrastructure. In the field of defence and security, the burgeoning partnership between India and Australia can be and is a deterrent to all acts of coercion or attempted coercion, he said. Edited excerpts:

How would you look back at your stint in New Delhi and what were the high points in bilateral ties during this time?

I arrived and spoke to HT before we knew what was going to happen in the world. Strategic competition had already grown but the economic disruption was huge. If I was to characterise what I see as the growth in the relationship, it is the fact that just how frank, frequent and trusting the interactions are across the breadth of the relationship  prime ministerial, ministerial, [in] education, defence and commerce. The good news is we have gone through a process of reappraisal, we both understand we share similar views, we have shared interests strategically in our neighbourhood, and that working together, we can help shape the region for the good. The highlight for me was the fact that nine weeks after the lockdown [for Covid-19], we had the Indian prime ministers first virtual leadership summit, which elevated our relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership with almost a dozen agreements alongside, but importantly, a commitment to reengage on economic cooperation.

In May 2020 [finance minister] Nirmala Sitharaman [spoke of] reform and I dont think the Indian government has stopped reforming since then. In September 2021, we had the first 2+2 meeting of the foreign and defence ministers. That was the first ministerial visit to India in my tenure and it was very productive. We then had the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in April 2022, followed by the release of our updated Indian Economic Strategy which wasnt just a booklet, wasnt just words, but that my government put 1,100 crore behind it and thats when you know governments are serious. In 2023, we had visits in both directions by the prime ministers. In August-September 2020, we were back in [the] Malabar [naval exercise] and that is a symbol of what has continued to be increased - cooperation at a strategic level.

So, all the signs were there  the comprehensive strategic partnership, the economic agreement, the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement which helped with military exercises, the start of broadening of interactions across common areas like cyber and critical technology.

What, in your opinion, are the reasons for the strengthening of the relationship?

From my perspective and from the perspectives of both countries, its been a period of achievement and it is in no small part due to the political will of both governments.

Prime Minister Modis political will was critical for the delivery of Indias first major trade deal with a developed country in a decade. On our side, were seeing back-to-back prime ministers[and] different parties demonstrating the same political will to engage with India. In the past, weve had prime ministers that had a start, but of course for a while, we had a revolving door of prime ministers, but weve now got prime ministers who are deeply committed to the relationship for all the right reasons, who are buttressed in that support, certainly in Australia, by the [Indian] diaspora that delivers the mortar that builds strength in the relationship. The diaspora is almost a million strong, its enterprising, ambitious and influential. It engages in politics in Australia as people do in India. It joins political parties. When I first came to India in 2010, I dont think many political leaders in Australia understood the growing significance of the diaspora politically in Australia and its desire to seize opportunities in that country, and to participate in its electoral system, where it now is represented in state assemblies and in our national parliament. No prime minister and no premier or chief minister in Australia will be able to ignore India ever again, even if they wanted to.

In education, [the number of Indian students] studying in Australia...is back to pre-Covid levels. We demonstrated through Covid that when students were stuck in Australia, even when there were free flights home, 80% decided to stay in Australia. The debate a few decades ago as to whether it was safe for Indians to study in Australia is now well and truly over. The diaspora is a great strength for both of us, its telling Australians about tourist and business opportunities in India, its telling India and their relatives and their friends about the quality of Australian schools, universities and opportunities that exist there. I think by and large, its going well and part of that 1,100 crore that is being invested in the relationship, in addition to opening up our post in Bengaluru and youre going to have one in Brisbane. The Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR), in addition to doing scholarships, will also start to work on cultural links. You have Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) here, weve never had a partner organisation and CAIR will be that part of that.

During Prime Minister Modis visit, there was a renewed commitment to convert ECTA into a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) by the end of the year. Do you think thats doable and do you see any hurdles, such as agriculture, which is a touchy issue in India?

Agriculture is a sensitive issue in every democracy. French farmers riot, British farmers complain, Australian and Indian farmers exercise their political rights. Firstly, in terms of timing, both prime ministers reiterated during their meeting in Sydney, as they did earlier in Delhi, that theyre looking for it to be rapidly resolved by the end of this year. I think its more likely the last quarter, and of course, the Indian system wants it done before we move into 2024 and the elections that brings with it. Well be looking to build on the market access we achieved in the ECTA, well look to move into newer areas where were cooperating in  electronics, renewables, digital trade. As the country that has some of the largest pension funds in Asia, were keen to assist in Indias infrastructure mission. [Theres] US$184 million being invested in infrastructure this year, we see the enormous growth of roads. We see other capital works going on and pension funds and banks like Macquarie Bank, thats already got investments, continue to be interested in not only Indias rate of growth but in the practical application of Australian funds to assist it.

When youre a democracy, the trade deals...have to be saleable to the electorate. That was the approach we took with the ECTA. That was the discussion that was held very early with Prime Minister Modi about that trade deal, and I think thats the path on which a future trade deal will be concluded.

Dont underestimate the significance of the migration and mobility partnership agreement (MMPA) that was agreed on because that puts us at almost the leading edge of access by Indians to Australia. Its because Covid revealed to Australia that we do not have all the skilled people required to do all the jobs that exist in Australia, and so that agreement is good for India, good for Australia and reflects whats going on.

You have been upbeat on cooperation in critical minerals and renewables. How much further away are we from seeing something tangible?

I think we will see practical outcomes by the end of the year. KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) has got a mandate to invest in the securing of offtake agreements for critical minerals in Western Australia. Ive met at least one Indian company that is there themselves, looking at offtakes and also doing the processing of critical metals in Australia. I think one of the things that helps make it easier for Australia and India to engage in trade deals is because we dont compete, or we compete in few areas. We have elements to assist Indias growth objectives and we rely on India for our economy, because were now largely a services economy in Australia. We do very little manufacturing. Im happy that Mahindra tractors have been sold in Australia for more than a decade. I have friends who have a Mahindra tractor. Mahindra has recently announced theyll be selling electric vehicles into the Australian market at a very competitive level and we know its just one of many car producers in India, but its a further sign that for a country whose wage levels arent conducive to [anything] other than advanced manufacturing, and although were only 25.5 million people, its still a country that India can find markets in.

You spoke about the Malabar naval exercise in terms of defence and security cooperation and the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. What could be the next steps that could take defence ties to a higher level?

Were seeing more complex and frequent engagements by all of our forces across multiple exercises, were seeing visits in both directions by our chiefs of the respective defence forces. But we are seeing things that a decade ago were unheard of. You had P-8 maritime patrols operating out of Darwin and I had the pleasure to accompany my defence minister on [an Indian] P-8 flight from Goa to Delhi when he visited here in July 2022. What we will see is more complexity occurring, I think trust becomes a habit and [leads to] instinctive collaboration. Even for things like humanitarian disasters  and we forget at times that Quad was formed off the back of the 2004 tsunami  being able and understanding the operating systems of close partners, who have a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, makes those things easier as do.

In 1963, Exercise Shiksha saw aviators from the air forces of the US, Britain and Australia working with the Indian Air Force, cooperating as were doing in peace times these days, but during a difficult time. Simply to send a message to the region that when you know coercion or attempted coercion happens, that working together can be and is a deterrent and it just reinforces the message, whether its what were doing bilaterally or trilaterally...France has a footprint in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Weve seen a British carrier group visit last year...The Quads vision for the region is not exclusive [and] its built on an adherence to international rules and norms.

Both countries have common concerns on China but some media reports have suggested Australia is looking to rebalance ties with China. Where do you see that going and is that going to be a factor in India-Australia relations?

I think the India-Australia relationship isnt defined by our relations with any other country. It is a genuine understanding that we have similarities, we have shared visions, we share values and we want to strengthen those. What were seeking to do with China, which engaged in some economic coercion against Australia during Covid-19, is to stabilise our relationship. Thats precisely what Indias been doing after [several rounds] of talks about incursions on the Indian border. Its better to do that, as the US defence secretary said at the Shangrila Dialogue, its always the best time to talk. But were seeking to stabilise, not normalise, relationships. We will continue to agree where we can. We will disagree where we must. As India has, and as India now knows, Australias interactions with that country and all countries will be guided by whats in Australias national interest. I think thats something that India respects and what we respect about India is that ultimately, were countries that are looking out for firstly, our citizens interests, and as countries that share what your prime minister said in June 2020 was a sacred vision for the Indo-Pacific, we know that working together delivers better outcomes.

Through the Quad and trilateral frameworks such as the one with France, India and Australia have done a lot of work on setting standards for critical technologies and assisting the Pacific Islands. Whats new on those fronts?

None of its going to be always new, although the Quad does have a track record of adding critical work to its agenda. But whether its infrastructure across the Pacific, whether its cyber and critical technology challenges, whether its health security  those things continue and were getting better at dealing with them. In any operation, there are baby steps and there are bigger steps. What were seeing are deeper steps. Last year, the Pacific was threatened by a change of ownership of its communication system. That concerned us all. Australia was one of those that assisted in ensuring that that communication system remains as we want the region to remain  free, open and sovereign. We will always respond to those things. What is great is, since Ive been here, from the very first meeting I had with the external affairs minister, Indias wanted to do more with Australia in the Pacific. Clearly that is now happening  sharing the load to get relief to countries which suffer from volcanic explosions and the like, but also by your prime ministers visit to Papua New Guinea, where the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) was an important opportunity for Prime Minister Modi, one of the Quad members but also a significant country in our region, to reassure them of Indias support.

You were among the first to speak out against the activities of pro-Khalistani elements though India has reiterated its concerns about their activities in Australia, the UK and Canada. Is this something that continues to be an irritant in bilateral ties?

Its an issue that is just as disturbing to the Australian government as it is to the Indian government. We have laws around graffiti and a programme that now extends to Hindu temples in Australia, for the protection and security of places of worship. But its an irritant to us because we are a successful multicultural, multi-faith community that has been devoid of this sort of activity. Were just as keen as India to see an end of it. In Melbourne and Sydney, we had so-called referenda, so-called because they have no legal standing in Australia and here. The numbers that they cite are enormous and I think I would have seen film footage of it if that were true. People have a right in Australia to express their views, they have a right to peaceful protest. In Melbourne, they demonstrated a lack of peaceful protest and a number were arrested and others were being sought. Those arrested as such will be fined. In Sydney, I think there was some police intervention to ensure that we didnt have any assaults. Were a country that upholds the values of freedom of speech and freedom of worship. We will continue to use all of our enforcement agencies, as my prime minister has said, to ensure that this movement does not contravene our rules about that and in Australia we have hate speech laws where people have and will continue to be prosecuted if they engage in the sort of language that in my country is unacceptable and that reflects the values that has made Australia one of the most successful multicultural, multi-faith countries in the world.

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The first-ever National Legislators Conference held earlier this month in Mumbai under the patronship of four former speakers of the Lok Sabha proved significant in many ways. It brought over the 1,800 members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) and members of the legislative council (MLCs) under one roof to delve upon contentious issues like the scrapping of the anti-defection law. The aim is now to hold such a meeting every 18 months  the second NLC will take place in Goa in November 2024. PREMIUM Mumbai, India - June 17, 2023: Former vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu with Former Minister of Home Affairs of India Sushilkumar Shinde, former president of Central Tibetan Administration Lobsang Sangay, CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat, Meira Kumar, during the closing day of the National Legislators' Conference at Jio Center, BKC in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, June 17, 2023. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times)

The presence of nearly half the lawmakers in the country, among them 158 women, including over 80 ministers and 30 speakers made the three-day event a grand assembly of the executive. They participated in over dozens of brainstorming sessions that were organised on a variety of subjects. On the concluding day, MLAs across parties entered into memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to replicate ideas across constituencies. Here are the five main takeaways from the first NLC.

Sharing best practises, and tips among MLAs

Seventy-five MLAs and MLCs were recognised for commendable practices in their respective constituencies. Ajanta Neog, the finance and social welfare minister of Assam, for instance, was recognised for the road network in her constituency, Golaghat, and for promoting organic farming. Atishi Marlena, the Kalkaji constituency in New Delhi was commended for her initiatives like Mission Buniyaad, Chunauti, and the Happiness curriculum, among others. PA Mohammed Riyas, the Kerala MLA from Beypore constituency developed an app to help people to notify the government of problems related to road infrastructure, which helped resolve and monitor complaints.

My district has 18 MLAs and two MPs and is reserved for tribals. I met elected representatives from other tribal-dominated states like Manipur, and Tripura and spoke about the schemes and projects implemented by them. Some of them have had perfectly blended traditional customs in the industrial and farming sectors using new technologies. We discuss various experiments related to the step farming in hilly areas and problems faced in Ghotul villages that are meant for unmarried boys and girls, said former MLC of BJP from Bastar in Chhattisgarh Kamal Chandra Bhanj Deo.

Deteriorating image of legislators is a big concern

Even though the NLC was convened for the exchange of ideas, and to enhance the skills and capacities of legislators, the gathering also discussed a few contentious issues. Former speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the word neta had a bad reputation and several leaders do not wish to be addressed as one. The word neta has become infamous. People sarcastically refer to us as bada neta aa gaya (look, a big leader is coming), she said.

An MLA from North Maharashtra, on the condition of anonymity, said, My children study in a reputed school in Mumbai, but during the gathering, I do prefer to identify myself as an industrialist and not by my first identity, a politician.

Many legislators agreed with Mahajan. Anita Bhandel, former minister and BJP MLA from Ajmer South, said, Yes, Sumitratai Mahajan spoke about the image of the elected representatives today and pressed for the need to change it. It is true. When we speak to youngsters about politics, they clearly express their anger against corruption. I think, if we really want to repair our image among people and youth to join politics, corrective steps need to be taken. Corruption should not have any space in politics.

Defections, and the law to curb it

Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu gave an earful to defectors saying they should first resign from their original party before defecting. He pressed for the need to revisit the anti-defection law. Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan batted for scrapping it entirely. The law was conceived in 1985 and overhauled in 2003, but it has not worked as there are rampant defections. There are governments pulled down and new governments brought in. There is a dire need to scrap the law and enact something that would not allow defection, said Chavan.

His party colleague, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who is facing internal dissent in the state, said legislators should be committed towards their parties and the ideology.

Defecting from a party out of lust for power sends out a wrong message to the new generation. Horse trading to topple the government has become rampant nowadays. It should be a grave concern for the country and should not be limited only to a certain party, Gehlot said.

Upgradation of skills

Parallel sessions and round table discussions took place on the sidelines of the conference on subjects like stress management in public life, the impact of sustainable development, and welfare schemes, among others. The conference also saw the round table discussions on Bharat@2047 as well as on work-life balance. The session on stress management saw packed halls.

Kalpana Devi, BJP MLA from Kota in Rajasthan, said, We participated in a women legislators conference in Kerala last year, after which a brainstorming session took place at the NLC. We also had sessions related to the problems we face in our individual and political careers. We discussed stress and time management, but I think we women practise fine balance in personal-family responsibilities and politics without any stress.

The lawmakers were also given training on constructing the image using social media platforms, speeches at town hall meetings, raising issues in Houses etc.

We participated in the session keeping our affiliation, and ideology aside as all of us are elected representatives who work for the public well-being. Today, if you ask a school student if he wants to join politics, he will say no. They think the politicians are a group of corrupt persons. It is harmful for the future of the country. As Dr BR Ambedkar had said, that a good Constitution is not enough, good people are needed to implement it, Abdul Rashi Mandal, a Congress MLA from West Goalpara, Assam, said.

Way ahead for the legislators

Former Lok Sabha speaker and patron of the conference Meira Kumar batted for the need to organise such a conference every 18 months, right at the start in her inaugural speech. By the concluding session, two states, Goa and Karnataka, had come forward to organise the next NLC and the baton was handed over to Goa. The third NLC will be held in Karnataka in mid-2026.

For Rahul Karad, managing trustee, Maeers MIT Group of Institutes and executive president, MIT World Peace University, who envisaged the idea to hold such a conference at least two years ago, this came as a welcome relief.

In the coming years, it is expected to evolve as the really a brainstorming conference that could be really looked up to bring the major change in the style of working of the legislators and legislature. A more pragmatic view could be taken to bring the way houses function with more emphasis on bills, doing away with unruly behaviour and the due importance to the opposition, said one of the organisers requesting anonymity.
The South Block has dismissed Chinese concerns over the GE-HAL F-414 jet engine agreement by saying the deal was a progressive evolution of India-US defence cooperation over the past two decades and had little to do with Beijing or regional security. India and the US have embraced each other as there is global convergence between the two natural allies.

According to a senior official, India made economic corrections with the US in the 1990s and has made a defence correction now after engaging bilaterally and dealing with complicated technology transfer issues for the past two decades. The growing India-US ties have nothing to do with China, but Beijing is trying to project as if the ties between the two largest democracies are all calculated to target Indias northern neighbor, said a former foreign secretary.

Fact is that the Narendra Modi government is in a Biden positive mode with the US President going out of his way to accommodate the Indian leader during the bilateral visit last week and giving the green signal to converge with New Delhi on key issues like trade, terror, technology apart from military ties.

The pathbreaking approval to transfer of vital hot engine technology by the Biden administration under the GE-HAL F-414 jet engine deal has clearly raised red flags in Beijing, which has now raised concerns over India-US defence cooperation by saying that it should not target third countries.

To add to Chinese discomfort is that the Narendra Modi government has bitten the price bullet and given approval to the acquisition of 31 Reaper drones from US, which will bring parity to the military imbalance between India and China to a large extent. The high-altitude long endurance (HALE) drone armed with air-to-ground missiles and precision-guided bunker-busting bombs will be a game changer in the region and will counter the challenge posed by China, which has supplied missile carting armed drones to its client state Pakistan.

The Chinese spokesperson's response to expanding India-US ties is disingenuous, to say the least as over the past decades it is Beijing which has supplied high-end military platforms to Indias neighbours particularly Pakistan and in turn undermined the regional peace and stability of the Indian subcontinent. While Beijing raised concerns over growing India-US ties saying that it should not target a third party or even the interests of a third party, this is exactly what China has done to India by supplying armed drones, nuclear missiles, frigates, fighters and now possibly submarines to Pakistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cuts through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, clearly targeting India and its security interests in the region.

The Chinese propaganda post PM Modi's most successful visit to the US also is now pandering to the Indian ego by saying that a major power like India should not give up its strategic autonomy by aligning its interests with the US. While strategic autonomy for India is based on its national interests, China is pumping Indian pride by saying that it should be an independent power even at the cost of a weak and vulnerable Indian Air Force (IAF).

Even though India and the US had formed a joint working group on hot engine technology under the 2012 Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), the group was hardly making any progress beyond routine bilateral meetings. It was only in 2022 that the Modi government which pushed DRDO and HAL to tie up with GE for the F-414 engine deal with National Security Advisors of both countries doing the grunt work under guidance of the top leadership of both countries. The India-US military cooperation now is the dawn of a new era after both countries realized that there is no clash of interests between them and there is largely convergence on most of the critical issues including Indo-Pacific. There is no space for China in the new India-US equation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Shishir Gupta Author of Indian Mujahideen: The Enemy Within (2011, Hachette) and Himalayan Face-off: Chinese Assertion and Indian Riposte (2014, Hachette). Awarded K Subrahmanyam Prize for Strategic Studies in 2015 by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) and the 2011 Ben Gurion Prize by Israel. ...view detail
Several parts of India have been receiving continuous rainfall for the past few days. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Monsoon season is likely to linger over for the next few days. A couple push their auto rickshaw during heavy rains in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (Reuters)

An IMD statement said heavy to very heavy rainfall was very likely to occur over parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Konkan, Goa, Gujarat, and Ghat areas of Maharashtra over the next five days.

It further stated that extremely heavy rainfall very likely over Gujarat on Wednesday.

IMD scientist Soma Sen told ANI, The monsoon is active currently with its rapid advancement in the last 4-5 days. Leaving some parts of northwest India, the monsoon has impacted almost the entire country. Entire Gujarat and south-east Rajasthan have been covered by the monsoon. In the next two days, it is expected that south Punjab, Haryana and the remaining parts of Rajasthan will be covered.

Delhi

The IMD on Monday issued a yellow alert for parts of New Delhi for Tuesday. Delhi received heavy rainfall in several areas on Tuesday, and in the morning the minimum temperature dropped to 24.5 degrees Celsius, which is three notches below normal. An IMD official said that Delhi received 5.6 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours.

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi speaking on MCD's monsoon preparations told ANI, In the last 15 days, we have held meetings 2-3 times not only with MCD officers but also inter-departmental. We called officers from PWD, DDA, Delhi Jal Board, Railways and Metro. We discussed all the preparations that should be made. They have been instructed that instead of blaming each other, it will be better if all the officers coordinate and work to prepare Delhi for monsoon.

As per IMD, other than some parts of northwest India, this year's monsoon has impacted almost the entire country.

Himachal Pradesh

For the next five days, as reported by IMD, several areas of Himachal Pradesh, which is facing flash floods and heavy rainfall, are likely to receive very heavy rains.

An orange alert has been issued by IMD in the state for Tuesday and a yellow alert has been issued for Wednesday.

Shimla IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma, told ANI, There is a possibility of rain for the next 5 days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state [Himachal Pradesh]. He added that more than expected rainfall was likely in Himachal Pradesh this year.

IMD also stated that Kangra, Chamba, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Solan districts were likely to receive low intensity rainfall with thunderstorms.

On Tuesday, heavy rainfall in Himachal led to flash floods that blocked Tandi-Killar State Highway-26 in Dared Nala.

Onkar Chand Sharma, Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management, quoted by ANI, said, Monsoon hit Himachal Pradesh on June 24. Till now, 9 people have lost their lives, 14 injured, 4 houses are fully damaged while 28 are partially damaged due to heavy rains. The estimated loss is approximately 104 crores.

Mumbai

IMD issued an orange alert for parts of Mumbai on Tuesday. The weather department also cautioned people of possibility of very heavy rainfall up to 115.5mm over the next 24 hours spanning over Tuesday and Wednesday.

These is a possibility of the monsoon being further enhanced over the Konkan region, including over Mumbai and satellite cities, as it marches northward. There is a chance of heavy to very heavy rain and IMD has accordingly issued warnings for Konkan, Vidarbha and Madhya Maharashtra too, said KS Hosalikar, a senior scientist with the IMD in Pune.

South India

As per the IMD, parts of Kerala are likely to get heavy to very heavy rainfall till July 1. Along with this, isolated heavy rainfall was also likely over Coastal Karnataka till July 1. Lakshadweep is also likely to see heavy to very heavy rainfall on Tuesday.

The IMD has said that Kerala has received deficient rainfall until now. Dr V K Mini, director in charge, IMD, Kerala told ANI on Tuesday, We have received only minus 65 per cent rainfall in Kerala. All the districts in Kerala have received below-normal rainfall this season so far.

Bihar

Several areas of Bihar saw heavy rainfall on Tuesday. As per the IMD, Bihar is likely to see a partly cloudy sky with a few spells of rainfall or thundershowers on Tuesday, ANI said.

Madhya Pradesh

IMD reported on Tuesday that heavy to very heavy rainfall along with thunderstorm and lightning is likely to occur over parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha over the next five days.

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The Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is putting together an exhibition showcasing the history of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), going back thousands of years, to dispel what it says is a myth that the region was isolated from the rest of the country before 1947, officials said. PREMIUM Snow-clad Zabarwan mountains in the Kashmir Valley. (AP File Photo)

The exhibition themed Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through the ages will provide a visual narrative of historical and cultural continuities and the linkages of the erstwhile state with the other parts of India throughout the history of Indian civilisation, according to ICHR chairperson Raghuvendra Tanwar who has also authored two books on issues related to Kashmir.

Explaining the idea behind the exhibition, Tanwar said, Having done two books on Kashmir, I realised that the true narrative of Kashmir has been misrepresented by foreign scholars and some of our friends and colleagues in India as well. Most people look at Kashmir as how it has evolved post 1947, whereas, we are a civilization that dates back thousands of years, and Kashmir has remained an integral part of it. People dont even know what Kashmir was in ancient times. In fact, there is a myth that the region was disconnected with the rest of the country.

The ICHR chief said that the exhibition will not look at Kashmir in a political sense. Here, we will look at scriptures, architecture, trade commerce, the Harappan civilization, and how sages walked across Kashmir , the references of which are there in scripts dated back 2000 years ago, he added.

The Union government, in 2019, scrapped article 370 of the Constitution that gave special rights to the erstwhile state, and has since spoken of how it has successfully integrated Jammu & Kashmir, now a Union Territory, with the rest of the country.

Shonaleeka Kaul, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru Universitys (JNU) Centre for Historical Studies and author of The Making of Early Kashmir: Landscape and Identity in the Rajatarangini, said that despite Kashmirs prominence in public discourse in this country, it has remained absent from course curricula, textbooks and research programmes.

This academic neglect of a region which, over the millennia, played an extraordinary role in Indic civilisation, has given rise to a host of misconceptions and misrepresentations. For example, a widespread notion has been that Kashmir was isolated and insular, and never a part of the Indic mainstream. This is simply untrue. However, all historical sources from at least 6th century BCE onwards attest to how early Kashmir was incredibly open, plural and cosmopolitan, and overwhelmingly Indic in her genesis and composition. The ICHR exhibition will provide, in an accessible, visual form, a corrective to such fallacies by showcasing essential aspects of the longue duree history of this prodigious land, said Kaul, who is part of the core team working on the project.

Not everyone agrees.

Shachi Meena, an associate professor at Delhi University said that there is no such myth that Kashmir was not a part of mainstream India prior to 1947. In fact, it was there in the very conscious mind of the emperors and rulers. Had it not been like that, why would the Mughal rulers go there? When Babar talked about the flora and fauna of different parts of Hindustan, he also included Kashmir.

According to ICHR, the proposed exhibition will cover different themes of the J&K region including prehistoric linkages, evolution of social structures, Brahmanical literature, Greek and Chinese sources, travelogues, the sacred landscape, pilgrimages, temple architecture, trade routes, migration and interaction with other cultures.

The organisation plans to engage artists from across the country to start working on the exhibition. In most cases, we already have visuals and we have to create legends. Here, we dont even have visuals. Therefore, we will need artists to conceive the ideas for visuals. We have a team of scholars working on this and a budget earmarked for this project, Tanwar said.

The council is likely to complete the project by the end of this year.
NEW DELHI: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will guard the Amarnath cave shrine instead of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Union home ministry decided at a review meeting on Tuesday to finalise security arrangements for the annual Hindu pilgrimage, which begins on Saturday. Security personnel stand guard ahead of the Amarnath Yatra 2023, at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on June 27 (PTI)

The 62-day annual pilgrimage, which is scheduled to start on July 1, will continue till August 31.

The meeting was chaired by home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and attended by chiefs of all central paramilitary forces, director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Research and Analysis Wing secretary Samant Goel and Jammu and Kashmir police officers, among others.

The CRPF, which has traditionally guarded the shrine, will be deployed just below the stairs of the cave, people familiar with the development said, seeking anonymity.

Amarnath: Naturally-formed ice lingam inside the Shri Amarnath Cave Shrine on June 25 ahead of the beginning of Amarnath Yatra in Pahalgam (PTI)

The decision to put ITBP in charge of security is a first and has been taken based on several factors, including suggestions by the Amarnath Shrine Board and Jammu and Kashmir police. Inputs were received from local administration that during last years (July 8) flash floods at the Amarnath shrine during which 16 pilgrims were killed, ITBP jawans effectively worked as first responders and saved many lives, said an officer.

Besides, many CRPF units have been deployed in violence-hit Manipur and for the forthcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal.

ITBP and Border Security Force (BSF) troops will be deployed at six locations along the pilgrimage route, a task earlier rendered by the CRPF.

Final touches to preparations for the Shri Amarnath Yatra, which will start from July 1 (PTI/Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board)

The CRPF, a second officer said, will continue to secure the route in the Kashmir valley and will coordinate with other forces on security.

Intelligence agencies have said there is a strong possibility of a terror attack in the Kashmir valley when the pilgrimage begins. The forces were directed on Tuesday that dog and bomb squads should be placed near the cave shrine and that there should be better coordination, the second officer said.

Union home minister Amit Shah on June 9 told officials to make adequate security arrangements on the entire route and ensure smooth arrangements from the airport and railway station to the base camp. He also asked the authorities to ensure adequate stock of oxygen cylinders and their refilling as well as the availability of additional teams of doctors.

The home ministry has sought adequate number of medical beds and deployment of ambulances and helicopters to meet any medical emergency. The HM gave instructions to make proper arrangements for all necessary facilities for Amarnath Yatris, including travel, stay, electricity, water, communication and health. He directed to ensure better communication system on the yatra route and deployment of machines to immediately open route in case of a landslide, the ministry said in a statement on June 9.

The pilgrims will be given RFID cards so that their real-time location can be traced. Every pilgrim will be insured for 5 lakh and animals will get a cover of 50,000 each.

Arrangements have also been made for Wi-Fi hotspots and proper lighting along the route, officials said.

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After Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed his address to business leaders and professionals belonging to the diaspora at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on Friday, he decided to step down the dais and walk through the aisle and meet the audience. The crowd, of highly accomplished people in their fields, went wild, applauding, screaming Modis name and stretching their hands to shake Modis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC last week. (ANI)

In the middle of the melee, Modi saw Congressman Ro Khanna, the co-chair of the India caucus in the House of Representatives, and said out loud, Ro Khanna, keep up the good work, Khanna recounted to HT minutes later.

Khanna had briefly met the PM at the state dinner hosted by President Joe Biden the previous night in White House, and at the joint meeting of the US Congress where Modi spoke to both Senators and Congressional representatives.

While Khanna has been critical of the Indias recent democratic record, including its actions in Kashmir and, most recently, the expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament, on the strategic front, he has been a strong supporter of India-US ties.

Khanna introduced a resolution in the House last year advocating deeper security ties, condemning Chinese actions, and proposing an India-specific waiver of Countering Americas Adversaries under the Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for its purchase of Russian weapon systems. As co-chair of the India caucus, Khanna also wrote to speaker Kevin McCarthy to invite PM Modi to address the joint meeting  which was one among other factors that led to the invitation. He is also a member of the select committee on China, and, an important voice in taking on Beijing.

Khanna later got an opportunity to meet Modi at the next diaspora event in Reagan Centre in Washington DC the same evening. Here, they discussed Gandhi, the independence movement, Khannas grandfather (Amarnath Vidyalankar, a freedom fighter and Congress leader who was a member of Parliament), as well democracy and human rights in India.

When Khanna mentioned his grandfathers time in jail during the freedom struggle, to Modi, the Congressman said, Modi told him that he should be proud. Modi then said that when India went from being the tenth to the ninth to the eighth to the sixth largest economy, no one really noticed but when India went to the fifth, there was huge pride.

Modi asked if I could guess why? I said because they passed Great Britain? He said that is right. So there is enormous pride in the sacrifice freedom fighters made and Indias rise today as a free nation, Khanna said recounting his conversation.

The India caucus co-chair, a representative from Silicon Valley, is of a group of five Indian-Americans in the House who informally call themselves, and are called, the samosa caucus, a reference that came up repeatedly during the PMs visit last week. All five are Democrats and through the visit, they could be seen straddling their own different political worlds and imperatives that govern US statecraft.

In his speech at the Congress, after recognising vice president Kamala Harriss Indian heritage, Modi said, I am told that the Samosa Caucus is now the flavour of the House. I hope it grows and brings the full diversity of Indian cuisine here.

And among those who laughed and clapped was Pramila Jayapal, the representative from Seattle, among the USs most liberal cities and the chair of the Congressional progressive caucus. Jayapal, who moved to the US in her teens, was critical of the Indians governments actions in Kashmir in 2019. In the run-up to the visit, she wrote a letter to Biden, along with 74 other Congressional leaders, which urged him to strengthen India-US ties but also raise concerns about Indian democracy with Modi.

Later that evening, Biden referred to Jayapal, who was present at the state dinner along with all the others from the samosa caucus. In the context of the contribution of Indian-Americans to diverse fields in America, he first called out the members  a record number of Indian Americans in Congress, who are here tonight, Ro, Ami, Raja, Shri, Pramila, and  well, I wont go on. I have a great working relationship with all of you.

Biden said that, after her critical leadership on one of the legislative victories, he had called Jayapals mother in India to thank her and wishing her a happy Diwali. It was an incredible moment. I think she wondered, Who in Gods name is calling me?, Biden said.

Sitting next to Jayapal in the House was Ami Bera from California, who serves as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. After the speech, outside the Capitol, Bera offered his first reaction to the speech in a conversation with HT.

I think the PM hit all the right themes. The importance of the US-India relationship, the worlds largest democracy and the worlds oldest democracy. There are so many areas of overlap. Technology, trade, the security issues. I think he touched on some of the threats in the Indo-Pacific region as well and how we have to work together for a prosperous future.

Along with Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of HFAC, Bera later issued a statement welcoming the visit and speaking of space, tech and people to people ties. They said that the visit helps strengthen a shared commitment to free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific and a rules based international order, which was most effective when we demonstrate respect for a rules-based order at home.

Suggesting that the world looked to US and India for inspiration on treatment of critics, the vulnerable and minorities, the two said, It is the power of our examples that sends the strongest message.

Asked if Modis emphasis on democracy and diversity would allay apprehensions of those who had written a letter expressing concern, Bera said that Modi certainly spoke about the vibrancy of democracy, values, freedoms and touched on those themes. You will continue to have folks talk about those issues. But I think the broader theme is the importance of the India-US relationship. He said if Modis address in 2016 was aspirational, this year, as the PM had said, the time had arrived.

Sitting with Khanna in the House was Raja Krishnamoorthy of Illinois, the ranking member of the House select committee on China and the House permanent select committee on intelligence, making him an influential and informed voice on foreign policy and national security debates in the US. Last year, Krishnamoorthy had accompanied House speaker Nancy Pelosi, during her trip to Taiwan which led to a sharp dip in US-China ties. Krishnamoorthy has been a champion of India-US ties. Along with the other four, he escorted the PM into the chamber during the address. And besides meeting Modi at the Congress, he could be seen meeting the PM the next day at a lunch hosted by VP Harris and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken.

On June 22, the same day as the PMs address, Krishnamoorthy  along with Khanna, Andy Barr, Marc Veasey, and Mike Waltz  introduced a bipartisan legislation that will allow weapon sales to India from the US to be fast-tracked.

I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the US and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act. On the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the US and the Chinese Communist Party, where I serve as the Ranking Member, we passed this legislative recommendation with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now we must pass this bipartisan measure into law, Krishnamoorthy said.

The fifth and newest entrant to the caucus, Shri Thanedar, was also on the same row as Jayapal, Bera, Khanna and Krishnamoorthy. Originally from Belgaum in Karnataka, the Marathi-speaker Thanedar too was among those who escorted Modi into the chamber, and had addressed a press meet the day before in the Capitol, welcoming the visit. At a community event, Thanedar also pledged his support for a Congressional Hindu caucus.

After the final diaspora event, Thanedar, who was seen clapping at different points during Modis speech, said, This is very exciting. I have never seen this kind of enthusiasm for any visiting Prime Minister. I am very very proud of Mr Modi. He is enormously popular. I am looking forward to working with him to broaden our relationship, deepen our relationship. As a US Congressman, thats what I want to do.

On the national stage, through elected office, the five Indian-Americans in the US Congress represent the success of the diaspora. Through Modis visit, their two worlds came together. At times, for some, it collided, but mostly, it converged, as they felt a sense of pride, ownership and commitment to the land of their origin and the land that they now call home and whose people they represent.

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Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) on Monday reached Maharashtra on a two-day visit to step up the party activities in the state, besides visiting prominent temples. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao being welcomed by supporters, in Solapur on Monday. (ANI)

KCR left his Pragati Bhavan official bungalow by road, in a huge convoy of over 600 vehicles with his cabinet colleagues, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and other senior party leaders.

The convoy stretched up to six kilometres, an official release from the chief ministers office (CMO) said.

The chief minister first arrived in Solapur on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, he will offer prayers at Vitthal temple in Pandharpur on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, an auspicious day for devotees. The Telangana chief minister would also shower rose petals from a helicopter on warkaris (pilgrims), devotees of Lord Vitthal who undertake the wari (pilgrimage) on foot from across the state and reach Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi.

The Warkari sect has a strong following in rural Maharashtra, especially among farmers, who are being wooed by KCRs party to build its base in the western state.

The 6 km long convoy interacted with people en route and functionaries initiated a membership drive, the BRS said in a statement.

After seeking the blessing of Lord Vitthal, KCR will address a gathering in Sarkoli of Pandharpur. He is also likely to visit Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur of neighbouring Osmanabad district on Tuesday afternoon.

In Solapur, the CM would inspect weaving industry and handloom units on Tuesday before leaving for Pandharpur and Tulja Bhavani temple, the Telangana CMO said.

KCR has been expanding the party network in Maharashtra for the last few months. He has addressed four rallies in Nanded, Aurangabad and Nagpur. He has also inaugurated the partys first office at Nagpur, on June 15, as part of his plan to consolidate the support base for the BRS in the neighbouring state.

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The Manipur government has decided to invoke "no work, no pay" rule for its employees who are not attending office. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh.(HT_PRINT)

The General Administration Department (GAD) has been asked to furnish details of employees who are not able to attend their official work due to the prevailing situation in the state.

A circular issued on Monday night by GAD Secretary Michael Achom said: "In pursuance of the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister on June 12 and decision taken at para 5-(12) of the proceedings, all employees drawing their salaries from General Administration Department, Manipur Secretariat are informed that no work, no pay may be invoked to all those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave."

Manipur government has one lakh employees.

The circular also asked for all administrative secretaries to "furnish details of those employees who could not attend their official duty due to prevailing situation in the state indicating the details of employees such as designation, name, EIN, present address, to the General Administration Department and to the Personnel department, latest by June 28 so as to take appropriate necessary action."

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.
A controversy broke out on Monday over the role of a Bhartiya Janata Party legislator during a standoff in Manipur two days ago that ended with the release of 12 apprehended militants, with security officials saying the lawmaker was negotiating with the forces and the politician saying he was at the spot merely in his official capacity. Security personnel conduct Joint Combing Operations in sensitive areas in both the Hills and Valley sectors of Manipur on June 9. (ANI)

On Saturday afternoon, a mob of around 1,500 people led by women in Imphal refused to let the security forces take 12 men from the Meitei separatist group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). The face-off was resolved once the men were handed over to the mob and allowed to go.

State lawmaker Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh said he was present at the spot, but added that he had not asked security forces to release the men.

But security officials said Singh was part of the mob. The legislator was present with the mob. Our forces left the area along with the recovered weapons and ammunition, a security official said. The MLA was the one negotiating with the forces when the mob refused to let them take the apprehended men.

Singh denied the charge. I went to the spot after I received a call from an army official. I am the local MLA so I had to be there, he said. But I did not ask the forces to release anyone.

The forces recovered assault rifles, grenades and other explosives from the 12 men, the official quoted above said.

Manipur has been convulsed since May 3 by ethnic clashes between the Meitei community, which constitutes the majority of the states population and lives largely in Imphal, and the Kukis, who comprise 16% of the states population and live largely in the hill districts. At least 131 people have been killed and another 40,000 displaced.

On Saturday night, the army tweeted that all 12 apprehended men were handed to a local leader but did not name anyone. At around 2.30 pm on Saturday, security forces laid a cordon after receiving a tip-off about cadre of KYKL, a Meitei separatist group, that had come to Itham village in Imphal East district. While security forces apprehended 12 men, including Moirangthem Tamba, alias Uttam, along with weapons, a mob led by women surrounded the area and prevented the forces from completing the operation.

Tamba, the army said, is the mastermind of an attack in 2015 in which 18 army men were killed. The armys tweet said repeated appeals to the aggressive mob did not yield a 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... decision was taken to hand over all 12 cadres to local leaders, the tweet said.

HT contacted Shivakanta Singh, superintendent of police in Imphal East, but not respond to calls and text messages. The Manipur government did not respond to requests for comment.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prawesh Lama Prawesh Lama covers crime, policing, and issues of security in Delhi. Raised in Darjeeling, educated in Mumbai, he also looks at special features on social welfare in the National Capital. ...view detail
New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a meeting attended by senior ministers and officers who briefed him about the situation in Manipur and the steps being taken to restore normalcy in the northeastern state where 115 people have died in nearly two months of violence and where the situation is still not under control, people familiar with developments said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting with senior ministers and officials in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

The meeting  also attended by Union home minister Amit Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri and senior officials  was called a day after the Modis return from his state visits to the US and Egypt.

The people cited above said Shah briefed the PM about the overall security situation in the state, where tensions continue though no fatalities have been reported due to clashes since June 13. The authorities have also deployed additional forces to assist the local administration and the state government has been asked to talk to all the stakeholders spanning the ethnic divide between the majority Meitei and tribal Kuki communities.

The home minister briefed the PM about the all-party meeting chaired by him on Saturday, when leaders of 18 parties gave various suggestions to tamp down tensions in the state, including sending an all-party delegation to Manipur. Demands for the ouster of chief minister N Biren Singh were also raised by some parties. Shah had conveyed to various leaders during the meeting that the PM was constantly monitoring the situation from Day One and that the Centre was committed to bringing peace to Manipur.

Besides, the PM was also told details of Shahs meeting on Sunday with Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, who has been asked to do everything possible to ensure there isnt further violence, said one of the persons cited above.

According to a party functionary aware of the details, Puri, the Union minister of petroleum, was asked to ensure a seamless supply of cooking gas and fuel to ensure there is no gap in the supply of essentials. The supplies are now being monitored and distributed by the territorial army to ensure there are no malpractices and no hoarding. The issue of supply of essentials was flagged at the all-party meeting and at the interaction between Shah and Biren Singh, the functionary added, requesting anonymity.

To a question on whether the party brass was contemplating a change in the states leadership as was demanded by several Opposition parties, including the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United and others, the functionary said no decision had been taken.

The demand to remove Singh has found resonance even among some sections of the BJP, with a clutch of Kuki lawmakers also flagging a trust deficit between their community and the CM. It was for this reason that the home minister directed Singh to reach out to various communities, including the Kukis, during Sundays meeting, the functionary added.

Singh gave a report to Shah on Sunday, detailing measures being taken to restore normalcy in the state. We are going to invite all stakeholders, existing civil society organisations, women folk organisations, religious bodies, etc, for interactions and better understanding among communities to restore normalcy, Singh later said in Imphal.

At least 115 people have died so far and 300injured in the ethnic clashes which first erupted on May 3 in Churachandpur town after tribal Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed court-ordered tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the majority Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighborhoods into jungles, often across state borders. The authorities quickly clamped a curfew and suspended the internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiraling clashes. Internet is still not fully back in the state.

Tensions continue to simmer in the state despite patrolling, flag marches and search operations by Manipur police, the army and central paramilitary forces.
Flash floods, landslides and lightning strikes triggered chaos in several states as the monsoon blanketed much of India in a sudden surge, leaving at least 10 people dead and scores stranded on highways. Vehicles move through waterlogged Delhi-Gurugram Expressway and its service road after heavy rainfall during the onset of monsoon in Gurugram on Monday. (PTI)

Six of the deaths occurred in Himachal Pradesh since Saturday, and the remaining in Rajasthan on Monday, the first day of the monsoon onset that brought with it thunderclouds and lightning. The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended, officials there added, and heavy rain was forecast in much of the Himalayan ranges and faraway coastal Bengal.

This years monsoon has undergone an unusual surge, having lagged for most of June by bringing rains only to the southern peninsula before sweeping almost the entire country within a matter of days last weekend. It hit Mumbai and Delhi on the same day, arriving close to a fortnight late in the financial capital and a day in advance in the national capital  the first time this has occurred since 1961.

Much of the rain-related crisis was in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, where several highways, including the Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH44) and Chandigarh-Manali highway were closed, stranding hundreds of people. Jammu-Srinagar national highway was restored partially. People are advised not to travel on NH-44 without confirming the status from traffic control units, said a Jammu & Kashmir police official.

Superintendent of police, Mandi district in Himachal, Soumya Sambasivan, said they are trying to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Vehicular traffic beyond Mandi bus stand is being allowed only for travelling towards Jogindernagar and heavy vehicles coming from Bilaspur side are not allowed beyond Nagchala, she said.

Onkar Chand Sharma, principal secretary, disaster management, Himachal Pradesh, 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.

Landslides in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal also hit several smaller roads. According to Himachal Emergency Operation Centre Data, a total of 83 roads, including two national highways, were blocked.

In J&K, the Mughal Road, which connects Shopian in South Kashmir to Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu, was hit by a landslide. Mughal road is the main road for heavy vehicles during the 62-day Amarnath Yatra that begins on July 1. Around 75 other roads in the Union territory also reported blockades due to landslides.

In Uttarakhand, the government stopped rafting in the Ganga in Rishikesh and trekking in Pithoragarh district due to heavy rains.

Gujarat, which had seen heavy rainfall after cyclone, witnessed intense showers as did 12 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

In Assam, where floods affected at least 400,000 people, the situation improved. But 2,915 people remain in relief camps.

Tourists stranded in Himachal had to spend the night in their cars. 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 who gave just one name. The commuters have been advised not to move towards Mandi until the road is opened.

The incidents put into focus how much needs to be done for early warning in the case of weather-related extreme events. As the climate crisis deepens, such events are predicted to become more frequent and people cannot be left vulnerable to flash floods and landslides  forecasting and mitigation must improve.

Experts said the havoc witnessed in recent days are all too common now.

We have started seeing these landslides and flash floods almost every year in these states whenever monsoon is in an active phase. This time, the damage is more over Himachal Pradesh with reports of several landslides on highways and stranded tourists. The monsoon surge is interacting with feeble western disturbances which have been approaching the region. Moreover, the low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal is contributing to further activation of monsoon rainfall, said Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology, Skymet Weather.

India Meteorological Department officials said an orange alert was in place for most of these places  particularly those on the western Himalayas, central India and the western coast.

Heavy rainfall is expected over the western Himalayan region for the next 2-3 days. This is nothing but the monsoon surge. There is a cyclonic circulation over south Uttar Pradesh which is causing southeasterly winds to strike the Himalayas and there is what we call orographic lifting (when humid air from sea strikes on high mountain sides), said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

We cannot comment on how infrastructure and local conditions are contributing but warnings were issued for heavy rain in these states and that provides time to prepare, he added.

Over the weekend, HT reported how the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal branches of monsoon were both active, leading to a surge.

One of the factors for a sudden spurt in disasters with the arrival of monsoon is the high frequency of western disturbances during summer, leading to thunderstorm and rainfall during pre-monsoon season which may have contributed to wet soil conditions. Normally heavy rainfall causes landslides over this region. Due to good rains, they received from western disturbances soil must be wet. If any additional rains come it can force a landslide. I guess this could be mainly due to heavy rains even though human activities also might have contributed in terms soil degradation, said M Rajeevan, former secretary, ministry of earth sciences.

So far, around four million pilgrims have registered for the Chardham Yatra, according to ANI.

Independent experts said unthinking infrastructure expansion and planning in both states has made people vulnerable to disasters. This was warned time and again that increasing the width of Char Dham road would automatically lead to an increase in carrying capacity or footfalls. More pilgrims or tourists visiting the state would also mean many more people will be at risk from disasters. This is why the high-powered committee on Char Dham roads had recommended intermediate road width, said Mallika Bhanot, Member of Ganga Ahvaan, a citizen forum.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Supreme Court has repeatedly called for bringing a Common Civil Code (UCC), whose implementation remains ruling Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP)s third major ideological goal, as he hit out at the opposition parties over corruption and scams and said the people have made up their minds to bring the BJP back to power for a third time in a row in 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing BJPs booth-level workers in Bhopal on Tuesday. (ANI)

Modi said Muslims were being instigated in the name of UCC. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system? asked Modi in his address to BJP workers in poll-bound Madhya Pradeshs Bhopal after flagging off five semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains connecting Indias key cities.

Other than UCC, the BJP has achieved two of its key foundational ideological goalsthe construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the nullification of the Constitutions Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir a semi-autonomous status.

Modi said the opposition parties were in a panic as a massive victory of the BJP is certain again in 2024. Nowadays one word comes again and again...guarantee. All these opposition parties... these people are the guarantee of corruption, scams worth lakhs of crores of rupees. A few days back they had a photo op... If we put together the total of all the people who are in that photo, then all of them together is a guarantee of 20 lakh crore scam. Congress alone...a scam worth lakhs of crores, he said.

The comments came days after 32 leaders from 15 parties with 210 seats in Parliament and governing 11 states met in Patna on Friday last and all but one of them vowed to jointly take on the BJP and forge a common agenda ahead of the 2024 elections. The parties are scheduled to meet again in Shimla in July.

Modi referred to Supreme Courts calls for UCC and accused the people hungry for vote bank for exploiting, ignoring, and denying pasmanda (economically and socially backward) Muslims of their rights.

HT in January reported that the BJPs outreach to minorities, particularly Muslims, has been designed to help counter their consolidation as an anti-BJP force. Modi instructed BJP leaders at the partys national executive committee meeting in Hyderabad last year to reach out to the economically and socially backward Muslims to change the narrative about the partys anti-minority stance.

Modi referred to now-criminalised practice of instant divorce among a section of Muslims and said vote bank-hungry people who talk in favour of triple talaq are doing a great injustice to Muslim daughters. Triple talaq does not just do injustice to daughters... whole families get ruined. If triple talaq is an essential part of Islam, then why was it banned in countries such as Qatar, Jordan, and Indonesia?

He said Muslims have to understand that political parties were taking political advantage by provoking them with reference to UCC.

The Law Commission of India Commission last month began to examine UCC afresh as it solicited views and suggestions from the public and recognised religious organisations around four years after saying the code was neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.

In August 2018, it recommended that existing family laws across religions required to be amended and codified to tackle discrimination and inequality in personal laws.

A UCC would mean a common set of laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession for all citizens, irrespective of religion. Currently, different laws regulate these aspects for adherents of different religions. A UCC is meant to do away with these inconsistent personal laws.

According to the Constitutions Article 44 and one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, the state shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a UCC throughout India. But directive principles are not enforceable by courts.

The Supreme Court has highlighted the need for UCC. In March, It wrapped up a clutch of petitions demanding UCC observing that such issues are meant for Parliament to decide and that courts should not be seen as directing the legislature to enact a law.

Responding to a bunch of petitions through an affidavit in October 2022, the Union government told the court that personal laws based on religion are an affront to the nations unity. It added UCC will bring about an integration of India by bringing different communities on a common platform through an unvarying legal regime.

The government said it is only for the elected representatives and the legislature to decide whether the country should have UCC. It added no court can issue directives to the parliament to frame a specific statute.

In his address to the BJP workers, Modi also said poll-bound Madhya Pradesh has played a big role in making the party the worlds largest. We do not sit in air-conditioned offices and issue diktats. We brave harsh weather to be with people, said Modi while calling the development of villages a must for India to become a developed country.

He referred to welfare schemes, which are believed to have played a key role in helping BJP return to power at the Centre in 2019, and said their objective is to ensure their saturation-level coverage.

Modi earlier flagged off the five Vande Bharat trains, the highest such inaugurations in a day, at Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal including three virtually after interacting with students on board one of the trains. In a tweet on Monday, he said these trains will improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

Two of the trainsRani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-Jabalpur, Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Expressare for Madhya Pradesh, where the assembly polls are due by the year-end.

The BJP seeks to retain power in Madhya Pradesh. Congress returned to power in the state in 2018 but lost it two years later when 22 legislators quit and resigned from the assembly before joining the BJP.

The Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will connect Mahakaushal to Madhya Pradeshs central region and improve connectivity to tourist places such as Bheraghat, Pachmarhi, and Satpura. The Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express will connect Malwa and Bundelkhand regions to the states Central region. It will improve connectivity to tourist sites such as Mahakaleshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Khajuraho, and Panna.

The other trains inaugurated were Madgaon-Mumbai, Dharwad-Bengaluru, Goas first, and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.The Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express is the first such train for Jharkhand and Bihar.

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Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi batted for Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on Tuesday stating that there should be equality for all instead of the country being run on two laws, several Opposition leaders came forward to accuse Modi of bringing up the issue because of upcoming elections and said that he was trying the distract people from real issues in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing BJPs booth-level workers in Bhopal on Tuesday. (ANI)

Stating that Opposition unity was intact and would continue, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, speaking to news agency ANI, said, He (PM) should first answer about poverty, price rise and unemployment in the country. He never speaks on Manipur issue, the whole state is burning from the last 60 days. He is just distracting people from all these issues.

Prime Minister Modi was addressing party members at BJP's Mera Booth Sabse Majboot campaign on Tuesday in Bhopal when he discussed UCC and Triple Talaq.

Congress leader Tariq Anwar, quoted by ANI, accused the Prime Minister of practising politics of polarisation. He said When any law is made it is for everyone and they have to follow it. Then what is the need to discuss that bill which has already been passed? PM Modi is doing so because of upcoming Madhya Pradesh elections are ahead and they have done nothing for the country. Hence, they will talk about topics like Triple Talaq and Uniform Civil Code.

Read Here | Pity them for photo-op meeting: PM Modi's message to opposition unity from poll-bound MP

He further said, He [PM Modi] has been governing for nine years, if he wanted to bring UCC, why didn't he do it earlier? It could've been discussed and all political parties could have had a say in the matter. But it wasn't done.



Congress leader Arif Masood said talking to ANI, PM should remember that he has taken oath on the Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar. All sections of the country have faith in Constitution and will not allow it to change or be destroyed.

As per ANI, Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of doing vote bank politics, Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi said on Tuesday, All political parties and stakeholders should be engaged on the issue of the Uniform Civil Code.

DMK leader TKS Elangovan, as reported by ANI, said that the UCC should first be introduced in the Hindu religion. He added, Every person including SC/ST should be allowed to perform pooja in any temple in the country. We don't want UCC only because the Constitution has given protection to every religion. It is a violation of fundamental rights, which a government is not supposed to do.

Read Here: Muslims being instigated over Uniform Civil Code, says Modi, slams opposition

Speaking on Triple Talaq, PM Modi had said, Whoever talks in favour of Triple Talaq, whoever advocates it, those vote bank hungry people are doing a great injustice to Muslim daughters. Triple talaq doesn't just do injustice to daughters. It is beyond this; the whole family get ruined. If it has been a necessary tenet of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to state that PM Modi made comments on Triple Talaq and UCC. He said, Modi ji has said that there is a ban on triple talaq. Why is Modi ji getting his inspiration from Pakistani law? He even made a law against triple talaq here, but it did not make any difference at the ground level. Rather, the exploitation of women has increased further. We have always been demanding that social reform will not happen through laws. If a law has to be made, then it should be made against those men who flee from their marriages.

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Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu introduced her would-be daughter-in-law by sharing a family photograph captured on Monday on the occasion of Durga-Ashtami. The former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president said that his son honoured the most cherished desire of his mother by exchanging promise bands with her fiance on the banks of the Ganga river. Navjot Singh Sidhu with his family.

In one of the photographs posted on his Twitter handle, Sidhu can be seen posing with his wife Navjot Kaur, daughter, Rabia Sidhu, son, Karan Sidhu, and Inayat Randhawa.

The son honours the most cherished desire of his beloved mother . On this auspicious Durga-Ashtami day in the lap of mother Ganges , a new beginning , introducing our would be daughter in law Inayat Randhawa . They exchanged promise bands, Sidhu said in a tweet.

Twitter users congratulated Sidhus for their newest addition to the family.

Congratulations Sir. Wishing you more good luck and power and abundance of good health for your entire family, a user commented.

Another user wrote, Heartiest congratulations to the new couple and Sidhu Family. God bless the new couple.

Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur has been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

On Sunday, the Congress leader tweeted, Her third Chemo. Nothing is impossible for a resolute person. her steely resolve has been facilitated by Dr. Rupinder Batra (Former Tata Memorial Oncologist) at Waryam Singh Hospital, Yamunanagar.

There is a karmic connection. He saved my life as well when I had nearly fatal pulmonary embolism.. He conducted successful operation of Noni, when I was in jail our guardian angel.  In times of prosperity friends aplenty - In times of adversity not one in twenty  thank a ton bro !! he added.

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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
As Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke against former US president Barack Obama for his comment on religious minorities in India, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said more ministers of the PM Modi government are willing to attack a former US president than they are willing to speak up against China, or on Manipur violence. "Lets hope the foreign trip by Modiji will give him enough courage to mention China now by name instead of succumbing to its bullying. And also break his silence on Manipur which continues to burn for nearly eight weeks now," Owaisi said taking a dig at PM Modi. Asaduddin Owaisi commented on Obama's statement and the BJP leaders' condemnation of it.

"More than 4000 weapons have been taken from state armouries in Manipur and not one head has rolled. Let alone Kashmir, imagine a fraction of this happening in any opposition ruled state and the orchestrated outrage from our media. New India after all," Owaisi tweeted.

We decided in 1947 we would live in India

I want to tell Nirmala Sitharaman that Indian Muslims have no connection with Saudi Arabia, Iran or Egypt. We are Indian Muslims. We believe in Ambedkar's Constitution. Indian Muslims in 1947 decided that they would live in India, Owaisi said. "PM Modi, you are going to Egypt's mosque. Come to Kashi's mosque. You are India's PM, not Egypt's," Owaisi said.

Obama row: Who said what

During PM Modi's recently concluded 3-day US trip, Obama in an interview with CNN said that if he had a word with PM Modi whom he knew very well, he would have raised the issue of the religious minority in India and that if their rights are not protected, India may pull apart. This triggered strong resistance from BJP leaders led by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who in a jibe referred to Barack Obama as 'Hussain Obama'.

Nirmala Sitharaman said during Obama's presidency, the US bombed many Muslim countries including Syria, Yemen, Saudi and Iraq. "I find this deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere in the country because they think they cannot win against the development policies of prime minister Modi," Sitharaman said.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh said Obama should not forget that India is the only country which considers all the people living here as family members.

Former Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said out of 10 Muslims in the world, one lives in India. "Those who are giving us knowledge should understand our country's rights and culture," Naqvi said.

Former commissioner of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Johnnie Moore said Obama should spend his energy complimenting India than criticising.

'More loyal than the king'

As several BJP leaders attacked Obama for his comment, Congress spokesperson Surpiya Shrinate said this is a dangerous game of 'more loyal than the king' which does not work in the global world order. "Unlike you, countries like the US and their leaders dont essentially take insult of their former heads of state lying down. Mr Modi your ministers are headed down a dangerous path - this will have consequences. Rein in these motormouths and be warned," Shrinate said.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modis strong endorsement for the uniform civil code (UCC) on Tuesday indicated that the government might prioritise an issue that has long been on the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), people aware of developments said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' booth-level workers' training programme, in Bhopal on Tuesday. (ANI)

For decades, both the RSS and the BJP have pushed for UCC that will be applicable for all communities and faiths to govern issues such as marriage, divorce, succession, adoption and division of assets.

Addressing BJP booth workers in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said that Muslims were being misled in the name of UCC. These days, people are being provoked by the UCC. You tell me, if there is one law for one person in a home, and another law for another person, can that house function? he asked.

Implementation of UCC, removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and a nationwide ban on cow slaughter have been the mainstay of the BJP and RSS agenda for decades. After Article 370 was effectively nullified in 2019 and construction of the Ram Temple began in Ayodhya, the BJP credited itself for fulfilling two longstanding promises.

The roll-out of UCC is seen as the only pending ideological issue and many in party believe it will be done before the 2024 general elections as the BJP now has a track record of fulfilling what it promises in the manifesto, a BJP leader said on the condition of anonymity.

The PMs pointed reference to UCC close on the heels of the Law Commission inviting suggestions from the public about a common code is a clear indication of the governments intent to roll out the law, the leader cited above said.

Earlier, when Modi spoke about issues such a population control and the need to ban triple talaq, it was seen as an indirect reference to UCC, the leader quoted above said.

Many opposition parties, activists and communities oppose UCC, which is perceived by some as a ploy to erase minority practices and rituals. Several tribal communities and sects within the larger Hindu faith also oppose a common code.

Keeping this in mind, the government has opted for a conciliatory approach.

There are many adivasis and janjaatis who have their own traditions and customs. Some of them have expressed concern that their pooja padhhati (form of prayers) will be affected. Some of these communities also follow their own norms for marriage and divorce, which they feel will be subsumed in the larger law. We have been reaching out to them to address their concerns, said a RSS functionary associated with the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, a Sangh offshoot that works with tribespeople.

Last week, a tribal council in Meghalaya unanimously passed a resolution to oppose the implementation of UCC in areas within its jurisdiction, and a coalition of 30 tribal bodies in Jharkhand on Sunday threatened to protest against the proposed law.

The BJP is aware of the potential implications of UCC on its vote share in tribal-dominated areas and is wooing tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and in the Northeast.

Given the sensitivity of the issue, the Sangh has pushed for building a narrative, encouraging debate and discussion and creating consensus rather than just bringing legislation, the RSS functionary cited above said, declining to be named.

The fact that several states have been asked to or prepared their draft bills and solicit suggestions from people shows that the government believes in taking an amicable route that will benefit all sections on society. We are aware that there is a powerful lobby at work that wants to pitch UCC as an anti-minorities issue, the BJP leader quoted in the first instance said.

States such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have set up committees to examine UCC.

The RSS functionary cited above said that a substantial part of the BJP and RSS outreach on UCC focuses on how a common code was perceived favourably by some framers of the Constitution.

Article 44 says the State shall endeavour to put it in place, the functionary added. UCC is a part of the directive principles of state policy in the Constitution.

Last year, a private members bill to implement UCC was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by a BJP lawmaker.

The PMs reference to UCC is an indication that it may become an election plank for the 2024 polls, said Ajay Gudavarthi, a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru university.

It is becoming clear that 2024 will be fought on the basis of mandir and UCC. His comment needs to be seen considering the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament and a possible Opposition rancour over the recent questioning in the US regarding the situation of minorities in India and violence in Manipur, he added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off five Vande Bharat trains in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. Interacting with students aboard a Vande Bharat Express train Modi asked them, What did you like about the trains? To this one of the students answered, I liked the fact that it has automatic doors, while another said, I liked the interiors of the trains. PM Modi interacts with students on a Vande Bharat Express train in Madhya Pradesh.(ANI)

PM Modi asked them further, Did you know that it is Made-In-India? To this, they are seen answering collectively, Yes.

The students also recited poems on cleanliness and on Vande Bharat during their interaction with the prime minister. They showed their paintings too.

In a talk about the Digital India campaign of the government, the prime minister is seen asking them, Have you imagined travelling without cash for a week, making payments only through UPI Will you be able to do it?

This is for the first time that multiple Vande Bharat Express trains have been launched in a day. The semi-high-speed trains that were launched on Tuesday include, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-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. Among these two trains are meant for the state of Madhya Pradesh.

"Tourist places like Bheraghat, Pachmarhi, and Satpura, etc. will also be benefitted by the improved connectivity, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

(With inputs from agencies)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, where he will flag off a total of five Vande Bharat trains, both physically and virtually. However, his scheduled visit to state's Shahdol district has been postponed due to heavy rainfall in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi(PTI)

A fresh date for PM Modi's visit to the tribal-dominated district will be announced soon.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert, warning of heavy to very heavy and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Madhya Pradesh till Tuesday morning.

Activities planned for PM Modi's Bhopal visit:

After arriving in Bhopal, PM Modi will head to Rani Kamalapati railway station. He will inaugurate Vande Bharat trains both virtually and physically. These semi high-speed trains are: Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-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, an official statement said. PM Modi will further address 3,000 selected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers from across the country. These workers have been chosen for making an effective contributions in empowering their booths under the party's Mera Booth Sabse Majboot campaign. He will also interact with 10 lakh booth-level BJP workers virtually. "I will get an opportunity to interact with lakhs of dedicated workers under 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' programme. This opportunity will further empower their resolve for a developed India," PM Modi tweeted.

What was scheduled for Modi's Shahdol visit, which is now postponed?

PM Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol. He was also likely to distribute Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards during the event. An interaction with locals from the district and adjacent areas was also planned. 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 chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

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Congresss leader Rahul Gandhi will visit violence-hit Manipur on Thursday. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal announced that Gandhi will interact with society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit.



Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that the society can move from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate, the Congress leader added.



More than 100 people have lost their lives since the violence erupted in the north-eastern state on May 3. Clashes had erupted during a Tribal Solidarity March in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for a scheduled tribe status. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.(PTI file)

The Meitei community comprises about 53 per cent of the state population and live in Imphal Valley. On the other hand, tribals like Nagas and Kukis constitute 40 per cent of the population and live in hill districts.



The announcement for Rahul Gandhi's visit comes after an all party meeting was held in New Delhi last week on the situation in Manipur. Besides raising the demand for an all-party delegation to the violence-hit state, the opposition called for the removal of chief minister N Biren Singh.



Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the violence in Manipur. "No amount of "propaganda" by the BJP-led government can cover up its "abject failure" in handling the Manipur situation",Kharge tweeted.

"If Modiji is really concerned about Manipur, then the first thing he should do is sack his chief minister," Kharge added.

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Keen on gaining a toehold in Maharashtra, Telangana chief minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) reached the state on a two-day visit amid much fanfare. Telangana CM KCR being welcomed by supporters in Solapur on Monday. (ANI)

Rao, travelling in a convoy of about 600 vehicles and accompanied by the entire Telangana cabinet, BRS MPs, MLAs and other party leaders, arrived in Solapur on Monday afternoon by driving more than 600km.

Rao will on Tuesday offer prayers at Vitthal temple in Pandharpur on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, an auspicious day for devotees. The Telangana chief minister would also shower rose petals from a helicopter on warkaris (pilgrims), devotees of Lord Vitthal who undertake the wari (pilgrimage) on foot from across the state and reach Pandharpur on Ashadhi Ekadashi. Till Monday evening, the BRS did not get permission to shower rose petals from a helicopter.

The Warkari sect has a strong following in rural Maharashtra, especially among farmers, who are being wooed by Raos party to build its base in the western state.

The 6km long convoy interacted with people en route and functionaries initiated a membership drive, the BRS said in a statement.

After seeking the blessing of Lord Vitthal, Rao will address a gathering in Sarkoli of Pandharpur. Rao is also likely to visit Tulja Bhavani temple in Tuljapur of neighbouring Osmanabad district on Tuesday afternoon.

In Solapur, the CM would inspect weaving industry and handloom units on Tuesday before leaving for Pandharpur and Tulja Bhavani temple, the Telangana chief ministers office said in a statement.

After renaming the Telangana Rashtra Samithi as BRS in December, Rao has been trying to make space for his party in Maharashtra. He is focusing on districts bordering Telangana, which will help him make inroads in the state. Two days ago, Sushma Mule of Savkheda village in Aurangabad district was elected as the first sarpanch (village council chief) from the BRS.

In the past three months, Rao has visited Aurangabad, Nanded and Nagpur, three prominent cities in Marathwada and Vidarbha. He has urged farmers to help in bringing a pro-farmer government in Maharashtra by promoting the Telangana model of governance. With a slogan Ab ki baar, kisan sarkar (a farmers government this time), the BRS has been trying to connect with farmers in Maharashtra that has the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party worried.

It became evident when NCP leader Ajit Pawar told a party gathering last week that they cannot ignore the BRS and Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, considering the fact VBA reached damage to the prospects of a Congress-NCP alliance candidate in the last state assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

Moreover, NCP leader Bhagirath Bhalke, who lost the Pandharpur assembly by-poll in a close contest against the bharatiya Janata Party in May 2021, is all set to join the BRS on Tuesday. The by-poll was necessitated following the death of Bhagiraths father and NCP MLA Bharat Bhalke. The BRS chief had recently sent a chartered flight for Bhagirath Bhalke to visit Hyderabad for a meeting.

The Rao-led party has also said it would declare disgruntled BJP leader Pankaja Munde as its chief ministerial candidate if she joins BRS. Pankaja Munde is certainly capable of leading the state and justice will be done to her abilities, Balasaheb Sanap, state convenor of BRS, said on Friday.

Meanwhile, Congress and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) have termed BRS a B team of the BJP.

BRS is a B team of BJP and will make no impact in Maharashtra politics. The people are smart enough to understand who will benefit from the division of votes, said Nana Patole, state Congress chief. The BRS is facing a crisis in Telangana as many of its leaders are joining the Congress, he claimed.

Shiv Sena (UBT) also accused Rao of using Lord Vitthal for his political entry in the state. Last time they had AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) and this time AIMIM in the new form (BRS) has arrived. They have put up banners and hoardings worth hundreds of crores. The state government should investigate where they are getting so much money to spend in Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) said.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar was cautious while commenting on the BRS. The attempt is to show that politically they can show a different picture, nothing more than that, Pawar said. If they really want to serve the people, then they are welcome. Whether the BRS can pose any challenge or not will be known only after the elections, the veteran leader said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Faisal Malik Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP. ...view detail

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yogesh Joshi Yogesh Joshi is Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times. He covers politics, security, development and human rights from Western Maharashtra. ...view detail
A terrorist was killed and a police personnel was injured in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on the intervening night of Monday. Police said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the neutralised terrorist and his identity was being ascertained. The encounter started late Monday night at Hoowra village in Kulgam district. The encounter started late Monday night at Hoowra village in Kulgam district.(ANI / Representational Image)

Kashmir Police Zone tweeted: Encounter has started at Hoowra village of #Kulgam district. Police & Security Forces are on the job. One JKP personnel got injured. Operation in progress. Further details shall follow.

Providing an update on the encounter, it said, 01 local terrorist neutralised. Identification & affliation being ascertained. Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition recovered. Search going on.

The counter-terrorism operation comes days after the security forces foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmirs Kupwara district.

The terrorists were neutralised in a joint operation by police and the army in the Kala Jungle area of Kupwaras Machhal sector. The encounter comes a week after security forces gunned down five terrorists while foiling an infiltration bid at Jumgund Keran close to the LoC in the Kupwara district.

Confirming the development, Kashmir Zone Police tweeted: In a joint operation, army and police have killed four terrorists in Kala Jungle of Machhal sector in Kupwara who were trying to infiltrate to our side from POJK (Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir).

In a tweet, Indian Armys Chinar Corps confirmed that forces recovered war-like stores from the encounter site.

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Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday released a video replying to PM Modi's 'desh mein kya chal raha hai' question to BJP chief JP Nadda as he arrived in the country on Monday. "If you want to know what is happening in India, then go to Manipur instead of your election tour in Madhya Pradesh," Pawan Khera said in the video. Congress leader Pawan Khera issued a video replying to PM Modi.

"Manipur is on fire. Your IT cell is trying to pin the blame of the Balasore trin accident on the Muslim community...White House has condemned the frontline warriors who trolled journalist Sabrina Siddiqui after she asked you a question," Pawan Khera said.

On Monday, PM Modi arrived in India concluding his six-day visit to the US and Egypt. At the airport, he was received by BJP chief JP Nadda, Union minister of state for external affairs Meenakshi Lekhi and other BJP leaders. According to reports, PM Modi enquired Nadda of what was happening in India. "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.

On Tuesday morning, PM Modi reached Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal from where he flagged off five Vane Bharat trainss -- three virtually, two physically. These semi high-speed trains are: Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-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.

In Madhya Pradesh, which will be going to the poll by this tear end, PM Modi is scheduled to interact with the BJP workers.

During PM Modi's US visit marked by crucial India-US deals, PM Modi was asked a question about religious minorities in India. Wall Street Journal's Sabrina Siddiqui who asked the question came under fire in India for her Pakistani origin. On Tuesday, the White House denounced the online harassment of Siddiqui.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee sustained injuries including a ligament injury after her chopper made an emergency landing at an army base due to rough weather in north Bengal on Tuesday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee exiting the state-run SSKM hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday (HT Photo/Samir Jana)

The chief minister was taken to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata later in the evening and was advised by doctors to get admitted to the hospital for treatment. Banerjee told the attending doctors that she will continue treatment at home.

The incident took place when Banerjee was returning from Jalpaiguri district where the Trinamool Congress chief addressed a political rally ahead of the upcoming panchayat polls in the state. She was on her way to Bagdogra from where she was to take a flight to Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjees helicopter made an emergency landing. She was injured. It was due to rough weather, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said in a post on Twitter.

A government official said that when the chopper was somewhere over the Baikunthapur forest, it met with a thunderstorm. The pilot changed course and safely landed the helicopter at the defence airstrip.

In a tweet, West Bengal governor CV Ananda Boses office said: Honble Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose is relieved to know that Honble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is safe after the emergency landing of her helicopter today. Dr. Bose enquired about her safety and well-being.

A senior doctor at SSKM hospital said: The chief minister has suffered some injuries due to the emergency landing. She is being examined. Senior doctors are attending to her. MRI scan revealed ligament injury with fluid collection in her left knee-joint with marks of ligament injury in the left hip joint. Treatment has already begun. She was advised to get admitted but she said that she would continue the treatment at home.

At the Jalpaiguri event, Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government. The BJPs life expectancy is just six months more. They will stay at the Centre for another six months. The Lok Sabha polls will be held around FebruaryMarch next year. If I know India and its people well, the BJP will be wiped out, Banerjee said at the political rally.

The BJP hit back, saying that the chief minister levelled allegations against the central forces but had to take the armys help for the emergency landing.

She levelled all sorts of allegations against the central forces. But today she had to make an emergency landing at an army base. It is unfortunate. It is because of the BSF guarding our borders that the chief minister and her ministers and MLAs are being able to sleep at night, said BJPs state president Sukanta Majumdar.
Mumbai The class IX student at a Kolhapur school is a huge fan of Narendra Bhagana, the subaltern Haryanavi singing sensation with testosterone-heavy lyrics: Bhai tera gunda, villain rhn de, bandook chalegi... (your brother is a thug, forget the villain, guns will go off...). You get the drift. Earlier this month, this 16-year-old, along with four other minors, was arrested for disturbing peace in the city and sent to a juvenile home for 14 days PREMIUM A gutted bike in Akola

His WhatsApp display photograph showed a picture of Tipu Sultan with accompanying text that read: The king who fought like a soldier. India never seen (a warrior) like him, his soul departed from his body but his sword remained in his hand. Bhaganas hit song Baap toh baap rahega played when one clicked on Tipus photo. Four other school boys arrested along with him had similar WhatsApp status updates-- in some cases, glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

These images so incensed members of the recently-minted Sakal Hindu Samaj (SHS) that on June 7, they gheraoed the local police station, demanding stern action against glorifiers of Tipu and Aurangzeb, and the bandh called by them escalated to stone pelting and destruction of shops.

As the controversy snowballed, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis blamed Aurangzebs aulaads (offsprings) for the rising communal temperature in the state, and on his 55th birthday on June 14, Raj Thackeray cut a cake with Aurangzebs photo by plunging the knife into the emperors mouth like a stake.

Why has Maharashtras politics acquired such a communal colour all of a sudden?

Communal eruptions across Akola, Kolhapur, Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Beed, Mumbai, Amravati and Nashik in the last eight months, and the killings of two cattle traders by alleged cow vigilantes in a the last three weeks at Nashik, have raised concern that the state may be headed for a bigger sectarian flashpoint. These instances of violence have come on the back of over 50 Jan Aakrosh (public anger) rallies that have ratchet up anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Tracking roots to RSS

The Nagpur-based Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader is a tall and gnarly man in his early 70s, the national chief of one of the organisations key units . He speaks off the record, but with a candour that comes from certitude, as he explains the genesis of SHS. There are many Hindus and Hindu-oriented organisations that dont necessarily attend shakhas, but they share the same philosophy and they needed to be brought under one umbrella. That is how SHS was created.

SHS shares its credo with an old RSS campaign, Ek kuan, mandir, aur shamshan, Hinduon ki yahi pehchan (Those who share one well, one temple and the crematorium are all Hindu brethren). Organisations such as the Durga Vahini, Gayatri Parivar, Sanatan Sanstha, Baba Ramdevs Patanjali, the Sakal Jain Samaj, and even some Sikh and Buddhist organisations are all part of SHS, this leader claimed.

It enjoys the intellectual support of the Sangh and the logistical heft of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he added. SHS owes its name to something Savarkar once wrote,

Tumhi amhi sakal Hindu, Bandhu bandhu (You and I are all Hindus, and brothers). However, the idea to keep the outfit overtly leaderless is borrowed from the 2015 Maratha reservation campaign. This means SHS works as an umbrella grouping of discrete outfits, with no specific leader.

We want laws at the national and state level to stop love jihad, illegal conversions and cow slaughter, said Sunil Ghanwat, spokesperson for Hindu Janjagruti Samiti for Maharashtra, which is one of the units of SHS. Its not about the BJP or Congress or any other party. We have been demanding action against love- ihad and religious conversions for many years. Its just that these issues are more in focus today because of massive marches taken out by Hindus, he added.

Its a spontaneous movement in the interest of the Hindu Samaj where every Hindu organisation is a participant, said another senior RSS leader, Atul Moghe. RSS swayamsevaks participate in SHS rallies and support its initiatives, he added.

BJP Maharashtra spokesperson Shivaray Kulkarni also said that BJP workers and leaders participated in SHS rallies, including ministers and lawmakers. However, neither rank-and-file nor the leaders initiate such rallies. These are spontaneous uprisings of the Hindu fraternity.

Spontaneous is a word that comes up again and again to stress that the Jan Aakrosh rallies are natural eruptions, rather than organised events. Yet, facts on the ground differ.

Last December, after Shraddha Walkars murder in Delhi, SHS launched a massive campaign against so-called love jihad  a popular right-wing conspiracy theory about interfaith relationships  claiming there were 100,000 instances of it in the state. The Shinde-Fadnavis government set up a committee to look into instances of coercive inter-faith marriages, but it has yet to receive a single complaint.

On June 3, while steering clear of the term love jihad, Fadnavis said, Instances of innocent girls being lured into inter-religious marriages and (subsequent) exploitation are coming to light. We are concerned, and will crack the whip.

When HT spoke to the police stations in Pune, Kolhapur, Solapur, Akola and Nashik, officers said they had no data to support these political claims and not a single FIR of coercive Hindu-Muslim marriage was registered so far in 2023. We do not have compilation of such data with regards to any love jihad or religious conversions, said Pune joint commissioner of police (law and order) Sandeep Karnik.

What is happening instead is that crimes of rape, molestation or sexual assault under Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act, where the accused may be a Muslim and the victim a Hindu, are being tarred with the brush of love jihad.

Sample this  on May 20, BJP member of legislative council Gopichand Padalkar told a press conference that a Hindu girl from Manchar in Pune district was tortured by a Muslim young man as part of forcible conversion under love jihad. Pune Police arrested the man under various sections of the Indian Penal Code but maintained there was no overt sectarian angle.

Campaign pivots to history

With love jihad conspiracy theories finding little grassroots traction in the state, the campaign to polarise pivoted to historical figures such as Aurangzeb  an easy enough enemy, given Chhatrapati Shivajis stirring resistance  and Tipu Sultan, who was similarly vilified in Karnataka.

Between June 1 and 10, police across the state registered at least 20 first information reports (FIRs) over social media updates and display photos that featured Aurangzeb or Tipu Sultan. This crackdown was made easier by the fact that in February this year, social media company Meta  which runs WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook  rolled out a new feature update syncing WhatsApp updates on other Meta platforms for wider reach and visibility. This, explained cyber experts, also increased the chances of incendiary content reaching a wider audience. Previously, we could only check the status of a person if their number was saved in our contact list but now due to integration of platforms, anybody from anywhere can check status updates and these things go viral within minutes, said Sanjay Shintre, incharge of Maharashtra cyber cell.

Senior Congress leader Husain Dalwai said the trend of valorising the two kings is a direct outcome of aggressive communal politics. Muslims should stop reacting to communal politics. I too oppose using Aurangzebs picture as WhatsApp status, but what is wrong with Tipu Sultan who fought against the British until his last breath?

Advocate Salman Maldar, who secured bail for the young Narendra Bhagana fan and three other juveniles in Kolhapur, said section 295A of IPC, usually applied for deliberate and malicious acts intended to hurt religious feelings and disturb peace, should not have been used against his minor clients. They did not insult any god or goddess. Also, both Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan were rulers at different times and are not banned in this country by any law.

Aurangabad member of Parliament (MP) Imtiyaz Jaleel said Tipu Sultans picture is part of the original copy of the Constitution drafted by BR Ambedkar and is preserved in the Parliament House library while Aurangzebs grave is an Archaeological Survey of India-protected monument. I have challenged Devendra Fadnavis to present any one case in which a person was booked for showing a picture of Aurangzeb in the last 75 years, he added, questioning the lack of police action against Telangana lawmaker T Raja Singh who openly called for violence against Muslims at a Jan Aakrosh rally in Mumbai earlier this year. Last year, Singh was pulled up by the Telangana high court for exhorting people to boycott all Muslim shops and businesses.

Political designs

History has shown that the BJP benefited from the Ram Mandir movement but various Hindu organisations began working for it from 1985 onward, said a former BJP leader who was a core strategist for the party in Maharashtra until his recent defection. It is trying to replicate the same strategy across the country to ensure a big win in 2024. The tension in Maharashtra is just part of that design, especially since the party dropped seats in the 2019 assembly elections, and lost power.

Maharashtra Mission 45 is a key part of the BJPs strategy to win in 2024; 17 of the 45 Lok Sabha constituencies on their radar are with other parties at present. These are Baramati, Satara, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Buldhana, Kalyan, Palghar, Shirur, Raigad, South Mumbai, South Central Mumbai, North West Mumbai, Shirdi, Kolhapur, Hatkanangale, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Madhe and Osmanabad.

Except for Chandrapur, SHS has held one or multiple Jan Aakrosh rallies in each of these constituencies; in some cases, instances of communal violence and retaliation have ensued.

SHS held 12 rallies in western Maharashtra in the last six months, each of them with attendance upwards of 100,000. This sugar belt from Sangli to Kolhapur has a strong network of cooperative bodies that forms the backbone of the regions rural economy. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress have dominated the cooperative sector for decades. Polarisation on religious lines could significantly alter the politics in western Maharashtras 11 Lok Sabha and 75 assembly seats.

But the region that may worry the BJP the most is Vidarbha, where it suffered its biggest electoral setback in 2019, losing 15 assembly seats it held earlier. Once again, SHS has campaigned extensively here, particularly in Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal and Fadnaviss bastion Nagpur, where the party lost a crucial legislative council election this year.

In Marathwada, which sends eight MPs to Lok Sabha, SHS has focused on the already-polarised district of Aurangabad, now represented by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. The violence during Ram Navmi here was the worst reported this year. Likewise, Parbhani, where the campaign against love jihad was launched after Walkars death, is a Shiv Sena (UBT) stronghold. The oft-heard phrase during elections here is, Khan payije ka baan (Would you prefer a Khan or the bow and arrow?). With the Shiv Sena splintered in two, crucial seats in the region appear up for grabs.

Reported by: Pradip Kumar Maitra in Nagpur; Shailesh Gaikwad, Surendra Gangan, Swapnasaurabha Kulshreshtha and Faisal Malik in Mumbai; Yogesh Joshi and Shrinivas Deshpande in Pune
Women activists in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in the operations of security forces, the Indian Army tweeted on Monday evening in what was the first official confirmation of a rising new phenomenon in the violence-hit northeastern state. A screengrab of the video released by the army. (Screenshot)

The army also released a 2 minute 12 second-long video that put together purported visuals from a number of operations and levelled four serious allegations  that women activists were helping rioters flee, interfering in operations during the day or at night, interfering in the movement of logistics, and digging up the entry to the Assam Rifles camp to cause delays.

Women activists in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations of security forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by security forces during critical situations to save lives and property, said a tweet by Spear Corps, Indian Army.

The tweet came two days after a mob of around 1,500 people led by women in Imphal East refused to let the security forces take 12 men from the Meitei separatist group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). The standoff was resolved only when the men were handed over to the mob and allowed to go.

That incident was referenced in the video titled Being humane is not a weakness. Demystifying the myth of peaceful blockade led by women in Manipur, the video added.

The clip showed visuals of what it said was a blockade by women at Itham village in Imphal East on Saturday. It further added purported visuals from June 23 from Uragpat and Yaiganpokpi, where shots were fired, and alleged that women were accompanying armed rioters. Another frame alleged that ambulances were used to carry rioters and captioned two vehicles carrying women as accompanying rioters.

Women folk were accompanying armed rioters, the caption said.

The clip also presented purported visuals from June 13  when nine people were gunned down in what was the highest number of casualties in a single day since violence first broke out six weeks ago. As riots broke out in Khamenlok, mob blocked the movement of forces even before arson began, the caption said.

Neither the video nor the captions identified any of the women activists or their communities. HT couldnt independently corroborate the visuals.

The clip also alleged that women were interfering in operations during the day and at night, blocking movement of goods, and had even dug up the entry to the Assam Rifles base to delay troops.

Blocking movement of forces is not only unlawful but also detrimental to their efforts towards restoring law and order. Indian Army appeals to all sections of society to cooperate with security forces working day and night to bring peace and stability in Manipur, the clip said in the end.

The clip came after a flurry of recent incidents where mobs led by women blocked security forces in various parts of the state where 115 people have died in ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 3. Security forces aware of developments said that women of both tribal and non-tribal groups were protesting and impeding operations.

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Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics led to the seizure of drugs worth 22,000 crore between 2014 and 2022, which, he added, is almost 30 times higher than the seizures worth 768 crore made under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government between 2006 and 2013. Union home minister Amit Shah.

In a video message on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Shah said the Modi government is determined to root out the menace of drugs from India and will not allow the smuggling of narcotics across the country.

We will not allow narcotics trade in India, nor will we allow drugs to be routed to the world through India. In this campaign against drugs, all the major agencies of the country, especially the Narcotics Control Bureau, are continuously fighting their war, he 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, he added.

The war against drugs has been continuing, Shah said, and because of this coordinated action, narcotics worth 22,000 crore were seized between 2014 and 2022. This is 30 times higher than the drugs worth 768 crore that was seized between 2006 and 2013, he added.

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.

Earlier this year, the home ministry held the first conference of anti-narcotics officers of all state forces to discuss ways to tackle drug smuggling.

In this campaign against drugs, all major agencies of the country, especially the Narcotics Control Bureau, are continuously fighting their war. To strengthen this campaign, the ministry established NCORD in 2019 and Anti-Narcotics Task Force was formed in the police department of every state, the home minister said in his video message.
As she puts the final touches on her latest collection, a fashion designer in Congo sees the pinning, sewing and ironing as a way to send a message to the world. Through art, all the colors that we will express, through our clothes, it will be full of emotions, trying to explain what we are going through in our country," Flore Mfuanani Nsukula says in her Goma workshop. Conflict in eastern Congo has gone on for decades as myriad armed groups fight for control of valuable mineral resources. There are frequent mass killings, and the violence has triggered an exodus of refugees. Models present dresses during the ninth edition of the Liputa fashion show in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Saturday June 24, 2023.(AP photo)

On Saturday, organizers held the ninth edition of the Liputa fashion show, which they say is an opportunity to inspire peace and peaceful coexistence across Africa. Africans must be one, be united. It is true that we have a very wide cultural diversity, but this diversity must bring us together, Cameroonian fashion designer Delia Ndougou said. She presented a collection inspired by her nations flag.

We really wanted to convey joy in the clothes, peace in the clothes, very cheerful styles, a question of making the world smile, added Chadrac Lumumba, a creative stylist from Kinshasa. The Goma show featured designers, models and artists from Cameroon, Senegal, Burundi, France, the U.S., and more.

We think we have sent a message to say that all these people who have come from elsewhere, that means that the situation is already improving, Nsukula said after debuting her new collection on the runway. We had those who came from the Central African Republic, Cameroon, USA, France, to come and present their collections. That means that there is hope, security, with time, it will improve.

In addition to highlighting Congo's fashion industry, the show also aims to promote a more positive view of the continent. We presented these collections, not only to sell the visions of these creators, but to show that in Africa, in (Congo), the areas that are considered red, we can do things there that we see in other countries that have peace, says organizer David Ngulu.

I think that each creator contributed to love, peace and living together," he said.

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Actress Hina Khan is back on the adrenaline-pumping show Khatron Ke Khiladi in its 13th season, and she has finally arrived in Cape Town. Hina was previously a runner-up in Season 8 of Khatron Ke Khiladi, and now she makes a striking comeback as a challenger. The actress took to Instagram to share intriguing glimpses from her Cape Town diaries. Known for her bold personality, in her recent look, Hina can be seen effortlessly rocking a sporty look, donning a mesh top and cargo pants. However, it is her choice of accessory that truly stands out, leaving viewers intrigued and possibly even frightened. Keep on reading to know more. (Also read: Hina Khan is a tropical goddess in yellow pantsuit and bralette, her bold red lips and eye makeup steal the show ) Hina Khan poses with a snake in a crop top and oversized cargo pants. (Instagram/@realhinakhan)

Hina Khan's stunning look in a crop top and cargo pants

On Tuesday, the actress surprised her fans as she shared a string of pictures on Instagram with the heartful caption, "Its been such a pleasure to associate myself once again with the life changing Show we all know as Khatron Ke Khiladi. This show flips your mind over its own in the best way possible. You never remain the same as before only for good. And the cherry on top is that you get to meet the Master Of Stunts and Action God Personified Rohit Shetty whos one sweet and immensely humble soul. So much to take away from this gig that I forever keep close to my heart." In one of the post, she was seen posing with Rohit Shetty and in the other, the actress held a snake in her hand leaving everyone stunned. Let's take a look at her pictures.

Hina Khan chose an all-black ensemble for her captivating look, donning a sheer crop top with a turtle neck, full sleeves, and quirky sequin detailing in shades of red, white, purple, and blue. Complementing the stylish top, she paired it with oversized cargo pants. With black heeled boots and a chic half updo hairstyle, she exuded absolute elegance. Keeping her makeup minimal, Hina opted for nude eyeshadow, mascara-coated lashes, contoured cheeks with a hint of blush, and a shade of nude lipstick.

We eagerly anticipate Hina's appearance on the show, as her stunning look has left us excited for more.

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Eid Mubarak wishes and messages: Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Qurban Bayarami, is one of the holiest Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims across the globe. This year, the festival falls on June 29 in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada and Singapore. The day is marked as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's absolute dedication to Allah. Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Adha in the month of Zul Hijjah/Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. To celebrate this holy day, we have curated a list of wishes, greetings, images and messages that you can share with your loved ones and let them know that you are thinking of them on Eid-ul-Adha. Find Eid-ul-Adha best wishes, images, messages, greetings to share with your loved ones inside. (HT Photo)

Eid-ul-Adha Wishes, Images, Messages and Greetings:

This is the day of sacrifices and expressing love for Allah. May Allah bless you with the best always.

Eid-ul-Adha is also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban or Qurban Bayarami. (HT Photo)

As we celebrate this holy festival, I am grateful to have you by my side. Wishing you a blessed and prosperous Eid-Ul-Adha.

May the teachings of Allah and his prophet be your companion throughout your life. May this Eid al-Adha bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family!

Eid-ul-Adha is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims across the world. (HT Photo)

Whoever wants to meet his Lord, ought to do great deeds and not relate anybody in the love of his Lord. Have a blessed Eid-ul-Adha.

No shadows to depress you, only joys to surround you, God himself to bless you; these are my wishes for you. Today, tomorrow, and every day. Have a prosperous Eid al-Adha.

It is marked as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahims absolute dedication to Allah. (HT Photo)

The biggest teaching of Eid-ul-Adha is the eradication of selfishness. May your life be decorated with the teachings of this holy day today and always!

Allah will guide you to achieve the dreams that you have always aspired to fulfil. Have faith in him. I send my best wishes to you on this Eid-ul-Adha.

Eid-ul-Adha falls in the month of Zul Hijjah/Dhu al-Hijjah. (HT Photo)

I wish you and your family peace, prosperity and devotion to Allah on this glorious day of Eid-ul-Adha. May the blessings of Allah always be with you in this life and the afterlife.

On this holy day, I want to pray for you and your family's happiness, prosperity and joy. May Allah bless you all.

The celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha include women applying mehndi, visiting the mosque, eating delicious food, giving charity to the poor and sharing the joy with family. (HT Photo)

On this holy day, may Allah accept your sacrifices and bless you with mercy. Have a safe and happy Eid-al-Adha.
The demise of five people aboard a submersible touring the Titanics underwater wreckage has even the most prominent adventurers urging caution but its unlikely to stem a rise in extreme tourism. Top explorer urges caution with boom in sea and space adventure, extreme tourism after Titan tragedy (Reuters/ Representational photo)

While we should all appreciate efforts to innovate in order to push the boundaries of exploration, this must be done safely and sensibly, Richard Garriott, president of the Explorers Club, said in a statement Friday. French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and British adventurer Hamish Harding, who died last week in the implosion of the Titan submersible, were both members of the club, a professional society dedicated to research and scientific exploration.

Garriott said he had always felt uncomfortable about the prospect of riding the Titan because it was the only deep-diving submersible to carry commercial passengers that was not certified or inspected by an industry authority. Perhaps some good can come of this, as Hamish and PH would have wanted, he said.

The poor track record of the Titans maker, OceanGate, became clear last week after reports emerged following the vessels disappearance. The drama resurfaced old lawsuits and complaints decrying the companys negligent safety measures and false claims that the Titan met industry standards.

Those revelations, a five-day search-and-rescue mission, and a New York Times report that said each passenger paid $250,000 for the trip contributed to a public backlash. Twitter users posted photos of the Titan submersible alongside images of migrant ships, arguing the resources could have instead been used to save hundreds from drowning.

Harding posted on social media on June 18 that the area was experiencing its worst weather in 40 years.

It wasnt the first time such a trip sparked an outcry over spending. In 2021, Amazon.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, also a member of the Explorers Club, launched himself and three others into space and back while the company was under fire for warehouse working conditions and efforts to bust unions trying to advocate for better wages.

But for all the criticism, extreme tourism is increasing, and membership in the Explorers Club continues to grow. Adele Doran, principal lecturer in adventure tourism and recreation at Sheffield Hallam University in England, told Business Insider that for people who may reconsider a deep-sea dive or traveling to space, theyll just be replaced by others.

Extreme tourism is a small part of the adventure tourism that became popular during Covid lockdowns, according to a CNN interview with John Lennon, dean of the Glasgow School for Business and Society and director of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism Business Development. People are looking for a differentiated experience that can be shared on social media, he told the network.

Garriott, who was personal friends with Harding, is the sixth private citizen to visit the International Space Station, according to the statement. The son of an American astronaut, he co-founded Space Adventures, which organizes flights beyond the atmosphere.

The ultimate  and potentially riskiest  act of extreme tourism being planned right now is a trip to the moon.

In Japan, Yusaku Maezawa, founder of online apparel retailer Zozo Inc., is preparing a trip to the moon and back with a handpicked crew of artists, performers and professional athletes. The voyage is scheduled make a week-long lunar trip in 2024 aboard a SpaceX Starship.

Members of his crew were selected from thousands of applications in a public call and includes a deejay, musician, photographer, actor and a dancer from the US, UK, South Korea, Ireland, India, Japan and the Czech Republic.

Maezawa said he hopes his space tour will inspire passengers to create something new, and that art from the lunar journey would be exhibited eventually to promote peace on Earth.

Today, we are seeing the same evolution in space travel and submarines, Garriott said. Space travel is expensive and dangerous, as expected, but it is a necessary step in the continued reduction of cost and increase in safety of space flight.
US President Joe Bidens warm embrace of Narendra Modi last week in Washington DC was as much for India as it was for the Prime Minister (PM). Modis State visit was the story of personal triumphs. He was given a heros welcome by a country that once denied him a visa. The hugs and the handshakes in the Oval Office and thunderous applause at the joint session of the Congress stood in sharp contrast to 2005, when then President George W Bushs administration imposed a travel ban on Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat. The transformation from Bushs disapproval to Bidens adulation is a remarkable tale. PREMIUM The grand reception for Modi in the most powerful capital of the world was a way to acknowledge that he was now indeed a global leader. (Arindam Bagchi Twitter)

PM Modi is now a global leader. In the shadow of the ancient Giza pyramid, he was greeted by a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour upon his arrival in Cairo. He was invited by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and this was the first bilateral visit to Egypt by an Indian PM in 26 years. Similarly, Australian PM Anthony Albanese called him the boss at a function in Sydney. Elon Musk, the Ceo of Tesla and owner of Twitter, is a self-declared fan of the PM.

State visits to the US are meant for a select few. The grand reception for Modi in the most powerful capital of the world was a way to acknowledge that he was now indeed a global leader. Indias own effort to project itself as the leader of the Global South got a fillip during this trip.

Modi is aware that his path was far from smooth, as he embarked on a journey that took him from provincial Gandhinagar to a global stage. In his speech before the United States (US) Congress, Modi was a true ambassador of his countrys rich heritage. He spelt out loud and clear that Indias foreign policy was imbued with the values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or One Earth, One Family, One Future. This is also the theme of Indias G20 leadership this year. If India believes the world is one big family, it also puts it into practice. It was best displayed during the ninth World Yoga Day when Modi led the celebrations at the UN headquarters with representatives from over 180 countries and nearly 250 million people from across the world participating.

Because of the Modi governments emphasis on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India is friends with Israel, but it is also not averse to maintaining a warm relationship with the Palestinian Territories; India engages with Iran but also continues to have strong ties with Saudi Arabia; its a trusted friend of Russia, while also maintaining deep ties with the US. In fact, India and Modi enjoy so much goodwill in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories that one day he might emerge as a credible peacemaker between the two warring parties.

Modis India believes that partnerships are more desirable than alliances. India, for instance, is not an ally of the US, in the way the United Kingdom or Japan are. For years, American presidents unsuccessfully tried to break Indias friendship with Russia. It also applied diplomatic pressure on New Delhi to openly criticise Moscow for its aggression against Ukraine. It has now dawned on the Americans that they have no option but to respect Modis independent but principled foreign policy.

Thats why Bidens embrace of Modi was less about Russia. This visit was more about making a common cause against a common adversary. There is a serious concern within both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party that the entire Western-led world order is being threatened by Chinas spectacular rise. Modi is a rare world leader who enjoys bipartisan support in the US Congress. That is why Biden, like his predecessors, is trying hard to draw him and his country into the Western orbit.

But will Modi oblige Biden? In case of a serious US-China diplomatic spat or military confrontation, will India be standing on the side of the US? Modi is only likely to oblige if it serves Indias interest.

Syed Zafar Islam is national spokesperson, BJP, former Rajya Sabha Member, BJP and former managing director, Deutsche Bank, India. The views expressed are personal.
Just a few days ago, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk hit the headlines after Musk challenged Zuckerberg to a "cage fight." When Zuckerberg accepted the invitation, the news took social media by storm. Now, as people are eagerly waiting for the two tech billionaires to come face to face, a man who trains with Zuckerberg has expressed his desire to train with Elon Musk as well. Mark Zuckerberg and Lex Fridman practicing Jiu-Jitsu.(Twitter/@lexfridman)

Also Read: Mark Zuckerberg vs Elon Musk 'cage fight': Twitter calls it deathmatch

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, wrote Lex Fridman as he shared a video. The clip shows Fridman and Zuckerberg practicing a martial art.

Watch the video here:

This post was shared two days ago. Since being shared it has already been viewed more than three million times. The share has also received several likes and comments.

Check out a few reactions here:

An individual wrote, Honestly mad respect to the Zuck - dude runs one of the largest public companies in the world and has dedicated his time to a martial art. Have stopped using FB for a variety of reasons but mad respect for sure. A second added, I suppose I'm still primal. When I watch this video, I see elements of compassion, friendship, and strength. I hold immense respect for both men! A third shared, This is great! Embracing the physical - learning to hear your body tal
IT HAS BEEN over two decades since Alexander Lukashenko, Belaruss scheming dictator, has enjoyed such a good press in Russia. Throughout the weekend, Kremlin propagandists lauded his role in halting the mutineer Yevgeny Prigozhin at the gates of Moscow. The moustachioed leader deserved a Hero of Russia honour, enthused Vladimir Solovyov, a usually sour-mouthed Kremlin cheerleader. Its impossible to overestimate his wisdom and negotiating talent; he showed captainship of the highest order. Belarusian state media laid it on even thicker. Ivan Susanin, Kuzma Minin, Prince Pozharsky, Marshal Zhukov and Alexander Lukashenko: this is a list of the people who saved Moscow. PREMIUM Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speak during their meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the resort city of Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 9, 2023. (AP)

Ukraine aside, Alexander Lukashenko is the most public beneficiary of the short-lived mutiny of Mr Prigozhin and his Wagner Group mercenaries. In the three years since Vladimir Putins promise of police backing saved him from a popular uprising after he stole an election, the Belarusian leader has played second fiddle to an increasingly dominant next-door neighbour. He has visited Mr Putin 14 times since the invasion began; Mr Putin has returned the favour only once. In the meantime, Belarusian sovereignty was steadily erodedto the extent that Russias invasion of Ukraine was, in part, launched from Belarusian territory. Yet by helping to conclude a deal between the Russian president and his convicted former cook and associate, Mr Lukashenko has rebounded. Hes seized his agency back, says Ryhor Astapenia, a programme director of Chatham House, a think-tank.

In announcing the deal, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said that Mr Prigozhin and Mr Lukashenko had been joined by a 20-year bond. In fact, their main link appears to be a meal the Belarusian leader took in one of Mr Prigozhins restaurants in St Petersburg in 2002. He liked the lunch very much and shook Mr Prigozhins hand, said Alexander Zimovsky, a spin-doctor present at the meal, but it would be hard to say they have kept serious contact since.

The Belarusian leaders role in the negotiations themselves is probably just as exaggerated. A senior Ukrainian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mr Lukashenko took no part in talks until the evening of June 24th, shortly before the end of the mutiny. He was told to become an intermediary, and he stepped in line. The majority of the negotiations were done by Russian interlocutors that included Aleksey Dyumin, who is governor of the Tula region and Vladimir Putins former bodyguard. Mr Dyumin, rumoured to be close to Mr Prigozhin, has avoided media comment throughout the affair. For whatever reason, the Kremlin preferred Mr Lukashenko to take the creditand responsibilityfor the deal.

Much is still unknown about the details of the agreement. In broad terms, Mr Prigozhin was promised safe passage to Belarus and an amnesty in exchange for turning around his armoured column. But beyond that, confusion reigns; some reports say that the charges against Mr Prigozhin still stand. Would Mr Prigozhin be alone or joined by armed heavies in Belarus? Would he be allowed any kind of public profile? How much of his lucrative mercenary business in Africa would he be allowed to keep? There were few clues emanating from Belarus itself, a closed political box. Perhaps a dozen people have been told, no more, said Mr Astapenia. In a short speech on June 26th, Mr Putin confirmed Wagner fighters would also be allowed to leave for Belarus if they wanted, but he gave no further details.

What comes next is similarly obscure. It is not even clear where Mr Prigozhin is now, though one report had him sighted at a hotel in Minsk. It is hard to imagine Mr Prigozhin would take any prominent politicallet alone militaryrole in Belarus. Power is even more monopolised than next door in Russia. If the Kremlin divides and rules, Mr Lukashenko flattens. Lukashenko is too sensitive about matters of internal security to give a mutineer too much power, said Artyom Shraibman, a political analyst. Maybe hes prepared to tolerate Prigozhin and his bodyguards for a while, but not for ever.

Belarusian law would also appear to exclude the kind of privileges that Wagners mercenaries have enjoyed inside Russia. The right to carry weapons is given only to those in recognised state agencies, the army, police and KGB, as the local security service is still known. One scenario would see Mr Prigozhin and his unarmed men settle in Minsk for a short while before departing to concentrate on business in Africa.

That hasnt stopped some in Ukraine from fretting about other outcomes. The Kremlin suggested that up to 20,000 of Wagners fighters will be assimilated into the Russian army. That may or may not happen. At the very least, more fighting surely awaits the 3,000-5,000 core members of Wagner that marched on Moscow. Many of these are seasoned professionals trained in elite Russian military schools, a Ukrainian intelligence source says. They could still be deployed on diversionary raids from Belarus into Ukraine if the conditions were right: We dont say its going to happen, but we are watching carefully. One report suggested work was already under way to construct several new military camps near Ukraine. Others dismissed such a prospect, noting the Belarusian dictator had been careful to avoid direct involvement in the war. Ukraine has weapons to answer back with and Lukashenko knows it, said Mr Shraibman.

In Ukraine and the West, Mr Lukashenko is generally seen as a co-belligerent in Vladimir Putins invasion. Inside Belarus the picture is more nuanced. Locals note that he has managed to avoid mobilisation and protest while consolidating his system, Mr Shraibman says; his popularity has actually increased during the war because he has largely kept Belarusians out of it. The Belarusian opposition doubtless hopes that the chaos in Russia could transfer from Mr Putin to Mr Lukashenko. But, says Mr Shraibman, he has shown there will be no domino process.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
In a serendipitous turn of events, a California man accidentally donated a staggering $15,000 instead of $150 to a hunger relief program. While the error initially caused panic, it ultimately led to an outpouring of support and a heartwarming tale of generosity. The man's story, shared on Reddit, captivated people worldwide and inspired an even greater wave of giving. Here's how a simple mistake turned into a remarkable display of compassion. A California man accidentally donated a staggering $15,000 instead of $150 to a hunger relief program.(Reddit)

The man, known as Michael, sought to support a hunger charity in Bangladesh led by his friendly neighbor, a 70-year-old Hindu priest. Eager to contribute, Michael decided to make a donation of $150 to the "Urgent Food Relief Needed: Bangladesh" campaign.

Costly Typo

However, as fate would have it, Michael's well-intentioned act took an unexpected twist. After making the donation, he received a notification on his phone about an unusually large transaction of $15,041 to GoFundMe. Realizing his mistake, he discovered that while typing his credit card information, he inadvertently added an extra zero. Michael was left stunned, exclaiming, "How could I have donated FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS?"

Remorse and Resolution

Recognizing his error, Michael promptly contacted GoFundMe's customer service to rectify the situation. Although a refund was in the works, the charity organization had already noticed the significant contribution, leaving Michael in awe. He received numerous photos and videos from the organization, showcasing grateful individuals whose lives would be positively impacted by his unexpected generosity.

Viral Redemption

Michael's heartfelt story didn't stop there. His Reddit post gained viral traction, captivating users from around the world. The tale even caught the attention of a notable YouTuber, who shared it as part of their "Reading Reddit Stories" series, inspiring further acts of kindness. The global community rallied behind Michael's story, driven to support the cause and make a difference.

Community's Generosity

Moved by Michael's mishap and subsequent efforts to make amends, numerous individuals contributed to the GoFundMe campaign. Many expressed their admiration for his act of kindness and chose to donate themselves, amplifying the impact of the original goal. As a result, the intended target of $26,108 was not only met but exceeded, reaching an impressive total of $36,520.

A Ripple Effect of Compassion

Despite Michael's initial guilt over the drastic reduction in the donation amount, he was overwhelmed by the support and love shown by the online community. The realization that his error had ignited a chain reaction of goodwill transformed his remorse into pride. He expressed gratitude for the remarkable turn of events, stating, The guilty feeling never quite went away when the donation went from $15,000 to $1,500but it certainly has now.

Also read | Teen's demise on hiking trail leads to stepdad's desperate and fatal quest for help at National Park in Texas

What began as a simple typo turned into an extraordinary journey of compassion and unity. Michael's unintentional $15,000 donation inspired countless others to join the cause, surpassing all expectations. The power of the online community and the collective impact of small acts of kindness continue to remind us that even mistakes can lead to moments of profound goodness.

(Source: New York Post)

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A prominent Chinese financial journalist who has compared the country's economic problems to the Great Depression has been banned from social media. China's domestic media is state-controlled, and widespread censorship of social media is often used to suppress negative stories or critical coverage.(AFP)

The Weibo account of Wu Xiaobo, an influential business journalist and author with more than 4.7 million followers, "is currently in a banned state due to violation of relevant laws and regulations", according to a banner displayed on his page on Tuesday.

Content moderators on Weibo -- a Twitter-like platform -- said on Monday they had blocked three verified users for "spreading smears against the development of the securities market" and "hyping up the unemployment rate".

Weibo did not give the full usernames of the blocked accounts, but said one of them had a three-character name starting with "Wu" and ending with "Bo".

China's post-Covid economic recovery has faltered, with lacklustre data in recent weeks signalling that the rebound is running out of steam.

Wu's Weibo page appeared on Tuesday to have been scrubbed of all content posted since April 2022.

Wu did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

His regular column on the website of the Chinese financial magazine Caixin has long detailed the country's economic woes, including a declining birthrate and skyrocketing youth unemployment.

"The huge army of the unemployed is likely to become a fuse that ignites the powder keg," he wrote in a May column that compared the situation with the Great Depression of the 1930s.

In another recent column, he asked whether monetary easing would be able to "solve current economic problems".

Those columns, however, had not been scrubbed from the internet as of Tuesday.

China's domestic media is state-controlled, and widespread censorship of social media is often used to suppress negative stories or critical coverage.

Regulators have previously urged investors to avoid reading foreign news reports about China, while analysts and economists have been suspended from social media for airing pessimistic views.

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New York City will add Diwali to its list of public school holidays in recognition of the growth of the citys South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, city mayor Eric Adams said on Monday. This year, the festival is expected to be observed on November 12 (Sunday)(File)

A catch this year

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is celebrated in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar.

Also read: This US state had declared Diwali as national holiday

This year, the festival is expected to be observed on November 12 (Sunday), meaning the 2023-2024 school calendar will not be affected by the change, reported AP.

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.

According to city officials, more than 2 lakh New York residents celebrate Diwali which is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists.

Bill yet to be signed by governor

The new holiday will become official if governor 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 make Diwali a school holiday when he ran for mayor in 2021, said he expects Hochul to sign the bill.

Population of Asian Indians doubled in the last three decades

The population of Asian Indians in the New York City has more than doubled in the last three decades, from 94,000 in 1990 to about 213,000 in the 2021 American Community Survey.

Representative 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.

(With agency inputs)
Christine Dawood, the wife of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and mother of their child Suleman, was on board a support vessel when she learned that the Titan submersible was missing. Shahzada and Suleman died after the submersible was destroyed due to a catastrophic implosion  along with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet. Christine Dawood, the wife of Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and mother of their child Suleman, was on board a support vessel when she learned that the Titan submersible was missing (BBC News screenshot/YouTube, Photo by Handout / DAWOOD HERCULES CORPORATION / AFP)

The submersible began its journey on Sunday morning, June 18. About one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince, the support ship that transported it to the site.

We all thought they are just going to come up," Christine said, according to 1 News. "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 had "loads of hope" during the massive search for the submersible, and said 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 her belief that the passengers may survive. "It was like a rollercoaster, more like a wave... We kept looking at the surface." However, she "lost hope" when the 96-hour mark passed.

Christine recalled laughing and joking with her son and husband before the launch, and said she was "very happy for them as they had always wanted to go on this adventure.

Following the tragedy, 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 have been working closely on the probe.

Meanwhile, OceanGate has closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State. The leasing agent said the company would be closing indefinitely, according to The Seattle Times. It was also revealed that officials investigating the Titan 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 dreaded disease, Malaria has been detected in three persons in the US who didn't travel abroad and healthcare officials are alarmed. For the first time in 20 years, locally acquired Malaria was detected in two persons in Florida and one person in Texas. Malaria remains a major global health concern causing about 24.1 crore cases and 6.27 lakh deaths globally in 2022. (Representative Image)(File)

As per a report by Vox, cases of Malaria in the US are all linked to travel outside the country by the infected people. But the three cases raise fears of local transmission. In plain terms, it means local mosquitoes spread the disease. It can be implied that more such cases might be there.

Its always worrisome that you have local transmission in an area, Estelle Martin, an entomologist at the University of Florida who researches mosquito-borne diseases, told Vox.

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Notably, Malaria spreads through female Anopheles mosquito who carry the parasite that cause the disease. Such a mosquito passes the parasite to the bloodstream of a healthy person when it bites him. The infected person then starts carrying the parasite which gets passed to another mosquito when it bites him and the cycle continues. Mosquitoes are not affected by the Malaria-causing parasite.

According to the CDC, symptoms of malaria include fever, shaking, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. Malaria is a life-threatening disease if not treated.

United States successfully fought off against the disease, eliminating it in the 1950s but the country still has lots of Anopheles mosquitoes who can carry the parasite which gets brought by any traveler who visited any foreign country.

Today, global travel and trade allow vector-borne diseases to be moved around the world and transmitted by local mosquitoes or ticks, especially in places where those diseases may have once been common, a CDC spokesperson wrote to Vox in an email.
Pakistan's national assembly passed legislation limiting how long lawmakers can be disqualified from office, a state spokesman said. With this, exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif could return to politics. Nawaz Sharif served as Pakistan's prime minister three times after he was ousted over graft allegations in 2017. The country's top court had then barred him from politics for life. He was later sentenced to seven years in jail. Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif was convicted in one of the three corruption cases.(Reuters)

In 2019, Nawaz Sharif was granted medical bail. He then flew to Britain where he has remained ever since as he continues to steer his party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. His brother Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister last year and the country is due to hold fresh general elections this year.

On Tuesday, a government spokesman said that the amendment which says that courts can only disqualify parliamentarians for a period not exceeding five years has been passed. Senate chairman Sadiq Sanjrani served as acting president signing the bill in the absence of president Arif Alvi.

"The ruling PML-N and its coalition partners want to bring Nawaz Sharif back," political analyst Hasan Askari told AFP.

"The bill has been passed to achieve this objective. Nawaz Sharif will be the main campaigner for PML-N in the next election," he added.

His return will be very helpful for the party politically, but it's not clear whether he himself will contest the election, he continued.

Nawaz Sharif still faces the graft case which saw him sentenced during the tenure of Imran Khan who was ousted by Shehbaz Sharif last April via a no-confidence vote. As Imran Khan remains widely popular in the countdown to polling, he has been calling for snap elections but his campaign has become bogged down by legal cases.

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Pakistan hopes for a bailout decision from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a day or two, the country's prime minister said, after a telephone conversation with the chief of the global lender, news agency Reuters reported. Islamabad has been waiting for a deal after taking policy and fiscal tightening decisions required by the IMF. The country awaits the disbursal of $1.1 billion under the lender's ninth review of a $6.5-billion facility agreed in 2019. Pakistan's prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.(Reuters)

"The prime minister hoped that the consensus over the IMF programme's points will lead to a decision in a day or two," the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement.

Shehbaz Sharif spoke to IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva about the country's bailout funds which have been stalled since November. The two had also met in Paris this week.

What's happening in Pakistan?

The bailout programme is set to expire on June 30 ahead of which Pakistan has revised its 2024 budget and hiked policy rates to 22% as it hopes to clinch the deal. The IMF funds will bring respite for Pakistan amid its worst economic meltdown.

Cash-strapped Pakistan is currently struggling to avoid a default with financial help from countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Pakistan's foreign ministry on Monday summoned the US embassy's deputy chief of mission to express concern and disappointment over a last week's joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden that called on Islamabad to ensure its territory was not used as a base for terrorist attacks. US President Joe Biden with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremonial welcome at the South Lawns of the White House in Washington DC,(President Biden / Twitter)

Alleging that one-sided and misleading references were made in the joint statement, Pakistan's foreign office said, It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as an encouragement of India's baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan.

It was also emphasized that counter-terrorism co-operation between Pakistan and the U.S. had been progressing well and that an enabling environment, centred around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidifying Pakistan-U.S. ties, it added.

US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters in a daily news briefing that though Pakistan had taken important steps to counter terrorist groups, Washington advocated for more to be done.

At the same time, however, we have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently dismantle all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their various front organizations and we will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, he said.

What the joint statement said about Pak

In a joint statement during Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the US, the two countries condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestation. Modi and Biden called for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Pak-based outfits like Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. The two sides also called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice, links of which have been long established with Pakistan.

While LeT was behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which more than 160 people were killed, Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for a 2019 Pulwama attack that killed 40 paramilitary jawans.

Imran Khan on joint statement

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tried to corner the ruling coalition saying the joint statement reduced Islamabad to a "promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more" despite "countless trips" of Pakistan's foreign minister to the US.

So now the imported govt experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law and the entire economic and institutional structure is also collapsing right in front of our eyes, Khan tweeted.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's photos still take pride of place alongside family snaps in King Charles and Queen Camilla's London home Clarence House, The Daily Express US reported. The couple stepped down from their royal duties in March 2020 following which they have not been on the best of terms with King Charles III and the rest of the royal family. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen.(AP)

The pair's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 severely rocked the boat. Matters worsened after Sussexes' released a Netflix docu-series and Prince Harry's tell-all memoir came out. The royal made a number of damning revelations against senior royals including Prince William and Camilla.

But King Charles has shown no signs of anger against Prince Harry as was seen in this months heart-warming Fathers Day tribute photo posted by the monarch.

Under the circumstances, you might think that the pictures would be moved, but they've still got pride of place. To all outward appearances, they still seem to be a very happy family, the visitor said.

Last month, a touching picture of the Prince William and Harry in full military uniform were seen when the King held an audience at Buckingham Palace.

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In a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, Prince William revealed that her charity work in helping the homeless left a deep and lasting impression on him. Embracing her legacy, the Prince of Wales unveiled a five-year plan to tackle homelessness in the United Kingdom, aiming to make it "rare, brief, and unrepeated." In a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana, Prince William revealed that her charity work in helping the homeless left a deep and lasting impression on him.

Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Prince William shared that his mother introduced him to a housing shelter at the young age of 11. The encounters they had during those visits had a profound impact on him. "I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heartbreaking personal stories," he expressed during his visit to a mental health charity in south London. Recognizing the pressing issue, he emphasized the urgent need for stable and permanent homes for those affected.

This is not the first time Prince William has actively engaged in combating homelessness. In 2009, he raised awareness by spending a night on the streets of south London. Last year, he was even spotted selling the Big Issue, a magazine that supports homeless individuals, on a London street. These experiences have deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by the homeless population.

The initiative, known as Homewards, was launched by Prince William through the Royal Foundation, the charity supporting his and his wife Kate Middleton's philanthropic efforts. Homewards aims to bring together local communities, organizations, and businesses to develop tailor-made programs that address the specific needs of each community.

Taking inspiration from countries like Finland, which have made significant progress in tackling homelessness, Prince William intends to prioritize providing stable housing as the first step in addressing other related issues, such as substance abuse. The goal is to make homelessness rare, brief, and prevent it from recurring.

Addressing the current housing crisis in the UK, where rising rents and a lack of affordable housing have contributed to the increase in homelessness, Prince William recognizes the urgency of the situation. Homewards estimates that over 300,000 people in the UK are without permanent housing on any given night, including those sleeping on the streets, living in cars, staying in hostels, or temporarily seeking help from friends and family.

In an interview with London's Sunday Times, Prince William acknowledged that he might seem like an unlikely advocate for the cause, considering his personal wealth and extensive properties. However, he reassured the public that he is committed to making a difference, even within his own sphere of influence. When asked about affordable housing plans within the Duchy of Cornwall, which he oversees, he responded with a resounding "Absolutely."

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With his Homewards initiative, Prince William seeks to rally communities, policymakers, and the public to join forces in ending homelessness. By leveraging the collective effort of various stakeholders, he hopes to make a substantial impact and turn the vision of a homelessness-free UK into a reality. In the face of adversity, Prince William's dedication and compassion serve as a testament to the enduring legacy of his mother, Princess Diana.
In a shocking turn of events, a college professor is fighting back after being fired for teaching fundamental principles of human biology. Dr. Johnson Varkey, a former adjunct professor at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas, was terminated by university leaders who allegedly deemed his teachings too "religious." However, a conservative legal firm, First Liberty Institute, has come to Varkey's defense, arguing that his views on science and gender are widely accepted biology and protected by constitutional rights. Dr. Johnson Varkey, adjunct professor at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas.

Keisha Russell, counsel for First Liberty Institute, sent a letter to St. Philip's College, stating that the termination was illegal and improper. The letter called for Varkey's immediate reinstatement, asserting that the college violated his constitutional and statutory rights.

Varkey, who had been teaching at the institution for nearly two decades, was informed of an ethics complaint in January and was fired just weeks later, without being given the precise reason for his termination or an opportunity to defend himself. The professor, known for teaching human biology to over 1,500 students, had previously explained the biological fact that sex is determined by chromosomes X and Y. This led to a few students walking out of the classroom, raising questions about whether their reaction triggered the complaints that resulted in his firing.

According to Varkey, his termination letter cited grievances related to "religious preaching, discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter." However, the professor expressed surprise and shock at the allegations, as he had been teaching the same subject matter without incident for the past two decades.

Keisha Russell, speaking on behalf of First Liberty Institute, highlighted the significance of Varkey's long and incident-free tenure at the college. She argued that even if his teachings were perceived as religious, the university cannot fire him for expressing his beliefs, especially when they align with scientific and ethical integrity. Russell emphasized that his statements, such as asserting that life begins at conception, are protected under the First Amendment.

The letter sent to St. Philip's College accuses the institution of violating several constitutional and statutory provisions, including the Free Speech Clause, Free Exercise Clause, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. First Liberty Institute is advocating for Varkey's reinstatement and the clearing of his record, asserting that he did nothing wrong.

This case raises concerns about academic freedom, free speech, and the intersection of personal beliefs and institutional policies. It highlights the importance of protecting educators' rights to express scientifically supported viewpoints and encourages open dialogue on sensitive topics within educational settings.

Also read | Oops to inspiration! California man's $15K typo donation for hunger relief in Bangladesh sparks global generosity frenzy

The outcome of this legal battle may have significant implications for the boundaries of academic discourse and the rights of professors to teach established scientific principles without fear of retribution.
Prince Harry should receive a maximum of just 500 pounds in damages for one admitted instance of unlawful information gathering, lawyers representing a British tabloid newspaper group told London's High Court. The Duke of Sussex is one of more than 100 people suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over allegations of phone-hacking and unlawful information gathering. MGN publishes Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People. Prince Harry leaves the High Court after giving evidence in London.(AP)

The case alleges unlawful activity at all three MGN newspapers between 1991 and 2011. Prince Harry was earlier grilled over allegations that he had been unlawfully targeted by MGN titles for 15 years from 1996, when he was a child. With this, he became the first senior British royal to appear in a witness box for more than 130 years.

At the start of the trial, MGN admitted that on one occasion a private investigator had been engaged to unlawfully gather evidence about Prince Harry at a London nightclub in 200 for which it "unreservedly apologises".

The publisher argued that Prince Harry "has failed to identify any evidence of voicemail interception against him, nor any other evidence of unlawful information gathering in respect of his private information", apart from the one incident.

"The Duke of Sussex should be awarded a maximum of 500 pounds given the single invoice naming him concerns enquiries on an isolated occasion and the small sum on the invoice - 75 pounds - suggests enquiries were limited," MGN's lawyer said.

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Personal memories including private letters and diaries of the late Queen Elizabeth II could be considered for publication. The monarch kept a handwritten diary during her reign and it is believed her personal life as well as her role as Britian's queen have been documented by her. Currently, former footman Paul Whybrew has been tasked with sifting through the documents to decide if they could be part of Britain's national archives. Queen Elizabeth II is seen. (File)

Documents considered too sensitive or personal will remain confidential under the discretion of her son Charles. Paul Whybrew will look through the private papers with confidentiality as they contain the Queens most personal reflections, reports claimed. He was in the Queens service for 44 years as one of a few loyal staff members and was also with her in her final days at Balmoral.

Although, it is unknown how long the project might take to complete, Hello! Magazine reported. The late Queen was very fond of writing letters and there is one interesting letter sent to Sydneys Lord Mayor that has been locked away in a vault and cannot be opened for another six decades, the report added.

The late monarch sent a letter to the Lord Mayor with these instructions on the envelope, "On a suitable day to be selected by you in the year 2085 AD, would you please open this envelope and convey to the citizens of Sydney my message to them. Elizabeth R."

Queen Victorias personal diaries were also published and are available online to view. An 18th birthday entry read, Today is my eighteenth birthday! How old! and yet how far am I from being what I should be. I shall from this day take the firm resolution to study with renewed assiduity, to keep my attention always well fixed on whatever I am about, and to strive to become every day less trifling and more fit for what, if Heaven wills it, I'm someday to be.

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Days after the short-lived revolt march by the Wagner Group against Russia's military leadership that died down on the way to Moscow, President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation in a short speech with just as much vitriol as his last address. Russian President Vladimir Putin.(AFP)

Reiterating his traitor remark for the organisers of the armed rebellion, Putin again vowed to bring them to justice. He said the organisers were being played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies.

The insurrection lasted for about 24 hours after mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Friday called for an armed rebellion to oust the military leadership.

Here are the top 10 developments that unfolded in Russia

Despite vowing for bringing the rebel organisers to justice, President Putin called the regular Wagner troops patriots. He said these fighters would be allowed to either join the army, move to Belarus or return home. According to Kremlin, Putin held a meeting with the country's top security, law enforcement and military officials along with defence minister Sergei Shoigu. He thanked members of his team for their work over the weekend. He accused Ukraine and its western allies of wanting Russia to kill each other during the revolt. Putin also said he had issued order as the rebellion situation unfolded to avoid bloodshed. "From the start of the events, on my orders steps were taken to avoid large-scale bloodshed," he said. Putin's address, which was billed as something that would define the fate of Russia, seem to have failed in yielding groundbreaking developments, according to experts. 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, former Kremlin speechwriter and political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said in a Facebook post. In a short audio clip, Prigozhin spoke for the first time since the rebellion was aborted. He said his mercenary group did not march to overthrow the Russian leadership and the motive was to register a protest at the ineffectual conduct of the war in Ukraine. Senior Russian official briefed reporters in New Delhi about the current situation in his country after the rebellion and said that Putin had a firm grip on power. 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, Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russias special presidential representative for international cultural cooperation, said. The state-owned news agency Sputnik said the Russian Parliament will work on a bill to regulate the activities of private military companies in the wake of the coup attempt. After allegations from Russian side, US President Joe Biden clarified that his country and NATO had no involvement in the short-lived insurrection in Russia. We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with itThis was part of a struggle within Russian system, he said.

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As Russian president Vladimir Putin survived the biggest test to his leadership in 23 years, the disbandment of the Wagner group could be underway, BBC reported. Russias defense ministry said that the group will surrender its supply of weapons and hardware, and its fighters have been invited by Vladimir Putin to join the Russian army instead. Russian president Vladimir Putin.(AFP)

The mercenaries have also been given the option to go to neighboring Belarus, which has been involved in mediation between the two parties since Wagners rebellion. The mercenary group seized control of key military sites in Rostov-on-Don during an armed event that saw at least 13 pilots killed, it was reported.

Wagner groups chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters decided to turn back before reaching Moscow and entered a deal that saw the charges against him dropped while he arrived in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. The Kremlin said it has no information on his whereabouts.

In an 11-minute audio statement Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the march was a retaliation in regards to a Russian rocket attack that killed 30 of his fighters. We started our march because of an injustice, Prigozhin said, adding, Civilians came out to meet us with Russian flags and Wagner emblems, they were happy when we arrived and walked past them.

Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for charges of financial wrongdoing against an organisation owned by Prigozhin.

I hope that while doing so they didn't steal anything or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concord's contract.

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Russian authorities said that they have closed a criminal investigation into the rebellion led by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. No charges will be imposed against him or any of the other participants, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said adding that the investigation found that those involved in the mutiny ceased activities directed at committing the crime. The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison in Russia. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, is seen.

This comes after the Kremlin said that it will not prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt, even though Russian president Vladimir Putin branded them as traitors.

The Russian mercenary chief flew to Belarus from Russia after launching the biggest blow to Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power more than 23 years ago. Flightradar24 showed the business jet appeared in Rostov region and began a descent near Minsk, news agency Reuters reported.

In his nationally televised speech, Vladimir Putin criticized the uprisings organizers, without naming Prigozhin but praised Russian unity in the face of the crisis. Meanwhile, Prigozhin defended his actions taunting the Russian military but said he hadnt been seeking to stage a coup against the president.

The Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction", AFP reported.

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Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin landed in Belarus and is staying in one of the few hotels in the capital Minsk that does not have any windows, a US official claimed. The Wagner leader was told to flee to Belarus as part of a deal to end his group's armed rebellion and was last seen in public leaving the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don after calling off his troops. There has been speculation about his whereabouts since then but US Senate Intelligence chair Mark Warner told NBC News that Prigozhin is in Minsk. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don.(AP)

I understand, literally as I was coming on air, that he says he's in Minsk and he actually is. And get this  this is just reports  that he is in one of the only hotels in Minsk that does not have any windows, he said.

This could be to protect him against assassination attempts, he added. This comes as the Kremlin claimed that it has no knowledge about Yevgeny Prigozhin. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented as Russian president Vladimir Putin always kept his word. The deal's terms included Prigozhin relocating to Belarus. He and his mercenary fighters would avoid criminal charges, with the Federal Security Service (FSB) dropping its investigation.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin praised members of Russia's military and security forces in a ceremony. The Russian leader told security personnel on a square in the Kremlin complex that the people and the armed forces had stood together in opposition to the rebel mercenaries, Reuters reported.

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Senior Senator Marco Rubio has made intriguing claims about top U.S. officials coming forward with information regarding the government's involvement in retrieving alien aircraft. As part of a congressional investigation into the matter, Rubio revealed that these individuals, who held high clearances and positions within the government, have been hesitant to share their knowledge due to fears of job loss and career repercussions. With secrecy surrounding their identities, the investigation aims to shed light on the alleged UFO cover-up. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida.(AFP)

Congressional Probe Initiates

The House Oversight Committee, led by chair James Comer, has announced an investigation into claims that a classified military program possesses a fully intact unidentified flying object (UFO). Republican Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett will spearhead the investigation, with Burchett having previously voiced concerns about a government cover-up related to UFOs.

The Testimony of a Whistleblower

David Grusch, a former Air Force veteran and National Reconnaissance Office employee, publicly disclosed information about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and the government's possession of "non-human origin technical vehicles." According to Grusch, some of these vehicles even contained "dead pilots." His revelations have sparked interest and potentially align with individuals who have approached the congressional committee.

Government Response and Skepticism

The Department of Defense spokesperson, Sue Gough, denied the existence of any verifiable information substantiating claims of extraterrestrial materials possession or reverse-engineering programs. NASA also emphasized the absence of credible evidence for alien life or UAPs. However, Rubio's assertion that the individuals stepping forward hold high qualifications and have occupied key positions within the government raises questions about their motives.

Congressman Burchett's communication director, Rachel Partlow, stated that the investigation is still in progress, and hearing dates and a witness list have yet to be finalized. While Grusch's claims are being acknowledged, it remains uncertain whether he will be called to testify. Rep. Burchett aims to ensure the hearing is conducted thoroughly, involving credible witnesses who can provide informative public testimony.

Rubio's Perspective

Senator Rubio acknowledged that some of the claims made by witnesses go beyond anything previously encountered. However, he emphasized the importance of approaching the information without preconceived notions or conclusions. Rubio highlighted the high qualifications and government positions of those coming forward, posing the question of their motives and incentives for sharing potentially groundbreaking revelations.

Also read | | British UFO hunter presents 'out of this world' evidence of extraterrestrial encounters

As the congressional investigation into UFO claims unfolds, the prospect of uncovering the truth about alien aircraft and a potential cover-up looms. With high-ranking officials allegedly stepping forward and whispers of classified programs, the inquiry seeks to unveil the mysteries surrounding these extraordinary events. The testimonies of those with deep government involvement might provide the long-awaited answers regarding UFOs and their implications for our understanding of the universe.

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The United Nations said Tuesday it has documented a significant level of civilians killed and wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover  despite a stark reduction in casualties compared to previous years of war and insurgency. Afghanistan: A Taliban fighter stands guard in Kabul, Afghanistan.(AP)

According to a new report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, since the takeover in mid-August 2021 and until the end of May, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 people killed in violence in the country.

That compares with 8,820 civilian casualties  including 3,035 killed  in just 2020, according to an earlier U.N. report.

The Taliban seized the country in August 2021 while U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

According to the UN report, three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were with improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets, the report said. Among those killed were 92 women and 287 children.

The figures indicate a significant increase in civilian harm resulting from IED attacks on places of worship  mostly belonging to the minority Shiite Muslims  compared to the three-year period prior to the Taliban takeover, according to a press statement that followed the report.

The statement also said that at least 95 people were killed in attacks on schools, educational facilities and other places that targeted the predominantly Shiite Hazara community.

The statement said that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the regions affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province  a Sunni militant group and a main Taliban rival.

These attacks on civilians and civilian objects are reprehensible and must stop, said Fiona Frazer, chief of UNAMAs Human Rights Service. She urged the Taliban  the de facto authorities in Afghanistan  to uphold their obligation to protect the right to life of the Afghan people.

However, the U.N. report said a significant number of the deaths resulted from attacks that were never claimed or that the U.N. mission could not attribute to any group. It did not provide the number for those fatalities.

The report also expressed concern about the lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities.

It noted that the attacks were carried out amid a nationwide financial and economic crisis. With the sharp drop in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to medical, financial and psychosocial support under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

Frazer said that even though Afghan "victims of armed conflict and violence struggled to access essential medical, financial and psychosocial support prior to the takeover, this has become more difficult after the Taliban took power.

Help for the victims of violence is now even harder to come by because of the drop in donor funding for vital services," she added.

The U.N. report also demanded an immediate halt to attacks and said it holds the Taliban government responsible for the safety of Afghans.

The Taliban said their administration took over when Afghanistan was on the verge of collapse and that they managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis" by making sound decisions and through proper management.

In a response, the Taliban-led foreign ministry said that the situation has gradually improved since August 2021. Security has been ensured across the country, the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

Despite initial promises in 2021 of a more moderate administration, the Taliban enforced harsh rules after seizing the country. They banned girls education after the sixth grade and barred Afghan women from public life and most work, including for nongovernmental organizations and the U.N.

The measures harked back to the previous Taliban rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, when they also imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. The edicts prompted an international outcry against the already ostracized Taliban, whose administration has not been officially recognized by the U.N. and the international community.

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OceanGate, the operator of ill-fated Titan submersible that plunged 5 passengers to death made the customers sign liability waivers before entering the submersible. It de-limited their risks in stark terms, including the chances of death, physical injury and emotional trauma. The submersible is a 21-foot vessel, designed to drive 4,000 meters under the seas surface. It vanished on 21st June after approximately 2 hours into its drive and later was discovered in pieces on the ocean floor. Titan submersible of the company called OceanGate. The submersible is a 21-foot vessel, designed to drive 4,000 meters under the seas surface.(AP)

The waiver plays an important role in whether the families of the deceased passengers have legal rounds to take legal actions against Oceangate.

David Pogue, CBS News correspondent, highlighted the companys liability waiver. He travelled on the Titanic sub the previous year and logged that the paperwork points to the risk of death three times including other dangers. The waiver also emphasizes the issues with the sub that are listed by the experts prior to that doomed sub.

The waiver stated that "This operation will be conducted inside an experimental submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and may be constructed of materials that have not been widely used in human-occupied submersibles."

According to Associated Press, passengers waived their rights to take action against "personal injury, property damage or any other loss" that they encounter during the journey.

This legal paperwork protects the company from the liability of its passengers and ensures that the customers acknowledge the dangers and risks involved in the activity. Such documents are signed before recreational activities, like scuba diving or skydiving.

Global waters

Craig Goldenfarb, an attorney who practices admiralty law and maritime, and the founder of the law firm Goldlaw, noted that the question of liability gets complicated as the incident occurred in international waters. Therefore, the provision of choice of law becomes an extremely crucial point of the waiver.

He adds, "The choice of law provision gives jurisdiction to a country in case any litigation ensues from the contract."

According to the waiver received by the AP, any controversies would be administered by the laws of the Bahamas, where OceanGate is registered. The Bahamas is considered to be a business-friendly jurisdiction as the legal system is based on English Common law. Whereas the right to sue the company depends upon Bahamas laws governing liability waivers.

Goldenfarb highlighted that if the passenger who has signed the waiver does not comprehend the language of the waiver dies of disabilities or any other issues, then their families may have the power to sue the company. On the grounds that the victim was not completely aware of the risk or danger. Furthermore, the judge can reject the waivers if there is evidence of flagrant negligence.

Patrick Luff, a former law school professor and the founding partner of Luff Law Firm stated that"You can waive liability standard for negligence but not gross negligence. Gross negligence will vary, but it's generally something like, 'acting despite your knowledge of extreme risk'."

"Experimental submersible"

Some legal experts said the families of the passengers can't sue the company on the grounds of being an "experimental submersible" or not being certified by an industry group. As the liability waiver emphasized the risks and dangers of diving in the submersible, showing that the passengers were well informed.

In an email to CBS MoneyWatch, John Uustal, founding partner of Kelley | Uustal Trial Attorneys said that "If that information had been hidden, then of course that would be actionable. It seems to me this kind of verification of informed consent is entirely appropriate, and in general, they are legally valid."

Uustal said he would want to advise the passengers' families to analyze the document for unrevealed issues, he said, "I would suggest looking closely at the exact language of any release terms and see if there is any misconduct that was not covered. That may provide grounds for a lawsuit if indeed there was such misconduct."

Goldenfarb asserted supplementary legal issues can present themselves as more is to be learned about why and how the vessel imploded. The investigation into the Titan's failure arises, with a deep-sea robot looking for debris, this weekend, from the submersible.

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A close family friend of Hamish Harding, one of the victims of the Titanic submersible tragedy, has shared the behind-the-scenes race against time to deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for the search. Tracy Ryan, co-founder of NKore Biotherapeutics and a devoted NASA fan, expressed her shock upon learning that the British billionaire was aboard the ill-fated vessel, which vanished en route to the iconic shipwreck. Tracy Ryan, left, seen with the family of British billionaire Hamish Harding, who perished along with four other people on the imploded Titan submersible.

In an interview with People magazine, Ryan revealed her relentless efforts to assist in the search, shedding light on the emotional toll experienced by Harding's wife, Linda.

Linda's Struggle Amid the Agonizing Search

Tracy Ryan emphasized Linda Harding's strength and resilience during the arduous search for the Titan. Determined to expedite the search-and-rescue efforts in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, Ryan worked tirelessly to deploy the Magellan, a cutting-edge ROV with the potential to attach to the submersible's hull and potentially lift it from the ocean floor.

Collaborating with United States Congressman Eric Salwell (D-Calif.), Ryan navigated the complex process of obtaining permits and clearances, with her focus firmly on providing the Harding family with answers.

This was really more of an effort for me to try and help the family get answers faster, she said.

Anxious Moments Amidst the Search Efforts

While hopes were briefly raised by intermittent banging and tapping sounds detected every 30 minutes, indicating potential signs of life, subsequent announcements shattered those glimmers of optimism. Authorities confirmed a "catastrophic implosion" had befallen the Titan, claiming the lives of Harding, famed Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani tycoon Shahzada Dawood, and his son, Sulaiman Dawood.

Before news of the submersible's demise, there were reports of frustration among current and former US Navy members regarding the delayed response from the military branch.

Allegations of Blocked Deployments

Questions have been raised about the delayed response and alleged blocking of more capable submarines waiting for deployment during the search efforts. Ryan expressed her frustration, claiming that submarines deemed "redundant" were chosen while more capable ones were available. Bretton Hunchak, former president and CEO of RMS Titanic Inc., who also participated in the search, lamented the loss of the truly irreplaceable group of folks.

Also read | "I stepped back because he really wanted to go,' Christine Dawood reveals sacrificing her seat in Titan sub for teen son

The Wall Street Journal reported that the implosion of the Titan submersible was detected by a top-secret US Navy team on June 18, rendering the international rescue effort futile from the outset.
ON THE NIGHT of July 30th, 2022 Oleksiy Vadatursky went to bed a happy man. The founder of Nibulon, a grain company, had just arrived at his home in Mykolaiv after inspecting work on a new export terminal at Izmail, 360km away on the Danube. He had acquired a pair of wings, his driver later quipped, lifted by his companys quick progress in turning an undeveloped plot into a much-needed wartime escape route for exports. PREMIUM Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky(AFP)

But a few hours later the 74-year-old tycoon was dead, killed along with his wife in a Russian missile attack. One missile landed a few metres away from their basement shelter with a blast so strong it left the couples silhouettes on the walls. The Russians were destroying infrastructure and military facilities, recalled Andriy, Mr Vadaturskys son. They destroyed whatever they thought they needed to and that, apparently, included my father.

The younger Mr Vadatursky took the company over, committing himself to bringing his fathers vision to fruition. On September 14th Nibulons road-and-rail export terminal became fully operational; since then it has shipped 900,000 tonnes of corn and wheat. The facility forms part of a hurried redevelopment of previously neglected Danube river portsdriven by Russias blockade of Ukraines Black Sea trade. The Danube ports may be remote, largely underdeveloped and relatively expensive to get to, but they offer the crucial advantage of safety: their close proximity to Romania, a member of nato, offers protection from Russian bombardment. Before the war, Danube ports were responsible for 1.5% of Ukraines trade, by volume. Now they are on course to handle 20%, with plans for more.

Yuriy Vaskov, Ukraines 43-year-old deputy infrastructure minister, says that his team recognised the urgency of developing the Danube ports within three days of Russias invasion on February 24th last year. A veteran of the maritime business, Mr Vaskov knew all about the rivers potential after carrying out a reorganisation exercise back in 2012 as the then head of Ukraines seaports authority.

His first step was appointing a ten-man working group to prepare the Danube ports for their new wartime role. The group oversaw $100m of public and private investment in the rivers ports, transferring equipment from blockaded or captured seaports wherever possible. The result is an export picture unrecognisable from that in 2012, Mr Vaskov says.

One crucial project that has made the Danube ports more practicable has been the dredging of the northern Bystre canal to increase the depth from 3.9 metres to 6.5 metres, making that route navigable to larger traffic. The change attracted opposition from environmentalists and some Romanian interest groups. But the Ukrainians sidestepped their demands for consultation by digging out navigation maps from 1958 showing that such depths had previously been employed. The upshot was that the number of ships waiting to enter the Danube was cut by two-thirds.

Capacity was not the only factor affecting the viability of the Danube export route. The land-transport infrastructure connecting the region to the rest of Ukraine was, and remains, a bottleneck. The single-carriageway road from Odessa barely copes with the sudden surges of lorries that race down it, and there are regular accidents. The railway line that runs parallel to the road has its own vulnerability, in the form of a bridge crossing the Dniester estuary at Zatoka. Russian missiles and drones have attacked it over a dozen times. Every time the bridge is damaged, traffic switches back to the road. And when that happens, you see a traffic jam from Odessa all the way to Izmail, says Oleksandr Istomin, head of the Izmail port authority. Planned work to widen the road and increase rail capacity cant come soon enough, he adds.

Shipping produce via the Danube is much less efficient than via Ukraines seaports of Odessa and elsewhere along the Black Sea coast used to be. Before the war, those ports accounted for 60% of Ukrainian trade. Nibulon estimates the shipping costs of grain from field to market shot up from $12 to $150 per tonne when they switched to the Danube. They are still over $100. For Ukraines grain producers, who work on slender margins, that is a problem; most lost money last year. But what the Danube ports offer is predictability.

By contrast, the on-off grain deal with Russia, which allows Ukraine to export limited cargoes from some of its Black Sea ports, is now operating at less than a quarter of intended volumes. Ukraine says Russia is deliberately stringing out inspections to decrease the number of ships that traverse the agreed corridor. The deals extension is always subject to last-gasp negotiation. Russia doesnt want Ukraine to have an economy at all, suggests Mr Vadatursky. Theyre basically telling us to ask their permission to export.

Ukrainian agriculture, which employs roughly 2.5m people, has reached a critical point. One issue is the 8m-10m tonnes of grain still unshipped from last years harvest of around 53m tonnes. A much bigger one is future harvests. Wartime Ukraine remains a key component of world food security. It is the worlds biggest producer of sunflower oil, and in the top five for corn and barley. Yet grain-producers financial losses mean they are already seeding less. Mr Vadatursky predicts that the Russian blockade will cut grain exports by 25m tonnes in 2024-25. People thought war was impossible in 2022. They also seem to believe famine is unimaginable, he says. He has little faith in the long-term prospects of any Black Sea grain deal. The Danube grain terminal, on the other hand, has already proved its worth.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
US intelligence officials gathered detailed and accurate plans of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhins short-lived rebellion against Russian president Vladimir Putin, CNN reported. The information included where and how Wagner planned to advance but the intelligence was kept private and only shared with a few allies including UK, the report added. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin.(AP)

For US officials, it was unclear when Prigozhin would act but he decided to move forward with his plan following a June 10 declaration by Russias ministry of defense that private military companies including Wagner would be forced to sign contracts with the military in July and will then be absorbed by the ministry.

The intelligence was so secret that even within the US only the most senior administration officials had access. This comes as Prigozhin halted his march to avoid Russian bloodshed, he said.

The secrecy resulted in some senior European officials and even senior officials across the US government being caught off guard by the attack and the speed with which Wagner forces marched into Rostov-on-Don, the report claimed.

It was an extremely tight hold, one person familiar with the intelligence told CNN while some NATO officials expressed frustration that the intelligence was not shared. Doing so would have risked compromising extremely sensitive sources and methods, it added.

Even Ukrainian officials were not told about the intelligence in advance due to fears that conversations between US and Ukrainian officials might be intercepted. US president Joe Biden spoke with allies, including the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky following the rebellion. During those conversations, he shared what information the US had about the rebellion, officials told CNN.

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Russian president Vladimir Putin's position is unshaken, The Kremlin asserted following Saturday's mutiny by Wagner mercenary fighters. There is a lot of unnecessary hysteria on the topic from pseudo-specialists, the Kremlin said informing that the Russian leader will address members of the military units, the National Guard, security forces and others who helped to uphold order during the rebellion. Russian president Vladimir Putin is seen.(AFP)

Read more: Russia drops charges against Wagner chief Prigozhin as he lands in Belarus

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin would hold individual meetings with some military officers and would speak with the heads of Russian media.

The Kremlin also said that it had no information on the whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner group's leader. Under the terms of a deal that ended the mutiny, Prigozhin was to be allowed to move to Belarus and his fighters were given the chance to join Russia's regular armed forces or move to Belarus.

Kremlin spokesman said that the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented as Vladimir Putin always kept his word. The Kremlin had pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters even though Putin had branded them as traitors.

This comes as Russian authorities said that they have closed a criminal investigation into the rebellion saying that no charges will be made against Yevgeny Prigozhin or any of the other participants of the rebellion.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said that those involved in the mutiny ceased activities directed at committing the crime so the case would not be pursued. The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Russian president Vladimir Putin might be setting a "trap" for Wagner fighters by presenting Belarus as a safe haven, a US-based thinktank said. The Russian president told members of the mercenary group that they have three options following their mutiny: serve Russia, retire or follow their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to Belarus. Russian president Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with service members at the Kremlin in Moscow.(Reuters)

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the Kremlin will likely regard personnel who flee to the neighbouring country as traitors "whether or not it takes immediate action against them".

Putin may be presenting Belarus as a haven for Wagner fighters as a trap. Putin's acknowledgement that he made a personal promise, presumably that Wagner personnel who went to Belarus would be safe there, was remarkable. The long-term value of that promise, Putin's speech notwithstanding, is questionable, the thinktank said in its latest update.

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko previously turned over 33 detained Wagner fighters to Moscow in 2020.

"There is no apparent reason why he would not do so again," the ISW said.

This comes as Vladimir Putin said Russia averted civil war with a deal for Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end his armed rebellion.

You in fact prevented a civil war, the Russian leader told 2,500 troops at a televised Kremlin ceremony, adding, In a difficult situation you acted clearly and coherently.

More than 276 billion rubles ($3.25 billion) went on salaries and insurance for Wagner forces in 2022 as well as on payments to its owners company for supplying food and catering for the army, he said, without mentioning Prigozhin by name.

I hope that no one stole anything, or, lets say, stole just a little in the course of this work. But we will of course look into all this," Vladimir Putin said.

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Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutiny in Russia was the first stage of "dismantling" Russian president Vladimir Putin's regime, head of Ukraine's national security and defense council said. Prigozhin is only part of the [Wagner] group and part of the plan, Oleksiy Danilov said. The Russian tycoon's rebellion attempt was "the tip of the iceberg of the destabilization process," he said. Russian president Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with service members at the Kremlin in Moscow.(Reuters)

In the armed uprising, the Wagner Group said it took control of two military hubs in southern Russia and advanced within 120 miles of Moscow before pulling back. His fighters withdrew after the Kremlin said a deal had been brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to avoid bloodshed.

Oleksiy Danilov said a group of people dissatisfied with Putin has formed in Russia.

"Prigozhin's march from [Rostov-on-Don to Moscow] is a demonstration of how serious his intentions were, what opportunities exist, and how conditions are being created for launching a power transit processbe it voluntary or forced," Oleksiy Danilov said, adding, Wagner convoys or those formed by other forces can still make it to the Red Square.

Putin has only one way out- the total cleansing of the power bloc and the introduction of martial law in Russia, Oleksiy Danilov added.

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's minister of internal affairs, said Wagner's "march of justice" showed that the Kremlin "does not know its own country."

"The government in Russia is only strong on TV, but in reality, it is as rotten as the wooden barracks in the Russian provinces. Russia turned out to be not a fortress, but a gateway. Russian Volunteer Corps is free to enter the Belgorod region; the capital and the Kremlin are attacked by drones, and the mercenary army is capable of taking not Kyiv but Moscow without a fight in two days," Gerashchenko said.

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A Florida couple who sued OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush has announced that they are dropping the lawsuit after the Titan tragedy. A catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible resulted in the deaths of five passengers. Stockton was killed in the along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman. OceanGate CEO and co-founder Stockton Rush speaks in front of a projected image of the wreckage of the ocean liner SS Andrea Doria during a presentation on their findings after an undersea exploration, on June 13, 2016, in Boston (AP Photo/Bill Sikes, File)(AP)

Marc and Sharon Hagle filed the lawsuit in February after Stockton reportedly refused to refund them over $210,000. The couple said they spent the amount on an expedition that was set to take place in 2018, according to court records.

The Winter Park couple released a statement soon after the Titan tragedy, saying, 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 withdraw all legal actions against Stockton, the couple said, adding that "honor, respect and dignity" are more important than money. They offered their well wishes to the families of the victims, according to Fox 29.

The Hagles paid a $20,000 deposit to participate on a submersible dive expedition on the Cyclops 2 vessel, and were supposed to make two more payments. However, they suspected in September 2016 that the dive would not happen immediately and will likely be postponed. They subsequently requested a refund.

OceanGate is said to have assured them that they would return the amount if the dive was delayed. The Hagles said they were sent new contracts in January 2018 that required them to pay the full amount for the expedition  which by then changed its name to Titan.

They asked for a refund when the subsequent expeditions were cancelled repeatedly, but OceanGate allegedly told them they would refund the amount only if the Hagles participated in a July 2021 expedition. The company also told the couple they would hold their money in a separate escrow account, but allegedly failed to keep the promise.

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An underwater robot is now combing the floor for debris from the catastrophic implosion of the submersible that resulted in the deaths of five passengers. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is launching an investigation into the implosion. The National Transportation Safety Board has also said that the US Coast Guard will lead the investigation into the incident. 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)

This comes as the company that operated the Titan, OceanGate, has closed its headquarters in Everett, Washington State. The leasing agent said the company would be closing indefinitely, according to The Seattle Times. OceanGates CEO Stockton Rush was killed in the latest tragedy along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that officials investigating the Titan 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 submersible began its journey on Sunday morning, June 18. About one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince, the support ship that transported it to the site.

Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada visited the Polar Prince on Saturday, June 24, to collect information from the vessels voyage data recorder and other vessel systems that contain useful information, TSB Chairwoman Kathy Fox told CNN. She stressed that the aim of the investigation was not to blame anyone but that voice recordings could be useful in our investigation.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Kent Osmond has announced that authorities are trying to determine if the case deserves a criminal investigation. 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.

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Fox News announced on Monday that Jesse Watters will take over Tucker Carlsons 8 pm weekday slot with the name Jesse Watters Primetime broadcast. This comes after Tuckers departure in April. The shift will now move Laura Ingrahams The Ingraham Angle from its 10 pm to 7 pm slot. Jesse Watters (L) will take over Tucker Carlsons (R) 8 pm weekday slot with the name Jesse Watters Primetime broadcast (jessewatters/Instagram, tuckercarlsontonight/Instagram)

Jesse Watters Primetime started last January. As per the website, Jesse, a 44-year-old Philadelphia native, speaks with newsmakers and politicians with a fresh take.

Tucker left Fox News in April, with the network saying in a statement, Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.

Who is Jesse Watters?

Jesse joined Fox News in 2002 as a production assistant. He was named a solo host of the 8 PM/ET Saturday night show Watters World in January 2017. He conducted popular interviews with former President Donald Trump, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Barstool Sports Dave Portnoy, among others.

Jesse was later named a co-host of The Five in April of 2017. Co-hosted by Watters alongside Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Judge Jeanine Pirro and a rotation of Harold Ford, Geraldo Rivera and Jessica Tarlov in the liberal seat, The Fives powerhouse roundtable ensemble has emerged as early evening appointment television for millions as the number one show at 5 PM/ET for the last decade. Watters is widely known for his "Mom Texts" segment which showcases colorful messages that his liberal mother has fired off to him while hes on the air, Fox News website says.

In the 4th Quarter of 2021, The Five was the number one program in cable news with 3.3 million total viewers and second overall in the 25-54 demo with 481,000  the first time ever in cable news history that a non-primetime program achieved this milestone for a full quarter. The Five had already set a record in October of 2021 winning the full month for the first time ever with 3.1 million total viewers and placing second in the key demo for the month averaging 435,000 in 25-54. The hit show also topped all daytime and primetime programming on CNN and MSNBC for the entire year of 2021, delivering the second largest audience in cable news with 3 million total viewers and 423,000 in the 25-54 demo, making it the only non-primetime show to rank in the top five and notching its second highest ranking in program history, it adds.

Jesse, a graduate of Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, has authored the New York Times number one bestseller How I Saved the World. The book was also number one on Amazon in the week it was launched.

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The World Health Organization's European office warned that the risk of Covid-19 has not gone away, saying it was still responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths a week in the region. A pedestrian wearing a bow ties and bowler hat along with a face mask or covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.(AFP)

The global health body on May 5 announced that the Covid-19 pandemic was no longer deemed a "global health emergency."

"Whilst it may not be a global public health emergency, however, Covid-19 has not gone away," WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge told reporters.

The WHO's European region comprises 53 countries, including several in central Asia.

"Close to 1,000 new Covid-19 deaths continue to occur across the region every week, and this is an underestimate due to a drop in countries regularly reporting Covid-19 deaths to WHO," Kluge added, and urged authorities to ensure vaccination coverage of at least 70 percent for vulnerable groups.

Kluge also said estimates showed that one in 30, or some 36 million people, in the region had experienced so called "long Covid" in the last three years, which "remains a complex condition we still know very little about."

"Unless we develop comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for long Covid, we will never truly recover from the pandemic," Kluge said, encouraging more research in the area which he called an under-recognised condition.

The health body also urged vigilance in the face of a resurgence of mpox, having recorded 22 new cases across the region in May, and the health impact of heat waves.

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Baltimore's first high-design, extended-stay hotel features 81 fully-furnished apartment hotel units, 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor resort-like amenity space, and 40 apartment units for long-term residents.

Today, Method Co., the nationally-acclaimed real estate management, development and design company rooted in hospitality, in partnership with the Baltimore Peninsula development team, led by MAG Partners and MacFarlane Partners, announce the opening of ROOST Baltimore on July 1. Part of Method Co.'s ROOST Apartment Hotel brand, a leading extended-stay concept known for bridging the boutique hotel experience with apartment-style living, the 81-apartment hotel is located at 2460 Terrapin Way within Baltimore Peninsula, the city's new 235-acre waterfront community.

The multi-million-dollar project, designed by architecture firm Hord Coplan Macht, features a mix of furnished studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment hotel units with interiors designed in collaboration between interior design firm Aumen Asner Inc. and Method Studios, Method Co.'s in-house design firm. Additionally, Method Co. will be leasing out 40 apartment units for long-term residents who will also have access to all of the building's amenities.

Each apartment hotel unit features full-size kitchens with modern appliances and full-wall windows and balconies to take advantage of the stunning waterfront views. The apartment hotel units, amenity space and lobby feature custom and curated furnishings from designers such as Lawson-Fenning, Gubi, TON, Pedrali, &Tradition, Interior Define, Noguchi, Santa and Cole, Dumais Made, O & G, and Lumas. The furniture curation throughout the space, also designed by Method Studios, draws inspiration from the industrial and maritime heritage of Baltimore as a premier port city. The property includes a 24/7 concierge, an on-site fitness center with Peloton bikes, and 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor resort-like amenity space including an open-air pool lined with cabanas and an outdoor fireplace centered around a full-service hybrid bar and lounge.

Considered a pioneer in the high-design apartment hotel movement, Method Co.'s ROOST Apartment Hotel brand is significantly expanding its portfolio, with locations in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Tampa, and Detroit, as well as plans to open additional locations in Philadelphia in Fall 2023 and Charleston in 2024.

Method Co. has combined its expertise in design, placemaking and operations to lead the development of the new property, building upon its robust portfolio of successful brands and hotel property launches, including six open locations of the ROOST Apartment Hotel brand; Whyle, a furnished apartment concept in DC; Wm. Mulherin's Sons Restaurant & Hotel and HIROKI in Fishtown, Philadelphia; Charleston's newest luxury boutique hotel, The Pinch, along with its adjacent oyster bar and cocktail lounge, The Quinte; and the recent opening of Wilmington, Delaware's first, luxury boutique hotel, The Quoin along with its namesake ground-floor restaurant, and craft cocktail lounge, Simmer Down.

Hotel website
EOS Hospitality is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Keiser as President & Chief Development Officer. In this new roles, Keiser will continue to define EOS Hospitality's strategic direction, manage overall operations, and not only expand but diversify the company's portfolio of unique and first-in-class assets. Veterans of the hospitality industry, Mais and Keiser have more than fifty years of combined experience in development, operations and management. Founded in 2017, EOS' rapid growth can be greatly attributed to Mais and Keiser, with the company more than doubling in size every year since 2019. EOS currently operates a portfolio of 50 hotels with more than 7,000 keys, making it one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the U.S.

"I am proud to announce Mark Keiser as President of EOS Hospitality," said Jonathan Wang, Founder and President of EOS Investors, LLC. "One of my greatest joys in founding the company is that we continue to attract kind and curious people who are dedicated to creating exceptional experiences for our guests, careers for our team, and returns for our investors. So while Simon and Mark's elevation is in part a recognition of their accomplishments and of the growth of this platform under their leadership, it is also a testament to their character and to the people they've attracted within the company and across the industry. Both of them routinely go above and beyond what's expected to solve problems, provide mentorship and meaning - for the team and for our guests. I am excited to see them leading the charge and look forward to supporting them on the next phase of this journey."

Mark Keiser was most recently Chief Development Officer of EOS Hospitality, where he was responsible for growing the company's platform via strategic partnerships and the expansion of its third-party management business for select owners of hotel and resort properties. Previously, he was Chief Development Officer at SH Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw the global growth of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels. While there, Mark Keiser led the expansion from 4 hotels in the pipeline in 2015 to 9 open hotels and 23 additional hotels in the pipeline in 2021. Prior to this, Keiser was Vice President of Development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. where he was responsible for managed and franchise development of Starwood's brands in North America. He also held the roles of Manager of Corporate Finance & Real Estate Development at Wyndham Hotels and General Manager of HomeGate Studios & Suites NW Austin with Prime Hospitality.

Mark Keiser resides in New York City with his wife and daughter.
Emily Millman, senior director of eCommerce at Cendyn, introduces the company's mission to enhance hotel profitability and guest loyalty. Cendyn will showcase its comprehensive website design and technology services, highlighting the integration of their websites with the RT4 system at HITEC. Their award-winning websites not only reflect each hotel's distinctive brand personality but also incorporate the latest UX design trends. Powered by the user-friendly Cendyn CMS, these websites offer rapid download speeds and adhere to international web accessibility and privacy standards. The integration with RT4 enables real-time dynamic rates, including a convenient booking widget. With options suitable for all types of hotels, from boutique establishments to sprawling resorts, Cendyn provides a range of website tiers to cater to diverse needs.

Those interested in learning more can visit booth #1415 at the HITEC Toronto.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a catalyst for digital transformation in the hospitality industry. We help hotels around the globe drive profitability and guest loyalty through an integrated technology platform that aligns revenue, eCommerce, distribution, marketing, and sales teams with centralized data, applications, and analytics, so they can capture more demand and accelerate growth. With operations across the globe, in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India, Cendyn serves tens of thousands of customers across 143 countries. To find out more, visit www.cendyn.com.
In the old times, Americans typically tip 15  20% of the pre-tax bill in sit-down restaurants with wait staff. For hotel room service, tipping 10% is expected if gratuity is already included; otherwise, 20% or more should be added.

When tipping means more than gratitude

In California, tips do not count toward servers minimum wages. Accordingly, servers will earn the states or citys minimum wage, plus tips. In some other states, servers make as little as $2 - $3 an hour because employers can count tips as part of their minimum wage. Still, tips have become an essential source of income for many service workers.

How have Americans changed their tipping habits since COVID?

Some consumers might appreciate the foodservice workers more during the pandemic for the extra work they performed. Studies showed that consumers tipped more to a pizza delivery driver and for many transactions at quick- and full-service restaurants, although tips for face-to-face transactions at full-service restaurants dropped one to two percentage points.

What is trending in tipping?

There have been a few noticeable changes in tripping since COVID. In this series, we will visit (a) what businesses and legislators are doing to encourage tipping and (b) how consumers react to such changes.

I. Businesses and Legislators Are Promoting Tipping Behaviors

McDonalds is one of the few restaurant chains that do not let its crew members accept tips from customers. According to the companys tipping policy published on the internet:

Tips are not accepted as McDonald's restaurants have a team environment which is not about rewarding individuals. If a customer would like to make a donation then they can do so in the RMHC boxes.

More quick-service restaurants ask customers to add tips

Unlike McDonalds, Starbucks is one of the quick-service restaurant chains that encourage customers to tip. The restaurant recently programmed its point-of-sale devices to ask for tips every time when a customer pays with a credit card. In most restaurants, consumers will be provided with five options:

15% (I have seen some starting from 18% or 20%)

18% (or higher)

20% (I have seen options of 30% or above)

Custom tips (usually shown on the bottom)

No tips (usually shown on the bottom if provided)

Clicking on either end of the alternative options is the easiest and fastest option most customers will do if they choose to add a tip or feel guilty for not tipping at all. Servers in sit-down restaurants may not need to share the tips they earned. Quick-service restaurants tend to put all tips into one pool and divide the money among their associates with a fair method/formula defined by the company.

Even machines and self-serve kiosks ask for tips now

Hopper, an online travel agent (OTA) like Expedia and Booking.com, also rolled out a new option to collect tips when travelers finish an online reservation on the website. The website states:

In order to provide our customers with the best insights and maintain the accuracy of our notifications, there's an option to add a Hopper Tip to your booking before you swipe to pay for your reservation!

Usually, Hopper will add a flat fee of $5 or 15% of the transaction as tips. Customers have the option to opt-out.

Legislators want companies to change their non-tipping policy

A bill was just passed by both the Colorado State House and Senate in May and is now waiting for the state governors signature. When the bill takes effect, companies like McDonalds and Walmart can no longer prohibit their employees from accepting tips. Do you think other states will follow suit?

When more businesses and even legislators want to promote tipping behaviors, are the consumers who pay tips from their pockets happy about that?

II. Consumer Reactions to the New Tipping Trends

Businesses like the automatic tipping options in kiosks because they can significantly increase gratuities, which help boost staff pay. Some legislators also believe that tips can help workers substantially improve their incomes.

What if a tip goes to the machines that provide the service?

Hopper, an online travel agent for flight and hotel reservations, was a good case in point. By the same token, consumers are now asked to tip in self-serve kiosks.

When fans get a drink from a self-serve beer fridge at San Diegos Petco Park, they will be pinged for a tip. Some said they felt confused but still left 20% of tips. It has become very normal to see self-checkout machines at cafes, cupcake or cookie shops, stadiums, and airports to prompt customers to leave 20% tips.

Are you feeling tipping fatigue already? Has tipping become an emotional blackmail?

Some reports showed concerns about tipping fatigue among consumers; others called it emotional blackmail. Nevertheless, more businesses are joining the new tipping trend by asking for tips. For example, Maryland's first unionized Apple store wanted customers to tip 3%, 5%, or a custom amount. A landlord made a case on TikTok that his tenants should add tips to the rent --- he might do that as a joke, but he got the point.

When enough is enough?

Are you getting tired of being asked to tip for everything you buy? Some of us do. While tipping is an excellent method to increase revenue and/or employee pay, businesses must be careful not to push customers to the edge.

What tipping trends do you see? What do you think of todays tipping culture?

Linchi Kwok

Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona

CAL Poly Pomona

View source
Avani Palazzo Moscova Hotel

Avani Hotels & Resorts announces its debut in Spain and Italy with the opening of Avani Alonso Martinez and Avani Palazzo Moscova.

Introducing the First Avani Hotel in Spain: Avani Alonso Martinez

Situated just steps away from the iconic central square that shares its name, this architectural gem dates back to 1919, featuring a captivating century-old facade adorned with wrought-iron balconies. Following renovation, this upscale hotel seamlessly combines its historic elegance with a fresh and contemporary design.

Every detail of Avani Alonso Martinez's interior draws inspiration from the vibrant city of Madrid. As guests enter, they are greeted by a magnificent sculpture of a yellow cat, an emblematic animal associated with the locals. The walls of the colourful lobby are enhanced with signs displaying typical Madrileno expressions, immersing visitors in the city's unique culture. The stairwell pays homage to the region's traditional dress with a series of elaborate Manila shawls hand-painted on the walls, adding a touch of artistry and charm. As part of the refurbishment, the hotel has expanded the breakfast area to provide guests with an enhanced dining experience. Additionally, guests can enjoy the convenience of The Pantry, offering a flexible solution with a selection of coffee, pastries, salads and sandwiches.

Avani Alonso Martinez Madrid offers 101 rooms that integrate modern technology with unrivalled comfort. Reflecting the essence of the Spanish capital, the decor showcases distinctive elements honouring the city's heritage. The bedcovers feature a stylish houndstooth pattern, reminiscent of the iconic print worn by traditional Madrilenos known as chulapos. Headboards feature captivating cat designs, while vintage-style paintings depict local festivities like San Isidro. Lampshades elegantly display vintage maps of the city centre, immersing guests in the rich tapestry of Madrid's history and culture.

Guests can unlock the destination with an innovative series of experiences, from thrilling Segway adventures to lesser-known spots that take in some of the city's most notable murals and graffiti displays, to picturesque picnics on the sprawling lawns of Retiro Park. In addition, guests can unleash their inner artist at Wine Gogh, a glow-in-the-dark painting workshop that entices both locals and tourists to come together to craft their personal masterpieces with neon paint. All the while, they can sip local wines and surrender to the rhythm of an eclectic soundtrack, igniting their artistic inspiration. For foodies, private dinners held in hidden galleries and studios offer a chance to taste authentic Spanish dishes in an artistic ambiance.

A neoclassical building for Avani in Milan: Avani Palazzo Moscova

Avani makes its Italian debut in the vibrant city of Milan, perfectly positioned between two bustling districts: Porta Nuova, celebrated for its futuristic skyscrapers, and Corso Como, renowned for its nightlife. Housed within a neoclassical building that once stood as the city's first railway station, envisioned by the esteemed engineer Giulio Sarti, Avani Palazzo Moscova exudes timeless charm.

Avani Palazzo Moscova presents a collection of 65 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, blending modern aesthetics with a minimalist touch in a palette of soothing white and beige tones. Each space within the hotel has been created to provide a haven of comfort and tranquillity, allowing guests to unwind and rejuvenate in style. every room and suite at Avani Palazzo Moscova ensures the utmost convenience and a seamless experience for discerning travellers.

In addition to The Pantry and AvaniFit gym, Avani Palazzo Moscova is home to the AmaTi Spa. Located within the captivating confines of the original vaults of the former railway station, guests can immerse themselves in a world of peaceful indulgence, courtesy of expert therapists, offering a personalised selection of treatments. The spa's serene atmosphere beckons guests to unwind and replenish their wellbeing in the sauna, hammam, and jacuzzi, providing a revitalising retreat for the senses.

In addition to the exceptional accommodations and spa experience, Avani Palazzo Moscova offers a gastronomic odyssey at its signature seafood restaurant, Forte Milano. Guests can indulge in a delightful terrace ambiance while savouring Mediterranean-inspired dishes influenced by the flavours of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Forte Milano celebrates the region's rich seafood heritage, highlighting the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients with a range of signature dishes including red shrimp gnocchi with pecorino and scampi and artichoke tagliolini.

Avani Palazzo Moscova presents a diverse range of authentic guest experiences from "nonna approved" pasta making classes with a local chef, to an unforgettable tour of the city aboard a meticulously restored 1971 Fiat 500 that brings movie set magic to life. For fashionistas, there is a private shopping tour with desired items and preferences taken in advance to ensure a truly personalised experience, as well as an Instagram-inspired photoshoot that captures the essence of the historic city centre.
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Congress holds a Music Modernization Act Hearing

Chris Castle runs down the Nashville hearing led by U.S. Representative Darrell Issa looking at the impact of The Music Modernization Act.

by CHRIS CASTLE of Music Tech Policy

U.S. Representative Darrell Issa and the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet that he chairs will hold a field hearing on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. CT at Belmont University, Gabhart Student Center, in Nashville, Tennessee. The hearing, entitled Five Years Later  The Music Modernization Act, will focus on the entire blanket licensing regime added to the Copyright Act by the MMA to (1) administer blanket mechanical licenses for covered activities (largely streaming) and (2) to collect and distribute compulsory mechanical licensing royalties.

Most importantly, the IP Subcommittee website tells us that [t]he hearing will also explore whether the legislation is operating as intended by Congress and consider reforms. So why is this happening and why is it happening right now given everything else that Congress is dealing with.

Congress considers whether to renew The MLC, Inc.s designation as the mechanical licensing collective. If that sentence seems contradictory, remember those are two different things: the mechanical licensing collective is the statutory body that administers most of the compulsory license under Section 115 of the Copyright Act that was the entirety of Title I of the Music Modernization Act (aka the Harry Fox Preservation Act). The MLC, Inc. is the private company that was designated by Congress through its Copyright Office to do the work of the mechanical licensing collective. This is like the form of a body that performs a function (the mechanical licensing collective) and having to animate that form with actual humans (The MLC, Inc.). The MLC, Inc. was designated by the Copyright Office in 2019.

Congress reviews the work product of The MLC, Inc. every five years (17 USC 115(d)(3)(B)(ii)) to decide if Congress should allow The MLC, Inc. to continue another five years. That is, Congress has the right to fire The MLC, Inc. and find someone else if they fail to perform. Hence, Five Years Later in the title of the field hearing. This process is called designation or redesignation and is performed for Congress by the U.S. Copyright Office in their soft oversight role.

That five year period is actually up next year, so Congress may be getting an early start to identify performance benchmarks for The MLC, Inc. so that the Copyright Office doesnt have to wing it. If you have some thoughts about what The MLC, Inc. could be doing better or is doing well, you have a chance to write to your representative or even members of the committee before the hearing next week and let them know.

The witness list is well-chosen and seems unlikely to produce the usual propaganda from the controlled opposition that the lobbyists usually try to spoon feed to lawmakers:

I have a few concerns myself.

Investment Policy: According to its 2021 tax return, the MLC, Inc. was at that time holding more than $650 million in publicly traded securities. According to the MLC, Inc.s annual report(at p. 4), this sum seems to include the $424 million of black box monies that the MLC, Inc. received in 2021. Congress is entitled to know exactly how this money is handled, where it resides and who is responsible for making investment decisions.



Congress should consider whether all black box sums and unspent operating costs advanced by blanket licensees should be held in a bank account controlled by the US government so that there is no confusion if Congress fires The MLC, Inc. or any successor.



Congress should also consider whether the same fiduciary duties apply to The MLC, Inc.s management of the black box as would apply to a pension fund (under ERISA) or comparable duty. (Theres lots of pension funds and even banks with less than $600 million in assets and they are all regulated.) At least with a pension fund the fund trustees know who they owe money to; The MLC, Inc. seems like it should have an even higher responsibility to be good stewards of money it owes to the very unknown songwriters Congress tasked it with finding, thus cementing the moral hazard.



It goes without saying that the infamous Hoffa Clause in the MMA should be repealed (17 U.S.C.  115 (d)(7)(C)). The Hoffa Clause allows the collective to dip into the black box to pay its expenses if the millions of the administrative assessment paid by the blanket licensees just isnt quite enough. Succession Plan: What if Congress did fire The MLC, Inc.? Is there a succession plan in place that would allow the seamless transfer to a new collective of databases, operating software, cash on hand, and of course the black box? If there is a succession plan in place, then perhaps Mr. Ahrend should bring it with him to Chairman Issas hearing for the records. If not, perhaps he could draft one. In any event, Mr. Ahrend should have ready answers to at least some questions about a succession plan should the Subcommittee ask him. After all, the lobbyists wrote the bill and the five year review language was written into the earliest drafts so he should expect a few questions about what happens. Particularly since the Subcommittee has announced that they want to know whether the legislation is operating as intended by Congress and consider reforms. Nondisclosure Agreements: I am struck by the fact that there have been no leaks of information about the black box, investment policy, or even life at The MLC, Inc. This usually means that there are nondisclosure agreements in place that scare people into silencealong with a healthy dose of intimidation in a small and incestuous industry when its likely that your employer is on the board of directors. Maybe not, but Congress may want to find out what these people are up to so it can decide if it wants to let them keep doing it. This may seem like a small issue, but either people arent talking because they have nothing to say or people are talking but nobody will print the story. Songwriter Directors and Geographical Diversity: The hearing may provide a good opportunity for the Subcommittee to look into how the collectives controversial board composition is working out, not to mention the membership levels in the confusing by laws of The MLC, Inc. For example, I for one really see no reason to continue the concept of non-voting directors on the board, and Congress could just eliminate that role. One need only look to other collectives and PROs in the US and around the world for examples. A non-voting board member is a close analog to a board observer which is usually someone appointed by an investor to essentially spy on the board.



Similarly, it must be said that all the board members are either from New York, Nashville, Los Angeles or are lobbyists from the Imperial City. There are songwriters all over the country and internationally. Since the collective is really a quasi governmental organization, it is entirely in the remit of Congress to increase transparency and fairness as well as diversity. This could be accomplished by requiring an equal number of songwriter and publisher directors and having them come from states or regions with a big music contribution to America such as one of the reservations ,Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Tulsa or Appalachia. Revisit the Compulsory License: There is, of course, the threshold question of whether the compulsory license should be continued at all. This five year examination really should include this fundamental review rather than just blindly pushing forward with the compulsory license. (I discussed this in some detail in a separate post.) One songwriter has suggested that the Copyright Office reprise another study on the continued viability of the entire compulsory license system and I think hes got a point there. Perhaps the Subcommittee could task the Copyright Office with conducting such a study as a finding of the field hearing. Those studies allow the public to comment without fear or favor which would be a breath of fresh air. Congress could then hear from more people whose jobs depend on the system working well resulting in the payments to songwriters that Congress wanted rather than the system just stumbling on resulting in high salaries to the operators and little to no transparency.



Lets see what happens at the field hearing. You can watch it here courtesy of the YouTube monopoly.

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Berkshire DA: No Charges Being Filed in Death of Mark Bednarz

ADAMS, Mass.  No charges will be filed in the death of Mark Bednarz, 56, of Savoy, who died on Feb. 10, a day after fighting with the owner of a home he allegedly broke into in Adams.

The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday said it will not be pursuing criminal charges against the homeowner.

Neither the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner nor the doctor who treated Bednarz at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield could conclude that the injuries he sustained during the altercation with the homeowner caused his condition, according to the DA's Office. Cause of death was in part attributed to drugs that Bednarz had in his system.

Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he was releasing a summary of the investigation because of "continued requests for information."

Adams Police had responded on Feb. 9 at 2:20 p.m. to 57 Spring St. because of an alert of a potential breaking and entering issued by a camera installed in the homeowner's house.

Officers found the homeowner, 73, outside with visible injuries to his head, including a deep laceration in the middle of his forehead. An officer entered the residence and found Bednarz on the floor, unresponsive. Police began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Bednarz while an ambulance was en route. An automated external defibrillator was brought in but the AED, which is able to analyze the patient, several times did not recommend a shock be given. Adams Police officers continued CPR until ambulance personnel arrived and took Bednarz first to BMC in North Adams and then transferred him to Pittsfield.

According to the police investigation, the homeowner had been parked down the street from his house when he noticed someone walking down his driveway. He drove to the front of the house, parked his vehicle, and entered the house through the side door, unlocking it before entering. As soon as he entered his home, the homeowner picked up a small souvenir-sized bat that was near the door, and proceeded further into the residence. He said he walked into the room that contained his gun safe and discovered Bednarz attempting to drill into the safe.

He told police he decided not to hit the intruder but his presence startled Bednarz, prompting him to threaten the homeowner with the power drill he was using. The homeowner fought back and a struggle ensued during which multiple items, including the small bat, a can of soup and the power drill, were used by both parties. The homeowner was finally able to physically restrain Bednarz but then he took the opportunity to flee the house and encountered the police officers who were arriving in response to the alert from the surveillance cameras.

The homeowner told police that he wanted to call for help but could not locate his phone during the struggle.

Bednarz died the next day at BMC. An autopsy, including a postmortem toxicology screening, was completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The toxicology report identified that Bednarz tested positive for fentanyl, opiates, cocaine, cannabinoids and benzoylecgonine (a metabolite the body produces from cocaine usage).

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be, "Complications of acute fentanyl intoxication in the setting of recent cocaine used and mechanical asphyxia" and the manner of death to be, "Homicide (substance abuse and compression by other)."

Homicide is a medical term used by the Medical Examiner as a classification for the death, not a legal conclusion as defined by Massachusetts General Laws, according to the DA's Office.




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


















South Africa: Youth encouraged to get involved in water, sanitation sector

Water and Sanitation Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has implored South African youth to contribute innovative ideas in the water and sanitation sector.

Mchunu was speaking on the first day of the week-long annual National Youth Indaba underway at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in eThekwini.

Joined by his deputies, Judith Tshabalala and David Mahlobo; eThekwini Executive Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, and Umgeni Water Acting CEO, Dr Sipho Manana, Mchunu challenged participants at the indaba to have meaningful engagements so that they can make meaningful contributions to the water and sanitation sector.

My plea to you is to not only be empowered but to have an outcome that will impact the water sector at the end of this indaba. It is my wish that after all the commissions and the discussions taking place here, you will emerge better positioned to be able to work with us as the Department of Water and Sanitation to achieve our objectives, Mchunu said.

Tshabalala reiterated the Ministers sentiments that the outcomes of this years Youth Indaba should give the youth a broader understanding of the government's objectives and how they affect them.

She said the department aims to educate youth about their vital role within the water and sanitation sector because they firmly believe that by actively involving young people in the planning and execution of sector activities, we can enhance service delivery to our communities and pave the way to a sustainable future.

Therefore, this indaba should provide you with a platform for discussions, constructive idea generation that will address the challenges facing the youth in the sector, and empowering them to take on leadership roles, Tshabalala said.

The Youth Indaba, which takes place from 26 to 30 June 2023, brings young water and sanitation professionals, including school learners, employed and unemployed youth, and self-employed youth under one roof to highlight the impact of the water crisis and to find solutions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 6, which aims to ensure availability of, and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Held under the theme, 'Accelerating Youth Economic Emancipation for a Sustainable Future', the Youth Indaba is part of the departments Youth Month commemoration, and aims to highlight the available opportunities for youth development, and to educate the youth about their role within the water and sanitation sector.

It also seeks to encourage engagements, technical expertise and knowledge sharing among youth in the sector, with a view of improving institutional governance, job creation, skills development, economic development, social cohesion and, ultimately, the youth contribution to service delivery in their communities.

Throughout the week-long programme, the young professionals will engage in interactive sessions and knowledge sharing in their respective fields. They will also embark on an excursion to deepen their understanding and to also provide them with practical experiences.

The department said this years Youth Indaba is an integral part of the departments ongoing efforts to implement the recommendations of the 2022 National Youth Indaba Conference, which resulted in the drafting and approval of an action plan document.

The event also serves as an opportunity to launch the South African Young Water Professionals Network, a sector-wide youth forum that will make a contribution to the water and sanitation challenges of the country.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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GCash, the Philippines leading mobile wallet, celebrated Pride Month with GTalks: Werk with Pride' at Clubhouse Manila, by featuring success stories of LGBTQIA+ MSMEs to inspire more people to pursue their goals and achieve financial independence. This is in line with GCash's core purpose to make Finance for All a reality.

(From L-R): GCash Sustainability Head CJ Alegre, Food for the Gays' Nariese Giangan, Butterboy's Hilder Demeterio, Studio Cantero's Gabby Cantero, Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce's Atty. Quino Reyes III, and GCash VP for New Businesses Winsley Bangit - are all smiles during GTalks: Werk with Pride.

CJ Alegre, Sustainability Head of GCash, emphasized, "by ensuring that every Filipino has access to financial services, we not only uplift individuals and communities, but also foster economic resilience and social cohesion. Inclusion empowers individuals to become agents of change, contributing to a sustainable future for all."

The panel discussion featured LGBTQIA+ MSME owners who shared their entrepreneurial journeys. Gabby Cantero, a photographer who established her own production company, shared how the e-wallet has created a better experience for her and her customers. "GCash has simplified the process of sending and receiving payments, making it incredibly convenient for us, said Cantero.

Hilder Demeterio, one half of the duo behind bakehouse Butterboy, provided business insights into their journey of combining tasty pastries and regular Drag Brunches. Starting out as a pandemic business, GCash has really been fundamental in building and sustaining Butterboy. The universality and ease of transaction with GCash enabled us to fully operate as a cloud-based business," said Demeterio.

Nariese Giangan, co-founder of Food for the Gays, emphasized the role of technology in creating more accessible ways for her customers to transact.

GCash's Scan to Pay feature simplifies payment processes, enhances convenience, and fosters repeat business by providing a seamless transaction experience for my customers," said Giangan. The support we've been getting since the beginning was really amazing. We were brave to open up shop because we were confident that the community will support us, that's why we are trying our best to give back by supporting queer talents as well.

Panelists (from L-R) - Studio Cantero's Gabby Cantero, Butterboy's Hilder Demeterio, Food for the Gays' Nariese Giangan, and Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce's Atty. Quino Reyes III, together with GCash Chief Marketing Officer Neil Trinidad - engage in an insightful fireside chat to discuss how their businesses flourished with the help of GCash.

Beyond Pride Month, GCash remains dedicated to fostering inclusivity 365 days a year. By offering GInsure, GCash enables policyholders to designate their same-sex partners as beneficiaries, aligning with the Insurance Commission's mandate for equal access to insurance products for all couples. Moreover, GCash provides lending products such as GGives, GLoans, and GCredit, which all have non-discriminatory application processes that assess eligibility based on in-app behavior rather than personal attributes.

For more information about GCash and its advocacies, you may visit www.gcash.com or follow its official facebook page @gcashofficial.
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Multiple images of what appeared to be spy balloons crossing Japan and Taiwan in east Asia since 2021 have been found, months after Chinas suspected spy balloon programme came to light.

Rare satellite images captured by artificial intelligence company Synthetaic and shared with the BBC showed several images of balloons crossing two of Chinas neighbouring nations.

One of these balloons crossed northern Japan in early September in 2021, reported BBC.

Evidence of the launch points for these balloons are likely to have been from deep inside China, south of Mongolia, Sythetaics founder Corey Jaskolski said.

Other photographs taken by Taiwans weather service also showed a purported balloon over capital Taipei around late September in 2021, the BBC Panorama team found. The photos were captured across the region to record sightings of UFOs in the sky.

On cross-referencing the findings from the weather department with the satellite imagery, Mr Jaskolski said his team found the balloon off the coast of Taiwan within 90 seconds.

The report added that officials in Japan have confirmed that balloons have flown over its territory adding that they are prepared to shoot them down in future, akin to the route taken by the US after purported spy balloons were spotted in its skies in February this year.

Washington has stationed more American forces in Japan than on any other foreign soil as the Asian nation remains its close ally.

Pointing out that the Chinese balloons have been designed specially for long-range missions and some have reportedly circumnavigated the globe, former east Asia analyst for the CIA John Culver said that this is a continuing effort dating back at least five years, the report added.

In this image released by the Department of Defense on 22 Feb 2023, a US Air Force U-2 pilot looks down at a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon as it hovers over the United States on 3 Feb 2023. (Department of Defense via AP) (Public Domain)

In this file photo taken on 1 Feb 2023 and released on 2 February shows a suspected Chinese spy balloon in the sky over Billings, Montana (CHASE DOAK/AFP via Getty Images)

This was also claimed by the Pentagon earlier this year when the US authorities shot down a Chinese balloon off the South Carolina coast, stating that the operation was part of a large surveillance programme that China has been conducting for several years.

Pentagon press secretary brigadier general Pat Ryder said that the balloons flew over sites that would be of interest to the Chinese.

China denied the allegations of spying by the US and claimed it was a civilian balloon used for meteorological research that strayed off course. The Xi Jinping administration also sharply criticised the US for shooting it down.

The incident has left a stain on US-China ties, forcing both sides to assess diplomatic methods to revive the relations while handling the bilateral tensions alongside.

Rejecting Chinas explanation, Brig Gen Ryder said, I can assure you this was not for civilian purposes... we are 100 per cent clear about that.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken had said that the Joe Biden administration has briefed dozens of countries on the programme, which officials said has been active over five continents.

The United States was not the only target, he said at a news conference with visiting Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg in February. China has not yet reacted to the BBC report.
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More than 3,700 casualties, including 1,095 civilian deaths due to violence, have been recorded in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the control of the country, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

The toll of civilians killed and wounded despite being in thousands has come down in comparison with the previous years of war and insurgency.

At least 3,774 civilian casualties have been recorded since mid-August 2021 till the end of May this year, a new report by the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) showed.

However, the UN report added that Afghanistan saw a significant number of deaths resulting from attacks never claimed by any group or the UN mission could not attribute to any unit, but did not provide an estimated or exact number for those fatalities.

In 2020, a total of 8,820 civilian casualties, including 3,035 deaths, were recorded, the UN report from the corresponding year showed.

The UN report this year pointed out that three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were carried out by improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets. These attacks killed 92 women and 287 children under the hardline Islamist regime.

It added that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the Talibans arch rival in the region and affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province.

There is also concern about "the lethality of suicide attacks" since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities, the report said.

These attacks come at a time Afghanistan is reeling under a nationwide financial and economic crisis.

As the country struggles with a sharp dip in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to "medical, financial and psychosocial support" under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

There should be an immediate halt to these attacks, the UNAMA has demanded, adding that the de facto authority of the Taliban is now responsible for the safety of the countrys population.

Responding to the report, the Talibans foreign ministry has said that the situation has gradually improved after the group took control from the US and Nato authorities in 2021.

It claimed that the Taliban took control of Afghanistan when it was "on the verge of collapse" and that they "managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis" by making sound decisions and through proper management.

"Security has been ensured across the country," the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

The Taliban has rolled out harsh rules resulting in gender persecution by banning education of girls after the sixth grade and eliminated the presence of women from public life and most work. The regime has also barred women from working for nongovernmental organisations and the UN, effectively hampering the aid for millions.

This is despite the groups initial promises of a more moderate administration after it took control of Kabul.
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New York City has been cleared to implement congestion pricing in Manhattan as early as next spring in a move that could help reduce gridlock and pollution in one of the most traffic-heavy areas of the country.

The Central Business District Tolling Program will allow New York City to charge people to drive vehicles into Lower Manhattan below 60th Street. Proposals range from charging people between $9 to $23 to drive into that part of the city during peak hours.

Its been a long journey for New York City to be cleared to implement congestion pricing. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg floated the idea of congestion pricing more than 15 years ago, and former Gov Andrew Cuomo also came around to the idea after opposing it for many years.

Shortly before the pandemic, when Mr Cuomo was still governor, the state gave the Metropolitan Transportation Authority permission to design a congestion pricing programme. Last month, the Federal Highway Administrations decision to release an environmental assessment for the scheme removed a final hurdle for the city to implement a programme.

New York is set to become the first American city to implement congestion pricing, but other leading world cities  including London, Singapore, and Stockholm  have had it for years.

The benefits in those cities have been striking. Those cities have seen declines in traffic and increases in average speed for drivers, while a study in Stockholm found that childrens acute asthma visits to doctors in the city fell by half after the Swedish city introduced its congestion pricing programme in 2007.

In London, the decrease in vehicular traffic has resulted in more road space for pedestrians and public transportation  a key measure of success for some at a time when climate change threatens to upend the lives of millions across the globe in the coming decades.

Proponents of congestion pricing in New York City believe the programme could serve to benefit the citys extensive but strained subway system by raising revenue needed to pay for improvements and upgrades to the system. The vast majority of trips into Lower Manhattan and the city as a whole are taken via public transportation, which remains a far cheaper option for many New Yorkers than personal vehicle ownership or paying for taxis or ride shares.

Not everyone is on board with the plan. Taxi and ride share drivers and their companies fear a congestion pricing scheme could cost them business, while people who commute into New York City by car from outlying suburbs have also voiced opposition.
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Even before the loss of the five passengers aboard the Titanic sub, psychologists have studied the rise in wealthy individuals embarking on extravagant yet dangerous adventures, and the reasons why these avid travellers are so intrigued by the thrilling experiences.

Speaking to The Independent, Dr Scott Lyons, a psychologist based in New York, explained how travelling can be used as a method of masking ones negative feelings, such as boredom or sadness, with something exciting and adventurous. But, according to Dr Lyons, when it comes to billionaires in particular, the trips required to distract from the tedium are often more frequent and extravagant.

Theyve reached certain pinnacles in their professional life or social life where they kind of need more to feel more. To get that excitement or to ultimately feel alive, he explained. Travel, in particular, is one of the more accessible ways to get those thrills. Doing something thats a risky business adventure takes a lot more planning in some ways than going to say: Oh were going to hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

Aside from submarine travel, there has been an ongoing appeal with extreme adventures, as three billionaires have followed one another into space. In July 2021, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos successfully launched himself into space in a rocket made by his own company, Blue Origins. Earlier this month, it was also announced that Elon Musks company, SpaceX, will attempt to launch its Mars-bound Starship rocket, two months after the spaceship ended in a dramatic explosion minutes after lift-off. Business magnate and commercial astronaut Richard Branson also announced that his company, Virgin Galactic, will launch its first commercial space tourism flights before the end of June.

Speaking to The Independent, Dr Paul Hokemeyer, a clinical and consulting psychotherapist in Colorado, echoed Dr Lyons statement about why billionaires travel, as he said those whove accumulated significant wealth can feel isolated in certain spaces. More specifically, he suggested that, for billionaires, who are apart from the bulk of humanity, it is not easy to form deep connections with themselves or others.

They struggle with feeling connected to themselves, finding intimate interpersonal relationships and being seen as anything other than a cash machine, on earth to financially and emotionally support the endless needs of others, he said.

Dr Lyons, the author of Addicted to Drama, also noted that unusual opportunities, such as a trip to the Titanic wreck, can bring a circle of wealthy, like-minded individuals together to bond. For those who booked a trip aboard the Titan sub, it meant a new opportunity to ward off potential boredom, as well as the opportunity to join an extremely exclusive group of individuals.

The search for the missing Titan submersible came to an end on Thursday 22 June, when the US Coast Guard confirmed that the five people aboard the tourist sub had died. On Sunday 18 June, OceanGates Titan submersible left its support vessel to travel to the Titanic wreckage, which sits at a depth of 12,500ft. Days later, officials determined that the Titan submersible experienced a catastrophic implosion when it submerged, killing all five people aboard the vessel.

In 2021, OceanGate Expeditions, which was founded by former investment banker Stockton Rush, launched its first tour of the wreckage with a five-person vessel. The company typically charged guests $250,000 to see the Titanic site.

The implosion of the Titan sub resulted in the death of five people, including Rush. British Billionaire Hamish Harding, an avid pilot, skydiver and chairman of private plane firm, Action Aviation, was also aboard the sub, as was British-Pakistani tycoon, Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman. Shahzada was a business advisor who served on the board of the Princes Trust International, and a descendant of the one of the richest families in Pakistan. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the fifth traveller aboard the sub, was a French diver, navy veteran, and director of underwater research at RMS Titanic, the company that owns the rights to the Titanic wreck and recovers artifacts.

Theres a specialness behind doing something thats really unique. While there are bragging rights, its more than just that, Dr Lyons explained. Within their friend group theyre sharing it. Its something to talk about thats really unique, and thats exciting. But its also about what it elicits: That momentary thrill and aliveness.

The submersible lost contact with the tour operator an hour and 45 minutes into the two-hour descent to the wreckage (OceanGate Expeditions/PA) (PA Media)

As Dr Hokemeyer acknowledged the ongoing fascination appeal of the Titanic wreckage, he pointed out how this interest ties into the thrills of travelling. According to Dr Hokemeyer, the wealthy who sought a trip aboard the Titan sub may have also been consciously and unconsciously hoping to prove their invincibility.

Whilst the Titanic was a ship with several classes on board, it is the upper classs demise that still holds our gaze, he said. For the group of billionaires who perished chasing the original storyline, it was very possible that both consciously and unconsciously they were seeking to show themselves and the world that they were above the risks and demise that befell the original voyage.

Since its inception, multiple concerns about OceanGate have been raised. In 2018, leaders in the submarine industry from the Marine Technology Society wrote a letter to warn of catastrophic issues with the OceanGate sub development. The letter was signed by three dozen signatories, including executives, oceanographers, and explorers.

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 signers wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The New York Times.

In a blog post shared in 2019, the company defended its decision not to have its sub classed by an outside evaluator, stating that focusing on classing the vessel does not address the operational risks. Before the search for the sub and its passengers came to a conclusion, The Simpsons writer Mike Reiss reflected on the experience he had with the tourist expedition last year, with Reiss revealing that hed had to sign a waiver that mentions death three times on page one before getting on the vessel.

Dr Hokemeyer compared the risks of extreme expeditions, like the Titan, to narcissistic personality disorders. According to the psychologist, both have the ability to cause damage to oneself and those around them. In the same way that people who suffer from narcissism get short-term thrills from feeling special and above their mortality and the law, these extreme and highly dangerous trips run the risk of causing destruction and death, he said.

Dr Hokemeyer isnt the first expert to study the link between narcissism and risk tasking. A 2018 study, published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, saw psychology professor Ziyan Yang and his team administer a series of narcissist and non-narcissist statements to 229 Zhejiang University undergraduate students, who then had to decide which statements described them better. The study found that there was not only an association between narcissism and risky decision-making under high-risk circumstances, but also a potential mechanism underlying this association.

While speaking to The Independent, Dr Lyons also noted that wealthy individuals hes studied and worked with typically have not feared the risks associated with high-risk expeditions. According to Dr Lyons, this absence of fear may be a trait that links billionaires.

Its not like it carries over fully, but if they're more risk-adverse as a global kind of trait, typically they wouldn't be in the position they are, he said. Lets say billionaires make early investments in Apple or major tech companies. That openness towards risk is going to be applied into other areas of life.

According to Dr Lyons, theres also another factor to consider when examining the high-risk interests of billionaires - the likelihood that they will be photographed. Theyre being watched because of the extravagance of it, he said. The exposure also suggests its only billionaires doing this, but were all thrill seeking in some ways. Theyre just doing it on a level that is so extravagant and so extreme because of the accessibility they have to it with the money they have, and the media coverage.

He continued: And that exposure in the media makes other people of that sort of wealth circle go: Oh my gosh, I want that. And I can have, and I could get it.

Aside from the thrilling risks, and the wealth needed to make these trips possible, Dr Lyons said billionaires may seek these once-in-a-lifetime experiences simply because they make them happy.

Travel experiences lead to longer term mental health and happiness, rather than simply the accumulation of wealth itself, he said. Creating memories through travelling expands our sense of culture and the world. Theres something really significant about it towards our mental health. These are not the typical memories theyre trying to make, so this is an outlier too.
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Fans are defending a male employee at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Disneyland after a video showed the worker dressed as a Fairy Godmothers Apprentice.

This week, TikTok user Kourtni (@kourtnifaber) shared a video of her familys recent trip to the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California. The clip, which gained more than seven million views, shows a male-presenting park employee named Nick greeting visitors at the childrens boutique.

So, my names Nick. Im one of the Fairy Godmothers apprentices. Im here to shop you around and make all your selections for the day, they can be heard telling Kourtnis daughter at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

The Disneyland attraction allows children aged three to 12 to transform into a Disney prince or princess by choosing from a selection of costumes, hairstyles, makeup, nail colours, and accessories. The viral video showed the costumes ranging in price, from $250 to $450.

Meanwhile, employees at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique wear uniforms similar to the iconic Fairy Godmothers dress from the 1950 animated classic film, Cinderella.

Since it was posted this week, the TikTok video has received much backlash from conservative commentators, amidst an ongoing wave of anti-trans sentiment towards gender-inclusive advertising.

Stop taking your family to Disney, tweeted TV host Sara Gonzales, while Rubin Report host Dave Rubin wrote: Think how many real girls want that job at Disney and they gave it to him for a reason

Despite the supposed boycott, many fans have taken to social media to show their support for the Disneyland employee. Nick seems like an amazing person and one of the best at spreading magic, commented one viewer.

I just fell in love with Nick. We need more Nicks in our world! another wrote.

This is actually a good thing, said someone else on Twitter. Representation matters and children should be able to know that this is OK!

Other Disney-goers took the opportunity to share their own alleged interactions with Nick at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. He was the sweetest. My daughter was worried about getting her nails done and he was so good and patient with her, said one TikToker.

We had Nick and my girls loved him. He was so awesome! another commented.

The Independent has contacted Kourtni and Disney for comment.

In 2022, the Walt Disney Company announced that employees at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will receive the gender-neutral title change from Fairy Godmothers in Training to Fairy Godmothers Apprentices in an effort to be more inclusive.

The backlash to the Disneyland employee comes amidst widespread outrage as retailers such as Target, Kohls and Adidas include gender-inclusive clothing in their Pride Month collections. Last week, Target announced in a statement that it would be pulling some Pride merchandise from stores and its website after employees experienced threats over the items  including a tuck-friendly bathing suit option and greeting cards that used inclusive language.

Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year, Target said in their statement.

Meanwhile, Adidas faced criticism after including a male-presenting model wearing a womens swimsuit in its Pride Month campaign. Conservative critics claimed the photoshoot was erasing women by using the model to advertise its female clothing.

The sportswear brands Pride 2023 collection  which was designed by queer, South African designer Rich Mnisi  was created as a symbol for self-acceptance and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
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Amy Dowden has said she showed her reconstructed breast to her former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Sara Davies, after undergoing a mastectomy to treat breast cancer.

The professional dancer revealed that Davies was helping to adminiser an injection as she continues to recover from her operation, which took place two weeks ago.

Dowden, 32, also spoke about her surgery in more detail via her Instagram Stories and said she had no choice but to undergo a full mastectomy because she had more than one tumour.

In May, the TV star revealed she had been diagnosed with grade three breast cancer, which is the most aggressive grade, but doctors caught it early. She also suffers from Crohns disease and has been praised for raising awareness of the condition.

She posted an Instagram Story with Davies on Monday (26 June) and explained that she had to give herself a new injection using a syringe rather than a pen, and Davies was there to help her.

Ive not done it on my own before so guess whos going to do it with me? she said, before gesturing towards Davies, who smiled at the camera. You dont mind, do you? Also, what did I show you last night?

Davies replied: I got to see the new boob. Its a nice boob! Amy laughed as she said that Davis suggested she should get the other one done.

I just said, that is one good-looking boob! the former Dragons Den star clarified. Marvellous job. Fantastic!

Dowden added: Other than the nipple, you wouldnt really know, would you?

Dowden on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 with McFlys Tom Fletcher (BBC/Guy Levy)

In another video, the dancer explained that after her mastectomy, doctors were able to put the implant in her breast rather than an expander to help stretch the skin for a later surgery.

For me, its a better option because [it means] no more surgery. I woke up and theyd managed to put the implant in, so I have had reconstruction, she told fans.

I believe later on you can have the nipple tattooed  not sure if Im gonna do that yet.

Dowdens post-surgery recovery comes as the Duchess of York is recuperating from her own mastectomy, after it was confirmed this week that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Sarah Fergusons spokesperson said on Sunday (25 June) that the duchess was advised she needed to undergo surgery which has taken place successfully and that she is now recuperating with her family.

Britain Sarah Ferguson (Invision)

She spoke about her diagnosis in the latest episode of her podcast with businesswoman Sarah Thomson and urged everyone listening to go and get checked Dont wait.

Dowden revealed her diagnosis in an interview with Hello! magazine and said she has got a really good chance of getting back out on the dance floor as soon as possible.

She added that she hopes to raise awareness around breast cancer alongside her existing work on Crohns, which is a lifelong disease where parts of the digestive system become inflamed. In 2020, she released a BBC documentary about living with the disease titled Strictly Amy: Crohns and Me.

After her surgery, Dowden said she was waiting to find out if she needs to have just radiotherapy or additional chemotherapy. She told The Mirror that Strictly was leaving the door open if she can return to the show.

If I only have radiotherapy, Ill be back on Strictly this season, she said. Once radiotherapy is done therell be nothing to stop me, theres no pressure but Strictly is leaving the door open. Its having something to work towards.

Dowden is married to her long-term partner Benjamin Jones, who is also a professional dancer. The couple wed in 2022, after having to reschedule their wedding due to the Covid pandemic.
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Who would win a fight between Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg? Its the sort of question that might be asked over a drink in the pub.

But a clash between the two of the worlds tech tycoons may no longer be hypothetical after Mr Zuckerberg apparently agreed to a cage fight with Mr Musk.

When rumours emerged earlier this month that the Facebook boss  a Jiu Jitsu enthusiast  was looking for a rival, the Space X and Tesla founder tweeted that he was up for a cage match.

Mr Zuckerberg then posted a screenshot of the tweet with the caption send me location.

Now that a fight appears on the cards, how would the two men match up inside the ring?

At more than 6ft tall, Mr Musk would have a clear reach advantage over Mr Zuckerberg, who measures up at 5ft 8in.

His height also means he would also have a significant weight advantage over his opponent, but Mr Zuckerbergs Jiu Jitsu skills - he recently won his first gold and silver medals at a Silicon Valley tournament - would undoubtedly enable him to get out of a few sticky situations on the canvas.

Mr Musk joked he had a great move to show off, noting that his workout regime consists mostly of spending time with his children.

I have this great move that I call The Walrus where I just lie on top of my opponent & do nothing, he tweeted.

He added: I almost never work out, except for picking up my kids & throwing them in the air.

Musk would have a significant reach advantage over his opponent

In 2020, Mr Musk also told Joe Rogan that he wouldnt exercise at all if [he] could.

Although Mr Zuckerberg is smaller and lighter than Mr Musk, his technical ability and aerobic capacity could prove too much for the Tesla boss, who earlier this year said that his typical breakfast included a bowl of ice cream, biscuits and a donut.

Mr Zuckerberg says he used to run a lot and got into surfing and then MMA after the Covid pandemic.

I really like watching UFC for example, thats because I also like doing the sport [MMA], he said on the Joe Rogan Experience.

It really is the best sport, five minutes in I was like where has this best my whole life? To some degree, MMA is the perfect thing because if you stop paying attention for one second youre going to end up on bottom.

In addition to his martial arts skills, Mr Zuckerberg also recently participated in the Murph Challenge, a gruelling workout named after Lt Michael P Murphy, a Navy Seal who was killed in action in 2005. The challenge, which the 39 year old said he tries to do each year with his daughters, involves 100 pull ups, 200 push ups, 300 squats, and a mile-long run, all while wearing a 20-pound weighted vest.

This year I got it done in 39:58. The girls did a quarter-Murph (unweighted) in 15 mins! he wrote on Instagram on 29 May.

According to Total Shape, a health and fitness platform that provides resources and expertise from fitness experts, Mr Zuckerbergs ability to complete extreme fitness challenges and technique with mixed martial arts showcases he has substantial ability and endurance.

When it comes down to who would win in a fight, it is agility vs strength, experts at Total Shape say, while noting that, based on general endurance and skill for cage fighting, Mark Zuckerberg would have the upper hand.

However, having strength and longer reach can give a fighter a lead when it comes to forceful striking and make it more difficult for the opponent to strike back.

Ultimately, the health and fitness experts at Total Shape conclude: Placing both titans in a cage, Mark Zuckerberg would have the edge of agility and endurance needed to take Mr Musk down, given Mr Musk isnt able to forcefully strike him earlier on in the fight.

The potential face-off comes amid rumours that Mr Zuckerberg is preparing to create a new app to rival Twitter, which is expected to be called Threads.

The app, internally codenamed Project 92, will reportedly feature a continuous scroll of text, buttons similar to Twitters like and retweet functions, and a 500-character limit on posts.

It is not the first time Mr Musk has called for a fight with a global figure. In August last year he challenged the Russian president to a scrap.

"I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to a fight. The prize is Ukraine," he wrote.

Putin didnt respond to the goading but the irony was apparently lost on his Chechen war lord ally, Ramzan Kadyrov.

"A word of advice: dont measure your strength against Putins, youre in two different leagues," the henchman warned.

In a statement to Verge about whether a fight will indeed take place between Mr Zuckerberg and Mr Musk, a spokesperson for Meta said: The story speaks for itself.
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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
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Parents and carers of children in secondary school are still spending exorbitant amounts on school uniforms, a charity has said.

According to research conducted by The Childrens Society, which surveyed 2,000 parents across the UK in May, on average they are spending 422 per year on uniforms and 287 for primary school children.

The survey found that on average pupils were expected to have three branded items, with 29% of secondary school pupils expected to own up to five branded items including PE kits, and 13% expected to have at least seven.

So how exactly can parents and carers save money on school uniforms?

Buy secondhand

Sometimes theres a means to buy secondhand uniforms at the school through the Parent Teacher Association, Matthew Easter, chairman of The Schoolwear Association, says.

But if this isnt the case, he adds: Parents should challenge schools and members of staff to provide better financial support to parents.

Parents can even ask the school to reach an agreement with their recommended retail partner, to help them save money.

Have a look on local Facebook sites or sometimes schools have secondhand sales themselves, advises teacher, mother and money saving expert Sophie Bradbury. Sometimes you can get uniform thats barely been worn as someones grown out of it too quickly. If you know anyone with children in their older years, ask them. Chances are theyve still got some old jumpers or polo shirts hanging around.

Also check out your local charity shops and make sure to ask if they have any uniform out the back. Charity shops dont put everything out straight away, so its always worth an ask. [You can also try] car boot sales. I always see old uniforms going for pennies.

Its great when siblings attend the same school too, because you can pass down their old items.

Buy good quality uniform that lasts

Its tempting to buy cheap school uniforms, but for Easter suggests its better to focus on quality over quantity.

Easter is a parent of two girls aged seven and 10, and understands the strain it can put on families.

School uniforms are unique pieces of clothing, because pupils wear it for at least 196 days every year. It hardly changes too and doesnt get lost as much as parents think  its only a small proportion. So why not invest in quality branded clothing that will last your child for a few years?

It means you can focus on purchasing the quality staple branded items, including a blazer, jumper  depending on the school  and tie from recommended retailers and then get skirts, trousers, white shirts, shoes and anything else required from independent retailers or supermarkets on the high street.

In reality, Easter suggests parents end up spending more in a shorter space of time buying lower quality uniforms, because they might need to be replaced.

Buy it big so you get more out of it

Uniforms tend not to be a one-time cost: youll have to buy replacements whenever you child has a growth spurt and the garments no longer fit.

An easy hack to minimising the amount of new uniforms you have to buy? Buy the items a bit too big, giving your child time to grow into it.

Recycle or upcycle

Clothing is one of the worlds most polluting industries, so dont throw your uniform away.

You can always donate them to organisations that upcycle and recycle school uniforms, such as the Re:Form scheme (run by Trutex), which sells pre-owned uniforms at reduced prices.

Or organisations like Pickni Uniforms, founded by Croydon rapper Jords and his friend Jamahl Rowl, which collaborates with schools, community organisations, and social service agencies to provide free school uniforms to students from low economic backgrounds.
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Jennifer Lawrence has revealed the ultimate gift she gave Robert De Niro after he welcomed his seventh child.

In a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Lawrence spoke about her former co-star, Robert De Niro, welcoming a baby daughter with girlfriend Tiffany Chen. When two WWHL audience members asked Lawrence if she had sent De Niro a post-baby present, the 32-year-old actor replied: I did one better, I sent over a baby nurse.

Im really happy for him, Lawrence added. Meanwhile, host Andy Cohen applauded Lawrence for the kind gesture, saying that nights sleep is the best gift to offer a new parent.

Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro previously starred together in the 2012 comedy-drama, Silver Linings Playbook, for which Lawrence received her first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Last May, Robert De Niro revealed he had become a father for the seventh time in an interview with ET Canada. When interviewer Brittnee Blair said, I know you have six kids, he corrected her and responded: Seven, actually. I just had a baby.

His daughter, Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro, was born on 6 April. At the premiere of his film About My Father on 9 May, De Niro also told Page Six that the pregnancy was planned. How you could not plan that kind of thing? he said.

Shortly after the Godfather II star announced the baby news, his About My Father co-star Kim Cattrall appeared to confirm he had welcomed the child with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen. According to People, De Niro met the martial arts instructor while filming The Intern in 2015.

God bless him, his significant other, Cattrall told Extra. Tiffany is such a beautiful woman. She came to the set once with her family and watched filming, and she was gorgeous and sweet. Im happy for both of them.

The 79-year-old actor later offered some parenting advice during an interview with Access Hollywood, in which he was asked what it takes to be a good father.

Sometimes, I dont think people really know what being a good father is, he replied, before correcting himself and adding: Well, they do. You know you have your responsibility.

The Goodfellas star continued: Look, its a mystery, its a lot of excitement. But its scary and you do your best.

De Niro has six other children from previous relationships. The actor and his first wife, American actor Diahnne Abbott, are parents to daughter Drena, 51, and son Raphael, 46. The pair were married from 1976 to 1988.

In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with his former girlfriend, model Toukie Smith. De Niro also shares son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen Grace, 11, with his ex-wife Grace Hightower.

Meanwhile, Lawrence is also a parent herself. She shares one-year-old son Cy with art gallerist husband, Cooke Maroney.
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Ive worked hard to mask my lifelong animosity towards dogs. Their barks, their smells, the way they multiplied around me during the pandemic and filled my local parks with their poops. But two things recently have left me feeling like Im the one in the doghouse. Firstly, following a long, excellent first date with someone I met on an app, after walks, wine, overshares and snogs, I was told the next day by text that she ultimately couldnt see me fitting into her busy life as a dog mum. Id been c**k-blocked by a cocker spaniel. Yet being in a degrading man-woman-dog love triangle wasnt the final straw  it was finance, not romance. Recently someone told me, in the context of a possible career change, that dog care in a bougie neighbourhood nearby in East London costs around 40 a day. In my slightly fragile, single and insecure state, the idea that someone would spend hard cash on a dog, yet not want to spend time with me left me rattled. I was snubbed and thus obsessed with my canine opponents. I had to find out more.

A quick Google showed that over in west London, doggy daycare can cost up to 60 per day. Sure, the facilities at some places across the UK sounded hilarious  some have spas and chill-out areas, some have trampolines  but the economics were the starkest part. This was an expense on a par with childcare, which on average costs Londoners 182.50 for 25 hours a week for toddlers. The same amount of supervision at a west London doggy daycare centre would cost a mind-melting 1,500. For  let me just reiterate  a dog.

As a parent of two human children, I didnt explode in righteousness when my date described herself as a dog mum. I think owning a dog is different from parenting a child, but I also know that using terms like Dog Dad or Plant Mum is part of the inescapable Etsy-fication of our lives, where were encouraged to boil ourselves down to slogans that can go on a T-shirt or a Live Laugh Love-style sign as a way of fending off the agonising emptiness of modern life. But semantics aside, it was clear to me that dogs were getting all the money and all the babes. I needed to understand my opponent a little better.

I remembered that an old friend from school called Sam was working with dogs, in a capacity Id never quite understood, so I got back in contact  expecting him to tell me such prices were an anomaly. 40 a day? I charge 30 per hour, was his jaw-dropping reply. So I arranged to meet Sam, who is in fact both a dog trainer and a walker, one morning to accompany him on his rounds in the residential areas near Old Street and Farringdon. We met in the shadows of a gleaming trio of luxury high-rises, which he surmised probably has the highest concentration of dog owners anywhere on the planet. He had pleasingly bonkers insights into the financial extremes people will go to for their pooches: the owner who had recently installed a 500 air-con unit for their sausage dog, the one who had spent 30,00 on a bionic leg, and another who had spent 50,000 on brain surgery. Some have birthday parties with games and food; one lucky dog has seven whole beds. I found it all delightful and terrifying at the same time, like a Kinder Egg filled with anthrax.

But what I wasnt expecting was that Id be so damn charmed by his own relationship with dogs. Sam is 6ft 8 and has more charisma than a million awards shows. He currently has a full client list, but whenever theres a lull, he simply heads to a park with his own dog, Callum, and casually does a few tricks with him. Dog lovers flock to talk to him, and hes set. Even on our modest rounds, hes asked for a business card, while cafe owners and other locals stop and greet his charges by name. He lives a charmed life and engenders respect. And sure, maybe thats not surprising for someone who, in his words, is one inch away from technically being a giant. But its his patent dedication to dogs and the psychology of dog ownership that looms even larger. While some of his clients didnt even know their dogs needed to be walked before they bought them, as a trainer Sam is able to assess even the most difficult dogs and work with them until they exist in harmony with their owner and their owners lifestyle. Watching his ease and command with dogs was genuinely magnetic, it made a real impact on me.

And yet, even a pro like Sam still thinks the worlds gone a bit dog mad. Theres of course a problem with a society where wealthy dogs are leading better lives than struggling humans in the same city. My favourite subtle experience of this was seeing a young, discretely affluent couple getting on a train in a once working-class neighbourhood, a whippet in tow. The train was packed solid, yet the dog had a bandana loudly exclaiming I NEED SPACE. Which felt a little huffy, amongst tired, sardined humans just trying to get home from work. Beyond the wild economics of it all, theres also the resource of time. Young, child-free couples who sabotage their social life in the name of dog daddying, for example. Or couples who break up, move to different towns, yet still meet twice a week to hand over their shared-custody canine  in a lay-by that once upon a time, ironically, might have been a dogging hotspot.

But having someone explain the psychology of dog owning helped me understand that all of this madness  and I do reserve the right to call it madness  is at least born out of a clear sense of love for a fellow sentient being. Occasionally cute ones, at that. Plus, nobody would spend all this money and bag the warm faeces of something which didnt, in some small way, give love back. Its a lifestyle choice that Ive perhaps been a bit judgemental towards, based too long on the glaring inequalities of the city Ive lived in all my life. But seeing first-hand how much joy they spread on Sams rounds alone made me feel quite stupid for being quite so negative for so long. Next week, Im meeting Sams dog Callum. Maybe Ill even ask to see a trick or two. Dogs: I humbly accept you are a worthy adversary.
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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.
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It was never about making history for Deb Haaland, but rather making her parents proud.

She says she worked hard, putting herself through school, starting a small business to pay bills and eventually finding her way into politics  first as a campaign volunteer and later as the first Native American woman to lead a political party in New Mexico.

The rest seems like history. Haaland was sworn in as one of the first two Native American women in Congress in 2019. Two years later, she took the reins at the U.S. Interior Department  an agency whose responsibilities stretch from managing energy development to meeting the nations treaty obligations to 574 federally recognized tribes.

Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet member in the U.S., spoke to The Associated Press about her tenure leading the 70,000-employee agency that oversees subsurface minerals and millions of acres of public land.

The hardest part? Balancing the interests of every single American, she said.

I might feel one way about an issue personally. It doesnt mean that thats the decision thats going to be made, said Haaland, 62, sitting in the shade of the towering cottonwood trees that line her backyard in Albuquerque. There is a process, so I am dedicated to that. I really do want to find a balance.

Criticism of Haaland has mounted in recent weeks. Environmentalists slammed her department's approval of the massive Willow oil project in Alaska, while a Republican-led U.S. House committee opened an investigation into ties between Haaland and an Indigenous group from her home state of New Mexico that advocates for halting oil and gas production on public lands.

Both Democratic and Republican members of Congress also have grilled her about her agencys $19 billion budget request. Critics say the Interior Department under her guidance had failed to conduct quarterly oil and gas lease sales as required under law, doubled the time it takes to get permits, and raised royalty rates charged to energy companies to discourage domestic production and advance the administration's climate goals.

Haaland defended the Biden administrations priorities, reiterating that her department was following the law and was on track to meet the administration's goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

But even some Democratic senators who support more wind and solar energy development have questioned that timeline, saying some projects take years to be permitted and could be at risk. Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico did not get a response from Haaland when asking when the first utility-scale offshore wind projects would be permitted

Haaland said she had an idea of what the Cabinet job might entail, having served in Congress and as a member of Joe Bidens platform committee when he was the Democratic presidential nominee. Many of Biden's ideals about climate change, renewable energy and conservation mirrored her own.

What gets conserved and how is at the root of a few thorny projects Haaland must navigate, from the Willow project to a drilling moratorium around a national park near northwestern New Mexico's Chaco Canyon, and now protests by Native American tribes over a proposed lithium mine in Nevada.

There isnt a one-size-fits-all for any of these things, she said. "We have to take each one individually and find the best solution that we can."

Native American tribes are not always pleased with the outcome, she acknowledged.

Every tribe, I think, is different. Their opportunities are different. Their lifestyles are different and its up to us to make sure that we get them to the table to tell us whats important to them, she said. ... And we do our best, as I said, to balance whatever the project is  using the science, using the law.

Haaland's heritage as a member of Laguna Pueblo makes her unlike any previous secretary, and she's aware of the added expectations from Indian Country as she leads an agency with a fraught and even murderous history with Native tribes.

She has worked to boost consultation efforts with tribal governments, allocate more resources to help address the alarming rate of disappearances and deaths among Native Americans, and launched an investigation into the federal government's role in boarding schools that sought to assimilate Native children over decades.

Wenona Singel, an associate professor at Michigan State University College of Law and director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center, pointed to the stories Haaland has told about her grandparents being taken from their families when they were children. The story is similar to Singel's own family and many others.

She understands the pain and the trauma of having our ancestors be stripped of their culture and their language and their Native identity, said Singel, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.  She has demonstrated a deeper understanding of our nations need to come to grips with the reality of this history and the way in which it continues to impact our communities today.

For Haaland, there's no way to disconnect from her heritage: I am who I am.

Haaland grew up in a military family  her late father was a decorated Marine and her late mother spent more than two decades working for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs after serving in the U.S. Navy. Haaland often talks about how her mother  who also was a member of Laguna Pueblo  raised her to be fierce.

Haaland, a mother herself, got married in 2021 to her longtime partner Skip Sayre. They share a home in Albuquerque with their two rescue dogs  Remington and Winchester.

Haaland still hangs her clothes on the line out back to dry in the New Mexico sun, finds time to be outside every day and makes big batches of her own red chile sauce with garlic and oregano, freezing it so she has a ready supply when she comes home.

Despite moving around as a kid, Haaland said her traditions keep her grounded. In fact, she's working to finish her master's degree in American Indian studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, a feat nearly 25 years in the making.

Haaland's mother was the one who encouraged her to finish her thesis  an exploration of Laguna Pueblo's traditional foods. Haaland was proud to say she turned the paper in to her committee in early June, looking to show that Indigenous knowledge continues to be carried down and that the foods eaten at Laguna Pueblo  including stew and piki bread  haven't changed since the tribe migrated from the Chaco Canyon area generations ago. While modern ovens may have taken the place of hot stones, Haaland said Laguna's foods are still rooted in tradition.

One of her first obligations as a Pueblo woman is to nurture her family and community, and Haaland said that's not unlike the demands of her current job: to manage and protect natural resources and cultural heritage.

You have values as a human being," she said. Thats the way youre raised by your family, and thats what I bring to the table.
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Scientists have identified the oldest evidence hinting at cannibalism in humans close relative species who likely butchered and ate each other.

The study published on Monday in the journal Scientific Reports, assessed nine cut marks on a 1.45 million-year-old left shin bone from a relative of modern humans found in northern Kenya.

Researchers, including those from the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History in the US, say the cut marks seem to have been caused due to damage inflicted by stone tools.

They say this could be the oldest instance of cannibalism in a human relative species 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, study co-author Briana 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, Dr Pobiner said.

Researchers first came across the fossil shin bone in the collections of the National Museums of Kenyas Nairobi National Museum while looking for clues about which prehistoric predators might have been hunting and eating humans ancient relatives.

When looking at the shin bone for bite marks from extinct beasts with a handheld magnifying glass, Dr Pobiner instead noticed what immediately looked to her like evidence of butchery.

She then sent molds of the cuts made with the same material dentists use to create impressions of teeth.

Researchers then 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.

Scientists could positively identify nine of the 11 marks as clear matches for the type of damage inflicted by stone tools and the other two as likely bite marks from a big cat.

While the cut marks by themselves do not prove that the human relative who inflicted them may have also made a meal out of the leg, Dr Pobiner suspects this was the most likely scenario.

She says the cuts are located on the shin where a calf muscle would have attached to the bone  a good place to cut if the goal is to remove a chunk of flesh.

The marks were also found to be all oriented in such a way 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 Ive seen on animal fossils that were being processed for consumption. 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, Dr Pobiner said.

However, scientists say there is not enough evidence to conclusively infer this as a sign of cannibalism as that would require the eater and the eaten to hail from the same species.

While the fossil bone is known to be that of a human relative species, experts say there is not enough information to assign the specimen to a particular species of hominin.

They say the use of stone tools also does not narrow down which species might have been doing the cutting.

Some researchers have further called into question the once-common assumption that only one genus, Homo, made and used stone tools.

While this fossil evidence may be a trace of prehistoric cannibalism, it is also likely that this may have been a case of one human ancestor or relative species chowing down on a cousin species.

It is also hard to infer anything about the order of events that took place based on the bite marks, researchers say.

They say a lion may have scavenged the remains after hominins removed most of the meat from the leg bone or alternatively a big cat that killed an unlucky hominin was likely chased off before opportunistic hominins took over the kill.

However, the findings underscore the value of museum collections, researchers say.
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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.

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.
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Protesters in Brighton have shown support for the councils plan to launch legal action against the Home Office for reopening a hotel where more than 100 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children went missing.

More than 100 people gathered outside Brighton Town Hall on Tuesday to oppose the move, with campaigners hoping that Brighton and Hove City Councils bid could lead to action across the country to also stop it happening anywhere else.

Sussex Police have confirmed 139 young people went missing from Hove since July 2021 and 90 children have been found.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader councillor Bella Sankey said last week that the Home Office informed the council of plans to reopen the hotel despite 50 children still unaccounted for.

The former director of refugee charity Detention Action said: We believe this is reckless and unlawful, and we are pressing ahead with urgent legal action to try and stop this from happening.

Social worker and Homes Not Hotels campaigner Lauren Starkey shared some of the experiences working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Speaking at the protest, she told PA news agency: We have seen real concerns about children being in hotels that they said are really neglectful conditions.

Not having enough food, not understanding who is to care for them, being unable to access proper healthcare.

Ms Starkey also explained the Government messaging about sending asylum seekers to Rwanda and return deals with other countries makes them fearful of being sent back to countries they fled, and more likely to trust unknown adults approaching them and become vulnerable to traffickers.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Due to the rise in dangerous small boats crossings, the Government has had no alternative but to urgently use hotels to give unaccompanied asylum-seeking children arriving in the UK a roof over their heads.

The wellbeing of children and minors in our care is an absolute priority, and there is 24/7 security at every hotel used to accommodate them.

It is understood the borders and immigration watchdog found in October last year that young people in accommodation reported feeling safe, happy and treated with respect.

Campaign group Home Not Hotels is demanding the Home Office treats unaccompanied asylum-seeking children the same way as other children in need of protection, and provide funding needed for councils to carry out their duties.

The group is also demanding if the hotel is to reopen that Brighton and Hove City Council ensure no child is able to stay in the hotel for longer than 24 hours.

Among those attending the event, Alison Bell, 60, from group Lewes Organisation in Support of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, said: We wouldnt put our children in those hotels  those children went missing, I cant believe its all happening again.

Homes Not Hotels member Hermione Berendt, who also volunteers for refugee charity Care4Calais, said: The evidence is there, leaving these children in limbo in hotels, without adequate support and protection, puts them at risk.

The Government needs to abandon this plan, but if they dont then Brighton and Hove Council needs to step up and start a legal challenge against it.

Across Sussex, a total of 227 children have been reported missing in Hove and Eastbourne since July 2021, and 141 have been found.

Sussex Police has a unit within its missing persons team to focus on finding missing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and is continuing to work with the Home Office.

In data on children found, first seen by the Brighton Argus newspaper, Sussex Police said 15 had been arrested for a variety of offences across the country including cannabis cultivation and theft.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: When people go missing, our primary role is to investigate the circumstances including assessing if they are vulnerable or could have been a victim of crime.

Once a person is located, where criminality is associated with either the initial disappearance or subsequent harbouring of those wishing to remain missing, Sussex Police will assess and take positive action as appropriate.
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Two Dyson companies have brought a Court of Appeal bid over a judges ruling about whether a broadcast that alleged the exploitation of factory workers referred to the firms.

Dyson Technology Limited and Dyson Limited, along with Sir James Dyson himself, sued the broadcaster and Independent Television News (ITN) for libel over a broadcast of Channel 4s news programme on February 10 2022.

The High Court previously heard the programme reported on a legal action brought against the vacuum cleaning giant by several workers at a Malaysian factory which previously supplied products to Dyson.

The programme was estimated to have been seen by millions of viewers, and featured interviews with workers at ATA Industrial, who said they faced abuse and inhuman conditions while at the factory, which manufactured vacuum cleaners and air filters.

Sir James and the two companies previously said the broadcast falsely claimed they were complicit in systematic abuse and exploitation of the workers.

In a preliminary ruling in October 2022, Mr Justice Nicklin dismissed Sir James claim, finding he was not defamed.

The judge also found that, without considering external evidence, the broadcast had not referred to the two companies.

At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, lawyers for the two companies made a bid to overturn this decision, describing it as an error of law.

Hugh Tomlinson KC, for the two firms, said the High Court judge adopts a too legalistic analysis of the text of the broadcast in his ruling.

The barrister said: He sits back, he analyses the broadcast  and Im not engaging with the fine details of that analysis, as one might expect its a perfectly sensible and credible analysis  but its just not what the reasonable viewer would do.

Mr Tomlinson continued: Hes saying it all depends on the ultimate factual situation and we say thats the wrong way around.

The ultimate factual situation doesnt matter, its what viewers reasonably understand the factual situation to be.

However, Adam Wolanski KC, for Channel 4 and ITN, said it would have been impossible for the High Court judge to have found the broadcast referred to the two companies based on the information he had.

He told the Court of Appeal: The judge on intrinsic reference had next to nothing about these particular claimant companies and was therefore deprived of information that might have enabled him to link the allegations in the broadcast with a specific claimant.

The barrister added: Once the court appreciates the difficulty the judge had, it is readily understandable he was unable to conclude that the words related to these specific corporate claimants.

The hearing before Lord Justice Dingemans, Lord Justice Birss and Lord Justice Warby is due to conclude on Tuesday with a decision expected at a later date.
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A further bid to throw out an extradition hearing of a man suspected of rape in the US has failed.

Lawyers for Nicholas Rossi, who authorities believe faked his own death in the United States to evade prosecution, applied for the hearing to be discharged after they claimed Rossi was not brought before a sheriff within the appropriate timeframe and was not processed at a police station in the normal way following his arrest in December 2021.

It was also claimed Rossi did not receive a copy of a crucial National Crime Agency (NCA) document along with the Interpol red notice that had been served on him by Pc Dominic McLarnon at the time of his arrest.

Rossi was not present at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday when Sheriff Norman McFadyen refused to discharge the hearing due to transport issues at HMP Edinburgh where he is on remand.

Sheriff McFadyen said he did not feel that Rossis case was prejudiced as a result of the delay in bringing him before the court in December 2021 because he was the sickest patient the hospital had seen with Covid at the time of his arrest, and it was entirely reasonable that alternatives should be sought.

Sheriff McFadyen said the evidence given in court on Monday by Pc Dominic McLarnon should be accepted.

The sheriff said: It was clear what it was he served and it was the only time he had served such documents, he remembered it clearly.

He gave his evidence clearly, while I found the requested person (Rossi) to be evasive.

On Monday, another bid to have the hearing thrown out was also rejected.

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.

He is expected to appear at court on Tuesday afternoon where the hearing will continue.
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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.
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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.

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.

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.
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A healthcare worker who liked and shared a video of an offensive song about murdered Co Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey has had a claim that she was unfairly sacked from her job dismissed.

An industrial tribunal panel described the streaming of the video in an Orange Hall last year as a truly disgraceful event and ruled that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust was entitled to dismiss Rhonda Shiels from her employment.

There was widespread condemnation after the footage which was livestreamed from Dundonald Orange Hall in May 2022 showed a number of men singing a song which appeared to mock the daughter of former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte, who was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.

Ms Shiels had been employed by the Southern Trust as a healthcare assistant for five years.

The footage had been livestreamed by Andrew McDade, who is Ms Shiels partner.

The singing of that song by a large group of people was not prevented or stopped by others present; it was in fact applauded. This had been a truly disgraceful event Written judgment

The industrial tribunal was told that Ms Shiels had liked and shared the video on her Facebook account.

In her evidence to the tribunal, Ms Shiels had stated that she had not watched all of the video and that she had switched if off before the point in which the offensive singing took place.

She said she had not become aware of the offensive singing until days later.

The trust had however concluded that she had behaved recklessly in liking and sharing the video without satisfying herself as to its content.

She had been dismissed from her job in July 2022 and her appeal against that decision was dismissed by the trust in August.

Ms Shiels then brought a claim of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal but stated she was not seeking re-instatement.

The written judgment said: On 28 May 2022, the claimant had attended an event in the grounds of Stormont.

On the same date, her partner had been taking part in a march organised by the Orange Order and had then been invited to Dundonald Orange Hall, together with other bandsmen and members, for refreshments.

The claimants partner had livestreamed a video from Dundonald Orange Hall on his own Facebook account.

The claimant (Shiels) had been immediately notified of that livestream and had opened it.

The claimant accepted in a statement of agreed facts that she had liked and shared the video.

The panel ruling stated: The background of this claim is the singing of a sectarian and misogynistic song in Dundonald Orange Hall.

The singing of that song by a large group of people was not prevented or stopped by others present; it was in fact applauded.

This had been a truly disgraceful event.

The judgment concluded: The decision by the respondent (Southern Trust) to uphold the charges of gross misconduct and to impose a penalty of summary dismissal was, in the opinion of the tribunal, a decision which a reasonable employer could properly have reached in all the circumstances of this case.

This had been an act of recklessness and a clear breach of the social media policy.

It had had a severe and continuing impact on the respondents activities in providing services to the public and would inevitably have had a serious impact in relation to the claimants working relationships with other employees and indeed with members of the public with whom she came into contact in the course of her work.

It had been such a serious matter that a reasonable employer could properly and summarily dismiss the employee for a first offence.

The claimants reckless act in liking and sharing this video on her own Facebook account had brought the respondent into serious disrepute.

The circumstances were such that summary dismissal was justified.

Mr McDade lost an industrial tribunal case against his sacking from his job as a lorry driver earlier this month.

Jamie Bryson, who represented Ms Shiels during the hearing, said his client was disappointed by the ruling and would consider all appeal options.

He added: Ms Shiels apologised again to the Harte and McAreavey family during the tribunal, and repeats the apology for any hurt unintentionally caused by her actions, which were held to be reckless, but not intentional, in liking and sharing a video without satisfying herself as to the content.
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Just 6% of people agree with the Governments definition of what counts as a new hospital, research suggests.

A YouGov poll of 2,036 people found that few agree with the Government that it can include an entirely new hospital, a new wing or a major refurbishment of an existing building.

Meanwhile, 92% said a whole new hospital built from scratch on a site which previously did not contain a hospital would match their definition of new hospital.

Last month, Health Secretary Steve Barclay told the Commons the Government remains committed to building 40 new hospitals in England by 2030  a key Tory manifesto commitment.

Mr Barclay told MPs there has been a change to which hospitals are included in the programme owing to the need to urgently deal with some hospitals that are in danger of collapse due to them being built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

He acknowledged that, as a result, work may not be completed by 2030 for up to eight of the original group.

We are on track to deliver our commitment to build 40 new hospitals in England by 2030, which is now expected to be backed by over 20 billion of investment in hospital infrastructure Department of Health spokeswoman

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said the announcement does not match its understanding and there is a need for a full rebuild of St Marys Hospital in London as well as major refurbishment and expansion at Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals.

In the new YouGov poll, shared exclusively with the PA news agency, people were asked to choose as many as they wanted from a list of what defines a new hospital.

Overall, 92% thought it meant a brand new hospital built from scratch, 14% thought that adding a major new clinical building or new wing to an existing hospital, containing a whole clinical service such as maternity or childrens services may constitute a new hospital, while 20% said the same of a complete or major refurbishment of an existing hospital.

Just 6% thought all three met the definition.

Conservative voters were just as likely as Labour and Liberal Democrat voters to say they thought a new hospital was defined as an entirely new hospital.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: We are on track to deliver our commitment to build 40 new hospitals in England by 2030, which is now expected to be backed by over 20 billion of investment in hospital infrastructure.

Weve always been clear each of the hospital building projects will deliver brand new, state-of-the-art facilities to provide world-class healthcare for NHS patients and staff by replacing outdated infrastructure.
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The last portrait painted by artist Gustav Klimt before his death has sold for 85.3m ($108.4m) at a London auction.

Sothebys said the sale of Lady With A Fan (Dame Mit Facher) in New Bond Street is a new record for Klimt and has become the most valuable work of art sold at auction in Europe.

Helena Newman, auctioneer and chairman of Sothebys Europe said: Dame Mit Facher (Lady With A Fan) is an absolute testament to Klimts artistic genius  a work that captured the imagination of everyone who saw it.

It was an honour to see that high level of enthusiasm play out here in London tonight, and to see the painting so hotly pursued.

And it was, of course, the greatest honour to bring down the hammer on a work that has, quite fittingly, made auction history.

In 2010, the auction house sold Swiss artist Alberto Giacomettis bronze sculpture Lhomme Qui Marche I (Walking Man I) for $104.3m (65m) in London.

Klimt, also famed for his work The Kiss (Der Kuss), died unexpectedly in 1918 at the age of 55.

He began work on Lady With A Fan in 1917, by which time he was among the most celebrated portrait artists in Europe, receiving commissions at prices far higher than his contemporaries.

Lady With a Fan was acquired shortly after his death by Viennese industrialist Erwin Boohler, whose family were close friends and patrons of both Klimt and fellow painter Egon Schiele. It was last sold at Sothebys in New York in 1994 for 7.8m  which set a record for the artist at the time.

His Birch Forest artwork fetched $104.6m (81.6m) last year when it was sold at Christies.

The auction house said that after 10 minutes bidding, the work went to a collector from Hong Kong.

Newman was quick to notice how the phoenix symbolism in the painting struck a chord with bidders from the region. James Roundell, a former head of Impressionist and modern art at Christies, also stressed the appeal of the decorative elements in Klimts work to Asian buyers.

Britain Klimt Auction (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Buyers in Asia have, in recent years, snapped up two more of Klimts work for a total sum of $320m.

Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II, previously owned by Oprah Winfrey, was sold in 2016 for $150m in one of the biggest private art deals of that year, Bloomberg reported.

The previous year, Water Serpents II (1904-1907) was sold privately by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $170 million.

Klimt began studying East Asian art as early as the 1890s. He wasinitially interested primarily in Japanese art, but also Chinese and Korean styles. In 2019, two exhibitions, Gustav Klimt: Vienna-Japan 1900 and Vienna on the Path to Modernism were held in Japan, celebrating the Austrian artists oriental influence, despite him never setting foot in the country.

Lady with Fan even had a dedicated exhibition at the Belvedere in Wien in 2021, exploring Oriental arts deep influence on the auctioned work.

As explained by the curators, Lady with Fan was clearly inspired by Klimts vast assortment of Asian artworks included Bijin-ga, which were depictions of renowned beauties such as courtesans and geishas in Japanese painting. The painting background is for instance a reference to Snow, Utagawa Kuniterus colored woodcut.

Klimt and the Secessionists brought Japanese art to Viennese society for the first time during their sixth exhibition, which solely focused on its aesthetics. Klimt drew significant inspiration from East Asian and particularly Japanese art, resulting in the creation of his acclaimed masterpieces such as Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907), Portrait of Eugenia Primavesi (1913/14), and Baby (Cradle) (1917/18).

Despite Asian collectors eagerness to anchor their art holdings with Western masterpieces, there is no doubt that Klimts influences will continue to attract deep-pocketed buyers from the region.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Thousands of households risk missing out on 400 of energy bills support if they do not make a claim in the next four days.

Many people on prepayment meters, often the most vulnerable, have not received the Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers that were paid out between October 2022 and March 2023 - with a combined 100 million still yet to be claimed before Fridays deadline.

Any household with an electricity supply in England, Scotland and Wales was eligible for the governments 400 discount, with the payment sent automatically in instalments to those paying by direct debit.

People on traditional prepayment meters were due to receive vouchers by text, email or post to redeem when they top up at the usual point - but many have gone unclaimed.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, urged anyone who has not claimed the vouchers to contact their electricity supplier.

He said: As energy bills have spiralled, National Energy Action knows how crucial the Government's 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 remain unclaimed.

The charity has said it has come across many cases where potential applicants have risked missing out because they did not know they were eligible.

"It's vital money at a time when it's never been needed more, Mr Scorer added.

National Energy Action data has shown the London boroughs of Westminster, Hampstead and Kilburn, Ealing Central and Acton, Brent Central, and Finchley and Golders Green are the areas where most vouchers are waiting to be redeemed.

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.
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Piers Morgans no-show at the Duke of Sussexs hacking trial dealt a fatal blow to the Mirror publishers defence, a court was told today.

Prince Harry alleges journalists at Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) gathered private information about him by illegal tactics such as voicemail interception and blagging.

His lawyer, David Sherborne, said in his closing submissions that this unlawful information gathering was habitual and widespread across all three of the MGN titles, the Mirror, Sunday Mirror and the People, between 1991 and 2011.

He told the court on Tuesday that MGNs failure to call former Mirror editor Mr Morgan to give evidence leaves fatal holes in the defence case.

Mr Morgan, who denies wrongdoing, said after the trial started that he would not take lectures on privacy invasion from Prince Harry.

Prince Harry leaves the High Court earlier this month (AP)

Mr Sherborne told the court: Rather than come and give evidence he has chosen instead to confine his comments to outside the courtroom.

Harrys lawyer said the absence of Mr Morgans evidence leaves enormous holes, we say fatal holes, in the defendants case.

MGN argues that the allegations about Mr Morgan and his purported knowledge of phone hacking are not relevant to this case.

Mr Morgan is a high-profile individual, and the allegations against him have generated a lot of publicity, its lawyers stated in their closing submissions.

However, it is not necessary for the allegations against him to be determined, and if it is necessary those matters are perfectly capable of resolution on the documentary evidence. Mr Morgans presence at trial would have been a disproportionate and unnecessary distraction from the issues actually before the court.

Lawyers for MGN also argued that Harrys legal claim is wildly overstated and substantially baseless, adding that he is motivated by his campaign to reform the British press rather than to obtain compensation.

In their written closing submissions to the High Court, MGNs lawyers said: This voicemail interception litigation is seemingly being used as a vehicle to seek to reform the British media today  with the Duke of Sussex referring to some articles published 30 years ago to support his campaign.

In seeking to hold one element of the tabloid press to account for intrusion the Duke of Sussex believes he has suffered at the hands of all press, irrespective of their involvement or lack thereof in unlawful information gathering, he has advanced a claim which is wildly overstated and substantially baseless.

MGN claims that Harrys undoubtedly fair resentment for his treatment by multiple different media outlets across many years has, on this occasion, been channelled into a specific cause of action and attributed to MGN.

Referring to the potential damages that could be awarded if a judge found in Harrys favour, MGN said that the Duke of Sussexs valuation of over 200,000 was grossly disproportionate given the complete absence of evidence.

Harrys claim against MGN is being heard alongside claims by Fiona Wightman, the ex-wife of comedian Paul Whitehouse, and the former Coronation street actors Michael Le Vell and Nikki Sanderson.

The case continues.
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A woman has set a new record for scaling all of Scotlands Munros  with her efforts raising money for charity.

Ultra-runner Jamie Aarons, 43, finished in 31 days 10 hours and 27 minutes, smashing the previous record for a self-propelled challenge by more than 12 hours.

This saw Ms Aarons  who is originally from California but moved to Scotland in 2005  run, cycle or kayak between each of the Munros, Scottish mountains with a height of more than 3,000 feet.

Starting at Ben More on the isle of Mull on May 26, Ms Aarons  who works as a social work adviser for the Scottish Government  ran some 1,500 kilometres and cycled about the same distance as part of what has become known as Jamies Munro Challenge.

Over the course of her challenge, she ascended 140,000 metres  the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times.

The record had previously been held by former marine Donnie Campbell, from Skye, who completed a similar challenge in 31 days, 23 hours and two minutes.

Ms Aarons climbed her final Munro, Ben Klibreck, in Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands at 4.57pm on Monday.

As well as setting a new record, she completed the challenge in less than half the previous fastest time for a woman, which had been set jointly by Libby Kerr and Lisa Trollope in 2017, with the pair taking 76 days and 10 hours.

Speaking at the start, she said: My journey will take me across the length and breadth of Scotland, across sea and lochs, from remote glens to the highest point in the United Kingdom; and across more miles of bog than I care to think about.

It is the third time the endurance athlete has climbed all of Scotlands Munros, with Ms Aarons first doing them in 2013 with partner Andy Taylor.

The couple then did all 282 peaks again a few years later, this time taking the rescue dogs they adopted from Spain, Pirate and Hope  who she has dubbed the Fluffs.

As well as breaking the record for a self-propelled Munro challenge, she has also raised cash for World Bicycle Relief.

The charity provides bikes to children in poorer nations, allowing them to ride to school as well as helping them get to health clinics and markets.

Ms Aarons said raising money for the good cause would help to motivate me through the tough miles, with the athlete raising almost 14,000 by the time she completed her challenge.
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The Home Office has admitted that new laws allowing it to deport all small boat migrants to Rwanda or other countries may not stop Channel crossings or save public money.

Deporting each asylum seeker will cost just under 170,000, according to an official assessment warning that the deterrent effect claimed by ministers is highly uncertain, and the punitive laws might drive asylum seekers onto other dangerous clandestine routes.

The damning report comes as a cross-party committee found plans to detain and deport all asylum seekers arriving on small boats are harmful, impractical and costly.

The women and equalities committee found that with no operational returns agreements in place, new laws would create prolonged detention with no certainty of release for asylum-seeking people who pose no threat to the public and for whom there is little prospect of removal from the UK.

Meanwhile, the Home Offices own assessment of the Illegal Migration Bill said:

It will cost an estimated 169,000 to deport each asylum seeker, compared to 106,000 to process them in the UK

It is not possible to estimate if the law will achieve its core aim of deterring Channel crossings

At least 37 per cent of small boat arrivals would have to be deterred for there to be no additional cost to the taxpayer

Practical complexities including insufficient detention capacity and a lack of deportation deals mean there is a risk the bill will not be fully delivered

It could cause unintended behavioural changes from migrants, including people switching from small boats to lorries and visa fraud

Yvette Cooper, the 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 said.

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.

The Home Office said the figure was not based on the payments agreed with Rwanda because they were commercially sensitive.

The document said it was unclear how many people will be removed and what third countries will receive them, with a Court of Appeal ruling on the Rwanda deal due on Thursday.

It found it was not possible to assess whether the Illegal Migration Bill would be value for public money overall, because it is not possible to estimate with precision the level of deterrence the bill might achieve.

The academic consensus is that there is little or 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, it warned.

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.

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.

There are also 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.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the document fails to evaluate the true costs and consequences of the new law.

The report called for the government to abandon any consideration of detaining and deporting children (PA Archive)

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.

A separate inquiry by parliaments women and equalities committee called for ministers to abandon any intention of detaining children or deporting them to Rwanda, saying the risk of harm outweighs the governments claim the move could be needed to deter small boat crossings.

Caroline Nokes, the Conservative chair of the committee, said: We were disturbed by the Home Offices inadequate management of risks of harm to asylum seekers with protected characteristics, including women, LGBT people, children and disabled people.

Alarmingly, these risks will increase under the governments recent and planned reforms.

The cross-party committee, where six out of 11 members are Tories, also expressed concern about government plans to house asylum seekers on barges and military bases, calling for an urgent review of safeguards for vulnerable people, such as trafficking victims and torture survivors.

It said the radical reforms partly stemmed from the Home Offices inability to process the volume of asylum claims it receives effectively and expeditiously, amid record backlogs seeing people wait years for a decision.

The total asylum backlog has hit a new record high (Home Office)

The government is seeking to reduce the ability of people to claim asylum in the UK despite recent figures showing the majority of those seeking to do so will have a genuine claim and would, in all likelihood, meet the criteria to be accepted, the committee found.

It also warned that female asylum seekers who had suffered sexual violence and domestic abuse, as well as LGBT+ people fleeing persecution, were not having their claims properly handled and faced a culture of disbelief.

The Home Office said children can only be deported in very limited circumstances under the bill and detention will be for the shortest possible time with necessary support provisions in place.

A spokesperson 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.
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Nicola Bulleys concerned family contacted emergency services to seek help for her increased alcohol use just days before she was reported missing, an inquest has heard.

Mental health clinician Theresa Lewis Leevy told Preston County Hall she had responded to a call made by Ms Bulleys partner Paul Ansell and her sister on January 10, and attended their home address alongside a police officer and a paramedic.

We were greeted by Nicolas partner and sister and shown to the living room where we had a conversation about increased alcohol use since Christmas time and a conversation about concerns for Nicolas welfare, she said.

Nicola Bulleys partner Paul Ansell described her as an incredible mother to their two children (Nicola Bulley/Facebook)

During this meeting, Ms Bulley remained in her bedroom wearing leggings and appeared intoxicated. However, when asked if she had appeared depressed, Ms Leevy told the court: No, not that I could ascertain at the time.

Giving evidence, her sister Louise Cunningham said that Ms Bulley had been absolutely fuming that an ambulance had been called, with the event serving as a realisation and leading her to stop drinking alcohol.

At the time of her death on January 27, the 45-year-old mortgage adviser was not under the influence of alcohol, with toxicology reports showing only a therapeutic level of paracetamol and beta-blocker propranolol in her system.

Her General Practitioner, Dr Rebecca Gray, informed the inquest that Ms Bulley had been prescribed propranolol in February 2019 after presenting with symptoms of anxiety. Since July 2021, she had also been struggling with the menopause and had been given HRT medication.

However, she added: There is nothing on the notes or records from 2012 where theres been any mention of her feeling suicidal or of self harm.

While she had suffered a blip over Christmas 2022, her partner Mr Ansell said: The blip over the Christmas period happened but in January she was back to herself, looking forward to the future and everything was on the up.

Her body was found a mile downstream from the bench where her phone had been discovered (Press Association Images)

He described her as an incredible mother, whose primary focus had been on her two daughters, aged six and nine, with her springer spaniel Willow acting as a third child.

Several members of Ms Bulleys family became emotional during the second day of her inquest, which heard details of her medical history and her final interactions with loved ones.

Mr Ansell had become concerned for his wifes whereabouts after she failed to return from a dog walk by 10am, despite having scheduled work calls for later that morning.

At 10.48am, he texted Have you got lost? only to be told minutes later that Willow had been found running loose, with Ms Bulley nowhere to be found.

He said that the couple had enjoyed a normal morning before she took the children to school, and that Ms Bulley had been delighted with her recent career progress.

A post-mortem gave her cause of death as drowning in the River Wyre (PA)

She had a good day the day before (she went missing), came home full of beans, excited with work, with the meetings she had and plans for the year, he said.

The mother-of-two was last seen alive at 9.10am while walking her dog along the River Wyre after dropping her children at their primary school. Yesterday, the inquest heard from several witnesses who saw Ms Bulley walking along the riverbank while on her mobile phone.

Shortly after 9.30am, a passer-by discovered her dog and her phone, which was still logged onto a Microsoft Teams work call.

After being contacted at 10.54am by their childrens school, Mr Ansell contacted 999 to report her disappearance, with Lancashire Constabulary launching a high-risk missing persons investigation.

Her body was not discovered until February 19, just over a mile downstream from the bench where her mobile phone had been left.

A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as drowning, with a Home Office pathologist confirming that there was no evidence of third party involvement.

Her two-day inquest is due to conclude on Tuesday afternoon.
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Charity bosses have banded together in support of Prince Williams campaign to eradicate homelessness in the UK.

Sector leaders collectively signed an open letter that described how people across all societal divisions must come together to tackle the epidemic.

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.

He 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 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.

The Prince of Wales is to launch his new project aimed at ending homelessness (Phil Noble/PA) (PA Archive)

In the note, the group said it is a sad reality that in 2023, homelessness still exists and Prince Williams Homewards project is a step in the right direction.

We have seen through his work with The Royal Foundation on mental health, with Heads Together, and the environment, with the success of The Earthshot Prize, that he is able to convene players from across the spectrum, as well as push these issues to the top of the agenda, they wrote.

This will be essential if we want to truly end homelessness.

The leaders went on to detail how the scheme could help aid people experiencing homelessness across the UK.

The challenge is significant and should not be underestimated. But as a sector, we are excited to see how the six Homewards locations will use the space, tools and relationships provided by this programme to unlock solutions that prevent and end homelessness, they wrote.

Over the next five years, our hope is that these learnings will be adopted in many other parts of the UK, transforming the homelessness situation here  and beyond.

Among those who signed the letter are Tim Spoor, Chief Executive, AKT, Lord Bird, Founder, Big Issue Group, Seyi Obakin, CEO, Centrepoint, Matt Downie MBE, Chief Executive Crisis and Mick Clarke, CEO The Passage.

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.
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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.
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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.

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 James Cleverly

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.
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Talks on the UK participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are looking at crunchy financial details, Jeremy Hunt said.

The Chancellor said any agreement on UK involvement would depend upon the benefit to taxpayers.

Mr Hunt said the optimal outcome would be to find a way for participation in the programme to work for the UK.

Asked about the negotiations during a visit to Brussels, he said: I wouldnt describe them as stalled. I think that they are becoming more crunchy as we start to work out precisely what terms for participation in Horizon would be fair to UK taxpayers and work for the UK.

But I think both sides recognise that it is a successful and very important programme and the optimal outcome will be to find a way where participation can work for the UK.

Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europes leading research institutes and technology companies.

The Government was set for membership of the programme as part of the Brexit trade deal but that was scuppered by disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Those have now been resolved through the Windsor Framework and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to Rishi Sunak to join the scheme.

The Chancellor was in Brussels to sign a memorandum of understanding with financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness in the latest sign that damage in the relationship between the UK and EU was being repaired.

She said: I think both sides know that there are benefits to have a shared area around science and innovation.

I like the word crunchy  I think the objective is a shared one and certainly I would encourage more crunching so that we get a result.

Meanwhile, another complication in the UKs post-Brexit relationship with the EU has emerged in Gibraltar, where Spain is reportedly eyeing up control of the territorys airport.

The Times reported that talks on the long-term relationship between Gibraltar and its neighbour Spain had foundered over the issue.

The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate, Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, said.

In Westminster, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Were working side by side with the government of Gibraltar, were committed to concluding the UK-EU treaty as soon as possible.

That would not be possible before Spains elections on July 23, the spokesman said, but we remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar, and were not going to do anything that would compromise sovereignty.
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Julian Sands, a prolific actor with more than 150 screen credits, has been confirmed dead after his remains were found in the San Gabriel Mountains in California.

The British star went missing after going for a hike in the Mount Baldy area more than five months ago on 13 January.

The remains were found in the same area on 24 June by hikers, with a coroner later confirming them to be those of the missing actor.

Sands is known for his breakout role in the 1985 period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.

He also starred in Arachnophobia, The Killing Fields, Leaving Las Vegas and Warlock, as well as TV shows 24, Smallville and Banshee. His most recent film role was in Terence Davies Benediction.

Below is a timeline of all the events relating to Sands disappearance.

Friday 13 January: San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department receives a report that Julian Sands, has gone missing while hiking. The department stated: On Friday 13 January, at about 7.30pm, a hiker, identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood was reported missing in the Baldy Bowl area.

Search and rescue crews begin a search for the actor.

Saturday 14 January: Search and rescue crews looking for Sands are pulled off the mountain due to avalanche risks and dangerous trail conditions. However, a San Bernardino police department spokesperson tells CNN that authorities are continuing to use drones.

Sunday 15 January: The last ping from Sands cell phone occurs on this day, suggesting that his phone died shortly after.

Julian Sands has gone missing while hiking in California ((Ian West/PA))

Wednesday 18 January: A car believed to belong to Sands is found by crews during a search operation for the missing British actor. Video footage shows the vehicle being towed away from the scene in Mount Baldy, California.

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Thursday 19 January: Sands son Henry joins the ground search for their father, retracing the route his father is believed to have taken, along with the assistance of an experienced climber.

Friday 20 January: Authorities say there is no hard deadline for calling off the search for Sands, one week after he was first reported missing. We will schedule another ground search when the weather improves, and it is safe for our ground crews, a spokesperson from the department told the PA news agency.

Monday 23 January: The National Weather Service reports high winds affecting the Santa Ana mountain region and San Bernandino, close to the area where Sands is believed to have gone hiking. Sands family issues a statement thanking authorities for their heroic search efforts, which are still ongoing.

Wednesday 25 January: Searches continue by air only, with authorities using special technology that can detect electronic devices and credit cards.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says it was hopeful that the technology will be able to more accurately pinpoint an area on which to focus efforts.

Saturday 28 January: Kevin Ryan, Sands hiking partner and close friend says it is obvious that something has gone wrong but that the actor is the most advanced hiker I know and would not go on a hike unprepared.

Friday 3 February: The sheriffs department says conditions continued to be problematic after three weeks of searching, adding efforts have continued intermittently.

A spokesperson tells PA that efforts would normally be downgraded to a passive search after 10 days, but that plans have been extended due to the ongoing bad weather.

Friday 10 February: Four weeks on from the first reports of Sands disappearance, authorities admit the outcome of the search may not be what we would like.

The sheriffs department says it is still hopeful of finding the actor, but that conditions in the area remain dangerous, adding that ground searches are planned for the future.

Julian Sands and Helena Bonham Carter in A Room with a View' (Merchant Ivory/Goldcrest/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Friday 3 March

Snow storms batter the southern Californian region causing search efforts by both ground and air to be halted for the proceeding months.

Monday 19 June

Search efforts for Sands resume but are unsuccessful. Despite warmer climes, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, police said.

Wednesday 21 June

Sands family releases first statement since his disappearance. We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer, the familys statement said.

Saturday 24 June

Human remains are found in the Mount Baldy area near to where Sands went missing.

Tuesday 27 June

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department confirms that the human remains are those of Sands.

Additional reporting by the Press Association
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The King has celebrated the best of British businesses at a prestigious Buckingham Palace awards dinner.

Charles met the owner of a childrens bicycle company, who said Prince Louis rides one of his bikes, as he hosted a reception for recipients of The Kings Awards for Enterprise in London on Tuesday.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements by UK firms in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Also at the event were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey and Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch.

Ms Coffey told the PA news agency: I think its spectacular that we are celebrating, his majesty is celebrating, businesses who are taking the best of British innovation and selling it around the world.

That brings prosperity at home, it keeps the British flag, the Union flag, flying high and it is just a joyous occasion.

She added: The King is passionate about the natural environment and what is very special about his majesty, his convening powers are extraordinary and thats why these awards are cherished so much.

Some 148 businesses were honoured across the four categories and can now use The Kings Awards emblem for the next five years on their products and to promote their services.

Jerry Lawson, who set up Frog Bikes, which makes childrens bicycles at a factory in Wales, said: This is our second export award despite Brexit putting the kibosh on everything.

He added: His majesty was talking about e-bikes, which we dont do, catching fire in the US, he was extremely knowledgeable and was asking why that was happening. The batteries are causing fires.

He did want to check we werent making those.

He said we need kids bikes especially without batteries because its not good for their health.

I have to confess this his (Charles) grandchildren already have our bikes.

They were hand-delivered to the Prince of Wales and then the Princess of Wales took lots of photos of Louis on his birthday and kindly released those.

Peter Kyle-Henney, owner of Sesanti, which won an award for innovation, said he worked in security and could only talk about the stuff thats not classified.

He said: We are into security imaging.

I was so surprised the King knew about thermal imaging and the benefits of the technology, he (Charles) was extremely engaging and was genuinely interested to understand why the innovation was as innovative as it was.

The Duke of Edinburgh was talking to me about using night-vision equipment for security and was extremely knowledgeable, so both of them surprised me enormously.

He (Charles) said to me at the end, he tapped me on the shoulder and he said its nice to see somebodys keeping the country safe.

Sesantis website says it manufactures high performance surveillance assets from our site in Hampshire, and our next generation ultra-low light level long range product (ULARI) is the subject of this award.

It continues: The technology uses high-speed processing and new algorithms to extract high quality imagery from very few photons, adding the equipment is designed to aid saving lives, enabling safer operating distances than can currently be achieved.

Other recipients include Naturaw Pet Food, a Yorkshire-based supplier of natural unprocessed dog food; International Business Centre, a Belfast-based company specialising in sourcing the manufacture of musical instruments; and CMR Surgical Ltd, based in Cambridge, which produces systems to enable surgeons to deliver better surgery.

It is the awards 57th year but the first after the scheme was renamed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
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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 8 December 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.
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Adult social care was in a terrible state of pandemic preparedness with the Government lacking basic knowledge, including how many care homes were in the UK at the time when coronavirus struck, Matt Hancock said.

The former Health Secretary told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry that by January 2020 the department he headed up  which he accepted meant he had responsibility to ensure adequate oversight for planning and preparedness for a health emergency  did not have a plan in place to identify how many people were in the care sector.

But the MP insisted the responsibility for ensuring pandemic preparedness in the sector formally fell to local authorities  stating that he was accountable through his role as secretary of state for health and social care but didnt have the levers to act.

One of the central challenges in social care is that whilst I have the title Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the primary responsibility...falls to local councils. In a national crisis this is a very significant problem Matt Hancock

He described the system for running adult social care as flawed and said it was in nowhere near good-enough shape when the the pandemic hit.

He told the inquiry during Tuesday mornings three-hour session: One of the central challenges in social care is that whilst I have the title Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the primary responsibility, legal responsibility, contractual responsibility for social care falls to local councils.

In a national crisis this is a very significant problem because, as I put it in my witness statement, I had the title, I was accountable but I didnt have the levers to act.

He said he had asked to see the pandemic preparedness plans he understood local authorities were required to have in place, and that social care minister, Helen Whately, had found that there were only two which were wholly inadequate.

The inquirys chief lawyer Hugo Keith KC asked Mr Hancock whether or not he could say the adult social care sector was well prepared for a pandemic when the department had no means of finding out whether or not they had the right plans in place, whether local authorities had planned sufficiently, let alone how many numbers were in the care sector?

Mr Hancock replied: No, it was terrible.

The system for how we run adult social care is flawed. There was work ongoing to try to resolve it, including work directly related to pandemic planning, but it was in nowhere near good-enough shape Matt Hancock

Mr Keith asked whether, by the beginning of 2020, Mr Hancocks department had in place a single coherent plan to identify how many people were in the care sector, to which the politician said it did not.

He said a central plan for data-sharing between private and public care providers and emergency responders in order to better prepare for a pandemic was being developed but was not in place at the time.

Mr Hancock said there was no single national guidance for pandemic preparedness in the adult social care sector, and that only two local resilience forums had plans in place on the local authority level for dealing with the impact of a catastrophic pandemic on the elderly.

He said that ahead of the pandemic even basic data was lacking for instance, how many care homes are operating right now in the UK  that was a fact that we did not know at that time and Im glad to say now theres far better data.

Mr Keith asked if the department was able to verify the extent of pandemic preparedness planning being done by local authorities.

Mr Hancock replied: No, we didnt have the policy levers to do so, despite having the name social care in the title.

It meant that as the person trying to solve this problem with a disease that self-evidently impacted on older people most, we were in an incredibly difficult position to do so when the pandemic struck Matt Hancock

The Local Government Association, which represents most local authorities in England and Wales, said it would have its say on the issues when called to give evidence to the inquiry in the coming weeks.

Mr Hancock described the position on facing a virus which self-evidently impacted on older people most was an incredibly difficult position due to how the sector was run.

He told the inquiry: The system for how we run adult social care is flawed. There was work ongoing to try to resolve it, including work directly related to pandemic planning, but it was in nowhere near good-enough shape.

And it meant that as the person trying to solve this problem with a disease that self-evidently impacted on older people most, we were in an incredibly difficult position to do so when the pandemic struck.

And despite the enormous hard work of everybody in that sector, and in the department in relation to adult social care, it was very, very difficult early on, and thats in part because this planning was ongoing, but the systems in this country for managing adult social care are not good enough, and that that reform work was under way, but it still hasnt been completed.

Duncan Selbie, the ex-chief executive of Public Health England, said he would definitely concur with Mr Hancock that social care was just not on our radar, as he gave evidence to the inquiry on Tuesday.
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The UK is on track to have the hottest June on record as the Met Office warns record-breaking weather could become more frequent due to climate change.

With three days to go, this month could be the hottest since records began in 1884, beating the previous high set in 1940 as well as the runner up in 1976.

Temperatures in June soared as high as 32C with extended periods of hot weather and little in the way of rain for much of the country.

The Met Office weather forecast for last weekend saw temperatures well into the 20s (Met Office)

Mike Kendon from the Met Office said: Meteorologically, June started with high pressure over the UK bringing often settled and dry conditions with plenty of sunshine.

Once that high pressure subsided, warm, humid air took charge over the UK, with 32.2C the highest temperature recorded so far this month and high temperatures for the vast majority of the UK.

Climate change increases the frequency of hotter, drier summer weather, the forecaster explained.

While the UK has always had periods of warm weather, what climate change does is increase the frequency and intensity of these warm weather events, increasing the likelihood of high-temperature records being broken, like we saw for 2022s annual temperature for the UK, Mr Kendon added.

It is particularly telling that of the 12 months of the year, for UK average maximum temperature the records for the warmest months include 2019 (February), 2018 (May), 2015 (December), 2012 (March), 2011 (April), 2011 (November), 2006 (July) and now 2023 (June).

Statistics such as this clearly tell us of the changing nature of the UKs climate and how it is particularly affecting extremes.

People in the water at Warleigh Weir near Bath on June 14 as temperatures soared (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The Met Office is set to confirm any broken records on 3 July. The remaining few days of the month are expected to see temperatures remain in the mid 20s though heavy rain is expected towards the end of the week.

Next month could see further heatwaves as the summer gets into full swing, though the mercury would have to rise considerably higher to reach the records of 40C and above seen last year, that left the country sweltering.

On July 19 last year, a temperature of 40.3 C was recorded at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, the hottest reading ever recorded in the UKs history.
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The average age of gender dysphoria diagnosis has fallen from 31 to 26 in recent years and is lower for those whose biological sex at birth is female, according to new research.

US academics said their findings suggest an estimated prevalence of 155 people per 100,000 with a diagnosis between 2017 and 2021  equivalent to around 0.16% of people.

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.

A paper, published in the open access journal General Psychiatry and focused on mainly US patients, noted that questions have been raised concerning the increasing number of youth who seek professional care for GD (gender dysphoria), especially adolescent AFABs (assigned females at birth).

The researchers, from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, 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.

They used electronic medical records from almost 43 million patients aged between four and 65 from 49 healthcare organisations mainly in the US for their study.

They found that 66,078 of the 42,720,215 people were identified with gender dysphoria, leading them to reach an estimate of 155 per 100,000 people for the five-year period and say the estimated prevalence of GD diagnosis increased significantly.

Lead author Dr Ching-Fang Sun 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.

The average age for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria 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, the researchers said.

The decreased mean age of GD (gender dysphoria) suggests less oppression of gender minority youth and increased awareness of gender diversity Researchers

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 researchers said.

Their 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.

They said: 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. 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.

New gender clinics are due to open in England later this year after an announcement in July 2022 that Londons 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.
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Former foreign correspondent Dame Ann Leslie has died aged 82.

Dame Ann, who was best known for her work as a freelance contributor, particularly on the Daily Mail, reported on events including the Cold War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Born in 1941, in what is now modern-day Pakistan, she spent her early childhood in pre-partition India before returning to Britain at the age of nine.

She read English at Oxford, before taking a job at the Daily Express upon graduation in the early 1960s.

I don't talk about great achievements - it's just the old thing about journalism being the first rough draft of history Dame Ann Leslie speaking in 2007

She reported from more than 70 countries  often in perilous situations  covering many of the most notorious events of modern history.

Working for various Fleet Street papers, she covered the trials of Charles Manson and OJ Simpson, as well as the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

Among the people she interviewed over the years were Muhammad Ali and the King.

She also won the British Press Awards Feature Writer of the Year in 1981 and 1989.

I was on the East Berlin side when the wall came down and was outside the prison when Nelson Mandela came out. They were two good news stories Dame Ann Leslie speaking in 2007

Speaking to the PA news agency after she was made DBE in 2007, Dame Ann said: I dont talk about great achievements  its just the old thing about journalism being the first rough draft of history.

I was on the East Berlin side when the wall came down and was outside the prison when Nelson Mandela came out. They were two good news stories.

I work a lot in the Middle East. I was in Salvador and got shot at a few times.

She added: The (late) Queen asked me how long I had been in journalism, I said 40 years  I said Im in awe of your stamina. She just smiled.

Dame Ann died in the early hours of Sunday morning. She is survived by her husband Michael Fletcher and her daughter Katharine.
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Boris Johnson committed a "clear and unambiguous breach" of the rules by taking a new job as a Daily Mail columnist, a government watchdog has said.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) on Tuesday wrote to the government and said there was urgent need for reform of the good chaps approach to ministerial jobs.

Acoba chairman Lord Pickles said Mr Johnsons decision to refer his new job to the watchdog just 30 minutes before it was publicly announced was a breach of the ministerial code.

Under the rules, ministers who leave government must consult Acoba on any jobs they take within two years of leaving government.

But the current arrangement has been criticised for being too lenient and lacking enforcement power.

In a letter to deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, Lord Pickles said it was up to the government to take action.

The latest rule breach comes just weeks after Mr Johnson was found by a cross-party committee to have repeatedly lied to Parliament.

Lord Pickles, who is a Conservative peer and former communities secretary, said Mr Johnsons case was a further illustration of how out of date the rules were.

He added that sanctions for breaches of the rules were needed.

What action to take in relation to this breach is a matter for the Government, Lord Pickles wrote.

I suggest that you take into consideration the low-risk nature of the appointment itself, and the need to reform the system to deal with roles in proportion to the risks posed.

Mr Johnson is writing a weekly column for the Daily Mail and has so far raised eyebrows by writing one article about his experience with a weight-loss drug, and another sharing his views on last weeks submarine disaster.

Correspondence published by the watchdog on Tuesday showed how the former PMs office submitted the last-minute request to Acoba after his new role had already been cryptically trailed on the Mails front page.

Shelley Williams-Walker, who worked in Mr Johnsons private office and was made a dame in his resignation honours, emailed in the request at 12.31pm.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 / 50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 13 July 2023 His Majesty The Kings Coronation Ensemble and Her Majesty The Queens Coronation Ensemble, during a photo call for the new Coronation display for the summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. PA UK news in pictures 12 July 2023 Beavers are released by the National Trust at Wallington estate in Northumberland in a project to improve local biodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change PA UK news in pictures 11 July 2023 People hug as they admire Submergence inside Propyard, Bristol, where a 20,000 sq ft immersive art installation, curated by art collective Squidsoup, titled Beyond Submergence, is being exhibited PA UK news in pictures 10 July 2023 Tracy Seven with a Beef Shorthorn as she prepares her cattle ahead of the Great Yorkshire Show at the Showground in Harrogate, which opens to the public on Tuesday. PA UK news in pictures 9 July 2023 Mark Wood, right, celebrates with Chris Woakes, left after England won the third test match in the series AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 8 July 2023 Zharnel Hughes of Shaftesbury celebrates after winning the Mens 100m Final at the UK Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena Getty UK news in pictures 7 July 2023 Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece in the Men's Singles second round match during day five of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Getty UK news in pictures 6 July 2023 Queen Camilla during a visit to Lochcarron of Scotland at the Waverley textile mill in Selkirk, in the Scottish Borders, as part of the first Holyrood Week since the King's coronation. PA UK news in pictures 5 July 2023 Anti-monarchy protesters hold placards near the St Giles Cathedral on the day of the National Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving for Britains King Charles, in Edinburgh Reuters UK news in pictures 4 July 2023 Andy Murray celebrates break point against Ryan Peniston in their mens singles first round match at Wimbledon Getty UK news in pictures 3 July 2023 A cigar smoked by Winston Churchill, which is expected to fetch 600-800 is pictured on his statue in Westerham, Kent PA UK news in pictures 2 July 2023 Englands Ben Stokes hits a six off the bowling of Australias Josh Hazlewood during the last day of the second Ashes test at Lords Cricket Ground in London Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 1 July 2023 Pata Yamaha Prometeon rider Toprak Razgatiloglu followed by Aruba.It Racing - Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista (right) during the World SBK race 1 on day two of the FIM Superbike World Championship 2023 at Donington Park, Derby PA UK news in pictures 30 June 2023 Rembrandt Harmenszs Portrait of Jan Willemsz, van der Pluym and Jaapgen Carels is held by gallery staff, during a photo call for highlights from the forthcoming Classic Week Sales, at Christies, London. PA UK news in pictures 29 June 2023 A visitor walks through a part of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusamas installation You, Me and The Balloons during a preview ahead of the start of the Manchester International Festival Reuters UK news in pictures 28 June 2023 England player Jonny Bairstow carries a Just Stop Oil pitch invader during day one of the second Ashes Test at Lords Cricket Ground Getty UK news in pictures 27 June 2023 A Dolly Parton impersonator banned from Facebook protests outside the offices of parent company Meta in Kings Cross, London, as part of their Stop Banning Us appeal Lucy North/PA UK news in pictures 26 June 2023 Glastonbury site clean-up operation in progress PA UK news in pictures 25 June 2023 Lil Nas X performs on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 June 2023 Chemical Brothers perform beneath the Arcadia spider in the very early morning at the Glastonbury Festival PA UK news in pictures 23 June 2023 A performer entertains festivalgoers in the circus field at Glastonbury festival AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 June 2023 Ladies Day at Royal Ascot Racecourse AP UK news in pictures 21 June 2023 Katherine Jenkinson from Carlisle with her jersey calf in the wash bay at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh, ahead of the Royal Highland Show PA UK news in pictures 20 June 2023 The sunrises at 04.25am at St Marys Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, on the North East coast of England, the day before Summer Solstice  the longest day of the year PA UK news in pictures 19 June 2023 The King and Queen depart the annual Order of the Garter Service PA UK news in pictures 17 June 2023 Typhoon fighter jets fly over The Mall after the Royal family attended the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, central London, as King Charles III celebrates his first official birthday since becoming sovereign. PA UK news in pictures 16 June 2023 A peregrine falcon nesting at Malham Cove, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park PA UK news in pictures 15 June 2023 Newborn alpaca Sir Steveo, who has been named after one of his keepers, ventures outside in the Pets Farm area of Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling PA UK news in pictures 14 June 2023 Grace Kumars father and Barnaby Webbers brother, Charlie, embrace ahead of a vigil at the University of Nottingham after they and Ian Coates were killed and another three hurt in connected attacks on 13 June PA UK news in pictures 13 June 2023 Police forensics officers on Ilkeston Road PA UK news in pictures 12 June 2023 People relax in a suspended swimming pool as hot weather continues, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 11 June 2023 Usain Bolt and teammates celebrate with the trophy after winning Soccer Aid 2023 Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 10 June 2023 A cyclist trains in the early morning, as hot weather continues, in Richmond Park, London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 June 2023 A performer walks on a tightrope at Covent Garden during a sunny day in London AP UK news in pictures 8 June 2023 A women rides her horse through the river during the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 7 June 2023 The Princess of Wales during a game of walking rugby during her visit to meet local and national male rugby players at Maidenhead Rugby Club PA UK news in pictures 6 June 2023 An aerial view shows the dry bed of Woodhead Reservoir, revealed by a falling water level after a prolonged period of dry weather, near Glossop, northern England AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 5 June 2023 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak onboard Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover PA UK news in pictures 4 June 2023 A hot air balloon rises into the sky above Ragley Hall, Alcester, south of Birmingham in central England AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 June 2023 Skaters use the mini ramp at the Wavelength Spring Classic festival in Woolacombe Bay in Devon PA UK news in pictures 1 June 2023 The And Beyond installation, during a photo call for the London Design Biennale at Somerset House in London PA UK news in pictures 31 May 2023 Emergency services attending to a blaze at a derelict listed building in Samuel Street, Belfast PA UK news in pictures 30 May 2023 A robot named Stella interacts with visitors during the International Conference on Robotics and Automation ICRA in London AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2023 Dave Hackett and his daughter Daisy, five, explore the laburnum arch in the grounds of Preston Tower, East Lothian, in the warm Spring Bank Holiday weather PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2023 Great Britains Nick Bandurak scores their sides third goal of the game during the FIH Hockey Pro League mens match at Lee Valley, London PA UK news in pictures 27 May 2023 People enjoy the sunny weather at a park in London AP UK news in pictures 26 May 2023 People drink coffee inside Daleks during MCM Comic Con at the ExCel London in east London PA UK news in pictures 25 May 2023 King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a visit to Enniskillen Castle, Co Fermanagh as part of a two day visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2023 Horses enjoy the sunny weather on Middleham Gallops in North Yorkshire PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2023 An aerial view of a yellow rapeseed field in Hemel Hempstead, Britain Reuters

Half an hour after the submission a pre-recorded video was posted on social media by the Daily Mail featuring Mr Johnson, who confirmed his appointment in the job.

Asked for clarity by Acoba, Mr Johnson argued: I have not signed any contract or been paid. If you have any objection to my signing a contract in the next few weeks perhaps you could let me know.

Acoba also confirmed to the Guardian it holds no records of applications submitted to the committee by Sir Keir Starmer when he stood down as director of public prosecutions in 2013 and became a part-time consultant at law firm Mishcon de Reya.

Sir Keirs spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, suggesting it was not standard practice for a former DPP to consult Acoba.

In December the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee of MPs warned that the current system of regulating business appointments was not sufficient to maintain public confidence.

There are concerns that the current revolving door between government and the private sector could lead to the undue lobbying of ministers, see access to privileged information available to the highest bidder, and create perverse incentives for ministers with an eye on their next career move.

PACACs report warned that enforcement and the ability to sanction those that breach the rules is fundamental to ensuring a regulatory regime that commands public confidence.
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A post-Brexit cliff edge looming in January 2024 threatens the growth of Britains electric car production, an auto industry chief has warned.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the future of the UKs industry was a stake unless a deal was struck with the EU to delay new tariff rules until 2027.

Rishi Sunaks government has been warned of an existential threat posed by new rules of origin which will require carmakers to build more batteries in the UK.

Among the final parts of the Brexit deal agreed by Boris Johnson, changes set to come into force in 2024 state 45 per cent of an electric cars value should originate in the UK or EU to qualify for trade without tariffs.

Calling for a three-year delay, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said on Tuesday: There is huge potential for growth, and that growth is now at risk from tariffs.

Mr Hawes told his organisations annual conference: Were saying basically suspend that requirement, and just let the regulation thats currently in place flow through to 2027, which is the next threshold.

He added: We need to make sure those [tariffs] arent applied  We cant afford to have a last minute, 31 December agreement, because business needs to plan its volumes.

Business secretary Kemi Badenoch told the auto organisations conference that she had heard very loud and clear the issues on rules of origin and would raise it with Brussels ambassador to the UK.

In remarks reported by The Guardian, Ms Badenoch also accepted that Brexit was more dramatic, I think, for this sector than many others.

Trade secretary Kemi Badenoch says she will raise issue with EU (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak has previously ordered talks with Brussels after Vauxhalls parent company Stellantis warned in May that it will be unable to keep manufacturing in Britain without changes to the trade deal on tariffs.

Ms Badenoch said at the time she had raised the issue with her EU counterpart. But she had insisted that it was not a Brexit-related problem, and production of batteries was about supply chain issues following the pandemic and the war in Russia and Ukraine.

The SMMT warned again on Tuesday that the 2024 tariffs would make British-built electric vehicles uncompetitive in our biggest export market, while pushing up EV prices for British buyers.

The organisation called for political parties to commit to a tenfold rise in Britains annual production of electric vehicles to more than 750,000 by 2030. The organisation said it would mean 106bn worth of vehicles produce in the UK.

Louise Haigh, Labours shadow transport secretary, said the opposition would boost domestic electric vehicle battery production, saying it could create 30,000 new jobs.

She told the conference: 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.

Meanwhile, chancellor Jeremy Hunt said talks on the UK participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are looking at crunchy financial details.

Asked about the negotiations during a visit to Brussels, the chancellor insisted they had not stalled  but said any agreement on UK involvement would depend upon the benefit to taxpayers. He said the optimal outcome would be to find a way for participation in the programme to work for the UK.
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A Tory MP has been accused of mocking a woman after she thanked the Samaritans for helping her at Glastonbury festival.

Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith described political satirist Tan Smith as a "vile internet troll" after she posted a message on Twitter thanking the charity for its support at the weekend music event.

Ms Smith, who uses the Twitter handle Supertanskiii, said a volunteer had comforted her when Glastonbury became too much over the weekend.

She wrote: "On a personal level Id like to say a huge thank you to the lovely man volunteering for @samaritans near the Pyramid stage.

"He noticed that Id paused near their truck after Lizzo and asked if I was ok. I wasnt, it meant the world to me. That chat made such a difference."

Amidst messages of support, the Conservative MP replied: Vile Internet troll in personal issues shock. Cares little for the welfare of others however when spouting her foul-mouthed bile on Twitter.

Excuse me for playing the worlds smallest violin.

Ms Smith hit back: "Here we have a Tory MP mocking a person with poor mental health. Its not trolling to call a c*** a c***, Brendan.

"I built my anti-Tory platforms after my friend took his own life due to Tory covid negligence and NHS cuts. Youre the reason people want to t*** Tories."

Mr Clarke-Smith replied: "Why not try deleting your Twitter account? Youll be a lot less angry and feel a lot better about yourself."

Ms Smith accused the MP of trying to "shame" her for thanking the Samaritans.

The Bassetlaw MP mocked the political commentator and satirist (Twitter)

The MP has since doubled-down on his original tweets despite the backlash (Twitter)

Mr Clarke-Smiths tweet was met with anger on social media, with some even starting petitions to raise money for The Samaritans.

One person replied to Mr Clarke-Smith's tweets saying: "Whatever you think of a person it's irresponsible to call them out on social media over their mental health, especially when you're a member of parliament.

"I don't think it's wrong of me to expect better from elected officials."

Another said: "What an absolutely awful post. For a start, she's not a troll, she just doesn't agree with your government's policies and as so many others don't, her humour although brash has found her a following."

And LBC Radio host James OBrien tweeted: Bloody hell. What the f*** is wrong with this man?

The Independent has contacted the MP for comment.

This isn't the first time he has gotten into trouble for his Twitter use. He was previously accused of misogyny for mocking a woman's skin colour after saying a Labour Party activist was "orange with rage".
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An allegation of groping has been made against Tory mayoral candidate hopeful Daniel Korski by TV producer Daisy Goodwin.

Ms Goodwin said the former No 10 advisor to David Cameron made an unwanted advance 10 years ago and claimed that he touched her breast.

The television producer went public about the incident in 2017 but did not name the Tory. On Tuesday she called him out publicly in a Times article.

Mr Korski, who has denied the allegations, is considered the favourite to take on Sadiq Khan at the ballot box next year in the race to be London mayor.

This is what Ms Goodwin has said and how Mr Korski has responded.

Who is Daisy Goodwin?

Ms Goodwin is a respected television producer. She is best known for creating the ITV drama Victoria but she is also the author of four books and has worked on television shows such as Escape to the Country and Grand Designs.

The 61-year-old is married to Marcus Wilford and they have two daughters.

Daisy Goodwin said she first met the man in question at a dinner, after which he had contacted her by email inviting her to No 10 (Getty)

What had she alleged?

Ms Goodwin first made the groping allegation in the Radio Times.

She said that a member of David Camerons team had touched her breast after the then-unnamed man summoned her to No 10 to discuss an idea for a television programme. They had previously met over dinner.

She said at that time: To my surprise he put his feet on my chair (we were sitting side by side) and said that my sunglasses made me look like a Bond girl.

I attempted to turn the conversation to turning exports into unmissable TV. At the end of the meeting we both stood up and the official, to my astonishment, put his hand on my breast.

I looked at the hand and then in my best Lady Bracknell voice said, Are you actually touching my breast?

She went on to say how the official dropped his hand and laughed nervously, before she left cross but not traumatised.

The proposed television idea came to nothing.

Daniel Korski worked under David Cameron (UK Parliament)

What has she now alleged?

On Tuesday, Ms Goodwin said Mr Korski was the special adviser who groped her.

Naively I assumed that if everyone already knew then his egregious behaviour would not be tolerated any more. But now the spad [special adviser] who groped me, aka Daniel Korski, is running to be the Tory candidate for mayor of London. This I think is a reason to name him.

Who is Daniel Korski?

The 46-year-old is a businessman turned politician had worked for David Cameron while he was prime minister as part of the No 10 policy unit.

Born in Denmark, he moved to the UK in the 1990s and has also reported for The Spectator. He founded the business PUBLIC and currently serves as a vice-president of the Jewish Leadership Council.

After serving as a special advisor to Mr Cameron, he has worked alongside top Tories Liz Truss and Tom Tugendhat. Earlier this year, he put himself forward to be the Conservative candidate to run to be mayor of London.

Daisy Goodwin attending an ITV premiere (PA)

Why is Ms Goodwin now naming Mr Korski?

The writer said that although she did not name Mr Korski at the time, a lot of individuals in the Whitehall bubble knew who it was she was referring to. The Daily Telegraph reported his name in connection in 2017 but the allegation was denied.

Ms Goodwin said she now wanted to name Mr Korski after he announced his intentions to become Mayor of London.

But if there are other women who have had similar experiences with him I hope this article will encourage them to come forward, she said. Because if this is a pattern of behaviour then the people of London deserve to know.

She added: I write not out of revenge but to send out a signal to him, and to all men who mistreat women.

Dont think that you will get away with it. Women like me, women who out of a false sense of pride have turned a blind eye, have had enough and we arent going to take it any more.

How has Mr Korski responded?

A spokesperson for Mr Korski said: In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever.

After the 2017 allegation, a statement added: I am shocked to find this is in any way connected to me. I met with Mrs Goodwin in No 10 twice I think, and she may have met others too.

But I categorically deny any allegation of inappropriate behaviour. Any such allegation would not only be totally false but also totally bizarre.

Both Ms Goodwin and Mr Korski have been approached for comment.
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The Conservative Party is facing growing pressure to investigate allegations a London mayoral hopeful groped a TV producers breast in Downing Street.

The party initially said it would not look into claims Daniel Korski sexually assaulted Daisy Goodwin because it had not received a formal complaint. But on Tuesday evening Ms Goodwin said she had contacted the Cabinet Office to do just that.

And in an extraordinary development, Mr Korski claimed party bosses knew about the allegations, which he denies, long before they were revealed in public on Monday night.

Mr Korski said he disclosed them during the mayoral race vetting process after he was asked if there were any outstanding issues the party should be aware of.

And I said to the party seven years ago, there was a story. I was never named in the story. As far as I know, there was no investigation. But I did mention this to the party, he said.

In an interview with Talk TV, Mr Korski insisted he was still standing to become the Tory mayoral candidate, adding: All I can say is that she is wrong.

Ms Goodwin told The Times on Tuesday evening she had now contacted the Cabinet Office to make a formal complaint.

Labour has called for Mr Korski to be suspended from the party and urged the Tories to launch a thorough investigation.

Daisy Goodwin accused Mr Korski of touching her breast a decade ago after a meeting in Downing Street (Getty)

Marsha De Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea in southwest London, condemned the lack of an inquiry, saying: Ignoring these allegations while the prime minister claims that tackling sexual violence against women is a priority for his government is disingenuous.

She also highlighted that Mr Korski was a senior government employee at the time of the alleged incident, and called for a Cabinet Office probe as well.

Earlier, Rishi Sunaks official spokesperson said the prime minister would expect harassment allegations to be investigated in any walk of life, despite his partys refusal to probe the claims.

When asked if the PM considered No 10 a safe environment for women, the spokesman replied, yes.

Ms Goodwin, who created ITV drama Victoria, has accused Mr Korski of touching her breast a decade ago at the end of a meeting in Downing Street.

She said Mr Korski, who was then a special adviser to David Cameron and is 15 years her junior, had made an awkwardly flirtatious comment about her sunglasses, comparing her to Italian actress Monica Bellucci. He then rested his feet on the edge of her chair, before leaning back so that I could get a clear view of his crotch. As the pair stood up at the end of the meeting, Ms Goodwin said Mr Korski stepped toward her and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Mr Korski has categorically denied any wrongdoing. Politics can be a rough and challenging business. Unfortunately, in the midst of this demanding environment, this baseless allegation from the past has resurfaced, he said in a statement on Twitter.

It is disheartening to find myself connected to this allegation after so many years, but I want to unequivocally state that I categorically deny any claim of inappropriate behaviour. I denied when it was alluded to 7 years [ago] and I do so now.

Confirmation Mr Korski would not be investigated came as the entrepreneur faced growing pressure to step back from the mayoral race.

A senior Tory MP told The Independent: With less than a month to go before we choose our candidate, the wheels are falling off a front-runners campaign.

It shows what a farce the selection process has been. Paul Scully should have been on the shortlist. He is tried and tested and is used to public scrutiny. Mr Scully, the governments minister for London, failed to make it on to the Conservative shortlist for the race.

Nic Conner, who helped Samuel Kasumu bid for the Tory mayoral ticket called on the party to act now. With just under 4 weeks left to run on the Conservative mayoral race, two of the three candidates have been embroiled in front page scandal. Questions are being asked about the partys process to long and short list the candidates. The whole selection has descended into farce.

London Assembly Member (AM) Susan Hall and barrister Mozammel Hossain KC are also competing for the nomination.

Mr Korski is running on a platform of implementing a new tourist tax to pay for more police, including setting up a minor crimes constabulary to work closely with local communities, and building denser housing in central London.

He was seen as a leading contender and his campaign has been endorsed by levelling up secretary Michael Gove and senior Tories Robert Buckland and Nadhim Zahawi. But the allegation represents a major blow to his campaign.

Ms Goodwin went public about the incident in 2017, but did not name Mr Korski at the time. She said she was naming him now because of his candidacy to become Londons mayor.

It is not fair on the great majority of men who treat women decently to allow a man who clearly has a problem with impulse control to reach a position of power, she said.

Writing in The Times, Ms Goodwin urged others who may have had similar experiences with Mr Korski to come forward.

Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) said the party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

A CCHQ spokesperson said: The party considers all complaints made under the Code of Conduct but does not conduct investigations where the party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority.
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Daniel Korski was the bookies favourite to take on Sadiq Khan as Conservative candidate for LondonMayor.

The Danish-born businessman is one of three Tories to make the shortlist for the contest, promising to turn the London dream into reality.

But the 46-year-old, a former special adviser to then-prime minister David Cameron, has seen his campaign thrown into turmoil by the allegation he groped TV producer Daisy Goodwin in Downing Street a decade ago.

Ms Goodwin urged others who may have had similar experiences with Mr Korski to come forward (Getty)

With less than a month before Tory members pick a candidate for next Mays ballot, Mr Korski, who denies having behaved inappropriately in the strongest possible terms, may need some help to get his campaign back on track.

So who is the man accused of groping Ms Goodwin?

Daniel Korski, awarded a CBE by Mr Cameron in 2016 for political and public service, was born in Denmark in 1977.

The son of Polish refugees, Mr Korski moved to the UK in 1997 before studying at the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge.

Early career

After stints as a war correspondent in Libya for The Spectator, a policy fellow at think tank the European Council on Foreign Relations and the EUs then-foreign affairs and security representative Catherine Ashton, he moved into politics in the UK.

Mr Korski advised Tory MP Andrew Mitchell and in 2013 became deputy head of the Number 10 Policy Unit, spending three years as a key adviser to Mr Cameron.

In 2016, Mr Korski backed Britain remaining in the European Union, helping to run the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign.

The following year, he started Public.io, which gives financial backing to companies aiming to transform public services.

Who is Daniel Korskis wife?

Mr Korski is married to Fiona Mcilwham, who in 2009 became one of the UKs youngest ever ambassadors when she was posted to Albania aged just 35.

She describes herself on Twitter as a wannabe supermum to the couples son.

As well as a series of high-profile diplomatic roles, including postings to Bosnia and Iraq, the EU and the G7, she served as private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Ms Mcilwham was appointed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in September 2019, serving until April 2020.

What are his mayoral campaign priorities?

Mr Korski is running in the mayoral race on a platform of implementing a new tourist tax to pay for more police, including setting up a minor crimes unit to work with communities, and building denser housing in central London.

His campaign has been endorsed by levelling up secretary Michael Gove and senior Tories Robert Buckland and Nadhim Zahawi.

He is seen as a frontrunner after Paul Scully, the governments minister for London, failed to make it on to the Conservative shortlist. But the allegations from Ms Goodwin represent a potentially fatal blow to his campaign.

A spokesperson for Mr Korski has said: In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever.
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Matt Hancock has admitted that the UK was not properly prepared for the Covid pandemic  claiming officials were more concerned with counting bodybags than preventing the spread of the virus.

Speaking at the Covid inquiry on Tuesday, the former health secretary described the failure to plan as an absolute tragedy and repeatedly insisted that the governments approach had been completely wrong.

He conceded that pre-pandemic plans to protect care homes had been terrible, saying the care sector was in nowhere near good enough shape when Covid struck.

Mr Hancock also revealed that the UK came within hours of running out of vital medicines for intensive care units at the height of the pandemic  but said that the planning that had been undertaken in preparation for a no-deal Brexit meant hospitals were able to cope.

It came as Mr Hancock:

Attacked planning that revolved around finding enough bodybags and burying the dead

Admitted he had not attended any National Security Committee meetings on emergency planning

Said he wasnt enthusiastic about no-deal Brexit robbing resources from health planning

Turned to victims families in the gallery to tell them he was profoundly sorry

Was heckled as he left the inquiry, with the bereaved shouting Killer and How many have died?

Mr Hancock apologised directly to the families of Covid victims, dramatically turning to address the bereaved in the public seating area. Im profoundly sorry for each death, he told them. I understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me  I understand that. I get it. But it is honest and heartfelt.

Lorelei King, 69, showed Mr Hancock a poster featuring a picture of her husband, Vincent Marzello, who died in a care home in March 2020 at the age of 72, alongside the former health secretary. You shook my husbands hand for your photo op, the poster was captioned.

At the end of the hearing, Mr Hancock approached the public gallery to attempt to apologise in person  but one woman later said she had turned her back on him. Amanda Herring Murrell, who lose her brother Mark to Covid in March 2020, told Sky News: I wasnt having any of it.

The senior Tory began the hearing by strongly condemning the underlying doctrine of the government, which he said was that it would not be possible to stop a pandemic, as he revealed that planning had revolved around finding enough bodybags and burying the dead.

Lorelei King, whose husband died from Covid, protests as Matt Hancock arrives (PA)

Mr Hancock said a huge error in the doctrine in place before Covid arrived in early 2020 meant that not enough resources were available for testing and contact-tracing to prevent the spread of a virus.

The attitude, the doctrine, of the UK was to plan for the consequences of a disaster  can we buy enough bodybags, where are we going to bury the dead. And that was completely wrong, he said.

Large-scale testing did not exist, and large-scale contact-tracing did not exist, because it was assumed that as soon as there was community transmission it wouldnt be possible to stop the spread, and therefore whats the point in contact-tracing. That was completely wrong, he told the inquiry.

In written evidence, Mr Hancock told the inquiry that he was advised when he came into the role of health secretary in July 2018 that the UK was a world leader in pandemic preparedness.

Hancock was confronted by families as he arrived at the session of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (PA)

He told the inquiry on Tuesday that the advice was based on a very positive assessment of the UKs readiness by the World Health Organisation. When youre assured by the leading global authority that the UK is the best prepared in the world, that is quite a significant reassurance, said Mr Hancock. That turned out to be wrong.

Challenged on why he did not enforce changes at the Department of Health and Social Care, Mr Hancock pointed the finger at civil servants, telling the inquirys lawyer: There was no recommendation to resolve those problems.

Mr Hancock admitted that he had not attended any meetings of a subcommittee of the National Security Council that was responsible for pandemic planning. Mr Hancock also revealed that the governments influenza pandemic strategy was not updated after 2011.

On the period between his arrival in July 2018 and the onset of the Covid pandemic in early 2020, he added: In hindsight wish Id spent that short period of time ... changing that entire attitude about how we respond to a pandemic.

Former health secretary Hancock is grilled by the inquiry lawyer (Covid-19 Inquiry/YouTube)

The former health secretary said he was told by officials that the UK had significant plans in place for the supply of personal protective equipment. The problem was, it was extremely hard to get it out fast enough when the crisis hit, he said.

On testing, he said: We developed a test in the first few days after the genetic code of Covid-19 was published. The problem was, there was no plan in place to scale testing that ... we could execute.

Mr Hancock also said he had pushed hard on the lack of UK vaccine manufacturing before Covid hit. I thought in a pandemic scenario ... it would be hard to get hold of vaccine doses if they were physically manufactured overseas, no matter what our contracts said, he told the inquiry.

Widow of man who died in care home cries as Matt Hancock arrives at Covid inquiry

Mr Hancock wont be grilled on his handling of the Covid crisis, or his claims to have thrown a protective ring around care homes, until the autumn. But he did face questions on the care sector on Tuesday. Asked if planning for care homes was well prepared, Mr Hancock said: No, it was terrible, adding that the sector was in nowhere near good enough shape.

Pointing the finger at local authorities, Mr Hancock said only two councils had their own plans to deal with the impact of a pandemic. He said that ahead of the pandemic, even basic data was lacking  for instance, how many care homes are operating right now in the UK  that was a fact that we did not know at that time, and Im glad to say now theres far better data.

The former health secretary also admitted he had signed off on resources being reallocated away from his department to support emergency planning for Boris Johnsons threatened hard exit from the EU in 2019.

Boris Johnson had told the government to prepare for a no-deal Brexit (AP)

Mr Hancock said: I wasnt enthusiastic about it, but I signed it off, and the reason that I signed off the overall reshaping of the department is because we [had] a very real and material threat, should a disorganised Brexit happen, that we needed to be prepared for.

But Mr Hancock said Britain had come within hours of running out of medicines required by intensive care units during the pandemic  and added that planning for a no-deal Brexit had helped to prevent the worst-case scenario. He said it became extremely useful in saving lives during the pandemic.

Mr Hancock said the whole world had failed to see that lockdowns would be necessary. It is the single most important thing we can learn [from] as a country, he added.

Asked if he agreed that planning for the pandemic was lions led by structural donkeys, the ex-minister said: Thats absolutely right, and that was a problem across the Western world.

When the inquirys lawyer put it to Mr Hancock that there had been a complete systemic failure in the UK, he replied: I couldnt agree more, and its an absolute tragedy.

Mr Hancock was heckled as he left the inquiry, with people shouting Killer and How many have died?

Members of the campaign group Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice told the BBC that they found it ironic that police officers were on hand to protect Mr Hancock when he didnt protect our loved ones.
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Matt Hancock must have felt that he had never been so exposed and uncomfortable as when the photo of his intimate embrace with Gina Coladangelo, his new lover, was all over the internet.

Yet he immediately sought further exposure and discomfort in pursuing a new career as a TV personality by going on a jungle-based reality show that involves eating camel penis and other forms of mild consensual torture.

Now he has put himself in for public humiliation a third time, throwing himself on the mercy of people who blame him for the deaths of their relations, and asking them to accept his explanations and apologies. He told the Covid-19 inquiry that he was profoundly sorry for each death, and that he understood why some people would find it hard to take that apology from me.

He went for the full personal confession: I am not very good at talking about my emotions and how I feel, but that is honest and true. The families who were at the inquiry and interviewed on TV afterwards didnt accept his apology, but he seems to have calculated that nothing less than full contrition would do in appealing to wider public opinion.

You could say it is a brave approach, seeking absolution by further soul-baring, when people are not interested in the contents of his soul but in his management of a national emergency. In the inquiry witness box today he displayed all the strengths and weaknesses that have marked his career. The strengths are energy, hard work and a refusal to be cast down, but they are related to his weaknesses: a determination to want people to think the best of him even as he knows they wont, and a willingness to trust a journalist  Isabel Oakeshott  who disagreed with him profoundly on ideological grounds with all his WhatsApp messages.

He was fluent on his subject and knew everything there was to know about how he did the job as health secretary. There were no evasions and I cant remembers. Instead there was a willingness to accept that the country had been ill-prepared for a pandemic, and an even more striking willingness to take responsibility for that himself. Maybe that was a tactic to try to pre-empt criticism, but it had a strange effect: he seemed so sure that he had done the best he could in difficult circumstances that he was prepared to admit that his best simply hadnt been good enough at times.

Matt Hancock is a highly developed modern type: the professional politician. He took the future politicians degree of choice at Oxford, PPE, philosophy, politics and economics, and became a special adviser. Not just any special adviser, but the special adviser to George Osborne, then the shadow chancellor. One of the most reliable routes to the top in politics is to make yourself indispensable to someone who is already en route to the top in politics.

I first came across Hancock as Osbornes adviser, when Osborne was preparing for government. Hancock was quick, a good thinker about politics and plainly a useful adviser to his boss. Now, many years later, he reminds me of Peter Mandelson. Mandelson was a more important adviser, helping to create New Labour from the backroom, and he was more talented as a minister  he was actually loved by his civil servants, where Hancock was merely respected. But Mandelson was also unable to see himself as others saw him, and therefore unable to advise himself on how to deal with the scrapes that he got into.

Mandelson, like Hancock, and like Osborne, was brilliant at advising others how to deal with tricky politician situations, but they were all poor tacticians in their own cause.

Hancock was good at internal politics. He rose rapidly up the ministerial ranks, and continued to rise when Osborne, his sponsor, was cast into the outer darkness by Theresa May after the EU referendum (which Osborne advised Cameron against). He joined the cabinet as health secretary in 2018, when Boris Johnson resigned as foreign secretary and Jeremy Hunt was drafted in his place.

He survived Johnsons return as prime minister, and his election victory, despite the hatred and contempt towards him (as a professional politician) felt by Dominic Cummings, Johnsons chief adviser. That was political hand-to-hand combat at which Hancock excelled: he fought off Cummingss attempts to get him sacked, not least by being conspicuously competent at a time when the centre of government was a shambles.

Hancock didnt do a perfect job, as the Covid inquiry will no doubt find, but he stayed in what must have been one of the most difficult posts throughout almost the whole pandemic. By June 2021, the vaccine programme was well under way, and Cummings  who had left government at the end of the previous year  had tried and failed again, from the outside, to get rid not just of him, but of Johnson too.

Hancock must have thought he had survived the worst that the virus and his enemies could throw at him, when a huge story broke. The Sun had obtained a video from a security camera in Hancocks office. It was a camera that neither Hancock nor his aides had ever noticed, installed when the office block on Victoria Street  never intended as a government building  had been built.

He had brought in Coladangelo, a friend from Oxford University, as a non-executive director at the Department of Health  in effect as an additional political adviser. They began an affair, and had been caught on camera failing to observe the guidelines at the time that required social distancing.

Hancock is about to appear in another reality TV show  the last one went so well: it got him slung out of the parliamentary Conservative Party, as the whips take a dim view of an MP heading off to Australia for weeks on end instead of working for their constituents at Westminster and voting when they are told to. And his time in the Australian jungle failed to endear him to the British TV-watching masses, failing to launch Hancock as the new Piers Morgan, which may have been his calculation. He came across as dogged, even-tempered and full of himself. Too late, he has already filmed SAS Who Dares Wins, in which he gets put through hell.

Once again, Hancock is preparing to humiliate himself by getting roughed up in public. And still the British people stubbornly refuse to feel any sympathy for him.
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Michael Gove has admitted smoking cannabis while he was a student  but insisted that he not get very high because the drug was weaker in the 1980s.

The cabinet minister claimed public no longer had any fierce interest in politicians history of taking drugs, as he revealed his fears about the strength of illegal substances today.

Asked if he took drugs while at Oxford university, Mr Gove told a Times Radio podcast: Yes, I did, saying they were a feature of the student experience for a lot of people.

The communities secretary said: Without wanting to get too much into the policy of it, I think that the type of cannabis, marijuana that is available now will often have a far higher THC content a far higher capacity to cause harm.

Asked whether he was saying that he didnt get very high at university, Mr Gove replied: No.

The cabinet minister went on to share his concerns about cannabis. The other thing also is that I think that the evidence about the link between smoking too much, or ingesting cannabinoids too heavily, and mental illness and psychosis and so on, is more pronounced, he said.

Mr Gove has admitted taking cocaine on several occasions in the past, saying he regretted those experiences after details emerged in a biography of the senior Tory.

I did take drugs. It is something I deeply regret. Drugs damage lives. They are dangerous and it was a mistake, he told the Daily Mail.

The levelling up secretary announced in March that Rishi Sunaks government would ban the sale of nitrous oxide, also known as hippy crack, to stop public places being turned into drug-taking arenas.

Recommended Michael Gove challenged over his cocaine use as he reveals ban on laughing gas

Asked in March if he was being hypocritical to warn of the dangers of drugs, Mr Gove said: No. Its because Ive learnt that its a mistake  worse than a mistake  to regard drug-taking as somehow acceptable.

In 2021, the then-policing minister Kit Malthouse said he would be surprised if there were not users of illegal drugs in parliament after the probe found traces of the class A substance in 11 out of 12 locations tested in parliament.
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A leading oil and gas producer has warned the UK could be starved of North Sea energy under Labour energy plans.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer last week said the party would grant no licences to explore fresh fields in the North Sea, calling a wait until UK oil and gas runs outs a historic mistake.

But the executive chairman of Ithaca Energy, which has the bulk of its investment in the North Sea, has warned such a ban and existing taxation policy was putting off investors and threatened energy security.

Gilad Myerson told the BBC: By a new government imagining theyll be able to stop licences and oil development in the UK, ultimately what that means is that theyll be starving the UK of energy, and it will become very dependent on energy from abroad.

It's impossible to just turn off a switch and imagine we can live in a world without hydrocarbons Gilad Myerson

Politicians keep making statements which spook investors. You have to make sure that the environment is stable because this is a project that will last for 10 years.

Environmental groups have warned new exploration in the area would see the UK exceed carbon budget limits.

Mr Myerson argued that using North Sea oil and gas domestically means a lower carbon footprint than foreign imports.

Most of the hydrocarbons in the UK are developed and are produced for the UK market, he said.

Some of the oil will go to refineries abroad, but will ultimately make its way back to the UK.

Its impossible to just turn off a switch and imagine we can live in a world without hydrocarbons.

The Energy Profits Levy, a windfall tax on energy company profits, was increased to 35 per cent in the Autumn Statement with the Treasury announcing this month it would remain in place until 2028 unless oil and gas prices fell for a sustained period.

Mr Myerson said the chances of such as drop were extremely low after changes in demand following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The taxation regime is changing constantly and its very difficult to invest huge amounts of capital when you dont know what type of return youll be getting.

He said Ithaca, which has stakes in six of the largest North Sea fields, was looking at investments in Europe and the US.
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Britain and the European Union have signed a deal on financial services regulation, in the latest sign of a post-Brexit thaw in relations, although Jeremy Hunt admitted that talks on rejoining the Horizon Europe science programme were at a crunchy stage.

EU financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness said Brussels and London had turned a page in their relationship.

Financial services makes up more than a tenth of the British economy, being worth more than a quarter of a trillion pounds last year.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Ms McGuinness and the chancellor will see greater cooperation between officials from the EU and the Treasury.

She said the Windsor Framework deal to address concerns over Northern Ireland had helped smooth relations between the UK and EU.

This has allowed us to move forward in a spirit of partnership, based on trust, cooperation and delivering benefits for people on both sides. This MoU weve just signed is one example of the benefits of partnership.

The new deal allows officials to discuss regulatory changes, international developments and risks to financial markets. It will also allow both sides to coordinate positions ahead of G7, G20 and other summits.

Mr Hunt said it was an important turning point and not the end of a process but the beginning.

However, EU officials stressed the memorandum would not restore access to the single market or prejudge decisions on equivalence, where one side recognises the others regulations.

Mr Hunts visit to Brussels on Tuesday was the first by a chancellor in more than three years, despite the central importance of the Square Mile to both the UKs economy and European financial services.

Around 11 trillion of assets were managed in the UK in 2020, just under half (44 per cent) of which was on behalf of international investors, including those from the EU.

Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association, said: The signing of the MoU on financial services is an important milestone.

A close partnership between the UK and EU, which recognises the long-shared history of cooperation, is of mutual benefit and will mean a more resilient and dynamic investment management sector across Europe that benefits citizens and businesses wherever they may be located.

Meanwhile, Mr Hunt said talks on Britain participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are stuck on financial details.

He said the optimal outcome would be to find a way for participation in the programme to work for the UK.

Asked about the negotiations, he replied: I wouldnt describe them as stalled. I think that they are becoming more crunchy as we start to work out precisely what terms for participation in Horizon would be fair to UK taxpayers and work for the UK.

But I think both sides recognise that it is a successful and very important programme and the optimal outcome will be to find a way where participation can work for the UK.

Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europes leading research institutes and technology companies.

Britain was set for membership of the programme as part of the Brexit trade deal but that was scuppered by disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Those have now been resolved through the Windsor Framework and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to Rishi Sunak to join the scheme.
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A TV producer and writer has accused Tory mayoral candidate Daniel Korski of groping her a decade ago.

Daisy Goodwin alleged the former No 10 adviser - who made the shortlist to be the Conservative Partys candidate for next years London mayoral race - groped her at a meeting in Downing Street in 2013.

This is not the first time Ms Goodwin has made the allegations, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given the fact he is a mayoral contender.

Mr Korski has denied the 61-year-olds accusations in the strongest possible terms.

Below, we take a look at who Ms Goodwin is and the allegations she is making.

The TV producer and writer has accused a Tory mayoral candidate hopeful of groping her a decade ago (Getty)

Who is Daisy Goodwin?

Ms Goodwin, creator of TV series Victoria, is a successful screenwriter and TV producer as well as a best-selling novelist.

She has written multiple New York Times bestselling novels, including My Last Duchess (UK)/The America Heiress (US) and The Fortune Hunter, as well as the memoir Silver River.

In a 2019 interview in The Telegraph, Ms Goodwin said: I grew up surrounded by creative people. I would often come home to find Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman sat on the sofa having tea.

Born in London on 19 December 1961, she still lives in the capital with her husband - the television executive Marcus Wilford - their two daughters, and the familys three dogs.

Mr Korski has denied Ms Goodwins accusations in the strongest possible terms (Getty Images)

She studied history at Cambridge, before attending Columbia Film School and then spent a decade at the BBC making arts documentaries.

She next moved to the independent sector, creating many programmes, including the hugely popular and long-running shows Grand Designs and Escape to the Country. In 2005, she started her own production company, Silver River productions, which she sold to Sony seven years later.

She writes on her website that in 2014 she decided to concentrate on writing full-time, and she was commissioned to write her first screenplay, Victoria, which is about the early life of Queen Victoria. Its first season aired on ITV in 2016 and was followed by two more.

Victoria, which aired its first season on ITV in 2016, was Ms Goodwins first screenplay (Rex Features)

What are Ms Goodwins allegations?

Ms Goodwin, who used an article in the Times to name Mr Korski, spoke of a meeting in Downing Street in 2013 when she alleged Mr Korski stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

She wrote: When we both stood up at the end of the meeting and went to the door, the spad stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast. Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Ms Goodwin said she felt more surprised and humiliated than frightened.

She wrote: Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened. I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the Eighties I knew how to deal with gropers.

Ms Goodwin spoke of a meeting in Downing Street in 2013 when she alleged Mr Korski stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast (Getty)

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation. I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10. His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it. It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

Why is Ms Goodwin naming Mr Korski now?

After first making the allegations in a Radio Times article back in 2017 in the wake of the #MeToo movement, Ms Goodwin said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given the fact he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

She wrote: Naively I assumed that if everyone already knew then his egregious behaviour would not be tolerated any more.

But now the spad who groped me, aka Daniel Korski, is running to be the Tory candidate for mayor of London. This I think is a reason to name him.

What has Mr Korski said in response?

Mr Korski has denied groping Ms Goodwin at that Downing Street meeting in the strongest possible terms.

A spokesperson for the former No 10 adviser said: In the strongest possible terms, Dan categorically denies any allegation of inappropriate behaviour whatsoever.
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The Prince of Wales has met with community workers in Belfast on the second day of his tour of the UK with his new Homewards project to target homelessness.

William was cheered by well wishers as he arrived at Skainos, a community centre in east Belfast.

He was officially welcomed to the Northern Ireland capital by Lord Lieutanant Dame Fionnuala Jay-OBoyle as well as Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson.

The visit came as part of his UK tour to launch Homewards, a five-year locally led programme, delivered by The Royal Foundation.

It is set to 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.

Northern Ireland is the fourth of six locations to be unveiled by William during a UK tour which continued on Tuesday.

In Belfast William met initial members of the coalition being built through Homewards, and heard from representatives from the East Belfast Mission about their work to tackle homelessness and about their new housing development 240.

He also met refugee Mehrshad Esfandiari from Iran who used the services, and now owns his own home.

The prince spoke with Grainia Long, Northern Ireland Housing Executive chief executive, who afterwards said the partnership has the potential to be transformational.

The discussion this morning with Prince William, members of The Royal Foundation and local partner organisations, confirmed that we share a real and a longstanding commitment to work together to improve the lives of those people who are struggling to find a place to call home, she said.

We share the same vision and are all equally optimistic that we can end homelessness here in Northern Ireland.

Ms Long said the launch comes at a time when Northern Ireland is facing unprecedented levels of demand in respect of housing and homelessness.

It was fantastic to attend the programme launch today alongside East Belfast Mission, Belfast and Lisburn Womens Aid, MACs Supporting Children and Young People, Simon Community and the Welcome Organisation, she said.

These are some of the organisations that are already delivering transformative support and assistance to many people.

We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with them over the next five years, to achieve real and tangible impact around homelessness.

Despite the currently challenging environment, we are very optimistic that, through the Homewards programme, we will make real progress towards ending homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Following the official engagement, William took time to meet a number of well wishers who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.
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Steve Barclay has said a belief in personal freedom is key to the Conservative approach to illness prevention as he defended the Governments record on healthcare.

Speaking at the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), the Health Secretary suggested the NHS should double down on giving patients more control over their care.

Labour accused Mr Barclay of failing to mention the health service is now facing potentially the most disastrous strikes in its history in the wide-ranging speech.

This is how I am approaching public health in my role as Health Secretary - a deeply pragmatic approach that empowers adults and better protects children Health Secretary Steve Barclay

The Government has also come under fire from health campaigners for delaying its promised ban on two-for-one junk food deals, but the Health Secretary defended the move on Tuesday.

This Conservative government is giving people choice, he told the CPS.

We want families to have the freedom to choose which deals work best for them as they plan their weekly budgets to meet higher global food prices.

The war in Ukraine  and the wider global economic situation  were not a factor when our proposals on buy-one-get-one-free were drawn up.

He claimed that while allowing individual freedom over healthcare is at the heart of the Governments strategy, a pragmatic approach would also sometimes involve intervention.

Its wrong that disposable vapes were being marketed to children when it is illegal to sell any vapes to children  Thats why we recently cracked down on underage sales with our illicit vapes enforcement squad and why we ran a call for evidence on youth vaping, Mr Barclay said.

This is how I am approaching public health in my role as Health Secretary  a deeply pragmatic approach that empowers adults and better protects children. 

His comments come after a report by The Kings Fund found the NHS is lagging behind its peers in some areas and is not by any means where we should be.

The service is performing poorly on healthcare outcomes across several different major disease groups and health conditions linked to avoidable mortality, according to the review.

Mr Barclay insisted the Governments targeted strategy for prevention would help ensure treatments are provided on the basis of need and sought to contrast it with what he described as Labours one size fits all approach.

The Opposition said the Conservatives were not fit to run a bath, let alone the NHS.

A Labour spokesman said: The NHS is facing potentially the most disastrous strikes in its history yet the Health Secretary forgot to mention them, let alone say how he plans to resolve this dispute.

It comes amid long-running disputes over pay between the Government and healthcare staff, which earlier on Tuesday saw hospital consultants across England vote heavily in favour of industrial action.

More than 24,000 members of the British Medical Association (BMA) backed strikes by 86% on a turnout of 71%, well above the legal threshold of 50%.

The BMA said that unless the Government makes a credible offer which can be put to its members, industrial action will take place on July 20 and 21  just days after junior doctors in England are due to strike for five days.
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The 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.
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The Scottish Government is disappointed MSPs will not get the chance to vote on whether or not to consent to controversial Westminster legislation regarding immigration.

Emma Roddick, the Scottish Governments minister for migration and refugees, insisted she was firmly of the view that Holyrood should have to grant legislative consent for the Illegal Migration Bill.

But with Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone having ruled the Westminster Bill does not meet the criteria for this, Ms Roddick said she was disappointed by the decision.

The minister told how the Scottish Government had prepared a legislative consent memorandum (LCM)  which is used by the the Scottish Parliament when MSPs need to consent to Westminster legislation which impacts upon devolved matters.

However, MSPs were told that Holyroods Presiding Officer had ruled that the Illegal Migration Bill does not meet the criteria for such a vote.

Ms Roddick stated: The Presiding Officer is of course entitled to reach the conclusion that she did, but I am disappointed by the decision.

She noted that the Senedd in Wales had recently voted against the callous Bill from the UK Government.

And she insisted: The Scottish Governments view is that the consent of this Parliament should be required.

SNP ministers believe 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.

It is our view that this overreaches into the Scottish Parliaments devolved competencies, undermining our commitments to victims of trafficking and exploitation. Scottish migration minister Emma Roddick

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.

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.

Migration is quintessentially a reserved matter. Conservative MSP Donald Cameron

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron made clear it was the Holyroods Presiding Officer who had ruled a LCM could not be lodged

He said: It is not the UK Government, lodging a memorandum is nothing to do with them, but the Scottish Parliament.

The Presiding Officer, presumably having taken legal advice, has decided this is not a relevant bill for the purpose of an LCM.

The Tory added: The Presiding Officer is the guardian of the processes of this Parliament, the legislative consent process does not apply, so legislative consent is not required.

In shorthand the view of the Parliament is that this does not engage devolved competence. Migration is quintessentially a reserved matter.

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.
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The judge overseeing Bryan Kohbergers death penalty case made a reference to another chilling Idaho murder case during the accused killers latest court hearing.

The 28-year-old criminology PhD student appeared in court in Moscow, Idaho, on Tuesday as his lawyers launched their fight for his life in the death penalty case.

Dressed in a dark suit and tie, he appeared solemn as he entered Latah County Courtroom and sat with his defence.

In the hearing, Judge John Judge pointed to the equally high-profile Lori Vallow murder case as he warned the media about the use of cameras in the courtroom.

Judge Judge said that outlets with cameras in the courtroom need to not focus solely on Mr Kohbeger, warning that some media has been pushing the envelope.

He pointed out that this was what was happening in the Daybell case and warned that, if it continues, cameras could be banned altogether from the courtroom. In Vallows case, no cameras were allowed in court at her trial where she was convicted of murdering her two children and conspiring to murder her new husband Chad Daybells first wife.

In Tuesdays hearing, Judge Judge also revised a gag order to clarify that it does include members of law enforcement, investigators and expert witnesses for both sides.

The judge had been expected to hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence in recent weeks, including seeking details about the DNA evidence, seeking details about the grand jury which returned a murder indictment against him, and issuing a stay on proceedings to put a pause on the case heading to trial.

Some of those issues on motion to compel and discovery had been resolved out of court while some will be argued at a later date.

The defence did ask the judge to order the prosecution to hand over some evidence in case.

Among the evidence requested by the defence are training records of three police officers who interviewed critical witnesses, information about the FBI team leading the criminal probe, and background on the tip that led to the search for Mr Kohbergers white Hyundai and cellphone records cited in the probable cause affidavit.

Bryan Kohberger appears in court on June 27 (Getty)

Insisting it is not a fishing expedition, Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they need the evidence to be able to give him a strong defence  particularly now that he is facing a death sentence.

There is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty ... and these are very relevant pieces of information, Mr Kohbergers attorney said.

Prosecutors argued that most of those materials have already been made available to the defence.

The state also noted that the officers training records do not pertain to the case and could set an unfavourable precedent in future cases.

Mr Kohbergers defence said that while there were more than 120 officers who worked in the murder investigation, they were only requesting records from three of them who played a critical role by collecting evidence, following up on tips and conducting more than a dozen interviews.

The judge told the court that he will be issuing a written ruling with the evidence that the prosecution must turn in by 14 July.

In a series of recent court filings, the defence has argued that the prosecution should hand over all information about the genetic genealogy and DNA evidence which ties Mr Kohberger to the murders of the four slain students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle. This includes information about the scientists who carried out the DNA testing and what it was that led authorities to suspect him in the first place.

Investigators linked the 28-year-old criminology PhD student to the murders through a military knife sheath that the killer allegedly left 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 discovered on the sheath was found to be a match to Mr Kohberger after the FBI checked the sample against genetic genealogy databases and tipped off local authorities, according to prosecutors.

After collecting trash from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains, a familial match from Mr Kohbergers father was first made to the knife sheath before a statistical match was made to the accused killer himself through DNA samples taken following his arrest on 30 December.

But, Mr Kohbergers defence is seeking to cast doubts on the states use of genetic genealogy in the case.

Bryan Kohberger appears in court on June 27 (Getty)

In a court filing submitted last week, his attorneys insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene.

DNA from two other men was found inside the off-campus student home while DNA from a third unknown man was found on a glove found outside the property on 20 November, 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.

The defence also said that there is no DNA evidence from the victims in Mr Kohbergers apartment, office, home, or vehicle.

The suspected killers legal team accused prosecutors of hiding its entire case from the defendant by trying to keep its method of genetic genealogy investigation secret.

They claim that authorities dont want the suspect to see how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation.

The defence is also demanding prosecutors hand over the DNA profiles of the three other males whose DNA was found at the scene.

In a separate motion, the defence is also asking the court to force prosecutors to hand over all records around the grand jury proceedings which culminated in Mr Kohbergers indictment on four counts of murder and one burglary charge.

The legal team argues it is crucial to him fighting the indictment against him.

Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (Jazzmin Kernodle)

A third motion being argued is around a stay of proceedings, with the defence arguing that the case should be put on hold until the matter of the grand jury record is resolved in court.

Mr Kohbergers latest court appearance came one day after prosecutors announced they are seeking the death penalty against him, saying that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

Mr Kohberger is scheduled to stand trial on 2 October for the murders of Goncalves, 21, Mogen, 21, Kernodle, 20, and Chapin, 20.

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.

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together (Instagram)

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.
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Bryan Kohbergers father called the police on his son nine years before his son allegedly murdered four University of Idaho students in a shocking knife attack that has horrified America.

Court records, newly obtained by ABC News, reveal that Mr Kohberger was arrested and charged with stealing one of his sister Melissas cellphones back in 2014.

The then-19-year-old had recently left rehab for drug addiction issues and had returned to the family home in Pennsylvania.

Then, on 8 February 2014, he stole the $400 iPhone and paid a friend $20 to pick him up and take him to a local mall where he then sold it for $200.

When confronted by his father Michael over the theft, Mr Kohberger chillingly warned him not to do anything stupid, according to the court records. His father reported the incident to the police.

The 19-year-old was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft.

He didnt serve any jail time and his record now appears to be expunged under Monroe Countys program to clear the records of first-time offenders.

A source told ABC News that prosecutors in Idaho are now looking into the 2014 case ahead of Mr Kohbergers trial for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

Prosecutors announced on Monday that they are seeking the death penalty against the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate.

In a notice of intent, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson cited five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought including that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killers latest court appearance on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge revised a gag order to clarify that it does include members of law enforcement, investigators and expert witnesses for both sides. He also warned the media not to focus cameras solely on Mr Kohberger in the courtroom  or they run the risk of cameras being banned altogether.

The judge had been expected to hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence in recent weeks, including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

Some of those issues on motion to compel and discovery had been resolved out of court while some will be argued at a later date.

The defence did ask the judge to order the prosecution to hand over some evidence in case  including police training records and Mr Kohbergers cellphone records.

Insisting it is not a fishing expedition, Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they need the evidence to be able to give him a strong defence.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and 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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

Mr Kohbergers defence is fighting against the states use of genetic genealogy to tie him to the brutal murders.

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.

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.

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (Jazzmin Kernodle)

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.

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 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.
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Prosecutors in Idaho are seeking the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger, the 28-year-old criminal justice graduate accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in a brutal knife attack that shocked America.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court in Moscow, Idaho, on Monday, citing five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

These circumstances include that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors have 60 days from the day the defendant enters a plea to notify them of their intent to seek the death penalty.

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.

The death penalty notice was filed one day before the accused killer was set to appear in court on Tuesday.

In a hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge revised a gag order to clarify that it does include members of law enforcement, investigators and expert witnesses for both sides. He also warned the media not to focus cameras solely on Mr Kohberger in the courtroom  or they run the risk of cameras being banned altogether.

Bryan Kohberger arrives in court on Tuesday (Getty)

The judge had been expected to hear arguments on several motions filed by the defence in recent weeks, including asking the court to order prosecutors to turn over more DNA evidence and details about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

Some of those issues on motion to compel and discovery had been resolved out of court while some will be argued at a later date.

The defence did ask the judge to order the prosecution to hand over some evidence in case  including police training records and Mr Kohbergers cellphone records.

Insisting it is not a fishing expedition, Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they need the evidence to be able to give him a strong defence.

In one of the multiple court filings submitted by his attorneys last week, Mr Kohberger insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and 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.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order on 9 June (AP)

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.

Officers on the scene of the off-campus student home where the murders took place (AP)

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.

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.

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.
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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.
 Close Bryan Kohberger arrives at court hearing

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Bryan Kohberger is in a fight for his life as he may now face the firing squad if convicted of the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

On Monday, prosecutors announced they plan to seek the death penalty against him. In Idaho, the use of firing squad as an alternative death sentence method to lethal injection will go into force on 1 July  ahead of his October trial.

Now, the 28-year-olds attorneys are seeking a trove of evidence from prosecutors which they say is key to him being able to defend himself.

Arguments about some of this evidence were heard in a court hearing on Tuesday, where the judge compared the case to that of Lori Vallow.

Judge John Judge pointed to the equally high-profile Idaho murder case as he warned the media about the use of cameras in the courtroom, saying that if they continue to focus only on Mr Kohberger, cameras could be banned altogether.

It also emerged this week that Mr Kohberger was convicted of theft nine years before he allegedly brutally stabbed the four University of Idaho students to death in Moscow.
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Last November, four University of Idaho students were found stabbed to death at a rental house in Moscow, mere hours after posting smiling photographs together on Instagram.

The case shocked the small college town and drew media attention from across the world, yet for nearly seven weeks there appeared to be no suspect in the case.

Then, on 30 December, Bryan Kohberger  a PhD student in criminology at Washington State University (WSU)  was suddenly arrested and charged with their murders.

In May, a grand jury indicted MrKohberger on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge, effectively rerouting the case directly to the states felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process.

After months of unanswered questions, the grieving relatives of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin faced their childrens accused killer in court, only for Mr Kohberger to refuse to enter a plea on the murder charges.

Prosecutors have now announced their intentions to seek the death penalty in the case.

On Tuesday, the accused killer appeared back in Latah County Court where the defence asked the court to order prosecutors to turn over more evidence in the case against him.

So how did we get here?

Heres a timeline of the case so far:

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, took this photo together hours before they died (Instagram/Kaylee Goncalves)

12 November  One lucky girl

At 8.57pm local time on 12 November, Goncalves posted for the last time on Instagram.

It was a picture of herself and the three other slain students standing together arm-in-arm on the porch of a house.

The two other roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke who lived at the home with Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle on King Road are also in the photo.

One lucky girl to be surrounded by these people everyday, Goncalve wrote in the caption.

That night, Chapin and Kernodle went to a party together on the university campus, while Mogen and Goncalves went to a bar in town.

13 November, 1.41am  Victims last seen alive in footage

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Mogen and Goncalves were seen stopping by a local food truck for a late-night bit to eat.

Twitch footage seen by The Independent captured the two best friends arriving at the food truck at around 1.41am.

Officers later said that Mogen and Goncalves used a private party for a ride home from the downtown area after visiting the food truck. The driver dropped them off at their home at around 1.45am.

Meanwhile, Chapin and Kernodle were seen at the Sigma Chi fraternity house, and also returned home around the same time.

The two other surviving roommates had also been out on Saturday night and returned to the property at around 1am, police said.

Goncalvess sister revealed that multiple calls were made from the phones of Goncalves and Mogen to the phone of Goncalves former longtime boyfriend between 2.26am and 2.52am.

Between the two best friends, 10 calls were made, but none were answered.

13 November, 2.44am  Suspects car is spotted

Not long after, according to court documents released by Latah County prosecutors, a car matching the description of Bryan Kohbergers Hyudai sedan was recorded on surveillance cameras at Washington State University, where the 28-year-old is a crimonology graduate student.

Ten minutes later, the car was spotted heading towards SR 270, a road which connects the town of Pullman, Washington, to nearby Moscow, Idaho.

At roughly the same time the sedan was likely heading towards Moscow, Mr Kohbergers cell phone pinged off towers near the his apartment in Pullman, and later showed on cell towers in Idaho in the hours directly after murders.

13 November, 3am to 4am  Murders

Officials believe the students were killed some time between 3am and 4am on Sunday 13 November).

All four were stabbed to death with an edged weapon such as a knife  though the murder weapon has not been found.

There was no sign of forced entry, the door appeared to be unlocked and nothing seems to have been taken.

The two other roommates were home at the time of the attack but were unharmed. Police said that they were not necessarily witnesses to the incident, there was no hostage situation and they appear to have slept through the murders.

Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt said the victims were likely sleeping when they were killed, as all four were found in bed, and were stabbed multiple times.

According to the Latah County records, the car appearing to be Mr Kohbergers vehicle was seen on various surveillance cameras near the students home between 3.29 and 4.20am, before appearing once again in Pullman at 5.25 near the WSU campus.

13 November, noon  Investigation begins

Law enforcement officers arrived at the house at 11.58am on Sunday after getting a 911 call from the cell phone of one of the surviving roommates (though police refused to confirm who).

Officers said that the roommates woke up on the Sunday and called some unidentified friends to the home because they believed that one of the victims on the second floor had passed out and was not waking up.

The four victims were discovered stabbed to death in their beds on the second and third floors of the house.

16 November  Autopsy findings released

Autopsy findings for the victims were released on Thursday, officially ruling their deaths homicides by stabbing.

Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt confirmed that each victim was stabbed multiple times with a large knife, describing their wounds as pretty extensive and revealing that they bled out inside their student home.

She said the autopsies confirmed that the victims were killed early in the morning, sometime after 2am, but still during the night but that it was not been possible to determine from the injuries the order in which the victims were attacked.

DNA samples and nail clippings were also taken from the crime scene with the coroner saying that it is possible that the tests could turn up DNA from people besides the victims.

A local prosecutor revealed that investigators were exploring the possibility that more than one killer is responsible for the killings, while officers were reportedly searching for a military-style Ka-Bar knife believed to be the murder weapon.

7 December  Police seek a white car

An initial breakthrough seemed to come when police announced that they were looking for the owner and occupants of a white Hyundai Elantra that was spotted near the crime scene in the early morning hours on the day of the murders.

Detectives did not reveal whether the owner of the white 2011-2013 Hyundai Elantra is believed to be a suspect but said that the occupant(s) of [the] vehicle may have critical information to share regarding this case. The licence plate is unknown.

The car was in the immediate area of the rental home on King Road in the early hours of 13 November. The murders are thought to have taken place between 3am and 4am.

The development was quickly linked in online sleuth communities to body-camera footage from a separate incident on the night of the killings, which police said stemmed from an alcohol offence just before 3am.

Officials would later shut down speculation around the video, telling The Independent on 8 December that the incident on the body-camera footage was in no way connected to the murders and the white car in the background was not the same one they were seeking information about.

15 December  Two key traffic stops

As police closed in Bryan Kohberger, the graduate student made his way across the country with his father, driving from Washington to spend the holidays with family in Pennsylvania.

By then, officials later revealed, police were on to the 28-year-old, and Indiana police pulled the pair over twice during their journey.

The stops came at the request of the FBI who were seeking images of the suspects hands as part of the investigation into the quadruple homicide of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin back in Moscow, Idaho.

It is not clear why images of Mr Kohbergers hands were important to the investigation or if the officers managed to obtain anything of interest by carrying out the stops on 15 December.

30 December, early morning  Mountain raid

Finally, at around 1.30am local time on 30 December, local police and FBI swooped on a home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, near ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains and arrested a 28-year-old criminology graduate student named Bryan Christopher Kohberger.

According to reports, the property appeared to be Mr Kohbergers parents house in a gated community. A white Hyundai Elantra was also seized.

NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin said that the suspect asked if anyone else was arrested and had a quiet, blank stare, citing inside sources.

30 December, 8am  News breaks

Later that day the Moscow Police Department and prosecutors held their first press conference since 23 November, revealing that Mr Kohberger had been charged with four counts of first degree murder.

They declined to give details on how he had come to be arrested and charged but said they still wanted to hear from members of the public who may have information about what happened.

Meanwhile, several insiders have provided crucial details to the media. One law enforcement official told CNN that Mr Kohberger was identified through genetic testing that linked DNA at the crime scene to his relatives.

Sources say authorities then confirmed that Mr Kohberger owned a white Hyundai Elantra like the one spotted near the crime scene on the night of the murders.

Investigators reportedly tracked Mr Kohberger as he drove more han 2,000 miles from Washington state to Pennsylvania, where he was surveilled for days before being taken into custody.

31 December  Charges filed

Shorly after his arrest, Mr Kohberger was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, as well as felony burglary. But the legal process didnt end there.

4 January  The suspect returns to Idaho

The 28-year-old arrived in Moscow in the late evening, where a group of officers walked the suspect into a waiting truck.

Mr Kohberger appeared to be wearing body armour as police led him into custody. On 4 Judge, the judge also issued a gag order, banning investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and members of both the prosecution and the defence from sharing any new information about the investigation or the suspect before a verdict is reached at trial.

As a result Moscow Police Department, which had been sharing updates on the investigation, said in a statement that it will no longer be communicating with the public or the media regarding the case.

5 January  Kohberger appears in court

After weeks of investigations, police and community members alike finally got what they wanted: a suspect, in Idaho court, facing charges for the four University of Idaho murders.

Mr Kohberger appeared in a Latah County court for the first time, where he heard the charges against him, had his bail rights revoked, and faced down crying family members of his alleged slain victims.

12 January - Kohberger waives preliminary hearing

Mr Kohberger appeared in Latah County Courthouse with cuts on his face as he waived his right to a speedy trial on charges of murdering the four Idaho students.

Mr Kohbergers public defender Anne Taylor then requested that his next court date be pushed back until June.

The prosecution agreed to the request and the judge scheduled the preliminary hearing for the week beginning 26 June.

19 January - Idaho police unseal search warrants

Police investigating the murder of four Idaho students seized a string of items from suspect Mr Kohbergers apartment, including possible hair strands, a disposable glove, items with red and brown stains and a computer, according to a newly unsealed search warrant.

Police said that one of the items found at the suspects apartment at nearby Washington State University was a possible animal hair strand. In the documents, investigators said one item had a collection of dark red spotting, and that a pillow had a reddish/brown stain on it.

The application also stated that the murder scene near the University of Idaho campus where the victims were discovered had a large amount of the victims blood including spatter and castoff blood.

28 February - Search warrant reveals items seized in Pennsylvania

The search warrant application was filed in Pennsylvanias Monroe County court on 29 December, the day before Mr Kohbergers arrest. It approved a search of the family residence, the adjacent garage and the suspects car.

It allowed investigators to collect blood, or other bodily fluid or materials and items with blood - but the list of seizures does not mention any such items.

Investigators seized nine items: one Defiant-brand silver flashlight, four medical-style gloves, a large white t-shirt, a pair of black and white size 13 Nike shoes and a pair of black Under Armor shorts. They also took a buccal swab, possibly from Mr Kohberger.

27 March - Prosecutors reveal officer is under internal affairs investigation

In a filing, authorities disclosed the existence of a Giglio/Brady list that could potentially affect the ongoing criminal proceedings against Mr Kohberger, the only suspect in the case.

 ...the State has become aware of potential Brady/Giglio material related to one of the officers involved in the above-referenced case, the filing stated.

Under Brady law, investigators are responsible for disclosing exculpatory information to defence counsel. Meanwhile, Giglio material conveys information that could potentially indicate that a witness is not credible, according to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement.

The scope of the list and the role of the officer in the murder investigation were not immediately clear. The evidence mentioned in the recent filing was submitted in camera to the court on 24 March, but its content remains sealed at the request of prosecutors.

5 May - Kohbergers belongings test positive for blood

Court documents, released by Washington authorities showed that multiple items taken from the 28-year-old Washington State University criminology PhD students apartment in Pullman had been tested for the presence of blood.

While most items came back negative, two items were positive.

Those items were a mattress cover on the bed and an uncased pillow, both of which were described as having visible reddish brown stains. The documents did not reveal who the blood belongs to.

13 May - Victims families accept posthumous degrees

Six months after the victims were killed in their sleep at their off-campus home in Moscow, their loved ones received the awards during two separate ceremonies.

Goncalves four siblings received their sisters general studies diploma while Mogens parents were given her marketing degree. Kernodles family accepted her certificate in marketing at a previous private ceremony while Chapins award in sports, recreation and management was mailed to his parents.

16 May - Kohberger indicted by grand jury over Idaho murders

A grand jury indicted MrKohberger on charges of burglary and four counts of murder, allowing the parties to skip the previously planned 26 June preliminary hearing.

Each murder count states that he did wilfully, unlawfully, deliberately, with premeditation and with malice aforethought, kill and murder each of the victims by stabbing.

The list of witnesses who testified before the grand jury is sealed. Mr Kohbergers indictment means that the jurors empanelled on the grand jury believed there was enough evidence against him for the case to proceed to trial.

22 May - Kohberger refuses to enter plea

Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea in Latah County District Court, prompting the judge to make one on his behalf.

His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges.

Several members of Kaylee Goncalves family were present in the courtroom, facing the man accused of killing their 21-year-old daughter as he declined to enter a plea.

The judge set Mr Kohbergers trial date for 2 October 2023 following requests by Kohbergers attorney and the state. The trial is expected to take around six weeks.

26 June  Prosecutors seek death penalty

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court in Moscow, Idaho, citing five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

These circumstances include that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity and that the defendant showed utter disregard for human life.

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, prosecutors wrote in the filing.

Consequently, considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty.
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A cleaning company is back at the crime scene where four University of Idaho students were murdered last year.

A large truck was seen on Tuesday (27 June) at the Moscow three-storey home where Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were murdered last November as the process continues to return their personal belongings to their loved ones.

Earlier reports said that the house, which now belongs to the University of Idaho, would be demolished sometime this summer.

The cleaning company tasked with removing all the items inside the home ahead of a demolition told CourtTV in a statement that a timeline has not been laid out, but staff remains in touch with family members during the process that may take several weeks.

We are beginning remediation with the removal of all the personal items for the families to receive, as they wish. This will take several weeks. No date set for demolition, the statement read.

The developments came on the same day the victims alleged murderer Bryan Kohberger appeared in court a day after Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty against Mr Kohberger.

Mr Thompson cited five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment being sought.

At a Tuesday hearing in Latah County Court, Judge John Judge heard arguments on several motions filed by the defence, including motions to compel and discovery.

Police tape surrounds a home that is the site of a quadruple murder on January 3, 2023 in Moscow (Getty Images)

Mr Kohbergers attorneys said they were not on a fishing expedition, but that they needed the material in order to build a strong case for their client.

Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for a motion hearing regarding a gag order, Friday, June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho (AP)

Among the evidence requested by the defence are training records of three police officers who interviewed critical witnesses, information about the FBI team leading the criminal probe, and background on the tip that led to the search for Mr Kohbergers white Hyundai and cellphone records cited in the probable cause affidavit.

There is a heightened standard now that the State has announced its intent to seek the death penalty ... and these are very relevant pieces of information, Mr Kohbergers defence said.

Prosecutors argued that most of those materials have already been made available to the defence.

The state also noted that the officers training records do not pertain to the case and could set an unfavourable precedent in future cases.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 (Instagram)

Mr Kohbergers defence said that while there were more than 120 officers who worked in the murder investigation, they were only requesting records from three of them who played a critical role by collecting evidence, following up on tips and conducting more than a dozen interviews.

The judge told the court that he will be issuing a written ruling with the evidence that the prosecution must turn in by 14 July.

Other motions expected to be heard were either settled prior to the court appearance or will be heard at a later date.

In a key motion to compel filed last week, the defence argued that the prosecution should hand over all information about the genetic genealogy and DNA evidence which ties Mr Kohberger to the murders. This includes information about the scientists who carried out the DNA testing and what it was that led authorities to suspect him in the first place.

Last month, Mr Kohberger previously refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary last month. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not-guilty pleas on his behalf.

Mr Kohbergers trial is scheduled for 2 October, but the date is expected to be delayed following his defences filings.
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The murder of four college students in the quiet town of Moscow, Idaho, last November unravelled a months-long investigation that is now headed to trial.

The victims, all students at the University of Idaho, were ambushed in their rooms and stabbed to death with a military-style knife that has yet to be found. Police were called to the gruesome scene at the off-campus residence almost eight hours after the vicious attack.

For weeks, only scant details about the carnage were revealed as the community reeled from the tragedy and grappled with fears of a murderer on the loose. That changed with the December arrest of Washington State University student Bryan Kohberger, whose apartment, office and family home were raided and searched for evidence.

While more information has become public through the release of search warrants and arrest records in recent months, a gag order in the case remains in place and most aspects of the probe and its findings are still a mystery.

In May, a grand jury indicted MrKohberger on four counts of first-degree murder and one burglary charge, effectively rerouting the case directly to the states felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process.

After months of unanswered questions, the grieving relatives of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin faced their childrens accused killer in court, only for Mr Kohberger to refuse to enter a plea on the murder charges.

Prosecutors have now announced their intentions to seek the death penalty in the case.

Here, The Independent takes a deep dive into the developments in the complex case:

How did the stabbings unfold?

Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death in the young womens rental home on King Road in Moscow on 13 November. Chapin, Kernodles boyfriend, was staying at the residence, which is just a few minutes walk from campus, on the night of the murders.

According to an affidavit for Mr Kohbergers arrest, the killings are believed to have taken place around 4am.

Among the revelations in the 18-page document is that Mr Kohbergers DNA was found on a knife sheath that the killer left behind at the crime scene. The tan leather Kabar sheath, which featured the United States Marine Corps symbol, was discovered on Mogens bed next to her butchered body.

At the time of the quadruple homicide, the two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortenson, were inside the home, but were left unharmed by the killer. The police report reveals that Ms Mortenson came face to face with the masked killer.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 (Instagram)

According to Ms Mortensons terrifying account, she had gone to sleep in her bedroom on the second floor of the three-floor home and was woken by what sounded like Goncalves playing with her dog in one of the third-floor bedrooms.

She told investigators she was in her bedroom on the second floor of the home  the same floor where Kernodle and Chapin were killed  and was standing in the doorway as the killer walked right past her. A short time later, Ms Mortenson said that she heard someone believed to be either Goncalves or Kernodle saying, Theres someone here.

Minutes later, Ms Morterson. said that she looked out of her bedroom for the first time but did not see anything. She then opened her door for a second time when she heard what she thought was crying coming from Kernodles room, the documents state.

At that point, she said she heard a mans voice saying, Its ok, Im going to help you.

When she opened her door for a third time minutes later, she said she saw a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the persons mouth and nose walking towards her. As she stood in a frozen shock phase, she said the man  who she did not recognise  walked past her and headed toward the back sliding glass door of the home. She then locked herself in her room.

A private security officer sits in a vehicle on Jan. 3, 2023, in front of the house in Moscow, Idaho where four University of Idaho were murdered (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Despite the close encounter, a 911 call wasnt made until 11.58am  eight hours later. The call, made from one of the surviving roommates cellphones  reported an unconscious individual. It is unclear if the killer saw her or whether she simply had a lucky escape because he didnt notice her inside the dark home.

This raises the question around whether or not he planned to kill all four victims or whether some of the victims were treated as collateral damage in the horrific attack. Goncalves and Mogens bodies were found in a bedroom on the third floor, while Kernodle and Chapin were found on the second floor of the home.

The affidavit reveals no details about what connection  if any  Mr Kohberger had to his alleged victims.

Mr Kohberger, a criminal justice PhD student at Washington State University, lived just 15 minutes from the victims over the Idaho-Washington border in Pullman, having moved there to begin the academic programme in August 2022.

Who are the victims?

Goncalves and Mogen, both 21, were seniors at the University of Idaho and were expected to graduate this year.

At a vigil weeks after the murders, Goncalves father Mr Goncalves told how the two absolutely beautiful young women first met in sixth grade and became inseparable.

They just found each other and every day they did homework together, they came to our house together, they shared everything, he said at the time. Then they started looking at colleges, they came here together. They eventually get into the same apartment together.

And in the end, they died together, in the same room, in the same bed.

Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves pictured together before their murders (Instagram)

Kernodle and Chapin were juniors at the college and had begun dating months before their deaths. The couple of 20-year-olds is believed to have been awake at the time the stabbings were carried out.

Six months after the stabbings, the families of the slain students accepted posthumous awards for their achievements.

Mogen and Goncalves relatives walked across the stage for their degrees in an emotional ceremony on 13 May. Kernodles family also accepted her certificate in marketing at a separate ceremony while Chapins award in sports, recreation and management was mailed to his parents.

Kernodles family accepted her certificate in marketing at a private ceremony last week while Chapins award in sports, recreation and management will be mailed to his parents this week.

Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (Jazzmin Kernodle)

Who is Bryan Kohberger?

At the time of the murders, Mr Kohberger was studying for his PhD and working as a teaching assistant in criminal justice at WSU.

Prior to this, Mr Kohberger studied criminology at DeSales University first as an undergraduate and then finishing his graduate studies in June 2022.

According to online school records, Mr Kohberger received an associate arts degree in 2018 from Northampton Community College in Albrightsville and received a masters degree in criminal justice this year from DeSales University.

Bryan Kohberger is seen in court

While studying at DeSales, 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 was working part-time as a security guard until August 2021 at Pleasant Valley School District, where his mother was listed as a paraprofessional.

The alleged murderer carried out a research project to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision-making when committing a crime.

Mr Kohberger reached out to potential participants on Reddit, with the chilling survey resurfacing after his arrest.

In particular, this study seeks to understand the story behind your most recent criminal offense, with an emphasis on your thoughts and feelings throughout your experience, the post said.

His fascination appears to have continued around the time of the murders when he applied for an internship with the local police department.

The affidavit revealed that he applied for an internship in the fall of 2022 with the Pullman Police Department and wrote in an essay how he had an interest in assisting rural law enforcement agencies with how to better collect and analyze technological data in public safety operations.

What the unsealed records reveal

After weeks of no updates on the investigation, law enforcement in Idaho and Pennsylvania announced Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December. A search warrant was executed at Mr Kohbergers apartment in Pullman, Washington, the same day he was arrested at his parents home in Pennsylvania.

A record of evidence recovered during the apartment search revealed the seizure of 15 items including hairs, receipts, a computer tower, a disposable glove and items with peculiar stains.

In the search warrant record, investigators list several items with stains, including cuttings of a mattress cover, a reddish/brown stain on an uncovered pillow and a collection of dark red spot. Dr Monte Miller, a former crime scene investigator and forensic expert, and former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told The Independent back in January that investigators most likely believed those items had blood stains.

List of items seized adt authorities served a search warrat at Bryan Kohbergers home (Pennsylvania Courts )

A reddish or brown stain is a euphemism for, We found something that looks like blood, Dr Miller said at the time. It might be blood from the victims, might be his blood. They dont know until they test it, but theyll be able to get DNA if it is blood. We dont know what the stains in the cover sheets look like, but again theyre looking for any kind of DNA, evidence that might have come from the crime scene.

Ms Coffindaffer added: They dont call it blood, but its definitely inferred that it was blood.

Court documents, released by Washington authorities on 4 May showed that multiple items taken from Mr Kohbergers apartment in Pullman had been tested for the presence of blood. While most items came back negative, two unspecified items were positive.

Bryan Kohberger is seen in his mugshot (Monroe County Correctional Facility)

Another item included on the list of seizures was a possible animal hair strand. While Mr Kohberger is not believed to have a pet, one of the victims he is accused of killing, Goncalves, had a dog that was at home at the time of the murders and was later found by police responding to the scene.

The possible animal hair theyll try to connect that to the dog left at the scene, according to Dr Miller. If theres a root on that, if there is any skin on that hair, they could do a DNA test with that dog. If its just a hair thats been shed and there is no skin, they would still be able to do a microscopical comparison and exclude most dogs but they wouldnt be able to connect it necessarily to that dog.

Mr Kohberger was also linked to the crime through cellphone records and his white Hyundai Elantra, a similar model of the car seen near the murder home around the time of the murders. Mr Kohberger changed the license plates on his Hyundai Elantra just days after the murders.

The suspects car had Pennsylvania plates when it was pulled over by police in Moscow, in August 2022, according to a citation from the Latah County Sheriffs Office. A review of documents on CarFax by Newsweek showed that Mr Kohberger changed the registration from Pennsylvania to Washington on 18 November, five days after four students were found stabbed to death in a Moscow home.

What we dont know

No murder weapon has been found, police said before the gag order was issued following Mr Kohbergers arrest.

It is not known if the killer personally knew one or more of the victims and whether the attack was carried out in a fit of jealousy or rage. No motive is known.

Authorities have refused to reveal who made the 911 call and will not release the audio. It is unclear what the roommates and other friends discussed in the call and what led them to describe a victim as merely unconscious.

Investigators have not revealed whether they believed the killer entered the house before the victims arrived home and hid before striking in their sleep or whether he entered the house after the students returned.

Kohberger indicted by grand jury

A preliminary hearing, where prosecutors had to show a judge that there is enough evidence to justify moving forward with charges of burglary and four counts of murder, was previously scheduled for 26 June.

However, on 16 May, a grand jury indicted Mr Kohberger on the same charges, effectively rerouting the case directly to the states felony court level and allowing prosecutors to skip the preliminary hearing process, the Associated Press reported.

According to the indictment, Mr Kohberger is charged with four counts of murder in the first degree and one count of burglary.

Each murder count states that he did wilfully, unlawfully, deliberately, with premeditation and with malice aforethought, kill and murder each of the victims by stabbing.

On 22 May, Mr Kohberger refused to enter a plea in Latah County District Court, with his attorney saying that he was standing silent on the charges.

The response prompted the judge to enter a not guilty plea on Mr Kohbergers behalf, setting the stage for a trial in which he could potentially face the death penalty.

Kohbergers parents asked to testify in Pennsylvania death case

It has also emerged that Mr Kohbergers parents have been ordered to testify before a grand jury in the familys home state of Pennsylvania in the case of a woman found dead almost a year after her sudden disappearance.

CNN first reported the news on Wednesday (24 May), citing a source who said that the accused killers mother has already given evidence to the grand jury while his father will appear to testify on Thursday (25 May). The information can then be shared with Idaho prosecutors.

The investigation is said to be about the disappearance and death of a 45-year-old woman Dana Smithers, reported Eyewitness News.

Smithers vanished without a trace in May 2022 from Monroe County, Pennsylvania  where Mr Kohberger was living at the time. Her remains were found last month in a wooded area.

What comes next?

On 26 June, prosecutors in Idaho filed their intent to seek the death penalty, citing five aggravating circumstances that could warrant the maximum sentence of capital punishment.

Now, Mr Kohberger is scheduled to appear in court on 27 June where Judge John Judge will hear arguments on several motions in the case.

In recent court filings, Mr Kohbergers attorneys have asked the court to order prosecutors to turn over more evidence about the DNA tying him to the crime scene as well as information about the grand jury which returned an indictment against him.

In one filing, submitted last week, the accused killer insisted he has no connection to the four slain students and claimed that DNA from three other unidentified men was also found at the grisly crime scene.

The judge has set Mr Kohbergers trial date for 2 October 2023 following requests by Kohbergers attorney and the state. The trial is expected to take around six weeks.
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A Florida murderer elbowed his attorney in the face and flashed the word killer across this teeth as he was sentenced to death for the 1990 rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter.

Joseph Zieler, 61, was found guilty in May for the 1990 murders of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter Lisa Story, 32.

Cornell and Story were found beaten, raped and suffocated to death by the childs mother, but it would be more than two decades before an arrest was made in the case.

Investigators in Cape Coral, Florida, first linked Zieler to the case in 2016, when forensic tests revealed that semen found at the scene matched his DNA.

He was arrested that year and, seven years later, a grand jury delivered a guilty verdict and recommended that he should be sentenced to death for his crimes.

On Monday (26 June), Zieler was in court as his defence was set to present an appeal for a new trial.

But, during the court hearing, the now-convicted murderer appeared to become enraged that cameras were present in the courtroom.

Shocking video shows Zieler leaning towards his attorney Kevin Shirley and briefly whispering something to him  before he suddenly elbows him in the face.

Three court bailiffs quickly tackle the killer to the ground and removed him from the courtroom.

Following the altercation, Judge Robert Banning asked Mr Shirley if he was okay, with the attorney replying that he had taken harder hits before.

Sixty-one-year-old Joseph Zieler was trying to appeal a jurys death recommendation when chaos erupted in the courtrooom as he elbowed his own attorney (Independent TV)

It seemed like he didnt want our conversation to be picked up by the microphones. So he waved me down and I bent over, and he struck me, Mr Shirley later told Fox 4.

The bailiffs were extremely quick to respond and eliminated any future threat.

When Zieler returned to the courtroom, he growled and flashed the word killer across his teeth.

Judge Banning later denied Zielers request for a new trial and he was sentenced to death for the heinous murders.

Three court bailiffs quickly tackled Zieler to the ground (Independent TV)

Zieler previously claimed that he didnt remember anything before 1998 due to injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident. He also claimed during the sentencing that he was innocent.

I have nothing to do with this, he said, according to the News-Press. I maintain my innocence.

Robins mother Jan Cornell told Fox4 after the sentencing: In their case, I needed to be their voice, I wasnt going to let either one of them down.

I wasnt there that night to save them or at least help one get away and for 33 years I wasnt going to let them down.

Ms Cornell was spending the night at her boyfriends home when the murders took place.

Zieler was found guilty this past May for the 1990 murders of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter, Lisa Story, 32 (Copa Coral PD)

The following day, she returned to her home to find the front door was locked. After entering through a backdoor, she discovered her daughter and friends lifeless bodies.

State Attorney Amira Fox said that she was glad to finally get justice in the decades-old case.

I moved here in 1990 and this crime had just happened, I was a young prosecutor then and it stuck with me all of that time, she said.

To see 33 years later this justice served ... I felt chills in the courtroom.

Relatives of Zieler also released a statement saying they were sorry for what he had done to his victims.
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The murder charges against Carlishia Hood, the mother seen in a video urging her 14-year-old son to shoot and kill a man at a fast food restaurant, have been dropped after further footage came to light showing the man punching her.

Cook County prosecutors in Chicago dropped the charges against the 35-year-old as well as her son following the death of a man at a restaurant in West Pullman.

Ms Hood and her son had been charged with first-degree murder following the killing of Jeremy Brown, 32, on 18 June at the Maxwell Street Express, a fast-food restaurant south of downtown Chicago.

Ms Hood had a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card and she had a license to carry a concealed weapon when the incident took place. The mother was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to CBS News Chicago.

On Monday, all the charges against both mother and son were dropped.

The office of Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx said in a statement that the decision to drop the charges was based upon our continued review and in light of emerging evidence.

Based upon the facts, evidence, and the law, we are unable to meet our burden of proof in the prosecution of these cases, the office added.

Ms Hood left the Cook County Jail on Monday morning, hugging her family as she came outside.

While she didnt comment on her release as she left the jail, her attorney and family said they were relieved to see the charges dropped and that justice had been served.

Prosecutors have previously noted that the shooting was filmed. Ms Hood was in line to get food with her son waiting in their car when Mr Brown came inside. Video later shared on social media showed an argument between Ms Hood and Mr Brown inside the fast-food restaurant.

Ms Hood texted her son during the argument. Security footage from outside the restaurant shows the 14-year-old going inside while cellphone footage from inside shows Mr Brown hitting Ms Hood at least three times both in the head and the face.

If you say one more thing Im going to knock you out, Mr Brown said in the video.

It was at this point that the teenager pulled a gun from his hoodie and shot Mr Brown in the back. The 32-year-old fled the restaurant, with the teenager following him. The teen discharged the firearm again after Ms Hood told him to shoot and kill Mr Brown.

Mr Brown died of his injuries after being shot twice in the back. The mother and son said in their account of the shooting that Mr Brown had punched Ms Hood.

CBS 2 legal analyst Irv Miller said on the network, You have the right to use deadly force to stop that force against another person, and thats exactly what happened in this case, and thats exactly why the states attorneys office dropped this case today.

He added that the charges should never have been filed.

This goes beyond an injustice. Frankly, its a miscarriage of justice as to what happened to this woman and her son, he said. Its a situation where either the charges should have been rejected, or at the very minimum they should have been continued for investigation, rather than just, you know, say, Okay, murder charge. Send them to court.

Both Ms Hood and her son had no criminal record.

After she was charged last week, Ms Hood was held on a $3m bond while her son was charged as a juvenile and held without bail before the dropping of the charges. Both have now been released.
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NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnsons father-in-law and mother-in-law were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in Oklahoma.

Muskogee police say that 69-year-old Jack Janway, 68-year-old Terry Janway and 11-year-old Dalton Janway were found fatally shot after a disturbance call to their home on Monday evening.

Investigators believe that Terry Janway, who is the mother of Johnsons wife Chandra, was the shooter, reported the Muskogee Phoenix.

Johnson, who has been NASCAR Cup Series champion seven times, married Chandra in 2004 and the couple has two daughters, Genevieve and Lydia. Chandra Johnson grew up in Muskogee, where her father had been a longtime chiropractor.

Muskogee Police Officer Lynn Hamlin told the newspaper that they were investigating what caused the shooting.

Thats what they are still investigating but there appears theres no threat to the community so its looking very likely that its a murder-suicide, she said.

MPD says that they received a call at 9.05pm on Monday night from a woman saying that there was a disturbance and someone with a gun, before hanging up.

Jack Janway and Terry Janway (Janway Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic)

When officers arrived they found Jack Janway, laying in a hallway inside the house and then heard another gunshot from further inside the property.

The officers pulled Janway outside and ordered anyone else in the house to come outside. When a search was carried out the bodies of Terry Janway and Dalton Janway were discovered.

It was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident. It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved, Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman told FOX23.

I knew Dr Janway. Dr Janway has worked on me, weve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since Ive been in Muskogee. Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me.

Following the tragedy, Jimmie Johnsons team pulled out of Sundays NASCAR race in Chicago.
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A Black teen who survived a shooting earlier this year after he knocked on the wrong door has opened up about his attackers chilling warning just moments before the violence unfolded.

On the evening of 13 April, Ralph Yarl, then 16, mistakenly drove into the driveway of 84-year-old Andrew Lesters home in Kansas City, Missouri. The teen had meant to pick up his twin brothers from a friends house that was actually a block away, but before he could explain the misunderstanding, Mr Yarl was shot in his head and arm.

I see this old man and Im saying, Oh, this must be like, the grandpa [of my brothers friend], Mr Yarl, now 17, said in an exclusive interview with ABCs Good Morning America that aired on Tuesday. And then he pulls out his gun. And Im like, Whoa! So I backed up. He points it at me.

Mr Yarl said he braced for the attack but didnt think the man behind the door would open fire on him. Before Mr Yarl could process the threat in front of him, he found himself lying on a bed of shattered glass and profusely bleeding from his head.

He only said five words, Dont come here ever again, Mr Yarl said Mr Lester told him right before the shooting. ... As far as I know, I didnt know their family at all. I hadnt even seen their friends or their parents before so [I thought] that this was their house.

Disoriented and desperate to get to safety, Mr Yarl ran out of the driveway pleading with neighbours to help him.

Before I know it, Im running away and shouting, Help me, help me! Mr Yarl recounted.

The teen was transported to a hospital, where he received treatment for the two gunshot wounds he sustained.

His mother Cleo Nagbe, who became concerned after a long time passed without hearing from her son, was later called by law enforcement.

I was worried already that maybe he had gotten a flat tire or something and then I got a call from a strange number and it was the police, Ms Nagbe also told GMA. The [doctors] didnt have to tell me anything. He was alert when I got there but it wasnt a pleasant sight. It was traumatising.

More than two months later, Mr Yarl is still reeling from the aftermath of the shooting and how it has impacted his life.

There are a lot of things that are going on inside my head that arent normal. Ive been having headaches, trouble sleeping and sometimes my mind is just foggy ... like I cant concentrate on things that would be easy for me, Mr Yarl told GMA.

Ralph Yarl, then 16, was shot twice after he mistakenly drove into the driveway of 84-year-old Andrew Lesters home in Kansas City, Missouri (AP)

Mr Lester has pleaded not guilty to first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting.

Mr Lester has admitted that he shot Mr Yarl through the door without warning because he was scared to death that he was about to be robbed by a Black person standing at his door. He remains free after posting 10 per cent of his $200,000 bond.

The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Mr Lester received preferential treatment from investigators after he shot Mr Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice, while Mr Yarls attorney, Lee Merritt, has called for the shooting to be investigated as a hate crime.

Unfortunately, race is a major factor in who gets justice and who doesnt and in cases where there is a white man and a Black child, Mr Merritt told GMA.

Mr Yarl is now receiving therapy to cope with the emotional trauma he endured.

Andrew Lester pleaded not guilty in first court appearance over shooting of Ralph Yarl (KMBC)

Im just a kid and not larger than life because this happened to me, Mr Yarl said. Im just going to keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy. And just living my life the best I can, and not let this bother me.

Asked about what justice he expects the system ultimately delivers, Mr Yarl said that he hopes his shooter is convicted.

[He] should be convicted for the crimes that he made, Mr Yarl said. I am past having any personal hatred for him.
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Missing Colorado woman Suzanne Morphews body is in a very difficult spot but investigators continue to search for her, prosecutors have said.

Suzanne Morphew, 49, disappeared from her remote home in Salida, Colorado, in 2020 amid plans to leave her husband of 25 years Barry Morphew.

He was charged with her murder and was set to go on trial before the case was dismissed without prejudice in April 2022.

Authorities arrested Barry Morphew Wednesday and charged him with his wife Suzanne Morphews murder. (Denver7 - The Denver Channel)

Now prosecutors say that it could be months or even years before they have enough evidence to prove Morphew was murdered or bring it to trial.

That could be a long time. It could be quick, it could be long. It depends on a lot of our investigation, said 11th Judicial Deputy District Attorney Mark Hurlbert in court on Monday.

But he insisted that investigators have a strong idea of where her body is.

She is in a very difficult spot. We actually have more than just a feeling  and the sheriffs office is continuing to look for Mrs. Morphews body, he said, according to The Denver Gazette.

Barry Morphew leaving court with his daughters Macy (left) and Mallory (right) on Tuesday after learning the charges against him were dropped (AP)

And he added: We are going to continue to look for her body. We are simply trying to get this case prosecutable, whether that is against the defendant or against somebody else.

The court hearing was held after Mr Morphews lawyers requested that records in the case were sealed indefinitely.

Attorney Iris Eytan told the court that prosecutors had been acting on a hunch when they charged Mr Morphew with murder.

Undated booking photo of Barry Morphew (Chaffee County Sheriffs Office)

There is a cloud of suspicion unfortunately thats hanging over Mr Morphews head as a result of the prosecutions continued statements that they have a hunch that he had something to do with Mrs Morphews disappearance, Ms Eytan said.

Park County District Judge Amanda Hunter ordered the records, which contain statements made by Mr Morphews wife to her best friend Sheila Oliver before she disappeared, to be unsealed.

When she disappeared, Suzanne Morphew was having a long-distance affair with a man she went to high school with and wanted to leave her husband for him, an earlier evidentiary hearing was told.

The affair came to light when investigators found a spy pen in her closet, which she had bought to hide in her husbands car as she suspected that he was also having an affair.

Barry Morphew has maintained he had nothing to do with his wifes death. He was arrested in 2021 after a yearlong investigation and eventually released on bail.
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Rip currents have killed 11 people within the last two weeks along the US Gulf Coast, according to federal officials.

The deaths have spanned from Fort Morgan, Alabama, to Panama City Beach, Florida, according to the National Weather Service, with high risk conditions persisting in Walton, Bay, and Gulf counties in Florida through Tuesday.

Three people died in a single day on Saturday in the Florida city, according to the data.

Panama City Beach, Florida (AFP via Getty Images)

The victims were identified by Panama City police as Kimberly Ann Mckelvy Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia; Morytt James Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Georgia; and Donald Wixon, 68, of Canton, Michigan.

You say you are a good swimmer, an experienced swimmer, a competitive swimmer. But you are no match for a rip current, the Bay County, Florida, sheriffs office, based in Panama City, said in a Facebook post on Monday, featuring aerial images of channels in the sand carved out by rip currents.

These are pictures of the trenches dredged in the sand under the water as a result of the powerful rip currents this past weekend. These are so deep they are easily seen from above. There are quite a few of them. The pictures were taken yesterday from one of our helicopters. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We hope so.

Conditions off the beaches of Panama City have been abnormally hazardous the last month, with double red flag warnings, signifying extreme risk to oceangoers, flying every day since12 June.

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They typically extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone, and past the line of breaking waves.

The currents prove especially lethal because people often try to swim against the direction of the moving water to get to safety, which can tire out even the most powerful swimmers. Instead, experts advise those caught in rip currents to swim sideways or at an angle away from the outflowing current, parallel to the beach, until they are outside of its pull and can get to safety.

Over 100 people each year die in rip currents in the US, and such currents are responsible for an estimated 80 per cent of lifeguard rescues, according to the US Lifesaving Association. Rip currents are the third-leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the US between 2013 and 2023, according to the NWS, more than lightning, tornadoes, or hurricanes. Telltale signs of a rip current include narrow, localised columns of churning water near breaks in sandbars, piers, and other gaps in a beachs normal wave pattern.

Daryl Pauyl, beach safety director at Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, told WJHG that the best thing beachgoers can do is heed the warnings or safety officials and stay near lifeguards.

The safest place to be when you come to the beach is near a lifeguard, he said. And I will always pump that out. Swim near a lifeguard.

A lot of the times the rescues are simply from the people we already warned, he added.
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Family members have paid tribute to Hamish Harding, the British billionaire, aviation tycoon, and explorer who is among the five people who died on a failed submarine expedition last week to the wreck of the Titanic.

A statement from Hardings family, via his company, Action Aviation, described him as a dedicated father of two and living legend who loved to explore and push the boundaries of what was possible.

He was one of a kind and we adored him. He was a passionate explorer  whatever the terrain  who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure, the statement reads. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, its that we lost him doing what he loved.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

The aviation tycoon was known for his daring feats of exploration.

Hamish Harding (Dirty Dozen Productions) (PA Media)

In 2021, he went on a record-setting voyage to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, which at 36,000 feet below sea level is the deepest part of the ocean.

Harding also made record-breaking trips to the South Pole alongside Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the oldest person ever to reach the pole, and Hardings son Giles, 12, the youngest to ever accomplish the feat.

The aviation businessman also completed the fastest circumnavigation of the globe above the North and South Pole.

Hey, were headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weathers been bad so theyve been waiting for this, the 58-year-old billionaire wrote, according to retired NASA colonel Terry Virts, who shared the final text he received from Harding, and said his friend undoubtedly understood the risks of the dangerous adventure.

Hey, were headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weathers been bad so theyve been waiting for this, the message read, Mr Virts told ITV.

The astronaut said his friend understood the risks of his deep-sea expedition to the famous shipwreck.

All five crewmembers of the OceanGate Titan submersible mission to the Titanic died in a catastrophic implosion, the US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday.

Oceangate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and French adventurer Paul-Henri Nargeolet were the others on board the Titan when it lost communications with a support ship less than two hours into a 4,000m dive to the Titanic shipwreck on Sunday.

Richard Garriot, president of the Explorers Club, a society for scientists and explorers, mourned the loss of members Harding and Nargeolet, calling them adventurers who were drawn to explore for the betterment of mankind.

Hamish Harding is a dear friend to me personally and to The Explorers Club. He holds several world records and has continued to push dragons off maps both in person and through supporting expeditions and worthy causes, Mr Garriot said in a statement. Paul-Henri was elected to the Club in 2001 and was one of the foremost experts on submersible expeditions to the Titanic.

Who was British billionaire Hamish Harding?

Hamish Harding began his career after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in natural sciences and chemical engineering.

However, it was his interest in flying that guided his career path and he set up Action Aviation, an aircraft business, from a base in the Middle East. For most of his professional life he lived in Dubai - and helped to grow business ventures in the UAE, particularly encouraging research and space travel.

Action Aviation was founded in 2004. The companys LinkedIn profile states it [Provides] aircraft and helicopter brokerage services to many owners who wish to sell, as well as buyers in the market for the first time or replacing/upgrading their existing aircraft for something more suitable.

After making his fortune, he was able to follow some of his passions for adventure, particularly for exploration, aviation and space adventure.

This saw him visit the South Pole several times, including alongside former Nasa astronaut Buzz Aldrin in 2016, and fly around the world. Along the way, he was able to set a world record for diving to the deepest point of the Mariana Trench in a two-person submarine.

He was also involved in a conservation project aimed at reintroducing the cheetah to India, while last year got a first taste for space tourism as part of the Blue Origin project, taking part in the fifth manned spaceflight of the New Shepard rocket.

In 2022 he was inducted into the Living Legend of Aviation guild in 2022, an elite club that also contains the likes of Tom Cruise and Kenn Ricci.

He died on June 18, just a few days before what would have been his 59th birthday.

Mr Harding leaves behind his wife Linda Harding, with whom he had four children.
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The search for what remains of the Titan submersible and its passengers concluded this week, as human remains were found on the sea floor and debris from the vessel returned to dry land in Canada.

Large pieces of wreckage from the Titan was seen being transported to St Johns harbour in Newfoundland on Wednesday by the Horizon Arctic ship, where they were unloaded by a crane.

The Coast Guard announced just hours later that presumed human remains had been found on the sea floor. They will now be formally analysed.

While the search has ended, investigations will continue for some time into what caused the catastrophic implosion of the sub, killing all five passengers on board.

The resting place of the Titanic lies about 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at a depth of around 12,500ft below the surface, with trips to visit it typically involving a two-hour descent.

Particular details about the Titan, a cramped metal cylinder accommodating four passengers and a pilot, emerged soon after it first went missing.

Measuring 22ft long by 9.2ft across and 8.3ft high, the sub consists of an aerospace-grade carbon fibre hull with titanium hemispheres at each end, as well as a fibreglass hull insert to shield the passengers and electronics from condensation.

The Titan making its descent (PA)

A real-time monitoring system provides a running analysis of the impact changing pressure is having on the hull as the craft descends deeper and deeper into the ocean in the interests of safety.

The vessel weighs 10,432kg in total and can travel at a maximum speed of three knots, made possible by Four Innerspace 1002 electric thrusters.

The tourists and scientists who typically ride in it are able to look out via a large viewport window, their perspective enhanced by Sub C Imaging 4k Rayfin exterior cameras that capture the surrounding marine environment in a live feed that is displayed on a large digital display.

The Titan vessel has gone missing with five people on board (PA)

There is little by way of comfort inside but there is a toilet, although privacy is limited because it is situated right next to the viewing window.

Most astonishingly, the craft is controlled by a generic video games controller  specifically a Logitech F710 Wireless PC Gamepad from 2011, according to gaming expert Matthew Ruddle  and, rather than using a GPS for navigation, it communicates with a tracking team aboard a surface ship, in this case the Polar Prince, via text messages.

A clip of a CBS Sunday Morning featurette about the sub from November 2022 that has gone viral in light of this weeks disaster shows OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was aboard the vessel that imploded after vanishing on Sunday, cheerily pointing out handles affixed to the ceiling of the craft that he says he bought from Camper World but denying that the vessel has been MacGyvered or jerry-rigged.

Theres no switches and things to bump into, we have one button to turn it on, Mr Rush explained to reporter David Pogue.

An interior view of the submersible used to tour the wreck of HMS Titanic (PA)

Everything else is done with touch screens and computers, and so you really become part of the vehicle and everybody gets to know everyone pretty well.

The Titan was reportedly built with the help of a team of engineering consultants from Nasas Marshall Space Flight Center, who offered guidance during the development stage.

Speaking to GB News, David Scott-Beddard, chair of the British Titanic Society, outlined how unique the proposition offered by the company is, explaining: The OceanGate Titan, this particular submersible, is the only one currently capable in commercial use that can take passengers down to the wreck... Its one of only five submersibles that can reach this depth.

Titan prepares to launch from its submersion platform on a test run (OceanGate/YouTube)

Similarly, G Michael Harris, a specialist Titanic expedition leader who said he has previously worked with the pilot of the stricken Titan, told Jesse Waters on Fox News: More people have been to outer space than to this depth of the ocean and when youre diving in these situations you have to cross your Ts, dot your Is, you have to have everything absolutely perfect and by the book... Throw in a bunch of tourists and a new sub that was created over the last several years its not looking good.

As to the experience of being a passenger on the Titan, New Yorker Mike Reiss, who said he had made three dives in it, told BBC Breakfast that the sub is a beautifully designed craft, I cant disparage it, but its meant to go down further than any other vessels can go... If its down at the bottom, I dont know how anyones going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up.

He continued: The phrase we keep hearing is theyve lost communication and Ive gotta say I did three separate dives, I did one dive to the Titanic and two more off the coast of New York and every time they lost communication.

The Titan on dry land (PA)

And, again, this is not to say this is a shoddy ship or anything. Its just, this is all new technology and theyre learning it as they go along.

You have to remember the early days of the space programme or the early days of aviation where you just make a lot of mistakes on the way to figuring out what youre doing.

OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were on board the Titan. All five passengers died in the implosion.
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A federal judge on Monday approved a $290m preliminary settlement in a lawsuit from alleged abuse victims accusing JPMorgan Chase of turning a blind eye to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking ring.

"This is a really fine settlement," US District Judge Jed Rakoff said on Monday in court, according to Reuters.

The suit, filed in court last year on behalf of Epstein victims, under the name of an anonymous woman dubbed Jane Doe 1, accused the bank of ignoring Epsteins troubled history, including continuing to do business with him for five years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to child prostitution charges and registered as a sex offender.

Jeffrey Epstein

The US-based bank and the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit reached a provisional settlement earlier this month, they announced.

Any association with him was a mistake and we regret it. We would never have continued to do business with him if we believed he was using our bank in any way to help commit heinous crimes, JPMorgan Chase said in statement announcing the settlement.

The parties believe this settlement is in the best interests of all parties, especially the survivors who were the victims of Epsteins terrible abuse, the bank added.

A separate suit from the US Virgin Islands attorney general accuses the bank of having pulled the levers that allowed Epstein to traffick women and girls for years.

The action alleges JPMorgan concealed wire and cash transactions that facilitated the exploitation of numerous vulnerable people, including acts that took place on the financiers private island in the US Virgin Islands.

As The Independent has reported, the bank has denied being complicit in any wrongdoing, and instead alleged the US Virgin Islands knowingly shielded Epstein from accountability while reaping the benefits of his wealth.

Earlier this year, Deustche Bank agreed to pay $75m to settle a similar lawsuit from Epstein victims.

In 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

He was found dead in August of that year by suicide, according to officials.
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A scathing report from the Justice Department (DOJ) watchdog has outlined numerous and serious failures by the Bureau of Prisons leading up to the suicide of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The DOJs Office of the Inspector General released its report on Tuesday, finding that multiple prison staff members failed to check on the disgraced financier in the hours leading up to his death  despite him being on suicide watch.

Under Bureau of Prison (BOP) policy, staff are required to check on all inmates in solitary confinement at least once every 30 minutes.

In a clear violation of this policy, no checks were made for almost eight hours from around 10.40pm on 9 August until around 6.30am on 10 August  when the prolific sex offender was found dead.

Staff at the Manhattan jail also failed to assign Epstein a fellow inmate in his cell and left him with access to additional bed linen which he used to kill himself, the report finds.

These failings came even after Epstein was believed to have attempted suicide on 23 July  about two weeks before he died.

The OIGs investigation and review identified numerous and serious failures by MCC New York staff, including multiple violations of MCC New York and BOP policies and procedures, the report states.

The OIG found that MCC New York staff failed on August 9 to carry out the Psychology Departments directive that Epstein be assigned a cellmate, and that an MCC New York supervisor allowed Epstein to make an unmonitored telephone call the evening before his death.

Additionally, we found that staff failed to undertake required measures designed to make sure that Epstein and other SHU inmates were accounted for and safe, such as conducting inmate counts and 30-minute rounds, searching inmate cells, and ensuring adequate supervision of the SHU and the functionality of the video camera surveillance system.

The damning report states that a combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures all contributed to an environment where one of the BOPs most notorious inmates was provided with the opportunity to take his own life.

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 (New York State Sex Offender Registry)

His death resulted in significant questions being asked about the circumstances of his death, how it could have been allowed to happen, and most importantly, depriving his numerous victims, many of whom were underage girls at the time of the alleged crimes, of their ability to seek justice through the criminal justice process, the report states.

Despite the damning list of failures, the watchdog concluded that there was no evidence to contradict the FBIs finding that there was no crime involved in his death.

We did not find, for example, evidence that anyone was present in the SHU area where Epstein was housed during the relevant timeframe other than the inmates who were locked in their assigned cells, the report states.

The report adds: All staff members who were interviewed by the OIG said they did not know of any information suggesting that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide.

Likewise, none of the interviewed inmates provided any credible information that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide.

Autopsy findings were also consistent with suicide, the report says.

Epstein  a billionaire financier who mingled with the rich and famous  was found dead in his prison cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York, on 10 August 2019.

At the time of his death, he was awaiting trial on a string of sex-trafficking charges.

The New York medical examiner determined that he had died by suicide.

Following widespread speculation and conspiracy theories, an FBI investigation also determined there was no criminality in his death.

The watchdog report outlines how Epstein was placed in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) at the Manhattan prison on 7 July  one day after his arrival at the facility  due to the media coverage of his case and inmate awareness of his notoriety.

He remained in the SHU, where inmates are kept separate from the general population and are locked in their cells for around 23 hours a day, until his death one month later on 10 August.

In the SHU, prison staff are required to check on inmates every 30 minutes, carry out multiple inmate counts during every 24-hour period, search SHU common areas and at least five cells daily, and search the entire SHU every week.

On 9 July, Epstein was evaluated by prison psychologists and was not found to be a suicide risk.

The Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, New York, where Epstein died (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

But on 23 July, prison staff responded to his cell for an apparent suicide attempt.

He was placed on suicide watch  but only for a day.

Epstein told staff he believed his cellmate had tried to kill him but then later said he didnt know what had happened and asked to continue to be housed with the cellmate.

Due to his apparent suicide attempt, Epstein should have been in a cell with an appropriate inmate.

A cellmate was assigned to his cell but was then moved out of the cell on 9 August and no one else was moved in to replace them  just hours before he died by suicide.

On 8 August, the report reveals that Epstein met with his attorneys in prison and signed a new Last Will and Testament.

The following day  hours before his death  around 2,000 pages of documents about Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell were released as part of a civil case. Epstein also made a final unrecorded, unmonitored phone call to someone he had a personal relationship with, in violation of policy.

Epstein was locked in his cell at around 8pm on the night of 9 August with no cellmate and an excess of prison blankets, linens and clothing in his cell.

At around 6.30am the next morning, an officer delivering breakfast found him in his cell and began performing CPR.

It is unclear when he was last checked on or when his cell was last searched. The report reveals that prison staff not only violated policy by failing to carry out the required checks but also falsified documents to appear as though more checks had been carried out.

Two officers were later charged with falsifying BOP records but the charges were later dropped.

A malfunction of the facilitys security cameras also meant there was a lack of footage to review as part of the probe.

In a damning conclusion, the watchdog outlines that this is not the first time it has found significant job performance and management failures on the part of BOP personnel and widespread disregard of BOP policies that are designed to ensure that inmates are safe, secure, and in good health.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein (PA Media)

The report refers to the death of notorious mobster James Whitey Bulger as an example.

In December, a damning OIG report found that serious failures from prison officials ultimately led to Bulgers murder just 12 hours after he was moved to a notoriously dangerous jail infamously dubbed misery mountain.

Based on its findings over Epsteins death, the OIG made eight recommendations to the BOP to address the issues in the report and said there was an urgency for the DOJ and BOP leadership to address the chronic staffing, surveillance, safety and security, and related problems plaguing Americas federal prison system.

Epsteins arrest and charges in New York in 2019 came after he was previously convicted in 2008 of procuring an underage girl for prostitution.

In a now widely-condemned sweetheart plea deal in Florida, Epstein pleaded guilty to one charge and was sentenced to just 18 months in prison  most of which he served out of prison in a work-release program.

On his release, he was ordered to register as a sex offender.

His accomplice Maxwell was found guilty of sex trafficking at a high-profile trial in New York in December 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Watch as the Republican candidate Nikki Haley delivers a speech on foreign policy with China.

Ms Hayley, who served as the US ambassador to the United Nations for two years, is making the speech as Chinese government aggression escalated towards the US in recent months.

Haley is speaking at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, where she is set to dive into her plans for the future of US-China policy.

She has recently taken a strong stance on the current US-China relationship under President Joe Biden, referring to the governments approach as weak in a recent article for The Washington Post.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently returned from a significant trip to China, where he met with Chinese President Xi and other officials.

The trip aimed to ease tensions between the two countries following the sighting of a Chinese spy balloon over US territory in February.

Ms Hayley has shrugged off recent polls suggesting she is significantly trailing behind President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among Republicans.

I have been underestimated in everything Ive ever done, she said.

She added: Its a blessing because it makes me scrappy, it makes me work hard.
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Safety concerns about the Titan submarine that imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean with five people on board have been revealed in a number of scathing reports.

The US Coast Guard announced during a Thursday press conference that the missing Titans pressure chamber was found among other debris, approximately 1600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor by an ROV. In a statement to The Independent, OceanGate  the private company that offers the $250,000-a-seat expedition to the wreck of the Titanic  confirmed that the five passengers aboard the vessel are now believed dead.

But before boarding submarines from OceanGate, travellers were warned in a contract that it has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, disability, motion trauma, or death.

The disclaimer is part of a long list of concerns regarding the companys safety record, as its crew remains unaccounted for with air rapidly running out.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titan submarine here.

A lawsuit, a letter from industry leaders, and comments from the companys own CEO, one of the missing crewmen, all pointed to potential issues with the Titan submersible.

In 2018, the company fired David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations. They claimed he breached his contract and shared confidential information about its designs with two individuals as well as with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

However, Mr Lochridge alleged in a wrongful termination suit obtained by The New Republic that he was fired for blowing the whistle about concerning safety issues.

According to the suit, Mr Lochridge delivered highly critical updates regarding the ships quality control to senior management and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, pointing to alleged issues such as visible flaws in the ships carbon fibre hull, prevalent flaws in a scale model, flammable materials onboard, a viewing window not rated for the Titanics depth, and key safety documents that were not shared with him.

Now is the time to properly address items that may pose a safety risk to personnel, he allegedly said at one point. Verbal communication of the key items I have addressed in my attached document have been dismissed on several occasions, so I feel now I must make this report so there is an official record in place.

The official allegedly pushed for further testing and for outside evaluators like the American Bureau of Shipping to inspect and certify the submarine.

Five people are missing aboard the vessel which is missing and uncontactable in the Atlantic Ocean (Reuters/Jannicke Mikkelsen/OceanGate Expeditions/Getty)

He claimed, according to filings obtained by the magazine, that he was fired when he said he wouldnt authorise manned testing of the sub without scans of the crafts hull.

The Independent has contacted OceanGate for comment.

An attorney for Mr Lochridge, who settled with the company in 2018, said the man has no comment and that we pray for everyones safe return.

That wasnt the only red flag about the company, which became a media darling for its bold claims about innovating submarine design and bringing tourists to see the famed North Atlantic wreck.

In 2018, leaders in the submarine industry wrote a letter from the Marine Technology Society to the company warning of catastrophic issues with the submarines development.

Three dozen signatories including executives, oceanographers, and explorers expressed unanimous concern, particularly with the companys decision not to seek outside evaluation and testing.

While this may demand additional time and expense, the signatories wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The New York Times. It is our unanimous view that this validation process by a third party is a critical component in the safeguards that protect all submersible occupants.

Rescue teams are continuing the search for the submersible tourist vessel Titan which went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck (PA Media)

In a 2019 blog post, the company defended its decision not to have its sub classed by an outside evaluator.

The vast majority of marine (and aviation) accidents are a result of operator error, not mechanical failure, it reads. As a result, simply focusing on classing the vessel does not address the operational risks. Maintaining high-level operational safety requires constant, committed effort and a focused corporate culture  two things that OceanGate takes very seriously and that are not assessed during classification.

That same year, Mr Rush, the CEO, told Smithsonian Magazine that submarine regulations were stifling innovation.

There hasnt been an injury in the commercial sub industry in over 35 years. Its obscenely safe, because they have all these regulations, he said. But it also hasnt innovated or grown  because they have all these regulations.

The alleged issues didnt end there.

In 2020, the CEO told GeekWire the hull of the submarine was showing signs of cyclic fatigue, one of the same technical issues Mr Lochridge allegedly warned about, as the company continued to test the craft, including with a 4,000m deep dive in the Bahamas.

As a result, the company temporarily downgraded the Titanic submarines hull depth rating to 3,000m, 1,000 less than the Titanics depth, according to TechCrunch.

Over the next two years, according to the publication, the submarines hull, originally built by Spencer Composties, was repaired or rebuilt by aerospace contractors Electroimpact and Janicki Industries.

The Independent has contacted all three companies for comment.

Missing tourist submarine likely stuck under Titanic propeller, says Hamish Hardings friend

Electroimpact did not answer specific questions about its reported involvement with the submarine, but company chief operating officer Austin Clark told The Independent via email thatour thoughts and prayers go out to the passengers and their families.

Spencer told TechCrunch its hull wasnt used on the version of the Titan which went down to the Titanic and went missing.

By 2021, the submarine had completed its first trip down to the Titanic.

As OceanGate continued to plunge into its Titanic mission, problems continued.

A 2022 mission saw the Titan suffer battery issues that required the ship to be manually attached to a key lifting platform, according to court documents obtained by The New York Times.

Last year, on a visit to the Titanic programme, a CBS News reporter observed the submarine allegedly had off the shelf components including lights from Camping World, and that the submarine suffered a communications issue with the ship overseeing its voyage and was lost for nearly three hours underwater.

OceanGate Expeditions founder and CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were on board the Titan. All five passengers are presumed dead following the discovery of debris on Thursday.

The Coast Guard says that ROVs will remain in place but that it will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours.

This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I dont have an answer on prospects at this time, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard.

The Rear Admiral said that sonar buoys had been in the water for the past 72 hours and that they had not picked up any evidence of an implosion, suggesting that it had happened early on in the dive.
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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.
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Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship were forced to run for cover after unexpected, dangerously-high winds sent deck furniture flying.

Videos posted on social media showed chairs and tables flying across decks while people in swimsuits gripped onto walls.

One TikTok video showed a lounger narrowly miss a woman carrying a small child.

The Independence of the Seas ship was caught in a brief but intense rain storm as it prepared to leave Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida last week.

Passengers were lounging by the pool in the sunshine when strong winds and heavy rain suddenly rolled in.

Videos showed passengers running for cover and sliding across the slick decks, and ducking to avoid airborne chairs and umbrellas.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement that no passengers were seriously injured due to the flash storm.

Two passengers aboard the ship complained on TikTok about the cruise line failing to notify passengers of the storm.

Just a fun evening leaving Port Canaveral this past Friday, TikTok user lucassparrow1110captioned his video.

No announcement from the captain before or after, also no mention of what happened. Just pretend like it didnt happen I guess, he wrote.

The sun was shining just 10 minutes before! Cora Cornett captioned her video.

We were on the top deck watching another boat in port get hit with rain when suddenly it DISAPPEARED in the rain so we ran down to the next deck but it was already on us.

Ms Cornett said the weather passed over extremely quickly at around 4pm on 16 June.

No ship announcements were made before or after so people on the lower pool deck were hit completely without warning, Ms Cornett wrote.

The Independent has reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment.

In response to the incident, Royal Caribbean told Distractify: On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seasencountered a sudden gust of high winds. This latest for a brief period and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew.

The company said that the ship continued on its scheduled three-night itinerary and arrived in the Bahamas on Saturday.
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British-based Pakistani tycoon and his teenage son are among five people who perished aboard the Titanic tourist submarine.

The US Coast Guard announced on Thursday that the remains of the submersible vessel lost in the Atlantic Ocean had been found by an ROV on the ocean bed near the wreck of the famed liner.

Its support vessel, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, lost contact with it approximately one hour and 45 minutes after it submerged on Sunday morning.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

The wreckage of the Titanic  which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after it hit an iceberg  is located at a depth of 12,500 feet. First discovered in 1985, the ships remains sit in two separate parts southeast of Newfoundland, the most easterly province of Canada.

Business advisor Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman have been named as two of the people on board the submersible.

The father and son took part in the expedition with French submersible pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rushton and British billionaire Mr Harding.

(Family handout)

In a new statement before the discovery of Titans remains, the family described Mr Dawood as a loving father and said Suleman was a university student.

48-year-old business advisor Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood died aboard the Titan (WEF)

Shahzada is a loving father to Suleman and Alina, husband to Christine, brother to three siblings, and son to Hussain & Kulsum Dawood. His 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, is currently a university student, the statement said.

Shahzada has been actively advocating a culture of learning, sustainability, and diversity in his capacity as Vice Chairman of Pakistans Engro Corporation. Passionate about social impact, he works extensively with the Engro Foundation, The Dawood Foundation, the SETI Institute, and Princes Trust International.

Out of the office, he has spoken passionately at the United Nations in 2020 on International Day for Women & Girls in Science and Oxford Union in 2022. His interests include photography, especially wildlife photography, and exploring different natural habitats while Suleman is a big fan of science fiction literature and learning new things.

Suleman also takes a keen interest in solving Rubiks Cubes and enjoys playing volleyball.

Mr Dawood, who was a business advisor serving on the board for Princes Trust International, lived in a Surrey mansion with his wife Christine, son Suleman and daughter Alina, according to MailOnline.

The Dawood family is among the richest in Pakistan but has strong links to the UK.

This image shows the 4am start of the RMS Titanic Expedition Mission 5 on the morning of 18 June 2023 (Dirty Dozen Productions/AFP/Getty)

Mr Dawood studied Law at the University of Buckingham in 1998, later completing a masters degree in Textile Marketing at the University of Philadelphia in 2000.

Mr Dawoods father, 79-year-old Hussain Dawood, is the chairman of the Pakistan-based Dawood Hercules Corporation as well as the Engro Corporation, responsible for manufacturing chemicals and fertilisers, food and energy respectively.

Mr Dawood was the vice-chairman of both his fathers companies as well as a member of the founders circle of British Asian Trust, an international development organisation working across South Asia.
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Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, was aboard his companys Titan submarine that imploded after going missing on Sunday en route to the wreck of HMS Titanic around 370 miles east of the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The US Coast Guard announced during a Thursday press conference that the missing Titans pressure chamber was found among other debris, approximately 1600 feet from the bow of the Titanic on the sea floor by an ROV (remote-operated vehicle).

In a statement to The Independent, OceanGate  the private company that offers the $250,000-a-seat expedition  confirmed that the five passengers aboard the vessel are now believed dead.

The Titan was a cramped 22-feet long cylinder with an aerospace-grade carbon fibre hull capped with titanium hemispheres at each end, boasting a massive viewport window and 4K cameras to relay the marine environment outside back to those within but is otherwise sparse indeed.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here.

Astonishingly, the craft was controlled by a generic video games controller  specifically a Logitech F710 Wireless PC Gamepad from 2011, according to gaming expert Matthew Ruddle  and, rather than using a GPS for navigation, it communicated with a tracking team aboard a surface ship, in this case the Canadian icebreaker the Polar Prince, via text messages.

(OceanGate)

According to Mr Rushs biography on his companys website, he graduated from Princeton University with a BSE in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1984 and later from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business with an MBA in 1989.

He began his career as a pilot, qualifying from the United Airlines Jet Training Institute in 1981 at the age of 19 and serving as a DC-8 first officer on flights to Europe and the Middle East during his summers between college.

In the year he left Princeton, Mr Rush joined the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as a flight test engineer on its F-15 program, spending two years at Edwards Air Force Base on its APG-63 radar test and anti-missile programs.

In the year he left UC Berkeley, he personally built a Glasair III experimental aircraft, which he still owns and flies, and subsequently constructed a heavily-modified Kittredge K-350 two-man submarine, in which he has conducted more than 30 dives.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible Titan (American Photo Archive/Alamy/PA)

Between 2003 and 2007 he served on the Museum of Flights Board of Trustees in Seattle, Washington, also chairing the institutions Development Committee for a year during his tenure.

He founded OceanGate Expeditions in 2009  the company based in Everett, Washington  and the non-profit OceanGate Foundation in 2012 while also sitting on the board of BlueView Technologies, a manufacturer of high-frequency sonar systems that acquired subsea tech developer Teledyne in 2012.

Mr Rush also served on the board of enterprise software company Entomo and as chairman of Remote Control Technology, whose clients include Exxon, Conoco-Philips and Boeing.

He was interviewed about his Titan sub on a CBS Sunday Morning featurette last November and cheerily emphasised its homemade aspects, also pointing out handles affixed to the ceiling of the craft that he said he had bought from Camper World but denied that the vessel has been MacGyvered or jerry-rigged.

I dont know if Id use that description of it. But, there are certain things that you want to be buttoned down, Mr Rush told reporter David Pogue.

The pressure vessel is not MacGyver at all, because thats where we worked with Boeing and Nasa and the University of Washington. Everything else can fail, your thrusters can go, your lights can go. Youre still going to be safe.

Mr Rush was also interviewed by Mr Pogue for the latters Unsung Science podcast that same month on which he was asked what he worried about at the depths of the ocean and answered: What I worry about most are things that will stop me from being able to get to the surface. Overhangs, fish nets, entanglement hazards.

The interior of the Titan (PA)

On the safety of his missions more generally, he said: I dont think its very dangerous. If you look at submersible activity over the last three decades, there hasnt even been a major injury, let alone a fatality. What worries us is not once youre underwater.

What worries me is when Im getting you there, when youre on the ship in icy states with big doors that can crush your hands and people who may not have the best balance who fall down, bang their head. Thats, to me, the dangerous part.

Perhaps most revealingly of all, he added: You know, at some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, dont get out of bed. Dont get in your car. Dont do anything.

Mr Rush also spoke to the BBC last year to promote his lucrative Titanic tours venture, which costs customers $250,000 (195,000) per trip, telling viewers that deep sea travel is amazing. Its just such a different experience. Its a totally different emotion.

Explaining the appeal of pursuing the ghostly wreck of the doomed liner in particular, he said simply: I read an article that said there are three words in the English language which are known throughout the planet. Thats Coca-Cola, God and Titanic.

On Tuesday 20 June, it emerged that Mr Rush had been sued for fraud by a Florida couple who claimed their planned deep-sea voyage to the Titanic was repeatedly cancelled and attempts to secure a refund were ignored.

Marc and Sharon Hagle filed a lawsuit in Orange County in February that accused CEO Stockton Rush of defrauding them of $210,258 which they paid to secure two berths on a 2018 trip to the famed North Atlantic shipwreck.

The Hagles allege that they signed a contract and paid deposits in November 2016 to become one of the first of OceanGates paying customers soon after the Titanic expeditions were first publicised.

The Hagles further stated that Mr Rush made false representations that the vessel would be ready to dive to the Titanic by June 2018, and convinced them to sign a second contract pay the full $105,129 per-person fee.

The promised trip to the Titanic wreck in 2018 was later cancelled as OceanGate had not had sufficient time to certify the Titan to travel to the 4,000m depth, the Hagles said.

In addition to Mr Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were also on board the Titan. All five passengers are presumed dead following the discovery of debris on Thursday.

The Coast Guard says that ROVs will remain in place but that it will begin to pull back equipment over the next 48 hours.

This is an incredibly unforgiving environment out there on the sea floor. The debris is consistent with the catastrophic implosion of the vessel. We will continue to work and search the area down there but I dont have an answer on prospects at this time, said Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard.

The Rear Admiral said that sonar buoys had been in the water for the past 72 hours and that they had not picked up any evidence of an implosion, suggesting that it had happened early on in the dive.
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One the night of Saturday 17 June, billionaire explorer Hamish Harding took to Instagram to reveal he was among the crew of a submersible vessel on their way to explore the Titanic wreckage.

I am proud to finally announce that I joined OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic, Mr Harding wrote.

Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow.

Mr Harding said the five-member crew, which included French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, had set sail from St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, on Friday.

They were planning to start their 4,000m descent to the most famous shipwreck in the world at 4am on Sunday morning. Until then we have a lot of preparations and briefings to do, he said.

About 105 minutes into the trip, the Tital submersible stopped communicating with its mothership.

But just five days later, it would be confirmed that the submarine suffered a catastrophic implosion and all five people on board were confirmed to have died.

Hamish Harding posted about his plans to travel to see the Titanic wreckage two days before the sub went missing (Facebook/Hamish Harding)

Heres a timeline of the horror ordeal:

Sunday (18 June)

The Polar Prince icebreaker sailed around 900 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, where it set anchor.

The five-person crew was dropped into the ocean in their 22-foot long submersible vessel, the Titan, around 8am EST the submersible was launched, according to the US Coast Guard

One hour and 45 minutes later, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince.

The vessel was programmed to send out a ping every 15 minutes to indicate its location. The final signal was sent at around 10am ET, according to The Times.

The Titan typically takes around two hours to reach the Titanic wreckage, located about 4,000m beneath the ocean.

The OceanGate Expeditions submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic (PA Media)

According to the Coast Guard, the sub was meant to surface at 3pm EST.

When it failed to resurface, the crew raised the alarm with authorities at 5.40pm EST.

At a press conference in Boston, Captain Jamie Frederick, of the US Coast Guard, said: On Sunday, the co-ordination command centre in Boston received a report from the Canadian expedition vessel Polar Prince of an overdue 21 foot submarine, Titan, with five people on board.

The Titan was attempting to dive on the wreck of the Titanic, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles south of St Johns, Newfoundland.

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the scheduled dive, the Polar Prince lost all communication with the Titan, Polar Prince conducted an initial search and then requested Coast Guard assistance. The US Coast Guard in Boston assumed the responsibility of search-and-rescue mission coordinator and immediately launched search assets.

Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has coordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince (the Titans mother ship), which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

The vessel was carrying enough oxygen for the crew for 96 hours  making the rescue mission a race against time to reach the vessel.

The divers failed to return from a 4,000m deep dive to the Titanic wreckage (Atlantic Productions, PA) (PA Media)

Monday (19 June)

On Monday morning, authorities revealed the Titan was missing and a large-scale search operation had been launched.

The US Coast Guard revealed they had begun a sweeping search of a 5,000sqm area about 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Canadian Coast Guard said it too is taking part in the effort with fixed-wing aircraft and a ship.

At 1.30pm, the US Coastguards Northeast tweeted that a C-130 Hercules reconnaissance aircraft had been dispatched to search for the Titan.

P8 Poseidon aircraft with underwater sonar capabilities joined the search on Monday afternoon.

A US Navy Curv-21, an unmanned submersible vessel that can reach a depth of 20,000 feet, is being used in the search for the missing Titanic wreck vessel (US Navy)

It is a remote area and it is a challenge to conduct a search in that remote area but we are deploying all available assets to make sure we can locate the craft and rescue the people onboard, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told reporters during a briefing at 4.30pm EST on Monday.

Submersible craft including an unmanned US Navy Curv-21, which can reach a depth of 4,000m, also joined the search.

The Polar Prince and 106 Rescue Wing continued to conduct surface searches throughout Monday evening.

Tuesday (20 June)

On Tuesday afternoon, OceanGate confirmed that its chief executive and founder Stockton Rush is aboard the submersible as a member of the crew.

A Canadian Aircraft P3 Aurora joined the effort, as the search area expanded to 10,000sqm.

During the press conference on Tuesday, Captain Frederick said there were around 40 to 41 hours of oxygen left on the submersible.

He said that a unified command of multiple agencies had been formed to tackle the very complex problem of finding the vessel but so far this had not yielded any results.

Captain Frederick said: Since Sunday, the Coast Guard has coordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Air National Guard aircraft and the Polar Prince (the Titans mother ship), which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut.

These search efforts have focused on both surface, with C-130 aircraft searching by sight and with radar, and subsurface, with P-3 aircraft were able to drop and monitor sonar buoys.

Captain Jamie Frederick told reporters that the complex search had not yet yielded any results (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

To date, those search efforts have not yielded any results.

Captain Frederick was non-committal however when asked if there is any way to retrieve the submersible and save the five on board if it can be located.

So, right now all of our efforts are focused on finding the sub, he said.

What I will tell you is we have a group of our nations best experts in the unified command and if we get to that point, those experts will be looking at what the next course of action is.

It is understood the King was being kept informed of the search efforts, as Shahzada Dawood was a long-time supporter of The Princes Trust International and The British Asian Trust, both of which are charities founded by Charles

It was also reported that a Canadian aircraft had detected banging noises within the search area over the course of 30-minute intervals.

Wednesday (21 June)

According to internal e-mail updates sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership, the Canadian aircraft detected banging noises every 30 minutes.

RCC Halifax launched a P8, Poseidon, which has underwater detection capabilities from the air, the e-mails read.

Banging noises have been detected leading to renewed hope of finding the five passengers aboard the submersible (Reuters/Getty/WEF/OceanGate)

The P8 deployed sonobuoys, which reported a contact in a position close to the distress position. The P8 heard banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard.

The US Coast Guard on Wednesday morning said: Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV (remote operating vehicles) operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises.

Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue.

Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our U.S. Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans.

In an upbeat statement, President Richard Garriot de Cayeux of The Explorers Club said: There is cause for hope, that based on data from the field, we understand that likely signs of life have been detected at the site.

They precisely understand the experienced personnel and tech we can help deploy We believe they are doing everything possible with all the resources they have.

Mr Garriot de Cayeux said they were ready to provide the UK-based Magellans remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is certified to travel as deep as 6,000 metres.

In a press conference on Wednesday (21 June) afternoon, Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard assured people that authorities were doing everything possible to locate the missing vessel as the search intensified with more technology.

Mr Frederick confirmed that the vessel had less than 24 hours of oxygen supply left. He also acknowledged that officials do not know if crews will be able to rescue the people on board even if they do manage to find the sub before the oxygen runs out.

The first photo emerged of the Deep Energy rescue ship, which carries two remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) capable of operating to a depth of 3,000m, arriving at the search site on Wednesday. The John Cabot, which has side-scanning sonar capabilities, the Skandi Vinland and the Atlantic Merlin also arrived at the search site on Wednesday morning, the US Coast Guard said in a Twitter post.

The Royal Canadian Navy also deployed HMCS Glace Bay, which carries a medical team specialising in dive medicine. Onboard the ship is a six-person mobile hyperbaric recompression chamber that can be used to treat or prevent decompression sickness.

However, the French ship Atalante carrying the Victor 6,000 underwater (ROV) and winch  the only one capable of reaching the Titanic wreck 4,000m under the ocean surface  had a narrow window of time to conduct rescue operations as it only reached the search site on Wednesday night.

Thursday (22 June)

The air supply on the missing Titanic tourist submarine came down to its last hours, as rescue workers continued their increasingly desperate search for the five stranded passengers.

A US Coast Guard spokesperson told The Independent they expect the vessel, named Titan, would run out of oxygen at 8am EDT, which is 1pm UK time, on Thursday. This estimated time is based on the number of hours of oxygen the craft had for the five people on board - 96 - and the time it submerged - 8am EDT, which is 1pm UK time, on Sunday.

Soon after that deadline passed, officials announced a debris field had been found in the search area.

Five crew members were later confirmed to have died after the Titanic tourist submarine suffered a catastrophic explosion.

The US Coast Guard offered its deepest condolences to the families after the tail cone of the vessel was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck.

In a press conference, Rear Admiral John Mauger said further debris was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.

In a statement, OceanGate Expeditions said: These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the worlds oceans.

Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time.

We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.

Asked what the prospects of recovering crew members were, Rear Admiral Mauger said: This is an incredibly unforgiving environment down there on the sea floor and the debris is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vessel.

And so well continue to work and continue to search the area down there, but I dont have an answer for prospects at this time.

Rear Admiral Mauger also said there did not appear to be any connection between the underwater noises detected during the search and rescue mission and the location of the debris on the seafloor.

This was a catastrophic implosion of the vessel which would have generated a significant broadband sound down there that the sonar buoys would have picked up, he said.

28 June

The search for what remains of the Titan submersible and its passengers concluded, as human remains were found on the sea floor and debris from the vessel returned to dry land in Canada.

Large pieces of wreckage from the Titan was seen being transported to St Johns harbour in Newfoundland on Wednesday by the Horizon Arctic ship, where they were unloaded by a crane.

The Coast Guard announced just hours later that presumed human remains had been found on the sea floor. They will now be formally analysed.

While the search has ended, investigations will continue for some time into what caused the catastrophic implosion of the sub, killing all five passengers on board.
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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.
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An implosion that killed five crew onboard the Titan submersible is now the focus of investigations by agencies from four countries.

The sub was destroyed less than two hours into a dive to the Titanic shipwreck on 18 June, claiming the lives of OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Secret US Navy listening devices detected an anomaly near the Titanic shipwreck soon after the Titan departed from its support ship the Polar Prince, which is believed to be the moment sub suffered a catastrophic implosion of its carbon fibre hull.

Follow the latest updates on the missing Titanic submarine here

A desperate search for survivors continued for four days until a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) found a debris field that was later identified to be parts of the missing submersible. On 28 June, the US Coast Guard revealed that presumed human remains had been recovered from the sea floor near the debris.

Hopes had been raised when the US Coast Guard revealed that sonar devices had detected banging sounds coming from the search zone, a vast area of the North Atlantic Ocean twice the size of Connecticut.

The source of the banging sounds has not been identified, but experts have put forward several theories about their possible origin.

What were the banging noises?

On Tuesday 20 June, buoys detected tapping sounds coming from the search area, raising slim hopes that survivors could yet be found.

We dont know the source of that noise, but weve shared that information with Navy experts to classify it, US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger told CBS This Morning.

The sound was detected at 2am local time by a Canadian P-3 aircraft.

It first came every 30 minutes and was heard again four hours later, the internal government memo obtained by CNN states.

The noises were picked up again on Wednesday 21 June.

Officials admitted that the noises were inconclusive and were being analysed by Navy experts as the search and rescue operation was still in full swing.

With respect to the noises specifically, we dont know what they are, to be frank with you, Captain Jamie Frederick of the First Coast Guard District told reporters on Wednesday.

Mystery banging sounds were detected during the search for the Titan sub (OceanGate Expeditions)

On 22 June, Carl Hartsfield, an expert with the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution, told CBS News there were many possible explanations for the sounds.

The ocean is a very complex place, obviously  human sounds, nature sounds, and its very difficult to discern what the sources of those noises are at times, he told the news site.

The large number of vessels that were in the area would also emit noises picked up by sensors.

Some experts suggested that the banging sound was the noise of debris  from either the Titanic or the Titan  in the ocean.

Jeff Karson, professor emeritus of earth and environmental sciences at Syracuse University, told Mail Online while the search was underway that the noise could be a complicated echo coming from sounds bouncing around the Titanic debris field.

Its just not bouncing off of one thing. Its bouncing off a bunch of things. And its like, you know, dropping up a marble into a tin can. Its rattling around and that would confuse the location, he told the publication.

He said the suggestion that the banging sounds may have been linked to survivors was wishful thinking.

Is it really banging or just some unidentified sound? I think that is a more accurate description right now, he said last Wednesday.

Stefan Williams, a professor of marine robotics at the University of Sydney, told Insider the sounds may have been created by marine wildlife such as whales.

He said there had been reports of marooned submarine crews banging on the vessels hull to signal their location, and that acoustic noise will travel.

Chris Parry, a former British Royal Navy commander, told TalkTV the sounds could have come from any number of underwater sources.

You get a lot of mechanical noise in the ocean. Trying to differentiate it from tapping noises is a fools errand.
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One nearly became Buffalo's first female mayor. The other was thrust into prominence after her son survived a racist mass shooting.

Democrats India Walton and Zeneta Everhart consider themselves political allies but they are pitted against each other in a race for a seat on Buffalo's Common Council, one of many local government offices at stake in primary elections being held across New York on Tuesday.

The two Black women are vying to represent a part of the Rust Belt city still healing from a white supremacist's attack that killed 10 people at a neighborhood supermarket just over a year ago. That mass shooting was followed by a punishing December blizzard that killed 47 people in the city and its suburbs, with a disproportionate number of the victims coming from Buffalo's Black neighborhoods.

Walton, 41, is trying to make a comeback after a rollercoaster defeat in the city's mayoral race in 2021. In that contest, she stunned the political establishment by scoring an upset win over the longtime incumbent, Byron Brown, in a primary where she ran far to his left as a democratic socialist.

With no Republican on the ballot, Walton briefly looked like a sure winner in the general election, too, but Brown came back as a write-in candidate and won with the support of centrist Democrats, Buffalo's business community and Republicans who said Walton, a former nurse and labor organizer, was too liberal.

While Walton remains a political outsider in Buffalo, Everhart, a former television producer, had been quietly building a more conventional career in politics as an aide to a state senator when tragedy thrust her into the spotlight.

Her son, Zaire Goodman, was one of 13 people shot at the Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo on May 14, 2022. Goodman, who worked part-time at the supermarket, was hit in the neck but survived.

Weeks later, Everhart testified before Congress, telling members that some shrapnel will be left in her sons body for the rest of his life. She's continued to speak publicly in the months since about racism and gun violence in the U.S.

Everhart, 42, said Monday that she probably would have run for the seat, representing Buffalo's Masten district, even if the attack never happened, but that it influenced her decision.

Part of me wanting to run for Masten is about paying it forward because of the love that was shown to my son, Everhart said during a phone interview. People are still dropping off gifts, leaving things on my doorstep for Zaire. And that, to me, means that I have to give back to my community."

The supermarket targeted by an 18-year-old white supremacist now lies just outside the district the two women are running to represent.

Walton could not be reached for an interview Monday. In interviews and on the campaign trail, the two candidates have highlighted their different approaches to governing, with Walton stressing that she's willing to fight a political establishment she says hasn't done enough, and Everhart citing her abilities as a coalition-builder.

Everhart has been endorsed by the county Democratic Party while Walton has been endorsed by the left-leaning Working Families Party.

The two women have known each other for years and have expressed respect for each other.

We're not adversaries, in my book, Everhart said.

Primaries held across the state Tuesday will select party nominees for a variety of local offices, including some county legislators, town supervisors, district attorneys, mayors and members of the New York City Council.

There are no statewide offices on the ballot in 2023.
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An audio recording that includes new details from a 2021 meeting at which former President Donald Trump discusses holding secret documents he did not declassify has been released.

The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information. The recording first aired Monday on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  a writer, a publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country.

These are the papers, Trump said in a moment that seems to indicate he was holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. This was done by the military, given to me.

Trumps reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the meeting could undercut his later claims in a Fox News Channel interview that he didn't have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording "provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all.
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Fox News' Maria Bartiromo served up a new conspiracy theory to the network's viewers, suggesting the US was "drumming up" news of internal strife in Russia to distract from Hunter Biden news.

During Fox & Friends on Sunday, Bartiromo complained about a "double standard" she sees when it comes to Hunter Biden, and insisted that the biggest story of the weekend was not the dramatic break between the Wagner Group mercenaries and their Russian benefactors, but rather the president's son.

I know that the State Department and the White House would like everybody to move the Hunter Biden story off of the front page and start talking about all the drama in Russia over the weekend, Bartiromo said. Were not going to do that on Sunday Morning Futures. The biggest story of the week was that WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden, and he is basically doing a shakedown that you would expect in a Francis Ford Coppola Godfather movie.

The "story of the week" Ms Bartiromo was referring to was a WhatsApp message in which Hunter Biden dropped his father's name to pressure a Chinese business associate to pay him.

The message was reported after Hunter Biden accepted a plea deal from federal prosecutors over a misdemeanour tax charge and a felony gun charges.

Bartiromo suggested the news out of Russia that the notorious Wagner Group, a mercenary organisation the carries out military operations for Russia, was revolting against its benefactors was a distraction handed to the media from Joe Biden.

The White House wanted to give the media something else to cover, and this is the MO. This is exactly the way they do things, she said.

She claims she predicted that the White House would try to cover up the WhatsApp message with a different story.

"On Friday I said Wow, what a blockbuster WhatsApp message. Im sure there will be an enormous story over the weekend that the White House is gonna be pushing to take this story off the front page. And sure enough, weve got the State Department drumming up the drama that took place over the weekend in Russia," she said.

"So I dont know if its going to break through. The mainstream media has an excuse again not to cover it. Theyre covering everything about Russia and the Wagner Group as if it really matters to the US right now."

But even Bartiromo's network was covering the dramatic in-fighting in Russia, albeit with its own tinge of conspiracy theory. The day before, a Fox & Friends co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy claimed that the US might be pulling the strings behind the Wagner Group's short-lived uprising.

Despite her insistence that the Wagner Group's actions would be of little import to Americans, she led her Sunday Morning Futures show with an interview featuring Congressman Michael McCaul about the mercenary outfit.
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House Speaker Kevin McCarthy demurred on the question of whether Donald Trump is best candidate Republicans can put forward to face Joe Biden in 2024  before backlash from Magaworld forced him to walk back his criticism and call the former president to apologise.

In a CNBC interview on Tuesday, Mr McCarthy said Mr Trump can beat Mr Biden but that hes not sure another Republican couldnt do better.

Can he win that election? Yeah, he can, Mr McCarthy said. The question is, is he the strongest to win the election? I dont know that answer. But can somebody, can anybody beat Biden? Yeah, anybody can beat Biden.

The House speaker changed his tune in a later interview with Breitbart, saying his words had been twisted and he didnt mean to undermine Mr Trump.

As usual, the media is attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans as our committees are holding Bidens DOJ accountable for their two-tiered levels of justice, he said. The only reason Biden is using his weaponised federal government to go after President Trump is because he is Bidens strongest political opponent, as polling continues to show.

Just look at the numbers this morningTrump is stronger today than he was in 2016, he added in reference to a Morning Consult poll which showed Mr Trump ahead of Mr Biden by a margin of 44 per cent to 41 per cent.

It later emerged that, in addition to the Breitbart interview, Mr McCarthy also called the former president to apologise for his comments, CNN reports. He even sent out a campaign fundraising email on behalf of Mr Trump that claimed the 45th president was stronger than ever heading into the 2024 election.

Mr Trump is, at this point, the candidate most likely to prevail in an increasingly crowded Republican primary field for the chance to take on Mr Biden. The former president, despite facing two indictments, is leading early polls of the primary race by a wide margin. In recent weeks, hes increased his lead over second-placed Gov Ron DeSantis of Florida.

But some Republicans are concerned with Mr Trumps ability to win a general election. Polls indicate that Mr Trump is deeply unpopular with the public, with a majority of Americans holding an unfavourable view of the former president. Mr Trump has already lost one election to Mr Biden, and he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 as well, despite prevailing in the Electoral College.

Since then, Mr Trumps legal issues have mounted. The former president is under indictment in New York for his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme, and under federal indictment in Florida for allegedly mishandling classified documents and refusing to return them to the federal government when asked.

Mr Trump could face still more legal trouble in the months to come over his attempts to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election. Mr Trump was impeached for inciting the riot at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, which was the second time he was impeached during his term as president. The Senate didnt confirm either impeachment, which means Mr Trump is still eligible to run for president.

Mr McCarthy did not say that any of Mr Trumps challengers would make a better general election candidate than Mr Trump; indeed, Mr DeSantis also has poor favourability ratings.

Still, Mr McCarthys suggestion that Mr Trump may not be the strongest candidate is notable if only because the California representative has long been one of Mr Trumps most vocal allies in Republican leadership  famously aiding his political rehabilitation by visiting him at Mar-a-Lago just weeks after the Capitol riot.
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Attorneys for Ron DeSantis have filed a motion in federal court to dismiss the Walt Disney Companys lawsuit that accuses the Florida governors administration of illegal political retaliation.

The lawsuit filed on 26 April accuses the governors administration of waging a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint following a series of punitive measures from Florida Republicans targeting the company for its public opposition to what opponents called the states Dont Say Gay law.

The lawsuit claims Mr DeSantis threatens Disneys business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights.

A motion filed in US District Court on 26 June argues that Mr DeSantis is entitled to legislative immunity that shields the actions of the governor and lawmakers in the proposal, formulation, and passage of legislation.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis argue that the governor and the secretary of Floridas Department of Economic Opportunity are both immune from the suit.

Neither the Governor nor the Secretary enforce any of the laws at issue, so Disney lacks standing to sue them, the motion argues.

After Disneys public objections to the Parental Rights in Education Act, the governor and members of his administration ignited a feud that escalated to Republican threats to punish Disneys operations in the state and ultimately resulted in his administration taking control of them.

A municipal district, implemented in 1967, allowed Disney to effectively control its own land use and zoning rules and operate its own public services, including water, sanitation, emergency services and infrastructure maintenance.

With Disney as the primary landowner for the district, the company is largely responsible for the costs of municipal services that otherwise would fall under the jurisdiction of county and local governments, including the taxpayers who live within them. In effect, Disney taxed itself to foot the districts bill for its municipal needs.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis called that decades-long arrangement a sweetheart deal that gave Disney carte blanche to govern itself through a puppet board.

After the governor signed legislation that amounted to a state takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, his appointees to the new board that replaced it were outraged to find that the previous board approved changes that would remain in effect for years to come.

Attorneys for Mr DeSantis called it a last-ditch power grab.

The DeSantis-appointed board voted to nullify those arrangements, and Disney promptly sued.

This government action was patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional, Disneys lawsuit argued.

The ongoing legal battle and the governors crusade against inclusive classroom instruction and honest discussion of gender, sexuality, race and racism in classrooms have surrounded his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Mr DeSantis has ushered through a series of administrative policies and Florida laws  some of which have been struck down in court  targeting public education and LGBT+ people, particularly gender-affirming care for transgender people in Florida.

In a seven-figure ad series from the DeSantis-backing Never Back Down political action committee, the campaign accuses Disney of promoting secret sexual content and slams Bud Light and Target for supporting trans people.
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A new book from a former Trump administration appointee accuses top former White House official Stephen Miller of a desire to break international law with a suggestion to use military force against unarmed civilians attempting to migrate to the US.

A spokesperson for Mr Miller denied that the conversation, first detailed in an upcoming book by Miles Taylor, took place. Excerpts of the book were obtained by Rolling Stone and published on Tuesday.

In the book, Mr Taylor accuses Mr Miller of making the remark during a conversation with Admiral Paul Zukunft of the US Coast Guard.

His supposed remarks were directed towards a boat reportedly carrying a group of migrants bound for US shores  presumably with the intention of applying for asylum or escaping into the wider US after landing illegally on US shores. Under federal law, migrants seeking to apply for asylum must first reach US soil to begin the application process.

Tell me why cant we use a Predator drone to obliterate that boat? Mr Miller is quoted by Mr Taylor as saying.

Mr Taylor further reported that the admiral went on to explain that the US was bound by international law, which among other things spells out the immorality of using military force against civilian targets and defines that as a war crime.

The magazine reported that Mr Zukunft claims no recollection of the quote in question, but vividly recall[ed] having a lengthy conversation with Stephen Miller regarding south-west border security in 2018.

To use deadly force to thwart maritime migration would be preposterous and the antithesis of our nations vanguard for advancing human rights, said Mr Zukunft in a statement to Rolling Stone.

Mr Millers representative, meanwhile, strongly denied that the former Trump aide had made the suggestion.

This is a complete fiction that exists only in the mind of Miles Taylor desperate to stay relevant by fabricating material for his new book, they told Rolling Stone.

But it isnt the first time Mr Miller has been reported to have made comments about immigration and migrants that have shocked those in his presence and drawn accusations of racism, bigotry, and flat-out callousness towards vulnerable civilians fleeing from persecution.

In the fall of 2021, CNN reported that Mr Miller had made a racist comment in response to the idea of working to ensure that Afghans and Iraqis who worked for the US military as translators, fixers, and local guides would be protected from backlash  an idea that became all too relevant with the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban later that year.

What do you guys want? A bunch of Iraqs and Stans across the country? Mr Miller was reported to have said during a 2018 Cabinet meeting, using a derogatory slur for persons of Afghan descent.
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The US Supreme Court has shot down a fringe legal theory supported by Republican officials and Donald Trumps allies that was invoked to try to toss out election results and radically reshape the nations elections.

A 6-3 decision in Moore v Harper on 27 June determined that Republican-drawn congressional districts in North Carolina amounted to a partisan gerrymander that violated the states constitution, but the majority dismissed the so-called independent state legislature theory that fuelled the states arguments.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion, with support from Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, plainly asserting that the US Constitution does not vest exclusive and independent authority in state legislatures to set the rules regarding federal elections.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.

In oral arguments in the case last year, justices were warned that the high courts endorsement of fringe legal theory could sow chaos in American democracy.

The decision follows a lawsuit from a group of North Carolina voters and advocacy groups challenging the states Republican-drawn map of its congressional districts, which a state court rejected.

Republican officials appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the state legislature is granted exclusive power to regulate federal elections.

A ruling from the justices that would uphold the GOP-drawn map would be seen as vindication for the fringe legal theory supported by many Republican officials and conspiracy theorists in their efforts to upend election outcomes and transform how the nations elections are run.

The dubious theory  which animated Mr Trumps spurious attempts to overturn election results in states he lost in the 2020 presidential election  could eliminate state constitutional bans against gerrymandering and other voting protections, potentially handing electoral control to Republican-dominated state legislatures that are primed to rig the next elections.

After the 2020 presidential election, Mr Trump and his allies pressed state courts to overturn unlawful election results in several states he lost, based on bogus claims of fraud, and to let state lawmakers determine the outcome. All of those claims and court challenges were rejected.

That fringe reading of the US Constitution went on to fuel GOP efforts to subvert election laws and change the rules of election administration across the US.

This radical theory is totally contrary to the bedrock principle of checks and balances, and the court has correctly relegated it to the dustbin of history, ACLU Voting Rights Project senior staff attorney Ari Savitzky said in a statement. The courts decision confirms the important role of state courts and state constitutions in ensuring fair elections and protecting the right to vote for all.

President Joe Bidens administration has welcomed the decision.

White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told reporters on 27 June that the ruling averted efforts among state lawmakers to undermine the will of the people and would have threatened the freedom of all Americans to have their voices heard at the ballot box.

How the blast radius from a radical theory could sow election chaos

In oral arguments in the case last year, US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar warned that the courts endorsement of the theory would wreak havoc on the electoral process and invalidate state constitutions across the country.

Im not sure Ive ever come across a theory in this court that would invalidate more state constitutional clauses as being federally unconstitutional, added Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general under Barack Obamas administration who argued the case on behalf of voting rights groups and Democratic voters in North Carolina.

The blast radius from their [independent state legislature] theory would sow election chaos, forcing a confusing two-track system with one set of rules for federal elections and another for state ones, he told justices.

Recommended Supreme Court rules Alabama discriminated against Black voters in major victory for voting rights

One reading of the theory argues that elected members of a state legislature have absolute authority to determine how federal elections  as in, elections for members of Congress and the president  are performed. State constitutional protections for the right to vote and efforts to combat partisan and racial gerrymandering could be overruled.

A nightmare scenario could mean that a Republican-controlled state legislature that rejects the outcome of an election or objects to how it was administered  including the use of mail-in ballots or voting machines that have been subject to rampant, baseless conspiracy theories  could invoke the theory as pretext to refuse the results.

Retired federal judge J Michael Luttig  who advised then-Vice President Mike Pence on 6 January 2021 while under pressure from then-President Trump to reject the elections outcome  has warned that the theory is a part of the Republican blueprint to steal the 2024 election.

Dozens of briefs to the Supreme Court urged justices to reject the theory, from constitutional law experts, election officials and voting rights advocates to judges and prominent Republicans  including lawyer Ben Ginsberg, who worked on the landmark Bush v Gore case in 2000 that opened the door for the theory to take shape.

Chief justices from state courts across the US wrote that the Constitution does not oust state courts from their traditional role in reviewing election laws under state constitutions.

Without such barriers, courts will be flooded with requests to second-guess state court decisions interpreting and applying state elections laws during every election cycle, infringing on state sovereignty and repeatedly involving the federal judiciary in election disputes, they wrote in a filing to the court.

A filing on behalf of the League of Women Voters said the theory could throw election law and administration into disarray.

More than a dozen secretaries of state also warned that the mistaken legal theory alien to our countrys history and this courts precedent would have far-reaching and unpredictable consequences on our countrys elections.

The US Constitutions election clause reads that the times, place and manner of federal elections shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations.

The long-standing interpretation of that foundational clause is that election rules established by state legislatures must  like any other law  conform with state constitutions, which are under a courts jurisdiction for review as to whether they are constitutional or not.

So if a state constitution subjects legislation to being blocked by a governors veto or citizen referendum, election laws can be blocked via the same means, the Brennan Center explains. And state courts must ensure that laws for federal elections, like all laws, comply with their state constitutions.

Recommended Deb Haaland and Tribal leaders welcome Supreme Court decision upholding Indian Child Welfare Act

The Honest Elections Project, a Federalist Society-supported effort behind litigation involving state-level voting rules across the US, also supported the North Carolina case.

The group invoked the fringe theory in a supporting brief filed with the Supreme Court, claiming that state legislatures are vested with plenary authority that cannot be divested by state constitution to determine the times, places, and manner of presidential and congressional elections.

Moore v Harper provides a timely opportunity to put these questions to rest, according to the filing.

The theory is dead not a moment too soon before 2024 elections

Over the last year, lawmakers in at least 38 states introduced nearly 200 bills that voting rights advocates and nonpartisan democratic watchdogs warned can be used to subvert election outcomes, building on a movement in the wake of 2020 elections to do in state legislatures what Mr Trump and his allies failed to do in court.

A recently released analysis from the States United Democracy Center, Protect Democracy and Law Forward found that Republican state lawmakers advanced 185 bills that would make it easier for elected officials to overturn the will of their voters and make it harder for election workers to do their jobs.

That total is on pace with similar efforts from previous legislative sessions. More than a dozen such bills introduced this year have been made law.

The Supreme Courts rejection of the theory that has bolstered much of that legislation has arrived not a moment too soon ahead of 2024 elections and more volatile legislative sessions with even more election-related bills turbo charged by the claim that the legislature can do whatever it wants, according to Tom Wolf, deputy director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

Recommended Supreme Court ruling raises the bar on convicting someone for making threats

The majority decision to resoundingly reject the independent state legislature theory reflects just how off the wall this case was in the first place, he told reporters on 27 June.

The independent state legislature theory should be dead and we should never have to hear that term again, said Cameron Kistler, counsel with Protect Democracy.

With the outcomes in both Moore v Harper and a voting rights case involving Alabamas congressional maps, right-wing activists appeared to have misread the court and its appetite for changes to fundamental election law, he said.

Both rulings follow the courts legacy of hostility around voting rights over the last decade. American elections still lack critical federal guardrails thanks to previous Supreme Court rulings surrounding that landmark civil rights law.

Its very critical moving forward that notwithstanding this ruling  we still need to see strong reforms at the federal level, said Mr Wolf, pointing to failed congressional efforts to renew and expand the Voting Rights Act.
 Close Trump shares threatening fan-made video

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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 believed to have testified before the grand jury on Thursday.

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.
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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.
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Italys culture and tourism ministers have vowed to identify and punish a tourist filmed carving names into a wall of the Romes Colosseum  a crime that in the past has resulted in hefty fines.

Video of the incident went viral on social media, at a time when Romans have already been complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the city in record numbers this season.

An English-speaking man was recorded scratching Ivan + Hayley 23 into a brick at the nearly 2000-year-old monument on Friday with a key.

The suspect, who is yet to be identified, turned around and grinned as a bystander asked: Are you serious, man?

Italys culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano shared the video, calling it a very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee.

I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws, he added.

Tourism minister Daniela Santanche also said she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned so that he understands the gravity of the gesture. Calling for respect for Italys culture and history, she vowed: We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way.

If convicted, the man could face a fine of at least 15,000 (12,866) and even a possible prison sentence.

Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, said the carabinieri were tracking down the suspect and we will see if we can get him.

Italians criticised the tourist on social media, accusing him of absolutely despicable behaviour.

Americans always think they have ownership over everything they set foot on, wrote one Twitter user.

However, this isn't the first time that tourists have been fined for defacing the Unesco world heritage site.

In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 (17,000) for engraving a K on a wall, and given a suspended four-year jail sentence.

The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they carved their names in the monument.

Italian tourism lobby Federturismo, backed by statistics bureau ISTAT, has said 2023 is shaping up as a record for visitors to Italy, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels that hit a high in 2019.

The Colosseum was the Roman Empires biggest amphitheatre and remains Italys most popular tourist attraction.
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Kevin Spacey goes on trial in the Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday (28 June).

The 63-year-old actor has been accused of sex offences against four men that prosecutors say occurred between 2001 and 2013.

The House of Cards star previously denied 12 charges including sexual assault and indecent assault.

In January, Spacey pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

Spacey has an address in Waterloo, south London, but also lives in the US, where he has family and a dog.

In an initial court hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in June, Spaceys lawyer, Patrick Gibbs QC, said his client strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case.

Gibbs said the defendant returned to the UK to establish his innocence and proceed with his life.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Spaceys trial is taking place in Britain because he spent more than a decade living in the country, where he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015.

He was a high-profile figure in London, starring in productions including William Shakespeares Richard III and David Mamets Speed-the-Plow, and hosting star-studded fundraising events for the 200-year-old venue.

Spacey was questioned by British police in 2019 about claims by several men that he had assaulted them. He was charged in May 2022 with five counts against three alleged victims. Another seven charges, all against a fourth man, were added in November.

The actor is known for starring in House of Cards, American Beauty, and The Usual Suspects.

At the moment, Spacey is on unconditional bail.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Additional reporting by agencies
The talks between the two men were very difficult. They immediately blurted out such vulgar things it would make any mother cry. The conversation was hard, and as I was told, masculine.

Vadim Gigin, a Belarusian propagandist, was describing the negotiations between his countrys president, Alexander Lukashenko, and Yevgeny Prigozhin, which brought the extraordinary attempted coup in Russia to an end after a tumultuous 24 hours.

The deal they reached, under whose terms the Kremlin agreed to drop criminal charges against Prigozhin and the members of his Wagner mercenary group who took part in the rebellion, averted a catastrophic civil war and, arguably, may have saved Vladimir Putin from being overthrown.
 Close Crimean Bridge badly damaged after multiple blasts in early hours

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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.
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With Russias invasion of Ukraine raging for 16 months, Ukraine is now pushing back with its long-awaited counteroffensive that has already recorded a number of gains.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Ukrainian troops for advancing in all sectors, having spent the day presenting awards to front-line soldiers in the east and south.

"Today in all sectors, our soldiers made advances. It is a happy day," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, which was delivered from a train after visiting two frontline areas.

Ukrainian servicemen during a visit by Ukraines President Zelensky at a frontline position in the Berdyansk direction, Ukraine, 26 June 2023 (EPA/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service)

The presidents office posted four videos of the journey, which he noted covered "hundreds of kilometres. Encounters in at least three locations were documented.

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.

Addressing the pace of the Ukrainian advances last week, senior officials suggested that the main part of the counteroffensive had not yet begun, with presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak stating on Twitter that formation operations are under way to set up the battlefield. Deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar added that the main events of the counteroffensive were ahead of us.

Here, we take a look at the advances Ukraine has made against Russia and the current state of play:

What advances has Ukraine made?

Ukraine has reported recapturing 130 square km (50 square miles) in the south of the country. since launching a counteroffensive, though Russian forces still control swathes of Ukrainian territory in the south and east of the country.

In the last few weeks, Ukraine has reported recapturing nine villages, with the latest including Rivnopil in the Donetsk Oblast.

View more

On 12 June 2023, Ms Maliar said that the Ukrainian flag was flying again over the village of Storozhov in the eastern Donetsk province. She added that the Zaporizhzhia province settlements of Lobkove, Levadne and Novodrivka had also been reclaimed.

On 11 June, Ukrainian officials confirmed that its troops had recaptured the Donestk villages of Blahodatne, Makarivka and Neskuchne, all south of the town of Velyka Novosilka.

Has Ukraine retaken Rivnopil?

Deputy defence minister Maliar said on Monday that Ukrainian forces had regained control over Rivnopil, a village west of a cluster of settlements recaptured in offensive operations.

"(Ukrainian) Defence forces have brought Rivnopil back under our control," Ms Maliar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Although a military spokesperson said Rivnopil was deserted and heavily damaged.

Zelensky poses with a serviceman at a gas station during a visit to the Donetsk region on 26 June 2023 (Handout/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP via Getty Images)

Ms Maliar did not confirm when Ukrainian troops entered the village, but a Ukrainian soldier said in a 13-second video  which is currently unverified - shared by Ukraines military that it was retaken on Sunday. The footage depicted the soldier in front of a decimated building with a Ukrainian flag flying from a post.

Valeryi Shershen, spokesperson for the Tavria, or southern, military sector, further told Ukrainian television that the village had been almost completely destroyed, with no civilians residing there.

How many have died in the war?

Between the wars commencement in February 2022 and 18 June 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded a total of 24,862 civilian casualties in Ukraine, of which 9,083 were killed and 15,779 injured.

Of these numbers, 20,073 casualties (7,072 killed and 13,001 injured) occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine, including 9,966 casualties (4,105 killed and 5,861 injured) in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Elsewhere, 4,789 casualties (2,011 killed and 2,778 injured) occurred in territory occupied by Russia.

Ukrainian servicemen of the 47th Magura Separate Mechanised Brigade fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system towards Russian troops near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, 25 June 2023 (REUTERS)

However, the OHCHR notes that the actual figures are likely to be considerably higher on account of the delay in information from locations experiencing intense fighting, including Mariupol (Donetsk region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (the eastern Luhansk region).

The latest figures, recorded between 1 June and 18 June 2023, display 557 recorded civilian casualties in Ukraine, of which 112 were killed and 445 injured. Explosive weapons with wide area effects formed the majority, at 107 and 425 respectively, with mines and explosive remnants of war killing 5 and injuring 20 during this period.

A Ukrainian military helicopter takes off to carry out a mission during military drills in the north of Ukraine, 1 June 2023 (Reuters/Gleb Garanich)

When did Russia invade Ukraine?

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Putin launched troops from the north, east and south, claiming that the "special military operation" is aimed at "demilitarisation" and "denazification" of the country to protect ethnic Russians, prevent Kyivs Nato membership and to keep it in Russias "sphere of influence."

Ukraine and the West labelled the invasion an illegal act of aggression against a country with a democratically-elected government.
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Vladimir Putin has admitted that Russias security services stopped a civil war during the mutiny launched by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenaries  whose wages and bonuses Moscow has funded to the tune of 800m over the past year.

His remarks came as the Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, confirmed that the Wagner chief had arrived in his country as part of the last-minute deal that ended the extraordinary attempted coup. Mr Lukashenko said that Mr Progozhin and some of his troops were welcome to stay for some time at their own expense.

Mr Putin appeared outside the Kremlin to pay tribute to his troops, seeking to repair the image of strength that Saturdays events had severely damaged. Speaking in front of hundreds of military personnel, Mr Putin said the countrys armed forces had proved their loyalty to the people of Russia in protecting the motherland and its future.

The Russian leader claimed that Moscow had not been forced to withdraw troops from Ukraine, and he held a minutes silence in honour of the servicemen killed when Wagner forces shot down Russian military aircraft, including helicopters and a communications plane, as they marched on Moscow. The mercenaries stopped about 125 miles outside the capital.

Mr Putin was joined by Russias defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal had been one of Mr Prigozhins main demands following a months-long feud between the Wagner chief and Russias military leadership.

While Russian authorities dropped a criminal case against Mr Prigozhins Wagner Group  apparently fulfilling another condition of the deal brokered by Mr Lukashenko  Mr Putin appeared to set the stage for financial charges to be brought against an organisation owned by Mr Prigozhin.

After his speech outside the Kremlin, Mr Putin told a military gathering that Mr Prigozhins Concord Group had earnt 80 billion rubles (733m) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received more than 86 billion rubles (790bn) between May 2022 and May 2023 for wages and additional items. That had come out of the defence ministry and state budgets. For years prior to Tuesdays speech, the Kremlin had denied any links to the Wagner group.

I hope that while doing so they didnt steal anything, or stole not so much, Mr Putin said, adding that the authorities would look closely at Concords contract. Police who searched Mr Prigozhins St Petersburg office on Saturday said they had found 4 billion rubles (37m) in trucks outside, according to media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers families.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details of the Kremlins deal with the Wagner chief. He said only that Mr Putin had provided Mr Prigozhin with certain guarantees with the aim of avoiding a worst-case scenario.

Asked why the armed Wagner forces were allowed to get as close as they did to Moscow without encountering any serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters: We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Mr Zolotov also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons, and that these would now be provided.

Some Russian war bloggers have vented outrage at the failure to punish Mr Prigozhin and his troops for killing Russian military personnel. The treatment afforded to the Wagner Group stands in stark contrast to the harsh jail terms handed out to opposition activists who have criticised Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In Belarus, Mr Lukashenko said that he had convinced Mr Prigozhin to end the mutiny in an emotional, expletive-laden phone call, adding that Mr Prigozhin had arrived in the southern Russian city of Rostov  which Wagner seized at the start of the rebellion  in a semi-mad state.

Mr Lukashenko said he spent hours on the phone in an effort to reason with the Wagner chief, who has said he was furious at the corruption and incompetence affecting the military leadership and wanted to avenge an alleged Russian army attack on his men. The Belarusian president said their calls contained 10 times as many obscenities as normal language. Mr Lukashenko also said that, earlier on Saturday, Mr Putin had sought his help, complaining that Mr Prigozhin was not taking any calls. Mr Lukashenko said he had advised Mr Putin against rushing to crush the mutineers.

The Belarusian leader said his country would accommodate Wagner fighters who wanted to go there, though it was not building any camps for them. We offered them one of the abandoned military bases. Please  we have a fence, we have everything  put up your tents, Mr Lukashenko said, according to state media.

Such a prospect has alarmed the countries neighbouring Belarus. Latvia and Lithuania each called for Nato to strengthen its eastern borders in response, and Polish president Andrzej Duda called the move a negative signal.

Ukraine is hoping to take advantage of the chaos caused by the attempted coup to push on with its counteroffensive, which it hopes will allow it to retake its territory from Russia. The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank that monitors the war, said Mr Putins offer to allow Wagner troops to sign contracts with the Russian army was likely in an effort to retain them in his war against Ukraine, because Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

In the US, the Pentagon said it would provide a new military package worth $500m (390m) to support Ukraines war effort. The package will include ground vehicles including Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armoured personnel carriers, and munitions for high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARs) to support air defences.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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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.
After the astonishing and momentous 24 hours in which an apparent coup unfolded in Russia, there is now uncertainty and confusion about who is likely to survive in the Kremlins deadly game of thrones.

The main man in the arena, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was unheard and unseen since calling off his mutiny  in stark contrast to his frequent and fierce rants about the state of the Ukraine war.

He broke his silence late on Monday with an 11-minute audio message declaring that he and his fighters had only engaged in hostilities in response to the Russian government seeking to close down his mercenary company, Wagner, and merge it with the defence ministry.
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Watch live as Muslim pilgrims begin to arrive in Arafat near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the start of Arafah Day on Tuesday, 27 June.

The Day of Arafah is part of the Hajj pilgrimage, which this year began on Sunday.

Hajj is a re-enactment in which Muslims walk in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad and retrace the journey of Ibrahim and Ismail.

It is one of the five pillars of Islam and must be carried out once in the lifetime of adult Muslims who are able to.

On the Day of Arafah, pilgrims gather at the plains of Arafat, where they pray and seek forgiveness for their sins.

It falls on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, which this year will be Tuesday, 27 June.

The Dar of Arafah is also known as Yawm Al-Waqf (the Day of Standing), which is a reference to how pilgrims will stand for long periods of time asking for forgiveness.
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Elon Musk has accepted an offer from legendary MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre to train him for his upcoming fight against Mark Zuckerberg.

The two tech billionaires agreed to a cage match last week after Mr Musk first proposed a fight following rumours that the Meta boss was working on a new platform to rival Mr Musks Twitter.

The UFC Apex centre in Las Vegas will be the likely location of the contest, which has been endorsed by UFC president Dana White.

Mr Zuckerberg already practises martial arts and competed in his first jiu jitsu tournament earlier this year. Mr Musk, by contrast, claims to almost never work out, though does have a significant size advantage over his rival.

Former UFC champion St-Pierre, who retired in 2019, is widely considered one of the greatest ever mixed martial artists, having won both the welterweight and middleweight titles.

Recommended Elon Musk confirms cage fight with Mark Zuckerberg

Addressing Mr Musk on Twitter over the weekend, the retired fighter wrote: Im a huge fan of yours and it would be an absolute honour to help you and be your training partner for the challenge against Zuckerberg.

On Monday evening, Mr Musk replied: OK, lets do it.

The SpaceX, Tesla and Twitter boss revealed that he had a practice round with podcaster and jiu jitsu fighter Lex Fridman on Monday evening.

Mr Fridman also sparred with Mr Zuckerberg last week, with a video showing the Facebook founder submitting the black belt with a choke hold.

No date has been set for the fight, though both opponents have spoken to the UFC president about the contest. Mr White said that the pair were absolutely dead serious about the bout.

They both said, Yeah, well do it. They both want to do it, he told TMZ.

This would be the biggest fight ever in the history of the world. Bigger than anything thats ever been done. It would break all pay-per-view records... You dont have to be a fighting fan to be interested in this fight. Everybody would want to see it.
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A man was arrested for allegedly urinating and defecating on the floor of a Delhi-bound aircraft.

The incident took place on Saturday on Air India's flight AIC 866 that had taken off from Mumbai, according to the captain's complaint.

The incident is the latest among many others reported in the past few months of passengers on flights urinating on board or on their co-flyers after getting intoxicated.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Ram Singh, reportedly spat, urinated and defecated in row nine of the aircraft.

Following the misconduct, the cabin crew issued a verbal warning while he was secluded from surrounding passengers.

The pilot-in-command was also intimated of the situation and a request for security assistance upon arrival was sent to the company.

"The situation agitated a number of passengers on board the aircraft," the complaint read.

Upon arrival in Delhi, a senior security person escorted the passenger to the police station, where a case was registered under obscenity and misconduct in public by a drunken person.

The suspect was arrested following an investigation, deputy commissioner of police Devesh Kumar Mahla said. "He had not spit on or urinated on any passenger. He had committed misconduct at some other place in the flight," the officer was quoted by the Times of India as saying.

In April, an Indian man travelling on an American Airlines flight from New York to Delhi was arrested after allegedly urinating on a co-passenger during an argument.

Indias aviation regulator imposed a fine of 30,000 on Air India and suspended the pilot in command in January after an inebriated man urinated mid-flight on an elderly woman in November last year.

The passenger, Shankar Mishra, who works with American financial services company Wells Fargo in Mumbai, was arrested by Delhi police almost a month after the incident.

Following an investigation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India said Air India violated its rules by not taking appropriate action against the passenger who conducted himself in a disorderly manner and allegedly relieved himself on a female passenger.
Gustav Klimts late-life masterpiece, Lady With A Fan, sold for 74 million ($94.35 million), making it the most expensive painting ever auctioned in Europe.

Dame mit Facher sold to a buyer in the room at Sothebys in London on Tuesday 27 June.

The sale price exceeded the presale estimate of 65 million.

Previously, the most expensive painting auctioned in Europe was Claude Monets Le Bassin Aux Nympheas, which fetched just over 63 million at a Christies sale in 2008.

Lady With A Fan was the last portrait Klimt completed before his death in 1918.
This is the moment a man was filmed carving names into a wall of the ancient Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

The English-speaking man is seen etching Ivan + Hayley 23 with a key into the almost 2,000-year-old monument in a video that surfaced last Friday (23 June).

Italians have been outraged by the footage, with culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano describing the act as a sign of great incivility.

Defacing a historical and artistic landmark is punishable with up to one year in prison or a fine of no less than 2,065 (1,770).
Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko made his first public statement on Tuesday (27 June) after mediating a deal to halt a mutiny against Russia by the Wagner forces.

Under the deal, the mercenary group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, is meant to move to Belarus.

Data from a flight tracking website shows a Russian-registered Embraer Legacy 600 jet, which is linked to Prigozhin, flew to Belarus from Russia on Tuesday.

"We are clearly seeing a new wave of Nato expansion, and an unprecedented build-up of the potential of the alliances members in the region, including in close vicinity to our borders," Lukashenko said, failing to mention Prigozhin.
Data from a flight tracking website shows a Russian-registered Embraer Legacy 600 jet, which is linked to Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin , flew to Belarus from Russia on Tuesday (June 27).

Flightradar24 showed the business jet, linked to the Russian mercenary chief in US sanctions documents, flew to Belarus early on Tuesday, 27 June.

It comes after the group seized a military headquarters and marched on Moscow, before turning around on Saturday.

Under a deal mediated by Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko to halt a mutiny, Prigozhin is meant to move to Belarus.
The president of an LA school board has gone viral for her response to anti-LGBT+ book ban protesters in California.

In a meeting on 6 June, Jackie Goldberg condemned a days-long protest that began after The Great Big Book of Families was read to elementary school children, which includes the line: Some children have two mommies.

Visibly emotional and slamming the table she confronted the protesters actions against the queer community.

What do you think that did to them? It made them afraid. How dare you make them afraid because you are?, she said.

A lot of people I talk to say I have a gay cousin...I cant be homophobic  Ms Goldberg said, incensed. BS. You can be homophobic and have a gay friend.
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This time last year, only a few weeks following the verdict of the Depp v Heard trial, social media was still flooded with anti-Heard content. Even those who didnt watch a second of the former couples televised court shenanigans couldnt avoid the hectoring and harassment of Heard and the martyring of Depp.

After his UK trial against The Sun left him with the label of wife-beater, the US defamation case verdict allowed Depp to be reconstructed as a hero of domestic abuse against men. Heard, meanwhile, was cast as #MeToo cautionary tale  a warning of what happens when you believe women.

What a difference a year makes.

Not so long ago, even a sniff of sympathy for Heard online would be drowned out by Depp supporters, whod rant and accuse, vilify, deride and insult anyone who dared to show compassion for Heards online evisceration.

Last weekend, Heard attended the Taormina film festival to promote her film In the Fire  her first since the US trial transformed her into social medias most despised woman. In scenes unimaginable only a few months ago, the event saw her receive rapturous acclaim, support, and celebration by both colleagues and fans. Social media trended with hashtags #AmberHeardIsWorthIt  a nod to her role as ambassador for cosmetics giant Loreal - and #IStandWithAmberHeard.

Well, its not a total inversion of support, I grant you  but its significant. After all, last month Depp was treated to a heros welcome at Cannes, where his latest film Jeanne du Barry opened the prestigious film festival. But his appearance wasnt without controversy. While Depp was given a seven-minute standing ovation, #CannesYouNot, an online campaign objecting to Depp headlining a major industry event, trended on social media.

Some of the cast and crew of film La Ravissement wore t-shirts emblazoned with Heards face to their screening at the Cannes festival. Public and industry criticism of festival chief Thierry Fremaux proved enough for him to defend his decision to honour Depp, telling the press ahead of his festival I dont know about the image of Johnny Depp in the US. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule, its the freedom of thinking, and the freedom of speech and acting within a legal framework.

Fremauxs chimed with Depps own rambling response to journalists at his post-screening press conference where he attempted to cast himself as a victim of cancel culture and post-#MeToo grift. After arriving 42 minutes late, the actor gave some astonishing answers, including, to a journo who asked what Depp would say to those who didnt think he should be headlining the Cannes festival: Imagine that they said to me, I cannot go to McDonalds  for life  because somewhere  if you got them all in one room, 39 people watched me eat a Big Mac on a loop. Who are they? Why do they care? Some species  a tower of mashed potatoes covered in light from a computer screen.

Ri-iight. Glad we got that cleared up, Johnny.

So, whats changed?

Maybe weve woken up sweaty-browed from the Johnny-fever of the trial and thought more carefully about our treatment of Heard. Even if you didnt agree with her testimony, was the months of mass abuse really proportionate? Its hard to think of her vilification as anything other than misogyny gone viral.

Maybe its the effect of documentaries such as Channel 4s Depp v Heard that showed the discrepancies in the UK and US testimonies. The much-memed megapint courtroom exchange between Depp and one of Heards legal team during the US trial, for example, became one of the most celebrated moments of the time. Depp appeared to mock Heards lawyers use of the term to describe a very large measure of wine as if hed never heard it before. The C4 doc showed us that, in fact, Depp had coined the phrase himself during the UK trial.

Maybe weve had time to reflect on whose interests are really being served by the cancel culture narrative that celebrities like to construct when theyve been called out for bad behaviour and even abuse. Of course, Depp hasnt been cancelled. Hes been lionised by his public. Hes been honoured by his industry. Hes been given high-profile platforms by brands from Dior to Rihannas Savage X Fenty. For Depp, after years of high-budget flops, growing rumours about his lack of professionalism on set, and dwindling on-screen appeal the trial has worked better than even the most sophisticated PR campaign.

As we all know, Heard didnt fair so well. Im not sure Id have left my house again if Id been subjected to the same level of malice that shes had to contend with  but shes back out there. Her film may not have headlined the Cannes film festival, and her role in Aquaman 2 may be in doubt  but shes still working. Shes still showing her face. Shes still facing the public, not knowing what might greet her. That takes guts.

Her warm reception at the Taormina film festival shows that the balance has shifted since last years verdict. Heards resilience in returning to the public eye after the horror of her experience is now being recognised. Its about time.
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The adage History is written by the victors is often attributed  wrongly, like so many catchy expressions  to Winston Churchill. In reality, versions of the saying have long existed. Today in the United States, some seem keen to refashion the well-worn expression into: History is what losers say it is.

The GOPs obsession with controlling the historical narrative by any means necessary is hardly new. After all, a beloved right-wing talking point in recent years is that Leftists, elites, whoever the latest so-called threat to the Republic is, wont stop picking at the wounds of Americas problematic past. Cant we just move on?

Removing the names of Confederate traitors from military bases? Thats erasing history!

Teaching kids about the genocide of Native Americans, slavery, Japanese internment camps? Thats cherry-picking history!

Highlighting the ongoing battle for LGBTQ rights and, specifically, the virulent anti-woke demonization of trans men, women, and teens? Thats a threat to heteronormative history!

But in a recent development that illustrates just how far Republicans are willing to go in order to appease Trump, two autocracy-curious members of Congress, Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene and New Yorks Elise Stefanik, have come up with a plan so bonkers, it just might work.

Their separate but eerily similar proposals? That former president Donald Trumps two impeachments should be expunged from the historical record.

Recommended Trump allies in Congress seek to expunge impeachments

Greenes proposal would excise Trumps 2019 impeachment, on the grounds that the former president was wrongfully accused of misconduct after he (allegedly  but obviously) tried to strongarm Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy into finding dirt on Trumps then-rival, Joe Biden, which would incidentally free up $400 million in military aid to Ukraine.

Stefaniks measure aims to rescind Trumps 2021 impeachment because, in Stefaniks multiverse, the proceedings failed to prove that the loser of the 2020 presidential election committed high crimes and misdemeanors when he (allegedly  but obviously) incited a mob to attack the Capitol.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Friday that he supports the idea of expunging the two impeachments. McCarthy said: I think it is appropriate, just as I thought before  that you should expunge it, because it never should have gone through.

Never mind that more than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to the Jan 6 attack, that hundreds have been found guilty, and that many of those who attacked the Capitol cited Trumps lies about a stolen election and his violent rhetoric as reasons why they descended on DC in the first place.

And never mind that a number of police officers who battled rioters on Jan 6 subsequently died by suicide; that scores of cops retired early due to mob-inflicted injuries; and that untold numbers still suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

In MAGAs alternate timeline, the rioters who fought the peaceful transition of power are not violent goons, but patriots maligned by lamestream media, RINOs, and Marxists like Adam Schiff, officer Michael Fanone, four-star Gen. Mark Milley, and other blue-pilled betas.

Greenes and Stefaniks MAGA ideology seems to celebrate misinformation and hanker for an ill-defined American golden age that, by all accounts, thrived sometime prior to 1861. If the arc of history needs to be twisted into a shape more closely aligned with that ideology  by blotting out two impeachments, for example  so be it.

That Greenes and Stefaniks proposals have no precedent is beside the point.

As Georgetown University Law Professor Jonathan Turley  a frequent legal analyst on Fox News and hardly a raving liberal  recently explained to Reuters, expunging impeachments is not something the Constitution is built for.

It is not like a constitutional DUI, Turley noted. Once you are impeached, you are impeached.

On the other hand, while impeachment carries no legal weight, it has the trappings of a judicial proceeding. And if criminal charges can be expunged from civilian records, one can see why Republicans embrace a kind of legal magical thinking in their efforts to legitimize what is, ultimately, a political charade.

We will have so much winning if I get elected, Trump vowed during the 2016 campaign, in his trademark, juvenile idiolect, that you may get bored with the winning.

And yet Democrats have won the popular vote in the past two (actually, in seven of the past eight) presidential elections. Republicans performed abysmally in the 2022 midterms when they had every right to expect a landslide victory.

Losing is becoming baked into the GOP brand, in part because millions of Americans find the MAGA worldview so cruel, divisive, and obviously authoritarian.

Who is going to tell Greene, Stefanik, and the rest of the MAGA crowd that, despite their best (or worst) efforts, history is not, and with luck will never be, what the losers say it is?
Russian president Vladimir Putin has addressed military officers in the Kremlin, in a televised ceremony that was clearly intended to demonstrate three things: that the mutiny at the weekend was over; that Russias armed forces were united; and that the president was in the Kremlin with his authority intact. While many will remain sceptical, more important is how convincing such a show will have been to Russians.

Its worth revisiting some of what had unfolded in the previous 72 hours. At 10am Moscow time on Saturday, Putin made an unscheduled television broadcast breathing fire and slaughter against an armed mutiny in the south of the country and threatening severe punishment for the (unnamed) traitors. Ten hours later, it was announced that the chief mutineer, Yevgeny Prigozhin, had accepted a deal mediated by the president of Belarus, under the terms of which he agreed to go into exile in return for immunity from prosecution, while those of his mercenary force who did not follow him into exile were transferred to the command of the Russian armed forces.

At 10.10pm on Monday evening  a strange time to address the nation  Putin made another unscheduled broadcast that combined these positions, but still contained fury. The Russian president recognised Prigozhins Wagner group fighters as doughty heroes for their contribution to Russian victories in Ukraine, even as he condemned their leader as a threat to the state.
Irish living standards are above the EU average and are set to stay that way, thanks to high savings and well-paid multinational jobs, a study has found.

Around half of Irelands economic growth in the last decade was down to the multinational sector, the study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) said, while multinational workers made up a third of the 2021 wage bill.

Real incomes here are among the highest in the EU, despite high prices for housing and other goods and services, and have grown at more than twice the blocs average  4.4pc a year compared with 1.5pc in the EU  since 2013.

The data was measured using modified gross national income, which strips out patents, aircraft leasing and other multinational transactions, rather than gross domestic product,

The high level of savings in Ireland can make it look as if living standards here are lower, the study found.

But those high savings and a bumper tax take are set to boost future investment and economic growth, the report said, even if windfall corporation tax receipts shrink in the coming years.

It is clear that living standards, which had been very badly hit by the financial crisis, have recovered, said the study, written by ESRI research affiliate and adjunct economics professor at Trinity College Dublin, John FitzGerald.

Central Bank of Ireland governor Gabriel Makhlouf. Photo: Steve Humphreys

A significant factor in Irelands above average standard of living is its current high level of savings.

Even if the exceptional corporation tax were to eventually disappear over the coming decade, it would still leave Ireland with a high standard of living.

Last week Eurostat data showed Ireland was the most expensive EU country to live in last year, with prices here 46pc above the blocs average  not including housing.

Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf told the Irish Independent he was sceptical about the Eurostat data, which he said did not take account of higher wages here.

I tend to be sceptical about it because, on the evidence, this is an economy thats growing pretty well, that is at full employment, so if we are the most expensive, it hasnt affected our ability to create jobs, to attract investment, to attract people to come and work here because compared to some countries in Europe, we do pay better.

Foreign multinationals made up two-thirds of the activity in the manufacturing  including pharma  and tech sectors in 2021, as well as half of the activity in financial services.

But the relocation of foreign banks from London to Dublin post-Brexit did not add value to the economy, with foreign multinationals share of total financial sector activity falling between 2013 and 2021.

Domestic firms, including the public sector, still dominate economic activity  particularly in the distribution and professional services  but their overall contribution shrank from 78pc in 2013 to 71pc in 2021.

Employment growth averaged 2.7pc a year in the same period, meaning productivity  the ratio of growth to hours worked  grew around 1.4pc a year, higher than most of Irelands European neighbours, the ESRI said.

On This Day In History - June 27th
The environmental tax take is set to rise again this year as fuel excise duties return to their former rates. Photo: Stock image

Households paid more than half of all environment taxes last year, shelling out more than 2.5bn, Central Statistics Office data show.

While they accounted for 56pc of last years environment tax take, their share has fallen significantly over the last decade. In 2013, households paid 2.8bn, or almost two thirds of total environmental taxes.

Last year services - including retailers, transport and post, tech companies and the public sector - contributed 31pc to the environmental tax take, up from 25pc a decade ago.

The industry sector - which includes building firms, food producers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and utilities - made up 11pc of last years environmental taxes, while agriculture, forestry and fishing made up 1.3pc.

Most of the taxes collected last year were on energy (61pc, or 2.8bn), with transport (mainly vehicle registration and motor taxes) making up 39pc, or 1.7bn, the CSO said.

A small percentage of taxes last year (0.4pc) came from pollution charges.

The overall environmental tax take was 4.5bn, down 9pc on 2021, thanks to a temporary cut in fuel excise duty, a budget measure introduced to shield people from soaring oil and gas prices.

Fuel excise duties - a cut of 0.21 per litre on petrol, 0.16 per litre on diesel and 0.054 on marked gas oil first introduced in April 2022 - are being raised incrementally, starting earlier this month. The rates will be fully restored by the end of October.

Thanks to a skyrocketing overall tax take, environment taxes now make up far less of total tax receipts than they did in 2013 (4pc in 2022, compared to 9pc in 2013).

Income and corporation taxes were the States two biggest sources of revenue last year, with Vat coming in third.

Total tax revenue last year was just over 83bn, an increase of more than a fifth (22pc) compared to 2021.

Environment taxes are expected to increase this year as fuel excise is restored and carbon taxes increase to help the Government meet its 2030 climate targets.

Carbon taxes were up 22pc last year to more than 800m.
US actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will play the lead roles in DCs upcoming film Superman: Legacy.

The news was confirmed by DC boss James Gunn, who will also direct the film, on Tuesday.

They had been part of a group of six actors being considered for the role of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Other actors reportedly being considered were British actors Nicholas Hoult and Tom Brittney, and Sex Education star Emma Mackey and Phoebe Dynevor.

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The news was reported by US media outlets on Tuesday and later confirmed by Gunn.

Retweeting an article by The Hollywood Reporter announcing Corenswet and Brosnahan in the roles, he wrote: Accurate!

They are not only both incredible actors, but also wonderful people.

Gunn previously announced that he would be directing Superman: Legacy, having previously turned down the chance to direct a film about the Man of Steel.

He said the true beginning of the DCU is scheduled to hit cinemas on July 11 2025.

DC boss James Gunn will also direct the upcoming film, Superman: Legacy (PA)

It will focus on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing  an angle which Gunn said was his way in to the story.

Superman: Legacy was part of the new slate of films announced by Gunn after taking on the role of co-chief executive of DC Studios, along with Peter Safran.

They said their aim was to connect characters across the DC Universe as part of an eight to 10-year plan.

The announcement of the new Superman film came after it was disclosed that Henry Cavill would not be returning to reprise the role in the new phase of the franchise.
Call for action: John Fagan says, 'Sheep farmers from Malin to Mizen Head need to phone, email or write to their local TDs across all parties and make it clear that this is unacceptable'. Photo: Tom O'Hanlon
Elaine recently chatted to Joe Biden about the needs of young people in rural Ireland

Macra has criticised the Department of Agricultures decision to push ahead with a proposed dairy exit scheme after it circulated a document detailing principles to be considered for such a scheme to industry stakeholders last week.

The Department of Agriculture is coming under increasing pressure to detail how the sector will meet its legally binding climate targets.

The Departments own internal modelling, as reported by the Farming Independent, suggests the dairy herd would need to be reduced by 65,000 cows each year for three years in order to meet the sectors targets and that a dairy exit scheme costing 200m per year would be needed to achieve this.

In a consultation document sent to stakeholders last week, the Department detailed principles to be considered in such a scheme.

It outlined that a farmer would need to legally commit to the reduction and it would need to be linked to the herd and the holding.

Therefore a farmer could not opt for the scheme and remove all their breeding ruminants and then transfer the holding during the contract and for the transferee to start a breeding ruminant enterprise on that holding.

The contract period and the link to herd/holding are essential elements to ensure that a reduction in emissions is achieved and lasts over a period of time, it stated.

In a strongly worded statement reacting to the consultation, Macra said the exit scheme for dairy farmers will, if enacted, fundamentally damage dairy farming for all active farmers, make once-productive farmland unproductive, and take away the opportunity for young dairy farmers to farm.

In an industry where the average age in 2020 was 57, this move, in Macras view, heralds the beginning of the end for family farms in Ireland.

The proposed exit scheme does not represent value for money for taxpayers or active farmers and will be the kiss of death for generational renewal and the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry, said Macra National President Elaine Houlihan.

We need to flip the approach to emission reduction on its head. A succession scheme can achieve far better results than an exit scheme, delivering value for money and greater policy cohesion in terms of generational renewal.

Macras succession scheme, it said, incorporates a step-back mechanism for farmers that want to exit dairying coupled with an entrance scheme for young farmers who will adopt a range of climate mitigation measures.
Bothar declined to comment on how much the Limerick property has sold for, but it's understood it went sale agreed for a price in the region of 400,000 when sold through private treaty recently. Picture: Daft
Peter Hynes: Why we agreed to be interviewed for the RTE doc  and how our phones have gone silent since it aired
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has been called on to respond to what has been described as 'growing concerns' over the potential impact that imports of Ukrainian grain could have on prices for Irish grain growers.

Sinn Fein spokesperson for Agriculture, Claire Kerrane said it has been reported to her that imported Ukranian grain, at a cost less than the current market price for Irish grain, will place significant pressure on Irish grain growers as harvesting season is about to commence.

Reports of grain being imported from Ukraine at significantly lower prices to those of national grain prices is really concerning.

I have been contacted by several tillage farmers and Irish Grain Growers who are very worried about what these imports will mean for the sector.

They have advised me that the imported grain is being traded at 160 per tonne, in comparison to current market prices for Irish grain of 202 per tonne for barley, 223 per tonne for wheat, and 430 per tonne for oilseed rape.

With drying costs added at an additional 35 per tonne, thats a drop of over 100 per tonne between the two products. That is a stark difference to national prices and threatens to force grain prices down, which will in turn have a severe impact on Grain Growers here in the State.

This threat to depress the sector comes at the worst time, as harvest season is about to start, she said.

Kerrane highlighted that similar issues have been experienced in other EU states, such as Poland and Latvia, which have received compensation at EU level, in order to prevent a collapse in their national tillage sectors as a result of Ukrainian grain being imported in.

I have queried this matter with Minister McConalogue and asked him to outline what supports and assurances he intends to provide to tillage farmers, given these recent reports.

Just last week the Minister acknowledged that the tillage sector lost out under the new CAP. It is important that that recognition is now translated into action and adequate supports for the tillage sector where they are needed.

It comes as yesterday, wheat prices 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.
Smoke from wildfires burning through large swathes of eastern and western Canada has reached Europe and is likely to cause deep orange sunsets and hazy skies this week.

The fires have so far released a record 160 million tonnes of carbon, the EU's Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service said on Tuesday.

This year's wildfire season is the worst on record in Canada, with some 76,000 square kilometres burning across eastern and western Canada. Thats almost equivalent to the size of the entire island of Ireland, which is just over 84,000sqkm.

As of June 26, the annual emissions from the fires are now the largest for Canada since satellite monitoring began in 2003, surpassing 2014 at 140 million tonnes.

The plume has now crossed the North Atlantic. Worsening fires in Quebec and Ontario will likely make for hazy skies and deep orange sunsets in Europe this week, Copernicus senior scientist Mark Parrington said.

However, because the smoke is predicted to stay higher in the atmosphere, it is unlikely surface air quality will be affected.

"The difference is eastern Canada fires driving this growth in the emissions more than just western Canada," Mr Parrington said. Emissions from just Alberta and British Columbia, he said, are far from setting any record.

Scientists are especially concerned about what Canada's fires are putting into the atmosphere  and the air we breathe.

The carbon they have released is roughly equivalent to Indonesia's annual carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

Forests act as a critical sink for planet-warming carbon. It is estimated that Canada's northern boreal forest stores more than 200 billion tonnes of carbon  equivalent to several decades worth of global carbon emissions. But when forests burn, they release some of that carbon into the atmosphere. This speeds up global warming and creates a dangerous feedback loop by creating the conditions where forests are more likely to burn.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires blanketed several major urban centres in June, including New York City and Toronto, tinging skies an eerie orange.

Public health authorities issued air quality alerts, urging residents to stay inside. Wildfire smoke is linked to higher rates of heart attacks, strokes, and more visits to emergency rooms for respiratory conditions.

With much of Canada still experiencing unusually warm and dry conditions, "there's still no end in sight" to the wildfires, Mr Parrington said.

Canada's wildfire season typically peaks in late July or August, with emissions continuing to climb throughout the summer.
The president of the High Court has declared that it is lawful for a prison governor not to force-feed a prisoner who is refusing food and fluids.
More than a dozen current and former senior RTE executives have been invited to appear before PAC

The Public Accounts Committee has invited incoming RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst and more than a dozen other current and former senior executives at the broadcaster to appear before it over the Ryan Tubridy payments scandal.

The PAC issued a detailed letter today outlining the areas it wishes to explore with 18 witnesses that it has invited to appear before it on Thursday afternoon in Leinster House.

Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media Secretary General Katherine Licken and Triona Quill, an assistant secretary for broadcasting and media, have been asked to attend the committee along with 16 current and former RTE executives.

They include:

 Dee Forbes  former Director General. She tendered her immediate resignation to RTE last Monday. She took up the role in July 2016 and was due to leave it in July 2023.

 Adrian Lynch  acting Director General. He has been with RTE since 2014 and was previously Channel Controller for RTE 1 and RTE 2.

 Kevin Bakhurst  incoming Director General. He worked with RTE for four years in a variety of roles including managing director of news and current affairs and was acting DG. He left in 2016 for a role with Ofcom and will take up his new role officially on July 10.

 Noel Curran  former Director General. He began his career in 1992 as a business reporter and became RTEs managing director of television in 2003. He became DG in 2011 and stepped down in 2016.

 Siun Ni Raghallaigh  Chairperson of the Board. A former chairperson of TG4, the Donegal native is also a qualified accountant. She took over the RTE role in November 2022 for a five-year term.

 Moya Doherty  former Chairperson of the Board. A co-creator of Riverdance, she was previously a director of Tyrone Productions and was chair of the Board from 2014-2022.

 Richard Collins  Chief Financial Officer. He joined RTE in January 2020 and was appointed director of RTE Commercial Enterprises DAC and of RTE Transmission Network DAC. Prior to joining RTE, he spent 13 years in the retail sector.

 Breda OKeeffe  former Chief Financial Officer

 Fiona OShea  former Commercial Finance Manager

 Geraldine OLeary  Director of Commercial. The RTE Executive Board member has been at RTE for over 20 years and has led the TV Commercial function in RTE since 1997.

 Willie OReilly  former Director of Commercial

 Paula Mullooly  Director of Legal Affairs

 Eamonn Kennedy  former Director of Legal Affairs

 Rory Coveney  Director of Strategy. He has been with RTE since 2007 in a variety of roles. Since 2011, he has been Strategic Advisor to the DG.

 Anne OLeary  Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and RTE Board member since 2014. A member of the Institute of Directors, she is also CEO and chairman of Kinematik.

 Dr PJ Mathews  Board Member. A Professor in the School of English, Drama and Film at UCD, he specialises in Irish literature and culture. Appointed in 2014, he remains on the board until 2024.

Ms Forbes, through her solicitor, has already said she will not attend an Oireachtas Media Committee hearing tomorrow on health grounds and it is understood that she will also not attend the PAC.

RTE deputy director general Adrian Lynch and RTE chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh have confirmed they will attend the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday.

The committee in its letter says it wishes to examine public monies provided to RTE, payments to presenters and personnel, the oversight mechanisms for payments, the persons responsible for signing off on the Ryan Tubridy-Renault deal, and RTEs operation of barter accounts.

It also wants executives who previously appeared before the committee to account for discrepancies between previous assurances given and the matters which are now in the public domain.

The committee has also informed witnesses that it has dispensed with its Witness Protocol, which usually provides a 10-day notice period "in light of the gravity of the matters at hand, and the urgent need to restore public trust in the broadcaster".

It also says that it has sought special powers to bring RTE under its remit in order to allow it to probe the controversy in detail.
This was the first year of the new applied maths exam and some questions at higher level were very similar to the sample paper, while others offered new and unexpected twists, according to teacher Brendan Williamson.

Mr Williamson, of The Institute of Education, Dublin said it combined elements of the old and new course in a way that required students to know the full breadth of the course.

Students could no longer focus on only a handful of topics at the expense of the rest, assured that that would be sufficient. The modern paper mixes topics together in way that requires a strong grasp of all elements, he said.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland subject representative Tony Magennis said the feedback from students was generally good.

Mr Magennis, of Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) said students he spoke to mentioned being pleased with the questions on networks and graphs.

Mr Williamson said Q1 offered a nice introduction to the paper, bearing a a similarity to the sample paper with instructions that were generous in their clarity.

Q 2 started with Dijkstras algorithm, which, Mr Williamson said was a rather standard and expected element of the course.

He said while the underlying mechanics of the question was clear and familiar, but students would likely have preferred fewer points and smaller numbers for ease.

He said part (b) on collisions was reminiscent of questions from the old syllabus but trimmed to accommodate the modern timing of the exam.

Mr Williamson regarded Q3, on circular motion, as a tough question that he felt would likely be skipped by most students.

While it drew on a topic from the old syllabus, the particulars of the question were novel and complicated the matter, such that a generally unpopular topic became even more unpalatable, he said.

Mr Williamson Q4 looked like it might follow suit, with its mention of buoyancy evoking the topic of hydrostatics. However, this was a vocabulary issue rather than a mathematical one, so anyone breaking down the questions information would be able to parse out the core concepts.

While question 3s circular motion was off putting, the linear motion of question 4(b) was particularly manageable but arithmetic heavy, again requiring students to mechanistically work through the task, he said.

He said the final half of the paper was a fine balance of familiarity and challenge.

Questions 6 and 9 were very similar to the sample papers, so students who had worked on them will likely be relieved. The former question asked about second order inhomogeneous difference equations, which might cause some moments of pause but, as with every challenge on this paper, when considered as part of an ensemble shouldnt cause much trouble.

Mr Williamson said pleasingly question 7 offered students the choice between Prim or Kruskals algorithm but later stages of the question offered a curveball that might have spooked some, as it required a more common sense approach than strictly methodological approach.

Students wondering where dot products would make their debut found them in Q8 on projectile, he said.

He said that Q10 had the expected first order difference equation. The latter part of this question saw a return to circular motion and, while the algebra may have spooked students, the mechanics of this question were similar to those in previous years, unlike its counterpart in question 3.

In an overall verdict, he described it as a fair but challenging paper that fused material into a new way of examining applied maths.

Students would have found some questions much more time-consuming than others and the consideration of which questions to answer was much more involved than previous years. There were lots of opportunities for students to earn marks, in particular for those aiming for the H3/4 will find lots on the table. The top scorers will be those who could draw on the full range of the course.
A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off as search for missing person continues

The area where gardai and the Irish Coast Guard are carrying out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal. Pic: Joe Dunne

Tourists are turned away as gardai and the Irish Coast Guard carry out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal. (Pic: Joe Dunne)

Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard carry out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal (Pic: Joe Dunne)

Gardai are examining a blood-splattered car as part of their investigation into a suspected missing person in Co Donegal.

Two people arrested yesterday in relation to the alleged assault have been released without charge by Gardai on Tuesday evening.

It follows the alleged serious assault of a person in the Sliabh Liag/Killybegs area of the county.

A massive search has been underway since Monday morning at Sliabh Liag, which is the setting for Europe's highest sea cliffs.

The area, which is normally busy with tourists, has been closed off by gardai as a search continues by various parties including the Irish Coast Guard, the Rescue 118 helicopter, the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team and gardai.

A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off since Monday.

Forensics officers are at the house and are carrying out a search of the property.

A key part of the investigation will be forensic evidence being taken from a car suspected of being central to the investigation.

Gardai have recovered forensic samples from the car which include blood.

A warrant to examine the car was granted by Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Since then gardai have been examining the car as they try to form a bigger picture of what exactly may have happened.

It is understood the car belongs to one of the two people who have been arrested.

The two people are a male, aged in his 30s, and a female, aged in her 20s.

They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at local Garda stations in Co Donegal.

The man is being detained at Letterkenny Garda Station, while the woman is being held at Ballyshannon Garda Station.

The man's period of detention has been extended after he complained of not feeling well and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be examined.

Gardai are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to the alleged assault incident to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Sliabh Liag between Saturday evening, 24th June 2023 and Sunday evening, 25th June 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
In this photo provided by the Spanish Defence Ministry passengers from Sudan disembark from a Spanish Air Force aircraft at Torrejon Air Base in Madrid (Spanish Defence Ministry via AP, File)

The Leaving Cert Politics and Society higher level paper was one with lots of scope for students to show strong independent thought, according to Paul McAndrew of The Institute of Education, Dublin.

It was, he said, a paper that focused on critical thinking and analysis, rather than rote recitation.

As would be expected, topicality was the order of the day with climate change, hate speech, the role of the Gardai, health, housing, Covid and war in lower income countries featuring in questions.

Brendan Greene, a Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) exam spokesperson felt the question-setter deserved a H1 and said well-prepared students would be happy.

Mr Greene, of St Clares Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, noted that Section A, the short questions, covered all topics on the course with plenty of choice. His only quibble was Section B, Document B part (g), where he thought the miniature maps could throw some students off as the contrast of colours and clarity of the maps is a challenge.

Mr McAndrew agreed that the short questions were concise and straightforward in assessing all the familiar covered material.

Section B, data-based questions, provided students with previously unseen documents on migration and displacement and the goal for students is to demonstrate critical thinking skills, said Mr McAndrew.

He said students needed to evaluate the documents and provide carefully considered critiques of their material and sources and it is method not memory that is being assessed.

Mr McAndrew said while it stretches some students, particularly those who prefer a more memorisation-based approach, but for those who grasped the essential method at heart of the task, this was a manageable section.

He said the non-rote approach was furthered in the final section, Section C, discursive essays.

Again, the issues were broad, with more representation of globalisation and sustainable development than previous years. All the topics would be ones with which students would be familiar  the social media question would be right up their street, he said.

Mr McAndrews said there were also opportunities for thoughtful discussions of class and wealth, supranational bodies, international human rights frameworks, and the impact of peaceful protest.

Students are encouraged to show strong independent thought and present positions that can be stood over and defended. Those who really engaged with classroom discussion and revised previous papers will be happy with this paper, he said.

In relation to ordinary level, Mr Greene said it was also well received.
Liam Bluett has donated 550 signed photos to the National Library of Ireland

Staff from the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, with some of the autographed photographs in the collection of 550 donated by Liam Bluett. Photo: Marc OSullivan

From nabbing Hollywood stars while working summers at Shannon Airports duty-free shop to standing outside theatres and cinemas, Liam Bluett has patiently amassed a collection of more than 5,000 autographs.

Now the Co Clare collector has donated 550 autographed photos of Irish actors to the National Library of Ireland. They date all the way to the silent days of cinema up to the modern era.

There are so many new actors coming in all the time now that I could be collecting forever, so I needed to call a halt to it, Mr Bluett told the Irish Independent.

I wanted to give it to somewhere that would protect and preserve it, and would have it online. The best place for it was the National Library because I wanted it to link back to the communities and the counties that these actors came from, and [I want them to] be available to everyone.

The Bluett Irish Actor Autographed Photography Collection was handed over to the National Library in Dublin yesterday and will go on public display later this year.

It includes signed pictures by the likes of Liam Neeson, Maureen OHara, Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell. Actors who lived in Ireland, such as Oliver Reed and Dana Wynter, are also included.

I got interested in autographs firstly because my mother had a friend who worked in Shannon Airport in the 1950s at the Duty Free shop, said Mr Bluett.

She gave her an autograph book to keep because in those days, most planes that were crossing the Atlantic would stop off in the most western part of Europe. So Shannon was a melting pot of famous people. She had a very impressive autograph book.

From then, in 1964 I got a summer job in the duty-free shop at Shannon Airport and I collected my first autograph from actor Dan OHerlihy. He was from Wexford and was going to make a television series in Hollywood.

Collecting autographs became a passion for Mr Bluett and he went to great lengths to secure the signatures of actors from all across the world.

If an actor was appearing in a play or whatever, I would go to the theatre that the actor was in, or I would go to the premiere of films, or I got them through the agents of the actors. I was friendly with the actress Angela Lansbury and she introduced me to people I wouldnt have normally been able to get to meet.

His aim in collecting the autographed photos was to celebrate the rich heritage of Irish actors and those of Irish descent.

I have managed to collect over 550 autographs and pictures from the 1920s in the silent days up to the current actors, he added. The last autograph I got was Killian Scott from Love/Hate. I wanted to show the whole range of actors coming through the island of Ireland on the international stage.
A restaurant has been ordered to pay 2,000 compensation to a visually impaired woman for refusing to admit her to the restaurant as she was accompanied by her guide dog, Timmy.

KOA (Kitchen of Asia) Restaurant in Malahide, Co Dublin, was found to have discriminated against Sophia Brennan under the Equal Status Act.

In her findings, Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator Penelope McGrath said Ms Brennan was deeply humiliated, embarrassed and upset at how she was treated following the incident on March 4, 2022.

Ms McGrath said Ms Brennan has a sense that other restaurant patrons would have been aware of what was going on which added to her humiliation.

In her evidence at hearing, Ms Brennan said the restaurant managers repeated reference to the dog being unhygienic made her feel unclean.

Ms Brennan and her husband had to leave the restaurant and find somewhere else to eat that evening.

Ms McGrath said Ms Brennan should not feel that she has to mark herself out as different by indicating that she was bringing a guide dog when making a booking, and that the dog should simply be accommodated on arrival.

In any event, the uncontested evidence is that the dog whether guide dog or not was completely unwelcome in the restaurant in early March of 2022, she said.

Ms McGrath said there is no suggestion that Ms Brennan was asked to wait or come back so as to allow KOA to re-configure tables or already seated parties so as to accommodate her.

She said Ms Brennan was treated as other, her dog was insulted, and she was sent away.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 27th

In her ruling, Ms McGrath found that on the night, Ms Brennan did not gain access to the restaurant.

Instead she "was stopped in her tracks, on the staircase, a step or two down from the manager and was advised by the manager that the dog would not be let into the restaurant".

Ms McGrath said Ms Brennan became flustered and upset, indicating that this was a guide dog and needed to be with her.

At the hearing, Ms Brennan said she advised the manager that the law allowed her to bring a guide dog into the restaurant and she offered to show the letter and card which she carries with her to identify her as visually impaired, and her dog as a guide dog.

On the night, Timmy was also wearing the elaborate fluorescent halter and handle which he was wearing at the WRC hearing.

Ms McGrath said the restaurant manager had no interest, it seemed, in looking at any documentation.

She said Ms Brennan said she gained no traction with the manager who was simply not allowing a dog into the restaurant.

Ms McGrath recorded that the manager was aware that Ms Brenan and her husband had booked a table and Ms Brennan said the manager just kept repeating that it would be unhygienic.

Ms Brennan accepted that the manager suggested that Timmy could be put into a yard out the back if she and her husband wanted to come in and eat in the restaurant.

Ms McGrath said this option was not acceptable to Ms Brennan who would not leave her precious and much-needed dog in a place beyond her control and about which she knew nothing.

In response to her initial discrimination complaint, KOA through its director accepted that it had no policy or procedure in place for accepting dogs - and particularly guide dogs - onto the premises.

An apology was given with a promise to train staff in the relevant legislation. Ms Brennan was not satisfied with this response and issued her complaint under the Equal Status legislation.

In June 2022 the restaurant made a written reply to the discrimination claim and stated that it was doing our best.

The restaurant response suggested that staff members had asthma and that there were children in the restaurant who might be frightened of a dog.

At the hearing, Ms McGrath put these issues to Ms Brennan who was clear that the manager did not suggest that members of staff had asthma or that the restaurant was filled with nervous children.

As part of her order, Ms McGrath said that to ensure similar discrimination does not happen again, she directed that KOA become acquainted with the Equal Status legislation and become aware of its obligations as a service provider under that legislation.
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.
RTE statement says Dee Forbes was central to controversial dealNo findings of wrongdoing against former Late Late Show host 100 RTE staff join protest on Dublin campusMinister refuses to say whether Tubridy should be allowed back on air

27/06/2023 Emma O Kelly speaking during a protest at RTE HQ, Dublin following revelations of undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy. Photo: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

27/06/2023 Members of the NUJ union protesting outside RTE television studios Donnybrook Dublin4 this afternoon. Pic Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

There was significant push back by RTE against Ryan Tubridys agent during discussions which led to the broadcaster guaranteeing an extra 75,000 payment to the star in the event a commercial sponsor was unwilling to pay.

RTE has said there was no illegality involved in the undeclared payments to presenter Ryan Tubridy.

The national broadcaster this evening published most of the Grant Thornton review into Mr Tubridys earnings and has set out its understanding of the circumstances surrounding the public misstating of his salary.

In a statement, RTEs Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch said: While the public disclosure of Ryan Tubridys earnings as part of the annual publication of top 10 presenter fees was incorrect, all payments associated with his earnings were reconciled in RTEs published accounts.

"It is important to note that RTE has not restated its annual accounts for any of the years 2017-2022 and does not need to restate.

RTE staff call for answers during protest

External legal advice has been received that on the basis of the Grant Thorton findings there was no illegality and payments were made pursuant to an agreed contract.

Based on the review completed by Grant Thornton and a review of the relevant documentation and correspondence, this report sets out RTEs understanding of what happened, how it happened, and who was responsible for different aspects of the arrangements.

" It should be noted that the former Director General, Ms Dee Forbes, save for comments provided to Grant Thornton in the compilation of its review, has not had the opportunity to respond to the details set out below and may therefore challenge or disagree with our understanding and position.

EXTRA: What Dee Forbes knew - RTE break silence on Ryan Tubridy pay scandal

RTE said that once it has been agreed in principle by the relevant editorial manager the process of negotiating the contracts of RTEs top 10 most highly paid on-air presenters is conducted by the Chief Financial Officer, with advice from the legal department.

Input regarding the services required, such as, programming and commitments to hours of broadcasting would typically by provided by the relevant editorial lead  the Director of Content or the Director of News and Current Affairs and the Director of Audience Channels and Marketing.

Final approval of fees to be paid to RTEs top 10 most highly paid on-air presenters is by the Director General.

However Ms Forbes took a direct role in negotiating the Tubridy contract in 2020.

'We've been at the receiving end of this for years'  RTE Education Correspondent hits out at culture of state broadcaster

During a Microsoft Teams meeting in May 2020 between Tubridys agent, Ms Forbes and an RTE solicitor a verbal guarantee was given that RTE would underwrite the commercial agreement worth 75,000 a year to the presenter.

This evening, RTE said: There has been much speculation regarding the awareness or involvement of members of senior RTE management and others in the these arrangements. The following sets out the position:

No member of the RTE Executive Board, other than the Director General, had all the necessary information in order to understand that the publicly declared figures for Ryan Tubridy could have been wrong.

The contractual arrangements (2020-2025) with Ryan Tubridy were negotiated by the Director General and the then Chief Financial Officer supported by the RTE solicitor and approved by the Director General.

The Grant Thornton review makes no finding of wrongdoing on the part of Ryan Tubridy in relation to any payments made by RTE.

It says: Ryan Tubridy was not aware of the credit note provided by RTE to the commercial partner.

RTE has now set out how Ryan Tubridys agent NK Management negotiated a new contract in 2020. There were in effect two contracts; a five-year contract between the broadcaster and the presenter, and a tri-partite agreement between the presenter, the commercial sponsor Renault and RTE.

The final deal included a letter stating that there would be no further reduction of fees during the five-year term unless something something legislative was imposed by the Oireachtas.

The Tri-partite Agreement between Renault, the Agent and RTE was arranged by the broadcasters Commercial Director at the direction of the Director General. The Commercial Director said the arrangement was subject to a condition that it was to be cost neutral for the commercial partner.

While it was still at draft stage, the arrangement was approved by Dee Forbes.

It was ultimately implemented by means of a credit note, issued on the direction of the Director General.

It was agreed that the broadcaster would underwrite the terms of the commercial arrangement.

This final aspect had been sought by the Agent throughout the negotiations and there had been significant push back by RTE, said todays statement.

NK Management has previously said there is no issue whatsoever in relation to the payments being properly and lawfully due.

"These issues are solely concerned with RTEs internal accounting treatment and public declarations in respect of such lawful payments, the company said.

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.

RTEs board were informed of the results of the fact-finding review on Monday.

'We are just as angry as the public'  Orla O'Donnell shows frustration in response to RTE payment scandal

The broadcaster made two payments of 75,000 to Tubridy in 2022. They were intended to come from Renault who sponsor the Late Late Show. However when the company chose not to renew deal with Tubridy, RTE was on the hook for the money.

The broadcaster made the payments via a barter account as they had already been under written and guaranteed.

Other than the director general and the commercial director, no member of the executive board had knowledge of the two invoices and the payment of those invoices through the barter account, or any of the circumstances surrounding those invoices.

On May 9, 2022 and July 6, 2022, Ryan Tubridys agent raised invoices of 75,000 each with the Barter Company.

Each invoice had the description Consultancy Fees. The Grant Thornton review states: On the balance of probabilities, the description on the invoices, Consultancy Fees did not reflect the substance of the transactions.

It says neither Tubridy nor his agent provided consultancy services.

The evidence is inconclusive as to who came up with the phrase Consultancy Fees, the report says.

The transactions in the Barter Account actually show us as 115,380 as a result of the way the account operates.

The Barter Account Statement for 2022 contains 25 transactions in relation to purchases (i.e. expenditure).

The two transactions of 115,380 each account in total for 70pc of total purchases shown on the Statement for 2022. Therefore, the existence of these two transactions would be quite obvious from a review of the Barter Account Statement, the Grant Thornton review says.

In addition, Grant Thornton found RTE had understated the presenters earnings by 120,000 during the period of 2017 to 2019.

While Tubridy initially said he was surprised to learn to learn about errors in the publicly stated payments by RTE, he later apologised for not questioning the mistakes at the time.

"I didnt, and I bear responsibility for my failure to do so. For this, I apologise unreservedly, he said.

It comes as more than 100 members of staff at RTE have staged a protest at the national broadcasters campus in Donnybrook.

RTE's top presenters release statements on earnings

NUJ Dublin broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O Kelly said she hoped the protest would be the start of serious root-and-branch reform in the organisation.

The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

She added: Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in.

That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad.

Earlier it was confirmed that Dee Forbes will not attend the Oireachtas Media Committee hearings on the RTE payments scandal tomorrow.

A spokesperson for Ms Forbes said the former media executive had informed the committee that she will not be attending "due to 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 comes as presenter Ray DArcy has described the pay scandal which has engulfed the national broadcaster as a terrible mess. He joined Claire Byrne, Joe Duffy, Brendan OConnor and Miriam OCallaghan in confirming that the figures published for his pay in recent years have been accurate.

The fees paid to him have dropped significantly in recent years, down from 450,000 in 2019 to 305,000 in 2020 and 2021. He is now on 250,000.

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..

Meanwhile Media Minister Catherine Martin has declined to say whether she thinks RTE presenter Ryan Tubridy has lost the good will of the public and whether he should be back on air.

She told a press conference in Dublin: Im not going to comment on individuals.

I dont think thats fair from a due process, from individuals rights. I dont think thats my role as minister for media.

However, its understood she told cabinet colleagues today that there was no sense within Government of how significant the RTE hidden payments scandal was going to be when the broadcaster first flagged an issue with her last March.

Minister Martin laid out a series of events in the RTE scandal at a Cabinet meeting today.

She was told in March of a financial irregularity but she wasnt given a sense of scale of it or who was involved or what it involved.

She received further details last Tuesday and she then briefed government leaders.

It is unclear if her department officials asked RTE for an update in the meantime.

It was all she knew until effectively last week, said the spokesperson.

They said she wanted to get the full facts before probing further.

There was no sense of how significant an issue this was [or the] scale of it, said a government spokesperson.

In the Dail earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said wrongdoing at RTE must stop.

The revelations from RTE last week are deeply unsettling and they have shaken public trust in what is an important institution, he told the Dail.

We want to see trust restored quickly, because we do need a strong public service broadcaster for our state.

Mr Varadkar said the vast majority of staff at RTE knew nothing about the misreported payment issue and he said, as far as he knows, it only related to one presenter, Ryan Tubridy.

The Taoiseach said former director general Dee Forbes should go before Oireachtas committees investigating the issue.

He said RTE must give full and open answers, insisting the public and staff at the broadcaster deserve nothing less.

It comes as more than 100 members of staff at RTE staged a protest at the national broadcasters campus in Donnybrook today.
RTEs Legal Affairs Correspondent Orla ODonnell said people are leaving the organisation instead of answering questions.

RTE staff pictured taking part in a protest outside the broadcasters HQ in relation to payments (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

RTE staff Sinead Hussey and Orla O'Donnell pictured taking part in a protest outside the broadcasters HQ in relation to payments (Pic: Gerry Mooney)

RTE staff have called for truth from the national broadcaster in relation to undeclared payments made to Ryan Tubridy.

The former Late Late Show host received undeclared payments worth a total of 345,000 since 2017 until 2022.

The RTE Board is due to issue a comprehensive statement this afternoon setting out its understanding of the circumstances around payments made to Tubridy between 2020 and 2022.

RTEs Crime Correspondent Paul Reynolds said that staff in RTE are particularly concerned if an allegation of criminality emerges during the course of the ongoing investigations into the controversy.

But if it does, if it needs to be investigated then it should be, thoroughly investigated  open it up, investigate it, he told independent.ie.

Tell people whats going on. At that moment, theyre obviously trying to find out whats going on but they better put it out soon. The Oireachtas committees will be crucial.

'We are just as angry as the public'  Orla O'Donnell shows frustration in response to RTE payment scandal

Asked if he would welcome a Garda investigation, he said that if it was necessary for one, then by all means.

If its necessary, yes. At the moment, theres nothing for the Guards to have a look at but if there is, they have to, he said.

He was among over 200 staff at a lunchtime protest organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) at RTE studios in Donnybrook on Tuesday afternoon.

Legal Affairs Correspondent for RTE News Orla ODonnell said people are leaving the organisation instead of answering questions.

She wanted to reassure members of the public that staff are here to serve the people of Ireland.

We are just as angry, just as frustrated, just as disappointed and just as devastated as they are by whats happened, she said.

We want answers to all the questions that still have to be answered, we want them to take responsibility and we hope that if the answers are given, if people come out and take responsibility, perhaps we can try and preserve the future of public service broadcasting and the future of this organisation.

We want our viewers, readers and listeners to know that we stand with them. We know how devastating this is.

'We've been at the receiving end of this for years'  RTE Education Correspondent hits out at culture of state broadcaster

We want to know why this happened, how it was allowed to go on, what happened between 2017 and 2019, why it was covered up and why we still have no proper answers six days into this.

We still dont know exactly what has happened and people are very reluctant to come out and answer questions and people have been leaving the organisation instead of answering questions.

We want answers, we want the truth. The truth matters, were always saying that, were always telling people that. We want the truth for everybody, for all of us staff, who have been so badly let down.

And the people of Ireland have been let down, we are here to serve the people of Ireland, this is public service broadcasting. How can we stand in front of people and tell them that we are always telling the truth?

That we are accurate, fair and impartial. We want the truth, and we want to be able to look our viewers, readers and listeners in the eye and tell them that were standing up for them today.

RTE's Education Correspondent Emma O'Kelly said this crisis needs to be the beginning of something new.

Ms Kelly, who is also the chair of the National Union of Journalists broadcasting branch in Dublin, called for deep and profound reform.

One of the first messages I got on this crisis was from a colleague who said this is both unbelievable and believable, she said.

And that really resonated with me. Its unbelievable first of all that somebody who is earning 440,000 a year needed to get more money and needed to get it in secret.

We dont need a review for us to know about governance and culture in this organisation because weve been at the receiving end of that culture for too long.

The other people who are there with us are the public, we know what theyre suffering as a result of this.

We know for example that theres no crew in the midlands, theres no crew in the northeast because when people go and look for that crew, were told, theres no money.

I was overjoyed when I was offered a job in this organisation, I couldnt believe it. We have watched young, talented journalists walking out the door of this organisation because they no longer see a future.

That has to end. We want answers to all the questions we have but most of all we want this to be used to benefit public service broadcasting in Ireland.
From sleeper trains on the continent to new subway lines in Istanbul and London, train fans have several new services to try

An increased awareness of environmental issues, the many hassles of air travel and the mental effort required to drive long distances are all reasons for people to get back onto trains. European passenger numbers are on the rise again, if not quite at pre-pandemic levels.

In response, operators across the continent are investing in new services, tracks and special offers. And it's only going to get better  dozens of projects are in motion from the Baltic states to Portugal, with the EU aiming to double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and supporting "10 pilot projects to establish new rail services or improve existing ones".

From slow trains to high-speed bargains, there are plenty of options if you're traveling in Europe in the next few months.

Austria's Nightjet. Photo: OBB/Harald Eisenberger

1. New sleepers from Belgium and Sweden

The sleeper train revival is picking up speed. They seemed to be on the way out in 2016, when the government of France, their last stronghold, decided to cut funding for a number of services. Happily, many of those have since been restored, and other countries around Europe - most notably Austria, under the brand name Nightjet (above) - are investing heavily in night trains.

This summer sees the debut of a service between Brussels and Berlin run by a new company called European Sleeper. Customers can leave Brussels at 7.22pm (or Amsterdam at 10.34pm) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and arrive in Berlin at 6.48am. Return trips depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. There are three types of tickets, starting at around 78 a seat, a bed in a six-berth compartment or a bed in a three-bed compartment.

Other night trains have also recently been introduced, such as Stockholm to Hamburg, which started in the fall, or Paris to Vienna, which began in 2021.

I've traveled on night trains from Paris to the south of France on a number of occasions. The experience is not luxurious, but it's generally cheaper than the cost of a flight and a room - and the beds, while slim, are surprisingly comfortable. Be warned, though: The romance of trundling across Europe in the dead of night can make it hard to sleep.

2. German rail pass for 49 a month

Last summer Germany's national rail company, Deutsche Bahn, offered monthly passes for the country's huge network for 9, a response to cost-of-living problems caused by a sharp rise in costs for electricity, food, heating and mobility.

The success of that project has led to the introduction of the Deutschland-Ticket, which will cost 49 a month and allow unlimited travel on all trains, buses and city subway services, with the exception of the most direct and speedy intercity services.

The possibilities are enticing. Beer lovers, for example, could travel from Dusseldorf to Cologne to Bamberg and onward to Munich, hopping off for distinctive local brews along the way. Those in search of scenery, meanwhile, might prefer the West Rhine Railway, stretching down the Rhine from Cologne in the north to Mainz.

One thing to remember: The Deutschland-Ticket is only available as a rolling, app-based subscription. British train expert Mark Smith, better known online as the Man in Seat 61, recommends canceling by the 10th of the month to avoid being charged for more than a month.

The Royal train pulled by the Flying Scotsman, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, passes through Goathland in North Yorkshire,

3. The first 100-mph locomotive

Given locomotives are a British invention, the rail network in the UK can be a disappointment. Yes, it'll get you where you need to go, eventually, but services are often late, and there's only one high-speed line, used by Eurostar and domestic services, from London into the Kentish countryside. The current national debate over ongoing construction of HS2 (High Speed 2) offers a reason: NIMBY-ish attitudes tend to triumph over the greater good.

That said, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the world's first fully authenticated 100-mph passenger locomotive, the Flying Scotsman; as a result, a number of special excursions are planned. For those who can afford it, the Centenary Weekender looks like the most appealing trip, from London to York and then Edinburgh, followed by a jaunt up Scotland's beautiful East Coast.

The Flying Scotsman may be unique, but Europe is full of historical interest. There's another anniversary, too: The Wuppertal Schwebebahn, a remarkable suspension railway that continues to operate, was completed in 1903. And then there's the Beaux-Arts Canfranc Station, opened as the crossing point from Spain to France in 1928, which was revived as a hotel this year.

4. A 7 high-speed train in Spain

Budget services are increasingly common in Europe, but no one is moving so fast as Spain's Avlo, which runs high-speed, low-cost trains between Madrid and Barcelona, with low-cost tickets starting from 7. The network is expanding  this month, there's a new route from the Spanish capital to Andalusia, taking in Cordoba, Seville and Malaga.

In France, there's Ouigo, which provides high-speed and standard services from Paris to cities all around the country, including Bordeaux, Marseille and Strasbourg. The advantage of the standard service - which offers tickets starting around 11 - is that prices don't change, so you can get a last-minute bargain.

The UK, too, has a low-cost service, from London to Edinburgh via Newcastle, although tickets are not always such good value.

Prince William and Catherine travel on London's Elizabeth Line this May. Photo: Jordan Pettitt/WPA Pool/Getty Images

5. New subway lines in Turkey and England

Few cities have seen such huge investment and rapid improvement in subway provision as Istanbul. Earlier this year, a line connecting Istanbul Airport to the city opened, while other new lines and extensions are entering service all the time. It's a remarkable turnaround for a city that had virtually no underground transport until 1989.

It's not the only capital to be investing in underground trains, though. The experience of visiting Copenhagen has been transformed by the 2019 opening of the City Circle Line. Since last summer, visitors arriving at London Heathrow can reach the city centre, and much besides, far quicker courtesy of 2022's Elizabeth Line.

Paris, meanwhile, is in the foothills of a significant expansion program, Grand Paris Express, which will provide new connections in the city's long-neglected suburbs. You can expect to see those services start to come online next year, when Paris hosts the Olympics and when Metro Line 14 will be extended to Orly, Paris's second-largest airport.
THE thing about being an autocrat is that youre either all in or youre out.

You dont get a second chance. If your survival depends on ruling with an iron fist and suddenly youre seen contradicting yourself, or worse, being indecisive, you better make sure you have a helicopter on the roof for your getaway.

Vladimir Putin enjoyed over 23 years on parade as an international strongman. Mercenary master, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has now proven that the aura of invincibility Putin once exuded can no longer be relied upon to guarantee loyalty or obedience.

Totalitarians rely on fear to maintain their hold on power. That the Wagner chief was able to take over two key cities, and cripple Kremlin military command before stepping down, blows a huge hole in the Russian presidents authority. After all of that, Prigozhin brazenly brokered a deal for his own freedom.

Putin had promised that the traitors, as he views them, would be held to account and punished. The notoriously serpentine Prigozhin has subsequently denied that his mutiny was aimed at toppling Putin.

The suspicion is that he is simply too canny an operator to be pushed over in plain sight; better to hollow out the ground beneath his feet and watch his power base collapse on top of itself.

The presidents power structure, which looked unassailable for decades, is now anything but impregnable. Washington was quick to call out how the mutiny was a direct challenge to Putin and has revealed cracks in his leadership.

However, with the fracturing of the super-structure also comes great risk. Putin is now damaged goods, to the extent that Russians are openly contemplating who might be in charge next.

Russia has been weakened by the war in Ukraine, with an estimated 225,000 killed and wounded. Internationally, the war has rendered the country a pariah.

Russians are a phlegmatic and stoic people, but they can only be expected to put up with so much. If their strongman has failed on two fronts  to win a war only he wanted, and to deliver the security he promised  what exactly is his value?

Ukraine must take maximum advantage of the revolt and the shock waves it has produced in Moscow to make further advances. But it must be kept in mind that a despot is at his most dangerous when his back is up against the wall.

Events are still too fluid to come to any conclusions. As Winston Churchill once said: I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. But perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.

The question is, will the Russian people get to exercise a say in where that interest lies?

It is crucial that support for Ukraine remains steadfast. It is still fighting Russia for its very existence, and also to protect Europes defences from further attacks.

With the military Jenga comes greater unpredictability, for which the West needs to be ever more alert.
How can Ryan Tubridy express disappointment at being taken off air for editorial reasons?

How can he expect listeners to suspend disbelief if he does resume broadcasting?

That we will listen to his opinions, his observations, his musings, his interviews, without thinking about what has been revealed about extra payments to him?

Three hundred and forty-five thousand euro paid into his bank account, on top of his contractor fees, which were not disclosed to the Oireachtas or to the auditors.

The only way forward as I see it is to end this contractor arrangement with RTE broadcasters and their agents.

And that all who work for our national broadcaster be hired as staff members and paid within public sector limits.

Larry Dunne

Rosslare Harbour, Co Wexford

Keanes compassion for a much-maligned man in keeping with family legacy

It was a breath of fresh air to see Billy Keane on the side of Ryan Tubridy, a man much maligned in recent days by the media (Ryan is human like the rest of us  itd be wrong to cancel his career over this, Irish Independent, June 24).

Compassion is in Billy Keanes genes. I havent ever met a person more forgiving than his father, the late John B.

Did Ryan overdo the apologies? I should have asked questions. I didnt . . . What employee ever asked their boss: Why are you paying me so much?

Mattie Lennon

Blessington, Co Wicklow

Catherine Martin should resign over failure to hold RTE to account

Media Minister Catherine Martin allowed herself to be persuaded by RTE to approve the sudden shutdown of RTEs longwave radio service to the diaspora in April without the long-promised and agreed replacement DAB radio service in Britain.

Clearly the minister was happy to be RTEs rubber stamp on a decision that has negatively affected the elderly Irish in Britain, while at the same time she did not act to ensure that RTEs published expenditure on its talent was correctly reported.

This is a complete failure by her department to hold RTE to account. She has no alternative now but to resign.

Richard Logue

Hammers Lane, London

A public service? Or a mismanaged station thats a drain on public purse

Unfortunately RTE does not rock (Secret payments scandal rocks RTE, Irish Independent, June 23, 2023). Despite its funding, from the Government, licence fees, advertising (from commercial, government and government bodies) and sponsorships, RTE continues to make losses and remains a bloated, mediocre and barely relevant broadcaster, with mediocre presenters and imported programmes. The irrelevance of RTE became obvious as more of the population tuned into other networks. Just as we dont have public service print media, we dont need public service broadcast media. RTE is less of a public media service and more of service to its highly paid employees together with its frequently employed and excessively remunerated contractors and talent.

RTE is technically insolvent. If it were a business in the private sector it would be liquidated. It has long since gone beyond its public service remit to become a mismanaged media conglomerate which is a drain on public finances and a tax on citizens.

Hugh McDermott

Dromahair, Co Leitrim

Dont begrudge me my right to begrudge Tubs his hidden payments

In response to the Ryan Tubridy payments controversy, in which he was paid an undisclosed 345,000 over a period of five years or so, I disagree with some callers to RTE Radio 1s Liveline that Ireland is a nation of begrudgers.

Arent people entitled to be begrudgers when they have something as serious as this to be begrudgers about? There is no law against begrudgery, although with this new hate-speech law being discussed at present, it wouldnt surprise me if they brought in such a law.

If so, a person could be charged with first-degree begrudgery or second-degree begrudgery.

Martin Heneghan

Richmond Road, Dublin 3

U-turn for Prigozhins Wagner forces  and for those Putin experts too

A day of experts telling us that the Wagner rebellion will prove fatal for Putin was followed 24 hours later by the same experts falling over themselves trying to explain why the leader of the rebellion has been forced into exile and Putin remains as powerful as ever. The BBC went as far as to suggest that what was happening on Saturday was a coup no less.

What can we learn from all this? Are the experts focused solely on propaganda rather than facts, or is it the case that they simply have not got a bulls notion of what is going on east of the Dnieper?

Jim OSullivan

Rathedmond, Sligo

At present, Im getting a little tense over a passing linguistic fad

Sarah Careys annoyance at verbal tics (Language is at breaking point Irish Independent, June 24) brought my own linguistic peeve to the surface: have we lost the past tense?

So! Im walking down Shop Street, Im watching a movie, Im lying on the beach... Actions that are in the past but told in the present.

Is the past tense with OLeary in the grave?

Anne Marie Kennedy

Craughwell, Co Galway

Labours time in office benign? A glance at my pay packet and I disagree

The Labour Party insists that its role in government after 2011 was benign.

The partys own report states that, without Labour on watch, Fine Gael, governing alone, would have led to reduced public services, lower rates of payments and welfare (and) the privatisation of public assets.

Does one react by saying, Two out of three aint bad?

The Universal Social Charge is still with us, last time I checked, which is weekly. All other negative aspects of the post-crash period have been documented, but perhaps the most scathing self-criticism in the report states that Labour made unforced errors in its time in government, which really shouldnt happen to political party whose mission statement claims it has fought for the marginalised and given voice to new ideas.

Peter Declan OHalloran

Belturbet, Co Cavan
Jenny Greene and Mack Fleetwood to play City hall gigs

WHILE it may still be four months away, organisers of the 2023 Guinness Cork Jazz Festival have already unveiled the names of two big acts set to play the October musical extravaganza.

Following her sold out Live at the Marquee gig DJ Jenny Greene will be once again team up with Cork artist, DJ and modern media junkie Ant of Generic People for a what promises to be a spectacular night of dance music in the auditorium at Cork City Hall on Saturday, October 28.

One of Irelands most successful DJs, Greene set out her career path at the tender age of 12 after getting her first set of decks, learning how to mix on vinyl during her time hanging around dance pirate radio Pulse FM after school.

After leaving school she worked as a music columnist, radio presenter and DJ and in 2002 earned herself a place in the Guinness Book of Records, breaking the world record for the longest DJ set, playing continuously for just over three-days straight.

Her Saturday night dance show Electric Disco on RTE 2FM has been a mainstay for Irish Clubbers for the past 15 years, leading to an album release back in 2009.

A hugely popular figure on the live music scene, she has sold out arenas and festivals across the country, with her eclectic mix of house, electro and old school classic earning her a loyal and dedicated following.

Greene and Ant are no strangers to the Jazz having sold played to packed audiences at the festival for the past four-years, with their shows a highlight for clubbers and ravers.

On Sunday, October 29 the atmosphere at the City Hall will be toned down somewhat when Fleetwood Mac tribute band Mack Fleetwood take to the stage of the venue.

The band, widely regarded as one of Europes premier tributes acts, are no strangers Cork having sold out gigs in the city on numerous occasions, including two appearances under the umbrella of the jazz festival.

Their spectacular live shows take audiences on a magical musical journey through Fleetwood Macs extensive catalogue of seminal hits, right from their early Peter Green inspired blues sound through to their present day incarnation, bewitching audiences with pitch perfect renditions of classic tracks including Dreams, Go Your Own Way, Little Lies and Seven Wonders.

Tickets for Jenny Greene (29.50) and Mack Fleetwood (32.50 & 35.50) from www.ticketmaster.ie.
However, Uisce Eireann has warned they may have to issue further boil water notices to Killavullen residents while the works are ongoing.

The project linking Killavullen to the Mallow water supply scheme is scheduled to be completed next February.

THERE is finally some good news in the pipeline for residents in Killavullen - more than a year after they were first told that their water supply was unsafe for human consumption.

The long-running saga stretches back to March of last year when the first of two boil-water notice were put in place due to what Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) said were high levels of turbidity (cloudiness) in the borehole supply, forcing the closure of the local water treatment plant.

While that notice was lifted after three-weeks, a second boil water notice was put in place last May, which was not lifted until March.

At the time Uisce Eireann said they were working to progress a permanent solution to safeguard the local water supply in the future.

This week the company confirmed has commenced work, in conjunction with Cork County Council, on a project to upgrade the local water supply, which they said would improve water quality, reduce the risk of further boil water notices and eliminate high levels of leakage.

The works will involve the installation of more than 10km of new mains linking Killavullen to the Mallow public water scheme and the decommissioning of the existing local water supply.

Uisce Eireann spokesperson Paul Gray workswould also involve laying new supply connections to local properties and the replacement of existing lead ones.

This is a long-awaited day for the people Killavullen. We are delighted to be prioritising this essential project which will improve water quality and put an end to the boil water notices that were necessary in the past, said Mr Gray.

However, he did not rule out the possibility of further boil water notices being issued while the works are ongoing

The project is expected to be completed in February next year and until then, we will continue to closely monitor the local water supply to protect the health of our customers. Public health is Uisce Eireanns number one priority and additional boil water notices may be necessary until the project is completed, said Mr Gray.

He works may also involve some short-term water interruptions and the project team will ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned water interruptions. We will continue to keep the local community informed as the works progress, he added.
A NEW report has revealed that more than 35,000 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were made to public bodies in Ireland over the course of last year, with the majority of those seeking access to records held by the HSE.

In his annual report for 2022 the Information Commissioner, Ger Deering, also revealed that more than 650 applications were made to his office to review FOI decisions made by public bodies.

With specific reference to Cork, the report showed that 261 FOI requests were made to Cork City Council, 226 to Cork County Council, 162 to the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital, 102 to the Mercy Hospital and 83 to University College Cork last year.

Speaking at the publication of his annual report Mr Deering said the usage of FOI remained high, with a 26% increase in requests made to public bodies since 2015.

His report showed there were 35,465 FOI requests made to public bodies such as Government departments, local authorities and voluntary hospitals during 2022.

There were 11,233 FOI requests made to the HSE or 31.7% of the total, representing a 12% increase on the figure for 2021.

The number of requests to the Department of Social Protection also increased by 20% to 2,085, while the number of requests to TUSLA - the Child and Family Agency fell by 18% to 1,120.

More than half of the total number of FOI requests were made by the clients of public bodies, with almost one-fifth of requests made by journalists.

Mr Deering said that his office had received 657 applications to review decisions made by public bodies under the FOI, most of these relating refusals to give applicants access to records. Just over 80 of these related to HSE decisions and 31 involved decisions made by the Departments of Justice, while TUSLA saw 25 of its decisions challenged.

In his report Mr Deering described a number of notable decisions made by his office last year, a number of which involved refusals by public bodies on the grounds that record related what were described as deliberative processes.

The Commissioners decisions highlighted the need for public bodies to not only show the record contains matter relating to the deliberative process, but to also demonstrate that access would be contrary to the public interest, read the report.

A particular case involving this requirement was the refusal by the Department of Justice to release a note of a meeting between the Justice Minister and the Inspector of Prisons.

In a separate case the Information Commissioner directed St Vincents University Hospital to release a copy of the Religious Sisters of Charity Heath Service Philosophy and Ethical Code. The hospital had refused access to the code and claimed that release would be misleading as the code was no longer relevant. The Commissioner did not accept that the possibility that the code could be misinterpreted by the pubic was a valid reason for refusing its release.

The 82-page report can be read in full at www.oic.ie.

Mr Deering used the release of his report to an ongoing review of the FOI Act, pointing out his office had made a detailed submission to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, aimed at improving the FOI process for everyone, including users and public bodies.
An interim examiner has been appointed to the 27 Iceland stores here. Pic: Steve Humphreys

Staff at an Iceland supermarket in Dublin are planning to camp out in the store for a second night in an ongoing protest over pay.

Employees at Iceland on Talbot Street slept in the canteen last night after being temporarily laid off last week.

Staff showed up for work last Wednesday to find the shutters closed. Staff received an email informing them the business required significant restructuring and as a result, staff would be temporarily laid off from midnight on June 20.

The staff in Talbot Street have been taking turns occupying the store since 10am on Monday and stayed overnight on the floor of the canteen.

Staff member Donna Grimes said: Im owed about 20 hours of holiday pay. We are here since yesterday morning occupying the store to get what we are entitled to. We are rotating between six of us.

Iceland workers occupy Talbot St Store in Dublin following job losses

The examiner came last night and they gave no concrete clarification on whether we are going to be paid. He will get back on Thursday so we plan on staying for the long haul.

Its horrible, after sitting here for the whole day, who wants to sleep here? Nobody. But we want to highlight how we are being treated. Make a stance.

Staff member Edel added: We are not going down without a fight. Last night the two girls slept on the floor in the canteen. We worked for that pay so we are entitled to it.

Both staff members were dismissed by their employer earlier this month and claim they are owed wages.

The supermarket chain sold all of its 27 stores here in February, and they are now owned and operated by Metron Stores Limited.

More than 340 workers at the troubled frozen-food chain fear for their jobs after the company was placed in examinership last week.

Metron Stores were ordered to withdraw all imported frozen food of animal origin earlier this month.

The High Court subsequently agreed to appoint an interim examiner to the company which has said it is insolvent and unable to pay debts of 36m. Interim examiner Joseph Walsh Accountants was appointed to address the outstanding issues.

Metron Stores Limited was contacted for fresh comment.

Last Wednesday, staff at the Coolock store in north Dublin also occupied the premises in protest after laid off staff showed up for work at 9am.

Alex Homits of the Independent Workers Union said an agreement had been reached with the examiner to address issues, including outstanding wages.

A document stated the company confirmed wages would be paid for the week from June 12 to 18 by last Friday. However, staff said this did not happen and are still waiting to be paid.

The examiner previously said in a statement to Independent.ie: I am currently engaged with the various stakeholders of Metron Stores Limited.

Examinership is a statutory restructuring process, the purpose of which is to save viable enterprises and protect employment, this will always be my primary focus.

As the process is at a very early stage it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.

In a statement to Independent.ie last week, Metron Stores Limited apologised for the great distress on staff after employees showed up for work having been laid off, but not told.

The closure of any store will result in great distress for employees of that store, for which we apologise, said the company.

Management have communicated with affected staff and will continue to do so at this difficult time.

The decision to seek the appointment of an Examiner to the business was taken with the primary function of protecting as much employment as possible.

We are confident that obtaining the protection of the Court affords the business the best mechanism to save as many jobs as possible.

Management will continue to work tirelessly throughout this process and will be engaging directly with staff on an ongoing basis.
A MOTORIST caught driving a Rolls-Royce at more than twice the speed limit has been fined for a very bad case of careless driving.

Conor McTiernan Marten (23) was driving at 121kmh in a 60kmh zone when he was stopped at a garda speed check. He was initially charged with dangerous driving but a judge reduced the charge at the defences request after hearing there were no other aggravating factors.

McTiernan Marten, of Vico Road, Killiney, pleaded guilty to careless driving. Judge Ciaran Liddy fined him 350.

Garda Kevin Nolan told Dublin District Court he was operating a speed check on the R132 in north Dublin when he stopped the accused for driving at 121kmh in a 60kmh zone.

He provided a UK driving licence and was brought to Dublin Airport garda station and charged.

Defence solicitor Matthew Kenny said a UK car would have a miles per hour speedometer.

The speed limit just before the accused was stopped was 80kmh and McTiernan Marten was 1km into the 60kmh zone. He said 80mph equated to 127kmh and 60mph was 96kmh.

He said if the accused had been travelling at 20 to 30kmh slower, he would have got a fixed charge notice and would not have ended up in court.

The high speed is very high speed, the judge said, but the accused had met the case very fairly.

He said it was a very bad case of careless driving and there was no injustice to reducing the charge.

He did not impose a driving ban.
A shoplifter who stole three bottles of champagne was in the throes of addiction at the time.

Lorcan Berry (30) stole bottles of Moet champagne worth a combined 176.

He appeared in court on the day of his 30th birthday and Judge Treasa Kelly spared him a criminal conviction.

Berry, with an address at Maple House, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, pleaded guilty to theft. Dublin District Court heard he went to Dunnes Stores, Swan Centre, Rathmines last November 7 and took three bottles of Moet champagne.

He was stopped and gardai were called and arrested him. He made no reply to the charge after caution. Berry had difficulties with alcohol and drugs in the past, his solicitor Niall OConnor said.

He had since undergone residential treatment, appeared to be doing well and wanted to put all matters behind him, Mr OConnor added.

The accused had one previous conviction for what the court heard was a minor incident.

Judge Kelly told Berry he seemed to be working hard dealing with his problems and dismissed the charge under the Probation Act, leaving him without a recorded theft conviction.
Ian OBriens courageous and gruelling pan-European effort to raise awareness and funds in aid of early onset Parkinsons Disease closed this Sunday as he scales Kerry and Irelands highest peak, Carrauntoohil.

The 43-year-old father-of-two was diagnosed with early onset Parkinsons five years ago.

Ian vowed to climb the highest peak in each of the 27 EU nations  and the UK  in less than a month. The Eur-Up-Ian challenge got underway at Mont Blanc on June 5 and, all going well, will culminate on July 2 with a climb of Carrauntoohil.

The Waterford native is collecting funds via several means, including on idonate at Ians Eurupian Challenge. This page alone has raised in excess of 30,000 for Early Onset Parkinsons Disease CLG.
The Central Criminal Court has set aside two months next year for the trial of three men and a boy accused of murdering Killarney man Thomas Dooley in a Tralee cemetery last year.

Three family members and a teenager accused of murdering father of seven Thomas Tom Dooley, who died after he was attacked by a group of men whilst attending a funeral at Rath cemetery in Tralee are due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in May next year.

The brother of the late Mr Dooley, Patrick Dooley (35) with an address at Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Mr Dooleys cousin Thomas Dooley Senior (41) and that mans son, Thomas Dooley Junior (20), both of a halting site at Carrigrohane Road, Cork as well as a 17-year-old boy are all charged with murdering 43-year-old Mr Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee on October 5, 2022.

Thomas Dooley Jnr is also charged with assault causing serious harm to the wife of the late Mr Dooley, Siobhan Dooley, at Rath Cemetery on the same date.

The fourth defendant, a teenager - who cannot be named because he is a juvenile - is further charged with the production of an article likely to intimidate or capable of causing serious injury while committing or appearing to commit serious harm to Ms Dooley on the same date.

The Central Criminal Court heard today that the boy is due to turn 18 years of age later this year.

The late Mr Dooley from Hazelwood Drive in Killarney died after he was attacked by a group of men at Rath Cemetery shortly after he, his wife and four of his seven children had attended the funeral of a close family friend. Mr Dooleys wife Siobhan also suffered serious injuries in the course of the attack.

Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC, defending Patrick Dooley, told Mr Justice Paul McDermott on Tuesday that he was unhappy about the disclosure in relation to several juvenile witnesses in the case and that he was looking for the taped interviews with these witnesses.

A solicitor in attendance for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the court that there may be other accused in the case but that this would be resolved shortly.

There have been nine arrests to date in relation to the killing of Mr Dooley.

Mr Justice McDermott asked the solicitor if it is intended that other accused will be added to the trial as this would add to the length of the case. The solicitor said that this was not known at the moment.

Mr Justice McDermott set May 29, 2024 as the date for the four defendants trial before a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

The judge said he would give the whole of the Trinity term  from May 29 to July 31 - to complete the trial and was anxious for the defendants to be provided with the case materials.

The case was listed for mention on July 10 next in the expectation that tapes and transcripts are furnished to the defence by that date.

Mr Grehan told the court that if other accused persons are to be added to the indictment, then this should happen as soon as possible.

Mr Justice McDermott said there are an extensive number of accused persons involved in the case, who all had family members. He said there was a clear interest in the deceaseds family attending the trial and that he was sure this matter was being borne in mind in terms of the venue
Couple attacked with rocks called fa**ot bastards, paedophiles

Both men were punched around the head and face, as well as kicked in the atteck, whilst homophobic insults were also thrown.

The couple is determined these troubles teens will not spoil their overall view of Drogheda.

The gay couple subjected to a terrifying attack by Drogheda teenagers say they would like to see community resources for these disaffected youths instead of jail.

Ivan Miandini and his husband were walking their dog near the bus depot at around 8pm on Saturday, when they were verbally abused by a group of young males, with homophobic and xenophobic slurs hurled at them, using vile insults, and even targeting their dog.

They threatened to kill us, rape our dog and told us to go back to our own countries, and it really was very frightening, says Ivan. Then later when we were walking up Watery Hill steps, we had large rocks thrown at us, and one of them punched me and my husband in the side of the head, knocking my phone out of my hand twice.

They called us fa**ot bastards and even paedophiles and told us they were going to chase us off the island.

The Drogheda Independent has seen video footage of the vicious assault  mainly carried out by one ringleader  which has left the couple traumatised but remarkably gracious in their attitude towards their assailants.

They are lobbying local and national politicians in Drogheda to address the rise in violence in the town.

We moved from Dublin and love living in Drogheda, so dont want to label the town homophobic, especially in Pride month, but these kinds of attacks are unacceptable, and if these young people arent educated, they will grow up to carry out worse assaults, says Ivan. We have been contacting local councillors, and also TDs, and we have a proposal for a project for the youth, which shouldn't cost too much money.

Ivan says lives fall through the cracks, leaving a forgotten generation.

"If they're left to their own devices or theyre coming from very bad situations, then this can happen, but I dont necessarily think they're bad inherently, he adds. But I think for some of them at least, there must be an option to focus their energy or to give them options to educate them on certain things as well.

The gardai are aware of the incident, but the couple is not taking action as yet.

Were hoping that all the vile things he was saying, especially that one guy, is something he picked up and doesn't fully understand, and it's something that really doesn't live within him, says Ivan. Hopefully it doesn't take root, because that kind of hate can only grow.

I don't think the solution here is just to throw the book at them with a criminal prosecution, and I want to go to the community first to see what their problems are.
Two men before Sligo court to face charges arising from thefts from cars in north Leitrim
Scott Foster, a former director of the Sustainable Energy Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe will address the event.

The event, which will be launched in the Riverside Park Hotel at 4 p.m., is being organised in conjunction with Enniscorthy Forum, a Wexford-based community group that has entered an agreement to work in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) as part of a worldwide mission to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment.

The Enniscorthy Forum recently signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to create a collaboration going forward between the Forum's Building Action Coalition (BAC) and UNEP's Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).

The partnership between the Enniscorthy Forum and UNEP is set to be formally announced at the Ministerial Summit, which in addition to being hosted by the Forum, is being sponsored by Kingspan, a global leader in building innovation.

As part of a newly signed MoU, the Enniscorthy Forum will work in collaboration with UNEP to promote the transformative benefits of high-performance buildings and to ensure promotion and take-up of best practice methods in planning, design and construction across the world.

The Forum is supported by the Irish Government and its summit this week is due to be attended by senior industry figures and leading academics as well as US and UN officials.

Among those who will be addressing the opening session of the event will be Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament, Justin Schwartz, Executive Vice-President and Provost of Penn State University, USA, and James Gannon, Chairperson of the Ireland Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

The BAC will also be reporting on outcomes from the summit to the Governments department of the environment.

Among the distinguished participants and speakers will be senior representatives from UNEP, UN Education Cannot Wait, United Nations Office in Geneva, Ireland's Commission for Regulation of Utilities, Coalition members and partners from Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Britain, India, and the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board Mt. Lucas facility.

Mike Stenson, Project Director of Kingspans planned Building Technology Centre in Ukraine, will also address the event.

The two-day summit will also hear of the call for the Irish Government to sign up to the Buildings Breakthrough Target - a French and Moroccan-led joint vision and rallying-point initiative aimed at ensuring near-zero emission buildings are the new normal by 2030. That nitiative is part of UNEPs work programme.

The Enniscorthy Forum (EF), is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2020 by Enniscorthy & District Chamber, to support advancement of the United Nations sustainable development agenda.

In September, 2022, the EF launched its Buildings Action Coalition (BAC) to advance high performance buildings. The coalition is a global collaboration with a programme of projects and activities involving a wide range of public and private stakeholders in construction, planning, policy and other built environment sectors to accelerate attainment of the Buildings Breakthrough target.

As part of the new MOU, UNEP and UNEPs Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Global ABC) have become lead partners with the EF and the BAC is now aligned with the Global ABC.

Scott Foster, a former director of the Sustainable Energy Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and an adviser to the Enniscorthy Forum,, who will also be attending the summit in Enniscorthy, commented: Improving the performance of buildings and the built environment is the one action that can deliver integrated solutions at scale in a timely fashion to produce tangible outcomes on economic, social, and environmental resilience, quality of life, and climate, among other desirable outcomes, and in the process advance employment, innovation, and investment.

This is an exciting development for the Enniscorthy Forum and is proof that small local organisations can achieve big things with the right support, the right partners and the right vision, he said.

Mr Foster went on to comment that the BAC has far-reaching ambitions to help transform the built environment worldwide.

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, who is CEO of the Enniscorthy Forum, said: Since our foundation in 2020, we have received significant support from the Irish Government, industry partners and Buildings Action Coalition members."

She said signing an MoU with UNEP will bring the forums work to the next level and increase its reach and influence along with that of the BAC.

The signing of the MoU with UNEP means the Forum will now support UNEPs work, said Cllr Murphy.

This will include advocating for market transformation to achieve high performance buildings, developing guidelines that will help deliver net zero buildings and working closely with all stakeholders to lead and support this much-needed transition, she said.

We already have a significant programme of collaborations including outreach, research, academic studies, construction projects and education and training schemes, she added.

Cllr Murphy said the EF now intends to expand the global membership network of the BAC to more countries and more construction industry stakeholders.

We also plan to mobilise resources and disseminate knowledge, experience and best practices to transition towards zero emission buildings and construction,ino she said.

She said the EF is now calling on the Irish Government to sign up to the Buildings Breakthrough Target.

This is an important initiative, which urges countries to ensure that near-zero emission and resilient buildings are the new normal by 2030, said Cllr Murphy.

To date, 16 countries have signed up to it and we need Ireland to join them, she added.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Mark Radka, Chief of the Energy and Climate Branch of UNEP, said: We are delighted with our newly formalised relationship with the Enniscorthy Forum and look forward to a strong and enduring partnership that helps raise the performance of buildings and the built environment on a global scale.

Experts from Ireland helped initiate the UNs High Performance Buildings Initiative and this prompted creation of the Enniscorthy Forum, he said.

UNEP values and appreciates the Irish Government's support for the Enniscorthy Forum and the activities of its Buildings Action Coalition, he added.

Mike Stenson, the Project Director of Kingspans Ukraine Building Technology Campus, said his company was delighted to sponsor the summit and support the work of the Enniscorthy Forum on high-performance buildings.

Kingspan is a global leader in building innovation, he said.

We believe advanced materials, building systems and digital technologies can play an important role in helping to address the global issues of circularity and climate change and we are playing a key part in realising this, he added.

He said his company is planning to invest 280m in a new Building Technology Campus in Ukraine that will be a net zero manufacturing site developing innovative products for sale across Europe and to help in the sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine.

In addition to the formal announcement of the signing of the MoU with the UNEP, the summit in Enniscorthy will include programme of group sessions, public addresses and a wide variety of discussions on a range of subjects including ata centre infrastructure, workforce training, rebuilding Ukraine, energy grid integration and the business and economic case for high-performance buildings.
There were saris and cakes, Indian food and more at a multicultural day at Cherrygrove nursing home near Campile.

We just did it off the cuff, said owner Tom Cummins, adding that activities coordinator Marie Dobbs came up with the idea for the summer celebration with care and nursing staff.

With many staff members hailing from different countries, there was immediate support for the initiative.

Blessed with fine weather, there was dancing and music and table loads of exotic and local foods, including a cake decorated with nation flags.

It was something to celebrate the staff and for the residents and their backgrounds. People brought in their own dishes. They went down well and one of the residents couldnt get enough of it. Some people dressed up and showed themselves up in style. It was a great success and well look at doing something similar again, said Mr Cummins.
Martin Byrne from Kilmore Quay, singing at the launch of Margaret Galvin's book, 'Our House, Delirious', with journalist David Looby.

Published by Revival Press, Limerick, the book, a collection of poetry and prose essays, was praised by journalist and writer David Looby for its humanity, skilful writing and ability to surprise.

He spoke of the particularity and vision of her works, from short poems to two-page stories about Irish life and her youth growing up in Cahir, Co Tipperary, saying they are easy-to-read, enlightening and hopeful.

Galvin, who has lived in Wexford all her adult life, addresses a wide range of topics in this collection in an accessible and direct writing style. She engages warmly and transformatively with the stuff of the everyday by inviting readers to see things in a new light, to look again at the overlooked and seemingly inconsequential.

Readers will identify with the many situations and characters she addresses in these resonant poems and essays that offer moments of understanding and connectivity.

Galvins husband Philip Quirke read a note from Dominic Taylor of Revival Press (which is the poetry imprint of the Limerick Writers Centre). He said: Margaret Galvins new work contains  beauty, insight and music  and I know from reading her work that she has a genuine connection with the root and soil of her community.

Galvin read some of her works and spoke about her writing process.

Afterwards there were powerful music performances from Mattie Murphy, Castlebridge and Martin Byrne from Kilmore Quay.
Emily Lupasco and Emily Kotliarenko at the Bray For Love community fun day. Photo: Leigh Anderson

The Bray For Love community fun day at the Carlisle Grounds Bray. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Olena and Evelina Pozdniak at the Bray For Love community fun day. Photo: Leigh Anderson

. Leah and Alex Ben-Israel, Catherine Mosinki and Aubrey Molapise at the Bray For Love community fun day. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Caoila Costello, Fionn Jones, Donagh and Tadhg McElroy at the Bray For Love community fun day. Photo: Leigh Anderson

Sunny Rae and Emer O'Neill at the Bray For Love community fun day. Photo: Leigh Anderson

TV host and Bray resident Emer ONeill showed her support for Bray For Loves community day last weekend, tying in with the national Street Feast day

In partnership with the Bray Area Partnership, Bray For Love invited local residents to get to know some of their new residents from Ukraine and further afield.

Bray For Love is a movement promoting Bray as welcoming, diverse and multi-cultural. This initiative was designed as a fun Sunday at the Carlisle Grounds for families and included face painting and a bouncy castle.

See photos from the event in our gallery above captured by photographer Leigh Anderson.
A Dublin woman who stole from the elderly woman she was providing respite care to in Bray may be asked to complete community service in lieu of a prison sentence.

Lesley Dyer (40) of Constitution Hill, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of theft of a total of 1,050 at the home of the woman who lived in Bray, Co Wicklow on June 18, 2022 and August 13, 2022. The mother of five has two previous convictions for possession of drugs and a road traffic offence.

Judge Orla Crowe said the offence was a really serious breach of trust noting that the first theft may have been opportunistic but the second was not.

She was entrusted with the care of an elderly, vulnerable woman. It is a sensitive and highly responsible role and the breach of trust is particularly grievous, Judge Crowe said.

The judge said that Dyer owes a debt to society and adjourned the case to allow for the woman to be assessed by the Probation Service to determine if she is suitable for community service.

Judge Crowe said should Dyer be considered suitable for community service, she will order her to carry out 240 hours in lieu of an 18-month prison term. She adjourned the case to November 3 next, to allow for the assessment.

Garda Eoin ODonnell told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the victim in the case suffered from dementia and her daughter was her full-time carer. Dyer provided respite to that daughter, by acting as the womans carer, in the morning time.

The daughter later told gardai that on June 18, 2022, she had left 1,000 in an envelope in her handbag, which she left in a drawer of a coffee table in the front room of the house. A number of days later she noticed that while the envelope was still in the handbag, the cash was missing.

The family decided to install CCTV cameras and on August 13, 2022 they received a notification that there was movement upstairs in the house. The victims grandsons arrived to find Dyer coming down the stairs. It was then noted that 50 had been taken from a card in a press downstairs.

The grandsons confronted Dyer with the fact that she had taken money and she accepted she had.

Gda ODonnell agreed with Ms McGowan that one of the grandsons got Dyer to write on an envelope that she was responsible for taking both the 1,000 and 50 and she signed that confession. She wrote please dont go to my job or the police.

Two days later gardai arrived at Dyers home and arrested her. She made admissions in a subsequent interview and said she had recently split up with her partner. She said she was under pressure to pay a credit union loan that he had taken out in her name.

She apologised to the poor woman and she had said had let everyone down the job, my kids and my family.

Gda ODonnell confirmed that a victim impact statement was not prepared for the hearing.

He agreed with Niamh Foley BL, defending, that her client has five children ranging in age from six to 19 years old and money is tight. The family live in a two-bedroom apartment.

Dyer had written a letter of apology to the victim stating her remorse and promising to pay every penny back to you.

Ms Foley said her client left school without having completed any state exams.

She said Dyer was shocked and ashamed of herself and was struggling to come to terms with the fact that she carried out the thefts. Her former partner, who is the father of her three younger children, is not supporting her financially, counsel told the court.

She asked Judge Crowe to take into account her clients co-operation and said she is willing to pay back 20 to 30 per month to the family.
Four Seasons singer Frankie Valli has told of his happiness to have found love at this stage in my life after marrying for the fourth time.

The 89-year-old wed former CBS marketing executive Jackie Jacobs, 60, in a private ceremony with just the two of them at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas on Monday.

Valli, whose hit songs include Sherry, December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night), and Grease, told People magazine: Its terrific to have found love once again at this stage of my life.

Frankie Valli performing at BBC Proms in the Park, in Hyde Park, London (Matt Crossick/PA)

Ms Jacobs wore a white bridal gown with silver earrings and her hair pinned up, while Valli wore a navy suit and a white collared shirt with a gold chain.

The pair exchanged wedding vows as Vallis 1967 hit Cant Take My Eyes Off You played in the background.

Jacobs, who met Valli in 2007 but didnt begin dating him until 2015, said: We met at a restaurant in Los Angeles where he joined my friends and I for dinner.

We kept in touch by phone until he called me and asked for a date in late 2015 and weve been together ever since.

Valli was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 1990 alongside the original Four Seasons members, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio, as well as the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

American singer Frankie Valli in 1980 (PA)

The groups music and story has since been immortalised in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Jersey Boys.

Valli first wed Mary Delgado in 1958, and they had two daughters Antonia (Toni) and Francine, but divorced in 1971 after 13 years together.

In 1974, Valli married MaryAnn Hannagan and the couple remained together for eight years before divorcing in 1982.

Frankie Valli with his third wife Randy Clohessy and son Francesco outside the London Palladium (John Stillwell/PA)

He went on to marry Randy Clohessy two years later, and the pair went on to have three sons Francesco and twins Emilio and Brando, however they separated in 2004 after 20 years of marriage.

Valli and the Four Seasons will begin a year-long residency at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas later this year.
Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin flew to Belarus from Russia on Tuesday after a mutiny that dealt the biggest blow to President Vladimir Putin's authority since he came to power more than 23 years ago.
The Italian government on Tuesday announced a crackdown on the use of electric scooters on city streets, looking to cut accidents, reduce injuries and prevent pavements from becoming cluttered obstacle courses.
Rohit Jawa on Tuesday assumed the role of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), a leading FMCG company.

Jawa has taken over from Sanjiv Mehta, who retired after the company's annual general meeting.

Mehta handed over the responsibilities to Jawa, who was previously appointed as an Additional Director and CEO-Designate from April 1 and officially assumed the position on June 26.

Mehta had been in leadership for nearly a decade and had a long association with the company spanning over 30 years.

Shareholders approved the appointment of Jawa as a Whole Time Director and the Managing Director & CEO of HUL during the meeting.

As per the company's annual report, Jawa's annual remuneration for FY24 is expected to be Rs 21.43 crore, along with mobility-linked allowances of Rs 4.83 crore. Before this role, Jawa served as the Chief of Transformation for Unilever in London.

He initially joined HUL as a management trainee in 1988 and has a successful track record in driving business results across India, South East Asia, and North Asia.

Mehta took over as MD & CEO of HUL in October 2013.

In a LinkedIn post, Mehta said, "HUL is an emotion that has been a big part of me for the last ten years, a sentiment that my wife Mona Mehta and I will forever cherish. The memories we have made and the friendships we have forged will always have a special place in our hearts".
Image Credit: Twitter/INC

New Delhi/IBNS The Congress Monday received a big boost as several leaders from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) switched over to the grand old party, ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in Telangana .

Among the prominent leaders, who joined the Congress included former Telangana minister Jupally Krishna Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

They have joined Congress in the presence of national president Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief Rahul Gandhi at the party headquarters here.

"A united Congress is unstoppable. An era of people-centric politics will sweep through Telangana soon, like it did in Karnataka!," the Congress party wrote on social media.

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  Congress (@INCIndia) June 26, 2023

Earlier, addressing the media along with Telangana Congress president Revanth Reddy, the party's chairman of the Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera said, "There are winds of change blowing across the country.

"These winds of change did not start from Karnataka, they started through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, where Rahul Gandhi walked for 4,000 kilometers, meeting people, interacting with them, listening to their problems, listening to their issues.'

The result was seen in Karnataka and those winds are now blowing towards the other assemblies, which are going into elections including a very important state of Telangana," he said.
Image Credit: UNI

New Delhi/UNI: The Delhi unit of Congress on Tuesday staged a protest against the AAP government in Delhi over hike in electricity rates and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Several members of the Congress, holding placards, marched from the party office towards the AAP office, under the leadership of its president Anil Chaudhary, demanding immediate rollback of the increase in electricity rates.

"Kejriwal has cheated the people of Delhi. He should take back the power rate hike at any cost," the Delhi Congress chief said.

Earlier, he said, "The Kejriwal government has looted the power consumers to the tune of Rs 16,000 crore in the name of 'fixed charges', and the power companies have been given Rs 26,000 crore in power subsidy."

"Kejriwals 200-unit free power scheme is a betrayal on the power consumers, and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) scheme to benefit the power companies will impose additional financial burden on the people," Chaudhary added.
Kolkata/IBNS: Several students of the prestigious Presidency University on Monday protested against the administration's new diktat curbing romance inside the campus.

With placards and songs, the students assembled outside the university gate in protest against the alleged moral policing.

The new diktat, which has stirred a row, has said romance, termed as "inappropriate behaviour", will not be allowed inside the campus.

Reportedly, parents of some students were also summoned by the Dean.

The parents were shown footage of the "inappropriate behaviour".

An SFI protest against the code of conduct

One of the protesting students told a local news channel, "We are protesting against the step to curb the resistance in Presidency (University). The administration is forming a code of conduct without even consulting with the students."

"We will give flowers to the Dean as a mark of protest," said another student.

As per a report by Ei Samay, the university authorities are using CCTV cameras to monitor student behaviour inside the campus.

Meanwhile, many of the parents also expressed displeasure for being summoned for their children's campus life.
Image tweeted by @ASSOCHAM4India

New Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA)Ajit Doval paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 26 June 2023.

During his visit, NSA called on Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and delivered a personal message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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, Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman.

"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," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

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.
Image: Enrique A. Manalo Twitter page

New Delhi: At the invitation of External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Enrique A. Manalo will visit India from 27-30 June 2023 to co-chair 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), to be held on 29 June 2023 in New Delhi.

"During the meeting, both sides will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, defence, security, maritime cooperation, trade & investment, health, tourism, agriculture, financial technology and will also discuss regional & multilateral issues of mutual interest," read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

During his visit, Secretary Manalo will also call on the Vice-President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Secretary Manalo will deliver the 42nd Sapru House Lecture as a joint project under the MoU signed between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of Philippines and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in November 2017.

The visit will provide an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral relations between India and Philippines and to explore ways to further deepen and strengthen them.
Image: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday slammed the Centre over the national capital's law and order situation, terming it a "jungle-raj" and claiming that there was a "deep sense of insecurity" among the people.

He also demanded the Centre hand over the police administration to the state government.

"It is alarming to witness a 'jungle raj' prevailing within the national capital, leading to a deep sense of insecurity among its residents," Kejriwal told the media on the sidelines of a programme here where he inaugurated EV charging points

Responding to posers from journalists about a meeting convened by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor on law and order. The Chief Minister said merely holding meetings would serve no purpose.

The LG's meeting on law and order came against the backdrop of continuous concerns raised by the CM about the worsening situation and staff shortage in police stations.

It appears the central government lacks a concrete plan to improve law and order in Delhi. Merely convening meetings will not suffice, it is merely a formality," Kejriwal said.

He accused the Centre of having "misplaced priorities" that were fomenting "lawlessness" in the national capital and urged the BJP-led Central Government to prioritise its own responsibility with regard to law and order and let the elected Delhi government-run in peace.

Referring to Monday's incident when bike-borne miscreants waylaid a car at gunpoint and looted Rs 2 lakhs in broad daylight at Pragati Maidan underpass, Kejriwal said it was "shocking" and pointed out that the crime spot was very close to the planned G-20 venue. "This incident, captured on camera, exemplifies the lawlessness here," he added.

He expressed disappointment over the situation and said, "If the Centre cannot handle Delhis law and order, then they should give the police to the state government, which will make Delhi safe."
Image: Facebook/Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata/IBNS/UNI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday underwent an MRI after she got hurt following emergency landing of her helicopter at an Army base on Sevoke Road in North Bengal owing to sudden inclement weather.

After addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri, the Trinamool Congress chairperson took a private helicopter to Bagdogra airport for her return to Kolkata.

However, when her copter was flying above the Baikunthpur jungle, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing at the Army air base on Sevoke Road around noon.

According to reports, she sustained waist and leg injuries while disembarking from the chopper.

Banerjee complained of pain and was taken to SSKM hospital after returning from Bagdogra for a check-up and subsequently underwent an MRI.

Governor C V Ananda Bose on Tuesday expressed his relief that the chief minister is safe now. He also enquired about her safety and well-being.

Hon'ble Governor Dr C.V.Ananda Bose is relieved to know that Hon'ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is safe after the emergency landing of her helicopter today. Dr. Bose enquired about her safety and well-being.  Governor of West Bengal (@BengalGovernor) June 27, 2023

Banerjee returned to Kolkata after a two-day trip to North Bengal to campaign for the July 8 Panchayat election.
Image: Pixabay

In a firm response to the recent wave of attacks targeting Sikh community members in Pakistan, India summoned a high-ranking diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission on Monday. Expressing deep concern, Indian officials conveyed the urgent need for Pakistan to prioritize the safety and security of its minority populations, particularly those who live under the constant threat of religious persecution.

Between April and June, four separate incidents of violence against Sikh community members occurred, drawing serious attention from the Indian authorities. Prompted by these alarming events, India has called for Pakistan to conduct thorough investigations into these attacks and to share the findings with their Indian counterparts. The demand for sincerity in these investigations underscores Indias commitment to justice and the safeguarding of its Sikh community members.

Furthermore, Indian officials have emphasized the importance of Pakistans responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of its minority groups. By ensuring the safety and security of all individuals, regardless of their religious background, Pakistan can take significant strides towards fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society.

Indias strong protest serves as a resolute stance against the targeting of Sikh community members and the overarching issue of religious persecution. The diplomatic exchange between the two countries signifies the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for action to prevent further harm to minority communities.

As tensions persist, the international community watches closely, hopeful for a swift resolution that upholds the principles of human rights and religious freedom. The incidents in question highlight the importance of fostering harmonious coexistence and the shared responsibility of nations to protect their citizens from discrimination and violence based on religious beliefs.

The conversation between India and Pakistan regarding the attacks on the Sikh community signifies a crucial step towards promoting understanding, cooperation, and respect between the neighboring nations. It is hoped that Pakistan will respond to Indias protest with a genuine commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.

(Image and Text Credit: Khalsavox.com)
Image Credit: Twitter/MFA Russia

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin in a national address urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

The majority of the fighters of the Wagner group are patriots of Russia, and they were simply used, Putin said in his address to Russian citizens Monday night.

"We knew that the vast majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are also Russian patriots, devoted to their people and state," he said, while stressing they were used without their knowledge during the armed mutiny.

The president noted that the organizers of the mutiny in Russia betrayed the country and those who followed them and "an armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He proposed the soldiers of the Wagner group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Putin thanked all Russian servicemen, law enforcement officers and special services who prevented the mutiny.

"I thank all our servicemen, law enforcement officers, special services who stood in the way of the rebels. You have remained faithful to your duty, and the people," Putin said.

He also thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediating role in resolving the attempted mutiny.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee announced on Saturday that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts after the Wagner private military group was accused of trying to organize an armed rebellion.

However, according to local reports, Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, later reached a compromise through the mediation of Lukashenko.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee declared on Monday that the legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation had been canceled in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region due to the normalization of situation.
Image: UN News / Ezzat El-Ferri

There are many dangers lurking in the shadows just off the bustling streets of the Afghan capital Kabul, but none is more threatening than the drug abuse crisis that is ravaging the city, and the entire country.

Afghanistan, one of the worlds largest producers of heroin and methamphetamine  most of it smuggled abroad  is home to nearly 4 million drugs users, or close to 10 per cent of the total population according to the UN.

The worsening crisis has left most of the countrys drug treatment and rehabilitation centers struggling to cope.

A walk through what is considered in Kabul to be a gold standard drug treatment centre is heart-breaking. The conditions in the 1,000-bed facility are dire. Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, international funding has dried up, leaving underpaid, poorly trained staff to deal with patients.

Food is scarce, and what little is available provides scant nutrition. Pharmacy cabinets are practically empty, so recovering patients bodies are shocked into detoxification.

My children have no-one to feed them

Residents of this facility, like those throughout the country, are expected to go through a 45-day programme, where they are provided medical services and counselling, according to authorities, after which they undergo an assessment. This is done to determine whether they can return to their families.

The de facto Taliban authorities have motivated these people, most of whom are malnourished and homeless, to live here voluntarily after they are brought in by outreach teams.

One man told UN News that hes been living here for 6 months. My children have no-one to feed them, he said.

Conditions outside the prison-like walls of the treatment centre can be equally grim. Along with grinding poverty and ongoing insecurity, the regions climate-driven weather extremes can be punishing for those living on the streets facing bitterly cold winters and scorching hot summers.

There would seem to be no end in sight to their suffering.

Centre for knowledge

Yet, across the border, in Uzbekistan, there is a beacon of hope.

In the countrys historic capital city, Tashkent, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia has brought together a group of dedicated professionals to form its Information Centre for Researching and Analyzing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime.

The head of the Centre Salome Flores says her teams mission is clear: to produce knowledge that is objective, impartial, and well-integrated for the right people at the right time.

This, she told UN News, allows decision-makers to do just that: take informed decisions. It also helps in developing an understanding of the scope of the drug problem in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, where in 2022 opium production represented nine to 14 per cent of the GDP and synthetic drug production is rising rapidly.

The Centre receives data from various sources, including from governments, open sources, social media, academic research, statistics, and of course from counterparts on the ground in Afghanistan.

However, the most instrumental tool the team uses in its work is the methodology built by UNODC over the past three decades to remotely identify crops.

Crop 'signatures'

By combining ground surveys with advanced technology and satellite imagery, the agency has been able to create what are called signatures to distinguish one crop from another. This allows UNODC to pinpoint with laser accuracy where opium poppy is being produced and cultivated.

The signatures were developed over many years by comparing satellite imagery with what is known as ground truths. The experts at the UN agency were able to develop hundreds of signatures using this method which required surveyors to visit specific GPS locations to verify the initial analysis.

Today, UNODC has the capability to identify various crops with an extremely high degree of accuracy, including wheat, melons, alfalfa, cotton, among others, and of course opium poppies. The signatures developed can even inform the team of the quality of the poppy fields and the expected yields.

Alex Nobajas Ganau, a geographic information officer at the centre, explained that the satellite imagery currently being used does not only provide pictures as such but includes extra information which can be used to identify the quantity of chlorophyl and the type of crop that grows in each agricultural plot of land.

The teams work is extremely technical and sensitive. Protecting the data is vitally important to avoid catastrophic repercussions for farmers, particularly given the current political situation in Afghanistan.

Mr. Nobajas said the raw data is never shared over the internet or connected to servers so it cannot be hacked. He said aggregated data is shared, so rather than individual fields, we do it by district or by province.

The A Team

At the heart of the Information Centre are four resourceful Afghans with decades of on-the-ground experience. As part of the UNODC team in Afghanistan, they had conducted field visits and surveys until the agency decided to end these operations after the Taliban came to power. They are in regular contact with their colleagues who remain in the country and are providing key data, particularly on drug pricing.

As field surveyors and analysts, the Afghan experts have played a pivotal in the creation of the crop signatures that help monitor opium cultivation.

Ms. Flores told UN News: The staff working at the UNODC Information Centre are extremely committed to their work. Our Afghan colleagues have been working on this for quite some time. So, we benefit from their experience; we benefit from their passion.

Working in this field is a dangerous business, particularly for Afghan nationals.

Saddiqi (a pseudonym) is one of the staff members who deemed it necessary to protect his identity.

Noting the technical nature of his work and the protections granted to him as a UN staff member, he stressed that the situation in Afghanistan is different.

He said that he is proud of the work he does for UNODC, which is extremely beneficial to his country, and he hopes that slowly, everything will be better inshallah.

Like Saddiqi, Ahmed Esmati has been working at UNODC for over 16 years and started as a surveyor. He was able to get his family out of Afghanistan.

While lamenting that several of his colleagues lost their lives in the line of duty while the surveys were being conducted, Mr. Esmati stressed that the work in verifying satellite data and providing the evidence on the ground, was instrumental in building the capacity to conduct UNODCs remote unique sensing activities today.

Before doing this work, we relied on what the farmers and village elders were saying about poppy cultivation. But with this remote sensing and poppy identification through the satellite imagery, there is no room for manipulating data or [providing] for fake data, Mr. Esmati tells UN News.

The neutrality of data

Afghanistan is the worlds largest supplier of opium, accounting for some 80 per cent of the global market. Drug abuse is rampant in the country. The Centre has therefore focused primarily on monitoring the production and cultivation of the extremely profitable plant-based substance used to produce heroin.

Following the political transition in Afghanistan in August 2021, UNODC ended its ground surveys and the evolution of the Information Centre began, said Central Asia Regional Representative Ashita Mittal.

As the UN, we believe in the neutrality of the data and our space, because it's our responsibility that if you want evidence to inform policies and practices, you need to have quality data that is verifiable.

shifting market?

After years of intensified opium production and cultivation, evidence shows that opium cultivation will decline sharply in 2023 due to a ban strictly enforced by the Taliban.

In the 2023 World Drug Report, UNODC cites record illicit drug supply and increasingly agile trafficking networks worldwide.

And while the benefits of a possible significant reduction in illicit opium cultivation in Afghanistan this year would be global, it would be at the expense of many farmers with no alternative means to generate income.

In that light, Ms. Mittal emphasized the importance of the Centre not only to the United Nations, the region and the international community, but also for the de facto authorities themselves.

How will we prove that the [Taliban ban] on poppy cultivation is effective? Only through objective evidence will we be able to present the truth to the international community, Ms. Mittal tells UN News.

Early days

The Regional Representative stressed that it is still too early to know whether the results of the poppy ban will hold, as that would require analysis by the Information Centre over the coming years.

But with the de facto authorities clamping down, there are indications that the market is changing. Synthetics and methamphetamines seizures are skyrocketing across the region, quadrupling in Tajikistan and increasing a whopping 11-fold in Kyrgyzstan.

Ms. Mittal says: The situation in Afghanistan is such that because of the ban on poppy cultivation, its quite possible that the traffickers will try to use that market for increasing the production of methamphetamines.

There are some concerns that the production of methamphetamines could be driven by the ephedra plant which grows in the wild in this region of the world.

But thats just one possibility, adds the Head of the Information Centre, Ms. Flores. It can also come from chemicals. It can come from cold medications or from bulk ephedrine. So, we are trying to understand how people or traffickers are producing methamphetamines. And of course, if we can understand that, then we will be able to inform the authorities so they can act.

Alternative development solution

Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the UN has been operating in the country under a Transitional Engagement Framework. With its operations largely limited to basic humanitarian the Organization has been identifying innovative ways to carry out its development activities through implementing partners, without directly supporting the de facto authorities.

UNODC works to build the capacity of farmers and vulnerable communities in Afghanistan through its implementing partners.

In this poverty-stricken country, opium cultivation remains very attractive and lucrative, as farmers can earn about 30 cents for 7 kg of tomatoes while the current price of 1 kg of opium is about $360.

The Information Centre is playing an important role in determining the need for alternative development programmes.

Crop change

Ms. Flores highlighted the importance of providing farmers with a proper income and replacing an illicit crop with a licit crop.

If we know the geographic location, we can target resources and efforts. We are also able to understand the characteristics of the territory, the geography, and propose viable alternatives to poppy cultivation, she explains to UN News.

Ms. Mittal adds that the most important investment the international community could make is in reducing the vulnerabilities at both ends of the spectrum. She noted that traffickers are always looking for the weakest spots and the most vulnerable people, and as such, more needs to be done to prevent cultivation and use.

Without this type of investment, illicit economies will continue to thrive.

If you stop one illicit activity, it may be replaced by another because people have to make sure there is food on the table, she says.

Profit-driven criminals

For decades, opium has travelled from Afghanistan through Central Asia and the northern route to other markets, including Europe, even reaching Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Monitoring the drug trade in this region remains extremely important, as traffickers find new ways to smuggle their products and the rise of synthetic drugs presents a problem with potential global implications.

Ms. Mittal underscored that profits are what drive illicit activities, and the biggest profits are made outside of the producing countries like Afghanistan.

For example, even after the ban, a kilo of heroin can exceed $48,000 on the streets of London.

So, while we may blame and put the onus on Afghanistan, which doesnt even produce the precursor chemicals, we need to have a shared responsibility on dealing with this issue, she says.

Confronting evolving threats

Ms. Flores said her team aims to monitor and analyse all the transnational threats in the region, including human trafficking  which is a growing risk with the migratory flow of people from Afghanistan, as well as the smuggling of firearms, illicit mining, wildlife trafficking, and falsified medicines as a growing trend in the region.

According to the head of the Information Centre, Transnational threats evolve, and organized crime adapts. As authorities tackle issues, the illicit markets can change.

The prospects of a diplomatic solution between the international community and the de facto authorities in Afghanistan continue to be grim, as human rights issues remain a major sticking point.

In the absence of true sustainable development in Afghanistan, illicit activities will likely persist as a plague in the country and in turn infect the world, making the work of the Information Centre instrumental in addressing these challenges.
Image: Unsplash

Peshawar: Afghanistan authorities have imposed a ban on the supply of goats, rams and sheep to Pakistan ahead of Eidul Azha, resulting in a spike in the price of the animal, media reports said.

The prices of the cattles have increased significantly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province.

The region shares a border with Afghanistan.

Due to this suspension of supply, the price of a single ram or goat has risen by Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 in the cattle and livestock markets of Peshawar, the K-Ps provincial capital, reported The Express Tribune.

Traditionally, truckloads of sacrificial animals  particularly rams, sheep and goats--are transported into Pakistan from Afghanistan through border crossings ahead of the Eid and thousands of traders on both sides of the border make a good profit through this trade during this season.

However, the Afghan government has not yet granted permission to its traders so far to sell their animals to their counterparts in Pakistan in what is described by some as a major setback to the traders.

Some traders told the newspaper no consignment of sacrificial animals has arrived in Pakistan from the Torkham border crossing in Khyber district and the Kharlachi border crossing in Kurram district.
Image: Unsplash

Kabul: As many as 230 Afghanistan migrants have been deported from different cities in Turkey, media reports said.

According to reports, most deported Afghan refugees were undocumented and illegal migrants, reports Khaama Press.

Based on the reports, the Turkish authorities have emphasized that they will continue identifying illegal asylum seekers in the eastern city of Agri, Turkey, the news agency reported.

Earlier, the General Directorate of Migration of Turkey announced that it had deported some 68,290 Afghan asylum seekers out of 124,441 undocumented migrants during the past year.

Approximately 68,290 Afghan residents, 12,511 Pakistanis, and migrants from other countries were deported from Turkey in the previous year, according to the General Directorate of Migration. The Turkish governments migration office maintains that it will deport more undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers this year, including 227 citizens of Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported.

Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, a large number of people have escaped the country.
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Taipei: Taiwan has reiterated its determination to attack Chinese warships and aircraft if they come within 12 nautical miles of the island, the Taiwan Defense Ministry's combat planning chief Maj. Gen. Lin Wen-huang said on Tuesday.

The Taiwanese Defense Ministry regularly reports on the activity of warships and aircraft of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) near the island. On Saturday, eight Chinese military aircraft crossed the so-called "median line" of the Taiwan Strait and were spotted 24 nautical miles from the island.

"If the PLA side continues to ignore our warnings along the way and force their way into our territorial air space and seas, we will actively strike back to safeguard national security," Lin was quoted as saying by the Taiwan Central News Agency.

The report added that it was the first time in six months that Chinese warplanes had approached this close to the island.

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.

(With UNI inputs)
In a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, Pakistans role as a central hub for drug trafficking and the promotion of terror is becoming increasingly pronounced.

Over the years, this South Asian country has solidified its dubious position as the principal transit nation for illegal drugs originating from the opium-rich provinces of Helmand and Kandahar in Afghanistan.

As it shares the longest border with Afghanistan, Pakistans strategic location facilitates the smooth transport of narcotics from the Durand Line to its ports and other land and maritime borders. From here, these illicit substances infiltrate markets in Asia, the Persian Gulf, Africa, and across Europe.

According to estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), more than 45% of Afghanistans illicit narcotics traffic is through Pakistan. This firmly establishes Pakistan as the critical transit point for the Afghan opiates along the infamous southern route.

In recent times, networks operating between Pakistan and Europe have gained dominance, intensifying the drug crisis in countries like the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Data shows that a staggering 84% of seizures involving 10 kg or more of heroin at the United Kingdom borders are trafficked from Pakistan. Countries traditionally served by the Balkan route, such as Spain and Italy, have also identified Pakistan as a significant source of opiates in transit from Afghanistan.

The Italian National anti-drug service DCSA has identified a surge in the number of heroin seizures in Southern Europe linked to the southern route. This network starts from Karachi, Pakistan, and reaches Western markets via the eastern part of the African continent. Heroin traffic through this route has been intercepted in East and Central Europe, showing an urgent need to monitor this issue closely.

Despite the Talibans announcement to ban all drug production and trafficking in Afghanistan, Afghan farmers reported an increase in opium cultivation for 2021. This is expected to result in a further rise in heroin trafficking in Pakistan. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no decrease in heroin seizures in Pakistan, indicating an uninterrupted flow of drug manufacturing and trafficking.

Evidence suggests collusion by Pakistani state authorities to deliberately turn a blind eye towards this transborder illicit activity. Furthermore, it is widely known that militant organizations and criminal gangs like the Lyari gangs in Karachi are openly engaged in the heroin trade.

Pakistan is also a major source, destination, and transit country for cannabis. Its consumption is widespread within the country, with Karachi believed to hold the second-highest rate of cannabis consumption worldwide. Pakistans cannabis is often directed towards local markets in East Europe and the Middle East.

Adding to this narcotic catastrophe is the rising popularity of synthetic drugs among the younger generations in Pakistan. Recent developments have shown a significant increase in the transit of methamphetamine through Pakistan, mainly along traditional heroin routes dominated by Pakistani drug trafficking syndicates.

In a historical testament to this troubling nexus of drugs and terror, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif alleged that he was approached by high-ranking military officials to authorize large-scale drug deals to fund covert military operations. Following the outbreak of the Afghan jihad in 1979, mujahideen groups were encouraged to finance their activities through heroin trafficking. Large landowners and drug cartels cooperated with the mujahideen to ensure the smooth transport of the opium crop to Karachi port.

Lawrence Lifschultz, in his investigative account, Pakistan: The Empire of Heroin, wrote, By 1984, Pakistan was furnishing 70 percent of the world supply of high-grade heroin. This scenario remains largely unchanged, making Pakistan a significant threat to global security.

Pakistan, having evolved into a narco-state, collaborates with terrorist and extremist groups to achieve its objectives, posing a significant threat to the security of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

Pakistans dangerous exploits do not stop at international trafficking; it also actively targets its immediate neighbor, India, specifically the northern state of Punjab. Over the years, Punjab has become a significant destination for drugs, mainly heroin, being trafficked from Pakistan. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistans premier intelligence agency, has played a central role in this narcotics supply chain, aiming to destabilize Indian youth and sow social discord. This strategy has far-reaching implications, given Punjabs proximity to Pakistan and its history of separatist movements.

The trafficking methodology has evolved over time, adapting to border security measures. Recent reports suggest that the ISI has begun using drones for drug delivery across the border into India. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are typically launched from Pakistani territory during the night, exploiting the minimal visibility to drop drug consignments at pre-designated locations on the Indian side. The utilization of drone technology presents a unique challenge for Indian security forces as it avoids conventional border crossings and bypasses ground-based security infrastructure.

The motive behind Pakistans persistent attempts to infiltrate drugs into Punjab is two-fold. Firstly, it provides a considerable source of income that helps fund terror activities, including support for separatist movements within India. Secondly, and more insidiously, the rampant drug abuse induced by this narcotics influx aims to destabilize Punjabs youth, crippling a substantial segment of Indias future generation.

Punjabs struggle with drug addiction is well-documented, and the constant flow of narcotics from across the border has only exacerbated the situation. The social and economic implications are far-reaching, with many families torn apart by addiction, and the local economy suffering due to the loss of a productive workforce.

Pakistans direct and indirect role in perpetuating this crisis underlines its ongoing policy of using state-sponsored terrorism and narco-terrorism as tools of geopolitical strategy. In this context, the fight against drugs in India is not just a health and social issue but a matter of national security and sovereignty.

(Image and Text Credit: Khalsavox.com)
Image: Pixabay

The dwellers of Muhammad Zai, Jangalkhel and other areas of Pakistan on Sunday demonstrated over gas and electricity load sheddings.

Carrying banners and placards, the angry protesters blocked the Hangu Road and KDA Road, reports The News International.

During the demonstration, the agitators were seen chanting slogans against the Wapda for carrying out unannounced loadshedding in the area.

The prolonged loadshedding has triggered a water crisis in the area, one of the protesters told the newspaper, adding that they would intensify their protest if the loadshedding of electricity and gas was not minimized in the areas.
Best known as the Dangal girl, Fatima Sana Shaikh is celebrating Eid ul-Adha just the right way. The actress has donated vegan biryani to 1000 people in Delhis Bengali Basti of Vasant Kunj. For the unversed, Eid ul-Adha will fall either on June 28th or 29th depending upon the moons visibility.



Fatima Sana Shaikh

Shaikh is a vegetarian by choice and talking about the same, she shared, Im delighted to observe Eid ul-Adha with my friends at PETA India. By distributing vegan biryani to those in need, we aim to spread kindness and good health. Fatima who made her debut with Tahaan in 2008 was last seen in 2022s Thar.

Instagram/FatimaSanaShaikh

Coming back to Eid celebrations, then PETA India Advocacy Officer Farhat Ul Ain shares, It is commanded unto us to eat what is halal and tayyib (permissible and good-natured), which means food that is not only lawful but also wholesome and ethically sourced. And by no means is meat today produced ethically.



Muslims, like members of all communities, are increasingly going vegan to save others lives and our own.

Eid-Ul-Adha 2023 image | Photo: Canva

Did you know that Fatima suffered from epilepsy?

Last year, Fatima was boarding her flight when she suffered five back-to-back seizures and was rushed to the airports medical facility. She shared with a leading daily, It kept my work and life on hold. For me this was a big jhatka, I really thought Im lucky that I survived. Ive had big episodes in the past, but this was the most difficult as I was all alone.

Instagram/FatimaSanaShaikh

Interestingly this was during National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM) that Fatima was informed of this condition. She shared, Ive not hidden it, but kabhi mauka nahi mila. I took some time to understand what it was. Theres so much stigma attached. You think log sochenge that you have an ailment. I didnt want people to think Im weak.



I was scared that if I tell people that I have this then I will not get work. I, also, didnt want to accept that I have a neurological condition.

Instagram/Fatima Sana Shaikh

Fatima will soon be seen in Meghna Gulzars Sam Bahadur starring Vicky Kaushal in the lead. She further has Dhak Dhak in her kitty.

(For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.)


Liang Shi, a 56-year-old millionaire from China, has made his 27th attempt at the challenging gaokao, the country's most demanding college entrance exam.

Despite achieving success in his business ventures, Liang has been unable to fulfill his long-standing aspiration of studying at the prestigious Sichuan University in China.

Twitter

The gaokao, known for its rigorous nature, has become a significant milestone for students aspiring to gain admission to renowned universities in China.



Similar to India's JEE (Joint Entrance Examination), the gaokao is famous for its intense competition and the immense pressure it places on students.

Liang expressed that he has made significant sacrifices to pursue this exam over the past few years. Despite enduring media mockery, being labeled the "gaokao holdout," and facing allegations of it being a mere 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 not to make it into the ordinary ones."

Just before 10 p.m. on Friday, the nervous businessman diligently entered his exam identification details and anxiously awaited the outcome. "Its all done for again this year," he said after the results.

Twitter

Despite repeated disappointments, Liang remained resolute and committed to continue trying.



However, after decades of persistence, he is uncertain if his relentless efforts will yield positive results.

"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.

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In a significant move following new legislation, Diwali, a cherished celebration for thousands of New Yorkers signifying the victory of light over darkness, will be formally recognized as a school holiday in the most extensive education system in the United States.

In an announcement on Monday, Mayor Eric Adams declared that Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, will be recognized as a public school holiday in New York City.

Diwali 2023 Date: When Is Diwali? | Pixabay

This decision marks a significant triumph for local families. Diwali, an annual celebration symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, is observed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.



The recognition of Diwali as a school holiday follows recent legislation passed by state lawmakers, making it an official holiday in the most extensive school system in the nation. Starting in 2024, students will have a day off school to commemorate Diwali, which falls on Sunday, November 12 this year.



Mayor Eric Adams celebrates this momentous achievement as a significant triumph for local families.

"I'm so proud to have stood with Assemblymember @JeniferRajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!." the Mayor wrote on Twitter.

The Mayor strongly believes in Governor Kathy Hochul's commitment to sign the bill.

Governor Kathy Hochul's signature is still required to transform the measure into law.

The upcoming holiday will replace "Brooklyn-Queens Day" on the school holiday calendar.

Following the declaration, New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar tweeted, "My press conference with @NYCMayor today at City Hall. I was proud to lead and win the fight to make Diwali a School Holiday alongside Mayor Eric Adams."

Adams said the moment represented a symbolic declaration to those who feel unwelcome "that you are part of this city and not considered an outsider," the New York Times reported.



Screenshot

"We're now saying New York is made for everyone," Adams said. "No matter where you came from,"



Diwali, falling on Sunday, November 12 this year, will grant students their first school holiday in 2024.

According to the New York Times, the city made a significant announcement in 2015, declaring school closures in observance of two critical Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

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In a tragic turn of events, people's deep fascination with the Titanic ultimately resulted in the implosion of a submarine. This obsession led to a fatal incident that claimed lives and had a devastating impact.

The ill-fated journey was fueled by a desire to explore and capture the essence of the historic shipwreck.

However, instead of fulfilling their ambitions, the expedition ended in catastrophe, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and profound grief.

During the ill-fated voyage to witness the Titanic shipwreck, Suleman Dawood, the 19-year-old son of British Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, had an ambitious goal.

He brought along his Rubik's Cube, intending to set a world record in the ocean's depths. They set out on the tragic journey with his father by their side, who was carrying a camera to record the momentous occasion.

His mother shared this detail with the BBC, shedding light on the aspirations that accompanied them before the devastating turn of events unfolded.

The fate of the submersible, which experienced a "catastrophic implosion," as recently disclosed on Thursday, resulted in the tragic loss of all five individuals aboard. They were subsequently declared deceased following the devastating incident.

"He (Suleman) said, 'I'm going to solve the Rubik's Cube 3,700 meters below the sea at the Titanic', Christine Dawood told BBC in her first-ever interview with the press after tragically losing her son and husband.

In a twist of fate, she and her 17-year-old daughter found themselves aboard the Polar Prince, the support vessel for the ill-fated submersible, when all communication was abruptly lost with the five individuals inside.

Despite his initial reluctance, Suleman, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, had embarked on the trip as a Father's Day bonding experience. He had recently completed his first year at the university in Glasgow, studying at the esteemed Strathclyde Business School.

Hailing from one of Pakistan's most affluent families, Suleman's father, Shahzada Dawood, 48, held a prominent position as the vice chairman of Karachi-based Engro Corporation.

screenshot

The Dawood family, including Suleman's grandfather, Hussain Dawood, 79, chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation, had been enjoying a month-long stay in Canada before the dive.



Tragically, on Father's Day, approximately an hour and a half into the dive in the mid-Atlantic, contact was lost with the OceanGate submersible. A massive search operation was launched in a desperate attempt to locate the vessel and its occupants.

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The far-right Spartiates entered the Parliament with the support of the former gold miner and convicted for running a criminal organization, Ilias Kasidiaris
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has awarded a N1 million fine against the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) for the unlawful detention of former Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde.

Recall that the ICPC arraigned the professor on charges of official corruption and abuse of office.

Ojerinde was arraigned alongside four of his children  Mary Ojerinde, Olumide Ojerinde, Adebayo Ojerinde and Oluwaseun Ojerinde  among other defendants.

The rest of the defendants are six companies linked to him, namely: Doyin Ogbohi Petroleum Limited, Cheng Marbles Limited, Sapati International Schools Limited, Trillium Learning Centre Limited, Standout Institutes Limited and Esli Perfect Security Printers Limited.

However, the Judge on Tuesday, also awarded a N200,000 fine against the ICPC as Ojerindes cost of instituting the case.

Egwuatu held that though the rearrest of the ex-JAMB boss on January 26 was legal and lawful based on the search warrant obtained from the chief judge of the court, the anti-graft commission ought to have obtained a detention warrant since Ojerinde would not be immediately arraigned.

He agreed with counsel to the ICPC, Ebenezer Shogunle, that the content of the search warrant specifically stated that Ojerinde, his daughter-in-law and his son, and whatever that was discovered in the premises to be searched should be brought to court.

READ ALSO: Ex-JAMB Registrar Ojerinde, Four Children, To Face Fresh Corruption Charges

The Judge also agreed that though there was a fresh charge against the professor and that the arraignment before a sister court was frustrated due to the court vacation and non-sitting of court at some points, including the refusal of Ojerindes daughter-in-law and son to be in court for arraignment, detaining him without an order of detention for the period in custody was a breach of his fundamental rights.

Egwuatu added that it was uncontroverted that there was a pending charge against the applicant in suit number: FHC/ABJ/CR/119/2023, alleging multiple identities, conspiracy to sell and sale of already forfeited property to the Federal Government, multiple identity cards with different names against him.

The Judge however held that Ojerinde is presumed innocent until he has been proven guilty.

As to his rights to dignity of person, the court held that the applicant had been unable to prove that his right to dignity of person was breached by the ICPC.

Egwuatu added that he had not been able to show that he was either tortured or brought into forced slavery, among others.

Conclusively, the judge, who declared that Ojerinde is presumed innocent until the court decides, said that his continued detention was unlawful, illegal and a breach of his right to liberty.

He, therefore, ordered that the embattled former registrar be released, with the ICPC paying the sum of N1 million as damages for breach of his fundamental right to liberty, and N200,000 as cost of the suit.
Members of the Boko Haram sect, popularly known as Jamaat Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Dawah wal-Jihad, terrorists group have reportedly killed one of its Amir Jaysh (Leader), Abou Hassana, over alleged rebellion accusations.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Abou Hassana was killed along with three of his accused accomplice in front of other fighters at the Mandara Mountain in Gwoza Local Government area of Borno State.

According to a report by VANGUARD NEWSPAPER, Gwoza was once under the total control of Boko Haram after the terrorists Group slaughtered about 100 civilians in a day a few years ago.

The above newspapers report also added that Zagazola Makama, a Counter-Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad understands that Ali Ngulde, the Second most High Ranking Boko Haram Leader, ordered the elimination after they were sentenced to death for their crimes.

READ MORE: Boko Haram Founders Told Me Poverty, Unemployment Caused Insurgency  Obasanjo

Some sources also revealed to Vanguard that Abou Hassana was trying to raise an independent faction within Boko Haram to spearhead his own terror campaigns within the Koltafirgi village also known as Gaizuwa in Sambisa.

He was replaced by Alhaji Ari Hajja Fusam, an indigene of Bama who was leading the Boko Haram terrorists in Gaizuwa before they were dislodged by the Nigerian Military after they suffered heavy losses.

Alhaji Ari Hajja Fusam and Baa Issah were promoted to the ranks of Amir Fiye while Bakura Jega, a Former Nakib, was promoted to Khaid.

Muke, a 33 year old Khaid of Mandara Mountain, Ali Ghana, Khaid of Ngauri, located in the North of Banki, Abbah Tukur, and Abu Isa, are to maintain their positions as Khaids.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that a field commander of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) died in Borno state three days after being bitten by snake.

It was gathered that a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known via his Twitter handle on Saturday.

Makama revealed that Kiriku who sustained the injury in one of ISWAPs hideouts in Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno on Tuesday died on Friday.

According to the counter-insurgency expert, the ISWAP field commander died after he was unable to access treatment for the snake bite wound.
Dayo Israel, a Labour Party (LP) witness, before the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Tuesday, disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his wife, Ibijoke, casted their votes despite having invalid voter cards during the 2023 governorship election.

Israel, who served as an LP agent for Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government, made this testimony as part of the petition filed by the Partys candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, seeking to nullify Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as re-elected Governor of Lagos.

According to the witness, he observed the card reader indicated that Sanwo-Olu and his wife had invalid cards, yet they were still permitted to vote, which he considered a violation of the Independent National Electoral Commissions electoral process.

I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes and this is against INECs electoral process, he said.

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Pardons 49 Prisoners For 2nd Term Celebration

Also, while under cross-examination by Charles Edosomwan, INECs counsel, the witness alleged that he was beaten up by APC supporters on election day.

He furthered that he recognised them as APC supporters based on their language, adding that they threatened to beat up voters who did not vote for the APC.

I am not a member of the Labour Party, but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as an LP agent, they beat me up. They also said if voters did not vote for APC, they would beat them too, Israel said.

The LP witness also revealed that four individuals attacked him during the casting of votes, but he managed to escape, changed his clothes to disguise himself, then returned to monitor the vote counting.

The witness also highlighted cases of multiple voting at the polling unit, noting that INEC officials failed to intervene despite witnessing the irregularities.

The petition was however adjourned till July 3 for further hearing.
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Kano to express their displeasure with the ongoing demolition exercises of the State Government.

Recall that the Kano State Government pulled down some structures in the State, while several others have been marked for demolition.

The government premised its action on the grounds that the land upon which the affected structures were erected were illegally allocated by the immediate past government.

The structures already demolished include the multi-billion Naira project at the old Daula Hotel, shopping plazas at the Polo Ground and at the Eid ground, while residential and commercial buildings have been marked for demolition at Salanta area and BUK road.

While the government has insisted there is no going back in its resolve to restore the Kano Urban Development Masterplan which include removing structures erected on public spaces, the protesters that hit the streets have demanded that the government rescind its decision.

READ ALSO: Court Orders Gov. Yusuf To Stop Demolition Action In Kano

The protesters on Monday morning, gathered at the front of the demolished muliti-million Naira Daula Hotel along Hadejia Road, in the metropolis carrying placards with various inscriptions condemning the government policy.

Some of the placards read: Do the right thing Abba Kabir Yusuf, Dont drive away investors from Kano, Billions of Naira property demolished because of envy among various others.

Addressing newsmen at the protest, the organisers headed by the Director, Research and Development Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative, Zahraddee Baba, said that it is unfortunate property worth N226 billion has been destroyed within three weeks of the new government.

The group also called on the government to compensate the victims whose property were demolished.

We, the people of Kano State, unanimously voted for Governor Abba Yusuf to bring development to the state.

It was believed that, the governor is the messiah of the time, who shall continue with peoples oriented programmes of his predecessor to salvage the people of Kano State.

It is unfortunate that within six days in office, the perceived messiah became a source of sorrow to many residents and indigenes of Kano State, who acquired land from the previous administration of Abdullahi Ganduje, when he ordered demolition of properties worth over N226 billion within three weeks in office.

Let it be on record that six days in office is insignificant for a people-oriented government to order demolition of properties because the time allowed by law for such notice was not followed.

It is our believe that Governor Yusuf is using peoples hard-earned investment to settle political scores with the previous administration, which is a bad development.

We expect to know that once you emerge a governor you become a governor for all and not that of NNPP alone.

The Land Use Act specified that individual does not own land as all lands belong to the Government. It is true that government is also a continuous process where successors inherit assets and liability.

We had earlier last week urged Governor Abba Yusuf to stop further demolition and call all the affected persons to a roundtable in view to compensate them over the illegal demolition of their property.

Today, we are here because the government has marked more buildings for further demolition, even though it has partially complied with the ultimatum handed over to him by this organisation, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives to stop further demolition of property of Kano people, the protest leader appeals.
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested a serving Inspector, who attempted to kill his colleague on duty, in Kafanchan, and cart away his rifle.

According to a statement by the spokesman for the Command, DSP Muhammed Jalige, the incident occurred on June 16, 2023 at the Police Mobile Force Base of Squadron 62 Kafanchan, when Inspector Moses Paul attempted to kill his duty partner, one Inspector Simnawa Paul, using a rope to strangle his neck.

READ MORE: Police Inspector Jailed 22-Years In Niger For Impregnating His 13-Year-Old Daughter, Killing The Baby After Delivery

A distress situation on June 16, 2023, at about 1930 hours occurred at the Police Mobile Force base of 62 Squadron Kafanchan, Kaduna, where a certain Inspector Moses Paul attempted to kill his duty partner, Inspector Simnawa Paul.

The incident which transpired while the two were on duty at the said base led Inspector Moses Paul to strangle, using a rope on the neck of his unsuspecting colleague. The victim was, however, rescued by two other Police Officers, whose attention were drawn by his cries.
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) which was subpoenaed by the Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal to tender under oath, the certificate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has failed to do so.

Information Nigeria reports that the court had issued the order based on request of the Peoples Democratic Partys (PDP) governorship candidate, Abdulazeez Adediran, that Sanwo-Olu lied on oath in his 2023 form EC9 by presenting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2019.

Jandor challenged the integrity of the sudden appearance and upload of Sanwo-Olus WAEC result on the verification portal and subpoenaed WAEC to come and tender the said 1981 certificate under oath in court.

In a statement to newsmen, a review of Sanwo-Olus 2019 Form CF001 found that the WAEC statement of result he claimed he sat for in 1981 in Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School, Ogun state, was verified invalid on the WAEC result verification portal.

While responding to Jandor/PDP petition, Governor Sanwo-Olu didnt attach the purported WAEC certificate to counter Jandor/PDP claims, but the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 4th respondent attached a printout from the same WAEC portal which hitherto confirmed Sanwo-Olus purported WAEC result to be non-existent.

READ ALSO: Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Wife Cast Votes With Invalid Voter Cards During Guber Polls  LP Witness Tells Court

However, a check on the WAEC website revealed that in the event of loss of the WAEC certificate, the council issues an attestation in the form of a CTC, but none of such was issued by WAEC to ascertain the claim of Babajide Sanwoolu, hence the order of the court that WAEC should submit it back end-server and other information technology infrastructure for forensic analysis. This exercise will expose the date and time the sudden appearance of Governor Sanwo-Olus purported 1981 WAEC result was uploaded, as the same result wasnt there as of APRIL 7th, 2023 when Jandor/PDP filed their petition at the tribunal, the statement read in part.

However, while being cross-examined by counsels, the WAEC representative said: I am unable to tender the duplicate copy of the May/June 1981 G.C.E. O Level certificate of one Sanwo-Olu Babajide Olusola.

According to the witness, WAEC did not produce counterpart copies of candidates certificates nor retain duplicate copies of candidates certificates.

When asked, in case of loss of certificate, how a candidate of WAEC can retrieve his/her lost certificate, the witness said by approaching WAEC with evidence, or an attestation letter.

Asked why he didnt bring up the said attestation for Sanwo-Olu, he had no answer to give.

On further interrogation, the counsel asked the WAEC witness if a discrepancy in names could suggest that such results do not belong to the same person, and he said most likely.

Meanwhile, the tribunal issued another subpoena to WAEC to submit its result verification back-end server and other information technology infrastructure for forensic analysis in the presence of the court and all parties.
The Army Headquarters in Abuja, said soldiers on internal security operations in the south south part of the country have captured an armoury located in a Camp from where suspected militants engage in illegal oil bunkering.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja

Nwachukwu said the raid operation was conducted on Sunday at Azuzuama Community in Ijaw South Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Nwachukwu added that the troops subdued the suspected militants and compelled them to abandon their camp in disarray, recovered 5 AK 47 Rifles, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Grenade Bomb Chargers, seven 7.62mm Special ammunition, 14 AK 47 Rifle Magazines and one pumping machine.

He said: During the operation, the highly motivated troops subdued the suspected militants with superior firepower, compelling them to abandon their camp in disarray.

The well-conducted raid operation led to the recovery of 5 AK 47 Rifles, 2 Rocket Propelled Grenade Bombs, 4 Rocket Grenade Bomb Chargers, seven 7.62mm Special ammunition, 14 AK 47 Rifle Magazines and one pumping machine.

Other items recovered include two 16-inch anchored verve, 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 in support of the ongoing effort by the Nigerian Army to ensure that oil theft in the South-South region comes to zero level.
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House of Representatives, on Monday, advocated for a review of salaries for workers in the country.

The Speaker who disclosed this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, in Abuja, had spoken at an event organised in his honour by the Nigerian high commission in London.

According to him, it was imperative to take a look at what an average worker would need to be paid as salary in view of the current economic reality.

He said there was a need to come up with a living wage that would take care of the basics of a person such that he would not have to look outside his lawful income.

An average worker earns less than what somebody can use to buy fuel to fill his car tank. (Do) you still want that man to be honest and transparent?

We need to also intensify the war against corruption. No society in this world can ever thrive and be what it wants to be if corruption is the order of the day. But I agree that for you to fight corruption, there are some things you need to do, he said

Abbas highlighted the success achieved by the United Kingdom and other Western countries through a similar approach, adding that, fundamentally, what they did was to sit down and look at what an average worker will need to be paid as salary.

READ ALSO: Subsidy Scam: A Friend Benefiting At Expense Of Nigerians Said They Were Tired Of Making Money  Yuguda

Today, if you are a labourer in London, you will be paid enough for you to go and pay your rent, take care of your basics and still be able to have a fairly good living.

With that kind of incentive, you dont need to go and borrow, you dont need to go and beg, you dont need to go and steal.

He furthered that, For us to wage a war on corruption, we need to create an enabling environment where each and every one of us will be able to operate transparently without having to steal, intimidate, beg or borrow. That is the beginning of the reform.

If we can get the rule of law working, we will be able to work on the reforms necessary for fighting corruption. In fighting corruption, we also need to create an enabling environment where an average worker should be able to earn enough to live with his family.

Abbas said Nigerias war against corruption must also be strengthened for meaningful progress to be recorded.

He said the nations laws must be implemented in such a way that both the big and the small are treated the same way to give everyone a sense of justice and fairness.

In Nigeria, some people do whatever they like. You can commit any crime and go scot-free depending on the size of your pocket or the people you know. That has to go, he said.

Unless we are able to strengthen our rule of law to make it in such a way that it affects both the big and the small, and it doesnt look at the face of whoever is committing an offence, we will never go anywhere.
As Nigerians and fellow Muslim faithful celebrate the Sallah holiday around the world, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to fly in from London today ahead of Eid-el-Kabir festive.

Recall that the Presidency had earlier disclosed on Saturday that the President jetted off to UK from France, where he attended a summit for A New Global Financing Pact hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to be back in Abuja on Saturday, will now proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit, a statement signed by the Presidents Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, read on Saturday.

However, the statement was silent on the particular day of Tinubus return, saying the President will be back in the country in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.

Confirming the day of his arrival, Presidency sources told PUNCH NEWSPAPER on Monday that Tinubu would return to his private Ikoyi home in Lagos later on Tuesday to observe his first Sallah celebration as President.

READ MORE: President Tinubu To Arrive Nigeria On Tuesday For Sallah

I am are certain that he will return to Lagos tomorrow (Tuesday), not Abuja. Thats where he will observe Sallah, the source said.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that a source revealed to the PUNCH that the president is billed to join other dignitaries for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Muslim Prayer ground located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.

It would be recalled that hours before the end of his tenure, former President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the control of Obalende Eid Prayer Ground be returned to the Lagos Jamaatul Muslimeen Council of the Lagos Central Mosque.

A Presidency source said although the holiday lasts until Thursday, Tinubu may extend his stay till Sunday or Monday next week before he returns to Abuja.

He returns amidst uncertainty about his ministerial list, which is almost ready to be sent to the National Assembly.

Another source, who spoke with The PUNCH, said, I learned that Tinubus ministerial list is almost done. He kept a core of ministers to himself, heavily influenced by the kitchen cabinet of SAs.

The politicians are in Bolekaja over the rest. Its a slugfest now.

In March, Alake, then Special Adviser to the President-elect, said Tinubu would constitute his cabinet within one month of assuming office.

Alake said this is in line with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, mandating Presidents-elect and governors-elect to submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner-nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or state House of Assembly.

He said, I told you in an earlier interview that it didnt take Asiwaju more than three weeks to form his cabinet as governor.

That was as at that time. I think 60 days is even too much.

A month, maximum, is enough for any serious government to form its cabinet and put a structure of government in place after the swearing-in.

Re-echoing the narrative, the then Director of Media and Publicity for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said, What I can assure you is that even if the list is not ready on the first day, it will not take Asiwaju more than one month to put his cabinet together. He definitely will not wait for 60 days to assemble a competent cabinet.
Cloud-based data warehouse company Snowflake is shifting its attention toward large language models and generative AI. Launched in 2014 with a focus on disrupting the traditional data warehouse market and big-data analytics, the company has continued to add new features, such as its Native Application Framework, to target different sets of enterprise users.

At its annual Snowflake Summit Tuesday, the company announced Snowpark Container Services, a partnership with Nvidia, and updates to its Streamlit Python library designed to help enterprise users manage large language models (LLMs) and build applications using them from within its Data Cloud Platform.

Snowpark Container Services, currently in private preview, will allow enterprises to bring more diverse workloads, including LLMs, to the Data Cloud Platform, said Christian Kleinerman, senior vice president of product at Snowflake, adding that it also allows developers to build applications in any programming language.

The new container services acts as a linchpin, connecting enterprise data stored in Snowflake with LLMs, model training interfaces, model governance frameworks, third-party data augmenting applications, machine learning models, APIs, and Snowflakes Native Application Framework.

Snowpark Containerized Services will help companies to move workloads, such as machine learning models or LLMs, between public and private cloud based on the clients preferences, said Hyoun Park, lead analyst at Amalgam Insights.

The process of moving workloads securely will become increasingly important as enterprises discover that the massive data entry and usage associated with training LLMs and other machine learning models are potential compliance risks, causing them to move these models to governed and isolated systems, Park added.

Container Services will also help reduce the burden on Snowflakes data warehousing engine as it will run in an abstracted Kubernetes environment, according to Doug Henschen, principal analyst at Constellation Research.

Simply put, it is a way to run an array of application services directly on Snowflake data but without burdening the data warehouses and performance sensitive analytical applications that run on them, Henschen said.

Nvidia partnership provides technology for LLM training

In order to help enterprises train LLMs with data they have stored in Snowflake, the company has partnered with Nvidia to gain access to its AI Platform, which combines hardware and software capabilities. Snowflake will run Nvidia NeMo, a part of the AI Platform, from within the Data Cloud, the company said, adding that NeMo can be used for developing generative AI-based applications such as chatbots and intelligent search engines.

In addition, Snowpark Container Services will allow enterprises to gain access to third-party generative AI model providers such as Reka AI, said Sanjeev Mohan, principal analyst at SanjMo.

Other LLMs, such as those from OpenAI, Cohere and Anthropic, also can be accessed via APIs, Mohan said.

Snowflakes updates reveal a strategy that is aimed at taking on Databricks, analysts said.

Databricks is currently offering far more capabilities for building native AI, ML [machine learning] models than Snowflake, especially with the MosiacML acquisition that promises abilities to train models cheaper and faster, said Andy Thurai, principal analyst at Constellation Research.

The difference in strategy between the two companies, according to dbInsights principal analyst Tony Baer, seems to be their approach in expanding their user bases.

Snowflake is seeking to extend from its base of data and BI developers to data scientists and data engineers, while Databricks is approaching from the opposite side, Baer said.

Document AI generates insights from unstructured data

The new Container Services will allow enterprises to access data-augmenting and machine learning tools, such as Hexs notebooks for analytics and data science, AI tools from Alteryx, Dataiku, and SAS, along with a data workflow management tool from Astronomer that is based on Apache Airflow, the company said. Third-party software from Amplitude, CARTO, H2O.ai, Kumo AI, Pinecone, RelationalAI, and Weights & Biases are also available.

Snowflake also said that it was releasing a self-developed LLM, dubbed Document AI, designed to generate insights from documents.

Document AI, which is built on technology from Snowflakes acquisition of Applica last year, is targeted at helping enterprises make more use of unstructured data, the company said, adding that the new LLM can help enhance enterprise productivity.

DbInsights Baer believes that the addition of the new LLM is a step to keep pace with rival offerings from the stables of AWS, Oracle, and Microsoft.

MLOps tools and other updates

In order to help enterprises with machine learning model operations (MLOps), Snowflake has introduced the Snowpark Model Registry.

The registry, according to the company, is a unified repository for an enterprises machine learning models. It's designed to enable users to centralize the publishing and discovery of models, thereby streamlining collaboration between data scientists and machine learning engineers.

Although rivals such as AWS, Databricks, Google Cloud and Microsoft offer MLOps tools already, analysts see the new Model Registry as an important update.

Model registries and repositories are one of the new great battlefields in data as companies choose where to place their treasured proprietary or commercial models and ensure that the storage, metadata, and versioning are appropriately governed, Park said.

In addition, Snowflake is also advancing the integration of Streamlit into its Data Cloud Platform, bringing it into public preview for a final fine-tuning before its general release.

Further, the company said that it was extending the use of Apache Iceberg tables to an enterprises own storage.

Other updates, mostly targeted at developers, include the integration of Git and a new command line interface (CLI) inside the Data Cloud Platform, both of which are in private preview.

While the native Git integration is expected to support CI/CD workflows, the new CLI will aid in application development and testing within Snowflake, the company said.

In order to help developers ingest streaming data and eliminate the boundaries between batch and streaming pipelines, Snowflake also unveiled new features in the form of Dynamic Tables and Snowpipe Streaming.

While Snowpipe Streaming is expected to be in general availability soon, Dynamic Tables is currently in public preview.

Snowflake also said that is Native Application Framework was now in public preview on AWS.
Participation in this annual ranking provides opportunities for businesses looking to build their company profile. Winners will be featured on the Insurance Business website and gain access to exclusive promotional opportunities to amplify the achievement across multiple channels.
Buchanan, then managing director at the IMAA said at the time: We uncovered through our IMAA Pulse Survey that members wanted to look for ways they can save money as a group on big-ticket items.
In its media release, the regulator said Medibank has already addressed the specific control weaknesses which permitted unauthorised access to its systems. However, the release said the health insurer has further work to do across a number of areas to further strengthen its security environment and data management.
Claire-Marie has been a big part of the turnaround and transformation of AGCS in the past few years, and I want to thank her on behalf of everyone at AGCS for her exceptional contribution to all areas of the business, said Joachim Mueller, CEO of AGCS. I know we all wish her the very best for the future. A warm welcome to Oskar as he joins AGCS at this exciting stage in our journey, realizing Allianz Commercial for the benefit of our customers.
The board of directors is delighted with the choice of Fabrice Bregier, who has made a significant contribution to the work of the board and its committees since 2019, the directors said in a joint statement. His wealth of experience at the head of major international groups and his in-depth knowledge of corporate governance are solid assets for SCOR, as the group gains fresh momentum.
It is a privilege to be recognized by PBN, Providence Business News, as a Best Place to Work in Rhode Island, said Larry Keefe, chairman and CEO of Starkweather & Shepley. This is our 11th year of recognition, and it is a testament to our associates, their commitment, and our constancy of purpose. We simply are in it together.
Its going somewhere, what we struggle with is predicting exactly where that will be, Fort said. Just look at the last 10 years and new uses of technology, migration to the cloud [for example], thats a very different environment than you know what we were talking about 15 to 20 years ago, so the underlying component of what this insurance is covering is continually evolving, and that means that what cyber looks like now is not what its going to look like in 10 years.
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A Massachusetts town is immune from liability for the death of an ATV rider who was killed after striking a wire cable strung across a right of way on town land by the owner of the adjacent private property.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) found the town of Marshfield is immune because it did not place the wire across the public path; rather the private property owner did. While the town knew of the wire strung between two trees, it cannot be held responsible for negligence for allowing it to remain or for not warning the public about it under state law.

The private property owner had been granted a 40-foot easement over a right of way that was located on the abutting property owned by the town. This allowed for access to his property by ATV riders and others.

When he struck the wire cable hanging between two trees, Anthony Gill suffered severe head and neck injuries that resulted in his death. His father, Edward J. Gill, sued the town and the private property owner for wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering, and gross negligence.

Gill argued that the town should be liable because municipal immunity does not apply to any claim based on negligent maintenance of public property. Thus, he maintained, Marshfield may be found liable for failing to maintain the right of way in a reasonably safe condition and failing to warn visitors of any unreasonable dangers.

However, a Superior Court judge concluded that the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act bars the plaintiff from bringing claims against the town in relation to this incident, and thus allowed the towns motion to dismiss the plaintiffs claims against it.

Gill appealed and the states high court has now affirmed.

While the states tort law recognizes a limited exception to municipal immunity for an act or failure to act to prevent or diminish the harmful consequences of a condition or situation, the high court stressed that this exception is only where the public entity originally caused the harmful condition.

Also, Massachusetts courts have previously rejected the negligent maintenance argument made by Gill because maintenance in this context means to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity): preserve from failure or decline.

The town contended that it is immune from suit because there is no dispute that the condition at issue  the placing of the wire cable between two trees on the right of way  was originally caused by the private property owner. The town also contended that it could not be held liable for its alleged failure to act or prevent harm to the decedent.

The high court noted that the complaint lacks any allegation that the town placed the cable across the right of way. In fact, the complaint alleges that it was the private property owner who had directed an employee, agent, representative or contractor to purchase, erect, place and maintain the wire cable across the right of way.

In short, the SJC concluded, the plaintiffs claim rests at bottom on the allegation that the town allowed the wire cable to be maintained on its property. Where the complaint does not allege that the town created the condition at issue, and where the complaint alleges only that the town failed to warn visitors and failed to prevent all risks by permitting the cable to be maintained on its property, the claims do not fall within the immunity exception.

Topics Massachusetts
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Pennsylvanias state Senate wants to expand a ban on texting while driving and approved legislation on Thursday that would increase the penalties for motorists who are handling their cell phones for almost any activity while driving.

The bill, approved 37-11, goes to the state House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania first banned texting while driving in 2012, a summary offense punishable by a $50 fine. Under the new legislation, motorists cannot handle their cell phones to make a call or almost any other function while driving. That includes while sitting in traffic or at a stoplight.

However, it allows people to push a single button to start or end a phone conversation on a phone that is within easy reach and to use it for navigation or listening to music.

A first offense is punishable by a $150 fine. The bill carries exceptions for emergency responders and for people calling 911.

Offenders who cause serious accidents could get more time in prison.

In cases where the offender is convicted of homicide by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to five years. In cases where the offender is convicted of aggravated assault by vehicle, a court can add a sentence of up to two years.

The bill would give drivers a grace period of a year in which they would only receive a written warning for violating it.

It would require driving tests to ask a question about the effects of distracted driving and student driving manuals to include a section on distracted driving and the penalties.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Personal Auto Pennsylvania Politics
Howden, the London-based insurance group, announced the appointment of Rowan Douglas as CEO, Climate Risk & Resilience, effective June 26.

Douglas role is to continue to build an expert, full spectrum function to support the group worldwide, embedding climate and resilience across its specialities and regions. Charlie Langdale will step up as chair, Climate Risk and Resilience. Douglas is based in London and reports to David Howden, CEO, Howden.

With more than 30 years of experience in the re/insurance industry, Douglas brings a wealth of expertise in the field of climate-related risk. He was previously with Willis Towers Watson (WTW) where, prior to his departure, he led the Climate and Resilience Hub (CRH), which he grew to more than 130 climate risk professionals.

At the CRH, Douglas drove the creation of the Insurance Development Forum (IDF), and now chairs its Operating Committee, and incubated the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment.

Previously, he served on the board of Willis Re as CEO Analytics, founding the Willis Research Network that began groundbreaking work on climate modeling in 2006. From 2011 to 2016, Rowan served on the UK Prime Ministers Council for Science & Technology and was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 for services to the economy through risk, insurance and sustainable growth.

Douglas will continue in his role as chair of the Operating Committee for the IDF, as part of his commitment to mobilising multilateral and cross-industry cooperation as a means to tackling the complex challenges around climate risk and resilience.

Howden said this appointment is an important step in accelerating the growth of its climate and resilience capabilities and is a prelude to further significant investment to create a platform for the future that meets the opportunity and scale of market demand over the coming decades.

Howdens climate and resilience capabilities will span physical risks, the risks associated with decarbonization, the wider risks stemming from the low carbon transition and growing legal liability risks faced by public and private sector organizations, the company said.

Douglas appointment reflects Howdens commitment that the insurance sector plays a critical role in the worlds response to the climate emergency, including the transition to a low carbon economy and supporting exposed populations and industries, according to Howden.

Related: Climate Change Poses Much Greater Existential Risk for the World Than COVID-19

The appointment follows Howdens recent announcements on the launch of the worlds first carbon credit invalidation product for the voluntary carbon market and its partnership with Resilient Cities Network. Through other partnerships, including those with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Danish Red Cross, Howden has helped enable those most exposed to climate disasters to access pre-financing.

Tackling climate change requires the most substantial reallocation of capital in history, and insurance has a huge role to play across the mitigation, adaptation and resilience agenda. Meeting the challenge will take a global effort and radical collaboration across all industries, and between both the private and public sectors, commented David Howden, chief executive officer of Howden.

To have someone of Rowans calibre join us demonstrates not only the credentials of our Climate Risk and Resilience team but highlights our desire to use insurance as a force for good. Our goal is to embed climate and resilience expertise across the insurance value chain, for the benefit both of existing clients and those who do not have access to insurance, he added.

I am thrilled to be joining Howden at this remarkable time in its growth and with climate central to its future development. My decision was driven by the companys recognition, from the very top, that insurance capabilities are essential to de-risk the climate transition and protect lives, assets and livelihoods, according to Rowan Douglas, CEO, Climate Risk & Resilience.

Our focus will be on embedding the work of the Climate Risk and Resilience division across all of Howdens product lines and geographies, ensuring it supports our clients and partners, Douglas added.

Source: Howden

Topics Climate Change Willis Towers Watson
More than 90% of the worlds marine food supplies are at risk from environmental changes such as rising temperatures and pollution, with top producers like China, Norway and the United States facing the biggest threat, new research showed on Monday.

Blue food includes more than 2,190 species of fish, shellfish, plants and algae as well as more than 540 species farmed in fresh water, helping sustain 3.2 billion people worldwide.

But not enough is being done to adapt to growing environmental risks, a study published in the Nature Sustainability journal said.

Although we have made some progress with climate change, our adaptation strategies for blue food systems facing environmental change are still underdeveloped and need urgent attention, said Rebecca Short, researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre and co-lead author.

Overproduction in the industry, which has driven the destruction of wetland habitats, has caused significant environmental damage but other stressors are also impacting the quantity and quality of blue foods.

They include rising sea levels and temperatures, ocean acidification, changes in rainfall, as well as non-climate factors like algal blooms and pollution from mercury, pesticides or antibiotics.

Vulnerability caused by human-induced environmental change  puts blue food production under a lot of pressure, said Ling Cao, professor at Chinas Xiamen University, who also co-wrote the paper.

We know aquaculture and fisheries support billions of people for their livelihoods and their nutritional security.

China, Japan, India and Vietnam account for more than 45% of global landings and 85% of aquaculture production, and the study said reducing their vulnerability should be a priority. Small island nations that depend on seafood are also especially vulnerable.

Cao said a U.N. treaty on sustainable development in the high seas, signed in March, could enable stakeholders to act in the common interest when it comes to protecting blue food resources but other risks are on the horizon.

Nauru in the Pacific Ocean is at the forefront of efforts to mine ocean beds for metals, which environmentalists say can cause immense damage to marine life. Norway, another major seafood producer, also came under fire last week after announcing it would open up sea areas to mining.

Ocean floor mining will have an impact on the wild fisheries population, said Cao. Many scientists are now calling on governments to evaluate where they do ocean mining in order to minimize the impact.

(Reporting by David Stanway; editing by Robert Birsel)

Topics Pollution
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Commercial space travel shares plenty of similarities with deep sea tourism: wealthy customers, tight spaces, far-flung destinations and waivers that clearly warn people theyre risking death by embarking on unregulated vehicles.

As the world dissects what went wrong with the doomed OceanGate submersible vessel, the crafts lack of safeguards is raising alarms. The founder of the deep-sea tour group once called safety a pure waste and industry peers flagged the potentially catastrophic results of his experimental approach to ocean exploration.

Submersibles like the Titan are subject to little safety oversight, even less so when theyre in international waters. A similar regulatory regime  or lack of one  governs commercial human spaceflight. And while the private space industry hasnt seen a disaster on the scale of the OceanGate fiasco, the risks are there.

Theres a strong concern that not having those safety regulations is going to mean some fly-by-night, shady operations that result in customers being injured or potentially killed, said Brian Weeden, director of program planning for the Secure World Foundation, a space sustainability nonprofit pushing to curb space junk and for better space traffic management, among other things.

Under current US law, the Federal Aviation Administration cant impose safety standards on commercial spacecraft that carry people to space. That may change as soon as later this year, unless the current law is extended.

Commercial passengers who strap into a vehicle operated by Elon Musks SpaceX, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. or Blue Origin LLC  the only companies that currently provide space tourism flights  do so under an informed consent framework. That means they acknowledge that the government has not certified commercial ships for safety and that participation in space flight may result in death, serious injury, or total or partial loss of physical or mental function.

SpaceX, however, developed its Crew Dragon passenger capsule under NASAs safety requirements, as the company uses the vehicle to send the agencys astronauts to the International Space Station.

Virgin Galactic declined to comment and Blue Origin and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.

This informed consent regime began in 2004 with the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act, which imposed a regulatory moratorium on the FAA over commercial space for eight years. Congress has twice extended the moratorium over the years, but it expires again this October.

The FAA is taking preliminary action to develop a safety framework for commercial human spaceflight ahead of the moratorium expiring, a spokesperson told Bloomberg News. The agency is also updating its recommended practices for human spaceflight occupant safety and working to develop voluntary consensus standards.

Representative Frank Lucas, chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, said Friday the committee is currently looking into regulations for commercial space travel, but did not provide any specifics.

Its very important and its a growing slice of the industry, he said. Lets see how we work it out.

The justification for the lack of oversight thus far is that the space industry is still in a learning period, much like commercial aviation in its early years. There are those that fear that imposing government safety regulations early in the process is going to stifle the industry, said Weeden.

The president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry group representing commercial space companies that in 2015 lobbied to extend the moratorium, did not respond to a request for comment.

Though the FAA cannot impose safety standards, it is responsible for licensing all space launches and reentries. But it primarily ensures that any associated mishap wont harm the environment or uninvolved bystanders and property.

The mechanics of space tourism differ substantially from those of commercial deep sea exploration. For one, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights arent really in danger of being lost during a flight: They dont actually achieve orbit, and gravity would swiftly bring them back to Earth. SpaceX sends its ships into orbit, but plenty of tracking technology exists to locate space objects if communication breaks down.

Space companies also perform numerous high-profile tests and often stress their commitment to safety. Though, the exact protocols and procedures can be somewhat opaque.

Mishaps have, however, happened. In July of 2021, when Virgin Galactic flew founder Richard Branson into space, the craft deviated from its intended flight path; and in 2014, a pilot died and another was seriously injured during a Virgin Galactic test flight. Just last year, a Blue Origin rocket meant for passengers crashed after its engine failed. No people were on board, and Blue Origin said the flights safety measures operated as designed during an emergency.

As space tourism evolves beyond quick trips, some argue its time to end the moratorium. SpaceX has already flown 12 commercial astronauts to orbit and the International Space Station. Axiom Space Inc., Vast Space LLC and Blue Origin are also working toward building their own commercial space stations that they want civilians to visit, in some cases, as early as 2025.

Even if the moratorium lifts, regulations would take time to draft and implement.

The industry should be proactive, said George Nield, the former associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation at the FAA.

I would love to see government, industry, academia all get together and see if we can put together something that everyone would agree to, said Nield, who is now the president of Commercial Space Technologies, LLC. NASA has more than 50 years of experience flying people to space that could be used to inform some safety standards, he said.

If not, a high-profile accident could occur, prompting calls for hasty and heavy regulations.

That would be very, very bad, said Nield. Because fast regulations are generally poor regulations.

Photo: The Blue Origin New Shepard crew in Van Horn, Texas, on July 20, 2021. (Bloomberg)

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.
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Johnson & Johnsons proposed $8.9 billion settlement of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc products cause cancer faces a crucial hurdle this week as a U.S. bankruptcy judge in New Jersey considers whether or not a J&J subsidiary may resolve them by filing for bankruptcy a second time.

J&J subsidiary LTL Managements first attempt to do that was dismissed in April after a U.S. appeals court ruled that it was not in sufficient financial distress to be eligible for bankruptcy protection.

LTL quickly filed for bankruptcy again, arguing that its second effort has won more support from plaintiffs for a comprehensive settlement of current and future lawsuits alleging that J&Js baby powder and other talc products sometimes contained asbestos and caused mesothelioma, ovarian and other cancers. J&J has said its talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos.

Attorneys representing cancer victims, along with the U.S. Justice Departments bankruptcy watchdog, have called for LTLs second bankruptcy to be dismissed as an abuse of U.S. bankruptcy law. Cancer victims who oppose the bankruptcy settlement have said that the second bankruptcy recycles a failed legal strategy to keep their cases from being heard by juries.

Starting on Tuesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in Trenton is due to hear several days of evidence and arguments before making a ruling. Kaplan, whose decision in support of LTLs first bankruptcy filing was overturned by the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has said he expects to rule on whether to dismiss LTLs second bankruptcy by early August.

LTL executives including chief legal officer John Kim are expected to testify on Tuesday. Jim Murdica, a lawyer who took part in negotiations on the $8.9 billion settlement on behalf of LTL and J&J, and Mikal Watts, a lawyer for some plaintiffs, are expected to testify on Wednesday.

Erik Haas, J&Js worldwide vice president for litigation, said in a statement last week that the proposed bankruptcy settlement offers a fairer and faster resolution for cancer claimants than litigation in other courts.

The attorneys who oppose J&Js settlement offer argue that J&J created the illusion of support by signing deals with plaintiffs lawyers like Watts, who quickly signed up large numbers of clients without ever filing any lawsuits against J&J.

LTLs bankruptcy proceedings have paused the 38,000 lawsuits that were filed before October 2021. Kaplan has ruled that the second bankruptcy does not fully stop the talc litigation, letting one plaintiffs case to go to trial and allowing new complaints to be filed against LTL and J&J as long as no other trials are scheduled without permission from the bankruptcy court.

U.S. bankruptcy law typically shields debtors from lawsuits while they reorganize in bankruptcy. Bankruptcy judges have not always extended those protections to non-bankrupt parent companies like J&J.
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It seems that few are safe from soaring property insurance rates in Florida, not even those with strong connections to a higher authority.

The Crux, a Catholic news outlet, reported that the Catholic Churchs Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese has been unable to obtain property insurance for the first $25 million of windstorm losses on its multiple properties, forcing it to be self-insured for that first level.

That means insurance premiums for local parishes and schools have spiked by 250%, showing that the Florida insurance crisis has hit more than homeowners as Florida insurers have reduced coverage, gone insolvent or have raised rates in the last two years.

The Crux reported that the diocese in northwest Florida has 52 parishes and four missions, along with 12 schools. Some of those were damaged by storms in recent years, but escaped the worst of Hurricane Ian, which hit properties in southwest and central Florida in September 2022.

A local church official confirmed the Crux report but declined further comment. A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Miami declined to talk about the impact of insurance costs on the other dioceses in Florida, which may be just as affected by Floridas insurance crisis.

In a June 21 video to parishioners, Bishop William Wack urged church members to pray for protection and safety during this years hurricane season, the news outlet reported.

Topics Florida Church
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Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron directly solicited donations for his gubernatorial campaign from executives with a Kentucky drug treatment organization that his office began investigating last year, according to an attorney for the organization.

The request for contributions occurred during a call Cameron made early this year to a representative of Edgewater Recovery Centers, Edgewater attorney Michael Denbow told The Associated Press. A Cameron campaign official made a follow-up call to the same representative, and there was an exchange regarding a possible fundraiser that ultimately never occurred, he said. Denbow declined to identify the Edgewater representative who received the calls.

Several Edgewater executives later donated thousands of dollars to Camerons campaign during the spring primary campaign. The donations have since been refunded by the campaign. But the timing of the solicitations, coming as Edgewater was under investigation, raise questions about their propriety.

They were directly solicited by Daniel to give to his campaign, Denbow, speaking on behalf of the company, told the AP in a phone interview Friday. And I think Edgewater thought it was probably very prudent to make sure that they preserve their ability to work with whomever was successful in November  to help further Edgewaters goals.

Edgewater directed questions about the matter to Denbow.

In his response, Cameron told the AP in a statement issued Sunday that his approach to the Edgewater-related campaign donations has been to review, recuse and refund.

Cameron recused himself from the Edgewater investigation in May, immediately after learning of the contributions, according to his office. The donations were first reported by The Daily Beast. Camerons office didnt comment on the status of the case. Edgewater denies any wrongdoing in the matter.

Camerons campaign acknowledged it discussed a possible fundraiser with individuals representing Edgewater.

There were preliminary conversations about hosting an event, Cameron said in the statement. 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 is challenging Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in November in one of the nations most closely watched elections this year. The matchup in Republican- trending Kentucky could offer something of a preview of voter sentiment ahead of 2024 campaigns for president and control of Congress.

Campaign fundraising allegations have surged to the forefront of the bare- knuckled contest in Kentucky.

Last week, Camerons office asked the FBI to investigate an infusion of campaign donations  linked to a single credit card  that flowed to the Kentucky Democratic Party and Beshears campaign. The governors campaign and the state party moved to refund more than $200,000 in donations that they determined to exceed limits set by law.

Cameron pounced on the Democratic-related matter to sharply criticize the governor. In his statement Sunday, Cameron accused Beshear of taking illegal campaign contributions and declared that political candidates owe transparency and accountability to the people they represent.

But Camerons campaign also finds itself on the defensive regarding campaign finances.

Edgewater has been under investigation since 2022 by the Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse in the attorney generals office. A case number indicates that the investigation started last year, Denbow said. Edgewater received a subpoena for information in early March as part of the probe, he said.

Camerons call to the Edgewater representative occurred before the subpoena was served, Denbow said. In that call and in the follow-up call by a Cameron campaign representative, there were no promises or threats, he said. They reached out to solicit campaign funds.

The investigation was ongoing, but I certainly do not think there was any mention or acknowledgement by Daniel in his communications about that, Denbow added.

There was no quid pro quo intended when Edgewaters executives donated to Camerons campaign, the attorney said. And it was Camerons campaign that decided to refund the donations this month, he said.

Its my understanding it was done after Daniel recused himself from the investigation and then they made that determination, Denbow said. Were unaware of the basis for it.

Edgewater Recovery Centers offer alcohol and drug abuse treatment for men and women, according to its website. Edgewater is a state-licensed behavioral health organization offering multiple levels of care, with facilities in a handful of Kentucky communities, the website says.

Photo: Attorney General Daniel Cameron in early June. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Kentucky
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A man was killed early this week and cruise line arrivals were disrupted after a 30-foot boat hit a ferry near Miami, authorities said.

Another man was hospitalized in serious condition after the boat hit the Fisher Island Ferry about 3:40 a.m. The man was pulled from the water by ferry workers, and he told them about his missing friend before he was taken to a hospital, the Miami Herald reported. The missing man was later found dead.

The accident happened near Dodge Island, which has a row of cruise ship terminals. Three cruise lines had to change unloading procedures after the U.S. Coast Guard set up a temporary security zone that limited traffic in and out of PortMiami while the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigates the crash, the newspaper reported.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Source: Streetwise Reports

June 27, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Reliq Health Technologies Inc. continues to pick up more contracts with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other health care groups. Now it also has gotten analyst attention.

Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (RHT:TSX.V; RQHTF:OTCQB; A2AJTB:WKN) continues to pick up more contracts with skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other health care groups, and now it also has gotten analyst attention.

The telehealth company announced new contracts with 20 SNFs, ten physician practices, and two home care agencies in California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas.

The contracts are expected to add over 30,000 new patients to the company's iUGO platform by the end of the month at a revenue of CA$65 per patient per month.

"As our shareholders know, the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) market has been a source of rapid growth for Reliq," said Chief Executive Officer Lisa Crossley. "SNFs are excellent partners for Reliq as they provide training on the iUGO Care system to their patients prior to discharge, which helps ensure high adherence levels for this patient population."

In a June 20 research note, Maxim Group analyst Allen Klee initiated coverage on Reliq with a Buy rating and a CA$1.75 per share price target.

"We believe a discount to the peer group average is warranted based on the company being at an early stage of execution," Klee wrote. "Our positive outlook includes a large market opportunity with compelling economics. We also take into account ... Reliq's large number of wins among larger customers, which is a leading indicator for future growth."

Klee noted that the company has been signing larger contracts in 2022 and 2023. Reliq also recently signed a contract with a U.S. health plan that operates in five states with more than 3,000 doctors and 1 million patients, a move expected to add more than 10,000 new patients to iUGO by next March.

"We project that Reliq will have a primarily recurring, high-margin business model going forward," Klee wrote.

The Catalyst: Chronic Illness Driving Market Growth

The global telehealth market is expected to reach US$455.3 billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% from 2023 to 2030, according to Research and Markets.

"The pandemic exposed the shortcomings in the health care systems," the researchers wrote. "The government-imposed travel restrictions and lockdowns (mandated) in order to curb the spread of the virus ... led to patients and healthcare institutions shifting towards teleconsultation and telemedicine."

The rising occurrence of chronic illness in developing regions also is driving the demand for telemedicine services, Global Market Insights wrote.

"Increased traditional health care costs, growing number of digital health users, and the evolution of health services in the health care institutions have spurred the technology uptake," researchers wrote.

Klee noted that chronic disease accounts for more than 80% of healthcare spending.

"Over 57 (million) Medicare/Medicaid patients have eligible chronic conditions, resulting in a multi-billion-dollar TAM (total addressable market," he wrote. "Practitioners benefit from new revenue streams (over $400 per patient per month), and the ability to oversee more patients."

Analyst Predicts More Expansion

Reliq earlier this month announced record revenues for the three months ending March 31 and its first profitable quarter with a gain from operations of CA$731,017.

During the same three months in 2022, the telehealth company reported a loss of CA$811,042. Sales increased 88% YoY to CA$4.7 million compared to CA$2.4 million for the three months ending March 31, 2022.

The company said gross profits for the quarter increased by 95% to CA$3.2 million. Gross margins for the period were 68% and are expected to exceed 70% by the end of 2023 due to reduced device costs and an increase in the percentage of Reliq's total revenues from higher-margin software and services vs. hardware sales.

The company said its adjusted EBITDA for Q3 FY 2023 was a 2,190% increase YoY to CA$1.4 million.

Klee projected "onboarded lives of 21K by the end of FY23, to 54K by FY24 and 137K by FY25 (primarily all in the U.S.), which translates to FY23-FY25 revenue of CA$17M, CA$27M and CA$95M, up 101%, 99% and 184%, respectively."

"Note that we are the only sell-side firm covering the stock," he added.

The analyst also sees potential catalysts for the coming year, predicting "increased cash flow generation, shift to profitability, an uplisting to a large U.S. exchange, and the initiation of a stock dividend."

Managing Diseases From Home

Reliq's platform aims to manage diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, and others.

Patients get audible reminders to step on a scale, take their blood pressure, or prick their fingers for glucose monitoring. The information is automatically uploaded to the cloud.

iUGO draws on data from fall detection devices, medication tracking, and vitals data to flag patients at home or in facilities who need additional monitoring.

In an April 3 note, Sadif Analytics upgraded RHT to Above Average from Average. The company "has fair financials and good earnings quality," the note said, adding the stock was "safe." [OWNERSHIP_CHART-9012]

Technical analyst Clive Maund of CliveMaund.com recommended the stock shortly after news broke last year that the company's revenue jumped 485% from the fiscal year 2021 to the fiscal year 2022. Writing for Streetwise Reports, he said he would "stay long" on the stock.

Ownership and Share Structure

About 8% of Reliq's shares are owned by insiders, including Crossley, with 1.6% or 3.22 million shares. About 0.3% of the company is owned by institutional investors, including FNB Wealth Management, with 0.01% or 0.03 million shares, according to Reuters.

Other top investors include Eugene Beukman, who owns 0.11% or 0.23 million shares, and Brian Storseth, who owns 0.07% or 0.14 million shares, Reuters said.

Crossley said 91.7% of the company is retail.

The company has 203 million shares outstanding, with about 199 million free-floating. It has a market cap of CA$97.39 million and trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.76 and CA$0.36.

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Source: Stephane Foucaud

June 27, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This required the local Indigenous group to stop barring river transport, which it agreed to after an alliance act was signed, noted an Auctus Advisors report.

The curtailment of PetroTal Corp.'s (TAL:TSX.V; PTALF:OTCQX; PTAL:AIM) operations in Peru ended when the Indigenous Association for Development and Conservation of Bajo Puinahua (AIDECOBAP) removed its illegal river blockade and released the two oil transport convoys it was holding, reported Auctus Advisors Stephane Foucaud in a June 21 research note.

Auctus maintained its target price of 1.50 per share on PetroTal, the current share price of which is about 0.42, Foucaud indicated. The gap between these prices implies a potential return that is significant, of 284%.

"The story continues to be about significant free cash flow generation, production and reserves growth with generous shareholders returns through a share buyback program of about US$3 million per quarter and a US$0.015 per share quarterly dividend," Foucaud wrote.

Alliance Act Pursued

AIDECOBAP agreed to remove the blockade after an alliance act was signed by it and the regional governor of Loreto, Perupetro, Puinahua's district municipality. This act calls for the Loreto government to replace PetroTal on the executive committee of the 2.5% Fund, thereby giving most of the votes concerning the allocation of funds to the parties who signed the act.

Those parties do not include PetroTal and the Junta Autonoma del Puinahua, representing the lion's share of the population, as both refused to sign. PetroTal does not consider the act a binding document.

Oil Being Moved for Sale

Of the two oil transport convoys seized and held, one was Peruvian, the other Brazilian. Neither is owned by PetroTal, Foucaud reported.

The Brazilian convoy was carrying about 70,000 barrels (70 Mbbl) of oil to Peru's Bretana field.

"We understand that 70 Mbbl [of oil] have now been loaded to be sold through Brazil," Foucaud wrote.

The Peruvian convoy, Foucaud noted, was taking about 40 Mbbl of oil to the Iquitos refinery to be sold there.

More Production Added

As for other news out of Peru, PetroTal's 15H well started production. Over the last seven days, it produced an average rate of 8,700 barrels per day (8.7 Mbbl/d) of oil.

"This is another very good well," Foucaud wrote.

Petrotal's overall production for Q2/23 is expected to exceed the guidance of 17 Mbbl/d by about 5%.

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Cork and Shannon airport should receive more Government funding and their capacity better utilised rather than further developing Dublin Airport, a local business group has said.

According to the most recent aviation statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Dublin Airport accounted for over 86% of all passengers arriving into or departing from an Irish airport. Cork Airport accounted for just 6.5% and Shannon 4.3%.

Sean Golden, chief economist and director of policy with Limerick Chamber, said there remains an over reliance on Dublin Airport despite there being a large, underutilised capacity in regional airports.

He said that developing further connections to Europe through airports such as Cork and Shannon is vital to the economic and social development of the region.

Mr Golden said other European countries do not share this overreliance on their capital citys airport. Just 50% of passengers into and out of Norway fly through Oslo Airport, while in Portugal and Switzerland, 51% of passengers flying into and out of those countries through Lisbon and Zurich airports respectively.

In its submission to the Department of Transports mid-term review of the Regional Airport Programme 2021-2025 (RAP), Limerick Chamber has called on the Government to include airports like Cork and Shannon in the programme to increase investment and support the introduction of business routes to northern Europe.

At the moment, only three airports in Ireland are included in this programme, Donegal Airport, Ireland West Airport (Knock), and Kerry Airport.

Dublin Airport accounted for over 86% of all passengers arriving into or departing from an Irish airport. Cork Airport accounted for just 6.5% and Shannon 4.3%.

Shannon Airport

Limerick Chamber said the department should allow all airports with less than three million passengers annually to be eligible to compete for funding in the programme and not exclude Cork and Shannon airports.

The business group said there is significant demand from the business community for a direct route to northern Europe with a public service obligation (PSO) route to an EU hub considered vital in the region for economic and social development.

Read More Cork Airport can almost double passenger numbers  Daa chief

Shannon Airport no longer has direct daily connectivity to a European Union hub. Following a survey of its members, Limerick Chamber said the lack of connections to an EU hub service, as well as poor public transport, are the two main inhibiting factors to businesses in the mid-west using their local airport.

The business group said regional rail and bus connectivity would be key to ensuring that State-owned airports are maximised and routes maintained without expanding Dublin Airport further.

Funding this route can forge strong links between economic and administrative centres in Ireland and Europe, Mr Golden said.

Limerick has the largest catchment area within a 90-minute journey outside Dublin. There is a population of around 1.3 million people, and this catchment overlaps with Dublin around the Portlaoise area but due to route availability many people in the regions will still find themselves travelling longer journeys to Dublin for flights, Mr Golden said.

Dublin Airport expansion

There have been reports in recent weeks that the daa are considering plans to expand terminal one at Dublin Airport so that it can accommodate up to four million passengers a year. Daa also runs Cork Airport.

However, in its submission to the department, Limerick Chamber questioned the necessity of this expansion saying there is already spare capacity at other motorway-connected airports to handle higher traffic volumes.

There is large unrealised capacity at regional airports but yet there is talk of terminal one expansion and even a third runway at Dublin Airport, Mr Golden said.

Notwithstanding regional development goals, there are huge, embodied carbon concerns by not utilising existing assets to their full capacity and building new infrastructure at an airport that already accounts for the vast majority of passengers.

Read More Irish airports surpass pre-pandemic numbers of passengers passing through

Dee Ryan, chief executive of Limerick Chamber, said there are obvious consequences to the over development and oversized market dominance of Dublin Airport.

Route connectivity is essential to the national economy and to sustain the businesses that we have. It does not all need to come through one airport, she said.

She said investing more into the regional airports will help deliver more jobs in the likes of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, and Galway.

A recent report by the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe revealed that Irelands airport connectivity is still 9% lower than it was during June 2019, pre-pandemic. This is despite a recovery in the number of passengers passing through the five main airports.
Regardless of the item for sale, there are ways to maximise its value. Or at least to give the seller a better chance of getting what its worth.

After all, no one would dream of selling a halfway decent car without having it valeted first. And even in todays overheated market, a deep clean and a lick of paint can make a significant difference to a house price.

The same is true for a business sale. Its not a question of trying to pull the wool over anyones eyes.

Thats nigh on impossible these days, and even if you did manage it the legal penalties make it a very unattractive proposition. What it does mean is addressing any issues which may detract from the value of the business being able to present it in the best possible light.

And that takes planning, according to Ronan Murray, EY Ireland partner and president of Cork Chamber of Commerce.

Its critical to spend the appropriate time preparing for an exit, he says. Early planning is key to a successful liquidity event. Our EY Transactions team works with clients to assess their exit or investment readiness and focus on the areas that will generate value from a buyer perspective.

Equally the seller should know what they want, be realistic and seek advice. He points to some obvious areas of focus such as demonstrating recurring revenue in a business model, having longstanding customers and contracts and an ability to pinpoint margin growth.

Its important for the owner to reflect on their area of differentiation and be able to articulate the opportunity for any outside stakeholder, said Ronan Murray. Equally, one needs to evaluate tax considerations in advance of any sale process to preserve value.

A&L Goodbody Corporate and M&A partner Stephen Quinlivan emphasises the importance of those tax considerations.

Obtaining good tax advice at an early stage is key, he says. Capital gains tax liabilities on the sale of Irish shares or assets can be significant, but good tax advice and structuring can help to mitigate or defer such tax liabilities significantly.

A&L Goodbody Corporate and M&A partner Stephen Quinlivan

Failure to address tax issues early on can store up future problems. Attempting to implement complex tax structuring late in deal negotiations can be very problematic and can significantly delay completion of deals, he explains.

We always advise sellers to go to market with their optimum tax structuring settled, so there are no late surprises for buyers. Clearly identifying and separating the assets you want to sell is also very important. So, get legal and tax advice at an early stage and carry out whatever pre-deal restructuring, or tax planning is required to house the assets you want to sell in an easily transferable corporate structure.

Insurance is also important. These days we would also advise practically all sellers to consider warranty and indemnity insurance as a deal term for buyers at an early stage in the process, says Quinlivan. Such insurance can enable sellers to sell businesses with no  or at least minimised  post-completion risk for warranties and indemnities, which can give huge piece of mind to individual and family sellers in particular. The market for warranty and indemnity insurance in Ireland is now very sophisticated, with a number of local specialist brokers operating in the Irish market. We have seen such insurance used on deals where the consideration is a low as 1 million.

Maximising the price achieved is going to be top of mind for most sellers. Murray advises them to look at it from the buyers point of view.

Take time to challenge the robustness of the value story, he says. What is the clear value growth story and what are the understandable drivers? Are the projections consistent with the market? Its also important to be able to demonstrate a proven management track record.

Identifying and extracting hidden value is also important. Are there operational improvements that can maximise EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation)? A key function of value is what EBITDA a multiple is applied to and therefore its important to have clarity on what the maintainable EBITDA number is. Its important to understand and challenge EBITDA including run rate versus prior year, together with potential one-off adjustments. Non-recurring items if any, sustainability, deliverability and visibility will also be key areas of focus prior to going to market.

There is a marketing element as well, according to Quinlivan.

Good preparation for sale is key when it comes to securing the best price, he notes. There are some excellent local and international corporate finance firms operating in the Irish market who will be able to offer excellent advice in this regard. Producing strong teaser documents and information memorandums which clearly promote the existing performance and future potential of your business will help achieve the best price.

Preparation for due diligence by buyers is also very important, so sellers should work with their legal, tax and financial advisers at an early stage to make sure they have all required information for a sales process that a buyer is likely to want to see. Good quality diligence materials will engender confidence in bidders on how the business is being run and will again help procure better bids, said Quinlivan.

Murray agrees: Its important to have quality financial information readily available should there likely be a sale process which will require diligence from the buyers side. Often, its useful to complete a vendor due diligence or commercial due diligence exercise in advance. So, that when the sale process is advanced, these reports can be provided to the interested party.

This should make the diligence experience more confirmatory and less exploratory which in turn will ensure a more stable business as usual position for the seller and their customers during the sale process.

Another question which business owners must deal with is how they find potential buyers for their business. Its not as simple as putting an ad up on Done Deal or in the property pages of a prominent newspaper. Proclaiming an intention to sell too loudly can have unintended consequences including shaking the confidence of suppliers and customers and undermining staff morale.

Quinlivan recommends appointing a reputable corporate finance firm to assist in finding and approaching prospective buyers. While sellers may have a number of buyers or interested parties in mind, a good corporate finance firm will have a much larger network of potential buyers, and in particular will be able to approach the private equity sector, he points out.

Having done all the preparations and identified potential buyers, its then a matter of getting the transaction done as quickly and smoothly as possible. Murray advises on a number of steps which can help to deliver that objective.

Ensure a strong project manager is in place to bring all the work streams together in a coordinated way. Its important to agree a timeline that reflects the level of diligence required. Set aside time each week to engage constructively in the process.

Much of the information is exchanged within a virtual data room so having that information prepared in advance will assist with an efficient process. Consider preparing a vendor due diligence or customer due diligence pack prior to going to market. It can then be shared with an interested party at an appropriate time.
European Central Bank (ECB) head Christine Lagarde has set the scene for a further rate hike that will mean Irish households refinancing their fixed rate mortgages will face an annual increase of 3,540 in their mortgage payments.

Speaking at the annual ECB gathering in Sintra in Portugal, Ms Lagrade all but pledged the ECB will raise rates in July  12 months after it set out on its campaign to fight soaring prices across the eurozone  and suggested that more rate increases were to come.

It is unlikely that in the near future the central bank will be able to state with full confidence that the peak rates have been reached, she told the gathering.

Financial markets are betting the ECB will hike official rates by a quarter point next month and follow through with a further quarter-point increase by the end of this year, and will only start to cut rates in 2024 and through 2025, said Davy chief economist Conall Mac Coille.

The latest eurozone inflation figures due to be published later this week will likely do little to bolster the case for the ECB to halt increasing official rates any time soon, as the core inflation rates which are scrutinised by the central bank will likely show little change, Mr Mac Coille said.

Leading mortgage broker Michael Dowling said the comments by Ms Lagarde point to significant pain for the 71,600 households whose fixed rate mortgages come up for refinancing this year. They face paying 3,540 more for their home loans over a full year, he said.

"71,600 customers are coming off their fixed rates by year end, and represent 10% of all residential mortgage customers," Mr Dowling said.

"Their existing typical fixed rate will be 2.75% and these customers will be faced with alternative fixed rates of 4.5%, which means based on a mortgage of  300,000, these customers will face a monthly increase of 295, or an increase of 3,540 per year, based on an ECB quarter-point rate rise in July and a likely further quarter-point rise in September," he said.

The 171,000 people on tracker mortgages face more immediate pain in July because their rates are directly linked to changes in the changes to ECB official rates.

"The average tracker mortgage balance is  133,000 and therefore, the average tracker customer will have a rate of 5.65% by the end of September.

"Taking a 133,000 balance, the monthly tracker repayments will have increased by 280 per month, or by 3,360 per year," Mr Dowling said, following two further rate rises.

The final stages of the ECBs rate push are the focus as headline inflation fades but underlying price pressures prove stubborn.

A majority of economists sees officials pausing after next month with a deposit rate of 3.75%, though money markets are pricing a peak of about 4% later this year.

Right now policymakers just have to err on the side of saying we have lots of options, options are on the table and we will keep hiking if needed, Morgan Stanley chief global economist Seth Carpenter told Bloomberg TV.

I dont think they have a chance anytime soon to declare victory.
The remains of British actor Julian Sands have been found more than five months after he was first reported missing while hiking in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department confirmed to the PA news agency on Tuesday that human remains found in the area by civilian hikers were those of Sands.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the discovery.

 Friday January 13

Sands is first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

Neither the report nor the actors name are made public immediately, but it states his disappearance was in the Baldy Bowl area.

A search-and-rescue operation is launched and the last recorded ping is detected from Sands phone.

Sands was first reported missing to San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department on January 13 (Ian West/PA)

 Saturday January 14

Search efforts are halted due to risk from avalanches and adverse weather on local trails results in ground crews being pulled off the mountain in the evening.

 Sunday January 15

Aerial searches, conducted by drones and helicopters, continue but nothing is found.

 Wednesday January 18

A car believed to belong to Sands is found and towed away from a location by his family.

 Thursday January 19

Weather conditions and avalanche risk continue to delay ground searches, although the sheriffs department says there is no hard deadline to call off the search.

Search Continues for Missing Hiker on Mt Baldy https://t.co/mGYAYhNnuS  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 19, 2023

 Friday January 20

Federal and state authorities join the search for Sands using mobile phone forensics to help pinpoint the location of the actor.

One week on from his disappearance, the sheriffs department says there is still no time set for when ground searches can continue.

 Monday January 23

The actors family releases a statement praising the heroic efforts of both local and out-of-county forces conducting the search efforts.

As we enter day 11 of the search for Julian Sands on Mt. Baldy, we are reminded of the sheer determination & selflessness of all of the people who have aided in this search. We will continue to utilize the resources available to us. The family would like to share this statement: pic.twitter.com/owO2o97f16  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 23, 2023

Sands family say they were deeply touched by the support they had received in the days since his disappearance.

The sheriffs office also announces it is looking for a second missing hiker and that searches have allowed ground teams to conduct secondary sweeps of the area, but no evidence of the actor is found.

 Tuesday January 24

One Hiker Located and One Hiker Still Missing on Mt Baldy; Sheriff Dicus Focusing on Long Term Safe Guards https://t.co/pGK8QEKALj  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 25, 2023

The second hiker is found alive, but there is still no sign of Sands.

 Wednesday January 25

Searches continue by air only, with authorities using special technology that can detect electronic devices and credit cards.

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says it was hopeful that the technology will be able to more accurately pinpoint an area on which to focus efforts.

electronics, & in some cases, credit cards. We are hopeful our @CHP_HQ partners, Officers Hertzell & Calcutt, can pinpoint an area where we can focus our search efforts, and we thank them for their assistance. Additional information will be released when it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/U1K0io9MN5  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) January 25, 2023

 Saturday January 28

Kevin Ryan, Sands hiking partner and close friend says he is remaining hopeful of the actors safe return, as searches pass the two-week mark.

Ryan tells PA it is obvious that something has gone wrong but that the actors advanced experience and skill may allow him to overcome difficulty.

 Friday February 3

The sheriffs department said conditions continued to be problematic after three weeks of searching, adding efforts have continued intermittently.

A spokesperson tells PA that efforts would normally be downgraded to a passive search after 10 days, but that plans have been extended due to the ongoing bad weather.

 Friday February 10

Four weeks on from the first reports of Sands disappearance, authorities admit the outcome of the search may not be what we would like.

The sheriffs department says it is still hopeful of finding the actor, but that conditions in the area remain dangerous, adding that ground searches are planned for the future.

Julian is such an advanced hiker. Its what he did. His whole life he was climbing mountains. It was a true passion of his

 Monday February 13

Exactly one month since Sands has been reported missing, weather conditions still hamper efforts to find him.

 Friday March 3

Authorities temporarily close tourist resorts in the Mount Baldy area due to danger of avalanches.

Snow storms batter the southern Californian region causing search efforts by both ground and air to be halted yet again.

The majority of operations are suspended for the proceeding months with the sheriffs department unable to provide any further updates.

 Monday June 19

Although missing hiker, Julian Sands, was not located during the recent search mission, the case remains active. We want to thank all the individuals who assisted in the June 17th search and the previous search missions. pic.twitter.com/TQqSvA1wAR  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 21, 2023

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department reports that a further ground search in the Mount Baldy wilderness has not yielded any results.

The search, which took place on Saturday June 17, included more than 80 search-and-rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with efforts supported by two helicopters and drone crews.

Despite the recent warmer weather, portions of the mountain remain inaccessible due to extreme alpine conditions, the department said.

Multiple areas include steep terrain and ravines, which still have 10-plus feet of ice and snow.

 Wednesday June 21

Sands family releases a second statement via the sheriffs department, saying they are continuing to keep the actor in our hearts with bright memories, as searches continue.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, the statement reads.

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.

Hikers Discover Human Remains in the Mt. Baldy Wilderness Area https://t.co/bFcFocH8EI  San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) June 25, 2023

 Saturday June 24

Human remains are found in the Mount Baldy wilderness.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department says civilian hikers had contacted authorities on Saturday morning after finding the remains in area.

The remains are transported to the Coroners Office for identification.

 Tuesday June 27

The sheriffs department announces the remains found are those are of Sands.
YOURE in for a swimmingly good time if you visit Cork City centre this Saturday, July 1. Thousands of spectators and supporters will line the riverbank from the Old Distillery Yard at University College Cork to the boardwalk at the Clayton Hotel cheering on the 500 swimmers taking part in this years Lee Swim.

The swimmers, 30 of whom are aged between 12 and 18, will dive into the water at 2.30pm and are expected to reach the finish line between 3pm and 4pm. and the lord mayor will be in attendance to congratulate them. A DJ will provide running commentary between spinning tunes and there will be a special prizegiving ceremony at 5pm.

Deirdre Doyle of Cool Food School

Online food workshop

Summer is a great time for getting kids into the kitchen and involving them in preparing food.

If you dont know quite where to start with this, Deirdre Doyle, the health coach and mum of three behind the Cool Food School, offers an interactive online workshop that could help.

In exchange for 30.99, you will receive a kid-sized knife and peeler that have been designed for safety and to be suitable for left and right-handers. You and your child will need to use these while taking part in the Cool as a Cucumber workshop.

During the workshop, you will learn all about cucumbers as well as how to make cucumber water and a range of cucumber snacks. You will also be provided with worksheets to help reinforce the learning and a recipe sheet with more fun ideas on how to include cucumber in your diet.

Mary and Grace Walsh students attending the National Folk Theatre Training Academy celebrate the launch of Siamsa Tire Theatre Camps

Drama summer camp

Calling all drama queens and kings. Siamsa Tire in Tralee is inviting children aged between six and 12 years old to take part in a theatre summer camp presented by members of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.

Running over five consecutive mornings from July 10 to 14 and again from July 17 to 21, these camps will introduce children to all aspects of theatre, from singing, dancing, music, and art to what goes on behind the scenes. The emphasis will be on educating children through creativity, allowing them to explore their imaginations and building their confidence while having fun. The cost is 90 per child per week with discounts for siblings. A daily rate of 20 will also be offered subject to availability.

A checklist for parents-to-be

What are the essentials required to look after a baby? Parents-to-be are often confused about the answer to this question, which is why Dublin-based pharmacist Cormac Spooner and his wife Eleanor, who are parents of two, have compiled a checklist.

Cotton wool is first on the list as experts recommend using it with cooled boiled water to wash babies in their first days of life. Wipes are second as there are times when they are more convenient.

Baby nail clippers are next, followed by a soft sponge and a variety of creams. Depending on your babys needs, these might include a barrier cream to prevent and treat nappy rash, moisturising cream, a cream for dribble rash or a cream for cradle cap.

There are two medical must-haves. One is vitamin D drops as the HSE now recommends that all breastfed babies and babies who take less than 300ml of infant formula a day should all be given a daily 5mg dose of vitamin D up to the age of one.

The other is liquid paracetamol such as Calpol.

Vaccinations can cause babies to feel unwell, creating soreness at the injection site and sometimes a mild fever which can make them irritable, says Spooner. Liquid paracetamol is an excellent remedy for these symptoms, but make sure you speak to your pharmacist before using any medical product for the first time and always ensure you have the right formula for your babys age.
A healthcare worker who liked and shared a video of an offensive song about murdered Co. Tyrone woman Michaela McAreavey has had a claim that she was unfairly sacked from her job dismissed.

An industrial tribunal panel described the streaming of the video in an Orange Hall last year as a "truly disgraceful event" and ruled that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust was entitled to dismiss Rhonda Shiels from her employment.

There was widespread condemnation after the footage which was livestreamed from Dundonald Orange Hall in May 2022 showed a number of men singing a song which appeared to mock the daughter of former Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte, who was murdered while on honeymoon in Mauritius in 2011.

Ms Shiels had been employed by the Southern Trust as a healthcare assistant for five years. The footage had been livestreamed by Andrew McDade, who is Ms Shiels' partner. The industrial tribunal was told that Ms Shiels had liked and shared the video on her Facebook account.

In her evidence to the tribunal, Ms Shiels had stated that she had not watched all of the video and that she had switched if off before the point in which the offensive singing took place. She said she had not become aware of the offensive singing until days later.

The trust had, however, concluded that she had behaved recklessly in liking and sharing the video without satisfying herself as to its content. She had been dismissed from her job in July 2022 and her appeal against that decision was dismissed by the trust in August.

Ms Shiels then brought a claim of unfair dismissal to an industrial tribunal but stated she was not seeking re-instatement.

The written judgment said: "On 28 May 2022, the claimant had attended an event in the grounds of Stormont. On the same date, her partner had been taking part in a march organised by the Orange Order and had then been invited to Dundonald Orange Hall, together with other bandsmen and members, for refreshments.

"The claimant's partner had livestreamed a video from Dundonald Orange Hall on his own Facebook account. The claimant (Shiels) had been immediately notified of that livestream and had opened it. The claimant accepted in a statement of agreed facts that she had liked and shared the video."

The panel ruling stated: "The background of this claim is the singing of a sectarian and misogynistic song in Dundonald Orange Hall. The singing of that song by a large group of people was not prevented or stopped by others present; it was in fact applauded.

This had been a truly disgraceful event.

The judgment concluded: "The decision by the respondent (Southern Trust) to uphold the charges of gross misconduct and to impose a penalty of summary dismissal was, in the opinion of the tribunal, a decision which a reasonable employer could properly have reached in all the circumstances of this case.

"This had been an act of recklessness and a clear breach of the social media policy.

"It had had a severe and continuing impact on the respondent's activities in providing services to the public and would inevitably have had a serious impact in relation to the claimant's working relationships with other employees and indeed with members of the public with whom she came into contact in the course of her work."

Mr McDade lost an industrial tribunal case against his sacking from his job as a lorry driver earlier this month.
More than one hundred members of staff at RTE have staged a protest at its Dublin headquarters, following a scandal involving undisclosed payments to its highest-paid star Ryan Tubridy.

Staff represented by the National Union of Journalists and the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union gathered on a plaza in the Donnybrook campus of RTE to voice their concern over pay, conditions and governance in the wake of the revelations.

Chair of the RTE Trade Union Group, Stuart Masterson, said anyone who had involvement in the undisclosed payments had to appear before the Oireachtas committees.

A companys culture is led from the top, he said.

Emma O Kelly, chair of NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Branch (Niall Carson/PA)

NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O' Kelly said she hoped the protest would be the start of serious root and branch reform in the organisation.

She said: The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

She added: Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in.

That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad.

Sinead Hussey (Niall Carson/PA)

Caoimhe Ni Laighin, a journalist with the organisations Irish-language services, said her co-workers were performing the miracle of the loaves and the fishes every single day.

Our equipment is all falling apart and we have been begging the management for a long time to deal with this, she said.

RTE News crime correspondent Paul Reynolds said he was concerned about the breach of trust between management and staff.

Theres a phrase bandied around in here: We are one RTE, he said.

And we can see now we havent been one RTE because everyone hasnt been working together, different people have different agendas.

That has disappointed people here. The trust that people had in here for senior people has been lost.

Members of staff from RTE take part in a protest at the broadcasters headquarters in Donnybrook (PA/Niall Carson)

RTE News political correspondent Paul Cunningham said there was a cloud hanging over the organisation.

He said the scandal had caused incredible reputation damage.

Mr Cunningham warned that the Government and other politicians would be reluctant to engage in reform of the organisations funding and the television licence fee.

This is something that has happened as a direct result of senior managements failures at this organisation and it is absolutely disgraceful, he said.

Mr Cunningham also raised the issue of freelancers who he said were paid a pittance.

And now we found out there is a special arrangement for special people, he said.

There shouldnt be any special people in this organisation. Its one organisation, all of us are involved and the same rules should apply.

Orla ODonnell, legal affairs correspondent at RTE News (PA/Niall Carson)

RTE News Midlands correspondent Sinead Hussey said the day she got her job at the broadcaster was one of the happiest days of her life.

Im still proud to work for RTE and I think with the staff we have here we can bring the name of this company back to where it should be and restore trust in the Irish people, she said.

And I hope people will support us through this really difficult patch.

The broadcasters legal affairs correspondent said staff cannot believe what happened.

RTE National Union of Journalists members Vincent Kearney (left) and Conor Macauley outside the RTE studio in Belfast (PA/Liam McBurney)

Orla ODonnell said: We want accountability and responsibility from the people who are in charge.

We want them to tell the whole truth on the questions that still remain from this whole affair.

RTE Newss Northern editor and correspondent Vincent Kearney and Conor Macauley protested at a separate demonstration at the organisations Belfast office.

Mr Kearney tweeted: Joining @rtenews colleagues across the island demanding transparency from management on the Ryan Tubridy payments crisis and a pay cap for top earners.
A man aged in his 60s has died in a house fire in Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the property in the Dunmurry area just after 10pm on Monday.

Firefighters performed CPR on the man before the ambulance service arrived.

The fire was extinguished and made safe, with all units leaving the scene shortly before 1am on Tuesday.

The cause of the fire is currently being treated as accidental.
Children seeking international protection who are deemed to be adults by Tusla are being put in risky situations with children as young as 15 living alone in adult accommodation, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Medical charity Safetynet, which provides healthcare to individuals who do not have access to mainstream healthcare, has encountered several children who have been deemed adults, which resulted in a minor being left to sleep rough due to a lack of State-provided shelter at the time.

Safetynets Dr Fiona OReilly said it can take months for a reassessment for age-disputed minors, during which they can be extremely vulnerable and unprotected in adult accommodation.

Dr Alva ODalaigh said the age-disputed minors are in a no mans land, in which they cannot access education or tailored medical supports.

As an example, she said one minor had to access adult mental health services after Camhs refused due to his disputed age, and after attending the adult services, it was said he should seek age-appropriate care.

The charity outlined eight case studies of children placed in adult accommodation, two of whom said they were 15.

Dr OReilly said GPs concluded that they were likely to be the ages they claimed to be based on physical and behavioural maturity.

All requested a reassessment and waited months for this, and most did not yet have it when we spoke with them last. One was successful in having his claimed age accepted however, this occurred just as he turned 18.

"The two 15-year-olds continue to be very vulnerable, with one not managing to feed herself adequately, Dr OReilly said.

The 15-year-old girl remains in adult accommodation and has since been put in accommodation with self-catering facilities for which she receives more funding for groceries.

However, the committee heard that the girl does not have the confidence to shop or cook, while adults within her accommodation have pressured her to give them her additional money.

Dr OReilly said the International Protection Office relies on Tuslas eligibility for services assessment to decide whether to treat the young person as a child or an adult, while the principle of benefit of doubt in favour of the childs claimed age does not currently apply.

At the very least, in the interest of child protection, the young person should be placed in safe accommodation until the age assessment has been fully concluded, including the appeal, she said.

Consultant paediatrician Dr Aoibhinn Walsh said the circumstances surrounding disputed minors are very difficult for healthcare providers to navigate and is leaving children in the most appalling high-risk situations.

Tusla interim chief executive Kate Duggan said some 256 migrant children are currently in its care, and as the number increases, Tusla will be further challenged to respond in a timely and accessible way within existing resources.

Over the last 12 months, there has been a significant and unprecedented increase in the number presenting to, or being referred to this service, which has significantly impacted our ability to respond appropriately, she said.

Ms Duggan also highlighted the risk of putting adults into accommodation or schools with children.

Where there is a concern about their age, or we're not fully assured about their age, we do place them in temporary accommodation arrangements away from minors, she said.

Tusla area manager Lorna Kavanagh said medical assessments are not used in Ireland to determine age like in other countries, but instead, a general intake assessment looks at social history including family structure, their journey undertaken, as well as supporting documentation if available.
It is most disheartening and distressing to see a well-regarded institution like RTE being brought to its knees.

Revelations of sweet side-bar deals, orchestrated to the financial benefit of popular presenter Ryan Tubridy, have sadly undermined public trust and confidence.

RTEs credibility as a state-funded institution is in jeopardy.

The bleakness of it all calls to mind the prescient words of Abraham Lincoln who opined that "reputation is like fine china; once broken, its very hard to repair".

The exorbitance of the salaries of RTE's stars in contrast to the paltry sums paid to the majority of RTEs hard-working staff has often grated with many.

RTE has, since 1962, built up a stellar reputation. Now, the continued goodwill of its viewers is uncertain.

The Future of Media Commission, of which I was a member, invested much of its energies in assessing the future of Public Service Broadcasting.

In particular, much emphasis was placed on the significant and primordial role of RTE as both a transmitter and reflector of Irelands indigenous culture, its unique sporting traditions, along with its impartiality as a news broadcaster.

In the late 1950s, as Ireland tendered for its first national television station, interested investors included the Vatican, Gaelinn, and a Canadian business mogul.

All vied to take control of our national television broadcaster.

Fortunately, the State had learned much from its early attempts at setting up 2RN  later to become Radio Eireann  and knew that if vested interests were to acquire the national station, issues such as impartiality, cultural imperatives, and a whole host of other freedoms would be jeopardised.

In brief, we need RTE to reflect and refract our indigenous culture, allowing us a televisual space all to ourselves, sandwiched as we are between an Anglo-American media culture.

This is why the back-door commercial deal with Ryan Tubridy is so significant; threatening to ruin public confidence and sucking the goodwill from all those who have buffeted and bolstered the organisation for so long.

RTE has long operated in a hybrid manner, carefully straddling a dignified line between its commercial and public service exigencies and responsibilities.

Gradually, as its financial revenue became squeezed ever tighter by pervasive new media and technologies vying for the same advertising space, the commercial arm of RTE began to dominate.

Therein lies the rub.

Oversight

It would appear that the elite of corporate management sold their star to the highest bidder  and not in a transparent way.

In the process, almost akin to the biblical Cain and Abel, the commercial arm has impugned the integrity of the Public Service entity, shattering public trust to the core.

Within The Future of Media Report, under the heading of Accountability and Transparency, it was recommended that from 2022 onwards, the Government should designate RTE (and TG4) as bodies under section 19 of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014.

This would afford both organisations the full benefit of the oversight, advisory, and strategic planning capabilities of the NTMA, NewEra, and National Development Finance Agency.

Furthermore, the Commission recommended that RTE be subject to ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews by NewEra to assess up-to-date trading information.

Moreover, in response to a discussion on salary levels at RTE, the Commission advised that an independent process of benchmarking pay levels at RTE be reviewed in comparison to other Public Service Media within the EU.

Did Management at RTE seek to engage with this report and take on board these recommendations?

In recent days, many callers to RTE Radio 1's Liveline have been threatening to withhold their TV licence fee. Their disquiet and distrust are understandable.

Negotiations of the salaries of the stars at RTE have the resonance of the Gordon Gecko mantra where greed is good.

However, let it be clear.

The talent agents for Tubridy and other stars are just doing their job.

If management at RTE believes its talent will flee to the BBC or across the Atlantic  and is willing to pay excessive sums to keep them compliant  well, thats on RTE.

One can only speculate what deal has been struck with future Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty.

Ultimately, when it comes to other peoples money, we, as taxpayers have been misled by a cosy coterie in RTE who were permitted to run the public broadcaster like their own personal fiefdom and make deals resonant of Wallstreet.

Most recently, ITV has had to conduct its own internal governance and culture review regarding the Philip Schofield revelations, where no one knew for sure, but everyone suspected.

Now, by his own actions, Schofields career is over.

Regarding Tubridy and RTE, the questions asked by the investigative committee in the Watergate scandal seem apt; who knew what, and when did they know it?

Notwithstanding the moral penumbras issue raised by Tubridys willingness to receive top-up payments, deliberately anonymised by RTE to avoid detection, it is ultimately RTE management that must bear full responsibility for this fall from grace of our national broadcaster.

I do not believe Tubridy should be cancelled due to the sins of his employers who paid him way too much and then tried to hide behind a complex labyrinth of financial obfuscation.

This is not a case of show me the money but rather show me the people who sanctioned all of that money.

Eamon de Valera was the first person to speak on Irelands television station in 1962.

He compared the immense power of television to that of an atomic bomb, insisting it could be used for incalculable good but fearful it could also cause irreparable harm.

Due to greed, a lack of financial and corporate governance, and a glaring disconnect with its loyal viewers, our national television station, which has served us so well during the pandemic and throughout many previous historic crises, has allowed irreparable harm to be visited upon it from within its higher echelons.

Accountability

RTE director-general Dee Forbes has now resigned, and as a private citizen, cannot be compelled to attend either the Oireachtas Media Committee or the Public Accounts Committee.

Even if she remained as director-general, she would be mindful of the outcome in Kerins v McGuinness & Ors [2019].

Here, the Supreme Court ruled that the Public Accounts Committee had acted unlawfully in their treatment of the former chief executive officer of Rehab when questioning her regarding public monies received by Rehab.

Any subsequent attempts to compel Ms Kerins failed, leaving much unanswered. Hopefully, this will not be the case with RTE.

The public deserves answers and RTE needs to salvage some of that fine china.

Dr Finola Doyle ONeill is a Broadcast and Legal Historian at the School of History UCC
There was no mistaking the glee in some quarters of politics over the last few days.

RTE, the most influential media outlet in the State, was tucking into humble pie.

For politicians, who have approached the Donnybrook campus with trepidation, wondering whether they will come through a broadcast interview intact, this was one to savour.

For once, the high moral ground could be taken.

Whos having to answer the tough questions now?

The nuances were smothered.

For instance, the scandal enveloping RTE has nothing to do with journalism or a perceived lack of balance or any of the usual whinges about the media, which are writ large with the national broadcaster simply because of its reach.

In fact, the reporting of the story by RTE has been of a high standard and professional.

Still, its the brand that often sticks in the craw and no tears will be shed, no breasts beaten, over the stations current misfortune in Leinster House.

Minister of State Patrick ODonovan at the weekend told RTE just how its going to be, and no doubt it hurt him more than it could ever hurt the national broadcaster.

The station is facing serious hits to its income as a result of all the payments controversy, he said.

Then he suggested that there would be a decrease in money raised from the TV licence fee amid public anger.

It was unclear whether he was predicting that more people would sate their anger by refusing the pay the licence fee, or whether something else would be at work.

He also predicted that the commercial revenues would be hit.

So the Government is going to have to take up the tab and Joe and Mary Public are going to wind up paying for this because it is a fundamental part of our democracy, he said.

Its difficult to discern whether the minister is lecturing to, sympathising with, or feeling anger for Joe and Mary Public on this point, but the question of funding for RTE has just got more desperate.

And this is the question that politicians are going to have to address sooner rather than later.

On Monday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar suggested it might be later.

A technical group which has been reviewing the licence fee has been suspended in light of the current controversies.

To do an in-depth and thorough governance review will take a few months, he said.

Wed rather do it right than do it quickly and in the meantime, were suspending our work on the reform of the TV licence.

This group has been at work since last year and it is unclear why it could not complete its work independent of any investigation into the Ryan Tubridy payments issue.

The funding model for RTE as a public service broadcaster is based on a combination of the licence fee and commercial revenue.

In 2021, the most recent financial year that results have been filed for, RTE received an income of 344m, of which 196m came from the licence fee and 148 from commercial activity.

Tens of millions, reputedly up to 50m, are lost every year through households not paying the fee.

In addition, around 12m goes to the Post Office network for collecting the fee.

Currently, the toll stands at 160 per annum and has not been increased since 2008.

The funding model is completely outdated. It was devised at a time when televisions were as ubiquitous in a household as the kettle.

That is no longer the case. Younger people simply dont watch TV and not-so-young people might dip in now and again.

There is understandable resentment at having to fork out for a licence fee at a time of instant access to a global communications network.

In such a milieu, the concept of public service broadcasting requires greater analysis, particularly in terms of its role in a democracy.

In 2014, plans were at an advanced stage within government to replace the licence fee with a household broadcasting charge which would apply to all homes and cover the use of digital platforms as well as television.

The political earthquake that resulted from resistance to water charges at that time illustrated that the public was particularly opposed to new-fangled tolls, whatever about forking out more on existing taxes or charges.

Reform of the system was once again long-fingered.

Last year, the commission on the future of media issued a wide-ranging report on how to address the challenges facing the media as a whole.

It delivered 49 recommendations, 48 of which the Government accepted.

The odd one out was the proposal to scrap the licence fee in favour of direct funding from the exchequer.

Over 80% of people pay their licence and nobody is going to cut off that source of funding, one government source told the Irish Examiners Elaine Loughlin at the time.





Officially, the reasoning from the Government to retain the fee had a weightier basis, claiming that direct funding might compromise RTEs ability to hold the Government of the day to account and thus impinge on a democratic principle.

The solution arrived at was to go down the tried and trusty route of setting up a review group to examine the issue.

And this week, on foot of an entirely unrelated issue at RTE, the work of that review group, heading into its second year, was suspended.

So while everybody agrees the licence fee system is broken, there is reluctance in the Government to find a way of fixing it that will not involve money being supplied directly from the exchequer.

Emma O Kelly, chair of NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Branch, speaks to members of staff from RTE

Speaking to the Irish Examiner on the appointment of new director general Kevin Bakhurst last April, Dublin City University media academic Roddy Flynn said a solution shouldnt be that difficult.

He suggested that funding could be index linked and provided through an independent body such as the commission which compiled last years report.

Instead, it would appear that the solution is to apply the matter to the long finger, which usually runs until after the next general election.

Now, with the country agog at the latest revelations to emerge from the broadcaster, the Government can be fortified that it has selected the best outcome, which in reality is no outcome at all.
President Joe Biden has insisted neither the United States nor Nato played any role in the turmoil in Russia.

A powerful mercenary group engaging in a short-lived clash with Russias military at the moment Ukraine is trying to gain momentum would seem like something for the US to embrace, but the public response by Washington has been decidedly cautious.

Officials have insisted this was an internal matter for Russia and declined to comment on whether it could affect the war in Ukraine as they look to avoid creating an opening for Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize on the rhetoric of American officials and rally Russians by blaming his Western adversaries.

In this photo taken from video, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his address to the nation in Moscow (Russian Presidential Press Service/AP)

Mr Biden said he held a video call with allies over the weekend and they are all in sync in working to ensure they give Mr Putin no excuse to blame this on the West or Nato.

We made clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it, he said. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system.

Mr Biden and administration officials declined to give an immediate assessment of what the 22-hour uprising by the Wagner Group might mean for Russias 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, Mr Biden said. But its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going.

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 defence and sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

In his first public comments since the rebellion, Mr Putin 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.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhins rebellion.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, looks out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia (AP)

Over the course of a tumultuous weekend in Russia, US 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 US only a bystander, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Michael McFaul, a former US ambassador to Russia, said that Mr Putin in the past has alleged clandestine US 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 US and Nato dont want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin, Mr McFaul said.

Mr Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 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 defence and sovereignty and its territorial integrity.
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 November 13 2022, at a rental home across the street from the University of Idaho campus.

Bryan Kohberger during an earlier court appearanc (Zach Wilkinson/PA)

The deaths shocked the rural Idaho community and neighbouring 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 December 30 2022.

Court documents detailed how police pieced together DNA evidence, mobile phone 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 mobile phone 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 defence 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, defence lawyer 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.

Defence lawyers 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, Mr 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, defence lawyers 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.
The United Nations said on Tuesday that the surging violence in Sudan is likely to drive more than one million refugees out of the African country by October, as the 10-week conflict shows few signs of easing.

Sudan descended into chaos after fighting erupted in mid-April between the military, led by general Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by general Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

Since then, more than 3,000 people have been killed, the countrys health ministry said, while about 2.5 million people have been displaced, according to the UN.

The violence has been most acute in the capital, Khartoum, but also in the western Darfur region, where RSF and Arab militias are reportedly targeting non-Arab tribes , the UN said.

We expect, unfortunately, looking at the trends, that the conflict will continue and that many in Sudan will opt to go to Egypt

Most of those who have escaped have fled east to Chad.

We were talking about 100,000 people in six months (fleeing to) Chad. And now the colleagues in Chad have revised their figures to 245,000, said Raouf Mazou, assistant secretary-general at United Nations High Commission for Refugees, at a news conference in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The province of West Darfur has seen some of the worst violence. In a report last week issued by the Dar Masalit sultanate, the leader of the African Masalit ethnic community accused the RSF and Arab militias of committing genocide against African civilians.

He estimated that more than 5,000 people were killed in the provinces capital, Genena, over the past two months.

So far more than 560,000 Sudanese have escaped to neighbouring countries, with Egypt being the primary destination.

We expect, unfortunately, looking at the trends, that the conflict will continue and that many in Sudan will opt to (go to) Egypt, Mr Mazou said.

Peace negations mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia in the Saudi coastal town of Jeddah have all but broken down.

The talks, which led to at last nine ceasefires, were formally adjourned last week with both mediators publicly criticising the RSF and the army for continually violating agreed truces.

Throughout the conflict, residential areas and hospitals in Khartoum have been pounded by army airstrikes, while RSF troops, who have the upper hand on the citys streets, have commandeered civilian homes across the capital and turned them into bases.

Sexual violence, including the rape of women and girls, has been reported in Khartoum and Darfur. Almost all reported cases of sexual attacks were blamed on the RSF, which has not responded to repeated requests for comment.

Late on Monday, the RSF said it would establish an internal body to assess and punish paramilitary troops accused of violations and misconduct.
Several dozen Myanmar regime troops, including battalion commanders, have surrendered to the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) and anti-regime resistance groups in southeastern Kayah State near the Thai border in the largest such surrender since the popular war against the junta broke out in 2021.

A battalion commander, his deputy and troops from the regimes Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 430 guarding Border Milepost No. 13 in Kayah (Karenni) States Maese Township on the Myanmar-Thai border surrendered to allied Karenni resistance forces on Friday, according to sources on the resistance side.

NUG Defense Ministry Secretary U Naing Htoo Aung also confirmed the surrender of LIB 430 soldiers including the commander and deputy commander.

They had notified [us] that they would leave behind their weapons and come out of their base, he told The Irrawaddy.

He said a regime battalion guarding an outpost in Nangmar Village in the north of Maese also surrendered.

Fighting has raged in Maese since allied resistance forces carried out simultaneous attacks on junta outposts near the Thai border and on the Maese police station on June 13.

Among the resistance forces fighting the regime in Maese are the Karenni Army, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, Karen National Liberation Army (the armed wing of the Karen National Union) and Peoples Defense Force of the shadow NUG. Two Karenni Border Guard Force units that were previously under the command of the Myanmar military switched sides and fought alongside the resistance forces.

The NUG defense secretary refused to say how many troops surrendered, citing security concerns for those who gave themselves up, but said on Tuesday that some regime soldiers had notified Kayah resistance groups and taken refuge with them.

It could be called the largest surrender so far, said U Naing Htoo Aung.

Sources from the Karenni resistance said 21 soldiers manning the outpost at the Thai-Myanmar Border Milepost No. 13 surrendered on Friday and their weapons were seized.

Including those surrendering at other outposts, they suggested the total number surrendering could be nearly 100.

The Irrawaddy has not been able to independently verify the claim.

Following the surrender of regime troops at Border Milepost No.13, combined Karenni resistance forces have taken control of Maese town, according to the Karenni military central information committee.

Since then, the junta has responded by sending at least five columns of troops from Loikaw and Demoso to Maese, but allied Karenni resistance forces have intercepted them in Hpasawng Township, where around 400 junta soldiers are attempting to cross the Salween River.

On Sunday, a regime air strike in Hpasawng killed four civilians, according to the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) assistance group.
Four male civilians were killed in Hpasawng, southern Kayah State, in Myanmar regime airstrikes on Sunday, according to the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) assistance group.

Fighter jets attacked near Naakae village, where the team was helping displaced families.

FBR is a multi-ethnic humanitarian organization working with pro-democracy groups. It also operates in Iraq and Sudan.

Multiple passes by multiple jet fighters killed four fleeing civilians, tweeted David Eibank, the FBR head.

An FBR video shows civilians, including children, screaming when the jets appear while they are taking part in the FBRs Good Life Club program.

The village church and some houses were destroyed by the airstrike, according to FBR.

Clashes in Hpasawng Township broke out last week and over 6,000 civilians have since left their homes.

On Saturday, a civilian in Hpasawng Township was killed by a regime airstrike, FBR reported.

A Karenni Civil Society Network spokesman said the displaced civilians are hungry.

Some fled to Thailand. Some are hiding along the border. The Thai government does not accept refugees, so they cannot stay in Thailand for long, he told The Irrawaddy.

Hpasawng and Mese townships, where the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front is based, have experienced relatively few clashes compared to other townships in the resistance stronghold of Kayah State. But fighting has escalated since June 13 when junta jets attacked Mese Township. Thousands of civilians have since left their homes.
The Burma Medical Association (BMA) has called on governments and international organizations to urgently provide cross-border assistance, humanitarian aid and healthcare to people in need in Myanmar.

In a statement, it called on the international community to ensure safe and secure provision of healthcare for people in Myanmar through the provision of cross-border assistance by all ways and means and to collaborate with local organizations to accomplish this goal.

The BMA released the statement after its 11th conference on June 23 and 24 on Thai-Myanmar border.

The association, led by internationally renowned physician Dr Cynthia Maung, has been at the forefront of health policy development and capacity building for healthcare services in ethnic areas of Myanmar for nearly 30 years.

The BMA statement also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including medical professionals, detained by the Myanmar military junta.

Since the 2021 military coup, the regime has killed, arrested and sued medical workers for allegedly participating in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) by refusing to work under the military regime.

At least 70 healthcare workers were killed and 836 were detained by the junta between the coup in February 2021 and March 2023, according to the National Unity Government (NUG)s Ministry of Health.

The junta also banned CDM healthcare workers from leaving the country or working at private hospitals and clinics.

Junta troops conduct regular searches of private hospitals and clinics for healthcare workers suspected of being linked to the CDM.

Last May, the licenses of three hospitals in Mandalay were revoked for allegedly employing medical staff who participated in the CDM.

After the coup, the junta revoked the licenses of 557 doctors countrywide who were linked to the CDM, according to the NUG.

Hospitals and clinics in resistance areas have also been targeted by junta warplanes and ground troops.

At least 188 raids and attacks on hospitals and clinics in conflict areas have occurred as of February 28, the NUGs Health Ministry reported.

The BMA statement calls on governments to reject recognizing the military regime as the legitimate government of Myanmar.

The BMA works with ethnic health organizations, civil society, and national and international health organizations to provide healthcare in conflict-affected communities. It has four clinics in Karen State: in Hlaingbwe, Myawaddy, Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik townships.

More than 1.5 million people have been displaced since the coup and more than five million children in Myanmar are in dire need of humanitarian aid in Myanmar, according to UNICEF.
Myanmars largest micro lender, Pact Global Microfinance Fund (PGMF), began closing its operations in the country late Monday and will cease them altogether on Friday, saying demands by the junta had made it impossible to continue its efforts to serve low-income households, including those with no access to the formal banking system.

We have sadly concluded that we can no longer operate in the country despite working diligently over the last two years to persuade the government in Myanmar to allow the organization to continue serving hundreds of thousands of borrowers and savers, said Ellen Varney, Chair of the Board of the PGMF.

PGMF is the microfinance unit of PACT, an international nongovernmental organization (NGO).

In its statement, PGMF said new regulations, as well the demands of the regime to hand over its assets, made it impossible to continue operating in Myanmar.

The Myanmar Registration Law, enacted by the junta in 2022, imposes criminal penalties, including imprisonment, on NGOs for not complying with its registration rules.

It also forbids NGOs from offering microfinance in Myanmar.

The regime refused to allow the non-profit micro lender to register as a commercial entity, which could have allowed it to continue to provide microfinance loans under the new law.

It had been told by junta authorities that if it agreed to share its profits and give all of its assets to the regime in the future it could continue to operate, according to PGMF.

These demands would have put PGMF in breach of U.S. sanctions on the junta.

PGMF announced its closure after forgiving more than US$156 million in outstanding loans to 890,000 borrowers and setting aside money to repay investors.

The fund has been providing micro loans, primarily to women in rural areas, for more than 25 years.

It will cease all of its operation in Myanmar on June 30, the deadline imposed by the junta for it to comply with its new regulations.

By denying us the ability to register, the government has forced us to either leave or to operate illegally, said Ellen Varney.

PGMF also said that its future was threatened last year when the regime banned new loans to any clients.

Visas for the PMGFs senior leadership were denied, and also it faced strict foreign-exchange controls that effectively block external transactions, including interest payments to its creditors.

Microfinance organizations are not permitted to make payments on principal for any foreign debt.

PGMF has set aside money to repay its investors. It is now up to the junta to approve the repayments.

Over its more than 25 years in Myanmar, it has reached 15,000 villages and had more than 2.3 million clients, 99 percent of whom were woman.

A major investor in PMGF, the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets, said it had a strong social mission to help alleviate poverty in Myanmar and increase financial inclusion.

This is demonstrated by its successful group lending approach, its outreach to rural areas (85%), the percentage of female borrowers (98%), and its well-developed training programmes for clients. Each client attends non-formal business education classes where they learn how to save and use their loans to develop and grow their income-generating activities, the Swiss fund said, adding:

In Myanmar, nearly a third of the population is completely excluded from formal financial services.
Three companies owned by a Myanmar arms dealer with ties to the children of Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing are being dissolved, according to regime media.

The companies being wound up are Star Sapphire Phoenix Co Ltd, Star Sapphire Dragon Co Ltd, and Royal Mawtaung Mining Co Ltd.

All three are subsidiaries of the Star Sapphire Group of Companies owned by Tun Min Latt, an arms dealer to the Myanmar military regime who was arrested last year in Thailand on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.

Star Sapphire Group has numerous joint ventures with the countrys two military-owned conglomerates, Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), sources said. It has also brokered imports of Israeli reconnaissance drones and aircraft parts for the Myanmar Air Force.

Tun Min Latt, 53, was arrested along with three Thai nationals in Bangkok in September last year. They face narcotics and money laundering charges. Over 200 million baht (US$5.4 million) worth of drugs and other items were confiscated from the suspects, the Thai police said.

Ma Yadanar Maung from Justice For Myanmar, an activist group campaigning for justice and accountability, said the companies are being dissolved in an attempt to circumvent sanctions, which so far do not extend to the whole Star Sapphire network and all individuals.

 It could also be that their business is in trouble because of sanctions and the criminal charges laid against Tun Min Latt and his associates, which hurt Star Sapphires business as a whole. Its important for everyone to stay vigilant and keep up the pressure on Star Sapphire Group and all other crony conglomerates and arms brokers, including with coordinated sanctions against whole networks, said she.

The US imposed sanctions on Star Sapphire Group, Star Sapphire Trading Company Ltd, Star Sapphire Group Pte Ltd, and two of their owners, Tun Min Latt and his wife Win Min Soe, in March this year. The UK also sanctioned Star Sapphire Group in August 2022.

The head office of Star Sapphire Phoenix Co Ltd is located in Yangons Bahan Township, according newspaper notices. The two other companies being shuttered are headquartered in Ottarathiri Township, Naypyitaw. The notices said Star Sapphire Phoenix was dissolved on June 16, Royal Mawtaung Mining on June 2, and Star Sapphire Dragon on June 9.

Among the directors and shareholders of the companies are Tun Min Latts wife Daw Win Min Soe and Htet Aung, son of retired Brigadier-General Zin Yaw.

Min Aung Hlaings daughter, Khin Thiri Thet Mon, was a co-founder of Royal Mawtaung Mining Co Ltd, previously known as Star Thiri Investment Ltd. She however reportedly resigned from the companys board of directors in 2020.

Tun Min Latts deep ties to Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaings family were revealed when Thai police found bankbooks and title deeds to a luxury condominium owned by Khin Thiri Thet Mon and her brother Aung Pyae Sone among items seized during the raid in September. Both Khin Thiri Thet Mon and Aung Pyae Sone have been sanctioned by the US and Canada.

In April, Min Aung Hlaing personally asked Thai authorities to drop his daughters name from the court case against Tun Min Latt.

Justice for Myanmar urged Thai authorities to seize the assets of Min Aung Hlaings daughter and son and investigate whether they benefited from the proceeds of crime, while blocking junta members, their families and enablers from accessing Thai banks and purchasing assets in Thailand.
A teenage Myanmar resistance fighter sacrificed his life along with two other comrades while attempting to rescue his father, a resistance leader, from regime forces in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region on Monday.

U Thet Khaing, a respected 50-year-old teacher turned resistance fighter, was on solo patrol in his Pa Rein Ma village in southwestern Myaung Township when he was caught by junta troops at around 4.30 am on Monday, said Ko Phoe Si, a leader of Myaung Township Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

U Thet Khaing was the father of two young resistance members, aged 16 and 19, as well as a leader of the Myaung Special Peoples Defense Force (MSPDF), which forms Sagaing District PDF Battalion 4 under the civilian National Unity Governments Defense Ministry.

Ko Phoe Si told The Irrawaddy that his resistance comrade Sayar (teacher) Thet Khaing was secretly snatched by junta soldiers as he patrolled in the village.

The soldiers opened fire on resistance members as they abducted the MSPDF leader.

Heavy clashes erupted late the same morning when the MSPDF joined with other local resistance groups in a rescue operation, intercepting junta troops as they returned to their military base at nearby Kyauk Yit village.

Junta forces responded with heavy weaponry, killing the MSPDF leaders eldest son, Ko Lin Lin, 19, and two of his resistance combatants, said Ko Phoe Si.

Ko Lin Lin had helped coordinate the rescue attempt despite being banned from using weapons due to his emotions over the arrest of his father, according to resistance sources.

His resistance comrades said Ko Lin Lin launched a courageous lone attack on the junta column in a desperate attempt to save his father. Regime troops pinpointed his location and fired back with explosive munitions, said Ko Phoe Si.

However, junta troops had already killed the detained resistance leader and dumped his body before running into the resistance ambush.

U Thet Khaing was beaten before being shot twice in the chest, said Ko Phoe Si, who helped retrieve the body.

The teacher had led peaceful anti-regime protests in the area following the 2021 coup.

After the junta launched a lethal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, U Thet Khaing was among the first locals to take up arms and join the revolution in early 2021.

He respected and took care of all resistance members and all PDF groups based here. So he was popular and respected among us, said Ko Phoe Si, who cooperated with U Thet Khaing on anti-regime operations in Myaung Township.

Funerals for the four resistance fighters were held on Tuesday.
The conflict in Myanmar rages on as the coup leaders struggle to maintain territorial control and establish their regime as the countrys legitimate governing authority. The pro-democracy resistances National Unity Government (NUG) continues an uphill battle as well, with repeated calls for its de jure recognition and complete isolation of the junta falling on deaf ears, especially in Myanmars home region.

On the foreign policy front, the military junta and pro-democracy resistance are now locked in a diplomatic stalemate. Under international law, the junta cannot be the legitimate ruling authority of Myanmar as long as pro-democracy Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun continues to occupy Myanmars seat the United Nations. Likewise, the NUG cannot win de jure status as the countrys government until it sits in the junta-occupied capital Naypyitaw. For the resistance, the only way out is througha complete military victory against the juntas troops, with the capitulation of Naypyitaw.

Resistance foreign policy should ideally be distilled down to one simple goal: to direct all diplomatic effort towards acquiring every form of assistance possible for winning the revolutionary war.

The key to resistance military victory lies with Myanmars neighbors. All vital components for defeating the juntalogistics for arms and munitions, funding for resistance troops, and humanitarian aid for civilians displaced by fightingdepend heavily on the policies of Myanmars neighbors. Their policies depend in turn on developments in border areas that are home to ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs).

Yet, the NUGs foreign policymaking process thus far seems to indicate low levels of coordination and consultation with the EROs.

Of the nine Myanmar states and regions that are located along the countrys borders, seven are ERO territories. The majority of official border trade posts are located in ethnic states. Unofficial border crossings through ERO territories are also critical routes for arms and supplies for all resistance troops, including the NUG-led Peoples Defense Force (PDF). Moreover, EROs decades-old relationships with neighboring authorities across the borders have enabled pro-democracy leaders to seek refuge and operate with relative freedom in some neighboring countries. And the latters key interestsborder security, bilateral trade and investment, cross-border relationswhich depend on EROs, are all determinants of their policies towards Myanmar.

Why then, is there a distinct lack of foreign policy coordination between the NUG and EROs and even among EROs themselves? The answer lies in the centralized foreign policymaking culture inherited from six decades of authoritarian rule.

Under successive military regimes, Myanmars foreign policymaking became centralized and focused almost solely on state-level diplomatic relations, with all defense and security related decision-making conducted exclusively by the military. Inter-ministerial and inter-agency cooperation on diplomacy was also rare, leaving relevant issues such as foreign investment, trade and commerce, energy, technology, and civil society concerns out of the foreign policy calculus.

Through no fault of its own, the NUG has inherited this centralized and siloed foreign policymaking culture, devoid of inclusive stakeholder participation and consideration of the diverse instruments of state power applied in diplomacy. This has been a stumbling block to further progress in diplomacy for the pro-democracy movement, especially where it concerns the indispensable role of EROs in engaging neighboring countries.

To fix it, resistance leaders from the NUG and EROs will need to collaborate and recalibrate their current foreign policy direction. The NUG will need to forego resource consuming attempts at de jure recognition of the NUG and total isolation of the juntaboth are next to impossible. All efforts in diplomacy should instead be directed at winning the war against the junta. This requires either covert or open support from Myanmars neighbors in terms of humanitarian aid, transportation routes for weapons and equipment, and both military and diplomatic intelligence on the junta.

The formation of an informal but efficient federal international relations team led by EROs, unencumbered by formalities and procedures, would be a good start. The EROs are better positioned to lead the team, given their pivotal roles in respective bilateral relations and the armed resistance in general. It will also free up scarce human resources for the NUGs foreign policy team, an efficient division of labor, as long as strong levels of coordination are maintained between the NUGs team and the federal international relations team. While the ethnically diverse National Unity Consultative Council already has a commendable Joint Coordination Committee on Foreign Affairs, it is a mechanism requiring broad-based consensus that can take time, especially where it concerns urgency in implementation.

The primary task of the federal international relations team will be to push, through any channel available, for the establishment of effective lines of communication between the resistance leadership and key foreign policy decisionmakers in neighboring countries. Seeking out participation in existing spaces for informal diplomacy such as the Track 1.5 and 2 fora, civil society engagement platforms, humanitarian aid networks, and the sidelines of both global and regional multilateral meetings, would be the first step. To do so, the international relations team will need to mobilize the human resources and communication networks necessary for productive participation in such spaces. This will include the mobilization of ethnic minority and Bamar-majority teams with diverse technical skills and resource networks, grouped accordingly for bilateral relations or specific issues to be worked on.

The secondary task of the team will be to convince neighboring governments (especially China, India and Thailand) of two things: (1) that complete removal of the junta is the only way to bring stability to Myanmar; and (2) that to protect the countries long-term interests in Myanmar, supporting the resistance now is a more rational move than continuing engagement with the failing junta.

The first, concerning stability in a post-junta Myanmar, is a major concern for countries in the region. Myanmars neighbors are especially fearful of the worst-case scenario of a full-blown civil war breaking out among various armed groups after the fall of the junta. Cruel as it may sound, for neighboring countries their security (the safety and prosperity of their citizens) come before the tragic suffering of the Myanmar people. By this cold, pragmatic calculation, they will prefer dealing with what has been a familiar entity to them for decadesthe militarythan the less familiar forces that will fill the vacuum of state security and authority after the junta is defeated.

However, the same neighbors and regional powers are also discerning enough to realize that the military junta will eventually fall. This provides an in-road for the federal international relations team. The work of the team of NUG and ERO leaders will be to collectively convince neighboring countries, with concrete evidence, that the power vacuum left by the junta will be filled by a relatively much more stable (and capable) interim government. A full federal democracy charter implementation is not necessary and is, at this stage, impossible. Allaying fears of a nationwide civil war, and the intensification in spill-over of the conflict, can start by addressing pragmatic concerns such as troop deployments and tentative territorial division post-junta. Broadly speaking, the EROs and Bamar-majority leaders need to sell their vision of federal democracy, communicate the level of progress on federal affairs, and convince external parties that there will be a relatively much more stable federal system than what currently exists under junta rule.

The second case to make to neighboring governments, that supporting the pro-democracy resistance now is the more rational strategic choice to protect long-term interests in Myanmar, is a task that will require extensive discussions, negotiations and a great deal of compromise between neighboring governments and the EROs. Pertinent issues will include border security, migration, transportation infrastructure, resource extraction, trade, and foreign investment policies for a post-junta Myanmar. Decision-making on these issues is beyond the purview of the NUG and fall under the remit of the EROs located in border regions. The respective EROs are now de facto regional authorities and, under the federal system envisioned in the Federal Democracy Charter, will either transition into de jure regional governments or occupy leadership positions in said governments.

The recent statement on Myanmar by Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailands election-winning Move Forward Party (MFP), further proves that the aforementioned issues on bilateral relations take precedence over human rights concerns. The closing paragraph of the statement acknowledged the multi-dimensional challenges of the Myanmar dilemma and cited very pragmatic concerns for Thailand arising from it such as the burden of refugees and migrants, energy security, arms trafficking, human trafficking, health hazards, and drug smugglingall of which create problems for Thailand.

To his credit, the prime ministerial candidate has stood apart from political leaders in neighboring countries with his vocal support for the plight of the Myanmar people. All of the above is not to argue that the MFP will not stand on its principles of democracy and human rights. They are merely to stress the necessity for resistance leadersNUG and EROsto present a united front and have some very pragmatic discussion points ready for what will hopefully be a new MFP-led coalition government in Thailand. Resistance leaders, especially those from the National League for Democracy (NLD), will recall that the NLD itself had to make hard choices and compromise many of its principles in the name of pragmatism, in both domestic and foreign policy, once it came to power in 2016. Such is the nature of power, politics and diplomacy.

Lastly, the case can also be made to neighboring governments that it will be mutually beneficial for them to start strengthening their respective relationships with the EROs. A cursory glance at the Federal Democracy Charter shows that ERO-led state governments and legislatures will exercise a high degree of autonomy in decision-making on foreign investment, resource extraction, taxation, and state securityall of which have direct impact on bilateral trade, investment, and transboundary security with neighboring countries. The formation of a federal international relations team, its work on bilateral relations and regional diplomacy during the Spring Revolution can be the beginning of an inclusive federal foreign policymaking in Myanmar. Foreign policymaking in a post-junta Myanmar, whether in the transitional period or under a federal democratic system, will be an entirely different, multi-dimensional, and complex process.

Dewi Myint is a Myanmar foreign policy analyst based in the Asia-Pacific.
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.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Biden administration has reverted to the longstanding practice of not funding Israeli institutions in the Palestinian West Bank. AFP reports that State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, engaging in bilateral scientific and technological cooperation with Israel in geographic areas which came under the administration of Israel after 1967 and which remain subject to final-status negotiations is inconsistent with US foreign policy.

Rebekah Yeager-Malkin at The Jurist points out that in the 1970s, Washington established three foundations to promote cooperation between the US and Israel in scientific research. These are, she says, the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD), the Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation (BARD).

The major Israeli research institution in the Palestinian West Bank, Ariel University, was built on land stolen from Palestinian families, and it had been the major beneficiary there of BIRD, BSF and BARD research monies.

President Donald Trump had more or less recognized the Palestinian West Bank as Israel, the same position as is taken by right-wingers in the Israeli government. Trump broke with US policy as it had been pursued since 1967, when Israel opportunistically seized the Palestinian West Bank and the Gaza Strip, making the Palestinians stateless and without basic human rights, including the right to own property securely. One Israeli squatter of US heritage was caught on video trying to steal a Palestinian home, and when he was rebuked by the rightful owner, he replied, If I dont steal it somebody else will.

This decision by the Biden administration appears to have been taken two years ago, but it was not implemented in the run-up to the 2022 midterms. It was only communicated to the Israeli government this weekend, and confirmed by Miller on Monday.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Middle East Eye: US condemns Israeli settler rampage on Palestinian towns in occupied West Bank

Haaretz notes that the European Union also wont fund squatter Israeli institutions on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

In international law, occupying enemy territory during wartime is not forbidden. However, the Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 envision occupation as lasting for a brief duration during the war. They do not provide for it to last 56 years. In fact, they forbid the occupying power from making any significant changes in the lifeways of the occupied population. It is also forbidden to transfer people from the occupying nation into the occupied territory. That is a war crime, of which Israel is guilty on several hundred thousand counts.

Israels occupation, I would argue, is by now illegal on the face of it, as are most Israeli actions in the West Bank. The ongoing blockade and siege waged against the Gaza Strip, a form of collective punishment that harms children and other noncombatants, is also illegal.

The Israelis have since 1967 locked several hundred thousand Palestinians out of the West Bank. Those who remain face a maze of Israeli checkpoints and must constantly be showing their papers. Their olive trees are cut down, their crops sabotaged, their property further stolen. South Africans who lived under Apartheid there and who have visited the West Bank say, appalled, that the situation for Palestiians under Israeli rule is much worse that what Blacks faced under South African Apartheid.

In recent days, Israeli squatters on Palestinian property have gone wilding, with thousands rampaging into Palestinian hamlets, setting fires and shooting them up. Only five of these black shirts have even been charged by the Israeli state. The Biden administration at least condemned these pogroms.

The least the US government can do is refuse to be a party to this Apartheid situation, toward which this decision is a small step. But it is mainly symbolic. If the Biden administration wanted to do the right thing and was serious about a two-state solution (which by now is probably impossible), they would stop exercising their veto on Israels behalf at the UN Security Council. Israels law-breaking is so egregious that the UNSC would certainly place it under economic sanctions if the US didnt block that step.

But dont hold your breath.
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( Middle East Monitor )  Israels nationalist-religious government approved the construction of 5,700 additional illegal housing units for Jewish settlers in the Occupied West Bank on Monday, despite US pressure to halt settlement expansion that Washington sees as an obstacle to peace with Palestinians, Reuters reports.

The plans for approval of the housing units in various areas of the West Bank were approved by Israels Supreme Planning Council. Jewish settler leadership praised the decision.

I thank the Israeli government for the continued development of Israeli settlement, the head of the West Bank Gush Etzion Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Neman, said. Especially in these difficult days, this is the most appropriate Zionist answer to all those who seek our help.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: Israeli illegal settlements: Israel ramps up construction of settler outposts

Most countries deem the settlements, built on land captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as illegal. Their presence is one of the fundamental issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as their capital. Israeli settlers cite Jewish historic connections to the land. Peace talks that had been brokered by the United States have been frozen since 2014.

Since entering office in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition has approved the promotion of more than 7,000 new housing units, most deep in the West Bank.

The Israeli government is pushing us at an unprecedented pace towards the full annexation of the West Bank, the settlement watchdog, Peace Now, said in a statement.
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By Sam Varvastian, Cardiff University | 

Plastic pollution has become such major problem that its threatening our human rights. Thats the view of two UN special rapporteurs (human rights advisers) who recently issued a joint statement, warning against the overwhelming toxic tidal wave of plastic endangering us and the environment in a myriad of ways over its life cycle. They called for urgent action on dealing with this global crisis.

Such a call could not be timelier, as governments have achieved disappointingly little so far. Yes, most restrict single-use plastic bags, or some other type of single-use plastics. But such measures are clearly not enough.

Even the UN treaty on plastic pollution, which has been agreed in principle and is currently being negotiated, is unlikely to produce fundamental change, at least in the short term. And there is no guarantee any new measures it leads to would have a different fate from the many existing plastic pollution laws that governments fail to implement.

Amid growing concerns over plastic pollution and weak governmental response to it, individuals and communities have been seeking action by resorting to courts. I recently published an academic study on the global tug of war over plastic going on in courts in more than 30 countries.

I found lots of different approaches. Some argue that their governments do not implement the existing laws. For instance, a group in the Philippines has persuaded the countrys supreme court to review the governments implementation of solid waste management law.

Others claim that their governments do not consider the impacts of plastic pollution when allowing new factories making plastic products. One group of Maori in New Zealand recently appealed a decision to expand a billion-bottle-per-year water plant.

Some seek compensation from plastic-producing companies for dumping waste into rivers, such as the Texas residents who won a US$50 million (39 million) settlement after finding billions of plastic pellets in their local waterways.

Local governments are also increasingly turning to courts claiming that businesses deceptively market their plastic products as recyclable. Cases like these send a clear message to the governments and businesses that individuals and communities are concerned about the impacts of plastic pollution and want more decisive action to stop it.

But at the same time, all these cases are only one part of the picture. Increasing restrictions on plastic products also result in claims brought by businesses that oppose such measures, including the producers of plastic products as well as supermarkets and restaurants, and ask the courts to quash them.



Image by Rosy from Pixabay

Cases where businesses argue that restrictions on plastic products cause economic loss or are scientifically unsubstantiated are very common throughout the world.

Businesses also regularly challenge provinces or cities that adopt additional restrictions to the ones imposed by national authorities. Such cases send the message that our society is still massively dependent on plastic products, and so measures to address plastic pollution need to be systemic.

The role of courts in tackling plastic pollution

The courts involvement has direct consequences for any attempts to tackle this global crisis and for action on environmental and health protection more generally. For example, businesses might be able to persuade a court to declare local anti-plastic pollution measures invalid.

This happened in Mexico recently when the nations supreme court ruled a ban on single-use plastics by the state of Oaxaca was unconstitutional. The success of such cases can prompt other businesses to challenge local environmental and health protection measures.

On the other hand, if a court upholds such measures, other local governments may decide to follow the example of their neighbours and introduce such measures as well. If anti-plastic pollution measures already exist, they can be used to persuade the courts that further action should be taken.

Similarly, by holding businesses accountable for pollution resulting from various stages of plastic life cycle, courts help protect vulnerable individuals and communities from various human rights violations caused by plastic pollution.

No single country has a comprehensive response to plastic pollution. But many are gradually tightening up measures on single-use plastics which moves the world closer towards a comprehensive regulatory response to this crisis.

Courts will undoubtedly continue playing an important role in this process. Those concerned about plastic pollution will keep pressing for tighter regulation, while those who oppose regulation will have more restrictions to challenge.

Dont have time to read about climate change as much as youd like?



Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversations environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 20,000+ readers whove subscribed so far.

Sam Varvastian, Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
POSITIVE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY AT THE DOROPO GOLD PROJECT

Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") work underway assessing upside opportunities

PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Centamin ("Centamin" or "the Company") (LSE:CEY)(TSX:CEE) is pleased to provide the outcomes of the pre-feasibility study ("PFS") at its Doropo Gold Project ("Doropo") located in north-eastern Cote d'Ivoire, including maiden Mineral Reserves estimate, detailed project parameters and economics, with identified upside opportunities for evaluation during the definitive feasibility study ("DFS").

MARTIN HORGAN, CEO, commented: "The results from the Doropo PFS demonstrate an economically robust project that meets Centamin's hurdle rates to proceed with a definitive feasibility study. A life of mine average production rate of approximately 175kozpa at US$1,000/oz AISC over 10 years delivering an IRR of 26% at a gold price of US$1,600/oz in a well-established mining jurisdiction represents an excellent outcome. We have identified opportunities to further optimise the project which will be assessed as part of the DFS which is scheduled for completion in mid-2024. A substantial part of the DFS fieldwork has already been completed in 2023 which derisks the timeline to completion and further confirms our faith in the potential of Doropo to support a commercially viable project which will bring significant investment and job creation to northeastern Cote d'Ivoire."

HIGHLIGHTS[1]

Maiden Mineral Reserve Estimate of 1.87 million ounces ("Moz") of Probable Mineral Reserves, at an average grade of 1.44 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"), supporting a 10-year life of mine ("LOM")

Average annual gold production of 173koz over the LOM, with an average of 210koz in the first five years

All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of US$1,017 per ounce ("/oz") sold over the LOM, with an average AISC of US$963/oz for the first five years

The mine plan assumes conventional open pit mining of a sequence of shallow pits

Mineral processing via a 4.0 to 5.5 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") semi-autogenous grinding ("SAG") mill, ball mill and crusher ("SABC") circuit, and conventional carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit for an average LOM gold metallurgical recovery rate of 92%

Total construction capital expenditure ("capex") of US$349 million, inclusive of a 10% contingency, with a 2.3 year payback [2] at a US$1,600/oz gold price

at a US$1,600/oz gold price Robust economics with a post-tax net present value of US$330 million and internal rate of return ("IRR") of 26%, using 5% discount rate ("NPV 5% ") and US$1,600/oz gold price (Discount rate and gold price sensitivity table available below)

") and US$1,600/oz gold price (Discount rate and gold price sensitivity table available below) Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") and environmental and social impact assessment ("ESIA") completion expected in H1 2024 ahead of mining license submission deadline

Upside opportunities identified for potential resource and reserve growth and improvements to capital and operating expenditure estimates

The Company will host a webcast presentation of the Doropo project with the interim financial results on Wednesday, 26 July at 08.30 BST (UK time) Link to print-friendly version of the announcement including PFS cash flow summary table

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY

Units Years 1-5 LOM PHYSICALS Mine life Years 5 10 Total ore processed kt 22,138 40,554 Strip ratio w:o 3.9 4.1 Feed grade processed g/t Au 1.59 1.44 Gold recovery % 92.6% 92.4% Total gold production koz 1,048 1,729 PRODUCTION & COSTS Annual gold production oz 210 173 Cash costs US$/oz 813 869 AISC US$/oz 963 1,017 PROJECT ECONOMICS (post-tax and at US$1,600/oz) Construction capital expenditure US$m 349 Cash flow US$m 526 NPV 5% US$m 330 IRR % 26% Payback period years 2.3

POST-TAX NET PRESENT VALUE (US$M) SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Gold price Discount rate US$1,500/oz US$1,600/oz US$1,700/oz US$1,800/oz US$1,900/oz US$2,000/oz 5% 248 330 428 526 624 701 6% 222 300 393 486 579 652 7% 198 272 360 448 536 606 8% 176 247 330 414 497 563 9% 156 223 302 382 461 524 10% 137 201 276 352 428 487

PROJECT CASH FLOW SUMMARY: link

WEBCAST PRESENTATION

The Company will host a webcast presentation with the interim results on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 08.30 BST to discuss the results and Doropo Gold Project, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

Webcast link: https://www.investis-live.com/centamin/64632d444170900d004d0607/luboPRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION of the announcement: www.centamin.com/media/companynews.

DOROPO GOLD PROJECT PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY

OVERVIEW

The Doropo Gold Project is in the northeast of Cote d'Ivoire, situated in the north-eastern Bounkani region between the Comoe National Park and the international border with Burkina Faso, 480km north of the capital Abidjan and 50km north of the city of Bouna.

The license holding is currently 1,847 km2 and covers thirteen gold deposits, named Souwa, Nokpa, Chegue Main, Chegue South, Tchouahinin, Kekeda, Han, Enioda, Hinda, Nare, Kilosegui, Attire and Vako. Approximately 85% of the gold deposits are concentrated within a 7km radius ("Main Resource Cluster"), with Vako and Kilosegui deposits located within an approximate 15km and 30km radius, respectively.

Geologically, Doropo lies entirely within the Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite domain, bounded on the eastern side by the Boromo-Batie greenstone belt, in Burkina Faso, and by the Tehini-Hounde greenstone belt on the west.

MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES

The PFS is based on the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate for Doropo published in November 2022 (link to regulatory announcement here). The maiden Mineral Reserve estimate has converted 74% of Mineral Resource ounces to Mineral Reserves.

There is potential for additional resource conversion and further resource growth. Several exploration targets have been identified across the license holding which have the potential to increase the resource and reserve base.

Detailed Mineral Resource and Reserve notes can be found within the Endnotes.

Jun-23 Tonnage (Mt) Grade

(g/t) Gold Content (Moz) MINERAL RESERVES Proven - - - Probable 40.55 1.44 1.87 P&P Reserves 40.55 1.44 1.87 MINERAL RESOURCES (including reserves) Measured - - - Indicated 51.51 1.52 2.52 M+I Resources 51.51 1.52 2.52 Inferred 13.67 1.14 0.5

MINING

 11 years of mining operations, including pre-commercial works

 LOM 4.1x strip ratio (waste to ore)

 24 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") peak total material movement

The relatively shallow deposits will be mined using a conventional drill, blast, load and haul open pit operation. The basis for the PFS is a contract mining operation, delivering up to 5.4 Mtpa of ore to the run of mine ("ROM") pad and stockpiles annually, with variation based on the location and the combination of oxide, transition and fresh ore mined. The project plans to mine 41Mt of ore to be fed into the process plant and 166Mt of waste over the life of mine.

PROCESSING

 Free milling gold leads to conventional closed SAG/ball mill and CIL flowsheet

 Mill capacity 5.5Mtpa (oxide/transition ore), 4.0Mtpa (fresh ore)

 Averaging 92% gold recovery over the LOM

Flowsheet development has been supported by extensive metallurgical test work at the PFS stage. The results showed high gold extractions and low reagent consumption results in most fresh rock master composites tested and excellent gold extraction in oxide and transitional master composite samples. As a result the flowsheet has been simplified by removing the pyrite flotation, ultrafine grind circuit and subsequent flotation concentrate leaching circuits which were assumed in the 2021 preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") flowsheet.

Processing at Doropo will involve primary crushing and grinding of the mined ore, using SAG and ball mills in closed circuits to a target grind size (P 80 ) of 75 microns (m) for fresh ore and 106 m for oxide and transition ore. A gravity circuit will recover any native/free gold, before entering the carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit. After which the gold will be recovered by an elution circuit, using electrowinning and gold smelting to recover gold from the loaded carbon to produce dore.

INFRASTRUCTURE

 Access to 90kV national grid for the Doropo project power provision

 Tailings storage facility ("TSF") will be fully geomembrane lined and the embankment will be built using the downstream construction method

Knight Piesold Consulting, the global mining services specialists, carried out a PFS of the site infrastructure for Doropo includingTSF, water storage/harvest dam, airstrip and haul access road.

The TSF was designed in accordance with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management ("GISTM") and Australian National Committee on Large Dams ("ANCOLD") guidelines. The TSF will be fully lined with a geomembrane liner and constructed by the downstream construction method with annual raises to suit storage requirements. The TSF is designed to have a final capacity of 29Mm or 41Mt of dry tails and will cover a total footprint area (including the basin area) of approximately 346 hectares for the final stage facility.

The power supply for the project will use the Cote d'Ivoire national grid, this offers a cost and potential carbon saving relative to other options including self-generation as the tariff is based on a mix of hydro and thermal generation with a large portion of hydroelectric.The proposed power supply solution for the project is via the existing Bouna Substation which is approximately 55km southeast of Doropo.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

The Company has established engagement forums with local communities and authorities at Doropo through the PFS phase and consulted with project affected communities on impact management and mitigation measures.

The project baseline ESIA was prepared by Earth Systems and H&B Consulting working in conjunction with Centamin. Early development of the baseline ESIA information has allowed its incorporation into the PFS design and decision-making process. The baseline studies indicate 2,000 to 3,000 people may require physical resettlement and up to 5,000 hectares of agricultural land could be impacted by the project development.ThePFS plans for a staged approach to project development, mining sequencing and therefore Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP"), with progressive rehabilitation to help minimise community and physical impacts as resettlement and livelihood restoration outcomes are a key factor for project success.

The project provides a valuable opportunity to boost local social development and regional infrastructure with a commitment to invest 0.5% of project revenues into a social development fund, and through local job creation.

The outer extent of the Doropo project is 7.5km from the Comoe National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Doropois being designed to avoid adverse impacts to the park and its biodiversity, including assessing the opportunity to create a 'buffer-zone' to further safeguard the natural area.

The full ESIA work programme is now underway to support formal mining licence application in 2024 and the inform the DFS work programmes.

COSTS

Operating Costs

Operating cost estimates for mining have been prepared by the consultant Orelogy, through a competitive bid process. Contract mining has been selected as the basis for all the open pit mining activities managed by Centamin's operation team. Cost estimates for processing and general and administration ("G&A") costs were prepared by Lycopodium with input from Centamin. Key input costs used are a delivered diesel price of $1.00 per litre, and power costs of $0.113/kwh, down from the PEA cost of $0.159/kwh due to the ability to utilise grid power versus on-site power generation.

LOM Average Costs

Area Unit Cost Mining US$/t mined 4.1 Processing US$/t processed 12.9 G&A US$/t processed 3.5

Capital Costs

 Total up-front construction capital costs of US$349 million, including US$34 million in contingency

 LOM sustaining capital costs of US$110 million, including closure costs

The below table is an estimate of the initial construction capex prepared by Lycopodium and Knight Piesold. Centamin provided the Owner Project Cost.

Construction Capital Estimate US$m Construction distributable 26 Treatment plant costs 99 Reagents & plant services 18 Infrastructure 73 Mining 19 Management costs 27 Owner project costs 54 Total excl. Contingency 315 Contingency 34 TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CAPEX 349

The below table is an estimate of ongoing capital commitments to sustain operations over the LOM, as well as closure and rehabilitation costs. It uses input from Knight Piesold as well as closure estimates based on similar operations.

Sustaining Capital Estimate US$m Sustaining capital expenditure 80 Closure and rehabilitation 30 TOTAL SUSTAINING CAPEX 110

OWNERSHIP, PERMITTING, TAXES AND ROYALTIES

 Financial modelling based on current Ivorian mining code and tax regime

 Sliding scale royalties between 3%-6% depending on the gold price

 Social development fund royalty of 0.5%

The Doropo project is contained within the current exploration permits that were granted to Centamin's 100% owned subsidiaries, Ampella Mining Cote d'Ivoire and Ampella Mining Exploration Cote d'Ivoire.

Under the current Ivorian mining code, mining permits are subject to a 10% government free-carry ownership interest. However, for the purpose of the PFS project evaluation and disclosures included within this document, the cash flow model is reflected on a 100% project basis.

The financial model has assumed the corporate tax ("CIT") rate of 25% for the LOM, adjusted for a 75% rebate on CIT for the first commercial year of production and 50% rebate on CIT for the second year of commercial production, as per the mining code. The full 25% CIT rate is applied thereafter. The project benefits from a VAT and import duties exemption during the construction phase and until first production.

Royalties are applied to gross sales revenue, after deductions for transport and refining costs and penalties on a sliding scale depending on gold price. Please refer to the table below:

Spot Gold Price (US$/oz) Applicable Royalty Rate <1,000 3.00% 1,000 - 1,300 3.50% 1,300 - 1,600 4.00% 1,600 - 2,000 5.00% >2,000 6.00%

The project will support local development through the payment of a social fund royalty of 0.5% of gross sales revenue.

PROJECT TIMELINE

 Submit mining license application by the middle of 2024

 Final commissioning two years from final investment decision (T=0)

NEXT STEPS

The Company completed a high-level of detailed work during the PFS stage, to de-risk and expedite the delivery of the DFS and meet the mining licence application deadline.

The 2023 Doropo budget remains unchanged and on track at US$23 million, of which US$13.2 million has been spent year to 31 May 2023 primarily on drilling and ESIA baseline study work.

DFS work programmes are underway:

 Drilling: To take advantage of the favourable drilling conditions during the dry season, the DFS drilling programme was prioritised and is 94% complete. To date 64,922 metres have been drilled, costing US$6.1 million:

o 39,649 metres of reverse circulation ("RC") resource infill drilling

o 4,096 metres of diamond drill ("DD") resource infill drilling

o 14,708 metres of RC grade control drilling

o 5,650 metres of DD metallurgical drilling

o 818 metres of DD geotechnical drilling

o The remaining 4,000 to 4,500 metres of drilling to do will be split between some geotechnical drilling, and infill and twin hole drilling at the Vako and Sanboyoro deposits.

 ESIA: Data collection for the ESIA and RAP is underway, including and not limited to extensive public consultation with our local stakeholders. Completion of the draft report is targeted by the end of 2023 for submission to the Ivorian authorities for approval and permitting.

 Desktop and laboratory work programmes, including but not limited to, metallurgical test work to establish grade recovery curves and optimise reagent consumption. Continued geological and hydrological work such as structural interpretation and domaining, refining lithology models, groundwater modelling and geotechnical testing of the main lithologies.

PROJECT UPSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

 Resource upgrade: there are Inferred Mineral Resources situated both outside and within the current pit shells. With additional drilling and metallurgical test work, these resources could support conversion of some of the material into Indicated Mineral Resources which can then be converted into reserves for evaluation and inclusion in the DFS.

o Potential extensions to mineralisation at the Han, Kekeda and Atirre deposits within the Main Resource Cluster

o Potential at depth where the Souwa mineralised structure (which dips north-west) intersects the trending Nokpa mineralised zone

 Additional mineralisation from target areas, systematic surface exploration work has identified multiple exploration targets (gold-in-soil/auger anomalies) across the project footprint. Some targets have been drill tested and warrant further development work, whilst others remain untested. These have the potential to provide resource growth which could be supported by a Mineral Resource Estimation and provide upside potential to the current mine life. Some of the drilling results could be incorporated in the DFS resource update, otherwise, further brownfields exploration will be undertaken during the life of mine.

o At Kilosegui, mineralisation remains open along strike in both directions from the mineral resource area, indicated by gold-in-soil and sample auger geochemical anomalies. In addition, there is a second short parallel structure evident from soil and auger sampling on the south side of the Kilosegui resource area.

o Untested soil anomalies in the Vako-Sanboyoro area 10-15km west of the Main Resource Cluster

o Untested soil anomalies to the North and to the South of the Main Resource Cluster

 Operational cost-saving opportunities

o Further pit optimisation and evaluation of owner-mining, instead of contract-mining, given the Company's extensive operating experience at the Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt.

o Further processing optimisation, including evaluation of the comminution parameters and reagent consumption

 Construction cost-saving opportunities by increasing in-house project execution versus the use of engineering, procurement and construction management contractors.

 Environmental and social opportunities to minimise the requirement for physical community resettlement through the DFS and ESIA workstreams.

ENDNOTES

Investors should be aware that the figures stated are estimates and no assurances can be given that the stated quantities of metal will be produced.

MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE NOTES

Mineral Resource Notes

 Mineral Resource Estimates contained in this document are based on available data as at 25 October 2022.

 The gold grade estimation method is Localised Uniform Conditioning.

 The rounding of tonnage and grade figures has resulted in some columns showing relatively minor discrepancies in sum totals.

 All Mineral Resource Estimates have been determined and reported in accordance with NI 43-101 and the classification adopted by the CIM.

 A cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t gold is used for reporting as it is believed that the majority of the reported resources can be mined at that grade.

 The Mineral Resource cut-off grade of 0.5g/t was established prior to the PFS study, confirming the economic viability of a smaller portion of lower-grade oxide resources. As Centamin proceeds with the DFS, a review and revision of the Mineral Resource cut-off grades for oxide resources will be conducted.

 Pit optimisations based on a US$2,000/oz gold price were used to constrain the 2022 Mineral Resource and were generated by Orelogy Mine Consultants.

 This Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Michael Millad of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd who is the Qualified Person for the estimate.

 This Updated Mineral Resources Estimate is not expected to be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues.

Mineral Reserve Notes

 The Mineral Reserves were estimated for the Doropo Gold Project as part of this PFS by Orelogy Mine Consulting.

 The total Probable Mineral Reserve is estimated at 40.6 Mt at 1.44 g/t Au with a contained gold content of 1.87Moz.

 The Mineral Reserve is reported according to CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2014).

 The mine design and associated Mineral Reserve estimate for the Doropo Gold Project is based on Mineral Resource classified as Indicated from the Cube Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) with an effective date of 25 October 2022.

 Open pit optimizations were run in Whittle 4X using a US$1,500/oz gold price to define the geometry of the economic open pit shapes.

 Mining costs were derived from submissions from mining contractors to a Request for Budget Pricing. Other modifying factors such as processing operating costs and performance, general and administrative overheads, project capital and royalties were provided by Centamin.

 Ore block grade and tonnage dilution was incorporated into the model.

 All figures are rounded to reflect appropriate levels of confidence.

 Apparent differences may occur due to rounding.

 The Mineral Reserve was evaluated using variable cut-off grades of 0.39 to 0.71g/t Au depending on mining area and weathering as detailed in the table below:

Mining Area Unit Weathered Fresh Souwa / Nokpa / Chegue Main & South g/t Au 0.39 0.6 Enioda g/t Au 0.44 0.66 Han g/t Au 0.43 0.64 Kekeda g/t Au 0.42 0.63 Kilosegui g/t Au 0.5 0.71

QUALIFIED PERSONS

A "Qualified Person" is as defined by the National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The named Qualified Person(s) have verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this announcement in accordance with standards appropriate to their qualifications. Each Qualified Person consents to the inclusion of the information in this document in the form and context in which it appears.

Information of a scientific or technical nature in this document, including but not limited to the Mineral Resource estimates, was prepared by and under the supervision of the Centamin Qualified Persons, Howard Bills, Centamin Group Exploration Manager, and Craig Barker, Centamin Group Mineral Resource Manager, in addition to the below independent Qualified Persons.

The following table includes the respective independent Qualified Persons, who have the sign-off responsibilities of the final NI 43-101 Technical Report. All are experts in their relevant disciplines who fulfil the requirements of being a "Qualified Person(s)" under the CIM Definition Standards.

Author(s) Company Discipline Michael Millad Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Stephan Buys Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design and operating estimate Ross Cheyne Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods David Morgan Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design

Independent Technical Consultants

The following table includes the consultant companies that contributed to the Centamin PFS report:

Company Discipline Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Earth Systems Environment and social studies ECG Consulting Power supply and distribution Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design, capital and operating estimate Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods SRK Consulting Open pit geotechnical design TetraTech (Piteau Associates) Hydrology, hydrogeology, geochemical studies

ABOUT CENTAMIN

Centamin is an established gold producer, with premium listings on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Sukari Gold Mine ("Sukari"), Egypt's largest and first modern gold mine, as well as one of the world's largest producing mines. Since production began in 2009 Sukari has produced over 5 million ounces of gold, and today has 6.0Moz in gold Mineral Reserves. Through its large portfolio of exploration assets in Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire, Centamin is advancing an active pipeline of future growth prospects, including the Doropo project in Cote d'Ivoire, and has over 3,000km2 of highly prospective exploration ground in Egypt's Nubian Shield.

Centamin recognises its responsibility to deliver operational and financial performance and create lasting mutual benefit for all stakeholders through good corporate citizenship, including but not limited to in 2022, achieving new safety records; commissioning of the largest hybrid solar farm for a gold mine; sustaining a +95% Egyptian workforce; and, a +60% Egyptian supply chain at Sukari.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit the website www.centamin.com or contact:

Centamin plc Alexandra Barter-Carse, Head of Corporate Communications

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. FTI Consulting Ben Brewerton / Sara Powell / Nick Hennis

+442037271000

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference) contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements with respect to future financial or operating performance. Such statements include "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlook" with respect to prospective financial performance, financial position, EBITDA, cash flows and other financial metrics that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" and "anticipates" and include production outlook, operating schedules, production profiles, expansion and expansion plans, efficiency gains, production and cost guidance, capital expenditure outlook, exploration spend and other mine plans. Although Centamin believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Centamin can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Centamin about future events and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition, there are a number of factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements; the risks and uncertainties associated with direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19 or other pandemic, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the results of exploration activities and feasibility studies; assumptions in economic evaluations which prove to be inaccurate; currency fluctuations; changes in project parameters; future prices of gold and other metals; possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; climatic conditions; political instability; decisions and regulatory changes enacted by governmental authorities; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or completing development or construction activities; and discovery of archaeological ruins. Financial outlook and future-ordinated financial information contained in this news release is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook or future-ordinated financial information contained or referenced herein may not be appropriate and should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments at the date hereof, and represent, to the best of management's knowledge and opinion, the Company's expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, the risks and uncertainties associated with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

LEI: 213800PDI9G7OUKLPV84

Company No: 109180

[1] 100% project basis, NPV calculated as of the commencement of construction and excludes all pre-construction costs

[2] Payback calculated from the commencement of commercial production

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WEBCAST TO BE HELD ON JUNE 27, 2023 @ 10:00 AM EST.

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TORONTO, June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX:WM, OTCQX:WLBMF) (Wallbridge or the Company) is pleased to report positive results from the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) completed on its still growing, 100%-owned Fenelon gold project (Fenelon or the Project) located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend, Quebec (Table 1).

Tony Makuch, Chairman of Wallbridge, stated:

Projects such as Fenelon, with a projected annual production profile of more than 200,000 gold ounces, located in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with established infrastructure, having substantial exploration upside and access to clean hydro-electric energy are highly desirable yet exceedingly rare in the mining industry today. We are extremely pleased that the PEA on Fenelon alone is demonstrating robust economics at this early stage. We expect further improvements as we continue to add to the resource base through our exploration efforts at Fenelon and elsewhere on our very large land position in the northern Abitibi greenstone belt.

All results herein are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

PEA SUMMARY

Average annual gold production of 212,000 oz over 12.3 years.

Average annual free cash flow of $157 million over life of mine (LOM).

After-tax NPV of $721 million at base case gold price of US$1,750 and $C/US$ of 1.30

After-tax NPV of $1,070 million at spot gold price of US$1,950 and $C/US$ of 1.34

Initial capital expenditures of $645 million.

Sustaining capital expenditures of $594 million.

Total cash costs of US$749/oz.

All-in-sustaining costs of US$924/oz.

Marz Kord, Wallbridges President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

Wallbridge acquired the original Fenelon property in 2016 with a small historic resource based on sporadic geological work by previous owners. Since then, we have been very successful in delineating a multi-million-ounce gold resource, which remains open in virtually all directions. Fenelon has now reached another milestone with a robust PEA that demonstrates a viable path to development and attractive economic returns based on conservative assumptions. The PEA was designed to be rigorous, using current cost data from contractors, suppliers and mining companies operating in the region to arrive at realistic projections. It represents a compelling starting point to build upon as we scope out the full opportunity at Fenelon and Martiniere, the two most advanced projects on our large, underexplored property.

Over the next few months, we will evaluate alternatives to advance Fenelon. While doing so, we will continue to test new areas of mineralization at Fenelon. We have a great near-term opportunity to incorporate satellite deposits such as Martiniere into future studies, with the potential for substantial synergies on a district scale. Our 2023 exploration programs will further delineate the size and scale of the Fenelon and Martiniere deposits while also targeting new greenfield discoveries on our land package.

Table 1: PEA Summary of Key Metrics and Project Economics

Description Unit Base Case Spot Prices Metal Prices/FX Gold (Au) US$/oz $1,750 $1,950 Currency Exchange Rate C$/US$ 1.30 1.34 Production Data Milled Tonnes million tonnes 31 Gold Grade Mined g/t 2.73 Gold Recovery % 96 Daily Mill Throughput tpd 7,000 Mine Life years 12.3 Avg Annual Production oz Au 212,000 Recovered Gold million oz 2.61 Operating Costs Total Cash Costs 1,3 $/tonne milled 82 Total Cash Costs 1,3 US$/oz 749 All-in Sustaining Costs2,3 US$/oz 924 Capital Costs Initial Capital3 $ million 645 Sustaining Capital3 $ million 594 Financial Analysis Pre-Tax NPV 5% $ million 1,210 1,788 Pre-Tax IRR % 23.0 30.8 After-Tax NPV 5% $ million 721 1,070 After-Tax IRR % 18 24 Payback Period (Production Start) years 5.4 4.2

Total cash costs include mining, processing, tailings, surface infrastructures, transport, G&A and royalty costs. All-in sustaining cost (AISC) includes total cash costs, sustaining capital expenses to support the on-going operations, and closure and rehabilitation costs divided by payable gold ounces. Non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. Refer to note at end of this press release.

Financial Analysis

At base case gold price of US$1,750/oz, the Project generates after-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of $721 million using 5% discount rate and an after-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 18%.

The Project generates cumulative free cash flow of $1,395 million and average annual free cash flow of $157 million over a mine life of 12.3 years (Figure 1). Total taxes payable over LOM at the base case gold price is $792 million.

Figure 1. Project After-Tax Cash Flow

Sensitivities

The PEA financial economic analysis is significantly influenced by gold prices. At a spot gold price of US$1,950/oz and FX of 1.34, the Project generates an after-tax NPV of $1,070 million and an after-tax IRR of 24% with a payback period of 4.2 years from the commencement of production (Table 2).

Table 2: PEA Sensitivity to Gold Price, Operating Costs & Capital Costs

Gold Price

US $/oz FX NPV

$M IRR

% Payback

Years $1,600 1.30 512 14 6.2 $1750 1.30 721 18 5.4 $1,900 1.30 923 21 4.6 $1,950  Spot 1.34 1,070 24 4.2

Operating Costs NPV

$M Capital Costs NPV

$M Base Case -10% 823 Base Case -10% 786 Base Case 721 Base Case 721 Base Case +10% 614 Base Case +10% 653 Base Case +20% 506 Base Case +20% 586

Production

Annual production over LOM is expected to average 212,000 ounces with peak year production of 240,000 ounces (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Production Profile

Capital Costs

The initial capital costs are estimated at $645 million, and the sustaining capital is estimated at $594 million (Tables 3 & 4). A contingency of $54 million and $44 million is included in initial and sustaining capital costs, respectively.

Initial and sustaining capital costs were estimated based on current costs received from vendors as well as developed from first principles, while some were estimated based on factored references and experience from similar operating projects.

Table 3: Initial Capital

Cost Element Initial Capital ($M)1,2

Mill 220 Paste Plant 46 Tailings and Water Treatment 36 Capitalized Operating (Pre-production) 99 Surface Civil & Infrastructure 87 Mining Equipment 18 Underground Development 83 Hydro Electric Line & Distribution 55 Total Initial Capital $645

All values stated are undiscounted. No depreciation of costs was applied. Non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. Refer to note at end of this press release.

Table 4: Sustaining Capital

Cost Element Sustaining Capital ($M)1,2

Production Shaft 143 Mining Equipment 140 Development 158 Tailings & Water Treatment 63 Paste Distribution Network 13 Underground Infrastructure 45 Surface Infrastructure 26 Closure 8 Total Sustaining Capital $594

All values stated are undiscounted. No depreciation of costs was applied. Non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. Refer to note at end of this press release.

Cash Costs

The total cash costs including the 4% royalties, is estimated at $82/t milled or US$749/oz payable gold. The AISC is estimated at US$924/oz payable gold.

Operating cost estimates were developed using first principles methodology, vendor quotes, and productivities being derived from benchmarking and industry practices.

Table 5: Total Cash Costs

LOM Total

$ million Average LOM

($/tonne milled) Average LOM

(US$/oz) Mining 1,320 42.7 391 Processing 521 16.8 153 Water Treatment & Tailings 51 1.6 15 General & Admin. 408 13.2 120 Royalty (4%) 237 7.7 70 Total Cash Costs 1,2 2,537 82.0 749

Total operating costs include mining, processing, tailings, surface infrastructures, transport, G&A and royalty costs. Non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standardized definition under IFRS. Refer to note at end of this press release.

Opportunities

The main opportunities for the Project that have been identified include:

Opportunity Potential Benefits Additional infill drilling at Fenelon Would likely increase the resource grade and ounces and convert more inferred to measured and indicated categories. Additional exploration drilling at Fenelon Deposit is open in all directions. Would likely increase the mineral resources and extend mine life. Additional technical studies (borrow pits, geotechnical investigation, hydrogeology, geochemical) Would likely improve project economics by reducing the capital requirements. Additional geotechnical/rock mechanics Would likely reduce crown pillar thicknesses thus increasing overall ounces. Additional metallurgical studies, paste fill testing, and tailings testing Would likely lower project operating costs. Additional waste rock sampling Would likely identify clean waste rock to reduce site infrastructure costs. Additional drilling at Martiniere Would likely add organic production growth by increasing mineral resources and converting from inferred to measured and indicated categories. Additional exploration outside the current mineral resources Large, underexplored land package. Potential for new discoveries to add organic production growth.

Mineral Resource Estimate

The PEA is based on the 2023 Fenelon Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and contains indicated and inferred mineral resource. Carl Pelletier, P.Geo., Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo., Simon Boudreau, P.Eng. and Marc R, Beauvais, P.Eng., all of InnovExplo Inc. (InnovExplo) are the independent qualified persons within the meaning of NI 43-101 for the 2023 Fenelon MRE.

Table 6: Fenelon Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate

Notes:

The independent and qualified persons for the current Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend 2023 MRE are Carl Pelletier, P.Geo., Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo., Simon Boudreau, P.Eng. and Marc R, Beauvais, P.Eng., of InnovExplo Inc. The Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend 2023 MRE follows 2014 CIM Definition Standards and 2019 CIM MRMR Best Practice Guidelines. The effective date of the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend 2023 MRE is January 13, 2023. These mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The QPs are not aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, sociopolitical or marketing issues, or any other relevant issue, that could materially affect the potential development of mineral resources other than those discussed in the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend 2023 MRE. For Fenelon, 112 high-grade zones and seven (7) low-grade envelopes were modelled in 3D to the true thickness of the mineralization. Supported by measurements, a density value of 2.80 g/cm3 was applied to the blocks inside the high-grade zones, and 2.81 g/cm3 was applied to the blocks inside the low-grade envelopes. High-grade capping was done on raw assay data and established on a per-zone basis and ranges between 25 g/t and 100 g/t Au for the high-grade zones (except for the high-grade zones Chipotle and Cayenne 3 a high-grade capping values of 330 g/t Au was applied) and ranges between 4 g/t and 10 g/t Au for the low-grade envelopes. Composites (1.0 m) were calculated within the zones and envelopes using the grade of the adjacent material when assayed or a value of zero when not assayed. A minimum mining width of 2 metres was used for underground stope optimization. The criterion of reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction has been met by having constraining volumes applied to any blocks (potential surface and underground extraction scenario) using Whittle and DSO and by the application of cut-off grades. The cut-off grade for the Fenelon deposit was calculated using a gold price of US$1,600 per ounce; a CA/US exchange rate of 1.30; a refining cost of $5.00/t; a processing cost of $18.15/t; a mining cost of $5.50/t (bedrock) or $2.15/t (overburden) for the surface portion, a mining cost of $65.00/t for the underground portion and a G&A cost of $9.20/t. Values of metallurgical recovery of 95.0% and royalty of 4.0% were applied during the cut-off grade calculation. The cut-off grade for the Martiniere deposit was calculated using a gold price of US$1,600 per ounce; a CA/US exchange rate of 1.30; a refining cost of $5.00/t; a processing cost of $18.15/t; a mining cost of $4.55/t (bedrock) or $2.15/t (overburden) for the surface portion, a mining cost of $118.80/t for the underground portion using the long-hole mining method (LH), a mining cost of $130.70/t for the underground portion using the cut and fill mining method (C & F), a G&A cost of $9.20/t and a transport to process cost of $6.50/t. Values of metallurgical recovery of 96.0% and royalty of 2.0% were applied during the cut-off grade calculation. The cut-off grades should be re-evaluated in light of future prevailing market conditions (metal prices, exchange rate, mining cost, etc.). Results are presented in-situ. Ounce (troy) = metric tons x grade/31.10348. The number of tonnes and ounces was rounded to the nearest thousand. Any discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding effects; rounding followed the recommendations as per NI 43-101.

Mining

The underground mine will have a production rate of 7,000 tpd over a 12.3-year mine life. A total of 30.8 Mt of mineralized material at an average grade of 2.73 g/t will be extracted from three different mining zones:

Tabasco-Cayenne zones with 68.5% of the ounces to be mined;

Area 51 zones with 31.1% of the ounces to be mined; and

Gabbro zones with 0.4% of the ounces to be mined.

The mining method will be long hole with longitudinal stopes for 5 to 8 metres width, corresponding to 40% of the stope tonnage. Transverse stopes are designed for stopes with 8 to +15 metres width, which account for 60% of the remaining stope tonnage. (Figure 3)

Stope dimensions are 30 metres (A51 Zones) to 40 metres (Tabasco-Cayenne Zones) in height, 5 to 15 metres in width and 20 to 25 metres in length. The average size of the stopes from all zones is approximately 15,000 tonnes and about 150 stopes will be mined annually. Mining recovery is estimated at 96%. Stope backfilling will be done with cemented rock fill (50%) and rock fill (50%) or with paste backfill depending on the stope dimensions and sequence.

Development will be done with a mining contractor during Pre-Production Year 1. Starting at Pre-production Year 2, development will be done with owner equipment-personnel. Development priority is to develop the main Tabasco ramp and to access production centers. The development mineralized material will generate 10% of the total gold production.

The mining fleet, comprised of 99 pieces of mobile equipment, will be purchased via a lease financing agreement. Supporting underground infrastructure includes several main pumping stations, two ventilation and heating systems and one exhaust raise.

Figure 3. LOM schematic

Metallurgy

Metallurgical test work was completed in two phases in 2020 and 2021 on material from Area 51 and Tabasco-Cayenne zones by SGS Canada Inc.

Grindability testing was completed in 2021, including SAG mill comminution test. The samples were characterized as hard with respect to resistance to impact breakage during SMC test, with Axb drop weight test values ranging from 23 to 31. Bond rod mill index results are in a range of 15.6 to 16.9 kWh/tonne, which can be classified as moderately hard to hard range. The bond ball index ranges from 13.4 to 16.2 kWh/tonne, considered as in the medium range of hardness.

Gravity gold recovery testing was done in 2021 on representative composite sample of Tabasco-Cayenne and Area 51 zone material. Gold recoveries to the gravity concentrate were as high as 66.5% for Tabasco-Cayenne and 84.3% for Area 51, in line with prior testing in 2020. The results of gold gravity recovery testing show the need for a gravity circuit in the process flowsheet.

Cyanidation testing was completed in 2020 on representative samples following gravity recovery. Overall, gold recoveries ranged from 94.6% to 96.9% for the Tabasco Zone and 95.3% to 97.1% for Area 51.

Based on 2020 and 2021 testing and planned process flowsheet, the estimated process plant payable gold recovery is to average 96.0% over the LOM.

Processing

A total of 7,000 tpd of material will be processed in the plant, which will consist of a semi-autogenous grinding mill in closed circuit with a pebble crusher and ball mill in closed circuit with cyclones (SABC circuit). The crushing circuit will consist of a temporary crusher at surface operated by a contractor until the production shaft is operational. Once the shaft is operating, the material will be crushed underground prior to hoisting. A gravity circuit followed by leaching will recover coarse gold from the cyclone underflow, while the cyclone overflow is treated in one pre-leach tank and in a seven-tank carbon in-leach circuit, followed by SO 2 /Air cyanide destruction. Gold will be recovered in an adsorption-desorption-recovery Zedra process circuit and electrowinning cells with gold room recovery and production of gold bars, which will be shipped to mint facilities for purification.

The SO 2 /Air circuit is followed by a tailings flotation circuit with sulphide concentrate to produce paste backfill to send underground and/or dry for tailings storage.

The process plant building will include a laboratory, mill maintenance workshop, offices and a dry.

Figure 4. Process Flow Sheet

Surface Infrastructure

The Project is approximately 75 kilometres from the town of Matagami in Quebec and is accessible via a 24-kilometre forestry road from Hwy. 810. The existing Fenelon camp site includes a welcome center, 155-room dormitories, dry, kitchen, dining room, game room, workshop and first nation cultural center.

The existing mine site includes core shack, modular offices, garage, water treatment plant, air ventilation-heating system to serve underground opening, an open pit and a portal connecting to an underground ramp. The camp and mine site are served by diesel generators for electricity production. All these facilities will be used at the start of the Project, and will be upgraded, expanded or replaced during construction and operations.

The mining and processing infrastructure will be located at the Fenelon site. The mine envisions the upgrade of existing surface infrastructure: site access road, potable water and sewage systems, underground mine portal, mine ventilation systems (intake and exhaust), main and remote gatehouses, surface maintenance shop, waste rock stockpile, overburden stockpile, and mineralized material stockpile. The Project will require construction of the following infrastructure items: 7,000 tpd process plant complex, paste plant, offices, dry, truck shop and warehouse; 20 kilometres of 120 kV overhead transmission line; 120 kV main substation; final effluent water treatment plant; surface water management facility, including ditches, pond and pumping stations; service and haulage roads; and tailings management facility.

The camp site will be expanded to 370 rooms with associated kitchen, dining room and game-exercise room. A local office with 25 places is planned in a nearby town to support administration, communication, human resources and technical personnel.

Figure 5. Fenelon Location Map

Figure 6. Mine Site

Production Shaft and Underground Infrastructure

The construction of the shaft is planned to start in Year 2 of production and be fully operational prior to Year 5 of production.

The surface infrastructure for the production shaft consists of a steel headframe with backlegs, a hoist room building, a silo and a conveyor feeding the process plant dome stockpile. The shaft is dedicated for material handling only. The skip will be raised to the surface in a dedicated rope guided shaft by a double drum hoist located on the surface in a 1,040 metre deep shaft.

The construction of the following infrastructure is envisioned for the underground material handling complex: a grizzly on top of a 4-metre diameter by 25-metre high silo for the mineralized material. The same is planned for the waste rock. Both would be equipped with a rock breaker. The mineralized material from the silo will go through a crushing plant equipped with a jaw crusher and sacrificial conveyor. The crushed mineralized material will then be accumulated in a 6.1-metre diameter by 25-metre high silo. A loading station with an apron fed conveyor from the waste and crushed mineralized material silos will bring the material to measuring boxes to be loaded into the 18-tonne skip and hoisted to the surface.

Tailings Management and Paste Plant

The desulfurized thickened tailings from the mill operations will be managed with two approaches: used as underground paste backfill or disposed on surface as high-density thickened tailings. From the tailing thickener underflow will be pumped either to the paste backfill plant or to the tailings management facility (TMF).

The selected site is located 1.4 kilometres northwest of the existing small pit.

The waste rock proposed for construction coming from underground development, may be metal leaching. As a mitigation measure, an impervious geomembrane will be installed to encapsulate the waste rock. A geomembrane is also considered on the bottom of the emergency cell.

At the paste backfill plant, thickened sulphide tailings are stored in a large, agitated tank which is sized to provide several days of storage at peak sulphide production from the mill. When the paste backfill plant is running, tailings from the filter feed tank are fed to a single vacuum disc filter for dewatering. The vacuum filter cake feeds the paste mixer. The thickened sulphide tailings are also pumped into the paste mixer during backfill production for inclusion in the paste recipe. This is the primary means of sulphide tailings disposal  underground in the paste backfill. The other streams reporting into the paste mixer to achieve the target recipe are binder (a slag cement mixture) and slump water if required to further control the paste density. The paste backfill will be distributed throughout the mine using either a single paste pump or gravity depending on the location of the stope.

Water treatment

All contact water, including groundwater, surface runoff and water from the TMF shall be collected and treated at the water treatment plant before being discharged to the environment.

Environment and Permitting

In Northern Quebec (James Bay region located south of the 55th parallel), all mining developments must follow the environmental assessment (EA) and review procedures under the Regulation respecting the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and review procedure applicable to the territory of James Bay and Northern Quebec. Additionally, with a planned production capacity of 7,000 tpd, the mining project exceeds the 5,000 tpd threshold for the federal environmental assessment procedure, therefore an EA in compliance with the requirements of the new Impact Assessment Act (S.C. 2019, c. 28, s. 1) will be required.

The acquisition of baseline environmental knowledge on the Fenelon property began several years ago and is still ongoing today. To date, preliminary environmental characterizations of the physical environment and biological environment have been carried out and/or are ongoing. Confirmation of the regulatory context made it possible to identify the scope of the environmental studies required to obtain environmental authorizations. Inventory work is underway to fill these gaps.

To date, no major environmental issues have been identified in the work undertaken. The situation of the woodland caribou, designated as vulnerable in Quebec and threatened at the federal level, remains uncertain to date in the Project area with regard to future legal protection of its habitat.

A preliminary geochemical characterization program has been in progress since 2020 to identify the geo-environmental characteristics of ore and mine wastes and classify their environmental risk (e.g., for acid rock drainage and metal leaching) based on Quebec provincial guidance documents. Findings from the geochemical study have been incorporated into the Project design.

Closure

A closure and rehabilitation plan for the land affected by the Project will be prepared and submitted for authorization. The preliminary concept for site closure is estimated at $10.5 million. The current financial deposit for site closure is estimated at $2.9 million for a net closure cost of $7.6 million.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Project is located in the Nord-du-Quebec region, within the James Bay and Northern Que bec Agreement territory on Category III lands, managed by the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government, with exclusive trapping rights for the Crees. The Project site is located on lands that are part of the traditional territories claimed by the Cree people of Waskaganish and Washaw Sibi, and by the Algonquin people of Abitibiwinni (Pikogan). The Project is located on a Washaw Sibi trapline.

Wallbridge has always prioritized engaging stakeholders and implementing a consultation plan. Over 130 communication activities have been conducted since acquisition, including meetings, site visits, and workshops. The First Nation communities of Washaw Sibi, Waskaganish and Abitibiwinni (Pikogan) have been extensively consulted. Concerns raised include employment, entrepreneurial opportunities, training, land use and disturbance, water quality, impacts to wildlife, and the cumulative effects of all projects in the area. To date, Wallbridge has taken actions to address these concerns and promote local benefits, including a hiring and contracting policy and the construction of a Cultural Centre. Furthermore, Wallbridge signed a Pre-Development Agreement with the Cree Nations of Waskaganish and Washaw Sibi and the Cree Nation Government in 2022. Wallbridge is committed to continuing consultations with First Nations, local communities, and stakeholders through the EA process.

Workforce

During production, the average number of employees and contractors will be 535 with a maximum at 670. The working schedule for hourly workers is based on 7 days at site (10 or 12 hours per day) and 7 days off site. The working schedule for staff is based on 5 days at site and 2 days off. The maximum employees and contractor on site will reach 340.

During the pre-production period, the average number of employees, contractor and construction workers will be 490 with a peak of 690 during the second half of pre-production Year 2.

Next Steps

The positive results of the PEA study warrants advancing the Project to the next study stages. In order to advance the Project to pre-feasibility study level, the following programs are required:

Infill diamond drilling to convert inferred resources to indicated resources.

Metallurgical study including more variability testing.

Detailed characterization and testing of thickened tailing and paste.

Detailed geochemical characterization of waste and ore rock.

Detailed characterization of rock mass and stope design.

Detailed geotechnical investigation at various infrastructure sites.

Detailed hydrogeology studies to better characterize major structures.

Revised underground mine planning and scheduling based on revised MRE.

Trade-off studies on material handling system, stope backfill, and electric equipment.

Detailed unit cost evaluation for development and mining.

Independence and Responsibilities

The PEA was prepared for Wallbridge Mining by independent consulting firms with their respective responsibilities listed in Table 7. The Qualified Persons (QP) are not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the PEA. Each QP has reviewed and approved the content of this press release.

All scientific and technical data contained in this presentation has been reviewed and approved by Francois Chabot, Eng., Wallbridges Manager of Technical Services, a QP for the purposes of NI 43-101.

The Company cautions that the results of the PEA are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to be classified as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized.

Table 7: Consulting Firm, Area of Responsibility and Qualified Person

Consulting Firms Area of Responsibility Qualified Person1 InnovExplo Inc. Mineral Resources Carl Pelletier, P.Geo.,

Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo.,

Simon Boudreau, P.Eng.,

Marc R, Beauvais, P.Eng. InnovExplo Inc. Mine design and scheduling, mine capital, and operating costs; G&A cost estimates and financial analysis Marc R, Beauvais, P.Eng. G-Mining Services Metallurgy, processing plant design, capital, and operating cost estimates. Martin Houde, P. Eng. BBA Inc. Tailings management site design, capital, and operating costs; and reclamation costs. Luciano Piciacchia, P.Eng., Ph.D.

Melanie Turgeon, P.Eng. WSP Infrastructure & material handling, and capital cost estimate.

Rock mass classification, and stope design.

Environment Jonathan Cloutier, P.Eng

Andre Harvey, Eng.

Nathalie Fortin, P.Eng., M.Env. Responsible Mining Solutions Corp. Paste plant design, capital, and operating costs. Roberge, Jean-Louis, Eng. ASDR Canada Inc. Water treatment plant design, capital, and operating costs.

UG dewatering design, capital, and operating costs. Dan Chen, P. Eng.

Martin Lessard, Eng. Hydro-Ressources Inc. Mine hydrogeology and site hydrology. Michael Verreault, Eng., M.Sc.A.

The QPs mentioned above have reviewed and approved their respective technical information contained in this press release.

The reader is advised that the PEA summarized in this press release is intended to provide only an initial, high-level review of the project potential and design options. The PEA mine plan and economic model include numerous assumptions and the use of inferred mineral resources. Inferred mineral resources are considered to be too speculative to be used in an economic analysis except as allowed for by NI 43-101 in PEA studies. There is no guarantee that inferred mineral resources can be converted to indicated or measured mineral resources, and as such, there is no guarantee the project economics described herein will be achieved.

A NI 43-101 technical report supporting the PEA will be filed on SEDAR within 45 days of this press release and will be available at that time on the Companys website.

Webcast

Wallbridge management will host a webinar to discuss the Fenelon PEA results.

Date and Time: Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 27th, 2023, starting at 10:00 a.m. EDT

Registration: To participate in the webinar, please register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UERQ0nCNSLq2WSQPQJQm9w

A presentation that summarizes the PEA results of the Project is available on the Companys website.

About Wallbridge Mining

Wallbridge is focused on creating value through the exploration and sustainable development of gold projects along the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend while respecting the environment and communities where it operates.

Wallbridges flagship project, Fenelon Gold (Fenelon), is located on the highly prospective Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend Property in Quebecs Northern Abitibi region. An updated mineral resource estimate completed in January 2023 yielded significantly improved grades and additional ounces at the 100%-owned Fenelon and Martiniere projects, incorporating a combined 3.05 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 2.35 million ounces of inferred gold resources. Fenelon and Martiniere are located within an 830 km2 exploration land package controlled by Wallbridge. In addition, Wallbridge believes that the extensive land package is extremely prospective for the discovery of additional gold deposits.

Wallbridge also holds a 19.9% interest in the common shares of Archer Exploration Corp. (Archer) as a result of the sale of the Companys portfolio of nickel assets in Ontario and Quebec in November of 2022.

Wallbridge will continue to focus on its core Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend Property while enabling shareholders to participate in the potential economic upside in Archer.

For further information please visit the Companys website at www.wallbridgemining.com or contact:

Wallbridge Mining Company Limited

Marz Kord, P. Eng., M. Sc., MBA

President & CEO

Tel: (705) 6829297 ext. 251

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Victoria Vargas, B.Sc. (Hon.) Economics, MBA

Capital Markets Advisor

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, FLI) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. FLI is based on expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations as at the date of this press release.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are FLI that involve various risks, assumptions, estimates and uncertainties. Generally, FLI can be identified by the use of statements that include words such as seeks, believes, anticipates, plans, continues, budget, scheduled, estimates, expects, forecasts, intends, projects, predicts, proposes, "potential", targets and variations of such words and phrases, or by statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, should or might, be taken, occur or be achieved.

FLI herein includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the results of the Fenelon PEA, including the production, operating cost, capital cost and cash cost estimates, the projected valuation metrics and rates of return, and the cash flow projections, as well as the anticipated permitting requirements and Project design, including processing and tailings facilities, infrastructure developments, metal recoveries, mine life and production rates for the Project, the potential to further enhance the economics of the Project and optimize the design, potential timelines for obtaining the required permits and financing. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events.

FLI is designed to help you understand managements current views of its near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such FLI. Although the FLI contained in this press release is based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders and prospective purchasers of securities of the Company that actual results will be consistent with such FLI, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such FLI. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such FLI contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Unless otherwise noted, this press release has been prepared based on information available as of the date of this press release. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the FLI or information contained herein.

Assumptions upon which FLI is based, without limitation, include the results of exploration activities, the Companys financial position and general economic conditions; the ability of exploration activities to accurately predict mineralization; the accuracy of geological modelling; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; potential changes in project parameters or economic assessments; the legitimacy of title and property interests in the Project; the accuracy of key assumptions, parameters or methods used to estimate the MREs and in the PEA; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; geological, mining and exploration technical problems; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the evolution of the global economic climate; metal prices; foreign exchange rates; environmental expectations; community and non-governmental actions; any impacts of COVID-19 on the Project; and, the Companys ability to secure required funding. Risks and uncertainties about Wallbridge's business are more fully discussed in the disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada, which are available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in FLI.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

Wallbridge has included certain non-IFRS financial measures in this press release, such as initial capital expenditures, sustaining capital expenditures, total cash costs and all in sustaining costs, which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Each of these measures used are intended to provide additional information to the user and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures used in this press release and common to the gold mining industry are defined below.

Total Cash Costs and Total Cash Costs per Ounce

Total cash costs are reflective of the cost of production. Total cash costs reported in the PEA include mining costs, processing, general and administrative costs of the mine, off-site costs, refining costs, transportation costs and royalties. Total cash costs per ounce is calculated as total cash costs divided by payable gold ounces.

All-In Sustaining Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs per Ounce

All-in sustaining costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce are reflective of all of the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of gold from operations. All-in sustaining costs reported in the PEA include total cash costs, sustaining capital, closure costs, but exclude corporate general and administrative costs. All-in sustaining costs per ounce is calculated as all-in sustaining costs divided by payable gold ounces.

A description of the significant cost components that make up the forward looking non-IFRS financial measures of total cash costs and all in sustaining costs per ounce of payable gold produced is shown in the table below.

Payable Ounces LOM Costs

(millions) US$ Per Ounce Cash Operating Costs 2,606,384 2,299,4 679 Royalties 237.2 70 Total Cash Costs 2,536.6 749 Sustaining Capital Expenditures and Closure 594.4 175 All in Sustaining Costs 3,131.0 924

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

Wallbridge Mining prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to mineral resources in this press release are defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under the guidelines set out in CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council on May 19, 2014, as amended ("CIM Standards"). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has adopted amendments effective February 25, 2019 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC will now recognize estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources", which are defined in substantially similar terms to the corresponding CIM Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" to be substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Standards.

U.S. investors are cautioned that while the foregoing terms are "substantially similar" to corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, there are differences in the definitions under the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that Wallbridge Mining may report as "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" under NI 43-101 would be the same had Wallbridge Mining prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. In accordance with Canadian securities laws, estimates of "inferred mineral resources" cannot form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies, except in limited circumstances were permitted under NI 43-101.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - Outcrop Silver & Gold Corporation (TSXV: OCG) (OTCQX: OCGSF) (DE: MRG1) ("Outcrop Silver") is pleased to announce a new high-grade vein (La Estrella) at Santa Ana and the resumption of drilling after completing its maiden resource estimation. The current 5,000-metre drill campaign will:

Test the new and highly prospective La Estrella target.

Test the previously announced La Linda, Palomos and Murillo targets (news release on June 20, 2023 ).

targets (news release on ). Delineate to depths of over 350 metres the Dorado and Santa Ana vein systems.

Infill drill the Alaska vein system to sufficient drill density to include in an updated resource estimate.

"We are very excited with the new phase of drilling at Santa Ana. The program is likely to add silver equivalent ounces to our resource," comments Guillermo Hernandez, Vice President of Exploration. "We will drill both new targets with high-grade mineralization at surface and expand mineralization in veins that remain open."

"A short pause in drilling since publishing our maiden resource allowed our team to generate new targets and to design delineation drilling of areas of unconstrained resources at depth," comments Joseph Hebert, Chief Executive Officer. "The result will be relatively low risk and high return drilling adjacent to known resources."

Map 1. Northern Santa Ana resource and prospective veins included in the current drill program.

La Estrella

La Estrella is located 1,000 metres west of the Santa Ana vein system and 1,100 metres southwest of Paraiso (Map 1). La Estrella is characterized by two intersecting quartz veins. These two veins have been traced for 400 metres by outcrop and vein boulders (Map 2).

Trench channel samples in Estrella have assays up to 1,205 grams per tonne of silver equivalent (Table 1). In trench TR96 quartz vein and adjacent quartz stockwork occur over a width of 4.7 metres assaying 382 grams per tonne of silver. This vein zone hosts abundant sulfides. Surface float samples in the La Estrella target have assays up to 25.86 grams per tonne of gold and 2,732 grams per tonne of silver (Map 2, Table 2).

Trench Sample No From (m) To (m) Length (m) Lithology Au g/t Ag g/t AgEqg/t TR96 14711 39.60 40.00 0.40 QuartzVein 6.58 367 800 14712 40.00 40.40 0.40 Schist with veinlets 0.14 2 12 14714 40.40 40.80 0.40 GreenSchist with veinlets 2.57 4 181 14715 40.80 41.10 0.30 GreenSchist with veinlets 0.04 0 3 14707 41.10 41.40 0.30 QuartzVein 5.58 384 747 14708 41.40 41.70 0.30 GreenSchist with veinlets 8.09 18 576 14710 41.70 42.10 0.40 Schist with veinlets 3.71 67 320 14704 42.10 42.50 0.40 QuartzVein 2.18 379 508 14705 42.50 42.70 0.20 GreenSchist with veinlets 0.22 1 16 14709 42.70 42.90 0.20 GreenSchist with veinlets 0.82 9 65 14701 42.90 43.10 0.20 QuartzVein 13.39 297 1,205 14702 43.10 43.30 0.20 Schist with veinlets 11.71 6 815 14703 43.30 43.50 0.20 GreenSchist with veinlets 0.94 5 69 14727 43.50 44.30 0.80 GreenSchist with veinlets 3.45 59 294

Table 1. Significant trench channel sample assays from La Estrella.

Sample No Type Width Lithology Au g/t Ag g/t 14119 Channel 0.40 QuartzVein 0.99 183 14120 Float 0.10 QuartzVein 2.40 188 14121 Channel 0.20 QuartzVein 0.75 352 14122 Chip 0.30 QuartzVein 3.44 422 14130 Float QuartzVein 5.26 1,731 14131 Float QuartzVein 5.39 787 14133 Float QuartzVein 0.03 516 14135 Float 0.20 QuartzVein 3.18 715 14137 Float 0.40 QuartzVein 3.63 39 14267 Float 0.34 QuartzVein 25.86 2,732 14269 Float 0.13 QuartzVein 1.55 813 14557 Float 2.00 QuartzVein 2.17 73 14808 Float 5.00 QuartzVein 7.48 619

Table 2. Significant surface samples from La Estrella.

Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Length (m) Azimuth Dip TR96 505063.410 565005.310 974.94 70.00 104 0

Table 3. Coordinates for samples reported in this release.

Sample No North East Elevation Sample No North East Elevation 14119 505142 565073 963 14135 505138 565027 957 14120 505141 565070 962 14137 505092 564999 966 14121 505249 564916 942 14267 505175 565093 963 14122 505241 564916 948 14269 505160 565105 967 14130 505134 565064 964 14557 505150 565083 944 14131 505140 565057 963 14808 505179 565092 976 14133 505119 565050 961

Table 4. Coordinates for samples reported in this release.

Silver equivalent

Metal prices for equivalent calculations were US$1,800/oz for gold and US$25/oz for silver. Metallurgical recoveries assumed are 96% for gold and 94% for silver.

QA/QC

Rock samples were sent to either ALS, Actlabs or SGS in Medellin, Colombia, for preparation. Samples delivered to Actlabs were AA assayed on Au, Ag, Pb, and Zn at Medellin, then sent to Actlabs Mexico for ICP-multi-elemental analysis. Samples sent to ALS, then were shipped to ALS Lima for assaying. Samples delivered to SGS were AA assayed for Au and Ag in Medellin, then were sent to SGS Lima for multi-element analysis. In line with QA/QC best practice, approximately three control samples are inserted per twenty samples (one blank, one standard and one field duplicate). The samples are analyzed for gold using a standard fire assay on a 30-gram sample and with a gravimetric finish when surpassing over limits. Multi-element geochemistry is determined by ICP-MS using aqua regia digestion. Comparison to control samples and their standard deviations indicate acceptable accuracy of the assays and no detectible contamination.

About Santa Ana

The 100% owned Santa Ana project comprises 27,000 hectares, 190 kilometres from Bogota, Colombia. Santa Ana consists of regional scale parallel vein systems across a trend 12 kilometres wide and 30 kilometres long covering a majority of the Mariquita District. The Mariquita District is Colombia's highest-grade primary silver district, where mining records date to at least 1585, with historic silver grades reported to be among the highest in Latin America from dozens of mines.

Santa Ana maiden resource estimate contains an estimated indicated resource of 24.2 million ounces silver equivalent at a grade of 614 grams per tonne silver equivalent and an inferred mineral resource of 13.5 million ounces silver equivalent at a grade of 435 grams per tonne silver equivalent, based on the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled "Santa Ana Property Mineral Resource Estimate," dated June 8, 2023, and prepared by AMC Mining Consultants. The resource is comprised of the seven vein systems (commonly containing multiple parallel veins and multiple ore shoots) discovered to date  Santa Ana (San Antonio, Roberto Tovar, San Juan shoots); La Porfia (La Ivana); El Dorado (El Dorado, La Abeja shoots); Paraiso (Megapozo); Las Maras; Los Naranjos and La Isabela.

Veins with similar high grade and thickness exist along strike toward the south, forming a high-grade silver enriched trend that extends for 30 kilometres. Outcrop Silver's exploration team has identified numerous additional veins based on high-grade samples from outcrop and historical workings that have yet to be drill tested. Outcrop Silver remains focused on identifying new vein targets with high-grade potential, and adding substantially derisked mineralized silver-bearing veins that will increase the published maiden resource.

About Outcrop Silver

Outcrop Silver is advancing the Santa Ana high-grade silver deposit with exploration activities aiming to expand the current in-situ mineral resource. Santa Ana is being advanced by a highly disciplined and seasoned professional team with decades of experience in Colombia.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been approved by Joseph P Hebert, a qualified person as defined in NI 43-101 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Outcrop.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joseph P Hebert

Chief Executive Officer

+1 775 340 0450

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www.outcropsilverandgold.com

Kathy Li

Director of Investor Relations

+1 778 783 2818

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Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "we believe", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Outcrop to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, capital expenditures and other costs, financing and additional capital requirements, completion of due diligence, general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, political uncertainties, and the state of the securities markets generally. Although management of Outcrop have 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. Outcrop will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.
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% V 2 O 5 and 234.6 ppm MoO 3 along with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 144.87 Mt @ 0.33% V 2 O 5 and 241.9 ppm MoO 3 (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

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Andrew Rowell, Investor Relations  Australia

M: +61 400 466 226

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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
* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization."

* German and French entrepreneurs said they are ready to keep investing in China and further tap into the Chinese market.

BERLIN/PARIS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang's trips to leading European economies encouraged business representatives from Germany and France, who noted that the visits boosted their confidence in the Chinese economy and plans to continue investing in China.

The first overseas trip since Li took office was featured with extensive exchanges with German and French community, in addition to meetings with European leaders.

CHINESE OPPORTUNITIES

China's development brings opportunities rather than risks to the world, sending stabilities rather than shocks to the global industrial chain and supply chain, Li told Charles Michel, president of the European Council, in Paris on Thursday on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.

"China remains one of the most important markets for Adidas. Adidas is on the way to increasing its investments in China significantly," said Bjorn Gulden, Adidas chief executive officer and global brands chief.

The German sportswear manufacturer invested 100 million euros (109.1 million U.S. dollars) into a high-quality, high-tech and sustainable distribution center in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, adding the newest plant to its distribution network in China.

German automaker Volkswagen signed late May a contract with the Hefei Economic Development Zone in east China's Anhui Province, announcing an investment of around 1 billion euros (1.1 billion dollars) to launch a new company in early 2024, which is expected to bring together 2,000 R&D and purchasing specialists.

Also in Suzhou, Germany's Bosch Group broke ground on its R&D and manufacturing site for new energy vehicle core components and automated driving in late March. With a total investment of over 1 billion U.S. dollars, the project is expected to bolster innovation in Jiangsu's automobile industry.

Guillaume Faury, chief executive officer of Airbus, told Xinhua that the European aircraft manufacturer decided to continue to invest in its production facility in China, which will contribute to the company's global ambition of producing 75 A320 series planes a month by 2026.

He said China is a vital strategic partner to Airbus, and its supply chain is an integral part of the world's aviation industry, which has shown remarkable industrial resilience and competitiveness over the past three years.

DECOUPLING WON'T WORK

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at his meeting with Li that his country welcomes China's development and prosperity, noting Germany rejects all forms of decoupling and "de-risking" is not "de-sinicization."

On jointly maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, Li expressed admiration for the French government's opposition to bloc confrontations, decoupling as well as severing industrial and supply chains.

It is hoped that Chinese and French entrepreneurs will firmly support economic globalization, take action for open and win-win cooperation, and jointly maintain the stability and resilience of the industrial and supply chains between China and France and between China and Europe, Li said.

German and French entrepreneurs said they are ready to keep investing in China and further tap into the Chinese market, believing China will adhere to opening up.

Airbus strongly supports multilateralism and free trade. As a global company rooted in Europe, Airbus told Xinhua that it advocates win-win cooperation wherever it makes sense.

German businessmen said Germany and China are close partners, and great success has been achieved by deepening the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

Eliminating risks means strengthening international cooperation, and decoupling will not work, they said.

Siegfried Russwurm, president of the Federation of German Industries, said decoupling from China is wrong. A so-called decoupling would be unrealistic and harmful. "We need dialogue with China on climate protection and also on trade and investment relations."

The German Electro and Digital Industry Association has advised the country's government against decoupling from China, stressing that the Asian country's market was "of paramount importance" for Europe's largest economy.

If Germany were to decouple itself from China economically, its gross domestic product would drop by 2 percent, according to a recent study compiled by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research on behalf of the Foundation for Family Businesses. The result would be an annual loss of almost 57 billion euros (about 62.2 billion dollars).

HIGH-QUALITY COOPERATION

For the future, Li expressed his hope that entrepreneurs from China and Germany could follow the trend and continue to pursue openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation and maintain the stability of industrial and supply chains through high-quality and high-level practical cooperation.

German entrepreneurs noted they are willing to improve cooperation with China in coping with climate change, strengthening research and development capabilities, and advancing digital transformation.

CEO of BMW AG Oliver Zipse said the BMW Group has deep and long-standing ties with China. The strong partnership will enable BMW and its Chinese partners to continue to create a win-win situation together as the automotive industry undergoes a massive transformation.

According to Chinese electric carmaker NIO founder William Li, Sino-German cooperation is also very important for the next development of Chinese new energy vehicle companies.

"Chinese and German companies can start an in-depth cooperation in automotive technology and intelligence and use the advantages of both sides to jointly promote the development of the intelligent electric vehicle industry," he said.

According to CEO of L'Oreal China Fabrice Megarbane, "the pace of reform is getting faster, the efficiency of implementation is getting higher, the door of China's opening-up is becoming wider, and the business environment is getting better, making our confidence in the Chinese market stronger."

Data from China's Ministry of Commerce showed new investment from European companies in China rose by 70 percent to 12.1 billion dollars in 2022 when China-EU bilateral trade hit a new high of 847.3 billion dollars.

In a world of turmoil and transformation, the more serious and complex the situation, the more necessary it is to think calmly and grasp certainty amid uncertainties, Li said during his Europe visit, which wrapped up on Friday.

(Video reporters: Gao Ming, Sun Renbin, Yu Yetong, Wang Nan, Shan Weiyi, Huang Yan, Hu Zunyuan, Sun Qing, You Zhixin, Pan Xu, Cen Zhilian; video editors: Jia Xiaotong, Zhao Xiaoqing, Zheng Xin)
Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - 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 Companys 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 finders 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

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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 Companys expansion plans, project timelines, expected drilling targets, and other statements that express managements 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 Companys properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Companys 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 Companys 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 Companys ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are set out in the Companys latest management discussion and analysis under Risks and Uncertainties, which is available under the Companys 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 Companys 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 managements assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.




VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Musk Metals Corp. ("Musk Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:MUSK) (OTC PINK:EMSKF) (FSE:1I30) is pleased to announce that it has acquired two lithium properties strategically located in James Bay, Quebec.

The Pontax South property consists of 105 claims covering 5,603 hectares (56 km2) and immediately adjacent to the south to Li-Ft Power Ltd.'s Pontax project which contains the most extensive Lithium anomaly within Li-Ft's Quebec portfolio. The Pontax South Property is also 60 km southwest of Stria Lithium's Pontax project and 90 km southwest of Brunswick Exploration Inc.'s Anatacau West project.

All these projects are near the major NE-SW Causabiscau Shear Zone which is a sharp, steep, and deep-seated regional structure that is 50 to 200 m wide and over 160 km long, separating the Nemiscau Sedimentary Sub-Province from the La Grande Pluto-Volcanic Sub-Province. The Nemiscau Sub-Province is comprised mostly of metasediments and little greenstone belts, felsic intrusives and large masses of pegmatites.

The Causabiscau Shear Zone transects the Pontax South property over 16 km, representing approximately 10% of its total length. In addition, another regional Shear Zone, oriented E-W, crosscuts the property over 6 km. Many Lithium deposits and occurrences are closely and spatially associated to shear zones, evidencing entrapment, and tend to form at or near the contact of mafic, ultramafic or amphibolite rocks which are reported at Pontax South.

Figure 1: Pontax South Property

The Ile Interdite property consists of 20 claims covering 1,089 hectares (10.9 km2) and extends over 5 km along the Nottaway River Shear Zone, a prominent regional structure that can be followed over 200 km. Ile Interdite is near the contact between the Nemiscau Sedimentary and the Opatica Pluto-Volcanic Sub-Provinces, consisting of paragneiss and amphibolite rocks.

The Ile Interdite property hosts an important beryl showing that was identified in the 1960's by the same group of Quebec government geologists who reported spodumene at both Whabouchi and Cyr deposit's locations. Beryl is a relatively rare pathfinder mineral for lithium, often observed in pegmatites. At Ile Interdite, beryl is disseminated in a pegmatite.

Figure 2: Ile Interdite Property

Terms of the Purchase Agreement

The purchase price payable to the arm's length Vendors for the mineral claims shall be as follows: (i) cash payment of $50,000 upon the closing of the next hard dollar financing; (ii) issuing 1,500,000 common shares of the Company to each of the two vendors; and (iii) granting a 2% underlying royalty. The Company has a right to acquire 1% (50% of the underlying royalty) at any time for the payment of $1,000,000.

The closing of the transaction will be completed as soon as possible after all applicable regulatory approvals of the transaction have been obtained, but no later than July 31, 2023, or at such other place or date as may be mutually agreed upon by the purchase and vendors.

Appointment of Benoit Moreau as VP Exploration

Musk Metals has retained Mr. Benoit Moreau, as its VP of Exploration to oversee exploration initiatives for its portfolio of highly prospective, discovery stage mineral properties. Benoit Moreau, P.Eng., holds a B.Sc. in geology from the Universite de Montreal, a B.Eng. (mining) from Ecole Polytechnique (Montreal) and a MBA from the Universite du Quebec. Mr. Moreau has more than three decades of various experience in exploration, project development and process engineering as well as asset evaluation and acquisitions.

Over the last 15 years, Mr. Moreau was mostly involved in strategic and critical minerals such as Rare Earths, Graphite, Tin, Tungsten, and Lithium.

Qualified Person

Benoit Moreau (P.Eng) is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 guidelines, and he has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

About Musk Metals Corp.

Musk Metals is a publicly traded exploration company focused on the development of highly prospective, discovery-stage mineral properties located in some of Canada's top mining jurisdictions. The Company's properties are in the "Allison Lake Batholith" of Northwestern Ontario, and the "Chapais-Chibougamau", "Abitibi", and "James Bay" regions of Quebec.

Make sure to follow the Company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well as subscribe for Company updates at http://www.muskmetals.ca/

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

___Nader Vatanchi___

CEO & Director

For more information on Musk Metals, please contact:

Phone: 604-717-6605

Corporate e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.muskmetals.ca

Corporate Address: 2905 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1C6

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters regarding the business plans of the Company. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents or accuracy of this press release.
RENO, Nev., June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("i-80", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation ("BMRR") for an additional 24.49 acres of disturbance consisting of up to 70 additional pad locations at its 100% owned, high-grade, Ruby Hill Property ("Ruby Hill" or "the Property") located in Eureka County, Nevada. This approval will allow the Company to begin testing the highly prospective, approximately 3 km long, mostly unexplored structural corridor between the Hilltop deposits and the recently acquired Paycore Minerals ("Paycore") property to the south.

Ruby Hill is one of three core assets being advanced by i-80 and is host to high-grade Carlin-Type gold deposits and multiple Carbonate Replacement Deposits (CRD). In mid-2022, i-80 discovered multiple zones of high-grade CRD and skarn mineralization proximal to the Hilltop fault at Ruby Hill and earlier in 2023, acquired Paycore for its exploration potential and its FAD deposit, one of the highest-grade polymetallic deposits in North America. The consolidation of the "Hilltop Corridor" provides i-80 with a favourable structural trend that measures more than 3 km and is host to multiple historic mines and new gold and polymetallic deposits.

Importantly, this permitting will provide enhanced drill sites to define and expand mineralization at Upper Hilltop, one of a series of high-grade CRD zones located on the south side of the Archimedes pit (see Image 1) where previously released drill results include 515.3 g/t Ag, 28.9 % Pb, 10.5 % Zn & 0.9 g/t Au over 28.3 m in hole iRH22-43, 1.9 g/t Au, 631.3 g/t Ag, 7.4 % Zn & 33.0 % Pb over 18.3 m in hole iRH2253, and 60.2 g/t Au, 908.7 g/t Ag, 1.1 % Zn & 15.7 % Pb over 10.0 m in hole iRH22-55.

Also, high-grade CRD and skarn mineralization has been discovered under alluvial cover in the East Hilltop area. Owing to limited drill platforms, this target has been difficult to test but has returned significant mineralization including 12.3 % Zn over 39.4 m in hole iRH22-61 (East Hilltop skarn) and 226.1 g/t Ag, 9.7 % Zn and 10.0 % Pb over 8.4 m in hole iRH23-10 (East Hilltop CRD).

The Hilltop Corridor is a predominately alluvial covered trend immediately south of the Archimedes pit believed to be host to multiple feeder fault structures (see Image 1) that is largely untested by previous drilling due to the alluvial cover and lack of interest in base metals. The Hilltop discoveries were made in the second half of 2022 exploration campaign while testing one of several generative exploration targets identified proximal to the Blackjack (skarn) deposit, confirming the Company's belief that the Ruby Hill Property could be host to multiple types of mineralization and several large-scale deposits. Additional highgrade CRD discoveries have been made in 2023, extending mineralization along the Hilltop fault over a strike length of approximately 750 metres. The permitting will allow the Company to more thoroughly define mineralization along the Hilltop fault but also test new targets being generated from drilling or geophysical surveys.

Paycore was a key acquisition for i-80 as it consolidates the most productive part of the Eureka District, adding 3,627 acres to the Company's land package. The FAD deposit is host to a historic non 43-101 compliant resource of 3,540,173 t @ 5.14 g/t Au, 196.46 g/t Ag, 8.0% Zn, 3.8% Pb1 and where Paycore drilling in 2022 returned numerous high-grade intercepts including 1.06 g/t Au, 155.5 g/t Ag, 22.0% Zn & 1.5% Pb over 12.5 m and 2.03 g/t Au, 231.6 g/t Ag, 6.3 % Zn & 3.7 % Pb over 44.8 m (PC22-07), 7.1 g/t Au, 376.3 g/t Ag, 6.3 % Zn & 10.3% Pb over 14.8 m (PC22-08) and 8.0 g/t Au, 79.0 g/t Ag, 10.0 % Zn & 1.0% Pb over 27.4 m and 1.8 g/t Au, 318.0 g/t Ag, 4.6 % Zn & 6.1 % Pb over 7.4 m (PC22-10).

1 The historical estimates contained in this presentation have not been verified as current mineral resources. A "qualified person" (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

Geophysical surveys completed at Ruby Hill have identified several highly prospective anomalies that are believed to have the potential to represent additional massive sulfide targets. Several of these anomalies will be tested in the 2023 drilling program. Additional geophysical surveys including high-resolution magnetics and magnetotellurics are currently being completed to cover the southern extension of the Hilltop Corridor and the FAD Property.

The Ruby Hill Property is one of the Company's primary assets and is host to the core processing infrastructure within the Eureka District of the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend including an idle leach plant and an active heap leach facility. The Property is host to multiple gold, gold-silver and polymetallic (base metal) deposits. The Company has submitted for approval its plan to develop an underground mine at Ruby Hill with mineralization accessed via a ramp from the Archimedes open pit. Work is also progressing for the completion of updated mineral resource estimates (gold and polymetallic zones) and an initial economic study for the gold zones (only).

Please click here for further information on abbreviations and conversions referenced in this press release.

QAQC Procedures

All samples were submitted to either American Assay Laboratories (AAL) or ALS Minerals (ALS) both of Sparks, NV, which are ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratories, independent of the Company. Samples submitted through AAL and ALS are run through standard prep methods and analysed using Au-AA23 (ALS) or FA-PB30-ICP (AAL) (Au; 30g fire assay for both) and ME-ICP61a (35 element suite; 0.4g 4 acid/ICP-AES) for ALS and IO-4AB32 (35 element suite; 0.5g 4-acid ICP-OES+MS) for AAL. Both AAL and ALS also undertake their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. i-80 Gold Corp's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results. Previous assays conducted on Paycore Mineral's samples were submitted to ALS Minerals (ALS) of Sparks, NV, which is an ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratory, which is independent of the Company. Samples submitted through ALS were run through standard prep methods and analysed using Au-AA23 (Au; 30g fire assay) and ME-MS61 (48 element suite; 0.25g 4-acid/ICP-AES and ICP-MS). ALS also undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Paycore's QA/QC program included regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results, and third-party assay checks of mineralized intercepts.

Qualified Person

Tyler Hill, CPG-12146, Chief Geologist at i-80 is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp. is a Nevada-focused mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio with processing at i-80's centralized milling facilities. i-80 Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol IAU:TSX and IAUX:NYSE. Further information about i-80 Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.i80gold.com or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the expansion or mineral resources at Ruby Hill and the potential of the Ruby Hill project. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.
Vancouver, BC - TheNewswire - June 27, 2023 - Tearlach Resources Limited (TSXV:TEA) (OTC:TELHF) (FRANKFURT:V44) (Tearlach or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has started mapping and sampling on our Georgina Stairs Lithium Project in the Georgia Lake pegmatite field, Jellicoe, Ontario. Mapping targets are being generated daily and followed up by Tearlachs geology team. The Project is located 9 km east of Rock Tech Lithiums Georgia Lake Project and is being explored for lithium mineralization hosted in spodumene pegmatites.

Highlights:

Data compilation on the Project area, including topography, geology and geophysics data, was completed in the spring of 2023 and used to identify specific exploration targets in the Project area.

Satellite images were used to identify outcrops, access roads and logged areas.

172 sample locations were described in the month of May.

76 samples have been submitted to the lab for assays.

20 granite outcrops were discovered and sampled.

Tearlach signed an MOU with four local First Nation communities.

Tearlachs geology team has discovered 20 granite outcrops hosted by biotite metasedimentary rocks on the Georgina Stairs claim block, whereas previously Ontario Regional Geology Map (MRD126) indicated that there was no granite on the claim block (Figure 1). The medium- to coarse-grained biotite granite outcrops occur in the southern part of the claim block. The mapping results have been interpreted and indicate three (3) exploration target areas for additional mapping. The discovery of granite is important because pegmatite dykes are derived from granite. For example, Rock Techs spodumene pegmatites are hosted by metasedimentary rocks in close proximity to granites.

A total of 172 sample locations were described in the month of May, of which 76 samples were submitted to Actlabs, Geraldton location for assay. Results are pending. The samples include granite to examine their rare-element content and metasediments to examine rare-element metasomatism as an indicator of blind pegmatites. Diabase was also sampled to distinguish between different generations of sills and dykes to see if one generation is associated with pegmatites. The Li, Rb, Cs, Nb, Ta and Be content of the granite will be plotted on a map to determine in which direction these rare-elements are increasing. This will be the direction to look for the possible presence of pegmatites.

Prospecting is ongoing and has been facilitated by access from the Peck Lake Road, which passes north to south through the middle of the property, and there are many logging trails on the Property (Figure 1). The geology team has been able to park the truck next to the outcrops.

The Project is underexplored in part because it is located outside E.G. Pyes Georgia Lake Area map (Ontario Geological Survey, M2056, 1964), which has guided lithium pegmatite exploration in the area for many decades. The majority of the Property has had no historical exploration on it despite being so close to the Trans Canada Highway. The limited historical exploration on the Property consists of drilling in 1972 and 1973 in search of sulphides and prospecting in 2009 and 2011 also for sulphides.

The Propertys geology is similar to Rock Tech Lithiums Georgia Lake Project and is 9 km east of Rock Techs spodumene pegmatites. The geology is also similar to Balkan Mining and Minerals Limiteds Gorge Lithium Project and is located 4.7 km north of their spodumene pegmatites.

Dr. Selway, VP of Exploration for Tearlach, commented, I am pleased to finally get into the field to look at the rocks on the Georgina Stairs Property. Tearlach staked the property in February 2023. The discovery of granite on the property is a good first step to finding pegmatites.

Tearlach welcomes Aboriginal Consultation and has met with four First Nation communities (Animbiigoo Zaagiigan Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek and the Red Rock Indian Band) with traditional territories on Georgina Stairs Property face-to-face on April 20 and 21, 2023. These meetings led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated May 9, 2023, with all four communities. Tearlach has also hired a member of the First Nation communities as a geological assistant to join our geology team, as he has excellent knowledge of and experience hunting and fishing in our project area.

Figure 1. Geology map for Georgina Stairs Project, Jellicoe, NW Ontario.

Qualified Person

Julie Selway, Ph.D., P.Geo. supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that formed the basis for the written disclosure in this news release. Dr. Selway is the VP of Exploration for Tearlach Resources and the Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Tearlach

Tearlach, a member of the TSX Venture 50, is a Canadian exploration company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and developing lithium projects. Tearlach is focused on advancing its flagship Gabriel Project in Tonopah, Nevada, bordering American Lithium's TLC Deposit, and has completed 11 drill holes on the Gabriel Property. Tearlach has three lithium assets in Ontario: Final Frontier, Georgina Stairs, and New Frontier. Final Frontier is located adjacent to and near Frontier Lithiums PAK lithium deposit north of Red Lake. Georgina Stairs is located northeast of Rock Tech Lithiums Georgia Lake deposit near Beardmore. Tearlach has two lithium assets in Quebec: Rose-Fliszar-Muscovite Project in the James Bay area and Shelby Project adjacent to and near Patriot Battery Metals Corvette lithium project and Winsome Resources Cancet and Adina lithium projects. Tearlach also has the Savant Property, an exploration stage Gold-Silver-Copper Property, in Northwestern Ontario. Tearlach's primary objective is to position itself as North America's leading lithium exploration and development company. For more information, please get in touch with the Company at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website at www.tearlach.ca for project updates and related background information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

TEARLACH RESOURCES LIMITED

Charles Ross

Chief Executive Officer

Suite 610 - 700 W. Pender Street

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8

Tel: 604-688-5007

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements and information that are not historical facts 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 and the assumptions made in respect thereof involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors beyond the Companys control. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions of the Company. Mineral exploration is highly speculative and characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date herein. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service provided (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 6, 2022) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has qualified to trade on the OTCQB and has begun trading under the symbol SNGCF . Martin Pawlitschek, President and CEO of Sanu... Read More
A Ukrainian woman on Monday brought charges in Germany against four Russian military members for allegedly raping her and killing her husband.

The complaint was filed with the German federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe together with the human rights group ECCHR and the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group NGO.

The attack allegedly took place "a few weeks" after the beginning of Moscow's invasion, while Russian forces were occupying the woman's village near Kyiv, the ECCHR said in a statement.

"After repeated intimidation and humiliation by members of these forces, two soldiers entered the family's property, shot her husband dead and then raped her multiple times," it said.

The four members of the military targeted by the complaint included two high-ranking officials, it said.

While none had been arrested, one was already facing trial in absentia in Ukraine.

"Accounts of similar crimes have been numerous," the ECCHR said, with over 200 cases already opened by Ukrainian prosecutors in relation to conflict-related sexual violence.

The alleged incident was "part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Ukrainian population" and constituted "crimes against humanity", it said.

The woman, who fled to Germany with her son following the attack, filed the complaint "to hold all perpetrators fully accountable" and encourage German authorities "to work to complement investigations already underway in Ukraine", the ECCHR said.

The human rights group said the legal framework in the war-torn country was insufficient to fully bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

As well as the difficulty of running the judiciary in wartime, the Ukrainian system did not recognise crimes against humanity or the responsibility of commanders for the actions of their subordinates.

The federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe applies the principle of universal jurisdiction -- which allows it to pursue people for crimes of exceptional gravity, including war crimes and genocide, even if they were committed in a different country.

The criminal complaint, as such, called on German prosecutors "to support the efforts of the Ukrainian authorities".

"It is important that cases of grave crimes are investigated in accordance with the international standards," while the Ukrainian system "does not have the capacity", ULAG director Nadia Volkova said in the statement.
Five citizens of the European Union are being tried in Russia as mercenaries in the war with Ukraine. Three Britons, a Croat and a Swede were captured and detained in the spring of 2022 in the Zaporozhye and Donetsk regions, occupied by Russian troops. At first, they were on trial in the so-called Donetsk Republic where they faced a possible death penalty. Then in September the accused were swapped along with other Ukrainian prisoners. But this spring the trial was transferred to a Russian military court. And now the hearings are being held in absentia.

The military court in Rostov-on-Don, in south-western Russia, held two hearings in the case of the five Europeans, the Croatian Vjekoslav Prebeg, the Swede Matias Gustafsson and UK citizens John Harding, Andrew Hill and Dylan Healy.

When the pro-Russian military captured them in 2022, the authorities of the unrecognised Donetsk Peoples Republic accused them of undergoing training to seize power, forcibly seizing power, and participating as mercenaries in an armed conflict. Such charges made it possible to sentence them to death.

The articles under which they are accused are quite serious. Here I would not rule out capital punishment, Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed republic, said on a Russian federal channel last summer.

Imposing the death penalty would not be a new practice for the Supreme Court in Donetsk. In June last year, the court issued its first sentence against foreigners who fought in the Donbass on the side of Ukraine. Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, as well as Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, were sentenced to death. They were found guilty of mercenarism, attempted violent seizure of power and training in order to carry out terrorist activities. Pinner and Aslin surrendered in Mariupol, Saadun in Volnovakha.

The trial of the three defendants was held behind closed doors. Aslin, Pinner and Saadoun were members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and had signed their contracts before Russias full invasion began. They lived in Ukraine for several years. Still, their actions were qualified as mercenarism.

Details from the Donetsk court

The case against the other five citizens of the European Union was first heard publicly on August 15, in a hearing held before the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Court in Donetsk, where the first details about the identity of the accused prisoners became known.

Gustafsson served under contract in Mariupol in the 36th separate brigade of the Marine Corps as a steering minder of an infantry fighting vehicle.

Prebeg began his service in the Ukrainian army a few years ago. In an interview he gave after the swap he said that he went to Kyiv in December 2019 because he wanted to help Ukraine in its eastern war against pro-Russian separatists, and later signed up to join the Ukrainian army in May 2020. From that moment on, he served as a senior rifleman in the 36th brigade in Pavlopil.

Harding has previously participated in other military conflicts, including Syria. He signed a contract with the armed forces of Ukraine in the spring of 2018 and served as an instructor. In interviews that Harding gave later, he stated that he served in the role of a military medic. Healy arrived in Ukraine in March 2022, after Russias invasion began. Donetsk investigators claimed that he had come from Poland under the guise of a Red Cross volunteer. The media noted that Healy was engaged in humanitarian aid and helped local residents on behalf of the non-profit organization Presidium Network.

The third Briton Andrew Hill ended up in Ukraine at the same time as Healy. He was taking training courses for foreigners in Kyiv, the investigator said in the court in Donetsk.

Thus, at least three of the servicemen officially served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and at least two of the five defendants were taken prisoner at Azovstal, in Mariupol, by Russian troops.

My nose was broken and brutal questioning began

None of the foreigners admitted their guilt. Hearings were postponed until October but no new court sessions took place in the self-proclaimed republic: on September 21, Russia and Ukraine, through the mediation of Saudi Arabia, held a large-scale exchange of prisoners. 200 Ukrainians and ten foreigners, including the five accused and the three already convicted, returned home. Russia received 55 prisoners of war, as well as businessman and pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk. In the media, he is called the godfather of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After returning home, three of the accused foreigners gave media interviews about the conditions of detention in the self-proclaimed republic.

When I arrived there they took me out of the car; my head was covered with some kind of bag. I was immediately hit in the head, my nose was broken and brutal questioning began, Prebeg said in October 2022 in Zagreb, Croatia. Harding also recalled torture in captivity. He claimed that the guards had used cattle prods to jab prisoners and adapted an old phone into a torture device. Harding suffered neurological damage and said he witnessed the death of one of his cellmates.

In October 2022, Russia held a referendum on the entry of four Ukrainian regions into the country, including Donetsk becoming part of Russia. The case against the foreign combatants was transferred to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Despite the prisoner swap, attempts to try them for mercenarism did not stop. Articles of the criminal code of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic were replaced with articles of the criminal code of the Russian Federation. The fundamental difference is that in Russia since 1997 there has been a moratorium on the death penalty. The Russian judiciary could no longer sentence the accused to capital punishment. The punishment for mercenarism is also softer in Russia. It involves up to eight years in prison. Gustafsson, Prebeg and Harding were also accused of training to prepare for terrorist activities. Under this article, they could be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Mercenaries or legal fighters?

Nataliya Sekretareva, legal department head at the Memorial Human Rights Center, a Nobel Peace Prize winning Russian NGO that was banned in early 2022, says that the five defendants cannot be considered mercenaries under international law, according to the definition given in the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.

Mercenaries are foreign fighters who are not part of the armed forces of some state. First of all, they are interested in the opportunity to make money on the war, says the lawyer who lives outside Russia. There is no information that foreign volunteers are fighting there for the sake of reward, especially one that would significantly exceed the remuneration of the Ukrainian military. In addition, the participation of volunteer battalions is regulated in Ukrainian legislation. Volunteers are incorporated into the armed forces of Ukraine and are subject to a single command. The defendants were part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, notes Sekretareva. Also they had the status of prisoners of war in Russia. It is forbidden to judge them for the mere fact of participation in an armed conflict, says Sekretareva.

The case of the five defendants nevertheless went to the military court in Rostov-on-Don in April of this year. The first hearing was held on May 31st. Each of the accused was assigned a free defense lawyer from the state. The prosecutor announced that he had no information about the defendants whereabouts. He asked the court to send a petition to the military police of Russias Defence Ministry to clarify where the accused are.

It was ironically in Rostov-on-Don, where a Russian court is trying fighters in Ukraine accused of mercenary activity, that the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, considered by many as mercenaries, made its show of force on June 24.  Roman Romokhov / AFP

It looks crazy

The whereabouts of Matias [Gustafsson] is unknown. It is necessary to locate him. The personal attendance of the defendants is also necessary. Next, we will consider the case on the merits. So far, I have no other information,  Gustafssons lawyer Vyacheslav Sharovatov told reporters. Waiting for a response from the Ministry of Defence, the hearing was postponed until June 22. But no answer came from the Defence Ministry, and the hearing was postponed, once again, until August 10.

Nataliya Sekretareva sees no legal point in this criminal trial in Russia: Maybe to show how Russia is uncompromisingly fighting the collective West? This looks especially crazy when in Russia over the past year they have been openly recruiting mercenaries for the private military company Wagner. After that the leader of the Wagner mercenary group declared war on the Minister of Defence and started marching to the Kremlin.
An excerpt from Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective.

The importance of disease detectives in solving and controlling outbreaks and pandemics must be recognized. We are the backbone of our public health system. We are scientifically savvy, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and able to follow the data wherever it leads, hopefully to answers and solutions to public health problems. Disease detectives are important in characterizing diseases in terms of defining risk factors for illness and establishing prevention measures to mitigate infections and deaths. We provide health care professionals with epidemic curves and future projections for outbreaks and pandemics based on typical human behaviors. We are able to characterize the mode of transmission of pandemic microbes, such as foodborne, waterborne, sexually transmitted, respiratory droplet, and person-to-person contact. Disease detectives are essential to developing effective interventions to reduce infections, such as chlorinating water, thoroughly cooking and irradiating foods, following safer sexual practices, wearing masks in public, thorough handwashing, and social distancing. In some cases, we put our own lives at risk in order to investigate outbreaks, especially those of unknown origin or emerging pathogens. In future pandemics, we must applaud and support these disease detectives, whose primary aims are to respond to epidemics and pandemics, prevent disease, and save lives.

John Snow, the most famous epidemiologist or disease detective in history, was able to determine that contaminated water from the Broad Street pump in London was the primary source of the cholera epidemic in 1854 and that removing the handle off the pump was the public health intervention to end the epidemic. Walter Reed was able to determine that mosquito bites were the primary route of transmission for the Yellow Fever pandemic in Cuba in 1901. In the early 1980s, epidemiologists at the CDC, along with doctors in California and New York, determined that the new immunodeficiency found in homosexual men was likely caused by a sexually transmitted agent yet to be identified. Once it was determined that the primary mode of transmission was sexual activity, safe sex using latex condoms could be used to reduce the risk of transmission even before the causative agent was identified. Smallpox ravaged the world for over three thousand years until Edward Jenner discovered that exposure to cowpox protected against smallpox infection, which led to the eradication of one of the greatest scourges of all time. Tuberculosis, or consumption, is a well-known respiratory disease that causes epidemics across the world. It was Robert Koch, in 1882, who discovered the bacterial agent which causes tuberculosis, and which subsequently led to the development of the BCG vaccination and the development of effective antibiotics. Ignaz Semmelweis is known as the father of hospital infection control, but other disease detectives such as Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Joseph Lister also made important scientific discoveries that led to aseptic procedures such as universal hand disinfection in the hospital setting and the sterilization of medical and surgical equipment. William Foege, a former director of the CDC, devised a successful global strategy to eradicate smallpox. Peter Piot was able to figure out that Ebola in Africa, which causes severe internal bleeding and fever and has a high mortality rate, was spread by the reuse of unsterilized injection needles and contact with deceased persons who died from Ebola during funeral rituals, which included washing the body of the deceased. Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin were virologists who discovered safe and effective polio vaccines, leading us to the near-global eradication of the disease that paralyzed and disabled so many people. Dr. Paul Farmer, who died at the age of 62 while teaching at a medical school in Africa that he helped develop, strongly believed that health care was a fundamental right. All these scientists, doctors, and disease detectives played critical roles in helping us understand the transmission of diseases and how best to control diseases to minimize their impact on people and their communities. At least 10 of my former medical students and medical residents and infectious disease fellows have gone on to join the Epidemic Intelligence Service because of my influence and mentoring. These mentees have solved numerous outbreaks and had a meaningful impact in the fields of public health and medicine. My recruitment and contribution to the development of the next generation of disease detectives has been a source of great pride for me.

Vaccines are the most important public health measure for controlling over one hundred different infectious diseases. Before we had effective vaccines for COVID-19, epidemiologists were able to mitigate infections by employing the wearing of masks, social distancing, and quarantine. Once it was determined that Yellow Fever, West Nile, Malaria, Zika, Dengue Fever, and Chikungunya were mosquito-borne infections, control measures such as the elimination of mosquitoes and their breeding sites, and the prevention of mosquito bites using bed nets, pesticides, insecticides, and insect repellents, were used to reduce the risk of acquiring infection. The control of foodborne infections was greatly improved by adequately cooking high-risk foods, such as ground meats and eggs, the pasteurization of milk and fruit juice products, and the irradiation of spices. Similarly, waterborne diseases, such as cholera, E. coli, and typhoid fever, were controlled by water chlorination. As a result of hard work by disease detectives over the past 75 years, we have seen global improvement in life expectancy and a reduction in child and maternal mortality, and a reduction in numerous infectious diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases have been the most substantial improvement in global health.

Now and in the future, disease detectives will remain extremely important for discovering and controlling new and emerging infections. Throughout history, human populations have been repeatedly challenged by pandemics. Given current events and trends, such as ongoing wars and refugees in resource-limited countries, the deforestation of our global rain forests, impact of global warming, migration of people away from cities to rural and mountainous areas, and increased natural disasters, animals, which harbor deadly viral pathogens, are likely to be brought into more frequent contact with human populations. Virus reservoirs in bats are likely of the greatest concern because they have been previously linked to Ebola, SARS-CoV-1, and COVID-19 infections in humans. There has always been a constant battle between our human existence and various opportunistic microbes, with respiratory viruses being the greatest threat to our continued existence and the continuation of human life on Earth.

The past several decades have been an extremely challenging time to be working in public health and medicine. Disease detectives have worked tirelessly in responding to infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics. I got to bear witness to both the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemics during my career, which had a tremendous impact on doctors, disease detectives, and other health care providers. We chose these careers to save lives and prevent illnesses, which is extremely rewarding and noble, but the HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 pandemics, by causing millions of deaths, have brought us to our knees with their staggering impact on our world, the global economy, our lives, and how we interact with people. Despite these feelings of pessimism and defeat, we must continue to endure and learn to meet new public health challenges as they arise; we must continue to march forward in our well-worn shoe leather, because new outbreaks and pandemic battles are on the horizon, which we must combat and win to save humanity from extinction.

Nicholas A. Daniels is an internal medicine physician and author of Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective.
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The cause of mans problem is a lack of knowledge. It does not stem from a shortage of information but rather from the rejection of information.

 Hosea 4:6

This event in medical history is one such lesson that describes the blinding of physicians to the realities of open-mindedness and the destructive potential that results from ignoring factual truth.

If it werent for the persistence and medical ingenuity of an early 1800s medical doctor, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, the impact of our management of childbirth would have been delayed for another century, and hundreds, maybe thousands, more women would have been killed from Childbed Fever.

At that time, physicians, like those of us today, were unable to recognize or accept the possibility that there was a simple solution to their worldwide groupthink in the practice of medicine concerning the prevention of maternal deaths caused by physicians and their lack of knowledge about the cause of Childbed Fever.

The fact that pregnant women in that era were the first to recognize the extreme danger of hospital birthing that far exceeded home deliveries was enigmatic. Only one European physician stopped to think about the cause of such tragedies. He had an open mind, focused and diligent enough to investigate potential causes. It required setting aside what he had been taught and trusted his intuition.

Seeing that the cause of the problem had to be within the hospital environment, he understood that births outside hospitals usually occurred without medical doctors. That led to connecting doctors with patient deliveries. Surgeons often worked on cadavers to learn more, without gloves or washing hands before delivering patients and cleaning the uterus by hand. Purulent infection of cadavers provided the cause.

He experimented with all the available cleaning solutions and discovered that washing the hands of delivery doctors in chlorine water prevented the infection almost 100%. He traveled around hospitals and gave them the secret. The problem was that all those physicians believed it was a hoax. Those who tried it a few times and quit doing it never noticed any benefit.

It took a few decades before the treatment prevention was accepted. Dr. Semmelweis was so distraught at his failure to convince other physicians that he covered his hands with purulent cadaver residue, slashed his hands, and died of the infection in a few days.

How does one physician persuade other doctors to believe him?

My own 20 years of research into the cause of physician attrition, early retirement, quitting medical practice, and reducing or eliminating all stressors that we all see within the private medical practice environment presently has convinced me that the great majority of physicians are increasingly facing problems that can be effectively resolved.

I know that if medical students are provided with business education while in medical school, it will not only result in an enormous improvement in the factors that today drive them away from medical practice and applying to medical school.

Physicians dont have to look for outside jobs to supplement their poor income. The backup that basically 100% of physicians dont have today is the business tools that all businesses in the world use to prosper, grow, and expand. Why are physicians denied these tools and strategies? We in private medical practice have a small business to maintain. We desperately need these tools.

This serious business problem can be related to outdated myths about the business of medical practice and the intentional educational restrictions against business education mandated by medical school education scholars and administrators for a hundred years.

It becomes a problem for all physicians to either believe in the value and benefits of business education (not an MBA) or continue believing they are smarter and can handle their business better than the business experts. Medical students for the last century have never been told about the business side of medical practice.

It is insane to send a physician out into the population with no business education to start a business and make the medical practice business successful. Physicians arent dumb. You know that some organizations, all medical schools, or government contracts and oversight are getting all the benefits by not permitting physicians to learn about the business tools.

The other physicians know a powerful need for business education and do not have the money to get business knowledge before or after medical school. These physicians remain silent and tolerate the whipping and abuseGod bless them. The bottom line is that if business education is not provided while in medical school, it will never be affordable.

However, if the rules of medical school scholars and administrators persistno business educationthen medical practice as we know it will disappear very soon.

There is another option for all physicians to take advantage of, which is bulletproof to the swaggers of the medical school education system. Can you imagine that anyone or any educational system would ever attempt to provide a digital business education learning system online that is very affordable and far better than college courses because it is specifically designed for physicians in clinical medical practice?

Its never been done before. Besides, it would have to be created by a physician who had a private medical practice business and who also had an expert level of business education.

Such a process has already been established that is affordable for all physicians who want to reach their maximum income and do it all while sitting at home with their feet on the coffee table and learning as fast as they choose. The interesting part of the program is that you can select one management process and one marketing strategy and start them within a week. Of course, you will need to read a few books by business experts on the topics you need more information about.

Nothing else that I know provides a way to start using business tools long before you know everything you need to know about medical practice management and marketing strategies. Activate one business management tool and one marketing tool and continue to add to that foundation for as long as you prefer. As you keep earning more income, you can afford to expand your profits to a higher level, step by step. You dont have to be a millionaireyou need enough increasing income to accomplish what you started in your medical career to do.

Curtis G. Graham is a physician.
Global vanilla prices are predicted to fall in the next seasons which could be a great discouragement to farmers.

While updating the public about the vanilla harvest dates for the first season of the year 2023 at the Uganda Media Centre on tuesday, the State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Mr Fred Bwino Kyakulaga attributed the projected fall in prices to reduced global consumer demand and global buyers stocking up in anticipation of crop failure in Madagascar, the leading producer of vanilla in the world.

He, however, encouraged local farmers to keep growing vanilla and be mindful of the quality of the products they produce in a competitive world market.

The issue of quality in Ugandas vanilla subsector remains critical than ever as Uganda seeks to position itself to be a competitive and reliable origin of vanilla, second to Madagascar, Bwino said.

The minister meanwhile announced 17th July 2023 as the appropriate vanilla harvest season onwards, urging farmers to pick only ripe vanilla beans, cautioning that government will take strong action against anyone found harvesting or in possession of unripe green vanilla beans.

Major markets for Ugandas vanilla include; USA, Indonesia, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and Mauritius, among others.
A section of Members of Parliament on Tuesday protested the proposal by Bank of Uganda to reverse the requirement of establishing the Shariah Advisory Council to operationalise Islamic banking in Uganda after Central Bank officials said there are no Muslims in the country with experience and knowledge to sit on the advisory council.

Addressing MPs on Tuesday, Tumubweine Twinemanzi, the executive director, banking supervision at Bank of Uganda revealed that the country has no PhD holders in Islamic financing.

If you are going to advise an existing supervisor, your standards or level of experience must be above that which the supervisor already has. We went and had discussions with various groups within the Muslim community trying to find these people internally, Twinemanzi noted.

What we have noticed is that we have very many people with knowledge and experience in Shariah law, actually, we do have PhDs in Islamic Financing in this country, and some have been teaching Islamic financing for close to a decade, but when you ask them if they have experience in financial services in this country, the answer is no, Twinemanzi added.

Commenting on governments position, Butambala County Member of Parliament, Muwanga Kivumbi tasked Bank of Uganda to furnish parliament with evidence showing that there are no Ugandans experienced to sit on the advisory council.

In all honesty, that is a very weak reason. The regulations you cite, are set by you, they arent statutory. When we give you an act to implement, you have a duty to frame a regulation that implements the act as is, but not to fail it. I dont think you have looked around carefully and ascertained that there are no Muslim scholars that qualify, have you advertised and therefore flouted it around, Muwanga said.

Muwanga also rejected the claim made by Bank of Uganda officials that naming some Muslims to the board would anger others due to the various sects in Islam, citing division in Christianity.

Parliament was on Tuesday expected to pass amendments to the Tax Amendment Bill, 2023 to pave the way for the introduction of Islamic Banking in Uganda.

Islamic banking is guided by Shariah principles as laid down in Islamic commercial law. While Shariah is a legal framework within which the affairs of a Muslims life are governed, Islamic banking applies only a portion of Shariah which relates to commercial transactions.

Like other religions, Islam prohibits Usury/interest which is a backbone of conventional banking system. In addition to interest, Islam prohibits other unethical business conducts such as; excessive uncertainty, gambling, speculation and materialism.
Parliament is this afternoon expected to pass amendments to the Tax Amendment Bill, 2023 to pave the way for the introduction of Islamic Banking in Uganda.

According to the Order Paper, this is among the matters that are top on the list of todays business.

If passed into law, Uganda will join other African countries that have adopted Islamic banking but are non-Islamic states, including South Africa, Senegal, Botswana, Zambia, Eritrea, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

However, the Uganda Law Society has called for careful consideration and further deliberation before enacting laws related to Islamic Banking in Uganda.

Appearing before Parliaments finance committee yesterday, Cephas Birungyi, a partner and team Leader at Birungyi, Barata & Associates and a representative of the Uganda Law Society, emphasized the need for a cautious approach in implementing Islamic Banking.

Birungyi highlighted potential risks and the necessity for comprehensive understanding and preparation before introducing new tax bills.

He expressed his belief that implementing the legislation without proper software development would be premature and pose implementation challenges.

What is Islamic banking?

Islamic banking is guided by Shariah principles as laid down in Islamic commercial law. While Shariah is a legal framework within which the affairs of a Muslims life are governed, Islamic banking applies only a portion of Shariah which relates to commercial transactions.

Like other religions, Islam prohibits Usury/interest which is a backbone of conventional banking system. In addition to interest, Islam prohibits other unethical business conducts such as; excessive uncertainty, gambling, speculation and materialism.
A funeral policy that will guide on how to conduct state funerals is in the offing.

The Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka has told parliament that the government is consolidating all provisions in the laws regarding funerals of public servants, into a funeral policy to stipulate the individuals meant to lie in state upon their demise.

This was after Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu raised the matter on determining whose body should be brought to Parliament for tribute, saying it has been raised several times, but no tangible solution has been availed by the government.

Ssewungu added that this will help not to leave all the powers only with the President to determine who should or shouldnt be brought to Parliament.

Early this month, the cost of state funerals sparked debate in parliament, with MPs shining the light on the financial burden that comes with funerals that span days when the state takes over arrangements

Ugandas constitution guarantees a state funeral for only the president, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, and Prime Minister.

The same law, however, grants the president authority to declare official burials, which obliges the taxpayer to pick up the funeral bill.
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Uisce Eireann, in partnership with Kilkenny County Council is replacing 2.5km of ageing, damaged water mains prone to bursts along Annamult Road.

Works are scheduled to commence this week on the on the Annamult Road from the R700 junction heading South for 2.5 kms. The works represent a significant investment in reducing disruption from bursts and outages which have been affecting homes and businesses in the area.

Programme Manager, for Uisce Eireanns National Leakage Reduction Programme, Joe Carroll is looking forward to getting crews on site. Old and damaged water mains remain a huge source of leakage and continue to impact communities right across Ireland, causing low pressure and supply disruption. Replacing these old water mains in poor condition will eliminate existing leaks and significantly reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost into the ground.

We would like to thank the community in Bennesttsbrige in advance for their patience and cooperation during the works. We know based on previous experiences that the short-term inconvenience will be overshadowed by the lasting benefits.



The works may require some short-term water interruptions, but the project team will ensure customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice prior to any planned interruptions. We understand this type of work is inconvenient, and our crews will make every effort to minimise disruption to the local people.



Shareridge Civil will carry out the works on behalf of Uisce Eireann with a completion date in September 2023.

This project forms part of Uisce Eireanns National Leakage Reduction Programme and will help us achieve our 2030 goal of a national leakage rate of 25%. The National Leakage Reduction team has made great strides since 2018 when the leakage rate stood at 46%.



Since 2018, Uisce Eireann has invested more than 500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further 250 million every year up to the end of 2030 - fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.



For more information on the national Leakage Reduction Programme, please visit www.water.ie/reducingleaks


** Shares of Vulcan Energy Resources climb as much as 4% to A$3.93, posting their biggest intraday percentage gain since June 20



** The lithium-focussed miner says it signed a binding term sheet with energy technology firm SLB for Phase-I development of its Zero Carbon Lithium project in Germany



** Says SLB will provide services to bolster geothermal-lithium brine production at the project



** Vulcan will also receive drilling services for a minimum of 15 production and re-injection wells from SLB for production of renewable heat and lithium-bearing brine



** Stock down 40.3% YTD, as of last close

(Reporting by Riya Sharma in Bengaluru)
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(Kitco News) - As companies around the world explore the integration of blockchain technology with their operations, Fireblocks, an enterprise-grade platform delivering a secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets, has announced that it has added support for cloud service providers Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba Cloud, Thales and Securosus.

According to a press release from Fireblocks, the firm has expanded its secure MPC-CMP wallet and key management technology to include support for the popular cloud providers so that banks and financial institutions can utilize Fireblocks' technology stack to quickly bring their digital asset initiatives into production while meeting their risk, compliance, and regulatory requirements.

Fireblocks has helped over 50 major financial institutions build out their digital asset offerings in recent years. The companys list of clients includes some of the most recognizable names in banking and finance, including BNY Mellon, BNP Paribas, ANZ Bank, NAB, ABN AMRO, BTG Pactual, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), and SIX Digital Exchange.

These institutions have leveraged Fireblocks to build new digital asset custody, trading, clearing and settlement services, tokenization of financial products such as tokenized fiat, central bank digital currencies (CBDC), carbon credits, and more, the release said.

With Fireblocks, we were able to take our digital treasury bond initiative  Project Eden  from ideation to go-live in five months, said Orly Grinfeld, EVP, Head of Clearing at TASE. We were impressed with their ability to work with us and meet our extensive compliance and security requirements. Their world-class security operations and modular infrastructure allowed us to deploy wallets to our primary dealers, which included international banks like Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan.

In early 2022, the firm announced that it successfully raised $550 million through a Series E funding round that brought its valuation to $8 billion, making Fireblocks the highest-valued digital asset infrastructure provider in the world.

According to a Fireblocks spokesperson, this latest move is part of the firms effort to make its services accessible to a wider range of businesses and will allow it to serve a market of banks whose IT infrastructure is deployed on-premise or through cloud-based solutions.

Banks are transitioning into the cloud but are currently fragmented, the spokesperson said. Some are on private cloud, some are using public cloud, while the rest remain on-premise.

For example, Capital One currently uses AWS, Wells Fargo plans to move to data centers owned by Microsoft and Google over several years, Bank of America has saved $2 billion per year by building its own cloud infrastructure, and Deutsche Bank is in a ten-year partnership with Google for cloud computing.

In order to serve 100% of all banks and financial institutions globally, Fireblocks is expanding its cloud support so that wallet and key management can be secured using the market-dominant providers in digital assets, the spokesperson said. Between Amazon, Google, Alibaba Cloud, and Fireblocks existing support for Microsoft Azure SGX support, Fireblocks will now cover the majority of the market share.

A key piece of the Fireblocks ecosystem is the Fireblocks Network, which connects the largest consortium of regulated financial institutions that have implemented digital assets on the blockchain. This connectivity allows companies to execute their business strategies almost immediately by putting them in touch with exchanges, market makers, and other distribution partners such as private banks or fintech platforms.

The platform also offers tokenization capabilities that support end-to-end lifecycle management for tokenized assets, including smart contract management, minting and burning, distribution, and custody across public, private, and permissioned blockchains.

From the very beginning, the Fireblocks platform was created and designed to be business-first, said Michael Shaulov, Co-founder and CEO of Fireblocks. We understand the risk requirements in the bank at an architectural level and we have strategically developed components to make sure that our customers can get from proof-of-concept to production in the shortest timeframe possible.
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(Kitco News) - The turnaround in blockchain acceptance in Hong Kong is attracting some of the largest and most prominent firms in the industry, including Circle, the issuer of the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin, the second-largest stablecoin by market capitalization behind Tether (USDT).

Hong Kong clearly is looking to establish itself as a very significant center for digital assets markets and for stablecoins and we are paying very close attention to that, Circle founder Jeremy Allaire said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China.

Engagement with the Hong Kong market has become a priority for many firms ever since the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China adopted new rules on June 1 that, among other changes, enabled the retail trading of cryptocurrencies by residents in the region.

Allaire noted that Asia is now a huge area of focus for cryptocurrency companies as the large populations and eagerness to integrate the latest technologies make the region ideal for blockchain and Web3 growth.

The developments in Hong Kong have also stoked optimism that China could start to soften its stance and lift its ban on cryptocurrencies sooner rather than later. Whats happening in Hong Kong may be a proxy for ultimately how these markets grow in Greater China, Allaire said.

These comments from Allaire come after Circle received a Major Payments Institution license in Singapore, which allows the firm to offer digital payment token services as well as domestic and cross-border money transfer services in the city-state.

Weve seen an enormous demand for digital dollars in emerging markets, and Asia is really central to that, he said. We are seeing very steady progress, obviously the Singapore regulators have been at the forefront of thinking about this.

Allaire said the Singapore license will help Circle to distribute its USD Coin more fully in the region. He added that while Circle sees multiple markets advancing in parallel  including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, France, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S.  each market serves different dimensions of the economic system and no single market will dominate at the expense of others.

All around the world, in every major market, stablecoin laws are coming into place, and what I think that signifies is that this kind of digital currency, these fiat-linked digital currencies, are about to become a part of the mainstream global financial system, he said.

When asked if he thought that regulators and central banks were beginning to come to grips with the eventual integration of stablecoins and digital currencies into the global financial system, Allaire said, They are.

The lesson here is that private-sector innovation in digital currency with fiat is happening much faster than public-sector innovation in that space, he continued. Central banks know this is happening, this is a new area of private sector innovation in the financial system, and they need to regulate that.

The focus is on the markets moving forward, he added. They need to make sure that there are good rules around it, and I think it's very encouraging for the commercial growth of the sector.

As for what can help ensure the approval and integration of stablecoins into the global payment system, Allaire said, The really key thing is a full-reserve model.

The assets can be a mixture of overnight cash at central banks, short-duration Treasury bills or equivalent government debt, he said. If you have that foundation as the asset base, and thats regulated and looked after by banking supervisors, youll actually have the safest fiat digital instruments in the world. So we are pushing for that, and that is increasingly, I think, what we are going to see around the world.

When asked about the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) specifically, Allaire said that at the global level, a uniform view is emerging that payment stablecoins are the domain of credentialed supervisors, banking and payment supervisors, and that also seems to be the focus of the United States.

There could be stablecoins that behave in different ways, which might be subject to securities or commodities regulations, but clearly, these payment tokens that are operating as payment systems, it's clear they are not going to be subject to SEC regulations, he concluded.
BEIJING, June 27 (Reuters) - Dalian and Singapore iron ore futures climbed on Tuesday, as the prospects of further economic stimulus from China and active post-holiday restocking in some mills boosted trader sentiment.

China will roll out more effective policy measures to expand domestic demand, Premier Li Qiang told delegates at a World Economic Forum summit in Tianjin.

This statement came after China's National Development and Reform Commission held a meeting on Monday in which it encouraged financial institutions to expand the issuance of medium- and long-term loans to the manufacturing industry, lifting sentiment to some degree, according to analysts.

The market has been expecting a raft of supportive measures to be announced at the politburo meeting to be held in late-July to spur the patchy post-pandemic economic recovery in China.

Many mills returned to the portside market to purchase iron ore on Monday to meet production needs, with daily transaction volumes surging 126% to 961,000 metric tons day-on-day, data from consultancy Mysteel showed.

The most-traded September iron ore on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trading 4.11% higher at 824 yuan ($114.24) per ton, the highest since March 16.

The benchmark July iron ore on the Singapore Exchange was 3.52% higher at $112.9 per ton, as of 0702 GMT, the highest since June 20.

The remaining high level of hot metal output, coupled with the insufficient supply of steel scrap, provided relatively strong support to iron ore consumption, analysts at Huatai Futures said in a note.

Coking coal and coke - the other steelmaking ingredients - climbed 2.34% and 2.04%, respectively.

Re-rollers in China's top steelmaking hub - Tangshan city - were required to suspend production from Monday in response to the forecast of air pollution in the coming days, analyst at Mysteel said in a report.

Analysts, however, dialled down the possible impact of the steel production reduction on the steel market, which has been clouded by excessive supply and seasonally weak demand.

Rebar on the Shanghai Futures Exchange gained 2.08%, hot-rolled coil rose 2.4%, wire rod added 3.15% while stainless steel ticked up 0.14%.

(Reporting by Amy Lv and Dominique Patton in Beijing; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
The usual suspects portray anyone who opposes having ethnic weightings for surgical weight lists as a right wing racist. Bearing that in mind, they may find this article by Professor Peter Davis of interest:

i was an elected member of the auckland District Health Board when, shortly after the board convened in early 2020, our Chair, Pat Snedden, challenged us about the issue of ethnic inequalities in health outcomes and access to health care. What could we, as a major DHB, do about this? We debated this long and hard and eventually, perhaps as an interim measure, this resulted in some patients being bumped up the waiting list. Far more useful and defensible in my view was the introduction of navigators to help Maori and Pacific patients through a complex system faced by many professional and personal barriers.

No one would object to resourcing support for people to access the health system. That is very different to having an ethnic weighting which would see David Seymour moved ahead of Chris Hipkins on a surgical waiting list because Seymour is Maori and Hipkins is not.

Davis explains his objections:

The data did not seem to support the need. For example, I worked out from 17 service directorate waiting lists that, except for one or two directorates, Maori and Pacific patients had waiting times somewhere between 20% below and 20% above other patients.

You don't want to mess with objective clinical criteria. This has been a hard-won system from the 1990s designed to remove subjectivity and arbitrariness from waitlist decisions.

If you wanted to pick up on disadvantage, more inclusive than ethnicity would be socio-economic position  such place of residence  as a bit of a broader catchall.

The danger that, if taken the wrong way, this initiative might be taken as a signal to other groups that the public system is not for them and they start to migrate wholesale to the private sector.

All very sound points.

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The person who killed five people and pleaded guilty in a 2022 mass shooting at a LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs has been sentenced to life in prison
Lennar (NYSE: LEN) has recently received a number of price target changes and ratings updates:

6/16/2023  Lennar was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating.

6/16/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at BTIG Research from $120.00 to $148.00.

6/16/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at Evercore ISI from $153.00 to $161.00.

6/16/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at UBS Group AG from $127.00 to $150.00.

6/16/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at JMP Securities from $115.00 to $135.00.

6/16/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $130.00 to $145.00.

6/15/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at Wedbush from $94.00 to $123.00.

6/14/2023  Lennar had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Seaport Res Ptn.

6/14/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at Bank of America Co. from $103.00 to $120.00.

5/31/2023  Lennar is now covered by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft. They set a sell rating and a $105.00 price target on the stock.

5/24/2023  Lennar had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $120.00 to $135.00.

5/18/2023  Lennar is now covered by analysts at StockNews.com. They set a buy rating on the stock.

Lennar Stock Down 1.1 %

Lennar stock traded down $1.29 during trading on Monday, reaching $121.01. The stock had a trading volume of 1,438,660 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,237,003. Lennar Co. has a 52-week low of $67.78 and a 52-week high of $123.06. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $113.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $103.56. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 7.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The stock has a market cap of $35.02 billion, a PE ratio of 8.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.44.

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Lennar Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.24%. Lennars payout ratio is currently 10.24%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lennar

In other Lennar news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,790 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.46, for a total transaction of $1,310,553.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 270,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,861,731.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 9.53% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Close Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in Lennar in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Heritage Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Lennar in the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. MV Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Lennar by 96.9% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 508 shares of the construction companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC boosted its position in shares of Lennar by 82.2% during the 3rd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 820 shares of the construction companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. 82.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Friday morning.

Several other analysts have also commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $44.67.

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Altria Group Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $44.28 on Friday. Altria Group has a fifty-two week low of $40.35 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The company has a market cap of $79.04 billion, a PE ratio of 14.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $45.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.73.

Altria Group Dividend Announcement

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. Altria Groups revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.12 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Altria Group will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.49%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 120.90%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MO. Kentucky Retirement Systems raised its holdings in Altria Group by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 140,965 shares of the companys stock worth $5,692,000 after acquiring an additional 6,588 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its holdings in Altria Group by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,630,570 shares of the companys stock worth $120,243,000 after acquiring an additional 116,654 shares during the period. Bartlett & Co. LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 5.3% in the 4th quarter. Bartlett & Co. LLC now owns 14,223 shares of the companys stock worth $664,000 after acquiring an additional 715 shares during the period. Balentine LLC raised its holdings in Altria Group by 80.2% in the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 43,366 shares of the companys stock worth $1,982,000 after acquiring an additional 19,305 shares during the period. Finally, Cascade Investment Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 4th quarter worth about $1,156,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.38% of the companys stock.

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.

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GMS (NYSE:GMS  Get Rating) had its price target hoisted by Barclays from $67.00 to $75.00 in a research report released on Friday, The Fly reports.

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of GMS from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, GMS presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $69.14.

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GMS Trading Up 0.0 %

GMS opened at $67.85 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 2.19 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $62.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $58.10. GMS has a 1-year low of $38.31 and a 1-year high of $70.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.69 and a beta of 1.85.

Insider Activity at GMS

GMS ( NYSE:GMS Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The company reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.27 billion. GMS had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 32.45%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.09 EPS. Analysts expect that GMS will post 6.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, major shareholder Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 201,213 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.93, for a total value of $13,668,399.09. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 6,135,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at $416,775,004.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, COO George T. Hendren sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.00, for a total transaction of $48,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 23,437 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,406,220. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 201,213 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.93, for a total transaction of $13,668,399.09. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 6,135,360 shares in the company, valued at $416,775,004.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 1,489,087 shares of company stock valued at $99,866,285 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ellevest Inc. grew its position in shares of GMS by 40.5% in the first quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 631 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of GMS by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 16,890 shares of the companys stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in GMS by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 4,824 shares of the companys stock valued at $279,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in GMS by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 10,770 shares of the companys stock valued at $536,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in GMS by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,571 shares of the companys stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 249 shares in 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.

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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.


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The eight crew members of "Street Woman Fighter 2 (SWF2) are finally revealed! Who's your pick so far?

'Street Woman Fighter 2' (SWF): 8 Dance Crews Revealed, Backgrounds

The second season of Mnet's "Street Woman Fighter" lineup has been named, and dance enthusiasts are already expressing their excitement!

Eight of the strongest dance crews in South Korea aiming for the top global ranking decided to participate in the show, raising high expectations. Check them out!

JAM REPUBLIC

First, the JAM REPUBLIC crew which is an authentic global crew will challenge the show with its intense stage dancing skills.

In fact, they're a top-tier crew who received love calls from celebrities around the world, including Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez.

TSUBAKILL

Second, TSUBAKILL is also a popular crew led by a leader who is already a leading choreographer known for creating K-pop dances in Japan. It is reported that they will be a Japanese crew with dancers who already worked with Janet Jackson, Namie Amuro and Takuya Kimura.

1MILLION

Among K-dancers, one of the most-anticipated is the 1MILLION crew, led by world-renowned choreographer Lia Kim.

In the past, she made her name in the K-pop scene by creating choreography for top female artists such as Lee Hyori, TWICE, Sunmi, MAMAMOO, and Hwasa.

DEEP N DAP

Known for their trendy dance, DEEP N DAP, who is under the baton of Mina, is expected to shake the "Street Woman Fighter 2" stage with their presence.

The members are already drawing attention as it was reported that a lot of them work with MAMAMOO, Red Velvet, Jessi and BTS Jimin.

BEBE

While there are crews who established their names in the dance world in the long run, the crew BEBE who captivated the MZ gen with their unique choreos will also join to cement their status even stronger.

In particular, they are known for making dances for Kai and CL, and the team, led by Bada was also the one who created aespa's hits, "Next Level" and "Savage."

Wolf'Lo

Wolf'Lo is an original street hip-hop crew of the strongest battlers. A crew of real hip-hop dancers united with unrivaled dance skills. Along with the explosive girl crush of the strongest battlers, it is expected to embellish the charm of OG hip-hop this season on the stage.

MANNEQUEEN

A world-class crew who already participated in more than 1,000 battles, expectations are high for MANNEQUEEN, who is well-known as well for being able to rock various dance genres such as waacking, hip-hop, and krump.

LADYBOUNCE

Last but not least, LADYBOUNCE is an all-rounder crew that can do hip-hop and everything from afar to voguing residents. It is expected to show the unrivaled presence of Korea's longest 15-year female hip-hop crew.

'Street Woman Fighter 2': K-Pop Death Match Mission, Airing Date, More

Meanwhile, with the eight crew of SWF2 finally unveiled, the global public evaluation, "K-pop Death Match Mission" has been underway since June 23 and voting will end on June 26. This mission is a challenge where the crews have to perform legendary K-pop songs from "BIG 4" (HYBE, SM, JYP, YG) companies that represent Korea.

The "Street Woman Fighter Season 2" first episode will be aired for the first time on August 22.

Regarding this, the production team said:

"We are preparing for a hotter dance battle than ever this summer. We hope that the eight crew members who will shine on 'SWF2' will perform in 'World Class'."

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dawson.
Naver, one of South Korea's largest online platforms, recently unveiled its list of the top 10 most-searched male idols in the first half of 2023, shedding light on the industry's current favorites.

Here is the list of Male idols who secure their rank with search volume.

1. Moonbin

Topping the list is Moonbin, whose captivating performances and undeniable visuals have made him a favorite among fans.

2. Cha Eun Woo

Following closely behind is Cha Eun Woo, whose striking looks and immense talent have earned him a dedicated following.

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3. BTS V



V, a member of the globally renowned group BTS, secures a spot on the list, showcasing his enduring popularity and influence.

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4. Kang Daniel

Kang Daniel, known for his exceptional skills and magnetic stage presence, also makes an appearance among the top 10.

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5. Jungkook



Jungkook, another member of BTS, continues to captivate fans with his remarkable talent and endearing personality.

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6. Jay Park

Jay Park, with his unique musical style and charismatic aura, has also garnered significant attention.

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7. Sung Hanbin

8. Lee Changsub

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9. Jimin

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10. Lee Junho

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IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Upcoming K-pop Concerts, Tours, Music Festivals in Asia: BTS Suga, Taeyeon, IVE, more

Naver Top 10 Male Idols Search Volume

The Naver rankings serve as a testament to the continued global influence of K-pop and the unwavering popularity of these talented idols.

Through their music, performances, and interactions with fans, these artists have managed to captivate audiences worldwide and maintain a strong presence in the industry.

Stay tuned for more updates.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: TOP 9 K-pop Group With Highest Monthly Listeners on Spotify

KpopStarz own this article.





Written by Madison Cullen
China's stance on fighting drug-related crimes, including those connected to fentanyl, remains firm, and the country has also strengthened cooperation and made progress in the global battle against illegal drugs, authorities said. The country has "zero tolerance" toward illegal drugs and has staunchly supported and implemented the three United Nations drug control conventions, the China National Narcotics Control Commission said. China always honors its political commitments and calls on all countries to actively work together in addressing the drug problem, the commission said in a statement ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which fell on Monday. As one of the countries with the most severe punishments for drug-related crimes, China has upheld a zero-tolerance approach toward illegal drugs, said Chen Wenxin, executive director of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations' Institute of American Studies. The country has made outstanding contributions to the global fight against illicit drugs, he added. "China has carried out long-term cooperation with the international community, including the United States, on anti-drug issues, and actively helped the US deal with and solve the fentanyl problem," Chen said. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the country. China was the first country in the world to subject all fentanyl-like substances to monitoring and inspection in 2019. In October 2021, the country released testing standards for fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid drugs, employing various analytical methods to further strengthen control over addictive substances. Despite China's strong efforts to improve control of the opioid, the US recently used fentanyl-related issues to smear the country and indicted or arrested Chinese enterprises and citizens over the issue. However, the US does not formally regulate fentanyl substances. Instead, it imposed sanctions on scientific research institutions responsible for detecting and controlling fentanyl substances, including the Institute of Forensic Science of China and the National Anti-drug Laboratory in 2020, seriously affecting China's anti-drug efforts, Chen said. The recent arrests and prosecution of Chinese citizens and enterprises in "sting operations" on so-called fentanyl-related charges have seriously damaged cooperation between China and the US on the fentanyl issue, and the US should be held responsible for this, he said. "The drug problem in the US has profound social and economic roots and is also a mirror that reflects the US' serious social problems, which have nothing to do with China," Chen said. On Sunday, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US condemned the illegal arrests, saying that US law enforcement personnel had ensnared Chinese nationals through "sting operations" in a third country, seriously infringing upon the legitimate rights of the enterprises and individuals. The US claims that it hopes to resume anti-drug cooperation with China, but it has instead imposed "long-arm jurisdiction" on Chinese companies and individuals by continuously imposing sanctions, and by prosecuting, arresting and even entrapping them, in an attempt to mislead the public and shift responsibility, the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce also condemned the US' illegal bullying and pledged to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The National Narcotics Control Commission said that China has signed 50 intergovernmental and interdepartmental cooperation documents on drug control with more than 30 countries and international coalitions, and established annual meeting mechanisms with 13 nations. Through good governance of the issue, the numbers of drug-related crimes and illicit drug users in China are declining, while drug control across the country has continued to improve, which has helped promote global drug control, according to the commission. The country maintains regular communication with dozens of nations and has set up border drug control liaison offices with 13 neighboring countries, which, among other advantages, share anti-drug intelligence resources. China has also organized joint anti-drug operations to crack down on transnational drug trafficking, including operations with Australia and countries in the Mekong River basin, it added. In December, Chinese and Lao police carried out a joint operation to arrest armed transnational drug dealers in Laos, according to a case recently detailed by the Ministry of Public Security. A year earlier, the drug dealers shot dead a Chinese police officer while trying to smuggle drugs into China. In the December operation, a drug dealer carrying an explosive device was shot dead while resisting police, the ministry said. The operation is another major achievement in the two countries' anti-drug law enforcement cooperation, demonstrating both sides' determination to maintain regional security and stability and crack down on drug crimes, the ministry said.


NewJeans and Min Hee Jin have been controversial due to their 'ETA' teaser 'concept', which has raised concerns and accusations of terrorism linkages.

The controversy took an even more significant turn as ADOR's CEO, Min Hee Jin, faced accusations of promoting such associations.

You can watch ETA MV Teaser here.

Knetz Two Cents on ETAs Concept

Some netizens have gone to social media and shared their opinion on ETA's MV trailer concept, introduced by NewJeans.

They claimed that the MV teaser was meant to portray a rebellious and edgy image for the group.

see at first i thought it was just the same acronym but no all this being the same as well??? literally what the fuck is wrong with hybe and min heejin https://t.co/iT1cQ2Wc1k pic.twitter.com/yXq0YMyfft  -poppy- (@mxxnchild_x) June 25, 2023

Even with not-so-negative interpretation of the MV trailer being released, some fans could not stop thinking what future it will bring to the group where the trailer is linking with terrorist group.

its corny in my opinion cause they just gonna ruin these girls reputation in the long run  destiny (@selssystem) June 25, 2023

A big fan of NewJeans quickly pointed out the potential connection between the concept's name and the Basque separatist group ETA, which was known for its history of violence and terrorism in Spain.

Big fan of New Jeans, but seriously Min Hee Jin!!



Just 10 mins quick search and.. Im shocked!



ETA = Spanish Terrorist Group

Mikel = Leader

Maria = Leader's Wife

Eva = A victim

Car Teaser = Their commonly used method of attack https://t.co/lNdtUFM08g  Rythrinx (@rythrinx) June 25, 2023

This realization led to a wave of criticism and concern among netizens, who believed that the concept could be seen as glorifying or romanticizing terrorism.

Not only this, me and my friends started to be real disturbed when we read the names of the starring people. Three people. You know what was know to have three people? pic.twitter.com/F1VhIDGtzE  aii  seeing shinee omfg  (@devilaiish) June 26, 2023

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: NewJeans Hyein's Visuals Before Debut Flicks Mixed Reactions- Here's Why!

Knetz Expressed Their Disappointment to Min Hee Jin Concerning ETAs Concept

Adding fuel to the fire, ADOR's CEO, Min Hee Jin, faced accusations of negligence for allowing such a controversial concept to be developed and promoted.

min heejin is still a creep btw and yall look dumb as hell cheering her on https://t.co/8iPYDzgxZ6  . (@seogyat) June 26, 2023

Netizens expressed their disappointment, questioning her judgment and calling for accountability.

min heejin thinks shes managing a 70s punk-rock group. wallahi these are 14 yr old girls who wanna sing and play dress up. put down the edgy concepts and put them in some barbie cosplay  so called free thinker (@nashehive) June 25, 2023

Bunnies Defended Min Hee Jin, Strongly Claimed It Was all for Promotion and Publicity

In response to the accusations, Bunnies, shared their side statements clarifying rumors surrounding NewJeans ETA and its linkages to terrorism. The MV trailer could be for promotion and that the intent was misinterpreted.

"Some" people are hating nwjns bcs of that eta thing but mind that #minheejin did this all this intentionally and these 5 girls can't help

.

Btw bp released their pv on aug 19

Should we hate too? Nope#blonks #blackpinknsfw #BETAwards #trend #NewJeans_ETA #NewJeans_ETA #newjeans pic.twitter.com/REwRXAhw84  JJK1 IS COMING  | SUPPORT NWJNS  (@jeoonejk_97) June 26, 2023

min hee jin definitely the devil incarnate BUT you kinda gotta respect her (nasty) game. its always controversy surrounding their music so that yall tune in out of curiosity. like everybody is about watch that mv to look for any clues and then get hooked into the song   awks.. (@meekmilfs) June 25, 2023

One fan said that she would not put some protective statement for the CEO but just wanted to clarify that ETA is not for a spanish terrorist group but for an acronym for Estimated Time Arrival.

i dont ever want to back up min hee jin in any ways but lets be real, this is such a bad comparison. i believe everyone uses ETA for estimated time of arrival and not some spanish terrorist group you're making yourself look dumb here if we're being honest https://t.co/lsWQWlFe8w  0801 (@kZ7fZClFuv69i8t) June 26, 2023

This fan also shared her sentiments saying to use the full name rather than the other the ETA itself.

as a spanish person with relatives affected by the attacks of a terrorist group, i would appreciate it if you just use the full name instead of the acronym.  sara (@booswoo) June 26, 2023

Both NewJeans and ADOR do not have any statement regarding this matter yet.

How about you? What are your thoughts about this issue? Tel us in the comment below.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: TOP 9 K-pop Group With Highest Monthly Listeners on Spotify

KpopStarz own this article.





Written by Madison Cullen
Today, the EU and Japan held their third High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). The meeting centred on economic security following agreement to expand the scope of the dialogue. The HLED was co-chaired by Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura.

The Executive Vice-President and the Ministers concluded the EU-Japan Digital Trade Principles. This instrument will be key for bilateral trade and investment, as it will establish a common understanding on key issues relevant to digital trade and a joint commitment to an open digital economy, free of unjustified barriers to international trade. It will build on internationally agreed principles such as the G7 Digital Trade Principles and the World Trade Organization e-commerce negotiations and it will be non-binding. The Digital Trade Principles will cover data governance, digital trade facilitation, consumer trust and business trust.

Closer strategic cooperation

The Dialogue reaffirmed the importance of strategic cooperation between the EU and Japan, in particular in the current challenging geopolitical context. It also confirmed the their strategic alignmenton the current and future sanctions to curb Russian capabilities, along with other partners such as the US and UK.

Both sides highlighted the necessity to cooperate at bilateral and multilateral level on economic security and discussed possible areas of cooperation on relevant tools such as anti-coercion, export controls and investment screening, especially in view of the recently announced European Economic Security Strategy. In this respect, the Co-Chairs reiterated the importance of collaborating in the G7 anti coercion platform, agreed under the Japanese Presidency of the G7 Summit.

The two sides agreed on the necessity to build resilient supply chains in strategic areas, a crucial element to ensure economic security. In this context, the EU and Japan discussed the EU Critical Raw Material (CRM) Club, and potential future developments. The initiative aims at diversifying sourcing and strengthening supply chains, and bringing together consuming countries and resource-rich countries.

The parties discussed the need for strengthening the international rules-based order by ensuring a successful 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the WTO in February 2024.

Finally, the two sides also explored the possibility to enhance bilateral cooperation under the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce and maintain the momentum to better take advantage of digital trade opportunities. In particular, they stressed the importance of concluding the Data Flows negotiations by the autumn. This will enable both parties to implement modern digital trade rules under the existing EU-Japan EPA, making this agreement fit for the digital era.

Background

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force more than four years ago. Over this period, it has proven to be the bedrock of the EU-Japan economic relationship. In 2022, trade in goods between the two partners recovered to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 141 billion euros, confirming strong and resilient trade ties between the EU and Japan.

For more information

Digital Trade Principles [will be available shortly]

EU trade and investment relations with Japan
India PR Distribution

New Delhi [India], June 27: In a momentous celebration of ground-breaking achievements, Mumbai based Telecom System Integrator, Asian Infotel Pvt Ltd emerged as the triumphant winner and was awarded for Excellence in Telecom Managed Services at the prestigious 19th ICT World Communication Summit and Award held in Geneva.

Also Read | Sonam Kapoor Invited For UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Reception To Mark UK-India Week!.

Accepting the award on behalf of Asian Infotel Pvt Ltd, Managing Director Girish Nagarkar expressed his gratitude and admiration for the dedicated team of professionals whose tireless efforts brought the company to life. The Summit recognized exceptional individuals and companies driving innovation in the telecommunications industry. The event, attended by industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and policymakers from around the globe, celebrated the finest achievements in the field of information and communication technology.

This year, the 19th ICT World Communication Summit, a United Nations Event was held on 16th March, 2023. This event witnessed a gathering of industry leaders and innovators like Prof. NK Goyal (President- CMAI Association of India), Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas (Deputy Secretary-General, ITU), Prof. Tim Unwin (UNESCO Chair at ICT4D) whose remarkable contributions have reshaped the landscape of telecommunications. It brought together professionals, experts, and policymakers from the telecommunications industry and related fields. The Summit focuses on current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ICT and telecommunications sectors and covers topics such as emerging technologies (5G, IoT, AI), network infrastructure (Fiber optics, wireless networks), policy and regulation (spectrum allocation, privacy), digital transformation, industry trends, and cybersecurity.

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Asian Infotel Pvt Ltd under the leadership of Girish Nagarkar has been a driver of excellence in the telecom industry for more than two decades. The ground-breaking work and unwavering commitment to advancing the realm of ICT and telecommunications has earned them this well-deserved recognition. In response to receiving this prestigious accolade, Mr Nagarkar expressed gratitude and acknowledged the collective efforts of his team and partners. He emphasized that this award serves as a testament to the dedication of all those who strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in the telecommunications industry. By the optimization of telecommunications networks, his company has played a pivotal role in enabling access to information and services for across the country with their Managed Services solutions. With this, their visionary strategies have laid the foundation for a more connected and inclusive landscape in India.

The 19th ICT World Communication Summit and Award has not only recognized Asian Infotel's exceptional achievements but has also set the stage for a new era of connectivity and communication. As the world stands witness to the transformative power of technology, Asian Infotel Pvt Ltd continues to lead the charge, shaping the future of communication with its unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Jun 27 (PTI) An Al-Badr terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.

They said a Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel was injured during the operation in Hoowra area of the south Kashmir district.

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A police spokesman said a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces in Hawoora area during the night after a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist.

As the search party moved towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately, leaving a J-K police personnel injured, the spokesperson said, adding he has been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

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The hiding terrorist was given an opportunity to surrender, but he kept on firing on the forces, inviting a retaliation, the spokesman said.

In the ensuing encounter, the local terrorist linked with proscribed Al-Badr was killed and his body retrieved from the site, he said.

The spokesperson identified the slain terrorist as Adil Majeed Lone, a resident of Akbarabad Hawoora, Kulgam.

Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including a pistol with live rounds and a grenade were recovered from the site of the encounter and taken into case records for further investigation, the spokesman added.

Earlier, a video purportedly showing the militant minutes before his killing surfaced on social media in which he identified himself as Adil Majeed Lone, associated with al-Badr outfit.

"My name is Adil Majeed Lone. I am a resident of Hoowra village of Kulgam district, associated with al-Badr outfit. I have been working with them for a long time, he says in the video, brandishing a pistol.

He asked people to pray for him so that God accepts my martyrdom.

(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 27 (PTI) The Delhi Police detained more than 1,500 people for up to two hours and seized about 270 vehicles from its central district during an intensified night patrol to contain street crimes in the national capital, officials said on Tuesday.

The intensive campaign between 10 pm and 2 am Monday night came two days after a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four motorcycle-borne men inside the busy Pragati Maidan tunnel. Seven people have so far been arrested in connection with the Saturday incident.

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In the Central district alone, 1,587 people were detained under section 65 (persons bound to comply with the reasonable directions of a police officer) of the the Delhi Police Act to verify their particulars and whereabouts and 273 vehicles were seized, a senior police officer said.

The vehicles were seized under section 66 (police to take charge of unclaimed property) of the same act, he said.

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Police said they were detained for not more than two hours to check their whereabouts and verify their particulars.

"The very purpose of this exercise was to enhance police visibility, instil sense of safety and security among the residents of the district and to deter the bad characters. For the purpose, an elaborate plan was chalked out and accordingly special pickets were placed at strategic locations, mobile squads were prepared for joint patrolling and special teams were prepared for foot patrolling," the officer said.

All areas particularly secluded places, narrow streets and dimly lit stretches were covered by foot and mobile patrolling teams, he said.

During checking, sensitive pockets, listed criminals were specifically checked.

The drive was carried out on Monday from 10 pm to 2 am.

According to the police, action was also taken under relevant sections of the CrPC against "bad characters" and those disturbing peace.

Officers of all ranks were on the ground on Monday night with special emphasis on foot patrolling. The force was mobilised in all vulnerable areas of the district and verifications were carried out in the homes of "bad characters", they said.

A large number of police personnel were deployed across the 15 districts of the force to check suspicious movements and curb criminal activities, police said.

The special drive was carried out under the supervision of the special commissioners of police (law and order) Dependra Pathak and Sagar Preet Hooda who were also on the ground to ensure that no untoward incident takes place and citizens feel safe to travel even late at night, according to police.

Intense checking was carried out at all important locations, including Red Fort, the Pragati Maidan tunnel, the main roads, dark spots and border areas of the national capital. Extra pickets have also been installed to keep an eye on suspicious vehicles, a police officer said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, June 27: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the state government is ready to take all measures required to curb 'fake news', including use of technology like 'Artificial Intelligence' (AI), aimed at taking such cases to a "logical end".

He said, the government is ready to bring in necessary laws, in case there is no provision to punish those involved in such cases, under the existing legislations. Modi Government Removed Nationality Column From Indian Passport? IT Ministry Debunks Fake News Going Viral on Social Media.

"Some people are involved in spreading fake news, whether it is on political issues or on those aimed at disturbing peace in the society. We have observed that fake news are posted on various platforms and social media. Photographs are morphed aimed at projecting it to be linked to some sensitive issue, to which the photo is actually unrelated," Parameshwara said. Fake News Crackdown: 45 Videos, 10 YouTube Channels Blocked for Airing False Information With Intent To Spread Religious Hatred.

Speaking to reporters here , he said, "we have observed this during the elections and even now after the formation of the government. If we don't stop it, it may lead to several kinds of wrong notions whether at personal level or social or government level, and its impact may be huge."

"So we have decided to take all kinds of measures -- by using technology like Artificial Intelligence, to identify those posting such things, their origins, their intention, and finally take necessary legal action. We will take it to a logical end. We will also bring in necessary laws, in case there is no provision to punish those involved in such cases, under the existing laws," he added.

New issues are cropping up frequently with respect to cyber crime, Parameshwara said, adding, in some cases there may be no provisions under the existing cyber laws to enforce control measures, and have to be amended regularly, as technology is changing every day.

"So we will bring in amendments if necessary, if there are provisions in existing laws, amendments will not be required," he added. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently issued strict instructions to the authorities for crackdown on fake news.

Following this, Parameshwara said last week the government would soon hold discussions with social media sites and platforms such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram among others, aimed at controlling sensitive and inciting posts that may lead to communal flare-ups.

He had also said that discussions are underway regarding setting up of a cyber security wing at every police station to address the issues at the jurisdiction level itself, and to bring down the number of such cases.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 27 (ANI): GR Galgalia Bahadurganj Highway Private Limited, a SPV of G R Infraprojects Limited on Tuesday issued a statement stating that it regrets the pillar sinking incident which occurred in Kishanganj, Bihar on June 24.

"GR Galgalia Bahadurganj Highway Private Limited, an SPV of G R Infraprojects Limited, regrets the recent incident of under-construction pillar sinking that occurred on 23rd June 2023 at one of our project locations in Kishanganj over Mechi River," the infrastructure company said in a statement.

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The infrastructure company said that it is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the reason for caving-in of the pillar.

"We are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the reason for the caving in of the pillar. Our technical team is on-site to determine the cause of the incident and take necessary remedial actions to mitigate any associated risks. We are also fully cooperating with the client with investigations that are being carried out," the statement said. (ANI)

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(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 27 (PTI) A 42-year-old man allegedly killed his wife following domestic quarrel in Maharashtra's Thane district, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday at the couple's house at Manjarli in Badlapur area and the man was later arrested, he said.

Also Read | Kulgam Encounter: One Terrorist Killed in Gunfight With Security Forces at Hoowra Village in Jammu and Kashmir; Policeman Injured (Watch Video).

The accused and his 37-year-old wife used to have frequent fights over domestic issues and the man also doubted her character, an official from Badlapur police station said.

The couple had a quarrel on Sunday following which the police had registered a non-cognisable offence against both of them, he said.

Also Read | Manipur Violence: Indian Army Appeals For Support As Women Activists Blocking Routes, Interfering in Operations (Watch Video).

On Monday, the man and his wife consumed liquor and again had a fight. Later, the accused allegedly strangulated her to death, the official said.

The accused then sent a message on the phone of his wife's brother staying in neighbouring Mumbai that he had killed her, he said.

The woman's brother alerted the police, who rushed to the spot and found the woman lying dead in the house, the official said, adding the body was sent to a government hospital for postmortem.

The accused, who was present in the house, was arrested and booked under Indian Penal Code Section 302 (murder), the police said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Eight men were arrested for allegedly firing at a person over a monetary dispute in south Delhi's CR Park area, police said on Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Anup (28), Govind Gupta (32), Gaurav (36), Neeraj (30), residents of Haryana's Faridabad, Rakesh Kumar Goyel (42), Abhishek Singh (22), Anmol Gupta (26) and Prince (20), from Sangam Vihar, they said.

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Police received a PCR call regarding firing near Bata Showroom in CR Park on Thursday, police said.

The complainant stated that he, along with his friend, was going towards New Friends Colony in a car when some unknown persons fired on him and fled away, a senior police officer said.

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The complainant sustained a bullet injury on his right hand and his mobile phone also got damaged from the bullet, they said.

During the investigation, police checked over 350 CCTV cameras and covered 17 km of the reverse route of the area and reached Sangam Vihar near the house of the complainant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (south) Chandan Chowdhary said.

Some people were seen roaming near the house of the complainant and found to be doing a recce, Chowdhary said.

A raid was conducted and two accused -- Neeraj and Gaurav -- were nabbed from Faridabad. They revealed the name of the sharpshooters as Anup and Govind and they were apprehended from Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, the DCP said.

One motorcycle and country-made pistol used in the crime, one semi-automatic pistol, three live cartridges, one auto-rickshaw and Rs 25,000 cash were recovered, police said, adding that later, four more accused persons were also arrested and Rs one lakh was recovered.

Goyel disclosed that he lost a huge amount in betting being run by Sachin Gupta, who added compound interest on it and made it to Rs 75 lakh. It was decided that he will give Rs 1.5 lakh per month as interest till the full payment, police said.

Being a shopkeeper, it was a huge amount for him to pay every month. In order to get rid of it, he planned the murder of complainant Sachin Gupta. He gave the contract of killing to Govind and Anup through Anmol and Prince, they said.

Anmol settled the killing from Rakesh for Rs six lakh, but further gave to Prince in Rs 3.5 lakh, who further hired two shooters Govind and Anup for this work for Rs three lakh, police said.

Anup was previously involved in four criminal cases. Gaurav and Neeraj were seen doing a recce of the complainant near his house for four to five days before the incident and gave the information of the complainant's movement to Anup and Govind, police 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 [India], June 27 (ANI): India Meteorological Department on Tuesday said that Monsoon has almost impacted the entire country and issued Orange, Yellow alerts for various parts of the country.

While speaking to ANI, IMD scientist Soma Sen said," The monsoon is active currently with its rapid advancement in the last 4-5 days. Leaving some parts of northwest India, the monsoon has impacted almost the entire country. Entire Gujarat and south-east Rajasthan have been covered by the monsoon. In the next two days, it is expected that south Punjab, Haryana and the remaining parts of Rajasthan will be covered."

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The incessant rains have led to a flood-like situation in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh which has disrupted the normal life of people.

Earlier today, there is a possibility of rains for the next five days in Himachal Pradesh, and some places may receive heavy rains, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

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"There is a possibility of rain for the next 5 days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state," said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, IMD scientist, Shimla.

"It has been raining heavily and we are stuck inside the hotel rooms. Due to the rain, we could not go anywhere outside," said Rahul, a tourist from Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an orange alert for heavy rains in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Pune and Satara.

Also, heavy rains lashed parts of Delhi on Tuesday.

The downpour brought respite to common people from the sweltering heat. Heavy rain was witnessed at New Delhi's ITO and other areas.

The weather department had issued a yellow alert for Tuesday.

Due to incessant rainfalls Tomato prices have recently shot up in the markets across the country from Rs 10-20 per kg to a price of Rs 80-100 per kg.

Ajay Kedia, a Mumbai-based commodity market expert and head of Kedia Advisory said, "This year, for a variety of reasons, fewer tomatoes were sown than in prior years. As the price of beans surged last year, many farmers switched to growing beans this year. However, a lack of monsoon rains has caused the crops to dry out and wilt. The limited supply of vegetables, particularly tomatoes are due to crop damage caused by heavy rainfall and extreme heat."

Tomato prices have also skyrocketed in the southern state of Karnataka and its capital city Bengaluru as incessant rains have damaged the crop and made transportation difficult.

The price of tomatoes touched Rs 100 per kg in a market in Bengaluru and traders said that due to heavy rain, the crops have been damaged.

Tomato, sold at Rs 40 to 50 per kg a week ago in the UP's Kanpur market is now being sold at Rs 100 per kg while in Delhi it is being sold at Rs 80 per Kg.

In Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur, the acute shortage of essential vegetables is burning holes in common people's pockets. The wholesale prices range from Rs 80-90 per kg, and the retail shops are selling tomatoes for Rs 100 per kg.

According to vegetable vendors of a market in Kanpur, Karnataka, a major tomato supplier, saw heavy rains that destroyed the crops. The prices soared in just 10 days and are likely to increase further, the vendors added.

According to the database maintained by the Price Monitoring Division under the Department of Consumer Affairs, per kilo tomato on average rose from Rs 25 to Rs 41 in retail markets. Maximum prices of tomatoes in retail markets were in the range between Rs 80-113.

The rates of staple vegetables were in tune with the rise in their prices in wholesale markets, which jumped about 60-70 per cent on average in June. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) The government on Wednesday will release a list of 'critical minerals of India' for the first time, an official statement said.

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The list will be released by Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, it said.

"The Ministry of Mines is all set to unveil for the first time the list of critical Minerals for India to ensure reduced import dependencies, enhance supply chain resilience and support the country's net zero objectives," the coal ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

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The release of the 'critical minerals list' will mark a milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance and security in the domain of mineral resources. This list is designed to identify and prioritize minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport and defence.

The list will serve as a guiding framework for policy formulation, strategic planning and investment decisions in the mining sector.

(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 27 (PTI) IDFC First Bank on Tuesday announced raising of Rs 1,500 crore from Tier-2 bonds to fund business growth.

These privately placed bonds are issued as unsecured, subordinated, rated, listed, non-convertible, fully paid-up, taxable, redeemable Basel III compliant tier-2 Bonds (in nature of debentures) at a face value of Rs 1 crore each, the bank said in a statement.

Also Read | Vegetable Prices Spike Due to Inadequate Rains, Soaring Temperature in Karnataka.

These bonds were raised through private placement on the NSE e-bidding platform, it said, adding, the participation for the issuance came from domestic Qualified Institutional Investors.

The bidding on NSE e-bidding platform interest from corporates, public pension funds, provident funds, and insurance companies, and the overall issue was oversubscribed, it said.

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The unsecured Tier 2 Bonds were raised for a tenor of 10 years with a call option at the end of five years and carry a coupon of 8.40 per cent, it added.

Following the bond raise, the capital adequacy ratio of the bank increase to 17.68 per cent providing greater headroom for growth of the lender.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mangaluru, Jun 27 (PTI) The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and Sagarmala Development Company Limited (SDCL) to develop a container freight station (CFS)-cum-warehousing facility at the port.

Envisaged as a move to enhance its capability to serve the growing export-import (Exim) container traffic in the hinterland, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) has been formed and the project is expected to be completed by June 2025, said NMPA Chairman A V Ramana after signing the MoU with CWC MD Amit Kumar Singh and SDCL MD Dilip Kumar Gupta, a release said here on Tuesday.

Also Read | Vegetable Prices Spike Due to Inadequate Rains, Soaring Temperature in Karnataka.

The CFS-cum-warehouse is proposed to be developed on 16.6 acres of port land at an estimated cost of Rs 125.42 crore. The contribution of NMPA will be the cost of the land offered for the project, which comes to around Rs 44.25 crore, while the remaining amount will be contributed equally by SDCL and CWC.

Ramana said that NMPA has handled 1.65 lakh TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) during 2022-23 despite not having all-weather road conditions connecting the port. The port mulls over handling 1.85 lakh to 2 lakh containers during 2023-24 and 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh containers by 2024-25. The cargo and vessel related charges at the port are competitive and economical when compared to the neighbouring major ports, he added.

Also Read | India Current Account Deficit Drop: Indias CAD Decreases to 0.2% of GDP in Q4 From 2% in Q3 of Financial Year 2022-23, Smallest Since 2021.

The dedicated container terminal developed by the port on public-private partnership (PPP) mode has seen phenomenal growth of 8.5 per cent in one year while handling only Full Container Load (FCL) cargo. The CFS will facilitate aggregation of Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo in addition to further growth of FCL containers.

The proposed CFS will be useful for small exporters as well as agricultural product exporters who require adequate temperature-controlled storage for aggregation and handling facilities for stuffing of containerised cargo. The envisaged facility will directly reduce the container dwell time for both import and export containers.

On road connectivity, the NMPA chairman said that by February 2024, the authority expects the Ghat road to be an all-weather road catering to improved movement of the cargo to the port.

Amit Kumar Singh said the CWC has CFSs at 21 locations in the country catering to global standards. The CWC is working on bringing down the logistics cost and provide facilities at par with international standards.

SDCL MD Gupta said the CFS-cum-warehousing station will have weather, temperature and gas-controlled facilities to cater to all types of goods. As soon as the SPV is formed, the first warehouse will be built for the Coffee Board.

Shekhar Poojary of Association of New Mangalore Port Stevedores said the facility will help more cargo to reach the port. Further, Mangaluru will have two CFS facilities with the government giving permission for Mangaluru-based Delta Infralogistics (Worldwide) Limited to set up a CFS facility.

NMP Users Association members said the facility will boost LCL cargo operators who were till now depending on Bengaluru and Kochi.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Jun 27 (AP) An audio recording that includes new details from a 2021 meeting at which former President Donald Trump discusses holding secret documents he did not declassify has been released.

The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smith's indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

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The recording first aired Monday on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.

The special counsel's indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  a writer, a publisher and two of Trump's staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country.

Also Read | Pakistan Rains: Death Toll From Rain-Related Incidents Reaches 23 in Past 24 Hours.

These are the papers, Trump said in a moment that seems to indicate he was holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran.

This was done by the military, given to me.

Trump's reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the meeting could undercut his later claims in a Fox News Channel interview that he didn't have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didn't have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording "provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all.(AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Dearborn (US), Jun 27 (AP) Ford Motor Co. is going through another round of white-collar job cuts as the company continues to reduce costs amid a transition to electric vehicles.

The company confirmed on Tuesday that it was starting to notify several hundred engineers and other salaried employees that their jobs are being eliminated. The firings come after around 200 Ford contract employees were let go last week.

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Spokesman T.R. Reid wouldn't give a specific number of Ford jobs that are being cut this week, but said they are not nearly the scale of those made last summer when the company let go of 3,000 white-collar workers and another 1,000 contractors largely in the US.

Most of the cuts were in engineering, but all business units will see job cuts, Reid said.

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Teams that were affected were pulled together yesterday to let them know that there would be actions taken this week. Then individual people will be notified today and tomorrow, Reid said.

CEO Jim Farley has said much of Ford's workforce doesn't have the right skills as it makes the transition from internal combustion to battery-powered vehicles.

This week's moves, he said, show that Ford is adapting to change more consistently. It's more real time and not kind of big titanic events, he said, adding that the company also is hiring in some areas such as software development.

The job cuts also come as Ford tries to level out what its executives say is a USD 7 billion cost disadvantage to its competitors. The company also is investing over USD 50 billion by 2026 to develop and build electric vehicles across the globe.

Ford plans to be able to manufacture EVs at a rate of 600,000 per year by the end of this year and 2 million a year by 2026.

The company has reorganized itself into three business units, Ford Model e for electric vehicles, Ford Blue for vehicles with combustion engines and Ford Pro for commercial vehicles.

Ford's electric vehicle business has lost USD 3 billion before taxes during the past two years and will lose a similar amount this year as the company invests heavily in the new technology. But its commercial and combustion units are highly profitable.

Company officials said the electric vehicle unit, called Ford Model e, will be profitable before taxes by late 2026 with an 8 per cent pretax profit margin.

In May Farley said he did not see reductions in the number of factory employees or among engineers and other office workers. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jerusalem, Jun 26 (AP) Israel's 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 US criticism of Israel's settlement policies. It also raised tensions with the Palestinians at a time of rising violence in the occupied territory.

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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 defence 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.

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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.

Israel's 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 Israel's 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 US 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 US 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 US 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 cancelled by the pro-settlement Trump administration.

Ahead of Monday's vote, Israeli Cabinet Minister Issac Wasserlauf, a member of the far-right Jewish Power party, played down the disagreements with the US.

I think the alliance with the US 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.

Netanyahu's government, the most right-wing in Israel's 75-year history, has made settlement expansion a top priority.

Senior members have been pushing for increased construction and other measures to cement Israel's 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. Monday's 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. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Jun 27 (AP) Double Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey, whose stellar acting career was derailed by sex assault allegations, goes on trial in London this week, accused of sexual offenses against four men in Britain.

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WHAT IS HE ACCUSED OF?

Spacey, 63, faces a dozen charges, including of sexual assault, indecent assault and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

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The actor, charged under his full name of Kevin Spacey Fowler, has pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts, which relate to alleged incidents between 2001 and 2013.

At an earlier hearing, Spacey's lawyer said the actor strenuously denies the charges. The attorney said Spacey would face the UK court to establish his innocence and proceed with his life.

His trial before a jury at Southwark Crown Court opens Wednesday and is scheduled to last for four weeks.

WHY IS THE TRIAL IN BRITAIN?

Spacey spent more than a decade living in Britain, where he was artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre from 2004 to 2015.

He was a high-profile figure in London, starring in productions including William Shakespeare's Richard III and David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow, and hosting star-studded fundraising events for the 200-year-old venue.

Spacey was questioned by British police in 2019 about claims by several men that he had assaulted them.

He was charged in May 2022 with five counts against three alleged victims. Another seven charges, all against a fourth man, were added in November.

Spacey, who has addresses in Britain and the US, has been free on unconditional bail as he awaited trial.

WHAT'S SPACEY'S FUTURE?

From the 1990s, Spacey became one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, starring in films including Glengarry Glen Ross and LA Confidential.

He won a best supporting actor Academy Award for the 1995 film The Usual Suspects and a lead actor Oscar for the 1999 movie American Beauty.

After allegations emerged in the US amid the growing #MeToo movement, Spacey was fired or removed from projects  most notably House of Cards, the Netflix political thriller where for five seasons he played lead character Frank Underwood, a power-hungry congressman who becomes president.

He was cut from the completed film All the Money in the World, and the scenes reshot with Christopher Plummer.

Spacey is adamant that his career is not over. He had his first film role for several years in Italian director Franco Nero's The Man Who Drew God, and also starred in as-yet unreleased US film Peter Five Eight. (AP)

In January he was feted with a lifetime achievement award from Italy's National Cinema Museum in Turin.

He also taught a masterclass and introduced a sold-out screening of American Beauty in what were billed as Spacey's first speaking engagements in five years.

Spacey saluted organizers for making a strong defense of artistic achievement and for having le palle  the Italian word for male body parts synonymous with courage  to invite him.

He told Germany's Zeit magazine in a rare recent interview that the media had turned him into a monster.

But he said there are people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Hollis (US), Jun 27 (AP) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump traded barbs on Tuesday as the two leading Republican White House candidates staged duelling events in the critical early voting state of New Hampshire.

Addressing a town hall in Hollis, DeSantis vowed to actually build the US-Mexico border wall that Trump tried but failed to complete in his first term while pledging to tear down Washington's traditional power centres in ways that Trump fell short.

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Speaking later at a Republican women's luncheon in the state capital of Concord, Trump countered that DeSantis was being forced to settle for second place in the primary and accused the governor of supporting cuts to Social Security, Medicare and other entitlement programs as a way to tame federal spending.

Beyond the rhetoric, the conflicting events demonstrated each candidate's evolving strategy. DeSantis took extensive audience questions  a trademark in New Hampshire politics that he eschewed during his previous visit to the state, drawing criticisms that he was stilted and overly scripted.

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Trump, meanwhile, offered his traditional, free-wheeling speech for more than hour but didn't take questions. Reporters covering the event were confined to a pen, chaperoned to the bathroom and told they could not speak to attendees in the conference centre ballroom or even in the hallways.

DeSantis, asked about people who had twice voted for Trump over his promises to drain the swamp, used his answer to draw some of his sharpest contrasts yet with the former president.

He didn't drain it. It's worse today than it's ever been, DeSantis said. He added that such promises don't go far enough because a subsequent president can just refill it.

I want to break the swamp, DeSantis said, pledging to take power out of the nation's capital by instructing Cabinet agencies to halve the number of employees there.

Many leading Republicans remain fiercely loyal to Trump, but there is some evidence that the attacks against the former president are resonating. Speaking about Trump on Tuesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, said, Can he win that election? Yeah, he can win that election.

The question is, is he the strongest to win the election? McCarthy continued on CNBC's Squawk Box. I don't know that answer.

At his own event, Trump noted that DeSantis is holding an event right now to compete with us. Trump vowed to drain the swamp once and for all but used the slogan more to criticise President Joe Biden than the Florida governor.

You can't drain the swamp if you're part of the swamp, and Joe Biden and other opponents, many of them, are all owned, controlled, bought and paid for, 100 per cent, Trump said.

The former president echoed DeSantis in promising that "this election will be the end of the world for the corrupt political class in our nation's capital.

DeSantis was also asked about the pro-Trump mob that overran the US Capitol in January 2021, as Congress was meeting to certify Biden's 2020 victory, and responded, If it's about relitigating things that happened two or three years ago, we're going to lose."

I wasn't anywhere near Washington that day. I had nothing to do with what happened that day. Obviously, I didn't enjoy seeing. You know what happened. But we've got to go forward on this stuff, DeSantis said. We cannot be looking backwards.

That, too, contrasted with Trump, who repeated baseless claims Tuesday that he was denied a second term because the other side cheated.

Numerous federal and local officials, a long list of courts, top former campaign staffers and even Trump's own attorney general have all said there is no evidence of the fraud he alleges.

The simultaneous visits by the candidates intensified the scrutiny of the role that New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation GOP primary state, will play in deciding the next Republican presidential nominee. Much of the focus of the early primary has been on Iowa and South Carolina, where evangelical Christians are dominant.

Spending time in New Hampshire, by contrast, gives the candidates were testing their messages in front of a more libertarian-leaning electorate.

Trump's first-place finish in New Hampshire's 2016 Republican primary  after losing Iowa to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz  helped propel him to dominance in the party. But his Democratic rivals ended up winning the state in both the 2016 and 2020 general elections.

Before his speech, Trump announced that his New Hampshire team features 150-plus dedicated activists and organizers throughout the state's 10 counties.

DeSantis' campaign angered some members of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women by scheduling his town hall around the same time Trump was addressing the group's lunch gathering. It complained that DeSantis' event is an attempt to steal focus from its own lunch, and that other presidential candidates scheduled around it.

That didn't stop DeSantis from using his town hall to talk up the new immigration policy proposal he released Monday in South Texas, betting that the issue can energize GOP voters, even those who are 2,000 miles north of the US-Mexico border.

We're actually going to build the wall, DeSantis said of Trump's failed pledges to do so. A lot of politicians chirp. They make grandiose promises and then fail to deliver the actual results. The time for excuses is over. Now is the time to deliver results and finally get the job done."

DeSantis' immigration plan was the first major policy rollout of his campaign and calls for ending birthright citizenship, finishing the border wall and sending US forces into Mexico to combat drug cartels. Many of those largely mirror Trump's policies, while facing long odds since they'd require reversing legal precedents, approval from other countries or even amending the US Constitution.

But the Florida governor also tailored his Tuesday message to New Hampshire, noting how tougher border security could eventually help limit the ravages of opioids, which have hit the state particularly hard, even as deaths from overdoses have climbed all over the country.

He promised the most assertive policy against drug cartels any administration has ever had, adding, We have to do it because it will save lives.

DeSantis has tried to gain ground on Trump by questioning the former president's continued hold on the national party. At the town hall, the governor slammed the GOP's culture of losing under Trump and mentioned the massive red wave that many top Republicans predicted but that never materialized nationally in last year's midterm elections.

We had a red wave in Florida, DeSantis said, noting he easily won reelection last fall. But that's because we delivered results in Florida. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Geneva [Switzerland], June 27 (ANI/WAM): UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has anticipated a significant rise in global refugee resettlement needs for next year.

According to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024 released today, over 2.4 million refugees will be in need of resettlement, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023.

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With a deepening refugee crisis and the emergence of new displacement situations, urgent action is required to address the escalating challenges faced by millions of refugees and displaced individuals worldwide.

"We are witnessing a concerning increase in the number of refugees in need of resettlement in 2024. Resettlement remains a critical lifeline for those most at risk and with specific needs," said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "I ask all states with the means to step up and provide sustainable and multi-year resettlement commitments to offer safety and protection to those in need and to share the international community's responsibility for refugees."

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The Asia region tops the list of estimated needs in 2024, with nearly 730,000 refugees requiring resettlement support, representing 30 per cent of global needs.

In 2022, out of approximately 116,000 submissions, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement. UNHCR continues to advocate the importance of allocating more places for emergency and medical cases and ensuring timely processing and departure.

Resettlement provides a lifeline of hope and protection to those facing extreme risks by offering a durable solution while at the same time playing a pivotal role in relieving the pressure on host countries and strengthening the broader protection framework. (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)
Sholas, June 27: A tornado struck an Indiana home, killing a man and injuring his wife, while two people died in Arkansas after a tree fell onto a house, as severe weather rumbled through several central states. The tornado that hit the home Sunday evening was part of a storm system that pushed through a rural, wooded area of southern Indiana's Martin County.

The injured woman was flown by helicopter to a hospital, said Cameron Wolf, Martin County's emergency management director. The newer, log cabin-style house was leveled as a storm that also had large hail and other strong winds raked the area about 85 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of Indianapolis.

The home that was totally destroyed, just a few feet away they had a shop building that is perfectly good, Wolf said. I mean, didn't even touch it. Another tornado touched down Sunday afternoon the suburban Indianapolis communities of Greenwood and Bargersville, officials said. China Tornado Videos: Huge Typhoon Strikes Liaoning Province.

Tornado in US

A destructive tornado was captured ripping through buildings in the US state of Indiana, as a powerful storm left at least one person dead and another injured  pic.twitter.com/0RZhPTQ3Ut  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 26, 2023

Bargersville Fire Chief Erik Funkhouser said at least 75 homes suffered moderate to severe damage as the latter tornado crossed Indiana State Road 135 in the area of Interstate 69. Crews did not find any deaths or injuries from the tornado, which officials estimated was on the ground for about 15 minutes.

Kimber Olson, 42, told her 8-year-old son to sit in the bathtub while she stood outside and recorded video of what looked like two cyclones circling toward her apartment in Bargersville

The sound is deafening, Olson told The Indianapolis Star. You'll never forget the sound. Your ears pop in such a strange way. You get a ring in your ear.

When the tornado got closer, she went inside, closed all the doors and jumped in the bathtub with her son. She heard glass explode as her window shattered.

In Arkansas, sheriff's officials said two people were killed and a third was injured Sunday night in the central community of Carlisle when a tree fell onto a home, KTHV-TV reported.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, citing numerous downed power lines in the state. The National Guard said it was providing potable water to the community of West Helena in eastern Arkansas, after water service was knocked out overnight. US to Send $500 Million in Weapons, Military Aid to Ukraine, Officials Say.

High winds also caused tens of thousands of homes and businesses to lose electricity in Arkansas, Michigan and Tennessee. In the city of Millington, north of Memphis, officials reported multiple rescues from homes and cars and planes overturned at the city's small airport. No injuries were immediately reported. The fire department reported extensive wind damage that knocked down trees, leading to road closures.

The storm caused more than 120,000 power outages in the Memphis area, with most of those homes and businesses still without electricity on Monday, utility officials said. Repairs were expected to last days, and with temperatures forecast to reach the 90s on Tuesday, residents who need relief from the heat were advised to seek it in places such as air-conditioned libraries, malls or large stores.

I ask that everyone presently without power plan to be out for several days' time and that our customers who do have power help their friends and neighbors where and when you can, Doug McGowen, president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water, said in a statement.

A boil water advisory was issued for a narrow section of Shelby County north of Memphis that is not densely populated. More than 80,000 power outages were reported in Michigan, mostly in the Detroit area.

In the Southeast, a prominent Atlanta real estate agent was killed by a falling tree Sunday as a fast-moving line of thunderstorms pushed through the city, downing down branches and temporarily knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of customers.

George Heery Jr., 55, was out for a walk in the Buckhead neighborhood when the tree fell on him, police told news outlets. Heery was the son of architect George Heery Sr., who helped design Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Georgia Dome and other prominent Atlanta structures.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Mumbai, June 27: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the UGC NET Answer Key 2023 soon. The NTA will release the answer key for the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test examination in due course of time. Candidates who appeared for the UGC NET 2023 examination can visit the official website of UGC NET at ugcnet.nta.nic.in to check and download their provisional answer key.

Several news reports claim that the NTA would release the UGC NET Provisional answer key 2023 by the end of June 30, however, there has been no official confirmation as yet. In order to check the UGC NET provision answer key, candidates are advised to keep their application number or roll number and date of birth handy. TNEA Rank List 2023 Out at tneaonline.org: Tamil Nadu Engineering Exams Merit List Released, Get Direct Link and Know How To Download.

Steps To Download UGC NET Answer Key 2023:

Visit the official site of UGC NET at ugcnet.nta.nic.in

On the homepage, click on the UGC NET Answer Key 2023" link

Next, enter using your login details

Now click on submit

Your UGC NET answer key will be displayed on the screen

Check the answer key and take a printout for future reference

This year, the UGC NET Phase 2 examinations were conducted on June 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2023. Soon after releasing the provisional answer key, the NTA will also open the objection window for candidates to raise objections. The agency will give a duration of two to three days for candidates to raise objections against the answer key. 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.

Meanwhile, the NTA is also expected to publish the provisional answer key of the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate or CUET UG 2023. The CUET UG 2023 entrance test exam was held in May-June. Once released, the CUET UG answer key will be available on cuet.samarth.ac.in.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 08:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Prayagraj, June 27: Scientists of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in Allahabad University, have found evidence of a strong earthquake that occurred 140 crore years ago on the Chitrakoot-Satna border region. Many distorted structures, found on Hanumandhara mountain (Vindhya Parvat), about 3.5 km from Chitrakoot Dham, reflect the underground changes of that time.

According to Professor J.K. Pati and fellow at the department Anuj Kumar Singh, the formation of these deformation structures is related to a combination of several other processes including gravitational instability, liquefaction and generated by seismic tremors. Earthquake of Magnitude 4.5 on Richter Scale Jolts Kazakhstan.

The present study (types of deformed structures and their complexity, geodynamic distribution, geographical structure of Vindhyan Union) confirms that the magnitude of this earthquake must have been more than 5 on the Richter scale.

Their discovery and conclusions are now all set to be published in the upcoming issue (July 2023) of the prestigious international Elsevier Journal -- Journal of Paleogeography-- and whose pre-print has already become available online on the journals website.

The formation of these soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) is essentially related to a combination of processes, including gravitational instability, liquefaction, and fluidisation generated by seismic shaking.

"Our extensive investigation during the present study over types of deformation structures and their complexity, geodynamic distribution, the geological structure of Vindhyan joint confirms that the magnitude of these earthquakes would have been more than 5 on the Richter scale, said Prof Pati, an eminent geologist who, among other areas has been working on different geo-scientific aspects and areas of Bundelkhand since 1992.

This part of central India has been considered safe from earthquakes till now. But this research has emphasised studying underground changes in a new way. Earthquake in Afghanistan: Quake of Magnitude 4.2 Hits Fayzabad, No Casualties Reported.

Now, like Jabalpur, it should not be assumed that strong seismic tremors cannot occur in this part of central India. Like the collision zone of the Himalayas, these tracts of central India can also be affected by intense seismic activity as evidence shows, he added. Singh said that for a long time, the Central Indian region had been considered stable from the seismic point of view.

However, various types of deformed structures (SSDS) and their structural features in the ancient Vindhyan Basin reveal the frequent incidences of seismicity. Small earthquakes have occurred in this area in the recent past, indicating that there are a few such faults within the ground in this area, which could be the cause of a major earthquake in the future, he shared.

The scientists say that importantly, this study also suggests active tectonics/seismic activities during the continuous evolution of the Vindhyan Basin, contrary to the earlier propositions.

The occurrence of earthquakes helps scientists to understand the internal structure of the earth, although when the intensity is high, they may cause a huge loss of life and property.

The researchers said that though we cannot prevent earthquakes, their hazardous effects can be controlled/minimised by carefully following the guidelines of the government, especially the National Disaster Management Authority.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 04:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
A UN investigator has voiced "profound concern" that 19 of the 30 men being held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center have never been charged with a single crime  some after 20 years in US custody.The first UN independent investigator to visit the US detention center at Guantanamo Bay has said the US government's treatment of inmates there is "cruel, inhumane and degrading."

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The UN special rapporteur Fionnuala Ni Aolain said that the suffering of the 30 detainees is "profound and ongoing."

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Aolain's visit marked the first time a US administration has allowed a UN investigator to visit the facility since it was opened in 2002.

UN investigator condemns detention without trial

The Guantanamo detention center was opened in 2002 by the then US President George W. Bush in response to the September 2001 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The facility was opened to hold suspected Islamist terrorists without trial.

Aolain submitted a 23-page report to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday which said that while the 2001 attacks were "crimes against humanity," the use of torture against the alleged perpetrators violated international human rights laws.

She stressed that it deprived the victims and survivors of justice because information obtained by torture cannot be used at trials.

At one point, almost 800 people had been jailed at the detention center in Cuba. Currently 30 men continue to remain incarcerated there.

Aolain expressed concern that 19 of the 30 men, some of whom have been locked up for 20 years, have never been charged with a single crime.

Probe finds evidence of 'distress' among detainees

Aolain said that when she visited the facility, she was met with a "heartfelt response" by the detained, some of whom had not seen an outsider for over 20 years.

She observed that many detainees showed evidence of "deep psychological harm and distress."

The report condemned the "near-constant surveillance, forced cell extractions, undue use of restraints and other arbitrary, non-human rights complaint operating procedures."

Aolain said that the facilities at Guantanamo "are not adequate to meet the complex and urgent mental and physical health issues of detainees" and pointed to the failure of the US government to provide torture rehabilitation programs.

The US 'disagrees' with UN report

The UN investigator praised the Biden administration for opening up the prison facility and "being prepared to address the hardest human rights issues."

She made a series of recommendations and said that even though "significant improvements" had been made, the facility must be closed immediately.

Meanwhile, the US, in a submission to the Human Rights Council, said that the investigator's findings "are solely her own" and that the US "disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions" in the report.

"The detainees live communally and prepare meals together; receive specialized medical and psychiatric care; are given full access to legal counsel; and communicate regularly with family members," the US statement said.

Previously, Bush's successor Barack Obama sought to close the detention center but failed due to opposition from Congress. Donald Trump wanted to keep the facility open.

The US said in a statement that the Biden administration has made "significant progress" toward closing the Guantanamo facility.

ns/nm (AP, dpa)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 12:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Imphal, June 27: The Manipur government will introduce a no work, no pay rule for government employees who are not attending office without authorised leave due to various reasons arising out of the ethnic violence. Manipur Violence: Fresh Firing Reported From Two Places in State.

A government official said that the General Administration Department (GAD) has asked all the administrative secretaries to furnish details of employees who are not able to attend to their official work due to the prevailing situation. There are around one lakh employees in the Manipur government. Manipur Violence: CM N Biren Singh Meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, Briefs About Prevailing Situation.

Over 65,000 people have been displaced across Manipur, which include a large number of government employees, who have taken shelter in the relief camps. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence, over 120 people have lost their lives while over 400 people have been injured with large scale destruction of houses and properties. The ethnic violence broke out between Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3 in Manipur.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kolkata, June 27: A person was killed and four others were severely injured following clashes and gun-battle between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters early on Tuesday in Cooch Behar district over the West Bengal panchayat polls. The violence was reported from Gitaldaha under Dinhata Block-I in Cooch Behar district.

Babu Haque, having affiliations to the ruling Trinamool Congress, lost his life in the violence. Four others, who were critically injured in the gun- battle, are undergoing treatment at a local health centre. West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: Mamata Banerjee Says BJP Will Lose Its First Engine in Panchayat Polls, Vows to Form 'Maha Jota' for Lok Sabha Election 2024.

With the fresh casualty, the total number of poll-related deaths has risen to 11 in the last 19 days since the dates for the three-tier panchayat system in the state was announced on June 8.

According to eyewitnesses, sporadic clashes between the ruling and opposition parties started at Gitaldaha early this morning and as time passed, the fights turned serious following exchange of bullets between the two groups.

Hoque suffered bullet injuries in the gun-battle and was rushed to a local health centre. Police said that as the place of occurrence is quite remote, and had to be accessed through boat, the cops took some time to reach there and bring the situation under control.

Tension is still prevailing in the area as a police contingent has been deputed there to keep the situation under control. Only on Monday afternoon, Chief Minister had held a rally in Cooch Behar district, where she fired salvos against the Border Security Force (BSF) for intimidating voters in the bordering villages during elections. West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: BSF Trying to Scare Voters in Bordering Areas, Says CM Mamata Banerjee.

With Haques death, Dinhata in Cooch Behar has witnessed the second death due to poll- related violence. On June 18, the body of Sambhu Das, the brother-in-law of a BJP candidate from the area, was recovered from a jute field there. A day prior to it, the convoy of the BJP Lok Sabha member from Cooch Behar and the Union minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik was attacked at Dinhata only.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 10:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Kerala, the gateway of the monsoon into the mainland of the country, has received deficient rainfall so far, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on June 8, nearly a week after its normal onset date of June 1.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's helicopter made an emergency landing at the Sevoke air base near Siliguri on Tuesday afternoon due to bad weather. After the incident, Banerjee was taken to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. Sharing an update on the West Bengal CM's health, SSKM Director Dr Manimoy Bandyopadhyay said, "...CM has suffered some injuries due to sudden emergency landing. She is being examined at SSKM for medical management of her condition." He also said that senior doctors are attending to the CM and investigations, including MRI, have been done. He further said, "This revealed ligament injury in the left knee joint with marks of ligament injury in left hip joint. Respective treatment of the injuries has already started. She was advised to get admitted but she said that she will continue treatment at home." Mamata Banerjee Helicopter Emergency Landing: Chopper Carrying West Bengal CM Makes Emergency Landing at Sevoke Airbase Due to Low Visibilty.

West Bengal CM Has Suffered Some Injuries

#WATCH | SSKM Director Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay says, "...CM has suffered some injuries due to sudden emergency landing. She is being examined at SSKM for medical management of her condition. Senior doctors are attending to the CM and investigations, including MRI have been https://t.co/20KeOiwqHO pic.twitter.com/NVRLUYhzKh  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

Mamata Banerjee Arrives at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata

#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrived at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata this evening. Earlier today, her helicopter made an emergency landing at Sevoke Airbase due to low visibility. She was going to Bagdogra after addressing a public gathering at Krinti, Jalpaiguri. pic.twitter.com/HCt7vzsTM4  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Washington, June 27: An audio recording of a 2021 meeting has revealed former US President Donald Trump discussing holding secret documents he did not declassify after leaving the White House, a media report said. In the two-minute recording exclusively obtained by CNN, Trump is heard riffling through papers and saying: "This is highly confidential."

The recording includes new details from the conversation in Bedminster, New Jersey, which is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of the classified documents. During the conversation, Trump is heard describing a document that he alleges is about possibly attacking Iran. Justice Department Proposes December Trial Date for Trump in Classified Documents Case.

"He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isn't it amazing?" Trump says near the beginning of the clip. "I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look," he says. "See as President I could have declassified it... Now I can't, you know, but this is still a secret. These are the papers, Trump says in the audio recording.

The former President and his aides also joke about former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons emails after Trump says that the document was secret information.

Audio Recording of Donald Trump

Hillary would print that out all the time, you know. Her private emails, Trumps staffer said. No, shed send it to Anthony Weiner, Trump responded, referring to the former Democratic congressman, prompting laughter. This latest development comes a week after Trump told Fox News that that he did not have any documents with him, CNN reported. Trump's Penchant for Talking Could Pose Problems as Mar-a-Lago Criminal Case Moves Ahead.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles, the former President was quoted as saying to Fox News.

Earlier this month, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2023 10:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 26 June, authorities in Mexico announced the arrest of, the former head of the national kidnapping unit, in relation to the 2014 abduction of 43 trainee teachers from the Ayotzinapa college in Guerrero state.

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On 26 June Hondurass military police (PMOP) took control of the countrys prisons.

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On 26 June Brazils Presidentmet his Argentine counterpartin Brasilia to discuss bilateral interests such as trade and investment.

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On 26 June Argentinas Vice Presidentshed some light on the intense debates within the ruling left-of-centre coalition Frente de Todos (FdT), now known as Union por la Patria (UP), that culminated inthe economy minister, being proclaimed as the unity presidential candidate ahead of primary elections on 13 August.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is facing intense criticism for his immigration laws that may cause a labor crisis in Florida, has now unveiled his immigration policy should he win the presidency. The policy has been described as "aggressive" as he promises to stop the "immigrant invasion."

As he toured the US-Mexico border in Texas and campaigned in the Lone Star State, DeSantis presented his immigration policy and promised to end birthright citizenship and also finish rival Donald Trump's border wall.

However, the most controversial promise he made was to send US forces to Mexico and fight the drug cartels there. International experts warn that such a policy could be perceived as an invasion by US troops into Mexico and would violate international laws as it would be a violation of Mexico's sovereignty.

The Associated Press pointed out that what DeSantis proposed largely mirrored top presidential rival Donald Trump's campaign promises as it "represents a long-established wish list of Republican immigration proposals." Many of his proposals might break laws and require amending the US Constitution.

Despite this, however, the Florida governor still projected confidence as he slammed leaders of both parties for failing to stop what he called an immigrant "invasion."

DeSantis likened illegal crossings to people breaking into another's homes, saying, "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 also slammed his rival, Trump, pointing out that there were more immigrants deported in the first four years of the Obama administration than in Trump's four years in office despite having a more aggressive immigration policy that DeSantis is somehow copying.

READ NEXT: Texas Sheriff Files Criminal Charges Over Ron DeSantis's Martha's Vineyard Migrant Stunt

Ron DeSantis Immigration Policy and Birthright Citizenship

Many are saying that DeSantis's immigration policies are aiming to appeal to White conservatives. However, with what is happening in Florida, it is also alienating business owners, farmers, and conservative Latinos.

DeSantis is particularly going after "birthright citizenship," which gives children born in the United States US citizenship despite having parents who are not US citizens.

However, ABC-30 pointed out that DeSantis might have to change the constitution for that to happen as "birthright citizenship" is protected by the 14th Amendment. Under the constitution, individuals "born or naturalized in the United States" are guaranteed US citizenship.

Donald Trump previously promised that he will get rid of the law but has not fulfilled that promise.

Ron DeSantis Immigration Policies Are Costing Him Back in Florida

DeSantis's immigration policies have largely driven out immigrants in Florida. However, while this has made his White conservative base happy, it has alienated him from many others as business owners, construction sites, and farms are losing their workers at an alarming rate, potentially causing a labor crisis in Florida when his stifling immigration law comes into effect on July 1.

Vox reported that videos of farms and construction sites being largely abandoned and produce left to rot have become viral on social media, showing that the governor's immigration policies could negatively affect the economy.

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: DeSantis unveils an aggressive immigration and border security policy that largely mirrors Trump's - KSAT-12
The Idaho College Murder trial is finally moving forward, and this time, suspect Bryan Kohberger might be facing the death penalty. A new court filing showed that prosecutors want him executed for the gruesome murders that took the lives of four University of Idaho students at an off-campus house last November 13, 2022.

The court filing stated, "considering all evidence currently known to the State, the State is compelled to file this notice of intent to seek the death penalty."

Bryan Kohberger, a PhD student at Washington State University, is accused of killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, their roommate Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin. Two other roommates survived the attack.

After the court filing went public, the family of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, released a statement, according to ABC News. It said that the family is "grateful" that the prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Kohberger.

"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," said the statement from Goncalves's family.

The judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of the accused killer as Kohberger chose to "stand silent" during his arraignment last month. Prosecutors had 60 days to file a notice on whether they were pursuing the death penalty against Kohberger. The trial will begin on October 2.

Bryan Kohberger Lawyer Says Client Had 'No Connection' With Murdered University of Idaho Students

The Idaho College Murders have captured the imagination of the entire nation, with Bryan Kohberger garnering many fans after his arrest, much like other infamous murderers.

Kohberger's attorney, Jay Logsdon, argued in his client's defense, saying that "there is no connection between Mr. Kohberger and the victims." The lawyer noted that "There is no explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohberger's apartment, office, home, or vehicle."

READ MORE: Idaho College Murders Update: Bryan Kohberger's Trial Date Set

The defense also had a new court filing that noted, "By December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males' DNA within the house where the deceased were located."

Kohberger's lawyers argued that lab analysis found the DNA of another unknown man on a glove that was discovered outside the residence where the Idaho College Murders took place.

The filing added, "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 CNN, this challenges the prosecution's reliance on investigative genetic genealogy.

Bryan Kohberger's DNA Is a 'Statistical Match' to DNA on Knife Found at Crime Scene

According to Newsweek, prosecutors filed a motion for a protective order earlier this month. It sought to protect the information from the use of investigative genetic genealogy from being disclosed to the public. The filing stated that investigators found Kohberger's DNA was a "statistical match" to DNA found on a knife sheath found at the crime scene.

The defense has been arguing against this and is saying that "the state is hiding its entire case" due to the "lack of disclosure and their motion to protect the genetic genealogy investigation."

If what the defense is saying is true, legal experts are pointing out that this may cause some problems for prosecutors.

READ MORE: Here's How Idaho Murder Suspect Bryan Kohberger Was Eventually Caught for His Killings of 4 College Students

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: State will seek death penalty against Bryan Kohberger - KREM 2 News
The vote counting for the Guatemala elections is now ongoing. However, early results indicate that there will be no winner yet as the elections are heading to a run-off election for the presidency this August. It will be between conservative former first lady Sandra Torres and center-left candidate Bernando Arevalo.

Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced that out of the over 20 presidential candidates, it will be Torres, who had 15.7% of the votes, and Arevalo, who had 11.8% of the votes, who will be the ones facing off in August. Torres is a right-wing establishment candidate for the conservative UNE party while Arevalo is a center-left candidate from the Seed Movement.

According to the Associated Press, none of the two leading candidates were able to reach the 50% vote threshold to avoid the runoff. The results came amid low voter turnout as only 60% of those eligible to vote participated in the election.

There were almost a million invalid ballots cast as well, with voters being frustrated at the candidates who were running as many of the favorites were disqualified.

Sandra Torres watched the results from a downtown hotel conference room and vowed that no matter who her run-off opponent will be, she will be "Guatemala's first woman president."

As for Arevalo, he was seen crossing Constitution Plaza in front of the National Palace on Monday afternoon to greet hundreds of his supporters who gathered there. Someone shouted: "There's hope!" as he spoke with both reporters and supporters.

Bernardo Arevalo Qualifying for Guatemala Run-off Elections To Be President Was an Upset

While Torres getting the top spot in the Guatemala election was not surprising, the one challenging her for the presidency is, and that is center-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo. Many did not predict that he would be the one to challenge Torres, as other candidates included favorites like Zury Rios, the daughter of Guatemala's former military dictator, Efrain Rios Montt, as well as many others.

READ NEXT: Guatemala Ex-President Otto Perez Molina and Ex-Vice President Roxana Baldetti Imprisoned

Arevalo's qualification was seen by his supporters as a clear sign of public frustration with the country's political elites, according to The Guardian. As he greeted his supporters after the Supreme Electoral Tribunal announcement, they chanted, "You can see it, you can feel it! Bernardo Presidente!"

"We believe voters were fed up and tired of a political system which has been co-opted by the same-old groups and were looking for a decent alternative," said the center-leftist in his press conference before thanking voters for their courage.

Guatemala Election Run-Off Could Have Severe Ramifications

Many fear that at its current trajectory under President Alejandro Giammattei, Guatemala could veer into authoritarianism, with residents being frustrated with the status quo. Giammattei only has one term in office, but the system that enabled him could continue, as pointed out by Vox.

Guatemalan citizens feel that the country is now in control of the "pacto de corruptos," or the military, economic, and political establishment. Frustrations were felt when popular anti-establishment candidates like Carlos Pineda and Indigenous leader Thelma Cabrera were disqualified.

With Sandra Torres, who was investigated for corruption, the current system could continue, as she is considered part of the establishment. However, her run-off opponent is not. He had been campaigning against the establishment, often attacking Guatemala's powerful coalition of industries - the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations (CACIF), as well as urging Guatemalans to "vote differently."

READ MORE: Guatemala: At Least 9 Dead After Stampede During a Rock Concert

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Early vote count for Guatemala's presidential election indicates 2nd round ahead - ABC News
German discount grocer Aldi will have a grand opening this summer at the former Kmart space at Bethlehem Plaza in Bethlehem Township.

Aldi Divisional Vice President Bob Grammer confirmed to lehighvalleylive.com this week the new store is set to open sometime in August. The store at Routes 22 and 191 will replace an existing Aldi at 3050 Easton Ave. in the township, Grammer said.

The Easton Avenue store will close sometime this summer, Grammer said. Its unclear what will become of that property. Bethlehem Township Planning Director Amanda Raudenbush told lehighvalleylive.com Tuesday no plans have been submitted for the site.

Aldi has proudly served the Bethlehem community for over 28 years, and we are excited to provide residents with an improved shopping experience at the new Bethlehem store, Grammer said.

James Balliet, the shopping centers leasing agent, previously said Aldi will use 22,000 square feet of the 105,000-square-foot former Kmart site. The Kmart interior was gutted prior to Aldi signing onto the lease. The James Balliet Property Group seeks new tenants for the rest of the space.

Aldi operates more than 2,000 stores across 36 states, with over 25,000 employees. The companys U.S. headquarters is in Batavia, Illinois.

Aldi has stores in the Nazareth, Easton and Allentown areas. The Pohatcong Township Aldi opened in February 2018 and the Aldi in the Dorneyville Shopping Center in South Whitehall Township opened in November 2022.

The chain is known for low cost groceries, everything from organic produce to sustainable seafood to gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan foods to meats and cheeses. The chain stocks about 10% national brands and 90% of its own exclusive brands.

The Kmart space has been vacant since July 2013. Kmart in October 2018 declared bankruptcy beneath a reported $11.3 billion in debt. Former Kmarts in Allentown, Wind Gap and South Whitehall Township have been transformed into other businesses. The former Kmart in Wilson Borough remains vacant except for occasional pop-up seasonal stores.

Aldi will join these tenants at Bethlehem Plaza: Dollar Tree, a Hibachi Grill, China King, and a tanning and nail salon. The shopping center also sits across from Bethlehem Square, which includes Walmart, Home Depot and a Giant Food Store as its anchors, as well as some smaller retailers like Bath & Body Works.

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Two tractor trailers collided, causing one to jackknife and the other to spill its contents, onto Interstate 78 in Lower Saucon Township, state police said.

The crash happened at 12:42 a.m. Tuesday on I-78 west at mile marker 68.7, said Trooper Nathan Branosky, a public information officer with Pennsylvania State Polices Troop M.

Branosky told lehighvalleylive.com all lanes were blocked early Tuesday by the jackknifed tractor trailer and an orange juice spill on that portion of the highway.

Both drivers were injured and taken to St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill for treatment. Traffic is being detoured onto Route 33 north.

Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast continue to investigate.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
Tom Stuker, a car dealership consultant from New Jersey, has flown 23 million miles on his lifetime pass from United Airlines since 1990.

Stuker has flown more miles on an airplane than anyone in history, according to The Washington Post.

He was able to achieve such a feat because United Airlines ran a promotion for a $290,000 lifetime pass in 1990. Stuker quickly seized the opportunity and bought the pass.

Thirty-three years later, the frequent traveler says it was the best investment of his life.

But Stuker knew that his pass was not just a way to accumulate more airline miles. He also knew that he could use miles to buy gift cards for home repairs, renovate his brothers home, as well as experiences, such as winning an auction years ago to be a guest on the show Seinfeld.

Stuker has used his lifetime pass to his advantage. He has traveled to 100 countries and has been on more than 120 honeymoon trips with his wife.

United representatives have gone out of their way to embrace Stuker. They have done everything from asking him for his input on in-flight menus to having a Mercedes-Benz ready on the tarmac in case he needs to make a tight connection.

These days where airplane service for the masses ekes out the bare minimum in most cases, Stukers story shows that flying in style is still a thing of the present.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Two Bethlehem residents face felony and related charges following a series of crimes that began with an attempted break-in at Weis Markets in Palmer Township, according to police.

Both suspects were taken into custody, after the spree early Monday morning extended to a nearby automobile dealership and private residence, court records say.

Township police said they were called about 3:45 a.m. for a burglar alarm at the Weis, 3011 William Penn Highway. A white Cadillac SUV was parked near the supermarkets gas pumps, registered to Martha H. Toukolehto, according to police.

A female perpetrator identified by police as Toukolehto was seen on the stores surveillance with an object in her hands trying to pry open the glass entry doors, as a male perpetrator wielded a large, green patio umbrella taken from a sale stand in front of the store as a battering ram slamming it into the glass entry doors in attempt to gain entry, police wrote in the court records.

Investigators said they identified the male attempted burglary suspect as 42-year-old Eugene A. Ruiz. Both he and Toukolehto, 37, live in Bethlehems first block of West Goepp Street, police said. Surrounding police departments were alerted to the incident and the perpetrators descriptions.

Police about 5:20 a.m. Monday were dispatched to a nearby home on Hartley Avenue for a male perpetrator banging on the door with a red fire extinguisher. The responding officers arrested the man, identified as Ruiz, after observing him banging on the apartments door with the fire extinguisher in his right hand and miscellaneous Allen-key wrenches in his left hand, police said. The apartments doorbell camera captured Ruiz hitting it with an Allen wrench, court records say; the tenant reported not knowing who Ruiz was or why he was there.

Palmer police patrolling the area for Toukolehto observed several vehicles that were broken into throughout the township and met with an employee at Brown-Daub Kia, 3600 William Penn Highway, who reported the lots plow truck missing from its usual spot, according to court records.

Surveillance video from the dealership showed a female trespasser matching Toukolehtos description enter the lot on foot around 5:30 a.m.; around 5:41 a.m., she enters the plow truck, a green Ford F-250, and drives off a few minutes later, according to police. The pickup was soon found abandoned at the entrance of Brown-Daub Chrysler Jeep, 3903 Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township, police said.

Colonial Regional police, who patrol Lower Nazareth, were called around 9 a.m. for a female trespasser in the backyard of a home, matching the description previously shared with law enforcement agencies in the area, according to court records. Thats where police took Toukolehto into custody, some 300 yards from the abandoned F-250, police said.

Ruiz was arraigned Monday night followed by Toukolehtos arraignment on Tuesday morning, both before District Judge Alicia Rose Zito. Both were sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail each.

Toukolehto is charged with felony burglary, criminal conspiracy, theft (two counts) and receiving stolen property, plus misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime.

Ruiz is charged with felony burglary, criminal conspiracy and attempted criminal trespass/break into structure, in addition to misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime (two counts), resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

They will face preliminary hearings tentatively scheduled July 11 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to send the charges toward trial in Northampton County Court.

Court records were not immediately updated with the names of their attorneys.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
A day after getting drenched by severe storms, it wont take much for another round to again inundate small creeks and low-lying areas.

More stormy weather was forecast for late Tuesday afternoon in parts of the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey.

The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings in effect until 5:45 p.m. for an area including Warren County and northeastern Northampton County, and until 5:30 p.m. for an area that includes south-central Hunterdon County and central Bucks County.

Forecasters said 60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail were possible, along with potential damage to roofs, siding, trees and power lines.

A flood watch already is in effect through Tuesday evening for eastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey as storms approaching the Lehigh Valley. The National Weather Service says the region can generally expect an inch or two of rain, with some spots maybe reaching 3 inches. Drivers should not attempt to forge flooded roads.

This round of heavy rain will follow Mondays storms which dumped a months worth of rain in spots especially around the Slate Belt and Warren County. One of those storms also spawned a confirmed tornado in that region, while trees were blown over and roads washed out elsewhere.

It may not seem like it after flood alerts, but most of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey are experiencing a moderate drought, at least as of last weeks U.S. Drought Monitor report. Pennsylvania is under a statewide drought watch. Even after Mondays storms, measurements at Lehigh Valley International Airport still were 3 inches below normal on the year as of Tuesday morning.

Current weather radar

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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
The absence of a Community Welfare Officer is driving people to illegal money lenders, a Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting was told.

Bobby Delaney said as a member of St Vincent de Paul he felt the SVDP were picking up the tab in Mountmellick since the decision to remove the Community Welfare Officer in 2021.

Our biggest fear is the people that dont come to us are going to illegal money lenders, said Mr Delaney.

Deputy Brian Stanley said there was no doubt the lack of a Community Welfare Officer was driving people to illegal money lenders.

It has been one of the consequences of the removal of the Community Welfare Officers.

We raised this issue ad nauseam with Minister Heather Humphries. It really has had a negative effect, said Dep Stanley.

A Community Welfare Officer went from Mountmellick for a few hours, to Mountrath, Rathdowney, Graiguecullen, Portarlington and then Portlaoise. People could meet face to face, he explained.

Now it is an online system. You are calling somebody on a booking line. Theres nobody available, you cant get through to anybody, he said.

It is driving people into money lending. It is as simple as that, said Dep Stanley.

Some people may have literacy problems, mental health issues and struggle to use the new system, said Dep Stanley.

He said the Community Welfare Officer dealt with emergency situations where people were in crisis.

It is not money that is dished out easily. There is a rigorous assessment for it, he said.

The removal of that simple practice of that person, that Community Welfare Officer going to certain towns, it really, really has had a negative effect, said Dep Stanley.

It is driving people to money lenders who charge 50 to 100% interest, he claimed.

Thats what is happening. Thats the reality out there on the ground, he said.

Minister Sean Fleming said he was in agreement with what Mr Delaney had said.

He said it would take one staff member to cover the county. He suggested the JPC should write to Minister Humphries.

Vincent de Paul in a number of towns are picking up the tab, said Minister Fleming.

Fianna Fail Cllr Paddy Bracken said he was familiar with the problems being faced by people in Mountmellick due to the lack of a Community Welfare Officer.

I find it unacceptable really, your response, he told Minister Fleming, who is also a member of Fianna Fail.

You are in Government. That facility has gone. That facility was hugely important to keep people away from money lending and all that goes with that as a consequence of that, said Cllr Bracken.

The last response I got officially was that the demand wasnt there for it, he said.

Never was there more demand for that out there with interim payments and short term payments and as Deputy Stanley has said, someone going for social welfare to cut off or whatever, Cllr Bracken said.

I am disgusted to think that that basic service has been taken away from us, he remarked.

The Minister is announcing money every other day for this yoke and I dont know and we are taking away the very basic service that we had for years in worse times, he remarked.

Mr Delaney thanked the members for their support in relation to the issue.

We have come across cases of money lenders with Vincent de Paul that would scare you and even with the help of gardai at times it is awful what those people, the pressure they can put on people, he said.

We had a meeting not too long ago with a welfare officer and Tullamore seem to have a great service.

People go the easiest route when they get into a corner and thats to these illegal money lenders, said Mr Delaney.

I would plead with the two Deputies to keep the pressure on and the councillors as well, he said.

Garda Superintendent Eamon Curley urged people who have information about illegal money lenders to contact Gardai. He said garda are aware of the sensitivities around the crime and he urged people to come forward and said doing so doesnt automatically mean they have to be witnesses to the crime.

He said crimes such as illegal money lending and instances of drug intimidation are treated in a very sensitive manner by gardai and he urged people not to be afraid to contact gardai with information.

Former Garda Tom Jones said people who are the victims of money lenders are often afraid to come forward because they might need to borrow from them again.

Complaints were not forthcoming unfortunately, he said.

Supt Curley said gardai would approach such crimes with understanding and sensitivity and find ways of investigating while protecting those who come forward.
The Laois rural development company which has a multi-million euro budget to support local communities and businesses has appointed a new chief executive.

Laois Partnership Company has welcomed Caroline Lydon to lead the local development company and to build on the work that has been achieved since its inception in 2009.

A native of Co Galway, Ms Lyndon has lived in Laois for the past 14 years and a statement said she is pleased to have the opportunity to work in the community and voluntary sector in her own locality.

With a professional background in Occupational Therapy, Laois Partnership says the new CEO brings over 15 years of experience in a variety of senior management positions in a mixture of healthcare services and community and voluntary organisations.

The Partnership says she has a strong interest in building community capacity at local level and in building a dynamic and responsive team to deliver quality programmes and supports for those who need it most.

A statement says that building on past achievements, Ms Lydon says she is looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the organisation and working with the local community to identify unmet needs.

It says she is excited to announce a new programme being developed by Laois Partnership Programme, Social Prescribing, in conjunction with the HSE and looks forward to promoting this locally once recruitment is successful.

Ms Lydon also wants to raise awareness about LPC and the range of programmes and supports available across Laois.

Laois Partnership, which is funded by the State and EU, adds that the new CEO is looking forward to working with people in the local community and thanks everyone for their support and welcome to date.

Following a recent relocation of the organisation to the old St Francis School premises in Portlaoise, plans for an official launch and a revamped website are also in train. More than 40 staff work for the company.

On behalf of the voluntary Board of Directors, Peter O'Neill, Chairperson, stated that Laois Partnership is delighted that the new CEO has joined the company and looks forward to supporting her in her role. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Laois Partnership Company is a not-for-profit registered charity, that assists communities, rural areas and those living in disadvantage through a number of Government and EU-funded programmes.

It says these programmes aim to make Laois a better place to live by enhancing community life, combatting disadvantage and social exclusion and supporting enterprise development.

The new chief will lead the organisation which will be responsible for overseeing the investment of its share the 5.7 million allocated to Laois over the next four years under the LEADER 2023-2027.

Other areas of deliver include: Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), DEASP funded Job Club; Community Employment Scheme; Tus Programme; Rural Social Scheme; Services to the Elderly Programme(LSTEP); National Childcare Schemes; Back to Education initiative.

When recruiting a new CEO earlier in 2023, Laois Partnership, which is a registered charity, said applicants will take responsibility for the strategic and operational management of the organisation.

The recruitment process was necessitated by the departure of CEO Catherine Cowap. Ms Cowap succeded Ann Goodwin who was was CEO at Laois Partnership until her death in 2020.
Two 11-month custodial sentences (22 months in total) were imposed on a Dublin resident for shoplifting offences he committed in the Kildare Village retail Outlet.

Last year, it was heard at Naas District Court that Llir Lapraku, with an address listed as 98 Hillview Grove, Ballinteer, Dublin 16, pleaded guilty to stealing a number of items worth around 4,297 from a number of shops at Kildare Village on April 4, 2022.

It was heard that all of the items stolen by the 45-year-old were recovered, and Mr Laprakus solicitor, Brian Larkin, pointed out that his client has no previous convictions.

However, on the latest date (Thursday, June 22), it was heard that Mr Lapraku had 17 previous convictions: all for road traffic offences, but none for any theft offences.

Defending barrister Mark Gibbons said that Mr Lapraku had acted on impulse, due to the recent death of his father, in addition to consuming pain medication, 'which resulted in his state of mind (on April 4, 2022).'

Mr Gibbons added that Mr Lapraky was 'embarrased and regretful' over his actions.

He added that his client had put forward a 3,000 donation as gesture of his remorse, but Judge Zaidan questioned this, saying: "I understand that you are doing your best for him, but if you can come up with that amount of money, why steal in the first place?"

After consideration, Judge Zaidan said that he would convict Mr Lapraku.

He said that while he accepted Mr Lapraku's guilty plea, his 3,000 donation, and the fact that all the items were recovered, he nevertheless maintained that 'a deterrent must be sent out for this type of behaviour,' echoing his comments on the first court date.

The judge imposed two 11-month sentences on Mr Lapraku, in addition to a 500 fine.

Judge Zaidan also pointed out that one item Mr Lapraku stole, a watch, was worth 2,994.60 alone.
A Social Democrats councillor for the Newbridge area has said he would 'proudly welcome' proposed legislation making conversion therapy a crime.

Members of the LGBTQI+ community are often targeted by these practices.

Earlier this month, a Kildare-based Senator, Fiona O'Loughlin, called for laws banning conversion therapy to be enacted 'without delay.'

Now, Cllr Chris Pender, who is himself openly-gay, has also commented about the proposed law: "Conversion therapy is a horrifying and harmful practice that aims to change a person's sexual orientation through psychological intervention, and it will no longer be tolerated.

"While I appreciate that research has indicated that these activities are infrequent in Ireland, they do occur, and this in itself demonstrates the need for this legislation."

Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender.

He continued: "I firmly believe that it is our duty to protect our citizens from the detrimental effects of conversion therapy.

"We cannot sit back and watch while people seek to suppress, destroy, or transform someone's gender identity or sexual orientation, causing serious harm to their well-being.

"The bill's heads will be introduced before the summer, with pre-legislative scrutiny in the autumn, and it is critical that this is progressed as quickly as possible so that we can ensure we can defend and protect the rights and mental health of our community members."

"I am committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of all constituents, and this legislation is a significant step forward for a more compassionate and inclusive society," Cllr Pender concluded.
A Judge has sought a psychiatric report for a young man accused of rape, as well as other offences.

Judge Desmond Zaidan asked for the report during an in-camera (in private) court session of Naas District Court, which was held on Thursday, June 22.

The accused, who appeared via video-link as he was remanded in custody, was accused of committing criminal damage, burglary offences, in addition to rape offences in County Kildare.

The man alleged that the prison staff were not allowing him to him to see a mental health professional.

Judge Zaidan told gardai present during the court session that when the accused last appeared before him, he suspected that the man might have underlying mental health issues.

He added that when he last dealt with the case, he put the case back to allow for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and he also ordered for the defendant to be assessed by a mental health professional.

A prison guard who also appeared on the video-call told Judge Zaidan that he would pass his sentiments on to his superiors.

The judge remanded the accused on continuing bail until the case returns to court on July 6 for DPP directions.

A psychiatrists report is also due on this date.
The local district court judge has hit out at any attempt to legalise cannabis use in Ireland.

Judge Desmond Zaidan notes that some states, notably The Netherlands, are trying to turn the issue back to criminal behaviour.

He said research at European Union level had shown that over 70% of regular cannabis users had suffered irreversible brain damage as a consequence because of smoking dope.

He said if cannabis is legalised here it will amount to the authorities saying that smoking tobacco is not good for you but smoking cannabis is.

He said extreme liberalism has meant that smoking dope is permitted in some cafes in The Netherlands.

He said at Naas District Court that people often say they use it to combat stress but everyone has stress in their lives (so) dont use it.

According to Euronews, a leading European-based international news channel, smoking weed on the streets of Amsterdam's inner city will soon be banned in a move initiated by the city council.

The destination has long been known for cannabis but, according to the channel, local residents have complained that is making the centre of the city unlivable. More than 18 million travellers visited Amsterdam last year.

Residents of the old town suffer a lot from mass tourism and drug abuse in the streets, the council said in a statement.

Tourists also attract street dealers who in turn cause crime and insecurity.

They added that the atmosphere can get grim, especially at night when people who are under the influence hang around for a long time.

Now smoking joints in public in the inner city is set to be outlawed from mid-May. If the situation doesnt improve, the council is considering extending the ban to include the terraces of cannabis coffee shops.

Read more Kildare news
It has been confirmed that a 1.78 million investment will go towards enhancing facilities at Maynooth University.

This funding will primarily be allocated towards improving campus accessibility for individuals with disabilities, as well as implementing crucial upgrades that benefit students studying in County Kildare.

The news was welcomed by Kildare-based TD Martin Heydon, who said: "My colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, has recently unveiled this substantial investment plan, underlining our commitment to enhancing the learning experience across campuses nationwide."

"As we wrap up another academic year, it is evident that Maynooth University has continuously grown and evolved; The surge in attendance numbers confirms the need for further investment in the university."

Martin Heydon TD.

The Fine Gael politician continued: "It's imperative that the campus infrastructure keeps pace with this growth, offering the best possible environment for learning and development."

"This considerable grant provides Maynooth University with the financial flexibility to implement upgrades in essential areas. Particular attention will be given to projects supporting energy efficiency and decarbonisation, aligning with our national sustainability goals.

"Part of the funds will also be dedicated to enhancing accessibility, transforming the campuses into more inclusive and user-friendly spaces."

He further said that the grant is 'a significant component of a devolved capital funding scheme for higher education institutions', and that it will support a wide range of capital priorities.

Mr Heydon added: "It marks the second consecutive year of increased funding for Maynooth University, and for universities across Ireland.

"This demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to higher education, and our aspiration to maintain our world-class education facilities in Kildare and across the country," he concluded.
A shopping centre located in Newbridge has issued a statement regarding its gift cards policy.

The announcement follows after news broke that the company UAB PayrNet has lost its licence, due to suspicions of money laundering flagged by regulators in Lithuania.

The company provides gift vouchers for a number of Irish shopping centres, including The Square in Tallaght and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, both of which are located in County Dublin, as well as the Whitewater Shopping Centre (WSC) in Newbridge.

Management at WSC released a statement on its official website, which reads as follows: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are currently unable to sell or accept gift cards at Whitewater Shopping Centre.

"This situation arises from UAB PayrNet, the payments firm responsible for managing the funds of gift cards, having their licence revoked.

"We understand that this may be concerning and inconvenient and want to assure you that this issue is not confined to our shopping centre, but it is affecting other centres and service providers across Ireland and Europe that also use the services of UAB PayrNet."

Management continued: "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.

"In the interim, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

"We will continue to keep our site management team informed and provide further updates as more information becomes available."

Management at WSC also included a Frequently-Asked Questions section following their statement, which can be read here.
Former Resistance fighter Edmond Reveil poses with his "franc-tireur" diploma in Meymac, on June 20, 2023. PASCAL LACHENAUD / AFP

A search began in France on Tuesday, June 27, for the remains of dozens of German soldiers said to have been executed by French Resistance fighters during the Second World War. Coming 79 years after the alleged killings, the search was sparked by statements from a 98-year-old former Resistance fighter, Edmond Reveil, who has gone public with the allegation in recent years.

Reveil was part of a commando that he said took 46 German soldiers they had captured, as well as a French woman suspected of collaborating with the Nazi occupiers, to a wooded hillside on June 12, 1944, and shot them dead.

The reason for the killings, in the southwestern Correze region, was that the members of the local Resistance group, made up of around 30 militia and communist partisans, were too few to guard the prisoners, Reveil told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "If we had let the Germans go, they would have destroyed Meymac," the nearby town, he said. He had previously told the local newspaper La Vie Correzienne: "We felt ashamed, but did we have a choice?"

The handful of people who knew about the incident mostly kept quiet over the decades. A dig was even started in the 1960s to shed light on the affair, but was quickly stopped, "perhaps because of pressure", said Meymac's mayor Philippe Brugere, who added that he had been unable to find any record of that search in the town archives.

A fresh investigation was launched when Reveil began to talk publicly about the incident in 2019, and started giving media interviews. Brugere called the search for the truth "honorable", saying it was necessary for people to "look at history with honesty". But the Resistance veteran association Maquis de Correze deplored the "media buzz" sparked by the revelations, which it said could become a "pretext for sullying the memory of the Resistance".

'War crime'?

Reveil, who has not given his reasons for speaking out after so many years, said he recalled each of the German soldiers "taking out his wallet to look at a family picture before dying". After the killings the shooters were "told not to talk about this", he said. "It was a war crime," he added.

But local historian Herve Dupuy said a better term for the executions was "a fact of war", given that the German occupiers did not treat the French Resistance fighters as combatants under the Geneva Convention, but as "terrorists".

France capitulated to Germany in June 1940 and was governed by the Vichy regime, a German client state, until 1942, when the country was taken over completely. The French Resistance, formed by groups of various political leanings, continued to fight against German forces and the Vichy collaboration. The movement led a guerrilla war against Germans and supplied the Allies with intelligence, ahead of the Normandy landings in June 1944.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Armenian Resistance fighter Missak Manouchian will join France's Pantheon greats
A tourist holding keys carves on the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy June 23, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. Courtesy of Ryan Lutz/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. RYAN LUTZ / RYAN LUTZ VIA REUTERS

Italy's culture and tourism ministers have vowed to find and punish a tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent girlfriend in the wall of the Colosseum in Rome, a crime that resulted in hefty fines in the past.

Video of the incident went viral on social media. The message reading "Ivan+Haley 23" appeared on the Colosseum at a time when residents already were complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the Eternal City in record numbers this season.

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the writing carved into the almost 2,000-year-old Flavian Amphitheater "serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility." He said he hoped the culprits would be found and punished according to our laws."

Italian news agency ANSA noted that the incident marked the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum. It said whoever was responsible for the latest episode risked $15,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.

Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche said she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned "so that he understands the gravity of the gesture." Calling for respect for Italy's culture and history, she vowed: "We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way."

In 2014, a Russian tourist was fined 20,000 and received a four-year suspended jail sentence for engraving a big letter 'K' on a wall of the Colosseum. The following year, two American tourists were also cited for aggravated damage after they carved their names in the monument. Italian tourism lobby Federturismo, backed by statistics bureau ISTAT, has said 2023 is shaping up as a record for visitors to Italy, surpassing pre-pandemic levels that hit a high in 2019.
A METAL bench in the river Shannon near the University of Limerick is causing concerns among the community who swim in the area as its only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured off it.

The metal bench near what is commonly known as UL or Kilmurry Beach sticks slightly out of the water and poses a threat to wildlife, people and pets who use the popular swimming location as it is barely visible.

Donagh Collins who uses the area regularly says the swimming spot is the only swimming location left with the condition of Corbally Baths.

It has been there for three years and, unfortunately, people have just come to deal with it.

It is only a matter of time before a child runs into the water and gets seriously injured on it, he said.

According to Donagh, a few regular walkers of the area and himself have tried to remove the bench in the past but had no success.

Limerick City and County Council has been contacted for comment.
THE Coronas will return to Limerick for a Live at the castle show this August.

Fresh off a sold-out hometown show in Fairview Park in Dublin, The Coronas have just announced a special guest slot with Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park in London where they will perform to up to 65,000 people.

The rock band will perform at King Johns Castle on August 26.

Their seventh studio album, Time Stopped, is out now. It was preceded by three singles, Write Our Own Soundtrack, Strive and If You Let Me, all of which have been well-received by radio and fans alike.

Recorded in Camden Studios Dublin and Eastcote Studios in London and produced by George Murphy (Mumford & Sons, The Specials, Ellie Goulding) and mixed by Grammy award-winning Peter Katis (The National).

Time Stopped also features many of The Coronas long-time collaborators and friends including Lar Kaye, Roisin O, Cian MacSweeney, Dave OKeefe and John Broe.

Announcing the news, Mick Dolan said: The Coronas are one of the best Live performers in the country so its fitting they will close the 2023 King John's Castle programme."

Hosting Hermitage Green, Kasabian, Bell X1 ,Kraftwerk ,Madness, Block Rockin Beats this has been our strongest lineup to date," Mick added.

Booking early is advised. Tickets on sale this Friday, June 30 from 9am via Dolans.ie and Ticketmaster.ie
A hospital consultant is climbing the highest peaks of every county in Ireland in memory of his sister-in-law.

Cork-based consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Richard Horgan, is currently training in preparation for next month's challenge, which takes place five years after the tragic death of his wife's youngest sister, Orla Gosnell.

The 38-year-old social care worker died in December 2018 five months after delivering her fifth child at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

Richard plans to come to Waterford on day six of the challenge in order to scale Knockmealdown.

The funds he raises for CUMH through CUH Charity will be used to create dedicated spaces for patients and staff  and a permanent reminder of Orla's life.

Richards '32 County Peaks in a Week' challenge kicks off on July 16 with a minimum 10,000 target and the daunting task of scaling summits in four-five counties each day, concluding with 918m Galtymore on the Limerick/Tipperary border.

The determined dad-of-three and avid hill walker, who conquered Africa's highest peak Kilimanjaro in 2011, said, "Failure is not an option."

During the challenge, he will camp overnight at the base of his next peak and climb a combined altitude of 16,000m, almost twice that of Mount Everest.

He hopes to be joined by Orlas husband Robert and other family members on the final ascent on July 22.

Richard was based in Dublins Rotunda Hospital at the time of his sister-in-law's tragic death, but was appointed to CUMH in early 2020.

A long-held ambition to mark her life came to fruition earlier this year when - inspired by an idea from his nine-year-old son - he decided to grasp the 32-county peak challenge.

Speaking about Orla, he said, "She was so dynamic, it was always about the solution rather than the problem with her.

"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."

He continued: "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 phonecall, have those few minutes."

The new space will include a symbol specifically remembering Orla and her many journeys in CUMH.

Richards fundraiser can be supported until August 6 here.
THE winners of a songwriting retreat in Dublin have been announced.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song will be hosting the 2023 International Songwriting Retreat from July 24 to 30 in Balbriggan, Dublin.

Held by the Irish Institute of Music & Song, the unique seven-day retreat offers professional songwriters and serious amateurs from around the world, an opportunity to work with, and learn from, some of the best songwriting mentors in the industry.

IMRO partnered with the Irish Institute of Music & Song to sponsor two scholarship places on the International Songwriting Retreat. A large number of applications were received and a panel of judges have awarded scholarship places to songwriters Emma Langford, hailing from Co Limerick, and Jess Meyer originally from South Africa, now living in Co Kerry.

Both songwriters are very much looking forward to working with the retreat mentors which include Rob Wells from Canada, who has written songs for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, alongside Maria Christensen from Los Angeles, who has written music for Jennifer Lopez and Celine Dion.

Other mentors on the retreat include, Shridhar Solanki, who has worked with Dua Lipa, Andrea Bocelli, Craig David and Carrie Underwood, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham who has written music for Britney Spears, The Corrs and One Direction.

All retreat attendees will get to work with these internationally acclaimed mentors who have written music for some of the worlds biggest record labels, including Universal, Warner and Sony.

IMRO CEO, Victor Finn, said: "We are very excited about working with the Irish Institute of Music & Song and supporting their new initiative, the International Songwriting Retreat in July 2023. A big part of our mission at IMRO is being committed to creators, alongside that, its to educate, thats why we sponsored two scholarship places on the retreat, giving songwriters the opportunity to learn, develop and ultimately grow as songwriters."

Irish Institute of Music & Song CEO, Michael T Dawson, added: "We have been working on this retreat for a few years now and are very excited that it is finally taking place in July. We are very proud to partner with IMRO who sponsored two songwriting scholarship places on the retreat. This opportunity is second to none as the calibre of mentors on the course is literally world-class."

Remaining spaces are limited. Further information via internationalsongwritingretreat.com
The firm, which has invested in companies such as Jar, Kreditbee, Jai-Kisan, Jumbotail, and Signzy from its first fund, will look to make early-stage bets in around 20 companies from the second fund that it expects to raise by the end of the year, senior fund official said.

Arkam Ventures will look at Series A to Series B stage investments across sectors such as financial services, skilling, food, agriculture, healthcare, mobility, and SaaS. We will additionally focus on manufacturing tech and EVs as we believe that the growth in these sectors in recent years has thrown open a lot of investment opportunities," said Bala Srinivasa, co-founder of Arkam Ventures.

The firm is likely to tap into its existing limited partners base of global institutional investors and family offices for the second fund as well. Some of its investors include British International Investment (BII), SIDBI, Evolvence, Quilvest, US Institutional Investors, and large family offices, Srinivasa said. Around 60% of the capital is expected to come from global investors, while the rest will be from DIIs, Srinivasa added.

Founded in 2020 by venture capitalists Rahul Chandra and Bala Srinivasa, Arkam is targeting middle-India opportunities, which means backing businesses focused on building tech-led solutions for the next 400 million Indians.

Driven by Indias digital rails (UPI, eKYC, Aadhar) and massive digital adoption during the covid-19 pandemic, these Middle India start-ups sense a generational opportunity to reimagine how essential products and services are delivered better, wider and cheaper using digital platforms. It had raised $110 million in its first fund.
New Delhi: Swiss Beauty Cosmetics Private Ltd, an Indian colour cosmetics company, has launched a new campaign with actor Taapsee Pannu. The campaign is titled For all that you are. For all that you can be. The film is produced by Yellawe Production, with cinematographer Ayananka Bose, a director of photography and Anish Dedhia, the director.

The campaign is partly out of home and partly digital as the actor has shared a glimpse of the campaign on her Instagram profile. The video highlights how the brands range of products like eyeshadows, lip colours, cosmetics etc., It will conduct the OOH campaign to increase awareness across its retail touchpoints, as well as a 360-degree social media activation throughout the year.

Saahil Nayar, CEO, Swiss Beauty, said, This is not just a makeup brand but a platform for self-discovery. We are excited to embark on this journey with Pannu and individuals to be whoever they are today and become whatever they want tomorrow."

Pannu said, Brands that matter are brands that have a story to tell. Ive always been drawn to products that do more than they cost, and they embody this principle.

The company began operations in 2013 in India and was founded by brothers Amit and Mohit Goyal in the national capital.

According to industry data, the cosmetics segment in India is projected to grow by 2.87% (2023-2027) resulting in a market volume of $7.02 billion in 2027, said research website Statista. In relation to the total population figures, per person revenues of $4.42 is generated in 2023 in India. By the end of this year, 83% of sales in the cosmetics segment will be attributable to non-luxury goods.
New Delhi: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), a BSE-listed hospitality company, on Tuesday announced that it has signed a new management contract under the name of Taj Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa in Raichak, West Bengal. This property is owned by the Ambuja Neotia Group and is their seventh hotel management contract together. The resort hotel will have 155 rooms and 70,000 sq ft of banqueting space.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have five hotels under its Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands across the state. There are another five under development.

Puneet Chhatwal, the companys managing director and chief executive officer said, Serving as a gateway to North East India, West Bengal holds immense potential and having this property will extend our presence in the state. It will leverage the regions commercial and tourism prospects and will also complement our existing hotels in Kolkata and Darjeeling."

Harshavardhan Neotia, chairman of the Ambuja Neotia Group, said, We are happy to partner with them once again. We are confident that the partnership will have a positive impact on tourism in the region. Raichak, situated on the banks of the Ganges River. The company also owns the Taj City Center New Town in Kolkata.

Last week the company also announced a new Ginger hotel in Kochi on MG Road in Kerala under an operating lease.

Hospitality consultancy Hotelivate said in a report that in FY21, organized room supply in India grew by 3.3% over the previous fiscal year. India has about 1.44 lakh branded rooms including the 4,093 new rooms launched last year.

In its last Trends & Opportunities report that it put out last year, it said that IHCL was the second largest player in the country in terms of room inventory of about 18,000 rooms as of July 2022, following closely in the heels of Marriott International which had about 22,000 rooms. In terms of the top ten hotel brands by percentage share of existing inventory in India, Marriott topped the list with 14.26% owned by them and IHCL followed in its heels at 11.57%. The report added that IHCL had a higher number of hotels in the country than competitor Marriott International.
UBS Group plans to cut more than half of Credit Suisse 's workforce starting next month as a result of the bank's emergency takeover, Bloomberg reported citing sources.

Bankers, traders and support employees posted in London, New York, and in some parts of Asia are expected to bear the brunt of layoff, with almost all activities at risk, the report said.

The report said the bank plans three rounds of cuts in 2023, with the first expected by the end of July and two more rounds tentatively in September and October.

UBS, whose combined workforce jumped to about 120,000 when the emergency deal closed, has said it aims to save some $6 billion in staff costs in the coming years.

The Bloomberg report further said Swiss bank is considering reducing the total combined headcount by about 30%. Thats broadly in line with an overall reduction of around 30,000 estimated by analysts at Redburn in a report on UBS this month.

The headcount at Credit Suisse currently stands at about 45,000.

UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti, an event in Zurich, said the integration was going very well."

During the emergency takeover, the UBS had signalled it intension to drastically cut back the numbers at Credit Suisses loss-making investment bank. While UBS had originally planned to keep the top 20% of dealmakers, in particular those focusing on technology, media and telecoms, many of the top performing bankers have already departed or been poached by competitors.

With respect to the Swiss domestic business, UBS plans to make a decision in the third quarter on whether it will fully integrate it with its own Swiss unit or seek another option such as spinning it off or listing it publicly.

Earlier today, CEO Ermotti said the Swiss bank will announce changes to its third level of management within the next 20 days.

Ermotti further added the first two management levels at the bank have already been established and the upcoming announcements will give up to 1,500 employees clear responsibilities.

(With inputs from agencies)
Deutsche Bank, Germany's largest bank, said it will longer guarantee full access to Russian stocks belonging to its clients, reported Reuters.

Deutsche Bank has formally informed depositary receipt holders that they may not get take ownership of precisely all the shares they are entitled to, the Reuters report quoting two sources advising investors who continue to hold Russian DRs said.

In a note dated June 9, Deutsche Bank said that it had uncovered a shortfall in the shares that back the depositary receipts (DRs) the bank had allocated before the Ukraine invasion.

The shares have been held in Russia by a different depositary bank.

This shortfall was attributed by Deutsche Bank 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, Deutsche Bank said in a circular.

The shares affected include those in national airline Aeroflot, construction firm LSR Group, mining and steel firm Mechel and Novolipetsk Steel, according to the report.

Depositary receipts 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 significant number of investors ranging from small hedge funds to big global asset managers still hold depositary receipts, the report said quoting investors' sources.

Most investors have marked down Russian assets to zero but some still have hopes of recovering value in the future.

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, the report added.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank is now allowing investors to swap DRs for shares as part of its plans to exit all Russia business. The bank also determined that clients could be in a better position if they could convert their DRs at least partially, the Reuters report added quoting a source.

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.

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Bakra Eid also known as Bakrid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, or Qurban Bayarami, is observed during the month of Zul Hijjah/Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid-ul-Adha is scheduled to be celebrated on June 29 in several countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and others.

Also read: Eid ul-Fitr in India: Shah Rukh Khan greets fans outside Mannat on Eid

History and Significance of Bakra Eid

The festival commemorates the story of Abraham, also known as Prophet Ibrahim, who had a recurring dream of sacrificing his son, Ismael, as an act of obedience to God. Ibrahim shared these visions with his son and explained that it was Allah's command. Ismael, who was also a devoted follower of Allah, willingly agreed to fulfil God's wishes. However, Satan attempted to tempt Ibrahim and dissuade him from carrying out the sacrifice. Nonetheless, Ibrahim bravely dismissed Satan's influence by pelting stones at it.

Impressed by Ibrahim's unwavering devotion, Allah sent Jibreel (Angel Gabriel), the Archangel, with a sheep for sacrifice. Jibreel informed Ibrahim that Allah was pleased with his faithfulness and presented the sheep as a substitute for his son. Since then, the practice of sacrificing cattle during Eid-ul-Adha symbolises Prophet Ibrahim and Ismael's profound love for Allah. It also signifies the willingness to sacrifice what one cherishes most for the sake of pleasing Allah.

Also read: Eid ul-Fitr in India to be celebrated on this date, here's more details

Date of Bakra Eid

In India, the responsibility of confirming the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon lies with moon sighting committee, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. These committees consist of knowledgeable individuals who are assigned the task of observing the moon's visibility after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding month, known as Dhu al-Qidah.

If the moon is sighted with the naked eye, it signifies the beginning of the month of Dhul Hijjah, and the announcement is made accordingly. It's important to note that moon sightings can vary due to factors like weather conditions and geographical location, leading to different announcements for different regions within India, reported HT.

The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the oldest and largest socio-religious organisation of Indian Muslims, announced that Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on June 29 following the sighting of the moon. This date coincides with the observance of Bakrid in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Canada, and Singapore. However, Saudi Arabia will celebrate the festival on June 28.

Celebrations of Bakra Eid

On the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by honoring the act of sacrificing what they hold dear to express their devotion to Allah. They offer sacrifices of goats or sheep in commemoration of the sheep sent by Allah through Jibreel. The meat from these sacrifices is divided into three equal parts - one portion is kept for the family, another is shared with relatives, and the remaining portion is distributed among the poor and needy. Muslims believe that although the meat and blood do not reach Allah, it is the sincere devotion and love of His followers that truly reach Him.

Muslims also attend the mosque to perform Eid al-Adha namaz (prayer) after the sun has fully risen but before the Zuhr prayer time (midday prayer). They begin the festivities by offering morning prayers at the mosque and subsequently carry out the ritual of sacrifice, symbolizing self-sacrifice and expressing gratitude to Allah.

In addition, Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by relishing delicious food, giving alms to the less fortunate, and gathering with family, relatives, and friends to share joy and love. Festive feasts include delectable dishes such as mutton biryani, mutton korma, mutton keema, bhuna kaleji. Desserts like sheer khurma and kheer are relished on this day.
Alphabet Inc, the parent company of Google , has been fined over 4 billion roubles ($47 million) by a Russian court for its failure to pay a previous fine, as announced by Russia's anti-monopoly watchdog. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) stated that Google had "abused its dominant position in the YouTube video hosting services market," although no specific details were provided.

In response, Google expressed its intention to review the official decision before determining its next course of action.

According to the FAS, Google is required to pay the fine within two months of the decision-taking effect. This adds to the series of fines imposed on Google's Russian subsidiary in recent months.

In December 2021, a Russian court had previously fined Alphabet's subsidiary Google $98 million for repeated failures to remove content considered illegal. The context of these fines is the "special military operation" launched by Moscow in Ukraine.

As part of its efforts to exert greater control over the online space, Russia has intensified its attacks on Western tech companies, including supporting domestic players to replace their Western rivals. YouTube, which has globally blocked Russian state-funded media, is facing significant pressure from Russia's communications regulator and politicians.
Several political parties and organisations have called for a 12-hour bandh in Barak Valley--Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi districts on Tuesday to protest against the proposed delimitation draft by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The state police also detained protestors in Karimganj today.

What is ECI's Delimitation Draft and why Assam's Barak Valley is angry?

The Election Commission of India on 20th June released a draft of the proposed delimitation for Assam's 126 assembly seats and 14 Lok Sabha seats.

The EC draft on delimitation proposes to reserve 19 assemblies and two parliamentary seats for STs, and nine assemblies and one parliamentary seat for SCs.

According to the proposals, the three districts of Barack Valley (Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi) assembly seats would be reduced from 15 to 13. Besides, the name of a few constituencies will also be changed as per the proposal.

Apart from reducing the number of assembly seats in the Barak Valley, the ECI has made a slew of other proposals:

- The poll body proposed that the number of assembly seats in the autonomous districts of West Karbi Anglong is increased by one and in Bodoland autonomous council areas by three (from 16 to 19).

- According to the proposals, there will be one unreserved assembly seat in Dhemaji district

- The Election Commission has retained Diphu and Kokrajhar parliamentary seats reserved for ST and continued the Lakhimpur parliamentary seat as unreserved.
Former ICICI Bank CEO and MD Chanda Kochhar has been accused of misappropriating the lender's funds for personal use, buying a multi-crore appartment for merely 11 lakh and getting 64 crore as illegal gratification". The allegations were made by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday as a special court heard the ongoing ICICI Bank loan fraud case.

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 11 lakh in October 2016. However, the actual value of the flat was 5.25 crore in the year 1996.

Kochhar and her husband Deepak have been named in the CBI's 11,000 page chargesheet filed earlier this year. The case pertains to cheating and irregularities in sanctioning of loans to Videocon Group firms. Videocon Group's promoter V N Dhoot has also been charged by the CBI.

The CBI also said that Kochhar had conspired with other accused individuals to sanction credit facilities in favour of Videocon Group companies. The probe agency said that a term loan of 300 crore to Videocon International Electronics Limited was sanctioned in August 2009 by the committee of directors headed by the former CEO. The loan amount was disbursed through a complex structure involving various companies of Videocon and 64 crore was transferred under the garb of investment to NuPower Renewable Limited of her husband Deepak Kochhar.

Kochhars had been arrested by the CBI in December last year, with the Bombay High court later granting them interim bail. The probe agency claims that ICICI Bank sanctioned credit facilities to the tune of 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.

(With inputs from agencies)
Delhi Power Minister Atishi Marlena has sought to assure the people of national capital that the decision of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) to allow power companies to increase the Power Purchase Adjustment Charges (PPAC) will not affect free 200 units of electricity they get.

Assuring the people of Delhi on Monday, Atishi said, " I assure Delhi people that it will not affect those who get free electricity. They will continue to enjoy free electricity up to 200 units"

Atishi also blamed the BJP-led central government for the rise in electricity prices in the Union Territory, she said, The centre is responsible for the hike in electricity prices. The companies of Delhi purchase electricity from the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and gas plants. There are four NTPC plants, from where electricity is being sold with an increase in prices by 15-50 per cent."

The Delhi Power Minister questioned the central government over scarcity of coal production in the country and argued that no coal production is taking place from the centre's side. She added that companies in Delhi were incurring 80 per cent of their total expenses in purchasing electricity while they were also not able to buy solar energy since the Union Power Minister was sitting on the file and it was approved only 10 days back.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP President hit back at the AAP alleging a collision between the government in the union territory and the power companies. He said, "When the entire Kejriwal government, especially Power Minister Atishi, were raising a hue and cry over the Centre appointing DERC chairman on June 22, the same day a DERC member gave the go-ahead for the PPAC hike on the demand of private companies"

Meanwhile, a delegation by Delhi BJP will meet the new DERC chairman and request him to withdraw the PPAC hike. BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Manjoj Tiwari have threatened to take to the streets if the PPAC hike is not rolled back.

DERC allowed the power companies to increase their PPAC charges which will lead to an increase in electricity prices of Tata Power consumers by 1.2 percent, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) consumers by 5.3 percent and BSES Yamuna Power Limited consumers by 9.42 percent.

Tata power consumers will increase by 1.2 per cent, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) by 5.3 per cent, and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) by 9.42 per cent.
Hyderabad International Airport has introduced the self-baggage drop facility to enhance efficiency and seamless travel for passengers. The facility will be available near entry gate number-9.

The Hyderabad airport has installed eight fully automated self-baggage machines, equipped with scanners, scales, and sensors enabling passengers to complete their baggage check-in facility in 45-60 seconds.

How does a self-baggage drop facility work?

A passenger needs to find a self-check-in kiosk to print their boarding pass. At the kiosk, they can select the baggage option, provide all the necessary details and print the bag tag.

Post baggage tagging, passengers can proceed to the self-bag drop unit where they place the baggage on the conveyor belt and scan the barcode on their boarding pass to initiate the process.

The unit performs a check on the baggage and if everything is in order, it processes the bag and sends a confirmation to the airline.

In case the baggage does not meet the required criteria, the unit rejects it, and a check-in agent steps in to help. In case of excess baggage, the passenger will have to approach the baggage counter of the airline.

In addition to Hyderabad Airport, the Delhi Airport also introduced the Self Baggage Drop (SBD) facility at Terminal 3. Delhi airport operator DIAL said that 14 SBD machines, including 12 automated and two hybrids, have been installed.

Until now the facility was for domestic passengers but it will be made available for international passengers post mandatory approvals.

How does the Self Baggage Drop facility work at Delhi airport?

It has the same process as mentioned for the Hyderabad airport. Passengers can use the facility through a two-step process. After generating their boarding passes and baggage tags at the Self Check-In kiosk, passengers have to tag their check-in baggage.

At the SBD facility, they will have to scan their boarding pass, declare that their luggage is free of prohibited/ dangerous items, and load their baggage onto the designated belt. Once the process is completed, the baggage will be automatically transferred to the sorting area and subsequently onto the aircraft.

In case the weight of the check-in baggage is beyond the limit allowed by the airline, then the check-in baggage will not be accepted by the machine.
New Delhi: Indias technology majors are rectifying their anti-trust practices following the crackdown by Competition Commission of India (CCI). Market participants said these tech firms are exercising greater caution for arrangements that could be perceived as preferential treatment for specific entities, and addressing concerns related to self-referencing and search biases on their platforms.

Last year, CCI issued directives against half a dozen tech firms, including Google, Amazon and Make My Trip. Besides, it probed smartphone maker Apple and food delivery platforms Zomato and Swiggy, among others. Final verdicts on these matters are still pending.

A few companies were also expecting courts to reverse CCIs orders, said market participants. However, in most cases, the directives were not interfered with either by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) or the Supreme Court.

This prompted companies to rectify the anti-trust issues highlighted by the CCI.

Google recently started taking action to expand billing options for app developers, according to a statement, to address the concern raised by the CCI, to offer users more choices.

Also, online hotel aggregators have started accepting hotel listings from competitors. Likewise, Amazon has dissolved Cloudtail, its controversial joint venture with Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, which was accused of getting preferential treatment over other vendors on the Amazon site. Additionally, it modified its systems to ensure no search bias, and preferred vendors no longer receive disproportionate visibility compared with other vendors.

The CCI orders against tech firms have sent across a clear message that companies cannot create entry barriers or adopt practices that are exploitative," said G.R. Bhatia, head of competition practice at Luthra & Luthra Law Offices. After the regulatory action taken by CCI against certain technology companies, there is a greater realization among companies to respect anti-trust rules. As a result, their compliance with the competition rules is improving."

This compliance record of technology companies will only improve in due course as the government proposes steeper penalties for any violations, said legal experts.

The Centre has proposed that the fines on competition law violators be computed based on total turnover instead of relevant turnover which used to be the case until now. There are also ongoing discussions on the introduction of special provisions to regulate digital firms.

According to legal experts, CCIs action has had a deterrent effect among technology companies. Recent scrutiny by CCI has sent a clear message that it is now in sync with the anti-trust regulators across the globe to investigate practices such as self-referencing, search bias, restricting use of third-party applications on their platforms and anti-steering practices, etc.," said Vaibhav Choukse, head of competition law, JSA Law.

Even globally, there has been a crackdown against tech firms by anti-trust regulators. The EU has fined several companies for violating competition rules. The imposition of a 2.4 billion fine on Google last year for the alleged abuse of market dominance is an example. Never in the history of competition law have so many competition authorities focused so intently on the big tech sector," Choukse added.

Regulators are also considering introducing ex-ante provisions for digital firms. Usually, regulators react to violations that have been committed, but ex-ante provisions are preventive measures to ensure violation do not take place. A similar proposal is under discussion in India as well.
After almost 20 hours, the Mandi-Kullu highway opened up on Monday night. However, tourist woes continued as major roads of Himachal Pradesh remained blocked due to landslides.

Hundreds of tourists were stuck in traffic as over 300 roads were closed. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for the next 24 hours in the state.

In addition to this, in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, one-way traffic was restored on the Chandigarh-Manali highway yesterday. However, Tandi-Killar State Highway-26 was blocked on Tuesday. "Today, on 27/06/2023 at 07:50 am, according to the information received from the District Disaster Management Authority Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi-Killar Highway (SH-26) has been blocked due to a flash flood in Dared Nala," SDRF of Himachal Pradesh tweeted.

According to Vikramaditya Singh, Minister of Public Works Department, the rain has caused a 27 crore loss to the northern state.

The Public Works Department Minister stated that the restoration is being done on a war footing.

"We have also identified nearly 350 landslide-vulnerable spots and preventive majors are being displayed, we shall ensure that people do not go. there. Yesterday one of our workers died on the spot. We have also deployed 390 machineries to restore the roads. We shall ensure that all roads are restored," Singh added.

Himachal Pradesh's Mandi has received the highest rainfall in the state. Sirmaur and Shimla have also received rain. As far as rain intensity is concerned, Sarkaghat received 134 MM rainfall, Baldwara received 92 MM and Sundernagar also received rainfall in the state. This rain will continue and in Sirmaur, Solan, and Shimla, it is raining and it is moving towards Hamirpur and Kangra. During the next 4 to 5 days, the rain will continue in the state.

The weather officials have issued flash flood alerts for Sirmaur, Solan, Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra for today (27 June).

Yesterday, the Himachal Tourism and Civil Aviation Department issued an advisory for tourists amid torrential rainfall. 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. He further advised tourists to strictly follow guided trek routes as traffic congestion may eventually clear. 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.
The Indian Army has urged for public support to restore peace, expressing concern over women activists in Manipur blocking routes and interfering with security operations, hindering timely responses.

It said in a tweet, "Women activists in Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property. Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace", tweets Indian Army The army also released a 2-minute 12-second video alleging that women activists assisted rioters in escaping, disrupted operations day and night, obstructed logistics movement, and dug up the entry to an Assam Rifles camp causing delays. A video clip depicted a blockade by women in Itham village, Imphal East. It included alleged footage from June 23 in Uragpat and Yaiganpokpi, showing shots being fired and claimed that women were accompanying "armed rioters."

The tweet came two days after a mob of around 1,500 people led by women in Imphal East refused to let the security forces take 12 men from the Meitei separatist group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). The standoff was resolved only when the men were handed over to the mob and allowed to go.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Monday called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and apprised her about the prevailing situation in the violence-hit state.

The Manipur Governor briefed the President about various incidents which have taken place in the northeastern state and held detailed discussions to improve the situation and bring back normalcy and peace in the state, the Raj Bhavan said in a statement here.

The Governor also apprised the President about her visits to various relief camps in Imphal, Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, and her interaction with the violence-affected people.

She also informed the President about the steps taken up by the Centre and the State government for providing relief materials to the displaced people who are taking shelter in relief camps in different districts, it said.
NEW DELHI : The power ministry is considering recommending slashing the goods and services tax on grid-scale battery storage to 5% in order to help India transition to an energy mix with a bigger share of renewables.

Good s and services tax on lithium ion batteries used for utility or grid-scale power projects is 18% and for non-lithium ion batteries it is 28%.

There is a consideration over the need for rationalization of GST. Talks are underway and the power ministry may suggest the finance ministry to recommend the GST Council for the rationalization," said a person in the know of the developments.

Another person said the ministry has also sought inputs from state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited and NPTC on the need for rationalization of the tax.

As per standard procedures, the finance ministry decides on the proposals to be put forth to the GST Council, following which committees under the council consult on the matter. The fitment committee of the GST council takes the final call before putting it forward to the council, which includes the union finance minister and state finance ministers.

Queries sent to the ministries of power and finance remained unanswered till press time.

The move aims to tackle the high cost of battery energy storage systems and follows the discovery of high power tariffs from round-the-clock and hybrid power auctions.

The cost of battery accounts for around 50-60% of the overall cost of setting up a battery energy storage system. A decrease in GST would give a boost to this nascent industry as it may lower the cost of battery energy storage systems by 8-10%," said Debi Prasad Dash, Executive Director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).

The cost of batteries globally is around $300 per kilowatt hour (Kwh) and the landed cost includes several other taxes.

Battery storage holds the key to energy transition as it provides grid stability. Grid-scale battery storage system or grid-connected battery energy storage system (BESS) can accommodate a high share of renewable energy and contribute to grid stability.

So far the adoption of grid-scale battery storage systems has not picked up given the high expenditure involved. The Centre is taking a number of steps to lower the cost and increase adoption. On 5 June, Mint reported that the Centre is working on a production linked incentive scheme worth up to 15,000 crore for grid-scale battery storage and its draft is likely to be released soon.

The budget for FY24 announced viability gap funding for the sector. To steer the economy on the sustainable development path, battery energy storage systems with capacity of 4,000 megawatt hours will be supported with viability gap funding," it said.

Research is underway on several new chemistries for battery storage as India and several other countries are dependent on imports for lithium, the most common mineral used in battery storage. Much of it is supplied by China.

Energy storage has gained significance in the past few years following massive energy transition plans and the target to achieve 500 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.

The integration of renewable energy into the grid would require stabilization of the grid and battery energy storage systems would play a key role in it along with assuring supplies during crunch hours and when solar and wind power are not available.

Last year, the power ministry issued guidelines for procurement and utilization of battery energy storage systems as part of generation, transmission and distribution assets. Indias battery energy storage capacity as of 13 March stood at 39.12 MWh.
A clash broke out between two groups in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Tuesday morning wherein one person died of bullet injuries. Five people were also injured during the incident.

Ahead of the Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on July 8, the state is witnessing continuous clashes in various parts of the state.

The person who died has been identified as Babu Hoque.

While speaking to news agency ANI, Sumit Kumar SP, Cooch Behar said, "A clash broke out between two groups in Gitaldaha, Cooch Behar this morning. As per info, 5 people have received bullet injuries, of which one Babu Hoque has died. The situation is peaceful. Police present on the spot."

Gitaldaha is near Jaridharla, one of the most interior places in the Coochbehar district and is very close to the International Border. The only mode of communication is via boat.

The police have reached the area and are speculating about the use of Bangladesh-based criminals by local leaders. The situation is now peaceful at the site.

Earlier on Sunday, violence erupted in Raghunathpur of Purulia district after a clash broke out between workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.

Prior to that, an incident of violence was reported at the Block Development Office in Birbhum's Ahmadpur, where crude bombs were reportedly thrown. Various houses were vandalised and several people were injured during the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Cooch Behar on Sunday to kickstart the party's panchayat poll campaign. She is scheduled to hold a party meeting in Jalpaiguri today.

(With inputs from ANI)
The Allahabad High Court lashed out at the makers of Adipurush and the censor board on Monday as controversy raged about certain dialogues used in the film. The bench questioned why the tolerance of one particular religion (Hindus) was being tested by the filmmakers.

The one who is gentle should be suppressed? Is it so? It is good that it is about a religion, the believers of which did not create any public order problems. We should be thankful. We saw in the news that some people had gone to cinema halls and they only forced them to close the hall, they could have done something else as well," LiveLaw quoted the bench as saying.

The court also came down heavily against the censor board wondering what it keeps doing". The court also questioned the absence of the producer, director and other parties during the hearing.

Earlier on Monday, the Lucknow bench of the high court on Monday allowed an amendment application of the petitioner who has raised objections to the movie on different counts. Another PIL was also heard on Tuesday, this time filed seeking a ban on the movie.

"What is it that the censor board keeps doing? What do you want to teach the future generations?" the bench asked.

Since its release earlier in June, the Om Raut-directed film has faced heavy criticism from several quarters over its dialogues, colloquial language and representation of some characters. An adaptation of the epic Ramayana, Adipurush had undergone dialogue changes recently as misgivings over certain remarks in the film led to protests and court cases.

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.

(With inputs from agencies)
Months after the shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon off the US coast, a few more such airships were spotted over Japan and Taiwan lately, reported the British media broadcaster, BBC on Monday.

Based on the pieces of evidence collected by an artificial intelligence company, BBC reported the presence of China's spy balloon program in the Asian subcontinent.

The BBC found many images of such balloons crossing East Asia under its analysis of huge amounts of data captured by satellites. The analysis was carried out in collaboration with Synthetic, an artificial intelligence firm.

Synthetic founder, Corey Jaskolski, found evidence of one balloon crossing northern Japan in early September 2021. These images have not been published before, reported BBC.

According to Jaskolski, these balloons were launched deep inside China, south Mongolia. As of now, there has been no official statement by China addressing the evidence presented by the BBC.

The shooting down of China's spy balloon aggravated US-China relations

The appearance of a balloon, which was alleged to be China's spy over the US airspace led to a sharp reaction from the USA, which immediately shot down the object. However, China rejected the US claims of the object being a spy for the country and criticised the US for its action. The incident led to the postponement of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to China in early February.

China claimed that the balloon seen over the US airspace was a civilian airship. The airship was operated for scientific research purpose.

How China's spy balloons were spotted over Asia?

In its investigation, BBC found that China had launched a balloon over Taiwan's capital Taipei in September 2021.

BBC found two photos taken by Taiwan's weather service, appearing to show a balloon over the capital, Taipei, in late September 2021.

Later the AI company Jaskolski cross-referenced the image with satellite imagery. "Within 90 seconds, we found the balloon off the coast of Taiwan," BBC quoted Jaskolski.

He also created a sketch of a balloon that he thought would look like from airspace. Then he used AI software to track the path of the balloon and where it was last seen.

He used the satellite images provided by the company Planet Labs, Corey, and fed all the information into his software, known as RAIC (rapid automatic image categorisation), to locate the balloons.

Generally, surveillance balloons are huge, equivalent to several buses. They carry a lot of sophisticated equipment, that can enable them to collect large amounts of data on targets below.
Former US President Donald Trump discussed secret documents of war plans against Iran during a meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey in 2021, audio recording of the same has been obtained by new channel CNN . Report also cites that Trump was aware that he was being recorded.

The recording, broadcast on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, includes a moment when Trump seems to indicate he was holding a document regarding possible military action against Iran, according to the report.

In the video, Trump was heard saying He said I wanted to attack Iran.

They presented me this - this is off the record - but they presented me this. This is him, the defense department and him."

Except it is like highly confidential. This is secret information let's declassify it"

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform late Monday night, said the tape had been illegally leaked" and was actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe."

Meanwhile, the judge overseeing the criminal case against Donald Trump over his handling of classified documents denied a government request to file under seal a list of dozens of potential witnesses who the former president has been barred from speaking to about the case.

Special Counsel Jack Smith hasnt provided a detailed reason to file the list under seal or explained why such a move was necessary once he provides the names to Trumps legal team, US District Judge Aileen Cannon said in an order Monday in West Palm Beach, Florida. Still, it was unclear if the list would be made public.

The judge, a Trump appointee, said the government does not explain why" partial sealing of the list isnt sufficient or how long it would be necessary. She already has restricted Trumps ability to contact prosecution witnesses in the case, except through his attorneys.

(With agency inputs)
John Goodenough, the American co-inventor of Lithium-ion batteries and a co-winner of 2019 Nobel prize for Chemistry, passed away on Sunday. He was just a month short of his 101st birthday.

Goodenough was a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career," Reuters reported quoting Jay Hartzell, President of the University of Texas at Austin where Goodenough was a faculty member for 37 years.

Goodenough 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. He was of 97 years then, making him the oldest recipient of a Nobel Prize.

"This rechargeable battery laid the foundation of wireless electronics such as mobile phones and laptops," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said while making the award in 2019.

"It also makes a fossil fuel-free world possible, as it is used for everything from powering electric cars to storing energy from renewable sources."

He also played a significant role in the development of Random Access Memory (RAM) for computers.

Goodenough and his university team were exploring new directions for energy storage, including a glass" battery with solid-state electrolyte and lithium or sodium metal electrodes, reported Reuters.

He also was an early developer of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes as an alternative to nickel- and cobalt-based cathodes. LFP is rapidly overtaking more-expensive nickel cobalt manganese in electric vehicle batteries as it uses materials that are sustainable at much lower cost.

Goodenough was born on July 25, 1922 to American parents in Jena, Germany, as per the Nobel Prize website. After studying mathematics at the Yale University, he completed his PhD in physics from the University of Chicago. He became a researcher and team leader at the MIT and later headed the inorganic chemistry lab at the University of Oxford.

He also served the US Army during the Second World War as a meteorologist.

In 2008, he wrote his autobiography, Witness to Grace, which he called my personal history".
Nepali Gurkhas have reportedly been drawn to the ranks of the Wagner Group, a private military company based in Russia. Nepali youths, enticed by the prospect of Russian citizenship and better opportunities, have joined the Wagner Group as contract soldiers, following a recent change in Russian citizenship regulations, as per The Economic Times. LiveMint could not independently verify the report.

This development has raised concerns, as Nepali Gurkhas, renowned for their formidable warrior skills, have embarked on this venture in an individual capacity, without any official backing from the Nepal government. Retired Major General Binoj Basnyat, a strategic analyst from the Nepal Army, expressed apprehension about this situation, noting the government's limited ability to intervene.

Previously, there were reports of Nepali youths joining the Ukrainian army to combat Russian forces. The Gurkhas, renowned for their combat prowess, have been historically recruited by the British colonial army and have found employment in countries such as India, France and Singapore.

The appeal of obtaining Russian citizenship and the discontinuation of recruitment opportunities in the Indian Army have played a significant role in influencing the Gurkhas' decision to explore alternative avenues, the publication reported.

Tensions arose between Nepal and India when the latter replaced long-term employment with shorter contract tenures and eliminated pension benefits. In response, Nepal temporarily suspended the recruitment process that had been in place for over two centuries, pending further clarity.

Videos have emerged on social media showcasing Nepali youths undergoing military training in Russia. Some individuals have disclosed that they were enticed by more enticing offers while working as security guards in Dubai.

They travelled to Moscow under the guise of tourism and subsequently enlisted in the Russian army through a recruitment centre, the publication added.

The Wagner Group, known for its proficiency and effectiveness, has extended preferential benefits to its mercenaries, akin to those offered to Russian soldiers. Wagner's recruitment practices encompass convicts and foreign nationals, attracting individuals from various Baltic and Nordic countries.
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 key military installations during the May 9 violence following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Addressing a press conference on the "facts" of May 9, military spokesman Major General Arshad Sharif Sharif said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the incident of May 9 is extremely disappointing, condemnable and a black chapter in the history of our country."

Supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party 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.

"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.

Without giving details, including the identity of the officers, Maj Gen Sharif said that the action taken by the army shows that there is a system of strict self-accountability within the military and action is taken irrespective of post or position.

The events of May 9 have proven that what enemies couldn't do in 76 years, a bunch of miscreants and their facilitators did," the DG ISPR said, highlighting that the incident was "undoubtedly a conspiracy against Pakistan".

He further stated that the investigation held until now has proven that May 9 incidents were planned for the past several months.

"Under this planning, first a conducive environment was created and people were instigated and provoked against the army," Major Sharif added.

He said that a narrative based on lies and exaggeration was spread on social media inside and outside the country, adding that the authorities had obtained evidence against them, according to Dawn.

The DG ISPR said that there was a huge amount of grief and anger among the veterans over the events of May 9.

Maj-Gen Sharif said the families of the soldiers, who were killed during the riot, were hurt and "they ask all of us today if their loved ones rendered these sacrifices for the nation so that their memorials are disrespected in such a manner".

The DG ISPR stressed that stability in any country was based on the relationship shared by the army and the citizens. He said that despite attempts, the enemy was unable to dent the relationship of "trust and respect between the army and the people".

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.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has honoured the pilots who lost their lives in the recent conflict sparked by an attempted mutiny. In his televised speech on June 26, Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russian aviators were casualties of the battle when the Wagner mercenary group launched an assault on Moscow.

The President's address, which marked his initial public statement following the armed rebellion led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, substantiated earlier reports circulating on social media about the downing of Russian aircraft by Wagner forces during the fierce clashes.

"The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences," Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russia's very existence and those behind it would be punished.

No official details have been disclosed regarding the number of pilots who lost their lives or the extent of aircraft losses.

On June 24, certain Russian Telegram channels, notably the prominent blog Rybar with over a million subscribers, shared information pertaining to Russia's military operations. According to these sources, it was reported that 13 Russian pilots had tragically perished during the course of the mutiny that lasted an entire day.

Furthermore, Rybar's account indicated that among the downed aircraft were three Mi-8 MTPR electronic warfare helicopters, as well as an Il-18 plane along with its crew. These distressing reports paint a somber picture of the events that unfolded.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. It was also not clear in what circumstances the aircraft were shot down and pilots killed.

According to Putin, he personally issued instructions to prevent significant bloodshed during the insurrection. As a result, the Wagner forces suddenly ceased their actions, and Prigozhin, in agreement with Putin's directive, chose to seek refuge in nearby Belarus.

"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," Putin said.

Wagner leader Prigozhin also spoke in an 11-minute audio message posted on his press service's Telegram channel and gave few clues to his whereabouts or the deal under which he halted the move toward Moscow.

He said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove nearly 800km (500 miles) from the south towards the capital, before abruptly calling off the uprising.

Numerous Western leaders saw the unrest as exposing Putin's vulnerability following his decision to invade Ukraine 16 months ago.

The Russian president said he would honour his weekend promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus, sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry, or return to their families.

Putin expressed his gratitude to the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group who chose to stand down and avoid further internal conflict, which he referred to as "fratricidal bloodshed." He acknowledged that the majority of Wagner members are driven by patriotism.

During a meeting on June 26 evening with the heads of Russian security services, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Putin made no mention of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the prominent figure associated with Wagner. This information was reported by IFX, citing a spokesperson from the Kremlin.

It is worth noting that one of Prigozhin's key demands was the dismissal of Shoigu and the top general of Russia, who had not made any public appearances since the mutiny erupted by Monday evening.

Prigozhin, aged 62, formerly an ally of Putin and a convicted criminal, has been leading forces that have been involved in some of the most violent battles in the Ukraine conflict. He openly defied orders this month to place his troops under the command of the Defence Ministry.

(With Reuters inputs)
Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, denied allegations of attempting to overthrow the Russian leadership in his first public statement since the reported mutiny. He claimed, in his 11-minute audio released on the Telegram app, their intention was to protest against the perceived ineffective conduct of the war in Ukraine.

"We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country," Prigozhin said while not offering details as to where he was or what his future plans are. Whereabouts of the mercenary group's boss is still unclear since 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 negotiated a settlement with Prigozhin. The proposed agreement included security guarantees for Wagner troops.

He was last seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders from the back of an SUV as he withdrew from a Russian city occupied by his men

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.

Putin pays tribute to Russian pilots killed fighting mutineers

President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to pilots killed fighting an aborted mutiny over the weekend, confirming for the first time that Russian aviators had been lost in battle as the Wagner mercenary group marched on Moscow.

Putin's televised address on Monday was his first public comment since Saturday's armed revolt led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and confirmed reports on social media that Wagner forces had downed Russian aircraft in the fighting.

"The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences," Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russia's very existence and those behind it would be punished.

(With agency inputs)
Criminal charges against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner group , have not been dropped yet, Russian news agencies reported on Monday. The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia is currently investigating the alleged events of an armed mutiny.

The FSB initiated charges against Prigozhin on Friday, accusing him of inciting an armed uprising and declaring his intent to overthrow the military leadership of Russia. Following his statement, Prigozhin's mercenary fighters reportedly seized control of a Defense Ministry headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and swiftly advanced towards Moscow.

Charges are punishable by 12 to 20 years in prison.

However, following a mediation by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Yevgeny Prigozhin agreed to cease his rebellion and go into exile in neighboring Belarus.

The Kremlin agreed to drop the charges of "armed mutiny" as part of the deal. However, an anonymous law enforcement official informed Kommersant business daily that the investigation into Prigozhin's revolt is still ongoing. The source emphasized that it was premature to reach a decision about the investigation's future, as insufficient time has elapsed." Similar reports were later published by the state-run RIA Novosti and Interfax news agencies, as reported by Moscow Times.

Russian authorities have not issued an official statement about the reports, and the claims made by the anonymous sources could not be immediately verified.

Wagner chief was last seen on Saturday

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 mercenary Wagner group made headlines last week after leader Yevgeny Prigozhin led an armed rebellion against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Around 5,000 members of the military group had marched towards Moscow, being welcomed with cheers in some parts of the country. The Wagner soldiers eventually turned back some 200 miles away from the capital city under a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Russian authorities have now closed their criminal investigation into the rebellion and announced that they would be pressing no charges against Prigozhin and his troops. The developments came even as the Wagner chief landed in Belarus under the terms of the deal.

I see Prigozhin is already flying in on this plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by BELTA.

ALSO READ: Nepali Gurkhas joining Wagner Group to get Russian citizenship

A plane linked to Prigozhin is believed to have carried him into exile earlier on Tuesday morning. According to a flight tracking service the aircraft landed in Belarus from the southern Russian city of Rostov.

Prigozhin, a former Putin ally and ex-convict whose mercenaries have fought the bloodiest battles of the Ukraine war and taken heavy casualties, had earlier said he would go to neighbouring Belarus at the invitation of Putin ally and President Lukashenko.

Preparations are also underway for Wagner's troops - who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin - to hand over their heavy weapons to the Russian military. The Wagner chief had earlier said that those moves were being taken ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contracts  which he opposed  to serve under the Russian militarys command.

(With inputs from agencies)
Family members of Donald Edward Fickey Jr. hired a private investigator and say they have the evidence to prove this case needs to be looked at again.
The tentative plan, based on initial talks with the contractor, is to begin preliminary bridge work on I-24 first, but the majority of the work on I-24 and I-75 will take place simultaneously.
12-year-old Ayel Morgenstern wants to use her art to help spread kindness in Nashville. Morgenstern sent art she decorated to the Metro Nashville Police. The artwork pays tribute to the people who lost their lives in The Covenant School shooting.
Sound of Freedom is based upon the true story of former government agent Tim Ballard who quit his job to rescue a little girl from sex traffickers in the Colombian jungle.
Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have been looking to exert more authority over state and local election offices
To support his family, a GoFundMe was started by fellow officer Chris Mullinix to take off the initial financial burden.
Nancy Patterson with the college says they were alerted of the incident on Saturday, May 6. They have shut down their systems and have disrupted 1,069 students.
More than one hundred members of staff at Irish national broadcaster RTE have staged a protest at its Dublin headquarters, following a scandal involving undisclosed payments to its highest-paid star Ryan Tubridy.

Staff represented by the National Union of Journalists and the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union gathered on a plaza in the Donnybrook campus of RTE to voice their concern over pay, conditions and governance in the wake of the revelations.

RTE's Midlands correspondent and Longford journalist Sinead Hussey said the day she got her job at the broadcaster was one of the happiest days of her life.

Im still proud to work for RTE and I think with the staff we have here we can bring the name of this company back to where it should be and restore trust in the Irish people, she said.

And I hope people will support us through this really difficult patch.

Chair of the RTE Trade Union Group, Stuart Masterson, said anyone who had involvement in the undisclosed payments had to appear before the Oireachtas committees.

A companys culture is led from the top, he said.

NUJ Dublin Broadcasting chair and RTE News education correspondent Emma O Kelly said she hoped the protest would be the start of serious root and branch reform in the organisation.

She said: The public deserves a public service broadcaster they really can trust and be proud of.

She added: Weve seen talented young journalists walking out the door because this is no longer a place that people feel they have a future in.

That really makes the rest of us feel really upset, sorry and sad.

Caoimhe Ni Laighin, a journalist with the organisations Irish-language services, said her co-workers were performing the miracle of the loaves and the fishes every single day.

Our equipment is all falling apart and we have been begging the management for a long time to deal with this, she said.

RTE News crime correspondent Paul Reynolds said he was concerned about the breach of trust between management and staff.

Theres a phrase bandied around in here: We are one RTE, he said.

And we can see now we havent been one RTE because everyone hasnt been working together, different people have different agendas.

That has disappointed people here. The trust that people had in here for senior people has been lost.

RTE News political correspondent Paul Cunningham said there was a cloud hanging over the organisation.

He said the scandal had caused incredible reputation damage.

Mr Cunningham warned that the Government and other politicians would be reluctant to engage in reform of the organisations funding and the television licence fee.

This is something that has happened as a direct result of senior managements failures at this organisation and it is absolutely disgraceful, he said.

Mr Cunningham also raised the issue of freelancers who he said were paid a pittance.

And now we found out there is a special arrangement for special people, he said.

There shouldnt be any special people in this organisation. Its one organisation, all of us are involved and the same rules should apply.

The broadcasters legal affairs correspondent said staff cannot believe what happened.

Orla ODonnell said: We want accountability and responsibility from the people who are in charge.

We want them to tell the whole truth on the questions that still remain from this whole affair.

RTE Newss Northern editor and correspondent Vincent Kearney and Conor Macauley protested at a separate demonstration at the organisations Belfast office.

Mr Kearney tweeted: Joining @rtenews colleagues across the island demanding transparency from management on the Ryan Tubridy payments crisis and a pay cap for top earners.
A hospital consultant is climbing the highest peaks of every county in Ireland in memory of his sister-in-law.

Cork-based consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Richard Horgan, is currently training in preparation for next month's challenge, which takes place five years after the tragic death of his wife's youngest sister, Orla Gosnell.

The 38-year-old social care worker died in December 2018 five months after delivering her fifth child at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

Richard plans to sweep into Longford on day five to scale Cairn Hill.

The funds he raises for CUMH through CUH Charity will be used to create dedicated spaces for patients and staff  and a permanent reminder of Orla's life.

Richards '32 County Peaks in a Week' challenge kicks off on July 16 with a minimum 10,000 target and the daunting task of scaling summits in four-five counties each day, concluding with 918m Galtymore on the Limerick/Tipperary border.

The determined dad-of-three and avid hill walker, who conquered Africa's highest peak Kilimanjaro in 2011, said, "Failure is not an option."

During the challenge, he will camp overnight at the base of his next peak and climb a combined altitude of 16,000m, almost twice that of Mount Everest.

He hopes to be joined by Orlas husband Robert and other family members on the final ascent on July 22.

Richard was based in Dublins Rotunda Hospital at the time of his sister-in-law's tragic death, but was appointed to CUMH in early 2020.

A long-held ambition to mark her life came to fruition earlier this year when - inspired by an idea from his nine-year-old son - he decided to grasp the 32-county peak challenge.

Speaking about Orla, he said, "She was so dynamic, it was always about the solution rather than the problem with her.

"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."

He continued: "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 phonecall, have those few minutes."

The new space will include a symbol specifically remembering Orla and her many journeys in CUMH.

Richards fundraiser can be supported until August 6 here.
Three Longford shows are to receive funding support of 24,430.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, last Thursday, announced funding of 1 million to support 122 Agricultural Shows right across the country.

The three Longford shows to benefit are;



Longford Agricultural Show 9,205

Granard Agricultural Show Society 8,525

Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show 6,700

The grants from the Department of Rural and Community Development will support Show committees in staging their events over the summer season.

Minister Humphreys said, Im delighted to announce a record one million euro in funding to support 122 Agricultural Shows the length and breadth of the country.

Our Agricultural Shows sum up all that is good about rural Ireland. They are intrinsically linked to that sense of community that our rural towns and villages are known for.

The shows are key dates in the summer calendar and are a central point for the agri-food industry, the farming community and our local artisan producers.

These shows are also a fantastic family day out, where people come to catch up and enjoy a truly unique experience.

With entries travelling from far and wide to compete, the local show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities and competitions.

I am delighted to increase the overall level of funding by 40 per cent this year, which I know will really help the organisers in ensuring the shows themselves are a great success.

I want to thank and pay tribute to the Irish Shows Association, who I was delighted to meet in recent weeks to discuss their plans for the upcoming summer season.

This years 1 million allocation brings the total allocated to Agricultural Shows since 2018 to almost 3.3 million.

The Department of Rural and Community Development will work with the Irish Shows Association to administer the Scheme for 2023.

Welcoming the funding, National Secretary of the Irish Shows Association, Jim Harrison, said, I really welcome this investment from Minister Humphreys and her Department, which will greatly assist in the running of our Agricultural Shows.

Our Agricultural Shows are so important in Rural Ireland for two reasons  their economic value and their social value.

They bring great economic benefits to our rural towns and villages. And they also bring such social benefits  which can never be bought.

I again want to thank Minister Humphreys and her Department and I encourage everyone to attend their local show this summer.
(Alliance News) - RHI Magnesita NV on Tuesday said it was advised by Barclays Bank PLC and Peel Hunt LLC that the offer from Ignite Luxembourg Holdings Sarl to buy a non-controlling minority stake undervalues the company.

The Vienna-based supplier of refractory products said the offer price made by Ignite Luxembourg is lower than the average target price of equity research analysts of GBP 30.73 per share, and therefore noted there can be no certainty whether the offer will be complete.

Back in May, Ignite Luxembourg, a company indirectly managed by Rhone Holdings VI LLC, offered to buy a 20% stake in RHI Magnesita at GBP28.50 per share in cash.

Rhone had said the offer was "an opportunity for shareholders of the company to crystallise their investment in the company as a compelling valuation and significant premium". Rhone said it will seek representation on the RHI Magnesita board.

The offer values all of RHI Magnesita at GBP1.34 billion, or at GBP1.38 billion including a GBP0.95 per share dividend recently declared by RHI Magnesita.

The financial adviser to Rhone for the deal is Citigroup Global Markets Ltd.

RHI Magnesita has advised its shareholders to decide whether to tender their shares depending on their own individual investment considerations and their own individual circumstances.

Shares in RHI Magnesita were 2,668.00 pence, down 0.1% in London on Tuesday morning.

By Sabrina Penty, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
The British Embassy in Madrid, in response to the Bulletin revealing that the Spanish DGT traffic department was refusing to accept UK paper driving licences in exchange for Spanish licences in Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain, told the Bulletin in the middle of May that it would be bringing the matter up with the Spanish authorities because, under the latest deal, paper licences were valid.

However, the DGT traffic authority in Mallorca at least, never mind the rest of Spain, is still refusing to accept the paper licence.

A British Embassy Madrid spokesperson told the Bulletin: UK Nationals who hold a valid paper UK licence without a photo are eligible to exchange it for a Spanish one. We are raising this with the Spanish.

However, I was told by the DGT today that they have not been informed that the paper licences are valid for exchange.

I was told that they were in previous windows, but so far, during this latest exchange period which runs until the middle of September, they have not been instructed otherwise. So in Palma, for example, paper licences are being rejected.

The DVLA in the UK has told the Bulletin that it is aware of the problem, having received numerous complaints and confirmed that paper licences are valid and should be accepted in Spain as part of the exchange deal.

It appears there has been a breakdown in communication or something has got lost in translation. It remains to be seen if the Embassy will provide a document for people being told that paper licences are not valid to prove that in fact are, so that they can exchange their licences during this current and last window of opportunity.

The Bulletin has contacted the Embassy again and is waiting for a comment.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to occasional showers overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Rosem Mortons Voices from the Waves photography exhibition raises awareness about the livelihoods of fishermen and celebrates their resilience

Voices from the Waves, an exhibition by internationally renowned Filipino American photographer Rosem Morton recently highlighted the lives of fishermen at sea. These were held in Pasay and Puerto Princesa.

Presented by IMPL PROJECT, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of fishermen who brave the danger and uncertainty of the open sea to provide for their families. The exhibition touches on the hardships they face at sea, which has added more danger to the profession and resulted in major declines in their catch each year. Despite the daily risks they face, the fishermen find beauty in their way of life and take pride in their connection to the ocean.

Joining Morton at the exhibition opening at SM MOA were US Embassy to the Philippines Public Affairs Counsellor John Groch, IMPL PROJECT Philippines Executive Director Yoyong Suarez, and the fishermen of Masinloc, Zambales.

We hope that this exhibition will give visitors a glimpse into the lives of Filipino fishermen and the challenges they face, said Morton. By sharing their stories, we hope to raise awareness of their struggles and inspire support for their livelihoods and communities.

Filipino-American documentary photographer Rosem Morton

Morton is a documentary photographer, registered nurse, and safety consultant based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a National Geographic Explorer, an International Womens Media Foundation Fellow, and a We Women Artist. Morton has written and photographed stories for National Geographic, the Washington Post, NPR, and CNN, among others. She was recognized as part of The 30: New and Emerging Photographers to Watch and Baltimore Suns 25 Women to Watch.

IMPL PROJECT Global is a United States-based non-profit, non-governmental organization created with the objective of using precise local data to create evidence-based programs for underserved communities.

IMPL PROJECT works with partners in the field to collect and analyze data, assess the root causes of community problems, and facilitate community-driven, targeted programming to create development and stability solutions.

In the Philippines, one of the current focus areas is programming to support fisherfolk through the development of community cooperatives and a multimedia program designed to raise awareness for fishing communities operating in the West Philippine Sea.

Voices from the Waves was presented by IMPL Project and supported by the US Embassy in the Philippines.

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If youre looking for the best glamping spot in the country, look no farther than the state whose residents live free or die.

New Hampshires White Mountains is host to what Outside Online calls the best glamping spot in the United States.

Huttopia actually has two glamping locations in New England but its spot nestled along Iona Lake in Albany, NH, is considered the best one in the country. The other spot in the six Northeast states sits in Southern Maine in Sanford.

At this outpost in the White Mountains, fully furnished canvas tents are scattered throughout a 50-acre forest, complete with its own 68-acre lake and heated saltwater pool, Graham Averill writes. Huttopia also offers a gathering area with fire pits, tables, chairs, and flatbread pizza served from a retro Airstream.

Huttopia promises its experiences take the fun and spirit of summer camp and combine it with accommodations that bring you closer to nature  and your loved ones  in comfort.

Outside Online lists six other runner-ups, including places in Zion National Park, Utah; Moab, Utah; Big Bend National Park in West Texas; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Colorados Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Each tent has its own kitchen, bathroom, deck, fire pit, and electricity, or you can upgrade to a tiny home or chalet Averill goes on to explain. Either way youll be able to swim, paddle, or fish Huttopias Iona Lake during the day and enjoy live performances by magicians and acoustic artists at night. The resort goes out of its way to welcome kids, with organized activities like treasure hunts and craft time. Venture off-site to hike 6,288-foot Mount Washington, tube the lazy Saco River, or pedal the 35-mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway, which curves through the heart of White Mountain National Forest. And its all just two and a half hours from Boston. From $88.

Readers looking to make a reservation to any of these glamping spots can do so by using Tripadvisor, Expedia, Hotwire or Booking.com.
A Boston attorney who once ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was accused of defrauding millions of dollars in a business-to-business supply company scheme.

On June 20, a Boston federal grand jury indicted Abhijit Das, a/k/a Beej, 50, of North Andover, on 10 counts of wire fraud in connection with the scheme, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Massachusetts.

Das was an attorney and principal manager of a boutique law and advisory firm called Troca Global Advisors that has offices in Boston and New York, officials stated.

Around May 2020, Das provided legal representation and escrow services to twin brothers and their logistical supply company in India which coordinated large shipments of personal protective equipment during the pandemic, federal officials said.

Federal prosecutors accused Das of stealing more than $5 million in escrow funds from his clients accounts to other accounts for personal expenses.

Officials said the personal expenses included fees for his law firm, a yacht owned by one of his hotels and $2.7 million for his home in Boca Raton, Florida.

Das manipulated his clients to transfer funds to accounts he managed in multi-step, layered transactions under the guise of legal advice, federal officials claimed. He also gave his clients fraudulent and forged account statements to hide the scheme, officials added.

Authoritie arrested Das at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida home on Monday. He appeared in Floridas Southern District Court later that afternoon.

Read more: Worcester man to serve six to seven years in shooting that brought SWAT response

In June 2021, Das was arrested and accused of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and false statements, officials stated. Das was accused of committing campaign finance violations by embezzling campaign funds and making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission.

The indictment claimed that Das committed nine out of the 10 counts of wire fraud while on court-mandated pre-trial condition for his Federal Election Campaign Act charge.

The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, federal officials stated.
Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo will pay a $3,000 civil penalty for breaching conflict of interest laws after he admitted to representing his brother and the city in a civil lawsuit even after being sworn into the council, according to the State Ethics Commission.

Arroyo entered as an attorney on behalf of his brother, Felix Arroyo, before stepping into office in January 2020, the Ethics Commission explained in a press release. But after being sworn into office, Arroyo continued to represent his brother, including in the deposition of a City of Boston employee. However, state law would require Arroyo to withdraw himself from the cases when he took office, the release said.

Arroyo did not immediately respond to MassLives request for comment.

Read more: Officials allege proposed charter school connected to Old Sturbridge Village breaks conflict of interest statute

While an appointed municipal employee may, with the approval of their appointing authority, act as agent or attorney for their immediate family member in a matter involving the municipality, this exemption is not available to elected municipal employees like Arroyo, the Ethics Commission said in the release.

The Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission contacted Arroyo twice in August 2022 regarding his involvement in the lawsuit, the Ethics Commission said. A motion to withdraw from the lawsuit was filed in November 2022, and was granted this February, so Arroyos name was removed from the record, according to the commission.

Zachary Lown, an attorney representing Ricardo Arroyo, said in a statement to MassLive that nothing his client did as an attorney on this matter harmed the city of Boston or its interest.

Read more: Charlton Police sergeant fined for using department resources in personal matter

Arroyos client and the City are co-defendants, nor did the City ever express any concern to Councilor Arroyo about his legal representation, Lown said.

When Arroyo was informed that his work as an attorney for his brother would be a conflict of interest, he began the process of withdrawal by seeking a legal counsel, Lown said.

Councilor Arroyo then moved to withdraw before the next scheduled court date and five months prior to any finding by the State Ethics Commission, Lown. We are grateful to the State Ethics Commission for working with us to resolve this matter.
AGAWAM  Town Council President Christopher C. Johnson said he is among the handful of candidates seeking to become the next mayor of Agawam.

We have a way to go ... about four to five months, Johnson said. I just want to encourage everyone to get involved in the voting process.

In May, current Mayor William Sapelli said he would not seek reelection. In making a formal campaign announcement, scheduled for Wednesday evening at the Captain Charles Leonard House, Johnson has joined three other candidates running in the municipal race.

Rosemary Sandlin and Cecilia P. Calabrese, who both sit on Town Council, and newcomer William Clark, have pulled papers with the town clerk in order to begin the process to run.

Sandlin ran for mayor in 2011 but lost to Richard Cohen. Sandlin, a former state representative, pulled papers in May soon after Sapellis announcement.

Clark did not respond to a request for comment.

Mayoral candidate Agawam City Councilor Rosemarie Sandlin, (center) (Ed Cohen Photo)

Calabrese, former vice president of the Town Council who unsuccessfully ran for state Senate as a Republican in 2022, said she has already returned her qualifying papers.

Calabrese said her years on the council is the qualifying experience she needs to be an effective mayor.

My years on the Massachusetts Municipal Association board of directors, my service as MMA president and my service on the local government advisory committee have all contributed to my acumen in begin able to work on policies that will benefit the citizens of Agawam, Calabrese said in a statement.

I look forward to a lively and substantive campaign for mayor, she added.

Cecilia Calabrese, current city council member, was the Republican candidate for the Hampden and Hampshire state Senate seat, unsuccessfully challenging state Sen John Velis in 2022. (Frederick Gore Photo)

Johnson was the former mayor of Agawam from 1989-2000 and its solicitor from 2008-2009.

Johnson, a practicing attorney, was then elected to Town Council in 2011.

Johnson said while its a different era then when he was mayor in the 90s, hes running again because he cares about Agawam. He added he would not have sought the mayoral office a second time if Sapelli had decided to seek reelection.

Agawam is currently in a good place and on a positive path because of the efforts of Sapelli and the Town Council, Johnson said, and he would like to keep the momentum.

Additionally, Johnson said the town is in the middle of a Massachusetts School Building Authority process that will determine if it should renovate or reconstruct a new high school. Making sure the project fiscally responsible and meets the educational needs of students is Johnsons top priority going into the race.

We are in the process of a feasibility study and most of the decision making will probably happen next year. The (high school) project is a major factor to decide, and I want to make sure the project gets a fair shake, Johnson said.

Agawam Town Council President Christopher Johnson said the town is currently in a good place and he would like to keep the positive momentum going. (Submitted)

According to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Calabrese has about $1,029 in cash on hand. Johnson deposited $5,000 for his campaign on Friday. Clark is not registered with the office, and Sandlins committee is recorded as inactive.

Candidates have until August 22, 2023, to return their papers, Town Clerk Vincent F. Gioscia said.

Gioscia added candidates can run for both Town Council and mayor at the same time but cannot hold both positions at once.
A Cape Cod company is continuing to help Oceangates Titan recovery mission after five people were killed in a submersible headed to the Titanic.

Pelagic Research Services (PRS), based in Wellfleet, is on its fourth dive using its Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) in the Titan recovery mission, the company said.

We continue to work tirelessly in our support role of this mission, alongside the incredible crew of Horizon Arctic, led by Cpt. Adam Myers, says Ed Cassano, project manager for Subsea Assets aboard the Horizon Arctic and CEO of Pelagic Research Services.

The submersible vessel, called the Titan, went missing on June 18 after officials said contact was lost with the five people on board about 1 hour and 45 minutes into the vessels dive. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified after the vessel didnt resurface at its planned time of 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

The Coast Guard in Boston joined efforts June 19 to search for the 21-foot submersible, which came from the Canadian research vessel, Polar Prince via OceanGate Expeditions. More reinforcements from several jurisdictions, including the Canadian Coast Guard, arrived Wednesday morning to aid the search.

PRS arrived on Thursday to help with the rescue.

Efforts to locate the missing sub ended on Friday when officials found debris from the 21-foot vessel as a result of what officials called a likely catastrophic loss of pressure chamber or implosion of the Titan.

The five people aboard the vessel were Hamish Harding, the owner and chairman of Action Aviation, ex-Navy officer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush.

The search and rescue efforts of the Titan submersible cost the U.S. government about $1.2 million, according to an initial estimate by The Washington Post. OceanGate will not be responsible for reimbursing the government, The Post reported.

However, PRS has continued to help with in the investigation and recovery mission.

We have been successful in investigating identified objects of interest as instructed by onboard incident command personnel, Cassano said in a press release.

Odysseus was designed by MPH Engineering and began working in July 2016. It has the ability to lift heavy objects, the company said.

This recovery phase is a remarkably difficult and risky operation, especially at this depth, said PRS spokesperson Jeff Mahoney. Given its continuous operation under the incredible atmospheric pressures, temperatures, and environmental stresses, its a testament to the skill of the team and the engineering of Odysseus.
The 41-year-old man charged in connection with the deaths of three people on Sunday was arraigned in Newton District Court on Tuesday and held without bail.

Christopher Ferguson was charged with one count of murder. He was also charged with burglary and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. More charges are expected once the autopsies of two of the victims are completed, as a third was completed Monday night.

Ferguson pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday. It was aired on an NBC 10 Boston livestream.

Read more: Police arrest Christopher Ferguson following killing of three people in Newton home

At 10:14 a.m. Sunday, Newton Police Department responded to a home on Broadway Street, after a close friend and neighbor who knew the couple went there to see why Gilda Jill and Bruno DAmore, ages 73 and 74, did not show up for a service at Our Lady Help of Christians Church where they were scheduled to renew their wedding vows. The third victim was Lucia Arpino, Jills mother, who was 97.

The friend saw the side door was unlocked and found the DAmores and Arpino dead in the same bedroom, prosecutors said during NBCs livestream. The friend called 911.

So far, an autopsy was conducted on Jill. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Jill had more than 30 stab and blunt trauma injuries, primarily to the upper part of her body and head.

Read more: Kirstin Smith of Brockton found guilty of fatally stabbing boyfriend in 2017

Investigators found signs of forced entry through the basement, prosecutors said during the livestream. Ryan said authorities were able to identify Ferguson, in part, due to bloody bare footprints that matched Ferguson, who she said was not wearing shoes. Video obtained from near the home also helped in the identification.

There were obvious signs of a struggle, Ryan said, and investigators found broken furniture, a knife and a crystal paperweight covered in blood. In addition, there were signs of a forced entry into the house, she said.

Surveillance video from a nearby residence showed at around 5:20 p.m. a male with no shirt and shoes was walking with what appeared to be a staggering gate, Ryan said. Boots, a suitcase and backpack were also found in the area, all of which helped to identify Ferguson, prosecutors said in court during the livestream.

So far, investigators believe the killings to be random. Ferguson is due back in court on July 25.
In December of 1997, police found Lisa McLester hacked to death by a machete in a Roxbury apartment complex described as housing for homeless families.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury found Lazaro Miranda guilty of first-degree murder under the theory of extreme atrocity or cruelty, the Boston Globe reported at the time. McLester had previously sought protective orders against the man police said at the time sometimes lived in the apartment with her.

But on Monday, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Miranda must either be re-tried or sentenced for second-degree murder.

Read more: Ezekial Santiago charged after Worcester police say he used machete in road rage attack

The appeal centered around multiple jury instructions Miranda said should have been included. Though the SJC ruled multiple of those instructions were immaterial, they agreed on one point: The jurors should have received a supplemental instruction regarding the impact of mental health on culpability for extreme atrocity or cruelty.

The absence of that instruction, the court ruled, created a substantial likelihood of a miscarriage of justice.

That Miranda killed McLester is not in dispute, but Miranda had pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, claiming he was not criminally responsible for the killing. Among his arguments, Miranda claimed he had been drinking heavily that day, and pointed to a psychological assessment that determined he was suffering from depression with psychotic symptoms.

Complicating the appeal, the SJC noted the trial transcript is missing the critical page that would have included the judges words in the jury instructions he gave. Attorneys previously agreed to a reconstructed summary of that page of the transcript.

The courts reading of that summary does not indicate that the trial judge, Charles T. Spurlock, gave a supplemental jury instruction requested by the defense on the defendants alleged mental impairment and intoxication to negate the intent or knowledge required for a finding of murder in the first degree under a theory of extreme atrocity or cruelty, though Spurlock gave a general instruction on mental impairment and intoxication as to intent and knowledge.

The court determined that, had the defenses instruction been given, it could have significantly influenced the jury into convicting Miranda of second-degree murder.

Since the court ruled that the commonwealth proved Miranda guilty of at least second-degree murder in the first trial, it ruled the case be returned to superior court with the option either that Miranda receive a new trial for first-degree murder or that the commonwealth sentence him for second-degree murder.

Any murder conviction in Massachusetts carries a life sentence, but first-degree murder contains no parole eligibility, while a second-degree murder conviction allows for the possibility of parole.
A person driving in Boston early Tuesday morning hit an MBTA bus in the city, then ran from the scene, according to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Police.

At 5:30 a.m. on June 27, a 2015 Honda ran into the back of an MBTA bus outside of Kenmore Station, police said.

The driver of the car then ran from the scene, police said. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the operators identity, were not immediately available.

Read more: Police arrest Christopher Ferguson following killing of three people in Newton home

Nobody was injured in the crash, police said, and the Honda was towed from the scene. The MBTA bus was driven away, police added.

The Transit Police Department will conduct a follow-up investigation into the incident, and did not immediately respond for comment on the situation.
An Andover-based pharmacy agreed to pay $10 million in a lawsuit that claimed the company was ignoring concerning prescriptions and selling dangerous drug combinations.

The Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP)  the largest buyer of opioids among pharmacies in the country  agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit claiming the company violated the Controlled Substances Act by improperly filling prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, and submitting false claims for payment to the Department of Labor, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Massachusetts.

The company ships prescriptions by mail to injured workers.

In a statement published by company CEO Michael Gavin, he claimed federal officials mischaracterized IWP as the largest buyer of opioids among pharmacies in the country.

Federal officials also ordered IWP to enter a five-year corrective action plan with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

As part of the lawsuit agreement, IWP admitted that between 2014 and 2019 the company failed to handle prescriptions with red flags  including high doses of opioids, early refills and dangerous drug combinations  before selling them to injured workers, officials stated.

Red flags indicate prescriptions that may not have been issued for a legitimate medical purpose, such as abuse or diversion, federal officials wrote in a release.

The lawsuit claims that IWP also overlooked prescriptions flagged by the Department of Labor. IWP admitted that between 2017 and 2019, the company told the Department of Labor that employees consulted with prescribers about prescriptions flagged as concerning. In reality, the company didnt consult with the prescribers. Instead, IWP said employees, who lacked clinical pharmacy experience and training, submitted codes stating: Prescriber consulted without consulting IWP pharmacists or prescribers, officials stated.

Under the settlement terms, over the next five years, DEA is allowed to conduct unannounced inspections of IWP without administrative inspection warrants, according to federal prosecutors.

To address issues uncovered in the investigation, IWP has since made improvements in its pharmacy practices, officials wrote. For example, the company developed additional procedures to review high-risk prescribing; increased training for all employees; eliminated production quotas for pharmacists and staff; implemented a drug diversion team to implement, establish and maintain diversion controls throughout the pharmacy; and established protocols to reduce losses of prescriptions shipped through the mail.
Officials identified the man fatally shot near the Holyoke Police Department on Friday morning.

Edgar Soto-Irizarry, 30, of Holyoke, was identified as the person killed during the fatal shooting, according to the Hampden County District Attorneys Office.

Friday at around 9:20 a.m., police responded to shots fired on Appleton Street near the intersection of Maple and Chestnut Streets  a few blocks from the Holyoke Police Department  according to Holyoke Police Lt. John Monaghan.

The lieutenant said responding officers found Soto-Irizarry with gunshot injuries on the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holyoke police and the Hampden County District Attorneys Office are investigating the fatal shooting along with Massachusetts State Police.

As of Tuesday, authorities have not announced an arrest in connection with the shooting.
HOLYOKE  The Holyoke Housing Authority will adjust the South Holyoke Homes projects second phase.

The move comes after the City of Holyoke awarded the authority $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars for the three-phase South Holyoke Homes Project. The authority had initially submitted a $6.85 million request.

Given this new allocation of ARPA funding, below where we originally had estimated or requested, well go back to the drawing board and do a redesign, said Matt Mainville, the authoritys executive director.

The decreased funding will force a shift that reckons with current construction costs. The Phase 2 project was initially slated to consist of 12 townhouses.

Instead of condominiums, the authority plans to construct 12 detached houses, more in keeping with the Oak Hill-Hope VI project, with fewer overall units.

Mainville said the change is primarily due to higher construction costs in the post-COVID era, as well as the reduced ARPA award.

He predicts construction prices will remain high throughout 2023 and most of 2024. Were trying to make sure that we invest the public money intelligently, Mainville said.

Mainville said homeownership serves dual purposes in Holyoke. It brings vacant lots back on the tax rolls and allows families to accumulate generational wealth.

Reflecting on the Oak Hill development, Mainville said the original units, which sold for just over $100,000 each, are now being sold for over $200,000 a unit. Thats exactly what homeownership is supposed to do for folks. Were excited about it, he said.

Work on the new units should be out to bid this fall, Mainville said. Hopefully construction [will be] beginning in the following spring.

The planned location for the dozen homes is around Carlos Vega Park. We have possession of that, Mainville said, referring to a fenced area behind the Greek Orthodox Church on Main Street.

For Phase 2, applicants must be first-time homebuyers, credit-worthy and income-eligible.

Tenants began moving into the projects Phase I this month. The units are 12 income-eligible apartments with modern amenities and park views. The authority received over 1,000 applications for the dozen available spots, proving the dire need for affordable housing in Holyoke.
A reintroduced bill is hoping to make the monthly Child Tax Credit permanent  and include a $2,000 baby bonus.

The American Family Act was reintroduced by democratic Congress members Rosa DeLaura, Connecticut, Suzan DelBene, Washington and Ritchie Torres, New York. It is cosponsored by 204 members of Congress.

The bills fact sheet states it was reintroduced to ensure the expanded and improved, monthly Child Tax Credit is made permanent.

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, said DeLauro in a press release. 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.

The bill states that families with children 6 years and under would get $300 per month, or $3,600 a year. Families with children 6 to 17 would get $250 a month, or $3,000 per year.

This provides for monthly delivery of the credit so families have access to the credit as bills arrive, officials said. Currently, the CTC is $2,000 payable at tax time and not in monthly installments.

Roll Call also reported that there would be an increase in the size of the credit the month a baby is born. That increase would be $2,000.

For a child born in January, the outlet reported, the household could receive a total amount worth up to $5,300 for that year. It would then decrease to the typical $3,600 the following year.

The current child tax credit expires in 2025. It 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.

But families of about 19 million children arent receiving the full payment because their parents earn too little or no income, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Multiple botched translations exacerbated by glitchy virtual meeting technology cast an ironic twist Monday during a committee hearing that featured nearly two hours of testimony in support of legislation that would strengthen interpreter services at schools.

Rep. Denise Garlick, the House chair of the Joint Committee on Education, had asked in English for a Spanish-speaking woman to testify one to two paragraphs a time and then allow for an interpreter to talk in real-time. But the woman ended up speaking continuously for several minutes, as lawmakers struggled to understand her remarks amid difficulty accessing the Spanish interpreter, Garlick said.

A Portuguese interpreter who said she understood Spanish ended up summarizing the testimony of the woman  a mother of a child with special education needs pushing for professional interpreters who adhere to a code of ethics and confidentiality.

Representatives from Massachusetts Advocates for Children told the News Service the translation method seemed to contradict the purpose of bills filed by Rep. Antonio Cabral and Sen. Brendan Crighton (H 437 / S 253) that would direct education officials to expand access to qualified school interpreters, including by standardizing a mechanism to train and assess peoples language capabilities. Interpretations should occur consecutively or simultaneously and be spoken in the first person, unlike the summaries offered at the hearing, the representatives said.

Garlick, who said she cannot speak Spanish, said at the hybrid hearing that she is a mother of a young adult with special education needs and developmental disabilities.

I would never want anyone to summarize my thoughts and my feelings in an important meeting, Garlick, a Needham Democrat, said. This experience certainly speaks to me as a new chair of this education committee on the importance of this bill.

An aide to Garlick said the committee is newly using interpreter services beyond ASL and captioning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Vietnamese interpreters were slated to be available Monday.

But the aide said he didnt know specific details of the hearings translation issues, including whether the Spanish-speaking woman had logged into the wrong language feed on Teams or if the Spanish interpreter was not online.

The importance of being able to hear the thoughts, the issues and the concerns of people in any language is vital to our work in the State House, Garlick told the News Service during a break in the hearing.

The bills outline different tiers of interpreters, including Tier 3 individuals who must understand terms related to special education and be used in all specialized meetings, such as discussions about an Individualized Education Program, Individual 504 plans, safety plans or behavioral intervention plans, bullying, school discipline, and placement in English Learner Education program.

Tier 1 interpreters dont need to be formally assessed for language proficiency, unlike Tier 2 interpreters who can be used for standard meetings, such as a parent conference, community meeting or other school gathering that doesnt have legal context, according to the legislation.

While there are federal and state requirements in place for interpreters in Massachusetts educational settings, students and parents still contend with massive language barriers, advocates said.

Iman Hassan, an attorney at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, said she constantly works with families who are unable to participate in their childrens educational life as a result of ineffective interpretation, like school staffers who are used as interpreters at the last minute in special education team meetings and make glaring errors.

Ive also seen untrained interpreters give their own opinions and try to advise parents what to do, sometimes with the best intentions but yet leading to consequences that are unfortunately incredibly inappropriate, Hassan testified.

Brian Bermudez, staff attorney at the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids, called language access a pervasive barrier in immigrant communities. Bermudez recalled a client and her 13-year-old daughter who lacked English proficiency.

The daughter started harming herself and became depressed. She refused to attend school, missed out on her education and couldnt find tutors in her native language, Bermudez said at the hearing.

Her lack of English proficiency meant that she couldnt learn in class. She couldnt form relationships with teachers or adults, Bermudez testified. She couldnt access the same education her peers were accessing.
WESTFIELD  A city man with a history of violence and an obsession with firearms is still on track to answer charges that he illegally sold two weapons to an undercover federal officer, according to court records.

Last week, Westfield District Court Judge Charles Groce denied a motion by Eric R. LaFrance, 37, of 95 Honey Pot Road, Westfield, to have the charges dismissed, according to court documents.

He was originally charged in February after responding to a gun for sale on a firearms website in January or February.
Worcester residents and visitors looking for things to do this summer that wont break the bank dont have to go further than Worcester Common.

The city park will be full of free activities this summer, including the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market, Movies on the Common and the citys summer fitness series.

Those who want to break a sweat in the shadow of Worcester City Hall can attend boot camp, a strength and conditioning class set to music, on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. or HIIT, high intensity interval training, on Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The free classes have already started and are scheduled to continue through Aug. 27.

Read more: Movies on the Common returning to Worcester this summer with 4 free screenings

The Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market is scheduled to return for its 13th year with festivals scheduled for Mondays on Aug. 3, 17 and 31 and a rain date of Sept. 7. The events will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The festivals will feature live music, performances, community organizations, homemade crafts and local farm stands, according to a press release from the city.

We are thrilled to invite our community (to) Out to Lunch on the Worcester Common again this summer, Yaffa Fain, program assistant for the Cultural Development, Division, said in a statement. The Out to Lunch Festival series is one of the most-loved and anticipated events that the city hosts. Were looking forward to sharing more of these fun afternoons Downtown with the community and visitors.

The festivals headliners are already scheduled with the Aug, 3 event set to feature Crocodile River Music, Ball in the House scheduled for Aug. 17 and Stomp N Holler scheduled for Aug. 31.

The city is still accepting applications for vendors for the events with an application deadline of July 5.

Movies on the Common kicked off on June 15 with a screening of the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite, but theres still three more screenings this summer:

The film series features a variety of pre-movie activities, such as comedy acts, caricature artists, music, face painting, local food vendors and more, according a press statement from the city.

The pre-movie activities start at 6:30 p.m. each night showings are held, and the movie screenings begin at dusk, with English language closed captioning available for viewers, according to the statement.

Ahead of the Aug. 17 show, Edgar Luna, the business development manager for the City of Worcester, will give viewers a special behind-the-scenes talk on the scenes shot in the area in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The movie featured several Worcester locations during its production in summer 2021.

The July 20 screening of Turning Red will be presented in partnership with the citys Accessibility Division and Accessibility Advisory Commission along with the Center for Living and Working to show the films message of embracing individuality and overcoming obstacles, as part of Disability Pride Night, the city said.

Attendees are encouraged to come to the events early for their choice of seating, the citys statement said, since space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 100 attendees will also receive free popcorn and the first 50 attendees will also get a free food and drink voucher to use at one of the on-site food vendors.

Seating options are available around the common, but guests may also bring their own blankets and chairs. Refreshments will be available on site or at restaurants around the common, but attendees are free to bring their own food.

The 2023 Movies on the Concert series is presented by the City of Worcester, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID), Clark University, the Mercantile Center and Perrone Landscaping along with additional support from Cornerstone Bank and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.
Last November, the Coral South LNG consortium began exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Coral, an offshore field in Mozambiques Rovuma basin. The group produced and loaded its first cargo on the Coral Sul, the worlds first deepwater floating LNG (FLNG) ship, and delivered it to Europe, where buyers have been looking eagerly for new suppliers ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It has exported several additional cargoes to Europe since then and has continued to operate without interruption.

This development isnt just a triumph for Eni, the Italian major thats leading Coral South LNG, or for its European customers. Its also a triumph for Mozambique, which is now the sixth African country to become a large-scale producer of LNG  and the first to take this step since 2013. It indicates that the Mozambican governments efforts to attract and retain investors have paid off, and it ought to signify that the countrys offshore reserves have successfully been opened for commercial development.

Its worth noting, though, that Mozambiques offshore gas sector isnt exactly all the way open yet.

Let me explain what I mean.

Mozambique: Two Years of Lost Opportunities

Coral South LNG was always supposed to be the first consortium to export gas from Mozambique, but it never expected to spend much time as the only party to do so. It expected to be joined in short order by Mozambique LNG, a group led by TotalEnergies of France that plans to extract gas from another field in the Rovuma basin. This second consortium was scheduled to start production in 2024.

If the second group had met its deadline, Mozambiques gas production  and its status as a commercial producer of gas and LNG  would have leveled up significantly in a relatively short period of time. Mozambique LNG was designed to be far larger in scale than Coral South LNG, with two trains turning out 12.88 million tons per annum (mtpa), compared to a single train with a capacity of 3.4 mtpa.

But things changed in 2017 because of an insurgency in Cabo Delgado, the northernmost province of Mozambique. That conflict eventually reached the Afungi Peninsula, where TotalEnergies was building its LNG plant. It led the company to declare force majeure in April 2021, saying it could not resume work on the plant until the security situation in the area was stabilized.

Now, more than two years later, TotalEnergies is reported to be on the verge of announcing an official restart to construction after reviewing the outcome of a multilateral peacekeeping mission and making plans to support residents of host communities. Even so, it has said it wont be able to start exporting LNG until at least 2026-2027. (There are hints that 2027 is a more realistic guess.)

Therefore, because of the violence in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique has to wait at least three extra years before its gas sector is in a position to outgrow Coral South LNGs capabilities.

Moreover, it will also have to bear the consequences of the delay. It will have to bring its financial projections into line with not being able to collect any of the revenues it might have earned as an exporter of additional LNG before 2027. It will also have to forego the opportunity to lock in market share now under long-term contracts and instead bear the risk that gas demand will diminish by the time the plant starts production.
A team of 80 faculty members, postdocs, students, and industry representatives gathered for the daylong Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning (IDEAL) annual meeting this month at Northwesterns Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Chicago.

The meeting was designed as an opportunity for IDEAL members across Northwestern, Google Research, the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (TTIC), the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and the University of Chicago to review the goals and outcomes of educational and outreach activities IDEAL led over the past year, learn about events and initiatives planned for this summer and fall, showcase multi-disciplinary research, and forge new connections.

The event was organized by Natasha Devroye, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UIC and a member of IDEALs research committee.

The frequent IDEAL-related events, in particular the in-person events enabled by our geographic proximity, really help foster a true Chicagoland area data science research community, Devroye said.

Northwestern Engineerings Aravindan Vijayaraghavan, as well as Avrim Blum and Lev Reyzin, welcomed attendees and highlighted recent IDEAL events, including the recent Get Ready for Research workshop, the high school teacher workshop, and the multi-day workshop in April exploring the connections among the fields of interpretability, machine learning, and logic.

Vijayaraghavan is an associate professor of computer science and (by courtesy) industrial engineering and management sciences at the McCormick School of Engineering. He is Northwesterns IDEAL site director.

Blum, a professor and chief academic officer at TTIC, currently serves as the director of IDEAL. The UIC site director, Reyzin is a professor of mathematics, statistics, and computer science.

The IDEAL leadership also announced details of the summer student exchange program, in which PhD students will be paired with a faculty member at a different IDEAL university to promote collaboration and new research directions.

Following two keynote sessions by Ravi Kannan, recipients of the ACM Knuth Prize and a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Science, and Alekh Agarwal, staff research scientist at Google, the organizers of IDEALs three main research themes  foundations of machine learning, high-dimensional data analysis and inference, and data science and society  presented mini programs with a mix of longer talks by IDEAL-related faculty and five-minute lightning talks. Northwestern talks included:

Bayesian Observational Learning with Imperfect Observations  Randall Berry, John A. Dever Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering

High-dimensional Limit Theorems for Stochastic Gradient Descent  Reza Gheissari, assistant professor of mathematics at Northwesterns Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Assigning Students to Courses  Samir Khuller, Peter and Adrienne Barris Chair of Computer Science

"It was great hearing about all the different exciting research projects going on across the three main themes of IDEAL, and the many cross-institution, multi-disciplinary collaborations," Blum said.

The day concluded with a student poster session featuring the work of 25 students and postdocs.

Northwestern contributions to the poster session included:
Diabetes Mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a set of metabolic conditions distinguished by elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Symptoms of high blood sugar consist of increased thirst, frequent urination, and excessive hunger. Acute complications of the condition can include diabetic ketoacidosis, a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, and even death. In addition, more severe complications such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, eye damage, and foot ulcers can arise. This disorder primarily occurs due to the insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas as well as the bodys lack of response to insulin.

Diabetes is a persistent ailment for which there is currently no known cure. The primary approach to managing the condition is to maintain blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Patients suffering from both type I and type II diabetes can use diabetes monitoring or blood glucose monitoring devices to monitor and keep track of their blood sugar levels. The demand for these devices is on the rise in developed and emerging economies due to the growing occurrence of diabetes caused by lifestyle changes, which is driving market growth.

The global diabetes monitoring devices market was worth US$ 15,276.1 million in 2022. It is projected to experience a strong CAGR of 8.87% from 2023 to 2030.

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The diabetes monitoring devices market is significantly propelled by the presence of a large patient base.

The global diabetes monitoring devices market is being driven primarily by the rising prevalence of diabetes around the world. As an example, the World Health Organization reported that in 2014, approximately 8.5% of adults aged 18 and older, equivalent to 422 million adults, were affected by diabetes across the globe. In 2015, diabetes and high blood glucose levels combined were responsible for 3.8 million deaths. The National Diabetes Statistics Report 2017, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), states that diabetes affects around 9.4% of the American population, including all age groups, totaling 30.3 million individuals. Additionally, 33.9% of the remaining population is diagnosed with pre-diabetes. A 2012 study published in the World Journal of Diabetes reported that diabetes is prevalent in the emerging economies of Asia. The report states that Asian economies account for over 60% of the worlds diabetic population. This high incidence of diabetes is predicted to increase demand for blood glucose monitoring devices, resulting in growth in the global diabetes monitoring devices market.

The awareness of the benefits of glucose monitoring is increasing among urban populations, leading to a significant rise in the adoption of glucose monitoring devices. A research article published in the Annals of Palliative Medicine in 2015, which is an open access journal known for high-quality research, reported that 19% of individuals with diabetes in Canada regularly monitor their blood glucose levels. In addition, the escalating rate of obesity is a significant contributing factor to the growing incidence of diabetes. As an example, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducted the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014, which revealed that over one-third of adults in the United States diagnosed with diabetes were overweight, and more than two-thirds were classified as overweight or obese.

The growth of the market is expected to be hindered by factors such as the expensive cost of easy-to-use automatic glucose monitoring and other devices, pricing pressure faced by manufacturers, and disparities in reimbursement policies. However, there are potential growth opportunities that may arise from the efforts of healthcare authorities and medical insurance companies to educate patients about the benefits of using diabetes monitoring devices.

The prevalence of diabetes monitoring devices is the highest in North America, primarily due to the regions government initiatives aimed at preventing and treating diabetes, the presence of major industry players, and the utilization of advanced technology in drug discovery procedures. As an illustration, the National Diabetes Prevention Program was targeted for expansion into underserved regions of the country with a five-year funding opportunity announcement issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April 2017. In addition, the Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) of the CDC provides financial support to state and local health departments to enhance health outcomes for individuals with diabetes. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to experience substantial expansion during the estimated timeframe due to a rise in the number of people with diabetes and the creation of affordable diabetes monitoring devices tailored to the local populace. The Southeast Asian region, with an estimated 96 million individuals suffering from diabetes according to the World Health Organization in 2017, is driving market growth due to the high demand for blood glucose monitoring devices and medical therapies.

The global market is expected to experience growth due to advancements made in glucose monitoring devices.

Investment in research for innovative solutions is being made by market participants who are integrating units to monitor insulin levels and maintain blood glucose levels. This is achieved by utilizing continuous glucose monitoring systems to automatically deliver insulin to various parts of the body. As an illustration, the initial blood sugar monitor that does not necessitate finger pricks received approval from the US FDA in September 2017. This monitor uses a small sensor that can be affixed to the upper arm for continuous glucose monitoring. Furthermore, Medtronic Plc launched iPro 2 Professional, a next-generation continuous glucose monitoring system, in February 2018 to enhance diabetes management in 41 global economies.

The major participants, including Medtronic, Sanofi, Cnoga Medical, MediWise, Bayer Healthcare AG, Abbott Laboratories, Dexcom, Bigfoot Biomedical, and Arkay, Inc., are operating the global diabetes monitoring devices market.

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Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Diabetes Monitoring Devices 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 Diabetes Monitoring Devices 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!

Why Choose Coherent Market Insights?

 Identified business opportunities  Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services.

 A clear understanding of your customers  A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising.

 Clear data-driven insights  Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers.

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The global peripheral IV catheter market generated around US$ 5.6 billion in revenue in 2022, and it is predicted that this market will grow at a CAGR of 6.9% to reach a worth of US$ 11.8 billion by the end of 2033.

The peripheral IV catheter market is at the forefront of enhancing vascular access and presents a promising outlook in the healthcare industry. Peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters are widely used to administer fluids, medications, and blood products directly into the patients veins. These catheters play a crucial role in healthcare settings, enabling efficient and safe delivery of treatments while minimizing discomfort for patients.

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The peripheral IV catheter market offers a range of catheter sizes, materials, and insertion techniques to meet the diverse needs of healthcare professionals and patients. With advancements in catheter design and technology, these devices are becoming increasingly user-friendly, reducing the risk of complications and improving patient comfort. The market focuses on enhancing the quality of vascular access and promoting successful IV therapy outcomes.

The market outlook for peripheral IV catheters is promising, driven by several factors. The increasing incidence of chronic diseases and the growing aging population contribute to the rising demand for vascular access devices. Additionally, the need for efficient and cost-effective treatments in various healthcare settings fuels the market growth. Furthermore, the advancements in catheter materials, infection prevention techniques, and securement devices create opportunities for innovation and market expansion.

Looking ahead, the future of the peripheral IV catheter market holds immense potential. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to further improve catheter performance, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance patient comfort. Collaboration among healthcare providers, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies is crucial to drive innovation and establish standardized practices for vascular access and IV therapy.

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In conclusion, the peripheral IV catheter market plays a vital role in enhancing vascular access and optimizing patient care in healthcare settings. The markets promising outlook is driven by the increasing demand for vascular access devices, the focus on improving patient comfort, and the advancements in catheter design and technology. It is essential for healthcare stakeholders to collaborate, invest in research and development, and drive innovation to ensure optimal vascular access and successful IV therapy outcomes.

Companies Covered in This Report 

Becton, Dickinson and Company

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Smiths Group plc.

Terumo Corporation

Venner Medical

Vygon

Teleflex Incorporated

C. R. Bard, Inc.

NIPRO Medical Corporation

Argon Medical Devices, Inc.

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Key Segments Covered in Industry Research

By Product:

Short Peripheral IV Catheter Ported PIVC Non-Ported PIVC

Integrated/Closed PIVC Closed with Extension Sets Closed PIVC



By Technology:

Conventional PIVC

Safety PIVC Closed with Extension Set Active PIVC with Blood Control Passive PIVC with Blood Control Active PIVC Passive PIVC



By End User:

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

Clinics

Home Use

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

South Asia

East Asia

Oceania

Middle East & Africa

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In 2022, the size of the global tumor ablation market was estimated at USD 1,018.6 million. It is projected to experience a CAGR of 11.5% from 2023 to 2030. The market is expected to expand due to an increase in the elderly population and a rise in cancer or tumor cases. However, the growth of the market may be hampered by complications associated with tumor ablation therapy. The market is segmented based on treatment, application, and technology.

Definition: Tumor ablation refers to a less invasive surgical technique used for treating solid malignancies. The procedure involves the use of specialized probes that heat or freeze cancer cells without requiring major surgery. Imaging technologies such as computed tomography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging are used to guide and accurately position the needle probe into the tumor. This approach typically involves a small incision, usually less than 3 mm, through which the probe is introduced.

Market Drivers:

Ablation is a therapeutic procedure that injures liver cancer cells while leaving them in place. It is particularly beneficial for patients with small tumors or when surgery is not an option. Additionally, patients undergoing this type of therapy typically do not need to stay in the hospital, which has led to an increase in the adoption of ablation systems among the general population.

The rising incidence of various types of cancer, including colon cancer, lung cancer, breast carcinoma, and prostate cancer, is anticipated to drive the demand for ablation machinery for treating cancer in the liver, kidney, bones, and soft tissues. Cancer is a global healthcare challenge and a leading cause of mortality.

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Market Opportunities:

The increasing awareness of ablation techniques using traditional therapies and surgery is expected to drive the growth of the global tumor ablation market and create favorable prospects for its expansion.

Additionally, the growing number of emerging markets and the approval of new products are generating numerous beneficial opportunities that will continue to drive growth in the tumor ablation market in the forecasted period.

Market Trends:

Globally, lung cancer is a leading cause of death, characterized by two main forms: small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma, which are distinguished by their microscopic appearance. Non-small cell lung carcinoma is more prevalent than small cell lung carcinoma. The increasing prevalence of lung cancer, driven by unhealthy habits and a surge in research and development efforts along with the approval of products, is propelling the market segments growth.

The growth of the segment is being propelled by increasing medical analysis of lung carcinoma and ablation therapy. Ethicon Inc. conducted a research survey in December 2021 to assess the effectiveness and safety of a new wave-certus microwave ablation method in Chinese patients with primary or secondary lung cancer. The survey is expected to be completed by December 2024.

Market Restraints:

Ablation therapy for solid organ cancer is increasingly being considered a feasible treatment option, but as the number of procedures increases, so does the potential for complications. The most common adverse effects of ablation include bleeding and damage to the target organ.

The side effects of these procedures are classified based on their associated risks and may impede market growth. Ablation strategies are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as Class II and III clinical devices, which require extensive monitoring and regulation.

Recent Developments

The US Food and Drug Administration granted Medtronic a breakthrough device designation for its Emprint ablation catheter kit in April 2021. This designation helps strengthen the companys product portfolio.

The OsteoCool RF ablation system received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in February 2017 for providing palliative therapy to patients with metastatic bone cancers.

In August 2020, Ethicon, which is a division of Johnson & Johnson, was granted the breakthrough device designation by the Food and Drug Administration for their microwave machinery. This initiative proved beneficial for the company as it aided in enhancing its revenue generation.

Regional Insights

The global tumor ablation market is divided into different regions based on geography, including Africa, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia Pacific. Among these regions, North America has emerged as the dominant market for tumor ablation. This growth can be attributed to several factors, such as regulatory support for quality healthcare, strong purchasing power, the availability of reimbursement, and the increasing incidence of cancer in both the United States and Canada.

Europes significant contribution to the tumor ablation market can be attributed to the substantial public spending in its healthcare system, which has supported market growth. Moreover, the increase in the aging population and regulatory aid in managing cancer have also contributed to the substantial expansion of the market.

Global Tumor Ablation Market Categorization:

The global tumor ablation market report is categorized based on treatment, application, and technology.

The market is divided into radio frequency ablation, microwave ablation, and other technologies, with radio frequency ablation being a minimally invasive and nonsurgical procedure used to treat painful neck, sacroiliac joint pain, and back facet joints. This technology offers several benefits.

Microwave ablation is a technique that utilizes electromagnetic waves with a device operating at a minimum frequency of 900 MHz to destroy tumors. Compared to other machines, it offers several advantages in terms of its ability to efficiently eliminate cancer cells. These benefits include consistent high temperatures, the capacity to ablate large tumors, shorter ablation times, and reduced pain.

The market segmentation is based on the type of treatment, which includes surgical ablation and laparoscopic ablation. Among these, laparoscopic surgeries involve the insertion of a slender tube through a small incision in the abdomen and are commonly used to treat cancer in abdominal organs like the kidney and liver. This approach utilizes specialized tools to make small incisions, thereby reducing the recovery time.

The surgical ablation process, which is another type of software, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses ablation catheters or probes to deliver energy directly to the cancer site for therapy. Unlike medical eradication of tumors or infected cells, this therapy is intended for patients who have difficulty with medical eradication of cancer/carcinoma cells.

The market is categorized into kidney cancer and liver cancer, among others, based on their application. For kidney cancer, both microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation treatments employ image guidance to direct the syringe from the skin to the cancerous area. Microwave ablation uses microwaves to generate a small area of heat in the syringe, which destroys and damages the tumor cells in the kidney. On the other hand, radiofrequency ablation creates a small area of heat by passing high-frequency electrical signals from the electrode in the syringe.

Ablation therapy is a treatment option for liver cancer that involves damaging the tumor without removing it surgically. It is typically recommended for patients with small cancers that cannot be removed through conventional clinical methods. However, when the size of the cancer exceeds 3 cm, ablation therapy is not recommended because it can also damage normal tissue.

Major Company Insights

The intense competition in the global tumor ablation market is the result of consistent advancements in technology as a result of ongoing research and development, and the efforts of value chain participants. Additionally, major industry players are implementing a range of business expansion strategies to extend their reach on both regional and global levels. Some of the leading companies in the global tumor ablation market are Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, IceCure Medical, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., H.S. Hospital Service SPA, EDAP TMS, AngioDynamics, and Theraclion.

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Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 US$ 1,264.0 Mn The revenue forecast in 2030 US$ 2,425.5 Mn Growth Rate CAGR of 11.5% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017  2021 Forecast period 2023  2030 Growth Drivers: Increasing incidence of cancer

Technological advancements in ablation devices Restraints & Challenges: Complications associated with tumor ablation therapy

Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Tumor Ablation 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 Tumor Ablation 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!

Why Choose Coherent Market Insights?

 Identified business opportunities  Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services.

 A clear understanding of your customers  A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising.

 Clear data-driven insights  Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers.

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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.

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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.
by Ray Schultz , June 26, 2023

Vox Media has announced three new executive appointments.

Geoff Schiller has been named chief revenue officer, and Jackie Cinguina has been promoted to chief marketing officer and Lauren Rabaino to chief operating officer. Ryan Pauley will assume the expanded role of president, revenue & growth.

Schiller will oversee sales and all advertising functions in addition the companys brand studio Vox Creative, and business operations within Vox Medias Revenue organization.

Cinguina will lead Vox Medias marketing, communications, experiential, and brand design teams

Schiller and Cinguina will report to Pauley, who joined Vox Media over a decade ago and took on the role of chief revenue officer in 2018.

I couldnt be more thrilled to announce the three well-earned promotions of Lauren, Jackie, and Ryan, who have exceptional track records at Vox Media and to bring Geoff on as our chief revenue officer, to continue to elevate how we work with our advertising partners across our industry-leading portfolio of brands and solutions, says Jim Bankoff, Vox Medias co-founder, chair, and CEO.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, June 27, 2023

I imagine some readers get tired of my byline showing up all over MediaPost, and I apologize for that, but as editor in chief, my most important role is making sure we make copy deadlines and publish relevant and important content for our readers. Basically, that means I'm often filling in when they're on vacation or otherwise out of pocket, and TV Watch columnist Wayne Friedman is on a well-earned one this week. So you're stuck with me.

On the upside, I began my trade reporting career covering TV, and probably look at it differently than Wayne does, so you may actually be in for a treat. Wayne does things Wayne's way, and I do things my way.

And when we originally conceived TV Watch, the goal was to watch -- and report on -- the news other people are breaking or otherwise writing about television. But analyzing it in a way for our readers, who are primarily people involved in buying and selling the medium.

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And one of the first things I do when I get back into TV industry news coverage is to check one of my favorite tools for sourcing -- and indexing -- news of any kind: Google News.

So what's the biggest TV industry story in the current news cycle? If you had a Marjorie Taylor Greene space laser-ish conspiracy theory on your TV news bingo card, you've won!

According to a TV Watch analysis of the most-covered TV industry news stories of the past 24 hours, MTG's theory that her TV is spying on her ranks No. 1, by a margin of nearly three to one over the next-biggest story -- "The Price Is Right" leaving its long-running home on the Bob Barker Stage at CBS' Television City studio. (The show had been set there for 33 of the past 50 years.)

The Emmy Awards adding a special "75" to this year's statuettes in commemoration of its 75th anniversary ranked third, followed by a fourth-place tie:

News coverage of the Parents Television Council's call for HBO to cancel "The Idol," citing its depiction of "torture porn," "sexual abuse" and the kind of general "depravity" that commonly goes into HBO hits.

Roku's deal to live-stream the Formula E electric car race.

News about TV syndication conference NATPE planning a January 2024 return following its recent bankruptcy and obituary coverage about the passing of long-time Paramount Domestic Television chief Steve Goldman filled out the major 24-hour TV industry news-cycle coverage.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, June 27, 2023

Beer, wine and spirits marketer Constellation Brands has named Initiative, part of IPG Mediabrands, as its new agency of record (AOR) for media in the U.S.

Constellation, whose brands include Corona, Modello and Pacifico beers, Robert Mondavi Winery and Casa Noble Tequila, spent approximately $330 million on measured media in the U.S. last year according to agency research firm COMvergence.

The award follows a formal review managed by ID Comms. Horizon Media (which just won the Revlon business) is the incumbent. Horizon, which handled the account for over a decade, will assist in the transition with Initiative taking over full control of the assignment in October.

According to Constellation, Initiative was selected to help amplify and execute Constellations media efforts extending the companys ability to connect more deeply with consumers and keep media innovation at the forefront of its strategy.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 27, 2023

Sick of the idea that real fitness can only be achieved running on broken glass, flailing heavy ropes and confronting tortured inner voices from childhood? So is Les Mills. So the New Zealand-based fitness brand has hired everybodys favorite angry athlete: Brett Goldstein, aka Roy F*&ing Kent from Ted Lasso.

Goldstein suffers through the grittiest, angriest routine before bursting into the shire-worthy sunshine of New Zealand, where he joins a perfectly lovely group of weight-lifters.

Themed Choose Happy, the campaign aims to make workouts fun and less intimidating. And well aware that New Zealand has a reputation as one of the happiest places to live, the effort includes a contest searching for two future Happiness Ambassadors. The prize? They get to move to New Zealand.

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Les Mills, which markets its fitness classes to gyms worldwide and sells digital versions directly to consumers, says the campaign is aimed straight at Gen Z.

Its research says 64% of the non-exercising component of this young demographic find gyms intimidating. (Rival Planet Fitness even uses 'Gymtimidation as one of its marketing catchphrases.)

Les Mills also learned that of the 36% of Gen Z who work out, 81% participate in group workouts.

Research also finds younger people prefer upbeat workouts, with 68% looking for gyms with good energy. And 46% say fitness ads that dwell on the grind of the gym are a turnoff.

The company has tapped Goldstein as the first Les Mills Happiness Ambassador, hoping his snarling face might help it sell the physiological, mental and social benefits  including joy  that come along with the companys science-backed workouts.

Les Mills shot the two-minute ad, created by nice&frank, on location in New Zealand. Directed by Andreas Nilsson, the spot highlights Goldstein breaking out of his sadness workout. It also features Acushla-Tara Kupe, a Mori actor, in her commercial debut.

To win a shot at becoming the next Happiness Ambassador, applicants must submit an essay explaining why they should be chosen. Les Mills plans to announce the two winners next month.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 27, 2023

Snapchat can't be sued for allegedly designing its service in a way that enabled a teacher to groom, and ultimately sexually abuse, one of her students, a federal appellate court said Monday.

In a three-page opinion, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a trial judge's determination that Snapchat was immune from liability under Section 230 of the communications Decency Act -- which protects web sites from lawsuits over content posted by users.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought on behalf of a high-school student who was sexually assaulted by his science teacher, Bonnie Guess-Mazock. She allegedly groomed the student by sending him sexually explicit material through Snapchat.

The student sued Snapchat last year for allegedly designing its service negligently, and failing to monitor the platform in a way that would protect minors from sexual predators who are drawn to the Snapchat application by the privacy assurances granted by the disappearing messages feature of the application. (The student also sued Guess-Mazock and the school district. )

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U.S. District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal in Houston threw out the student's lawsuit against Snapchat last year, ruling that the company was protected by Section 230.

Rosenthal said that the claims, while fashioned as negligence claims, were attempts to hold Snap liable for the messages exchanged between Guess-Mazock and the teen.

The student then appealed to the 5th Circuit, arguing that Section 230 shouldn't protect Snap. Attorneys for the student acknowledged that other courts had ruled in favor of web platforms in prior cases, but argued that those cases were wrongly decided.

Contrary to the current controlling precedent, Section 230 was not intended to completely insulate powerful social media companies from accountability when they choose to be more than mere conduits of information and instead facilitate exploitation and selectively monitor users content for their own profit, the attorneys wrote.

The 5th Circuit rejected that argument on Monday, calling it contrary to the law of our circuit.

Santa Clara University law professor Eric Goldman noted last year that Snapchat may not have had the legal right to monitor messages that were exchanged between the teacher and student -- in which case Snapchat could only have protected the student by preventing him (and any minor) from having an account.

Snapchat and other major social platforms still face a class-action complaint in California, brought by dozens of parents, teenagers and others who are claiming that social platforms designed their services to be addictive, and then served minors with potentially harmful content that other users had posted.
Males are more inclined to be affected with annular pancreas than females.

Annular pancreas occurs in newborns at a rate of 1 in 50,000 births. Obstruction of the duodenum is commonly observed in infants. In adults, besides obstruction of the duodenum, the other associated conditions that trigger the symptoms, include peptic ulcers , pancreatitis, and rarely, obstructive jaundice.

Annular pancreas is a rare condition that develops at birth. Although some newborns suffer at the onset, the symptoms go unnoticed in most cases and may manifest in adulthood. Annular pancreas occurs when the pancreas blocks the duodenum (part of the small intestine that involves digestion), completely or partially, by encircling it. The duodenum is obstructed (stenosis) and partially digested food may be unable to pass through the small intestine.

Annular pancreas is a congenital condition, which means the condition occurs at birth. Annular pancreas is due to flaws in pancreatic growth in the 4th month of embryological development. The malformation of the pancreas causes one part of the developing pancreas to rotate incompletely with the duodenum. The pancreas forms a ring structure around the duodenum. If a partial incomplete ring is formed, then there is no constriction of the duodenum. This occurs in 75% of the cases. If the ring is complete, then the duodenum is constricted. This is seen in 25% of the cases.

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The signs and symptoms vary based on the age of the individual.

Newborns are unable to feed well and spit up food more often than usual.

Adults experience the following symptoms:

Pain in the abdomen due to cramps

Nausea

Vomiting blood

Stuffed feeling after eating

Obstructed biliary gland

Obstructed duodenum

Loss in weight

Peptic ulcers

Pancreatitis

Even if the pancreas completely encircles the duodenum, peptic ulcers and pancreatitis may prevent food from passing through the duodenum.

Your physician will examine the clinical symptoms and recommend imaging to confirm the diagnosis. The upper gastrointestinal series (upper GI) is the preferred site of imaging.

To ensure correct diagnosis, imaging techniques are useful to diagnose annular pancreas. Ultrasound imaging of the fetus can detect a dilated duodenum and complications in the development of the pancreas. Abdominal radiographs show a double bubble sign to indicate obstruction in the duodenum. However, in some cases, a barium meal study and surgical exploration of the affected area help to confirm diagnosis.

Postnatal diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and imaging results.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is non-invasive but cannot accurately detect annular pancreas if the pancreatic duct is not dilated.

is non-invasive but cannot accurately detect annular pancreas if the pancreatic duct is not dilated. Computed tomography is another imaging technique used to diagnose annular pancreas.

is another imaging technique used to diagnose annular pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) - ERCP can accurately images the annular pancreatic duct that encircles the duodenum. However, the technique is invasive and may be unable to detect certain cases of obstructed duodenum. Besides ERCP could cause pancreatitis.

Treatment strategy should be personalized and cater to the individuals requirements based on the diagnosis.

Surgery is the best way to treat annular pancreas.

In severe cases of duodenum obstruction in children and adults, duodenum bypass is performed.

Duodenojejunostomy and Duodenoduodenostomy are recommended methods of surgery in adults and children, respectively.

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In a rare subtype of annular pancreas, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and the patient did not experience any complications following the surgery. The patient had a unique case of the pancreatic duct and the bile duct, opening into the pyloric ring (the junction between the stomach and the duodenum). Pancreatoduodenectomy is performed only in cases complicated with pancreatitis.

Another rare case of annular pancreas was treated successfully with laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy.

Removing (resection) the pancreatic tissue is rarely performed because of the complications involved in the procedure, e.g. reduced permanent cure rate, pancreatitis, repeated obstruction of the duodenum, and reduced relief rate.

Annular pancreas is diagnosed due to symptoms that develop with associated conditions, such as gastrointestinal problems at birth, Down syndrome, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, and extra amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

Annular pancreas is a birth defect and hence cannot be prevented. It can be diagnosed before birth and appropriate management strategies may be adopted to deal with the condition.
Bacterial meningitis occurs in infants, children, and adults. Fever, stiffness of the neck, headache, and changes in mental capacity are the main symptoms.

The meninges are the membranes covering the spinal cord and the brain. When the meninges become swollen or inflamed, it results in meningitis.

In 1806, Vieusseux identified the organism causing the almost fatal condition of meningococcal meningitis. Bacterial meningitis is a bacterial infection of the meninges, resulting in swelling within the central nervous system (CNS).

An individual can die in as little as a few hours. However, most cases recover although they may be left with long-lasting handicaps, such as hearing impairment, learning difficulties, and damage to the brain.

The etiology varies according to the age of the patient.

In newborn infants, bacterial meningitis is caused most often by:

Escherichia coli

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus)

Streptococcus pneumoniae (by chance)

In children, bacterial meningitis results from:

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Neisseria meningitides

Haemophilus influenzae (only in non-vaccinated children)

In adults, bacterial meningitis is caused by:

Neisseria meningitides

Listeria monocytogenes (immunocompromised individuals; old age)

(immunocompromised individuals; old age) Streptococcus pneumonia

Staphylococcus aureus (endocarditis) & Haemophilus influenzae (sinusitis, otitis)

The following factors increase the risk of contracting meningitis infection:

Presence of sinus or middle ear infection

Age (< 5 or > 60)

Persons who have undergone spleen removal  since spleen is a major immune organ

Co-morbidities (HIV, sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer)

Malnutrition

Alcoholism

Missing routine vaccinations

Pregnancy  increases the risk of Listeria infection

Persons living away from home accommodations such as college hostels, military bases boarding school or foster care facilities where the infection can easily spread.

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The main symptoms of bacterial meningitis in 95% of adults are:

Fever

Headache

Changes in mental function

Neck stiffness

There may also be

Swelling of the brain parenchyma (meningoencephalitis)

Swelling of the spinal cord

Swelling of the ventricles in the brain (ventriculitis)

Vomiting, heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia) (signs of meningeal irritation)

Seizures

Consciousness is altered

Coma

A few of the adults will exhibit neck stiffness, changes in mental function, and fever together but this is frequently observed in pneumococcal meningitis rather than in meningococcal meningitis.

In infants, the symptoms are not very specific. They may present with one of the following symptoms:

Feeding poorly

Irritability

Fever

Lethargy

Vomiting

Bulging fontanelles may be present in the presence of raised intracranial pressure

The symptoms present in older children are:

Neck stiffness with feeling of resistance when the doctor tries to bend the neck forward

Meningeal irritation accompanied by vomiting

Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Headache

Seizures have been reported in children especially in pneumococcal or Haemophilus influenzae meningitis.

Rashes aremainly observed in meningococcal infections.

Complications aremore likely to occur in untreated cases or when treatment is delayed. These include the following:

Blindness

Deafness

Seizures

Impairment of memory

Learning difficulties

Difficulty in walking

Weakness or paralysis of limbs

Kidney failure

Shock

Death

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To diagnose bacterial meningitis, the following tests are recommended.

Lumbar puncture to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for analysis and Gram-staining

CSF cultures, is recommended.

In bacterial meningitis, CSF biochemical analysis reveals

A high white blood cell count (<500 cells/ml)

High protein content

Increased neutrophils (80% - 95%)

Reduced glucose content

Increased lactate content

A Gram stain of the CSF and culture reveals the organism in most cases.

A primary source of infection should be ruled out such as sinus inflammation, ear infection and a chest x-ray to rule out lung infection.

Blood cultures are also performed especially when there is a delay in obtaining CSF

However, Gram-staining CSF cultures, is nearly 90% accurate as compared with just 50% accuracy in blood cultures.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP)  This test is useful to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis. A normal CRP excludes the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with 99% accuracy.

Diagnostic imaging

A CT scan of the brain should be done before attempting a lumbar puncture in cases of altered sensorium, swelling of the optic discs, new onset seizures, focal neurological deficits or immunocompromised persons to rule out brain abscess or swelling of the brain.

Brain imaging may also reveal any underlying complications such as death of brain tissue, brain swelling or hydrocephalus (increased CSF in the brain).

In cases of suspected meningitis, the person is admitted to the hospital for further investigations and for administering intravenous antibiotics.

The person may be kept in a darkened room as there may be light sensitivity in meningitis.

Intravenous fluids are administered to prevent dehydration and shock.

Until the results of the diagnostic tests come in, patients are administered medications (empirical) based on suspected meningitis. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are administered in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

1. Corticosteroids  Dexamethasone is the prescribed treatment for children (0.15 mg/kg for 2 to 4 days every 6 hours) and adults (10 mg for 4 days every 6 hours). Dexamethasone should be administered at least 10 to 20 minutes prior to the start of antibiotic therapy. It is not recommended giving dexamethasone later as it is ineffective. Infants are not prescribed dexamethasone.

2. Analgesics  Headaches are treated with analgesics, such as opioids.

3. Antibiotics  Antibiotics need to be prescribed immediately even before the diagnostic tests are verified. Antibiotics should be given based on the medical history of the patient (e.g. Age and any prior medical condition).

A patient suspected with meningococcus should be isolated in the first 24 hours of treatment. If the condition does not improve, then a CT scan and lumbar puncture should be repeated.

The antibiotic course varies depending on the type of bacterial infection.

Uncomplicated meningococcal meningitis  5 days to a week

Enterobacteriaceae, Listeria monocytogenes  3 to 4 weeks

4. Anti-epileptic treatments are administered for seizures.

Haemophilus influenzae is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. Pneumococci infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.

is no longer a risk in developed countries due to effective vaccination programs. infections have also been controlled with effective vaccination. However, pneumococcal strains have developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Neisseria meningitidis is now the main infecting organism of bacterial meningitis in developing countries as well as in Europe and the US. There are vaccines for N. meningitidis to prevent infections.

Pregnant women should get themselves tested for group B Streptococcus and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby.

and take the required antibiotics during labor to prevent transmission to the baby. Persons at risk who should be vaccinated include infants, the elderly, those with a weak immune system and persons who have undergone splenectomy.

Avoid contact with -

People who are infected with meningitis



Cigarette smoke or smoking

Antibiotic prophylaxis of family members in close contact with someone who has meningitis.

Neisseria meningitidis Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis" title="Vaccines Can Prevent Bacterial Meningitis">

With prompt attention and if the condition is treated in its early stages, most people recover. However, it is estimated that there is a 10% mortality rate. Some persons who recover may have residual neurological deficits such as loss of vision or hearing, onset of seizures, and weakness or paralysis of limbs.
Cervical dysplasia is a condition where there is growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix .

This is a pre-cancerous condition as it can in some patients develop into cervical cancer.

Female Genital Tract  In Brief

The female reproductive system consists of uterus (womb) and ovaries and is present in the lower abdomen and pelvic area. Fallopian tubes connect ovaries to upper portion of uterus. The lower portion of uterus is called the cervix. Cervix opens into the vagina.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection - Main reason for cervical dysplasia. Majority of HPV strains are harmless. Types 6, 11 cause genital warts and types 16, 18 cause cervical dysplasia. HPV infection is normally asymptomatic. Most strains resolve within 6 months of infection, but some persist and can cause cervical dysplasia.

- Main reason for cervical dysplasia. Majority of HPV strains are harmless. Types 6, 11 cause genital warts and types 16, 18 cause cervical dysplasia. HPV infection is normally asymptomatic. Most strains resolve within 6 months of infection, but some persist and can cause cervical dysplasia. HIV infection - HIV positive women whose CD4 cells are low are susceptible for getting HPV infection and cervical dysplasia. Low CD4 cells imply low immunity of the body.

- HIV positive women whose CD4 cells are low are susceptible for getting HPV infection and cervical dysplasia. Low CD4 cells imply low immunity of the body. Reduced immunity status - Women undergoing chemotherapy, having cancer, TB, on anti-organ rejection drugs etc. are more prone to develop HPV infections and subsequently cervical dysplasia. Poor nutrition can also reduce immunity.

- Women undergoing chemotherapy, having cancer, TB, on anti-organ rejection drugs etc. are more prone to develop HPV infections and subsequently cervical dysplasia. Poor nutrition can also reduce immunity. Having multiple sexual partners

Engaging in sexual activity before 18 years of age

Occurrence of other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, Cigarette smoking

Oral contraceptives: This is due to inhibition of folic acid metabolism in cervical cells (Folic acid reverses cervical dysplasia).

Cervical dysplasia does not usually cause any symptoms. It is found incidentally on Pap smear.

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Some patients may have following symptoms:

Bleeding in between menstrual periods (intermenstrual bleeding /spotting).

Bleeding during/after sexual intercourse (Post coital bleeding)

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Low back pain

Lower abdominal pain

Genital warts

As cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer occur over a period of time, regular screening by Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is recommended.

The American Cancer Society recommends Pap smear for all women when they reach 21 years of age. If result is negative, it should be repeated every 3 years until the woman reaches 65 years of age. If test result is abnormal it should be repeated at 6-12 months and further diagnostic tests should be done to diagnose cervical dysplasia.

How is Pap smear Done?

It is an outpatient procedure without any anesthesia. A speculum is first inserted into the vagina. With the help of a brush or spatula, cells from outside the cervix are scrapped. These cells are smeared on a slide and studied under the microscope to look for abnormal cells.

Women who have unclear, borderline or abnormal results on Pap smear will have to undergo further diagnostic tests.

Colposcopy: The doctor uses a bright light and a special microscope which is inserted into vagina to visualize the cervix, vagina and vulva. Diluted acetic acid is applied first to cervix. Under the bright light normal tissue appears pink and abnormal areas appear white

The doctor uses a bright light and a special microscope which is inserted into vagina to visualize the cervix, vagina and vulva. Diluted acetic acid is applied first to cervix. Under the bright light normal tissue appears pink and abnormal areas appear white Cervical biopsy: A small tissue sample is taken from the white areas during colposcopy. This is then sent to laboratory for examination by pathologist.

A small tissue sample is taken from the white areas during colposcopy. This is then sent to laboratory for examination by pathologist. HPV DNA typing: Swab of cervical cells is taken to differentiate between high risk and low risk strains.

Staging of cervical dysplasia is done to evaluate the degree of the abnormal changes. It is done by examining the Pap smear or tissue obtained by biopsy microscopically.

Bethesda system and CIN grading system are the two systems used:

Bethesda system is based on Pap smear results . Here dysplasia is described as Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL). The thin flat cells on the outer surface of the cervix are called Squamous Cells. When normal cells of the cervix are replaced by abnormal cells, it is called intraepithelial lesion. The different grades are:

. Here dysplasia is described as Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL). The thin flat cells on the outer surface of the cervix are called Squamous Cells. When normal cells of the cervix are replaced by abnormal cells, it is called intraepithelial lesion. The different grades are: ASCUS  Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance: Borderline Stage - shows few abnormal cells.



LGSIL  Low Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion: Mildly abnormal changes.



HGSIL  High Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions: Moderate-severe abnormal changes; also associated with Pre-cancer and cancer.

CIN grading system is based on cervical tissue biopsy results . CIN means Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, which are the actual abnormal changes in the cervical cells.

. CIN means which are the actual abnormal changes in the cervical cells. Atypia: Co-relates with the ASCUS stage of Bethesda system.



CIN-1: Mild dysplastic changes, co-relates with LGSIL.



CIN-2: moderate dysplastic changes, co-relates with HGSIL.



CIN-3: severe dysplastic changes, co-relates with HGSIL.



Carcinoma in-situ stage: Pre-cancerous stage



Cervical cancer stage

Treatment depends on the severity of dysplasia and presence of risk factors

ASCUS, LGSIL/CIN: Often resolves spontaneously. Sometimes it may persist or may progress to CIN-2. HPV typing can be done. If the HPV typing reveals a low risk strain, then Pap smear is repeated every 3-6 months. If it is a high risk viral strain, then colposcopy and biopsy are done and managed further.

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HGSIL/CIN-2 and CIN-3: These require treatment to clear the abnormal tissue. The treatment options are:

Cryocauterization: A probe cooled with liquid nitrous oxide is used to freeze and destroy the abnormal cells. This is an outpatient procedure, anesthesia is not required. It is a safe and simple procedure, and the procedure lasts around 10-20 minutes. Recovery is within 1-2 days. The patient may have watery vaginal discharge for a few days. One disadvantage is tissue cannot be sent for biopsy.

Carbon-di-oxide laser photo ablation: An invisible beam of light is used to destroy the abnormal tissue. This is an outpatient procedure; it lasts for about 20 minutes. Local anesthesia is given. It is more precise than Cryocauterization as the depth of removing the tissues can be controlled. It is a safe procedure; recovery is within 1-2 days. Similar to cryocauterization, the patient has vaginal discharge and biopsy cant be taken.

Electro cauterization/LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure): High frequency and low voltage radio waves are passed through a metal loop. This electrically charged loop is used to cut through the abnormal tissue. It can be done as an outpatient procedure but under local anesthesia. It is a safe procedure, and recovery is within 2 days. The procedure lasts for about 30 minutes. Accurate diagnosis is possible as tissue sample is sent for biopsy. If all the abnormal cells are completely removed, then patient does not need further procedures.

Cone Biopsy: A cone shaped sample of abnormal tissue is removed from the cervix. This is carried out for high grade dysplasia, recurrent dysplasia, cervical pre-cancer and cervical cancer. This is done in operating theatre, under spinal or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 45 minutes; recovery period is within 1 week. Usually the woman notices bloody/yellowy vaginal discharge and abdominal cramps for a few days after the procedure. Accurate diagnosis is possible as tissue is sent for biopsy. If biopsy reveals complete removal of abnormal tissue then further procedures are not needed.

Hysterectomy - Uterus and cervix are surgically removed with or without conservation of ovaries. This is carried out in cervical pre-cancer, cervical cancer, high grade dysplasia and recurrent dysplasia. This is a major surgery, and done in operating theatre under spinal or general anesthesia. It can be done either through abdominal route or through vaginal route or through laparoscopy. The procedure may take 1-2 hours, recovery period is 6 weeks. Woman usually has vaginal discharge, abdominal pain and wound related problems due to surgery. There can be complications from surgery too.

Cervical dysplasia when untreated can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical dysplasia once treated can recur in some patients. Hence all cervical dysplasia patients need regular follow up, and recurrence of dysplasia needs additional treatment.

Can Cervical dysplasia be Prevented?

A vaccine called Gardasil has been developed which acts against 4 serious strains of HPV  2 strains causing 70 % of cervical dysplasia/cancer and 2 against HPV. This vaccine has been approved to be given in female children and women between 9-26 years of age. Another vaccine Cervarix acts against 2 HPV strains.

Get regular Pap smears  once every 3 years if result is normal.

Practice safe sex, use condoms to prevent contracting STD.

Eat healthy, well balanced and nutritious food with plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish as this helps to prevent cervical dysplasia.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also called BPH, is a condition where a mans prostate enlarges. It is also called benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign prostatic obstruction. It is not cancer neither does it increase the risk of cancer. This condition happens with age, primarily in men above 50 years of age.

Prostate is a small gland in the pelvis region, found only in males. It is located under the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. It makes prostate fluid which is part of the semen and is essential for a mans fertility.

As the prostate enlarges, it squeezes the urethra. As the urethra becomes narrow, it has to work hard to empty out. This causes the bladder walls to become thick, which causes the bladder to contract even when it contains a small amount of urine leading to loss of bladder control. The hormone related to testosterone, known as dihydroxy testosterone or DHT, plays an important role in causing BPH.

BPH is not a serious or life-threatening disease. However, if left untreated, it can lead to complications like:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Blood in the urine

Bladder damage

Bladder stones and

Kidney damage

The symptoms of BPH can be similar to symptoms of prostate cancer.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are the most common symptoms associated with BPH.

These include:

weak direction of urine

dribbling after urination

strain or discomfort while passing urine

need to pass urine multiple times during the night

an urgent feeling to urinate

urinary incontinence

urine which has unusual smell or color

Urinary retention caused due to blocked urethra can also be caused because of taking cold and allergy medications which contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine. These medications prevent the bladder neck from relaxing and thus hinder in releasing urine.

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If one observes severe symptoms like pain in back, side or abdomen, pain or discomfort when passing urine or cloudy or bloody urine, the physician must be contacted as these may require immediate attention.

The treatment options for BPH would depend on the severity of the symptoms.

The options include:

Lifestyle changes:

As soon as one starts getting urinary problems, one must first try to make lifestyle changes to get relief from the symptoms. These include:

reducing or eliminating the intake of alcohol, caffeine, antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine), artificial sweeteners and decongestants (e.g. pseudoephedrine)

going to the bathroom immediately with the first urge

reducing fluid intake before going to sleep

control blood sugar, as it helps reduce frequent urination

Medications:

If the symptoms persist or worsen, one must consider treatment with drugs, after consulting a health provider.

Catheters:

These are recommended when there is chronic urine retention.

Surgery:

Generally, surgery is not required for men suffering from BPH. If none of the treatment options work, then surgery may be performed, to remove part or the full prostate gland.

There are four broad classes of drugs used to treat enlarged prostate:

Alpha-blockers (also called as alpha-1-receptor blockers):

These are generally the first line of treatment as they act immediately, providing relief from urinary problems in days or a few weeks time. They relax the muscles around the bottom of the bladder making it easy for passage of urine.

Some of the approved drugs include:

Alfuzosin

Doxazosin

Tamsulosin

Terazosin

Silodosin

Tamsulosin is the most commonly used drug for BPH.

Alpha blockers reach their maximum effect within a months time.

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (5ARIs): These are also known as androgen reducing compounds or enzyme inhibitors.

These drugs block the production of hormone dihydrotestosterone that causes the prostate to enlarge. They help in slowing the growth of prostate or shrink the prostate. When the prostate becomes smaller again, it no longer pushes against the bladder and urethra as much.

These can take several months to provide relief with the maximum effect usually reached after about six months.

The two main drugs under this category include:

Finasteride  the most commonly used drug

Dutasteride  this is also prescribed in combination with Tamsulosin

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Anti-cholinergics:

These medications help relax the muscles in the bladder and urinary tract. These are less commonly used for treating BPH and are less effective too. At times, these are used to treat overactive bladder syndrome or incontinence. Hence, they might be more suitable for men who have any of these conditions along with an enlarged prostate.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors:

Tadalafil is the most commonly prescribed drug under this category. It is approved for erectile dysfunction. The US FDA has now included BPH in the approved indications of Tadalafil. It relaxes the muscles in prostate and around the opening of bladder, making it easy to urinate.

Some medications used to treat BPH may have side effects which could be serious. Hence, one must contact the healthcare provider immediately on observing any of the following symptoms.

Shortness of breath

Rash

Itching

Chest pain

Swelling of eyes, face, arms or lower legs

Sudden decrease or loss of hearing

The common side effects of different categories of drugs are:

Alpha-blockers:

The most common side effects of alpha-blockers are reduced semen during ejaculation (dry orgasm), erectile dysfunction, upset stomach, headache, stuffy or runny nose and low blood pressure.

Alpha-blockers are also given to reduce high blood pressure. Hence caution must be used when given along with other hypertension medications or impotence drugs, as both these medications have blood pressure lowering effect. Also, blood pressure should also be monitored in patients who are on alpha blockers but who do not have hypertension.

Tamsulosin and Terazosin may cause dizziness or fainting due to low blood pressure.

These drugs can also affect the pupils; hence, the eye surgeon must be informed before cataract surgery.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors:

These drugs may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. The most common side effect of ARIs are decreased sex drive, ejaculation problems, decreased ability to get an erection and enlarged mammary glands.

These medications also reduce the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in blood. Hence, patients who take these inhibitors for BPH, must inform their health care providers, before doing any PSA test.

Anti-cholinergics:

Side effects of these drugs include blurred vision, constipation, dry eyes, indigestion and urinary tract infections. If men suffering from weak urine flow take these drugs, the problems can worsen.

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor:

Side effects of Tadalafil include headaches, indigestion, back pain and itching or swelling in nose (rhinitis).

The men suffering from BPH must follow these recommendations to manage BPH.
Enterocolitis means inflammation in the digestive tract including both the small intestine and the large intestine or colon. The word Enteritis specifically refers to an inflammation of the small intestine and the word colitis specifically refers to inflammation of the large intestine. It occurs in both adults and children but infants and pre-term babies are more commonly affected.

Enterocolitis may be caused by a variety of infectious agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. It is often caused by eating or drinking contaminated foods.

Bacterial agents include: Salmonella, E.coli, and Shigella.

Viral agents include: Rotaviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses.

Parasitic agents may cause giardiasis, and amebic dysentery.

Enterocolitis may also be caused by:

An autoimmune condition, such as Crohns disease.

Medications or drugs including ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and cocaine.

Damage from radiation therapy.

Celiac disease.

Immunno-suppressed patients.

The common signs and symptoms of Enterocolitis include:

Diarrhea

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Abdominal cramps and pain

Pain, bleeding, or mucus-like discharge from the rectum

Fever

Tiredness

Swollen abdomen

There are different types of enterocolitis, distinctive in their symptoms and the mode of causes. They are as follows:

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1. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

It is one of the most frequently occurring diseases in neonates or pre-term births. It occurs in 510% of very low birth weight infants (less than 1500 gms). Statistics show mortality rates ranging from 15% to 30% in infants. It is commonly described as inflammation accompanied by the death of tissues in the lining of the intestine. The etiology generally includes formula feeding, genetic variations, intestinal immaturity, altered microvascular tone, abnormal microbial growth and highly immune-reactive intestinal mucosa. Study show that histologic Chorioamnionitis (Inflammation of fetal membranes) is associated with a 2.5 times higher risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. Early signs include dilated loops of bowel, a paucity of gas, and gas-filled loops of bowel that may progress rapidly as abdominal discoloration and intestinal perforation.

2. Antibiotic-associated enterocolitis (also known as Pseudo-membranous colitis)

Antibiotic therapy is widely used today for the prevention of a number of diseases, but it is associated with a major risk factor for the development of diarrhea and colitis. The use of antibiotics may result in severe depletion of the endogenous gastrointestinal microbiota. These microbiotas are helpful in breaking down and digesting food, and their deficiency creates an environment for bacteria such as Clostridia difficile and Klebsiella oxytoca to infect. The bacterium releases a toxin that causes inflammation and bleeding in the lining of colon and also alters the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics like Methotrexate, Dexamethasone and Prednisolone have been reported to cause antibiotic-associated enterocolitis.

3. Hemorrhagic enterocolitis

This type of enterocolitis is so named due to its usual manifestation as bloody diarrhea. E.coli mainly cause a severe infection in both young children and geriatric patients who have an increased attack rate for E. coli infection. The bacterium adheres to the intestinal mucosa and produces cytotoxins (also referred as Shiga-like toxins). It can spread by touching an infected animal, eating or drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk.

4. Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC)

It is a life-threatening complication of Hirschsprung disease which usually manifests as abdominal distension, foully diarrhea, along with emesis, fever, lethargy, and even shock. Failure to recognize HD in the early perinatal period may increase the risk of HAEC in children.

To confirm a diagnosis of enterocolitis, the following examinations or tests may be used:

Physical examination

During the exam, the doctor examines the babys abdomen to check for swelling, pain, and tenderness.

Stool culture or stool tests

A stool culture is done to determine the type of infection. Other stool tests used are:

Gram stain of stool

Fecal smear

Stool ova and parasites exam

Serological tests

These tests help to check for antibodies in the blood that can cause various disease conditions. They can involve a number of laboratory techniques. Different types of serologic markers including C-reactive protein, platelet-activating factor and intestinal fatty acid binding protein are used in the diagnosis. Complete blood count is also used to check the presence of neutropenia. Blood culture also helps to find out any fungal infection that may cause sepsis.

Abdominal ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasonography is a useful tool in an early detection of complications. It gives clear insight of bowel wall i.e. its thickening or thinning, reduced peristalsis or disturbed bowel wall perfusion. It also helps to determine the exact status of intra-abdominal fluid. Bowel wall thickening of more than 5mm has been reported to cause a higher mortality rate.

Imaging techniques

The doctor may also opt for an imaging technique. CT scan allows checking for thickening in the cecum, pericecal inflammation, and an air-filled perforation. Abdominal radiographs have been widely used for diagnosing neutropenic enterocolitis.

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If symptoms are severe then the patient is at an increased risk of dehydration. Especially infants and young children are more vulnerable to dehydration. So, one should contact a medical professional immediately in case of following symptoms:

Dehydration

Diarrhea that does not go away in 3-4 days

Fever over 101 degrees F

Blood in the stools

In general, patients with enterocolitis require a therapy of broad-spectrum antibiotics and IV fluid resuscitation. Immediate medical management and introduction of antibiotic treatment is a crucial measure to decrease morbidity and mortality in patients infected with enterocolitis.

In the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis, cessation of formula feedings, nasogastric decompression, and intravenous fluid resuscitation are commonly used.

Nasogastric decompression- In this technique, a nasogastric tube is used to decompress the stomach and remove gas and fluid from it. Gastric lavage basically irrigates the stomach and helps to remove ingested toxins.

Intravenous fluid resuscitation- It is an effective therapy in case of dehydration as a result of enterocolitis. It compensates the loss of fluid and maintains electrolyte balance in the body.

In the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-associated enterocolitis use of non-pathogenic living organisms has been reported which are capable of re-establishing the equilibrium of the intestinal ecosystem. For example, S. boulardii has shown its effectiveness and safety by decreasing significantly the occurrence of C. difficile colitis and preventing the pathogenic effects of toxins.

has shown its effectiveness and safety by decreasing significantly the occurrence of colitis and preventing the pathogenic effects of toxins. Antibiotics and antimicrobials are important therapies in case of Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis. Drugs like Ampicillin, Gentamicin and Metronidazole are widely used. In case of recurrent Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis, Sodium cromoglycate (a mast cell stabilizer) has been reported to give positive results.

Surgical treatments - Despite medical management and supportive care, operative management is needed when the symptoms are severe, which includes either laparotomy or placement of a percutaneous peritoneal drain. In peritoneal drainage technique a permanent peritoneal catheter is used to remove abdominal fluids and reduce symptoms. In laparotomy, a surgical incision is done in the abdominal cavity. Through laparoscopy the abdominal cavity can be examined closely and proper treatment can be done.

The following measures are helpful in the prevention of enterocolitis:
Exotropia is a common form of strabismus or squint (a failure of the two eyes to maintain proper alignment). It is an outward deviation of the eyes that may occur while fixating distance or near objects or both. Exotropia can occur at any age but it is more common in early childhood between 1-4 years of age. Exotropia is more common in Asia, in contrast to convergent squint or inward deviation of the eyes (esotropia) which is more common in the west.

Strabismus or squint refers to ocular misalignment. 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 patient)

Fusion (Separate and slightly dissimilar 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, duration of squint, age at which squint develops and depending on whether it is an intermittent squint or a constant squint.

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Exotropia may be broadly classified into two classes: Comitant and Incomitant

Comitant or incomitant Type Features Comitant (degree of deviation constant in all directions of gaze) Infantile Manifests within the first year of life Often associated with ocular disorders (such as ptosis, albinism, retinoblastoma, cataracts and 3rd cranial nerve paralysis), and systemic disorders (such as prematurity, cerebral palsy, seizure disorder and hydrocephalus). Treatment is by surgical correction. Intermittent exotropia Most common form of exotropia. Discussed in detail below. Sensory exotropia Occurs as a result of poor vision in one eye, and can occur at any age. The causes for sensory exotropia can be varied  ptosis (drooping of eyelid to obstruct vision, cloudiness of the cornea, cataract, tumors like retinoblastoma, optic nerve defects, refractive errors. Consecutive exotropia Occurs after surgery for a convergent squint (esotropia). Incomitant (deviation varies in different directions of gaze) Paralytic exotropia Central nervous system disorders such as tumors, Third nerve paralysis, Disorders of the muscles moving the eyes such as thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis. Restriction of movement of the eyes resulting in ocular misalignment Tumors in the orbit, Fibrosis of muscles moving the eyes, Duanes syndrome

The treatment of incomitant deviations consists of treatment of the primary condition.

Intermittent Exotropia -

This is the most common form of exotropia and accounts for about 5090% of all the exotropia and affects about 1% of the general population.The onset of intermittent exotropia is usually between 12 months and 4 years of age. In children, exotropia may be preceded by exophoria (latent divergent squint), and the eye turn might only be visible during stressful situations such as fatigue, illness or stress. Closure of one eye in bright sunlight is another feature of intermittent exotropia. In adults, it can manifest as a result of consuming alcohol or sedatives.

Initially the exotropia manifests on only while viewing distant objects; later the exotropia for near also increases. Intermittent exotropia may remain stable, or may evolve to constant exotropia. Constant exotropia can lead to variable degrees of diminished binocular function and lazy eye.

Major Risk Factors for Squint Prematurity

Central nervous system impairment

Low birth weight

Family history of squint (usually same type is present)

Refractive error

If the outward deviation is more for distance fixation than for near , it is called the divergence excess type of exotropia.

If the deviation is more for near than for distance vision, it is referred to as the convergence insufficiency type of exotropia.

If little or no difference is noted between near and distance deviation, it is called the basic type of exotropia.

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Mostly the first signs of exotropia appear during childhood. The common symptoms include:

Decreased vision, either due to refractive error, disorder in the eye,or due to suppression

Outward deviation of the eyes

Reduced binocular function

Photosensitivity or increased sensitivity to bright light

Double vision if the exotropia is intermittent.

Suppression of image in the deviating eye to prevent double vision and confusion. 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 deviation is obvious and patient presents mainly with this symptom. Do not confuse exotropia with the transient outward wandering of the eyes that occurs in about 60-70% of normal newborns, and which resolves by 6 months of age.

Visual acuity measurement- Visual acuity might be normal or abnormal. 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 require 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.

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, blood vessels, and other features:

It is also referred to as fundoscopy, and is used to view the eye's interior portion, involving assessment of the retina, optic nerve, blood vessels, and other features: Measurement of the amount of deviation



Assessment of movement of the eyes in various directions of gaze



Check for double vision, and if present, determine the type



Determine the degree of binocular vision that is present 



Check for ability of fusion of the images of the 2 eyes





Check for depth perception





Check for suppression





Check for abnormal retinal correspondence

Exotropia 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 exotropia. Some eye doctors prescribe additional minus lenses to stimulate accommodation (which is always accompanied by convergence ) to help in controlling the outward deviation. This may be useful in delaying surgery in some people.

- 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 exotropia. Some eye doctors prescribe additional minus lenses to stimulate accommodation (which is always accompanied by convergence ) to help in controlling the outward deviation. This may be useful in delaying surgery in some people. Orthoptic treatment makes use of fusional training exercises. Small intermittent deviations respond better than large and constant deviations.

makes use of fusional training exercises. Small intermittent deviations respond better than large and constant deviations. Occlusion technique: This technique is beneficial for use in very young children.

Patching the dominant eye or alternate patching of either eye is performed to interrupt and reduce the progression of the exotropia. Continued part-time patching (2-4 hours per day) helps the brain stop using abnormal neurological pathways while encouraging the normal neurological pathway. This technique is not usually effective for long, and in some patients can result in progression of the exotropia.

Prism therapy- Base-in-prisms (prisms incorporated into spectacles with the base of the prism towards the nose) 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.

Following points may help to prevent or worsen Exotropia:

Routine eye check-ups to detect latent squint, refractive errors and application of corrective measures.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD), also known as Perthes Disease or Legg-Perthes Disease is a childhood bone disorder in which the blood supply to the head of the femur (thigh bone) is temporarily interrupted. Due to lack of blood flow, the head of the femur (the "ball" of the ball-and-socket joint of the hip) dies by a process called osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis (AVN) . As the disease progresses, the head of the femur gradually begins to break apart. Over time, the blood supply to the femoral head is restored and the head eventually grows back. The entire process of bone death, degeneration and regeneration can take up to several years.

Nomenclature

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is named after three physicians, namely, Arthur Legg, Jacques Calve, and Georg Perthes, who in 1910 independently recognized the symptoms and provided a comprehensive description of the disease.

Epidemiology

The incidence of LCPD ranges between 0.4/100,000 to 29.0/100,000 children below 15 years of age. There is variability in the incidence or probability of occurrence and is more prevalent in white populations and in lower socioeconomic groups. LCPD usually occurs in the age group of 4-8 years (average 6.5 years). However, in Indian children, the average age is 9.5 years. The disease is 5 times more common in boys than girls, although greater bone damage occurs in girls. In 10-15% of cases, both hips are affected.

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What are the Four Stages of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease?

The four stages of LCPD are briefly described below:

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) or Initial Stage: In this stage the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted and the bone dies by AVN. The area becomes intensely inflamed and the child experiences pain and may start limping. This stage can last for several months.

In this stage the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted and the bone dies by AVN. The area becomes intensely inflamed and the child experiences pain and may start limping. This stage can last for several months. Fragmentation or Resorptive Stage: In this stage, which can extend for 1-2 years, the body removes the dead bone tissue. As a result, the femoral head becomes weakened and begins to break up.

In this stage, which can extend for 1-2 years, the body removes the dead bone tissue. As a result, the femoral head becomes weakened and begins to break up. Reossification Stage: In this stage, the bone starts to regenerate and builds up the head of the femur. This stage is the longest and lasts for several years.

In this stage, the bone starts to regenerate and builds up the head of the femur. This stage is the longest and lasts for several years. Remodeling or Healed Stage: In this stage the ossification is almost complete and the femoral head attains its final shape through a process called bone remodeling. The degree of roundness achieved depends on several factors, including the degree of fragmentation that initially took place, as well as the age of the child when the disease process started. The younger the age, the better the ability to regenerate the bone.

The exact cause of LCPD is unknown. However, it has been associated with epiphyseal dysplasia, trauma, toxic synovitis, steroid use, or slipped femur head. Moreover, some studies have suggested that inheritance or genetic factors could play a role. In fact, some cases of LCPD with autosomal dominant inheritance have been reported, with mutations in the COL2A1 gene.

The major symptoms experienced by children suffering from LCPD include the following:

Limping: This is one of the first symptoms, which may occur with or without pain.

This is one of the first symptoms, which may occur with or without pain. Pain: There may be pain in the hip, knee, thigh and/or groin.

There may be pain in the hip, knee, thigh and/or groin. Muscle Degeneration: There may be loss of muscle mass (muscle atrophy), in the thigh muscles. This can be accompanied by muscle spasms in the affected leg.

There may be loss of muscle mass (muscle atrophy), in the thigh muscles. This can be accompanied by muscle spasms in the affected leg. Restricted Mobility: There may be restricted movement in the hips, accompanied by inflammation of the membrane lining the hip joint (synovitis).

There may be restricted movement in the hips, accompanied by inflammation of the membrane lining the hip joint (synovitis). Short Stature: As the affected children become older, the length of their legs may differ (leg length discrepancy), leading to a short stature.

LCPD can be diagnosed by the following strategies:

Medical History: A detailed medical history of the child will be taken, especially to gather information whether there is a family history of the disease.

A detailed medical history of the child will be taken, especially to gather information whether there is a family history of the disease. Physical Exam: The doctor will carry out a thorough physical exam in order to assess the cause of the presenting symptoms, such as pain, limping and restricted mobility.

The doctor will carry out a thorough physical exam in order to assess the cause of the presenting symptoms, such as pain, limping and restricted mobility. X-Ray: Taking a standard X-ray of the upper end of the femur (capital femoral epiphysis) may reveal any abnormalities of the epiphysis. This will usually be sufficient to clinch the diagnosis.

Specialized Investigations: If in doubt, the doctor will order some specialized investigations. These may include the following:

If in doubt, the doctor will order some specialized investigations. These may include the following: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): In this imaging technique, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the upper end of the femur.

In this imaging technique, a magnetic field and radio waves are used to create cross-sectional images of the upper end of the femur.

Arthrography: In this technique, a contrast media is injected into the joint and imaged by radiography (X-rays) or in conjunction with fluoroscopy or MRI. The arthrogram provides a clear image of the soft tissues lining the joint, which helps to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the symptoms such as joint pain and/or inflammation.

In this technique, a contrast media is injected into the joint and imaged by radiography (X-rays) or in conjunction with fluoroscopy or MRI. The arthrogram provides a clear image of the soft tissues lining the joint, which helps to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the symptoms such as joint pain and/or inflammation.

Scintigraphy: In this procedure a radioactive substance is injected into the joint and a scintillation counter is used to pick-up the radiations to visualize the internal structure of the joint.

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Treatment involves the following strategies:

Medical Treatment: These include (i) medicines for pain management and reducing inflammation, (ii) physical therapy for increasing mobility, or (iii) using assistive devices like braces for providing support. However, these are useful for children below the age of 6 years.

These include (i) medicines for pain management and reducing inflammation, (ii) physical therapy for increasing mobility, or (iii) using assistive devices like braces for providing support. However, these are useful for children below the age of 6 years. Surgery: This is beneficial for children older than 6 years where the disease is more severe. The aim of surgery is to keep the head of the femur within the hip socket in order to maintain optimal mobility. The surgery is used to prevent the dislocation or collapse of the hip. The surgical procedure either tilts the ball so that it goes deeper into the socket, or rotates the socket so that it covers the ball better during walking. The surgeon may try both procedures simultaneously.

The prognosis for patients with LCPD depends on the degree of bone degeneration and associated deformity. Overall, the prognosis for recovery after treatment is very good for most children. Generally, diagnosis at a younger age is associated with a better outcome. In children diagnosed below the age of 5 years the chance of development of degenerative arthritis later in life is reportedly low, while diagnosis above 10 years of age increases the chances appreciably. Moreover, the more deformed the femoral head is during reossification, the greater is the chance of developing osteoarthritis of the hip later in life, which may sometimes require a total hip replacement.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart has an irregular and usually rapid heart rate or arrhythmia. This inhibits blood flow and circulation through the body, posing several health risks. Under normal circumstances the heart rate of a healthy individual at rest should be 60 to 100 beats a minute. If you suffer from atrial fibrillation however, the heart rate could be well over 140 beats per minute. The main difference however is not just the accelerated heart rate, but its irregularity.

Atrial fibrillation may arise as a temporary problem that comes and goes, but it could also be persistent in other cases and would require treatment. The condition may not pose any direct threat to your life but it can increase the risk of various life-threatening conditions. It should always be treated as a serious medical condition and in some situations, emergency treatment may actually be necessary.

Atrial fibrillation is classified into different types, depending on the extent to which it affects you:

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation  This refers to cases where the atrial fibrillation is episodic. The condition comes and goes of its own accord without any intervention, but treatment can be used to stop an episode as soon as it begins.

Persistent atrial fibrillation  This type of atrial fibrillation lasts for over a week and is unlikely to resolve without treatment. Treatment can help to restore normal heart rhythm, but the condition can recur at a later point.

Permanent atrial fibrillation - Atrial fibrillation cannot be resolved completely. Treatment may have been tried to restore normal heart beat but have been unsuccessful. The main aim when dealing with permanent atrial fibrillation is to lower the heart rate, so that it is in or is closer to the normal range, but the rhythm remains irregular.

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To understand the causes of atrial fibrillation it is important to understand how the heart normally functions. The heart comprises of four chambers, with two upper chambers called atria and two lower chambers called ventricles. The heart has a natural pacemaker that regulates heart beat rhythm and this group of cells, which is located in the upper right chamber of the heart, is called the sinus node. The sinus node produces electrical impulses that travel first through the atria and then through the ventricles below. These impulses signal the start of each heartbeat and regulate the flow of blood through the contractions of the heart muscles. The atria contract and pump blood to the ventricles, then the ventricles contract, pumping blood through the body. These impulses from the sinus node travel are transmitted from the atria to the ventricles through a pathway called the atrioventricular (AV) node.

When atrial fibrillation is present there is a problem with these electrical signals, with the atria receiving chaotic impulses. This causes a quiver and a very rapid heartbeat in the atria. All of these impulses that cause the quiver and accelerated heartbeat cannot reach the ventricles however, as the AV node cannot convey this surge of impulses. As a result, the ventricles also experience an increased beat, but not as dramatic an increase as the atria. This combination produces an irregular but fast heart rhythm. While the normal range heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute, this condition can cause the rate to be in the range of 100 to over 200 beats per minute.

Possible causes and risk factors for atrial fibrillation include:

Hypertension is the most frequent cause of the condition because of the increased strain that the heart muscle is subjected to.

Atrial fibrillation often develops as a complication of other kinds of heart conditions like ischaemic heart disease, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease and heart valve problems.

Conditions like pulmonary embolus, pneumonia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and lung cancer.

Obesity also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.

The excessive intake of both alcohol and caffeine.

The consumption of illegal drugs like amphetamines and cocaine.

In some instances, patients may have what is described as lone AF. This accounts for about one out of ten cases, in which there is no known cause as the heart is otherwise healthy.

There is a rapid onset of symptoms once the condition develops. These include:

Breathlessness  This is the most common and usually the first symptom to be noticed. While the symptom could be present at any time it tends to be more pronounced and surfaces with any exertion.

Heart palpitations  You may be conscious of your heart beat and notice an accelerated and irregular rhythm.

Angina  Chest pain may surface when you exert or are stressed, but this could also occur when resting.

Dizziness and fatigue.

Apart from heart palpitations, other atrial fibrillation symptoms tend to surface because of reduced efficiency of the heart, as smaller amounts of blood are pumped through the body at a greater rate. If the heart rate is not significantly higher than normal the condition may not even cause any symptoms and will only be picked up during routine health checks.

While you can check your pulse rate at home yourself, this alone cannot be used as conclusive evidence for atrial fibrillation. Make it a point to visit your doctor right away if you notice any irregularities or an elevated rate. Your doctor will need to review your medical history and will also have to be informed about any symptoms that might be present. In addition to a physical examination your doctor will also recommend certain tests to help make a diagnosis.

An electrocardiogram or ECG is the most effective and commonly used method of testing for atrial fibrillation. It is a tool that tracks and monitors the electrical activity of your heart.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can be a bit harder to diagnose and your heart rhythm would need to be recorded for a longer duration. This would require the use of diagnostic tools like ambulatory EKG and Holter monitoring, which enable portable monitoring of your heart rate and rhythm.

Blood tests to check for conditions like hyperthyroidism.

Prothrombin time and INR to check blood clotting time if you are on blood thinning medications like warfarin.

Other tests that could be recommended include electrophysiology and echocardiogram.

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Treatment for atrial fibrillation will differ from patient to patient. Health care specialists treat the condition based on symptoms and other factors after carefully evaluating other health risks. The main aim of treatment is to provide relief from the symptoms and prevent a recurrence of the condition, and most importantly to lower the risk of complications like strokes and heart failure.

Based on these considerations, treatments follow three approaches.

Treatment to slow the heart rate

Treatment to slow heart rate involves the use of rate-control medicines that can help to control your heart rate. While they will help to prevent a dangerously fast rate, they cannot regularize the heart rhythm itself. This alone can help to improve the efficiency of the heart, however. This line of treatment is usually very effective although dosage and drug combinations will differ and need to be altered for different patients. Medications that are used to slow the heart rate include beta-blocker medicines, calcium-channel blocker medicines and digoxin.

Treatment to regulate and regularize heart rhythm

This includes and refers to treatments that are used to restore a normal heart rhythm and stop atrial fibrillation altogether. Prevention of recurrence is also an important aspect of this treatment. This approach involves the use of:

Antiarrhythmics or rhythm-control medicines

Electrical cardioversion, which is a procedure in which low-voltage electrical shocks are used to restore a normal rhythmic heartbeat. The use of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation is limited in its scope however as it is not recommended in certain situations and its effects are often temporary and atrial fibrillation returns within a year.

Catheter ablation is usually used as a treatment when medications fail to restore a normal heartbeat or if the side effects of medications are too severe. This is because the treatment doesnt always work and atrial fibrillation ablation also poses a risk of serious complications.

Maze procedure is a technique that uses scarring to restrict electrical impulses that trigger the problem of atrial fibrillation. The procedure is typically carried out in open-heart surgery, with scar tissue being created to block and filter the excessive and chaotic impulses.

Preventive treatment for strokes

When the heart contracts inefficiently due to atrial fibrilation, blood clots can form in the heart because of sluggish flow and these blood clots can travel to the lungs accusing pulmonary embolus or to the brain causing stroke. Both pulmonary embolus and stroke are potentially fatal, so treatment to prevent these complications is absolutely essential. Doctors typically recommend the use of anticoagulant medications to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolus or stroke. Anticoagulants or (blood thinners) interfere with the action of certain proteins in blood to prevent the formation and propagation of blood clots. Anticoagulants reduce the risk of pulmonary embolus and stroke considerably, but they pose some risks of bleeding if too much drug is present in the body. If patients are on Coumadin, it is important to regularly test blood clotting time using the International Normalized Ration (INR) blood tests. Newer anticoagulant drugs are safer to use because of their decreased bleeding risk

The highest risk posed by atrial fibrillation is the risk of stroke. This is because there is high risk of blood clot formation in the atria because of the inefficient pumping of blood. Such blood clots can travel to the lower chambers of the heart from where they can be pumped along with the blood supply to any part of the body. Such blood clots will travel in blood vessels until it gets stuck or lodged in a smaller blood vessel or in an organ like the lungs or brain. When the clot gets stuck in a blood vessel in the brain it blocks or reduces blood flow to the brain, thereby causing a stroke.
Bell's Palsy is usually a type of temporary sudden paralysis that causes weakness of the muscles of the face on one side. Rarely it can affect both sides. The facial nerve that supplies the muscles of the face is affected by the palsy. This nerve is called the facial nerve (the seventh of the twelve nerves that supply the face and neck regions).

Bell's palsy results in weakness of the facial muscles. Its cause is unknown but most people make a full recovery from it within 8 to 12 weeks.

It is one of the most common problems that affects the cranial nerves and is also the most common cause of facial paralysis all over the world.

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa has fascinated many with her enigmatic smile. Her smile has been the subject of intense debate for centuries. One theory put forward in 1989 suggested that the famous expression was the result of changes in facial muscles - partial degeneration followed by regeneration - that occur after Bell's palsy.

Bell's Palsy - Anatomy

Sir Charles Bell first described the condition in 1829 as follows:

The forehead of the [affected] side is without motion, the eyelids remain open, the nostril has no motion in breathing, and the mouth is drawn to the opposite side. In this man the sensibility is perfect. - (Charles Bell, 1829).

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The facial nerve as the name indicates supplies most of the face. The nerve is responsible for the expressions of the face like - smiling and frowning. It also supplies the muscles that are used to close the eyelids. This seventh cranial nerve is also responsible for taking the taste sensations from the front of the tongue to the brain.

The nerve enters the face in front of the ear and if you place your index finger right in front of the ear, you will be able to feel the pulsations where the nerve enters the face.

The nerve has a very complex course from the brain and as it passes through the skull bone at its base where it is closely related to the ear. It passes through a bony canal before it emerges to supply the facial muscles.

It is felt that the complex course of the nerve is the main reason for it to be prone to injury or any viral infection that results in its swelling and compression of the nerve in the bony canal. As the infection and swelling resolve the palsy disappears.

Causes of Bell's Palsy

The cause of facial paralysis remains unknown. Exposure to cold is the most common precipiatating factor of the Bell's palsy, The inflammation and swelling of the nerve; it has been suggested is due to a viral infection and there is some evidence to suggest that it maybe the cold sore virus (herpes simplex virus) that causes it.

The facial palsy can also be caused by

Head injury

Sarcoidosis

Lyme disease

Stroke

In these conditions there is a known cause for the palsy and hence are not called Bells palsy. Some researchers have speculated that it is linked to genetics.

Incidence and Prevalence of Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is more likely to occur between 15-45 years.

It is very rare before 15 years of age and after 60 years of age.

It affects men and women equally.

It is three times more likely to affect pregnant women.

Pregnant women who get affected by this condition have a bad prognosis.

The disease affects 1 in 65 people at some point of time during their life.

It is four times more likely to occur in diabetic individuals.

Although there is no racial predilection, Bell's palsy appears to occur with a slightly more frequency in people of Japanese descent.

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Symptoms of Bell's Palsy

Weakness of Facial Muscles: The Facial muscles weakness on one side of the face develops suddenly over a few hours. The patient usually wakes up in the morning and finds the weakness. The weakness gets worse over few days and the effects of the weakness vary, depending on whether the nerve is partially or fully affected.

The following symptoms maybe experienced by the patient

The forehead on the affected side shows an absence of wrinkles.

The eye does not blink thus exposing it to the risk of infections due to dryness.

The mouth droops and sometimes saliva my run from it.

On chewing food the food may get trapped between the gum and cheek on the affected side.

The Palsy becomes noticeable when the patient tries to smile but the mouth on the affected side does not lift up and remains drooped.

One is not able to blow or whistle.

Pain Behind the Ear: Most cases are painless, but an ache near the ear may occur for a few days before the palsy sets in and may continue to be there for another few days.

Sound: The tiny muscle in the ear may stop working and this may result in the normal sounds being heard louder than usual and sometimes these normal sound maybe unbearable for the patient

Taste Sensation: It is also noted that some patients complain of altered taste sensation on the side of the tongue.

Dry or Watery Eyes: Eyes are either dry or watery since one of the last branches of the facial nerve supplies the eye. If the muscles of the upper eyelid is affected it leads to the inability to close the eyelids and due to constant exposure result in dry eye and infection. Watery eyes are due to the fact that the muscle, which holds the tear sac together becomes loose. This causes the flow of tears to become copious. Many patients seek a doctor's opinion out of fear that they have either suffered from a stroke or have cancer.
Crigler-Najjar syndrome arises due to the lack or deficiency of the enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase. Type 1 and type 2 forms of the disease have been described.

Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CNS) is a rare inherited disorder of bilirubin metabolism. Bilirubin, a chemical formed in the liver by the breakdown of blood, cannot be broken down in this disease. Excessive bilirubin results in jaundice. Type 1 and type 2 forms of the disease have been described. Type 1 disease is severe and soon after birth while type 2 disease (also called Arias syndrome) appears later, usually in late infancy or childhood. Children with type 1 disease usually have very high levels of bilirubin and may die of kernicterus (accumulation of bile pigments in brain) by the age of one year, though survival to adulthood is possible. Treatment may include phototherapy and liver transplantation.

Damage to the brain is less likely in type 2 Crigler-Najjar syndrome. Affected children usually have less severe hyperbilirubinemia (elevated bilirubin levels) and survive to adulthood. The disease responds to treatment with phenobarbital.

Causes, Risk factors and Incidence

Crigler-Najjar syndrome arises due to lack or deficiency of the enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase. This is a liver enzyme required to change bilirubin into a form that can be removed from the body through the bile. In the absence or deficiency of this enzyme, bilirubin cannot be broken down and accumulates in the body. This leads to jaundice, i.e. yellow discoloration of skin and eyes. Excess bilirubin can also damage the brain, muscles, and nerves. Mutations in the gene UGT1A1 are responsible for the syndrome. In Crigler-Najjar type 1, essentially no functional enzyme activity is present. Patients with Crigler-Najjar type 2 have up to 10% of normal enzyme activity.

The syndrome is an inherited one that runs in families. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, i.e. a copy of the defective gene from both parents is required for the child to develop the serious ailment. Parents who have just one defective gene are called carriers. They have half the enzyme activity of a normal individual.

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Crigler-Najjar syndrome is extremely rare with only a few hundred cases described in the world literature. It occurs in less than 1 per 1,000,000 births. All races are equally affected by the syndrome. There is no sex predilection. Consanguineous marriage (i.e. marriage between blood relations) is a risk factor.
Radiotherapy for prostate cancer is an alternative to surgical treatment such as Radical prostatectomy and over the years the results of this treatment have improved and currently the results seem to be comparable to surgery.

New era of medical research and treatment with radiations began, following the ground-breaking discovery of radioactive elements radium and polonium by Madam Marie Curie. Radiation therapy is now an essential part of Cancer therapy around the world. The Treatment modality is now highly developed and sophisticated for cancers like Prostate cancer.

Two Main Types of Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer:

External beam Radiotherapy

Internal Radiotherapy (Brachytherapy)

External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) utilises high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells by disrupting their DNA structure.

Radiotherapy for Prostate cancer is used for different stages of the cancer and is indicated as follows:

As a first line treatment for localised cancer or the cancer which is not spread outside the prostate gland. Success rate for curing cancer with radiotherapy at this stage is similar to Radical prostatectomy surgery.

First line therapy along with hormonal therapy for the cancer, which has spread outside the prostate gland but in nearby tissues only.

In case of incomplete removal of prostate gland during surgery or in Cancer recurrence.

As a palliative treatment in Advanced cancer with purpose of reducing the tumor size and providing pain relief due to bone metastasis.

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When is External Beam Radiation Therapy (ERBT) Not Used?

ERBT is contraindicated in patients with history of gastrointestinal problems like ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis as well as in patients with poorly controlled Diabetes, because EBRT in these patients will carry high risk of Intestinal Obstruction, Perforation, Colitis and Proctitis.

EBRT is used for treating prostate cancer in its early stages and also for prostate cancer that has spread outside the gland to bones. The Radiation is applied from outside the body in form of focused beams of radiation.

Imaging evaluations like X-ray, CT scan or MRI of pelvis area is done before initiation of the therapy to identify the exact location of prostate cancer. Once the tumor size and location is known, physicians put some ink marks on the skin of patient which are then used to focus radiation beams on affected area.

Mostly the patient is treated 5 days a week as an out-patient up to 7-9 weeks. The procedure is painless and is completed within few minutes.

Observational research suggests that when patients with localised cancer are treated with EBRT, 60-65% of them have disease-free survival up to five years. However, 10 year disease free survival rate is observed in only 30-40% and disease recur in 70-80% patients at 15 years after therapy. The long term results of radical prostatectomy are considered better than EBRT.

With advancement in technology, newer EBRT techniques have been developed which can administer higher dose of radiation which are more focused to the tumor to reduce radiation to adjoining structures and hence lower the side effects of the treatment.

Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)

In 3D-CRT, location mapping of prostate tumor is done using advanced technology like CT and MRI, after which precisely shaped and focused radiation beams are administered to the patient. During the course of therapy, the patient is confined in a Plastic body cast to reduce movement and increase accuracy of the treatment.

Research suggests that 3D-CRT is more effective in the patients whose pre-treatment PSA (prostate specific antigen) level are 10-20 ng/ml. Also the therapy is 30% more effective as compared to the EBRT in providing disease free survival up to five years.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment

IMRT is an advanced form of 3 Dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Currently, it is the most common method of EBRT used for treating prostate cancer. A movable unit of the machine moves around the affected area to deliver focused radiation beams from different angles. The main advantage of this method is that the radiation dose can be adjusted and reduced during the course of treatment so that normal surrounding tissues are less affected and hence it lowers the side effects of radiation.

Recent IMRT machines carry an in-built imaging scanner. This advanced technique is known as Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Imaging scanners in IGRT allow the Radiologist to capture picture of prostate tumor during the procedure and allows him to make necessary Radiation dose adjustments in order to enhance effectiveness and reduce radiation toxicity to normal surrounding tissues. However, further research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of this method.

In another form of IGRT, minute implants are placed in the prostate tumor which emits radio waves which act as the guide to Radiation machine for delivering more focused radiation. The main advantage of this technique is that it guides the radiation machine to make even the minutest movement adjustment even if the patient moves during normal breathing. The machines that use this are known as Calypso.

A Major Meta-Analysis of 23 studies among 9556 Prostate patients, by Yu et Al in 2016 has found out that IMRT produces less toxicity has shown significant reduction in Morbidity and gastro-intestinal toxicity when compared to 3D CRT.

Further sophisticated variation of IMRT is known as Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The VMAT technique administers radiation to affected area in focused by highly rapid manner and therefore allows the procedure to complete within few minutes.

While VMAT technique is more convenient for the patient, so far no research has been identified to prove it superior to IMRT.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Prostate Cancer Treatment

SBRT is another form of advanced technology used for delivery high intensity radiation to the prostate cancer tumor with extreme precision (i.e. stereostatically). The technique utilises sophisticated imaging techniques like 3 dimensional CT scans to develop precise map of prostate tumor.

The entire course of treatment is completed within few days with SBRT as compared to few months with other forms of External beam radiation therapy and therefore reduces the overall cost of prostate cancer treatment.

However, recent clinical trial performed at Yale School of Medicine suggested that patient taking SBRT are at higher risk of developing genitourinary and gastrointestinal radiation toxicity as compared to the conventional IMRT.

Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Proton beam Radiation therapy utilises protons for generating radiations unlike X-rays used in other types of EBRT. X-rays emit radiation energy both before and after hitting the target and therefore affects the surrounding normal tissues. On the other hand, protons first travel up to particular distance and then release energy. This characteristic of Proton beams allows them to deliver higher energy to prostate tumor in a more precise manner. Techniques similar to those used in 3D-CRT and IMRT are also used for Proton beam radiation therapy.

Although early results are promising, so far studies have not shown that proton beam therapy is safer or more effective than other types of EBRT for treating prostate cancer.

Right now, proton beam therapy is not widely available. The machines needed to make protons are very expensive, and they arent available in many centres or countries. Proton beam radiation might not be covered by all insurance companies at this time.

Radiotherapy can be combined with hormonal therapy or surgery to improve treatment outcomes. There are various terms used for this combination

What is Combined Radiotherapy and Androgen Ablation?

The combined radiotherapy and androgen ablation are gaining significance in treating Prostate cancer with Intermediate grade cancers such as Gleason scores of 7 or more, which suggests bi-lobar and more severe cancer, which is moderately curable or very unlikely to be cured. The Treatment modality uses both the androgen ablation using hormone therapy and External beam radiation together or in alternative stages.

Research by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA) has found that 4 months of hormonal ablation therapy along with EBRT is more effective in producing disease-free survival (identified by low levels of PSA) at 5 years as compared to EBRT alone for patients with Gleason score of more than 6.

In case of more curable early stages of prostate cancer, the European Organisation for Research and treatment has found that primary total hormonal ablation therapy for reducing the size of tumor increases the effectiveness and outcome of 3D-CRT in producing disease free survival at 5 years.

When External beam radiation therapy is given in addition after prostate surgery or in addition to Brachytherapy, it is known as adjunctive EBRT.

As per the findings of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (USA), combination of EBRT and permanent implant brachytherapy provides higher rate of disease free survival at 5 years for high-risk patient as compared to brachytherapy alone or surgery alone.

In many cases, higher PSA levels are detected even after Radical prostatectomy, which suggests incomplete removal of prostate tumor. Adjunctive EBRT is applied in such cases. American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology suggest that post-operative EBRT reduces the PSA levels by 70% and therefore provides more effective destruction of prostate tumor.

Bowel disturbances: Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas.

Irritation and damage caused to intestine and rectum by radiations lead to development of medical condition called Proctitis. The condition is characterised by frequent diarrhoea, bloody stool, stool leakage, and incontinence of gas. Urinary bladder cystitis: Damage to urinary bladder and cystitis causes urine frequency, Urinary incontinence, burning sensation and often bloody urine.

Erectile dysfunction and Impotence: Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT.

Erection problems and impotence gradually develop over years after EBRT. Fatigue: Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT.

Very common side effect. Feeling of tiredness continues for months after taking EBRT. Lymphedema: If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain.

If the lymph nodes around the prostate glands are damaged during EBRT, lymph fluid becomes stagnant in legs and genital region causing swelling and pain. Urethral Stricture: Rarely the urethra (tube which allows to pass urine out of body) is damaged by radiation which causes difficulty in urination.

It should be noted that with advancement in EBRT techniques which administer focused radiations, the rates of these adverse effects are decreasing.
There is no pain involved in this procedure. The general procedure in the use of a Holter monitor involves carrying a monitor (weight- ~190 g; dimensions  70 x 95 x 20 mm) that is equipped with a flashcard to record data from 2 to 3 electrode adhesive patches connected to the monitor by lead wires. These electrodes are stuck on the chest, and the electric activity is recorded and stored on the flashcard for a period of 24 to 48 hours. The monitor is battery-operated. The analysis of the data is in digital format. Patients can carry the Holter monitor in a pouch around the neck or the waist. Patients are requested to maintain a diary to note down the symptoms. The exact time of occurrence of the symptoms should be noted. This helps in comparing heart activity irregularities in the data recordings with the symptoms.

The Holter monitor or continuous electrocardiography or ambulatory electrocardiography was developed by Norman J. Holter, an American researcher in the 1940s, and is used to continuously record the electrical activity of the heart (continuous ECG or EKG) over a period of 24 hours to 48 hours. The Holter monitor is a home monitor and is used to understand conditions, such as arrhythmia of the heart, fatigue, fainting, palpitations, and dizziness. Such conditions may not be detected with the standard ECG. This is due to the fact that many of these conditions, such as dizziness, occur suddenly and subside after a period of time. If the standard ECG recording is not taken during the events, it is difficult to detect these conditions. Hence, continuous monitoring of the electrical activity of the heart is preferred.

The doctor first explains the procedure to the patient and lets the patient clarify any doubts regarding the procedure. The doctor also assesses the patients medical history to identify any additional procedures to be followed before using the monitor. The patient is requested to remove jewellery and other accessories on the upper half of the body. The clothes from the upper half of the body are removed and the adhesive electrodes are stuck onto the chest. The patient should inform the doctor of any allergies to adhesives before the electrodes are stuck to the chest. Some patients may need to have their chest shaved in order to fix the electrodes to the chest. The patient should shower before the electrodes are attached. Once the monitor is attached, the patient cannot shower until the monitor is removed. The patient is educated on the use of the monitor and how to replace and attach the electrodes if they fall off. The monitor should always be kept close to the body. The patients can resume their normal activities after being fitted with the electrodes.

When the data is analyzed, any abnormality in the data is compared with the symptoms recorded by the patient. Since the monitor records the electrical activity of the heart, the patient is advised to keep clear of high-voltage areas, magnets, and electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, toothbrushes, and electric blankets.

The Holter monitor may be used for the following purposes:

To check the condition of a pacemaker

To detect arrhythmias of the heart

To detect possible cardiac cause of dizziness, fatigue and fainting

To detect the risk of cardiac events in certain conditions affecting the heart, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (abnormal electrical activity within the heart), weakness of the walls of the heart following a heart attack, or thickening of the heart walls (idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)

To monitor chest pain that does not occur due to exercise

To analyze the effectiveness of drugs used to treat the heart for conditions, such as cardiac arrhythmia

To detect slow heart beat rate (bradycardia) or fast heart beat rate (tachycardia).

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Abnormalities in the heart rate need to be correlated with patient symptoms. When the patient does not log in the symptoms correctly, it is difficult to correlate and identify the condition of the heart.

The data is recorded over time and does not give data collected at a specific time or in other words, real-time analysis.

The diagnostic efficiency of Holter monitors is high for patients who exhibit daily symptoms. However, it is low compared with the newer continuous recording devices.

Certain medications and smoking can interfere with the recording of data in the monitors.

Perspiration can cause the electrodes to fall off from the chest. On the other hand, sensitive skin on the chest may be inflamed or irritated with continuous application of the electrodes.

A Holter monitor test is a non-invasive test and can be used o an outpatient basis.

The Holter monitor can record ECG continuously providing an overall picture of the heart activity. The digital data can be obtained without any additional effort from the patient.

Costs of a Holter Monitor Test

In the USA, a Holter monitor scan can cost ~357 dollars, while a Holter monitor recording can cost ~395 dollars. In India, it costs anywhere between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 4000.

Recent Advances in Holter Monitors

There are new Holter monitors that can record data for nearly 2 weeks. In addition, Holter monitors with 12-lead electrodes have been used to analyze heart rate irregularities in underwater divers at different stages (pre-diving, diving, and post-diving).
Huntingtons disease is a rare progressive genetic degenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. Huntington's disease affects brain cells, called neurons and this degeneration affects the whole brain, but certain central area of brain called basal ganglia are more vulnerable than others.

The degeneration causes movement disorder (uncontrolled movements or Chorea), loss of intellectual faculties (cognitive defects), and emotional disturbance (psychiatric symptoms). Finally, it leaves the patient completely dependent on the caregiver. The severity of symptoms varies among affected individuals.

Huntington's disease was first described in 1872 by Dr George Huntington and it affects men and women equally across all ethnic and racial lines. It is more common in adults than children.

A research carried out in the UK in 2012 found that 12 people per 100,000 are affected by Huntington's disease or which is approximately 1 in 10,000 people. However twice this number have the gene but are not affected by symptoms. The disorder appears to be less common in some non-white populations, including people of Japanese, Chinese, and African descent.

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Huntingtons disease is a genetic disorder. The genetic defect is increased CAG repeats in the HTT gene on chromosome 4.

Our DNA contains some segments that have the sequence of the building blocks cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeated, usually 10 to 35 times. For diagnosis of Huntingtons disease, there should be CAG-repeat of at least 36 in the HTT gene on chromosome 4.

The increased number of repeats result in an abnormally long huntingtin protein, which breaks into smaller fragments and accumulates in the brain cells, disrupting their function and causing symptoms and signs associated with Huntingtons disease.

Higher number of repeats is associated with earlier onset of disease. Patients with juvenile Huntingtons disease usually have 60 or more CAG repeats in the HTT gene. A low number of repeats around 35 to 39 can result in the disease appearing very late, or even not appearing. However, it can still be passed on to the child if the child develops more repeats.

The mode of inheritance of Huntingtons disease is autosomal dominant.Thus, even if a person has only one chromosome 4 defective from the pair of chromosomes 4, the person is likely to manifest the symptoms. The child has a 50% chance of inheriting the defective gene if one parent is affected.

Symptoms of Huntingtons disease usually appear around middle age, though cases in children as well as older individuals have been reported. Juvenile Huntingtons disease is characterized by the appearance of symptoms before the age of 20 years. These patients have behavioral symptoms, learning disabilities and epileptic fits.

The severity of symptoms varies among individuals and include:

Abnormal movements: The characteristic sign of Huntingtons disease is involuntary movements especially in the fingers, toes and facial muscles. These movements are called chorea. Huntingtons disease is also sometimes called Huntingtons Chorea as the movement appears like a dance ("Chorea" is the Greek word for dancing.) However chorea is also seen in other neurological conditions. These are noticed when the patient is awake. Movements of the facial muscles include involuntary lifting an eyebrow, closing an eye, pouting of lips etc.

As the condition worsens, other muscles also get affected. Involvement of the throat muscles can cause difficulty in speaking and swallowing. Movements become slow and the patient appears rigid. Abnormal tone of the muscles can cause torticollis (condition due to spasm of the neck muscles) or abnormal postures. Tics may be present. The patient walks with an unsteady gait and may suffer from frequent falls.

In the later stages, the patient might find it difficult to carry out activities of daily living.

Psychiatric disturbances: Psychiatric symptoms include feeling of depression, low self-esteem, guilt, anxiety, mood swings, obsessions and compulsions, irritability, and aggressiveness. Psychotic symptoms like hallucinations may also occur. The risk of suicide is high in these patients.

Cognitive decline: Cognitive decline is observed in patients with Huntingtons disease. There are problems with perception, awareness, thinking and judgement. Dementia or forgetfulness is common, though it may be mild in some patients. Patients slowly lose their ability for judgement, planning and mental adjustments.

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Other symptoms include weight loss, sleep disturbances and sweating attacks.

The stages of Huntingtons disease patients can be divided into two:

Preclinical stage: In this stage, the patient does not suffer from the condition. However, he is aware that his family member has the condition and he is also likely to suffer from it. He may even get a gene test done, which may confirm the presence of the defective gene. Some changes may be noted, but the patient is still uncertain of what will ensue.

In this stage, the patient does not suffer from the condition. However, he is aware that his family member has the condition and he is also likely to suffer from it. He may even get a gene test done, which may confirm the presence of the defective gene. Some changes may be noted, but the patient is still uncertain of what will ensue. Clinical stage: The clinical stage is characterized by the appearance and progression of symptoms. The patient is initially independent, but as the condition worsens, is completely dependent on caregivers.

How to Diagnose Huntingtons Disease?

Huntingtons disease is diagnosed based on the family history of the patient, genetic testing and the presence of physical symptoms. In many cases, some member of the family already suffers from the disease and the patient gets a genetic testing done. Thus, once the symptoms start manifesting, the condition is easy to diagnose.

The severity of the disease can be studied using several scales. MRI may show a decrease in brain volume, but this test is not necessary for the diagnosis.

Though Huntingtons disease cannot be cured, there are several drugs, which can be used to treat the symptoms and provide some relief to the patient. Some of these are listed below:

Drugs used to treat chorea or abnormal movements include:

Tetrabenazine  It is the first drug to be approved in the United States for Huntingtons disease per se .

. Tiapride

Olanzapine

Pimozide

Risperidone

Fluphenazine

Drugs to treat depression include:

Citalopram

Mirtazapine

Fluoxetine

Drugs used to treat aggression include:

Citalopram

Sertraline

Olanzapine

Haloperidol

Other therapies like physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy may be of use depending on the symptoms.

Huntingtons disease is progressive, and finally culminates in death. Death is commonly caused by pneumonia. Suicide is the second most common cause of death in these patients. Life expectancy is around 17 to 20 years after the diagnosis is made.

The only way to prevent Huntingtons disease is by genetic counseling. Prenatal diagnosis can be done during early pregnancy if the parents want the option of terminating the pregnancy if the child has the gene.

Health Tips

Since Huntingtons disease cannot be prevented or cured, there are no health tips that can be offered to the patient. The caregivers however are advised to join support groups where they can share their experiences and resolve any issues in the care of the patient.
"Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing." - Homer

In Hypersomnia the person feels excessively sleepy despite sleeping for several hours at night. They often require day-time naps.

Hyper means 'excessive' and somnia refers to 'sleep', so Hypersomnia is excessively long or deep sleep. Excessive sleepiness is a common symptom, like fever, and can stem from many sleep disorders .

In the fairy tale classic, Sleeping Beauty, a princess pricks her finger with the needle of a spinning wheel and falls asleep for one hundred years. Recently, Taryn Sardis, a seventeen-year-old high school student, experienced a similar experience in 1997. She fell asleep for ten days, and it was impossible to wake her. No spinning wheel was involved, however!! The culprit, in Taryn's case, was a rare disorder called Kleine-Levin Syndrome, which is a type of Hypersomnia.

A hyperomniac may sleep up to twelve hours a night, and still need frequent daytime naps. Besides excessive daytime sleepiness, people with this disorder also tend to oversleep at night but continue to remain sleepy.

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As early as 1966, William Dement said that patients who complained of excessive day time sleepiness but did not portray symptoms such as sleep paralysis, cataplexy, or sleep-onset Rapid Eye Movement (REM) should not be categorized as narcoleptics.

In 1972, Roth et al came close to providing an explanation for a certain type of hypersomnia in which the victims were unable to completely wake up from their sleep stupor. They also appeared confused, and were slow and disoriented with poor motor coordination. The typical symptoms exhibited in typical narcolepsy, sudden and unexpected sleep attacks, was not present. The word "hypersomnia" was thus born to describe these typical symptoms.
The first thought that comes to your mind when you hear the word Trichobezoar is that it may be the name of a prehistoric dinosaur!! However, the name actually indicates a rare condition where a hairball is found in the stomach or gastrointestinal tract. Trich of trichobezoar is a Greek word which indicates hair and bezoar is from a Persian word Panzehr or an Arabic word badzehr that means an antidote. During the period between the 12 th and 18 th centuries, badzehr was a clump or mass of animal material that was given to cure conditions, such as poisoning, epilepsy, snake bite, among others. However, by the 16 th century, Ambroise Pare, a famous surgeon, noted that bezoars could not heal against all poisons. Baudamant, a French physician first described a case of trichobezoar in a boy of 16 years.

In some cases, hairballs extend from the stomach into the small intestines or even the colon; this condition is called The Rapunzel syndrome. This syndrome was first described by Dr. Vaughan and his group in 1968.

Trichobezoars are most frequently observed in females and are associated with a psychiatric disorder, such as trichotillomania that involves an urge to pull ones hair out and consume it. Human hair is difficult to digest due to its resistance to digestive enzymes. The hair gets caught and mixed with mucus and food within the folds of the stomach to form a compacted oval mass or a hairball. Trichobezoars develop very slowly and sometimes may take many years to develop.

Trichobezoar or an indigestible hair mass in the abdomen results from the accidental or involuntary ingestion of hair. One of the main causes of trichobezoars is the psychiatric condition of trichotillomania. In trichotillomania, the individual involuntarily or unconsciously has an irrepressible urge to pull out his/her hair before swallowing it. Other psychiatric disorders that can cause trichobezoars are obsessive compulsive disorders anorexia, pica, and depression. Gastric surgery, e.g. gastroenterostomy and bariatric surgery is one of the predisposing conditions to trichobezoars.

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In many cases, when the mass is small, a trichobezoar may not be identified due to the lack of symptoms. The initial symptoms of trichobezoar may include loss of appetite and nausea. When the trichobezoar is significant in size, it can cause obstructive symptoms. Also, due to the pressure it exerts, it can reduce blood supply to the stomach and intestine resulting in ulcers and perforation of these organs. Jaundice and pancreatitis can occur as complications. Some of the symptoms caused by trichobezoars are as follows:

Exhaustion or fatigue

Stomach pain

Bad breath

Vomiting

Black tarry stools due to bleeding

Discomfort in the chest

Patchy loss of hair, which may be indicative of trichotillomania

Dizzy feeling

Constipation or diarrhea

Loss of weight

The severity of symptoms depends on the seriousness of the condition. For example, a patient with perforation may be in shock due to loss of blood.

Trichobezoar may be suspected based on history and clinical examination of the patient. A mass may be felt over the abdomen on physical examination.

Trichobezoars are linked to psychiatric disorders and hence clinical assessments are necessary to understand the possibility of the presence of hairballs.

Radiological tests include gastrointestinal endoscopy, ultrasonography, x-ray of the abdomen, and computed tomography of the abdomen. Computed tomography scans of the abdomen are extremely accurate and are therefore preferred in the diagnosis of trichobezoar. If an individual has suffered from trichobezoars in the past, it is recommended that he/she get a scan done twice a year to detect any recurrence.

Surgery is the preferred choice of treatment since medications are ineffective in dissolving a trichobezoar.

There are 3 main surgical ways to treat trichobezoars:

Laparotomy or Open Surgery: This is a favorable form of treating trichobezoars. The procedure is low in complications and can detect any secondary masses in the abdomen or intestine. This is the only form of treatment for Rapunzel syndrome.

Laparoscopy: Nirasawa and colleagues first described this form of treatment for bezoars in 1998. Laparoscopy or keyhole surgery is normally combined with endoscopy. While laparoscopy is used to fragment the hairball, endoscopy is utilized to remove the fragments. Complications are minimal with this procedure and patients are discharged quickly. However, laparoscopy takes a longer time as compared to open surgery.

Endoscopy: Endoscopy is not a preferred method to treat trichobezoar though it may be used for diagnosis or in combination with laparoscopy.

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Individuals who have had trichobezoars should get an abdominal scan done twice a year to diagnose any recurrence. Patients should be clinically evaluated to identify psychiatric conditions that cause them to eat their hair and should be treated for the same.
The parts of the neck that can perceive pain include the periosteum (the cover of the vertebrae), the outer ring of the intervertebral discs, the epidural veins (the veins located outside the covering of the spinal cord) and the posterior longitudinal ligament. Pain may also be caused due to pressure on a nerve. In such cases, the pain may be felt at a distant location along the area of distribution of the nerve. Such pain is called radicular pain.

Causes of neck pain may be located within the spine or in the ligaments or muscles surrounding the neck.

The neck is made up of 7 bones called the cervical vertebrae, which constitute the spine in the neck region. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The vertebrae are stacked one on top of the other and kept in position by the anterior and posterior ligaments. Between the vertebrae are the intervertebral discs. The discs have a soft center surrounded by a tough fibrous part. The discs act as cushions and prevent friction during movement of the cervical vertebrae. Surrounding the vertebrae are various small as well as big muscles which support the spine and assist in movements.

Neck pain is a common symptom that we often wake up in the morning with or experience at the end of a tiring day at work. It is usually a result of a minor strain or sprain and disappears with over-the-counter painkillers and symptomatic treatment at home. In some cases however, neck pain may be the result of a problem that requires emergency treatment.

The causes of neck pain are described below depending on the site of origin:

Pain from the Neck Muscles or Ligaments

Strain or sprain: Strain and sprain of the neck muscles are among the most common causes of neck pain. The muscles of the neck may undergo strain due to poor posture, poor sleeping habits or an injury to the muscles. Stress can also increase the muscle tension resulting in neck pain. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and tightness in the neck and sometimes upper back and shoulders. The pain may last for up to 6 weeks and is relieved with muscle relaxants and painkillers.

Whiplash injury: A whiplash injury is usually caused by trauma, often during a motor vehicle accident that causes an abrupt excessive forward / backward movement of the spine causing sprain of the ligaments. Symptoms include severe pain, spasm and reduced movement of the neck.

Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis: Diffuse skeletal hyperostosis is a condition where the muscles and ligaments in the neck show abnormal calcifications. Patients may develop stiffness, pain and loss of mobility. The lower spine may also be involved.

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Pain from the Vertebrae

Fractures: Fractures of the vertebrae could occur due to trauma like motor vehicle accidents or falls. They could also be a result of diseases affecting the vertebrae like osteoporosis or thinning of the bone, cancer infiltration of the bone or the use of steroids. Fractures of the vertebrae can cause compression and damage to the spinal cord and require immediate immobilization of the neck.

Tumors of the vertebral column: Tumors affecting the vertebral column may be benign (like osteochondroma or osteoid osteoma) or malignant (like osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma). In addition, cancer from other parts can also spread to the vertebral column. Pain due to tumors is of unrelenting type and present even at night. It is not relieved by rest or by usual treatments. Other symptoms include neck stiffness, decreased range of motion, weakness or numbness in case of compression of nerves and general symptoms like as low-grade fever, night sweats, fatigue, malaise, and loss of appetite.

Vertebral osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis or infection of the vertebrae could occur due to spread from other sites via the blood or local spread from the throat, tonsils or the lower spine. Osteomyelitis is often caused by bacterial infection; in rare cases, it may be caused by tuberculosis or fungal infection. It is commonly seen in intravenous drug users. An abscess may also form, which could compress various structures resulting in neck pain. The infection could also spread to the intervertebral disc. Neck pain is increased by motion and is not relieved by rest. Pain is felt on pressing the affected vertebra. Fever, an increase in ESR and an increase in white blood cell count may be present. CT scan helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Metabolic: Metabolic or hormonal conditions can also result in neck pain. Conditions like osteoporosis or thinning of the bone, hyperparathyroidism or increased secretion of parathyroid hormone, or immobility can result in compression fractures. Osteosclerosis or increased bone density can occur due to Pagets disease. Neck pain may be localized or spread along the compressed nerve. Pain is increased by movement and can be reproduced by pressure on the affected vertebra.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a condition that arises due to degenerative changes that narrow the spinal canal. This could result in compression of the spinal cord. Along with neck pain and decreased movement of the neck, other symptoms due to spinal cord compression could occur like muscle weakness, inability to empty bowel or bladder and sexual dysfunction.

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Pain from the Vertebral Joints

Spondylosis: Spondylosis is a condition that results from abnormal wear and tear of the spinal column due to osteoarthritis. The discs get worn out, leading to narrowing of the space between the vertebrae. This results in friction during neck movements. Small growths called bone spurs arise at the joints that increase the friction and could press on nerves exiting the spinal cord. Thus, along with headache and neck pain, other symptoms due to pressure on nerves include muscle weakness and abnormal sensations of the arms and shoulders.

Facet arthropathy: The facets are small joints located at the sides of the vertebrae. Pain due to arthropathy of facets appears at the middle or the side of the neck, in the shoulders, upper back, base of the head or in one arm.

Rheumatoid arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Rheumatoid arthritis results in neck pain, stiffness and limitation of motion. In advanced cases, the upper cervical vertebrae may be displaced over each other leading to nerve-related symptoms. Ankylosing spondylitis may also cause neck pain and displacement of vertebrae.

Pain from the Intervertebral Disc

Herniation or prolapse of intervertebral disc: The intervertebral discs may be displaced from their position due to trauma or degeneration. They may press over the nerves coming out of the spinal cord, thus causing shoulder, arm or hand pain or tingling. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness and decreased motion of the neck. Symptoms may be worse in certain positions that increase the compression.

Degenerative conditions: Degenerative conditions like disk osteophyte complex and internal disc disruption can result in neck pain. Disk osteophyte complex is a condition where the soft part of the disc herniates out along with an osteophyte or bone spur. It can cause pain when it impinges a nerve. Internal disc disruption is a condition where a tear develops in and bisects the intervertebral disc allowing the soft inner part of the disc to come in contact with the outer fibrous part, where the nerves are present.

Pain from the Meninges

Meningitis: Meningitis is a condition where the covering of the brain and spinal cord is inflamed. Along with neck pain, the patient experiences symptoms of fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and sometimes seizures. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness sensitivity to light, rashes and weakness. Neck pain is increased with movement. The neck pain and stiffness may make it difficult for the patient to touch his chin to his chest.

Pain from Blood Vessels or Heart

Vertebral artery dissection: The vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain. Splitting of the vertebral artery wall is referred to as vertebral artery dissection. Symptoms include headache in the region just above the neck on the back of the head and neck pain following a minor head injury. Symptoms related to decrease in blood supply to the head may also appear, though these may be delayed by a few days after the onset of pain.

Angina: Pain from conditions that cause a decrease in blood supply to the heart like angina and heart attack can also result in neck pain. Other features related to the underlying condition like chest pain may also be present.

Pain from the Spinal Cord

Cancers of spinal cord: Along with neck and back pain, cancers of the spinal cord may also cause symptoms due to compression of nerves like weakness and pain at distant sites along the distribution of the nerves.

Other Causes

Chronic Pain Syndrome: Chronic pain syndrome is a condition where pain lasts for more than the expected duration. It is suggested to be a learned behavioral phenomenon: When the patient initially experiences pain, he is positively rewarded. This results in reinforcement of the pain, and the end consequence is that the pain is felt in the absence of the painful stimulus.

Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a condition where pain is felt at specific points on the body in the absence of underlying inflammation. Among other areas, it is also felt in the lower back part of the neck. The pain is felt even in the absence of a painful stimulus. Pain may be increased by stress, anxiety, activity and cold and damp weather. Associated symptoms include trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory.

FAQs

1. Which doctor should I visit to get my neck pain treated?

You should visit an orthopedic surgeon to get your neck pain treated.

2. How can I treat neck pain at home?

Neck pain can be treated at home with over the counter pain killers, application of ice packs or heat, massaging the neck and gentle stretching exercises. Stress reduction could also help in some cases. Maintaining a proper posture could also help to prevent neck pain. In case the pain is severe, associated with other symptoms like numbness or does not improve, it is better to visit your doctor at the earliest to rule out any serious cause.

3. What are the tests used to diagnose the cause of neck pain?

The cause of neck pain is usually diagnosed through a good examination of the patient. Radiological tests may be required in case it cannot be diagnosed or if it is a suspected emergency. These include x-ray evaluation, CT scan, bone scan, MRI scan and myelogram. Electrical tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) may be required to test nerve function.
Bollywood is as notorious for its sly publicity stunts as it is for its notorious scandals. Its hard to believe any piece of news in the first go, considering how Bollywoods PR machinery works overtime to maintain its relevance in a country where fans already treat stars as larger-than-life figures they look up to fervently.

In the past, movie promotions have led to some interesting campaigns like Abhishek Bachchan making a world record for visiting the most cities during Delhi-6 promotions or Aamir Khan giving youngsters a Ghajini haircut to promote the film.

 Miss Malini

However, with the rise of social media and growing focus on celebrities off-screen persona, marketing strategies have changed a lot. Instead of the usual mall promotions and college visits, publicists often advise stars to do some off-beat publicity stunts  the latest one being flying economy ahead of a films release.



As Satyaprem Ki Katha inches closer to its release date, Kartik Aaryan was spotted flying economy. Last year too, amid high praise for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and buzz around his upcoming films, he was clicked flying economy and enjoying instant noodles on the flight.

Earlier this year, Kriti Sanon was seen flying with other economy passengers to Indore after the release of Shehzada. Similarly, Ananya Pandey and Vijay Deverakonda were seen flying in the economy section during Ligers promotions.

With stars charging for each film project and brand endorsement in crores, one would think that theyd always fly business class  which they usually do until theres a need to promote a film or get back into public memory after a hiatus.

Not only is it a great way to promote their films, its also the perfect way to brand themselves as a peoples star  one who is connected to the masses and doesnt act like a snob amongst those who made them what they are today.

Its like hitting ek teer se do nishaane. However, its a pattern thats become all too familiar now as people have caught on to the trend.

It wont be long before this trend dies a slow death. Until then, you can keep hoping that your favourite celebrity might just become your copassenger on the next flight.

Satyaprem Ki Katha is slated for release on 29th June, 2023.
The former head of a California technical school has been sentenced to five years in prison in the largest Post-9/11 GI Bill fraud case to date investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Justice Department.

Justice officials announced Tuesday that Michael Bostock, founder and CEO at California Technical Academy, or CTA, falsified enrollment numbers and course completion records, impersonated students and provided investigators with fake phone numbers for veteran students so regulators could not contact them about their studies.

The fraud resulted in the loss of nearly $105 million in government funds.

Read Next: Gender Neutral Standards, Return to Old Fitness Test: Congress' Dueling Ideas for the Army

Over a decade, the school received more than $32 million in tuition payments for 1,793 enrolled veteran students, while veterans enrolled in CTA's VA-approved courses received more than $72 million in education-related benefits, such as housing, book fees and other compensation.

Prosecutors presented evidence that top school officials -- Michael Bostock, Eric Bostock, and Philip Abod -- worked in concert to conceal the fraud, which involved falsifying information to the VA to exaggerate the number of students taking classes.

The trio faked veterans' contact information and answered burner cell phones when contacted by VA auditors, according to the Justice Department.

"Through June 2022, Bostock and his co-conspirators made false and fraudulent representations to the VA regarding, among other things, veterans' enrollment in approved courses of study, class attendance, and grades," Justice Department officials wrote in a press release.

"Bostock and his co-conspirators also falsified course completion records to make it appear as if enrolled veterans completed their programs, when in fact, they had not," officials said.

The for-profit school, a member of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools, provided training in computer programming and certification. It closed a year ago, three months before the Bostocks and Abod pleaded guilty to fraud.

Five years is the maximum sentence the defendants could have received. Eric Bostock and Abod are scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 19.

The Justice Department worked with the VA Office of Inspector General and the Education Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration to investigate the case.

The Justice Department described the bust as "the largest known incident of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits fraud prosecuted by the department."

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Supreme Court Accepts GI Bill Case That Could Affect 1.7 Million Veterans
WASHINGTON  An audio recording from a meeting in which former President Donald Trump discusses a highly confidential document with an interviewer appears to undermine his later claim that he didn't have such documents, only magazine and newspaper clippings.

The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  including a writer, a publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country.

These are the papers, Trump says in a moment that seems to indicate he's holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. This was done by the military, given to me.

Trumps reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the 2021 meeting could undercut his claim in a recent Fox News Channel interview that he didn't have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of a 38-count indictment that also charged his aide and former valet Walt Nauta. Nauta is set to be arraigned Tuesday before a federal judge in Miami.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording, which first aired Monday on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all. And Trump, on his social media platform late Monday, claimed the recording is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe."
Both chambers of Congress have competing ideas to reinvent the Army's new fitness test, an ongoing effort by legislators to alter fitness standards for the service that only last year received their first major update in decades.

As part of the draft of the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which directs policy and funds the Pentagon, the House Armed Services Committee introduced an amendment for the Army to implement gender-neutral standards for soldiers serving in combat arms.

It's a move that Army senior leaders and the rank and file would likely welcome. Some service planners behind the scenes were unhappy with the introduction of the Army Combat Fitness Test, or ACFT, last year, which ended up having different standards for men and women. Others argue grading women on the same scale as men while relying on those scores for promotions would be unfair.

Read Next: Lawmakers Look to Make Military Housing More Livable with Annual Defense Bill

Army planners were already looking into adjusting standards for combat jobs, including gender-neutral standards. One service official told Military.com, on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, that one idea was adjusting minimum passing standards for frontline roles, making the current pass rate for 17- to 21-year-old men the blanket minimum for men and women in combat arms.

The job codes that would see higher and gender-neutral ACFT standards if the House's proposal passes would be: 11A, 11B, 11C, 12A, 12B, 13A, 13F, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18Z, 19A, 19D; as well as 25C and 68W assigned to infantry, cavalry and engineer line companies, and brigade combat teams. Those jobs cover infantry, field artillery, engineer, special forces and cavalry fields.

The draft NDAA is in the early stages and will go through a long series of negotiations between each chamber on Capitol Hill and key stakeholders, including the Army, before heading to President Joe Biden's desk for signature.

Military.com reported on Monday that the Senate's version of the draft NDAA includes a provision to revert the Army back to its old test, the Army Physical Fitness Test, or APFT. That idea drew ire from Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, the service's top enlisted leader. Grinston said that idea "doesn't make sense" after the Army spent a decade developing the ACFT -- a test that is broadly seen as a much better assessment of fitness.

A previous version of the ACFT in a pilot program in 2019 initially graded soldiers based on their jobs, though test developers told Military.com that quickly became problematic in situations where soldiers did not have a combat arms job but were assigned to a line unit or vice versa.

The ACFT was created to replace the prior fitness test, which had been in use since the 1980s and only measured push-ups, sit-ups and a timed two-mile run. The Army sought a new test around 2010 after years of conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan spurred a desire for a more comprehensive test.

The ACFT was tested in a trial period in 2019 and became the Army's test of record in October. The test consists of six events, including a deadlift, hand-release push-ups, a plank, a timed two-mile run; an event which soldiers sprint and switch between carrying 40-pound kettlebells and dragging a 90-pound sled for time, and an event in which soldiers throw a 10-pound medicine ball as far as they can.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Congress' Move to Scrap the ACFT Sparks Outcry from Army Leadership
WASHINGTON  The Department of Veterans Affairs "will spare no expense" to maintain staff and services at VA hospitals in Spokane and Walla Walla, an official told Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers after the Spokane Republican raised concerns about budget problems tied to a computer system being tested in the Inland Northwest.

In a June 23 letter obtained by The Spokesman-Review, Patricia Ross, the VA's assistant secretary for congressional and legislative affairs, told McMorris Rodgers the department would provide extra funding to address shortfalls at both Spokane's Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and Walla Walla's Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center.

"I assure you that any budget issues at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC and Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VAMC will not result in staff or service reductions," Ross wrote, using the acronym for VA medical center. " VA is taking steps to ensure these facilities are appropriately funded and that services available to Veterans are not impacted."

The response follows the warning made by Mann-Grandstaff's director, Robert Fischer, to employees in May that the Spokane hospital would need to reduce its workforce due to a projected budget deficit of more than $35 million, caused in part by the impact of a new electronic health record system the VA launched in 2020 at Mann-Grandstaff and its affiliated clinics across the region. After VA Secretary Denis McDonough delayed the system's rollout over problems that emerged in Spokane, the deployment resumed in Walla Walla in March 2022.

After The Spokesman-Review reported on Fischer's email to hospital supervisors, McMorris Rodgers wrote a letter to McDonough on May 24, asking the VA secretary to commit to using funds Congress already had allocated for the system's deployment to prevent any staff cuts in Spokane or Walla Walla. In May, the VA announced a modified contract with the company behind the system, Oracle Cerner, weeks after halting the system's nationwide rollout due to ongoing problems.

In her letter to McMorris Rodgers, Ross said the VA had provided more than $153 million in additional funding "to cover budget needs" at Mann-Grandstaff  including the impacts of the Oracle Cerner system  since the 2016 fiscal year. McMorris Rodgers said she had a "productive conversation" with McDonough on June 21.

In the current fiscal year, Ross said, the department would give the Spokane hospital $6.2 million to cover lost revenue, with $4.7 of that money coming from the VA's Northwest regional office and $1.5 million from the Veterans Health Administration, which manages VA health care. The VA would provide $2.7 million to the Walla Walla hospital for the same reason, Ross said.

"Mann-Grandstaff VAMC has not been asked to cut staff or reduce services to Veterans to mitigate any effects of the deficit," Ross wrote. "Every VA facility must assess how to provide the best care to Veterans by providing an appropriate and sustainable plan to manage and operationalize safe and efficient staffing levels."

After the director of the regional office visited Mann-Grandstaff at the end of May, a VA spokesman said the Spokane hospital had been asked to develop a "strategic plan" for its future. Such a plan would need to account for the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Oracle Cerner system, which continues to limit the number of patients each health care provider can see.

So far in the fiscal year that began in October 2022, Mann-Grandstaff had hired 122 employees, 55 of whom are in "critical occupations" the VA has prioritized, Ross said. She did not say how many employees had left the hospital during that period.

___

(c)2023 The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.)

Visit The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) at www.spokesman.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In the late 1850s, the U.S. Army experimented with using camels as pack animals in the American Southwest, where horses and mules routinely suffered from dehydration. Camels from the Ottoman Empire were shipped to the United States in 1853. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis ordered they be tested on routes across the desert to California.

The camel experiment was a success, but the Army was wholly uninterested in camels. Before there could be an internal struggle about it, the Civil War broke out in 1861. The secretary of war became president of the Confederacy, and the idea died out. The U.S. Army wasn't the only one interested in testing camels; that's how a dromedary -- a one-humped camel -- ended up in the Confederate Army.

Douglas the Dromedary, also known as Douglas the Camel and "Old Douglas," was purchased by planters in Mobile, Alabama, around the same time the Army was sending camels of its own to Texas. Local farmers wanted to see whether they could be effective on their plantations. Long story short: They weren't.

That wasn't the end for Old Douglas, though. He was given to Col. William Moore of the 43rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment at the start of the Civil War. Douglas became a pack animal for the unit as well as a mascot. Douglas got along so well with the men of the unit, the 43rd became known as the "Camel Regiment."

The horses weren't so happy about the camel, however, so Douglas spent much of his time outside of camp, grazing freely and refusing to be leashed. He came when called, and dutifully sat down to be loaded with supplies for the regimental band when the time came. Douglas marched north with the 43rd, fighting at the battles of Iuka, Corinth and at Vicksburg.

Coincidentally, the Union troops at all three of those battles included the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, whose mascot was "Old Abe." Old Abe, named for President Lincoln, accompanied the 8th Wisconsin in combat for its entire Civil War service. This might be the only time a camel and an eagle fought on the same battlefield.

Read: The 101st Airborne's 'Screaming Eagle' Has a Name and a Civil War History

Sadly for the men of the 43rd Mississippi, Old Douglas was shot and killed at the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863, allegedly killed by a Union skirmisher. The rebels were so angered by the death of their beloved mascot that they vowed revenge on the Yankee who killed him. Col. Robert Bevier, commander of the 5th Missouri, gathered six of his best sharpshooters to kill the man.

You would have eaten him too, admit it.

The Union soldier who killed Douglas the Camel was reportedly hit, but no one ever saw what became of him. Across the lines, Old Abe was in perfect condition and would survive the battle and the Civil War. Douglas was actually eaten by the starving Confederates at Vicksburg. What was left of him was buried in his own grave, which still stands today in Vicksburg's Cedar Hill Cemetery.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on LinkedIn.

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2:55pm: MLBTRs Steve Adams reports that Flexen can reject an outright assignment while retaining his whole salary. Unless the Mariners work out a trade in the next week, he will almost certainly wind up on the open market.

2:10pm: The Mariners announced that right-hander Trevor Gott has been reinstated from the injured list with fellow righty Chris Flexen designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Flexen losing his roster spot is totally unsurprising given his results this season but its a shocking turn of events compared to where things stood just a few months ago. After a successful stint in the KBO in 2020, Flexen returned to North America by signing a two-year deal with the Mariners, with an option for 2023 as well.

The guaranteed portion of that agreement went quite well, with Flexen tossing 317 1/3 innings over 2021 and 2022 with a 3.66 ERA. His 16.5% strikeout rate in that time wasnt especially strong, but his 6.8% walk rate showed strong control. He also did a good job keeping the ball from going over the fence, as his 8.8% home run per fly ball rate was third-best in the league among pitchers with at least 300 innings pitcher. His pitcher-friendly ballpark may have had an impact but his 3.75 road ERA was only slightly higher than his 3.57 mark at T-Mobile Park.

The 2023 option on his contract could be vested at $8MM if Flexen tossed 300 innings over the first two years, which he did. With the Ms having five other rotation options in Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert and Marco Gonzales, that led to Flexen getting interest in trade talks over the offseason.

The Mariners ultimately held onto Flexen for some extra rotation depth, which seemed like a wise move when Ray quickly landed on the injured list and eventually required Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, Flexen couldnt step up and take the open rotation spot, getting torched for a 10.38 ERA in four starts before getting bumped back to the bullpen.

His next five outings were scoreless but hes allowed at least one earned run in his past seven appearances. Whatever skill or luck he previously deployed to prevent home runs has eluded him this year, as hes already given up 11 long balls, leading to a 21.6% HR/FB rate thats more than double his clip from the previous two campaigns. Overall, he has a 7.71 ERA on the year in 42 innings, which has bumped him off Seattles roster.

The Mariners will now have a week to trade Flexen or pass him through waivers. He garnered interest over the winter and some of those clubs could now circle back, especially with so many pitching injuries throughout the league, though Flexens poor results this season will obviously tamp down whatever trade value he previously had. With approximately $4.1MM still remaining on his contract, the Ms would surely have to swallow some or all of that in order to facilitate a deal.

As for the waiver route, that will be an interesting factor here. Normally, players with more than three years of service time can reject an outright assignment in favor of electing free agency, but they require five years of service to do so while retaining their salary. Assuming those normal rules apply and Flexen goes on to clear waivers, he obviously wouldnt leave that money on the table and would therefore stick in the Mariners organization as depth. However, players coming from stints in other countries like Japan, Korea or Cuba often have language in their contracts that allows them to circumvent the normal service time rules. For instance, MLBTR confirmed this winter that Flexen would become a free agent after 2023 even though he would be well shy of six years of service time. Whether the Ms can potentially keep Flexen as depth or not will have an impact on how much they are willing to trade him.
Country star Morgan Wallen will swing through Michigan with stops in Grand Rapids tonight and Detroit later this week.

Tickets are still available at Stubhub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek and Ticketmaster.

Get last-minute tickets for a chance to see the country star as he returns to the stage after resting his vocal cords per doctors orders.

First up for Wallens One Night at a Time World Tour with Ernest and Bailey Zimmerman will be June 27 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The show is a makeup date rescheduled from April 27.

Wallen will hit Detroit on June 29 and June 30 for two shows at Ford Field with Hardy and Ernest and Bailey Zimmerman. Prices are ranging between $200 to $1000. Prices will fluctuate.

The country superstar recently hit #1 on the Billboard album chart for his new album, One Thing at a Time.

Wallen got his break as a contestant on The Voice in 2014 and his sophomore studio album Dangerous: The Double Album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and finished 2021 as the years best-selling album.

He was named the 2022 American Music Awards (AMAs) Male Country Artist of the Year and Country Song of the Year. (Vivid Seats)

Get tickets for the Morgan Wallen One Night at a Time World Tour at Stubhub, Vivid Seats, Seat Geek and Ticketmaster.

Grand Rapids - June 27 at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

Seat Geek

Ticketmaster

Detroit - June 29 at Ford Field, Detroit

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

Seat Geek

Ticketmaster

Detroit - June 30 at Ford Field, Detroit

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

Seat Geek

Ticketmaster
LIVONIA, MI -- A 29-year-old Livonia man has been charged with aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation after he allegedly hit a 13-year-old boy and yelled racial slurs at the child earlier this month. According to the Livonia Police Department, Moeez Irfan was arraigned earlier this month in connection with an incident on June 8 at the Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center.

Irfan is accused of bumping into the boy in a stairwell before allegedly shouting the slurs at the child and hitting him multiple times in the head. When police arrived at the recreation center, Irfan resisted their attempts to arrest him before they eventually subdued him. Irfan was transported to the Livonia Police Department, before he was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

When Irfan was released from the the hospital on June 16, police arrested him and he was arraigned in 16th District Court on the assault and intimidation charges along with a charge of resisting and obstructing police, and habitual offender third offense. Irfan was remanded to the Wayne County Jail and bond was set at $50,000 with 10% allowed. He is due back in court on June 29 for a probable cause conference.

The boy who was attacked in the incident was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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Police in Wisconsin have identified the victim of a fatal crash near the Michigan border.

According to the Florence County Sheriffs Office, Keith Allen of Gladstone died after a head-on collision between two vehicles on U.S. 2 in Spread Eagle on June 23.

Spread Eagle is located across the Menominee River from Michigans Upper Peninsula.

Deputies said Allen was attempting to avoid a collision with a vehicle that had crossed the center line into his lane of traffic.

The vehicle was driven by a 16-year-old male. He will not be identified by name.

An investigation is ongoing, but deputies said inattentive driving is believed to be a contributing factor of the crash.

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ISHPEMING, MI  A Michigan woman is accused of pour lighter fluid on her husband then setting him on fire, police said.

The incident happened in October 2021, WPBN/WGTU reports. It was not reported to law enforcement at the time but was discovered during a recent unrelated investigation, Michigan State Police said in a news release.

The fire was quickly extinguished and the victim, a 63-year-old man, was not injured, police said.

Julie Boxley, 52, was arraigned last week in Alger County court on charges of third-degree arson and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, police said.

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MACOMB COUNTY, MI  A Michigan woman has been charged with the abuse and torture of her boyfriends elderly mother.

Laura Tisdelle, 40, Sterling Heights was arraigned in Macomb County on June 23. She was charged with torture, a life felony, first degree abuse of a vulnerable adult, unlawful imprisonment, and third-degree domestic violence.

Tisdelles boyfriend allegedly returned home after a five-day trip on June 21 and discovered his 80-year-old mother with her hands tied together and restrained to the bed. She was also severely beaten and laying in her own urine and feces.

Tisdelle was the sole caregiver for the victim in her Sterling Heights home while her boyfriend was away, prosecutors said. The victim is in critical condition at a local hospital.

The torture and abuse allegedly inflicted upon a defenseless, elderly woman is a grim testament to the darkest corners of our society, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido in a statement.

It is my solemn duty to prosecute these heinous acts. We will ensure that the victims voice is heard, her pain acknowledged, and her perpetrator held accountable.

Tisdelles bond was set at $200,000. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on July 5 and a preliminary exam is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on July 12.

READ MORE:

Michigan man dies after head-on crash in Wisconsin

Michigan man dies after being hit by truck, run over by second vehicle in Macomb County

Michigan man accused of sexually assaulting minor over 5-year period
Some Michigan craft beers are so yummy that fans wait months for the latest batches to come back into a brewerys rotation. Thats the case for Cherry Pie Whole, a beer created by Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City that tastes like a fruity slice of dessert.

A special release party to coincide with this summers Cherry Festival is being planned by the brewery for Friday, June 30. Festivities will kick off at 11 a.m. and run until 10 p.m.

Brewed with whole cherry crumb pie from Grand Traverse Pie company, Cherry Pie Whole has been one of our most sought-after seasonal beers for over 10 years now, Right Brain staff said. Expect light notes of crust, topped with a cherry finish!

Find more details on the brewerys website here.

There will also be some cool deals to be scored during the festivities. These include:

A free slice of cherry pie with purchase of Cherry Pie Whole pint. While supplies last. Limit one per customer.

Discounts on pints and 4-packs of Cherry Pie Whole.

Pie eating contest at 6 p.m.. No entry fee.

Cherry Pie Whole posters for sale.

Headed to Traverse City? Find more fun things to do here:

New summer rail-bike adventure trips near Traverse City off to busy start

14 new Scandinavian-style homes to open as Traverse City vacation rentals

This delightful Northern Michigan winery is perched atop Leelanau Peninsulas highest point

Northern Michigan winery offers unique Barrel Room tastings
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is settling another lawsuit filed against the city over a street pothole.

City Council voted without discussion June 20 to approve a $99,000 payout to Christine Harris, who alleged the city was liable for injuries and damages she suffered in an accident where she was a passenger on a motorcycle that hit a pothole.

Harris, whose complaint stated she was traveling on southbound Pontiac Trail near Moore Street, claimed the May 2019 incident resulted from the citys failure to properly maintain the roadway.

She was riding with her ex-husband, Kenneth Harris, who immediately realized they were going the wrong way on a one-way street, made a U-turn and hit a pothole that caused the motorcycle to tip over and severely injure Christine Harris ankle, court records state.

The city denied being responsible and fought the case in court, but now desires to settle the matter without admitting liability, according to the resolution council approved.

The city attorneys office advised council on the matter in a confidential memo dated May 30.

The city has now agreed to large settlement payouts in at least three cases involving potholes in the last year.

In March, council approved a $15,000 payout after a jogger claimed he injured his ankle by stepping in a pothole while running on Brooks Street.

The city settled a similar claim for $24,500 last August when a woman was injured stepping in a pothole on Sunset Road.

Christine Harris lawsuit over the Pontiac Trail incident was filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court in March 2020.

The city tried to claim governmental immunity and moved to close the case, but Judge Tim Connors denied the citys motion, concluding there was a sufficient question of fact as to the citys liability. The city appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals, which heard arguments and issued an opinion in January stating the trail court did not err in denying the citys motion.

While the city claimed it lacked knowledge of the pothole in question, evidence submitted by the plaintiff showed there was progressive deterioration of the roadway over a period of several years. Despite any roadway defects, the city maintained it was reasonably safe for public travel.

City Council voted June 5 to move forward with a nearly $4 million project to repair the bumpy southern stretch of Pontiac Trail, as well as Swift, Moore and Wright streets.

Harris and her attorneys could not immediately be reached for further comment on the lawsuit settlement.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

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Whats the future of the dam across Saline River? Study could tee up removal
SALINE, MI - The next year may determine the ultimate fate of a dam that has for generations plugged the Saline River.

City leaders on Monday, June 27, OKd a $240,000 study to investigate the possibility of removing the Saline River Dam, along Michigan Avenue downstream from the Mill Pond. Thats not to say theyre ready to pull the plug on the dam that officials said dates back to the 1800s.

By entering into this study we havent committed to one specific outcome yet, this just gives us the information we need to make a really educated decision, said Saline City Manager Colleen OToole during the Monday City Council meeting.

The city has already looked at the costs of maintaining and restoring the dam to a level thats compliant with future state regulations, expected to become more strict in the coming years, OToole said.

The new study, set to be carried out by civil engineering consultants with Spicer Group, will determine the feasibility of removing the dam, provide a conceptual plan of how it could happen and preview what the upstream Mill Pond area would look like without the dam holding water in place.

The structure is currently in fair condition, according to a Michigan dam safety database, and City Engineer Tesha Humphriss said Monday, due to its age, its likely that pieces of of the dam will start to fail in the next 25 years.

The city expects more conservative requirements on spillway capacity prior to the dams 2026 inspection, teeing up the decision to repair and rebuild the structure or remove it entirely.

In the next five years were going to be looking at millions of dollars of investment in this dam, Humphriss said, adding the removal study gives the city the flexibility of another option.

In this Ann Arbor News photo from April 7, 1947, volunteers in Saline form a brigade passing sandbags to the top of the Saline River Dam as four inches of rain flooded the area.The Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

The consultants will conduct surveys, hydraulic monitoring and estimate the amount of sediment that would need to be removed upstream from the dam, which Humphriss said could ultimately amount to a significant piece of any eventual removal cost estimate.

The city has the support of a state program created to reduce the risk of dam failure following the catastrophic failure of a pair dams in the Midland area during heavy rainfall in 2020, forcing thousands to evacuate and causing an estimated $200 million in damages.

In May, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energys Dam Risk Reduction Grant Program awarded Saline $192,000 to for the dam removal study, making it one of 16 projects across the state to get the money.

Read more: 16 Michigan dam removal, repair projects spilt $15.3M in grants

Most of the money went to projects that were already underway, but Salines proposal scored highly because state officials were excited about the possibility of dam removal as a way to reduce any future risk, Humphriss said.

That also means the price tag for the study is less than it might seem, city leaders said.

This was a significant dollar amount, quarter of a million dollars, and at the face value to the public it looks like were spending an awful lot of money just to hire consultants to tell us what the best way forward is, in reality EGLE will be subsidizing 80% of this cost, City Council Member Jim DellOrco said Tuesday.

Part of the study process will be public engagement and sharing of the findings with residents, OToole said.

Council Member Janet Dillon said she knew residents living along the waterline of the Mill Pond are concerned about the city making any quick decisions, but officials said Monday thats unlikely.

This is definitely a slower-moving project, Humphriss said.

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ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI  A man hired through an online childcare provider is accused of 26 charges, including sexual assault, involving two girls he supervised, police said.

Gary Christopher Carlson, 28, of Wyoming, is charged with nine counts of first-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a potential life offense, eight counts of aggravated child sexual abusive material, eight counts of using a computer to commit a crime and accosting a child for immoral purposes, Allegan County sheriffs detectives said.

Police used a search warrant late last week at Carlsons home in Wyoming while investigating alleged sexual assaults and production of child sexually abusive material, or child pornography, in an investigation that began in Allegan County, police said.

Carlson was arrested when sheriffs deputies, Wyoming police and the FBIs West Michigan Based Child Exploitation Task Force executed the search warrant.

Police said Carlson was hired to provide supervision to two girls, ages 2 and 14, through an online childcare provider. Police asked anyone who has hired Carlson to care for children to call Allegan County Sheriffs Department at 269-673-0500.

Carlson was arraigned Monday, June 26, by Allegan County District Judge Joseph Skocelas, who set bond at $100,000. A preliminary examination is set for July 12.

The Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, or ICAC, assisted in the investigation.

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GAINES TOWNSHIP, MI  Family-owned construction firm First Companies has moved into a new headquarters at 6355 East Paris Ave. SE, double the size of its previous office.

The business, which was founded over 55 years ago in Caledonia and provides construction management, real estate, development and property management services, says the new space contains a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and 20,000 square feet for administrative use. First Companies has more than 70 employees.

As we celebrate our companys 55th anniversary, were excited about what this year has in store for our partners and team members, said Chief Operating Officer Matt Sink. Our new space is one way we live out our values and support our team members so they can continue doing their best work for our clients.

The companys previous headquarters was at 4380 Brockton Dr. SE in Kentwood.

In an email from Gwen Vryhof Bultema, a spokesperson for First Companies, the company said the previous space was not large enough to accommodate the growing First Companies team. The First Companies managed portfolio has grown by more than 60% in the past five years, bringing total managed space to over 4.3 million square feet.

The property management folks were in another building entirely, Bultema said. The previous office space did not allow for community gathering either. One of First Companies core values is family. This space encourages and allows for both collaboration and community engagement.

In addition to the administrative space, the building also includes a cafe, training room, game room, space for family and visitors, as well as private and collaborative work spaces.

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.

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MICHIGAN CENTER, MI - Michigan Center Schools has reached a voluntary separation agreement with its former High School Principal Lisa Falasco, who was reassigned to a newly-created administrative role more than three months ago.

The Michigan Center School Board unanimously approved the agreement with Falasco after a closed session during a special meeting on Wednesday, May 3, board minutes show.

Under the agreement, Falasco was to return to work on June 20, with the option of working remotely per the districts discretion, board minutes show. Falasco, who has been employed with the district for 22 years including 18 as a principal, will retire from the district effective Aug. 31.

Falasco was reassigned to a new administrative position of director of academic success by a 4-2 vote during Michigan Centers March 13 board meeting. Following the vote, Board President Mike Edwards, who voted against it, and Trustee Rex Blakeman, who voted for it, announced their resignations from the board.

Neither Blakeman nor Edwards have responded to requests for comment about their resignations. Current Michigan Center School Board President Debra Kruse also has not responded to multiple interview requests and questions about the boards decision to approve transferring Falasco.

Falascos new job was identified as a position of need for the district, Michigan Center Superintendent Brady Cook said after the transfer, but did not offer specifics on why Falasco was moving into the position and immediately relinquishing responsibilities as high school principal.

Falasco began teaching at Michigan Center in 2001 as a high school English teacher before she was promoted to serving as principal of Arnold Elementary in 2005. She served in that role until 2009, when she become high school principal.

Cook and Falasco have declined to comment on Falascos employment status since her reassignment, including whether she had been at work since her appointment to a new role. Falasco declined to comment for this story.

Cook said having Falasco around before her retirement will be valuable in helping new High School Principal Zachary Kanaan get acclimated with his new role.

We appreciate her years of service to the district and wish her well, Cook said. (Lisas) very knowledgeable. She has a lot of quality information to offer (Kanaan) that will help him be better at his job. Were happy that she has that opportunity, that he has that opportunity to work together so that they make a smooth transition.

Cook said the district is hoping to round out its administrative staff soon and was interviewing candidates for the Arnold Elementary principal position. Former Arnold Elementary School Principal Matthew Desmarais, who worked for 17 years in the district, was hired as the new principal at Western School Districts Warner Elementary School.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.

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SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- Lake Michigans beaches are filled with colorful rocks, beach glass and intricate fossils from different eras of the lakes 1.2 billion year history.

Because of that, the beaches attract avid rock hunters every year.

Kentwood resident Chris Cooper is one of them. He started the Great Lakes Rocks and Minerals Facebook group for fellow rock hunters to share their finds. Now, the group is 241,000 members strong.

Cooper said hes been a rockhound all his life. Hes compiled a map with all the best spaces to collect rocks.

Its a fun family hobby, Cooper said. You can take it as far as you want.

West Michigan beaches are great for rockhounds, Cooper said. Especially north of Saugatuck, he said, since its primarily sandy.

The further south you go, you get more of the rocks that are from the (Upper Peninsula), Cooper said.

The Great Lakes were formed due to melting glaciers thousands of years ago. The glaciers moved southward, depositing rocks from up north into the southern tip of Lake Michigan.

Youll find plenty of quartz and granite at the beaches in colors of white, red and black. Cooper said you can also find lightning stones -- a brown stone with cracks resembling lightning -- as well as Petoskey and Charlevoix stones.

If you have the right UV flashlight at night, watch for Yooperlites, which glow in ultraviolet light.

With some help from Cooper, here are four of the best rock-hunting beaches to check out in West Michigan.

1. Pilgrim Haven Natural Area, South Haven Township

Pilgrim Haven is a broad stretch of beach in South Haven. Youll have to walk down a paved walkway to reach the beach, which is largely made of rocks. But there is sand to put a towel down near the tree line.

Youll want to wear water-friendly shoes to avoid hurting your feet on the rocks.

There are walking paths through Pilgrim Havens wooded areas. From some points, visitors can look out over the lake from the top of erosion-created bluffs.

2. Rocky Gap County Park, 1100 Rocky Gap Road, Benton Harbor

Rocky Gap County Park is separated into the upper park, an area atop a bluff and the lower park on the beach.

In the lower park, theres lots of sand to relax on. The shoreline is dotted with rocks that wash up.

Visitors can also watch the waves from the bluffs in the upper park, which also has benches, picnic tables and a picnic shade shelter. In total theres 1,100 feet of Lake Michigan frontage at the park.

3. Deerlick Creek Park, 76773 13th Ave., South Haven

Deerlick Creek Park is a small beach access area where a creek meets Lake Michigan. While the whole beach isnt rock plentiful, you can start at the rock wall and make your way down the beach.

The park has lots of trees and is also great for fishing and kayaking.

4. Pier Cove Park, 2290 Lakeshore Drive, Fennville

Pier Cove Park offers plenty of rocks to pick from, as its on the beachfront where the Pier Cove River meets Lake Michigan.

Whichever beach you decide to go rock hunting at, be sure to bring a bag or bucket for your finds, respect fellow beachgoers and dont leave trash behind.

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(UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that the false message came from the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine (WMed), not Western Michigan University.)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A false message was sent out by Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine (WMed) indicating a threat on campus, leaving many confused.

WMed released a message Tuesday, June 27, to some users, falsely indicating there was a threat on the campus. A message was then sent to all users indicating there was no threat.

WMU, which is a separate entity from WMed, also sent out a notice to students and others on its alert system to reassure people that there was no threat.

The original message was prompted by a call about a developing situation.

It was a quick decision someone had to make, Laura Eller, director of communications for WMed said. If it was actively, happening you dont have 10, 15 minutes to call several different places and Im sure they acted the best they could with the information that they had.

Eller said more protocols will be put in place following the mistake.

The safety of our employees is always going to come first, so I think well put some further protocols in place to get even more information than we had, Eller said. We would rather put something out and be wrong than put it out and wait and find out its too late.

The threat message was shared by some on social media before the clarification was made.

The university held a town hall on March 1 to inform students on active shooter safety, in case of a threat, following the Michigan State mass shooting.

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OCEANA COUNTY, MI  Melissa Lakies didnt want to go all four days of the Electric Forest music festival without seeing her beloved cat, Oscar.

So, she brought him with her  sort of.

Lakies printed out a giant cardboard cutout of her cats face and stuck it on top of a 5-foot totem. She carried it around wherever she went during the festival that kicked off June 22 in Rothbury and ended Sunday.

She was part of a group of about 10 friends who did the same, carrying giant totems with the faces of their beloved pets throughout the festival.

It was a fun way for the group to match with one another, while also getting to show off their adorable fluffy friends, Lakies said.

Brian Tai, of Denver, poses for a portrait with his Super Nintotem during the second day of Electric Forest Music Festival at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan on Friday, June 23, 2023. The totem weighs about 11 pounds, has wheels on the bottom and has two controllers for anyone to play. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

My friends and I all made totems of our pets to bring them with us, because its a long week without them, said Lakies, from the Traverse City area. We just kind of went for it, and they seemed to work out pretty well.

At Electric Forest, totems are an essential part of the festivals culture, serving as a form of expression, creativity and fun.

Totem poles allow people to express themselves, share joy, make people laugh, said attendee Brian Tai, of Denver, Colorado, on Friday, June 24.

Festivalgoers come up with unique and hilarious ideas for their totems, which they carry around during the festival as a way to convey a message, rally a group or simply for fun. The totems typically average around 5 five tall.

This year, Tai decided to bring an idea to life that hed been thinking about for years: A Super Nintotem (a play on the word Super Nintendo). He attached a monitor to a giant tube and set up a mini Super Nintendo gaming system where users can play video games on the go.

Brian Tai of Denver takes a video of fellow festival goers playing Mario Kart on his Super Nintotem during the second day of Electric Forest Music Festival at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan on Friday, June 23, 2023. Tai posts the videos of various people playing games on his instagram page @supertotem. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Truth is, Ive had this idea for years, Tai said. Youre just in the crowd, and youre like, Man, it would be really great if we could play some Streetfighter, a little Mario Kart, little Tetris, something.

The Super Nintotem took about three days to make, Tai said. He first brought it with him to the Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) music festival in Las Vegas last month, and made a few slight tweaks before bringing the totem to Electric Forest.

Coming out of EDC there were some enhancements: Stronger mounts, bigger monitor, wheels, he said.

Tai runs an Instagram account, called Super Nintotem, where he posts pictures of all the strangers who play the gaming system during the music festival.

Totems have been popular at festivals for years, but many events have banned the creative pieces because they can block the audiences view of the stage.

Thats not the case at Electric Forest, the popular music festival that draws people from all over the country to the rural Village of Rothbury in Oceana County.

RELATED: See incredible photos from explosion of music and fireworks on day 3 of Electric Forest

Electric Forest has adopted some rules when it comes to totems. They cannot be taller than 7 feet, and festival organizers suggest that they are constructed of light materials, with no sharp ends or something that could injure someone.

In addition, no threatening messages are allowed on totems at Electric Forest.

The types of things featured on totems are elaborate and varied. Sometimes theyre random; other times theyre closely calculated and thought out, but all of them show the spirit and creativity of those that carry them with pride.

Click here to see 90 images of unique and creative totems

MLive was on scene all week snapping photos of our favorite totems, an essential part of Electric Forest. View all MLives coverage of Electric Forest 2023 here.

Electric Forest, a multi-genre music festival, concluded on Sunday, June 25 with a severe rainstorm that evacuated the festival for about two hours in the afternoon due to heavy rain and strong winds.

RELATED: Happy rain forest: Good vibes werent deterred by severe weather on Electric Forests final day

The four-day festival was expected to draw about 45,000-50,000 people to the festival grounds at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury.

Electric Forest is produced by Madison House Presents and Insomniac Events

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BAY CITY, MI  Desarae Stevens knows what its like to grow up in foster care and then take the momentous leap into adulthood without a support system or a home to return to.

Until a couple years ago, she was one of the approximately 10,000 Michigan children and teens in the foster care system. Now 20, Stevens is navigating young adulthood and setting goals for the future.

My life is a roller coaster. My story, it can be dark at times, so I dont want to share a ton of details. I dont even know how to put it in words, she said. I think it makes you a stronger person, for sure.

After living in foster homes as a younger child and then with a relative as a teenager, Stevens eventually found stability with River Jordan, a Bay City-based nonprofit that helps teens and young adults transition from foster care to independence. She had a car and a job at the time but lacked something else important.

I was missing the emotional support, the support system, Stevens said, standing outside River Jordans offices on Kiesel Road.

After aging out of foster care at 18, Stevens lived in River Jordans transitional house for women for about a year and a half. When she first moved in, she had difficulty asking for or accepting help from others but found support in mentors who assured her and other young adults like her that they werent to blame for their challenging circumstances.

They let it be known that its not your fault, Stevens said. It felt like comfort to me.

But that place of comfort and growth for Stevens and other former foster youths may be in jeopardy.

River Jordan Executive Director Aland Stamps said the organization is struggling financially. An online fundraiser seeks to raise $200,000 to help the nonprofit continue its mission to empower those who have experienced foster care to thrive and to prevent homelessness, human trafficking, substance abuse and suicide among young adults aging out of the foster care system.

Donors who make monthly contributions will become part of River Jordans Forever Family and will receive quarterly newsletters, program updates, data on its services and invitations to special events, including an annual family reunion. The organization also accepts donations of office supplies, personal hygiene products, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other essentials. Stamps invited prospective donors to schedule a tour of the facility.

All the nonprofits have experienced the hit, you know, this year, over the last fiscal year, and were no different. So this is our most challenging fiscal year since weve been open, said Stamps, who is currently River Jordans only employee. We need to raise $150,000 by the end of the year  to take us through to the end of the year.

I was looking at myself

Founded in 2018, River Jordan has an office at 3442 Kiesel Road, plus a womens house and a mens house, both in Bay City. In addition to offering peer support, a safe place to socialize and affordable transitional housing for former foster youths ages 18 to 21, River Jordan and its volunteers provide younger teens who are still in foster care with community resources, job skills, career and education development skills, personal life skills, financial literacy skills, relationship-building skills, and recovery capital they need before they turn 18.

(Our transitional houses) havent been full since we started, but the reason why that is is because we really try to do the work before they age out of foster care, so they dont need transitional housing, Stamps said. If were full all the time, that means that our prevention piece is not working very well.

Stamps, who entered the foster care system in elementary school, had to overcome a lot before he felt ready to help others. Now, through River Jordan, he can help support and guide young people with similar lived experiences.

My mother was a heroin addict; she got hooked on heroin very young, Stamps recalled. And one day, she left me with somebody and didnt come back for a long time.

Stamps lived with his grandmother for several years after that, but his emotional needs and behavioral challenges became too much for her to manage.

I went into my first residential foster care placement on Christmas night of 1978 after Id thrown a huge temper tantrum because my mother didnt show up for Christmas, so that started my foster care placements, Stamps said, noting that he was 8 years old at the time. I went through about 20 different placements and group homes throughout that 11-year stint, and I aged out of foster care at 18 into homelessness.

Stamps said he became addicted to drugs and was incarcerated for several years. He was approaching 40 when he started working toward recovery. Overcoming these challenges led him to work with foster youth, something he described as a spiritual calling.

I felt the spirit of God calling me to work with foster youth, he said. As I was looking at these kids...it was like I was looking at myself.

Eventually, Stamps left his career in the automotive industry to start River Jordan and pursue that calling full-time.

Over the past five years, River Jordan has provided resources, including transitional housing, to more than 50 young adults in mid-Michigan and other resources to hundreds more throughout the state, Stamps estimated. Some of them have kept in touch after they have moved out and moved on, something Stamps welcomes.

Were their forever family, he said. Were their home away from home.

As he continues to try to raise funds, Stamps is determined to keep River Jordan open and to continue making a difference in the lives of people like Stevens.

If we dont raise the money, then we cant operate. Well have to just stay still until we raise the money to continue, he said. But I have no plans on closing; thats not going to happen.

When Stamps turned 18 and aged out of foster care, he had nowhere to go. Stevens believes she, too, would have been without a home if it hadnt been for River Jordan.

When you turn 18 in foster care, youre in the streets, she said. I knew that if I didnt come here, I would be kind of just on my own. Which, do I think I would have made it and survived? Yes. But do I think I would have made more poor choices? Also, yes.

Over the past couple of years, Stevens said she has gone through a huge spiritual growth, moved into an apartment, finished esthetician school and found work she enjoys. Her goals include buying a home, starting a business, traveling and achieving financial freedom.

Her message to other teens and young adults who are in a similar situation is to not give up.

Its unfortunate that you have to be so young going through so much, but keep your head up, she said. Theyre not the only ones.

For more information about River Jordan, visit riverjordan.org. For information about becoming a foster parent, visit www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/adult-child-serv/foster-care.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

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Michigans air quality monitoring system has been put to the test in recent weeks and months.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires this month resulted in two firsts for Michigan: Upper Peninsula residents had their first action day advisory for any pollutant, and the first action day advisories for fine particulates anywhere in the state were issued across most of southern Michigan.

The state additionally had its first action day advisory in April for ozone levels.

In fact, much of southeast Michigan as well as large swaths of West Michigan and north along the Lake Michigan shoreline in recent weeks remained under days-long action day advisories for ground-level ozone levels. Thats because of prevailing wind patterns that blow pollution from the Chicago region into Michigan.

Then this week brought another bout with wildfire smoke from Canada, which wafted across the state Monday and Tuesday, June 26 and 27, and are expected to continue into Wednesday, June 28.

Related: Air quality alerts issued for the state due to wildfire smoke

This weeks concentrations of particulate matter are even higher than those measured earlier in the month, according to a statewide alert. There may be ozone concentration concerns later this week.

These trends are expected to both continue as climate change accelerates, and raise the profile of Michigans air quality monitoring system. That system is closely watched by scientists at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) who send out the public alerts.

With climate change effects becoming more apparent, EGLE is talking about ways to get more visibility and awareness for Air Quality Alerts and making sure our monitoring system is robust  both for ozone and particulate matter, which could become more frequent with the increasing Canadian wildfires, said Hugh McDiarmid Jr., agency spokesperson.

Ozone is a naturally occurring gas that protects the Earth from ultraviolet radiation in the upper atmosphere, but which can trigger chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and inflame respiratory problems when it forms low enough where people can breathe it.

Wildfire smoke contains harmful particulate matter, which is a mix of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke. This air pollution is known to cause lung and cardiovascular diseases, low birth weight of babies, and can both cause and exacerbate asthma.

People with heart disease or lung conditions, older adults, those who are pregnant, children, and teens are more vulnerable to these types of air pollution and health officials advise minimize outdoor activity during these conditions.

People can sign up for federal air quality alerts that can provide up-to-date information about pollution conditions and then act accordingly.

The EPA developed a color-coded index for reporting air quality that covers not only particle pollution, but also reports on ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Meanwhile amid these repetitive air quality alerts, state environmental regulators will accept public comments on planned updates to the states air quality monitoring system through Friday, June 30.

The state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) annually reviews the states air monitoring network, and this year recommends several new sites for the scientific monitoring of air conditions. The three new locations for equipment are northeast Detroit, Manistee, and Marquette in the Upper Peninsula.

The new site in northeast Detroit will be in the vicinity of GM Hamtramck and the US Ecology-North facilities to measure fine particulate matter and black carbon. The equipment would be functional in the autumn or spring 2024.

New continuous fine particulate matter samplers are also planned for Little River Band of Ottawa tribal land in Manistee, as well as at a spot in Marquette.

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SOUTH HAVEN, MI  It was an unusual day at the beach.

Beachgoers collided with a harbor dredging project in South Haven this weekend, where a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor was piping sand from around the Lake Michigan pierheads onto the South Beach public area.

King Company of Holland started dredging 57,300 cubic yards of sand from the Black River channel on Saturday, June 24. The project is scheduled to continue through this week.

The company received a $542,000 contract in January for the project, which is nourishing the beach by returning trapped harbor mouth sand to a coastal drift area,

The beach-building project is also building up flooding protection around South Havens beachside water treatment plant and drinking water reservoir under South Beach.

On Saturday, a bulldozer graded sand around a pipe outfall as beachgoers frolicked around the outwash that cascaded in a delta-like pattern across the shoreline.

South Beach was crowded as people sought a respite from sun and high temperatures. Families retreated down the shoreline as the outfall area expanded and some complained of a stink from the outwash, which at times had a rotten smell.

King Company sectioned off an area behind the outwash and periodically shooed kids away, but beach safety staff did not aggressively pursue people who disregarded the caution tape.

Army Corps officials said the dredged sand and water is tested to ensure its free of any contaminants which could be a public health hazard. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) permits the work.

The smell is likely from decaying organic material vacuumed off the lakebed, said Capt. Samuel Briscoe, project manager for the Army Corps Detroit District.

We do take samples before we dredge and if theres any reason to believe its contaminated, we would pump it to a dewatering area, not just spread it on the beach, Briscoe said.

Theres no reason to believe theres anything in the water that would be any kind of containment based off our sampling.

King Company has been busy this and last year vacuuming sand with a hydraulic dredging platform in multiple Lake Michigan town which are struggling with harbor shoaling thats built up, in part, due to an uptick in severe storms and low winter ice cover in recent years.

The company arrived in South Haven after finishing a similar project that ran over-schedule in St. Joseph.

We see lots of sediment in motion now coming off of the high water we just experienced in Lake Michigan and all the shoreline changes that occurred as a result of that. All of that contributed more sediment to the near shores, Guy Meadows, a nearshore hydrodynamics expert at Michigan Technological University, told MLive this month.

This is the second year the Black River mouth was dredged. In 2022, the Army Corps deposited 18,000 cubic yards of sand on an armored stretch of private shoreline south of South Beach.

This years South Beach project is funded by a Congressional earmark and occurs under a special permit from Michigan EGLE that allows dredge material to be placed near the citys drinking water intake alongside the south pier.

Thats why they placed farther south last year, because we hadnt gotten that coordination with EGLE yet, said Briscoe.

Briscoe said theres numerous dredging projects happening along the states Lake Michigan coast funded by the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Theres some projects where we have money now and its well overdue, Briscoe said.

Briscoe said the public should avoid dredging placement areas until the work is complete due to nearshore currents and quicksand-like condition directly around the pipe outfall.

The public should obey any signs posted saying to keep out of the material being placed on the beach and listen to any contractor staff in the area.

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Health officials recommend limiting the time your pets spend outdoors as wildfire smoke from Canada has caused unhealthy air quality throughout much of Michigan.

On Tuesday, June 27, the National Weather Service issued air quality alerts for the whole state until Wednesday morning, June 28. In some parts of the state, the air quality alert is in place through Wednesday evening.

The warning is due to small particles in the air, originating from the wildfire smoke, which can cause breathing issues in humans and animals alike.

To best protect your animals from poor quality air, the State Veterinarians Office suggests keeping pets inside with windows and doors closed, as well as avoiding strenuous activities and ensuring clean air flow indoors using fans, air conditioners and air purifiers.

Similar to humans, animals are also affected when there are issues with air quality, especially birds, animals with underlying respiratory and heart conditions, and other sensitive populations  such as young or senior animals, said Jennifer Calogero, assistant state veterinarian for the state.

Related: Air quality monitors across Michigan growing in importance

Animals that are being negatively affected by breathing poor quality air may exhibit signs of illness, including coughing, wheezing, and having difficulties breathing. They may also have eye drainage, lethargy, changing in the sound of their vocalization, decreased appetite and third.

If you have concerns about your animals health, Calogero recommends contacting your local vet.

The air quality index offers a rating of the air quality between 0 and 500. A higher value means a greater level of air pollution and thus greater health concerns.

Values of 101 to 150 are unhealthy for sensitive groups, while values 151 to 200 are unhealthy for the general population. Any value between 201 and 300 is considered very unhealthy and any value above 301 is considered hazardous.

Residents can visit airnow.gov and type in their ZIP code to see real-time monitoring of their air quality. As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the following areas in Michigan were deemed very unhealthy: Benton Harbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Houghton Lake, Kalamazoo, Ludington, Saginaw, and Traverse City.

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A $16.6 million development is committed to providing 60 units of affordable housing for half a century to fill a pressing need in Petoskey.

A 70,224-square-foot building will be constructed at a vacant former lumber yard in Petoskeys Old Town Emmet neighborhood. The Michigan Strategic Fund Tuesday, June 27 awarded the project $7.2 million of economic incentives including a $1.4 million Brownfield tax capture, which help redevelop past industrial sites; a $3.3 million loan; and a $2.5 million grant.

This has been just an overall blighted site in the mix of what is to be hopefully a transitional area for the city of Petoskey, said Daniel Leonard, redevelopment services director at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation fundraised and purchased the property last year to preserve it for housing. Local developers G. A. Haan Development and Northern Homes CDC are partners on The Lofts at Lumber Square project.

Throughout our 30-year history, weve identified community needs and look for unique and innovative solutions to meet those needs. What our community needs now is housing, said Sarah Ford, director of community philanthropy at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

Related: Where rent is most, least affordable in Michigan

All 60 units will be available to residents who earn between 80% and 120% of the area median income in Emmett County. For a family of four 80% is $66,560 and 120% is 99,840, but the figures change year to year.

Rents are expected to range between $1,107 to $1,150 a month for one-bedroom units, $1,350 for two-bedroom units and $1,550 for three-bedroom units, according to a project memo.

Affordable housing rates, up to 120% of the area median income, will be maintained for at least 50 years  a condition set by the community foundation.

(Petoskey) is a wonderful place for natural beauty and opportunity, but we dont want it to become a place where only certain people can afford to live and thrive, Ford said. Our sense of community and our local economy are being impacted by the lack of attainable housing.

Affordable housing is a persistent challenge in Northern Michigan, where the population swings dramatically from winter to summer. Airbnbs, vacation rentals and summer homes often chip away at the scarce housing supply. This struggle even prompted Shorts Brewing Company in Bellaire to buy a 25-room motel last year to house its summer staff.

Related: Northern Michigan towns look for middle ground on short-term rentals

A 2019 study from Housing North found Emmet Countys housing market could support another 2,288 housing units by 2025. The bulk of the rental need, about 90%, is for units priced under $1,000 a month. The study also found demand is high for small homes, apartments and other rentals.

But affordability remains an issue.

The average Emmet County renter needs to earn $18.75 an hour  higher than the $10.10 minimum wage  to afford a two-bedroom apartment, according to recent data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Locally, housing is no new issue. That has been (a struggle) throughout Northern Michigan in trying to solidify some type of stable base for new opportunities for people to move here, to work here, to live here, Leonard said.

Related: Vacation homes eat up inventory, deepen income divide in this Michigan county

The Michigan Strategic Fund Tuesday approved funding for two other housing projects.

A $14.8 million development in Grand Rapids received a $2.65 million loan from the state and $367,680 in Brownfield tax capture. Plans include constructing a four-story, 72-unit mixed-used building on vacant land in the Creston neighborhood.

The state also gave a $1.5 million grant to a proposed $8.6 million development that will create 32 housing units in Whitehall.

To a French engineering company, the state awarded a $3 million grant to build its first North American research and development facility in Oakland County. Expleo, now headquartered in Kansas, plans to locate an engineering team in Michigan and invest $2 million over five years. The investment is expected to create 196 new jobs.

More on MLive:

Michigan funnels $75M into supporting small businesses

Why Michigan wineries, farms, museums welcome RV campers

$1.5B grant brings high-speed internet to 200,000 Michigan homes, businesses
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 white woman accused of fatally shooting 35-year-old Ajike AJ Owens formally faces manslaughter charges over her death. Florida State Attorney William Gladson charged Susan Lorincz with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault.

Lorincz fatally shot Owens, a Black mother of four, earlier this month after yelling at Owens children for playing in a nearby field. After Owens went to the 58-year-olds residence to confront her, Lorincz fired a gun from behind her closed door, striking and killing Owens.

Gladson claimed that charges against Lorincz did not rise to the level of second-degree murder because the criteria for depraved mind was not met. According to an example illustrating the charge in Floridas own statutes, that could include violent behavior like firing a gun with no regard for the outcome but without premeditation.

Owens family hopes for Lorinczs charges will be upgraded, however. All the evidence unequivocally supports the elevation of this charge to second-degree murder, attorney Anthony Thomas said in a statement.

We firmly believe that justice demands nothing less. The failure of the prosecutor to charge Susan with what truly reflected her wanton, reckless behavior undermines our ability to even get real accountability. Nevertheless, our resolve remains unwavering, and we will continue to fight.

According to Gladson, sworn testimony from Owens children also factored into his decision-making when charging Lorincz. The crime of misdemeanor culpable negligence was not filed because there is no evidence to establish that the defendant knew the child was with his mother when she shot the victim in this case, Gladsons office noted.

Lorincz remains in the Marion County Jail but Owens children must live a lifetime without their mother. A GoFundMe set up originally to help with funeral costs following her death now includes a new fundraising goal and call to action: Putting an end to Floridas controversial Stand Your Ground law that may have made it harder to charge Lorincz.

Florida is one of more than two dozen states with such laws allowing individuals the right to protect their home with lethal means.

In 2023, we witnessed the shooting of Ralph Yarl and the killing of Kaylin Gillis as instances where the Stand Your Ground doctrine has emboldened individuals to use unnecessary violent force in the name of self-defense, The GoFundMe page reads. This is yet another instance where the law could potentially come into play and erode justice.
DETROIT -- Right-handed pitcher Seth Elledge, designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers nine days ago, has found a new home.

Elledge has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves.

Elledge was designated for assignment on June 18 when the Detroit Tigers claimed lefty reliever Anthony Misiewicz off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. He cleared waivers unclaimed and became a free agent last Friday.

Another Tigers pitcher designated on June 18, right-hander Braden Bristo, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo.

Elledge was drafted in the fourth round in 2017 out of Dallas Baptist, also by the Mariners. He was traded to St. Louis in 2018 and made his big-league debut with the Cardinals in 2020.

After being released by the Cards, he signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves and spent all of 2022 with Triple-A Gwinnett, striking out 63 in 46 1/3 innings.

The Braves added him to the 40-man roster last November, but he never actually pitched at the big-league level. He was waived in April, claimed by the Mets and then waived again in May by the Mets after a brief stint at Triple-A Syracuse.

The Tigers claimed him and optioned him to Toledo, where he was 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 10 appearances (14 innings) for the Mud Hens. He never appeared in the big leagues for Detroit.

Elledge had the right to free agency after clearing waivers because he had been previously outrighted in his career.

Bristo, 28, was designated on June 18 when the Tigers claimed right-hander Blair Calvo. Bristo did not have the right to reject the assignment, as this was the first time he had been outrighted.

The Tigers claimed Bristo off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1. The 28-year-old came up in the New York Yankees system after being drafted in the 23rd round out of Louisiana Tech in 2016. He signed with the Rays as a minor-league free agent prior to this season. He made his Major League debut with the Rays on April 13, pitching three scoreless innings and striking out four against the Boston Red Sox to earn the save.

Bristo had two brief stints with the Tigers big-league club in 2023, pitching in one outing each time. He had a 7.64 ERA in 17 2/3 innings with Toledo prior to being DFAd.
27.06.2023 LISTEN

American-based Ghanaian musician Vudumane has recently expressed his disappointment with the organizers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards for not recognizing Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora each time they organize its event.

Vudumane, who has produced some legendary hits, including "Odo Wuo" Nyankonton, which features renowned highlife musician, Kwabena Kwabena, believes that the awards scheme and industry discussions should include Ghanaian musicians living abroad.

According to him, awards schemes in Ghana should start looking beyond borders.

"We are out here doing what we love, some of us outside are doing better music than most back home, and it's so disappointing to see your own people, Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, 3Music etc. sideline you during panel discussions, awards shows etc," Vudumane stated.

He believes that these musicians outside should be given the same recognition and respect as their counterparts in Ghana.

Vudumane is not alone in his criticism of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Many other Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora have expressed their dissatisfaction with the awards scheme not involving them.

This has led to many Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora feeling ignored and undervalued.

Clearly, awards scheme organizers need to be more inclusive and recognize the hard work and dedication of Ghanaian musicians in the diaspora.

"It is time for awards scheme to recognize the hard work and dedication of Ghanaian musicians outside," Vudumane added.
26.06.2023 LISTEN

The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande has described the recent controversial remarks by President Nana Akufo-Addo on James Gyakye Quayson as a prejudicial.

According to Mustapha Gbande, such comments are a mockery of governance.

Speaking on TV3, the Deputy General Secretary stated that no President has ever made such scandalous remarks.

You have heard the President of the Republic coming from Accra only to make prejudicial, preposterous comments and that for me is a mockery of governance and a reduction of our governance to the lowest level and I think that no President has ever scandalized the court like Nana Addo has done, Mustapha Gbande stated.

He continued by asserting that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lacks credibility for fielding a borrowed candidate.

 And what we have done so far that is why you are not hearing of the NPP, the NDC calling names to the candidates of the NPP. We believe that he is a gentleman as well, he has done well for himself, he is currently a borrowed candidate for the NPP because they lack credibility. They dont have anybody in the party who is going to contest, we do not hold grudges with their candidate," he stated.

On Sunday, June 25, while speaking at the Church of Pentecost in Assin Akonfudi in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region, President Akufo-Addo insinuated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate will eventually end up in jail.

They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him, are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison?

What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency.

The Assin North by-election will take place on Tuesday, June 27.
A total of 41,000 voters are expected to vote in 99 polling stations in todayss by-election in the Assin North Constituency.

The election is necessitated by the Supreme Courts ruling against the former MP, Mr James Gyekye Quayson, for holding a Canadian citizenship aside that of Ghana.

The Assin North constituency over the past few weeks has seen a lot of political activities, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) formally ended their campaigns with rallies on Sunday, June 25, 2023, ahead of the election.

The NDC has retained Gyekye Quayson as its candidate though he is facing criminal charges over his 2020 Candidature.

The NPP and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) have Mr Charles Opoku and Catherine Enyonam as their respective candidates.

Officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Accra are already in the Constituency to support the District.

According to the Commission, all is for voting to start at 0700 hours and close at 1700 hours.

Security has been beefed up in the Constituency as Police pickup trucks and other crowd controlling equipment are seen at various vantage points across the Constituency.

The Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, accompanied by other senior police officers Moday met the leaders of the various political parties and EC officials to discuss security arrangement ahead of the polls.

GNA
The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Mr. Ernest Owusu Bempah is calling on the leadership of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) to be bold and call out the NDC over an alleged attack on a journalist during a press conference organized by the opposition party in Assin North on Monday, June 26.

A Peace FM reporter, Odum Prince Linford journalist has allegedly been attacked by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at a press conference held at Assin Breku on the premises of St Andrews Senior Secondary School.

In a press statement issued yesterday, Mr. Bempah condemned the NDC for the abuse and indicated that "the NDC appears not to accept that the role of the media is to hold politicians to account and as such they will do anything to undermine press freedom".

He, therefore, appeals to the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) to call out the NDC over the attack on one of their own.

"At this juncture, I call on the Ghana Journalist Association(GJA) to stand up and be counted. The GJA needs to speak out and call out the NDC on the injustice meted out to one of its own" he said.

Below is the full statement issued:

For Immediate Release

NDCs attack on Peace FM reporter in Assin-North puts journalists everywhere at greater risk

The disturbing news of an NDC attack on yet another journalist at Assin Breku on Monday afternoon reached me not long ago.

It was supposed to be a media briefing, meant to update the constituents of Assin-North on the party's campaign. Instead, NDC hoodlums drove off the rails, turning the briefing into, perhaps, the most surreal news conference ever seen.

Under the watchful eyes of party leaders including John Mahama, Sammy Gyamfi and Asiedu Nketia, NDC hoodlums at the press conference pounced on a harmless Peace FM reporter, Odum Prince Linford and made nonsense of our press freedom indicators.

The fact that the Press conference was held in the premises of St Andrews Senior Secondary School, a facility owned by the party's Central Regional Chairman, Richard Kofi Asiedu speaks volumes.

It was a clear case of the NDC hoodlums feeling so secured at the venue of the press conference and exerting their pound of flesh on the journalist.

At the most fundamental level, the NDC appears not to accept that the role of the media is to hold politicians to account. And as such they will do anything to undermine press freedom.

Ernest Kofi Owusu Bempah Bonsu

Deputy Director of Communications, NPP
27.06.2023 LISTEN

Mustapha Gbande, a Deputy General Secretary of the NDC has issued a warning to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, stating that he will be held responsible if any harm is done to members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during or after the Assin North by-elections in the Central Region.

Mr Gbande expressed concerns that the ruling party, sensing defeat in the upcoming elections, has devised a plan to target key opposition party members.

He specifically mentioned himself, the National Organiser, Joseph Yamin, and a campaign trail participant named Kobby Barlon.

Speaking on The Citizen Show with host Odyeeba Kofi Essuman, Gbande cautioned that the NDC will not tolerate any form of intimidation from the governing party.

He emphasised that intimidation is not permissible under electoral laws, and their primary duty is to encourage people to vote and await the declaration of results by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Gbande stressed that it is the responsibility of the police to protect the people and the integrity of the electoral process.

Any failure to do so would be considered a dereliction of duty on the part of the police administration, he said.

He expressed NDCs strong desire to avoid any attacks on supporters during or after the by-elections.

However, he maintained that if such attacks were to occur, the party would be compelled to defend itself, despite not having provisions for internal security.

In summary, Gbande warned the IGP to enhance security measures to ensure the safety of NDC members and prevent any acts of intimidation or violence that could arise during the Assin North by-elections.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has provided assurance to the people of Assin North and all Ghanaians that comprehensive security measures have been implemented to ensure safety, maintain law and order, and uphold peace during the by-election scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

To further enhance the working relationship among all stakeholders involved in the election, the Police Management Board (POMAB), under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, held a meeting with key stakeholders, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and the Electoral Commission.

During the meeting, the police took note of the security concerns raised by the stakeholders and incorporated them into the final security strategy for the election.

However, all stakeholders emphasised the importance of addressing the circulation of false information on social media.

The police have, thus, urged the public to exercise caution in their reporting on the election and refrain from spreading false information that could potentially disrupt the peace. Anyone found guilty of spreading false information will face appropriate legal action.

The NPP delegation was led by the National Chairman and National Organiser, while the NDC delegation was led by the National Chairman and General Secretary. The LPG was represented by its National Secretary and Regional executives, and the Electoral Commission was represented by its Director of Operations.

The police further encouraged the people of Assin North constituency to freely carry out their daily activities, including exercising their civic duty to cast their votes.

-Classfmonline.com
27.06.2023 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo urged residents of Assin North Constituency in the Central Region not to make a mistake by voting for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate in the by-election since James Gyakye Quayson cannot deliver on the duties expected of him as a Member of Parliament (MP).

According to the President, ''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 don't vote for someone who will end up in jail, vote for someone who can work to improve your lives.

President Akufo-Addo, who said this when addressing a large gathering of Assin North residents, noted that We vote for people to go to Parliament to work, how can he work from prison? So don't vote for someone who will end up in jail, vote for someone who can work to improve your lives''.

He further explained that The law that caught Adamu Sakande has not changed and Assin North shouldnt be voting for someone who will be moving from Supreme Court to High Court and from there to Appeal Court.

President Akufo-Addos statement came as part of his campaign efforts to rally support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate in the Assin North by-election scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

President Akufo-Addo also dismissed claims that he was influencing the court against Mr. Quayson, adding that the laws of Ghana have caught up with him.

He urged them to carefully evaluate the candidates backgrounds, qualifications, and reputations before casting their votes in the by-election.

President Akufo-Addo further urged voters in Assin North to endorse the NPP's candidate, Charles Opoku, and added that the election is crucial for the constituency and the nation as a whole.

The President also denied claims of being behind the prosecution of James Gyakye Quayson, adding that he has never interfered in the work of the judiciary throughout his stay in office as President.

A by-election in Assin North has become necessary after parliament wrote to the Electoral Commission declaring the seat vacant.

This followed a Supreme Court ruling that the Electoral Commission acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr. Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of him renouncing his Canadian Citizenship.

The apex court in its ruling ordered parliament to expunge James Gyakye Quayson's name from its records as a Member of Parliament.

It further declared that his election was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. His swearing-in was equally declared to be unconstitutional.

-DGN online
The National Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has alleged that a reporter for Accra-based Peace FM was abused by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He said the abuse occurred after the journalist did a video documentary concerning an undeveloped plot of land allegedly acquired by the NDCs parliamentary candidate Mr. James Gyakye Quayson.

Mr. Quayson, per Mr. Ahiagbahs claim, does not even have a house of his own in the constituency because he doesn't stay there to relate well with the people to be able to understand their problems.

In a tweet in the early hours of Tuesday, June 27, the ruling party's spokesperson noted that the president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Dwumfour, was informed about "the needless abuse of a journalist who was simply trying to do his job."

"The NDC has abused a Peace Fm reporter over a video documentary about James Gyakye Quayson's bushy plot. The GJA President has been duly informed about this needless abuse of a journalist who was simply trying to do his job," read a portion of his tweet.

According to Mr. Ahiagbah, the embattled NDC candidate does not qualify to represent the constituents due to his inability to add to the development in the area.

"Gyakye Quayson does not have a house in the constituency he wants to represent. Say no to the abuse of journalists. Say no to James Gyakye Quayson, he said.

On this note, the NPP communication director rallied the constituents to "Vote for NPP's Charles Opoku as MP of Assin North."

Meanwhile, about 41,000 voters are expected to cast their votes in the election that has already begun in the constituency in the Central Region.

The seat is being contested by candidates representing three parties: the NDC, NPP and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Popular investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has subtly thrown his support behind the embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate in the Assin North by-election, James Gyakye Quayson.

He said a victory for the deposed MP in the ongoing polls would also be a victory for justice.

"Victory for Gyakye Quayson is a victory for justice," said the editor-in-chief of the Fourth Estate.

His comment follows the nullification of Mr Gyakye Quayson's election by the Supreme Court for holding dual citizenship, a ruling that necessitated the ongoing by-election.

The nullification came after a petition filed by some members of the constituency, challenging the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office due to his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the petitioners and ordered the lawmaker's name to be expunged from the Parliamentary records, leading to his removal.

About 41,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election that has already begun in the constituency.

The seat is being contested by candidates representing three parties: the NDC, NPP and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama is questioning the Electoral Commission for barring mobile phones at polling stations.

The former deputy minister is asking whether the decision is part of the electoral management bodys efforts to prevent voter malpractice or a way to slow down the process.

Can't believe the EC is saying no phones are allowed in polling booths/stations in Ghana! Is it really about preventing voting malpractices or just a way to slow down the voting process? she quizzed in a tweet on Tuesday, June 27.

Meanwhile, the question comes following the aggressive campaigns at the ongoing by-elections in the Assin North constituency.

The exercise is intended to fill the vacant seat after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, the NDCs parliamentary candidate for holding dual citizenship.

The nullification came after a petition filed by some members of the constituency, challenging the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office due to his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the petitioners and ordered the lawmaker's name to be expunged from the Parliamentary records, leading to his removal.

The ruling New Patriotic Party currently has a slim majority, and a win for Charles Opoku would solidify its parliamentary majority.

However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost.

About 41,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election that has already begun in the constituency in the Central Region.
The former National Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress has slammed President Nana Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's endorsements of Mr. Charles Opoku, the NPP Parliamentary candidate for the Assin North By-election, describing as "paperweights and worthless."

In an interview with the media, he said Ghanaians are not fools enough to trust someone who promises heaven and ends up giving them hell.

"The endorsement is actually worthless because the President and his vice president do not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Ghana to make anyone win a unit committee election, let alone a parliamentary election in a free and fair electoral system," he stated.

"They are political paperweights," he stressed. "They are also not democrats and promise keepers, which anyone should be proud to be associated with."

The former ambassador noted that it would be foolhardy for the people of Assin North to reinforce failure by electing a candidate sponsored by this ineffective and incompetent government in tomorrow's election."

He described the Nana Addo-led NPP government as a failure and warned the people of Assin North not to elect a candidate on the ticket of a failed government that always gives one excuse or another for its failure to meet up with Ghanaian expectations.

He also called on the President and his Vice to leave the campaign ground and get down to work to resuscitate the nations wobbling economy.
Extreme climate change events are powerfully putting our lives, progress and futures at higher risks (Fig.1 & Fig.2). The real climate impacts on socio-ecological systems and national economy are rising and endangering the genuine vision of the AU Agenda 2063, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Commonwealth Climate Charter and Paris Climate Agreement for limiting global warming to 1.5oC. It is collapsing coastal Earth systems, particularly causing substantial (in)visible damages to the Volta River Estuary (VRE) where Fuveme is located. Besides galvanising for global journey to COP28UAE and beyond, this article highlights climate-induced Non-Economic Loss and Damage (NELD) to motivate and strengthen understanding of a critical need to reactivate innovative plans and solutions to minimise human sufferings while preserving environmental heritage for sustainability and prosperity.

Fig. 1: The last surviving building at the end point of the main island as digitally captured at Kporkporkordzi on Fuveme Island, spirally seeping of seawater across the front view signals that the building is fast-sinking into the ocean, demanding an urgent civil action to restore and sustain it; Source: Author

Geozonal and delta prominence

VRE is located in the south-eastern zone of the Republic of Ghana. In addition to Ghana, the main river spans the territorial boundaries of Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso, which are inhabited by 120 million people. UNESCO recognises the delta as a biodiversity hotspot. The Volta River and Atlantic Ocean meet in-between Azizanya (near Ada Foah) and Kporkporkordzi (near Fuveme) within the shared geopolitical enclave co-inhabited by Ada, Anlo and Agave tribes. Some settlements within 25km of the VRE are Agorme, Ada Foah, Nutekpor, Amedorme, Havui, Sogakope, Agorta and Adidokpo.

VRE uniquely exhibits mixed relics of savannas, wetlands and low-patched canopy forests, comprising species of borassus, baobabs, bamboos, oil palms, date palms, mangroves and coconut. Oysters, crabs, insects and fishes like tilapia and shrimps are present. The coastal temperature alternates around 25-310C.

Fig. 2: Massively damaged households and dead coconut trees showing debris of seaweeds after tidal havocs at Fuveme; Source: Author

Emergency contexts of social climate impacts

The climate-induced NELDs are rapidly cascading across societal groupings, comprising aged, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Currently, sea heating triggered by Atlantic Oceans circulation combines with storm floods from the Volta River to erode coastlines leading to significant loss and damage to human settlements, hydromobility and biodiversity with severe repercussions for food, heritage, employment, shelter and wellbeing. Comparing the destructive tidal havocs that happened in 2017 and 2021, it is clear that NELD had increased from 80 affected homes to nearly 4,000 marginalised households. The incessant sea heating forced the disappearance of four indigenous villages alongside their rich social capital and biocultural properties from the Fuveme Island. Today, some aged persons are homeless and/or co-habiting in temporal structures. Homelessness aggravates social, emotional and mental health issues for the aged and PWDs who have no idea of when and how to reconstruct and resettle in their own decent homes again. Socially cascading of the NELD, which was previously underestimated in scientific literature and reports, is severely impacting over 5,500 households.

Clearly, climate extremes have compounded social vulnerabilities and inequalities enabling a situation of living on less than US$1 a day to persist in the estuary. Due to proximity to coastlines, the Fuveme Star of the Sea R.C. Basic School, for example, is daily impacted by frequent sea level rises. Thousands of coconut trees are dead, uprooted or wilted at Havui, Azizanya and Fuveme (Fig. 2). For an aged farmer, such a loss is not just detrimental to survival but also dignity, self-reliance and sustainability. Eating natural soup is getting harder because sources of indigenous ingredients are disappearing.

Mostly, recurrent sea level rise releases seaheat to manipulate atmospheric temperature that wilts phytospecies or injects highly concentrated seawater to alter hydroregimes that kill oysters, earthworms, turtles or whales. Since human society depends on costal biodiversity for survival, the harmful impact of sea heating on oyster habitats, for instance, is leading to livelihood loss, broken homes, child poverty, social exclusion and ecological job loss.

In Fuveme, tidal waves often submerge the only basic school available to the extent where teaching and learning infrastructure has considerably deteriorated. The tidal happenings have exacerbated child absenteeism in the school. At times, this and necessitates temporal closures of the school thereby jeopardising future aspirations of the children. The UN SDGs cannot be achieved if unfriendly climate conditions for school children continue in Fuveme and other coastal settlements.

Collective action and policy futures

The deprived coastal societies need urgent supports because sea level rise is extensively damaging lives and properties (Fig.1 & Fig.2). The social cost of NELD is so huge that it is beyond financial compensation. Yet, with renewed ecoentrepreneurial mindset, fresh solution for NELD can be co-created and sustained overtime. Abundant indigenous knowledge exists about sustaining heritage pride, green infrastructure and eco-friendly homes. The greener support looked-for, though, is an enhanced governance, financial and technical capacity to effectively integrate indigenous and scientific tools for sustainable management of NELDs to advance the SDGs in the coastal communities.

Furthermore, a national Nature-based Solution (NbS) policy is needed for fostering locally-led adaptation, eco-wise residential buildings, renewables and mangrove reforestation. An inclusive NbS policy can contribute to combating negative impacts of flooding, erosion and species depletion for improved sustainable local livelihoods, fishing and biodiversity services. Also, a multi-stakeholders dialogue and cooperation to push forward a theory of sustainable change is advised because ocean risks are too big to bear by vulnerable and resource-constrained individuals or village civil groups.

Concluding remarks

Evidence proves that human limits are socially tipping such that, at Fuveme, climate change is no longer an emergency matter but also a serious warfare that stakeholders must sustainably join forces of skills, innovation, finance and leadership to win. The Atlantic Ocean is boiling and releasing heat that is unbearable for coastal communities dotted in the VRE. The local people are faced with catastrophic polycrises of coastal erosion, sea level rise and storm flooding. The Fuveme Star of the Sea R.C. Basic School is a needful school in a typical climate war zone that deserves public policy attention and collective humanitarian interventions to save lives. A life-threatening climate issue like this should be an urgent concern for not only the central government in Ghana but also the governments in Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Sylvanus S.P. Doe,

Research Fellow, Earth System Governance Project, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Our ancestors in Africa frequently tell us that rivers are gods that can heal, punish, and even kill if you offend them; I believe this, and to me, the only punishment Akufo Addo and the entire NPP administration deserve is for the spirits of River Pra to remove them from power because the current president of Ghana, who swore to fight illegal mining in Ghana just as he promised to fight against corruption and failed, has instead been exposed as one of the culprits behind the evil mining practices.

It is challenging for Ghanaian journalists to write about Akufo Addo that he is not a president but rather a criminal and opportunist who firmly believes in tribalism. The president doesnt respect and listen to anyone because he is aware that will always draw tribal bigots and unthinking illiterates to follow. Since its very easy for me to inform Ghanaians that the current president is ignorant and hence unsuitable to manage the country, I won't fall for his nonsense to give support to a criminal.

As I was driving from Takoradi to Accra, I stopped at the gas station next to the Pra River bridge and decided to walk to the river's banks to assess the degree of the harm this cartel administration, led by the president Akufo Addo, had carelessly caused to the country. I have read numerous times about how illegal mining has damaged many locations where the mining occurs, but it wasn't until I arrived at the Pra River that I truly realized the effects of illegal mining's destructive nature.



The color of the Pra River should be transparent, but everyone can see that it is a damaged body of water that is spreading diseases to those who depend on it for their survival. Photo credit: Joel Savage

Seeing the amount of harm that illicit mining has done to the river and the people who depend on it for their livelihood nearly brought tears to my eyes. Water is colorless and transparent, only existing in its current state as the Pra River. Travelers used to be able to enjoy river items like fish and shrimp from sellers who relied on their patronage to make a life. Due to unlawful mining, all of those activities have come to an end because the river no longer supports life.

Since Akufo Addo doesn't think before he speaks or acts, I have never supported him and would never do so out of respect for him. He has demolished countless government buildings, for instance, without putting anything in their place. Which wise leader will demolish a hospital when the money to build the promised ultra-modern one isn't available? The judge's bungalows and other state-owned buildings that he razed to make room for Baal's Cathedral project must have cost a fortune.

Why, even though Ghana has thousands of churches and mosques, do its citizens lack vision? The biggest mistake the NPP ever made as a political party was to put their trust in someone like Akufo Addo, and they will pay dearly for it because of the embarrassment, pervasive corruption scandals, incompetency in the highest form, and his lack of accountability that they have experienced, is just the tip of the iceberg since Akufo Addo's mind doesn't develop; it destroys and exhibits criminality.



What has me upset is that Akufo Addo has no regard for anyone because he thinks Ghanaians are ignorant and fools. Any leader who doesn't appreciate the people will not have my regard. After calling the previous administration corrupt and incompetent, he pledged to fight corruption, but it seems that he is the most dishonest and corrupt leader in Ghana's political history. He committed to opposing illegal mining, but it has come to light that he is the one driving the damaging unlawful mining. Why would an intelligent person revere someone like that? Even if it means losing my head, I won't because I am not a criminal or tribal bigot to support crime.

The majority of Ghanaians are suffering under a Mafiaso family that poses as politicians and finance ministers because a government built on criminality cannot develop to bring happiness and comfort to the populace. When intelligent Ghanaians investigate the media, they will quickly discover faceless tribal bigots and cartels that support this terrible and destructive regime because tribalism is the source of power. Sadly, they aren't even in the nation to witness and experience even one-tenth of this devastation.

I captured the tranquil flow of the Pra River as I stood there and thought about adding my voice to one of the recordings even though I hadn't yet produced a voice note. I made it obvious to River Pra that unless this government is out of office, Ghana will not advance and the life of the impoverished Ghanaians will not change. This disastrous regime is led by Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen, and everyone else who tried to convince Ghanaians that they could make fine presidents.



Capturing live video of the deplorable condition of the Pra River near its banks

Ghanaians are playing around with their lives and the future of the nation because the political conflict should be between the people and the NPP, not between the NDC and the NPP. I don't buy any food outside my house besides coconut and roasted plantains, but I spent 4 GHC for a half-roasted red plantain. I asked the woman if she thought I would live forever after eating it, and she laughed. The fools in politics keep asking, "Can Mahama be trusted to fix the country?



Akufo Addo inherited a good economy from Mahama, therefore; the question ought to be, "How can a government that vowed to protect the public's purse be so corrupt? How can a leader who vowed to combat illegal mining be revealed as the driving force behind the nefarious operations that have irreparably damaged the nation? And finally, if Bawumia and Kyerematen are a part of this corrupt and destructive regime, how can the people trust them? Don't rely on miracles to win your battles. Ghanaians need to wake up because they have been sleeping for too long.
The Assin North by-election, even before voting day, has been marred by allegations of vote-buying by leaders of the two major political parties, NPP and NDC.

Videos show supporters of the two parties exchanging heated words and accusing each other of distributing rice, money and other items to influence voters.

In one video shared by JoyNews and seen by ModernGhana News, a woman identified as an NDC member alleges that the ruling NPP has gathered at a place sharing money to voters.

Countering the woman's allegation was a man who also claimed the NDC was seen distributing some amounts of money to voters.

According to reports from the media house, police officers had to intervene to restore clam.

The by-election is being held after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, the NDCs parliamentary candidate for holding dual citizenship.

The nullification came after a petition challenged the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office due to his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the lawmaker's name to be removed from parliamentary records, leading to his removal.

A win for the NPP candidate Charles Opoku would solidify the party's parliamentary majority. However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost.

About 41,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election being contested by candidates from the NDC, NPP and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
Mr Douglas Tagoe, the Greater Accra Regional Director for Environmental Health, has advised the Muslim community to consider using fowls for the celebration of this years Eid-Ul-Adha.

Mr Tagoe, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the outbreak of Anthrax in the country, said that alternative had become necessary to curb the spread of the disease.

Talensi and Binduri in the Upper East Region in May 2023, recorded cases of Anthrax, which led to the death of 20 sheep and four cattle, with several others infected.

One person is reported dead after consuming meat from an infected animal.

Mr Tagoe said to be on the safer side, the Muslim community must consider other alternatives.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria and affects both humans and animals.

People who come into direct contact with infected livestock, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, or their byproducts, run the danger of contracting Anthrax.

Although there are rumors that grilling and frying could get rid of the bacteria in the meat, Mr Tagoe said that was not possible.

He said the bacteria was not visible and could only be detected through laboratory tests, hence the suggestion that the bacteria could be eliminated through cooking was misleading.

Mr Tagoe said cooking infected meat in most cases did not kill the bacteria in them, hence the need for great caution in consuming such meat.

He urged Muslims who would want livestock for the celebration to check the health of the animals before buying just as the Quran and the Prophet Mohammed thought them.

'' When buying the animals, make sure you do the necessary checks. Make sure that the animals do not look sick, lean, have a runny nose or blood oozing from the nose or any part. ''

Meanwhile, when the GNA visited the James Town cattle and sheep market on Monday, it saw scores of people buying livestock in preparation for the celebration.

Mr Zubeiru Aliyu, a sheep vendor at the Jamestown Cattle Market, said they were not aware of the outbreak of any disease in animals, adding that veterinary officers screened all animals before they were sold.

To deal with the outbreak, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council had imposed a region-wide one-month prohibition on the transportation of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and their byproducts to curtail the spread of the disease.

Eid-Ul-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice is the second and the largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr).

It honours the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as an act of obedience to Gods command.

It is celebrated annually on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, on the Islamic calendar. Muslims across the globe mark the day by sacrificing a goat, sheep, or battle.

The 2023 Eid-Ul-Adha celebration falls on June 28, and marks the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Mina, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but celebrated by Muslims throughout the world.

GNA
27.06.2023 LISTEN

Geneva, 27 June 2023: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses concern over the mysterious death of a young Indian scribe and raises demand for an authentic probe to find reasons behind the untimely demise of Abdur Rauf Alamgir (32), who hailed from Assam province in northeast India.

Local media organisations informed that Alamgir went missing on Saturday and his wounded body was found floating in Kulsi river water at Jambari area of Boko locality under Kamrup district on 26 June. A resident of Goroimari Hatipara, Alamgir was associated with a news portal titled TNL. The recently married scribe also ran a customer service centre of a nationalized bank in his locality.

PEC condoles the sad demise of the young scribe. At the same time, we demand a convincing probe to unearth the factors involved in his missing and subsequent death. Assam province government should take all necessary initiatives to identify the perpetrators even if the scribe was not targeted because of his professional work, said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC (https://www.pressemblem.ch).

PECs south & southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informs that Alamgir was a member of Goroimari-Kalatoli-Sontoli press club in south Kamrup and he was kidnapped by miscreants on 24 June (may be because of business rivalries). A complaint was lodged in Boko police station and the police have already started its investigation to find the probable culprits. Alamgirs body was sent for postmortem and two local residents were later detained for interrogation.
The Ghana Police Service has arrested a man for interfering with the electoral processes in the ongoing Assin North by-election in the Central Region of Ghana.

Another man has been picked for posing as a policeman.

This comes after the Ghana Police Service assured the people of Assin North, and Ghanaians, in general, that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure security, law and order before, during and after Tuesday's by-election.

This follows a meeting Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Inspector-General of Police, held a meeting with the key stakeholders in the bye-election.

The security concerns of all the stakeholders were noted and had been factored into the final security strategy for the election, a statement signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs, assured in Accra.

-GNA
Kekeli Consult Keta, a consultancy Firm in collaboration with Mawuli School, Ho has organized a day orientation programme for two Senior High Schools in the Ho Municipality ahead of their final year WASSCE examinations in the coming months.

The programme, Higher Education Fair and Career Development Seminar for Senior High School in the Volta region was on the theme, "Exposing WASSCE Candidates to Programmes run in Tertiary Institutions and the Associated Job Opportunities after Graduation."

Final year students from E. P. Mawuko Girls and Mawuli Senior High Schools participated in the programmes out of the expected four schools including Ola Girls Senior High School and Sokode Senior High Technical Schools.

A representative from about 15 tertiary institutions across the country including EP University College, and other known traditional universities like UEW, KNUST, ICAG, GTUC, and Colleges of Education such as St. Teresa's College of Education, Jackson College of Education, Adonai University, Ho Technical University, Central University and there rest who partook in the fair took the students through the various programmes and the requirements outlined, the possible job opportunities available after completion, a programme from any of the institutions.

The Founder, Kekeli Consult in Keta, Hon. Gilbert Kobla Kekli speaking at the programme revealed that the fair is expected to equip the students and exposed them to making the right choices going to the University to aid a smooth success in their academic development.

The headmaster of Mawuli School Mr. Jonathan G. Adomah in an interview disclosed that the school came to the realization of organizing such programmes for its student every year to bring all universities under one roof to enable educate the students about the universities and the courses.

Mr. Adomah however admonished the student body to pay much attention to each university to enable them make the right choice at the end of their secondary education.

The headmaster, in acknowledging the effort of Kekeli Consult for their support, appealed to other benevolent entities to come on board to support future programmes to enhance educational development in the region.

Embracing the importance of the programme and its benefits some participating students shared their thoughts.

"I think it is a great initiative because as young students coming out of school now some of us do not know our left and right as in going to the University, the kind of courses to pursue and all that so with this kind of programme some us are aware now the kind of courses to pursue and what the course will help us achieve in future so I think it's a very good programme so it should continue," Ms Karimu Adiza Delali Mawuko Girls SHS.

The Chief Officer of Mawuli School Mr Aikins Alorwu on his turn was very optimistic that the programme will open the minds of the students to make good decisions about tertiary education.

"Actually we never expected this programme though but it's something that has been going on so we did not see it come so early like this this programme is actually expected to open our minds to tertiary institutions before you get to the tertiary so you should ask yourself "after SHS what next?"

"So they're actually here to open up or throw more light on what we should or how to decipher your choice of a tertiary institution. So this orientation is actually meant to elaborate on the options they have at the institutions, the career options," he stated.
Kwame Asare Obeng, known widely as A Plus, a Ghanaian highlife musician and social activist has urged electorates in the Assin North constituency to vote for the parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), James Gyakye Quayson.

He urges the voters in a video shared on his Facebook wall on Monday, June 26, to vote for Mr. Quayson, for another by-election to bring development to the constituency.

Citing frequent statements by some NPP communicators that the deposed MP will go to jail, A Plus noted that the constituents must still vote for him.

He argued that the government will not be willing to develop a place unless there is a by-election for overnight projects to be put up by the ruling NPP.

The by-election is being held after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, the NDC's parliamentary candidate for holding dual citizenship.

The nullification came after a petition challenged the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office due to his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the lawmaker's name to be removed from parliamentary records, leading to the by-election.

A win for the NPP candidate Charles Opoku would solidify the party's parliamentary majority.

However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost.

About 41,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election being contested by candidates from the NDC, NPP and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

The State, on February 12, 2022, charged James Gyakye Quayson with five counts: deceit of a public officer, forgery of a passport, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and false declaration.
Members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are complaining about alleged mistreatment from security officers in their strongholds in the ongoing Assin North by-election.

In a video, the General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong Koduah, is seen complaining and asking why only their strongholds are being targeted.

Together with Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo Markin and Gabby Otchere-Darko, leading members of the party, Mr. Koduah is questioning the police for deliberately arresting their three polling agents.

"And the sad thing is that all these tensions are coming from our strongholds. But if you go to other places, the place is calm but when you come to our strongholds, we are having issues with the security.

"Why is that deliberate? You have arrested three of our polling agents, you've arrested three of our people," Mr. Frimpong Koduah is heard saying.

The by-election is being held after the Supreme Court nullified the election of Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, the NDC's parliamentary candidate for holding dual citizenship.

The nullification came after a petition challenged the eligibility of the NDC MP to hold public office due to his dual citizenship.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the lawmaker's name to be removed from parliamentary records, leading to the by-election.

A win for the NPP candidate Charles Opoku would solidify the party's parliamentary majority.

However, a victory for James Gyakye Quayson would give the NDC a much-needed boost.

About 41,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots in the election being contested by candidates from the NDC, NPP and Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
27.06.2023 LISTEN

Kofi Adams, a Member of Parliament representing the Buem constituency has cautioned the Ghana Police Service.

According to Mr. Adams, despite police presence at various polling stations, they expect utmost professionalism.

On June 27, he said in a TV3 interview that imposters and party thugs should be stopped from interfering in the electoral process.

Their vehicle being moved to a vantage point, the police presence is around a lot of checkpoint in the constituency and so we are hoping that they are here to be very professional and they will not allow anybody even if the person is wearing their uniform to misbehave, that is very important.

"That not even those wearing their uniform or any other security uniform would be allowed to misbehave, Kofi Adams stated.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare met with executives from the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the by-election in Assin North.

The meeting, held at the Assin State College SHS aimed to promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the political parties and the police force.

With the intention of ensuring a peaceful and orderly election process, the IGP addressed concerns or issues raised by the NDC and NPP executives.

Following the fruitful discussions, the IGP and the political party executives expressed their confidence in a successful by-election.

The Assin North by-election is ongoing with about 41,000 voters expected to cast their vote.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has expressed grave concern over alleged vote-buying by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Assin North by-election.

According to the Minority Leader, voters are being offered monies ranging from GH200 to GH300 either before or after casting their votes.

He described it as sad and shameful.

I dont understand why the NPP would impoverish the people and come to deceive them with monies on election day.

It is so sad, it is so shameful and we are asking the police to immediately ensure that within a 5-kilometre radius, nobody is allowed to be sharing money of this magnitude, he said.

Expressing his disappointment, Dr. Forson questioned the motives behind the NPP's actions, stating, "I don't understand why the NPP would impoverish the people and come and give them money (on election day)."

He further urged the police to take swift action to stop the distribution of money within a five-kilometre radius of the polling stations.

Dr. Forson indicated that vote-buying is truly undermining the integrity of Ghana's democratic process.

I am shocked with what I have seen here. Our democracy is dying, NPP is killing our democracy, they have changed it to moneycracyI have seen 10 different houses where they are sharing the money.

I can take you there, they are sharing GH200 and GH300, he said in an interview with the media.
27.06.2023 LISTEN

As a proud Ghanaian and African at large, I have a great amount of confidence, and restored hope in the future of Africa. Across all 54 nations from the North, South, West, East and the Center of the continent, I have read and sometimes witnessed the seemingly collective efforts our leaders are putting into presenting Africa in the global economy. Unfortunately, the results of these toils are far from progress, with growth looking stagnant and out of reach for the continent. It is important to realize and understand that the success of this continent highly depends on collective individual efforts from the youngest to the oldest, leaving no one behind. It is our duty to be intentional about fighting for the right policies and decisions to be made, along with diligence, transparency and truth.

Popularly known as the poorest continent, Africa has been thriving to shoot up from the extreme poverty zone. In an article published in April 2023 by Saifaddin Galal, around 431 million Africans were living below the extreme poverty line. Factors leading to this state included critical situations of employment, education, health and nutrition, with the rural population contributing to 50 percent compared to 10 percent in urban areas. Meanwhile, on a brighter side, Africa contributes the least emissions resulting to climate change and global warming, but again, it is the worlds most energy-poor continent. The gap between poverty and energy accessibility is almost invisible. The thought and inclusion of rural communities into energy projects should be placed at the top of chats. Nearly 600million people remain without access to electricity in Africa resulting in avoidable consequences such as: the lack of light to study effectively, extremely poor or no health facilities, low income resulting to bad nutrition, just to mention a few. Sadly, even the rural communities with access to little energy, have it in poor quality. The burning of coals, Inhalation of poisonous gases during cooking, insufficient resources for proper light, and so on, leads to the beginning of terribly consequences like health conditions and poverty.

At present, the urgency in transitioning from fossils to renewable and clean energy has been in the center of discussions throughout the global hierarchy. The West, Asia and most European countries have pinned this to their daily productivity activities to prepare themselves adequately for the shift. Is Africa ready? If yes, is there proof? If no, how do we get prepared? Africas potential in the green energy markets requires effective leadership, strong collaboration, creative partnerships and the commitment of significant capital to create the enabling conditions and build the infrastructure required to support the necessary renewable energy production, storage and transportation in the global energy economy. Countries such as Egypt, Namibia, South Africa and Morocco have taken major steps to be included in the transition race by involving and investing resources into energy agreements, sustainable energy infrastructure and maintaining strong partnership with other countries that share the green energy vision. Instead laying focus on building competitive national assets and vain promises, I wish the governments could channel resources into small scale investments and support by being intentional about creating avenues and rendering the necessary financial support needed for green transition.

I believe that when Africa decides to prioritize green energy inclusion, it will greatly contribute to the reduction of the issue of poverty, low income levels , as well as improve the overall wellbeing of the continent.
On this MSME Day, we celebrate the tremendous dynamism of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and their vital role in driving economic growth and fostering sustainable development. In Africa, MSMEs constitute nearly 90 percent of all businesses, generate over two-thirds of employment opportunities and are becoming hubs of innovation. This means that MSMEs could play a vital role in facilitating Africas industrialization, agricultural development, food security, and structural transformation to accelerate the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which is the African Unions special theme for 2023.

However, despite their undeniable impact, women and youth-led enterprises often face significant barriers to accessing markets beyond borders and building resilient value and supply chains. There is growing recognition of the importance of addressing the challenges to women and youth entrepreneurship in order to transform our economies and build resilient societies. The high-level event at the UN Headquarters in New York by the International Council for Small Businesses under the theme, "Galvanizing MSMEs Worldwide by Supporting Women and Youth Entrepreneurship and Resilient Supply Chains" represents a significant step in co-creating innovative solutions to overcome these challenges.

For Africa, we must redouble efforts to unlock the transformative potential of women and youth-led MSMEs by connecting them to the opportunities available under the single African Market facilitated by free movement of persons, goods, services and investment across borders. By empowering these enterprises with improved access to markets, financing, and technology, we can enable them to thrive and make substantial contributions to the continent's transformation.

Connecting the unconnected women and youth-led MSMEs across Africa involves linking ideas, people, and products, forging invaluable partnerships that will drive progress and unlock the immense potential within these MSMEs.

Connecting people, unleashes the power of networks

Africa's single market truly comes alive when we connect consumers and producers across borders to exploit economies of scale. However, many women and youth-led enterprises have limited access to information on cross-border market opportunities and struggle to establish connections with potential buyers, suppliers, and distributors. By connecting women and youth entrepreneurs to relevant training, mentorship, and capacity-building programs, we can enhance their competitiveness and integration into regional and global supply chains.

For example, initiatives like the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum provide networking platforms, mentorship, and training opportunities for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand their networks and connect with potential business partners. These connections empower them to access new markets and strengthen their presence in the MSME ecosystem.

Connecting products, builds resilient supply chains

Africa is blessed with abundant mineral and agricultural resources. For instance, Ivory Coast and Ghana are by far the largest cocoa growing countries, accounting for over 60 percent of global cocoa production. Similarly, Madagascar is the top global vanilla producer. Multinational companies import these raw materials to produce their food and beverage products which are then sold across Africa and globally. Value addition and creation means suppliers and producers will benefit from growing MSMEs sourcing products easily across countries. Creating resilient supply chains is crucial for MSME growth and sustainability.

A noteworthy example is the recent Ghana-Kenya Market Entry Expo held in Nairobi. This initiative aimed to connect products and unlock new market opportunities for MSMEs. The Expo enabled business-to-business engagements, promoting the distribution of Ghanaian goods in the Kenyan/East African market. To support this endeavor, the Ghana Trade House was officially opened to facilitate the entry of Made-in-Ghana goods into the East African region. With the backing of UNDP and other partners, 60 Ghanaian women and youth-led MSMEs showcased their products at the Expo. Florence Cossou Tomaza, a young woman entrepreneur producing agro-processed goods such as honey and tea, remarked: "I have been aspiring to enter the East African market, and the Ghana-Kenya Expo presented a fantastic opportunity for me to connect and assess the market. It's been an invaluable platform to gain insights and forge meaningful connections."

Connecting ideas, cultivates collaborative innovation

Creative solutions, efficient and innovative products that solve current and future problems will flourish with collaboration within and across borders. Innovation hubs such as iHub in Nairobi and initiatives such as UNDPs Accelerator Labs provide opportunities and spaces for incubation, collaboration, knowledge-sharing and cross-pollination of ideas among entrepreneurs, technologists and innovators. These platforms serve as catalysts for ground-breaking innovations, leading to the development of products and services that transform industries and contribute to sustainable development.

Conclusion

This MSME Day, let us recognize the transformative power of connecting the unconnected. As Africa embraces the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA, it is crucial to prioritize the integration of women and youth-led enterprises into regional and global value chains. During her recent visit to Ghana for the Hekima Accra, UNDP Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa, emphasized the need to support MSMEs in leveraging the AfCFTA to expand their market reach. By working together to empower African MSMEs and nurturing their creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, we can forge an inclusive and prosperous future where no one is left behind.

By Dr Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana on MSMEs Day
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims crowded the rocky rise known as Mount Arafat on Tuesday to pray at the height of an annual hajj pilgrimage held in the fierce Saudi Arabian summer.

As temperatures soared to 48 degrees celsius (118 Fahrenheit), groups of white-clad worshippers recited Koranic verses on the hill, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have given his final sermon.

Some took selfies under the clear burning sky.

The ritual is the high point of the annual pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, that Saudi authorities said could be the biggest on record.

The pilgrims pray all day at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have given his final sermon. By Sajjad HUSSAIN (AFP)

But on Tuesday, the kingdom's statistics authority said more than 1.8 pilgrims had joined this year's rituals, making it the largest since the Covid-19 pandemic but still short of the more than 2.5 million that authorities expected.

The figures showed that most worshippers came from abroad to attend one of the world's largest religious gatherings, a source of legitimacy for the oil-rich country's royal rulers.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived Tuesday in Mina, where pilgrims slept in a city of white tents that spread out across the plain. From the air, it looked as if the land were dusted with snow.

The hajj pilgrimage. By Laurence CHU (AFP)

Prince Mohammed arrived to assess the well-being of worshippers and the quality of services provided there, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

More than a dozen kilometres (miles) away the pilgrims, some holding up folded prayer mats, recited the Koran at Arafat as temperatures soared to their highest levels since the hajj started on Sunday.

"I'm very happy. It's a moment I have been waiting for my entire life," said Fadia Abdallah, 67, from Egypt, wearing a white abaya and sitting on the ground beneath an umbrella.

Syrian amputees

High temperatures have been a constant challenge for the pilgrims, who come from around the world, and Tuesday was the hajj's most physically demanding day.

Pilgrims will end the hajj by returning to Mecca's Grand Mosque for a final circumambulation of the Kaaba, the giant black cube that Muslims worldwide pray towards each day. By Abdulghani BASHEER (AFP)

Helicopters hovered low overhead, monitoring crowds at the event which has a tragic history of deadly stampedes and fires.

Tree-shaped water towers sprayed cooling showers on the visitors, who received free water bottles and snacks handed out from large trucks.

Six field hospitals with more than 300 beds have been arranged in Arafat, Yasser Bair, a Saudi defence ministry official, told the state-run Al Ekhbariya TV.

"I can't believe I'm God's guest," said Rahma, a 57-year-old Libyan housewife who asked to be identified only by her first name, fighting back tears as she spoke.

The hajj is a life goal for many Muslims, who are expected to perform the pilgrimage at least once if they are financially and physically capable.

Pilgrims pack a road near Namirah mosque close to Mount Arafat. By Abdulghani BASHEER (AFP)

Among the pilgrims are amputees from Syria, who rested, with their artificial limbs beside them, at a tent near Mount Arafat.

The pilgrimage is also a big revenue-earner for Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter which is trying to diversify its economy, including with tourism.

After praying all day at Arafat, the pilgrims travel a short distance to Muzdalifah to sleep in the open air.

Stoning the devil

On Wednesday, they will gather pebbles and hurl them at three concrete walls in the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual.

Syrian amputees rest inside their tent near Mount Arafat. By AAREF WATAD (AFP)

Then they will return to Mecca's Grand Mosque -- Islam's holiest site -- for a final circumambulation of the Kaaba, the giant black cube that Muslims worldwide pray towards each day.

This year's hajj is the largest since Saudi authorities scrapped a requirement for women to be accompanied by a male guardian in 2021.

At this year's hajj, which follows the lunar calendar and is not always held in summer, a maximum age limit has also been removed, allowing thousands of elderly to attend.

Heat is not the only risk at the pilgrimage, which has seen multiple crises over the years, including militant attacks and deadly fires.

In 2015, a stampede killed up to 2,300 people. There have been no major incidents since.

American engineer Ahmed Ahmadine, 37, said he felt "blessed" to be able to take part.

"I try to focus on praying for my family and friends," he said.

"This is an opportunity that will not be repeated."
Africa must reposition itself in readiness to welcome car manufacturers to bolster its own supply and boost its prospects for regional trade as the rest of the world is confronted with economic development headwinds.

Mr K.T Hammond, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said besides Ghana, other African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda, had emerged as new automotive manufacturing hubs in addition to the traditional ones of Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt.

The Minister was speaking at the maiden edition of the Ghana Automotive Summit 2023 and the inauguration of the Automobile Assemblers

Association of Ghana (AAAG) on the theme: Creating a new economic backbone for Ghana and the Sub-Region in Accra.

The summit brought together leading experts and industry professionals in the sector to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the automobile industry.

The AAAG membership includes Volkswagen Ghana, Japan Motors, Rana Motors, Kantanka Automobile, Silverstar Ghana, and Stallion Group Toyota-Tsusho Company with Associate members being Toyota Ghana and CFAO Motors Ghana.

The Minister said Africa acknowledged its diverse wealth of natural resources, its dedicated and hardworking labour market, an increasing population as well as an educated and tech-savvy middle class.

He said the continent could no longer accept the dumping of overused and aged vehicles on its markets as a normal way of doing business in the automotive market.

As a first step, however, we recognize the need to make new and affordable vehicles widely available, he added.

He said to attract further investment for the development of an integrated Automotive industry, and to harness the multiplier effect in developing the industry, the Government had developed a Components and Parts Manufacturing Policy.

The policy is to enhance local content and the localization of spare parts for the after-market and ultimately, component supplies for vehicle assemblers.

He said the policy was to provide a pack of incentives to drive investments into component manufacturing to feed both the Original Equipment Manufacturers assembly and the after-market industry while encouraging exports into ECOWAS and under the AfCFTA.

We are also developing a robust vehicle financing scheme that will provide asset-based financing to address the constraint of weak financing and expand vehicle ownership, he said.

Mr Hammond said to strengthen the country's assembly base, the Ghana Standards Authority had with the active participation of all industrial stakeholders concluded work on Compulsory Vehicle Standards and other pieces of regulation and quality assurance measures for the enhancement of the automotive industry.

Mr Jeffrey Oppong Peprah, AAAG President, said Since 2020 we have seen the total local production of vehicles rise to 4,700 by last year which accounted for 9.7 per cent of the country's new car market and we at the AAAG believe that with the full implementation of the Policy and this can be grown to around 60 per cent by 2027.

The Ghana automotive industry was valued at 4.6 billion US Dollars in 2021 and is expected to reach 10.64 billion US Dollars by 2027.

He said establishing the Ghana Automotive Industry Development Center as part of the policy earlier this year was an important milestone in helping to grow the industry.

He said there were few provisions of the policy still outstanding and we call on government and ask the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Industry to implement these provisions as soon as possible to help accelerate and ensure the sustainable growth of our fledgling industry.

These include the banning of the sale of used vehicles older than 10 years, stopping the sale of salvaged vehicles and implementing the provision that the 35 per cent duty on vehicles imported is in the same category as those assembled locally.

We at the Automotive Assemblers Association believe that the Auto Summit will help drive our industry as we explore its future and how technology and innovations will shape it, he said.

GNA
Fighting raged in the Sudanese capital on Tuesday, the eve of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, after paramilitaries seized Khartoum's main police base.

Fighting in the city between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is now concentrated around military bases.

At the same time in Sudan's west, the conflict is worsening to "alarming levels" in Darfur, the United Nations warned.

Since the war erupted on April 15, the RSF has established bases in residential neighbourhoods of the capital while the army has struggled to gain a foothold on the ground despite its air superiority.

As the RSF fights to seize all of Khartoum, millions of people are still holed up despite being caught in the crossfire without electricity and water in oppressive heat.

People gather at a livestock market ahead of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha in Al-Hasaheisa, south of Khartoum. By - (AFP)

Late Sunday the RSF announced they had seized the headquarters, on Khartoum's southern edge, of the paramilitary Central Reserve police sanctioned last year by Washington for rights abuses.

On Tuesday the RSF attacked army bases in central, northern and southern Khartoum, witnesses said.

Mawaheb Omar, who has been stuck at home with her four children, told AFP that she expected Eid celebrations, normally a major event in Sudan, to be "miserable and tasteless as we can't even buy mutton".

Looting

On Saturday the UN urged "immediate action" to stop killings of people fleeing El Geneina, the West Darfur state capital, by Arab militias aided by the paramilitaries.

Washington has blamed the "atrocities" in Darfur primarily on "the RSF and affiliated militia".

The RSF is descended from Janjaweed militia unleashed by Khartoum in response to a 2003 rebel uprising in Darfur, leading to war crimes charges.

In the current fighting the RSF have been accused of looting humanitarian supplies, factories and houses abandoned by those displaced by the fighting or taken by force.

Daglo responded to these accusations on Tuesday in an audio recording posted online.

The Sudanese army has struggled to gain a foothold on the ground in Khartoum. By - (AFP)

"The RSF will take swift and strict action" against those in its ranks who have carried out such abuses, he said.

The RSF had announced on Monday evening that it was beginning to try some of its "undisciplined" members, as well as the release of "100 prisoners of war" from the army.

Since the beginning of the conflict, both sides have regularly announced prisoner swaps through the Red Cross, without ever giving the exact number of those captured.

Daglo, a native of Darfur, also spoke of the fate of this gold-rich area where more than one in four Sudanese live.

We must "avoid plunging into civil war", he said.

The UN and African blocs have warned of an "ethnic dimension" to the conflict in Darfur, where on Tuesday Raouf Mazou, the UN refugee agency's assistant high commissioner for operations, told a briefing in Geneva there is a "worsening situation" in West Darfur state.

"According to reports from colleagues on the ground, the conflict has reached alarming levels, making it virtually impossible to deliver life-saving aid to the affected populations," he said.

New fronts

The army is not only faced with difficulties in Khartoum. New fronts have opened against it from a rebel group in Kordofan state, south of the capital, as well as in Blue Nile state on the border with Ethiopia.

In South Kordofan, authorities have decreed a night-time curfew to curb the violence.

Sudanese army armoured vehicles on the move in Khartoum. By - (AFP/File)

The UN mission in Sudan, which withdrew almost all its staff from the country at the start of the war, expressed "grave concern" about the violence in Kurmuk, near the Ethiopian border.

Fighting there has caused hundreds of civilians to flee to Ethiopia, it said.

Since the conflict flared, around two million people have been displaced within Sudan, while another 600,000 have fled across the borders, mainly to Egypt in the north and Chad in the west.

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, and a lack of funds.

A record 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.
Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has expressed optimism about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) securing a narrow victory in the ongoing by-election in Assin North.

Over 41,000 registered voters across 99 polling stations are currently voting at Assin North to elect a new Member of Parliament for the area after the seat was declared vacant following a Supreme Court order.

The Majority Leader made the prediction when he addressed journalists in Parliament on the electoral process.

The one who emerges victorious may win with a very narrow margin, in hundreds and not thousands. That is my own perception. That is what I observed after spending two days in the communities along the main roads. My impression is that the NPP is on top in those areas. I will say in the region of about 40-60% in favour of the NPP.

I went to some of the village settlements. In the ones I visited, it appears the NDC is also stronger in those communities. I will say about 45-55% in favour of NDC. That is why Im saying that, its is going to be a very close contest. I believe that we will triumph, but it cant be in thousands, but a few hundred, he envisaged.

However, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, said majority of the constituents want to see the NDC candidate Gyakye Quayson win.

They [constituents] love Gyakye Quayson so much and looking at what hes going through, especially at the legal front, most of them would like to vote for him. They are saying that they even want another by-election because NPP will pour in the resources once theres a by-election, he said.

Three candidates are vying for the seat: James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).
An Accra High Court has adopted an out of court settlement terms filed by Charles Nii Armah Mensah, one of Ghana's dance hall artistes in a defamation case brought against him by former manager, Lawrence Asiamah, aka Bulldog.

Lawyers for the parties on Tuesday June 27, 2023, filed terms of the settlement at the High Court.

Charles Nii Armah Mensah, aka Shatta Wale, through his counsel at the last sitting prayed the court for two weeks adjournment so they could file their terms of settlement.

The trial Judge, Justice Joseph Agyemang Adu Owusu, obliged him.

At today's sittings, Dr Justice Srem Sai, counsel for Bulldog informed the court about the filing of the settlement, adding he was elated that the parties finally reached a settlement.

Bulldog's lawyer, therefore, prayed to the court to adopt the terms of the settlement.

The trial judge, however, informed the parties that he had not received the terms of settlement filed.

The court, therefore, showed a copy of the terms of settlement filed and sought from a representative of Shatta Wale if the signature in the documents was that of Shatta Wale.

Soon after the Shatta Wale representative identified his (Shatta Wale's) signature, the court adopted same.

The court then ruled that the terms of settlement filed on June 27, 2023, is hereby adopted and entered as consent judgement.

Shatta Wale on November 22, 2022, is said to have made a publication on his Facebook account and implicated Bulldog in the murder of one Fennec Okyere, a 31-year-old artiste manager.

Fennec Okyere, Manager of Kwaw Kese, a musician, was gruesomely murdered at his residence in March 2014 by some unknown assailants.

Bulldog was picked up by the Police and charged because he had allegedly threatened him during a show.

The Court after a couple of years, discharged Bulldog over lack of evidence against him.

Bulldog, through his lawyer, therefore, filed a defamation case at the High Court against Shatta Wale.

In his suit, he contended that what Shatta Wale had published was malicious and prayed the court for perpetual injunction restraining the dance hall king, Shatta Wale.

He also prayed the court for retraction and apology from Shatta Wale.

During the various sittings, the parties opted for an out of court settlement and the court obliged them.

GNA
Ghanaian investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has advised a New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant to stop wearing round glasses.

In a tweet on Tuesday, June 27, Manasseh commented on a campaign poster of one of the NPP aspirants wearing round glasses similar to that of President Akufo-Addo.

"I saw this photo of one of the NPP aspirants and Im wondering why his advisors didnt warn him about the round glasses, he wrote.

According to Manasseh, round glasses have become a dreadful symbol in Ghanaian politics, alluding to President Akufo-Addo who is often seen wearing them.

He noted, "Not many Ghanaians will welcome that dreadful symbol."

Manasseh, who has been critical of President Akufo-Addo's government, suggested that the aspirant's advisors should have warned him against using round glasses in his campaign as it could scare away potential supporters.

The investigative journalist advised the NPP flagbearer aspirant to ditch the round glasses if he hopes to win the hearts of Ghanaians and secure the flagbearership position of NPP.

The ruling party has set aside, November 4, 2023, as the date to choose its flagbearer ahead of the 2024 general elections.
28.06.2023 LISTEN

A video trending on social media discloses an unidentified Electoral Commission (EC) Official handing over a stack of cash to unidentified police personnel.

The Assin North by-elections have been characterised by allegations of vote buying from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In the video, the unidentified Electoral Commission agent said Give the money to him, give it to him (in a local dialect).

Another voice accompanied in the background said sit down, you sit down but the process is going on.

Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson alleged that the NPP was distributing amounts ranging from GHS200 to GHS300 per voter in an attempt to sway voters in favor of their candidate, Charles Opoku.

The Deputy Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Ernest Owusu Bempah has stated that giving money to electorates is a normal practice.

According to Mr. Bempah, some delegates are financially handicapped and require some form of assistance.

However, he described as ridiculous any form of allegations against the NPP.

Dr. Akuffo Dampare, in a meeting held at the Assin State College SHS stressed the need for transparency, impartiality and neutrality in the electoral process and reassured all parties and the general public of the police readiness in protecting the rights of citizens during and after the elections.
The Ghana Police Service has issued a press release to provide an update on the security situation in the Assin North by-election.

In a release on its Facebook, the Police said although there have been pockets of incidents, the report that someone has been shot is not true.

Voting within the Assin North Constituency commenced this morning and progressed as expected in all polling stations across the Constituency.

The Police, however, recorded pockets of incidents, including an alleged incident of an individual shooting into the air. We wish to state that no person or vehicle has been shot at within the constituency, parts of the Ghana Police Service statement said.

The Police add that all the recorded incidents are being investigated and Police have also arrested some suspects who are in custody assisting with the investigation.

The Police also assure that adequate Police personnel have been deployed throughout the constituency to ensure security, law, and order for the remaining period of the election and beyond.

We would like to urge all stakeholders to redouble their commitment to work with the Police to ensure a peaceful election especially as the exercise draws to a close, the Police added in its statement.
27.06.2023 LISTEN

Ghana Police Service has announced that it has swiftly picked up some persons suspected in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during the ongoing by-election in the Assin North constituency.

Some National Democratic Congress (NDC) observers accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of firing gunshots at Assin Praso in an attempt to scare off voters which the NPP deny.

But barely two hours after the incident occurred, the police in a statement disclosed that it has picked up some suspects that are assisting in investigations.

The police are therefore calling for calm and peace.

Below is the polices full statement

POLICE UPDATE ON ASSIN NORTH BYE-ELECTION

Voting within the Assin North Constituency commenced this morning and progressed as expected in all polling stations across the Constituency.

The Police however recorded pockets of incidents, including an alleged incident of an individual shooting into the air. We wish to state that no person or vehicle has been shot at within the constituency. All the recorded incidents are being investigated and Police have also arrested some suspects who are in custody assisting our investigation.

Adequate Police personnel have been deployed throughout the constituency to ensure security law and order for the remaining period of the election and beyond.

We would like to urge all stakeholders to redouble their commitment to work with the Police to ensure a peaceful election especially as the exercise draws to a close.

-citinewsroom
27.06.2023 LISTEN

Ghanaian journalist and host of the Diplomatic Affairs Show on Pan African TV, Harriet Nartey was one of the few journalists from Africa present at the just ended New Global Financing Pact Summit in France organized by the French government and led by its President Emmanuel Macron.

In a post on her Twitter page, she said A rare opportunity it was to have been in the same room with Presidents of France and Kenya, the U.S. Secretary of Treasury, IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva and President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga leading conversations about the New Global Financing Pact spearheaded by the French government.

Harriet Nartey has in recent times been on a roll. This new feat comes on the back of a successful moderator role at the just ended National Blue Summit which had the President and other top officials in attendance. She also hosted the first 2023 FICAC Pan African Regional Conference for Honorary Consuls.

The objective of the Summit was to build a new contract between the countries of the North and the South to address climate change and the global crisis. It also addressed key issues like reform of multilateral development banks, debt crisis, innovative financing and international taxes and special drawing rights (SDRs)

Ghanas President, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and other leaders were present at the event. They are Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva, President of Brazil, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and more.
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, the Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Area, has suggested the need to rotate the Meko Bono festival among the Bono communities to maintain the enthusiasm and interest in the festival.

He explained that Sunyani, the Bono regional capital had hosted the first and second editions, so it was prudent for the 'Bonofie' organisers to move the festival to other communities to whip-up the interest of the people.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II suggested this when he was speaking at a grand durbar to climax the second edition of the 'Meko Bono 'festival at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani.

The 'Bonofie' is a wholly Ghanaian but international event organisation promoting the socio-cultural and economic development of the Bono and Bono East Regions through tourism and culture.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II said the festival had created an avenue for the chiefs and people to unite as one people to deliberate among themselves and find ways to facilitate development in the Bono area.

He stated the development of the Bono Region depended on the people, therefore, it was time for the chiefs and people to forge stronger collaboration to accelerate holistic development of the area.

Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II encouraged the organisers to collaborate with the Chiefs and queen mothers to brainstorm and put ideas together to make the festival more involving for all stakeholders.

Mr John Ansu Kumi, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, reiterated the need for all Bono citizens to actively participate in the festival to ensure its sustainability.

He indicated the Bono people had rich culture and customs, and therefore encouraged the youth not to undermine the culture and customs but learn holistically to become well-trained to occupy responsible position and contribute to the development of the region and the country.

Nana Ama Kwakye, the originator of the 'Bonofie' said the organisation had also instituted the 'Bonofie' community link, which aims at giving hands-on skill jobs to empower the youth economically, saying the training had benefited about 1,000 youths in Nkoranza, Kintampo, Drobo and Sunyani.

She indicated they would continue to promote the culture and customs of the Bono people, while urging the chiefs of the area to support their efforts to sustain the festival for posterity.

GNA
Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited (LON:BIPS  Get Rating) announced a dividend on Monday, June 26th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be paid a dividend of GBX 2.88 ($0.04) per share on Friday, August 18th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. The official announcement can be seen at this link.

Invesco Bond Income Plus Stock Performance

LON BIPS traded up GBX 1.50 ($0.02) during trading hours on Monday, hitting GBX 162.50 ($2.07). 142,660 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 217,516. The businesss fifty day moving average price is GBX 161.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 164.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.12. The firm has a market capitalization of 287.54 million, a P/E ratio of -805.00 and a beta of 0.42. Invesco Bond Income Plus has a 52 week low of GBX 141.04 ($1.79) and a 52 week high of GBX 173 ($2.20).

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Invesco Bond Income Plus Company Profile

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Invesco Bond Income Plus Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. It is co-managed by INVESCO Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in fixed income markets across the globe. It primarily invests in high yield fixed income securities including preference shares, convertible and redeemable loan stocks, corporate bonds, and government bonds.

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Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Rating) had its price target cut by Morgan Stanley from $350.00 to $340.00 in a research note released on Friday, The Fly reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on ACN. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and issued a $300.00 price objective on shares of Accenture in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Piper Jaffray Companies decreased their target price on Accenture from $316.00 to $314.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Accenture from $292.00 to $377.00 in a report on Friday, June 9th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Accenture from $289.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded Accenture from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $250.00 to $316.00 in a 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $326.55.

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Accenture Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ACN opened at $297.45 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average is $291.79 and its 200 day moving average is $280.21. The company has a market capitalization of $187.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.24. Accenture has a fifty-two week low of $242.80 and a fifty-two week high of $327.93.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $3.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.96 by $0.23. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 11.28%. The firm had revenue of $16.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.79 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Accenture will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of $1.12 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th. This represents a $4.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 39.93%.

Insider Transactions at Accenture

In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,954 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.05, for a total transaction of $827,267.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 24,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,849,742.95. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at $7,423,917.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,954 shares of the firms 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 24,459 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,849,742.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 15,010 shares of company stock worth $4,180,030. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Accenture

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at $1,850,765,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Accenture by 101,214.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,040,402 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,078,141,000 after purchasing an additional 4,036,414 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp acquired a new position in Accenture in the 1st quarter valued at about $638,488,000. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Accenture by 14.9% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 16,642,841 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $4,440,976,000 after buying an additional 2,163,582 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Accenture by 21.7% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 11,535,663 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $3,297,009,000 after buying an additional 2,060,646 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.00% of the companys stock.

About Accenture

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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.

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AngloGold Ashanti Limited (NYSE:AU  Get Rating)s stock price dropped 3.7% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $21.43 and last traded at $21.50. Approximately 1,729,926 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 45% from the average daily volume of 3,133,146 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.32.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AU has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on AngloGold Ashanti in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Investec downgraded AngloGold Ashanti from a buy rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upgraded AngloGold Ashanti from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AngloGold Ashanti presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.00.

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AngloGold Ashanti Trading Down 3.4 %

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.18 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $22.37. The company has a current ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 1.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

About AngloGold Ashanti

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in AngloGold Ashanti in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $282,000. APG Asset Management N.V. bought a new position in AngloGold Ashanti in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,163,000. Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 395.1% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 82,383 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,973,000 after acquiring an additional 65,743 shares in the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 51.6% in the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 2,050,334 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $48,572,000 after acquiring an additional 697,908 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in AngloGold Ashanti by 44.1% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,412,291 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $33,457,000 after acquiring an additional 432,001 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 24.20% of the companys stock.

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AngloGold Ashanti Limited operates as a gold mining company in Africa, the Americas, and Australia. The company explores for gold. Its flagship property is a 100% owned Geita project located in the Lake Victoria goldfields of the Mwanza region in north-western Tanzania. The company also owns 100% interest in the Iduapriem mine which covers 137 square kilometers located in the western region of Ghana; Obuasi project located in Ghana; AGA Mineracao in Brazil; Serra Grande located in central Brazil in the state of Goias; Greenfield Projects in the Beatty district in Nevada; and Sunrise Dam in Australia.

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE:ARI  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, June 13th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.35 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, July 14th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has decreased its dividend by an average of 8.7% annually over the last three years. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a dividend payout ratio of 92.7% indicating that its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings fall. Research analysts expect Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance to earn $1.41 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 99.3%.

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Trading Up 3.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ARI opened at $11.08 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.05 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 42.44 and a current ratio of 42.44. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $10.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $10.65. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a 52-week low of $7.91 and a 52-week high of $13.10.

Insider Activity at Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

Institutional Trading of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

In other Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance news, Director Robert A. Kasdin bought 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The shares were bought at an average price of $9.54 per share, with a total value of $238,500.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 85,739 shares of the companys stock, valued at $817,950.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 0.61% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ARI. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 721.0% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,310 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,785 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 154.8% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 9,173 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 5,573 shares during the last quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co NY now owns 8,666 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $93,000 after acquiring an additional 907 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 131.9% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 7,213 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $100,000 after acquiring an additional 4,102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the 4th quarter worth approximately $106,000. Institutional investors own 55.66% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ARI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $11.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance from $11.50 to $10.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com started coverage on Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.80.

About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance

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Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States. It is qualified as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

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Avity Investment Management Inc. decreased its holdings in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating) by 0.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,570 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 17 shares during the period. Avity Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $10,053,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Xponance Inc. increased its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 2.6% in the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 4,955 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $7,582,000 after purchasing an additional 124 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 72.7% in the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 19 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 8 shares during the period. Oak Ridge Investments LLC increased its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 8.9% in the first quarter. Oak Ridge Investments LLC now owns 478 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $731,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. StonePine Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 733.5% in the first quarter. StonePine Asset Management Inc. now owns 94,664 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $144,856,000 after purchasing an additional 83,307 shares during the period. Finally, Apeiron RIA LLC purchased a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International in the first quarter worth $252,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.89% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,700.00 to $1,650.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,650.00 to $1,525.00 in a research report on Sunday, May 7th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mettler-Toledo International currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1,469.50.

Mettler-Toledo International Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MTD traded down $9.85 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $1,270.05. The stock had a trading volume of 39,997 shares, compared to its average volume of 102,143. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $1,384.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $1,457.30. The stock has a market cap of $27.97 billion, a PE ratio of 32.50, a PEG ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.28. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 1-year low of $1,065.55 and a 1-year high of $1,615.97.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $8.61 by $0.08. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 4,833.51% and a net margin of 22.45%. The company had revenue of $928.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $921.19 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $7.87 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Gerry Keller sold 449 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,400.00, for a total transaction of $628,600.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Mettler-Toledo International news, insider Gerry Keller sold 449 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,400.00, for a total value of $628,600.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total value of $1,197,336.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,417 shares of company stock valued at $4,731,561. Corporate insiders own 2.40% of the companys stock.

About Mettler-Toledo International

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Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC trimmed its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 25.3% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,150 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,403 shares during the quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $288,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at about $332,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, 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 document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

BMY stock opened at $64.79 on Tuesday. 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 $136.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.44. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $66.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.56. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $63.07 and a 52 week high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results 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 return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The firm had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.96 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.52%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is presently 66.47%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BMY shares. 51job reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday, March 6th. They set a hold rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $66.00 to $65.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.62.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

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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.

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Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Bunzl (OTCMKTS:BZLFY  Get Rating) from a hold rating to an underperform rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday, The Fly reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Bunzl from GBX 2,800 ($35.60) to GBX 2,850 ($36.24) in a report on Tuesday, March 14th. Societe Generale began coverage on Bunzl in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. They set a buy rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Bunzl from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Monday, March 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bunzl currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $2,841.67.

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Bunzl Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of BZLFY stock opened at $37.89 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $39.33 and a 200-day moving average of $37.29. Bunzl has a 52 week low of $28.79 and a 52 week high of $41.00.

Bunzl Increases Dividend

Bunzl Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th will be paid a $0.5118 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 18th. This is an increase from Bunzls previous dividend of $0.18. This represents a dividend yield of 1.79%.

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Bunzl plc operates as a distribution and services company in the North America, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers food packaging, films, labels, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and personal protection equipment to grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

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Capital Power Co. (TSE:CPX  Get Rating) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, April 28th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of 0.58 per share on Monday, July 31st. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th.

Capital Power Price Performance

CPX stock traded down C$0.07 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$42.80. 23,841 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 366,317. Capital Power has a 52 week low of C$40.06 and a 52 week high of C$51.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 129.45, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.79. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$44.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$44.44. The stock has a market capitalization of C$5.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.58.

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Capital Power (TSE:CPX  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The company reported C$2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$1.22 by C$1.16. Capital Power had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 10.18%. The business had revenue of C$1.27 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Capital Power will post 4.5078864 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

About Capital Power

Several research analysts have issued reports on CPX shares. National Bankshares boosted their target price on Capital Power from C$52.00 to C$53.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. Raymond James dropped their target price on Capital Power from C$53.00 to C$50.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on Capital Power from C$52.00 to C$50.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. TD Securities dropped their target price on Capital Power from C$56.00 to C$54.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 2nd. Finally, CSFB boosted their target price on Capital Power from C$53.50 to C$54.00 in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$52.10.

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Capital Power Corporation develops, acquires, owns, and operates renewable and thermal power generation facilities in Canada and the United States. It generates electricity from various energy sources, including wind, solar, waste heat, natural gas, and coal. The company owns an approximately 7,500 megawatts of power generation capacity at 29 facilities.

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Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU  Get Rating) traded down 4.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $6.81 and last traded at $6.85. 106,419 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 53% from the average session volume of 226,285 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.15.

Central Puerto Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of 14.96, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 1.96. The firms 50 day moving average is $6.47 and its 200-day moving average is $6.10.

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Central Puerto (NYSE:CEPU  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 15th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Central Puerto had a net margin of 11.62% and a return on equity of 11.44%. The company had revenue of $145.81 million during the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that Central Puerto S.A. will post 1.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Central Puerto

Central Puerto Company Profile

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Jump Financial LLC increased its holdings in Central Puerto by 8.1% during the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 32,000 shares of the companys stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 2,400 shares during the period. Stokes Family Office LLC increased its holdings in Central Puerto by 33.3% during the 1st quarter. Stokes Family Office LLC now owns 20,000 shares of the companys stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in Central Puerto by 20.4% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 45,700 shares of the companys stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 7,750 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Central Puerto during the 1st quarter worth about $60,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in Central Puerto during the 4th quarter worth about $66,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.54% of the companys stock.

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Central Puerto SA engages in the electric power generation in Argentina. The company operates through three segments: The production of electrical energy from conventional sources; The production of electrical energy from renewable sources; and The transportation and distribution of natural gas. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned and operated six thermal generation plants, one hydroelectric generation plant, and seven wind farms with a total installed capacity of 4,809 MW.

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Compass Ion Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:QLTA  Get Rating) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 680,012 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $32,532,000. iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF comprises 8.2% of Compass Ion Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Compass Ion Advisors LLC owned approximately 4.06% of iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fundamentun LLC acquired a new position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $17,116,000. Pacific Wealth Management acquired a new position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $14,586,000. Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF by 476.1% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 222,475 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,094,000 after purchasing an additional 183,860 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF by 68.7% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 317,356 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,449,000 after purchasing an additional 129,236 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF by 56.8% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 355,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,147,000 after purchasing an additional 128,887 shares during the period.

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iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:QLTA opened at $47.13 on Tuesday. iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF has a 12-month low of $43.84 and a 12-month high of $50.04. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $47.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.30.

iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF Company Profile

The iShares Aaa  A Rated Corporate Bond ETF (QLTA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of dollar-denominated fixed-rate corporate bonds rated AAA-A issued by US and non-US corporations with maturities of at least one year.

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Core Alternative Capital trimmed its position in shares of Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC  Get Rating) by 4.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 59,583 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 2,710 shares during the period. Core Alternative Capitals holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $12,632,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Norfolk Southern by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. FinTrust Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,757 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $433,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Ridge Investment Management increased its stake in Norfolk Southern by 107.0% during the first quarter. Eagle Ridge Investment Management now owns 101,033 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $21,419,000 after acquiring an additional 52,218 shares during the last quarter. Xponance Inc. raised its position in Norfolk Southern by 3.1% during the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 28,109 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $5,959,000 after purchasing an additional 854 shares during the period. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Finally, PATRIZIA Pty Ltd increased its position in shares of Norfolk Southern by 20.7% during the 1st quarter. PATRIZIA Pty Ltd now owns 19,259 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $4,083,000 after purchasing an additional 3,299 shares during the last quarter. 71.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Alan H. Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $419,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 30,654 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,423,545.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock.

Norfolk Southern Stock Up 0.4 %

NSC stock traded up $0.91 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $222.76. 96,330 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,535,920. The company has a market capitalization of $50.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 0.75. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $212.91 and a 200 day simple moving average of $225.13. Norfolk Southern Co. has a 12 month low of $196.33 and a 12 month high of $264.22.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The railroad operator reported $3.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $3.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.11 billion. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 23.40% and a return on equity of 25.76%. The companys revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.93 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 5th were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.42%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 4th. Norfolk Southerns payout ratio is presently 41.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on NSC. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Norfolk Southern from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Norfolk Southern from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $250.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Barclays dropped their target price on Norfolk Southern from $250.00 to $235.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Evercore ISI raised Norfolk Southern from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $242.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Norfolk Southern in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $242.48.

About Norfolk Southern

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Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.

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Algoma Steel Group (TSE:ASTL  Get Rating) had its price target trimmed by Cormark from C$16.00 to C$11.75 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on ASTL. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Algoma Steel Group from C$16.00 to C$14.25 in a research report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Algoma Steel Group from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research note on Friday.

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Algoma Steel Group Stock Performance

ASTL opened at C$9.48 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of C$981.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.44, a current ratio of 3.67 and a quick ratio of 1.51. Algoma Steel Group has a 1-year low of C$7.70 and a 1-year high of C$12.83. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$9.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$9.95.

Algoma Steel Group Company Profile

Algoma Steel Group Inc produces and sells steel products primarily in North America. It provides flat/sheet steel products, including temper rolling, cold rolled, hot-rolled pickled and oiled products, floor plate, and cut-to-length products for the automotive industry, hollow structural product manufacturers, and the light manufacturing and transportation industries; and plate steel products that consist of rolled, hot-rolled, and heat-treated for use in the construction or manufacture of railcars, buildings, bridges, off-highway equipment, storage tanks, ships, and military applications.

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CP ALL Public (OTCMKTS:CPPCY  Get Rating) is one of 62 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare CP ALL Public to related companies based on the strength of its dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares CP ALL Public and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CP ALL Public N/A N/A N/A CP ALL Public Competitors 2.07% 14.55% 4.73%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

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 insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Valuation and Earnings

CP ALL Public pays an annual dividend of $7.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 38.5%. CP ALL Public pays out 66.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.0% and pay out 61.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

This table compares CP ALL Public and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CP ALL Public N/A N/A 1.73 CP ALL Public Competitors $26.98 billion $611.37 million 178.47

CP ALL Publics rivals have higher revenue and earnings than CP ALL Public. CP ALL Public is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for CP ALL Public and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CP ALL Public 0 0 1 0 3.00 CP ALL Public Competitors 1120 2752 3007 114 2.30

As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 99.79%. Given CP ALL Publics rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe CP ALL Public has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Summary

CP ALL Public rivals beat CP ALL Public on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

CP ALL Public Company Profile

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CP ALL Public Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates and franchises convenience stores under the 7-Eleven name to other retailers primarily in Thailand. It operates through three segments: Wholesale Business, Retail Business, and Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers. The Wholesale Business segment engages in import, export, and distribution of frozen and chilled food with delivery services and focuses on selling consumer products, including fresh food, dry food, and consumer products under Makro brand. Its Retail Business segment is involved in domestic supply chain, distribution system, logistics network, and brand equity businesses. This segment also sells its products under various domestic, international, and small and medium enterprises brands. The company's Management of Rental Spaces in Shopping Centers segment manages buildings and retail spaces in shopping malls. In addition, the company is involved in sale and maintenance of retail equipment; cash and carry, catalog, and e-commerce businesses; marketing and advertising activities; provision of information technology and research and development services, as well as engaged in bill payment collection, life insurance, and non-life insurance broker business. Further, the company offers educational institution, training, business seminar services, as well as healthcare and medical specialist's consultation services. The company was formerly known as C.P. Seven Eleven Public Company Limited. CP ALL Public Company Limited was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS  Get Rating) in a research note issued to investors on Friday. The firm issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Credit Suisse Group Price Performance

Shares of Credit Suisse Group stock opened at $0.89 on Friday. Credit Suisse Group has a twelve month low of $0.82 and a twelve month high of $6.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.79. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.88 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.37 and a beta of 1.27.

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Credit Suisse Group (NYSE:CS  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The financial services provider reported $3.33 earnings per share for the quarter. Credit Suisse Group had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 23.83%. The business had revenue of $19.96 billion during the quarter.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Credit Suisse Group

Credit Suisse Group Company Profile

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 324.9% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 51,972,488 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $46,245,000 after purchasing an additional 39,739,500 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 39.7% during the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 13,413,630 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,935,000 after acquiring an additional 3,810,643 shares during the period. Kopernik Global Investors LLC lifted its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC now owns 9,736,174 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,598,000 after acquiring an additional 4,643,341 shares during the period. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 60.8% during the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 8,527,900 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,588,000 after acquiring an additional 3,225,000 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of Credit Suisse Group by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,804,027 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $22,752,000 after acquiring an additional 334,234 shares during the period. 11.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Credit Suisse Group AG is a holding company, which engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following four divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Bank, Swiss Bank and Asset Management and four geographic regions: Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, and Americas.

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Chesapeake Financial Shares (OTCMKTS:CPKF  Get Rating) and Oak Ridge Financial Services (OTCMKTS:BKOR  Get Rating) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.

Dividends

Chesapeake Financial Shares pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Oak Ridge Financial Services pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Chesapeake Financial Shares pays out 16.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Oak Ridge Financial Services pays out 17.2% 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. Chesapeake Financial Shares is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Profitability

This table compares Chesapeake Financial Shares and Oak Ridge Financial Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Chesapeake Financial Shares 24.04% 20.93% 1.28% Oak Ridge Financial Services 21.26% N/A N/A

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Chesapeake Financial Shares $69.47 million 1.36 $17.63 million $3.61 5.54 Oak Ridge Financial Services $28.11 million 1.48 $6.66 million $2.32 6.57

This table compares Chesapeake Financial Shares and Oak Ridge Financial Services revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Chesapeake Financial Shares has higher revenue and earnings than Oak Ridge Financial Services. Chesapeake Financial Shares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Oak Ridge Financial Services, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

3.7% of Chesapeake Financial Shares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 3.6% of Oak Ridge Financial Services shares are owned by institutional investors. 39.5% of Chesapeake Financial Shares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 25.6% of Oak Ridge Financial Services shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Chesapeake Financial Shares and Oak Ridge Financial Services, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Chesapeake Financial Shares 0 0 0 0 N/A Oak Ridge Financial Services 0 0 0 0 N/A

Volatility & Risk

Chesapeake Financial Shares has a beta of 0.6, meaning that its share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Oak Ridge Financial Services has a beta of 0.46, meaning that its share price is 54% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Chesapeake Financial Shares beats Oak Ridge Financial Services on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Chesapeake Financial Shares

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Chesapeake Financial Shares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Chesapeake Bank that provides various banking products and services for individuals and businesses in the United States. The company accepts interest and noninterest checking, savings, and money market accounts; and variable-rate and fixed-term money market accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. It also offers mortgage, and single-family residential and residential construction loans; commercial loans, which include owner-occupied commercial development, retail, builders/contractors, medical, service and professional, hospitality, nonprofits, marine industry, and agricultural and seafood loans; and consumer and other loans. In addition, the company provides merchant processing, accounts receivable financing, wealth management and trust, and mortgage banking services, as well as cash management services. Chesapeake Financial Shares, Inc. was founded in 1900 and is based in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

About Oak Ridge Financial Services

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Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. operates as a bank holding company for Bank of Oak Ridge that provides various banking products and services for individuals and businesses. It offers checking, savings, and money market accounts; overdrafts; auto, home equity, mortgage, business term, and business SBA loans; business lines of credit; credit cards; and online and mobile banking products and services. The company also provides health savings accounts, identity theft protection, wealth management, cash management, and remote deposit capture services; and auto, home, small business, renters, life, boat and watercraft, classic car, motorcycle, flood, pet, and umbrella insurance products. It operates through a network of branches in Oak Ridge, Greensboro, and Summerfield, North Carolina. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Oak Ridge, North Carolina.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Get Rating) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $48.00 to $55.00 in a research report report published on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on DAL. Bank of America reduced their target price on Delta Air Lines from $43.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 14th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Delta Air Lines from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, April 14th. StockNews.com raised Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Raymond James increased their price target on Delta Air Lines from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $50.26.

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Delta Air Lines Stock Up 0.7 %

Delta Air Lines stock opened at $43.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.17, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.47. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $36.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $36.30. The company has a market cap of $27.73 billion, a PE ratio of 14.62, a PEG ratio of 0.22 and a beta of 1.24. Delta Air Lines has a fifty-two week low of $27.20 and a fifty-two week high of $43.58.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Get Rating ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 13th. The transportation company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $12.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.25 billion. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 56.49% and a net margin of 3.51%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 36.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($1.23) EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Delta Air Lines will post 5.63 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th.

Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines

In other news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total transaction of $277,229.70. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 107,782 shares in the company, valued at $3,977,155.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director David S. Taylor purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $32.83 per share, with a total value of $164,150.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 25,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $832,568.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 107,782 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,977,155.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have bought 15,000 shares of company stock worth $503,250. Corporate insiders own 0.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. WFA of San Diego LLC purchased a new stake in Delta Air Lines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC boosted its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 7.9% during the 4th quarter. Woodmont Investment Counsel LLC now owns 9,575 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $315,000 after acquiring an additional 700 shares in the last quarter. Nwam LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $229,000. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new stake in shares of Delta Air Lines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $216,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.35% of the companys stock.

Delta Air Lines Company Profile

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Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and Seoul-Incheon.

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Stanley Laman Group Ltd. grew its position in Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Get Rating) by 573.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 117,083 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 99,689 shares during the period. Elastic accounts for approximately 1.2% of Stanley Laman Group Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest position. Stanley Laman Group Ltd.s holdings in Elastic were worth $6,779,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Utah Retirement Systems grew its stake in shares of Elastic by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 14,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $721,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of Elastic by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 7,355 shares of the companys stock worth $379,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its position in shares of Elastic by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 9,316 shares of the companys stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Elastic by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 30,105 shares of the companys stock worth $2,037,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Finally, Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Elastic by 50.7% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 707 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.83% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of Elastic stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.41, for a total transaction of $753,950.28. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 332,329 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,399,284.89. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Elastic news, CTO Shay Banon sold 150,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.24, for a total transaction of $10,536,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 7,943,854 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $557,976,304.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.41, for a total transaction of $753,950.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 332,329 shares in the company, valued at $23,399,284.89. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 321,374 shares of company stock worth $22,605,483 in the last ninety days. 18.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Elastic Price Performance

Shares of ESTC opened at $61.75 on Tuesday. Elastic has a twelve month low of $46.18 and a twelve month high of $91.30. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $63.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $58.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 1.78.

Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.13. Elastic had a negative net margin of 22.09% and a negative return on equity of 46.49%. The firm had revenue of $279.94 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $277.63 million. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.64) EPS. Elastics revenue for the quarter was up 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Elastic will post -1.16 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ESTC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $96.00 price objective on shares of Elastic in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Elastic from $70.00 to $67.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Elastic from $70.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. DA Davidson began coverage on shares of Elastic in a research report on Friday, June 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Elastic from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price target for the company from $55.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $74.65.

Elastic Profile

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Elastic N.V., a data analytics company, delivers solutions designed to run in public or private clouds in multi-cloud environments. It primarily offers Elastic Stack, a set of software products that ingest and store data from various sources and formats, as well as performs search, analysis, and visualization on that data.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ESTC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Get Rating).

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Elbit Imaging Ltd. (OTCMKTS:EMITF  Get Rating) declared a dividend on Tuesday, June 27th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be given a dividend of 0.041 per share by the financial services provider on Wednesday, July 19th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 28th.

Elbit Imaging Stock Performance

OTCMKTS:EMITF remained flat at $1.25 during midday trading on Tuesday. Elbit Imaging has a 12 month low of $1.15 and a 12 month high of $2.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $1.36 and a 200-day moving average of $1.41.

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About Elbit Imaging

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Elbit Imaging Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops, produces, and markets therapeutic medical systems for performing non-invasive treatments on the human body in Israel and internationally. The company offers treatment-oriented medical systems with ultrasound beam and magnetic resonance imaging for noninvasive treatments in human body.

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Fiduciary Alliance LLC grew its stake in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 3.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 278,914 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 8,899 shares during the quarter. Bank of America comprises approximately 2.0% of Fiduciary Alliance LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Fiduciary Alliance LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $7,977,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avity Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 7.5% during the first quarter. Avity Investment Management Inc. now owns 153,140 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,380,000 after acquiring an additional 10,704 shares in the last quarter. Core Alternative Capital increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 100.6% during the first quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 4,319 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $124,000 after acquiring an additional 2,166 shares in the last quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 5.3% during the first quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 17,464 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $499,000 after acquiring an additional 881 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 5.5% during the first quarter. Parkside Investments LLC now owns 38,500 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Community Trust & Investment Co. bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the first quarter valued at $273,000. 67.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Bank of America Stock Performance

NYSE BAC traded up $0.29 on Tuesday, reaching $28.38. 8,914,918 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 52,429,551. Bank of America Co. has a one year low of $26.32 and a one year high of $38.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $226.16 billion, a PE ratio of 8.44, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.37. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $28.55 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $31.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The business had revenue of $26.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.28 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.80 EPS. The companys revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.10%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 1st. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on BAC. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Bank of America from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $38.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Bank of America from $43.00 to $41.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Odeon Capital Group cut Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $35.20 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $36.77.

Bank of America Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLC lowered its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO  Get Rating) by 1.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 236,860 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 3,203 shares during the period. Galvin Gaustad & Stein LLCs holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF were worth $9,569,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in VWO. Endurance Wealth Management Inc. grew 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 worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 476 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC grew 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 worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 482 shares during the period. Retirement Group LLC bought a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Dakota Community Bank & Trust NA grew 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 worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 361 shares during the period. Finally, Silicon Valley Capital Partners bought a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSEARCA:VWO opened at $40.28 on Tuesday. 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 50 day simple moving average of $40.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $40.41. The company has a market cap of $71.70 billion, a PE ratio of 10.00 and a beta of 0.69.

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.

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Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY  Get Rating) shares dropped 3.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $4.06 and last traded at $4.07. Approximately 1,649,975 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 60% from the average daily volume of 4,125,995 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.21.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HMY has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Harmony Gold Mining from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Harmony Gold Mining in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Investec lowered shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Harmony Gold Mining currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Harmony Gold Mining Trading Down 3.3 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $4.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Harmony Gold Mining

About Harmony Gold Mining

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of HMY. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Harmony Gold Mining in the first quarter worth about $182,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 3.6% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 655,791 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $3,299,000 after buying an additional 22,584 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates bought a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the first quarter valued at approximately $156,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the first quarter valued at approximately $67,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining during the first quarter valued at approximately $71,000. Institutional investors own 35.58% of the companys stock.

(Get Rating)

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of gold. The company also explores for uranium, silver, copper, and molybdenum deposits. It has eight underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin; an open-pit mine on the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt; and various surface source operations in South Africa.

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Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE:HVT.A  Get Rating)s stock price was up 3.7% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $29.24 and last traded at $29.24. Approximately 10 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 97% from the average daily volume of 339 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.19.

Haverty Furniture Companies Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $27.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $472.23 million, a P/E ratio of 6.02 and a beta of 1.17.

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Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT.A  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $224.75 million for the quarter.

Haverty Furniture Companies Increases Dividend

About Haverty Furniture Companies

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 6th were issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.83%. This is a positive change from Haverty Furniture Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Haverty Furniture Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.05%.

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Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and accessories in the United States. The company offers furniture merchandise under the Havertys brand name. It also provides custom upholstery products and eclectic looks; and mattress product lines under the Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, and Serta names, as well as private label Skye name.

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Sydbank A/S (OTCMKTS:SYANY  Get Rating) is one of 270 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Sydbank A/S to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, earnings, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

33.0% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.4% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned 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.

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Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Sydbank A/S and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Sydbank A/S N/A N/A 6.20 Sydbank A/S Competitors $1.71 billion $483.66 million 264.33

Analyst Recommendations

Sydbank A/Ss competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Sydbank A/S. Sydbank A/S 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 is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Sydbank A/S and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sydbank A/S 0 0 0 0 N/A Sydbank A/S Competitors 1049 3183 3101 18 2.28

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 313.77%. Given Sydbank A/Ss competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Sydbank A/S has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Profitability

This table compares Sydbank A/S and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sydbank A/S N/A N/A N/A Sydbank A/S Competitors 33.97% 10.34% 0.92%

Summary

Sydbank A/S competitors beat Sydbank A/S on 8 of the 8 factors compared.

About Sydbank A/S

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Sydbank A/S, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to corporate and retail customers in Denmark and internationally. The company operates in Banking, Asset Management, Sydbank Markets, Treasury, and Other segments. The company offers various deposits, and loans and advances; and corporate banking services, including financing solutions and advisory services; and international commercial banking services, such as payment and cash management solutions. It also provides private banking products and services, such as advice related to pensions, investments, and various financial issues; personal and individual advisory services; and payment card, insurance, and investment products and related services. In addition, the company offers advisory and asset management services for investment funds, pooled pension plans, foundations, institutional clients, and wealthy customers; and advice and quotes prices as regards bonds, shares, and foreign exchange, as well as undertakes market-making obligations for institutional clients, central banks, asset managers, foreign and other clients, and banks. Further, it deals in mortgage bonds; and provides online solutions. The company was founded in 1970 and is headquartered in Aabenraa, Denmark.

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Integer Holdings Co. (NYSE:ITGR  Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $87.00 and last traded at $86.93, with a volume of 50529 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $86.20.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have issued reports on ITGR shares. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated a maintains rating on shares of Integer in a research report on Friday, April 28th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Integer from $86.00 to $96.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America began coverage on shares of Integer in a report on Thursday, March 30th. They set a neutral rating and a $86.00 target price for the company. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Integer in a report on Thursday, May 11th. They set a neutral rating and a $88.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Integer in a report on Friday, May 26th. They set an equal weight rating and a $87.00 target price for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $88.67.

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Integer Stock Up 1.0 %

The company has a market capitalization of $2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.12. The firms 50 day moving average price is $82.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $76.21. The company has a current ratio of 2.79, a quick ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Integer ( NYSE:ITGR Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.05. Integer had a net margin of 4.71% and a return on equity of 9.54%. The business had revenue of $378.79 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $352.43 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.78 EPS. Integers quarterly revenue was up 21.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Integer Holdings Co. will post 4.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Integer news, Director Jean M. Hobby sold 3,625 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.85, for a total transaction of $303,956.25. Following the transaction, the director now owns 9,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $765,215.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.84% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Integer

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Integer by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 389,758 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $24,254,000 after acquiring an additional 1,143 shares during the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC bought a new stake in Integer during the 4th quarter worth $203,000. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC grew its position in Integer by 40.9% during the 4th quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC now owns 1,004,347 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $68,758,000 after acquiring an additional 291,616 shares during the last quarter. FourThought Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Integer during the 4th quarter worth $628,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in Integer by 12.8% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 12,139 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $831,000 after acquiring an additional 1,381 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.34% of the companys stock.

Integer Company Profile

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Integer Holdings Corporation operates as a medical device outsource manufacturer in the United States, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and internationally. It operates through Medical and Non-Medical segments. The company offers products for interventional cardiology, structural heart, heart failure, peripheral vascular, neurovascular, interventional oncology, electrophysiology, vascular access, infusion therapy, hemodialysis, urology, and gastroenterology procedures.

Further Reading

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Integral Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,024 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $211,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 13.8% during the first quarter. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. now owns 56,160 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,942,000 after purchasing an additional 6,792 shares during the last quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 66.7% during the first quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,399 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $649,000 after purchasing an additional 4,961 shares during the last quarter. Derbend Asset Management acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab during the first quarter valued at approximately $598,000. Clarius Group LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 4.7% during the first quarter. Clarius Group LLC now owns 16,379 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $858,000 after purchasing an additional 738 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Investment Counselors LLC lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 2.7% during the first quarter. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC now owns 49,179 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,576,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.77% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on SCHW. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $65.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 29th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Charles Schwab from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Monday, May 29th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Wolfe Research dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Charles Schwab from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $99.00 to $68.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Three equities 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $66.68.

Charles Schwab Price Performance

NYSE SCHW opened at $53.28 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $65.15. The company has a market cap of $94.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.59, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.88. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 1 year low of $45.00 and a 1 year high of $86.63.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.03. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 27.83%. The firm had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.77 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.32%.

Insider Transactions at Charles Schwab

In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 59,771,278 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 6.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

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The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IE  Get Rating) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 171,476 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 61% from the previous sessions volume of 435,867 shares.The stock last traded at $13.39 and had previously closed at $13.54.

Ivanhoe Electric Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 6.82 and a quick ratio of 6.48.

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Ivanhoe Electric (NYSEAMERICAN:IE  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The company reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter. Ivanhoe Electric had a negative return on equity of 44.13% and a negative net margin of 4,217.06%. The company had revenue of $0.68 million during the quarter. Sell-side analysts expect that Ivanhoe Electric Inc. will post -0.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Ivanhoe Electric

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, VP Evan James Macmillan Young sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.48, for a total value of $674,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $33,700. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, VP Evan James Macmillan Young sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.48, for a total value of $674,000.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 2,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $33,700. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, SVP Catherine Anne Barone sold 4,936 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.11, for a total value of $69,646.96. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 4,936 shares in the company, valued at $69,646.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 134,936 shares of company stock worth $1,770,347. Company insiders own 12.50% of the companys stock.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Orion Resource Partners USA LP acquired a new position in Ivanhoe Electric during the 4th quarter worth $90,238,000. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in Ivanhoe Electric by 69.8% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,273,935 shares of the companys stock worth $51,928,000 after buying an additional 1,757,571 shares in the last quarter. SailingStone Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Ivanhoe Electric by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. SailingStone Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,034,178 shares of the companys stock worth $58,859,000 after buying an additional 40,121 shares in the last quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC lifted its holdings in Ivanhoe Electric by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Kopernik Global Investors LLC now owns 1,177,368 shares of the companys stock worth $14,305,000 after buying an additional 63,251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ETF Managers Group LLC acquired a new position in Ivanhoe Electric during the 1st quarter worth $10,829,000. 42.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ivanhoe Electric Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Ivanhoe Electric Inc operates as a mineral exploration and development company in the United States. It operates through Critical Metals, Data Processing and Software Licensing Services, and Energy Storage Systems segments. The company holds an option to acquire 100% of the mineral rights in the Tintic copper-gold project located in Utah; and Santa Cruz copper project located in Arizona.

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Katoro Gold plc (LON:KAT  Get Rating)s share price reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as GBX 0.08 ($0.00) and last traded at GBX 0.09 ($0.00), with a volume of 17202 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.09 ($0.00).

Katoro Gold Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 602,550.00, a P/E ratio of -0.42 and a beta of 0.33. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 0.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 0.12.

About Katoro Gold

(Get Rating)

Katoro Gold plc operates as a gold and nickel exploration and development company in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, and Tanzania. The company primarily explores for nickel, platinum group metals, copper, and gold deposits. It holds 65% interest in the Haneti project covering an area of approximately 5,000 square kilometers located in central Tanzania; and Blyvoor Tailings project located in South Africa.

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Materion (NYSE:MTRN  Get Rating) was upgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

Separately, CL King boosted their target price on shares of Materion from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th.

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Materion Trading Up 0.6 %

NYSE MTRN traded up $0.66 on Monday, hitting $107.85. 54,083 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 116,912. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 2.85. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $107.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $102.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.00 and a beta of 1.08. Materion has a 52-week low of $64.89 and a 52-week high of $121.29.

Insider Activity

Materion ( NYSE:MTRN Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The basic materials company reported $1.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $442.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $447.10 million. Materion had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 14.03%. Materions quarterly revenue was down 1.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.20 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Materion will post 5.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, Director Emily M. Liggett sold 2,398 shares of Materion stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.59, for a total value of $250,806.82. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,621 shares in the company, valued at $274,130.39. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, VP Gregory R. Chemnitz sold 2,378 shares of Materion stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.05, for a total value of $242,674.90. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 19,310 shares in the company, valued at $1,970,585.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Emily M. Liggett sold 2,398 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.59, for a total transaction of $250,806.82. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,621 shares of the companys stock, valued at $274,130.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Materion

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WealthPLAN Partners LLC bought a new position in Materion in the first quarter worth about $44,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Materion by 948.2% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 587 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 531 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Materion during the second quarter valued at about $111,000. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in shares of Materion by 23.7% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 1,433 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SkyView Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Materion during the first quarter valued at about $116,000. 93.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Materion Company Profile

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Materion Corporation, through with its subsidiaries, produces advanced engineered materials used in semiconductor, industrial, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, consumer electronics, and telecom and data center in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Performance Materials, Electronic Materials, and Precision Optics segments.

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MJP Associates Inc. ADV lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating) by 2.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,613 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADVs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $554,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. ETF Managers Group LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth $150,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth $281,000. E&G Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 15.9% in the first quarter. E&G Advisors LP now owns 3,130 shares of the companys stock worth $1,075,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 43.4% in the first quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. now owns 820 shares of the companys stock worth $282,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bill Few Associates Inc. boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.9% in the first quarter. Bill Few Associates Inc. now owns 2,134 shares of the companys stock worth $733,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

LLY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. SVB Securities upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Bank of America upped 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. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $447.00 to $498.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $434.81.

Insider Activity

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link . In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 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.

NYSE LLY opened at $452.76 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $429.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $427.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $374.45. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $296.32 and a twelve month high of $465.26.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.62 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Companys quarterly revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 71.86%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Morguard North American (TSE:MRG  Get Rating) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, June 15th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of 0.06 per share on Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of . The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th.

Morguard North American Stock Performance

Morguard North American has a 1-year low of C$13.17 and a 1-year high of C$16.21.

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Morguard North American (TSE:MRG  Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported C$0.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$79.65 million for the quarter.

Morguard North American Company Profile

Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (the Trust) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trusts investment objectives are to generate stable and growing cash distributions on a tax-efficient basis; enhance the value of the REITs assets and maximize long-term Unit value through active asset and property management, and expand the asset base of the REIT and increase adjusted funds from operations per Unit primarily through acquisitions and improvement of its properties through targeted deployed capital expenditures.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of New Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Saturday morning.

Separately, Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of New Gold in a research note on Friday, March 3rd. They issued a sector perform rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $1.48.

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New Gold Stock Performance

New Gold stock opened at $1.08 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 2.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $739.02 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.16 and a beta of 1.54. New Gold has a 1 year low of $0.61 and a 1 year high of $1.48. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.24.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

New Gold ( NYSEAMERICAN:NGD Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $201.60 million during the quarter. New Gold had a negative net margin of 14.38% and a negative return on equity of 1.87%. As a group, equities analysts predict that New Gold will post 0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. raised its position in shares of New Gold by 2.6% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 369,950 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $666,000 after buying an additional 9,500 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in New Gold by 127.1% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 22,707 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 12,707 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of New Gold by 1.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 806,010 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,451,000 after purchasing an additional 13,914 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of New Gold by 47.4% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 43,611 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $78,000 after purchasing an additional 14,033 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its stake in New Gold by 4.4% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 334,796 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $294,000 after acquiring an additional 14,179 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 30.96% of the companys stock.

About New Gold

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New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interests in the Rainy River mine located in Ontario, Canada; New Afton mine situated in British Columbia, Canada; and the Cerro San Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

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OneAscent Financial Services LLC lowered its stake in Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating) by 31.8% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 135 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 63 shares during the period. OneAscent Financial Services LLCs holdings in Mettler-Toledo International were worth $207,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 8.0% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 19.7% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 176 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $242,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. boosted its position in Mettler-Toledo International by 48.9% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 834 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,172,000 after acquiring an additional 274 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 16,305 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $21,817,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International in the first quarter valued at approximately $626,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.89% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on MTD shares. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,513.00 to $1,454.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,675.00 to $1,660.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Mettler-Toledo International from $1,700.00 to $1,650.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Monday, May 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Mettler-Toledo International has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1,469.50.

Mettler-Toledo International Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of MTD opened at $1,279.90 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1,384.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,457.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 76.98, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $28.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.18. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has a 52 week low of $1,065.55 and a 52 week high of $1,615.97.

Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported $8.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.61 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $928.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $921.19 million. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 4,833.51% and a net margin of 22.45%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $7.87 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International Inc. will post 43.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Mettler-Toledo International news, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total value of $1,197,336.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Gerry Keller sold 449 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,400.00, for a total value of $628,600.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 880 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,360.61, for a total transaction of $1,197,336.80. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,666,989. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 3,417 shares of company stock valued at $4,731,561. 2.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Mettler-Toledo International Profile

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Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The company's laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MTD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (NYSE:MTD  Get Rating).

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Pernod Ricard SA (OTCMKTS:PDRDY  Get Rating) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $219.33.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Pernod Ricard from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 27th.

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Pernod Ricard Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:PDRDY opened at $47.12 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $47.12 and a 200-day moving average of $47.12. Pernod Ricard has a 12 month low of $34.68 and a 12 month high of $47.39.

Pernod Ricard Cuts Dividend

Pernod Ricard Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Investors of record on Monday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.4499 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th.

(Get Rating

Pernod Ricard SA engages in the manufacture of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. The firm offers products under the brands Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, Ballantines, Beefeater, Jameson, Kahlua, Malibu, Ricard, Havana Club, Martell, Cognac, The Glenlivet, G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouet, Royal Salute, Brancott Estate, Graffigna, Campo Viejo, Jacobs Creek, Kenwood, Pastis 51, 100 Pipers, ArArAt, Becherovka, Blenders Pride, Clan Campbell, Imperial, Seagrams Imperial Blue, Olmeca, Passport Scotch, Amaro Ramazzotti, Ruavieja, Royal Stag, Seagrams Gin, Something Special, Suze, Wisers, and Wyborowa.

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Community Trust & Investment Co. raised its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Get Rating) by 4.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 31,188 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,327 shares during the period. Community Trust & Investment Co.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $3,033,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Optas LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 12.5% in the first quarter. Optas LLC now owns 2,225 shares of the companys stock valued at $216,000 after acquiring an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 2.5% in the first quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 5,786 shares of the companys stock valued at $570,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 0.5% in the first quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 162,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,800,000 after acquiring an additional 752 shares in the last quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 4.0% in the first quarter. Burns J W & Co. Inc. NY now owns 19,410 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,888,000 after acquiring an additional 743 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at $596,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.43% of the companys stock.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded down $0.58 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $96.19. The company had a trading volume of 406,251 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,475,154. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.85 and a 1 year high of $105.62. The company has a market capitalization of $149.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.32, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $94.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $98.08.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Rating ) last issued its 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 company had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.03 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.56 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be paid a dividend of $1.27 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a $5.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.28%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 90.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $114.00 target price for the company. Citigroup upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $106.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.40.

Philip Morris International 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.

Further Reading

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Private Harbour Investment Management & Counsel LLC decreased its holdings in Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ  Get Rating) by 1.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,189 shares of the companys stock after selling 155 shares during the quarter. Constellation Brands comprises about 2.1% of Private Harbour Investment Management & Counsel LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Private Harbour Investment Management & Counsel LLCs holdings in Constellation Brands were worth $1,850,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. AXS Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Baystate Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Constellation Brands by 80.0% during the 4th quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 135 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its position in Constellation Brands by 135.6% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 139 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Constellation Brands during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, MV Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Constellation Brands by 46.2% during the 4th quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 152 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 48 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.49% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Constellation Brands

In other news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total transaction of $862,485,140.28. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,579,865,487.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $862,485,140.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at $4,579,865,487.54. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $145,294,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at $752,338,273.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 16.19% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Constellation Brands Trading Up 0.4 %

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. TheStreet raised Constellation Brands from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Friday, June 16th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $285.00 to $293.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $215.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. Roth Capital raised Constellation Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Constellation Brands from $260.00 to $275.00 in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $259.14.

Shares of Constellation Brands stock opened at $243.33 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $44.59 billion, a P/E ratio of -475.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.75. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $234.93 and its 200-day simple moving average is $228.60. Constellation Brands, Inc. has a 1-year low of $208.12 and a 1-year high of $261.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Get Rating) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 6th. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.86 by $0.12. The business had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.02 billion. Constellation Brands had a positive return on equity of 20.48% and a negative net margin of 0.70%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.37 EPS. Analysts predict that Constellation Brands, Inc. will post 11.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Constellation Brands Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 4th were issued a dividend of $0.89 per share. This is a boost from Constellation Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 3rd. Constellation Brandss payout ratio is currently -698.04%.

Constellation Brands Profile

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Constellation Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, imports, markets, and sells beer, wine, and spirits in the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company provides beer primarily under the Corona Extra, Corona Premier, Corona Familiar, Corona Light, Corona Refresca, Corona Hard Seltzer, Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, Modelo Chelada, Victoria, Vicky Chamoy, and Pacifico brands.

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Edge Wealth Management LLC lowered its position in shares of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG  Get Rating) by 2.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 108,592 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 2,219 shares during the quarter. Public Service Enterprise Group makes up approximately 1.6% of Edge Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest holding. Edge Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Public Service Enterprise Group were worth $6,784,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 3.7% during the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 8,715 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $534,000 after acquiring an additional 308 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 0.6% during the first quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 58,759 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,670,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 17.4% during the first quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 33,041 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,063,000 after acquiring an additional 4,899 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its position in Public Service Enterprise Group by 5.6% during the first quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 8,580 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $536,000 after acquiring an additional 455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Summit Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Public Service Enterprise Group during the first quarter worth approximately $231,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.37% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PEG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating and a $64.00 price target on the stock. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They set a neutral rating and a $60.50 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $70.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. 92 Resources reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Public Service Enterprise Group from $66.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Public Service Enterprise Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $66.14.

Public Service Enterprise Group Stock Performance

Shares of PEG stock opened at $62.16 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $62.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.40. The company has a market cap of $31.01 billion, a PE ratio of 13.40, a P/E/G ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.56. Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated has a 52 week low of $52.51 and a 52 week high of $69.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.16.

Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.21 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $3.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. Public Service Enterprise Group had a net margin of 20.64% and a return on equity of 12.78%. The businesss revenue was up 62.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.33 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

Public Service Enterprise Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. Public Service Enterprise Groups payout ratio is 49.14%.

About Public Service Enterprise Group

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Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company primarily in Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through PSE&G and PSEG Power. The PSE&G segment transmits electricity; distributes electricity and gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as invests in solar generation projects, and energy efficiency and related programs; and offers appliance services and repairs.

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Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc boosted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Get Rating) by 2.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,891 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the period. Richard P Slaughter Associates Incs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $1,273,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Magnus Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLC now owns 2,933 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,866 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,671,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares during the period. Platform Technology Partners raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Platform Technology Partners now owns 4,218 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 2,040 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $701,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Atticus Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 9.4% in the 1st quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 350 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $114,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. 76.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of GS stock traded up $0.76 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $313.12. The company had a trading volume of 481,340 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,597,015. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $104.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.41. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $329.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $340.59. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a one year low of $277.84 and a one year high of $389.58.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.14 by $0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 9.84% and a net margin of 13.23%. The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $10.76 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 31.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st will be paid a $2.50 dividend. This represents a $10.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.19%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 31st. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 35.60%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have issued reports on GS shares. UBS Group raised The Goldman Sachs Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $410.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $440.00 to $437.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $339.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $389.17.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total transaction of $2,420,839.59. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 4,334 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,441,791.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, insider Kathryn H. Ruemmler sold 7,277 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $332.67, for a total transaction of $2,420,839.59. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,441,791.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 9,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total value of $105,570,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 51,676,439 shares of the companys stock, valued at $606,164,629.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 33,833,500 shares of company stock worth $646,620,506. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements.

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Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc lowered its stake in shares of Meritage Homes Co. (NYSE:MTH  Get Rating) by 21.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 18,208 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 5,069 shares during the quarter. Richard P Slaughter Associates Incs holdings in Meritage Homes were worth $2,126,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Meritage Homes in the 4th quarter worth $36,473,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Meritage Homes by 252.9% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 488,657 shares of the construction companys stock worth $45,054,000 after buying an additional 350,204 shares during the period. Long Pond Capital LP purchased a new stake in shares of Meritage Homes in the 4th quarter worth $23,752,000. Neumeier Poma Investment Counsel LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Meritage Homes in the 4th quarter worth $23,345,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Meritage Homes by 42.1% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 407,507 shares of the construction companys stock worth $37,572,000 after buying an additional 120,702 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.34% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MTH has been the subject of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Meritage Homes from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $129.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, March 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Meritage Homes in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. They set a buy rating for the company. Seaport Res Ptn restated a neutral rating on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. StockNews.com cut Meritage Homes from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Wedbush restated an outperform rating and set a $132.00 price objective on shares of Meritage Homes in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Meritage Homes presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $123.50.

Insider Activity

Meritage Homes Stock Up 2.3 %

In other news, CAO Alison Sasser sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.52, for a total value of $185,280.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 481 shares of the companys stock, valued at $59,413.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In other news, CEO Phillippe Lord sold 3,900 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.03, for a total value of $491,517.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 42,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,389,042.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, CAO Alison Sasser sold 1,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.52, for a total value of $185,280.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 481 shares in the company, valued at $59,413.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 7,400 shares of company stock valued at $926,077. Company insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock.

Meritage Homes stock traded up $3.05 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $138.19. The companys stock had a trading volume of 38,929 shares, compared to its average volume of 426,646. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $125.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $112.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.89. Meritage Homes Co. has a 52-week low of $65.40 and a 52-week high of $139.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.51 and a beta of 1.59.

Meritage Homes (NYSE:MTH  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $3.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $1.03. Meritage Homes had a return on equity of 23.99% and a net margin of 14.44%. The company had revenue of $1.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $5.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Meritage Homes Co. will post 15.26 EPS for the current year.

Meritage Homes Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Meritage Homess dividend payout ratio is presently 4.41%.

Meritage Homes Profile

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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.

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Saul Centers (NYSE:BFS  Get Rating) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Monday.

Separately, B. Riley reduced their price target on Saul Centers from $47.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 9th.

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Saul Centers Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BFS traded up $0.80 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $36.40. 39,663 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 37,546. The company has a market cap of $871.05 million, a PE ratio of 22.20 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.78, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.38. Saul Centers has a twelve month low of $32.13 and a twelve month high of $52.94.

Insider Activity at Saul Centers

Institutional Trading of Saul Centers

In related news, CEO B Francis Saul II acquired 750 shares of Saul Centers stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was bought at an average price of $35.18 per share, with a total value of $26,385.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 114,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,016,359.88. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . In other news, CEO B Francis Saul II bought 750 shares of Saul Centers stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $35.18 per share, for a total transaction of $26,385.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 114,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,016,359.88. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, COO David Todd Pearson bought 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $33.00 per share, with a total value of $115,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 3,530 shares in the company, valued at $116,490. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders have bought a total of 9,495 shares of company stock worth $316,437 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 50.50% of the companys stock.

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Saul Centers in the first quarter valued at $28,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Saul Centers in the 1st quarter worth about $219,000. State Street Corp lifted its position in Saul Centers by 4.9% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 503,450 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $19,635,000 after acquiring an additional 23,669 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Saul Centers by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 269,692 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $10,518,000 after purchasing an additional 10,768 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG increased its holdings in Saul Centers by 48.5% during the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 7,773 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 2,537 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.33% of the companys stock.

Saul Centers Company Profile

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Saul Centers is a self-managed, self-administered equity REIT headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Saul Centers currently operates and manages a real estate portfolio comprised of 61 properties which includes (a) 57 community and neighborhood Shopping Centers and Mixed-Use properties with approximately 9.8 million square feet of leasable area and (b) four land and development properties.

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Stanley Laman Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) by 13.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 56,160 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 6,792 shares during the quarter. Stanley Laman Group Ltd.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,942,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of SCHW. Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 20,822 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,847,000 after purchasing an additional 1,452 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its position in Charles Schwab by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,263 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $528,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Charles Schwab by 25.4% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,064 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,648 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Charles Schwab by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 3,807 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $321,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its position in Charles Schwab by 16.6% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,239 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. 82.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on SCHW shares. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $83.00 to $75.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Redburn Partners lowered shares of Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $61.00 to $56.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Charles Schwab from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group raised Charles Schwab from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $81.50 to $67.50 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.68.

Insider Buying and Selling

Charles Schwab Stock Performance

In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following 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 SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Shares of SCHW stock opened at $53.41 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The companys fifty day moving average price is $52.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $65.15. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 12 month low of $45.00 and a 12 month high of $86.63. The stock has a market cap of $94.49 billion, a PE ratio of 14.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.88.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.87%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.32%.

Charles Schwab Company Profile

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The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

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Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI  Get Rating) (NYSE:TRI) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$182.49 and last traded at C$182.49, with a volume of 429105 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$177.91.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

TRI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. TD Securities upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from C$175.00 to C$185.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on Thomson Reuters from C$182.00 to C$184.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. National Bankshares upgraded Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a C$184.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded Thomson Reuters from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Sunday, May 7th.

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Thomson Reuters Stock Up 2.6 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$170.21 and a 200 day moving average of C$165.81. The firm has a market cap of C$85.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.78, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.20.

Thomson Reuters Cuts Dividend

Thomson Reuters ( TSE:TRI Get Rating ) (NYSE:TRI) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported C$1.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$1.05 by C$0.06. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 8.19% and a net margin of 16.25%. The business had revenue of C$2.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$2.33 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 4.387818 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a $1.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.07%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 84.19%.

Thomson Reuters Company Profile

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Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments.

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Vahanian & Associates Financial Planning Inc. bought a new stake in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX  Get Rating) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 22,985 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $178,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 107.8% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 5,927,133 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $43,742,000 after purchasing an additional 3,075,062 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 202.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,177,004 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $10,406,000 after acquiring an additional 1,457,577 shares during the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 1,280.5% during the 2nd quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 1,335,175 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,139,000 after acquiring an additional 1,238,461 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 12.4% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,200,373 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $34,418,000 after purchasing an additional 794,783 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 157.0% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,173,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,611,000 after purchasing an additional 717,074 shares during the period. 95.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Helix Energy Solutions Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HLX opened at $7.07 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $2.47 and a 52-week high of $9.16. The businesss 50 day moving average is $6.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.37.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Helix Energy Solutions Group ( NYSE:HLX Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.01). The business had revenue of $250.08 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $234.94 million. Helix Energy Solutions Group had a negative return on equity of 2.25% and a negative net margin of 5.23%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. will post 0.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Separately, StockNews.com began coverage on Helix Energy Solutions Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $7.80.

Helix Energy Solutions Group Profile

(Get Rating)

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through Well Intervention, Robotics, Production Facilities, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments.

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Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler was handed a suspended sentence of one year and nine months by a Munich court on June 27 for fraud by negligence in the 2015 diesel scandal, becoming the first former Volkswagen board member to receive such a sentence. The ex-boss was fined 1.1 million euros ($1.20 million), which will go to the state treasury and non-governmental organisations, the court said. The sentence is in the middle of the 1.5-2 year timeframe the judge had said the former CEO would face if he confessed to the charge. Stadler's trial, one of the most prominent court proceedings in the aftermath of the diesel scandal, has been ongoing since 2020. Audi's parent group Volkswagen and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests. Stadler had previously rejected the allegations.

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Adani Power on June 27 said that it has started commercial operations of the second and last unit of 800 megawatts (MW) at its ultra-supercritical thermal power plant (USCTPP) in Jharkhand's Godda district.



With this, the Godda USCTPP has become fully operational and the electricity generated from the plant is being supplied to Bangladesh as per the contracts, the company said in a statement on June 27.



Adani Power's Godda USCTPP has a total capacity of 1,600 MW with two units of 800 MW each. On April 6, the first unit of the power plant, with 800 MW capacity, achieved its commercial operations date (COD).



"Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited, part of the diversified Adani Group has achieved COD of its second unit of the Godda USCTPP on June 26 2023.



The reliability run test, including commercial operation tests of the second unit, was completed on June 25 in the presence of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh (PGCB) officials. Power supply from Godda USCTPP to Bangladesh's grid will further enhance energy security in Bangladesh," Adani Group said in a statement.



APJL will supply 1,496 MW net capacity power from the 1,600 MW Godda USCTPP under the power purchase agreement (PPA) with BPDB, signed in November 2017 for a period of 25 years. The power will be transmitted via a 400 kV dedicated transmission system connected to the Bangladesh grid.



Godda power plant will serve as a symbol of friendship and herald a new phase in the multifarious and long-standing relations of India and Bangladesh, said SB Khyalia, CEO, Adani Power Limited.



APJL has completed Godda USCTPP along with a dedicated transmission line within a track record time period of around 3.5 years from its financial closure despite being affected by three waves of Covid-19 in India, China and Bangladesh, all at different points of time," he said.



The company said it took the shortest time, compared to any other coal-based power plant in Bangladesh to synchronise the entire power plant with the grid. To ensure environmentally friendly operations, the plant is equipped with Flue Gas Desulphuriser (FGD) and Selective Catalytic Converter (SCR) system for effectively minimising emissions in alignment with the current operating norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC).



However, as per the initial plan the first unit of the plant was supposed to be operational on January 5, 2022. The commercial operations date was then moved to December 16, which too was missed.



On January 3, 2023, Adani Power Managing Director Anil Sardana said he wanted to start supplying power from March 26, the Independence Day of Bangladesh. The first unit was finally commissioned on April 6 and the second on June 26.



"The commissioning of Godda USCTPP marks a significant milestone for Adani Group, BPDB as well as for the economic co-relations between both nations. Adani Power has become a partner in the economic growth and prosperity of Bangladesh by supplying uninterrupted and reliable electricity at competitive tariffs. This collaboration shall boost the growth of industries in Bangladesh and ultimately Bangladesh's economy will get stronger," the company said in its statement.



Bangladesh has one of the largest liquid fuel-based power generation plants in the Indian sub-continent region. The installed capacity of heavy fuel oil (HFO)-based plants is about 6,329 MW and high-speed diesel (HSD)-based plants is about 1,290 MW, totalling over 7,600 MW.



As per a 2020 report by Brickwork Ratings, the total cost of Adanis Godda coal-fired power project is approximately Rs 14,817 crore, which has been funded in a debt-to-equity ratio of 68:32. The debt of Rs 10,075.42 crore has been raised from REC (50 percent) and PFC (50 percent).
Gold and silver prices rebounded on June 27 from their three-month lows, attracting renewed buying interest from investors. The market sentiment has been influenced by various factors, including instability in Russia and weak PMI data from the US. Instability in Russia has heightened concerns among investors, leading them to seek safe-haven assets like gold and silver. Geopolitical tensions and uncertainties often drive investors towards precious metals as a store of value during uncertain times. Furthermore, weak PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) data from the US has added to the cautious sentiment. PMI measures the economic health of the manufacturing sector, and a decline in the index indicates a slowdown in economic activity. This has prompted investors to seek refuge in gold and silver, which are traditionally considered safe investments during economic downturns. In addition to geopolitical and economic factors, regulatory changes in Mexico have raised concerns about silver mining investments. The proposed regulatory changes may potentially affect investments in silver mining, which could impact the global supply and demand dynamics of silver. Moreover, the decline in silver production in Peru by 7 percent from January to April has also contributed to the upward pressure on silver prices. Reductions in production can tighten the supply of silver and potentially drive prices higher. Latest Gold Prices: The latest Mumbai Gold Rate on June 27 is as follows: The 24-carat 999 gold bar of 10 grams is trading at Rs 5,865. On the other hand, the 22-carat gold rate for a 10-gm piece of jewellery stands at Rs 5,665, while the rate for an 18-carat jewellery item is Rs 4,692. These prices have been sourced from Shree MumbaDevi Dagina Bazaar Association, and do not include a 3 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).

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DealShare, the e-commerce platform, will invest Rs 1,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen its private label play and also increase focus on local brands, Sourjyendu Medda, Founder and Co-CEO told Moneycontrol in an interview.



Asked how the company will finance the amount, especially at a time when access to capital has been difficult for most startups due to the funding winter, Medda said that about 50 percent of the total corpus will come from the $165 million that DealShare raised from Tiger Global and others in January 2022.



The remaining half will be financed from the companys balance sheet, as the companys mature markets turn operationally profitable, he added.



The fresh announcement of Rs 1,000 crore is over and above Rs 500 crore that DealShare committed to investing in November 2022 to grow its private labels, including staples, home cleaning solutions and the like over the coming two to three years.



Of the Rs 500 crore, DealShare has already invested Rs 100 crore so far, Medda claimed.



The heavy investments and increased focus on private labels come at a time when startups have been looking to better their margins on products.



When we sell products from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Procter and Gamble (P&G) and other large companies, we are left with a margin of just around 10 percent. But the same products, if sold under our own brands, will give us a margin of 20 percent  at least double of what the bigger companies can give, Medda said while explaining the importance of private labels.



Private labels, which account for about 10 percent of DealShares revenues currently, will be responsible for around 30 percent of the companys top line over the next 2-3 years as it reduces its reliance on products from larger companies.



The Tiger Global-backed company currently outsources the manufacturing of products under its private label. Over the next 6-7 years, well shift to manufacturing the products in-house which will further increase our margins, Medda said.



The company also aims to increase its current portfolio of eight brands in 16 different categories to widen its range of products.



DealShare's private label business is led by Hemant Sood, who joined the startup after over five years at Raymond Consumer Care, where he met Medda.



Medda co-founded DealShare with Rajat Shikhar, Vineet Rao and Sankar Bora in 2018. The company was last valued at $1.7 billion after having raised over $390 million from ADIA, WestBridge Capital and others.
India is the worlds fastest-growing major economy, a tag it is likely to retain in the years ahead.



The countrys micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of its economy, contributing a third of the gross value added (GVA), 40 percent to exports, and provide a livelihood to millions.



With its Policy Next summits, Moneycontrol, Indias leading financial news platform, deep dives into a broad range of high-powered policy conversations of national and international significance with Indias leading think tanks, policymakers, industry leaders, and academia.



The Moneycontrol Policy Next MSME Summit on June 28 will explore what more can be done at the policy level to aid the over six-crore-strong MSME universe. It will look at the hurdles that these firms face today with respect to financing and marketing.



At the beginning of the summit, MSME Minister Narayan Rane will deliver the keynote address on The way forward for MSMEs - Sunrise sectors to target followed by a fireside chat with Moneycontrol Deputy Executive Editor Ravi Krishnan.



Minister Rane, who hails from Maharashtra, is a grassroot politician and a former chief minister of the western state. At the MSME ministry, his focus has been on helping the sector with financing after the shock of the pandemic.



The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion on Scaling up - Powering MSMEs to achieve scale. While the government has announced a slew of support schemes for the sector, including credit, financing remains one of the key challenges for growth. The panel will deliberate on what can be done to ease financing woes. Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General, Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME); Jyoti Prakash Gadia, Managing Director, Resurgent India; Pushan Sharma, Director, CRISIL, and Amit Kumar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at MSMEx will be the panellists. The session will be moderated by Ravi Krishnan.



The next panel, moderated by Chandra R Srikanth, Editor  Tech, Startups & New Economy, Moneycontrol, is titled MSMEs & the Techade: Unleashing Potential, Driving Growth. Dhiresh Bansal, CFO, Meesho, Dinesh Agarwal, CEO, IndiaMART, and Nupur Goenka, ED, Tally Solutions, will discuss how MSMEs can surmount the dual challenges of digital marketing and e-commerce, and how digital platforms are enabling micro-entrepreneurs.



The Policy Next series of events has been conceptualised by Deputy Editor Shweta Punj. The MSME Summit will be hosted by Deputy News Editor Meghna Mittal.



Catch the event live on Moneycontrol. Find out more about the event here.
The merger of state-run hydro power giant NHPC with Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Ltd is likely to get the approval of the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) in August after a final hearing, a government official said.



The MCA had issued the order in February that the stakeholders and creditors approval may be sought for the merger of NHPC with Lanco Teesta. After the company submits both the approvals, the ministry will call for a final hearing likely in August after which the approval will be given, the official told Moneycontrol.



Also Read: NHPC to develop pumped storage, renewable projects in Odisha



The stakeholders and creditors approval is likely to be submitted by the company over the next two months to the ministry of corporate affairs, people familiar with the matter exclusively told Moneycontrol.



NHPC had bagged 500 MW Teesta VI hydro power project under corporate insolvency resolution process. Earlier, the Hyderabad bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had approved the resolution plan of NHPC on July 26, 2019 for debt-ridden Lanco Teesta. This was the first time that a state-owned company had bagged a project under the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code).



Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Ltd is executing the 500 MW (125 MWx 4) Teesta VI hydro project on Teesta river in Sikkim.



NHPC posted a 39.20 percent jump in its Q4FY23 consolidated net profit at Rs 719.18 crore, against Rs 515.90 crore during same quarter last year. Total income also rose to Rs 2,228.68 crore from Rs 2,026.62 crore in the year-ago quarter. For the entire 2022-23, net profit increased to Rs 4,234.74 crore from Rs 3,774.33 crore in the previous fiscal year. Total income during the entire fiscal year was at Rs 11,284.90 crore, higher than Rs 10,108.26 crore in FY22.



NHPC Ltd recently inked an initial pact with an Odisha state utility to develop 2,000 MW of pumped storage projects and 1,000 MW renewable energy in the state. Maharashtra government earlier this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NHPC for the establishment of pumped hydro storage units and other renewable projects.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is said to have questioned the process of appointing Rajib Kumar Mishra as chairman and managing director of PTC India Ltd (PTC)after allegations of irregularities.



This comes after the regulator had pulled Mishra up for his role in corporate governance lapses in subsidiary PTC India Financial Services Ltd (PFS).



Sebi sent a letter to Mishra and the company secretary on June 22, asking about possible irregularities related to the CMDs appointment, collusion between Mishra and Pawan Singh, managing director and chief executive officer of PFS, and issues pertaining to corporate governance.



Three people familiar with the developments confirmed this to Moneycontrol. Detailed email queries sent to Sebi, Mishra and PTC company secretary Rajiv Maheshwari remained unanswered at the time of publishing.



Sebi had issued a show-cause notice in May to Mishra, who is also non-executive chairman of PFS, and Singh for alleged corporate governance issues at PFS, including bypassing the board on certain decisions, changing the terms and conditions of loans, and failing to inform independent directors about important matters.



The regulator said in the May 8 notice to Mishra that he failed in his prime responsibility as the head of PFS to let the board function effectively and in discharging his duties.



Mishras appointment as CMD of PTC is scheduled to come up for shareholder approval on June 28 amid SEBIs findings in the PFS case.



Shareholder flags concerns



While SEBI was investigating corporate governance lapses in PFS highlighted by three independent directors who resigned on January 19, 2023, a letter from a minority shareholder has now brought the parent company into focus.



An incriminating letter from a minority shareholder to SEBI, key shareholders of PTC, and independent directors has come to the notice of top officials at SEBI and they have ordered an investigation, a fourth person said.



Moneycontrol has reviewed a copy of the letter, which is marked to SEBI and the heads of state run-companies NTPC, Power Grid Corporation of India, Power Finance Corporation of India, and NHPC. Each of these PSUs owns a 4.05 percent stake in PTC. The letter could not be separately verified with the CMDs of these PSUs.



The new letter from Sebi indicates that the regulator is also looking into the allegations of irregularities at PTC. Typically, once the regulator receives response to an initial query like this, it assesses them and if it is not satisfied then it may issue a show-cause notice.



The shareholders letter alleged that Mishra and Singh ensured that they alone could be the sole wholetime directors on their respective company boards and could rule as a single emperor.



During the term of former PTC CMD Deepak Amitabh, besides him on the board, there were two wholetime directors  Mishra (director - marketing) and Ajit Kumar (director - commercial). Kumar retired in April 2021 and then Amitabh resigned in October 2021.



In November 2021, Mishra got additional charge as CMD, while the third position of the wholetime director was left vacant, leaving Mishra effectively as the only wholetime director on the board from 2021 to 2023.



The shareholders, the ministry and the PSUs asked for succession planning. Mishra was asked about the induction of wholetime directors but he misled them and had no intention of filling the positions. In fact, the roles of director - commercial and CMD were advertised at the same time, but while he pushed the nomination and remuneration committee for his appointment, the other position was not filled, a person aware of the matter told Moneycontrol.



Similarly in PFS, Singh, besides being MD and CEO, was also director for finance and operations, implying he held all three whole-time director roles too. After the Reserve Bank of India sent a show-cause notice to Singh on January 6, seeking his removal from the post of MD and CEO, the board of the company approved the appointment of Mahendra Lodha as director (finance) and chief financial officer of PFS to ensure continuity of leadership in Singhs absence.



Lodha joined as a director on June 14 and Singh was sent on leave soon after. Lodha has additional charge as CMD until a replacement is appointed.



The shareholder also alleged in the letter that Mishra and Singh ran the two companies in the way they wanted, favouring their close associates through benefits from developers, and rewarding them with perks and positions for their support.



Appointment irregularities



Mishra took over as acting chairman in November 2021, after Amitabh quit. He was made CMD in March this year, despite facing regulatory issues for his role as non-executive chairman of PFS, which is under scrutiny by SEBI, the RBI and the Registrar of Companies.



It was alleged that the selection process for the role of CMD was heavily influenced by Mishra and only two candidates were interviewed for the post.



According to the shareholders complaint, in March 2023, the ED HR of PTC who was looking after filling both the vacancies was sidelined from the process in the most un-transparent manner. Interviews for the CMDs post were held secretly and only two people were called in. This allegation was echoed by at least three executives who were with PTC at the time.



Sources said the PTC board approved Mishras appointment as CMD in March even though it had only three independent directors and three positions were vacant. The PTC board had the CMD and five nominee directors, and only three independent directors to pass this resolution.



SEBI has sought a clarification on this. SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 [Last amended on January 10, 2020], states that if the Chairman of a company is occupying management positions at the level of board of director, at least half of the board of directors of the listed entity shall consist of independent directors.



The three vacancies for independent directors were only filled after Mishras appointment as CMD was approved by the board.



PTC informed bourses about the appointment of Mishra on March 29. On April 13, the company informed the bourses about the appointment of three new independent directors Rashmi Verma, Jayant Dasgupta, and Narendra Kumar as independent directors of the company.



The notice for the EGM, at which Mishras appointment would be put up for shareholder approval, was issued after SEBI sent the show-cause notice to him in the PFS case, a matter that has not been disclosed to the investors. Separately, the notice to shareholders mentions in the brief bio of Mishra that he will continue as a director even if his appointment as CMD is rejected.
After months of deliberations, the government on June 27 said it is going to go ahead with benchmarking the prices of biomass pellets used for co-firing in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs).



On March 24, Moneycontrol reported that the government is working on a proposal to benchmark biomass pellet prices. To decide on the criteria of price determination and to standardise the costs, the Ministry of Power (MoP) has appointed a committee under the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) which will prepare a report on the same. However, the ministry has made it clear that the benchmarked price, as decided by the committee, will come into effect from January 1, 2024.



Till the time the recommendations of the committee are implemented, MoP has asked the power utilities to go for short-term tenders for meeting the immediate requirement of biomass pellets for their TPPs.



Price benchmarking of biomass pellets is being taken up because at present there is wide variation in the prices quoted by pellet vendors which often results in failed contracts with gencos. As a result, neither vendors are able to sell their pellets, nor gencos are able to buy in large quantities, despite TPPs being mandated to co-fire biomass pellets up to 10 percent depending on the weight of the pellets.



"The decision comes in view of evolving market conditions for biomass pellets and requests received from stakeholders including thermal power plants, pellet manufactures, farmers, bankers etc. Co-firing of biomass in coal-based power plants is a key policy of the government towards energy security, reduced use of fossil fuels and at the same time to increase income of farmers. The revised policy shall help in achieving these goals faster," said RK Singh, Union minister for power.



Alok Kumar, secretary, MoP said the benchmarked price shall take into account the business viability, impact on electricity tariff, and efficient and faster pellet procurement by power utilities. Price benchmarking of pellets will enable the TPPs as well as pellet vendors to establish a sustainable supply mechanism for co-firing of pellets, he said.



"The decision would encourage farmers, entrepreneurs as well as thermal power utilities to strive to establish a sustainable biomass ecosystem, achieve the targets for co-firing, reduce stubble burning and help to ensure a cleaner and greener future for the citizens of India," Kumar said.



In another modification of the policy, the MoP has directed that torrefied biomass pellets shall only be procured by utilities for which it is technically unavoidable, and utilities which can use non-torrefied pellets should utilise the usual pellets only. This change in the policy has been done because production of torrefied biomass pellets is currently limited in the country compared to its demand.



In October 2021, the MoP mandated the use of biomass residue for co-firing in coal-based thermal power plants. The policy was introduced to address the twin challenges of curbing emissions from coal power plants and pollution from burning crop residue.



As per an MoP statement, around 1.80 lakh tons of biomass fuel has been co-fired in 47 thermal power plants in the country totalling a capacity of 64,350 MW. Out of this, at least 50,000 MT has been co-fired during the first two months of FY 23-24, which has surpassed the previous highest annual quantity. Yet, the overall pace of biomass pellet co-firing has been slow despite the mandates.



Further, about 114 million ton of biomass pellets are at various stages of tendering. Purchase orders have been placed for at least 69 lakh tons of biomass pellets by thermal power plants.
Unpaid taxes accumulating to Rs 492.06 crore has drawn ICICI Prudential under glare of GST authorities. The life insurance major has received a show-cause-cum-demand notice from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence for not paying taxes from July 2017 to July 2022. The company said it will contest the matter by following appropriate procedure. ICICI Pru believes it was eligible for GST credit compliance as per the GST Act, 2017. The company also deposited Rs 190 crore without accepting liability in this case. Catch market LIVE updates here "The company shall take appropriate steps in due course to reply to the SCN and contest the matter," ICICI Pru said in a notice to stock exchanges. "The matter largely relates to an industry-wide issue of input tax credit and the company believes that it has availed eligible input GST credit in compliance with the provisions of the Central Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017 and other applicable laws".

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Karnataka IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge on June 27 said the state plans to have an automobile tech incubator for startups.



"I met a delegation from Toyota on Monday, and we discussed the possibility of a public-private partnership to set up an automobile tech incubator for startups. I will also be discussing this with the transport minister, although we are still in a nascent stage," Kharge told Moneycontrol.



He highlighted the growth prospects in the automotive software market. "The automotive software market is projected to reach $80 billion by 2030, and the Indian market is expected to reach $2.17 billion by 2028."



The delegation was led by National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), and comprised comprising HR and IT leaders from various technology companies.



Kharge stressed on the need to develop a comprehensive framework to enhance the employability of youth, particularly in emerging technologies. "Our vision is to possess the most employable talent, positioning Karnataka as the most future-ready state in India," he said.



The minister also indicated that a startup programme focused on supporting women entrepreneurs would be held soon. He also sought suggestions from netizens for its name and urged the public to share their expectations with the government.



The tech-savvy minister recently conducted a Twitter poll to gather insights on the expectations of startups in Karnataka. The majority of respondents prioritised funding (36.1 percent), followed by access to government markets (22.2 percent), incubation/acceleration (21.8 percent), and mentor/investor connections (19.9 percent). Assuring the respondents, Kharge vowed to implement the positive feedback received.



In preparation for the upcoming budget session, Kharge conducted a review meeting with the IT-BT department. He emphasised the department's renewed commitment to foster skilling and entrepreneurship ecosystems for emerging technologies.



"This year, the IT-BT department aims to establish Centers of Excellence in emerging and deep technologies. During my previous tenure, we successfully launched Centers of Excellence for Aerospace, Animation, AI & ML, and IoT. However, there is a need to revamp the existing centres and establish new ones to foster even better innovations and inventions," he said.



Kharge highlighted that Bengaluru has climbed the ranks in The Global Startup Ecosystems Report 2023, solidifying its position as a preferred destination for entrepreneurs, investors and innovators. Bengaluru achieved global ranking of 20, agritech ranking of 13, and fintech ranking of 21.



He emphasised on the untapped potential for further improvement and reassured the public that the government would strive to deliver better results. "The GSER report recognises Bengaluru as an excellent ecosystem for entrepreneurs, with top rankings in knowledge, funding, and value for investment," he said.



Kharge participated in a roundtable discussion on the circular economy with the Karnataka government's Global Innovation Partners. "Early adoption of the circular economy by India has the potential to generate an annual value of $218 billion by 2030. The Karnataka government recognises the significance of the circular economy and has incorporated it into key state policies, such as the startup policy, state urban solid waste management policy, Karnataka registered vehicle scrapping policy, and e-waste (management) rule. These policies aim to promote the early adoption and invigoration of the circular economy ecosystem," he said.



He held a meeting with the department of skill development to discuss the convergence and improvement of skilling schemes offered by the IT-BT department. He stressed on the importance of focusing on emerging technologies that align with industry requirements.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance was trading flat on June 27 morning, a day after the insurer said that it was slapped with a goods and services tax (GST) liability of Rs 492 crore.



The insurer told the exchanges a day earlier that the Directorate General of GST Intelligence had issued a show-cause-cum-demand notice for non-payment of tax of Rs 492.06 crore from July 2017 to July 2022.



ICICI Prudential is the latest insurer to get such a notice. In the previous week, rival HDFC Life Insurance received a GST demand notice for Rs 942 crore for the period between July 2017 and March 2022.



Like HDFC Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential, too, said it would contest the matter. The company said it was eligible for GST credit compliance as per the GST Act, 2017. The company also deposited Rs 190 crore without accepting liability in the case.



Follow our live blog for all market action



"The company shall take appropriate steps in due course to reply to the SCN and contest the matter," ICICI Prudential told stock exchanges.



"The matter largely relates to an industry-wide issue of input tax credit and the company believes that it has availed eligible input GST credit in compliance with the provisions of the Central Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017 and other applicable laws".



At 10.42 am the ICICI Prudential stock was trading 0.053 percent higher at Rs 564.05 on NSE.



Brokerage views



In a report released on June 27, CLSA said it has a buy rating on ICICI Prudential Ltd stock with a target price of Rs 700 a share, more than 20 percent upside from the current market price.



The focus of the company will be on annual premium equivalent (APE) along with multiple levers going ahead. The firm is expected to show robust growth levels with optionality of higher growth, the brokerage said.



Stock Performance



ICICI Prudential has given a return of 25.16 percent over the last six months, outperforming the benchmark Nifty that gained 3.26 percent during the same period.



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.
Ports-to-power conglomerate Adani group has said that it is not aware of any subpoena to the US investors. "It is routine that various regulators will seek access to public material in an easy & referenceable manner," it said in an exchange filing dated June 26.



The clarification comes two days after a Bloomberg report stated that the US attorney's office and Securities and Exchange Commission were scrutinising the group's representations made to its American investors.



"All of our disclosures are a matter of public record. Adani Portfolio companies and its businesses have acted as per the regulations and accounting standards of the jurisdictions in which they operate," the filing said.



The group has also clarified that most of the bond issuances by its portfolio companies are listed on SGX and/or India INX. Further, these bonds have been raised under the External Commercial Borrowings guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India.



"SEBI (Indian securities regulator) is examining certain aspects and their queries are being responded to by Adani portfolio entities. We request to avoid needless speculation at this time and wait for SEBI and the Hon'ble Supreme Court to complete their work and submit their findings," the group added.



Also read: Adani eyes Rs 90,000 crore EBITDA in 2-3 years



US short-seller Hindenburg Research in a January 24 report accused the Gautam Adani-led group of fraud and stock manipulation, a charge denied by the conglomerate. Following this, the group's market capitalization had eroded down to Rs 7.5 lakh crore.



A Supreme Court-appointed panel found no evidence of stock price manipulation in the group companies. The court has also set August 14 as the deadline for the Securities and Exchange Board of India to submit its report into the Adani group investigation following the Hindenberg report.
Bulls gained strength, taking the Nifty50 back above the 18,800 mark on June 27 ahead of its monthly futures and options contracts expiry on June 28. Banking and financial services, technology and metal stocks led the rally.



The BSE Sensex jumped 446 points to 63,416, while the Nifty50 rose 126 points to 18,817 and formed a bullish candlestick pattern on the daily scale after a Doji pattern formation in the previous session.



"After the formation of Doji type candle pattern on Monday, the Nifty bouncing back decently on Tuesday could be an indication of a short-term upside reversal," Nagaraj Shetti, Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities said.



The Nifty has taken support from the 20-day EMA (exponential moving average) at 18,650 levels and showed an upside bounce from the higher bottom. "The said moving average has been offering support for the Nifty in the past and resulted in a sustainable upside bounce from the supports," he said.



Hence, one may expect further upmove and the Nifty to retest the crucial overhead resistance of 18,900 levels in the short term, while immediate support is at 18,650 levels, he added.



The market breadth was also positive, helping the broader markets end with around half a percent gains, while India VIX, the fear index, closed at the three-and-half-year low of 10.78, down 5.41 percent.







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 18,743, followed by 18,716 and 18,672, whereas in the case of an upside, 18,831 can be a key resistance area for the index, followed by 18,858 and 18,902.



Nifty Bank



The Bank Nifty was the star performer on Tuesday, getting strongly back above the 44,000 mark. The index rose 480 points or 1.1 percent to 44,122 and formed a bullish candlestick pattern on the daily scale.



"The bulls took control and surpassed the hurdle of 44,000. This breakout occurred following the announcement of the merger date of HDFC twins. The surge in buying pressure forced the writers of 44,000 Call options to cover their positions," Kunal Shah, Senior Technical and Derivative Analyst at LKP Securities said.



He believes that if the index manages to sustain above the 44,000 mark, it is likely to continue its upward momentum towards the 44,500 level.



The pivot point calculator indicated that the Bank Nifty is likely to take support at 43,811, followed by 43,693 and 43,502, whereas 44,195 can be the initial resistance zone for the index, followed by 44,313 and 44,505.







Call options data



As per monthly options data, we have seen maximum Call open interest (OI) at 18,900 strike, with 1.12 crore contracts, which can act as a crucial resistance area for the Nifty50 in coming sessions.



This was followed by 1.06 crore contracts at 19,000 strike, while 18,800 strike has 1.03 crore contracts.



We have meaningful Call writing at 18,900 strike, which added 15.19 lakh contracts, followed by 19,900 strike, which added 59,450 contracts.



Maximum Call unwinding was at 18,800 strike, which shed 42.84 lakh contracts, followed by 18,700 and 19,800 strikes, which shed 40.02 lakh and 20.03 lakh contracts, respectively.







Put option data



On the Put side, the maximum open interest was at 18,700 strike, with 1.34 crore contracts, which can be a crucial support level for the Nifty50 in the coming sessions.



This was followed by the 18,800 strike, comprising 1.05 crore contracts, and the 18,600 strike, which has 82.3 lakh contracts.



Put writing was seen at 18,700 strike, which added 54.72 lakh contracts, followed by 18,800 strike and 18,500 strike, which added 33.09 lakh contracts and 10.99 lakh contracts, respectively.



We have Put unwinding at 17,800 strike, which shed 6.77 lakh contracts, followed by 18,200 strike and 18,400 strike, which shed 6.64 lakh contracts, and 4.36 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 Power Grid Corporation of India, Reliance Industries, Dalmia Bharat, UltraTech Cement and Alkem Laboratories among others.







47 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 47 stocks including L&T Finance Holdings, Can Fin Homes, HDFC Life Insurance Company, Max Financial Services and LTIMindtree.







47 stocks see long unwinding



A decline in OI and price generally indicates a long unwinding. Based on the OI percentage, 47 stocks including Rain Industries, Bosch, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma and Indraprastha Gas saw a long unwinding.







23 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 23 stocks including Atul, Ashok Leyland, Deepak Nitrite, Escorts and Hero MotoCorp.







72 stocks see short-covering



A decrease in OI along with a price increase is an indication of short-covering. Based on the OI percentage, 72 stocks were on the short-covering list. These included JK Cement, Mahanagar Gas, HDFC AMC, RBL Bank and M&M Financial Services.







Bulk deals







(For more bulk deals, click here)



Investors Meetings on June 28







Stocks in the news



Infosys: The country's second largest IT services provider has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Skillsoft, the transformative learning experiences provider, to revamp education and learning for students from class 6 to lifelong learners in India.



TCNS Clothing: The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of TCNS Clothing by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail. The Aditya Birla Group company will acquire 51 percent shareholding in TCNS.



Swan Energy: The cotton and polyester textile products manufacturer has received board approval for issuance of up to 2.3 crore equity shares at a price of Rs 300 per share or at a price not lower than the minimum price, whichever is higher, on a preferential basis to the non-promoter.



Titagarh Rail Systems: The company has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the Gujrat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), for design, manufacture, supply, testing, commissioning and training of 72 standard gauge cars for Surat Metro Rail Phase-I. The order value of the project is about Rs 857 crore and execution would start 76 weeks after signing the contract. The project is scheduled to be completed in 132 weeks thereafter.



Housing Development Finance Corporation: HDFC and HDFC Bank are working towards completing all the necessary formalities for completion of the proposed amalgamation. The effective merger date of July 1 and record date of July 13 are tentative and are subject to completion of certain formalities. Once the board members of HDFC and HDFC Bank decide on the effective date of the scheme as well as record date, the same would be intimated to stock exchanges.



Gland Pharma: The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has issued one 483 observation for Pashamylaram facility in Hyderabad. This observation is procedural in nature. The US FDA has conducted pre-approval inspection (PAI) for the company's seven products and good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspection at Pashamylaram facility in Hyderabad between June 15 and June 27, 2023.



State Bank of India: The bank has received approval from its Executive Committee of the Central Board for acquiring the entire stake held by SBI Capital Markets in SBI Pension Funds, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals.



Fund Flow



FII and DII data



Foreign institutional investors (FII) bought shares worth Rs 2,024.05 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DII) sold shares worth Rs 1,991.35 crore on June 27, provisional data from the National Stock Exchange shows.



Stocks under F&O ban on NSE



The National Stock Exchange has added L&T Finance Holdings and Manappuram Finance to its F&O ban list for June 28. 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.
Go Firsts resolution professional Shailendra Ajmera will present the revised blueprint for reviving the beleaguered airline to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 28, multiple sources aware of the development said.



"The new revival plan of Go First, which has been approved by the Committee of Creditors (CoC), will be presented to the DGCA by Shailendra Ajmera on Wednesday (June 28)," a government official said.



He added that following the presentation by Ajmera, the DGCA is expected to start the inspection of Go First's fleet, which is likely to take around a week.



Similarly, another official said that if the DGCA is satisfied with the new revival plan, it will assign officers to check the airworthiness of Go First's aircraft, following which it will lift the ban on Go First booking tickets.



"The DGCA will inspect the airworthiness of all 22 aircraft Go First proposes to restart operation with, following which the airline will be allowed to book tickets again," a second government official said.



An executive from Go First told Moneycontrol that the airline plans to start operations three to four days after the DGCA lets it book tickets again.



"There is a massive gap in the sectors where Go First plans to restart operations. We will look to start flying just three to four days after we get approval from the DGCA to book tickets," the executive said.



Go First plans to start operations on July 1 across 78 routes using around 22 aircraft.



Moneycontrol did not receive an immediate response from Shailendra Ajmera of EY, Go First, or the CoC.



The cash-strapped airline announced on June 27 that its scheduled flight operations would remain cancelled until June 30 due to operational reasons.



Earlier this week, the beleaguered airline's lenders granted approval for interim funding of about Rs 400 crore, marking a key step in the ongoing efforts to keep the struggling airline afloat.



The CoC, which includes the Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Deutsche Bank, and IDBI Bank, approved the request for additional funding on Saturday (June 24) night.



Go First had knocked on the lenders doors for survival capital, promising to get back to operational normalcy at the earliest.



Go First owes Rs 6,521 crore to its lenders. The Central Bank of India has the highest exposure at Rs 1,987 crore, followed by the Bank of Baroda at Rs 1,430 crore, Deutsche Bank at Rs 1,320 crore, and IDBI Bank at Rs 58 crore, Acuite Ratings and Research said in a January 19 report.



To oversee the insolvency process, the CoC of Go First appointed Shailendra Ajmera as the resolution professional (RP).



Ajmera has been entrusted with the task of formulating a revival plan, which will be submitted to the DGCA for review.



Earlier this month, the Wadia Group was looking to raise funds to restart Go First as soon as possible and had approached lenders to borrow up to Rs 225 crore, Moneycontrol had reported.



Lenders to the cash-strapped airlines have said that they are open to providing new loans in order to revive their operations once a clear resolution plan is in place.



An insolvent company can raise funds to remain operational, as sanctioned by an interim RP. The sanctioned limit of funds can be raised in the future if lenders agree.



On May 2, Go First announced that it had filed an application for voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Delhi.



The announcement was made by the airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kaushik Khona, shortly after the Wadia Group-owned carrier said it would temporarily suspend flight operations on May 3 and 4 due to a "severe funds crunch".
Macquarie reduces Paytm rating from 'outperform' to 'neutral' Macquarie had set a target price of Rs 800, whereas Paytm's last traded price was Rs 845, as per BSE. More here. ICICI Pru gets notice for GST liability of Rs 492 crore, to contest the claim In response, ICICI Prudential said it will contest the matter by following appropriate procedure. This comes as there is industry-wide issue of input tax credit, the life insurers said. More here. Vodafone Idea in talks with up to 4 PE firms to raise Rs 20,000 crore, says report Though no timeline for raising capital was discussed, the government is confident that the beleaguered telco will be back on track very soon, says a top DoT official. More here. Sun Pharma arm gets Health Canada approval for acne drug This marks the second approval for a dermatology drug this month for Sun Pharma's Canada-based subsidiary. As this pharmaceutical segment witnesses strong traction, the approval will strengthen Sun Pharma's dermatology portfolio. More here. Byjus employees need not worry, EPFO will ensure they get their money: Board members EPFO Board member Raghunathan KEs comments come a day after Moneycontrol reported that Byjus has delayed payments for almost all employees since October last year. More here. PolicyBazaar, Nykaa, Zomato make it to Morgan Stanley's hotlist of internet picks Morgan Stanley India favours PB Fintech, FSN E-Commerce and Zomato as top internet picks for the second half of FY24, anticipating a surge in sales growth and improved profitability. More here. SEBI approves Tata Tech IPO, the first public issue from the group in 20 years The IPO will be a complete offer for sale of up to 95.71 million shares by promoters and shareholders. Tata Motors holds a 74.69 percent stake in the firm. More here.

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An analysis of 3,846 health insurance reimbursement claims by SecureNow, a Delhi-based insurance broker, revealed that nearly 85 percent of those claims were for an amount under Rs 1 lakh. And a mere 0.2 percent were for amounts greater than Rs 10 lakh, per SecureNow. These are among the crucial findings throwing light on the pattern of health insurance claims.



Private insurers are becoming popular



The report  an analysis of claims submitted in June  revealed that nearly 51 percent of insurance claims were assessed by private insurers.







You could file a claim settlement in reimbursement or cashless mode. The reimbursement mode requires you to pay first and get the amount reimbursed later by the insurer. For hospitals that are not part of the (insurers cashless) network, reimbursement is the only mode for claim settlement, says Abhishek Bondia, Principal Officer and Managing Director, securenow.in. You would have to submit all bills, receipts and medical papers to the insurer, which then verifies them and reimburses the amount to your bank account.



Cashless, however, is an easier and faster process. Under this, you would need to approach the insurance helpdesk at the hospital and show your health e-card. The hospital and insurer coordinate directly to settle bills up to your policy limit, says Bondia.



To avail of a cashless claim, the treating hospital should be registered as a network hospital with the insurer.



Also read | New commission rules will benefit policyholders & insurance firms: IRDAI chief



Maintain an emergency corpus



The survey revealed that insurance claims were made by policyholders not just for their own treatment, but also for the treatment of family members. Just 33 percent of the claims were made by policyholders for their own hospitalisation expenses. The remaining 67 percent was for family members.







This underlines the need to have an emergency corpus in place. Experts recommend an emergency fund for medical emergencies in the family.



You may need to go to a non-network hospital in emergencies. If you have a financial cushion in place, at least you can afford to pay the bills first and then run around for reimbursements, says Dev Ashish, Founder, StableInvestor. For older people, he adds, it is extremely important to have a medical contingency fund in place, in addition to health insurance.



You should also opt for a good parental cover. It can cost about Rs 25,000 per life, per year. This may be similar in terms of price to individual insurance, but is far more effective and usable, says Bondia. To buy a health insurance cover for your parents, you must work with experienced brokers, he adds. There are just a handful of insurers that will issue parental insurance because claims are high.



Also read | Coming soon: A digital platform that standardises health insurance claims processes, says IRDAI chairman Debasish Panda



How much health insurance should you have?



According to SecureNows study, typical hospitalisation is for two days, but over 21 percent is for three or more days. Day-care procedures account for 29 percent of the claims.







Further, the average reimbursement claim is for Rs 42,000, while 15 percent is for over Rs 1 lakh. Clearly, one must be well prepared for an extreme claim where hospitalisation is for over five days and costs upward of Rs 5 lakh (refer to graphic).







Make sure you have a family health insurance cover of at least Rs 15-20 lakh. This should be in addition to any corporate health insurance coverage that you already have.



If buying a large cover is not feasible, then purchase a smaller base plan and enhance it with a super top-up policy, says Ashish. For instance, you can buy a Rs 5 lakh base cover and then a top-up policy of, say, Rs 20 lakh.
Chintels India, the developer of Chintels Paradiso housing complex in Gurugram, has cordoned off Tower F, which had earlier been declared unsafe, to avert any mishap from a sagging balcony of one of the flats.



The developer apprised the Gurgaon authorities about the move and urged them to intervene in evacuating two families still living in the tower.



Meanwhile, the counsel for the Paradiso residents, Prashant Bhushan, has sent a notice to the district administration to direct the builder to pay rent to the affected residents until their rehabilitation and compensation matters are settled.



Several flats in Tower D of the Chintels Paradiso complex collapsed in February 2022, killing two women. The authorities, after structural audits, recommended the demolition of Tower D and the evacuation of nearby towers.



The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi declared Towers E and F of the housing complex in Sector 109 of Gurugram unsafe to live in February this year and the district administration issued an evacuation order later that month. There are 60 flats in Tower F and, according to the developer, two apartments are still occupied.



The flat with the sagging balcony is not occupied. It is not known if the two residents are living above or below the flat with the sagging balcony.



Ready to pay



According to a letter sent to the District Town Planner (Enforcement) by the developer, the balcony of flat F-403 in Tower F is sagging and poses a threat to the residents around.



As per your directions that no repairs should be carried out in the structures, we are unable to repair the same. But keeping the safety of residents in mind, we are cordoning off the Tower F area. In case of any mishap, we should not be held responsible, the developer said in its note to the DTP (E). Despite our repeated requests, two residents are still living in Tower F. We request you to kindly intervene, in the interest of their safety, to immediately get these flats vacated.



Chintels added that it was ready to pay shifting charges to the occupants of flats in towers E, F, G and H, as per the directions of the department.



Also Read: Chintels Paradiso: Residents of towers E, F seek time until July 31 to vacate flats



However, a representative of the residents welfare association said on condition of anonymity that the builder is putting pressure on the two families that are staying in Tower F, who have demanded early compensation and rent.



This act is nothing but harassment as the issue of the sagging balcony has been there for the last few months but now they want to vacate flats forcibly, so they are highlighting this matter, the resident told Moneycontrol.



Legal notice



Bhushan sent the legal notice to Nishant Kumar Yadav, who is Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and is also Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram, against the order issued to the flat owners of towers E, F and G to vacate their flats.



According to the notice, the DDMA chairman ordered the evacuation without making any provision for the payment of rent to the affected residents until their dispute with the builder over their rehabilitation or settlement is finalised.



Also Read: One year of Chintels roof collapse in Gurugram: An uncertain future awaits residents



In the notice, Bhushan asked Yadav to direct the builder to pay rent and shifting charges to the affected residents.



"We are examining it and will be submitting a written reply in a few days," Yadav said.
The Executive Centre (TEC), the Hong-Kong-based flex workplace provider, has invested Rs 100 crore to add 2 lakh square feet of Grade A flex office space in India while doubling its last year's portfolio.



Flexispace or flexible workspace is the term for an office space that comes with several creative desk layouts. Different types of workspaces tend to include non-fixed desks or workspaces that any employee can utilise.



TEC has tied up with eight centres with about 2,200 workstations in key cities across India, with Bengaluru having more than 25 percent of the total share, Nidhi Marwah, Group Managing Director, told Moneycontrol.



The new centres are located at Helios Business Park in Bengaluru, DLF Centre in Connaught Place, New Delhi; One Horizon Centre and DLF Downtown in Gurugram; FIFC in Mumbai; Salarpuria Knowledge City and RMZ Nexity in Hyderabad; and Prestige Palladium Bayan in Chennai.



The Indian flex office space market contributed $15 million to global EBITDA, this year, up by 30 percent from last year, Marwah said.



"With strong client support and market sentiment for flex workspaces in India, we are confident about doubling our investment in India. We are also looking at opportunities in Tier II and Tier III cities in the second half of the financial year," she added.



For Bengaluru, the company is looking at several micro markets in the eastern and northern IT corridor. "While the tech and IT sector has been bullish in the Grade A office space, today, companies in new sectors like manufacturing, pharma and education are emerging as occupiers in Bengaluru," Marwah said.



Grade A flex spaces evolving



Currently, TEC is averaging between 93 and 95 percent of occupancy across Grade A flex workspaces in key Indian cities, up from 80 percent during the pandemic. The average portfolio in India is growing at a rate of 31 percent annually.



According to Marwah, flex office spaces are continuously evolving post-pandemic, especially with the hybrid work culture and companies calling their employees back to offices.



"Globally, the Middle East and South Asian countries are emerging as the hub for flex office spaces, more than the West. The industry in India is accelerating and exceeding all projections, especially with demand from sectors such as IT/ITES, banking, and healthcare," she added.



While the absorption of Grade A office spaces is high across India, availability of assets is a challenge, TEC said. While coworking will evolve steadily, Grade A flex workspaces will continue to be the front-runner, Marwah said.



Currently, the company has workspaces across 33 cities and 15 countries. Last year, the company invested about Rs 50 crore to launch 4-5 centres across India.
Raghunathan KE, EPFO Board member representing employers, said that the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will make sure that all Byjus employees get their provident fund (PF) dues (if pending), attempting to allay fears of employees.



Byju's employees need not worry about their PF dues. Their social security custodian, the EPFO, will ensure they get their hard-earned money back, Raghunathan told Moneycontrol in a telephonic conversation.



When such a matter comes to the notice of the EPFO, it duly examines further into it. The company will also be given a reasonable time to present their side. The EPFO's responsibility is to make sure the employer survives and the employees don't lose their employment, but at the same time, they get their dues of savings, he said.



Raghunathans comment comes a day after Moneycontrol reported that Byjus has delayed payments for almost all employees since October last year. Data officially sourced through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) suggested that the majority of employees were yet to get their PF payments for April and May, though the company had been deducting the PF portion from the salary every month.



Sanket Jain, Partner at Pioneer Legal, a legal services firm based in Mumbai, explained, if an employer defaults on PF payments for less than two months, it has to pay 5 percent of arrears per annum. If the default is for more than two months, but less than four months, then the rate charged is 10 percent, and if it is for more than four, but less than six months, then the rate goes up to 15 percent. For six months and above the employer is charged 25 percent.



It must be a very, very difficult situation (for the company) otherwise nobody delays EPF payments, said Jain. It is not your money. It is a breach of trust. Under the IPC (Indian penal code), it is a criminal breach of trust, right, there is intent to not pay, so clearly, the IPC section gets invoked and criminal proceedings can be initiated. The labour ministry initiates such actions.



Jain and two other PF consultants Moneycontrol spoke to also said that it is easier for companies to hide delays in PF payments as employees tend to not check their EPFO passbooks every month. If an employee doesnt receive salary, they will make noise. But very few would actually check PF, he said. Delaying and holding back PF payments typically suggests cash flow issues at a company.



Byjus, however, has maintained that the company has cleared all the pending dues on the PF front.



Byjus, founded over a decade ago by former teacher Byju Raveendran, has raised over $5 billion, most of it in the past five years. The company soared to new highs in March 2022 when it raised an $800 million funding round at a whopping $22 billion valuation, becoming the most-valued startup in the country. But since then, fortunes have turned for the company.



In the most recent developments, the company has lost its auditor, Deloitte, and its non-promoter board members. Byjus has also been in a tiff with its term loan B lenders for over six months. Both, the lenders and the company, have sued each other in US courts. In April, Byjus offices in Bengaluru were also searched by Indias financial probe agency, the Enforcement Directorate, under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act.
Shares of Bharat Dynamics rose 2 percent on positive commentary from the management, though the scrip soon slipped into the red. At 11:28 am, shares of the company were trading down 1 percent at Rs 1,082 on the BSE. The company expects good traction in export orders going forward. The current export order book is at Rs 2,600 crore, P Radha Krishna, Director, Bharat Dynamics told CNBC-TV18. The defence company aims to maintain exports at 10 percent of order book going ahead, he said. Catch up on all LIVE stock market updates here In the past two years, the company has seen an increase of 15-20 percent in revenue due to indeginisation. It expects revenue to cross Rs 3,200 crore in FY24, the management said. Krishna sees working capital days at 240 which is likely to improve the product mix. He added that FY23 margin was impacted due to the product mix. Considering the geopolitical uncertainty and the governments focus Make in India initiative, defence companies have taken centre stage lately. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Mining major Vedanta and Taiwan's semiconductor giant Foxconn, which have collaborated for a chip venture in India, submitted a revised application for a semiconductor fabrication unit before the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), CNBC TV-18 reported on June 27, citing sources. The development comes days after reports said that the government may deny funding to Vedanta-Foxconn's joint venture, as it sought incentives in the 28-nanometer chips category. As per the revised application, the Vedanta-Foxconn venture is now seeking government funding for the manufacturing of 40-nanometer chips, the persons privy to the development told CNBC TV-18. On May 30, news agency Reuters had reported that the government was likely to inform the venture between Vedanta and Foxconn that it would not get incentives to make 28-nanometer chips. The report was viewed as a setback for Vedanta, which is already grappling with reducing its significant debt load. In September 2022, the Anil Agrawal-led mining conglomerate and Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, announced they would invest $19.5 billion to set up semiconductor and display production plants in the state of Gujarat, creating more than 100,000 jobs. "India's own Silicon Valley is a step closer now," Agarwal had said last year after the announcement. In the trading session on June 27, Vedanta's shares inched lower as compared to the previous day. The scrip settled at Rs 279.45 on the BSE, which was 0.09 percent lower as against the last closing price. (With Reuters inputs)

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Cash-strapped Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) is in advanced talks with three to four private equity funds to raise about Rs 20,000 crore, senior officials of the department of telecom (DoT) were told during a recent meeting with Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla.



We had a meeting with Birla, one of the promoters of Voda-Idea, to discuss raising capital. We were told that talks are on with 3 to 4 private equity investors to raise money. Though no timeline for raising capital was discussed, we are confident that the company will be back on track very soon, a top DoT official told the Business Standard.



When asked whether Birla had asked for any more concessions on the repayment of VILs dues to the government, such as converting a part of the dues into equity, the official said: No such proposal has been discussed so far.



A major part of the VILs dues to the DoT comes up for payment in FY26.



Also Read: FinMin completes Vi debt-to-equity conversion, govt holds 33.4% stake



The assurance from a key telco promoter assumes significance as there are concerns about an adverse impact on Vodafone Idea because of the delay in raising capital. Also, without adequate capital, the company cannot either start 5G services or expand its 4G services. VIL has covered 90 percent of the country while its rival firms have a pan-India network.



Reports surfaced that New York-based KKR and Singapore-based Temasek Holdings were among the private equity funds with which Vodafone Idea has had talks. However, both these companies declined to comment on the matter. Earlier, a major hurdle for investors was that they were asked to wait till the government converted a part of its dues into 33 percent equity in the telco, making it the single largest stakeholder, according to the financial daily.



After a delay of about 16 months, the process was completed in February 2023 when the government converted Rs 16,133 crore worth of interest payments into equity. With this, the way was cleared for talks with potential investors. The conversion of debt into equity helped the company marginally in reducing its debt. Vodafone Idea still has a debt of Rs 2.1 lakh crore.
Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm, has recently acquired a majority stake in Watertec India Private Limited, the leading manufacturer of bathroom fittings and accessories in India. As part of this development, Mathew Job, the former CEO of Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, will join the company as the Executive Chairman, leveraging his extensive experience in scaling distribution-led consumer businesses over a span of 30 years. Ramesh Baliga, the Executive Director and CEO of Watertec India expressed his views on the investment, stating that it will strengthen their position as the market leader in polymer-bath fittings. The infusion of capital will also enable them to enhance their brand equity, expand their product portfolio, and extend their geographic reach to untapped regions, thereby improving their ability to serve customers and channel partners. Currently, Watertec India generates 70% of its sales from bath fittings and accessories, with the remaining 30% contributed by the pipes and fittings section and sanitaryware. In a separate development on June 16, Warburg Pincus had divested a 6.2% stake in Kalyan Jewellers, as reported exclusively by Moneycontrol.

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The Indian Space Association (IsPA), which represents around 30 Indian space tech start-ups, in their counter-comments on Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (TRAI) consultation paper on assigning spectrum for space-based communication services, has opposed the idea of auctioning satellite spectrum saying that it will have a detrimental impact on start-ups.



The IsPA represents 32 start-ups including Pixxel, Agnikul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace, Dhruva Space and Digantara apart from major players such as Bharti Airtel, L&T, and OneWeb, among others.



Before we go into how auctioning of satellite spectrum can be detrimental to Indias space tech start-ups, let us first understand what satellite spectrum is and how it works.



What is satellite spectrum?



Essentially, satellite spectrum is a specific part of the radio frequency spectrum allocated for satellite communication. It is used by satellites to transmit and receive signals for various purposes including television broadcasting (direct to home), global positioning systems (GPS) mobile networks, wireless internet, and more.



How is it different from terrestrial spectrum?



Unlike terrestrial spectrum which refers to the frequency range used for various land-based wireless communication systems, such as cellular networks (3G/4G/5G), Wi-FI and broadcasting, satellite spectrum works a little differently.



Satellite communication involves multiple countries and regions and is not confined to national borders. That is because satellites can provide coverage over vast areas, including continents.



Therefore, unlike terrestrial spectrum where a national regulation is enough to lay down its modalities for spectrum allocation and auction, satellite spectrum requires international coordination. In this regard, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plays a significant role in the allocation, coordination, and management of satellite spectrum on a global scale.



What is co-existence in satellite spectrum?



Unlike terrestrial spectrum, where the same frequency range cannot be used by two or more service providers (hence, the need for auctions of 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G spectrums) in the same geographical area, satellite spectrum can be used simultaneously by multiple service providers at the same time. This is also called co-existence.



The term flexible use of spectrum in a frequency range is used to connote the use of a frequency range by the same service provider for offering more than one type of service, TRAI said in a consultation paper.



What are the popular satellite spectrum bands and what are they used for?



The popular frequency bands used for providing satellite communication services and their usages are:



L-band: Mobile satellite services (MSS) and GPS navigation signals

S-band: Weather and air traffic control applications

C-band: Fixed satellite services (FSS) such as television and radio broadcasting, telephony, and data transmission

Ku-band: Both FSS and MSS; commonly used for direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting and satellite internet services

Ka-band: Commonly used for high-speed broadband.



How is satellite spectrum allocation currently regulated in India?



Grounded in ITUs Radio Regulations, the government drew up the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2022, which talks about allocation of radio-frequency spectrum (including satellite spectrum) to different radio-communication services.



However, before any part of the spectrum is used in India, a TRAI consultation paper explained that permissions are required from the Ministry of Communications Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC Wing). Additionally, based on the use case of the satellite, permissions are also required from the Ministry of Communications (MoC) and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).



However, since signals are sent to and fro from satellites in space, the government also has to follow procedures laid down by the ITU for managing orbit-spectrum resources.



What is the rationale for the government's call for auctioning space spectrum in India?



India wants to be the first country in the world to auction satellite spectrum. It is envisaged to auction the Space Spectrum on an exclusive basis, TRAI said in a consultation paper.



While no explicit reasoning is provided by the government for the auctioning of satellite spectrum, service providers such as Reliance Jio and Vodafone want satellite spectrum to be auctioned to provide a competitive landscape among rivals, an ET report said.



What does TRAI say for ensuring exclusivity in satellite spectrum?



There are a few bands of satellite spectrum which cannot be reused, where by auctioning and thereafter assigning the same, exclusivity can be easily achieved.



However, complexity arises because some satellite spectrum bands are shareable and can be reused.



In case frequency spectrum is assigned to space-based service providers on an exclusive basis, the same frequency range cannot be assigned to other service providers. Therefore, there may be a need to explain what exclusive spectrum assignment means for satellite communication services , TRAI said in a consultation paper released on April 6.



For exclusive assignment of spectrum, there may be a need to prescribe the block size, minimum number of blocks per licensee and maximum number of blocks per licensee (spectrum cap), roll-out obligations, etc. However, in case some spectrum cap is prescribed, the service licensees may not be able to utilise the entire capacity of the satellite system, TRAI said.



However, due to these complexities, and since exclusivity could also mean others losing out on using the spectrum, TRAI has also proposed some models of sharing (which again goes against the idea of exclusivity).



Therefore, there may be a need to permit intra-band spectrum sharing among the licensees holding spectrum. In its reference, DoT has also envisaged to permit sharing of frequency spectrum, TRAI said.



Why are space start-ups opposing this?



All space start-ups that participated in the (TRAI) consultation expressed their opposition to the auction, IsPA, the industry body with over 30 space start-ups, said.



The body has opposed TRAIs plans to auction the satellite spectrum due to various reasons. They argue:



That since satellite spectrum is a shared resource, auctioning spectrum can distort its utility.

Since the government has also proposed some sharing mechanism despite the auction, auctioning spectrum and then creating a sharing mechanism is self-defeating.



Auctioning spectrum will have a detrimental impact on start-ups and pre-empt competition.While auction is a common method used to allocate scarce resources, such as terrestrial spectrum; in the case of satellite spectrum, auction is neither a common method nor a preferred one. Instead, it is administrative allocation that is the common method. This is because satellite spectrum by nature is shared, unlike terrestrial spectrum which is exclusive, IsPA said.



How much will it impact start-ups?



Satellite spectrum auctions can create a significant financial barrier to entry for start-ups. The cost of acquiring such licences can be substantial, and start-ups face challenges in raising necessary funds to participate in such auctions.



Globally, has satellite spectrum ever been auctioned?



No. However, in Thailand, the government auctioned orbital slots, which are used to assign orbits to satellite operators  an important component of satellite communications.



What are Indian space start-ups proposing as an alternative to auction?



Space start-ups point towards the international nature of satellite spectrum, and the role ITU plays in its regulation.



The national spectrum assignment, while a domestic process, must be conducted in harmony with the international framework provided by the ITU. This will ensure smooth and efficient usage of radio-frequency spectrum on a global scale, preventing interference, and enabling the satellite industry to provide reliable services across borders, IsPA said.



Ignoring this integral role of ITU in the broader spectrum management framework is indicative of a limited understanding of the complexities of global radio-frequency spectrum management, especially in relation to the satellite industry, it added.



Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
Over 3,500 Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG), after having completed their courses from institutions in foreign countries and internships in India, have been running from pillar to post for the past several months to get themselves registered. Medical graduates cannot practice medicine or pursue higher degree courses in India without getting permanent registrations from their respective state medical councils.



"We need urgent intervention by the Union health minister in this matter. We need permanent registration because without that we are not allowed to work or study further," a medical student who returned from abroad told Moneycontrol.







The problem for these foreign medical graduates began after different state medical councils in the country started implementation of National Medical Councils (NMC) notification issued on July 28, 2022, with retrospective effect.



"It all started back in 2020 when a foreign medical graduate from Tamil Nadu was denied provisional registration after passing the FMGE. The matter was heard in the Madras High Court. Meanwhile, the NMC as the governing body of medical education in India filed a petition in the Supreme Court and released a notification on July 28," another medical student said.



What does the NMC notification say?



The NMC, in the notification of July 28, said Indian students in the last year of their undergraduate medicine course who had to leave their foreign medical institutes and return to India due to COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, and who have subsequently completed their studies and granted the certificate of completion of the course by their respective institute, on or before 30 June 2022, shall be permitted to appear in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE).



"Upon qualifying the FMG examination, such foreign medical graduates are required to undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of two years to make up for the clinical training which could not be physically attended by them during the undergraduate medicine course in the foreign institute as also to familiarise them with the practise of medicine under Indian conditions," the notification added.



The NMC, while defining the criterion for foreign medical graduates, said they will be eligible to get registration only after completing the CRMI of two years, adding that the relaxation was a "one-time measure" and shall not be treated as "precedence in the future".



Why states are denying permanent registration?



However, foreign medical graduates say the NMCs notification of July 2022 was being enforced retrospectively.



"There are students from four batches (December and June 2020 and December and June 2021), who have passed the FMG exam and also completed the mandatory one-year internship, yet havent been able to get the permanent registration, as several state medical councils are implementing the NMC order of 2022 for students who passed in 2021," another FMGE graduate said, requesting anonymity.



The FMGE is a qualifying exam conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE) in India. Indian students who completed MBBS in countries like Russia, China, the Philippines, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other foreign countries must clear the FMGE to get a licence to practise in India.



Sarvesh Pandey, General Secretary of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), said there was ambiguity in the interpretation of NMCs July 28, 2022 order by several state medical councils.



"While states like Gujarat, Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Assam, and Orissa have allowed the foreign medical graduates passed in 2021 with one-year internship permanent registration, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi are implementing the order retrospectively," he added.



Silent NMC



The NMC officials did not respond to the questions related to FMGs.



A student said that so far, the governing body has refrained from clarifying its position on the matter.



"We met the NMC officials and briefed them about the situation. They said they only made policies and cant force state councils to act in a certain way," he added.



Meanwhile, FORDA has written to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to sort out the disparity in the way different state medical councils are addressing the issue of permanent registration for FMGs post-internship.



Dr Aviral Mathur, President, FORDA, said the sudden discontinuation and disparity in issuance of permanent registration for FMG graduates from the same universities and batches, who completed their classes online and achieved identical milestones in terms of passing MBBS, clearing FMGE, and completing their internship, is causing significant distress and confusion among the affected students.



"We believe it is imperative to address this inconsistency in the issuance of permanent registration to foreign medical graduates across various states in India. The current situation is in direct contravention to the principle of equality and fairness," he said in the letter to the Union minister.
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Big things are happening in the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry.

JPMorgan Chase recently agreed to spend $200 million on various technologies. The US is funding several research and development efforts, including its $3.5 billion Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs initiative. Both a United Nations supervisory body and a European Commission group are developing carbon-removal methodologies, and its clear that the industry over the next few years will enter the mainstream. Thus, every effort should be made to ensure that we can trust it.



A few weeks ago, I got to tour Climeworks first-ever direct air capture (DAC) plant. Located on the roof of a municipal waste incinerator about half an hours drive from Zurich, the machinery was once deployed to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for use in an adjacent greenhouse and to carbonate water for Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland Ltd. Now it sits silently while its big brother Orca works on carbon sequestration and as construction continues on Mammoth, its even larger sibling, in Iceland.



Though the plant no longer operates, it wasnt hard to be awed by what will likely be one of the futures engineering marvels. Iterations of the same technology  with improvements made for efficiency and scale  could eventually suck millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for permanent storage deep underground. (Christoph Gebald, chief executive officer and co-founder of Climeworks, is aiming for a gigaton.)



However, though the symbols of carbon dioxide removal such as DACs containers will be the highly visible elements, much like wind turbines and solar panels are the stars of renewable energy, the really important stuff is more difficult to see, and far less sexy.



Monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) is essentially CDRs

accounting and auditing side. At its heart, this process is to certify that the expectations  net carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and stored durably elsewhere  have been fulfilled. Its essential for scaling, forging trust around removals and avoiding the types of scandals that have hit carbon offset markets.



Removals are already starting from a better position than offsets, explains Anu Khan, deputy director of science and innovation at nonprofit Carbon180: Reductions and avoidance credits by their nature rely on counterfactuals in their MRV. You have to sort of guess what would have otherwise happened. Many removal methods dont have that problem

because, absent the technology, the CO2 would otherwise be left in the atmosphere.



But removal technologies face plenty of other MRV challenges. For some, its simply a question of addressing executional uncertainties, such as How much algae was grown? For others, knowledge gaps in the basic science need to be answered, like How long does biochar really store carbon?



DAC has a relatively easy job here: Theres one point of capture and one point of sequestration. Its fairly easy to measure carbon dioxide at either end. Open-system methods - which operate largely outside of direct human control in open uncontrolled environments such as the ocean or a forest - have a harder job, though. Ocean-alkalinity enhancement and biomass sinking, for example, have to account for the fact that the ocean is enormous, water doesnt stay in one place and CO2 removal will likely happen over long periods.



Thats why more money is needed for research into MRV, and it needs to happen quickly. Fortunately, there have been moves in this direction: the US government has awarded $15 million to four national laboratory-led teams to advance MRV best practices and capabilities. Several nonprofit organizations have sprung up to do the same such as [C]Worthy and CarbonPlan.



Settling MRV standards will require new approaches that some certifiers might not be used to: Louis Uzor, climate policy manager at Climeworks, says that one problem theyve had when working with third-party voluntary carbon market standard-setters is that Climeworks

own self-imposed guidelines are considered overly rigorous. For example, registries havent previously taken into account elements such as cradle-to-grave emissions (encompassing things like the carbon emissions from the production of DAC plant machinery), which are vital when assessing carbon removals. Theres also a debate over what MRV should include  some people believe it should encompass everything from carbon uptake to environmental harms. Others argue that it should only include elements that affect carbon uptake, with a separate environmental impact assessment for everything else.



But one thing is agreed upon: The entire industry is desperate for regulation.



Unlike other markets, theres no way that the industry can self-regulate. If you buy a widget and it doesnt work, you know about it, Khan says. But if you buy a ton of carbon to be removed and it doesnt work, you might never know, because the point is that the CO2 goes away forever.



This lack of a robust, regulated MRV framework is off-putting to potential buyers of carbon removals, Amador says. And with private sector capital being kept on the sidelines, developers are asking for more MRV guidelines. What theyre essentially asking for is a measuring stick, how tall do you have to be to ride the ride. Then everyone knows what data to collect, what technologies to use.



One of most important parts, of course, is making sure that theres no room for cheating or perverse incentives. Right now, Khan says shes seeing a worryingly high degree of vertical integration in MRV, meaning that some startups are setting the standards, developing protocols, and doing the project implementation and outcome assessment. As a nascent industry, thats not necessarily a terrible thing  third-party and governmental organizations will be able to learn a lot from what companies have developed themselves  but going forward, having a consistent,

overarching framework set by a governmental body will be important, with a nonprofit third party verifying company monitoring and reporting.



The next five years will be pivotal, and a lot has yet to be decided. But heres something everybody should know: Without good, strong MRV, there is no carbon removal industry.



Lara Williams is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg




Last week, the first meeting of the grand opposition at Patna reportedly saw heated exchanges between Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over opposing the Centre's ordinance usurping the Delhi government's powers.

Following the meeting, Kejriwal was a notable absence at the subsequent press conference. The opening act has just commenced. And already two of the main players in the opposition line-up  AAP and Congress  are experiencing fallouts.

Kejriwals Patna Blunder

Kejriwal failed to gauge the gravity of the opposition unity talks and blew out of proportion the issue of Congress support to it in Parliament on the ordinance. Despite their differences, Congress surely recognises the risks of supporting such legislation in Parliament. Since 2014, the grand old party hasnt supported any such central laws.

The Delhi chief minister has to comprehend that the Congress party, unlike its smaller counterparts, is grappling with the demands of its state units in Punjab, Delhi and Gujarat on the position to be taken over AAPs troubles with the BJP-ruled central government. Consequently, arriving at a decision may require a considerable amount of time and consultation.

Congress will have to strategise this issue carefully and without hurting the state units. It may even prefer not to make public what its stand will be on the ordinance and instead oppose it in Parliament when put to vote without much ado. Simply coercing the Congress to take a stand in support of AAP has dented Kejriwals reputation as a tactician.

AAP Loses Goodwill

As a seasoned politician, Kejriwal must recognise that differences are an inherent aspect of any coalition or alliance. His lack of experience in alliance politics, or a lack of flair in this area, has hindered his ability to build strong bonds with opposition politicians. His disinterest in cultivating these relationships could prove a significant obstacle in his political career, as had happened to Rahul Gandhi.

Kejriwal has to recognise that opposition alliance meetings cannot revolve solely around his demands and priorities. It appears that opposition parties had voiced their discontent regarding Kejriwal's use of pressure tactics at Patna. Kejriwals is a unique challenge in the opposition spectrum: He has to prove his credibility and reliability as an alliance partner and his walkout tactics at Patna havent endeared him to other parties.

Kejriwals willingness to collaborate with opposition parties to challenge the ruling BJP was welcomed by most non-Congress opposition parties. But should AAP remain steadfast in advancing its own political agenda ahead of the opposition's at the unity talks, a significant rift between the party and the opposition coalition is likely to ensue.

Can Congress-AAP Ally?

There are potential benefits for opposition unity from a partnership between Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. In Punjab, collaboration between the Congress and AAP would be futile, given their direct rivalry. However, both parties stand to benefit from a united front in Delhi and Gujarat.

The Congress Party is unable to challenge BJP on its own strength in Gujarat. A truck with AAP may be helpful as AAP had tremendous curiosity factor in the state in the 2022 elections. Similarly, in Delhi, AAP isnt pulling as many votes in Lok Sabha elections as it does in assembly polls because voters dont see it as a national player. Here again, a Congress-AAP truck may help both parties counter the BJP more effectively.

A constructive dialogue characterised by a receptive attitude and a willingness to adapt was needed, not the one-upmanship strategy that Kejriwal adopted in Patna. AAP today is for all purposes the third most important party in India after BJP and Congress, having two state governments. But there are also worries about its future growth prospects.

Condemned To Be Rivals

So it would be prudent for Kejriwal to recognise that the Congress party had, in the opposition unity talks, refrained from targeting him or other parties such as the Trinamool Congress for their actions in states such as Gujarat, Goa, and Tripura that cut into the Congress vote. The display of an accommodative spirit was a big concession by Congress.

In the end, there is no natural alliance between Congress and the AAP. The genesis of the AAP can be traced back to its initial confrontation with the Congress and its cornering of the Congress vote bank in Delhi. Congress is also hurting from the massive defeat in Punjab in 2022 and the loss of its Jalandhar stronghold in the recent Lok Sabha bypolls.

Without a well-crafted strategy that prioritises cooperation, mutual understanding, and a broader perspective on the importance of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a rift between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress in the opposition coalition appears to be inevitable.

The next meeting at Shimla in July offers Kejriwal a chance to make amends. Having started off on a wrong note, all eyes will be on Kejriwal at Shimla.

Sayantan Ghosh is a professor, researcher, and political columnist . He tweets @sayantan_gh. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Last Friday morning, one of the more diverting headlines about Russia concerned one of its diplomats apparently squatting on a plot of land in Canberra, defying the Australian government in a dispute over a new embassy. Nonplussed, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed this minion of Moscow as some bloke standing on a blade of grass. Ah, Russia.



Within 24 hours, headlines were instead debating a potential coup in the worlds second-largest exporter of crude oil (and largest holder of nuclear weapons). A further turn around the sun later, we were all left wondering what, if anything really, had happened.



Oil prices were, understandably, unmoved. In terms of barrels flowing and who runs Russia, nothing had changed. And the oil market is used to drama, even drama of what might be called Wagnerian proportions. After all, an actual war, in Ukraine, and subsequent severing of energy links  sometimes explosively  sent oil back into triple digits in 2022 for the first time in eight years. Less than 18 months later, the price is actually below where it stood on the eve of the invasion.



But the seeming inconsequence of a one-day mutiny led by an obscure figure, Yevgeny Prigozhin, belies a more fundamental challenge to our energy system as currently conceived. Russias weekend drama may not have turned out to be much of a catalyst, but it is a powerful symptom. In an added twist, Progozhin turns out to be an unlooked-for ally simultaneously to Big Oil and Big Transition.



The oil market is a colossus of the modern world, generating more than $3 trillion a year, bankrolling entire nations and mobilising humanity. The Ozymandian scale obscures its fragilities. Consider: Just three countries produce more than 40 percent of the worlds oil. One, Saudi Arabia, is an absolute monarchy run by an impulsive Crown Prince attempting the not-small feat of turning his petrostate into a diversified, modernized economy. Another, Russia, is a revanchist, decayed empire where a former caterer has just shaken its autocratic power structure inside of a weekend. The third, the US, is more stable relative to the other two but not, at present, relative to its own history, with the divide over energy and climate change just one fissure in a bigger web of institutional cracks.



Beyond these three, there are smaller but still significant oil producers that arent exactly in peak condition: Nigeria, Iraq and Libya to name a few. The worlds largest oil reserves, an estimated 300 billion-plus barrels, mire beneath the soil of Venezuela where, in all likelihood, economic and political decay will keep the vast majority of them confined.



Three other important dynamics are at play. First, the threat of climate change, and the policies engendered by that, point toward a coming peak in oil demand. Second, western oil companies are constrained in terms of investment in new supply, in part by that threat to future demand, but more by the legacy of financial mismanagement in the 2010s, turning off investors.



Third, war and a broader shift in international relations, including trade, are changing the basic arrangements under which oil took primacy in global energy after World War II. A big reason major economies felt comfortable basing their way of life on fuel imported from unstable parts of the world or outright adversaries  such as the former Soviet Union  was a robust, US-led security order more-or-less guaranteeing oil flows. That order is increasingly questioned, not least by a shale-intoxicated US itself 

witness, for example, Washingtons shrug when a critical Saudi Arabian oil facility was attacked in 2019. The US has also become increasingly comfortable with deploying energy (or sanctions on it) as a weapon.



The Russian mutiny, akin to the sudden appearance  and near miss  of a comet, serves to remind the world of all this potential volatility lurking beneath oils surface. At a high level, the world relies on a commodity with a disproportionate number of politically or economically unstable producers, and where politics and investor tastes have combined to suppress spending on alternative sources in more stable regions. The latter, after all, offered insurance, in the form of booms in places like the North Sea and Alaska,

after the 1970s oil shocks. The system we have today rests on weak foundations and smaller tolerances.



This situation offers succor both for oils bulls and its wannabe undertakers. On the oil side, threats from abroad mean boosting home-grown supply in an echo of what happened in the 1970s. Even if barrels from the US and allied countries arent always the cheapest, they are at least secure from the sort of upheaval epitomised by Prigozhins mutiny. On the transition side, Prigozhins mutiny is, like the Russian war itself, just one more reason to get off oil altogether. The only way to truly neutralise the threat from Russia, and the leverage of other petrostates, is to break our addiction to the fuel that funds them.



The oil bulls promote diversification of supply within the existing paradigm; transitionistas push for diversification of demand to the point of shattering that paradigm. Yet theres a Moebius strip lurking within these opposing views. Efforts to put an end to oil demand, such as vehicle electrification, provide a reason to hold off investing in new domestic oil production. Yet the latter, by leaving us more vulnerable to shocks, carries economic and political risks, given that we will remain dependent on fossil fuels for years to come even under rosy transition scenarios. Climate change along with Russias naked aggression, and fragility, are winning arguments for fundamental changes to our energy habits that reduce the risk of both. In getting there, however, we rely on an existing system whose integrity erodes the more we try to get away from it.



By the start of this week, Russias man in Canberra had reportedly also given up the fight. Whatever passes for normal in Australia-Russia relations is no doubt intact. But the world today is just that bit different from what it was at the close of last week. Weve had a powerful, if brief, reminder of how much havoc even one bloke might wreak on our energy system.



Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
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 Putins grip on power withstand the strain of fighting a long and costly war, with no end in sight?



The events of the past few days, in which Yevgeny 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 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 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, Assads supporters within the military kept him in power: The benefits of loyalty, to them, far outweighed the costs.



Putins alliance had until recently seemed very robust, centered around the siloviki, a group of officials who came to politics after serving in the KGB or other security services, and who now occupy key roles in Russias intelligence services, oil and gas industry, and ministries.



His high public support has long been another major source of strength, and Putin had structural advantages as well. He does not answer to a political party whose leadership could band together and replace him, as was the case in the Soviet Union. And by dividing power between different agencies, ministers and wealthy businessmen, he ensured that no person or institution was strong enough to overthrow him.



But when Russia first launched its invasion of Ukraine last year, experts said the war had the potential to undermine his hold on power.



The relationship between authoritarian rulers and their core of elite supporters can be strained when dictators wage war abroad  particularly where elites view the conflict as misguided, said Erica de Bruin, a political scientist at Hamilton College and the author of a recent book on coups.



The pressures soon became obvious. International sanctions forced Russia to dramatically shift its economy. The campaign to seize Ukraines capital stalled, and the battles that followed have left as many as 200,000 Russians killed and wounded, according to Western officials. The Kremlin resorted to a national draft, driving thousands of Russians to flee and creating new points of public anger.



For a while, Prigozhin looked like a solution to many of the presidents problems. The Wagner group joined the fighting last summer, as Russias military sought to recover from heavy losses. Wagner led an offensive in eastern Ukraine, and for a time was allowed to recruit thousands from Russian prisons.



The growing power of the mercenary force was a counterbalance to that of the regular armed forces, too  an additional tool with which Putin protected his own power.



But it soon became clear that Wagner was creating problems. Prigozhin began publicly criticizing the conduct of the war, excoriating a close ally of Putins, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. In profane social media posts, he accused Shoigu and the militarys chief of the general staff of cowardice and corruption, and of sending Russians into slaughter.



The ministrys leaders, he said last year, should go with machine guns barefoot to the front.



As his online following grew, so did his populist appeal, giving him a level of political celebrity that was essentially unheard-of in Putins Russia. Some analysts wondered if he might challenge the president himself.







But Shoigu moved to curtail Wagner, cutting off its access to prisons and, this month, ordering its fighters to sign a contract with the military by July  a move that would have effectively dismantled the private groups autonomy. Prigozhin refused, while maintaining his loyalty to Putin.



With Prigozhins group threatened by the military, things escalated rapidly. In a series of social media posts on Friday, he accused Shoigu of ordering deadly strikes on Wagner fighters, saying The evil borne by the countrys military leadership must be stopped.



That night, he and his forces took the city of Rostov-on-Don. The next morning, they began marching on Moscow.



Marked as Weak

The uprising was a mutiny, not a coup: Prigozhins stated goal was to oust the senior military leadership, not to take over the country himself, and on Monday he called it a protest over the order to make Wagner fighters sign contracts.



It also ended quickly. By late Saturday night, the Kremlin announced that Prigozhin would leave Russia for Belarus, and his troops would not face repercussions.



Now, the question is what the mutiny tells the elites who keep Putin in power, and whether it has changed their incentives.



Mutinies can signal dissatisfaction within the ranks that future coup plotters can capitalize on, de Bruin said. One large-scale study of military mutinies in Africa, for instance, found that they rarely escalate directly into coups, but they are associated with an increased likelihood of coups in the near future.



Sometimes the opposite is true: In the aftermath of a failed coup, leaders often take the opportunity to purge those whom they suspect of disloyalty, strengthening their hold on power. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, for instance, cracked down on tens of thousands after a failed coup attempt in 2016, purging the military as well as institutions such as the police, schools and the courts.



But that may not be possible in this case, de Bruin said. Because Prigozhin withdrew, rather than being defeated by Russias army, Putin doesnt come out of this looking like he won the confrontation, she said. The public saw that Wagner troops could race toward Moscow, and that they now seem to face little punishment.



Even if there was more going on behind the scenes, appearances matter. After making a brief statement on Saturday, Putin vanished from sight, making no further appearances during the dramatic uprising and its aftermath. Then his government announced a deal with Prigozhin, even though the president had publicly called Prigozhins actions traitorous.



Putins response, analysts said, may signal that disloyalty is not as costly as many might have imagined. In brief remarks on Monday, Putin claimed that he had been active behind the scenes, and that the even the mutinous fighters realized their efforts were doomed.



From the very beginning of the events, on my direct instructions, steps were taken to avoid a lot of bloodshed, he said. This took time, including to give those who made a mistake a chance to change their minds.



The remarks, delivered after 10 p.m. in Moscow, may have been an attempt to project an image of unity and strength. And though Prigozhin is an exceptional phenomenon and isolated among Russias elites, according to Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, he still dealt Putin a blow, she wrote over the weekend. I wont discount the possibility of future imitators, but there will never be another one like him.



None of that means that Putins days as president are numbered. But his hold on power looks less certain than ever before. Putin is now marked as weak enough to challenge, said Naunihal Singh, a professor at the Naval War College and the author of a book on the strategic logic of military coups. I think there may be other challengers now.



This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday condemned the Centre's decision to initiate a CAG audit into the reconstruction expenses of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence, saying the move "reeks of desperation" as the BJP anticipates a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll.



The ruling party's sharp reaction came after Raj Niwas officials informed that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will conduct a special audit into the alleged "irregularities and violations" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's residence.



The Union home ministry has recommended the special CAG audit taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena which pointed out the "reconstruction" "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's official residence, the officials claimed.



Reacting furiously, the AAP said in a statement, "This move by the Modi government reeks of desperation as the BJP anticipates an inevitable defeat in the upcoming 2024 general elections. As far as the CAG inquiry into the reconstruction expenses of the Chief Minister's residence, it is important to note that it was already conducted last year, revealing no evidence of financial irregularities." Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva welcomed the CAG audit as he called Kejriwal's official residence a "Sheesh Mahal".



"The CAG is country's top most audit body of high repute and its inquiry will soon bring out under whose pressure PWD officials violated laws and constructed the palatial bungalow for the chief minister otherwise eligible for only a Type VII bungalow accommodation," Sachdeva said.



The AAP, however, said a CAG audit was already conducted last year and initiating a fresh audit is a "clear reflection" of the BJP's "frustration, paranoia, and authoritarian tendencies".



The BJP is troubled by its successive electoral defeats in Delhi Assembly polls, the AAP said, adding the CAG move is an attempt to tarnish the "reputation" of Delhi's "honest government".



In its attempt to seek "revenge", the BJP is "inadvertently orchestrating its own downfall through such chaotic and ill-conceived actions", the AAP said, while also accusing the saffron party of engaging in clandestine efforts to undermine the established power structure.



"Conducting a CAG inquiry is a prerogative of an elected government, and by interfering in the affairs of the Delhi government, the central government is violating constitutional principles," it noted.



The party also claimed that the "concocted allegations" such as this one and the "liquor scandal" are "part of a carefully orchestrated drama designed to divert public attention from the massive scams involving Adani".



"This systematic targeting of opposition leaders one after another reveals the underlying agenda of the BJP. If the Prime Minister truly possesses the courage he claims, he should order a comprehensive investigation into the Adani scam by a Joint Parliamentary Committee," the party added.



"Moreover, the CAG or other central agencies should also conduct thorough investigations into the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, the Chanda (donation) scam in Ayodhya Ram Temple, and the various scandals involving the Chief Minister of Assam," the party added.



The issue of reconstruction of CM's residence had earlier triggered a political slugfest in the national capital with BJP demanding a probe into the matter, and the AAP saying the house was built in 1942 and was a dilapidated structure.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has come under the scanner of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which has decided to conduct a special audit into the alleged irregularities in the renovation of his official residence.



The CAG is undertaking a special audit into the alleged "administrative and financial irregularities in the renovation of the CM's official residence, located at 6, Flag Staff Road Civil Lines, New Delhi", Raj Niwas officials said.



The move comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommended a special audit by the CAG, after taking note of the letter received from the Lieutenant Governor, which pointed out the "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the renovation of the CM's official residence. The term 'Hon'ble CM Madam' is in reference to Kejriwal's wife, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier alleged.



Delhi L-G V K Saxena, in a letter sent to the MHA on May 24, said he had sought a report from Delhi's chief secretary after media reports pointed out the alleged irregularities in the matter.



The chief secretary submitted a factual report on the matter on April 27, and then again on May 12. The report detailed the alleged violations of rules, regulations and guidelines issued by the public works department (PWD), Saxena said.



The chief secretary's report highlighted a number of "prima facie irregularities", Raj Niwas officials said, adding that in the name of renovation (addition/alteration), "full-fledged construction/re-construction of a new building was affected by PWD".



The ownership of the property was not ascertained by the PWD before commencing the construction, they claimed.



The initial cost for construction work was Rs 15-20 crore, "but the same was inflated from time-to-time" and as per the report, a total expenditure of approximately Rs 53 crore has been incurred to date, they added, pointing out that this is "more than three times the initial estimate".



Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party has so far refuted the charges of financial irregularities, stating that the CM's residence is more than 80 years old, and the renovation was recommended by the PWD after an audit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on June 27, emphatically advocated for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, highlighting its inclusion in the Constitution and the Supreme Court's directive to enforce it.



"Currently, Muslims are being provoked about the Uniform Civil Code. It is not justifiable to have separate laws for individuals within a family. Such disparity hampers the progress of our nation. Equality should prevail among all individuals," said Prime Minister Modi while addressing party workers in Bhopal.



He also emphasised that the Supreme Court has consistently stressed the need for a Uniform Civil Code, but political parties engaged in vote bank politics have made the lives of Muslims miserable.



"Pasmanda (backward) Muslims have been exploited in this country, and unfortunately, there has been no discussion or debate about it," said Modi.



Prime Minister Modi further stated that those who support triple talaq for the sake of vote bank politics are not doing justice to Muslim women. Triple talaq not only affects women but also causes suffering within families.



"Parents were arranging marriages for their daughters, only to see them return due to the practice of triple talaq. It was not only an injustice to women but to the families as a whole," he said.



He pointed out that triple talaq has no connection with Islam, which is why Muslim nations do not practice it.



"During my recent visit to Egypt, a country with a 90 percent Sunni Muslim population, I learned that they abolished the practice of triple talaq 90 years ago. If triple talaq were an integral part of Islam, why is it not practiced in Pakistan, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, or Syria?" questioned PM Modi.



Prime Minister Modi highlighted that a few individuals continue to exploit Muslim women under the disguise of triple talaq and support this practice.



"We have abolished this practice, and that is one of the reasons why Muslim women across the nation stand with me and support the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Muslims of India need to understand and identify the political parties that exploit them for their own interests," added PM Modi.



He further commented that the parties accusing them of discrimination are the ones who play Muslim vote bank politics. If these political parties genuinely cared for the welfare of Muslims, they would have worked towards improving education and employment opportunities for them, said PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for the uniform civil code (UCC), saying the Constitution also mentions of having equal rights for all citizens.



Addressing a gathering of party workers here, Modi also said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics. Modi said the opposition is using the issue of UCC to mislead and provoke the Muslim community.



You tell me, in a home, how can there be one law for one member and another law for another member? Modi said. Will that home be able to function? Then how will the country be able to function with such a dual system? We have to remember that even in Indias Constitution, there is a mention of equal rights for all, he said.



These people (opposition) level allegations against us but the reality is that they chant Musalman, Musalman. Had they really been (working) in the interests of Muslims, then Muslim families would not have been lagging in education and jobs, he said.



The policy of appeasement practised by some is disastrous for the country, Modi said during his visit to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, where the Assembly polls are due this year-end.



Modi said that Pasmanda Muslims, who are backward, are not even treated as equal because of the vote bank politics.Pasmanda, a term for backward classes among Muslims, often finds a mention in Prime Minister Modis speeches, at party forum as well as government events, and how the government has worked for the deprived without any discrimination.



Pasmanda, a term for backward classes among Muslims, often finds a mention in Prime Minister Modis speeches, at party forum as well as government events, and how the government has worked for the deprived without any discrimination.



Modi said that in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, South India, especially in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, and a number of other states, many castes were left behind from development because of the policy of appeasement. He also said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters.



Triple talaq was abolished in Egypt 80-90 years ago. If it is necessary, then why has it been abolished in Pakistan, Qatar and other Muslim-dominated nations, the prime minister said. Triple talaq doesnt just do injustice to daughtersentire families get ruined. If triple talaq is an essential part of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia? Modi asked.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who claim that he is diverting attention from pressing issues such as rising prices, unemployment and violence in Manipur.



During a campaign event, 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot', in Bhopal on June 27, Modi addressed party workers and stated that Muslims are being unnecessarily provoked by the Uniform Civil Code.



He argued against the existence of separate laws for individuals within a family.



In response to his remarks, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, The prime minister should prioritise issues like unemployment and poverty. He has not spoken about Manipur, which has been experiencing turmoil for the past sixty days, and he hasn't made a single statement on the matter. Instead, he is attempting to divert peoples attention, but they wont be swayed.



AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Prime Minister Modi for not understanding former US President Barack Obamas advice.



Owaisi tweeted, It seems Modiji did not understand Obamas advice properly. Will the PM end Hindu undivided family? Because of HUF, the country is losing Rs 3,064 crores every year.



The Lok Sabha MP also accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by Modi, of targeting Muslim households, demolishing their properties, and causing them harm.



On one hand the PM is shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other hand his pawns are attacking their mosques, taking away their livelihoods, bulldozing their homes and lynching them. They are also opposing reservations for backward Muslims. His government has stopped scholarship for poor Muslims, tweeted Owaisi.



DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan expressed the view that the UCC should be first implemented within Hinduism. He argued that individuals from communities such as Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes should have the freedom to worship at any temple in India.



Elangovan stated, Why should only one segment of society be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of temples while others are denied access? This practice should also be abolished. Let the prime minister introduce the UCC within Hinduism first.



JDU leader KC Tyagi emphasised the importance of engaging all political leaders and stakeholders in discussions regarding the UCC. He accused the BJP of engaging in vote bank politics by repeatedly raising such issues.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modis address at the BJPs Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot campaign in Madhya Pradesh will infuse new energy among party workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modis address at the BJPs Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot campaign in Madhya Pradesh will infuse new energy among party workers. Adityanath attended the event hosted in Bhopal virtually from Lucknow. Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot (my booth, the strongest) campaign is to realise the dream of a self-reliant and developed India and to make Indian democracy even more participatory, he tweeted in Hindi. The Prime Minister went to Bhopal to interact with dedicated and hardworking BJP workers and to connect them with the new resolutions of New India, the chief minister said. This address of the PM will infuse new energy among the workers as well as enrich their approach. Come, join the biggest booth worker discussion program Mera Booth, Sabse Majboot and receive the guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister, he said.

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Known for her studies on honesty at Harvard Business School, Professor Francesca Gino now finds herself at the centre of controversy as multiple behavioural science studies she co-authored are under scrutiny for falsified results.



One of the studies under investigation is a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, later retracted. The study examined the impact of signing truthfulness declarations at the beginning versus the end of self-report forms.



The authors claimed that participants who signed at the top of the page displayed greater honesty than those who signed at the bottom.



However, Max Bazerman, an HBS professor and co-author, stated that Harvard informed him of potential falsification in the study's results. A 14-page document provided by the university reportedly contained compelling evidence, including unauthorized data access and tampering.



Further allegations emerged when a blog called DataColada, run by behavioural science academics, published a series of posts outlining evidence of fraud in four academic papers co-authored by Gino.



The allegations spanned over a decade, with some papers published as recently as 2020. The authors of the blog expressed concerns about the potential widespread presence of fake data in Gino's papers, possibly involving dozens of studies.



The blog authors disclosed that they had shared their concerns with Harvard Business School in 2021, presenting a detailed report on four studies with the strongest evidence of fraud. They acknowledged that Harvard possessed more comprehensive information, including original data collected through the Qualtrics survey software.



If the alleged fraud involved altering downloaded data files, the original Qualtrics files would serve as conclusive evidence. The scholars emphasized that to their knowledge, none of Gino's co-authors were involved in or aware of the data fabrication.



Francesca Gino's Harvard profile indicates that she is currently on administrative leave. The accusations have prompted a wave of scepticism surrounding her work and have raised questions about the oversight and quality assurance mechanisms within academic institutions.
Go big or go home  so goes the popular adage. A person named Sush clearly decided to go big while apologising to her friend, as she did so with the help of a huge billboard.



Residents of Noida were surprised to see the bizarre billboard apology that appeared in full public view this week. I am sorry Sanju. I will never ever hurt you again, your Sush reads the text on the hoarding, which also features pictures of two children  presumably childhood pictures of the Sush and Sanju in question.



In no time at all, pictures of the billboard began to circulate on social media. The billboard has been erected in Sector 125 of Noida, close to Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station, according to one Twitter user who shared its picture on the microblogging platform.



Oh Gurl. It will be just a few months for you to realise you should have spent money on mutual funds rather than on this billboard for Sanju and his ego. #JustNoidaThings #noida pic.twitter.com/Jp8o186RXa (@Aparna) June 23, 2023

One tweet with a picture of the billboard was shared on Twitter yesterday. It has already collected over 2 lakh views and thousands of amused comments.



Noida has once again outdone itself, wrote one person. If you cant apologise like this, you arent sorry in the first place, another joked. New standards for apologies just dropped, a third quipped.



One person shared a picture of a similarly public apology that appeared in Pune, Maharashtra, around five years ago.



Now a days Kids in NoidaWe had our superhero 5 years ago in pune pic.twitter.com/won4YFrcO4 Abhijeet Shirsath (@Abhi_shir60) June 26, 2023

Several people raised doubts on the authenticity of the photograph, wondering if it has been photoshopped.
Courts and tribunals in New Delhi bustled in the first half of 2023 with important rulings and hearings. In these six months, the courts pronounced important and landmark judgments on laws pertaining to competition, the insolvency code and the constitution.



On the very first working day of 2023, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 2016 demonetisation scheme. The initial hearings of Googles appeal against the Competition Commission of Indias order penalising it for abusing its dominant position in the Android ecosystem started in January.



The momentum in hearings and deciding important cases continued until the courts closed for the summer vacation in June. Moneycontrol lists six important developments in the Delhi courts over the past six months.



January  The demonetisation judgment



On January 2, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the Union Governments November 2016 decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes.



While four judges on the bench led by Justice Abdul Nazeer delivered the majority opinion, Justice BV Nagarathna held it unlawful.



The court noted in its judgement that to adjudicate the illegality of the demonetisation notification, it would have to examine whether its objectives were in nexus with the decision or not.



If the notification had a nexus with the objectives to be achieved, then, merely because some citizens have suffered through hardships would not be a ground to hold the notification to be bad in law, it observed.



February  SpiceJet ordered to pay Rs 270 crore to Kalanithi Maran



In the long-drawn share dispute between SpiceJet's Ajay Singh and the airline's former promoter Kalanithi Maran, the Supreme Court directed the airline on February 13 to invoke a bank guarantee of Rs 270 crore to pay Kalanithi Maran towards dues from the arbitral award of Rs 572 crore.



The court further directed SpiceJet to pay Rs 75 crore towards claims of Rs 362 crore in interest dues.



On May 29, after Maran alleged the airline had not paid the Rs 75 crore as directed, the Supreme Court ordered SpiceJet to pay the entire interest amount despite the airline saying it had moved a petition seeking an extension of the three-month period.



March  NCLAT upholds Rs 1,338 crore anti-trust fine against Google



In October 2022, the CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 1,338 crore on tech giant Google for abusing its dominant position in the Android ecosystem. The CCI also asked Google to cease and desist from anti-competitive behaviour.



Google appealed against this order in National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), asking for it to be set aside. On March 29, the NCLAT partially upheld the CCIs abuse-of-Android-dominance order against Google and the penalty of Rs 1,338 crore.



The tribunal said the CCI's order does not suffer from any confirmation bias. Furthermore, the NCLAT held that Google asking original equipment manufacturers to pre-install the entire Google Suite of 11 applications amounted to the imposition of unfair conditions.



Google appealed against the NCLAT order in the Supreme Court. It is expected to be heard by the apex court in July.



April  Delhi High Court asks CCI to hear plea by Indian startups



On April 24, Justice Tushar Rao Gedela of the Delhi High Court asked the CCI to hear applications moved by a group of Indian startups against Googles new in-app user choice billing policy.



The Alliance of Digital India Foundation, a group of Indian startups, moved the court against the competition regulator and the search engine giant. It wanted the CCI to urgently investigate Google's user choice billing system because it violated the anti-trust watchdogs order of October 25, 2022, asking Google to not restrict app developers from using any third-party billing or payment processing service to buy apps or for in-app billings on Google Play



The petitioners wanted the CCI to invoke the 'doctrine of necessity' (extraordinary actions by administrative authority) to investigate Google's alleged violation of the regulator's guidelines and pass an order as the CCI does not have the quorum to adjudicate anti-trust cases.



The CCI is considering the case and a decision on the applications of the startups is expected in July.



May  Go First admitted to insolvency



On May 10, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted Go First to insolvency, as a result of which the airline went into moratorium. The airline had voluntarily moved the tribunal to be admitted to insolvency.



The airlines lessors appealed against the NCLT order in the NCLAT, seeking possession of their aircraft as they had terminated their leases before the moratorium could kick in. However, the appellate tribunal upheld Go Firsts insolvency on May 22 and directed the lessors to file applications in the NCLT to clarify the status of their aircraft.



The applications by aircraft lessors are pending in the NCLT, which is likely to hear them in July.



June  CCI junks abuse of dominance plea against LG Electronics



In its first anti-trust order in seven months, the CCI dismissed a plea by a Navi Mumbai-based company accusing South Koreas LG Electronics of abusing its dominant position in air-conditioning technologies.



Perfect Infraengineers Ltd., which repairs and sells air-conditioners, alleged that it was denied permission by LG Electronics to integrate its hybrid thermal solar panels with LGs variable refrigeration flow (VRF) air-conditioners on the premises of Envirocare Ltd. and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.



In its order on June 20, the CCI said LG Electronics was not a dominant player in these segments as Daikin has been the market leader since 2020. As it was not a dominant player, the anti-trust tribunal concluded that it could not have abused its dominance.
A man was held for allegedly defecating and urinating on the floor of a Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight mid-air, police said on Monday. The incident took place onboard flight AIC 866 on June 24, police said. According to the FIR, Ram Singh, a passenger on seat number 17F, defecated, urinated, and spat in row 9 of the aircraft. Upon observing the "misconduct", the cabin crew gave a verbal warning to the passenger he was secluded from the others, it said. The pilot-in-command was also informed of the situation. A message was sent to the company immediately seeking security on arrival to escort the passenger. The act left several of the passengers agitated, the FIR stated. On arrival, the head of Air India security attended and escorted the passenger to the local police station, it said. A case under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code was registered, it added. On November 26, 2022, a man, who was in an inebriated condition, allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi. Ten days later, another episode of a "drunk" male passenger allegedly "urinating" on a blanket of a female passenger was reported on a Paris-New Delhi Air India flight on December 6.

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The death of a Texas airport worker who was tragically sucked into a jet engine on Friday night has been officially ruled a suicide by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office. The victim, identified as 27-year-old David Renner, died of blunt and sharp force injuries at the San Antonio International Airport, according to a report by KEN 5. The medical examiner's office indicated that there were signs that pointed to suicide, as reported by WOAI. Emergency crews were alerted to the horrific incident following reports of a ground worker being "ingested" into the engine of a Delta plane that had just landed from Los Angeles. The scene they encountered was nothing short of nightmarish. Initially, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the incident, seeking to uncover any potential operational safety issues with the airplane or the airport. However, this inquiry came to an abrupt halt on Monday after the medical examiner's determination of suicide. A spokesperson for the NTSB, as quoted by KEN 5, stated, "There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport." Delta Airlines, as well as the company that employed Renner, Unifi Aviation, have expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

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Prices of tomatoes have skyrocketed to a whopping Rs 100 or over for a kilo in several states. The development happened over a course of a few days due to a shortage in supply. According to the traders, tomato supply has been impacted due to unfavourable weather conditions. The supply has been affected to due to heavy rains and floods in Southern states such as Karnataka and Telangana as well as some hilly states. These places are the key suppliers. As per market experts, the rates are going to increase further. Well, no points in guessing that the news triggered a wave of reactions from the masses on Twitter. Social media users churned out hilarious memes to keep calm after looking at the high tomato prices. Take a look at some of the reactions here: #TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/pNsfPMVydk  Amrit Dadial (@amritpal_02) June 27, 2023 Isne bhi century thok di, pata nahi meri salary kab yahan pahuchegi.#TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/FoFp04hdUp  Amit Jha (@jhaamit25) June 27, 2023 After asking #TomatoPrice Mummy to vendor...#TrendingNow pic.twitter.com/So2kMRY50P  MemeOverlord (@MemeOverlord_kk) June 27, 2023 Looking at #TomatoPrice Modern mummy be like... pic.twitter.com/YHtDSIiFjb  MemeOverlord (@MemeOverlord_kk) June 27, 2023 Not only onion but tomato also can bring tear in eyes...#TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/fvIo927fDm  MemeOverlord (@MemeOverlord_kk) June 27, 2023 should have plated more tomatoes!!!#TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/scaAdu8iz4  Yashesh (@YasheshJ) June 27, 2023 After buying kilos of tomatoes Income tax department may ask to tomato buyers..#TomatoPrice pic.twitter.com/v3gSDhiPFS  MemeOverlord (@MemeOverlord_kk) June 27, 2023 Farmers have also cited heatwave as the reason for shortage in tomato supply. Meanwhile, tomatoes were being sold for Rs 40-50 per kg as opposed to Rs 100 per kg in Uttar Pradesh till last week. In Delhi, the fruit is being sold for Rs 80 per kg.

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OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman surprised everyone last month when he warned Congress of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Suddenly, it looked like tech companies had learned from the problems of social media and wanted to roll out AI differently. Even more remarkably: They wanted politicians help.



But a week later, Altman told a different story to reporters in London. The head of ChatGPTs creator said that he would try to comply with European Union rules but if that proved too difficult, his company would cease operating within the bloc. The remark prompted Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton to accuse Altman of attempting blackmail. Altman clarified his comments the next day, and when the CEO and commissioner met in person last week, they agreed that they were aligned on regulation.



AI development is blazing ahead. The sector raised over $1 billion in venture capital funding in the first four months of this year alone, and systems are already at work in everything from toothbrushes to drones. How far and how fast things continue to move will depend heavily on whether governments step in.



Big tech companies say they want regulation. The reality is more complicated. In the US, Google, Microsoft, IBM and OpenAI have asked lawmakers to oversee AI, which they say is necessary to guarantee safety and competitiveness with China. Meanwhile, in the EU, where politicians recently voted to approve draft legislation that would put guardrails on generative AI, lobbyists for these same companies are fighting measures that they believe would needlessly constrict techs hottest new sector.



The rules governing tech vary dramatically on opposing sides of the Atlantic. The EU has had comprehensive data protection laws on the books for over five years now and is in the process of implementing strict guidelines for competition and content moderation. In the US, however, theres been almost no regulation for more than two decades. Calling for oversight at home has been a way for Big Tech to generate good PR as it steers European legislation in a more favorable direction, according to numerous officials working on the blocs forthcoming AI Act.



Tech companies know they cannot ignore the EU, especially as its social media and data protection rules have become global standards. The European Unions AI Act, which could be in place in the next two to three years, will be the first attempt by a western government to regulate artificial intelligence, and it is backed by serious penalties. If companies violate the act, the bloc could impose fines worth 6% of a companys annual turnover and keep products from operating in the EU, which is estimated to represent between 20% and 25% of a global AI market thats projected to be worth more than $1.3 trillion within 10 years.



This puts the sector in a delicate position. Should a version of the act become law, said Gry Hasselbalch, co-founder of thinktank DataEthics, the biggest AI providers will need to fundamentally change how transparent they are, the way they handle risks and deploy their models.



Risky Business



In contrast to tech, lawmaking moves at a crawl. In 2021, the European Commission released a first draft of its AI Act, kicking off a process that would involve three governmental institutions, 27 countries, scores of lobbyists and round after round of negotiations that will likely conclude later this year. The proposal took a risk-based approach, banning AI in extreme cases  including for the kind of social scoring used in China, where citizens earn credit based on surveilled behavior  and allowing the vast majority of AI to operate with little oversight, or none at all.



Most of the draft focused on rules for high-risk cases. Companies that release AI systems to predict crime or sort job applications, for instance, would be restricted to only using high-quality data and required to produce risk assessments. Beyond that, the draft mandated transparency around deepfakes and chatbots: People would have to be informed when they were talking to an AI system, and generated or manipulated content would need to be flagged. The text made no mention of generative AI, an umbrella category of machine-learning algorithms capable of creating new images, video, text and code, that had yet to blow up.



Big tech welcomed this approach. They also tried to soften the edges. While the draft said developers would be responsible for how their systems were used, companies and their trade groups argued that users should also be liable. Microsoft contended in a position paper that because generative AIs potential makes it impossible for companies to anticipate the full range of deployment scenarios and their associated risks, it is especially crucial to focus in on the actual use of the AI system by the deployer. In closed-door meetings, officials from tech companies have doubled-down on the idea that AI itself is simply a tool that reflects the intent of its user.



More significantly, IBM wanted to ensure that general-purpose AI  an even broader category that includes image and speech recognition, audio and video generation, pattern detection, question answering and translation  was excluded from the regulation, or in Microsofts case, that it would be customers who would handle the regulatory checks, according to drafts of amendments sent to lawmakers.



Many companies have stuck to this stance. Rather than attempting to control the technology as a monolith, wrote Jean-Marc Leclerc, IBMs Head of EU Affairs, in a statement to Bloomberg, were urging the continuation of a risk-based approach.



The notion that some of the most powerful AI systems could largely avoid oversight set off alarms among industry-watchers. Future of Life, a nonprofit initially funded in part by Elon Musk, wrote at the time that future AI systems will be even more general than GPT-3 and needed to be explicitly regulated. Instead of categorizing them by a limited set of stated intended purposes, Future of Lifes President Max Tegmark wrote, the proposal should require a complete risk assessment for all their intended uses (and foreseeable misuses).



Threat Assessment



It looked as if Big Tech would get what it wanted  at one point countries even considered excluding general-purpose AI from the text entirely  until the spring of 2022, when politicians began to worry that that they had underestimated its risks. Largely at the urging of France, EU member states began to consider regulating all general-purpose AI, regardless of use case.



This was the moment when OpenAI, which had previously stayed out of the European legislative process, decided to weigh in. In June 2022, the companys head of public policy, met with officials in Brussels. Soon after, the company sent the commission and some national representatives a position paper, first reported by Time, saying that they were concerned that some proposals may inadvertently result in all our general-purpose AI systems being captured by default.



Yet EU countries did go ahead and mandate that all general-purpose AI comply with some of the high-risk requirements like risk assessments, with the details to be sorted out later. Draft legislation containing this language was approved in December  just a week after the release of ChatGPT.



Struck by the chatbots abilities and unprecedented popularity, European Parliament members took an even tougher approach in their next draft. That latest version, approved two weeks ago, mandates that developers of foundation models like OpenAI must summarize the copyrighted materials used to train large language models, assess the risks that the system could pose to democracy and the environment, and design products incapable of generating illegal content.



Ultimately, what we are asking of generative AI models is a bit of transparency, Dragos Tudorache, one of the two lead authors of the AI Act explained. If there is a danger in having exposed the algorithms to bad things, then there has to be an effort on the side of the developers to provide safeguards for that.



While Meta, Apple and Amazon have largely stayed quiet, other key developers are pushing back. In comments to lawmakers, Google said the parliaments controls would effectively treat general-purpose AI as high-risk when it isnt. Companies also protested that that the new rules could interfere with existing ones, and several said theyve already implemented their own controls. The mere possibility of reputational damage alone is already enough incentive for companies to massively invest in the safety of users, said Boniface de Champris from industry group CCIA.



Large Language



As the public has witnessed generative AIs flaws in real time, tech companies have become increasingly vocal in asking for oversight  and, according to officials, more willing to negotiate. After Altman and Googles Sundar Pichai embarked on a meet-and-greet tour with EU regulators at the end of May, competition chief Margrethe Vestager acknowledged that big tech was coming around to transparency and risk requirements.



This approach is very pragmatic, Tudorache said, adding that developers who fought regulation would land on the wrong end of history [and would be] risking their own business model.



Some critics have also suggested that complying with regulation early could be a way for big companies to secure market dominance. If the government comes in now, explained Joanna Bryson, a professor of ethics and technology at the Hertie School in Berlin, then they get to consolidate their lead, and find out whos coming anywhere near them.



If you ask tech companies, theyll tell you that theyre not against regulation  they just dont like some of the proposals on offer. We have embraced from the outset that Microsoft is going to be regulated at several levels of the tech stack; were not running from regulation, a Microsoft spokesperson wrote, expressing a view held by many developers. The company has also voiced support for the creation of a new AI oversight agency to ensure safety standards and issue licenses.



At the same time, tech companies and trade groups are continuing to push back against the parliament and member countries changes to the AI Act. Developers have pressed for more details on what regulation would look like in practice; and how, say, OpenAI would go about assessing the impact of ChatGPT on democracy and the environment. In some instances, theyve accepted certain parameters while challenging others.



OpenAI, for example, wrote to lawmakers in April expressing support for monitoring and testing frameworks, and a new set of standards for general-purpose AI, according to comments seen by Bloomberg. Google  which recently came out in support of a spoke-and-hub model of regulation in the US, asking that oversight be distributed across many different agencies rather than a single centralized one  has supported risk assessments but continued to back a risk-based approach. Google did not respond to requests for comment.



Yet with AIs moneymaking potential coming more clearly into view, some politicians are starting to embrace industrys views. Cedric O, Frances former digital minister-turned-tech consultant, warned last month that regulatory overreach could harm European competitiveness. He was backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who remarked at a French tech conference right after the parliaments vote that the EU needs to be mindful of not overpolicing AI.



Until the final vote on the AI Act takes place, its unclear to what extent the EU will actually decide to regulate the technology. But even if negotiators move as fast as possible, companies wont need to comply with the act until around 2025. And in the meantime, the sector is moving forward.
Ford Motor Co. plans to fire hundreds of salaried workers, primarily engineers, in the US this week to boost profit and lower costs amid a $50 billion shift to electric vehicles, according to people familiar with the matter. The automaker is cutting engineers in all three areas of its business, EVs, traditional internal combustion-engine models and commercial vehicles, said T.R. Reid, a company spokesman. The workers will be informed Tuesday and Wednesday. Were not cost competitive, Reid said in an interview. We have specific priorities and ambitions that have implications for skills, assignments and staffing needs. These changes are consistent with that. Theyll make us cost effective. Ford didnt say how many workers it is cutting, but people familiar with the actions, who asked not to be identified discussing private matters, said it was in the hundreds. Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said earlier this year that Ford needed 25% more engineers to produce its models than rivals and that is costing the company billions in profit. The company has said it will lose $3 billion in 2023 on its nascent EV business, but Farley pledged that battery powered models would generate an 8% return, before interest and taxes, by the end of 2026. He has a plan to build 2 million EVs a year by then, up from about 130,000 last year. Last week, Ford and its South Korean battery partner SK On received a $9.2 billion loan from the US Department of Energy for the construction of three battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. The United Auto Workers union, which represents Fords hourly employees, blasted the loan as a massive government handout.

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Kering SA, the owner of Gucci, agreed to buy perfume maker Creed in an all-cash deal as the luxury conglomerate expands in the market for high-end fragrances.



Kerings beauty unit is buying 100% of Creed from funds controlled by BlackRock Inc. and current Chairman Javier Ferran, the Paris-based group said in a statement Monday. Further terms werent disclosed. Kering shares rose 1.5% in early trading in Paris on Tuesday.



Creed was established in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring house serving European royal families. It still has family involvement.



The French group said it plans to unlock Creeds potential, particularly in China and in travel retail, while expanding the feminine fragrance portfolio. The company, known for its mens Aventus fragrance, generated annual revenue of more than 250 million ($272 million) in the year to March 31.



The acquisition comes after Kering named Raffaella Cornaggia to lead its beauty unit in February, as the company aims to grow in a segment where rivals Hermes International and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE have performed strongly.



Kering has been adding cash to its war chest for potential acquisitions, raising significant proceeds from the sale of its Puma SE stake.



Kering last year held talks to buy Tom Ford, the designer brand known for its perfume line, according to people familiar with the matter. A Kering representative declined to comment at the time. Estee Lauder eventually bought Tom Ford.



Gucci Revival

Kering is now trying to revive its biggest brand, Gucci. In April, it revealed that Gucci sales barely grew in the first quarter as the Italian label failed to win over more shoppers to products such as Double G belts and furry Princetown slippers.



Kerings performance seemed particularly lackluster when compared with rivals LVMH and Hermes, which both posted double-digit sales growth in the first quarter.



Chief Executive Officer Francois-Henri Pinault said at the time that while the performance was mixed, the brand was starting to show gradual improvement in activity month after month. In a bid to revamp Gucci, the company named Sabato De Sarno, formerly of Valentino SpA, as new creative director. Hell unveil his debut collection in September in Milan.



Kering has previously indicated its trying to bulk up its beauty segment but some brand licenses are in the hands of competitors. Coty Inc. holds the license for Gucci. Pinault said in February that his group will aim to take the license back when it becomes available again, without elaborating on timing.



In the meantime, Kering will develop fragrances for Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen  all brands it owns  Pinault said.



The Creed acquisition doesnt register as a surprise given Kerings plan to grow in the cosmetics sector, and the need to build critical mass ahead of the Gucci license likely returning in-house in 2028, Morgan Stanley analyst Edouard Aubin said in a note after the announcement.



LOreal SA also owns the license for the Yves Saint Laurent beauty brand and manufactures the popular Libre perfume. Earlier this year, LOreal Chief Executive Nicolas Hieronimus said there was no risk that the license could be taken back by Kering. Yves Saint Laurent is Kerings second-biggest fashion brand after Gucci.
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.



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.



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.



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.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins discussed his countrys interest in boosting economic ties with China during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. Hipkins said the focus of his meeting with Xi was to reaffirm our close economic relationship by supporting businesses (to) renew their connections with Chinese counterparts and helping grow new ones to support New Zealands economic recovery. Hipkins is on a five-day visit to China, his first since becoming prime minister in January, along with a business delegation representing areas including tourism and education. Before starting his visit, he described New Zealands relationship with China as a critical part of our economic recovery. New Zealand officially entered a recession this month after its economy contracted for two consecutive quarters. Officials say China is key to three of New Zealands engines for post-pandemic economic recovery: exports, tourism and education. China is New Zealands largest export market, and Wellington over the years has managed to maintain warmer ties to Beijing than some of its Western allies. New Zealand has issued critical statements about Chinas human rights and foreign policy practices, but has generally experienced less friction with China than other countries in the region such as Australia. Xi praised the great importance of China-New Zealand ties, saying Hipkins visit was very meaningful, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Earlier in the day, Hipkins attended a meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Chinese port city of Tianjin alongside other foreign officials and joined a signing ceremony for four New Zealand exporters and their Chinese counterparts, according to a statement from his office. On Wednesday, he is to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

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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.



David Ha, head of research for the London-based startup, resigned this month. Chief Operating Officer Ren Ito also left in June. Ha declined to comment. Ito didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.



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."



The departures follow an article in Forbes that said Stability AIs founder and chief executive officer, Emad Mostaque, had a history of exaggeration. Mostaque denied the allegations in a lengthy blog post. At the Bloomberg Technology Summit on June 22, Mostaque responded to the report. 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 previously 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 worked at Adobe for 20 years before he joined Stability AI as vice president of product in October. There, 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. Cantrell said he left at the end of March to start his own company.
President Vladimir Putin condemned leaders of the Wagner mercenary group as traitors to Russia in a late-night speech to the nation, his first public comments since the mutiny that posed the most serious threat to his nearly quarter-century rule.



The organizers of the rebellion betrayed their country and their people, and betrayed those who were dragged into the crime, lied to them, pushed them to death under fire, Putin said, without mentioning anyone by name.



He spoke hours after Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said he wasnt trying to oust Putins government but would keep his mercenary company going despite official efforts to shut it down.



Putins comments did little to clarify the mystery around the weekends events or the fate of Prigozhin, who the Kremlin said had agreed to go to Belarus and avoid prosecution as part of the deal to pull his forces back brokered by that countrys president, Alexander Lukashenko.



Putin held a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and heads of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Russian National Guard and the Investigative Committee, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after the presidents address.



In his speech, Putin said Ukraine and its allies in the West had been rubbing their hands at the prospect of infighting in Russia. The US and Europe have said they sought to make clear to Moscow they werent involved in the weekends events.



In his speech, Putin addressed Wagner fighters, saying they could join the regular military, go home or relocate to Belarus. The promise I made will be fulfilled, he said.



It wasnt clear what that meant for Prigozhin himself, however. State media reported earlier Monday that the criminal case against him opened at the start of the crisis still hasnt been closed.



The mercenary chief said the march on Moscow by Wagner troops to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the capital on Saturday was a protest aimed at bringing to account those responsible for enormous mistakes in Russias war in Ukraine as well as to prevent the destruction of his private army by officials, in an 11-minute audio message on his press services Telegram channel.



We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legitimately elected government, he said, stopping short of openly pledging his loyalty to Putin.



The Kremlin had sought in public to put the dramatic upheaval behind it. State television showed footage earlier Monday of Shoigu - the main target of Prigozhins attacks on the handling of the war - meeting commanders.



Putins comments were the first since early Saturday when he denounced the revolt as treason in a TV address and threatened harsh punishment that never transpired.



Instead, Lukashenko negotiated with Prigozhin to end the revolt in return for Putin allowing him to travel to Belarus and dropping criminal mutiny charges against the Wagner leader and his fighters.



In his latest audio message, the mercenary chief pointedly noted the expressions of public support he said his fighters enjoyed as they marched through Russias heartland. Civilians were happy to see us, he said.



Prigozhin also continued his criticism of top security officials, noting that his fighters had been able to advance 780 km into Russia over 24 hours, blockading military units along the way without significant resistance.



Our march of justice showed many of the things weve talked about earlier, the serious problems with security on the whole territory of the country, he said. Its lightning progress was also a master class for how the military should have pursued its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he added.



He accused the Defense Ministry of seeking to destroy Wagner with an order requiring his fighters sign up with the military by July 1. Lukashenko had offered to allow Wagner to continue operating in Belarus, he said.



Though he retreated, Prigozhin is now a figure of a totally different scale, Tatyana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, a political consultant, wrote. Putin will have to do something about this, balancing the risks of a potentially negative reaction from his followers and those who support him.



Prigozhin didnt say in his recording where he was. He was last seen publicly leaving the southern city of Rostov-on-Don with his fighters as they withdrew amid cheers from the public late Saturday. Putin gave his personal guarantee that Prigozhin would be allowed to leave for Belarus, the Kremlin said over the weekend.



The rapid chain of events has left the US, Europe and China puzzling over the political fallout from a rebellion that shattered Putins invincible image as Russias leader and spiraled into the greatest threat to his nearly quarter-century rule. The crisis highlighted bitter divisions within Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine thats the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to try to push Putins forces out of occupied territories.



Theres an internal power struggle in Russia and we will not get involved, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters Monday as European Union foreign ministers gathered for a scheduled meeting in Luxembourg. We are seeing that Russias leadership is increasingly fighting within itself.



US President Joe Biden said it was still too early to determine the impact of the revolt.



Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. It is still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where it is going, he said in his first public remarks on the mutiny, during a White House event on Monday.
Today, we look at Earnings Per Share (EPS). Investors see it almost instantly when first searching a stock. The financial press promulgates EPS figures widely. Clearly, EPS is a hugely popular metric. But is it useful? Read on to find out

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of Return on Equity (ROE) as a financial metric.

Today, lets turn to Earnings Per Share (EPS).

EPS is ubiquitous.

Investors see it almost instantly when first searching a stock. The financial press promulgates EPS figures widely.

Then theres the EPS consensus estimates  the ones that determine whether a company beats expectations or not.

And lets not forget the role EPS plays in coming up with price targets.

As a companys EPS grows, the thinking goes that so too will its share price on the assumption that its P/E ratio will remain constant or even expand.

Clearly, EPS is a hugely popular metric.

But is it useful?

Earnings per share dont matter

Nearly five decades ago, economist Joel Stern  developer of the economic value added concept  published a trenchant piece in the Financial Analysts Journal.

The title didnt pull punches, Earnings per Share Dont Count.

Stern claimed the fact that EPS is easy to calculate is an insufficient excuse for employing it as an analytical device.

Easy isnt necessarily best.

So why doesnt EPS matter? Because sophisticated investors look elsewhere when assessing a stocks overall performance.

Stern offered a thought experiment.

Consider two companies, X and Y.

Both are the same in every way, with earnings expected to rise at the same rate of 15%.

At this stage, Stern muses, it would be foolish to ask which company should sell at a higher price. Clearly, X and Y should trade at the same valuation!

But then Stern adds a wrinkle (emphasis added):

However, with the addition of one other piece of information about the two companies, we must conclude that X would command the greater market price. Assume we learn that X requires almost no investment in new capital to increase its profits 15 per cent annually, whereas Y requires a dollar of additional capital for each incremental dollar of sales. X should sell at the higher price and PE because it requires less capital than Y to grow at a given rate despite the fact that X and Y are expected to have identical future profits. This is because X has a larger expected rate of return on incremental capital. The key determinant of market price in this case is the expected rate of return on incremental capital invested. The implication of this example is that investors do not simply discount expected earnings; rather they discount anticipated earnings net of the amount of capital required to be invested in order to maintain an expected rate of growth in profits. We shall refer to the latter stream as the expected future Free Cash Flow, the expected future stream of cash flows that remains after deducting the anticipated future capital requirements of the business.

Stern concluded its free cash flow that moves markets, EPS is immaterial.

Valuation experts Michael Mauboussin and Alfred Rappaport made similar points in their latest edition of Expectations Investing.

The duo argue that a stock can grow EPS without creating shareholder value.

How is that possible? The pair write:

This broad dissemination and frequent market reactions to earnings announcements might lead some to believe that reported earnings strongly influence, if not totally determine, stock prices. The profound difference between earnings and long-term cash flows, however, not only underscore why earnings are such a poor proxy for expectations, but also show why upward earnings revisions do not necessarily increase stock prices. The shortcomings of earnings include the following: Earnings exclude a charge for the cost of capital

Earnings exclude the incremental investments in working capital and fixed capital needed to support a companys growth

Companies can compute earnings using alternative, equally acceptable accounting methods

EPS and professional incentives of equity analysts

If youre an equity analyst, it serves your interest to focus on EPS estimates. You have four chances every year to prove your analytical chops.

And if your quarterly EPS estimates are accurate enough often enough, your future forecasts get compiled to create the consensus forecasts everyone sees.

It makes sense for equity analysts to focus on EPS so heavily. But that shouldnt mean investors must too.

In any case, the professional reliance on EPS should be disregarded.

Respected investor Martin Fridson reiterated this point in his latest book:

The equity research establishments overreliance on EPS might be more excusable if earnings invariably represented a genuine creation of economic value on behalf of shareholders. In practice, the gap between reported earnings and bona fide profits can be vast. Sometimes the mismatch reflects outright accounting fraud. But investors shouldnt be lulled into believing that theyre getting the straight dope on a companys earnings merely because none of its executives are under indictment. Reported EPS can diverge from the underlying reality because of perfectly lawful accounting practices or because the numbers dispenses in quarterly financial statements are later said to have been mistakes.

And in the long run, sophisticated investors do seem to disregard earnings, corroborating Sterns earlier point.

Empirical research shows that earnings surprises, for instance, explain less than 2% of share price volatility in the four weeks surrounding the surprise announcement.

In other words, investors place far more importance on a companys economic fundamentals than on reported earnings, according to McKinseys Tim Koller and Marc Goedhart.

EPS forecasts: should investors bother?

Plenty of studies have shown the inaccuracy of earnings forecasts. In particular, research shows analysts estimates are heavily biased toward excessive optimism.

Another study found that 40% of the time, an EPS forecast generated from a time series of past data (the quarterly earnings for a company over the past five years, for instance) was as or more accurate than the analysts consensus estimate!

So, I wasnt surprised when last Sunday I read about a quant team in UBS spruiking the forecast outperformance of its machine learning model.

Heres the story in the AFR:

Five years on, and equipped with more data and more powerful computers, investment bank UBS quantitative research team reckon theyve finally cracked it. Theyve built a model that shows the machines can finally out-forecast the humans, including in Australia. The model comes up with 12-month forecasts and the best bit, according to the quant analysts, is that it is completely unbiased. Its numbers are typically lower than consensus. The regression model is always trying to pick a companys earnings over the coming 12 months. It uses prior year earnings as an anchor starting point (about 75 per cent of the end value), and uses a range of traditional quantitative signals and metrics (cash flow growth, for example) and macro factors. Its all written in Python computer code. The model is smart enough to work out how the companys earnings have responded to macro factors like bond yields, currency and oil pricing, consider current levels and use that to formulate the earnings forecast. It works on a company level but can also be aggregated up to a sector or market level



Source: Australian Financial Review [Click to open in a new window]

Yet, if earnings as measured by EPS dont really matter, neither do accurate forecasts  whether human or AI-generated.

In investing, picking your battles matters just as much as how well you wage them.

Battling others to more accurate EPS estimates may be a battle not worth starting.

Regards,





Kiryll Prakapenka,

Editor, Money Morning
June 27, 2023 How To Plant Propaganda: "Putin has been weakened. Russia is crumbling." On Sunday the U.S.Secretary of State went on four morning shows to play the same distinct melody over and over again: Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Margaret Brennan of CBS Face the Nation SECRETARY BLINKEN: And it was a direct challenge to Putins authority. So this raises profound questions. It shows real cracks. 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.

...

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 Putins aggression against Ukraine. Hes managed to bring Europe together. Hes managed to bring NATO together. Hes managed to get Europe to move off of Russian energy. Hes 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 hes going to have to answer in the weeks ahead. Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Chuck Todd of NBC Meet The Press SECRETARY BLINKEN: ... So 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 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 thats 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. Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Dana Bash of CNN State of the Union SECRETARY BLINKEN: But we can say this. First of all, what weve seen is extraordinary, and I think you see cracks emerge that werent there before ...

...

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. Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Jonathan Karl of ABC This Week SECRETARY BLINKEN: But I think we can say this much: First, weve seen some very serious cracks emerge.

...

But weve 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. Its weaker militarily. Its standing in the world has plummeted. Its managed to strengthen and unite NATO. Its managed to alienate and unite Ukrainians. Its managed to get Europe off of dependence on Russian energy. In piece after piece, issue after issue, what Putin has tried to prevent, hes managed to precipitate. And Russias standing is vastly diminished as a result. Now, add to that internal dissention. Again, we cant speculate on where this goes. We have to remain and we are focused on Ukraine, but it certainly raises new questions that hes going to have to address. The very same (false) talking points, repeated over and over again, are a sure sign of lies and an organized propaganda campaign. For the record. Progozhin was all alone in his mutiny attempt. Not one element of the Russian government or civil society joint him in his ride. So where are the cracks? There are none. Also Russia's military is now larger and better equipped then before the war. Russia's economy is fine and growing. Its standing in the world has increased. But Blinken's propaganda works well because the U.S. media are trained to pick up any sheet of music an administration hands out and to sing its tune over and over again. I could quote dozens of participants in that game to make that point. But the Washington Posts has made it easier for me when it asked eight of its columnists to comment on the issues. All but one, a neocon who wants to see more action, repeat Blinken's message: "Putin has been weakened. Russia is crumbling." Opinion What happened in Russia  and what happens next? Our columnists weigh in. David Von Drehle: Even failed coups have consequences Putin evidently had no more confidence than Prigozhin as to the outcome of the clash. Rather than test the loyalty and strength of government forces to crush the uprising, the Russian leader grabbed the first exit he was offered  a sign of weakness that might invite another attempt. ... The bad news: A weakened Russia has weakened leaders and is spinning out of control. Putin has taken his country into a disaster, and there is no one in sight to save it. Max Boot: Prigozhin has made Putins weakness clear to everyone Putin, has now had his own legitimacy undermined by the revolt of Prigozhin and his Wagner Group mercenaries. Whether the damage is fatal remains to be determined. ... Even if Prigozhin is gone, the discontent he has revealed will remain an Achilles heel for Putin. David Ignatius: After dodging the bullet, Putin will need to show hes in control Putins vulnerabilities were vividly on display last weekend, but so were his uncanny survival skills. He got inside Prigozhins conspiratorial plot and stopped it. ... Putin will need to show that hes in command now, after this near-death experience. Thats the bad news for Ukraine and Russia both. Eugene Robinson: Putin is likely to survive this crisis The revolt by the mercenary butcher Prigozhin did reveal Putins regime to be more brittle than it had appeared from afar. Charles Lane: Prigozhin is the only Russian to publicly speak the truth Vaclav Havel insisted that truth still exercised a mysterious, but latent, power. It can unexpectedly issue forth  in something visible: a real political act or event, a social movement, a sudden explosion of civil unrest, a sharp conflict inside an apparently monolithic power structure, or simply an irrepressible transformation in the social and intellectual climate, Havel wrote. And since all genuine problems and matters of critical importance are hidden beneath a thick crust of lies, it is never quite clear when the proverbial last straw will fall, or what that straw will be. Spy, oligarch, warlord  Prigozhin was an unlikely candidate to confirm Havels prophecy. But in a way, he did. Jason Willick: Chances for escalation in Ukraine have gone up Some observers might be overstating Putins weakness  he did suppress the mutiny quickly, after all  but the spectacle has clearly dented his image of control. Josh Rogin: Prigozhins failed gambit is an opportunity for the West Now that the Kremlin can no longer pretend Wagner is a separate entity, Russian government and defense officials must also be held accountable for Wagners worldwide crimes, which include credible allegations of mass murder, torture, rape and other atrocities. Megan McArdle: Turmoil in Russia shows the fragility of illiberalism Nominally, Putin controls a massive army, a substantial police force and a population that returned him to office in 2018 with a resounding 77 percent of the vote. But when push came to shove, those same folks were indifferent between him and a murderous warlord  or, at least, didnt care enough about the distinction to risk getting shot. Putin survived, but the risk to his regime has risen now that it is clear how little actual support he has. The overall tone: Putin did not fight the loon Prigozhin but found a peaceful solution. This shows that he is weak. This bears a question. If eight columnists at one paper come to the very same (but false) conclusion, just issued in different words, why hire and pay all eight of them? Clearly, one would suffice. Oh, that would show a lack diversity? The religious believe in individualism where all humans must differ - but for the opinions they are allowed to espouse? Posted by b on June 27, 2023 at 15:43 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
June 27, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-152

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on June 27, 2023 at 16:46 UTC | Permalink

Comments

next page 
New Zealand Prime Minister Hipkins visits China to boost economic ties View Photo

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins discussed his countrys interest in boosting economic ties with China during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday.

Hipkins said the focus of his meeting with Xi was to reaffirm our close economic relationship by supporting businesses (to) renew their connections with Chinese counterparts and helping grow new ones to support New Zealands economic recovery.

Hipkins is on a five-day visit to China, his first since becoming prime minister in January, along with a business delegation representing areas including tourism and education.

Before starting his visit, he described New Zealands relationship with China as a critical part of our economic recovery.

New Zealand officially entered a recession this month after its economy contracted for two consecutive quarters. Officials say China is key to three of New Zealands engines for post-pandemic economic recovery: exports, tourism and education.

China is New Zealands largest export market, and Wellington over the years has managed to maintain warmer ties to Beijing than some of its Western allies. New Zealand has issued critical statements about Chinas human rights and foreign policy practices, but has generally experienced less friction with China than other countries in the region such as Australia.

Xi praised the great importance of China-New Zealand ties, saying Hipkins visit was very meaningful, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Earlier in the day, Hipkins attended a meeting of the World Economic Forum in the Chinese port city of Tianjin alongside other foreign officials and joined a signing ceremony for four New Zealand exporters and their Chinese counterparts, according to a statement from his office.

On Wednesday, he is to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Haley says Trump did too little about China threats, warns of global conflict if Ukraine falls View Photo

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday criticized former President Donald Trump for being too friendly to China during his time in office, while also warning that weak support for Ukraine would only encourage China to invade Taiwan.

Haley, a Republican presidential candidate running against Trump, said in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute that Trump was almost singularly focused on the U.S.-China trade relationship but ultimately did too little about the rest of the Chinese threat.

Specifically, Haley noted that Trump failed to rally U.S. allies against the Chinese threat and that he had congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule in China.

That sends a wrong message to the world, Haley said. Chinese communism must be condemned, never congratulated.

Haleys comments, promoted by her presidential campaign as a major foreign policy speech, came a week and a half after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Xi in Beijing. Blinken said they had agreed to stabilize badly deteriorated U.S.-China ties, but there was little indication that either country was prepared to bend from positions on issues including trade, Taiwan, human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong, Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and Russias war in Ukraine.

Haley did note that Trump imposed tariffs and other trade restrictions on the superpower, saying he deserves credit for upending this bipartisan consensus. But she added, Being clear-eyed is just not enough.

As Trump remains the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, his rivals are increasingly lashing out at him. On Tuesday in New Hampshire, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that, unlike Trump, he was actually going to build the wall, a reference to Trumps 2016 signature issue that he fell short of meeting during his first term.

Haley, who served for two years as Trumps ambassador to the United Nations, said President Joe Biden has been much worse when it comes to dealing with threats she said China poses to Americas economic, domestic and military security. She also said that Chinas military buildup and aggression toward Taiwan shows that the nation is preparing its people for war, a conflict she said would draw in the U.S. and other global partners if left unchecked.

We must act now to keep the peace and prevent war, she said. And we need a leader that will rally our people to meet this threat on every single front.  Communist China is an enemy. It is the most dangerous foreign threat weve faced since the Second World War.

In a question-and-answer session with reporters, Haley was asked about comments earlier Tuesday from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a fellow Republican presidential candidate, who said, Whats a Uygher? in response to a question from radio show host Hugh Hewitt about the predominantly Muslim group that China has been accused of oppressing.

Haley, who didnt mention Suarez in her response, called the allegations of sexual abuse and religious discrimination against the Uyghurs a potential genocide, adding, The fact that the whole world is ignoring it, is shameful.

For his part, Suarez later tweeted that he is well aware of the suffering of the Uyghurs in China but just didnt recognize the pronunciation.

In her speech, Haley also called Biden far too slow and weak in helping Ukraine, warning that a failure to send enough military equipment to help stem Russias invasion there could only encourage China to invade Taiwan as soon as possible, leading to further international conflict.

The events of this past weekend show how weak and shaky the Russian leadership is, Haley said, referencing the short-lived weekend revolt by mercenary soldiers who briefly took over a Russian military headquarters. Make no mistake: China is watching the war with Ukraine with great interest.

Some of Haleys Republican rivals, including Trump and DeSantis, have faced criticism over their own comments toward Ukraine. Both Trump and DeSantis have said that defending Ukraine is not a national security priority for the U.S. DeSantis also had to walk back his characterization of Russias war in Ukraine as a territorial dispute.

Last month, Biden approved a new package of military aid for Ukraine that totals up to $300 million and includes additional munitions for drones and an array of other weapons. In all, the U.S. has committed more than $37.6 billion in weapons and other equipment to Ukraine since Russia attacked on Feb. 24, 2022.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

By MEG KINNARD

Associated Press
Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, and Russia wont press charges for mutiny View Photo

Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russias invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and arrived Tuesday in Belarus.

The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of a deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin was in Belarus, and said he and some of his troops were welcome to stay for some time at their own expense.

Prigozhin has not been seen since Saturday, when he waved to well-wishers from a vehicle in the southern city of Rostov. He issued a defiant audio statement on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, a private jet believed to belong to him flew from Rostov to an airbase southwest of the Belarusian capital of Minsk, according to data from FlightRadar24.

Meanwhile, Moscow said preparations were underway for Wagners troops fighting in Ukraine, who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin, to hand over their heavy weapons to Russias military. Prigozhin had said such moves were planned ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contracts  which he opposed  to serve under Russias military command.

Russian authorities also said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no armed rebellion charge against Prigozhin or his followers.

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for financial wrongdoing charges against an affiliated organization Prigozhin owns. Putin told a military gathering that Prigozhins Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles ($941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over $1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items.

I hope that while doing so they didnt steal anything, or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concords contract.

For years, Prigozhin has enjoyed lucrative catering contracts with the Russian government. Police who searched his St. Petersburg office on Saturday said they found 4 billion rubles ($48 million) in trucks outside, according to media reports the Wagner boss confirmed. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers families.

Prigozhin and his fighters stopped the revolt on Saturday, less than 24 hours after it began and shortly after Putin spoke on national TV, branding the rebellion leaders, whom he did not name, as traitors.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny could have been punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhins escape from prosecution, at least on a armed rebellion charge, is in stark contrast to Moscows treatment of its critics, including those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have been punished with long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

Lukashenko said some of the Wagner fighters are now in the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine that Russia illegally annexed last September.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putins grip on power, occurring during the 16-month-old war in Ukraine, and he again acknowledged the threat Tuesday in saying the result could have been a civil war.

In addresses this week, Putin has sought to project stability and demonstrate authority.

In a Kremlin ceremony Tuesday, the president walked down the red-carpeted stairs of the 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address soldiers and law enforcement officers, thanking them for their actions to avert the rebellion.

In a further show of business-as-usual, Russian media showed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in his military uniform, greeting Cubas visiting defense minister in a pomp-heavy ceremony. Prigozhin has said his goal had been to oust Shoigu and other military brass, not stage a coup against Putin.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in the clash between Prigozhin and Shoigu. While the mutiny unfolded, he said, he put Belarus armed forces on a combat footing and urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, lest the conflict spiral out of control.

He said he told Prigozhin he would be squashed like a bug if he tried to attack Moscow, and warned that the Kremlin would never agree to his demands.

Like Putin, the Belarusian leader portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details about the Kremlins deal with Prigozhin, saying only that Putin had provided certain guarantees aimed at avoiding a worst-case scenario.

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) from Moscow without facing serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters: We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Zolotov, a former Putin bodyguard, also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports. The Defense Ministry didnt release information about casualties, but Putin honored them Tuesday with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said. They didnt waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists have vented outrage that Prigozhin and his troops wont be punished for killing the airmen.

Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in his statement Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because the aircraft were bombing them.

In his televised address Monday night, Putin said rebellion organizers had played into the hands of Ukraines government and its allies. He praised the rank-and-file mutineers, however, who didnt engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink.

A Washington-based think tank said that was likely in an effort to retain the Wagner fighters in Ukraine, where Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

Putin has offered Prigozhins fighters the choice of either coming under Russian military command, leaving service or going to Belarus.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagners presence in his country, though in Russia, Wagner-recruited convicts have been suspected of violent crimes. The Wagner troops gained priceless military knowledge and experience to share with Belarus, he said.

But exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbors.

Belarusians dont welcome war criminal Prigozhin, she told The Associated Press. If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbors.

While attention focused on the aftermath of the Russian rebellion, the war in Ukraine continued to take a human toll in what U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink called terrible scenes from another brutal attack.

Russian missiles struck Kramatorsk and a village nearby in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region with missiles, killing at least four people, including a child, and wounding some 40 others, with still others under building rubble, including in a cafe, authorities reported.

___

Associated Press writer Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By The Associated Press
German police search church properties in probe of Cologne archbishop over perjury allegations View Photo

BERLIN (AP)  German police and prosecutors searched Catholic Church properties on Tuesday in connection with a probe of the archbishop of Cologne in western Germany over perjury allegations, authorities said.

The searches included the vicar generals office and the premises of an IT company that provides email services to the archdiocese headed by Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. They also included Woelkis home, German news agency dpa reported.

The cardinal is under investigation on suspicion of having falsely testified to court about when he became aware of reports of clergy sexual abuse in the archdiocese.

Thirty police officers and four prosecutors were involved in the raids Tuesday morning and confiscated documents, files and electronic data, Cologne Prosecutor Ulf Willuhn told reporters.

He said the material, which would take months to evaluate, was related to allegations regarding the cases of two clerics from the archdiocese. He declined to give further details about the cases.

In terms of content, the main issue in each case is whether Cardinal Woelki had any knowledge at all, and if so, at what specific point in time, of allegations of abuse leveled against two clerics, Willuhn said.

The Cologne archdiocese, which has more Catholics than any other in Germany, about 1.8 million, has been in a state of crisis over those and other accusations related to the coverup of sexual abuse for several years.

Woelki has denied the latest allegations, which have fueled anger among Catholics toward the church far beyond Cologne.

The Cologne archdiocese confirmed the search of their premises by the public prosecutors office, dpa reported.

Experience shows that it will take some time before the result is available. Until then, we ask the public not to take an open-ended investigation as an opportunity to pronounce preliminary convictions, the archdiocese said.

The archdiocese of Cologne has been shaken by ongoing allegations against the cardinal since 2020, when Woelki, citing legal concerns, kept under wraps a report he commissioned on how local church officials reacted when priests were accused of sexual abuse. That infuriated many Cologne Catholics. A second report, published in March 2021, found 75 cases in which high-ranking officials neglected their duties.

The report absolved Woelki of any neglect of his legal duty with respect to abuse victims. He subsequently said he made mistakes in past cases involving sexual abuse allegations but insisted he had no intention of resigning.

Two papal envoys were then dispatched to Cologne to investigate possible mistakes by senior officials in handling cases. Their report led Pope Francis to give Woelki a  spiritual timeout  of several months for making major communication errors.

In March 2022, after his return from the timeout, the archbishop submitted his offer to resign but so far Francis has not acted on it.

Tuesdays raids are related to the question of when Woelki knew about allegations of abuse against a former leader of the Cologne carolers, Winfried Pilz, and a second cleric from the archdiocese, dpa reported.

In a criminal complaint filed by a private individual, the archbishop is accused of having made incorrect statements in a sworn deposition before a Cologne regional court in March, dpa reported. Woelki had denied those accusations.

Following the raids, Thomas Schueller, an expert in canonic law at the University of Muenster, told the newspaper Rheinische Post that it is now up to Woelki to decide for himself whether to pull the ripcord.

However, his behavior so far shows that he is clinging to his bishops chair and puts his personal well-being above that of the Archdiocese of Cologne, Schueller said.

___

Associated Press writer Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.

By KIRSTEN GRIESHABER

Associated Press
Senator Mitch McConnell View Photo

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered remarks on the Senate floor regarding national security.

McConnell was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

As Ive discussed at length, Americas partners in the Indo-Pacific understand the link between Russian aggression in Europe and the threat of Chinese aggression closer to home.

Japan and Taiwan have devoted serious resources to Ukraines defense. But our friends are also wisely strengthening their own defenses.

Last year, Taiwans government put forward its largest defense budget proposal ever  a 14% increase in topline spending  along with greater attention to territorial defense, longer service requirements for conscripts, and a focus on whole-of-government resilience.

Japan has a new transformational national security strategy. Prime Minister Kishidas government is pursuing new long-range strike capabilities, increasing defense spending, and buying SM-6 interceptors.

In a sign of deepening cooperation with the United States, it has expanded its defense industrial capacity by building facilities to assemble F-35s in Japan.

South Korea is also deepening its security cooperation with the United States, expanding its defense industrial capacity, and providing military capabilities to key American allies in Europe.

President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida have also worked to improve relations between their two countries and open the door for increased cooperation with America in the face of an increasingly belligerent North Korea.

The Philippines is engaging in regular joint exercises in the South China Sea and working closely with the United States on enhanced defense cooperation sites that improve our interoperability.

And earlier this year, Australia reached an agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom to procure nuclear-powered conventional submarines  the biggest defense investment in the nations history.

In other words, our friends are putting their money where their mouths are.

Thats important, because so has the Peoples Republic of China.

Beijing has made historic investments in its own military modernization. PRC defense spending has grown every year for almost three decades, but in each of the last two years, its jumped by at least seven percent. And needless to say, Chinas official statistics tend to obscure as much as they reveal.

While our most hostile strategic adversary is accelerating its military investments, the Biden Administration asked Congress to shrink spending on Americas armed forces in real dollars.

Today, our colleagues on the Armed Services Committee will mark up the National Defense Authorization Act, beginning the Senates annual work of tending to our nations common defense.

Facing down a common threat is a chance for the United States and our partners to grow the defense industrial base well need to sustain effective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Its an opportunity to reform Americas sluggish foreign military sales procedures, promote interoperability, and expand joint exercises and access agreements across the region.

If we are serious about deepening our defense industrial cooperation, America and our partners must make it easier to work together, to share technology and intelligence, and to align our defense investments.

We need to streamline regulations that can prevent our partners from investing in their own defense bases in closer coordination with the United States.

Of course, this is not a one way street. America can also benefit from technologies our partners are developing, if our regulations and bureaucracies allow it.

Our agreement with the UK and Australia could represent a transformational new approach to collective security.

If the Biden Administration wants this partnership to succeed, it should consider providing broader country exemptions for defense trade licenses for these closest allies, similar to what we already do with Canada.

Very simply, its an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

Mr. President, Chinas bid for hegemony in the Indo-Pacific extends far beyond investments in naval vessels and new missile technologies.

The PRC has poured billions of dollars into development projects in vulnerable island nations in the Pacific.

Make no mistake  If the United States and our partners fail to work together to maintain robust deterrence on behalf of a free and open Indo-Pacific, China will be all too happy to fill the void.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
CHP Sonora Unit logo View Photo

Soulsbyville, CA  Authorities have released the name of the motorcyclist who was tragically killed in a crash on Highway 120 New Priest Grade on Sunday.

The CHP reported yesterday that the rider of the 2000 Kawasaki Ninja was traveling eastbound and drifted into the opposing traffic lane, hitting an oncoming Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The crash occurred at around 8:40 am.

The Tuolumne County Coroner reports that the rider who died is 35-year-old Brenden Cox of Soulsbyville.

Cox was ejected from the bike and pronounced dead by arriving emergency personnel. Some of the details surrounding the crash are still under investigation, according to the CHP.
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in attacks, UN says

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, more than 1,000 civilians were killed in attacks, UN says View Photo

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The United Nations said Tuesday it has documented a significant level of civilians killed and wounded in attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover  despite a stark reduction in casualties compared to previous years of war and insurgency.

According to a new report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, since the takeover in mid-August 2021 and until the end of May, there were 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 people killed in violence in the country.

That compares with 8,820 civilian casualties  including 3,035 killed  in just 2020, according to an earlier U.N. report.

The Taliban seized the country in August 2021 while U.S. and NATO troops were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

According to the U.N. report, three-quarters of the attacks since the Taliban seized power were with improvised explosive devices in populated areas, including places of worship, schools and markets, the report said. Among those killed were 92 women and 287 children.

A press statement from the U.N. that followed Tuesdays report said the figures indicate a significant increase in civilian harm resulting from IED attacks on places of worship  mostly belonging to the minority Shiite Muslims  compared to the three-year period prior to the Taliban takeover.

The statement also said that at least 95 people were killed in attacks on schools, educational facilities and other places that targeted the predominantly Shiite Hazara community.

The statement said that the majority of the IED attacks were carried out by the regions affiliate of the Islamic State group  known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province  a Sunni militant group and a main Taliban rival.

These attacks on civilians and civilian objects are reprehensible and must stop, said Fiona Frazer, chief of UNAMAs Human Rights Service. She urged the Taliban  the de facto authorities in Afghanistan  to uphold their obligation to protect the right to life of the Afghan people.

However, the U.N. report said a significant number of the deaths resulted from attacks that were never claimed or that the U.N. mission could not attribute to any group. It did not provide the number for those fatalities.

The report also expressed concern about the lethality of suicide attacks since the Taliban takeover, with fewer attacks causing more civilian causalities.

It noted that the attacks were carried out amid a nationwide financial and economic crisis. With the sharp drop in donor funding since the takeover, victims are struggling to get access to medical, financial and psychosocial support under the current Taliban-led government, the report said.

Frazer said that even though Afghan victims of armed conflict and violence struggled to access essential medical, financial and psychosocial support prior to the takeover, this has become more difficult after the Taliban took power.

Help for the victims of violence is now even harder to come by because of the drop in donor funding for vital services, she added.

The U.N. report also demanded an immediate halt to attacks and said it holds the Taliban government responsible for the safety of Afghans.

The Taliban said their administration took over when Afghanistan was on the verge of collapse and that they managed to rescue the country and government from a crisis by making sound decisions and through proper management.

In a response, the Taliban-led foreign ministry said that the situation has gradually improved since August 2021. Security has been ensured across the country, the statement said, adding that the Taliban consider the security of places of worship and holy shrines, including Shiite sites, a priority.

Despite initial promises in 2021 of a more moderate administration, the Taliban enforced harsh rules after seizing the country. They banned girls education after the sixth grade and barred Afghan women from public life and most work, including for nongovernmental organizations and the U.N.

The measures harked back to the previous Taliban rule of Afghanistan in the late 1990s, when they also imposed their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. The edicts prompted an international outcry against the already ostracized Taliban, whose administration has not been officially recognized by the U.N. and the international community.

By RAHIM FAIEZ

Associated Press
Ohio mom charged in death of toddler left alone for 10 days, prosecutors say

Ohio mom charged in death of toddler left alone for 10 days, prosecutors say View Photo

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, OMalley 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.
Judge, rejecting Trump arguments, signals hell let New York criminal case stay in state court View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  The hush money case against former President Donald Trump appears headed back to a New York court after a federal judge showed little inclination Tuesday to let Trump move the history-making prosecution to federal court.

Changing courts could give Trump a new avenue to try to get the case thrown out. Hoping to get to federal court, Trumps lawyers argue that he was acting in his capacity as president when he hired and paid a personal attorney who orchestrated payouts to squelch allegations of extramarital sex  payouts that are at the heart of Manhattan prosecutors case against Trump.

After a three-hour hearing that featured surprise testimony from a Trump company insider, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein told a packed courtroom that he was not ready to make a firm ruling but saw no relationship to any official act of the president in the alleged conduct that made Trump the first former president ever charged with a crime.

Theres no reason to believe that an equal measure of justice could not be rendered by the state court, Hellerstein added. He said his remarks reflected his present attitudes, and a formal written ruling will follow within two weeks.

Lawyers for both sides declined to comment after the hearing.

Trump, a Republican, pleaded not guilty in April to state felony charges of falsifying business records to hide 2016 hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having had sexual encounters with either woman.

According to the indictment, Trump fudged records at his company to cover up the nature of payments made in 2017 to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to compensate him for arranging to buy the womens silence and fronting the money for Daniels.

Trumps lawyers have said those payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.

Pressed by Hellerstein to prove it, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche called the legal chief of Trumps company to the witness stand, though attorneys for both sides last week had agreed they would not call witnesses at the hearing.

Alan Garten, the Trump Organizations chief legal officer, testified that he believed the payments were partly reimbursements for the money that Cohen had paid Daniels, and partly to compensate him for the role that he was playing as counsel for Trumps personal matters.

However, Garten said he knew of no written retainer agreement between Trump and Cohen, though Trumps attorneys typically had them. On being shown some of Trumps ledgers, Garten also testified that the vast majority of attorney payments were accompanied by some description of the lawyers work, though there was no such description for the monthly $35,000 payments that went to Cohen throughout 2017. Company documents recorded them generally as legal expenses.

Garten said he sometimes referred to Cohen non-corporate matters involving Trump and his wife, Melania, but wasnt sure what Cohen did about those things.

After hearing Gartens testimony and arguments from both sides lawyers, Hellerstein said the evidence suggested that Cohen was hired privately, not under color of any presidential office or related to it.

We have the invoices showing what Cohen was paid, the judge noted. But no proof of what he did.

U.S. law allows criminal prosecutions to be moved from state to federal court if they involve actions taken by federal government officials as part of their official duties, among other qualifications.

While requests to move criminal cases from state to federal court are rarely granted, the prosecution of Trump is unprecedented.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which is bringing the hush money case, has argued that nothing about the payoffs to either Cohen or the women involved Trumps official duties as president.

If the case is moved to federal court, Trumps lawyers could try to get the charges dismissed on the grounds that federal officials are immune from criminal prosecution over actions they take as part of their official job duties.

A shift to federal court would also mean that jurors would potentially be drawn not only from heavily Democratic Manhattan, where Trump is wildly unpopular, but also from a handful of suburban counties north of the city where he has more political support.

In state court, a criminal trial was set for March 25  in the thick of the primary season before next years November presidential election. Trump is currently the front-runner for the Republican nomination.

By JENNIFER PELTZ and LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press
Embattled Tennessee bishop resigns after priest complaints, abuse-related lawsuits View Photo

VATICAN CITY (AP)  The bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, resigned under pressure Tuesday following allegations he mishandled sex abuse allegations and several of his priests complained about his leadership and behavior, sparking a Vatican investigation.

Pope Francis accepted Bishop Richard Stikas resignation, according to a one-line statement from the Vatican. At 65, Stika is still 10 years below the normal retirement age for bishops.

The archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, the Most Reverend Shelton Fabre, was named temporary administrator to run the diocese until a new bishop is installed.

Stikas departure, after 14 years as bishop of Knoxville, closes a turbulent chapter for the southern U.S. diocese that was marked by a remarkable revolt by some of its priests, who accused Stika of abusing his authority and protecting a seminarian accused of sexual misconduct. They appealed to the Vatican for merciful relief in 2021, citing their own mental health, sparking a Vatican investigation that led to Stikas resignation.

In media interviews, Stika strongly defended his actions and his leadership and said he worked to bring unity in the diocese.

In a statement Tuesday, Stika cited life-threatening health issues as part of the reason for his resignation. He listed diabetes, heart problems and neuropathy, among other issues, though he also said the public airing of problems in the diocese had affected him.

I recognize that questions about my leadership have played out publicly in recent months. I would be less than honest if I didnt admit that some of this has weighed on me physically and emotionally. For these reasons, I asked the Holy Father for relief from my responsibilities as a diocesan bishop, he said.

In addition to the priests complaints, Stika is the subject of at least two lawsuits that accuse him of mishandling sexual abuse allegations and seeking to silence the accusers.

In an interview with WVLT-TV on Tuesday, Stika said he never covered up sexual abuse.

No matter what anyone says, I would never tolerate sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult, said Stika, who also shared that he was the victim of sexual abuse by a priest when he was a freshman in high school.

In one lawsuit, a former employee at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville  who uses the pseudonym John Doe  accused a seminarian there of harassing and raping him in 2019.

The suit filed in Chancery Court in Knox County says Stika should have known the seminarian was dangerous because he had been accused of sexual misconduct previously. Instead, Stika encouraged the accusers friendship with the man, and the accuser felt pressure to comply for fear of losing his job, it says.

Even after the former employee accused the seminarian of rape, Stika let the seminarian live in his home and steadfastly defended him, the suit says. Stika also told multiple people that the seminarian was innocent and that the accuser was the aggressor, it says. In addition, Stika removed an investigator who was looking into the allegations, replacing him with someone else who never talked to the accuser, according to the lawsuit.

In a second lawsuit, a Honduran immigrant seeking asylum in the United States accused a priest in the diocese of locking her in a room and sexually assaulting her after she went to him for grief counseling in 2020. The woman went to the police, and the diocese was aware of the accusation but took no action against the priest until after he was indicted on sexual battery charges in 2022, according to the lawsuit.

The suit accuses the diocese of spreading rumors about the woman that led to her being shunned and harassed in the community.

The woman, who uses the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed a civil suit against the diocese. The diocese, in turn, hired a private detective to investigate her. The detective illegally obtained her employment records and told police that she had committed employment fraud, according to the lawsuit.

The suit claims the diocese was trying to either intimidate her into dropping both lawsuits or get her arrested and deported.

Around the same time, a group of priests from the Diocese of Knoxville sent a letter to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vaticans ambassador to the U.S. In the letter dated Sept. 29, 2021, the priests appealed for merciful relief from the suffering weve endured these past 12 years under Stika.

Those years have been detrimental to priestly fraternity and even to our personal well-being, the letter states. It goes on to describe priests who are seeing psychologists, taking anti-depressants, considering early retirement, and even looking for secular careers.

The Vatican authorized an investigation of the diocese, called an apostolic visitation, that took place in late 2022.

The main U.S. advocacy group for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, SNAP, blasted Stika for claiming he was retiring for health reasons.

It is an outrage that Stika would disguise his departure as a retirement when it is clear that he was asked to resign following Vatican investigations of cover-up of clergy sexual abuse and other misconduct, said Susan Vance, SNAPs Tennessee leader.

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the online research database BishopAccountability.org, said Pope Francis should condemn the bishops appalling, repeated abuse of his authority and tell us what the papal investigators found out.

The Popes practice to date has been to stay silent when a guilty bishop is finally forced from office, Doyle said in a news release. But this silence does harm, and it is inconsistent with the transparency he has promised.

In his statement, Stika said he hoped to remain in active ministry in his hometown of St. Louis and continue living with Cardinal Justin Rigali, a retired archbishop of Philadelphia with whom he has lived for the past 12 years in the same Knoxville bishops residence as the seminarian.

His temporary replacement, Fabre, thanked Stika for his service and asked for prayers for himself and the people of East Tennessee during this time of transition. ___

Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Jonathan Mattise contributed from Nashville.

___

This story corrects that the new investigator is not the father of a priest.

By TRAVIS LOLLER and NICOLE WINFIELD

Associated Press
US ambassador dismisses claims of interference in Thailands elections that were won by reformists

US ambassador dismisses claims of interference in Thailands elections that were won by reformists View Photo

BANGKOK (AP)  The U.S. ambassador to Thailand dismissed claims of American interference in recent elections as a disservice to the Thai people, saying Tuesday that Washington does not support any individual candidate or political party.

Claims of the U.S. meddling in the May 14 vote have swirled since the opposition Move Forward Party emerged as the top vote getter and another opposition party came in second, raising the possibility of a new coalition government that could take power from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The Move Forward Party is seen as nominally more pro-American than Prayuth, a former general who initially came to power in a military coup nine years ago, and the claims of American interference in the election are widely seen as originating from supporters of the current status quo.

A small group of protesters even demonstrated in front of the U.S. Embassy in April, accusing Washington of interfering in Thailand political affairs.

At a roundtable with dozens of Thai journalists, Ambassador Robert Godec said when asked about the rumors and conspiracy theories that they do a disservice to the tens of millions who participated in the political process as voters, as election officials, as poll watchers.

Given the persistent and pernicious conspiracy theories, let me be clear, Godec said. We categorically reject the false rumors that the United States interfered in the Thai election.

The Move Forward Party has signed an agreement with seven other parties on a joint platform that they hope will lead to the formation of a coalition government in July. It made no mention of Move Forwards contentious call for the amendment of a harsh law against criticizing the countrys monarchy, a position that has drawn the ire of conservative Thais.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat suggested on Tuesday that he had not abandoned the idea of amending the so-called lese-majeste law, which make it illegal to defame, insult or threaten Thailands monarchy. However, he emphasized that amendment is not revocation and that he would maintain Thailands constitutional monarchy system, Thai media reported.

The parties joint platform did include several of Move Forwards other core policies, however, such as drafting a new more democratic constitution, passing a same-sex marriage law, decentralizing administrative power and transitioning from military conscription to voluntary enlistment except when the country is at war.

It also calls for reforms of the police, military, civil service and the justice process, abolition of business monopolies, and the restoration of controls on the production and sale of marijuana after its poorly executed de facto decriminalization last year.

It is not yet certain, however, that the coalition will be able to take power. It controls a strong majority in the countrys lower house, but under the military-drafted constitution the prime minister is selected by a joint vote of the lower house and the Senate, whose members were appointed by the post-coup military government.

Godec stressed that the U.S. has already worked with the current government for years and that Prayuth visited the White House last year along with other Association of Southeast Asian Nation leaders. He also said Washington would continue to work with Thailands government, whoever is in power.

The United States has no preferred candidate, we have no preferred political party in Thailand, he said. What we do is support the democratic process. The Thai people alone should choose the government.

By DAVID RISING

Associated Press
MERIDEN  At 18 years old, Chelsea Fitzgerald has a few accomplishments under her belt: shes successfully organized an annual fundraiser for a childrens literacy organization that goes back several years all the way to middle school, and she owns her own party planning business  which she launched in 2021.

On top of that, when Fitzgerald crossed the graduation stage at H.C. Wilcox Technical High School this month, she did so ranked number one in her class academically.

And Fitzgerald does not appear to be willing to rest on her laurels any time soon. She told the Record-Journal she plans to attend Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts this fall, majoring in marketing, communications and advertising. Fitzgerald, who hails from Wallingford, plans to also minor in dance.

Fitzgerald described her older sister and her parents, Gina and Jack Fitzgerald, as inspirations for her own self-motivation. Fitzgerald said her sister is seven years older than her, and was a freshman at Wilcox when she was in first grade.

So Ive been saying Im going to Wilcox ever since. So I did follow in her footsteps, Fitzgerald said.

They pursued different trades, however. Fitzgeralds older sister pursued carpentry. Fitzgerald chose graphic design.

She did carpentry and was an interior design major (in college), Fitzgerald said. So that really showed me you take a trade and make it your own in college as well, instead of just going straight into the workforce.

Fitzgerald said shes always been driven to do well academically, but she didnt set out to be her class valedictorian.

My parents always encouraged me to do my best, she said. And she knew graphic design was the shop for her during exploratory her freshman year. Its a shop that allowed Fitzgerald to pursue her love for academics, while also allowing for creative and hands-on opportunities.

So this was a great balance for that, Fitzgerald said, describing the graphics design shop as a breeding ground for creatives and creativity to work.

Like her sister, Fitzgerald has taken graphic design and made it her own. And she did while she, her peers and instructors navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sophomore year was entirely remote learning. But last year, she and her peers resumed full in-person learning. They were back in the classrooms and shops, once again.

It appears COVID-19 did not hinder Fitzgeralds ability to thrive. Through the graphics shop, Fitzgerald worked on a branding kit for her own business, while helping another local business with creating business cards and assisting in its overall marketing production and social media campaign.

Fitzgerald sounded eager to see what Endicott has to offer, noting the college offers 120-hour internship programs in both the freshman and sophomore years. In senior year, that internship is a semester long, and a requirement for graduation.

So Im very excited to hopefully dip my toes into different styles of marketing and different parts of the field, Fitzgerald said. Her ideal professional internship would be with the Disney College Program, gaining on-the-job experience working at the corporations parks and resorts.

Special student

On top of her academic accomplishments and business pursuits, Fitzgerald is also active in her school community. Shes co-president of Wilcoxs SkillsUSA team, shes also secretary of her class. She ran her schools annual Tech-or-Treat event, in which the school is decorated with a Halloween theme, and Wilcox students in costume hand out treats to younger peers.

Roy Stout, the head of Wilcoxs graphics department, described Fitzgerald as a very motivated, very impressive and a very professional student, who pays good attention to detail.

Shes just an all around great person, Stout said. He first had Fitzgerald as a student in exploratory, and there were signs that she was very driven and very focused, very professional and organized  just a special student.

Katie Volpacchio, a graphics instructor in the shop, similarly described Fitzgerald as just a very astounding student.

She does everything: National Honor Society, Tech-or-Treat, SkillsUSA, and she just dominates any assignment shes given. Shes always looking for feedback and how it could be better, Volpacchio said. ... Shes such a natural leader.

Big families

FItzgerald spoke with the Record-Journal eight days before her graduation.

Its scary but exciting, Fitzgerald said of the milestone. She wass ready to go. Her speech was written and her graduation cap already decorated.

She leaves Wilcox with fond memories of what has been her home for the last four years.

She said the teachers are the best thing about Wilcox. She described the school as a big family.

The teachers are outstanding. They all know everyone, even teachers who I never had. I just wave, Hi, to them in the hallways, and they know who I am.

We can always stop into a teachers classroom and just say hi or chat with them. Its really, we all say were big families in our shops. But I say just the students and teachers are definitely a family amongst themselves as well, Fitzgerald said.

So Fitzgerald and her peers leave Wilcox having experienced what she described as a rollercoaster of emotions, struggles and effort.

But Im glad I pushed through along with my peers, who helped me, because we deserved it for all that we did, she said.

mgagne@record-journal.com203-317-2231Twitter:@MikeGagneRJ
Zimbabwe is set to hold harmonized elections on August 23, and the Republic of Zambia envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Derick Livune, has urged Zimbabweans to prioritize peace during this election period. He made this call during a meeting with Acting President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga in Harare, where he emphasized the importance of peace as a key component for economic development.

President Mnangagwa has also been calling upon all contestants, the electorate, and stakeholders to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free, and fair. This is in response to previous elections that have witnessed incidents of violence primarily emanating from opposition political party processes, such as their primary elections, and post-voting disturbances as the opposition players usually decline to accept defeat by the ruling Zanu PF.

President Mnangagwa has been championing peace before, during, and after the elections, with a consistent message that what unites the people and the need to champion economic development for the benefit of the populace is far more important than brawling over who should govern. Ambassador Livune noted President Mnangagwas message and expressed support for it, stating that peace is a panacea to development.

The envoy also highlighted that a problem anywhere is a problem everywhere, and both Zambia and Zimbabwe cannot be happy if either country is unstable. Therefore, he prayed for Zimbabwe and hoped that all Zimbabweans would realize that they have one country, Zimbabwe, and are brothers and sisters. He urged them to prioritize peace during the election period, reminding them that elections will be just one day, but they must live as one afterward.

Breaking News via Email
Get Down! What to Do When a Bear Climbs Into Your Tree Stand Field & Stream

She paid $18,500 for a WA service dog but became the dogs emotional support human instead Seattle Times

Assessing recession probabilities The FRED Blog

Quality of new vehicles in US declining on more tech use, study shows Reuters

Pedestrian deaths reach 40-year high Axios

Climate

#COVID19

A Big Leaguer Lost His Fastball but Not His Will to Compete NYT. Note lack of agency in lost. Due to Covid, naturally.

China?

Why a joke about the PLA has got Chinas stand-up comics worried South China Morning Post

4/4 Ultimately they will have to liquidate assets to fund all of this, but until then they will borrow, explicitly when permitted and in hidden form when not, and will try to raise revenues, even if this undermines longer-term growth by penalizing local businesses and households.

So Many Questions, So Little Time for Pacific Logistics RAND

Myanmar

COVID wave looms in Japan after case numbers nearly double in a month Japan Times. So how are those smiling lessons workin out for ya?

India

Cow Vigilantes in Nashik Kill One, Injure Another on Beef Transportation Suspicions The Wire

European Disunion

The role of supply and demand in the post-pandemic recovery in the euro area European Central Bank

Dear Old Blighty

NHS trailing behind other major nations on life expectancy, study finds Sky News. Obviously, we need to bring in some American consulting firms and privatize everything.

New Not-So-Cold War

Ukraine making steady tactical progress in war: British defense chief Anadolu Agency. Modified rapture.

Nuclear Falseflag on Zaporozhye NPP Heats Up + Major Wagner Updates and More SImplicius the Thinker

Russia-Ukraine war live news: Wagner to hand weapons to Moscow Al Jazeera

Prigozhins plane arrives in Belarus Ukrainska Pravda. Commentary:

To show there are no hard feels, have asked Lukashenka to give Prigozhin an office with a view and a large window.  Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) June 25, 2023

Prigozhins Farce Is Over And It Is Clear Who Has Won Moon of Alabama

Inner workings of Wagner mercenary group revealed amid call to add organization to US terror list FOX. Timely report from the Soufan Center (Founded in 2017 by former FBI special agent Ali Soufan.)

* * *

The Beginning of the End for Putin? Foreign Affairs

Putins weakness has been revealed. Heres how Russias neighbors are reacting. Atlantic Council. One such neighbor:

10 minutes of Lukashenko mauling the BBC pic.twitter.com/6bILzQlsRR  COMBATE | (@upholdreality) June 26, 2023

In any case, perhaps not:

1. Consolidation of power. Most of the Russian political class vocally lined up in support of Putin during the incident. Those who did not have doubtless been noted and can expect unusual but plausibly-deniable deaths in the near to medium term.  Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) June 25, 2023

Not sure about plausibly-deniable deaths in the general case, even in the political class. Oligarchs, especially foreign oligarchs, would be another matter.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Wagner Uprising Big Serge Thought

White House says too soon to know impact of Wagner revolt in Russia Anadolu Agency. Channeling Chou En-LaI?

Washington Needs to Get Ready for Russian Chaos Foreign Policy

* * *

Could Russia Deliver on its Threat to Cut Subsea Cables? Maritime Executive

Normalizing the Nazis:
Yves here. One factor that may contribute to the reluctance of black families to seek out what amounts to charity is how uncharitable our government is. Applications for social safety nets are by design so difficult as to be punitive. When you are on the receiving end of that sort of thing, even when it is purely bureaucratic, its hard not to take it personally.

However, the article points to a second big issue: crowdfunding by blacks gets much lower donations than by whites.

Another possible reason for reluctance by blacks is underlying poverty. That does not merely mean fewer with much disposable income in their immediate community. It also means that they were barely making ends even before the illness, and medical costs plus income loss and uncertainty as to whether and when theyll be able to earn income at their old level means fundraising may feel like a fraud. Even if it might solve their debt problem, they dont see a way to fill the income hole too.

I imagine our non-US readers will be appalled at the fact that we let medical charges drive patients into bankruptcy and even poverty and homelessness. Ive similarly heard of cases (as in individuals two degrees of separation from me, not remote news stories) of elderly couples where they didnt have enough income to pay for the medications both needed, so they had to decide who would go without and die. We are not a civilized nation.

By Noam N. Levey, Senior Correspondent at KFF Health News, previously a reporter at Los Angeles Times, for his last 12 as the papers national health care reporter He has also been published in Health Affairs, JAMA, and The Milbank Quarterly. Before his stint at the L.A. Times, he was an investigative reporter for the San Jose Mercury News. Originally published at KFF Health News

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 wouldnt go public with their struggles. We just looked at each other like, Wait. What? Fields recalled. No. Were 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 dont 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 cant control peoples 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 didnt 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 recently opened a nonprofit store to provide low-cost supplies to cancer patients around Suffolk, Virginia. The store includes a couch where she hopes patients will feel comfortable taking a break. When someone is in need, they dont want to be plastered all over your TV, all over Facebook, Instagram, she says. They want to feel loved. (SONJA FOSTER FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS)

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 its 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.
On Thursday 29 June 2023, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will receive the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Mr. Nikolai Denkov, at NATO Headquarters. They will give a joint press conference after their meeting.

16:10 (CEST) Press conference by the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria



Media coverage

The press conference is open to media representatives who have annual accreditation to NATO for 2023.

This event will be streamed live on the NATO website. A transcript of the Secretary Generals remarks, as well as pictures taken by a NATO photographer, will be posted there shortly.

The video will be available for free download from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on Twitter (@NATO, @jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress).
(As delivered)

Prime Minister Rutte,

Dear Mark,

Thank you for your warm welcome.

And for hosting tonights meeting of seven NATO Allies here in The Hague.

It is an honour to be a co-host of this very important dinner.

Where we discussed the upcoming Summit.

We all saw the events in Russia over the last days.

These are internal Russian matters.

But what is clear is that President Putins illegal war against Ukraine has deepened divisions, and created new tensions in Russia.

At the same time, we must not underestimate Russia.

So it is even more important that we continue to provide Ukraine with our support.

And I expect that our Summit in Vilnius will send a clear message of our commitment.

The Ukrainian forces are now pursuing a counteroffensive.

The fighting is hard, but they are making progress.

The more land the Ukrainians can liberate, the stronger their hand will eventually be at the negotiating table.

I commend the Netherlands, and all Allies present here tonight, for providing critical support to Ukraine.

This includes your contributions to NATOs Comprehensive Assistance Package.

And the Dutch and Danish-led initiative to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

At the Summit, we will agree a multi-year programme for Ukraine.

And we will upgrade our political ties.

This will bring Ukraine closer to its rightful place in NATO.

During the dinner we also discussed the next steps to strengthen NATOs deterrence and defence.

We are putting in place new defence plans, with assigned forces and capabilities, and high levels of readiness.

Yesterday, I was in Lithuania to visit Exercise Griffin Storm.

Which demonstrated that we can quickly reinforce the German-led battlegroup in Lithuania.

And sent a clear message: NATO is ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.

At the NATO Summit, I also expect Allies will agree on a more ambitious defence investment pledge.

With 2 percent of GDP for defence as a floor, not a ceiling.

Russias war in Ukraine demonstrates that we cannot take peace for granted.

And that we must invest more in our security.

So again, Prime Minister, dear Mark,

Its a real pleasure to be here with you and the other Allies.

Questions & answers

MODERATOR: OK, now we have time for Q&A's and the first question is for Simen Ekern from NRK.

Journalist: Yes, thank you very much. I have a question for the Secretary General Stoltenberg following the statement earlier by the President of Lithuania; does the now-confirmed presence of the Wagner warlord in Belarus change NATO's security evaluation concerning its Member States? And if I may, Mr. Secretary General, could you let us know when you will let us know that you will stay on as Secretary General for a while longer? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General: First, on the consequences of the mutiny, or the events we saw in Russia over the weekend and over the last days, I think it's too early to make any final conclusions on the long-term consequences, including for NATO. But what we can say is that we are of course closely monitoring the developments. And we have already increased our readiness, our preparedness and our military presence in the Eastern part of the Alliance. We will make further decisions to further strengthen our collective defence, with more high-readiness forces and with more capabilities to ensure credible deterrence and defence for the whole Alliance. We'll make those decisions at the upcoming NATO summit in just a few days.

What is absolutely clear is that we have sent a clear message to Moscow and to Minsk that NATO is there to protect every Ally, every inch of NATO territory. We do that through what we communicate, but also through our actions over several years now. We have significantly increased our collective defence and the way we invest in our shared security. So theres no misunderstanding, no room for misunderstanding in Moscow or Minsk about our ability to defend Allies against any potential threat. And that is regardless of what you believe will be the final consequences of the movement of the Wagner forces.

I think it's also actually too early to say exactly where those forces will end up, and whether all of them will end up in Belarus.

When it comes to myself, I have made my position clear many, many times. I have nothing more to add. I don't seek an extension and that is that is what Ive stated many times before.

Moderator: The second question is for Reuters. Please go ahead.

Journalist: This is for Secretary General Stoltenberg: could you maybe give a little bit more detail about how concerned you are that Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, and that the Wagner forces may follow? What assurances can NATO give to its members on the Eastern flank, who have been, today, expressing concern about that move? What can NATO do to alleviate those concerns? Thank you very much.

Secretary General: I believe it's too early to make any final judgement about the consequences of the fact that Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, and that most likely also some of his forces will also be located in Belarus. It's too early to say. But we will monitor and we will ensure that we always are ready to protect and defend every NATO Ally, and especially those Allies which are border countries to Belarus. This was also addressed at the dinner.

And it just demonstrates that this has been the right decision of NATO over the last years - actually, since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 - to implement the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence since the end of the Cold War. Battle groups in the Eastern part of the Alliance, with higher readiness of our troops. And also after the invasion of Ukraine, in February last year, we doubled the number of battle groups and we further increased our military presence in the Eastern part of the Alliance.

One of the neighbouring countries of Belarus is actually Lithuania. I was in Lithuania yesterday and this morning, and I saw how NATO troops, German troops, exercised how to scale up the current battle group in Lithuania to a full brigade-size presence. And also we saw the announcement of Germany, as a NATO Ally, to further increase its presence in in in Lithuania.

So we have the readiness, we have the forces, we have the plans. And we have the commitment and resolve to deploy what is necessary, when and whenever is needed to ensure that there is no misunderstanding about our ability to protect every inch of NATO territory. We do that not to provoke conflict, but to prevent conflict. And that is a message we send to any potential adversary. Of course, including Moscow and Minsk.

Moderator: Next question, Nieuwsuur.

Journalist: Question for Prime Minister Rutte and Secretary General Stoltenberg and any other leader who feels the need to respond. Did you all agree today on concrete steps regarding Ukraine's NATO membership and what are these steps? And will the Netherlands send more troops to countries on the east flank? I hear there is readiness and there is a will and hope, but will the Netherlands and other countries send more troops?

Prime Minister Rutte responds.

NATO Secretary General: I can just underline what the Prime Minister just said. Consultations are ongoing. We are preparing the upcoming NATO Summit and I am absolutely confident that we will find common ground on how to address Ukraine's membership aspirations.

But let me just remind you of the following: Allies agree on a lot; also when it comes to NATO membership for Ukraine. All Allies agree that NATO's door is open. We have demonstrated that by inviting Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance. All Allies agree that Ukraine will become a member. We have stated that again and again.

And we also agree that it is for the NATO Allies and Ukraine to decide when Ukraine should become a member. It is not for Russia. President Putin does not have a veto on NATO enlargement.

But then the most important thing that all Allies agree on, not only in words, but also in deeds, is that the most imminent, the most urgent task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails, that President Putin does not win in Ukraine. Because unless Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation, there is no membership issue to be discussed at all. So we focus on that, the military, the economic support; all the Allies standing here have provided significant support to Ukraine, and I'm absolutely confident that at the Summit we will also step up and sustain our support for Ukraine. We will also move forward on the membership issue by strengthening our practical support for Ukraine, including a multi-year programme for transition from Soviet era equipment to NATO standards and procedures, strengthen political ties within the NATO Ukraine Council. And then also of course, find a way to address the specific way forward on the membership issue.

Moderator: Next question is for Polsat.

Journalist: Good evening. I have a question for the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda. I'd like to ask you about the main issues, expectations of Poland before the upcoming summit. I precisely think about Polish security, the security of our borders and the presence of American soldiers in Poland. Thank you.

President Duda answers.

Moderator: Thank you. Next question is for the Albanian Public Television. Please go ahead.

Journalist: Good evening. Prime Minister Rama, you compared the situation in north Kosovo with Donbass in Ukraine. Did you discuss the situation with Mr. Stoltenberg and the other colleagues and what can we see as the solution?

Prime Minister Rama answers.

Moderator: Thank you. Final question is for Radio Romania. Please go ahead.

Journalist: Thank you. President Iohannis talked about the Republic of Moldova, a vulnerable partner; Is there going to be, in Vilnius, a different approach to the Republic of Moldova, a new kind of assistance?

And for Mr. Stoltenberg, sorry, the next meeting between Turkey and Sweden - could it be the decisive one for Sweden to become a NATO member? Thank you.

President Iohannis answers.

NATO Secretary General: It's still possible to have a positive decision on the Swedish membership by or at the Vilnius Summit in a couple of weeks. I spoke with President Erdogan about this on Sunday, and my message is that Sweden has implemented and delivered on the agreement that was made between Finland, Sweden and Turkiye at the NATO summit in Madrid last year. Now the time has come to ratify, to complete the accession process for Sweden. This will be good for the Nordic countries, for the Baltic region, and for the whole of NATO, including Turkiye. We agreed to convene a new meeting of Finland, Sweden, Turkiye and NATO. This meeting will take place in Brussels next week. I will chair the meeting and it will be a high-level meeting with the Foreign Ministers, the Chiefs of Intelligence and the National Security Advisors. The purpose of that meeting is, of course, to make progress, so we can have a positive decision at the Summit on Swedish membership.

Moderator: Thank you all for attending the press conference. Thank you. Good evening.
Bud Lights Easy to drink, easy to enjoy summer campaign FAILS to placate conservative consumers  they dont easily forget

In an attempt to win back the customers it lost, Anheuser-Busch unveiled a brand new Bud Light ad that was immediately ridiculed

The new summer-themed ad comes nearly three months after the beer company's Bud Light brand made transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney one of its main spokespeople, a decision that rankled consumers and inspired a massive boycott that caused a dramatic decrease in sales, resulting in Anheuser-Busch losing at least $20 billion in market value. (Related: Bud Light sales plunge further, about to lose status as world's number one beer to Mexican competitor.)

The ad is part of Bud Light's new "Easy to drink, easy to enjoy" summer campaign. The ad itself, set to the 1979 hit "Good Times" by Chic, shows a group of people using ice-cold cans of Bud Light to cool off from the intense summer heat in an outdoor setting.

The commercial was filled with images of people attempting to camp, suntan and grill while facing the blazing heat and other outdoor inconveniences and then using cold cans of Bud Light to relax and feel satisfied in the hot outdoors. The ad did not contain any sort of political statement or LGBTQ themes or imagery.

"Crack a cold one: we've got an epic summer ahead. Sock tans included," wrote the company on its Twitter post touting the new ad.

Crack a cold one: we've got an epic summer ahead. Sock tans included. pic.twitter.com/CGRCvkHC60  Bud Light (@budlight) June 22, 2023

New Bud Light ad gets "ratioed" on Twitter

Despite Bud Light's attempt to ignore the months of controversy with an ad rife with feel-good themes, this new commercial was not enough to placate Bud Light's former massive conservative consumer base who immediately slammed it and the brand for attempting to just railroad itself through months of discord.

On Twitter, the gold standard for a tweet being poorly received is if it gets "ratioed," a term used when tweets receive far more replies than likes. As of press time, the tweet of the ad has slightly under 2,000 likes and more than 26,000 replies, with people continuing to heap ridicule and insults on the brand for the Dylan Mulvaney disaster and the perceived incompetent attempt to recover and move on from it.

"We haven't forgotten," wrote one Twitter user.

"Have you apologized yet for slamming your loyal customers?" wrote another user.

"All I see is Dylan Mulvaney," wrote another Twitter user in response to the ad.

"Still ain't buying your product," one user declared.

"This should have been the ad instead of Mulvaney," another commented. "It wasn't. Too late."

"Pleasantly surprised to see straight White men in advertising again," said ValiantNewsLive Editor-in-Chief Tom Pappert. "Just wish you didn't become the butt of every joke at the BBQ before learning this lesson. None of these men would be caught dead [now] drinking your beer in public."

"You're getting brigade for this and for good reasons, guys, but also, on its merits, the commercial is dumb," commented Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Ingersoll, who offered some serious advice to the beer brand. "A supercut of dudes embarrassing themselves in front of other people? Have you learned nothing?"

"Go back to the '90s and mine your old content," he added. "Do a condensed version of Top Gun II with more babes. Chicks in bikinis. Smoking hot runway models painted green cast as aliens abducting some average Joe to give him ice-cold beer in space. Get creative, but stick to the basics."

"Honestly, this is the smart play if they stick with it," said conservative radio host Jesse Kelly, providing a more optimistic review of the new campaign. "You can't undo what has been done. It will take lots of time. But if they hire funny writers and churn out lighthearted campaigns that make people snicker, that will do a lot over time to heal the brand."

Learn more about the corporations with woke agendas like Anheuser-Busch at Wokies.news.

Watch this video discussing how Bud Light is unable to recover from the conservative-led boycott of its products.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ad agency responsible for Bud Light's disastrous Dylan Mulvaney campaign in "serious panic mode" as it is likely to LOSE future big clients.

Haven't learned their lesson: Despite boycott, Bud Light dumps another $200,000 into LGBTQ+ businesses.

Get woke, go broke: Anheuser-Busch loses $15.7 billion in value after disastrous Bud Light transgender influencer campaign.

Bud Light sales are so horrific after marketing ploy with trans-activist backfires that the company is buying beer back from wholesalers.

Anheuser-Busch CEO blames Bud Light boycott on social media "misinformation."

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

FoxNews.com

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
Aussie govt gives Elon Musk 28 DAYS to combat online hate on Twitter

The Australian government has given Twitter owner Elon Musk 28 days to combat "online hate" on the social media platform, lest he faces hefty fines for noncompliance.

According to Breitbart, the deadline was issued by the Office of the Australian eSafety Commissioner  the Land Down Under's internet watchdog. Commissioner Julie Inman Grant warned Musk that he has 28 days to prove Twitter is serious about combating what Canberra calls "hate speech" and "online abuse." Failure to do so on the part of Twitter would merit daily fines of A$700,000 ($467,390).

"We need accountability from these platforms and action to protect their users. You cannot have accountability without transparency, and that's what legal notices like this one are designed to achieve," Grant said.

According to Grant, one in three complaints about online "hate speech" reported in Australia are now related to Twitter  which Musk purchased for $44 billion in October 2022. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO's purchase of the platform reportedly prefaced an increased in "toxicity and hate."

The eSafety commissioner also emphasized that significant staff cuts made by the South African-born tech mogul  including the termination of content moderators, who monitor and remove abusive content  are partly to blame for the rise in online abuse. Moreover, Musk issued a broad amnesty that allowed tens of thousands of previously suspended accounts to return.

"Twitter appears to have dropped the ball on tackling hate," she remarked. "We are also concerned by numerous reports of content remaining widely accessible that is likely in breach of Twitter's own terms of service."

Grant noted that her office is "far from being alone in its concern about increasing levels of toxicity and hate on Twitter, particularly targeting marginalized communities." A report by France 24 added that her ultimatum demands Twitter to present a list of concrete steps showing "what it is doing to prevent online hate on its platform and enforce its own rules."

Twitter will most likely yield to Australia's censorship demand

According to France 24, the Land Down Under has been at the helm of global efforts to regulate social media platforms. It added that this was not the first time Grant, who worked at Microsoft for 17 years prior to becoming the eSafety commissioner, singled out Twitter. In November 2022, she wrote to Musk expressing fears that deep staff cuts would leave Twitter unable to comply with Australian laws.

But looking at Twitter under Musk, there is a high chance it would comply with the 28-day ultimatum set by Grant. A report by Rest of World disclosed that since Musk's takeover, the platform has complied with more government censorship demands. (Related: Twitter yielding to more government CENSORSHIP demands under Musk leadership.)

The outlet looked at the Lumen database of government requests to online platforms, which is operated by Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. The said database revealed that Twitter has received 971 government demands and court orders since Musk purchased it. Of the 971 requests, the social media platform has fully complied with 808 of them  an 83.21 percent compliance rate.

Russel Brandom, U.S. tech editor for Rest of World, said the bulk of the requests to Twitter came from countries that have recently passed restrictive speech laws such as Turkey, India, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Prior to the Tesla CEO's purchase, the compliance rate was only around 50 percent. Incidentally, his move to comply with censorship requests was a complete about-face from his earlier commitments to free speech.

Musk has abolished many of the departments in charge of processing government documents, which may have reduced Twitter's ability to challenge these orders. At the same time, he has made clear in interviews that his vision of free speech does not extend to legal requests.

"We can't go beyond the laws of a country," he said in an interview with the BBC. "If we have a choice of either our people go to prison or we comply with the laws, we'll comply with the laws."

Visit Censorship.news for more stories about censorship on Twitter.

Watch this Epoch TV report about Musk yielding to the European Union's censorship laws.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Twitter opposes censorship only when it affects Twitter.

STUDY: Twitter censorship shockingly on rise after Elon Musk takeover.

Latest 'Twitter Files' dump shows FBI heavily involved in censorship on platform.

Not again: Musk to reinstate Twitter censorship tools after a meeting with leftist groups.

Study: Twitter censorship INCREASED after Elon Musk takeover despite his free speech commitment.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

France24.com

Brighteon.com
Three years ago, American Cancer Society complained that treating patients created too big of a carbon footprint. Now, the United States faces a cancer drug shortage

On May 18, 2020,, a journal of the American Cancer Society (ACS), published a bizarre "science" paper lamenting the vainly imaginative myth that treating cancer in the United States is somehow contributing to man-made global warming. It has been a little more than three years since that study was published, and strangely, the United States is now suffering from a shortage of cancer treatment pharmaceuticals.

According to the ACS in 2020, the "carbon footprint of cancer care" has become so large that trying to rid patients of the disease threatens to accelerate man-made climate change. Now in 2023, either predictively or by design, there is a mysterious lack of the usual drug-based tools that cancer clinicians use to treat patients, and that some of them were previously complaining are damaging the environment.

Is all of this just one big strange coincidence, or was the plan all along to blame modern medicine for planetary warming while simultaneously phasing out cancer care under the guise of there no longer being enough cancer drugs available to treat everyone?

Marc Morano of Climate Depot chimed in on the matter, noting that it is certainly strange, to say the least, that things like anesthesia and cancer drugs are suddenly in the crosshairs for elimination by the global warming crowd. With anesthesia, they are outright trying to ban certain types of it that supposedly impact the climate the worst, but with cancer drugs, there are all of a sudden, not enough of them making it into cancer clinics.

(Related: The globalists that run the United Kingdom want to shut down all air travel, meat eating, and new construction, also under the guise of reducing the empire's carbon footprint.)

Guess who benefits the most from America's cancer drug shortage? Communist China

The Lancet recently published a study about the cancer drug shortage and how it affected cancer care. Chemotherapy drugs, in particular, are in short supply in the United States, reaching three-decade lows to the point that experts are now calling it a "crisis point."

As many as 100,000 patients, we are told, no longer have access to chemotherapy drugs like they once did. And media outlets like Politico and PBS News are warning that both doctors and patients are increasingly having to make tough choices about what to do as an alternative.

The story goes that hospitals and cancer centers across the country are running out of two major injectable cancer drugs: carboplatin and cisplatin. Politico, meanwhile, is just about celebrating these shortages by running headlines that state: "Can Hospitals Turn Into Climate Change Fighting Machines? Inside the greening of American health care."

Since "green" is typically code for anti-human, we can only assume that what they mean by the "greening" of health care is that patients will be left with increasingly fewer treatment options. More of them will end up dying as a result, which will "green" the planet further by leaving fewer people alive.

There is also a power shift happening as well, thanks to the new allowances by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the importation of cancer drugs from communist China, which increasingly produces drugs for America. In other words, another American industry is being outsourced to one of the country's biggest political enemies.

All of this seems to be aimed at further weakening America's economic status while bolstering that of communist China. And it is all being done under the guise of fighting man-made climate change, which is not even real in the first place.

The latest news about global warming hysteria can be found at Climate.news.

Sources include:

BlueLetterBible.org

ClimateDepot.com

Newstarget.com

PBS.org
CDC study: Nearly 1 in 5 American adults diagnosed with DEPRESSION

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted in a study that nearly one in five Americans have been diagnosed with depression  and the prevalence varies on where they live.

CDC researchers looked at the agency's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to analyze how adults answered a 2020 survey about whether they've been diagnosed with a depressive disorder by a health professional  and nearly 400,000 respondents in all 50 states and Washington D.C. responded to the question on depression.

The study published in the CDC's June 16 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) noted that in 2020, 18.4 percent of U.S. adults reported having been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime by a healthcare provider. Higher rates of depression were found in women, young adults aged between 18 and 24 and adults with lower education levels.

It also found that depression rates vary substantially by state, with those in the Appalachian and southern Mississippi Valley regions registering high rates. Of all the areas surveyed, Hawaii registered the lowest depression rate at 12.7 percent.

West Virginia took the top spot, with 27.5 percent of residents being diagnosed with depression. It was followed by Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Vermont, Alabama, Louisiana, Washington, Missouri and Montana.

Researchers from the public health agency noted that the variation in depression might also reflect the influence of social determinants of health in counties and states, including economic status and differences in access to health care. They wrote: "For example, adults in the Appalachian region tend to have lower incomes, higher poverty rates and lower education levels, all of which can negatively affect health and well-being."

Incidentally, the period of the CDC's study coincided with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdowns to curb the spread of the disease. The draconian health measures confined many to the four corners of their homes.

"The fact that Americans are more depressed and struggling after this time of incredible stress and isolation is perhaps not surprising," said American Psychiatric Association President Dr. Rebecca Brendel back in May 2023.

"There are lingering effects on our health, especially our mental health, from the past three years that disrupted everything we knew."

COVID-19 pandemic contributed to rise in depression

A July 2011 study published in Prevention Science noted that depression is a major contributor to disability, economic costs, morbidity and mortality in the United States. It also mentioned that while depression is a "consequential public health problem" in the country, both psychology and psychiatry have focused their efforts in treating rather than preventing it.

Meanwhile, a Gallup poll that surveyed more than 5,000 people also found an increase in the number of patients being treated for depression. From 13.8 percent of respondents being treated for current depression in 2020, this number rose to 17.8 percent in 2023  a full four-point increase. The number of respondents being treated for lifetime depression also increased from 22.9 percent in 2020 to a full 29 percent in 2023.

Clinical depression had been slowly rising in the U.S. prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but has jumped notably in its wake. (Related: Top 7 ways to snap out of depression and isolation turmoil stemming from the pandemic.)

Fear of infection, lockdowns, social isolation, elevated substance abuse, disruptions in mental health services, loneliness and psychological exhaustion  particularly among front-line responders, such as healthcare workers  have all likely played a role.

While experiences of significant daily loneliness have subsided in the past two years amid a slow return to normalcy, elevated loneliness experiences during the pandemic likely played a substantive role in increasing the rates of the longer-term, chronic nature of depression.

Watch this video about treating depression naturally.

This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Healthy habits and mental health well-being.

Health basics: The top foods that cause depression.

Foods that can help counter depression.

Lose weight, increase energy and relieve depression by boosting brain chemical dopamine  Heres how.to do it.

Forget Prozac  Try probiotics to ease anxiety, curb depression and elevate mood.

Sources include:

UPI.com

CDC.gov

Link.Springer.com

News.Gallup.com

Brighteon.com
Dog goes woof, FOX goes WOKE: Fox News encouraging employees to learn more about LGBT pride by reading about glory holes

Fox Corp, the parent company of, is circulating documents among the network's employees encouraging them to read up about "glory holes" in celebration of LGBT pride month.

In a Fox employee portal, employees are told to "expand [their] perspective" by reading books and other materials authored by transgender activists, including one particular memoir "about a precocious boy ... who would grow up to become a woman."

The book contains a scene in which one of the characters asks others what a glory hole is, to which they laugh about his innocence. One of them then proceeds to describe the filthy concept as "an opening drilled into the side of a restroom stall" where you "slide your **** through and someone on the other side gives you ****."

The same reading material, recommended by Fox to its employees as a way to celebrate pride, goes on to graphically describe what happens next. We will not go into it any further as you probably already get the idea.

(Related: Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox News for telling too much truth.)

Fox News wants its employees to take home LGBT erotica to share with family

Another book Fox is pushing on its employees centers around a fictional homosexual relationship between the Prince of Wales and the American president's son, which at the current time is Hunter Biden.

Describing the United States as a "genocidal empire," the book goes on to trash the British monarchy as well, explaining that "royal weddings are trash, the princes who have royal weddings are trash, the imperialism that allows princes to exist at all is trash. It's trash turtles all the way down."

After trashing both Great Britain and America, the two characters then proceed to engage in homosexual activity that is graphically described, much like in LGBT erotica for adults  though these books are seemingly for adults and young people.

There is also an entire section of LGBT books for children that Fox wants its employees to take home and share with the family. One of them features a unicorn that "comes out" as either homosexual or transgender  because who really cares anyway?

"The key to happiness is accepting your unicorniness," one of the pages of the book reads, featuring colorful animated animal characters celebrating the LGBT unicorn while holding up signs that say, "Go Cornelius!"

"For the rest of the week, Cornelius made his costume for his Hoofapalooza performance," the book goes on to explain about what the LGBT unicorn did after coming out as one of the colors on the LGBT flag.

"It had everything he loved: bright colors, glitter, and sparkles. While he worked on his costume, Cornelius tried not to think about all those mean things Mayor Mare and the other horses always said about unicorns."

In a section of the LGBT materials called "Support One Another," Fox further encourages its employees to donate to various LGBT organizations including the Trevor Project, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Rainbow Railroad, the Ali Forney Center, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

The Trevor Project, by the way, is described by Fox as helping "LGBTQ young people." It hosts a sexually explicit chat room that connects underage children as young as 13 years old with "LGBT" adults, aka pedophiles.

The Ali Forney Center also focuses on underage children by feigning care for "homeless LGBT youth," which it routinely injects with cross-sex hormones that are known to cause sterilization.

Then there is the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven spying platform that Fox created to monitor its employees' devotion to the cult of DEI, which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The latest news about corporate pandering to the pride brigade can be found at GayMafia.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheReaderApp.com

Newstarget.com
IMF working to create a global CBDC platform that will let the globalists CONTROL your money wherever you are

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is working on creating a global platform for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), supposedly to better enable CBDC-based transactions between countries

This is according to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who claimed that such a platform would create the global infrastructure necessary to ensure the interoperability of settlement between digital currencies issued by different national banks and would avoid the underutilization of CBDCs.

"We are working on a principle of interoperability," she said during a conference in Rabat, Morocco. Such a concept would supposedly avoid the emergence of so-called "settlement blocks," which are the "last thing" the IMF wants, to avoid further global economic fragmentation. (Related: IMF unleashes Unicoin, a new global CBDC intended to enslave the entire planet under a one world digital currency.)

"CBDCs should not be fragmented national propositions," she added. "To have more efficient and fairer transactions, we need systems that can connect countries. We need interoperability."

But critics argue that this is just another way for the globalists to control the population.

"Central bank digital currencies are 100 percent about control," warned Attorney Thomas Renz about this global platform. "You can trace them, you can track them, you can tell people what they can spend their money on  you can take their money away from them, you can give them more at the will of the government or whoever's controlling the CBDC."

"There is no freedom with CBDCs. It's absolutely gone," he continued, arguing that maintaining the use of the American dollar is "a mechanism for freedom," and to ensure the supremacy of CBDCs globalist entities like the IMF will try to collapse the American dollar.

Over 100 central banks are developing CBDCs

According to Georgieva, about 114 of the world's nearly 200 central banks are already at some stage of CBDC exploration, and about 10 are "already crossing the finish line" into fully implementing their experimental digital currencies.

In the eyes of Georgieva and her IMF, this makes it all the more important to create a global platform to allow CBDCs to be used in international transactions as easily as countries would use their own regular currencies.

"If countries develop CBDCs only for domestic deployment, we are underutilizing their capacity," she warned. She then added that there is "a lot that is still not decided" with regard to how nations and the international community should be regulating and organizing CBDCs.

"We will pursue relentlessly together" the development of CBDCs, said Georgieva, who claimed that CBDCs could help promote financial inclusion and make remittances  the transfer of money, usually by a foreign worker, to their home country  cheaper.

Financial counselor and director of the IMF's Monetary and Capital Markets Department Tobias Adrian noted that, on average, remittance service providers like banks require a 6.5 percent fee for remittances, accounting for about $45 billion of remittance fees a year taken away from people trying to send money to other people.

But Georgieva also noted that CBDCs should be backed by assets and added that cryptocurrencies as they currently exist can be investment opportunities for financial institutions when those cryptocurrencies are backed by assets. But, when they are not, they are merely "speculative" investments.

Learn more about central bank digital currencies at CryptoCult.news.

Watch this episode of "Another Renz Rant" as Attorney Thomas Renz discusses the danger with CBDCs being connected by a global platform.

This video is from the Thomas Renz channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Engineered financial coup designed to trigger currency crash and usher in CBDC.

Adapt 2030: David DuByne says America's banking crisis is accelerating the rise of CBDCs  Brighteon.TV.

State legislatures are sneakily introducing amendments to laws that would pave the way for CBDC domination.

Controlled demolition of global finance system sees failing cryptos, bank runs and soon, the unveiling of central bank digital currencies.

Coming economic collapse will be used to close banks and introduce central bank digital currencies.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Reuters.com

Bloomberg.com

Forkast.news
Infowars host Owen Shroyer pleads guilty to role in January 6 riot  statement of offense details complete absence of criminal conduct

Infowars Host Owen Shroyer today pleaded guilty to a single Class A Misdemeanor of Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds.

(Article by Shawn Bradley Witzemann republished from TheGatewayPundit.com)

The journalist was initially charged in August 2021  eight months after remaining outside the building during the mostly-peaceful riot on Capitol Hill.

After nearly two years of fighting charges related to his presence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, it appears Shroyer has heard enough of the U.S. Attorneys arguments  the kind that can only hold water in the biased atmosphere of a D.C. Courtroom.

As part of the agreement, the government will move to dismiss other charges at sentencing. Shroyer will cooperate and allow the government to review his social media accounts  likely looking for any scrap of incriminating wrong-think they can find.

In the Statement of Offense, Shroyer admits to attending speeches at the White House Ellipse as part of the Stop the Steal rally.

Shroyer says he walked toward the Capitol while shouting, The traitors and communists that have betrayed us know were coming. Were coming for all you commie traitors and communists that have stabbed us in the back. Youve stabbed us in the back one too many times!

The Infowars Host further admits to saying, We will not accept the fake election of that child-molesting Joe Biden, that Chinese Communist agent Joe Biden, we know where he belongs and its not the White House!

Shroyer then entered the restricted area of the Capitol Grounds and went to the East Side stairs, where he admittedly led hundreds of others in chanting, 1776 and USA! USA! USA!.

For his crimes on January 6th, 2021, estimated sentencing guidelines suggest Shroyer faces the possibility of 6 months in prison and a fine of $9,500.00

Defense Attorney Norm Pattis offered this statement through text:

Owen pleaded guilty today and will be sentenced on September 12. We are hoping for probation. It was a sad ending to the case.

Considering Shroyers widespread influence, successful fundraising efforts, and outright refusal to shut his mouth about a stolen election and weaponized Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves will likely seek an upward departure from any remotely reasonable recommendation  along with a sizable fine.

CondemnedUSA.org Founder Treniss Evans says statements which led to Shroyers prosecution are right in line with the views of millions of other Americans. He also said that in Bidens America, its not surprising to see another journalist forced to admit guilt to the crime of saying the 2020 election was stolen.

The real reason the government has a problem with his statements is because theyre accurate, and theyre caught, and they know it, Evans explained in a phone call, This is what happens with third-world-country government installments over time that are caught and found out. They always attempt to clamp down harder on the people, and it always backfires. It always fails, and this attack on our First Amendment will also fail.

Read more at: TheGatewayPundit.com
Matrixxx Grooove: Jeff and Shady blast Dr. Peter Hotez for REFUSING to debate RFK Jr. over vaccines  Brighteon.TV

Jeffrey "InTheMatrixxx" Pedersen and Shannon "ShadyGrooove" Townsend denounced well-known vaccine supporter Dr. Peter Hotez for refusing to debate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) over the issue of the shots.

Pedersen noted during the June 19 episode of "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" on Brighteon.TV that Hotez has not expressed any interest in debating the Democratic presidential candidate. Podcaster Joe Rogan has offered his show  "The Joe Rogan Experience"  to host the debate, even pledging to donate $100,000 to a charity of Hotez's choice.

Townsend remarked that people like Hotez ought to be excited about debating RFK Jr. and defending the allegedly "safe and effective" vaccine to people. He continued: "It's very interesting that he is not willing to do that, whenever [he's] very cordially invited to share his side of the story."

"They shouldn't have any embarrassment whatsoever. They should be able to go into any environment, talk about it and make everybody else look dumb  because they are so smart."

Pedersen commented that the reason Hotez does not want to show up and debate RFK Jr. is because he is being paid by Big Pharma to shill for the injections. InTheMatrixxx then played videos of Hotez, who is the dean of Baylor College of Medicine's National School of Tropical Medicine, expressing support for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and telling people to get the deadly poison shots injected into their arms. (Related: A colossal coverup of countless COVID vaccine "coincidences.")

ShadyGrooove shared that the childlike qualities of unvaccinated children are unbelievably different from those injected with vaccines. He also cited evidence of vaccines causing autism, brain damage and other health issues.

"This is the conversation that we are going to be having going forward: The efficacy of any vaccine needs to be tested by independent studies because the studies that were tested then that brought them to fruition were compromised. And I think that's pretty obvious."

People getting censored for speaking out against vaccines

InTheMatrixxx then remarked that the people speaking out against the vaccines are getting censored. RFK Jr. himself had been subjected to the same censorship as the founder and general counsel of Children's Health Defense.

"This is what they do. They just censor you so they don't have to talk about it," said Pedersen. "We need to talk about it. If you trust the hand of man  especially the man that made this vaccine  over God, I think we have a problem."

The two also showed clips of people who suffered from vaccine injuries after being injected with the COVID-19 vaccine. According to InTheMatrixxx, the "safe and effective" vaccines were behind many deaths and injuries reported in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. He sarcastically remarked that "they aren't brought to you by Pfizer."

In response, Townsend said Americans have never seen people literally fall down on live TV, such as in the case of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. He added that people have to remember that it was not normal, and this was caused by the vaccine.

"The people that are out there belligerently attacking other people because of their vaccination status or acting like 'The mask keeps you safe' are the ones that are experiencing the most fallout from this. It's sad."

Follow Vaccines.news for more news about the dangerous COVID vaccines.

Watch the June 19 episode of "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" below. "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" with Jeff and Shady airs every weekday from 12-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Matrixxx Grooove with Jeff and Shady: Whistleblower reveals Pfizer's main goal is to weaponize the immune system to kill itself  Brighteon.TV.

MASS MURDER: Latest data suggests COVID jabs KILLED at least 416,000 Americans.

Jeff and Shady discuss vaccine mandates and how money drives the pandemic  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

PeterHotez.org
Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Tyler Schwab discusses efforts to rescue CHILD TRAFFICKING victims  Brighteon.TV

Tyler Schwab of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) joined a recent episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" on Brighteon.TV to discuss efforts to rescue trafficked children

According to Vandersteel, up to 2,300 children are reported missing every day in the U.S. based on figures from the nonprofit Child Find of America. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) also shared that 521,705 people were reported missing in 2021. Of these, 93,000 remained missing at the start of 2022.

OUR is trying to help address this issue. According to its website, the nonprofit primarily focuses on saving and rescuing children across the country and around the globe from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. His job centers on ensuring that human trafficking survivors rescued by the group receive proper care and resources to help them get jobs, receive education and create functional families.

"Once a survivor is rescued from a situation of human trafficking, we make sure their immediate needs are met, food, housing, shelters, things like that," he told Vandersteel. "And then, they get on a path to healing and have access to mental health, medical care, education and therapeutic services.

Schwab, the founder and president of Libertas International, shared that he found his calling at the age of 21 to become a voice for young girls. He had worked with human trafficking through Libertas before joining OUR, where he worked in the same field. Schwab shared that he has been exposed to the reality of violence against women, trafficking and exploitation that was happening across the world, including in the United States. (Related: Human trafficking victims in America could be as many as 17,500 annually.)

More than 6,000 human trafficking victims rescued by OUR

OUR has already rescued more than 6,000 victims of human trafficking. These survivors were rescued with the help of law enforcement units around the world. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, OUR helped around 864 survivors of trafficking in Latin America.

"This crime is not going anywhere, unfortunately," he told Vandersteel. "We never want to turn a survivor away when [they are] vulnerable enough to come to us for help to disclose their story and to ask for assistance. We never want to turn them away, and we always want to give them support."

According to the OUR executive, a lot of the cases they handle have an American link. These Americans travel to other countries and look for vulnerable girls and women, subjecting them to horrific abuse. These human traffickers, he added, use many methods to target their victims through the internet.

Schwab also shared that OUR's operations team works with different government agencies to arrest human traffickers. With regard to dealing with government bureaucracy, he revealed that his group looks for really good agents in these departments whose hearts are in the right place. Instead of joining a government agency as a whole, he would connect himself to a particular agent to build rapport.

"I personally find good agents that are trauma-informed, that know the crime, and that is doing really good work despite some of the bureaucracy that exists inside all these different departments," Schwab said.

Follow Trafficking.news for more news about the human trafficking going on in America and across the globe.

Watch the June 15 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" below. "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs weekdays from 8-8:30 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

More than 70 kids rescued from trafficking ring in multi-state operation.

The Zelenko Report: Joe Biden is the US kingpin of human trafficking, says Ann Vandersteel  Brighteon.TV.

Donna Brandenburg: Northern border also hosts indescribable human trafficking - Brighteon.TV.

Open borders policies are really just are a child trafficking operation run by Democrats.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Statista.com

OURRescue.org
U.S. authorities greenlight sale of lab-grown chicken  Franken-chicken coming soon to your grocery shelves and restaurant tables

U.S. authorities have approved the sale of chicken meat cultivated in laboratories using animal cells, paving the way for two companies to sell them to restaurants and supermarkets.

Upside Foods and Good Meat  both based in California  separately announced on June 21 that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted them approval for federal inspections. These inspections are an important prerequisite before their products are cleared for sale to groceries and restaurants. Both firms had been racing to be the first company to sell lab-grown meat in the United States.

A manufacturing company called Joinn Biologics, which works with Good Meat, was also cleared to make lab-grown meat products. The USDA earlier approved applications from Good Meat and Upside Foods to label their products as "cell-cultured chicken." Prior to this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed the two firms' products safe to eat. (Related: FDA declares lab-grown meat from UPSIDE Foods safe for human consumption  but is it?)

The Alameda, California-based Good Meat makes its products at a 100,000-square-foot plant. They obtain cells from a master cell bank formed from a commercially available chicken cell line. The cells are then combined with a broth-like mixture that contains amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, salts, vitamins and other elements cells need to grow.

The combined mixture is then put inside huge tanks called cultivators, where they grow into large masses. The resulting masses of cultured meat are then taken out of the tanks and shaped into various chicken products. These products include cutlets, nuggets and shredded meat.

Meanwhile, the Berkeley, California-based Upside Foods operates a 70,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in nearby Emeryville. But instead of taking cells from a commercially available cell line, experts from the company take cells from live animals. They choose cells that are most likely to reproduce quickly and consistently, and taste good when formed.

Upside Foods then grows muscle and connective tissue cells in cultivators, forming large sheets. The cultured chicken sheets are then removed from the tanks and formed into cutlets, sausages and other food items.

"Instead of all of that land  [and] water that's used to feed all of these animals that are slaughtered, we can do it in a different way," said Eat Just co-founder and CEO Josh Tetrick. Eat Just is the parent company of Good Meat.

Upside Foods CEO Amy Chen, meanwhile, said her company's chicken meat "is the meat [people have] always known and loved." She acknowledged that while many still have doubts over lab-grown chicken meat, they become more accepting of it once they understand how it's made.

People may be eating CANCER with lab-grown meat

People's doubts over lab-grown meat aren't unfounded though. The Raw Egg Nationalist (REN) noted in a February 2023 piece for the National Pulse that cultured meat could cause more harm than good because "immortalized cell lines"  a fancy name for cancer cells  are used to make it.

REN cited a Bloomberg article by contributing writer Joe Fassler explaining the need for immortalized cell lines in fake meat production. He wrote: "Normal meat cells don't just keep dividing forever. To get the cell cultures to grow at rates big enough to power a business, several companies  are quietly using what are called immortalized cells, something most people have never eaten intentionally."

While immortalized cell lines "are a staple of medical research," Fassler noted that these are technically pre-cancerous and can be fully cancerous at times. If placed under the right conditions, the immortalized cells in lab-grown meat products can multiply indefinitely.

"The problem is that the materials used to make the product  'immortalized cell lines'  replicate forever, just like cancer. Which means, in effect, that they are cancer. Industry types are 'confident' that eating such products poses no risk. But it's not difficult to see, even if the products are 'proven' safe, how people might be put off by the thought that they're eating a glorified tumor."

REN agreed with Fassler's observation, noting that the danger of fake meat made using immortalized cell lines stems from the unavailability of long-term safety data for its consumption.

Watch this video explaining the truth about the lab-grown chicken from Good Meat.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Globalist-backed lab-grown meat uses byproduct of cow slaughter.

Immortalized cell lines used in lab-grown meats can cause CANCER.

Science pushes cruel new artificial "cultured" meat that involves slicing into heifers while still alive.

FDA declares lab-grown chicken 'safe to eat'  but scientists, food safety advocates have questions.

Lab-made chicken meat grown from CANCER CELLS receives FDA approval  are you ready to eat TUMOR nuggets?

Sources include:

NYPost.com

FoodNavigator-USA.com

TheNationalPulse.com

Brighteon.com
4 Children rescued from public housing unit with drugs, debauchery and a dead body

Four children were rescued from terrible living conditions at a public housing apartment in South Boston.

According to Breitbart, officers from the Boston Fire Department (BFD) and the Boston Police Department (BPD) responded to a distress call at the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing complex on the morning of June 17. While the officers were initially responding to a medical emergency  a man at the unit who had gone into cardiac arrest  they found something more at the apartment unit.

First responders found the body of a dead man, allegedly the one requiring medical attention, inside the apartment with "extremely unsanitary" conditions. Approximately six adult males dressed in women's garb were also in the apartment. Moreover, four children aged between five and 10 years old were reportedly found hidden in a back bedroom.

The children were reportedly hidden there by an adult male. The other companions, meanwhile, were uncooperative and provided no helpful information. They even denied that children were present in the apartment. (Related: Boston Children's Hospital accused of 'routinely kidnapping' children for profit.)

Following the incident, the BPD officers filed a 51A report with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). The 51A report, which is required in cases where there are suspicions of child abuse or neglect, highlighted the deplorable conditions inside the home.

A spokesman for the department said their initial investigation did not find anything suspicious regarding the dead body, and that their probe in the matter is ongoing. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey confirmed that the four children are currently under the care and supervision of the DCF.

Boston city officials call for immediate action

Two city officials took to social media to demand greater accountability from the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). The BHA runs the Mary Ellen McCormack Housing complex where the children were rescued.

"This horrific and inhuman incident demands accountability," wrote Boston City Council President Ed Flynn. "It also underscores the need for a complete review of [BHA] inspections and eviction practices, security efforts in developments and protocols to ensure children are safe in every BHA apartment."

"The safety of children in our [BHA] is a responsibility I take as seriously as the safety of my own children," tweeted Boston City Councilor Erin Murphy. "I look forward to the hearing order we filed regarding safety protocols and procedures in BHA Housing to ensure the safety and well-being of our truly most vulnerable."

According to Murphy, authorities have found "a lot of drug paraphernalia and sex toys all around" the apartment. She added that one of the BPD officers "heard a cry for help," which led to the discovery and rescue of the four children.

The BHA issued a statement to Fox affiliate station WFXT clarifying its stance to and response toward the incident.

"BHA received no complaints about activity in this unit prior to the incident, but we care deeply about the safety of all our residents and are working actively with the agencies involved to take all appropriate follow-up action," the statement said.

"BHA has a strong partnership with the BPD and communicates with them often. The only call BHA received this year about this unit was for a routine maintenance issue in May, which was responded to appropriately at that time."

More related stories can be found at Trafficking.news.

Watch this video by independent journalist and former congressional candidate Anthony Aguero about a child trafficking encampment at the border.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Boston Children's Hospital kidnaps teen girl for 10 months, holds her as prisoner while threatening parents.

Child trafficking CPS agencies now using predictive analytics to decide which children to kidnap.

Child trafficking in America is REAL, and this teen was kidnapped from a basketball game crowd and sex trafficked for 11 days before being rescued.

Facebook a hub for sex trafficking, Twitter a haven for pedophilia.

TikTok becoming a platform for child sexual exploitation.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Boston.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Child sex changes are medically necessary to create inclusive schools, says transgender Biden appointee Rachel Levine

The United States Department of Education (DOE) held an event this week at which Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, a biological male pretending to be a woman, declared that child sex changes are "medically necessary" in order to strengthen schools and make them more "inclusive."

According to Levine, an appointee of fake president Joe Biden, "gender-affirming care," as leftists like to call it, is "safe and effective for transgender and non-binary youth." Levine added that identifying as trans is a child's "superpower," much like the "Transformers" animated children's series from the 1980s.

Levine's comment about transgender children having superpowers was plagiarized from lesbian White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who responded to a media question with:

"Because your identity isn't your weakness  it's your superpower. You are already exactly who you need to be."

Charming. Levine stated it slightly differently:

"Your identity is not your weakness. It is your superpower. We all have superpowers. We're superheroes."

In other words, the message from the Biden regime to American children is this: if you want to be a superhero with superpowers, then you must cut off your genitals and mutilate your body in order to become transgender  otherwise, you will just be a normal human being who is not a superhero and who lacks superpowers.

(Related: Late last year, Biden declared that people who oppose child sex changes are anti-Semitic.)

Biden regime launches federally-funded event with strategies for teachers to groom more students to become LGBTs

As if luring children into the LGBT fold with false promises of superhumanity and superpowers is not enough, the Biden regime is taking things a step further with the launch of an "Inclusive and Nondiscriminatory School Environments for LGBTQI+ Students" event for teachers to learn the latest grooming tactics in the classroom.

The event states that it was designed as an "opportunity to learn about Federal resources and actionable, ready-to-use strategies for creating inclusive educational environments." This is just a fancy way of saying that the Biden regime has lots of new ideas and resources at the ready to turn more public schools into grooming factories.

Teachers and educators are encouraged to watch the available propaganda and "share concrete and practical tips" for how they plan to groom more students into the LGBT fold.

Levine is simply thrilled about all these latest developments. He revealed that it brings him great "joy" to know that more children than ever before will be exposed to fully equipped teachers and other groomer influencers who are ready and eager to pounce on their innocence and convert them to transgenderism.

"When faced with hate, I choose to find joy in our collective work together to help people live healthier lives," is the deceptive rhetoric he used to express that sentiment.

To Levine, it is "hateful" for states to put age restrictions on genital mutilation and other forms of child body butchery. To him, transgender mutilation is safe for children because it is "based upon decades of research and medical evidence and analysis, and many respected medical organizations from many diverse fields agree that gender-affirming care is medically necessary."

Levine added that to not allow children to destroy their bodies and lives is "literally suicide," and that those who seek to protect children from such destruction "are driven by an agenda that has nothing to do with ... science [and] nothing to do with medical care."

"Levine is just another freak-of-nature in the Biden's administration wanting to make more freak-of-nature people," one commenter wrote. "Did Levine ever get his junk clipped off, or is he just a man parading around in women's clothing?"

America and the West are under attack by the LGBT mafia. Learn more at Gender.news

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

Newstarget.com
Finland introduces worlds first phone-free island to study effects of social media addiction

The popular tourist destination of Ulko-Tammio, an island in Finland, is attempting to become the world's first phone-free tourist zone  meaning no more snapping photos and uploading them to Facebook and Instagram.

For the first time, officials in Ulko-Tammio are asking visitors to turn their smartphones off  or better yet, to just leave them at home and enjoy the scenery the natural way.

Located in the Eastern Gulf of Finland, Ulko-Tammio has officially declared itself to be a "phone-free" zone starting this year. The island is visited annually by millions of tourists, so the change is significant.

"The island of Ulko-Tammio, which is located off the coast of Hamina, will be a phone-free area this summer," announced Mats Selin, a member of the Visit Kotka-Hamina tourism board.

"We want to urge holidaymakers to switch off their smart devices and to stop and genuinely enjoy the islands."

While Ulko-Tammio still has a functioning mobile network, every traveler who visits the area will be asked to keep their smart devices in their pockets and to stay off social media for the entire duration of their stay  you know, just like the old days.

(Related: If you suffer from social media or some other form of addiction, check out what Dr. Deborah Mash from DemeRx.com has to say about how ibogaine may be able to help.)

Nature lovers: Do phone-free tourism destinations interest you?

What makes Ulko-Tammio particularly unique in addition to its breathtaking natural beauty is the fact that it is completely uninhabited by people. Visitors can stay overnight in tents or cabins, but there are no houses or hotels like most other places in the world.

The new phone-free policy is technically voluntary, but every visitor will be informed about the optional rule and told about its benefits, which the tourism board hopes will cause most of them to comply out of sheer interest.

"This is a great initiative that could be implemented in other nature and recreational destinations, too," said Joel Heino from Parks and Wildlife Finland, adding that remaining phone-free will allow visitors to better "focus on nature" and the experience of actually being where they are.

The really great thing about Ulko-Tammio is that there is plenty to see and do with no need for technology. The rocky shorelines are great for hiking, and the many bird-watching towers allow visitors to see not just unique fowl but also the island's rare flora and fauna.

Sea cruises organized by MeriSet take visitors there, or they can opt to travel to Ulko-Tammio by private boat or a water taxi from Varissaari, a nearby historic island fortress.

The latest data suggests that the average European person spends around six hours a day on their screens  and in the United States, it is probably even worse. All of that screen-watching is horrible for mental health.

A 2022 study found that people who take even just a one-week break from social media experience "significant improvements" in their wellbeing and sleep quality.

Staying away from digital devices more rather than less is also beneficial for attention span as constant exposure to digital stimuli impairs one's ability to concentrate and think deeply.

In 2019, the University of East Anglia published a study as well revealing that taking a "digital detox" holiday improves feelings of connectedness and presence. And what better place to do that than in a phone-free zone like Ulko-Tammio?

Hopefully other tourist areas take the hint and impose similar policies to help improve the tourism experience for everyone around the world wherever they choose to travel for holiday.

The latest news about addiction and how to overcome it can be found at Addiction.news.

Sources for this article include:

EuroNews.com

Newstarget.com
Impeachment resolution against Biden PASSES House vote, now moves to two committees for review

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has passed a resolution on the floor of the House to impeach President Joe Biden for failing to secure America's southern border amid a growing border crisis

The impeachment resolution, filed by GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, charges Biden with "high crimes and misdemeanors" for his mishandling of the illegal immigration crisis. (Related: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene launches IMPEACHMENT proceedings against Biden, 3 others for corruption.)

The House voted along party lines, 219 in favor to 208 against, to refer the resolution to two House committees  the House Judiciary Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee.

"Joe Biden's unconstitutional dereliction of his Article II duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed warrants impeachment," said Boebert on the House floor. "He has willfully created a border crisis that has  allowed millions of illegal aliens to pour into our country, threatened our national security and killed more than 100,000 Americans from fentanyl  including more than 1,800 Coloradans."

"I am pleased that House leadership worked with me on my impeachment bill to protect our constitutional republic," she added. "As demonstrated in this victory, I will continue to use every available procedural tool to hold Joe Biden accountable and advance impeachment proceedings."

McCarthy, Senate Republicans discouraging Biden impeachment

The House has not officially voted to impeach Biden. The referral of the impeachment resolution is a result of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiating with Boebert to instead send the impeachment resolution for review to the two House committees.

"I think it's best for everybody," said the speaker.

McCarthy and many of his allies in the House claimed this is necessary to follow the speaker's pledge to follow "regular order" in Congress.

"I think impeachment is one of the most awesome powers of the United States Congress and it's not something that needs to be exercised flippantly," claimed GOP Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana, a top ally of McCarthy.

In the Senate, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said any effort to impeach Biden without so-called "due process" would be "dead on arrival."

Graham said he does not believe anybody should be impeached without a hearing being held. He noted that when former Democratic President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House in the late 1990s he was allowed to defend himself.

"What's being done in the House to go straight to the floor with articles of impeachment  we criticized the Democrats for not giving Trump any due process. I think this is dead on arrival," said Graham. He added that not putting any kind of proper process in place is "irresponsible."

"It's important that we follow the process, and if you believe that President Biden has done something this impeachable, take it through the committee, give him a chance to respond, and we'll see what happens," he added.

But House Republicans seem undeterred by these individuals within the party who would rather not focus on the impeachment.

"We are just beginning," said Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Boebert warned that if committees attempt to slow-roll action on the impeachment resolution, she would bring it back to the floor "every day for the rest of my time here in Congress" to keep forcing the House to vote on Biden's impeachment.

Learn the latest events surrounding President Joe Biden, his policies and his administration at JoeBiden.news.

Watch this clip of Rep. Lauren Boebert discussing the articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden moving forward to House committees.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Texas sues Biden admin for allowing migrants to be "illegally" approved through a mobile app.

AP-NORC POLL: Biden's approval rating plummets due to his gun control, illegal immigration and economic policies as reelection bid starts.

DELUSIONAL: Biden gloats post-Title 42 border "looks much better than expected" despite record-high crossings.

PLANNED OCCUPATION: Biden regime ensuring that illegal migrants released into American interior will never come back for asylum hearing.

OPEN SESAME: Biden administration opens border to millions of ILLEGALS by lifting Title 42.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

PBS.org

NPR.org

TheHill.com

Brighteon.com
Michigan House passes Hate Speech bill to FINE AND JAIL parents, teachers, pastors, and politicians who speak the truth

The Michigan State Legislature is pushing forward a new Hate Speech bill that threatens anyone who speaks the truth on a variety of controversial and inherently offensive topics. The proposed legislation, HB 4474 , does more than threaten the First Amendment and the free speech rights of Americans. The proposed legislation amends the states Ethnic Intimidation Act of 1988 - making it a hate crime if a person causes severe mental anguish to another individual.

The authoritarian left wants to punish individuals for thought and language they dont like

This means that parents, teachers, pastors, activists, and politicians can be charged with hate crimes if their speech upsets someone who is weak-minded and vindictive. For example, the victims of these new hate crimes can claim that a pastor caused severe mental anguish because the pastor spoke a basic truth from the Bible. A parent who speaks out at a school board meeting could be accused of a hate crime if they exposed transgender pornography in their childs classroom. Under this Orwellian law, the possibilities for abuse are endless.

If this hate speech bill becomes law, left-wing prosecutors could go after anyone they disagree with, bringing felonious hate crime charges against speech they didnt like. Those who seek attention by adopting a victim mentality can target anyone who offends them. Left-wing prosecutors will be able to represent an entire victim class who cannot handle the truth, who decry verbal intimidation or harassment when facts are presented to them.

The bill defines intimidation and harassment as willful course of conduct, involving repeated or continuing harassment of another individual that would cause a reasonable individual to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested

According to Attorney David Kallman of the Great Lakes Justice Center (GLIC), the proposed legislation is a threat to the First Amendment, honest speech, and the very essence of the English language. Words are malleable, he said. They can be redefined by whoever is in power.

Under the proposed statute, intimidate and harass can mean whatever the victim, or the authorities, want them to mean, he said. The focus is on how the victim feels rather than on a clearly defined criminal act. This is a ridiculously vague and subjective standard.

New hate speech laws are reminiscent of Soviet-style re-education camps

If an alleged victim feels uncomfortable with someones speech, they can accuse that person of a hate crime. The proposed legislation doesnt look at the intent of the speech; it only considers the feelings of the alleged victim. The bill will lead to the prosecution of conservatives, pastors, and parents attending a school board meeting for simply expressing their opposition to the liberal agenda, Kallman said.

The bills sponsor, State Rep Noah Arbit, is an LGBTQIA+ zealot. People who express the fact that sex is based on biology and determined by a persons chromosomes could be labeled transphobic and persecuted under this hate crimes bill. People who believe that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman could be prosecuted for hate crimes against the LGBTQIA+ community.

Punishment for these so-called hate crimes includes a fine of up to $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both. People accused of hate crimes may also be required to to complete a period of community service intended to enhance the offenders understanding of the impact of the offense upon the victim and wider community. According to the text of the bill, Community service under this subdivision must be performed with the consent ofand in support ofthe community targeted in the violation. By enforcing punishments against language and thought, this bill is reminiscent of Soviet-style re-education camps. To avoid punishment, many people will self-censor and live in fear of the prosecutions that could result from speaking their truth.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega freezes bank accounts of Catholic dioceses, priests in coordinated religious attack

The bank accounts of several Catholic priests and dioceses in Nicaragua have been forcibly frozen by communist dictator Daniel Ortega.

Martha Patricia Molina, a Nicaraguan lawyer and researcher, says the bank freeze represents "one more arbitrary action of the dictatorship against the Nicaraguan Catholic Church."

"It's something that is going to be common for more priests and even laypeople," Molina added in a statement.

Since the bank freezes were implemented, Nicaraguan police have reportedly begun investigating the priests and dioceses in question for alleged money laundering.

"Although they were not charged at the time their accounts were frozen, the priests are being investigated and possibly in the future they will be charged with the crime of money laundering, which is what the police are investigating at this time," Molina said.

(Related: Did you know that some Catholic hospitals, including CommonSpirit Health, America's largest Catholic hospital chain, perform LGBT genital mutilations on children?)

UN group says Ortega regime guilty of "crimes against humanity"

This "attempt to cripple the Catholic Church," as LifeSiteNews describes the situation, includes the frozen bank account of the Diocese of Esteli, managed by Bishop Rolando Alvarez Lagos of Matagalpa, who was condemned to 26 years in prison on charges of being "a traitor to the country."

Alvarez's' alleged crimes involve "undermining national security and sovereignty, spreading fake news through information technology, obstructing an official in the performance of his duties," as well as "aggravated disobedience or contempt of authority."

Reports claim that Ortega "took advantage of Alvarez's link to extend the order to freeze bank accounts to the Diocese of Matagalpa." From there, the freeze was then "extended to the Archdiocese of Managua, and then to the national level, while the Government has not said what the cause is or what it is investigating," to quote the Havanna Times.

On May 27, the Nicaraguan National Police published a statement about the matter accusing the Catholic Church of money laundering and other crimes. Some human rights advocates argue that these accusations have no basis in reality.

The situation has become so severe in Nicaragua that the United Nations (UN)-established Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) declared that the Ortega regime is guilty of "crimes against humanity." These include acts of torture, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention, deportation, rape, sexual violence, and suppression of political, social, and religious freedoms, according to reports.

Former Nicaraguan presidential candidate Sebastian Chamorro, in a testimony offered during a congressional hearing in the United States, says the Ortega regime is hellbent on silencing the Catholic Church because it stands as a voice of justice against Ortega's crimes and oppression.

"Why Ortega's war against the Church?" asked Chamorro, who himself was kidnapped by police at his house in the middle of the night in front of his wife and daughter. Chamorro, by the way, ended up sharing a prison cell with Bishop Alvarez.

"The reason is simple. After putting all the opposition in jail, repressing all forms of protests, the dictator had to deal with the last standing voice defending freedom, peace, and human dignity," Chamorro further revealed at the hearing.

"Ortega had to silence the voice of the Church in order to impose his message of hate and violence."

One commenter who chimed in on the news wrote that none of this would be happening were it not for the "Liberation Theology Catholics who helped usher communism into South America." In other words, it was a left-leaning faction of Catholics that apparently brought tyrannical regimes like Ortega's into places like Nicaragua where it is becoming increasingly unlawful to be a Catholic.

More related news about tyrannical governments can be found at Tyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Newstarget.com
Not just public schools: Ohio PRIVATE school reports mothers to FBI for questioning leftist curriculum

Amy Gonzalez and Andrea Gross are suing Columbus Academy in Ohio for launching a retaliation campaign against them following complaints they made about the private school's leftist curriculum.

According to reports, Columbus Academy reported Gonzalez and Gross to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), calling them "dangerous to the health and wellbeing of the entire Academy community. Administrators also allegedly attempted to destroy the two mothers' reputation out of spite.

Filed on June 12, the lawsuit claims Columbus Academy overreacted to questions the two women had about critical race theory (CRT) concepts being embedded into their children's curriculum, which they believe is "indoctrination."

"And so, when I say an overreaction, I mean an overreaction of calling the police on us, alerting almost 900 faculty members that they had alerted the FBI that we were dangerous," Gross told Fox News Digital.

"Just things that were so far beyond the pale that it would lead one to ask why? Why is the reaction so extreme?"

(Related: Left-wing educational curriculum is centered more around emotion than rational thinking.)

Columbus Academy teachers, administrators freak out over complaint; one said "it sounds like we have a mole"

The lawsuit states that at Columbus Academy, "[p]olitically charged issues were regularly taught and discussed in the classroom without opposing viewpoints." This is the kind of thing one could expect at a public school, but not necessarily at a private school.

Gonzalez and Gross also claim that one of the teachers at the school said out loud that he "would not communicate with any student who supported President Trump."

The way administrators at Columbus Academy responded to the mothers' concerns was so overblown that Gross now sends her daughter to another school out of state, which has caused significant tension within the local community.

At first, Gross and Gonzalez wrote a public letter to Columbus Academy expressing concerns that their children were being subjected to "[i]ntimidation and bullying ... based on their political beliefs." Not long after, the school's "head of security ... filed a false police report against the Parent Plaintiffs with the Gahanna Police Department."

The lawsuit further alleges that school officials told teachers during a meeting that they had also reported the two mothers to the FBI.

"During the meeting when faculty was told the FBI had been alerted, the environment was such that one of the Academy's faculty members raised his / her hand and asked if the Child Plaintiffs should be treated differently," the lawsuit reads.

"Another member of faculty stated, 'it sounds like we have a mole.'"

The "vicious treatment" that followed is outlined further in the lawsuit, and is described as a combination of "improperly invoking governmental investigative agencies, disseminating false information, and engaging in a coordinated effort to destroy [the mothers'] reputations in the community," all of which "was retaliation to prevent any further inquiry regarding wrongdoing of the Academy."

In a response to Fox News Digital, Columbus Academy denied any and all wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations made against the school "are entirely without any legal merit or factual basis whatsoever."

"[A]ny parent who waged a public campaign of false and misleading statements and inflammatory attacks harmful to the employees, the reputation, or the financial stability of Columbus Academy would be in clear violation of the Enrollment Agreement and would be denied re-enrollment for the following school year," reads an additional statement from Columbus Academy to which the school has been referring media outlets for clarification as to its position.

With both public and private schools now hellbent on destroying children's minds, there has never been a better time to homeschool. Learn more at Homeschooling.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheBlaze.com

Newstarget.com
The recent research showed that dinosaur fossils were discovered in South Brazil, which helped experts understand more about the increasing size of dinosaurs due to their air sacs.

Researchers have been on a quest to unravel the mysteries of dinosaurs that were lost to extinction. The gigantic dinosaurs were displayed in many museums, showing their might and size.

In addition, the existence of dinosaurs has been crucial for experts and scientists to capture their existence and connection to current species.

Dinosaur evolution evidence discovered in Brazil

The study was published in The Anatomical Record journal that explains the research findings about the Macrocollum itaquii discovery in the Rio Grande do Sul State located in South Brazil.

The report was also published on the Phys.org website. Read here.

In the latest findings, the researchers explained that long-neck dinosaurs or sauropods were present in all continents during the time of the Jurrasic and Cretaceous.

Also Read: Incubating Sea Turtles Likely to Suffer from Microplastic Impact on Sand Temperatures

Like other species in the animal kingdom, many adapted and evolved into their environments, depending on the necessity for survival.

Furthermore, the report noted that dinosaurs lived in challenging and extreme environments that enabled them to shape up for existence.

The report published on the Phys.org website noted that the earliest dinosaurs managed to grow in size, reaching from centimeters to three centimeters in length.

In the latest discovery, they found Macrocollum itaquii in South Brazil. The said fossil underwent analysis by the researchers.

The study found that the dinosaurs had unique air sac systems that helped them grow in size. The evolutionary evidence showed that dinosaurs could require more oxygen to live in extreme environments.

According to the study's first author, Tito Aureliano explained that the air sacs helped them to increase in size (more than 30 meters in length), making the bones less dense.

Meanwhile, the study's principal investigator was Fresia Ricardi- Branco, a professor at the Institute of Geosciences (IG-UNICAMP). Aureliano is a Ph.D. researcher.

Branco explained that the dinosaurs unique air sacs contributed to their evolution during their time.

Furthermore, the study published in The Anatomical Record noted that Macrocollum itaquii played a significant role in discovering the dinosaur's gradual evolution in a given environment.

More facts about dinosaur existence

The existence of dinosaurs has many incredible facts. According to the American Museum of Natural History, dinosaurs existence lived for about 245 million years, adding that there are about 700 known dinosaur species.

The report added that dinosaur fossils were discovered on seven continents, showing their existence millions of years ago.

Meanwhile, researchers and paleontologists also uncovered dinosaurs' eggs and nests, which helped them to study their existence more.

Furthermore, the More Reptiles website explains that the Tyrannosaurus rex is considered a dangerous dinosaur that could unleash a powerful bite and force.

Related Article: California Woman Discovered Rare Ancient Molar Tooth on Beach

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Animal rescuers immediately came to save a baby coyote after the animal's head was found to become stuck in a plastic container in Massachusetts.

Plastic debris and containers are among the most common concerns affecting animals, especially since they could likely become stuck in plastic containers.

Having plastic materials attached to them could affect their mobility and survival in wildlife.

Baby coyote's head stuck in a plastic container

In the latest report, Newsweek said that a baby Coyote's head became stuck in a plastic container, making it more difficult for the said animal to move.

According to the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue's Facebook post, the baby Cayote tried to remove the plastic container for about two days. The struggle to get off the plastic container resulted in immediate help from animal control and rescue.

The concerned people's report helped the animal escape the unfortunate situation after being stuck in the plastic container.

Authorities and animal rescuers worked together to save the baby Cayote. After removing the plastic container, the animal rescuers noticed that the Cayote appeared dehydrated and disoriented.

Immediately, the report noted that the animal was brought to the animal center for immediate care. Then, the Coyote will be reunited with his animal's family.

Animal endangerement

According to the Plastic Foundation, animals stuck in plastic could affect and put in a challenging and dangerous situation.

The report noted that about 2000 species suffer from plastic-related concerns.

In addition, the report highlighted that animals becoming stuck in plastic could result in amputation. It stressed that the situation could cause starvation, lack of mobility and drowning.

Also Read: Octopus Amazing Visual Vision Helps Them Map Out Different Locations Underwater

Animals stuck in plastic containers could likely become less competitive in seeking food sources in the jungle. They could likely become victims of predators.

One of the pressing concerns in the ocean is the marine animal entanglement. The report explained that whales and other aquatic animals suffer from fishing nets that could cause injuries leading to death and difficulty swimming.

Furthermore, the report noted that birds could also fall victim to balloons. The birds' heads and legs could become stuck in plastics from balloons.

With animals becoming stuck in plastic materials, people should keep aware of the potential impact on animals and biodiversity. Plastic pollution has a significant impact on the environment.

More facts about Cayote

Cayote is considered an intelligent and great hunter of wildlife. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the report explained that Cayote looks like a small German Shepherd in size, with gray-colored looks.

In terms of size, the report noted that Cayote can reach an average of 25 to 40 pounds. In the wild, the said animal has an amazing sense of hunting skills, using their hearing and sight.

Furthermore, Cayote breeding season is from mid-January to early March, staying in abandoned areas or making their habitats.

Related Article: Incubating Sea Turtles Likely to Suffer from Microplastic Impact on Sand Temperatures

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
As a result of the Saturday bridge collapse, a passing freight train was derailed and dumped the asphalt and sulfur it was hauling into the Yellowstone River, which some officials say could be a potential hazmat spill.

Potential Hazmat Spill: Hot Asphalt and Molten Sulfur

According to Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services, the railway carriages were transporting molten sulfur and hot asphalt. After the 6 AM mishap, authorities shut down drinking water intakes while they assessed the threat. A correspondent for the Associated Press saw a yellow liquid emerge from some of the tank carriages.

The county's emergency services head, David Stamey, stated that there was no imminent threat to the personnel working there and that the dangerous substance was being diluted by the overflowing river. Three automobiles made of asphalt and four cars made of sulfur were in the river.

No injuries were recorded, and the train crew was unhurt, according to Andy Garland, a spokesman for Montana Rail Link. Garland said that in colder temperatures, sulfur and asphalt both quickly solidify.

There were railroad workers on the scene in Stillwater County, close to Columbus, which is located about 40 miles west of Billings. This region of the Yellowstone River Valley is sparsely inhabited and apart from Yellowstone National Park, which is located about 110 miles to the southwest and is bordered by ranches and agricultural land. Garland pledged to address any potential repercussions of the incident and to identify its root causes.

At least seven cars from a freight train tumbled into the Yellowstone River in Montana on Saturday after a derailment and a bridge collapse, causing asphalt and molten sulfur cargo to spill into the water, the authorities said. https://t.co/8mWJeDVcjg  The New York Times (@nytimes) June 25, 2023

Residents in Yellowstone County were asked to conserve water after emergency procedures at water treatment facilities were put in place because of a probable hazardous incident. Since the impact of the recent, intense rains and the cause of the collapse is yet unknown, an investigation is still being conducted, Associated Press reports.

Bridge Collapse, Freight Train Plunge, Internet Disconnection

Global Net, the high-speed provider, has reported that the bridge collapse not only caused significant damage to the physical structure but also resulted in the disruption of a fiber-optic connection. This connection was essential for multiple consumers in the state, as it facilitated their internet connectivity.

The main fiber route across Montana is affected, according to a recorded announcement on Saturday. All clients of Global Net are impacted by this. There will be no or very sluggish connectivity.

Devastating floods struck Yellowstone in 2022, leaving the national park and adjacent Montana communities significantly damaged. The association between repeated years of high river flows and the most likely cause was noted by Robert Beaa retired engineering professor at UC Berkeley, who is known for researching catastrophic events.

Bea claims that the powerful water flow places a great deal of strain on the pier and riverbed, potentially causing foundation instability and erosion. The Twin Bridges, which included a highway bridge and a train bridge, were in danger; the highway bridge would have to be demolished in 2021 owing to an impending collapse. Investigators examined bridge components, maintenance logs, and inspections for indications of wear, corrosion, or neglect because the construction of the railroad bridge and inspection histories were unknown.

Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration were on the site assisting the local authorities.

Also Read: Arizona Dam to Release 650 Million Gallons of Water as Wet Winter Raised Levels to "Flood Control Space"

Investigations

The agency has asked the owner for a copy of the latest bridge inspection reports, stressing that the owner must conduct inspections, and will carefully evaluate the data as part of the inquiry for conformity to federal Bridge Safety Standards.

To stop the contents of the tank cars from spilling into neighboring fields, Kelly Hitchcock of the Columbus Water Users cut off the river flow into an irrigation ditch located downstream from the fallen bridge. According to Hitchcock, on Saturday morning, the Stillwater County Sheriff's Office phoned the group to alert them about the collapse, News Channel 8 reports

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, sulfur is an ingredient frequently used as a fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, and rodenticide.

Related Article: Massive Sewage Spill of 30,000 Gallons Prompts Closure of Beaches Along Lunada Bay, Los Angeles
A quelea bird swarm in Kebbi, Nigeria, has destroyed the crops on at least 75,000 hectares of farmland.

Quelea Bird Swarm in Kebbi

A large quelea bird swarm allegedly ravaged fields over the weekend in Argungu Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Nigeria, causing losses to at least 100 farmers.

A farm might be entirely destroyed by a harmful swarm of quelea birds in a day or even a matter of hours.

Locals claim that during the weekend, the hazardous birds devastated more than 75,000 hectares of rice crops.

The threat posed by quelea birds, red-billed birds that moved from the nearby Niger Republic, has only so far afflicted Kebbi.

However, they argued that developing insect repellant that works without harming crops is the best approach to address the threat posed by quelea birds, Daily Post Nigeria reports.

Pesticide for 75,000 to 95,000 Ha of Farms in Nigeria

Alhaji Umar Na'amore, a PDP assemblyman from Argungu Constituency, has urged the federal government to spray pesticides on trespassing quelea birds on farmers' fields.

In a press release he sent to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, Na'amore made the call.

According to Na'amore, the residents of Kebbi State's Argungu Local Government Area are pleading with the federal and state governments to spray pesticides on fields to kill invasive quelea birds to prevent more agricultural losses in the region.

According to later accounts, the quelea birds have decimated about 95,000 hectares of dry-season rice farms in the state. The region has been severely damaged, which might have repercussions for food security, according to Na'amore via Vanguard Nigeria.

According to records, the majority of the farmers in the region have received loans from Labana as well as WACOT rice mills, among others, to start up large-scale agricultural operations and contribute to the nation's efforts to achieve food security and provide for the needs of the local population.

Quelea Birds and Farmers' Aid

According to Na'amore, once the rainy season began, people were shocked by the bombardment and swarm of quelea birds that were migrating from the neighboring republics of Benin and Niger.

He went on to warn that the area's cereal crops, including rice, wheat, maize, millet, and sorghum, are seriously threatened by migrating birds including quelea birds, locusts, and grasshoppers.

According to Na'amore, this is due to the region's favorable position, which makes it a crucial flash point for the admission of migratory pests into the nation.

Also Read: 400,000 Invasive European Green Crabs Euthanized, in Bid for Eradication - Washington

The legislator encouraged the governments to help the afflicted farmers recover from the farmers' losses by offering them humanitarian aid.

The organization led by Na'amore is also pleading with the rice milling corporations that provided loans to the affected farmers to postpone repayment until 2024.

He said that a farmer whose field has been overrun by harmful quelea birds has no money to start new farming. And the loan money would have been invested first in farming after suffering crop losses. He meant that demanding pay immediately would not be doable for the farmers, Vanguard Nigeria reports.

According to N Opera News, the only area currently impacted by the quelea bird swarm is Kebbi State. Farmers in the northwest and northeast are being cautioned by agricultural specialists to keep an eye out for potential bird incursions.

Related Article: 6 Million Red-Billed Quelea Birds Feasting on Rice Fields Prompt for Pesticides in Kenya Farms
Black bear attacks have been documented in the past, but does this suggest they are generally dangerous animals? Experts and wildlife agencies have reports that can help park visitors and locals understand black bear encounters.

That's a Black Bear.

Black bears, the most prevalent bear in North America, usually have black fur, but depending on where they live, their hair can also be gray, cinnamon, or even white.

In contrast to brown and grizzly bears, black bears don't have a shoulder hump, and their rear rump rises higher than their shoulders. Black bears are smaller compared to other bears, which is the most obvious feature. On all fours, they may reach heights of 2 to 3.5 feet at the shoulder, compared to the quadruped height of three to five feet of brown bears, according to reports from USA Today.

Black Bear Attacks

Black bears can be spotted in campsites with inadequately kept food and trash, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; however, on trails, they often run away once they spot a person.

Black bear attacks that result in fatalities are uncommon, particularly when viewed alongside attacks by other bear species, although these animals may still be quite hazardous. Many scientists think that an apparent rise in the number of bear assaults that have been documented is directly tied to growth in outdoor activity, human populations, and urbanization.

Black bears are often rather timid and only become violent when necessary. Nevertheless, preventing confrontations in the first place is the most efficient approach to avert a bear attack, Treehugger says.

Are Black Bear Dangerous?

According to reports from USA Today, experts have discovered that black bears, who are frequently thought of as meek when contrasted to grizzly bears, exhibit violence when they are anxious. Grizzlies are approximately 20 times more hazardous than black bears, according to Dr. Lynn Rogers, the North American Bear Center founder. Less than one human is typically killed annually by North America's 750,000 black bears.

The shyness of black bears may have resulted from their coevolution with extinct predators like dire wolves and saber-toothed cats. They were the only ones who could climb trees, therefore they managed to live by hanging around trees and developing a "run first, ask questions later" attitude. Most bear assaults are defensive behavior when people approach too closely.

According to Treehugger, the majority of deadly assaults from black bears often occur in August when the bears look for high-energy meals in preparation for hibernation. There is a larger likelihood of human-bear encounters in August because it's a popular period of the year for trekking.

Hunting, participating in outdoor events at night or in the twilight, leaving children alone, walking dogs loose, and approaching mothers with young are all examples of human conduct that is deemed unsafe. Between 1955 and 2016, these actions were engaged in about half of the 700 assaults.

Also Read: Grizzly Bears Being Baited, Trapped in Yellowstone Until August 31 for Ongoing USGS Studies, Collaring

Handling Bear Encounters

According to the National Park Service, When confronted by a bear, people should maintain their composure and talk in a calm voice to let the bear the humans in front of them, advises the National Park Service. People should maintain their position while making a slow, non-predatory arm motion. The majority of bears are not interested in assaulting people, however, they occasionally charge or act defensively.

Avoid yelling or making unexpected motions that can set off an assault. Loud sounds should be avoided and little children should be scooped up if they are present.

It is advised to go in groups since bigger groups are boisterous and more obvious to bears, preventing potential encounters.

By ascending to higher terrain, people might look bigger, and they should avoid giving bears access to food. It's crucial to never run from a bear; instead, if the bear is immobile, back away slowly and sideways. It is not advisable to climb trees because bears may do it as well.

People should take additional precautions and avoid interfering with a mother bear and her cubs when they come across one that is nursing. It is essential to leave the area or wait until the bear leaves so that the bear has the means to get away, as per the National Park Service.

Related Article: Black Bear Euthanized After Attack on 2 Children in Their Pennsylvania Home
Following confirmation of the infestation of tiny NZ mudsnails on Wednesday, the Tonto Creek Hatchery in Arizona has been shut down while authorities implement biosecurity protocols.

Closed for Biosecurity Protocols

Authorities believed that the mudsnails had possibly infested the hatchery since Tonto Creek runs about 2.5 miles downstream from it.

Wildlife officials are now inspecting Tonto Creek to determine the severity of the infestation.

To facilitate the search, the Tonto Creek Hatchery was closed to the general public on Thursday.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department news release stated that this will give authorities time to improve biosecurity procedures. During this period, they will also assess potential infrastructure purchases that might enhance native species protection.

Risks for Tonto Creek Hatchery

The mudsnail shutdown has occurred twice so far this year. After authorities discovered invasive snails in the neighboring creek in April, the public was momentarily denied access to the Canyon Creek Hatchery.

Since they are not indigenous to Arizona, New Zealand mudsnails can outcompete them for food. The populations of local mollusks and sportfish may suffer as a result.

This species' asexual reproduction makes it very difficult to eradicate.

One mudsnail is all it takes to swiftly engulf a watercourse.

Since 2002, when they first appeared in the Colorado River below Lake Powell, they have been a disruption for AZGFD. The agency said that the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, and Lake Mohave were all infested with snails.

Mudsnails can unintentionally convert outdoor enthusiasts into snail-spreaders. Anglers could return from a kayaking or fishing trip with a little mudsnail stuck to their boat. If the same boat is taken to a different body of water, the snail can begin to reproduce and take over a different stream.

Given that these mudsnails range in size from four to six millimeters, it is very likely to miss them, which will contribute to the infestation, KTAR News reported.

Invasive NZ Mudsnails

The aquatic snails known as "New Zealand mud snails" may be found in streams, rivers, and lakes.

New Zealand mud snails have a strong reproductive potential and may consume up to half of the food that is readily accessible to native mollusks and insects, which allows them to swiftly outcompete other species and constitute a serious danger to the balance of ecosystems.

Therefore, by upsetting the food chain, limiting the ability of native aquatic species to reproduce, and lowering their population numbers, these invasive snails might pose a danger to biodiversity.

Also Read: 8,000 Critically Endangered Hawaiian Snails Relocated From Kailua to Pearl City in Hawaii

Because of their innate resilience, New Zealand mud snails have been able to persist in new, unfamiliar environments despite placing strain on the health of ecological systems in their non-native locations.

These little mollusk species are indigenous to New Zealand and the nearby islands, as their name indicates.

Unfamiliar New Zealand mud snails are sly hitchhikers that have spread around the world thanks to tainted ballast water and assistance from terrestrial fauna. This is because they can flourish in unfamiliar environments.

Since their 1987 introduction to North America, they have spread to places including Europe, Australia, and Asia, which includes the five Great Lakes, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, according to data from Invasive Species Center.

Related Article: 2 Invasive Mudsnails from New Zealand Found in Montana Creek
A tiny Victoria grassland earless dragon, which experts thought has succumbed to extinction, has been spotted for the first time in over 50 years in Australia.

Victoria Grassland Earless Dragon

More than 70 different species of dragons may be found in Australia, however, the Victorian grassland earless dragon, which was once common in the grasslands of eastern Australia, was last spotted in the wild in 1969.

Its population fell dramatically because of habitat degradation and predators including foxes and feral cats, which were once prevalent in the area.

Iguanian lizards known as dragons are a subspecies that are indigenous to Asia, Africa, and Australia. They resemble miniature versions of their legendary counterparts. A few species are native to Southern Europe as well.

The Victorian grassland earless dragon is so named because it has no external ear openings and, at its greatest size, is just 15 cm long from head to tail.

According to the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act of 1988 as well as the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999, the Victorian grassland earless dragon is classified as critically endangered.

Since the lizard has been discovered again, environmentalists are determined to prevent its loss in the future, according to a release by the Albanese and Andrews Labor Governments published in the Premier of Victoria.

First-Time Sighting in a Secret Location

The animal's survival was feared by conservationists, who had made significant but fruitless attempts to track down the species.

Now that a tiny colony has been found, the specific location remains to be kept secret in order to save the remaining animals.

However, studies are still being conducted at the rediscovery location to learn more about the population size, and the Andrews Labor Government is collaborating with Zoos Victoria and the Albanese Government to create a strategy to guarantee the species' recovery.

The Victorian environment minister, Ingrid Stitt, stated that this is a remarkable finding and presents a chance for the recovery of a species that was formerly believed to be extinct in the state and around the world.

According to Stitt, her team will continue to work to prevent the extinction of the recently rediscovered critically endangered species to preserve it for future generations to see and learn about.

Also Read: Fairy Lantern That Eats Fungi Rediscovered 30 Years After Extinction in Japan

Conservation Efforts

The federal and state governments of Australia are interested in investing AUD$188,000 in sniffer dog training to find new dragon populations.

Tanya Plibersek, the minister for federal environment, reportedly hailed this approach as a successful and harmless technique to locate this elusive and critically endangered reptile in the wild, according to reports from The Guardian.

Plibersek stated in a statement that she wants to safeguard the precious animals for future generations.

She expressed her delight at learning about the re-discovery of the Victorian grassland earless dragon. It serves as a timely reminder of the importance of supporting habitat restoration and the elimination of feral animals like cats and foxes.

Additionally, Zoos Victoria is starting a special breeding program to guarantee the lizard's survival in the future, EuroNews.Green reported.

Related Article: Critically Endangered Shimmering Hummingbird Seen in Columbia, 12 Years After Last Sighting
Gray whales are among the largest and most charismatic animals in the ocean, but they may also be unwittingly ingesting millions of tiny pieces of human-made pollution every day.

A new study by Oregon State University researchers has estimated that gray whales feeding off the Oregon Coast consume up to 21 million microparticles per day, a finding informed in part by poop from the whales.

Microparticle pollution: a growing threat

Microparticle pollution includes microplastics and other human-sourced materials, such as fibers from clothing, that are less than 5 millimeters in size, as per Phys.org.

These particles are increasing exponentially in the environment and are predicted to continue doing so in the coming decades, according to the researchers.

Microparticle pollution poses a threat to the health of gray whales and other marine organisms, as they can accumulate in their tissues and organs, cause physical damage, interfere with digestion, and transport harmful chemicals and pathogens.

Microparticle pollution may also affect the quality and availability of the prey that gray whales rely on.

Dr. Susanne Brander, an associate professor and ecotoxicologist at Oregon State and co-author of the study, said: "This issue is gaining momentum globally and some states, such as California, have taken important steps. But more action needs to be taken, including here in Oregon, because this problem is not going away anytime soon."

Poop and Prey: how researchers made the Estimate

The study focused on a subgroup of about 230 gray whales known as the Pacific Coast Feeding Group.

They spend winters in Baja California, Mexico, and migrate north to forage in coastal habitats from northern California to southern British Columbia from June through November.

Since 2015, Dr. Leigh Torres, an associate professor at Oregon State and an author of the paper, and her team have used drones and other tools to study the health and behavior of this subgroup of gray whales off the Oregon Coast.

As part of this work, they collect poop samples from the whales.

For the new study, the researchers collected zooplankton, which are an important food supply for gray whales, and commercial and recreational fish.

They analyzed the microparticle loads in 26 zooplankton samples collected from whale feeding areas and found microparticles in all of them.

They also found microparticles in all 18 fish samples collected from local markets.

Using these data and information on gray whale feeding behavior and energy requirements, the researchers estimated that gray whales consume between 3.9 million and 21 million microparticles per day during their foraging season off the Oregon Coast.

Also Read: Gray Whale and Monarch Butterfly Face Extinction with Dropping Population

Gray whale feeding behavior: a unique adaptation

Gray whales are unique among baleen whales in their ability to feed on both planktonic and benthic prey, as per NOAA.

Planktonic prey are microscopic organisms that float in the water column, while benthic prey are animals that live on or near the seafloor.

Gray whales feed on planktonic prey by swimming slowly with their mouths open and filtering their food through their baleen plates.

They feed on benthic prey by turning on their sides and scooping up sediments from the seafloor. They then expel the water and mud through their baleen plates, retaining only their food items.

Gray whales can easily switch from feeding planktonically to benthically depending on their location and behavior.

They tend to feed benthically when they are in shallow coastal waters where they can find abundant prey, such as amphipods (small crustaceans), polychaetes (marine worms), or mysids (shrimp-like animals).

They tend to feed planktonically when they are in deeper offshore waters where they can find swarms of krill (small crustaceans) or copepods (tiny crustaceans), as per American Oceans

Gray whale feeding behavior is influenced by several factors such as seasonality, habitat quality, prey availability, competition, predation risk, and environmental conditions.

They may also modify their feeding behavior in response to human activities such as noise or vessel traffic.

Its feeding behavior is a remarkable adaptation that allows it o exploit a variety of food resources in different habitats.

However, it also exposes the creature to a higher risk of ingesting microparticle pollution, which may have negative consequences for their health and survival.

Related article: Gray Whales: A Good Year off California
Nature is not only essential for human well-being, but also for economic prosperity, according to a new study.

The study shows that current trends in environmental degradation will lead to large economic losses in the coming decades, hitting the poorest countries hardest.

But there is hope: investing in nature can turn those losses into gains.

How nature benefits the economy

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, developed a novel, global earth-economy model to capture interactions between the economy and the environment, as per Phys.org.

The model includes how nature benefits humans by pollinating crops, providing timber, storing carbon, and providing catch for marine fisheries, and how those benefits end up affecting the economy overall.

The researchers found that policy options for investing in nature resulted in annual gains of $100-350 billion (2014 USD), with the largest percentage increases in GDP occurring in low-income countries.

The policy options examined in this study include removing agricultural subsidies, financing research into improving crop yields, and international payments from wealthy countries to poorer countries to support conservation.

Continued trends in environmental degradation, on the other hand, would result in $75 billion in losses annually, with the low-income countries suffering from 0.2% losses in GDP year on year.

The researchers said that their model is the first of its kind to capture these complex interactions at a global scale and with enough spatial detail to understand the environmental consequences of economic activity.

They say that investing in nature does not stifle the economy, but boosts the economy, and that it is difficult to model those interactions until recently.

How nature benefits equity

The study also highlights how public goods and services provided by the environment are often most important for the world's poorest, who have less access to alternative options when the environment is degraded.

Consequently, investing in nature tends to make the world a more equitable place.

The researchers say that their findings have important implications for global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, such as reducing poverty, improving health, and combating climate change.

They say that their study shows that investing in nature is not only good for biodiversity and ecosystems, but also for human welfare and economic growth.

They say that nature is not a luxury, but a necessity for human development. They also say that it is a huge achievement to demonstrate this with rigorous scientific evidence.

Also Read: Seven Sustainable Qualities Property Investors Should Seek Out When Investing

Examples of investing in nature

The study also provides some examples of how investing in nature can benefit different sectors and regions of the world. Some of these examples are:

Investing in renewables and energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, while creating jobs and saving costs. For example, a World Bank project in India helped install solar panels on rooftops of public buildings, providing clean energy and reducing carbon footprint, as per UN Foundation.

Investing in clean transportation can improve mobility and accessibility, while reducing emissions and congestion. For example, a World Bank project in China supported the development of low-carbon buses and bike-sharing systems, improving urban transport and public health.

Investing in food and agriculture innovation can enhance food security and nutrition, while reducing land degradation and water use. For example, a World Bank project in Ethiopia helped farmers adopt climate-smart practices such as agroforestry and irrigation, increasing crop yields and incomes.

Investing in nature-based solutions can restore ecosystems and biodiversity, while providing multiple benefits such as carbon sequestration, flood protection, and tourism. For example, a World Bank project in Indonesia helped restore mangrove forests along the coast, protecting communities from storms and enhancing fisheries.

Investing in Indigenous communities can empower them to manage their lands and resources sustainably, while respecting their rights and cultures. For example, a World Bank project in Brazil supported Indigenous peoples to map their territories and monitor deforestation, strengthening their governance and conservation.

Investing in girls and women can improve their education and health outcomes, while reducing population pressure and empowering them to participate in decision-making. For example, a World Bank project in Bangladesh helped girls attend secondary school and delay marriage, improving their life chances and reducing fertility rates.

Investing in peace can prevent conflict and violence, which often have devastating impacts on people and nature. For example, a World Bank project in Colombia helped former combatants reintegrate into society and engage in productive activities such as ecotourism and agroforestry.



Related article: Plant-Based Alternatives May Cut Emissions More than Any Other Green Investments
According to information published by Radio Free Asia on June 27, 2023, North Korea has reportedly registered two new frigates with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stating that they will be constructed in 2026.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Former Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-il and a Najin-class frigate. (Picture source: China.com.cn)

This marks the first time since 2014 that the DPRK has registered new frigates with the IMO. The frigates, named FFH-3 and FFH-4, have been given unique IMO numbers for identification purposes. Despite the registration, details about the new frigates remain undisclosed.

US naval experts don't anticipate these new frigates to pose a significant threat to the US or South Korea, interpreting the move as a strategic message that the DPRK continues to focus on traditional weaponry.

Ken Gause, the Director of the US Naval Analysis Center, has stated that although the new frigates might add slight firepower to the DPRK's capabilities, they don't pose a significant threat.

It's considered primarily a strategic message that the DPRK concentrates on conventional capability, especially in the maritime space. He further added that more observation and time would be needed to evaluate the capabilities of these frigates.

Terence Roehrig, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, expressed a similar view, stating that it's difficult to know the capabilities of the new frigates until their operation is observed in more detail.

However, he does not expect the frigates to represent a significant upgrade from previous models, and does not foresee them posing a substantial threat to South Korea or the US navy.

North Korean's Frigates & Corvettes

Among their fleet, two Najin-class light frigates stand out. These vessels, originating from North Korea, have been in service for a considerable period, symbolizing the longstanding naval heritage of the country.

One of these veteran frigates underwent modernization in 2014, indicating the Korean People's Navy's effort to maintain and update their naval capabilities despite the vessels' age.

In addition to the frigates, the navy operates several corvettes, which are smaller, maneuverable, lightly armed warships. The Korean People's Navy currently operates one Amnok-class corvette, believed to be built on a Krivak class hull, demonstrating some level of adaptation and customization in their naval fleet.

Furthermore, there are two Nampo-class (also referred to as the Tuman class) corvettes, with the possibility of another currently under construction. The navy also operates four Sariwon-class corvettes, based on the Tral-class design.

Lastly, the Korean People's Navy utilizes a Fugas-class minesweeper corvette, originating from the Soviet Union. This ship, transferred to North Korea in 1953, serves as a testament to the enduring naval relationship between the two nations.
Cato Networks new deep learning algorithms are designed to identify malware command and control domains and block them more quickly than traditional systems based on domain reputation, thanks to extensive training on the companys own data sets.

Cato, a SASE provider based in Tel Aviv, announced the new algorithmic security system today. The system is predicated on the idea that domain reputation tracking is insufficient to quickly identify the command servers used to remotely control malware. Thats because most modern malware uses a domain generation algorithm (DGA) to rapidly generate pseudorandom domain names  which the deployed malware also has a copy of.

This, essentially, hides the command server from traditional intrusion prevention systems, which would be quick to identify a falsified IP or specific domain name. All a bad actor has to do is register one of the domain names that could be generated by the DGA, and it should be able to evade detection.

Hence, the idea here is to tackle the DGA itself. The companys algorithm identifies domains that arent usually visited by users, but whose names are common to DGAs, including common typographical errors for well-known brands. (e.g., Microsoftt.com or similar.) It also applies deep learning to network traffic, which is done remotely in Catos cloud to minimize impact on user experience, discovering destination domains and inferring whether or not traffic is malicious.

The use of AI and machine learning in the product is interesting as far as it goes, according to Avidthink principal Roy Chua, but the really exciting news is that this could be the beginning of a trend in malware prevention.

This is the beginning of [Cato] dynamically blocking an increasing amount of malware, he said. And the platform can potentially be used to stop other types of threats  its the framework thats important.

Part of the reason for the apparent efficacy of Catos product, noted Chua, is its use of a broad set of user data collected by the company. While he spoke highly of Catos reputation, Chua noted that its important to understand exactly what any security vendor is doing with each users data.

It can see all the traffic and it can aggregate all customers, he said. If youre expecting the security vendor to do the hard work for you, you have to put your trust in them, and its important for customers to do their due diligence.

Cato confirmed that the new DGA tracking system would be available to all users of its IPS product immediately, and that it would not change the current pricing structure for its offerings.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, on Tuesday, expressed serious concern on the way the key characters of the epic Ramayana, based on the life and times of Lord Ram and his conquest over demon king Ravana, were depicted in the movie Aadipurush.

It observed why the tolerance level of a particular community was being put to the test.

"It is good that it is about religion, the believers of which did not create any public order problem. We should be thankful. We saw in the news that some people had gone to cinema halls and they only forced them to close the hall, they could have done something else as well," said the division bench, comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Shree Prakash Singh, while noting that the CBFC should have done something while granting a certificate to the film for screening.

Declining to accept the defence argument that the disclaimer of the movie makes it clear that it is not Ramayana, the bench said: When the filmmaker has shown Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravan, Lanka etc., how can the disclaimer of the film convince the people at large that the story is not from Ramayana.

The bench made serious oral observations in a crowded open court while hearing the two PILs filed by Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan over the controversial film, its exhibition and dialogues of the movie starring Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon.

Issuing notice to Manoj Munatshir Shukla, the dialogue writer of the movie, the vacation bench of the High Court asked the deputy solicitor general SB Pandey to seek instructions as to whether the Central government was contemplating to review the certification granted to the film by the Censor Board for its screening.

The bench sought a reply from the central government and the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by 2:15 pm on Wednesday.

While hearing the petitions, the bench was irked when apprised by the petitioners lawyer Ranjana Agnihotri that the movie might not only affect the sentiments of the people of a community adversely as they worship Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Hanuman etc., but the manner in which the characters of Ramayana were depicted would also create serious disharmony in the society.

It was further stated that the petitioner failed to understand from where the content of the film had been borrowed as nothing in that manner was narrated in Valmiki Ramayana or Tulsikrit Ramcharit Manas. The bench said that religious scriptures, towards which people are sensitive, should not be touched or encroached upon.

The Court questioned the Deputy Solicitor General of India as to how would he defend the movie when it contains prima facie objectionable scenes and dialogues. The Court, however, asked him to seek instructions in the matter from the competent authority.

Further, when the Deputy SGI informed the bench that certain objectionable dialogues of the movie were changed, the bench said that alone won't work. What will you do with the scenes? Seek instructions, then we will definitely do whatever we want to do...In case the exhibition of the movie is stopped, then the people whose feelings have been hurt, will get relief."

Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, on Tuesday, expressed serious concern on the way the key characters of the epic Ramayana, based on the life and times of Lord Ram and his conquest over demon king Ravana, were depicted in the movie Aadipurush. It observed why the tolerance level of a particular community was being put to the test. "It is good that it is about religion, the believers of which did not create any public order problem. We should be thankful. We saw in the news that some people had gone to cinema halls and they only forced them to close the hall, they could have done something else as well," said the division bench, comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Shree Prakash Singh, while noting that the CBFC should have done something while granting a certificate to the film for screening.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Declining to accept the defence argument that the disclaimer of the movie makes it clear that it is not Ramayana, the bench said: When the filmmaker has shown Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravan, Lanka etc., how can the disclaimer of the film convince the people at large that the story is not from Ramayana. The bench made serious oral observations in a crowded open court while hearing the two PILs filed by Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan over the controversial film, its exhibition and dialogues of the movie starring Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon. Issuing notice to Manoj Munatshir Shukla, the dialogue writer of the movie, the vacation bench of the High Court asked the deputy solicitor general SB Pandey to seek instructions as to whether the Central government was contemplating to review the certification granted to the film by the Censor Board for its screening. The bench sought a reply from the central government and the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by 2:15 pm on Wednesday. While hearing the petitions, the bench was irked when apprised by the petitioners lawyer Ranjana Agnihotri that the movie might not only affect the sentiments of the people of a community adversely as they worship Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Hanuman etc., but the manner in which the characters of Ramayana were depicted would also create serious disharmony in the society. It was further stated that the petitioner failed to understand from where the content of the film had been borrowed as nothing in that manner was narrated in Valmiki Ramayana or Tulsikrit Ramcharit Manas. The bench said that religious scriptures, towards which people are sensitive, should not be touched or encroached upon. The Court questioned the Deputy Solicitor General of India as to how would he defend the movie when it contains prima facie objectionable scenes and dialogues. The Court, however, asked him to seek instructions in the matter from the competent authority. Further, when the Deputy SGI informed the bench that certain objectionable dialogues of the movie were changed, the bench said that alone won't work. What will you do with the scenes? Seek instructions, then we will definitely do whatever we want to do...In case the exhibition of the movie is stopped, then the people whose feelings have been hurt, will get relief."
By PTI

CHANDIGARH: Contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways and the Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation went on strike on Tuesday to press for their demands, including an increase in salaries.

The strike left many passengers stranded at bus stands, including in Sangrur, Ludhiana and Patiala.

Gurvinder Singh, secretary of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC Contract Workers' Union, said they are staging demonstrations at all 27 bus stands in the state.

The contractual employees are seeking from the state government, among others, a five per cent hike in their annual salaries. Singh said the hike was promised by the state government but not implemented.

Waving black flags, the protesting employees raised slogans against the government and threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are not met.

The strike inconvenienced many passengers, several of whom were unaware of the strike call.

A passenger at the Sangrur stand said he waited for a state-owned bus for 25 minutes but "not even a single bus came."

A woman passenger in Ludhiana said she was waiting for a bus to Jalandhar but did not get one.

CHANDIGARH: Contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways and the Pepsu Road Transportation Corporation went on strike on Tuesday to press for their demands, including an increase in salaries. The strike left many passengers stranded at bus stands, including in Sangrur, Ludhiana and Patiala. Gurvinder Singh, secretary of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC Contract Workers' Union, said they are staging demonstrations at all 27 bus stands in the state.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The contractual employees are seeking from the state government, among others, a five per cent hike in their annual salaries. Singh said the hike was promised by the state government but not implemented. Waving black flags, the protesting employees raised slogans against the government and threatened to intensify their protest if their demands are not met. The strike inconvenienced many passengers, several of whom were unaware of the strike call. A passenger at the Sangrur stand said he waited for a state-owned bus for 25 minutes but "not even a single bus came." A woman passenger in Ludhiana said she was waiting for a bus to Jalandhar but did not get one.
Jitendra Choubey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday advocated free trade agreements with different countries to increase Indias textile presence globally which is less polluting and promotes a circular economy. India has been actively considering the possibility of joining comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States, the European Union and others. However, civil society organisations termed these FTAs as problematic and they believe such pacts can harm India.

For instance, India is discussing formally joining the US-led trade bloc Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Critics say such a deal would impact Indias domestic policy space on agriculture, the labour environment, among others. The Minister said by entering into these agreements, India aims to tap into new markets, and increase exports.

By entering into these agreements, India aims to tap into new markets, increase exports, and create opportunities for growth in the textile industry, said Goyal. Speaking at the inaugural function of the 69th India International Garment Fair (IIGF), Goyal said the Indian textile industry has made a mark worldwide with its innovative and attractive products.

Industry should focus on quality and test their products to comply with quality standards, said the minister. He also motivated the youth to innovate and develop new technologies to facilitate the production of better-quality products. He said that the IIGF must focus on enhancing quality and professionalism in the textile sector. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), an official body of apparel exporters in India, has organised the garment fair. AEPC facilitates Indian exporters, importers, and international buyers who choose India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments.

The minister noted that the Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park are being established across seven states of the country with the objective of promoting Indias textile sector in a significant manner. Goyal said PM MITRA Parks will lead to a reduction of logistic costs due to a cluster-based approach to manufacturing and production of quality products with appropriate testing facilities. He emphasised that countrymen deserve the best quality of garments and this should be ensured by all stakeholders. Goyal said India is pioneering sustainable textiles, contributing to a lesser carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy.

The textile sector provides lakhs of livelihood opportunities in the country. India is pioneering sustainable textiles contributing to lesser carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy. Goyal emphasised that our countrymen deserved the best quality of garments, and all the stakeholders should ensure this. He encouraged the industry to focus on quality and test their products to comply with quality standards.

NEW DELHI: Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday advocated free trade agreements with different countries to increase Indias textile presence globally which is less polluting and promotes a circular economy. India has been actively considering the possibility of joining comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States, the European Union and others. However, civil society organisations termed these FTAs as problematic and they believe such pacts can harm India. For instance, India is discussing formally joining the US-led trade bloc Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Critics say such a deal would impact Indias domestic policy space on agriculture, the labour environment, among others. The Minister said by entering into these agreements, India aims to tap into new markets, and increase exports. By entering into these agreements, India aims to tap into new markets, increase exports, and create opportunities for growth in the textile industry, said Goyal. Speaking at the inaugural function of the 69th India International Garment Fair (IIGF), Goyal said the Indian textile industry has made a mark worldwide with its innovative and attractive products.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Industry should focus on quality and test their products to comply with quality standards, said the minister. He also motivated the youth to innovate and develop new technologies to facilitate the production of better-quality products. He said that the IIGF must focus on enhancing quality and professionalism in the textile sector. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), an official body of apparel exporters in India, has organised the garment fair. AEPC facilitates Indian exporters, importers, and international buyers who choose India as their preferred sourcing destination for garments. The minister noted that the Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park are being established across seven states of the country with the objective of promoting Indias textile sector in a significant manner. Goyal said PM MITRA Parks will lead to a reduction of logistic costs due to a cluster-based approach to manufacturing and production of quality products with appropriate testing facilities. He emphasised that countrymen deserve the best quality of garments and this should be ensured by all stakeholders. Goyal said India is pioneering sustainable textiles, contributing to a lesser carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy. The textile sector provides lakhs of livelihood opportunities in the country. India is pioneering sustainable textiles contributing to lesser carbon footprint and promoting a circular economy. Goyal emphasised that our countrymen deserved the best quality of garments, and all the stakeholders should ensure this. He encouraged the industry to focus on quality and test their products to comply with quality standards.
By Express News Service

Describing the controversy over the rationalisation of NCERT books as much ado about nothing, Sanjay Kumar, secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Education Ministry, tells Kavita Bajeli-Datt that books could not be static and due process was followed before the changes were introduced in the textbooks.

Speaking on takeaways from the G20 education ministers meeting and learning losses due to Covid-19, he said the ministry is trying to get the new NCERT books revised as per National Education Policy by the next academic session.

Excerpts:

What are the major takeaways from the G20 education ministers meeting?

The key takeaway for foundational literacy and numeracy is that the G20 countries are facing similar issues. So, you will see a similarity in approach in almost all the countries. The question is to what extent do you have to use technology? It is different for every country. But by and large, everyones on the same page that technology has to be used most innovatively. That is the biggest takeaway. The more significant issue is that its an excellent opportunity to showcase India. They see the Indian society, our cities, our culture, and our hospitality and the passion we have for development. It is an excellent opportunity to brand India worldwide. The general impression is that everyone is amazed by Indian hospitality.

At the end of the day, when you return with happy memories of the country, it is also good diplomacy. Most G20 countries are advanced countries. Most of the research is done there. They have some of the best universities. It is an excellent opportunity to partner with them. Ultimately, we are all living in what they say: One Earth, One family, One future. So, the message is clear that we live in an interconnected world. We are also looking at tech-enabled learning.

Covid-19 impacted the education sector severely. Are there any early indicators that we have been able to reach pre-pandemic levels?

We did a National Achievement Survey (NAS) in November 2020. There are two ways of looking at it. There have been learning losses all across the country in different subjects. But we also found that the learning losses concerning NAS 2017 were not as much as we had expected. It was just a marginal fall. This also shows that whatever we did during the Covid, we reached out to students through the DIKSHA platform, trained the teachers through NISHTHA and launched 12 TV channels.

We were able to reach out to children. The learning losses could have been much more acute. So that has been arrested. But there have been learning losses. I guess we are still catching up. We have started VIDYA PRAVESH. This is a three-month play-based school preparation module for Grade-I. Children have skipped an entire class. When the schools reopened, a person in class II found himself in class IV. Most states started a brief catch-up course for all the students. But I think it is going to take a little while. It isnt easy to quantify how much time it will take. But it may take a year or two to catch up.

There has been a huge controversy about the rationalisation of NCERT books. Your comments?

I think it is much ado about nothing. You see, during the Covid times, we decided to reduce the course curriculum burden on the children. NCERT deleted some chapters. The new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) is in the making. And once it comes up, all textbooks from pre-primary to class 12 will be reconstructed. We also must look at how knowledge changes with time. Many things change. Books also cannot be static. There may be differences of opinion on what has been dropped and what has been added. There is a certain process that is followed in the NCERT. Expert committees sit, deliberate, and based on their knowledge and expertise; they make specific recommendations about the books. So, NCERT takes decisions accordingly. The process was duly followed.

The political science textbook committee members have written to NCERT about dropping their

names from the books. What do you have to say about this controversy?

They are entitled to their point of view. But I think the copyright of the books lies with the NCERT. Those committees are not in existence. They had been when the books were made. There is a certain process of adding or subtracting course content in our books. That has been followed. Some things have changed. We all come from different backgrounds. We may agree or disagree, but that is the essence of democracy. NCERT has made some deletions while rationalising the syllabus during the pandemic that the NCERT did not notify, like the portion on RSS, Gandhi and Gujarat riots. Those portions have gone through the process of the expert committee. If there is anything specific, then we can check and come back.

Hundreds of scientists have expressed concern over removing topics like the theory of evolution and the periodic table from tenth-grade textbooks. Your comments?

As I have said earlier, some course correction was done to reduce the load during Covid-19. It was a temporary reduction in the course curriculum. The new books will be out shortly.

When will the newly revised books based on National Education Policy (NEP) be rolled out? It was said that the new books would be rolled out by the 2024-25 academic year.

Were working on it. We would want the books to come. But then we are also mindful that the quality of the books must not be compromised in any manner. We are also aware of the fact that we must get it right the very first time. If you are in the market and you go to buy books, you will get the first edition, second edition and third edition. So knowledge is something that is continually growing. Books are also continuously evolving, just like us. I am not a futurologist. But we are trying that in the next academic session; we must get as many books as possible.

We have made plans for how to roll out the books. We are waiting for the national curriculum framework (NCF) to be announced. The NCF is on track. We do hope that it will come out very shortly. Shortly means that it will come out in a couple of months.



Describing the controversy over the rationalisation of NCERT books as much ado about nothing, Sanjay Kumar, secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Education Ministry, tells Kavita Bajeli-Datt that books could not be static and due process was followed before the changes were introduced in the textbooks. Speaking on takeaways from the G20 education ministers meeting and learning losses due to Covid-19, he said the ministry is trying to get the new NCERT books revised as per National Education Policy by the next academic session. Excerpts:googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); What are the major takeaways from the G20 education ministers meeting? The key takeaway for foundational literacy and numeracy is that the G20 countries are facing similar issues. So, you will see a similarity in approach in almost all the countries. The question is to what extent do you have to use technology? It is different for every country. But by and large, everyones on the same page that technology has to be used most innovatively. That is the biggest takeaway. The more significant issue is that its an excellent opportunity to showcase India. They see the Indian society, our cities, our culture, and our hospitality and the passion we have for development. It is an excellent opportunity to brand India worldwide. The general impression is that everyone is amazed by Indian hospitality. At the end of the day, when you return with happy memories of the country, it is also good diplomacy. Most G20 countries are advanced countries. Most of the research is done there. They have some of the best universities. It is an excellent opportunity to partner with them. Ultimately, we are all living in what they say: One Earth, One family, One future. So, the message is clear that we live in an interconnected world. We are also looking at tech-enabled learning. Covid-19 impacted the education sector severely. Are there any early indicators that we have been able to reach pre-pandemic levels? We did a National Achievement Survey (NAS) in November 2020. There are two ways of looking at it. There have been learning losses all across the country in different subjects. But we also found that the learning losses concerning NAS 2017 were not as much as we had expected. It was just a marginal fall. This also shows that whatever we did during the Covid, we reached out to students through the DIKSHA platform, trained the teachers through NISHTHA and launched 12 TV channels. We were able to reach out to children. The learning losses could have been much more acute. So that has been arrested. But there have been learning losses. I guess we are still catching up. We have started VIDYA PRAVESH. This is a three-month play-based school preparation module for Grade-I. Children have skipped an entire class. When the schools reopened, a person in class II found himself in class IV. Most states started a brief catch-up course for all the students. But I think it is going to take a little while. It isnt easy to quantify how much time it will take. But it may take a year or two to catch up. There has been a huge controversy about the rationalisation of NCERT books. Your comments? I think it is much ado about nothing. You see, during the Covid times, we decided to reduce the course curriculum burden on the children. NCERT deleted some chapters. The new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) is in the making. And once it comes up, all textbooks from pre-primary to class 12 will be reconstructed. We also must look at how knowledge changes with time. Many things change. Books also cannot be static. There may be differences of opinion on what has been dropped and what has been added. There is a certain process that is followed in the NCERT. Expert committees sit, deliberate, and based on their knowledge and expertise; they make specific recommendations about the books. So, NCERT takes decisions accordingly. The process was duly followed. The political science textbook committee members have written to NCERT about dropping their names from the books. What do you have to say about this controversy? They are entitled to their point of view. But I think the copyright of the books lies with the NCERT. Those committees are not in existence. They had been when the books were made. There is a certain process of adding or subtracting course content in our books. That has been followed. Some things have changed. We all come from different backgrounds. We may agree or disagree, but that is the essence of democracy. NCERT has made some deletions while rationalising the syllabus during the pandemic that the NCERT did not notify, like the portion on RSS, Gandhi and Gujarat riots. Those portions have gone through the process of the expert committee. If there is anything specific, then we can check and come back. Hundreds of scientists have expressed concern over removing topics like the theory of evolution and the periodic table from tenth-grade textbooks. Your comments? As I have said earlier, some course correction was done to reduce the load during Covid-19. It was a temporary reduction in the course curriculum. The new books will be out shortly. When will the newly revised books based on National Education Policy (NEP) be rolled out? It was said that the new books would be rolled out by the 2024-25 academic year. Were working on it. We would want the books to come. But then we are also mindful that the quality of the books must not be compromised in any manner. We are also aware of the fact that we must get it right the very first time. If you are in the market and you go to buy books, you will get the first edition, second edition and third edition. So knowledge is something that is continually growing. Books are also continuously evolving, just like us. I am not a futurologist. But we are trying that in the next academic session; we must get as many books as possible. We have made plans for how to roll out the books. We are waiting for the national curriculum framework (NCF) to be announced. The NCF is on track. We do hope that it will come out very shortly. Shortly means that it will come out in a couple of months.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: CM Ashok Gehlots decision to create 19 new districts in an election year has become a new reason for controversies in Rajasthan.

There are many areas that are unhappy with their demarcation after the announcement of the new districts.

In this sequence, residents of Sambhar-Phulera near Jaipur violently opposed the inclusion of the Dudu district on Sunday. During this, there were two clashes between the police and the villagers.

Angry villagers threw stones at the police, and in response, the police lathi-charged the villagers. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, CM Gehlot held a long meeting at CM House on Monday to gain the confidence of Congress MLAs and Ministers from the Jaipur district.

It was decided in this meeting that if Dudu is named as Jaipur Dehat (Rural), the surrounding areas will be ready to join it, and they will have no objection to it. The final decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.

JAIPUR: CM Ashok Gehlots decision to create 19 new districts in an election year has become a new reason for controversies in Rajasthan. There are many areas that are unhappy with their demarcation after the announcement of the new districts. In this sequence, residents of Sambhar-Phulera near Jaipur violently opposed the inclusion of the Dudu district on Sunday. During this, there were two clashes between the police and the villagers. Angry villagers threw stones at the police, and in response, the police lathi-charged the villagers. Seeing the seriousness of the matter, CM Gehlot held a long meeting at CM House on Monday to gain the confidence of Congress MLAs and Ministers from the Jaipur district. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It was decided in this meeting that if Dudu is named as Jaipur Dehat (Rural), the surrounding areas will be ready to join it, and they will have no objection to it. The final decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday indicated the early restoration of the democratic process in J&K. He also had a sharp warning for Pakistan, saying if India can eliminate (militants) on this side of the border, it can kill them on the other side also by going across the border if needed.

After 370 revocation, we want to ensure normalcy in J&K. We will restore the democratic process in J&K as soon as possible, Rajnath said while replying to a question during a security conclave at the University of Jammu.

I cannot say anything about the timeframe of the polls. However, it wont take much longer; I can say that confidently, he said. J&K has been under Central rule since July 19, 2018.

Asked whether the option of a limited war is open if Pakistan again carries out Uri or Pulwama-like attacks, he said, I think there wont be a need for it. I think Pakistan will not give us this option.

He, however, said, If India can kill (militants) on this side of the border, it can also kill on the other side by going across the border, if ever the need arises.

As for the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, he said it can be lifted only after permanent peace is restored. I am waiting for the day when there will be permanent peace in J&K and we will get an opportunity to lift AFSPA.

SRINAGAR: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday indicated the early restoration of the democratic process in J&K. He also had a sharp warning for Pakistan, saying if India can eliminate (militants) on this side of the border, it can kill them on the other side also by going across the border if needed. After 370 revocation, we want to ensure normalcy in J&K. We will restore the democratic process in J&K as soon as possible, Rajnath said while replying to a question during a security conclave at the University of Jammu. I cannot say anything about the timeframe of the polls. However, it wont take much longer; I can say that confidently, he said. J&K has been under Central rule since July 19, 2018. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asked whether the option of a limited war is open if Pakistan again carries out Uri or Pulwama-like attacks, he said, I think there wont be a need for it. I think Pakistan will not give us this option. He, however, said, If India can kill (militants) on this side of the border, it can also kill on the other side by going across the border, if ever the need arises. As for the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, he said it can be lifted only after permanent peace is restored. I am waiting for the day when there will be permanent peace in J&K and we will get an opportunity to lift AFSPA.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The farmers in UPs sugar bowl  Lakhimpur Kheri  have come up with an interesting way to safeguard their cane crop by playing the scarecrow themselves. In an attempt to save the sugarcane crop, the farmers across a number of villages in Lakhimpur Kheri are spending time in their fields under the guise of a bear to ward off stray animals, especially monkeys.

Apart from dressing themselves as a bear, the farmers are also hiring men at Rs 250-Rs 500 to perform the same job. Rajeev Shukla of Bajrang Garh village of Kheri had bought a costume of a bear from adjoining Shahjahanpur for Rs 5,000. This strategy is working. However, wearing the bear costume is not easy in this sultry weather, but how can I sacrifice my crop and months of labour, he says.

Some of the farmers are even joined by their wives in the endeavour throughout the day. We can even charge at the animals straying into our fields as we are covered by the costume, says Shailendra Singh of Jahan Nagar village.

However, the cane farmers of the area are still grappling to find a solution to the problem during the night. We are protecting the crops during the day time but to keep the stray animals at bay during the night is still a challenge, says Shailendra Singh.

Manoj Tiwari of Fariya Papariya village complains of inaction on the part of the forest department despite repeated petitions. We have approached the forest officials so many times to reign in the monkeys active in the village but they expressed their inability to tame them owing to lack of funds, says Tiwari adding that finding no other way to protect the crops, the farmers had to resort to the technique of safeguarding the crops in the guise of bear.

In some of the villages, the farmers have even prepared a roster and they take turns wearing the bear costume and roaming in the fields. After the pictures of the farmers donning the bear costume went viral, Sanjay Biswal, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Lakhimpur Kheri said, I assure farmers that we will take measures to stop monkeys from damaging the crops.

LUCKNOW: The farmers in UPs sugar bowl  Lakhimpur Kheri  have come up with an interesting way to safeguard their cane crop by playing the scarecrow themselves. In an attempt to save the sugarcane crop, the farmers across a number of villages in Lakhimpur Kheri are spending time in their fields under the guise of a bear to ward off stray animals, especially monkeys. Apart from dressing themselves as a bear, the farmers are also hiring men at Rs 250-Rs 500 to perform the same job. Rajeev Shukla of Bajrang Garh village of Kheri had bought a costume of a bear from adjoining Shahjahanpur for Rs 5,000. This strategy is working. However, wearing the bear costume is not easy in this sultry weather, but how can I sacrifice my crop and months of labour, he says. Some of the farmers are even joined by their wives in the endeavour throughout the day. We can even charge at the animals straying into our fields as we are covered by the costume, says Shailendra Singh of Jahan Nagar village.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); However, the cane farmers of the area are still grappling to find a solution to the problem during the night. We are protecting the crops during the day time but to keep the stray animals at bay during the night is still a challenge, says Shailendra Singh. Manoj Tiwari of Fariya Papariya village complains of inaction on the part of the forest department despite repeated petitions. We have approached the forest officials so many times to reign in the monkeys active in the village but they expressed their inability to tame them owing to lack of funds, says Tiwari adding that finding no other way to protect the crops, the farmers had to resort to the technique of safeguarding the crops in the guise of bear. In some of the villages, the farmers have even prepared a roster and they take turns wearing the bear costume and roaming in the fields. After the pictures of the farmers donning the bear costume went viral, Sanjay Biswal, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Lakhimpur Kheri said, I assure farmers that we will take measures to stop monkeys from damaging the crops.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India on Monday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat and lodged a strong protest against the recent attacks on the Sikh community in the neighbouring nation.

This comes less than two days after Pakistan had summoned an Indian diplomat to register its protest over what they alleged was a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control, that led to the killing of two civilians and caused great injury to the other.

Four incidents have been reported between April and June this year and we in India have taken serious note of these incidents, sources informed.

India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on the Sikh community with sincerity and also 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.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Pakistan had summoned India's Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to register its protest over what they alleged was a ceasefire violation by the Indian forces along the Line of Control.

Pakistan has alleged that the ceasefire violation led to the killing of two civilians and caused great injury to another one. "Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021," according to a statement made by Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army dismissed these allegations and further countered that three armed Pakistani intruders were shot by security forces when they attempted to sneak into the Indian side from across the LoC in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"In a counter-infiltration operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, one soldier suffered gunshot wounds and was evacuated, while three infiltrators seen running towards LoC were seen falling," according to White Knight Corps of the Indian Army.

NEW DELHI: India on Monday summoned a senior Pakistani diplomat and lodged a strong protest against the recent attacks on the Sikh community in the neighbouring nation. This comes less than two days after Pakistan had summoned an Indian diplomat to register its protest over what they alleged was a ceasefire violation along the Line of Control, that led to the killing of two civilians and caused great injury to the other. Four incidents have been reported between April and June this year and we in India have taken serious note of these incidents, sources informed. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); India has demanded that Pakistani authorities investigate these violent attacks on the Sikh community with sincerity and also 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. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Pakistan had summoned India's Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to register its protest over what they alleged was a ceasefire violation by the Indian forces along the Line of Control. Pakistan has alleged that the ceasefire violation led to the killing of two civilians and caused great injury to another one. "Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021," according to a statement made by Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Indian Army dismissed these allegations and further countered that three armed Pakistani intruders were shot by security forces when they attempted to sneak into the Indian side from across the LoC in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. "In a counter-infiltration operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, one soldier suffered gunshot wounds and was evacuated, while three infiltrators seen running towards LoC were seen falling," according to White Knight Corps of the Indian Army.
Pronab Mondal By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: Kicking off her campaign for the panchayat polls after 15 years and for the first time since her party came to power in West Bengal in 2011 Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the nexus between the CPI(M), Congress and the BJP in the upcoming rural elections will get washed away by the verdict of the voters.

"We are trying to form a grand alliance (Mahajot) against the BJP at the Centre. But the CPI (M) and Congress are trying to work with the BJP in Bengal. I will break this unholy nexus in Bengal," the TMC supremo said while addressing a panchayat election rally here on Monday.

This is for the second time in the last ten days that Banerjee has criticised the Congress and CPI (M) for having a tacit understanding with the BJP.

Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar in north Bengal, where the BJP made deep inroads in the 2019 general elections, Mamata also targeted the Border Security Force (BSF).

"I have information that 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 BSFs tactics and participate in the elections fearlessly," she said.

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 the Cooch Behar district has become a norm," she said.

She also asserted that "law and order is a state subject" and the Centre has no role in it.

Her comments evoked a sharp reaction from the BSF Guwahati Frontier, under whose jurisdiction Cooch Behar falls.

In a strongly worded statement, it said the allegations are "totally baseless and far from the truth," adding that the BSF "has never intimidated any border population or voters in the bordering areas for any reason."

"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.

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."

It pointed out that BSF personnel deployed for election duty are under the overall supervision of the local administration.

For their part, Opposition parties alleged that Mamata has begun campaigning for the rural polls as she is feeling the heat of voter discontent.

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.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

KOLKATA: Kicking off her campaign for the panchayat polls after 15 years and for the first time since her party came to power in West Bengal in 2011 Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the nexus between the CPI(M), Congress and the BJP in the upcoming rural elections will get washed away by the verdict of the voters. "We are trying to form a grand alliance (Mahajot) against the BJP at the Centre. But the CPI (M) and Congress are trying to work with the BJP in Bengal. I will break this unholy nexus in Bengal," the TMC supremo said while addressing a panchayat election rally here on Monday. This is for the second time in the last ten days that Banerjee has criticised the Congress and CPI (M) for having a tacit understanding with the BJP.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar in north Bengal, where the BJP made deep inroads in the 2019 general elections, Mamata also targeted the Border Security Force (BSF). "I have information that 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 BSFs tactics and participate in the elections fearlessly," she said. 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 the Cooch Behar district has become a norm," she said. She also asserted that "law and order is a state subject" and the Centre has no role in it. Her comments evoked a sharp reaction from the BSF Guwahati Frontier, under whose jurisdiction Cooch Behar falls. In a strongly worded statement, it said the allegations are "totally baseless and far from the truth," adding that the BSF "has never intimidated any border population or voters in the bordering areas for any reason." "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. 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." It pointed out that BSF personnel deployed for election duty are under the overall supervision of the local administration. For their part, Opposition parties alleged that Mamata has begun campaigning for the rural polls as she is feeling the heat of voter discontent. 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. (With additional inputs from PTI)
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday carried out a series of raids at 12 locations in militancy-hit Kashmir as part of its ongoing investigation into the floating of new offshoots by banned Pakistan-backed militant outfits that are looking to foment militancy and trouble in J&K. An NIA spokesman said 12 locations in four districts of Kashmir  Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama  were raided by NIA sleuths.

The NIA officials were assisted by police and paramilitary personnel during the raids. The locations raided were residential premises of hybrid militants and Overground Workers linked with the newly-formed offshoots and affiliates of the banned terrorist outfits. Premises of sympathisers and cadres of these organisations were also searched extensively in the raids, the NIA spokesman said.

He said many digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recovered during these searches. These will be subjected to thorough scrutiny to unravel the details of the terrorist conspiracy.

The NIA had launched an investigation into the militant conspiracy of floating new off-shoots of militant outfits last year to foment trouble in J&K after registering a suo moto case on June 21, 2022.

The newly floated 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, among others.

These outfits, according to NIA, are affiliated with Pakistan-backed organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, etc, which have been banned by the Indian government.

Some of the newly floated outfits are active in Kashmir and a few of them are active in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu region. The conspiracy under investigation links to plotting by banned outfits in both physical and cyberspace, the NIA spokesman said.

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday carried out a series of raids at 12 locations in militancy-hit Kashmir as part of its ongoing investigation into the floating of new offshoots by banned Pakistan-backed militant outfits that are looking to foment militancy and trouble in J&K. An NIA spokesman said 12 locations in four districts of Kashmir  Kulgam, Bandipora, Shopian and Pulwama  were raided by NIA sleuths. The NIA officials were assisted by police and paramilitary personnel during the raids. The locations raided were residential premises of hybrid militants and Overground Workers linked with the newly-formed offshoots and affiliates of the banned terrorist outfits. Premises of sympathisers and cadres of these organisations were also searched extensively in the raids, the NIA spokesman said. He said many digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recovered during these searches. These will be subjected to thorough scrutiny to unravel the details of the terrorist conspiracy.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The NIA had launched an investigation into the militant conspiracy of floating new off-shoots of militant outfits last year to foment trouble in J&K after registering a suo moto case on June 21, 2022. The newly floated 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, among others. These outfits, according to NIA, are affiliated with Pakistan-backed organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, etc, which have been banned by the Indian government. Some of the newly floated outfits are active in Kashmir and a few of them are active in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch districts of the Jammu region. The conspiracy under investigation links to plotting by banned outfits in both physical and cyberspace, the NIA spokesman said.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: Amid speculations over the expansion of the Nitish cabinet in Bihar, Congress MLC Sameer Kumar Singh on Monday created a flutter in political circles by asserting that his party was entitled to three more ministerial berths.

Singhs remark has come two days after former Congress president Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of the induction of Congress legislators in the state cabinet with chief minister Nitish Kumar during his visit to the state capital on Friday. Rahul was in Patna to attend the meeting of Opposition leaders on June 23 in which top leaders of 15 non-BJP parties took place to strategise plans against BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

When Rahul inquired from Nitish about the cabinet expansion, CM asked how many Congress legislators had to be made ministers in cabinet expansion. On it, the state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that two more legislators had to be elevated to the posts of ministers. Singh said, Although Congress has the natural claim over three more ministerial berths in the cabinet, as of now discussions are only on two seats.

PATNA: Amid speculations over the expansion of the Nitish cabinet in Bihar, Congress MLC Sameer Kumar Singh on Monday created a flutter in political circles by asserting that his party was entitled to three more ministerial berths. Singhs remark has come two days after former Congress president Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of the induction of Congress legislators in the state cabinet with chief minister Nitish Kumar during his visit to the state capital on Friday. Rahul was in Patna to attend the meeting of Opposition leaders on June 23 in which top leaders of 15 non-BJP parties took place to strategise plans against BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. When Rahul inquired from Nitish about the cabinet expansion, CM asked how many Congress legislators had to be made ministers in cabinet expansion. On it, the state Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that two more legislators had to be elevated to the posts of ministers. Singh said, Although Congress has the natural claim over three more ministerial berths in the cabinet, as of now discussions are only on two seats.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });
By PTI

PATNA: The Nitish Kumar Cabinet on Tuesday announced that eligible persons from any Indian state can apply for teaching jobs in Bihar government schools.

The decision to this effect was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday.

This proposal was mooted before the cabinet by the state Education department.

Earlier, there was a provision to recruit only Bihar residents as teachers in state government-run schools under the new service conditions.

"Now, there will be no domicile-based reservation for recruitment of teachers in state government run-schools.

Any Indian citizen can apply for government teachers jobs and it is not binding that he or she should have a state domicile.

This decision was taken by the state cabinet today", S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary, (Cabinet Secretariat), told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

The state cabinet on May 2 this year had cleared the proposal to recruit 1.78 lakh teachers for primary, middle, and upper classes in the state.

The state government had approved the proposal to recruit 85,477 primary teachers, 1,745 middle and 90,804 for upper classes.

The recruitment will be done by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC).

The recruitment process is expected to be completed by the end of this year, said a senior official of the state government.

The Bihar state school teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action and service condition) (Amendment) Rules, 2023, for appointment of all kinds of school teachers states that school teachers will have status equivalent to state government employees, with separate district cadres.

Those appointed since 2006, including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), would also have the option of joining this cadre, but for that, they would also have to take the exam, the official said.

PATNA: The Nitish Kumar Cabinet on Tuesday announced that eligible persons from any Indian state can apply for teaching jobs in Bihar government schools. The decision to this effect was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here on Tuesday. This proposal was mooted before the cabinet by the state Education department.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, there was a provision to recruit only Bihar residents as teachers in state government-run schools under the new service conditions. "Now, there will be no domicile-based reservation for recruitment of teachers in state government run-schools. Any Indian citizen can apply for government teachers jobs and it is not binding that he or she should have a state domicile. This decision was taken by the state cabinet today", S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary, (Cabinet Secretariat), told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The state cabinet on May 2 this year had cleared the proposal to recruit 1.78 lakh teachers for primary, middle, and upper classes in the state. The state government had approved the proposal to recruit 85,477 primary teachers, 1,745 middle and 90,804 for upper classes. The recruitment will be done by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). The recruitment process is expected to be completed by the end of this year, said a senior official of the state government. The Bihar state school teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action and service condition) (Amendment) Rules, 2023, for appointment of all kinds of school teachers states that school teachers will have status equivalent to state government employees, with separate district cadres. Those appointed since 2006, including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), would also have the option of joining this cadre, but for that, they would also have to take the exam, the official said.
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took stock of the situation in ethnic violence- hit Manipur at a meeting with senior members of his Cabinet and top bureaucrats here. Among those present at the meeting were Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Puri.

The interaction came a day after the prime minister returned from his trips to the US and Egypt. Modi is now personally overseeing the situation in Manipur. Earlier in the day, Shah met Modi and updated him on the ground situation in the state as also the discussions he had with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday.

At the meeting, Shah and senior officials, including the Principal Secretary of the Prime Ministers Office, P K Mishra, gave a detailed briefing on the efforts to restore peace in Manipur, which has been wracked by violence for the past 51 days. The role of security forces in not only ensuring area domination but also providing humanitarian assistance was also mentioned.

Apart from Manipur, Shah briefed the prime minister on the steps taken so far by the Central and state governments to tackle the flood situation in Assam.

The meeting which went on for over half an hour also touched upon Nirmala Sitharamans fiery response to former US President Barack Obamas recent comments on minority rights in India. Petroleum prices and the potential for renewing NDAs electoral alliance with other regional parties, too, briefly figured in the meeting.

Worry over changing nature of violence

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, Biren Singh said.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took stock of the situation in ethnic violence- hit Manipur at a meeting with senior members of his Cabinet and top bureaucrats here. Among those present at the meeting were Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman and Hardeep Puri. The interaction came a day after the prime minister returned from his trips to the US and Egypt. Modi is now personally overseeing the situation in Manipur. Earlier in the day, Shah met Modi and updated him on the ground situation in the state as also the discussions he had with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday. At the meeting, Shah and senior officials, including the Principal Secretary of the Prime Ministers Office, P K Mishra, gave a detailed briefing on the efforts to restore peace in Manipur, which has been wracked by violence for the past 51 days. The role of security forces in not only ensuring area domination but also providing humanitarian assistance was also mentioned.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Apart from Manipur, Shah briefed the prime minister on the steps taken so far by the Central and state governments to tackle the flood situation in Assam. The meeting which went on for over half an hour also touched upon Nirmala Sitharamans fiery response to former US President Barack Obamas recent comments on minority rights in India. Petroleum prices and the potential for renewing NDAs electoral alliance with other regional parties, too, briefly figured in the meeting. Worry over changing nature of violence 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, Biren Singh said.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat state education department has requested a report from authorities after Dhaval Patel (IAS), who was the commissioner of geology and mining in Gandhinagar, claimed that some primary school students in the Chhotaudepur district couldnt even read or do basic math calculations.

In a letter he submitted to the education department on June 16, Patel alleged that the education being given to tribal children is rotten.

He also said the present education system will only guarantee that the tribal peoples future is spent as labourers who never advance in life.

IAS Dhaval Patel (Express Photo)

Kuber Dindor, the states education minister who also oversees the cabinet portfolio for tribal development, stated on Monday that he has requested a report from the relevant officials regarding Patels findings.

Addressing reporters in Godhra on Monday, Dindor said, I have requested my departments representatives to give a comprehensive report so that we can make the required changes. There are various issues in remote tribal territories. In addition, I was born there. There is a dearth of awareness even among parents. We will try to make them aware and fill the gaps.

Seizing on the report, Gujarat Congress questioned the governments entire educational system. Manish Doshi, a party spokesman, said, This is especially true for the poor children of tribal areas like Chhotaudepur. The report indicates how the Gujarat governments entire educational system works.

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.

In his letter to Education Secretary Vinod Rao, Patel recalled his visit to the primary school in Timla. Standard 8 students were reading every letter of a word separately as they could not read an entire word. They were having trouble performing basic mathematical calculations. At Bodgam Primary School, pupils were unable to provide antonyms for common Gujarati words like 'day'. The Himalayas and Gujarat could not be located on the Indian map by a girl student in Class 8, Patel said.

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 the 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.

I felt awful seeing such a low level of education in five of six schools. We are doing these tribal children an injustice by providing such a poor education, Patel wrote in his letter.

We are ensuring that the next generation of tribals remains as labourers and never advance in life. Im curious how a pupil cant do simple addition or subtraction after eight years with us, he said.

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat state education department has requested a report from authorities after Dhaval Patel (IAS), who was the commissioner of geology and mining in Gandhinagar, claimed that some primary school students in the Chhotaudepur district couldnt even read or do basic math calculations. In a letter he submitted to the education department on June 16, Patel alleged that the education being given to tribal children is rotten. He also said the present education system will only guarantee that the tribal peoples future is spent as labourers who never advance in life.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); IAS Dhaval Patel (Express Photo)Kuber Dindor, the states education minister who also oversees the cabinet portfolio for tribal development, stated on Monday that he has requested a report from the relevant officials regarding Patels findings. Addressing reporters in Godhra on Monday, Dindor said, I have requested my departments representatives to give a comprehensive report so that we can make the required changes. There are various issues in remote tribal territories. In addition, I was born there. There is a dearth of awareness even among parents. We will try to make them aware and fill the gaps. Seizing on the report, Gujarat Congress questioned the governments entire educational system. Manish Doshi, a party spokesman, said, This is especially true for the poor children of tribal areas like Chhotaudepur. The report indicates how the Gujarat governments entire educational system works. 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. In his letter to Education Secretary Vinod Rao, Patel recalled his visit to the primary school in Timla. Standard 8 students were reading every letter of a word separately as they could not read an entire word. They were having trouble performing basic mathematical calculations. At Bodgam Primary School, pupils were unable to provide antonyms for common Gujarati words like 'day'. The Himalayas and Gujarat could not be located on the Indian map by a girl student in Class 8, Patel said. 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 the 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. I felt awful seeing such a low level of education in five of six schools. We are doing these tribal children an injustice by providing such a poor education, Patel wrote in his letter. We are ensuring that the next generation of tribals remains as labourers and never advance in life. Im curious how a pupil cant do simple addition or subtraction after eight years with us, he said.
MUKESHRANJAN By

Express News Service

RANCHI: In a major development, 11 out of the 13 persons accused in Tabrez Ansari mob-lynching case were held guilty by a Saraikela Court in Jharkhand.

According to the prosecution lawyer Altaf Hussain  representing Tabrez Ansari's wife Shahista Parveen  two of the accused persons were acquitted by Additional Session Judge Amit Shekhar as no evidence was found against them. The advocate said that the decision over the quantum of punishment will be taken on July 5.

One of the accused persons  Kushal Mahli died during trial while the remaining 10 were sent to jail immediately after their conviction, he said.

Out of the 13 people accused in the case, the court of additional session judge Amit Shekher on Tuesday held 10 of them guilty under section 304 of IPC, while the other two  Sumanto Mahto and Satyanarayan Nayak, were acquitted, said advocate Altaf Hussain.

I am confident that all the convicted persons will be sentenced to life imprisonment, the advocate said.

The police had dropped murder charges against all the 13 accused in the mob lynching case and converted it into one of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 of the IPC) on the basis of postmortem, medical and forensic reports which said 24-year-old Ansari died of cardiac arrest. The autopsy report, prepared earlier by the medical board in the case, suggested that the

stress-induced cardiac arrest was what killed Tabrez Ansari on June 22.

Notably, 24-year-old Ansari was thrashed for several hours after being tied to a pole and forced to chant Jai Shri Ram and Jai Bajrang Bali on June 18, 2019, on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle with two other persons at Dhatkidih village in Seraikela-Kharsawan district when he and two of his associates

allegedly tried to enter a house with the intention of committing theft.

The police reached the spot the next morning and took Ansari to jail on the basis of a complaint lodged by the villagers. When Ansaris condition deteriorated in jail, he was taken to the Sadar Hospital in Seraikela-Kharsawan, where he was diagnosed with multiple injuries.

Later, he was referred to the Tata Main Hospital in Jamshedpur where he died on June 22.

RANCHI: In a major development, 11 out of the 13 persons accused in Tabrez Ansari mob-lynching case were held guilty by a Saraikela Court in Jharkhand. According to the prosecution lawyer Altaf Hussain  representing Tabrez Ansari's wife Shahista Parveen  two of the accused persons were acquitted by Additional Session Judge Amit Shekhar as no evidence was found against them. The advocate said that the decision over the quantum of punishment will be taken on July 5. One of the accused persons  Kushal Mahli died during trial while the remaining 10 were sent to jail immediately after their conviction, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Out of the 13 people accused in the case, the court of additional session judge Amit Shekher on Tuesday held 10 of them guilty under section 304 of IPC, while the other two  Sumanto Mahto and Satyanarayan Nayak, were acquitted, said advocate Altaf Hussain. I am confident that all the convicted persons will be sentenced to life imprisonment, the advocate said. The police had dropped murder charges against all the 13 accused in the mob lynching case and converted it into one of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 of the IPC) on the basis of postmortem, medical and forensic reports which said 24-year-old Ansari died of cardiac arrest. The autopsy report, prepared earlier by the medical board in the case, suggested that the stress-induced cardiac arrest was what killed Tabrez Ansari on June 22. Notably, 24-year-old Ansari was thrashed for several hours after being tied to a pole and forced to chant Jai Shri Ram and Jai Bajrang Bali on June 18, 2019, on suspicion of stealing a motorcycle with two other persons at Dhatkidih village in Seraikela-Kharsawan district when he and two of his associates allegedly tried to enter a house with the intention of committing theft. The police reached the spot the next morning and took Ansari to jail on the basis of a complaint lodged by the villagers. When Ansaris condition deteriorated in jail, he was taken to the Sadar Hospital in Seraikela-Kharsawan, where he was diagnosed with multiple injuries. Later, he was referred to the Tata Main Hospital in Jamshedpur where he died on June 22.
By ANI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign ministry summoned the United States Deputy Chief of Mission and handed a demarche to him over a joint statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden last week that called on Islamabad to ensure its territory was not used as a base for terrorist attacks.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday summoned US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer and handed over a demarche to him over the US-India joint Statement, issued on June 22, Pakistan-based daily the Dawn reported.

During PM Narendra Modi's recent visit, US and India strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.

"Pakistan's concerns and disappointment at the unwarranted, one-sided and misleading references to it in the Joint Statement were conveyed to the US side. It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as encouragement of India's baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan," as per an official release from Pakistan MoFA.

US President Joe Biden and PM Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

"It was also emphasized that counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and US had been progressing well and that an enabling environment, centered around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidifying Pakistan-US ties," the release added.

Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said the reference to Pakistan in the India-US joint statement was "contrary to diplomatic norms and has political overtones." Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticised the joint statement, reported Dawn.

US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters during a daily news briefing reiterated the US demand that Pakistan should take steps to disband all terrorist groups from its territory and that it would raise the issue regularly with the country.

"...We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently dismantle all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their various front organizations and we will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials," Miller said.

During his first State visit to the US while addressing a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi had said, "India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism."

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign ministry summoned the United States Deputy Chief of Mission and handed a demarche to him over a joint statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden last week that called on Islamabad to ensure its territory was not used as a base for terrorist attacks. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday summoned US Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer and handed over a demarche to him over the US-India joint Statement, issued on June 22, Pakistan-based daily the Dawn reported. During PM Narendra Modi's recent visit, US and India strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Pakistan's concerns and disappointment at the unwarranted, one-sided and misleading references to it in the Joint Statement were conveyed to the US side. It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as encouragement of India's baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan," as per an official release from Pakistan MoFA. US President Joe Biden and PM Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. "It was also emphasized that counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and US had been progressing well and that an enabling environment, centered around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidifying Pakistan-US ties," the release added. Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said the reference to Pakistan in the India-US joint statement was "contrary to diplomatic norms and has political overtones." Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticised the joint statement, reported Dawn. US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters during a daily news briefing reiterated the US demand that Pakistan should take steps to disband all terrorist groups from its territory and that it would raise the issue regularly with the country. "...We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently dismantle all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their various front organizations and we will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials," Miller said. During his first State visit to the US while addressing a joint press conference with US President Joe Biden, PM Modi had said, "India and America are walking shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism and extremism. We agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism."
By PTI

WASHINGTON: The US has been consistently calling on Pakistan to step up efforts to permanently disband all terrorist groups like the LeT, JuD and their various front organisations, a top state department official has said.

Addressing the media on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials and will continue to work together with it to counter mutual terrorist threats.

"We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations," he said.

"We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue," he said.

Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

In the joint statement, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.

Miller declined to comment on India's response to former US president Barack Obama's statement about minority rights in India.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly 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.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers have slammed Obama for his statement, saying, "He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president)".

Singh's comments came a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during Obama's tenure.

In response to another question, Miller said, "We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi."

WASHINGTON: The US has been consistently calling on Pakistan to step up efforts to permanently disband all terrorist groups like the LeT, JuD and their various front organisations, a top state department official has said. Addressing the media on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials and will continue to work together with it to counter mutual terrorist threats. "We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue," he said. Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here. In the joint statement, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen. The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. Miller declined to comment on India's response to former US president Barack Obama's statement about minority rights in India. In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly 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. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers have slammed Obama for his statement, saying, "He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president)". Singh's comments came a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during Obama's tenure. In response to another question, Miller said, "We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi."
Putin-Wagner dispute expose real crack: Blinken

Washington DC, June 25: The dispute between Russia's President and Wagner mercenary exposed the eal crack in Vladimir Putin's reign, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

Putin-Wagner dispute expose real crack: Blinken

To a question on whether he knew Wagner will abort his plan, Blinken in an interview with Jonathan Karl for ABC's "This Week" said, "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 several months that led to this. But exactly where this goes, we don't know", according to a statement released by State Department."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," he added.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.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."Meanwhile, in the interview, Blinken said wherever Wagner is present, death, destruction, and exploitation follow, as per the statement.To a query on Putin's hold on power, Blinken said, "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. It's 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 its dependence on Russian energy," he added."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 dissension. 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," US State Secretary said.ANI26 June 2023

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Apple may not include top strap for Vision Pro in box

San Francisco, June 16: Tech giant Apple will reportedly not include the overhead strap for the Vision Pro headset in the box.According to Gizmochina, the headset comes with a stretchable 3D knitted fabric headband that fits around the users' head behind their ears. But there is another strap that the company has not yet mentioned.

Apple may not include top strap for Vision Pro in box

An additional overhead strap would likely help balance the headset and prevent it from being easily knocked off when the user is moving.The Vision Pro's weight has not yet been disclosed by the tech giant, but it is anticipated to be quite heavy, especially given that the company chose to move the battery to an external pack.In this instance, the addition of a strap over the head could significantly balance the weight of the gadget and improve the user experience.As the company neither discussed the overhead strap nor featured it in the marketing materials, the iPhone maker likely intends to sell this strap as an additional accessory and not include it in the headset's retail box.The tech giant had unveiled the Vision Pro headset earlier this month. Priced at $3,499, the headset will be available early next year, beginning with the US.IANS26 June 2023

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Rare bird spotted in Dudhwa Reserve

Lucknow, June 26: A globally endangered bird species 'Jerdon's Babbler' that managed to evade being viewed by humans for the past 14 years, has been sighted and clicked in the buffer zone of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR).

Rare bird spotted in Dudhwa Reserve

Researchers Kaushik Sarkar and Pravar Mourya from The Habitats Trust (THT), who are working with forest department staff of the DTR, said, It was during grassland surveys for avifauna along the river Sharda in the buffer zone of DTR that we saw four individual birds and were able to capture one in camera -- a confirmation of the species' presence and indication there must be more of them in the riverine grasslands of the Himalayan rivers of the region.Lalit Kumar Verma, field director of DTR said, Riverine grasslands are critical for biodiversity and ecological processes such as carbon sequestration. And such discoveries make it significant to conserve terai grasslands from human-induced activities.The birds were spotted near Dhanara Ghat in the Bailaha village and Madraiyya Machaan, a tourist spot in DTR.Its distinct sound was first recorded but the researchers could not spot it. Later they could capture it in a picture.Jerdon's Babbler was found in Haryana and Punjab along the Sutlej River, but with depleting areas of high grassland, 95 per cent of their count in India is found in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh only.Globally the count is claimed to be near 10,000 and out of this approximately 30 per cent is in India, said Kaushik Sarkar.The finding indicates that the UP population of Jerdon's Babbler is of high conservation value.IANS26 June 2023

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PM Modi lands in Delhi after concluding maiden state visits to US, Egypt

New Delhi, June 26: 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 lands in Delhi after concluding maiden state visits to US, Egypt

The 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 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.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."Earlier in the day, 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.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.ANI26 June 2023

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SIBM Pune, along with Swansea University, UK, are hosting seminar series Metaverse Retail: Opportunities and Challenges

SRV Media, Pune, 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 and Society Emerging Perspectives on The Metaverse.

SIBM Pune, along with Swansea University, UK, are hosting seminar series Metaverse Retail: Opportunities and Challenges

' 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 and 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 and 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 isThis 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)ANI26 June 2023

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REC Ltd to provide Rs 3,045 cr assistance for phase II Bangalore Metro project

New Delhi, June 26: State-owned company REC Limited has said it decided to extend financial assistance of Rs 3,045 crores to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), for the establishment and development of lines under the Phase-II metro project.

REC Ltd to provide Rs 3,045 cr assistance for phase II Bangalore Metro project

REC Ltd is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Union Ministry of Power. Established in 1969, REC Limited is an NBFC focusing on power sector financing and development across India.The decision to extend the assistance was taken at the board meeting of REC, held in Bengaluru, on Saturday."The Phase-II project of Namma Metro comprises an extension of existing two corridors of Phase-I, namely East-West Corridor and North-South Corridor; and 2 new lines, namely one from R.V. Road to Bommasandra and another from Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara," an official release from the Ministry of Power said.These lines will traverse some of the densest and high-traffic areas of the city.With the completion of Phase II (72.09 km), the 'Namma Metro' combined network shall stand at a line length of 114.39 km, with 101 stations.Bangalore Metro has been re-christened as "Namma Metro".Metro services in the city have been in operation for 69.66 kilometres -- East-West corridor of 39.34 km 13.71 km from Krishnarajapura to Whitefield (Kadugodi) Metro Station and 25.63 km starting from Baiyappanahalli in the East and terminating at Kengeri Terminal in the West; and North-South corridor of 30.32 km commencing at Nagasandra in the North and terminating at Silk Institute in the South.ANI26 June 2023

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Meet & Greet Promises Brighter Future and Larger Potential for Arsomaa

SRV Media, New Delhi, June 26: Arsomaa India Pvt Limited, a newly entered Indian Home Appliances Company organized a Meet and Greet meeting on 24th June.

Meet & Greet Promises Brighter Future and Larger Potential for Arsomaa

The meeting was attended by all the Directors, Appointed Chartered Accountants, CEOs, and other Stakeholders of the company. The meeting was also attended by the sales team and the selected channel partners of the company. The objective of the meet was to acquaint all the stakeholders of the company and get to know each other.During the meet Chandra Prakash Shrivastav, CEO and Director of the company introduced Arsh and Somya from whose name the brand name ARSOMAA originated. He also gave an update on the journey so far by Arsomaa India, strategy, and roadmap for the future business plan of the company.Chandra Prakash Shrivastav informed in the meet that the brand Arsomaa has grown in stature and recognition in the markets of Bihar and Jharkhand where the company has been operating for the last 3-4 months. Taking the success forward the company now plans to venture into the markets of West Bengal, Odisha, North Eastern States, and East UP. The unique and quality products at affordable prices, Premium Economy, has been the selling point for Arsomaa in Bihar and Jharkhand which was acknowledged by the channel partners present as well.Sharing the strategy on the way forward Chandra Prakash Shrivastav emphasized on 3 R's, Reach-Retention-Rotation. As per him, the company focuses on the markets where they feel the company has the potential to penetrate. That is why the company's focus has been more on the upcountry markets of Bihar and Jharkhand. The company also considers the retention of its channel partners and the rotation of their stocks. The company does not get into a price war at the cost of challenging retention of margins. Dumping of stocks at the distributors' warehouse is also avoided as the company works on the principle of rotation of stocks in 15 days for its distributors. To maintain a regular supply of stocks the company is having two stocking centers at Dadri and Patna.During the meet, a complete product lineup was also showcased to all the attendees. LED TV, Room Coolers, Washing Machines, Mixer Grinders, Induction Cooktops, Electric Irons, and Kettles are already on the market. New upcoming products like Kitchen Chimney, Gas Stoves, Choppers, Blenders, Geysers, Room Heaters, Barbeque, and Pizza Makers were also shown during the meet. The range displayed during the meet was appreciated by the present channel partners. Speaking on the occasion channel partners from Muzaffarpur, Siwan, Chapara, and Patna expressed their satisfaction and happiness with the company's plan and support. Mr. Ayaan from Muzaffarpur shared his experience of how his customer preferred Arsomaa Cooler over some leading brands and placed repeat orders. The channel partners said that the best thing with Arsomma is 12 months of engagement, a regular and reasonable return on investment, and a rotation of stocks within a short span. As per them, the products sold by them are liked by their customers.On the business plan for the current financial year, Chandra Prakash Shrivastav informed that the company plans to do a turnover of about 20 crores in the current financial year from the markets of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, North Eastern States, and East UP. The company will keep on strengthening its product line up with value-added products and a premium-economy image.The company is conscious about building its brand image. Though the brand is in the process of establishment still it has resorted to electronic, print, and social media for brand exposition. Arsomaa was seen on R-Bharat Channel during Karnataka election counting day. Aggressive campaigns of Arsomaa are also seen on social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin. Very soon the brand will be seen on YouTube through its exclusive channel.Arsomma is also present on the E-Commerce Platform through Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and India-Mart. Soon they will be seen on Jio Mart. Roopsi, promotor of M/s Vee Ess Sales who is handling Arsomaa account in E-Commerce shared her optimism on the prospect of Arsomaa for the coming festival sale. Her team has made special preparation for a cash-selling opportunity during the festival sale. She desires to see Arsomaa as a household name by 2024.Summing up the meet and occasion the Directors of the company, Abhaya Kumar Verma, Mrs. Sangeeta Shrivastav, and A.D.Prasad expressed their satisfaction with the progress of the company so far. They also expressed their confidence in the execution and achievement of future plans of the company.(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)ANI26 June 2023

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Kotak General Insurance partners with actyv.ai to provide insurance products to MSMEs

BusinessWire India, Mumbai, June 26: Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Co Ltd (Kotak General Insurance) today announced that it has partnered with actyv.ai to offer bite-sized insurance products to new-age Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) companies.

Kotak General Insurance partners with actyv.ai to provide insurance products to MSMEs

Kotak General Insurance will leverage actyv.ai's AI-powered platform to provide insurance solutions to support the business sustainability of small businesses. Through actyv.ai's technology stack and Kotak General Insurance's customized insurance products, this partnership will offer innovative insurance products to the enterprise and close to one lakh supply chain partner ecosystem to focus on driving growth without worrying about business risks. Jagjeet Singh Siddhu, Head of Multiline Business, Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company Limited said, "We are excited to join hands with actyv.ai to offer small OTC products like health and commercial policy via end-to-end digital platform. We believe that technology plays a vital role in selling BFSI products to masses and businesses. This partnership will offer basic insurance to the last mile of the industrial value chain like never before." Raghunath Subramanian, Founder and Global CEO, actyv.ai said, "Through our partnership with , enterprises on actyv.ai's platform will now be able to offer group insurance to all of its distributors, retailers, and suppliers. As category creators, we will continue to build digital journeys, construct responsible and sustainable interventions with a special focus on insuring business risks, thereby empowering the ecosystem to focus on growth and be resilient."(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI26 June 2023

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Virtual reality puts new twist on holocaust education

Tel Aviv, June 26: Putting a modern twist on Holocaust education, Triumph of the Spirit opened its doors in Jerusalem, where visitors will be able to take a guided virtual reality tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Virtual reality puts new twist on holocaust education

Visitors wearing a virtual reality headset are taken on a 50-70 minute visit to Krakow's pre-war Jewish community followed by a guided tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The virtual experience includes testimonies from survivors, drone footage, and the opportunity to simply explore the camp. Narration is provided by Holocaust scholar Rabbi Yisrael Goldwasser.Triumph of the Spirit was spearheaded by Miriam Cohen, Chani Koplowitz and Yuti Neiman, three Orthodox Jewish women who received permission to film Auschwitz over a three-day period while the camp was closed during the coronavirus pandemic.Triumph of the Spirit also brings headsets to schools and synagogues for group events. (ANI/TPS)ANI26 June 2023

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Over 1.30 cr families to get potable water under Jal Jeevan Mission: CM Yogi

Lucknow, June 26: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that '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.

Over 1.30 cr families to get potable water under Jal Jeevan Mission: CM Yogi

"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," CM Yogi said.Determined to provide pure drinking water to every citizen of the state, CM Yogi reviewed the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange project in a high-level meeting and called for intensifying efforts to provide tap water to every household while giving necessary guidelines."A total of 59.38 lakh connections have been provided in the financial year 2022-23 alone. The remaining houses should also get piped drinking water in a phased and time-bound manner," he added.Jal Jeevan Mission is the priority of the respected Prime Minister. Its implementation is being continuously reviewed by the Government of India. It is heartening that all three districts (Gautam Budh Nagar, Jalaun and Shahjahanpur) in the Achiever category in the June 2023 survey are from Uttar Pradesh, he added.He further said, "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," he mentioned.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, he said.The success of national schemes like the 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. A trained plumber should be posted in every village. There should be no unnecessary delay in this," CM Yogi said.He further emphasized that pure drinking water was a dream for the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. Today this dream is coming true. Both these areas are a top priority. With continuous efforts, Mahoba is going to become the first district in the state, where every house will have a 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 two months," he said.He further stated, 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. The process of approval of SLSSC for 6800 villages for which DPR is ready, should be completed as soon as possible in each case.He emphasised the harvesting of rainwater and said, "Rainwater harvesting should be encouraged in the villages. This can become a good model of water harvesting for the country."There should be no unnecessary delay in providing electricity connection in order 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 added.He further said, "Reservoirs have a major role in the water supply in Bundelkhand. There is a problem with silt in them. Action should be taken to de-silt the reservoirs by the Irrigation and Water Resources Department."He further said that 100 per cent 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 mentioned.Special efforts are being made under Jal Jeevan Mission for the improvement of water quality in affected areas due to arsenic, fluoride, salinity, nitrate,iron etc, he said.In this regard, additional financial assistance is being provided by the Government of India. Work in these areas needs to be expedited.He further added that with the resolution of Aviral-Nirmal Maa Ganga, good results have been seen in the ongoing Namami Gange project in mission mode for the cleanliness of Ganga and its tributaries."There are 27 Ganga Janpads and 37 Ganga Towns in the total 1027 km of Ganga river flow in the state. In the past, there was a polluted stretch of 550 km from Kannauj to Varanasi which came under Priority 04 in terms of quality. Due to improvement in the water quality of the said polluted section, it has come under priority 5 from November 2022. Now we have to pay special attention to Farrukhabad to Prayagraj and Mirzapur to Ghazipur sections," he said.He further said that in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban) needs to increase the utilization capacity of underutilized 120 MLD Goitha STP."The approved 55 MLD capacity STP scheme should be completed as soon as possible for tapping the eighty nala over-pulls. Similarly, complete the upgradation of 01 non-compliant STP in Varanasi in a time-bound manner with the help of Railways," he said.Baniapur STP under UP Jal Nigam (Urban) should be made operational in Kanpur. Make four non-compliant STPs functional immediately, he added.Similarly, for the treatment of tannery effluent at Jajmau, the efficiency of CETP of 36 MLD capacity is expected to be improved.ANI26 June 2023

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Modi has put India on the World map..., Sikh NRI businessman praises Prime Minister

Washington DC, June 26: 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.

Modi has put India on the World map..., Sikh NRI businessman praises Prime Minister

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.ANI26 June 2023

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Ahmedabad to host 2-day G20 mayoral summit on July 7-8

Ahmedabad, June 26: Gujarat's Ahmedabad is all set to host the Urban20 (U20) Mayoral Summit on July 7-8. It is expected to bring together several city leaders and Mayors from across G20 nations.

Ahmedabad to host 2-day G20 mayoral summit on July 7-8

The summit will also be attended by delegates representing various cities, knowledge partners, Indian and international organisations, academic institutes and dignitaries from the central government and the state governments.U20 is an Engagement Group under India's G20 presidency."It is a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries, emphasizing the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities. 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 the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) as the nodal ministry," stated an official release from Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Monday.Besides the deliberations among Mayors, one of the highlights of the upcoming Mayoral Summit will be four thematic sessions focusing on U20 priorities.More than 20 Mayors from across the world and about 25 Mayors from Indian cities will share the stage and share their experiences of their respective city level actions and initiatives.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.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 works being undertaken by organizations in various cities across India and the world.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.As part of the Mayoral Summit, participating Mayors and delegates would also be taken for city excursions to Ahmedabad's historic streets and monuments and introduced to the city's vibrant culture. Mayors will also be planting trees at the U20 Udyan and visit the Sabarmati Ashram.A number of cultural programmes and experiences have been planned for the guests, showcasing Gujrat's and India's rich cultural heritage on the whole.ANI26 June 2023

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New Zealand PM flew to China in two planes, know why

Wellington [New Zealand], June 26: New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who arrived in China on Monday morning, took two air force jets with him in case the one he was travelling in broke down, New Zealand Herald reported.

New Zealand PM flew to China in two planes, know why

Hipkins flew in two New Zealand Defence Force Boeing 757 planes on the runway during a stopover in Manila, Philippines, en route to China.Defending the idea of sending two Defence Force planes as a backup, the Prime minister's office said that it was warranted in case of a breakdown and only travelled as far as the Philippines.This statement came after the criticism from the National and Act Party over emissions and it also called the fleet "decrepit."Earlier, former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had to contend with a series of breakdowns in her time, which also occurred during former Prime Minister John Key's tenure, raising questions about bringing forward the current replacements schedule, set to occur between 2028 and 2030, as per New Zealand Herald.Earlier, National Party leader Christopher Luxon said Hipkins should not have taken two planes and, along with Act, criticised what he saw as an unnecessary burning of fuel and associated carbon dioxide emissions. Act leader David Seymour said it was emblematic of an "embarrassing" and "out-of-date" air fleet."New Zealand's embarrassingly ancient Defence Force planes are so decrepit that the PM has to bring a spare in case one of them breaks down on a stopover," Seymour said."The emissions created by taking the extra plane is the equivalent of driving a Ford Ranger the distance of a trip to the moon three times," he added.The Herald can confirm these calculations and also that they were based on a return trip to Manila and Australia, according to New Zealand Herald.A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the two planes had not travelled to China. The backup aircraft went to Manila, Philippines, and would now proceed to Darwin, Australia, where it would be based to provide support on the return journey from China if required."Backup was put in place in the event that the flight broke down on the way up, but it is not shadowing the plane around China," he said.ANI27 June 2023

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Himachal Tourism Department urges tourists to prioritize their safety amid heavy rains

Shimla, June 26: 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.

Himachal Tourism Department urges tourists to prioritize their safety amid heavy rains

"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.ANI27 June 2023

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NSA Doval meets Oman Prime Minister, delivers personal message of greetings from PM Modi

Muscat [Oman], June 26: 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.

NSA Doval meets Oman Prime Minister, delivers personal message of greetings from PM Modi

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.ANI27 June 2023

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The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday that the Sudan conflict would likely force more than one million people across its borders. The U.N. estimates more than 2.5 million people have been uprooted since April.
Afghanistan: Paktia University graduates call on Taliban to reopen schools, universities for girls

Kabul, June 26: 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.

Afghanistan: Paktia University graduates call on Taliban to reopen schools, universities for girls

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.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.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.ANI27 June 2023

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Study reveals prevalence of metabolically related fatty liver disease is rising

Chicago, June 26: According to a study presented at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, the percentage of adults with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), the major global cause of liver disease, is growing.

Study reveals prevalence of metabolically related fatty liver disease is rising

Mexican Americans consistently had the highest percentage of MAFLD, especially in 2018, although the prevalence of increase was higher among Whites, the study found.MAFLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is fast becoming the most common indication for liver transplantation. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and a common type of liver cancer. If untreated, MAFLD can lead to liver cancer and liver failure."MAFLD affects Hispanics at a higher prevalence relative to Blacks and Whites. This racial/ethnic disparity is a public health concern," said researcher Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, Calif, adding, "Overall, the increase in MAFLD is concerning, as this condition can lead to liver failure and cardiovascular diseases and has an important health disparity."The researchers analysed data for 32,726 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2018. "We found that overall, both MAFLD and obesity increased with time, with the increase in MAFLD greater than the increase in obesity," Friedman said."The percent of people with MAFLD increased from 16% in 1988 to 37% in 2018 (a 131% increase) while the percent of obesity rose from 23% in 1988 to 40% in 2018 (a 74% increase)," said the study's first author Magda Shaheen, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, adding, "The prevalence of MAFLD increased faster than the prevalence of obesity, suggesting that the increase in the other risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension may also contribute to the increase in the prevalence of MAFLD."Among Mexican Americans, the percent of MAFLD was higher at all times compared to the overall population. The percent increase of MAFLD in 2018 relative to 1988 was 133% among Whites, 61% among Mexican Americans and 56% among Blacks."In summary, MAFLD is increasing with time and more efforts are needed to control this epidemic," Shaheen said.ANI27 June 2023

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Poor sense of smell linked to higher risk of depression in older adults: Study

Washington, June 26: Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have significant new evidence of a relationship between reduced sense of smell and risk of developing late-life depression in a study that followed over 2,000 community-dwelling older persons for eight years.

Poor sense of smell linked to higher risk of depression in older adults: Study

Their findings, published in Journal of Gerontology Medical Sciences, do not demonstrate that loss of smell causes depression, but suggests that it may serve as a potent indicator of overall health and well-being."We've seen repeatedly that a poor sense of smell can be an early warning sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as a mortality risk. This study underscores its association with depressive symptoms," says Vidya Kamath, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Additionally, this study explores factors that might influence the relationship between olfaction and depression, including poor cognition and inflammation."The study used data gathered from 2,125 participants in a federal government study known as the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (Health ABC). This cohort was composed of a group of healthy older adults ages 70-73 at the start of the eight-year study period in 1997-98. Participants showed no difficulties in walking 0.25 miles, climbing 10 steps or performing normal activities at the start of the study, and were assessed in person annually and by phone every six months. Tests included those for the ability to detect certain odors, depression and mobility assessments.In 1999, when smell was first measured, 48% of participants displayed a normal sense of smell, 28% showed a decreased sense of smell, known as hyposmia, and 24% had a profound loss of the sense, known as anosmia. Participants with a better sense of smell tended to be younger than those reporting significant loss or hyposmia. Over follow-up, 25% of participants developed significant depressive symptoms. When analyzed further, researchers found that individuals with decreased or significant loss of smell had increased risk of developing significant depressive symptoms at longitudinal follow-up than those in the normal olfaction group. Participants with a better sense of smell tended to be younger than those reporting significant loss or hyposomia.Researchers also identified three depressive symptom "trajectories" in the study group stable low, stable moderate and stable high depressive symptoms. Poorer sense of smell was associated with an increased chance of a participant falling into the moderate or high depressive symptoms groups, meaning that the worse a person's sense of smell, the higher their depressive symptoms. These findings persisted after adjusting for age, income, lifestyle, health factors and use of antidepressant medication."Losing your sense of smell influences many aspects of our health and behavior, such as sensing spoiled food or noxious gas, and eating enjoyment. Now we can see that it may also be an important vulnerability indicator of something in your health gone awry," says Kamath. "Smell is an important way to engage with the world around us, and this study shows it may be a warning sign for late-life depression."Humans' sense of smell is one of two chemical senses. It works through specialized sensory cells, called olfactory neurons, which are found in the nose. These neurons have one odor receptor; it picks up molecules released by substances around us, which are then relayed to the brain for interpretation. The higher the concentration of these smell molecules the stronger the smell, and different combinations of molecules result in different sensations.Smell is processed in the brain's olfactory bulb, which is believed to interact closely with the amygdala, hippocampus and other brain structures that regulate and enable memory, decision-making and emotional responses.The Johns Hopkins researchers say their study suggests that olfaction and depression may be linked through both biological (e.g., altered serotonin levels, brain volume changes) and behavioral (e.g., reduced social function and appetite) mechanisms.The researchers plan to replicate their findings from this study in more groups of older adults, and examine changes to individuals' olfactory bulbs to determine if this system is in fact altered in those diagnosed with depression. They also plan to examine if smell can be used in intervention strategies to mitigate risk of late-life depression.Other scientists who contributed to this research are Kening Jiang, Danielle Powell, Frank Lin and Jennifer Deal of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health; Kevin Manning of the University of Connecticut; R. Scott Mackin, Willa Brenowitz and Kristine Yaffe of the University of California, San Francisco; Keenan Walker and Eleanor Simonsick of the National Institute on Aging; and Honglei Chen of Michigan State University.No authors declared conflicts of interest related to this research under Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine policies.This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Nursing Research and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging.ANI27 June 2023

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This is what Sharman Joshi, Mona Singh have to say about their new show Kafas

Mumbai, June 26: Actors Sharman Joshi and Mona Singh on Monday talked about their recently released drama series 'Kafas'.

This is what Sharman Joshi, Mona Singh have to say about their new show '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.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.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.ANI27 June 2023

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Youtuber Deveraj Patel dies in road accident, accused truck driver detained

Raipur, June 27: The accused driver whose truck hit the two-wheeler of YouTuber Devraj Patel leading to his death on Monday has been detained, police said.

Youtuber Deveraj Patel dies in road accident, accused truck driver detained

YouTuber, popularly known for his punchline 'Dil se bura lagta hai bhai' died in a road accident that took place in Raipur on Monday.While speaking to ANI, CSP Manoj Dhruv said," Devraj Patel, hailing from Mahasamund district, along with his friend met with an accident after their two-wheeler was hit by a truck in the outskirts of Raipur.""Devraj died in the mishap while his friend escaped with minor injuries," he added.The incident took place in the Labhandih area under Telibandha police station limits.Police have detained the accused truck driver and the truck involved in the accident has been seized.Further investigation is underway in this matter.In this regard, Chhattisgarh CM Baghel expressed condolences and said that the loss of such amazing talent at this young age is very sad."Devraj Patel, who made his place among crores of people with 'Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai' who made us all laugh, left us today. The loss of 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," CM Baghel tweeted.ANI27 June 2023

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UAE Ambassador attends Hungarian Presidents meeting with Arab Ambassadors Council

Budapest, June 26: 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.

UAE Ambassador attends Hungarian President's meeting with Arab Ambassadors' Council

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.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.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)ANI27 June 2023

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Wearable tech market poised to reach $156 billion in 2024: Report

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.

Wearable tech market poised to reach $156 billion in 2024: Report

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 doctor's 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.IANS27 June 2023

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Goas first Vande Bharat will help in faster connectivity, boost tourism, trade: CM Sawant

Panaji, June 27: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the first Vande Bharat Express launched in Goa today will improve faster connectivity of the State with Mumbai and also boost tourism and trade.

Goa's first Vande Bharat will help in faster connectivity, boost tourism, trade: CM Sawant

"I am very grateful to PM Modi and Ashwini Vaishnaw for running the Vande Bharat train in the state. The PM will flag this virtually. This (Vande Bharat train) will definitely help in the faster connectivity of Goa with Mumbai which will boost tourism and trade," Pramod Sawant said ahead of the ceremony to flag off the five Vande Bharat express trains from Bhopal.Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Vande Bharat trains on five new routes from Bhopal's Rani Kamalapati Railway Station. Two of the trains launched are in Madhya Pradesh, one in Karnataka, one in Bihar and one in Goa.The Mumbai- Madgaon (Goa) Vande Bharat Express- which is Goa's first semi-high speed train, will operate between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Goa's Madgaon station. The train will operate six days a week except on Friday. It will cover a distance of 586 km, the longest route covered by a Vande Bharat train in Maharashtra. It will be the fourth Vande Bharat train from Mumbai and the fifth from the state.The Vande Bharat train will have halts at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Khed, Ratnagiri, and Kankavali stations in Maharashtra and Thivim in Goa. The train is expected to save the journey time by about an hour as compared to the existing trains on the route. The railway ministry had cancelled the launch of the Mumbai-Goa Vande Bharat train after the Odisha tragedy.The routes on which the semi-high speed trains would operate are- Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-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.The Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express will connect Madhya Pradesh Mahakaushal region (Jabalpur) to the Central region (Bhopal). Madhya Pradesh's second semi-high speed will operate between the two cities at the speed of 130 kmph. The train is expected to be faster by about thirty minutes as compared to the existing fastest train on the route.Madhya Pradesh's third semi-high speed train will operate between the state's Malwa region (Indore), Bundelkhand region (Khajuraho) and Central Region (Bhopal). The train is expected to benefit the tourist sites like Mahakaleshwar, Mandu, Maheshwar, Khajuraho, Panna. The train is expected be about two hours and thirty minutes faster than the fastest existing train on the route.The Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express in Karnataka will connect key cities like Dharwad, Hubballi and Davangere - with state capital Bengaluru. The train is expected to be faster by about thirty minutes as compared to the existing fastest train in the route. This will be second Vande Bharat train for Karnataka as the first one runs between Chennai, Bengaluru and Mysuru.Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express would be the first Vande Bharat for Jharkhand and Bihar."It is a tremendous day. This shows we are advancing and India is marching ahead, Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan said in Ranchi after PM Modi flagged off five Vande Bharat trains including Ranchi-Patna Vande Bharat Express in Bhopal today.Ahead of the launch PM Modi had tweeted, "I will be in Bhopal tomorrow, 27th June to take part in two programmes. First, 5 Vande Bharat trains would be flagged off at a programme in Rani Kamalapati Railway Station. These trains will improve connectivity in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand."ANI27 June 2023

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Russia drops charges against Prigozhin and others who took part in brief rebellion

Russian authorities say they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants
Writes Minnie Pearson: "It is essential that both school districts take action to address the challenges faced by students from diverse backgrounds. Here are some strategies that Id like to see Unit 4 and District 116 implement."
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers explore the impact of the rabies messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine on B-cell memory response and cross-neutralizing antibody titers.

Study: Unmodified rabies mRNA vaccine elicits high cross-neutralizing antibody titers and diverse B cell memory responses. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com

A novel rabies vaccine

The primary mode of transmission of the rabies virus (RABV) to humans is through bites from infected animals. Recently, a vaccine consisting of a specific sequence of nucleoside-unmodified mRNA encoding RABV-G complexed within protamine was found to produce neutralizing antibodies that effectively protect vaccinated individuals against fatal RABV infection in various animal models.

In the present study, the quality and features of immune responses elicited by this RABV-G mRNA vaccine were investigated in comparison to Rabipur, a whole inactivated virus vaccine. Non-human primates (NHPs) were immunized with a high mRNA vaccine dose and their responses ranging from early innate immune activation to the quality and titers of antibodies sampled up to a year later were analyzed.

About the study

A total of 18 Chinese rhesus macaques were included in the study and separated into three groups based on their weight and sex. Groups one and two were administered 100 g mRNA vaccine, whereas group three received Rabipur. Groups two and three were administered a second dose of their respective vaccines four weeks after the initial dose to compare the responses of two groups undergoing a similar immunization process.

Vaccines were administered through intramuscular injection. Peripheral blood samples and bone marrow aspirates were collected at various intervals throughout the 50-week study.

Study findings

The mRNA vaccination increased levels of interferon-alpha (IFN) and IFN-inducible I-TAC/CXCL11 in the blood, both of which were not detected in Rabipur recipients. Additionally, the mRNA vaccine produced higher levels of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), the chemokine Eotaxin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) as compared to baseline values.

Immunization with either vaccine did not cause significant changes in complete blood counts (CBC) and clinical chemistry, nor did the vaccines did increase body temperature or have a negative impact on body weight.

Almost all animals developed rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers over the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended threshold two weeks following prime immunization. Unlike the mRNA-vaccinated cohorts, the Rabipur group exhibited reduced titers four weeks after the prime vaccine dose.

At week 18, all three cohorts had RVNA titers above the WHO threshold. Throughout the 50-week study period, only boosted mRNA vaccine recipients exhibited consistently high antibody titers. The kinetics of RABV-G binding immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were similar to the neutralizing titers. Following vaccination, all cohorts exhibited detectable levels of RABV-G-specific IgM.

Antibody-secreting plasmablasts that were specific to RABV-G were detected by ELISpot four days following booster dose immunization. To this end, the mRNA prime-boost cohort had higher frequencies of these plasmablasts as compared to the Rabipur cohort.

After the initial immunization, all groups exhibited detectable RABV-G-specific plasma cells in their bone marrow. Notably, RABV-G specific circulating memory B-cells (MBC) increased after boost immunization in the mRNA group and remained detectable 18 weeks thereafter. Furthermore, MBC-derived antibody-secreting cells were still detectable in the mRNA group, particularly in the prime-boost cohort, at week 50.

The mRNA vaccine recipients exhibited reduced CD4+ T-cell responses after the initial immunization; however, these T-cell levels increased following booster vaccination, with no CD4+ T-cell responses detected in Rabipur recipients. All groups exhibited undetectable or low CD8+ T-cell responses.

There was a gradual rise in the per-animal average somatic hypermutation (SHM) of RABV-G-specific MBCs observed in both groups from two weeks after the boost to 12 weeks after the boost. No significant variation in SHM was detected among the groups.

Conclusions

The two-dose strategy using the mRNA vaccine resulted in higher antibody titers as well as higher RABV-G-specific cell populations compared to the inactivated virus vaccine. Likewise, mRNA vaccination led to stronger immune responses than the Rabipur vaccine when given in the same two-dose, four-week spaced schedule. The mRNA vaccine also induced stronger neutralization along with higher frequencies of B-cells and plasma cells.

These findings indicate that this type of mRNA vaccine could be a beneficial alternative to the currently approved rabies vaccines for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer have engineered a new model of aggressive renal cell carcinoma (RCC), highlighting molecular targets and genomic events that trigger chromosomal instability and drive metastatic progression.

The study, published today in Nature Cancer, demonstrates that the loss of a cluster of interferon receptor (IFNR) genes plays a pivotal role in allowing cancer cells to become tolerant of chromosomal instability. This genomic feature may be used to help clinicians predict a tumor's potential to become metastatic and treatment resistant.

Researchers led by Luigi Perelli, M.D., Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, and Giannicola Genovese, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create a model that faithfully represents RCC in humans, using cross-species analyses to provide further insights into the mechanisms involved in aggressive kidney cancer evolution.

Until now, there haven't been effective experimental models for metastatic renal cancer progression, but we introduced specific mutations that closely mimic the early stages of human cancers to see how tumors evolve and metastasize. These tumors become extremely genomically unstable, and, to tolerate this instability, they tend to lose genetic material at a specific site where the interferon genes are located. These insights can help clinicians identify tumors that have the genomic potential to become aggressive." Giannicola Genovese, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer, and patients often are treated effectively with surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or a combination of these treatments. However, up to one-third of these patients will have aggressive disease progression, highlighting a need to understand specific mechanisms that drive metastasis in order to identify more effective therapeutic strategies and to predict treatment responses.

One hallmark of cancer is chromosomal instability, which is associated with resistance to many types of therapy and a poor prognosis. However, it is unclear if specific types of chromosomal abnormalities are involved in driving metastasis and how tumors are able to tolerate them.

The researchers used CRISPR/Cas 9-based genome editing to generate RCC models lacking common tumor suppressor genes. They then targeted cell cycle regulator genes to mimic common chromosomal abnormality associated with metastatic RCC in humans, leading to a phenotype consistent with the human disease. This is the first immunocompetent somatic mosaic model for metastatic RCC, meaning the model has an accumulation of different mutations that result in uncontrolled cell growth but still maintains a functional immune system.

Using genome sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to further examine these models, the researchers uncovered molecular drivers of RCC and gained a new understanding of the evolution of chromosomal instability.

Their single cell analyses revealed that a cluster of highly conserved IFNR genes were suppressed in the model, and that this cluster normally functions as a critical gatekeeper, or tumor suppressor, of renal cancer progression.

IFNR gene clusters normally are involved in the immune response. After analyzing various data sets from both mice and humans, the researchers discovered an inverse correlation between the loss of these IFNR genes and aneuploidy, a condition marked by having an abnormal number of chromosomes.

This study suggests that the tumors adapt to high levels of chromosomal instability through the disruption of the IFNR pathway and that this is likely a major biomarker of metastatic potential. It also highlights how renal cancers in different species have followed similar evolutionary patterns that converge around chromosomal instability, which in turn may explain the heterogeneity of these tumors.

In the future, the researchers plan to test drug combinations in these newly generated models to determine how the tumors adapt to various therapies, with the goal of rapidly translating these studies into clinical trials that can help predict treatment response in patients with RCC.

This work was supported by the Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC), the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Kidney Cancer Association, Horizon Europe , the Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Inc., the Ransom Horne Jr. Professorship for Cancer Research, the Barbara Massie Memorial Fund, MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program, the Bruce Krier Prostate Cancer Research Endowment Fund, the Lyda Hill Foundation, the UK Medical Research Council, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (R01 CA258226-03), and the U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH-21-1-0950).
By monitoring early-response biomarkers in men undergoing 177Lu-PSMA prostate cancer treatment, physicians can personalize dosing intervals, significantly improving patient outcomes. In a study presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2023 Annual Meeting, early stratification with 177Lu-SPECT/CT allowed men responding to treatment to take a "treatment holiday" and allowed those not responding the option to switch to another treatment.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022, 177Lu-PSMA is an effective treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, not all men respond equally to treatment, with some responding very well and others progressing early.

Currently, a standardized dosing interval is used for 177Lu-PSMA treatment. However, monitoring early-response biomarkers to adjust treatment intervals may improve patient outcomes." Andrew Nguyen, MBBS, FRACP, AANMS, senior staff specialist in the Department of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia

In the study, researchers sought to evaluate progression-free survival and overall survival of different dosing intervals. Study participants included 125 men who were treated in a clinical program with six weekly doses of 177Lu-PSMA. The men were imaged with 177Lu-SPECT/CT after each dose. After the second dose, researchers analyzed the men's prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and the 177Lu-SPECT response to determine ongoing management.

Patients were grouped by level of response. Those in Response Group 1 (35 percent of participants) had a marked reduction in PSA level and partial response on 177Lu-SPECT and were advised to cease treatment until PSA levels rose. Response Group 2 (34 percent) saw stable or reduced PSA and stable disease on SPECT imaging; these men continued on their six week treatment plan until no longer clinically beneficial. In Response Group 3 (31 percent), men saw a rise in PSA levels and had progressive disease on SPECT imaging. These patients were offered the opportunity to try a different treatment.

PSA levels decreased by more than 50 percent in 60 percent of patients. Overall study participants had a median PSA progression-free survival of 6.1 months and a median overall survival of 16.8 months. Median PSA progression-free survival was 12.1 months, 6.1 months, and 2.6 months, for Response Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The overall survival was 19.2 months for Response Group 1, 13.2 months for Response Group 2, and 11. 2 months for Response Group 3. Additionally, for those in Response Group 1 who had a "treatment holiday," the median treatment-free time was 6.1 months.

"Personalized dosing allowed one-third of the men in this study to have treatment breaks while still achieving the same progression-free and overall survival outcomes they would have if they received continuous treatment," noted Nguyen. "It also allowed another one-third of men who had early biomarkers of disease progression the opportunity to try a more effective potential therapy if one was available."

Patients at St. Vincent's Hospital will continue to be stratified by these early response biomarkers. Once validated in a prospective clinical trial, Nguyen hopes that this stratification strategy will become more widely available for patients.
?? En vivo | En encuentro intergubernamental, el Ejecutivo informa las acciones de prevencion ante el fenomeno de El Nino.#33MillonesUnidos ??https://t.co/IBUfQpCmFM
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. In a ground-breaking development, 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 healthcare 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 PhD, 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.
In a significant development in the fight against fatal cancers, University of Otago researchers have pinpointed a key feature that leads to the aggressive spread of colon cancer.

Led by Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee and Drs Euan Rodger and Rachel Purcell, researchers discovered abnormalities in the DNA instruction code that lead to the aggressive spread of colorectal (bowel) cancer  Aotearoa's second highest cause of cancer death.

Dr Rodger says the finding  published in the Cell Press journal iScience - is a significant step towards the detection and prevention of tumors that spread or grow rapidly.

The main cause of cancer-related death is the spread of tumors to distant organs, referred to as metastasis.

Despite this profound impact, how tumors become metastatic and so deadly, and what is different about these tumor cells remains largely unknown. The DNA instructions  the blueprint of a cell - and how and where these instructions go wrong in cancer cells provide important clues in understanding why this happens." Dr Euan Rodger, University of Otago

Methylation  a chemical modification of DNA - can control how the DNA code will behave in a cell. Therefore studying DNA methylation levels (also referred to as the epigenetic code) in the lab and in patient tumour samples has the potential to understand metastasis and utilise the knowledge for patient benefit.

The research team studied the DNA methylation map and also how the DNA behaves in bowel cancer patients. In each of 20 patients, they then analysed clinical samples from the primary colon tumour and the tumours that had spread to the liver.

"We have discovered almost 300 gene regions that show distinct DNA methylation levels in liver metastasis," he says.

"These changes are unique to aggressive liver metastasis and are not present in primary tumours or in normal colon. The genes that have the unique methylation signature have important functions in cells.

"This work shows that cancer cells could use unique methylation patterns to become aggressive."

Associate Professor Chatterjee says the finding is particularly significant for Aotearoa where 1,200 people die from bowel cancer every year.

"Patients with distant metastases, such as liver metastasis as we have studied in this work, unfortunately have very low five-year survival rates.

"Alarmingly, the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in people under 50 years old and in Maori and Pasifika populations at a faster rate. Maori and Pasifika are also more likely to present directly to emergency departments with advanced colorectal tumours," he says.

"Our work will open new avenues for understanding why cancer cells become so aggressive and will lead to better outcome prediction and new targets to treat these tumours in the future."

Associate Professor Chatterjee and Dr Rodger will undertake more research on metastatic cancers with the aid of funding from the Health Research Council and the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Aparangi Marsden Fund.
Cancer patients with unmet supportive care needs are more likely to experience worse clinical outcomes, including more emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations, according to new research from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The study, published June 21 in JAMA Network Open, also found that Black race, Hispanic ethnicity and factors such as anxiety, depression, pain, poor physical function and low health-related quality-of-life scores were associated with greater number of unmet needs, leading to increased risk for ED visits and hospitalizations.

This retrospective analysis involved 5,236 patients treated at Sylvester's various ambulatory cancer sites who used its My Wellness Check, an electronic health record-based system, that monitors patients' emotional, physical and psychosocial needs.

This study, to our knowledge, is the most comprehensive assessment to date that links unmet supportive care needs to ED visits and hospitalizations among ambulatory oncology patients. It included a very diverse group of patients treated at our various cancer clinic locations and across multiple phases of the cancer care continuum." Frank J Penedo, PhD, Sylvester's associate director for Cancer Survivorship and Translational Behavioral Sciences and corresponding author of the research

Other key takeaways from this study included:

940 or 18% of patients reported one or more unmet supportive care needs, with about a third of them noting two or more unmet needs.

Almost one quarter of patients with unmet support needs had ED visits, compared with 14% for those without unmet needs.

For hospitalizations, the differences were 23% and 14%, respectively.

Support for coping with cancer and financial concerns were the most reported unmet needs, followed by general cancer education and information.

Diverse representation with Hispanics comprising almost 48% of study patients while other racial groups included Blacks, Caucasians, Asians, American Indians, Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

"Our findings offer strong evidence that unmet supportive care needs are associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, particularly higher risk for ED visits and hospitalizations," Penedo said. "Addressing these unmet needs is crucial to improve clinical outcomes and particularly in racial and ethnic minority populations where the needs are greatest."
A recent study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases evaluates infection rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) among close contacts.

Study: SARS-CoV-2 variants and age-dependent infection rates among household and nonhousehold contacts. Image Credit: Manu Padilla / Shutterstock.com

The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants

Despite global vaccination efforts, the emergence of novel and immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 VOCs have caused numerous epidemic waves since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

More recently, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has been shown to elicit a higher household secondary attack rate as compared to the previously dominant Alpha and Delta variants. The susceptibility and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants vary among studies, with children often considered to be more susceptible to these viral variants as compared to adults.

The rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among close contacts vary by study design, non-pharmacological interventions, contact patterns, and site settings. Thus, using consistent methodologies to assess infection rates among contacts in the same population and geographic location could offer more reliable estimates of how VOCs and age impact the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

About the study

In the present study, researchers examine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and age on transmission risk.

To this end, clinical data and activity history on COVID-19 cases and their contacts in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, during pre-VOC, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron periods were obtained through telephonic interviews. These periods spanned from July 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020, April 1, 2021, to April 30, 2021, July 3, 2021, to August 15, 2021, and January 3, 2022, to January 23, 2022, respectively.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a close contact is defined as someone who was less than six feet away from an individual with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

Comparatively, for the purpose of the current study, close contacts included individuals who had been in contact with COVID-19-positive individuals from two days before the onset of symptoms until their own clinical diagnosis. This definition of a close contact was based on the guidelines provided by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

Contacts were stratified into non-household and household contacts and were tested for COVID-19, irrespective of symptom status. Baseline characteristics of index cases and contacts were obtained for each of the four study periods.

Odds ratios of infection rates were computed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression. Additionally, estimated infection rates, which were calculated as the ratio of test-positive contacts to overall contacts, were determined.

Study findings

Overall, the researchers identified 1,057 cases and 3,820 close contacts. In the pre-VOC period, 123 cases and 530 contacts were reported, whereas the Alpha period comprised 246 cases and 988 contacts. In the Delta and Omicron waves, 304 cases and 984 contacts, and 84 cases and 1,318 contacts were reported, respectively.

Of these, 358 contacts without polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results were excluded. Infection rates in the Omicron wave were 35% and 15.1% among household and non-household contacts, with 6.2- and 3.5-fold higher odds of infection than in the pre-VOC period, respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, symptoms, contact history, and household size.

A significant increase in the risk of infection from 3% to 38% was observed from the pre-VOC to Omicron periods, respectively, among household contacts, which included infants up to 19-year-olds. By contrast, infection rates for the same age group were lower among non-household contacts.

The rates of infection among household contacts aged 60 or older declined to about 12% in the Delta period but increased to 29% in the Omicron period. Furthermore, infectivity rates among individuals who were 60 or older were higher than those from other age groups.

Conclusions

The current study estimated that the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection among household contacts were about 6.2 times higher in the Omicron period than in the pre-VOC period, with adolescents and children particularly susceptible to these viral variants. Despite a greater number of non-household contacts identified among those between the ages of a few months up to 19 years, non-pharmacological interventions and non-physical contact measures incorporated into daycare centers and schools might have contributed to fewer outbreaks and lower infection rates.

The increased infection rates reported during the Omicron period among those over the age of 60 may be the result of both waning immunity from COVID-19 vaccination and the close contact of this patient population with certain individuals, such as caregivers and nurses.

Taken together, the study findings emphasize the importance of continuously monitoring the infectivity of novel SARS-CoV-2 strains as they emerge, as well as evaluating susceptibility trends according to age and geographic location.
In a recent article published in Science Advances, researchers estimated all-cause excess mortality for the United States (US) between March 2020 and February 2022 to understand the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The study used a Bayesian hierarchical model to determine spatially and temporally granular excess mortality estimates stratified by county and month.

Study: Monthly excess mortality across counties in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020 to February 2022. Image Credit: HTWE/Shutterstock.com

Background

Excess mortality is a more accurate measure of the pandemic's impact, particularly when examining geographic patterns in mortality. This is because all states in the US use different procedures, policies, and resources, which affect the assignment of COVID-19 deaths.

Also, during the pandemic, excess deaths occurred due to multiple factors indirectly related to the pandemic, e.g., people hesitated to visit hospitals for treatment of preexisting health conditions in fear of contracting COVID-19.

About the study

In the present study, researchers retrieved monthly death counts at the county level from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER online tool. In this way, they found data on death certificates filed in the 50 US states and the District of Columbia.

Next, they converted the number of deaths into rates using the publicly available yearly county-level population estimates from the US Census Bureau.

The researchers then computed excess mortality, i.e., the difference between observed and expected mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the 2-year study period, they identified four temporal peaks where excess death rates due to COVID-19 surged and dipped steeply.

These were 'Initial, Winter, Delta, and Omicron' peaks spanning March to August 2020, October 2020 to February 2021, August to October 2021, and November 2021 to February 2022.

Results and conclusion

This study estimated excess mortality for 3,127 counties in the US and identified 1,179,024 excess deaths during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 634,830 and 544,194 estimated excess deaths occurred between March 2020 and February 2021, and March 2021 and February 2022, respectively.

Between the first two years of the pandemic, relative excess mortality, i.e., the expected percentage of deaths over (or under) that would have occurred had the pandemic not occurred, decreased in large metros, e.g., Northeastern counties, and increased in nonmetro areas, such as the Southern counties of the US, thus, highlighting the need for investing in rural health.

Notably, during the early pandemic period, COVID-19 caused more deaths in Northeastern counties, and excess mortality in nonmetro areas occurred most markedly during the Delta wave.

The study results could help identify counties where COVID-19-related deaths varied from excess mortality rates. Secondly, these estimates could inform public health workers, community organizations, and residents of the actual impact of the pandemic, which might help increase vaccination uptake or motivate people to take other mitigation measures.

However, most importantly, these results bring to the limelight the policy-level differences across metro-nonmetro regions.

Another intriguing finding of this study is that increased vaccination uptake and coverage failed to reduce excess mortality numbers during the second pandemic year. It also highlighted that federal and state governments did not direct adequate resources to prevent COVID-19 deaths among communities at the highest risk.

Two factors contributed to high rural excess mortality during the second pandemic year. First, vaccination rates in rural areas as of January 2022 were much lower than in urban areas (59% vs. 75%).

Secondly, rural areas had inadequate health infrastructure, which resulted in funding gaps and human resource shortages. Perhaps, racial/ethnic, demographic, and other factors, such as a higher prevalence of comorbidities among rural inhabitants, increased rural excess mortality.

Nonetheless, the study findings confirmed that the burden of excess mortality in the US shifted from large metropolitan cities in the first pandemic to rural areas in the second year.
In a recent article published in Nature, researchers investigated the early maturation of sound duration processing, a crucial auditory temporal feature.

Study: Early maturation of sound duration processing in the infants brain. Image Credit: Sarahbean/Shutterstock/com

Background

The manner in which sound changes over time is one of the primary features of auditory information. Thus, the perception of various timelines depends on information integration across time.

The sound duration processing capacity is important at a very young age since the foundation of primary auditory perception functions like language and music acquisition and object perception relies on it.

According to neurophysiological studies, neurons in the primary and closely associated auditory areas have complicated spectro-temporal receptive fields that participate in auditory characteristics encoding over various timescales.

Nevertheless, despite their significance, the mechanisms underpinning the processing of auditory temporal characteristics remain poorly understood.

About the study

The current study evaluated the earliest processing stages of a crucial auditory temporal aspect, sound duration. The researchers analyzed duration-sensitive auditory event-related brain potentials (ERPs) waveforms and their sources to determine their developmental variations between four and nine months.

They compared ERP and their neural generators produced by noises and tones of various duration among four to nine-month-old infants.

Study participants were enrolled as a part of a larger longitudinal investigation that determined the significance of child-directed speech in speech development.

However, the team focused on two distinct age groups of healthy infants: 1) 64 four-month-old infants comprising 20 males and 44 females, and 2) 63 nine-month-old infants comprising 19 males and 44 females. Further, informed consent was acquired from parents.

The study was carried out in full compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and all relevant international and national laws and was approved by the United Ethical Review Committee for Research in Psychology (EPKEB), Hungary.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) source activity can be reconstructed with greatly improved reliability since age-appropriate structural anatomical templates are available now. The present research took advantage of this potential by reconstructing the ERP waveform sources responsive to sound duration in four- and nine-month-old infants.

The researchers selected four- and nine-month-old infants because these age groups demonstrate significant turning points in the evolution of ERP morphology. Equally probable long (300 ms) and short (200 ms) sounds were randomly delivered to infants. Subjects were presented with four kinds of sound varying in sound quality (harmonic tones vs. white noise) and duration (200 vs. 300 ms).

Results

The study revealed that the brain of both four- and nine-month-old infants was sound duration-sensitive, as indicated by ERPs produced by short, isolated sounds. The team discovered that for both noise and tones segments, the responses of four and nine-month-old infants varied throughout a comparatively wide time range (between 400 and 780 ms).

Indeed, they found that posterior activity of auditory brain networks distinguished nine from four months, even if latencies were almost the same among these age groups.

In addition, the scalp-recorded waveforms and the related source activity showed maturation impacts. Both scalp-recorded ERPs and the associated source activity were spatially more confined between four and nine months of age.

More focal distribution among primary and secondary auditory areas was visible from the source maps in nine compared to four-month-old subjects.

The principal location of the sound duration-sensitive ERP generators was the ventral frontotemporal auditory pathway, together with activity in other important regions implicated in language processing.

The resemblance between the scalp-recorded ERP morphologies of four- and nine-month-old infants was a somewhat unexpected result. A more complex picture emerges from the underlying generators.

The arrangements of sound duration-sensitive generators were approximately similar in both age groups. Nonetheless, the exception was closer to the primary and secondary auditory cortices, showing an activity reduction, which may be a sign of brain maturational processes.

Conclusions

The study findings showed that the sound duration modulated two temporally distinct ERP waveforms. Furthermore, the generators of these waveforms were primarily found in the primary and secondary auditory regions and other language-associated areas.

The results reveal significant developmental variations between four and nine months, partially reflected by scalp-recorded ERPs but visualized in the underlying generators in a much more nuanced manner. The research also supports the viability of using anatomical templates among developmental populations.

In sum, the present study offers fresh insight into the development of sound duration processing, a crucial temporal component. The results of ERPs align with those from earlier research.

The more reliable source reconstruction provided by the recently published infant structural anatomical templates revealed novel perspectives into the generators behind the development of sound duration and their processing.

Additionally, the study results support the postulation of the developmental and functional importance of this neural activity. Undoubtedly, additional research is needed to confirm and clarify these initial hypotheses.
Hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare, yet healthcare worker adherence is often low. Infection preventionists at two health systems will present their successful hand hygiene interventions at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology's (APIC's) Annual Conference in Orlando Florida, June 26-28.

University of Michigan Health sustains 95% hospital-wide hand hygiene compliance through creation of interactive dashboards that visually depict data

In August of 2018, University of Michigan Health, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, transitioned from using static charts to creating dynamic electronic dashboards to visualize hand hygiene compliance in real time across its 1,100-bed campus. Through use of commercially available Business Intelligence (BI) software, they generated weekly and monthly compliance reports, made month-to-month comparisons, and filtered data by unit and by role (e.g., Environmental Services, Nursing, etc.) to show the rate at which healthcare workers cleaned their hands at the appropriate moments. Details about specific missed opportunities, like a failure to perform hand hygiene prior to donning personal protective equipment, were included.

A month after the infection prevention team implemented the dashboards, 19 units improved to 95% compliance or greater from rates that were already in the high 80s. From November 2018 to February 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, the hospital overall sustained a 95% or greater rate of adherence. Rates fell to 86% in March 2021 because the program was paused during the pandemic but have risen to 98% as of April 2023 through reintroduction and use of the dashboards and real-time data sharing.

University of Michigan Health relies on a robust team of trained observers to covertly monitor hand hygiene compliance, rather than an electronic system. 'Secret shoppers' track observations in the software using a mobile phone and that data is fed back to stakeholders in real time.
More women are having just one embryo transferred per cycle of fertility treatment to get pregnant, according to research presented at the 39th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

Preliminary data from the ESHRE European IVF-monitoring Consortium (EIM) [2] shows that nearly three in five (57.6%) out of all in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures in 2020 in Europe involved the transfer of a single embryo. This compares with a figure of just over half (55.4%) for the previous analysis in 2019.

Around a third (37.6%) of these treatments in 2020 involved the transfer of two embryos, 2.1% involved three, and a tiny minority (0.2%) four or above. The figures for 2019 were 39.9%, 2.6% and 0.2%, respectively.

The reduction in multiple embryo transfers meant that singleton babies accounted for 88.8% of all ART deliveries compared with 87.7% the previous year. A minority were twins (11%) and triplets (0.2%), a drop from 11.9% and 0.3% respectively in 2019.

The number of treatment cycles from 1 January until 31 December 2020 also show a slight drop compared with the year before, according to the preliminary information from 1 326 clinics in 38 European countries.

A total of 843 776 cycles were carried out in 2020 and over one million in 2019. However, the authors say that the dataset is not yet complete, and the number of cycles will be higher by the time the full data will be reported.

The ESHRE EIM report represents the largest data collection on medically assisted reproduction in Europe. Spain, France and Germany were among countries with the highest number of treatment cycles.

Lead author Dr Jesper Smeenk, from the Elisabeth-TweeSteden hospital, in Tilburg (The Netherlands), said: "These preliminary findings show that live births resulting from fertility treatment in Europe continue to rise.

"Campaigns to raise awareness about multiple births have helped protect the health of women and their babies. The continued rise in single embryo transfer means women are less likely to face complications in pregnancy and during birth.

"The result has been that fertility treatments have become safer for mothers and babies without compromising success rates."

The ESHRE EIM data were provided by national registries, medical associations and scientific organizations.

A total of 843 776 treatment cycles were carried out by 1 326 clinics offering assisted reproductive technology (ART) services in 2020. These fertility centers represented 82% of all clinics registered in the participating countries.

The majority of treatment cycles involved ICSI compared with just IVF alone (315 814 vs 135 803). The fact ICSI has overtaken IVF reflects a trend that has been ongoing since 2002, say the authors.

The number of cycles using frozen embryos was 279 126, which is comparable with 2019. Donated eggs were used in 60 521 treatment cycles, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in 47 793, and frozen eggs in 4 375.

A minority of cycles (344) featured in vitro maturation (IVM), which is a relatively new technique that does not require hormone drugs. This is because, after collection, the eggs are matured in the embryology lab, not in a woman's body.

In addition, 1 209 institutions carried out 199 362 treatment cycles with intrauterine insemination (IUI) where sperm is injected directly into the womb. A total of 29 countries used the partner's semen for IUI, and 22 used a donor's (147 711 cycles versus 51 651, respectively).

Fifteen countries carried out a total of 18 270 fertility preservation procedures including egg, semen and ovarian tissue freezing. These techniques, which are often used to help cancer patients become biological parents in future, were carried out on patients both pre- and post-puberty.

Overall, clinical pregnancy rates reported in 2020 for fresh embryo cycles were similar to those observed in 2019. The figures for IVF per aspiration  where a fine needle is used to retrieve eggs from a woman's follicles  were 27.9% in 2020 versus 28.5% in 2019; and 32.9% in 2020 versus 34.6% in 2019 per embryo transfer. For ICSI, the rates were 24.3% and 32.2% in 2020 versus 26.2% and 33.5% in 2019, respectively, and 50.4% in 2020 versus 50.5% in 2019 for fresh embryo transfers with donated eggs.

This trend was repeated for pregnancy rates using frozen embryos per thawing cycle (34.6% in 2020 versus 35.1% in 2019), and using frozen eggs per thawing cycle (45.3% in 2020 versus 44.8% in 2019).

The authors say in their presentation that the findings are, for now, somewhat compromised by incomplete data returns, notably from the UK and some other smaller countries. On this basis, the authors say the results should be interpreted with caution and conclusions drawn when the complete report is published.

The chair of ESHRE, Professor Carlos Calhaz-Jorge from the Northern Lisbon Hospital Centre and the Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon (Portugal), was not involved in this research. He said: "Multiple births are a known risk factor for complications in pregnancy and childbirth, and can affect a child's development.

"The hope is that this upwards trend in single pregnancies, as highlighted by the EIM data, continues.

"Clinics must always prioritise the safety of patients who undergo fertility treatment, and that of their offspring."
Federal regulators want most patients to see a health care provider in person before receiving prescriptions for potentially addictive medicines through telehealth  something that hasn't been required in more than three years.

During the covid-19 public health emergency, the Drug Enforcement Administration allowed doctors and other health care providers to prescribe controlled medicine during telehealth appointments without examining the patient in person. The emergency declaration ended May 13, and in February, the agency proposed new rules that would require providers to see patients at least once in person before prescribing many of those drugs during telehealth visits.

Controlled medications include many stimulants, sedatives, opioid painkillers, and anabolic steroids.

Regulators said they decided to extend the current regulations  which don't require an in-person appointment  until November 11 after receiving more than 38,000 comments on the proposed changes, a record amount of feedback. They also said patients who receive controlled medications from prescribers they've never met in person will have until November 11, 2024, to come into compliance with the agency's future rules.

The public comments discuss the potential effects on a variety of patients, including people being treated for mental health disorders, opioid addiction, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Thousands of commenters also mentioned possible impacts on rural patients.

Opponents wrote that health care providers, not a law enforcement agency, should decide which patients need in-person appointments. They said the rules would make it difficult for some patients to receive care.

Other commenters called for exemptions for specific medications and conditions.

Supporters wrote that the proposal would balance the goals of increasing access to health care and helping prevent medication misuse.

Zola Coogan, 85, lives in Washington, Maine, a town of about 1,600 residents northeast of Portland. Coogan has volunteered with hospice patients and said it's important for very sick and terminally ill people in rural areas to have access to opioids to ease their pain. But she said it can be hard to see a doctor in person if they lack transportation or are too debilitated to travel.

Coogan said she supports the DEA's proposed rules because of a provision that could help patients who can't travel to meet their telehealth prescriber. Instead, they could visit a local health care provider, who then could write a special referral to the telehealth prescriber. But she said accessing controlled medications would still be difficult for some rural residents.

"It could end up being a very sticky wicket" for some patients to access care, she said. "It's not going to be easy, but it sounds like it's doable."

Some health care providers may hesitate to offer those referrals, said Stefan Kertesz, a physician and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham whose expertise includes addiction treatment. Kertesz said the proposed referral process is confusing and would require burdensome record-keeping.

Ateev Mehrotra, a physician and Harvard professor who has studied telehealth in rural areas, said different controlled drugs come with different risks. But overall, he finds the proposed rules too restrictive. He's worried people who started receiving telehealth prescriptions during the pandemic would be cut off from medicine that helps them.

Mehrotra said he hasn't seen clear evidence that every patient needs an in-person appointment before receiving controlled medicine through telehealth. He said it's also not clear whether providers are less likely to write inappropriate prescriptions after in-person appointments than after telehealth ones.

Mehrotra described the proposed rules as "a situation where there's not a clear benefit, but there are substantial harms for at least some patients," including many in rural areas.

Beverly Jordan, a family practice doctor in Alabama and a member of the state medical board, supports the proposed rule, as well as a new Alabama law that requires annual in-person appointments for patients who receive controlled medications. Jordan prescribes such medications, including to rural patients who travel to her clinic in the small city of Enterprise.

"I think that once-a-year hurdle is probably not too big for anybody to be able to overcome, and is really a good part of patient safety," Jordan said.

Jordan said it's important for health care practitioners to physically examine patients to see if the exam matches how the patients describe their symptoms and whether they need any other kind of treatment.

Jordan said that, at the beginning of the pandemic, she couldn't even view most telehealth patients on her computer. Three-fourths of her appointments were over the phone, because many rural patients have poor internet service that doesn't support online video.

The proposed federal rules also have a special allowance for buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder, and for most categories of non-narcotic controlled substances, such as testosterone, ketamine, and Xanax.

Providers could prescribe 30 days worth of these medications after telehealth appointments before requiring patients to have an in-person appointment to extend the prescription. Tribal health care practitioners would be exempt from the proposed regulations, as would Department of Veterans Affairs providers in emergency situations.

Many people who work in health care were surprised by the proposed rules, Kertesz said. He said they expected the DEA to let prescribers apply for special permission to provide controlled medicine without in-person appointments. Congress ordered the agency to create such a program in 2008, but it has not done so.

Agency officials said they considered creating a version of that program for rural patients but decided against it.

Denise Holiman disagrees with the proposed regulations. Holiman, who lives on a farm outside Centralia, Missouri, used to experience postmenopausal symptoms, including forgetfulness and insomnia. The 50-year-old now feels back to normal after being prescribed estrogen and testosterone by a Florida-based telehealth provider. Holiman said she doesn't think she should have to go see her telehealth provider in person to maintain her prescriptions.

I would have to get on a plane to go to Florida. Im not going to do that," she said. "If the government forces me to do that, thats wrong.

Holiman said her primary care doctor doesnt prescribe injectable hormones and that she shouldn't have to find another in-person prescriber to make a referral to her Florida provider.

Holiman is one of thousands of patients who shared their opinions with the DEA. The agency also received comments from advocacy, health care, and professional groups, such as the American Medical Association.

The physicians' organization said the in-person rule should be eliminated for most categories of controlled medication. Even telehealth prescriptions for drugs with a higher risk of misuse, such as Adderall and oxycodone, should be exempt when medically necessary, the group said.

Some states already have laws that are stricter than the DEA's proposed rules. Amelia Burgess said Alabama's annual exam requirement, which went into effect last summer, burdened some patients. The Minnesota doctor works at Bicycle Health, a telehealth company that prescribes buprenorphine.

Burgess said hundreds of the company's patients in Alabama couldn't switch to in-state prescribers because many weren't taking new patients, were too far away, or were more expensive than the telehealth service. So Burgess and her co-workers flew to Alabama and set up a clinic at a hotel in Birmingham. About 250 patients showed up, with some rural patients driving from five hours away.

Critics of the federal proposal are lobbying for exemptions for medications that can be difficult to obtain due to a lack of specialists in rural areas.

Many of the public comments focus on the importance of telehealth-based buprenorphine treatment in rural areas, including in jails and prisons.

Rural areas also have shortages of mental health providers who can prescribe controlled substances for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Patients across the country who use opioids for chronic pain have trouble finding prescribers.

It also can be difficult to find rural providers who prescribe testosterone, a controlled drug often taken by transgender men and people with various medical conditions, such as menopause. Controlled medications are also used to treat seizures, sleep disorders, and other conditions.
India becomes the second-largest country with the biggest road network after beating China. While the United States remains in the number one position. The report says India successfully reserved the position by spreading 1.45-lakh km of road connectivity over the last 8 years. Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari also reacted about the same in the press conference.

While sharing the achievements during his tenure, Gadkari said that India has been focusing on improving the highways and creating greenfield expressways from the past In the past nine years. The minister said he is trying every possible thing to take the countrys infrastructure to the next level.

Indias Road Network

During the conference, Gadkari also informed the Authority of India (NHA1) has been working on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway with full focus, and almost completed Indias top-notch longest project ever.

Gadkari also revealed that before his leadership, India had 91,287 km of road network only. During his tenure, the minister gripped on NHAI, which has constructed, fixed and improved highways and expressways. He informed that NHAI has constructed more than 30,000 km of highways and expressways nationwide.

Indias Fund For Constructing Expressways

While addressing the media, Gadkari also highlight a fact by saying during his tenure, the revenue for the highways and constructing the roads also have been increased. He said the toll collection price also increased from Rs 4,770 cr to 41,352 in the past nine years. He said, now the central government has a goal to increase the revenue collection up to 71.30 lakh cr in upcoming years.

He also called the FASTags a great system as it has shaped the future of highways and expressways by cutting down the long queues at toll plazas.
The government official recognized the work, capacity, and professionalism of the police agents who make up this specialized unit.

Moreover, Romero highlighted the importance of their work for the well-being, safety, and development of Peruvian society as a whole.

Likewise, the minister emphasized the Government's commitment to the fight against illicit drug trafficking and conveyed the Interior sector's full support for Dirandro.

The Cabinet member stated that President Dina Boluarte has shown a clear willingness in this regard, since drug trafficking has a devastating impact on youth, the economy, security, and the entire Peruvian society.
Bangalore-based Canara Bank has become the first public sector bank in India to introduce UPI (Unified Payments Interface) payments for merchants through its RuPay Credit Card. This exciting feature is now accessible within the banks Canara ai1 Banking Super App, thanks to a partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

This development means that Canara Bank customers can now make UPI payments to merchants directly from their RuPay Credit Cards. Customers will have to link their Canara Bank RuPay Credit Cards to their UPI IDs, to conduct credit card transactions using this secure and seamless digital payment method.

Also Read: PNB Introduces UPI 123PAY: Heres How To Send Money Without Internet

K Satyanarayana Raju, the MD and CEO of Canara Bank, in a statement to FE assured customers that the process of linking their credit cards is similar to the existing account linking procedure. During the account listing for linking, customers can easily select their Canara Credit Card. Furthermore, the transaction limits applicable to UPI transactions will also apply to UPI payments made using RuPay Credit Cards.

Canara Bank emphasised that this new feature will significantly augment digital payments and expand the UPI ecosystem.

Dilip Asbe, the MD & CEO of NPCI, praised the integration of RuPay Credit Card on UPI, highlighting the exceptional user experience achieved by seamlessly combining the convenience of UPI with the advantages of RuPay Credit Card.

Abse further added, With Canara Banks RuPay Credit Card going live on UPI, customers will enjoy increased flexibility and choice when making payments at merchant outlets, without the need to carry their physical cards.

He also noted that the linkage of RuPay Credit Cards with UPI is revolutionising the way credit consumption is perceived by users and will undoubtedly drive greater adoption of digital payments throughout the country.

Its important to note that, for the time being, this facility only allows merchant payments. UPI payments from RuPay Credit Cards cannot be used for person-to-person transactions, card-to-card transfers or cash-out transactions, according to Canara Bank.

UPI allows users to effortlessly transfer funds between bank accounts with just a few taps on their mobile phones. On the other hand, RuPay holds a special place as Indias very own initiative for debit and credit card payments.

Unlike its global counterparts, RuPay isnt a standalone card. Instead, it serves as a reliable payment network that enables banks and credit card issuers to issue debit or credit cards, giving customers a range of options to choose from.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to United States and Egypt are now bearing fruits as Amazon is set to create 20 lakh jobs in India. Union Minister of State, Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted and informed the masses that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy will create 20 lakh jobs in India and invest $26 Billion by 2030 in the country. The announcement soon after Andy Jassy and Narendra Modi concluded there meeting in the US.

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

During their discussion, PM Modi and Amazon CEO talked on how to help Indian startups, generate employment opportunities, promote export, digitalization and empowering Indian masses and their small business to reach global scale. Sharing the minutes of the meeting, Andy Jassy informed that he has committed $26 Billion investment in the country by 2023 and to also digitize 10 million small businesses and facilitate $20 Billion exports. Andy Jassy also shared the key points of the meeting on the microblogging site.

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

Having previously digitised over 6.2 million small companies, enabled over $7 billion in exports, and produced over 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs, Amazon India is currently on course to deliver on them. Amazon recently celebrated ten years in India, enabling more than 12 lakh Indian enterprises to sell billions of dollars worth of goods online and ship their goods to clients in every functional pin code in the nation.
The counselling for the Andhra Pradesh Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET) 2023 is expected to begin soon. The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) is anticipated to release the complete counselling schedule. Once the counselling registration starts, qualified students will be able to apply through the official website at eapcet-sche.aptonline.in.

Candidates who clear the common entrance test can apply for programmes such as BSc in Agriculture, BSc in Horticulture, Bachelor of Fisheries Science (BFSc), Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry (B.V. Sc. & A.H.), Bachelor of Pharmacy, and BSc in Nursing.

AP EAMCET Counselling 2023: Documents Required

For the AP EAMCET counselling 2023, candidates will have to submit a list of scanned documents. The documents include:

 AP EAMCET Hall Ticket,

 AP EAMCET Rank Card,

 DOB proof (class 10-mark sheet),

 Class 12 Marksheet and passing certificate,

 Transfer certificate,

 Andhra Pradesh state residence certificate,

 Integrated community certificate (if any),

 EWS certificate (if required),

 Category certificate (if any),

 Residence proof,

 Income certificate, and

 Local status certificate.

AP EAMCET Counselling 2023 Process

Registration Process: Qualified candidates must complete the registration process in order to participate in the counselling process.

Choice Filling and Locking: Candidates must log into the site after successfully registering in order to select their desired college and course. Students will also need to lock the options.

Seat Allocation: The seats will be assigned to candidates based on their rank, preference, and seat availability.

Fee Payment: Those who have been assigned a seat must pay the necessary fee within the stipulated time frame.

Report to allotted college: This is the final stage, in which shortlisted candidates must report to the designated colleges for the document verification round. They are advised to bring the original documents with them for verification.

AP EAMCET Counselling 2023: Application Fee

Students have to pay Rs 1,200 as the counselling fee. For the reserved category candidates, the fee is Rs 600. It is to be noted that seats will be allotted at AP EAMCET 2023 counselling based on candidates ranks, choices made, and the availability of seats in the institutes.

The AP EAMCET 2023 was conducted from May 15 to May 19 for the engineering stream. Whereas for the pharmacy and agriculture streams, the entrance exams were held from May 22 to May 23.
Marathi is being reintroduced at Mumbais St Xaviers College as an optional language, almost after four decades. This step has been taken into consideration by National Education Policy (NEP) to emphasise the importance of regional language.

According to a report in Times of India, the Marathi department at the degree college was forced to close its doors in 1985 due to a lack of student interest and the retirement of the professor responsible for managing it. Consequently, the BA (Marathi) course was also discontinued in subsequent years.

The college has recently made the decision to reintroduce Marathi as an optional language course at the first-year degree level, focusing on conversational skills. The main motive for bringing back the language is to create interest in Marathi language and literature, to develop writing skills, and reading habits among students, and to enhance the way of thinking in a creative manner.

The initiative has garnered significant interest, with approximately 10 per cent of the students already enrolled in various programs opting for Marathi.

As per the reports, Marathi will be offered as an Ability Enhancement Course (AEC), which is prescribed under the national policy. Students will now have the option to opt for Marathi in conjunction with major, minor, and open elective subjects. The report further suggests that the first round of admissions began on June 19, and students have already started to include Marathi in their curriculum.

Principal Rajendra Shinde, who had joined the college around the same time, recalled the declining interest in the course during that period. Despite an attempt to appoint a part-time teacher for Marathi, the number of students continued to decline, eventually leading to the discontinuation of the course in 1985.

There were very few takers for the course at that time. The college tried appointing a part-time teacher for Marathi later, but the numbers dwindled further. In a year or so, the course was discontinued. We do not have Marathi at degree college level since 1985-86," Shinde told the leading news daily.

We have been trying to start Marathi for quite some time, but somehow it did not materialise. Due to NEP, we are happy we could start it and 120 is a good response in the first year," he added.

Despite the prolonged absence of Marathi as a degree-level subject, the college houses an active association called Marathi Vangmay Mandal. This association, established in 1923, will be celebrating its centenary this year.
Students of Presidency University who are affiliated with SFI had launched a week-long protest on Monday after a draft Code of Conduct was proposed by the university. As per the new code of conduct, nobody will be allowed to organise meetings and processions without prior and proper approval from the

concerned authorities of the institute.

Students state that this is the first time such a code of conduct has been implemented. Parents of students will be called by the authorities if they are found in any intimate position on campus, the code of conduct states. Students claimed there are barriers to political discussions, attacks on freedom of expression, disruptions to a normal lifestyle, and intrusive surveillance of campus life. Students are also strictly prohibited from furnishing audio and video clippings of any activity within the campus to media without obtaining prior approval from concerned authorities.

The century-old Presidency University is going to reconsider the proposed code of conduct, which was introduced to maintain discipline on the university campus. No new code of conduct is being issued on campus until the revision.

SFI, the CPI-Ms students wing which controls the Students Council of the University demands the immediate expunge of certain sections of the Code of Conduct  proposed by the authority. They claim that the code of conduct undermines students Right to Protest on Campus, and constitutional rights to Personal Liberty as in Article 19(1) and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Speaking to News18.com, SFI President Anandarupa said, Bringing down the issue of Surveillance and crackdown on student politics to only physical intimacy" is very individualistic. We want to make it clear that we are not just against imposing and infringing personal liberty, but we are also vehemently against the tendency of using a code of conduct to curb down organising of students. The Authority is doing all these because it is extremely scared of one thing - organising students. It is therefore using all such tactics like surveillance, and code of conduct to maintain an environment of fear towards student politics,"

After continuous agitation, SFI submitted a deputation to the university authorities on Monday. In addition to their demands in the deputation, they submitted documents containing the opinions of numerous former and current students and researchers of the university to the university authorities.

SFI Presidency Unit Editor Rishabh Saha said, We are not at all in favor of changing the Code of Conduct, we have no objection to this Code of Conduct in many academic matters including taking exams, but certain points of this Code of Conduct will destroy the tradition of this university. The university cannot decide what slogans will be given by the students if they engage in politics. For the sake of decency, making love on university campuses is being objected to. We have submitted a deputation regarding this code of conduct interfering with the personal freedom of a student in college life. "

After submitting the deputation, a statement was issued by the SFI that said, Dean of Students spoke about the review committee in the morning. The authority finally backed down under the pressure of continuous agitation by the SFI Presidency University Unit. They have stated in writing that the Code of Conduct is not being implemented with any new rules. A code of Conduct/Student Manual will be prepared for NAAC to consolidate the old rules. But no new social rules, nothing will be imposed.
The regulations allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India are being given final touches at present and will be released before July 15, a top government official said. The draft regulations, which is being framed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is in the final stage of consultations with the various key ministries and agencies involved including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The higher education regulator had in January this year released draft regulations allowing foreign universities to open campuses in India. The draft rules sought to provide autonomy to these universities in deciding the admission process and tuition fees. Changes have been made to the draft rules based on inputs received from stakeholders to make it more fine-tuned, the official said.

At the moment we are in the final stage of consultations within the government including seeking clarification on the suggestions made and reviewing the rules before it finally becomes a law. We are already done taking inputs from foreign embassies and universities, said UGC Chairman Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.

Some of the key ministries with whom consultations are on include the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Finance, and the RBI.

Several top universities from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), North America, Europe, and Australia have expressed their interest in the scheme. Further, there have been discussions with Western Sydney University, Australia, who too have expressed interest in the scheme, said Kumar.

From the US, delegations from Northeastern University, Boston, Western Governors University, Utah, Illinois Institute of Technology, and University of Texas, San Antonio, and the University of Pennsylvania met us at UGC and expressed keen interest in academic collaborations with universities in India while some of them may be interested in setting up their campuses here, he added.

The India-US Joint statement during the recent official visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US also states the setting up of liaison offices in the foreign embassies to facilitate ease of doing business between the two countries.

The draft regulations titled UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions In India) Regulations, 2023 were framed in line with the NEP, which envisaged internationalisation of higher education while advocating a legislative framework for facilitating the entry of foreign universities into India. Such universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions

The regulations were put out to seek public feedback and comments from stakeholders on January 5, the duration for which was extended twice to February 3 and then to February 20.
Red Notice fans can rejoice! An exciting update regarding the highly anticipated sequel is here. The original Red Notice, which featured a stellar cast including Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Gadot, achieved great success in 2021, becoming the fifth-most-streamed movie across all streaming platforms. The remarkable reception prompted Netflix to swiftly give the green light to two sequels, with hopes of replicating the same success. However, the updates on Red Notice 2 have been scarce so far. While Netflix has remained tight-lipped, Gal Gadot recently provided a glimmer of hope. During an interview with Collider at Netflixs TUDUM event, Gal Gadot, discussing her upcoming film Heart of Stone, confirmed that Red Notice 2 is in progress.

Gal Gadot revealed that she has read the script and expressed her enthusiasm stating that everyone is very excited" about what lies ahead. Were all talking about it, I dont know if I can say anything! I already read the second script and its whoo! Were all very excited about it," she said.

The producers of Red Notice 2, Beau Flynn and Hiram Garcia, shared their plans for the franchise. Flynn expressed their intention to potentially film Red Notice 2 and its successor back-to-back, emphasizing the importance of compelling scripts and the approval of the main cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds. But that franchise is a blast and obviously Netflix really wants it, and Rawson Marshall Thurber, director and screenwriter, is committed," Beau Flynn told Collider.

Hiram Garcia further mentioned that the director is currently engrossed in the creative process and is dedicated to bringing his vision to life. With a new draft of the script set to be delivered soon, everyone involved is eagerly anticipating the next phase of production.

Despite Gal Gadots announcement that the final script for Red Notice 2 has been finished, there remains uncertainty regarding the commencement of filming and the Netflix release date.

The commercial success of Red Notice was evident as it became Netflixs most-watched film within the first 28 days of release, achieving Top 10 rankings in 94 countries. The cast received praise for their performances, and audiences found the movie highly entertaining.

Meanwhile, Gal Gadot will next be seen in Heart of Stone, which marks the Hollywood debut of Alia Bhatt. The movie will also feature Jamie Dornan. The action thriller is all set to premiere on Netflix on August 11.
Star Pluss popular show Anupamaa has garnered a massive fanbase due to its gripping storyline centred around Anupamaas tumultuous life. With Rupali Ganguly and Gaurav Khanna in the lead roles, the show consistently captivates viewers and maintains a strong presence on social media. According to a new promo shared by Star Plus on its Instagram handle, the Shah family will unite to depict Anupamaas life story through a mesmerising dance performance in todays episode.

Watch the promo here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by StarPlus (@starplus)

As per a report in Telly Chakkar, Maya meets with a tragic road accident and is declared dead. Although the specifics of the incident are yet to be disclosed, this unfortunate event may hinder Anupamaas plans to go to the USA, as she may choose to stay behind and care for Choti Anupamaa and Anuj.

Previous reports by the portal stated that Mayas mental stability will be compromised when Anupamaa returns to the Kapadia mansion for her second farewell party. She might harm Anupamaa in a fit of rage by attempting to stab her with a knife. However, Anuj intervenes just in time and decides to have Maya admitted to a mental institution for treatment.

The current plot revolves around Anupamaas farewell party at the Shah mansion. Earlier episodes of the daily soap showcased that Anupamaa received invitations from both the Shah and Kapadia families, leading to jealousy from Maya due to Anujs excitement. Meanwhile, Baa and the entire household prepare for a grand celebration in honour of the lead actress.

The upcoming three-year leap in the show has piqued the interest of viewers, as they eagerly anticipate the makers plans for Anupamaa and Anujs love story. The storyline has been brimming with drama ever since Anupamaa joined Gurukul. Will Anupamaa go and settle in the US alone? Stay tuned to find out.
Air India on Tuesday said that a passenger on their flight AI866, operating from Mumbai to Delhi, behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers". The statement came after a man was held in the national capital for allegedly defecating and urinating on the floor of the flight.

In doing their best to manage the situation in the circumstances, the crew immediately secluded the passenger for the rest of the flight and issued a warning. 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. Air India follows a zero tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations," the airline said in a statement.

Police said that the incident took place on June 24 when Ram Singh  a cook employed in Africa  defecated, urinated, and spat in row nine of the aircraft. The FIR stated that upon observing the misconduct", the cabin crew warned the passenger and secluded him from the others.

ALSO READ | Air India Passenger Arrested for Defecating, Urinating & Spitting on Mumbai-Delhi Flight

The pilot-in-command was also informed of the situation. A message was sent to the company immediately seeking security on arrival to escort the passenger. The act left several of the passengers agitated, the FIR stated.

Upon arrival, the head of Air India security escorted the passenger to the local police station, it said, adding that a case under IPC sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) has been registered.

On November 26, 2022, a man in an inebriated condition allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi. Ten days later, another episode of a drunk" male passenger allegedly urinating" on a blanket of a female passenger was reported on Air Indias Paris-New Delhi flight.

(With inputs from PTI)
In a devastating incident at a hotel in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, a 28-year-old housekeeping staff lost his life after his leg became wedged outside a malfunctioning lift. The incident occurred on Sunday when Abhishek Kumar, a resident of Perambur, was utilizing the service lift to transfer a trolley from the 8th floor to the 7th floor of the Savera Hotel.

As Abhishek entered the lift and pressed the button for the 7th floor, the unfortunate event unfolded. The trolley became stuck in the doors of the lift, leading to Abhishek being trapped in between as the lift initiated its movement.

He entered the lift on the 9th floor with a trolley around 2.30 pm. He pressed the button for the 8th floor, but the trolley got stuck in the door and Abhishek was trapped in between as the lift started moving. He got trapped between the lift and the 8th floor where he was crushed to death," a police official was quoted as saying to newsagency ANI.

Upon receiving the report of the accident, the Mylapore Fire Brigade and Egmore Rescue Services swiftly arrived at the scene and successfully retrieved the body on Sunday at approximately 5:30 pm. Subsequently, the body was transported to the Royapet Government Hospital for a thorough autopsy.

After receiving a complaint from Abisheks brother Avinesh Kumar, a case has been registered under 304 (A) (IPC). Lift in charge of Gokul, Chief Engineer Vinoth Kumar and Hotel Operating Manager Kumar has been booked and more investigation is going on," the police official told ANI.
Hong Kong: May exports value down 15.6%

The value of Hong Kong's total exports decreased to $327.6 billion in May, down 15.6% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

The value of goods imports decreased 16.7% to $354 billion for the same period.

A trade deficit of $26.4 billion, or 7.5% of the value of imports, was recorded in May.

Comparing the three-month period ending May with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 5.3%, while that of imports increased 2.6%.

The Government noted that the value of merchandise exports declined further from a year earlier amid the weak external environment, with exports to all major markets falling by varying degrees.

Looking ahead, it added that the weakness in the advanced economies will continue to pose challenges to Hong Kong's exports, though the faster growth of the Mainland economy should provide some offset.

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
14:17 | Huaraz (Ancash region), Jun. 27.





The decline in dengue cases recorded in Ancash region is also observed in different parts of the country, according to statistics from Minsa.









Record number of cases





Nevertheless, even though a decline has begun, statistics reflect that the outbreak reported in Ancash has broken a record in terms of people affected by dengue.





So far, 2,414 people have been infected with this disease, thus exceeding the figure of last year (2,120), when an outbreak propagated in the province of Casma.





Likewise, two people died due to dengue during the epidemic: one death was reported in Huarmey and the other in Nuevo Chimbote.





It should be noted that most cases are concentrated in the district de Nepena (province of Santa), followed by Casma, Huarmey, and Chimbote.









Precautionary measures





Despite the observed decline in cases, authorities continue urging the population to take precautionary measures to prevent the proliferation of mosquitos.





Thus, spraying campaigns continue in different areas of the affected cities in Casma.





(END) GHD/MAO/RMB/MVB

A total of 413 dengue cases have been reported between June 11 and June 17, while diagnosed cases amounted to 191 between June 18 and June 24, according to the Daily Situational Room for Dengue of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) Published: 6/27/2023
The woes of the tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh did not end on Tuesday despite the Chandigarh-Manali national highway being restored for traffic after remaining closed for almost 24 hours. It has been reported that several other key roads were blocked due to landslides, including Pangi-Killar highway (SH-26) in Dared Nala.

Hundreds of commuters, including tourists, were stranded in Mandi district as the Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked since Sunday evening. The 70-km Mandi-Pandoh-Kullu stretch of the highway was blocked at Khotinallah near Aut, about 40 km from Mandi town, following flash floods while the Mandi-Pandoh stretch was blocked near 6 Miles after a landslide.

OMG  such a sudden landslide on Chandigarh - Manali National Highway #HimachalPradeshHope everyone is safe pic.twitter.com/3JlNwMN5g2 Paraminder Singh Virdi (@virdiparaminder) June 26, 2023

The situation is likely to remain the same the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for the next 24 hours.

Light to moderate rains continued to lash several parts of Himachal Pradesh and the MeT office has issued a warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places on June 28 and 29 and thunderstorm and lightning on June 30 and July 1.

A total of 301 roads were closed in the state following heavy rains, while 140 power transformers were 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.

Nine people have been killed in rain-related incidents, including landslides, and drowning, in the state so far, according to the data shared by the state emergency operation centre The state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 102 crore in rain-related incidents.

The Jal Shakti Vibhag suffered maximum damage of Rs 73.68 crore followed by the Public Works department (PWD) which suffered a loss of Rs 27.79 crore, according to the data.

Advisory for Tourists

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has issued an advisory for the tourists. In a statement, its chairman R S Bali advised tourists to always keep the GPS location of their mobile phones on, to commute on the guided routes only and figure out weather updates and drive slow.

He said tourists should avoid rash driving and instead enjoy their journey while maintaining the sanctity of the hilly regions.

The assistant inspector general of police (traffic, tourism and railways), in an advisory, asked people to refrain from engaging in any water sports. Commuters and general public are advised to avoid visiting riversides and areas prone to landslides," it said.

A local report quoted the advisory as stating that public transporters have been asked to drive carefully and avoid unnecessary stops at landslide-prone areas and road construction sites. In case of any distress, people have been asked to dial the emergency number 112/1077 and contact with the local police by searching online.
HOROSCOPE TODAY, JUNE 28, 2023: Get ready to explore what the stars have in store for you today. Here we provide you with horoscope predictions for each zodiac sign, offering insights into various aspects of your life, such as career, relationships, personal growth, and more. Whether youre an adventurous Aries or a compassionate Pisces, theres something here for everyone. Discover the blessings of stability for Aries, personal growth for Taurus, empowering success for Gemini, and much more. Read on to find out how the alignment of the planets might influence your day and gain some guidance on making the most of the opportunities that come your way. Given below is a comprehensive overview of what you can expect according to your zodiac sign.

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

Blessings of Stability and Support

Your business and career will experience stability and support from high-ranking officers. Builders will have confidence in their projects, and the health of ailing individuals will improve. Show kindness and love to your life partner, and consider starting new ventures. The lucky colour is red, and the favourable numbers are 1 and 8.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

Personal Growth and Prosperity

Your standard of living will improve, and there may be new business agreements for entrepreneurs. If your coworker makes a mistake, forgive them and calmly guide them on the correct approach. Take care of your familys needs and stay focused on your goals to achieve success. Your family will have a strong affection for you. The lucky colour is white, and the favourable numbers are 2 and 7.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

Empowering Success

You may receive job interview invitations. Boost your immune system by consuming fresh fruits and nutritious food. Enhance your personal relationships through your efforts. Release any burdens you may be carrying. Take up household responsibilities. The lucky colour is yellow, and the favourable numbers are 3 and 6.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

Leisure Wisdom

In your leisure time, you may enjoy reading a story or a novel. Avoid making unnecessary mistakes just to impress others. If youre feeling guilty about something, confide in your friends as they will uplift your spirits. There may be uncertainty regarding your promotion, and working professionals might experience additional work pressure. The favourable colour for today is milky white, and the lucky number is 4.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 23)

Prosperous Relationships

Your marriage will thrive, fostering a deep connection. Your financial situation will prosper through the guidance of your life partner. Your children will excel in their studies. You will experience a joyful and blissful day. Your business will steadily expand. The lucky colour for today is golden and the favourable number is 5.

VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22)

Challenging Interactions

Your family may be making arrangements for an upcoming important event. Unfortunately, youll have to interact with people you dislike, which will annoy you. Its important to stay focused on your goals. Individuals in the banking industry will experience extra workloads. Your job performance will be recognized and praised. However, you might feel stressed due to incomplete tasks. Overall, it will be an extremely busy day for you. The colour that brings positivity is green, and the lucky numbers are 3 and 8.

LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22)

Fortunate Rewards and Celebrations

Youll receive recognition for your job performance and may acquire valuable items. Social events will keep you busy, but remember to prioritize your safety and security. If youre seeking your dream job, theres a chance of success. Your loved ones might surprise you with gifts. Luck will be on your side in matters of love and romance. White is a lucky colour, and numbers 2 and 7 are lucky for you.

SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21)

Navigating Financial Challenges

You may experience financial disappointment. Take time for self-reflection and self-evaluation. Treat your loved ones with kindness and respect. Avoid wasting time on unimportant things. Resolve issues through meaningful conversations. The favourable colour for you is red and the lucky numbers are 1 and 8.

SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21)

Effortless Success and Joy

Today, you can expect happiness and satisfaction. Despite the minimal effort, you will accomplish outstanding outcomes. You will enjoy valuable time in the comfort of your own home. It will be an auspicious day for individuals involved in politics, as others will attentively listen to and adhere to your guidance. The favourable colour for the day is yellow, and the numbers 9 and 12 are particularly fortunate.

CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19)

Astrological Opportunity

You are currently in a favourable astrological phase. This is a good time for you to consider making new investments. Your determination and strong willpower will enable you to overcome any obstacles and finish pending tasks successfully. Your accomplishments will inspire others around you. It might be worth considering a job change at this point, as well as embracing new perspectives to adapt to changing times. The colour cyan is particularly auspicious for you, and numbers 10 and 11 hold positive energy.

AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18)

Balancing Work and Values

Employees in multinational corporations may receive recognition from their superiors. You have a crucial online meeting scheduled for today. Its important to instill moral values in your children. However, you may find it challenging to dedicate time to religious practices and contemplation. The day is auspicious for collaborative projects. The lucky colour is cyan and the favourable numbers are 10 and 11.

PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20)

Trusting Your Instincts

When it comes to your family matters, its best to trust your own judgment rather than relying on others advice. Stay calm and rational in all situations, as you may encounter confusing situations. Remember to prioritize your responsibilities and avoid crowded places. The favourable colour is yellow, and the lucky numbers are 9 and 12.
Violence-hit Manipur could see further deployment of security forces in the coming weeks. Sources have indicated to CNN-News18 that the union ministry of home affairs (MHA) is positively considering Manipur chief minister N Biren Singhs request to send in more troops to the strife-torn state. Biren Singh made the request to union home minister Amit Shah during their meeting on Sunday, sources said.

Close to thirty thousand troops have already been sent to Manipur ever since violence began.

Officials said that paramilitary personnel deployed in Bengal for the panchayat polls could be sent to Imphal after the elections are over on July 8. A total of 337 central paramilitary companies have been sent to West Bengal so far. The CRPF has more than three hundred companies (about 30,000 troops) in Bengal while the BSF has about 100 companies (close to 10,000 troops).

On Monday, the MHA sought deployment details when the state election commission asked for additional 485 companies (about 49,000 troops).

CRPF, the lead police force for law and order duty, is feeling the stretch with its deployment in Jammu and Kashmir hinterland, Bengal panchayat polls, and Chhattisgarh anti-Naxal operations. This year, CRPF has been relieved of its duty to guard the Amarnath cave shrine. ITBP has been assigned the duty which CRPF carried out for years.

Manipur has seen complete blockage of national highway 2 which goes via Kuki-dominated Kangkopi. NH-37 has been kept open for convoy movement by CRPF but the longer route, officials said, has meant an increase in transportation costs and in turn a rise in prices of essential goods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his review of the Manipur situation with home minister Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri reportedly emphasised on the need to ensure essential supplies to hills and valleys. More forces might be needed to first ensure that the national highways open and second that PDS shops become functional. Currently, governance has come to a standstill as employees have fled," an official told news18.

The Manipur government has called for employees to report on duty but central government sources said that till there is a sense of security it is unlikely that Kukis who previously worked or lived in Imphal will return.
The NHRC has sent notices to the Rajasthan government and the states police chief over the alleged gangrape and murder of a Dalit woman in Bikaner district, officials said on Wednesday.

The responses has been sought within four weeks, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement.

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that a 21-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gangraped and killed by three persons, including two police personnel, on June 20, it said.

The Commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, amount to the violation of the human rights of the victim by those responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the citizens.

Accordingly, it has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police of Rajasthan, seeking a detailed report within four weeks, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The report should also include the present status of the investigation being conducted by the police, departmental action taken against public servants, and arrest of the third accused. The Commission would also like to know what relief has been granted by the state to the family of the victim, it added.

According to the media report, carried on June 22, both policemen had been suspended and the matter is being investigated, the rights panel said.
A little over two months to go before the world leaders arrive in New Delhi for the G20 summit, the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos are spreading out across venues to carry out a thorough security check.

Top officials confirmed to News18 that the security exercise will begin next week.

NSG, the lead commandos of the country, will carry out anti-terrorism, anti-sabotage drills starting next week at all G20 venues. The newly built International Exhibition-Convention Centre (IECC) at Pragati Maidan will host the heads of 19 states and the European Union on September 9 and September 10. Nearly 20 hotels across Aerocity, Lutyens Delhi and Dhaula Kuan area will host the dignitaries. NSG bomb squad will carry out multiple checks at each of these venues in repeated exercise starting next week.

NSG will work in tandem with the Delhi police to carry out various security drills in the run-up to the G20 summit meeting, an MHA official told News18. Delhi Fire service has also been roped in to augment their infrastructure to avoid any kind of untoward incidents during the big event. At all the big hotels such as ITC Maurya, Taj Mahal Hotel and Marriot, special fire ports are being set up. Delhi Police will ensure perimeter security at these venues while NSG commandos have been tasked with proximate security. Security services from the US, Russia, UK, China would have their own arrangements for their heads of states.

NSG and Navy Marcos were tasked to carry out full-proof security in Kashmir last month when the G20 delegates gathered for the tourism meet. From area domination exercise at Srinagars famous Lal Chowk to regular patrolling of Dal Lake, NSG commandos successfully kept away any saboteurs in Kashmir.

While intelligence agencies have flagged off possible attempts by anti-India forces to derail the summit meeting in New Delhi, officials said the security grid is confident.

Delhi to Turn Very High Security Zone from September 1

Although the summit meeting of all the heads of states is on September 9 and 10, Delhi will gear up for VVIPS from September 5 with the 4th Sherpa meeting scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 6; the 4th Finance and Central Bank Deputies meet, followed by the Joint Sherpas and finance deputies meeting will take place September on 7 and 8. The finance ministers and energy heads of the 20 countries and invitees will meet on September 9-10 even as the heads of states gather for the summit meet.

Tight Security at Airports, Hotels, Pragati Maidan

News18 has learnt that security arrangements are being made right from special hangars that are being set up at Palam Air Force Station and Terminal 3 of the Delhi airport. These will have specific hangars for special aircraft, which will bring in the world leaders.

Nearly 20 hotels in Aerocity, Dhaula Kuan and Lutyens Delhi have been identified for hosting heads of states and delegates. NSG is coordinating with the Delhi Police to carry out a thorough check of each one of these hotels.

At the fourth floor Pragati Maidan Convention Centre, multiple halls and lounges are being set up to host the summit. The Pragati Maidan Centre will have bilateral meeting rooms, VVIP holding rooms, leaders lounge, listening rooms, country and prayers rooms and a media centre among other infrastructure. Each one of these rooms will be checked and rechecked multiple times in the run-up to the event to rule out any possibility of unintended object at the venue, an official said.

Cultural programmes with firework displays and drone swarms have also been planned by the organisers throwing a security curve ball at the security grid. Officials said anti-sabotage checks will ensure that no attempts are being made to derail any of the planned events by bringing in material camouflaged as the drones or fireworks.

Who are the Dignitaries

Heads of 19 countries including top protectees such as Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will be present at the summit meet on September 9. Heads of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and EU will be in Delhi as India showcases its G20 presidency. India has also invited Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Egypts President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Netherlands Mark Rutte, Nigerias Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez and UAEs Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

International organisations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Word Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO), International Labour Organization (ILO), Financial Stability Board and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Chairs of AU, AUDA-NEPAD (New Partnership for Africas Development) and Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

While multiple security agencies, para military forces and local police will be tasked to ensure full proof security of the visiting dignitaries, NSG as the lead commando force of the country has its task cut out to ensure no terror or sabotage attempt happens to derail the high profile summit.
While the National Cyber Crime Reporting portal got a staggering 22,57,808 complaints between January 1, 2020 and May 15, 2023, only 43,022 First Information Reports (FIRs)  a mere 1.9%  have been registered by states, according to data obtained in response to a Right to Information (RTI) Act query from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which is responsible for managing the portal.

Launched in 2020, the portal serves as a vital channel for reporting cybercrimes and acts as an intermediary, forwarding the complaints to the respective states and union territories for necessary police action as the police machinery falls under the jurisdiction of state governments.

The Centres initiative was to empower victims and complainants to report cybercrime complaints online. The portal covers cases related to online Child Pornography (CP), Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), sexually explicit content such as Rape/Gang Rape (CP/RGR), mobile crimes, online and social media crimes, online financial frauds, ransomware, hacking, cryptocurrency crimes, and online cyber trafficking.

It allows anonymous reporting, specifically for online child pornography and sexually explicit content such as Rape/Gang Rape.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, RAPE

A total of 1,58,190 complaints have been reported in the online child pornography and Rape/Gang Rape category. A total of 154 FIRs have been registered by the states  0.09%. West Bengal (67,082) has recorded the highest number of complaints in these categories, followed by Tamil Nadu (12,785) and Maharashtra (10,878). The states have filed 13, 3, and 9 FIRs, respectively.

CYBER FINANCIAL FRAUD

Of the 20,99,618 complaints of cyber financial fraud, state governments have filed FIRs in 42,868 cases (2%). Uttar Pradesh leads with the highest number of cases (3,84,942), followed by Delhi (2,16,739), and Maharashtra (1,95,409). The number of FIRs remains below 2% in each of these states.

Telangana, however, stands as an exception, with the state registering the highest number of FIRs at 17%.

EXPERTSPEAK

Mumbai-based RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge, of The Young Whistleblowers Foundation, who obtained the data, said, The portal makes it easy to register a complaint for citizens across the country. However, the lack of FIR registrations by state governments limits its purpose. In light of rapid technological advancements and changing crime patterns, it is imperative for both the Central and state governments to collaborate on a solution to combat the growing menace of cybercrimes. Particular attention needs to be given to addressing financial frauds, where vulnerable individuals are losing their hard-earned money."
Prime Minister Narendra Modis flagged off five Vande Bharat trains from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal. However, PMs visit to Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed due to the expected heavy rainfall.

The Prime Ministers visit to Bhopal included physically and virtually inaugurating the Vande Bharat trains and addressing a booth-level function of BJP workers on Tuesday.

A Look At Some of the Updates:

PM Modi flags off Five Vande Bharat Trains

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh | PM Narendra Modi flags off five Vande Bharat trains from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal.Vande Bharat trains that have been flagged off today are-Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati)-Indore Vande Bharat Express; Bhopal (Rani Kamalapati)-Jabalpur Vande pic.twitter.com/N4a72zwR0m  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

Also Read: First Vande Bharat Express for Goa, 4 Others Flagged Off by PM Modi | Details Inside

PM Modi Reaches Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal.PM will flag off five new Vande Bharat Express trains from here. pic.twitter.com/ozRdD93A8l  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

What Are The Other Four Trains

The other four Vande Bharat trains are  Rani Kamalapati-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express; Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express; Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express; and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.

First Vande Bharat Express for Goa Among 5 New Trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Madhya Pradesh for a day-long visit on Tuesday, where he is set to flag off five Vande Bharat Express at a public programme organised at Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal. PM Modi will also attend a public programme in Shahdol, where he will honour Rani Durgavati, launch the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and kickstart the distribution of Ayushman cards, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO).

Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express will be Goas first Vande Bharat Express, while it is the fifth Vande Bharat Express for Maharashtra. It will run between Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Goas Madgaon station. It will help save about one hour of journey time when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places.

PM To Visit Kamalapati Railway Station

Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Rani Kamalapati railway station. From there, he will inaugurate a set of five Vande Bharat Express trains, connecting important cities across the country, both physically and virtually.

This occasion signifies the inaugural launch of multiple Vande Bharat trains on a single day, a first of its kind. Notably, two of these trains will be specifically allocated to Madhya Pradesh, as the states Assembly elections are slated to occur before the year concludes.

PM To Interact With BJP Workers

In another Hindi tweet, Modi expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot program, where he will have the opportunity to engage with thousands of dedicated workers. He believes this interaction will further strengthen their determination towards building a developed India. Earlier, Chouhan mentioned that a large number of individuals were expected to gather in Lalpur village, located in Shahdol district.

PM was Scheduled To Inaugurate National Sickle Cell Mission

The Prime Minister was originally scheduled to inaugurate the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission and commence the distribution of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) cards during this event. Additionally, he was supposed to pay homage to Rani Durgavati, a valiant warrior queen from the 16th century, as a part of the concluding ceremony of a yatra organized by the Madhya Pradesh government to promote her bravery and sacrifices.

PM Modi May Also Interact With Tribal Leaders

The PM was also slated to visit Pakaria village in the same district to interact with tribal leaders, members of self-help groups (women whose yearly income is more than Rs 1 lakh), leaders of PESA (Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act) committees and captains of village football clubs. However, the prime minister has postponed his visit to the tribal-dominated district because of warning of heavy rains and keeping in mind inconvenience downpour may cause to people coming to attend the events, said the chief minister in a statement.
In yet another in-flight incident of the kind, a male passenger on Air Indias Mumbai-Delhi flight on June 24 defecated, urinated and spat on the floor of the aircraft, forcing the cabin crew to seclude him from the others.

The passenger, identified as Ram Singh, was handed over to the security personnel after the plane landed at Delhi airport. A police complaint has been registered and the incident has also been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Such incidents have seen a spike in the last few months with the DGCA even issuing an advisory to airlines, reiterating the existing provisions in place to deal with unruly passengers.

RECENT TURBULENCE

Heres a look at the mid-flight incidents caused by unruly passengers so far this year:

June 24 | A passenger on Air India flight AI866 operating from Mumbai to Delhi allegedly defecated, urinated, and spat in row nine of the aircraft on June 24. The accused, identified as Ram Singh, was handed over to the security personnel after the plane landed at Delhi airport. A case under IPC sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) has been registered.

A passenger on Air India flight AI866 operating from Mumbai to Delhi allegedly defecated, urinated, and spat in row nine of the aircraft on June 24. The accused, identified as Ram Singh, was handed over to the security personnel after the plane landed at Delhi airport. A case under IPC sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) has been registered. April 8 | A 30-year old passenger from Kanpur who was travelling from Delhi to Bengaluru on an IndiGo flight was arrested for attempting to open the emergency exit mid-air. Indigo Airlines said in a statement that a passenger travelling on flight 6E 308 from Delhi to Bengaluru tried opening the flap of the emergency exit in an inebriated state. The accused, Pratheek, from Patrakarpuram in Kanpur, was booked based on a complaint by a crew member under section 290 and 336 of the IPC and 11(A) of the Aircraft Act.

A 30-year old passenger from Kanpur who was travelling from Delhi to Bengaluru on an IndiGo flight was arrested for attempting to open the emergency exit mid-air. Indigo Airlines said in a statement that a passenger travelling on flight 6E 308 from Delhi to Bengaluru tried opening the flap of the emergency exit in an inebriated state. The accused, Pratheek, from Patrakarpuram in Kanpur, was booked based on a complaint by a crew member under section 290 and 336 of the IPC and 11(A) of the Aircraft Act. March 30 | A 63-year-old Swedish national was arrested for allegedly molesting a crew member onboard an IndiGo flight. Accused Klas Erik Harald Jonas Westberg was allegedly in an inebriated state when the incident took place onboard the IndiGo 6E-1052 Bangkok-Mumbai flight. He was accused of touching a crew member inappropriately while making an in-flight food purchase and also assaulted a co-passenger who intervened. He was booked by Mumbai Police under Indian Penal Code section 354 (molestation) and other provisions of Aircraft Act.

A 63-year-old Swedish national was arrested for allegedly molesting a crew member onboard an IndiGo flight. Accused Klas Erik Harald Jonas Westberg was allegedly in an inebriated state when the incident took place onboard the IndiGo 6E-1052 Bangkok-Mumbai flight. He was accused of touching a crew member inappropriately while making an in-flight food purchase and also assaulted a co-passenger who intervened. He was booked by Mumbai Police under Indian Penal Code section 354 (molestation) and other provisions of Aircraft Act. March 26 | An intoxicated passenger vomited on the aisle and defecated around the toilet on an IndiGo flight from Guwahati to Delhi. The shocking incident prompted outrage on social media after a photo of a cabin crew member cleaning the mess went viral. Bhaskar Dev Konwar, a passenger on the flight, narrated the incident in a Facebook post.

An intoxicated passenger vomited on the aisle and defecated around the toilet on an IndiGo flight from Guwahati to Delhi. The shocking incident prompted outrage on social media after a photo of a cabin crew member cleaning the mess went viral. Bhaskar Dev Konwar, a passenger on the flight, narrated the incident in a Facebook post. March 23 | Two passengers onboard a Dubai-Mumbai IndiGo flight were arrested for allegedly hurling abuses at crew and co-passengers in an inebriated condition. They were placed under arrest after the flight landed in Mumbai and were granted bail. The two accused, from Nalasopara in Palghar and Kolhapur, were reportedly returning after working for a year in the Gulf and started celebrating by consuming liquor they had brought from a duty-free shop. When co-flyers objected to the ruckus, the duo allegedly abused them and as well as the crew members who took their bottles away. They were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 336 (for endangering life and safety of others) and 21,22 and 25 of Aircraft Rules.

Two passengers onboard a Dubai-Mumbai IndiGo flight were arrested for allegedly hurling abuses at crew and co-passengers in an inebriated condition. They were placed under arrest after the flight landed in Mumbai and were granted bail. The two accused, from Nalasopara in Palghar and Kolhapur, were reportedly returning after working for a year in the Gulf and started celebrating by consuming liquor they had brought from a duty-free shop. When co-flyers objected to the ruckus, the duo allegedly abused them and as well as the crew members who took their bottles away. They were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 336 (for endangering life and safety of others) and 21,22 and 25 of Aircraft Rules. March 10 | A passenger onboard an Air India flight from London to Mumbai was handed over to security personnel for allegedly smoking in the lavatory and unruly behaviour. A passenger on our flight AI130, operating London-Mumbai on March 10, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings, an Air India statement said.

A passenger onboard an Air India flight from London to Mumbai was handed over to security personnel for allegedly smoking in the lavatory and unruly behaviour. A passenger on our flight AI130, operating London-Mumbai on March 10, was found smoking in the lavatory. Subsequently he behaved in an unruly and aggressive manner, despite repeated warnings, an Air India statement said. March 9 | A 24-year-old woman was arrested on arrival in Bengaluru after she was allegedly caught smoking in the toilet of an IndiGo flight from Kolkata. According to a police complaint, the cabin crew suspected that Priyanka C, who was travelling on seat no 17F, was smoking mid-flight and asked her to open the toilet door. Upon inspection, the crew found a cigarette in the dustbin and put it out with water.

A 24-year-old woman was arrested on arrival in Bengaluru after she was allegedly caught smoking in the toilet of an IndiGo flight from Kolkata. According to a police complaint, the cabin crew suspected that Priyanka C, who was travelling on seat no 17F, was smoking mid-flight and asked her to open the toilet door. Upon inspection, the crew found a cigarette in the dustbin and put it out with water. March 5 | A passenger of a New York-New Delhi American Airlines flight allegedly urinated on a fellow male passenger in a drunken state. The accused is a student in a US university. He was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep. It somehow leaked and fell on a fellow passenger who complained to the crew, a PTI report quoted an airport source as saying. The report added that the male victim was not keen on reporting the matter to police after the student apologised. However, the airline took it seriously and reported it to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the IGI airport. The accused passenger was handed over to the Delhi Police.

A passenger of a New York-New Delhi American Airlines flight allegedly urinated on a fellow male passenger in a drunken state. The accused is a student in a US university. He was in a state of inebriation and urinated while he was asleep. It somehow leaked and fell on a fellow passenger who complained to the crew, a PTI report quoted an airport source as saying. The report added that the male victim was not keen on reporting the matter to police after the student apologised. However, the airline took it seriously and reported it to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the IGI airport. The accused passenger was handed over to the Delhi Police. March 4 | A case was registered against a passenger on an Air India Kolkata-Delhi flight for allegedly smoking inside the lavatory of the plane. He was smoking inside lavatory when the alarm started ringing which alerted the flight crew The Delhi ATC was informed about the incident and the passenger was handed over to Delhi Police as soon as the flight landed at IGI Airport," an official had said.

A case was registered against a passenger on an Air India Kolkata-Delhi flight for allegedly smoking inside the lavatory of the plane. He was smoking inside lavatory when the alarm started ringing which alerted the flight crew The Delhi ATC was informed about the incident and the passenger was handed over to Delhi Police as soon as the flight landed at IGI Airport," an official had said. January | The incident which took place on November 26 last year came to light this year when the accused, Shankar Mishra, was arrested on January 6 for allegedly urinating on a 72-year-old woman in an intoxicated condition in the business class of the Air India flight on November 26 last year. He was booked under sections 354, 509, and 510 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 23 of the Indian Aircraft Act. As outrage mounted over the incident, US-based financial services company Wells Fargo terminated Mishras employment and Air India banned him for four months. On January 31, a Delhi court granted bail to Mishra on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of the like amount.

What the Rules Say

DGCA regulations provide for classifying unruly passenger behaviour into three levels and such people can face flying ban for varying periods.

Unruly behaviour such as physical gestures, verbal harassment and unruly inebriation are classified as Level 1 while physically abusive behaviour like pushing, kicking or sexual harassment will be classified as Level 2.

Life threatening behaviour such as damage to aircraft operating systems, physical violence like choking and murderous assault will be considered as Level 3.

Depending on the level of unruly behaviour, an internal committee set up by the airline concerned can decide on the duration for which an unruly passenger can be banned from flying.

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha on April 3, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh said as many as 63 persons were put in the No Fly List by airlines in 2022.
Somewhat inspired by Shahid Kapoors web series Farzi, a small-time goldsmith in Uttar Pradeshs Kairana turned his shop into the printing press of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) of Rs 2,000 denomination.

Upon arrest, accused Irshad alias Bhuru, told the police that he had incurred huge financial losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, and tried every legal means to earn money but could not succeed. Thus, he thought of the business of printing fake currency notes.

Irshad, who has received no formal education, told the police that after recognising high demand for FICN and profit margin, he started printing the notes in his shop with the help of his associates, and supplying them in Delhi/ NCR.

They would use appropriate raw materials such as fine quality paper sheets, green shining foil paper and special ink to manufacture high-quality FICN. Irshad told the police that they purchased the special ink after doing a research online. One of his associates, and co-accused Tajeem, who had worked as dyer in different states, would use his liaisons to circulate the fake bills.

The police had received some inputs that a member of a member of this cartel would come to Alipur in Delhi to deliver a consignment of fake currency notes to a prospective receiver. Therefore, the police team laid a trap and arrested him.

The police recovered high-quality FICN equivalent to Rs 2,50,000 in the denomination of Rs 2,000 from the receiver, who, after the interrogation, disclosed that he had received the FICN from his associate Irshad.

Thereafter, a raid was conducted in Kairana in Shamli district in which Irshad was arrested. Further, the FICN equivalent to Rs 3,00,000 was recovered from his house.

A team of Delhi Police Special Cell has been deputed to gather information about such cartels in view of trafficking and circulation of high-quality fake currency notes in the Capital and adjoining states such as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
STHREE SAKTHI SS-374 RESULT TODAY LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala state lottery department will announce the results for Sthree Sakthi SS-374 lucky draw for Tuesday, July 18. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, in Thiruvananthapuram. The first prize winner will be awarded a significant sum of Rs 75 lakh, while the second-place winner will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the third-place winner will get Rs 5,000.

KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-374 GUESSING NUMBERS

3597 3579 3957 3975

3759 3795 5397 5379

5937 5973 5739 5793

9357 9375 9537 9573

9735 9753 7359 7395

7539 7593 7935 7953

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY: STHREE SAKTHI SS-374 PRIZE DETAILS

1st Prize Rs 75 Lakh 2nd Prize Rs. 10 Lakh 3rd Prize Rs. 5,000 4th Prize Rs. 2,000 5th Prize Rs. 1,000 6th Prize Rs. 500 7th Prize Rs. 200 8th Prize Rs. 100 Consolation Prize Rs. 8,000

HOW TO DOWNLOAD PDF WITH FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS

STEP 1: Visit keralalotteries.com

STEP 2: Click on Lottery Result

STEP 3: A new page will open. Click on View

STEP 4: You can access PDF by clicking on Download icon on the top right side of the page.

HOW TO CHECK STHREE SAKTHI SS-374 LOTTERY RESULT?

Participants of Sthree Sakthi SS-374 lottery can check result by clicking on the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department: www.keralalotteries.com. Apart from the website, these results are also published in the Kerala Government Gazette. Interested candidates can participate in the lottery by purchasing the tickets, which are priced at Rs 40, from any Taluk lottery offices in the state. The Kerala has three lottery offices in Punalur (Kollam district), Kattappana (Idukki district) and Thamarassery (Kozhikode district).

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023: HERES HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY

Winners of Sthree Sakthi SS-374 lottery draw must confirm their winning tickets with the Kerala lottery results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If they find their ticket number in the published gazette, they must report to the Kerala lottery office in Thiruvananthapuram along with their tickets and identification proof to claim the prize within 30 days.

KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 2023 FAQs: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

How do I buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Kerala lottery tickets can only be purchased from authorized retailers in state.

Which online sites are best to buy Kerala lottery tickets?

Selling or buying lottery tickets over the Internet is illegal in India, so you can buy it only through authorised ticket agents by physically visiting them.

Is Kerala lottery available online?

No. As per the rule, only physical tickets are permitted to sale.

What is the price of Kerala lottery ticket?

Weekly lottery tickets are available for Rs 40, while the Bumper lotteries price varies - Rs 200 to Rs 300 - depending upon prize amount.

Who is eligible for Kerala lottery?

Anyone above the age of 18 years can purchase lottery tickets. Even those who are not the residents of the state can buy, but they need to physically visit the state of Kerala and buy the ticket from an authorized retailer.

Also, its important to check the local laws of the state you live in. Some states have restrictions on participating in lotteries or buying lottery tickets from other states.

Where to buy Kerala lottery?

One can buy the ticket from an authorized retailer in Kerala.

How much money will I get from Kerala lottery?

Depending upon the prize money, winner of Kerala lottery can win from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 12 crore

When is Kerala lottery results declared?

The results of weekly lottery is announced everyday at 3 pm, and for the Bumper lottery, it is announced at 2 pm.

Is lottery legal in Kerala?

The Kerala Lotteries are regulated by the State Government.




Thus, the above-mentioned trade show will contribute to the development of the Amazon region.





"30 buyers from five continents will be brought in to seek agreements with 104 local companies on coffee, cacao, wood manufacture, camu camu, and sacha inchi," the minister said at the launch of the event.





The government official emphasized that, across all 10 editions, ExpoAmazonica has opened up great possibilities in the area of exports.





"The Amazon has exported nearly US$900 million, but this is clearly insufficient as it has an extraordinary potential to develop, so this type of trade shows contributes to changing this situation in its favor," he explained.





Tourism





On the tourism side, Mathews underlined that ExpoAmazonica Tingo Maria 2023 will gather 20 tour operators to seek agreements with 50 operators from the Amazon forest regions.





"Domestic tourism has been growing. Last year, 27 million trips were made, while this year's total exceeds 34 million trips across the country," the Cabinet member remarked.





"We hope the jungle will be one of the regions contributing to this growth for the country," he added.





(END) RMB/MVB
Carrying a reward of Rs 1,25,000 on his head, a wanted criminal from Uttar Pradesh  identified as Gufran  was killed in an encounter with the state Special Task Force (STF) in Kaushambi on Tuesday morning.

Gufran was shot during the encounter around 5 am in Kaushambi. The criminal was taken to a hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead. Over 13 cases of murder, loot and robbery are registered against Gufran in Pratapgarh and Sultanpur districts.

A 9mm cartridge, .32 bore pistol and an Apache bike were recovered from the encounter site, an official said. The official added that Prayagrajs additional director general of police had announced a reward of Rs one lakh on Gufran, while Sultanpur police had a reward of Rs 25,000 for his arrest.

Gufran had shot and looted Saresham Jeweler in Pratapgarh on April 24. The man seen firing in the video after the loot is said to be Gufran.

This is the latest in a series of encounters by the Uttar Pradesh police. According to a report by The Indian Express, published last month, the state has witnessed 186 encounters since March 2017, when Yogi Adityanath took charge, and till date.

In these six years, when it comes to police firing to injure (usually in the leg), the number goes up to 5,046  more than 30 alleged criminals being shot at and injured every 15 days, the report stated.

In the list of 186 killed in police encounters, records show, as many as 96 alleged criminals faced murder cases, two of whom faced cases of molestation and gangrape, and POCSO, the IE report mentioned.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees helicopter made an emergency landing at the Sevoke air base near Siliguri on Tuesday afternoon due to bad weather, officials said.

Banerjee was on the way to the Bagdogra airport after addressing an election rally in Jalpaiguri when her helicopter ran into bad weather while flying over the Baikunthapur forest, they said.

It was raining very heavily here, and the pilot decided to make an emergency landing, an official told PTI.
In India, people of the Hindu Community from North India celebrate Bhadli Navami with proper traditions and rituals. Bhatali Navmi, Kandarp Navmi, Shukla Paksha Navmi, and Ashara are other names of Bhadli Navami. It is usually celebrated during the Ashad month. On the 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Ashada month, this festival is celebrated with joy. It is considered to be the last day for auspicious ceremonies like marriages, and Mundan in the Hindu Community.

The reason behind this, according to Hindu culture, is that after this day, the Lord usually goes to sleep, and all the auspicious activities are conducted during this period only. This festival is celebrated in honour of Lord Vishnu. People consider that Lord Vishnus blessings are important for marriage, and they cannot be done when Lord Vishnu is at rest and sleeping. On the last day of Bhadli Navami, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep, and people celebrate it in a unique way and take the blessings of Lord Vishnu. People are very enthusiastic about all the religious events that are celebrated during the day. Priests take special care by reading the holy scriptures for Lord Vishnu.

People also worship Goddess Durga as they decorate her with flowers and garlands and offer her red chunri and suhag items along with sweets and seasonal fruits. It is further followed by aarti and then devotees chant OM DUN DURGAAYAI NAMAH at least 108 times. It is done in a quiet and sacred place and with the Rudraksha Rosary.

Bhadli Navmi falls on Tuesday, which is also the day of Lord Hanuman. People will be worshipping both deities on this sacred day. People will chant Hanuman Chalisa along with the name of Lord Shri Ram. Devotees will offer sweets, seasonal fruits, jasmine oil, and vermilion.

Bhadli Navmi Muhurat, 2023

The Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month started around 2:04 am late night today on 27th June 2023 and will end tomorrow, that is, June 28, 2023, at 3:05 am, according to Panchang. Auspicious times for Marriage ceremonies, Mundan, housewarmings, engagements, and Janeu Sanskar will end on June 27 as of June 29, 2023; Devshayani Ekadashi will begin as god will sleep and Chaturmas will begin as people now have to wait for 5 months to celebrate any auspicious ceremony.
EID-UL-ADHA 2023: Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-al-Adha or Eid-ul-Zuha, is one of the most significant Islamic festivals celebrated worldwide. It holds great religious and cultural importance within the Muslim community. The festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail, as an act of obedience to Allah.

Eid-ul-Adha is also considered the auspicious occasion for the conclusion of the yearly Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, an integral component of the Five Pillars of Islam. It honours the story of Prophet Ibrahims unwavering devotion and willingness to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail, as an act of submission to Allahs command. As Prophet Ibrahim prepared to carry out the sacrifice, God intervened and provided a substitute to be sacrificed in place of his son, symbolising the ultimate act of faith and mercy.

Muslims around the world commemorate this day by performing the Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of an animal, such as a goat or sheep. The meat from the sacrificed animal is then divided into three parts: one-third for the individual or family, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for the less fortunate. This act of sharing and giving reinforces the spirit of generosity and compassion.

Eid-ul-Adha is observed in numerous countries around the world, and the specific dates vary based on the sighting of the moon. As a result, the date of Eid al-Adha varies on the Gregorian calendar from year to year. The Islamic calendar is approximately eleven days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar.

Therefore, each year, Eid al-Adha falls on different Gregorian dates in different parts of the world. This discrepancy occurs because the visibility of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the Islamic month, varies depending on the location. It is essential to note that the exact dates may vary based on local moon sightings and regional traditions.

BAKRID 2023 DATE IN INDIA, AROUND THE WORLD

The Bakrid celebrations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, the UK, the US, and Canada will commence on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

The Day of Arafat, the key ritual of Hajj, will be observed on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Muslims in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, the Sultanate of Brunei, and other South Asian nations will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on June 29, 2023.
Telugu actor Jr NTR has finally issued a statement after the demise of his ardent fan Shyam. He was found dead on Monday. While some claim that Shyam died by Suicide, his family and friends have alleged foul play. In his statement, Jr NTR paid tribute to his fan and urged the government to probe the case.

Shyams death is extremely painful to learn of. My deepest condolences to Shyams family. Not knowing the circumstances under which he died must be nerve-wracking for all. I request the government officials to investigate the matter immediately," Taaraks statement, which is originally in Telugu, reads.

Earlier today, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu also alleged the involvement of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) members Shyams death case. Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Shyam in Chintaluru, EG District. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death are alarming. I strongly urge for a thorough investigation into this matter, ensuring justice is served. It has been alleged that YSRCP members are involved. Their involvement must be probed impartially. Lets ensure transparency prevails and justice is served", he tweeted.

Since then, We Want Justice For Shyam NTR has been trending on Twitter. Check out some of the Tweets here:

Let's Fight until Justice Done  @APPOLICE100 @AndhraPradeshCMBring the tag to top again, let everyone know this..!!#WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR pic.twitter.com/5QvkJ7DeqH  Chandu Kumar (@ChanduK22743115) June 27, 2023

We will fight till justice is done to Shyam.#WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR pic.twitter.com/eQut2sKy9d NTR Fans Campaign (@NFC__Mass) June 27, 2023

We want justice for shyam bro #WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR pic.twitter.com/cOpXuMTpqB Chitti Kanna (@Fan4Tarak) June 27, 2023

Shyam rose to fame back in March this year when a video of him hugging Jr NTR went viral from a pre-release event of Vishvak Sems Dhamki where the Telugu superstar was the chief guest. In the video, Shyam was seen trying to breach the security to take a picture with the RRR actor. However, when the actor show him being pushed aside, he called him up and took a picture with the youth.
After the massive success of Bhool Bhulaiyya 2, Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani are reuniting for another family entertainer titled SatyaPrem Ki Katha. The film is all set to hit the theatres on June 29 and the promotions are on in full swing. Ahead of the films release, the stars were seen attending the screening in Mumbai on a rain-soaked Monday night.

Kiara Advani, the films leading lady, was captured making way for the screening in her car as heavy rains lashed the city. She looked stunning in a beige skirt suit. She kept her hair loose and opted for minimal makeup. As paps went clickity click, she smiled and waved at the cameras. Check out the video here:

Meanwhile, Kartik Aaryan was spotted sporting a casual style for the screening. The actor slipped into a white t-shirt and blue jeans, completing the look with blue and white sneakers. Captured by paparazzi outside the studios, the 32-year-old actor was leaving after attending a special screening. He posed for the cameras, folding his hands and even making a hand heart gesture, all the while wearing a wide smile.

In the trailer, Kartiks SatyaPrem and Kiaras Katha bump into each other at a gathering in Gujarat. While Katha makes it clear that she is already dating someone, SatyaPrem doesnt seem to be affected by her relationship status as he falls head-pver-heeels for her. He decides to wait for her if she wants to get into a serious relationship. The trailer soon cuts to the couple getting married but it is not all hunky-dory from there on.

The film also stars Supriya Pathak Kapur, Rajpal Yadav, Gajraj Rao, Siddharth Randheria, Anooradha Patel, Shikha Talsania, and Nirmiti Sawant in pivotal roles.
Anil Kapoor is gearing up for the release of The Night Manager 2. The show that also stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Sobhita Dhulipala in the lead, is directed by Sandeep Modi. Days before the shows release, Modi talked about Anil Kapoor at length and appreciated his hard work and dedication.

Sandeep Modi called Anil Kapoor directors actor and told India.com, He can tell me while reading a script, Sandeep, the scenes are going to give us a tough time. His experience and knowledge of conserving energy and determining the right time to shoot with everyone were invaluable. It was a tremendous learning experience for everyone involved, not just me. Anil Kapoor is like a film school in himself.

The Night Manager director further called Anil Kapoor hungry for performance and added, He is like a kid who just wants to get better and better. Thats a quality I want to take away after so many years of being in front of the camera. If an actor is so keen to prove himself, it tells you how dedicated an actor he is.

Before the release of The Night Managers first part too, Sandeep Modi heaped praises on Anil Kapoor and argued that the 66-year-old actor is still a tough competition to all young talents in the industry. At 4 am, when Ill be dying to finish shooting to go to bed, the energy he has to do his scenes, wakes up everyone. He is amazing. I think he also knows when its required and when its not required. He has a switch in him. He can switch from a 40-year-old to 14-year-old with a switch of a button. He can become a 60-year-old also, with a lot of experience," Modi told us.

The Night Manager is an official adaptation of the 2016 thriller show of the same name which was released in the UK. While the remake starred Aditya Roy Kapur, the original show starred Tom Hiddleston in the lead. The shows part 2 will stream on Disney+ Hotstar on June 30.
Japan plans to launch a satellite made of wood in 2024 and relevant tests have largely been completed aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Life has come full circle since the first ever aircraft, flown by the Wright brothers, was made of wood.

The space sector has grown exponentially in both quantitative and qualitative terms. From the launch of Sputnik on October 04, 1957, it took almost five decades to reach 1000 simultaneous active satellites in space and in less than two decades, there are more than 5000 of them with SpaceX alone planning to launch 42,000 soon enough.

Declassified information of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) of the USA revealed in its published work The Corona Story that the photo films taken from space by the spy satellite Corona used to be hurled down to Earth through a re-entry vehicle to be caught midair by the crew of C-130 aircraft, developed in a lab and made available weeks later. Theres now a talk of building crisis reconnaissance capability that would furnish ready-to-use satellite imagery right in the fighter cockpit in real-time. But all this would take place away from the public scrutiny and concern.

The general public does not appear to be concerned with space because the activities in space, while influencing everyday life, do not appear to threaten life, at least not yet. Space-enabled operations such as GPS-assisted driving, ATM cash withdrawal, Direct to Home television viewing, or working from home using high-speed internet draw little attention to the fact that their source can be interfered with in space. Initially, the defence forces dominance in space utilisation did act as a barrier but even with sizeable commercialisation of it, the public interest has not been commensurate to its rapid pace of development. It clearly is a case of out of sight out of mind.

Responsible behaviour cannot be instilled anywhere without public participation and space is no exception. Take the case of debris in space. As per the European Space Agency (ESA)s Environment Report 2022, there are about 30,000 pieces of debris in space and the number of objects measuring more than one cm could be more than one million. One of the advantages presented in favour of the wooden satellite is that it would burn off completely on re-entry, leaving little debris in space. On December 07, 2020, in its 37th plenary session. the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 75/36 on responsible behaviour in space. In less than a year from that, Russias ASAT test on November 15, 2021, created at least 1500 trackable pieces of debris. Following that, US Vice President Kamala Harris announced on April 18, 2022, that the United States would ban direct-ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests that create orbital debris. Its not a regulation though, only a declaration. The point is that nations, at times, do not take UN resolutions seriously or listen to the concerns of others. Governments are only accountable to the public, at least in democracies, and will only respond to public concerns. As a result, the public must become involved and call for responsible space behaviour from their respective nations.

Without a doubt, space is vast, so the debris in space does not appear to be causing any concern to the average person on the street. However, even the oceans are huge but plastic in oceans has started to disturb the mankind. Its not far when this debris will start interfering with the assets in space, affecting life on Earth. Space crowding did not take place as long as the military was the primary user, but commercial considerations have changed the scenario. Privatisation of space has opened up the economy and while technology readiness is very high, the industry maturity is still very low. The industry seems to be satisfied at the product level, whereas it needs to be part of the process. The new entities are keen to deploy their assets in space, but they dont have the big picture to protect their assets. The ratio of upstream to downstream is still very small. Theres only one Elon Musk in the whole world and probably, even he is not sure how to protect his assets in space. It is yet not clear if an attack on a Starlink satellite will amount to an attack on the US. The complete growth seems to be focused on commercial output with scant regard to the safety of assets. Space is one sector where technology has overtaken regulations.

Research from the RAND Corporation has emphasised the urgent requirement for International Space Traffic Management Organisation (ISTMO) as a response to the bloating population of active satellites and other debris orbiting Earth, which is bringing the world closer to a critical tipping point in space traffic management (STM). US Department of Defence (DoD), on March 03, 2023, released guidelines for safe and responsible space operations. While issuing these guidelines on February 09, 2023, defence secretary Lloyd Austin laid out tenets of responsible behaviour in space covering areas of cooperation, debris control and shared communication to bring in transparency. But these guidelines apply only to military operations, not civil or commercial.

Talk of weaponisation of space, and its just brushed aside as unlikely, but is that even logical or simply wishful thinking? Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 prohibits placing nuclear weapons or Weapons of Mass Destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies. It, however, is silent on conventional weapons. Ballistic missiles transiting through space or the missiles used for anti-satellite tests, therefore, do not violate the treaty, though are dangerous enough to threaten the assets of others. Further, Article IV does not allow the establishment of military bases on celestial bodies, but at the same time does not prohibit the use of military personnel for scientific research. Article II of the treaty does not allow ownership of any space asset by any country but the US government introduced the Space Act 2015 which states that US citizens may engage in the commercial exploration and exploitation of space resources. It introduced a new title, expanding the acronym SPACE  Spurring Private Aerospace Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship. Different asteroids are supposed to be resource-rich and will be exploited for the same. There are no regulations on who can explore what and as of now, finders are the keepers.

The question is if a country finds resources on a celestial body, who is going to guard those resources? Who guards the resources on Earth? Only military can guard the resources and it cant do so without weapons. Space is becoming congested, contested and competitive. Competitiveness among finders will lead to denial of exploration to other players, making it hard for peaceful exploits. Society cannot close its eyes to the perils staring it in the face. If debris is a cause of concern, debris removal may become another monster to handle. As per a report in Fortune Business Insights, the global space debris monitoring and removal market is projected to grow from $942.3 million in 2022 to $1,527.7 million by 2029. There seems to be a contradiction here. How does debris removal market grow and then sustain without the presence of debris? While on one hand, nations are expected to exhibit responsible behaviour in space and not create debris, but on the other hand, the debris removal industry can only grow if debris grows. Even bigger cause of concern is debris removal tools falling into the wrong hands, eventually endangering the legitimate satellites.

For far too long, space has been dominated by technology and the military, so developing space-related rules and regulations has always been the responsibility of space scientists or government agencies dealing with space. However, commercial applications based on space assets are rapidly changing this. Lifes routine activities will be space-dependent, and damage to a space asset tomorrow, implying in the near future, will have the same effect on life as an attack on a transformer. Space is no longer just a technical issue, it has also become a sociological issue. Debates on space issues must follow the same pattern as nuclear debates, and scholars from all disciplines must actively participate. To paraphrase Premier Georges Clemenceau, Space is too important to be left to space scientists.

The author is a retired fighter pilot, former Air Advisor at High Commission of India, London and Director General (Inspection & Safety), Indian Air Force. Views expressed are personal.
It has been 56 days since an ethnic conflict broke out in Manipur that killed and injured hundreds. After almost two months, Union home minister Amit Shah convened an all-party meeting on Sunday. State chief minister N Biren Singh called the situation very chaotic, but iterated that the violence has been controlled to a great extent in the past weeks. Amidst multiple efforts made to contain the violence, the Kuki MLAs in the BJP said no effort, apart from initiating a process of separation, would bring lasting peace.

Calling the Centres efforts as only painkillers and not cure, the Kuki MLAs said if it fails to bring a practical solution, they can quit the BJP and the state government. Some Kuki MLAs in the BJP, who were camping in Delhi last week, said nothing short of separation will bring lasting peace and cure to the age old conflict in the state.

Letzamang Haokip, a Kuki MLA of BJP from Churachandpur, told News18, Our state is politically and economically being crippled. We camped in Delhi, met senior cabinet ministers in the government and senior leaders seeking redressal. But what the Centre is trying to administer painkillers to alleviate the pain, but we are looking for a cure. For us, the only workable solution is separation from Manipur.

We are still waiting for a practical solution, but if the Centre does not arrive there, we may quit the Manipur government and BJP. There are currently seven Kuki MLAs in BJP and Biren Singh-led government in the state, added Haokip.

Peace Attempts by Church and RSS

The government and the political stakeholders are now looking at the peace meeting called by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in Manipur for the suffering people.

As violence flares up, the government and political leaders have been trying to reach out to the church and other religious leaders for preaching peace. The peace meeting is scheduled to take place in Manipur and across the country on Sunday, said a statement by CBCI.

Expressing doubt over any positive results from the peace meeting, the Kuki MLA of BJP said, We are sceptical at this point and not sure if any peace meeting by the church or any organisation will bring the desired results. Our people want to realise their political dreams. Even though the attacks have died down, tension is simmering. We will take decades to heal.

Meanwhile, the RSS has also issued a statement last week appealing for peace. Kuki tribes are primarily Christians, while the majority of Meiteis are Hindus. It can be resolved by addressing the sense of insecurity and helplessness among the Meiteis and genuine concerns of the Kuki community simultaneously, Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary of RSS, said in the statement.

A senior RSS functionary said, The conflict is about land, opium cultivation and control of turf. It is fuelled by foreigners coming from across the border (Myanmar). The militants are not local, they came from outside to create unrest. We want peace first and the rest of the issues can be discussed later.

He further said the local volunteers have been running multiple relief camps for both Meiteis and Kukis so it is not a fight between Hindus and Christians, but some political forces are trying to make it look like that for their vested interest.
The mysterious death of a hardcore fan of Telugu superstar Jr NTR aka Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr has taken a political turn on Tuesday, with former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Banu Naidu hinting towards the involvement of Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) members in the matter.

Shyam, a fan of Jr NTR passed away under suspicious circumstances in Chintaluru of Andhras East Godavari district. The youngsters death has been dubbed as suicide, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.

Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Shyam in Chintaluru, EG District. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death are alarming. I strongly urge for a thorough investigation into this matter, ensuring justice is served. It has been alleged that YSRCP members are involved. Their involvement must be probed impartially. Lets ensure transparency prevails and justice is served", Naidu tweeted with the hashtag WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR.

Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Shyam in Chintaluru, EG District. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death are alarming. I strongly urge for a thorough investigation into this matter, ensuring justice is served. It has been alleged that YSRCP pic.twitter.com/55bpR9cgvR N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 27, 2023

The youth rose to fame back in March when a video of him hugging Jr NTR went viral from a pre-release event of Vishvak Sems Dhamki where the Telugu superstar was the chief guest. In the video, Shyam can be seen trying to breach the security to take a picture with the RRR actor. However, when the actor saw him being pushed aside, he called him up and took a picture with the youth.

Naidu is not the only one demanding justice for the deceased youth. The hashtag We Want Justice For Shyam NTR has been trending on social media, with many people demanding a probe into the youths mysterious death and a possible murder angle to it.
"There isn't any cause more important for a country than prevention, than getting prepared united to face eventual natural disasters. Yet this is a task that corresponds to all of us and is above differences, colors, or political flags," Mrs. Boluarte expressed.

In this sense, the top official announced that the Central Government is financing 619 direct interventions in seven regions that could be affected by Global El Nino: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash, Ica, and Lima.

Mrs. Boluarte stressed that, following the declaration of emergency due to the imminent danger of a possible El Nino phenomenon , preventive and unprecedented work began, including cleaning and clearing rivers and streams. It entailed an investment worth S/1.446 billion (about US$397.7 million).

"From this moment on, we will be 33 million (citizens) united in the face of El Nino phenomenon . Long live Peru," she concluded.

Jefa de Estado, Dina Boluarte, inauguro el Encuentro Intergubernamental Preparacion ante el #FenomenodeElNino#33MillonesUnidos pic.twitter.com/pLvZgiVslJ
The proposed delimitation draft by the Election Commission of India for Assam has received a lot of criticism from opposition parties. A 12-hour bandh was also called on Tuesday by Silchar-based political party Barak Democratic Front (BDF) in three districts of Barak valley: Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi. There were mixed reactions to this in the valley, where most shops and markets were open, though a few remained closed.

The ECI released a draft for delimitation in Assam on June 20 and proposed to reduce assembly seats in Barak valley, which had 15 constituencies till the 2021 elections, to 13. Apart from demographic changes, names of a few constituencies will also be changed as per the proposal.

The bandh was also supported by the Congress and AIUDF in the state.

Speaking to CNN-News18, APCC president Bhupen Bora said, Assam Congress will meet the ECI over the delimitation. The draft is unconstitutional. Assam CM and BJP have prepared the draft for BJP and RSS interests. Not just one, but a lot of protests are ongoing in the state. If the ECI doesnt accept our demand, we might go to the Supreme Court to challenge it. Several organisations, political parties and leaders from the ruling BJP have expressed dissatisfaction over the ECIs draft and BDF was quick to call for a bandh. It was first scheduled for June 30 but on Saturday, they advanced it to June 27."

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam said, It has become a common agenda for the people of Barak valley. The bandh was also supported by some BJP MPs and MLAs. Where the population has increased, there should have been an increase in seats. Rather they are decreased. So most people are dissatisfied about the delimitation draft. Its the issue of Karimganj, its the issue of SCs in Silchar, Muslim issues are also very strong. Over 400 people were detained during the protest. Everyone is protestingChief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself said that he is doing this to protect the indigenous people. He is doing it, but not for the indigenous people. Its done for BJP and RSS."

The AIUDF will also sit for a meeting to decide its future course of action against the delimitation draft and if needed will approach the Supreme Court, say leaders.
Over the years, the Congress in Delhi has had three big faces  the late Sheila Dikshit, Ajay Maken, and Sandeep Dikshit. And the three never got along. But as they say, issues often bring warring partners together.

Today, as the Congress is caught in a dilemma over whether or not to support the Aam Aadmi Party over the ordinance issue, the two boys of Delhi Congress are on the same page, finally agreeing to agree.

In 2016, Sandeep Dikshit accused Maken of deliberately tarnishing the image of his mother and former CM Sheila Dikshit. This was when Maken was the Delhi Congress chief. He prepared a false synopsis of the CAGs Commonwealth Games report, putting in fabricated charges and sending them to a media house even before the CAG report was published," the former East Delhi MP said.

In 2015, as the Congress faced its worst defeat in the assembly elections, Sheila Dikshit accused Maken of poor strategy and planning. She said the campaign lacked direction, vision, and aggression".

But PC Chacko, who was the Delhi state incharge, said it was her term as chief minister which had hurt the party. What she did not do, issues of water, electricity, and unauthorised colonies, probably were standing against the party," he said. So much was the bitterness that when Sheila Dikshit died in 2019, her family blamed Chacko as one of the reasons for her death, accusing him of giving her stress.

By 2018, however, Maken and Sheila seemed to be softening up and he reached out to her. The niggling issue was then whether the Congress should tie up with AAP for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. While Maken and Chacko were in favour, Sheila said no".

Today, AAP has divided the Congress but brought two warring leaders together. Both Sandeep Dikshit and Ajay Maken are in agreement when it comes to opposing any support to AAP over the ordinance issue. Both have told Rahul Gandhi and other top leaders a couple of things. One, the only reason Arvind Kejriwal opposes the ordinance is that he wants to avoid the possibility of vigilance action against him in the future. There is a chance he goes to jail for up to 10 years and he wants to avoid this," says Maken.

They have also conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that if someday you become the PM, what Kejriwal wants can be used against you as well".

Both Sandeep and Maken have made it clear that backing Kejriwal may seem important for opposition unity, but the ramifications of support would be grave as AAP grows at the cost of the Congress. And any support would only demoralise the cadre.

Politically, both Sandeep and Maken are at a crossroads in their political future. With Sandeep concentrating more on Madhya Pradesh, any support to AAP would only eat away at the Congress leaders core votes in Delhi. Hence, the coming together makes sound political sense.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday said the BJP should once again speak out against alleged corruption by the MLAs who are now part of the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should punish" all those against whom BJP leaders had leveled allegations in the past, NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said.

He was responding to Modi, at a BJP program in Bhopal, recounting past corruption allegations against various Opposition parties including the NCP.

He should know there was a time in Maharashtra when his (BJPs) leaders were highlighting scams of the MLAs who are now part of the Eknath Shinde group," Crasto said.

BJP leaders in the state should once again speak out about the scams of the leaders who are part of the Eknath Shinde group", he added.
A pro-farmer pitch, addressing the cadre and supporters and seeking the blessings of Lord Vithoba in Pandharpur  Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief and Telangana Chief Minister KC Rao, who began his two-day tour of Maharashtra with his MLAs and MPs on Monday, has kicked off his Lok Sabha campaign in the state.

Criticising the political parties in the state, KCR compared the situation of farmers in Telangana and Maharashtra. Claiming that not a single party that came to power has done anything for the farmers of Maharashtra, KCR said, A lot could have been done for farmers. If a small state like Telangana can implement welfare scheme for farmers, why cant Maharashtra? The reason is if they implement pro-farmer schemes, farmers will become rich and politicians will become poor. Which they certainly dont want.

He said, We have come here to seek the blessings of Lord Vithhal, but all parties of Maharashtra have started attacking us. It has been just four months that we have started our expansion in MaharashtraWe are a very small party, still they are afraid of us.

Commenting on the criticism, KCR said, The Congress calls the BRS the B-team of the BJP, the BJP calls his party the B-team of the Congress, but in reality, we are a team that represents farmers, minorities, Dalits and backward people. We are the only party which said, Abki baar, Kisaan Sarkar.

BRS President, CM Sri K. Chandrashekhar Rao today offered prayers at Shri Vitthal Rukmini Devi Temple in Maharashtra's Pandharpur. pic.twitter.com/LtJfQNCZpz BRS Party (@BRSparty) June 27, 2023

WATER, ONION & CANE FARMERS

KCR also targeted the ruling Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government for not providing enough water to farmers for a good yield. We have enough water, but the current government is not doing anything. Different districts of Maharashtra such as Solapur, Akola, Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, etc. are still facing water crunch. Many villages in these districts are getting water once a week. The existing water policy of the country should be changed and a new water policy should be implemented, which is possible if all take efforts, as we have enough water resources."

As onion-producing farmers of Maharashtra are not getting good prices for their yield, KCRs BRS has asked the state government to allow the farmers to sell their produce in the Telangana market.

KCR also questioned the state government over the sugarcane prices. In his speech, he said, Why do farmers have to suffer to get a good price for their produce? Why do they have to hold a long march for their basic demands, Sugarcane farmers never get their money on time in Maharashtra, which is demoralising. Unless a pro-farmer government comes to the state, nothing will change.

We are not the A-team of Congress or the B-team of BJPBRS is the team of farmers, dalits, minorities and the backward classes. - BRS President Sri KCR in Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/bcbCrRFw9R  BRS Party (@BRSparty) June 27, 2023

ON FADNAVIS

In his 35-minute speech KCR also criticised Deputy CM Fadnavis. When I had come to Nanded for a party function, Fadnavis criticised me, saying that I should focus on Telangana and not Maharashtra. But let me tell him, if you implement pro-farmer schemes like us, I will not come here. He has no answer to this as they dont want to implement it.

KCR also told to the crowd how his government is doing transparent business and the welfare schemes that directly credit the amount in the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

KCR announced that Bhagirath Bhalke, who left the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and joined his party, has his full support and requested people to elect him in upcoming election which will help the BRS develop Solapur districts.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday targeted the Centre and the Lt Governor over Delhis law-and-order situation following a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, claiming a jungle raj" was prevailing in a city gearing up for the G20 Summit.

He asserted that if the AAP government is given the charge of law and order, it will make Delhi the safest city" in the country. Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi hit back, claiming that Kejriwal wants control over the citys law and order to protect his corrupt ministers and MLAs".

A delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint by four motorcycle-borne men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the Saturday incident.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event to inaugurate new electric vehicle charging stations, Kejriwal said, It seems that the Centre does not have a solid plan to improve the law-and-order situation in Delhi.

Some men carried out a robbery inside the Pragati Maidan underpass. The G20 Summit will be held near the underpass. People are feeling unsafe in Delhi. This is jungle raj," the chief minister said.

Citing another crime incident, he asked, What is happening in Delhi? Should the national capitals law-and-order situation be like this?" Last week, Kejriwal and Lt Governor V K Saxena shared accusatory letters over the law-and order-situation in the national capital.

Accusing the LG of interfering in the work of the AAP dispensation, Kejriwal said, The only reason behind the current (law-and-order) situation is that the Centre and LG are using all their energy in stopping the work of the Delhi government.

They are thinking about how to stop our schools, mohalla clinics, water supply and electricity. I request them to allow us to do our work and they should focus on their work. If you are not able to handle law and order, give us the responsibility. We will make Delhi the safest city in the country," he said on the sidelines of the event.

Reacting to the chief ministers comments, Lekhi told PTI Video, Arvind Kejriwal is running a government where the (former) deputy chief minister (Manish Sisodia) is in jail for corruption. His (former) minister Satyendar Jain has recently come out on bail.

Over 40 MLAs are indulging in corrupt and criminal activities. Tahir Hussain was involved in the killing of an Intelligence Bureau officer in the northeast Delhi riots while Amanatullah Khan was stealing cylinders and storing them in Okhla. I guess it is to protect all these criminals why he (Kejriwal) wants law and order in his hands," the Union minister claimed.
Is it possible to run a family if there are different rules for each member, asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he explained the importance of Uniform Civil Code.

How can there be different laws for different people in our country? The Supreme Court time and again has said to bring UCC," the PM added while addressing people in Madhya Pradeshs Bhopal.

He further lashed out at the Opposition over their unity meeting in Bihars Patna. He advised residents to vote for the opposition parties if they want to see the party leaders family flourish but if voters want to see their family progress, they must vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party".

Some days ago, they (opposition parties) held a photo op. If you look at their history, the total of their scams can guarantee India of more than Rs 20 lakh crore. Congress alone is involved in corruption worth crores of rupees. From Commonwealth scam to coal scam and 2G scam, there is not sector that hasnt been touched by Congress for corruption," the prime minister said, adding list of scams of scams by RJD, DMK, TMC and NCP.

Reacting to PM Modis statement on Uniform Civil Code, CPIM leader M A Baby said, PM has not spoken a word on Manipur. Its the immediate issue that needs mention by the prime minister. He is not satisfied by putting the northeastern state on fire and now wants the same for the country. UCC is aimed at assaulting a minority community."

The Congress, meanwhile, released an animated video comparing Rahul Gandhis mohabbat ki dukaan" with BJPs nafrat ka bazaar".

Modi further said that party workers are BJPs biggest strength. He added that Madhya Pradesh has a big role in making the BJP worlds largest party. We dont sit in air-conditioned offices and issue diktats, we brave harsh weather to be with people," PM Modi said to the BJP workers.

The BJP has decided that it wont adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank," he said. He also said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters.

The PM further said development of villages was must for India to become a developed country.
The Bharatiya Janata Partys changing stance regarding the Dharani portal in Telangana has created confusion in the minds of many voters. During a public meeting at Nagarkurnool in Telangana, BJP national president JP Nadda said that the saffron party is going to scrap the portal. This stands in contrast to what state party chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar had said about 10 days ago. He had said that he was not against the welfare schemes of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi government, adding that the BJP will rectify the issues in the portal rather than scrapping it. This sudden change of stance has caught the attention of the people. The portal, which offers land registration and mutation services, has come under opposition fire from time to time.

Issues pertaining to the portal were first raised by the Congress. In fact, they have run a sustained protest against the portal, which they claim has left thousands of farmers and landowners in the lurch. The grand old party has said that the Dharani portal will be replaced by a transparent, scientifically advanced, and people-friendly one when the Congress comes to power. This issue of the inadequacies of the portal was later taken up by the BJP. In his speech, Nadda alleged that the portal benefited BRS leaders only and that it was being used to harass farmers.

The BJP is already on an unsure footing in the state due to the alleged discontent among its local leaders. Political circles are abuzz with rumours that prominent leaders like Eatela Rajender and Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy are dissatisfied with the partys image in Telangana. They met Nadda in Delhi and these matters were reportedly discussed. In such a scenario, changing stances on an issue can alienate the voters further.

Dharani was launched as a one-stop solution for land-related issues in 2020. Earlier, people had to go to the sub-registrars offices, which are located in 141 locations, for land registration. With Dharani, registration is now at the citizens doorstep and can be done in 574 mandal headquarters. After Dharanis launch, opposition parties have repeatedly pointed out that the portal was being used as a land-grabbing tool. They have alleged that the system was plagued with inaccuracies and farmers were at the receiving end.

Naddas speech was an emphatic cry to bring an end to dynasty rule in the state. He said that hundreds lost lives to achieve a separate statehood but only chief minister K Chandrashekar Raos family benefited from the sacrifices. He also talked about the various central government schemes and projects operational in Telangana.
At the Opposition meeting in Patna last week, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi were seen sitting at a distance, but exchanged words while Banerjee was stepping out.

The plan to fight the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) floated so far is one to one on each seat. In the next meeting in Shimla, things will take shape, according to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

However, the ground situation in Bengal, according to the TMC, is that in various places, the Congress, BJP and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) are going hand-in-hand against Banerjees party. The enmity between the TMC and Congress shows that it is clear that there cant be any understanding.

In the Panchayat campaign poll meeting, Banerjee said, We are trying to make Mahajot in Delhi, but here the Congress, CPIM and BJP has made Mahaghot behind me . I will break their Mahaghot.

The comment proves that although there can be an alliance in the Centre, the TMC will not give an inch space to Congress in Bengal.

Meanwhile, Kunal Ghosh, State General Secretary and Spokesperson, TMC, tweeted a BJP-Congress poster. Can u see this @kharge? This is your partys battle strategy in Bengal. They are behaving as NDA partner. @AITCofficial is fighting against BJP and your party is trying to give oxygen to BJP. First u take decision, who is your enemy? This kind of politics has made congress 0.

On the other hand, Congress leader Adhir Choudhury attacked the TMC. On Saturday, he said: Nitish ji called us, Mamata ji asked Rahul ji how is he, he answered bas  Mamata is bound to go there thats compulsion. Congress always fights against BJP. Some days ago, Mamata ji had said bad things about Rahul ji. She has not said anything on Bharat Jodo

Meanwhile, the BJP has called the Patna meeting a wedding reception. Let them meet. Lalu ji asked Rahul ji to get marriedThey can do whatever they want, but cant defeat the BJP.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his government will get all the alleged scams and irregularities that have taken place during the previous BJP regime probed and punish the guilty.

Noting that the government will fulfil all the poll promises, he said, the implementation of Congress five guarantees will cost Rs 59,000 crore a year to the exchequer, and there is a slightly higher burden on the administration this year.

We will get scams inquired into. Four medical colleges were constructed and there are allegations about irregularities in it, we will get it investigated.

Also, we will get allegations of 40 per cent commission probed. There were irregularities in health-related procurements during the COVID-19 period, irrigation projects related irregularities and Bitcoin scams, all of them will be probed," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the investigation is on into the Police Sub Inspector (PSI) recruitment scam by the CID; it will be further intensified, and those guilty will be punished.

Deaths caused in Chamarajanagara hospital, allegedly due to shortage of oxygen supply, during COVID, will also be probed, he said, adding that, the then Health Minister K Sudhakar had said only two had died, but the casualties were more, due to shortage of oxygen supply. He had lied. We will get it inquired."

Hitting out at opposition parties for criticising the government regarding the implementation of poll guarantees, the Chief Minister said, already one guarantee has been implemented providing free rides for women in public transport buses; from July 1 up to 200 units of free electricity will be provided to households under Gruha Jyothi scheme, also Gruha Lakshmi scheme providing Rs 2,000 to women head of the family will be rolled out after August 15  applications have been invited for it.

Regarding the Anna Bhagya scheme to provide additional 5 kgs of rice to every member of a BPL household, he said, for this we need 2,29,000 metric tonnes of rice every month, which is not available anywhere, and the central government has conspired" to ensure that the state government does not get the required quantity of rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI), which had initially agreed to supply, as they have stocks.

The BJP government at the Centre by ensuring that FCI doesnt supply rice to the state has attacked the states poor, BJP means anti-poor. We are making efforts to source rice through other agencies like NCCF, NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar; we have called quotations and talks are on. We will discuss in the Cabinet and decide tomorrow on the next move, as we are not getting required rice from producing states," he said.

As soon as rice is available the scheme will be rolled out.

On the YuvaNidhi scheme to provide Rs 3,000 every month for unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 for unemployed diploma holders, who graduated in 2022-23, on not getting jobs within six months, the CM said, it will be given for 24 months, within which the unemployed will have to find jobs; on getting jobs it will be stopped.

He also said about 2.5 lakh vacancies in government departments will be filled up in stages. It cannot be done at once, also implementation of five poll guarantees will cost Rs 59,000 crore a year to the government. So this year there is a slightly higher burden on the government, but the guarantees will certainly be implemented."

Questioning the moral right of the BJP, which has warned of protests against the government, demanding the implementation of poll guarantees, Siddaramaiah asked: Have they implemented the poll promises made in the manifesto, while in power?"

Mr Yediyurappa (former CM ) should come out as to how many promises were implemented, during his period and Basavaraj Bommai (former CM) period. They should not do political gimmicks, instead of protesting if they are committed to the cause of the poor, let them get rice from the Centre, which is doing hate politics," he said.
Apples Emergency SOS Via Satellite feature, which was first released with the iPhone 14 serieshas proven to be life-saving in several situationsdespite being only available in certain regions. The feature was recently used by a hiker with a broken leg to call for help, proving its usefulness once again.

According to a report by ABC7 via 9to5Mac, Juana Reyes, a woman who broke her leg while hiking in Tujunga, was unable to call for help because she was in a remote location with no cell phone service. Fortunately, she was able to use the iPhone 14s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature to contact emergency services.

Reyes was reportedly hiking with her friends at the Trail Canyon Falls in the Angelos National Forest when the hiking trail suddenly collapsed. Her friends note that despite not having cellular service, they were able to call for help using the feature. In fact, they did not know how the feature worked at all. Reyes noted, I dont know exactly how it works, Im assuming satellites.

The Emergency SOS Via Satellite feature notifies users when it is most likely to be neededwhen they are out of cellular or Wi-Fi range. As a result, even if the average consumer is not aware of the feature, they can still use it to get help.

The LASD department, as per ABC7, notes that Reyes rescue was the departments third iPhone rescue of the year.

Last year, iPhone 14 series Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection feature saved two people by helping them get rescued after a serious car crash in California.




Using boats run on solar energy and pedal power, an international team of explorers plans to set off in April 2024 to the source of the Amazon in the Peruvian Andes, then travel nearly 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) across Colombia and Brazil, to the massive river's mouth on the Atlantic.





"The main objective is to map the river and document the biodiversity" of the surrounding ecosystems, the project's coordinator, Brazilian explorer Yuri Sanada, told AFP.





The team also plans to make a documentary on the expedition.





Around 10 people are known to have traveled the full length of the Amazon in the past, but none have done it with those objectives, says Sanada, who runs film production company Aventuras (Adventures) with his wife, Vera.





The Amazon, the pulsing aorta of the world's biggest rainforest, has long been recognized as the largest river in the world by volume, discharging more than the Nile, the Yangtze and the Mississippi combined.





But there is a decades-old geographical dispute over whether it or the Nile is longer, made murkier by methodological issues and a lack of consensus on a very basic question: where the Amazon starts and ends.





The Guinness Book of World Records awards the title to the African river.





But "which is the longer is more a matter of definition than simple measurement," it adds in a note.





The Encyclopedia Britannica gives the length of the Nile as 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles), to 6,400 kilometers (3,977 miles) for the Amazon, measuring the latter from the headwaters of the Apurimac river in southern Peru.





In 2014, U.S. neuroscientist and explorer James "Rocky" Contos developed an alternative theory, putting the source of the Amazon farther away, at the Mantaro river in northern Peru.





If accepted, that would mean the Amazon "is actually 77 kilometers longer than what geographers had thought previously," he told AFP.





Rafts, horses, solar canoes





Sanada's expedition will trace both the Apurimac and Mantaro sources.





One group, guided by Contos, will travel down the Mantaro by white-water rafting. The other will travel the banks of the Apurimac on horseback with French explorer Celine Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.





At the point where the rivers converge, Sanada and two other explorers will embark on the longest leg of the journey, traveling in three custom-made, motorized canoes powered by solar panels and pedals, equipped with a sensor to measure distance.





"We'll be able to make a much more precise measurement," Sanada says.





The explorers plan to transfer the sustainable motor technology to local Indigenous groups, he adds.





The expedition is backed by international groups including The Explorers Club and the Harvard map collection.





Worse things than snakes





The adventurers will traverse terrain inhabited by anacondas, alligators, and jaguars but none of that scares Sanada, he notes.





"I'm most afraid of drug traffickers and illegal miners," he says.





The boats will be outfitted with a bulletproof cabin, and the team is negotiating with authorities to obtain an armed escort for the most dangerous zones.





If the expedition is successful, it may be replicated on the Nile.





Sanada says the debate on the world's longest river may never be settled. But he is glad the "race" is drawing attention to the Amazon rainforest's natural riches and the need to protect it as one of the planet's key buffers against climate change.





"The Amazon is (here), but the consequences of destroying it and the duty to preserve it are everyone's," he says.





(END) AFP/RMB/MVB

What's the longest river in the world, the Nile or the Amazon? The question has fueled a heated debate for years. Now, an expedition into the South American jungle aims to settle it for good.Published: 6/27/2023
Chinese smartphone brand Oppo is set to launch its popular Reno series smartphones in India next month. The company is expected to introduce two new phones  the Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ and the Oppo Reno 10 Pro in the country. Ahead of the launch, the company has officially confirmed key specifications and features of the upcoming Oppo Reno 10 series in India.

The e-commerce platform Flipkart has recently listed the upcoming Oppo Reno 10 series for its launch. However, the official launch date is yet to be revealed. According to the smartphone manufacturer, the upcoming Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ brings a new periscope lens design to the camera module.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ smartphone will come with a new periscope lens with support for a 3x optical zoom. The smartphone has a periscope module that is 0.96mm thinner than other devices.

Both the Reno 10 Pro and Pro+ models feature an identical rear camera setup. This setup boasts a 64MP telephoto camera, which Oppo claims to be the industrys highest-megapixel telephoto portrait camera.

With a 1/2-inch image sensor, users can capture portraits with up to 3x optical zoom, benefiting from the inclusion of OIS (optical image stabilization). Additionally, the camera setup offers an impressive 120x hybrid zoom capability.

Both the Reno 10 Pro and Pro+ models sport triple rear camera setups. The primary camera is a 50MP shooter with a Sony IMX890 sensor ans supports OIS. Additionally, there is an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 112-degree field of view. For selfies, a 32MP front camera with AF and facial recognition capabilities is also present.

Additionally, the Reno 10 Pro+ comes with camera algorithms that kick in for 4K videos to fuse two frames of long- and short-exposure image information in real-time to widen the original dynamic range four times. The Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, Teasers suggest that the new Reno 10 series will feature a slim and curved design with a punch-hole display.
The United States is considering new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence chips to China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) fell about 1.4% on the news.

Nvidia, Micron, and AMD are among the U.S. chipmakers caught in the crossfire between China and the Biden administration.

In September, Nvidia had said that U.S. officials asked the company to stop exporting two top computing chips for artificial intelligence work to China.

The Commerce Department will stop the shipments of chips made by Nvidia and other chip companies to customers in China as early as July, the report said.

The Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The new curbs being mulled by the department would ban the sale of even A800 chips without a license, the report added.
The news of Devraj Patel, a popular YouTuber, and comedian from Chhattisgarh, losing his life in a road accident on Monday has left his fans and followers in deep sorrow. Known for his viral reel featuring the iconic dialogue, Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai," Patel was en route to shoot a comedy video in Raipur when the unfortunate incident took place, as reported by PTI.

According to available information, Patel was riding as a pillion passenger when the accident occurred around 3:30 pm. After concluding a video shoot in Nava Raipur, he was on his way back when tragedy struck. Regrettably, a collision with a truck resulted in severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

Also Read: YouTuber MrBeast is Going to Die in 3 Years, This Video is Proof

With a staggering subscriber count of over 4 lahks on YouTube, Patel had amassed a loyal fan base who adored him for his witty style and comedic videos. The news of his untimely demise has sent shockwaves across social media platforms, as fans took to Twitter to express their condolences and mourn the loss of their beloved entertainer.

Check Out:

Heart sinks thinking about thisOm shanti mere bhai You made us all laugh with your innocence and confidence. pic.twitter.com/PxIfykEIKm Ashish Chanchlani (@ashchanchlani) June 26, 2023

At a very young age, you made us all laugh a lot Devraj Bhai, may your soul rest in peace! Om Shanti  pic.twitter.com/8jwNuhZcTZ Pulkit (@pulkit5Dx) June 26, 2023

Devraj Patel lost his life in a road accident. Dil se bura lagta hai bhai  You have been immortalised in your memes.Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/YZgi56S6PP  Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 26, 2023

Devraj bahut jaldi chale gaye chote bhai Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/7HJzMOB3qU Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) June 26, 2023

Deeply Shocked, today we lost a young comedian Devraj Patel when a truck hit his carLife is really unpredictable  Rest in Peace#DevrajPatel   #RoadAccident #YouTuber pic.twitter.com/C0mDzOIiGS  Rohit Baidya (@techly360) June 26, 2023

SHOCKING & SADDevraj Patel, who made his place among crores of people with #DilSeBuraLagtaHai, The one who made laugh, left everyone crying today, died in a #RoadAccident..#RIP #DevrajPatel  pic.twitter.com/1BRhljekbT     (@INCVivekSingh) June 26, 2023

In the meantime, authorities have reported that the accident occurred when the motorcycles handle collided with a truck, both moving in the same direction. Tragically, Patel, who was riding as a pillion, came under the rear wheel of the heavy vehicle, resulting in the fatal outcome, according to an official statement.

Fortunately, the bike rider Rakesh Manhar managed to escape unhurt from the accident. Recognising the gravity of the situation, he promptly called for an ambulance, which transported Patel to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts, medical professionals declared him dead, adding to the immense sadness felt by his fans and the wider community.

Also Read: Woman Claims She Died 5 Times And Came Back To Life

Even Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his condolences on Twitter, sharing an old video featuring himself and Patel at the CMs official residence. In the video, the witty YouTuber humorously remarked, Only two persons are famous in Chhattisgarh. I and our kaka (Baghel is popularly called kaka, meaning uncle)."

Devraj Patel, who made his place among crores of people with Dil Se Bura Lagta Hai, who made us all laugh, left us today. The loss of 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" expressed Mr. Baghel in a heartfelt tweet in Hindi.

             ,            .          .             .  : pic.twitter.com/6kRMQ94o4v  Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) June 26, 2023

In addition to his remarkable presence on social media, Patel also showcased his acting skills in 2021 by portraying a student character in Bhuvan Bams popular web series, Dhindora.

(With inputs from agencies)
Rewind back to the nostalgic era when stepping foot into our homes after a long day at school meant rushing to switch on the television. Aside from the captivating world of cartoons, there was one particular allure that held us transfixed to our TV sets. It was the mesmerising symphony of iconic songs, their magnetic pull forcing us to commit their lyrics to memory. These timeless melodies, even after decades, continue to evoke a sense of freshness and resonance. They possessed the ability to transcend time, whether they were spirited dance numbers or heart-stirring romantic ballads. The recent trend on Twitter, where Desis poured out their hearts, seeking to identify that song from the 90s or early 2000s that still resonates with you," is a testament to this enduring charm.

" that song from 90s or early 2000s you still vibe on  tushR (@heyytusharr) June 24, 2023

From the Twitter list, first up is the evergreen Dus Bahane" that possesses an infectious energy, captivating millennials who simply cant resist moving to its beats. And who can forget the timeless Aankhein Khuli" from the film Mohabbatein, which continues to hold its iconic status even today?

the song, the hype, these four, and that erasome things are irreplaceable ! https://t.co/kBh6wPX10t pic.twitter.com/JmpMa8evIM Stuti (@stuutiiiii) June 24, 2023

But wait, it didnt just have the songs from 2000s. Indian Twitter also ventured a little further into the past, to the year 1992, recalling Saat Samundar" that not only dominated the charts but also defined an entire era.

I think no one will ignore this song. pic.twitter.com/KIflSTXAnI Sagar Kumar (@saggyskl) June 24, 2023

Also Read: Chai Makes You Dark: Desis on Twitter List Most Successful Lies Theyve Fallen for in Their Lives

And how could they not mention undying popularity of Chaiyya Chaiyya" which is such that it was recently played during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the USA, where the South Asian capella group, Penn Masala, delivered a live rendition of several Bollywood songs at the White House.

There are many songs, but the vibe of this song is just above all, and this part pic.twitter.com/hXySVVWANG aditya (@wtf_adi_) June 25, 2023

Also Read: Character and Their Biggest Fan: Bollywood Buffs Add Desi Touch to Viral Twitter Trend

Meanwhile, theres an entire list of such songs that have transcended time and remained etched in our memories.

So many to choose from, i am listening to this one these dayspic.twitter.com/JR9p8sVKgP Aamir (@aamirtanoli) June 25, 2023

mauja hi mauja TaniaBanerjee.cpp (@taniaban2712) June 25, 2023

No doubt, such songs not just resonate with the millennials but also bridge generations through the universal language of music.
Australias wild dog dingoes have become a big concern for beachgoers enjoying their time at Kgari (Fraser Island) in Queensland. The number of dingo attacks on tourists has been on the rise, resulting in authorities issuing warnings and guidelines to ensure visitors safety. In a recent incident, a woman, who was basking on the beach, fell victim to a dingo bite. Sky News shared a video on Twitter capturing the moment, accompanied by a caption that read, A dingo has been filmed biting a tourist in Australia. The Queensland Department of Environment and Science has warned of the danger posed by the wild animals."

The video highlights tourists chilling on the sandy beach as a group of three dingoes approach. One of the three dingoes sniffed the woman lying down on the beach before biting her. The woman shouted, drawing the attention of other nearby tourists, who rushed to her help. The animal was eventually chased away by some people.

Watch the video here.

A dingo has been filmed biting a tourist in Australia.The Queensland Department of Environment and Science has warned of the danger posed by the wild animalshttps://t.co/8xyWy2cBPY pic.twitter.com/ZcUxRvtcon  Sky News (@SkyNews) June 23, 2023

This video posted by Sky News has garnered the attention of Twitter users, with over 1.5 million views and users mentioning their concerns.

A user mentioned that the authorities have killed the dingo seen in the video. He commented, The sad part in all this is that the dingo was euthanized (killed)."

The sad part in all this is that the dingo was euthanised (killed). Jon Baker (@VectisIW) June 23, 2023

While another user commented in favour of the dingoes friendly nature. He stated, Fraser Island? Been there and its fine if you give them space and respect."

Fraser Island? Been there and dingoes fine if you give em space and respect Millo (@PaulRMillward75) June 23, 2023

This is not the first time that the dingoes have attacked tourists in the region. In a similar incident that took place on June 16, a 10-year-old boy was attacked and dragged underwater by a dingo at the same beach. Luckily, the boys 12-year-old sister was nearby, and she protected him from further damage. According to the New York Post, the boy suffered puncture wounds to his shoulders and bruises to his collarbone.

The authorities had to resort to humane euthanasia of the animal earlier this month after it had attacked multiple other tourists.

Following the stream of incidents, Queenslands environment department ramped up patrols to monitor the situation. The dingo, also known as Wangari, is considered native wildlife under Australias Nature Conservation Act 1992.
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.

Officers were called to the intersection of 57th Street and Prospect Avenue just after 4:30 am when they found three shooting victims  two men and one woman  dead in a parking lot and in the street, the Kansas City Police Department said in a news release.

Police were told that five other shooting victims with injuries that were not life-threatening arrived at various hospitals by private vehicles or ambulance, the department said. Preliminary information indicates there was a large gathering of people in a parking lot at the intersection when the victims were shot, the department said.

The investigation indicates the gathering took place outside an auto mechanic shop that is known to host informal after hours gatherings, though there is not a licensed club, bar or restaurant at that location, police spokesperson Jake Becchina said in an email.

Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas posted on Twitter, My condolences to the families of three people killed in a shooting this morning at an apparent after-hours gathering near 57 and Prospect. If the business knew persons would be present, without security, selling alcohol, and thwarting our laws, that business should be closed.

There were no immediate arrests, Becchina said. He added that police also responded to a nearby shooting on Prospect Avenue near 31st Street around 3 a.m. where at least one person suffered life-threatening injuries.
Tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the US Midwest and South on Sunday (June 25), leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least three people dead in Indiana and Arkansas, authorities said on Monday (June 26).

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 victims injured partner was airlifted to hospital. They lived in a two-story log cabin, which was destroyed by the storms. Further details were not immediately available.

The Lonoke County Sheriffs 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.

As of Monday morning, about half a million utility customers faced power outages due to the weather in the US Midwest and South, according to outage tracking website PowerOutage.us.
Meena Kohli, a 19-year-old Hindu girl from Khipro in Sindh, has again been kidnapped from her residence, according to local sources in Pakistan. Her 12-year-old sister has also been kidnapped by local landlord Mushtaq Bhambro, his son, Iqbal, and his friends, they said.

They were first kidnapped at gunpoint in January 2022. Both sisters were forced to embrace Islam and were married to Iqbal and Majid Bhambro. Despite repeated attempts to file complaint against Mushtaq, police did not register the case, allegedly after taking bribe, sources had then said.

ALSO READ | Minorities in Pakistan: Sikh from Peshawar Shot Dead, 3rd Such Incident This Year | Exclusive

In April 2023, Meena managed to escape from captivity and reached home. She was produced before the Khipro sessions court on April 20, where based on her statements, she was allowed to stay at her parents home.

On June 24, Iqbal and his friends allegedly visited her house and forcibly took her away, after severely beating her father and minor brother.

Before leaving, Iqbal Bhambro also threatened Wagho Kohli that both his daughters will be killed if a police complaint is lodged against him and his friends.

JAN TO JUNE REPORT

News18 had earlier reported how from January to June 2023, 38 women from Christian and Hindu communities have been abducted or forced converted, and seven killed, according to a survey.

According to the data collected by the Centre for Social Justice, at least 2,120 persons had borne suffering of false allegations, prolonged trials, dislocation, and worse between 1987 and 2022.

88 persons had been killed extra-judicially after allegations under the blasphemy laws during the period of 36 years, which tarnished the image of Pakistan.

According to UN Human Rights every year 1000 attacks happens on non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan. The most affected areas are Sindh, Peshawar, Karachi, Baluchistan.
A man was killed in Sydneys famed Bondi neighbourhood Tuesday, in what police described as a hit on a major player" in the citys crime underworld.

A police cordon was thrown up around one of Sydneys busiest shopping precincts after residents and rush hour commuters were shocked to hear shots ring out from an underground parking lot not far from Bondi Beach.

A 48-year-old man with an extensive criminal history" was found dead in his vehicle.

The scene bears the hallmarks of an organised crime murder" Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told reporters.

We believe this is a targeted shooting and we believe its a targeted shooting of a high-level organised crime identity."

The man was not named, but was said to be well known to police" and obviously had a big target on his back".

A burnt-out Porsche was found nearby and is believed to be linked to the shooting.

This is Tuesday morning and Bondi Junction. We dont expect this to happen," said Doherty.

Olivia Scanlan, a 27-year-old local actress and dancer, said she was shocked" by the shooting in a neighbourhood, which is usually associated with surf and backpackers rather than gangland hits.

I have friends that come here to visit and they think, Wow, Australia is a dream," she told AFP. They think it is so safe and this is so different to home."

You can walk around at night time and feel like nothing is going to happen."

Despite having a population of just 26 million people, Australia is one of the worlds most lucrative markets for recreational drugs, with street prices far above those found in Europe or North America.

In 2019-2020, the last period for which data is available, some 39 tonnes of drugs were seized by police and 166,321 drug arrests occurred.

Local motorcycle gangs have increasingly made contact with Mexican and other cartels to bring drugs into the country, according to Australian authorities.
Belarusian strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday that long-standing tensions between Moscows army and the Wagner mercenary group, which staged a mutiny in Russia, had been mismanaged.

We missed the situation, and then we thought that it would resolve itself, but it did not resolve There are no heroes in this case," Lukashenko said in comments carried by state media.
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The United States continues to believe that peace is within reach between Armenia and Azerbaijan and direct dialogue is the key to resolving the remaining issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a press briefing on June 26.

So, we certainly have a number of items we want to discuss, Miller said when asked on the forthcoming Armenia-Azerbaijan foreign ministerial talks in Washington D.C. Im not going to read those out publicly, obviously. Theyre very sensitive diplomatic discussions that will take place here. We expect the talks will commence tomorrow, on Tuesday, continue through Thursday of this week. Secretary Blinken will meet with the foreign ministers from both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Well 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, the U.S. State Department spokesperson added.
New York City Diwali Holiday: New York Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced Diwali will be observed as a school holiday in New York City. Diwali is among the most celebrated Indian festivals in the United States with diaspora Indian-Americans as well as American citizens across several communities also participating in the festivities.

#BreakingNews: Diwali to become a school holiday in New York City; Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced Diwali as a school holiday in New York City as thousands of people there celebrate the festival@abhishekjha157 with more updates | @anjalipandey06 #Diwali #NewYorkCity pic.twitter.com/apXhgDhYBq News18 (@CNNnews18) June 27, 2023

The New York state lawmakers recently enacted a legislation designating the festival of lights as a holiday in the countrys biggest school system in the US.

I'm so proud to have stood with Assemblymember @JeniferRajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make #Diwali a school holiday.I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali! pic.twitter.com/WD2dvTrpX3  Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) June 26, 2023

The New York City mayor Adams, also a Democrat, called it a significant win for the local families. He also thanked Indian-American New York legislative assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar and Indian-American community leaders for helping make Diwali a school holiday.

My press conference with @NYCMayor today at City Hall. I was proud to lead and win the fight to make Diwali a School Holiday, alongside Mayor Eric Adams. https://t.co/5ZUufB1mhP Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) June 26, 2023

Im so proud to have stood with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know its a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali! Adams said, tweeting photos from the event.

He also said that he remains confident that New York governor Kathy Hochul will sign the bill.

https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1eaKbrnQNlYKX?t=Yk0LfDWbCihTlHa4OBMlzw&s=08

The holiday will replace the Brooklyn-Queens Day on the school calendar once Hochul signs it into law. My press conference with Eric Adams today at City Hall. I was proud to lead and win the fight to make Diwali a School Holiday, alongside Mayor Eric Adams, Rajkumar said.

Adams said that it represents a symbolic declaration to those who feel unwelcome and tells them that they are not an outsider and a part of this city. Were now saying New York is made for everyone. No matter where you came from, Adams said.

The first Diwali school holiday will be observed in 2024 as the festival commemorating victory of good over evil will be observed this year on Sunday on November 12.

Senator Joe Addabbo also said he felt proud to see his Senate bill for Diwali to be a NYC school holiday pass unanimously. Proud and thankful to have had my Senate bill for Diwali to be a NYC school holiday pass unanimously with bipartisan support. Congratulations to Diwali holidays major advocate Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and thanks to mayor Eric Adams for his leadership and support, Addabbo said.
Pakistan is not on the agenda list of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) despite the ninth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme remaining pending.

The IMF executive board issued meetings till July 6 but Pakistan is not on its list of agendas. The IMF snub comes despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaching out to IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva for the fourth time in six days.

Sharif also met the IMF MD in France during the New Global Financial Pact summit in Paris where both of them reportedly had a productive discussion and the Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif said that the ninth review will be completed soon. During the finance summit, Sharif and Georgieva met thrice.

Pakistan is scrambling to revive the stalled bailout programme as it faces an economic crisis but the IMF remains unsatisfied with the route the government has taken.

The fear of default looms over Pakistan as rating agencies and economists fear that the $350 billion economy is in dire state and needs the $1.1 billion loan tranche of the EFF so that other friendly countries can also lend money to Islamabad.

Since the IMF is unhappy with Pakistans steps, it is unlikely that friendly countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia will make concrete moves to help Pakistan amid this economic crisis.

Shehbaz Sharif also said in a statement released by the Pakistan Prime Ministers Office that both of them discussed matters related to the stalled bailout programme. Though the IMF acknowledged that Islamabad is making efforts to revive the loan, the issue remains unlisted on its agenda for the coming week.

To appease the IMF, Pakistan promised to raise taxes by $750 million and axe spending in its annual budget.

A separate report by Dawn earlier this month cast doubt that the IMF would be happy with the recent budget tabled by the Sharif-led government.

Finance minister Ishaq Dar and even his predecessor Miftah Ismail also batted for the budget and said it will resolve outstanding issues with the IMF but people familiar with the developments in Pakistan as well as in Washington remained pessimistic about the possibilities.
As clashes increased between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the Israel-governed West Bank, there are concerns that tensions between both groups will grow as Israel advances plans for 5,700 new homes in the occupied West Bank, the BBC said in a report.

The US has urged Israel on several occasions since last month to stop settlement expansion. The US has said that these settlements will act as an obstacle if peace is to be achieved between Israelis and Palestinians.

Washington, in its reaction to the developments, said it remains deeply troubled" by the development.

After two Hamas-affiliated Palestinians shot dead four Israeli settlers, which led to settler violence. Tensions between Palestinians and Israelis have reached an all-time high since Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus 2022 reelection.

The nationalist-religious coalition, which he leads, has made it its aim to increase its presence in the West Bank.

Anti-settlement advocates within Israel, like the group Peace Now, said 13,000 settlement homes have advanced in the territory in six months - thrice the total amount of settlements recorded in the whole of last year.

The Israeli government is pushing us at an unprecedented pace towards the full annexation of the West Bank, Peace Now warned in a statement accessed by the BBC.

Many countries see the settlements as illegal under international law. These settlements are built in the areas captured by Israel in 1967 in the Middle East War. Israel disagrees and says the settlements are legal.

The US says that these expansions undermine the geographic viability of a two-state solution, exacerbate tensions, and further harms trust between the two parties.

Israel plans include an extra thousand homes in the settlement of Eli. The announcement comes shortly after Hamas-affiliated Palestinian gunmen shot down four Israeli settlers last week.

The settlers also went on a rampage in the Palestinian village of Urif after the attack. They set homes on fire and killed one Palestinian. The gunmen were also shot down by one settler and a cop.

Israels military, police and Shin Bet security service chiefs condemned the settler violence in an unusual move. Israeli governments far-right members were angered at the joint statement.
Even as a grocery store owner, Manmohan Singh, was killed in a firing by unknown armed motorcyclists in Yakatoot area of Peshawar on Saturday, incidents of targeted killings of minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians being tortured and assaulted in Pakistan, have surfaced.

Singhs was the third attack on a Sikh community member this year in Pakistan.

On Friday, a Sikh shopkeeper, identified as Tarlok Singh, was shot at by unidentified men. He suffered injuries.

Last month, assailants gunned down Sardar Singh in a passer-by shooting in the eastern city of Lahore. Sardar Singh received a fatal gunshot to the head.

**We are deeply saddened to hear about the cold-blooded murder of Manmohan Singh in Peshawar, Pakistan today.**Manmohan Singh was a Sikh man who ran a grocery store in Rashid Garhi, Peshawar. He was the sole breadwinner for his family. He is survived by his wife, a child, pic.twitter.com/V3EN5s0qRX  UNITED SIKHS (@unitedsikhs) June 24, 2023



JAN TO JUNE REPORT

From January to June 2023, 38 women from Christian and Hindu communities have been abducted or force converted, and seven killed, according to a survey.

have been abducted or force converted, and seven killed, according to a survey. According to the data collected by the Centre for Social Justice, at least 2,120 persons suffered due to false allegations, prolonged trials, dislocation, and worse between 1987 and 2022.

suffered due to false allegations, prolonged trials, dislocation, and worse between 1987 and 2022. ALSO READ | Bodies Mutilated, Skin Peeled Off, Women Raped & Converted: Paks Minority Atrocities Report | Exclusive

88 persons were killed extra-judicially after allegations under the blasphemy laws during the period of 36 years, which tarnished the image of Pakistan.

were killed extra-judicially after allegations under the blasphemy laws during the period of 36 years, which tarnished the image of Pakistan. According to the UN Human Rights, every year, 1,000 attacks are reported on non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan. The most affected areas are Sindh, Peshawar, Karachi, Baluchistan.

POLICE CLAIM ARRESTS AFTER PESHAWAR KILLING

Manmohan Singh ran a grocery store in Rashid Garhi in Peshawar and was the sole breadwinner for his family, United Sikhs, a humanitarian group, said on Twitter.

According to Pakistan police, a few suspects and suspicious persons have been arrested.

A special team has been formed under the leadership of SSP Operation Haroon Rashid Khan to find the accused.

Around 300 Sikh families, mostly Pashtun Sikh, are currently living in colonies in Peshawar. The community members have been living under the constant threat of violence as they have been targeted by gunmen in the recent years.
The US State Department on Monday called on Pakistan to disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller during a news briefing said that Pakistan had taken important steps to counter terrorist groups, but added that Washington advocated for more to be done.

The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks over the years. We do recognize that Pakistan has taken some important steps to counter terrorist groups in line with the completion of its Financial Action Task Force actions plans. This includes the arrest and conviction of Sajid Mir, Matt Miller said in response to a question by a Pakistani journalist.

We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organizations, he added.

Lashkar-e-Taiba was responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which more than 160 people were killed, while Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the 2019 Pulwama terror attack that resulted in the death of 40 Indian troops.

The Pakistani reporter also questioned Miller on the alleged human rights and religious freedom violations in India, to which the State Department Spokesperson said, We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi.

On the question of Obamas remarks about minority rights in India, the spokesperson refused to comment.

The statement from the State Department comes after US President Joe Biden on Thursday joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in warning Pakistan to clamp down on cross-border terrorists that target New Delhi.

In a joint statement issued as Modi paid a state visit to Washington, the two leaders called for action against extremist groups based in Pakistan such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

They strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

PM Modi, during his state visit to the US, said there can be no ifs or buts" in dealing with terrorism and sought action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled attack on Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistans foreign ministry summoned the US embassys deputy chief of mission on Monday to express concern over the statement.

It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as an encouragement of Indias baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan," Pakistans foreign office said in a statement.

It was also emphasized that counter-terrorism co-operation between Pakistan and the U.S. had been progressing well and that an enabling environment, centred around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidifying Pakistan-U.S. ties," the statement added.
Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in the United States ran for their lives after the ship was hit by dangerously-high winds which sent deck furniture flying.

The ship, Independence of the Seas, was battered by a sudden gust of high winds before its departure on a voyage from Florida to the Bahamas on June 16.

Several videos were posed on social media sites including Twitter showing passengers and crew members dodging lounge chairs, umbrellas and other loose items on the cruise ship and gripping onto walls. A video showed a woman carrying a small child narrowly missing a lounge chair which fell from above.

The passengers were lounging by the pool when the strong winds and heavy rain slammed the 15-deck vessel.

Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside," one passenger said in a tweet while sharing the video of the storm.

However, Royal Caribbean said no passenger was seriously hurt in the flash storm. According to meteorologists, the wind speed reached 90-96 kmph during the storm.

Instead of telling people to come up to the top deck when we have a severe thunderstorm warning, maybe you should be more worried about your guests and employees and tell them to get inside. #royalcaribbean #mikesweatherpage #independenceoftheseas #dobetter #portcanaveral pic.twitter.com/OTYFYZWczB Lucas Sparrow (@LucasSparrow12) June 16, 2023

It just turned crazy. It looked like a scene from the movie Twister is exactly what I thought, because you see these chairs flying up in the air, Jenn Stancil told Fox 35 Orlando.

The ship arrived safely at Coco Cay, an island used by Royal Caribbean about 55 miles north of Nassau.

This is my view of Independence of the Seas as she started to get battered by the heavy winds whilst mid-spin attempting to turn around to leave the port. You can see the rain line pushing towards us, and the Indy was completely gone from view due to the rain shortly after this. pic.twitter.com/4SeDSFurJm Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto) June 16, 2023

The storm is one of the many expected to hit the Florida coast as hurricane season begins in the Atlantic Ocean, which runs from June to November-end.

Tornadoes and thunderstorms hit the US Midwest and South on Sunday, leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least three people dead in Indiana and Arkansas, authorities said on Monday.

A tornado struck an Indiana home, killing a man and injuring his wife, while two people died in Arkansas after a tree fell onto a house, as severe weather rumbled through several central states.
The US ambassador to Thailand dismissed claims of American interference in recent elections as a disservice" to the Thai people, saying Tuesday that Washington does not support any individual candidate or political party.

Claims of the US meddling in the May 14 vote have swirled since the opposition Move Forward Party emerged as the top vote getter and another opposition party came in second, raising the possibility of a new coalition government that could take power from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The Move Forward Party is seen as nominally more pro-American than Prayuth, a former general who initially came to power in a military coup nine years ago, and the claims of American interference in the election are widely seen as originating from supporters of the current status quo.

A small group of protesters even demonstrated in front of the US Embassy in April, accusing Washington of interfering in Thailand political affairs.

At a roundtable with dozens of Thai journalists, Ambassador Robert Godec said when asked about the rumours and conspiracy theories that they do a disservice to the tens of millions who participated in the political process as voters, as election officials, as poll watchers."

Given the persistent and pernicious conspiracy theories, let me be clear," Godec said. We categorically reject the false rumours that the United States interfered in the Thai election."

The Move Forward Party has signed an agreement with seven other parties on a joint platform that they hope will lead to the formation of a coalition government in July. It made no mention of Move Forwards contentious call for the amendment of a harsh law against criticising the countrys monarchy, a position that has drawn the ire of conservative Thais.

It did include several of Move Forwards core policies, however, such as drafting a new more democratic constitution, passing a same-sex marriage law, decentralizing administrative power and transitioning from military conscription to voluntary enlistment except when the country is at war."

It also calls for reforms of the police, military, civil service and the justice process, abolition of business monopolies, and the restoration of controls on the production and sale of marijuana after its poorly executed de facto decriminalisation last year.

It is not yet certain, however, that the coalition will be able to take power. It controls a strong majority in the countrys lower house, but under the military-drafted constitution the prime minister is selected by a joint vote of the lower house and the Senate, whose members were appointed by the post-coup military government.

Godec stressed that the US has already worked with the current government for years and that Prayuth visited the White House last year along with other Association of Southeast Asian Nation leaders. He also said Washington would continue to work with Thailands government, whoever is in power.

The United States has no preferred candidate, we have no preferred political party in Thailand," he said. What we do is support the democratic process. The Thai people alone should choose the government."
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that at no point did his administration consider changing the foreign policy vector of the country before the 2020 war.

We didnt discuss a change of foreign policy vector, Pashinyan said when asked whether or not his administration considered changing the foreign policy vector of Armenia during the period leading up to the 2020 war. On the contrary, we believed that a foreign policy vector change could have had grave consequences in the context of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict itself, Pashinyan said.
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. If Armenia had recognized the independence of Nagorno Karabakh amidst the 2020 war it would have been impossible to stop the fighting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on June 27.

Pashinyan was asked to respond to Republican Party (HHK) Vice President Armen Ashotyan, who had said that Armenia should have recognized Nagorno Karabakh during the war, arguing that the move would have been a diplomatic blow to Azerbaijan.

And why didnt they recognize the independence during the 4-day war of 2016? Pashinyan said at the parliament select committee on the 2020 war.

The Armenian PM said they didnt recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh because by doing so it would have been impossible to stop the war, even on 9 November.

[We didnt recognize] for a very simple reason, because it would have been impossible to stop the war even on 9 November, he said.
Last week, during an interview on Fox News, Donald Trump became increasingly agitated at the pushback he was getting from interviewer Bret Baier over his 2020 election lossto the point where Trump called the network "hostile" and insinuated he might not take part in the first GOP primary debate, which Fox is hosting, per the Independent . This week, more of the same threats from the former president, who's this time apparently upset that Fox didn't cover two of his recent campaign rallies in Michigan and DC, reports USA Today .

In a Truth Social post, after noting that the network had recently dropped 37% in the ratings, Trump wrote that Fox "then wants me to show up and get them ratings for their 'Presidential' Debate, where I'm leading the field by 40 points." He griped that "all they do is promote, against all hope, Ron DeSanctimonious, and he's dropping like a rock," then added: "Sorry FoxNews, life doesn't work that way!!!" USA Today notes that Trump's doubling down comes just as fellow Republicans are trying to turn the screws to get him to participate in the debates, starting with the first in Milwaukee on Aug. 23.

One Republican operative tells Vanity Fair that Fox itself is trying to convince Trump to take part: "They're offering him the world to show they can be trusted." A senior Trump campaign official tells the magazine that even Fox host Sean Hannity is getting involved, trying to make nice between Trump and the network. But "I don't think he's going to do it," predicts an ex-Fox staffer who says they talk to Trump often. "He knows Fox hates him. And he despises the Murdochs." At least one familiar thorn in Trump's side is trying to taunt him into it. "If Trump doesn't want to debate then he doesn't want to be president," GOP presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tweeted Monday. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is rumored to have arrived in Belarus his new home after launching an armed rebellion that served as the greatest threat in decades to Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership. Independent Belarusian military monitoring project Belaruski Hajun said a business jet used by Prigozhin landed near Minsk early Tuesday, per the AP . Russian authorities previously dropped criminal charges against the 62-year-old and his fighters, saying they had "stopped their actions directly aimed at committing a crime," per the New York Times . Prigozhin is to be exiled as part of a deal reportedly brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to prevent Prigozhin's forces marching on Moscow , while the Wagner Group is to hand over military equipment to the Russian Army.

"Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has treated those staging anti-government protests in Russia," who've "received long prison terms," per the AP. In a speech on Monday, Putin praised the work of Wagner fighters and thanked those who abandoned the rebellion, thereby avoiding "major bloodshed," adding he would keep his promise to allow them to go to Belarus, return to their families, or sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense, per the Times. The Institute for the Study of War said Putin will be aiming to retain the fighters, who've been key to Russian efforts in Ukraine and are badly needed to face a Ukrainian counteroffensive, per the AP.

It's unclear if Prigozhin, who framed the rebellion as a protest against Russia's plans to absorb his private military company into the military, will be able to maintain control of fighters in Belarus. In terms of war, Putin has said all private armies fighting for Russia in Ukraine must come under the supervision of the Defense Ministry, per the Times. But at least for now, it appears Prigozhin will be unable to fulfill his goal of unseating Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. In what the Times calls "a sign of trust in the minister," Shoigu was shown meeting with Putin and other defense and security chiefs in state news broadcasts on Monday. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated a "happy day." He said Ukrainian forces had "advanced in all directions" amid the chaos. (Read more Wagner Group stories.)
No charges will be filed against a Florida man who fired 30 rounds from his AR-15 at his pool cleaner, thinking the man was an intruder, authorities say. According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, 43-year-old Jana Hocevar heard noise coming from the lanai at her Dunedin home at around 9pm on June 15 while watching a movie with her 57-year-old husband, Bradley Hocevar, reports the Tampa Bay Times . When she next saw a strange man she didn't recognize near her sliding glass doors, Jana Hocevar called 911, while Bradley Hocevar yelled at the man to leave the premises, Gualtieri says.

That man, 33-year-old Karl Polek, was actually a pool cleaner for Bay Area Pool Techs, and Gualtieri says that when he returned with a flashlight from his vehicle and approached the Hocevars' door to leave some paperwork, Bradley Hocevar started firing with an AR-15 rifle. He fired 30 rounds through the sliding glass door in about a minute and a half, pausing twice while his wife and the 911 dispatcher begged him to stop shooting, per the sheriff. Polek had run away after the first two rounds, but the Hocevars couldn't see that, as the blinds were closed and they were hiding behind a couch, said Gualtieri.

The sheriff says Polek had never shown up after dark over the past six months he'd been cleaning the Hocevars' pool. The couple told investigators that their pool is usually serviced on Thursday or Friday afternoons; Polek told cops that he'd been running behind schedule on that particular Thursday, hence the evening arrival, per FOX 13. Polek conceded to authorities that he hadn't called the Hocevars or knocked on their door to let them know he was there, reports WTSP. It also appears that, as he searched for the pool deck lights, he hadn't heard Bradley Hocevar yelling.

No bullets hit Polek, though he suffered minor injuries from being hit with sharpnel and glass shards. Bradley Hocevar, meanwhile, won't be charged, as Gualtieri says he's covered under Florida's "stand your ground" law, which allows people to use force to prevent what they believe will cause serious harm or death to themselves or others. "There was no crime committed," Gualtieri said at the news conference. "This is one of those situations we call lawful but awful." (Read more shooting stories.)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday put a major check on state powers when it comes to setting federal election rules. In its 6-3 ruling, one of the most closely watched of this term, the justices rejected the controversial "independent state legislature" doctrine , reports Politico . The doctrine, advanced by conservatives, argues that states have unchecked power to set their own election rules, including the drawing of partisan congressional maps, per the Washington Post . The court disagreed. The Constitution "does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state law," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion.

A ruling to the contrary could have "radically reshaped how federal elections are conducted," per the New York Times. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch dissented. The case in question, Moore v. Harper, is out of North Carolina, where the state Supreme Court struck down a redrawn congressional map as excessively partisan, per the AP. Republicans in the state invoked the doctrinedescribed by Politico as a "once-fringe" ideato argue the state court had no right to do so. They cited the Constitution's Election Clause, which states, "The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof."

In their view, that means state courts have no say over what state legislatures do on the matter. But "the Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review," wrote Roberts, per the Hill. The White House had warned that embracing the theory would "wreak havoc in the administration of elections across the nation." (Read more US Supreme Court stories.)
Police near Boston have made an arrest and identified the three victims beaten and stabbed to death in a triple homicide. Those killed in Newton were 73-year-old Gilda "Jill" D'Amore; D'Amore's 74-year-old husband, Bruno; and D'Amore's 97-year-old mother, Lucia Arpino, reports WCVB . The D'Amores were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and were to have renewed their wedding vows on the day they were murdered, per NBC Boston . Authorities arrested 41-year-old Christopher Ferguson, who has been charged with murder. It appears to have been a random atack.

"At this time, we know of no established connection between the family members and Mr. Ferguson," said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. Authorities say they matched a bloody footprint to Ferguson, who lives in the neighborhood, per WBUR. A neighbor's surveillance video also shows a shirtless, shoeless man walking with a stagger at the house early Sunday morning, and police say they recognized him as Ferguson. Ryan described scenes of a struggle in the house, with police collecting a knife and a bloody paperweight from the home as evidence. The D'Amores were supposed to renew their vows Sunday at their local Catholic Church, and their bodies were discovered after they failed to show up. (Read more Boston stories.)
Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and arrived Tuesday in Belarus. The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of a deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin was in Belarus, and said he and some of his troops were welcome to stay "for some time" at their own expense, the AP reports.

Prigozhin has not been seen since Saturday, when he waved to well-wishers from a vehicle in the southern city of Rostov. He issued a defiant audio statement on Monday. And on Tuesday morning, a private jet believed to belong to him flew from Rostov to an air base southwest of the Belarusian capital of Minsk, according to data from FlightRadar24. Meanwhile, Moscow said preparations were underway for Wagner's troops, who numbered 25,000 according to Prigozhin, to hand over their heavy weapons to Russia's military. Prigozhin had said such moves were being taken ahead of a July 1 deadline for his fighters to sign contractswhich he opposedwith Russia's military command.

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for financial wrongdoing charges against an affiliated organization Prigozhin owns. Putin told a military gathering that Prigozhin's Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles ($941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over $1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items. "I hope that while doing so they didn't steal anything, or stole not so much," Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concord's contract.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagner's presence in his country, though in Russia, Wagner-recruited convicts have been suspected of violent crimes . The Wagner troops have "priceless" military knowledge and experience to share with Belarus, he said. But exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbors. "Belarusians don't welcome war criminal Prigozhin," she told the AP.

(Read more Russia rebellion stories.)
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YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. In the conditions of the existential threat created for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community bears the responsibility of taking action and preventing crimes, ARMENPRESS reports, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN Mher Margaryan emphasized in his speech at the discussion held on June 26 under the agenda item "Responsibility for the protection and prevention of genocides, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity" in the UN General Assembly.

The discussion touched on the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan in violation of its legal obligations and the ruling of the International Court of Justice, which endangers the lives of innocent citizens, which is against international humanitarian law. It was emphasized that Armenia appealed to the UN to send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh in order to assess the humanitarian, security and human rights situation of the population.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia noted that the continuous violations of the fundamental human rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and the rejection of international humanitarian presence reveal the intent of Azerbaijan's genocidal policy. It was emphasized that in the conditions of the existential threat created for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community bears the responsibility of taking actions and preventing crimes.

Ambassador Margaryan emphasized Armenia's full commitment to efforts to eliminate impunity, including through international criminal justice mechanisms.
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The metal smelting plant in Yeraskh has released a series of videos showing Azerbaijanis shooting at the smelter's workers and equipment.

ARMENPRESS reports, the video shows the consequences of the recent shootings of different periods.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of Armenia reported that on June 14, 16, 19 and the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan opened fire at a factory being built with foreign investment in Yeraskh. As a result of the shootings on June 14, 2 Indian citizens involved in the construction works of the factory were injured.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) is launching the second edition of its summer internship programme, Evolve, by partnering with schools, universities, institutions, and social and educational organisations from across the Kingdom.

The programme is designed to provide high school and university students with the opportunity to explore potential career opportunities in the banking and finance sector.

Evolve targets students with an interest in gaining professional skills and practical experience in banking and finance.

The programme offers students valuable industry knowledge as well as better insight into the banks functional operations and role-specific vocational training.

All training at Evolve is led by NBBs Talent Development Team with the support of volunteering NBB professionals and a number of local training institutes.

The programme will offer training across several departments encompassing; functional simulations, introduction to the banks departments, as well as training on different soft skills, team building exercises, first aid and sign language training.

Commenting on the Evolve programme, Mohamed Mazen Matar, Head of Talent Development at NBB, said: Following the tremendous success of last years summer training programme, we are pleased to kick off Evolve for a second consecutive year.

The programme has enabled us to actively invest and engage in the training and development of Bahraini youth in line with our commitment to nurture the next generation of industry leaders.

NBB continues to honour its vision of enriching the lives of generations by grooming the local youth as the Kingdoms future workforce.

As part of the banks endeavours towards community investment, NBB strives to develop its training programmes to match the needs of the future-generation students.
AFP | Colombo

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bankrupt Sri Lankas government yesterday said it was scrapping plans to export around 100,000 endangered monkeys to China following an outcry and a court case by animal lovers.

The toque macaque is endemic to Sri Lanka and common on the island of 22 million people but is classed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

Agriculture minister Mahinda Amaraweera said in June that China wanted the monkeys for 1,000 zoos across the country, describing the move as a solution to the animals destroying crops.

But yesterday, Sri Lankas Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) told the Court of Appeal that it had decided not to go ahead with the export and that the action filed by 30 wildlife and environmental activists could be terminated.

A state attorney informed court on behalf of the DWC that no monkeys will be exported to China or elsewhere, a court official told AFP. Wildlife enthusiasts welcomed the governments decision not to go ahead with the exports. This is an excellent outcome for wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka, they said in a brief statement.

The proposed sale to China came as it faced its worst-ever economic crisis. No financial details were made available.
The Japanese government's chief coronavirus adviser says a ninth wave of infections may have started in the country, and additional vaccinations and other measures are needed to curb the number of deaths.

Omi Shigeru, who heads the government advisory panel, spoke to reporters on Monday after exchanging views on the COVID-19 situation in Japan with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Omi said recent data from medical institutions show the number of infections is trending slowly higher nationwide, with some regional differences.

He said it is possible the ninth wave has already started, though it's unclear how the situation will change going forward.

Omi stressed the importance of protecting elderly people and others with a high risk of becoming seriously ill and reducing the number of deaths.

He suggested local governments should continue thorough anti-infection measures at nursing facilities for the elderly. He also advised elderly people to consider receiving a sixth vaccination as immunity weakens over time.

Omi referred to Britain as an example of what could happen in Japan. He said the number of deaths has gradually fallen as Britain went through repeated waves of cases and appears to have reached an "endemic" phase.

He predicts that the situation in Japan will also shift to an endemic phase, where the disease repeatedly occurs within a community but only at a certain level, if the number of deaths in the ninth wave is smaller than in the eighth.

Omi said the fatality rate in Japan appears to remain much the same, and the number of new infections must be closely watched.

He said an increase in cases to a certain extent had been expected when the coronavirus was downgraded to the same category as seasonal flu in May.

He said it is important to keep society going while trying to reduce the number of deaths.
Thousands of volunteers from dozens of nations have joined Ukraines military since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, but only a handful are from Japan  a country that has adhered to the principle of national pacifism since the end of World War II. But Yuya Motomura, a 45-year-old mahjong parlour manager, is among the few heading to the front lines.

Chinese girls fighting Japanese policemen

mashew.com - Jul 21

In the early morning of July 17 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, an incident occurred in which a Chinese woman punched and kicked a Japanese police officer. In the early morning of July 17 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, an incident occurred in which a Chinese woman punched and kicked a Japanese police officer.

Mother served fresh warrant for claiming money by starving daughter

Kyodo - Jul 20

A 34-year-old mother in Osaka Prefecture has been served a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly swindling a cooperative out of mutual aid money by starving her child to the point of hospitalization for low blood sugar in January, according to police. A 34-year-old mother in Osaka Prefecture has been served a fresh arrest warrant for allegedly swindling a cooperative out of mutual aid money by starving her child to the point of hospitalization for low blood sugar in January, according to police.

Chain of body hair removal clinics for men sued after suspending services

NHK - Jul 20

A total of 110 men filed lawsuits with courts in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere in Japan on Wednesday, demanding a refund from a chain of body hair removal clinics for men. A total of 110 men filed lawsuits with courts in Tokyo, Osaka and elsewhere in Japan on Wednesday, demanding a refund from a chain of body hair removal clinics for men.

Ursine Invader Barricaded with Bunnies, Scares Off Staff

News On Japan - Jul 19

A bear was holed up inside a rabbit park nearly all day on Wednesday and is now believed to have escaped the facility. A bear was holed up inside a rabbit park nearly all day on Wednesday and is now believed to have escaped the facility.

Dog bites Japanese idol on face during recording session

News On Japan - Jul 19

Takeuchi Kirari, a member of Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46, has suffered injuries to her face and finger after being bitten by a dog during a recording session, TV Asahi reports. Takeuchi Kirari, a member of Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46, has suffered injuries to her face and finger after being bitten by a dog during a recording session, TV Asahi reports.

Tokyo "Joker" train attacker says he was inspired by similar case

NHK - Jul 19

A man accused of attempted murder and arson while dressed in a Joker costume on a Tokyo train in 2021 said Tuesday that a similar incident a few months earlier inspired him to alter his original plan of going on a killing spree in Shibuya. A man accused of attempted murder and arson while dressed in a Joker costume on a Tokyo train in 2021 said Tuesday that a similar incident a few months earlier inspired him to alter his original plan of going on a killing spree in Shibuya.

Man given 3-year prison term for killing wife he took care of for 40 years

NHK - Jul 19

A Japanese court has sentenced an 82-year-old man to three years in prison for killing his wife, whom he had been taking care of for about 40 years. A Japanese court has sentenced an 82-year-old man to three years in prison for killing his wife, whom he had been taking care of for about 40 years.

Kabuki star Ennosuke served fresh arrest warrant for helping father's suicide

NHK - Jul 18

Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke was reportedly served a fresh arrest warrant on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting his father's suicide. Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ennosuke was reportedly served a fresh arrest warrant on Tuesday on suspicion of assisting his father's suicide.

Japan: No Country For PLUS-SIZE Western Women

Black Pigeon Speaks - Jul 17

Japan as a nation takes fat shaming to a whole new level. Japan as a nation takes fat shaming to a whole new level.

Why Many Japanese Women Do Papa-Katsu?

Japanese Comedian Meshida - Jul 17

There are three main types of dates: tea, meal, adult. There are three main types of dates: tea, meal, adult.

Man dies from being hit by float at Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

Japan Today - Jul 16

A man died Saturday after he was hit by a 1-ton float during a major summer festival in southwestern Japan, police said. A man died Saturday after he was hit by a 1-ton float during a major summer festival in southwestern Japan, police said.

Brazilian police arrest man for suspected murder of his wife, daughter in Japan

NHK - Jul 16

Brazilian police have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering his wife and daughter in Japan before fleeing to his home country. Brazilian police have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering his wife and daughter in Japan before fleeing to his home country.

Man gets 10 years for fatally scalding 3-year-old boy with hot water

Japan Today - Jul 15

A court on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man to 10 years in prison for scalding his girlfriend's 3-year-old son to death with hot shower water at their apartment in Osaka Prefecture in August 2021. A court on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man to 10 years in prison for scalding his girlfriend's 3-year-old son to death with hot shower water at their apartment in Osaka Prefecture in August 2021.

Unexpected criminal emerges in mystery of severed wild boar heads found in Kobe school

News On Japan - Jul 14

Two wild boar heads that were found on the grounds of a junior high school in Kobe city on Wednesday are now believed to have been dug up and taken there by a scavenging animal after hunters had buried them in the nearby mountains days earlier. Two wild boar heads that were found on the grounds of a junior high school in Kobe city on Wednesday are now believed to have been dug up and taken there by a scavenging animal after hunters had buried them in the nearby mountains days earlier.

Man who went on train knife rampage in 2021 gets 19 years in prison

Japan Today - Jul 14

A man who went on a stabbing rampage on a train in 2021 was sentenced to 19 years in prison by the Tokyo District Court on Friday. A man who went on a stabbing rampage on a train in 2021 was sentenced to 19 years in prison by the Tokyo District Court on Friday.
YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. Germany's cooperation with many countries covers specific areas, the primary of which is the protection of fundamental human rights. Germany is also involved in the settlement process of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The EU office implements private projects in Armenia with the participation of the German side, convinced that the joint work can give the expected result and make the parties stronger, ARMENPRESS reports, during the discussion organized at the Armenian-German Goethe Center "Changes in Germany's foreign and development policy. How are they interesting for Armenia?", EU Ambassador to Armenia Andrea Wiktorin said during the discussion.

"We are present in Syunik and will continue to support Armenia by implementing various projects," the Ambassador said.

According to her, the EU member states build the pan-European policy with joint efforts, investing their abilities and potential, therefore, many elements present in Germany's foreign policy can be seen in the common European policy. Supporting partner countries is a mandate given to the EU Office. European initiatives are actively implemented in Armenia as well. One of them, as mentioned by the EU Ambassador, is the big project implemented in Syunik region, through which the necessary investments are provided.

Merle Spellerberg, a Bundestag member, in turn noted that the changes taking place in Germany's foreign policy are turning points and are related to geopolitical processes and the use of energy reserves. Germany's foreign policy today is also focused on environmental problems caused by global climate changes, which are related to all regions of the planet. Nevertheless, against the backdrop of large-scale developments, traditional issues related to civil society, democracy and comprehensive security are still at the core of Germany's policy.

Addressing the Armenian-German relations, Ara Margaryan, head of the European Department of the Armenian MFA, said in particular that we have always had a stereotypical approach to Germany's foreign policy, but the figures of the new generation are guided by modern standards and a new worldview, which can be applied in internal Armenian conditions, when we are already talking about the guidelines of our policy.

Photos by Hayk Manukyan

"Recently, we have witnessed new developments, the impulses of which were given by the visits of high-ranking officials. The visits of the Armenian Prime Minister, President and Foreign Minister are worth mentioning, which reflected the deep nature of Armenian-German relations and once again became an opportunity to further expand bilateral relations," said Margaryan.

According to him, the Armenian side greatly appreciates the personal efforts of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz aimed at the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. In that context, the five-sided meeting with the mediation of the Chancellor, European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and the participation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev within the framework of the European Political Community Summit held in Moldova was quite effective.

According to the representative of the Armenian MFA, Germany is not only one of the key countries of the EU, but also has a great weight in the whole world, therefore it can use its authority and potential to bring us closer to comprehensive peace and stability. Since 2018, Armenia has been carrying out radical reforms and in this process feels Germany's unconditional support and willingness to help Armenia in the future, which will undoubtedly contribute to the future prosperity of the Armenian people.

"Armenia develops not only bilateral relations with Germany, but also considers it as an important partner in terms of promoting Armenia's integration in the EU and playing a significant role in making vital decisions. In the context of the current geopolitical changes, Armenia and Germany can face the emerging challenges with joint actions," concluded Margaryan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered another televised address to the nation, thanking Russians for their unity amid the June 24 mutiny attempt, Tass informs.

June 27, 2023, 09:40 Putin thanks Russians for unity, vows to fulfill promise to Wagner fighters

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 27, ARTSAKHPRESS: He stressed that from the very beginning, prompt measures had been taken to avoid bloodshed, lauded the courage of military servicemen and law enforcement officers and vowed to fulfill his promise to members of the Wagner private military company.
MONTREAL, June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - The Good Shroom Co Inc. (the "Company" or "Good Shroom") (TSXV: MUSH), which owns and operates a portfolio of brands that include traditional cannabis products as well as mushroom-based wellness beverages, announces it's first profit since commencement of operations and reports on its financial results for the quarter ended April 30, 2023. Readers should review the quarterly financial statements and the accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis available at www.sedar.com.

Q3 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fiscal Quarter Q3-2023 Q2-2023 Q3-2022 Net Profit (Loss) $13,660 ($95,116) ($229,995) Net Revenue (net of

excise taxes) $1,024,884 $670,276 $ 419,397 Gross margin 27 % 27 % 22 %

First Profit: Net Profit of $13,660 for Q3-2023.

Net Profit of for Q3-2023. 3X increase in Sales: $1,266,186 , compared to $419,397 for Q3-2022; 1.4X increase in sales from previous quarter (Q2-2023), $670,276 .

, compared to for Q3-2022; 1.4X increase in sales from previous quarter (Q2-2023), . Debt: Long-term debt of $40,000 .

"We are pleased with today's results; brand recognition is increasing sales, bolstering loyalty and we are seeing gains in terms of operational efficiency. We also expect to begin realizing economies of scale into the near future. As we execute on our asset light business model and leverage our network of manufacturing partners, we are moving forward with limited capital assets all the while having the flexibility to rapidly scale up and meet growing sales and consumer preferences." stated Eric Ronsse, the CEO, "as most of our resources have been geared towards our cannabis division, with good results, sales for wellness beverages (of $29,775 for Q3), remain flat. However, we see growth opportunities for this division as well and we intend on allocating additional resources, to implement a new marketing strategy before calendar year-end."

Shareholders are encouraged to join the quarterly review webcast taking place Wednesday June 28 at 10.30 am EST via webcast at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81250850118

Q3  BUSINESS HIGLIGHTS

New Products :

: Habibi Kush (hash) launched in ~25% of Quebec cannabis stores

(hash) launched in ~25% of cannabis stores Transition from ~25% of Quebec cannabis stores to all stores

Le Kush X (hash), Sky Cuddler Kush (dried flower) and Cherry Blossom (dried flower) transitioned in Q3.

(dried flower) transitioned in Q3. New Markets:

The Company breaks into the edibles category with THC infused Beef Jerky named OG Jerk, which launched in all Quebec cannabis stores in February of this year, remaining within the top three selling products of its category in terms of weekly units sold (https://quebec.weedcrawler.ca/best_sellers).

cannabis stores in February of this year, remaining within the top three selling products of its category in terms of weekly units sold (https://quebec.weedcrawler.ca/best_sellers).

Approval of CBD capsules in Ontario for August 2023 launch.

for launch. Top Products : Afghan Gold Infused Joint is consistently within the top three products in its category in terms of weekly units sold. Afghan Gold hash remains in the top ten

Afghan Gold Infused Joint is consistently within the top three products in its category in terms of weekly units sold. Afghan Gold hash remains in the top ten 100% Ocean reclaimed plastic is used for some of the Company's packaging and it expects to continue increasing its use.

EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO QUARTER

Three new edible cannabis products are expected to launch late summer/early fall in the province of Quebec : crunchy coated peanuts, dried ramen noodle mix and saucissons (cured charcuterie).

are expected to launch late summer/early fall in the province of : crunchy coated peanuts, dried ramen noodle mix and saucissons (cured charcuterie). Approval from the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission to become a vendor in the province with several products expected to be available during the fall of 2023.

to become a vendor in the province with several products expected to be available during the fall of 2023. Approval of CBD capsules in Ontario for August launch.

Currently, the government of Quebec limits the choices of edibles to ensure that they don't appeal to children, such as cookies and candies. Consequently, there are few high performing edibles at this time, but management also sees this as an opportunity and expects that the only THC infused beef jerky in Quebec, a commonly consumed savory snack, will continue to appeal to many consumers, as will it's new edible products expected to be available this summer/early fall. Moreover, the current legal and tax landscape has been increasingly putting pressure on the cannabis industry which has seen low investor returns and several small and large players ceasing operations or undertaking important restructurings in the last 12 months. The current restrictions, in terms of marketing and product offering, as well as tax obligations, have led to shrinking margins and are making it harder to compete with the illicit market. Management expects positive steps will be taken to modernize the legal framework for the benefit of businesses, consumers and the industry following the ongoing legislative review of the Cannabis Act by the Federal Government, and that some of the recommendations made by the Competition Bureau in May of this year, will be reflected, namely reducing marketing restrictions and allowing for more flexibility for THC limits in edibles.

The Good Shroom is well positioned to navigate this evolving landscape as we continue to build on our strengths: product innovation and capital efficiency.

About the Company

MUSH operates a portfolio of brands which include traditional cannabis and beverage products. It exists to promote the use of functional ingredients such as functional mushrooms and cannabis in consumer products. Its line of Teonan beverages are first a quality and tasty beverage but also contain a dose of functional mushrooms and probiotics. Its cannabis division aims to provide customers with good quality products at fair prices.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Corporation with respect to future business activities and sales. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect the Corporation's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected are the following: market acceptance of the Company's hash and other cannabis products, changes in the vendor's business or strategy, changes in our supplier's operations and pricing, expectations regarding competition and their pricing strategy; maintaining in good standing all necessary regulatory licenses and authorizations for its products; the benefits, safety, efficacy, dosing and social acceptance of cannabis related products and no material changes in the legal environment; supply chain disruptions and shortages. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. The Company does not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

SOURCE The Good Shroom Co Inc.

For further information: The Good Shroom Co Inc., Eric Ronsse, President, tel: (514) 924-2574, [email protected] | website: thegoodshroom.co
RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - As a dedicated partner to businesses of all sizes, Staples Canada continues to expand its support of small businesses with Boost My Biz, a contest designed to help small business owners get a boost by providing the tools and resources they need to grow and prosper. The contest allows entrants to showcase their business and detail key needs, with the option to upload videos, pictures, or explain in writing.

Staples Boost My Biz contest will give away $30,000 in small business prizing and award six small businesses across Canada with customized prize packages. Entrants will select between three prize categories: Tech, Printing and Furniture & Supplies, for the chance to win a prize valued at $5,000.

"We are a big supporter of small businesses and understand some of the day-to-day challenges they face," said David Boone, Chief Executive Officer, Staples Canada. "Boost My Biz is our way of giving back to the 300+ communities we serve to give small business owners a leg up to help them thrive and deliver to their own customers."

Boost My Biz Contest Details

Staples' Boost My Biz contest will give away $30,000 in small business prizing and award six small businesses across Canada with customized prize packages. Entrants will select between three prize categories: Tech, Printing and Furniture & Supplies, for the chance to win a prize valued at $5,000.

Prize category details:

Tech : Make tech work for you with cutting-edge software, equipment and payment solutions. This could include laptops, printers, computer accessories and more from leading brands like HP.

: Make tech work for you with cutting-edge software, equipment and payment solutions. This could include laptops, printers, computer accessories and more from leading brands like HP. Printing : Anything is print possible! Get it done right with the help of our products and expertise. This could include dedicated marketing support, custom products to elevate your business and more through Staples Solutionshop.

: Anything is print possible! Get it done right with the help of our products and expertise. This could include dedicated marketing support, custom products to elevate your business and more through Staples Solutionshop. Furniture and Supplies: Maximize workspace and productivity with a range of intuitive, human-centric products. This could include Gry Mattr ErgoCentric office chairs, workstations, organizational tools and more.

Staples Canada encourages all eligible Canadian small businesses to enter and share their story. Submission requirements include:

Why your business deserves a boost

How your business is making an impact

How your business helps the community

Submission eligibility includes:

Has less than 25 employees

Is located in Canada

Offers products or services for direct sale online or though a physical location in Canada to Canadian end users

Contest closes July 15, 2023; winners will be announced in October 2023. To enter the Boost My Biz contest or learn more, visit staples.ca/boost-my-biz.

Supporting Small Businesses with Staples Preferred

Staples Canada serves businesses from the ground-up with Staples Preferred, a dedicated program offering exclusive perks, trusted resources and tools for small businesses to allow them to work and grow to their full potential. The program continues to expand year-over-year, serving more than 200,000 small businesses across Canada to-date with +10 per cent growth in business customers from 2022 and +42 per cent from 2021.

A Staples Preferred membership provides businesses with exclusive savings on thousands of products both online and in-store. Every Staples Preferred membership includes:

Preferred perks: Access to exclusive perks, rewards and services that will drive extra value for your business including business mobility plans, discounts on print and marketing services, free annual business cards and more.

Dedicated support: Access to dedicated account managers and product specialists for all your business needs including marketing, finance, business development and more.

Free next-day delivery: No minimum spend required. Free delivery to any home or office.

Flexible payment options: Track, control and finance purchases with ease with just one account.

Deeper savings: Save on thousands of workplace essentials with Preferred deals and offers.

Businesses can fill out an application or book a consultation at staples.ca/staples-preferred.

About Staples Canada

Staples Canada is The Working and Learning Company. The privately-owned company is committed to being a dynamic, inspiring partner to customers who visit its 300+ locations and staples.ca. The company has two brands which support business customers: Staples Preferred for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and Staples Professional for medium to large-sized enterprises, as well as seven Staples Studio co-working facilities across Canada. Through Solutionshop, Canadians can access a variety of pack and ship options, as well as a broad suite of business services. Staples is a proud partner of MAP through its Even the Odds campaign, which aims to tackle inequities in communities across Canada and helps make a future that's fair for everyone. Visit staples.ca for more information or engage with us at @StaplesCanada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok or Pinterest.

SOURCE Staples Canada ULC

For further information: Media information: Staples Canada: Kathleen Stelmach, 905-737-1147 Ext. 578, [email protected]; Golin, for Staples Canada: Meg Murphy, 647-475-4495, [email protected]
NASA is working with seven U.S. companies on next generation Space Station designs. ThinkOrbital, Vast and Sierra Space/Blue Origin have interesting designs. NASA is also talking to SpaceX and Northrop Grumman and Voyager/Nanoracks.

Think Orbital will use a CanadaArm to assemble hexagonal and pentagram pieces that will be stacked during launch. They will be assembled into large sphere shaped space stations as seen above.

ThinkOrbital is collaborating with NASA on the development of ThinkPlatforms and CONTESA (Construction Technologies for Space Applications). ThinkPlatforms are self-assembling, single-launch, large-scale orbital platforms that facilitate a wide array of applications in low Earth orbit, including in-space research, manufacturing, and astronaut missions. CONTESA features welding, cutting, inspection, and additive manufacturing technologies, and aids in large-scale in-space fabrication.

Blue Origin is collaborating with NASA to develop integrated commercial space transportation capability that ensures safe, affordable, and high-frequency US access to orbit for crew and other missions. Blue Origin and Sierra Space has gotten $130 million from NASA to develop its Blue Reef concept.

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with NASA on the companys Persistent Platform to provide autonomous and robotic capabilities for commercial science research and manufacturing capabilities in low Earth orbit.

Sierra Space is collaborating with NASA for the development of the companys commercial low Earth orbit ecosystem, including next-generation space transportation, in-space infrastructure, and expandable and tailorable space facilities providing a human presence in low Earth orbit.

Vast is collaborating with NASA on technologies and operations required for its microgravity and artificial gravity stations. This includes the Haven-1 commercial destination, which will provide a microgravity environment for crew, research, and in-space manufacturing, and the first crewed mission, called Vast-1, to the platform.

In Feb, 2023, Vast acquired space startup Launcher. Launcher, headquartered in Hawthorne, California, was founded in 2017 by Max Haot. All of Launchers team members joined forces with Vasts fast-growing team. The combined team of over 120 employees occupy the recently announced 115,000 square-foot Vast headquarters in Long Beach later this year. Vast is continuing the Orbiter space tug and hosted payload products as well as its staged combustion rocket engine E-2, and will focus on liquid rocket engine products instead of developing its own launch vehicle. Orbiter will continue to support current and future payload customers.

By 2025, Space Startup Vast plans to launch its first space station module. Vast, a pioneer in space habitation technologies, plans to launch the worlds first commercial space station, called Haven-1. It is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to low-Earth orbit no earlier than August 2025, Haven-1 will initially act as an independent crewed space station prior to being connected as a module to a larger Vast space station currently in development.

In the 2030s, Vast wants a 100-meter-long multi-module spinning artificial gravity space station launched by SpaceXs Starship transportation system. In support of this, Vast will explore conducting the worlds first spinning artificial gravity experiment on a commercial space station with Haven-1.

Vast is selling up to four crewed seats on the inaugural mission to Haven-1. Expected customers include domestic and international space agencies and private individuals involved in science and philanthropic projects.

By 2040, Space Startup Vast plans to be operating dozens of artificial gravity and zero gravity space stations across our solar system, optimized for human physiology and psychology, as well as off-planet business. These will enable every endeavor imaginable as humanity expands across the solar system.

Voyager Space and Nanoracks have an inflatable station design.
Finish startup Steady Energy aims to build a nuclear district heating plant using a planned LDR-50 small modular reactor (SMR) by 2030. The company was spun out from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland  has raised EUR2.0 million (USD2.2 million) in seed funding led by VTT, Yes VC and Lifeline Ventures.

The LDR-50 district heating SMR  with a thermal output of 50 MW  has been in development at VTT since 2020. It would be a first for a small modular nuclear reactor to be applied for district heating. However, nuclear power heat has been used for district heating in Europe and China.

China is building a 23-kilometre-long pipe that will expand the transportation of nuclear-generated heat from the Haiyang nuclear power plant in Chinas Shandong province to a wider area, State Power Investment Corp (SPIC) announced in Feb 2023. The plant started providing district heat to the surrounding area in November 2020.

China has the largest district energy system in the world, with over 200 000 kilometers of networks providing heat to close to 9 billion square meters of building space, which is equivalent to more than one fourth of the total floor area of the United States. Most of Chinas district heating is coal powered.

The Haiyang nuclear energy heating source project has completed an investment of CNY390 million (USD57 million). Installation of equipment at unit 2 of the Haiyang plant to extract heat began in July last year and has now been completed. The heating pipe network and pumping station in the plant are now being constructed. The project is planned to be put into operation before the end of 2023, SPIC said.

The long-distance pipeline will have an annual heating capacity that can reach 9.7 million gigajoules, providing heat to a 13 million square meters area and meeting the needs of 1 million residents. This will replace the consumption of some 900,000 tonnes of coal, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.65 million tonnes.

The Haiyang plant officially started providing district heat to the surrounding area in November 2020. A trial of the project  the countrys first commercial nuclear heating project  was carried out the previous winter, providing heat to 700,000 square metres of housing, including the plants dormitory and some local residents. Earlier in 2020, the project began providing heating to the entire Haiyang city.

The first phase of a district heating demonstration project at the Qinshan nuclear power plant in Chinas southern Zhejiang Province was commissioned in December 2021. The project is divided into three phases. The initial phase now provides nuclear energy-generated central heating to 460,000 square metres of accommodation in three residential areas and 5000 square metres of apartments for nearly 4000 residents of Haiyan County. The overall project goal is to have a nuclear heating area of 4 million square metres by 2025, covering the main urban area of Haiyan County and the entire area of Shupu Town.

The Zhejiang Haiyan Nuclear Energy Heating Demonstration Project uses the remaining thermal power from the Qinshan plant in winter to provide heating to public facilities, residential communities and industrial parks in Haiyan County without affecting the original power generation and safety performance of the reactors.

Russia, several East European countries, Switzerland and Sweden have all had nuclear-fueled district heating schemes, and heat from nuclear power plants has also been sent to industrial sites in several countries
What threats does this lizard face?

Like many native Australian species, the Victorian grassland earless dragon hasnt fared well with the changes to Australias ecosystems in the past few hundred years.

Some of the most major changes have come about because of the introduction of invasive species. Cats, for instance, were introduced as pets by European settlers in the late 1700s, giving rise to large feral populations that consume around 240 million native Australian animals every year.

Despite living in spider burrows and having rows of spiky scales along its body, the dragon has not been safe from these predators, which have driven its population down.

At the same time, Australia has become increasingly more urban. The growth of cities such as Melbourne means that just 1% of the grassland that the dragon used to call home remains, with those sites in areas that are likely to be developed in the coming years.

Despite these pressures, however, concern over the fate of the species wasnt perhaps as high as it should be. This is because the species was conflated with two close relatives that lived elsewhere, so its population wasnt thought to have been as perilously low as it actually was.

In 2019, a study revealed that the Victorian grassland earless dragon was a species in its own right, more formally known as Tympanocryptis pinguicolla. With surveys at the sites of unconfirmed sightings in 1988 and 1990 having drawn blanks, it highlighted the need for urgent work to better understand these reptiles.

Importantly, it noted that while the species was certainly at risk of extinction, it couldnt be declared extinct until all potential habitats had been checked. Four years later, these surveys have finally resulted in the lizards rediscovery.
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.




A pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has condemned a statement credited to the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress that allegedly insulted a former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel.





According to the Afenifere, Daniel, who is a chieftain of the group, had a misunderstanding with the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, but the APC in Ogun was allegedly not making efforts to reconcile the two chieftains but rather causing more division.





In a statement issued by the Organising Secretary of the Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, on Tuesday in Akure, the group called on the two APC chieftains to settle their differences for the development of their state.





The statement read, We read with utter dismay a press statement issued by the Ogun State Chapter of the APC in a reaction to an interview recently granted by Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.





In this statement, Ogun APC scathingly used unprintable and untoward adjectives to describe Daniel, a former governor who served Ogun State for eight consecutive years. On the other hand, the party ardently defended the states incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who recently secured re-election to serve his people and the state.





We take grave exception to the divisive language Ogun APC used in its press statement. Even though the two illustrious sons of Ogun State may disagree on some issues, the approach of Ogun APC, as shown in its press statement, is grossly unethical and utterly unacceptable, especially in this era when our socio-cultural leaders are working behind the scenes to foster harmony and unity among all our elected officials representing us in different capacities both at state and federal levels.





As a chapter of the ruling party, Ogun APC has the onus of ensuring peace and harmony within its ranks, rather than escalating disagreement between the two leaders, if there is any. The press statement simply suggests that Ogun APC has already taken sides rather than deploying the partys conflict resolution mechanism and goodwill to make peace between the governor and one of his illustrious predecessors.





Afenifere also frowned at the conduct of the party chapter, stating that the party leadership should have initiated a conflict resolution process to promote peace and harmony among members and leaders, instead of inciting them against each other.





The group also warned the party chapter, its State Working Committee and its Executive Committee to quit fomenting more division among its rank and file.





The statement added, We hereby warn Ogun APC, its State Working Committee and its State Executive Committee to desist from causing and deepening division in the ranks of its elected officials. If the SWC lacks the capacity to promote peaceful co-existence among its elected officials statewide, it should, in the overall interests of our people, restrain from taking action that will complicate differences among the leaders.





Afenifere appealed to the duo to call their aides and supporters to order and stop every action that will publicly denigrate and rubbish our Omoluabi value before the entire world.
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in the country after his first official trip abroad.

The presidents plane touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos around 5:10pm on Tuesday.

He was received at the presidential wing of MMIA by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state; Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president; Kayode Egbetokun, the acting inspector-general of police; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, among others.

Upon his arrival, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army as well as personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force mounted a guard of honour for him, while the standing troupe of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture provided entertainment.

Tinubu is scheduled to join the Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Wednesday at the Obalende prayer ground.

While away, the president attended the new global financial pact summit in Paris, France.

The two-day summit, organised by French President Emmanuel Macron, was convened to explore opportunities to restore fiscal space to countries that face difficult short-term financial challenges.

The meeting which was held between June 22 and 23 was attended by leaders from across the globe.

After the summit, the president proceeded to London for a private visit.
Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has asked Nigerians to seek Gods blessings to elevate the country to a path of peace, harmony, and prosperity.

In a statement congratulating Muslims on the Eid-el-Kabir festival, Abubakar said the significance of the celebration is about the profitability of being patient with God in our affairs as human beings, and most especially, as Muslims.

He asked the Islamic faithful to take a lesson of forbearance from the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim by being kind and generous to the people around them.

The scriptures of all prophets of Allah are replete with good examples of how they related with everyone during their lifetimes, Abubakar said.

We are also enjoined to follow the footsteps of the prophets, especially Prophet Muhammad, which means that we must live our everyday life as a sacrifice, not just for our families, but the communities where we find ourselves.

The former vice president further asked Muslims in Nigeria to pray for the country at various Eid prayer grounds, saying, Nigeria is currently in need of prayers. We must continue to ask God Almighty to show His blessings upon the country and to elevate Nigeria to a path of peace, harmony, and prosperity.

He also enjoined Muslims not to be extravagant but share the joy of the celebration with the needy.
A witness, has told the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom, that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke were allowed to cast their votes, despite their voter cards being invalid.

This testimony was given, on Monday, by an agent of the Labour Party, Dayo Isreal, who was subpoenaed to testify in the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Partys candidate, in the March 18 election, seeking to nullify the return of Gov. SanwoOlu and his deputy.

While being led in evidence by the Rhodes-Vivours lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Ayeni, the witness told the court that he served as an agent for the Labour Party for Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government in the Governorship Election.

I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes and this is against INECs electoral process, Israel said before the tribunal.

Under cross-examination from counsel to INEC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Charles Edosomwan, the witness also claimed he was beaten up that day by some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters and that he knew they were APC supporters from the way they spoke.

I am not a member of the Labour Party but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as an LP agent, they beat me up. They also said if voters did not vote for APC, they would beat them too, he said.

When asked by counsel to Governor Sanwo Olu Olu and his deputy, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muiz Banire, to describe how he was beaten.

He added, During casting of votes, 4 of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself and came back to monitor the counting of votes.

He also noted that there were cases of multiple casting of votes but INEC officials failed to intervene.

I observed more than 3-4 people voting more than once at the polling unit. INEC staff conducted the elections, though they looked the other way when this was going on.

While answering questions from counsel to APC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abiodun Owonikoko, the witness disclosed that a total number of 126 people were accredited at the polling unit where Governor Sanwo -Olu voted while APC had 121 votes, LP was given 2votes.

Another subpoenaed witness, the secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Sam Okpala, also testified before the tribunal.

Led by counsel to the petitioner, Folagbade Benson, the subpoena was tendered to the tribunal through the witness, a situation which led to another round of objections from the respondents.

The tribunal in its ruling noted the objections of the respondents but proceeded to hear the testimony of the witness while ordering the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.

The witness, while being cross-examined by INECs counsel, said he would not have appeared before the tribunal if he was not subpoenaed, adding that he never wrote a statement.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has adjourned till July 3 for the continuation of the hearing in the petition.
UNION SPRINGS  Farmers, manufacturers and scientists from around the globe recently gathered at a Union Springs dairy farm to observe New York states first cow manure biochar production, an effort to make fertilizers that heavily enrich soils without the drawbacks of traditional manure use.

Just look at all the people here, said Doug Young, co-founder of Spruce Haven Farm, who patiently fielded questions from more than 100 guests on Friday morning. Im thankful they decided to come. A woman from a country in Africa thanked me and said it was a real honor to be here.

Spruce Haven, home to 2,000 Holstein dairy cows and heifers, has also been a proving ground for sustainable technologies.

This system results in a 90 to 95 percent volume reduction of manure, said Jeff Hallowell, founder and CEO of Biomass Controls, a corporation that has pioneered development and use of environmentally friendly innovations. It also provides the permanence of introducing carbon to the soil, which is excellent for the soil.

The biochar process separates liquids from solids in the raw material, then heats the solids at very high temperatures  creating a black, pebble-like substance called biochar.

Farmers typically have to store manure for use as fertilizer, which takes up a great deal of space and can also result in release of carbon to the air. Used in fields directly as fertilizer, the biochar  as explained by Hallowell  keeps carbon in the soil where it can benefit plants rather than contribute to the earths greenhouse effect.

Methane gas captured is also an environmentally friendly heat source, he added, which can be integrated into other farm operations.

Friday's event was part of a two-day program offered through the auspices of Cornell University called Biochar Field Days, included presentations from the USDA and the American Farmland Trust.

According to organizers and attendees, there would be no danger of raw material shortages for creating biochar.

There are 4.6 million cows in the U.S., said Dustin Young, son of Doug Young, with whom he operates the farm, along with his brother Luke and another partner.

Dustin Young noted that the technology can have important local impacts. This will be an effective way to sequester carbon and keep phosphorous out of the Finger Lakes, he said.

The farms focus on sustainability and being kind to the environment wherever possible, he said, are among chief reasons that he chose staying in the family business. Like his father, Dustin answered questions from various visitors after a short, formal presentation was made by Hallowell and others.

Kofi Debran, an attendee who traveled to New York State from Ghana, and Jules Giuliano, who traveled from Atlanta, peppered Dustin with questions about the system.

I love it, Giuliano said, employing an interjection seldom heard during discussions of manure. It is beautiful.

Peter and Mandy Kjelle, natives of Denmark who operate plantations growing coconuts pineapple and citrus in Belize, said time spent at the farm was valuable for them.

We would like to see how we can apply this technology to our operation, Peter said.

One point frequently discussed was how biochar changes the practice of manure spreading. Currently, scientists at the event said, many farmers spread manure when their storage space for it becomes scarce. That can lead to overapplications and resulting pollution of water and other harmful results. Because the biochar is so compact, they explained, storage no longer becomes a problem, and the farmers can use the fertilizer when they see fit rather than when storage circumstances dictate.

Kathleen Draper, board chair of the International Biochar Initiative, nodded approvingly while observing the enthusiasm for the project displayed by visitors.

It gives me hope, she said. Hope that there are practical available solutions to mitigate climate change and to address food security.

Hallowell, an early supporter of modern biochar uses and its potential for application to manure, said the event demonstrated hope for the future.

Its the right thing to do, he said of continuing development and research. It is events like this where you can see how other people get excited it about it, that give you the energy to go on.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari says leading Nigeria is one of the hardest challenges in life.

Buhari, in his Eid al-Adha message signed by Garba Shehu, his spokesperson, said leadership entails the cooperation and support of all citizens.

Leading a country like Nigeria is one of the hardest challenges in life, Buhari was quoted as saying.

The former president urged Nigerians to fully support the Bola Tinubu-led administration to succeed.

Leadership is a challenging task that demands the sacrifices and support of the citizens, he said.

The former president also wished Nigerian Muslims a happy Eid and to those on pilgrimage, Hajj Mabrur and a safe return home.

Buhari handed the reign of power to Tinubu on May 29 after two terms of eight years.

Last week, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto, announced June 28 as Eid al-Adha Day.

The federal government has declared Wednesday and Thursday public holidays to mark the Islamic festival.




President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to fly in from London today ahead of Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.





The Presidency had on Saturday said the President headed for the UK from France, where he had been attending a summit for A New Global Financing Pact hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.





Tinubu, who was initially scheduled to be back in Abuja on Saturday, will now proceed to London, United Kingdom, for a short private visit, a statement signed by the Presidents Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, read on Saturday.





However, the statement was silent on the particular day of Tinubus return, saying the President will be back in the country in time for the upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival.





Confirming the day of his arrival, Presidency sources told our correspondent on Monday that the Nigerian leader would return to his private Ikoyi home in Lagos later on Tuesday to observe his first Sallah celebration as President.





I am are certain that he will return to Lagos tomorrow (Tuesday), not Abuja. Thats where he will observe Sallah, the source said.





In April, it was reported that mixed reactions trailed the absence of the President-elect from the Eid el-Fitr celebrations.





Although the then President-elect issued a statement conveying his Sallah message to Nigerians, he was not spotted on any prayer grounds in Lagos or Abuja.





This time, sources say that he is billed to join other dignitaries for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Muslim Prayer ground located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.





It would be recalled that hours before the end of his tenure, former President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the control of Obalende Eid Prayer Ground be returned to the Lagos Jamaatul Muslimeen Council of the Lagos Central Mosque.





A Presidency source said although the holiday lasts until Thursday, Tinubu may extend his stay till Sunday or Monday next week before he returns to Abuja.





He returns amidst uncertainty about his ministerial list, which is almost ready to be sent to the National Assembly.





Another source, who spoke with newsmen said, I learned that Tinubus ministerial list is almost done. He kept a core of ministers to himself, heavily influenced by the kitchen cabinet of SAs.





The politicians are in Bolekaja over the rest. Its a slugfest now.





In March, Alake, then Special Adviser to the President-elect, said Tinubu would constitute his cabinet within one month of assuming office.





Alake said this is in line with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, mandating Presidents-elect and governors-elect to submit the names of their ministerial and commissioner-nominees within 60 days of taking the oath of office for confirmation by the Senate or state House of Assembly.





He said, I told you in an earlier interview that it didnt take Asiwaju more than three weeks to form his cabinet as governor.





That was as at that time. I think 60 days is even too much.





A month, maximum, is enough for any serious government to form its cabinet and put a structure of government in place after the swearing-in.





Re-echoing the narrative, the then Director of Media and Publicity for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said, What I can assure you is that even if the list is not ready on the first day, it will not take Asiwaju more than one month to put his cabinet together. He definitely will not wait for 60 days to assemble a competent cabinet.





In 2015, Nigerians lamented the delay by the Buhari administration in appointing ministers, which took about six months to form its cabinet.




Two people who were nominated as commissioner-nominees by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State were on Tuesday absent during the screening of the nominees by members of Oyo state House of Assembly.





It was reported that the lawmakers had earlier fixed today for the screening of the nominees.





The seven nominees were told to submit their credentials to the lawmakers.





Our correspondent, however, reports that two out of the seven nominees were absent during the screening.





Those absent included Professor Musbau Babatunde and Mrs Toyin Balogun.





However, those who were appeared during the plenary of the house on Tuesday included former commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin; former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Joke Sanni, former Commissioner for Energy, Barrister Seun Ashamu, ex-Finance Commissioner, Mr Akinola Ojo and former Commissioner in charge of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi.





The five were confirmed by the lawmakers on Tuesday.





Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, in his remarks, urged the commissioner designates not to disappoint the trust governor Seyi Makinde reposed in them.




President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he is working tirelessly to solve the countrys economic and security challenges.





Tinubu disclosed this in his Eid el-Kabir message to Nigerians where he called on all Muslims to multiply the good deeds that sallah celebrations bring.





Speaking of the economic and insecurity challenges, Tinubu assured that he and his team are working tirelessly to provide solutions.





I join Muslims in Nigeria and worldwide in observance of Eid-el-Kabir. We must thank Almighty Allah for the grace to witness another Eid.





As we immerse ourselves in the joy of this moment and celebrate, let us remember those who may not be as fortunate like us, he stated.





According to him: The end of religious activities spanning the first ten days of the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah, Eid-el-Kabir, enjoins us as Muslims to show mercy and compassion to our fellow humans.





He noted that Eid el-Kabir is a festival of sacrifice and total obedience to Allah, as exemplified by the exceptional action of Prophet Ibrahim.





No greater sense of duty is ever recorded in history outside of the ennobling example of Prophet Ibrahim in offering his only son Ismail as a sacrifice to Allah.





The best way we can demonstrate this example is how we conduct ourselves towards our fellow citizens and our duties to our beloved country. We must imbibe and manifest those values inherent in Prophet Ibrahims life: complete devotion to Allah, tolerance, patience, perseverance, selflessness, love and compassion.





This season, let us endeavour to multiply good deeds with our kindness to our fellow Muslims and others by helping and supporting the weak and vulnerable in our communities. By doing so, we showcase the values and virtues of our faith.





Currently, our country faces some challenges, especially with our struggling economy and simmering security challenges. While I acknowledge all of these, they are not insurmountable. I am working day and night with my team, fleshing out solutions. We have started with the decisions taken so far to reform our economy and remove all impediments to growth.





As we embrace the present challenges, we must face the future with vigour and Renewed Hope with the confidence that our tomorrow shall be better and brighter. I wish you all a happy Sallah celebration, he stated.
A 19-year-old college student from Bergen County was killed in a crash Friday night in Ridgefield, authorities said.

Yusuf Bakmaz, of Garfield, was allegedly speeding when he crossed over a center island, striking a vehicle and traffic light before crashing into a restaurant in the 600 block of Broad Avenue, police told ABC-7.

Bakmaz, a student at Montclair State University, was a 2022 graduate of Bergen Arts and Science Charter School.

It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of Yusuf Bakmaz, a beloved member of the Bergen ASCS Alumni Class of 2022, the charter school said in a statement posted to Facebook.

Bakmaz was a sophomore at Montclair State, where he was pursuing a degree in engineering and studying Turkish language and literature, according to his LinkedIn.

ABC-7 reported there was moderate damage to the restaurant and that Bakmazs girlfriend was in the car at the time of the crash. Her condition was not known and police in Ridgefield did not return calls seeking comment on the crash.

A GoFundMe set up to support Bakmazs his sister, Mina, and brother, Hasan, had raised more than $27,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Editors note: this post was updated to include comment from the N.J. education commissioner and to note that Rep. Nancy Mace is the only co-sponsor of the bill.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th Dist.) is unveiling legislation Tuesday to provide paid tutors in public schools nationwide, calling it a real pathway forward.

Under the bill, the Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Act of 2023, school districts can apply for grants to pay tutors to meet three times a week with up to three students at a time, for at least 30 minutes, the kind of intensive interactions that studies have shown to be particularly effective.

It gives resources to our public schools that they have been requesting, Sherrill said of the bill, which will supply math and reading tutors to students in grades K-12. It can really quickly start to make a difference in students lives.

Her office cited a 2020 overview of 96 studies of programs, which found tutoring to be one of the most versatile and potentially transformative educational tools. It also cited a 2021 study of tutored Chicago high school students that found tutoring programs had a return on investment similar to those of the most successful early childhood programs.

Sherrill and the bills other original co-sponsor, Nancy Mace (R-SC), plan to introduce the bill Friday. Sherrill is unveiling it Tuesday at Bloomfield High School, her press secretary said. The bills endorsers include the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey Education Association, and the National Education Association.

After the Nations Report Card scores released last week showed additional declines among 13-year-olds in the wake of the pandemic, Sherrill told NJ Advance Media the nation is failing its children.

I can tell you if kids in New Jersey are struggling with some of the nations best public schools, I can only imagine whats going on in the rest of the country, she said.

The acting commissioner of the N.J. Department of Education, Angelica Allen-McMillan, welcomed the bill.

The New Jersey Department of Education remains committed to addressing the effects of learning loss through evidence-based practices, such as our recently-announced high-impact tutoring initiative, and welcomes the support of various partners in working to accelerate New Jersey students learning and help them achieve greater academic success.

The bill will be referred to the House Education and Workforce Committee. Its cost still needs to be calculated. Beyond paying for tutors over four years, the bill would also cover the development of a nationwide tutoring force, twice-monthly training and monthly evaluations for tutors, the creation of a database of various tutoring methods and their impact, and close monitoring of tutored students academic achievement.

The bill would also encourage college students who want to be teachers to tutor in districts experiencing shortages, and it would include a pilot program for college graduates who commit to tutoring for two years in Title I schools with underserved students.

Each year, programs that do not result in student progress would lose funding and need to be revised. Government and nonprofit service organizations could provide tutors, although the preference is for district-run programs. If school staff wanted to participate, it would be on a voluntary basis.

Noting that she serves on the new House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, Sherrill said if the nation wants to innovate, conduct advanced research, and restore the American manufacturing sector, all students need access to a great education.

What weve seen, even before COVID, I dont think our system has been educating kids in a way that really made sense for a lot of whats going on in our economy, she said. If were not addressing that now, and quickly, a whole generation of students will not be able to compete and to access opportunities in our country.

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Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
I have no idea what Id do without the Jersey Shore. Ive lived there nearly half of my life, and despite the summertime traffic, the crush of visitors, bad boardwalk pizza, and so on, I cant imagine living anywhere else.

Ive written countless stories over the years about the Shore, including a day at N.J.s only legal nude beach, plus two books, The Jersey Shore Uncovered: A Revealing Season on the Beach, and the just-released The Ultimate Guide to the Jersey Shore.
A man who was shot by police after he began firing at officers inside a Newark apartment building Monday morning was charged with aggravated assault and weapons-related offenses, investigators said.

Police were called to the Ebon Square apartments in the 700 block of Clinton Avenue near the corner of South 15th Street around 4 a.m. for a domestic violence complaint and saw Hakeem Murchison, 30, of Newark, in the hallway, according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

As the two officers approached Murchison in the hallway, he fired at the officers, but neither was hit, the office said. They returned fire and he was struck by at least one bullet, authorities said.

The officers, who were not injured, and Murchison were taken to University Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition as of 5 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

The shooting remained under investigation and anyone with information was asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutors Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Most fast food chicken nuggets are bad. Im not clucking around. Im serious.

I know people love McDonalds famous McNuggets. I dont know why. Theyre rubbery, bland paltry pieces of poultry  merely vessels for dipping sauces. Wendys makes good nuggets, but they are the exception to the rule. Burger Kings nuggets are so bad that they keep changing their recipe, and they keep failing. Their crown-shaped chicken nuggets were at least creative, but they replaced them with boring, generic nuggets back in 2011.

But Ronald McDonalds chief rival is looking to spice things up. Last week, Burger King added Fiery Nuggets to the menu.

Glazed with cayenne peppers, birds eye chili and black pepper, the new nuggets provide the perfect combination of flavor and spice, Chad Brauze the senior director of culinary innovation and sustainability for Burger King North America said in a press release. Yes, apparently thats a title.

Would the Fiery Nuggets spice things up for the King, or flame out? As NJ.coms resident fast foodie, there was only one way to find out. To hit the drive-thru.

The first thing I noticed when I was handed my Fiery Nuggets? They were hot. Not like, flavor-wise, but warm to the touch. These bad boys were fresh! Were they actually fresh nuggets, or just cold nuggets tossed in a warm sauce? Who can say. But they were absolutely dripping in the red glaze, so much so that there was a pool in the bottom of the bag. Im not complaining, that sauce is the whole draw with this dish so theres no reason to skimp.

I took a bite in my car, and immediately was taken aback by the kick. I have a high tolerance for spice, and even I thought these things were spicy. By my second and third bite I was used to it, but consider me impressed. The average person will find these very spicy. So often fast food joints promise theyre bringing the heat and leave us cold  Burger King did it just last Halloween with the Ghost Pepper Whopper. Not here, the Fiery Nuggets are indeed fiery. But heat is boring without flavor. Credit to BK, these are pretty tasty, a well-balanced sauce that almost makes these taste like Nashville hot chicken nuggets. That actually probably would have been better branding, considering how trendy the Tennessee delicacy is in the culinary world these days.

Does it make up for the nuggets themselves are underwhelming without the sauce? Not really. The chicken is bland, overly chewy and frankly not very enjoyable. I got an order of the plain nuggets for contrast and had to drown them in sweet and sour sauce to eat them.

Fast food nuggets will probably always be underwhelming, serviceable as drunk food and not much more (unless were talking about Wendys). But Burger King said they were making their nuggets fiery, and they definitely brought the fire.

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 I tried the McDonalds adult Happy Meal so you dont have to. Heres my review.

 I tried Wendys new peppermint Frosty so you dont have to. Heres my review.

 I tried the viral new MrBeast Burger, now served at N.J. mall, so you didnt have to. Heres my review.

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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.
A grand jury in New Mexico has indicted convicted killer Sean M. Lannon in the March 2021 bludgeoning death of an Albuquerque man.

Lannon, who is serving a 35-year sentence in New Jersey for killing his childhood mentor, was recently extradited to New Mexico to face charges in the slaying of Randall T. Apostalon.

A Bernalillo County grand jury indicted Lannon Friday on a charge of first-degree willful and deliberate murder in Apostalons death. In addition, the indictment allows the jury in Lannons trial to alternately consider charges of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, according to court documents.

His public defender did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment Tuesday.

Lannons post-indictment arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday.

In March, Lannon, 49, was also indicted in the 2021 killings of his estranged wife, Jennifer, and two men in Grants, New Mexico, about 80 miles west of Albuquerque.

The Lannons and their three kids moved from South Jersey to Grants for a job several years ago, and prosecutors allege Sean Lannon killed his ex-wife in the home they rented in January 2021, then lured acquaintances Jesten Mata and Matthew Miller to the home on separate occasions to kill them.

In New Mexico, Sean Lannon is accused of killing his estranged wife, Jennifer, as well as Jesten Mata (top, right), Matthew Miller (bottom, left) and Randall Apostalon.

He allegedly stored the three bodies in totes which he later moved to Albuquerque. Prosecutors say Apostalon, 60, agreed to move the totes to a storage facility using his truck, but the men feuded when they could not find a spot for the containers.

Lannon allegedly beat Apostalon to death and later parked the victims truck, with all four bodies inside, at Albuquerque International Sunport airport.

Police discovered the victims March 5, 2021. Mata and Miller had been dismembered, while Apostalon was found in the front passenger seat covered with a tarp. He had severe trauma to his face and skull and a small sledge hammer was found under his body, according to court records.

Investigators learned Lannon had flown out from the airport to Philadelphia a day earlier with his kids. He left the children with family in New Jersey and eventually arrived at the East Greenwich home of his former mentor, 66-year-old Michael Dabkowski.

Lannon admitted bludgeoning Dabkowski to death with a hammer before stealing his wallet and car. He claimed the older man had molested him as a child and that he had gone to the home to retrieve photos of the abuse. No evidence of the abuse was ever disclosed in court.

Lannon was arrested March 10, 2021, in St. Louis, and allegedly admitted to all five killings, offering various justifications for his actions, according to court records.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree murder in Dabkowskis death and was sentenced last December.

Lannon remains jailed at Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center while he awaits prosecution in the Apostalon case. He is also scheduled to appear in court next month for a post-indictment arraignment on the Grants charges.

Police in New Mexico investigate the pickup truck in which four bodies were found March 5, 2021, on the upper level of the parking garage at the Albuquerque International Sunport. Sean M. Lannon is accused of killing the victims. (Matthew Reisen/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Cayuga County Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy has been elected to join the board of the New York State Association of County Health Officials, the association announced in a news release.

Cuddy was one of five new members elected to the board. The association represents all 58 local health commissioners and public health directors, serving as a voice for state health departments.

"We are grateful to these new members and all of the members of our board of directors for their voluntary service," Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall said. "The expertise and experience of these new board members will be critical to our efforts to advocate for effective and properly resourced state policies that are necessary to sustain the critical services provided by local health departments."
The concept of a bus rapid transit lane to and from Journal Square and other ideas for transit and safety improvements will be at the center of a community meeting Wednesday night in Journal Square.

The meeting will be hosted by county officials at School 11 in Jersey City at 6 p.m., and officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as well as NJ Transit have been invited to attend.

The conversation will help develop priorities for what the county will study as it establishes a road safety and improvement plan using a $480,000 federal grant it was awarded in February.

The county is planning to create a committee to help more formally develop those priorities and engage with the public, said Hudson County Board of Commissioners member Bill ODea, who will be hosting Wednesdays meeting with fellow Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski. The county will also have to hire a consultant and, eventually, a firm to create the plan itself.

That plan will eventually serve as a blueprint for applying for state and federal funding to make the road improvements happen, ODea said.

Community advocates have already begun positing the idea of a bus rapid transit lane, which would be open exclusively for buses to avoid traffic, ODea said.

From my perspective, such a lane can make sense for that time of day when mass transit on the boulevard is at its peak, he said.

The vision for the bus lane is that it would operate on Kennedy Boulevard during commuting hours, perhaps to the Bayonne border or even further south, ODea said.

It would likely also involve increasing the number of buses running at a time, he said.

Obviously if were going to do a bus rapid transit lane during rush hour, we have to make sure there are going to be enough buses to justify the lane, he said.

The logistics may be tricky. The boulevard currently consists of four lanes, so will traffic suffer even more if it loses one or two of them? Or will parking spaces up and down the boulevard be sacrificed to keep four lanes for vehicular traffic?

A bicyclist navigates a busy intersection on Journal Square in Jersey City, Tuesday, June 27, 2023.Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

He said he also anticipates Wednesday meeting including discussions about efforts to connect existing bike lanes and extend them to reach the Journal Square station. There will be a public comment period, ODea said.

The $480,000 grant is funded by the new Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation. While it was not exclusively awarded for Kennedy Boulevard, the road remains one of the largest and busiest county owned roads here.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the North Hudson Community Action Corp. (NHCAC), an organization that provides a range of health care, social and educational services in Hudson County and beyond, has a new chairman.

Joey Muniz, a North Bergen political operative who was the chairman of the NHCAC board since at least 2014, has resigned and was replaced this month by Gio Ahmad, the Weehawken business administrator and a school board trustee. Muniz is also the board secretary for the Hudson County Schools of Technology.

Its an honor to be in this role, said Ahmad in an interview. Its an amazing organization to be a part of, and Im looking to do great work with great people with the support of local mayors and elected officials and bring this organization to a new level and realign itself with its mission.

Ahmad and others declined to offer an opinion on the timing of Munizs departure. The resignation came a little more than a month after Muniz, aligned politically with the ruling Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO), supported Cosmo Cirillo in the West New York mayoral election. Cirillo ran unsuccessfully against one-time Mayor and former Rep. Albio Sires, the HCDOs choice in that race.

Not to my knowledge, Ahmad said when asked if Munizs departure had anything to do with politics.

Sires, whos also an NHCAC board member, said that the board wanted to get somebody different. Muniz could not be reached for comment.

It is also unknown if NHCAC President and CEO Joan Quigley, a former assemblywoman whos held the role for more than a decade, would remain in charge of the organization. Quigley, who writes a weekly column for The Jersey Journal, and Ahmad declined to comment on her position.
Pro Arts Jersey City is celebrating the art of collage and mixed media with a new exhibit, Seamless, which will be on display from Saturday, July 1, to Sunday, July 30, at ART150 Gallery.

Seamless brings together artists Luis Alves, RoCa (Rodriguez Calero), Demarcus McGaughey, Cheryl R. Riley, Theda Sandiford, Nanette Reynolds, Danielle Scott, and Brad Terhune. Each artist has merged various artistic mediums, materials, and techniques to create the works that will be on display.

This exhibit explores the nature of collage and mixed media, how they break boundaries, and where traditional, unconventional, and digital materials harmoniously coexist.

Artists featured in the exhibit have employed innovative approaches, incorporating elements such as found objects, vintage photographs, fabric, paper, paints, and digital media. The participating artists, through their meticulous arrangements, involve layering and juxtapositions. They weave together seamless narratives that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Award-winning Jersey City artist Bryant Small is curating the exhibit. Small balances his artistry between his advertising technology and media consulting career in New York City while also being adjunct professor in St. Elizabeths Universitys Art Department in Morristown. He also serves as co-president of Pro Arts Jersey City.

Small has been an independent curator for numerous galleries and art event spaces throughout the New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. areas. For several seasons, he served as guest curator for Bridge Art Gallerys premier annual exhibition, Expressive Creative Soul, exclusively featuring BIPOC artists from around the country.

An opening reception for Seamless will take place on Thursday, July 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. Art150 is open on weekends in July from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and by appointment. The gallery will also be open for an art crawl on July 27 from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Art150 Gallery is located at 157A First St., Jersey City.
UPDATE: Military jets fly formation over N.J. to celebrate sky refueling centennial

The U.S. Air Force will celebrate 100 years of air refueling on Tuesday with large flyovers visible in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, including a 15-jet formation of tankers and huge transport planes over the Jersey Shore and along the Delaware River.

The flyover by the the 305th Air Mobility Wing in New Jersey will begin from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with one KC-135, eight KC-46s, and six C-17s.

The base says the formations will follow a route along the Jersey Shore starting at about 1 p.m. in Asbury Park, flying south over Barnegat Light, Atlantic City, and Cape May over 25 minutes. The planes will then turn toward Philadelphia along the Delaware Bay and fly north along the Delaware River to the Trenton area before turning east on a route along I-195 and back to the base.

UPDATE: The mobility wing announced a second formation will follow shortly after the first.

There will be TWO waves of formations, according to an announcement Tuesday morning on social media. If you miss us the first time around, youll have more chance 20 minutes later!

A separate flyover in New York begins at 1:23 p.m. over Ithaca and formations will continue over cities such as Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester and Albany.

 Heads up New Yorkers!  There has been a change in times to tomorrows flyovers. Checkout the map below for the updated times! Posted by 305th Air Mobility Wing on Monday, June 26, 2023

Air refueling propels our nations air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential, Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of the branchs air mobility command, said in a statement.

U.S. Army Air Service aviators performed the first refueling in the sky on June 27, 1923, by passing gasoline through a hose to an aircraft flying beneath them, according to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Currently, the military is recapitalizing its fleet with the ongoing acquisition of the KC-46A Pegasus, which has greater refueling, cargo and aeromedical evacuation capabilities, according to the Air Force.

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.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Gov. Phil Murphy has hired an attorney whose state-financed report cleared former Gov. Chris Christie of any wrongdoing in the Bridgegate scandal to oversee New Jerseys legal challenge to New York Citys congestion pricing plan.

Murphys move to hire Randy Mastro sparked outrage from a key figure in the Bridgegate scandal, Bridget Anne Kelly, who said she was the victim of misogyny in that report, which was commissioned by Christie a decade ago.

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By Eugene J. Cornacchia

Every year, the School of Nursing at Saint Peters University turns away qualified B.S.N. (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) candidates from the in-demand degree program that has been shown to deliver better patient outcomes while providing greater professional opportunities to undergraduates. The reason? Facility and space constraints.

In New Jersey, nursing students complete more than 700 clinical hours in labs, specialized classrooms, simulation training and clinical settings to attain the B.S.N. The labs and simulation equipment on our Jersey City campus, however, are stretched to capacity, operating from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. to accommodate our current undergraduate student-nurses. Regrettably, it is these infrastructure restraints that compel the School of Nursing to cap enrollment at 150 students.

There is a workable solution that will allow Saint Peters to more than double the enrollment of our outstanding B.S.N. program, prepare more highly capable nurses for increasingly complex healthcare environments, as well as address double digit attrition of nurses in our state which now ranks third nationwide for highest need according to the New Jersey Hospital Association. The construction of the new Health Sciences Center at Saint Peters University will do a great deal for our students, most of whom come from New Jersey and will remain in New Jersey after graduation, and positively impact healthcare and the wellbeing of the greater community.

Plans for the two-story facility, to be located at the corner of Montgomery Street and West Side Avenue, will provide 25,000 square feet of space that can accommodate state-of-the-art labs, specialized classrooms and patient simulation areas. When completed, Saint Peters can expand the pipeline of B.S.N. candidates from 150 to 400 students and attract and retain new and highly qualified faculty. Moreover, the Health Sciences Center will serve as a catalyst for the University to grow existing health science majors and introduce sought-after degree programs like physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Saint Peters is uniquely positioned to strengthen the states healthcare workforce. Our School of Nursing has an excellent track recordB.S.N. cohorts consistently achieve 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam  and we offer the R.N. to B.S.N. as well as graduate degree programs for current nurses to advance professionally and meet new and emerging challenges in the healthcare system.

More and more, Saint Peters students, 61% of whom are first-generation college students, are setting their sights on healthcare and STEM fields. Currently, 38% of our undergraduates are enrolled in STEM majors compared to 21% nationwide. Our status as a Hispanic Serving Institution for nearly 25 years and commitment to student success has garnered more than $10 million in federal grants over a 10-year period. Weve set the academic groundwork and support for students whove traditionally been underrepresented in STEM to conduct research, gain valuable internship experience and graduate with degrees that prepares them to make positive contributions in science, medicine, technology and other fields.

The crucial missing piece is facilities. We can provide the pathways for more New Jersey students to pursue productive and rewarding careers. With capital investment from the state, we can start to alleviate New Jerseys dire nursing shortage and play a vital role in educating clinicians and specialists who provide direct patient care. There is an incredible opportunity here to ensure that more of our residents have access to the quality care they need. The new Health Sciences Center at Saint Peters University will have an indelible impact on improving the health of our communities. We urge our legislators to act and support this essential project.

Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., has served as the president of Saint Peters University in Jersey City since 2007. He is currently the longest-serving president among all the public and private colleges and universities in New Jersey.

Send letters to the editor and guest columns for The Jersey Journal to jjletters@jjournal.com.
Watch out, America: Another harebrained attempt to put a third-party candidate on the presidential ballot is gaining steam, a scheme that risks putting Donald Trump back in the Oval Office.

This one comes to us from the group No Labels and its a potent campaign fueled by truckloads of dark money, much of it from conservative donors, and most of it hidden from public view.

This is a dangerous stunt, and weve seen the damage it can do. Jill Stein of the Green Party got just 1 percent of the vote in 2016 but it was enough to tip the election in favor of Donald Trump. The numbers dont lie. Had Stein supporters voted Democrat, Hillary Clinton would have won Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin  enough to make her the first woman president in American history.

Ralph Nader did the same favor for George W. Bush in 2000. In Florida and in New Hampshire, his vote total was enough to knock Al Gore from first place. Both he and Stein were warned, and both ignored the speed bumps and proceeded with their egotistical exercises that did such damage to the country.

Now, No Labels is reading from the same sheet of music. Unlike Stein and Nader, they are presenting themselves as centrists. They are raising tons of money, and they have already secured ballot spots in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon, with Florida, Nevada, and North Carolina next up.

To be clear, America needs to fortify the middle ground in our politics. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, co-chair of the centrist Problem Solvers Caucus, has made himself an indispensable player in Washington by searching, constantly, for consensus on legislation. He played a key role in winning approval for infrastructure spending, the CHIPS Act, and the climate bill.

But rallying support for legislation does not carry the same poison pill as putting a third candidate on the ballot. Gottheimer is firmly opposed to No Labels effort.

The worst thing that could happen is that we inadvertently elect an extremist like Donald Trump, he told us last week.

Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, another moderate in the Problem Solvers Caucus, said the same: I can think of nothing worse than another Trump presidency and no better way of helping him than running a third-party candidate.

For voicing that reality, Schneider was attacked by the people at No Labels, who called him out of step with his voters, as if he was trying to deprive them of viable choices for the presidency. Please.

And is No Labels really centrist? The groups leaders say that if Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is the Republican nominee, they will close up shop and go home. So DeSantis is a centrist?

No Labels hasnt chosen its own candidate yet, but a favorite contender is Sen. Joe Manchin, the conservative Democrat from West Virginia who provides aid and comfort to the MAGA movement by protecting the filibuster in the Senate, giving Republicans veto power over most legislation.

And No Labels leaders say that Trump and Biden are equally unacceptable. We share the concern over Bidens age, but hes no Donald Trump. He supports democracy. He tries to find common ground. He doesnt steal national security documents and refuse to return them. He doesnt deny climate change. He doesnt gush over Vladimir Putin.

We could go on, but this isnt the reasonable and vigorous centrism of someone like Gottheimer: Its an intellectually flaccid surrender, a retreat from the duty to make a choice.

No Labels is on a big fundraising drive. Please, dont give them a penny. Their efforts are a gift for Donald Trump, and a curse for this great country at a time of profound peril.

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He was being shaken down.

That is the reason why political consultant Sean Caddle, 45, hired two hit men to kill one-time associate Michael Galdieri, who was stabbed to death and his second-floor Jersey City apartment set ablaze in 2014, federal prosecutors say.
The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch is airing the 9th episode of its 4th season on Tuesday, June 27 at 9 p.m. You can watch live as it airs on Philo (free trial).

Heres the information youll need to watch The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch on History Channel or via a free live stream online.

How to watch The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch without cable

If youre a cord-cutter or dont have cable, you can live stream The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch on either of the following streaming platforms:

Philo (free trial)

Fubo TV (free trial)

What time is The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch on TV?

The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch continues its 4th season on Tuesday, June 27 at 9 p.m. on History Channel. It will air after a new episode of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch: Digging Deeper at 9 p.m.

The series features astrophysicist Dr. Travis Taylor as he and his team work with real estate tycoon Brandon Fugal.

What channel is History Channel?

You can use the channel finder on your providers website to locate it: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish.

How to watch The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch online on-demand

If you missed an episode of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch or want to binge watch the series online when it becomes available, check out either of the following streaming platforms:

Philo (free trial)

Fubo TV (free trial)

What is The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch about?

According to the official History Channel website:

The investigation of the worlds most mysterious hot spot for UFO and High Strangeness phenomena continues as astrophysicist Dr. Travis Taylor returns to join real estate tycoon Brandon Fugal, along with his team of scientists and researchers on Utahs notorious Skinwalker Ranch. In this groundbreaking second season, the team goes deeper and higher than ever before, applying cutting edge technology to investigate the 512-acre property to uncover the possibly otherworldly perpetrators behind it all. With everything from mysterious animal deaths to hidden underground workings and possible gateways that open to other dimensions, witness the close encounters that go beyond conventional explanation, as the team risks everything to finally reveal the ultimate secret of Skinwalker Ranch.

Heres a look at The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, courtesy of History Channels official YouTube channel:

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Joseph Rejent covers TV, writing about live television, streaming services and cord-cutting. He can be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: Slate Belt tornado confirmed from Mondays storms

Wind toppled trees as strong storms ripped through the Lehigh Valley on Monday, spawning possible tornadoes and large hail.

But rising water presented a more immediate threat Monday evening. Flash flood warnings followed a day of severe storms and drenching rain. Another flood watch has been issued for Tuesday.

Half an inch of precipitation was officially recorded at Lehigh Valley International Airport but other areas saw significantly more. A report fielded by the National Weather Service showed 2.87 inches of rain in the Martins Creek area of Northampton County.

The heavy rain upstream pushed creeks over their banks and flooded low-lying areas and roads. The weather service documented a car stuck on a water-covered road in Tatamy, where another road was reportedly washed out. In New Jersey, Route 57 was closed for flooding in Franklin Township, and NJDOT said two lanes of I-80 were flooded near the Allamuchy rest area just east of Warren County.

MORE: Some areas just got a months worth of rain in a single day

Three tornado warnings were issued Monday in or near the Valley. The first around 2:15 p.m. was for eastern Berks County and northwestern Lehigh County. That was followed a little over an hour later with a warning in the Slate Belt and western Warren County, and another nearly simultaneously in Hunterdon County.

It is not yet clear if any tornadoes touched down. The weather services regional office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said it is too early to make that determination  the expert staff must first review damage reports before deciding whether to send a survey team that can confirm a tornado. A decision is expected Monday night though the teams probably wont be dispatched until Tuesday.

There were reports of wind damage during Mondays storms. Trees were broken or fell in South Whitehall and Lehigh townships, with more reported in a wide area of Lower Mount Bethel Township, according to the weather services publicly compiled reports. Gusts knocked down still more in Belvidere and Liberty Township. Some trees landed on wires in Blairstown.

Wind also was blamed for knocking down a utility pole on I-80 in East Stroudsburg, according to the National Weather Service. In Berks County, PennDOT reported a stretch of Route 222 between Kutztown and Reading was closed early Monday evening for another downed pole.

MORE: Every tornado on record in the Lehigh Valley, and what to do when another strikes

But wind wasnt the only hazard in the storms. Half-inch hail fell Monday in Northampton Borough, and in Fredericksburg in Berks County, according to reports compiled by the National Weather Service. Kunkletown in Monroe County saw hail that size twice on Monday, first in the morning storms then again in the afternoon.

Even bigger hailstones, almost nine-tenths of an inch, was reported in the Saylorsburg area of Monroe County. One-inch hail was reportedly seen in Woodbridge, a New Jersey township near Staten Island and about 50 miles east of Easton.

Lightning flashes over North Whitehall Township in Lehigh County. Severe thunderstorm warnings spawned strong winds, large hail and tornado warnings in and around the Lehigh Valley on June 26, 2023.Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

Power outages generally were sporadic around the Lehigh Valley. Outage maps by FirstEnergy companies including Met-Ed and JCP&L showed areas of New Jersey were hit especially hard. At times, at least 2,000 customers in Warren County and up to 4,000 in Hunterdon were without power, but two central counties, Morris and Somerset, each had more than 12,000 outages late in the afternoon.

Blackouts appeared more scatted in Pennsylvania. There were a few hundred reports in Northampton and Lehigh counties, with clusters of dozens in Carbon and Monroe counties, according to FirstEnergy and PPL maps. PPL at one point showed more than 3,000 customers without power around Emmaus but that was addressed in a few hours. The lights went out for approximately 600 more in east Bethlehem late in the afternoon. Farther west, FirstEnergy reported more than 2,500 outages in Berks County.

By 7:30 p.m., power was restored to most of Berks and the Lehigh Valley, though 500 remained in the dark in Easton.

The chance of rain and thunderstorms will persist through midweek. The recent storms do mean the Lehigh Valley has now seen measurable rainfall for four consecutive days, which hasnt happened since the end of April, according to weather service measurements at LVIA. However, the Lehigh Valley entered Monday 4 inches below normal precipitation on the year.

Though it seems to contrast Monday nights short-term flood danger, most of Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey are experiencing a moderate drought, at least as of last weeks U.S. Drought Monitor report. Pennsylvania is under a statewide drought watch, which means residents are requested to reduce water consumption.

Current weather radar

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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
I recently received an email from a student (Ill call her Ruth) from my days at Cayuga Community College who had been in one of my classes on sleep and dreams about 30 years ago. She had recently read my book on sleep, dreams and hypnosis, "Your Genius Within," which helped her to remember some of the things we had discussed in class.

She decided to reach out to me now because she was still baffled and troubled by a recent series of nightmares that were continuing to keep her awake at night and disturb her peace of mind during the day.

We reviewed the idea that dreams are messages from a deep level of consciousness and often contain insights and wisdom that help us cope with the challenges of life. We then went on to apply ideas from more recent research in psychology and neuroscience.

An article from the June 5, 2023, edition of The Scientific American discusses the concept of emotional digestion and points to our dream life as an important tool that helps us deal with our emotions and memories.

There is a part of the brain called the amygdala that is crucial to the regulation of emotions and also the preservation or deletion of memories. The amygdala operates on the principle that events that trigger strong emotions should be remembered, and those with little emotional charge are safe to forget. This makes sense since our ancestors lived in a world of survival where it was necessary to remember important dangers for future reference.

When memories are associated with strong emotions, such as in times of disaster, they are vivid. People who were around on 9/11 can tell you exactly where they were when they heard the news. Similarly, people alive a generation ago vividly remembered where they were when they learned of the John F. Kennedy assassination. And a generation before that, Pearl Harbor created indelible recall. On a personal level, those of us who have experienced things like a serious car accident or family tragedy also experience that same vivid recall. On the other hand, I may not even remember the name of the boring movie I saw just last week.

This simple rule worked well for our ancestors but may not be the best strategy in our modern world. It could be crucial for me to remember details of a boring lecture or the complexity of a business deal important for my job. On the other hand, its probably best not to have intense emotional recall of the minor traffic accident that happened last month.

Heres where our dreams play an important role. They tone down unnecessary emotions but retain important information we will need later. So, if I have an experience during the day that my mind decides should be remembered, the dreaming mind diffuses any strong emotions but keeps the appropriate recall that might be useful in the future. If the intense emotions were preserved along with the relevant memories, we could become overwhelmed, as in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dreams help us remember without the associated disturbing emotions being too intense. Nightmares are important in this regard because they help us wrestle with especially intense emotions without flushing away the memories that may be necessary in the future.

For most of us, most of the time, dreams are diligently performing this complex task below the level of consciousness. It is not necessary for us to recall our dreams in order for this to work. But vivid repetitive nightmares suggest that something has gotten out of balance. So then, conscious work with dreams can help set things right.

In looking over her dream journal from 30 years ago, Ruth was struck by the contrast between those dreams and those disturbing her now. It became clear that she was dealing with issues of starting an adult life back then. Now, issues of aging and loss were taking center stage. All of her children had left home, her parents had died and a sister was terminally ill. When she understood that her violent nightmares were a result of her inner struggle with loss, she began to deal with those issues more consciously. Her dreams were able to recede into the unconscious, and her sleep became more peaceful.

Research cited in The Scientific American article also suggests that since dreams reflect our struggle with emotions and memory, working with them may be an important tool in combating memory loss associated with aging.
Hundreds of flights at the area airports have already been canceled Tuesday morning following a day of severe thunderstorms with more rainy, windy weather ahead.

Airlines that operate out of Newark Liberty International Airport have canceled 140 flights as of 7:40 a.m. with another 66 scrapped at LaGuardia and 21 more grounded at John F. Kennedy airports, according to FlightAware.com. Ten scheduled departures out of Philadelphia International Airport have also been canceled. Dozens more are delayed.

Thunderstorms with strong wind gusts and possible hail are expected to develop as early as midday and threaten the state through the afternoon and evening, forecasters say.

One to 2 inches of rain likely and up to 3 inches is possible where the heaviest rain falls.

Parts of New Jersey already received 3 to 5 inches of rain during Mondays storms.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com
UPDATE: Possible tornado damage under investigation in 2 N.J. counties

A day after New Jersey got soaked with heavy rain, another wet day is ahead Tuesday with the potential for another round of thunderstorms, gusty winds, hail and additional flooding

While Tuesday isnt as expected to be as stormy, precipitation is likely to start around noon and become widespread this afternoon, especially away from the coast, the National Weather Service said.

Some spots in northern New Jersey already picked up more than 5 inches of rain in Mondays storms with widespread totals of 3 inches in Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.

Randolph in Morris County received 5.41 inches of rain. Columbia and Washington in Warren County got 5.34 and 5.04 inches, respectively, the weather service said. Parsippany got 4.49 inches and Denville got 4.3 inches.

With the next round of storms today, the weather service has issued a flood watch starting at noon for Hunterdon, Morris, Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties and runs through the evening. Previous overnight flood warnings for five of those counties expired at 7 a.m.

UPDATE (2:15 p.m.): The flood watch has been expanded to include Camden and Gloucester counties, along with northwestern Burlington and western Monmouth.

The National Weather Service is calling for another rainy afternoon and evening in New Jersey. Gusty winds, flooding and hail are all possible.National Weather Service

Forecasters say scattered showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected this evening with 1 to 2 inches of rain likely and up to 3 inches where the heaviest rain falls.

Temperatures will climb into the low to mid 80s this afternoon before dropping into the 60s at night.

While showers and thunderstorms are possible later Tuesday, there will be peeks of sun Tuesday in northeaster New Jersey, the weather service said.National Weather Service

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are again possible Wednesday, though drier air moving is expected to limit how widespread and the severity. Highs will be in the upper 70s and low 80s.

Thursday should be mainly dry with some sun and highs in the low 80s, but more rain could be on the way Friday and over the weekend.

Flight cancellations are an issue Tuesday at area airports. There have been 137 flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport canceled as of 7:15 a.m. with another 14 delayed, according to FlightAware.com. There have also been cancellations at LaGuardia (66), John F. Kennedy International (21) and Philadelphia International.

NJ Transit train service on the Gladstone Branch remains suspended due to downed trees. There are 30 minute delays on the Bergen and Main lines due to signal issued near Ridgewood.

Current weather radar

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com
UPDATE: 1 tornado confirmed in N.J. Another touched down along N.J.-Pa. border.

A team of meteorologists from the National Weather Service will be inspecting damage at several locations in western New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania Tuesday to determine whether any tornadoes touched down during Mondays violent thunderstorms.

The survey team is planning to head to one area between Martins Creek in Northampton County, Pennsylvania to Belvidere in Warren County, and another area near Flemington and Readington in Hunterdon County, the weather services Mount Holly office said.

Those areas were among the locations placed under a tornado warning Monday afternoon when the weather service noticed cloud rotation  one of the key signs of a possible funnel cloud  on radar.

(This was one of the tornado warnings issued on Monday, June 26)

Tornado Warning including Somerville NJ, Raritan NJ and Flemington NJ until 3:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/dXQ2mImYpj  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 26, 2023

The weather service is expecting to complete its damage survey by Tuesday evening.

New Jersey faces the threat of additional rain showers and thunderstorms  some of which could become severe  on Tuesday afternoon and into the evening.

With the new round of storms having the potential to drop heavy rain today, the weather service has issued a flood watch starting at noon for Hunterdon, Morris, Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. The watch will be active through the evening.

A flood warning was issued Tuesday morning for the Rockaway River in Boonton in Morris County, effective until just after midnight, with minor flooding expected in that area.

More than 7,000 homes and businesses remain without power from Mondays storms as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Current weather radar

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Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely - heavy rainfall is possible, especially this evening. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely - heavy rainfall is possible, especially this evening. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
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.

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India is now second to United States in terms of largest road network around the world. India has beaten China to the second spot by adding 1.45-lakh km of road network since 2014. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held a press conference on Tuesday, sharing his ministry's achievements during his tenure so far. In the past nine years, India has added a number of greenfield expressways. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is almost completed constructing the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway , India's longest ever.

Gadkari said India's road network was 91,287 kms nine years ago. Under Gadkari's tenure, NHAI has been on a construction spree of new national highways and expressways in the past few years. Since April 2019, the NHAI has constructed more than 30,000 kms of highways across the country, including major expressways like the one that connects Delhi with Meerut, or Lucknow with Ghazipur in UP.

Gadkari also mentioned the contribution of NHAI which recorded as many as seven world records during this period. In May this year, the NHAI laid 100 kms of new expressway within 100 hours. The landmark was achieved during construction of the upcoming Ghaziabad-Aligarh Expressway in Uttar Pradesh. In August last year, NHAI set the Guinness World Record by successfully constructing the 75 km continuous single bituminous concrete road between Amravati and Akola on NH-53 in a record time of 105 hours and 33 minutes.

During the press conference, Gadkari also pointed out how revenue from roads and highways have also increased under his tenure. He informed that toll collection has gone up to 41,342 crore from 4,770 crore nine years ago. He said the Centre now aims to increase toll revenue to 1.30 lakh crore. Gadkari also said how usage of FASTags has helped in cutting down long queues at the toll plazas. According to the minister, the average time a vehicle spends now at toll plazas is 47 seconds. He said his ministry is trying to reduce the time further to below 30 seconds soon.

First Published Date:
New Orleans will play a significant role this year in a national celebration of Black hair, with several events at Essence Festival of Culture starting this weekend.

The events coincide with the fourth anniversary of California passing the CROWN Act, which outlawed discrimination based on hair style and texture. In the years since, 23 states have passed either the same law or a related one, including Louisiana.

On Friday, June 30, theres an Essence Beautycon panel called For the Love of Black Beauty that includes comedian and actress Kym Whitley, celebrity hairstylist Camille Friend and Dre Brown of Dove.

Then on Saturday, July 2, Tai Beauchamp will host the CROWN Awards, which honors Black women and girls whose talents and leadership help advance the legacy of Black beauty and brilliance. Rap pioneer MC Lyte, TikTok vegan cooking guru Tabitha Brown,

Houma-born actress and Beasts of the Southern Wild star Quvenzhane Wallis, CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller and many others will attend.

The festivities wrap up on Monday, July 3, National CROWN Day, with a CROWNs & Conversations breakfast in the city. Plus, TV newscasters across the country are encouraged to show off their natural and protective hairstyles on air that day.

Louisianas version of the law, which went into effect last summer, bans schools and workplaces from discriminating based on a persons natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle. That includes many Black hairstyles including afros, dreadlocks and braids as well as hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

Black people have faced backlash for their hair across the country, including locally. In 2018, employees at Christ the King Elementary School in Terrytown refused to let an 11-year-old Black girl attend class because they said her braids violated a new school policy. Last year, that girl, Faith Fennidy, presented an award at last years CROWN Awards at Essence Fest.

Still, just earlier this year Dalon Thorn, a 7th grader at Calvary Baptist School in Slidell, said his principal asked him if him wearing braids meant he was a gangster. In both cases, parents decided to switch their children to different schools.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On June 25th, Paragonage, a Chinese supplier of sodium ion battery solutions, signed an agreement to settle its sodium ion battery R&D headquarters and manufacturing project in Xishan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account.

Photo credit: Paragonage

With a total investment of 2.62 billion yuan and a planned land area of 200 mu (around 133,333 square meters), the project will establish a sodium-ion battery R&D center, a flexible sodium-ion battery pilot production line with an annual capacity of 0.1GWh, and a 5 GWh mass production line. After the project is completed and put into operation, it is expected to achieve an annual output value of over 3 billion yuan and generate annual tax revenue of more than 250 million yuan.

Meanwhile, Paragonage also formed industrial development cooperation with Wuxi Public Utilities Industrial Group Co., Ltd. and Xishan Economic and Technological Development Zone, aiming to seize the "high ground" of sodium-ion battery industry development and accumulate new driving forces for consolidating and developing an electric vehicle industry cluster in Xishan.

Photo credit: Paragonage

Established in 2022 and based in Shenzhen city, Paragonage is a high-tech enterprise focusing on the R&D, production, and sales of sodium-ion battery cells and modules. The company has already developed a rich product matrix, designing and developing a series of products for different application directions, which can be applied in such fields as small power, energy storage, and backup power.

During an interview, Hu Mingxiang, the Chairman of Paragonage, stated that the company will continue to explore in the field of battery cells and solutions. In terms of battery cells, the company initially focused on the field of electric two-wheelers, aiming to reduce costs and increase efficiency by developing lower-cost sodium-ion batteries. It will also delve into the characteristics of rate performance and low-temperature performance, and make efforts in the backup power scenario. In the later stage, leveraging the cost advantages of sodium-ion batteries and abundant resources, it will gradually expand into the field of energy storage.
The report urged the district to improve employee-manager relationships and communication and to staff up in departments that have lost workers, among other recommendations.

School leadership have "concurred with the findings and agree with your recommendations," Superintendent David Martin wrote in a response to Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack.

The Special School District oversees the state schools for deaf and visually impaired students, which share a Baton Rouge campus. It is unique among state education agencies in that it is partly a state agency and partly a school district; that structure results in different operating procedures than a typical education agency or school district, the Legislative Auditor's report says.

The schools have been buffeted by a series of recent structural changes. The Louisiana Legislature in 2012 voted to move the district from beneath the authority of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state's top school board, to the state Department of Education. Then in 2021, state lawmakers voted again to make the district a "standalone educational services agency."
Gene Mills: Post-Roe, we should all agree on the need for paid family leave
SALT LAKE CITY, Ut.A countywide school district outside of Salt Lake City has voted to reinstate the Holy Bible in elementary and middle schools. The school district, based in Davis County, made national headlines and outraged social conservatives the world over when an anonymous parent lobbied the school board to ban the Holy Bible for being vulgar and obscene.

Shortly after, there was speculation that the Book of Mormon would be banned as well. For the Bible's sake, at least, that fate has been reversed. The initial ban prompted protests at the state capitol building, partly organized by the far-right grassroots group Utah Parents United. Protestors wielded picket signs depicting messages like Remove porn, not the Holy Bible. Considering that Utah is dominated by the LDS Church, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are crucial texts to the spiritual communities in these areas. But, in the case of the parent who instigated the Bible ban, the effort was intended as a coutermeasure to attempts around the country to ban books in schools by right-wing pressure groups, challenging that the Bible ... has no serious values for minors because it's pornography by our new definition.

The Bible has incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide, wrote the parent in a petition to the Davis School District board in a filing from December 2022. Citing a new law that was passed by the Utah state legislature in 2022, the parent referred to how the law could classify the Bible as potentially pornographic or indecent.

The school district board ruled unanimously to accept a recommendation by a subcommittee to reinstate the book on middle and elementary school library shelves. In a statement to the press, the district cited the Bibles serious value for minors which outweighs the violent or vulgar content it contains. The board was critical of the parents who voted in a majority to recommend a ban on the Bible in the first place. As this reporter mentioned last week, the conservatives have shot themselves in the foot, as did other social conservatives in the state legislature who simply supported the specific book ban measure because these groups saw certain books as obscene.

Meanwhile, ironically, the Freedom From Religion Foundation ran a full-page ad June 18 in the Salt Lake Tribune (seen above) that pictured the Bible and the Book of Mormon asking to Ban These Books. The foundations ad also states that if the state of Utah and its school boards insist on censoring sensitive material in our public schools  they must start with the Bible and Book of Mormon. The editorial board for the Tribune argued in an op-ed earlier this month that when a government starts banning books, the inevitable result is that somebody somewhere is going to ban a book you like.
An Ilfracombe man who was minutes from death after walking into A&E with a sore leg has completed another fundraising challenge to raise money for the hospital that saved his life.

Richard Barnes spent many months fighting for his life at North Devon District Hospital after being admitted in June 2018.

He survived flesh eating disease necrotising fasciitis, leukaemia, sepsis, a brain seizure, left leg amputation at the hip and a stroke thanks to the quick-thinking, care and treatment of hospital staff.

On Saturday, to mark five years since having his leg amputated, the 53-year-old celebrated his ampuversary with a sponsored walk along the coast path from Ilfracombe to Lee.

I owe the hospital my life several times over, said Richard, who spent seven weeks in the hospitals intensive care unit (ICU), and a further three months in hospital before undergoing chemotherapy, after his leg began to swell on a Sunday afternoon.

Staff quickly realised the situation was serious, and some even rushed to the hospital on their day off.

By some amazing miracle I survived and am able to walk on my crutches and climb the largest sand dunes I can find on Woolacombe beach, added Richard, whose recovery has astonished professionals.

The dad-of-two has since taken on a number of fundraising challenges for North Devon hospital charity Over and Above, including a six-mile walk along the Tarka Trail from Bideford to the Puffing Billy in Torrington, and a cycle from the Puffing Billy to Fremington Quay and back.

The staff at North Devon District Hospital saved my life and I will never be able to thank them enough for the incredible treatment and care I had, he said.

I will always be in their debt which is why I have volunteered to be a fundraiser and in some small way give back.

Hospital charity Over and Above raises money to help North Devons hospitals go the extra mile, providing facilities over and above whats possible with NHS funding.

Over and Above community fundraiser Josh Allan said: Richard is an absolute inspiration and a brilliant ambassador of Over and Above.

Were incredibly proud of his fundraising efforts and very grateful to everyone for their kind donations.

To sponsor Richard online, visit https://overandabove.enthuse.com/pf/richard-barnes-torrswalk.
North Devon can compete with the best in the world, when it comes to manufacturing, says North Devon Council leader Ian Roome after a visit to TDK-Lambda UK in Ilfracombe.

Roome, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon, made a tour of Britain's largest designer and manufacturer of standard and configurable AC-DC and DC-DC power supplies with Tim Puttick, the companys Manufacturing Director and current Chair of the North Devon Manufacturers Association.

Its great to see these highly skilled teams in a state-of-the-art facility, making equipment thats sold all around the world, says Roome. Their commitment to excellence and technological innovation shows that products that are Made in Ilfracombe can compete with the very best.

As a major employer in our area, TDK-Lambda UK is also playing its part in creating skilled jobs and bolstering the local economy  something which is needed now more than ever.

Roome and Puttick also discussed the challenges facing the company, with the housing shortage and recruitment being priority issues.

At North Devon Council, we are working hard to tackle the housing issues facing our area, says Roome. Were supporting the various Community Land Trusts who are aiming to build affordable rental homes, including the Trust in Ilfracombe, and were also looking at various sites to build key worker housing across the district.

We need more places for people to live, so that great local companies like TDK-Lambda UK and public sector bodies like schools and hospitals can hire the people they need. Im really glad to have had the chance to talk Tim because, for me, having the public and private sectors working together brings real benefits to both sides.
My name is Sean! I am a very special adoption. I have been here at the Coconino Humane Association all my life and I so hope to finally get a real home. I am a total goofball who is bound to make your day. I love when I get lots of treats and I have a wonderful fun-loving spirit. I absolutely love love love to play! It has taken me a long time to warm up to people around the shelter as well as my leash, and I am still quite nervous with new people. If you are interested in taking me home you must come and meet me at least five times with my trainer Sydney who works Thurs-Sun. Just ask for her at the front desk. I am a very special dog and hope to find someone who can continue to show me that people and the world arent so scary. View other adoptable pets online at coconinohumane.org.
On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline was simplified from a 10-digit number to 988, making for nearly a year that mental health support has been only three numbers away for Americans with a phone.

Ostensibly the purpose of the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline hadnt changed. It still functions as a free, round-the-clock suicide hotline or mental health support and resource center, but the number of users has trended upward drastically following the introduction of the shorter number.

The government decided wisely that 988 was an easier number to remember. They wanted to make 988 a three-digit number that would hopefully be as memorable to people as 911 is for physical emergencies, said Thomas Bond, the senior director of communications for Solari  which is the company that answers all of the 988 calls made in Arizona.

According to Bond, the three-digit number has helped bring a new wave of awareness to the free mental health hotline.

We have seen a steady increase in calls since launch. The first month was about 3,500 calls, and for the last two months that we have data for  May and April of this year  we have over 5,600 calls. Weve seen it growing steadily month over month as more people learn about the service, Bond said.

He added that the professionals working at 988 want to reach out further, particularly to marginalized communities who might have a greater need for support.

We know that there are some populations, including veterans, tribal communities, African Americans and the LGBTQ+ community who are at higher suicide risk, said Bond.

The main 988 call center operators are equipped and trained to support any person, adults and children alike, through mental health challenges, crises or emergencies.

In order to be hired by Solari, every operator has to have between one and five years of experience in the behavioral health field. They also attend a monthlong training before touching the phone.

Professionals at 988 have also developed specific support lines for veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Callers can be transferred to a specialty operator through 988 who is trained to be more familiar with their experience as a member of an at-risk community.

The operators on these lines have experience veterans or [people] from within the LGBTQ+ community. Theyve also received specific training to help members of these communities to deal with whatever issues they may be facing, Bond said. The operators will have an understanding of things like pronouns and gender identity. Theyll be speaking with someone who can meet them where theyre at and support them not only over the phone, but they can connect them with resources in their community.

Disclosure of gender identity or sexual orientation can be frightening on its own, Bond said.

The operators at 988 understand that, too.

A person can choose to not disclose or disclose whatever theyre comfortable with to the operator. Any information that they provide is purely confidential, Bond said.

Although 988 is often viewed as a suicide or crisis line alone, Bond emphasized the free phone numbers broader uses.

988 serves as a crisis and suicide lifeline, but it also can be used for preventative measures, Bond said. If you are feeling stressed about a situation, if youre having anxiety or depression, youre having relationship issues, whatever it is in peoples lives that may be a crisis to them, we dont define what a crisis is for people, said Bond. We want people to call before something reaches a crisis state in their lives. If youre thinking I just dont feel right today, I need help, thats the time to call.

The 988 services are also available to friends and family members of people who might be facing mental health challenges or contemplating suicide.

People are more than welcome to call for a friend or a loved one. They do not have to call just for themselves. If you have a family member who is suffering, people are welcome to call for third persons as well, Bond said.

Operators who speak both English and Spanish are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, any day of the year. Translators are also available for any language other than English or Spanish.

We are here and we are ready to help people through anything theyre going through, Bond said.
A year ago Saturday, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health that overturned Roe v. Wade, putting abortion rights in flux across the country.

Access in northern Arizona was already limited  which is still the case a year later  yet some steps have been taken toward expanding reproductive healthcare, especially in Flagstaff.

About 25 people gathered in front of Flagstaff City Hall Saturday afternoon as part of a protest organized by the Flagstaff Abortion Alliance (FAA) to advocate for better access to reproductive care. Flagstaff residents had gathered in the same place a year earlier to protest the Supreme Court decision the evening it was announced.

We are trying to keep this issue in the public consciousness and eventually work toward restored services, said Debra Block, one of FAAs founders who helped organize the protest.

She added: I think the actual work towards services is the most important work, but I think keeping this in the public consciousness is also critical. I think people dont understand until they need services, or someone they know needs services, how dire it is.

She referenced the Gender Equity Policy Institutes January State of Reproductive Health in the United States, which found that 6 in 10 women live in a state that limits reproductive care and that those living in a state that banned abortion after Dobbs were up to three times as likely to die in the perinatal period.

We want abortion to be a civil right for all women, and as long as its not, we go back centuries, said Sylvia Huerdna, who has lived in Flagstaff her entire life. Our daughters and our granddaughters, they have less rights than we did as grandmothers; were stepping forward for our sisters and granddaughters and our daughters.

Flagstaff resident Lindsey Spear said she attended the protest with her family to ensure theres a voice to what should be our rights.

I think its always been a battle to have equal rights for womens healthcare, [and] if we dont keep fighting for it, its just going to go away, she said. A lot of times when youre quiet, things slip under the radar and its just accepted as the new normal.

I love doing this sort of stuff for most rights, just because it brings a sense of community to everything and more awareness, added her son, Leo Spear.

Many of those attending the protest saw it as one of several ways to address the need for abortion rights.

To Huerdna and Dan Greenspan (who is Spears husband), voting was the most important way to achieve the goal. Spear said community involvement, awareness of local politics, easy-to-access information and group efforts also have helped.

If nothing else, we have to let everybody know that everybody who feels the same way is not alone, Greenspan said.

Block said she had been advocating for abortion rights since she was 12 years old  before the Roe decision.

Im an advocate for justice. Im an advocate for human rights, civil rights, she said. Its horrifying seeing everything being rolled back right now. I was a child of the 60s and 70s, and we made incredible strides, and now were seeing it ripped away and its horrifying. Now were seeing all these people yell freedom. Freedom for what? Thats not freedom; youre imposing your beliefs on other people.

Access in northern Arizona

Abortion is legal in Arizona through the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, though for Flagstaff residents, the nearest clinics offering abortions are in Phoenix.

In a briefing hosted by the National Institute for Reproductive Health Wednesday, Dr. DeShawn Taylor, the president and CEO of Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, noted that abortion access was being restricted in Arizona even before Dobbs.

Because of the restrictions that had existed prior to the Dobbs decision, people were already having trouble accessing abortion care here, she said. Due to all the restrictions that passed  over 40 of them here in Arizona since 2009  people had to come down essentially to the Phoenix metro area to receive abortion care.

There were already people increasingly self-managing their abortions, there were already people leaving the state who live closer to states where access was more easy for them. ... It is very easy for someone to realize theyre pregnant and then be too far along to have an abortion in our state. Fifteen-week bans are not reasonable.

The most recent advance vital statistics report from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), published in May, covers data from 2021  at least six months before the Dobbs decision. Of 1,500 total pregnancies reported in Coconino County, 1,300 resulted in births, with 190 abortions and 10 fetal deaths (the report rounds numbers for anonymity).

According to its website, Planned Parenthood Arizona currently offers abortion services at its locations in Glendale and Tucson (up to 15 weeks). Its location in Flagstaff, the Flagstaff Health Center, is still open but does not offer abortions. It offers abortion referrals as well as birth control, emergency contraception and pregnancy testing among its other services.

The greatest need Susan Shapiro, who volunteers for FAA and Indivisible Northern Arizona, saw in northern Arizona is access to care within the region.

There are 40 different laws on Arizona books that each one of them creates a little bit more of a barrier, she said. Your appointment has to be in person with a doctor that has access to a local hospital, you cant have pills legally mailed to you and on and on and on. ... It gets back to the fundamentals: can you see a doctor here? Can you get access to the care you need?

When the nearest clinic offering abortion services is over two hours away, those barriers are magnified, she said. Some might have resources to make one trip, but not two, or they arent able to find the childcare to stay between their two appointments required by the waiting period.

She also noted that these difficulties have greater effects on marginalized communities.

For someone who has some privilege, who has money, who can afford to pay for the gas, pay for the service, pay for the childcare, all those kinds of things, you could probably get that done. But if you have either no job or have a minimum-wage-type of job, and youre remote, all of that is magnified even more, she said. I think we need to also keep in mind the voices of people who dont have the resources to be able to access care, especially when its not local.

Alliance efforts

The Abortion Alliance also recently passed its first anniversary, as it was originally formed in response to a leaked draft of the Dobbs decision. In its first year, the organization has staged several events to raise awareness and petitioned city council to adopt a resolution, among its efforts to expand access.

Various subsets of the alliance are currently helping with a statewide ballot initiative as well as working on legislation and asking for clarity on the services available within the state university system.

We realize were not going to close the gap in a day, so any incremental thing we can do, well pursue, Shapiro said.

A statewide coalition is in the early stages of working to get an initiative protecting abortion rights in Arizona on the 2024 ballot. FAA was invited to join the steering committee and will be helping to gather the almost-400,000 signatures needed to put the initiative on the ballot.

Shapiro said she had mixed feelings about the organizations progress over the past year because of the size of the need. Overall, however, she said she was proud of the baby steps FAA had been able to take to reduce the wide gap in care created by the Dobbs decision.

I think were living in a time when the bar is so low and the goal is so high that were happy with any step we can take, but we really feel thats still a wide gap that needs to be filled and were very hopeful about the ballot initiatives, she said.

Shapiro continued: Were grateful that [Gov. Katie Hobbs] been able to veto some of the various horrible legislation, but its a long time til 2024. Assuming we get enough signatures, assuming the ballot initiative passes and becomes law  thats a long way away and theres a huge gap of access to care that exists right in this moment that we are not able to fill.

Contraceptive availability

Students and professors at Northern Arizona University are also working with FAA, asking the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) to clarify what reproductive care the three state universities can offer after the passage of statute 15-1630.

According to that statute, no abortion shall be performed at any facility under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents unless such abortion is necessary to save the life of the woman having the abortion.

The group is asking ABOR to create a tri-university task force to better outline student needs, what services they can offer and how to best communicate them under that statute.

With a change in legislation as a goal, Julian Bernhardt, a student at NAU who leads FAAs university chapter and is the student governments vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), said the idea behind the request for a task force is to understand how to best serve our students within the boundaries of the law.

The law does not say that we cant provide emergency contraception via Plan B; the law does not say that we cannot provide more education on referrals; the law does not say that we cannot form coalitions with other universities in order to address the sexual assault crisis on our campuses, they said. These are things that we really need to be talking about under these circumstances. Students like myself cannot really focus on their education when their life is put on pause due to matters of health.

When students ask Bernhardt for resources on reproductive health, they said they usually send those students off campus  to Desert Star in Phoenix, to FAA, to Coconino County Health and Human Services. Though Campus Health Services is very good at providing STI screening and theyre very good about providing knowledge of certain things, the statute has meant limited reproductive health options at NAU as well as limited knowledge of how to communicate them.

Bernhardt also advised students to seek help from those around them.

Find the people you can trust, find your community. Your community is where its all at in the end, they said. There are students who are passionate about this and there are people who will help you.

The group is also developing ways to meet those needs at NAU.

Another member of the NAU student DEI administration has proposed a sexual orientation program meant to give students an introduction to various aspects of sexual and reproductive health. It would include presentations from healthcare clinics, professors and campus health.

At NAU specifically, Bernhardt said, the groups desire is to work together with the university to expand access to emergency contraception. Theyre starting with an effort to bring a Plan B vending machine to campus.

The DEI administration of student government is working with the local chapter of Planned Parenthood Generation Action and the Abortion Alliance, as well as with other students and campus groups.

Similar machines have been installed at 36 universities across the country, Bernhardt said, providing students with a discreet, low-cost way to access contraceptives.

Plan B is legal. It is not abortion, it is emergency contraception, it should be widely available to the student body. ... This is harm reduction, they explained.  ... We dont want individuals to harm themselves going to seek care, and they shouldnt have to feel the judgment and the taboo. This is not a taboo subject that were talking about; this is your health.

To get the machine to campus, the group needs approval from the building manager, obtain the machine, get funding from partners to keep it supplied and running, and meet with university leaders about what the program looks like.

I think this is going be the last thing I do before I graduate, said Bernhardt, who will be starting senior year in the fall.

They were optimistic that the effort would succeed. They advised northern Arizona residents more generally to stay vigilant as the Dobbs decisions anniversary approached.

We have to remember to stay vigilant and to be ready to hold these individuals accountable, they said. Your voice has power, your vote has power; know your community, know the people around you. Remember that we are all human and that were all here to help each other. But remember that when its time, we need to vote them out because this cannot happen again. And it will happen again. It will continue to happen again if we dont do something about it.

Shapiro cautioned against focusing on exceptions in discussing abortion access.

At the end of the day, I think our focus should be on trusting women, she said. Trusting women and giving women freedom to make choices  and I include people who can get pregnant in that  freedom to make their own choices about their body.

More about FAA can be found on the local Womens March Facebook page: facebook.com/womensmarchflagstaff/.

Correction:

This article has been updated to reflect that Planned Parenthood Arizona does provide abortion services to minors.
Thirty minutes after midnight on Tuesday morning, a vehicle crashed into a utility pole near East Butler Avenue and South Babbitt Drive, disabling the Flagstaff Police Departments nonemergency phone line.

According to the Flagstaff Fire Department, a single car had rolled, hitting the pole. By the time FFD arrived, the vehicle was on fire. The two people that were in the car were helped out by bystanders and one was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center to be treated for injuries.

A power pole and stoplight were both damaged in the early-morning crash, according to Flagstaff police. The police department's nonemergency number was out of service and remained out of service until about 3:30 p.m. June 27.

As of about 2 p.m. on June 27, the traffic light was still out of commission, and officers were on scene helping to direct traffic. Utility workers were also on site working to restore service in a cherry picker.

The Coconino County Sheriffs Office nonemergency line is working now, so community members are encouraged to use that number at 928-774-4523. Residents can also file reports online at flagstaff.az.gov.

Any 911 calls are also being routed through Arizona Department of Public Safety, and according to FPD spokesperson Jerry Rintala, officers are still responding normally to calls for service.

Its just one extra step in the chain to get people dispatched, Rintala said. When lines go down, it can affect different aspects of normal everyday business, but weve always found a workaround and gotten people the services they need.
The Indiana Court of Appeals has no problem with a 6-year maximum sentence being issued to a Gary man who intentionally lit his girlfriend on fire during an argument, causing permanent disfigurement.

Patrick A. Gamble, 34, pleaded guilty last year to domestic battery, a level 5 felony, and was ordered by Lake Superior Judge Gina Jones to serve the longest possible prison term permitted by his plea agreement, according to court records.

Records show Gamble and his girlfriend were arguing Oct. 30, 2021, in the home they shared with her 4-year-old son when Gamble poured lighter fluid on the woman's body and used a lighter to set her on fire.

The woman rolled on the floor to try to extinguish the flames. But she still suffered third-degree burns and permanent scarring on the right side of her body, according to court records.

Records show Gamble also instructed the woman not to tell anyone about the incident or she and her son would find out "what it's like to actually be set on fire."

In his appeal, Gamble argued that a six-year sentence, the maximum permitted by Indiana law for a level 5 felony, was inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and his character.

Appeals Judge Paul Mathias, writing for a unanimous three-judge panel, was unpersuaded.

Mathias said the nature of this offense is among the worst imaginable under the crime of domestic violence as it involved deliberately lighting a domestic partner on fire while her 4-year-old child was in the house.

Likewise, as to Gamble's character, Mathias noted: "Gamble has not led a law-abiding life."

Mathias said Gamble's three prior felony convictions, including burglary and retail theft, and several misdemeanor convictions, along with four past probation violations, weigh against any reduction in his prison term.

"We hold that Gamble's 6-year sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender," Mathias said.

Gamble still can ask the Indiana Supreme Court to consider reviewing his sentence. Otherwise, his earliest possible release date, assuming good behavior, is Oct. 12, 2026, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.

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CROWN POINT  Trial proceedings began on Monday for a 66-year-old man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl in October 2017, according to court records.

Charging documents stated that on Oct. 16, 2017, Harold France, of East Chicago, followed a 15-year-old girl while she was walking home, trapped her in an alley and raped her.

France was charged in February 2018 with two counts of rape, attempted rape, criminal confinement, armed robbery, intimidation and battery by means of a deadly weapon, court records stated.

If convicted, France faces up to 80 years in prison on the two counts of rape alone.

The woman who France purportedly assaulted described to jurors on Tuesday how she was walking to meet her mom around 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2017 after hanging out at a friends house in East Chicago, when she heard someone behind her.

She said France then put her in a chokehold, covered her eyes and dragged her into an alley behind two businesses on Main St.

France then pulled a knife on her and asked the then 15-year-old if she wanted to live or die, she told jurors. The woman, now 21, said she believes they were behind Genovos Pizza, located at 3820 Main St., because she smelled pizza emanating from the building.

She said France threw her on the ground and she began to recite No weapon brought against you shall prosper, a Christian prayer to ward off evil. She told jurors that he eventually forced her to perform oral sex on him, and he told her if she didnt comply he would get his friend and they would pimp her out.

The woman described how at one point during the attack, France purportedly held a pocket knife to her neck and told her dont scream, as two people walked past them in the alley. He then took her phone and told her not to tell anyone or hed kill her, according to court records.

After the assault, the woman said she ran down the street to R&R Jerk Chicken and had them call the police.

An R&R employee testified on Monday that when the victim arrived at the restaurant, they told her to spit in a cup for evidence collection, because she had told employees that she was forced to perform oral sex.

Another East Chicago man, Jerome Watson, was initially charged with then 15-year-olds sexual assault. Watson was initially charged because she identified him in a photo-lineup, according to charging documents.

The charges against Watson were dropped in January 2018, when investigators got a DNA hit for France, the probable cause affidavit stated.

Frances attorney John Cantrell asked the victim if she could see the man who assaulted her clearly that night, as it was dark. She said she could not, as he forcibly pressed his thumbs into her eyes every time she looked at him.

France was charged in February 2018 with another rape in East Chicago, which purportedly occurred just four days before the 15-year-old girls assault.

When he was arrested for the other sexual assault, he was wearing the same clothing that the 15-year-old had described her attacker as wearing, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Court records indicate that France has a long history of sexual assault charges. Not including the aforementioned alleged assaults, France has been charged with five sexual assaults since 1972, records stated.

Cantrell filed a motion ahead of trial that prevents prosecutors from mentioning Frances criminal history.

Frances trial is set to continue on Wednesday in Judge Samuel Cappass courtroom.
HAMMOND  Police are seeking tips in the wake of a fatal shooting death over the weekend at the Luke gas station at 5105 State Line Ave.

Hammond police said they were called out around 2 a.m. Sunday in response to a report of shots fired and were told by witnesses that the gunfire came from the parking area and that everyone had fled the area.

Local officers were then contacted by Chicago police that a 33-year-old man had come into a hospital there and later died from a gunshot wound, Hammond Police Department Lt. Steve Kellogg said.

The deceased was identified by police as Ronnie Martin of Chicago.

Police seeking armed suspects following 'serious' offense in Region home "This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be made available when it is prudent to do so," police said.

"Detectives believe that Martin was a passenger in an involved vehicle when shot at the Luke's gas station," Kellogg said.

Detectives are investigating and ask that anyone with information about the crime contact Hammond Police Detective Sgt. Shawn Ford at 219-852-2998.
LAPORTE  The much anticipated demolition of the old LaPorte Hospital began Monday after being replaced with a new hospital a short distance away nearly three years ago.

The work started with skid steers ripping pieces of metal trim and other items from the surface on the main level of the seven story structure, which opened in 1972.

LaPorte resident Bill Netzer, who was part of a demolition crew that cleared the former downtown industrial site for the hospital to be constructed, went down memory lane as he watched the beginning of the tear down.

The reason we got the job was we guaranteed it to be down at ground level for $84,000 in eight weeks, he said.

The 7-acre site housed a former Allis Chalmers machine shop no longer operating when the farm machine manufacturing company donated the property to construct the hospital, said Leigh Morris, president and CEO of LaPorte Hospital from 1978 to 1999.

The community was previously served by the long established Holy Family Hospital and Community Hospital, which no longer exist, he said.

Morris said the hospital was a symbol of the community banding together for six years to negotiate a merger of the two hospitals and raising money to help build what was then a state-of-the-art facility.

He said the hospital also represented a major step forward in terms of health care for the community.

Until now, all of the demolition work occurred strictly on the inside.

Gary-based Brandenburg Industiral Service Co. was hired to tear down the building and should be finished before the end of the year, said Ashley Dickinson, CEO of Northwest Health.

LaPorte Hospital, later known as IU Health, was purchased by Community Health Systems in 2016, then became Northwest Health in a rebranding of the private health care provider.

Northwest Health also has hospitals near Valparaiso and in Knox.

Dickinson said the former LaPorte Hospital site will be graded and seeded to prepare it for redevelopment at some point.

No decisions have been made on what the site will become.

Our end goal is to develop it with the right partner and, in accordance with the vision of the city, she said.

LaPorte Mayor Tom Dermody said one of his ideas is to turn the space into some type of public gathering place with events to further downtown revitalization.

He also mentioned new housing and retail as among the other good possibilities for the property.

Theres a variety of options and I look forward to seeing Northwest Healths leadership on this and how the city can support it, he said.

Dermody also complimented Northwest Health for working with the city in the ongoing process of determine future use of the property.

We appreciate them including us with some of our ideas. Were excited to see for the future what this is going to look like, he said.

The new $125 million four-story Northwest Health hospital opened in the fall of 2020 about a block away at 1331 State St.

Netzer credited the demolition crew with its work, so far.

Theyre separating the steel from the paint. Theyre professionals, he said.

Morris said the demolition marks a time of sadness and reflection but also a necessary step probably into the future

Times change. Things have to change with the times. Im very, very sorry to see that building go. I think it had a lot of assets to it, but if it didnt meet the needs of the people going forward then, perhaps, the best thing to do is to replace it, he said.

Close Pride marchers prepare to make their way through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers prepare to make their way through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Sierra Vasquez sports a Pride flag following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers walk down Broadway by the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Suzanne Green waves Pride flags following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers walk through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Amanda Smith, left, and Victoria Travis show off their face decorations following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. PHOTOS: IUN holds its second annual Pride Walk Pride marchers prepare to make their way through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers prepare to make their way through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Sierra Vasquez sports a Pride flag following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers walk down Broadway by the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Suzanne Green waves Pride flags following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Led by Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the IUN Department of Communications Patrick Johnson, pride marchers walk through the campus during Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk. Amanda Smith, left, and Victoria Travis show off their face decorations following Monday's Indiana University Northwest Pride walk.
PORTAGE  The Kiwanis Club of Portage has opened a Little Free Library at Perry Park, 5499 Tulip Ave.

Nancy Simpson, CEO of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Dyan Leto, Superintendent of Portage Parks, and members of the Kiwanis Club of Portage were present for the celebration.

Patti Boyer, Kiwanis Club president, talked about how the project got started.

She said she received notice from Kiwanis-Indiana Districts Childrens Fund saying there was a grant opportunity available for area clubs who were interested in receiving the Free Little Library kit. The club's application was accepted.

Club members worked with the citys park department to select the park and location for the library.

The park department has been partnering with the Portage Kiwanis Club for many years now with the successful Breakfast with the Easter Bunny program, so we were excited to have another one of their community projects in one of our parks, said Dyan Leto, park superintendent.

Free Little Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring reading, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book exchange boxes.

Its vision is to have a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader.

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," Boyer said.

Perry Park provides the perfect location to serve families in the large surrounding neighborhood.

Little Free Library is a free book exchange, encouraging readers to take a book and share a book.

"If you dont have a book to share thats OK. You can still take a book to read," Boyer said.

Along with receiving the Little Free Library, the club also received a check for $275 to buy books for the library.

So far we havent had to purchase books," Boyer said. "News spread fast about the library and Portage community members have already been generously donating books."

She said 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.

In Portage, the Kiwanis Club is celebrating its 26th anniversary of positively impacting Portage Township children and families. Popular annual programs 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.
MERRILLVILLE  Having a criminal record makes every aspect of daily life  from finding stable housing to getting a job  an uphill battle.

This year more than 600,000 people will be released from state and federal prisons across the country. However, U.S. Department of Justice data shows that at least half of those formerly incarcerated people will be rearrested at some point.

The Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters, or IKORCC, hopes to change this statistic by helping ex-offenders transition into a good-paying career.

"They get out and they try to do whats right, but they cant because of their background so their only resort is to go back in (to prison) to be able to eat and have a roof over their heads," Nick Pollock of the IKORCC said. We strongly feel that all we have to do is give someone an opportunity and it can change their life."

At any given time there are about two million people sitting behind bars in the U.S. America has the highest imprisonment rate in the world and, according to the Sentencing Project, Black Americans are incarcerated in state prisons at nearly five times the rate white Americans are.

Though the majority of people in prison are serving time for non-violent offenses, just having a conviction can be a deal-breaker for many employers. A 2018 report from the Sentencing Project found the unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people was nearly five times higher than the unemployment rate for the general United States population.

The Northwest Indiana Hub of the IKORCC, a trade union that represented nearly 35,000 members in three states, is in the beginning stages of an initiative that would create career pathways for people who are still incarcerated.

We dont care where you came from we dont judge you by your past, its where you are now. If youre somebody who wants to learn a trade and better yourself, well give you that opportunity," Travis Williams, of the IKORCC, said.

In 2022, the IKORCC established an "articulation agreement" with the Westville Correctional Facility. The agreement provides the prison with a curriculum that will train incarcerated Individuals so they can enter the IKORCC's apprenticeship program upon release. As a "pre-apprentice," what the IKORCC calls trainee's six-month probationary period, students already earn $19.12-an-hour plus another $22.54 in benefits-an-hour. Throughout the four-year apprentice program, students will also earn an associates degree from Ivy Tech.

Pollock and Williams began to talk with the nonprofit United Way Northwest Indiana about the potential for a prison job training program about a year ago. Williams said he was "mind-blown" after touring the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City and seeing all the carpentry, masonry and welding work inmates were already doing there.

"There's a lot of talent inside that facility," he said. "If we can teach them a skill, then they already have a pathway when they get out."

Changing "generational curses"

I was born and raised in Gary and I feel like, especially being an African American male, Ive been judged my whole life," Williams said.

Now, working as a business representative for IKORCC, Williams is trying to change the narrative of his community. He promotes the trades everywhere he can  from local high schools to the lumber section of Home Depot. Traditionally, Williams said the trades were seen as a "last resort" for people who didn't have good enough grades for college.

"Now people are realizing were professionals, we have degrees, every single one of our apprentices finished that apprenticeship with a free degree," Williams explained.

Mass incarceration is deeply rooted in poverty; a study from the Prison Policy Initiative found people who go to jail are disproportionately likely to have incomes under $10,000.

"A lot of times we are products of our environment so its not that you wanted to go down that path, its just thats what you were around, thats what you knew, you just needed somebody to guide you in the right direction," Pollock said.

Helping former inmates develop marketable skills has the potential to "change generational curses" Williams explained.

People have long gravitated towards the trades after leaving from prison because there are less background checks, this has also opened them up to exploitation.

A 2021 Guardian report found that nonunion labor brokers in the New York construction industry target workers who have recently been released from prison, offering them low wages and few safety protections. Because looking for work is often a condition of parole, people with records are often desperate.

"When youre asking a construction worker to walk over an opening 20-feet above the ground with no handrails and theyre doing it because they have to get that check at the end of the week to put food on the table, they're not going to argue about the safety on the job," Pollock said. Theyre willing to literally put their life at risk to get a project done."

For members of the IKORCC, both safety and regular raises are literally written into their contract.

While the initiative is still being developed, the ultimate goal is to get formerly incarcerated people who have graduated the IKORCC's apprenticeship program to serve as 'ambassadors," leading presentations at the Westville and Michigan City facilities, showing current inmates that there are good careers waiting for them on the outside.

PHOTOS: Dredging of Cedar Lake begins Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake Dredging Cedar Lake
Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Stonewall Inn Monday  the site of the 1969 riot viewed as sparking the modern L.G.B.T.Q. rights movement  to pledge her support to the community, lament the threats it faces, and take selfies with the assembled drinkers on the day after the citys Pride march.

Gay Pride was yesterday so Im like blerrgggh, Kurt Kelly, a co-owner of the bar, said to the vice president, waving his hand next to his head.

I get it, Ms. Harris commiserated. She was accompanied on her visit by the television host Andy Cohen. The morning after, the vice president added.

As patrons of the bar held up phone cameras and cheered for Ms. Harris, Mr. Cohen asked her the only question permitted during the visit: Tell us something that we can be optimistic about this Pride season.
Ive been recently experimenting with shorter pants, something I can wear with a blazer, or simply a T-shirt or a sweater. Ive been hemming some of them, but whats too short? I want to stay away from Capri pants/clown pants territory. How do you know when you are doing it right?  Pavel, Athens

The male ankle! Or mankle. (I love word hybrids.) Of all the body parts to be a source of controversy, this is one of the oddest. Yet the question of whether to show or not to show the masculine talus (the official name of that knobby bone between the tibia, fibula and heel) has been a topic of debate for years. In 2005, Thom Browne, the designer who has almost single-handedly been trying to raise mens hemlines, told The New York Times that the ankle was the new male cleavage.

Though he now mostly wears shorts, Mr. Browne said, when I asked him recently: When I did wear trousers, I wore them just above my ankle bone, and I loved them at that length. It annoyed people, and I loved that.

And, indeed, when a guy struts around showing off that strip of skin, people react in the same way. They stare. They scratch their heads. They write articles about it  like this one. Recently The Australian Financial Review asked, Is It Ever OK for Men to Flash Their Ankles in the Office? (That is not a joke.)

Once a subject of derision popularly mocked as flood pants, shorter male pants became a thing again when Mr. Browne introduced them back in 2001, in part as a reaction to the big, billowing suits of the 1990s (see Michael Jordan). Mr. Browne shrank the silhouette, narrowing the pants and slimming and shortening the jacket, making it seem like the hipster version of the 1950s company man crossed with Buster Brown.
It may be too much to ask a human hummingbird like Alex Edelman to try to stick to the subject. In Just for Us, his three-jokes-per-minute one-man show, he zooms from punchline to punchline almost as fast as he caroms around the stage of the Hudson Theater. (At 34, hes part of what he calls the overmedicated ADHD generation.) If you havent read about his act coming to Broadway, you might assume from his introduction  in which he describes his usual style as benign silliness and says this isnt Ibsen  that you are in for a cheerful evening of laughs.

And even though hes telling a story about white supremacy, you are.

Thats the glory and also the slight hitch of Just for Us, which opened on Monday after runs in London, Edinburgh, Washington and Off Broadway. No, its not Ibsen, a dramatist rarely noted for zingy one-liners. But its not silliness either. Despite its rabbi-on-Ritalin aesthetic, and its desperation to be liked at all costs, the show is so thoughtful and high-minded it comes with a mission statement. Edelman wants to open a conversation about the place of Jews on the spectrum of whiteness, he recently told my colleague Jason Zinoman, without having a conversation about victimhood.

Hes well placed to draw the distinction. Growing up a proudly and emphatically Orthodox Jew in this really racist part of Boston called Boston, he clocked the wariness between races but also within them. And though he admits to experiencing quite a bit of white privilege, he was so alienated from mainstream culture that he didnt know what Christmas was until his mother observed it one year when a gentile friend was in mourning.

Oy, the tsouris it caused at his yeshiva!

Hilarious as the ensuing story is, you have the feeling that Just for Us might have been little more than a millennial update on Jackie Mason-style Jewish humor were it not for that millennial accelerant, social media. An avalanche of antisemitism on Twitter, in response to some comments hed posted, supercharged Edelmans thinking about identity-based hatred and led him, one evening in 2017, to infiltrate a white supremacist get-together in Queens.
We were not involved, Mr. Biden insisted. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system.

There is no evidence that the United States played any role in the uprising, even though American officials caught wind of the impending conflict days before it began to unfold. But Mr. Putins arguments that this was a Western plot may well accelerate in the coming weeks, officials say, in part because NATO is convening an annual summit in two weeks in Vilnius, Lithuania  just 20 miles or so from the border of Belarus, where Mr. Putin says he is about to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. It will be the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union that the Russians have based part of their arsenal outside the country.

The meeting has been long planned. But the lead item on the agenda is how to word political promises to Ukraine about how, and perhaps when, it might expect to join NATO. It was just such a drifting to the West, and toward the alliance, that contributed to Mr. Putins drive to invade the country last year.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, anticipating and undermining Russian information operations has been a key element of Mr. Bidens strategy.

That was why the president, over the objection of many in the intelligence agencies, decided to rapidly declassify intelligence in the fall of 2021 that Mr. Putin was planning to invade Ukraine. It lay behind American efforts to gather evidence of Russian war crimes in Bucha, and Ukrainian efforts to warn of Russian plots to cause some kind of radiation incident at the now-deactivated Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russian forces occupy.
The Supreme Court cleared the way on Monday for a challenge to Louisianas congressional map to advance, raising the chances that the state will soon be required to create a second district that empowers Black voters to select a representative.

In lifting a nearly yearlong hold on the case, the justices said that a federal appeals court in New Orleans should review the case before the 2024 congressional elections in the state. By preventing a challenge to the map from advancing while it considered a similar case in Alabama, the Supreme Court had effectively allowed a Republican-drawn map to go into effect in Louisiana during the 2022 election cycle.

Though Louisianas population is about 30 percent Black, the six-district map enacted by the states Republican-controlled Legislature has only one district with a majority of Black voters.

Mondays announcement came after the court issued a surprise ruling this month in the Alabama case, finding that lawmakers there had undercut the voting power of Black constituents. It is now increasingly expected that challenges in Louisiana and other Southern states will end with redrawn maps that all but guarantee an additional district determined by Black voters.
A Florida woman accused of fatally shooting a neighbor after a dispute with her children this month will not face murder charges, a prosecutor said Monday in a carefully worded statement explaining his reasoning in the divisive case.

The woman, Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, was instead charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault, said Bill Gladson, the state attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida. She could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison if convicted on the charges.

The family of the dead woman, Ajike Owens, 35, a mother of four, had asked for a murder charge, which would be punishable by up to life in prison. But Mr. Gladson said that there was not enough evidence to prove the crime.

I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second-degree murder, he said in the statement. 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.
A visibly angry Vladimir V. Putin on Monday denounced as blackmail a weekend rebellion by the Wagner mercenary group even as he defended his response to the mutiny and hinted at leniency for those who took part, saying that the entire Russian society united around his government.

Speaking publicly for the first time in two days, Mr. Putin, in an address broadcast on Monday night, refused to utter the name of the Wagner boss behind the insurrection, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin. But his contempt was clear for those who had seemed, briefly, to threaten civil war and upend Russias war effort in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces are mounting a counteroffensive.

They wanted Russians to fight each other, said Mr. Putin, Russias president. They rubbed their hands, dreaming of taking revenge for their failures at the front and during the so-called counteroffensive.

Throughout the day, the Kremlin had sought to project an air of normalcy, unity and stability, despite Mr. Putins absence from public view after perhaps the most serious crisis of his two-decade rule. When he finally emerged, the Russian leader skirted a host of unanswered questions left by the revolt. Instead, at the core of his five-minute speech on Monday was his insistence that he leads a nation and a government that present a united front to all threats.
Post-Brexit London regained some credibility as the capital of Europes high-value art market on Tuesday when a radiant portrait by Gustav Klimt, Lady With a Fan, sold at Sothebys for 85.3 million pounds with fees, or about $108.4 million. The price was an auction high for the renowned Austrian artist and was the highest for a public sale in Europe, beating Alberto Giacomettis Walking Man I, which sold for $104.3 million in 2010, also at Sothebys in London.

Certain to achieve at least $80 million, courtesy of a prearranged minimum price pledged by a third-party guarantor, the painting inspired 10 minutes of competition from three Asian bidders before selling to the Hong Kong-based art adviser Patti Wong, who was seated in the middle of the salesroom. The audience erupted into the sort of thunderous applause that hasnt been heard at a London auction for some years.

The price was within our expectations, said Wong, the former chair of Sothebys Asia, who added that she was buying for a Hong Kong collector.

The final price topped Klimts previous auction high of $104.6 million, given in November for the 1903 landscape Birch Forest, at Christies, in New York.
A few years ago, the writer-producer George Kay was commuting by train from his home in London to France, where he was working on the series Lupin. Suddenly, as the train went through a tunnel under the English Channel, it stopped. Kay, ever the writer, put his imagination and anxiety to work.

I looked around at the different passengers and I thought, Well, how would we cope as a group of people in this compartment if there was some serious sort of incident going on? he recalled. Is the guy who works out and looks tough in his suit going to be any more useful to us than the two little old ladies who are doing the crossword down the row?

Thus the seed was planted for Hijack, a seven-part thriller that premiered Wednesday on Apple TV+. The limited series stars Idris Elba (who is also an executive producer) as Sam, a corporate negotiator flying home from Dubai to London when his flight is taken over by a group of armed thugs. Created by Kay and the director Jim Field Smith, it unfolds in real time over the course of the seven-hour flight, toggling back and forth from the drama in the air to the strategy and panic on the ground, where law enforcement, air traffic controllers and politicians try to stay one step ahead of impending disaster.

Led by Sam, who quietly and quickly puts his negotiating skills to use (he explains to one of the hijackers that he is trying to ensure a better outcome for everyone), the passengers constitute a sort of social experiment. Rich and poor, young and old, of multiple ethnicities, they form a cross-section of society. Theyre stuck with one another, for seven hours anyway, and they may or may not make it out alive.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February last year has led to the biggest war in Europe in many generations. Even before the Wagner Group  the 50,000-strong paramilitary force that had been fighting alongside Russian soldiers  seized control of military sites in the southwestern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don last week, with the apparent aim of toppling Moscows military command, the incursion into Ukraine looked like a major failure for its instigator, President Vladimir Putin. Within a month of the wars onset, it had already become a [foul]-up of historic proportions, as one veteran Ukraine correspondent recently put it. So it is no wonder that this year brings several new books aiming to summarize the conflict and to mull how it might end.

In considering where the war is going, it is useful to begin by remembering how wrong many Russian observers have been about its course so far. Back when it started, the Russian newspaper Izvestia promised a Ukrainian defeat within five days of the initial attack. Five weeks after the invasion, Putins spokesman claimed that Ukraines military was largely destroyed.

But a war intended to undercut Ukraines leaders and NATO has instead strengthened both. Bulgaria, Romania and the three Baltic states have all voiced strong opposition to Putins acts. Less noticed in the West is how Russias war has also alienated former Soviet nations such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

To be fair, many non-Russian analysts were also wide of the mark. Just before the war, the Scottish American historian Niall Ferguson wrote that Ukraine would receive no significant military support from the West and speculated on the location of Putins victory parade. When the invasion began, the German finance minister, who is also an officer in the German Air Force Reserves, reportedly told the Ukrainian ambassador that the war would be over in a matter of hours. The ambassador wept.
Prigozhin arrives in Belarus

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, arrived in Belarus yesterday, state media reported. The Russian authorities dropped criminal charges against him and his fighters after he called off an uprising over the weekend.

Russian state media reported that the Wagner group will hand over military equipment to the Army, though there were few details. Its not clear how many Wagner fighters  Prigozhin recently said there were 25,000  would agree to be placed under the Russian Armys command.

In Russia, President Vladimir Putin sought to demonstrate control in a series of public appearances. During a rare outdoor speech on the Kremlin grounds, he thanked Russias military for having essentially stopped a civil war. He also vaguely warned of consequences for officials who helped Prigozhin enrich himself at Russias expense.

The deal: Russia had said that it would grant amnesty to Prigozhin and his fighters. Under a deal brokered by President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, Prigozhin will live in exile there. Lukashenko said that he offered Wagner group members an abandoned military base in the country.
The zoning decision is not without controversy. Known as the Digital Gateway, the land is close to Manassas National Battlefield Park, whose superintendent has expressed concerns about potential irreparable harm to the site. Ann Wheeler, chairman of the board of supervisors in Prince William and a strong backer of the zoning change, lost her re-election bid in the Democratic primary last week after a grass-roots campaign to oust her emphasized her support for more data centers.

Data centers will increasingly be built farther from some of the traditional locations and will move closer to the clients they serve, according to research by Gartner, an I.T. consultancy. But the search for land is not always easy.

Trying to find qualified land sites that have sufficient power to stand up these facilities  you need 10 times what I built in 2006, Mr. Coakley said. They are essentially inhaling massive amounts of energy.

The demand for data centers is so great that as soon as one is on the drawing board, the space is quickly scooped up, even before it goes to market.

Every building that gets built gets leased, said Ryan Goeller, a commercial real estate broker and principal at KLNB, who specializes in Northern Virginia. There is no vacancy.
On a chilly June day, with the Massachusetts island of Marthas Vineyard just over the distant horizon, a low-riding, green-hulled vessel finished hammering a steel column nearly 100 feet into the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

This was the beginning of construction of the first giant wind farm off the United States coast, a project with the scale to make a large contribution to the Northeast power grid.

For some of those looking on from a nearby boat, the driving in of the first piling marked a milestone they had labored to reach for two decades. The $4 billion project, known as Vineyard Wind, is expected to start generating electricity by years end.

This has been really hard, said Rachel Pachter, the chief development officer of Vineyard Offshore, the American arm of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, a Danish renewable energy developer that is a co-owner of the wind farm. To bring a big energy project to this point near population centers requires clearing countless regulatory hurdles and heading off potential opposition and litigation.
When five TikTok creators in Montana filed a lawsuit last month, saying the states new ban of the app violated their First Amendment rights and far outstripped the governments legal authority, it appeared to be a grass-roots effort.

One relevant fact that the creators and TikTok didnt mention: The company is financing their case.

For more than a month, the popular video service deflected questions about its involvement in the suit. When the case was filed, TikTok said it was weighing whether to file a separate one  a move the company made several days later.

This week, Jodi Seth, a spokeswoman for TikTok, acknowledged that it was paying for the users lawsuit after two of them told The New York Times about the companys involvement.

Many creators have expressed major concerns both privately and publicly about the potential impact of the Montana law on their livelihoods, Ms. Seth said. We support our creators in fighting for their constitutional rights.
As extreme fire weather is expected around Flagstaff and across northern Arizona this week, crews continue to work the Wilbur Fire near Clints Well.

Over the weekend, fire crews also suppressed a blaze closer to Flagstaff, putting out a small human-caused fire just west of Hart Prairie on Sunday, before the blaze could grow larger than 1 acre, according to the Coconino National Forest.

The lightning-caused Wilbur Fire has grown to an estimated 10,279 acres, but the blaze is now 78% contained, according to the national forest.

Forest managers have been using the fire to burn fuels such as small and downed trees and pine needles to improve forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

After a series of backburns, forest officials said, firefighters are using previously improved roads and fire lines to confine the wildfire to a predetermined area. Forest officials said there are no more backburns planned around the blaze, but smoke may still increase as the fire burns pockets of untouched fuels within the boundary.

As temperatures cool overnight, smoke might linger in drainages and valleys until daytime winds surface.

Earlier this month, officials closed a swath of forest around the fire to public access to allow work on the fire to continue unimpeded.

Night operations concluded Sunday night and early Monday morning, with firefighters and the Arizona Department of Transportation remaining to monitor the fire perimeter and smoke conditions along highways and provide for public safety.

Meanwhile, crews on the Kaibab National Forest continue to work on three fires both north and south of Grand Canyon National Park.

South of the park, crews are still managing the Hull Fire just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point, and the Ridge Fire about 7 miles southeast of Tusayan.

Both lightning-caused fires have grown as firefighters burn areas of the forest around the blazes. The Hull Fire is now estimated at 1,491 acres and is being managed by both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park.

The Ridge Fire is estimated at 2,300 acres.

North of the Canyon, crews are also working the Three Lakes Fire, several miles south of Jacob Lake. That fire is estimated at 480 acres and forest officials said the blaze is burning with a low-to-moderate rate of spread through the mixed ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen forest and grassy meadows.

Green grasses have held fire activity to a slow spread to the northeast, consuming pine needle duff and dead-and-down woody debris and stumps on the forest floor, officials said.

As with several recent fires across northern Arizona, including the Wilbur Fire, fire managers are using the fires to improve forest health. But with higher winds and drier and hotter weather expected this week and beyond, officials said that strategy could change.

The National Weather Service office in Bellemont issued an official red flag warning for Tuesday in most of northern Arizona, with critical fire conditions expected Wednesday as well. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 80s most of the week, with winds gusting above 30 mph until Wednesday night. High temperatures over the weekend are expected to approach 90 degrees.
Starbucks responded after workers at more than 150 stores went on strike over the course of a week starting Friday to protest the companys decorations policy, its treatment of L.G.B.T.Q. workers and unfair labor practices generally.

Starbucks Workers United said on Monday that the strike would go on unless the company agreed to come to the bargaining table. While we are glad Starbucks is finally reconsidering its position on pride decorations, Starbucks continues to ignore that they are legally required to bargain with union workers  thats the power of a union, the union said in a statement.

About 12 stores have had to close each day since the strike began, a Starbucks spokesman said.

The company also filed two charges with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing the union of starting a smear campaign against it by misrepresenting the companys stances on L.G.B.T.Q. issues, including its benefits policy on gender-affirming care.

The unions violations have ignited and inflamed workplace tension and division and provoked strikes and other business disruptions in Starbucks stores, the charges said.

The union said it was confident those charges would be dismissed, calling them a public relations stunt.

Why It Matters

How companies approach Pride marketing has been subject to increasing scrutiny.

Bud Light, for one, faced backlash and dipping sales after a transgender influencer posted a promotional video for the American beer staple. Target, one of the countrys largest retailers, said it had to relocate its Pride collection to prevent further threats to its employees.

Background: The fight over bargaining has grown heated.

The union has staged a series of strikes in the past year over what it says are aggressive anti-union tactics, such as retaliatory firings and delayed bargaining. In response to tensions with the union, Starbucks adopted a stricter dress code and decor policy to prevent workers from filling stores with union paraphernalia.

The union, which first filed petitions at three stores in August 2021, now represents about 8,000 of the companys workers in more than 300 stores.

Starbucks has faced dozens of National Labor Relations Board complaints, including one in April that accused the company of failing to bargain in good faith with workers at over 100 stores. In March, the coffee giant faced a scathing ruling from an administrative law judge who concluded that it illegally retaliated against unionized workers.
A beleaguered trucking business that received a $700 million pandemic-era loan from the federal government may be forced to file for bankruptcy protection this summer amid a dispute with its union, a development that could leave American taxpayers stuck with a failed company.

The financial woes at the business, Yellow, which previously went by the name YRC Worldwide, have been building for years. The company lost more than $100 million in 2019 and has more than $1.5 billion in outstanding debt, including the government loan. In 2022, YRC, which ships meal kits, protective equipment and other supplies to military bases, agreed to pay $6.85 million to settle a federal lawsuit that accused it of defrauding the Defense Department.

In 2020, the Trump administration, which had ties to the company and its executives, agreed to give the firm a pandemic relief loan in exchange for the federal government assuming a 30 percent equity stake in the company.

Three years later, Yellow is on the verge of going bankrupt.

Since receiving the loan, the company has changed its name, restructured its business and seen its stock price plummet. As of the end of March, Yellows outstanding debt was $1.5 billion, including about $730 million that is owed to the federal government. Yellow has paid approximately $66 million in interest on the loan, but it has repaid just $230 of the principal owed on the loan, which comes due next year.
Preserve nature, or accelerate economic growth? Its long seemed as if nations had to choose between the two. And we all know how that choice usually plays out: Our desire to accumulate wealth and our need to lift people out of poverty have pushed Earth to the brink.

But we can do a better job of balancing that trade-off.

Researchers at the World Bank think they have found a way, and today we want to explain how. Its all about farming more intensively and in appropriate places, while preserving larger areas of forest and other habitat that stash that planet-warming carbon and support biodiversity.

Suppose you were to use all the resources that you have efficiently and properly, and allocate those resources efficiently and properly. How much could you produce? said Richard Damania, chief economist at the banks sustainable development practice group. We come up with some shockingly large numbers.

In a report issued today, Damanias team, in collaboration with the Natural Capital Project, a partnership of groups focused on quantifying the value of ecosystems, has drawn a new road map for countries to achieve that. It gets to the heart of the World Banks challenge as its new leader, Ajay Banga, seeks to bend the institutions considerable capital toward curbing climate change and averting mass extinctions.
More than a year after countries pledged to end deforestation by 2030, the world is continuing to lose its tropical forests at a fast pace, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

The annual survey by the World Resources Institute, a research organization, found that the world lost 10.2 million acres of primary rainforest in 2022, a 10 percent increase from the year before. It is the first assessment to cover a full year since November 2021, when 145 countries pledged at a global climate summit in Glasgow to halt forest loss by the end of this decade.

We had hoped by now to see a signal in the data that we were turning the corner on forest loss, Frances Seymour, a senior fellow at the institutes forest program, said. We dont see that signal yet, and in fact were headed in the wrong direction.

The report, done in collaboration with the University of Maryland, documented tree loss in the tropics from deforestation, fires and other causes. Last years destruction resulted in 2.7 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions, a significant amount that is roughly equivalent to the annual fossil fuel emissions of India, a country of 1.4 billion.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, who served as the federal governments top infectious disease specialist for nearly 40 years and played a key role in steering the United States through the coronavirus pandemic, will join the faculty of Georgetown University in Washington next month.

Dr. Fauci, 82, retired from the National Institutes of Health last year, having served as the director of its National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. He was also the top Covid adviser to President Biden, a role he had filled under President Donald J. Trump. Georgetown announced his new job on Monday.

Dr. Fauci will work at Georgetowns School of Medicine and its McCourt School of Public Policy, the university said. A spokeswoman for Georgetown did not immediately respond to an inquiry seeking details about what courses he will teach. The universitys announcement said Dr. Faucis role at the School of Medicine will be in an infectious disease division focused on education, research and patient care.

At the N.I.H., Dr. Fauci spent decades overseeing research on established infectious diseases  including H.I.V./AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria  and emerging ones like Ebola, Zika and Covid-19. He was also a principal architect of the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a program that has delivered lifesaving treatment to more than 20 million people in 54 countries since its inception 20 years ago under President George W. Bush.
Transgender people in Denmark have a significantly higher risk of suicide than other groups, according to an exhaustive analysis of health and legal records from nearly seven million people over the last four decades. The study is the first in the world to analyze national suicide data for this group.

Transgender people in the country had 7.7 times the rate of suicide attempts and 3.5 times the rate of suicide deaths compared with the rest of the population, according to the records analyzed in the study, though suicide rates in all groups decreased over time. And transgender people in Denmark died  by suicide or other causes  at younger ages than others.

This is beyond doubt a huge problem that needs to be looked at, said Dr. Morten Frisch, a sexual health epidemiologist at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen and a co-author of the new study.

The findings, published on Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, come at a charged political moment in the United States, where Republican lawmakers across the country have enacted laws targeting sexuality and gender identity, restricting drag performances, bathroom use for transgender people and gender-related medical care.
What struck you as special about Casa Susanna?

The creation of this refuge was something extraordinary. If you had the desire to cross-dress, nothing around you could help you to understand it at the time. These very intimate questions were impossible to talk about with anybody else. Most of the men in the Casa Susanna community were white people from the middle class that had good jobs and a bit of money, and were married, some with kids. What is also fascinating is that this community was created with certain rules. For example, homosexuals or transsexuals were forbidden. They only accepted people who presented themselves as men who cross-dress. So its weird to think that, in a way, they had re-created conservative rules within this setup, probably because they were afraid.

What was it like for Katherine and Diana to talk about their memories?

It was very important to them because, as they say, its a part of who they were. For Diana, it was the first time that she was outing herself. Shes 82, but this is the first time that she could say to everyone, This is my life. This is who I am. Probably because she is this very mature age, she felt the need to be true with herself and all the people that are still around her. She also wanted to pay tribute to all the pioneers she met. And she should be proud, because she was very brave. What is also fascinating about Diana is that she had [gender confirmation surgery] when she was young, and from that moment, she became an invisible woman in American society. We were so lucky to find her and Kate. Kate died just a few months after the filming. Thats why all these invisible stories are so precious.

For Betsy [Wollheim], it was the first time that she could tell the story of her father, Donald Wollheim. He was a science-fiction writer and publisher, but people didnt know his secret story. I thought it was interesting to understand through Betsy what it was for a traditional American family to have a father as a cross-dresser and probably a transgender person. And through Gregory [Bagarozy], we see how he understood his grandma, Marie, and Susanna.
Within two years, Mr. Sands had worked with Mr. Ivory and Mr. Russell, two directors with wildly different styles.

James Ivory is like an Indian miniaturist, and Ken Russell is a graffiti artist, Mr. Sands told The Times. James Ivory is like an ornithologist watching his subjects from afar, whereas Ken Russell is a big-game hunter filming in the middle of a rhino charge.

Mr. Sands also worked on several films with the British director Mike Figgis, among them Leaving Las Vegas (1996), in which he played a pimp, and The Loss of Sexual Innocence (1999), in which Mr. Figgis fused the story of Adam and Eve with that of a filmmaker (Mr. Sands) drifting in and out of his sexual memories.

Since this is a film of images rather than words, it requires a great deal of presence and expressiveness on the part of the actors, Kevin Thomas wrote in his review of The Loss of Sexual Innocence in The Los Angeles Times. Happily, Figgis has chosen well, with Sands effortlessly carrying by far the most demanding role of a man of isolating self-absorption.

Julian Richard Morley Sands was born on Jan. 4, 1958, in Otley, England, to Richard and Brenda Sands and grew up in nearby Gargrave. He began acting as a child, inspired in part by his mothers work in amateur theater. When he was 6, he told The Yorkshire Post in 2013, he appeared in a play; his first line was My master, the great Aladdin.
Such failures, the report added, raised significant questions about Mr. Epsteins death and how it could have been allowed to happen, ultimately depriving his numerous victims, many of whom were underage girls at the time of the alleged crimes, of their ability to seek justice through the criminal justice process.

But the report was unequivocal in rejecting any alternative theory of how Mr. Epstein died, saying that all of the New York staff members of the jail interviewed by the inspector generals office said they had no information suggesting that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide.

Moreover, no inmate provided information suggesting that anyone assisted Epstein with taking his own life or had any credible information suggesting that Epsteins cause of death was something other than suicide, the report said.

Many of the lapses detailed in the report reflect problems found in prior investigations of federal prisons: Severe staffing shortages that forced employees to work long shifts (24 straight hours in the case of one of Mr. Epsteins jailers), the failure to maintain functional security cameras and a lack of consistent guidelines for monitoring patients at risk of suicide.

In Aug. 10, 2019, Mr. Epstein, 66, was found dead in his cell, and the medical examiner ruled his death a suicide.
Contractors who last year paid $200 to $250 for a 10-hour shift might now offer $80 for the same work, because there is now so much competition on the corner, several workers said. The minimum wage in the city is $15 an hour.

The alternative, workers said, is to wait in line at the offices of nonprofit groups that have a limited number of construction job referrals, or else pay hundreds of dollars to private employment agencies that may not find worthwhile matches.

For Ms. Garcia, the former nurse, construction is still her best shot at a dependable income, she said, though she would eventually like to take up her old profession.

Her goal for now, she said, is to find stability for her two children, who are staying with her and her partner in a Manhattan migrant shelter.

Her 15-year-old daughter has already enrolled in her schools J.R.O.T.C. program, in the hopes of someday joining the army, and her three-year-old son wants to become a firefighter.

I am here for their dreams, she said.
The announcement on Tuesday came as some advocates and families have argued for a more robust local approach to youth mental health, and have criticized the proposed elimination in the city budget of funding for a program that connects high-need schools to mental health clinics and offers mobile response teams for students in crisis.

But Mr. Adams said the effort was just one common-sense, low-cost way to improve student well-being, and would help children learn the valuable but abandoned principle of something that is one of the oldest things in humankind.

The breathing exercise requirement in New York reflects the renewed focus that school districts across the nation have placed on student well-being in recent years, as they grapple with increased rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and other mental health challenges in children and teenagers.

In Los Angeles County, for example, virtual mental health services will be made free for all K-12 students under a new plan earlier this year. And in Illinois, a new law allowing students to take up to five excused mental health days off school recently went into effect.

In the nations largest school system, Mr. Adams and the schools chancellor, David C. Banks, have said that all high school students would soon be able to obtain virtual mental health support for the first time through a new program, though full details have not yet been announced.
Incumbents easily held off primary challenges in Democratic primaries for district attorney in Queens and the Bronx; further north, a Council race in Buffalo was won by a woman whose son was shot in the Tops supermarket racist massacre.

In New York City, just over 149,000 people had cast their ballots as of 6 p.m., according to the city Board of Elections. That includes 44,611 votes that were cast during the nine-day early voting period that began June 17 and ended on Sunday  less than a quarter of the early-voting turnout two years ago, when candidates for mayor were competing in the primary.

There were contested primaries in New York City Council contests across the boroughs, with the races for a two-year term instead of the usual four years because of redistricting. Every seat on the City Council is up for re-election, but less than half of the 51 Council seats are being contested in primaries, and of those, 13 races feature more than two candidates  making ranked-choice voting, where voters can rank up to five candidates in order of preference, necessary.

Ranked-choice voting was not be used in the races for district attorney.

Some Key Races to Watch

New York City District Attorney Races

The incumbent district attorneys of the Bronx and Queens both fended off challengers to win their respective Democratic primaries, according to The Associated Press.

In the Bronx, Darcel Clark defeated Tess Cohen, a civil rights and criminal defense lawyer, who was the first person to challenge Ms. Clark in a primary. With 82 percent of the votes counted, Ms. Clark led Ms. Cohen by more than 12,000 votes.
Richard Ravitch, who helped New York City avoid bankruptcy in the 1970s and its deteriorating transit system avoid financial collapse in the 1980s, died on Sunday. Sam Roberts, who wrote Ravitchs obituary, says that Ravitch left an indelible mark on government as one of the behind-the-scenes wise men who navigated high-pressure problems. (Ravitch was also lieutenant governor for a year and a half in 2009 and 2010, appointed by David Paterson after Eliot Spitzer resigned as governor and Paterson succeeded him.)

I asked Sam to reminisce about Ravitch, whose day job was being a private-sector developer and who was a progressive in the tradition of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. Heres what Sam told me:

In the 55 years that I knew Dick Ravitch, what distinguished him from virtually every other public official I covered was his selflessness. He never wanted anything in return. He did favors for people but didnt ask them to reciprocate. He was tough, a little self-righteous at times, but the fact that his primary goal was the public good, as he saw it with utter certitude, imbued him with a rare and robust independence.

It may also explain why he was never elected to political office and why so few elected officials listened to him.

He was also a Renaissance man, not just a good government wonk. He was a great gardener. He made great gazpacho. He was an accomplished woodworker. And he genuinely cared about his extended family, his business partner Peter Davis and longtime friends like Betsy Gotbaum, who was the Parks commissioner in the 1990s and the public advocate in the early 2000s.

He once paid me an ultimate compliment (at least I think it was): He said I had a healthy disrespect for everyone. I had a lot of respect for him. He deserved it.
To the Editor:

In The Supreme Court Is Wrong About Andy Warhol (Opinion guest essay, June 10), Richard Meyer gets to the truth about the artist in the last sentence: His art, like all good art, was not created to abide by the law.

But we all live under law, including copyright law. According to Professor Meyer, Had [Warhol] known about fair use, the artist likely would have been little concerned with legal repercussions. Well, Warhol and his lawyers most likely knew the elements of the fair use defense because while they were not codified until 1976, those principles date back to Judge Joseph Storys historic 1841 opinion in Folsom v. Marsh.

Warhol may be a towering figure in modern art, as Justice Elena Kagan wrote in her dissent last month in Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith, but the court, in a 7-to-2 opinion written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, fairly concluded that the work of the photographer Lynn Goldsmith was entitled to copyright protection even against famous artists.

Keith Danish

Leonia, N.J.

The writer is a retired attorney who specialized in intellectual property law.
Mr. Putin today is not who he was last week. Mr. Prigozhin showed Russians a fleeting glimpse of an alternative future and, by doing so, gave more Russians reason to doubt their leadership. Is Mr. Putin really the all-powerful, czarlike figure they thought he was? That is the question most ordinary Russians will now, finally, begin to ask themselves.

Mr. Prigozhin, while becoming a relatively popular figure among certain groups, was never a serious or convincing candidate as a national leader. His statements about the war in Ukraine, for instance, have been wildly contradictory in recent weeks. First, he said that to defeat the enemy in Ukraine, Russians should tighten their belts and be ready to live like North Koreans. Not long after, he took an altogether different tack: There was no need for an invasion of Ukraine at all, he argued.

A measure of the surreal nature of Mr. Prigozhins offensive, and of stability in Russia today, is the confusion over what he hoped to achieve when he set his fast-moving convoy off toward Moscow. What he and Mr. Putin have in common, in addition to both emerging from the depths of the authoritarian system, is that they have problems with goal setting and strategic vision. What did Mr. Prigozhin want to do? Replace Mr. Putin, his teacher in the profession of gaining power? Too ambitious. Unseat his recent nemesis, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu? Too petty and certainly not worth a civil war in Russias capital.

Perhaps assessing that Mr. Putin was ultimately stronger and that the goals of his own campaign were uncertain, Mr. Prigozhin agreed to mediated negotiations with Mr. Putins envoy, President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, and stopped his convoy. (His exact location, as of Monday, was unknown.)

Nevertheless, the revolt gave the world a rare window into the Russian states slow decline. No state with functioning institutions can thrive while in pursuit of senseless military expansionism that contradicts the meaning of democratic and civic values, the most important of which is human life. During Russias transition from democracy to authoritarianism to hybrid totalitarianism, Mr. Putin and his elite inner circle have colonized civil society and built a system of repression. This is not a sign of strength but of desperation. And the outsourcing of critical government functions, like the military role handed to Mr. Prigozhin and his Wagner force, is a glaring manifestation of that weakness.
The events playing out in Russia feel like the trailer for the next James Bond movie: Vladimir Putins ex-chef/ex-cyberhacker/recent mercenary army leader, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, goes rogue.

Prigozhin, a character straight out of Dr. No, leads a convoy of ex-convicts and soldiers of fortune on a madcap dash to seize the Russian capital, shooting down a few Russian military helicopters along the way. They meet so little resistance that the internet is full of pictures of his mercenaries waiting patiently in line to buy coffee: Hey, could you put a lid on that? I dont want it to spill on my tank!

But then, just as suddenly, as Prigozhins men got within 120 miles of Moscow, he apparently caught wind that his convoy on the open highway would be sitting ducks to a determined air attack. So Prigozhin opted for a plea bargain, arranged by the president of Belarus, and called off his revolution  sorry, didnt mean it, I was just trying to point out some problems with the Russian Army  and everyone called it a day.

Its still not clear if the stone-hearted Putin conveyed any direct threat to his old pal Prigozhin, but as Putins former bag man, Prigozhin clearly wasnt taking any chances. With good reason. As the ever-helpful president of Belarus, where Prigozhin reportedly surfaced on Tuesday, said, the Russian president told him that he wanted to kill his traitorous mercenary commander, to squash him like a bug.
If you think Republicans are still members of the law-and-order party, you havent been paying close attention lately. Since the rise of Donald Trump, the Republican definition of a crime has veered sharply from the law books and become extremely selective. For readers confused about the partys new positions on law and order, heres a guide to what todays Republicans consider a crime, and what they do not.

Not a crime: Federal crimes.

All federal crimes are charged and prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Now that Republicans believe the department has been weaponized into a Democratic Party strike force, particularly against Mr. Trump, its prosecutions can no longer be trusted. The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida recently tweeted.

The F.B.I., which investigates many federal crimes, has also become corrupted by the same political forces. The F.B.I. has become a political weapon for the ruling elite rather than an impartial, law-enforcement agency, said Kevin D. Roberts, the president of the right-wing Heritage Foundation.
I believe that scientific expertise should not take a back seat to partisan will. That said, public health and scientific recommendations inevitably intersect with social values and policy. Acknowledging this intersection is not to suggest that elected leaders  regardless of party   should disregard science or undermine its integrity. We in public health must recognize that recommendations do not occur within a vacuum; rather, they affect other sectors of American life   education, the economy and national security, to name a few.

The job of public health is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the health of all those who live in the United States while minimizing the disruption to the normal functioning of society. The goal is to offer science-driven recommendations that balance protection and practicality in the context of ones individual risk tolerance and value set. For example, the question of how low the rates of infections in schools need to be for them to remain open has much to do with whether you have an immunocompromised family member in the household, or whether you can supplement education with personal tutors or whether you require school lunches for your childs nutritional needs.

All of this is made easier with strong institutions and a strong public health work force. Decades of underinvestment in public health rendered the United States ill prepared for a global pandemic. Some estimates suggest we are 80,000 public health workers short across the United States to meet basic public health needs. To this day some of our public health data systems are reliant on old fax machines. National laboratories lack both state-of-the-art equipment and skilled bench scientists to work them. During the pandemic, the answer to these prevailing problems was a rapid infusion of money   resources that were swiftly withdrawn.

It is not enough to support public health when there is an emergency. The roller coaster influx of resources during a crisis, followed by underfunding after the threat is addressed, exposes a broken system and puts future lives at risk. Longstanding, sustainable investments are needed across public health, over time and administrations, to position the United States to be better prepared for the next large-scale infectious disease outbreak or other health threat.

The responsibility of the public health community and its leaders to articulate strategy and communicate regularly with the public has also never been more apparent. Four years ago, most people were much less familiar with the C.D.C. We felt our primary audience was mostly health scientists, academics and public health practitioners, and our initial pandemic messages were frequently speaking to those scientifically attuned. Today, our audience is all the people of this country  from those in the Bronx to rural Montana to the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, all the way to Guam.
In a 6-to-3 vote, the Supreme Court not only declined to dismiss the case; it also flatly rejected the independent state legislature doctrine. Chief Justice John Roberts  writing for a majority that included Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson  was unequivocal. The elections clause, Chief Justice Roberts declared, does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review.

Or, to put it another way, the relevant provisions of the federal Constitution did not grant state legislatures independent powers that exempt them from the normal operations of state constitutional law. Chief Justice Roberts cited previous Supreme Court authority rejecting the idea that the federal Constitution endows the legislature of the state with power to enact laws in any manner other than that in which the Constitution of the state has provided that laws shall be enacted.

The implications are profound. In regard to 2020, the Supreme Courts decision strips away the foundation of G.O.P. arguments that the election was legally problematic because of state court interventions. Such interventions did not inherently violate the federal Constitution, and the state legislatures did not have extraordinary constitutional autonomy to independently set election rules.

In regard to 2024 and beyond, the Supreme Courts decision eliminates the ability of a rogue legislature to set new electoral rules immune from judicial review. State legislatures will still be accountable for following both federal and state constitutional law. In other words, the conventional checks and balances of American law will still apply.

Trumps coup attempt was a national trauma, but if theres a silver lining to be found in that dark cloud, its that the political and judicial branches of American government have responded to the crisis. Late last year, Congress passed significant reforms to the Electoral Count Act that were designed to clarify the ambiguities in the original act and to reaffirm Congresss and the vice presidents limited roles in counting state electoral votes.

And on Tuesday, a supermajority of the Supreme Court, including both Democratic and Republican appointees, reaffirmed the American constitutional order. State legislatures are not an electoral law unto themselves, and while Moore v. Harper does not guarantee that elections will be flawless, it does protect the vital role of courts in the American system. The 2020 election was sound. The 2024 election is now safer. The Supreme Court has done its part to defend American democracy from the MAGA movements constitutional corruption.

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ST. LOUIS  Empty storefronts dot most of the blocks around my downtown neighborhood these days and have overtaken some of them. Once a buzzy destination for shoppers and diners, downtown today frequently looks deserted, its visitors presumably repelled by reports of violent crime, homelessness and blight. Upper-floor offices, once packed with white-collar workers eager to hit the bars at quitting time, now sit mostly empty. The comforting sounds of sidewalk diners and live music that used to hum along with the traffic on summer nights have been replaced by sirens or silence.

Based on extensive media coverage, I could be describing postpandemic San Francisco, currently the national poster child of a city on the verge of a dreaded doom loop. Major outlets have breathlessly reported San Franciscos every blow, but conservative ones were the first to hold the city up as evidence of the utter failure of progressive urban policies.

Yet St. Louiss significantly more dire problems dont neatly fit that conservative-media narrative. Unlike San Francisco, St. Louis is a blue island in a red state, and conservative state policies have at least partly driven the citys decline. More apt parallels to St. Louis are places like Kansas City, Mo.; Memphis; Nashville; and Little Rock, Ark.  liberal enclaves that in a macrocosm of the worst kind of family dysfunction are at the mercy of conservative state governments. The consequences of this dysfunction can be far-reaching.

In 2015, for example, St. Louis passed an ordinance to gradually raise the states $7.65 hourly minimum wage for workers in the city to $11 by 2018  prompting passage of a state law that retroactively prohibited cities from passing their own minimum wage hikes and cut St. Louis workers minimum by more than $2 overnight. (Missouri voters later responded with a statewide referendum that stepped around the legislature and gradually raised the states minimum wage to $12 by this year.) The pandemic magnified that kind of dysfunction just as it became a primary battlefield in the culture wars.
In medicine, we cant tolerate hallucinations.

DR. GREGORY ATOR, the chief medical informatics officer at the University of Kansas Medical Center, which is not using generative A.I. in diagnosis because the software can create fabrications. Some doctors want to use A.I. to help with paperwork.
Decades before Dr. Anthony S. Fauci became a household name during the coronavirus pandemic, one of his detractors wrote that he was a murderer and a liar.

The man behind those words was Larry Kramer, the argumentative writer and activist who helped shape the modern gay rights movement during the AIDS crisis and who died in May 2020 at 84.

On Monday evening, at a memorial for Mr. Kramer at the Lucille Lortel Theater in the West Village, Dr. Fauci was among the speakers. The second he strode onto the stage, people applauded.

In his speech, Dr. Fauci described his long, complicated relationship with Mr. Kramer, starting with the fiery words that appeared in the The San Francisco Examiner in 1988, when he was four years into his nearly four-decade tenure as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. At the time, Mr. Kramer blamed Dr. Fauci for the Reagan administration's tepid response to a disease that had claimed tens of thousands of lives in the United States by then.
The idea of an all-female, gender-fluid, disability forward staging of Richard III  as New York Classical Theater describes its new production of Shakespeares tragedy about the monstrously degenerate Plantagenet king  tantalizes. Will the protagonist, who loves to descant on mine own deformity, make us see anew the premium that society places on womens appearances? Will the Duke of Gloucester be re-envisioned as a bloody-minded assassin like the bloody-minded Villanelle of Killing Eve? Will it force us to reckon with discrimination against the disabled in the royal court? As realized in this risk-shy adaptation directed by Stephen Burdman, the answer is none of the above.

This Richard III, which plays in New York parks through July 9, feints toward novelty while offering little in the way of originality  the actors all inhabit the genders of their characters as originally conceived. The title role is played by Delaney Feener, a strong actor with a limb difference, as the press material takes care to note. But with her shortened right arm hidden beneath a cloak, Feeners Richard does not immediately register as a boar, bottled spider, foul-bunched toad or any of the bestial lumps to which he is repeatedly compared by other characters. That can be a valid choice if explored thoughtfully, but even after Richard reveals that shortened arm to us and says he is determined to prove a villain, we gain little insight into his psychology; its unclear if this line is a boasting assertion of will or a victims lament.
Sicily isnt the only European destination bustling with tourists ahead of the peak summer season in July and August. After three years of pandemic restrictions, travelers are flocking to Europe in record numbers, despite high airfares, limited accommodations, sweltering heat and crowded sites.

Among American travelers, Europe is the most popular destination this year, according to Hoppers Summer Travel to Europe report. Demand has already outpaced 2019 levels, according to the report, even as hotel prices surge and airfares are the highest in five years. London, Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Athens are among the most booked cities on the Hopper travel app, and the Sicilian city of Palermo, which is also featured in The White Lotus, is among the top trending destinations.

We have to make up for the lost time, said Elizabeth Hughes, 44, an occupational therapist from Chicago, who made a scrapbook of places she wanted to visit in Europe during the height of the pandemic. She is currently in London, starting a four-week itinerary in eight countries, including France, Italy and Greece. I had to sell my car to pull this off, but if Im traveling this far, Im going to see everywhere, she said.

Demand has been so high that many travel advisers have had to turn away clients looking to book vacations in popular European destinations in July and August because of a lack of availability.

Two weeks ago I had a last-minute request for Greece and I reached out to my suppliers to see if there was any way to accommodate them. But there was nothing, so, unfortunately, I had to turn down business, said Abby Lagman, the founder of the Blissful Travel Company, a U.S.-based travel agency.
It also means camaraderie. I cannot tell you for certain that you are not going to get a look, and I cannot protect you from that look, Zoe Shapiro, founder of Stellavision Travel, which offers a size-inclusive trip to southern Italy, said about traveling while fat. But you can count on me inserting myself between the group and the gaze. And if I can prevent our travelers from feeling it, either by diverting their attention, having a conversation, communicating in Italian, whatever I can do, I will.

Even though one-third of the worlds population is fat, according to NAAFA  with fat defined as exceeding the current medical standard or the current social standard for acceptable bodies, said NAAFA chair Tigress Osborn  the travel industry has been slow to accommodate. When it comes to adventure-based excursions, like zip-lining and white-water rafting, many bigger people have assumed that exclusionary weight limits are unavoidable and for our own safety. But a zip line can be designed to support any weight. The Chubby Diaries blogger, Jeff Jenkins, whose National Geographic travel show, Never Say Never With Jeff Jenkins, premieres July 9, said that all it takes is an innovative mind-set to make activities inclusive: People move literal tons of lumber with zip lines. No human weighs a ton.

For some of us, the journey to embracing travel has been interior  celebrating our identity instead of fighting or hiding it  and what a relief it has been to find others already at the destination, happy to guide us. Mr. Jenkins pointed to the new crowdsourcing app Friendly Like Me, which was created for people at higher weights or with disabilities (or both) to find out everything they need to know about a places accessibility and friendliness beforehand.

Here are some travel companies helping to change the landscape.

In addition to body inclusion, the Stellavision trip to southern Italy (July 15 to 29, $5,650) focuses on hyperlocal tourism, as well as woman-owned businesses. For Sara Courson, who traveled with the 2022 group, that was the main draw  but the size-inclusive aspect was the clincher. I gained weight during the pandemic, and I had been nervous about going abroad, she said. Instead of being anxious that people would be irritated by that one fat lady on the trip, she was comforted knowing shed most likely be with people who accepted her.

On the Stellavision trip  which will run again in the summer of 2024, as will a new size-inclusive Italy trip with a route and an itinerary to be determined  there is no specifically body-focused programming. There were therapy-adjacent-type tools, said Ms. Courson, but were not sitting around talking every meal about what its like in our lives.
The U.S. government plans to regulate a booming prenatal testing market that has recently come under scrutiny for a high share of false positive results for some rare conditions and marketing that could mislead parents.

In a notice posted this month, the Food and Drug Administration said it intended to write rules to make explicit that it had the authority to oversee laboratory-developed tests, a category of screening and diagnostic tests developed and used within a single lab.

The new regulations would cover noninvasive prenatal tests, which use a small blood sample to screen for genetic abnormalities in a fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. In just over a decade, these tests have gone from relatively obscure laboratory experiments to an industry that serves more than a third of the pregnant women in America.

The screenings are very accurate when they look for more common genetic disorders like Down syndrome. But newer tests that claim to detect rare abnormalities usually get their positive results wrong, a New York Times investigation found last year.
Of course, the two cases arent identical. Most Americans favor reducing trade ties with China, but the two countries are more economically intertwined than the U.S. and the Soviets ever were. In the 1940s, most Americans backed sending troops to defend European countries from Soviet takeover; most dont yet support sending troops to Taiwan. Americans still worry more about terrorism and other foreign policy issues than about China. And for now, far more say the U.S. and China are in competition  the Biden administrations preferred framing  than say theyre in a cold war.

Still, the message Americans are getting from their leaders about China is profoundly negative. Thats percolated into the general public, said Richard Herrmann, an Ohio State University professor who studies international relations and public opinion.

A feedback loop

Souring public opinion, in turn, may worsen U.S.-China relations.

That might seem surprising; most Americans dont pay that much attention to foreign policy, which is typically far removed from their daily lives. But the international issues that do register tend to be ones that politicians, experts and the news media talk about a lot. And once public opinion on a foreign policy issue calcifies, as it increasingly has on China, political leaders often pay attention to it. It generally sets guardrails for what policymakers can do, said Dina Smeltz of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, which conducts polls on Americans views of China.

Public animosity can incentivize leaders to speak and act aggressively, hawkishness that journalists then communicate back to the public. The result is a feedback loop in which events, leaders words and actions, media coverage and public opinion reinforce one another.

That feedback loop can become especially potent if public sentiment crosses party lines, as it did for much of the Cold War and increasingly does on China (even though self-identified Republicans remain more hostile toward China than Democrats and independents). Taking a hard line on China is one of the few issues that Republicans and Democrats in Washington seem to agree on, Joshua Kertzer, a Harvard political scientist, said in an email.
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the bishop of Knoxville, Tenn., the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

The resignation of Bishop Richard F. Stika comes after two years of turmoil in the small diocese in East Tennessee, where the bishop has been sued for his handling of sexual misconduct allegations, and faced internal criticism of his leadership more broadly.

Priests in the diocese also made unusually direct complaints about him and asked a Vatican representative last year for merciful relief from his leadership. The upheaval culminated in a Vatican investigation last year, according to the Catholic publication The Pillar.

A lawsuit filed in 2022 accused him of trying to obstruct a diocesan investigation into a seminary student accused of raping and harassing a church musician in 2019. The suit said that Bishop Stika fired an investigator appointed by the diocese to look into the case, and that the bishop defamed and tried to intimidate the musician. He has said that he never covered up sexual abuse.
Californians could soon be paid far more for jury duty.

A bill moving through the State Legislature would give certain jurors $100 a day for serving on a criminal trial jury, a big jump from the current daily rate of $15. If the legislation passes, jurors will be eligible for the higher stipends in Los Angeles, Alameda, Kern, Monterey and San Francisco Counties through 2025.

The proposal was inspired by a pilot program in San Francisco that has increased the racial and economic diversity of the countys jury pools by providing $100 daily payments to low- and moderate-income jurors. In California, employers are required to give workers days off to complete jury duty, but they dont have to pay employees wages.

In San Francisco, more than a third of residents say that serving on a jury poses an economic burden, according to city officials. So many lower-income jurors were being excused for financial hardship that juries were becoming increasingly wealthy and white, because of the correlation between income inequality and race, said Assemblyman Phil Ting, who sponsored the new legislation. That further slanted the criminal justice system against people of color, he said.

During one criminal trial observed by San Franciscos public defenders office, people of color made up roughly 50 percent of the initial pool of jurors. After jurors were excused for financial hardship, the composition of the jury pool became 39 percent people of color and 61 percent white people.
A teenager in a rural Colorado town had sent his drone soaring in the sky to catch sweeping views of the floodwaters that were unleashed by recent downpours when he made a startling discovery on Saturday morning.

Josh Logue, 18, was flying the drone from his driveway when he noticed a dark spot on a road by the foot of a bridge, which crosses over a canal just two miles from his home in Brighton, a suburban city approximately 20 miles northeast of Denver. He moved in for a closer look.

It was a sinkhole. An S.U.V. lay on its roof inside it, wheels visible from the sky. With help from a neighbor, Mr. Logue sought help for the two people trapped inside the vehicle in rising water from the canal  a 66-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman inside a Jeep Grand Cherokee, the authorities later confirmed.

Firefighters from the Brighton Fire Rescue District rescued the people inside, who were taken to a hospital, Colin Brunt, the battalion chief on scene that morning, said.
A California man was sentenced on Monday to more than six years in prison for running an $8.75 million Ponzi scheme that hinged on a nonexistent factory that was supposed to create green energy out of cow manure, federal prosecutors said.

For five years, Raymond Holcomb Brewer falsely claimed to be an engineer who ran a company that built anaerobic digestion plants, which convert manure into biogas, the United States attorneys office for the Eastern District of California said in a statement on Monday.

Mr. Brewer, 66, of Porterville, Calif., told his investors that he was building the plants and would generate millions of dollars in revenue by selling the biogas, the statement said. He told the investors that they would receive two-thirds of the profits, as well as tax incentives.
Human remains that were found on Saturday in the Southern California wilderness have been identified as those of the British actor Julian Sands, who had been missing since January after he went hiking in the area, the authorities said on Tuesday.

The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said in a statement that the remains had been positively identified as those of Mr. Sands, and that the cause of death remained under investigation pending further test results.

Mr. Sands, 65, of North Hollywood, was an avid hiker and was best known for his role in the critically acclaimed 1986 film A Room With a View. The film, an adaptation of the novel by E.M. Forster, regularly makes lists as one of the best British films of all time.

He also appeared in dozens of other films and television shows, including Arachnophobia, Naked Lunch, Warlock and Oceans Thirteen.
The night before Adriana Vance addressed her sons killer in a Colorado courtroom, she was still searching for the right words.

She had spent days struggling to write a statement about her son Raymond Green Vance, 22, one of the five people killed last November in a shooting rampage at Club Q in Colorado Springs. She wanted to say how sweet and easygoing he had been. How Raymonds little brother had dangled off his hulking 6-foot-4 frame as if it were a jungle gym. How at the funeral, Raymonds friends had not wanted to let go of his coffin. How Ms. Vance felt as though there was no justice.

I have to say something, she said on Sunday night. I just  right now, I dont know what.

Every day, in courtrooms across the country, victims of violence stand up, turn to face the accused, and express life-altering anguish and loss. These victim impact statements are meant to give grieving families and survivors their moment in court before sentencing. And the latest era of mass shootings has brought new resonance to this ritual of the American justice system.

Image Raymond Green Vance, 22, had just gotten a new job and was saving for his own apartment when he was killed in a mass shooting. Credit... Courtesy of the family of Raymond Green Vance

Because most mass shooters do not live to see a trial, there is often no such moment after their attacks. But when the killer survives  as with the attacks at Club Q, at a high school in Parkland, Fla., and at a synagogue in Pittsburgh  the question of whether to speak and what to say can be particularly fraught. Should those minutes be spent focusing on lost loved ones, or condemning the killer, or even offering forgiveness, as families did after a racist massacre inside a Charleston church?
Follow our live updates on the Canadian wildfires and air quality.

Chicago and much of the Upper Midwest were blanketed with a smoky haze from Canadian wildfires on Tuesday, leaving many residents of the nations third-largest city startled by the sudden decline in air quality and donning masks when they ventured outside.

Chicagoans were largely spared severe effects from wildfires earlier this month, when dangerous smoke affected the Northeast and pockets of the Midwest for days on end. But they had no reprieve on Tuesday, when the authorities classified the air as unhealthy in the city and in other parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota.

In Chicago, the Air Quality Index reached 209 by noon, the worst reading of any major city in the world for the day, according to IQAir, a Swiss air-quality technology company. In Green Bay, Wis., the index was 175; in Grand Rapids, Mich., it soared to 255. Any reading above 100 on the index is a warning to people with respiratory conditions to take precautions.
At his first town-hall event in New Hampshire, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida talked on Tuesday about illegal immigration in Texas, crime in Chicago, disorder on the streets of San Francisco and the wonders of nearly every aspect of Florida  a state he mentioned about 80 times.

Roughly an hour into the event, Mr. DeSantis finally got around to saying New Hampshire.

His relentless focus on Florida was at times well received in a state that will play a key role in deciding who leads the Republican Party in the 2024 election against President Biden. Mr. DeSantiss comments seemed to especially resonate when he connected his actions at home to issues of importance to New Hampshire residents, like the flood of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into their communities.

Still, his self-confident lecture about his record as Floridas governor left the distinct impression that he believes Republican voters need what he is offering them more than he is interested in what he could learn from their questions.

Every year Ive been governor, weve decreased the assumptions in our pension fund, he boasted, digging deep into the Florida policy weeds. In other words, you know, whatever it was when I came in was rosier. And we always reduced down to ensure that no matter what happens, our pension system is going to be funded. I think were like eighth-best in the country with that.
At a Senate hearing in March, Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, spent seven minutes grilling Attorney General Merrick B. Garland about the Hunter Biden investigation, reading a series of unusually specific queries from a paper in his hands.

Did David C. Weiss, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Delaware kept on under Mr. Garland to continue overseeing the inquiry, have full authority to bring charges against President Bidens son in California and Washington if he wanted to? Had Mr. Weiss ever asked to be made a special counsel? Was the investigation truly insulated from political considerations?

That encounter has taken on new significance after House Republicans released testimony last week from a senior Internal Revenue Service investigator on the case that appeared to contradict Mr. Garlands assurances to Mr. Grassley and others that Mr. Weiss had all the freedom and authority he needed to pursue the case as he saw fit.

The I.R.S. official, Gary Shapley, oversaw the agencys role in the investigation of Mr. Bidens taxes and says his criticism of the Justice Department led to him being denied a promotion. He told the House Ways and Means Committee that Mr. Weiss had been rebuffed by top federal prosecutors in Los Angeles and Washington when he had raised the prospect of pursuing charges against the presidents son in those jurisdictions.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday declared Donald J. Trump the strongest political opponent against President Biden, rushing to make clear his loyalty to the former president just hours after suggesting in a televised interview that Mr. Trump might not be the Republican presidential candidate best positioned to prevail in the 2024 election.

The hurried attempt at ingratiating himself to Mr. Trump underscores Mr. McCarthys fear of alienating the former president as he struggles to keep together his fractious House majority and withstand mounting pressure from right-wing lawmakers loyal to Mr. Trump. And it reflected the precarious position of Mr. McCarthy, who has not endorsed Mr. Trump or any other candidate, as the G.O.P. presidential primary takes shape.

His latest difficulties began on Tuesday morning when, during an interview with CNBC, Mr. McCarthy wondered whether it would be good for the party to have Mr. Trump as its presidential nominee given his legal troubles.

Can he win that election? Yeah, he can win that election, Mr. McCarthy said. The question is, is he the strongest to win the election; I dont know that answer.
Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday released a scathing report that detailed how the F.B.I., the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies repeatedly ignored, downplayed or failed to share warnings of violence before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

The 106-page report, entitled Planned in Plain Sight, highlighted and added to evidence already uncovered by the now-defunct House Jan. 6 committee, news reporting and other congressional work to provide the most comprehensive picture to date of a cascading set of security and intelligence failures that culminated in the deadliest assault on the Capitol in centuries.

Aides said Senate staff obtained thousands of additional documents from federal law enforcement agencies, including the Justice Department, before drafting the report. It includes multiple calls for armed violence, calls to occupy federal buildings including the Capitol and some of the clearest threats the F.B.I. received but did little about  including a warning that the far-right group the Proud Boys was planning to kill people in Washington.

Our intelligence agencies completely dropped the ball, said Senator Gary Peters, Democrat of Michigan and the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. He added: Despite a multitude of tips and other intelligence warnings of violence on Jan. 6, the report showed that these agencies repeatedly  repeatedly  downplayed the threat level and failed to share the intelligence they had with law enforcement partners.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a legal theory that would have radically reshaped how federal elections are conducted by giving state legislatures largely unchecked power to set rules for federal elections and to draw congressional maps warped by partisan gerrymandering.

The vote was 6 to 3, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. writing the majority opinion. The Constitution, he said, does not exempt state legislatures from the ordinary constraints imposed by state law.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented.

The decision followed other important rulings this term in which the courts three liberal members were in the majority, including ones on the Voting Rights Act, immigration and tribal rights. Though some of the biggest cases are still to come, probably arriving by the end of the week, the court has so far repeatedly repudiated aggressive arguments from conservative litigants.

The case concerned the independent state legislature theory. It is based on a reading of the Constitutions Elections Clause, which says, The times, places and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof.
Campaigning on Tuesday in New Hampshire, Donald J. Trump expressed such confidence in his consolidation of Republican voters that he said he might soon have to find another rival to attack besides Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida.

The former president, who is given to riffing aloud about his own campaign strategy, said a strategist on his team had told him not to punch downward against Republicans polling below second place.

Dont attack third, fourth, fifth or sixth  worry about two, Mr. Trump said, quoting his adviser. Then, citing some polls showing his lead expanding since his federal indictment two weeks ago, Mr. Trump predicted that Mr. DeSantis would be overtaken by other rivals.

Soon, I dont think hell be in second place, he said. So Ill be attacking somebody else.

Mr. Trump appeared in Concord on the same day that Mr. DeSantis also campaigned in New Hampshire, with the partys top two challengers holding vastly different political positions: one the dominant front-runner in the state, the other still seeking his footing.
A shooter at gay nightclub gets 2,200-year sentence.

Anderson Lee Aldrich, 'a non Binary' who killed five people in Colorado last year, will go to prison for 2200 years.

Aldrich, who told the court he identifies as non-binary, was initially charged with 323 counts, but accepted a plea bargain to avoid a potentially lengthy trial.

After reconsideration, he might get an early release.

Considering his good behaviour while being locked up, in 2036 he might get an early release...

Still, best country for killers is still Norway.

Shooting dead a hundred people gets you 25 years behind bars and walk out as a qualified professor.

That's what I call the ultimate of stupidity..




But Mr. Ramaswamy, now 37, made a fortune anyway. He took his first payout in 2015 after stirring investor excitement about his growing pharmaceutical empire. He reaped a second five years later when he sold off its most promising pieces to a Japanese conglomerate.

The core company Mr. Ramaswamy built has since had a hand in bringing five drugs to market, including treatments for uterine fibroids, prostate cancer and the rare genetic condition he mentioned on the stump in Iowa. The company says the last 10 late-stage clinical trials of its drugs have all succeeded, an impressive streak in a business where drugs commonly fail.

Mr. Ramaswamys resilience was in part a result of the savvy way he structured his web of biotechnology companies. But it also highlights his particular skills in generating hype, hope and risky speculation in an industry that feeds on all three.

A lot of it had substance. Some of it did not. Hes a sort of a Music Man, said Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat and former health secretary during the Obama administration who advised two of Mr. Ramaswamys companies.

For his part, Mr. Ramaswamy said that criticism that he overpromised was missing the point. Although he promoted the potential of the doomed Alzheimers drug, he now says he was actually selling investors on a business model.
The Supreme Court upheld a Pennsylvania law on Tuesday that requires corporations to consent to being sued in its courts  by anyone, for conduct anywhere  as a condition for doing business in the state.

Only Pennsylvania has such a law. But the ruling may pave the way for other states to enact similar ones, giving injured consumers, workers and others more choices of where to sue and subjecting corporations to suits in courts they may view as hostile to business.

The Supreme Court was split 5 to 4, with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch writing for the majority. In ruling against the corporation at the center of the case, Norfolk Southern, Justice Gorsuch rejected its argument that it was entitled to a more favorable rule, one shielding it from suits even its employees must answer under the Fourteenth Amendment.

In dissent, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Elena Kagan and Brett M. Kavanaugh, wrote that Pennsylvanias law unfairly harmed other states rights because it imposed a blanket claim of authority over controversies with no connection to the commonwealth.
At first, he heard a soft cry. Then, just beyond the broad leaves of the jungle, Nicolas Ordonez could make out the form of a small girl, a baby in her arms.

Mr. Ordonez, 27, a young man from the humblest of backgrounds, stepped forward, soon to become a national hero. He and three other men had found four Colombian children who had survived a terrifying plane crash followed by 40 harrowing days in the Amazon rain forest  and whose plight had drawn worldwide attention.

But these men did not wear the uniform of the Colombian military, or any other force backed by millions of dollars mobilized for the massive search.

Instead, they were members of a civilian patrol known as the Indigenous Guard  a confederation of defense groups that have sought to protect broad swaths of Indigenous territory from violence and environmental destruction linked to the countrys long internal conflict.
The human rights chief at the European Unions border agency said last week that it could suspend operations in Greece over chronic rights abuses against migrants, potentially pulling out dozens of border guards, vessels and aircraft from a key gateway into Europe.

The assessment, which was also made in an internal report obtained by The New York Times, came days after one of the decades most devastating migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, a case that was not covered in the E.U. report because it was so recent.

That disaster has raised new questions about the conduct of the Greek authorities, including whether they did enough to help the boat while it was in distress.

The report by the E.U. official, Jonas Grimheden, adds even more pressure on Greece over its migrant policies. Mr. Grimheden cited the agencys internal rules and several cases illustrating what he called the Greek authorities wrongful treatment of asylum seekers and migrants.
The west coast of Ireland is famed for its wave-beaten shores and bare, stony mountains, where only a few stunted trees grow in hollows and valleys, bent by harsh storms blowing in from the North Atlantic.

The coastline, with its cold, clean winds and ever-changing skies, gives an impression of unspoiled, primal nature. In 2014, the Irish government designated a 1,550-mile tourist route along the coast, and called it The Wild Atlantic Way.

Yet, where generations of painters, poets and visitors have rhapsodized about the sublimity of nature and the scenic Irish countryside, ecologists see a man-made desert of grass, heather and ferns, cleared of most native species by close-grazing sheep that often pull grasses out by the roots.
A Russian state media photo showing President Vladimir V. Putin with Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu, right, and the chief of the general staff, Valery V. Gerasimov, in Moscow in 2021.

Throughout the 36-hour armed rebellion that shook Russia this weekend, two officials key to waging President Vladimir V. Putins war in Ukraine were glaringly absent: Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu and Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, the Kremlins top military commander.

But now, as Mr. Putin seeks to project an image of restored stability and control, he has been putting his defense minister on display, even if Mr. Shoigu has not addressed the public or even been heard speaking.

A soundless video of Mr. Shoigu visiting military positions was released on Monday morning in what some Kremlin watchers interpreted as a tacit sign of support for him. Some military bloggers were quick to point out that the video appeared to have been shot on Friday, before the armed rebellion led by Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group.

Mr. Shoigu was also present on Monday as Mr. Putin convened a meeting of his top security chiefs. Footage played on state television showed him sitting around a table with his head bowed and his hands folded.

On Tuesday, as Mr. Putin praised his security forces in a grandly choreographed speech, Mr. Shoigu was again present, wearing his military uniform. Later, Mr. Shoigu held a meeting with his Cuban counterpart at the National Defense Control Center of Russia.

In conditions when the United States has been carrying out an illegal and illegitimate trade and economic blockade of Cuba for many decades, we are ready to help the Island of Freedom, lend a shoulder to our Cuban friends, Mr. Shoigu said, according to the Russian military channel Zvezda TV.

Mr. Shoigu and General Gerasimov are considered trusted allies of Mr. Putin, but in the past months they have largely stayed out of public view and have made only highly choreographed appearances, while Mr. Prigozhin published videos of himself on the front line amid corpses, with explosions booming in the distance.

Mr. Prigozhin has repeatedly and publicly criticized both men and complained that they have caused some of the Russian militarys problems. Other prominent Russian leaders have also criticized Mr. Shoigu and General Gerasimov.

In October, after Russias retreat from the Ukrainian city of Lyman, Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of the southern Russian republic of Chechnya  who controls his own paramilitary force  wrote on the Telegram messaging app that Russias top military brass had covered for an incompetent general who should now be sent to the front to wash his shame off with blood.

Andrei Guryulov, a hard-line member of Russias Parliament from the ruling United Russia party, disparaged the military leadership around the same time.

The whole problem is not on the ground, but on the Frunzenskaya embankment, where they still do not understand, and do not take ownership of the situation, he said, referring to the location of the Defense Ministry. Until something completely different appears in the General Staff, nothing will change.

Even the staunch Putin ally Aleksandr Dugin, whose daughter was killed last autumn by a car bomb, called Mr. Putin and President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus heroes, but without naming them seemed to cast blame on supporters of Mr. Shoigu and General Gerasimov for the Wagner rebellion.

Those who made this situation possible, who committed it, and who could not prevent it, and when it all began, were unable to adequately respond, must be said goodbye to abruptly, Mr. Dugin wrote on Telegram on Monday.

Mr. Shoigu, who was a very popular minister of emergency situations before becoming defense minister in 2012, has had a long and friendly relationship with Mr. Putin. Long before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the two were regularly photographed hunting, fishing and picking mushrooms. Ahead of Mr. Putins birthday in 2019, they vacationed together in the vast Russian taiga, taking long hikes. But he has never served in the military, which has been a cause of resentment among his critics.

General Gerasimov is seen as a consummate military man, though some analysts suggested at the time of his appointment that the Kremlin was looking to streamline military decision-making and had appointed him in the hopes of getting a leader willing to carry out decisions coming directly from the top. He has not spoken in public since the revolt.

Mr. Putin may have kept both men in charge as part of his decades-long efforts to place the sprawling Russian military more under his control.

Its a Russian paradox, said Andrei Soldatov, an expert on the Russian security services.

Mr. Putin needs someone quite weak and compromised to represent the military politically, he added, because what he remembers about the recent rise of history in the last 30 years is that even the most disastrous of wars produce popular generals.

Oleg Matsnev contributed reporting.
Just four days ago, the Wagner mercenary group was advancing on Moscow and Vladimir V. Putins two-decade rule over Russia appeared under threat. Then, in a stunning twist, the uprisings leader, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, said that he was halting the insurrection and going into exile.

As the dust settles, here is a look at what we know about the situation.

What will happen to Mr. Prigozhin?

Since leaving Rostov-on-Don, the southwestern Russian city that Wagner had claimed control over, Mr. Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus, according to that countrys authoritarian leader, President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, a loyal ally of Mr. Putins.

The arrival in Belarus of the Wagner leader, a billionaire and onetime Putin friend himself, was part of an arrangement that Mr. Lukashenko announced on Saturday.

But Mr. Prigozhins ability to secure such an escape route was not a foregone conclusion, the Belarusian leader outlined on Tuesday. Describing his role in negotiating the deal over the weekend, Mr. Lukashenko said that Mr. Putin had entertained the possibility of killing the Wagner chief.
Well before Yevgeny V. Prigozhin seized a major Russian military hub and ordered an armed march on Moscow, posing a startling and dramatic threat to President Vladimir V. Putin, the caterer-turned-mercenary boss was losing his own personal war.

Mr. Prigozhins private army had been sidelined. His lucrative government catering contracts had come under threat. The commander he most admired in the Russian military had been removed as the top general overseeing Ukraine. And he had lost his most vital recruiting source for fighters: Russias prisons.

Then, on June 13, his only hope for a last-minute intervention to spare him a bitter defeat in his long-running power struggle with Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu was dashed.

Mr. Putin sided publicly with Mr. Prigozhins adversaries, affirming that all irregular units fighting in Ukraine would have to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense. That included Mr. Prigozhins private military company, Wagner.
Prince Harrys lawyers began their closing statements on Tuesday in a lawsuit against the British media company Mirror Group Newspapers, which he has accused of hacking his cellphone more than a decade ago.

The lawsuit is part of a yearslong feud between Harry and the British tabloids, and one of several cases he has brought against newspaper publishers. During this case, the prince gave evidence over two days, becoming the first prominent member of the royal family to testify in court in over 130 years.

This week, both David Sherborne, Prince Harrys lawyer, and Andrew Green, a lawyer for the Mirror Group, will address the judge, Timothy Fancourt.

The case focuses on accusations that throughout the early 2000s, the company hacked Harrys phone, as well as those of his brother, William, a girlfriend and some aides. Harry has brought the lawsuit alongside three other plaintiffs, and on Tuesday, his lawyer presented to the judge the evidence he submitted to support their argument.
During a mercenarys daylong mutiny against Russias military, President Vladimir V. Putin appeared just once, vowing decisive actions to take on a betrayal of our people.

After the five-minute address, Mr. Putin was out of sight again, leaving Russians to wonder about their presidents absence amid the most dramatic challenge to his rule in 23 years.

But the Kremlins image machine shifted into action on Tuesday, with Mr. Putin suddenly making televised speeches  an attempt to rewrite the story about what happened and assure the Russian public that he is still pulling the levers of power, whether people can see him or not.
Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad has been ordered to haul 4.2 million tons of coal this year from Montanas Spring Creek mine, whose owner had accused the railroad of breach of contract.

The preliminary injunction issued Friday by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board requires BNSF to commit 23 trains a month to shipping Spring Creek coal, which is mined by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company, or NTEC. The Railroad must ship an additional six trainloads a month when possible and find the means to move another million tons by years end.

The mining company sued BNSF for breach of contract last December, then sought a preliminary injunction from the Surface Transportation Board in April. In its lawsuit, NTEC accuses BNSF of prioritizing coal from other mining companies.

NTEC has shown that it will suffer imminent, certain, and irreparable harm in the absence of a preliminary injunction the Surface and Transportation Board majority said. Some of the damages NTEC claims are strictly monetary, as shown by NTECs filing in the complaint proceeding, and NTEC has not shown that those damages are irreparable. However, the injury to NTECs reputation includes harm that is not redressable by monetary damages.

NTEC alleged that in the first 11 months of 2022 it was only able to get 2.9 million tons of Spring Creek coal to port at Westshore Terminal, British Columbia. The mining company had expected to ship 5.5 million tons but couldnt get adequate train service. It takes a trainload a day to move 5.5 million tons a year according to NTEC. Train service was down to 18 trains monthly. Each shipment is about 15,125 tons.

On the other end of the line, there were ships docked waiting for Spring Creek coal. NTEC claims it lost $15 million in demerge charges and $150 million in revenue in 2022 because of shipping issues.

Spring Creek is Montana's largest coal mine, producing about 13 million tons in 2021 The mine was previously owned by Cloud Peak Energy. Spring Creek is second to Signal Peak mine in Montana coal exports. Both mines ship out of Vancouver, which is roughly 1,400 miles away by rail.

NTEC alleges that the BNSF had taken on new coal customers to the disadvantage of Spring Creek shipments.

The Crow Tribe of Indians and several other regional mining companies objected to the Surface Transportation Board order, arguing that guarantied shipments for NTEC would mean fewer shipments for the region's other mines.
The Russian domestic intelligence agency said on Tuesday that it was dropping armed mutiny criminal charges against Yevgeny V. Prigozhin and members of his Wagner force, while the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the mercenary groups fighters were preparing to hand over military equipment to the army.

An amnesty for Wagner fighters who participated in the mutiny was part of a deal brokered on Saturday between Mr. Prigozhin and President Vladimir V. Putin that brought an end to the rebellion, in which Wagner troops seized a military installation in southern Russia and marched to within 125 miles of Moscow. The Wagner forces also shot down several Russian aircraft, leading to the deaths of an undisclosed number of airmen whom Mr. Putin has praised as fallen hero pilots.

But the announcement by the intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., made clear that Mr. Prigozhin and his associates would not face criminal punishment for the violence.

It was established that its participants stopped their actions directly aimed at committing a crime on June 24, the F.S.B. said in a statement on Tuesday. Taking into account these and other circumstances of value to the investigation, the investigative agency resolved on June 27 to terminate the criminal case.
Even before President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia broke his public silence on Monday about the aborted mutiny that brought rogue troops to within 125 miles of Moscow, he was on the phone to the leaders of Iran, Qatar and other friendly countries, soaking up their expressions of support while presumably promising a return to stability.

For Mr. Putin, who has cobbled together a surprisingly sturdy list of countries that either back his war on Ukraine or have stayed neutral, it was a much-needed display of mutual reassurance. Russias message, it seemed, was business as usual on foreign policy, even after the alarming events of last weekend.

As rattled as they may have been by an armed insurrection in a nuclear-weapons state, Russias friends and business partners are unlikely to abandon Mr. Putin, according to diplomats and analysts. The more likely scenario, they say, is for them to hedge their bets against further Russian instability.

Im not surprised at any of those public statements, said Michael A. McFaul, a former American ambassador to Russia. Its not in our interest or anyone elses interest to stir things up. But privately, if your goal is stability, then you should be worried about Putins ability to provide this stability.
A tourist decided to immortalize a visit to the Colosseum in Rome with his girlfriend recently by scratching their names into one of the walls of the nearly 2,000-year-old monument.

Ivan + Hayley 23/6/23, he etched into the brick last Friday with a set of keys.

The act, apparently captured by another tourist and posted online, has left Ivan facing the prospect of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 15,000 euros  if he is apprehended.

In the video, whose authenticity has not been verified but which has been shared widely online, the person filming Ivan asks: Are you serious, man? using an expletive.

Colosseum officials confirmed the vandalism and noted that a clearly marked sign nearby reads: No climbing and writing on the walls.
CAIRO  At least three people were killed when a 14-story apartment building collapsed in the coastal city of Alexandria in northern Egypt, authorities said Tuesday.

The high-rise building collapsed early on Monday, and initial reports said eight people were missing beneath the rubble.

On Tuesday, the city authorities confirmed that three bodies had been pulled out of the rubble but did not say if anyone was still missing. Two people were reported injured in the collapse but have since been discharged from the hospital.

It was also not immediately known what caused the collapse. Such incidents are common in Egypt, where shoddy construction is widespread in shantytowns, poor city neighborhoods and rural areas.
Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart DMs From New York City

New York City can be a study in overstimulation. The noise. The crowds. The signs. So many signs. A collage of overlapping text. Commands, directions, advertisements, information. No Parking. Uptown Only. Film Shoot. Dont Block the Box.

Inundated with information, I find myself trying to block some of it out. I avoid eye contact and walk briskly, focused on whats right in front of me. Inside my own force field. Sunglasses. Earbuds. Self-imposed tunnel vision.

Still, I always seem to notice other types of messages, tucked between the standard announcements. Not just from New York, but from New Yorkers.

Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart

I am sure you have seen them. They are not dispatched through official channels, like blindingly bright kinetic 40-foot advertisements in Times Square, or via admonishments like stand clear of the closing doors  but in incredibly specific signs and handwritten missives. Direct messages.

Some are gently philosophical. Waiting for an uptown train at Union Square a few years back, I spotted a modest suggestion, scrawled in marker on the subway platform column:

Tk Credit

And outside an Upper East Side townhouse, there is a sign perhaps intended for those ringing the doorbell, but also maybe for anyone who needs to hear it:

Tk Credit

Some messages are more mysterious, like the memo written on a name tag sticker, attached to a light pole in Brooklyn Heights:

Tk Credit

There are times when it is obvious what the writer intended. On the green plywood walls around a construction site on East 79th Street, blunt feedback appears from neighbors attempting to negotiate:

Tk Credit

Often, a few words can conjure an entire dramatic scene. On a mattress that one can only imagine was unceremoniously dumped on an uptown Manhattan curb during a breakup:

Tk Credit

Then there are messages with a winking sense of humor. A couple of years ago, a retail establishment announced an offer that seemed limited in its appeal:

Tk Credit

Last year, a shop on First Avenue posted a notice that doubled as a trend-spotting news flash:

Tk Credit

Underneath it all is the visceral attempt to connect, to be heard, to cut through the clutter and make a statement.

Occasionally, these DMs teeter dangerously on the edge of smarm, like a small orange card, taped to a light pole, with a handwritten insistence:

Tk Credit

But usually, whether ephemeral guerrilla art, stern warnings or idle musings, the messages have a similar effect. In a city that shouts and blares, these are little whispers, with voices as varied and distinctive as New Yorkers themselves.

Often the notes raise more questions than they answer: Who wrote that? Why? What are the goods that are urgently processed? And what is it about a funny or serendipitous turn of phrase spotted out of context that compels me to have an iPhone camera roll full of them, the earliest photo dating back more than a decade?

Theyre not quite Easter eggs, these unexpected messages  I never actively hunt for them. In fact, one often pops up when I least expect it.

Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart Dodai Stewart

Sometimes its hard to comprehend what a city really is, beyond densely stacked gleaming towers and throngs of faceless, busy strangers. Its difficult to conceive of all the millions of lives being lived, simultaneously, in the same place, each with hopes, dreams and desires.

When I see a handwritten note or a strategically placed little wisecrack, setting itself apart from the mass-produced signage, it shrinks things down to a human scale. New York is just a bunch of people, and they want to talk. They have things to say. To live here is to be in a never-ending conspiratorial conversation, with weird asides, in-jokes, unsolicited advice and unanticipated encouragement.

Recently, after a long day of navigating commuting, working, commuting again, socializing, dodging traffic and jostling crowds, I climbed into the back of a cab, bone-tired and ready for bed, and encountered a sticker with the best possible words for 9:30 p.m. on a Tuesday:
Kekst CNC is representing electric pickup truck maker Lordstown Motors as it files for Chapter 11 and sues its erstwhile business partner Foxconn for fraud and a failure to live up to its financial commitments.

Struggling Lordstown sold its Ohio plant to Foxconn in November 2021 and ironed out a joint development with the Taiwan-based electronics giant.

The suit alleges that Foxconn had no intention of living up to its agreement and used it as a tool to maliciously and in bad faith destroy the truck makers business.

Foxconn says it had been negotiating with Lordstown to resolve its financial difficulties, but future talks have been suspended.

Lordstown CEO Edward Hightower is seeking a buyer for the Endurance vehicle platform and related assets.

He said the production-launched Endurance platform can serve as a springboard for the right OEM or other strategic purchaser into the broader North American EV full-size truck market at a fraction of the cost and time it would take to develop a program from the ground up.

Kekst CNCs Jeremy Fielding, Jon Morgan and Simone Leung handle media for Lordstown.

Publicis Groupe owns Kekst CNC.


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.
Last week's winner of the Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks Crafty Shivoo had a big Offaly connection as she was born and reared in Killeigh by the late Donal Beatty and his son Sean. The Beattys have specialised in buying and breeding top class bitches with impeccable bloodlines for years now and winning the Oaks last Saturday week was a testament to the hard work that has been put in.



Sean tells me that hes waiting for Shivoos dam Ballymac Sanjose to have her seasonal break down and expect so in next couple of months. He also tells me he has some magnificent well bred saplings and two of his brood bitches ready to whelp in July. If anyone is looking to purchase a pup look no further than Beattys Kennels and who knows you could be walking out the gate with another classic winner under your arm.



The semi-finals of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby in Towcester and the final of the Thatch Bar and Restaurant National Produce Stake in Clonmel on Sunday were the highlights of another super week of racing where there was also an abundance of finals around all tracks with plenty of money on offer. Some top class Offaly winners also added into the mix.



Early Week Racing



Enniscorthy, Monday, quarter-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Open unraced stake, Runaway Charlie set the bar highest when winning in 29.08 (20 slow) by four lengths at 3/1 for Pat Buckley.



First Offaly winner of the week was in Shelbourne on Thursday, in an A5 race Coolemount Holly won in 29.09 by nine lengths at 3/1 for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman.



Also on Thursday, back in Enniscorthy, in the semi-finals of an A2 sweepstake, Whitewood Lenny won the first for Laura Earle in 29.15 (20 slow) by one length while Kiltrea Rob got the nod in the second for John Doyle in 28.96 (20 slow) by three lengths.



Friday Racing



Newbridge, in the semi-finals of an A3 stake, Short Grip showed some blistering pace for Rhode owner P.J. Cocoman when winning in 28.43 by fourteen lengths at 1/1 fav. The second semi went to Hawkfield Diego for Pat Doran in 28.90 by three lengths.



Like The Mother was a good winner in an A5 contest in the Showgrounds in Galway for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton in 29.60 (10 slow) by four lengths at 5/2.



Three finals of note in Shelbourne, with the best being the RCETS A3 final, Dryland Bruce (Droopys Sydney - Dryland Sally) won the 3k first prize in 28.62 by two lengths at 4/1 for Declan Byrne. In the final of the Barking Buzz App A1 contest, Clona Rocko (Ballymac Bolger - Bellmore Lucy) trained by Micheal Taggart won the 1.75 pot in 28.41 by three lengths at 5/2. The last final was the RCE A2 stake, this ended up going to Boylesports Bob (Good News - Roanna Bess) in the fastest time of the night in 28.04 by four lengths at 6/4 with another 1.75k going to his trainer Paul Hennessy.



Two Offaly winners on the supporting card, in an A2 grade Blue Rumble had his twelveth career win for Niall Deegan in 28.55 by three lengths at 5/4. When you add in his ten seconds and ten third place finishes Blue Rumble has been a great servant and money spinner for the Tullamore man. Also in an A2 grade, Highview Rosie was first over the line for Merriman again in 28.84 by one length at 6/4.



Saturday Racing



Curraheen Park, Cork, in the semi-finals of the Denis Linehan Solicitors Open unraced stake, only one hundred of a second separated the two winners, Jetara won the first for Owen Mckenna in 28.17 (10 fast) by six lengths at 4/5 fav while Droopys Flytline the second for Robert Gleeson in 28.18 (10 fast) also by six lengths at 4/6 fav. The final should be a proper match between these two it both get a clear run.



Dundalk, in the semi-finals of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll A3 Memorial stake, Four Winds Blow was first back in kennels in the first for Ignatius Hampsey in 28.71 by three lengths with Princes Street winning the second for Mullingar trainer Francie Murray in 28.66 by two lengths.



Only Offaly winner on Saturday was in Mullingar, in an A5 contest, Affable Aoife made it two wins from two starts for Cappincur owners Gemma and Justin Colgan in 29.88 (50 slow) by one length at 5/4 fav.



The best races in Shelbourne were in the first round of the RPGTV Open 750 Corn Cuchalainn, won last year by Crafty Kokoro for Peter Divilly. Five heats with Threesixfive setting the fastest time for Scott Phelan in 41.30 by six lengths at 4/5 fav.



Thurles staged the first round of one of their big events of the year, the Centenary Agri Open Tipperary Cup, won in 2022 by the great Bobsleigh Dream for Pat Buckley. Six heats all won in fast times with Pape Di Ore going fastest for Buckley again in 28.55 (20 slow) by six lengths at 1/2 fav.



English Derby.



Six Irish dogs went into the semi-finals of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby on Saturday with three making it through in magnificent style, winning both heats and the remaining one second. Champion trainer Graham Holland provided all three dogs with the impressive Swords Rex winning his heat in 28.76 by four lengths and Clona Duke his in 28.69 by two. Gaytime Nemo was second for Holland behind Clona Duke. Expect the Irish dogs to dominate this final on Saturday and wouldnt be surprised if we fill the first three places but in what order remains to be seen. For Holland its another remarkable achievement following up from winning this Derby last year with Romeo Magico. Expect the 175k first prize cheque to be in his wallet as he brings his three champions home to have a crack at the Irish equivalent.



Leading Irish Bookmakers have installed Swords Rex as even money fav with Clona Duke second fav at 5/2. Gaytime Nemo can be backed at 6/1 with the three English dogs 7/1 or better.Heres hoping for another memorable night for the Irish in Northamptonshire.



Sunday Racing



Three Offaly winners at the matinee meeting in Mullingar, with Moneygall owner Mary Jones supplying the first two. Lingrawn Billy won an A6 race in 29.92 by three lengths at 3/1 and Lingrawn Lola won in an A5 grade in 29.78 also by three lengths at 4/1. In the final race on the card, an A3 contest, Uncle Baldy showed a nice turn of foot to come from off the pace to win by two lengths in the second fastest time of the day in 29.61 at 4/1 for Charlie and Justin Colgan and the Glafo Syndicate. All races in Mullingar were rated .50 slow.



Over 40k was up for grabs at the evening meeting in Clonmel with the final of their biggest stake of the year, The National Produce Stake. Six dogs went to traps all trying to get their name on one of the oldest trophies in greyhound racing won last year by Gaston Pecas for Pat Buckley. It was a surprise result as the 20k first prize went to Burgess Supreme (Burgess Bucks - Burgess Dancer) when he stole a march on his rivals and held on to win by two lengths in 28.52 (10 slow) at very generous odds of 20/1. For his owners Sheila Spillane and J.J. Fennelly its a well merited success as both have put a lifetime into dog racing and have travelled the country with their dogs all running under the Burgess prefix. Well deserved.



Hukum was second for Adam Dunford and got a runner up purse of 6k.



There were numerous other sweepstake finals on with the best being the Kieran Purcell Memorial A3 550 with the 1.5k pot going to Miss Spoofer (Spoofer - Lemon Abigail) and Philip Gough in 30.11 (10 slow) by two lengths at 6/1.



Upcoming Events



Thursday, Enniscorthy, final of an A2 stake.Friday, final of an A3 sweepstake in Newbridge. Saturday, final of the Denis Linehan Open unraced in Cork, final of the Paddy and Eamonn Carroll Memorial in Dundalk, quarterfinals of the Corn Cuchalainn in Shelbourne, quarterfinals of the Tipperary Cup in Thurles and the big one , final of the English Derby in Towcester.



Tribune Offaly dog of the week



Short Grip gets the nod this week for a stunning fourteen lengths win in 28.43 in the semifinal of an A3 sweepstake in Newbridge on Friday for P.J. Cocoman. A big run for a young bitch with a very bright future.



Extra racing at Newbridge



Following a meeting with the Greyhound Board of Ireland the local supporters club at Newbridge have a verbal promise from the board of one extra night's racing only in the coming weeks.

If the racing pool is then held at a consistent level, more extra meetings will be looked favourably at by the board. So now the ball is in all the owners and trainers court. Please dont let this opportunity pass and text in your entries as soon as possible to 085 8050419. Please note once your greyhound runs a race they have to be re-entered into the racing pool.



Offaly Winners



Nine Offaly winners this week, well done to all involved in any small way.
JKL Street in Edenderry has been chosen as the location for Offaly's first Rainbow Pedestrian Crossing.

Cllr Mark Hackett told the Tribune that, during a consultation with the Council's Area Engineer, it was decided to opt for the crossing on this street.

Cllr Hackett pointed out that pictures in the media of the LGBT+ crossings show rainbow-coloured crossings running across the road but this is not what he wants. I am looking for minor painting of the roadway, no more than about a foot in width, adjacent to the pavement. I am conscious of the fact deviations from established zebra crossings are considered unsafe, unexpected and could present a danger to road users. At some crossings in Ireland the local authorities have painted rainbow colours running alongside the zebra markings, but Cllr Hackett said he isn't seeking this.

There was a mixed reaction to the Councillor's call for the creation of the crossing during the June meeting of Offaly County Council.

In a Notice of Motion submitted to the Council meeting, the councillor called for the introduction of the crossing, at an appropriate location, in recognition of the marginalised position of members of the LGBT+ community and to coincide with Pride Month. The motion was seconded by Cllr Sean O'Brien.

Some councillors told the meeting that they were not against the LGBT+ community but they were wondering about the wording of the councillor's motion. However, in spite of their misgivings, they didn't submit a countermotion.

Cllr Hackett said the Crossing is a sympathetic gesture and there are quite a few Rainbow Crossings in Ireland, including Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Portlaoise.

Cllr John Leahy told the meeting that he doesn't think the LGBT+ community are marginalised. He said the community has enjoyed a lot of publicity in recent years and it's time to equally focus on other marginalised groups. "We have Pride Month, we have flags in most schools. We have the flag outside the Aras when asked for. Where does this stop?

Cllr Tony McCormack said he also had a problem with the word marginalised in the motion. Cllr John Clendennen agreed. He said there's a danger of finding prejudice, of believing that certain groups or individuals are being prejudicial, when in fact no such prejudice exists. Cllr Clendennen warned that they should be cautious about appearing to favour one group or groups over other groups.

Cllr Hackett told the Tribune this week that he was saddened to hear negative reactions to his proposal. He said his proposal is coming from a good place. If other groups asked me for a similar show of support I would give it. For example, if Ukrainians asked me for a display of solidarity I would have no hesitation. Through my work on gender-based violence in public spaces I have become increasingly aware of how isolated and vulnerable LGBT+ people can feel. This crossing is a symbolic gesture, designed to raise awareness of the need for inclusiveness and safety. I feel that our work as allies of LGBT+ people in Offaly must be proactive. The idea of this Rainbow Crossing is to bring this visible reminder of inclusion and safety to Offaly."

Christina Fitzharris, Coordinator at the Midlands LGBT+ Project, pointed out that Offaly is one of the only counties left in Ireland without an annual pride parade or festival and it is imperative that we send messages of solidarity to our local LGBT+ people in Offaly that they are safe and welcome here, especially at this time when reported hate crime and hate crime related incidents have risen 23% in the past year. A rainbow crossing will help show support and allyship to our LGBT+ community as it has in many other counties across the country."
A Billings man was sentenced Monday to more than 100 years in prison for shooting and killing a man outside of a local bar in 2019.

Deandre Laron Gulley, 43, fatally fired several shots at a group of people gathered outside of the now-shuttered Lees Saloon. One of those rounds struck 24-year-old Shane NezPerce, who died at a Billings hospital.

It was a miracle that the bullets fired by (Gulley) did not strike, and perhaps kill, more persons that morning, Yellowstone County prosecutors wrote in court documents recommending Gulley be sentenced to life for the fatal shooting.

Security footage played during Gulleys trial earlier this year showed several patrons standing outside of Lees in April 2019. A fight broke out that ended with a man being punched and knocked to the ground.

Two others, later identified as suspects in the shooting, helped the injured person off the ground and into the parking lot. One of the suspects, later identified as Gulley, appeared back at the scene with a handgun and fired eight rounds. He then ran north into an alleyway bordering Lees Saloon.

Bullets hit one man in the leg. NezPerce was hit in the back and died about 45 minutes later. Detectives with the Billings Police Department recovered security footage and took statements from several witnesses. Although some statements contradicted others, investigators eventually identified Gulley as a suspect. He was charged in Yellowstone County District Court with deliberate homicide, assault with a weapon and criminal endangerment, and was arrested and booked into county jail in March 2020.

A second suspect in the shooting, Gregory Boyd, was also initially charged with deliberate homicide. He reached an agreement with county prosecutors in which he pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with evidencing, admitting to deleting security footage at his home following the death of NezPerce.

Gulley maintained his innocence through an eight-day trial in May 2023, after which a jury convicted him of all three counts. At his sentencing Monday before Yellowstone County District Judge Michael G. Moses, the convictions for homicide and assault were merged into a single count for which Moses sentenced Gulley to 110 years in prison, with 38 suspended. For the criminal endangerment conviction, Moses sentenced Gulley to an additional 10 years in Montana State Prison.

The Yellowstone County Attorneys Office charged 22 people with deliberate homicide from 2020-2022, the Gazette previously reported. County prosecutors have filed homicide charges in connection to three deaths so far this year.
Kannada Actor Suraj Kumar Loses Right Leg In Accident Ahead Of His Debut

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Kannada actor Suraj Kumar's right leg had to be amputated after he met with a major accident on Saturday ahead of his movie debut. On Saturday, Suraj Kumar's two-wheeler collided with a tipper lorry. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors had to amputate his leg below the knee.

Suraj Kumar, 24, son of film producer S A Srinivas, had previously worked as an assistant director on notable films like Airavatha and Tharak. He had been working on the film Ratham, alongside popular Malayali actress Priya Prakash Varrier.

According to reports, the accident took place when Suraj, also known as Dhruvan, was travelling between Mysuru and Ooty. While overtaking a tractor, Suraj lost control of his bike and crashed into a tipper. Following the collision, he was swiftly taken to Manipal Hospital in Mysuru, where his leg had to be amputated below the knee.

YouTuber Devraj Patel Killed In Road Accident

A police officer as quoted by Indian Express said, "Suraj was returning from Ooty on his bike. His right leg was entirely crushed under the wheels of a tipper lorry. He has been admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru, where he is currently receiving treatment."

During Suraj's hospitalization, renowned Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, son of the legendary Dr. Rajkumar, and his wife Geetha visited him. The Rajkumar family shares a familial connection with Suraj, as he is the nephew of Dr. Rajkumar's wife, Parvathamma.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 16:53 [IST]
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Nandini vs Milma: KMF Puts on Hold its Kerala Expansion Plan

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Popular Karnataka dairy brand Nandini, which opened a few of its outlets in Kerala recently, has decided to put on hold its expansion plan in this southern state.

Kerala Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Milk Cooperatives J Chinchurani said she has received information in this regard from the CEO of the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which uses the trade name Nandini.

''Information has been received from the CEO that Nandini will not open new outlets in the state for the time being,'' the minister told reporters here.

Welcoming the KMF's decision, Chinchurani said this shift has come in the wake of change of government in Karnataka following the victory of the Congress.

She also said the state wanted the milk and milk products of the Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation's (KCMMF) Milma.

The CPI (M)-led LDF government in Kerala had recently expressed concern over the entry into the state of milk and dairy products from Karnataka's Nandini.

Milma Vs Nandini: Kerala's Popular Milk Brand To Open Outlets in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

The Kerala government had filed a complaint with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to resolve the issue.

Chinchurani had earlier said both Nandini and Milma are government-supported organisations, and therefore, when going to another state, that state's permission ought to have been taken.

In April this year, KCMMF termed as ''unethical'' the tendency of some state milk marketing federations to aggressively enter markets outside their respective states.

It was criticising the KMF's move to open its outlets in parts of Kerala to sell its Nandini brand of milk and other products.

Milma, back then, had said this involved a total breach of the cooperative spirit based on which the country's dairy sector has been organised for the benefit of millions of dairy farmers.

Such practices from any side will jeopardise the spirit of cooperative principles that have been nurtured for a long time by mutual consent and goodwill, it had said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 22:14 [IST]
Kalaignar Library- A place to satiate your knowledge appetite

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

The grand structure of Madurai Kalaignar Centenary Library has reached its final stage of work with the completion of book stacking. The inauguration ceremony of the library which is located in Puthanatham road in Madurai will be held on July 15th.

In 2010, during the celebration of Annadurai Centenary function, the then CM Karunanidhi constructed the Anna Centenary library in Chennai based on the model of Singapore library. Anna Centenary Library is considered to be the second largest library in Asia. Keeping this in mind, last year CM Stalin ordered the construction of Kalaignar library in Madurai at a cost of 99 crores to highlight the centenary celebrations of Karunanidhi.

Total cost of the library 121 crores!

The construction of the library was completed at a cost of 121 crores which includes 10 crores for the purchase of books and 5 crores for the setting up of equipment. The library has an area of approximately 2,13,288 square feet with 6 floors including the basement and the ground floor. We asked about the Kalaignar library to Karu Palaniappan and Solomon Pappaiah.

Firstly Karu Palaniappan said, "Basically I grew up in Simmakkal region which is a central part in Madurai. I started reading weekly and monthly magazines in Simmakkal library which is the central library of the district. This was back in 1989 and 1990s when the district library seemed grand compared to the school libraries. Now, the blissful factor is the construction of the world class Kalaignar library which is more magnificent than the others. There are still 3 years remaining in DMK's rule within which the government should aspire to build atleast one library in each district. This should be done by the DMK government by setting the aim as 39 and the sure shot achievement as atleast 6, said the Director.

He also said that the apt name for the library is Karunanidhi owing to his lifelong contributions to literary works. "My professor in American college when he took classes about the poet E.E. Cummings informed us that one can write a page only if one reads a hundred pages", said the director.

Library in the name of Karunanidhi:

While talking about Palaniappan's professor, he also mentioned that once his professor told them about Walt Whitman who is an American poet while talking about E.E. Cummings. Walt Whitman was the one who introduced modern poetry but he himself had said that people who write modern poetry will increase in number compared to the people who read modern poetry owing to its simplicity. Citing this reason Walt Whitman said that over time the quality of modern poetry will get diluted.

Saying this, Palaniappan's professor explained that when modern poetry first came in Tamil language the poet Neelamani wrote intense poems without compromising the quality. Since I haven't heard about the name Neelamani before, I started searching for his literary works in my college and district library. I had to go to the Annam publications run by poet Meera to get the literary works of Neelamani due to the unavailability of his works in college and district library. So, for people like us who have studied in situations like this, the opening of such a grand library in Madurai is such a big thing that too in the name of Karunanidhi, says the director.

Next Solomon Pappaiah said that, soon Kalaignar Centenary library will be opened in Madurai. This is exciting news because the arts of life are totally 64(Aaya Kalaigal) and science has also attained tremendous growth today. To learn about the arts and scientific advancements we need books. Affluent people have the means to purchase books but that is not the case for impoverished people. Even if the impoverished people buy the books they do not enjoy the luxury of having an isolated and peaceful environment at home to study.

The constraints for poor:

Solomon Pappaiah said that during his childhood he had the desire to read a lot. The financial situation at home did not support the desire. I had the means to read in the school library but the books cannot be taken home in order to prevent damage to books. The facilities of private libraries were also there but it required payment of fees which again was not possible considering the situation at home.

Sometimes, we will borrow the books from some of our affluent friends who have the ability to get the books by paying the amount. The non-availability of crime novels and science based books was a major drawback at that time. From the library in Madurai Thiagarajar college we can take a maximum of upto 2 books to read at home. So basically we had the desire to read but we didn't have the means or facility for it. Today's scenario is different. It gives me immense pleasure to just look at the grandeur structure of Kalaignar Centenary library, says Solomon Pappaiah. Various facilities have been made in the library by CM Stalin which is equal to the global standards. One such facility is the department wise stacking of books for the easy accessibility by youngsters as well as old-aged people.

Books can be bought but where to study?

So many villages are there in and around Cumbum, Theni, Sivakasi Virudhunagar, Aruppukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul. Keeping in mind the region's graduates, students and other people who have the hunger for knowledge, Kalaignar library was constructed in Madurai. Parents are more concerned about accumulating property and wealth for their children which eventually will bring strife between them. A particular generation should be more concerned about passing on wisdom to the next generation which can be done only by books. This is the idea behind the construction of the library.

In ancient times, people came from China to study in the Nalanda University in Bihar which had one of the biggest libraries in the world. Alexandria University in Egypt also had an exceptional library. I have visited some foreign libraries like this and was overwhelmed by the facilities available in those libraries. Big libraries like this make us understand the reality that still so many things are there to learn. Visiting temples will help us achieve spiritual satisfaction but visiting libraries will help us realise the miniscule nature of our knowledge. On the account of this realisation only CM Stalin has constructed such a wonderful and grand library with global standards, says Solomon Pappaiah.
17-Year-Old Boy Electrocuted to Death in Delhi, Second Case in 2 Days

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A 17-year-old boy was electrocuted to death in Delhi on Sunday morning, the second such case in two days.

Sohail, a resident of Bengaluru, was visiting his uncle in Delhi when he was electrocuted by a live wire lying in a waterlogged street.

The incident took place around 5 am in Taimoor Nagar, near Sohail's uncle's house. Sohail was trying to cross the street when he stepped into the water and came into contact with the live wire. He was declared dead at a hospital.

On Sunday, a woman was also electrocuted to death at New Delhi Railway Station when she touched an electric pole while trying to walk through a flooded road. The victim identified as Sakshi Ahuja was supposed to catch Bhopal Shatabdi. In an attempt to dodge the waterlogged area, Sakshi caught an electric pole due to which she got electrocuted.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the chairman of the Railway Board, the Delhi government and the city police over the woman's death, pointing to "life-threatening lapses" and "apparent negligence of the authorities".

The NHRC has asked the authorities to submit a detailed report on the incident within two weeks.

The deaths of Sohail and the woman have highlighted the dangers of walking through waterlogged streets in Delhi during monsoon season.

The Delhi government has been urged to take steps to ensure that live wires are not exposed in waterlogged areas.

The families of Sohail and the woman have demanded compensation from the government. The police have registered a case in both the incidents and are investigating.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 20:10 [IST]
CAG To Conduct Special Audit Of Arvind Kejriwals Bungalow Reconstruction

India

oi-Deepika S

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will conduct a special audit into the alleged administrative and financial irregularities in the reconstruction of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, Raj Niwas officials said on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had recommended the special CAG audit following a letter dated May 24 from L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena, who had pointed out financial irregularities in the renovation of the Delhi Chief Minister's official residence.

The letter was received from the LG office and it pointed out ''gross and prima facie financial irregularities'' in the ''reconstruction'' of the chief minister's official residence, they claimed.

No immediate reaction was available from the Arvind Kejriwal's office or the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.

The BJP had earlier claimed that about Rs 45 crore was spent on the beautification of the Delhi Chief Minister's official residence in the city's Civil Lines area and demanded his resignation on moral" grounds.

However, the Congress alleged on 7 May that the amount spent on Kejriwal's residence was Rs 171 crore and not Rs 45 crore as his government had to buy additional flats for officers whose houses had to be either demolished or vacated for the expansion of the CM's residential complex.
Do You Consider Public, Including the Youth to be Brainless? Allahabad HC Pulls up Adipurush Makers

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Allahabad High Court pulled up the makers of the film 'Adipurush' over its dialogues that have reportedly angered a significant section of the audience, who accuse it of hurting religious sentiments. The court has directed co-writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla to be made a party in the case and issued a notice, demanding a response within a week.

During the hearing of a petition seeking a ban on 'Adipurush,' which claims to be a mythological action film based on the Hindu epic Ramayana, the court expressed concerns about the nature of the dialogues. It emphasised the reverence for Ramayana and stated that certain aspects should not be touched upon in films, considering its significance in people's lives.

The bench raised questions about the role of the film certification authority, commonly known as the censor board, and whether it fulfilled its responsibilities. It also criticized the portrayal of Lord Hanuman and Sita, stating that they were depicted in a disrespectful manner and that such scenes should have been removed from the beginning. The court highlighted the seriousness of the matter and inquired about the actions taken by the censor board.

The Deputy Solicitor General informed the court that objectionable dialogues had been removed from the film, prompting the court to ask about the censor board's actions in the matter. The court emphasized that the removal of dialogues alone would not suffice and expressed its readiness to take appropriate measures, including halting the exhibition of the film if necessary, to provide relief to those whose feelings had been hurt.

Delhi HC Refuses Urgent Listing Of Plea By Hindu Sena To Ban Movie 'Adipurush'

Regarding the argument that a disclaimer had been included in the film, the bench questioned whether the creators considered the public, including the youth, to be brainless. It criticized the portrayal of characters like Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravana, and Lanka while claiming that the film was not based on Ramayana.

The court further noted reports of people peacefully protesting the film's release but cautioned against potential vandalism. The hearing in the case will continue tomorrow.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 17:44 [IST]
Salman Khan Is Our Next Target, We Will Kill Him: Gangster Goldy Brar

Gangster Atiq Ahmed's Sister Moves Supreme Court Over Encounter Killings

India

oi-PTI

A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court by the sister of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf seeking the constitution of a commission chaired by a retired apex court judge to inquire into their custodial and extra-judicial deaths.

Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj in April.

In her petition, Aisha Noori, has also sought a comprehensive inquiry by an independent agency into the ''campaign of encounter killings, arrests and harassment'' targeting her family which is allegedly being carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Look-Out Notice Issued against Atiq Ahmeds Wife, Shaista Parveen

''The petitioner, who has lost her brothers and nephew in 'state-sponsored killings', is constrained to approach this court through the instant writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a comprehensive inquiry by a committee headed by a retired judge of this court or in the alternative by an independent agency into a campaign of 'extra-judicial' killings carried out by the respondents,'' the plea submitted.

''The respondent-police authorities are enjoying the full support of the Uttar Pradesh government which appears to have granted them complete impunity to kill, arraign, arrest, and harass members of the petitioner's family as part of a vendetta,'' it alleged.

It claimed that in order to ''silence'' the members of the petitioner's family, the state is ''roping them one by one in false cases''.

The petitioner said it is essential that an independent agency carries out an inquiry that can ''evaluate the role played by high-level state agents who have planned and orchestrated the campaign targeting the petitioner's family''.

The top court is seized of a separate plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking an independent probe into the killing of Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

While hearing Tiwari's plea on April 28, the apex court had questioned the Uttar Pradesh government why Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were paraded before media while being taken to a hospital for a medical checkup in police custody in Prayagraj.

SC seeks status report from UP Govt on steps taken after killing of Atiq Ahmed

The counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh had told the top court that the state government is probing the incident and has constituted a three-member commission for this. The top court had directed the state government to submit a status report on steps taken after the incident.

In his plea, Tiwari has also sought an inquiry into the 183 encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 13:07 [IST]
China Blocks Proposal By India, US To Blacklist Pak-based LeT Terrorist and 26/11 Accused Sajid Mir

3 Migrant Workers From Bihar Injured In Terrorist Attack In Jammu And Kashmir's Shopian

J&K: 1 Terrorist Killed In Encounter In Kulgam, Arms Recovered

India

oi-Deepika S

One terrorist was gunned down during an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

According to the details, the gunfight was reported from Kulgam district.

Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had confirmed that one Army jawan was injured in the encounter.

4 Terrorists Gunned Down In Kupwara While Trying To Infiltrate Border From PoK

"01 local #terrorist neutralised. Identification and affiliation being ascertained. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, 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.

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J&K: Terrorist killed in encounter in J&K's Kulgam, policeman injured | Oneindia News

"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.

Killer of Kashmiri Hindu gunned down by security forces in J&K

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.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 9:40 [IST]
Owaisi Slams PM Modi for Citing Pakistan Law on Triple Talaq

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code, and Pasmanda Muslims during his visit to Madhya Pradesh. Owaisi invoked former US President Barack Obama's statement on Indian Muslims, suggesting that Modi misinterpreted Obama's advice.

"@narendramodi made certain comments on Triple Talaq, UCC and Pasmanda Muslims. It seems Modiji did not understand Obama's advice properly. Will the PM end "Hindu Undivided Family"? Because of HUF, the country is loses Rs 3064 crores every year", Owaisi tweeted.

In an interview to CNN, Obama had said that India may fall apart if the rights of religious and ethnic minorities are not upheld. The ex-US president suggested that the issue is worth mentioning during Modi-Biden discussions.

Owaisi accused PM Modi of "shedding crocodile tears" for Pasmanda Muslims and said that the BJP government has been "exploiting" them. He also questioned why PM Modi was "getting inspiration" from Pakistani law on triple talaq.

Rs 20,000,000,000,000 Scam Guaranteed: PM Modi Jabs Opposition Meet

.@narendramodi   , UCC        



                    "  " (HUF)   ?        3064      



    Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 27, 2023

PM Modi had said in a public meeting that triple talaq has been abolished in countries like Egypt, Qatar and even Pakistan. He added that triple talaq not just does injustice to daughters but the entire family gets ruined.

Owaisi responded by saying that the law against triple talaq that was passed in India did not make any difference at the ground level. He also said that the BJP government should focus on providing social security to Pasmanda Muslims instead of "insulting" their religious leaders.

Owaisi's remarks come at a time when the BJP is trying to woo Muslim voters in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. The party has been facing criticism from Muslim groups for its handling of the recent communal violence in the state.
Oppn Parties Form Coalition INDIA For 2024 LS Polls: Rahul Says It Is 'INDIA vs Modi' Fight

Manipur Video: Issue Not That It's a Shame for Nation But Trauma Inflicted on Women, says Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi to Visit Violence-Hit Manipur on Jun 29, 30

India

pti-PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit violence-hit Manipur from June 29-30 and meet people in relief camps and interact with civil society members, party general secretary K C Venugopal said on Tuesday.

This is the first visit of the Congress leader to the northeastern state embroiled in ethnic violence since May 3.

"Sh. Rahul Gandhi ji will be visiting Manipur on 29-30 June. He will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit," AICC general secretary (organisation) Venugopal tweeted.

Manipur To Invoke 'No Work No Pay' Rule For Employees Not Attending Office

Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that the society can move from conflict to peace, he said.

"This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate," Venugopal added. The Congress has blamed the BJP and its "divisive politics" for the present situation in the state which seen over 100 deaths in the violence.
The Rise of Jash Vira: How a 25-Year-Old Entrepreneur is Changing the Game in Real Estate

Real Estate Firm Supertech's Chairman R K Arora Arrested in Money-Laundering Case

India

oi-PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday arrested real estate company Supertech's chairman and owner R K Arora on money-laundering charges, official sources said.

Arora was taken into custody under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following a third round of his questioning at the federal agency's office here, they said.

He is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court here on Wednesday, where the ED will seek his further remand.

The money-laundering case against the Supertech group, its directors and promoters stems from a clutch of FIRs registered by the police departments in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Karnataka Congress leader D K Shivakumar asked to appear before Enforcement Directorate

In April, the ED had attached assets worth more than Rs 40 crore of the real estate group and its directors.

In a statement in April, the ED said the company and its directors indulged in a ''criminal conspiracy'' to cheat people by collecting funds from prospective buyers as advance against booked flats in their real estate projects and failed to adhere to the agreed obligation of providing the possession of the flats on time and thus, according to the FIRs, the firm ''defrauded'' the general public.

The agency's probe revealed that the funds were collected by Supertech Limited and group companies from homebuyers. The company also took project-specific term loans from banks and financial institutions for the purpose of construction of projects or flats, the ED said.

However, these funds were ''misappropriated and diverted'' for buying land in the name of other group companies that was again pledged as collateral to borrow funds from banks and financial institutions, it added.

The Supertech group also ''defaulted'' on its payments to the banks and financial institutions and currently, around Rs 1,500 crore of such loans have become non-performing asset (NPA), the agency had said.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 23:15 [IST]
What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident

Rs 20,000,000,000,000 Scam Guaranteed: PM Modi Jabs Opposition Meet

India

oi-Deepika S

Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on Opposition parties that attended the meeting hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on June 23 at his Patna residence.

"Nowadays, the new word is being popularised and the word is 'guarantee', the prime minister said.

"A few days ago, a photo op program was organized by them (Opposition). When you see the photo, you will realise that every person in the photo is a guarantee of Rs 20 lakh crore (20,000 billion) scam. Congress alone has carried out scams of lakhs of crores," said PM Modi while addressing BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh.

"Those (opposition leaders) who used to curse and abuse each other are now touching each other's feet, such is the level of their restlessness," he said.

Why Pakistan, Bangladesh Does Not Have Triple Talaq: PM Modi Bats For Uniform Civil Code

"The anxiety among the opposition parties is making it evident that the people have decided to bring the BJP to power in 2024. A massive victory for the BJP is certain in 2024. This is the reason why these opposition parties are freaking out," PM Modi added.

"These Opposition parties are a guarantee of corruption and scams. A few days ago, there was a photo op event of these parties. History of these parties shows that all of them together were involved in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh crore," the prime minister said.

Opposition parties on Friday had resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting here hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, even as fissures emerged with the AAP asserting 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.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 15:01 [IST]
Bizarre! China police shares wanted criminals childhood photo to trace him; gets trolled

Several political parties yet to publish criminal antecedents of its candidates

Kanpur firing: Police says Vikas Dubey operated like 'Maoists' in the state

Wanted criminal, who escaped from custody, killed following exchange of fire in Rohini: Police

Who Was Mohammed Gufran? Wanted Criminal Killed In UP Encounter

India

oi-Deepika S

A wanted criminal was gunned down in an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Tuesday. The criminal identified as Mohammed Gufran was wanted in multiple cases of murder and dacoity.

According to the UP Police, the encounter took place at 5 am this morning, when a special task force team was conducting a raid in Kaushambi district. Gufran was confronted by the team and opened fire following which the cops retaliated, and in the ensuing cross-firing, he was shot and injured.

Gufran was rushed to a hospital for treatment, where he was declared dead.

Who is Mohammed Gufran?

Gufran, a resident of Pratapgarh district, is a wanted criminal in Uttar Pradesh.

He has over 13 cases including murder, attempted murder and robbery in Pratapgarh and other districts of Uttar Pradesh.

J&K: 1 Terrorist Killed In Encounter In Kulgam, Arms Recovered

Prayagraj police had announced a reward of Rs one lakh on Gufran, while Sultanpur police had a reward of Rs 25,000 for his arrest.

He has been synonymous with crime and terror in Pratapgarh and Sultanpur districts for years.

Gufran suffered a bullet wound in a retaliatory firing after a confrontation which led to cross-firing. He later succumbed to his injury during the treatment.

The STF team recovered a 9mm cartridge, .32 bore pistol and an 'Apache' bike from him.
A 16-year-old girl who was slain Sunday night in an Ohio Street apartment in Bismarck was shot in the head with a stolen handgun during a gathering attended by several juveniles and the adult accused of shooting her, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Bismarck police identified the girl as Taryn Hohbein. Authorities are treating her death as a homicide.

Burleigh County prosecutors on Tuesday filed formal charges against the suspect. Corbin Lampert, 19, of Bismarck, is being held in the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on felony charges of murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The murder charge carries a potential punishment of life in prison without chance of parole. The weapons charge carries a maximum sentence of five years.

Prosecutors on Tuesday also charged Lampert with felony terrorizing and being a felon in possession of a firearm in a separate gun-related incident that allegedly occurred at Bismarcks Hillside Park on June 16.

Lampert on Tuesday afternoon made an initial court appearance for both cases. Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer told South Central District Judge Bobbi Weiler that Lampert had a lengthy criminal history as a juvenile that included theft, conspiracy to commit theft, conspiracy to commit burglary, disorderly conduct, drug-related counts, trespassing and extreme endangerment-extreme indifference.

Lampert, who appeared via video from jail, did not make any comments. Weiler set bond at a total of $1 million cash and scheduled mid-October trials. Court documents did not immediately indicate whether Lampert has obtained an attorney. He could enter pleas to the charges at a July 31 hearing.

Lampert and Hohbein knew one another, according to police spokesman Lt. Luke Gardiner. He did not immediately have further details on the nature of their relationship, nor did he immediately know in whose apartment the shooting happened in the building at 2909 Ohio St.

Police responded to the scene around 11:45 p.m. Sunday. Officers entered the apartment and found Hohbein. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Officers interviewed at least four witnesses to the shooting, ranging in age from 14 to 16, according to a police affidavit. One of them told officers a male juvenile originally had the handgun and removed the magazine to show it was not loaded. The witness said Lampert then grabbed the gun and pointed it at Hohbein, and the witness heard a gunshot and saw Hohbein fall to the floor. The witness said Lampert dropped the gun and fled the apartment.

Another witness told police that he saw Lampert holding the gun at waist level and pointing it in the direction of Hohbein when the handgun went off, according to the affidavit.

The person who called in the shooting to authorities reported hearing approximately three to four gunshots, according to the affidavit. The document states officers found one 9 mm shell casing at the scene.

Officers acting on a tip later gave chase to an SUV registered to Hohbeins mother. A witness had reported someone coming from the Ohio Street area and getting into the vehicle. Officers lost sight of the vehicle due to its high rate of speed but ultimately located it in the area of 205 E. Interstate Ave. Two male juveniles were inside and one had a stolen 9 mm handgun in his possession, according to the affidavit. It does not list times for those events.

About 5 minutes before police began receiving calls about the shooting, an officer detained Lampert for crossing North 19th Street on foot illegally, about a quarter mile from the apartment building. Lampert appeared nervous and hesitant to answer questions, but the officer released him, the affidavit said.

A 16-year-old girl later told police that she was in a car that picked up Lampert on 19th Street and Divide Avenue, according to the affidavit. She described Lampert as frantic and reported that he said I think I killed somebody, but that I was stopped by the cops already so I think Im good.

Lampert was arrested without incident in a residential neighborhood in the 400 block of South 16th Street around 9:15 a.m. Monday. After he was apprehended he allegedly told police he was at the apartment and had handled the gun but that a 15-year-old had shot Hohbein.

Hohbein is the daughter of Angela Schwarting and Jesse Hohbein. The family in a statement to the Tribune said She was a light in this world that was taken too soon. She loved her family and friends, and was very loyal and would do anything for them.

A Facebook group In Loving Memory of Taryn Hohbein has been started for people to post memories and photos. Hohbein attended Bismarck High School, according to Bismarck Public Schools.

Its the first homicide reported in Bismarck this year. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Bismarck Police Departments Investigations Division at 701-223-1212, or anonymously by downloading the Bismarck Police Department app, going to bit.ly/3Yw3ywC, or texting BISPD and the tip to 847411.

The Hillside Park incident involved Lampert allegedly pointing a handgun with a laser attached at a male juvenile and asking him if he wanted to die, according to an affidavit. An officer responded to the scene at about 10:20 p.m. that Friday on a report of a possible fight, though the officer did not observe any fighting. The boy at the time said he had been drinking alcohol and had mental health issues, and that he did not fear for his life, feel threatened or feel alarmed.

Officers this Monday asked the boy to observe a photo lineup, and the boy picked Lampert as the man who had threatened him, according to the affidavit. Police again asked the boy how he felt about the alleged incident at the park. The boy told police his judgment had been impaired by alcohol that night, and that he felt like his life was in danger and he was scared.

Lampert could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the two felony charges against him in that case.

Lampert cant legally own a gun because he is a convicted felon. Court documents show he is on probation on a conviction last year for felony reckless endangerment-extreme indifference. He pleaded guilty to the charge in November and was sentenced to 1  years of probation.

Lampert was the driver of a vehicle that swerved toward two women  one of them three months pregnant  who yelled when the vehicle sped past them at a high speed around 1 a.m. on July 19, 2022, according to an affidavit.
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 Likely To Interact With NDA MPs During Monsoon Session

Why Pakistan, Bangladesh Does Not Have Triple Talaq: PM Modi Bats For Uniform Civil Code

India

oi-Deepika S

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday questioned if triple talaq was inalienable from Islam, why it isn't practised in Muslim-majority countries like Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Egypt had removed the practice 80-90 years ago, and that some people want the license to discriminate against Muslim women all the time through the Triple Talaq noose, the prime minister said.

"We don't sit in air-conditioned offices and issue diktats, we brave harsh weather to be with people," PM Modi said to the BJP workers.

"The BJP has decided that it won't adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank," he said.

He also said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters.

"The people who advocate Triple Talaq are votebank-hungry people, and they are doing injustice to Muslim women. Triple Talaq destroy the entire family. Muslim-majority countries have also banned Triple Talaq," he said.

Recently, I was in Egypt...They abolished Triple Talaq around 80-90 years ago.

PM Modi attacks opposition

Speaking to BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi came down heavily on opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

"Those (opposition leaders) who used to curse and abuse each other are now touching each other's feet, such is the level of their restlessness," said PM Modi.

"The anxiety among among the opposition parties is making it evident that the people have decided to bring the BJP to power in 2024. A massive victory for the BJP is certain in 2024. This is the reason why these opposition parties are freaking out," he told BJP workers in Bhopal.

"These Opposition parties are a guarantee of corruption and scams. A few days ago, there was photo op event of these parties. History of these parties shows that all of them together were involved in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh crore," the prime minister added.

On Friday, Opposition parties had resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting here hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Seema Haider Once Been To Jail, Now Out On Bail: UP Cop On Pakistani Woman

Pakistan Summons US Envoy Over Modi-Biden Statement On Cross-Border Terrorism

International

oi-Deepika S

Pakistan has summoned the US embassy's deputy chief of mission to express concern and disappointment over a last week's joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden that called on Islamabad to ensure its territory was not used as a base for terrorist attacks.

Pakistan urged the US to refrain from issuing statements that may be "construed as encouragement of India's baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan."

"It was stressed that the United States should refrain from issuing statements that may be construed as an encouragement of India's baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan," Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement.

"It was also emphasised that counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S. had been progressing well and that an enabling environment, centred around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidify Pakistan-U.S. ties."

Ensure Safety Of Minorities: India Tells Pakistan After 4th Attack On Sikh minority

The move comes after the White House released a US-India joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden calling upon Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.

India-US strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.

Pakistan immediately protested the joint statement calling it "contrary to diplomatic norms." The country's FO had also expressed surprise at the statement considering "Pakistan's close counterterrorism cooperation with the US."

However, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller reacted to Pakistan's demarche during his daily news briefing. Miller said that while Pakistan had taken important steps to counter terrorist groups, Washington advocated for more to be done.

"At the same time, however, we have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently dismantle all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their various front organizations and we will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials," he said.

Imran Khan attacks Bajwa

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan took a dig at retired Pakistani army general Qamar Javed Bajwa, questioning the effectiveness of his "countless trips" to the United States while referring to a joint statement from the United States and India where Pakistan was strongly condemned for cross-border terrorism and the use of terrorist proxies.

Pakistan Army Wasnt Prepared for War With India: Imran Khan

"Gen Bajwa along with his PDM cronies claimed that I had isolated Pakistan internationally. The question we want to ask him and PDM is that after a year in government and countless trips of Pakistan's FM to the US, the joint India/US statement reduces Pakistan to a promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more," Imran Khan tweeted.

"No balancing statement about the gross human rights abuse in Kashmir or the appalling treatment of minorities in India. So now the imported govt experiment has not just made Pakistan irrelevant internationally but our democracy, rule of law, and the entire economic and institutional structure are also collapsing right in front of our eyes," he added.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 9:29 [IST]
Russia Drops Charges Against Prigozhin And Others Who Took Part In Brief Rebellion

International

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Russian authorities said Tuesday they have closed a criminal investigation into the armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, with no charges against him or any of the other participants. The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny "ceased activities directed at committing the crime."

Over the weekend, the Kremlin pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though President Vladimir Putin had branded them as traitors. The charge of mounting an armed mutiny carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has been treating those staging anti-government protests.

Many opposition figures in Russia have received length prison terms and are serving time in penal colonies notorious for harsh conditions. The whereabouts of Prigozhin remained a mystery Tuesday, The Kremlin has said Prigozhin would be exiled to neighbouring Belarus, but neither he nor the Belarusian authorities have confirmed that.

Wagner Mercenary Chief Issues Defiant Audio Statement As Uncertainty Swirls After Mutiny

An independent Belarusian military monitoring project Belaruski Hajun said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on Tuesday morning. On Monday night, Putin once again blasted organisers of the rebellion as traitors who played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies.

The media team for Prigozhin, the 62-year-old head of the Wagner private military contractor, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prigozhin's short-lived insurrection over the weekend - the biggest challenge to Putin's rule in more than two decades in power - has rattled Russia's leadership. In his nationally televised speech, Putin sought to project stability and control, criticising the uprising's "organisers," without naming Prigozhin.

He also praised Russian unity in the face of the crisis, as well as rank-and-file Wagner fighters for not letting the situation descend into "major bloodshed." Earlier in the day, Prigozhin defended his actions in a defiant audio statement. He again taunted the Russian military but said he hadn't been seeking to stage a coup against Putin.

In another show of stability and control, the Kremlin on Monday night showed Putin meeting with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, whom Prigozhin had sought to remove. Putin thanked 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.

Who Averted Bloodbath In Russia, Making Wagner Chief Pull Back His Troops?

It also wasn't clear whether he would be able to keep his mercenary force. In his speech, Putin offered Prigozhin's fighters to either come under Russia's Defence Ministry's command, leave service or go to Belarus. Prigozhin said Monday, without elaborating, that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate "in a legal jurisdiction," but it was unclear what that meant.

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Story first published: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 14:49 [IST]
Polish officials said they were tightening security along its border with neighbouring Belarus in response to the announcement that Yevgeny Prigozhin, would move there.
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People fleeing Russia's war in Ukraine have brought migration to Germany to a higher level than ever before.
A former leader of the Mandan School Board has been unanimously chosen to fill an open seat following the resignation of a board member earlier this month.

The board last week interviewed five candidates for the seat previously held by Heidi Schuchard; nine candidates had applied for the position. The board on Monday voted to appoint Tim Rector, a veterinarian who is assistant director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Veterinary Services Field Operations Port Services in Bismarck.

"We spent a lot of time talking through applications, and came up with this recommendation," Board President Sheldon Wolf said.

Schuchard resigned from the board in early June due to a move out of the school district, which makes her ineligible to continue serving.

The board elected to appoint someone to fill her seat until the next regular election on June 11, 2024, rather than hold a special election.

"When the opportunity came up I thought this was nice," said Rector, who applied because he has experience and liked the job when he held it previously.

"It's always been a good board and I think it can stay that way," he said. "It's nothing earth-shattering; I'm just trying to help."

Rector served on the board for 15 years and was board president prior to not seeking reelection last year. He said he wanted to free up some time, and he no longer had children in district schools.

Rector likely will take an oath of office before the next board meeting, in July. He plans on running again in 2024.

The Mandan School Board has nine members who serve three-year terms. Members Marnie Piehl, Kama Hoovestol and Darren Haugen were reelected earlier this month; the three incumbents faced no challengers. There was not enough time between Schuchard's resignation and the election to get her position on the ballot.

Others on the board are Wolf, Rick Horn, Caroline Kozojed, Lori Furaus and Tom Peters. More information on the board is at bit.ly/3ML5SKQ.
The president says more than $1bn was given to the mercenary group in the past year.
Ukrainian officials said at least two people died and 22 were injured when Russian missiles hit the crowded center of the eastern city of Kramatorsk. More victims may still be under the rubble.
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Funeral of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh 2.

(Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: alwatan_live) Details Source DMCA



"What goes around, comes around" and "You reap what you sow" are truisms that come to mind when I learn what is happening in Israel. I wouldn't know much about it if I relied on mainstream media or cable news because no editorial decisionmakers dare risk raising the issue of ethnic cleansing in a country that the U.S. supports in policy, rhetoric, and military support, despite the consequences. Nor do policymakers want to utter a word that might result in the alienation of Jewish organizations, funders, or voters.

As a Jewish American, like many others, I am heartbroken by what is happening to Palestinians because of the excessively rightwing government now in power in Israel, a country that was founded because of atrocities committed against them.

Understanding how Israel got here is helpful. A brief history is instructive. In 1917 a document, the Balfour Declaration, was issues by the British government calling for the establishment of a "national home" for the Jewish people in Palestine. It was the first time the term "Zionism" was used by Britain, a major political power. No boundaries for what would constitute Palestine were specified in the document, but it was made clear, rhetorically, that the national home of Jews would not cover all of Palestine. The declaration also called for safeguarding the civil and religious rights for Palestinian Arabs, who made up a vast majority of the local population. In 2017 the British recognized publicly that the Balfour Declaration should have assured political rights for Palestinians in the declaration.

So how did we get here? That question is largely answered in Ilan Pappe's 2006 well documented book, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine. He explains that in 1948 over 700,000 Arabs, three fourths of the Palestinians living in territories that became Israel, fled or were expelled from their homes. Pappe identifies that exodus as the planned beginning of ethnic cleansing by Israel, designed by David Ben Gurion, a leader in the Zionist movement, and his advisors who had declared before 1948 that they were developing plans for ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in order to establish Israel. The exodus and expulsion of 500 Arab village residents along with terrorist attacks against civilians came from that plan known as Dalet.

The Palestinians called the ethnic cleansing occurring during Israel's establishment Nakba (catastrophe) as they became "stateless refugees." For Palestinians, Nakba continues, and no wonder. Many Israelis, including political and religious leaders think Plan Dalet didn't go far enough. In March, for example, a Palestinian man was killed by an Israeli soldier or settler. Israeli settlers then set hundreds of Palestinian homes and cars on fire in the occupied West Bank and Netanyahu's finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, a senior member of the Knesset, said in an interview that he thought "the village needed to be wiped out." Two years ago he told Palestinian members of the Knesset that "it's a mistake that Ben Gurion didn't finish the job and throw you out in 1948." Smotrich was recently appointed governor over the occupied West Bank.

Another favorite ethnic cleanser advocate, National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has been given an Israeli national guard, actually a militia. He's the guy who went to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque in May and stood there in mock prayer as a Jew in an affront to Palestinians, thus mixing politics with religion. (The site of the mosque is called Temple Mount by Jews.)

Clearly tensions are mounting. No wonder. In February the Israeli military killed ten Palestinians, include two elderly men and a child, and injured numerous others in a raid on Nablus, then blocked Palestinian medical teams from treating them. More recently Israeli forces raided a refugee camp along with several Palestinian cities and villages where they fired live ammunition into crowds of people, injuring over 70 and killing two young Palestinians, one of whom had a disability. Again, they blocked Palestinian ambulances from providing medical care and used tear gas in a hospital.

Attacks are increasing and getting worse. In June a brutal assault was carried out, authorized by Smotrich, to hasten settlement expansion. F-16s and Apache helicopters fired on Palestinian ambulances, killing a teenager. Also in June, Israeli forces fired at a car, killing a two-year-old and critically injuring his father outside their home. Mohammad, the child, was the 27th Palestinian child killed by the Israeli military in the first half of this year. His death will not be the last of the child victims.

Palestinian journalists are also being targeted. In June six of them covering Israeli raids, were targeted. A cameraman was shot covering the Jenin killings, a journalist was killed in raids along with two youngsters, and another journalist was shot in the head. Let's not forget that it's been a year since the Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli forces - an anniversary that American media failed to mention.

I have written frequently about Israel's increasing violence against Palestinians, so I know to expect blowback, some of it chilling. But I cannot remain silent, and neither should our government. As Israel moves to a fascist dictatorship, it's imperative that we call out the "intentional escalation of violence by an occupying military power" as Jewish Voice for Peace says.

We must not reap what we sow in silence.
The opinion pages of newspapers crackle with expressions of a political truth strongly held by the writer. That expressed truth may not be so evident to everyone else. This clash of thinking between the writer of opinions and the reader is often because they start from a different perception of reality. For my purposes, truth and reality are the same thing.

North Dakota is a case study in political thought. For an exciting time in North Dakotas history, the majority political opinion held that state-run institutions such as the Bank of North Dakota, the Mill and Elevator, and Workers Safety and Insurance could dramatically improve the lives of North Dakota people. The foundation of that thinking was a belief that human beings can cooperate through government or organizations they create, to provide benefits for themselves they could not achieve as individuals.

That foundational belief system has been under attack since its prominence in 1921. Leaders of the Nonpartisan League were recalled from office. Those attacking the NPLs ideas of cooperation believed return on capital should be the guiding principle of North Dakotas political thought. That is why cutting taxes and red tape has been a mainstay of political talk since movie star Ronald Reagan became president. Government, according to this thinking, was the problem, not the solution. Heroes in modern life became rich people. People unimaginably rich living in a world of their own, who, whether inside or outside of government, nonetheless control it. These are the people, according to the current foundational thinking of most North Dakotans, who should have the authority to run everything. Why? Because they know how to make money.

The Republican Party in North Dakota now has a test for receiving their endorsement that includes proving you can raise money. So prominent is wealth as a qualification for office, most Republicans dont even object. Being personally wealthy enables Doug Burgum, North Dakotas governor, to seek the Republican nomination for president. The thinking is that knowing how to make money, no matter how it is made, is a critical skill in leading the government of the United States.

That is where my foundational thinking, my perception of truth and reality, are different. I have come to believe, through the example of my parents and my neighbors as a child, that honesty and generosity are guiding principles of leadership. Dishonest and selfish people were not respected. People who cared about their community and worked for the common good were the folks that should be entrusted with political leadership. A successful businessperson was one who fairly and reliably exchanged goods and services with their customers. My mom and dad respected the Fessenden man and his family who sold our family Case tractors and Chevy cars. Our family respected the man and his family that ran the grocery store in Bowdon. My sister married his son.

I anchor my thinking on what is best for the people of North Dakota based on those values of fair play and honest dealing and importantly, the discipline of human cooperation. I believe North Dakota people themselves have the power to grow our economy through thoughtful programs that add value to agricultural commodities, oil, coal, and natural gas, wind and sunshine. North Dakotans can sell ideas, food, software, and manufactured products everywhere.

In my thinking, North Dakota and the United States do not need leadership from authoritarian wealthy people who act like Daddy Warbucks. We need thoughtful honest people who have demonstrated they can be trusted by all of us. I hope we can find them.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

It hardly matters whether you're talking about the Canadian wildfires that continue to burn in an out-of-control fashion or the 120-degree temperatures in" no, not India! "" Texas!! Heat waves, megadroughts, ever more violent storms, ever fiercer fires, ever more staggering floods, you name it and we're either already experiencing it or likely to do so in the years to come. In short, we're living in "" and no, for once I'm not thinking of Donald Trump "" an ever more extreme world. And worse yet "" okay, okay, I apologize but I just can't help myself "" Trump, DeSantis, and most of the rest of that crew are ready to deny that any of it is actually happening. If one of them were to take power in 2024 (and don't for a second think it couldn't happen!), it might well ensure that our children and grandchildren will all too literally find themselves in a hell on earth.

Yes, once upon a time, the fires of hell were left for the afterlife (ask Dante!), but no longer, it seems. And it's not just in Canada. In recent years, ever fiercer fires have been setting the worst sorts of records in this country, too. Out-of-control flames have been turning even people in the United States, even people I know, into climate refugees. And North America is anything but alone. Europe set fire records last summer, while record heat waves from North Africa to China should remind us that we are, in some sense, on a planet Dante might well have recognized.

Given all of this (and more), it seems appropriate to let TomDispatch regular Stan Cox consider the kinds of violent meltdowns (and not even the most literal versions of them) that are likely to leave us all on an increasingly broken and costly hell of a planet. Tom

We're Having a Violent Meltdown

The Human Costs of Global Warming "" and of Our Response to It

By Stan Cox

Several times in recent weeks I've heard people suggest that Mother Nature has been speaking to us through that smoke endlessly drifting south from the still-raging Canadian wildfires. She's saying that she wants the coal, oil, and gas left in the ground, but I fear her message will have little more influence on climate policy than her previous ones did. After all, we essentially hit the "snooze" button on the wakeup call from Hurricane Katrina 18 years ago; ditto the disastrous Hurricane Sandy seven years later, as well as the East Coast heat waves and West Coast wildfires of more recent years; or the startling overheating of global waters and the sea level rise that goes with it. And that's just to begin an ever longer list of horrors.

Despite the fact that, in recent weeks, more than 100 million North Americans have been inhaling lungfuls of smoke from those Canadian wildfires, we'll probably continue to ignore the pummeling so many here are enduring daily while carbon dioxide continues to accumulate overhead. Climate disasters are not only failing to goad governments into taking bold action but may be nudging societies toward increasing violence and cruelty.

Recently, Joel Millward-Hopkins of the University of Leeds suggested that, as the climate emergency intensifies, we may only find ourselves ever more affected by some of the indirect impacts of global warming. Those would include the "widening of socioeconomic inequalities (within and between countries), increases in migration (intra- and inter-nationally), and heightened risk of conflict (from violence and war through to hate speech and crime)." Such impacts, he suggests, will reflect a "highly inconvenient overlap with key drivers of the authoritarian populism that has proliferated in the 21st century." Inconvenient indeed.

In other words, although weather disasters of many kinds can increase public concern about climate change, they can also help to whip up an oppressively violent sociopolitical climate that may prove ever more hostile to the very idea of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions "" especially in large, affluent, high-emission societies.

Warm in the USA

Though not itself linked to climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic may have given us a preview of such developments. When it first struck, a feeling of noble national purpose, shared sacrifice, and mutual aid swept the country" for perhaps a few weeks. Then came the waves of social conflict that may, in the end, have left us even more poorly prepared for the next public health emergency. After all, the pandemic of hate that first fed on anti-vaccine and anti-mask fervor now sups from a far larger buffet of political issues including energy and climate.

Guardian columnist George Monbiot wrote recently that "culture war entrepreneurs" are casting efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions as authoritarian attacks on ordinary people's fundamental freedoms. Be ready to do battle, they say, against any move to promote heat pumps over furnaces or electric induction stoves over gas stoves or walking to the store instead of driving a big-ass truck there. In fact, he suggests, "you cannot propose even the mildest change without a hundred professionally outraged influencers leaping up to announce: 'They're coming for your ...'"

There are always going to be people under the influence of such influencers who will respond by jumping in their trucks for a session of "rollin' coal" "" that is, spewing toxic diesel fumes into the faces of pedestrians and cyclists. Or maybe they'll run over a climate protester (without fear of prosecution if they're in Florida, Iowa, or Oklahoma).

This outbreak of hostility and violence among right-wingers is occurring even though no one has actually curtailed any of their freedoms. Now, imagine the ferocity of the backlash if we could somehow manage to enact the policies that are undoubtedly most urgently needed to rein in greenhouse gases and other environmental threats: a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and cuts in the extraction and use of material resources. The eruption would undoubtedly be far more aggressive and violent than the resistance to Covid-19 regulations.

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Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's supposed failed coup against Russia's Ministry of Defense appeared so amateur there is almost no way it was not staged. As he and his men approached Moscow, Prigozhin suddenly turned back, announcing he did not want to shed Russian blood. But this is a faulty excuse since this is something he would have clearly thought about beforehand. According to reports in the UK, Russian intelligence services issued threats to harm the families of Wagner leaders, which ultimately led to Prigozhin calling off his advance on Moscow. Additionally, it has been evaluated that the mercenary force consisted of only 8,000 fighters, contrary to the previously claimed 25,000, and would have faced probable defeat if they attempted to capture the Russian capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is supposedly in danger of being replaced and numerous media outlets have been spending the last few days proclaiming Putin's imminent downfall. But is this truly the case? What if Putin conspired together with Prigozhin to mount a weak coup in order to scare Chief of the Russian general staff Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu into action? Is it plausible that perhaps Putin needed an easy way to strengthen his hand? Another possibility is that Prigozhin himself needed a way out of Russia and this was his deal with Putin - hence the pretend coup. There remains speculation about what formal deal was struck, if any. The Kremlin said on Saturday that Prigozhin would head to Belarus in exchange for a pardon from charges of treason.

But let us assume the commentators and media are correct and Putin's downfall is indeed looming. Supposedly, the erosion of Russia's prestige has reached a point where even pro-war commentators on Russian state television and social media acknowledge that the coup has cast doubt on the entire war.

NATO's chief, Jens Stoltenberg, declared that the brief mutiny by Wagner mercenaries serves as evidence of the Russian regime's vulnerability and highlights the significant strategic blunder made by Vladimir Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. During a visit to Lithuania, Stoltenberg addressed reporters, emphasizing that the recent events are internal matters concerning Russia. He described them as yet another manifestation of President Putin's grave strategic error in the illegal annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Stoltenberg noted that the mutiny exposed the weakness and fragility of the Russian regime. However, he emphasized that NATO does not have a role in intervening in these issues, as they fall within the purview of Russian affairs.

As a result of this odd coup attempt, Putin apparently intends to integrate Wagner Group soldiers into the Russian military and eliminate their former leaders. Russian MP Andrey Gurulyov, a prominent Kremlin propagandist, said there was "no option" but for Prigozhin and another high-profile Wagner figure to be executed.

In his first public statement since the dramatic mutiny orchestrated by Wagner mercenaries, which was ultimately called off just moments before their march on Moscow, Putin addressed the most significant threat his regime has ever faced.



Curiously, the statement, which coincided with Prigozhin's private army taking control of Russia's military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, lacked any direct mention of the armed rebellion. Instead, Putin focused on a seemingly unrelated topic, commending the opening of an international engineering forum.





According to The Spectator, the attempted coup has dealt a significant blow to both Putin and Wagner. Prigozhin has chosen to go into exile, while the group itself is expected to lose its privileged status. This turn of events has led to a remarkable humiliation for Putin, a precarious situation for an autocratic leader.



Firstly, Putin's renowned security forces proved entirely ineffectual during the mutiny, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. Secondly, the Wagner forces, whom he branded as "traitors" and vowed to harshly punish, will evade any consequences for their actions. To put an end to the coup, Putin had to make significant concessions, although the exact nature of these concessions remains unclear at present. What is evident, however, is that he failed to crush the most serious challenge to his authority in the span of 23 years.

Because Putin relies on loyalty over ability, he has allowed Shoigu and Gerasimov to remain in their positions - as incompetent as they may be. Prigozhin may be correct that the two men have no place in the defense ministry and he may not be wrong that they should be replaced, but that would only be if these were normal circumstances in a normal democratic country.

Given his inability to alter the trajectory of unfolding events, Putin found himself compelled to come to an agreement with Prigozhin, despite his earlier vow to exact punishment upon the Wagner Group, as expressed in his video address. Furthermore, Putin cannot depend on widespread popular support. In Rostov, residents warmly received Prigozhin's group of insurgents while expressing disdain towards the retreating police forces, a development that must be disconcerting for Putin. And Putin realizes now that even staunch loyalist politicians within Russia did not hastily rush to his defense following his address, signaling a potentially ominous shift in support.

There are many red flags here that suggest the events we witnessed do not tell the whole story. Nonetheless, it is plausible to say that Putin is indeed in plenty of trouble and his downfall is likely to occur sooner than we think.
Opening a brewpub is complex even for seasoned veterans.

But opening your first one can be dizzying. Throw in having to refurbish a decades-old brewhouse, remodel the restaurant and bar, procure food vendors  oh, and you might want to make some beer, too  and finding the right path can feel like a series of dead ends.

But Dylan VanDetta is navigating that maze, one corner at a time. The founder of Labyrinth Forge Brewing this month held a soft opening for his new brewpub, which happens to be the new tenant in a location long known as the home of legendary Hair of the Dog Brewing in Southeast Portlands central industrial eastside.

And as challenging as those moments might be, they can be equally invigorating.

This is essentially a dream come true that I thought would never happen, and here it is happening, VanDetta said. Its blowing my mind.

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The seeds of that dream started in 2012, when he first began homebrewing. The vision got more serious when VanDetta joined the Oregon Brew Crew, one of the oldest and largest home brewing clubs in the United States. He eventually also joined Green Dragon Brewing, another popular local club that mentors homebrewers and gives them the opportunity to develop and brew beer recipes commercially.

In anticipation of starting his own brewery, VanDetta pieced together a small, half-barrel brewing system in the shed of his life partner, Stephanie Morad, who is now coordinating events in Labyrinth Forges new space. Then in 2019, he took the leap and started Labyrinth Forge Brewing, developing recipes and making small batches on the Green Dragon system. Eventually he contracted bigger batches to be brewed for distribution at breweries such as Gateway Brewing, War & Leisure Brewing and Ordnance Brewing.

Now, in addition to opening his own place, the connections and relationships with the homebrewing community have come full circle, as Labyrinth Forge will be the new home of Green Dragon, which lost use of its previous brewery at Rogue Ales Eastside pub.

That is a development that VanDetta conveys particular pride in, as he maintains his membership in the group.

Green Dragon has a strong connection to homebrewers, a strong connection to commercial brewing, and a strong connection taking the homebrewer to the next level  thats one of the parts of the Green Dragon mission.

When VanDetta started Labyrinth Forge, it was a vessel for combining a variety of his passions. In high school, as a self-described bored student, he would draw mazes, and that led to a fascination with labyrinths. He was also interested in Celtic knotwork and artwork, much of which features a double-headed ax  a forged labrys. So he said the name Labyrinth Forge was born, as a place where mazes and labyrinths are made  and beer, too.

VanDetta coincidentally enough began making beers similar to what Hair of the Dog built its legacy on  strong ales, which was the stuff I like to drink, he said.

But as my palate grows, Im learning to make broader styles, he said. When I started, I made big beers  barleywines, stouts  then I got into IPAs. Lagers were always elusive to me.

That is changing, however. As his palate continued to evolve, VanDetta said he began to appreciate lagers more.

I want to do a helles and an Octoberfest, he said. I want to do it and do it well. I want to make beers I havent done before.

He anticipates, for example, mimicking the tradition of the kolsch service practiced in Cologne, Germany, the home of the style, in which trays filled with stanges  thin cylindrical glasses  of kolsch are delivered and replaced automatically as they are emptied. He anticipates that bar program beginning in July when three kolsches will be ready  two from Labyrinth Forge and one from a collaboration between Green Dragon and Montavilla Brew Works.

VanDetta, who has sunk his life into opening the brewpub with the help of some backers, has not been thinking small, and visions for the space are already materializing. He has brought three vendors into the space to provide food and drink offerings from morning to night:

Trailhead Coffee Roasters has begun permanently operating a coffee bar in the brewpub from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Trailhead is a Certified B Corp. founded by Charlie Wicker, a recognizable presence in Portlander who roasts then delivers his coffee by bicycle to local businesses. Wicker has created a specific roast for Labyrinth Forge. Charlie makes high-quality, ethically sourced products, mostly from women-owned businesses, VanDetta said. He definitely fits our brand.

Sweet Lorraines has been providing breakfast and lunch service as a pop-up using Labyrinth Forges kitchen. Formerly a food truck, Sweet Lorraines offers homestyle New York Jewish cuisine such as latkes, knish and kugel. Calling itself Portlands only Jewish Dairy restaurant, the operation will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and VanDetta soon hopes to make Sweet Lorraines a permanent presence.

La Tia Juana has a restaurant on East Burnside Street and food truck on Northeast Alberta Street, and its been operating a third location as a pop-up at Labyrinth Forge. Mexican plates and a la carte items such as quesabirrias, tacos and quesadillas are being offered, along with cheesy potato taquitos, chips and salsa, and rice and beans. It will take over the kitchen from 2 p.m. to the pubs close, and VanDetta also hopes to make La Tia Juana permanent.

In addition, other beverages will be offered, such as a gluten-free beer from Portlands Moonshrimp Brewing, sparkling hop water, CBD sparkling waters, and Liquid Death Sparkling Waters, plus wine and cider from Viola Orchards of Estacada.

VanDetta, a certified judge through the national Beer Judge Certification Program, is leasing the space from Hair of the Dog founder Alan Sprints, who still owns the property. The space includes the pub, kitchen, brewhouse and parking lot.

Labyrinth Forge purchased the brewing and tasting room equipment plus the furniture from Sprints, and VanDetta has been modernizing the brewhouse and tap system, then he will start brewing again, as will Green Dragon.

And hes transformed the interior from Hair of the Dogs eclectic assemblage of art and collectables with a palette of greens, blacks and blues plus art and designs aligned with the new tenants motif of labyrinth-related mythology.

He is creating a space where he can create a community gathering space while serving that community in multiple ways, including private events that Morad will coordinate for small parties and businesses, as well.

Community is important to the operation, VanDetta said, and it donates beer and pledges 10% of profits to organizations. When you buy our beer, you help these organizations in their important work toward their respective missions, Labyrinth Forge website states.

VanDetta said the soft open will continue as the team continues to finish the space and the brewhouse, then theyll hold a grand opening.

Im targeting our four-year anniversary for a grand opening, he said. Oct. 13 is the anniversary. That seems like about the right time.

If You Go:

What: Labyrinth Forge Brewings new brewpub

Where: 61 S.E. Yamhill St.

When: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday

Website: labyrinthforge.com

 Andre Meunier; sign up for my weekly newsletter Oregon Brews and News, and follow me on Instagram, where Im @oregonianbeerguy.
The number of Oregon nurses publicly battling for better pay and working conditions will nearly double in coming weeks as contracts expire for 3,500 nurses at Oregon Health & Science University hospitals in Portland and Hillsboro.

The OHSU nurses will stage informational pickets at both of the hospitals later this week.

The nurses and OHSU management have been negotiating since December with no success.

Nurses at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria  an OHSU partner  are also participating in the informational pickets. Their contract expired on May 31. Four bargaining sessions are scheduled in July.

OHSU deeply values its nursing staff, and appreciates the time and effort that has gone into this bargaining cycle, OHSU said in a written statement. We are dedicated to bargaining toward our shared goals of a safe, healthy and respectful working environment. As the process proceeds, the OHSU bargaining team looks forward to continuing thoughtful, productive negotiations.

OHSUs crosstown rival, Providence Health & Services, dealt with a full-fledged strike last week. About 1,800 nurses  from Providence hospitals in Northeast Portland and Seaside as well as its home health and hospice operations  staged a five-day strike.

They returned to work after the walkout ended Friday. Hospital officials met with union officials representing Providence home health and hospice nurses on Tuesday. The session was scheduled before the five-day strike and no other additional bargaining sessions are scheduled at this point, said Jennifer Gentry, Providence chief nursing officer.

Before the strike began, Providence executives privately warned workers that a strike would backfire. As you know, our latest economic proposal  with wage jumps, bonuses, step bumps and more  was contingent on ratification of a contract by June 30 and no work stoppage prior to ratification, wrote Lori Green, a nursing supervisor in an email to employees. We were very clear in our communications to ONA that our economic proposals following a work stoppage will be very differentand not nearly as lucrativeas the package they walked away from.

The note infuriated some nurses.

The union went public with its claim that Providence may have violated state law when it hired temp nurses from an agency that specializes in serving hospitals in labor disputes. There is a statute in Oregon that makes it a crime to hire strikebreakers.

The law is obscure and even the Oregon Nurses Association lawyer said the law has seldom been tested in litigation The union called on Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to launch an investigation into the matter.

After doing some quick research, Paula Barran, a prominent employment lawyer in Portland, said there appears to be good reason why the statute has been sitting on the bench for decades. Existing federal law may preempt the state provision, particularly the National Labor Relations Act, she said.

Courts in at least three states have ruled such anti-strikebreaker provisions unconstitutional.

Providence argues the law is outdated and unconstitutional. In a letter to Rosenblum, Providence lawyers said if it is not allowed to use strikebreaker nurses, it might have to shut down operations at its hospitals.

Providence believes any attempt to enforce the existing statute would, in effect, prevent us from keeping our doors open and providing care for our patients during a strike, it said.

The shadow of the pandemic looms over the negotiations. While the rest of the world went into lockdown to avoid contact with the highly infectious virus, nurses were expected to treat the victims every day. And, early in the pandemic, it was hard for even close families to get to see their dying loved ones.

I had six patients die in my arms because there was no one else, said Beth Funsch, a veteran nurse who started working for Providence in 2017.

The fear and stress of those days was too much for some. Scores of nurses quit or moved to safer jobs elsewhere in the organization.

Funsch resigned from Providence earlier this month. Shes moving to Syracuse, N.Y., in part to help her aging parents. Like a lot of her peers, she feels hospitals and society owe nurses a debt of gratitude,

Jana Bitton, head of the Oregon Center for Nursing, a Portland nonprofit that conducts research into issues facing the profession, hosts an open phone meeting every Friday to discuss various nursing issues. More often than not, Bitton comes away worried about nurses anxiety and well-being.

A bigger paycheck will increase tolerance for a bad work environment, " she said. But in the long run, if you dont change the workload and the workplace culture, no amount of money will keep a nurse in her job.

-- Jeff Manning; jmanning@oregonian.com
Oregon will join the more than 30 states that have banned the social video app TikTok from state government devices over security concerns.

House Bill 3127, awaiting Gov. Tina Koteks signature, bans not only TikTok but also apps from several other companies based in China, including the payment platform Alipay and the messaging app WeChat. It also specifically prohibits software from the Russian antivirus and cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab.
Two people were arrested over the weekend after a sidewalk skirmish broke out between rival groups demonstrating against Oregon Citys first-ever Pride Night festival.

A now-viral video of the fight shows a cluster of people wearing the black-and-yellow colors of the Proud Boys using flagpoles and fists to force back a smaller group of masked demonstrators about 4 p.m. Saturday near the Willamette Falls Community Center at Washington and 15th streets.
A Black food truck owner who was attacked by a white man outside his business in Southeast Portlands Foster-Powell neighborhood has hired an attorney to investigate the attack and the Portland Police Bureaus response to it.

Darell Preston, 36, suffered severe facial injuries after being attacked without warning shortly after 7 p.m. on June 15 on the sidewalk next to his food truck, LoRells Chicken Shack, on Southeast Foster Road and 52nd Avenue.

Preston was on the phone with his wife when the attacker started beating Preston while calling him racist slurs, according to Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, Prestons attorney.

Darell Preston, 36, suffered severe facial injuries after a man attacked him June 15, 2023, in Southeast Portland, his attorney said.Images courtesy Alicia LeDuc Montgomery

LeDuc Montgomery sent a letter to the City of Portland and the Multnomah County District Attorney on Monday notifying them that she was investigating the attack, along with the timeliness and sufficiency of the governments response, according to a copy of a letter reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

We are deeply disturbed by this assault, which has left the community shaken and outraged, LeDuc Montgomery said in a statement Monday. We call upon law enforcement to thoroughly investigate this despicable act of violence.

Preston and his family declined to be interviewed through their attorney.

Police responded to the food cart pod on June 15, but a spokesperson for the bureau said June 20 that Preston declined to talk with the officers at length.

It took officers several minutes to convince the victim to come out of the foot cart to talk with them, spokesperson Terri Wallo Strauss said last week. Once the victim was out he told officers he was delivering food and was attacked. When the officer asked for more detail on exactly what happened, the victim refused to say more and locked himself in the cart.

LeDuc Montgomery said this week her client was too terrified and wounded to talk to officers.

He could hardly speak because his face had been so badly beaten in, she said.

Detectives with the Police Bureaus Major Crimes Unit started investigating the attack as a bias crime after speaking with Prestons family on June 19, said police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen.

Portland police did not immediately open a bias crime investigation because no elements of that crime were described to officers at the scene, Allen said.

We initially did not know the full scope of what happened due to limited information provided at the scene, Allen said. As soon as detectives were able to reach the victim, they launched the investigation into a possible bias crime.

A video of the assault taken across the street from the food truck appears to show a bald white man punching and kicking a man identified by LeDuc Montgomery as Preston who is crumpled on the sidewalk. The man on the sidewalk appears to struggle to sit up, only to be beaten back down, according to the video, which was reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Passing cars can be heard honking and one driver yells at the attacker to stop, according to the video. The attacker appears to stop beating the man and walks away from the scene with his hands in his pockets.

A video provided by Darell Preston's attorney appears to show a white man attacking a person on the sidewalk by Southeast Foster Road before walking away.Image courtesy Alicia LeDuc Montgomery

Officers initially thought they were responding to the report of an injured pedestrian struck by a car. When they arrived, firefighters who had already responded to the scene said there had been an assault and that both the attacker and victim had left the area, Allen said.

Officers found Preston at his food truck, where he gave them a general description of his attacker. When they asked for more details about the assault, he refused to say more, Allen said.

An officer gave Preston his business card and asked him to call if he changed his mind and wanted to provide more details about the assault, Allen said.

Officers searched the area but didnt find the suspected attacker.

Responding police officers did not call an ambulance for Preston, whose wife drove him to a hospital where he was treated for severe facial injuries, LeDuc Montgomerys statement said.

Photos of Prestons face immediately after the attack show one of his eyes leaking blood and completely swollen shut, and the other eye swollen and partially filled with blood. His mouth also appears swollen.

Prestons family created a GoFundMe on June 17 to help with the familys bills after they had to temporarily close the food truck due to Prestons injuries. The fundraiser had raised over $35,000 by Monday afternoon. The food truck is expected to reopen later this week, LeDuc Montgomery said.

We are grateful for the outpouring of care from individuals and organizations, and appreciate community members remaining unified in their peaceful support for the pursuit of justice and Darells healing, said Prestons wife, Marshnique Preston, in a statement provided by LeDuc Montgomery.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated whether the Portland Police Bureau had opened a bias crime investigation due to incorrect information provide by the Police Bureau. Detectives are investigating the June 15, 2023, attack on Darell Preston as a bias crime.
An audio recording from a meeting in which former President Donald Trump discusses a highly confidential document with an interviewer appears to undermine his later claim that he didnt have such documents, only magazine and newspaper clippings.

The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  including a writer, a publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country.

These are the papers, Trump says in a moment that seems to indicate hes holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. This was done by the military, given to me.

Trumps reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the 2021 meeting could undercut his claim in a recent Fox News Channel interview that he didnt have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida as part of a 38-count indictment that also charged his aide and former valet Walt Nauta. Nauta is set to be arraigned Tuesday before a federal judge in Miami.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording, which first aired Monday on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Tuesday he will abandon a proposed city ordinance that aimed to fine or jail open drug users after Oregon lawmakers strengthened criminal penalties against fentanyl possession during the final days of the legislative session.

Wheelers proposal, unveiled last week, would have added a ban on public consumption of drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to Portlands preexisting prohibition on alcohol use on sidewalks, streets, parks and other open spaces.
Creating business listings on directory websites is an easy way to improve your local SEO.

All you have to do is list your business in online local directories such as Yellow Pages, Manta, and more. This is called building citations, and its a critical piece of a local marketing strategy.

By building citations, you can make sure that you appear in local packs when people look for businesses like yours in their area. Business directories may seem like a thing of the past, but theyre a great way to grow your presence online.

In this post, we go over everything you need to know about creating business listings and why theyre so valuable, even in the age of social media and other marketing tactics.

What is a business directory? A business directory is an online list of businesses within a particular niche, location, or category. One way local businesses can get found by online searchers is through inclusion in business directories.

Promoting a local business isnt easy these days. Whether its because of oversaturation or complicated search engine algorithms, its all too easy to feel like no one will find your business in the local search results.

Today, Google is inserting itself between consumer and local business websites much more often. For proof, you need to look no further than Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), featured snippets, and most importantly, local packs.

You can improve visibility in local packs by listing your local business' NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) on directories, online business listing sites, and citation sites. Aside from improving your local SEO, these can also improve your rankings on search engines because the listings usually link back to your site.

But what is a business listing, and what does it look like?

What is a business listing? A business listing is your companys profile page in an online directory site, which typically includes your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Some business directories allow you to include a link back to your website, an image of your logo, and even a list of your services.

When I was a local SEO specialist at my previous company, I spent much of my time finding new business listing opportunities to build citations and generate backlinks for our local websites. This allowed us to rank not only in the local packs, but in the main SERPs, too.

I have a few tips to help you out. Make sure your company listing has the following information once you add it to a directory:

Consistent NAP. If you add or update your business on multiple business listing sites, make sure you're providing the same company information across each directory.

A link to your website. Backlinks  also known as inbound links  are crucial to your company website's Domain Rating. Consider adding a tracking link at the end of this URL as well, so you can see how much traffic your website specifically gets from the business directories that are linking to it.

A company description. Make sure you have a detailed description of your business that reflects your organization's mission, culture, and values.

Multimedia. Give company searchers a visual taste of your business with a picture or video of your office, your employees, or your daily business operations.

There are plenty of location-specific and industry-specific business listing sites where you can submit your data. To start promoting your local business, however, you should start with the big sites and slowly work your way toward the more niche directories.

Ill soon go over our list of best local directories, but first, lets cover our methodology.

How We Chose the Best Online Directories

I used to build citations for my former company, and I can tell you with full confidence that there are many, many business directories out there  and not all of them are good.

I used two simple parameters to curate the best business listing sites you can sign up on right now.

Domain Rating

Domain rating is a score thats given to websites to reflect how well they rank on Google based on their backlink profile. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum score is 100. Domain rating is similar, but not the same as, domain authority.

The minimum required domain rating for the directories on this list was 50. I gathered the data from Ahrefs, but you can also double-check using your preferred SEO tool.

Category

I compiled this list for use by any business. Regardless of your industry or target market, you can submit your business to the directories below. To make it onto this list, the directory had to be categorized as General.

Ive included traffic numbers for your reference, but in reality, theyre not that important. Local citations help you build consistent references to your NAP information online. Whether or not an organic website visitor sees that information isnt too important.

With that, lets go over the top free business directories you can join right now.

Free Business Listings Google Business Profile Superpages Better Business Bureau Hotfrog Merchant Circle EZLocal eLocal Manta Foursquare Yellow Pages

The below business listing sites made it onto the list because theyre free and also offer an easy process for claiming or creating your profile.

Some online business directories require phone verification or extra steps, but the below options are relatively simple to sign up on. These ten business listings are a great place to start before signing up on more industry-specific listing sites.

1. Google Business Profile

Domain Rating: 98

Monthly Organic Traffic: 81M Visits

Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) directly lists you on Googles local pack and search results. A Google Business Profile includes your NAP, business hours, services, customer reviews, photos, and much more.

Claim your free Google Business Profile.

2. Superpages

Domain Rating: 84

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.7M Visits

Superpages is a general online directory site for a wide variety of local business categories. A Superpages listing includes your NAP, business hours, and website.

Claim your free business listing on Superpages.

3. Better Business Bureau

Domain Rating: 93

Monthly Organic Traffic: 13M Visits

Better Business Bureau is an online directory site for a wide variety of local business categories. A Better Business Bureau listing includes your NAP, company history, company email, and website. You may also apply for optional accreditation.

Claim your free business listing on BBB.

4. Hotfrog

Domain Rating: 79

Monthly Organic Traffic: 24K Visits

Hotfrog is a general online directory site. A Hotfrog listing includes your NAP, business hours, business description, and website.

Claim your free business listing on Hotfrog.

5. Merchant Circle

Domain Rating: 85

Monthly Organic Traffic: 70K Visits

Merchant Circle is a general online listing site. A Merchant Circle listing includes your NAP, logo, payment options, business hours, business description, and website.

Claim your free business listing on MerchantCircle.

6. EZLocal

Domain Rating: 77

Monthly Organic Traffic: 90K Visits

EZLocal is a general online directory for a wide variety of local business categories. An EZLocal listing includes your NAP, parking information, business hours, and website.

Claim your free business listing on EZLocal.

7. eLocal

Domain Rating: 77

Monthly Organic Traffic: 14K Visits

eLocal is a general local directory. An eLocal listing includes your NAP, business description, website, and payment options.

Claim your free business listing on eLocal.

8. Manta

Domain Rating: 87

Monthly Organic Traffic: 2.3M Visits

A Manta listing includes your NAP, business hours, services, website, business description, and social media links. You may also apply for Manta verification.

Claim your free business listing on Manta.

9. Foursquare

Domain Rating: 91

Monthly Organic Traffic: 30M Visits

Foursquare is a general online directory for a wide variety of local business categories. A Foursquare listing includes your NAP, business hours, logo, and customer reviews.

Claim your free business listing on Foursquare.

10. Yellow Pages

Domain Rating: 90

Monthly Organic Traffic: 14M Visits

An oldie but a goodie, Yellow Pages is maybe the most well-known local directory. A Yellow Pages listing includes your NAP, parking information, business hours, and customer reviews.

Claim your free business listing on Yellow Pages.

Featured Business Listing Site: HubSpot Solutions Online Directory

HubSpot also offers an online directory for marketing and advertising agencies. If you fall into this category, I highly recommend signing up for free.



Add your free business listing to HubSpots Solutions directory.

Online Directories for Local Businesses

When it comes to listing your business online, you aren't limited to just using the free sites above. We've compiled the best directories on the web to list your business, whether paid or unpaid (most, however, should be free).

In my years as a local SEO and citation builder, I found most of these relatively easy to sign up on, but a few sites may require additional verification or a pending period. The good news is that there is little to no chance that your listing will be rejected.

1. Facebook Pages

Domain Rating: 100

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.7B Visits

Facebook Pages is one of the best places to list your business online and get visibility through both organic search and Facebooks internal search feature. A Facebook Page includes both basic NAP information and updates from your business.

Create your free business listing on Facebook Pages.

2. Instagram for Business

Domain Rating: 99

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.4B Visits

Like Facebook, Instagram is another valuable place to list your business NAP information for visibility, local SEO, and social media marketing purposes. An Instagram profile will include your business NAP information, as well as photos and updates posted directly by you.

Create your free business listing on Instagram.

3. LinkedIn Company Directory

Domain Rating: 98

Monthly Organic Traffic: 319M Visits

LinkedIn offers a directory of business pages (called LinkedIn Pages), where most companies and businesses can add a profile for free. Like Facebook and Instagram, you not only get an opportunity to list your NAP but also to publish updates and even jobs.

Create your free business listing on LinkedIn.

4. Apple Maps

Domain Rating: 97

Monthly Organic Traffic: 424M Visits

If people visit your business in person, its always a good idea to add it to navigation apps and services. Apple Maps isnt technically a business listing site, but its still an essential citation. You can now easily get started by using Apples new Business Connect online portal.

Create your free business listing on Apple Maps.

5. Yelp

Domain Rating: 95

Monthly Organic Traffic: 234M Visits

Whether you run a restaurant, a local boutique, or a repair shop, Yelp is an invaluable directory to list your business online. It not only boosts your credibility with customer reviews, but it also provides one more citation with your NAP, business hours, services, and more.

Create your free business listing on Yelp.

6. Bing Places

Domain Rating: 93

Monthly Organic Traffic: 17.1M Visits

Bing may not feel as essential as Google, but its still an important citation, especially because some of your customers might use Bing as their primary search engine. Adding your business to Bing also allows users to navigate directly to you using Bing Maps.

Create your free business listing on Bing Places.

7. Foursquare

Domain Rating: 91

Monthly Organic Traffic: 28.3M Visits

When I was building citations at my previous company, Foursquare was one of my favorite business listing sites. Its quick, easy, and painless to add your online listing, and it includes all essential information without many frills. An easy citation if there ever was one.

Create your free business listing on Foursquare.

8. Angi

Domain Rating: 91

Monthly Organic Traffic: 14.9M Visits

Formerly known as Angies List, Angi is a valuable citation for providers of home services  from plumbing to landscaping to maintenance and renovations.

Create your free business listing on Angi.

9. Thumbtack

Domain Rating: 90

Monthly Organic Traffic: 6M Visits

Thumbtack is another great business directory for providers of home renovation and maintenance services. Other industries that could add a business listing to Thumbtack include electronics repair specialists and web designers.

Create your free business listing on Thumbtack.

10. Nextdoor

Domain Rating: 89

Monthly Organic Traffic: 6.3M Visits

Nextdoor is both a neighborhood guide and a free online business directory for local businesses of any category, but its specially recommended if you offer home services or products at a local shop.

Create your free business listing on Nextdoor.

Business Listing Sites

Those arent all the online directories you can join. Below are more of the best options for businesses of any category.

Youll notice that some of them have low organic traffic numbers. Remember: The main benefit of adding your company to business listing sites is to build citations with your NAP information.

Even if an online directory only receives a few organic visits per month, thats okay  the main value is having a listing with your correct name, address, and phone number (NAP).

Dont worry about upgrading any of these listings. I never did when I was building citations. Most people dont visit online business directories any longer; instead, they use Google or other popular websites such as Yelp.

1. City-data.com

Domain Rating: 85

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.2M

City-data is a neighborhood forum and online directory that covers the entirety of the US.

Create your free business listing on City-data.com.

2. ChamberofCommerce.com

Domain Rating: 82

Monthly Organic Traffic: 550K

ChamberofCommerce is an online directory with a membership and an accreditation option.

Create your free business listing on ChamberofCommerce.com.

3. Company.com

Domain Rating: 80

Monthly Organic Traffic: 12.3K

Company.com is a digital ads service provider that also publishes an online directory.

Create your free business listing on Company.com.

4. Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory

Domain Rating: 79

Monthly Organic Traffic: 259K

Dun & Bradstreet is a famous online directory with an accreditation option.

Create your free business listing on Dun & Bradstreet.

5. Brownbook.net

Domain Rating: 78

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.4K

Brownbook.net is a Yellow Pages alternative for businesses of any category. One of my favorite citations  its very easy to sign up.

Create your free business listing on Brownbook.net.

6. Local.com

Domain Rating: 78

Monthly Organic Traffic: 178K

Local.com is an online business directory with a blog and a series of advertising options.

Create your free business listing on Local.com.

7. Turbify

Domain Rating: 78

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.7K

Turbify is an online local listing provider that gives you a free report and also lists you online.

Create your free business listing on Turbify.

8. Kompass.com

Domain Rating: 76

Monthly Organic Traffic: 11.1K

Kompass is a B2B online business directory that also allows you to respond to public requests for proposals.

Create your business listing on Kompass.com.

9. Storeboard

Domain Rating: 76

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.3K

Storeboard is an online business directory that also includes a homepage feed, like a social media site.

Create your free business listing on Storeboard.

10. eBusinessPages

Domain Rating: 76

Monthly Organic Traffic: 261

eBusinessPages may have low traffic numbers, but its an easy and simple citation to add to your roster.

Create your free business listing on eBusinessPages.

11. City Squares

Domain Rating: 74

Monthly Organic Traffic: 5.3K

CitySquares is an online business directory that also has a handy partner program for companies with multiple locations.

Create your free business listing on City Squares.

12. BOTW

Domain Rating: 74

Monthly Organic Traffic: 30.2K

Best of the Web (BOTW) is an online business directory with advertising and upgrade options.

Create your free business listing on BOTW.

13. Infobel

Domain Rating: 74

Monthly Organic Traffic: 913K

Infobel is an EU-based business listing site that also includes a local US directory for companies of any category.

Create your free business listing on Infobel.

14. iBegin

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 42.7K

iBegin is a simple online directory where you can not only submit your business, but blog posts as well.

Create your free business listing on iBegin.

15. Neustar Localeze

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 13.3K

Neustar Localeze is a business listing service that also includes an online directory. This one is paid, and sign-up can be a little more complicated than other options, but its still worth it.

Create your business listing on Neustar Localeze.

16. Spoke

Domain Rating: 74

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.9K

Spoke.com is an online business directory with a feed on its home page, like a social media site. You can also add people and topics.

Create your free business listing on Spoke.

17. GoLocal247

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 12.7K

GoLocal247 is an online business directory where you can also post free classified ads.

Create your free business listing on GoLocal247.

18. Call Up Contact

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 73.7K

Call Up Contact is a free business listing site where you can also add individual pages for your products and services.

Create your free business listing on CallUpContact.

19. n49.com

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 159K

n49 is a Canada-based directory that has a US arm. One of my favorites in terms of UX and workflow. Its simple to sign up, and editing your listing is easy through its portal.

Create your free business listing on n49.

20. Cybo

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 330K

Cybo is a global business listing site for companies of any category.

Create your free business listing on Cybo.

21. Just Landed

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 42.7K

Just Landed is an online business directory that also includes an expat community and an area for classified ads.

Create your free business listing on Just Landed.

22. Tuugo.us

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 130

Tuugos organic traffic numbers may be low, but like others on this list, its an easy citation that will help you reinforce your NAP information. Its also very, very simple to sign up  no verification required.

Create your free business listing on Tuugo.us.

23. Lacartes

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 15.2K

Lacartes is an online business directory that also includes a job and product marketplace, as well as a community forum.

Create your free business listing on Lacartes.

24. City Local Pro

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 539

City Local Pro is a business directory that specializes in home improvement services, but you may be able to sign up and get a citation regardless of category.

Create your free business listing on City Local Pro.

25. Yellow.Place

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 972K

Yellow.Place is a Yellow Pages alternative with advertising options.

Create your free business listing on Yellow.Place.

26. Hub.biz

Domain Rating: 72

Monthly Organic Traffic: 124K

Hub.biz is an online directory with a text-based feed that includes updates from local businesses.

Create your free business listing on Hub.biz.

27. Cylex US

Domain Rating: 73

Monthly Organic Traffic: 921K

Cylex US is an online directory that offers premium listings, as well as the ability to post special offers.

Create your free business listing on Cylex.us.

28. Fyple.com

Domain Rating: 68

Monthly Organic Traffic: 2.1K

Fyple is a local directory for businesses of any category. It also offers customers the option to post reviews.

Create your free business listing on Fyple.

29. Opendi.us

Domain Rating: 67

Monthly Organic Traffic: 23.5K

Opendi is a business directory with international arms in Europe and South America. Opendi has a long pending period for new listings, but its worth submitting to.

Create your free business listing on Opendi.us.

30. ExpressBusinessDirectory.com

Domain Rating: 65

Monthly Organic Traffic: 7

ExpressBusinessDirectory.com has low traffic numbers, but its easy to submit to, and you can never run short on citations.

Create your free business listing on ExpressBusinessDirectory.

31. My Huckleberry

Domain Rating: 64

Monthly Organic Traffic: 544

My Huckleberry is an online business directory with an online forum and a coupon marketplace.

Create your free business listing on My Huckleberry.

32. Bizhwy.com

Domain Rating: 66

Monthly Organic Traffic: 24

Bizhwy.com is a simple online business directory that also gives you the option of submitting a press release. Since its traffic numbers are low, I recommend sticking to a free listing.

Create your free business listing on Bizhwy.

33. DirJournal.com

Domain Rating: 63

Monthly Organic Traffic: 802

DirJournal is an online business directory that also offers advertising options. Since its traffic numbers are low, I recommend sticking to a free listing.

Create your free business listing on Dirjournal.

34. USdirectory.com

Domain Rating: 56

Monthly Organic Traffic: 1.7K

USdirectory.com is a business listing site that offers advertising options. I also recommend sticking to a free listing for this one.

Create your business listing on US Directory.

35. FindUSlocal.com

Domain Rating: 55

Monthly Organic Traffic: 61.8K

FindUSlocal is an online business directory with a feed-like home page.

Create your free business listing on FindUSLocal.

Benefits of Listing Your Business in Local Directories

As mentioned, the value of listing your business in directories isnt about visibility in the directories themselves (although thats certainly helpful); its more about building citations with your business information.

Here are some of the benefits of listing your business online. Its a lot of work, but its endlessly invaluable.

Rank Higher in Local Packs

Youve seen local packs before  theyre the groups of local businesses that appear when you make a location-based search, such as pizza near me.

By listing your business in local directories, youre reinforcing your companys NAP information again and again. This constant and consistent record of citations (really, make sure your information is consistent!) can improve your chances of ranking higher in Googles local packs. Youll therefore increase visibility and exposure in your area, which can result in more website visits and foot traffic.

Get White-Hat Backlinks to Your Website

We cant forget the big benefit: Backlinks. Most local directories allow you to add a link to your website, and while some of them may be no-follow links, its still worth the mention.

Most directories are authoritative websites that have a high domain authority or domain rating. By listing your business on these directories, you can indirectly increase your website's domain authority by getting a vote, so to speak, from an authoritative site.

By getting backlinks or votes from directories, you will, in turn, improve your search engine rankings and increase your website's visibility and traffic.

Boost Company Legitimacy

Creating business listings can also improve your legitimacy. Local directories are trusted sources of information, and being listed on these directories can boost your company's credibility and reputation.

Imagine if people look up your business and the first page of the SERPs are filled with random URLs that happen to share your business name. That doesnt help you look established. But if the SERPs are all filled with listings from other directories, users will feel like your company is real and therefore worth their investment.

No matter what, being listed in local directories will improve your online reputation and increase your brand visibility.

Add Your Local Business to Online Directories

Making sure that you have a presence where your potential customers might find you is critical to any local marketing plan. Its critical to build citations not only for the added visibility but for the SEO benefits, too. Add your local business to some of these business listings and directories today  and watch your business and customer base grow.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in March 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
Lake Oswego civics teacher Gerrit Koepping put his knowledge of government to work and a bill he initiated, for homeowners to permanently remove racist restrictions from property deeds, has passed the legislature. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will decide if House Bill 3294 is signed into law.

We always think of the law and the legislative process in such a negative way, but this wasnt driven by lobbyists but a school teacher and a freshman legislator, said Koepping, who asked Rep. Daniel Nguyen, D-Lake Oswego, to support a bill that archives documents with discriminatory language and allows homeowners to use new documents as their propertys primary official record.
Summer is officially here, which means its time to take advantage of all the beauty that Oregon has to offer. This year, escape the hot weather with a relaxing retreat at the Oregon Coast in a unique and top-rated VRBO rental. From quaint cottages perfect for two to gorgeous beachside home with sprawling balconies for the whole family, theres something for everyone to discover on the coast.

Depot Bay Oceanfront Retreat on the Oregon Coast

Based on cumulative guest reviews on location, cleanliness, and satisfaction, here are some highest-rated choices for the best VRBO stays along the Oregon Coast this summer:

DEPOT BAY OCEANFRONT RETREAT

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom home sleeps two and is a great spot to enjoy a luxury getaway. Watch whales with an ocean view from the living room and cook delicious meals in the gourmet kitchen. Bring your pup along because this place is dog-friendly!

COZY NETARTS CABIN

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin sleeps four and offers a beautiful view of Netarts Bay. Walk to Oceanside Beach and enjoy the quiet life for a weekend or two.

NAUTICAL THEMED HOME

This nautical home one bedroom, one bathroom, and sleeps four. Come for the ocean view and stay for the hot tub and kitchen in Port Orford.

STYLISH NEWPORT ESCAPE

This home has one bathroom and sleeps three people in Newport, Oregon. Only a four minute walk from Nye Beach, its the perfect place to stay when you go exploring.

BROOKINGS OCEAN STUDIO

If youre looking for a quaint and cozy getaway, this studio has one bedroom, one bathroom, and sleeps three. Enjoy the ocean views of Brookings, Oregon with your breakfast or check out the local beach.

WHALE WATCHING GETAWAY

This spacious Depoe Bay studio has one bedroom, one bathroom, a dome ceiling, and huge windows where you can watch whales from dawn until dusk. Its only a four minute walk from the Whale Watching Center and Tradewinds Charters.

OCEANFRONT HOME WITH PRIVATE DECK

This home has two bedrooms and sleeps four, with a washer, dryer, outdoor space, and ocean views. Enjoy the South Beach sunset from the gorgeous sweeping deck and watch your favorite movie on the flat screen TV after it gets dark.
Nigeria's Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has openly said that African countries see the Peoples Republic of China as a better ally regarding foreign loans than the West.

Osinbajo, who stated this at King's College London, on Monday, on China's Investment in Africa, revealed that Africa needs the loans and infrastructure that China provides, maintaining that China shows up where and when the West will not show up or are reluctant to do so.

Recalling the memory of the destructive conditionalities of the Brenton Woods loans, which he described as still fresh, Osinbajo, a professor of law stated that most African countries are rightly unapologetic about their close ties with China.

According to him, China has remained the largest provider of foreign direct investment that supports hundreds of thousands of African jobs.

Osinbajo reminded the West that China is lending Africa with 5% while the Western countries and institutions lend with 23% which is outrageous when compared together.

He stated, "$254 billion in 2021, about four times the volume of US - Africa trade. China is the largest provider of foreign direct investment, supporting hundreds of thousands of African jobs.

"This is roughly double the level of US foreign direct investment. 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 rightly unapologetic about their close ties with China. China shows up where and when the west will not or are reluctant. And many African countries are of the view that the beware of the Chinese Trojan loans advise form 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 are 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 over-reaction. I recommend an eye opening lecture by Professor Deborah Brautigam about two weeks ago at Jesus College Cambridge."

He added, "The truth as she points out, is that all of Chinese lending to Africa is only 5% of all outstanding public and publicly guaranteed debt in low- and middle-income countries, compared to 23% held by the World Bank and other multilaterals. Chinese lenders account for 12 per cent of Africa's private and public external debt. And the Chinese have also been there when the debts cannot be paid.

"In early 2020 as COVID battered African economies China came together with other G20 members to launch the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI). 73 low-income economies benefited from the suspension of principal and interest payments. Chinese banks provided 63% of the total debt relief while being only owed 30% of the debt service payments due," he stated.
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/cant-invest-china-like-charlie-munger-182024691.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer= Charlie Munger shares his thoughts on healthcare, politics, accounting, and investing I say, but if you work at it, you can find more, and better.

At the Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A, BRK-B) annual meeting on Saturday, vice chair Charlie Munger said he liked the Chinese stock market better than the U.S. In an interview with Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer, Munger expanded on this idea and, in doing so, outlined quite simply why you  the average investor  will never be Charlie Munger. One of the things we got into [in China] was the Shanghai airport, the main airport in China, with no debt net, Munger said. How can you lose owning the main airport in China? When asked how one gets into that kind of investing opportunity, Munger said, I have a very nice young Chinese-American who helps me. He speaks the language and goes over there all the time It takes extra work. But why should it be easy to get rich? Berkshire Hathaway vice chairman Charlie Munger.

So there you have it: as long as you already have millions in the bank  Mungers net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion  and personal connections to invest not in publicly-traded securities markets but private entities backing physical infrastructure in the worlds second-largest economy, youre all set.

And while the Berkshire annual meeting is popular because listening to Warren Buffett and Munger opine on investing, business, and life is a learning experience in itself, too often their success is viewed as something repeatable or worth realistically aspiring to.

This year, Buffett talked at length about how most investors are better served in low-cost index funds rather than high-fee hedge fund investments. Buffett also explicitly praised Vanguard founder Jack Bogle for making this possible for most investors.

Now, there are no doubt many Buffett disciples and meeting attendees who believe they are the exception and will one day replicate the success of Buffett and Munger by emulating their strategies. No doubt, some will.

But if theres a message Buffett made explicitly on Saturday and Munger made implicitly when talking about China, it is that their success is both the combination of good judgement and good luck. Neither can be counted on.

I think a shrewd person can find more bargain stocks in China than he can find in the United States, Munger said. Thats all. Thats all I meant. It was a happier hunting ground for the value investor.

I didnt say it was easy, Munger added. But if you work at it, you can find more [attractive investment opportunities]. And better.

Myles Udland is a writer at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @MylesUdland

More on Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway:
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday approved a 36-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) in the amount of US$1
Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA)  South Africa is failing to provide hundreds of thousands of older people access to basic care and support services, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on Tuesday
Kelheim Fibres Appoints Mark von der Becke as Sales Director; Matthew North to Retire

From left to right: Mark von der Becke, Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, Matthew North. From left to right: Mark von der Becke, Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, Matthew North.

June 26, 2023 - Kelheim Fibres announced the appointment of Mark von der Becke as Sales Director and a member of the management team. von der Becke, 48, has many years of experience in the areas of sales, marketing and key account management. He has held various management positions in Germany, Switzerland and China at well-known companies such as Hoechst, Clariant and DS Smith.

The company also announced that Matthew North, Commercial Director, will retire on July 1, 2023 after almost 30 years with the company. North played a significant role in transforming Kelheim Fibres from a supplier of standard fibres to the European textile industry into a supplier of predominantly customized specialty fibres for the hygiene, specialty paper, and textile industries.

In addition, Dr. Marina Crnoja-Cosic, who has been Director New Business Development and has been part of the management team at Kelheim Fibers since 2020, will be responsible for marketing and communication.

Craig Barker, Managing Director of Kelheim Fibres, commented, "On behalf of the entire team I would like to thank Matthew for his outstanding work over the past few decades. We will miss his wealth of experience, his calm demeanor and his British sense of humour. We wish him all the best for his new and exciting chapter in his life. At the same time, we wish his successors every success in the new responsibilities they have now taken on."

Located in Kelheim in South Germany, Kelheim Fibres is a leading manufacturer of specialty viscose fibres with an annual production capacity of about 90,000 tons.

SOURCE: Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Photo: (Photo : JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korea, a country with the world's lowest fertility rate, is experiencing a growing debate over the wisdom of implementing "no-kids zones." These zones, which restrict children from places such as cafes and restaurants, have gained popularity in recent years and are aimed at providing disturbance-free environments for adults. However, concerns are emerging regarding the impact of these zones on the country's demographic challenges.

With one of the fastest-aging populations globally and a fertility rate that dropped to a record low of 0.78 last year, South Korea faces significant demographic and economic issues.

According to CNN, the country's struggles to fund pensions and healthcare for a growing number of retirees with a shrinking workforce are exacerbating the problem. Critics argue that adding more barriers for young people to start families, amidst existing challenges such as high real estate costs and economic anxiety, may not be the solution the country needs.

South Korea Grapples with Aging Population and Lowest Fertility Rate

While the South Korean government has spent over $200 billion in the past 16 years on encouraging childbirth, some believe that societal attitudes toward the young need to change rather than rely solely on financial incentives.

According to Washington Post, critics highlight the need for a societal transformation that embraces and supports children rather than excluding them from public spaces.

Recent developments have indicated a potential shift in public opinion. Yong Hye-in, a mother and lawmaker for the Basic Income Party, made headlines by bringing her 2-year-old son to a meeting of the National Assembly, challenging the exclusion of children from such spaces. The pushback against no-kid zones has gained momentum, and even Jeju Island, a popular tourist destination, debated a bill to make these zones illegal.

Critics argue that no-kids zones not only harm the country's reputation for hospitality but also violate the right to equality and constitute age discrimination. In 2017, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea stated that these zones were in conflict with the constitution's prohibition of discrimination based on gender, religion, or social status. However, changing mindsets remains a challenge, as the ongoing popularity of no-kids zones reflects deep-rooted attitudes and intolerance toward those who are different.

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Advocates Suggest Alternative Approaches to Address Concerns

South Korea's embrace of no-kid zones is believed to have stemmed from a 2012 incident in which a child was scalded by hot broth in a restaurant. Social media discussions about parental responsibility and public behavior led to the emergence of these zones in various establishments.

Furthermore, South Korea has witnessed the rise of other age-specific zones, including no-teenager, no-senior, and even no-middle-aged zones. A strong pro-business sentiment exists in the nation, which often motivates such zoning requirements to prevent disturbances to other customers.

To address the population crisis, reexamining these mindsets and promoting inclusivity is crucial. Experts argue that intolerance toward those who are different from oneself, including mothers in public spaces, contributes to young women's reluctance to have children. Lawmaker Yong, who experienced discrimination as a new mother, aims to create a society where working moms are not stigmatized and childcare becomes a shared responsibility.

While legislation and equality bills are being considered, proponents suggest that businesses can make positive changes by avoiding no-kid zones and learning from other countries that prioritize family-friendly policies. Proposed alternatives include designated no-kids times instead of permanent exclusion, allowing families with children until a certain time of day, after which the venue becomes adults-only.

Ultimately, striking a balance between the needs of parents and non-parents is essential. Finding a middle ground and fostering a society that supports and values children are vital steps towards addressing South Korea's demographic challenges.

Related Article: South Korea and China Top List of Most Expensive Places For Child Care
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A devastating incident unfolded at Big Bend National Park in West Texas as a Florida man and his 14-year-old stepson tragically lost their lives while hiking in extreme heat. On Friday, the stepson's 21-year-old brother and the pair started out on the Marufo Vega Trail.

According to the National Park Service, temperatures at the time reached a scorching 119 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius), reflecting the prevailing extreme heat affecting various parts of Texas. Daily high temperatures in the region have soared between 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) and 119 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stepfather's Desperate Attempt to Seek Help Ends in Tragedy at Big Bend National Park

During the hike, the 14-year-old stepson fell ill and subsequently lost consciousness. According to the park service, the boy's older brother made the difficult decision to carry him back to the trailhead while the stepfather hiked to their car. Emergency authorities were notified about the dire situation at 6 p.m. CDT on Friday. A team comprising park rangers and U.S. Border Patrol agents swiftly arrived at the scene around 7:30 p.m., only to discover the devastating news that the 14-year-old had passed away.

Meanwhile, efforts were underway to locate the stepfather. Eventually, at 8 p.m., authorities discovered that his vehicle had crashed over an embankment at Boquillas Overlook. Tragically, the park service confirmed that the man had passed away at the crash site. Although the authorities have not yet revealed the victims' identities or identified the precise cause of their deaths, it is clear that the extreme heat played a significant role in this unfortunate incident.

According to ABC News, the park service highlighted the inherent dangers of the Marufo Vega Trail, emphasizing its rugged desert terrain and rocky cliffs. Located in the hottest part of Big Bend National Park, the trail offers no shade or water, making it particularly perilous to attempt during the scorching summer months.

Visitors are cautioned to exercise caution and prioritize their safety when exploring such challenging environments. It is crucial to plan hikes during cooler parts of the day, carry an ample supply of water, and wear appropriate sun-protective clothing. Additionally, understanding one's physical limits and monitoring for signs of heat-related illnesses are essential.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with hiking in extreme heat and the importance of being adequately prepared before venturing into challenging environments. Visitors are advised to heed the warnings provided by park authorities and prioritize their safety by avoiding strenuous activities during periods of excessive heat, according to FOX 7 Houston.

Read Also: Virginia Boy Completes Appalachian Trail With His Parents, and He's Only 5

Big Bend National Park Highlights Importance of Preparedness and Safety Measures

As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic loss. It serves as a solemn reminder of the need for caution and vigilance when engaging in outdoor activities, especially in environments with extreme weather conditions. Big Bend National Park, known for its awe-inspiring landscapes and diverse ecosystems, attracts visitors from around the world. Park officials emphasize the importance of being well-informed and prepared before embarking on any hiking or outdoor activities within its boundaries. By adhering to safety guidelines and respecting the power of nature, visitors can better ensure their own well-being while enjoying the park's natural wonders.

In the wake of this unfortunate event, park authorities are expected to review safety measures and potentially enhance efforts to educate visitors about the risks associated with extreme heat. Increased signage, educational materials, and ranger-led programs may be implemented to raise awareness and promote safer practices in the future.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident at Big Bend National Park serves as a somber reminder of the need for caution, respect, and preparedness when engaging in outdoor activities. While the allure of nature's beauty is enticing, it is crucial to prioritize safety and make informed decisions to prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future.

Related Article: The Multiple Tragedies And The Father And Son's Death
Photo: (Photo : Omar Lopez on Unsplash)

Dr. Sij Hemal, a second-year medical resident, found himself in a remarkable situation during a flight in December 2017 that he will never forget. Returning from his friend's wedding in India, Hemal boarded an Air France flight from Paris to New York City, with a layover in JFK before heading to Cleveland. Little did he know that this ordinary journey would soon turn into a high-stakes medical emergency.

The Reality of "Is There a Doctor on Board?" Calls: Medical Professionals Share Their Experiences

As the aircraft cruised at 35,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, Hemal heard a flight attendant's urgent announcement: "Is there a doctor on board?" Sitting beside him was Dr. Susan Shepherd, a pediatrician from Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). According to CNN, the two doctors quickly volunteered to assist. Led by the flight attendant, Hemal reached the distressed passenger, a woman in her early 40s, complaining of back and abdominal pain. Her revelation that she was pregnant heightened the urgency of the situation. With no nearby airport for an emergency landing, Hemal and Shepherd had to act swiftly to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

Over the next few hours, the doctors provided care, keeping the passenger stable. Suddenly, she began experiencing contractions, and her waters broke. Hemal, a urology resident who had limited experience delivering babies, found himself leading the medical efforts. Despite the challenging circumstances, he successfully delivered a healthy baby with the assistance of Shepherd and the Air France cabin crew. Upon landing at JFK, the mother and child were safely transferred to a nearby hospital while Hemal hurried to catch his connecting flight to Cleveland. Reflecting on the intense experience, Hemal reaffirmed his commitment to his profession, stating that helping those in need was the reason he became a doctor.

The scenario of an inflight medical emergency with the iconic "is there a doctor on board?" announcement is not merely a Hollywood cliche. It is a reality that medical professionals often face during their travels. While flight attendants receive first-aid training, they sometimes require the expertise of onboard doctors. For doctors like Hemal, the transition from being an ordinary passenger to a healthcare provider is not too challenging. People frequently seek their medical advice even when they are off duty, so stepping up to assist in an inflight emergency feels like a natural extension of their role. However, not all medical professionals feel comfortable responding to such situations due to fear or a lack of familiarity with the unique environment of an airplane.

Read Also: Qantas Arline Books 13-Month-Old Baby on Separate Flight from Parents for an 11-Hour International Flight

Beyond Hollywood: Real-Life Doctors Respond to the Call for Help on Airplanes

Doctors who choose to help during inflight emergencies often sign "Good Samaritan agreements" to protect themselves from potential litigation. Additionally, the Aviation Medical Assistance Act in the US shields individuals from legal liability when aiding in onboard medical emergencies. While doctors acknowledge the risks involved, they are driven by a sense of duty to assist if they can.

Dr. Lauren Feld, a US-based gastroenterologist, emphasizes the importance of basic life support training for the general public. While passengers should alert flight attendants if a medical emergency occurs, those with first aid knowledge can take vital steps, such as checking the person's pulse and initiating chest compressions, while awaiting professional assistance.

Responding to in-flight emergencies presents unique challenges for doctors. Without access to a patient's medical history, they must assess the situation and identify the most serious conditions first. The limited availability of medical equipment onboard further complicates matters. Moreover, the aircraft environment, with its pressure differential and engine noise, can affect treatments and diagnostics.

Despite the difficulties, doctors stress the importance of teamwork in these situations. Cooperation among medical professionals, flight attendants, and ground medical teams is crucial for a successful outcome. Hemal recalls the remarkable camaraderie among a group of strangers from various backgrounds on the transcontinental flight who were bound together by a common desire to assist.

While doctors who assist during inflight emergencies may occasionally receive small tokens of appreciation, such as flight vouchers or air miles, their main motivation remains the opportunity to save lives and provide care. For Hemal, the experience was humbling and served as a learning curve, teaching him to focus on his patients and not worry about others' reactions.

Despite the attention he received at the time, Hemal remains committed to his profession and is willing to help others in need whenever the opportunity arises. As he states, if he doesn't help, no one else will, and doing his best is the guiding principle he lives by. In the end, doctors like Hemal and Feld embody the spirit of selflessness and dedication that characterizes the medical profession, even at 35,000 feet above the ground.

Related Article: Mom Gives Birth to Baby in the Middle of Frontier Airlines Flight to Orlando; Names Her Daughter Sky
   

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a health alert after identifying cases of locally acquired malaria in Florida and Texas.

The increasing number of local malaria cases is raising concerns about the resurgence of this mosquito-borne disease within the United States.

The CDC has recently documented five cases of malaria that were acquired within the United States over the past two months, marking the first instances of locally transmitted malaria in 20 years.

These infections are unrelated, with four cases reported in Florida and one in Texas.

Local Malaria Infections Emerge in Florida and Texas

According to The New York Post, the last known local cases of malaria within the U.S. were reported in 2003 in Palm Beach County, Florida, while locally transmitted malaria cases in Texas last occurred in 1994.

Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease that is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes. While it does not spread directly between individuals, pregnant women can pass the disease to their fetuses or newborns.

The CDC emphasizes the urgency of addressing malaria cases, considering it a medical emergency.

The five patients affected by the recent cases of malaria-four in Florida and one in Texas-are currently receiving treatment and are in the process of recovery, according to the CDC.

The specific parasite responsible for these infections is Plasmodium vivax, which is less deadly than other malaria-causing parasites but can remain dormant in the body and lead to chronic infections months or even years after the initial illness.

ABC reported that research published in the Lancet Planetary Health suggests that climate change may undermine the progress made in combating diseases such as malaria, as warmer temperatures could potentially expand the habitat of disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Dr. John Brownstein, an infectious disease epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital, expressed concerns that the Southeast region may experience an increase in malaria cases due to the presence of competent mosquitoes and the potential effects of climate change.

Although the permanent resurgence of malaria is improbable, these cases serve as a broader warning regarding the risks of mosquito-borne diseases in the area.

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Prevention Measures and CDC Recommendations

Given the recent cases of locally acquired malaria, the CDC has underscored the importance of implementing preventive measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

NBC News reported that The Texas Department of State Health Services has advised residents to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants, and take measures to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed, such as draining puddles and keeping gutters clear.

Similarly, the Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide advisory on mosquito-borne illnesses, highlighting that all four cases in their state were reported in Sarasota County.

The department encourages residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

The CDC emphasizes the need for doctors and hospitals to establish rapid diagnosis protocols for malaria patients, ensuring prompt administration of antimalarial drugs within 24 hours.

Additionally, hospitals are advised to have access to an intravenous version of a drug called Artesunate, the only approved medication for treating severe malaria in the United States.

Travelers planning to visit regions where malaria transmission occurs should consult with healthcare professionals regarding preventive medications to minimize the risk of infection.

The CDC's health alert serves as a reminder that despite a historically low risk of malaria within the United States, local transmission can still occur.

Increased travel to and from areas where malaria is prevalent raises concerns about potential future cases, reinforcing the importance of vigilance, preventive measures, and prompt treatment.

As the CDC continues to monitor and address the local malaria cases in Florida and Texas, it is crucial for healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the general public to remain informed and take appropriate steps to combat this mosquito-borne disease.

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An experimental drug developed by Eli Lilly has shown promising results in providing significant weight loss benefits, surpassing any drug currently on the market. In a mid-stage clinical trial, the drug retatrutide helped participants lose an average of approximately 24% of their body weight, equivalent to around 58 pounds. According to NBC, the findings were presented by the company at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting in San Diego and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

If the results are confirmed in a larger, phase 3 clinical trial, which is expected to conclude by late 2025, retatrutide could potentially surpass Lilly's other weight loss drug, tirzepatide. Experts had previously predicted that tirzepatide could become the best-selling drug of all time. Currently approved for Type 2 diabetes as Mounjaro, tirzepatide is anticipated to receive FDA approval for weight loss later this year or early next year.

Retatrutide's Effectiveness Approaches Bariatric Surgery

The results of the study have left experts astounded. Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine and the medical director of the Tulane Bariatric Center in New Orleans, described the findings as "mind-blowing." She noted that the drug's effectiveness appeared to be approaching that of bariatric surgery, stating, "It's certainly knocking on the door or getting close."

The study highlights the recent surge in the discovery of new treatments for weight loss as pharmaceutical companies invest in GLP-1 agonists, a new class of drugs that mimic a hormone responsible for reducing food intake and appetite. These drugs, including semaglutide and Lilly's tirzepatide, have been transformative for individuals struggling with obesity.

Retatrutide, in addition to mimicking GLP-1 and another hormone called GIP, also mimics glucagon, another hormone that may help reduce appetite and enhance metabolism efficiency. This triple action of retatrutide could explain its superior weight loss efficacy, according to Dr. Holly Lofton, the director of the weight management program at NYU Langone Health.

Eli Lilly's chief scientific and medical officer, Dr. Dan Skovronsky, explained that retatrutide aims to utilize the body's natural signaling molecules responsible for food metabolism and satiety. By turning these molecules into medicines, the drug harnesses the body's own mechanisms to control weight.

In a phase 2 trial that involved 338 obese or overweight adults, retatrutide was administered as a weekly injection. After 48 weeks, patients receiving the highest dose of 12 milligrams lost an average of 24.2% of their body weight, equivalent to 57.8 pounds. Notably, the weight loss had not plateaued by the end of the trial, suggesting that participants could have achieved further weight loss if they had continued taking the medication.

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Potential Side Effects: Nausea, Vomiting, and Digestive Issues Among Known Retatrutide Effects

One trial participant, Jucynthia Jessie from Laplace, Louisiana, lost 60 pounds and expressed surprise at the remarkable results. While she has gained some weight since completing the trial, she believes that sustainable weight loss can be maintained through healthy lifestyle choices.

Comparatively, retatrutide exhibited faster weight loss than other medications. Novo Nordisk's semaglutide reduced body weight by approximately 15%, or about 34 pounds, after 68 weeks, while Lilly's tirzepatide resulted in an average weight loss of 22.5%, or about 52 pounds, after 72 weeks. However, direct comparisons cannot be made as these drugs were not evaluated head-to-head in a clinical trial.

Regarding side effects, retatrutide demonstrated a similar profile to other weight loss medications, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These side effects typically diminish with prolonged use.

While awaiting FDA approval, retatrutide's future remains uncertain. Eli Lilly has initiated a phase 3 clinical trial involving thousands of participants, set to conclude in December 2025. If the results continue to hold, the drug will undergo a rigorous review process by the FDA. Furthermore, researchers believe that retatrutide and similar drugs could have potential applications in treating obstructive sleep apnea and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Dr. Skovronsky emphasized the current golden age of drug discovery for treating metabolic diseases, expressing hope that retatrutide could provide weight loss results comparable to bariatric surgery. As different patients may require distinct treatments, he suggested that multiple medications would be necessary, highlighting the importance of continued research and development in this field.

Related Article: Rise in Child and Teen Weight-loss Surgeries, Study Reveals
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The trial for Bryan Kohberger, the accused perpetrator of the shocking University of Idaho murders, has commenced as prosecutors seek the death penalty against him.

Kohberger, 28, stands charged with four counts of murder in connection with the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students in late 2022.

The case, which sent shockwaves through the rural Idaho community and neighboring areas, has drawn widespread attention as the court proceedings get underway.

Prosecution's Intent to Seek the Death Penalty

As reported by the Associated Press, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger in court on Monday.

Under Idaho law, prosecutors must notify the court within 60 days of a plea being entered regarding their intention to pursue capital punishment.

Thompson listed several aggravating circumstances in the notice, including the commission of multiple murders, exceptional depravity, and utter disregard for human life.

Defense attorneys have responded by filing motions, requesting the court provide additional evidence related to DNA profiles, cellphone records, social media data, and surveillance footage.

The defense seeks further clarification and access to information about the DNA found at the crime scene, which reportedly includes profiles of three unidentified males involved in the investigation.

Furthermore, they argue that the vast amount of evidence presented necessitates additional time to meet case filing deadlines.

The Gruesome University of Idaho Murders

According to CNN, Bryan Kohberger is confronted with four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary in relation to the brutal killings of four students on November 13, at a residence near the primary campus of the University of Idaho in Moscow.

The bodies of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were discovered on November 13, 2022, in a rental home located near the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho.

During a hearing in May, an Idaho judge entered a plea of not guilty on Kohberger's behalf. The chilling slayings left the community in a state of disbelief and grief.

Subsequent investigations by law enforcement agencies revealed critical evidence linking Bryan Kohberger to the crime scene.

Authorities remained tight-lipped about the case until Kohberger's arrest at his parents' residence in eastern Pennsylvania on December 30, 2022.

Law enforcement officials were able to connect Kohberger to the murders through DNA evidence, cellphone data, and surveillance video.

Traces of DNA found on a knife sheath inside the victims' home were allegedly a match for Kohberger.

However, according to NBC News, investigators employed the tool to construct an extensive family lineage comprising numerous relatives, enabling them to ultimately pinpoint Kohberger as a potential suspect.

Additionally, his cellphone records indicated multiple instances of his presence near the victims' residence, and a white sedan resembling one owned by Kohberger was captured on surveillance footage near the scene around the time of the murders.

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The High-Stakes Trial and Execution Methods

As the trial begins, all eyes are on the courtroom, awaiting the unfolding of the legal proceedings against Bryan Kohberger.

If convicted in this death penalty case, the defense will have the opportunity to present mitigating factors that could potentially spare Kohberger from capital punishment.

Mitigating factors might include evidence of mental health issues, expressions of remorse, youthfulness, or a history of childhood abuse.

Idaho law currently permits executions by lethal injection. However, recent difficulties in obtaining the necessary chemicals have led to postponed executions.

Notably, starting July 1, death by firing squad will become an approved backup method of execution under a law passed by the Idaho Legislature.

Nonetheless, the implementation of this method is anticipated to face legal challenges in federal court.

The trial will undoubtedly shed further light on the tragic events that unfolded, providing closure for the grieving families and seeking justice for the lives lost.

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Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

In a bid to improve the wages of fast food workers, a California law has encountered significant obstacles from the industry.

The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last year, was intended to increase the minimum wage for fast food workers by establishing a 10-member council with the authority to raise the state's minimum wage to a maximum of $22 per hour for certain employees.

Considered a groundbreaking piece of employment legislation, the law has faced resistance from business groups, which gathered enough signatures to qualify for a referendum in 2024.

As a result, the law has been delayed, leaving workers in limbo.

Restoring the Industrial Welfare Commission

However, according to ABC, democratic lawmakers, who control the state Legislature, have come up with an alternative plan to address the issue of low fast food worker salaries.

Buried within California's operating budget, which exceeds $300 billion, is a provision to revive the dormant Industrial Welfare Commission.

This regulatory body, which has been inactive for the better part of this century, would possess powers similar to those of the delayed fast food council.

The Industrial Welfare Commission is responsible for regulating wages, working hours, and conditions in California across various industries.

Lawmakers are seeking to allocate $3 million in the state budget to bring the commission back to life, with a specific focus on industries where more than 10% of workers are below the federal poverty level, including fast food workers.

The commission would investigate wages and convene industry-specific wage boards to make recommendations.

Ultimately, it could issue orders pertaining to wages, working hours, and conditions.

Striving for Equitable Wages

Proponents of the revived commission argue that it is not aimed solely at the fast food industry but rather at improving conditions for all workers in California.

According to El Paso, a report from the United Ways of California reveals that over one-third of the state's residents do not earn enough to meet their basic needs.

State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, a Democrat from Los Angeles and chair of the budget subcommittee responsible for labor issues, emphasizes the commission's role in addressing the broader problem of inadequate wages.

Durazo asserts that the commission should always be vigilant about worker wages and take action when necessary.

She refutes claims that the funding allocation is a deliberate attempt to circumvent the resistance faced by the fast food council law.

Durazo argues that the commission's revival is an opportunity for them to address the larger issue of income inequality and poverty affecting low-wage workers across various industries.

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Industry Concerns and Union Support

Unsurprisingly, business groups have voiced opposition to the revival of the Industrial Welfare Commission.

According to The Washington Post, The California Chamber of Commerce, California Retailers' Association, California Manufacturers and Technology Association, California Restaurant Association, and California Building Industry Association have all expressed their disapproval.

Their primary concern lies in the limitations placed on the commission, which prevent it from issuing standards that offer less protection than existing state law.

They argue that this limitation could create confusion. On the other hand, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which sponsored the fast food law, supports the funding allocation for the commission.

Although SEIU did not directly comment on whether the funding aims to achieve the goals of the fast food law, the union views it as a step toward addressing the inequality and poverty experienced by low-wage workers.

With the new fiscal year fast approaching, Governor Newsom and legislative leaders have reached an agreement on the operating budget, which includes the restoration of funding for the Industrial Welfare Commission.

While the revived commission could have implications beyond the fast food industry, its fate ultimately rests on the effectiveness of its efforts to address wage disparities and improve working conditions for California workers.

As the battle between industry groups and lawmakers continues, the fate of fast food worker salaries remains uncertain.

The upcoming referendum in 2024 will play a crucial role in determining whether the delayed fast food council law will be upheld or overturned.

Until then, the revived Industrial Welfare Commission could become a pivotal force in shaping the wage landscape for not only fast food workers but also employees across various sectors throughout the state of California.

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St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas, has recently come under fire for reportedly firing one of its long-standing biology professors, Dr. Johnson Varkey, for teaching his students that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. According to FOX News, the decision has sparked controversy and raised concerns about academic freedom and religious discrimination.

First Liberty Institute, a prominent law firm dedicated to defending religious liberty in America, has taken up Dr. Varkey's case and sent a letter to the community college demanding his reinstatement. The letter highlights that Dr. Varkey had been teaching the concept of sex determination through chromosomes for over 20 years without incident or complaint. First Liberty claims that he made it abundantly clear in his classes that chromosomes X and Y determine human sex and that both a male and a female must be present for reproduction to occur.

Students Walk Out of Class as Professor Faces Termination for Teaching Biology 101

The controversy surrounding Dr. Varkey's teachings came to a head on November 28, 2022, when four students walked out of his class in protest after he reiterated the widely accepted scientific view on sex determination. Subsequent complaints against Dr. Varkey alleged that he engaged in religious preaching, made discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, expressed anti-abortion rhetoric, and engaged in misogynistic banter. The college claimed that his teachings went beyond the boundaries of academic freedom and were driven by religious motivations.

However, the First Liberty Institute argues that Dr. Varkey's teachings were supported by the school-approved curriculum and scientific consensus. They assert that his religious beliefs were not imposed on students, and he never discussed his personal views on human gender or sexuality. Dr. Varkey's 22-year tenure at St. Philip's College as an adjunct professor saw him teach Human Anatomy and Physiology to more than 1,500 students, consistently adhering to the same principles for which he was terminated.

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First Liberty Institute Claims Unlawful Discrimination in College's Termination of Biology Professor

The First Liberty Institute maintains that the college's decision to fire Dr. Varkey constitutes unlawful religious discrimination under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They contend that he was simply fulfilling his duty as a Christian and as a professor to impart accurate and scientifically supported concepts based on his years of research and study in the field of human biology.

Keisha Russell, Counsel for First Liberty Institute, expressed her disbelief at the college's actions, stating, "It is preposterous that, after teaching for more than 20 years, St. Philip's would fire Dr. Varkey for teaching basic, widely accepted biology." She further emphasized that Dr. Varkey had received exemplary performance reviews throughout his career for teaching fact-based and widely accepted science. Russell asserted that the college violated Dr. Varkey's constitutional and statutory rights when it terminated him and called for his immediate reinstatement.

The case of Dr. Johnson Varkey has ignited a debate surrounding the limits of academic freedom, the accommodation of religious beliefs in educational settings, and the potential repercussions of ideological clashes on the integrity of scientific instruction. As the controversy continues to unfold, many will closely watch the outcome, as it could set a precedent for the protection of both academic freedom and religious expression in educational institutions.

Related Article: Student Prostitution: Professor Defends Sex Work Is No Different Than Bar Job To Fund College Education
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A heartwarming and astonishing story has emerged from Utah, where a nurse recently discovered that she had helped deliver her own daughter-in-law over 22 years ago. Mary Ann West, a dedicated labor and delivery nurse at HCA Healthcare's Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful, Utah, described the coincidence as nothing short of remarkable.

According to ABC News, the incredible connection was revealed when Mary Ann West first met Stacy and Matthew Poll in June 2001. She assisted in delivering their third child, a moment that left a lasting impression due to a complication with the placenta. Mary Ann vividly remembered the high-risk situation where the cord was attached to the baby in the amniotic membranes instead of being protected by the umbilical cord.

Nurse Discovers Daughter-in-Law's Identity Through Baby Book Revelation

"It was a little bit complicated," Mary Ann recalled. "She had a complication with her placenta. It was very high risk because the cord attached to the baby and then the vessels were just in the amniotic membranes in the bag of water instead of attached with the cord, so it wasn't protected." According to NY Post, she added that this specific complication was the only one she had encountered in her 29-year nursing career.

Little did she know that her own son, Tyler West, would grow up to meet the Polls' third child, Kelsey. Tyler and Kelsey crossed paths in August 2021 when Kelsey was working at a bank and Tyler visited to deposit a check. According to Washington Post, their chance encounter turned into a meaningful conversation, leading to dates and eventually a deepening relationship.

The couple got engaged in February, and as their May wedding approached, they decided to go through Kelsey's baby book to find pictures for their wedding video. It was during this sentimental journey that they stumbled upon a surprising revelation. Among the cherished photographs, they found a picture of a nurse, none other than Mary Ann West, holding a baby-Kelsey herself. The couple was taken aback by the discovery, with Tyler recognizing his mother in the photo. Further confirmation came when they found a certificate with Mary Ann's handwriting, a keepsake from Kelsey's birth.

"We were looking through my baby book to find some pictures for our wedding video, and we see this picture, and it's Mary Ann there," Kelsey recalled. "[Tyler was] like, 'That is my mom.' And it was undeniably Mary Ann."

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Utah Nurse Delighted to Learn Daughter-in-Law Is Former Patient

The excitement of the revelation spread as Kelsey and Tyler shared the news with family and friends. The realization that Kelsey's mother-in-law was the nurse who had assisted in her birth overwhelmed them. The connection between the families grew stronger, and Mary Ann West now considers Stacy Poll her best friend.

"It's amazing. It was so fun to find this connection," Mary Ann expressed. The unexpected bond between Mary Ann and Kelsey brought immense joy to both families. Kelsey expressed her gratitude for her mother-in-law's support during her mother's apprehensive moments during childbirth. Having both of her moms present during her birth holds a special place in her heart, emphasizing the unique connection they share.

This heartwarming story highlights the extraordinary ways in which life can intertwine, creating unexpected connections and deepening relationships. Mary Ann West's role in assisting with Kelsey's birth has brought a new dimension to her relationship with her daughter-in-law and strengthened the bond between their families. It serves as a reminder that life's surprises can bring profound joy and connection, uniting people in beautiful and unexpected ways.

Mary Ann West, with her 29 years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, has witnessed countless miracles and shared in the joy of families welcoming their newborns into the world. Little did she know that one of those miraculous moments would come full circle, bringing her closer to her own family in the most extraordinary way. The story of Mary Ann West and Kelsey Poll West serves as a testament to the power of fate, love, and the incredible connections that can be formed through the hands of a caring nurse.

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Apple has been criticized for not having a foldable iPhone. Samsung mocked Apple fans who are sitting on the fence and missing out on owning a next-gen "foldable phone."

Yet Apple is being cautious about this segment for the time being as there are still issues to be ironed out. In some cases, Big Issues.

A case in point: Ron Amadeo, writer for Ars Technica, owned the new Pixel Fold from Google. It died four days later. Ron describes that his phone sat on his desk while he wrote about it, and he occasionally stopped to touch the screen to surf the web, take a screenshot, or open and close it. It was never dropped or exposed to a significant amount of grit, nor had it gone through the years of normal wear and tear that phones are expected to survive. This was the lightest possible usage of a phone, and it still broke.

The flexible OLED screen died after four days. The bottom 10 pixels of the Pixel Fold went dead first, forming a white line of 100 percent brightness pixels that blazed across the bottom of the screen. The entire left half of the foldable display stopped responding to touch, too, and an hour later, a white gradient started growing upward across the display.

(Click on image to Greatly Enlarge)

Ron describes the issue with his Pixel Fold's display at length. At one point he notes: "The exposed strip of the OLED panel is sandwiched between the edge of the screen protector and the raised bezel surrounding the phone. So even if you take care to wipe the display off, that exposed OLED perimeter acts as a gutter for any debris that lands on the phone. Even as I look at the dead, flickering foldable now, it's easy to spot lint and other junk trying to accumulate in the OLED death zone. That appears to be what killed the phone, as I can see a near-microscopic nick mark near where the display first started having problems."

Manufacturers keep wanting to brush off the significant durability issues of flexible OLED displays, thinking that if they just shove the devices onto the market, everything will work out. That hasn't been the case, though, and any time you see a foldable phone for sale, you don't have to look far to see reports of dead displays. I'm sure we'll see several reports of broken Pixel Folds once the unit hits the general public.

Corning may save us with an exterior foldable glass cover, but until then, buying any foldable feels like a gamble.

The scary part for Google customers is that a broken Pixel Fold means dealing with the company's notoriously unhelpful support team. Horror stories are a regular occurrence on the /r/GooglePixel subreddit, where users have called Google Support "hilariously incompetent" and a "nightmare" to deal with, begging the company to improve. It's one thing to ship normal glass smartphones, but these fragile foldables will put more stress on Google's support network.

For more on this, read the full Ars Technica report.

Being first to market doesn't always pan out. In fact, most of the time, early adopters pay a very heavy price with new devices having flaws galore. I'm sure Google will go on the offence in the coming days to downplay Ron's experience and ensure potential customers this is not an issue. So we thank Ron for writing about his Pixel Fold nightmare experience exposing this issue that Google other OEMs are trying to downplay or being silent about.

On the flipside, Engadget reviewed the Pixel Fold today without mentioning the display's possible failure issue.
Unlike the 35-year-old passenger on a Carnival cruise last month who fell overboard and was never found, a 42-year-old woman who fell off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Sunday went missing  but was eventually rescued.

The entire ordeal took about 45 minutes, in which passengers were on their balconies with binoculars, helping with the search. The cruise ship had been traveling south of Dominican Republic, on its way to Curacao, when the woman fell around 5:45pm from the 10th deck of the ship. For a "brief time" the mood on the ship was "very somber," according to Fox35 Orlando, but once the traveler was found, passengers cheered with relief.

"After we saw the life rafts or the life preservers and the smoke  I was like, someone just died," said Matthew Kuhn who's on the cruise with his family.  "I think it was amazing to see everyone was on their balcony. Everyone was trying to help, and the crew was very receptive to everyone," he added. Boats searched the seas and ended up finding the missing person still alive who the U.S. Coast Guard identified as a 42-year-old U.S. citizen. The Coast Guard shared a statement on the rescue with FOX 35. "To go from, 'She's probably not going to be found,'  and it's a body recovery, versus 'Holy crap, they found her, and she's alive!," Kuhn added. Royal Caribbean tells FOX 35 in a statement, "The ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and began searching for the guest. Thankfully, the guest was successfully recovered and was brought on board. Our care team is now offering assistance and support to them and their traveling party."

Around 19 people go overboard from cruise ships a year, according to MarketWatch, and only 25% or less are found alive.
First, though: The discussants for the 18 June 2023 episode of the Interpreter Radio Show were Bruce Webster, Kris Frederickson, and Robert Boylan. During the two-hour program, they discussed Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 29, the Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the Mormon History Association Conference, and the Religious Freedom Annual Review.

Their conversation has now been archived, freed from commercial and other interruptions, and made available to you at your convenience and free of charge. The New Testament in Context portion of this show, for the Come, Follow Me New Testament lesson 29, What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?, covering Acts 69, will also be posted . . . on Tuesday, 4 July 2023.

The Interpreter Radio Show can be heard live on Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 PM (MDT), on K-TALK, AM 1640. Or, if you live out of the area or prefer you can listen live on the Internet at ktalkmedia.com.

I want to share a few passages from Logan Paul Gage, Understanding Design Arguments, in Ann Gauger, ed., Gods Grandeur: The Catholic Case for Intelligent Design (Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2023), 20-31. Logan Paul Gage, who earned his doctorate in philosophy at Baylor University, chairs the Department of Philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Ann Gauger, the overall editor of the volume in which Professor Gages article appears, is Director of Science Communication and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute Center for Science and Culture, and Senior Research Scientist at the Biologic Institute in Seattle, Washington. She received her bachelors degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington Department of Zoology. She held a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, where her work focused on the molecular motor kinesin. She serves as an editor of the journal BIO-Complexity, and her scientific work has been published in Nature, Development, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Genetic Regulation of Development, In Vitro, In Vitro Cell and Developmental Biology, BIO-Complexity, and Biological Information: New Perspectives.

On to Professor Gage, who, I think, offers some helpful clarification:

[I]ntelligent design (ID) proponents typically define intelligent design as the view that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process. Note that this doesnt mean that no evolution has occurred, or that natural processes and forces dont have their place. It is rather the minimal claim that its not natural processes and forces all the way downa claim to which we Catholics are dogmatically committed, believing as we do that all things originate in God. (22)

It seems to me that Latter-day Saints, too, are inescapably committed in at least the most basic sense to a form of intelligent design. That doesnt necessarily entail a rejection of evolution, though, and it certainly doesnt require us to deny natural laws and ordinary processes of cause and effect. But the creation texts of Genesis, Moses, Abraham, and, yes, the temple unmistakably teach that God intended to create the world we know, that there was mind and conscious divine purpose from the very beginning. And I think in particular of this scriptural text  along with others that could be cited  which could scarcely be any plainer than it is:

We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. (Abraham 3:24-25)

Back, though, to Logan Paul Gage:

Design proponents have made arguments for real rather than apparent design at different levels. For instance, theyve argued that the beginning of the universe requires an intelligent cause (William Lane Craig and James Sinclair), that the laws of physics are designed (Robin Collins), that our planet is uniquely designed (Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards), that chemistry as we know it is designed for life (Michael Denton; Benjamin Wiker and Jonathan Witt), that the building blocks of living things cannot be found by blind searches but must be designed (Douglas Axe), that the first living creature and the fossil record give evidence of design (Stephen Meyer), and that both macro-and micro-features of living things give evidence of intelligent design (Michael Denton; Michael Behe). Note three quick things about these arguments. First, contrary to stereotypes, these arguments are not god-of-the-gaps arguments. None of these arguments claims, I dont know what caused this, so God musta done it. Rather, the standard mode of argumentation for design proponents is an inference to the best explanationa common form of reasoning in general and in the historical sciences (like evolutionary biology) in particular. They argue that there are positive signs of intentional design in nature and that non-intentional explanations are weak by comparison. (22-23)

But arent the writers mentioned simply smuggling their Christianity or, at least, their theism into their claims, reasoning from their pre-ordained conclusions? Not necessarily. (I note that not ever proponent of intelligent design is a Christian; at least one or two are self-proclaimed agnostics.). But here is Professor Gage:

[T]hese arguments have clear theological implications, but ID proponents attempt to stick to the publicly available scientific evidence and do not argue from religious texts. Most intelligent design proponents are Christians, but an argument that the designer is the Christian God would require more than just the scientific evidence. ID proponents are not being coy about their belief in God but being careful about their conclusions. Aquinas does the same thing. (23)

Strikingly, more than a few Catholic and Protestant (and Latter-day Saint) scientists and intellectuals reject intelligent design. In at least some cases, though, I suspect that they havent really engaged with it and may perhaps have misconceptions about it  certainly, in my experience that has not infrequently been the case  although there is surely room for questioning this or that specific ID argument. Says Professor Gage,

Many Catholic intellectuals labor under the false impression that intelligent design theorists propose a false dilemma: either there is an intelligent designer or else natural laws are responsible for these designed-looking features of our worldas though God cannot be responsible for the natural laws themselves or that natural causes cannot be instruments of God (i.e., secondary causes). 15 This would indeed be an unfortunate dilemma. Fortunately, this is a misunderstanding. ID does not imply a zero-sum game where if God is responsible for something then He must act directly and nature cannot be a true cause as well. Rather, the minimal claim is only that some features of our world give very good evidence of having been intelligently designed somewhere in their origin story. What ID denies is that every feature of nature is the product of natural forces all the way down. Given that this commitment is necessarily shared by Catholics, Catholic hostility to ID on this point is surprising, to put it mildly.

I feel the same way about some of the Latter-day Saint rejections of intelligent design that Ive encountered. And I think that this comment of Professor Gage is relevant to such Latter-day Saint objectors:
The cloud was a big tech buzzword about a decade ago. Everything would be accessible everywhere. And that more or less happened  with a little prep work and a decent connection, you can access pretty much anything from anywhere, from your resume .doc file to a collection of movies to full streaming PC games. But, according to recently revealed information, Microsoft is looking into streaming all of Windows to client PCs from cloud-based servers.

Said info was revealed as part of the ongoing Federal Trade Commission hearing into Microsofts attempted acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, which has already been a treasure trove of behind-the-curtain corporate info. As The Verge reports, one long-term goal of the company (at least according to internal documentation dated 2022) was to Move Windows 11 increasingly to the Cloud. This would, according to the document, mean a full Windows operating system streamed from the cloud to any device.

The idea isnt a new one. Mainframe-client systems are practically ancient history in computing terms and its certainly possible to do with something as robust as Windows, but that requires a fairly antiquated local network. More modern implementations include running virtual machines on powerful servers (yes, including Windows) and allowing remote workers to log into them. Companies like VMWare and V2 Cloud already offer these on a corporate level and there are even services like Shadow that offer a full remote Windows machine directly to consumers.

Shadow

Windows 365, launched two years ago (before this internal document), is a sort of baby step towards this reality. (Its where the header image for this article comes from.) For one, its only available to corporate customers, so it isnt really relevant to the kind of everyday users Microsoft needs in order to make a major market shift. Two, its part of the Azure platform, which means management is centralized with an IT department in mind. Its also missing a lot of consumer-focused features like media tools or the more hand-holding type of support that entry-level users rely on.

But the idea of Windows as a full cloud system is in line with Microsofts broader market pushes in the last few years. After all, you cant get much more software as a service than a full operating system you pay for monthly, streamed to dumb screens that need incredibly inexpensive hardware. (Or, for that matter, the phones, tablets, and TVs that users have already purchased.) Microsoft certainly has the infrastructure to pull this off, as evidenced by Xbox Game Passs cloud gaming push, though thats only part of getting the experience smooth enough to sell it to regular consumers.

Theres also an element to this plan thats far beyond Microsofts control. While a corporate customer moving to the cloud can be relied upon to supply a high-quality connection, thats by no means guaranteed for consumers, even in ostensibly wealthy nations like the United States. The idea of losing your computers full capability the moment you move away from a robust broadband connection will be a hard sell.

Whether Microsoft is still interested in this cloud-based push a year later, as it tries to shove AI into every press release, isnt known. But it seems like a safe bet that the company is still working on this idea.
Mr Michael Asiedu, the founder and CEO of Rebirth Group of Companies which consists Rebirth Travel and Tours , Rebirth Real Estate and Construction has been adjudged the Emerging Entrepreneur of the year for his commitment in building tourism brand in the Travel and Tourism landscape at the just ended 13th edition of the Ghana Entrepreneurs and Corporate Executive Awards & Summit 2023.



The star-studded event held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana organised by the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana seeks to create and maintain an enabling entrepreneurship environment that promotes vibrant, small and medium enterprises to the upliftment of the economy and the quality of life of each individual.



The award is in recognition of Mr. Michael Asiedu sterling leadership and innovation skills within the travel and tourism fraternity by providing high quality travel and tourism services in the country.



Speaking to the media, after receiving the prestigious award, Mr Asiedu said he is so overwhelmed with this great achievement. He dedicated the award to his able staff members and his cherished clients.



He also used the opportunity to appeal to the government and all stakeholders in the Travel and Tourism industry to invest more into the sector.



This he said will make it more attractive for the youth in order to venture in and unearth more talents, adding the sector is one of the biggest industries with a huge job creation avenues.

He however, urged the youth to stay focused and not to give upon their dreams.



Mr Michael Asiedu went to Theocracy Complex School (Primary, JSS and SSS) in Homedakrom near Pokuase . He holds a Bachelor s degree in Economics and Geography from University of Cape Coast and a Masters degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is also a member of Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management-Ghana



Entries for the Ghanas Greatest Entrepreneur of all time award included Mr. Joseph K. Horgle, the Chairman- JK Horgle Transport & Company Limited; and Mr Jalal Kalmoni, the Chairman of Kalmoni Group (Japan Motors), Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to the Chief of Staff of the presidency- Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare.



Several other entrepreneurs were honoured including Outstanding Ambassador of the Year, H. E. Mr. Maher Kheir, Overall Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Mrs Sonya Sadhwani ( Group Executive Director, Melcom Group), Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year , Mr. Charles Antwi Boahen ( CEO of Kabfam Gh Limited) , Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year went to Ms Elinam Horgle , the Deputy Managing Director of J.K. Horgle Transport Company Limited, Outstanding Public Service CEO was also won by Mr. Yogi Grant ( CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Center) and many others.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Preba Greenstreet, the Director for Legal & External Affairs at Vodafone Ghana, has emphasised the critical role of quality healthcare in national development during a donation of essential medical equipment to the Manhyia District Hospital's Antenatal Care unit in Kumasi, Ghana.



The donation was part of the Vodafone Foundations commitment to enhancing healthcare and supporting communities. The Foundation presented critical medical equipment to the Antenatal Care unit of the Manhyia District Hospital. The donation, which includes a stadiometer, foetal doppler, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, and bedsheets, is expected to bolster the hospital's capacity to provide quality healthcare to its patients.



The Vodafone Ghana Foundation partnered with the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation to make the donation. Kwabena Owusu Ababio, Head of Stakeholder Relations at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, lauded the Foundations efforts and encouraged the hospital to make good use of the items.



Preba Greenstreet remarked, We believe quality healthcare is essential for national development, and we understand that different stakeholders have roles to play in achieving this. Through our connected health programmes, Vodafone Ghana Foundation remains committed to supporting the government in improving healthcare one community at a time. We are confident that these essential items will significantly enhance the care provided to the thousands of patients who visit the Antenatal Care unit each month.



The Manhyia District Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Kumasi, and its Antenatal Care unit sees approximately 4,000 patients per month. Madam Gladys Abban, the Department Director of Nursing at Manhyia District Hospital, expressed her gratitude for the donation. She highlighted the significant impact the items would have on the unit and assured the Foundation that the items would be used for their intended purpose. She also encouraged the Foundation to consider the unit for future charitable initiatives.



The donation is part of Vodafone Ghana's Ashanti Month celebrations, a series of activities aimed at giving back to the Ashanti community. In addition to the donation, Vodafone Ghana has revived several initiatives aimed at enhancing long-term health and sustainability outcomes. These include Healthfest, a free health screening initiative; Homecoming, an initiative to settle bills for insolvent hospital patients; and free ultrasound for pregnant women in Pipie in the Bosomtwe district.



Ashanti Month has also seen the launch of an ICT hub in the Ashanti Regional Library, a collaborative effort with the Ghana Library Authority, as part of Vodafone Ghanas commitment to education and digital inclusion.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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.

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Three Kenyans have been charged in court for attempting to smuggle ants for export to China and France.



The three, a man and his wife and a postal company employee are accused of trying to export the ant species Messor Cephalotes without clearance from Kenya Wildlife Service.



They denied the charges and were freed on bail.



It was not clear for what reason the ants, which were said to be worth 300,000 shillings ($2,135; 1,677) were being sold.



A prosecutor urged the court to expedite the case as the lives of the ants that were produced in court were at stake.

Source: BBC









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In response to the recent armed robberies during cash movements, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a directive to all banks in the country to immediately start using armored-plated bullion vans for cash transportation.



The directive carries a warning that failure to comply will result in severe sanctions.



The BoGs directive comes just days after a tragic incident in which a police officer was killed by armed robbers in the suburb of Ablekuma in Accra. The officer was shot multiple times at close range, and the robbers made away with his gun and an undisclosed amount of money.



The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) had already planned to implement the use of armored-plated vehicles for cash-in-transit activities starting from July 1.



This decision was made following a similar incident in 2021, which also resulted in the death of a police officer in Adedenkpo, near Jamestown.



However, the recent incident prompted the BoG to expedite the implementation of this security measure.



In a letter dated June 24, the Central Banks Secretary, Sandra Thompson, emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of both security personnel and bank staff involved in cash movements.



The use of armored-plated bullion vans will provide increased protection to cash-in-transit activities, reducing the vulnerability of bank employees and security personnel to armed robberies. This measure will serve as a deterrent to potential criminals and help ensure the safe transportation of cash across the country.



The BoGs directive highlights the seriousness with which the Central Bank views the issue of security in cash movements.



It is expected that all banks will swiftly comply with the directive to avoid facing severe penalties. By prioritizing the safety of individuals involved in cash transportation, the BoG is taking proactive steps to protect lives and safeguard the integrity of the banking sector in Ghana.











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.

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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.

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Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has once again addressed the impasse between him and the Nogokpo township in a recent sermon that has since gone viral.



Delivering a stern warning, the founder of Perez Chapel International cautioned those who dare to curse men of God to desist from it as they will not be spared by God Himself.



The sermon, which has stirred up fresh conversations online also shed light on the attention that the feud has garnered in recent weeks.



Recall that the Archbishop had made previous comments during a church program in May, where he referred to Nogokpo as the demonic headquarters of the Volta Region.



Nogokpo is the demonic headquarters of 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 the wizards. When we were driving from Aflao to Agbozome, immediately we got to Nogopko, Bishop Yaw Adus four-wheel drive, the tyres came out from under the car, he said.



His words sparked controversy and drew a strong reaction from the council of elders in Nogokpo.



In response, the council had requested that the Archbishop appears before them to address the specific comments he made about their community but he did not honour their two-weeks ultimatum.



According to Archbishop Agyinasare, he was surprised at the extent to which discussions about him dominated social media platforms.



Can you imagine in Ghana, for three weeks, all the problems we have, they were discussing Archbishop Agyinasare. For three weeks, anytime you went on social media, its Archbishop Agyinasare, Archbishop Agyinasare, Archbishop Agyinasare, he exclaimed.



Quoting the biblical story of Abraham, the Archbishop stated, The blessing of Abraham, I will make your name great so that you can be a blessing  and I will bless anybody that blesses you, and curse anyone that curses you. So once I become a Christian, you make a mistake if you curse me.



From the look of things the Archbishop has rather used his sermon to further amplify his stance on the matter and it remains to be seen how Nogokopo will navigate the road ahead

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.

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Pan-African Savings and Loans Company Ltd. (Pan-African) today launched the MAMA programme to deliver resources Ghanaian women need to succeed in business and to bridge a gap in financial inclusion that largely overlooks unbanked women, small and medium-sized women, business owners, smallholder farmers, and youth.



The innovative MAMA approach combines savings, loans, and payment products with free non-financial services to support women clients, including business skills training and eHealth and wellness services.



A MAMA woman is fearless and bold. With the MAMA products, we want our women customers to know that we think of them in a holistic manner, remarked Mrs. Linda Naykene, Head of Corporate Affairs, Research and Customer Experience at Pan-African.



Apart from giving MAMA women the financial support to grow their business and a place for them to save their money, we are carefully serving their needs economically, socially, emotionally, and health-wise. We understand that a healthy and financially adept client base can better grow their businesses, and will generate new clients for us through referrals.



Pan-African completed the MAMA initiative with technical assistance from CapitalPlus Exchange (CapPlus) through FIRST+ (Financial Institution Resilience and Strengthening). CapPlus partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Bank of Ghana, and the Ghana Microfinance Institution Network (GHAMFIN)is aimed at increasing finance to small businesses for the purpose of job creation, especially for women and youth.



To complement the financial services offerings, MAMA women may access numerous skills-building opportunities such as digital literacy and business management training, savings and investment planning, and networking. MAMA women also benefit from practical guidance such as fire detection and prevention training, and access to a suite of free healthcare services including health talks, screenings and telemedicine, and reduced cost of pharmaceutical and laboratory services.



We are particularly proud to offer our staff cutting-edge training on gender-based violence, to equip them with first-hand knowledge to better position them to refer women customers who may need support, noted Mrs. Naykene.



Pan-African is among 24 financial institutions selected to participate in FIRST+, and it reaffirmed its strategic decision to offer its women customers a gender-focused programme after attending a FIRST+ gender finance workshop where Mrs. Elsie Addo-Awadzi, 2nd Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana, and Ms. Rosy Fynn, the Mastercard Foundations Ghana Country Director, challenged the financial institutions to increase their financial services to women. Afterward, a market survey conducted with CapPlus unveiled gaps and opportunities to serve Ghanaian women. Pan-African subsequently concluded the bundling of the MAMA suite of products and services, and delivered training to staff from Pan-Africans 16 locations in skills such as gender intelligence, loan management, marketing, and customer service.



When we started working together under FIRST+, Pan-African was already working on a women-focused agriculture business product that paired financial and non-financial services. Our market survey highlighted the need to expand beyond the agricultural segment to an institution-wide program for every woman in the Ghana market, and the MAMA programme fills that need, said Ms. Lynn Pikholz, CEO of CapitalPlus Exchange. That gender awareness focus is a real mindset change for Pan-African.



MAMA products serve five specific segments of working women: MAMA Business for business owners in all sectors; MAMA Agrifor women in agriculture and agricultural value chain businesses such as crop and vegetable farming, and food processing; MAMA Home offering saving and investing for female home managers and caregivers; MAMA Dwumadi for women workers in the informal sector such as workers in hair salons, supermarkets, small shopkeepers, and others; and Young MAMA aimed at young women entrepreneurs or those who aspire to be one such as higher education graduates.



Pan-African Savings and Loans aims to provide access to credit, savings, and payments in a convenient and beneficial manner and thus support financial inclusion and increase of wealth and employment in Ghana. With our launch of the MAMA programme, we are excited to see the women empowered to impact the home, society, and the country, explained Ms. Emelia Atta-Fynn, Managing Director of Pan-African Savings and Loans.



The assistance from the FIRST+ program through CapPlus helped us to bundle the needed service and products and elevate our teams skills to deliver the best customer service to our MAMA clients, and ensure that we deliver the greatest possible benefit to women in our community.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A New York appeals court rejected Donald Trump's motion to dismiss NY AG Letitia James' lawsuit alleging "staggering" fraud. However, due to a late filing date, Trump's daughter Ivanka found that all charges against her, and only Ivanka, are dropped.

Yahoo News:

In a 5-0 decision, the Appellate Division in Manhattan said state law gave James power to police alleged "repeated or persistent fraud or illegality," and conduct lengthy and complex investigations many years after suspected misconduct began. But it said statutes of limitations prevented James, who had probed Trump's business dealings for three years, from suing over claims that arose before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant. It also said all claims against Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump should be dismissed because James filed them too late.

Trump's team alleged that the State of New York's Attorney General should not seek to prosecute crimes because they were done privately. The courts have agreed that part of the AG's job is to police fraud.
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.

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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.

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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.

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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









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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.

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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









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Ahead of November 4, 2023, NPP Presidential Primaries, supporters of Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong have called on HE Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to stop his religious and tribal bigotry in the supreme interest of the party.



One of the disappointed supporters, identified as Marie Amoako Boadu, descended heavily on the power-seeking Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to sell his message to the NPP delegates devoid of the political and religious campaign since it could be injurious if endorsed by the Christian sector against him.



In an emotional 4-minute video of Marie Amoako Boadu, the visibly angered supporter cited Ghanas coexistence and religious tolerance in the past as enough for anyone not to incite any sector of the country against the other.



Speaking on why Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia should not play religious cards, the known support Kennedy Agyapong cited the 30% Muslim as against the 70% Christian population in Ghana as enough reason for the veep to avoid religious and tribal cards in his campaign trail.



Miss Marie Amoako Boadu called on the Vice President and his camp to craft a sellable message to salvage his sinking reputations rather than resort to tribal and religious cards within the political ecosystem.



Dont bring religious cards into this picture, if you are a Muslim, we are a 70% plus Christian nation. If you are a Muslim, we are not a Muslim nation so better stop this religious thing or we start delving it. Do you known the implications of having a Muslim as a president? Is that the conversation you want us to have? We have been religiously tolerant for each other for all these years. We must not allow Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to push us into a certain corner where we are now turning this into a religious conversation. We are talking about meritocracy and you are talking about religion. We are one people and one nation- Miss Marie Amoako Boadu stated.



With barely four months to the Presidential showdown, Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Hon Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, and HE Dr. Mahamudu lead a pack of eight aspirants seeking to replace Akuffo Addo as the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Audio Attachment: Listen to Peace FM's reporter, Prof Ike on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' programme.

Voting has started in the Assin North constituency of the Central Region in the by-election being held today.



According to Peace FM's Prof. Ike who spoke to Kwami Sefa Kayi on the 'kokrokoo' programme Tuesday morning, voting started exactly at 7am as scheduled by the Electoral Commission amid heavy security presence.



Voter statistics



Todays poll will see 41,168 constituents expected to turn out at the 99 polling stations in Assin North in what has been described as a critical by-election that would determine who controls the country's legislature.



For the past few weeks the constituency has been a battle field as party bigwigs, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama had all joined the election campaign to canvass for votes for their respective parliamentary candidates.



Many voters have intimated that they would turn out massively to vote, rain or shine, for who should represent them in Parliament.





The Assin North by-election has been occasioned by the eviction of the NDC MP, James Gyakye Quayson, following a court application over his allegiance to Canada at the time of filing to contest the election.The NDC has put up Mr Quayson again to contest the seat and he is being challenged by the NPPs Charles Opoku in a two-horse race, with the Liberal Party of Ghana also putting up Bernice Enyonam Sefenu.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Charismalogo, also known as Charisma Worlanyo Logo, is making waves in the music industry with his mesmerizing voice and thought-provoking lyrics.



As an Afro-fusion artiste from Ghana, West Africa, Charismalogo has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his unique sound and captivating performances.



With a voice that is both sweet and husky, Charismalogo leaves his fans in awe and delivers lyrics that inspire and provoke deep reflection.



His music is designed to stand the test of time, aiming to create a lasting impact on his audience.



Charismalogo first gained recognition as a contestant on the Citi TV Voice Factory reality show.



Since then, he has released a series of soul-captivating singles that has further cemented his place in the music scene.

His ability to captivate listeners and convey powerful emotions through his music has earned him a devoted following.



Blending traditional African rhythms, modern pop and soulful melodies, Charismalogo's genre-defying sound sets him apart from the crowd.

His live performances are dynamic and unforgettable, leaving audiences in awe of his talent and stage presence.



Beyond his skills as a performer, Charismalogo is also an accomplished songwriter and producer.

He has written and produced numerous hit songs for himself and other renowned artistes in the industry.

His exceptional talent has garnered both local and international recognition, solidifying his position as one of West Africa's most iconic musicians.



Charismalogo's contributions to the music industry extend beyond his captivating sound.

He is reshaping the cultural landscape of West Africa and inspiring music lovers across the globe.



Exciting news awaits his fans as Charismalogo announces the upcoming release of his debut EP in July 2023.

This highly anticipated project promises to showcase his versatility and further establish his presence in the music industry.

Enjoy his Music Here:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/02TuCfbywqEo1LI01C64VX?si=X-Q_cJCIQW-dO6JUSavG8Q



https://youtube.com/@charismalogo_



https://audiomack.com/charismalogo



https://www.boomplay.com/share/music/81119692?srModel=WHATSAPP



Follow him on all social media platforms: @charismalogo_

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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A former Hershey Middle School teacher pleaded guilty Monday to 10 felony counts of possession of child pornography in Cumberland County court.

Arthur N. Titzel, who was placed on leave by school officials when they learned of the charges in December, will be sentenced on Oct. 3, after completion of a pre-sentence investigation.

State attorney generals agents, acting on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, found that Titzel, a 53-year-old resident of Lower Allen Township, downloaded sexually explicit photos and videos of children between April and June 2022.
UMMC has landed investments recently

Rochester Regional Health is completing a new $44.5 million campus in Batavia, a four-story, 112,00-square-foot structure right off the Thruway designed to bring more Rochester-based specialists to Genesee County.

With all the investment in a new campus, that begs the question: What's the future of the nearby hospital, United Memorial Medical Center?

Dan Ireland, the longtime UMMC president who also oversees two other rural hospitals in Rochester Regional's footprint, immediately answers that "UMMC is going to remain."

In fact, he said, Rochester Regional's recent reorganization has the $3.2 billion health system focusing on the rural sector, seeking to understand the health care needs in a rural community and how they differ from Rochester.

"There's, I believe, going to be a consistent need for beds in Batavia," he said. "The main hospital will remain with beds that will be needed. What goes in those beds, from the acuity of the patients, could go up or down, depending on how the dynamic of health care is occurring. So what we're doing is being very thoughtful about all the changes we're making outside of the main hospital, how that's going to impact the volume inside."

For example, UMMC two years ago started work on a nearly $8 million modernization project, which led to the hospital's expanded radiology wing that opened last year.

Ireland noted UMMC also has a shell space for a new intensive care unit and is now in the midst of assessing how it is going to build and outfit that unit.

Officials at UR Medicine  part of University of Rochester Medical Center  said they want to see UMMC remain strong, noting they send certain procedures and tests to the longtime Batavia hospital. UR Medicine opened its $9 million Batavia campus in May 2022.

"No one from our institution wants UMMC to do anything but thrive because that's essential to so many services that Batavia patients need," said Dr. Web Pilcher, chair of the neurosurgery department at University of Rochester Medical Center.

Joining Rochester Regional

Ireland remembers how difficult it was to recruit specialists when UMMC was an independent hospital.

"I remember looking at this for five years, I had advertisements out for an endocrinologist to come to Batavia because we didn't have anybody, and we have very high diabetic counts in this region," he said.

More than a decade ago, when Ireland was chief operating officer, UMMC leadership and its board decided to look at the hospital's future. The team believed UMMC might be able to survive as a standalone, but likely wouldn't thrive, which it saw as a disservice to the community.

So they started merger talks, evaluating the two Buffalo-based health systems  Kaleida Health and Catholic Health  as well as the two systems in Rochester.

They figured Rochester Regional was the best fit, completing the merger in 2015. In fact, Ireland recalls a board meeting then with the Rochester Regional executives, who promised to bring health care resources into Batavia.

"I will tell you today, that promise has been kept," Ireland said.

Ireland said Rochester Regional has invested $85 million in Batavia health care, including the new campus, the ongoing Healthy Living Campus in downtown Batavia and several projects at UMMC, including a new cancer center that opened in 2016.

UR Medicine also had made investments: In addition to the $9 million for its Batavia campus, UR has spent $5.4 million for the Wilmot Cancer Institute's Batavia location, and $1.2 million in three medical faculty group practices in Batavia.

'Network collaboration'

Nearby counties also are banking on UMMC staying strong.

For one, as of June 1, Wyoming County Community Health System has suspended its maternal/obstetrics program  which was losing $3 million annually  at its 62-bed hospital in Warsaw. The county-owned health system is working with UMMC to try to ease the transition, with the idea that Wyoming County baby deliveries will transfer about 25 miles away to the Batavia hospital.

Ireland, for one, thinks more partnerships like that are ahead, especially as financially struggling rural hospitals are unable to maintain certain services.

And that doesn't necessarily mean more mergers.

"I think what we're going to see is the collaborations in the future look very different than they did in the past," Ireland said. "In the past, they were mergers and acquisitions. They were gleaning the benefits through that, which was a big benefit, and I think it made a difference at the time that we did it.

"But I think more and more, you're going to see health care systems become more of a network collaboration."

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST

A PPE manufacturer is closing Hamburg plant.

Tops is closing a store in Erie, Pa. The shuttering could leave a gap in the community.

An Ellicottville ski club has landed tax breaks.

Independent Health made a change to make its plans more appealing to companies with workers nationwide.

A Buffalo startup is in the middle of a fundraising round.

The head of the KeyBank Foundation is retiring.

A waterfront housing project is riling up its neighbors.

Attention is shifting to the towers at the Elmwood Crossing project.

A Williamsville food co-op has a home, long before it will open.

ICYMI

Four reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Psychics, wrestlers and churches: How Buffalo Niagara malls are finding a way forward.

2. The Buffalo Niagara economy looks like it is heading for the soft landing the Federal Reserve is seeking.

3. The death of a hospital: Inside the final days of Eastern Niagara Hospital after more than 100 years.

4. Storage Wars: Inside the battle to buy Life Storage: The competition to acquire the Amherst-based self-storage company was more competitive than previously known.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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Funeral services started Monday and will contine Tuesday morning for a 29-year-old state police trooper who was killed by a gunman this month after barely three years on the job.

The service starts at 11 a.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie. Its open to the public and will be livestreamed by Commonwealth Media Services at this link.

Jacques Jay Rougeau Jr. was killed as police searched for a man who had shot another trooper in Mifflintown. Rougeaus hometown is Erie.

Trooper Jacques F. Rougeau Jr. was killed in the line of duty on June 17, 2023, in Juniata County. (Pennsylvania State Police photo)

The gunman was killed in a shootout. His family says they knew he was a danger and tried to get him help as recently as the day before the shootings.

The deadly shootings happened on Saturday, June 17, in a quiet Juniata County neighborhood, where people were sent scrambling as the gunman and police arrived and started shooting.

To help the families of the troopers involved, donations can be sent to PSTA Survivors Fund, 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Contributions can also be made to the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  An argument over seating at an Albuquerque movie theater escalated into a shooting that left a man dead and sent frightened filmgoers scrambling to flee, police said Monday.

Detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department filed charges Monday in Metropolitan Court against 19-year-old Enrique Padilla in connection with the Sunday evening shooting at a cinema complex next to an interstate highway.

Padilla was at a hospital under guard Monday evening while being treated for a gunshot wound, police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said. It was unclear whether Padilla had a legal representative who could speak on his behalf.

Witnesses told police that a man later identified as Padilla arrived at the theater with his girlfriend and found another couple in at least one of their reserved seats. Theater staff attempted to help resolve the dispute, but it escalated with a hurled bucket of popcorn, shoving and then gunfire, according to police.

Michael Tenorio, 52, was shot and died at the scene. His wife, Trina Tenorio, said he was unarmed.

The shooter fled, and a wounded Padilla was found hiding behind a bush outside an emergency exit, according to police. A gun was found outside that was compatible with spent casings from the shooting.

Witnesses wait to be interviewed after a shooting occurred inside the Century Rio movie theater in northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)AP

Emergency dispatchers received about 20 calls as people fled the theater.

A criminal complaint and arrest warrant against Padilla listed open counts of homicide, shooting at an occupied building and tampering with evidence.

The complaint said Padilla was wounded in the abdomen but did not give further explanation.

An off-duty police officer who was at the movie administered emergency aid to Tenorio. The officer witnessed the confrontation but did not see a weapon in the darkened theater.

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Labor leaders, parents, a few students, and public education advocates gathered in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday to call on state lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro to end any further consideration of establishing a school voucher program in Pennsylvania.

Despite what Shapiro has said that he was open to this school choice concept provided it didnt take money away from public schools, the voucher opponents claimed that is exactly what the proposed lifeline scholarships would do.
KFC says its new Ultimate BBQ Fried Chicken Sandwich is only here for a good time, not a long time ...

That good time includes your chance to win a vacation for two to Aruba.

The new sandwich will be available starting July 3 for a limited time. It features an extra crispy chicken filet, bacon, honey BBQ sauce, fried onions, cheese and pickles on a brioche bun.

When you buy the sandwich online or on the app from July 3 to Aug. 13, you will be entered into the sweepstakes in partnership with Going.com to win the vacation that includes four days, three nights, a sunset dinner cruise and horseback riding on the beach.

After buying the sandwich, customers will receive a confirmation email and a unique code to enter the contest.

Another 500 people can win a one-year membership to Going.com - valued at $49.

Scott Keys, founder of Going.com, said interest in travel to Aruba is up 50% compared to last year.

Also new at KFC this summer are a Blackberry Lemonade and a $20 Fill Up Box. The box is available starting Friday, June 30 and includes a 12-piece of the new Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets, four pieces of chicken, Secret Recipe fries, four biscuits and your choice of dipping sauces.

To celebrate National Fried Chicken Day, which is July 6, KFC will offer free delivery July 3-9 for online and app orders.

READ MORE: The Taco Bell Volcano menu is available starting June 27, 2023, to rewards members and on June 29 to everyone.
By STEVE LeBLANC, The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP)  A suspect was arrested Monday in the weekend killings of a Boston-area husband and wife celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and the womans 97-year-old mother, authorities said.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said police took Christopher Ferguson into custody and charged him with killing 73-year-old Gilda Jill DAmore after an autopsy revealed her death was a homicide. Ferguson also was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and burglary.

Additional charges were expected in the death of 74-year-old Bruno DAmore and his mother-in-law, Lucia Arpino, after those autopsies are completed. Ferguson was expected to appear in court Tuesday or Wednesday. It wasnt immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

The victims and suspect all live in the Boston suburb of Newton, but Ryan said it appeared there was no connection between them.

The bodies were found in the victims home after the DAmores failed to arrive at church Sunday morning, police said. Investigators found signs of forced entry into the basement and Ryan described a chaotic scene in which there were obvious signs of struggle. A crystal paper weight was covered in blood, and furniture was broken.

The big break in the case came when authorities were able to match a bloody footprint to that of Ferguson, who lived in the neighborhood, she said. They also collected blood stains near the footprints and bloody fingerprints on the screens and windows from the house, Ryan said.

The killings rattled Newton and the Our Lady Help of Christians Church, where the victims worshiped. A message to parishioners said the three lost their lives in a senseless act of violence.

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, wrote Paul and Ginny Arpino, who said the victims were their cousin and aunt.

The preliminary investigation indicated the victims died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma, Ryan said.

Two of the individuals were celebrating a golden wedding anniversary, Ryan said. 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.

There was an attempted break-in about a half-mile from the victims home early Sunday, but its unclear if the two crimes were related, Ryan said. Residents were also asked to check their doorbell cameras or home security systems for any video that could help with the investigation.

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Man accused of killing Cumberland County barbershop owner returns to Pa. to face charges
By Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

The mother of the 19-year-old killed aboard the Titan submersible said the plan had been for her to accompany her husband on a trip to see the wreck of the Titanic at the bottom of the sea. But Suleman Dawood really wanted to go.

She stepped back from going on the trip because of her sons enthusiasm, Christine Dawood told the BBC, and he boarded the ill-fated craft carrying a Rubiks Cube and dreaming of setting a world record.

He and his father, Shahzada Dawood, died when the vessel imploded.

This photo combo shows from left, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, and Hamish Harding, all killed aboard a small submersible in the Atlantic Ocean. (AP Photo/File)AP Photo/File

Christine Dawood told the news outlet the original plan was for her to accompany her husband on the underwater trek roughly 12,500 feet below the surface to view the Titanic. The original trip, however, was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When plans for the underwater trip resumed, she said, Suleman took her spot.

Christine Dawood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Los Angeles Times.

Also on board were Stockton Rush, founder and chief executive of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the submersible; Hamish Harding, a British businessman and explorer; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French maritime expert who had participated in more than 35 dives to the Titanic before.

A student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Suleman was a fan of the Rubiks Cube and could solve the complex puzzle in as little as 12 seconds, according to his mom. His plan, she said, was to set a new world record by solving it near the Titanic wreck.

He said, Im going to solve the Rubiks Cube 3,700 meters below sea at the Titanic, she told the BBC.

A spokesperson for Guinness World Records confirmed to the Times it had received an application from Suleman Dawood suggesting a new record title for the deepest Rubiks Cube solve.

The spokesperson did not say if Guinness World Records had accepted the application or if it had provided him with any guidance regarding requirements.

On the days leading up to the trip, Sulemans paternal aunt Azmeh Dawood said her nephew was terrified about the trip, but he was eager to accompany his dad during the Fathers Day weekend expedition.

Her brother, Shahzada, had for years been obsessed with the Titanic and the wreck, she told NBC News. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Times.

Christine and her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, were on the Polar Prince, the Titans support vessel, when the father and son boarded the small submersible. The family hugged and joked as the two boarded the craft.

I was really happy for them because both of them, they really wanted to do that for a very long time, Christine Dawood told the BBC.

She and her daughter were on the ship when the submersible lost contact. They remained on the ship as search and rescue operations tried to locate the Titan. It was about 96 hours into the search when she began to lose hope, she said.

She said the family held a funeral service for her husband and son Sunday, and she and her daughter plan to learn how to solve the Rubiks Cube in her sons honor.
A woman was accused of leaving four children alone inside an Old Bridge, New Jersey, apartment building that caught fire Sunday, authorities said.

First responders were called to the apartment building, on Cottonwood Lane, around 6:40 a.m. and found the children unattended, according to a joint release from the Middlesex County prosecutors office and the Old Bridge Police Department.

Two of the children were taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment, the office said. The severity of their injuries was unclear.

An investigation by the agencies alleged Estela Onofre-Maceda, 31, of Old Bridge, left the children alone early morning Sunday, when the fire started, police said.

Onofre-Maceda was also accused of leaving three kids unattended on the night of June 23, the agencies said.

Her relationship to the juveniles was unclear, and a spokesperson for the office did not immediately respond to questions seeking clarity.

Onofre-Maceda was arrested Sunday and charged with seven counts of second-degree endangering the welfare, the office said. She was being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of her pre-trial detention hearing.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation by the Middlesex County Fire Marshal and the Old Bridge Township Fire Officials.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.

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Man sentenced to life for killing wife, setting fire to central Pa. home: DA
A man turned himself into police Monday more than a week after crews say he opened fire toward a fight that was taking place between two groups of people, killing a 27-year-old woman in Lancaster.

Lancaster Bureau of Police said Timothy Allen, 20, will be facing murder charges after shooting and killing Amdrella Cartel, 27, of Lancaster.

The charges were announced after police responded to the shooting on the 600 block of North Plum Street around 3 a.m. June 17. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Cartel dead from a gunshot wound.

Police said two groups of people met to fight following an argument that had taken place earlier at a restaurant.

Officers were able to see that Allen pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots into the crowd during the fight, according to a surveillance video footage obtained from the area. Cartel was also seen falling to the ground after being shot.

Two other people were hospitalized after being injured during the shooting, police said.

Officers said witnesses were able to help identify Allen as the shooter on the surveillance video.

READ MORE:

Man dies nine days after central Pa. crash: coroner

Trying to save his life, lawyers for Pittsburgh synagogue gunman argue he is mentally ill
Police are investigating after the body of a Bethlehem man was found Sunday afternoon in the Lehigh River in Northampton County.

On Monday, Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek said 62-year-old Dale G. Moyer of Bethlehem was found. The cause and manner of his death are pending completion of the investigation.

Authorities were contacted at 1:42 p.m. on Sunday after the body was spotted by a kayaker in Bethlehem Township, a Northampton County 911 Dispatch supervisor told lehighvalleylive.com.

Police, fire crews, and the Northampton County coroners office were called to the incident, ending in the Steel City area of Lower Saucon Township, the supervisor said. The community sits across the Lehigh River from Freemansburg and Bethlehem Township.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.

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Funeral services were held Monday and Tuesday for Pennsylvania State Police Tpr. Jacques Jay F. Rougeau Jr., killed in the line of duty June 17.

Services were held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie. Rougeau is a native of Corry.

Rougeau, 29, was shot to death by a gunman after barely three years on the job. He was killed as police searched for a man who had shot another trooper in Mifflintown.

The deadly shootings happened in a quiet Juniata County neighborhood, where people were sent scrambling as the gunman and police arrived and started shooting. The gunman was killed in a shootout. His family says they knew he was a danger and tried to get him help as recently as the day before the shootings.

Speaking at the service, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Rougeau had a servants heart and lived a life of purpose as a dedicated trooper who loved cheering on Penn State football, playing pickup basketball at the Corry YMCA and mentoring kids during youth basketball games.

In every part of his life, Jay wanted to give back and serve others, said Shapiro, according to an Associated Press story.

To help the families of the troopers involved, donations can be sent to PSTA Survivors Fund, 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Contributions can also be made to the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation.
Tuck away those fond memories of 24-hour restaurants with other totems of cherished pasts, between funeral mass cards and flaking newspaper clippings of faded triumphs.

Tracking down a hot meal in Buffalo after midnight had already become a much tougher hunt over the last decade. Mothers, long a late-night savior, closes its kitchen at midnight.

Then the pandemic closed corner bar-eateries by the score, and prompted a mass exodus of restaurant workers. If you cant find workers, the late shift is toast.

Despite the conditions, a robust array of noshworthies do remain available past midnight inside the city limits. The deepest bench  open until 4 a.m. in some cases  are pizzerias, as always a mainstay of efforts to feed Buffalonians up past their bedtime.

On Friday and Saturday nights, wee-hours wonders abound. Consider Casa Azuls carnivore-to-vegan taco arsenal and queso fundido made from real cheese, habanero onions and candied pepitas.

House of Charm offers mac and cheese or a cheese board (with or without meat) abundant enough to knock the edge off a foursomes hunger pangs. Or Gypsy Parlors beef, bean, or chicken pastelillos, and sweet potato fries.

As always, call ahead to make sure theyre open before relying on listed hours.

Thankful for the contributions of many readers, I assume this guide remains incomplete. Tell me what I missed at agalarneau@buffnews.com.

Casa Azul

191 Allen St. (716-331-3869, casaazulbuffalo.com)

The classiest late-night menu in Allentown on Friday and Saturday. Until 11 p.m. the rest of the week. That means dark-meat chicken tacos with chicken chicharron, cod in mole amarijjo and churros with dulce de leche.

. . .

House of Charm 517 Washington St. (716-464-3588, houseofcharm716.com)

Every night but Sunday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., the shot-and-a-pony specialist offers up a relatively robust lineup: grilled panini, mac and cheese, and an abbondanza of a charcuterie board.

. . .

Emergency Pizza

1870 Seneca St. (716-362-8750, emergencypizzamenu.com)

Six days 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; until midnight Sunday. Spaghetti and meatball parm pizza, all the other kinds, wings, salads, fried whatnots.

. . .

Gypsy Parlor

376 Grant St. (716-551-0001; thegypsyparlor.com)

Grant Street neighborhood hangout bar offers late-night menu until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. That means wings, pastelillos, sweet potato and regular fries, house salads and such.

. . .

3198 Main St. (716-579-5412)

University Heights food truck, parked in the Mobil station in the northeast corner of Main and Winspear streets, is open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, other days until midnight. Halal chicken, gyro, or falafel over rice with red (chile) and white (garlic mayonnaise) sauces. Wings, burgers, loaded fries.

. . .

94 Elmwood Ave. (716-885-0529, allentownpizza716.com)

Until 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m. other nights, wings, pizza and the usual lineup are available. Plus, vegans can find vegan pizza, including the vegan Big Mac, with a Mac sauce base, vegan cheese, pickles, onions, vegan protein and lettuce, on a sesame seed crust.

. . .

12 Military Road (716-783-8222, hotmamascanteen.com)

Corner bar-restaurant-venue goes deep with heroes, Mama Bomb jumbo aracini, housemade fingers, house-cut fries, until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and midnight Sunday.

. . .

223 Allen St.

Not just the vaunted steak sandwich, but the cheeseburger and fried bologna sandwich have made a lifesaving difference to generations of hearty Allentown partiers. Grill shuts down 2 a.m.-ish.

. . .

1010 Elmwood Ave. (716-381-9596, jackrabbitbuffalo.com)

Friday and Saturday, until 2 a.m., chicken finger subs, wings, tots, steak sandwiches and a cheesesteak hoagie on Costanzos roll headline a late-night card.

. . .

220 Allen St. (thehoagiestop.com)

Open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, midnight other days. Known for trays of Buffalo tots, steak nachos and a dizzying array of steak, chicken, sausage, beef link and steak-sausage hoagies.

. . .

1247 Hertel Ave. (716-877-7747, eatpapaeat.com)

Pizza, wings, calzones and more 10 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Its formidable breakfast pizza has sustained many a tailgate.

. . .

1960 Clinton St. (716-823-7876, guzzoshotspot.com)

Open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; until midnight Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday. Closed Monday. Wings, pizza, the usual suspects, and Kaisertown Deluxe, a pizza-taco mashup wherein a pizza is folded over salad and other fillings.

. . .

395 Shanley St. (716-894-0594, partnerspizzeria.com)

Delivering pizza, wings, fingers, daily fish fries, tacos, burgers and other sustenance until 4 a.m.

. . .

Macho Tacos and Burger

2141 Clinton St. (716-768-1025)

Mexican-American halal outfit serving 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Slinging wings, tacos, quesadillas, burritos and bacon cheeseburgers made with beef bacon, not pork.

. . .

Buffalo Halal Chicken

2682 Bailey Ave. (716-783-8535)
By Ximena Conde, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA  Seven groups of historians have denounced a welcome reception to be held at the Museum of the American Revolution for parental rights group Moms for Liberty. Theyve written their members, the museum, and one group has canceled an event they had planned at the Old City institution.

Moms for Liberty, or M4L, has made national headlines since its founding in 2021 for its efforts to lift pandemic precautions, ban books and limit conversations about race, sexuality and gender identity in classrooms. This month, the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled the group an anti-government extremist organization.

The group is scheduled to hold a four-day sold-out summit in Philadelphia starting Thursday where aspiring school board candidates can receive training and hear from guests, including former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The group says Pennsylvania has one of its largest membership bases, second only to Florida.

The museum has defended its decision to host the controversial group, arguing its mission is to share diverse and inclusive stories about the countrys history with as broad of an audience as possible and that it hopes to strengthen democracy through dialogue.

But dozens of the museums staffers have pushed back. The historian groups are the latest to repudiate the museums rationale for hosting the event, acknowledging its unusual for them to try to intervene in whats essentially a space rental. Still, the groups said Moms for Liberty was not a group simply espousing different points of view. They said it has encouraged the harassment of teachers and librarians.

This organization consistently spreads harmful, hateful rhetoric about the LGBTQIA+ community, including popularizing the use of the term groomer to refer to queer people and attacking the mere existence of trans youth, read a statement from the Committee on LGBT History, the first historian affinity group to condemn the museum.

Jazmyne Henderson, of ACT UP Philadelphia and Black and Latinx Community Control of Health, speaks during a protest outside a Marriott, which is set to host Moms for Liberty's National Summit in Philadelphia this week. (Tyger Williams/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)TNS

The Organization of American Historians, the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, and the Berkshire Conference of Women Historians published similar statements, encouraging the museum to reconsider.

The groups said they worry the museum is lending legitimacy to Moms for Liberty by hosting.

The groups argued Moms for Liberty and their campaigns are antithetical to the complete, contextualized and factual accounts historians try to provide through research. Moms for Libertys work has even fueled attacks on historians work, according to the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic, which spoke out Monday.

In its letter to museum CEO R. Scott Stephenson, the American Historical Association said it understood that legally, it might be difficult to cancel the rental agreement, but urged the museum to try. The McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania added discriminatory behavior should not be protected under the guise of free speech and academic freedom.

Whats more, the National Council on Public History worried hosting Moms for Liberty marred some of the work the museum was doing, including the recent Black Founders exhibit that highlights Black Revolutionary War-era abolitionist James Forten.

Asked if the letters from historian groups could sway their decisions, a museum spokesperson said their previous statement remained unchanged.

We welcome all visitors and pride ourselves on a museum experience that reflects our mission to uncover and share the stories of diverse people and complex events that sparked the ongoing American experiment in liberty, equality and self-government, read the statement.

Protests against Moms for Liberty are planned throughout the summit.
The Pennsylvania Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Michael Humphreys to serve as Insurance Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and Thomas Cook to serve as the first Senate-confirmed state fire commissioner.

Gov. Josh Shapiro nominated Humphreys, who previously served as Acting Insurance Commissioner under Gov. Tom Wolf.

Gov. Shapiro is leading the charge on holding insurers accountable and ensuring that insurance is affordable and effective for all, and I look forward to carrying out his vision of an industry that works for every Pennsylvanian, Humphreys said.

Michael Humphreys previously served as Acting Insurance Commissioner under Gov. Tom Wolf.

Since being nominated in January, Humphreys and his department have taken took steps to increase and strengthen its review processes of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in 2024 health plans, ensuring that more Pennsylvanians will have their benefits reviewed for parity compliance before the policies are available for purchase, a press release said. PID also launched a new round of market conduct examinations targeting insurer compliance with parity laws. These exams are part of the re-examination process on the heels of a series of previous market conduct exams that resulted in more than 60,000 Pennsylvanian consumers receiving a cumulative $5.89 million in restitution.

Humphreys is also working to carry out the governors priority of improved response times for professional licensing and pushing the department to work efficiently and effectively for Pennsylvanias licensed insurance producers. In 2023, the department has already reduced the processing time by half for most producer licensing applications, while continuing to pursue greater efficiencies, a press release said.

Here is a link to his bio.

Meanwhile, Cook in his role In this role leads the development and operation of Pennsylvanias emergency service training program and supports the Commonwealths 2,400 fire departments and personnel.

Said Cook: Fire departments across the Commonwealth are facing ongoing challenges such as recruitment, safety, and revenue shortfalls, and I look forward to working with Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly to find solutions to these challenges and continue to further public safety in Pennsylvania.

Before serving in the Shapiro administration, Thomas Cook was the Deputy Fire Commissioner under Gov. Tom Wolf.

Since his nomination in January, under Cooks leadership, the Office has sought to:

Modernize and streamline training opportunities to improve access to the State Fire Academy, expand recruitment and retention outreach from the Office of State Fire Commissioner, and provide stakeholders with professional and timely service;

Better inform first responders and the communities they operate in of the operational challenges posed to fire service including declining volunteer rates, rising expenses coupled with funding scarcity, and an increase in operational tempo that has driven exhaustion, injuries, and fatalities; and

Make fire prevention/community risk reduction a priority for the office going forward. Keeping the public actively engaged and informed will reverse the trend of deadly fire incidents, and ultimately make firefighters and citizens safer.

Before serving in the Shapiro administration, Cook was the Deputy Fire Commissioner under Wolf. Hes also a former administrator of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy with oversight of the firefighter training system for the commonwealth. More on his background can be found at this link.

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By Rogette Harris

It has been a year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and struck down a womans constitutional right to abortion. While there is no law in the United States that regulates mens bodies, womens bodies are more regulated now than in half a century.

The disparities within the American health care system are well documented, but reversing Roe has exacerbated these disparities. For example, its well-known that Black women die 2.6 times the rate in childbirth than white women and do not receive the same prenatal care. Statistics are worse for women who are poor, underserved, and live in rural areas. However, wealthy, well-connected Black women also die. It often takes a high-profile case to bring to light a systemic problem.

For instance, last month, Tori Bowie, an Olympic medalist died in childbirth along with her unborn child. Nobody is safe.

For Black women, it doesnt matter how much money, education, or access to care we have. When we enter the hospital, we are simply just another Black person, which subjects us to racism, misogyny, biases, and outdated medical practices. Its time to acknowledge this double standard loudly so it stops.

Reproductive rights must be put in the hands of a woman and her doctor. A womans rights also should not fluctuate depending on what state she lives in, or her race, economic status, job title, education, etc. U.S. maternal deaths have nearly doubled from 2018 to 2021 and continue to worsen.

Five noteworthy observations Ive made in this past year are the following:

1. The Supreme Courts Role

When the supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, their intent was to allow the Democratic process through voting to determine a womans right to choose. However, the high court is still involved and has already intervened in a high-profile lawsuit challenging the abortion drug mifepristone by freezing a lower court order that could have banned its use nationwide.

2. No unification among the left and right

The anti-abortion movement worked for half a century to overturn Roe v. Wade. However, there are conflicting visions about ere to go from here.

For example, Republican lawmakers have accused one another of going too far or not far enough on abortion. For instance, some lawmakers favor banning abortion at conception. Others support prohibition around six weeks. Some support abortions only when the womans life is in danger. Others believe in exemptions for rape, incest, or a lethal fetal anomaly. Also, the Republican party has not made good on its pledge to hold a vote on a national abortion ban, despite pressure from anti-abortion groups.

On the other side, the Democratic Party broadly supports codifying Roe v. Wade and restoring access to abortion until viability, which was the law under Roe. However, some progressive groups want to go further. For example, the left is divided on parental notification laws. Some advocates are pushing to repeal parental notification laws saying they create unnecessary barriers and paperwork problems for minors who want to obtain abortions. However, there is resistance from some Democratic lawmakers who are uncomfortable at the thought that a child would receive an abortion without parental knowledge.

3. Abortion rights are winning at the ballot box

Abortion-rights proponents prevailed on all six abortion-related ballot measures in 2022, including in red states like Kentucky and Montana. Empowered by those wins, abortion-rights groups in other states are working to get measures on the ballot either this year or in 2024 that would codify the right to abortion in those states constitutions.

4. Doctors are extra cautious

Threatened with jail time and the loss of their medical licenses, physicians in states with abortion restrictions are cautious. Many have refused to provide abortions even in situations when they are allowed. Reports of patients being turned away when experiencing a miscarriage or other emergency, or being forced to carry non-viable pregnancies to term, have increased.

Some physicians are not providing emergency contraception, which no state prohibits. Many doctors also report being fearful of providing information to their patients in fear of being targeted.

5. Abortion is interfering with regular health care services

Since Roe was overturned, pharmacists across the country have denied and delayed prescriptions for everything from rheumatoid arthritis to lupus to acne out of fear the drugs could be used to terminate a pregnancy. Medical residents are increasingly avoiding states with abortion bans and practicing physicians are relocating. This is causing staff shortages for patients. In addition, lawsuits targeting abortion pills have the pharmaceutical industry on edge.

A national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that about 40 percent of OB-GYNs have run into barriers to providing treatment for miscarriages and pregnancy-related emergencies because of state bans. A larger share, 64 percent, say they believe the recent Roe v. Wade decision has worsened pregnancy related deaths.

Rogette Harris is a political analyst and member of PennLives Editorial Board.
A resolution that would extend to next June Gov. Josh Shapiros emergency disaster declaration issued in the response to the collapse of a bridge on I-95 in Philadelphia passed the state House of Representatives.

The proposed extension, approved by a bipartisan 165-38 vote, would allow PennDOT to continue to be eligible for emergency relief funding from federal government to reconstruct and repair the section of this major north-south East Coast highway.
By JAKE BLEIBERG, KEN MILLER and ISABELLA OMALLEY, The Associated Press

DALLAS (AP)  Scorching temperatures brought on by a heat dome have taxed the Texas power grid and threaten to bring record highs to the state before they are expected to expand to other parts of the U.S. during the coming week, putting even more people at risk.

Going forward, that heat is going to expand ... north to Kansas City and the entire state of Oklahoma, into the Mississippi Valley ... to the far western Florida Panhandle and parts of western Alabama, while remaining over Texas, said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the National Weather Service.

Record high temperatures around 110 degrees Fahrenheit were forecast in parts of western Texas on Monday, and relief is not expected before the Fourth of July holiday, Oravec said.

Cori Iadonisi, of Dallas, summed up the weather simply: Its just too hot here.

Iadonisi, 40, said she often urges local friends to visit her native Washington state to beat the heat in the summer. You cant go outside, Iadonisi said of the hot months in Texas. You cant go for a walk.

Cyclists pause atop a hill during an evening ride, Monday, June 26, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Meteorologists say scorching temperatures brought on by a heat dome have taxed the Texas power grid and threaten to bring record highs to the state. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)AP

WHAT IS A HEAT DOME?

A heat dome occurs when stationary high pressure with warm air combines with warmer than usual air in the Gulf of Mexico and heat from the sun that is nearly directly overhead, Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said.

By the time we get into the middle of summer, its hard to get the hot air aloft, said Nielsen-Gammon, a professor at Texas A&Ms College of Atmospheric Sciences. If its going to happen, this is the time of year it will.

Nielsen-Gammon said July and August dont have as much sunlight because the sun is retreating from the summer solstice, which was Wednesday.

One thing that is a little unusual about this heat wave is we had a fairly wet April and May, and usually that extra moisture serves as an air conditioner, Nielsen-Gammon said. But the air aloft is so hot that it wasnt able to prevent the heat wave from occurring and, in fact, added a bit to the humidity.

High heat continues this week after it prompted Texas power grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, to ask residents last week to voluntarily cut back on power usage because of anticipated record demand on the system.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System reports more than 46 million people from west Texas and southeastern New Mexico to the western Florida Panhandle are under heat alerts. The NIHHIS is a joint project of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The heat comes after Sunday storms that killed three people and left more than 100,000 customers without electricity in both Arkansas and Tennessee and tens of thousands powerless in Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH THREATS?

Extreme heat can be particularly dangerous to vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and outdoor workers need extra support.

Symptoms of heat illness can include heavy sweating, nausea, dizziness and fainting. Some strategies to stay cool include drinking chilled fluids, applying a cloth soaked with cold water onto your skin, and spending time in air-conditioned environments.

Cecilia Sorensen, a physician and associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Medical Center, said heat-related conditions are becoming a growing public health concern because of the warming climate.
Nicole Schellenberg and Tyrone Kruger were married by Joseph Pierre in a traditional wedding ceremony at the Four Seasons Cultural Society Pow Wow Between the Lakes Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Everyone who enters a British Columbia casino will soon be required to present government-issued identification, in what the BC Lottery Corporation says is an initiative to support people who have registered for self-exclusion. A poker player twirls his chips while playing his hand during a game at a poker championship in Calgary, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Children walk with their parents to a school in North Vancouver on Sept. 10, 2020. All students from kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia public schools will now be assessed with a proficiency scale instead of letter grades. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A Lake View man convicted on a charge of distribution of child pornography was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to 13 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors said 36-year-old Daniel Fitzpatrick was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervision following his release from behind bars.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the case, Fitzpatrick shared a link containing multiple images of child pornography while in a public chat room on the Kik messenger application titled Join a boys only group in October 2021.

In April 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Fitzpatricks residence, where they found images of child pornography on a cellphone, a laptop computer and a personal computer. A total of 148 images and 108 videos of child pornography were discovered, some of which depicted a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said.

At his sentencing, the court recommended that Fitzpatrick be placed in a facility with a sex offender program administered by the Bureau of Prisons.

- Harold McNeil
Buffalo police have charged a city resident in connection with a stabbing outside Tapestry Charter School last week while a graduation ceremony took place inside.

A 48-year-old man was stabbed in the back at about 3 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot of the schools middle and high schools at 65 Great Arrow Ave., according to a Buffalo police report.

The victim told police the attack occurred as he was walking past the man who stabbed him, according to the report.

The victim was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center. No information on his condition was available early Tuesday.

Police recovered a knife at the scene.

Kinshasha A. Lewis, 50, was charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to the report.

Lewis pleaded not guilty Friday morning in Buffalo City Court. He was in custody in the Erie County Holding Center Tuesday morning.

Lewis and the victim knew each other, according to police.

City Court Judge Peter J. Savage III set Lewis bail at $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $50,000 partially secured bond.

Lewis is due in court Wednesday morning for a felony hearing.

Were very grateful that the man who was injured was not seriously injured and we were very pleased with the emergency response from the Buffalo police and all the first responders, in addition to the security and safety protocols at Tapestry, said Eric Klapper, Tapestrys executive director.
It survived a round of school closings in 2014, but dwindling enrollment has taken its toll on Immaculate Conception School of Allegany County.

The Buffalo Catholic Diocese announced Tuesday that the Wellsville school, in existence for more than 125 years under the direction of Immaculate Conception Parish, will close.

Bishop Michael W. Fisher accepted the recommendation of the schools board of trustees to cease operations.

One of the most challenging decisions to make as a bishop is to close a Catholic school, Fisher said in a statement. This community has tried valiantly to sustain this long-standing school and the harsh recent economics, and the realities of the upcoming lack of enrollment, force us to make this unfortunate decision.

The school served pre-K through sixth grades and became a regional school under the auspices of the diocese in 2007.

There were 46 students in the school at the end of this school year.

Enrollment has declined in recent years, and fewer than 20 students confirmed they would return in September, according to the diocese.

Trustees recommended the school cease operations in the face of low projected enrollment and a recent history of operating with a budget deficit.

The bishop praised the Rev. Jim Hartwell, canonical administrator, and Principal Caitilin Dewey, and thanked the Sisters of Mercy for their long history of involvement with the school.
"edtastylez92" Comes Out on Top as 888poker Summer Sale Week Concludes

June 27, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor

The 888poker Summer Sale Week wrapped up on June 26 with the crowning of the final champions. Some 11,327 players bought in across the week-long series, and generated $347,480 in prize money, far more than the advertised $300,000.

One of those many entrants was "edtastylez92," who entered the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event, which cost $55 instead of the usual $109. Some 2,041 players, including re-entries, created a guarantee-busting $102,050 prize pool that the top 320 finishers shared.

Mystery bounties came into play from the 18th level, with some of those secret prizes being juicy.

Brazil's "fhoffmann1" may have busted in 136th place but they collected a $3,000 bounty before heading to the showers. Nicolas "PKaiser" Fierro went a little deeper, bowing out in 86th place with a $3,000 mystery bounty in two.

Sixteenth-place finisher "Fackedelic" was the biggest success story of the tournament because they pulled out a $10,000 bounty from a golden envelope, and walked away with a total prize worth $10,590, which was more than the champion took home!

$100,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Bender_Rod Brazil 8,454,770 71 2 Paulada85 Brazil 4,703,237 39 3 Turbienator Sweden 4,176,384 35 4 solovivir Andorra 3,628,026 20 5 edtastylez92 3,437,208 29 6 josepoker71 Brazil 1,962,022 16 7 igormaister2 Ukraine 1,556,221 13 8 Marksman_M United Kingdom 1,403,442 12 9 ukrLaci Ukraine 1,293,690 11

The tournament paused once the nine-handed final table was reached. "edtastylez92" sat down in the middle of the pack with 29 big blinds at their disposal, a stack dwarfed by the 71 big blinds "Bender_Rod" had accumulated on their way to the grand finale.

"igormaister2" of Ukraine was the first finalist to find themselves void of chips. They open-shoved from late position for a little under 11 big blinds with pocket sixes, only for fellow Ukrainian "ukrLaci" to wake up with pocket aces in the big blind. "ukrLaci" called, their aces held, and "igormaister2" headed for the rail.

"ukrLaci" was next to fall despite winning that pot. They made an ill-timed move after min-raising with ace-seven of clubs from the button, and seeing "solovivir" three-bet to five big blinds from the big blind. "ukrLaci" decided to rip in their 23 big blind stack, and "solovivir" snap-called with pocket kings. "solovivir" flopped a set, and "ukrLaci" was drawing dead by the turn.

The United Kingdom's "Marksman_M" was shot down in seventh, and it was "edtastylez92" who pulled the trigger. "Marksman_M" open-shoved for three big blinds from the small blind with ace-ten, and "edtastylez92" called in the big blind with king-four of spades. A king on the turn proved enough to reduce the player count by one.

Win up to $10K Free With 888poker's Card Strike Feature

The final six became five with the untimely demise of Sweden's "Turbienator." They mi-raised in late position with pocket queens, and "solovivir" called in the small blind with pocket deuces. The flop fell jack-deuce-four with two diamonds, and "soloviivr" check-raised a continuation bet from their opponent. "Turbienator" jammed for 23 big blinds in total and was snapped off. A six and four completed the board, and confirmed "Turbienator"'s elimination.

Two Brazilians busted after one another. First, "Paulada85" got their last eight big blinds in with ace-four against the ace-jack of "edtastyle92." Both players improved two pair by the river.

The second busted Brazilian was "josepoker71." Their last four big blinds went into the middle from the small blind with king-nine of diamonds, and "edstylez92" called in the big blind with nine-six of hearts. A six on the flop and a nine on the river sent "josepoker71" home in fourth.

Heads-up was set when "solovivir" crashed out in third. "Bender_rod" limped in from the small blind with king-seven of spades, "solovivir" raised to three big blinds with ace-queen offsuit, and "Bender_Rod" moved all-in! "solovivir" called off the 36.5 big blinds they had behind. The nine-four-nine flop kept the ace-queen ahead, but the queen of spades turn give "Bender_Rod" outs to a flush. One of those out, the ace of spades, completed the five community cards, and sent "solovivir" home in third.

"Bender_Rod " held a substantial 111 big blind to 11.5 big blind chip lead over "edtastylez92" going into the one-on-one battle, but the short stack was in no mood for throwing in the towel. "edtastylez92" couldn't find a spot for the firs 30-minutes of heads-up play, but then began clawing their way back into contention.

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"Bender_Rod" was caught with their hands in the cookie jar, bluffing at a pot with seven-deuce when "edtastylez92" was set there with a full house, and the roles had been reversed.

The final hand saw "edtastylze92" limp with ten-seven, and "Bender_Rod" check with eight-six. A jack-five-eight flop was checked, leading to a six on the turn. "Bender_Rod" had turned two pair, but "edtastylze92" had an open-ended straight draw. "Bender_Rod" led for two big blinds, and was called. A nine on the river completed "edtastylze92"'s straight. "Bender_Rod" checked before calling off their 8.5 big blind stack when "edtastylze" set them all in. GG.

$100,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 edtastylez92 $898 $6,788 $7,687 2 Bender_Rod Brazil $860 $4,923 $5,784 3 solovivir Andorra $491 $3,565 $4,057 4 josepoker71 Brazil $115 $2,602 $2,717 5 Paulada85 Brazil $1,306 $1,915 $3,222 6 Turbienator Sweden $953 $1,405 $2,358 7 Marksman_M United Kingdom $153 $1,041 $1,194 8 ukrLaci Ukraine $268 $775 $1,044 9 igormaister2 Ukraine $191 $582 $774

Complete 888poker Summer Sale Week Results

Event Sale Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize $10,000 Summer Sale Monday Big Shot 215 $109 152 $15,200 FelipeD92 $3,724 $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,149 $11,490 Serebr1 $1,122* $12,000 Summer Sale Tuesday PKO Rumble 320 $160 83 $12,450 SenvintySync $4,410* $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,186 $11,860 eko4gg $1,178* $10,000 Summer Sale The PKO Rumble 109 $55 288 $14,400 rodtrader $3,316* $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,076 $10,760 Pokerdog31 $1,097* $12,000 Summer Sale Big Shot 320 $160 107 $16,050 $4,373 $12,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 $27.50 749 $18,725 nuncanemi $2,463* $7,000 Summer Sale PKO Rumble PKO 22 $11 816 $8,160 eko4gg $1,249* $10,000 Summer Sale The PKO Rumble 109 $55 261 $13,050 Vozic $2,630* $7,000 Summer Sale PKO Rumble 22 $11 816 $8,160 StivaMAN $1,359* $12,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 $27.50 779 $19,475 KaizenStyle $2,482* $30,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 55 1,646 $41,150 MindaugasKR $4,305* $100,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty Main Event 2,041 $102,050 edtastylez92 $7,687* $30,000 Summer Sale Big Shot 525 $265 178 $44,500 Yoshiaki97 $9,678 $10,000 Summer Sale Monday Big Shot 215 $109 166 $16,600 R2Rka $4,067 $10,000 Summer Sale Mystery Bounty 22 $11 1,254 $12,540 pokernetbr $1,392

*includes bounty payments

Use the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar to Find the Best 888poker MTTs

Have you heard about the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar? Our tech boffins created a free-to-use tool that makes it easier than ever to find online tournaments that are either upcoming or in late registration.

You can set filters to narrow your search for the best 888poker tournaments before registering for those MTTs via the calendar. It is pretty cool, even if we do say so ourselves!
Day 2 of the 2023 World Series of Poker Event #56: $500 Salute to Warriors here at Horseshore and Paris Las Vegas began with 661 players returning from the record-smashing 4,303-entry field. By the end of the night, only 14 players remained, with Ryan Stephens bagging the biggest stack worth 28,775,000.

Stephens flew relatively under the radar through most of the day, quietly building a massive stack from non-bust-out confrontations, and continued to wield the power of the big stack by forcing players to get out of his way in a vast majority of his late-in-the-day pots. Then, almost out of nowhere, he had a mountain of chips in front of him that he did not relinquish through the final two levels of the night.

Others to survive the night were Youssef Hicham (22,550,000), bracelet winner Dejuante Alexander (20,625,000), Ali Alawadhi (19,825,000), William Butcher (11,775,000), Rajesh Goyal (10,100,000), Timothy Deering (8,450,000), and Michael Lin (6,275,000).

Top 10 Chip Stacks

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Ryan Stephens United States 28,775,000 48 2 Youssef Hicham Morocco 22,550,000 38 3 Dejuante Alexander United States 20,0625,000 34 4 Ali Alawadhi United States 20,425,000 34 5 Raffaello Locatelli Italy 19,825,000 33 6 Kelly Gall Canada 19,275,000 32 7 David Elisofon United States 14,850,000 25 8 William Butcher United States 11,775,000 20 9 Lucas Lew Portugal 11,675,000 19 10 Steven Genovese United States 11,425,000 19

With the top 646 spots getting paid, 15 players busted without visiting the payout desk on Day 2. From there, the in-the-money bust-outs started striking like lightning bolts all over the room.

Among those to earn a cash were Rulah Divine (566th - $800), Dalibor Dula (384th - $1,000), Barry Greenstein (302nd - $1,165), Ryan Eriquezzo (228th - $1,412), Ari Engel (61st - $3,754), Justin Filtz (43rd - $5,400), and Kenny Hallaert (35th - $6,565).

The remaining 14 players will come back guaranteed $9,966, but everyone in the room will be after the lion's share of the $1,764,230 prize pool with $217,921 and a WSOP gold bracelet reserved for the eventual champion.

The Day 3 finale is scheduled to send cards in the air at 10:00 a.m. local time on June 27. As always, PokerNews will be on-site to provide live updates straight from the tournament floor, so keep it locked here for up-to-date info on this and all remaining tournaments at the 2023 World Series of Poker!
Day 2 of Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw at the 2023 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas will see 159 players return from a starting field of 548, which created a total prize pool of $731,580. Only 83 of those will make it into the money, securing themselves a minimum of $2,404, but all eyes will be on the top prize of $151,276 along with a WSOP gold bracelet slated to go the eventual winner's way.

A familiar set of names are currently situated in the top three chip counts with tournament regular Michael Trivett leading the way on 401,000. He was able to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field as Hall of Famer and 1988 WSOP Main Event runner-up Erik Seidel is the closest to catching him, sitting on a stack of 259,000. Online and live high stakes crusher Mike Watson rounds out the top three with 208,000.

Day 2 Top Ten Stacks

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Michael Trivett United States 401,000 201 2 Erik Seidel United States 259,000 130 3 Mike Watson Canada 208,000 104 4 Hugh Joiner United States 201,000 101 5 Nick Schulman United States 195,000 98 6 Michael Moncek United States 165,500 83 7 Will Berry United States 160,500 80 8 Daniel Tafur Spain 158,500 79 9 Jon Turner United States 154,500 77 10 Sami Bechahed France 154,000 77

Many other skilled players will be returning for the second day, including four time bracelet winner Nick Schulman (195,000), 2019 WSOP POY Robert Campbell (139,500) and 2021 WSOP Main Event champion Koray Aldemir (121,500). They will all be looking to spin up their stacks as the money bubble approaches.

Day 2 restarts today in the Horseshoe Event Center at 1 p.m. with blinds resuming at 1,000/2,000 with a 3,000 ante. Levels will continue to be 60-minutes in length with play for the day continuing until just five players remain.

Be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews as its live reporting team continues to provide updates on Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw through to its conclusion.
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Rudy Giulianis former partner in the Ukraine scandal Lev Parnas has heard that Giuliani is melting down and drinking heavily because he fears being indicted.

Parnas tweeted:

Sources are telling me that Rudy Giuliani is have a meltdown and drinking heavily. After being sanctioned he fears that he is about to get indicted and doesnt now who to turn to for help.

Its time to pay the piper Rudy! #LevRemembers  Lev Parnas (@levparnas) June 26, 2023

Lev Parnas is a convicted felon who did 20 months in prison. He also would not mind seeing Giuliani go down, so he is not necessarily the most reliable source, but Rudy Giuliani has spent the last few years keeping company with Donald Trump, so he hasnt exactly been running with the best crowd either.

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It would not be surprising if Giuliani drank heavily and feared being indicted. Rudy Giulianis excessive drinking even made it into the 1/6 Committee hearings.

A sexual abuse lawsuit against Giuliani by a former high-ranking employee went into detail both about Giulianis sexual abuse and his alcoholism.

The only real question involving Rudy Giuliani is where he will be indicted first. Will the federal government indict him for 1/6 crimes, or will the state of Georgia get him for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in violation of state law.

Just like Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani thought that he was above the law, and now he is afraid that he is going to be indicted for several alleged crimes against the United States.

Rudy Giuliani tried to steal your vote, and now he is reportedly scared that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
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Former President Barack Obama said that the Supreme Court rejected Trumps threat to undermine our system of checks and balances.

Obama said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:

Today the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of North Carolina voters in Moore v. Harper. They rejected the fringe independent state legislature theory that threatened to upend our democracy and dismantle our system of checks and balances by giving state legislatures near-total control of federal election laws.



This ruling is a resounding rejection of the far-right theory that has been peddled by election deniers and extremists seeking to undermine our democracy. And it makes clear that courts can continue defending voters rightsin North Carolina and in every state. Thanks to National Redistricting Foundation and Eric Holder for helping make this happen.

The far-right theory was nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to deny certain citizens the power to determine elections. The state legislature sought to ensure that only a privileged few had a voice in our democracy. It was a blatant attack on our fundamental rights as Americans, and thankfully, the Court saw through this sham.

This ruling is nothing short of a resounding rejection of the far-right agenda that has been promulgated by election deniers and other extremists who are willing to do anything to undermine our democracy. The threat is far from over, but the Trump effort to neuter the courts has been halted.
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Trump and his band of election deniers have been pushing the theory that state courts lack the authority to question election laws in federal elections, but the Supreme Court shot them down.

Via: Politico:

By a 6-3 vote, the court rejected the independent state legislature theory in a case about North Carolinas congressional map. The once-fringe legal theory broadly argued that state courts have little  or no  authority to question state legislatures on election laws for federal contests.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the courts opinion, joined by the three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, along with two conservatives, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented.

The idea that state courts cant intervene to rule on state election laws in federal elections flies in the face of the Constitution. Elections for federal office are run by the states, which means that any disputes about election laws in each individual state fall under state court jurisdiction. The Constitution has not stopped Republicans from attempting to short-circuit the will of the voters.

In North Carolina, the fight is over heavily gerrymandered maps. In Pennsylvania, Republicans have spent years using the independent state legislature theory as the backbone for their arguments to get rid of mail-in voting.

Trump had been planning to use the independent state legislature theory to argue that legislatures can overturn election results in swing states if he loses them in 2024.

Independent state legislature theory is a danger to democracy which the Supreme Court rejected in a bipartisan manner.
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Donald Trump attempted to campaign in New Hampshire, but his remarks quickly turned into an unhinged meltdown.

Video:

Trump said, Stop the Marxist prosecutors who release rapists and murderers persecuting conservatives and people of religion Catholics. How about Catholics? How would the Catholic ever vote for Joe Biden when theres actually an assault on Catholics? I mean, I dont know how many Catholics or whos a Catholic in this room. How would anybody as a Catholic because specifically Catholics are targeted by the FBI and the DOJ? And then youre supposed to vote for Joe Biden. It doesnt make sense. I will direct a completely overhauled DOJ to investigate every radical district attorney and DA. Attorney Generals all over the country. Theyre crooked as hell. A lot of them are really bad, they said one in New York with me. I will get this one in New York campaigned against me. I will get Donald Trump.

Trump was never the most stable person, but his speeches have become even more meandering and unstable than before. Trump went on a rant about Biden and Catholics, which then transitioned into his pledge to get revenge on the DOJ for filing charges against him with no transition. The transcript is not a mistake. Trump starts with the word stop like he is reading from his teleprompter and missing words.

The leak of the audio tape where Trump confesses to stealing classified documents isnt doing what he thought. Trump seems to be under the belief that the tape would clear him, but it only is serving to confirm his guilt in the minds of many.

This unstable shell of a person is what Ron DeSantis and more than ten other Republicans are losing to in a presidential primary.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
A maker of household-name consumer products ranging from mayonnaise to deodorant is planning to open a distribution center in Berkeley County.

London-based Unilever Manufacturing plans to invest $90.6 million in Santee Cooper's Camp Hall Commerce Park off U.S. Interstate 26, according to public documents.

The project is expected to create at least 187 jobs over the next five years.

Berkeley County Council gave its initial approval this week to tax breaks for the Unilever expansion, formerly known by the code name "Project Flower." Under a 25-year agreement, the company's property tax assessment would be cut to 6 percent from the normal 10.5 percent industrial rate. In addition, 20 percent of the payments Unilever makes during the first five years of operations  and 10 percent in years six through 10  would go back to the company to help offset its investment costs.

The financial incentives still need final approval, and council is expected to vote on that next month.

Unilever makes hundreds of food and personal care products, including Hellmann's mayonnaise and Axe body spray. The company occupies 500 logistics warehouses worldwide fulfilling 25 million customer orders per year. The manufacturer already uses the Port of Charleston to import goods, such as potato flakes from Germany and Dove soap from the Netherlands, according to trade data firm SeaAir Exim Solutions.

The Unilever expansion fits into the S.C. State Ports Authority's plan to broaden its cargo base by targeting shippers of retail products.

The U.K. company will occupy one of four buildings that Portman Industrial LLC is building at Camp Hall. The Atlanta-based real estate developer purchased its 188-acre "Campus 4" property about two years ago.

Representatives of Unilever and Portman did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Mike Wurtsbaugh, Portman's industrial managing director, said when the company purchased the Camp Hall property that he sees "robust consumer demand for goods continuing to drive tenant demand across the logistics and supply chain sectors, and we expect that to only increase.

He added projects like Camp Hall "reflect our focus on developing well-positioned projects in strategic, port-centric markets like Charleston."

The 6,800-acre Camp Hall project is marketed as a turnkey industrial site with most of the permitting, roads, power and water lines and other infrastructure already in place.

Most of the parcels have been sold to developers, with about 10 percent of the 1,300 acres originally set aside for industrial use still available.

State-owned electric utility Santee Cooper, which is in charge of marketing the project, is also looking to fill the 114-acre Avian Commons retail, commercial and office space to be built at the center of the property.

The Volvo Cars manufacturing campus, where the automaker builds S60 sedans and will produce the EX90 sport-utility vehicle next year, is adjacent to the industrial park.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is collecting ecological and environmental data on Lake Ontario through this September.

Alongside universities and other federal agencies, the EPA is studying how pollutants move through the lakes food web, how harmful nutrient pollution changes throughout the year, how invasive mussels affect water quality and more, according to Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy, an official at the EPAs Great Lakes National Program Office.

She says that data will fill in gaps in the pre-existing research so that scientists and government officials can keep drinking water clean, beaches open and fishing viable.

That all helps us understand how we can take action and where we can control things to improve conditions, Hinchey Malloy said.

Using two of the EPAs largest research vessels, the 180-foot Lake Guardian and the Lake Explorer II, researchers collect samples from 72 stations throughout the lake. Hinchey Malloy says the stations form a representative sample of different lake conditions and allow scientists to compare their findings with data from previous years.

At each station, the research team may sample surface water, use a collection of metal bottles called a rosette sampler to gather water samples from all depth levels, use sensors to collect water quality data and take samples of the lakes sediment. They may also catch mussels and larval fish for analysis.

Each vessels crew and research team take turns working shifts lasting as long as 12 hours to collect samples 24/7, according to Hinchey Malloy. They may be on the water for weeks at a time, even in rough waters.

But scientists and crew members wont be having all the fun. Several science teachers from across New York State will be joining one of the EPAs surveys in July, allowing educators to use what they learn to redesign their curriculums and engage students.

Hinchey Malloy says the EPA sets up video tours of the vessel with some participants classrooms the following school year.

Those teachers have been there, and can really narrate the video, Hinchey Malloy said. And it kind of gives the students a little glimpse of how cool their teachers are, and it motivates them to learn that lesson plan for the day, she said.

Samples from the projects first surveys in April are now being studied, but a comprehensive analysis of the results wont be complete until the fall and winter.

Well be able to put our results in context with previous years information shortly, but just not right now, Hinchey Malloy said, adding that data gathered instantaneously from sensors has so far shown nothing atypical.

Once it completes that analytical work, the EPA will publicly report its findings, use its new data to comply with the Clean Water Act and share what it has found with researchers, fisheries and other government agencies.

Data also will be shared with Canada as part of the 2023 Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative, a binational effort to monitor the Great Lakes that encompasses 72 research projects.

Canada collects and shares its data with the U.S., giving both countries a more accurate picture of the Great Lakes, according to Hinchey Malloy.

When we work together, were greater than the sum of our parts. Weve really been able to leverage the work that we do together to assess the lake in a thorough way, Hinchey Malloy said. And working together, you get the greatest minds on both sides of the border brought to bear on the issues at hand.

The agency conducts in-depth data collection in each of the Great Lakes every five years. The EPA plans to conduct similar testing in Lake Erie in 2024.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing late. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing late. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
MYRTLE BEACH  A Myrtle Beach lifeguarding company and two employees are being accused of engaging in unsafe practices that allegedly contributed to a Florida mans drowning death three years ago.

Phalda Morris, of Jacksonville, is suing John's Beach Service, Inc. in state court for alleged negligence on behalf of her husband, Franklin Morris, after he got caught in a rip current and drowned in 2020.

Two John Beach Service lifeguards have also been named as defendants in the civil lawsuit. They were reportedly on duty near 16th Avenue North where the incident took place.

The latest lawsuit resembles a recent one brought against Lack's Beach Services, Inc., another Myrtle Beach-based lifeguarding company. That case ended last year with a jury awarding nearly $21 million to the family of a Maryland man who got caught in a rip current and drowned in 2019.

"As a direct and proximate result of the defendants negligence, gross negligence and recklessness, (Franklin Morris) suffered conscious pain and suffering, shock and terror, mental and emotional distress and a loss of earnings," the lawsuit said. "Those injuries survive his death and pass to his estate."

The widow claims the company practiced "dual role lifeguarding" near where her husband drowned. This controversial practice involves on-duty lifeguards handling both water safety and beach rentals, and it was just banned earlier this year in Myrtle Beach and Horry County.

Nick Jackson, John's Beach Service co-owner, declined to comment June 26 regarding the specific lawsuit, but he said that back in 2020, lifeguard duties and chair rental duties at his company were kept separate from one another.

John's Beach Service and Lack's Beach Services have existing franchise agreements with the state's top tourist destination.

In the lawsuit, Morris claims her family traveled to Myrtle Beach for an extended vacation on June 18, 2020. The next day, her husband and son decided to visit the beach to enjoy the sunny weather.

The lawsuit claims there were numerous people in the ocean, but the two lifeguards allegedly did not stop the father and son from entering the water, despite the National Weather Service issuing a rip current warning for the Myrtle Beach area earlier that day.

"There was no indication to the average swimmer that a deadly and life-threatening rip current was present on the beach that day," the lawsuit states. "Johns and the city of Myrtle Beach knew or should have known of the rip currents and specifically the alert from the National Weather Service."

Morris claims that on-duty lifeguards were allegedly involved in beach rentals where her husband entered the water. Additionally, she claims the company continued involving lifeguards in beach rentals, despite the United States Lifesaving Association previously warning about the practice, the lawsuit states.

Specifically, she alleges that the president of the USLA wrote a letter to Myrtle Beach city officials Sept. 30, 2016, encouraging them to change their lifeguarding standards "in the interest of public safety," the lawsuit said.

The USLA will not certify any beach lifeguard agency that assigns lifeguards to a dual role of public safety and commercial activity because all water safety professionals agree that a distracted lifeguard cannot properly maintain safe surveillance of the water," the letter allegedly stated, as provided in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Morris also alleges that John's Beach Service was not certified by the USLA at the time of the incident.

After getting caught in the rip current, the suit claims Franklin Morris and his son called for help, but no lifeguards allegedly responded to them. The son escaped and swam to shore to find help, but the search allegedly took a "substantial amount of time" while his father remained in the water.

Once Franklin Morris was pulled from the ocean, life-saving measures allegedly were initiated, but he died while being transported to the hospital, the lawsuit said.

"All defendants owed a duty to (Franklin Morris and his family) and the public at large to conduct their water safety program in a reasonably safe manner and to take the necessary steps to prevent foreseeable harm," the lawsuit said.

Morris, who represents her husband's estate, is requesting a jury trial and seeking an unspecified monetary amount for compensatory, statutory and punitive damages and court costs, according to the lawsuit.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High near 95F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 79F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
PARRIS ISLAND  First lady Jill Biden will travel to South Carolina this week to personally thank newly minted Marines and their families at a boot camp graduation ceremony on Parris Island.

The formal event marks when recruits officially join the ranks of the few and the proud after overcoming and enduring mental and physical challenges for 13 long weeks.

A White House official confirmed the June 30 visit to The Post and Courier, and additionally confirmed the first lady will deliver remarks at the graduation ceremony.

Parris Island is one of the oldest posts in the Marine Corps, and has been training recruits since 1915. According to a review of the graduation schedule posted online, Biden will deliver remarks to Marine graduates with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion.

It will also be the first time Jill Biden has returned to the Palmetto State since August 2022 when the Biden family, including President Joe Biden, vacationed together on Kiawah Island.

The latest visit comes as the Pentagon is celebrating more than 50 years of filling its military ranks exclusively with volunteers rather than draftees. It is also a continuation of Biden's work as a longtime advocate for military families. She is the daughter of a Navy signalman. The president's late son, Maj. Beau Biden, was a soldier in the Delaware Army National Guard.

She also released a childrens book in 2012 called "Dont Forget, God Bless Our Troops." It followed the story of the Biden familys own experience with deployment through the eyes of her granddaughter, Natalie, in the year her father, Beau, was deployed to Iraq.

The upcoming event at Parris Island will also be part of the Joining Forces initiative. Its mission is to support military families, veterans, caregivers and survivors.

The effort began in 2011 when Biden was second lady and worked with then-first lady Michelle Obama to launch the effort to provide military and veteran families with support, educational resources and health and wellness programs.

To date, Jill Biden has visited more than 25 military installations and worked with Joining Forces partners to support more than 50 events for military families and communities. One of those events was held at Joint Base Charleston in 2021 when the first lady joined some 200 people and gave brief remarks on Oct. 25, 2021.

During that visit, which came shortly after Americas 20-year presence in Afghanistan came to an end, the first lady thanked the Charleston-based C-17 commanders for organizing and then flying out the last soldiers from Hamid Karzai International Airport.

When asked by The Post and Courier how it felt to be back in South Carolina that day, the first lady responded enthusiastically. "Are you kidding me?" she said. South Carolina has a piece of my heart.

South Carolina, and especially Charleston, hold both political and personal significance for the Biden family. South Carolina is where Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign turned around when his decisive primary victory here helped him secure the Democratic Partys presidential nomination.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley used a major policy speech about China to take aim at Donald Trump, blasting the former president for his handling of the competing world power while he was in the White House.

Less than six minutes into her June 27 remarks, the former United Nations ambassador began dressing down her one-time boss and chief rival for the GOP presidential nomination.

It was the clearest break between Haley and Trump since the former South Carolina governor entered the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

Haley said Trump was "almost singularly focused" on trade agreements with China and did "too little" to address other threats she said must be confronted by the next president.

"He did not put us on a stronger military foothold in Asia. He did not stop the flow of American technology and investment into the Chinese military. He did not effectively rally our allies against the Chinese threat," Haley said, adding, "Even the trade deal he signed came up short when China predictably failed to live up to its commitments.

"He also showed moral weakness," Haley continued. "In his zeal to befriend President Xi, Trump congratulated the Communist Party on its 70th anniversary of conquering China. That sent a wrong message to the world. Chinese communism must be condemned, never congratulated."

Haley's comments at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think-tank illustrate how she is trying to position herself as a leading voice on foreign policy in the 2024 presidential field while also trying to distance herself from the man who appointed her to the United Nations.

Though Haley has shown a willingness to criticize Trump, most of her attacks until now have been indirect and she rarely mentioned Trump by name.

Instead Haley has opted for more oblique punches that could do double-duty, like when she took a swipe at both Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when she said voters were tired of "the drama."

She's also sought to draw clear contrasts but stopped short of calling out her rivals by name, like when she called for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75.

Haley is 51, Trump is 77 and current White House occupant Joe Biden is 80.

When asked by a reporter to expand on her comments about Trump's "moral weakness," Haley doubled down.

"We have to know right from wrong. You never go and tell someone who's stealing 'Oh, you go get 'em,' (or) someone who's oppressing people, 'Oh, keep oppressing,'" Haley said, adding that you also don't tell a dictator that what they are doing is a "good thing."

"You congratulate freedom. You congratulate democracy. You congratulate when people have the individual liberties to do what they need to do. You never congratulate communism," said Haley, who put emphasis on the word "never."

Haley's comments also came after CNN obtained a recording of Trump where he appears to discuss classified documents with individuals who would not have security clearance. Asked if this should disqualify Trump from running for president, Haley stopped short.

"We're going to let the courts play that out and do whatever," Haley said. "I have long said that anyone who wants to run for president can run for president. I think that's for the people to decide."
COLUMBIA  Whether the state Supreme Court allows South Carolina's latest six-week abortion ban to take effect could come down to how well the Legislature's Republican leaders interpreted one justice's opinion.

That, and how much weight the high court gives its five-month-old ruling from the first go-round.

Justices are again deciding the constitutionality of a law that bans abortions in South Carolina roughly six weeks into a pregnancy. Abortions remain legal in the state through 5 months  pending their decision.

Arguments June 27 before the now all-male panel focused on whether justices' January decision set a legal standard to follow and what exactly Justice John Few meant in his separate opinion. Legislators' attorneys argued they addressed his concerns.

But the attorney for abortion providers argued the decision this time should be the same because the law is the same, despite tweaks in the wording.

"My clients are back here today because the General Assembly ignored the court's ruling and enacted a nearly identical law," said Catherine Humphreville, a New York attorney representing Planned Parenthood and the Greenville Women's Clinic, which run the three clinics providing abortions in the state.

Attorneys for GOP lawmakers started the hearing by emphatically declaring the justices' 3-2 splintered decision from January did not set a precedent. Because each of the five justices wrote separate opinions explaining their reasoning, the decision did not "establish a rule of law," said Thomas Hydrick with the state attorney general's office.

Chief Justice Don Beatty interrupted him almost immediately, saying the majority agreed six weeks was insufficient for a woman to know she's pregnant and act on that knowledge.

Hydrick disagreed, igniting a back-and-forth exchange on what Few did or didn't say in his opinion that agreed with the conclusion but not the rationale.

"I think he expressly declined to go that far," Hydrick said.

"Oh, really?" Beatty interjected incredulously before quoting Few's opinion back to Hydrick.

Few declined to settle the dispute from the bench, saying people are free to their own interpretations.

But he did launch into a series of questions of whether women could exercise choice by taking over-the-counter pregnancy tests. Since it's possible for a test to confirm pregnancy hormones even before a missed period, is six weeks sufficient for women proactively testing themselves, Few asked.

"I think it's a valid notion that the state as part of its policy judgment can say, 'We want you to start thinking about your choices early rather than waiting to essentially get hit in the head with a two-by-four when you find out passively you're pregnant,'" Few told Humphreville.

"Right? Right? That's got to be right," he continued. "My question is very simple and I'm sorry to repeat it because it has an absolutely obvious answer. That is, on average, those who don't do pregnancy testing are going to learn they're pregnant later than those who do."

That's not practical, abortion providers' attorneys said, particularly since menstrual cycles can be very irregular, contraceptives can fail, and tests can be faulty when taken too early. They called it especially unrealistic for victims of rape or incent.

Beyond that, they said, whether a woman regularly takes pregnancy tests doesn't matter to the legal question of whether the law violates privacy rights.

The law seeks to ban abortions, with limited exceptions, once an ultrasound detects cardiac activity, which can occur around the sixth week of pregnancy.

Justice George James, a dissenting voice in January, called it a "pro-choice" law.

"That's what it is," he said after Humphreville seemed to be taken aback. "The woman has a choice up to a certain point."

Few and Beatty, who were part of the three-justice majority five months ago, did most of the questioning during the hearing.

Missing was Justice Kaye Hearn, who wrote the lead opinion for Round One but then had to retire due to South Carolina's mandatory age limit for judges. Her conclusions came as no surprise, based on her questions during last fall's hearing. She even seemed to be trying to improve abortion providers' arguments.

Her replacement, Justice Gary Hill, offered no such window into his thinking.

The GOP-dominated Legislature elected Hill to the bench a month after the prior verdict put new scrutiny on the three-judge race. All three were deemed highly qualified and sat together on the Court of Appeals. But Republicans backing Hill said he seemed to be more conservative than his two female competitors, who officially dropped out almost as soon as the race legally started.

Hill said little from the bench June 27, other than asking Humphreville how the law fell outside the "zone of reasonableness." The constitutional section in question bans unreasonable invasions of privacy.

Justice Hearn definitely noticed the gender composition in the courtroom," Humphreville told reporters after the hearing. "But at the end of the day, its for any justice to evaluate the case regardless of their gender and determine whether the abortion ban is unconstitutional."

Justice John Kittredge, whose dissenting January opinion vehemently disagreed with his colleagues, said the new law necessitates a fresh look at the arguments. Even if the January ruling could be considered precedent, one opinion is not enough to set legal standards, he said.

"It's not the end-all, be-all you're suggesting it is," he told Humphreville, adding, "We could never have a situation where precedent ties our hands indefinitely."

In January, he stressed that the reason abortion is before the state Supreme Court at all is because the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Roe v. Wade last summer, overturning nearly a half-century of precedent in returning the legality to state legislators. He concluded then the decision is entirely the Legislature's.

There is no timetable for the high court to rule on the new law. The January ruling came less than three months after justices heard arguments and just days before the start of the 2023 legislative session.

That session concluded earlier this month. Legislators don't expect to return to chambers until Jan. 9, 2024.

No matter what justices decide, the debate over banning abortions in South Carolina is certain to continue.

"Ultimately, the primary check on the General Assembly's regulation of abortion is the ballot box," Gov. Henry McMaster's attorneys wrote last week in a pre-hearing brief. "It is up to the voters to have the final say on the 2023 act at the next general election."

Alexander Thompson contributed to this report.
WOODRUFF  The Gilliland children remember working in their grandparents' peach orchard for many summers, sneaking out of their house at night to snatch fruit from the trees.

Their grandparents, S.J. and Ruth Workman, started farming in the 1940s and at their peak tended to 25,000 peach trees on hundreds of acres in Woodruff. The farm fizzled after S.J.'s passing in the late 1980s.

Three decades later, the latest BMW facility to open in Spartanburg County has transformed the farmland into industrial site.

The four children  Sondra, Greg, Mark and Oliver  stood under a tent June 27 for the new site's groundbreaking. The land behind them was covered in clay and tire marks from industrial machinery, replacing what they once considered a "home base off of state Highway 101.

But their grandfather, a champion of economic development, would approve, Greg Gilliland said.

"It's bittersweet," he said. "But, my grandfather would be very proud."

The family sold the 315-acre plot to the German automaker to develop "Plant Woodruff," a high-voltage battery assembly plant. Construction will start this fall and should last three years.

The $700 million factory is part of a larger $1.7 billion investment BMW announced last year. The other $1 billion will be used to prepare the existing Greer space for production of electric vehicles.

The Woodruff location will produce sixth-generation batteries that supply its production of fully electric BMW X Models in Greer 15 miles away. The Woodruff plant plans to create at least 300 jobs, and by 2030, the Spartanburg plant will build at least six fully electric BMW models.

The location, more than 1 million square feet, will include a technology building, a cafeteria, a fire department and an energy center. The goal is to make the operation green, working without fossil fuels and using solar panels among other efforts.

Top BMW officials and government leaders like Gov. Henry McMaster, Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey III and Woodruff Mayor Kenny Gist gathered June 27 to move ceremonial dirt with golden shovels, commemorating the next use for the once family-owned land.

The Gilliland children's mother, Peggy, 92, lived on the property up until recently when she was transferred to a memory care facility. The siblings are now spread across the Southeast, some still living in the state but others residing in Florida and Georgia.

"We weren't really utilizing the land," Greg Gilliland said. "We decided it might be a good time to go ahead and sell it."

"We're not getting any younger," Oliver Gilliland added. "It's a big job."

Sondra Gilliland-Biggerstaff is confident both her mother and grandfather would have wanted the land to be used this way. She emphasized that S.J. was a well-known business leader in the area, helping to establish a local radio station and opening nearby movie theaters.

"He had his hand in a lot of pockets, trying to get things developed for the city of Woodruff," Gilliland-Biggerstaff said. "I think that was his goal, to make it a better community. So, what better way than get BMW here to have jobs and have the city grow."

A basket of South Carolina peaches, a gift to the BMW officials, sat in an original S.J. Workman-branded basket on the stage at the ceremony. On her way up to provide remarks, Ilka Horstmeier grabbed a peach.

"This land we are now preparing for production was a former peach farm," said Horstmeier, a member of the board of management of BMW AG. "I think it fits perfectly together: a battery and a peach."

She held up the fruit and a model of a battery next to one another, earning laughs and applause from the audience.

Horstmeier acknowledged how hard it can be to sell family land but assured the Gilliland children that BMW "will continue to utilize the land following Mr. Workman's intention  to continue strengthening Woodruff, Spartanburg and South Carolina as a business location and for a more stable and free society."

When McMaster took the podium, he opened with a joke, pointing to U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., who brought U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., as a guest.

"You think she knows that we make more peaches here?" he said.

Construction is underway in Spartanburg to grow one of BMW's assembly halls by 50 percent to handle electric vehicle production. The company aims its efforts to localize its supply chain, planning to buy round lithium-ion battery cells for its electric vehicles from AESC. The Japanese company broke ground on its $810 million factory across the state in Florence earlier this month, and BMW will serve as its first customer.

The battery cells will be shipped to the Woodruff plant to be turned into fully electric batteries to be inserted into BMW X models in Spartanburg.

The vehicle producers push out more than 1,500 cars each day. From there, the Port of Charleston will ship out the vehicles to the world, earning BMW the title of largest automotive exporter by value in the country for nearly a decade.

CEO and president of BMW Manufacturing Robert Engelhorn emphasized to the crowd BMWs already three-decade-long legacy in the Upstate and how this latest investment will continue to push that forward.

Sondra sees this change as progress for Woodruff and finds solace in Engelhorns sentiment.

"They continue to talk about legacy, and so they're keeping that alive," Gilliland-Biggerstaff said of BMW on her family land. "That's just comforting to us I think."
The 914th Air Refueling Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will be part of a flyover formation Tuesday afternoon across Western New York and New York State to celebrate the 100th anniversary of air refueling.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from Niagara Falls will be joined by other planes from the 305th Air Mobility Wing from New Jersey and Air Mobility Command for the exercise, according to an announcement of the flyover.

The first formation, heading west from Ithaca, is scheduled to fly over Jamestown at 1:40 p.m., Buffalo at 1:43 p.m. and Niagara County at 1:50 p.m. en route to Rochester, Syracuse and Albany.

The announcement said the flight path for Western New York will follow a straight line from Jamestown to the Wilson area in Niagara County.

A second formation will follow 20 minutes later. Times and locations are subject to change, the announcement noted.

- Dale Anderson
Tirien Steinbach is an attorney who has served as associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at Stanford Law School. You may recall the role she played in the shoutdown of Fifth Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan at the law school. She took the lectern at the event to lecture Judge Duncan in support of the shoutdown. Steve Hayward and I covered the story in a series of posts that are accessible here. At last word this past March, Dean Jenny Martinez announced that Steinbach was on leave.

Steinbach now writes in a column posted at The Hill in defense of the continued use of racial preferences in higher education. Her column is headlined Diversity, equity and inclusion: The new American battlefield. Her introductory paragraph heads off in the direction of War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. Here it is (links omitted):

This month, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will decide whether or not colleges and universities can continue to consider race as part of their student admissions decisions. Some have predicted that members of the high court will overturn well-established precedent and eliminate the important tool of affirmative action, which provides an equal playing field for all people seeking to access higher education.

It occurs to me that Steve Hayward could easily draw on his knowledge of the university scene to supply us with our Daily Doublethink if he were so inclined. It might even help prepare us for continued rule by Democrats.

STEVE adds: I note that the author ID at the end of the article reads Tirien Steinbach is an attorney who has served as associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at Stanford Law School. . . (Boldface added.) Does this past-perfect tense indicate that she has been let go from Stanford? Inquiring minds want to know.

Meanwhile, everyone expected that wed get the Harvard/UNC decision handed down today, but it didnt happen. Looks like Thursday (along with the student loan forgiveness case, and the wedding planner case). But universities everywhere are already indicating their intent to defy whatever the Court says about affirmative action admissions. Heres a recent note from Notre Damenote that theyve pre-written a response based on the supposition that somewhere in the Courts opinion there will be a pro-forma nod to diversity:

And Stanfords embattled president has signaled the same thing:

Doublethink indeed.
Sweden is the country that American leftists used to love. But the Swedes recognized the error of their socialist ways some time ago, and at the rate things are going, they might one day be the darlings of the American right. Reuters headlines: Swedish parliament passes new energy target, easing way for new nuclear power.

Swedens parliament on Tuesday adopted a new energy target, giving the right-wing government the green light to push forward with plans to build new nuclear plants in a country that voted 40 years ago to phase out atomic power. Changing the target to 100% fossil-free electricity, from 100% renewable is key to the governments plan to meet an expected doubling of electricity demand to around 300 TwH by 2040 and reach net zero emissions by 2045.

If the concern is carbon dioxide emissions, there is no rational objection to nuclear energy. And, unlike wind and solar, nuclear power actually works.

Sweden already gets hardly any of its electricity from fossil fuels: 98% comes from hydro, nuclear and wind. Replacing that inefficient wind power with nuclear makes perfect sense.

Via Watts Up With That?, which adds this from Net Zero Watch:

The Swedish decision is an important step in the right direction, implicitly acknowledging the low quality of unstable wind and solar, and is part of a general collapse of confidence in the renewable energy agenda pioneered in the Nordic countries and in Germany.

As I have said many times: if you are not concerned about carbon dioxide emissions, burn as much natural gas and coal as possible. If you are concerned about CO2 emissions, the only sane energy source (along with whatever modest amounts of hydro may be available) is nuclear.
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / EnbridgeAs a Jamaican-Canadian and first-generation law student, entering the legal profession seemed financially insurmountable for Joshua Wallace.Now poised to graduate next year from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, Wallace cites the Enbridge Legal Services group's financial and mentorship support as instrumental in his academic journey."For countless diverse students, including myself, Enbridge has facilitated our process of assimilation to the legal community while fostering a space that valued our unique identities and perspectives," says Wallace, one of two recipients in 2022 of the Enbridge Award for Black Law Students.Joshua's journey reflects the Enbridge view that talent development is a long-term investment starting at the high school and university levels.In 2021, the Diversity, Equity Inclusion (DE I) council of Enbridge's Legal Services group developed a mentorship program for Black and Indigenous first-year law students in schools across Ontario."It's a wonderful experience to mentor students who come from humble beginnings, haven't had a lawyer in their family, don't have a network," says Guri Pannu, Senior Legal Counsel at Enbridge, who recently discussed the initiative on CTV's This Hour program."Some of these students are now working at the biggest law firms in the country." The Legal Mentorship Program welcomed a cohort of 15 students in its inaugural 2022-23 year. Each was assigned an Enbridge lawyer as a mentor while also receiving group mentorship and guidance throughout their first year of law school.The program will be expanded to Alberta for the 2023-24 scholastic year.The program is the brainchild of Luanda Campbell, campus recruitment advisor in Enbridge's Human Resources and Talent Acquisition team, for whom the initiative is a passion informed by past trauma and the injustice her child experienced at an impressionable age.During that recent CTV's This Hour discussion on race and racism, Luanda recounted the racial profiling she experienced when Toronto police mistakenly raided the home she shared with her mother and then-four-year-old daughter."They were searching for a suspect in a crime, and we got targeted as the only black family in the neighborhood," says Campbell, describing the experience as " terrifying." Sharing this account with Enbridge colleagues in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy provided the initial spark for Campbell to establish the mentorship program with colleagues Stephanie Lovering and Megan Smith."Luanda's vulnerability has shown me the need for programs like this that actively reach into the community, offer support and find talent," says Lovering."I would say to our students that nobody should have to go through these experiences, or through trauma; but we can use that to help make positive change for others," says Campbell.Poignantly, Campbell saw how an ordeal early in life inspired her own daughter to drive positive change and tolerance though pursuing her own legal career."In her (law school) application letter she stated the reason she wanted to pursue a career in law was to be a voice and advocate for those who are voiceless and can't advocate for themselves," she says."It was a powerful moment for me as her mother, to see things coming full circle." A cohort of 15 students took part in the inaugural 2022-23 season of Enbridge's Legal Mentorship Program, established by Enbridge campus recruitment advisor Luanda Campbell, center.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: EnbridgeWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/enbridge Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Enbridge
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / GenGen Blog | CommunityBy Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Government AffairsThis month, the Gen family of brands, including Norton, Avast and more, joins millions around the world recognizing Pride month. This is a time to memorialize the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and those who have lost their lives due to hate crimes, commemorate the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on our collective history, celebrate the progress made in the fight for equality and reaffirm our commitment to support LGBTQ+ rights.Gen + The Trevor ProjectWe are excited to announce our new partnership with The Trevor Project, the leading organization working to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. and beyond. The nonprofit operates several programs to help prevent and respond to the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, who are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying.According to the most recent data from the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than half of LGBTQ+-identifying students have experienced cyberbullying at some point during their lifetimes. In addition, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior survey has consistently found that queer students, including transgender and non-binary students, are more than twice as likely than their heterosexual peers to be bullied online.To combat these trends, Gen is teaming up with The Trevor Project to bolster the organization's TrevorSpace platform, an affirming online community for 400,000 LGBTQ+ young people to safely share interests and make connections. Gen is also supporting the creation of an educational resource that speaks to how LGBTQ+ young people can stay safe online and how we can all promote more inclusive and welcoming digital spaces. We look forward to providing more details on this initiative over the next year.Gen Team Pride Month ActivationsDuring Pride month, Gen will co-host an employee Lunch & Learn with our PROUD employee resource group (ERG) and The Trevor Project. Gen teams will learn more about the urgency of The Trevor Project's mission, get access to the latest data and insights on LGBTQ+ mental health and hear more about how support and affirmation for the LGBTQ+ community is crucial year-round.Gen and PROUD will also host our third annual all-employee virtual Pride Parade, featuring a guest speaker from The Trevor Project.Additionally, PROUD plans to offer a TED Talk discussion while WONDER, our women-focused ERG, is running an #IamRemarkable workshop on intersectionality.The Social Impact team has set up an #AllInThisTogether Pride Challenge in our Giving Hub, hosted by Benevity, so that employees can learn, share and participate by taking actions each week to support LGBTQ+ people at Gen and in our community during Pride Month. Employees that complete the challenge will receive a reward to donate to their favorite cause. Employees will also get the chance to learn more about our corporate nonprofit partners - The Trevor Project, Out & Equal, and The Pride Forum in Czechia - and give to these and other causes supporting LGBTQ+ communities and vetted by our PROUD ERG.These June activations are complemented by two recent employee training co-hosted with Out & Equal. The organization is renowned for its work to make the world's workplaces as inclusive as possible for LGBTQ+ professionals. Out & Equal provided resources at the Nonbinary & Beyond training focused on pronoun usage and other nonbinary allyship topics. An additional training, on Intersectional Allyship at Work, took place to help employees develop a greater understanding of their own dimensions of diversity, learn what "intersectionality" is and expand their own capacity for allyship, through interactive and dynamic group exercises.While we are happy to be celebrating Pride this June, we focus on equality year-round at Gen. We will continue to partner with high-impact nonprofits and will work within our own company walls to promote LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Gen on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: GenWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gen Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Gen
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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSXV:CRE)(OTCQX:CRECF)(FSE:F12) ("Critical Elements" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Nancy Duquet-Harvey as Senior Director of Sustainable Development and Environment.Ms. Duquet-Harvey holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia and a Mining Engineering Technician from the Haileybury School of Mines. Ms. Duquet-Harvey brings to the Company extensive environment experience at mining operations and obtaining environmental permits in northern Canada and Nunavut. She has over 25 years' experience in environmental studies, environmental monitoring and working closely with local aboriginal groups. She has contributed to the successful implementation of numerous environmental programs at several mining companies, including Agnico Eagle - Nunavut, Alamos Gold - Young-Davidson, Kirkland Lake Gold - Macassa Mine, New Britannia Mine - Manitoba and Kinross Gold - Macassa Mine, Bell Creek Mill.Yves Perron, Vice President Engineering, Construction and Reliability, said: "I am proud to announce the arrival of a new member of the team of Critical Elements Lithium Corporation. We welcome Ms. Duquet-Harvey as Senior Director of Sustainable Development and Environment. She will implement high environmental standards and support the engineering and construction team in the permit application process for the Rose Lithium-Tantalum project. She will also strengthen the team already in place and she will be one of the leaders to drive our Company towards environmental excellence and making this project a success." It is important to note that Critical Elements' Rose project is one of the most advanced hard-rock lithium projects in North America. It has in place:The Pikhuutaau Agreement, a complete Impact and Benefits Agreement for development, signed with the Cree governments in July 2019;The favourable decision of the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change rendered in August 2021;The approval by the Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests of the rehabilitation and restoration plan concerning the Project in May 2022; andThe receipt of the Certificate of Authorization pursuant to section 164 of Quebec's Environment Quality Act from the Minister in November 2022.The Corporation anticipates receipt of the Project's Mining Lease in the near future, which will be another important step closer to making a final investment decision for the Project.About Critical Elements Lithium CorporationCritical Elements aspires to become a large, responsible supplier of lithium to the flourishing electric vehicle and energy storage system industries. To this end, Critical Elements is advancing the wholly owned, high purity Rose lithium project in Quebec, the Corporation's first lithium project to be advanced within a land portfolio of over 1,050 square kilometers. On June 13th, 2022, the Corporation announced results of a feasibility study on Rose for the production of spodumene concentrate. The after-tax internal rate of return for the Project is estimated at 82.4%, with an estimated after-tax net present value of US$1.9 B at an 8% discount rate. In the Corporation's view, Quebec is strategically well-positioned for US and EU markets and boasts good infrastructure including a low-cost, low-carbon power grid featuring 94% hydroelectricity. The project has received approval from the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the recommendation of the Joint Assessment Committee, comprised of representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Cree Nation Government and also received the Certificate of Authorization pursuant to section 164 of Quebec's Environment Quality Act from the Quebec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.For further information, please contact:Patrick LaperriereDirector of Investor Relations and Corporate Development514-817-1119plaperriere@ cecorp.ca Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, P. Geo.Chief Executive Officer819-354-5146jslavallee@ cecorp.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is described in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statementsThis news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian Securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "scheduled", "anticipates", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to the permitting process. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. 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 information.Although Critical Elements has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the final outcome of the permitting process and the Corporation's ability to meet all conditions imposed thereunder, uncertainties with respect to social, community and environmental impacts, uncertainties with respect to optimization opportunities for the Rose Project, as well as those risk factors set out in the Corporation's most recent quarter ended Management Discussion and Analysis dated February 28, 2023 and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation's SEDAR profile. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and Critical Elements disclaims any obligation to update any forward-l
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-27 14:45:37

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Drilling highlights from the first two diamond drill holes include2:32.1 metres of 17.67% Mn from 106m including 4.3m of 44.47% Mn from 110.6m34.9 metres of 21.19% Mn from 59.9m including 6.1m of 43.42% Mn from 66.0m13 of the intercepts assayed above 40% Mn (51.6% MnO).TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) is pleased to announce first assay results of the inaugural drill program at the high-grade Emily Manganese Project ("Emily Project"), Minnesota, USA. The Emily Project is located in the Cuyuna Iron Range of central Minnesota, USA (Figure 1), an area with a rich mining history and support from established local infrastructure, a skilled mining workforce and abundant power and gas.Figure 1. The Emily Project is part of the Emily District of the Cuyuna Iron Range in Crow Wing CountyDrill core has been logged, sampled and forwarded to the ALS laboratory, Reno, Nevada, for analyses. Assay results of samples from the initial two diamond drill holes, 23001A and 23002A, have been received from ALS, as reported below.1 EML reports assayed manganese, not manganese oxide (MnO). For reference, 48.5% Mn converts to 62.6% MnO.2 Intervals shown are drilled widths.Each drill hole intersected intervals of more than 30m of high-grade manganese oxides plus iron mineralization3 with average manganese content of more than 17% Mn (22% MnO). Each hole also included zones with manganese grades exceeding 40% Mn (51.6% MnO). Data is summarized in Table 1.The two drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2 and a cross section displaying geology and assay intervals is provided in Figure 3.Table 1. Averaged assay data highlights for drill holes 23001A and 23002A at the Emily Manganese Project4.Figure 2. Location of drill holes NSM 23001A and NSM 23002A showing Emily Manganese Project area, manganese host rock (Emily Iron Formation) and locations of section in Figures 3.3 Mineralogy of manganese oxides include manganite, braunite, cryptolomene, hollandite, jacobsite, and pyrolusite, and iron mineralogy include hematite and goethite.4 Assaying undertaken by ALS (Reno, NV) included a 23-element suite (ME-XRF21). High manganese samples (>25% Mn) were re-assayed using ME ICP81.Figure 3. Cross section A'-B' (refer Figure 2) at the Emily Manganese Project showing drill hole traces of 23001A (NSM-001) and 23002A (NSM-02), with manganese contents in assayed intervals and geology.Figure 4. Manganite-pyrolusite mineralized drill core (48.5% Mn) in 23001A (113.7 metres).This initial EML drilling program was designed to test and confirm historic drilling by U.S. Steel, Pickands Mather and others from the 1930s and in particular, U.S. Steel's 1959 designed West Ruth Lake Mine' which targeted 24,012,200 tons of ore @ 15.29% Mn and 23.38% Fe (refer NI 43-101 Report by Brad M. Dunn (CPG), Barr Engineering Company, December 5, 2022)5.5 This report can be accessed at https://www.sedar.com EML, operating under its wholly owned Minnesotan subsidiary, North Star Manganese, plans to drill approximately 30 holes in the current drill program and is anticipating completion of this stage of work in late summer 2023.All of the 2023 drill information will be added into the Emily Manganese geologic model which will then form the basis for an updated resource estimate, which will be completed by the end of the year. Colorado-based Forte Dynamics Inc. have been appointed to undertake the updated NI 43-101 Technical Report, Resource Estimate, with an initial site visit scheduled for later this month.Gary Lewis, EML Group CEO commented, "Our team is encouraged by the high-grade and thick intersections of the first two drill holes which have both intersected prominent +40% manganese intervals. These are world-class intercepts, of the like not seen outside of Southern Africa." "Both holes are located in the eastern portion of the West Ruth Lake area of U.S. Steel's 1959 study. Our drilling is re-testing the eastern portion of the historic resource area and will step-out towards the west to cover much of the U.S. Steel study area." "Electric Metals has secured the prospective lands into a coherent package, and we are now able to fully evaluate the extent of the deposit. We look forward to reporting further assay results as they come to hand." Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Ian James Pringle PhD, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.About Electric Metals (USA) LimitedElectric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML) (OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate, with over US$26 million invested to date. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic U.S. producer of high-purity, high-value manganese metal and chemical products for supply to U.S. energy, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders. In addition, the Company owns and operates the Corcoran Silver-Gold Project and the Belmont Silver Project in Nevada, with the former also having been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For further Information please contact:Gary Lewis, Group CEO & Director: (647) 846 5299 - gl@ electricmetals.com Caution Regarding Forward-Looking InformationCertain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not histor
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-27 21:55:52

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Entergy CorporationA few years ago, Mississippi celebrated its bicentennial and this year Entergy Mississippi, formerly Mississippi Power & Light, recognizes our 100th anniversary. Our company has been a part of this state's journey for almost half of its life.We have been here for some of the most remarkable moments in our state's - and the world's - history. Entergy Mississippi has been alongside our state at its very best:Keeping a fan circulating to cool off B.B. King as he learned to heat up a guitar in the middle of a Mississippi Delta Summer.Powering electrical surgical equipment for the world's first heart transplant at University Mississippi Medical Center.Energizing stadium lights for Jackson State's Walter Payton as he launched a Hall of Fame career.Illuminating a desk light for Eudora Welty as she wrote her Pulitzer Prize winner.We've been here during some of the most difficult and tragic times, too. I can imagine that as Medgar and Myrlie Evers were pioneering the civil rights movement in Mississippi, we were there with them. We kept electricity flowing as air conditioning cooled an auditorium where Medgar organized civil rights boycotts and as kitchen appliances in their home produced meals to sustain their bodies and minds while they advocated for their neighbors and worked to change the world.Because of Medgar EversWe can't tell Mississippi's history - or learn from it - without the Evers family. The National Park Service recently designated their family home as a National Monument during the "Voices of Courage and Justice Festivities" which commemorated the 60th anniversary of Medgar Evers' assassination at his home on June 12, 1963. Courage and justice indeed. I can think of no one else as courageous and passionate about bringing equality and justice for all Mississippians than Medgar and Myrlie Evers.Entergy has contributed to this noble undertaking, but our contribution actually originated from Medgar Evers himself.Because of the work of Medgar Evers, those locked out of the voting booth in Mississippi were able to join the political process and begin changing laws.Because of the work of Medgar Evers, Mississippi companies began responding to those laws and hiring more people that looked like Medgar Evers.Because of the work of Medgar Evers, those same people began to influence the policies and practices of Mississippi companies.And because of the work of Medgar Evers, those Mississippi companies began contributing their resources to more diverse and disadvantaged communities in our state.I am profoundly humbled that Entergy Mississippi is part of this important and historic project. It's something that would have been unheard of in this state 60 years ago without the work of Medgar Evers.Medgar Evers' life and legacy has come full circle. Yes, just last week we stood on the grounds of what is now a National Monument to dedicate a house. But really, we were honoring the home that Medgar Evers laid the foundation for in this state with his own two hands. It is a beautiful and spacious home, made of equality and justice, that is open to all. For generations to come, may all who walk through its doors take a moment to honor its builder.Advancing the Evers' legacyOver the last century, Entergy and its employees have been here to volunteer, bring jobs to Mississippi, sponsor cultural pursuits, offer a helping hand, provide a strong voice for progress and be leaders in the communities we serve.We continue to lift up our communities today as a proud partner with the Trust for Public Land and the National Park Service to preserve the legacy of Medgar and Myrlie Evers and honor their contribution to our nation's continued progress toward racial justice and equity.Our $100,000 contribution is made possible through Entergy's Social Justice and Equity Fund, which advances social justice and equity for historically underserved communities across Entergy's service territory. The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is the second major grant awarded through the fund and the first in Mississippi.The fund supports organizations that foster diversity, equity and inclusion through civic engagement and education, as well as support for initiatives that advance economic mobility and equity for individuals from historically underserved communities.The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home is a landmark of national importance. Its preservation will enable current and future generations to learn about the civil rights movement and its heroes like Medgar and Myrlie Evers who dedicated their lives to creating a more just and equitable society for all.On behalf of the 2,500 Entergy employees who live and work in Mississippi and all our employees throughout the region, we are honored to support the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in its mission to "educate, empower and inspire every American to stand up, get involved and join together to create a better life for all." Myrlie Evers and others look on as Haley Fisackerly speaks at the grand opening dedicating the Evers' home as a National Monument.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Entergy CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-27 21:31:47

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Originally published on bloomberg.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Gender identity should be celebrated, not challenged.Imagine a world where your identity subjected you to frequent discrimination and violence, and, should your mental health suffer because of either, your access to care is limited.Despite progress over the years, these scenarios are still common occurrences for LGBTQ+ individuals across the globe. If recent news reports aren't any indication, the data and stories we've collected are.As gender identity continues to be challenged worldwide, we're stepping up our support at Bloomberg to stand with LGBTQ+ communities, and we invite you to join us - not only during Pride Month, but every day by activating allyship.Take the first step by educating yourself on gender identity and how LGBTQ+ identities are under threat as you start your journey to be a better ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The learning never ends.Because everyone should have equal access to thrive - regardless of gender identity.What is gender identity?GLAAD defines gender identity as "one's internal sense of self and their gender, whether that is man, woman, neither or both." Gender identity and gender expression (how one presents their gender outwardly) are fundamental aspects of human identity and can take many different forms.(For a comprehensive guide to gender identity, see here.)A global look at what comes with owning your gender identitySince the Stonewall Uprising, we've seen a lot of progress for LGBTQ+ rights. However, we've also seen regression, especially in the last year. To authentically support the global LGBTQ+ community, there must be an understanding of what they're experiencing.DiscriminationDiscrimination is all too common for LGBTQ+ individuals. Plus, in many countries - including the U.S. - the reports of discrimination rise among LGBTQ+ people of color.More than one in three trans people (34%) reported being discriminated against due to their gender identity when visiting a cafe, restaurant, bar, or nightclub in the last year. (EMEA)The ACLU issued a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans following 75+ state-level anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law in 2023. (The Americas)Japan approved a bill on promoting understanding' of the LGBTQ+ community, but critics of the bill condemn the watered-down version that passed. (APAC)Half of LGBTQ+ workers report experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment over the last year because of their gender identity. (The Americas)ViolenceLGBTQ+ communities have seen an uptick in violence against the backdrop of charged anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.LGBTQ+ individuals are 9x more likely than non-LGBTQ+ individuals to be victims of violent hate crimes. (The Americas)40% of LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced gender-based violence (APAC)An overwhelming majority of transgender individuals in the UK (88%) did not report hate crimes, despite being the most targeted group. (EMEA)Mental healthAround the world, LGBTQ+ individuals have an increased risk in mental health challenges due to stigma-based discrimination, according to an NIH study of 13 countries. Unfortunately, even access to mental healthcare also comes with added barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals.56% of LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13 to 24) who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. (The Americas)Over one in eight LGBTQ+ people have experienced unequal treatment from healthcare staff because of their gender identity. (EMEA)Gender and sexuality in mental health: perspectives on lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) rights and mental health in the ASEAN region (APAC)With gender identity rights under threat worldwide, what can you do to help?Activate allyshipSupport the LGBTQ+ community by being an authentic ally.What is allyship? Allyship is a way to encourage inclusivity in the places we all live and work. While an ally isn't necessarily a member of an underrepresented group, they take positive action to support diverse groups.This Pride Month, celebrate progress for LGBTQ+ rights and continue to advocate for progress so individuals worldwide feel empowered - and safe - in their gender identity.10 ways to practice allyshipBe an activist: Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in legislation and policy.Avoid making assumptions about one's gender identity or asking intrusive questions.Stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ by centering their voices in and out of the workplace.Expand your reading list to better understand and empathize with LGBTQ+ experiences.Learn and use inclusive language, including terms related to gender - and include pronouns in your email signatures, social media profiles, and virtual events profiles.Invest in supporting transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary communities that address basic needs such as poverty, unemployment, and health care.A large percentage of the LGBTQ+ community has experienced homelessness. Prioritize supporting organizations that enable access to safe and affordable housing.Hold yourself accountable for mistakes like forgetting one's pronouns, chosen name, or gender identity.Stay committed and ask yourself and others "what are my next steps" and "how will I keep myself on track" so your allyship is active and avoids being performative.Have humility by accepting that, even as you continue to listen and understand, you may make mistakes.Bloomberg's commitment to allyshipAt Bloomberg, we're committed to affirming LGBTQ+ identity and tackling issues these communities face so our employees feel safe, know they're valued, and are empowered to shape our culture of inclusion.We hold ourselves accountable for being part of the solution through action and open dialogue. Bloomberg is among the more than 75 large U.S. companies that signed on to the Count Us In Pledge to stand proudly and publicly as LGBTQ+ allies, while calling on lawmakers to end all discriminatory attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. Some steps we've taken at Bloomberg include hosting global LGBTQ+ programming focused on inequality, advocacy, and intersectionality year-round. We also provide access to our enhanced allyship training program, which consists of an internal transgender allyship module (developed in partnership with the Bloomberg LGBT and Ally Community). We also made it easy for employees to add their pronouns to their profiles on the Bloomberg Terminal.Furthermore, to complement our unwavering commitment to inclusion, our employees have access to world-class benefits, including gende
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White papers on smart home IoT devices and securing the industrial IoT market now availableBOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / GMO GlobalSign Inc. ( https://www.globalsign.com/en) , a global Certificate Authority (CA) and leading provider of identity security, digital signing and IoT solutions today announced the availability of two new white papers. Written in collaboration with ABI Research, the white papers "Smart Home IoT Devices Require Secure Network Architecture" and "Securing the Industrial IoT Market" can now be downloaded from our website.A white paper by ABI Research Director Michela Menting, "Securing the Industrial IoT Market" discusses how this market is undergoing a transformation using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, digital twins and robotics, leading to a booming growth of Industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies. The paper also identifies the primary Internet networking approaches expected for industrial settings, and also lays out primary connectivity needs in the top industrial markets. The paper concludes by recommending Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) as a critical technology for securing the industrial Internet and its benefits for industrial organizations. A free copy of the paper can be found here.In addition, a white paper by ABI Research's Research Director Jonathon Collins, "Smart Home IoT Devices Require Secure Network Architecture," discusses the many facets of smart homes, delving into subjects such as energy management, physical security, healthcare, home appliances as well as smart home network architectures. The paper also focuses on the need for companies to leverage digital certificates to enable a wide variety of security capabilities. Information is also shared regarding authentication and access control, privacy and confidentiality and integrity. Click here to obtain a free copy of this paper."Digital certificates are well-suited for securing the identity of IoT devices, since the technology behind certificates, Public Key Infrastructure, allows for increased visibility of smart home devices and their connectivity to external assets and applications," said Martin Lowry, IoT Product Manager, GlobalSign. "For a secure industrial Internet, companies need to consider that identities for millions of industrial devices is necessary. With unique identities, operators can build security policies starting with authentication and access control, and then extend to monitoring, threat detection, and lifecycle management. Whether you are dealing with a smart home device offering, or an IIoT project, PKI forms the core of device identity, allowing for product differentiation, increased visibility, fraud prevention and attack reduction." About GMO GlobalSignAs one of the world's most deeply-rooted certificate authorities, GMO GlobalSign is the leading provider of trusted identity and security solutions enabling businesses, large enterprises, cloud-based service providers, and IoT innovators worldwide to conduct secure online communications, manage millions of verified digital identities and automate authentication and encryption. Its high-scale Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and identity solutions support the billions of services, devices, people, and things comprising the IoT. GMO GlobalSign is a subsidiary of GMO GlobalSign Holdings, Inc, a member of the Japan-based GMO Internet Group, has offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit https://www.globalsign.com Media Relations ContactAmy KrigmanDirector of Public Relations - West RegionPhone: 603-570-7060Email: amy.krigman@globalsign.com SOURCE: GlobalSign
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The Ray, in partnership with the Biomimicry Institute, today published an innovative regenerative-design study addressing some of the most critical challenges in the U.S. transportation and mobility sector, including safety, congestion, emissions, and waste streams. Biomimicry on The Ray findings suggest that solutions to thesechallenges can be improved upon and informed by designs that are observable in nature.Biomimicry leverages nature's "big picture" design frameworks and processes to influence human engineering and design. Biomimicry on The Ray identifies biomimetic and bio-inspired technologies that have not yet scaled in use or funding in infrastructure, and provides regenerative design solutions that align with The Ray's goal of achieving net-zero in transportation. By mimicking the resilient capabilities of natural systems, The Ray can consider new infrastructure concepts and projects that minimize environmental impact and promote efficient, sustainable technologies within transportation.For example, insect sensing and self-organization functions can inform efficiencies in connected vehicle (V2X) technology by creating mathematical optimization processes that provide drivers with real-time information on the best resources available for battery charging, fuel, or other services. Incorporating synthetically biomineralized materials into infrastructure projects, mimicking the design patterns of stony coral, can capture and sequester transportation carbon emissions as well as reduce the waste streams of carbon dioxide that come from the production of traditional cement. In fact, the nation's newest advanced research program, ARPA-I, has identified bio-inspired road materials as a promising area of infrastructure research, development and investment, and highlighted North Carolina-based Biomason during its White House launch event this month.To prevent erosion, reduce flood risk, and filter particulates, The Ray can take inspiration from the North American Beaver to create self-renewing processes for filtering and recapturing tire particles and other toxic materials from roadway runoff."The Ray's three primary goals are zero deaths, zero waste, and zero carbon," said Harriet Langford, founder of The Ray. "What better example do we have than nature to mimic? Biomimicry provides a lens of how we can use nature's solutions to work in harmony with the built environment." The study also includes an inventory of regenerative advancements and social innovation initiatives that can be made using biomimicry."Nature is the only model we have for designing regeneratively and has been conducting R&D for billions of years," said Deborah Bidwell, the Biomimicry Team's education manager and biology research facilitator with the College of Charleston. "We want to encourage the growing community of biomimicry practitioners - as well as communities, corporations, and local and state governments - to consider the role that living laboratories like The Ray play as amplifiers of nature-based regenerative innovations and holistic sustainable design solutions." The Biomimicry Research ProcessBiomimicry on The Ray was an 18-month study that used a multi-phase approach to support the net-zero mission of The Ray. The study started with a three-month scoping initiative that involved interviewing internal and external stakeholders, and reviewing The Ray's publications, articles, and strategic planning documents to identify areas of focus. The Ray's staff and Board completed a 15-week professional biomimicry training to understand the biomimicry design methodology in-depth. As a result, The Ray is now uniquely positioned to engage with and implement high-level biomimetic practices."Biomimicry offers us the ultimate source of hope for the future, by drawing upon the natural world's boundless innovations and limitless possibilities," said Asha Singhal, Co-founder of the Futuring Collective, Lead Designer and Researcher of Hybrid Futures. "It is through the lens of nature's wisdom that we can envision a world where our technological advancements are in harmony with the planet, and where hope is not just a distant dream, but a tangible reality." Read the full report here.About The RayThe Ray is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity and net-zero highway testbed, located on 18 miles of Interstate 85 between Lagrange, Georgia and the Georgia-Alabama state line. This stretch of interstate is named in memory of Ray C. Anderson (1934-2011), a Georgia native recognized as a leader in green business when he challenged his company, Interface, Inc., to pursue a zero environmental footprint. Our mission is to reimagine how we connect our communities, our lives and the world in a way that is safer, more responsive to the climate, more regenerative to theenvironment, and more capable of creating economic opportunity through innovative ideas and technologies that will transform transportation infrastructure. The Ray Highway is paving the way for a zero carbon, zero waste, zero deaths highway system that will build a safer and more prosperous future for us all. Learn more at www.TheRay.org About the Biomimicry InstituteThe Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2006 that empowers people to seek nature-inspired solutions for a healthy planet. To advance the solution process, the Institute offers AskNature.org , a free online tool that contains strategies found in nature and examples of ways they are used in design. It also hosts a Biomimicry Global Design Challenge and Youth Design Challenge to support project-based education; a BiomimicryLaunchpad startup accelerator program; a Ray of Hope Prize for developing companies to bring designs to market; and a Biomimicry Global Network that connects innovators across the world. Learn more at https://biomimicry.org The Biomimicry TeamAsha Singhal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asha-singhal/ McCall Langford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mccalllangfordbmy/ Deborah Bidwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-bidwell-76219b11/ Rich Altherr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richaltherr/ MEDIA CONTACTDallen McLemore, Communications Specialist, The Ray229.449.6168 | dallen@ theray.org | @TheRayHighwayView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Ray C. Anderson Foundation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Ray C. Anderson FoundationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/ray-c-anderson-foundation Email: info@3blmedia.
Today is primary day. This years primary races are all local and early voting is over.

Because some elected positions represent predominantly Democratic or Republican districts, primary races may play a greater role in determining who will represent residents than the general election in November.

What to watch for on primary day The outcomes of multiple races will serve as barometers for where voters from the Democratic, Republican and minor parties are headed politically going into the 2024 election cycle.

A change in state law that makes it easy for candidates registered with one party to change their affiliation and qualify for primary races that they would normally be ineligible to run in has added to the political messiness and high number of contested local races this year.

Polls in both Erie and Niagara counties open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Visit the Erie and Niagara board of elections websites to find your polling place and get copies of a sample ballot.

Heres a quick overview of many of the primary races by community in Erie and Niagara counties:

City primaries

Buffalo: Five Common Council races for the Ellicott, Lovejoy, Masten, North and University districts feature Democratic primaries.

Among the most contested, four Democratic candidates are running for the Ellicott seat being vacated by Common Council President Darius G. Pridgen, who is not seeking another term for the seat he has held for the last 12 years.

The Masten District race features two of the citys most high-profile women  Democrats Zeneta B. Everhart and India B. Walton. In 2021, Walton ran against Mayor Byron Brown.

And Joseph Golombek Jr., the Councils longest-serving member, faces a tough challenge from longtime schoolteacher Eve Shippens in the Democratic primary for the North District seat. Golombek, a 24-year council veteran, hasnt had a challenger in a primary election since 2011.

Lackawanna: Conservative Party primary for mayor between Dragan Stojkovski and Robert A. Reese.

City of Tonawanda: Democratic primary for Common Council president and Democratic primary for 2nd Ward councilmember. There is an interesting fight for Common Council president between incumbent Jenna N. Koch and endorsed Democratic challenger Mary Ann Cancilla.

Voting guide: 2023 primary election Early voting for 2023 primary races runs through Sunday, June 25. Primary Day is Tuesday, June 27. For a list of times and sites for voting, v

Niagara Falls: Three-way Democratic primary for Niagara Falls mayor and five Democratic candidates vying for two council seats. Incumbent Mayor Robert M. Restaino is fighting for a second term with challenges from Demetrius T. Nix and Glenn A. Choolokian.

Lockport: Republican Party primaries for 3rd Ward and 5th Ward aldermen. There is also a Working Families primary for alderman at large.

North Tonawanda: Republican primaries for 1st Ward alderman and 2nd Ward alderman.

County Legislature primaries

Erie County: Conservative and Republican primaries, featuring the same two candidates in the 10th District; and a Conservative primary for the 4th District seat. There is an aggressive and expensive 10th District showdown between six-month incumbent Jim Malczewski and challenger Lindsay Bratek-Lorigo.

Niagara County: Conservative Party primary for 6th District and Working Families Party primary for 13th District.

Town primaries  Erie

Alden: Two Republican candidates, Colleen M. Pautler and Alecia Barrett, are running to become supervisor. There are also Republican and Conservative primaries for town board.

Amherst: The only Amherst primary features a Conservative faceoff for highways superintendent to replace outgoing Superintendent Patrick G. Lucey Jr.

Cheektowaga: Two Democratic candidates vying for highways superintendent.

Evans: A Conservative Party primary featuring two candidates for supervisor, resulting in some Conservative backlash.

Grand Island: Republican primary for two candidates in a contentious race for in the supervisors seat, Deputy Supervisor Peter Marston Jr. and Conservative-endorsed Mike Madigan. Three Republican candidates are also vying for two seats on the Town Board. Grand Island also has a Working Families primary for town clerk.

Marilla: Republican primaries featuring two candidates each for supervisor and clerk.

Newstead: Democratic, Conservative and Working Families races for town justice.

Orchard Park: A three-way Republican primary, including the incumbent, for two town board seats, a rarity in Orchard Park.

Town of Tonawanda: A Conservative primary for town board.

Wales: Three Republican candidates are facing off for seats on the town board.

West Seneca: Republican and Conservative races for town justice.

Town primaries  Niagara

Republican primaries for supervisor exist in the towns of Hartland and Lockport. Both towns, as well as the Town of Lewiston, also feature town board races.

Lockport and Newfane also feature primaries for town justice.
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SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The DBOE (DeFi Board Options Exchange) proudly welcomes James Harris as an advisor, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of decentralised options trading. With an impressive background in traditional finance and cryptocurrency, Harris is poised to fortify the project's industry connections, establish partnerships with institutions, venture capitalists, and investors, and position DBOE as a leading player in the field.DBOE stands as a secure and capital-efficient platform, set to revolutionise custodial services through decentralised option trading. Since its establishment in 2022, DBOE has been committed to addressing the challenge of over-collateralisation within the DeFi environment, driving enhanced capital efficiency and fostering broader adoption of DeFi in everyday transactions.James Harris's ProfileJames Harris offers a profound depth of expertise, underpinned by a distinguished career that spans significant roles at renowned financial institutions, including Citi and Standard Chartered Bank. His leadership and strategic acumen were further refined during his tenure at Diginex, where he served as Head of Custody following its 2019 acquisition of Altairian Capital, a digital asset manager / custodian he co-founded.Since 2020, Harris has served as the Commercial Director at CCData (formerly known as CryptoCompare), a globally recognised provider of cryptocurrency market data. Under Harris's commercial leadership, CCData has seen substantial growth in data and index revenues over a span of just three years. Furthermore, Harris has been instrumental in establishing a robust redistribution network in partnership with industry leaders such as LSEG Data, Xignite, and SIX.In recognition of his industry knowledge and thought leadership, Harris is a sought-after speaker at both TradFi and digital asset conferences and events, and regularly appears on platforms and podcasts to share insights into digital asset market data and services.DBOE Surges Forward with Advisor James HarrisDBOE acknowledges the significant value James Harris brings as an advisor. His role will be to utilise his extensive network and industry knowledge to establish connections with institutional entities, venture capitalists, and investors, ensuring DBOE's alignment with industry standards and success within the financial ecosystem.Harris commends DBOE's commitment to providing a secure, capital-efficient platform for decentralised option trading and its innovative approach to addressing the over-collateralisation challenge in the DeFi space. He is looking forward to contributing his expertise to drive DBOE's success.With Harris and other industry experts as advisors, DBOE is poised for growth, forging partnerships and driving revenue. Traders can anticipate a seamless experience with decentralised, secure, and efficient options trading aligned with Web3 principles.The DBOE Exchange, set to launch in the middle of 2023, offers easy decentralising trading and safe risk management of Crypto options to users worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of DeFi trading sector.Press ContactName: Anne Vu - Public RelationsMobile: (65) 8878 8589Email: inbox@ dboe.io Website: https://dboe.exchange SOURCE: DeFi Board Options Exchange (DBOE)
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KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Katie Ireland, an industry-leading packaging expert with more than two decades of experience across iconic global brands including Starbucks, Kellogg, Ford Motor Company, Unilever, and Hershey has joined CRB as a senior packaging engineer. For CRB - one of the world's top providers of engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions for food and beverage clients - Ireland's arrival bolsters clients seeking holistic packaging, equipment and line design that maximizes a product's shelf life, safety, ease of use and marketing appeal."In an intensely competitive environment, manufacturers are more focused than ever on product packaging that's safe, simple to use and can capture consumer attention," said Jason Robertson, CRB's Vice President of Food and Beverage. "No one is more locked in on those goals than CRB, and few in this industry can match Katie's deep packaging credentials and impact. We can't wait to see what she'll do for clients." Before CRB, Ireland spent more than 10 years at Starbucks, where she led numerous global packaging solution and innovation efforts that streamlined the coffee giant's packaging lines. She led a center of excellence (CoE) equipment group that oversaw standards, specifications and governance, and she helped set asset management strategy for the company's aging plants.Before Starbucks, Ireland performed lead packaging roles at ConAgra, Kellogg Company, Ford Motor Company and Unilever. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University - one of the nation's leading institutions in the discipline - before earning her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis."Smart and sustainable package design can retain customer loyalty while reducing the amount of material used and making products easier to manufacture and designed with consumer use in mind," Ireland said. "I've spent my career tackling these critical challenges on the client side, and I'm excited to bring that unique perspective to CRB, whose culture of collaboration, client focus and technical excellence are unmatched." About CRB:CRB is a leading global provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to the life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our innovative ONEsolution service provides successful integrated project delivery for clients demanding high-quality solutions -- on time and on budget. Across 22 offices in North America and Europe, the company's nearly 1,700 employees provide world-class, technically preeminent solutions that drive success and positive change for clients and communities. See our work at crbgroup.com , and connect with us on social media here.CONTACT:Clarity Quest Marketing:877-887-7611Bonnie Quintanilla, bonnie@ clarityqst.com CRB:816-200-5234Chris Clark, chris.clark@crbgroup.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CRB on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: CRBWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/crb Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: CRB
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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 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: MedtronicWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/medtronic Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Medtronic
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MANTECA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / MTM Transit is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract with the City of Manteca to operate its comprehensive Manteca Transit system. The contract, which goes live on July 1, includes a three-year term with two additional one-year options.MTM Transit to Begin Operating Manteca TransitUnder the contract, MTM Transit will provide a wide range of transportation options on behalf of the City, including fixed route, dial-a-ride, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit. MTM Transit will also manage supplementary services for the City, such as ADA eligibility determinations, travel training, and application processing for dial-a-ride service. The City of Manteca's goals of improving vehicle maintenance, increasing ridership, enhancing data and reporting, improving customer service, and implementing route changes identified in its 2019 Short Range Transit Plan were key factors in selecting MTM Transit as the new contractor.Scott Transue, MTM Transit's Regional Vice President, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the new partnership, stating, "We are honored to have been chosen by the City of Manteca to operate its transit services. With our experience and knowledge gained through serving the local community as the provider of travel training and assessment services for the San Joaquin Regional Transportation District, we are well-positioned to deliver reliable, safe, and high-quality transportation services to Manteca residents and visitors." In addition to serving as the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA) for San Joaquin County, MTM Transit has other operations in the Central Valley area in nearby Tracy and Escalon. The company's proven track record of managing transportation programs both in California and nationally, coupled with its commitment to innovation and technology, will enable the City to effectively manage its growing transit system. The partnership will also facilitate the implementation of the City's Short Range Transit Plan, ensuring that the transportation needs of the expanding population and visitor base are met with efficiency and reliability."We look forward to working collaboratively with the City and its passengers to develop a well-rounded, excellent transit program that we can all be proud of," added MTM Transit's Chief Operating Officer Brian Balogh.MTM Transit's local team in Manteca will consist of approximately 20 employees, including management staff, vehicle operators, maintenance and utility workers, dispatchers, and a road supervisor. Operations will be based out of the existing Manteca Transit Center, allowing for a seamless transition and minimal disruption to service.Since 1995, MTM has managed NEMT for state and county governments, managed care organizations, health systems, and other programs involving transportation for the disabled, underserved, and elderly. In 2009, MTM's leadership established MTM Transit, an affiliate that provides direct paratransit and fixed route transit services. Every year, MTM and MTM Transit collectively remove community barriers for 15.4 million people by providing more than 20.75 million trips in 31 states and the District of Columbia. MTM and MTM Transit are privately held, woman-owned business enterprises.Contact InformationAshley WrightSenior Manager, Marketingawright@ mtminc.com SOURCE: MTM, Inc.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Musk Metals Corp. ("Musk Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:MUSK)(OTC PINK:EMSKF)(FSE:1I30) is pleased to announce that it has acquired two lithium properties strategically located in James Bay, Quebec.The Pontax South property consists of 105 claims covering 5,603 hectares (56 km2) and immediately adjacent to the south to Li-Ft Power Ltd.'s Pontax project which contains the most extensive Lithium anomaly within Li-Ft's Quebec portfolio. The Pontax South Property is also 60 km southwest of Stria Lithium's Pontax project and 90 km southwest of Brunswick Exploration Inc.'s Anatacau West project.All these projects are near the major NE-SW Causabiscau Shear Zone which is a sharp, steep, and deep-seated regional structure that is 50 to 200 m wide and over 160 km long, separating the Nemiscau Sedimentary Sub-Province from the La Grande Pluto-Volcanic Sub-Province. The Nemiscau Sub-Province is comprised mostly of metasediments and little greenstone belts, felsic intrusives and large masses of pegmatites.The Causabiscau Shear Zone transects the Pontax South property over 16 km, representing approximately 10% of its total length. In addition, another regional Shear Zone, oriented E-W, crosscuts the property over 6 km. Many Lithium deposits and occurrences are closely and spatially associated to shear zones, evidencing entrapment, and tend to form at or near the contact of mafic, ultramafic or amphibolite rocks which are reported at Pontax South.Figure 1: Pontax South PropertyThe Ile Interdite property consists of 20 claims covering 1,089 hectares (10.9 km2) and extends over 5 km along the Nottaway River Shear Zone, a prominent regional structure that can be followed over 200 km. Ile Interdite is near the contact between the Nemiscau Sedimentary and the Opatica Pluto-Volcanic Sub-Provinces, consisting of paragneiss and amphibolite rocks.The Ile Interdite property hosts an important beryl showing that was identified in the 1960's by the same group of Quebec government geologists who reported spodumene at both Whabouchi and Cyr deposit's locations. Beryl is a relatively rare pathfinder mineral for lithium, often observed in pegmatites. At Ile Interdite, beryl is disseminated in a pegmatite.Figure 2: Ile Interdite PropertyTerms of the Purchase AgreementThe purchase price payable to the arm's length Vendors for the mineral claims shall be as follows: (i) cash payment of $50,000 upon the closing of the next hard dollar financing; (ii) issuing 1,500,000 common shares of the Company to each of the two vendors; and (iii) granting a 2% underlying royalty. The Company has a right to acquire 1% (50% of the underlying royalty) at any time for the payment of $1,000,000.The closing of the transaction will be completed as soon as possible after all applicable regulatory approvals of the transaction have been obtained, but no later than July 31, 2023, or at such other place or date as may be mutually agreed upon by the purchase and vendors.Appointment of Benoit Moreau as VP ExplorationMusk Metals has retained Mr. Benoit Moreau, as its VP of Exploration to oversee exploration initiatives for its portfolio of highly prospective, discovery stage mineral properties. Benoit Moreau, P.Eng., holds a B.Sc. in geology from the Universite de Montreal, a B.Eng. (mining) from Ecole Polytechnique (Montreal) and a MBA from the Universite du Quebec. Mr. Moreau has more than three decades of various experience in exploration, project development and process engineering as well as asset evaluation and acquisitions.Over the last 15 years, Mr. Moreau was mostly involved in strategic and critical minerals such as Rare Earths, Graphite, Tin, Tungsten, and Lithium.Qualified Person: Benoit Moreau (P.Eng) is a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 guidelines, and he has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.About Musk Metals Corp.Musk Metals is a publicly traded exploration company focused on the development of highly prospective, discovery-stage mineral properties located in some of Canada's top mining jurisdictions. The Company's properties are in the "Allison Lake Batholith" of Northwestern Ontario, and the "Chapais-Chibougamau", "Abitibi", and "James Bay" regions of Quebec.Make sure to follow the Company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well as subscribe for Company updates at http://www.muskmetals.ca/ ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD___Nader Vatanchi___CEO & DirectorFor more information on Musk Metals, please contact:Phone: 604-717-6605Corporate e-mail: info@ muskmetals.ca Website: www.muskmetals.ca Corporate Address: 2905 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1C6FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters regarding the business plans of the Company. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents or accuracy of t
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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM)(FSE:YXEP)(OTCQB:CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 7,050,000 common shares (the "Hard Shares") at a price of $0.085 per Hard Share, up to 4,000,000 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.15 per FT Share, and up to 3,712,500 charity flow-through common shares (the "CFT Shares") at a price of $0.16 per CFT Share."We are pleased with the level of support received to date for the Offering, which will allow to fund our 2023 exploration program in James Bay: drilling for gold at Sakami and perform field follow-up on the best targets identified from the lithium potential study that is being finalized by ALS GoldSpot. We are looking forward to very positive news the remainder of 2023. We appreciate the support from our shareholders and look forward to making important discoveries at one of Canada's leading gold and lithium districts." , commented Normand Champigny, CEO.The net proceeds from the sale of the Hard Shares will be used by the Corporation for general corporate and working capital purposes. The net proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of the FT Shares will be used for exploration expenditures on the Corporation's projects located in the Province of Quebec.The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares and CFT Shares will be used for Canadian exploration expenses (as such term is defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada)) which, once renounced, will qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditure", as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024 and renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023. This applies to a Quebec resident subscriber who is an eligible individual under the Taxation Act (Quebec), which qualifies (i) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Quebec), and (ii) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining expenses or oil and gas exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).The Hard Shares, FT Shares and CFT Shares will be subject to a four-month "hold period" commencing on the Closing Date pursuant to National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities and Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities (Quebec) and the certificates or DRS advices representing such securities will bear a legend to that effect. Closing of the Offering is expected on or around July 4, 2023. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").In connection with the Offering, the Corporation may pay in respect of certain subscriptions a finders' fee or commission paid in compliance with section 1.14 of Policy 4.1 as well as Policy 5.1 of the Exchange.QPM's updated investor presentation and website can be found on www.qpmcorp.com About Quebec Precious Metals CorporationQPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the Sakami project and advance to the mineral resource estimate stage.For more information please contact:Normand ChampignyChief Executive OfficerTel.: 514 979-4746nchampigny@ qpmcorp.ca Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statements with respect to completion of the private placement financing of the expected size or at all, the expected closing date, obtaining the necessary approvals to complete the financing and the Corporation's expected work programs in 2023 are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Corporation, including discussions with investors and other participants in the private placement. Although the Corporation 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 Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including but not limited to the risks that market conditions, commodity prices, or other circumstances can affect the Corporation's ability to complete the financing, as well as other risks with respect to the Corporation described in the Corporation's public disclosure filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Corporation 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.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of SentinelOne and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-s/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 7, 2023.About the LawsuitSentinelOne and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 1, 2023, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracieswe made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR" and that the Company had slashed its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance from a range of $631 million to $640 million to a range of $590 million to $600 million, due to the discovery of "historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected." On this news, shares of SentinelOne fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.The case is Johansson v. SentinelOne, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-02786.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Did you lose money on investments in Telephone and Data Systems? If so, please visit Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com to discuss your rights.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. ("TDS" or the "Company") (NYSE:TDS; TDSPrV; TDSPrU) between May 6, 2022 and November 3, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 3, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.United States Cellular Corporation ("UScellular") operates as a majority-owned subsidiary of TDS. TDS and UScellular are referred to as the "Companies". As of December 31, 2022, TDS owned 84% of UScellular's common shares, had the voting power to elect all of the directors of UScellular, and controlled 96% of the voting power in matters other than the election of directors of UScellular. In 2022, UScellular accounted for 77% of TDS' total operating revenues.Throughout fiscal 2021 and into fiscal 2022, UScellular was battling a systemic loss of "postpaid" customers. Postpaid customers are those who have a line of service with the Company that is billed in monthly installments, generally one month in advance of service. Throughout the Class Period, approximately 90% of the Company's individual lines of service associated with devices activated by UScellular customers were postpaid. UScellular's net postpaid customers declined every quarter throughout 2021, resulting in the loss of 26,000 customers over the year. Likewise, UScellular's churn rate of postpaid customers increased over the same period.At the start of the Class Period on May 6, 2022, the Companies announced UScellular's financial and operating results for the first fiscal quarter of 2022, reporting that UScellular was losing more "postpaid" customers than it was able to add, resulting in a net loss of postpaid customers. Throughout the Class Period, the Companies would continue to see UScellular's postpaid customer business deteriorate.Defendants routinely touted UScellular's purported ability to address postpaid customer "churn" and attrition via tailored promotions, including a "free upgrade" promotion beginning in the second quarter of 2022. The "free upgrade" promotion applied to new and existing customers and was designed to encourage customers to upgrade their phones, keeping them "in contract" and reducing the postpaid customer churn. This promotion was reportedly based on the results of a series of regional tests and trials conducted during the second quarter of 2022. Defendants also touted their ability to balance UScellular's promotional activity with UScellular's profitability.However, contrary to Defendants' statements assuring investors that tailored promotions and purported expense discipline would address UScellular's churn rate while balancing its profitability, UScellular's churn rate continued to worsen and the Company's promotional activity decimated its profitability.On November 4, 2022, Defendants disclosed the truth. When the Company reported operating results for the third fiscal quarter of 2022, Defendants revealed that not only was UScellular's heavy promotional activity, including its "free upgrade" promotion, still failing to correct postpaid churn rate, but the "offer structure" and its lack of "expense discipline" had, in fact, substantially eroded the Company's profitability.On this news, the price of TDS common stock declined $4.29 per share, more than 25%, to close at $12.28 on November 4, 2022. TDS' preferred shares trading under the symbol TDSPrV declined $0.96 per preferred share, more than 5%, to a close of $16.24 on November 4, 2022. And TDS' preferred shares trading under the symbol TDSPrU declined $1.01 per preferred share, more than 5%, on November 4, 2022.If you purchased or acquired TDS securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoBernstein Liebhard LLP(212) 951-2030pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-27 20:00:32

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Lynda Prunier of Auburn, New Hampshire, Awarded Home Care Company's Top HonorPHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Visiting Angels, the nation's leading provider of senior home care, is thrilled to have Lynda Prunier as its 2023 National Caregiver of the Year.Prunier was selected for this prestigious honor from nominations collected from over 600 Visiting Angels franchise locations nationwide. The award recognizes her overall contribution and commitment to delivering quality, compassionate care to the clients and families she serves.Since joining Visiting Angels of Auburn, New Hampshire, almost three years ago, Lynda has shared her big heart with her clients and their families. Currently, she works with two very special clients who have unique needs. One of them is a quadriplegic, while the other has ALS. Lynda's dedication and devotion know no bounds, as she takes the time to educate herself about their conditions, providing exceptional care that ensures their safety and comfort."Lynda is an angel on earth, a true gem among caregivers," says Debra Desrosiers, the owner/director of Visiting Angels of Auburn. "It's clear that Lynda treats her clients with the utmost love and compassion; as if they were her own family. Her selflessness and whole-hearted approach to caregiving are what set her apart and make her deserving of the highest accolades. Lynda is a shining example of the kind of care and empathy that we should all strive to embody." Lynda's clients and their families appreciate her cheerful demeanor and the way she adds a much-needed sense of brightness to their days. Even the simplest act of showing up for work means so much to the people who need her."I've needed care for 40 years, and Lynda is by far the best caregiver I've ever had come into my home, "says Ray, one of Lynda's clients. "If no one comes to my house in the morning, I can't get out of bed. However, Lynda is unfailingly reliable. In the two years we've worked together, I've never had to worry if she was going to show up." In addition to providing outstanding care for her clients, Lynda also takes care of a family member who has special needs. Her clients and colleagues say there is no doubt that caregiving is part of her DNA, and she is a true example of a Visiting Angel."We can't help but marvel at Lynda's unwavering dedication and tireless efforts to go above and beyond in everything she does," says Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels. "As the embodiment of what it means to be a caregiver, Lynda sets the gold standard for excellence in this noble profession. To receive the prestigious title of Caregiver of the Year is no small feat, and Lynda has certainly earned it through her compassion, boundless patience, and unyielding dedication to her profession." As Caregiver of the Year, Lynda will receive a $5,000 check and an award at an upcoming ceremony.Visiting Angels also recognizes two additional caregivers named finalists for the award.Keri Lacorazza of Rockford, Illinois, has touched many lives with her warmth, care, and compassion. Her coworkers, clients, and their families all love Keri's sense of humor. They say she lights up every room she enters, and she has an innate ability to use humor to make a challenging situation lighter. Keri is known for her natural ability to connect with seniors. Her colleagues say she takes the time to listen to each client, considers how they feel, and works to understand them, and as a result, she can bring even the more challenging clients out of their shells. Keri works for Visiting Angels of Rockford, IL, owned by Daylen and Christina Davis.Jermaine Cureton received a unanimous nomination for Caregiver of the Year by his colleagues at Visiting Angels of Pottstown, PA. Ever since he joined the company nearly eight years ago, he has made a difference in the lives of his clients and their families. He has spent more than 17 thousand hours working with clients in his community - and so many agree he has a magnanimous personality with a fantastic sense of humor and infectious attitude. One of Jermaine's clients has worked with dozens of caregivers for over 20 years. He describes Jermaine as one of the best he's ever had. He adds that Jermaine is particular, persistent, punctual, and most importantly, Jermaine is part of his family. Visiting Angels of Pottstown is owned by Alycia and Doris Wertman.Both Keri and Jermaine will receive $2,500 checks and a special award.Media Contacts:Nancy Bostrom nbostrom@919 marketing.com 919.459.8163Sue Yannello syannello@919 marketing.com 919.459.8162About Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services:Visiting Angels began franchising in 1998 in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Today, Visiting Angels has over 600 private-duty agencies throughout the United States. Visiting Angels is America's Choice in Home Care. For more information on Visiting Angels or to find a location near you, please visit www.visitingangels.com SOURCE: Visiting Angels
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CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Canadian-based cybersecurity start-up, White Tuque, is formally expanding its operations to the United States by joining the 1871 Innovation Hub. Located at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, Illinois, the 1871 Innovation Hub is an expansive community of founders, leaders, innovators, and supporters with an established network of resources to cultivate growth for start-ups and emerging SMEs.Headquartering operations for White Tuque USA at 1871 elevates White Tuque's ability to leverage their extensive experience in the US and Midwest. "We have been set up from day one to be a cross-border company that calls Chicago home. It is really exciting to take this next step to support our work efforts protecting organizations in the US and globally," said Robert. D. Stewart, Founder & CEO of White Tuque.With 1871 as White Tuque's US head office, the firm has an increased capability of servicing businesses with regulatory and compliance requirements, with specialized experience with industries like finance and insurance that have exposure globally.COO & VP Cyber Risk and Assurance, Kevin Sandschafer, is leading White Tuque's US expansion and integration into Chicago's thriving tech and start-up community. "Joining an exciting ecosystem of start-ups is a tremendous opportunity for White Tuque to expand its reach. Our company aims to help as many businesses as possible remain resilient in the face of cyber threats, and now White Tuque's reputation as a partner in cyber defence is becoming further established in the United States," Sandschafer said.After connecting and meeting with teams from Chicago, the state of Illinois, and 1871 at Collision Conference in 2022, White Tuque's team is thrilled to actively take part in the 1871 tech community and take advantage of the opportunity to integrate into the Chicago and US-Midwest ecosystems. "We're excited to welcome White Tuque into the 1871 global community of innovators," said Jake Gafner, 1871's Director, Growth Stage Partnerships. "Cybersecurity is more important than ever, and we're pleased to have White Tuque using 1871 Chicago as the homebase for their growth in the US." White Tuque's growth in Canada has been supported by local and international incubators, including Toronto Metropolitan University's DMZ and DMZ Innisfil. By joining 1871's growth program, the company aims to replicate the success it found by utilizing, integrating, and activating the Canadian economic development ecosystems. "By tapping into the Canadian innovation ecosystem, White Tuque was strategically positioned to grow its operations," said Andrea Richardson, Director of Strategic Projects at DMZ. "As an essential pillar to creating competitive, thriving businesses, we're committed to empowering our founders at DMZ to look beyond Canadian borders, and are thrilled to see White Tuque expand to the United States." Accessing and participating in business growth programs has been formative in White Tuque's development as a new and thriving business, including its most recent expansion into the US and Midwest. Contributing to those supportive ecosystems is important to their team, and White Tuque is excited that Kevin Sandschafer has joined the 1871 Mentorship Program as a mentor in cybersecurity risk awareness, cybersecurity strategy, and business resilience. Helping member businesses understand and solve for cybersecurity risks, Sandschafer joins a network of over 300 professionals from every industry. Learn more about White Tuque and 1871 Innovation Hub below.About White TuqueWhite Tuque's mission is to give companies a trusted partner and a framework of best practices for cyber defence. We are a boutique team with expertise in cyber risk, cyber protection, and intelligence.Partnership with White Tuque gives all companies access to a battle-tested and crisis-proven team of Canada's leading cybersecurity experts. We make this level of protection affordable by condensing simple and repeatable tactics into a digestible and scalable format for all organizations. These tactics are the backbone of what protects businesses of all sizes, including Fortune 500 companies and financial institutions. At White Tuque our mandate is to make these available to organizations of all sizes.To learn more about White Tuque's services you can reach out to us at Info@ WhiteTuque.com or visit our website at https://WhiteTuque.com/ About 18711871 is Chicago's innovation hub and the #1 ranked private business incubator in the world. It exists to inspire, equip, and support early stage, growth stage and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to ~400 technology startups, ~200 growth stage companies, and ~1,500 members, and is supported by an entire ecosystem focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. The non-profit organization has 350 mentors available to its members, alongside access to more than 200 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds and others. Since its inception in 2012, more than 850 alumni companies are currently still active, have created over 14,500 jobs, and have raised more than $3.5 billion in follow-on capital.To become a member or learn more about the 1871 Innovation Hub, visit www.1871.com Contact Info:Info@ WhiteTuque.com SOURCE: White Tuque
With two high-profile candidates in India B. Walton and Zeneta Everhart, the race for the Masten District seat on the Buffalo Common Council remained in the spotlight early Tuesday in a tepid Western New York primary day.

High-profile candidates vying for Masten seat on Buffalo Common Council Both Zeneta B. Everhart and India B. Walton have been community leaders, advocates and organizers in the city for years.

Voters interviewed at Prince of Peace Church of God on Kensington Avenue, which had about 120 voters as of 2:30 p.m., were private about their preferred candidate but stressed the East Side districts need for a strong advocate to pursue change in local government.

The change is for the East Side as a whole, and for our young people, said Regina Thomas, an administrative clerk who lives in Masten. Just to get them busy, working and seeing that life is valuable.

Erie County Republican Elections Commissioner Ralph M. Mohr estimated a 25% turnout for one Masten polling place as of 1 p.m.  which suggested a higher turnout for the race overall  but as a whole, the races for five open Council seats had similar turnouts between 2.5% and 3% as of 3 p.m., an Erie County Board of Elections spokesperson clarified.

Because of the buzz surrounding the Masten race, the Board of Elections expected an evening bump. Both candidates have powerful name recognition: Walton won the Democratic primary for mayor in 2021, while Everhart has worked for State Sen. Tim Kennedy and has conveyed a strong anti-racism message since her son was wounded in the Tops Market racist massacre last year.

Thomas said challenges are plentiful for older residents like her, too.

Its a sad situation over here, she said. There is help, but you have to dig and know the right people to get that help. What we need is somebody to really pay attention and know the area, know the people, not just hide behind the desk.

Mark Brown, a 63-year-old Masten resident, said hes discouraged by the high percentage of renters compared to homeowners in the district, an area he hopes to see change. But he said he was skeptical of promises made by political candidates: The close is everything, Brown said.

Outside the city, voter turnout was at about 15%, Mohr said, emphasizing just 140,000 of the 610,000 registered voters were eligible to participate in the primaries due to the limited number of party-based races.

Erie County Democratic Elections Commissioner Jeremy J. Zellner agreed with Mohr that the Masten District, in which Walton and Everhart are vying to fill the seat held by Ulysees O. Wingo, was a focal point.

It looked like turnout was pretty good, Zellner said, and early voting was trending higher than other places. More than a dozen other primaries are underway across the area.

Find full details at the Erie County Board of Elections and Niagara County Board of Elections websites. Polls close at 9 p.m.

Calculating turnout has been a challenge this year, according to Mohr and Zellner, as sites outside the City of Buffalo are using electronic pollbooks, while the city still relies on paper books.

Many suburban polling sites were quiet Tuesday morning, which suggested limited interest in the race for 10th District seat in the Erie County Legislature between appointed incumbent James Malczewski, a Conservative, and Lindsay Bratek-Lorigo, a Republican. The pair seeks to replace former Minority Leader Joseph Lorigo, who won a seat on the State Supreme Court bench last November.

The race was expected to be heated due to the aggression of district mailings from both campaigns. Bratek-Lorigos team sent out 10 mailers, while Malczewski sent four, The News reported, with Malczewski calling his opponents message very nasty.

Mohr said both Conservative and Republican parties anticipated a total turnout of about 2,000 voters, and about half that number had cast votes by early afternoon.

Today is primary day: Here's what you need to know Today is primary day. Here's a quick overview of many of the primary races by community in Erie and Niagara counties.

In Elma, whose Town Board Malczewski served on for 11 years, 28 voters filed into the dog-friendly senior center over the first five hours polls were open. An election inspector said the count was still higher than early voting there.

The deluge of mailers caught the attention of Randy Zagst, a retired modelmaker at Moog, who lives in Elma and voted Tuesday morning at the senior center.

These people spend a lot of money on the mailings, remarked Zagst, who said he has an interest in town politics. I just like voting  I think its a cool thing.

At Fourteen Holy Helpers Church in West Seneca, the turnout was similar, with 26 voters appearing in the first six hours. Board of Elections polling inspector Patrick Phelan said low numbers helped him adjust to poll pads, an electronic tablet-based check-in system intended to more easily locate voter registrations.

This is a nice dress rehearsal for what were going to be putting up with next year, Phelan said. Next year with the presidential election, it will be totally different.

A previous version of this article stated that the entire Masten District had a 25% turnout as of 1 p.m. The Board of Elections later clarified that the rate was for one polling place within the Masten District.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-06-28 00:00:39

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During the annual Google I/O developer conference, the tech giant showcased its vision for the future of Google Search and generative artificial intelligence (AI).BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / As Zib Digital, the leading SEO agency Brisbane-wide explains, the introduction of AI to Google will see the search results page undergo a major transformation. Unlike Microsoft Bing, which completely replaces the search results page with a messaging system, Google has opted to integrate AI-generated answers into the existing layout while retaining the list of blue links. The result is what Google refers to as an "AI-powered snapshot" that appears at the top of the search results page.Zib DigitalZib Digital According to Zib Digital, this snapshot provides users with a concise summary generated by AI, complete with relevant links to corroborate the information presented. It offers a list of potential follow-up questions to further explore the topic. Users also have the option to view the snapshot broken down into individual sentences, with links to the specific sources for each piece of information.While traditional search results in the form of blue links still exist, they now appear below the snapshot. However, Zib Digital points out that as the majority of users do not scroll beyond the top three results, the era of plain blue links may be drawing to a close.The premier digital marketing agency Brisbane-wide explains the introduction of AI-generated search results does not mark the end of advertisements. As Google derives around 80 percent of its revenue from ads, they will continue to be a part of the new experience. Ads will appear beneath the AI snapshot, clearly labeled as " sponsored." Google aims to refine the ad experience and provide advertisers with highly targeted placements based on improved AI capabilities.The implications of AI-generated search results are significant, says Zib Digital. Users may no longer need to carefully phrase their search terms or conduct multiple searches to find relevant information. Instead, AI will interpret user intent and provide meaningful results.While the trial is currently limited to the United States, it provides a sneak peek into what's in store for Google Search users in Australia.To learn more from the leaders in SEO Brisbane-wide, contact Zib Digital.About Zib DigitalZib Digital is a leading digital marketing agency in Australia and New Zealand. With a team of experts specializing in SEO, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing and email marketing, Zib Digital empowers businesses to maximize their online presence and drive sustainable growth.Contact InformationZib DigitalManager(03) 8685 9290SOURCE: Zib Digital
In a groundbreaking move to promote financial inclusivity, the United Bank for Africa has unveiled its braille account opening form.

According to the bank, this is the first of its kind in the Nigerian and African banking industry.

The pioneering initiative aims to cater to the unique financial needs of visually impaired individuals, who have long faced disadvantages in accessing banking services.

According to a press statement by the banks spokesperson, Ramon Nasir, the official launch of the initiative took place on Tuesday in Lagos where key executives of the bank and notable guests gathered.

The event was graced by Nigerian musician, producer, and songwriter, Cobhams Asuquo, representatives from the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, and students from the Pacelli School for the Blind.

Mr Asuquo, an advocate for the visually impaired, commended UBA for its commitment to inclusivity while stating that the initiative will eliminate the previous limitations faced by visually impaired individuals in accessing banking services.

Before now, we have always been at the mercy of the reader when we want to do things like open accounts for ourselves, but this account opening form has come to solve the problem of access which has previously been a huge limiting factor for people like me who are blind. With this initiative, UBA has promoted our ideal of inclusivity and has helped to put back freedom in our hands while opening us up to the variety of opportunities and options available to us.

UBA has blazed the trail, I am beyond elated, as this new initiative will send a strong note to others to replicate the same feat and make people realise that banking services can and should be done with humanity in mind. Thank you UBA for amplifying this much needed cause, I endorse this 100 per cent and I believe it is a much needed first step that will lead to so many others, he said.

Ugo Nwaghodoh, UBAs Executive Director of Finance and Risk Management, emphasized the banks ongoing efforts to create a comfortable environment for physically challenged individuals within the financial industry.

Mr Nwaghodoh highlighted the importance of financial inclusion and emphasized that the Braille Account Opening Form allows visually impaired customers to enjoy the same opportunities as other customers, empowering them to independently initiate and complete the account opening process.

According to the statement, the braille form was developed in collaboration with the Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind.

This innovative solution enables blind customers to seamlessly integrate into the financial system by providing them with the means to initiate and complete the account opening process independently.

Representatives from the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs applauded UBA for spearheading the initiative.

They expressed their delight at the prospect of replicating the Braille Account Opening Form across the 19 African countries where UBA operates, acknowledging the pivotal role played by institutions in driving positive change.

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President Julius Bio has taken an early lead in the presidential election in Sierra Leone, provisional results published by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ESCL) showed Monday.

The ESCL said it had so far tallied about 60 per cent of the total votes cast in Saturdays election.

The first set of results by the electoral commission shows that Mr Bio has 56 per cent of the votes tallied so far while his closest rival, Samura Kamara, of the All Peoples Congress (APC), has 42 per cent.

ECSL CEC & National Returning Officer's Statement on the Release of Partial Elections Results on the Conduct of the June 24th 2023 Elections pic.twitter.com/ZB1B3URu9x  abdul rashid (@abdulrashid_99) June 26, 2023

According to the electoral law, in order to win in the first round, a candidate needs more than 55 per cent of the votes.

The election is considered a two-horse race between President Bio, 59, of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and 72-year-old former cabinet minister Samura Kamara, who leads the opposition APC.

The ECSL expects to declare a winner in the next few days, if the elections does not spill into a run-off.

Tension

On Sunday, police in Sierra Leone fired tear gas at the headquarters of the APC in Freetown as voters awaited the results of the keenly contested election

Mr Kamara said on Twitter that live bullets were fired at his office inside the party headquarters.

Live from my party office. People laying on the floor and the military has surrounded the building. Live bullets fired at my private office at the Part headquarters. This is an assassination attempt. @UKinSierraLeone @_AfricanUnion @USEmbFreetown Live shots at my door. Foreign pic.twitter.com/ad21VISNiA  SamuraKamara2023 (@samurakamara201) June 25, 2023

But the police in a statement said members of the APC had paraded through Freetown, announcing to the public that they had won the election.

Earlier on Sunday, the Office of National Security had warned party members against declaring results of the elections, which it said, lies with the electoral umpire.

READ ALSO:

On Sunday, the police said the APC attracted huge crowd of supporters outside the headquarters, who allegedly started harassing passers-by.

Although the election was largely peaceful on Saturday in many parts of Sierra Leone, there was tension in some parts of the northern district and other opposition strongholds.

Contest

Apart from Messrs Bio and Kamara, 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 was the fifth election since the end of the countrys civil war, 21 years ago.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that tallying of the remaining votes is ongoing across the different regions in the West African country as of press time Monday night.

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Boko Harams return to using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is a major worry for Cameroons Far North Region.

Until recently, the region hadnt recorded any major bomb attacks since 8 January 2021, when 15 people were killed in Mozogo. But on 21 March this year, a vehicle belonging to the Rapid Intervention Battalion was hit by an IED in Amchide. One soldier died and six were injured in the attack.

Just one month later, on 24 April, six members of the 42nd Motorised Infantry Battalion were killed when a mine activated by their vehicle exploded on the route linking Itere, Bavongola and Tchebe Tchebe.

IED attack zones in Cameroons Far North

Earlier in the year, on 18 March, a grenade explosion in Djibrili left two people dead and one wounded. Between 18 March and 24 April, the Institute for Security Studies recorded at least six IED-related security incidents in Cameroons Far North. These ranged from attempted and successful explosions to infiltrations of suspected suicide bombers into communities.

Three factors may explain this resurgence in Boko Harams IED attacks  the counter-insurgency operations carried out by the Nigerian Army and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), the recent elections in Nigeria, and clashes between the different factions of Boko Haram.

Regarding military operations, two in particular  Harbin Zuma, led by the MNJTF, and Desert Sanity, led by the Nigerian Army  are putting the violent extremists in a difficult position. The extremists are increasingly retaliating with IEDs. On 14 May, MNJTF troops were hit by a double IED attack as they advanced towards an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) camp in Tunbum Reza. Just two weeks earlier, on 29 April, Operation Desert Sanity troops recovered numerous IEDs intended to halt their advance in areas surrounding Ubaka in the Sambisa Forest.

In addition, the insurgents were said to be planning to disrupt Nigerias electoral processes on 25 February and 11 March. However, the Nigerian Army had been preparing to contain this threat, which made it difficult for the insurgents to operate in the country during this period. IEDs intended for attacks were detonated in Cameroon, which is easily accessible given its porous borders.

Moreover, since Boko Haram split into two factions in 2016, these rivals have violently fought against each other. Clashes began to intensify at the start of 2022, forcing them to retreat to their rear bases. For Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaadati wal-Jihad (JAS), this was the Mandara Mountains on the border with Cameroon; for ISWAP, the town of Banki. The movement of these groups back towards Cameroons borders could explain the upsurge in IED attacks.

Most of the IEDs are believed to have been produced in Nigeria, where the defence and security forces have shut down and arrested alleged manufacturers several times. A former bomb maker from the JAS faction, who surrendered to the Nigerian authorities in August 2021, explained the extent of this activity in Boko Haram to Radio Ndarason. Insurgent attacks on military barracks also provide them access to combat equipment, including IEDs.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram beheads seven farmers in Borno attack

Government players are trying to adapt to this situation. On 23 March, the Prefect of Logone-et-Chari issued a letter to the sub-prefects under his command to warn them of suicide bombers. He instructed them to hold more awareness-raising meetings with civil society to call for greater vigilance among the public. The defence and security forces are carrying out sweeping operations. While these measures are welcome, they would benefit from being supplemented by systematic searches and local networking.

Mine-clearing skills are needed now more than ever among the defence and security forces. As such, the mine-clearance units must strengthen their capacity in this area through additional training. They should also exchange information with their Nigerian counterparts, who are more experienced due to the counter-offensive operations they regularly carry out.

Intelligence and sweeping operations must be stepped up and sustained to deter bombers and their accomplices and to weaken the supply chain for the raw materials used to manufacture bombs. Vigilance committees also need to step up their intelligence and early warning efforts, and civil society organisations should include the threat of IEDs in their awareness-raising activities.

The fight against IEDs must be a critical part of the broader strategy to prevent and address violent extremism.

Celestin Delanga, Research Officer, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Regional Office for West Africa, the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin

Research for this article was funded by the Government of the Netherlands and the Bosch Foundation.

(This article was published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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It is common knowledge that taxation plays a vital role in the economic development of every country whether developed, developing or under developed, and Nigeria is no exception. Government at all levels depends on the tax it collects to run the affairs of the State and it is the duty of every taxable citizen to contribute their quota to this effect. Without taxes, there can be no country.

According to Section 24 (f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended: It shall be the duty of every citizen to declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. This is a legal requirement and it is fundamental to the successful operations of the country. Mind you, it is not an option or a recommendation but an obligation of every Nigerian citizen.

Some Nigerian Tax laws and Regulations which require compliance to tax payment include: Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (FIRSEA), Cap F36 LFN 2007; Personal Income Tax (PITA ), Cap P8, LFN 2004 as amended; Petroleum Profit Tax Act (PPTA), Cap P13, LFN 2004 as amended; Companies Income Tax (CITA), Cap C21, LFN 2004 as amended; Value Added Tax Act (VATA), Cap V1,LFN 2004 as amended; Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Establishment, Etc) Act (TETFEA) 2011 as amended; Stamp Duties Act (SDA), Cap S8, LFN 2004 as amended; Capital Gains Tax Act (CGTA), Cap C1, LFN 2004 as amended; National Information Technology Development Agency Act and the provisions of the Finance Act 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. These laws have provided the legal framework containing various tax obligations of a taxpayer.

Every taxpayer has certain rights such as: right to non-discrimination, transparency and accountability, adequate notice and information, redress, compliance assistance amongst others. But with these rights come responsibilities and obligations that must be fulfilled in compliance with the countrys tax laws. Some taxpayers fall short in fulfilling their tax obligations not necessarily because they want to but for lack or poor understanding of these obligations. This piece aims at shedding light on the key tax obligations of taxpayers in Nigeria.

The obligations of Nigerian taxpayers include, but are not limited to the following: registration for tax: Taxpayers are obligated to register with the appropriate tax authorities, depending on the type of tax they are liable for. This includes obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for companies and the Joint Tax Board (JTB) for individuals.

Another obligation expected of taxpayers is record keeping. Taxpayers are required to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their financial transactions, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. These records are essential for filing tax returns, substantiating deductions, and complying with tax audits. Record keeping is not common practice among small businesses. Yet it is the foundation for fulfilling your tax obligations. If you do not keep your records, how would you know what taxes you are meant to pay?

It is also the obligation of a taxpayer to file tax returns within the prescribed timelines. Individuals are required to file their Personal Income Tax (PIT) returns annually, while companies must file their Corporate Income Tax (CIT) returns within six months after the end of their financial year. Other tax returns, such as VAT returns and WHT returns, may also be required depending on the taxpayers activities. All too often, taxpayers think that if they do not make profits, or do not have a turnover above N25 million, then they are not required to file. This is not true. Filing returns is to be made whether or not you made profits or losses. As long as you are a taxpayer, you ought to file returns with the relevant tax authority.

Flowing from this obligation is the obligation to pay taxesthe most commonly spoken about obligation. Taxpayers have an obligation to pay the taxes they owe to the relevant tax authorities. This includes the timely remittance of Personal Income Tax, Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax, and other applicable taxes. They also owe it as an obligation to comply with tax deductions. Employers and businesses that make payments subject to withholding tax (WHT) must deduct the appropriate tax amount at source and remit it to the tax authorities. This includes deducting WHT from salaries, contracts, dividends, interest, and other relevant payments.

Furthermore, taxpayers are required to provide accurate information and documentation as requested by tax authorities. This includes providing supporting documents for deductions, exemptions, and claims made on tax returns as well as cooperating with tax audits and investigations, providing requested information and records, and responding to inquiries in a timely and accurate manner.

To crown it all, taxpayers must comply with all relevant tax laws and regulations which includes staying updated on changes in tax laws and fulfilling their obligations accordingly.

By understanding and diligently leaving up to tax obligations, individuals and businesses actively participate in the development and progress of the country, ensuring a more prosperous, greater and equitable society for all.

 Rachel Jantiku, is a researcher and writes from Abuja.

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The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sacked permanent secretaries and suspended district and village heads appointed by his predecessor, Bello Matawalle.

The state government said the decision was part of reforms it has embarked upon to correct the mismanagement of the states resources by Mr Matawalle.

The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, in a press conference in Gusau on Tuesday, said the past administration wreaked havoc on the states economy.

Mr Nakwada said all districts created in December 2022 had been dissolved while permanent secretaries appointed after the 2023 general elections have been sacked as full rationalisation of civil service is on the way.

A well-articulated rationalisation and harmonisation of MDAs will be undertaken to reduce the cost of governance and improve efficiency, and details will be announced in due course, the SSG said.

Matawalle impoverished Zamfara

Speaking further, Mr Nakwada said the state was on the verge of collapse when the incumbent administration was inaugurated in May.

That administration indulged in excessive and wasteful spending as well as the rampant looting of government property. It is truly disheartening that while our peers have made significant progress in their respective states, we are still grappling with a myriad of issues caused by insatiable greed and the lack of patriotism exhibited by the immediate past administration.

For the first time in the history of our state, workers were unable to receive their salaries for two consecutive months, despite the availability of ample resources during the twilight of the immediate past administration, he said.

Mr Nakwada said the Matawalle administration neglected critical sectors, especially education and the economy.

He faulted Mr Matawalles failure to ensure pupils in the state wrote external final year examinations, especially the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO), which he said the incumbent governor settled.

Mr Nakwada also accused Mr Matawalle of spending N50 billion on projects in the Government House with little developmental impact. He said the former governor spent N11.5 billion on Gusau Cargo Airport with no visible progress, allocating about N1 billion to construct governors lodges in 14 local governments with nothing to show.

To make matters worse, many projects remain incomplete or non-existent. Shockingly, there is a lack of concrete evidence to support the necessity of such expenditure, particularly when it comes to furnishing these lodges.

Similarly, despite the previous administrations expenditure of over N13 billion in the last four years for the procurement of utility vehicles, the present administration did not inherit any of these vehicles, he said.

The SGS said the theft and abuse of office were executed due to lack of a proper record keeping by the past administration, which he said was evident in the manner Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government have not been keeping records.

He said in the coming days, Mr Lawals administration would take several actions to reverse the sorry condition the state is in presently.

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The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) on Tuesday presented its final report on the last Nigerian general elections highlighting six priority areas.

The Chief Observer of the mission, Barry Andrews, presented the report which has 25 recommendations, at a press conference in Abuja.

Nigerias electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conducted the presidential and National Assembly elections on 25 February while the governorship and state houses of assembly polls were held on 18 March.

Supplementary elections were conducted in some constituencies across the country on 15 April.

EUEOM

The EU EOM carried out its work between 11 January and 11 April at the invitation of INEC.

A delegation of the European Parliament joined the EU EOM for the observation of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The mission accredited a total of 110 observers from 25 EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Canada.

Presenting the report, Mr Andrews said: we are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas which we have identified as priority recommendations, and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections.

The areas, he said include removing ambiguities in the law; establishing a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members, and ensuring real-time publication of and access to election results.

Others are providing greater protection for media practitioners, addressing discrimination against women in political life, and addressing impunity regarding electoral offences.

Although the last elections showed the commitment of Nigerians to democracy, it also exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signal a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability, Mr Andrews noted.

He added that shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC.

He stated that political will is crucial in achieving improved democratic practices in Nigeria and the EU stands ready to support Nigeria in the implementation of its recommendations.

Priority recommendations

It also made some recommendations.

Removing ambiguities in the law: Protect the interests of voters through certainty of law for all stages and aspects of electoral processes by eliminating from electoral law and regulations errors and ambiguities to avoid potential for conflicting interpretations, and ensuring the revision processes are inclusive.

Establishing a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members: Establish a robust operational framework for the independence, integrity, and efficiency of electoral administration through an inclusive and publicly accountable mechanism for selecting candidates to the posts of INEC commissioners and RECs based on clear criteria of evaluation of merits, qualifications, and verified non-partisanship.

Ensuring real-time publication of and access to election results: Protect the free expression of the will of the voter and integrity of elections by establishing a robust, transparent, and easily verifiable results processing system with clear rules. These include uploading polling unit results from the polling unit only and in real time, at each level of collation results forms to be uploaded in real time, and all forms to be published in an easily trackable and scrapable database format.

Providing greater protection for media practitioners: Afford adequate protection to freedom of expression by developing a comprehensive operational framework underpinned by the skills and means for ensuring prompt investigation and prosecution of all types of attacks against media practitioners.

Addressing discrimination against women in political life: Undertake urgent and robust affirmative action to ensure meaningful womens representation through special measures in line with the Beijing principles and the National Gender Policy to increase the representation of women as candidates and in elected office, further supported by cross-sectoral, intensified, and sustained capacity building and sensitisation to eliminate discrimination.

Addressing impunity regarding electoral offences: Address impunity for electoral offences through robust, well-defined, and effective inter-agency coordination governed by clear rules on non-partisanship, optimisation of resources, delivery of effective investigation and sanctioning, and provision of regular public consolidated information on outcomes.

Polls credibility

The presidential election, perhaps the most competitive in recent history, saw Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), emerge winner. He was sworn in as president on 29 May.

The election is being contested in court by the two other candidates: Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Similarly, the exercise is being challenged by some candidates at the subnational level.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima says the federal government will ensure quick access to single-digit loans for Nigerian small businesses.

The vice president made this pledge on Tuesday in a message to mark the 2023 World Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day.

He said the federal government was aware of the impact of fuel subsidy removal on MSMEs and was working towards addressing it.

On this World MSME Day, the government of President Tinubu recognises the vital role that MSMEs play in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting innovation.

We remain committed to providing support, fostering an enabling environment, and improving access to finance for MSMEs, especially in these unprecedented times.

READ ALSO:

We urge all stakeholders to come together to champion the growth and success of MSMEs to achieve sustainable development for all.

We also recognise the plethora of issues that face MSMEs as a result of the subsidy removal.

However, the government is working urgently to ensure quick access to single-digit loans for Nigerian small businesses within the shortest time possible.

Please note that the president is your partner and here to make life easier for your businesses.

Happy MSMES Day, he said.

(NAN)

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Akanimo Udofia, has applied for the relocation of the Governorship Election Tribunal in the state to Abuja over threats to life.

In a letter addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Udofias lawyer, Hassan Liman, said the request was in response to the sad events which occurred at the Tribunal premises on 20 June.

The application came less than a week after the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Akwa Ibom, Bassey Albert, made a similar request.

Messrs Udofia and Albert are challenging the victory of Governor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 18 March governorship election.

Mr Albert had in a letter written by his lawyer, Ahmed Raji, narrated how police officers and military men invaded the Tribunal on 20 June in an attempt to arrest a witness who testified before the court shortly after the adjournment and prevented them from leaving the area.

We were all ordered to alight and from our vehicles, wielding heavy armament, weapons, shooting into the air, bullet and tear gas, Ahmed Raji had said in a letter written on behalf of his client, Mr Albert.

Mr Raji said that it took the intervention of Nigerias Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the inspector general of police before they were released by the security agents, whom he said acted on the instruction of the state governor, Umo Eno, whose victory his client is challenging.

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the claim that Governor Eno was behind the incident at the tribunal.

Ekerete Udoh, the spokesperson to Governor Eno did not respond to requests for comment.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon did not also respond to requests for comment.

Recalling the events of 20 June, Mr Udofia through his lawyer, said a member of his legal team Y.D Dangana who was at the court to file some applications could not return home until about 10 p.m.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom YPP gov candidate seeks relocation of election tribunal to Abuja

My Lord, as planned for the prove of our petition, subpoena witnesses from different organisations would be called to testify before the Tribunal thus considering what played out at the Tribunal upon the testimony of a subpoenaed witness from University of Uyo, we are in serious fear of what would likely happened when next our petition would be heard.

It is important to note the sanctity of life of the petitioner, counsel, and witnesses appearing before the Tribunal, thus we need to ensure protective measures to safeguard the same, Mr Liman said.

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John Ochai, a major general, has assumed duty as the 32nd Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

A statement by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Victor Olukoya, a major, on Tuesday in Kaduna, said Mr Ochai took over from Ibrahim Yusuf, a major general, who retired from active military service on 26 June.

In his remarks before the handing over, Mr Yusuf thanked God for a successful career and fruitful tenure as Commandant NDA.

He appreciated the NDA communitys support and urged them to extend the same cooperation to his successor.

Mr Yusuf described Mr Ochai as a highly decorated military officer and the right man for the job.

Responding, the new commandant described his appointment as a privilege to serve the country.

He appreciated his predecessor for the transformation recorded during his tenure, saying it would be difficult to fill the shoes he left.

Mr Ochai expressed readiness to learn, noting that every appointment is an opportunity for learning and improvement.

The commandant congratulated Mr Yusuf for his successful retirement and thanked him for his impressive service to the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation.

Mr Ochai is a member of 39 Regular Course and a highly decorated officer of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps.

His previous appointments include Director of Operations, Army Headquarters, and Commandant, Nigerian Army Armour School Bauchi, among others.

(NAN)

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Hollis Busch calls the West River Shoreline Trail on Grand Island wonderful to walk her two dogs: Its new, offers views of the Niagara River and sits just across the street from her Grand Island home.

Theres just one tiny problem: ticks. Busch said she usually finds two of the parasitic arachnids on each of her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels after every trip along the trail.

Its a new problem she attributes to the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservations decision to regularly mow most of the grass around the trail and the adjoining median  but not all of it.

Its a lot of grass that gets very tall, that holds a lot of ticks and mosquitoes and mice, said Busch, who has lived along the West River for 11 years. And its rather unsightly.

The state implemented the plan to save taxpayer money, reduce fossil fuel usage, decrease noise impacts and protect a critical habitat for numerous species, a spokesperson said in a statement.

But the idea is not a popular one among some residents who live across the street from the tall grass. They say it harbors mice and rodents, blocks their views of the river, lowers property values and creates piles of beige grass clippings that make the neighborhood look unkempt.

And after years of back and forth with the state, the West River Homeowners Association is getting elected officials involved. The Grand Island Town Board unanimously passed a resolution in early June calling on State Parks to remove the high mow areas along the trail.

If the folks from the New York Parks had this in their front yard or next door to them, they would probably raise ... you get the point, Council Member Mike Madigan, who put forward the resolution, said before the vote. They wouldnt be happy.

State Parks adopted an 80/20 mow plan for the grass surrounding the West River Trail, a state park, in 2021. Under that plan, the state low mows 80% of the grass to keep it between 4 and 6 inches and high mows the remainder to 8 inches when it reaches 2 feet. The plan includes an 8-to-10-foot buffer along the trail that is mowed regularly, a spokesperson for State Parks said.

The agency had originally proposed high mowing 50% of the grass but settled on 20% after feedback from residents. One state official described the 80/20 plan as more than accommodating in a 2021 email to a resident.

But that concession didnt earn the plan much, if any, goodwill from residents, many of whom mowed the grass around the then-parkway before it became a recreational trail. In a survey of its members conducted by the West River HOA, 226 of the 232 who responded said they opposed any high mow areas.

And many residents say State Parks hasnt abided by the plan. Joe Short, a West River homeowner of six years, measured some of the designated high mow areas in early June; they were well over 3 feet tall.

If you drive down West River Road, it looks abandoned, he said.

But appearance aside, the ticks are what seems most bothersome to residents. Of the eight Grand Islanders who spoke in opposition to the 80/20 plan at the Town Boards June 5 meeting, Short and four others said they had found ticks on themselves and their pets.

The state inadvertently has set up a perfect dining table for ticks, said James Mazza, a West River resident of 39 years. Theyre there for food, and their food is blood.

Tick bites can spread illnesses like Lyme disease, which is usually treatable with antibiotics, although some patients may experience Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) for upward of six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Both the CDC and state Health Department recommend keeping grass short to prevent tick bites.

But an increasing tick population isnt unique to the West River Trail; the number of adult deer ticks collected in Erie County by public health officials has increased sharply between 2020 and 2022, as has the tick population density, according to data from the state Health Department.

Thats why Elaine ONeill doesnt think the 80/20 mowing plan is responsible for the new ticks in her neighborhood. Shes one of the only West River residents to publicly voice support for the 80/20 mowing plan, calling it ecologically mindful.

People consider (the trail) their front lawn. Ive always felt that I live on the edge of a park, ONeill said of the West River Trail. When I have people come from out of town, they think what we have is glorious.

But ONeills neighbors disagree. West River HOA members say they will also advocate for the removal of invasive plant species that block their view of the river and the removal of portable toilets from the trail.

Were going to continue the fight as long as we live here, Short said.

News Staff Reporter Stephen Watson contributed to this report.
The police in Akwa Ibom State, South-south Nigeria, have arrested a man for allegedly selling his nine-year-old son for N400,000.

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko Macdon, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He identified the suspect as Gabriel Ekpiri of Ekit Itam Akpan Obong in the Itu Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Macdon, a superintendent of police, said the suspect has confessed to the crime and blamed it on the devil and economic hardship.

He said the State Police Commissioner, Olatoye Durosinmi, has condemned the action describing it as barbaric and unacceptable.

The incident occurred three weeks after a High Court in the state sentenced three women to death for child trafficking.

The convicts, Enobong Sunday, Gertrude Thompson and Mary James, abducted three children and sold them off in Aba, Abia State.

One of the convicts, Mrs Thompson, from Ikot Eyo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, confessed to making N500,000 per child and N200,000 for those who brought the child for her.

Punch newspaper in November 2021 reported how operatives of the Anti-Human Trafficking unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the state arrested a couple for allegedly selling their two daughters for N700,000.

The suspects, Elish Effiong and his wife, confessed to the crime and blamed their action on extreme hardship.

PREMIUM TIMES in March 2020 reported how a woman in the state identified as Nse James confessed to selling her three-day-old baby for N300,000.

The suspect, according to the report, also confessed to selling several children in the past. She had led police officers to Nkanu-Isiala Ngwa local government area, where a one-year-old child was rescued, and another suspect was arrested.

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A woman has been arrested in Anambra State for allegedly trafficking some underage girls for prostitution in the state.

The woman, Ekpereamaka Okonkwo, was arrested on Tuesday in Awka, the state capital.

Mrs Okonkwo, popularly known as Ukwu Venza, hails from Otolo Nnewi, a community in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in Anambra State, Ify Obinabo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday evening that the suspect owned a shanty brothel in the community where she kept some underage girls for prostitution.

The girls were between the ages of 12 and 13.

Mrs Obinabo said she usually trafficked the girls from various communities to her brothel.

She was using these little girls to do the prostitution. They (the girls) would pay her (after sleeping with a man), then she would now, in return, pay the girls every month, she said.

Bribery attempt

Mrs Obinabo said she had attempted to track the suspect down after a video exposing her illicit act went viral, but she went into hiding, apparently to avoid being arrested and prosecuted.

The commissioner said the suspect later phoned her, requesting for an opportunity to meet her in order to water the ground.

She said the suspect subsequently scheduled a meeting on Sunday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and offered her a bribe of N300, 000 through the husband with a promise to make a total payment of N2 million to get the commissioner to discontinue the case.

Her husband said the woman (the suspect) would come and see me. And that she didnt want to see me that Sunday because she was feeling that I am still very angry with her, the commissioner told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mrs Obinabo, however, contacted police operatives in Anambra State who laid ambush for the suspect in Awka, where the commissioner had insisted to see the suspect for further discussion based on the bribe offered.

The suspect and her husband were consequently arrested when they showed up at the location apparently to strike a deal with the commissioner.

Mrs Obinabo said she was told that the suspect was earlier running the trafficking business in Nnewi where she was popularly known as Madam Padded, before relocating to Oba to continue the illegal business.

Oba is a community in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner recalled that, in 2019, a shanty brothel in Nnewi owned by the suspect was gutted by fire which killed three commercial sex workers who were working for her.

She alleged that the suspect was responsible for the deaths of the victims because the suspect had locked the victims in a room in the brothel to prevent them from having sex with other men who did not pay her directly.

Mrs Obinabo said the state government was determined to prosecute child offenders in the state.

The commissioner added that her ministry would not relent in facilitating the arrest of those involved in sexual slavery in the state.

She will be prosecuted in court after investigations, she said.

When contacted on Tuesday evening, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES.

The suspect is in custody now, Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Nigeria in 2015 enacted the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act which outlawed all acts of human trafficking in the country.

The Act prescribes a minimum penalty of five years imprisonment and a fine of N1 million for trafficking relating to sex and labour exploitation.

Several persons have been convicted for similar offences across the country.

The Children, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Magistrate Court in Awka, Anambra State, in February, convicted a 35-year-old woman who trafficked and forced four teenage girls into prostitution.

A Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, in 2018, sentenced 49-year-old Ehie Ehirobo to three years imprisonment for human trafficking. Mrs Ehirobo was convicted for procuring persons for prostitution, among other crimes.

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The police in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, have paraded two people for alleged abduction of travellers along Ugwogo Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road in the state.

They were paraded at the Police Headquarters in Enugu, on Tuesday, alongside 13 others who were arrested for allegedly committing various offences.

The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, who addressed reporters during the parade on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, said a female victim escaped from the suspected kidnappers.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, gave the names of the arrested suspected kidnappers as Sani Usman, 25, and Landi Usman, 30.

The suspects hail from Sokoto State in North-west Nigeria.

Rescue of kidnap victims

The police spokesperson said the 15 suspects  all males  were arrested, in separate operations, for various offences including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, unlawful possession of firearms and fraud.

These arrests led to rescue of seven kidnap victims and the recovery of seven firearms, two motorcycles, one dagger, cash sum of N701,000 and other incriminating exhibits, in the separate operations carried out by police operatives of the command, with support from other security forces and law-abiding citizens, he said.

Mr Ndukwe said, in separate operation on Sunday, police officers serving in Igbo-Eze North Police Divisional Headquarters in collaboration with Forest Guard and Neighbourhood Watch Group at about 1 p.m. rescued four other kidnap victims  two males and two females, who hail from Kogi State.

The police spokesperson said the victims were rescued from kidnappers in a forest after a shoot-out with the officers at Aisha-Ette, a community in Igbo-Eze North Council Area of the state.

The kidnappers, most of whom escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, abandoned the victims due to the superior firepower of the operatives, he said.

He said the victims, who were kidnapped on 23 June at about 9 p.m., were asked to pay N10 million as ransom before they were rescued.

Mr Ndukwe said, in another operation, the police serving at Adani Police Divisional Headquarters in a joint operation with troops of the Nigerian army, Forest Guards as well as Neighbourhood Watch Group on Sunday rescued an unidentified woman and her child.

The two victims were earlier kidnapped at Ngene-Ukwu along Adani-Opanda Road in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state, according to the police.

The joint team is still on the trail of the suspected kidnappers, he said.

More arrests

Mr Ndukwe said the police, on 18 June, busted a four-member criminal gang which allegedly engaged in armed robbery, abduction, rape and fraud.

He gave their names as Uche Ede, 21; Paschal Chukwu, 25; Joshua Okonkwo, 22  all from Nkanu East Council Area, and Moses Nnaji, 20, who hails from Nkanu West Council Area.

Their arrest is as a result of the operatives tactical response to series of complaints, alleging that the suspects used commercial mini buses to abduct their unsuspecting victims within Enugu metropolis, particularly young females to secluded locations, where they robbed, raped and transferred sums of money out of their bank accounts at gunpoint, he said.

Physically-challenged caught with rifles

In another development, police operatives, during a stop and search operation along Ugwuomu- Nike in Enugu East Council Area, on 20 June, intercepted a motorcycle rider carrying a physically-challenged person.

Upon search conducted on the rider and the male passenger, two locally made guns and workshop tools were recovered from the passenger, Edeh Longinus, 47, who is physically challenged and of Ohuani-Owo in Nkanu East Council Area, he said.

Preliminary investigation shows that he is a gun fabricator and runner, with a workshop in Amanvu in Nkalagu Community of Ebonyi State, Mr Ndukwe added.

Man arrested over fake transfer of N3.5 million

The police spokesperson said, in a similar operation, police detectives serving at Trans-Ekulu Police Divisional Headquarters arrested Mmesoma Linus, 26, on 23 June for allegedly issuing a fake credit alert of N3.5 million to an unsuspecting timber dealer in Nsukka Timber Market on 28 November, 2021.

The suspect confessed to the crime, while a video clip intercepted in the course of the ongoing investigation, shows him spraying cash in a nightclub, which is reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of his criminal activities, he stated.

The suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted accordingly, once investigation into the case is concluded.

Mr Ndukwe reassured residents of the state that the police were committed to protecting their lives and property and ensuring peace and order in the state.

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The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, said personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) would be withdrawn from VIPs escort and guard duties.

Mr Egbetokun said this on Monday in Abuja at a conference with the Police Tactical Commanders.

He said the force would re-evaluate the responsibilities of the PMF to ensure their effective utilisation.

Specifically, we shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.

While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole.

By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large, he said.

The IGP said a special committee headed by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations had been set up to assess and advise on how the strategy could be implemented seamlessly.

According to him, the committee is expected to submit its report in two weeks after which further details will be made available.

READ ALSO:

Mr Egbetokun said the focus of the police would be to enforce the law and be partners in creating safe communities and nurturing an environment where everyone would feel protected and valued.

To support the foregoing strategic plan and make needed manpower available for frontline duties, the withdrawn PMF officers will be replaced by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) only where necessary.

To ensure the smooth implementation of this policy, we will, in consultation with the Police Service Commission, invoke the Supernumerary provision of Sections 23, 24 and 25 of the Police Act 2020.

The Act allows the police to train supernumerary officers specifically for the personal protection duties of individual Nigerians who require their services, he added.

He said details of the strategic plan would be made available in the weeks and months ahead, adding that the force would ensure that the policy was implemented strictly in accordance with best practices.

According to him, this will free up regular police officers to focus more on frontline policing duties across the nation.

Mr Egbetokun said the proposed operational strategies was aimed at fostering trust, cooperation and confidence within the Police Force.

(NAN)

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A wave of excitement filled the atmosphere when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), last October, announced the acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing Limited, the company behind the Oando Retail brand in West African countries. The then board chairperson of NNPC Limited, Margret Okadigbo, said the acquisition would strengthen NNPCs downstream business portfolio and enhance national energy security and profitability.

NNPCL had the intention to have 1,500 filling stations, Ms Okadigbo said, and the acquisition would bring over 380 additional filling stations operated by OVH Energy under the NNPC Retail brand in Nigeria and Togo.

We will be Africas largest petroleum product retail network, she was quoted as saying in an NNPCL statement.

Although the news was exciting, the events trailing the acquisition of OVH Energy are disillusioning. Despite a Freedom Of Information request, NNPCL kept details of the acquisition under wraps with many alleging shadiness. However, PREMIUM TIMES found that the acquisition of OVH Energy has turned NNPC Retail into a toxic workspace with officials of the former taking over the running of the latter, and causing anger and disillusionment among staff.

The OVH Energy acquisition

The narrative that trailed the acquisition of OVH Energy by NNPCL was that the Africa-focused downstream company is highly lucrative with over 300 filling stations across the country and above. The simple interpretation of this is that with the acquisition of OVH Energy, NNPC Retail would take over all its filling stations, turning it into the largest downstream company in Africa.

To be clear, in 2015, Oando PLC, then Nigerias leading indigenous energy group, announced a $210 million deal to change the capital structure of its corporations by merging with HV Investments II B.V., an Africa-focused private investment firm, and the Vitol Group (Vitol), then known as the worlds largest independent trader of energy commodities.

On 30 June 2015, a new company was formed to hold interests in Oando Marketing Limited and its subsidiaries by merging the two companies. Oando PLC would then retain 49 per cent shareholding in the newly formed downstream firm, with the Consortium owning 49 per cent, while Residual, a local entity, owned just 2 per cent. The recapitalised corporations would be renamed OVH Energy (OVH), reflecting its ownership structure and the commitment of its new shareholders.

In 2022, NNPCL announced the outright acquisition of OVH Energy. By this acquisition, OVH Energy would be merged with NNPC Retail, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited.

Our acquisition of OVH brings more NNPC branded fuel stations under the NNPC Retail Limited umbrella, providing wider access for our customers, an enriched supply chain and product availability across our different locations, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said in a statement to Nigerians.

However, those with vast knowledge of the NNPCs inner workings told PREMIUM TIMES that exciting claims made to justify the acquisition of OVH Energy were exaggerated. They accused the NNPC of deliberately pushing inaccurate narratives to deceive the public about the purchase of OVH Energy. The insiders would not want to be named over the fear of victimisation by the Mr Kyari-led management.

Only about 94 stations are OVH owned; over 100 stations were leased while others are affiliations, a senior NNPCL official with access to the information, told PREMIUM TIMES. His view was corroborated by at least two other officials with all of them saying that NNPCs claim of owning 300 new stations by acquiring OVH was false.

This is one of the most shady deals ever in the oil industry globally. Not even the executive vice presidents of the NNPC know the details of the acquisition, one other senior NNPCL official said.

OVH Energy takes over NNPC Retail

In the eyes of the public, the NNPC has taken over OVH Energy by acquiring it. But in operational terms, it is OVH Emergy that has taken over the affairs of NNPC Retail in what one NNPC Retail official described as the worst possible acquisition deal ever.

Upon the acquisition of OVH Energy and its incorporation into NNPC Retail, a new Managing Director was to be appointed. Senior officials of NNPC Retail expected that one of them would be appointed the managing director. This was a given, they thought. After all, it was an acquisition, with the larger and more profitable NNPC buying the smaller and loss-making OVH.

They were wrong.

First, the Mr Kyari-led management team appointed Huub Stoksman, an expatriate and former Chief Executive Officer of OVH Energy, as the new Managing Director of the NNPC Retail. Mr Kyari also appointed the former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of OVH Energy, Mumuni Dangazau, as his Special Adviser Downstream.

Many officials of the NNPCL, including senior staff, believe Mr Dangazaus appointment effectively sidelined the Executive Vice President (EVP) Downstream of the NNPC whose office ordinarily oversees NNPC Retail.

The EVP has no say any more in NNPC Retail. Its between Stoksman, Dangazau and Kyari. He is not even on the board of NNPC Retail, one official said.

PREMIUM TIMES findings show that the EVP Downstream used to be a member of the board of NNPC Retail until the Petroleum Industry Act was signed into law after which a new board was constituted.

Our findings show that the appointments of Messrs Dangazau and Stoksman by Mr Kyari stirred controversy among the staff of NNPC Retail. Here is why.

In March 2022, Mr Dangazau became a director at Nueoil Energy Limited, a Nigerian oil company. Before then, he had been the COO of OVH Energy, which is now integrated into NNPC Retail. In September 2022, Nueoil acquired OVH Energy. And by October 2022, NNPCL announced the acquisition of OVH Energy. The role Mr Dangazau played in the acquisition of OVH remains unclear for now but NNPCL officials say he was central to the deal.

For Mr Stoksmans appointment, officials wondered why Mr Kyari felt no Nigerian was good enough to lead NNPC Retail after the acquisition. They expressed worry that none of the NNPC Retail management team, who had ensured the subsidiary remained profitable compared to some other NNPCL subsidiaries, was good enough to be appointed the managing director. The officials were curious about why Mr Stoksman, an expatriate that led OVH, a loss-making organisation, was appointed MD of a profit-making NNPC Retail despite the existence of competent hands within the NNPCL.

Profitable NNPC Retail consumed by OVH Energy

Since his appointment as the Managing Director, Mr Stoksman has ensured a virtual takeover of NNPC REtail by OVH, this newspaper found. First, he set up a management team for NNPC Retail, made up of about 75 per cent of OVH staff. This led to grumblings by serving officials of the NNPC Retail. As of Monday, of the 12 management team members of NNPC Retail, including Mr Stoksman, none was from the old NNPC Retail, three from NNPCL and nine from OVH.

Did we acquire them or did they acquire us, how come they are now the ones in the management, one NNPC Retail staff pondered.

Also, on 5 June, Mr Stoksman summoned a staff meeting and announced that the headquarters of the NNPC Retail would be moved to Lagos, where OVH is headquartered.

I could not believe my ears when he said that, an NNPC Retail staff who attended the Abuja virtual meeting told PREMIUM TIMES. Only God knows what deal Kyari signed with them, perhaps they are the ones that bought NNPC Retail.

On Monday, PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of the NNPCL, Garba-Deen Muhammad, on our findings contained in this story. Mr Muhammad did not pick up our calls but responded to a text message in which he said he would get back to our reporter. He has yet to do so at the time of this report.

NNPC Retail has been profitable since 2017, an independent verification by PREMIUM TIMES, based on reviews of the financial details of the two companies, showed.

PREMIUM TIMES reviewed the financial details of the two companies prior to the acquisition.

In 2021, the NNPC Retail said it sold N283.6 billion worth of petrol, diesel, kerosene, gas and lubricants across its 550 stations. An increase of N83.3 billion compared to the N200.3 billion worth of products it sold in 2020, according to its audited statement for the 2021 fiscal year.

NNPC Retail was established in 2002 as a strategic unit of NNPC Limited, Nigerias mother petroleum body. In 2009, it became a limited liability company and a subsidiary of NNPC Limited with just a retail station acquired from defunct Texaco Nigeria at Ikoyi, Lagos.

In 2021, the NNPC Retail stations grew from two in 2002 to 550 stations.

In terms of profitability, NNPC Retail, with an average market share of 10 per cent, made a Profit After Tax of N2.8 billion in 2019, N1.5 billion in 2020 and N4.9 billion in 2021. OVH, on the other hand, with an average market share of 5 per cent, made a Profit After Tax of N500 million in 2019, a loss after tax of N1.5 billion in 2020 and a loss after tax of N7.4 billion in 2021.

We wont provide details of the acquisition  NNPC

On 9 January, PREMIUM TIMES sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the NNPC seeking details of the acquisition of OVH Energy and asking salient questions about the integration of the company into the NNPC Retail. A few weeks later, on 27 January, an attorney of the NNPC, Tunde Adejumo, responded, saying the company was no longer compelled to reveal the details requested to the public.

In his response, Mr Adejumo noted that with the coming to effect of Sections 53 and 54 of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), which was a public institution, has transited to the NNPC Limited, following the laters registration as a limited liability company under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.

In other words, the NNPCL, through its attorney, said it rejected PREMIUM TIMES inquiries on the ground that NNPCL is no longer a public institution. It is given the above-stated reasons that we are unable to accede to your request for information sought, the NNPC attorney said. Your request is at this moment denied and we hope you understand our clients constraints.

However, contrary to Mr Adejumos claim, section 53 (3) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) noted that the ownership of all shares in the NNPC Limited shall be vested in the government at Incorporation and held by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated in equal portions on behalf of the Federation.

Therefore NNPCL, contrary to the claim of its lawyer, is still owned by the Nigerian Federation and thus bound by the FOI law. Also, the board of NNPCL was among those instantly dissolved by a presidential proclamation last week.

Also, Section 2 (7) of the FOI law states that companies in which government has a controlling interest are among the institutions bound by the FOI law.

Public institutions are all authorities whether executive, legislative or judicial agencies, ministries, and extra-ministerial departments of the government, together with all corporations established by law and all companies in which government has a controlling interest, and private companies utilizing public funds, providing public services or performing public functions, the law states.

Appointing expatriates as heads of NNPC subsidiaries

The staff and management of the NNPC are concerned that Mr Stoksman, an expatriate, was appointed ahead of many qualified Nigerians. This is becoming a practice in NNPC Limited, officials said, causing disaffection and disillusion among the workers of the company.

In March, NNPC Limited appointed another expatriate, Jean-Marc Cordier, as the head of its oil trading arm, stirring controversies among experts and the industrys enthusiasts.

It is of concern to most Nigerians that at this time of our life, we are still having a foreigner in such a strategic business enterprise in this country, said Bode Fadipe, a veteran energy expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Sage Consulting. The question many people will ask is, dont we have Nigerians who can manage that office? Are the expatriates now investors in the business or is it a joint venture that allows a foreigner to hold that kind of position?

But Yemi Oke, a legal consultant and energy law advisor, held a different view on the issue, saying the growth of NNPC Limited  not the nationality of the person leading its subsidiaries  should be prioritised. Other Nigerian companies have expatriates as employees, Mr Oke told Punch.

All they need is to comply with the expatriate quota and show that theres no local manpower skilled enough to man that particular office, due to the technical nature of the position, he said.

READ ALSO:

In the case of NNPC Retail, however, there were many Nigerians skilled enough to be managing directors of the company including those who led it to profitability since 2017.

Workers at the NNPC Retail accused their union of failing to challenge what they believe is the impropriety going on in the organisation. They allege compromise by the NNPC Retail chapter of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Officials of the union including its secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, however, declined to speak about the matter, giving different excuses. When PREMIUM TIMES first contacted Mr Okugbawa for comment in March, he said he was unavailable to speak. He said the same thing when contacted by phone twice this month.

President Tinubu must act now!

When President Bola Tinubu announced the dissolution of the boards of all government-owned institutions last week, there was jubilation among many officials of the NNPCL with some even telling PREMIUM TIMES that they expected Mr Kyari to also exit since he is a member of the board of NNPCL.

Although the NNPCL board was affected by the dissolution, Mr Kyari was not outrightly sacked as GCEO and thus remains in office. However, many NNPC officials say they want a thorough probe of the NNPCs deals including the OVH acquisition.

How much was OVH bought for? Under what conditions? How many filling stations did they truly own? Why are they taking over NNPC Retail? These are some of the things a probe will reveal, one official said.

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The Ogun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, David Akinremi, is dead.

Mr Akinremi, a retired Commissioner of Police, died on Monday evening, according to family sources.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr Akinremi suffered from an undisclosed ailment for some time.

He was appointed in 2021 by Governor Dapo Abiodun as the pioneer commander of the regional security outfit in Ogun.

Although there is no official confirmation from either the Corps or the deceaseds immediate family yet, the Commander of So Safe Corps, a state government security outfit, Soji Ganzallo, described Mr Akinremis death as a rude shock.

In a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Ganzzallo described the deceased as an icon who will be greatly missed.

The death of Mr Akinremi could be likened to the sinking of the unsinkable and this is indeed a very big loss to Ogun State, he said in the tribute.

Since I met the Commander, we have been friends and brothers and he has played the role of a mentor to me and my management team till the time of his death.

Uncle Dave, as I used to call him was a very open, blunt, wonderful, large hearted, intelligent, strategic, adaptable, adept and a very adventurous person. He was a man of integrity, who had passion for the security job, with his love for Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

His death has left an unhealing wound in our hearts. And we shall never forget the role he played to secure Ogun State.

READ ALSO: Amotekun arrests man for allegedly torturing his two children to death

Meanwhile, we commiserate with Prince Dapo Abiodun CON led Ogun State administration and the family left behind by the late Commander of Amotekun.

We know its a big loss. But his good deeds and joint efforts in stabilising Ogun State security at the grassroots level lingers on in our memories.

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President Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria, on Tuesday, after his trip to France and London.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Tinubus trip to France was his first foreign trip since he assumed office as Nigerias president on 29 May.

After attending a summit on restructuring global finance at the French capital Paris, Mr Tinubu travelled to London for a private visit, his office said.

He returned to Nigeria on Tuesday and arrived at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

According to a statement by his spokesperson, Dele Alake, Mr Tinubu was welcomed by a large crowd at the Lagos airport.

The Nigerian leader is expected to celebrate Thursdays Sallah in Lagos where he will join hundreds of other Muslims to say the Eid prayer at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground.

Read the full statement by Mr Alake below.

PRESIDENT TINUBU RECEIVES TUMULTUOUS WELCOME UPON RETURN TO LAGOS

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his profound gratitude to Nigerians for the overwhelming reception accorded him in Lagos on Tuesday, conveying his best wishes to all Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

The President received a tumultuous welcome from a massive crowd of Nigerians upon his return to Lagos, following his seven-day trip abroad.

He had travelled to Paris, France to attend the summit on A New Global Financing Pact and had also made a brief private visit to London, United Kingdom.

As President Tinubus convoy made its way from Ikeja to his private residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, Lagosians lined the road from Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), enthusiastically waving and expressing their joy.

This marks the Presidents first visit to Lagos since his inauguration as Nigerias 16th President on May 29, 2023.

Upon his arrival at the presidential wing of MMIA, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Acting Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Senators and Representatives from Lagos State, as well as party officials warmly received President Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Tinubu departs Paris for London

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force also mounted a guard of honour for him, while the standing troupe of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture entertained guests.

President Tinubu is scheduled to join fellow Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers on Wednesday at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks, the former seat of the Nigerian government.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

Special Duties, Communications and Strategy

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Ribadu is an advocate of inclusion, making sure that the marginalised members of society are not only told that they are included but also feel like they are. If Nigerias security challenges are to be holistically tackled with energy and passion, no one brings that to the job like Ribadu does.

It was a day after President Bola Tinubu was inaugurated and he was one of the eminent personalities having their usual rendezvous at the Abuja residence of a popular billionaire businessman, when someone broached the subject of how the president could form the new government.

Of course, as expected, discussion gravitated towards who should and who shouldnt be in the new government on account of the role they played during the election. Then someone talked down the South East as undeserving of Tinubus attention and Nuhu Ribadu was stung by the suggestion and went philosophical in his counter arguments.

The retired police chief argued that no country could achieve greatness if a critical section of its population feels isolated and agitated as we have in Nigeria. He said peace and progress would elude such a country. He expressed the belief that a government which desires peace must negotiate with aggrieved sections and be fair in the distribution of political offices, to give every section and faith a genuine sense of belonging. It is the only way to deepen democracy and make progress. He ended by saying he would not be proud to be part of a government that is not inclusive.

Not a few of those present were impressed by how he rationalised his inclusive government philosophy, and many of us, knowing his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, concluded that he would be a great asset to the Tinubu administration, if he is given a role to play.

Barely a week after that engaging occasion, Ribadu was announced as a special adviser on security to the president! And a few days ago, he was named as the National Security Adviser to the president. What a round peg in a round hole that is!

His appointment has understandably moved not a few eyebrows. Nigeria is a country accustomed to having retired military officers appointed as the NSA, although there have been a few retired police officers appointed too in the past. Ironically, police officers who had served as NSA, such as Gambo Jimeta and Ismaila Gwarzo, served military regimes. But civilian administrations since 1999 have appointed only retired military officers.

This is perhaps due to the erroneous belief that security is the exclusive preserve of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies. This is not true. While it is accurate that the security challenges confronting Nigeria are largely insurgencies that would require military engagement, the Nigerian military is adequately well equipped with the manpower to handle these challenges. What is required is an executive coordination centre, which the office of the NSA provides.

Section 4 of the National Security Agencies Act, 1986, empowers the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to appoint a Coordinator on National Security, while Section 4(3) of the Act defines the roles of the Coordinator on National Security to include advising the President on matters concerning the intelligence activities of the (created) agencies; making recommendations in relation to the activities of the agencies to the President as contingencies may warrant and doing such other things in connection with the foregoing provisions of this section, as the President may determine.

As noted by many commentators, the schedule of the NSA straddles different but relevant professional capabilities, such as the military, law enforcement, intelligence services, international relations, the financial controls and developmental spheres.

I see him as a paradigm shift in our security architecture; a new template for the management of Nigerias national security. It is certainly not a hype to say Ribadu fits the bill of a modern day NSA. Ribadu was an intelligence police operative who retired as Assistant Inspector General of Police. He came into limelight as a star prosecutor at the Oputa Panel, which was created to investigate human rights abuses during the military era.

As Uche F. Uche noted in an article published in The Guardian of 4 June, the application of conflict resolution mechanisms in dealing with conflicts and crisis threatening Nigerias national security is also of priority, because thde use of force alone cannot produce the results needed. This is why the NSA should be familiar with such mechanisms, to include capacity in crisis management and alternative dispute resolution.

In the United Kingdom, all the six persons who have been appointed the NSA since 2010 have been career diplomats or civil servants. The current NSA, Sir Timothy Earle Barrow, is a civil servant who became a diplomat and served as the British Ambassador to the European Union, before his current appointment as NSA.

In the United States, which our democracy is modelled after, many of the people appointed have had no military training. Condoleezza Rice was a university scholar when President George Bush appointed her NSA from 2001 to 2005. The man who took over the office after her tenure was Stephen John Hadley, a lawyer and civil servant. Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan, whos the current NSA, was also a civil servant before his appointment.

So, in the modern world, the role of the NSA is changing. Governments are looking for intelligent men and women whose resumes show capabilities in peacebuilding, intelligence gathering and analysis, alongside developmental issues and, in the case of Nigeria, an advocate of inclusiveness.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in 2015, while addressing the Security Council, that Post-conflict societies must prioritise social, economic and political inclusion if they are to have any hope of rebuilding trust between communities, to underline the need for inclusivity in the governance of conflict states.

Also in a paper presented by John Mukum Mbaku, on the imperative of inclusive governance, he suggested that the type of governance structure that each African country should strive for over the next decade is one that should address peaceful coexistence and economic development, inequality, the effects of climate change, health pandemics, and enhanced regional cooperation, as well as ensure the full and effective participation in both the economic and political systems of groups that have historically been marginalised. Each country must reflect upon its own governance challenges and engage in robust national dialogue on institutional reforms to enable an effective and inclusive governance system.

He cited the examples of African countries such as Cameroon, DR Congo, and South Sudan, as those plagued by violence due to the absence of enabling environments for peaceful coexistence, which inclusivity creates. He said, Peace and security, which are a sine qua non for entrepreneurial activities and the creation of wealth, are unlikely to return to these countries without the provision of participatory and inclusive governance structures.

This is the hope that Ribadu offers our country as NSA. I see him as a paradigm shift in our security architecture; a new template for the management of Nigerias national security. It is certainly not a hype to say Ribadu fits the bill of a modern day NSA. Ribadu was an intelligence police operative who retired as Assistant Inspector General of Police. He came into limelight as a star prosecutor at the Oputa Panel, which was created to investigate human rights abuses during the military era. He also served as Chairman of the Petroleum Special Revenue Task Force (PRSTF), before he became the pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where his achievements earned him global recognition and awards.

As the pioneer Chairman of EFCC, he turned the agency into the most feared law enforcement organisation in the country. He acted like a man born for the job. Arguably, no one had demonstrated his passion for the anti-corruption war since he left the office. He became the standard by which his successors are judged.

Ribadu joined the global class of security personnel trained on driving developmental and peacebuilding ideas when he became a visiting fellow at the Center for Global Development, a TED Fellow, and a Senior Fellow in St. Antonys College, University of Oxford, UK.

As a former presidential candidate of a major political party  the Action Congress of Nigeria  Ribadu certainly knows this country better than most of his contemporaries.

But more importantly, Nigeria is at a point in its history when it needs men and women who believe in the country and see the importance of every section, tribe and religion to the overall wellbeing of the country. Men or women who can bring everyone together. This is where Ribadu excels. The international community is also going to be very comfortable with someone like Ribadu whos not unknown to the global security architecture. That is an asset for the country.

A 2021 United Nations report on the importance of inclusive governance noted that Governance is inclusive when it effectively serves and engages all people; takes into account gender and other facets of personal identity; and when institutions, policies, processes, and services are accessible, accountable and responsive to all members of society. Fostering governance that is inclusive is essential to advancing democratic values, including peaceful pluralism and respect for diversity.

It also acknowledged that Building peace is about much more than ending war, an assertion that prioritises inclusiveness as a solution to internal agitations and upheavals, as we have in the country.

Ribadu is an advocate of inclusion, making sure that the marginalised members of society are not only told that they are included but also feel like they are. If Nigerias security challenges are to be holistically tackled with energy and passion, no one brings that to the job like Ribadu does.

As the pioneer Chairman of EFCC, he turned the agency into the most feared law enforcement organisation in the country. He acted like a man born for the job. Arguably, no one had demonstrated his passion for the anti-corruption war since he left the office. He became the standard by which his successors are judged.

As Nigerias NSA, I have no doubt that Ribadu would bring the same passion to the job and exceed everyones expectations. Congratulations Mr Inclusiveness.

James Ume is the founder of Unubiko Foundation, Abuja.

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The mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, against the Russian military, highlights one of the challenges of engaging mercenaries or private military contractors of any hue, including thugs, to help a state prosecute its wars and police actions. Prigozhin, a long term ally of the Russian strong man Vladmir Putin, rose to prominence after his mercenaries helped Russia to raise its flag in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in April this year following a long and bloody battle. Emboldened by its successes, Prigozhin began to accuse Russias top military chiefs of being responsible for the failures and setbacks in the Ukrainian conflict. The feud reached new heights on Saturday, June 24 2023, when Prigozhin alleged that a Wagner camp in Ukraine had been attacked from the rear by Russias military. The Russian Defense Ministry denied the accusation. Prigozhin then claimed his fighters had crossed from the occupied eastern Ukraine into the Russian border city of Rostov-On-Don and that they would fight anyone who tried to stop them. They later began an audacious march to Moscow, capital of Russia, before suddenly turning back  arguing that it did not want to see the spilling of Russian blood. Wagner, is understood to have fought in Syria, the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Sudan, and Mozambique.

How does Asari Dokubo come into this?

Asari Dokubo, an ex-militant and leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, has been in the news recently. A loquacious and attention-seeking supporter of President Tinubu during the campaigns, he visited the Presidential Villa recently and not only had a photo Op with the President, but was also given a rare and ill-advised privilege of hosting a press conference at the State House behind Nigerias Coat of Arms. In that press conference Dokubo took on the Nigerian military and accused their high command of being behind oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region. He also claimed that his men and not the Nigerian military were responsible for securing the Abuja-Kaduna road and other hot spots in the country. As he put it: There is a full-scale war going on and the blackmail of the Nigerian state by the Nigerian military is shameful. They said they do not have enough armament and people listen to this false narrative. They are lying. They are liars. I repeat they are liars because I am a participant

I am a participant in this war. I fight on the side of the government of the Nigerian state in Plateau, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Rivers. And in Abuja today, you are travelling to Kaduna on this road. It is not the army that makes it possible for you to travel to Abuja or travel to Kaduna, and vice versa. It is my men, employed by the government of the Nigerian state, stationed in Niger.

If the above claims are true, it means that Asari Dokubo either runs a private military company which the government engages or is a thug in control of armed militia engaged by, or working in conjunction with some elements in the government. Whichever is the case here brings up the whole discussion about the state engagement of private military contractors of any hue in the provision of security:

Modern private military companies (PMCs) have evolved from their origins from a group of ex Special Air Service (SAS) unit of the British Army who in 1965 founded WatchGuard International. There was a dramatic growth in the number and size of PMCs at the end of the Cold War with the exodus of some six million military personnel from Western militaries. Some of the better known PMCs include Blackwater and Vinnell Corporation (USA), G4S and Keeni-Meeny Services (United Kingdom), Lordan-Levdan (Israel), Executive Outcomes (South Africa) and Wagner Group (Russia). Though there was a United Nations Mercenary Convention in 1989 banning the use of mercenaries, which came into force on 20 October 2001, (as of August 2021, the convention had been ratified by 37 states, and signed but not ratified by 9 states), several countries continue to use different forms of PMCs, whose duties could differ depending on who hires them.

Supporters of PMCs often argue that it is cost effective, especially in a situation where the local security agencies are stretched. The argument is that once a contract is awarded to the PMC, the government does not have to worry about stuffs like feeding the fighters, clothing them or providing medical care as the PMC would be responsible for all those. While we do not have details of any government contract with Asari Dokubo or any other military or paramilitary contractor, we have not heard them complaining of being under-equipped as we regularly hear from our soldiers. In fact, while Tompolos N48bn oil pipeline surveillance contract has been credited with increase in oil production in Niger Delta by tackling oil bunkering, Asari Dokubo is claiming credit for the relative safety on some hitherto dangerous Nigerian roads at a fraction of what the military spends.

One of the criticisms of PMCs is that there are issues of oversight in their operations and of control and subordination to authorities. We see this insubordination to formal authorities playing out in the Wagner conflict with Russian military leadership and in the recent attacks on the Nigerian military by Asari Dokubo. What is shocking is the rather tepid response to Dokubos attacks on the military and the state turning a blind eye even when he was brandishing an AK47 and threatening an ethnic group. This raises the question of the nature of Asari Dokubos contract with the Nigerian state, (if such exists) and whether like Yevgeny Prigozhin he is already growing too big for Nigerias political and military leadership.

Given Asari Dokubos loquaciousness and antecedents as a violence entrepreneur, including shifty alliances, promotion of provincialism and recently Igbophobia, his warm embrace by President Tinubu compounds his (Tinubus) image problems and negates his recent efforts to distance Tinubu the President from the Tinubu of Boudillon. During the campaigns Dokubo claimed that when he was in prison Tinubu paid his childrens school fees, bought him his first car and even gave him a house. While we do not know the nature of the cord that binds them together, there is no doubt that a chummy relationship with such a character will make it more difficult for Tinubu to successfully re-invent himself as a statesman  as he seems to be striving to do since he became President.

It is generally unreliable, if not dangerous, for a state to depend on non-state actors for the provision of security. The modern State, according to the German sociologist Max Weber, is a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory. The outsourcing of aspects of security to PMCs questions this monopoly  as we have seen from the outbursts of both Prigozhin and Dokubo against Russias and Nigerias conventional militaries respectively. It should be borne in mind that in situations of armed conflict, the return to public order can be achieved only if the states legitimacy is restored and not if PMCs claim that they restored security for the state. Besides, since mercenaries have vested interests in the perpetuation of conflicts in order to remain in business, even if they succeed in helping to restore order in one conflict zone, they will surely want to open another conflict zone to remain in business. In essence since outsourcing aspects of security to violence entrepreneurs carries the risk of the PMC doing a Prigozhin, it is something that should be properly thought through by any government.

Jideofor Adibe is a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Extraordinary Professor of Government Studies at North Western University, Mafikeng South Africa. He is also the founder of Adonis & Abbey Publishers and can be reached at 0705 807 8841(Text or WhatsApp only).

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Clement Onwuenwunor, the lead counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Abdulazeez Adediran (Jandor), has accused a West African Examination Council (WAEC) official of compromising evidence in his testimony.

The official was subpoenaed by the court to give evidence on the controversy surrounding the qualification of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Onwuenwunor accused Olaolu Adekanmbi, the WAEC official, who was subpoenaed by the tribunal at his instance, of not being truthful in his evidence.

The petitioners counsel told the tribunal that the evidence of the witness was averse to its earlier findings after a search on WAECs online result verification portal which had allegedly indicated the absence of the governors name and result on it.

Jandors counsel also applied to the tribunal for leave to cross-examine the witness in order to challenge the accuracy of the WAEC officials evidence.

There is a major conflict between what the witness has just brought and what we earlier tendered which was also issued by WAEC.

Our search before the polls had discovered that the governor had no result on WAECs portal and now this witness is bringing something different which contradicts their earlier position.

He is not being a witness of truth.

He has also refused to give more evidence on what he presented, and said the council does not produce hard copies of certificates or retain duplicate certificates, he said.

Earlier, the witness had presented a document bearing a May/June Olevel result with the name of the governor issued in 1981 by Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom admitted the document among the list of exhibits before it, into evidence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, described the petitioners grouse as a storm in a teacup.

He said: This witness has made two contradictory statements.

There is nothing to warrant treating him as a hostile witness.

At the very best, he has only given evidence not palatable to my learned friend.

We urge you to refuse the application of the petitioner,

Muiz Banire, representing Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, who were the second and third respondents in the petition, also aligned himself with INECs position.

Exhibit P36 is a product of one Ijebu Ife Community Grammar School, not WAEC while exhibit b2 is a product of one Grandex Ventures Ltd., not WAEC.

No one has led evidence to establish the authenticity of that portal so the attachment to it is totally unreliable.

No witness has even testified on the said Grandex, section 230 of the Evidence Act does not avail the petitioner the right to seek leave of court to declare the witness hostile, Mr Banire said.

However, the Labour Party and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, urged the Tribunal to grant the petitioners request.

They argued that the witness was being hostile to the truth and exhibited animosity.

The Tribunal, in its ruling, held that the petitioner could not cross-examine the witness and that the exhibit containing the findings from the portal could not be linked to WAEC directly.

The tribunal, thereafter, ordered other counsel to cross-examine the WAEC official.

The witness told the tribunal during cross-examination that the governor was found to have been entitled to a certificate issued by the school in question and that the online portal did not exist as of 1981.

He said: Since there was no portal in 1981, this master list of 581 candidates that sat for the exam at the school is the primary information that will be fed into the result verification portal.

I think electronic registration of candidates started in 2004.

For migrating results, we have three portals and the council does not retain duplicate copies of certificates.

The tribunal adjourned until 4 July for the continuation of the hearing.

(NAN)

OAR/JNC

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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, a.sanz@dental-monitoring.com : +33 01 86 95 01 01

Emily de Moraes, Communication Manager: e.demoraes@dental-monitoring.com: +1 737 201 9002

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SOURCE DentalMonitoring
LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Speaking to the thriving luxe cocktail scene in the capital. Johnnie Walker Blue Label is teaming up with 23 of London's top tier bar spots to offer Londoners a chance to taste its exceptional blend reimagined. The compellingly creative cocktails offer a unique opportunity for whisky fans, to experience the award-winning Johnnie Walker Blue Label and London's world-class creative mixology until 30th June.

Johnnie Walker Blue

From the artful hospitality of Louie - host of no less than Rihanna's 34th birthday party - comes an answer to the growing demand for savoury flavour profiles in drinks, with Ox on the Roof: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, bone marrow, saffron vermouth, Dubonnet, Gentiane and chestnut. Meanwhile, London's buzziest new opening Seed Library from Mr Lyan's team have created an ode to Johnnie Walker Blue Label and the chef's favourite ingredient, koji, with The Koji Hardshake: a sweet and salty sip of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, miso, koji and cream sugar, lemon.

Available at the likes of Claridge's, Sketch and Arts Club to name a few, the series offer the perfect way to elevate summer celebrations.

Crafted using rare, hand-selected whiskies from the four corners of Scotland, only 1 in 10,000 casks make the cut as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, prized as an exceptional taste experience with notes of vanilla sweetness and honey before a luxuriously long, smoky finish.

Adam Hussein, Johnnie Walker GB Blue Label Ambassador, said: "At a time where whisky is becoming more popular than ever across a range of demographics, Johnnie Walker is leading the charge in making whisky more accessible with this premium range of Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails. With this exclusive offering, we are bringing this iconic blend to the forefront of summer cocktail menus."

The Ox On The Roof cocktail and The Koji Hardshake cocktail are available until 30th June, so don't miss out on this unparalleled cocktail collection. Head on down to one of these award-winning bars:

Or, try making your own at home with your own special bottle:

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Key Product Information

Please drink responsibly and do not forward to anyone under the legal purchase age. For more information, images or product samples, please contact:

TASTE PR/ johnniewalker@taste-pr.com/ 020 3920 9339

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SOURCE Johnnie Walker
Cutting-edge cyber insurance automation platform, 1Fort, gets strong backing to accelerate the evolution of its solution, simplifying the cyber insurance procurement process for middle to large businesses and insurance brokers.

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 1Fort , a leading cyber insurance automation platform, today announced it has completed a successful $2 million pre-seed round of financing. Major investors included Village Global , 8-Bit Capital , Operator Partners , Character , Company Ventures , BrokerTech Ventures , along with other venture firms and angel investors.

With the rise in cyber attacks, insurers have started requiring stringent security controls from businesses seeking cyber insurance as a way to mitigate loss ratios. However, the complexity and resources required to implement these security controls pose challenges for businesses, and brokers often struggle to guide their clients through the process.

1Fort addresses these challenges by providing an easy-to-use platform that enables middle to large businesses to efficiently meet security control requirements for cyber insurance. By connecting via API to the tools used by businesses, 1Fort provides teams real-time visibility into their inside-out security posture and helps them remediate the gaps to become insurable and secure better coverage terms and pricing. Businesses using 1Fort are able to reduce the time it takes to obtain coverage from months to weeks, while also elevating their cyber resilience by proactively fixing security vulnerabilities.

"All businesses deserve easy access to a financial safety net from cyber attacks," said Anthony Marshi , Co-Founder and CEO of 1Fort. "We're honored to have the support of leading brokerages, investors and strategic advisors as we aim to democratize cyber resilience."

1Fort is offered to businesses through its partnerships with retail brokers , enabling them to better support their clients through the security control requirements and place cyber deals more efficiently.

"For our clients, cyber risk is a constantly moving target," stated Monica Minkel , VP of Enterprise Risk at Holmes Murphy . "1Fort saves me time because it helps my clients hit the mark and get their cyber insurance coverage in place faster and at a lower cost, while providing great guidance on reducing cyber risk exposures."

1Fort recently participated in the BrokerTech Ventures (BTV) accelerator, a group representing 13 of the largest independently owned insurance brokerages and 14 of the largest insurance companies in North America, with a combined multi-billion dollars in annual distribution capacity. Partnering with BTV has enabled 1Fort to expand its collaboration with top brokerages and further demonstrate the impact of its solutions.

This funding represents a significant milestone for 1Fort as it aims to transform the cyber insurance landscape by bridging the gap between cybersecurity and insurance. The investment will be used to further product development, make key hires and strengthen relationships with brokers.

"The biggest opportunity in the cyber insurance market today is getting businesses through the complex process of implementing security controls required by insurance providers," says Anne Dwane , Co-Founder and Partner at Village Global . "The 1Fort team is building a solution that brings cutting-edge technology to automate the cyber insurance readiness process. We're excited to back the team as they move forward on this journey."

About 1Fort

1Fort is a leading cyber insurance automation company that simplifies the acquisition and management of cyber insurance for businesses. 1Fort seamlessly integrates with a business' existing tools, empowering them to automatically detect and immediately resolve security issues. With a dedicated team and strong venture backing, 1Fort is committed to democratizing cyber resilience and bringing financial security to the digital world.

Media Contact:

Toby Hung

[email protected]

Related Links

https://1fort.com

SOURCE 1Fort
New York drinking water suppliers were already looking at $900 million in estimated costs to remove so-called PFAS forever chemicals from the water that flows out of their customers taps. Now they - and their customers - could be on the hook for more if a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal goes into effect.

State health officials did not directly respond to questions about how much it would cost for water systems to comply with the recommended EPA standards. But years ago they estimated it would cost New York water utilities $855 million upfront and more than $45 million to maintain for treatment to limit New Yorkers exposure to the harmful chemicals known as PFAS.

That was to meet 2020 state standards that limit two main PFAS chemicals from the water. But now, in light of even stricter proposed regulations, which would further limit exposure via drinking water to PFAS, hundreds more New York utilities could be affected.

At the end of the day  our ratepayers are the ones that will be on the hook for compliance costs associated with the cost to supply water to them as customers, said Ken Naugle, production engineer for the Monroe County Water Authority.

Naugles water supplier has already made the investment in granular activated carbon technology that captures PFAS particles as the water moves through filters.

But he said the cost to maintain that technology is getting more expensive  and he worries how new regulations could impact that.

There's a big fear on our part that there could be a real shortage of this material, if everybody has to comply and there's a lot more demand and it has to be changed more regularly, he said. Its going to be a real issue at some point, certainly in terms of cost, but maybe even in terms of availability.

Environmental advocates say the cost is worth it to protect people from PFAS chemicals, which are likely human carcinogens and have been linked to cancers, organ damage and reproductive issues.

Its time for a precautionary approach, said Peggy Kurtz, leader of the Rockland Water Coalition in Rockland County. This is long overdue.

But some, like Marty Aman, a water utility operator in Wayne County, are skeptical (about going) to this great expense and all these extra measures to be more protective that it will make a big difference.

I'm hopeful that it that it rings the bell in terms of effectiveness, in terms of really helping, Aman said.

The costs have led to a key question for cash-strapped utilities who are already struggling to keep up with deferred maintenance, lead pipe removal and other water contaminants: Who should be saddled with the cost of installing the technology to get rid of the PFAS chemicals that eventually wound up in New York waterways?

Some advocates, like Robert Hayes of Environmental Advocates NY, say the companies that used or manufactured the chemicals, not New York or federal taxpayers, should be forced to pay for cleanup.

Interactive: Look up PFAS 'forever' chemicals in New York drinking water systems PFAS have been found in the water that millions of New Yorkers rely on for drinking water. Lookup the levels of PFAS chemicals in your drinking water system here.

It should be the chemical companies that developed PFAS that have known for decades but continue to put them into products because it was profitable to do so, Hayes said. Anywhere they can be held accountable, that is the best case scenario for paying for getting treatment installed.

Leonardo Trasande, a pediatric environmental health researcher at New York University, pointed out that PFAS chemicals are not put in the water supply by the local municipalities.

They were put in the water supply by companies that profited off of making PFAS, Trasande said.  The Polluter Pays principle is a tried and true principle not just of environmental policy and ethics but of American law.

But even successful lawsuits and complaints against such companies can take years and is not always a sure thing.

In the case of Hoosick Falls, where contamination was discovered back in 2015, the state of New York just announced in May that it had reached a $45 million agreement with companies Saint-Gobain and Honeywell to implement a new water supply for Hoosick Falls.

Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a May release that he is thrilled to see that residents in Hoosick Falls will have a new safe source of clean drinking water that they need and deserve, and is further encouraged to see that the new water supply system will not become the financial burden of New York's taxpayers.

In other cases, the source of contamination is unknown or was caused by unintentional acts by manufacturers, according to John Gardella, a Boston-based attorney and PFAS expert who represents companies that used PFAS in their products or manufacturing processes.

Way back when there were no PFAS regulations, it was perfectly permissible and legal to do this, Gardella said. Should we shoulder all these companies with the burden and cost of cleaning this up?

But not all of the water utilities are equally equipped to be able to pay for treatment. There are 2,820 community public water systems serving more than 18.3 million New Yorkers, with nearly 95% of New Yorkers receiving water from public water supplies.

Some, like New York Citys, serve 8.3 million customers, and have more resources to pay for treatment. Others serve just over a dozen people, such as small mobile home parks. But no matter the size, they all have to meet the same maximum contaminant levels.

The smaller systems dont have the resources to provide people clean water, Hayes said. Small systems dont have the resources to dig up (lead) pipes, just like they might not have the resources to do the testing and treatment for PFAS.

State Health Department spokeswoman Erin Clary said the state and federal governments have made record-setting investments which the department has leveraged to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, including PFAS.

That includes $30.8 million from the EPA in 2022 and a predicted $35.6 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In addition, the state expects to receive $83.7 million in a federal grant to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities.

There is also funding available through the New York State Water infrastructure improvement act and the Environmental Bond Act, according to the state health department.

New York continues to increase its investments in water infrastructure, Clary said.

But Clary said federal investment must continue to ensure we have the resources available to continue to address these compounds in the future.

Meanwhile, Clary noted that any resident that wishes to reduce exposure to PFAS contaminants in drinking water can purchase a home treatment system.

For example, residents can buy certain drinking water pitchers or install reverse-osmosis systems in their homes.

But the cost of making those changes is out of reach for many low-income people and renters who dont have the means to upgrade their drinking water systems, said David Carpenter, a public health physician and professor at the University at Albany.

Theres a significant population of residents of New York that simply dont have the financial resources or the knowledge of these dangers, Carpenter said. Thats really the responsibility of the state health department and state government in general to set a basic standard that protects the health of everybody, whether theyre wealthy or not wealthy.
Annual Award Recognizes Those Who Make a Powerful Difference in their Community

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP is now accepting nominations for its 2023 (State) Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50+ Pennsylvanians sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

"AARP Pennsylvania is excited to shine a light on 50+ Pennsylvanians who are using what they've learned to make a difference in the lives around them," said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director.

AARP Pennsylvania will evaluate nominations based on how the volunteer's work has improved the community, reflected AARP's vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. The award recipient will be announced in early fall.

AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Nominee must be 50 years or older.

The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay. Volunteers receiving small stipends to cover the costs associated with the volunteer activity are eligible.

The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP's vision and purpose.

The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must be replicable and provide inspiration for others to volunteer.

Partisan political achievements, accomplishments or service may not be considered.

Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible; however, teams are not eligible.

Previous Andrus Award recipients are not eligible.

Volunteers serving on the Andrus Award selection committee are not eligible.

AARP staff members are not eligible.

This is not a posthumous award.

Please contact (AARP State Office name and contact information) for further information and a nomination form. The application deadline is August 22, 2023.

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 49 outstanding individuals and couples nationwide.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

MEDIA CONTACT: TJ Thiessen | [email protected] | (202) 374-8033

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania
CHICAGO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Precision agriculture techniques, data-driven decision-making, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning are predicted to fuel the future growth of the Agriculture Analytics Market. The emphasis will be on resource optimisation, cloud-based platforms, and potential integration of blockchain technology for increased supply chain transparency in agriculture.

The global Agriculture Analytics Market size is expected to grow from USD 1.4 billion in 2023 to USD 2.5 billion by 2028, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.1%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

The increasing demand for food security due to a growing global population is pushing farmers to optimize crop yields and resource management using data-driven insights. Technological advancements, including IoT and remote sensing, generate vast amounts of data that can be analyzed to improve farming practices will further drive the Agriculture Analytics Market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Agriculture Analytics Market"

342 - Tables

54 - Figures

318 - Pages

Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=255757945

Scope of the Report

Report Metric Details Market Size Available for years 2017-2028 Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast units Value (USD Billion) Segments covered By Offering, Agriculture Type, Farm Size, Technology, End Users, and Region Geographies covered North America, APAC, Europe, MEA and Latin America Companies covered The major market players include Deere & Company(US),IBM(US), Bayer Ag, (Grmany),SAP(Germany), Trimble(US), Accenture(Ireland), ABACO(Italy), DeLaval(Sweden),Oracle(US),DTN(US), Farmers Edge(Canada),SAS Institute(US), Iteris(US), PrecisionHawk(US) and many more.

The solution segment is expected to hold the highest market share

Agriculture analytics solutions utilize advanced technologies and data analysis techniques to optimize and improve agricultural operations. These solutions collect, process, and analyze vast amounts of data from multiple sources, including weather patterns, soil conditions, crop growth, and machinery performance. By leveraging this data, agriculture analytics solutions provide valuable insights and recommendations to farmers and agricultural stakeholders.

By technology, Remote sensing and satellite imagery to hold the highest market share

The use of remote sensing and satellite imagery has revolutionized agriculture analytics by providing valuable insights and information for optimizing farming practices. These technologies allow farmers and researchers to gather data on crop health, land use, and environmental conditions without extensive on-the-ground monitoring. Remote sensing and satellite imagery also enable monitoring of environmental factors affecting agriculture, such as temperature, precipitation, and sunlight availability

By end users, Farmers segment to hold the largest market share during the forecast period

The emergence of precision agriculture, which integrates technologies like GPS, remote sensing, and data analytics, has revolutionized how farmers manage their operations. These tools enable farmers to gather real-time data, generate field maps, and precisely apply inputs like fertilizers and pesticides. By optimizing resource allocation and reducing waste, farmers can improve efficiency and environmental sustainability.

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North America to dominate the market during the forecast period

North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the market in 2023. The region comprises developed countries, such as the US and Canada, and is considered the most advanced region in terms of adopting digital technologies. The presence of many agriculture technology providers, such as IBM, Microsoft, Deere & Company, Granular, and The Climate Corporation, is driving the growth of the market in North America. Also, the rapid developments in infrastructure, high adoption of digital technologies, and demand for data-driven solutions contribute to the Agriculture Analytics Market growth in the region.

Agriculture Analytics Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing size and complexity of farms

Rising need for optimal resource utilization

Enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact

Applying Big Data in farming

Restraint:

High costs associated with data collection and analysis

Data privacy and security concerns

Opportunities:

Technological advancements such as IoT, AI, and ML

Prospect of public-private collaborations to advance use of agriculture analytics

Challenges:

Lack of technological literacy and skills gap

Data transfer and storage

Top Key Companies in Agriculture Analytics Market:

The major vendors offering agriculture analytics solutions are Deere & Company (US), IBM (US), Bayer Ag (Germany), SAP (Germany), Trimble (US), Accenture (Ireland), ABACO (Italy), DeLaval (Sweden), Oracle (US), DTN (US), Farmers Edge (Canada), SAS Institute (US), Iteris (US), PrecisionHawk (US), Conservis (US), Stesalit Systems (India), Agribotix (US), Agrivi (UK), Granular (US), FBN (US), Gro Intelligence (US), Resson (Canada), AgVue Technologies (US), Taranis (US), CropX (Israel), Trace Genomics (US), Fasal (India), AgEye Technologies (US), HelioPas AI (Germany), OneSoil (Switzerland), Root AI (US) and AgShift (US).

Recent Developments:

In March 2023 , IBM announced a partnership with The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto, to develop and market a new agriculture analytics solution. The solution will use IBM's Watson IoT platform to collect and analyze data from a variety of sources, including weather data, soil data, and crop data. The data will be used to help farmers make better decisions about how to manage their crops.

, IBM announced a partnership with The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary of Monsanto, to develop and market a new agriculture analytics solution. The solution will use IBM's Watson IoT platform to collect and analyze data from a variety of sources, including weather data, soil data, and crop data. The data will be used to help farmers make better decisions about how to manage their crops. In January 2023 , John Deere and Nutrien Ag Solutions partner on digital connectivity. This connectivity enables both companies to better serve growers by optimizing logistics and enabling variable rate agronomic recommendations to be seamlessly transferred to their equipment for execution.

, John Deere and Nutrien Ag Solutions partner on digital connectivity. This connectivity enables both companies to better serve growers by optimizing logistics and enabling variable rate agronomic recommendations to be seamlessly transferred to their equipment for execution. In January 2023 , SAP partnered with DeHaat, a technology-driven platform, offering end-to-end agricultural services to farmers in India . DeHaat, will use SAP's cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution S/4HANA Cloud.

, SAP partnered with DeHaat, a technology-driven platform, offering end-to-end agricultural services to farmers in . DeHaat, will use SAP's cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution S/4HANA Cloud. In October 2022 , Bayer's launches innovative solutions to the challenges facing farmers, consumers and planet, the company announced of the LifeHub Monheim, a future partnership-focused facility located on the campus of Bayer's global crop science division headquarters in Monheim, Germany .

, Bayer's launches innovative solutions to the challenges facing farmers, consumers and planet, the company announced of the LifeHub Monheim, a future partnership-focused facility located on the campus of Bayer's global crop science division headquarters in Monheim, . In February 2022 , Trimble Agriculture has launched its Virtual Farm. The software explores topics such as labor skill levels, water management, and input management, and then connects the user with opportunities to address those concerns through Trimble's services

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Agriculture Analytics Market Advantages:

Numerous data sets about agricultural yields, weather patterns, soil conditions, and market trends are accessible through agriculture analytics. Utilising this information, farmers may choose the best crops, determine the best times to plant them, and decide how best to fertilise, irrigate, and control pests. Agricultural practises are optimised, production is increased, and costs are decreased through data-driven decision-making.

Agriculture analytics assists in identifying and reducing risks related to weather-related occurrences, disease outbreaks, insect infestations, and market variations by analysing historical and current data. Farmers may better manage crop insurance, modify planting dates, respond pro-actively to possible hazards, and apply preventative measures. The stability and resilience of agricultural operations are improved by this component of risk mitigation.

Agriculture analytics optimises the use of water, fertilisers, and energy to support effective resource management. Farmers may accurately schedule irrigation and only apply water when necessary by keeping an eye on crop growth trends, weather patterns, and soil moisture levels. Similar to how data-driven insights allow for focused application of fertilisers and other inputs, they also minimise waste and maximise resource utilisation. Cost reductions, a lessening of the influence on the environment, and sustainable farming methods are the results of this optimisation.

Beyond the farm gate, agriculture analytics aids in the optimisation of the entire supply chain for agriculture. As a result, farmers are able to better match production to market demands by better projecting crop yields, market demand, and pricing patterns. Analytics also helps with logistics planning, inventory control, and transportation optimisation, ensuring that agricultural products are delivered to markets effectively. Increased consumer happiness, decreased food waste, and higher profitability are all effects of supply chain optimisation.

Farmers who use data analytics can increase production and profitability. Resource allocation, risk mitigation, and supply chain optimisation lead to higher yields, lower costs, and better financial outcomes. A farmer's bottom line can profit from decisions made utilising agriculture analytics that are supported by data.

By facilitating improved resource management, reducing waste, and minimising environmental effect, agriculture analytics supports sustainable farming practises. Farmers may use less water, use less agrochemicals, prevent soil erosion, and maintain biodiversity by maximising inputs and implementing precision agriculture practises. The use of analytics in agriculture supports the objectives of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and forecast the Agriculture Analytics Market by offering, agriculture type, farm size, technology, end users, and region

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and industry-specific challenges) influencing the market growth

To analyze the opportunities in the market and provide details of the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders

To forecast the market size of the segments with respect to five main regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific , Middle East and Africa , and Latin America

, , , and , and To profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their market rankings and core competencies

To analyze competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and R&D activities in the market

To analyze the impact of recession across all the regions across the Agriculture Analytics Market.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Appian Capital Advisory LLP ("Appian"), the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in mining and mining-related companies, is pleased to announce the acquisition of an 89.96% interest in the producing Rosh Pinah zinc mine, located in the Kharas region in southern Namibia, from Trevali Mining Corporation.

Highlights

Rosh Pinah is an operating underground zinc-lead mine with a 2,000 tonnes per day milling operation

Appian plans to restart the Rosh Pinah 2.0 mine expansion project which will nearly double the mine's annual ore throughput to 1.3 million tonnes and improve safety and environmental performance

Appian will retain the existing site management team and workforce, who have substantive technical expertise and understanding of the asset

Rosh Pinah is one of three recent investments by Appian in the attractive zinc market, a base metal which is playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition

Acquisition complements Appian's world-class portfolio of highly prospective assets located in attractive operating jurisdictions

Michael W. Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented:

"This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Appian as we continue to develop our world-class portfolio of highly attractive zinc assets, a critical metal that will help facilitate the upcoming energy transition. We look forward to welcoming the 450 employees at Rosh Pinah to Appian as we utilise our extensive operational and project development expertise to support the existing management team with delivering the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project. We extend our gratitude to the Namibian government, our valued partners, and the local community for their trust and support."

Rosh Pinah is an operating underground zinc-lead mine with a 2,000 tonnes per day milling operation, located in southwestern Namibia, approximately 800 km south of Windhoek. The mine has been in continuous operation since 1969, producing zinc and lead sulphide concentrates, as well as smaller amounts of copper, silver, and gold.

Appian plans to restart the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project which envisages the construction of new processing facilities, including the addition of a paste fill and water treatment plant, as well as a dedicated portal and decline to extended deposits. The project will increase mill throughput from 0.7 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes of ore per annum, increasing zinc equivalent production to 170 million pounds per annum, on average.

Following Vedra Metals in Italy and Pine Point in Canada, Rosh Pinah is Appian's third investment in the attractive zinc market, and a strong fit with Appian's investment strategy:

Controlling ownership enabling Appian to apply its best-in-class technical and operating capabilities to optimize existing operations and deliver the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project safely

Attractive expansion project that will significantly improve the mine's cost position and extend mine life

Significant upside from near mine exploration and already identified prospects

Operating mine with an experienced management team that has strong technical skills and in-depth knowledge of the asset

For further information:

FGS Global +44 (0)20 7251 3801 / [email protected]

Charles O'Brien, Richard Crowley, Theo Davies-Lewis

About Appian Capital Advisory LLP

Appian Capital Advisory LLP is the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies.

Appian is a leading investment advisor in the metals and mining industry, with global experience across South America, North America, Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 6,300 employees.

Appian has a global team of 70 experienced professionals with presences in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Lima, Belo Horizonte, Montreal, Dubai and Perth.

For more information please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com, or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

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SOURCE Appian Capital Advisory LLP
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Armstrong Consultants, a leading aviation engineering and planning firm, is celebrating 50 years of responsive and dedicated service.

Headquartered and founded in Grand Junction, Colorado, by Ed Armstrong in 1973, Armstrong began as a full-service civil engineering firm focused on site civil and structural design, geotechnical testing and design, and land surveying. By the early 1990s, the company became an airport-exclusive consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, and construction administration services.

Armstrong Consultants, A Lochner Company, celebrates 50 years serving airports across the west.

Armstrong currently serves the growing needs of airports across the Rocky Mountain West and Southwest, including more than 130 airport clients throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Wyoming. The company continues to evolve alongside advancements in the aviation and transportation industry to develop innovative solutions for general aviation, business jet, and commercial service airports, and military airfields.

"Armstrong has experienced tremendous growth and expansion over the past 50 years, and we are proud of the work we have done to support so many airport communities," said Armstrong President Dennis Corsi, C.M. "Moving forward, our focus will remain on providing personalized client attention and delivering the highest quality results for each airport we serve."

In late 2022, Armstrong was acquired by H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner), a national infrastructure consulting firm. Armstrong's established and growing business in the Western U.S. is complementary to Lochner's aviation business across the Central U.S., which has supported general aviation and commercial airports with planning, environmental, engineering, and construction management services since the 1960s.

Engineering Operations Manager Chris Nocks, P.E., added, "Lochner's acquisition of Armstrong provides our team with an expanded set of resources and capabilities that enables us to continue to elevate our service and quality. It is an honor to celebrate 50 years in business, and we are excited about the bright future ahead."

About Armstrong Consultants, A Lochner Company

Armstrong Consultants specializes in planning, engineering, and construction administration services. Armstrong's history is supported by the completion of over 3,000 improvement projects at more than 130 airports  ranging from small general aviation airports to business jet executive airports, commercial service airports, and military airfields throughout the western United States.

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner provides planning, environmental, design, construction engineering and inspection, right-of-way, and drainage services for surface transportation, aviation, and water clients across the United States. The company is ranked No.128 in Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

CONTACT: Laura White

Director of Marketing and Business Development

[email protected]

737.704.3080 | 701.269.2110 (cell)

SOURCE LOCHNER
PARIS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- May's auction results in New York showed that after all the records set by the Paul G. Allen, Anne H. Bass, and Thomas Ammann collections, 2023 began with relative sobriety. In an interview with journalist Amy Shaw for the Art Newspaper at Art Basel, art dealer Dominique Levy said he detects the presence of a "clear correction". Artprice takes this opportunity to review the acceleration of the art market since the beginning of the 21st century, via a quick look at the works that the market values the most.

Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964

Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2141769/year_of_creation_in_painting.jpg

"The analysis of auctions results is a fascinating way to examine the evolution of Art History", explains thierry Ehrmann, President of Artmarket.com and Founder of Artprice. "Our databases, have collected objective and comprehensive Fine Art auction data for more than 30 years from all over the world. They therefore provide an extraordinary tool for studying the appetites of collectors and revealing what our contemporaries value the most".

The triumph of Pop Art

In 1964, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Ed Ruscha were at the peak of their careers and these four artists all have auction price records for works created that year, in the midst of the Cold War, just a few months after the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy. These records, to which must be added more than thirteen thousand other auction results for artworks made that year, make 1964 the year-of-creation that generated the greatest volume of auction turnover in the period 2000 to 2023 (twenty-two years), all creative periods combined: $2.48 billion.

Having fetched the second best art auction result of all time at $195 million on 9 May 2022 at Christie's in New York, Andy Warhol's Shot sage blue Marilyn (1964) is now a sort of figurehead for that year (1964). Although from a market perspective the previous two years were just as important for Warhol, 1964 is also remembered in the art world for another reason: in 1964 Robert Rauschenberg won the Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale. Indeed, promoted by Leo Castelli (and perhaps even supported by the CIA), in 1964 Pop Art imposed itself in the art world thereby consolidating a significant shift of art (and the art market) to the West a transfer of power from Paris to New York on the international scene. The way this transfer came about has been the subject of intense discussion.

Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2141770/artworks_produced_in_1964.jpg

Abstraction, Pop Art and Expressionism

In the mid-1960s, several major artists of the first half of the 20th century were still creating important works. Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, and Rene Magritte were still active. In Asia, Li Keran and Fu Baoshi were perpetuating the art of traditional Chinese painting by giving it very personal touches of modernity, while in Europe Zao Wou-Ki and some of his compatriots were exploring Lyrical Abstraction. In England, a new generation was making its mark: David Hockney was 27 in 1964, Frank Auerbach was 33 and Lucien Freud was 42. They were just at the beginning of their careers, but that year Francis Bacon, aged 55, painted some of his best portraits.

In the United States, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Willem De Kooning, and Clyfford Still were still exploring Abstract Expressionism and Jackson Pollock had passed away a few year back, while a new artistic revolution was emerging: Pop Art. It was this movement that truly imposed America on the international art scene and the international art market. The works themselves were often brilliant and eye-catching but they also often contained covert or less-covert criticism of the American dream. In France, Pierre Soulages has already painted his best canvases, but a new Expressionist scene was beginning to emerge in Germany, with Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, and Anselm Kiefer, among others. Their work unfolded over many years and therefore did not produce the same concentration of market value as the American Pop Art movement.

The success of this movement was notably due to a relatively small number of series of works on which collectors focused heavily, and these series were created by the great names of American Pop Art and were generally worked and reworked for a few years... around 1964.

Sources

Art Basel may be busy, but cautious sales reflect a complex market picture, Amy Shaw, The Art Newspaper, le 15 June 2023.

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/15/art-basel-may-be-busy-but-cautious-sales-reflect-a-complex-market-picture

1964: Pop Art arrives in Europe, a betrayal as seen from France, Thomas Snegaroff, France Info, 2 October 2015.

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/histoires-d-info/1964-le-pop-art-debarque-en-europe-une-trahison-vue-de-france_1788541.html

Market analysis of works created by the Warhol-Basquiat duo exhibited at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Artprice, 25 April 2023

https://www.artprice.com/artmarketinsight/works-co-signed-by-jean-michel-basquiat-and-andy-warhol-are-currently-showing-at-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-in-paris

Images:

[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image1-1964-artmarket-com-auction-turnover-by-year-of-creation-in-painting.png]

[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image2-1964-artmarket-com-top-15-auction-prices-artw Roy Lichtenstein orks-produced-in-1964.png]

Copyright 1987-2023 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.com - www.artmarket.com

Don't hesitate to contact our Econometrics Department for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: [email protected]

for your requirements regarding statistics and personalized studies: Try our services (free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo

(free demo): https://www.artprice.com/demo Subscribe to our services: https://www.artprice.com/subscription

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who's who : Biographie-thierry-Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 817,000 artists.

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world's leading Fine Art NFT platform.

Artprice Images allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 7200 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 7.2 million ('members log in'+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France's Commercial Code).

Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label "Innovative Company" by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market.

Artprice by Artmarket's Global Art Market Report, "The Art Market in 2022", published in March 2023: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2022

Artprice releases its 2022 Ultra-Contemporary Art Market Report: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2022

The Artprice 2022 half-year report: the art market returns to strong growth in the West: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/global-art-market-in-h1-2022-by-artprice-com

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 6.3 million followers)

twitter.com/artmarketdotcom

twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum "The Abode of Chaos" (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

L'Obs - The Museum of the Future: https://youtu.be/29LXBPJrs-o

www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 (over 4 million followers)

https://vimeo.com/124643720

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Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department - Contact: Thierry Ehrmann, [email protected]

SOURCE Artmarket.com
GREEN BAY, Wis., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) today announced it will release second quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday, July 20, 2023, after market close. The Company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on the same day.

Interested parties can access the live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, http://investor.associatedbank.com. Parties may also dial into the call at 877-407-8037 (domestic) or 201-689-8037 (international) and request the Associated Banc-Corp second quarter 2023 earnings call. The financial tables and an accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company's website just prior to the call. An audio archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately fifteen minutes after the call is over.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, and loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management's plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "should," "will," "intend," "target," "outlook," "project," "guidance," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include those identified in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings. Such factors are incorporated herein by reference.

Investor Contact: Ben McCarville

Vice President | Director of Investor Relations

920-491-7059 | [email protected]

Media Contact: Jennifer Kaminski

Vice President | Public Relations Senior Manager

920-491-7576 | [email protected]com

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp
The quoting solution offers Auto-Valve, Inc. an all-in-one system that seamlessly integrates with their ERP System to effortlessly retrieve customer data, automate routing, and utilize tailored workflows.

LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GR Technology, Inc. (GRT) and Auto-Valve, Inc. announced the intuitive and comprehensive GR8T Quote Express App, a seamless Sales Quoting solution that integrates with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) data through APIs, providing a smart and user-friendly experience.

Auto-Valve, Inc. now benefits from the streamlined quoting capabilities of Quote Express providing a centralized repository for efficient management and automation of quoting documents, communications, and processes. By eliminating the reliance on spreadsheets and external systems, the app offers customized solutions that cater to Auto-Valve's specific quoting workflows. These include features such as Opportunity Management, multi-level cost roll-ups, and Win/Loss through visual analysis empowering Auto-Valve to enhance their quoting efficiency and effectiveness.

"GR Technology's GR8T Quote Express App has helped Auto-Valve automate our quoting process and enhance the productivity of our team through the bidirectional communication between our dual systems of PLEX and the GR8T Quote Express App, while reducing manual errors and any duplication of data while adapting to our established workflow." said Tim Claude, President of Auto-Valve, Inc.

"We are glad to have a significant positive impact on Auto-Valve's operations." says Lorren Riggle, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer at GR Technology, Inc. "By streamlining the quoting process, the GR8T Quote Express App ensures that accurate information is transmitted between systems, minimizing the risk of mistakes and increasing overall efficiency."

To learn more, visit the GR8T Platform webpage.

About GR Technology, Inc.

GR Technology, Inc. dba DKM Inc., based in Los Angeles (CA) with locations in Pittsburgh (PA) and India, is the leading provider of comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) services for mid-sized manufacturers worldwide. Learn more at www.grtechnologyinc.com .

About Auto-Valve, Inc.

About Auto-Valve: AVI was founded by A.P. Barcus in 1948 to serve the aviation fluid systems industry. Since, the company has provided components for almost every U.S. aerospace manufacturer as well as many international companies. Originally founded to design and provide mechanical components, today AVI provides a complete line of components used in a wide range of aircraft fluid applications including motor and solenoid actuated valves. Learn more at www.autovalve.com .

Contact:

Michael Frey

(213) 688-1010

[email protected]com

SOURCE GR Technology Inc
Axia Trade has won the "Best CFD Trading Experience" and the "Most Trusted Emerging Forex Broker" in the GCC region for the year 2023.

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Brand Awards, an esteemed annual event organized by Global Brands Magazine (GBM) in the UK, aims to recognize global brands that excel in various sectors while keeping readers informed about key trends in the branding world. Axia Trade underwent a comprehensive evaluation based on criteria such as customer service, satisfaction, digital innovation, strategic relationships, and new business development.

Commenting on Axia Trade winning the awards, Jay Reddy, Director of Global Brands Magazine, said, "Axia Trade's commitment to providing a secure and stable trading environment has greatly contributed to their success and enhanced customer confidence. The company's stringent security measures and advanced risk management systems ensure seamless trading for all users. We extend our best wishes to Axia Trade for their exceptional performance this year and wish them continued success in their journey of innovation and determination."

Commenting on winning the awards, Talal Al Hajiry, CEO of Axia Trade, said, "We are beyond thrilled and humbled to have been recognized for our hard work and dedication. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our exceptional team. This recognition reaffirms our position as a leader in the financial world and validates the vision and strategies we have implemented. While this award is a moment of celebration, it also serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have to continue pushing boundaries and striving for even greater accomplishments."

About Axia Trade

Axia has one very simple vision  to provide the ultimate trading experience. This means safety, a superior educational framework, robust tech, outstanding support, and a remarkable experience overall for traders around the world.

Axia Trade is known across the world for its meticulous detail to each element, and their constant effort in creating a platform that is not only easy and safe to use, but also a platform that works for the benefit of the investors. This helps the investors thrive and get the most out of their trades. Axia Trade's mission is to be a solid bridge between traders and the most liquid markets in the world.

About Global Brands Magazine (England)

Global Brands Magazine (GBM) has been at the forefront, bringing news, views, and opinions on brands shaping the future of their industry. The Magazine focuses on the world's top brands, showcasing their strategies and success stories. The magazine covers a wide range of industries, including fashion, beauty, technology, and more. It is targeted towards business executives and marketing professionals, offering insights and analysis on brand building and management. Each year, GBM develops a series of awards for companies that stand out, and have a unique vision, exceptional service, innovative solutions, and consumer-centric products among their industry leaders. The Magazine has over 9.5 million visitors and 14 million page views per month, making it one of the best online magazines in the world. With over 9.5 million monthly visitors and 14 million page views, GBM is one of the most esteemed online magazines globally. The magazine also maintains a strong presence on social media, boasting over 20k+ Facebook likes, 10k+ Instagram followers, 25k+ Twitter followers, and 3k+ LinkedIn followers.

About the Global Brand Awards

The Global Brand Awards is an annual event that celebrates the accomplishments of the world's leading brands. These awards honour brands across various categories, including innovation, sustainability, customer experience, and more. The aim is to showcase best practices in branding, marketing, and customer engagement while providing recognition and exposure for the winning brands. The awards ceremony typically features a gala event attended by business leaders, marketing executives, and media representatives. Last year, over 20,000 companies were evaluated, and the winners were celebrated at the Global Brand Awards ceremony. The 10th Global Brand Awards Night took place at the Waldorf Astoria in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, with nearly 100 companies and around 150 delegates from across the globe in attendance. Dignitaries from various industries, such as banking, insurance, financial services, education, healthcare, hospitality, logistics, and more, graced the event. To learn more about the awards, please visit the Brand Awards Winners section on the GBM website.

To nominate your company or business leader for the Global Brand Awards 2023, please click on the following link:

https://www.globalbrandsmagazine.com/nomination-form/

Checkout our social media shout outs from the links below:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3PrVquQ

Twitter: https://bit.ly/46qxhLm

Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3PPdZth

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3PxzQ83

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2080309/4043105/GBM_AWARDS_2023_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Global Brands Magazine
New research shows how leading companies are applying a social lens to strengthen their businesses while creating value for employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, and society at large

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Expectations about the role of business in society are changing dramatically. The impact of business on the environment is of vital importance to many corporate constituencies. Today, however, many more purely social concerns are coming strongly to the fore. And CEOs are playing close attention.

A Bain & Company survey of nearly 300 global CEOs reveals that 85% of business leaders view social issues as "urgent" concerns for their companies. When asked about the primary role of their business, 60% said either creating "positive outcomes for society" or "balancing the needs of all stakeholders."

"The companies that lead on social issues, such as DEI and socially responsible supply chain practices, don't view these efforts solely as risk mitigation," said Karthik Venkataraman, a partner in Bain's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practice. "It's the opposite, in fact. The leaders in this space have found ways to directly tie their social efforts to the commercial logic of their businesses, opening new opportunities for value creation by better serving all of their stakeholders. They see a symbiotic relationship between the concepts of 'doing well' and 'doing good.'"

One of the most influential stakeholder groups in the charge for change: customers. Customers have made it clear that they care about the social ramifications of their brand and product choices. A Bain survey found that half of consumers globally say they are more likely to buy from a brand that commits to combatting racism, and more than half are more likely to buy from a brand that commits to human rights. Regionally, 82% of consumers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa are more likely to recommend a brand after learning it supports a social cause, and 86% of consumers in Latin America say it is very important that companies contribute to improving society. In the US, a third of Gen Z consumers say they would boycott a brand with bad labor practices.

The executives Bain surveyed said social performance drives business outcomes in several ways. A self-assessment of executives at companies who lead on social issues perceive their companies to have higher revenue growth and EBIT growth than their peers who lag on social issues. They also perceived their companies to have better results in attracting customers and talent as well as raising capital.

"When it comes to engaging in social issues, the challenge for many executives lies in figuring out how exactly to transform action on these issues into economically sustainable business performance," said Jenny Davis-Peccoud, a partner at Bain and global head of the firm's Sustainability & Responsibility practice. "The 'S' in ESG comprises a wide range of issues, which vary by organization. We recommend starting with a focus on four critical groups of stakeholderslocal communities, customers, employees, and suppliersand identifying actions that both address social issues for these groups and deliver results for the business."

Bain's study explores four areas of opportunity to translate action on social issues into economically sustainable business performance:

Improving social and economic conditions in local communities. Communities where companies operate are increasingly critical stakeholders for business. Some companies are looking at these stakeholders through a social lens and discovering how to materially improve conditions in their communities in ways that boost business performance. Identifying new sources of customer value. Applying a social lens to customers and markets can reveal opportunities to create value for whole new customer segments, including in underserved markets. Investing in the current and future workforces. Given the challenges companies now face in attracting and retaining the right talent, businesses can shift from being "talent takers" to "talent makers" by investing in employee learning and development. Enhancing supply chain resilience by building socially responsible supplier relationships. By examining their supply chains through a social lens, companies can work effectively with suppliers to ensure fair and equitable practices while also making their end-to-end supply chains more resilient.

Editor's Note: For more information or interview requests please contact Katie Ware at [email protected] or +1 646 562 8107.

About Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future.

Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.

SOURCE Bain & Company
TORONTO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Black Swan Graphene Inc. ("Black Swan") (or the "Company") (TSXV: SWAN) (OTCQB: BSWGF) (Frankfurt: R96) is pleased to present the marketing material prepared by Nationwide Engineering Research and Development ("NERD"), featuring Black Swan and showcasing the ongoing collaboration between Black Swan, NERD, ARUP, and other prominent entities.

The marketing document provides a comprehensive overview of the key partners involved in the newly established integrated supply chain. It highlights various aspects related to the business objectives, market opportunity, applications, performance, and the significant reduction in CO2 emissions achieved by the revolutionary solution.

To access the document, kindly visit NERD's website at: https://www.concretene.co.uk/prospectus/

Simon Marcotte, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Black Swan, commented: "As the world continues its transition towards reducing CO2 emissions, substantial investments have been directed towards the transportation industry, facilitating the development of battery manufacturing, as well as a transformation of energy generation and transmission. Government-established standards have been the driving force behind this phenomenon. It is only a matter of time before similar standards are set for the concrete industry, which alone accounts for 8% of CO2 emissions.1 The recent announcement by the City of Toronto (refer to the press release dated May 24, 2023) is a clear indication of this potential."

_______________

About Black Swan Graphene Inc.

Black Swan is focused on the large-scale production and commercialization of patented high-performance and low-cost graphene products aimed at several industrial sectors, including concrete, polymers, Li-ion batteries, and others, which are expected to require large volumes of graphene. Black Swan aims to leverage the low cost and green hydroelectricity of the province of Quebec as well as the proximity of the province's emerging graphite industry in order to establish an integrated supply chain, reduce overall costs, and accelerate the deployment of graphene usage. On March 27, 2023, Black Swan, Nationwide Engineering Research and Development Ltd. ("NERD") and Arup Group Limited ("Arup") announced strategic partnerships, establishing a fully integrated supply chain and providing a turnkey solution for the construction and concrete industries. Arup is a multinational engineering consultancy headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with 18,000 experts working across 140 countries. Black Swan's graphene processing technology was developed by Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd ("Thomas Swan") over the last decade. Thomas Swan is a United Kingdom-based global chemicals manufacturer, with a century-long track record and has been at the forefront of graphene innovation.

For more information, please visit: www.blackswangraphene.com

Black Swan Graphene Inc. on behalf of the Board of Directors

Simon Marcotte, CFA, President & Chief Executive Officer

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.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to the TSXV listing, risk related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with the industry; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of a scoping and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity prices fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Furthermore, performance results of graphene products as additives can vary widely depending on type and the specificity of the target material, the specifics of the graphene product itself, including but not limited to, carbon purity, particle size, surface agent, dispersion behavior, and application and usage methods. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements and initial test results. These forward-looking statements and test results are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

SOURCE Black Swan Graphene Inc
Second Half Year Revenues of RMB502.5 million

Full Year Revenues of RMB1,092.1 million

SHANGHAI, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boqii Holding Limited ("Boqii" or the "Company") (NYSE: BQ), a leading pet-focused platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second half of fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Operational and Financial Highlights for the Second Half of Fiscal Year 2023:

Total revenues were RMB502.5 million ( US$73.2 million ), compared to RMB582.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

were ( ), compared to in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Loss from operations was RMB74.2 million ( US$10.8 million ), compared to RMB55.7 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of RMB40.7 million ( US$5.9 million ) was recorded in operating loss in the second half of fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), compared to in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of ( ) was recorded in operating loss in the second half of fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Net loss was RMB76.5 million ( US$11.1 million ), compared to RMB50.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), compared to in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net loss [1] was RMB42.2 million ( US$6.1 million ), representing a decrease of 13.7% from non-GAAP net loss of RMB48.8 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), representing a decrease of 13.7% from non-GAAP net loss of in the same period of fiscal year 2022. EBITDA [1] was a loss of RMB70.2 million ( US$10.2 million ), compared to a loss of RMB44.3 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

was a loss of ( ), compared to a loss of in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Total GMV [2] was RMB1,182.1 million ( US$172.1 million ), compared to RMB1,422.4 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), compared to in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Active buyers were 2.9 million, compared to 3.3 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Fiscal Year 2023 Operational and Financial Highlights:

Total revenues were RMB1,092.1 million ( US$159.0 million ), compared to RMB1,186.4 million in fiscal year 2022.

were ( ), compared to in fiscal year 2022. Loss from operations was RMB103.8 million ( US$15.1 million ), representing a decrease of 24.9% from RMB138.2 million in fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of RMB40.7 million ( US$5.9 million ) was recorded in operating loss in fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in fiscal year 2022

was ( ), representing a decrease of 24.9% from in fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of ( ) was recorded in operating loss in fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in fiscal year 2022 Net loss was RMB106.0 million ( US$15.4 million ), representing a decrease of 20.2% from net loss of RMB132.8 million in fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), representing a decrease of 20.2% from net loss of in fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net loss [1] was RMB70.7 million ( US$10.3million ), representing a decrease of 41.7% from non-GAAP net loss of RMB121.2 million in fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), representing a decrease of 41.7% from non-GAAP net loss of in fiscal year 2022. EBITDA [1] was a loss of RMB93.1 million ( US$13.6million ), representing a decrease of 23.2% from a loss of RMB121.3 million in fiscal year 2022.

was a loss of ( ), representing a decrease of 23.2% from a loss of in fiscal year 2022. Total GMV [2] was RMB2,564.1 million ( US$373.4 million ), compared to RMB2,907.2 million in fiscal year 2022.

was ( ), compared to in fiscal year 2022. Active buyers were 5.8 million, representing an increase of 16.2% from 5.0 million in fiscal year 2022.

Mr. Hao Liang, Boqii's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Fiscal year 2023 presented numerous challenges, yet Boqii continued to demonstrate its value proposition to pet parents and achieved outstanding results in fiscal year 2023. Our community was able to report a 16.2% annual growth in the number of active buyers to 5.8 million in fiscal year 2023, compared to fiscal year 2022. We were also able to achieve a low customer acquisition cost of RMB3.8 per user in the second half of fiscal year 2023. In terms of business, we strived to learn and adapt to the market by strengthening our grip on the supply chain, streamlining our operations and reducing our overheads. These efforts led to a 24.9% year-on-year drop in operating loss. In light of our improvement in operation efficiency, we remain confident in the prospect of China's pet market and Boqii's development."

Ms. Yingzhi (Lisa) Tang, Boqii's Co-Founder, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer commented, "In addition to our community and supply chain expansion, we also made notable progress in our private label. In fiscal year 2023, net revenues generated from sales of our private label products increased by 19.2% year-on-year in spite of the challenges. As we continued to refine our product portfolio, private label gross margin increased 340 basis points year over year to 32.8%.We have also optimized our operating expenses in fiscal year 2023, with sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses dropping by 27.5% and 38.9% year-on-year, respectively. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our private label and improve our utilization of resources, and we believe that our efforts to improve financial performance will set us on the right path towards achieving better valuation and shareholders' return."

Financial Results for the Second Half of Fiscal Year 2023:

Total revenues were RMB502.5 million (US$73.2 million), compared to RMB582.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in certain regions in China.

Revenues (in millions, except for percentages)

Six Months Ended March 31,

%

2023

2022

change

RMB

RMB

YoY Product sales

479.8

559.7

(14.3 %) - Boqii Mall

195.4

217.8

(10.3 %) - Third party e-commerce platforms

284.4

341.9

(16.8 %) Online marketing and information services and other revenue

22.7

22.8

(0.4 %) Total

502.5

582.5

(13.7 %)

[1]Non-GAAP net loss refers to net loss excluding fair value change of derivative liabilities , share-based compensation expenses and impairment of goodwill. EBITDA refers to net loss excluding income tax expenses, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization expenses, but including all the professional expenses in relation to initial public offering. Non-GAAP net loss and EBITDA are Non-GAAP financial measures. See the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about non-GAAP net loss and EBITDA. [2]GMV refers to gross merchandise volume, which is the total value of confirmed orders placed with us and sold through distribution model or drop shipping model where we act as a principal in the transaction regardless of whether the products are delivered or returned, calculated based on the listed prices of the ordered products without taking any discounts into consideration. The total GMV amount (i) includes GMV of products sold by Xingmu, (ii) excludes products sold through consignment model and (iii) excludes the value of services offered by us. GMV is subject to future adjustments (such as refunds) and represents only one measure of the Company's performance and should not be relied on as an indicator of the Company's financial results, which depend on a variety of factors.

Gross profit was RMB109.6 million (US$16.0 million), compared to RMB130.6 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Gross margin was 21.8 %, compared to 22.4% in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Operating expenses were RMB143.1 million (US$20.8 million), representing a decrease of 23.3% from RMB186.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 28.5%, down from 32.0% in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Fulfillment Expenses were RMB58.1 million ( US$8.4 million ), representing a decrease of 18.7% from RMB71.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11.6%, down from 12.3% in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was mainly due to (i) the improved utilization of warehouses by adjusting inventory mix; and (ii) reduced shipping and handling expenses related to the utilization of small warehouses in low-tier cities.

were ( ), representing a decrease of 18.7% from in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11.6%, down from 12.3% in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was mainly due to (i) the improved utilization of warehouses by adjusting inventory mix; and (ii) reduced shipping and handling expenses related to the utilization of small warehouses in low-tier cities. Sales and marketing expenses were RMB60.5 million ( US$8.8 million ), representing a decrease of 25.8% from RMB81.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in personnel expense of RMB8.5 million related to the optimization of our organizational structure; (ii) the decrease in advertising expenses of RMB10.6 million , as a result of cost-saving efforts; and (iii) the decrease in third-party platform commission fee of RMB1.8 million , resulting from a reduced proportion of revenues generated from third-party e-commerce platforms. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 12.0%, down from 14.0% in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

were ( ), representing a decrease of 25.8% from in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in personnel expense of related to the optimization of our organizational structure; (ii) the decrease in advertising expenses of , as a result of cost-saving efforts; and (iii) the decrease in third-party platform commission fee of , resulting from a reduced proportion of revenues generated from third-party e-commerce platforms. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 12.0%, down from 14.0% in the same period of fiscal year 2022. General and administrative expenses were RMB24.5 million ( US$3.6 million ), representing a decrease of 26.8% from RMB33.5 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in share-based compensation expenses of RMB7.2 million , resulting from the cancellation of options corresponding to employee departures; and (ii) the decrease in staff costs of RMB1.0 million related to the optimization of our organizational structure. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 4.9%, down from 5.7% in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Operating loss was RMB74.2 million (US$10.8 million), compared to RMB55.7 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of RMB40.7 million (US$5.9 million) was recorded in operating loss in the second half of fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Net loss was RMB76.5 million (US$11.1 million), compared to RMB50.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Non-GAAP net loss was RMB42.2 million (US$6.1 million), representing a decrease of 13.7% from non-GAAP net loss of RMB48.8 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. See the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about non-GAAP net loss.

EBITDA was a loss of RMB70.2 million (US$10.2 million), compared to a loss of RMB44.3 million in the same period of fiscal year 2022. See the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about EBITDA.

Diluted net loss per share was RMB1.07 (US$0.16), compared to diluted net loss per share of RMB0.73 in the same period of fiscal year 2022.

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results:

Total revenues were RMB1,092.1 million (US$158.4 million), compared to RMB1,186.4 million in fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the negative impact brought by the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 in China.

Revenues (in millions, except for percentages)



Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

%

2023

2022

change

RMB

RMB

YoY Product sales

1,048.5

1,137.3

(7.8 %) - Boqii Mall

434.0

433.6

0.1 % - Third party e-commerce platforms

614.5

703.7

(12.7 %) Online marketing and information services and other

revenue

43.6

49.1

(11.2 %) Total

1,092.1

1,186.4

(7.9 %)

Gross profit was RMB233.5 million (US$34.0 million), compared to RMB242.7 million in fiscal year 2022.

Gross margin was 21.4%, representing an increase of 90 basis points from 20.5% in fiscal year 2022, which is primarily due to improvement of gross margin of private label products and increased proportion of pet supplies and health care products with higher margins.

Operating expenses were RMB296.9 million (US$43.2 million), representing a decrease of 22.1% from RMB381.3 million in fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 27.2%, down from 32.1% in fiscal year 2022.

Fulfillment Expenses were RMB126.3 million ( US$18.4 million ), representing a decrease of 5.8% from RMB134.0 million in fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11.6%, up from 11.3% in fiscal year 2022. The increase was mainly due to the increased shipping and handling expenses in the first half of fiscal year 2023, which resulted from temporary logistics price increases and transportation restrictions due to the logistics restriction caused by the Covid-19 resurgence in certain areas of China starting from April 2022 .

were ( ), representing a decrease of 5.8% from in fiscal year 2022. Fulfillment expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 11.6%, up from 11.3% in fiscal year 2022. The increase was mainly due to the increased shipping and handling expenses in the first half of fiscal year 2023, which resulted from temporary logistics price increases and transportation restrictions due to the logistics restriction caused by the Covid-19 resurgence in certain areas of starting from . Sales and marketing expenses were RMB124.0 million ( US$18.0 million ), representing a decrease of 27.5% from RMB171.0 million in fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in personnel expense of RMB7.6 million related to the optimization of our organizational structure; (ii) the decrease in advertising expenses decreased of RMB36.7 million , as a greater proportion of revenues were generated from channels that are more cost-efficient; and (iii) the decrease in third-party platform commission fee of RMB1.8 million , resulting from a reduced proportion of revenues generated from third-party e-commerce platforms. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 11.4%, down from 14.4% in fiscal year 2022.

were ( ), representing a decrease of 27.5% from in fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in personnel expense of related to the optimization of our organizational structure; (ii) the decrease in advertising expenses decreased of , as a greater proportion of revenues were generated from channels that are more cost-efficient; and (iii) the decrease in third-party platform commission fee of , resulting from a reduced proportion of revenues generated from third-party e-commerce platforms. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 11.4%, down from 14.4% in fiscal year 2022. General and administrative expenses were RMB46.6 million ( US$6.8 million ), representing a decrease of 38.9% from RMB76.2 million in fiscal year 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (i) the decrease in share-based compensation expenses of RMB20.7 million , resulting form the cancellation of options corresponding to employee departures; (ii) the decrease in staff costs of RMB2.5 million related to the optimization of our organizational structure; and (iii) the decline in professional of RMB3.2 million , compared to fiscal year 2022. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 4.3%, down from 6.4% in fiscal year 2022.

Operating loss was RMB103.8 million (US$15.1 million), representing a decrease of 24.9% from RMB138.2 million in fiscal year 2022. Impairment of goodwill of RMB40.7 million (US$5.9 million) was recorded in operating loss in fiscal year 2023, compared to nil in fiscal year 2022.

Net loss was RMB106.0 million (US$15.4 million), representing a decrease of 20.2% from net loss of RMB132.8 million in fiscal year 2022.

Non-GAAP net loss was RMB70.7 million (US$10.3 million), representing a decrease of 41.7% from net loss of RMB121.2 million in fiscal year 2022. See the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about non-GAAP net loss.

EBITDA was a loss of RMB93.1 million (US$13.6 million), representing a decrease of 23.2% from a loss of RMB121.3 million in fiscal year 2022. See the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for more information about EBITDA.

Diluted net loss per share was RMB1.50 (US$0.22), compared to diluted net loss per share of RMB1.90 in fiscal year 2022.

Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were RMB159.6 million (US$23.2 million), compared to RMB290.9 million as of March 31, 2022.

Conference Call

Boqii's management will hold a conference call to discuss the financial results at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Beijing/Hong Kong Time).

To join the conference, please dial in 15 minutes before the conference is scheduled to begin using below numbers. Please ask to be joined into the Boqii Holding Limited call.



Phone Number International 1-412-317-6061 United States 1-888-317-6003 Hong Kong 852 800 963-976 Mainland China 86 4001-206115 Passcode 5909659

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following numbers until July 5, 2023.



Phone Number International 1-412-317-0088 United States 1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code 5999158

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.boqii.com/

About Boqii Holding Limited

Boqii Holding Limited (NYSE: BQ) is a leading pet-focused platform in China. We are the leading online destination for pet products and supplies in China with our broad selection of high-quality products including global leading brands, local emerging brands, and our own private label, Yoken and Mocare, offered at competitive prices. Our online sales platforms, including Boqii Mall and our flagship stores on third-party e-commerce platforms, provide customers with convenient access to a wide selection of high-quality pet products and an engaging and personalized shopping experience. Our Boqii Community provides an informative and interactive content platform for users to share their knowledge and love for pets.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Further information regarding such risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses non-GAAP financial measures, namely non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. The Company defines (i) non-GAAP net loss as net loss excluding fair value change of derivative liabilities , share-based compensation expenses and impairment of goodwill, (ii) non-GAAP net loss margin as non-GAAP net loss as a percentage of total revenues, (iii) EBITDA as net loss excluding income tax expenses, interest expense, interest income, depreciation and amortization expenses, and (iv) EBITDA margin as EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. The Company believes non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin enhance investors' overall understanding of its financial performance and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and may not be calculated in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest U.S. GAAP performance measures, which should be considered when evaluating the Company's performance. For reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled "Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results." The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on any single financial measure.

Exchange Rate

This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("USD," or "US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to USD were made at the rate of RMB6.8676 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2023 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or USD amounts referred to could be converted into USD or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Boqii Holding Limited

Investor Relations

Tel: +86-21-6882-6051

Email: [email protected]

DLK Advisory Limited

Tel: +852-2857-7101

Email: [email protected]

BOQII HOLDIUNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSNG LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted



As of March 31, 2022

As of March 31, 2023

As of March 31, 2023

RMB

RMB

US$











ASSETS









Current assets:









Cash and cash equivalents 162,855

89,850

13,083 Short-term investments 128,084

69,797

10,163 Accounts receivable, net 49,231

76,742

11,175 Inventories, net 109,921

81,052

11,802 Prepayments and other current assets 116,738

79,359

11,556 Amounts due from related parties 11,726

9,379

1,366 Total current assets 578,555

406,179

59,145 Non-current assets:









Property and equipment, net 7,779

5,492

800 Intangible assets 25,544

21,594

3,144 Operating lease right-of-use assets 38,567

22,354

3,255 Long-term investments 82,319

75,607

11,010 Goodwill 40,684

-

- Amounts due from related parties, non-current -

2,988

435 Other non-current asset 4,861

6,586

959 Total non-current assets 199,754

134,621

19,603 Total assets 778,309

540,800

78,748 LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY









Current liabilities









Short-term borrowings 161,126

86,261

12,561 Accounts payable 94,224

56,022

8,157 Salary and welfare payable 6,871

6,890

1,003 Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities 27,324

22,104

3,219 Amounts due to related parties, current 219

471

69 Contract liabilities 7,007

4,471

651 Operating lease liabilities, current 10,001

9,220

1,343 Derivative liabilities 9,086

10,701

1,558 Total current liabilities 315,858

196,140

28,561 Non-current liabilities









Deferred tax liabilities 4,847

4,141

603 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 28,197

12,741

1,855 Other debts, non-current 181,062

102,828

14,973 Total non-current liabilities 214,106

119,710

17,431 Total liabilities 529,964

315,850

45,992











Mezzanine equity









Redeemable non-controlling interests 6,522

7,196

1,048 Total mezzanine equity 6,522

7,196

1,048 Shareholders' equity:









Class A ordinary shares (US$0.001 par value; 129,500,000 shares authorized, 55,709,591 and 55,763,079 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31,

2022 and March 31, 2023, respectively) 372

373

54











Class B ordinary shares (US$0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized,

13,037,729 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and March

31, 2023, respectively) 82

82

12 Additional paid-in capital 3,295,336

3,287,696

478,727 Statutory reserves 3,433

3,876

564 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (46,069)

(37,189)

(5,415) Accumulated deficit (2,889,233)

(2,993,150)

(435,836) Receivable for issuance of ordinary shares (164,746)

(83,405)

(12,145) Total Boqii Holding Limited shareholders' equity 199,175

178,283

25,961 Non-controlling interests 42,648

39,471

5,747 Total shareholders' equity 241,823

217,754

31,708 Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit 778,309

540,800

78,748

































BOQII HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (All amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data, unless otherwise noted)





Six Months Ended March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,



2022

2023

2023

2022

2023

2023



RMB

RMB

US$

RMB

RMB

US$



























Net revenues:























Product sales 559,746

479,793

69,863

1,137,329

1,048,491

152,672

Online marketing and information services and other

revenue 22,716

22,672

3,301

49,100

43,603

6,349

Total revenues 582,462

502,465

73,164

1,186,429

1,092,094

159,021

Total cost of revenue (451,818)

(392,905)

(57,211)

(943,698)

(858,608)

(125,023)

Gross profit 130,644

109,560

15,953

242,731

233,486

33,998

Operating expenses:























Fulfillment expenses (71,507)

(58,134)

(8,465)

(134,026)

(126,295)

(18,390)

Sales and marketing expenses (81,532)

(60,477)

(8,806)

(170,986)

(124,007)

(18,057)

General and administrative expenses (33,474)

(24,488)

(3,566)

(76,248)

(46,554)

(6,779)

Impairment of goodwill -

(40,684)

(5,924)

-

(40,684)

(5,924)

Other income, net 213

44

6

280

286

42

Loss from operations (55,656)

(74,179)

(10,802)

(138,249)

(103,768)

(15,110)

Interest income 5,613

3,397

495

15,477

7,420

1,081

Interest expense (8,825)

(6,157)

(897)

(20,884)

(13,350)

(1,944)

Other (losses)/gain, net 5,615

(2,033)

(296)

6,020

5,159

751

Fair value change of derivative liabilities 2,413

2,268

330

2,824

(2,266)

(330)

Loss before income tax expenses (50,840)

(76,704)

(11,170)

(134,812)

(106,805)

(15,552)

Income taxes expenses 324

493

72

1,571

911

133

Share of results of equity investees (416)

(266)

(39)

418

(82)

(12)

Net loss (50,932)

(76,477)

(11,137)

(132,823)

(105,976)

(15,431)

Less: Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest

shareholders (750)

(2,878)

(419)

(4,433)

(3,177)

(462)

Net loss attributable to Boqii Holding Limited (50,182)

(73,599)

(10,718)

(128,390)

(102,799)

(14,969)

Accretion on redeemable non-controlling interests to

redemption value (292)

(352)

(51)

(575)

(675)

(98)

Net loss attributable to Boqii Holding Limited's

ordinary shareholders (50,474)

(73,951)

(10,769)

(128,965)

(103,474)

(15,067)



























Net loss (50,932)

(76,477)

(11,137)

(132,823)

(105,976)

(15,431)

Other comprehensive income/(loss):























Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax (10,764)

(6,738)

(981)

(16,529)

15,591

2,270

Unrealized securities holding loss (9,368)

(6,462)

(941)

(9,368)

(6,711)

(977)

Total comprehensive loss (71,064)

(89,677)

(13,059)

(158,720)

(97,096)

(14,138)

Less: Total comprehensive loss attributable to non-

controlling interest shareholders (750)

(2,878)

(419)

(4,433)

(3,177)

(462)

Total comprehensive loss attributable to Boqii Holding

Limited (70,314)

(86,799)

(12,640)

(154,287)

(93,919)

(13,676)



























Net loss per share attributable to Boqii Holding

Limited's ordinary shareholders























 basic (0.74)



(1.07) (0.16)

(1.90)

(1.50) (0.22)  diluted (0.74)



(1.07) (0.16)

(1.90)

(1.50) (0.22) Weighted average number of ordinary shares























 basic 68,341,615

68,876,241 68,876,241

68,006,172

68,858,823 68,858,823

 diluted 68,341,615

68,876,241 68,876,241

68,006,172

68,858,823 68,858,823













































Boqii Holding Limited

Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

(All amounts in thousands, except for percentages)







Six Months Ended March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,



2022

2023

2022

2023



RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB



















Net loss (50,932)

(76,477)

(132,823)

(105,976)

Fair value change of derivative liabilities (2,413)

(2,268)

(2,824)

2,266

Share-based compensation expenses 4,506

(4,110)

14,409

(7,677)

Impairment of goodwill -

40,684

-

40,684

Non-GAAP net loss (48,839)

(42,171)

(121,238)

(70,703)

Non-GAAP net loss margin (8.4 %)

(8.4 %)

(10.2 %)

(6.5 %)





















Six Months Ended March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2022

2023

2022

2023

RMB

RMB

RMB

RMB















Net loss (50,932)

(76,477)

(132,823)

(105,976) Income tax expenses (324)

(493)

(1,571)

(911) Interest expenses 8,825

6,157

20,884

13,350 Interest income (5,613)

(3,397)

(15,477)

(7,420) Depreciation and amortization expenses 3,793

4,035

7,678

7,844 EBITDA (44,251)

(70,175)

(121,309)

(93,113) EBITDA margin (7.6 %)

(14 %)

(10.2 %)

(8.5 %)



SOURCE Boqii Holding Limited
Leading B2B e-commerce platform celebrates results from Fiscal Year 2023 and continues to offer comprehensive solutions for MSMEs to seamlessly participate in global B2B trade

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC), today celebrates Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Day, first designated six years ago by the United Nations to honor the crucial role played by MSMEs in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contributions of MSMEs to the global economy.

"MSMEs are the backbone of many economies worldwide, and Alibaba.com's efforts to help them connect and trade globally are significant," said Annabel Sykes, E-commerce and SME digital transformation advisor at the International Trade Center (ITC), in a recent webinar session with Alibaba.com. "The digitalization of trade is a game-changer and can help MSMEs tap into new markets and grow their businesses. Alibaba.com is a strong partner in this journey."

Helping MSMEs access global supply chains and become micro-global companies

During FY2023 (April 2022-March 2023), Alibaba.com brought together more than 40 million MSMEs worldwide, creating an extensive network of buyers and sellers. This enabled a substantial portion of these MSMEs to evolve into micro-global enterprises.

"About 80-90% of my sales on Alibaba.com are allowing other global businesses create private labels for resale elsewhere  enabling me to reach businesses beyond the U.S.," says Shirley Cheung, founder of Envydeal, a manufacturing and distribution/wholesale business in the U.S. that uses Alibaba.com as a platform for developing long-term relationships with customers. "When I first founded my business, I initially thought I would create a B2C (business-to-consumer) supplement business, but quickly realized my primary strengths in business were in creating a successful B2B operation by leveraging Alibaba.com's global tools."

Giving MSMEs an added layer of security when sourcing global products

Alibaba.com's Trade Assurance service has safeguarded over 16 million orders globally, protecting each stage of the purchase process when buyers transact and make payments on Alibaba.com. Trade Assurance is a free-to-use service Alibaba.com provides to MSMEs using their platform for sourcing, designed to help foster trust between buyers and suppliers. The escrow service, in particular, offers MSMEs security and peace of mind during a period of time in which many small businesses are facing challenges from disruptions to their global supply chain.

Helping MSMEs transact globally by breaking the language barrier in B2B trade

Alibaba.com's "LIVE" function, which enables buyers and suppliers to interact in real time despite language barriers, is an increasingly important tool for MSMEs to transact efficiently and effectively. "LIVE" viewers in German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic increased by 166% year-on-year in March 2023  a clear indicator that direct communication is gaining momentum in global B2B sourcing.

As a global procurement hub, to better facilitate communication, Alibaba.com has also rolled out real-time auto translation for 13 languages when buyers and sellers communicate in the chat box function of the app and website.

Offering MSMEs direct support through the Manifest Grants Program

Since its launch in 2021, the Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program has attracted more than 27,000 applications from start-up business owners  69% women, 90% BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Colorand 12% people with disabilities. As part of the Manifest Grants Program, Alibaba.com has provided dozens of small businesses with a total of $1.25 million in financing and logistics service support. Alibaba.com also equips MSMEs with the necessary tools, resources and guides to be successful, and has offered a robust curriculum of live and recorded professional seminars to help MSMEs grow into more impactful and sustainable businesses.

"Alibaba.com has been instrumental in our journey and in meeting our goal of simplifying the sourcing process so we can focus on product innovation and business success," said Amanat Anand, founder of SoaPen and one of 50 recipients of the 2022 Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program. "In our second year of sales, we have been able to build a robust business by pinpointing the right sourcing partners. My advice to entrepreneurs and MSMEs seeking to grow is that embracing the right platform can truly revolutionize previously complex and time-consuming tasks to scale your business with world-class operational efficiency."

For more information regarding Alibaba.com and its resources for MSMEs or to set up a press interview, please contact [email protected].

About Alibaba.com

Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 190 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering all aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group.

SOURCE Alibaba.com
Intelligent Acceptance leverages Checkout.com's global data network and deep domain expertise to increase acceptance rates, lower transaction fees and operational complexity

False declines are a critical issue for online businesses globally, costing them $51 billion in 2022, a 150% increase in three years

in 2022, a 150% increase in three years Early users include Klarna, Ant Group, NordVPN, Reach and Sunday. These businesses reported average increases in acceptance rates that unlocked three-quarters of a billion dollars of revenue in beta alone

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkout.com , the global payments solution provider, today launches Intelligent Acceptance, its latest product to help merchants optimise acceptance rates and grow revenues.

Intelligent Acceptance is an AI-powered optimization engine, trained on billions of transactional data points from Checkout.com's global network and insights from the business' domain expertise after a decade at the forefront of the digital economy. The new product has so far achieved meaningful results for merchants during beta testing, enabling transactions that created c.$750 million of new revenue, and increasing the acceptance rates by up to 9.5 percentage points for over 30 merchants including the likes of Klarna, Ant Group, NordVPN, Reach and Sunday.

"Since going live with Intelligent Acceptance, the authorization rate of payments processed on Checkout.com's rails has increased by nearly 10%. In a game where small improvements drive big impact, this performance improvement is colossal for our business and, crucially, for our client's bottom line", said Melissa Pottenger, Head of Key Partnerships at Reach.

"We fundamentally believe in abstracting complexity for businesses and empowering them to optimise their payments with ease. Machine learning enables us to offer this to our merchants for the first time at scale. Merchants alone lack sufficient data to effectively train an AI algorithm, whereas we can leverage our expansive global transaction data to provide real-time insights. That's why we've built an adaptive AI-powered payments engine to constantly optimise acceptance rates  unlocking more revenue, saving merchants time and offering greater cost controls", said Meron Colbeci, Chief Product Officer at Checkout.com.

Using machine learning and billions of data points to create a solution for businesses

Intelligent Acceptance optimises across the complete payment flow, including pre-processing aspects like messaging & routing and post-processing with adaptive retries. Merchants also have complete control over which stage of the transaction journey is improved and the criteria that Intelligent Acceptance optimises for, including; maximising acceptance rates, lowering transaction costs, or both. Through continuous live adjustments, learning from performance data across Checkout.com's global network and direct relationships with issuers, schemes and regulators, Intelligent Acceptance continually unlocks new optimizations to deliver incremental performance improvements.

Optimization examples

Acceptance : Network Tokens can offer better acceptance rates, lower interchange fees and a more secure way to share card information. However, not all issuers adopt this credential-sharing method at the same time. Intelligent Acceptance only utilises Network Tokens if the issuer supports them and the predicted cost is lower, or chance of success is higher, than PAN credentials. Additionally, Intelligent Acceptance will automatically format, amend or add SCA, ISO data and more to ensure payments are formatted to scheme and issuer's preferences.





: Network Tokens can offer better acceptance rates, lower interchange fees and a more secure way to share card information. However, not all issuers adopt this credential-sharing method at the same time. Intelligent Acceptance only utilises Network Tokens if the issuer supports them and the predicted cost is lower, or chance of success is higher, than PAN credentials. Additionally, Intelligent Acceptance will automatically format, amend or add SCA, ISO data and more to ensure payments are formatted to scheme and issuer's preferences. Cost : Intelligent acceptance can also be used to drive down costs by dynamically routing transactions to the network with the lowest fees, in markets where multiple debit, local or global payment networks are available  such as the US.





: Intelligent acceptance can also be used to drive down costs by dynamically routing transactions to the network with the lowest fees, in markets where multiple debit, local or global payment networks are available  such as the US. Compliance: Intelligent Acceptance instantly identifies if a transaction requires 3DS authentication, and if it has not been triggered in the initial payment request, available 3DS authentication data is automatically added to the payment request to ensure the transaction is compliant.

"Klarna benefits from the improved authorization rates thanks to the adjustments made in the background, which would otherwise result in lost volume. On top of that, Intelligence Acceptance helps to minimise extra payment costs applied by schemes due to the same transaction being processed in a manner which does not fit in issuer preference. Improved acceptance rate resulting in better customer experience, and reduced payment fees are main benefits of the tool", said Tomer Turbovich, Senior Engineering Manager & Money Movements account group lead at Klarna, a leading online payments provider.

False declines are a $50.7 billion problem for businesses

The launch comes at a time when business leaders seek to drive new revenue and make cost efficiencies across their businesses to reconcile increased operating expenses. Intelligent Acceptance can reduce the number of incorrectly declined transactions through continuous testing, but can be configured to lower transaction fees and reduce operational overheads. Research conducted by Checkout.com alongside Oxford Economics found that $50.7 billion was lost in 2022 due to false declines, where a customer with enough funds in their account has a purchase declined. As a result, close to 25%[1] of consumers abandoned a purchase due to too much friction, resulting in significant lost revenue for merchants.

"Any friction in the payment process can have a detrimental impact on the adoption of the products we offer as we reimagine the consumer experience inside a restaurant. Reducing the likelihood of an early adopting customer having a bad first impression of Sunday is paramount to our success - Checkout.com is reducing the likelihood of this happening", said Daniel Hosking, VP of Payments at Sunday.

Intelligent Acceptance is the latest solution from Checkout.com's Payments Plus offering. It follows on from recent launches of Authentication enhancements , customisable virtual and physical cards with Issuing , Fraud Detection Pro to help merchants combat fraud and optimise their revenues and Integrated Platforms , a fully flexible solution to support marketplaces and payfacs in an evolving digital economy.

To learn more about Checkout.com Intelligent Acceptance, visit our website .

Read the full Klarna , Reach and Sunday case studies here.

, and case studies here. Intelligent Acceptance is now available for all merchants globally.

About Checkout.com

Checkout.com is a global payments solution provider that helps businesses and their communities thrive in the digital economy. Purpose-built with performance, scalability and speed in mind, its modular payments platform is ideal for enterprise businesses looking to seamlessly integrate better payment solutions. Checkout.com is trusted by global businesses like Sony, Wise, GE Healthcare and Shein. With a global team spread across 19 offices worldwide, it offers innovative solutions that flex to your needs, valuable insights that help you get smart about your payments' performance, and expertise you can count on as you navigate the complexities of an ever-shifting world. Find out more at www.checkout.com .

[1] " EU Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) Mandate Won't Eliminate Fraud or Need for Fraud Detection ", Payments Journal

SOURCE Checkout Ltd
HCPF Failed to Produce Hundreds of Relevant Documents, Petition Claims

DENVER, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherrie Peif, an award winning investigative journalist with Complete Colorado, today asked the Denver District Court to order the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing ("HCPF") to show cause for the department's failure to comply with her public records request.

The Colorado Open Records Act ("CORA") requires most public records  including writings made, maintained, or kept by government agencies  be available to the public. While there are some exceptions, Ms. Peif's petition alleges that HCPF's response was insufficient.

Despite repeated efforts to obtain the requested documents, Complete Colorado believes HCPF wrongfully withheld documents responsive to the request and failed to comply with certain provisions of the act.

"We hope this case shines a light on the need for more transparency at all levels of the Colorado state government and provides the citizens of Colorado better access to public information," said Complete Colorado editor Mike Krause.

Ms. Peif's petition highlights the following:

Reporter Sherrie Peif sent a request for information pursuant to CORA to HCPF on March 7, 2023 , seeking specific documents related to various terms and employees at the department.

sent a request for information pursuant to CORA to HCPF on , seeking specific documents related to various terms and employees at the department. HCPF's CORA officer, Kathy Snow , initially estimated there were nearly 2,000 records within the search parameters, but later revised the estimate to 1,550 records potentially responsive to the request.

, initially estimated there were nearly 2,000 records within the search parameters, but later revised the estimate to 1,550 records potentially responsive to the request. On April 13, 2023 , HCPF produced only 318 documents. An affidavit that Peif received from Snow cited attorney-client privilege and/or deliberative process privilege for the numerous documents withheld, leaving a significant gap between the quantity of documents HCPF estimated it would produce and those it actually produced.

, HCPF produced only 318 documents. An affidavit that Peif received from Snow cited attorney-client privilege and/or deliberative process privilege for the numerous documents withheld, leaving a significant gap between the quantity of documents HCPF estimated it would produce and those it actually produced. On May 15, 2023 , counsels for both parties conferred via video conference.

, counsels for both parties conferred via video conference. On June 9, 2023 , the Colorado State Attorney's General office provided a subsequent, amended response to the request, producing just six additional documents, bringing the total produced documents to 324.

276 of the documents listed in the amended Vaughn Index were claimed under deliberative process privilege, which Complete Colorado states in its petition is "overbroad."

The final total of documents accounted for was 596, falling well short of HCPF's original estimates of 1,550+.

Ms. Peif's petition comes after paying $2500 to fulfill its initial CORA request to HCPF.

"Public records requests under CORA are already often unaffordable for news organizations and the general public, and it is unfortunate that Complete Colorado has been forced to turn to the courts in order to pursue transparency at HCPF," Krause said.

The petition was filed in the Denver District Court under case number 2023-CV-031854. Complete Colorado is represented by John S. Zakhem and Andrew C. Nickel of Jackson Kelly, PLLC.

About Complete Colorado

Complete Colorado is a digital journalism site focused on investigative reporting and regularly covers matters of public concern across the state. To view the full petition filed and learn more about the details of this case, please read Sherrie Peif's reporting on the matter here.

Media Contact

Complete Colorado

Mike Krause

Email: [email protected]

Jackson Kelly, PLLC

Andrew C. Nickel

Phone: 303.390.0003

SOURCE Complete Colorado LLC
BOSTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Congruity360, the leading data management and data governance provider, has completed a round of growth capital funding with Boston-based capital firms Schooner Capital and G20 Ventures. Both firms seek out companies that challenge the status quo and are excited to join Congruity360's Board of Directors. Congruity360 fits the "disruptor" mold as the only data management and data governance platform built on a foundation of data classification, offering complete unstructured data analysis, classification, and remediation within one end-to-end platform.

Congruity360 breaks the data governance and management process down into six steps to help you understand how to make your data compliant, keep it safe, and ultimately ensure your data governance policies are enforced.

The investment supports Congruity360's launch of new products built to simplify the complex process of continuous unstructured data management. The new offerings are powered by the Classify360 Platform, which delivers content-level analysis across petabytes of unstructured data in addition to business-driven remediation. The new offerings provide an introduction to the Classify360 Platform, allowing companies to quickly gain actionable insights into their data by pinpointing risk, redundant, and aged data.

Instant Insights | Insights into a single data source which requires no investment or commitment and can be leveraged to expose risk mitigation opportunities, help inform remediation strategy, and gain momentum in your data journey.

| Insights into a single data source which requires no investment or commitment and can be leveraged to expose risk mitigation opportunities, help inform remediation strategy, and gain momentum in your data journey. Enterprise Insights | Insights across the entire unstructured data estate, on-premises and cloud sources, which can be leveraged to eliminate unnecessary data storage spend, unlock cloud migrations with intelligence, and reduce required investment on adjacent data security technologies.

| Insights across the entire unstructured data estate, on-premises and cloud sources, which can be leveraged to eliminate unnecessary data storage spend, unlock cloud migrations with intelligence, and reduce required investment on adjacent data security technologies. Cloud Insights | Insights into unstructured cloud data sources which can be leveraged to optimize cloud utilization, increase cloud adoption via intelligence, and help inform data remediation strategy.

A significant differentiator between the Classify360 Platform and competitors' platforms is ease of use. No outside consultants, lengthy implementations, or add-on tools are required to gain never-before-seen insight at petabyte scale. The time to value is virtually instantaneous. Business leaders can make quick, informed decisions using the information gleaned from the Classify360 Platform, bringing them the most value in the shortest timeline.

"Congruity360's extensive experience with storage infrastructure combined with data privacy expertise has resulted in an innovative, powerful platform that's reinvented the way businesses govern their data," said Orhan Gazelle, Principal at Schooner Capital. "We haven't seen other platforms that independently offer the depth of file analysis, accuracy of classification, and defensibility of governance that the Classify360 Platform brings to the table."

"The volume of unstructured data is exploding across enterprises, driving significant cost and risk to organizations of all sizes. We ran Congruity360's Instant Insights against our data and within an hour had a clear view of our exposure with a simple path to remediation. Their product can pay for itself in-year through cost savings, but the bigger payoff may be the reduction in risk afforded by their efficient data governance capabilities," said Bill Wiberg, Co-founder & Partner at G20 Ventures.

"We have listened to our customers and designed a comprehensive platform with both IT and 'the business' in mind to centralize decision making, eliminate point solutions, and reduce security vulnerabilities created by blind spots within your IT estate," said Brian Davidson, CEO of Congruity360. "Scale and speed are a necessity to handle the complexity of massive data growth and the ever-changing compliance landscape. An end-to-end data-management platform is the only way to execute against the demands of audits, Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), cloud-first mandates, and accelerated migration timelines."

Unlike other providers of unstructured data migration and information governance tools, the Classify360 Platform is comprehensive, simple to implement, scale, and operate. Businesses leverage the Classify360 Platform for unstructured data discovery, classification, business workflows, remediation actions, and insightful reporting. Congruity360 continues to tackle additional data governance challenges through innovations to the Classify360 Platform to continue delivering revolutionary data governance and classification, at scale, to the enterprise world.

ABOUT CONGRUITY360

Congruity360 delivers the only data management solution built on a foundation of classification, by expert data storage engineers alongside expert data privacy consultants. The Classify360 Platform is easy to implement, requires no outside consultants, and quickly analyzes your data at the petabyte scale in days, not weeks or months. Learn more at www.congruity360.com.

CONTACT: Erin Grant, [email protected]com

SOURCE Congruity360
TAMPA, Fla., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK) will release its earnings for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, July 24, 2023. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

The dial-in numbers for the conference call are (630) 395-0194 or toll-free (888) 324-8108 and the access password is "packaging". A replay of the conference call will be available for a one-week period ending at midnight on August 1, 2023. The telephone numbers for the replay are (203) 369-3350 or toll free (800) 819-5739. A live webcast of the call will be made available to the public on the internet at the Company's website, www.crowncork.com.

Crown Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of packaging products for consumer goods and industrial products. World headquarters are located in Tampa, Florida.

For more information, contact Corporate Communications at (215) 602-2653.

SOURCE Crown Holdings, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its 100th store at Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco. This momentous occasion will take place on July 22, marking a significant milestone in Daiso's continued expansion and commitment to providing exceptional shopping experiences to its customers. "We are thrilled to open our 100th store at Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant San Francisco community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication."

The new Daiso store at Stonestown Galleria encompasses 5,115 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, "California based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 99 units in 7 states with more states opening in 2024."

The grand opening of the Daiso store at Stonestown Galleria will showcase the brand's commitment to quality, affordability, and customer satisfaction. Shoppers can expect to find a treasure trove of products that cater to their needs, all while experiencing the fun and inviting atmosphere that Daiso is known for.

To celebrate this landmark event, Daiso has planned an exciting grand opening weekend for its valued customers. On both Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, the first 100 customers to shop at the Stonestown Galleria location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive a custom tote bag filled with goodies. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community.

Daiso invites customers and members of the media to join in the celebration of this significant milestone. The Stonestown Galleria Daiso is on the 2nd Floor near neighboring tenants Verizon and Sephora and is open Mon-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm.

About Daiso:

Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in La Mirada, CA.

SOURCE Daiso USA
DETROIT, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Demond Fernandez is an award-winning journalist who joins WDIV-Local 4 as an anchor and reporter it was announced today by WDIV Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis.

"What makes the reporters at Local 4 special is their authenticity. They are exactly who you see on TV," said Ellis. "Demond is as genuine a person as you'll ever meet. He's a perfect fit with Devin, Kim, Karen, and the rest of our team. I have a hunch Detroiters are going to love him. And I already know Demond is going to love them right back."

WDIV Anchor/Reporter Demond Fernandez

Fernandez comes to WDIV from WFAA in Dallas where he was a senior reporter focusing southern Dallas communities. He has covered a multitude of local and national stories from newsrooms in Houston and San Antonio.

"Detroiters will connect with Demond. He's sincere, authentic and to the point," said WDIV News Director Kim Voet. "Demond can't wait to get involved and become a fabric of the Metro Detroit community. He's excited and looking forward to telling the stories of our viewers."

Prior to working in Texas, Fernandez worked at WEYI in Flint where he was a weekend anchor, crime reporter, and investigative reporter. He was instrumental in helping many mid-Michigan residents get positive results when they felt there was no hope.

Fernandez received a Michigan Association of Broadcaster's Award for investigative reporting by exposing beauty supply shops that were illegally selling cosmetic contact lenses to kids and adults across mid-Michigan. He's also received numerous awards from civic and community groups for his crime coverage and commitment to community service. His broadcasting career began in Lansing where he worked as a general assignment reporter.

Traveling is one of Fernandez's passions, in addition to being a patron of the arts. Prior to becoming a journalist, he performed in local and regional theater productions and commercials. He also mentored local youth in Dallas.

"I'm so excited to join the WDIV team," said Fernandez. "As a community-focused storyteller, I look forward to sharing stories that get to the soul of neighbors in communities across the Metro Detroit area."

Fernandez was born in Maryland and grew up in Baltimore, earning his B.A. from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and The Iota Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His start date with WDIV is July 6.

About WDIV-Local 4

Local 4 News is currently the No. 1 newscast at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market. WDIV is the No. 1 NBC affiliate in the top 20 LPM markets and was named Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com is a top breaking news and weather website and the No. 1 news website in Metro Detroit. And Local 4+ - WDIV's free streaming app - available on Fire TV, Roku, Google TV and Apple TV, brings viewers live, original and on-demand programming.

SOURCE WDIV-TV
Steady Growth in Financial Business, Mergers and Acquisitions Aim at Expanding Asset Management Platform

Result Summary

DL Holdings Group is a leading asset management and financial service platform with a core focus on family offices in the Asia-Pacific region. The provisions of its business include DL Family Office, DL Securities, DL Asset Management, DL Global Real Estate Investment, DL Emerald Wealth Management, and DL Advisory.

region. The provisions of its business include DL Family Office, DL Securities, DL Asset Management, DL Global Real Estate Investment, DL Emerald Wealth Management, and DL Advisory. The Group's asset under management (AUM) and asset under advisory (AUA) have exceeded US$ 3 billion .

. For the Financial Year 2023, DL Holdings recorded a revenue of approximately HK$191.1 million, a gross profit of approximately HK$102.6 million , and a total comprehensive expenses attributable to the owners of the Company of approximately HK $49.5 million .

, and a total comprehensive expenses attributable to the owners of the Company of approximately HK . During the Reporting Period, the Group acquired DL Family Office (HK) Limited (" DL Family Office HK ") and DL Emerald Wealth Management Limited. (formerly known as Emerald Wealth Management Limited) (" DL Emerald ") to further expand the Group's financial services business.

") and DL Emerald Wealth Management Limited. (formerly known as Emerald Wealth Management Limited) (" ") to further expand the Group's financial services business. During the Reporting Period, in order to achieve diversification of investment strategy, the Group acquired ONE Advisory Limited to develop enterprise solution service business.

The Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Soochow Securities.

Established DL Asset Management, which holds Type 4 and Type 9 licenses; launched global asset management business.

Established DL Global Real Estate Investment Department to expand real estate investment, advisory and management business, with a focus on Asia and North America . Its investment project " One Carmel " has made significant progress.

HONG KONG, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DL Holdings Group Limited ("DL Holdings" or the "Company"; Stock Code: 1709.HK; and its subsidiaries collectively referred to as the "Group") has announced its consolidated annual results for the year ended 31 March 2023 (the "Reporting Period").

Amidst global market turbulence and uncertainty, the Group proactively adjusted to the economic landscape and strived to deliver higher returns for shareholders. Despite challenges in finance and apparel business, the Group has achieved satisfactory financial performance and ongoing business growth. During the Reporting Period, the Group recorded a revenue of approximately HK$191.1 million, a gross profit of approximately HK$102.6 million and a total comprehensive expenses attributable to the owners of the Company of approximately HK$49.5 million. The Group's asset under management (AUM) and asset under consulting (AUA) have exceeded US$3 billion.

During the Reporting Period, the segment revenue for the provision of financial services of licensed business was approximately HK$136.9 million and segment profit was approximately HK$22.6 million. The segment revenue of money lending services was approximately HK$16.7 million and segment profit was approximately HK$12.0 million. The segment revenue of enterprise solution business was approximately HK$15.3 million and segment profit was approximately HK$2.5 million. The segment revenue of apparel business was approximately HK$22.3 million and segment loss was approximately HK$11.9 million.

Hong Kong's First Listed Entity in Family Office Sector

During the reporting period, to further expand its financial services businesses, the Group acquired 45% interest in its affiliated company, DL Family Office (HK) Limited ("DL Family Office HK"), for HK$63.0 million and acquired the entire issued share capital in DL Emerald Wealth Management Limited (previously known as Emerald Wealth Management Limited) ("DL Emerald") for HK$15.5 million, involving a total of HK$78.5 million.

DL Family Office HK is principally engaged in licensed businesses in provision of wealth management financial services for ultra-high-net-worth families, including advisory and asset management services, with a total asset under management and advisory of over US$2.1 billion. DL Emerald is a licensed insurance intermediary that engages in insurance, wealth planning and other related businesses.

In recent endeavour to promote Hong Kong as a family office hub in Asia, the Hong Kong SAR government has issued a number of favorable policies to attract more family offices to settle in Hong Kong, echoing the city's determination to enhance its competitiveness as a global wealth management center and a family office hub. Established in 2012, DL Family Office possesses over a decade of experience and it is one of the earliest recognized multi-family offices in Hong Kong with SFC licenses. Headquartered in Hong Kong, DL Family Office has extended its presence in mainland China, Singapore and North America.The core team of DL Family Office are seasoned professionals from international private banks, investment banks and wealth management institutions, with an average of more than 20 years of experience.

Through the acquisition of family office business, the Group becomes the first listed entity in the family office sector in Hong Kong. Such positioning is conducive to the Group's business plan in wealth management and impact investment in Singapore and North America, as well as the expansion of the Group's asset management scale and business scope. It accelerates the group's transformation into a comprehensive asset management and financial service sector. With the support of the Hong Kong SAR government through implementation of favourable policies, DL Family Office will continue to maintain its position as a leading multi-family office in the Asia-Pacific.

Strategic Partnership with Soochow Securities

During the reporting period, the Group and Soochow Securities has entered into a strategic cooperation. Both parties will launch all-round cooperation in the aspects of family office, wealth management, joint operation and equity, including docking domestic and overseas client resources, providing asset allocation strategies and investment products, and selling various financial products on behalf of each other, to jointly promote cross-border investment and wealth management between mainland China and Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and even the Asia-Pacific region, thereby empowering each other for win-win cooperation.

The Group will fully leverage its own strengths, particularly focusing on the unique advantages of serving family office clients, corporate clients, and global asset allocation. The Group will fully connect with Soochow Securities' extensive domestic and international client resources, deeply explore the wealth management needs of existing clients, jointly expand the service scope for clients in new areas, and achieve alignment in principles, complementing each other's businesses, and promoting mutual assistance, all with the goal of swiftly seizing the cross-border asset management market in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area in this new era.

Groundbreaking for a California Ultra-luxury Real Estate Project and Engaging in Global Real Estate Investment

On 21 August 2020, DL Investment Holdings US, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, agreed to subscribe for approximately 27.06% of the interest in Carmel Reserve LLC at the consideration of US$5 million (equivalent to approximately HK$39 million), investing in an ultra-luxury real estate project, ONE Carmel, located in the North American Bay Area. ONE Carmel is a closed ultra-luxury residential community, covering a total area of 891 acres (3.6 square kilometers). It has the capacity to build 73 ultra-luxury detached residence and community.

As at 31 March 2023 , the fair value of the Group's investment in the Target Company was approximately HK $107.1 million, representing for approximately 12.0% of the total assets of the Group as at 31 March 2023. It is expected that the project will bring considerable contribution to the Group's revenue and form a broader top-tier client base.

After seven years of hard work, "One Carmel" has made significant progress and investment income. The first phase of the project has started and made significant progress. The widening of the community driveway and the initial earth leveling have been completed. At the same time, the sales centre was officially launched, and some cooperation intentions and plot reservations were established.

During the Reporting Period, the Group has established DL Global Real Estate Investment to expand its business in real estate investment and global real estate investment advisory and management, including DL Real Estate, ONE Carmel, ONE Plus Property Management, real estate-related private equity and private debt. DL Global Real Estate Investment Department provides real estate investment opportunities and property management and trade, with a focus on Asia and North America. It plans to complete investment and achieve AUM growth to US$500 million next year.

Looking forward, Mr. Andy Chen, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DL Holdings, said, "In the future, DL will adapt to the transformation of the times, enabling the Group to be lightly loaded and more focused, accelerating the development of asset management and financial services business with a focus on family office, and expanding partnership cooperation through mergers and acquisitions to meet the business development needs of more ultra-high-net-worth families and their enterprises. We will continue to design a range of tailored and standardized products that are robust and sustainable. Together with our strategic partners, we cater to a broader range of high-net-worth clients with providing full lifecycle asset management and wealth succession services. We aim to grow our current $3 billion AUM to $8 to 10 billion by 2024. Leveraging DL's unique competitive advantages and our efficient management team, the Group will continue to share long-term compounded growth with investors, delivering sustained returns to all shareholders."

About DL Holdings Group Limited (Stock Code: 1709.HK)

DL Holdings Group (1709.HK) is a Hong Kong-listed asset management and financial services platform with a core focus on investment banking business, covering securities trading, financial consulting, multi-strategy investment fund management, investment research, financial loans and other financial services. Its subsidiary, DL Securities, holds SFC licenses for Type 1 (securities trading), Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 6 (advising on corporate financing) regulated activities. The Group's subsidiary, DL Capital, mainly provides asset management services, holding SFC licenses for Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities. The Group's subsidiary, ONE Advisory, provides one-stop, bespoke and comprehensive global identity planning consulting services and solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families. The listed company also holds a Singapore RFMC fund license and a Cayman Islands SIBL fund license. The Group has established 18 limited partnership funds in Hong Kong, which mainly invest in private equity. The Group's subsidiary, Seazon Pacific, is committed to providing overall solutions for supply chain management.

SOURCE DL HOLDINGS GROUP LIMITED
GENEVA, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ekinops (Euronext Paris - FR0011466069  EKI), a leading network access and virtualization specialist, today announced an additional three new application vendors joining their Nuvla Marketplace of business applications, built by SixSq to accelerate the delivery and monetization of edge computing solutions.

SixSq's Nuvla is a proven B2B digital platform for industrialization and automation of containerized edge applications and device management. Nuvla enables, among other things, the deployment of these applications on the Ekinops OneAccess branded network equipment through OneOS6 middleware.

The latest innovative vendors selected to join the Nuvla App Vendor Programme are:

Varnish Software : Powerful caching and content delivery solutions.

LatenceTech: Monitor and predict network low latency in real-time.

Relimetrics : AI-based quality audit and process controls for manufacturing.

Customers from any business sector can easily procure, deploy and manage these cutting-edge apps using the Nuvla marketplace, either individually or in combination with any of the apps in the marketplace. The benefits include data sovereignty, cost savings and improved business continuity.

The Nuvla marketplace gives app vendors and customers tools to interact in a seamless way, including clear pricing and contractual terms. App vendors wishing to join the App Vendor Programme to have their apps published on the Nuvla marketplace are invited to get in touch with the SixSq team.

For more information please go to https://sixsq.com/marketplace

All press releases are published after the close of trading on Euronext Paris.

EKINOPS Contact

Didier Bredy

Chairman and CEO

[email protected]

Investors

Mathieu Omnes

Investor relation

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

[email protected]

Press

Amaury Dugast

Press relation

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74

[email protected]

SOURCE Ekinops
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Ndebele king Bulelani Collins Khumalo has engaged South African police over sporadic xenophobic attacks against Zimbabwean immigrants in that country.Three Zimbabweans were killed recently in the violence targeting foreign nationals.The violence comes at a time when Zimbabwean nationals have been given a further six months to regularise their stay in South Africa or face deportation.King Bulelani's spokesperson Bornman Khumalo, said they met police in Johannesburg's Mamelodi area to discuss their concerns over the xenophobic attacks on Zimbabweans."I was informed the meeting went well," Khumalo said."We are currently using Chief Ngema there to engage authorities to urge the South Africans to stop killing Zimbabweans in general just because one person would have committed a crime there."That is what we are doing but we know it would take time for this to be resolved or understood."A notice by Mthwakazi KaMzilikazi Royal Kingdom dated June 14 indicated that King Bulelani's representatives and Amangadi Traditional Authority met with Mamelodi the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Community Policing Forum (CPF) on June 13."The meeting was fruitful as it was suggested that Mthwakazi people, CPF and the South African community members should work together to help fight crime in the community," reads the notice."Mthwakazi KaMzilikazi Royal Kingdom, Amangadi Traditional Authority and all traditional leaders in Mamelodi will soon meet to discuss ways of working together to fight crime and make sure that criminal activities done by our people do not end up affecting innocent people and lead to xenophobic attacks."The Royal Kingdom urged Zimbabwean nationals to stay away from crime in that country."Our office is calling on every Mthwakazi person in South Africa to get in touch with us as we would like to add them to our database to fight crime and enable us to help you in times of need," they said.King Bulelani's claim to the Ndebele throne has been challenged by other descendants of the Khumalo clan.Other claimants of the throne are Stanley Raphael Khumalo, who calls himself King Mzilikazi II and Peter Zwide Khumalo.Bulelani Collins Khumalo, who is based in South Africa, was coronated in 2018 at a private place in Bulawayo after the government blocked his public coronation that was set for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.Operation Dudula that is pushing for the deportation of Zimbabwean nationals faces legal action from the Kopanong Africa Against Xenophobia, the SA Informal Traders Forum, Inner City Federation as well as shack dwellers' movement Abahlali baseMjondolo at the South Gauteng High Court.
NYSE American:EU

TSXV:EU

DALLAS, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - enCore Energy Corp. ("enCore" or the "Company") (NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) announces that it has entered into a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement dated as of June 26, 2023 (the "Sales Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (together, the "Lead Agents"), and Canaccord Genuity Corp., Canaccord Genuity LLC, Haywood Securities Inc., PI Financial Corp., and Jett Capital Advisors, LLC (together with the Lead Agents, the "Agents"). Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, the Company will be entitled, at its discretion from time-to-time during the term of the Sales Agreement, to sell, through the Lead Agents, such number of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") that would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to US$70,000,000 (the "Offering" or "ATM Facility"). Sales of the Common Shares, if any, will be made in "at-the-market distributions", as defined in National Instrument 44-102  Shelf Distributions, directly on the TSXV, the NYSE American ("NYSE American") or on any other existing trading market in Canada or the United States or as otherwise agreed between the Lead Agents and the Company.

The ATM Facility can be in effect until the aggregate gross sales proceeds of common shares sold pursuant to the Sales Agreement equals US$70,000,000, unless terminated prior to such date by enCore or otherwise in accordance with the Sales Agreement. Net proceeds from the ATM Facility, if any, will be used for corporate purposes as described in the Prospectus Supplement referenced below.

William M. Sheriff, enCore's Executive Chairman stated: "The At-The-Market (ATM) Offering provides enCore access to funds with greater flexibility and lower costs than more traditional financings. We expect to use the ATM to fund items including possible future acquisitions and to accelerate the exploration and development of our advanced mineral properties. Any shares issued under the ATM will be fully disclosed in our financial statements."

The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 26, 2023 (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus of US$140 million and U.S. registration statement on Form F-10, as amended (File No. 333-272609), dated June 12, 2023 and June 20, 2023, respectively (collectively, the "Offering Documents"). The Prospectus Supplement will be filed with Securities Commissions in Canada and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Offering Documents will contain important detailed information about the securities being offered. Before you invest, you should read the Offering Documents and the documents incorporated therein for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the Sales Agreement and the Offering Documents will be available for free by visiting the Company's profiles on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, as applicable.

The common shares that may be issued by the Company under the ATM Facility have been conditionally approved for listing on the TSXV and have been approved for listing on the NYSE American.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About enCore Energy Corp.

enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable domestic nuclear energy by becoming the next United States uranium producer in 2023. enCore solely utilizes In-Situ Recovery (ISR) for uranium extraction, a well-known and proven technology co-developed by the leaders at enCore Energy. In-Situ Recovery extracts uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium. Uranium production is planned at enCore's licensed and past-producing South Texas Rosita Processing Plant in 2023, and at its licensed and past-producing South Texas Alta Mesa Processing Plant in 2024.

Future projects in enCore's production pipeline include the Dewey-Burdock project in South Dakota and the Gas Hills project in Wyoming, along with significant uranium resource endowments in New Mexico providing long term opportunities. The enCore team is led by industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of ISR uranium operations and the nuclear fuel cycle. enCore diligently works to realize value from other owned assets, including our proprietary uranium database that includes technical information from many past producing companies, from our various non-core assets, and by leveraging our ISR expertise in researching opportunities that support the use of this technology as applied to other metals. enCore is also committed to working with local communities and indigenous governments to create positive impact from corporate developments.

Neither the NYSE American nor the TSX Venture Exchange or 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 information contained in this news release, including: any information relating to the ATM Offering; and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects; may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "expects", "is expected", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken) should be considered forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the ability of enCore to implement its business strategies; the ability of the Agents to sell the common shares pursuant to the ATM; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation exploration and development risks, changes in commodity prices, access to skilled mining personnel, the results of exploration and development activities; production risks; uninsured risks; regulatory risks; defects in title; the availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations; risks posed by the economic and political environments in which the Company operates and intends to operate; increased competition; assumptions regarding market trends and the expected demand and desires for the Company's products and proposed products; reliance on industry equipment manufacturers, suppliers and others; the failure to adequately protect intellectual property; the failure to adequately manage future growth; adverse market conditions, the failure to satisfy ongoing regulatory requirements and factors relating to forward looking statements listed above which include risks as disclosed in the Company's annual information form filings. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grocery CEOs, consumers and grocers envisage online shopping as the next big thing, spurred by technological advancements and greater convenience. The COVID-19 onslaught was partly attributed to online grocery flooding the market. While leading players and startups jumped on the bandwagon, ESG watchdogs were wary of the sustainable impact the industry would have on the planet. Stakeholders are expected to harness gender equality, fair wages, waste reduction, responsible sourcing of farm produce and sound corporate governance.

The ease of browsing, getting items ticked off and quick delivery have been a revelationa delivery service delivering to multiple homes has negated the need to drive to the store. More than 17 million metric tons of CO2 pollution are attributed to weekly household trips to the grocery store, a report cited by the U.S. EPA claimed. Incumbent players have furthered investments in electric vehicles (EVs) to offset greenhouse gas emissions. In April 2022, India-based Swiggy, a food delivery company, joined forces with EVIFY to enable grocery and food delivery through EVs in Surat, Gujarat.

Industry leaders are likely to emphasize upstream transportation (farm-to-retail) and foster last-mile transportationpushing for deliveries and offsetting personal trips. Centralized grocery delivery services and fulfillment centers have brought a paradigm shift in minimizing GHG emissions and food loss. State-of-the-art technologies, including predictive analytics, can provide the silver bullet to prevent pilferage and streamline sourcing. Besides, boosting access to affordable and high-quality fresh food, along with the focus on diversity, integrity and transparency, will remain instrumental for a circular economy.

Learn more about the practices & strategies being implemented by industry participants from the Online Grocery Industry ESG Thematic Report, 2023, published by Astra ESG Solutions

Kroger and BigBasket Invest in Climate Strategy for a Sustainable Future

The online retail boom and an emphasis on speed and user experienceinstant deliveryhave disrupted e-commerce business models. Brands with sustainability strategies appeared resilient during the COVID-19 outbreak, banking on online shopping to conserve raw materials and minimize GHG emissions. Kroger is poised to establish a new Scope 3 goal for supply chain emissions reduction in line with its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitment. The American retail giant has set 2030 sustainable packaging goals, such as using 100% recyclable, reusable and/or compostable packaging.

Amidst emerging climate risks and opportunities, Kroger inferred using infrared refrigerant leak-detection technology in 2,000 stores. Meanwhile, in 2021, Bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise-owned online grocery retailer, teamed up with New Leaf Dynamic to install a biomass-powered chiller that can save 186 tons of CO2 annually. The Indian giant cited in its Green Report 2022 that it produced 5,457,000 kWh of solar power (reducing 1,670 tons of GHG emissions) in 2022 and 5,458 electric delivery vehicles helped minimize 7012 tons of CO2 emissions during the period.

Amazon Fresh Navigates Changing Social Landscape

Amidst rampant layoffs and the prevalence of workplace injuries, grocery warehouses and fulfillment centers have prioritized the social pillar. In January 2023, Amazon announced over 18,000 job cuts, denting workers across industry verticals, including grocery stores. People employed as supply chain managers, program managers, software engineers and store designers bore the brunt in online grocery delivery and fresh stores businesses. That said, the American behemoth inferred in May 2023 that it had poured CDN 25 billion since 2010 in its Canadian operations, including job creation and establishment of data centers and fulfillment centers. In September 2021, the U.S. giant committed USD 1.2 billion to offer 300,000 employees education and skills training programs till 2025.

Incumbent players have upped investments to make the workplace safer and foster a healthy environment. Amazon has a team of health coordinators, physiotherapists and advisors. The occupational doctors perform medical checks and report trends in major risk areas.

The U.S. e-commerce company has augmented diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts to underscore its sustainability quotient. In 2021, it committed to a 30% rise year over year in hiring U.S. black employees in level 4 through level 7 from the preceding year's hiring. The multinational company warrants 100% of employees to take inclusion training.

Is your business one of participants to the Online Grocery Industry? Contact us for focused consultation around ESG Investing, and help you build sustainable business practices

Governance Key for Relentless Sustainable Goals of Rakuten and Walmart

Sound corporate behavior is second to none for an agile business process and an inclusive global system that complements ethical business practices. Rakuten creates a list of ESG themes with the assistance of external experts and refers to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Materiality Map.

The Japanese company has appointed Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to undergird compliance management. It has banked on a risk-based approach to define high-risk issues and implement measures, such as prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing; prohibition of bribery and corruption; and adherence to competition, antitrust and other related laws.

Rakuten has propelled board diversityoutside directors account for 58.3% of the BoD, while 25% are foreign directors. Meanwhile, Walmart expects Board members to disclose their race/ethnicity and gender annually. Its board had 27% women and 18% directors who are racially/ethnically diverse (as of April 2023).

Millennials and Gen Z want the e-commerce sector to foster social contributions, operate in a responsible supply chain and bolster transparency. ESG reporting could be pronounced, prompting online incumbents to further their investments in sustainability. Grand View Research anticipates the global online grocery market size to depict upward growth through 2030. Investments in the circular economy can create momentum and be a differentiating factor in an ever-growing competition in the online grocery business.

Browse more ESG Thematic Reports from the Technology Sector, published by Astra - ESG Solutions

About Astra  ESG Solutions by Grand View Research

Astra is the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Grand View Research Inc. - a global market research publishing & management consulting firm.

Astra offers comprehensive ESG thematic assessment & scores across diverse impact & socially responsible investment topics, including both public and private companies along with intuitive dashboards. Our ESG solutions are powered by robust fundamental & alternative information. Astra specializes in consulting services that equip corporates and the investment community with the in-depth ESG research and actionable insight they need to support their bottom lines and their values. We have supported our clients across diverse ESG consulting projects & advisory services, including climate strategies & assessment, ESG benchmarking, stakeholder engagement programs, active ownership, developing ESG investment strategies, ESG data services, build corporate sustainability reports. Astra team includes a pool of industry experts and ESG enthusiasts who possess extensive end-end ESG research and consulting experience at a global level.

For more ESG Thematic reports, please visit Astra ESG Solutions, powered by Grand View Research

Need expert consultation around identifying, analyzing and creating a plan to mitigate ESG risks related to your business? Share your concerns and queries, we can help!

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SOURCE Astra ESG Solutions
Entrepreneur Of The Year Celebrates Ambitious Entrepreneurs Who Are

Building a Better World

DALLAS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) has announced that Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters, has been named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Southwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Crosby was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

"The credit for this honor goes to the incredible team that I work with every day at Compass," said Chris Crosby. "Together, we have built the most innovative company in the data center industry. Our corporate cultural convictions of humility, accountability, curiosity and continuous improvement are helping us transform the way that mission critical infrastructure is builtensuring that their design, construction, materials use and operations are setting dramatically higher standards for sustainability, water conservation, GHG reduction and more. Thank you to EY for recognizing the impact Compass is having on both the data center and construction industries."

For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives.

As a Southwest award winner, Chris Crosby is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks

and of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU

of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc.

of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop!

and of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company

of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit

of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix

of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon , Inc.

of , Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC

of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn

and of LinkedIn Sheila Mikhail of AskBio

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors Colliers International, Donnelly Financial Solutions and Haynes and Boone LLP, Gold sponsor Roach Howard Smith & Barton, and Silver sponsors D CEO, Marquee Events and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Compass Datacenters

Compass Datacenters, one of Inc. Magazine's 5000 fastest growing companies, designs and constructs data centers for some of the world's largest hyperscalers and cloud providers on campuses across the globe. Our corporate culture is predicated on continual improvement and innovation and has enabled us to marry technology with modern manufacturing methods to enhance our ability to consistently deliver our customer's projects faster, with no sacrifices in quality. Since our inception, our sustainability efforts have encompassed the entire data center from its design to its post-delivery performance, including the efficient use of land, water-free cooling and a focus on Green House Gas reduction in the materials used to build our facilities and in their operation. Compass embraces a long-term perspective with the financial strength of investors Brookfield Infrastructure and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. For more information, visit www.compassdatacenters.com.

SOURCE Compass Datacenters
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world

ALLEN, Texas, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Tom Brennan, CEO and CTO of Sol-Ark, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Southwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Tom Brennan was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

"I am incredibly honored to be named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Southwest Award winner, and humbled to be recognized among such an esteemed group of entrepreneurs," said Tom Brennan, CEO and CTO of Sol-Ark. "This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication from my business partner and COO, Bhawna Oberoi, as well as the entire Sol-Ark Team who is committed to transforming energy storage solutions and delivering energy independence to families and businesses."

Sol-Ark is a global leader in energy storage systems. Powered by a vast ecosystem comprising thousands of distributors, installers, EPCs, integrators, and battery manufacturers, Sol-Ark is transforming energy resilience for homes and businesses.

For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives.

As a Southwest award winner, Tom Brennan is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks

and of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU

of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc.

of Chobani, Inc. Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop!

and of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company

of Starbucks Coffee Company James Park of Fitbit

of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix

of Vitamix Joe DeSimone of Carbon , Inc.

of , Inc. Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC

of Kendra Scott LLC Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation

and of LinkedIn Corporation Sheila Mikhail of AskBio

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors Colliers International, Donnelly Financial Solutions and Haynes and Boone LLP, Gold sponsor Roach Howard Smith & Barton, and Silver sponsors D CEO, Marquee Events and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

For additional information, please contact:

Amy Hartzer, Director of Marketing, Sol-Ark

[email protected]

SOURCE Sol-Ark
A flexible range of deployment models allows banks to configure the Fireblocks platform to their existing IT infrastructure and security policies, shortening time-to-production for digital asset initiatives

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fireblocks , an enterprise platform to manage digital asset operations and build innovative businesses on the blockchain, expands its highly secure MPC-CMP wallet and key management technology to include support for HSMs and public and private cloud, including Thales, Securosys, AWS, GCP, and Alibaba Cloud. These flexible deployment models allow banks and financial institutions to leverage Fireblocks' industry-leading security and technology stack to quickly bring their digital asset initiatives into production while meeting their risk, compliance, and regulatory requirements.

Fireblocks is trusted by some of the most recognized banks and financial institutions in the world to bring their digital asset strategies to production, including BNY Mellon, BNP Paribas, ANZ Bank, NAB, ABN AMRO, BTG Pactual, Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and SIX Digital Exchange. These institutions have leveraged Fireblocks to build new digital asset custody, trading, clearing and settlement services, tokenization of financial products such as tokenized fiat, central bank digital currencies (CBDC), carbon credits, and more.

"With Fireblocks, we were able to take our digital treasury bond initiative  Project Eden  from ideation to go-live in five months," said Orly Grinfeld, EVP, Head of Clearing at Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. "We were impressed with their ability to work with us and meet our extensive compliance and security requirements. Their world-class security operations and modular infrastructure allowed us to deploy wallets to our primary dealers, which included international banks like Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan. Not only were we able to ensure that the entire workflow operations were secure, but that all the vendors were streamlined and deployed in order to bring Eden live quickly."

To ensure that financial institutions  including banks, asset managers, financial market infrastructure, and central banks  can easily deploy the Fireblocks platform in their existing IT infrastructure with their security policies, Fireblocks' expanded range of support will include:

HSM support with an open interface to leverage leading providers such as Thales, Securosys, and other compatible HSMs

Expanded support for cloud-based secure enclaves, including AWS Nitro and GCP, and Alibaba Cloud SGX, in addition to Fireblocks' existing Azure SGX support

Enable customers to host all MPC key shares across multiple servers in their data centers and cloud

New cloud data centers across the EU, Switzerland , and Hong Kong along with Fireblocks' current cloud data centers in the US

, and along with Fireblocks' current cloud data centers in the US Dedicated single-tenant cloud environment

"As the financial ecosystem evolves, we are focused on enhancing our core capabilities by exploring digital technologies and processes, including blockchain," said Sarthak Pattanaik, CIO, Digital Assets, Treasury Services, Clearance and Collateral Management at BNY Mellon. "We look forward to our continued collaboration with Fireblocks and leveraging their best-in-class services that support our ongoing efforts to address the needs of our institutional clients."

"From the very beginning, the Fireblocks platform was created and designed to be business-first. We understand the risk requirements in the bank at an architectural level and we have strategically developed components to make sure that our customers can get from proof-of-concept to production in the shortest timeframe possible," said Michael Shaulov, Co-founder and CEO of Fireblocks. "In the last three years, Fireblocks has been working with some of the most well-known banks and financial institutions at the cutting edge of the digital asset and crypto industry. To date, we've successfully brought 50 banks into the digital asset space, so we're excited to be able to further our commitment to this segment by providing the right infrastructure support for any bank or financial institution to bring their digital asset offering to market."

Banks and financial institutions find success in bringing their digital asset products to production by leveraging key components of the Fireblocks platform. Foundational to the ecosystem is the Fireblocks Network, which connects the largest consortium of regulated financial institutions that have implemented digital assets on the blockchain. The connectivity to the Fireblocks Network allows companies to execute their business strategies almost immediately by putting them in touch with exchanges, market makers, and other distribution partners such as private banks or fintech platforms. Fireblocks APIs also enable direct integration with the world's leading core banking systems, including Temenos, Avaloq, and FIS, further expanding the ecosystem's reach.

In addition, the platform's tokenization capabilities support the end-to-end lifecycle management for tokenized assets, including smart contract management, minting and burning, distribution, and custody across public, private, and permissioned blockchains. This provides banks with full control over their digital assets as they engage with their counterparties. Lastly, Fireblocks' powerful Policy Engine governs workflows within the Fireblocks console, giving owners full control to secure actions against internal collusion, human error, and external attacks. Customers may also integrate Fireblocks compliance partners directly into the Policy Engine to automate transaction screening workflows to meet evolving digital asset regulatory requirements and address the latest industry threats.

To learn more about Fireblocks' new offerings to support banks and financial institutions, visit www.fireblocks.com/customers/banks-and-fmis

About Fireblocks

Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform delivering a secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Fireblocks enables exchanges, lending desks, custodians, banks, trading desks, and hedge funds to securely scale digital asset operations through the Fireblocks Network and MPC-based Wallet Infrastructure. Fireblocks serves thousands of financial institutions, has secured the transfer of over $4 trillion in digital assets, and has a unique insurance policy that covers assets in storage and transit. Some of the biggest trading desks have switched to Fireblocks because it's the only solution that CISOs and Ops Teams both love. For more information, please visit www.fireblocks.com .

SOURCE Fireblocks
DALLAS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas-based intellectual property and business litigation firm Caldwell Cassady & Curry is welcoming John Summers back to the firm following his recent stint as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

Mr. Summers, who rejoins the firm as a principal, is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses on qui tam, commercial, and intellectual property litigation for businesses and individuals in a wide range of industries.

Mr. Summers returns to Caldwell Cassady & Curry after leading numerous investigations for the U.S. Attorney's Office involving the False Claims Act and qui tam whistleblower complaints, including matters related to customs, procurement, and healthcare fraud.

Before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mr. Summers built a lengthy, successful tenure with Caldwell Cassady & Curry. Joining the firm shortly after its launch in 2013, he went on to represent Dr. Robert Morley in his co-founder dispute against Square Inc.; VirnetX Inc. in its long-running patent infringement dispute against Apple; and Match Group, LLC in the company's high-profile litigation against competitor Bumble.

Caldwell Cassady & Curry represents companies and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, including patent infringement cases, trade secrets claims, fiduciary duty cases, class actions, and disputes involving company founders. The firm has tried and won some of the nation's top verdicts against the largest companies in the world. Learn more about the firm at www.caldwellcc.com.

For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 214-763-6226 or

[email protected].

SOURCE Caldwell Cassady & Curry
Chen Qiyu and Xu Xiaoliang, Executive Directors and Co-CEOs of Fosun International win Asia's Best CEO from Corporate Governance Asia

Fosun International also receives Asia's Best CSR and Best Corporate Communications Awards

HONG KONG, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the evening of 26 June 2023, the magazine Corporate Governance Asia held the 13th Asian Excellence Award ceremony in Hong Kong. Chen Qiyu and Xu Xiaoliang, Executive Directors and Co-CEOs of Fosun International Limited ("Fosun International" or "Fosun" or the "Group") (HKEX stock code: 00656) were both honoured Asia's Best CEO. In addition, Fosun International was awarded Asia's Best CSR and Best Corporate Communications awards.

The award recognizes outstanding companies that actively promote global sustainable development

Corporate Governance Asia is one of the most authoritative corporate governance journals in the Asia-Pacific region. It presents the Asian Excellence Award to recognize companies that excelled in financial performance, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, corporate communication and investor relations. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Corporate Governance Asia. With the theme of "Asia: Leading the Way", the 13th Asian Excellence Award recognizes outstanding industry leaders that have spared no effort to promote global sustainable development while actively promoting economic development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, especially companies that attach great importance to the impact of corporate development on the environment and society, and strive to create long-term value for stakeholders.

Corporate Governance Asia pointed out that, after over 30 years of development, Fosun has grown into a global innovation-driven consumer group with a focus on Health, Happiness, Wealth and other business segments in more than 35 countries and regions. As the CEOs of a global large-scale private enterprise, while leading the Group to grow business operations, Mr. Chen Qiyu and Mr. Xu Xiaoliang have been strengthening the management of sustainable development, promoting the Group to take the initiative to undertake corporate social responsibility, improving the Group's environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, and leveraging resources and advantages of Fosun's global industrial ecosystem to continuously create a better world.

Chen Qiyu, Executive Director and Co-CEO of Fosun International, said, "We are very honoured to receive several awards from Corporate Governance Asia, including Asia's Best CEO and Asia's Best CSR. The awards belong not only to individuals but also to the entire Fosun team, which are recognition of the work of the Group. In order to promote the sustainable development of Fosun, the Group has established a top-down, long-term ESG improvement mechanism aimed at further enhancing the ESG performance of the Group and its subsidiaries. Fosun considers ESG management performance as one of the evaluation factors in the performance and remuneration assessment process of executive directors, continues to benchmark itself with various international companies with good ESG practices, and communicates timely and transparently with rating agencies. In the future, Fosun will maintain its strategic focus, leveraging Fosun's advantages to drive better development of the Group. Fosun will also continue to promote technology innovation, implement 'carbon peaking and carbon neutrality' goals, take part in public welfare undertakings, keepcultivating in the ESG field, and join hands with customers, partners, investors, and all parties in the society to create a happiness ecosystem, share the value of Fosun, and endeavour to extend human's life expectancy to 121 years."

Xu Xiaoliang, Executive Director and Co-CEO of Fosun International, said, "As a global company rooted in China, Fosun started early in its work on ESG, which is related to the Group's genes and culture. From the beginning of its foundation, Fosun has clearly defined its original aspiration of 'Contribution to Society', aiming not only to create commercial value but also more social value, with a view to pursuing business for good. As a global enterprise, Fosun attaches great importance to evaluating its own development against global standards, among which ESG is an important criterion. Fosun joined the United Nations Global Compact and the China ESG Leaders Association long ago, actively promoting the development of ESG throughout the Group. In the future, Fosun will further solidify its global operation capability, deeply develop the oriental lifestyle aesthetics, so as to create more healthy, happy and wealthy products for global families. Fosun will continue to focus on issues such as carbon neutrality, biodiversity, energy conservation, and emission reduction, assuming its responsibilities as a global enterprise using its global influence."

Fosun's remarkable ESG performance has been widely recognized by the international market

In 2022, Fosun achieved remarkable ESG performance. It received an AA MSCI ESG rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such rating, and was consecutively selected as a constituent of the MSCI CHINA ESG LEADERS 10-40 Index; it received a rating of A in the Hang Seng Sustainability Index and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for two consecutive years and a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index for three consecutive years; it was selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time. Its S&P CSA ESG score rose significantly and outperformed 91% of its global peers.

Contribute to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, be a responsible citizen of the Earth

In 2022, Fosun ushered in the "second year" of its "Carbon Neutrality Goal" following its commitment to society  "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050". Fosun has formulated effective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation to align with the 1.5C temperature control target set in the Paris Agreement. In order to further push forward the "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" goals of Fosun, the Group has established a Carbon Neutrality Committee and a Carbon Neutrality Working Group to actively promote further implementation and enforcement of carbon-neutral management across the Group. In April 2023, Fosun issued its first Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report, demonstrating its commitment to climate action to the international community and calling on all sectors to promote carbon neutrality.

Fosun develops business for good, actively disseminates good ESG stories and promotes global sustainable development.

According to Corporate Governance Asia, with years of continuous cultivation in sustainable development, long-term responsible operations, effective management, and a steadfast commitment to the original aspiration of "Contribution to Society", while achieving rapid development, Fosun leveraged its own industrial advantages to continuously advance in the fields of global emergency relief, supporting the fight against malaria in Africa, rural revitalization, health, education, culture and art, and caring for children and adolescents to fulfil its commitment to public welfare. The Asia's Best CSR and Best Corporate Communications accolades presented by Corporate Governance Asia are to commend Fosun's commitment to social responsibility and recognize Fosun's persistence and effort through active promotion and dissemination of good ESG stories.

About the Asian Excellence Award

The Asian Excellence Award is organized by one of the most authoritative corporate governance journals in Asia, Corporate Governance Asia. It is designed to recognize companies in the Asia-Pacific region that have excelled in corporate governance and corporate leaders who have made outstanding achievements in the field of corporate governance. The organizer inspected thousands of companies in the Asia-Pacific region through quantitative evaluation and interviews with investors to comprehensively measure the companies' strengths. The award recognizes companies with comprehensive outstanding performance in financial performance, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, environmental protection, corporate communication and investor relations in the past year. The award-winning companies of this year's 13th Asian Excellence Award include Bank of China (Hong Kong), China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, China Communications Services, PetroChina, Shui On Land, Sino Land, New World Development, Sun Hung Kai Properties and other well-known companies in the Asia-Pacific region.

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 31 December 2022, Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB823.1 billion; it received an AA MSCI ESG Rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such AA rating.

SOURCE Fosun
IRVINE, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a Department of Justice press release , a New Jersey man has been found guilty of tax evasion and failure to file personal income tax returns, underscoring the serious consequences of willful tax law violations. If you have fallen behind on filing your federal or state income tax return, or have submitted false tax documents, it's crucial to seek assistance from an experienced tax attorney to help rectify your situation.

Defendant Falsely Claimed Tax Exemption and Failed to File Returns

Common issues with non filers

Jonathan D. Michael of Springfield, New Jersey, was convicted by a federal jury of tax evasion and failure to file personal income tax returns despite earning nearly $1.5 million over a period of five years. Michael, who worked as a mechanic in the crane shop at the Port Newark Container Terminal, provided his employer with a withholding certificate that falsely claimed he was exempt from federal income tax withholding. From 2014 to 2018, Michael did not file personal income tax returns, resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of over $375,000.

Michael's sentencing is scheduled for October 23, 2023. He faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion and one year in prison for each count of willful failure to file a tax return. In addition, he could be subjected to a period of supervised release, restitution, and other monetary penalties.

Avoiding Severe Tax Law Consequences with the Help of a Tax Attorney

The defendant's case serves as a stark reminder of the potential civil and criminal penalties for willfully violating tax laws. If you find yourself falling behind on tax filings or have filed a false tax return, it's critical to contact an experienced tax attorney. They can help you determine the best way to rectify your situation with the IRS, potentially mitigating penalties and aiming to ensure your physical and financial freedom. Non-filers need to be aware of exposure of being charged with felony Spies Evasion rather than merely for failure to file which is a misdemeanor.

Providing false information on tax documents and failing to file tax returns can lead to severe repercussions, including substantial fines and imprisonment. An experienced tax attorney can help navigate the complexities of tax law, ensure that you're in compliance with all tax laws, and represent your interests if you're facing an audit or charges for tax evasion or fraud.

If you have failed to file a tax return for one or more years or have taken a position on a tax return that could not be supported upon an IRS or state tax authority audit , eggshell audit , reverse eggshell audit , or criminal tax investigation , it is in your best interest to contact an experienced tax defense attorney to determine your best route back into federal or state tax compliance without facing criminal prosecution.

Note: As long as a taxpayer that has willfully committed tax crimes (potentially including non-filed foreign information returns coupled with affirmative evasion of U.S. income tax on offshore income) self-reports the tax fraud (including a pattern of non-filed returns) through a domestic or offshore voluntary disclosure before the IRS has started an audit or criminal tax investigation / prosecution, the taxpayer can ordinarily be successfully brought back into tax compliance and receive a nearly guaranteed pass on criminal tax prosecution and simultaneously often receive a break on the civil penalties that would otherwise apply.

It is imperative that you hire an experienced and reputable criminal tax defense attorney to take you through the voluntary disclosure process. Only an Attorney has the Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product Privileges that will prevent the very professional that you hire from being potentially being forced to become a witness against you, especially where they prepared the returns that need to be amended, in a subsequent criminal tax audit, investigation or prosecution.

Moreover, only an Attorney can enter you into a voluntary disclosure without engaging in the unauthorized practice of law (a crime in itself). Only an Attorney trained in Criminal Tax Defense fully understands the risks and rewards involved in voluntary disclosures and how to protect you if you do not qualify for a voluntary disclosure.

As uniquely qualified and extensively experienced Criminal Tax Defense Tax Attorneys, Kovel CPAs and EAs, our firm provides a one stop shop to efficiently achieve the optimal and predictable results that simultaneously protect your liberty and your net worth. See our Testimonials to see what our clients have to say about us!

We Are Here for You

Regardless of your business or estate needs, the professionals at the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing are here for you. We are open for business and our team will help ensure that your business is too. Contact the Law Offices of David W. Klasing today to discuss your business with one of our professionals.

In addition to our main office in Irvine , the Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing has unstaffed (conference room only) satellite offices in Los Angeles , San Bernardino , Santa Barbara , Panorama City , Oxnard , San Diego , Bakersfield , San Jose , San Francisco , Oakland , Carlsbad and Sacramento .

Our office technology allows clients to meet virtually via GoToMeeting . With end-to-end encryption, strong passwords, and top-rated reliability, no one is messing with your meeting. To schedule a reduced rate initial consultation via GoToMeeting follow this link . Call our office and request a GoToMeeting if you are an existing client.

Questions and Answers on Unfiled Back Taxes

Here is a link to our YouTube channel: click here!

Public Contact: Dave Klasing Esq. M.S.-Tax CPA, [email protected]

SOURCE Tax Law Offices of David W. Klasing, PC
AdaniConneX has emerged as a market leader for delivering scalable, transparent, secure, and flexible digital infrastructure solutions in line with customers' business objectives via its consultative approach.

SAN ANTONIO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan has honoured AdaniConneX with the 2023 South Asian Company of the Year Award for delivering data center infrastructure and operational excellence. Bringing the energy infrastructure expertise of the Adani Group and Data Center expertise of EdgeConneX, AdaniConneX is emerging as the torchbearer in the region when it comes to implementing Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS), starting with Data Center and Energy infrastructure services, and building towards a seamless common service orchestration and management fabric for digital infrastructure.

2023 South Asian Data Center Infrastructure and Operations Company of the Year Award

India's soaring Data Growth along with rapid adoption of emerging technologies such as Cloud, AI, IoT, etc., is driving the need for reliable and sustainable Digital Infrastructure, necessary to sustain India's momentum towards becoming a digital-first nation. In light of these Mega Trends, AdaniConneX has emerged as a key player that is offering an integrated approach towards building digital infrastructure with full-stack solutions, addressing regional requirement with global standards. It delivers products and solutions that address current market gaps, while driving business and technological innovations anticipating future customer needs. The company's targeted innovation addresses the shortcomings of existing solutions and the technology voids responsible for customer pain points and frustrations.

The company's ability to leverage its extensive know-how in energy supply management has empowered it to offer customers end-to-end energy security and control, with cutting-edge Data Center solutions that encompass complete digital infrastructure lifecycle, including Data Center Design, Construction, and Operations.

"AdaniConneX adopts a collaborative approach through its holistic end-to-end solutions to engage customers and goes above and beyond just offering services. It acts as a consultant and strategic partner that strives to support customers in achieving their long-term visions," said Gautham Gnanajothi, global vice-president of research, Frost & Sullivan.

AdaniConneX's excellence in implementing visionary scenarios through the use of Mega Trends creates new market opportunities, leading to customer satisfaction while establishing a strong product positioning strategy. This strategy focuses on sustainability, resiliency, and life cycle performance, including cost efficiency, time to market, and the flexibility to adapt to changes. The company serves various vertical segments with solutions tailored to suit individual sector requirements, further fostering its growth. It leads the market by staying at the forefront of technological development and innovations while promoting workforce diversity, inclusion, and skills development.

"AdaniConneX's futuristic approach towards product and solution development combined with its staunch resolve to fill market voids and customer challenges has placed it in the forefront of this highly competitive industry. Its deep-rooted engineering expertise, along with its strong focus on delivering excellence, have resulted in path-breaking infrastructure and operational best practices, ultimately enhancing customer value," added Gnanajothi. With its strong overall performance, AdaniConneX earns Frost & Sullivan's 2023 South Asian Company of the Year Award in the Data Center Infrastructure and Operations industry.

"Our success as the Frost and Sullivan Company of the Year is a testament to the collective efforts of our team, partners, and customers. As we continue to innovate, collaborate, and strive for excellence, we are shaping an industry that is not just about data, but about empowering business, transforming lives, and driving change.", said Sanjay Bhutani, Chief Business Officer, AdaniConneX.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to an organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Tarini Singh

P: +91-9953764546

E: [email protected]

About AdaniConneX

AdaniConneX, a 50:50 JV between Adani Enterprises and EdgeConneX, was founded with a vision to redefine the data center landscape in India. AdaniConneX envisions to build an environmentally and socially conscious 1GW data center infrastructure platform by leveraging the complementary capacity of the Adani Group, India's largest infrastructure player, and EdgeConneX, one of the largest private data center operators. In a land of innovators, data center solutions need to be ahead to accelerate ambition and AdaniConneX mirrors this vision of Digital India.

For more information, please visit https://www.adaniconnex.com/

For Media Queries: Roy Paul I [email protected]

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Board to bolster information sharing across the European and global cyber threat landscape

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FS-ISAC , the member-driven, not-for-profit organisation that advances cybersecurity and resilience in the global financial system, today announced the formation of its Europe Board of Directors. This reaffirms FS-ISAC's commitment to protecting the global financial sector from rapidly evolving cyber threats by strengthening regional information sharing.

The Europe Board of Directors will oversee Europe-based activity as well as coordinate with the global Board of Directors to mitigate knowledge gaps based on geography. Daniel Barriuso, Group Chief Transformation Officer, Grupo Santander, will serve as the Board's Chair.

"I've had the privilege of working with FS-ISAC to bolster the financial services sector's collective defences through multiple threat cycles," said Barriuso. "As the first Chair of the Europe Board of Directors, I look forward to strengthening the real-time information sharing community so critical to our sector's resilience in today's cyber threat landscape."

In addition to helping to deepen FS-ISAC's intelligence, security, and resilience work on the continent, the Europe Board of Directors will help build public-private partnerships and further relationships with other critical infrastructure sectors, including energy and telecommunications, as well as key third-party service providers. As the financial sector implements Europe's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), managing key risks such as those of the sector's supply chain is increasingly a collaborative enterprise.

"The ever-changing cyber threat and regulatory landscape in Europe demands a localised group of experts who understand the similar markets and cultures in which we operate," said Beate Zwijnenberg, Global CISO, ING, who serves as Director on both the Europe and global boards. "The financial services sector must come together to collectively navigate these changes and the creation of this Board is the next step in ensuring the experiences of FS-ISAC's Europe-based members are incorporated into the global community."

The regional leadership in Europe will also collaborate on FS-ISAC's growing intelligence offerings in the fraud landscape, including identity fraud and business email compromise, as well as continue to discuss how generative AI is being used by malicious actors to adapt traditional cyber tactics, such as social engineering. AI has the potential to erode consumer trust in digital channels, and financial institutions need to take action to ensure the sector successfully adapts to this large-scale technological shift and the new risks that accompany it.

"Resilience of the financial services sector is not only accomplished through individual preparation, but also by a greater effort from the industry as a whole, both in Europe and around the world," said Europe Board member Jayaraj Puthanveedu, MD, Global Head of Resilience, Cyber, and Digital Fraud, BNP Paribas. "Only the development of collective muscle memory, formed through cross-border exercising, local training, and collaboration, will build operational resilience on behalf of Europe's financial sector and improve global response time in case of large-scale incidents."

"Leveraging our collective knowledge and wisdom is crucial to staying ahead of our adversaries, avoiding re-inventing the wheel for best practices, and responding to incidents swiftly and decisively," said Europe Board member Carsten Fischer, Deputy Chief Security Officer at Deutsche Bank. "This will undoubtedly improve the efficacy and efficiency of our threat analysis and mitigation efforts across the industry."

"Given the borderless nature of the cyber threat landscape, it's easy to feel that only global intelligence and global solutions are required. But it's important to remember that markets and institutions all contain nuance based on their location," said Steven Silberstein, CEO, FS-ISAC. "Creating this layer of board leadership focused on and specializing in Europe allows for us to better account for that nuance and enable FS-ISAC to share specific and actionable intelligence and best practices to our European members."

Join the new Europe Board members at FS-ISAC's 2023 EMEA Summit in Amsterdam, 6-8 November 2023. To register, click here.

About FS-ISAC

FS-ISAC is the member-driven, not-for-profit organisation that advances cybersecurity and resilience in the global financial system, protecting the financial institutions and the people they serve. Founded in 1999, the organisation's real-time information-sharing network amplifies the intelligence, knowledge, and practices of its members for the financial sector's collective security and defences. Member financial firms represent $100 trillion in assets in 75 countries.

Contacts for Media:

[email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2103257/FSISAC_Wordmark_Logo.jpg

SOURCE FS-ISAC
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has automatically lost seven potential council seats in Rushinga district, Mashonaland West after party politicians who pitched up for poll nomination got disqualified for filing in wrong constituencies.Top party official David Coltart blamed the mishap on what he found as an opaque delimitation of boundaries by ZEC.The 2023 elections are being administered using the new delimitation report drawn by the country's controversial poll management authority.Coltart, who is CCC treasurer, took to Twitter to express dismay over failure by his party to field candidates in the missed wards.The former education minister said CCC candidates discovered on nomination day that their names had been moved to other wards."In Rushinga, CCC lost 7 wards mainly because the delimitation program affected candidates who could not know he or she could not represent the ward only to be told by the ZEC officials on the nomination day."This was compounded by ZEC's refusal to provide the voters roll," he said.ZEC said recently that electronic copies of the crucial poll document will be availed to candidates who would have successfully filed their nomination papers.Addressing journalists last week, ZEC chief elections officer, Utoile Silaigwana said one can only run for the post of a councillor in a ward in which they are registered to vote."We want to advise candidates, especially councillors to make sure they are registered voters in the ward they want to contest in, in terms of the new delimitation boundaries. Voting is polling station based," he said.Zanu-PF claims that it has already won 74 local authority seats in which opposition parties failed to field candidates.A total of 1,970 council seats are up for grabs in the August 23 elections.The electoral body is expected to release names of candidates who passed the nomination stage Friday June 30.
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Army to advance to the detailed design and prototype build and test phases of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle competition.

Formerly known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the XM30 is the Army's next generation infantry fighting vehicle developmental program that will replace the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The U.S. Army Contracting Command awarded General Dynamics Land Systems $768.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for Phase III and IV detailed design and prototype build and testing.

"We are proud that our years of innovation, research, development and investment have led to this next-generation XM30 solution for the Army," said Gordon Stein, vice president and general manager of U.S. operations at General Dynamics Land Systems. "Our highly affordable XM30 development approach maximizes performance to the Army's requirements, and delivers a vehicle that is purpose-built for the mission."

"Our XM30 was designed from its inception in our digital engineering environment, allowing efficient and agile integration of transformative capabilities on a platform that embodies the Army's vision for the Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA)," said Stein.

About General Dynamics Land Systems

General Dynamics Land Systems provides innovative design, engineering, technology, production and full life-cycle support for land combat vehicles around the globe. The company's extensive experience, customer-first focus and seasoned supply chain network provide unmatched capabilities to the U.S. military and its allies. More information about General Dynamics Land Systems is available at www.gdls.com.

About General Dynamics

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $39.4 billion in revenue in 2022. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Land Systems
DUBLIN, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global CIN & HR-HPV Treatment Market Forecast to 2028 - Analysis by Disease Type, Strain Type, Offering, Product Type, and End-user" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The CIN & HR-HPV treatment market size was US$ 11,635.17 million in 2022, and it is projected to reach US$ 17,164.61 million by 2028; the market is estimated to record a CAGR of 6.7% from 2023 to 2028.



The market growth is attributed to an increase in the prevalence of human papillomavirus infections and favorable initiatives for preventing cervical cancer. However, the increased reoccurrence rate and the high cost of CIN & HR-HPV treatment hamper the growth of the market.



High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Persistent infection with HR-HPV results in invasive cervical cancer. Also, HR-HPV subtypes, particularly HPV 16 and HPV 18, are known to cause cervical cancer. Aberrant cells in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia aren't malignant. However, they can grow into precancer or cancer cases if not monitored or treated in certain circumstances that require therapy. Proper treatment for such disorders helps in timely recovery.



Companies in the healthcare market are undertaking various research and development activities to introduce advanced tests for HPV diagnosis. In May 2021, BD, a leading medical technology company, launched the first CE-marked assay for HPV screening from at-home self-collected vaginal samples.

This allows laboratories to process self-collected samples through a BD diluent tube using BD Onclarity HPV assay. The at-home collection of samples helps address the urgent public health challenge of reaching out to women who do not attend routine cervical cancer screening.



In September 2020, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd received the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for CINtec PLUS Cytology, the first biomarker-based triage test for women whose cervical cancer screening results are positive for HR-HPV. The CINtec PLUS Cytology test identifies the simultaneous presence of the two biomarkers-p16 and Ki-67-in a single cell, which is associated with HPV infections that progress to precancer or cancer if not treated on time.

Women that are tested positive for these two biomarkers are more significantly at risk of HR-HPV. In June 2022, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd launched HPV self-sampling solution in countries accepting the CE mark. By using this new solution, patients can collect their HPV samples privately at a healthcare facility, following instructions provided by healthcare workers. Roche's cobas HPV test is used to analyze a clinically validated vaginal sample.



In November 2021, Hologic, Inc. launched the Genius Digital Diagnostics System in Europe for cervical cancer screening. This next-generation screening system combines deep learning-based artificial intelligence (AI) with the latest volumetric imaging technology to assess precancerous lesions and cervical cancer cells in women.

In November 2021, BD's COR PX/GX System won approval from the FDA for its commercialization in the US. The system has been in use in centralized labs across Europe since 2019 to aid in high-volume processing with increased overall efficiency. The launch of new products is likely to allow companies in the CIN & HR-HPV treatment market to expand their geographic reach and enhance their capacities to cater to a greater than existing customer base.



Offering-Based Insights



Based on offering, the CIN & HR-HPV treatment market is categorized into diagnostic method and treatment. In 2022, the treatment segment held a larger share of the market.

However, the diagnostic method segment is expected to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Further, the diagnostic method segment is categorized into HPV testing, Pap smear test, colposcopy, and biopsy. The HPV testing segment held the largest share of the market for the diagnostic method segment in 2022. HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses, some of which can cause cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, and other parts.

HPV infections are of two types: cutaneous and mucosal. Cutaneous HPVs cause warts on the skin of arms, chest, hands, and feet; these don't include genital warts. Mucosal HPV types infect and live in mucosal cells. As they often affect the anal and genital areas, mucosal HPVs are also known as genital (or anogenital) HPVs. This type can also infect mouth and throat linings.

Mucosal HPVs generally don't affect the skin or other body parts. They are further classified into low-risk mucosal HPVs that cause warts and rarely lead to cancer and high-risk mucosal HPVs associated with developing certain types of cancer. HPV testing is performed for detecting cervical infection caused by high-risk mucosal HPV types that tend to cause the precancer and cancer of the cervix.

The American Cancer Society recommends HPV testing as a preferred primary method to screen for cervical cancers or precancers in individuals aged 25-65. Moreover, HPV testing is gaining preference over the PAP smear as HPV testing techniques offer options such as at-home tests and point-of-care tests.



In March 2023, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) launched a new IARC atlas, a practical online guide designed to help healthcare professionals to perform HPV tests for screening women for cervical cancer and managing HPV-positive cases.

In September 2022, Mylab Discovery Solutions announced the launch of the PathoDetect HPV Detection Test, a real-time PCR-based screening solution to detect HR-HPV in individuals. This test detects the presence of HPV 16 and HPV 18 strains, which cause most cervical cancer cases, along with distinguishing among them.



Key Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increase in Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Infections

Favorable Initiatives for Preventing Cervical Cancer

Market Restraints

Increased Reoccurrence Rate and High Cost of CIN & HR-HPV Treatment

Market Opportunities

Development and Launch of Innovative Products

Future Trends

Use of Modern Technologies in CIN & HR-HPV Screening and Diagnosis

Company Profiles

Fujirebio Europe Nv

Qiagen Nv

Zilico Ltd

Abbott Laboratories

Cepheid

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc

Bioneer Corp

Antiva Biosciences Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cpssym

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



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SOURCE Research and Markets
ERP solution will support supply chain, finance, service and asset management, and CRM for Nordic offshore wind company

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global cloud enterprise software company, today announced that Havfram, the Norwegian offshore wind company with its two wholly owned subsidiaries Havfram Wind and Kontiki Winds has chosen to implement IFS Cloud as it looks to grow into new territories and meet the fast-evolving global need for new clean energy sources that help to combat climate change.

Havfram made the decision to work with IFS based on its long track record and expertise in the offshore, maritime and renewables industries. It trusts that IFS Cloud, with its track record of being used to efficiently manage projects and assets, is well suited to the demands of these sectors. In particular, Havfram is confident that the solution will manage the urgent needs around its subsidiaries` core businesses, such as the transport, installation of wind turbines and development of offshore wind farms.

IFS Cloud will provide Havfram with an end-to-end solution founded on a single platform and a single data model. This will support its mission-critical operations today but also help it to scale up to meet its evolving needs as it begins to execute its `start small, think big' growth program.

Bjrn Ola Smievoll, VP IT, Havfram, said: "The choice of IFS Cloud as an ERP solution was largely based on the industry expertise and knowledge IFS demonstrated in the field of project and maintenance of marine installations. They understand the challenges involved in operating in harsh, offshore environments and the importance of technology that delivers the agility needed to address them. We have complete confidence in IFS to deliver this solution on time and according to exact specifications and we know they are a technology partner we can grow and innovate with in the future."

The new IFS Cloud solution will be implemented by IFS partner, Addovation. From the outset, it will cover functionality used by approximately 200 users at four Havfram sites: two in Norway and one in each of Australia and the UK. IFS Cloud will support multiple business functions for the company, including project management, supply chain, service and asset management, finance, HR and customer relationship management (CRM), with more to follow over time.

Ann Kristin Sander, managing Director Nordics, IFS said: "Offshore wind companies are looking to tap into new opportunities that are fast emerging in the market today. We are seeing significant government investments in the sector driven by the need for clean energy. At the same time, legislation in many countries dictates that utilities must generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. This present additional openings for wind power companies, but to take advantage of them, companies like Havfram Wind need to be agile and move fast. That's what we can deliver for them through our IFS Cloud solution."

About Havfram

Havfram is a pure play offshore wind company, providing a wide range of services across the offshore wind value chain. Leveraging deep offshore wind industry knowledge, together with decades of know-how from the Norwegian energy & marine sectors and essential experience in operating in harsh offshore environments, Havfram offers the highest standards and services to customers worldwide. Havfram operates through two wholly owned subsidiaries: Havfram Wind, which provides offshore wind installation expertise to the global market as an owner and operator of Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs); and Kontiki Winds, which focuses on early-stage development of offshore wind farms and electrification of fossil fuel intensive operations using floating offshore wind. Havfram is majority owned by Sandbrook Capital, a leading climate fund led by an experienced team determined to combine consistent financial returns and real climate impact. For more information, please visit www.havfram.com

About IFS

IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within our single platform, our industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation so that our customers can be their best when it really matters to their customers-at the Moment of Service. The industry expertise of our people and of our growing ecosystem, together with a commitment to deliver value at every single step, has made IFS a recognised leader and the most recommended supplier in our sector. Our team of over 5,500 employees every day live our values of agility, trustworthiness and collaboration in how we support our thousands of customers. Learn more about how our enterprise software solutions can help your business today at ifs.com.

About Addovation

Addovation is a Nordic IT company that provide businesses with the tools they need to streamline processes, improve decision-making, enhance customer experiences, manage IT infrastructure, and create a flexible and productive digital workplace. At Addovation, we have a dedicated team of over 200 individuals who are passionate about helping businesses succeed. With their extensive experience and knowledge, our team is focused on creating user-friendly and effective solutions that enable our customers to achieve their goals. Our team consists of skilled experts, including developers, solutions architects, consultants, and project managers, who bring diverse perspectives and abilities to the table. What brings us together is our shared mission of making a positive impact on the businesses we support. To find out more, go to www.addovation.com.

IFS Press ContactsEUROPE / MEA / APJ: Adam Gillbe

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 7775 114 856

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM: Mairi Morgan

IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 520 396 2155

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/855/3794405/a64ae51c67e7e7e3.pdf 223 Havfram press release_IFS https://news.cision.com/ifs/i/havfram-,c3194160 Havfram_

SOURCE IFS
The Sparkling Water Brand Highlights the Endless Possibilities of Beverage Creation in New Brand Campaign

PURCHASE, N.Y., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SodaStream, the world's leading sparkling water brand, is launching a new marketing platform spotlighting the endless beverage creations possible with their at-home sparkling water makers. The new creative tagline, 'If You Can Dream It, You Can Stream it,' conveys an emotional message that invites viewers to break free from the status quo and explore their creative horizons. By offering a refreshing alternative to the ordinary, SodaStream empowers individuals to personalize and reimagine their world in sparkling new ways.

SodaStream

The initial launch features two spots: 'Dream It' Tastemakers of the World and 'Dream It' Endless Possibilities, both showcasing a distinctive uplifting scene from a viewpoint inside the SodaStream bottle and inside the carbonation bubbles. The first film embodies the spirit of the SodaStream generation of Dreamers and Streamers, serving as an inspiring anthem and empowering individuals to shape the world around them. The second film shows party-goers customizing their sparkling water by adding their favorite PepsiCo brand flavors, including Pepsi, Starry, bubly and fresh garnishes. Both films demonstrate how SodaStream opens a world of possibilities to imagine what a can can't  to dream up innovative ideas, new flavors, and limitless sparkling ways to customize your world. With a powerful consumer-first manifesto, the campaign celebrates the tastemaker as "no matter your dream, you can make it a reality with SodaStream". View both spots on YouTube here and here.

With this creative platform, SodaStream leans into their new Push for Better global positioning and brand purpose. When a simple push-of-a-button sets in motion a stream of positive change for consumers and the planet. SodaStream revealed its new positioning at the end of last year, and this marks the first US campaign that brings to life the premium experience customers can continue to expect with SodaStream.

"Through our new 'Dream It, Stream It' campaign, we aim to inspire individuals to unleash their creativity and break free from the norm," says Christina Eisenberg, Global Marketing Vice President of SodaStream U.S. "Our innovative campaign fully embraces our key pillars of personalization, wellness, and sustainability; delivering a message that seamlessly resonates with individuals who aspire to lead a customizable, health-conscious, and eco-friendly lifestyle. We believe this campaign truly embodies the spirit of our brand, and we can't wait to see the incredible ways in which our customers will reimagine their world with SodaStream."

Created by the advertising agency Energy BBDO, the campaign is now live throughout SodaStream's brand channels. The :30, :15, :06 spots will run across connected television, digital and social channels along with content being rolling out in other global markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

"'If You Can Dream It, You Can Stream It" encapsulates the shared values of SodaStream consumers and the brand, emphasizing the transformative power of customization," says Jonathan Fussell and Robin Laurens, Executive Creative Directors of Energy BBDO. "Our goal was to craft a powerful mantra that resonates with consumers who want to join us in revolutionizing how the world drinks."

SodaStream continues to revolutionize the beverage industry and change the way the world drinks by delivering elevated experiences to consumers and empowering them to make better choices for themselves and for the planet. For more information on SodaStream, follow @SodaStream on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.

About SodaStream

SodaStream, a PepsiCo subsidiary, is the world's leading sparkling water brand. Operating in over 47 countries across the globe, SodaStream empowers consumers to create perfect personalized sparkling beverage experiences with just a push of a button. By allowing its users to make better choices for themselves and the planet  SodaStream is revolutionizing the beverage industry and changing the way the world drinks. To learn more about SodaStream visit corp.sodastream.com and follow SodaStream on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Media Contact:

Alison Brod Marking + Communications

Dara Schopp Helitzer

[email protected]

SOURCE SodaStream
The new features, including a robust digital scrapbook experience, are fully customizable for each participating Brookdale resident

DENVER, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An estimated 6.5 million Americans older than 65 are living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. This number could grow to nearly 14 million by 2060. To help better care for those who are impacted by these conditions, iN2L + LifeLoop collaborated with Brookdale Senior Living, America's largest senior living provider, to create new digital features that are designed to support residents of Brookdale's Alzheimer's and dementia care communities.

iN2L + LifeLoop, provider of the senior living industry's most comprehensive engagement, wellness, and community operations platform, and Brookdale collaborated to design engaging digital features meant to nurture relationships, spark joy, and support their residents' and families' camaraderie, social connection, resilience, and optimistic outlook .

To develop the most wide-ranging set of social connection features that truly support resident, family, and staff needs, iN2L + LifeLoop turned to Brookdale Senior Living's seasoned dementia care experts, who have been working with iN2L + LifeLoop for more than a decade. As a premier provider of senior living, Brookdale has always been focused on delivering person-centered engagement to its residents and improving the resident and family experience. Partnering with iN2L + LifeLoop, Brookdale's dementia care experts identified the need for a new set of connection-oriented features that would invite family members into residents' daily experiences, as well as support staff during intake and engagement planning.

"Even prior to the pandemic, Brookdale was focused on expanding our ability to engage family members in the daily experiences of their loved ones living in our communities," said Sara Terry, Senior Vice President of Resident and Family Engagement at Brookdale Senior Living. "In collaboration with iN2L + LifeLoop, our teams have expanded technology to connect residents to each other and to our residents' families."

"Having the chance to collaborate directly with Brookdale's dementia care leadership was incredible," said Curt Frisch, Senior Director of Product Management at iN2L + LifeLoop. "As a result of our collaboration, we designed entirely new tools to assist with resident and family communications across Brookdale's Alzheimer's and dementia care communities."

Participating Brookdale residents and families can now experience a direct interface with one another, complete with photos, interests, and favorite activities. The interface has been designed specifically for accessibility, with bright colors, large fonts, helpful update notifications, and prominent buttons. For every resident, the "My Neighbors" feature processes his or her favorite activities and interests, and intelligently selects other residents with similar interest profiles to spark connections and facilitate introductions for broader social interaction within the organization's walls. "Digital Scrapbook" allows residents to view all photos and updates from family members in one convenient location.

To learn more about iN2L + LifeLoop solutions for senior living providers, please visit iN2L.com.

About iN2L + LifeLoop

iN2L + LifeLoop is on a mission to enhance the aging experience. Their industry-leading enterprise platform boosts resident engagement, family satisfaction, and staff efficiency, all within a singular, comprehensive solution. Trusted by 4,500+ nursing homes, assisted and independent living communities, memory care settings, and adult day programs across North America, iN2L + LifeLoop's powerful system holistically supports the entire senior living ecosystem. One mission. One solution. For more information, please visit iN2L.com.

About Brookdale

Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the nation's premier operator of senior living communities. The Company is committed to its mission of enriching the lives of the people it serves with compassion, respect, excellence, and integrity. The Company, through its affiliates, operates independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities. Through its comprehensive network, Brookdale helps to provide seniors with care and services in an environment that feels like home. The Company's expertise in healthcare, hospitality, and real estate provides residents with opportunities to improve wellness, pursue passions, and stay connected with friends and loved ones. Brookdale, through its affiliates, operates and manages 673 communities in 41 states as of March 31, 2023, with the ability to serve more than 60,000 residents. For more Brookdale news, go to news.brookdale.com. Contact: Media Relations, (615) 564-8666, [email protected].

Media Contact

John Gonda

616-309-4888

[email protected]

SOURCE iN2L + LifeLoop
DUBLIN, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global industrial wastewater treatment market is anticipated to develop rapidly in the forecast period, 2023-2028.



Industrial wastewater is water discarded, which is dissolved and suspended in water, usually during the industrial manufacturing process. To protect the wastage of water, there is the development of industrial wastewater treatment, which involves the methods and processes used to treat waters contaminated by industrial or commercial activities prior to its release into the environment or reuse.



Moreover, the world is facing a clean water quality crisis because of rapid population growth, urbanization, fluctuations in land use, industrialization, and inefficient water usage. Consequently, to control the water crisis, there is a development of industrial wastewater management techniques.



The discharge and disposal of industrial wastewater can be categorized as:

Uncontrolled discharges to the environment.

Controlled (licensed) discharges to the watercourses, possibly after pre-treatment.

Illegal discharges to sewerage systems.

Controlled discharges to sewerage systems under agreement or license, possibly with pre-treatment.

Wastewater collected by tanker for treatment and disposal elsewhere.

Increasing government regulations in favor of wastewater treatment



Population and economic growth have led to an exponential increase in demand for water resources, with 36% of the world's population being in water-scarce areas. Therefore, the government is highly focused on reusing wastewater from industries and manufacturing plants.

Technological advancements and innovations in wastewater treatment



Many firms are aiming to recycle wastewater generated from production activities for production or non-production purposes.



Some of the examples are:

J&J reduced water use by 35% by reusing water as coolant

L'Oreal uses up to 50% of treated wastewater for cleaning equipment.

PepsiCo Foundation provides access to safe water to 44 million people as of 2019 and targets reaching 100 million people by 2030.

In Pakistan , nestle SA installed three water filtration units in public places.

The food and Beverage industry contribute to a high CAGR. The food and beverage industry has a high CAGR contribution to the treatment of industrial wastewater. With the growing world population, there is a constant need for water in food production and irrigation.

Eventually, water reuse plays an essential role in overcoming these challenges and helps maintain economic growth. However, due to fluctuations in BOD and pH in wastes from fruits, vegetables, and meat products, the components of food and beverage wastewater are difficult to predict.

These high pollutant loads increase treatment costs and demand a large storage volume in the treatment system. Moreover, changes in conditions caused by load shocks, temperature changes, increased manufacturing, wash water surges, operation malfunction, and limited equalization capability present constant challenges to wastewater treatment plants at food and beverage manufacturing facilities.



The High-Cost Required for Setting Up Treatment Plants



High costs are required for setting up treatment plants. Wastewater treatment requires excessive sludge production, large energy, and high operational costs. Moreover, it demands specialized knowledge and abilities.

Company Profiles

Veolia

Xylem

Ecolab

3M

DuPont

Pentair

United Utilities Group PLC

Kurita Water Industries Ltd

SUEZ group

GFL Environmental Inc

Market Segmentation



by Equipment:

Ultrafiltration systems

Vacuum evaporation and distillation

Reverse osmosis systems

Paper bed filters

Solid bowl centrifuges

Tramp oil separators

Vacuum filters

Others

by Industry:

Poultry & Agriculture

Breweries

Pulp and Paper

Iron and Steel

Mines and Quarries

Food and Beverages

Others

by Region

North America

United States

Canada

Mexico

Asia-Pacific

India

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Singapore

Malaysia

China

Europe

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Italy

Spain

Poland

Denmark

South America

Brazil

Argentina

Colombia

Peru

Chile

Middle East

Saudi Arabia

South Africa

UAE

Iraq

Turkey

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g4txtx

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
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As of June 22,2023, Insignia Mortgage is thrilled to welcome Jay Robertson to our team of brokers. Jay has over 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry. As the former president of First Capital and Luther Burbank Mortgage in Los Angeles, he has overseen or personally originated over $20 billion in loans in Southern California.

Jay's deep knowledge of the industry, combined with his commitment to exceptional customer service, makes him a perfect fit for Insignia Mortgage. We know that his expertise will help us to continue providing our clients with the best possible service and advice.

In his new role at Insignia Mortgage, Jay will work closely with clients to help them secure the right mortgage for their needs. He will use his extensive network of industry contacts and his in-depth knowledge of the mortgage market to help our clients navigate the complex process of securing a mortgage.

Damon Germanides, co-founder of Insignia Mortgage commented that "Jay brings such a unique perspective to Insignia Mortgage as he has been both a CEO of a large mortgage company as well as a loan originator. He knows better than most what it takes to win over clients and how to create long-term partnerships with referral partners. His knowledge will be great to our boutique firm."

When asked to describe his customer relationship style, Jay stated that "I believe in taking care of my clients." He is known for being a trusted advisor who always puts his clients' needs first. "It's not about the volume of business I do. It's about arming my clients with the most current information so they can make educated decisions about their future," he explains. Jay's honest and expert guidance, backed by decades of experience in real estate finance and luxury residential real estate sales, continues to define his personalized white-glove approach to service.

About Insignia Mortgage

At Insignia Mortgage, we understand that what works for one client does not always work for everyone. Especially when your financial picture doesn't adhere to the strict model that many conforming lenders demand. Even under the most complex circumstances, our team of loan experts can quickly navigate through the process to deliver the most highly competitive loan solutions. We've successfully closed some of the largest and most complex transactions in the country for high net-worth clients, many of whom are self-employed and have significant assets but fluctuating incomes; and, for foreign nationals who receive income outside of the United States or are buying in the United States for the first time. Learn more about Insignia Mortgage at www.insigniamortgage.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Insignia Mortgage, Inc. c/o Kensium

Victoria Chuidian

310-699-9459

[email protected]com

SOURCE Insignia Mortgage
HONG KONG, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 22 June 2023, Fosun Foundation announced the launch of the 6th edition of its "Protechting Acceleration Program" (Protechting 6.0) in Lisbon, Portugal. The competition is co-hosted by Fosun Foundation and Fosun's subsidiaries and member companies including Portuguese insurance group Fidelidade and Portuguese medical group Luz Saude.

Protechting, a combination of the words "protection" and "technology," is a startup accelerator and incubator program that has consistently supported youth entrepreneurship worldwide in the era of Internet+ and AI. It encourages young people to integrate technology with finance, insurance, and medical care, and to improve the quality of life and security of all people through innovation. The program invites experts in the fields of management, marketing, investment, and technology to provide professional guidance to the contestants, harness their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, conduct roadshows, and attract venture capital.

Protechting 6.0 Focus 1: Internal and External Ecosystem Cooperation, Aiding the Incubation of Returned Talents

This year, Fosun Foundation collaborates with Fidelidade, Luz Saude, the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, the Shanghai Federation of the Returned Overseas Chinese Federation, Fosun Hive, and other institutions to host a series of youth science and technology innovation forums and roadshows in Shanghai. Upholding Protechting's objective of supporting innovation and being people-oriented, the program focuses on introducing overseas intelligent insights that can help serve domestic technological innovations and economic development. Meanwhile, leveraging on the global, cooperative operation network, the program can bridge and strengthen the scientific and technological exchange platforms between Portuguese-speaking countries and China.

Protechting 6.0 Focus 2: Domestic and international communication to expand international influence

Many talented teams emerged from the previous five editions of Protechting. Protechting 6.0 will invite previous winners to China to network and conduct roadshows in Shanghai, Nanjing, Macau, and Beijing. This year, the program will also connect with the Macau Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and Web Summit to promote scientific and technological exchanges at home and abroad. Currently, the 2023 Macau Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has attracted 122 entries. On 5 July 2023, the competition will select the top three winners and startups with high potential, award them their respective prizes, and send them to participate in Protechting 6.0.

Protechting 6.0 Focus 3: Newly added the ESG track

In addition to the previous tracks of health and insurance, Protechting 6.0 introduces ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) as a new track. This encourages participants to explore new energy fields and green economic development. Contestants can strengthen the relationship between technology and the three tracks, expand digitization and green energy, and create a safer, healthier, and happier life for society.

"Protechting 6.0 reinforces our commitment to innovation. In this edition, sustainability is at the heart of our entire program as we continue to capture opportunities for collaboration with startups worldwide and for growing Fidelidade through innovative, disruptive, and sustainable projects," said Rogerio Campos Henriques, CEO of Fidelidade.

Miguel Abercasis, a Member of the Executive Committee of Fidelidade, affirms such sentiments: "The importance of Protechting 6.0's launch lies in the fact that we are renewing our commitment to promoting innovation in our sector. By providing a space for startups and entrepreneurs to present their ideas and projects, Protechting opens doors for collaboration, co-creation, and the establishment of strategic partnerships that may help leverage our offer, as well as generate new solutions that create value for our clients."

"The Protechting program allows us to be at the forefront of emerging trends, reinforcing our reputation as an insurer committed to digital transformation and innovation," said Sergio Carvalho, Chief Marketing Officer of Fidelidade. "We are always focusing on the client, thus playing a key role in consolidating our image and brand values and as an enabler of a 'Fidelity for all ages'!"

"The launch of the 6th edition of Protechting follows a growing commitment to open innovation initiatives, capable of strengthening the Group's position at the forefront of innovation," said Daniel Riscado, Head of the Center for Transformation at Fidelidade. "In an increasingly competitive sector, we must be able to reinvent ourselves and innovate in all areas of the business, offering more effective and personalized solutions to the needs and expectations of our clients, and that is the expectation and the major goal for this new edition of the program - to open doors for us to collaborate even more closely with startups and attract disruptive solutions."

"In this 6th edition of Protechting, we assume the role of a key partner in HealthTech once again," said Isabel Vaz, CEO of Luz Saude. "Working closely with startups, we are focused on practicing medical excellence, improving our patients' experiences, and responding to their needs through new solutions and innovative digital tools."

"As a part of Protechting, it is with great enthusiasm that we embark on this journey and join forces as strategic partners for the first time, capable of making a difference in collaborative innovation management," said Antonio Lucena de Faria, CEO of Fabrica de Startups.

"In the past five years, Protechting has been committed to empowering businesses with public welfare values, linking many outstanding companies at home and abroad, providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to learn and communicate, helping them realize their dreams, and benefitting both business and society," said Haifeng Li, President of Fosun Foundation. "Protechting has also made great strides in international exchange, cultivating Sino-Portuguese relations and stepping into the global arena. We look forward to this year's collaboration where the young innovators will continue to inject their ideas with innovation and boldness and showcase their ingenuity, courage, and excellence!"

"Protechting offers invaluable resources, connecting young startups with world-class incubators, venture capital funds, and NGOs to create a global exchange platform for young entrepreneurs to help them realize their dreams. Since its establishment in 2016, the program and its partners are continuously committed to cultivating an environment and a future conducive to and that celebrates youth innovation, especially in fields like InsurTech, FinTech, and HealthTech," said Minwen Wu, Executive Secretary-General of Fosun Foundation. "We are immensely excited to collaborate again with our peers Fidelidade and Luz Saude to organize the program. The younger generation is filled with tremendous potential, and we cannot wait to see you pushing boundaries, solving global issues, and creating a brighter future."

About previous Protechting winners

Since Protechting's establishment in 2015, it has attracted more than 1,000 young start-up teams from 50 countries and regions, and it has facilitated the incubation of more than 50 pilot projects, the large-scale development of youth entrepreneurship projects, and the creation of a global network. In the past, Protechting has won the "Belt and Road" Best Corporate Social Responsibility Innovation Case, Sustainable Development 2018 Corporate Best Practice Case, and China Corporate Social Responsibility Case Academic Award.

Not only do the projects that stand out have professional technical capabilities, but they are also committed to advancing social development through technological means. They search tirelessly for efficient solutions to issues of health, insurance, and other fields, and they are in the "business for good."

Portuguese startup Nevaro is the 1st place winner of Protechting 4.0. They proposed digitizing therapy clinics and treatments for patients with anxiety disorders and phobias to ensure efficiency and safety at lower costs. The entrepreneurial team continued to refine their work after the competition, returning excellent results. In the past year, the team's app has received over 3,000 downloads and helped patients improve their ability to take care of their mental health by 14%.

French startup CopSonic is a winning team of Protechting 3.0. They proposed replacing traditional QR codes with a high-tech, contactless communication protocol that enabled smart detection and IoT connectivity. CopSonic's Audio R&D Laboratory has been researching data transmission and encryption for many years, strengthening digital security between electronic devices. In 2022, The CopSonic team's ultrasonic online payment and authentication solution recently won the Worldline Online Payment Challenge, the premier FinTech competition in the European payment sector.

Portuguese startup Criam is a winning team of Protechting 3.0. They focus on portable medical reflection image analysis and gluing blood samples and reagents. Their portable instrument could detect human ABO and RH blood types within three minutes. In 2022, the team participated in the Born from Knowledge project, a value-added scientific and technological knowledge program promoted by the Portuguese National Innovation Agency, and won related awards.

Protechting 6.0 is currently in the project selection stage. Teams will connect with industry mentors in accordance with a specific track. Protechting will also invite the teams to station in corresponding enterprises to carry out project incubation and large-scale development.

SOURCE Fosun
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Society , a global nonprofit organization that promotes the development and use of an open, globally connected and secure Internet, today announced a partnership with Meta to develop local Internet ecosystems and strengthen cross-border interconnections globally.

Internet Society

The announcement marks the expansion of the Internet Society - Meta relationship that initially focused on expanding Internet connectivity in Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America through the development of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) . The partnership will now encompass multiple areas of work globally, including training technical communities and measuring Internet resilience in countries around the world.

IXPs are where Internet Service Providers connect to exchange local traffic. They enable Internet traffic to be exchanged locally instead of abroad. Messages, videos, and other Internet traffic can sometimes travel thousands of miles to get to a destination a few blocks away. Traffic exchanged locally results in faster, more affordable, and reliable Internet access.

The Internet Society and Meta have supported the development of IXPs in multiple countries including the first IXP in the Maldives and Pakistan. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) now has three IXPs while Burkina Faso has two that exchange close to 40Gb/s. As a result, network operators in Burkina Faso are saving on International Internet capacity costs. The savings can now be redirected to extend access and upgrade network infrastructure.

"Recent events  a global pandemic, natural disasters, and Internet shutdowns  have highlighted the importance of a resilient Internet," said Michuki Mwangi, Distinguished Technologist for the Internet Society. "Partnerships that bring together technical knowledge, capabilities, and resources can make a tangible impact in narrowing the connectivity gap, and collaborations such as this play a key role in expanding Internet access."

The partnership over the next three years will address issues that include:

Barriers to affordable, quality Internet access. In many places, Internet access is marked by slow speeds, high costs, and unreliable service, delaying the adoption and growth of local Internet ecosystems.

The absence of adequate local technical capacity to build and maintain Internet infrastructure. Local technical communities are essential to sustainable local Internet ecosystems through the provision of an essential platform for increasing the pool of local technical experts and knowledge sharing, as well as increased innovation for addressing community-specific issues.

A lack of comprehensive aggregation and analysis of trusted Internet data for understanding the health, availability, and evolution of the Internet. This information is critical for better informing policy and infrastructure development and decision making for improving Internet ecosystems.

"Meta is excited to continue supporting The Internet Society as they serve as an important partner, supporting an open, efficient and secure Internet," said Aaron Russell, Head of Edge Infrastructure at Meta. "Our partnership with The Internet Society complements Meta's infrastructure investments like subsea cables that help make the internet ecosystem more reliable and lower the overall cost of providing Internet access."

About the Internet Society

Founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global nonprofit organization working to ensure the Internet remains a force for good for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 120+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit internetsociety.org .

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656167/Internet_Society.jpg

SOURCE The Internet Society
BEIJING, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 14, JA Solar was awarded Top Brand PV for the European market from EUPD Research at its booth, with CEO of EUPD Research, Markus A.W. Hoehner, and Jin Baofang, Chairman of JA Solar, both attending the certification ceremony.

JA Solar Receives Top Brand PV Award for European Market from EUPD Research

Top Brand PV is awarded by world-renowned authoritative research institution EUPD Research and enjoys a high reputation in the global PV industry and is evidence of the high credibility of the PV brand. Through conducting in-depth researches on installers and distributors in various PV markets worldwide, EUPD Research selects outstanding companies in terms of visibility, customer satisfaction, customer selection, and distribution range before giving out the Top Brand PV award.

JA Solar has maintained a leading position in the European market for many years. In 2022, its market share in Europe reached as high as 23%, with an outstanding market share in the UK and the Netherlands reaching 68% and 55% respectively. This is a full reflection of JA Solar's excellent product reputation and high market recognition.

In recent years, JA Solar has been awarded Top Brand PV by EUPD Research in Europe, Latin America, Africa, the MENA region, Southeast Asia, Africa, Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Nigeria, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, etc. which demonstrates the high recognition the company and its products have won in the global market.

SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The MDC-T on Tuesday lost its bid to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to register 87 of its aspiring MPs who were rejected by the nomination court on June 21 after failing to pay candidate fees.Justice Webster Chinamhora of the Harare High Court, sitting as an Electoral Court, said he had no jurisdiction to deal with the matter."Having upheld the argument (by ZEC) of lack of jurisdiction, I will not address the other points. I will strike the matter off the roll with no order as to costs," the judge said after the MDC-T had filed an urgent application.ZEC lawyer Tawanda Kanengoni said the procedure to be followed was that candidates dissatisfied with decisions of the nomination officer file an appeal to the Electoral Court within four days, and not do so as a party, or as an urgent chamber application."The application cannot be entertained by this court. The application is made by the MDC-T. It's not made by a candidate. The party has no right to challenge the nomination of candidates. All 87 of these persons that are mentioned have concurrently filed an appeal before this court and it is pending. One would then wonder why the applicants who demonstrate full understanding would pursue the current application and ask this court to sit twice to determine the same issues," Kanengoni argued.The MDC-T, represented by Prof Lovemore Madhuku, had maintained that the matter was properly before the judge, arguing that "we know in terms of the Electoral Act that there are candidates and sponsoring parties.""Here you have a political party and the route that they have taken is properly provided for. The Electoral Court must deal with all matters. The right of appeal does not take away other rights of access to this court. Section 161 of the Electoral Act says that this court cannot try criminal cases. That exclusion must be the only exclusion that is allowed in this court. The political party can approach this court," Madhuku vainly argued.Nomination courts rejected 87 of the MDC-T's candidates after the party tried a system of "centralised payment" where it wanted to pay ZEC for all its candidates in one transaction, instead of giving money to individual candidates in the same way that other parties did. Candidates for MP were required to pay US$1,000 or the equivalent in Zimbabwe dollars.The party has not said how many candidates successfully filed papers to run for council or MP. Insiders said "about seven" successfully filed nomination papers in Matebeleland North.Party spokesman Witness Dube told the Voice of America's Studio 7 on Tuesday: "Our candidate nomination issue has not succeeded in court. We maintain a little bit of hope because there is another court process initiated, but we have to concede that our chances of rescuing the situation are diminishing."We disagree strongly with how ZEC has dealt with our matter. But with the benefit of hindsight, one must say that perhaps if our candidates had money on them, or means to pay as individuals on the day, we would not be having this problem. It's an important lesson for our party and our leaders that matters like these must be dealt with in a much, much better way next time."Zimbabweans vote in genera elections on August 23. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said it intends to publish final list of candidates by June 30.
Premier Frozen Dessert Brand Bolsters Bench Strength as Franchise Growth Accelerates

ORLANDO, Fla., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeremiah's Italian Ice  the premier concept in frozen desserts  is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Keller as its new CEO and President. The brand, which recently celebrated the opening of its 116th location, has also brought on its first ever Director of Research & Development, named a new Director of Supply Chain, and promoted an existing leader to Senior Director of Franchise Operations as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

"Jeremiah's has grown at an incredible pace," said Jeremy Litwack, founder of Jeremiah's. "After 27 years and more than 100 locations opening and operating, I feel that now is the time to pivot my focus, opening the door for new leadership with the skillset and background necessary to take our brand to the next level."

Litwack will remain involved in the business serving as brand ambassador, leaving Keller to oversee moving the brand, business, and franchise system forward. Keller brings to Jeremiah's an extensive breadth of experience, having held numerous leadership roles in the industry, including CEO/President of Pearson Candy Company, Chief Marketing Officer of International Dairy Queen, VP of Marketing for Jamba Juice, and SVP of Marketing for Baskin Robbins USA, among others.

Adding to the strength of its leadership bench, Erin Buono joins Jeremiah's Italian Ice as its first ever Director of Research and Development, bringing over a decade of experience in leading breakthrough innovation and product design, formerly for Sonic Drive-In and Virtual Dining Concepts. Additionally, Adam Hing, formerly of Ruth's Chris, Bloomin' Brands, Darden Restaurants, and other chains, has been brought on as Supply Chain Director, while Julianna Voyles, formerly Operations Director at Jeremiah's, has been promoted to the role of Senior Director of Franchise Operations.

'With a record number of stores opened in 2022, and even more in store for 2023, I am confident that Jeremiah's growth will continue, and we are proactively positioning the brand and building the necessary infrastructure to support both our current and future franchisees," said Keller. "I'm honored to step into the role of CEO/President, and work with Jeremy and the new management team to continue the momentum and success the brand has seen within these last few years."

Jeremiah's strategic talent moves are not the only changes the brand is making in preparation for a new wave of growth. Sundell & Associates has been brought on to provide distribution/logistics support for the company's supply chain while senior leadership has focused on a way to strengthen franchisor/franchisee relations with its recently launched Jeremiah's Franchisee Advisory Council (JFAC). The council, which is made up of Area Representatives and multi-unit and single unit operators representing seven different U.S. regions, is designed to give franchisees a voice in shaping the future of the brand while collaborating with the Support Center team on decision making for the system.

Since Jeremiah's franchise launch in 2019, the Italian Ice brand has awarded over 280 franchise units across more than 120+ franchise groups and has seen over a +500% increase in new units in less than 4 years. Its rapid growth in the US saw 38 new stores opened in 2022, including entry in four new territories- Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, and Alabama- bringing Jeremiah's delicious frozen desserts to 11 states across the country. In addition to its rapid expansion, the franchise brand has ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 2023, jumping more than 150 spots from 2022 to #212, and listed in Entrepreneur's Fastest Growing Franchises list. Jeremiah's was also recognized in 2022 as one of QSR's Best Brands to Work For and as a part of Franchise Times Top 500, and was recognized by Franchise Times as a Top Brand to Buy within the Sweet Tooth Category as part of its annual Zor Awards. The success that Jeremiah's Italian Ice has seen so far has been groundbreaking, and the brand is expected to continue at this momentum throughout 2023 and beyond.

To learn more about Jeremiah's Italian Ice, or its franchise opportunities, please visit: https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/ .

About Jeremiah's Italian Ice

Founded in 1996 and franchising since 2019, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has come to be known not only for its superior frozen treats, but also for its outstanding customer service, community involvement, and an exciting brand image that exudes the Jeremiah's motto - LIVE LIFE TO THE COOLEST. Focused on delivering flavorful experiences to each and every guest, Jeremiah's is committed to serving its vibrant, flavorful treats up with a smile in a lively environment. With over 100 locations throughout Florida, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, Jeremiah's is offering franchises across the Southern United States. To help guide the brand's rapid expansion, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners  a team of franchising veterans who've led some of the top brands in food service to award-winning growth. For more information about Jeremiah's franchise opportunity, visit https://jeremiahsfranchise.com/

About Pivotal Growth Partners

Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) is a full-service Growth & Development Firm with an unparalleled track record of success in growing franchise brands. The experienced team at PGP has awarded & developed more than 5000 franchised businesses across the US and internationally, working with startups and some of the world's largest companies. With a combined 50+ years of experience and a network of growth and development partners, Pivotal Growth Partners creates value, growing small, regional companies into nationally acclaimed brands. PGP deploys proven processes and systems to effectively grow a business, by creating a "Results Focused" Franchise Growth & Support Culture within its brands. For more information, visit www.pivotalgrowthpartners.com.

SOURCE Jeremiahs Italian Ice
Additionally, JOYBA bubble tea is also partnering with Netflix's "Ginny & Georgia" star, Antonia Gentry, to encourage individuals to find joy in everyday life through healthy conversations around mental health

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, JOYBA bubble tea is announcing the launch of "Real Tea, Real Talk," a campaign that, in partnership with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation and other influencers, is raising awareness about mental health support for youth and equipping them with tools to support each other. Joyba, a brand of ready-to-drink bubble tea available nationwide, believes in the power of bringing joy to everyday life and that mental health support is a critical part of cultivating joy.

JOYBA Bubble Tea Launches "Real Tea, Real Talk" Campaign and Partners with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation Tweet this Actress Antonia Gentry JOYBA Bubble Tea Launches Real Tea, Real Talk Campaign and Partners with Lady Gagas Born This Way Foundation

Research shows that young people go to their friends first to discuss concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, but 50% believe their problems can burden their friends.1 When young people have proper training, however, both participants report a greater sense of wellbeing after connecting through these real conversations.

"Joyba is all about celebrating joy in small everyday moments. So many people love bubble tea because it's tasty and refreshing, and the simple act of enjoying the bubble tea experience together gives us an opportunity to connect and share meaningful moments with others. We are excited to help young people access that joy and connection anytime, anywhere, by partnering with Born This Way Foundation to raise awareness for their work to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health," shared Maggie Streng, brand manager of Joyba.

To launch "Real Tea, Real Talk," Joyba is bringing awareness to Born This Way Foundation's initiative to uplift peer-to-peer support by encouraging individuals to earn their Be There Certificate. This free online mental health course, created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, provides individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to safely support their peers, including how to recognize signs of a mental health struggle and how to start the conversation.

"We are grateful for Joyba's support as we model healthy conversations about mental health and connect young people with resources and services," said Josh Meredith, Chief of Staff at Born This Way Foundation. "Cultivating connections and fostering a sense of belonging are essential for the well-being of both young individuals and society at large. I'm proud that despite ongoing challenges, the younger generations are building empathetic online communities and creating connection within safe spacesbe it schools, workplaces, or beyond."

Additionally, JOYBA bubble tea is also partnering with actress Antonia Gentry, star of hit Netflix series "Ginny and Georgia," to raise awareness of the Joyba partnership with Born This Way Foundation and the peer-to-peer mental health resources they provide, while highlighting the importance of bringing joy to everyday life, even if it's as simple as sharing a moment over their favorite bubble tea.

According to Antonia, "I've learned that it's okay to ask for help and focus on what brings you joy, no matter how seemingly ordinary. Through this partnership with JOYBA bubble tea, a brand I love, I want more people to know they can be honest with their friends, be vocal about asking for help, and be able to step up to support each other."

JOYBA bubble tea is proud to promote real peer-to-peer conversations for all young people, starting with LGBTQ+ youth. As part of this June launch, Joyba is donating $25,000 to Born This Way Foundations' Pride Fund with CenterLink to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health. Born This Way Foundation's research shows that despite the ongoing threats to their livelihood, LGBTQ+ young people are creating kind communities online and would like to feel connected to safe communities at school, in the workplace, and beyond.2 In 2022, 60% of LGBTQ+ youth who wanted mental health care were not able to get it, and the Pride Fund will help ensure that more LGBTQ+ youth will have access to critical resources in support of their mental health.3

To learn more about JOYBA products and the "Real Tea, Real Talk" campaign and how you can earn your Be There Certificate, visit the JOYBA website at www.joyba.com.

About JOYBA bubble tea

JOYBA bubble tea is a brand of fruit-forward brewed tea with the perfect amount of playful popping boba. Joyba is about celebrating joy in everyday life through real conversations and social connections shared over real tasty beverages and is now available in four refreshing flavors at retail stores nationwide  making it easy to enjoy bubble tea even if there's not a boba shop nearby. For more information on JOYBA bubble tea, please visit joyba.com.

About Del Monte Foods

For more than 130 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, S&W and JOYBA bubble tea. We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, that's why we grow and produce our products using sustainable, and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit delmontefoods.com or delmonte.com.

Media Contact:

Jane Chung

Edelman

[email protected]

415-936-5627

1 Duggan, M. & Koczela, S. (2022, January). Peer Counselling in College Mental Health. Born This Way Foundation. https://bornthisway.foundation/research/peer-counseling-in-college/

2 Hanhan, T. & Fernandes, C. (2023, June). Kind Communities: Perspectives from LGBTQ+ Young People. Born This Way Foundation. https://bornthisway.foundation/research/kind-communities-lgbtq-young-people/

3 The Trevor Project. (2022, January). 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/

SOURCE Joyba
JOPLIN, Mo., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas City University (KCU) unveiled the nation's newest and most innovative College of Dental Medicine (CDM) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Harry M. Cornell Center for Dental Education on its McIntire-Farber Campus in Joplin, Missouri on Monday, June 26, 2023.

The Harry M. Cornell Dental Education Center is a $65 million state-of-the-art facility designed to address the growing shortage of dentists, especially in the four-state region that includes southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma.

"We envision that the KCU College of Dental Medicine will become a center of excellence in improving oral health" Tweet this Intra Oral Scanner to be used by students in training and for future patients of the Oral Health Center

"We know poor oral health leads to poor overall health," said Marc B. Hahn, DO, president and CEO of KCU. "In fact, poor oral health has been found to promote a host of other illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even Alzheimer's. KCU is proud to lead an effort to erase disparities in oral health care and improve health outcomes for people in rural areas."

The inaugural class of 80 students will be seated on July 31, 2023. Students will learn the science of dental medicine using the latest technology with simulated patients, virtual reality, 3-D printing, intra- oral camera and digital scanning of teeth.

The novel curriculum will place special emphasis on integrating basic sciences with clinical knowledge so dental students are prepared sooner to provide dental care to patients. Integrating dental medicine coursework with KCU's College of Osteopathic Medicine will lead future dentists to recognize how oral health problems can impact a patient's overall health, as well as promote interprofessional education in both colleges.

"The KCU College of Dental Medicine will integrate dental and medical education so that our students will be treating the whole patient," Linda Niessen, DMD, MPH, MPP founding dean of the College of Dental Medicine. "We envision that the KCU College of Dental Medicine will become a center of excellence in the region improving oral health and increasing access to needed oral health care."

In addition to state-of-the-art educational labs, the CDM will house an Oral Health Center where students will experience hands-on learning by providing dental services to patients under the supervision of dental faculty. CDM faculty will soon begin offering care to patients who lack access to oral health care. "Students will be treating patients in their second year of study," said Niessen. "Faculty members share a strong desire to serve our community right away and will soon see individuals who have had difficulty obtaining needed dental care through referrals with local nonprofit agencies. "

Diverse Student Body

KCU's inaugural cohort of dental students, the Class of 2027, represents a diverse population with a wide range in age, background and ethnicity. Nearly 50 percent of the students come from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Others from rural Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and Native American tribes. Some followed a traditional path to dental school and will begin their studies directly after earning an undergraduate degree. Others bring workforce experience as dental hygienists and other areas of health science; still others are answering the call to health care after working in other fields.

Planning for the CDM began before and continued through the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on key take-aways from the pandemic, KCU redesigned the original architectural plans in order to improve airflow, modify the dental operatories, and mitigate the spread of viruses and bacteria throughout the building. Additionally, the Harry M. Cornell Dental Education Center and Center for Oral Health were built with sustainability in mind using local products, contractors and native landscaping.

Meeting the Need

As the country grapples with the need to correct health inequities that were made worse by the pandemic, the reality of the nation's oral health crisis is becoming clear. The U.S. requires 7,000 new dentists to fill shortages nationwide. Many practicing dentists are nearing retirement or left the field. Estimates are that it will take another 8,600 new dentists each year to maintain a national supply.

The Joplin region, like many rural areas in the United States, suffers from a shortage of dentists. Nearly all counties within a 10-100-mile radius of Joplin qualify as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (DHPSAs) by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It is estimated that Missouri alone has a shortage of more than 700 dentists, Oklahoma requires 166 more dentists, and both Arkansas and Kansas need more than 100 to address these shortages.

Kansas City University is committed to meeting the health care needs of the region. This new dental school will support the university's mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve. The project represents an investment of more than $100 million, with capital expenditures in excess of $65 million. Philanthropy has played a major role in this project with nearly $45 million raised from individual donors and foundations.

KCU will continue to secure funding for ongoing scholarships to offset the high cost of dental education and ensure the education of much-needed dentists to meet local and national oral health-care needs.

About Kansas City University

Kansas City University, founded in 1916, is a fully accredited, private not-for-profit health sciences university with Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Biosciences and the College of Dental Medicine. The University offers multiple graduate degrees: a doctor of osteopathic medicine; a doctorate in clinical psychology; a master of arts in bioethics; a master of science in biomedical sciences; a master of business administration in partnership with Rockhurst University; a master of public health in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center; and the new doctor of dental medicine. The medical school is the sixth largest, the ninth most impactful in primary care and the tenth most affordable of private medical colleges in the nation. It is also the leading producer of physicians for the state of Missouri.

KCU has two campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri, to address the growing population health needs of both urban and rural communities in the region.

SOURCE Kansas City University
Ireland advances CRB solutions for clients seeking to maximize packaging's role in safety, customer loyalty and sales

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Katie Ireland, an industry-leading packaging expert with more than two decades of experience across iconic global brands including Starbucks, Kellogg, Ford Motor Company, Unilever, and Hershey has joined CRB as a senior packaging engineer. For CRB  one of the world's top providers of engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions for food and beverage clients  Ireland's arrival bolsters clients seeking holistic packaging, equipment and line design that maximizes a product's shelf life, safety, ease of use and marketing appeal.

"In an intensely competitive environment, manufacturers are more focused than ever on product packaging that's safe, simple to use and can capture consumer attention," said Jason Robertson, CRB's Vice President of Food and Beverage. "No one is more locked in on those goals than CRB, and few in this industry can match Katie's deep packaging credentials and impact. We can't wait to see what she'll do for clients."

Katie Ireland, a recognized leader in package engineering with experience at numerous iconic brands, has joined CRB. Tweet this

Before CRB, Ireland spent more than 10 years at Starbucks, where she led numerous global packaging solution and innovation efforts that streamlined the coffee giant's packaging lines. She led a center of excellence (CoE) equipment group that oversaw standards, specifications and governance, and she helped set asset management strategy for the company's aging plants.

Before Starbucks, Ireland performed lead packaging roles at ConAgra, Kellogg Company, Ford Motor Company and Unilever. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University  one of the nation's leading institutions in the discipline  before earning her MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

"Smart and sustainable package design can retain customer loyalty while reducing the amount of material used and making products easier to manufacture and designed with consumer use in mind," Ireland said. "I've spent my career tackling these critical challenges on the client side, and I'm excited to bring that unique perspective to CRB, whose culture of collaboration, client focus and technical excellence are unmatched."

About CRB:

CRB is a leading global provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction, and consulting solutions to the life sciences and food and beverage industries. Our innovative ONEsolution service provides successful integrated project delivery for clients demanding high-quality solutions -- on time and on budget. Across 22 offices in North America and Europe, the company's nearly 1,700 employees provide world-class, technically preeminent solutions that drive success and positive change for clients and communities. See our work at crbgroup.com, and connect with us on social media here.

CONTACT:

Clarity Quest Marketing:

877-887-7611

Bonnie Quintanilla

[email protected]

CRB:

816-200-5234

Chris Clark

[email protected]

SOURCE CRB
Son, daughter of Francis X. Gallagher, Jr. allege his 2022 overdose death resulted from childhood clergy sexual abuse

BALTIMORE, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The adult children of accomplished Maryland lawyer and investment banker Francis (Frank Jr.) X. Gallagher, Jr., today sued the Archdiocese of Baltimore, affiliated St. Mary's Seminary and University, and its owner, Society of St. Sulpice for causing their father's drug overdose death last year. According to the multi-count complaint filed by attorneys from Grant & Eisenhofer and Sanford Heisler Sharp, Frank Jr. was sexually abused at age 14 by seminarian Mark Haight while working nights at St. Mary's. All of the following facts are derived directly from the complaint.

Francis X. Gallagher, Jr.

Frank Jr. (pictured in his 1977 high school yearbook) was the son and namesake of Francis X. Gallagher, Sr. (Frank Sr.). Frank Sr. was a state legislator, racial justice advocate and founder of the influential Gallagher Evelius & Jones law firm. He was closely aligned with the Church and had become the AOB's go-to attorney and advisor prior to his death. Frank Jr. was forced to work after his father died because his father's law firm provided Frank Sr.'s widow and young children with no meaningful financial help. Frank Jr. got the job through his uncle, Fr. Joseph Gallagher, himself named by the AOB as "credibly accused" of child sexual abuse. "That Frank Jr. was the namesake of a Catholic leader was of no momentHaight used Frank Jr. for his sexual gratification and, like in so many cases, the AOB did nothing to stop it," the complaint states.

The Church later revealed that Haight was a serial sexual predator in Maryland and elsewhere.

Plaintiffs allege that their father, a skilled and widely respected lawyer and investment banker, privately lived a tortured life rooted in his childhood sexual abuse. The resulting trauma led Frank Jr. to engage in risky and self-destructive behaviors that led to his drug overdose and death. Church-defendants responded with "apathy, denials, and indifference" when Frank Jr. revealed his abuse and fought a losing battle to get them to take "corrective actions" to prevent others from harm.

This complaint is the first public disclosure of Frank Jr.'s abuse and the appalling manner in which the Church and the law firm, built on his father's name and reputation, treated him. That the Pope knighted his father, and the Gallagher Firm continued to use the Gallagher name, was not enough. As they have done so many times before, they ignored his calls for the Church to act to protect children and to help other child sex abuse victims.

Plaintiff Flannery Gallagher, Frank Jr.'s daughter, issued a statement following the filing; it reads in part:

"We love our dad, and we miss him. There are countless people in our community and across the country who are suffering in the way our dad suffered because of this horrific scourge inside the Church, and today, we honor and stand with them, too. This filing is an effort to obtain a transparent, truthful record and to protect others from suffering the same fate."

Plaintiffs' counsel Steven J. Kelly, of G&E's Baltimore Office and the firm's sexual abuse practice group, said after the filing, "I am humbled and privileged to represent two people who truly believe that healing can only begin bSanford Heisler Sharp's Criminal/Sexual Violence group added, "This is a time of reckoning for sexy shining light on decades and decades of darkness. They have chosen to pursue justice no matter where it leads and, for that, they are among the bravest clients I have ever represented."

Co-counsel Christine Dunn, co-chair ofual abuse in Maryland. Frank Gallagher, Jr.'s life was forever changed because of the clergy sexual abuse he endured as a child. The defendants failed to protect Frank Jr. from sexual predators, and they must be held accountable for the devastating impact that had on his life and, ultimately, his death."

Frank Jr.'s children care deeply about preventing child sexual abuse and, accordingly, support the mission of the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at Johns Hopkins. Flannery and her brother remain committed to supporting organizations working on child sexual abuse prevention and assistance for child sex abuse victims.

Note: All interview requests, including with Ms. Gallagher, should be directed to her representatives, noted below. Numerous resources, in addition to the Moore Center, exist regarding childhood sexual violence prevention and survivors/victims advocacy, including SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, Maryland Chapter).

SOURCE Grant & Eisenhofer
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, increased the Company's 2023 financial outlook and Seating target margins during its Seating Product Day.

Lear also shared details on its latest technologies and announced new business awards in Thermal Comfort Systems that will support market share gains and earnings growth in Seating.

Highlights include:

Increased 2023 outlook for net sales, core operating earnings and free cash flow

Increased JIT seating market share target to 29% (from 28%) by 2027 and introduced overall Seating market share target of 32% by 2027

Increased Seating target margin range to 8.5% to 9.0% (from 7.5% to 8.5%)

Expect Seating adjusted earnings to increase by $700 million from 2023 to 2027

2023 Thermal Comfort Systems awards are more than 40% ahead of last year

Targeting #1 or #2 market positions for key Thermal Comfort Systems product categories by 2027

Announced that Lear controls 259 patent assets on FlexAir and modularity

Increased expected Thermal Comfort Systems total addressable market industry outgrowth to 4 percentage points (from 2 percentage points) annually through 2027

Increased Thermal Comfort Systems revenue target to $1 billion (from $800 million ) by 2027

(from ) by 2027 Awarded first-to-market contract to supply INTU products on several future vehicle models with an ultra-luxury European automaker

Awarded first FlexAir production contract on a crossover vehicle launching in 2024 with an Asian automaker

Announced exclusive automotive license for FlexAir technology

Announced 16 development projects on 41 platforms for FlexAir and modularity

A replay of the Seating Product Day webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of Lear's website at ir.lear.com.

Non-GAAP Information

In addition to amounts reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) included throughout this press release, the Company has provided information regarding "pretax income before equity income, interest, other expense, restructuring costs and other special items" (core operating earnings or adjusted Seating earnings) and "free cash flow" (each, a non-GAAP financial measure). Other expense includes, among other things, non-income related taxes, foreign exchange gains and losses, gains and losses related to certain derivative instruments and hedging activities, gains and losses on the disposal of fixed assets and the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost. Free cash flow represents net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial position and results of operations. In particular, management believes that core operating earnings is a useful measure in assessing the Company's financial performance by excluding certain items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance or that may obscure trends useful in evaluating the Company's continuing operating activities. Management also believes that this measure provides improved comparability between fiscal periods. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's ability to service and repay its debt. Further, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for planning and forecasting future periods.

Core operating earnings and free cash flow should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income attributable to Lear, cash provided by operating activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. In addition, the calculation of free cash flow does not reflect cash used to service debt and, therefore, does not reflect funds available for investment or other discretionary uses. Also, these non-GAAP financial measures, as determined and presented by the Company, may not be comparable to related or similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

About Lear Corporation

Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world. Lear's diverse team of talented employees in 37 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, serves every major automaker in the world and ranks 189 on the Fortune 500. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or on Twitter @LearCorporation.

 Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding anticipated financial results and liquidity. The words "will," "may," "designed to," "outlook," "believes," "should," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates," "forecasts" and similar expressions identify certain of these forward-looking statements. The Company also may provide forward-looking statements in oral statements or other written materials released to the public. All statements contained or incorporated in this press release or in any other public statements that address operating performance, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and its other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Future operating results will be based on various factors, including actual industry production volumes, supply chain disruptions, commodity prices, changes in foreign exchange rates, the impact of restructuring actions and the Company's success in implementing its operating strategy.

Information in this press release relies on assumptions in the Company's sales backlog. The Company's sales backlog reflects anticipated net sales from formally awarded new programs less lost and discontinued programs. The Company enters into contracts with its customers to provide production parts generally at the beginning of a vehicle's life cycle. Typically, these contracts do not provide for a specified quantity of production, and many of these contracts may be terminated by the Company's customers at any time. Therefore, these contracts do not represent firm orders. Further, the calculation of the sales backlog does not reflect customer price reductions on existing or newly awarded programs. The sales backlog may be impacted by various assumptions embedded in the calculation, including vehicle production levels on new programs, foreign exchange rates and the timing of major program launches. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update, amend or clarify them to reflect events, new information or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.

SOURCE Lear Corporation
SEOUL, South Korea, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that its OLED TV and monitor panels have earned the 'Circadian Friendly' certification from TUV Rheinland, a leading global independent testing, inspection and certification body. The company's industry-leading OLED panels become the first displays to receive this certification, marking a groundbreaking achievement for the industry.

LG Display Receives Circadian Friendly Certification from TUV Rheinland

The 'Circadian Friendly' certification will be given by TUV Rheinland to products that meet the standards of minimizing their impact on people's quality of life during the day and promote better sleep at night. These products undergo rigorous testing based on the 'Circadian Stimulus' metric, designed by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center.

LG Display's self-emissive OLED TV and monitor panels now officially have the lowest impact on the viewer's biological pattern while still guaranteeing impeccable picture quality, achieving the highest rating of the Certification Scheme for display panel with a 'Circadian Friendly Level (CFL) 1'.

"LG Display's innovative OLED panels help people attain a healthier life while enjoying the immersive benefits of exceptional image quality," said Frank Holzmann, Global Business Field Manager at TUV Rheinland.

Circadian rhythm refers to the biological pattern occurring in humans during their 24-hour cycle. Using TVs or smartphones at night can have a detrimental impact on a person's circadian rhythm which could potentially lead to various health conditions including sleep disorders.

LG Display's OLED TV panel is widely recognized for emitting the lowest blue light in the industry while providing users with the best flicker-free viewing experience. The company's OLED became the world's first TV display to receive Eyesafe certification, which was developed jointly by TUV Rheinland and Eyesafe Inc., a U.S eye safety organization, and also boasts the 'Flicker Free Display (OLED)' and 'Discomfort Glare Free' verification from UL, a leading global safety science company.

"LG Display's self-emissive OLED technology not only offers unmatched picture quality but also reaffirms its position as a human-centric display through this highly sought-after certification," said Soo-young Yoon, CTO and Executive Vice President at LG Display. "With a safe display more important to people than ever, we will continue to offer its customers the best viewing experiences by expanding and applying user-friendly technologies to its cutting-edge solutions."

About LG Display

LG Display Co., Ltd. [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220] is the world's leading innovator of display technologies, including thin-film transistor liquid crystal and OLED displays. The company manufactures display panels in a broad range of sizes and specifications primarily for use in TVs, notebook computers, desktop monitors, automobiles, and various other applications, including tablets and mobile devices. LG Display currently operates manufacturing facilities in Korea and China, and back-end assembly facilities in Korea, China, and Vietnam. The company has approximately 70,707 employees operating worldwide. For more news and information about LG Display, please visit www.lgdisplay.com.

Media Contact:

TaeHyun Tommy Jang, Assistant Manager, Global PR Team

Email: [email protected]

Joo Yeon Jennifer Ha, Manager, Global PR Team

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE LG Display
Pedestrian Deaths Continue to Increase Unabated Year After Year  A Pedestrian is Killed Every 75 Minutes in the U.S. (GHSA)

ONTARIO, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maglite brand partners up with the Pedestrian Safety Institute (PSI) to support traffic and pedestrian safety during the deadliest month of the year, July. According to the PSI, July has the highest rate of traffic-related fatalities. The days surrounding July 4th are particularly dangerous and are routinely referred to as the deadliest driving days of the year.

National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month

Drivers in the United States struck and killed 3,434 people in the first half of 2022  up 5%, or 168 more deaths, from the same period the year before, according to analysis from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

Darkness and low visibility play a significant role in pedestrian deaths. In fact, more than 70 percent of fatalities happen in low-light conditions, particularly at night. In addition to the Pedestrian Safety Institute, Maglite is proud to have the American Paramedic Association, Citizens Behind the Badge, the U.S. Deputy Sheriffs Association, the lead economist of the Drucker School, Jay Prag, America's Criminologist Dr. Currie Myers, and legal scholar John Tulac joining in this mission to illuminate the dangers facing pedestrians and solutions.

National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month was created by the Pedestrian Safety Institute with the goal of educating and urging drivers to use caution while driving during this time of year.

"There are simple ways to reduce the number of deaths due to pedestrian traffic accidents - carry a bright flashlight, wear reflective clothing and be cautious, especially around fast-moving traffic," said Tony Maglica, founder and CEO of Mag Instrument, Inc., manufacturer of the Maglite Flashlight.

Other facts and Safety Tips are available in the attached materials and at https://maglite.com/collections/national-roadside-safety-awareness.

Info sheet (PDF): https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0089/1764/7423/files/PSI_Flyer.pdf?v=1687543185

This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE Mag Instrument Inc.
COCOA BEACH, Fla., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, the Space Coast is your one-stop bucket list destination for epic experiences from the surf to the skies. Learn more at VisitSpaceCoast.com.

Watch a Rocket Launch from the Beach or your RV  Launches continue to become more frequent on the Space Coast, so there's a good chance one may happen during a visit. Head to any stretch of the 72 miles of beach for a one-of-a-kind view or rent an RV spot at Jetty Park at Port Canaveral. Pair it with a brew from the Launches and Lagers trail.

Space Coast is your one-stop bucket list destination for epic experiences from the surf to the skies. Tweet this Brevard Zoo is the only zoo in the country to offer guided kayaking tours around an animal exhibit!

Experience Bioluminescence  The Indian River Lagoon comes to life with this sparkling phenomenon on summer nights. Dinoflagellates light up when disturbed, leaving the wake from boats and paddles shimmering neon blue and green. Experience this magical spectacle firsthand.

See a Sea Turtle Lay her Eggs  The Space Coast is one of the top sea turtle nesting locations in the world, making up 75% of all nests in Florida. Take a turtle walk with a sea turtle conservation non-profit and watch a loggerhead lay her eggs up close!

Kayak at Brevard Zoo  Make time to visit the only zoo in North America with a kayak tour around habitats. See Giraffes, rhinos, and more from this unique view.

Surf like the Champions  Dubbed the East Coast Surfing Capital, the Space Coast is home to some of the greats, including 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater and Olympian Caroline Marks. Take a lesson on the beach or head to the Intracoastal Waterway to try wakesurfing and kitesurfing.

Enjoy a Fisher's Paradise  There are multiple ways to fish on the Space Coast. For salt water, try surf fishing straight from the beach or charter an offshore fishing excursion. Head out on an inshore trip on rivers and canals or Headwaters Lake for freshwater fish.

Take a Bike Ride through Nature  Titusville and Malabar are two of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's 17 Trail Towns and bookend the county. For endurance riders, head to Titusville where three long-distance trails converge: Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, East Coast Greenway, and the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. Looking for mountain biking or BMX trails? Visit the Grapefruit Trails down in Palm Bay. Keep an eye out for the many amazing creatures like scrub jays and gopher tortoises that call the Space Coast home.

SOURCE Florida's Space Coast
SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Hermann Health System  a non-profit health system committed to creating healthier Houston communities  has made a strategic investment in Memora Health, the leading intelligent care enablement platform, to streamline complex care journeys for clinicians and patients by leveraging the power of AI through evidence-based care programs.

Patients navigating complex care journeys, such as orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment or perinatal care, often have many questions and require a high frequency of engagement from their care teams. Utilizing Memora's AI-backed technology, health systems will digitize and automate routine elements of these care journeys, such as answering frequently asked questions or following up to ensure medication adherence, to increase patient engagement, proactively provide critical education and free up providers to focus on care.

"As a community-focused health system, we're always looking to invest in new digital technologies that will enable us to better meet the diverse needs of our patients across the Greater Houston area, while also supporting our providers and physician partners," said Feby Abraham, PhD, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Memorial Hermann. "Memora's focus on complex care journeys is a key differentiator and ensures care teams can deliver high-touch, personalized care to patients across a breadth of clinical care programs."

Memora's platform uses AI and natural language processing to take on routine tasks and proactively screen for changes in symptoms, new changes in health and adherence to care plan goals. In one example where Memora's conversational AI "Felix" was implemented to address questions of post-operative hip arthroscopy patients, Felix independently answered over 30% of patient questions, and 80% of the patients enrolled rated the helpfulness of their communication through the platform as good or excellent.

"We are thrilled to support Memorial Hermann in its vision to create healthier communities, now and for generations to come," said Manav Sevak, co-founder and chief executive officer at Memora. "We believe this strategic investment will help simplify and improve the care journey for patients once they make the move outside the four walls of the hospital and back into their homes."

Memorial Hermann joins other strategic health system investors as part of a funding round that included Northwell Holdings, the venture investment arm of Northwell Health, NorthShore  Edward-Elmhurst Health and others. This investment is part of Memorial Hermann's continued push to transform its enterprise using cutting-edge digital health technologies. The system has emerged as a leader in clinical care redesign in recent years through its efforts to reduce unnecessary clinical variation, shorten lengths of stay, better manage care coordination and improve clinical documentation.

About Memora Health

Memora Health, the leading intelligent care enablement platform, helps clinicians focus on top-of-license practice while proactively engaging patients along complex care journeys. Memora partners with leading health systems, health plans, and digital health companies to transform the care delivery process for care teams and patients. The company's platform digitizes and automates high-touch clinical workflows, supercharging care teams by intelligently triaging patient-reported concerns and data to appropriate care team members and providing patients with proactive, two-way communication and support. To learn more about Memora's vision to make care more actionable, accessible and always-on, visit memorahealth.com .

About Memorial Hermann Health System

Charting a better future. A future that's built upon the HEALTH of our community. This is the driving force for Memorial Hermann, redefining health care for the individuals and many diverse populations we serve. Our 6,700 affiliated physicians and 32,000 employees practice high quality, innovative, evidence-based care to provide a personalized and outcome-oriented experience across our more than 260 care delivery sites. As one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann has an award-winning and nationally acclaimed Accountable Care Organization , 17* hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services conveniently located throughout the Greater Houston area. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is one of the nation's busiest Level I trauma centers and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. For more than 115 years, our focus has been the best interest of our community, contributing nearly $500 million annually through school-based health centers and other community benefit programs . Now and for generations to come, the health of our community will be at the center of what we do  charting a better future for all.

*Memorial Hermann Health System owns and operates 14 hospitals and has joint ventures with three other hospital facilities, including Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital First Colony, Memorial Hermann Surgical Hospital Kingwood and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital- Katy.

Media Contact: Lara Key, [email protected]

George Kovacik, [email protected]

SOURCE Memora Health
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

Exiled Presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere has given the ruling party sleepless nights especially in ZANU PF strongest area Mashonaland Central province.

Party leadership in Mashonaland Central province has failed to denounce Kasukuwere as they usually do to other opposition leaders.In Mount Darwin which is the strongest district of ZANU PF, Kasukuwere is dominating with his candidates reportedly dishing money to the struggling electorate.ZANU PF top officials in Mash Central where Kasukuwere also hails from has given up on Mount Darwin."We know he is strong in Mount Darwin but we will see what comes from it because so far no one dares to denounce him in his rural home," the official said.ZANU PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa described Kasukuwere as a thug."He should stop his ambitions because he is just a thug," Mutsvangwa said.MeanwhileKasukuwere successfully filed his nomination papers in absentia last Wednesday through his chief election agent Jacqueline 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.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame has announced that it will induct Michter's President Joseph J. Magliocco on September 13th, 2023.

Michter's President Joseph J. Magliocco

A native New Yorker who later adopted Louisville as his second home, Magliocco initially fell in love with Kentucky bourbon while bartending during college at Yale, where he was a Religious Studies major. After earning a JD from Harvard Law School, during which time he spent summers selling Kentucky bourbon and other spirits, Magliocco embarked on a full-time career in the spirits and wine business. One of his first industry jobs was at a distributor, where he reported to the company's President R.C Wells, the former President of Four Roses.

Magliocco subsequently led the effort to develop Chatham Imports, the Manhattan-based spirits and wine supplier and eventual parent company of Michter's Distillery. During the 1990s, a challenging period for the American whiskey industry, Magliocco teamed up with his mentor and adviser Richard Newman, the former President of Austin Nichols, to enter the bourbon business, which they both viewed as being only temporarily out of favor. While selling the brand during a summer job, Magliocco had grown familiar with Michter's, a Pennsylvania-based whiskey company with a legacy stretching from the founding of a predecessor in 1753 until its bankruptcy in 1989. After the Michter's brand name went abandoned, Magliocco spearheaded Chatham's acquisition of the Michter's trademark in the 1990s for $245 and set out to restart the historic brand with whiskey made in Kentucky, which he considered the best place in the world for bourbon.

Magliocco has played a role in the resurgence of American whiskey. "There is no one who believes more in the potential of the Kentucky bourbon category," stated Michter's Master Distiller Dan McKee. "I know I speak for our entire team when I say we are grateful for Joe's unwavering support, which has enabled us to make decisions that prioritize making the highest quality whiskey every step of the way." Michter's Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson added, "Joe's contributions will have a lasting impact on the Kentucky Bourbon industry and on how American whiskey is perceived around the world."

Over the years, the Louisville-based Michter's team assembled by Magliocco has made progress with the brand, which is now sold in all 50 United States and over 60 export markets. In its present form, Michter's has two Louisville distilleries  Michter's Shively Distillery and Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery  as well as a 205-acre farm and operations hub in Springfield, Kentucky. Magliocco joins Andrea Wilson, Michter's Master of Maturation and Chief Operating Officer, as Michter's second Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member.

"Kentucky bourbon has thrived and reached its current level of success because of all the great people working in all the positions in our industry. I am humbled and deeply honored to be included among this year's extraordinary inductees into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame," remarked Magliocco.

Magliocco actively volunteers with schools and not-for-profit organizations. An Associate Fellow at Yale University's Benjamin Franklin College, Magliocco serves as a trustee of The Frazier History Museum and The Fresh Air Fund, as well as a member of the Harvard Law School Dean's Advisory Board. Magliocco splits his time between Louisville and New York. He works at Michter's with a team that includes his son Matt Magliocco and his niece Katharine Magliocco.

For more information, please visit www.michters.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Contact: Lillie Pierson

502-774-2300 x407

[email protected]

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2140740/Joseph_Magliocco.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1923917/MICHTER_S_DISTILLERY__LLC_LOGO_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Michter's Distillery
NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to projections, the size of Microlearning market will grow by USD 1,338.46 million. Expanding government initiatives is one of the factors driving the market for Microlearning. Other factors such as large number of cellphone usage and tablet launches are expected to increase demand. Between 2022 and 2027, the market for Microlearning is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 10.57%.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Microlearning Market 2023-2027

Microlearning market report goes into great detail about market segmentation by Industry Application (Retail, Manufacturing and logistics, BFSI, Healthcare, Others), Component (Solutions and Services) and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, Middle East & Africa).

Microlearning market trends

Gamification of education and training to spur market expansion is emerging as an important trend in the market. Underpinning this growth is the acceptability of gamification systems as a tool for modifying human behavior to promote creativity, productivity, or engagement. Additionally, gamification boosts client retention rates by 5%, might raise earnings by 25% to 95%, and can produce better outcomes for enterprises. Customers can receive a certain amount of loyalty points by scanning scannable codes that brands can place on their items. Enterprise gamification in training, productivity, and skill improvement is likely to significantly expand throughout the projected time.

Know more about the trends such as microlearning in higher education along with market challenges. Click here to get the sample report!

Microlearning 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 International Business Machines Corp. and Axonify Inc. The largest section of the worldwide microlearning market is retail (E-commerce websites and physical retail stores make up the retail sector), and this will not change throughout the course of the projection. To provide excellent customer service and increase business efficiency in the fragmented market, training consumers in the retail industry is crucial. The majority of retail vendors work to set themselves apart from the competition by offering superior customer support.

Learn more about vendors such as Bigtincan Holdings Ltd., BTS Group AB, Cornerstone OnDemand Inc., CrossKnowledge, 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 41% to worldwide market growth. In North America, there will be 328 million smartphone customers by 2025, as the GSMA predicts. By 2025, the region can also have the second-highest penetration rates of mobile users (86%) and Internet users (80%) worldwide.

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!

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Related Reports:

US Courseware Market: The courseware market in the United States is expected to develop at a CAGR of 5.42% between 2022 and 2027, with a market value of USD 1,061.45 million.

Self-paced E-learning Market: The self-paced e-learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.64% between 2022 and 2027, with a market value of USD 6,960.68 million. The research contains market data from 2017 to 2021.



Microlearning Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 167 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.57% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1338.46 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 10.05 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, Canada, China, India, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Axonify Inc., Bigtincan Holdings Ltd., BTS Group AB, Cornerstone OnDemand Inc., CrossKnowledge, ELB Learning, Epignosis, Gnowbe Group Ltd., GoSkills Ltd., Inkling Systems Inc., International Business Machines Corp., iSpring Solutions Inc., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Multiversity Pvt. Ltd., Neovation Corp., Pryor Learning, Qstream Inc., SmartUp.io Ltd., and SweetRush 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. 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 Industry Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Component



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global microlearning market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global microlearning market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Industry Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Industry Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Component Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Component Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Industry Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Industry Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Industry Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Industry Application

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Industry Application



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Industry Application

6.3 Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Retail - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Retail - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Manufacturing and logistics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Manufacturing and logistics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Manufacturing and logistics - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Manufacturing and logistics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Manufacturing and logistics - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on BFSI - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on BFSI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on BFSI - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Healthcare - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Healthcare - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Healthcare - 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 ($ million)



Exhibit 51: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



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 Industry Application

Exhibit 54: Market opportunity by Industry Application ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Component

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 55: Chart on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Component - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Component

Exhibit 57: Chart on Comparison by Component



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Comparison by Component

7.3 Solution - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Solution - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Solution - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Solution - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Solution - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Services - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Services - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Component

Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by Component ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 68: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 69: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 71: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 72: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 101: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 102: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 103: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 104: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 109: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 110: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 111: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 112: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 113: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 114: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 115: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 116: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 117: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 118: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 119: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Axonify Inc.

Exhibit 120: Axonify Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Axonify Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: Axonify Inc. - Key offerings

12.4 Bigtincan Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 123: Bigtincan Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Bigtincan Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Bigtincan Holdings Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 126: Bigtincan Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 127: Bigtincan Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

12.5 BTS Group AB

Exhibit 128: BTS Group AB - Overview



Exhibit 129: BTS Group AB - Business segments



Exhibit 130: BTS Group AB - Key offerings



Exhibit 131: BTS Group AB - Segment focus

12.6 Cornerstone OnDemand Inc.

Exhibit 132: Cornerstone OnDemand Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Cornerstone OnDemand Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 134: Cornerstone OnDemand Inc. - Key offerings

12.7 CrossKnowledge

Exhibit 135: CrossKnowledge - Overview



Exhibit 136: CrossKnowledge - Product / Service



Exhibit 137: CrossKnowledge - Key offerings

12.8 ELB Learning

Exhibit 138: ELB Learning - Overview



Exhibit 139: ELB Learning - Product / Service



Exhibit 140: ELB Learning - Key offerings

12.9 Epignosis

Exhibit 141: Epignosis - Overview



Exhibit 142: Epignosis - Product / Service



Exhibit 143: Epignosis - Key offerings

12.10 Gnowbe Group Ltd.

Exhibit 144: Gnowbe Group Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 145: Gnowbe Group Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 146: Gnowbe Group Ltd. - Key offerings

12.11 GoSkills Ltd.

Exhibit 147: GoSkills Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 148: GoSkills Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 149: GoSkills Ltd. - Key offerings

12.12 International Business Machines Corp.

Exhibit 150: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 151: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 152: International Business Machines Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 153: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 154: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus

12.13 iSpring Solutions Inc.

Exhibit 155: iSpring Solutions Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 156: iSpring Solutions Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 157: iSpring Solutions Inc. - Key offerings

12.14 Larsen and Toubro Ltd.

Exhibit 158: Larsen and Toubro Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 159: Larsen and Toubro Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 160: Larsen and Toubro Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 161: Larsen and Toubro Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: Larsen and Toubro Ltd. - Segment focus

12.15 Multiversity Pvt. Ltd.

Exhibit 163: Multiversity Pvt. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Multiversity Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 165: Multiversity Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.16 Neovation Corp.

Exhibit 166: Neovation Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 167: Neovation Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 168: Neovation Corp. - Key offerings

12.17 Qstream Inc.

Exhibit 169: Qstream Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 170: Qstream Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 171: Qstream Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 172: Qstream Inc. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 173: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 174: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 175: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 176: Research methodology



Exhibit 177: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 178: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 179: 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
TEMPE, Ariz., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moov , the world's largest and fastest growing marketplace for used semiconductor equipment, today announced it will be unveiling new product features at this year's SEMICON West exhibition and conference in San Francisco from July 11 through July 13. The company will be welcoming attendees of the event to view a demonstration of these new marketplace features at booth #5749.

The annual SEMICON West conference is North America's leading event for the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain industries. It is the continent's largest semiconductor trade show.

Moov to unveil new features at SEMICON West 2023, the semiconductor industry's premier US event. Tweet this

"We are excited to show semiconductor manufacturers, refurbishers, and service providers the ease of buying and selling equipment through Moov," said Moov CEO and cofounder Steven Zhou. "We have unveiled a number of new features that not only help production line managers and procurement specialists find the ideal tool quickly, but also enable semiconductor manufacturers to truly employ a circular economy strategy when it comes to procuring and offloading equipment at enterprise scale."

One feature that will be unveiled at Semicon West will help fabrication facilities automate the process of finding a new tool. Buyers can input tool specifications, requirements, and priorities and receive automatic notifications when a match becomes available on Moov's marketplace. Another feature will offer semiconductor manufacturers a more streamlined process to manage high volumes of surplus equipment, and get exclusive information on secondary market demand and potential resale pricing.

In addition to unveiling new marketplace features that enable manufacturers to scale their used equipment procurement strategy, Moov will be speaking about its new enterprise partnerships division which helps manufacturers operationalize a sustainable strategy for offloading idle and surplus assets.

"Moov's global reach and marketplace technology helps us ensure manufacturers have an easy, scalable, secure way to sell their surplus assets  and maximize the capital they are able to recoup on these valuable tools," said David Duke, Head of Enterprise Partnerships at Moov.

Moov offers semiconductor manufacturers a better solution for buying and selling used equipment through its global marketplace, aftermarket service ecosystem, and enterprise surplus management services .

For more information or to coordinate SEMICON West meetings please email Taylor Ralston at [email protected].

About Moov Technologies Inc.

Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, and Austin, Texas, Moov is a technology-driven marketplace and asset management platform that matches buyers and sellers of pre-owned semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Built by a team with more than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing equipment brokerage industry, Moov's platform ensures accurate listings and faster transactions. CEO Steven Zhou and Managing Director Maxam Yeung co-founded the company in 2017. To learn more, please visit Moov.co .

SOURCE Moov Technologies
Midwest cities like Detroit and Cleveland are among top cities, while 8 out of 10 of the worst cities for single-family rental cash flow were in California.

ODENTON, Md., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MyPerfectMortgage.com , an industry-leading mortgage and real estate resource, released a study that has determined the 101 best cities for single-family rental cash flow in 2023 .

The analysis looked at data on home prices, property tax rates, typical rents, vacancy rates, and more to determine where single-family rental investors have the best chance of making a profit.

Top 4 best cities for real estate rental cash flow 101 Best Cities For Single Family Rental Cash Flow

Potential monthly cash flow in the top 10 cities are:

Detroit : $722 Jackson, Miss. : $690 Cleveland : $645 Birmingham, Ala. : $609 Lehigh Acres, Fla. : $580 Baltimore : $578 Philadelphia : $475 Montgomery, Ala. : $380 Toledo, Ohio : $375 Memphis, Tenn. : $375

"Single-family rental investors have a tough job," said Tim Lucas, Senior Editor at MyPerfectMortgage.com. "It's much easier to find cash flow in apartment buildings or small multifamily properties. Single-family residences come with high per-unit property taxes and maintenance costs."

Lucas continued, "Acquisition costs are also through the roof. Home prices are up more than 35% since the second quarter of 2020, while rental income has risen just 17% over the same period. Mortgage rates have more than doubled. These factors are really putting the squeeze on single-family investors looking for yield."

The study compiled over 110,000 data points and considered 312 U.S. cities in the analysis. The top 101 cities had the most advantageous combination of high rents, low home prices, lower-than-average property taxes, and low vacancy rates.

For example, Cleveland, Ohio, number three on the list, boasted typical rents of $1,273 per month, low taxes, and a typical home price of just $97,805, yielding monthly cash flow of $645.

Not all cities fared as well.

Following the methodology, an investor buying a single-family home in Sunnyvale, Calif. might lose $6,862 per month thanks to low relative rents, nearly $900-per-month property taxes, and a typical home price close to $2 million.

Not surprisingly, eight of the 10 worst single-family rental markets were in California. Top cities for investors were concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast.

With this study, real estate investors can make better decisions when deciding when and how to invest.

See the full study.

About MyPerfectMortgage.com: MyPerfectMortgage.com is a leading online mortgage and real estate platform that helps borrowers find the best mortgage products for any situation. With a network of lenders and a team of experienced mortgage professionals, MyPerfectMortgage.com provides a simple and convenient way to compare mortgage options for a new home, investment property, or refinance. For more information, visit the My Perfect Mortgage website .

Contact:

MyPerfectMortgage.com

844-438-5378

[email protected]

SOURCE My Perfect Mortgage
NVN and National Museum of U.S. Army to develop 11-city traveling exhibition

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Veterans Network (NVN) has been awarded a $348,867 grant from the Department of Interior National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites (NPS JACS) grant program that will help fund the "I Am An American: the Nisei Soldier Experience," an 11-city traveling exhibition about the Japanese American World War II soldiers.

National Veterans Network Awarded Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant For Nisei Soldier Traveling Exhibition

"We are grateful to receive the grant from the National Park Service, which will help the NVN, the National Museum of the United States Army and Army Historical Foundation as we work together to develop this special traveling exhibition over the next two years," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director at NVN. "This traveling exhibition will feature artifacts and stories of 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service and U.S. Army soldiers who fought in the service of the United States to demonstrate their loyalty and patriotism at a time when they were discriminated against based on their ancestry."

The grant will enable the NVN, AHF and the Museum to begin working on the content and overall design of the traveling exhibition. Based on the current Nisei Soldier Experience special exhibit at the National Army Museum, the traveling exhibit will expand to 1,200 with approximately 35 significant historical objects, 50-75 images and three audio-visual kiosks with 10 individual soldier stories and an interactive map of the European and Pacific Campaign comprised of 16 campaign videos.

"We are proud to be developing the National Army Museum's first traveling exhibition, and we look forward to working with NVN to bring this powerful American story to the public, especially those who are learning about this significant piece of our history for the first time" said Tammy Call, director of the National Museum of the United States Army.

The theme of the traveling exhibition "I Am An American" is based on the historical photo taken on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor, when Tatsuro Masuda installed an "I Am An American" sign on his storefront in Oakland, CA. The exhibit will highlight the military service of the Nisei Soldiers from the perspective of the men and women who fought for democracy overseas, while they simultaneously fought a war against prejudice at home. The exhibit will include nisei objects from the islands of Hawaii to the mainland U.S., including the Nisei Soldiers who enlisted out of the 10 War Relocation Authority (WRA) incarceration camps.

The traveling exhibit will travel to 11 cities across the United States starting in 2026 for five years. It is scheduled to be hosted in the following states: California (Los Angeles and San Francisco), Oregon, Hawaii, Wyoming, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Louisiana and New York. Although the grant will help with a portion of the traveling exhibit costs, there is still a significant amount that needs to be raised for the exhibit to travel to all 11 cities.

The National Veterans Network and the Army Historical Foundation will launch a national fundraising campaign this year to raise the remaining funds for the traveling exhibit. Sponsorship opportunities for national recognition will be announced by the two organizations.

NVN will continue to work on initiatives to preserve the important role Japanese American World War II Soldiers played during World War II. To find out more about the National Veterans Network or to become a sponsor, send email to [email protected], visit www.nvnvets.org, or follow the NVN on Instagram (NationalVeteransNetwork) Facebook (@NationalVeteransNetwork) or Twitter (@NtlVetNetwork).

For questions regarding the JACS grant program, please contact Kara Miyagishima, Program Manager, Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program, NPS, at 303-969-2885.

About The Army Historical Foundation

The Army Historical Foundation establishes, assists, and promotes programs and projects that preserve the history of the American Soldier and promote public understanding of and appreciation for the contributions by all components of the U.S. Army and its members. The Foundation serves as the Army's official fundraising entity for the Capital Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army. The award-winning, LEED- certified Museum opened on November 11, 2020, at Fort Belvoir, Va., and honors the service and sacrifice of all American Soldiers who have served since the Army's inception in 1775. For more information on the Foundation and the National Museum of the United States Army, visit www.armyhistory.org.

About the National Museum of the United States Army

The National Museum of the United States Army provides the only comprehensive portrayal of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American Soldier. By preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting invaluable artifacts, the National Army Museum creates learning opportunities for all visitors and bonds the American people to their oldest military service. We are America's Army Museum.

The U.S. Army owns and operates the Museum. The Army Historical Foundation continues its fundraising role in support of the Museum and manages all retail, catering and special events.

For more information on the National Museum of the United States Army visit www.theNMUSA.org.

About National Veterans Network

NVN's mission is to educate current and future generations about the extraordinary legacy of American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry in order to promote equality and justice. The organization launched the campaign to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the first Asian American recipients in the 100th, 442nd and MIS units, and worked with the U.S. Mint to design the medal. In 2012, the organization partnered with the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for a seven-city tour to promote recognition of the Japanese American experience. In 2016, along with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, NVN launched an online Digital Exhibition to share the story of Japanese American soldiers of WWII (cgm.smithsonianapa.org). Beginning in 2017, NVN worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army to gather artifacts from Japanese American WWII soldiers and their families that resulted in a special exhibit dedicated to Japanese American WWII soldiers when the Museum's opening in 2020 along with artifacts and information located throughout the museum. In 2020, the NVN in collaboration with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, developed elementary and middle school curriculum. The NVN continues to honor the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry by promoting, protecting, and preserving their legacy of uncommon valor and selfless service for future generations.

Please visit us at www.nationalveteransnetwork.com, and follow the NVN on Facebook (NationalVeteransNetwork), Twitter (@NtlVetNetwork) or Instagram (nationalveteransnetwork).

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki

310-444-7115

http://www.nvnvets.org

SOURCE National Veterans Network
Revolutionizing Luxury Experiences through the "Power of One" People Strategy Inspires Transformation and Sustainable Growth

By Eric Severson, Chief People, ESG and Belonging Officer

DALLAS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, we released our first People Report and with it - our second annual ESG Report, detailing progress on our 2025 goals. I'm proud to be the Chief People, ESG and Belonging Officer at NMG, where we believe creating impact is a critical aspect of our transformation and growth. The reports detail how we harness the Power of One to drive progress and revolutionize positive change in the industry through our relationships with our associates, customers, brand partners and communities.

Our Journey to Revolutionize Impact | 2022 ESG Report Revolutionizing Associate Experiences | Power of One People Report 2022

At NMG, our purpose is to Make Life Extraordinary. Guided by our values, we are creating impact through three pillars of a comprehensive ESG strategy: advancing sustainable products and services, cultivating a culture of Belonging and leading with love in our communities. Our belief in the Power of One is centered around the core concept that our individual talents form a collective strength. Our People Report expands on how we create an environment that inspires everyone to do their best work. Full stop.

The NMG|Way culture we're building through our 10,000+ talented associates is leading to measurable results.

Highlights include:

Affirming equitable pay practices with female associates earning over 98% of their male counterparts and non-white associates earning over 99% of white associates

Increasing racial and ethnic diversity in leadership roles Vice President level+ to 19.8% in FY22

Achieving a 34% increase in employee net promoter score (eNPS)

Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 31% from a 2019 baseline in CY21 and releasing the results of our first Scope 3 emissions screening

Reaching our goal to become fur-free in line with our Animal Welfare Policy

Partnering with customers to raise over $1.5M for charity through the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation since FY20

Throughout my career, I've seen firsthand how People are at the heart of our ability to drive progress. When we set out to create a revolutionary people strategy, we listened to the voice of our people. The clear message was that associates want four things: flexibility, career development, total rewards and an impact-oriented culture that enables them to contribute to the company's progress on Belonging, sustainability and philanthropy.

To support flexibility, we launched our unique Way of Working (NMG|WOW) in 2020, directly influenced by associate feedback. The strategy empowers teams to work wherever, whenever and however to achieve their best results. This led to an increase in our eNPS and an improvement in our retention and time-to-hire metrics. Today our teams will come together in our new NMG Dallas Hub to mark the official opening of the new space, which serves as a magnet  not a mandate  igniting collaboration across our remote-first hybrid teams.

Our journey to Revolutionize Luxury Experiences is supported by comprehensive strategies grounded in our values and NMG|Way culture. Our conscious actions and strategic investments reflect a shared commitment across our company to create impact and demonstrate our continued success as a retailer, employer and partner of choice. We take this position seriously and understand our potential to make a difference at scale.

Our CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck passionately values our collective impact. As he always says, "We have the unique potential to impact crucial social and environmental issues through our valued relationships with two very influential groupsthe world's most desired brands and the luxury customer. We know that investing in our people and in a culture that inspires positive change is a vector of growth for our business."

Transforming the Power of One through our People

We're focused on being an employer of choice by listening to our People. We cultivate a culture of Belonging where each associate is accepted, valued and empowered to achieve their personal best. Based on associate priorities, we implemented policies that enhance career development, work flexibility and a focus on ESG (among others).

Recognized by Forbes, Newsweek, the Human Rights Campaign, Prospanica and the National Diversity Council as a Best Place To Work for women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community

Affirmed equitable pay practices with female associates earning over 98% of their male counterparts and non-white associates earning over 99% of white associates

Increased racial and ethnic diversity in leadership roles Vice President level+ from 18.2% to 19.8% in FY22

Expanded paid parental and family leave and increased adoption reimbursement

Living for our Believers

We are a relationship business. We're becoming the integrated luxury retailer of choice for the most conscious consumer and forward-thinking brands. We work closely with external partners to identify goals that achieve long-term success and provide the resources and tools needed to create impact across our industry. This past year, we also expanded in-house services and solidified our status as a first mover and consistent investor in circular economy initiatives.

Launched Fashioned For Change and Conscious Curation edits at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman to highlight products certified to third-party social and environmental standards, attributing 5.12% of sales to these products in FY22

Built key partnerships and offered new in-house services, including alterations and repair & restoration, which helped extend the useful life of 760,414 luxury items

Hired first-ever ESG merchandising role to help partners strengthen their social and environmental performance

Sponsored top brand partners and non-retail vendors to join Guidehouse's Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (SLOCT) program, empowering them to join NMG's growing number of suppliers that align with SBTi commitments in FY22

Leading with Love in our Communities

We're continuing to make a positive impact in the communities where we do business through point-of-sale fundraising, volunteerism and disaster relief.

Expanded point-of-sale fundraising campaigns throughout the year and raised $1.5M+ for charity since FY20

Invested in the next generation of industry talent by launching a co-branded scholarship with Fashion Scholarship Fund

Surpassed $2M in donations to disaster preparedness and relief organizations and our Employee Hardship Assistance Fund

in donations to disaster preparedness and relief organizations and our Employee Hardship Assistance Fund Increased associate volunteerism by 109% by promoting NMG's industry-leading philanthropic benefits and programming for a highly engaged, highly empowered workforce

Our Reports

View the new Power of One People Report here and learn more about the progress we're making toward our 2025 ESG goals here. For the first time, we made our reporting more accessible by providing audio-visual clips throughout.

We are working harder than ever to make a positive impact in the luxury industry. As we continue our journey to Make Life Extraordinary, we remain committed to transparency and accountability. I invite you to follow along and stay connected with us.

About Neiman Marcus Group (NMG)

Neiman Marcus Group is a relationship business that leads with love in everything we do for our customers, associates, brand partners, and communities. Our legacy of innovating and our culture of Belonging guide our roadmap for Revolutionizing Luxury Experiences. As one of the largest multi-brand luxury retailers in the U.S., with the world's most desirable brand partners, we're delivering exceptional products and intelligent services, enabled by our investments in data and technology. Through the expertise of our 10,000+ associates, we deliver and scale a personalized luxury experience across our three channels of in-store, eCommerce, and remote selling. Our NMG|Way culture, powered by our people, combines individual talents into a collective strength to make life extraordinary. Our flagship brands include Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. For more information, visit neimanmarcusgroup.com.

About NMG|WOW

NMG|WOW (Way of Working) is the company's unique, integrated working philosophy that comprises four pillars: I Work Smarter, I Am Present, I Integrate Life & Work, and I EmpowerAnd Am Empowered. NMG|WOW creates an environment that empowers associates to do their best work, full stop. It was developed in response to associate feedback and is grounded in the company's values and culture of Belonging.

The NMG Hub Network gives associates the flexibility to work wherever, whenever, and however to achieve their best results. It includes Corporate Hubs in Dallas, New York City and Bangalore, stores, distribution centers, as well as individual remote working locations. This integrated work environment fosters a culture of innovation, creativity, and equity. Hubs are designed for seamlessly integrated digital and physical experiences through the use of advanced technology and diverse workspaces that support a range of working styles and purposes.

SOURCE Neiman Marcus Group
Maximize Visibility and Engagement with 300-inches of Vibrant, Bright Pictures in Home-Based, Small-to-Medium Work Environments and Beyond

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Workplaces continue to evolve, and today's hybrid work culture is relying heavily on remote participation and collaboration. Designed to maximize visibility and engagement, Epson today introduced the new Pro EX11000 3LCD Full HD 1080p Wireless Laser Projector  a perfect multi-use display solution for the evolving workplace. With a high-performance laser light source, 4,600 lumens of color and white brightness1 and 3-chip 3LCD technology, the Pro EX11000 delivers vivid, immersive images up to 300-inches. Redefining versatility with a compact form factor and range of connectivity options for cultivating collaboration during video conferencing, the Pro EX11000 makes projecting impactful pictures virtually anywhere simple  even with lights on.

Epson releases versatile Pro EX11000 Wireless Laser Projector to promote collaboration across hybrid workplaces Tweet this New Epson Pro EX11000 promotes collaboration and versatility across hybrid work environments

"As the dynamics of work environments continue to shift, it is critical that technology evolves to meet the needs of today's hybrid workers," said Rodrigo Catalan, group product manager, Epson America, Inc. "One-way communication is a thing of the past. The Pro EX11000 projector promotes efficient and effective communication by allowing a range of content to be projected onto a screen at once, enhancing active dialogue between team members whether remote or in person."

An ideal display solution for various markets and end users, including small-to-medium businesses, home-based businesses, hybrid workers, and IT managers, the Pro EX11000 comes with a virtually maintenance free 20,000-hour laser light source2 and ensures important presentation details aren't missed with high dynamic contrast ratio and Best-in-Class Color Brightness.3 With 3-chip 3LCD technology, users will experience remarkable color accuracy while maintaining color brightness and with easy-to-use image adjustments, 1  1.6x optical zoom, auto vertical correction and more, the Pro EX11000 can be up and running in no time. Plus, its built-in 16 W speaker delivers high-quality sound straight out of the box for impactful multi-media presentations and easy listening during Zoom meetings and video conferences.

As one of Epson's most advanced collaboration projectors to date for both the home-based and small-to-medium business sector, the Pro EX11000 is available to pick up at local retailers and online today. Designed with convenience in mind, it offers a multitude of connectivity options, including two HDMI ports and a USB port to connect popular streaming devices, including Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast4 to also enjoy shows or movies on the big screen.

Additional feature details include:

Exceptional brightness 1  4,600 lumens of color and white brightness 1 ideal for displaying video conferences, large-group presentations, spreadsheets and videos, even in a well-lit room

 4,600 lumens of color and white brightness ideal for displaying video conferences, large-group presentations, spreadsheets and videos, even in a well-lit room High-performance laser light source  20,000 hours virtually maintenance-free laser light source 2 delivers incredible brightness with no bulbs to replace

 20,000 hours virtually maintenance-free laser light source delivers incredible brightness with no bulbs to replace Display stunning life-sized images up to 300-inches  featuring a 1080p picture 16 times larger than a 75-inch flat panel, users can simultaneously display meeting participants and content in striking clarity during virtual meetings, video conferencing and business presentations

 featuring a 1080p picture 16 times larger than a 75-inch flat panel, users can simultaneously display meeting participants and content in striking clarity during virtual meetings, video conferencing and business presentations Versatile connectivity  including screen mirroring with Miracast  , two HDMI  ports and USB power, so you can easily video conference and connect streaming devices, such as Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast 4

 including screen mirroring with Miracast , two HDMI ports and USB power, so you can easily video conference and connect streaming devices, such as Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku and Chromecast True 3-chip 3LCD technology  displays 100% of the RGB color signal for every frame, providing outstanding color accuracy while maintaining excellent color brightness, without any distracting "rainbowing" or "color brightness" issues seen with other projection technologies

 displays 100% of the RGB color signal for every frame, providing outstanding color accuracy while maintaining excellent color brightness, without any distracting "rainbowing" or "color brightness" issues seen with other projection technologies Get up and running in no time  with easy image adjustments and convenient control like 1 1.6x optical zoom, horizontal slider and auto vertical correction

 with easy image adjustments and convenient control like 1 1.6x optical zoom, horizontal slider and auto vertical correction Built-in picture skew sensor  automatically analyzes the picture and instantly corrects the vertical keystone to help square the image

 automatically analyzes the picture and instantly corrects the vertical keystone to help square the image Astounding dynamic contrast ratio up to 100,000:1  provides exceptionally crisp, rich detail for graphs, images and videos

Availability

The Pro EX11000 Full UHD 1080p Wireless Laser Projector (MSRP $1,299) is available now through the Epson online store and select retailers. The Pro EX11000 comes with a standard one-year limited projector warranty, full-unit replacement and free technical phone support for the life of the product.

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will vary depending on usage conditions. Color light output measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4; white light output measured in accordance with ISO 21118.

2 No required maintenance for the light source for up to 20,000 hours. Approximate time until brightness decreases 50% from first usage. Measured by acceleration test assuming use of 0.04 - 0.20 mg/m3 of particulate matter. Time varies depending on usage conditions and environment. Replacement of parts other than the light source may be required in a shorter period.

3 Brightness (Color Light Output) in brightest mode, measured by a third-party lab in accordance with IDMS 15.4. Top selling Epson 3LCD projectors versus comparable 1-chip DLP projectors based on NPD sales data for January 2022 to December 2022. COLOR BRIGHTNESS WILL VARY BASED ON USAGE CONDITIONS.

4 Requires wireless network connection of 5 Mbps or faster. Some apps require paid subscriptions.

EPSON is a registered trademark and the EPSON logo is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. Apple TV is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Chromecast is a trademark of Google LLC. Miracast is a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
Net zero affordable neighborhood demonstrates the importance of natural gas in a sustainable future for all

NAPERVILLE, Ill. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicor Gas, Southern Company and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity announced today the groundbreaking of a new community designed to be carbon-neutral and achieve net-zero in Aurora, Illinois. The largest natural gas distributor in the state is partnering with the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliate to offer new smart homes to first-time home buyers with an emphasis on resiliency and affordability.

Nicor Gas is part of Southern Company Gas, a family of four natural gas distribution companies whose commitment to sustainability includes working towards a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions from operations while delivering quality customer solutions, enriching communities and investing in innovation.

This is Southern Company's first Smart Neighborhood community to be led by a natural gas company and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The project will demonstrate the benefits of a smart building envelope with dual energy solutions to shine a spotlight on affordable, sustainable living.

"Nicor Gas has always been committed to giving back to our community, and this neighborhood is an extremely powerful symbol of that commitment. Through this project, we not only demonstrate the important role that we play in advancing Illinois' clean energy goals, but we put on display how dual energy solutions can create affordable, sustainable solutions for customers," said Meena Beyers, vice president of Community and Business Development at Nicor Gas. "Habitat for Humanity is a dream partner that shares the same values in providing first-time home buyers an affordable, resilient, sustainable future."

Smart Neighborhood is a trademarked brand of Southern Company, the ultimate parent company of Nicor Gas. Smart Neighborhoods advance energy technologies that work together as a part of an affordable, reliable clean energy economy. They lead to job creation, diverse business partnerships, economic development and green transportation.

"Habitat for Humanity has led with the philosophy that home buying provides stability and resiliency to our first-time home buyers. In partnering with Nicor Gas on these neighborhoods designed to achieve net zero, we are further supporting our goals with smart energy solutions and technology that will empower our homeowners through energy bill affordability and tremendous resiliency during inclement weather," said Jeffrey Barrett, CEO and executive director of Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The 17 homes in the Aurora development will be part of Nicor Gas' Smart Neighborhood, where each technology-enhanced home will be served with clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service and supplemented by rooftop solar installations, high-efficiency building envelopes and in-home battery energy storage. These homes have been designed to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions, which refers to the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions, where the home saves more carbon dioxide emissions than consumers produce to power, heat and cool the home on an annual basis.

The homes will offer the following features:

Solar panels

Battery storage

Smart electric panel

Insulating concrete form walls

Spray foam

Energy efficient windows

Energy recovery ventilation unit

LED lighting

Federal funding for the neighborhood was secured by U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) of the 11th District.

"In Congress, it has always been one of my top priorities to ensure the communities I represent receive their fair share of federal resources," said U.S. Congressman Foster. "That's why I was proud to secure $1.25 million in federal funding to provide the infrastructure for this Smart Neighborhood . Not only will this project help 17 families achieve the dream of home ownership, but it will also invest in the technologies that are integral to our clean energy future."

The neighborhood in Aurora is one of two new smart neighborhoods being developed by Habitat for Humanity and Nicor Gas. The second one in Northern Fox Valley is slated to break ground in late 2024. To learn more about the Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood and the projects' partners, visit ngsmartneighborhoods.com.

About Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

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 approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with 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.

SOURCE Nicor Gas
Singapore is a Global-Asia node for MICE and business. As a gateway to the fast-growing Asia Pacific region and home to a vibrant business community, Singapore was chosen as the host destination for the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, offering access to new partnerships and business ideas.

Featuring Asian and international destinations, venues, hotels and other key suppliers, the event will be supported by an exclusive hosted buyer programme, bringing senior meetings, conventions, events and incentives buyers to a bustling tradeshow floor. A unique prescheduled meetings platform will provide an intimate platform to do business, as well as a conference providing a thought-provoking education programme and a series of high-quality networking events.

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is an extension of the long standing 'The Meetings Show' brand, which takes place annually in London, and will further complement Northstar Meetings Group's global portfolio of media, events, information & marketing solutions.

Jason Young, CEO, Northstar Travel Group, said: "With our continued commitment to greater serve the APAC region, our depth of industry knowledge and the experienced meetings professionals who work in our UK, Singapore and US offices, it became apparent there was an opportunity to bring our world class experiences to the Asia Pacific meetings market under the established and successful brand of The Meetings Show."

Commenting on the launch, Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "We are pleased to welcome the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific in Singapore, an ideal platform for global MICE businesses to network, forge new relations and grow their businesses. The choice of Singapore as host affirms our position as the preferred destination for MICE events here in the region. We look forward to welcoming The Meetings Show Asia Pacific participants to Singapore in 2024."

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific will add to the Northstar Meetings Group's leading brands, which include: Meetings & Conventions (M&C), M&C Asia, Successful Meetings, Incentive, Association Meetings International (AMI), Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT), SportsTravel, as well as 22 hosted buyer events including: The Meetings Show, SMU International, M&C/Asia Connections, the Global Incentive Summit, the TEAMS Conference and Expo, TEAMS Europe and the Esports Travel Summit, to name a few.

For more information visit www.themeetingsshow-apac.com.

Notes to Editors

About Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.2m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstarttravelgroup.com

About EagleTree Capital

EagleTree Capital is a leading New York-based middle-market private equity firm that has completed over 40 private equity investments and over 90 add-on transactions over the past 20+ years. EagleTree primarily invests in North America in the following sectors: media and business services, consumer, and water and specialty industrial. For more information, visit www.eagletree.com or find EagleTree on LinkedIn

SOURCE Northstar Travel Group
The technology-driven plasma collection company introduces its modern approach to a new market.

CROSSVILLE, Tenn., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Parachute and the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Crossville's first plasma donation center. Parachute offers Tennessee residents the opportunity to turn their compassion into compensation by donating life-saving plasma.

Parachute's mission is to increase national access to plasma by introducing thoughtfully designed plasma donation centers to new communities, offering an innovative approach to plasma donation with a mobile app.

Parachute allows members to manage their donation payments and book visits through a mobile app.

"By reimagining the donation experience with welcoming and modern centers, seamless scheduling, and customer engagement touchpoints, we're able to create a meaningful experience for our members," said Wayne Sharp, Parachute's VP of Operations. "We're thrilled to be open in Tennessee and serve as a community partner. In addition to donor compensation, our centers create healthcare-oriented jobs and support for local businesses."

"We're excited to celebrate this milestone and welcome Parachute into our community," said Ethan Hadley, President of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. "On behalf of our members, we want to thank you for investing in Crossville and creating an opportunity for our residents to earn additional income while making a positive impact."

Parachute combines technology and hospitality with donor experience, allowing members to schedule donations, receive customer support, and manage payments through a mobile app. Parachute offers members a unique loyalty-driven earning structure, a referral program, and monthly bonus opportunities.

The new plasma donation center is located at 2463 N Main Street in Crossville, Tennessee. To schedule a donation download the Parachute app .

About Parachute

Delivering the best experience possible to as many plasma donors as possible. Parachute's mission is to increase national access to life-saving plasma by reimagining the plasma donation experience into one that is modern and convenient. To learn more about Parachute, visit www.joinparachute.com

SOURCE Join Parachute, LLC

SOURCE Join Parachute, LLC
Opinion / Columnist

In the realm of political campaigns, the power of a strong message cannot be underestimated. It has the potential to resonate deeply with the electorate, capturing their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. One such campaign that has captured the attention of the people of Zimbabwe is the presidential campaign of Savior Kasukuwere. With its central themes of hope and opportunity, Kasukuwere's campaign seeks to address the pressing issues faced by Zimbabweans and offer a vision for a brighter future. In this opinion piece, we will analyse the relevance of Kasukuwere's message to the people of Zimbabwe through the lens of political theories and user stories, highlighting its potential impact on the nation.The Context of Zimbabwe:To fully understand the significance of Kasukuwere's campaign, it is essential to provide some context about the state of Zimbabwe. For years, the country has faced economic challenges, political unrest, and social disparities. The legacy of colonialism, coupled with a tumultuous political landscape, has left many Zimbabweans disillusioned and yearning for change. Against this backdrop, Kasukuwere's message of hope and opportunity carries a profound resonance.Hope as a Political Force:One of the central tenets of Kasukuwere's campaign is the promise of hope. Hope, as a political force, has been a recurring theme in political theories throughout history. Scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Ernst Bloch have emphasized the transformative power of hope in shaping political movements. Arendt argues that hope, as a basis for action, is essential for bringing about change and resisting oppressive regimes. Bloch, on the other hand, highlights hope as a driving force for a utopian future, inspiring individuals to strive for a better society.Kasukuwere's campaign taps into this political theory by presenting a hopeful vision for Zimbabwe's future. By acknowledging the challenges faced by the nation while offering concrete solutions, Kasukuwere aims to instil a sense of optimism among the people. Through his message, he aims to empower Zimbabweans, encouraging them to believe in a future where their aspirations can be realized.Opportunity for All:Alongside hope, Kasukuwere's campaign emphasizes the importance of opportunity. Inequality and limited access to resources have long plagued Zimbabwean society, hindering progress and stifling social mobility. Kasukuwere's focus on providing equal opportunities for all resonates with the theories of social justice advocated by scholars such as John Rawls and Amartya Sen.Rawls' theory of justice as fairness posits that a just society should be structured to benefit the least advantaged members. Kasukuwere's message aligns with this notion, as he pledges to implement policies that prioritize the welfare of marginalized communities and address the root causes of inequality. Similarly, Sen's capability approach emphasizes the importance of providing individuals with the resources and opportunities necessary to lead a fulfilling life. Kasukuwere's promise to expand access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities reflects the core principles of this theory.User Stories: Bridging Theory and RelevanceTo truly assess the relevance of Kasukuwere's message to the people of Zimbabwe, it is crucial to examine user storiesreal-life experiences of individuals who have faced the challenges that his campaign seeks to address. User stories provide a tangible connection between political theory and the lived realities of the people.Consider the story of Tendai, a young Zimbabwean who dreams of pursuing higher education but lacks the financial means to do so. Kasukuwere's campaign promise to expand access to education resonates deeply with Tendai, as it offers her a glimmer of hope for realizing her aspirations. By providing affordable education options and scholarships, Kasukuwere's vision aligns with Tendai's own desire for a brighter future. Tendai sees in Kasukuwere's message the potential to overcome the barriers that have held her back and open doors to new opportunities.Another user story involves Musa, a small-scale farmer struggling to make ends meet due to limited access to resources and market opportunities. Kasukuwere's emphasis on agricultural reforms and support for local farmers strikes a chord with Musa's daily struggles. The promise of improved infrastructure, access to credit, and fair market practices gives Musa hope that his hard work will be rewarded and his livelihood will improve. Kasukuwere's campaign resonates with Musa's desire for equal opportunities in the agricultural sector, where he can thrive and contribute to the nation's economy.These user stories highlight the relevance of Kasukuwere's campaign message to the people of Zimbabwe. By addressing the specific challenges faced by individuals like Tendai and Musa, Kasukuwere demonstrates an understanding of the diverse needs and aspirations of the populace. His focus on hope and opportunity provides a sense of empowerment to those who have been marginalized or overlooked, offering a vision of a more inclusive and equitable society.Challenges and Criticisms:While Kasukuwere's campaign message holds promise, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and potential criticisms associated with his candidacy. Political campaigns are complex endeavours, and translating promises into tangible outcomes requires effective governance, policy implementation, and collaboration with various stakeholders.One potential criticism of Kasukuwere's campaign could stem from scepticism regarding the feasibility and sustainability of his proposed policies. Critics may question the financial resources required to enact sweeping reforms and how they will be obtained without exacerbating the existing economic challenges facing Zimbabwe. It is crucial for Kasukuwere to provide detailed plans and engage in transparent dialogue to address these concerns, ensuring that his promises are backed by sound strategies.Additionally, critics may argue that the themes of hope and opportunity are not unique to Kasukuwere's campaign and have been echoed by previous candidates. It is important for Kasukuwere to differentiate himself by presenting innovative ideas, concrete action plans, and a track record of successful implementation. By demonstrating his ability to turn rhetoric into tangible results, he can establish credibility and build trust with the electorate.Conclusion:Savior Kasukuwere's presidential campaign, centred around the themes of hope and opportunity, offers a vision for a brighter future for the people of Zimbabwe. By drawing upon political theories and connecting them with user stories, we have examined the relevance of his message in addressing the pressing issues faced by the nation. Kasukuwere's emphasis on hope as a political force resonates with the aspirations of the people, while his focus on providing equal opportunities aligns with theories of social justice.Through user stories, we have witnessed the potential impact of Kasukuwere's campaign on individuals like Tendai and Musa, who yearn for a society that provides them with the means to pursue their dreams and improve their lives. However, challenges and potential criticisms must be acknowledged and addressed for his campaign to succeed.Ultimately, the effectiveness of Kasukuwere's campaign message will be determined by the extent to which he can translate his promises into practical policies and tangible outcomes. The people of Zimbabwe, weary from years of economic and social challenges, are seeking a leader who can deliver on their aspirations for a better future. It is now up to Kasukuwere to prove his ability to transform hope into reality and provide genuine opportunities for all Zimbabweans.
NEW YORK and MIAMI, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Parkinson's Foundation has announced the expansion of its Global Care Network with the addition of four Centers of Excellence and four Comprehensive Care Centers. The expansion recognizes those Centers that are providing excellent care to people with Parkinson's disease (PD) within a broad geographic region, including the first-ever designations in Wisconsin and Washington, as well as in Japan.

The number of people living with Parkinson's in the U.S. is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. A central priority of the Foundation is to ensure that all people with PD can obtain the care and support they need to improve their health and quality of life.

"The newly designated Centers join a network that is setting the highest standard of care for people with Parkinson's in the U.S. and internationally," said John L. Lehr, president and CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. "With our latest Network expansion, we are proud to further our commitment to improving the health and quality of life for people with Parkinson's by recognizing providers offering exceptional care in their communities."

Centers of Excellence and Comprehensive Care Centers must demonstrate exemplary multidisciplinary care, with Centers of Excellence playing a vital role in leading the PD field in advancing clinical research. These designations recognize medical centers that excel in utilizing a specialized, multidisciplinary team-based approach to provide the highest level of evidence-based, patient-centered care; demonstrate leadership in professional training; and conduct impactful patient education and community outreach. The four newly designated Parkinson's Foundation Centers of Excellence include:

University of Michigan Health ( Ann Arbor, MI )

Health ( ) University of California, Davis Health Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration ( Sacramento, CA )

Health Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration ( ) Stanford Movement Disorders Center ( Palo Alto, CA )

) Juntendo University Hospital ( Tokyo, Japan )

The four newly designated Parkinson's Foundation Comprehensive Care Centers include:

The Ohio State University Center for Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders ( Columbus, OH )

Center for Parkinson's Disease and Other Movement Disorders ( ) University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio ( San Antonio, Texas )

( ) Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Institute ( Milwaukee, WI )

Neuroscience Institute ( ) Swedish Movement Disorders Clinic ( Seattle, WA )

"The Stanford Movement Disorders Center is deeply honored to be designated a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence," said Kathleen L. Poston, MD, MS, Edward F. and Irene Thiele Pimley Professor in Neurology and Chief of Movement Disorders for Stanford University. "Through patient care, education and research, our providers and staff embrace the Foundation's mission to make life better for people with Parkinson's disease."

Every center must recertify after five years to ensure requisite standards of care. For a complete listing of Centers of Excellence and Comprehensive Care Centers, visit Parkinson.org/Network.

About the Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. Since 1957, the Parkinson's Foundation has invested more than $425 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).

About Parkinson's Disease

Affecting an estimated one million Americans, Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson's and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.

SOURCE Parkinson's Foundation
Bobby Ritterbeck Named President, Andrew Deringer Named Chief Financial Officer as Part of Leadership Transition

WILMINGTON, Del., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Egg, Inc. today announced the appointment of Paul Ricci as the company's new Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of Jeffrey Meiler. Ricci, who was the founding Chief Financial Officer for the company, brings a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of the organization, and a proven track record of leadership and strategic vision.

As the company's new CEO, Ricci will lead Best Egg into an exciting new chapter, leading strategic growth and innovation. He has an intimate knowledge of Best Egg's operations, having been one of the earliest leaders of the business and an integral contributor to the company's growth and the establishment of its award-winning company culture. The Board and management team are fully supportive of Ricci's ability to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor and drive the company's strategic plans forward.

Jack Klinck, Executive Chair of Best Egg's Board of Directors, expressed his utmost support for the appointment, stating, "With his deep understanding of the Best Egg business cultivated through his tenure as CFO, Paul has proven himself to be an exceptional leader. He has played a vital role in the company's success, driving continued growth and fostering its award-winning culture. The Board is confident that Paul will seamlessly transition into his new role and lead Best Egg to a future filled with success."

"I am honored and excited to be appointed Chief Executive Officer for Best Egg," said Ricci. "Together, with our exceptional team, we will capitalize on opportunities, exceed customer expectations, and drive sustained growth for the company."

As part of Best Egg's leadership transition, Bobby Ritterbeck has been named President and Andrew Deringer has been named Chief Financial Officer. Ritterbeck and Deringer bring significant leadership experience to their respective roles and will continue to contribute to the company's financial growth and stability in their new positions.

These important management changes reflect Best Egg's commitment to maintaining its trajectory of growth and success. The company's performance remains strong and stable, and no anticipated material changes will result from these appointments.

Klinck added, "The Board appreciates Jeffrey Meiler's exceptional leadership in building a high-performing company and fostering a strong organizational culture. His decision to resign was difficult, but ultimately driven by his belief that it was in his and the company's best interest to hand over the reins to the leadership team to guide Best Egg into its next phase of growth."

About Paul Ricci

Paul Ricci joined Best Egg in 2014 and has served as the company's Chief Financial Officer twice, from 2014 to 2017 and since 2020. He has more than 20 years of experience in financial services and direct-to-consumer marketing, and he has held a variety of finance and leadership positions at growth companies in the financial industry. Paul holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from Drexel University.

About Best Egg

Best Egg is the leading financial confidence platform that provides flexible solutions to help people with limited savings confidently navigate their everyday financial lives. Best Egg supports customers through a growing suite of personal loan, credit card, flexible rent, and financial health tools. Leveraging real-time customer insights and data engineering, Best Egg gives more people access to the resources they need to be money confident. For more information, visit www.bestegg.com.

SOURCE Best Egg
The award was presented to Pineapple Financial for developing, harnessing and utilizing technology and digital solutions to elevate its business.



TORONTO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pineapple Financial Inc. (PAPL: Reserved), the tech-focussed mortgage brokerage with an integrated network of partner brokerages and agents across Canada, is proud to announce that they won the Award for Digital Innovation in a Brokerage at the Canadian Mortgage Awards . The award recognizes Pineapple's commitment to technology and digital innovation in the mortgage industry. Pineapple arms its brokers with the right tools and technology to create efficiency in its business and a seamless customer experience for its clients.

"At Pineapple Financial, we pride ourselves in thinking differently and approaching human challenges from a unique and fresh perspective," said Kendall Marin, Co-Founder, President, and COO of Pineapple Financial Inc. "This award and all we have achieved to date would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our Technology Team. The mortgage industry has evolved more in the past five years than in the previous five decades, and Pineapple is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution."

Pineapple utilizes cloud-based applications and data-driven systems enabling its mortgage brokers to help Canadians realize their ultimate dream of home ownership. With a focus on solving broker and client challenges through technology, Pineapple is revolutionizing the Canadian Mortgage industry.

About Pineapple

Pineapple is a leader in the Canadian mortgage industry, breaking the mold by focusing on both the long-term success of agents and brokerages and the overall experience of homeowners. With approximately 700 brokers within the network, Pineapple utilizes cutting-edge cloud-based tools and AI-driven systems to enable its brokers to help Canadians realize their ultimate dream of owning a home. Pineapple is active within the community, and proud to sponsor cancer charities across Canada, where proceeds from every transaction go to improving the lives of fellow Canadians touched by cancer. Visit www.gopineapple.com for more information.

About the Canadian Mortgage Awards

For 17 years now, the annual Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs) have been recognized as the leading independent awards program in the mortgage industry. The awards showcase the leading brokers, brokerages, lenders, BDMs, underwriters and service providers for their outstanding achievements, best practices and leadership in the mortgage business over the past 12 months. The CMAs are presented by CMP, the resources of choice for the country's most forward-thinking mortgage professionals

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @pineapplemortgage @empoweredbypineapple

Facebook: Pineapple Mortgage

LinkedIn: Pineapple Mortgage

Related Links

https://gopineapple.com

http://empoweredbypineapple.com

SOURCE Pineapple Financial Inc.
Seven-Time PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright Joins Team Polaris Rodeo

MINNEAPOLIS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Polaris Off Road , the global leader in powersports and off-road innovation, has announced its 2023 Texas Rodeo Tour, including a presence at seven marquee events in the heart of rodeo country, and unveiled the 2023 Team Polaris rodeo athletes.

Headlining Team Polaris in 2023 is their newest signee, 23-year-old and seven-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion Stetson Wright. The Utah native sensation is currently ranked the No. 1 Saddle Bronc Rider and the No. 4 Bull Rider in the world. Stetson comes from a family of Saddle Bronc champions and started competing in rodeo in fourth grade. Stetson will be joining Team Polaris alongside fellow champion athletes:

Tyson Durfey , Texas Native and National Finals Rodeo Champion

, Texas Native and National Finals Rodeo Champion Sage Kimzey , Texas Native and seven-time PRCA World Champion

, Texas Native and seven-time PRCA World Champion Lisa Lockhart , National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion Barrel Racer

, National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion Barrel Racer Kaycee Feild , six-time PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion

"As a longtime sponsor of rodeo, Polaris is proud to be kicking off this year's season with a stacked roster of world champion athletes and support some of the circuit's most challenging rodeos in Texas," said Chris Judson, Vice President, Polaris Off Road Utility. "These five athletes embody characteristics that mirror the core pillars of Polaris Off Road  hard work and dedication  and no matter what is put in front of Team Polaris, these athletes will continue to be the hardest-working athletes in the arena."

While the 2023 PRCA season makes stops all over the country, Polaris has confirmed seven appearances at marquee events in the state of Texas. The Lone Star State is full of passionate fans and Polaris intends to have a greater event presence at those venues to showcase its lineup of hard-working UTVs while supporting its athletes. These events will include:

Kueckelhan Ranch Rodeo  July 27-29, 2023 ( Bonham, TX )

( ) North Texas Fair & Rodeo  August 18-26, 2023 ( Denton, TX )

( ) West Texas Fair and Rodeo  September 7-16, 2023 ( Abilene, TX )

( ) Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo  September 22-30, 2023 ( Pasadena, TX )

( ) Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo  October 5-15, 2023 ( Waco, TX )

( ) Austin County Fair & Rodeo  October 12-14, 2023 ( Bellville, TX )

( ) WRCA Ranch Rodeo Finals  November 9-12, 2023 ( Amarillo, TX )

Polaris Off Road has been a presenting sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association since 2015 and will continue throughout the 2023/2024 season. As presenting sponsor, Polaris provides 24 Polaris RANGER vehicles to the association annually, ensuring officials and personnel have the hardest-working machines capable of handling the toughest duties on the circuit week-in and week-out. By the end of this season, Polaris will have donated 192 vehicles to PRCA members, including the World Champions at the National Finals Rodeo in December.

To learn more about Polaris Off Road vehicles and Team Polaris, please visit polaris.com/en-us/off-road/off-road-events/ or join the conversation and follow on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

SOURCE Polaris Inc.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Porter Capital Corporation, a leading provider of working capital solutions, is proud to announce the successful completion of a financing agreement aimed at enhancing the liquidity and competitive positioning of The Heubach Group, a renowned global pigment producer. In January 2022, Heubach and a private investment firm, acquired Clariant Pigments, resulting in the creation of a major contributor in the pigment technology industry operating under the Heubach brand.

To continue its growth trajectory, The Heubach Group sought the assistance of a financial advisory firm, which introduced them to Bob Reagan, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Porter Capital Corporation. With over 20 years of experience in business funding and extensive global connections, Reagan is an invaluable resource for orchestrating substantial transactions involving multinational corporations. Reflecting on the collaboration, Reagan stated, "It was a privilege to collaborate with European business leaders and navigate the complexities of this large-scale deal, ensuring working capital availability for Heubach's ongoing and future growth initiatives."

As a leading global provider of organic, inorganic, and anti-corrosive pigments, pigment preparations, and dyes, Heubach is recognized for its technological advancements and commitment to quality. With its global presence, Heubach operates across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa through its nineteen state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Jerry Sahi, Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Heubach Group, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I cannot overstate the outstanding leadership exhibited by Porter Capital and the seamless collaboration with their team. Despite the complexity of the deal, the Porter team remained dedicated and efficient. In three words the Porter Capital team is forthright, transparent, and most importantly agile, enabling the swift provision of working capital without bureaucratic hurdles that often delay results."

With a track record spanning over three decades, Porter Capital Corporation offers working capital solutions to companies operating in various industries nationwide. Throughout its history, Porter Capital has successfully provided over $8 billion in funding to both domestic and global companies with a presence in the United States. From startups to large enterprises, Porter Capital is adept at assisting companies with expansion efforts, facilitating acquisitions, and effectively managing unforeseen cash flow challenges.

John Cox Miller, Senior Vice President of Sales at Porter Capital, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Porter Capital is thrilled to be part of Heubach's continued success story and collaborate with their global leadership to provide the necessary working capital for liquidity, market expansion, and potential new acquisitions."

About Heubach Group

With a tradition of delivering excellence that stretches back over 200 years, the Heubach name is synonymous with innovation, attention to customer needs, and reliability in creating colors. Today's Heubach is a global industry leader in the field of pigments, pigment preparations, dyes, colorants, and specialty materials. Heubach is committed to the reliable supply of high-quality materials to meet customers demanding production environments. Sustainability is a part of the Heubach DNA. Heubach has a global manufacturing footprint including 19 facilities around the globe and generates approximately 1 billion in annual sales. For more information, please visit www.heubach.com.

About Porter Capital Group

Porter Capital Corporation was founded in 1991 by brothers Marc and Donald Porter in Birmingham, AL. Porter offers working-capital solutions to businesses all over the country in a variety of industries. As a direct lender and factoring company, Porter Capital has provided over $8 billion in funding since its inception. Porter Capital offers Invoice Factoring and Asset Based Credit Lines up to $40 million. Since founding the company, Porter Capital has expanded to include a special transportation division known as Porter Freight Funding. The Porter businesses continue to grow by providing working capital solutions, emphasizing personalized, dedicated customer service without sacrificing speed and efficiency. To know more about Porter Capital Corporation and how it can be a working capital solution provider for businesses, call 1-888-865-7678 or visit its official website, portercap.com.

CONTACT: Michelle Milhoan, Vice President of Marketing, [email protected]

SOURCE Porter Capital
State of Minnesota acquires 15 TACS systems for Virtual Weigh Stations to aid their goal to improve highway safety by working with providers of commercial transportation to enhance the safety of their operations

The TACS systems will be used to screen commercial vehicles for unsafe tire conditions

SASKATOON, SK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - International Road Dynamics Inc. ("IRD"), a Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") company (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), announced today that the company has been awarded a contract to supply 15 Tire Anomaly and Classification Systems ("TACS") for the Minnesota Department of Transportation ("MnDOT"). The new systems will be used by Minnesota State Patrol for commercial vehicle enforcement purposes. The financial terms of the contract are confidential.

IRD will add 15 TACS to five existing Virtual Weigh Station sites that are being used by the Minnesota State Patrol for weight enforcement and by MnDOT for traffic data collection. IRD's Virtual Weigh Station software is a web-based solution for remotely viewing vehicle records, including weights from weigh-in-motion sensors.

The TACS will integrate directly with the Virtual Weigh Station interface to display the precise location of unsafe tires on vehicles that cross the TACS sensors. Mobile enforcement teams stationed downstream from the checkpoints will be able to identify trucks with tire anomalies such as flat, missing, or underinflated tires. On the basis of the TACS screening, they will issue citations to noncompliant vehicles' operators, requiring them to be out of service until the unsafe tire defects are corrected.

"MnDOT's decision to upgrade their Virtual Weigh Station systems with TACS shows how important tire anomaly screening is for the State's efforts to improve commercial vehicle safety," said Rish Malhotra, IRD President and CEO. "TACS' unparalleled accuracy in detecting tire problems for actionable Out-of-Service violations makes the system the leading solution for ensuring commercial vehicles are operating with safe, compliant tires."

About IRD

IRD is a dynamic technology company engaged in developing key components and advanced systems for the next generation of transportation networks. Together with subsidiaries PAT Traffic and IRD Europe (ICOMS Detections, Sensor Line and VDS), IRD supplies Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to private corporations, transportation agencies, and highway authorities around the world. IRD's systems make highways safer, greener, and more efficient. Known globally as a trusted partner providing sales, service, and installation support on major ITS projects for over 40 years, IRD contributes to creating smarter cities by empowering engineering and urban planning professionals to access reliable traffic data. For more information: www.irdinc.com

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a leading provider of tolling and enforcement solutions in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry. Our goal is global leadership in ITS, by organic growth of the Electronic Transaction Consultants, LLC and International Road Dynamics Inc. platforms and by continuing an acquisition-oriented investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS and its adjacent markets. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information, please visit www.quarterhill.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding IRD, Quarterhill and their businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by IRD and/or Quarterhill in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, as well as other factors that IRD and/or Quarterhill believe are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting IRD and/or Quarterhill, including, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 22, 2023 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "AIF"). Copies of the AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com. IRD and Quarterhill recommend that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of IRD's forward-looking statements. IRD has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Quarterhill Inc.
Company recognized in the RX  Brand line of business for its long-standing work and partnership supporting Premier, Inc's hospital and health system membership

SUGAR LAND, Texas, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QuVa Pharma, Inc. announced today that it received the 2023 Supplier Legacy Award from Premier, Inc., a leading healthcare improvement and technology company that unites an alliance of more than 4,400 U.S. hospitals and health systems and approximately 250,000 other providers and organizations.

QuVa was recognized for its long-standing support of Premier members through exceptional local customer service and engagement, value creation through clinical excellence, and commitment to lower costs. Supplier Legacy Award winners have a tenure of more than three years as a Premier contracted supplier.

"We are honored to be recognized by Premier as a 2023 Supplier Legacy Award winner. We value the partnership with Premier and its membership and remain committed to providing them peace of mind through developing and delivering the highest quality 503B services and solutions that allow them to excel in their roles," said Michael Scouvart, Chief Commercial Officer at QuVa. "We understand that quality, reliability, and greater access to sterile injectables medicines are paramount for hospitals and health systems to address the myriad of issues they face in today's pharmaceutical supply chain, and QuVa backs that with a service oriented approach and continued investments in our platform and capabilities to ensure customers always have an answer. Each of QuVa's over 1,000 colleagues are proud to know that the work they do every day is recognized and valued by Premier and its members, and ultimately results in higher quality and safer patient care."

"QuVa supports Premier members by offering valuable products and services that help to lower supply chain costs and improve operating efficiencies," said David A. Hargraves, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at Premier. "Given the current economic times and post pandemic supply chain challenges, we're honored to recognize QuVa as a Supplier Legacy Award recipient."

The Supplier Legacy Award was formally presented to QuVa Pharma on June 21, 2023, at Premier's annual Breakthroughs Conference & Exhibition.

For product ordering inquiries please contact QuVa Pharma Customer Service at 888.339.0874 or via email at: [email protected].

About QuVa Pharma, Inc.

QuVa Pharma is a national, industry-leading, FDA registered 503B outsourcing services company that provides hospitals with essential medications in ready-to-administer injectable formats that are critical for effective patient care. QuVa was purpose-built to change the 503B industry for the better and is leading the way with unmatched expertise in cGMPs and sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, and the highest quality and safety standards so hospitals can more confidently and reliably focus on patient care. While leading cGMP processes, broad sterile-to-sterile product portfolio, and expansive capacity of 300,000 sq. ft. across four facilities are the foundation of success, it is with customer-focused services, transparency, and a patient-safety orientation that we help hospitals better meet their patient care and operational needs. For more information, please visit www.quvapharma.com or follow QuVa on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/quvapharma-inc-/.

SOURCE QuVa Pharma, Inc.
NEW YORK, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ready to drink cocktails market report goes into detail on market segmentation by distribution channel (hypermarkets/supermarkets, online, and liquor stores), type (spirit-based, wine-based, and malt-based), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). During the projection period, the hypermarket and supermarket segments will gain considerable market share. Customers are drawn to hypermarkets and supermarkets because they provide a wide range of brands and stock-keeping units (SKUs) at cheap pricing.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Ready To Drink Cocktails Market

According to projections, the market size will grow by USD 748.7 million. Additionally, due to both the gradual reduction in the excise tax on alcohol and the growing appeal of low-alcohol flavor RTD cocktails, recent years have seen an increase in alcohol consumption and spending in the US. Therefore, all of these factors will promote regional market growth during the anticipated period.

Between 2022 and 2027, the market for hearing aid is anticipated to expand at a CAGR CAGR of 12.42%.

Major ready to drink cocktails market trends

Consumers in industrialized nations such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and France have grown more health-conscious which is resulting in Increasing demand for non-alcoholic flavored beverages such as lemon, cranberry, orange, and passionfruit. The alcohol level of these cocktails ranges from 4% to 7%. As a result, low alcohol by volume (ABV) flavored beverages have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Know more about the trends such as global expansion of convenience items along with market challenges. Click here to get the sample report!

About ready to drink cocktails market customer landscape & market vendors

The research covers the market's adoption lifecycle, from the innovator's stage through the laggard's stage. It focuses on penetration-based adoption rates in various areas. Furthermore, the research offers important buying criteria and price sensitivity drivers to assist businesses in evaluating and developing their development strategy.

Major market vendors

The market is driven by the presence of several vendors, such as Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV and Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. to attract customers, suppliers in the target market are also spending in new and imaginative marketing efforts. Effective marketing strategies can aid in the segment's growth throughout the projection term.

Learn more about vendors such as Brown Forman Corp., Crook and Marker LLC, Cutwater Spirits LLC, and other vendors in the market. Click here to get sample reports for more insights!

Regional Insights

During the projection period, North America is expected to contribute 37% of worldwide market growth. 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!

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Related Reports:

Ready to Drink (RTD) Alcoholic Beverages Market: The ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverages market is expected to increase at a 5.81% CAGR between 2022 and 2027. The market is expected to grow by USD 8,028.52 million.

India Ready to Cook Market: The Indian ready-to-cook market is expected to develop at a 7.12% CAGR between 2022 and 2027. The market's size is expected to grow by USD 488.97 million. The market's expansion is influenced by a number of reasons, including a growing appetite for convenience food products among the working population, new product releases, and an altering retail landscape.

Ready To Drink Cocktails Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 164 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.42% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 748.7 million Market structure USD Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 11.43 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 37% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV, Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Bacardi Ltd., Brown Forman Corp., Crook and Marker LLC, Cutwater Spirits LLC, Davide Campari Milano NV, Diageo Plc, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc., House of Monaco, Lucas Bols Amsterdam BV, Manly Spirits Co., Miami Cocktail Co Inc., MIKES HARD LEMONADE Co., Molson Coors Beverage Co., SHANGHAI BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd., Snake Oil Cocktail Co., VOSA SPIRITS LLC, Becle S.A.B. de C.V., and NEXT CENTURY SPIRITS LLC Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Don't miss out on critical insights, purchase our report now!

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Type



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global ready to drink cocktails market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global ready to drink cocktails market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Distribution channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Distribution channel Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

6.3 Hypermarkets/supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Hypermarkets/supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Hypermarkets/supermarkets - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Hypermarkets/supermarkets - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Hypermarkets/supermarkets - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Liquor stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Liquor stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Liquor stores - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Liquor stores - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Liquor stores - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Type

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Type

7.3 Spirit-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Spirit-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Spirit-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Spirit-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Spirit-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Wine-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Wine-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Wine-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Wine-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Wine-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Malt-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Malt-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Malt-based - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Malt-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Malt-based - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Type ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 64: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 65: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 67: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: 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 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 110: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 111: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 112: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 113: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 114: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 115: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV

Exhibit 116: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Overview



Exhibit 117: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Business segments



Exhibit 118: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 119: Anheuser Busch InBev SA NV - Segment focus

12.4 Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 120: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 122: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 123: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 124: Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

12.5 Bacardi Ltd.

Exhibit 125: Bacardi Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 126: Bacardi Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 127: Bacardi Ltd. - Key offerings

12.6 Brown Forman Corp.

Exhibit 128: Brown Forman Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 129: Brown Forman Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 130: Brown Forman Corp. - Key offerings

12.7 Crook and Marker LLC

Exhibit 131: Crook and Marker LLC - Overview



Exhibit 132: Crook and Marker LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 133: Crook and Marker LLC - Key offerings

12.8 Cutwater Spirits LLC

Exhibit 134: Cutwater Spirits LLC - Overview



Exhibit 135: Cutwater Spirits LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 136: Cutwater Spirits LLC - Key offerings

12.9 Davide Campari Milano NV

Exhibit 137: Davide Campari Milano NV - Overview



Exhibit 138: Davide Campari Milano NV - Business segments



Exhibit 139: Davide Campari Milano NV - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: Davide Campari Milano NV - Segment focus

12.10 Diageo Plc

Exhibit 141: Diageo Plc - Overview



Exhibit 142: Diageo Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Diageo Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Diageo Plc - Segment focus

12.11 Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc.

Exhibit 145: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 146: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 147: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc. - Key offerings

12.12 Lucas Bols Amsterdam BV

Exhibit 148: Lucas Bols Amsterdam BV - Overview



Exhibit 149: Lucas Bols Amsterdam BV - Product / Service



Exhibit 150: Lucas Bols Amsterdam BV - Key offerings

12.13 Miami Cocktail Co Inc.

Exhibit 151: Miami Cocktail Co Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Miami Cocktail Co Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Miami Cocktail Co Inc. - Key offerings

12.14 MIKES HARD LEMONADE Co.

Exhibit 154: MIKES HARD LEMONADE Co. - Overview



Exhibit 155: MIKES HARD LEMONADE Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 156: MIKES HARD LEMONADE Co. - Key offerings

12.15 Molson Coors Beverage Co.

Exhibit 157: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Overview



Exhibit 158: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 159: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Molson Coors Beverage Co. - Segment focus

12.16 SHANGHAI BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd.

BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. Exhibit 161: SHANGHAI BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. - Overview

BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. - Overview

Exhibit 162: SHANGHAI BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. - Product / Service

BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. - Product / Service

Exhibit 163: SHANGHAI BACCHUS LIQUOR Co. Ltd. - Key offerings

12.17 Snake Oil Cocktail Co.

Exhibit 164: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. - Overview



Exhibit 165: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. - Product / Service



Exhibit 166: Snake Oil Cocktail Co. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 167: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 168: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 169: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 170: Research methodology



Exhibit 171: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 172: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 173: List of abbreviations



About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis 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
Issued by TechBehemoths.com: https://techbehemoths.com/blog/future-ai-european-union

BERLIN, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The discussions surrounding the regulation of Language Models (LLMs) in the European Union (EU) have gained momentum since Italy's temporary ban and subsequent reintroduction of ChatGPT. Over the past few months, there have been lively debates, both online and offline, involving EU officials and Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI.

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in the EU: Impacts and Risks Across Industries

The most recent public declaration came at the end of May 2023 when Altman expressed concerns to Time magazine about OpenAI's potential departure from Europe due to the ongoing negotiations surrounding the new AI Act between the EU Council and Parliament.

However, in early June 2023, Altman held a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following a series of high-level discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

A significant development occurred on May 8, 2023, when an internal document , now classified as public, presented the results of a Europol Innovation Lab Workshop. The document highlighted the potential abuse of LLMs such as ChatGPT by criminals in various areas of crime, including fraud, social engineering, disinformation and propaganda, cybercrime, and child sexual abuse, particularly online grooming of children. The workshop revealed that ChatGPT's ability to generate highly authentic texts based on user prompts enables the rapid and scalable creation of criminal content. Moreover, even individuals with limited technical knowledge can utilize these models to generate malicious codes for cyberattacks.

These findings raise legitimate concerns, suggesting that robust regulation of LLMs, including ChatGPT, may be necessary in the European Union to combat cybercrime, social engineering, and child abuse, among other criminal activities. The EU is determined to take proactive measures to safeguard society from such threats.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the positive role that LLMs can play in assisting law enforcement agencies. The internal document also highlights the potential benefits of LLMs, such as supporting officers in investigating unfamiliar crime areas, facilitating open-source research and intelligence

The research on the Future of AI in the European Union was conducted by TechBehemoths between May 12 - June 10, 2023. The full article is available on techbehemoths.com/blog/future-ai-european-union.

TechBehemoths is the platform that connects projects with IT service providers globally. It is created in Germany and lists 45,000+ reputable IT service providers from 140 countries, that cover 500+ services, from logo design to complex AI and enterprise projects.

Media Contact:

Marcel Sobieski

1-763-630-2768

[email protected]

SOURCE TechBehemoths
LONDON, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- School shootings continue to pose a significant challenge in the United States, prompting an urgent need for comprehensive and innovative solutions. In response to this pressing issue, Adlai Stevenson High School student, Kennedy Molakal, has seized the opportunity during his summer internship at ALCOR's Innovation and Technology Center in conjunction with Tom Goran Skog, a global innovator to spearhead a technological revolution to mitigate this crisis.

Kennedy and his fellow student researchers are working around the clock to develop a spectrum of potential solutions that marry technology and safety. These include rapid response technologies for immediate action during emergencies, AI-based anomaly detection for early threat identification, and enhanced surveillance systems that bolster school security. The team is also exploring inclusive digital mental health platforms and cognitive tests for high-risk profiles, ensuring a comprehensive approach toward safety.

"Every moment we invest in developing these solutions brings us a step closer to creating safer schools," said Molakal. "We believe integrating technology with preemptive mental health support will significantly contribute to preventing such tragic incidents."

The team is harnessing the power of innovation to tackle an issue that has taken a heavy toll on communities nationwide. Their optimism and unwavering commitment reflect a generation unwilling to accept the status quo.

For more information about this initiative or to arrange interviews with Kennedy and his team, please contact ALCOR Innovation at +1 800 507 4489

About ALCOR's Innovation and Technology Center: ALCOR's Innovation and Technology Center is a global hub for fostering creativity and cutting-edge technological advancements. The Center nurtures young innovators like Kennedy, providing them with the resources and platform to turn their innovative ideas into reality.

Mobile : 512 677 4660

www.alcorfund.com



SOURCE ALCOR Capital Inc
(PR handout )

Brandon Taylor never expected to become a novelist. I expected to cure Alzheimers disease, he tells me when we meet at Notes cafe in Kings Cross. Having been enrolled in a graduate biochemistry programme at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Taylor hadnt imagined that there was more that he could do with his life. I had always written little stories, but I very much viewed that as a side thing. But Taylors studies had been thrown into crisis when his experiments were failing, and he was told by his adviser that he may have to leave the lab if he was unable to make them work. And so I thought, well, I need a back-up plan. And my back-up plan was to apply to the Iowa Writers Workshop. So one day I mailed some stories to them and hoped for the best. And then I got in and had to make this choice of do I stay or do I go? I realised that I could live without science, but I tried to imagine a life where I wasnt also writing and it was too painful.

Departing from his doctoral programme in 2016 has, of course, paid off for Taylor. Hes since become something of a literary superstar, releasing three books, two novels and a collection of short stories, within four years. His Booker-shortlisted debut novel, Real Life, set over a summer weekend, focused on a black gay biochemistry student, Wallace, and his disconnection with his Midwestern university town and his barbed interactions with his white friends and colleagues.

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (PR handout)

Taylors latest novel, The Late Americans, is broader. Set in a year fraught with tension, an ensemble cast of predominantly gay men and some women in Iowa City are drawn into each others lives caught up in love, sex, and confrontation. There is the couple Ivan and Goran, the former a dancer attempting to become financially independent from Goran through selling explicit images on an OnlyFans-style content service; theres Fatima who is assaulted by Cheney after disclosing her abortion, only to find Olafur defending Cheney; and there is Seamus, a poet with provocative ideas about the art form who works in the kitchen of a hospice.

Taylor weaves these lives together and creates scenes which explore with fascination those motifs of work, sex, racism, money, art, and love. For him, the breadth of exploration provided a new kind of creative opportunity, one that was also true to the lives of the friends hes around. I feel like my first two books were so focused and so constrained, and with this book I just felt really greedy. I wanted more discursive terrain. And I wanted to write across a longer period of time as well and I felt I could do this across a bigger cast of characters  I could multiply the number of consciousnesses in the book.

With this book I felt really greedy, I wanted to write across a longer period of time with a bigger cast

I speak to Taylor a few days after his conversation at Brixton House which featured live performances and poetry readings from Brixton charity Poetic Unity. He confesses previously not being interested in travel to London but having his heart stolen by Brixton. It was my first time in Brixton and it was so nice, it was so wonderful, I loved it. It was nice to see people in the streets and it felt more vibrant compared to where Im staying in Westminster. Hes enjoyed visiting Bath and Bristol for his UK tour too, and he tweets enthusiastically about how large the men in Bath are. Taylor is clearly a lover of largeness  the T-shirt hes wearing has fat bear written on it. I thought it was a lot of fun but also kind of empowering.

As compared to publishing his debut, Taylor feels that his work is being received more directly and that there is less focus on him, which is a relief. When Real Life was published in 2020, he felt that there were many tokenising impulses to label him as the black queer writer which failed to take into account the rigour and specificities of the literature itself, but now he feels his identity is much less the tenor of the conversation. He says: I think part of that is because the book itself is harder to read as solely being about that. Does that mean hes reading his reviews? Sometimes I do, he says. I ask if he read the review on Slate.com which dismissed his novel on the basis that it didnt match his online register  Taylor is a popular tweeter, with a near 100,000-strong audience. I did read that one, I think on Twitter I said, Off, girl. Parasocial projection is not criticism. But critics are entitled to their approach to their work  if you publish a book its fair game, so I just said okay, cool, and went about my day! Like anyone popular and funny on Twitter, Taylor is also divisive. He says that after his event in Bristol, an audience member approached him saying, I didnt know what to expect because I often dont like you on Twitter, but you were so nice. It seems like something which takes Taylor aback, but he puts it down to the artifice of social media. Im just trying to be authentic, Im aware that who I exist as on social media is ultimately a front-facing persona. So yeah, I do think my social media does set certain expectations.

Larger than life: My work is very much interested in how we come to know other people because I have no idea how its supposed to work, says Brandon Taylor (ES Composite)

Taylor is erudite and curious. The Late Americans is a book which is a product of his own reading and fascination with language and playing with form  its structurally unfastened in a way which is intentional. As he says, the form of the book came out of reading the linked short stories of Mavis Gallant, she has a few suites of stories that follow one character or two characters across many years in their lives. And so I wanted to write a book that felt like you could move in and around different lives across a constrained period of time. And also the novel Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. It was really helpful for the structure of the book, how you can have a novel that covers quite a lot of time but is also quite compressed. And the novel The Morning Star by Karl Ove Knausgard because it is a relay race among characters, the characters hand off to each other.

I wanted the sex in the book to feel as frank and banal as it is in contemporary life, not as a strange, dark enterprise

And Brandon Taylor loves to write about sex, repeatedly. Within The Late Americans, he maps the stilted, staccato rhythm of awkward Grindr exchanges. For Taylor, writing sex well is about the realness of it. I wanted the approach to sex in the book to feel as frank and banal as it is in contemporary life. It just felt important that I not cordon off sex and to not treat it as this strange, dark enterprise necessarily, but that it comes in and out of the characters lives as freely as it comes in and out of daily life for many, many people.

Raised on a farm in Alabama, Taylors path to literary celebrity was not only unlikely based on his scientific background but also how brutal his upbringing was. It was a really harsh upbringing. We went to church every Sunday, I did Bible study all of my childhood summers. I have the Book of Job burned into my memory. I grew up doing farm chores, cutting wood for the winter, picking beans for family meals.

(PR handout)

His mother worked in a brake shoe plant and then as a housekeeper after developing health problems and his father, who was legally blind, was a homemaker. He tells me most of his family were functionally illiterate and so he wasnt surrounded by literature but rather textbooks, and my aunt, who was a nurse, had these handbooks about nursing that I would read. Thats how I taught myself to read.

He feels that the lack of emotional availability within his family affected him the most. I tell people that I was raised by wolves and so I feel like other people have this intimate understanding of how society works and how conversations are supposed to work. And Ive learned all of that stuff by just watching and trying to repeat.

Does this explain his writing process  writing humanity to understand it? Yes, says Taylor. My work is very much interested in how we come to know other people because I have no idea how its supposed to work. I think, through writing, I come to what feel like really secure answers. And then everyday lived experience confounds them.
Landmark agreement will see H2 Green Steel provide sustainable material for building Scania trucks.

SODERTALJE, Sweden, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scania is taking a massive step towards decarbonising its supply chain by placing its first order for green steel.

The initial contract with H2 Green Steel will provide Scania with sustainably produced steel for building its trucks, allowing the company to take another big step towards reducing the climate footprint of its vehicle manufacturing. Production will begin at H2 Green Steel's new plant in Boden, northern Sweden, in 2025, with deliveries of the sustainable material set for 2027.

The far-reaching agreement is a key element of Scania's ambitious, industry-leading strategy to eliminate the largest sources of carbon emissions from the most emitting production materials and batteries. The goal of the strategy is for Scania to phase out the main sources of CO2 emissions inits supply chain by 2030, including a target of using 100 percent green steel, 100 percent green batteries, 100 percent green aluminium and 100 percent green cast iron in its production*.

Another important aspect of this work is Scania's role as a partner in the First Movers Coalition, which encourages companies to increase low-carbon purchases in areas that are hard to decarbonise. The new contract will help Scania meet its commitment to the coalition to buy significant amounts of green steel. About four tons of steel is used to manufacture a truck so there is clear potential for a substantially positive climate impact from using green steel instead.

"With this first order from our strategic partner H2 Green Steel, we are continuing our progress towards minimising the climate impact from our supply chain," says Anders Williamsson, Executive Vice President, Head of R&D and Purchasing at Scania.

"Scania has been one of our biggest supporters from day one. Not only in helping frame the opportunity for green steel but also as an early seed capital investor. Their support and partnership in crafting the value proposition has contributed massively to our go-to-market strategies. Scania is truly a pioneer in sustainability and was first in their sector to set Science-Based Targets in line with the Paris Agreement. Now all our forward leaning off-take customers are doing the same.", says Mark Bula, Commercial Head of Boden Steel at H2 Green Steel.

* The supply chain decarbonisation strategy and targets initially comprises Scania's production in Europe but will gradually be extended to its production in China and Latin America.

CONTACT:

Erik Bratthall

Corporate Public and Media Relations manager

[email protected]

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Scania
Landmark agreement will see H2 Green Steel provide sustainable material for building Scania trucks

STOCKHOLM, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scania is taking a massive step towards decarbonizing its supply chain by placing its first order for green steel. The initial contract with H2 Green Steel will provide Scania with sustainably produced steel for building its trucks, allowing the company to take another big step towards reducing the climate footprint of its vehicle manufacturing. Production will begin at H2 Green Steel's new plant in Boden, northern Sweden, in 2025, with deliveries of the sustainable material set for 2027.

The far-reaching agreement is a key element of Scania's ambitious, industry-leading strategy to eliminate the largest sources of carbon emissions from the most emitting production materials and batteries. The goal of the strategy is for Scania to phase out the main sources of CO 2 emissions in its supply chain by 2030, including a target of using 100 percent green steel, 100 percent green batteries, 100 percent green aluminum and 100 percent green cast iron in its production*.

"With this first order from our strategic partner H2 Green Steel, we are continuing our progress towards minimizing the climate impact from our supply chain," says Anders Williamsson, Executive Vice President, Head of R&D and Purchasing at Scania.

Another important aspect of this work is Scania's role as a partner in the First Movers Coalition, which encourages companies to increase low-carbon purchases in areas that are hard to decarbonize. The new contract will help Scania meet its commitment to the coalition to buy significant amounts of green steel. About four tons of steel is used to manufacture a truck so there is clear potential for a substantially positive climate impact from using green steel instead.

"Scania has been one of our biggest supporters from day one. Not only in helping frame the opportunity for green steel but also as an early seed capital investor. Their support and partnership in crafting the value proposition has contributed massively to our go-to-market strategies. Scania is truly a pioneer in sustainability and was first in their sector to set Science-Based Targets in line with the Paris Agreement. Now all our forward leaning off-take customers are doing the same," says Mark Bula, Commercial Head of Boden Steel at H2 Green Steel.

*The supply chain decarbonization strategy and targets initially comprise Scania's production in Europe but will gradually be extended to its production in China and Latin America.

CONTACT:

Karin Hallstan, Head of Public and Media Relations

Phone: +46 76 842 81 04

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20623/3794704/2154059.pdf Scania places first green steel order in further step towards decarbonised supply chain_Final https://news.cision.com/h2-green-steel/i/scania,c3194339 Scania

SOURCE H2 Green Steel
FORT WASHINGTON, Md., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen visited Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, to deliver a $1 million check  funds dedicated to supporting the hospital's Cardiovascular Center for Diabetic Patients.

The funding, which was secured by Congressman Steny Hoyer in fiscal year 2023 appropriations, will finance several components of the facility, including a diabetic clinic, the Diabetic Education and Resource Center, a diabetes related vascular screening center, the Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen Center, and a cardiovascular clinic.

Joining Cardin and Van Hollen at the hospital visit were Prince George's County state Sen. C. Anthony Muse, Del. Kris Valderrama, and Del. Jamila J. Woods. Each lauded the funding and discussed a need to improve overall healthcare in the southwestern portion of the county.

"Adventist HealthCare is extremely grateful to receive this sum, as it will position the hospital to better care for our neighbors in Fort Washington, as well as attract the best and brightest doctors and nurses," said Eunmee Shim, President of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. "Many of the residents we serve lack sufficient access to healthcare specialists who can effectively manage the progression of diabetes. This funding will aid in educating and managing patients who are diabetic and pre-diabetic and will prevent many from having to lose a limb or deal with a loss of vision."

In 2019, the Prince George's County Department of Health reported approximately 20.7% of adults between the ages of 45 and 64 live with diabetes. That figure increases to 33.2% for adults over 65. Yet the southwestern area of Prince George's County, where approximately 350,000 residents live, lacks adequate care. This disconnect among disease prevalence and healthcare resources is resulting in a lethal medical desert that may lead to declines in healthcare outcomes over time.

The funding will provide comprehensive care to patients in southwestern Prince George's County, improve public health, and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

About Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center

Part of the Adventist HealthCare system, and recognized for excellence in patient safety, Fort Washington Medical Center is an acute care hospital in Prince George's County, Maryland. The hospital serves patients in the Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, and Temple Hills areas, as well as parts of southeast Washington, D.C. The hospital provides general inpatient services including adult medical and surgical care, ambulatory surgical services, laboratory, radiology and diagnostic services, as well as bariatric, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, rehabilitation and respiratory therapy. The hospital operates one of the busiest emergency rooms in the metropolitan area and has over 400 employees.

CONTACT: Quintin Simmons

[email protected]

301-315-3330

SOURCE Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center
This new banking product allows users to earn interest, pay reduced fees on international remittances and get reimbursement of international transaction fees when using the card outside the US

BOSTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sendwave, the remittance brand making sending money across borders easy and affordable, announces Sendwave Pay . Sendwave Pay is a banking product available to select Sendwave customers based in the United States.

Sendwave Pay provides existing Sendwave users access to a FDIC-insured bank account* with an accompanying debit card. This makes Sendwave the only major remittance provider with such an offering in the US.

Account holders will have:

a bank account* with no hidden account creation, maintenance or minimum balance fees;

access to up to 0.4% improvement on exchange rates and up to 25% savings on transaction fees on remittances to Kenya , Ghana , Tanzania , Uganda , Nigeria , and Liberia when using the funds in their accounts account funds;

, , , , , and when using the funds in their accounts account funds; a Sendwave Pay debit card to use on every day transactions;

reimbursements for international transaction fees when using their Sendwave Pay debit card outside of the US;

earn up to 0.51% APY on the money held in their Sendwave Pay account

For migrants, opening a bank account is an important step to establishing themselves and helps to achieve financial autonomy. Sendwave Pay provides an opportunity for our customers to build cross-border wealth and recognizes the demand for a product that better serves customers' needs than a standard bank account.

"The way that people use and access money has drastically changed over the last decade," said Eric Huynh, Product Lead, Sendwave Pay, Zepz. "We created Sendwave Pay to better meet the needs of our customers, who are dynamically considering how they manage their money both for themselves and for loved ones abroad."

Sendwave Pay is the first neobank offering within Zepz, the Group powering global remittance brands Sendwave and WorldRemit. As an organisation dedicated to providing millions of customers around the world with fast, safe and easy-to-use solutions for getting their money home to loved ones,

Sendwave Pay is an important product innovation within the portfolio. This product offering is the first of an exciting future, where Zepz intends to continually invest in migrant-focused financial offerings.

"Investing in meaningful innovations to serve the needs of cross-border communities is part of our purpose and at the heart of everything we do," said Mark Lenhard, CEO of Zepz. "Sendwave Pay enables US-based migrants to take their money farther, creates financial empowerment through interest schemes and competitive benefits, and firmly establishes Sendwave as a heavy hitter in the fintech space."

Sendwave Pay is being rolled out to select users via the Sendwave app, available on iOS and Android.

*Sendwave is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Piermont Bank; Member FDIC. The Sendwave Visa Debit Card is issued by Piermont Bank pursuant to a licence from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

About Sendwave Pay

Sendwave's mission is to make sending money as easy and affordable as sending a text. Our app sends transfers securely from North America and Europe to Africa, Asia and the Americas. Sendwave is committed to reaching more people around the world, which is why we created Sendwave Pay, a unique neobank product available to select Sendwave customers based in the United States. With Sendwave Pay, users have access to better rates and lower fees on all remittances from the US to Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and Liberia. Financial inclusivity is a pillar of our brand, and Sendwave Pay is a key product in our portfolio that enables users to earn up to interest monthly on the monies held in their Sendwave Pay account. We believe in borderless access to funds, so users can benefit from reimbursements for international charges when using their Sendwave Pay debit card outside of the US.

Sendwave Pay is designed to help immigrants build wealth that they can access across borders.

*Sendwave Pay is the first neobank offering within Zepz, the Group powering global remittance brands WorldRemit and SendWave. Sendwave is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Piermont Bank; Member FDIC. The Sendwave Visa Debit Card is issued by Piermont Bank pursuant to a licence from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

About Zepz

Zepz Group is the group powering leading global remittance brands: WorldRemit and Sendwave. Since 2021, Zepz Group has been disrupting an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by reducing the barriers to finance and increasing safety and convenience for users. Every day, Zepz Group and its brands work towards unlocking the prosperity of cross-border communities through finance and technology - driven by the vision of a world that celebrates migrants' impact on prosperity, at home and abroad.

Media Contact:

Kelsey Costales

[email protected]

SOURCE Zepz Group
Free roundtrip airfare, free airport transfers, free shore excursions  valued up to $1,600, and free

Champagne, wine and more combine to offer the best value in luxury cruising

Download images here. (Credit: Oceania Cruises.)

MIAMI, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises , the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, will offer its guests simply MORE than ever before, with free roundtrip airfare, free airport transfers, free shore excursions and a free beverage package for all guests, for all new reservations beginning July 1, 2023, for sailings departing October 1, 2023, or later. Created to elevate the guest experience, the newly unveiled value promise has been designed to create long-lasting memories in enticing destinations and provide access to exquisite indulgences.

Credit: Oceania Cruises

The brand's new simply MORE value promise means travelers receive the greatest value in luxury cruising, with virtually everything they desire included in their voyage fare: a hassle-free arrival and departure with free roundtrip airfare and free airport transfers; more unforgettable travel experiences with a generous shore excursion credit of up to $1,600 per stateroom to be spent on tours of their choice; and more occasions to celebrate with a comprehensive beverage package available during lunch and dinner featuring dozens of vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers to choose from.

The extraordinary new level of inclusions sits alongside the line's always included amenities: gourmet dining featuring The Finest Cuisine at Sea with no reservation fee or cover charge at specialty restaurants; fine teas and coffees, soft drinks and still and sparkling Vero Water; 24-hour room service; unlimited WiFi; and fitness classes.

"Thanks to the launch of simply MORE, our guests will enjoy even more value, more choice and more convenience than ever before," said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "Over the past 20 years, we have continued to adapt and evolve to the wants and needs of our valued trade partners and guests. We are always seeking to enhance the Oceania Cruises experience and raise the bar in offering the best value in luxury cruising. So, we asked our key audiences, guests and travel partners, what they wanted, and that was simplicity, choice and value. Through our new simply MORE value promise, they now have all three.

"For me, the cornerstone of this exciting new value promise is the generous credit offered to every guest to be spent on shore excursions of their choice. Oceania Cruises is renowned for our imaginative and immersive itineraries, journeying to every part of the globe, which are enhanced even further by our industry-leading array of enriching adventures ashore."

Oceania Cruises offers more than 8,000 immersive, educational and unique tour choices in its 600-plus ports of call. Travelers can choose to explore iconic bustling cities, lesser-known gems and tranquil islands in the same sailing thanks to the line's destination-intensive itineraries.

Del Rio continued: "The simply MORE shore excursion credit can be applied to any and all of our tours, from witnessing an active volcano from a helicopter in Montserrat and learning how to tend and herd sheep at a shepherd school in Northern Spain on one of our Go Local tours to enjoying an insider's view of iconic modernistic buildings in the Finnish capital of Helsinki on a Beyond Blueprints excursion, which takes travelers behind the scenes of landmark buildings with an architectural guide."

Shore excursion credit amounts vary by voyage length, from $600 per stateroom for an itinerary of seven to nine days, to $1,600 per stateroom on sailings of 31 to 35 days. The credit may be redeemed against all excursions, offering unparalleled destination experiences including Food & Wine Trails Tours and Culinary Discovery Tours crafted for culinary connoisseurs, sustainability-focused Go Green Tours as well as luxurious excursions with a private car and driver, to name a few.

The new simply MORE value promise, which replaces OLife Choice, includes a generous beverage package featuring free premium-label Champagnes and wines, and more than 20 American and international beers, during lunch and dinner.

"Our guests appreciate fine food and fine wine, and we have always included all gourmet specialty dining. Now we are thrilled to be able to offer them a generous array of wines  not just house pours  to choose from, plus Champagnes and beers to enjoy too. With over three dozen wine choices on offer, and a broad range of beers as well as premium-label sparkling wines and Champagnes, there is something to suit every palate," said Del Rio.

For terms and conditions regarding free airfare and free airport transfers, refer here . Reservations for guests sailing prior to October 1, 2023, will remain unchanged with amenities included as originally selected.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA or speak with a professional travel advisor.

More information:

simply MORE: Shore excursion credit amounts vary by voyage length



7-9 Days: $600 Per Stateroom

10-13 Days: $800 Per Stateroom

14-18 Days: $1,000 Per Stateroom

19-24 Days: $1,200 Per Stateroom

25-30 Days: $1,400 Per Stateroom

31-35 Days: $1,600 Per Stateroom

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's seven small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. The brand has a second 1,200-guest newbuild, Allura, on order for delivery in 2025. With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is the leading global cruise company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. With a combined fleet of 30 ships and more than 60,000 berths, NCLH offers itineraries to nearly 500 destinations worldwide. NCLH has seven additional ships scheduled for delivery across its three brands, adding over 19,000 berths to its fleet. To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com

SOURCE Oceania Cruises
The global silicone potting compounds market is expected to grow primarily due to the increasing applications in electronic devices. The UV curing sub-segment is expected to flourish immensely. The market in the Asia-Pacific region is predicted to grow at a high CAGR by 2031

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Silicone Potting Compounds Market Forecast Analysis:

As per the report published by Research Dive, the global silicone potting compounds market is expected to register a revenue of $1,540 million by 2031 at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period 2022-2031.

Segments of the Silicone Potting Compounds Market

The report has divided the silicone potting compounds market into the following segments:

Curing Technology : UV Curing, high temperature or thermal curing, and room temperature curing

: UV Curing, high temperature or thermal curing, and room temperature curing UV Curing Most dominant in 2021

UV curing is a fast-paced process that can be completed in a matter of seconds, making it ideal for high-volume manufacturing applications. This advantage of UV curing is expected to push the growth of this sub-segment further.

Most dominant in 2021 UV curing is a fast-paced process that can be completed in a matter of seconds, making it ideal for high-volume manufacturing applications. This advantage of UV curing is expected to push the growth of this sub-segment further. End-Use Industry : electronics, automotive, aerospace, and others

: electronics, automotive, aerospace, and others Electronics Most profitable in 2021

Increasing use of silicone potting compounds in the electronics industry to protect sensitive electronic components from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and temperature variations is expected to propel the sub-segment forward.

Most profitable in 2021 Increasing use of silicone potting compounds in the electronics industry to protect sensitive electronic components from environmental factors such as moisture, dust, and temperature variations is expected to propel the sub-segment forward. Region : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and LAMEA

: , , , and LAMEA Asia-Pacific  Significant market share in 2021

The growing expanse of automotive sector in various countries of this region has increased the demand for silicone potting compounds which is predicted to propel the market in the forecast period.

To get access to the All-Inclusive PDF Sample of the Silicone Potting Compounds Market Click Here!

Dynamics of the Global Silicone Potting Compounds Market

The increasing demand for silicone potting compounds from the electronics industry is expected to make the silicone potting compounds market a highly profitable one in the forecast period. Additionally, growing demand for energy-efficient devices, particularly in the construction and lighting industries is predicted to propel the market forward. However, according to market analysts, high cost of silicone potting compounds might become a restraint in the growth of the market.

Increased demand for high performance materials is predicted to offer numerous growth opportunities to the market in the forecast period. Moreover, the various advantages offered by silicone potting compounds including excellent resistance to high temperatures, UV radiation, and chemicals is expected to propel the silicone potting compounds market forward in the coming period.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Silicone Potting Compounds Market

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the routine lifestyle of people across the globe and the subsequent lockdowns adversely impacted the industrial processes across all sectors. The silicone potting compounds market, too, was negatively impacted due to the pandemic. The lockdowns and travel restrictions severely affected the supply of raw materials which hampered the production cycles of the manufacturing companies. Moreover, slowdown in electronics industries translated in a decrease in demand for silicone potting compounds which reduced the growth rate of the market.

Schedule a call with an Analyst to get Post COVID-19 Impact on Silicone Potting Compounds Market

Key Players of the Global Silicone Potting Compounds Market

The major players of the market include

Dow Silicones Corporation

Master Bond Inc.

MG Chemicals

Dymax Corporation

LORD Corporation

CHT Group

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Novagard Solutions

Hernon Manufacturing INC.

Elantas

These players are working on developing strategies such as product development, merger and acquisition, partnerships, and collaborations to sustain market growth.

For instance, in April 2022, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., a leading Japan-based chemical company, announced that it was launching a new thermal silicone rubber sheet. This new product is designed specifically for electronic vehicles and will offer protection from high-voltage power devices used in EVs. This new product launch is anticipated to help the company to increase its footprint in the market significantly.

Request Customization of Silicone Potting Compounds Market Report & Avail of Amazing Discount

What the Report Covers

Apart from the information summarized in this press release, the final report covers crucial aspects of the market including SWOT analysis, market overview, Porter's five forces analysis, market dynamics, segmentation (key market trends, forecast analysis, and regional analysis), and company profiles (company overview, operating business segments, product portfolio, financial performance, and latest strategic moves and developments.)

More about Silicone Potting Compounds Market:

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About Research Dive

Research Dive is a market research firm based in Pune, India. Maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the services, the firm provides the services that are solely based on its exclusive data model, compelled by the 360-degree research methodology, which guarantees comprehensive and accurate analysis. With an unprecedented access to several paid data resources, team of expert researchers, and strict work ethic, the firm offers insights that are extremely precise and reliable. Scrutinizing relevant news releases, government publications, decades of trade data, and technical & white papers, Research dive deliver the required services to its clients well within the required timeframe. Its expertise is focused on examining niche markets, targeting its major driving factors, and spotting threatening hindrances. Complementarily, it also has a seamless collaboration with the major industry aficionado that further offers its research an edge.

Contact:

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Research Dive

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SOURCE Research Dive
Winners Selected and Announced at the Sold Out 67th Summer Fancy Food Show

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After anonymous tastings by hundreds of top buyers at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) has announced that Mochidoki Vegan Passionfruit Mochi Ice Cream and Lewis Road Creamery 10 Star Certified Salted Butter have been awarded the 2023 sofi Awards for New Product of the Year and Product of the Year, respectively.

"We are jumping in joy to receive this," said Mochidoki Co-founder Ken Gordon. "It's a culmination of a lot of hard work. It confirms that mochi ice cream is here to stay!"

The sofi Awards celebrate the creativity and quality that drives the $194 billion specialty food industry. Tweet this Specialty Food Association 2023 sofi Awards

"We are very, very excited to receive this award for our product that comes from our small region of Waikato on the other side of the world," said Jason Clements, General Manager of Lewis Road Creamery. "To be recognized will mean so much to the farms we work with in New Zealand."

The Specialty Food Association has been presenting sofi Awards since 1972. Open only to product-qualified members of the SFA, entrants in each of 53 categories were judged at the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University (FIC), the SFA's partner for the awards. FIC experts evaluated products using anonymous tastings using criteria that included flavor, appearance, texture, aroma, ingredient quality, and innovation. A total of 97 specialty food products were awarded Gold or New Product category trophies in May. The complete list of sofi Awards category winners can be found here .

"The sofi Awards celebrate the creativity and quality that drives the $194 billion specialty food industry," said Denise Purcell, vice president, resource development for the SFA. "Mochidoki and Lewis Road Creamery exemplify the excellence within our industry."

The top five Gold and New Product category winners were eligible to compete for Product of the Year and New Product of the Year at the Summer Fancy Food Show. Qualified food and beverage buyers participated in anonymous tastings of the top five Gold and New Product category winners on Sunday, June 25 and Monday, June 26.

Open only to the trade, the Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest B2B specialty food and beverage show in North America.

About the Specialty Food Association

The not-for-profit Specialty Food Association (SFA) is the leading membership trade association and source of information about the $194 billion specialty food industry. Founded in 1952 in New York City, the SFA prides itself on being an organization by the members and for the members, representing thousands of specialty food makers and manufacturers, importers, retailers, buyers, distributors, brokers, and others in the trade. The SFA owns and operates the Fancy Food Shows which are the largest specialty food industry events in North Americaas well as the sofi Awards which have honored excellence in specialty food and beverage annually since 1972. The SFA produces the Trendspotter Panel annual predictions, the State of the Specialty Food Industry Report, Today's Specialty Food Consumer research, the Spill & Dish podcast, year-round educational programming for professionals at every stage in their business journey, and SFA Feed , the industry's go-to daily source for news, trends and new product information. Find out more online and connect with SFA on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , and TikTok .

Hashtags: #FancyFoodShow #FancyFoodNYC #SpecialtyFood #sofiAwards #sofiStory

SOURCE Specialty Food Association
WICHITA, Kan., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] ("Spirit AeroSystems"), today announced the contents of a new four-year contract proposal unanimously agreed to by the bargaining committee of the Local Lodge 839 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).

IAM union members will vote on approval on Thursday, June 29, at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.

The new proposed contract is a result of negotiations that began this past Saturday between the company and IAM officials, mediated by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

"We listened closely and worked hard in our talks over the last several days to further understand and address the priorities of our IAM-represented employees," said Tom Gentile, President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems. "We believe this new offer is fair and competitive and recognizes the contributions of our employees covered under this proposed agreement, enabling our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers and deliver value for our investors."

Highlights of the new contract terms include:

Exact same core healthcare plan. Healthcare for employees will be 100 percent unchanged from the comprehensive coverage they currently have.

Healthcare for employees will be 100 percent unchanged from the comprehensive coverage they currently have. No mandatory weekend overtime.

Sign on bonus of $3,000 cash .

. Increased Pay: Total wage increase of 9.5 percent in year one, guaranteed increase of 23.5 percent over the life of the contract, and annual bonuses and Cost of Living Allowance on top.

More details of the new contract offer can be found Spirit-IAM Wichita Contract Negotiations | Spirit AeroSystems .

Operations at Spirit's Wichita plant will continue to be suspended until the new contract is ratified.

About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. We are leveraging decades of design and manufacturing expertise to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of military aerostructures, and specialty high-temperature materials, enabling warfighters to execute complex, critical missions. Spirit also serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "forecast," "intend," "may," "might," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and other similar words, or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless the context requires otherwise. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Our actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be considered in evaluating our outlook include, without limitation, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations; the timing and conditions surrounding the full worldwide return to service (including receiving the remaining regulatory approvals) of the B737 MAX, future demand for the aircraft, and any residual impacts of the B737 MAX grounding on production rates for the aircraft; our reliance on Boeing for a significant portion of our revenues; our ability to execute our growth strategy, including our ability to complete and integrate acquisitions; our ability to accurately estimate and manage performance, cost, and revenue under our contracts; demand for our products and services and the effect of economic or geopolitical conditions in the industries and markets in which we operate in the U.S. and globally; our ability to manage our liquidity, borrow additional funds or refinance debt; and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems
NEW BRITAIN, Conn., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) will broadcast its second quarter 2023 earnings conference call on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The webcast will begin at 8:00AM ET.

A news release outlining the financial results will be distributed before the market opens on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

The call will be available through a live, listen-only webcast or teleconference. Links to access the webcast, register for the teleconference, and view the accompanying slide presentation will be available on the "Investors" section of Stanley Black & Decker's website, www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/investors under the subheading "News & Events." A replay will also be available two hours after the call and can be accessed on the "Investors" section of Stanley Black & Decker's website.

Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor operating manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose  for those who make the world  the company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company's iconic brands include DEWALT, BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, STANLEY, CUB CADET, HUSTLER and TROY-BILT. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders. To learn more visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com

Stanley Black & Decker Investor Contacts

Dennis Lange

Vice President, Investor Relations

(860) 827-3833

[email protected]

Cort Kaufman

Senior Director, Investor Relations

(860) 515-2741

[email protected]

Christina Francis

Director, Investor Relations

(860) 438-3470

[email protected]

SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker
KUOPIO, Finland, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking higher-than-recommended doses of vitamin D for five years reduced the risk of atrial fibrillation in older men and women, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, the risk of which increases with age, and which is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality. Vitamin D has been shown to have an effect, for example, on the atrial structure and the electrical function of the heart, suggesting that vitamin D might prevent atrial fibrillation.

Conducted at the University of Eastern Finland in 2012-2018, the main objective of the Finnish Vitamin D Trial, FIND, was to explore the associations of vitamin D supplementation with the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. The five-year study involved 2,495 participants, 60-year-old or older men and 65-year-old or older women, who were randomised into three groups: one placebo group and two vitamin D 3 supplementation groups, with one of the groups taking a supplement of 40 micrograms (1600 IU) per day, and the other a supplement of 80 micrograms (3200 IU) per day. All participants were also allowed to take their personal vitamin D supplement, up to 20 micrograms (800 IU) per day, which at the beginning of the study was the recommended dose for this age group. At baseline, study participants had not been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or cancer, and they completed comprehensive questionnaires, both at the beginning and throughout the study, on their lifestyles and nutrition, as well as on risk factors of diseases and disease occurrence. Data on the occurrence of diseases and deaths were also obtained from Finnish nationwide health registers. Approximately 20 % of participants were randomly selected for more detailed examinations and blood samples.

During the five-year study, 190 participants were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation: 76 in the placebo group, 59 in the 40 micrograms group, and 55 in the 80 micrograms group. The risk of atrial fibrillation was 27% lower in the 40 micrograms group, and 32% lower in the 80 micrograms group, when compared to the placebo group. In the sub-cohort selected for more detailed examinations, the mean baseline serum calcidiol concentration, which is a marker of the body's vitamin D concentration, was relatively high, 75 nmol/l. After one year, the mean calcidiol concentration was 100 nmol/l in the 40 micrograms group, and 120 nmol/l in the 80 micrograms group. No significant change in the calcidiol concentration was observed in the placebo group.

FIND is the first randomized controlled trial to observe that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation in generally healthy men and women. Previous research is limited to only two randomized trials, which did not observe an effect when using doses of 10 micrograms (400 IU) or 50 micrograms (2000 IU) per day. Further confirmation of the present results from the FIND study is therefore needed before doses of vitamin D that significantly exceed current recommendations can be recommended for preventing atrial fibrillation. The FIND study has previously published findings showing no association with the incidence of other cardiovascular events or cancers.

The FIND study was supported by funding from the Research Council of Finland, University of Eastern Finland, Juho Vainio Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation, and Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Medicinska Understodsforeningen Liv och Halsa.

For further information, please contact:

Associate Professor Jyrki Virtanen, University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, tel. +358-40-3552957, [email protected], https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/person/jyrki.virtanen/

Research article:

The effect of vitamin D 3 supplementation on atrial fibrillation in generally healthy men and women - the Finnish Vitamin D Trial. Jyrki K. Virtanen, Sari Hantunen, Christel Lamberg-Allardt, JoAnn E. Manson, Tarja Nurmi, Matti Uusitupa, Ari Voutilainen, Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen.

American Heart Journal, published June 10, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2023.05.024

SOURCE University of Eastern Finland
Ker Robertson - Getty Images

Jimmie Johnson announced today he has withdrawn from this weekend's inaugural NASCAR Chicago street race following reports his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and nephew were killed in a shooting Monday night in Oklahoma.

"The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made," Johnson's team Legacy Motor Club said on Twitter.

Police are investigating the Muskogee, Oklahoma killings as a murder-suicide, Fox 23 of Tulsa reports. According to the report, 68-year-old Terry Janway is suspected of shooting her 69-year-old husband Jack and 11-year-old grandson Dalton. Terry and Jack Janway are the parents of Johnson's wife Chandra.

The Chicago street race was set to be Johnson's fourth Cup race start following his participation as a driver in the Garage 56 NASCAR at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 47-year-old California native also raced at the Daytona 500, Circuit of the Americas, and the Coca-Cola 600.

We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnsons family," NASCAR said in a statement published by NBC Sports. "The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie and the entire Johnson & Janway families.

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Union Calls Out Freight Company for False Claims and Gross Mismanagement

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Teamsters Union categorically denies the baseless allegations made by Yellow Corporation in its frivolous lawsuit filed today.

"Yellow Corp.'s claims of breach of contract by the Teamsters are unfounded and without merit," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "After decades of gross mismanagement, Yellow blew through a $700 million bailout from the federal government, and now it wants workers to foot the bill. For a company that loves to cry poor, Yellow's executives seem to have no problem paying a team of high-priced lawyers to wage a public relations battleall in a failed attempt to mask their incompetence."

The Teamsters have diligently adhered to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed with Yellow Corp., fully honoring its contractual commitments and obligations.

"The company is misleading our members and the public. We have a contract with Yellow that expires March 31, 2024, and Teamsters are living up to it. Yellow's management knows they've failed this company and their workforce because they can no longer live up to the terms they once agreed to. This lawsuit is a desperate, last-ditch attempt to save face," said Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman.

The lawsuit by Yellow Corp. is a blatant attempt to undermine the rights of workers and discredit the Teamsters. The Teamsters are fully prepared to defend the union's position vigorously and utilize all available legal resources to challenge the meritless accusations put forth by Yellow Corp.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Zernicka-Goetz has created embryo models from stem cells and opened up new possibilities for regenerative medicine

SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, PhD, was announced today as the recipient of the 2023 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize by Gladstone Institutes. Zernicka-Goetz is a professor of mammalian development and stem cell biology in the Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, as well as the Bren Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology.

Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize for creating embryo models from stem cells and opening up new possibilities for regenerative medicine. Photo by Bartek Barczuk.

A pioneering stem cell scientist, Zernicka-Goetz was selected for the prize because of her work uncovering fundamental mechanisms that drive the development of mammalian embryos, which led to the creation of human embryo models that self-assemble from pluripotent stem cellscells that can develop into nearly any cell in the bodyin a dish. The 3D models, which develop brain structures and a beating heart, appeared in Nature's list of "Seven technologies to watch in 2023."

"We are very happy to present this year's prize to Dr. Zernicka-Goetz," says Deepak Srivastava, MD, chair of the selection committee and president of Gladstone. "She has provided the scientific community with powerful new research tools and a remarkable view into steps of development that are usually hidden because they happen when the embryo implants into the womb. Her work sets the foundation for novel paths toward overcoming disease."

Established in 2015 by a generous gift from the Hiro and Betty Ogawa family, the Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize honors scientists conducting groundbreaking work in translational regenerative medicine using reprogrammed cells. The prize is supported by Gladstone and Cell Press.

The prize also recognizes Gladstone Senior Investigator Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, who received a Nobel Prize in 2012 for his discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which are adult cells that can be reprogrammed to a stem-cell state similar to human embryonic stem cells. Pluripotent stem cells have played a central role in much of Zernicka-Goetz's research.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize for my work," Zernicka-Goetz says. "During my career so far, it has been a privilege to contribute to better understanding mammalian development. I am thrilled and hopeful to see how our discoveries will help to advance regenerative medicine, from improving the chances of a healthy pregnancy to, perhaps, developing synthetic organs for life-saving transplantation."

For more than 25 years, Zernicka-Goetz has led research on developmental biology at the University of Cambridge. She carried out her PhD work in mammalian development at the University of Warsaw and the University of Oxford. Following a postdoctoral position at Cambridge, she established her laboratory there.

Zernicka-Goetz was selected for the 2023 Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize by an independent committee of international stem cell experts from a highly competitive pool of nominees. A ceremony will be held this fall at Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, California, during which she will give a scientific lecture and will be presented with the award, along with an unrestricted prize of $150,000 USD.

About Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz

A developmental and stem cell biologist, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, PhD, is a professor of mammalian development and stem cell biology at the University of Cambridge, as well as the Bren Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology.

Zernicka-Goetz carried out her PhD studies in mammalian development at the University of Warsaw and the University of Oxford, and her postdoctoral studies in stem cell biology at the University of Cambridge. She was awarded senior research fellowships from the Lister Institute, Sidney Sussex College, and the Wellcome Trust for establishing her group at the University of Cambridge, where she became tenured professor in 2010. In 2019, she established her group at Caltech as the Bren Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering.

In her early work, Zernicka-Goetz developed ways of tracking and modulating cell fate in the living embryo. She found that when abnormal cells arise in the embryo, they are eliminated through programmed cell death immediately before and during implantation and only in the part of the embryo that creates a new organism.

With her team, she established the first methods for culturing and studying human embryos beyond implantation in vitro, until day 14, and continues to use this approach in her current research to uncover mechanisms behind human development and the defects that result from specific aneuploidies. Building upon her knowledge of natural development, she pioneered methods through which multiple stem cell types are directed to assemble into complete embryo models, providing unprecedented opportunities for dissecting the genetic and physical parameters governing organogenesis.

Zernicka-Goetz's lab has given rise to many scientific leaders throughout the world. She is active in promoting equality through her work with scientific academies and non-profit charities. She has two children and the interplay of her personal and scientific journey is described in her biography, The Dance of Life: The New Science of How a Single Cell Becomes a Human Being.

About the Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize

The Ogawa-Yamanaka Stem Cell Prize recognizes individuals whose original translational research has advanced cellular reprogramming technology for regenerative medicine. Supported by Gladstone Institutes, in partnership with Cell Press, the prize was established in 2015 through a generous gift from Betty and Hiro Ogawa. It has been maintained through their sons, Andrew and Marcus Ogawa, to honor the Ogawas' memory by continuing the philanthropic legacy they shared during their 46-year marriage. It also recognizes the importance of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), discovered by Gladstone Senior Investigator and Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD.

Past recipients include Masayo Takahashi, MD, PhD, in 2015; Douglas Melton, PhD, in 2016; Lorenz Studer, MD, in 2017; Marius Wernig, MD, PhD, in 2018; Gordon Keller, PhD, in 2019; and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, PhD, in 2022.

The 2023 selection committee was composed of George Daley, MD, PhD, dean of Harvard Medical School; Hideyuki Okano, MD, PhD, dean of the School of Medicine at Keio University; Deepak Srivastava, MD, president of Gladstone Institutes and director of the Roddenberry Stem Cell Center at Gladstone; Lorenz Studer, MD, director of the Center for Stem Cell Biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Fiona Watt, FRS, FMedSci, director of the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at King's College, London; and Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD, senior investigator at Gladstone and professor in the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application at Kyoto University.

About Gladstone Institutes

Gladstone Institutes is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. Established in 1979, it is located in the epicenter of biomedical and technological innovation, in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. Gladstone has created a research model that disrupts how science is done, funds big ideas, and attracts the brightest minds.

Media Contact: Julie Langelier | Associate Director, Communications | [email protected] | 415.734.5000

SOURCE Gladstone Institutes
Debuting September 2023, Crescent Real Estate brings luxury accommodations, local culinary experiences, and exceptional event spaces to Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth  the Cultural District's first luxury property  debuting in late summer 2023, will welcome guests with its sense of community and invite them to discover all the neighborhood has to offer. The hotel is the newest project in Crescent Real Estate's platinum portfolio of properties. Inspired by Fort Worth's surrounding world-class museums and historic neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel mirrors the unique history, diversity and character of the city.

Located at the crossroads of downtown, the world-renowned Cultural District and surrounding historic neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel is an extension of these unique areas, serving as the new social center of Fort Worth.

"Rising at the cultural crossroads of a vibrant downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel will deliver a local experience," said owner, John Goff. "From thoughtful on-property programming and culinary experiences and partnerships with renowned local museums and attractions to a curated art program inspired by international as well as local artists, the hotel experience will serve as Fort Worth's living room  an extension of the inspired surrounding areas."

Conveniently located steps from Fort Worth's top destinations like The Modern Art Museum, Dickies Arena, and the Kimbell Art Museum, the hotel was designed at five stories by OZ Architecture to blend seamlessly into the noted Cultural District, with interiors designed by Rottet Studio. The authentic, natural materials used throughout the space  including a balanced marriage of stone, wood, metal, concrete, and locally sourced brick  are thoughtfully positioned to create a tangible sense of place from the moment guests arrive. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a clear view of the lush courtyard oasis and fill the lobby with natural light that lends to its striking ambiance.

The hotel will feature 200 masterfully crafted guestrooms including 12 luxury suites. Simple elegance and comfort are at the forefront of each room's design, from the rich marble accents to the refined decor. Guestrooms feature local artwork, mini bars, lounge seating and an ample workstation.

Guests and locals will enjoy dynamic dining experiences from morning to evening including upscale Mediterranean restaurant, Emelia's, partnering with Fort Worth's top purveyors and local farms, and an extended fine dining offering  Blue Room at Emelia's. The main dining room's refreshing ambiance and energy, brought to life by AvroKO Hospitality Group, serves as the inviting backdrop to relish in the light, bright flavors of each dish thoughtfully developed by the restaurant's talented Executive Chef, Preston Paine of Food Network's "Ciao House." The hotel's lobby bar, The Circle Bar, champions the Mediterranean mood and mindset by seamlessly transitioning from day to night. From morning espressos to afternoon aperitivos and a rich variety of cocktails, wines, and bites from Emelia's menu into the evening, The Circle Bar will be the welcoming social center of the hotel. Finally, The Crescent Hotel's exclusive rooftop bar will stun, with panoramic views of Fort Worth and craft cocktails curated by expert mixologists.

The Crescent Hotel will boast more than 14,000 square feet of special event space across 10 unique venues, featuring a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, each complete with state-of-the-art technology. "The hotel's 8,000-square-foot courtyard will serve as the heart of the community with a custom climate-controlled tent for year-round memorable events, weddings and celebrations, while The Grand Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling glass doors creates a space flooded with natural light and indoor-outdoor possibilities," said General Manager, Robert Rechtermann.

The Canyon Ranch Wellness Club, which will open Oct. 2023, will create a nurturing haven for a well-balanced lifestyle. Hotel guests will have access to the state-of-the-art fitness center and the renowned spa, which will feature 10 treatment rooms and a salon.

Reservations for The Crescent Hotel are now available for stays beginning September 2023. For more information and reservations, visit thecrescenthotelfortworth.com.

The Crescent Hotel is part of a larger mixed-use project  The Crescent, Fort Worth  which also includes a 170,000-square-foot Class AA office building and 167 luxury apartments. To learn more, visit www.thecrescentfw.com.

About The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth

Located at the crossroads of downtown, the world-renowned Cultural District and surrounding historic neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel is an extension of these unique areas, serving as the new social center of Fort Worth. Mirroring the unique history, diversity and character of the city, The Crescent Hotel offers luxury amenities and unmatched refinement in every detail. With 200 masterfully designed guest rooms (including 12 suites), two restaurants with culinary offerings curated by Executive Chefs Preston Paine and Andrew Bell, a sophisticated lobby bar, the exclusive rooftop bar, 14,000 square feet of available event space, and Canyon Ranch Wellness Club (set to open in Oct. 2023), the hotel's architecture, design and amenities offer an inviting, timeless, and community-focused experience as the living room of Fort Worth. To learn more about the property, please visit thecrescenthotelfortworth.com.

About Crescent Real Estate, LLC

Today, Crescent Real Estate LLC is a real estate operating company and an SECregistered investment advisory firm with assets under management, development, and investment capacity of more than $10 billion. Through the Funds, Crescent acquires, develops and operates all real estate asset classes alongside institutional investors and high net worth clients. Crescent's premier real estate portfolio consists of Class A and creative office, multifamily and hospitality assets located throughout the U.S., including The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, and the wellness lifestyle leader, Canyon Ranch.

About HEI Hotels & Resorts

HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment and management company that owns or operates 100+ luxury, upper-upscale and upscale independent and branded hotels and resorts throughout the United States. HEI's branding partners include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice and Wyndham. The company is renowned for its commitment to its associates under the culture of HEI Loves, its revenue management, profit contribution and empirically based real estate value creation, driven by a full complement of proprietary software tools to set and exceed targets on a fully integrated basis. HEI works hand-in-hand with institutional capital partners on existing assets under management as well as sponsored acquisition opportunities. The company has ample equity capital and strategically co-invests with its partners on many transactions. To learn more about HEI, please visit www.heihotels.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

The Zimmerman Agency

SOURCE The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth
Recognized as a distinguished World Economic Forum 2023 Tech Pioneer, SYKY aims to bridge established luxury fashion with digital fashion, forging a path toward inclusive accessibility within the fashion industry.

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

What: SYKY, a luxury digital fashion platform, announces the distinguished lineup of 10 global digital fashion designers comprising the inaugural class of The SYKY Collective. The Collective is decentralizing the luxury fashion industry by bringing together talents from various backgrounds and locations who challenge the status quo, fostering inclusivity and paving the way for a more diverse and dynamic future in fashion.

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This group will embark on an immersive year-long incubator program meticulously designed to cultivate and propel digital design talent to new heights. Under the guidance of the esteemed SYKY Mentors, The SYKY Collective places significant emphasis on brand building and the scaling of designers, guiding them from emerging brands to becoming household names in the industry. With a curriculum tailored to amplify business scalability, access to cutting-edge digital design tools, and a deep dive into digital worlds and web3 technology, these talented designers are poised to revolutionize the industry and launch the luxury fashion houses of tomorrow.

When: The SYKY Collective will undergo a year-long incubation program commencing in July 2023. The Collective is anticipated to launch their debut collections on SYKY.com later this year.

Who: The SYKY Collective will be composed of 10 global digital designers, and is backed by the entire SYKY community, including the SYKY Collective Mentors.

Alice Delahunt is the Founder and CEO of SYKY. With decades of experience, Alice is a luxury fashion expert. She began her career in the fashion industry at Burberry as Global Director of Digital & Social, and then transitioned to Chief Digital & Content Officer at Ralph Lauren.

is the Founder and CEO of SYKY. With decades of experience, Alice is a luxury fashion expert. She began her career in the fashion industry at Burberry as Global Director of Digital & Social, and then transitioned to Chief Digital & Content Officer at Ralph Lauren. SYKY Collective Mentors: SYKY partnered with prominent fashion and media players to participate in mentoring the SYKY Collective. Mentors include, Jonathan Bottomley , CMO of Calvin Klein ; the British Fashion Council; Mark Guiducci , Creative Editorial Director at Vogue; Megan Kaspar , founding member of Red DAO; Sabine Le Marchand , Creative Director at Frosty; and best-selling author and foremost authority on the Metaverse Matthew Ball.





SYKY partnered with prominent fashion and media players to participate in mentoring the SYKY Collective. Mentors include, , CMO of ; the British Fashion Council; , Creative Editorial Director at Vogue; , founding member of Red DAO; , Creative Director at Frosty; and best-selling author and foremost authority on the Metaverse Matthew Ball. SYKY Collective Inaugural Class: Spanning across Dominican Republic , China , Nigeria , and Italy , this diverse class of 10 designers from 10 different countries showcases a range of innovative approaches to digital fashion and its intersection with luxury and elevated taste.

Spanning across , , , and , this diverse class of 10 designers from 10 different countries showcases a range of innovative approaches to digital fashion and its intersection with luxury and elevated taste. Pet Liger , Cyprus : Breakout Web3 fashion house and design studio disrupting the footwear industry, and was featured as a seminal designer of the Gucci Vault collab.

, : Breakout Web3 fashion house and design studio disrupting the footwear industry, and was featured as a seminal designer of the Gucci Vault collab.

Stephy Fung , United Kingdom : Digital fashion artist who fuses contemporary fashion elements with her Chinese heritage for major brands such as Paco Rabanne, Jo Malone , and Snapchat.

: Digital fashion artist who fuses contemporary fashion elements with her Chinese heritage for major brands such as Paco Rabanne, , and Snapchat.

GlitchOfMind, Dominican Republic : Visual artist and photographer innovating garment designs through blending VR Sculpting and AI for 3D avatars.

: Visual artist and photographer innovating garment designs through blending VR Sculpting and AI for 3D avatars.

Calvyn Dylin Justus , South Africa : Multimedia digital artist inspired by the movements of the natural world and how to create garments and art that bridge these worlds.

, : Multimedia digital artist inspired by the movements of the natural world and how to create garments and art that bridge these worlds.

Taskin Goec , Germany : Mixed reality visionary fusing his technical skills of spatial computing with an avant garde flair for phygital garments.

, : Mixed reality visionary fusing his technical skills of spatial computing with an avant garde flair for phygital garments.

Fanrui Sun , China : Digital visual artist inspired by ultramodern aesthetics and how to push the boundaries of textiles and fabrics in spatial environments.

, : Digital visual artist inspired by ultramodern aesthetics and how to push the boundaries of textiles and fabrics in spatial environments.

Nextberries, Nigeria : Elevated fashion house that combines heritage with technology to design unisex apparel with a focus on the metaverse.

: Elevated fashion house that combines heritage with technology to design unisex apparel with a focus on the metaverse.

Gustavo Toledo , Brazil : 3D creative focused on the intersection of science, fashion, and art, and how to make fashion more accessible and intersectional.

, 3D creative focused on the intersection of science, fashion, and art, and how to make fashion more accessible and intersectional.

Felipe Fiallo , Italy : Eco-futurist footwear designer driven by implementing cradle-to-cradle sustainable design principles in the footwear sector.

, : Eco-futurist footwear designer driven by implementing cradle-to-cradle sustainable design principles in the footwear sector.

Jacquelyn Jade, USA : Immersive technology creator rendering artistic visions in both augmented, virtual, and physical environments.

For a comprehensive overview of the 10 digital designers please see here.

Why: SYKY believes that the future of the fashion industry is undeniably rooted in both digital and physical realms. Recognizing this transformative shift, SYKY's goal is to drive innovation, support and empower digital-native designers and help integrate their role in the current fashion landscape through the SYKY Collective. SYKY seeks to shape the future of fashion by harnessing the immense potential of digital design, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and fostering a community of forward-thinking designers. By investing in the growth and development of these global designers, SYKY paves the way for the emergence of revolutionary luxury fashion houses that embrace the digital realm and redefine the boundaries of style and expression.

About SYKY: SYKY is a luxury fashion platform building the foundation for the future of fashion. In January 2023, SYKY closed its $10.5M Series A Funding Round, led by Seven Seven Six. Shortly after, SYKY launched its Keystone collection, a membership pass for fashion enthusiasts, leaders and collectors who aim to shape the future of fashion in digital, physical and augmented worlds. SYKY debuted digital designers during NYFW23, and has since partnered with leading established fashion brands to bridge the gap between the world of luxury fashion, digital design and Web3.

To learn more about SYKY, please visit us on Instagram, Twitter, Discord, TikTok. Additional information can be found in the SYKY media kit.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2141251/Picture1.jpg

SOURCE SYKY
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Congressman and Founder of The Kennedy Forum Patrick J. Kennedy delivered video remarks to the World Health Organization (WHO) this week at their Fourth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (FADAB). The address comes during a swing of European engagements for former Congressman Kennedy with stops in the United Kingdom and Greece.

The WHO convened an audience of member-state representatives, civil society leaders, advocates, and academics. Patrick J. Kennedy, nephew of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, spoke as a leading advocate in the mental health and substance use space, the author of the United States' 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and a person with 12 years of continuous sobriety. His remarks centered on the need to prioritize mental health and substance use interventions locally, regionally, nationally, internationally, and at the United Nations (U.N.). In 2015, the U.N. integrated mental health as part of its sustainable development goals, though much greater mobilization is needed to make an impact on the lives of people struggling in communities across the world. Kennedy also emphasized that this mobilization should not single out a fraction of the care continuum but rather capture quality prevention, education, and treatment interventions. Other speakers at FADAB included WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the First Lady of Botswana Neo Masisi, and U.K. Member of Parliament Dan Carden.

Before his remarks to the World Health Organization, Congressman Kennedy spoke to students, alumni, and faculty at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom. He then addressed global leaders at the SNF Nostos Conference in Greece, where he also met with former U.S. President Barack Obama. The Kennedy Forum's Co-Founder and staunch advocate for youth mental health, Amy Kennedy, also participated in SNF's Suicide Prevention panel: Safeguarding the emotional health of teens and young adults, on international approaches to combat global youth suicide rates.

To date, The Kennedy Forum has largely worked within the United States to transform mental health and substance use systems. But these challenges extend far beyond U.S. borders, with an international study reporting that the global prevalence of mental disorders increased from 80.8 million to 125.3 million, between 1990 and 2019. Former Congressman Kennedy and Amy Kennedy were honored to share The Kennedy Forum's expertise on a global stage and remain ready to serve across borders as the international community realizes the promise of mental health as essential health.

About The Kennedy Forum

Founded in 2013 by former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), The Kennedy Forum leads a national dialogue on transforming the health care system by uniting mental health advocates, business leaders, and policymakers around a common set of principles, including full implementation of the Federal Parity Law. Launched in celebration of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's signing of the landmark Community Mental Health Act, the nonprofit aims to achieve health equity by advancing evidence-based practices, policies, and programming for the treatment of mental health and addiction. The Kennedy Forum's "Don't Deny Me" campaign educates consumers and providers about patient rights under the Federal Parity Law and connects them with essential appeals guidance and resources. To learn more about The Kennedy Forum and donate, please visit www.thekennedyforum.org.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096681/The_Kennedy_Forum_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Kennedy Forum
COLUMBIA, Md., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mexico Fund, Inc. (NYSE: MXF), today issued its fiscal 2023 Semi-Annual Report for the period ended April 30, 2023.

A full version of the report is available at the company's website  www.themexicofund.com

Semi-Annual Report 2023 Highlights

During the first half of fiscal year 2023, the Fund's NAV per share registered a total return of 22.17%, outperforming the Funds benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International ("MSCI") Mexico Index, which increased 21.95%, while the Funds market price registered a total return of 20.83%. In addition, the Funds NAV per share has outperformed its benchmark during the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended on April 30, 2023, as shown in the table below:



Annualized % Return in USD

1-year 3-years 5-years 10-years MXF Market Price 16.34 29.03 5.18 -1.44 MXF NAV 25.25 31.67 6.55 1.25 MSCI Mexico Index 25.54 30.01 5.77 0.76

As of April 30, 2023, the Fund's market price and NAV per share were $16.68 and $21.11, respectively, reflecting a discount of 20.99%, compared with a discount of 19.75% at the end of fiscal year 2022.

The Fund's Expense Limitation Agreement was renewed for fiscal year 2023, with a cap on the ordinary expense ratio, which excludes the performance component of the Investment Advisory fee, of 1.40%, so long as Fund net assets remain greater than $260 million. The Fund's ordinary expense ratio during the first half of fiscal year 2023 was 1.38%, below the limit of 1.40%.

The Board of Directors of the Fund has ratified the continuation of the Fund's quarterly distributions under its MDP during 2023. As a result, it declared a distribution of $0.20 per share to be paid on July 27, 2023, to stockholders of record as of July 19, 2023.

About The Mexico Fund, Inc.

The Mexico Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company with the investment objective of long-term capital appreciation through investments in securities, primarily equity, listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange. The Fund provides a vehicle to investors who wish to invest in Mexican companies through a managed non-diversified portfolio as part of their overall investment program.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Fund's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, in particular, the risks and uncertainties described in the Fund's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results, events, and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Fund undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by The Mexico Fund or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

Contact:

Tofi Dayan

+5255-9138-3350

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The Mexico Fund, Inc.
CHENGDU, China, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 19, the 2023 Times Young Creative Awards series activities co-sponsored by Chengdu Media Group and Want Want China Times Media Group and hosted by Chengdu New East Exhibition and Times Young Creative Awards Organizing Committee were held in Chengdu. At the event, the 32nd Times Young Creative Awards were awarded, and the design award of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu", a designated theme award proposed by Chengdu Media Group, was also announced.

The design award of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu", a designated theme award proposed by Chengdu Media Group was announced at the the 32nd Times Young Creative Awards Ceremony.

Based on the cultural elements of Chengdu, such as the Sun Bird, and incorporating the mecha elements, the jewelry design work "The Golden Bird as a Gift in Chengdu" created by Yang Yulin, Wang Jiyuan, Yu Xiaohan and Wang Xinhui from the Sino-British Digital Media Art College of Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts won the design prize of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu". Lai Yuyin of Shixin University won the silver prize for the creative work of "Creation Gift Box of Guanghua, Shu" designed with Chengdu 339 Tianfu Panda Tower as the element; Zhou Juxin of Sichuan Normal University's video work "Cyber Shu" of Chengdu's city image won the bronze award.

This design award of "Digital Creation and Talking about Chengdu" includes two categories: the publicity design of urban digital image and the creative works of "Chengdu Gift", aiming at creating "Chengdu Gifts" which have both the significance of urban commemoration and the IP of Chengdu Digital Cultural Creation.

Chengdu will also provide a broader development space for the winning team - the winning works will be held in copyright registration, and Chengdu also plans to launch related online digital creative works, and link with Chengdu Stock Exchange to open up the trading chain of related cultural theme resources.

It is reported that the Times Young Creative Awards is the most influential youth creative award in Chinese-speaking areas. In 2023, more than 730,000 people from more than 100 cities, over 1,500 colleges and universities around the world participated in the 32nd Times Young Creative Awards, and more than 100,000 entries were submitted.

This year is also the fourth time that Times Young Creative Awards was held in Chengdu. During the event, creative design talents from all over the world will visit all parts of Chengdu, have in-depth exchanges with local creative institutions, enterprises and parks.

SOURCE Chengdu New East Exhibition Co.,Ltd
RICHMOND, Va., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The eagerly awaited Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns August 12 and 13, 2023, to picturesque Maymont in Richmond, VA. This highly anticipated event will treat music enthusiasts to an unforgettable experience featuring the legendary Chaka Khan, Saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns with Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius, plus the soulful Coco Jones, Ledisi, Wale, Kirk Whalum, Joe, Lalah Hathaway, MAJOR., and many more to be announced!

Tickets on sale Tuesday, June 27th at richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com. Early ticket purchases are highly recommended, as this event is expected to draw music enthusiasts from far and wide.

"This promises to be one of the absolute best Jazz Festivals on the East Coast!" Tweet this

RJMFest will showcase a diverse lineup of talented artists across various genres on two stages, ensuring something for everyone to enjoy. From jazz and blues to funk, pop and R&B, the festival promises an eclectic mix of music that will resonate with devoted fans and newcomers alike.

Altria  a Fortune 200 company responsible for building some of the world's best-known brands  is once again the presenting sponsor for the festival. Dominion Energy returns as the sponsor for the Dominion Energy stage, and Virginia Tourism Corporate returns as the sponsor of the Virginia is for Lovers stage. Other sponsors include Radio One, Richmond Region Tourism, and NBC12.

"We couldn't be more excited for the return of the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival to the heart of our vibrant city," said Whitney White, Director of Account Management for JMI, the producers of the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival. "This promises to be one of the absolute best Jazz Festivals on the east coast. Music lovers will be treated to an incredible weekend of world-class performances, a celebration of the rich tapestry of jazz, and so much more."

RJMFest not only showcases exceptional musical talent but also provides a unique opportunity to indulge in local cuisine, explore artisan vendors, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Maymont. Attendees can immerse themselves in the festival's vibrant ambiance, creating lasting memories and fostering a deep sense of community.

For more information about RJMFest, including the complete lineup and ticket details, as well as premium experience packages, please visit richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com. Stay updated with the latest news and announcements by following the festival @rjmfest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Frances Burruss

Director of Account Management, JMI

Media Director, Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

[email protected]

SOURCE Richmond Jazz and Music Festival
Eleven exceptional researchers receive grants in a move to progress cancer research while challenging gender disparities

CARY, N.C., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a premier cancer research charity, proudly announces the first recipients of A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research. This landmark initiative is helping to counteract longstanding gender disparities in research by investing $8 million in the groundbreaking work of 11 women scientists leading the charge in cancer research.

Women researchers face substantial pay gaps, on average $18,000 less per year in comparison to their male colleagues, and they encounter a funding difference of 38% less to support their research. The COVID-19 pandemic placed an unfair caregiving burden on female researchers as well, leading to less time spent in the lab. The setbacks endured throughout the pandemic will have long-term for women in cancer research. Recognizing these disparities, the V Foundation for Cancer Research developed A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research to amplify female representation and encourage more women-led breakthroughs in this field.

We are not only advancing vital cancer research, but we're working to encourage more women to pursue careers in science. Tweet this

The V Foundation awards competitive grants to the top cancer centers in the country through a process vetted by its Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of the nation's top doctors and scientists. This group helps the Foundation to remain selective, forward thinking, and determined in how more research is funded across all cancer types. This funding model is unique and ensures the momentum in science continues.

"These outstanding scientists deserve recognition and support for the groundbreaking research being conducted. Outside of applauding their accomplishments, this inaugural class signals the V Foundation's commitment to challenging the status quo," Susanna F. Greer, Ph.D., and the V Foundation's Chief Scientific Officer stated. "Through these grants, we are not only advancing vital cancer research, but we are working to encourage more women to pursue careers in science. "

The recipients of the Translational Research Award, each receiving $800,000 over four years, are:

Dr. Sarah Adams , MD, University of New Mexico Cancer Research & Treatment Center, for her novel treatment predictive biomarker for immune therapy in ovarian cancer.

Cancer Research & Treatment Center, for her novel treatment predictive biomarker for immune therapy in ovarian cancer. Dr. Julia Carnevale , MD, UCSF/Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, for innovations in engineering cutting-edge CART-T cells for treating gastrointestinal malignancies.

UCSF/Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, for innovations in engineering cutting-edge CART-T cells for treating gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Lesley Jarvis , MD, Ph.D., Dartmouth Cancer Center, for her translation of ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy to improve clinical outcomes.

Dartmouth Cancer Center, for her translation of ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy to improve clinical outcomes. Dr. Sita Kugel, Ph.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and a 2018 V Scholar grant recipient, for her work in targeting the CDK7 enzyme in basal subtype pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and a 2018 V Scholar grant recipient, for her work in targeting the CDK7 enzyme in basal subtype pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma Dr. Eva Hernando-Monge , Ph.D., NYU Langone Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, for her novel metabolic adaptations as targets in melanoma brain metastasis.

The winners of the V Scholar Award, each receiving $600,000 over three years, are:

Dr. Kelly Bolton , MD, Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis , for her work on the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer.

School of Medicine in , for her work on the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer. Dr. Christina Glytsou, Ph.D., Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey , for her research on mitochondrial dynamics adaptations in drug-resistant acute myeloid leukemia.

Rutgers Cancer Institute of , for her research on mitochondrial dynamics adaptations in drug-resistant acute myeloid leukemia. Dr. Sarah Johnstone , MD, Ph.D. , Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for investigating the architectural protein mutations that rewire ovarian cancer genomes.

, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for investigating the architectural protein mutations that rewire ovarian cancer genomes. Dr. Katherine Tossas , Ph.D., M.S. , VCU Massey Cancer Center, for her research on the influence of the vaginal microbiome and stress-response pathways on racial disparities in precancerous cervical lesions.

, VCU Massey Cancer Center, for her research on the influence of the vaginal microbiome and stress-response pathways on racial disparities in precancerous cervical lesions. Dr. Christina Towers , Ph.D., Salk Cancer Center  Salk Institute for Biological Studies, for her work in uncovering novel metabolic susceptibilities in pancreatic cancer.

Salk Cancer Center  Salk Institute for Biological Studies, for her work in uncovering novel metabolic susceptibilities in pancreatic cancer. Dr. Ly Vu , Ph.D., University of British Columbia , for defining a high-resolution functional map of m6A RNA epi transcriptome in normal and malignant blood stem cells.

"I cannot thank the V Foundation for Cancer Research enough for having faith in my work and for funding my project," Christina Towers, Assistant Professor at Salk Institute for Biological Studies said. "As a working mother who has faced numerous hurdles in my research career, I am thrilled to receive this grant that helps me pursue my work in treating cancer patients and making a lasting difference. The A Grant of her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research empowers women in science and gives us the opportunity to continue to grow our career and diversify the scientific workforce."

For further information about this initiative and other V Foundation grant programs, visit www.v.org.

About the V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer. To learn more, visit v.org.

SOURCE V Foundation
TORONTO, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters Corporation ("Thomson Reuters") (NYSE / TSX: TRI), a global content and technology company, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Casetext, a California-based provider of technology for legal professionals, for $650 million cash.

The proposed transaction will complement Thomson Reuters existing AI roadmap and builds on its recent initiatives, including a commitment to invest more than $100 million annually on AI capabilities, the development of new generative AI experiences across its product suite, as well as a new plugin with Microsoft and Microsoft 365 Copilot for legal professionals.

Founded in 2013, Casetext uses advanced AI and machine learning to build technology for legal professionals, creating solutions that help them work more efficiently and provide higher-quality representation to more clients. Casetext employs 104 employees, and its customers include more than 10,000 law firms and corporate legal departments.

Casetext was granted early access to OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model, allowing it to develop solutions with the new technology and refine use cases for legal professionals. Its key products include CoCounsel, an AI legal assistant launched in 2023 and powered by GPT-4 that delivers document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes.

"The acquisition of Casetext is another step in our 'build, partner and buy' strategy to bring generative AI solutions to our customers," said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "We believe that Casetext will accelerate and expand our market potential for these offerings - revolutionizing the way professionals work, and the work they do."

"For the last ten years, we have harnessed the power of AI to build products that elevate the practice of law and enable attorneys to serve more people's legal needs, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to justice," said Jake Heller, CEO of Casetext. "Joining Thomson Reuters is an incredible opportunity to advance our mission and the field of generative AI solutions exponentially, not only for lawyers but across professions, ensuring this revolutionary technology can benefit as many people as possible."

Closing of the transaction is subject to specified regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is anticipated to occur in the second half of 2023.

Thomson Reuters will hold a conference call to discuss additional details related to the proposed transaction on Tuesday, June 27 at 9:00 AM EDT. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.thomsonreuters.com.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (NYSE / TSX: TRI) ("TR") informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is the world's leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.

Casetext

Casetext has led innovation in legal AI since 2013, applying cutting-edge AI to the law to create solutions that enable attorneys to provide higher-quality representation to more clients, enhance efficiency and accuracy, and gain a competitive advantage. In launching CoCounsel, the first-ever legal AI assistant, Casetext ushered in a new era for legal technology. CoCounsel processes 2B+ words per day, automating critical, time-intensive tasks for lawyers and expanding access to justice. For more information visit www.casetext.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, MATERIAL RISKS AND MATERIAL ASSUMPTIONS

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking, including but not limited to the expected closing date for the proposed transaction, and the strategic benefits of the proposed transaction. The words "expect", "anticipate", "believe" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. While the company believes that it has a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this news release, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes and there is no assurance that any of the other events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond our company's control and the effects of them can be difficult to predict. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS MEDIA Andrew Green Senior Director, Corporate Affairs +1 332 219 1511 [email protected] INVESTORS Gary E. Bisbee, CFA Head of Investor Relations +1 646 540 3249 [email protected]

SOURCE Thomson Reuters
STATEMENT OF SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN ON POLICE RAID IN LAS PINAS POGO HUB

The latest police raid in a POGO hub in Las Pinas that resulted in the rescue of more than 2,000 workers, Filipinos and foreigner workers, alleged to be victims of human trafficking, is another testament that POGOs' involvement in criminal activities has become rampant, and necessitates their immediate expulsion from the country.

Because we have allowed POGOs to maintain operations in the country, the Philippines has become a hotbed of human trafficking. POGO hubs, in effect, have been given a free license to engage in criminal activities because of PAGCOR's utter incompetence in supervising the operations of POGOs.

Undoubtedly, the POGO industry poses a huge threat to the country's peace and order situation, endangering both local and foreign nationals. Hindi na dapat madagdagan pa ang mga biktima ng POGO sa bansa. Paalisin na ang mga POGO sa lalong madaling panahon!
Two-time Oscar-winning editor Pietro Scalia will be honored by the Locarno Film Festival with its Vision Award honoring technical achievements and advancements in film.

Scalia, who was born in Sicily but grew up in Switzerland and studied film at UCLA, has won Oscars for JFK and Black Hawk Down. Over the past two decades hes collaborated closely with top directors such as Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, Bernardo Bertolucci, Gus Van Sant, Rob Marshall, Sam Raimi and Michael Mann. His recent work includes Manns upcoming Ferrari.

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Scalia will receive the Locarno award on Aug. 3 during a ceremony on the Swiss fests 8,000-seat Piazza Grande, followed on Aug. 4 by an onstage conversation and screenings of two standout titles from his career: Good Will Hunting (1997) and Black Hawk Down (2001).

In the beginning there was the editing, as Eisenstein taught us, and as Hollywood formally defined it, said Giona A. Nazzaro, Locarnos artistic director in a statement praising Scalia. In the tradition of the great film editors of Hollywood who shaped the image of classic cinema and its subsequent transformations, Pietro Scalia has revolutionized our way of thinking about how each image is joined to the next, he added. Nazzaro further noted that Scalias editing work has influenced whole generations of young filmmakers; he brought in a decisive new gaze in determining the rhythmic intervals and timing required for linking images to each other.

Previous winners of the Locarno Vision Award include visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull; cinematographer and steadycam inventor Garrett Brown; editor Walter Murch; and composer Howard Shore (2016).

The 76th edition of Locarno will run Aug. 2-12.

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NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TipRanks, the stock research website that levels the playing field for every investor, has placed first in the Objetivo Fintech Award 2023 contest. The contest's main sponsor, Vector Casa de Bolsa and VectorGlobal, named TipRanks "the most innovative technology and financial company in the world in 2023."

The win attests to TipRanks' excellence in processing terabytes of financial data and transforming them into very simple tools for analyzing stocks and ETFs. The contest's organizers cited TipRanks' proficiency at making investment data transparent and helping investors make better financial decisions, based on reliable data. TipRanks' expertise at monitoring and measuring the performance of more than 96,000 financial experts helped it clinch the first-place position.

Vector's Global Fintech contest attracted Fintech companies from across the world, with contestants from 32 countries on four continents angling for first place. TipRanks beat out worthy competitors from Asia, America, Europe and Africa. Among the judges were experts from the venture capital sector, supported by institutions such as Google Cloud.

Vector Casa de Bolsa and VectorGlobal, the contest's sponsor, is a full-service broker dealer and wealth manager. The contest's co-sponsor, Finnovista, is the largest FinTech and Insurtech collaboration platform in Latin America. Innovatively, the contest was held in the virtual world of Vector's Metaverse, with avatars representing the judges and contestants.

The contest's emcee, SofIA, was virtual as well. Created by Vector Casa de Bolsa and VectorGlobal using Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT, SofIA is the first Virtual Assistant in Latin America's financial system. SofIA wowed the audience, introducing the managers of Vector Casa de Bolsa, VectorGlobal and Finnovista as well as the international panel of judges. The virtual assistant also had the privilege of announcing TipRanks as the winning Fintech company.

Edgardo Cantu, Executive President of Vector Empresas and General Director of Vector Casa de Bolsa, commented, "As Vector and Vector Global, the only global Mexican financial company with a presence in ten countries, we are delighted with the opportunities that our Objetivo Fintech Award contest has given us. Thanks to the contest, we can create an alliance with Tipranks, and offer differential added value to our clients. This is evidence that Objetivo Fintech is not only allowing us to learn first-hand about the major global trends in real-life financial technology applications, but also is generating visibility for our brand on four continents." Cantu continued, "In addition to this alliance opportunity, the celebration of the award ceremony in the Vector metaverse shows our firm commitment not only to talent without borders, but also to the latest technological trends. We are already adopting those trends at Vector and Vector Global, as demonstrated by our emcee, SofIA, who is the first virtual assistant in the financial sector of LATAM, entirely created with Generative Artificial Intelligence. Our sincere congratulations to TIPRANKS for having been chosen as the best Fintech of 2023!"

Monica Martinez Montes, Director of Innovation at Vector Casa de Bolsa, highlighted that "the fact that so many FinTechs, investors, large technology companies, embassies and associations have chosen to join our ecosystem, is a testament to how Vector's collaboration and interaction with innovators is already a reality, the fruits of which are already making a difference, both for all participants, and for our clients."

Uri Gruenbaum, CEO and co-founder of TipRanks, said, "TipRanks is proud to be recognized as the top Fintech company by the Vector Global Objetivo Fintech Award. This underscores our mission to be at the cutting edge of financial technology innovation to help the everyday investor. We will continue to bring TipRanks' customers the best and latest technology, as we level the playing field for everyone."

About TipRanks Ltd.

TipRanks is a multi-award-winning financial technology company that analyzes financial big data to provide market research tools for retail investors. The TipRanks Financial Accountability Engine scans and analyzes financial websites, corporate filings submitted to the SEC, and analyst research, to rank financial experts in real time. Its alternative datasets allow all types of investors to use institutional-grade tools.

Contact:

Gilan Miller-Gertz

+972-52-549-4820

[email protected]

SOURCE TipRanks Ltd.
The move is the second merger for United in Huntsville, Alabama; combined operations are now No. 3 market share leader in unit sales

DALLAS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United Real Estate (United) announced its second expansion in Huntsville, Alabama today, solidifying its position in the top three residential brokerages in the local market. United's Leading Edge Real Estate Group, which joined United's national network in 2022, and Huntsville-based Revolved Realty have merged operations.

These entrepreneurs are leveraging their unique talents and United Real Estate's national resources to great advantage. Tweet this Huntsville-based Revolved Realty merges with Leading Edge Real Estate Group and becomes the newest member of United's national network. This second merger for United in Alabama moves it into the top three brokerages locally.

The combined companies and their 300 agents will operate as Leading Edge Real Estate Group. Revolved Realty co-founder, Tim Knox joins the team as President to advance the long-term success of the combined operations and will remain the managing broker of two former Revolved Realty offices in Huntsville. No role changes are planned for Leading Edge Real Estate Group's founders, Danny and Charlene Sullivan. Agents will gain additional new tools, training and resources deployed through United's Bullseye Cloud proprietary productivity platform.

"The merger of these two great local brokerages, combined with the backing of our national partner United Real Estate, offers limitless opportunities for buyers and sellers across north Alabama and southern Tennessee. And for the thousands of REALTORS who call this area home, our commitment to helping agents build long-term, legacy businesses has never been greater," stated Tim Knox and Chelsea McKinney, founders of Revolved Realty. "That's the banner we will carry as we go forth and expand our market share here and eventually statewide."

In today's market, brokerages have a tremendous opportunity to join forces for long-term competitive advantage.

"Tim and his team bring new energy into the company. Together, we have great synergy and focus and can leverage each person's expertise to accomplish goals that previously seemed insurmountable. The services and tools we'll bring to our service footprint will be huge for our market and for the agents. Together, we are now the third-largest in unit sales in our marketplace, and our combined strengths are a catalyst for continued growth," commented Danny & Charlene Sullivan, founders of Leading Edge Real Estate Group.

Over the last decade, the real estate industry has shifted from commission-split brokerage models to transaction-fee models. New-generation models that entered the market have shown growth, while legacy models have reported declines in agent count, sales volume and unit sales. COVID-19 magnified those trends. According to a data-backed study examining brokerage profitability by real estate tech strategist Mike DelPrete, United was one of two national brokerages to be profitable in Q1 2023.

As brokerages move further into the new real estate market, change and innovation will become imperative for survival. In hindsight, we will look back and realize 2023 was the turning point for both legacy and new-generation models.

"Danny, Tim, Charlene, Chelsea and their respective employees and agents are creating forward momentum. What's very exciting is that we have a carefully crafted strategic plan to navigate their agents successfully into the future. Today's real estate landscape is vastly different than just five years ago, and these entrepreneurs are leveraging their unique talents and United Real Estate's national resources to great advantage for their company and agents," stated Rick Haase, President of United Real Estate.

To learn more about United Real Estate, brokerage succession planning, brokerage valuation and sale or franchising opportunities, visit GrowWithUnited.com or call 888-960-0606. Agents interested in learning about career opportunities with United Real Estate can visit JoinUnitedRealEstate.com or call 888-960-0606.

About United Real Estate

United Real Estate (United)  a division of United Real Estate Group  was founded with the purpose of offering solutions to real estate brokers and agents in the rapidly changing real estate brokerage industry. United provides the latest training, marketing and technology tools to agents and brokers under a flat-fee, transaction-based agent commission model. By leveraging the company's proprietary cloud-based Bullseye Agent & Broker Productivity Platform, United delivers a more profitable outcome for agents and brokers. United Real Estate operates in 33 states with 148 offices and 18,500 agents. The company produced over 77,900 transactions and $27.9 billion in sales volume in 2022.

About Leading Edge Real Estate Group

Founded in 2013 by Danny and Charlene Sullivan, Leading Edge Real Estate Group's mission is "Leading the way, using cutting-edge technology to sell your home quickly and effectively while having fun in the process." The company is committed to professionalism and quality and serves the real estate needs of clients throughout North Alabama.

About Revolved Realty

Founded in 2018 by Tim Knox and Chelsea McKinney, Revolved Realty was built on the premise that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it's a life-changing experience. Their team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all clients throughout North Alabama. A champion of relationships, Revolved Realty agents work relentlessly on the client's behalf to achieve their real estate goals.

For More Information:

April Gonzalez, Media & Investor Relations

[email protected]

816-420-6258

SOURCE United Real Estate
His & Her TimePieces Debuted for June 2023 Peak Wedding Season

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Armitron, ( https://www.armitron.com/ ), a timepiece trend maker and renowned watch brand since 1975, announced their glorious Ross & Rachel watch duo this week. The captivating and intricately curated collection is inspired by the iconic sitcom couple who quickly stole the world's hearts. Designed to symbolize everlasting romance, both watches capture the hearts of couples and gift-givers alike during the enchantment of the 2023 wedding season. The perfect gift for the bride, groom, or bridal party, these beautifully designed and coordinated watches are a great way to express your love or gratitude. The stainless steel case and bracelet with gold or silver Roman numeral markings make these classic timepieces something they will treasure for years to come. Exquisite features of each watch include:

The Ross and Rachel, as photographed by Paul Gordon Armitron releases the Ross and Rachel, as photographed by Paul Gordon

The Ross : Perfect for the Groom or the Groomsmen, this signature timepiece is one half of a classic his-and-hers duo. The stainless steel case, bracelet, and coin edge bezel are available in stunning gold-tone , silver-tone , and two-tone finishes, featuring glossy white, sunray silver, or glossy black dials. Embodying harmony, elegance, and functionality, it perfectly compliments its counterpart. Priced at $95 and exclusively sold at Armitron.com.

The Rachel : For the Bride or Bridesmaids, this swoon-worthy timepiece represents sophisticated elegance and complements the Ross style. It is also designed with a stainless steel bracelet and case and is available in silver with a silver sunray dial or gold with a glossy white dial. The elegant, round stainless steel case is accented by a polished coin edge bezel and adjustable link bracelet and is available in silver and gold tones . This timepiece also features a sophisticated dial with Roman numeral markers and push-button clasp closure. Shop both designs and check out the matching men's Ross watch for your special someone or as an engagement or wedding gift. Priced at $85 and exclusively sold at Artmitron.com.

"With heartfelt intention, Armitron presents a stunning symbol of eternal love, destined to become an heirloom that evokes the profound bond and enduring commitment shared by two souls. We sought to encapsulate the essence of love and pay homage to its forces of beauty and strength when it comes together. Uniquely beautiful standing alone and phenomenally breathtaking when brought together," explains Bobbie Weichselbaum, CEO of E. Gluck Corporation. "We are known for watches that leave a lasting impression on your heart. Timepieces that you think back to childhood and have a lovingly nostalgic feel. We are bringing that same overwhelming heartfelt feeling to the 2023 wedding season."

In 2023, Armitron continues to captivate watch enthusiasts and set trends with its dynamic collections. The brand takes the lead in watch design, offering stylish timepieces that cater to various tastes and preferences. Armitron's dedication to craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a wide range of designs establish it as a go-to brand for individuals seeking both style and affordability.

For more information on Armitron and media inquiries regarding the Ross & Rachel watch pair, please contact BPM-PR Firm at [email protected] or call 1.877.841.7244. Discover the perfect timepiece that seamlessly combines elegance, sentiment, and affordability.

ABOUT ARMITRON

Since 1975, Armitron has been devoted to nurturing the spirit of individuality with high-quality, high-style watches at accessible price points, driven by the understanding that a timepiece is both a common thread and a distinguishing factor. As a brand underneath the E. Gluck Corporation umbrella, Armitron connects prestige and curation with unprecedented value and convenience. E. Gluck Corporation manufactures watches under its flagship proprietary brand, Armitron. The company also manufactures watches for major fashion brands, including Anne Klein, Nine West, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, and Steve Madden. Proudly headquartered in New York, Armitron is an Official Timepiece of the New York Yankees. For more information, visit www.Armitron.com .

Media Contact:

Alexa Morales

[email protected]

877-841-7244

SOURCE Armitron
Founder, Bob Monahan was honored among 14 other finalists in Boston early this month

ROCKLAND, Mass., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this month, Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) honored 14 New England entrepreneurs who are impacting their communities near and far. UPPAbaby Founder, Bob Monahan was among those awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year New England region. Bob was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors, and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other core contributions and attributes. With a win regionally, Bob is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards this fall in California.

UPPAbaby Founder, Bob Monahan

"It is truly an honor to be named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year New England region winner. My vision and mission for the company 17 years ago remains true today. I wanted to provide a premiere customer experience with products that help parents navigate their early years of parenthood. We have come a long way since 2006 from five employees to more than 200 globally, but remained true to our small-town roots and not losing that sense of community that is invaluable to the culture here. We continue to be experts in parenting solutions and will continue to push the limits on how smart we can make them."

The celebrations of Bob's win continued with his appearance on Boston's Fox 25 'Around Town' segment with host, Brittany Everett, to discuss the award, a brief history of UPPAbaby, UPPAbaby's commitment to customer experience and introduced the Bevvy, the first-of-its-kind stroller cooler. To view the 'Around Town' segment, click here, to learn more visit www.uppababy.com and follow UPPAbaby on LinkedIn (UPPAbaby), Instagram (@uppababy), and Facebook (@UPPAbaby).

About UPPAbaby

UPPAbaby is a global company with small-town roots committed to improving the lives of parents by building the smartest juvenile gear available. Our products are intuitively designed and expertly crafted, with features parents rely on. Drawing on three decades of experience, UPPAbaby was founded in 2006 to create products that make life with kids more manageable, more fashionable, and even more fun.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate. Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today. EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

SOURCE UPPAbaby
SAN DIEGO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VECKTA Corporation , the Energy Transition Platform, has closed another funding round led by Tech Square Ventures and a syndicate of new and existing investors, such as the leading climate fund Volo Earth, Worley, and Cove Fund . As part of the financing, Bill Nussey , Partner at Tech Square Ventures & Engage , author, and Freeing Energy podcast host, will join VECKTA's Board of Directors.

"The world is on an unstoppable transition to clean, lower-cost, renewable energy," says Bill Nussey. Tweet this Bill Nussey, new VECKTA Board of Director's member, Partner at Tech Square Ventures & Engage, author, and Freeing Energy Podcast host.

"The world is on an unstoppable transition to clean, lower-cost, renewable energy. While large-scale systems, like power plants & transmission, are an essential component of this transition, these projects can take years, sometimes a decade or longer, to get approved, built, and integrated with the grid," says Bill Nussey .

"Fortunately, VECKTA offers a parallel path forward that is far faster by helping businesses build their own, smaller scale 'onsite energy' systems like microgrids. These systems are more reliable, increasingly cheaper, and always cleaner. My partners and I are excited to work with VECKTA, as they help accelerate the world's shift to a clean energy future and become a global leader in this exciting new part of the energy ecosystem."

Energy is the lifeblood of businesses globally. As energy prices rise, reliability declines and carbon reduction commitments loom. Business leaders are looking for solutions. Yet the CDP reports that only 0.4% of companies have a credible energy transition plan. Why is this? In the past, business leaders did not know what is possible, where to begin, or who to turn to. That is until now.

VECKTA is a cloud-based platform and marketplace for onsite energy where commercial and industrial businesses can deploy resources with precision, slash wasted time to achieve desired goals, and have defensible confidence in the systems deployed.

VECKTA users can focus on the highest-value sites, determine optimal systems, and receive firm bids from the world's leading energy system suppliers all in weeks rather than months or years. VECKTA then monitors ongoing performance and makes real-time recommendations for successfully navigating ongoing and future energy transition strategy opportunities.

"Businesses globally are collectively leaving billions of dollars on the table! No more pushy and biased supplier pitches or budget-squeezing consulting scopes, and no more wasting time and money exploring options but never taking action - it's time to take control and set your business up for success. Our mission is to deploy more profitable and sustainable energy projects globally than any other company in the world. To do this we continue to surround ourselves with the best in the business and I could not be more excited about the opportunity to work with Bill and the TSV syndicate." adds VECKTA's Founder and CEO, Gareth Evans .

VECKTA is a cloud-based platform and marketplace for onsite energy that helps commercial and industrial businesses lower their energy costs, improve their reliability, and reduce their carbon emissions. Users input their buildings and facilities to quickly rank efficiency, solar, storage and more complex microgrid options by price, resilience and emissions for a single site or entire portfolio. It then configures the optimal system(s) and solicits bids from the company's marketplace of thousands of providers. Finally, VECKTA monitors ongoing performance against project design goals. With VECKTA, businesses can achieve their energy goals and energy transformation objectives with confidence, for more sustainable and profitable outcomes quickly, efficiently and powered by the leading technology platform. VECKTA allows business leaders to focus on running their operations, knowing that their energy strategy is being optimized, creating a win for the business, a new customer for suppliers, and a thriving society. VECKTA is revolutionizing the onsite energy and microgrid industry and creating win-win outcomes for all. Watch the video to learn how VECKTA can work for you.

SOURCE VECKTA
Celebrates outstanding Franchisees and Service Providers

DENVER, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WellBiz Brands Inc., the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise platform, recently recognized top franchisees and service providers at its annual UNITED conference at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The WellBiz Brands portfolio includes Amazing Lash Studio , Drybar, Elements Massage , Fitness Together and Radiant Waxing .

With the theme of Unstoppable Growth, the Support Center announced a multitude of new programs including the new operations support structure launched for franchisees and a preview of the new innovations and initiatives that will shape the next year and beyond. Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Morgan spoke to attendees about his vision and commitment to their continued success.

WellBiz Brands Inc. recognized top franchisees and service providers at its annual UNITED conference in Las Vegas. Tweet this

"At WellBiz Brands, we are laser-focused on providing world-class experiences for every guest. That is what drives us," Morgan said. "However, we all know that providing those experiences and allowing them to recharge through services provided by the brands is a lot of work. And so, at this conference, we celebrate the amazing franchise owners, service providers and support staff who make the magic happen for everyone who enters their shops, salons and studios."

During the UNITED conference, WellBiz Brands recognized the Franchisee and Service Providers of the Year:

Franchisees of the Year

Amazing Lash Studio: Juan Cristerna has three studios in Brownsville and McAllen, Texas , with the McAllen location having the 2022 highest membership count in the system with an impressive 955 members. Cristerna was also recognized for being the first franchisee in the history of the brand to reach $2 million at one single location. Cristerna and his team's top priority is creating a great guest experience through the services they offer. A longtime member of the Franchise Advisory Council, Cristerna was recognized for championing the brand and for his commitment to helping other franchisees by sharing best practices.

Juan Cristerna has three studios in and , with the location having the 2022 highest membership count in the system with an impressive 955 members. Cristerna was also recognized for being the first franchisee in the history of the brand to reach at one single location. Cristerna and his team's top priority is creating a great guest experience through the services they offer. A longtime member of the Franchise Advisory Council, Cristerna was recognized for championing the brand and for his commitment to helping other franchisees by sharing best practices. Drybar: In 2018, Joy Vertz opened her first shop in Milwaukee , and since that time added three additional shops in Illinois and this summer will open her second shop in the Milwaukee area. A true Drybar brand ambassador, Vertz exemplifies leadership through her passion, drive and sense of fun. She never hesitates to help others and often goes above and beyond to grow the Drybar brand.

In 2018, opened her first shop in , and since that time added three additional shops in and this summer will open her second shop in the area. A true Drybar brand ambassador, Vertz exemplifies leadership through her passion, drive and sense of fun. She never hesitates to help others and often goes above and beyond to grow the Drybar brand. Elements Massage: Sam Humphrey and Jeff Crenshaw collectively own four studios in the Phoenix, Arizona , market. Much loved by their team, they challenge employees to be their best and have fun doing it. They were among the first to launch the Element Massage brand's Career Advancement Program; they also take two days per year to create training programs based on massage therapists' recommendations. Additionally, Humphrey is a valuable member of Elements Massage Franchise Advisory Council.

Sam Humphrey and collectively own four studios in the Phoenix, , market. Much loved by their team, they challenge employees to be their best and have fun doing it. They were among the first to launch the Element Massage brand's Career Advancement Program; they also take two days per year to create training programs based on massage therapists' recommendations. Additionally, Humphrey is a valuable member of Elements Massage Franchise Advisory Council. Fitness Together: Tom Lavoie owns the Fitness Together studio in Reading, Massachusetts. In 2022, the studio had a Net Promoter Score  a customer experience metric  of 100, which is nearly impossible to achieve. Additionally, his studio employs some of the longest-tenured employees.

Tom Lavoie owns the Fitness Together studio in Reading, Massachusetts. In 2022, the studio had a Net Promoter Score  a customer experience metric  of 100, which is nearly impossible to achieve. Additionally, his studio employs some of the longest-tenured employees. Radiant Waxing: As the owner of two Radiant Waxing salons, Brandie Chapman has built a culture based on respect and trust. In addition to Radiant Waxing, this powerhouse entrepreneur also owns a Drybar shop but that's not all - her first Amazing Lash Studio location is currently being developed! She is not only known for creating a thriving culture within her locations, but for also supporting other owners.

Service Providers of the Year

Amazing Lash Studio: Lash Stylist of the Year Elizabeth "Liz" Gearheart, Suntree, Florida , is praised for her attention to detail and eye for aesthetics for guests, as well as her dedication to continuing education and willingness to share her knowledge with others.

Lash Stylist of the Year Elizabeth "Liz" Gearheart, Suntree, , is praised for her attention to detail and eye for aesthetics for guests, as well as her dedication to continuing education and willingness to share her knowledge with others. Drybar: Service Provider of the Year Ally Williams, Rogers, Arkansas , wears many hats in the shop and has learned all bartending duties, checks clients in and out and is helping to recruit stylists in an effort to be more helpful and take on more responsibility.

Service Provider of the Year Ally Williams, , wears many hats in the shop and has learned all bartending duties, checks clients in and out and is helping to recruit stylists in an effort to be more helpful and take on more responsibility. Elements Massage: Massage Therapist of the Year Senia Seturino, Scottsdale, Arizona , focused on professional development, earning a master therapist designation and seeing client request rate grow to an amazing 86%.

Massage Therapist of the Year Senia Seturino, , focused on professional development, earning a master therapist designation and seeing client request rate grow to an amazing 86%. Fitness Together: Personal Trainer of the Year Hannah Maples, Bearden , Tennessee , has averaged nearly 2,000 training sessions per year since she was hired in 2019, and as studio manager, she has helped grow the studio's sales by 280%.

Personal Trainer of the Year Hannah Maples, , , has averaged nearly 2,000 training sessions per year since she was hired in 2019, and as studio manager, she has helped grow the studio's sales by 280%. Radiant Waxing: Waxologist of the Year Rachel Westerlund, Westfield, New Jersey , completed an average 324 services per month in 2022. Last summer, she became head trainer for four salons and she runs the location's social media accounts.

With nearly 900 franchise locations open globally and more than 300 in development, WellBiz Brands offers opportunities to experienced and prospective entrepreneurs that fit their passions and goals. For more information, please visit: WellBizbrands.com.

About WellBiz Brands Inc.:

WellBiz Brands Inc. is the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise platform catering to the needs of the affluent female consumer. The WellBiz Brands' portfolio features category leaders including Drybar, Amazing Lash Studio , Radiant Waxing, Elements Massage and Fitness Together. The company's cross-brand digital marketing program drives effective member acquisition strategies, creating a world-class membership ecosystem. WellBizONE, a proprietary technology platform, enhances studio operations for franchisees, fueling member engagement and retention. With expertise in supply chain management, e-commerce and product innovation, WellBiz Brands provides franchisees with a leading edge. The company has received national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Franchise Times Fast & Serious, among others. For more information, visit WellBizBrands.com.



Contact: Sandra Dimsdale Horan, APR

[email protected]

863.646.2488

SOURCE WellBiz Brands
Seasoned Wurk leader to spearhead operations and strategy

DENVER, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wurk , the first and leading Human Capital Management (HCM) company for the cannabis industry, today announced the appointment of Jennifer Meadows as chief operating officer, effective June 19, 2023.

As Wurk's chief operating officer, Meadows will lead processes across Wurk, develop business strategies and strategically execute the company's goals for the future. She will be responsible for the implementations, product, tax, money movement and operations teams.

"In my time at Wurk so far, I have developed incredible relationships with the team as we strive to evolve the company and serve our industry," said Jennifer Meadows. "Wurk offers an essential service to cannabis, providing operators with the security of an industry-specific human resources foundation and a reliable means to pay employees. I am thrilled to take on the role of COO at a company I truly believe in and am eager to get started on leading operations at such an exciting time."

Meadows joined the Wurk community in 2020 with over two decades of experience in business development, operations management and leadership. Most recently, as director of operations, Meadows has developed a team of implementation experts that supports Wurk's growth objectives. Before working in cannabis, Meadows managed human resources and payroll outsourcing teams for clients in several sectors.

"Jennifer has continually proven herself as a dedicated leader and expert in her field, growing with the Wurk team over the past three years," said Deborah Saneman, CEO of Wurk. "I have no doubt that she will thrive in her new role, which will enable her to execute her vision across the entire organization as she builds a cohesive, supportive work environment."

About Wurk

Wurk allows cannabis companies to manage payroll, human resources, timekeeping, scheduling and tax compliance, and minimizes compliance risks in the ever-changing cannabis regulatory environment. The company uses its expertise and trusted partnerships to provide guidance on 280E tax law, accounting and compliant banking. Its platform is designed to scale nationally with the growth of the industry, while incorporating the local laws and regulations unique to individual states. Wurk is the first payroll provider, and only the third company in the cannabis technology industry, to complete a System and Organization Controls (SOC) 1 Type 2 Audit of systematic controls by a third party CPA firm. For more information visit enjoyWurk.com .

Media Contact

MATTIO Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Wurkforce, Inc
SoCalGas' $4 Million Initiative Fueling Our Communities will provide food for families and seniors in need; Largest Donation to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles will provide 20,000 meals

LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of SoCalGas' 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative, the company announced a $325,000 donation to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. This donation to the YMCA-LA's program, FEED LA, will serve approximately 20,000 low-income residents throughout Los Angeles County with "Grab and Go" meals and fresh produce.

The grant to the YMCA-LA is the largest of several other anticipated donations to local charities, funding local nonprofits' programs to provide meals and groceries for low-income individuals this year. SoCalGas is expanding the impact of the 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative by allocating $4 million, the largest commitment to date, to new and existing partnerships with food banks and nonprofits throughout SoCalGas' 12-county service area.

"In the face of food insecurity, our district's strength lies in the unwavering commitment of organizations like the YMCA, dedicated to fostering equitable access to nutritional meals for those in need," said Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). "Through the generous support of community partners, the YMCA will extend its reach, providing even more nutritious food to families and individuals across the district. Meanwhile, I will continue working in Congress to expand food nutrition programs and ensure healthy meals are accessible and affordable for everyone."

"Food insecurity is a serious crisis that affects a significant number of residents in LA County," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, representing the First District. "I am grateful for community partners such as the YMCA, which strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has equitable access to nourishing meals. I extend my sincere gratitude to SoCalGas for their generous contribution, as it will empower the YMCA to expand the number of meals it provides to individuals and families in need across the County."

The YMCA Of Metropolitan Los Angeles' FEED LA program provides fresh food and nutritious meals in underserved areas and is aimed toward ending food insecurity in Los Angeles County. Hunger continues to be a pressing and widespread issue with a recent study revealing approximately 1 in 4 residents face food insecurity. The YMCA-LA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring Los Angeles residents have access to healthy food choices. To date, the YMCA-LA's food insecurity programs have distributed over 9 million pounds of fresh produce to low-income families and seniors.



"The YMCA-LA Feed LA program has fed thousands of families in need throughout Los Angeles for over two years," said Victor Dominguez, President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. "As a result of SoCalGas's generous contribution to the program, we can continue to fight food insecurity in communities that need help the most and we are grateful for their partnership and support."



By partnering with SoCalGas, the YMCA-LA is able to expand the program to San Fernando Valley communities in need, fund home deliveries for seniors, and increase the frequency of the Feed LA program at some locations, while continuing to serve families at Y branches throughout Los Angeles County. Both the YMCA-LA and SoCalGas are committed to bridging the gap in food access for underserved communities by providing nutritious meals and groceries to thousands of families.



"Fueling Our Communities is one way we demonstrate SoCalGas' commitment to investing in our service area communities. Partnering with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles was an easy choice because of their reach and relationships with the communities they serve," said SoCalGas Chief Operating Officer Jimmie Cho. "Food insecurity is a critical issue across the state, with many local food banks reporting that they are serving double the amount of people compared with 2019. This initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic and partnerships like this one with the LA Y have helped provide tens of thousands of families with fresh produce and food."



The Fueling Our Communities initiative began in 2020 as a collaborative effort between SoCalGas and five regional nonprofits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its first summer, the program successfully provided more than 140,000 meals to 40,000 individuals from underserved communities across Southern California.



SoCalGas is expanding the impact of the 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative by allocating $4 million, the largest commitment to date, to new and existing partnerships with food banks and nonprofits throughout SoCalGas' 12-county service area. This expansion will primarily focus on serving families and seniors in need, providing vulnerable populations with food support that is so needed.



SoCalGas remains committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves, and the Fueling Our Communities effort is a testament to this ongoing dedication. By addressing food insecurity in Los Angeles County, SoCalGas and its partners aim to create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Media assets can be found here.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego.

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: The YMCA-LA is committed to rebuilding communities by providing equitable programs and services to empower all Angelenos. The Y-LA is focused on fighting food insecurity, providing equity in education, making sure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sports, ensuring kids and teens have a safe place to grow, learn and live a healthy lifestyle. The LA-Y's health and wellness initiatives offer medical and mental health resources to ensure everyone has access to basic health needs. During the pandemic, the LA-Y became the safety net for millions of Angelenos. They provided millions of meals, hundreds of thousands of hours of free childcare, arranged critical blood drives, provided showers for the homeless, flu and COVID vaccines as well as medical and mental health assistance. Visit https://www.ymcala.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter .

SOURCE Southern California Gas Company
Trusted Name in Drain and Sewer Services Set to Support Local Property Managers, Contractors, Plumbers & Homeowners with 24/7, 365 Drainage Solutions

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Drain  a leading operator of drain and sewer services  opened its newest franchise in South Shore, MA on June 26. Located at 373 Crescent St. in West Bridgewater, Zoom Drain of South Shore will proudly serve Brockton, Natick, Norfolk County and the surrounding South Shore areas. Currently, this is the first Zoom Drain franchise in Massachusetts, with 49 total locations nationwide.

The owners of the new location are local entrepreneurs George Arvanitidis and Ken Meyers, who have both spent many years in the Northeast. The pair bring with them a wide array of expertise in business management and customer service  George with 25-plus years of experience as a restaurant owner in the South Shore community and Ken with a diverse background in business development, having started three businesses of his own over the last two decades. Wanting to invest in an essential business that was not only recession-proof but allowed them to provide expert service to their community, Zoom Drain was immediately appealing, as well as the potential for future growth in Massachusetts.

"When deciding on what business we wanted to open, it was Zoom Drain's mission statement that really stood out to both of us," said George Arvanitidis, co-owner of Zoom Drain's South Shore location. "We take pride in the work we do, and really like the idea of having a specialized residential and commercial service people can rely during an emergency. Serving our community and customers, and empowering our employees in their work, will always be our first priority."

Zoom Drain provides around the clock residential and commercial service centering on drain and sewer cleaning, sewer pipe video inspections, grease trap maintenance and much more. From clogged sinks and bathtubs to main sewer line blockages, Zoom Drain utilizes five different drain cleaning machines and a custom hydro-jetter to tackle any sewage issue that arises. Customers include commercial property managers, contractors, plumbers, and homeowners in need of immediate solutions to drain and sewage issues.

Zoom Drain prides itself on always providing swift, dependable service by expertly-trained specialists for both emergency and planned maintenance service needs  everything that has to do with wastewater management. Zoom Drain is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and there's never any additional cost for "off hours" service such as nights, weekends, or even holidays.

"We are thrilled to have George and Ken join the Zoom Drain team and bring their expert services to South Shore and the surrounding area," said Jim Criniti, CEO of Zoom Drain. "Drain and sewer emergencies are a nightmare for anyone, so offering skilled and reliable services to the South Shore community is a priority for us and we're looking forward to growing our brand in the area and beyond."

To learn more about Zoom Drain, visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/

About ZOOM DRAIN:

Zoom Drain is an operator and franchisor of drain and sewer services, focusing on repair, maintenance and installation  everything "below the drain." If it deals with wastewater, Zoom Drain deals with it, providing expertly-trained specialists to respond to both emergency service and planned maintenance, cleaning more drains in a year than most plumbers clean in their career. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Zoom Drain currently has 49 locations across the U.S and continues to grow! For more information about, please visit https://www.zoomdrain.com/.

Media Contact: Maddie LaPorta, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300

SOURCE Zoom Drain
Dangerously unhealthy air from Canadian wildfires blanketed the state Tuesday, sending people indoors or scrambling for masks and forcing the cancellation of outdoor activities from day camps to Wednesdays inaugural 2023 Concert on the Square.

The state Department of Natural Resources issued an air quality advisory for all of Wisconsin until noon Thursday, the ninth time this year the state has warned against high levels of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. The state has not had a springtime PM2.5 advisory for wildfire smoke since 2011, said Craig Czarnecki, outreach coordinator for the DNRs air management program. That year, Czarnecki said, there was one.

The heaviest smoke is expected to cloud the eastern portion of the state, where the Air Quality Index will likely range between unhealthy and very unhealthy, potentially reaching the highest level, hazardous.

The biggest threat to public health is through noon on Wednesday, the DNR reported.

This is a significant event, and we recommend everyone take steps to limit their outdoor activities, said Mark Werner, director of the Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health at the state Department of Health Services. Staying indoors is probably the best thing to do.

Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors, while people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid all physical activity outdoors, the DNR said.

Exposure to wildfire smoke can cause immediate health effects, including coughing, trouble breathing, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, headaches and tiredness, among other symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying indoors and using an air filter whenever possible.

Masks may offer some protection. However, to be effective, masks should be of the N95 variety. Paper or dust masks typically found at hardware stores are designed to protect against large particles and will not protect against the finer particles contained in wildfire smoke.

Wednesday was to be the opening night for this years Concerts on the Square, which regularly draws thousands to Capitol Square for an outdoor evening of music and picnicking. That has now been tentatively moved to 7 p.m. Thursday, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra announced Tuesday afternoon.

We made the decision with safety as our No. 1 priority, Joe Loehnis, the CEO of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, told the Wisconsin State Journal. When you are thrown a curveball, you have to think on your feet, make sure we cover all of our bases and keep everyone safe.

The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra said it will keep concertgoers updated on plans for this weeks concert at its website, wcoconcerts.org.

Campers affected

Area day camps were also looking for alternatives to vigorous outdoor activities Tuesday.

B.E.S.T. Summer Camp, a sports and karate-focused program for 5- to 12-year-olds on Madisons West Side, moved all its programming indoors.

And children at an outdoor camp run by Devils Lake Climbing Guides spent the day paddleboarding rather than playing running games, said Nick Wilkes, owner and lead guide.

I feel like we have never had it this bad, so we are still adjusting, Wilkes said

Madison School and Community Recreation programs were planned to continue as scheduled, although time outdoors and strenuous activities would be avoided whenever possible, said Janet Dyer, MSCRs executive director.

We are trying to balance, Dyer said. Safety is very important to us, as well as meeting the needs of our community.

Dyer said MSCR leadership will continue to monitor and follow guidance from the DNR as the situation develops.

Also closed Tuesday night and all day Wednesday are Madison Boats three locations on lakes Wingra, Monona and Mendota. The company rents kayaks, canoes and other watercraft, and runs a childrens day camp.

Great Lakes

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires has spread to many states in the Great Lakes region, with Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis reporting some of the worst air quality in the world this week, according to the air quality monitor IQ Air.

In Michigan, that states Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy also issued an air quality alert for the entire state Tuesday.

The air quality in Wisconsin is expected to improve to the good and moderate ranges by the Fourth of July weekend, the DNRs Czarnecki said.

We are in the worst of it right now, Czarnecki said.

State Journal reporter Gayle Worland contributed to this report.
Cybersecurity has evolved from a focus on physical security to encompass a wide range of measures and technologies aimed at protecting computer systems, networks and data from unauthorized access, disruption, and damage. The field continues to evolve yearly as new threats and technologies emerge, and the importance of cybersecurity remains paramount in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

To put into context how big the cybersecurity field is getting, the global cyber security market size is projected to grow from $172.32 billion in 2023 to $424.97 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 13.8%, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Trends driving the market include the rising number of e-commerce platforms and technological advancements, such as AI, cloud and blockchain. Additionally, e-commerce companies are focused on adopting network security solutions in their IT and electronic security systems.

Still, even with the evolution of cybersecurity and the market seeing a boom, prominent companies have experienced attacks throughout recent years.

There have been numerous prominent breaches in the past that have had significant impacts on individuals, organizations, and even governments. Here are some notable examples:

Yahoo suffered two major data breaches, one in 2013 and another in 2014, compromising the personal information of over 3 billion user accounts. The breaches involved stolen user data including names, email addresses, passwords and security questions, highlighting the importance of robust security measures and incident response.

Equifax experienced a massive data breach that exposed sensitive personal information of approximately 147 million individuals. The compromised data included names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and, in some cases, driver's license numbers.

More recently, there was one ransomware attack that had wide-ranging consequences for the U.S. That is the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline in 2021. The Colonial Pipeline is a crucial infrastructure system responsible for transporting refined oil products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, along the East Coast of the U.S. It spans over 5,500 miles and supplies nearly half of the fuel consumed on the East Coast.

The attack, which occurred in May 2021, involved a ransomware variant called DarkSide. The hackers infiltrated Colonial Pipeline's computer systems and encrypted their data, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. In response to the attack, Colonial Pipeline made the difficult decision to temporarily halt pipeline operations to prevent further damage and investigate the extent of the breach. The shutdown of the pipeline had immediate and significant implications for the U.S. fuel supply.

The Colonial Pipeline attack highlighted the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure systems to cyber threats. It served as a wake-up call for the private sector and the government to bolster cybersecurity measures and enhance resilience against such attacks. The incident sparked discussions on the need for increased investment in cybersecurity, improved information sharing between public and private entities and the development of robust incident response plans.

Since then, there hasnt been an attack on an oil supply company that has had a significant impact on consumers.

Until this month.

Parent company Suncor Energy recently disclosed having suffered a cyberattack preventing its 1,500 Petro-Canada gas stations across Canada from accepting credit card or rewards points.

Well, the attack didnt shut down an entire pipeline, so it is not on the level of the Colonial Pipeline attack. But it is an inconvenience for consumers who dont carry cash around as much anymore, resulting in losses for the company.

The company hasnt provided specific details about the attack, but suspicions rose when Petro-Canada customers took to Twitter (News - Alert) to report that the gas station cannot accept credit cards and customers must pay with cash.

To make matters worse, "Carwash Season Pass" holders are disgruntled because they cant use their privileges, and customers currently aren't able to log in to their online or app accounts.

"At this time, we are not aware of any evidence that customer, supplier or employee data has been compromised or misused as a result of this situation. While we work to resolve the incident, some transactions with customers and suppliers may be impacted," reads the Suncord press release.

A company the size of Suncor, with annual revenues of $31 billion and more than 18,000 workers, surely would have implemented some of the most stringent cybersecurity measures to prevent any breaches. One would think so especially after seeing what happened to the Colonial Pipeline and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Securitys warning at the start of the year that the oil and gas sector attracts more than its share of attention from cybercriminals.

Still, it is difficult to stay ahead of bad actors who are determined and sophisticated.

We are never going to stay one step ahead of motivated bad actors, said Carol Volk, EVP, BullWall. An approach that layers on active attack containment is the new frontier for cybersecurity."

With few details provided from the Suncor Energy press release, people are turning to experts to see what could potentially be happening.

Although the details of the cyber incident are few, this sounds like a targeted attack against the point-of-sales systems since the organization is unable to accept and process credit/debit card transactions, said Stephen Gates, Principal Security SME, Horizon3.ai. If a ransom-related campaign is the culprit, then this may indicate a new attack path and outcome.

Roy Akerman, co-founder and CEO of Rezonate, went on to say that this is an example of how cyber risk has a direct impact on business continuity. Organizations should not invest only in preventative and cyber readiness actions, but also in recovery and response.

Now to play the waiting game as more information unfolds so everyone can better evaluate what caused the breach as well as the actions taken by Suncor Energy.

Edited by Alex Passett
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
Brazil: Suspected Braiscompany Crypto Fraudsters Detained in Argentina

Source: Agencia Brasil/Rovena Rosa (CC BY 3.0 BR)

Three suspected Brazilian crypto fraudsters have been detained while trying to flee to Argentina  as police continue to probe the troubled Braiscompany.

In March, a number of suspected employees were filmed apparently emptying the firms Sao Paulo premises under cover of night.

In May, police officers issued arrest warrants for a number of Braiscompany employees.

And executives from the firm appear to have attempted to flee the country as police launched an investigation codenamed Operation Halving.

In an official announcement from the Brazilian police, officers explained that they had caught three people in Foz do Iguacu, on the Brazil-Argentina border.

Officers identified two of the people as the married couple Arthur and Sabrina Lima.

The police said the duo had been on the run from Brazilian authorities since a court issued an arrest warrant last month.

Source: Federal Police, Foz do Iguacu

What Is Alleged Brazilian Crypto Fraud Firm Braiscompany?

Braiscompany was a crypto brokerage that rose to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic.

It allegedly offered to pay investors monthly returns of up to 8% for deposits of fiat or Bitcoin (BTC).

Members were incentivized to recruit others to the program, with the promise of higher rewards if they did so.

But investors claimed in December last year that they were unable to withdraw funds from the platform.

Earlier this year, the firm appeared to collapse, shuttering its offices, and its executives appeared to have escaped with some $160 million worth of customers funds.

The police have claimed the company is at the center of a suspected crypto pyramid scheme.

Officers think that Arthur Lima was a key figure in the firm, and was in charge of producing videos used to promote the company.

They also think he acted as a special advisor to the suspected ringleader, Antonio Neto.

The Brazilian police said they had sought assistance from the Paraguayan and Argentine authorities, aware that the fugitives would likely try to enter foreign territory.

Customs officers on the Argentine side of the border apprehended the trio on the Tancredo Neves International Bridge.

These officers returned two individuals to Brazil shortly after.

A third is still being held as Argentine officers await the conclusion of the bureaucratic procedures before handing the individual over to their Brazilian counterparts.

Neto and Fabricia Campos, another key Braiscompany figure, are still on the run, police said.

The duo has been added to Interpols red list, which requires police forces in most countries worldwide to arrest suspects on sight.

Last week, a member of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies asked Guilherme Haddad, the head of Binance Brazil, to attend the Brazilian Parliament for questioning as part of its own investigation into alleged crypto pyramid schemes.
Patna June 27 : A youth narrowly escaped while his friend sustained a gunshot injury in his hand after being shot at by two highway robbers during a loot attempt in Bihar's Vaishali district on Monday morning, an official said.

The victims are identified as Rajan Kumar and Alok Kumar who were returning home after attending a wedding function in the district.

On the way, when they reached Godia bridge on NH22, two armed men tried to rob them at gunpoint. When they resisted, the two robbers opened fire on them. They fired four rounds at them, however, two bullets hit on Rajan's mobile phone which he kept in his pocket and diverted in another direction while his friend Alok sustained a gunshot injury on his hand.

The victim reached Sadar Hospital Hajipur and narrated the incidents to the medical officers. Soon a police team reached the hospital and took the statements of Rajan and Alok.

Police said that efforts are on to identify the accused. The victims are the native of Mahua block and they are frightened after the incident.

--IANS

ajk/sha
Moscow, June 27 : An inspection was organised due to the possible poisoning of school students after their visit to a restaurant in St. Petersburg, the prosecutor's office of the city has reported.

According to the prosecutor's office, many students did not feel well after eating at a restaurant.

The prosecutor's office has organised an inspection, during which all the circumstances of the incident will be assessed, and specialists from regulatory authorities are conducting necessary samplings of food products, Xinhua news agency reported.

Local media reported earlier that dozens of ninth-graders from a gymnasium in St. Petersburg were poisoned after attending a graduation party at a restaurant, with several hospitalized.

RIA Novosti news agency, citing its source in the law enforcement agency, reported that more than 40 students showed symptoms of poisoning, and three were hospitalised. Meanwhile, similar symptoms appeared in several teachers and parents.

--IANS

int/sha
New Delhi, June 26 : The Delhi government is planning to construct a residential complex for children with special needs, designed to improve their lifestyles and cater to their diverse needs.

In the initial phase, approximately 456 boys with special needs will be accommodated in it.

On Monday, Delhi's Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand conducted a review meeting with department officials to discuss and make significant decisions regarding the initiative.

These homes will be constructed in Mamurpur village, Narela, where the utmost care and support will be provided to children with specific requirements. "The Kejriwal government has decided to build residential homes for mentally challenged children residing in Delhi. The plan is underway to construct these homes on a 9.7-acre plot of land in Mamurpur village, Narela. Currently, these newly built residential homes are being exclusively initiated for boys with disabilities," Anand said.

He also said that the Delhi government, with a focus on the requirements of the differently abled, will ensure that this building is exceptionally modern. The infrastructure of the residential home will be modernised, and a multipurpose hall will be constructed where workshops and programmes for individuals with special needs will be organised at regular intervals.

The AAP minister added that rehabilitation centres would be established for specially-abled individuals in the newly constructed residential homes. These centres will primarily focus on identifying and evaluating their disabilities.

Additionally, eligible individuals will be provided with necessary assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, crutches, spectacles, and other supportive tools according to their needs, free of charge. Along with assistive devices, physical therapy will be offered for physical issues, and psychologists will provide counselling to identify their concerns, he said.

Furthermore, speech therapists will offer free treatment for stammering and speech-related problems, Anand added.

--IANS

atk/sha
Srinagar, June 27 : One policeman was injured in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Hoowra village in South Kashmir's Kulgam district, officials said on Tuesday.

"Encounter has started at Hoowra village of Kulgam district. Police and Security Forces are on the job. One JKP personnel got injured. Operation in progress," officials said.

The firefight started after a joint team of police and security forces got an input about the presence of terrorists in the area.

After security forces cordoned off the area, terrorists hiding there started firing drawing retaliation from the security forces.

There have been a series of encounters between terrorists and security forces across Kashmir in the recent past in which many terrorists have been eliminated.

--IANS

zi/sha
Lucknow, June 27 : The Uttar Pradesh government has launched 'Operation Conviction' to identify 20 cases each in every district related to rape, murder, dacoity, conversion and cow slaughter for speedy trial and conviction within 30 days of framing of charges.

Director General of Police (DGP) Vijay Kumar said, Since 2017, the state government has been carrying out a crackdown on mafias under its zero-tolerance policy. Continuing with its policy, the government has launched Operation Conviction to identify 20 cases in each district.

Under the initiative, district police chiefs will coordinate with district judges of their respective districts and request daily trials of such cases. These will be in addition to cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

After the filing of the chargesheet, charges will be framed within three days and trial will be completed in the next 30 days to ensure speedy justice for victims.

Police commissioners or district police chiefs will also coordinate with Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for speedy procurement of lab reports related to the crime.

A monitoring cell will also be constituted in the office of every police commissioner or district police chief for monitoring of cases identified. This cell will be headed by a gazetted officer who will ensure speedy trial of cases identified under Operation Conviction. It will also monitor the daily progress of cases.

Besides, a web portal is also being developed for a weekly review of the cases identified under the initiative so that senior police officials at the DGP office in the state capital can also monitor the progress of these cases.

--IANS

amita/sha
Moscow, June 27 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign a contract with the country's Defence Ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

The majority of the fighters of the Wagner group are patriots of Russia, and they were simply used, Putin said in his address to Russian citizens on Monday night, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We knew that the vast majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are also Russian patriots, devoted to their people and state," he said while stressing that they were used without their knowledge during the armed mutiny.

The President noted that the organizers of the mutiny in Russia betrayed the country and those who followed them and "an armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He proposed the soldiers of the Wagner group to sign a contract with the country's Defence Ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Putin thanked all Russian servicemen, law enforcement officers and special services who prevented the mutiny.

"I thank all our servicemen, law enforcement officers, and special services who stood in the way of the rebels. You have remained faithful to your duty, and the people," Putin said.

He also thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediating role in resolving the attempted mutiny.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee announced on Saturday that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts after the Wagner private military group was accused of trying to organise an armed rebellion.

However, according to local reports, Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, later reached a compromise through the mediation of Lukashenko.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee declared on Monday that the legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation had been cancelled in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region due to the normalisation of the situation.

--IANS

int/sha
Lucknow June 27 : Psychiatrists have asked parents to keep an eye on their child's unwarranted outings, particularly during night, illogical demand for money along with behaviour change.

Experts said that these symptoms could also indicate drug usage.

Shashwat Saxena, a local consultant psychiatrist, said: Not all children with these symptoms consume drugs but if these symptoms are observed in one child, particularly between 15 and 19 years of age, parents need to observe and find out more.

Among those above 20 years, the symptoms might get delayed but kids reflect whatever is happening in their lives. If your child has started sleeping more than usual, shows irritating behaviour and demands going out in odd hours and does not want to share where they are spending money, parents should get alerted.

Pranjal Agrawal, director, Nirvan Hospital, Lucknow, explained about the steps to be taken after drug addiction is diagnosed.

We can say at least one in every seven Indians has consumed some form of drugs in their lifetime. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had in a survey (excluding tobacco usage) found 15 crore people consuming drugs that included injectables and pills. This survey was done in 2018.

It is important to focus on two topics, including "what leads to drug addiction and how to break its cycle and how to rehabilitate drug addicts and what society can do for them", said Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, Association of International Doctors.

--IANS

amita/ksk/
Lucknow, June 27 : The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two drug smugglers and recovered over 300 kg of marijuana worth Rs 17 lakh in the international market, from Kushinagar district.

The accused informed that the narcotics were loaded from Assam and were transported to Uttar Pradesh via Bihar border.

The two arrested accused have been identified as Brijesh Kumar, a resident of Farrukhabad and Shiv Shankar, a resident of Aliganj, Lucknow. A case was registered against the accused in Kushinagar under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act, said the STF spokesman.

Along with the narcotics, two trucks with UP number plates, two mobile phones and cash worth Rs 500 were also seized.

The spokesman said that late on Monday night, the STF got information about the illegal narcotic being transported to the state from Assam via Bihar border. An additional truck was also kept on the route to divert attention.

Taking the help of the local police on the information received, after reaching the spot mentioned by the informer, at Tadwa Mor under the Tamkuhi Police Station area, a truck was seen coming from Bihar. When the truck was stopped and searched, the aforesaid illegal cannabis was recovered and the truck drivers were arrested.

The accused said they loaded illegal marijuana from Assam which was given to them by a person named Deepak.

We take two rounds in a month. We bring illegal Ganja to Gorakhpur and give it to the person there. We have been doing this work for almost 5 years, the arrested accused said.

--IANSamita/dpb
Sydney, June 27 : A man was shot dead on Tuesday at a parking lot of a busy market area in Sydney, police said.

The incident took place at around 8.30 a.m. in the car park at the Bondi Junction, roughly 2 km from the popular tourist suburb of Bondi Beach, the BBC quoted the New South Wales (NSW) Police as saying.

The police said that the man in his 40s was targeted while he was sitting inside his car.

NSW Police and homicide squad detectives are currently investigating the incident.Meanwhile, three crime scenes have been created, and two cars, including a Porsche, were linked to the shooting.

The victim is yet to be identified.

--IANSksk/
Swiss Central Bank to Launch Real-World CBDC Pilot

Source: SIX Group/Canva

The chairman of Swiss Central Bank,Thomas Jordan, has announced that the central bank is launching a wholesale CBDC on Switzerland's SIX digital exchange as part of a pilot.

In a conference at Zurich on Monday, the Swiss central bank chair said that the project would begin soon, Reuters reported.

The wholesale CBDC pilot will run on the Swiss SIX digital exchange for a limited time, the bank chair said.

Swiss Central Bank Remains Cautious of Retail CBDC

The Swiss Central Bank has continued to remain skeptical of the idea of a retail central bank-backed digital currency. Swiss bank chair Jordan expressed his concern about potential risks retail CBDCs could have for the financial system.

He added that the use of retail CBDCs was more difficult to control.

"We do not exclude that we will never introduce retail [CBDCs] but nevertheless we are a little bit prudent at the moment."



Speaking on a separate panel at the Zero Point Forum,the central bank's governor Andrea Maechler said that despite exploring CBDCs, the SNB does not see cash disappearing in Switzerland.

Andrea said that it is the one way that retail households can hold central bank money. "That feature needs to be maintained irrespective of the technology," she added.

Several Central Banks Crossing The Finishing Line on CBDC

Earlier this month, the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva said that at least 10 central banks are already crossing the finish line on issuing a central bank digital currency.

However, there is a lot that is still not decided when it comes to organizing and regulating CBDCs, she added.

The IMF also revealed earlier that it is working on a worldwide infrastructure for CBDCs in order to allow for interoperability of the digital currencies and increase their utilization.

Currently, over 100 central banks around the world are exploring their own CBDC.

All countries in the G7 economies have now shifted from the research phase of a CBDC to the development stage, signaling concrete pilot projects.


Kanpur, June 27 : In a first, an artificial intelligence (AI)-backed system was used for income tax (I-T) raids at the premises of top Kanpur jeweller and a big realtor, who have been found involved in super heavy transactions in cash with each other.

The AI tracked the suspicious transactions between the two entities and alerted the department, I-T officials said.

The raid has been continuing at the places of the jeweller and the realtor that developed two biggest townships in Kanpur.

Many units were sold in cash in these two townships and the cash generated was invested in bullion and others through the jewellery company, sources said.

These investments and the transactions could not escape the AI-backed system and it instantly sent out alerts. The screening of these alerts led to raids and this could possibly be one of the biggest cases of tax evasion.

The raids, which were conducted at 17 locations initially, later stretched to 55 locations in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Kolkata.

On Sunday, the I-T officials, said to be 250 in number, recovered 12 kg of gold that was hidden in the floor of a BMW car. In total, 70 kg gold and silver has been recovered.

The teams seized documents related to properties in large numbers, said sources. Many people into the bullion trade and employees of the jeweller who was raided were being questioned.

Several people have been summoned for questioning also and the period of raid is likely to be increased further by 24 to 48 hours, said the I-T department officials. The raids started on June 22.

Apart from the owners of a jewellery firm, the raids were also continuing at the offices and houses of two bullion traders.

According to the officials, the I-T teams recovered cash and property papers, details of investment into real estate from the office of one bullion trader.

--IANSamita/dpb
New York, June 27 : New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially decalred Diwali as a school holiday aimed at honouring the city's South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities.

On Monday, Mayor Adams made the announcement at City Hall while being flanked by Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American and first South Asian American woman elected to state office, reports ABC 7.

"Today we say to over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain Americans, we see you," Rajkumar said.

"Today we say to families from India, Guyana, Trinidad, Nepal, and Bangladesh, we recognise you."

Taking to Twitter later in the day, Adams said: "I'm so proud to have stood with Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday.

"I know it's a little early in the year, but: Shubh Diwali!"

The Mayor's announcement comes after the New York State legislature on June 9 passed a Bill to make Diwali a school holiday in the city.

However, Governor Kathy Hochul is still yet to sign the bill to make it into a law.

Two earlier attempts to pass the legislation in 2021 and 2022 did not succeed.

An estimated 200,000 students from these communities will be able to celebrate the festival of lights in their own way, free of school.

In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, so it will be a day off school for the first time in 2024.

The New York Department of Education said there will be four new days off during 2023-24 school calendar including April 1, the day after Easter, April 29 and 30, the two days of Passover, and June 17 for Eid.

--IANS

ksk
Bengaluru, June 27 : After power tariff hike, the tomato prices, which have touched Rs 100 per kg in the state capital, are affecting the people.

Tomatoes are main ingredients for the local cuisine and middle and lower middle class are forced to prepare dishes and food without them. On the other hand, the development has made tomato growers happy in the state as it is fetching them good money after a long time.

The prices of tomatoes have touched Rs 100 per kg for first quality tomatoes at malls and supermarkets. The third quality tomatoes which are coming to local markets where the majority of households make purchases are costing Rs 60 to Rs 80/kg. The merchants explain that going by the trend, the prices will reach Rs 100/kg soon here as well.

The market sources explained that there is a huge drop in the arrival of tomatoes to the Kolar Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC)this season. The market, which provides a major chunk of supply to Bengaluru saw 300 to 400 loads of arrivals. This season it has been reduced to 100 loads. The first quality tomatoes are being exported to Kerala and Gujarat states.

Market sources are expecting arrivals from Nasik. The production of tomatoes was hit due to leaf disease. However, the farmers, who managed to reap a good harvest, are happy with the profits they are making this season. Recently, the farmers had been protesting over the sharp drop in the prices of tomatoes by throwing the entire crop on roads.

The middle and lower middle class families, who are running their families with tight budgets, have replaced the tomato with tamarind for preparing food. The hotels have also stopped using the tomatoes and most of them have taken off tomato soup from the menu.

--IANS

mka/dpb
Chennai, June 27 : Member of Parliament from Sivaganga constituency and son of former Union finance minister, P. Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaran is in the race for the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president's post.

TNCC chief K. S. Alagiri who will be completing his five year tenure is in New Delhi and having a series of discussions with the party high command including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC general secretary (Organisation), K. C. Venugopal.

A senior Congress leader from Tamil Nadu who is privy to the discussions in New Delhi told IANS that the party high command is taking the opinion of the outgoing president Alagiri for the next president.

While Karti has good connection in the Congress top leadership, given the clout his father Chidambaram has in the party, former IAS officer, Sashikanth Senthil is a top contender for the post of next TNCC president.

Even as Sashikanth Senthil is a favourite, Karti is also in the race as he is enjoying an excellent rapport with the party ally, DMK.

Karti is close to Kanimozhi and the two had joined hands for organising a Tamil cultural fiesta in Coimbatore a few years before.

The junior Chidambaram is having an excellent personal rapport with Stalin also and hence the national leadership of the Congress has a soft corner for the Sivaganga MP.

Karur MP S. Jothimani, Krishnagiri MP Chellakumar and Virudhunagar MP, Manicakam Tagore are also in the race.

--IANS

aal/svn
Bhopal, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in the city on Tuesday where he will launch the 'mera booth-sabse majboot' campaign of the BJP.

After arriving here, the Prime Minister will flag-off five Vande Bharat Express trains -- physically and virtually.

The campaign isto be kick-started in view of the Assembly elections in five states, including three in Hindi speaking states - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan later thisyear.

"In Bhopal at 11:15 am 'Mera booth, sabse strong' program, you will get the privilege of interacting with lakhs of loyal BJP workers. This opportunity will further strengthen his resolve for developed India", PM Modi's social media message read.

As per the MP BJP president V. D. Sharma, 3000 best booth workers selected from different states will be engaging in a dialogue with PM Modi at Bhopal's Motilal Nehru stadium, while around 10 lakh booth workers across the country will be connected virtually.

During his speech, PM Modi will give a mantra on how to make their booth stronger.

As BJP's national head, J. P. Nadda arrived Bhopal on Monday and held interaction with booth workers from different states for physical attendance for - 'mera booth-sabse majboot' programme.

While addressing the booth workers, Nadda has said that they (booth workers) have been working relentlessly for the two months.

"After getting a message from PM Modi, you all would be tasked to take forward his messages to each household and tell the people what kind of development India has witnessed in the past nine years. We all are proud to have such a strong leader - Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

'Mera booth-sabse majboot' is being seen as a crucial programme for the state as the elections are slated for later this year and the party is reeling under a huge anti-incumbency.

"It is a golden opportunity for MP BJP workers that PM Modi will be addressing booth workers in Bhopal. Out of 80 booth workers across the country, 40 lakh have been enrolled from Madhya Pradesh," MP party head V. D. Sharma added.

--IANSpd/shb
Los Angeles, June 27 : Actress Lindsay Lohan is pregnant with her first child with husband Bader Shammas and reports say they are expecting a baby boy.

The couple, who got married in 2022, are readying themselves for parenthood, with the aMean Girlsa star said to be due imminently, reports mirror.co.uk.

And now reports claim the 36-year-old, who has lived in Dubai for eight years, is expecting a baby boy to enter her world.

According to TMZ, a source close to Bader has confirmed the gender of the unborn child, telling the publication the star is very close to giving birth.

It's said the actress' mum Dina will be on hand to support her daughter through her first pregnancy when the time comes to give birth.

And some of her closest family members, including her siblings will be in the area at the same time in order to meet the bundle of joy.

Lindsay first announced she was expecting back in March.

She simply posts an image to Instagram of a baby grow which had the words "coming soon" emblazoned across the front.

Many of her fans and friends rushed to the post at the time to send congratulatory messages. Among them was pal Paris Hilton, who gushed: "Congratulations love! So happy for you Welcome to the Mommy Club."

Baby nappy brand also got involved in the messaging and joked: "Is the baby due...October 3rd? We can already tell youare not likea a regular mom."

The news was also music to the ears of proud grandad-to-be Michael, with Lindsay's father telling MailOnline at the time that his daughter is going to be "an unbelievable mom".

He said: "It's so amazing to welcome another grandchild into the world. It's a totally new chapter in her life."

Michael added they had "waited a while" but gushed that "everything is coming at the right time".

Speaking previously about her day to day life since moving from Los Angeles to Dubai, Lindsay confessed: "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."

--IANSdc/svn
Kolkata, June 27 : The Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a statement refuting the allegation made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on intimidating the voters in bordering villages.

Addressing a public rally at Cooch Behar as part of her campaign schedule for the forthcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal on Monday, the chief minister also cautioned that the state police from now onwards would also file FIRs against the personnel concerned in case of firing at the bordering villages.

The BSF, has issued a press release, terming the allegations made by the chief minister as "totally baseless and far from the truth".

"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.

"BSF is deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh Border to promote a sense of security among the people living in the border area and to prevent trans- border crimes, unauthorized entry into or exit from the territory of India.

"BSF is also responsible to prevent smuggling and any other illegal activities on the border," the statement said.

In the statement, the BSF authorities had also claimed that there had been no complaint of intimidating any person in the border area.

"BSF emphatically deny any such allegations labeled by CM, West Bengal," the statement read.

The BSF had been a point of confrontation between the Centre and West Bengal government since the time the Union ministry of home affairs extended the operational jurisdiction of BSF to 50 kms within the borders. At that point of time senior Trinamool Congress legislator and the current North Bengal development minister, Udayan Guha even accused the BSF personnel of molesting women in the name of frisking. However, Guha's comments invited strong reactions from the BSF authorities.

--IANS

src/dpb
Pm Panaji, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off Goa's first Vande Bharat Express from Madgaon railway station via video conferencing from Bhopal.

The train will run between Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Madgaon station. It will cover the journey in approximately seven and half hours which will help save about one hour of journey time, when compared with the current fastest train connecting the two places.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the biggest revolution in the Railways is being done by PM Narendra Modi. "Never such revolution has taken place in the country if compared to non-BJP governments before 2014," he said.

"One can also compare the road, air, railway and water connectivity with present and past governments. Our government has made so much progress that I will require half an hour to tell you about it. We can see the changes taking place in these four areas in a tiny state like Goa," he said.

Sawant said that Vande Bharat Express will help entrepreneurs for their business activities in Maharashtra and Goa. "Railway is the real lifeline of our country wherein common people travel from one place to another," he said.

Union Minister for State for Tourism Shripad Naik said that this day is important in the developmental history of Goa. "Since 2014 progress of the nation has taken place. Around 18 Vande Bharat Express trains are running in the country, where many facilities are given to commuters," Naik said.

He said that the government is committed to completing the projects, which are pending. "By considering the needs of common people, our government has done the development," Naik said.

State Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that this connectivity will help in the area of tourism. "Vande Bharat Express will help to connect Konkan and the coastal belt of Goa-Maharashtra," he said.

Vande Bharat Express was scheduled to start on June 3, on the Madgaon-Mumbai route, however the inauguration was cancelled due to the Odisha train tragedy.

According to officials, the state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express will improve the connectivity in the Mumbai-Goa route and provide the people of the region the means to travel with speed and comfort.

--IANS

-- Syndicated from IANS
New York, June 27 : While speculation swirls around the two-questioner limit at the press encounter of US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the American leader has a record of carefully managing news conferences and picking in advance who asks him questions.

His method could be a primer for other leaders on how to hold news conferences while controlling how the messaging.

At least during Modis visit last week he allowed two reporters to ask questions.

During Modis last visit in 2021, he didnt allow any questions at their joint appearance and, in fact, told the Prime Minister: I think, with your permission, we could not answer questions because they wont ask any questions on point."

And contrasting the journalists from the two countries, he said: I think what we're going to do is bring in the press. The Indian press is much better behaved than the American press. I have to watch out

Those remarks, which he may have meant to be private, were caught on a hot microphone.

On June 22 as Biden and Modi appeared at the White House East Room, the President faced the prospects of awkward questions about his son Hunter Bidens business dealings, which were being aired that day by Republicans on a House of Representatives panel.

In one of the transcripts of WhatsApp messages to a Chinese businessman, released by the committee, Hunter Biden made threats over a money dispute asserting that he was with his father and said, I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.

That appeared to implicate the President who has maintained he was not involved in his sons questionable business dealings.

Hunter Biden, according to the transcript, also said: I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction.

The President likely would have wanted to avoid questions about his son and, therefore, limiting questioners would be to his advantage.

His handlers try to put guardrails also against his gaffes making his encounters with journalists often appear scripted.

His staff determines who will ask him questions -- and provides him with cue cards with pictures of journalists (so he can recognise them and call them up) along with likely question topics and answers to them.

The gambit was given away when he accidentally turned a cue card for an Indian American reporter, Courtney Subramanian, towards the camera in April making it visible to all.

That lets him -- and friendly media -- keep up appearances of being open to encounters with journalists, while carefully manipulating the interaction.

(The Los Angeles Times denied colluding with the White House.)

Biden also has a record of getting angry in public view with reporters who break the media sanitary cordon and ask questions he doesnt like.

He has called a Fox News correspondent, What a stupid son of a b***h.

And he retorted back to a CNN reporter who persisted with questions,If you dont understand that, youre in the wrong business.

What the hell, what do you do all the time? he asked her.

On June 22 at the White House, after Modi and Biden had read out their prepared statements, the President said: Im told there are two questioners: Sabrina (Siddiqui) from The Wall Street Journal and (Rakesh) Kumar from the (Press) Trust of India.

Siddiqui asked him about criticisms from some in Bidens party about the treatment of religious minorities and crackdown on dissent.

It is in Americas DNA and, I believe, in Indias DNA that the whole world -- the whole world has a stake in our success, both of us, in maintaining our democracies. It makes us appealing partners and enables us to expand democratic institutions across -- around the world, Biden said.

He said that they had a good discussion about democratic values, and added, were straightforward with each other, and -- and we respect each other.

And Siddiqui asked, Modi 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?"

Speaking in Hindi, Modi repeated Bidens remarks about the DNA of democracy in both countries.

He said: Our ancestors have actually put words to this concept, of democracy and that is in the form of our constitution.

We have always proved that democracy can deliver. And when I say deliver, this is regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender (and) heres absolutely no space for discrimination."

And in answering Siddiquis question about him calling Chinas President Xi Jinping a dictator, Biden seemed to mix up India and China, but quickly corrected himself: The idea of my choosing and avoiding saying what I think is the facts with regard to the relationship with India  with China is  is just not something Im going to change very much.

Kumarlobbedsoft questions about the environment and climate change, a favourite topic of both Biden and Modi.

(Arul Louis can be contacted atarul.l@ians.inand followed at @arulouis)

--IANS

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Bengaluru, June 27 : Former president of Peoples Democratic Party and prime accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blast case, Abdul Nassir Madani has been sent to Kerala amid tight police security arrangement from here, said officials on Tuesday.

Madani was taken to Kochi in Kerala from the KempeGowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Monday evening.

He will stay in Kerala for 12 weeks and return to Bengaluru on July 8. He had taken consent of the Supreme Court in this regard. The Karnataka police department has provided one Reserve Sub-Inspector, three constables and a driver for his security.

He has paid Rs 6,74,101 to the Government of Karnataka in advance for the security arrangements.

Madani, an accused in Bengaluru serial bomb blast case is out on bail. However, the court had given a conditional bail restricting his movements outside Bengaluru until the case is disposed of. He had also approached the Supreme Court objecting to the cost of security arrangements, but his plea was rejected.

One person was killed and 20 were injured in the Bengaluru serial blasts. Madani was named as one of the accused. The police have named 31 others as accused in connection with the case. On April 17, the Supreme Court gave him the permission by relaxing the bail condition to stay in Kerala till July 8 for visiting his ailing father and getting Ayurveda treatment.

--IANS

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A man from Richwoods was charged on May 10 with one count of felony arson, one count of felony harassment, and one count of misdemeanor attempted escape from custody. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 2:20 p.m.

Clinton Johnathan McCollum, 30, is currently in custody in the Washington County Jail. According to a probable cause statement from the Washington County Sheriffs Office, police were called to a residence in Washington County where a woman and her 15-year-old daughter claimed to be barricaded in a room of the residence in fear of McCollum.

According to the report, McCollum became angry with the victims when the woman discovered McCollum was allegedly engaging in sexual activities with the 15-year-old. The report states McCollum told the minor girl to tell the truth or he would set her and her belongings on fire. Soon after making this threat, McCollum reportedly obtained a torch and began igniting a wooded kitchen countertop. The victims say they barricaded themselves in a room and called 911.

When police announced their arrival at the residence, the report states, the woman left the barricaded room and allowed investigators to enter the home. McCollum was reportedly secured into the caged backseat of a patrol vehicle while an investigator spoke with the woman and the womans daughter inside. Investigators say an explicit message was reportedly burned into the kitchen countertop.

After speaking with the victims, investigators say they opened the door to the patrol vehicle to interview McCollum. The report states McCollum was read his Miranda rights, which McCollum waived. McCollum reportedly confessed to burning the counter when investigators asked about the incident but denied the allegations of sexual abuse. McCollum reportedly became angry and jumped out of the car, yelling at the victims to tell the truth and telling them he loved them and wanted to talk to them. McCollum refused to get back inside and reportedly had to be forced back into the patrol vehicle.

The report states the woman expressed fear McCollum would kill her and her daughter if he was released from jail. She said a month prior to this incident, McCollum allegedly shoved her head through a wall in the residence and punched her. Investigators were shown a hole in the wall reportedly left by the victim's head and were shown a bruise left by the alleged punch.

According to Missouri Case Net, McCollum has a lengthy criminal history, from numerous traffic violations to a 10-year conviction for the distribution of a controlled substance. McCollum has two convictions  one for 7 years, the other 5 years  for child endangerment. In a criminal complaint from the State of Missouri, the state claims McCollum poses a severe threat to the community and especially to the victims in this case. McCollums bond was set at $100,000 surety with the special conditions of GPS monitoring and no contact with victims.
Mumbai, June 27 : Actress Fatima Sana Shaikh, who is known for films like 'Dangal', 'Ludo' and others, has donated vegan biryani to 1,000 people in need at the Bengali Basti in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. The donation was done ahead of Eid ul-Adha.

Eid ul-Adha happens to fall on June 28 or June 29 depending on the visibility of the moon. The actress also donated plant-based chocolate milk.

The actress made the donation through PETA.

Talking about the same, the actress, who is a vegetarian by choice, said, Im delighted to observe Eid ul-Adha with my friends at PETA India. By distributing vegan biryani to those in need, we aim to spread kindness and good health.

Vegetarian and Vegan Muslims and others celebrate Eid ul-Adha by distributing vegan food or helping those in need in ways that do not involve animals, over concerns about animal welfare, human health, and the environment.

It is commanded unto us to eat what is halal and tayyib (permissible and good natured), which means food that is not only lawful but also wholesome and ethically sourced. And by no means is meat today produced ethically, says PETA India Advocacy Officer Farhat Ul Ain. Muslims, like members of all communities, are increasingly going vegan to save others lives and our own.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Fatima will next be seen in Sam Bahadur and Dhak Dhak.--IANS

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New Delhi, June 27 : The tech sector partnership between India and the US, announced last week during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic state visit, will turbocharge tech ecosystems in both the countries, accelerating the pace of innovation in critical emerging technologies for mutual and global benefit, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT.

In an interaction with IANS, the Minister said the tech sector partnership -- starting with an MoU in the critical and emerging technologies -- is tectonic and historical.

This cooperation and partnership between India and US will certainly shape the future of tech in general and, in particular, the emerging technologies of OpenRAN wireless networks, semiconductors, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum, said Chandrasekhar.

During the visit, US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed the inauguration of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in January 2023 as a major milestone in US-India relations, calling on governments, businesses, and academic institutions to realise their shared vision for the strategic technology partnership.

The leaders recommitted the US and India to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual confidence and trust that reinforces our shared values and democratic institutions.

According to Chandrasekhar, the critical emerging technologies will shape the future of technology and economies in very deep and tectonic ways and will certainly impact lives of consumers and enterprises all over the world.

The technology and innovation ecosystem has really come a long way in the last 9 years and today, there is no space of tech and emerging tech that India and Indian enterprises are not present in. PM Modis Digital India vision, way back in 2015, was prescient and he foresaw the deep impact of technology on peoples lives and opportunities for our youth, the Minister told IANS.

Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, after meeting Prime Minister Modi in Washington, D.C., referred to his vision of Digital India as way ahead of its time that other countries were following it now.

In the last nine years, Prime Minister Modis policies have resulted in creating a vibrant internet and ConsumerTech (D2C) innovation ecosystem, an India AI programme with Digital India Bhashini (a language translation model at its core), electronics and semiconductor ecosystem that is rapidly growing, high-performance computing platforms and a multi thousand crore quantum Mission, wireless technologies programme with 5G/6G etc.

Biden and Prime Minister Modi also hailed the signing of an MoU on semiconductor supply chain and innovation partnership as a significant step in the coordination of semiconductor incentive programmes between the two nations.

This will promote commercial opportunities, research, talent, and skill development.

The curriculum changes in our higher education system are underway to ensure high-quality talent for all these areas where the world seeks talent, said the Minister.

Rapid digitalisation, demographics and changing global supply chains are the three trends that represent a big unprecedented opportunity for India and Indian youth.

We are certainly in the most exciting period in Indias modern history, thanks to the hard work, effort and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chandrasekhar noted.

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)

--IANS

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Chennai, June 27 : The DMK high command has issued a notice to its sitting MP, S. Gnanathiraviam after the Palayamokottai police registered a case against him.

Gnanathiraviam is the Member of Parliament from Tirunelveli constituency and Palayamkottai police have registered a case against him and 20 others for assaulting a person, Godfrey Noble who is a preacher and self styled Bishop of the Jesus Saves Ministry of the Church of South India (CSI) on Monday.

This is following a dispute between two factions in the Church of South India,Tirunelveli diocese.

The DMK general secretary in charge of organisation, S. Duraimurugan who is also the state water works minister issued a notice to S. Gnanathiraviam and asked the MP to respond within 7 days of receipt of the notice and to furnish his explanation or to send the response by post.

Duraimurugan said that if the MP was not responding within seven days action will be taken against him.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 27 : The Bombay High Court expressed its displeasure over last-minute filings by applicants seeking temporary stay on Look Out Circulars (LOCs) issued against them to travel abroad after finalising their itineraries, as it showed how they took the courts for granted, Bar and Bench reported.

A Division Bench of Justices G.S. Patel and Neela Gokhale declared that it was unacceptable that applicants were finalising their itineraries even before approaching courts.

They were implicitly assuming that their matters will be heard on priority to permit them to keep up to their itinerary, Bar and Bench reported.

"This is not a question of whether or not there is a right that is violated. In all these applications, it seems that courts are more or less being taken for granted, that permissions will follow...and, more importantly, that applications will be taken up on a priority basis and even out of turn to permit the applicants to keep to their itineraries. This is not acceptable," the Bench stressed.

The Bench warned that parties seeking stay on LOCs were required to apply well in advance, failing which the applications will not be entertained, Bar and Bench reported.

"When last-minute applications are made like this, it is extremely disruptive. Our staff is greatly inconvenienced. Orders are to be drawn up after the order is passed, transcribed almost instantly, sometimes on the dais itself, then corrected, then signed and uploaded and we are supposed to believe that we are required to do this for a greater convenience of the applicants, the disruption to court being irrelevant. We will not entertain such applications when they are made in this manner again."

The Court was hearing an application filed by one Sanjay Dangi, a witness in a case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Dangi was seeking permission to travel to New York for a gathering and claimed to be the main person at the event, Bar and Bench reported.

Dangi attached an undertaking with his application where he vowed to continue his cooperation with the CBI in further proceedings before the special court.

He wished to travel to the US and certain cities until July 7, 2023.

The High Court stayed the LOC in question till July 10, subject to certain compliances like undertaking to not ask for extension, etc.

Even though the Court granted him permission to travel abroad, it imposed costs on him.

It directed Dangi to pay an amount of Rs 50,000 to St Jude India Childcare Centres by June 26, Bar and Bench reported.

--IANS

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Amaravati, June 27 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has demanded a thorough investigation into the death of a young fan of Tollywood actor Jr NTR under suspicious circumstances in East Godavari district.

Naidu took to Twitter to demand an impartial probe as hashtag WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR was trending on the microblogging site.

The 23-year-old allegedly died of suicide in Chintaluru in East Godavari district on June 25. The unemployed youth was found hanging. However, several people have raised suspicion over the cause of death.

Photographs of Shyams body went viral on social media. Netizens doubted the police version that it was a suicide and alleged that somebody murdered him and made it look like suicide.

Many Twitter users pointed out that Shyams feet were touching the ground and that there were no marks around his neck. They were also not ready to believe that he resorted to the extreme step after consuming ganja.

Those who claim to know the family say he was not addicted to ganja. They say he was also not under depression due to lack of a job as there was no pressure from the family.

Shyam was a diehard fan of Jr NTR. The young man had pushed the security persons to hug the actor at a film event in Hyderabad in March this year.

After attending the pre-release event of Vishwak Sens film Das Ka Dhamki, Jr NTR was walking off the stage, surrounded by several security persons. A suddenly pushed the security persons and hugged Jr NTR from behind. The fan looked very emotional. While the actors security tried to pull the fan away, Jr NTR stopped them. The actor hugged the fan.

The video had gone viral on social media. It was widely shared since Monday along with the hashtag WeWantJusticeForShyamNTR.

Several TDP leaders have demanded a thorough probe into the death of Shyam.

Party president Chandrababu Naidu wrote, Deeply saddened by the tragic and untimely demise of Shyam in Chintaluru, EG District. The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death are alarming. I strongly urge for a thorough investigation into this matter, ensuring justice is served. It has been alleged that YSRCP members are involved. Their involvement must be probed impartially. Let's ensure transparency prevails and justice is served.

Pained to learn about the suspicious death of unemployed youngster Shyam. Deepest condolences to his family & friends. A thorough investigation without any bias is needed, even if it involves YCP leaders as alleged by locals. We will fight until justice is delivered to Shyam, tweeted Naidus son and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh.

--IANS

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New York, June 27 : International students in Australia are frustrated as they are spending hundreds of dollars on mandatory English language tests that expire after two years, according to a Guardian report.

The students, who have to take the test again even if they have completed degrees in English and lived in Australia for years, say there is a conflict of interest between the organisations that set the rules and administer the test.

The Australian government's Department of Home Affairs accepts five English language tests for student visa applications, which includes IELTS, PTE, CAE, TOEFL and OET.

However, even after they have passed and finished their study in Australia, they have to retake language tests to enter some workplaces or undertake further study in Australia, such as Masters or PhDs.

Yusef, a student who has had to pay $1,600 on four three-hour IELTS (International English Language Testing System) tests during his eight years in Australia, believes it is a conflict of interest.

You have to again sit the test that universities have shares in... There is a definite conflict of interest, he told The Guardian.

Sharing that one of his friends had to take the test 12 times, Yusef told the paper that paying $400 for the test burns a hole in the pocket, especially after spending tens of thousands of dollars to study in Australia.

Most international students from countries like India, Pakistan, China, take the $400 IELTS test, which is jointly owned by the British Council, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and the Australian company IDP Education.

Australian universities expect students to get a minimum IELTS score of 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL score of 90 or PTE score of 72 or CAE score of 60-79 or above for admission.

Australia's IDP has 19 public universities from the country as its shareholders, including Monash University, University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney and UNSW.

These universities are responsible for regulating IDP as its education agent, providing course selection assistance, visa and admission applications and accommodation advice.

A government inquiry into international education has said there should be more oversight of universities responsibility over education agents.

When it comes to IELTS, universities are regulating a company that has universities as shareholders.

The institutions are also reaping rewards from millions in profits generated by the IELTS test, the report, authored by Caitlin Cassidy, said.

"Forcing international students who already pay a fortune to study in Australia to repeat tests was yet another example of the way this country treats international students like cash cows to be milked," Mehreen Faruqi, spokesperson of The Greens education, told The Guardian.

Insisting on multiple such tests, even for students who have completed tertiary education in English, has xenophobic undertones and clearly disadvantages students who didnt grow up speaking English.

The Australian government says it uses English language requirements to manage immigration risk and ensure visa holders are able to fully participate in the Australian community.

However, during a recent migration review, the federal government had flagged that it wasnt entirely content with the current English language arrangements, The Guardian said, quoting Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia.

--IANS

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Chennai, June 27 : Periyar University has issued a circular against wearing of black dress during the convocation ceremony on Wednesday in which Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi is participating.

In the circular, theRegistrar Thangavelu hassaid that this was following the directive of the Salem police. However, Salem city police commissioner, S. Vijayakumari told media persons that the police had visited the university as part of the security to the Governor but said that it had not given any directives against wearing black dress.

Ironically, Periyar University is named after the Dravidian ideologue, EVS Ramasamy Periyar fondly addressed as aThanthai Periyara. Periyar has been a revolutionary and the Dravidian ideology including that of the DMK was shaped by him.

It is to be noted that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had landed in controversy after the police issued circulars against wearing a black dress and had even removed a black flag that was tied on a post as a symbol of mourning for a person who died. The police had also prevented students, opposition leaders from wearing black clothes during the functions of the Chief Minister.

--IANS

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Geneva, June 27 : The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has said that more than 2.4 million refugees globally will need resettling in 2024, a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023.

According to the UNHCR's Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024 report, the Asian region tops the list of estimated needs for 2024, with nearly 730,000 refugees due to require resettlement support, representing 30 per cent of the global needs, reports Xinhua news agency.

The report said that with the Syrian crisis extending to its 13th year and remaining the largest refugee situation.

Syrian refugees continue to present the highest resettlement needs for the eighth consecutive year.

Around 754,000 Syrians across the globe require urgent assistance through resettlement.

Refugees from Afghanistan are estimated to have the second-highest resettlement needs, followed by those from South Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to UNHCR, in 2022, out of approximately 116,000 applications, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement.

The UN body said that resettlement provides a lifeline of hope and protection to those facing extreme risks, by offering a durable solution while reducing the pressure on host countries.

"We are witnessing a concerning increase in the number of refugees in need of resettlement in 2024. Resettlement remains a critical lifeline for those most at risk and with specific needs," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 27 : The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has fined a private hospital in Delhi, along with responsible doctors, of Rs 1.5 crore due to a mix-up that occurred during an Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) procedure, resulting in the incorrect usage of sperm from a person unrelated to the couple undergoing the procedure.

The couple claimed that their twins were born in June 2009 through an ART procedure. However, discrepancies in the babies' blood groups, which did not align with the genetic transmission of blood groups from the parents, led to a subsequent paternity test or DNA profile. The test revealed that the husband was not the biological father of the twins.

The couple had then approached the commission seeking compensation of Rs two crore due to alleged negligence and deficient service, which resulted in various problems, including emotional distress, familial conflicts, and concerns regarding the potential inheritance of genetic diseases.

Presiding Member S.M. Kantikar said that certainly the family genealogy has been irreversibly changed.

They may carry the stigma and face difficulties in future. The hospital and others have not followed the standard guidelines of ICMR. They were just passing on their responsibility on one another. Therefore, the negligence has been conclusively established. The hospital was duty bound to provide quality services, but indulged in misleading advertisement to allure the anxious infertile couples for ART and adopted unethical practices, said Kantikar in its order.

In my view, the instant case is of deceptive and unfair trade practices adopted by the opposite parties (OP) who have forgotten professional ethics. Thus, the hospital and directors, also the Ops 4 to 6 (three doctors) liable for the act of negligence and unfair trade practices. Thus, I fix the total lump sum liability of 1.5 crore against the Ops, said Kanitkar.

It is pertinent to note that the twin babies are grown now, 14 years and both are healthy. The parents for the last 14 years have incurred expenses while bringing up the girls, the welfare, and education, etc. It is uncertain about the quality of sperm about its genetic profile/inheritance. At this stage possibility of inherited genetic disorders is unpredictable. Therefore, in my view the complainants deserve adequate compensation. The blood group reports and the DNA profile clearly prove that the complainant was not a biological father, the order stated.

Mushrooming of ART clinics has led to incorrect treatment to patients. ART specialist requires a correct knowledge about the physiology of ovulation as well as reproductive gynaecology. Routine gynaecologists who do not have in-depth knowledge are also opening clinics as they think there is money in it, commission said.

Incorrect protocols are being used and the treatment offered may not be correct. One must realise that the infertility patients are stressed both emotionally as well as financially and the incorrect treatment increases this. Use of adjuvant therapies which still does not have evidence increases the cost to the patient. Moreover mushrooming of the clinics has made rampant unethical practices in our country, it said.

The commission further said that there is need for prompt and fixed time line for accreditation of ART clinics from the authorities.

There is need to make it mandatory for the ART Centres to issue the DNA profiling of baby(ies) born through ART procedures. The copy of this Order be sent to the National Medical Council and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India for the necessary directions to the ART Centres, it said.

--IANSspr/dpb
Bengaluru, June 27 : The Congress government in Karnataka is set to handover the the bitcoin scandal case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for re-investigation, sources said.

The sources confirmed that the state government is likely to issue an official order in this regard in two days.

B. Dayanand, the Police Commissioner for Bengaluru, has written to Karnataka DGP Alok Mohan and requested to handover the investigation of the case to the CID.

Recently, state Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara had stated that he would get the scam re-investigated.

The sources said that now it is up to Chief Minister Siddaramaiha to give a green signal for the state police chief to handover the case.

The scandal had taken place after the arrest of international hacker Srikanth, aka Sriki, by the CCB police in Bengaluru.

It was alleged the former JP leaders had minted huge sums of money by allowing him to commit the scandal while he was custody in 2020 for allegedly selling drugs.

Probe has revealed that the accused had siphoned off Rs 11 crore by hacking into online gaming companies and government web portals.

He then converted the money into bitcoins and carried out drug peddling in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala had attacked the Centre and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai over the bitcoin scandal.

"What is the role and responsibility of the Basavaraj Bommai? (who was the home minister incharge at the relevant time) and others in the state government?.

"The layers of the Bitcoin scam are finally being unearthed. Let India's Home minister and Chief Minister Bommai answer. FBI in India to investigate India's biggest Bitcoins scam cover up under Karnataka BJP government. If so, release details of the investigation and suspects including political people, he had stated.

"How many Bitcoins were stolen? and of what value? Who in Karnataka is involved? Were the stolen Bitcoins transferred from the wallet of the arranged hacker Sri Krishna?

"Whether the 'Whale Alerts' reflecting the transfer of the 14,682 stolen Bitfinex Bitcoins valued at Rs 5,240 crors on the two dates December 1, 2020 and 14 April, 2021 when Shri Krishna was in custody has any correlation?

"Why was Interpol not informed? Why did the BJP government wait for over 5 months up till 24th April 2021 to write to interpole and that also after the release of Sri Krishna on 17th April 2021."

He also questioned why the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were not informed by the Karnataka BJP government.

Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge, then stated: "I believe the FBI is in Delhi to investigate the billion dollar Bitcoins scam. Like I said before, if the state investigates the matter, a lot of BJP's skeletons will tumble out of the layers of Bitcoins scam."

In response, Bommai had Surjewala to submit any information regarding the scandal.

"From my side, I have given a reply to the issue in the Legislative Assembly itself, if he (Randeep Surjewala) has any information on the issue let him submit. Instead tweeting is meaningless," he quipped.

--IANS

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Central Methodist University celebrated its Spring 2023 commencement on May 13 in Puckett Fieldhouse on the Fayette campus. Former board of trustees chairman Robert Courtney gave the commencement address as a packed house of family, friends, faculty, staff, and other guests celebrated the graduates.

Students were recognized for earning degrees at the master's, bachelor's, and associate levels.

The following local students were among those on the program for the event:

Aaron Mathew Gamble of Potosi, Bachelor of Arts, interdisciplinary studies; Joseph Randall Heffron, honors in the major, summa cum laude, of Blackwell, Bachelor of Science, computer science; Melissa Elaine Hume of Ste. Genevieve, Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Mikayla Lynn Marie Kinkead, summa cum laude, of Fredericktown, Bachelor of Music, music ministry; Teri Lynn Moorman, cum laude, of Potosi, Bachelor of Science in Education, special education; Nathan Ray O'Neal, magna cum laude, of Farmington, Bachelor of Science, interdisciplinary studies; Christel Danielle Schrum of Farmington, Bachelor of Science in Education, middle school education; Emily Taylor Straughan of Farmington, Bachelor of Science, psychology; Ryan Thompson of Fredericktown, Bachelor of Science, computer science; Amanda Kay Trokey, magna cum laude, of Farmington, Bachelor of Science, psychology and sociology.

Since its founding in 1854, CMU has evolved into a university that confers master's, bachelor's and associate degrees through programming on its main campus in Fayette, through extension sites and online.
New Delhi, June 27 : Aisha Noori, sister of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed, who were shot dead while being in police custody in Uttar Pradesh, has moved the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive probe by a commission headed by a retired judge of the top court into "custodial and extra-judicial" killings of her family members.

Noori, Meerut-based sister of the slain gangsters, in the petition said the respondents-police authorities are enjoying the full support of the UP government which appears to have granted them complete impunity to kill, arraign, arrest, and harass members of the petitioners family as part of a vendetta.

Noori sought orders for probe into campaigns of encounter killings, arrests, and harassment of her family by the UP government.

The petitioner has uncontestable locus to compel the state to effectively investigate these incidents, because her personal liberty under Article 21 is restricted and infringed by the chilling effect produced by the respondents' campaign against her family. In order to silence the members of the petitioner's family, the state is roping them one by one in false cases, said the petition.

Citing Article 21 of the Constitution, the petitioner submitted that it casts a positive procedural obligation on state authorities to effectively investigate into the custodial deaths of the petitioner's family members. She also sought an investigation into the encounter killing of her nephew and Atiq Ahmeds son.

"The purpose of such an investigation is to ensure the effective implementation of the guarantee of life and liberty under the Constitution and to ensure that wherever state agents and bodies are involved in any case of extra-judicial killing, they are held accountable for the same regardless of their standing and rank," said the plea.

The plea contended that deaths of her family members -- Atiq Ahmad, Khalid Azim alias Ashraf and Atiq's son Asad and their associates -- are connected parts of a "vicious and unlawful campaign by Uttar Pradesh government to seek retribution for the deaths of two police officers, namely Sandeep Nishad and Raghvendra Singh who were killed along with Umesh Pal in the unfortunate incident of February 25, 2023".

The plea contended that a piecemeal inquiry that only looks at singular encounters/killings that have taken place during the UP government's campaign against the petitioner's family would fail to bring home the responsibility of the higher authorities who are ultimately responsible for killing the Petitioner's family members.

Furthermore, it would centre the blame for the deaths on the officers present on the spot in each case rather than the authorities who are responsible for authorising, planning and coordinating such acts, it said.

Former Phulpur MP Atiq and his brother were killed in police custody on April 15 in full media glare by three shooters while they were being taken to a hospital in Prayagraj for medical check-up. Atiqs son Asad was also shot dead by a special task force (STF) team during an encounter in Jhansi in April .

The Supreme Court, on April 28, during hearing on a PIL by advocate Vishal Tiwari, directed Uttar Pradesh government to bring on record steps taken, including inquiries initiated into the killings of Atiq and his brother Ashraf.

--IANS

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Srinagar, June 27 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday called for revival of shrine tourism in the Valley.

Sinha visited the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar and said that people from across the country come for the Amaranth Yatra each year and like this, Kashmir has a huge potential of shrine tourism as the Valley has many shrines of historical and religious significance.

He said that Eid-ul-Adha, which falls on Thursday, is a festival of peace and harmony.

He reviewed the preparations and facilities at the shrine that houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad.

He said that top officials from the administration were present and preparations were in place for the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Adha. Quoting the saying (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad, he said that the Prophet has stated that "unless the heart is purified, the body remains impure. If heart is clean, the entire body is clean".

The Lt. Governor said shrine tourism can be revived to attract people from the rest of the country.

I am open to get feedback from the people, Waqf Board and anyone else on this issue. You come to me or I can visit you as well, he said.

At Hazratbal shrine, he prayed for the peace and prosperity for J&K.

--IANS

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Amman, June 27 : Nearly 15 per cent of Arab women aged between 15 and 49 have unmet family planning needs, according to a statement released by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

It is estimated that 13.6 million women, out of a total of 91 million in the 15- to 49-year-old reproductive age range in the Arab region, desire to avoid or delay pregnancy but are not utilising contraceptives, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

The statement emphasized that the elimination of unmet needs by 2030 is one of the three transformative goals set by the UNFPA.

The statement was released after a three-day regional consultation on family planning was concluded in Amman.

The meeting gathered experts from the UNFPA, along with partners from 15 countries.

The statement highlighted the unique challenges faced by the Arab region, including social stigmatisation related to family planning, inequitable access to healthcare and social services, weak supply chain management systems, healthcare workforce shortages, and funding gaps.

These obstacles prevent women of reproductive age from accessing the desired health and social services, the statement read.

To address these issues, the statement emphasized the need for increased efforts from the United Nations, government partners, and civil society to fulfill women's family planning needs in the region.

--IANS

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Bhopal, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated that those opposing the 'triple talaq' law enacted by the Centre are "against the

Muslim women" of the country.

PM Modi said had 'triple talaq' been an inseparable tenet of Islam, then why

Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh or any other Islamic country do not have the concept?

"Some of the Muslim populated countries had enacted laws to ban triple talaq years back.

Prime Minister Modi made the observation during a dialogue session with booth

workers of the BJP at Bhopal's Motilal Nehru stadium. He advised BJP workers to reach out to Muslim women and tell them who are destroying their lives.

"Wherever I go, several Muslim express their gratitude for banning the draconian rule of triple talaq. You (booth workers) should go to their areas to speak in a manner that you are with them. They will accept you," PM Modi said.

Meanwhile, he also spoke about Uniform Civil Code (UCC) stating that "today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights...Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics," he added.

Batting for UCC, PM Modi asked whether different rules apply to different

family members. "I feel we should study this subject. I feel those who support triple

talaq are doing vote bank politics of appeasement. They are doing injustice to our

Muslim daughters. Triple talaq does not only affect Muslim daughters. Imagine the

situation of the family who marries off their daughter and she comes back after

10 years. Triple talaq destroys the entire family," the PM stated.

--IANS

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Islamabad, June 27 : The death toll from rain-related incidents in Pakistan has increased to 23 after injured persons succumbed during treatment in the last 24 hours as the country witnessed the start of a pre-monsoon spell, officials said.

A spokesperson of Rescue-1122, an emergency service in Punjab province, said that all the reported deaths occurred due to three reasons, including electrocution, drowning and lightning, reports Xinhua news agency.

"Five people died in Narowal district and two in Sheikhupura district after getting struck by lightning. At least seven people drowned and six others lost their lives due to electrocution in different areas of the province," said the spokesperson.

According to the officials, at least 75 people were also injured due to electrocution, and incidents of wall and roof collapse in different districts, including Narowal, Lahore, Chiniot and Sheikhupura.

Earlier on Monday morning, a woman and her two children were killed when the roof of their house collapsed in the Shahzad Town area of Islamabad, local rescue officials said.

Local police asked people to avoid unnecessary travel and be careful during the rainy season, drive carefully, and stay away from electric installations and poles.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the provincial government and district administration to take immediate steps for draining the standing water in the urban areas of different districts.

"Ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic and protective and preventive measures in other parts of the country. Mobilize teams from all relevant institutions in the rainy situation and constantly monitor the situation and take administrative measures," he said in a statement.

--IANS

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Lucknow, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone of the upcoming PM Mitra mega textile and apparel park in the state.

Rakesh Sachan, minister for medium, small and micro enterprises, said, The park promises to accelerate the states effort to become $1 trillion economy. The foundation of the same project would be laid by the Prime Minister.

Three multi malls are also proposed for Uttar Pradesh, namely Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur.

We are in touch with the PM office and the programme schedule would be announced after finalisation. We hope that the ceremony will take place in a month or two, Sachan added.

The textile park is set to come up in the prime and well-connected Atari village of Malihabad block on the outskirts of Lucknow.

The minister said the park will attract an investment of Rs 10,000 crore as the government would be providing the state-of-the-art facilities to match global standards and beat competition here.

The list includes road networks, 24x7 power and water supply, warehouses, zero liquid discharge effluent treatment plant, training and skill development facilities, administrative building with product display facility and exhibition centre with testing laboratory, workers' hostels, housing zones, medical facilities, commercial and recreational facilities, open spaces and parks, security arrangements besides industrial plots and plug and industrial sheds.

The park will prove to be an enabler in UPs economic journey, fostering job creation, enhancing trade opportunities, and positioning the state as a major hub for textile manufacturing and production. Once in place, it will provide employment to one lakh youths, the minister said.

He acknowledged the significant packaging challenges faced by small enterprises while upholding government's commitment to promoting MSMEs and addressing their concerns. He also said that the government was focusing on the development of multi malls.

Three multi malls are proposed for Uttar Pradesh, namely Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur. We have engaged in discussions with Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal regarding this initiative, he said.

Underlining the importance of MSME registration, Sachan encouraged more enterprises in the state to come forward for registration.

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 27 : India which is currently the third largest startup ecosystem in the world, is likely to see 147 unicorns in the next five years, disrupting financial services, healthcare, business management solutions and education sectors, a report showed on Tuesday.

India is currently home to 83 unicorns, 51 gazelles (most likely to go unicorn within three years) and 96 cheetahs (to achieve unicorn status in five years), according to the 'ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Future Unicorn Index 2023' report.

It is a ranking of Indias startups founded in the 2000s, worth at least $200 million, not yet listed on a public exchange and most likely to go Unicorn in the next five years.

Despite the headwinds, we have seen founders demonstrating unwavering determination, adaptability, and resourcefulness. The funding winter serves as a catalyst for innovation, urging startups to think creatively, optimise resources and refine their strategies, said Rajesh Saluja, CEO & MD, ASK Private Wealth.

It is during these times that the true spirit of entrepreneurship shines through. The 51 Gazelles and 96 Cheetahs in this index likely to go Unicorn in the next 5 years are a testimony to this, he added.

The future unicorns, on average, were set up in 2015, with the vast majority selling software and services, with only 20 per cent selling physical products. About 37 per cent are selling to businesses, while 63 per cent are consumer-facing.

Gazelles and Cheetahs provide an insight into the economy of tomorrow. What they are doing and where they are doing it gives an indication into which sectors are attracting the worlds top young talent and smartest capital, and which countries and cities have the best start-up ecosystems, explained Anas Rahman Junaid, Hurun India Founder and Chief Researcher.

Peak XV Partners (earlier Sequoia Capital India and Southeast Asia) is India's most successful VC platform at finding and investing into Gazelles and Cheetahs, followed by InnoVen Capital, Tiger Global Management, Accel and Blume Ventures.

In India, quick commerce company Zepto, financial services start-up Vivriti Capital and EV space start-up Ather Energy are expected to play a critical role in solving credit, last mile logistics and renewable energy for India.

Online furniture platform pepperfry is the most valuable Cheetah, according to the report.

--IANS

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Mumbai, June 27 : Actress Kubbra Sait has talked about working with acclaimed actors such as Jisshu Sengupta and Sheeba Chaddha in the upcoming Kajol-starrer 'The Trial - Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha'.

Kubbra has shared her experience working with her co actors.

Talking about her experience working with Jisshu Sengupta, Kubbra said: The cast of The Trial are a great bunch of people, really wonderful. My first day of shooting was this face off scene with Jisshu and he's so stoic, quiet, settled and centered and literally as the camera rolls at me, he goes and sits behind the monitor, you can hear him giggle. He has this childlike fun ability, which was amazing to deal with."

Talking about her experience working with Sheeba Chadda, she added, Sheeba Chadda is an incredible actor. Every time I had a scene with her and I worked with her, I went Oh, my God, aapke charan kaha hain. She's such a good actor, also Sheeba and I follow each other on Instagram. So, we're in touch every day, that's something that we do, come what may."

Ally - very interesting choice to play Vishal because of his energy, what he brings to the table, which is so different from anybody else we've seen. He lives out of the country in general. So, when he's here, he brings that suave and that panache that he effervescently carries with himself so that was great. added Kubra on working with Ally Khan. The Trial - Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha will be streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from July 14

-- Syndicated from IANS
Bhubaneswar, June 27 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has again urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to withdraw the 18 per cent GST imposed on kendu leaves.

The CM wrote that kendu leaf, a Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is the financial backbone of about 8 lakh kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal workers of Odisha who mostly belong to the tribal community and are the poorest of the poor of society.

The tribal people collect the leaves as part of their right defined under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. They have the right to procure and sell these products, he said.

Imposition of GST (18 per cent) on kendu (tendu) leaves is adversely affecting the kendu leaves trade, he said.

It also affects the livelihood of kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal workers and implementation of social security and welfare schemes for them, the Chief Minister said in his letter.

Patnaik urged the GST Council Chairperson to withdraw the GST imposed on kendu leaves for the greater interest of Odisha.

In November 2022, the Chief Minister had written a letter to the Union Finance Minister on the same demand. The state Finance Minister has also raised this demand before the GST Council several times.

In December last, a delegation of BJD MPs met Sitharaman in New Delhi and raised the demand.
Surat, June 27 : The Gujarat police have arrested a fugitive drug convict Salman Zaveri from near the Nepal border while he was attempting to escape to that country after jumping parole in a drug case.

Zaveri had been granted interim bail for 10 days starting from May 9, but instead of returning to jail, he went into hiding.

The crime branch team of Surat apprehended him in Haviganda, Kishanganj in Bihar, just before he could cross the Nepal border.

It was revealed during the investigation that Zaveri had reached the Nepal border via Mumbai and had intended to flee to another foreign country. The operation was led by Surat police.

Salman Zaveri, also known as Aman Mohammad Hanif Zaveri, had previously come under the policeas radar in September 2020 when they discovered six packets containing various types of MD drugs in his car.

The seizure included 1 kg and 11.82 grams of MD drugs worth Rs 1,01,18,2000, along with five mobile phones valued at Rs 38,000, Rs 12,710 in cash, two digital weight scales, and a car worth Rs 2.50 lakh.

Following his arrest, the crime branch lodged him in Lajpore jail.

The matter is still under investigation.
Over the weekend, a charity arm wrestling competition and auction held in Farmington at The Factory successfully raised $3,300 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The event, organized by Aesop's Treasury Books and Games, drew a crowd of local participants and an entire room full of onlookers.

Vince Howard, owner of Aesop's Treasury, introduced the competitors and mentioned that this was the first of many charity events to come.

The competition featured nearly a dozen arm wrestlers who were divided into weight classes ranging from 160 pounds to more than 300 pounds. Participants of all ages, including attendees from Primal Instinct Gym, were invited to showcase their arm-wrestling skills and support a worthy cause.

Strongmen, athletes and this reporter competed for the top spot, with their arms on the table and a judge between them. Some competitors used their technique and vast experience in arm wrestling, while others relied on muscle, making the competition all the more entertaining for the crowd gathered around.

Spectators cheered and watched bouts lasting from a few seconds to half a minute. Each victor claimed the money donated by their opponent, which was labeled with the competitor's nickname for a personal touch. Eventually, the owner of Primal Instinct Gym, and by far the largest competitor in the room, Matt Johnston, took the victory. With $300 worth of prize money in his hands, Johnston was a humble victor and thanked everyone from his gym for coming.

A total of $300 was collected from the arm wrestling competition, while an additional $3,000 was raised through an auction that followed. The auction featured multiple books and games donated by the community and Aesop's Treasury itself, with the lobby of The Factory filled with participants, many of whom took home board games and books at bargain prices.

Aesop's Treasury Books and Games' owner expressed his gratitude to all participants, spectators, and the broader community for their support in making the event a resounding success.

"Our thanks go out to the gaming community for all their time, effort and enthusiasm for our cause of choice," Howard said. "It is an absolute honor to be part of this community."

The funds raised will be allocated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which promotes mental health, offers support, and funds research in the field.

Aesop's Treasury Books and Games is located in The Factory in Farmington across from the Factory Diner, 200 W. First Street.
Chennai, June 27 : AIADMK expelled leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam (OPS) on Tuesday came out strongly against the DMK government for not allocating sufficient funds for the Amma canteens.

AMMA canteens were launched by the previous AIADMK government to provide quality food at nominal price to the working class people.

The former Chief Minister charged that the DMK government was systematically destroying the AMMA canteens. He said that the authorities did not address the issue when the water bank in Amma canteens in Royapettah road was damaged. He said that in a similar manner the Amma canteens at Ice House had no lighting facilities.

OPS also pointed out the poor condition of the AMMA canteens in the Triplicane area of Chennai city, including the one near the Government Kasturba Hospital for Women and Children, were in poor condition.

The former Chief Minister pointed out that the Chennai corporation had announced more fund allocation for AMMA canteens and added that the present condition of the canteens were a clear indicator of the funds being diverted to some other projects.
New Delhi, June 27 : A Delhi court on Tuesday adjourned, to July 1, its decision on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet filed against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the sexual harassment case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal said: "Fresh charge sheet filed. Let it be checked. Since it's a lengthy charge sheet, will keep it for consideration for a couple of days."

The female wrestlers on Monday moved the court seeking copy of the charge sheet filed by police against the WFI chief on June 15.

The Delhi Policeas charge sheet running over 1,000 pages was filed before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahima Rai of Rouse Avenue Courts for the offences under Sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (making sexually coloured remarks), 354D (stalking) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) against accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Former WFI Assistant Secretary Vinod Tomar has been accused of offences under Sections 109 (abetting officer), 354, 354A, 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Reportedly, the charge sheet contains statements of around 200 witnesses.

Last week, the CMM transferred the alleged sexual harassment case to the court of ACMM Jaspal, who deals with cases of MPs and MLAS, and was scheduled to take up the up the charge sheet for consideration on Tuesday.

Jaspal had directed complainantsa lawyer to apply for a certified copy at the court's copying agency.

In the FIR registered at Connaught Place police station, it has been alleged by the 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 hugging her, as well as assaulting and inappropriately touching other athletes.
Mumbai, June 27 : Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran recently injured his leg during a shoot and was admitted to the hospital where he underwent a keyhole surgery.

The actor, who is currently on a road to recovery, has shared a health update and has promised to get back to work soon. The actor was shooting for an action sequence for his upcoming film 'Vilayath Buddha' when this unfortunate incident happened.

The pan-India star took to social media to share an update with his well-wishers who were eagerly waiting for a health update.

Sharing an update, the actor wrote, " Hello! So yes...I had an accident while shooting an action sequence for VILAYATH BUDDHA. Fortunately, I'm in the hands of experts who performed a keyhole surgery and I'm now recouping.

"It's rest and physiotherapy ahead for a couple of months. Will try my best to use that time constructively, and I promise to fight through the pain to recover fully and get back into action asap. Thank you to all those who reached out and expressed concern and love."

The shooting for the film has been wound up and will resume after the actor returns from injury.
New Delhi, June 27 : Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments on opposition unity and corruption jibe, the Congress on Tuesday said that he has forgotten that the people rejected BJP in Karnataka because of corruption.

The remarks from the Congress came after the Prime Minister on Tuesday hit out at the Opposition saying that they are uniting only to escape jail and that each leader who was part of the meeting in Patna is facing corruption charges.

Speaking to IANS, Congress General Secretary Tariq Anwar said, "What the Prime Minister says it seems that they all are clean and they don't have any charges of corruption against them (BJP leaders) and no one is corrupt and he is the only who is clean."

Taking a swipe at the BJP over corruption, Anwar said, "In Karnataka it has been proved who is corrupt. In Karnataka, there was 40 per cent commission government and people rejected it. Now they are worried as in future there are elections in several states and also for Lok Sabha next year thus he is thinking how to harm the opposition parties. But now the people have understood their lies and their rhetoric. Everyone now knows that he is an expert in lying."

The Congress leader further said that Modi is even scared of opposition unity.

"If we look at the mathematics, in 2019 BJP got 38 per cent and 62 per cent was voted for the opposition parties. So if these opposition parties come together then where they will have to go and they would not be able to win and it is reason why they have panicked," Anwar said.

When asked about the Prime Minister also took a jibe at the Gandhi family that if you want to think about their future then you vote for Congress and for the betterment of everyone you need to vote for the BJP, Anwar said, "In BJP isn't there any dynastic politics? Does people need to put forward only the Scindia family or Rajnath Singh son (UP's Noida MLA Pankaj Singh) or to make Amit Shah's son Jay Shah as BCCI chairman."

When asked about the Prime Minister pitching for the uniform civil code, the Congress leader lambasted him saying what he was doing for last nine years.

"For last nine years, they have been in power, why they have not prepared any framework for the UCC, what kind of changes they want to make they should come up with a plan. And then take suggestion from people and the opposition parties."

When pressed further, what will his party's stand on the UCC, Anwar said, "Congress will always support the law which is good for the country, but they should first prepare the framework and laws and share with the people."

To another question about the Prime Minister accusing other parties of neglecting the Muslim's Pashmanda community, Anwar said, "BJP believes in vote bank politics while the Congress works to take everyone along. And the kind of allegations he has put is a complete lie. This is based on lie and it does not have an iota of truth."

While flagging off five Vande Bharat Express trains in Bhopal on Tuesday, Modi said a new word has been created -- guarantee, and termed 'guarantee' as "corruption and scams."

"Their (Opposition) guarantee is corruption and scams. Each leader present in the meeting has a 'guarantee' of scams of Rs 20,000 crore and the Congress itself has the 'guarantee' of scams of several lakh crores. Some of them are out on bail and are sharing their jail experiences," Modi said.
London, June 27 : A 48-year-old Indian-origin drug dealer has been jailed for four years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine to hundreds of users in a city in central England, police said.

Sanjeev Virdi was recently sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court along with Hassan Kazmi, 29, for running a significant drugs line in Wolverhampton that received more than 70,000 calls and texts from drug users in a three-month period.

"We've shut down a significant drugs line running in Wolverhampton in an investigation which has seen two jailed for a total of more than 14 years," the West Midlands Police said.

While Kazmi was identified as the line holder of the 'H' line which supplied Class A drugs, Virdi was a street runner who met with their customers. The line carried out business daily, operating between 9 am and 9 pm, with Kazmi having sole control of it. Forensic analysis later revealed that he was in direct contact with all of them.

Acting on intelligence, police executed a drugs warrant at a flat in Grafton Court on November 11, 2020 and found class A drugs worth 2,000 pounds, as well as drugs paraphernalia and 2,000 pounds cash.

After Kazmi, Virdi was later arrested in Wolverhampton on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, and several hundreds of pounds of class A drugs as well as a number of mobile phones were also seized.

"We've broken up a sophisticated crime group headed by Kazmi, who allowed others to carry and store drugs on his behalf in an attempt to evade capture," Detective Constable Thomas Reece of Force CID, said.

Kazmi was jailed for 11 years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine at Wolverhampton Crown Court, and Virdi was jailed for four years and eight months for the same offence.

"Virdi played a lesser role, reflected by his sentence, but both men were part of an operation which supplied hundreds of users and is now out of operation," Reece said.

Last week, Leicester Crown Court sentenced British-Indian Kamaljit Singh, his nephew Bhipon Chahal and other eight members of his gang to almost 100 years in jail for supplying drugs at the height of the Covid pandemic. During 2020, they had made over 1.5 million pounds.

Another British-Indian, Sarina Duggal, was sentenced to seven years in jail last week for being part of a gang who preyed on children to supply drugs.
Jaipur, June 27 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced that around 40 lakh women in the state will get smartphones and free internet for three years in July.

The Chief Minister made this announcement on Monday while addressing the Kisan Mahotsav in Udaipur.

The distribution of mobile phones will commence from July 25.

He alsor attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion.

Terming him cunning, Gehlot said that the PM gives Rs 6,000 to farmers in three months, however he is an expert in marketing. The Congress government gives 2,000 units of electricity free which amounts to Rs 1,800 and comes to Rs 21,600 annually.

Questioning PM Modi, he said why no law has been made on MSP during nine years of his tenure.

"When Modiji was CM of Gujarat, he used to question UPA why the government is making no law on MSP. I now question Modiji why no law has been made on MSP," the Chief Minister asked.
Islamabad, June 27 : The Pakistan government has decided to lease out the new Islamabad International Airport to interested international investors in the first phase following the practical difficulties in outsourcing two international airports in Karachi and Lahore, media reports said.

So far, the new Islamabad International Airport has been declared a "clean" transaction compared to other airports. Therefore, the government is considering moving ahead with its outsourcing as early as possible, The News reported Tuesday.

Moreover, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in its presentation to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, has mentioned that there are parties interested in securing the operations of these three airports, The News reported.

However, it will not be easy for the government to proceed speedily as it has not yet advertised the outsourcing of any airport.

"There are some practical issues that need resolution before handing over airport to any international party. For instance, the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has become a defaulter of various facilities of these airports," top official sources confirmed while talking to The News.

"Even if the government were to take over the past liabilities of PIA, how would the new airport operator allow free-of-cost facilities to the carrier? This was one of the major concerns that needed to be resolved before moving forward."

"In Karachi and Lahore, certain parts of the airports are occupied by some relevant agencies so that requires a permanent solution because the potential investors would like to utilise the complete airport for commercial purposes," said the sources, The News reported.

The Airport Security Force (ASF) has also become one of the stumbling blocs in accomplishing this transaction.
Chennai, June 27 : The husband of a Panchayat President in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore was hacked to death by a group of people as he was returning home from a temple on Tuesday morning, police said.

The incident occurred in Manjakuppam in Cuddalore.

Police said that as per eye witness accounts, six men on motorbikes, waylaid J. Mathiazhagan, 45, and attacked him. He tried to run towards his home but the assailants pounced upon him and attacked him with sickles, machettes and swords, and he was killed instantly.

Mathiazhagan, whose face was mutilated beyond recognition, was the husband of Gundu Uppalavadi Panchayat President, Shanthi.

Previous enmity seems to be the reason behind the motive, police said, adding that Mathiazhagan was an accused in the murder of Madivannan in Thazhangadu in 2020.

Earlier, Madivannanas sister Masilamani and Mathiazhaganas wife Shanthi had contested elections for the post of Panchayat President and Shanthi had won the polls. The rivalry commenced from then and this led to the murder of Madivannan in 2020. Mathiazhagan was the prime accused in the case and was charged under Goonda Act.

A strong contingent of police is camping in the area to prevent any further untoward incidents.
New Delhi, June 27 : Delhi Police have arrested seven persons in connection with the daylight robbery at gunpoint inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel on June 24, an official said on Tuesday.

Police said that raids are being conducted in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh to nab the remaining two to three accused, who are on the run.

The arrested accused were identified as Usman, his cousin Ifran, both native of Kaushik enclave in Burari, Anuj Mishra alias Sanki, Kuldeep, Sumit, Pradeep and Bala.

Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said that Usman, who had worked in Amazon delivery for seven years, had hatched the plan as he was debt-ridden and had lost a lot of money in IPL satta.

"Usman, while working as a delivery boy, was well aware about people taking money from the Chandani Chowk area," said the Special CP.

Usman roped in Irfan, who works as a barber in Burari area, for the job. They further after making a plan roped in people from Loni and Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh.

Usman along with Sumit, a vegetable seller, had done recce of the Chandani Chowk before committing the crime.

Kuldeep, who is found previously involved in 16 cases, had rented an accommodation in Burari area to divide the looted amount.

Before committing the armed robbery on June 24, the gang had tried to rob people going with the money from the Chandani Chowk area, but they could not find the target, said Yadav.

On June 24, they finally identified the target and as planned, the armed men on two bikes robbed the victim identified as Patel Sajan Kumar, working as a delivery agent at Omiya Enterprises in Chandni Chowk, inside Pragati Maidan tunnel.

"They selected the tunnel to avoid any kind of resistance," said the official.

Kumar after the incident came to Tilak Marg police station and submitted a written complaint regarding this incident.

"We have also recovered two bikes, Apache and Splendor, used in the commission of crime. The chassis numbers of the bikes are tempered and the number plates are fake. During initial interrogation of the accused, it was revealed that Anuj and Bala were on Apache bike while Irfan along with one another was on Splendor. It is suspected that one scooty was also involved in the crime which is being investigated," said the Special CP.

"We have also recovered Rs five lakh from the possession of the accused," said the official.

On Saturday afternoon (June 24), a delivery agent and his associate travelling in Ola cab were robbed of cash at gunpoint inside Delhi's Pragati Maidan tunnel by four men on two bikes.

According to police, the victim identified as Patel Sajan Kumar, working as a delivery agent at Omiya Enterprises in Chandni Chowk, came to Tilak Marg police station and submitted a written complaint regarding this incident.

Kumar told the police that he, along with his friend Jigar Patel, was going to Gurgaon 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 lodged an FIR under relevant sections of the IPC.
Mumbai, June 27 : Actor Akshay Oberoi, who is gearing up for his upcoming release 'Fighter', in which he will be seen along with stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, has undergone physical transformation.

The actor has gained 10 kgs of muscle for his role of an air force pilot in the film. Instead of going the conventional way of training with a trainer, the actor took this opportunity to undergo this look transformation by training himself.

The results the actor has achieved are quite impressive within three months of prepping for the role. Talking about the same, Akshay said, "I have been working out extensively before and during the filming of the movie.

The idea was to build up muscles with intense training for which I personally trained myself. The role required me to have a broader body frame to look right for the role of an Air Force pilot".

The actor revealed that in order to gain muscle, he did strength training with intervals of cardio. "I'm playing the role of an air force officer and his physical appearance has to compliment the character and hence I took it upon myself to undergo this transformation as it was a necessity. I went through rigorous training for months ahead", he added.

'Fighter' is directed by superstar director Siddharth Anand, who delivered one of the biggest blockbusters of Bollywood - 'Pathaan' earlier this year.

Apart from this, Akshay will soon be starting working on a new season of 'Broken News', 'Laal Rang 2' and is anticipating the release of his film 'Varchasva'.
Truckin' Tuesday, presented by the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, has returned for the summer. The event has already filled Azalea Park in Fredericktown with family fun and, of course, food trucks twice this year.

It is held the fourth Tuesday of the month through September at Azalea Park. The next one is set for Tuesday, June 27, beginning at 4 p.m.

"The Kid Hour" is from 5 to 6 p.m. and is for kids from pre-school - 6th grade who are signed in for playing games, making crafts, or learning something cool. Parents will have the chance to talk with one another for a couple of hours, picking their kids back up by 6 p.m. The hour is hosted by HOPE. A contemporary Christian band, Bondfire, is also slated to perform. Food trucks dishing out food and treats from 4 to 7 p.m. include Roxys Hot Grill, Chefs Kiss, Farmhouse, Quesajitas, Montgomerys Minis & More, ZimZala, The Joyful Tree House Co. and Copper Cactus.

Last May, the pavilion, playground and entire area around the park was full of community members playing and enjoying time with family and friends.

"It is great to see everybody communicating," Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board Member and Truckin' Tuesday Organizer Jane Parker said. "Nobody is on their phones and when you walk around everybody is laughing and enjoying everybody's company."

May's Truckin' Tuesday featured music by Bobby Spain, a large row of ten food trucks and a kid's hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., sponsored by the Fredericktown Police Department and featuring fingerprinting and fun games with Safety Pup.

"The Kid Hour is a chance for parents to drop off their kids, pre-K through sixth grade, and mingle and not have to worry about their kids," Parker said. "Each month is something new. A group is either going to teach them a craft, play a game, or an educational story or something with them for that hour."

Parker said last month, Safety Pup and police officers with the Fredericktown Police Department played with the kids, talked about stranger danger and the buddy system, and there was fingerprinting of the kids for the parents to have, just in case.

Kids could be seen laughing and having a great time playing "Duck, Duck, Safety Pup," "Safety Pup Says," and other games.

The previous month, the Fredericktown High School Student Council hosted the Kid Hour and had finger-painting and games for the kids.

As far as food goes, there were plenty of options to choose from. Ten trucks were in attendance May 23. They were Chef's Kiss, The Farmhouse, Quesojitas, Montgomery's Minis & and More, Smoke Shack BBQ, Amy's Goodies, Casey's Cookin, Zimzala, Concessionaire Extraordinaire, and The Joyful Tree House Co.

The first month there were six trucks and the second month saw 10, with several selling out of product during the first visit.

Parker said the word is spreading among the food truck community, and she is finding more and more vendors who are interested in coming every month.

When Parker took over the Truckin' Tuesday planning, she wanted to introduce more local musical artists, support the food trucks and pull people from all over the county to come in and enjoy the park.

The next two months, July 25, Aug. 22 and September 26, will each have a different musical performer, a new activity during Kid Hour and more and more food trucks.
Imphal, June 27 : The Manipur government will introduce a 'no work, no pay' rule for government employees who are not attending office without authorised leave due to various reasons arising out of the ethnic violence.

A government official said that the General Administration Department (GAD) has asked all the administrative secretaries to furnish details of employees who are not able to attend to their official work due to the prevailing situation.

There are around one lakh employees in the Manipur government.

Over 65,000 people have been displaced across Manipur, which include a large number of government employees, who have taken shelter in the relief camps.

Since the outbreak of ethnic violence, over 120 people have lost their lives while over 400 people have been injured with large scale destruction of houses and properties.

The ethnic violence broke out between Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3 in Manipur.
Mumbai, June 27 : Comedian-musician Munawar Faruqui, who is receiving a lot of appreciation for his recently released album 'Madari', has shared his plans for the upcoming festival of Eid-Al-Adha.

He shared that this time it will be a low-key celebration with close friends.

Sharing his plans for Eid, he said, "This year Eid is going to be low-key, just with close friends and a few family members and that's how it has been for the past few years. This time I have taken a few days off before the festival".

He also spoke about the delicacies like biryani, haleem, sevaai and sheer qurma that he awaits during the festival.

He further mentioned, "My earliest memories of Eid - Al - Adha were with my cousins in Junagadh, we used to eagerly wait for this day and gorge on biryani, haleem, sevaai and sheer qurma. It's one of those days of the year when I eat everything that I love. I hope everyone enjoys this festival with loved ones and dear ones".
Mumbai, June 27 : In the upcoming episode of 'Bigg Boss OTT 2', Nawazuddin Siddqui's estranged wife Aaliya will be evicted from the show.

In a huge twist, with the audience taking over, the voice of Bigg Boss announces that one contestant will get evicted.

When Bigg Boss asks every contestant whom they would like to be evicted today, Pooja Bhatt's response leaves everyone stunned.

Pooja said: "I would like Aaliya to go, as yesterday's task showcased a very scary side of her. Sirf bacha paida karne se koi maa nahi ban jata"

'Bigg Boss OTT 2' streams on JioCinema.
Bengaluru, June 27 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that Anna Bhagya, the free rice scheme, will be implemented as on when the rice is available to the government, setting the stage for slugfest between the ruling Congress and the BJP.

The BJP had stated that if the scheme is not implemented by July 1, the party would launch a protest. The JD-S is also attacking the ruling Congress government for announcing the scheme without preparation.

Anna Bhagya was the major scheme promised by the Congress party in its election manifesto. Under the scheme, every member of BPL cardholder's family will get 10 kg rice free.

Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders are targeting the Central government and PM Modi over the denial of sale of rice to Karnataka by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The Chief Minister stated that to implement the free rice scheme, 2.29 lakh metro tonnes of rice is required which is not available. He said that the FCI, which works under the Central government, first agreed to supply the rice in writing and then refused to sell it to Karnataka.

"It is a conspiracy of the Central government. In spite of having stocks, they are denying the sale of rice. I had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him to supply rice. It is for money, not for free. The BJP government is stealing the food of the poor," he attacked.

He said that rice is not available in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab.

Whenever rice is available, the scheme will be implemented, Siddaramaiah stated.

Asked about the protest on the issue by the BJP, he asked what moral rights do BJP leaders have as they have not fulfilled any promise made in their manifestos.

"Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa should come out in the open to explain how many schemes the BJP government had implemented.

"We are sincerely trying to bring rice. If BJP leaders are for the poor, they must put pressure on the Central government to provide rice," he said.

Siddaramaiah stated that the issue will be discussed in the cabinet which will be held on Wednesday.
Hyderabad, June 27 : AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he is going to abolish the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) in response to his comments on Triple Talaq, Uniform Civil Code and Pasmanda (backward) Muslims.

"Will the PM end "Hindu Undivided Family"? Because of HUF, the country is losing Rs 3,064 crores every year," Owaisi asked.

He tweeted that the Prime Minister did not understand former US President Barack Obama's advice properly.

"On the one hand the PM is shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other hand, his pawns are attacking their mosques, taking away their livelihoods, bulldozing their homes and lynching them. They are also opposing reservations for backward Muslims. His government has stopped scholarships for poor Muslims," Owaisi said.

"If Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited, what is Modi doing about it? Before seeking votes from Pasmanda Muslims, BJP workers should go door-to-door and apologise that their spokespersons and MLAs tried to insult our Dear Prophet," the AIMIM chief said.

"Citing Pakistan, Modi ji has said that there is a ban on triple talaq. Why is Modi ji getting his inspiration from Pakistani law? He even made a law against triple talaq here, but it did not make any difference at the ground level. Rather, the exploitation of women has increased further," Owaisi said.

"We have always been demanding that social reform will not happen through laws. If a law has to be made, then it should be made against those men who flee from their marriages," he remarked, taunting the Prime Minister.
Chennai, June 27 : Caste disputes leading to violence and killings is not new to Tamil Nadu, and it happens periodically in the state.

Sources in the police told IANS that the state police intelligence has recently issued a warning to its officers in southern Tamil Nadu on the possibility of certain caste-related violence in the Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts.

Immediately after the DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assumed office, there was a spate of killings in Madurai and Tirunelveli districts.

In those clashes, which were mainly between Dalit communities and a caste Hindu group, more than four people had lost their lives.

Tamil Nadu DGP had to camp in Madurai to curb the violence by taking strong action.

The police had then directed all the shops in the district selling knives, machetes, sickles and other farm equipment like axes to get the phone numbers and addresses of the buyers of these items.

After this order became mandatory, there was a lull in the attacks and the killings had come down.

The police told IANS that this was routine information passed on by the state intelligence to make the district and regional police heads prepare themselves for any such eventuality.

Even as the Dravidian political parties -- be it DMK or AIADMK -- have been ruling Tamil Nadu since the past five decades, the issue of caste is a reality in Tamil society and at times it turns brutal, often leading to one or the other losing their lives in bloody spars.

There were murders and retaliation between the Dalits and the Thevar community and even the heads of the deceased were severed and kept at the grave of the persons who were killed a few years before.

The police had to take a strong stand to crush the violence and many people were arrested and put behind the bars.

With the 2024 general elections months away and the DMK wanting to take a major space in the evolving political climate of the country, Stalin, who is also in charge of the Home department, does not want any skirmishes in the name of caste in the state, which can bring a bad reputation to the Tamil Nadu.

In a recent meeting with top officers of the state police, the Chief Minister had directed them to up their ante on any possible issues in the state and to beef up their intelligence network.

Police intelligence, according to sources, have received information that there could be some retaliation between the Dalits and Thevars and have directed all the District Police Superintendents to remain alert and to have all the local police stations on vigil against any minor fights taking place within their station limits.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 : With the BJP's top leadership dropping enough hints that its leaders in the Rajya Sabha should get ready to contest the Lok Sabha polls next year, a battle royale could be in the offing amid speculations that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may be fielded from the Thiruvanthapuram against its three-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, which Tharoor has been representing consecutively since 2009, is the only seat of the 20 in the Kerala where the BJP finished second in 2019, while in the rest, it was a poor third.

The name of Sitharaman has been doing the rounds ever since she came down and went around the Ockhi hit coastal hamlets in the state capital city in 2017 and when many thought she would be fielded in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Another advantage for Sitharaman is she hails from nearby Madurai in Tamil Nadu and speaks Malayalam also.

However it did not materialise as former state BJP president Kummanem Rajashekeran, who was then serving as Mizoram Governor, quit his post and was fielded. He did finish second but trailed Tharoor, who led in all the seven assembly constituencies which form the Lok Sabha seat, by a lakh of votes.

The BJP national leadership has identified a few seats where they feel they have a chance, but Thiruvananthapuram is perhaps the only one where they feel they can win. But for this a national figure from the BJP has to be fielded, as there is hardly anyone with such a stature in its Kerala unit.

Meanwhile even though the naming of candidates will take a while, the BJP state leadership, according to state President K. Surendran, have hit the campaign trail already.
Chennai, June 27 : Caste and caste-related disputes leading to violence and killings is not new to Tamil Nadu and periodically it happens in the state.

Sources in the police told IANS that the state police intelligence has issued a recent warning to its officers in southern Tamil Nadu on the possibility of certain caste-related violence in the districts of Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.

Immediately after the DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assumed office, there was a spate of back-to-back killings in Madurai and Tirunelveli districts.

In these killings which were mainly revenge killings between Dalit communities and a caste Hindu group, more than four people lost their lives.

Tamil Nadu DGP had to camp in Madurai to curb the violence.

The police had then directed all the shops in the district selling knives, machetes, sickles and other farm equipment like axes to get the phone numbers and addresses of the buyers of these items.

After this order became mandatory, there was a lull in the attacks and the killings had come down.

However, police told IANS that this was routine information passed on by the state intelligence to make the district and regional police heads prepare themselves for any such eventuality.

Even as the Dravidian political parties a" be it DMK or AIADMK, have been ruling Tamil Nadu since the past five decades, the issue of caste is a reality in Tamil society and at times this turns brutal and often lead to one or the other losing their lives in bloody spars.

There were murders and retaliation between the Dalits and the Thevar community and even the heads of the deceased were severed and kept at the grave of the persons who were killed a few years before.

The police had to take a strong stand to crush the violence and many people were arrested and put behind the bars.

With the 2024 general elections only a few months away and the DMK wanting to take a major space in the evolving political climate in the country, Chief Minister Stalin, who is also in charge of the State Home department, does not want any skirmishes in the name of caste in the state, which can bring a bad reputation to the state.

In a recent meeting with top officers of the state police, the Chief Minister has directed them to up their ante on any possible issues in the state and to beef up their intelligence network.

Police intelligence, according to sources have received information that there could be some retaliation between the Dalits and Thevars and have directed all the District Police Superintendents to remain alert and to have all the local police stations be on vigil against any minor fights taking place within their station limits.
New Delhi, June 27 : Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday lashed out at the Opposition for 'engaging in politics' over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying that Article 44 of the Constitution has established directive principles for states regarding the UCC.

He emphasised that the BJP is implementing the UCC in accordance with the Constitution. "Article 44 states that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens throughout India. What wrong are we doing?" he asked.

He also mentioned the Pasmanda community and stated that this marginalised Muslim community had been neglected for a long time by those who claim to be protectors of Muslims.

He further said that the Mandal Commission had identified backward castes, and the Pasmandas were among those identified.

Meanwhile, Yadav hit out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over Delhi's law and order situation, stating that Kejriwal has no right to comment on it when his ministers are involved in corruption.

The Union Minister also hit back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks that the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were threatening people not to vote in the upcoming Panchayat elections on behalf of the BJP, saying it was all a lie.
Kolkata, June 27 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Tuesday called up Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her helicopter had to make an emergency landing at Sevak airbase to enquire about her condition.

There was information that the Chief Minister received minor injuries on her leg and waist while getting out at the helicopter after the emergency landing.

"Hon'ble Governor Dr C.V. Ananda Bose is relieved to know that Hon'ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is safe after the emergency landing of her helicopter today. Dr. Bose enquired about her safety and well-being," a message from the official Twitter handle of the Governor read.

After the emergency landing, the Chief Minister was escorted back to Bagdogra airport where she flew back to Kolkata. On arrival in the state capital, her convoy went to the S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital for her thorough medical check-up.

Sources close to the Chief Mminister said that although the injuries on her leg and waist are extremely minor, the doctors are not willing to take any risk and hence conduct a thorough medical check-up
Missouri is looking at drumming up filming in the state, and Ste. Genevieves marketing tourism director, Tanalyn Dollar, is interested in fielding some of that business for her French colonial town.

Gov. Mike Parson is poised to sign a groundbreaking state budget worth a record $50 billion at the end of the month. The budget includes a substantial allocation of $23 million in general revenue for the Division of Tourism, indicating the state is interested in further promoting its unique attractions and boosting its economy.

To further bolster the states appeal to the film industry, the Missouri legislature has authorized a series of tax credits for projects filmed within the state. While the film tax credit had expired a decade ago, recent legislation has introduced a new tax credit that allows a 20% rebate on qualifying expenses for films produced in Missouri. Projects that are filmed at least 50% in Missouri and meet certain criteria, such as hiring Missouri residents or highlighting the state in a positive light, will be eligible for even bigger tax credits.

Recognizing the potential of Missouris diverse locations and scenic spots, the Missouri Film Office has taken an active role in promoting the state as a filming destination. As part of this effort, the Missouri Film Office has launched a directory featuring attractive filming locations from the states Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs). Currently, only half of Missouris counties have five or more locations registered in the database.

Dollar recently highlighted the unique attributes of Ste. Genevieve County as a whole, and pointed out an array of unique properties that should appeal to production companies: Historic homes, industrial sites, cemeteries, abandoned buildings, old barns, and picturesque farmland are just a few examples of potential shooting locations available.

Dollar pointed to the film The Patriot as a showcase of the authenticity and historical depth that residents of Ste. Genevieve can provide through their buildings, period clothing, music, handcrafts, historical documentation, and militia reenactment experience.

To encourage property owners across the state to register their locations in the directory, the Missouri Film Office has launched a contest with prizes. By registering and uploading images of their properties on the Missouri Film Office website, property owners can enter the contest and stand a chance to win various rewards. The contest, which aims to increase the number of registered locations, will run until Thursday.

If any property owner needs help registering, they can call my office or send an email to tdollar@visitstegen.com, said Dollar. We need to jump on this to compete with other DMOs for this potential revenue. What we think is old junk or abandoned property might be valuable to a film crew.

For more information about registering historically significant property, upload photos and information at https://mo.reel-scout.com/loc_add.aspx.
Bhubaneswar, June 27 : A special court here on Tuesday awarded life imprisonment to former Gunupur MLA, Ramamurthy Gomango, for killing his five-month pregnant wife in 1995.

Hearing a quantum of punishment in the murder case of Gomangoas wife Sashirekha, a special court of Additional District Judge (ADJ-III) in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday sentenced the convict to life imprisonment under section 302 of IPC.

Public prosecutor Rashmi Ranjan Brahma said the judge who had heard the case had convicted the former legislator in the murder case on June 24 and pronounced the quantum of punishment on Tuesday. The court sentenced the former MLA to life imprisonment under section 302 of IPC, he said.

He was slapped with Rs 50,000 fine, failing to which he will serve one year in jail. The court also imposed Rs 10,000 fine on him under section 201 of IPC. If the convict fails to pay the penalty amount, he will have to undergo another six-month imprisonment, Brahma said.

The court pronounced the judgement after examining the statements of 11 witnesses and 15 documents pertaining to the murder case.

The public prosecutor told reporters that he requested the court for lifer as this was a rarest of rare case in which a five months pregnant lady was burnt alive by her husband who tried to destroy the evidence stating that his wife had committed suicide.

Half-burnt body of Gomangoas wife Sashirekha was found at the MLAas official quarter in MLA colony in Bhubaneswar on August 29, 1995. Initially, an unnatural death case was registered at the Kharavel Nagar Police Station in Bhubaneswar. Subsequently, during investigation, the police converted it to a murder case under Sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
New Delhi, June 27 : The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comments on 'opposition unity' and 'corruption' saying that fear is visible on the PM's face and the place (Madhya Pradesh) where he was addressing is known for 50 per cent corruption.

In a video statement, RJD Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said: "The place from where the Prime Minister gave guarantee is the place which is known of 50 per cent corruption. On the same issue, BJP lost Karnataka."

He said that the language used by the Prime Minister is saddening for the respect and pride of the country.

"The Prime Minister has insulted the entire judicial architecture. We can see the fear on the face of the Prime Minister because of the opposition meeting in Patna. It is understandable," he said.

"Fight the political battle politically. Why are you signaling the ED, CBI or IT to open the shut cases? And to arrest and suppress the opposition leaders as you cannot fight them politically. By doing all this, the Prime Minister looks weak," the RJD leader said.

On Uniform Civil Code (UCC), he said: "After listening to the Prime Minister, it seems that he looks for the dog whistling occasion. He should have first read the 21st Law Commission report as his advisors are making him make errors which have been visible in the last few days."

The RJD leader said that it is important to inform the Prime Minister that this is not dog whistling, that you can do Hindu and Muslim, but you need to understand the traditions and cultures of tribal communities and also marriage contract, and several traditions in Hindu religion, how he can end all this.

Earlier, the Congress had also hit back at the Prime Minister over his 'opposition unity' and 'corruption' remarks.
New Delhi, June 27 : The Congress, which is eyeing to dethrone the BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, might have to face a tough fight as the ABP-CVoter Opinion Poll on Tuesday predicted that if AAP contests in the elections to the 230-member House, it will make the grand old party suffer in the state.

According to the survey, which was carried out between May 26 and June 26 in all the 230 Assembly seats covering 17,113 people, 41.5 per cent of the respondents feel that Congress will suffer losses in Madhya Pradesh if AAP contests the Assembly elections.

The survey said that 38.7 per cent people feel that AAP might not dent Congress' fortunes in the state, while 19.9 per cent respondent that they can't comment.

Meanwhile, among the Congress supporters, 51 per cent people feel that AAP contesting the polls will not have much impact, while 33.5 per cent respondents feel that the grand old party will suffer losses in the state if the Arvind Kejriwal-led party contests in the state. It also said that 15.5 per cent of the Congress supporters said that they cannot comment/don't know.

Meanwhile, 48.8 per cent BJP supporters also feel that AAP contesting in Madhya Pradesh will dent Congress' chances, while 29 per cent feel otherwise.

The 230-member House will go to the polls later this year with the Congress looking to make a comeback by defeating the ruling BJP.
Mumbai, June 27 : Hollywood star Harrison Ford, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny', feels that his titular character may seem invincible but he has a weakness.

The weakness is the age as the actor said that indyas weakness is "ravaged by time".

The actor recently spoke to the media about the strength and weakness of his character.

The actor said, "I think Indiana Jones' strengths are various. And we've demonstrated his strengths over the course of four movies. Now we're entering into a new phase of his life. And we're seeing him after an absence of 15 years. He's aged somewhat. He's retiring."

Harrison said that the audience will get to meet Indy (in the new movie) on the last day of his retirement from academic life, which has not been inspiring for him.

He shared, "I think we meet him at a point where he's at a low that we have not seen before. But I think it, dramatically, works really well because, at that moment, we're also introducing Phoebe as the character that really stimulates the plot that's going on. So I suppose his weakness is the ravages of time."

'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' releases in theatres worldwide on June 30.

--IANS

aa/prw
New Delhi, June 27 : Rajasthan's Bhavesh Shekhawat won the Men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (RFP) T6 trials, even as Ramita emerged triumphant in the Women's 10m Air Rifle T5 competition in the ongoing National Shooting Selection Trials 5 & 6 for Group A Rifle and Pistol shooters, at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting range (DKSSR) on Tuesday.

Bhavesh, who was second to Anish Bhanwala in the T5 trial earlier in the week, did not disappoint on Tuesday, scoring 33 hits in the final to upstage Army shooter Gurmeet, who ended with 31 hits.

In the womenas Air Rifle final, Ramita was 'in the zone', posting a wire-to-wire victory and finishing with a winning score of 252.8 in the 24-shot final held in the outskirts of the national capital.

Bhavesh, a most improved RFP shooter over the past six months or so, was third in qualifying on the day with a score of 575. Gurmeet topped with 579 and Punjabas Anhad Jawanda, who came third to also post a second successive podium finish in the trials, was second with 576.

Udit Joshi, Udhayveer Sidhu, and Anirudh Singh Rana were the others who made the top six, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) informed in a release on Tuesday.

In the womenas Air Rifle T5 Trials, there was no looking beyond Ramita. She first shot a world-class 632.4 to top qualification and then led the finals from the first series of five shots itself. Her lowest was two shots which fetched her 10.2, but a stunning 14-shots were 10.6 or above.

Olympian Elavenil Valarivan of Gujarat who came second, was in her element as well and was also shooting well, but Ramita left her 0.9 behind in the final calculations. Ramitaas state-mate Nancy was third with 230.2.

Among the juniors, Odishaas Manyata Singh won the womenas Air Rifle while yet another young Haryana talent Sameer won the menas RFP.

Wednesday has three senior finals scheduled.
New Delhi, June 27 : The ABP-CVoter Opinion Poll has revealed that 28.3 per cent of Congress supporters believe that the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh will help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

The respondents were asked, "Do you think the BJP will benefit from the visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Madhya Pradesh?" In response, 28.3 per cent of Congress supporters said it will help the BJP, while 56.1 per cent Congress backers said it will not help the saffron party.

Replying to the same question, 72 per cent BJP supporters said the party will benefit from the PM's visits, while 17.5 per cent felt otherwise.

Among other respodents, 51.8 per cent said the PM's visits will help the BJP, while 33.6 per cent felt otherwise.

The Opinion Poll was conducted with a sample size of 17,113 between May 26 and June 26, covering all the 230 Assembly seats.
New Delhi, June 27 : A septuagenarian man was robbed of Rs one lakh and was dragged while resisting robbery by two bike-borne assailants in northeast Delhi's Harsh Vihar area, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on June 19 and the entire incident was captured on CCTV camera installed near the spot.

According to police, on June 19, when the victim Sansar Singh, a resident of Ghaziabad, who runs a general store in Mandoli area, was leaving after closing his general store on a bike, two boys tried to snatch his bag outside his shop.

In the CCTV footage, the victim sat as a pillion on the motorcycle when two men came towards him and tried to snatch a bag from his hand.

The victim made an attempt to resist the robbery but was overpowered, resulting in him being forcefully dragged.

The accused successfully fled the scene with the bag.

Subsequently, the victim, who had fallen onto the road, was observed rising to his feet while the two accused boarded a motorcycle situated on the opposite side of the road.

The biker, who acted as the third suspect in this case, had been waiting for the alleged robbers, facilitating their immediate escape from the location following the incident, the CCTV footage revealed.

"One of them even threatened him with a pistol and took away his bag which had Rs one lakh cash," said the official, adding that efforts are being made to identify the suspects in the case.

"Police teams are scanning CCTV cameras in the area to trace their route," the official added.
Belagavi, : June 27 (IANS) In some bizarre advice, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike state Secretary Mahadeva Talwar on Tuesday told women that if they are having an affair, they should not kill their husbands but get a divorce instead.

Taking part in the protest condemning the death of Ramesh Kamble in Belagavi by his wife and lover, he said that there is law that women can't be forced for anything even by their husband.

"If you don't want a husband, divorce him and find your path. But, killing them and making the children and parents orphans and you (wives) landing in jail, why do you choose this kind of life?

"The law permits you, divorce your husbands and you move on. But, do not kill your husbands for the sake of lovers," he said.

Kamble, a painter was killed on March 23 by his wife Sandhya. Along with her lover, she had disposed of the body in Chorla Ghat. The police cracked the after three months and arrested both the accused.

Protesters urged that the property of the accused wife and lover should be confiscated.

As Kamble has two children and aged parents, they should be secured with the seized property, they demanded. The protesters also demanded capital punishment for the wife and lover in this murder case.
Mumbai, June 27 : A Mumbai court on Tuesday remanded four Shiv Sena (UBT) activists - arrested late on Monday for an alleged attack on a BMC officer - to 14 days judicial custody till July 11, an official said here.

The Vakola Police Station has booked around two dozen persons, including former minister Anil Parab for the alleged slapping and roughing up of a civic officer after a protest march to the H-East Ward Office.

Those arrested are Sada Parab, Haji Alim Khan, Santosh Kadam and Uday Dalvi, while the police are on the lookout for the others.

Ex-minister Anil Parab, who is also booked, moved a court seeking pre-arrest bail in the case, after the Monday demonstrations turned violent.

Among other things, the Sena (UBT) was protesting the bulldozing of an 'illegal' party branch office in Bandra east, and the operation was reportedly led by the assaulted Assistant Engineer.

Reacting sharply to the developments, Sena (UBT) Deputy Leader and Spokesperson Sushma Andhare questioned the selective enforcement of the laws when all are supposed to be equal before the law.

"Just last week, Mira Road (Thane) MLA Geeta Jain had publicly assaulted a civic officer in her area, but no action has been taken against her MLA Santosh Bangar regularly keeps abusing or assaulting officials. However, the present government of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis only target the Opposition parties," said Andhare sharply.

The Sena (UBT) is planning a mega-procession, led by Aditya Thackeray, to the BMC headquarters on July1 (Saturday) to highlight the alleged corruption in the civic body in the past one year.
New Delhi, June 27 : The Indian government is set to unveil a list of critical minerals in the country to ensure reduced import dependencies, enhance supply chain resilience, and support the country's net zero objectives.

A first of its kind data, the critical mineral list will be released by Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, official sources said.

This list is designed to identify and prioritise minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport and defence.

It will serve as a guiding framework for policy formulation, strategic planning and investment decisions in the mining sector.

Sources also said that the initiative is aligned with a larger vision of achieving aNet Zeroa target for India through the government's commitment to create a robust and resilient mineral sector.

India has recently become the newest partner in the coveted Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to bolster critical mineral supply chains. The initiative is all the more significant as India aims to source as many critical minerals as it can considering the fluid geopolitical situation, owing to the Russia-Ukraine war, in case their availability becomes difficult.

India is keen on buying reserves abroad and also mining for critical minerals domestically, sources aware of the development said.

--IANS

ans/vd
Koko commends PBBM, UAE gov't for pardon of 3 convicted Pinoys

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III applauded President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the latter's decision to grant pardon to three Filipinos who were convicted in the UAE.

Pimentel said this "act of compassion and mercy" extended to three Filipinos, two of whom were facing the dire consequences of being on death row, "is a testament of true friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and UAE."

Pimentel commended both leaders "for their concerted efforts in securing the pardon of the convicted Filipinos."

"I congratulate President Marcos and thank the UAE government for this good news. I am sure that this significant development will further strengthen the bond between our country and the UAE," the former Senate President said.

"President Marcos has shown his resolve and unwavering dedication to help our kababayans and ensure a just resolution for the convicted Filipinos abroad," Pimentel said.

"The Marcos government's strong diplomatic relations and effective communication have made the undertaking a huge success. His efforts have brought immense relief to the families of the convicted Filipinos," Pimentel added.

Pimentel also extended his gratitude to UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi for delivering the momentous news.

"The ambassador's role in facilitating communication between the two nations has played a crucial part in ensuring the successful outcome of this humanitarian endeavor," Pimentel said.

Meanwhile, Pimentel reiterated his gratefulness to the UAE government for their generous assistance and donations in support of the families affected by the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

The UAE recently donated 50 tons of relief and food supplies for families evacuated due to Mayon Volcano's unrest.
The audience that gathered in the V. Earl Dickinson Theater at Piedmont Virginia Community College on Friday night didnt just get a show, they got a lesson in history.

Cant Feel at Home tells the story of the displacement of more than 600 families in eight counties in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the 1930s as residences were bulldozed for the construction of Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park.

The play is centered on one of the remaining families preparing to leave their home for good.

John T. Glick, who was a physician in Elkton and Shenandoah in the 80s and 90s, wrote the play in 1998 after hearing stories from patients he was treating that were displaced.

With the help of friends Bobby Wolfe, director, and Joe Appleton, co-producer, the play made it to stage at Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg in December of 2022.

Not long after, in January of this year, Glick died at the age of 70.

Everything he touched turned to gold, Wolfe said of Glick.

Wolfe was a long-time friend of Glicks; they graduated together from Harrisonburg High School in 1970.

Another friend of Glicks, Steve Phillips, also performs in the play. Phillips was classmate, medical partner and musician with Glick. Together, they created Glick & Phillips, a musical comedy duo that played satirical songs throughout the Shenandoah Valley and commonwealth.

It feels rewarding doing it for John Glick. I think of John when I do it as it reminds me of him, Phillips told The Daily Progress.

Also in the cast Friday was Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook, who could be seen portraying Virginia Gov. George Peery.

Snook, who participated in theater productions in high school, said the play can help Charlottesville residents gain deeper insights into how painful the mountain evictions were to the surrounding community. While shaping his portrayal, Snook said, he drew on his memories of a summer experience that brought the tragedy of the evictions home to him.

In 1972, I worked for a summer doing work on Skyline Drive, Snook said. He cut overgrown brush and helped clear out stone-lined ditches and gutters that had filled with debris over the years since Civilian Conservation Corps workers had built them in the 1930s.

Snook was surrounded at work that summer not only by tangible reminders of the project to create the park, but also by the emotional impact it continues to have on local families.

My coworkers, most of their families had been evicted and pushed down into the hollers, Snook said. It was a very real thing for them.

Here in Charlottesville, we dont always appreciate that these families were not just losing their homes, but that their government was doing it to them.

Daily Progress features editor Jane Dunlap Sathe contributed to this story.
Bhopal, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth workers to get socially connected with the people and become a medium for common issues at the grassroots level. He counselled the booth workers, asserting that the BJP is a cadre based-party and works on the ground.

The Prime Minister suggested various steps to the party workers during the launch of a nationwide programme "mera booth-sabse majboot" at Motilal Nehru stadium in Bhopal on Tuesday. The concept was launched in poll-bound MadhyaPradesh to encourage the party's booth workers.

Modi engaged in a dialogue with 2,649 booth workers selected from different states who attended the programme physically. , Around 10 lakh booth workers across the country were digitally connected to listen to the PM's advice, according to Madhya Pradesh BJP president V. D. Sharma.

The nearly two-hour interaction was based on a question-answer session. While replying to the queries of the BJP's booth workers, Modi hit out at the Opposition accusing them of indulging in corruption and also batted for the controversial Union Civil Code (UCC) calling it the need of the hour in the country.

During the dialogue session, a total of six out of the total 2,649 booth workers physically present were given the opportunity to ask questions to Modi. They were Ram Patel (Madhya Pradesh), Satram Krishna (Andhra Pradesh), Rinku Singh (Bihar), Himani Vaishnav (Uttarakhand), Rani Chaurasia (UP), Heralben Jani (Gujarat).

While responding to each question, the PM spoke at length on a particular issue and at the same time, he continued to attack the Congress and other political parties on different issues. For instance, once he said, "One thing you must note that the BJP is not like those who sit in AC rooms and issue fatwas (direction) to their party workers. The BJP is the party of it's workers, who work on the ground. You have to understand this basic difference between the BJP and the other political parties."

During his speech, he also encouraged party workers saying all the beneficiary schemes launched by his government could reach the ground level because of the BJP's youth workers. "You need to connect with the people socially and make then realise that you stand with them whenever needed. You are the pillar of a long chain of the party workers. If you think doing a booth worker's job is small, then you are wrong. You are the ones who are connected with the people directly and others are dependant on you only."

--IANSpd/bg
Bhopal, June 27 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers to get socially connected with the people at grassroot level and become a medium.

He told the worker that BJP is a cadre based-party who works at grassroot level.

"You need to connect with the people socially and make them realise that you stand with them whenever they are in need. You are the pillar of a long chain of the party's workers. You are the one who is connected with the people directly and others are dependent on you," he said.

The Prime Minister suggested various steps to the party workers during the launch of nationwide programme 'mera booth-sabse mazboot' at Motilal Nehru stadium in Bhopal on Tuesday.

The program, a concept of Modi, was launched in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh in view to encourage the party's workers for the upcoming assembly election later this year.

Madhya Pradesh BJP president V. D. Sharma said that Modi engaged in dialogue with 2,649 workers who were selected from different states while around 10 lakh workers across the country were digitally connected to listen to Modi.

Out of 2,649 workers only six were given the opportunity to ask question to PM, they were Ram Patel from Madhya Pradesh, Satram Krishna of Andhra Pradesh, Rinku Singh of Bihar, Himani Vaishnav of Uttarakhand, Rani Chaurasia of (UP), and Heralben Jani of Gujarat.

Modi also hit out at the Opposition alleging them of indulging in 'corruption'.

"One thing you must note is that BJP is not like those who sit in AC rooms and issue fatwas to their party workers. BJP is the party of its workers, who work on ground. You have to understand this basic difference between the BJP and the other political parties," he said.

He also defended the controversial Union Civil Code (UCC), calling it a need of the hour.
Kolkata, June 27 : The relationship between the West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and the Trinamool Congress government seems to be heading for more turmoil, with ruling party spokesman Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday questioning the source of funding of his book "Silence Sounds Good".

On Tuesday afternoon, Ghosh arrived at the Raj Bhavan here and handed over a letter to the Governor's Special Secretary Debasish Ghosh.

Later speaking to media persons, the Trinamool spokesman said that he has questioned how a personal book penned by the Governor could feature in the "Governor's House Publication" and why the publication would be funded by the Raj Bhavan.

At the same time, he also questioned why the book featured the national emblem.

"We do respect the chair of the Governor. Our question is why there would be allegations of misuse of power against him," he said.

Ghosh had also alleged that the existence of Raj Bhavan Publication was never heard or known before the book was published.

"My question is whether this publication entity has any trade license. The price of the book is around Rs 2,300. Where do the proceeds from the sale of the copies of this book go? It is to investigate whether a book containing the national emblem can be sold in the open market," Ghosh said.

"Silence Sounds Good" was published in 2017 and its fourth edition released from the Raj Bhavan recently.

Recently, the faceoff between the Governor House and the ruling party has become common over the incidents of clashes and violence over the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state. The Governor has criticised such violent acts and the resulting casualties.

There is also a riff between the Raj Bhavan and the government over the Governor's appointments of interim Vice Chancellors for a number of state- run universities.
Kathmandu, June 27 : A high court of Nepal on Tuesday ruled that Mayor of Kathmandu city, Balen Shah, does not hold rights to stop screening Indian movies.

The Kathmandu Mayor does not hold any legal rights or authority to stop screening Indian movies in the cinema hall, the Patan High Court on Tuesday said after hearing a petition against the mayor's call to stop screening Indian movies in the cinema hall inside Kathmandu. On June 22, the same court had issued a temporary injunction to lift the ban on the South Indian film 'Adipurush.'

The Film Association had taken their case to the Patan High Court, challenging Balen Shah's decision that he will not allow screening of Hindi movies in Kathmandu. Mayor Shah has been protesting over some of the dialogue of film Adipurush. Until the filmmakers do not correct the fact that Sita was born in Nepal, Mayor Shah has challenged that he will not allow screwing the Indian movies in Kathmandu's cinema halls.

After Patan High Court ordered the screening of the Hindi movies, Mayor Shah announced on social media that he will not obey the order given by Patan High Court. The film association said that they contended that a blanket ban on screening all Hindi films based on 'Adipurush' was unjustifiable. Seeking permission to continue their business operations, the association received a favourable ruling from the court.

Some of the local government act and other contemporary Nepali laws, it is not a jurisdiction of mayor Shah to stop screening the Indian movies, said the verdict released on Tuesday.

Similarly, the Supreme Court of Nepal has ordered a contempt of court case against the Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City Shah.

The single bench of Supreme Court Justice Til Prasad Shrestha ordered to file a contempt of court case against Mayor Shah and ask for a written reply from him.

According to SC spokesperson Bimal Paudel, the apex court has directed to register the case and seek a written reply from the Mayor.

Advocate Barsha Kumari Jha filed a petition in the Supreme Court saying that Shah had deliberately decried the judiciary causing public distrust in the judiciary system itself.

The petition was heard on Tuesday in the bench of Judge Shrestha.

Meanwhile, Mayor Balen Shah denounced the High Court's judgment and said that he would not obey such decision.

"It is understood that the court and the government are slaves of India."

I am ready to suffer any punishment but the film will not be allowed to be screened in the Kathmandu Cinemas," Shah wrote on his social media post.
New Delhi, June 27 : Delhi Police has arrested eight men for allegedly firing at a person over a monetary dispute in south Delhi's CR Park area, an official said on Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Anup (28), Govind Gupta (32), Gaurav (36), Neeraj (30), residents of Faridabad in Haryana, Rakesh Kumar Goyel (42), Abhishek Singh (22), Anmol Gupta (26) and Prince (20), residents of Sangam Vihar.

According to police, a PCR call regarding firing near Bata Showroom, CR Park was received on Thursday following which a police team was dispatched for the spot.

Upon arriving at the scene, the victim reported that he was travelling in a car with a friend en route to New Friends Colony. Suddenly, unidentified men opened fire on them and quickly fled the scene. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand, and the bullet also damaged his mobile phone.

During the investigation, the police meticulously examined more than 350 CCTV cameras and covered a distance of 17 kilometers, retracing the route in reverse. Eventually, they arrived in Sangam Vihar, near the complainant's residence. Suspicious men were observed loitering around the complainant's house, engaging in reconnaissance activities, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary.

A raid was promptly organised, resulting in the apprehension of two suspects, Neeraj and Gaurav, who were located in Faridabad, Haryana. During interrogation, they disclosed the identities of the hired gunmen, Anup and Govind, who were subsequently apprehended in Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh respectively, said the DCP.

"One bike, a country-made pistol, three bullets, an auto-rickshaw, and Rs 25,000 in cash were recovered. Additionally, four more accused were later arrested, and Rs 1 lakh was seized," the official added.

During the investigation, Goyel revealed that he had incurred significant losses in a betting scheme operated by Sachin Gupta. The debt, which started at a lower amount, had accumulated to Rs 75 lakh due to compound interest. They reached an agreement that Goyel would pay Rs 1.5 lakh per month as interest until the full payment was made.

"As a shopkeeper, the monthly payment was an enormous burden for Goyel. To rid himself of the debt, he hatched a plan to murder Sachin Gupta. He enlisted the services of Govind and Anup through intermediaries named Anmol and Prince," said the official.

"Anmol arranged the murder with Rakesh for Rs 6 lakh but then passed it on to Prince for Rs 3.5 lakh. Prince subsequently hired two shooters, Govind and Anup, for the job, paying them Rs 3 lakh," said the official.

It is worth noting that Anup had previously been involved in four criminal cases. Gaurav and Neeraj were observed conducting surveillance of the complainant near his house for a period of four to five days before the incident, providing information on his movements to Anup and Govind.

In addition to the above information, the police mentioned that they recovered one motorcycle and a homemade pistol used in the crime. They also seized one semi-automatic pistol, three live cartridges, one auto-rickshaw, and Rs 25,000 in cash. Subsequently, four more men were apprehended, and an additional Rs 1 lakh was recovered.
Ghaziabad, June 27 : Shahnawaz Khan alias Baddo, the key accused in abetting religious conversion of youths in Ghaziabad through an online gaming app, is likely to be booked under the stringent National Security Act by the Ghaziabad police after recovering incriminating data, the police said.

Earlier, the accused was sent to three-day police custody four days ago.

It was learnt that the police prepared a list of questions for the accused Baddo which were asked during his custodial remand.

As per sources, the police have unearthed Baddo's Pakistani connection as it has intercepted him communicating with people via mails from Pakistan. For collecting solid evidence, the police had already sent Baddo's mobile phone and laptop to the forensic laboratory for recovery of incriminating data.

According to official information received by the police, it questioned Baddo for several hours during his custodial remand. Along with the police, the NIA has also asked several questions to Baddo and gathered information from him.

According to the information received from sources, so far the case of conversion of four children has come to light and some incriminating evidence has been found in connection with this case.

Baddo has been sent back to jail after three days of police remand.

On May 30, the Ghaziabad police arrested a Maulvi from the same district and then Shahnawaz from Maharashtra, who is said to be the mastermind of this religious conversion case, while taking action on a complaint in connection with this case.

After the religious conversion of four minor boys in Ghaziabad came to light, the police had received inputs from several other states regarding similar cases of conversion.
New Delhi, June 26 : With assembly elections in Telangana just a few months away, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held an important strategy meeting with the state leaders and others at the party headquarters on Tuesday.

Before coming to party headquarters, Kharge met Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at her residence.

Congress strategist Sunil Kanugolu was also present in the meeting with Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The meeting at the party headquarters began on Tuesday afternoon where Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi, party General Secretary KC Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, State Incharge Manikrao Thakre, State Unit Chief A Revanth Reddy were also present.

According to a party leader, the meeting was being held to discuss the poll preparedness of Congress in Telangana and decide on a strategy for the state.

Kharge took to Twitter and said: "People of Telangana are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress party. The Congress party is ready to take on any challenge. Together, we will usher a brighter future for Telangana, based on shared democratic values and all-around social welfare."

The meeting comes a day after several rebel Bharath Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders joined Congress after meeting Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at party headquarters , including former minister Jupally Krishna Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

After a three-hour long meeting, State Incharge Manikrao Thakre said: "We discussed how to proceed for the elections and what issues should be taken forward."

He said that they (central leadership) listened to everyone's suggestions and based on these discussions things will be taken forward.

He said that there is resentment among the public against the Telangana government as the promises made by the state government have not been fulfilled.

"Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has looted the money of the people for himself, his family and for his party. This money belongs to people. That is why people of Telangana are angry with him," he said.

Thakare said that the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi gave separate state status to Telangana after listening to the voice of the people.

He said in Telangana there is a large population of SC, ST, and OBC who are struggling.

"The reason why Sonia Gandhi made it a separate state was to alleviate poverty. However, after 10 years, the condition of the people has not changed," he said.

He said this is the reason why all leaders and workers should come together, and go to the people. "Telangana Congress has the responsibility to spread the message to every house about what they are going to do with them after coming to power," he said.

He said that Congress will bring a path of good progress for Telangana.

He also accused the BRS and the BJP of joining hands in Telangana and in every state, even in Maharashtra, wherever the Congress party is strong, efforts are being made to help BJP there also, he said.

"BJP is being helpedin the entire country wherever they feel they can harm Congress. So we understand that there are our farmer brothers, for whom the message of Congress has to be conveyed to them. For making a program for women, for youth, for OBCs, for every community in OBC, for minorities, we have been instructed to focus on these issues," he said.

"Rahul Gandhi clearly said that all the leaders and workers should work together in Telangana for the upcoming elections. BRS has to be defeated. That is why, I want to assure that the Congress government will form the government in Telangana because people want it," he said.

He said that Rahul Gandhi has instructed us to leave our differences behind and work for a united cause.

Assembly election will take place in Telangana in December this year.
Imphal, June 27 : One person sustained injuries after a bomb exploded in Manipur on Tuesday while the security forces recovered a large cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition.

Police said that the powerful bomb exploded on the outskirts of Imphal city under Imphal West district resulting in injuries to one person.

Meanwhile, the defence sources said that during a joint search operation by the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police, two suspected armed miscreants were apprehended along with arms, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from them at Kairang Turel Mapal in Imphal East District.

The recovery includes five sophisticated various types of arms, two country-made improvised weapons, a large quantity of mixed ammunition, and other miscellaneous war-like stores.

On Monday, a combined team of Manipur police and JAT Regiment of Army apprehended a gang of arms smugglers. Three arms, 21 ammunition, two vehicles and cash were recovered from their possession.

On Tuesday, the situation remained tense at some places but the situation is improving in most places and no untoward incident has been reported during the last 24 hours, Manipur Police Control Room said.

Meanwhile, the state police and central forces are continuously conducting patrolling, flag marches and cordon and search operations in vulnerable areas both in the hill and valley districts.

About 119 Nakas and checkpoints have been installed in different districts to monitor the movement of people and vehicles.

Over 400 persons have been detained in connection with curfew violations in different districts of the state.

Police said that a total of 1,110 looted arms, 13,941 pieces of various types of ammunition and 250 bombs of different kinds have been recovered so far from different districts.

During the ethnic violence in Manipur, the attackers have looted thousands of arms and lakhs of ammunition from various police stations and security posts.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and discussed the ethnic crisis in Manipur.

"Hon'ble Governor of Manipur, Miss Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah in New Delhi today and apprised him of the present security situation in the state and informed that after his visit to Manipur, peace & normalcy has been restored to a certain extent," Raj Bhavan tweeted.
New Delhi, June 27 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to violence-hit Manipur on June 29-30, party leaders said on Tuesday.

Sharing the details of Rahul Gandhi's travel plan to Manipur, Congress General secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in a tweet, "Rahul Gandhi will visit Manipur on June 29-30. He will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit."

Targeting the BJP government, Venugopal said, "Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that the society can move from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate."

The Congress has demanded immediate removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for 'failing' to control the situation in the northeastern state.

The Congress has also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on Manipur, where over 100 people have died in violence that erupted on May 3.

Thousands of people have been forced to take refuge in relief camps across Manipur.

--IANSaks/arm
Mumbai, June 27 : Actor Sharib Hashmi, who will be soon seen in the upcoming biopic 'Tarla', has shared that he was heavily impressed by the narration of the story and wanted to be a part of it so badly that he "begged (the director of the film) to just sign" him me immediately.

'Tarla', which stars Huma Qureshi in the lead, is based on Indian chef and cookbook author Tarla Dalal. It has been directed by Piyush Gupta.

Talking about his experience, Sharib said, "I love Piyush Gupta from the bottom of my heart. I was sold the way he narrated the story of Tarla to me. It was beautiful. And I could visualise the film in his beautiful narration. I begged him to just sign me immediately.

"I was ready to do anything to work on the film and work with him. And even on the sets, he was very clear about what he wanted. I had a great time working with Piyush. And I really hope and pray that he gets the biggest of the biggest films to write and direct in future. I'm ready to do even a passing shot for Piyush."

Sharib also spoke about his experience of working with Huma, calling her an "amazing actor".

He said, "I have been a fan of her work. Initially I thought that she would be a little snooty and will behave like a star, but on the contrary, she turned out to be a sweetheart and a great co-actor. We really bonded well on the sets and off it. I can say that I found a friend for life."

Sharib essays the role of Tarla Dalal's husband Nalin Dalal.When asked what qualities of Nalin Dalal can husbands imbibe, the actor said, "Nalin Dalal needs to be applauded for the way he supported his wife unconditionally, putting his own career aside. He was a loving husband and a loving father. I feel the men of today should imbibe his qualities of a husband and a father".

'Tarla' is set to drop on ZEE5 on July 7.
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 suggest the drug inadvertently may 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.

From a storefront in Philadelphias Kensington neighborhood, Laurels group provides first aid, showers, clothes and snacks to people using drugs.

Xylazines effects are easy to spot: users experience a lethargic, trance-like state and sometimes black out, exposing themselves to robbery or assault.

Its a delayed reaction. I could be walking down the street, its 45 minutes later, said Dominic Rodriguez, who is homeless and battling addiction. Then I wake up, trying to piece together what happened.

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.

In Philadelphia, the drugs introduction has created a host of new challenges.

Naloxone, a medication used to revive people who have stopped breathing, doesnt reverse the effects of xylazine. Philadelphia officials stress that naloxone should still be administered in all cases of suspected overdose, since xylazine is almost always found in combination with fentanyl.

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.

The city recently launched a pilot program where hospitals treat patients for wounds and then directly transfer them into addiction treatment.

Xylazine can be addictive, and patients who stop taking it report severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and distress. 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.

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.

But hints that xylazine could be blunting fatal overdoses are showing up elsewhere.

In New Jersey, about one-third of the opioid supply contains xylazine, based on testing of drug paraphernalia. But less than 8% of fatal overdoses involved xylazine in 2021, the latest year with complete data.

Police Capt. Jason Piotrowski, who oversees the analysis of state drug data, said xylazines ability to extend users high may be a factor in why its showing up less than expected in fatal overdoses.

If xylazine is lasting longer and thats why people are using it, then theyre not going to need as many doses, he said. So now their exposure to the more deadly fentanyl decreases.

Like other experts, Piotrowski stressed that this is only one theory and xylazines impact is far from clear.

Philadelphia officials see no upside to the drug.

I dont frankly see a plus side to xylazine, said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the citys health commissioner. It seems to increase the risk of overdose and it causes these severe, debilitating wounds that interfere with peoples ability to get into treatment.

Philadelphias annual toll of fatal overdoses has climbed by 14% since xylazine became a significant part of the local drug market around 2018. In 2021, the city reported 1,276 overdose deaths. Bettigole expects final 2022 figures to show another increase.

More than 90% of lab-tested opioids in Philadelphia contain xylazine, according to city figures.

Even as Savage Sisters and other advocates deal with xylazines toll, they are seeing newer drugs circulate, including nitazenes, a synthetic opioid that can be even more potent than fentanyl.

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.

AP journalists Tassanee Vejpongsa and Matt Rourke in Philadelphia contributed to this story.
Chennai, June 27 : Vegetable prices in Tamil Nadu are on an increase following reduced arrival of produce in several markets of the state.

In the wholesale market of Chennai, the rate of tomatoes has doubled to Rs 80 from Rs 40, which was the price in the last week.

In the retail market, tomatoes are sold at Rs 100 per kilogram and traders in the Koyambedu market told IANS that the high price of tomato is due to lesser arrival of the vegetable.

The price of onion in the wholesale market has increased from Rs 10 per kg during last fortnight to Rs 25 per kg on Tuesday. Similarly the price of shallots has increased from Rs 40 kg last week to Rs 90 per kg now.

The price of ginger, which was Rs 60 per kg during last week, has increased to Rs 200 per kg on Tuesday. The price of beans has increased to Rs 80 per kg from Rs 30 per kg during last month and of brinjal and beetroot have touched to Rs 50 per kg from Rs 30 per kg in Koyambedu market two weeks before.

Talking to IANS, Mohammed Shafi, a vegetable wholesale dealer in Koyambedu market, said: "The price of vegetables is shooting up and for some, it has doubled in a week, for others, it has doubled in a fortnight and in some cases, the rate has doubled in a month."

He said that reduced production is the main reason for the increase in prices and the shortfall in crops is due to intense heat and lack of water.

The traders also said that while the price of vegetables have been showing a gradual increase in the past one month, it will again increase as marriages and festivals are lined up in the coming few days just before the Tamil Aadi month which is considered inauspicious and hence all the major functions are held before the commencement of the Aadi month.

Aadiwill begin on July 17 and will continue till August 17 and in Tamil Nadu and Kerala this month is considered inauspicious and major functions are not held.

In Coimbatore market, tomatoes are sold at Rs 80 per kg in wholesale on Tuesday and retail market price was Rs 95 per kg. A week before, the rates were Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg respectively.

--IANS

aal/vd
Hyderabad, June 27 : Telangana BJP MLA and former minister Eatala Rajender's wife Eatala Jamuna on Tuesday made the sensational allegation that BRS MLC Kaushik Reddy is planning to assassinate her husband.

She told media persons that she came to know that Kaushik Reddy planned to spend Rs 20 crore to kill her husband.

"Kaushik Reddy's arrogance comes from the support provided to him by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao," said Jamuna, a businesswoman.

She said that if any of her family members are harmed, the Chief Minister will be responsible.

She said that since voters of Huzurabad taught a lesson to KCR, as Rao is commonly known, by electing Rajender, he was taking revenge from people of the constituency.

Jamuna alleged that Kaushik Reddy was creating problems in Huzurabad with the support of KCR.

She also said no action was taken against Kaushik Reddy for his remarks against Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

"In the upcoming polls, all the women in Huzurabad will unite and fight for better, safe governance. They will teach a lesson to KCR," she said.

Jamuna denied that her husband was planning to quit the BJP and said he would remain in the BJP.

Rajender had quit the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and joined the BJP in 2021 after KCR had dropped him from the Cabinet following allegations that he encroached lands of some farmers for a poultry business run by his family. Rajender had also resigned from Assembly and contested the by-election on BJP's ticket. He had retained the seat with a comfortable majority.

Kaushik Reddy is a member of Telangana Legislative Council. He had resigned from the Congress to join the BRS. He was an aspirant for a BRS ticket in Huzurabad. However, the BRS had fielded G. Srinivas Yadav. Kaushik Reddy was later made a member of Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, the BRS MLC denied the allegations leveled by Jamuna. He said he was ready for a debate with Rajender on the allegations. Kaushik Reddy alleged that it was Rajender who was involved in murder politics. He said in 2014, the former minister had got a man murdered. He also said that another person committed suicide due to the physical torture by the MLA.

The MLC also claimed that Rajender tried to kill him in 2018. The BRS leader said he came into politics to defeat Rajender and will be satisfied only after defeating him.
Raigad : , June 27 (IANS) Angry activists of the Bhim Shakti Sanghatana (BSS) allegedly ambushed and assaulted the Karni Sena's Maharashtra chief Ajay Singh Sengar for reportedly insulting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, officials said here on Tuesday.

The incident occurred when Sengar was waylaid near the fire brigade office in Panvel town by at least two aggressive activists of the BSS.

They punched, slapped and hit Sengar who attempted to escape from there but was chased by the BSS workers who hurled abuses at him, again caught him, grabbed his waistcoat and trousers to prevent him from running.

The BSS activists claimed that on at least two occasions, Sengar had made objectionable comments against the Dalit icon Dr. Ambedkar and for scrapping the Constitution and though they had even lodged police complaints against him, no action was taken.

Sengar, who later went to file a police complaint, claimed that he was attacked for his strong criticism of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) chief Prakash Ambedkaras controversial visit to the tomb of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in Aurangabad last week.

While Sengar condemned the attack, the BSS has warned that he would face more consequences if he continued to make such remarks against Dr. Ambedkar or the Constitution.

Despite repeated attempts by IANS, leaders of both BSS and Karni Sena were not available for their comments on the incident while videos of the attack went viral on the social media evoking sharp reactions.
New Delhi, June 27 : Sources in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Tuesday that the agency has arrested Supertech Group Chairman R.K. Arora in connection with a money laundering case under PMLA.

The ED had recently attached properties worth Rs 40 crore belonging to Arora in this matter.The sources said that Arora was called to join the probe. "He had been coming to the ED's headquarters for three consecutive days. On Tuesday, we finally placed him under arrest," said the ED source.

The source added that Arora will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Courts on Wednesday, where the ED will seek his custodial remand.

The sources said that money collected through real-estate business was invested in several firms through money laundering.

It has been alleged that money was collected from the home buyers and later transferred to several accounts of firms involved in other businesses. "This way, the home buyers were cheated," the source said.

The source added that Arora couldn't provide satisfactory answers, leading to his arrest.Reportedly, Arora's family was informed about his arrest via a phone call.

About a month ago, the Dadri administration in Greater Noida had issued a notice against Arora and Supertech, asking them to repay a total of Rs 37 crore. After the notice was served, Arora was detained at the local DM office, but was released later.

According to sources, several FIRs have been filed against Arora and Supertech. They also took loans from banks, and their accounts reportedly turned into non-performing assets (NPA).

--IANSatk/arm
Hyderabad, June 27 : Congress party in Telangana received a boost after 35 Bharath Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders including some key leaders from Telangana's ruling party crossed over to its camp.

Political analysts say that the joining of BRS leaders has given a psychological edge to the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled later this year.

Congress in the state appeared to be lagging at a distant third position but the victory in neighbouring Karnataka and subsequent developments have lifted the party's spirits.

Former minister Jupally Krishna Rao and former MP Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy have joined the Congress following a fall out with the Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

After meeting AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi on Monday, they along with other leaders announced their decision to join Congress party. They will formally join Congress at a public meeting at Khammam on July 2, which will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi.

Krishna Rao and Srinivasa Reddy are considered leaders with considerable political influence in undivided Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts respectively. The Congress leaders hope that their joining will bolster the party's prospects in upcoming elections.

It's a homecoming for Krishna Rao, who was minister in Congress government in united Andhra Pradesh. Srinivasa Reddy was elected to Lok Sabha on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) ticket in 2014 but he had later defected to BRS.

Other leaders who joined the Congress include six-time former MLA Gurnath Reddy, ex-MLA and Zila Parishad Chairman Koram Kanakaiah, former MLA Payam Venkateshwarlu, District Cooperative Central Bank (DCCB) ex-chairman Muvament Vijaya Baby, sitting DCCB Chairman Thulluri Bramhaiah, ex-chairman of SC Corporation Pidamarthi Ravi, Markfed state Vice Chairperson Borra Rajshekhar and Municipal Chairperson, Warya and Mandal Praja Parishad Chairman S. Jaipal.

These new entrants have boosted the party's confidence as was evident from Mallikarjun Kharge's tweet.

"People of Telangana are yearning for change. They are looking towards the Congress party. The Congress party is ready to take on any challenge. Together, we will usher a brighter future for Telangana, based on shared democratic values and all-around social welfare," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, the state Congress also claimed that 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," it said.

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K. C. Venugopal, AICC incharge for Telangana Manikrao Thakre, TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy and other key leaders held a strategy meeting at AICC headquarters on Tuesday following the joining of these leaders.

Revanth Reddy announced after the meeting that the party has rolled out the action plan for the Assembly polls. He hinted that the party in Telangana will adopt a strategy similar to the one in Karnataka.

The TPCC chief claims that these joining show the growing strength of the Congress party. "The four crore people of Telangana have been bearing the brunt of BRS excesses and misrule and are waiting for an opportunity to unseat the KCR government," said Revanth Reddy.

AICC member and TPCC general secretary Kota Neelima believes that it is the beginning of the Congress wave in Telangana.

The Congress party is looking to regain the lost glory in its former stronghold. Despite claiming credit for carving out Telangana state, the Congress party failed to capture power in Telangana as KCR wrested the initiative to form the first government in the new state in 2014. TRS, as it was then known, retained power in 2018, depriving Congress party of another opportunity

The Congress is likely to attract more leaders to its camp as the elections draw near. "Many dissident leaders of BRS and even BJP are likely to join Congress. Even those who had quit Congress a few years ago may come back," said analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy.

Despite the defeats, defections, poor performance in by-elections and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the infighting, the Congress party is still seen as a strong force.

"Some leaders might have left Congress but we have strong cadres on the ground," said senior leader and former minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir.
New Delhi, June 27 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited bike repairing shops in the national capital on Tuesday and interacted with mechanics there.

The former Congress chief shared the photographs of his visit on Facebook with a caption: "Learning from the hands that turn the wrenches, and keep the wheels of Bharat moving. #BharatJodoYatra."

In photographs, Rahul Gandhi can be seen interacting with bike mechanics and working alongside them.

According to a party leader, Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier made surprise visits to Bengali Market, Jama Masjid, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi University PG

men's hostel and also took a truck ride from Haryana's Murthal to Ambala, has now met bike mechanics in Central Delhi's Karol Bagh area.

The party leader said that Rahul Gandhi made the visit on Tuesday evening after holding meeting with Telangana leaders at party headquarters here.

After his 4,000-km long 'Bhatat Jodo Yatra' that started from Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari on September 7 last year and culminated at Srinagar on January 30 this year, Rahul Gandhi has been surprising people with his sudden public appearances.

He had reached Bengali Market and Jama Masjid area in April and interacted with people there. After that, the former Lok Sabha MP visited Mukherjee Nagar, where he interacted with UPSC aspirants and discussed their issues. He then also visited the PG Men's Hostel of the Delhi University over lunch and held discussions with the students.

In May, he took a truck ride from Murthal to Ambala and interacted with the truck drivers to understand their concerns. Even during his US visit, the former Congress president took a truck ride from Washington to New York to understand the difference in the conditions of truck drivers in India and abroad.
New Delhi, June 27 : A 49-year-old auto driver has been arrested for allegedly trying to molest a woman passenger near Anand Vihar bus stand here, police said on Tuesday.

The accused identified as Chandeshwar Yadav had even kidnapped the woman's four-year-old son and robbed her valuables.

The distressing incident unfolded on Monday when a woman and her child arrived at the Anand Vihar bus stand around 2 a.m. from Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi, said a police official.

However, their journey took a harrowing turn when they hired an auto-rickshaw to go to Delhi Cantonment.

Unfortunately, due to a miscommunication, the driver dropped them off at Sadar Bazar and refused to take them to their intended destination. Undeterred, the woman hired another auto-rickshaw from Sadar Bazar to continue their journey to Delhi Cantonment.

However, fatigued from the long trip, she fell asleep during the ride. It was during this time that the auto driver stopped the vehicle and attempted to molest her. Resisting his advances, the woman quickly disembarked from the auto-rickshaw.

Seizing the opportunity, the accused driver fled the scene with her child, bag, and mobile phone.

"The victim received medical examination, and a case was registered under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and 363 (kidnapping) at Delhi Cantt police station," Deputy Commissioner of Police, Southwest, Manoj C.

The police meticulously analyzed footage from over 100 cameras installed along the routes covering approximately 30 km, taken by the auto-rickshaw driver involved in the incident.

"We managed to partially identify the registration number of the vehicle. Subsequently, raids were conducted, leading to the arrest of the accused auto driver from Dallupura village on the outskirts of the Trans-Yamuna region of Delhi," said the official.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he had left the child near India Gate. Fortunately, the child was found by the staff of Kartavya Path police station on Monday night and safely lodged in a child home.

The DCP confirmed that the kidnapped child was joyfully reunited with her mother. Furthermore, the stolen bag and mobile phone of the complainant were recovered from the accused.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, June 27 : A special CBI court in Ahmedabad has sentenced Akhtar Hussain Basir Ahmed, a co-conspirator of terrorist Aftab Ansari, to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in an arms smuggling case.

The case dates back 22 years when a substantial cache of weapons was seized in Patan, Gujarat. Ahmed had evaded capture following the recovery in October 2001 but eventually surrendered before a court on May 30, 2012, after remaining underground for over a decade.

Akhtar Hussain Basir Ahmed has now been handed a ten-year sentence and fined in connection with the arms and explosives smuggling case. The CBI launched an investigation after the recovery of the weapons in Santhalpur, Patan, during October 2001. Subsequent arrests and convictions exposed the involvement of Aftab Ansari, a notorious terrorist, in the smuggling operation.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had seized a truck in Patan district, unearthing a significant quantity of arms and ammunition. The recovered items included 14 kg of RDX, 500 live rounds, 250 pistol bullets, detonators, , two AK-47 rifles, four AK-56 rifles, two pistols, two rifles, a radio set, loaded magazines, remote control devices, four kg of plastic explosives and timers.

The CBI initiated the investigation following the recovery of a substantial quantity of weapons and explosives from a truck in Santhalpur, Patan, on the night of October 26-27, 2001.

Four individuals were apprehended during the investigation and subsequently charged and found guilty. It was during this process that Aftab Ansarias involvement in the weapons smuggling came to light, and he was previously convicted in July 2018.
New Delhi, June 27 : The Delhi government is working to organise a Rozgar Mela in the upcoming months.

Delhi Labour and Employment Minister Raaj Kumar Anand held a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the Labour Department and the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) to discuss the organisation of a large-scale employment fair, also known as 'Rozgar Mela'.

During the meeting, it was decided that the Delhi government will host an extensive employment fair to provide better employment opportunities for the youth.

"We will establish employment centers to offer proper guidance to the youth in their career paths. At the Rozgar Mela, experts will provide counseling to the youth and help them discover the fields in which they have potential and aptitude, thus enabling them to realize their dreams," said Anand.

The Vice Chancellor of DSEU shared in the meeting that more than 2,000 youths in Delhi have already benefited from the Employment Centers. These centers assist young individuals in exploring untapped opportunities based on their studies and profiles. Importantly, experts counsel and guide them in finding suitable employment.

During the meeting, Anand also emphasized the importance of giving special care and attention to people living with disabilities when discussing youth employment in Delhi. He instructed the officials to organize a separate job fair specifically for differently-abled persons.

He directed the officials of the concerned department and the university to take appropriate steps in this direction.
London, June 27 : Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said he cautioned Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin that his forces would be destroyed if they continued their march to the Russian capital, a media outlet reported.

"Halfway you'll just be crushed like a bug," Lukashenko recalls telling Prigozhin during a call on Saturday, CNN reported, citing Belarusian state media.

Lukashenko said Prigozhin told him: "We want justice! They want to strangle us! We will go to Moscow!"

"For a long time, I was trying to convince him (Prigozhin). And in the end, I said, 'You know, you can do whatever you want. But don't be offended by me. Our brigade is ready for transfer to Moscow'," the Belarusian President said.

Lukashenko said he told Prigozhin that "this situation does not only concern Russia. It's not just because this is our Fatherland and because, God forbid, this turmoil would spread all over Russia, and the prerequisites for this were colossal, we were next".

Wagner leader Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday, according to Belarusian President Lukashenko.

"I see that Prigozhin is already flying on this plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today," Lukashenko said according to Belarusian state TV.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin told security personnel that they"virtually stopped a civil war"in responding to Wagner forces' failed insurrection, in strong remarks following Russia's weekend of chaos, CNN reported.
A not-for-profit research and development corporation will be expanding its operations to include a drone range in Orange County, according to a June 23 announcement by the Orange County Economic Development Authority.

The announcement says that Orange County authority has entered into a land lease with Mitre Corporation, which manages six federally funded research and development centers and dozens of additional offices from its dual headquarters in McLean in Northern Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts. The lease is for a 16-acre parcel within the county-owned Thomas E. Lee Industrial Park, located on Route 15 between Orange and Gordonsville.

The business park occupies 155 acres in total and other current tenants include Zamma Corporation, Aquaphalt, MPS Returns Center, Lohmann Specialty Coatings and St. Gabriel Organics.

MITRE is excited to launch a first-of-its-kind drone range in Orange County, Yosry Barsoum, vice president and director of Mitres Center for Securing the Homeland, is quoted in the announcement. MITREs mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through our public private partnerships and federally-funded R&D centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability and well-being of our nation.

The Orange County Economic Development Authority said in the announcement that the expansion is anticipated to create many new jobs over the next four (4) years.

This investment is a testament to Orange Countys pro-business climate, and we are pleased to welcome them to Orange County, said Orange County Economic Development Director Rose Deal.

The Orange County Review could not reach Deal for comment.

Economic Development and Tourism assistant Regan McKay, speaking on her behalf, declined to provide any further details regarding the future drone range or its impact on jobs within the county.

Mitre Corporation also did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Orange County Review. According to Mitres website, the corporation was established to advance national security in new ways and serve the public interest as an independent adviser.

In December 2022, Mitre announced that it had been the recipient of an R&D 100 Award for its work developing technologies to prevent midair collisions between small uncrewed aircraft systems, such as drones, and other aircrafts.
New Delhi, June 27 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly condemned the Centre's decision to initiate a CAG audit into the reconstruction expenses of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Keriwal's residence, saying the move is aimed at diverting public attention from the alleged scams involving the Adani Group.

AAP also questioned why the Prime Minister did not order a comprehensive investigation into the Adani scams after forming a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The party went on to say that the CAG should also conduct a thorough investigation into the 'chanda (donation) scam' in Ayodhya'sRam temple.

"The concocted allegations, ranging from the so-called liquor scam to the alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the CM's residence, are part of a carefully orchestrated drama designed to divert public attention from the massive scams involving the Adani Group, which continue unabated under the protective umbrella of the Prime Minister," AAP said.

AAP also said that the BJP knows it is going to lose the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and hence it is resorting to such tactics, which shows its desperation and frustration.

"Thismove by the Modi government reeks of desperation as the BJP anticipates an inevitable defeat in the 2024 general elections. Regarding theCAGinquiry into the reconstruction expenses of the Chief Minister's residence, it is important to note that it was already conducted last year, revealing no evidence of financial irregularities," saidAAP.

The AAP also accused the BJP of violating constitutional principles by interfering in the affairs of Delhi government.

"The decision to initiate the sameCAGinvestigation once again is a clear reflection of the BJP's frustration, paranoia, and authoritarian tendencies. Conducting aCAG inquiry is a prerogative of an elected government, and by interfering in the affairs of the Delhi government, the Centre is violating constitutional principles," AAPsaid.

AAP also said it is evident that the BJP, troubled by its consecutive electoral defeats in Delhi, is not only tarnishing the reputation of the Kejriwal government, but also engaging in clandestine efforts to undermine the established power structure.

"This systematic targeting of opposition leaders one after another reveals the underlying agenda of the BJP. Moreover, theCAG or other Central agencies should also conduct thorough investigations into the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, the 'chanda' scam in Ram temple, and the various scandals involving the Chief Minister of Assam. In reality, the BJP, under the guise of seeking revenge, is inadvertently orchestrating its own downfall through such chaotic and ill-conceived actions,"AAPadded.

--IANSatk/arm
New Delhi, June 27 : A woman who was charged under the Arms Act for allegedly carrying two live cartridges in her bag at Seelampur Metro Station has been acquitted by a Delhi court.

The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Aashish Gupta presided over the case and stated that the possibility of the accused being falsely implicated could not be ruled out.

According to the prosecution, the two cartridges were discovered in the woman's bag during a routine security check at the metro station on November 15, 2021.

However, the court found that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to her acquittal of the offense under Section 25 of the Arms Act, which deals with carrying, acquiring, or possessing unlicensed firearms or ammunition.

The court highlighted several discrepancies in the case, including the fact that one of the seized cartridges did not bear the inscription present on the other cartridge.

This raised suspicions of evidence tampering or the possibility that the case property was planted on the accused.

"This raises a possibility of planting of the case property on the accused or tampering with the same while it was sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) or at the time of receiving the same from FSL or at FSL," the court said.

Furthermore, the court expressed concern over the lack of sincere efforts by the police to involve independent public witnesses in the investigation, casting doubt on the fairness of the overall process.

The defense argued that the accused was carrying a backpack and it was plausible that an unidentified person had placed the ammunition in her bag while she was entering the station.

The court accepted this possibility, acknowledging that the prosecution's case contained significant loopholes that undermined its credibility.

"Be that as it may, the case of the prosecution is found to contain material loopholes which hit at the root of the case and the benefit of any lacuna left in the investigation has to be given to the accused," the court said.
Kolkata, June 27 : Sustaining ligament injuries after her helicopter had to make an emergency landing in north West Bengal on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee refused admission to a hospital on her return to Kolkata.

Refusing the doctors who asked her to get treated in hospital, she said that she prefers being treated at her residence only.

Sources close to her said that the injuries are so minor there is no concern of worry.

"Because of her position as a Chief Minister, the doctors of the said state-run hospital did not want to take a risk and insisted her to get admitted. But she refused," said a member of the state cabinet.

The doctors have reportedly advised a bed rest for her for at least seven days.

After the emergency landing, the Chief Minister was escorted back to Bagdogra airport from where she flew back to Kolkata. On arrival at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport here, she was taken to the S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital for a thorough check-up.

Sources said that although the injuries on her leg and waist are extremely minor, the doctors are not willing to take any risk and hence, conducted a thorough medical check-up.

Sources also said that in all probability, Banerjee refused admission because of her schedule related to campaign for the forthcoming panchayat polls.
Imphal, June 27 : After the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), another influential tribal organisation, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Tuesday reiterated that the tribal Kuki-Zo community would not hold any talk with the state government under Chief Minister N.Biren Singh.

KIM spokesman Janghaolun Haokip said that it is hardly surprising that the ongoing crisis in Manipur, the "preplanned ethnic cleansing against the Kuki-Zo community is the ultimate result of the despotic and chauvinistic governance under Biren Singh".

"In fact, the oppression and alienation against the Kukis has gained unnatural momentum since N.Biren Singh formed his ministry in 2017. Inevitably, the Kuki-Zo community have made its resolution that a 'Total Separation' from the Meiteis is the only solution for lasting peace and harmony in the region, and that the Kuki-Zo community would not settle for anything less than what is duly guaranteed in our Constitution, the provisions for creation of a separate administration," Haokip told the media.

He said that the KIM would always stand for the rights and privileges, and the territorial integrity of the Kuki-Zo community.

The KIM in a separate statement on Tuesday said that the decision of the Manipur government to invoke "No Work, No Pay" rule only exposed the "communal state government's constant piecemeal ploy to achieve forced peace" through terror tactics".

KIM General Secretary, Khaikhohauh Gangte, in the statement, claimed that the Manipur government is putting the lives of so many employees, particularly survivors of the violence in Imphal valley at risk.

Meanwhile, the ITLF, which has been demanding imposition of President's rule in Manipur, on Monday rejected any offer of dialogue with Biren Singh or his government.

ITLF spokesman Ginza Vualzong had said that the Chief Minister's intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Union 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.

He claimed 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.

"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.

The ITLF and KIM along with 10 tribal MLAs (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), have been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals.

"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.

--IANS

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United Nations, June 28 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has removed India from the list of countries that need attention over the impact of armed conflicts on children following steps taken by the nation to mitigate the situation.

"In view of the measures taken by the Government to better protect children, India has been removed from the report in 2023" on Children and Armed Conflicts (CAAC), he wrote in the report released on Tuesday.

But separately his CAAC report noted that there were five child casualties fromcross-border shelling from Pakistan last year.

Guterres's report last year had mentioned "grave violations" in India by both terrorist groups and government forces and the recruitment of children by Kashmir-based terror organisations. And earlier reports had also mentioned the recruitment of children by Maoists.

In his latest report that delists India, Guterres said, "I welcomed the engagement of the government of India with my Special Representative" Virginia Gamba to protect children.

He said that the special representative's office had sent a technical mission to identify areas of cooperation for child protection. He noted that the Indian government had held with UN participation a workshop last year in Kashmir on strengthening child protection.

His report gave a grim picture of the global situation of children caught in armed conflicts with grave violations increasing last year to 27,180 compared to 2021 when 23,982 instances were recorded.

Last year's incidents involved 18,890 children  13,469 boys, 4,638 girls and 783 sex unknown  in 24 situations and one regional monitoring arrangement, the report said.

During the year, 2,985 children were killed and 5,666 maimed, it said.

Explaining the steps involved in getting India off the list, Gamba said, "India came forth two years ago to our offices and to our people on the ground, resident coordinator in Delhi as well as the UNICEF representative in the country, and indicated that they were ready to start engagement to see if they can put in place measures that could be sustained through time that would allow for them to be removed."

While the agreed-upon measures are confidential, she said that Guterres's report gives an idea of them when it lists steps to be completed. Guterres's report lists "the training of armed and security forces on child protection, the prohibition of the use of lethal and non-lethal force on children, including by ending the use of pellet guns, ensuring that children are detained as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time, and to prevent all forms of ill-treatment in detention, and the full implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act."

"We have been working with them very closely on this pattern", she added.

Asked about the armed groups that had been listed in the previous reports, including the Lashkar-e-Tayyba and Maoists, she said that "it's always very difficult when you're in a situation of concern with no listed parties".

"Therefore, there is no need or obligation to have a joint action plan", she added.

Terrorist groups operating in India are not organised or structured  or extensive  like those in countries like Colombia, and, therefore, it is not possible to engage with them.

Meanwhile, the latest CAAC report said there were 23 cases of grave violations against children in Pakistan. Three children were reportedly killed and 17 maimed "by unidentified armed elements", it said.

"Three attacks on schools were also reported, including an attack involving the use of improvised explosive devices against a girls' middle school", it said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in <aru.l@ians.in> and followed at @arulouis)

--IANS

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New Delhi, June 28 : A domestic help at the Delhi house of Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar was murdered while another servant was stabbed by two men, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on Monday at around 9 p.m and the Crime Branch has nabbed the two accused, identified as Aman Tiwari, 20, a resident of Bawana and Jirjish Kazmi, 19, a resident of UP's Meerut.

The official said that both are involved in the murder of Kamal, the servant of Amit Kuma, while another servant Deepak, who was stabbed is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

A senior police official said that Kazmi was previously employed in the office of Advocate General but fired a one month ago.

"He felt humiliated so he wanted to take revenge as well as loot the money kept in the house. On Monday, the duo first brutally strangled and murdered Kamal with an iron/press cable and dumped his dead body inside the bed at the house," said the official.

"Then they attacked the other servant Deepak with a knife and tied him with cloth. After that they tried to break open the money locker with bricks. Meanwhile, Kumar's son reached the spot and they fled from the house," said the official.

The official said that to nab the culprits raids were conducted across Delhi and both were nabbed from different places. "Kazmi was nabbed from the bus stand when he was trying to take a bus to his native place in UP and Tiwari from his hideout in Bawana," the official added.
New Delhi, June 27 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has inaugurated 140 new public charging points and 48 battery swapping stations in the city.

At an event held in GTB Nagar, the Delhi CM launched 42 new ultra-low-cost charging stations across the city.

During the inauguration, Kejriwal highlighted the significant difference in commuting costs between traditional fossil fuel vehicles and EVs.

"While driving a petrol scooter costs approximately Rs 1.75 per kilometer, an EV scooter only costs 7 paise per kilometer. Similarly, a petrol car costs Rs 7 per kilometer, whereas an EV car costs only 36 paise per kilometer. These figures demonstrate the substantial savings that EV owners can enjoy while contributing to a greener and cleaner Delhi. With the addition of these 42 ultra-low-cost charging stations, Delhi now boasts a total of 53 locations equipped with cutting-edge EV charging infrastructure," he said.

Kejriwal said that the Delhi was leading the way towards a future dominated by EVs, showcasing rapid progress in aligning with global sustainability goals.
Singapore, June 28 : A 37-year-old Indian national in Singapore has been sentenced to five months in jail and fined SGD 1,000 (US$740) for biting off the earlobe of a fellow Indian who stayed with him.

Manohar Sankar, a construction worker from Tamil Nadu, pleaded guilty to one count each of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and using abusive words against the 47-year-old victim in 2020, Channel News Asia reported.

he court heard that in a drunken stupor, Sankar, who stayed at a workers' apartment in Upper Serangoon Road along with the victim, started uttering vulgarities in Tamil and cursed the victim's mother on the night of May 19, 2020.

When the distressed victim told Sankar to stop scolding him, he grabbed the victim who was seated on a chair. The pair scuffled and fell down, and Sankar bit off the victim's left earlobe, according to Channel News Asia.

Other men separated the pair and administered first aid to the victim, who went to hospital the next day as he felt pain in his left ear. The doctor found that the victim had lost 2cm by 2cm of his left earlobe in a "traumatic left ear laceration".

The ear laceration has to be trimmed and stitched, according to the doctor. While the victim's wounds have since healed, he suffers permanent disfiguration of his left earlobe, the prosecutor told the court.

For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, Sankar could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined or caned.

--IANS

mi/vd
Patna, June 27 : An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police in Bihar's Bagaha district was held captive for more than 4 hours after being nabbed coming out of a woman's house on Tuesday morning, police said.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at Ahirani Tola locality under city police station in the district.

The residents claimed that the ASI named Chitranjan Kumar has an illicit relationship with a woman in the locality. He was coming out from her house when they nabbed him and held him captive.

Some local residents also made the video of the incident and uploaded it on social media, saying the act of the ASI is making the atmosphere bad and such immoral acts spread the wrong message in society.

Chitranjan Kumar is deployed in Valmiki Nagar police station and he was frequently visiting the house of a woman in the past. The woman is a cook by profession.

Meanwhile, Bagaha SP Kiran Kumar Jadhav initiated the inquiry into the matter and asked the officers concerned to investigate the charges levelled against the ASI.

Action will be taken against him if he is found guilty in the investigation, the SP added.
Patna, June 27 : BJP leaders in Bihar have asked the workers to make the Union Minister Amit Shah's rally a grand-success by ensuring their participation in the rally which will be held in Bihar's Lakhisarai district on June 29.

Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Modi, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, MP Rakesh Sinha and others have asked the BJP workers and members to assemble at Lakhisarai Gandhi Maidan on June 29 to make the rally successful.

"I feel proud of myself for being a part of the BJP. The Lotus symbol is our real candidate. Narendra Modi is the real leader and no one has the ability to compete with him," Giriraj Singh said.

Rakesh Sinha said that Modi has asked us to raise the voice against corruption and corrupt people. "Those forces who do not want PM Modi to become stronger are against him," he said.

BJP is celebrating nine years of the Narendra Modi government in the country and organising events in every state highlighting the achievements of the Modi-led government.
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport canceled at least six flights Tuesday evening from Atlanta, Washington and New York. Other flights were delayed, with two flights diverted to Richmond earlier in the day.

Its the latest episode in whats become a series of unfortunate events for those traveling by air, after severe storms and air traffic staffing shortages over the weekend. Hundreds of flights at New York-area airports were delayed or canceled Tuesday due to severe thunderstorms, according to data from FlightAware.

Thousands more passengers were affected over the weekend due to FAA staffing issues, according to a United Airlines memo sent to employees obtained by The Daily Progress.

Im also frustrated that the FAA frankly failed us this weekend, United Airlines CEO Kirby Scott wrote in the memo. We estimate that over 150,000 customers on United alone were impacted this weekend because of FAA staffing issues and their ability to manage traffic.

The FAA reduced the arrival rates by 40% and the departure rates by 75% on Saturday, Scott wrote. That is almost certainly a reflection of understaffing/lower experience at the FAA. It led to massive delays, cancellations, diversions, as well as crews and aircraft out of position. And that put everyone behind the eight ball when weather actually did hit on Sunday and was further compounded by FAA staffing shortages Sunday evening.

The FAA is working to create a robust pipeline of skilled and diverse professionals coming into the aviation workforce, according to a statement from the FAA. The agency is also taking action to reduce the air traffic controller training backlog that COVID created.

Two flights heading into CHO, an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, and a Delta Airlines flight coming in from Atlanta, were diverted to Richmond earlier Tuesday.

The flight from Atlanta landed in Richmond around noon, while the flight from Charlotte landed at 1 p.m., 38 minutes later than scheduled.

Its not just our airport, Stewart Keys, marketing specialist at CHO, told The Daily Progress. Flights were delayed and redirected into D.C. airports and throughout the mid-Atlantic on Sunday due to communications and radar issues.

Keys told The Daily Progress there is a frequency issue in Northern Virginia, and airlines are currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration to address the issues.

Were trying our best to collect as much information as we can to see if theres anything that [CHO] can do, Keys said.

Jonathan Gardner, one of more than two dozen passengers on the flight from Charlotte, told The Daily Progress the flight was initially delayed because of a frequency issue all the way to Charlottesville. He said passengers were informed of a radar breakdown that was causing issues at the airport that made it unsafe to fly into Charlottesville.

They made it sound like it was a total stop on the Charlottesville airport, he said.

Gardner described the passengers landing in Richmond Tuesday as surly as they deplaned with their luggage and began the wait for a 2:30 p.m. shuttle bus to carry them to their final destination in Charlottesville.

Passengers on the Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta reported waiting on the tarmac three hours after landing in Richmond, and said at the time they had not been offered a shuttle to Charlottesville.
Patna June 28 : Four women of a family in Bihar's Purnea district died on Tuesday while two others were seriously injured after being electrocuted.

The deceased were identified as Renu Devi, Veena Devi, Rani Devi, and Ravita Devi. Three of them died on the spot while the fourth victim succumbed due to injuries in the hospital.

Sulekha Devi and Julekha Devi were critically injured in this incident and battling for their lives in the hospital.

The incident occurred at Godiyar village under Tikapatti police station in the district. The victims were working in a field when an 11,000 volt high tension overhead wire fell on them.

The villagers informed the Electricity Department and cut the electricity to rescue the victims, who were taken to the government hospital where three of them were already dead and another died during the treatment.

The villagers were angry at the Electricity Department for not changing the old wires and demanded action against errant employees and officials.
Jaipur, June 27 : Unidentified miscreants killed a Congress leader and former sarpanch by slitting his throat while he was sleeping at his farm house.

The victim was identified as Aam Singh (68). The incident took place in Mithoda village of Sivana police station in Barmer.

Officials said that the victim was found in a pool of blood on the terrace and the investigation in the case is going-on.

Police said that the unknown miscreants attacked Aam Singh with sharp weapons on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday.

Police said that the assailants attacked the victim on head and neck with a sharp weapon.

"Investigation of the case has revealed that the killers have taken the gold chain and rings of the victim. More than Rs 10 lakh rupees were kept inside the Thar jeep parked in the farm house, which is safe," police said.

Aam Singh's elder son's wife is a Sarpanch of Mithoda Gram Panchayat.

The victim himself had been the deputy pradhan, sarpanch and Zilla Parishad member.
It was a bold and clear message from the US and India statement that has thrown an open challenge to counter global terrorism and unequivocally condemn terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations. The statement has unnerved Pakistan as well as China.

A South Asia expert at the Hudson Institute describes US-India as a boon to President Biden to declare to the world that the US has got India as ally on his side. The US considers China the most serious long-term challenger to the United States, despite renewed efforts to manage tensions.

The joint statement by US-India has also insisted Pakistan take immediate action "against all terrorist groups", leaving an option of asking the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to further tighten its anti-money-laundering and terrorism financing standards.

Both India and Pakistan are relevant to the US for different reasons. India is on the geopolitical centre stage. Its strategic value for the West is increasing. Thus, after the US-India joint declaration, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome moved his pawn diplomatically on June 23, keeping Pakistan under US wings and saying "Our people-to-people ties have taken forward the US-Pakistan relationship for 75 years. Perhaps the most meaningful result of our diplomatic engagement is the network of personal and professional connections made by tens of thousands of Pakistanis who have gone to the US on US-funded academic programmes and exchanges and those Americans who come to study in Pakistan".

The US's top priority for Pakistan is to eliminate terrorism, counter emerging terrorist threats, and address the causes of instability. The US has supported 120,00 Pakistani police officers' training programmes and encouraged female officers' recruitment and professional development. Not only these more than 2,000 Pakistani officers have gone on US-funded military education and training programmes, Pakistan is among the top two countries in the world for participation in US military exchanges.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar in an interview to the Washington Post said "Pakistan can no longer try to maintain a middle ground between China and the United States". US-Pakistan relations have served vital interests for over six decades, but it has not been a 'normal' bilateral relationship. In Pakistan, the US connection strengthened the army and enhanced its political profile. Washington was not happy with Pakistan's relations with China, the 1965 war, its nuclear programme, and Pakistan's contribution to the failure of the Afghanistan war.

It is widely believed by political observers that incidents of instability in Pakistan are Washington's hidden 'agenda' to destabilise Pakistan so as to take out its nuclear assets. Washington wants to punish Pakistan for being an ally of China. In 2002 Richard Armitage, then-deputy secretary of state admitted that Pakistan was never important to the United States in its own right. It was important, because of third parties. The implication was that Pakistan had no permanent value for the US, and its importance for Washington derived from the importance of South Asia more broadly.

In the given economic and politically wreck situation, Pakistan is left with no option but to seek US support for an IMF loan. The US is taking advantage of Pakistan's precarious financial situation, pressuring Islamabad to keep a distance from Beijing. The IMF has recently raised serious objections over the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, which has further narrowed the chances of revival of the Extended Fund Facility programme. Donald Blome expressed confidence in the policies and programmes of the Pakistan government for economic sustainability and socio-economic uplift of the masses. He extended his support to further promote bilateral economic, investment, and trade relations between both countries.

Pakistan is the only regional country that has not thrown its weight behind any single global power. Islamabad seems to be seeking good ties with Moscow and Washington. It does not want to harm American interests but at the same time, it will not go against Beijing.
New Delhi, June 28 : The Delhi High Court has upheld a trial court's order handing jail term to two men for gang raping a Nigerian woman in 2014, however, it commuted the sentence to 20 years from 30.

A division bench Justices Mukta Gupta and Poonam A Bamba was hearing an appeal by convicts, Raj Kumar and Dinesh, challenging the trial court's decision to convict and sentence them to 30 years in jail.

The court said that the absence of semen traces in the DNA analysis does not invalidate the victim's claim, as penetration alone is sufficient to establish the offense of rape.

The bench reduced the initial 30-year jail term for the two men, considering factors such as one of them being unmarried and the other having responsibilities to care for their children and parents and acknowledged the possibility of their reform.

The incident occurred on the night of June 18-19, 2014, when the Nigerian woman was returning from a friend's party and while she was searching for an auto-rickshaw, a car stopped nearby, and the two accused forcibly took her into the vehicle.

They then took her to a house and raped her. Afterward, they put her back into the car and abandoned her near a metro pillar, having also stolen her bag containing valuables.

The woman subsequently went to a police station and filed a complaint. Based on her description of the house, the two men were arrested.

The court said: "Considering the evidence on record and that the version of the prosecutrix is not only wholly reliable but is also supported by other facts and circumstances, lending a further assurance to her version, this court finds no error in the impugned judgment of conviction."

During the appeal, the convicts' counsel claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity and that they were wrongfully convicted and argued the lack of corroboration from the DNA analysis report regarding her claim of being raped by the two men.

To this, the bench stated that the absence of semen traces does not falsify the victim's assertion of being raped by the two men.

The court stated that for the offense of rape, proving penetration is sufficient.

Disposing of the convicts' appeal, the court upheld trial court's judgment and noted that from the woman's deposition, it was clear that she was kidnapped by them around 11 pm while she was searching for an auto-rickshaw.

The court further noted that due to the suddenness of the kidnapping, she was unable to note the car number or identify the car and that it would have been difficult for her, as a non-resident, to identify the roads.

According to the victim, her head was also kept bowed down in the car to prevent anyone from seeing her, further complicating her ability to provide details.
New Delhi, June 27 : Two real-life artists, inspired by the web series 'Farzi', were arrested for allegedly printing and supplying high-quality fake Indian currency notes (FICN) in Delhi and its peripherals, a Delhi Police Special Cell officer said on Tuesday.

The accused have been identified as Tajeem and Irshad, both residents of Kairana, Uttar Pradesh.

The Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), H.G.S. Dhaliwal, said that in view of the trafficking and circulation of high-quality FICN in Delhi and adjoining states, a team was deputed to gather information about such cartels.

"Accordingly, surveillance was mounted upon the activities of the suspected members of a syndicate involved in counterfeiting. The information was further developed and it was revealed that a cartel based out of Kairana, Shamli district, was involved in printing FICN and circulating the same in various parts of India, including UP, Punjab and Delhi.

On June 21, specific inputs were received that a member of this cartel would come to the Alipur area in Delhi to deliver a consignment of FICN to a prospective receiver. Consequently, a raiding party was formed and a trap was laid at the spot and the team succeeded in apprehending accused Tajeem," said the Special CP.

On search, high quality FICN equivalent to Rs 2,50,000 in the denomination of Rs 2,000 was recovered from him.

"A case under relevant provisions of law was lodged at the Special Cell police station in this regard and the investigation was taken up. On interrogation, the accused disclosed that he had received the FICN for circulation from his associate Irshad," said Dhaliwal.

"Thereafter, a raid was conducted at Kairana and Irshad was apprehended. Further, FICN equivalent to Rs 3,00,000 was recovered from his house," said Dhaliwal.

On interrogation, Irshad disclosed that after recognising the high demand for FICN and the margin of profit in it, he started printing FICN at his shop with the help of his associates and began supplying/circulating the same to receivers in Delhi-NCR.

"They were using appropriate raw material and equipment such as fine-quality paper sheets, green shining foil paper and special ink etc. for manufacturing high quality FICN. The accused further divulged that they purchased the special ink after scanning various websites. Tajeem had worked as dyer at several places in different states, and used his liaisons for circulating the FICN," said the officer.

"Irshad got inspiration to print and circulate FICN from the web series 'Farzi, which he watched on the OTT platform Prime Videos. Taking benefit of the phasing out process, accused Irshad started printing more FICN in the denomination of Rs 2,000," the officer added.
New York, June 28 : A US newspaper editor has apologised to Indian Americans for publishing an "offensive" cartoon that played on stereotypes of the community while trying to criticise Vivek Ramaswamy who is seeking the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

"Racist and hateful ideas, words or images have no place in our publications, much less our society", Tom Martin, the executive editor of the Quad City Times said in the apology to the community and Ramaswamy published in his paper on Friday.

He said that the cartoonist, Leo Kelly, has been banished from the newspaper.

But Ramaswamy came to the defence of the cartoonist in a letter published in the paper. "Let's not go further or see people get fired over it; the cartoonist should in no way be 'cancelled.' We are all human", he wrote.

"I'm empathetic to people who make mistakes once in a while", he wrote while accepting the editor's apology.

The cartoon sought to show Republicans as bigots with whom Ramaswamy was aligned, but it backfired as it was someone opposed to that party and the candidate who used the anti-Indian epithet.

The Quad-City Times is a regional newspaper based in Davenport, Iowa, which also covers parts of neighbouring Illinois. It is owned by the media company Lee Enterprises which publishes over 70 newspapers across the US, including the Dispatch-Argus, which also published the cartoon.

"We apologise today for letting such an image slip through our editorial process and into our opinion page Wednesday in the form of a political cartoon," Martin wrote.

He added: "The cartoon, while intended to criticise racist ideas and epithets, uses a phrase that is racist and insensitive to members of our Indian American community."

The phrase apparently is "Get me a slushee, Apu" that a character in the cartoon is shown shouting at Ramaswamy in an almost empty hall. "Apu Nahasapeemapetilon" runs a store in the popular animated TV cartoon serial, "The Simpsons", and spoke in an exaggerated Indian accent voiced over by a White American comedian, Hank Azaria.

"Apu" has been turned into a racist taunt used against Indians, especially for bullying school children. The problem was highlighted in a documentary, "The Problem with Apu", produced by Indian American comedian Hari Kondabolu. Because of protests over the way Apu was presented and how it became a tool for harassment, the character was taken off the show but has returned occasionally with non-speaking background appearances.

Azaria has repeatedly apologized for his role in spreading the stereotype of Indians telling an interviewer, "I did not know any better".

After the cartoon was published, Ramaswamy tweeted, "It's sad that this is how the MSM (mainstream media) views Republicans. I've met with grassroots conservatives across America & never *once* experienced the kind of bigotry that I regularly see from the Left."

"Iowa's @qctimes absolutely has the right to print this, but it's still shameful", he added.

Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, the Indian American candidate for the Republican nomination, along with Tim Scott, an African American senator seeking the nomination have come for intense criticism from Democrats and their supporters who believe that non-Whites should be loyal only to their party. The cartoon sought to convey the idea that Ramaswamy was under bigoted attack by Republicans with the other characters shouting "Muslim" and "Show us your birth certificate" while he greets them saying "Hello, my MAGA friends". (MAGA standards for Make America Great Again, a rallying cry of former President Donald Trump taken up by the Republican right.)

"It is the dripping disdain from the far left  the elite condescension from the Democrat Party  that we will never escape", said Emily Compagno, a conservative TV host, referring to the cartoon.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Patna, June 28 : RJD's Bihar President Jagadanand Singh on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "guarantee" to put every corrupt leader in jail, saying that sitting on the highest constitutional post, he was threatening leaders of the opposition parties.

"The entire country is asking questions to him. It is an extremely shameful and unfortunate act of a Prime Minister sitting on a constitutional post to threaten the opposition leaders," he said while interacting with media persons here.

"The time has come to remove communal rioters from the country and (RJD chief) Lalu Prasad Yadav became the centre of the forces which are working against them. The nervousness of BJP leaders while seeing Lalu Prasad Yadav is not new but an old phenomenon for them. He (Modi) was the director of LK Advani's Rath when Lalu Prasad Yadav stopped it in Bihar and arrested him. They have natural anger against Lalu Prasad Yadav," Singh said.

"Our country has a basic policy of secularism, democracy, and socialism and people of the country believing that Lalu Prasad Yadav is spearheading these values. The anger against Lalu Prasad Yadav is natural but the Prime Minister hitting such a low and expressing anger is not good...," Singh said.

"I admit that Lalu Prasad Yadav is guilty of not compromising against rioters and fringe elements in his entire life. A large number of big people bent down their knees before them (the BJP) but the student of Lohia who believes in the Babasahab Bhim Rao Ambedkar will not bend down before them," Singh said.

"They (the BJP) should go from power in 6 to 8 months from now so they should have to wait for the time. What is the need of Lalu Prasad Yadav to think about jail?" Singh said.
New Delhi, June 28 : A 53-year-old man, working as a labourer in Saudi Arabia, was allegedly duped of 19,000 Riyals and other belongings by unidentified men impersonated as customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here.

The incident occurred on Sunday and the victim identified as Mohammad Suleman, a resident of Ajmer in Rajasthan.

The victim has filed an FIR at IGI Airport police station.

According to the FIR, Suleman, who had landed at 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, was waiting for his friend Iqbal outside IGI Terminal-3 at around 4 a.m., when he encountered two men posing as customs officials.

The FIR noted that they approached Suleman, claiming that their senior official had summoned him for questioning. While one of the alleged impostors took possession of Suleman's passport, the other confiscated his belongings.

"They then led Suleman towards the parking area, where a third man was waiting in a car. Despite Suleman's repeated inquiries about their department and their intentions, the impersonators remained unresponsive," as per FIR.

The gang eventually arrived at an isolated location near the Mahipalpur area, where they proceeded to examine Suleman's mobile phones.

Disturbingly, they confiscated his phones, along with 19,000 Riyals and Rs 2,000 in cash. "They allegedly threatened Suleman, claiming that the confiscated items would be deposited into a government account, questioning the source of the mobile phones and currency. Subsequently, the criminals instructed Suleman to exit the vehicle, promising to return with their senior official," the FIR said. However, they never came back, leaving Suleman stranded and defrauded.

A senior police official said that an FIR has been registered under section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code and the probe is going on.
The Charlottesville Police Department has confirmed that the gunshot wound that killed a man in downtown Charlottesville on Sunday was self-inflicted.

This is a delicate situation, police spokesman Kyle Ervin told The Daily Progress on Monday.

The victim, 72-year-old William Barksdale III of Charlottesville, suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said in a statement.

Police responded to a reported shooting at 3:35 p.m. Sunday on the 200 block of South Street near the intersection with Ridge, according to authorities.

Police said they discovered the deceased on the scene with a gunshot wound to the upper part of his body.

At the time the body was discovered police on the scene said the matter was being investigated as a suspicious death.

If you are struggling with a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, the suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7 at 988. Always call 911 in life-threatening situations.
Austin Community College (ACC) Make It Center "We picked Haskell Education because we needed something strong, mobile, and high-tech for our college students. Those (qualities) are hard to find together, but Haskell has the right products. - ACC Project Manager McKinsey Seibold

Haskell Education partnered with Austin Community College (ACC) for the educational and makerspace furniture in an innovative demonstration showroom that opened on May 18th. Located on ACC's Highland Campus, the Make It Center provides hands-on career exploration for ACC students and community members of all ages.

Haskell Education worked closely with the college in developing designs for the 10,000-square-foot center, which features three rooms for hands-on educational experiences.



The Square 1 Showroom, which focuses on in-demand industries and careers in Central Texas

The Simulation Zone, which offers virtual reality experiences and 3D and 4D career simulations

The Fab Lab, which has hands-on opportunities to connect people to careers

Haskell Education's height-adjustable Voyager tables are part of the Square 1 Showroom, and the company's award-winning Rover Tables  part of Haskell

Education's Explorer series  are featured in the Fab Lab along with other Haskell products.

"We picked Haskell Education because we needed something strong, mobile, and high-tech for our college students," said ACC Project Manager McKinsey Seibold. "Those (qualities) are hard to find together, but Haskell has the right products."

Janelle Green, director of the Make It Center, offered the following review of the Haskell Education products in the new space at ACC.

"The Rover tables are incredibly versatile, well-constructed, and effortlessly portable. The Fab Lab has already been rearranged several times thanks to their flexibility and keeps getting better with each iteration. Their built-in storage has also been a lifesaver for the numerous supplies used in the space."

The Voyager tables strike the perfect balance between style and functionality, with a robust frame and a durable yet appealing tabletop with ample surface area that can withstand heavy use. They serve a wide variety of purposes in the Showroom and have seamlessly adapted as the space has evolved.

The Make It Center will host student and community groups and others for interactive learning experiences this summer, with a public grand opening ceremony set for this fall.

About Haskell Education

Haskell Education designs and manufactures the highest quality furniture for the education marketplace. They serve institutions across multiple segments of learning including K-12, higher education and corporate training departments. Haskell Educations comprehensive portfolio of products are designed to enhance learning outcomes and support the highest levels of student engagement. When results are critical, make a difference with Haskell Education. Learn. Think. Do.
Adrian Public Schools joins the MITN Purchasing Group by Bidnet Direct Adrian Public Schools invites all potential vendors to register online.

Adrian Public Schools announced today that it has joined the MITN Purchasing Group, an online eProcurement system that helps local governments post, distribute, and manage RFPs, quotes, addendums and awards in a centralized location. Bidnet Directs MITN Purchasing Group provides notification to registered vendors of new relevant solicitations, any addenda and award information from 265 participating agencies from across Michigan. Adrian Public Schools invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn/adrianps.

Before joining the MITN Purchasing Group in April, Adrian Public Schools was distributing bids and managing the procurement process manually. They are now able to streamline their bid process, saving time, increasing competition, and achieving cost savings over the traditional paper-based bid process.

Adrian Public Schools is now able to distribute their open bids more effortlessly without increasing costs and have access to an extensive vendor pool, thereby enhancing competition. All vendors looking to respond to bids with local government agencies throughout the state can register online at: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn/adrianps. Registration is quick and easy and gives you instant access to matching bid opportunities in your industry.

By joining many of our fellow local agencies as part of the MITN Purchasing Group, we are part of a community that allows vendors to seek bid opportunities from agencies all over the state including, municipalities, special districts, schools and counties, states Dan Pena, Business Manager of Adrian Public Schools. By having one centralized location, distribution of bids has become so much easier and allows us to reach a large number of new vendors as well as our existing ones, which not only increases competition but provides our local vendors with more business opportunities to go after.

Once registered, vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information instantly. In addition, the MITN Purchasing Group offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their industry, all addenda associated with those bids and advance notice of term contract expiration. A robust NIGP code category list allows vendors registering to find the correct codes and receive matched bids.

Vendors looking for assistance registering on the MITN Purchasing Group: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn/adrianps, may contact Bidnet Directs vendor support team, who is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the bid system at 800-835-4603 option 2.

Other local Michigan government agencies looking to switch from a manual bid process, please contact the MITN Purchasing Group for a demonstration of the no-cost sourcing solution.

About Adrian Public Schools:

Adrian Public Schools is a collection of schools in Adrian, Michigan, which have about 2800 students in four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Initially established in 1828, the school system has undertaken numerous transformations.

A $4.5 million bond issue passed on February 16, 1956, to build a new high school building. Construction began on a site located between Loveland Road and Riverside Ave. By September 1959 the building was ready for students. In August of that same year the 90-year-old Central Building was torn down.

In 2007 a new Performing Arts Center was opened at Adrian High School.

About Bidnet Direct:

Bidnet Direct, powered by mdf commerce, is a sourcing solution of regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. Bidnet Direct runs regional purchasing groups, including the MITN Purchasing Group, across all 50 states that are used by over 1,600 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers
Alpha Pet Waste Logo "Thomas is a hard worker, and I want to reward that. At the end of the day, his success and the success of my kids is my greatest achievement."

Georgia pet waste removal company, Alpha Pet Waste Removal, has created a new 4th of July Salute to Service promotion to help raise money for employee Thomas Camerons college fund. From July 1 to August 15, 100% of proceeds from new customers in Dawson and Forsyth counties purchasing one time, regular weekly, or twice weekly clean ups will be donated to Cameron for tuition and books. While the promotion lasts, new customers getting regular or twice weekly clean ups will receive a free initial clean up, while new customers getting a one time clean up will get a 15% discount.

Thomas Cameron is a lifelong member of the Dawson County community, and he graduated from Dawson County High School with honors in 2023. His father is a former United States Marine and currently works for Dawson County and the city of Marietta as a firefighter paramedic. Camerons mother works for the Dawson County School System as a special needs paraprofessional. Cameron also has three brothers.

Cameron is currently enrolled in the University of North Georgia and plans on obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. His dream is to become a traveling Registered Nurse in the trauma field after graduating. He plans on continuing to work with Alpha Pet Waste Removal during his studies where he has been a Route Service Manager since December 2022. CEO Michael McCarthy says that throughout his time at Alpha Pet Waste, Cameron has been a model employee, with good structure, high standards, and a great work ethic. Along with Thomas, McCarthy has encouraged his own children to develop business skills by working at Alpha Pet Waste. Thomas is a hard worker, and I want to reward that, McCarthy states, At the end of the day, his success and the success of my kids is my greatest achievement. To learn more about Alpha Pet Wastes services, visit their website or contact them today.

About Alpha Pet Waste

Alpha Pet Waste Removal is a Veteran owned and operated pet waste removal company. Having served the north Atlanta Metro area since 2007, Alpha Pet Waste is dedicated to providing pet waste removal services that are reliable, safe, and convenient. If youre looking for dog waste removal that is easy and convenient, contact Alpha Pet Waste.
Benchmark Senior Living "Welcome Home" Campaign Our communities arent just a place for older adults to live, theyre a place where everyone is connected and invested in seeing one another happy and engaged in what they enjoy." -Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark

Today, Benchmark Senior Living, New Englands largest senior living provider with 65 independent living, assisted living, memory care assisted living and continuing care retirement communities throughout the Northeast, announced the debut of a new advertising campaign. The campaign, entitled Welcome Home, is designed to highlight the many ways in which Benchmark communities exceed expectations and enhance quality of life so that residents and their family members truly feel at home.

The multimedia campaign utilizes creative storytelling and impactful visuals to showcase the deep relationships formed within Benchmark communities and the special moments regularly shared between residents themselves and the passionate team that supports them. For example, the opportunity to begin ones day with morning walks, enjoy chef-prepared meals, learn something new and end the day with concerts and dancing with people who care. Also, enjoy the little things that make life special like associates who truly know you.

Our communities arent just a place for older adults to live, theyre a place where everyone is connected and invested in seeing one another happy and engaged in what they enjoy, said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark. This campaign brings to life the true sense of home that Benchmark has provided to our residents, their families and our associates for more than 26 years.

The outstanding care and experiences offered at Benchmark communities are made possible thanks to dedicated associates who are hired for heart and trained for skill. Associates are committed to fostering independence and nurturing residents passions and connections with care and personalized programs that keep them connected to who and what matters most in their lives.

Welcome Home launched today in major newspapers, online and social media.

The campaign was developed by Benchmarks new creative agency of record, Boston-based Colossus. "A big reason we started Colossus was to choose our clients. Supporting Benchmark employees, who do incredible work that improves lives, fits our own values and were proud to be their partner, said Colossus Managing Director, Jon Balck.

Colossus is an advertising and creative company partnering with like-minded brands who view creativity as a business lever. Their goal is to help brands break through the white noise of the mundane by shaping art, technology and commerce into meaningful experiences.

Benchmark senior assisted living communities offering independent assisted living and assisted living with memory care are located throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, Maine and Vermont. Benchmark Senior Living is also a respite care provider. Click here to learn more.

About Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark is New Englands largest senior living provider with 65 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 5,000 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 25 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over a hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 15 straight years in The Boston Globes annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNEs Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
woman on a tube in the waterpark Waterparks can pose numerous dangers if not remaining vigilant about personal safety. My newest blog looks to encourage parents to get out and have fun with their children while taking steps to remaining safe.

Central Florida Bonding, an Orlando, Florida bail bonds agency, is excited to announce their newest website blog entitled Waterpark Safety.

Hadi Khouri, the owner of Central Florida Bonding, shares, With school out and the hot weather, many parents are searching for ways to entertain their kids while expelling some endless energy. Waterparks are some of the best ways to accomplish this. Yet, waterparks can pose numerous dangers if not remaining vigilant about personal safety. My newest blog looks to encourage parents to get out and have fun with their children while taking steps to remaining safe.

Science Dailys research revealed that the surrounding areas of theme and water parks are seeing significant growth in their crime rates. With more than 9 million visitors to Central Florida each year, there is a need to take steps to increase personal safety for every trip to the water park.

Access these easy-to-follow tips offered by Central Florida Bonding online at: https://cfborlando.com/water-park-safety/

In addition to this blog, there are many others on the website that provide helpful tips to remain safe. Yet, it is essential that if one finds themselves in the back of a police car, they should contact Central Florida Bonding for help to bond out of jail. Central Florida Bonding offers a wide range of bond services for clients facing a multitude of charges, including theft, assault, battery, domestic violence, DUI, drug trafficking, and many more. To begin the bail bond process, call 407-841-3646. Assistance is available for the bail bond process during the day or night, seven days a week, or 365 days a year, there is always a bail bond agent available to assist.

Central Florida Bonding has a team of experienced and knowledgeable bail bond agents to not only lend an empathetic ear but to also assist with paperwork and court appearance date reminders. They will also provide consultation to first-time offenders who may be needing clarity and certainty on the bail process. For questions on the criminal justice system the bail bond agents at Central Florida Bonding can offer the best information.

Central Florida Bonding is located at 2911 39th Street, Suite 300, in Orlando, Florida. Their office is in the Cox Plaza, minutes from the Orange County Jail/33rd Street Jail. Central Florida Bonding serves all of Central Florida, including Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, Brevard, and Lake counties. This bail bond agency is licensed to post bonds across Florida and with affiliated agencies across the United States.

To learn more about Central Florida Bonding, visit online at https://cfborlando.com/ or call 407-841-3646.


Every single student deserves access to learning opportunities, especially those that address learning recovery. This problem needs urgent and ongoing support, and were thrilled to partner with Connecticut districts to deliver best-in-class, live 1:1 high impact tutoring for their students.

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has selected FEV Tutor as an approved tutoring service in the states new Connecticut High-Dosage Tutoring (HDT) Program. The HDT program is a new state initiative that aims to accelerate mathematics recovery for priority students in grades six through nine during the 2023-24 academic year. School districts that successfully apply to the program will receive a brief list of vetted and approved tutor providers, including FEV Tutor, as well as grant funds for implementing tutoring services.

The HDT programs classification of priority students includes:



Students with disabilities

Students receiving free- or reduced-priced meals

English learners

Students performing below proficiency

Students experiencing homelessness

Students who have been chronically absent

Connecticuts 2022 Smarter Balanced assessment scores indicated that students in grades six through eight may be a year or more behind in math. Students classified as priority are the ones most likely to be struggling to get back on track, said CEO of FEV Tutor, Jim Tormey. CSDE has selected a well-researched strategy to address those students needs. We are honored to have been chosen to be part of the states commitment to learning recovery.

Since 2010, FEV Tutors targeted high-impact tutoring intervention has focused on accelerating learning outcomes for the hardest to reach low-performing students.

Today it offers a proven model for integrating with the academic ecosystem of partner districts and driving growth based on results that matter to educators. It takes a consultative and collaborative approach to designing personalized tutoring initiatives while grounding plans in districts' core academic goals and initiatives, student demographic data, and pre-existing assessment results along with research pillars for effective tutoring from the Annenberg Institute. FEV Tutors offering also meets the Level Two Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the national education law that helps ensure success for students and schools. In addition, FEV Tutor earned the Research-Based Design Product Certification from Digital Promise and continues to pursue industry-leading product certifications and accolades.

The quality of FEV Tutors services has garnered broad industry recognition; in 2022 the company won a Tech & Learning Back to School Award of Excellence and an Educators Pick Best of STEM Award. It has also been recognized as EdTech Digests 2021 Cool Tool for Best Tutoring Solution and as the 2021 Best Tutoring/Test Prep App or Tool by Tech Edvocate.

FEV Tutor has a track record of closing equity and achievement gaps for priority and high needs students, added Tormey. Every single student deserves access to learning opportunities, especially those that address learning recovery. This problem needs urgent and ongoing support, and were thrilled to partner with Connecticut districts to deliver best-in-class, live 1:1 high impact tutoring for their students.

About FEV Tutor

Based in Boston, FEV Tutor is the leading research and evidence-based online tutoring platform working nationally to effect change in K-12 education. Its ESSA-approved programs are strategically designed in close collaboration with each partner school, district, charter school, and other organizations to accelerate learning for every student. FEV Tutor leverages technology to deliver 1:1 high-impact and transformative personalized learning pathways through live, virtual tutoring sessions. For more information on FEV Tutor, visit fevtutor.com or follow on Twitter

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Endurance Warranty Services "We are incredibly proud to be ranked again on the esteemed Crain's Chicago Business 'Fast 50' list, a testament to our continued growth and success as a leading provider of auto protection plans." - CEO Rich Holland

Endurance Warranty Services, the leading provider of direct-to-consumer auto protection plans, is thrilled to announce its remarkable achievement of ranking for the fifth time on the prestigious Crain's Chicago Business "Fast 50" list. This recognition highlights Endurance's outstanding growth and success in the face of economic challenges, solidifying its position as one of Chicago's fastest-growing private companies. Previous year wins include 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2018.

Out of a highly competitive pool of applicants, Endurance stood out with its outstanding performance and secured its place on the "Fast 50" list. This achievement underscores the company's ongoing commitment to delivering reliable breakdown coverage and outstanding service to its valued customers.

The ranking process, conducted in collaboration with renowned accounting firm Plante Moran, involved a rigorous evaluation based on specific criteria:



Companies headquartered in the Chicago area

Independent company from 2017 to 2022

Founded on or before Dec. 31, 2016, and grew revenue consistently

Generated at least $15 million in revenue in 2022

Plante Moran thoroughly examined the financial documents provided by the applicants for the years 2017 and 2022 to compile the highly respected Crain's Fast 50 list for 2023. Katie Arnold-Ratliff, of Crains Chicago Business, shared: Last year was a flurry of activity for Endurance Warranty Services, which supplements auto insurance to cover high out-of-pocket consumer costs. In 2022, the company added an e-commerce experience; changed up its approach to its brand, creative, analytics and marketing; and kept a sharp eye out for strong acquisition targets.

"We are incredibly proud to be ranked again on the esteemed Crain's Chicago Business 'Fast 50' list, a testament to our continued growth and success as a leading provider of auto protection plans," said Rich Holland, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Endurance. "This recognition validates our dedication to meeting customer needs, delivering superior coverage and service, and driving innovation in the industry. We remain committed to providing peace of mind and exceptional value to our customers as they navigate the road ahead," Holland added.

Endurance has consistently demonstrated its commitment to delivering top-tier protection plans and expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of drivers. The company's comprehensive suite of plans, including customizable coverage options, has gained significant popularity among customers. Endurance has also forged strategic partnerships and expanded its network of dealers and agency partners, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.

About Endurance Warranty Services, LLC

For the most comprehensive auto protection plans in the industry, drivers turn to Endurance. Endorsed by real customers, recommended by ASE Certified mechanics, and highly rated on consumer advocate websites, Endurance plans shield drivers from the high costs of parts and labor when an unexpected breakdown occurs. Since 2012, the company has paid over $300 million in claims, helping customers save thousands on vehicle repairs and Empowering Confidence for the Road Ahead.

Endurance Warranty Services, LLC, operates corporate headquarters in Northbrook, Ill., with an additional office in St. Peters, Mo. To learn more about Endurance, visit http://www.endurancewarranty.com.
GPR Ventures expands property footprint in Nevada, with multifamily property acquisition in the states capital city. With a growing population and job market, Carson City is a compelling market with extensive amenities for residents and businesses.

GPR Ventures, a privately held real estate investment firm, has closed escrow on a 34-unit apartment complex in Carson City, NV, marking the firms eighth multifamily acquisition. The Sierra View Apartments consist of 34 2-bedroom units and GPR Ventures plans to implement capital improvements throughout the multifamily community to further elevate the propertys modern design. Centrally located in the heart of Nevadas capital city, the complex is near restaurants, freeways, and hospitals.

TWEET THIS: "Real estate investment firm #GPRVentures expands property footprint in Nevada, closing escrow on 34-unit apartment complex in the state's capital city. https://gprventures.com/"

We are thrilled to see continued growth in Nevada with the addition of Sierra View Apartments to our portfolio in the capital city, said GPR Ventures co-founder and Managing Principal Phillip Rolla. With a growing population and job market, Carson City is a compelling market with extensive amenities for residents and businesses.

About Sierra View Apartments

Located at 1301 Como Street, this complex rests just one mile from the Nevada State Capitol Building, and the apartment complex was nearly at full capacity during the time of purchase. The property is surrounded by scenic mountain views and features a community picnic area with a barbecue and gazebo, as well as a dog park and 24-hour on-site laundry facility.

Planned Capital Improvements

While select units currently have updated kitchens, GPR Ventures plans to make additional improvements throughout. Each individual unit will be remodeled with new kitchen cabinets and appliances, sliding glass doors and entry doors, LVP flooring, bathroom fixtures and more. The single on-site laundry room will be updated with new washer and dryer units, and a second laundry room is planned for the future. The buildings exterior will receive new landscaping, updated fencing, fresh paint and updated lighting.

For more information on GPR Ventures and its complete portfolio, visit https://www.gprventures.com/.

About GPR Ventures

Founded in 2011, GPR Ventures is a privately held real estate investment firm with offices in Silicon Valley and Sacramento that specializes in providing real estate opportunities for a select group of sophisticated investors. GPR Ventures uses a dynamic, fully developed process and the acquisition-to-disposition expertise of founders Glen Yonekura and Phillip Rolla to yield consistent results. GPRs portfolio includes 125 industrial, multifamily and office buildings totaling over 4 million square feet and an additional 37 acres of land. For additional information, please visit GPRVentures.com or call (408) 559-3300.
Shareholders Jennifer Hermansky and Sherman W. Smith, III, of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Philadelphia office, are among the professionals recognized on the 2023 City & State Pennsylvania Law Power 100 list. The magazine describes the group of law practitioners from across the commonwealth as the most influential prosecutors, partners at prominent firms, public defenders, and others in the profession who advise or oversee governmental bodies at all levels, advocate for policy changes and are part of the court process. This is the second consecutive year they have both been selected for this list.

Hermansky, an Immigration & Compliance Practice shareholder, focuses on EB-5 immigrant investor visas as well as employment-based and family-based immigration. She frequently presents globally on virtually all aspects of immigration law and has a practice that serves a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to universities and entrepreneurs.

Smith, a Corporate shareholder, is a transactional attorney whose practice covers a range of disciplines including commercial and residential real estate, real estate finance (debt and equity), and commercial finance, including representing major financial institutions in transactions involving asset-based and cash-flow credit facilities. Smith lends his years of experience to privately held businesses as an outside general counsel and advisor, including prominent real estate developers embarking on all phases of real estate development and project-related finance.

About Greenberg Traurigs Philadelphia Office: Founded in 1997, the Philadelphia office provides multidisciplinary legal services with a team of more than 60 attorneys in Real Estate; Litigation; Public Finance & Infrastructure; Labor & Employment; Environmental; Government Law & Policy; Restructuring & Bankruptcy; White Collar Defense & Investigations; Corporate; Institutional Banking & Investment Services; Investment Management & Regulation; Immigration & Compliance; and Tax practices. The Philadelphia office represents a broad range of clients in real estate, manufacturing, health care, higher education, financial, and insurance industries, as well as state and local governments, professional services, and energy firms. The office also is known for its pro bono work and community service/social action initiatives in the Philadelphia region.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP has more than 2650 attorneys in 45 locations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The firm is a 2022 BTI Highly Recommended Law Firm for superior client service and is consistently among the top firms on the Am Law Global 100 and NLJ 500. Greenberg Traurig is Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certified Plus by The Diversity Lab. The firm is recognized for powering its U.S. offices with 100% renewable energy as certified by the Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Energy program and is a member of the U.S. EPAs Green Power Partnership Program. The firm is known for its philanthropic giving, innovation, diversity, and pro bono. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com.


Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd. today announced it has won two global 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year awards  Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Partner of the Year and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services Partner of the Year.

Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd., a global systems integrator specializing in Microsoft solutions and technologies, today announced it has won two global 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year awards  Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Partner of the Year and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services Partner of the Year. It has also been selected as finalist for the Microsoft UK Government Partner of the Year. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

As we enter this new era of AI, with Microsoft leading the charge, the possibilities seem endless. And Hitachi Solutions is excited to be right there supporting, guiding, and advising our customers on how to take advantage of the emerging technology to innovate faster and do more with less, said Jerry Hawk, North America chief operating officer at Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd. Being a multiple Partner of the Year winner is an awesome achievement and confirms Microsoft values our collaboration efforts. It also strengthens our bond and gives us deeper visibility and access to the resources we need to stay on the bleeding edge of the Microsoft Cloud for our customers.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. Hitachi Solutions was honored for providing outstanding solutions and services for supply chain management, customer service, and field service, as well as for government.

To win the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Partner of the Year, Hitachi Solutions excelled at helping customers mitigate future shortfalls and be as agile and resilient as possible through services and solutions based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, AI, Microsoft Power Platform, and Hitachi Solutions industry-centered IP. To earn Microsoft Dynamics 365 Services Partner of the Year, we demonstrated our ability to elevate support capabilities and make customers more responsive and competitive through innovative Dynamics 365 Customer Service and Field Service, AI, and Power Platform. As finalist for the UK Government Partner of the Year, we helped many government organizations achieve their innovation and sustainability goals.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards! said Nicole Dezen, chief partner officer and corporate vice president of global partner solutions at Microsoft. The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year's winners demonstrate the best of whats possible with the Microsoft Cloud.

Now, with more than 51 Microsoft awards under our belt  as well as all six Microsoft Partner Solution Designations, 11+ Microsoft Advanced Specializations, and 15+ MVPs  Hitachi Solutions America customers can have complete confidence in our ability to design and deliver the solutions needed to embrace the innovative technology of the future, fuel productivity and efficiency, and drive valuable outcomes and success, added Hawk.

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the companys global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement.

About Hitachi Solutions America

Hitachi Solutions is a global systems integrator with leading capabilities in Microsoft applications and technologies. Powered by nearly two decades of experience, our skilled professionals deliver end-to-end business transformation through advisory services, industry and technology expertise, and implementation excellence. Our #1 goal is to support and accelerate our customers data and business system modernization initiatives and drive outcome-based value throughout their entire company. As part of Hitachi, Ltd.  one of the largest organizations in the world  Hitachi Solutions is well-positioned to support customers at global scale and forge strategic relationships for life. For more information visit global.hitachi-solutions.com.
R.J. Gatling was transitioning into the fifth grade at Baker-Butler Elementary School when his principal approached him about an opportunity in the M-Cubed program.

M-Cubed, which stands for Math, Men and Mission, is dedicated to helping middle school students from Charlottesville and Albemarle County achieve higher math class placements when they reach high school, according to the nonprofit group behind the summer program: 100 Black Men of Central Virginia.

I always had an interest in math, but I always struggled in math, and then I was always the worst public speaker, Gatling said. I was too shy even to tell the teacher my name when I first came here.

Through the program, Gatling learned the basics of what hed later learn in his math classes the following year. His understanding of math and public speaking became better each year.

Id always be shaking, Id be trembling in my voice, but I even gave speeches during the closing ceremonies here, Gatling said. Ive given speeches at my church and other school events before, and thats all in part thanks to the wonderful program that they have here.

Gatling attended the program until he was no longer eligible. Though, he found a way to stay connected by becoming a teaching assistant.

I really love the camp, and I was honestly sad I couldnt do it again in ninth grade, so I wanted to come back and help in any way I really could, Gatling said. Just because they poured so much into me and I just wanted to give back in any way I could.

Its that sense of brotherhood that Daniel Fairley II, president of 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, said is just as critical to M-Cubeds mission as the critical math skills it teaches students.

Were trying to prepare them as much as we can with creating an atmosphere like an incubator of brotherhood here, Fairley said.

Gatling is now studying computer science at Hampton University, and said he met one of his best friends during his first year at the M-Cubed camp.

The start of the pathway to developing the summer program happened after a teacher workshop where two Black men were invited, an elementary school principal and a school board member, according to Bernard Hairston, founder of M-Cubed. The two men held conversations with students centered around their experiences of being a Black man in a classroom environment.

I saw that as an opportunity, a crack in the door, and I said theres a whole lot we can do, Hairston said.

Hairston and others worked together to develop a Central Virginia chapter of the nonprofit, 100 Black Men of America, to begin work on the summer program.

After being approved and putting structures in place to start their local chapter, the chapter initiated two programs that year.

The first program was a high school scholars program. That program recognized Black students with a 3.0 grade point average from the nine Central Virginia high schools in grades nine through 12, according to Hairston. A celebration was held as part of the program, and in attendance was Rick Turner, former president of the NAACP Albemarle-Charlottesville chapter.

He walked up to me and said, Bernard, this is the best thing that Ive experienced in Charlottesville, Virginia, in all my life, seeing this many Black young boys come together and present themselves in such a professional way, Hairston said. He had tears coming into his eyes.

The local chapter of 100 Black Men of America advocates for eliminating achievement gaps in Black students in grade school.

We looked at the data, and the data was just horrible, Hairston said.

The Virginia Department of Education released a statement in March 2023 saying Black and Hispanic students Standards of Learning test scores were 10% below the state average in their peer group, according to a divisionwide audit.

A lot of the things that were noted in that audit report are things that were doing here, like teacher training for example, teaching to and through the background experiences of the students, and having strong relationships with families, Hairston said. Those are the things that our program has been founded on and grounded in.

Following that celebration recognizing Black students, the second program was initiated: M-Cubed.

Students participating in M-Cubed are taught a rigorous algebra course that is intensive and tailored to the learning styles of Black boys, according to 100 Black Men of Central Virginia.

The day-to-day of the program includes courses in reading, writing and math, and of course breakfast and lunch.

M-Cubed also offers a mentoring program.

Hairston also created a program and certification model for teachers to tackle the battle of getting instructors to teach to the culture and background of the students, he said.

In my role at the executive level of the Albemarle County Public School system, I created a culturally responsive teaching program and created a certification model where they had to be certified to understand how to teach across cultures, especially with Black children, and it works, but you still have people who struggle to make a shift from teaching the way they were taught, Hairston said. Its hard.

In the early stages of planning and assembling the Central Virginia chapter of the nonprofit group and the M-Cubed program, Hairston and others gathered 12 men from the community and asked what contributed to them being successful Black men, he said.

The common answer: a mentor.

The follow-up with developing these young men is having committed men who are willing to work with them to reinforce the work that we do here over this two week time, Hairston said.

Gatling met his mentor in the ninth grade, he said. Through his mentor he was able to build stronger bonds with students and develop leadership and public speaking skills.

He would take me out to do things with other students that we had just to grow more bonds, because there were students in the group that I didnt really have a connection with, he helped introduce me to them and he also signed me up for things to get me outside of my comfort zone, like more public speaking roles, Gatling said.

The 100 Black Men of Central Virginia chapter was awarded the National Chapter of the Year for Mentoring in 2016 and the National Chapter of the Year for Leadership and Mentoring in 2014 by the international chapter.

Hairston said he has high hopes for the future of the summer program developed in partnership between Albemarle County Public Schools, Charlottesville and the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia in 2009, he said. It was designed to provide African American males with a solid pathway for future success through increased opportunity for rigorous coursework and consistent opportunities for mentoring.

It has unlimited potential, Hairston said I mean because we have survived for 15 years.
Moore, a leading constituent experience management (CXM) company, is proud to announce they have been named the direct response agency of record for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The partnership will be led by marketing strategists from CDR, a division of Moore, with SimioCloud by Moore as the technology infrastructure.

Moore will manage all aspects of direct response programming and integration across channels for the Alliance through a strategic omnichannel approach to include list brokerage and cultivation, media buying, data processing, mail production and distribution, and marketing to develop and execute plans to maximize revenue and member and donor acquisition through direct response.

Moore is the ideal partner to help us widen our national direct response donor and membership base through new technology and data, said Jeff Spitko, director of membership and direct response for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Thanks to their targeted prospecting and advanced behavioral tools, we will be able to reach the right audiences who want to engage and support our global conservation efforts.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a national nonprofit conservation organization that operates two world-class parks  the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park  and empowers people to connect with plants and animals, develop an appreciation for nature and contribute to the safeguarding of wildlife everywhere.

Supporting such important global conservation efforts is deeply rewarding, said Steve Harrison, president of CDR, a division of Moore. We are honored to be entrusted with executing the Alliances incredibly complex and robust membership program with a high degree of quality and accuracy, while protecting the brand and the current revenue stream.

For more information on Moore direct response services, visit wearemoore.com.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit national conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and working toward a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park  giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to eco-regional conservation hubs across the globe, where their expertise and assets  including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank  are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these skills in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliances work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers television programming, which is in childrens hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring all life thrives.

About Moore

Moore is a data-driven constituent experience management (CXM) company achieving accelerated growth for clients through integrated supporter experiences across all platforms, channels and devices. We are an innovation led company of 5,000 people that is the largest marketing, data and fundraising company in North America serving the nonprofit industry with clients across education, association, political and commercial sectors.

Moore combines our strength in technology and unmatched industry expertise to provide clients with strategy, creative, production, media, data, response management and analytic services. Our omnichannel solutions are powered by an ongoing investment in next-generation artificial intelligence and machine learning that deepens constituent relationships and creates transformational growth.
Week in RARE events "We are creating an unparalleled opportunity for rare disease advocates to engage with each other, build relationships, and help them understand what they can do to change what it means to live with a rare disease diagnosis." - Charlene Son Rigby, CEO of Global Genes

Members of the rare disease community from around the world will gather in San Diego in September for Global Genes Week in RARE, a set of events for patient advocates to network, learn, and inspire each other.

Week in RARE includes the RARE Health Equity Forum, the RARE Advocacy Summit, the RARE Champions of Hope Awards, and meetings for Global Genes Global Advocacy Alliance and its RARE Corporate Alliance. The events will run successively September 18 through 21 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island Drive in San Diego.

By bringing these events together in a single time and place, we are creating an unparalleled opportunity for rare disease advocates to engage with each other, build relationships, and help them understand what they can do to change what it means to live with a rare disease diagnosis, said Charlene Son Rigby, CEO of Global Genes. In addition, these events will help patients navigate the complicated landscape of healthcare more effectively, offer patient organizations solutions to expand their reach and improve their value, and allow the entire rare disease community to understand the power they have to accelerate the development of treatments and therapies.

The RARE Health Equity Forum (formerly known as the RARE Health Equity Summit), which runs September 18 and 19, brings together rare disease stakeholders to identify ways to better serve marginalized populations. The sessions will provide attendees with actionable tools and strategic insights to support underserved and underrepresented patients within their communities.

The RARE Advocacy Summit (formerly known as the RARE Patient Advocacy Summit), one of the worlds largest gatherings for the rare disease community, runs September 19 through 21. It provides attendees with insights about the latest rare disease innovations, best practices for advocating, and actionable strategies they can use to implement and use immediately in the areas of Personal Support and Advocacy, Community Building and Sustainability, Research and Research Enablement, Collaborations in research and insights into Science innovations.

The RARE Champions of Hope Awards will be held during the RARE Advocacy Summit on September 20. The awards recognize members of the rare disease community for their innovative approaches to research, programming, and advocacy to create meaningful impact in the rare disease space.

The content and experience for attendees at both RARE Advocacy Summit and RARE Health Equity Forum will benefit rare disease patients, caregivers, patient advocacy group leaders, rare disease advocates, researchers and biopharma working in advocacy, research and contemplating how to better support patient community partners, but all are welcome.

We hope that more attendees can take advantage of the unique content available during both events at the Week in RARE, and see the value that each event offers, said Nicole Boice, Founder and Chief Mission Officer of Global Genes. In addition to plenary and keynote sessions, attendees will benefit from focused tracks, working group sessions, and our new one-to-one format providing advocates time to consult with experts about a variety of topics. We want attendees to walk away with real actionable next steps that will drive progress for themselves and their communities.

Content partners for Week in RARE include Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center at Boston Children's Hospital, Everylife Foundation, Rare Disease Diversity Coalition (RDDC), and Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation. A special thank you to sponsors for RARE Health Equity Forum: Champion sponsor, Travere, and Title sponsors, Genentech and Horizon and presenting sponsors for RARE Advocacy Summit: Horizon and Travere.

About Global Genes

Global Genes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rare disease patient advocacy organization dedicated to providing patients and advocates with a continuum of services to accelerate their path from early support and awareness through research readiness. Using a collaborative approach that involves biopharma, researchers and advocates with data as a central core, Global Genes also enables research and data collection through the RARE-X research program. Through this effort, Global Genes is building the largest collaborative patient-driven, open-data access initiative for rare diseases globally.
Rentec Direct awards winners of annual Tech Mastery Scholarship The tech industry undergoes constant change, and these students are at the forefront, learning how to apply and implement innovative solutions. We are proud to support them on their learning journey, said Nathan Miller, President of Rentec Direct.

Rentec Direct, an award-winning property management software solution, is pleased to announce the recipients of the Rentec Direct 2023 Tech Mastery Scholarship. Dararith Huy of Oregon State University, Eirik Marquez of University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Skylar Aviles of University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and Isaac Klennert of Fairmont State University have been awarded $500 each to support their education in computer science, software development and other technology-related fields.

Helping the next generation of technologists and entrepreneurs is something that were really passionate about. We received numerous outstanding submissions that offered critical thinking and fresh perspectives on the challenges faced by the tech industry, said Nathan Miller, President of Rentec Direct. The tech industry undergoes constant change, and these students are at the forefront, learning how to apply and implement innovative solutions. We are proud to support them on their learning journey.

To apply for the scholarship, students were required to write an essay responding to the question: What are some of the greatest obstacles the technology industry has overcome in the past five years and what major obstacles do you foresee for the future? Essays were evaluated based on creativity, humor and content.

In his award-winning essay, Dararith Huy of Oregon State University studying AI, said, The tech industry has overcome significant obstacles in the past five years, including data privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, and ethical considerations surrounding emerging technologies. Looking ahead, the industry must address major challenges such as the digital divide, workforce diversity, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of emerging technologies. Prioritizing these issues is crucial to ensure that technology is used for the greater good.

To learn more about the scholarship recipients, visit: https://www.rentecdirect.com/blog/congratulations-to-the-2023-tech-mastery-scholarship-winners-rentec-direct-news/

Rentec Direct has awarded $13,000 in scholarships over the past seven years, which has helped 31 students pursue degrees in computer science, software development and other technology-related fields.

The deadline to apply for the 2024 scholarship is April 15, 2024. To learn more about eligibility, requirements and deadlines, visit: http://www.rentecdirect.com/scholarship.

About Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct offers industry-leading property management software and tenant screening solutions for real estate professionals. Features include online rent payments, tenant and owner portals, the industrys largest vacancy listing syndication network, full property, tenant, and owner accounting, 1099-MISC reporting and more. Rentec Direct was recognized as Real Estate Company of the Year in the 2021 American Business Awards, was named one of the Most Customer Friendly Companies of the Year in the 2020 Best in Biz Awards, has been named to the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies for five years in a row (as of 2021), and was also included on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Entrepreneur360 list for Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America. http://www.rentecdirect.com
Its a proud moment to see my son, Gino, a third-generation of the family, take the helm as president and CEO of the company, said Gary Roncelli. I look forward to the great things hell surely help us accomplish as he steps into this new opportunity.

Roncelli, Inc. one of Michigans largest construction services companies, with operations in the U.S. and Canada  today announced recent changes to its executive leadership team.

Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Gino Roncelli has been named the companys new president and CEO. He continues the family legacy created by his grandfather, Skip Roncelli, who founded the company nearly six decades ago. The growth of Roncelli, Inc. has been nurtured throughout the years by Ginos father, Gary Roncelli, who has retired as CEO but retains a position as chairman of the board, and Tom Wickersham, president emeritus and current board member, whose career with the company spans more than three decades.

Its a proud moment to see my son, Gino, a third-generation of the family, take the helm as president and CEO of the company, said Gary Roncelli. He has truly grown up in this industry, and his passion for the business, commitment to the mission and culture of our brand and dedication to customer service, are a combination for certain success. I look forward to the great things hell surely help us accomplish as he steps into this new opportunity.

As president and CEO, Roncelli is responsible for overseeing the firms internal operations, strengthening customer service relationships, maximizing the firms performance, driving company culture and ensuring the firm achieves its financial goals. Prior to his role as president, Roncelli, a LEED-accredited professional and licensed attorney, served as vice president of Roncelli, Inc. Before that, he was principal and general counsel with the company.

Roncelli, who has more than a dozen years of construction services experience, is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and the University of Michigan, where he earned a BBA degree in Finance from the Ross School of Business. A passionate supporter of Detroit, he enjoys volunteering with The Parade Company, the Boll Family YMCA and other city-based NGOs.

In additional c-suite promotions, all part of a transition to the companys next generation of leadership, James (Jim) Carnacchi, Paul Day and Jereme Poxson, each have been promoted from their roles as director to positions of vice president. Carnacchi is now serving as V.P. of Estimating, Day is V.P. of Construction Operations and Poxson is V.P. of Healthcare.

Jim, Paul and Jereme represent the best that our company, and our industry, have to offer, said Gino Roncelli. Their collective experience is unmatched, and individually they each bring to the table a unique set of talents and passions. In their new executive leadership roles, I know we can expect nothing but great things for Roncellis future.

As Vice President of Estimating, Jim Carnacchi is responsible for Roncellis bidding strategies and achieving the firms yearly estimating goals. Additionally, he also oversees the firms trade partner network, relationships and prospects. Carnacchi, who began his career with Roncelli in 1995 as a junior estimator, is a graduate in Construction Management from Ferris State University. He is LEED AP certified and holds a Michigan Builders License.

Paul Day, Roncellis new V.P. of Construction Operations, provides guidance and leadership to planning, schedule management and staff development. He also supports the firms overall project operations and performance, ensuring critical goals are met and client expectations are exceeded. Day boasts 33 years of construction industry experience, nearly 30 of them spent with Roncelli, where he began as a project engineer. He earned a masters degree in Engineering Management from Oakland University and a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University.

Roncelli V.P. of Healthcare, Jereme Poxson, is responsible for developing and nurturing the companys healthcare market segment. For more than a decade, Poxson, who joined Roncelli in in 1998 as an estimator, has focused solely on healthcare construction and its unique complexities. Poxson graduated with a background in Construction Management from Western Michigan University.

About Roncelli, Inc.

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Sterling Heights, Mich., Roncelli is one of Michigans largest construction services firms with work throughout the state, Midwest region and Canada. With a company culture dedicated to people over profit, Roncelli, Inc. is focused on building excellence in every market it serves. For more information, visit roncelli-inc.com.
Our study suggests that AI can help radiologists, but only when the AIs diagnostic performance meets or exceeds that of the human reader.

Assistance from an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm with high diagnostic accuracy improved radiologist performance in detecting lung cancers on chest X-rays and increased human acceptance of AI suggestions, according to a study published in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

While AI-based image diagnosis has advanced rapidly in the medical field, the factors affecting radiologists diagnostic determinations in AI-assisted image reading remain underexplored.

Researchers at Seoul National University looked at how these factors might influence the detection of malignant lung nodules during AI-assisted reading of chest X-rays.

In this retrospective study, 30 readers, including 20 thoracic radiologists with five to 18 years of experience and 10 radiology residents with only two to three years of experience, assessed 120 chest X-rays without AI. Of the 120 chest radiographs assessed, 60 were from lung cancer patients (32 males) and 60 were controls (36 males). Patients had a median age of 67 years. In a second session, each group reinterpreted the X-rays, assisted by either a high- or low-accuracy AI. The readers were blind to the fact that two different AIs were used.

Use of the high accuracy AI improved readers detection performance to a greater extent than low-accuracy AI. Use of high-accuracy AI also led to more frequent changes in reader determinationsa concept known as susceptibility.

It is possible that the relatively large sample size in this study bolstered readers confidence in the AIs suggestions, said study lead author Chang Min Park, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Seoul. We think this issue of human trust in AI is what we observed in the susceptibility in this study: humans are more susceptible to AI when using high diagnostic performance AI.

Compared to the first reading session, readers assisted by the high diagnostic accuracy AI at the second reading session showed higher per-lesion sensitivity (0.63 versus 0.53), and specificity (0.94 versus 0.88). Alternatively, readers assisted by the low diagnostic accuracy AI at the second reading session did not show improvement between the two reading sessions for any of these measurements.

Our study suggests that AI can help radiologists, but only when the AIs diagnostic performance meets or exceeds that of the human reader, Dr. Park said.

The results underline the importance of using high diagnostic performance AI. However, Dr. Park noted that the definition of high diagnostic performance AI can vary depending on the task and the clinical context in which it will be used. For example, an AI model that can detect all abnormalities on chest X-rays may seem ideal. But in practice, such a model would have limited value in reducing the workload in a pulmonary tuberculosis mass screening setting.

Therefore, our study suggests that clinically appropriate use of AI requires both the development of high-performance AI models for given tasks and considerations about the relevant clinical setting to which that AI will be applied, Dr. Park said.

In the future, the researchers want to expand their work on human-AI collaboration to other abnormalities on chest X-rays and CT images.

Effect of Human-AI Interaction on Detection of Malignant Lung Nodules on Chest Radiographs. Collaborating with Dr. Park were Jong Hyuk Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Hyunsook Hong, Ph.D., Gunhee Nam, Ph.D., and Eui Jin Hwang, M.D., Ph.D.

In 2023, Radiology is celebrating its 100th anniversary with 12 centennial issues, highlighting Radiologys legacy of publishing exceptional and practical science to improve patient care.

Radiology is edited by Linda Moy, M.D., New York University, New York, N.Y., and owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (https://pubs.rsna.org/journal/radiology)

RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org)

For patient-friendly information on chest X-rays, visit RadiologyInfo.org.
A $500 rebate is available to all drivers who recently graduated a college program

Salinas Toyota is offering a College Graduate Rebate Program, offering recent and upcoming college graduates a $500 rebate* on all new untitled Toyota models when financing or leasing through a Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. This exciting opportunity allows eligible individuals to save big on their next vehicle purchase.

To qualify for this exclusive rebate and finance program, graduates must provide proof of graduation within the past two calendar years or within the next six months. Additionally, applicants must be employed or have proof of future employment, ensuring they have the means to cover living expenses and vehicle payments.

The College Graduate Rebate Program at Salinas Toyota provides attractive benefits, including no monthly payments for the first 90 days on select finance programs. Moreover, competitive APRs are available on all new and untitled Toyota vehicles, along with Toyota Certified Used Vehicles and Scion Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles.

Salinas Toyota, located in Salinas, CA, is a renowned dealership known for its exceptional customer service and wide selection of quality vehicles. With a team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals, Salinas Toyota strives to provide an outstanding car buying experience. They are committed to helping college graduates kickstart their post-education life by offering enticing rebate offers and finance options.

For complete program details or additional information about the College Graduate Rebate Program, interested individuals are encouraged to contact Salinas Toyota. The dealership's dedicated staff will be happy to assist and provide further information. More information can also be found on the dealerships website, toyotasalinas.com.

*College Graduate Rebate is available on all new and unlicensed Toyota vehicles. Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUVs) and Scion Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are not eligible for the Rebate Program. College Graduate Finance Program (which is not a rebate and instead offers competitive APRs and lease terms) is available on the lease or finance (including preferred option) of all new and unlicensed Toyota models or on TCUVs or Scion Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles. Subject to the foregoing limits and requirements below, the College Graduate Rebate Program and College Graduate Finance Program are available upon credit approval from and execution of a finance or lease contract through Toyota Financial Services (TFS) at participating Toyota dealers. Not all applicants will qualify.
Service providers looking to expand or modernize their networks now have a new certified media gateway option that is compatible with Metaswitch CFS.

TelcoBridges, a leading designer and manufacturer of carrier-grade VoIP gateways, today announced successful completion of certification testing by Metaswitch, a Microsoft company. This accreditation certifies that versions of TelcoBridges Tmedia gateways are now fully interoperable with the widely deployed MetaSphere Call Feature Server (CFS).

As a result of the successful certification, TelcoBridges now offers Tmedia for Metaswitch Networks as a software option/upgrade for existing and new Tmedia products. This includes integration with Metaswitchs MetaView Service Assurance Server, for rapid call tracing and fault diagnosis. The new options are now available from the TelcoBridges web site at http://www.telcobridges.com/metaswitch.

With the successful completion of testing, service providers now have a new certified media gateway option, compatible with Metaswitch CFS, said Alan Percy, CMO at TelcoBridges. This is a benefit for service providers looking to expand or modernize their networks, as TelcoBridges Tmedia for Metaswitch offers an expanded range of gateway scale and interface options.

TelcoBridges Tmedia for Metaswitch Networks represents a scalable offering for low and high-capacity solutions, ideally suited for existing and new Metaswitch CFS networks requiring connectivity to SS7 networks, TDM interconnect, subscriber DS1, DS3, and STM1 interfaces.

TelcoBridges have long been a respected player in the media gateway market," said Joe Weeden, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft Azure for Operators. With this certification of interoperability, our customers can be confident in combining Metaswitch application servers and management systems with Tmedia gateways to deliver critical residential and business wireline services.

TelcoBridges Tmedia family of VoIP media gateways are a highly reliable solution for telephony service providers, interconnecting legacy TDM and modern VoIP networks. Divided into three product series (TMG800, TMG3200 and TMG7800), Tmedia provides a VoIP gateway solution to meet the needs of Carriers, CLECs, ILECs, ICX, Operators, MVNOs, MVNEs, and providers worldwide. Backed by a global 24x7 support team and a no-EOL policy, TelcoBridges Tmedia has demonstrated exceptional reliability and longevity.

More details on the Metaswitch CFS and MetaView Service Assurance Server are available at http://www.metaswitch.com. Metaswitch is a Microsoft Company.

For additional details on Tmedia for Metaswitch Networks visit: https://www.telcobridges.com/metaswitch.

To see the FAQ Video with Austin Spreadbury, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, visit: https://www2.telcobridges.com/MetaswitchFAQ.

About TelcoBridges:

TelcoBridges is a leader in the design and development of carrier-grade and high-density SBCs and VoIP gateways, facilitating connectivity for cloud communications and traditional telco applications. With expertise in SIP, ISDN, SS7 and many other signaling protocols, TelcoBridges products and services solve difficult telco connectivity challenges. Based in Montreal Canada and with offices in Buffalo, NY (USA), Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Vietnam and Hong Kong, TelcoBridges has deployed VoIP solutions in more than 100 countries worldwide. TelcoBridges' brands include: FreeSBC, ProSBC, Tmedia (VoIP media gateways), Tsig (signaling gateways), and Tmonitor (real-time network monitoring equipment). For more information, visit http://www.telcobridges.com.

Contact Information:

Alan Percy

Chief Marketing Officer

+1 450-300-2085

apercy@telcobridges.com
Certificated COPC Ultimately, transcosmos aims to help clients reduce costs, streamlineoperations, and optimize customer experience.

transcosmos inc. is proud to announce that Shanghai transcosmos Marketing Services Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shanghai, China; CEO: Eijiro Yamashita; General Manager: Toshiya Okada; transcosmos China), its wholly-owned subsidiary, received COPC certification for its contact center projects run by its centers located in Shanghai (Center 3 and 4) and Xi'an on May 25, 2023.

COPC is a certification for the contact center industry, and the COPC Customer Experience (CX) Standard is a globally recognized performance management framework for customer experience. Centers with COPC-certified operations management systems guarantee the quality of services, boost customer experience and help enhance operational efficiency on an ongoing basis, all at the same time.

In March 2021, transcosmos China officially kicked off its initiative to obtain the COPC certification in projects for two clients run by three contact centers located in Shanghai and Xi'an. Supported by COPC's professional team that evaluated the centers' performance and assisted them in improving their services, transcosmos China's QA and Operations teams worked together to go through a continuous improvement process to make their operations even better and achieve higher goals. And the 2 projects run by transcosmos China achieved the certification of COPC CX Standard for CSPs, Release 6.2, due to the excellent call center operation and performance.

Grace Du, Head of Business Support Division at transcosmos China (Right) receives award at the ceremony.

On May 25, 2023, transcosmos China was invited to COPC's annual summit and attended the award ceremony with other COPC certified companies. In the event, industry experts discussed their views on industry trends and the transformation of digital CX. Representing transcosmos China, Grace Du, Head of Business Support Division at transcosmos China, delivered the following speech.

"As a BPO company with 57 years of history, transcosmos always puts priority on operating contact centers with the highest levels of quality and performance. We believe this COPC certification proves that transcosmos China's contact center operations services are highly recognized in the industry. Business needs for digital transformation, or DX, have been rising in recent years, posing a challenge to companies to effectively build digital and intelligent contact centers that will bring additional value to customer experience. transcosmos China will further enhance our projects for clients by adopting COPC's operations management approach that we have mastered through the two projects. Going forward, we will apply solutions such as making outbound customer contact via a voice channel using AI, visualizing contact data and VoC data, leveraging AI knowledge, training chatbots, as well as adding our 5A Loyalty Diagnostic services and Business Intelligence (BI) Utilization services to our existing multi-channel contact center services. Through such services and solutions, we aim to bring greater customer experience to consumers and achieve DX at diverse customer touchpoints in this digital age."

As a digital transformation partner for clients, transcosmos will develop and integrate various cutting-edge digital and intelligent technologies and provide clients with personalized, digital and intelligent contact center operations services. Ultimately, transcosmos aims to help clients reduce costs, streamline operations, and optimize customer experience.

About COPC Inc.

COPC Inc. is an innovative global leader that empowers organizations to manage complex customer journeys. The company created the COPC Customer Experience (CX) Standard and provides consulting, training and certification for operations that support the customer experience. Founded in 1996, COPC Inc. began by helping call centers improve their performance. Today, the company works with leading brands worldwide to optimize key customer touchpoints and deliver a seamless experience across channels. COPC Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Winter Park, FL, U.S. and has operations in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, Latin America, India and Japan. To learn more about COPC Inc., visit http://www.copc.com.

transcosmos history in China

transcosmos entered the Chinese market and launched its offshore services business in 1995. In 2006, the company opened its first call center in Shanghai and started to provide call center services for the Chinese market. Today, transcosmos has its bases and subsidiaries across 22 cities in China including Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Hefei, Xi'an, Changsha, Wuhan, Neijiang, Kunshan, Suzhou, Taipei and more. The company offers extensive services such as business process outsourcing (BPO) including contact centers, e-commerce one-stop, customer experience, digital marketing and system development for both Chinese and global brands.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 170 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
Introducing Delta 8 products allows us to stay at the forefront of the industry and provide our customers with innovative options that align with their preferences.

Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid derived from hemp plants. It offers a unique experience, distinct from traditional CBD or THC products. With its mild psychoactive effects, Delta 8 has gained significant popularity among individuals seeking a more balanced and relaxed experience. By expanding its product line to include Delta 8 options, Vape Delivery Chicago aims to provide customers with a broader selection of premium, reliable, and enjoyable Delta 8 products.

"We are excited to diversify our product offerings and meet the evolving needs of our customers," said Jason Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer at Vape Delivery Chicago. "Introducing Delta 8 products allows us to stay at the forefront of the industry and provide our customers with innovative options that align with their preferences."

In addition to the expanded product line, Vape Delivery Chicago continues to offer its same-day delivery service, ensuring convenience and efficiency for its valued clientele. Customers can place their orders online through the Vape Delivery Chicago website, and the ordered items are delivered promptly and discreetly to their doorstep.

For more information about Vape Delivery Chicago, please visit https://vapedeliverychicago.com/product-category/hemp/delta-8

About Vape Delivery Chicago:

Vape Delivery Chicago is a prominent provider of high-quality vape products in the Chicago area. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Vape Delivery Chicago offers various vape options, including e-liquids, devices, accessories, and Delta 8 products. The company takes pride in its vast selection of top-quality brands, competitive pricing, and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.
Its a Friday evening, and Bebe Gunn is choosing a wig. Its between the short green one, the long, loose blond number and the black and white ponytail. Others lay in a black suitcase, tucked between ripped tights and hip pads.

I want something I can whip around for Mr. Watson, she said, pulling the blond number over her wig cap. She completed the ensemble with a gray, reflective bodysuit, asking her fellow drag queen and performing partner Cherry Possums to zip her up.

That night, the pair performed a drag show with two other queens at Glozet, a monthly pride event hosted at Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar. It was the first of three shows they would host in Charlottesville that weekend, with drag brunches Saturday and Sunday, before returning home to Richmond.

Gunn and Possums have been running the Charlottesville drag scene for nearly two years, after the pair revived monthly drag shows at the Southern Cafe and Music Hall. Possums did shows with another queen at the Southern and Rapture back in 2017, returning in 2021 with Gunn at her side.

One of the things that we kept hearing people say is that theyve been dying to see a drag show here in Charlottesville, Possums said. So thats why were bringing it back.

The Richmond drag scene is already very established, according to the pair, who found it easier to make a name for themselves in Charlottesville. Weve really just built this huge following for ourselves here, and its incredible, Gunn said.

The duo organizes, hosts and performs monthly shows at the Southern, Crozet Pizza and the South and Central restaurant at the Dairy Market food hall, and occasionally at other venues downtown such as restaurants Rapture and Ummas and the Common House social club. They are also frequently asked to do private shows or pop-up events, Possums said.

The Southern, which regularly hosts live music events, is their main stage. Its the most immersive drag experience of the venues in Charlottesville, Gunn said, where the queens can try out new numbers. Those drag shows are lively but can also get pretty unhinged, said Lou Wilkin, an employee at the Southern.

I think allowing the queens a space to perform and having a reliable relationship with them, its a pretty cool thing to demonstrate that level of involvement in the queer community, Wilkin said.

Once their shows are over for the weekend, they return to Richmond, where Gunn and Possums share an apartment.

At home, without the wigs and the heels and the lashes and the hair, Gunn is Thomas Lee, an AT&T employee, and Possums is Josh Austin, a fraud investigator at Capital One.

But then the weekend rolls around again, and Gunn and Possums are right back at it, lip-syncing, dancing and whipping their hair for Charlottesville crowds showering them with singles.

This is a job thats fun, its something that we enjoy doing, Gunn said. We feel like celebrities because theres just dozens of people cheering for us.

After turning 18, the young Lee became enamored with the queens at a gay bar in Roanoke, where he grew up. He started performing under the name Bebe Gunn not long after, to push himself out of his comfort zone.

I have aggressive stage fright, Gunn said. I dont anymore. That literally melted away as soon as I put the wig on. I was like, OK honey, I can take over the world. Yall cant tell me nothing. Im fierce.

At Gunns very first competition, she met Possums, who went by Cherry Poppins at the time.

I had known of her, and I was in awe, I was starstruck, Gunn said. I was like, Oh my god, hey girl! and she was just like, Oh my god, I see something in you, and I was like, Paint me girl! And the rest was history.

In other words, I had a stalker, Possums joked. And I thought itd be easier to just let her in than to get the police involved.

The two learned they had graduated from the same high school in Roanoke four years apart, where both of them had been somewhat involved in theater. The future Bebe Gunn, still struggling with stage fright, painted the stone wall set pieces for Beauty and the Beast, while the future Miss Possums was Reporter No. 2 in Bye-Bye Birdie.

Im a really shy and reserved person, Possums said. Its easier to be wild and crazy if people are saying thats Cherry, thats not Josh. Its completely freeing. And youre also able to support the feminine side of your personality without fear of judgment.

Shy and reserved would be the last words used to describe Possums as she twirled to Laura Branigans Gloria in a neon dress and green jacket at Common Houses drag brunch Saturday, letting the audience stick singles in the cleavage of her breast plate. Gunn performed next, cartwheeling to a Kelly Clarkson song. Three other queens completed the Saturday morning set, Gunn and Possums introducing each one at masters of ceremony, flirting with the audience and encouraging applause and tips.

We need two things from you guys, OK? Gunn told the audience at the start of the set. I need you to cheer for your divas. Were working, were twerking and youre gonna love it. Also, were going to need your money, honey! We are walking it, we are hopping it and we need gas money.

Most of the queens performing in Richmond, where the drag scene is oversaturated, can be intense and competitive, said Lavender Menace, one of the queens who performed on Saturday. Her rendition of Copacabana followed by Jump In the Line was punctuated with high kicks, hip swings and plenty of shimmies.

Darling Nikki, who performed Only Love Can Hurt Like This with a long yellow boa, was up at 6 a.m. in Roanoke to get ready for Saturdays show in Charlottesville. In Roanoke the drag scene is undersaturated, and the stage at the citys gay bar creates an unfriendly dynamic between certain queens, Nikki said.

Its been years since Charlottesville had a true gay bar, after Impulse closed in 2020, Escafe closed in 2018 and Club 216 was shuttered in 2012. But that just means Charlottesville is a melting pot of different kinds of drag performance, with queens coming from Virginia, D.C. and even South Carolina, Nikki said.

The crowds here are coming for the show, Nikki said. They give you energy consistently no matter what venue you go to.

And Charlottesvilles drag duo makes it worth the performers time, gas and expensive wigs, paying their queens more than they would make for a show in Richmond.

Charlottesville is also more accepting than Richmond, Possums said. I have never, not once, felt unsafe in Charlottesville. Weve never had anyone say anything sideways to us. We feel comfortable going into the gas station without taking our makeup off, and weve never felt like that in Roanoke or Richmond.

Theres so much acceptance here, Gunn said. A large part of their crowds consist of University of Virginia students, baby gays in their first years being a part of a queer community. But we get a lot of middle-aged women, a lot of men. A lot of straight people.

Its a lot of doctors wives, Possums added. She remembered receiving a $40 Venmo tip from an older woman one night, specifically because she had performed a song by Kate Bush.

With the political climate going on, its refreshing to have this queer space, Gunn said. A lot of people are sitting here and talking down on drag and calling it something that it isnt. At the end of the day, it is an art form. It is a form of expression.

Gunn and Possums are performing in a drag duo competition next month in Richmond called the Perfect Pairs Pageant. Within another year, they both plan to move to Charlottesville and will continue to run the drag scene side by side.

She doesnt want to call herself my drag mother, so I just say were sisters, Gunn said on Friday, brushing a stray bit of makeup off of Possums nose.

Weve been really good friends since 2016, Possums said.

Since the dawn of time! Gunn said, before strutting downstairs to set up before the show.
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After an exuberant opening general session on Friday evening, June 23, featuring legendary bestselling author Judy Blume, librarians at the American Library Association's 2023 Annual Conference packed conference rooms at Chicago's McCormick Place for a robust education program that included a number of sessions designed to help librarians navigate an unprecedented wave of book bans and threats to the freedom to read.

On Saturday, June 24, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom and Theresa Chmara, an attorney who is general counsel to the Freedom to Read Foundation talked about the legal and legislative landscape facing librarians. Titled Books Under Fire: Law and the Right to Read, Caldwell-Stone told librarians that 151 bills designed to restrict or censor access to information and library services have been introduced in state legislatures across the country in 2023, including 28 in Texas alone; much of this legislation is based on the premise that certain books and other materials are obscene or even child pornography.

Chmara then walked the audience through what the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares, noting that the First Amendment applies to adults and to minors, and, as the Supreme Court held in the landmark 1969 case Tinker v. Des Moines, neither students nor their teachers shed their rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gates. She also explained that determining obscenity" involves a legal test in a court of law and that not just anyone can make the determination that something is obscene.

Chmara then took a deeper dive into four recent court cases and the issues involved, including a closely-watched case in Llano County,Texas, Little v Llano County, in which a group of library patrons are suing county administrators over the removal of books from their local library. In March, a federal judge found the books were illegally removed by county officials based on viewpoint discrimination and issued a preliminary injunction ordering that 17 books be returned to library shelves while the case is decided. The order is currently under appeal, with library and publisher groups filing amicus briefs in the case.

 We need to make clear to future supporters how they will be viewed by their community if they support these extremist ideologies. 

Chmara also spoke about a high profile case in Virginia, in which a local conservative politician sued to have the books Gender Queer and A Court of Mist and Fury, removed from libraries and bookstores under an obscure state obscenity law. But last August, a state judge swiftly dismissed the case, and, in a resounding victory for freedom to read advocates, struck down the Virginia law upon which the cases were brought, finding it unconstitutional.

Also on Chmara's docket: a recently filed case filed by a coalition of 18 plaintiffs (including librarians, publishers, authors, and advocates) challenging Arkansas's new "harmful to minors" law, and a case filed by advocates and the ACLU on behalf of parents of Wentzville school district students in Missouri over a new law in that state. These are important cases and well be watching them, Chmara said, noting also that such litigation serves as a way to force public officials to recognize that there are constitutional rights at stake when it comes to book challenges, and perhaps more importantly, remind lawmakers that passing laws that infringe those rights "will cost them.

Concluding her presentation, Chmara said that the momentum is changing, that more people now "realize what is going on, and challenges are being made across the country to stop this.

Engaging With the Community

Another Saturday afternoon session featured a group of diverse authors on a panel entitled, "How to Fight Book Bans: Authors on Speaking Up and Fighting Back." The group, moderated by We Need Diverse Books co-founder and CEO Ellen Oh, included Samira Ahmed; Jerry Craft; Ashley Hope Perez; Kyle Lukoff; and Eliot Schrefer, who all testified to their own personal experiences with censorship and bigotry.

School libraries are a place of discovery, Perez declared, So much of book banning is about rolling back progress. Its so easy to pull back. I am begging you not to do that. Please keep buying the books that matter to young people.

Ahmed urged political action, though she prefers the term "community engagement. She urged the audience to get to know local elected officials, especially school board members, and to call or fax elected officials. Dont email, she suggested, noting that emails are easier to ignore. She also suggested conducting postcard campaigns, recommending postcards created by WNDB, which features the command, Let Me Read! that are featured on the WNDB website resources for librarians confronting book bans.

I want you to send postcards to your elected officials, even if theyre on your side, Ahmed said, acknowledging that political action can be hard, but insisting that adults "need to find our courage" to defend our kids. "Were just saying, dont ban books and dont be a fascist. This is the United States of America, Ahmed said, urging librarians to "call on our allies to come out and deliver and not be afraid.

On Sunday, June 24, Emily Amick, better known as "Emily in Your Phone," on social media offered a look at Moms for Liberty and other like-minded groups, which she characterized as a well-funded right-wing political movement bent on destroying schools and libraries.

These groups dont want to just ban books, said Amick, a former counsel to U.S. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumerthey want to take over institutions and reshape our culture to align with their ideology. She explained how these groups have effectively harnessed social media to amplify their message and to project a false image of being a grassroots movement to boost the mainstreaming of their ideas. They use a fear-driven narrative to transform mothers from bystanders into warriors.

Amick told librarians that freedom to read advocates need to find our message and our messengers and repeat things over and over again, noting that while the issue may seem obvious to those who understand what's going on, it isn't to many outside the profession. She also cautioned librarians against repeating the arguments made by Moms for Liberty because repeating their terminology" can serve to reinforce it. "What you negate, you evoke, Amick explained, adding that it's time to go from "defense to offense."

Amick also urged the audience to stop feeding the rage farming, and not to reply to DMs or inflammatory comments. Get comfortable with disagreements, she said, calling out hypocrisy just incites backlash. Instead, she said, emphasize what individuals and organizations challenging books are taking away from people in your community," without using short labels like "Nazi. Library supporters should message how book challenges negatively impact libraries and also the children who need access to them and their collections. And sometimes mockery and humor can be most effective, she noted.

A lot of research has shown that pointing out how ludicrous it is to want to ban a book about seahorses because they are gay is the most effective form of marketing," she pointed out. "We need to make clear to future supporters how they will be viewed by their community if they support these extremist ideologies.

And she urged librarians to be prepared for a long, hard battle. They have a lot of money, Amick noted. What we have is persistence and facts and community. We are on the side of freedom."

ALA 2023 will conclude on Wednesday morning, with a closing session featuring the poet Amanda Gorman and childrens book illustrator Christian Robinson.
R.M. Romeros new YA novel, A Warning About Swans, features a shape-shifting heroine who longs to live as a humanuntil her freedom to transform is stolen from her. Written in free verse, the historical fantasy evokes the dark side of fairy tales while exploring contemporary issues of gender fluidity and body autonomy. PW spoke with Romero by phone from her home in Boulder, Colo., where she was raised, about her dedication to caring for Jewish cemeteries in Poland, her familys roots in magical realism, and how liminality is at the heart of the human experience.

Youve just returned from your annual trip to Poland, where you help maintain Jewish cemeteries. Your first novel, The Dollmaker of Krakow, takes place in that country. Whats your connection to Poland, and how did you start doing this work?

I dont have any family connection to Poland, but Ive always been very interested in history. When I was nine, I read The Diary of Anne Frank and was fascinated by it. I started to do my own research about the Holocaust. I wanted to find out what happened to this person Id been on such an intimate journey with. When I was 11, I asked my parents to let me watch Schindlers List, and that led me to become especially interested in Poland, and especially in Auschwitz, which is in the Polish city of Oscwiecim. When I was 18, I decided to go to Poland to visit Auschwitz. Being there allowed me to connect what Id read with the reality of what happened; youre surrounded by death when youre there. Its very vivid.

I also visited Krakow on that trip. The city was untouched by World War II, so it still has a fairy tale quality with its 13th-century buildings. Its legends still seem alive. For example, the legendary dragon Smok felt very real to me because the cave that was supposedly his lair still exists under the Wawel Castle. It took me a long time to process everything I felt and experienced during that first trip. It wasnt until nine years later that I was able to write about it in The Dollmaker of Krakow.

I didnt return to Poland until 2016, when Id sold The Dollmaker of Krakow and went back to do some additional research. While I was researching, I came across a Baptist organization called the Matzevah Foundation (matzevah is the Hebrew word for headstones), which cares for Jewish graves throughout Poland. I was intrigued by their work and contacted them. I began working with Matzevah in 2016 and since then Ive helped maintain the cemetery in the town of Auschwitz twice, as well as several cemeteries near Lublin and Warsaw. Before Russia invaded Ukraine, I also worked with the group in cemeteries outside of Lviv.

What was your path to writing that first book? Did you always want to be a writer?

I started telling stories when I was very young. From what I remember, they were all fantasies, usually based on my favorite books and movies at the time, such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I started writing novels when I was 11; those were always focused on girls who saved the day with their magic, since in the 1990s there were so few fantasy stories that focused on heroines.

When I went to college, I studied history and education, intending to become a high school history teacher and write during the summers. I had never shared my writing with anyone, but by the time I was in my 20s I felt like Id reached a plateau, so I enrolled in the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine.

I had written a first draft of The Dollmaker of Krakow for NaNoWriMo in 2014, as an adult novel, and it became my thesis project at Stonecoast. I started querying agents a few months after I got my degree and quickly got a revise and resubmit offer from Jenny Bent of the Bent Agency. [Romeros current agent is Rena Rossner of the Deborah Harris Agency.] Jenny thought I should focus on making it a middle-grade book. Since the character of the doll, Karolina, was a little unclear, I started to age the manuscript down through her. I also removed one of the adult characters and focused on the child who discovers that Karolina is alive. We then sold the manuscript in one weekend to Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte. That was in March 2016.

Youve said that you believe all your work is magical realism because thats how you view the world. Can you talk a little more about that?

My mothers family is Irish and my fathers family is Cuban. I grew up hearing fantastical family stories on my fathers side about things like miraculous escapes that felt magical even though they really happened. For example, relatives suddenly appearing at my grandmothers old house in New Jersey in the middle of the night, seemingly out of nowherethough in actuality, they had fled from Cuba.

Then theres the story of one of my ancestors, who arrived in Cuba by sneaking onto a ship out of Spain several hundred years ago. When he was discovered, the crew wanted to throw him overboarduntil they realized he could read and write. None of them could, so the crew agreed that he could stay if he helped them with a contract. As the ship approached Cuba, he decided to disembark before the final destination of Havana. The day after he left, a hurricane tore through the Caribbean and sank that ship, leaving no survivors. Talk about a strange and miraculous escape!

Another strange thing about the Cuban side of my family: one of the meanings for the surname Romero is guardian of shrines. And everyone knows what I do now.

Your books are somewhat linked thematically by dark magical elements and intersections between the dead and the living, but theyre all quite different and take place in distinct historical eras. What do you see as a commonality between the three books?

There is a fairy tale undercurrent to all of them. The Dollmaker of Krakow has Polish folklore and echoes of the original Nutcracker story by E.T.A. Hoffman, which is much stranger and darker than the ballets more sugary storyline. The Ghosts of Rose Hill has both Czech and Cuban folklore and elements of modern horror, while A Warning About Swans has echoes of Swan Lake and the stories of the Brothers Grimm. In all of my work, characters are dealing with tangible world issues that young people are facing today but there is always a sprinkle of fairy dust, too.

 In all of my work, characters are dealing with tangible world issues that young people are facing today but there is always a sprinkle of fairy dust, too. 

A Warning of Swans seems to have clearer fairy tale roots than your previous two novels. What took you in that direction?

One inspiration came from visiting King Ludwig IIs Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria in 2008the castle in Sleeping Beauty was inspired by it. There are fantastical murals there that depict scenes from Wagners operas, because Ludwig was obsessed with Wagner. And for me, as a JewI converted in my 20sWagner is problematic. So I decided it would annoy Wagner if, in my story, a Jew was the one who paints those murals.

In this book, though, I also return to the theme of the animal bridethe woman who has her body stolen. The spark for much of A Warning About Swans was the difficulties faced by people who can become pregnant and queer people over the past few years when it comes to having control over their own bodies. Because at heart, animal bride stories are about someone whose body has been stolen by a man. The selkies and swan maidens in these kinds of tales arent allowed autonomy; theyre forced to physically conform to the expectations of men who want to own them. And unfortunately, this is happening a lot in the United States now, from the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade to the anti-queer and specifically anti-trans laws being passed by many statesincluding my own, Florida.

Whats coming after A Warning About Swans?

Little, Brown is publishing my middle-grade prose novel Tale of the Flying Forest this fall; it was my lockdown book. Its the portal fantasy of my childhood about a girl who has to travel through an enchanted flying forest to find and rescue her long-lost twin brother. And I have another YA novel in verse coming from Peachtree Teen next summer, Deaths Country. Its based on the Orpheus and Eurydice myth and takes place in Miami, but its a polyamorous triad instead of a couple.

What are you working on now?

Im currently revising a middle-grade fairy tale about a pair of siblings trying to find a cure for a magical pandemic in the aftermath of a climate change disaster. Its Wednesday meets Ship Breaker. If you can believe it, I started writing it months before anyone had ever heard of Covid-19! Im also drafting a YA horror based on the work Ive done investigating mass graves with forensic archeologists. Every forest in Poland feels haunted by violence, so it feels natural for me to write another, much darker ghost story.

A Warning About Swans by R.M. Romero. Peachtree Teen, $18.99 July 11 ISBN 978-1-68263-483-7
After deciding, after a 12-year run, that he couldnt sustain Nomadic Presss publishing business any longer, J.K. Fowler closed the publisher at the end of February. When that news reached Kent Watson, executive director of Small Press Distribution, which handled distribution for Nomadic, Watson suggested that a like-minded press might be interested in acquiring the company. Not long after that conversation, Fowler met with Diane Goettel, executive editor at another SPD client, Black Lawrence Press, and soon an agreement was reached for Black Lawrence to acquire more than 100 titles in a deal that was concluded earlier this month.

Ive been aware of Nomadic Press for years, and Ive been consistently impressed with both the books that they publish and the work that they do within the literary community, Goettel told PW in explaining why Black Lawrence went ahead with the acquisition. Theres a longstanding kinship between our titles. We have authors on our lists that are writing about similar topics and approaching their writing craft in similar ways. In addition to that, weve published some of the same people. Miah Jeffra and M.J. Jones, for examples, previously published books with both Black Lawrence and Nomadic.

The deal does not include books from Little Nomad, Nomadics childrens imprint, since Goettel said Black Lawrence does not publish childrens books. A handful of other Nomadic titles, whose authors either found new homes before the Black Lawrence deal came along or who decided to let some older books go, were not part of the acquisition.

The deal does include 12 titles that Nomadic had under contract, but had not yet published. Goettel said Black Lawrence, which is based in upstate New York and publishes fiction, poetry, and French and German translations, will publish three books before the end of this year, with the remainder set to be released in 2024 and early 2025. Through 2024, all Nomadic titles will be published under the Nomadic name and logo, but beginning in 2025, all titles and reprints will appear under the Black Lawrence Press name.

With the sale of its publishing arm, Fowler said the Nomadic Press Foundation plans to continue to administer literary awards and grants, and marginalized writers funds similar to Nomadic Press' Black Writers Fund. In addition, Fowler said the foundation will offer fiscal sponsorship opportunities for literary projects or individuals who do not yet have their 501(c)(3) status. Our foundation builds off of the legacy of Nomadic Press, said Fowler. We plan on officially opening our doors in August or September 2023."
Illustrations have been adding context and culture to widespread religious texts since their inception. In the 15th century, woodcut images were seen in Gunther Zainers German Bible, and the first extensively illustrated version of the Bible, by Isaiah Thomas, was released in America in 1791. Today, visual titles are more popular than everPW reported a 61% increase in graphic novel sales from 2020 to 2021. Modern religion publishers are jumping on that trend, harnessing the power of images to inspire readers and revitalize biblical texts and beloved spiritual stories.

Simon Amadeus Pillario, the creator of The Word for Word Bible Comic a self-published graphic novel series of biblical stories, is one of the illustrators looking to share Gods word with new audiences. Pillario, who is based in Bristol, England, uses a colorful American indie style to bring an exclusively unabridged NIV biblical translation to life. His latest title, The Book of Joshua (Feb.), was aimed at tweens and teens 12 and up. However, his upcoming comic, The Book of Judges (Sept.), has an age advisory of 15+. It includes a lot of blood, battles, betrayal, and alcohol abuse, Pillario told PW.

Pillario chose to aim at slightly older audiences after recent Statista research revealed that 47% of graphic novel readers are aged 18-44. He says interest from these older demographics makes sense. While 30 or 40 years ago comics were just for kids, those kids are now 30 or 40 years older and are still into comics, said Pillario. And his illustrations arent just opening up biblical texts for varying age groups. He also hopes to make the texts more accessible for readers with disabilities and learning differences. There are people who are really keen to read the Bible, but they struggle because of dyslexia or autism or low literacy in general, said Pillario. Images, consistent faces, small bite size pieces of text, and a much more visual narrative is much more engaging for people who struggle to read, he added.

Chosen Books is using the popularity of illustrations to revamp one of its classic bestsellers for a target audience of middle-grade schoolers. First published in 1971, The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom and Elizabeth and John Sherrill was Chosen Books' debut title and has now sold more than 3.5 million copies. It tells the story of Ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who was sent to a concentration camp after she hid Jews from the Nazis in her familys shop. Now, with the help of writer/art director Mario DeMatteo and illustrator Ismael Castro, The Hiding Place: A Graphic Novel, will be released in April 2024. We hope this new format will reach teens and preteens, and share the same powerful truths of the original work, which include faith, hope, forgiveness and triumphing over evil, acquisitions editor David Sluka told PW.

Another upcoming picture book, The Book That Changed Everything (Pauline Books, Aug.), is aiming to reach an even younger audience, children aged three to seven. Inspired by the words of scripture, writer and acquisitions editor Sr. Allison Gliot and illustrator Santiago Samlo Lopez created the story of Sofia, a little girl who has a life-changing encounter with Jesus according to Pauline Books & Media. A lot of kids today are really steeped in an audio-visual world, Gliot told PW. By sharing Sofias story in a picture book format, Gliot was able to meet them where they are, in the language that they are most familiar with. Lopez, who has worked with big publishers such as Marvel, was drawn to Gliots work after finding it to be one of the most creative scripts [he] has ever read. He quickly forged a fruitful artistic relationship with Gliot, and believes their title will bring light to the lives of children and adults.

And more books that highlight a visual format are likely. Pillario, whose books are distributed by Baker & Taylor, will release The Christmas Nativity: Word for Word Bible Comic in November. And, depending on the success of The Hiding Place, Chosen Books is considering graphic versions of two other bestselling titles, Gods Smuggler by Brother Andrew and The Cross and The Switchblade by David Wilkerson, Sluka said.
Blythe, CA (92225)

Today

Mostly clear. Low near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low near 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Forced and child marriage survivors arrive at a protest, organized to support a ban on child marriage, at the state Capitol in Sacramento on June 22.
While the 2023 legislative session has demonstrated the deep divisions between the major parties in Oregon, legislators are now back together to address issues of common concern.

One issue upon which all agree is that they want Oregon to have a thriving economy. Thats the purpose of HB 2763, which would establish a task force to study options and make recommendations for legislation to establish a state bank.

This is an idea whose time has come, and all Oregonians need to know the remarkable potential of public banking. Whether or not the task force bill passes in this session, the push for public banking is not going away.

Imagine a bank whose sole purpose was to serve the needs of Oregonians. The state and municipal governments could deposit their funds in this bank, which would provide financing for projects that serve the public good.

Instead of putting public assets in untrustworthy too big to fail banks, our tax dollars would stay in the state, where they could be used to build a strong economy. Such a state bank would not only pay better interest than governments get from Wall Street banks, but also pay dividends to the state on profits instead of sending them to Wall Street to enrich Wall Street stockholders and executives.

Like any bank, a state bank would be able to lend up to 10 times its available capital. However, the charter of the bank would require it to make those loans within the state and to projects that serve the public good, such as low-interest financing for infrastructure projects. These are often ones that the Big Banks wont touch, especially in rural areas, because they are not sufficiently profitable.

When those banks do decide to finance a bond, interest and fees can easily double its cost over 30 years. State bank loans can also be used to fund projects that address problems, such as affordable housing.

And these loans generate a return to the bank, a share of which could go back into the state coffers, where it can be used to fund essential needs such as education.

Got the idea? Then you understand the basics of how state banks operate. If it sounds too good to be true, then you havent heard of the Bank of North Dakota.

Established in 1919 during the Progressive Era, it has proven so successful that it continues to have strong support in that deeply conservative state. Its little wonder when you consider that between 2008 and 2020, it doubled its assets while other banks were struggling, and last year increased its loan portfolio to $5.4 billion.

An Oregon State Bank would not be identical to the Bank of North Dakota, but it would operate on similar principles. There are many ways to set up and operate a public bank, and there are key decisions to be made that will determine how it is capitalized and what services it will offer.

One thing is certain: It will not compete with local banks or credit unions. Instead, it will cooperate with them to enable them to offer loans they cannot currently offer.

Public banks are not socialist. They actually increase competition by allowing smaller financial institutions to flourish in an environment dominated by increasingly monopolistic Wall Street banks.

Let your legislators know that you support this essential first step in exploring how to reap the benefits of a state bank in Oregon. For more information, go to the websites of the Oregon Public Banking Alliance and the Public Banking Institute.
On Friday 17 June, one hundred passengers travelled on the Coradia iLint in the first ever hydrogen train journey in North America.

The train travelled ninety kilometres from the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency in Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul,through the UNESCO-listed Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve along the St. Lawrence River.

The Coradia iLint generates its own energy using fuel cells, and is powered by green hydrogen.

The journey it made is a first in Canada and in the USA. This means that Quebec province is the first jurisdiction to run a train with zero direct emissions powered by green hydrogen.

The train's hydrogen fuel cell emits only water vapour during operation, making it much quieter than other trains, which benefits both passengers and those living or working close to tracks.

The Coradia iLint has travelled more than 220,000 kilometres in eight European countries since entering commercial service in Germany in 2018.

It is now operating in commercial service on two networks in Germany. To date, Eurpean clients have ordered 41 trainsets.

On 15 September last year, the Coradia iLint travelled a record distance of 1,175 kilometres without refuelling. The loco has a top speed of 140 kmh (87 mph) and accelerates and brakes with a performance similar to a standard regional diesel train.

Crucially, it achieves these performance levels without the noise and emissions of other trains. It boasts several innovative features: clean energy conversion, flexible energy storage in batteries, smart traction and energy management. The loco was designed for non-electrified lines.

Several companies and authorities are involved in the project, including Alstom, the Government of Quebec, Chemin de fer Charlevoix, Train de Charlevoix, Harnois Energies, HTEC and Accelera by Cummins.

Alstom will use the opportunity presented by this pioneer journey to assess what to do next in developing an ecosystem for hydrogen propulsion technology.

The Hydrogen Research Institute of the Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres will help Alstom with its assessment.

The company also sees this as an opportunity to increase its market in Canada and the USA, centred around its new innovation centre located in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec.

Alstom describes the primary mission of this centre as developing platforms with hybrid, battery or green hydrogen propulsion specifically adapted to the North American market.

The centre benefits from the availability of more than seven hundred Alstom engineers currently working in the city to speed up the decarbonisation of rail.

Alstom employs 1,800 people in Quebec.

Claude Choquette, President of Groupe Le Massif and Chemin de fer de Charlevoix, This project is made possible thanks to the collaboration of Chemin de fer de Charlevoix, which is owned by Groupe Le Massif. In addition to defining new foundations for sustainable tourism, the hydrogen train's launch allows many visitors from around the world to discover Charlevoix while creating value for the entire region.

Harnois Energies is a partner in this project, positioning itself not only as a hydrogen producer, but also as a distributor. The hydrogen used will be produced at our Quebec City station and will then be transported via high-pressure tanks to Baie St-Paul. Harnois Energies is focused on the future and keeps an open mind. Energy diversification is at the heart of the company's priorities, explains Serge Harnois, President and CEO of Harnois Energies.

Alison Trueblood, General Manager of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies at Accelera, said,As Accelera continues to innovate, we're guiding customers through energy transition roadmaps by providing end-to-end hydrogen solutions, This includes advancing traditional transportation methods, like passenger trains, through the adoption of zero-emission technologies and enabling industry infrastructure with hydrogen-producing electrolyzers. Together with Alstom and many other partners, we are advancing hydrogen propulsion technology in the North American market.

Michael Keroulle, President of Alstom Americas, said,We are very proud to see our Coradia iLint hydrogen train onboard and carry its first North American passengers here in Quebec. Alstom is fully involved in the decarbonization of mobility in the world and particularly in America. Hydrogen technology offers an alternative to diesel and demonstrates our ability to provide more sustainable mobility solutions to our customers, agencies and operators, as well as passengers. It will also provide an extraordinary showcase for Quebec's green hydrogen ecosystem, which is under development.
Russian President Vladimir Putin may remain in office for now, but his powerand Russia'sare ebbing. The West might take advantage of new opportunities.

Putin's fate could follow that of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. Despite the failure of a hardline putsch in August 1991, Gorbachev lost support and became vulnerable. In December his ruleand the USSRcollapsed.

The West had little influence on these developments. In the foreign policy arena, however, the West concluded arms control accords with Moscow and fortified Afghans and Poles resisting Soviet oppression. Today, the West still has little clout in Moscow politics. But as in the 1980s, the West is confronting aggression. NATO allies are arming Ukrainian forces, partially funding its government, and adding force presence near Russia.

In the wake of Yevgeny Prigozhin's failed rebellion, the correlation of forcesa Russian concept of power and influenceis moving against Putin and Russia. The West may exploit this.

In the wake of Yevgeny Prigozhin's failed rebellion, the correlation of forcesa Russian concept of power and influenceis moving against Putin and Russia. Share on Twitter

Ukraine:The West may aim higher in Ukraine. It could stop waffling and back President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's goals of victory and recovery of all territory, including Crimea. Prigozhin proclaimed that official reasons for the war were lies. His honesty might demoralize some Russians and troops who worry they are cannon fodder. Routs of Russian forcesas in last September's sweeping advance of Ukrainian forces in the Kharkiv regioncould become more frequent. Prospects for Ukraine's counteroffensive have likely improved. The West, in turn, may be heartened that its military aid is effective.

Human rights: The West might be more full-throated in criticizing Putin's assault on human rights and political liberties. There is precedent. President Jimmy Carter stung the Kremlin by writing to prominent Soviet dissident Andrey Sakharov. President Ronald Reagan made human rights a centerpiece of his outspoken policy to weaken and bring down the USSR. Soviet leaders, he said, asserted the right to commit any crime, to lie, to cheat.

PostCold War repression in Russia is harsher than ever. Human rights abuses and curbs on political liberties are multiplying. Dissidents Alexey Navalny and Vladimir Kara-Muza face Stalinist-like long prison sentences. Rising repression could reflect Kremlin unease over hardline challenges like Prigozhin's as well as potential popular uprisings urging democracy. In ordering the invasion, Putin likely feared Ukraine's democratic example and ties with democratic Europe.

A democratic challenge to Putin's rule might emerge especially from urban elites and private sector leaders whose safety and property values have plunged. The West might engage these constituencies more directly to encourage civic responsibility.

Sanctions: Western sanctions are strong but could be hardened. The European Council has just approved anotherits eleventhpackage of restrictions. The United States is pressing friendly countries not to serve as backdoor conduits of sanctioned items to Russia.

Putin and Lukashenko: The West could heighten pressure on Putin and Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine. Warrants for other crimes may come. The West backs creation of an independent tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression.

Nuclear: Russia might perceive Western hesitation if its basing of nuclear arms in Belarus goes unanswered. NATO might review its nuclear posture and be attentive to neighboring allies. Putin deserves to pay a price also for his inflammatory nuclear rhetoric regarding Ukraine.

Energy: The West might further tighten limits on Russian energy. Europe has found that replacing Russian gas is easier than expected. In the 1980s, sanctions were weaker in part because Europe was less able to substitute for inexpensive Russian pipeline gas.

The Kremlin likely fears that as Ukraine goes westward, Belarus may soon follow. Share on Twitter

Belarus: As it did in aiding Poland's Solidarity free trade union in the 1980s, the West might employ creative ways to promote the democratic opposition in Belarus. Massive protests in summer 2020 revealed the scale of popular disgust. Despite a crackdown, opposition inside Belarus is likely seething. Exiled opponents, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, help keep alive the flame of freedom. The Kremlin likely fears that as Ukraine goes westward, Belarus may soon follow.

Modern Russia has never been more isolated from the West. As sanctions and shortages of Western technology and capital increase their bite, Russia's economy and living standards will suffer. The Kremlin can relieve pain by withdrawing its rapacious forces from Ukraine. In the meantime, further discontent and rebellions in Russia may be expectedand encouraged.

William Courtney is an adjunct senior fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and a former U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia.

This commentary originally appeared on The Hill on June 27, 2023. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
The Prisoner's Dilemma is virtually everyone's first exposure to game theory and the science of strategy. In this thought experiment, two prisoners must decide whether they will work together and both receive a small mutual benefit, or betray their fellow prisoner and receive a greater reward, but only if the other prisoner refuses to commit a similar betrayal.

The experiment can play out over many rounds, with changing incentives and strategies. And though it was developed in 1950 at the RAND Corporationwhere one of us now worksby the 1980s, many political scientists were looking for new ways to play this same old game.

One was Robert Axelrod, who wanted to find a single strategy that might prove successful over multiple rounds of gameplay. So, Axelrod held a Prisoner's Dilemma tournament, and pitted multiple strategies against one another. Indeed, one strategy submitted by mathematician Anatol Rapoport quickly rose to the top, dominating the competition by waiting for an opponent to make the first move before retaliating against aggressors, or cooperating with collegial parties.

Astonished by the strategy, now dubbed tit-for-tat, Axelrod held a second tournament. But this time, everyone else took on Rapaport's strategy directly. Again, it triumphed. Afterwards, Axelrod determined that four characteristics helped explain the strategy's success: it was nice, but not a push-over; it wasn't too clever; and it forgave.

We have been thinking about tit-for-tat quite a lot lately, particularly as the United States and China engage in a decades-long, high-stakes, increasingly brutal game, elbowing one another to gain and maintain advantage across several technological and manufacturing capabilities. This tit-for-tat has most recently led to sweeping legislation in the United States, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to stymie China's technological innovation and dominance over supply chains, especially for advanced products that are crucial for modern economies and warfare.

The use of tit-for-tat can easily spiral out of control. Share on Twitter

These efforts are viewed by the West as retaliatory, made in response to China stealing U.S. tech and IP to keep China from innovating its way to military parity. China's reactions to U.S. policy were front and center at the recent G-7 talks in Japan.

Now, in addition to policies directly responding to the CHIPS and Science Act that include investigations into chip manufacturers, China's Ministries of Commerce and Technology announced that they would consider prohibit[ing] or limit[ing] exports of alloy tech for making high-performance magnets derived from rare earths later this year.

China dominates the global rare earth element supply chain, as well as the production of these advanced magnets, which are integral to the acquisition and maintenance of U.S. military technologiesa vulnerability highlighted by Chinese media. Shutting down its exports would be a clear retaliation. This announcement also coincides with announcements that Lynas Rare Earths' Malaysian processing and separations facility (currently, the only such facility outside China) will likely need to end operations by July 2023, creating an opportunity to maximize disruption. It sets the stage for another round of tit-for-tat in this ongoing, extremely high-stakes game.

China's history of economic coercion usually restricts the country it has targeted by cutting off access to its vast domestic markets, not its own ability to export. But there is one notable exception. In 2010, China restricted rare earth exports to Japan in response to the Diaoyu-Sankaku island dispute. That action led to a tremendous spike in the price of rare earths and was a surprise to most diplomats and market watchers. In the United States, it led to the creation of the Department of Energy's Critical Minerals Institute, placed the issue on the radar of the Pentagon and others, and motivated use of the Defense Production Act to diversify supply chains.

As ex-China investments add supply and processing capacity for various critical minerals, China appears to have a shrinking timeframe to execute a deliberate supply disruption. In fact, the use of the Defense Production Act and similar policies to diversify supply chains away from China may actually force such a decision by China for fear of not having that leverage in the futurea use before you lose it mentality.

As we can see, the use of tit-for-tat can easily spiral out of control. If such a disruption occurs, it's worth considering the next move by the United States, and whether or not it should even be retaliatory.

Game theory assumes that players act rationally. China's past actions are often seen as irrational and flouting the international rules-based order. Though they certainly run counter to a U.S.-centric system, they are not necessarily irrational. As famed intelligence professional Richards J. Heuer said, [t]o see the options faced by foreign leaders as these leaders see them, one must understand their values and assumptions[w]ithout such insight, interpreting foreign leaders' decisions or forecasting future decisions is often nothing more than partially informed speculation.

The Chinese Communist Party's incentives are vastly different from Western political parties. The party must constantly justify its autocratic rule by presiding over economic development and prosperity. In this context, illicit technology transfer is a means of competing with more technologically advanced countries in order to stave off the existential threat of political revolution.

Acknowledging these values allows the United States and its allies and partners to view these actions as largely predictable and gameable.

Though retaliation has become synonymous with tit-for-tat, strategists would do well to remember its cooperative elements as well. After all, Axelrod's fourth characteristic was forgiveness. Washington has crafted the image of a willing economic combatantits reputation for resolve is unquestionable. However, these actions have tarnished the image of a collegial economic partner, and actions such as the dismantling of the Iran Nuclear Deal have only made it more difficult for the United States to present credible, non-aggressive alternatives to competitors.

Long gone are the days of supporting China's entrance into the World Trade Organization and bilateral Strategic Economic Dialogues. The United States desperately needs to rebuild its reputation for restraint.

Strategists know that credibility and reputation are every bit as important to deterrence as capability and capacity. The economist Roger Myerson has said the same is true of cooperation. Great powers need to know that good behavior will be rewarded just as much as bad behavior will be punished.

Without demonstrating the capacity for restraint, and just as importantly communicating that restraint, economic threats and their implementation may end up ineffective or counterproductive. Share on Twitter

Without demonstrating the capacity for restraint, and just as importantly communicating that restraint, economic threats and their implementation may end up ineffective or counterproductive. Preventing public sharing of information via academic restrictions or handicapping private industry's profits and ability to reinvest in research and development will only hinder technological innovation for both parties. After the announcement of the CHIPS and Science Act, U.S. semiconductor firms' stock prices took a hit.

As the largest source of imports to the United States, China's past actions cannot be ignored, nor can its doctrine of civil-military fusion. But Washington's increasingly coercive stance towards Beijing cannot be ignored either. For now, such angst has manifested in barriers to sharing advanced technologies and critical minerals, both of which are foundational for modern economic and national security.

The two great powers appear to be barreling towards a path that risks further ratcheting up the ongoing economic war. More-evolved strategies are needed beyond simple retaliatory spirals, to find peaceful equilibria and ensure technoeconomic competition does not spill over into military conflict.

Fabian E. Villalobos is an engineer at the RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Morgan Bazilian is professor and director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines.

This commentary originally appeared on The Hill on June 25, 2023. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
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.22 CALIBER WITH A WHOLE LOT OF SPICE

As a wise man once said, MAIN POINT OF SELLING BELGIAN FIVE SEVEN PISTOL IS EXTREME PRICE OF WEAPON AND CARTRIDGE. Maybe that was true when Ivan said it, but these days the price of both the weapons and the cartridge has come down enough it deserves a closer look, even from more casual shooters who dont expect to meet thugs with body armor.

And if you do expect to meet thugs in body armor, the 5.7x28mm is a must-consider option.

Palmetto State Armory sent their 5.7 Rock out for us to test out, and honestly, it's surprisingly nice.

5.7 ROCK SPECS

Model: PSA Full Size 5.7 Rock

Caliber: 5.7x28mm

Capacity: 23+1

Weight with Empty Mag: 25 oz

Barrel Material: Carbon Steel With QPQ Finish; Fluted

Barrel Length: 4.7

Twist Rate: 1/9

Slide Material: 416 Stainless Steel with QPQ Finish

Action: Delayed Blowback Striker-fired

Mag Catch: Reversible

Safety: Trigger & Striker

Accessory Rail: Picatinny

Magazine: 23rd Steel 5.7x28mm Magazine (Ships With 2)

Designed to work with Glock compatible sights

SOVIET PARATROOPERS HATE THIS ONE TRICK

The cold war was the best of times and the worst of times. On the upside, we had the space race, invented cool stuff like the SR-71 Blackbird, and got great movies like The Hunt For Red October, Red Dawn, and a dozen or so 007 films.

The downside, nuclear proliferation, the constant threat of planetary annihilation, and trillions of dollars wasted on black-box government spending.

In the middle of all of that  NATO asked for a new cartridge to replace the 9x19mm. The primary goal was a defensive cartridge and a weapon to fire it that would serve mainly with rear-echelon forces that needed an easy-to-use, easy-to-train, and effective firearm.

People like truck drivers, train guards, and other critical points of logistical infrastructure needed to be defended but werent expected to be in the fight longer than necessary.

That role was mainly filled by submachine guns and pistols at the time. But with the threat of Soviet paratroopers attacking all those critical points, NATO wanted something better than 9mm.

FN designed and proposed the FN 5.728 cartridge, FN P90 SMG, and FN Five-seveN pistol.

SAS's Sentinel mounted on an FN P90

Depending on the loading, the 5.7x28mm cartridge sent a 31-grain bullet moving at about 2,350 FPS out of the FN P90s 10-inch barrel and could defeat IIIA body armor at 200 meters.

The ammo was soft recoiling, flat shooting, lightweight, and you could pack a lot of ammo into a magazine  50 rounds for the FN P90 and 20 rounds for the Five-seveN.

Sadly(?), the Soviet Union fell before the project got far in the adoption process and got backburnered for a long time. The cartridge and guns went on to great success among SF units, some LEO departments, and civilian shooters around the world  but NATO stopped caring until 2002.

In 2002 NATO tested the FN 5.7x28mm against the HK 4.6x30mm, with FNs cartridge winning the recommendation. Germany didnt like that, so they complained about it, and the adoption process was put on hold again.

Finally, in 2021, NATO adopted the FN 5.7x28mm as a standard cartridge.

5.728 Vs. 9mm (short version)

Well do a long version of this soon, complete with numbers and charts, but here are the quick and dirty facts.

9mm is a boss of a cartridge. With the right ammo, it offers high lethality on meat targets, decent penetration of soft tissue and barriers, is decently lightweight and can pack a fair amount of firepower in a magazine. Plus, its cheap to shoot. And it has moderate recoil.

(left to right) AAC 5.7x28mm, 9mm FMJ, and 10mm FMJ

The 5.7x28mm, with the right ammo, offers high lethality on meat targets due to the rounds tumbling once they hit a body cavity, great penetration through soft tissue but pretty bad penetration of barriers, very lightweight ammo, barely any recoil, and can really cram in a ton of rounds per magazine. On top of all of that, it cuts through IIIA body armor like a hot knife through butter. 9mm gets stopped cold by IIIA body armor.

Both rounds can penetrate a car windshield, but 5.728 suffers a lot of destabilization doing so.

Major downside to 5.728 is that it costs about twice as much per round.

Is 5.728 Right For You?

For the vast majority of people, I would say a gun in 9mm, like PSAs Dagger, is a much better choice for most applications. CCW, home defense, plinking, 9mm does it all.

That said, 5.728 is really fun to shoot, and thats definitely a decent reason to get it. It has low recoil, and the Rocks slide is easier to rack than most 9mm guns, making it a good cartridge for people with low or compromised grip strength.

And if you foresee a need to defeat soft body armor, 5.728 is a clear winner. There is a good argument to be made for 5.728 in bug-out bags, get-home bags, etc.

Looking at how lightweight the ammo is, that might be a big deal to you if youre doing something that puts ounces at a premium, like long hikes, bike rides, etc. 5.7x28mm ammo weighs about half as much that of 9mm.

ON THE RANGE

With all of that out of the way, lets talk about the Palmetto State Armory 5.7 Rock!

I have a little over 300 rounds through mine with 4 malfunctions, all of those in the first ~50 rounds of shooting. Two of those malfs were my fault (didnt seat the mag enough), and 2 of those were failures to feed  both of those happened with the same magazine and while that magazine has run fine since it could be either the gun settling in or the mag.

Past that, everything was gravy. The recoil of the 5.728 is very mild with the 5.7 Rock. Even shooting irons, fast follow-up shots were super easy and highly accurate.

The 23 rounds in the mag go a long way, but the gun still feels lightweight and easy to control.

Dot drills, Mozambique drills, 3-2-1 drills, everything I tried was just easy.

The Rocks slide is thinner than you might expect but racks smoothly and is easy to grasp with serrations on the front and rear.

The grip texture isnt as aggressive as I normally like, but it doesnt matter as much since the recoil is so mild to start with. A less aggressive texture makes sense and works really well.

Because of how long the 5.728 cartridge is, its hard to make a small grip for it. The Rocks about as small as it can go but still feels a bit long and rectangular  like holding a yardstick instead of holding a broom handle.

I have XL-sized hands, and this isnt a problem for me, but smaller hands might struggle a little. Surprisingly, the magazine release is perfectly placed for me, and I have short thumbs.

For a plinker with a cool caliber, I think this basic tier Rock is pretty great. Its inexpensive, shoots well, and is showing great reliability.

If this were a defensive pistol, I would strongly recommend the optic-ready version of the Rock.

My only downside to this gun was the magazine well. Im a big fan of flared mag wells, and most pistols these days at least have some molding and angles to help slide in the mag. The Rock, none at all.

Reloads arent hard, but they arent butter smooth, either. If this were a gun I bet my life on, I would spend extra dry fire time practicing reloads. It kind of feels like reloading a thick M1911A1.

AAC 5.728 Ammo

In addition to supplying the gun, PSA also sent out the AAC ammo used for this review.

The ammo was great. AACs 5.7x28mm was fitted with a Hornady V-MAX bullet, brass case, and the lacquer that 5.7 ammo is known for to aid in extraction.

I have nothing bad to say about this ammo. It ran great, it shot cleanly, and it was very accurate. Loading it in the mags was pretty easy, if a little messy, but thats normal for 5.7 ammo. The cases look dark and like they might be steel, but they are brass.

From 10 yards out to 50 yards, this ammo was point-and-hit.

LOOSE ROUNDS

5.7x28mm isnt my go-to round. I dig the history, the design, and the goal  but for now, at least, the cost puts me off pretty hard.

That said, its really fun. Kind of like other semi-pricey calibers, I still want one just to have one, even if it doesnt make every range trip with me.

For that, the 5.7 Rock is kind of perfect. Its a good gun in its own right, its not expensive, and it lets me get my toe in the door of 5.7x28mm.

If youre in the same boat, I think the Rock is a great buy.
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Clear skies. Low near 70F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

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Press Release

June 27, 2023 Villar tells grads to strive for greatness and make the PH a better country Sen. Cynthia Villar on Friday (June 22) guaranteed graduates of Bulacan State University that she joins them in reaching their dream for an abundant agriculture, a developed economy and food-sufficient Philippines. Villar was the Speaker in the Commencement Exercises of the said university where she served as Board of Regents member when she was a Congresswoman. "My dear graduates, as you embark on the next chapter of your lives, remember that true education goes beyond textbooks and exams and extends far beyond the walls of this institution," said Villar. As educated individuals, she told graduates it is their duty to use their knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world around us. "Let us remember that education is not just a privilege; it is a call to action. You have the privilege of education, and with it, the responsibility to uplift those who are less fortunate," said Villar. She further reminded the graduates it is incumbent upon them to use their knowledge, skills, and resources to create opportunities. They are also bound to empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and adversity. "While we are on the issue of poverty and adversity, our agriculture sector is faced with tremendous challenges, despite the fact that we are an agricultural country," she lamented. Regrettably, she emphasized that our farmers continue to endure poverty, making them among the most economically disadvantaged groups in our country. Because of this, as a Senator and l chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Food, and Agrarian Reform, she's working hard improve the lives of our farmers. "I ensure that every legislation I create is tailored towards addressing the needs of our agriculture sector, promoting food security, and increasing the income of our farmers," she added. Villar, sinabihan ang grads na magsikap at gawing mas mabuting bansa ang PH Tiniyak ni Sen. Cynthia Villar noong Biyernes (June 22) sa graduates ng Bulacan State University na kaisa siya ng mga ito sa pag-abot sa pangarap na isang masaganang agrikultura, maunlad na ekonomiya at food-sufficient na Pilipinas. Guest Speaker si Villar saCommencement Exercises ng naturang unibersidad kung saan siya nagsilbing Board of Regents nember nang Congresswomanw pa siya. "My dear graduates, as you embark on the next chapter of your lives, remember that true education goes beyond textbooks and exams and extends far beyond the walls of this institution," ayon kay Villar. Bilang edukado, sinabihan niya ang mga ito na gamitin ang kanilang kaalaman upang magkaroon ng 'positive impact' sa ating paligid. "Let us remember that education is not just a privilege; it is a call to action. You have the privilege of education, and with it, the responsibility to uplift those who are less fortunate," ani pa Villar. Pinaalalahanan din niya ang mga nagsipagtapos na gamitin ang kanilang kaalaman at kakayahan sa pagbuo ng oportunidad. "They are also bound to empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and adversity." Dismayado naman siya sa malaking hamong kinakahap ng agriculture sector sa kabila ng "agricultural country" tayo. Aniya, patuloy na naghihikahos ang ating mga magsasaka kaya sila ang "most economically disadvantaged group" sa ating bansa. Dahil dito, bilang senador at chairperson ng Senate Committee on Agriculture Food, and Agrarian Reform, patuloy ang kanyang pagsisikap para maiangat ang buhay ng ating mga magsasaka. "I ensure that every legislation I create is tailored towards addressing the needs of our agriculture sector, promoting food security, and increasing the income of our farmers," dagdag pa niya.
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.

Photograph: David W Cerny/Reuters

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.

"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."
Centre mulls strategy to ensure powers given to the agencies are not misused.

The Centre is taking a hard look at agencies responsible for implementing the ambitious production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to ensure that the powers given to them are not misused, people aware of the matter said.

The PLI schemes, 14 in all, are being implemented through five project-monitoring agencies (PMAs) -- Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI), Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi), Metallurgical and Engineering Consultants (MECON), Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

These entities, all government-owned, are nodal agencies responsible for providing 'managerial and implementation' support to the ministries rolling out their PLI schemes.

These also monitor key activities under the scheme, such as appraising applications, determining eligibility for incentives, monitoring the performance and progress of the schemes, and site visits.

PMAs are supervised by their ministries, to which they are answerable, one of the persons quoted above said.

The government's go-to policy think tank, NITI Aayog, is learnt to have raised concern that too much power has been given to the PMAs and it will ask ministries to ensure that there is no scope or space for corruption.

"The thinking among top government officials is whether too much power has been given to PMAs and if something can be done to ensure that it is not misused, there is no fraud or no company (applicant) is able to influence them for selection," the person quoted above told Business Standard.

"A strategy will be worked upon," the person said, adding that the broader idea was to ensure a scheme as big as the PLI was the government's priority and it should in no way fail.

This will ensure that the PLI is not caught up in a quagmire, especially after what happened in the case of the electric-vehicle subsidy scheme.

"The idea behind having PMAs for the scheme was mainly because ministries do not have the bandwidth and the capacity to watch each step on implementation," the person said.

Ajay Srivastava, former trade ministry official and founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, a think-tank, said the government should ensure there should be uniform guidelines for PMAs.

"Before releasing the guidelines, there should be consultations with the beneficiaries of the PLI scheme. The guidelines should be broad in nature since the specific details have been defined in respective schemes," Srivastava said.

The Centre has allocated Rs. 1.97 trillion for the 14 sectors, including telecom, textile, automobile, white goods, and pharmaceutical drugs, which aim to not only make India a manufacturing powerhouse but also improve the cost-competitiveness of locally produced goods, create job opportunities, curb cheap imports, and boost exports.

However, even as the PLI scheme enters its third year in FY24, only close to Rs. 2,900 crore (Rs 29 billion) has been paid to beneficiaries as incentive.

By the end of the year, the Centre will evaluate if there is need for a "course correction" in sectors that have not seen substantial progress.

There will be a review meeting with stakeholders on June 27 to focus on those sectors and help in better utilisation of funds over two-three years.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
The coup attempt has weakened Putin's position and in desperation he may well sanction the use of nukes, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

IMAGE: Fighters of the Wagner private mercenary group atop an armoured vehicle in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, June 24, 2023. Photograph: Reuters

The attempted coup by Yevgeny Progozhin, the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, on June 23/24, 2023 has taken the Ukraine crisis to a dangerous level.

The possible use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia has becomes a real possibility.

If that happens, the repercussions of the first-ever use of nuclear weapons since the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings in August 1945 by the Americans can change the world profoundly.

We will then enter a phase where use of nukes will be legitimised and serve as an example in any future conflict.

The West and Ukraine may see the weakening of President Putin's position as an opportunity to inflict a battlefield defeat on Russia.

That would be a grave mistake, for a cardinal principle of the nuclear era is that a nuclear power can never be defeated as it will have no choice but to use nukes.

This failure of deterrence is unacceptable.

All theories of nuclear war have postulated these scenarios and the consensus is that in a nuclear realm it is the weaker power that has the greatest incentive to use nukes.

Ukraine or the West have no answer to Russia's tactical nukes, and it could be a game changer.

Use of nukes by Russia will force Ukraine to sue for peace on Russian terms or else face unprecedented destruction.

The West could in theory give nukes to Ukraine. But that will trigger a Russian strategic response against the West and lead to Armageddon and destruction of the world as we know it.

None should forget that in the field of strategic nuclear weapons Russia is equal to the US.

IMAGE: Ukrainian soldiers fire a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system at Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region, June 25, 2023. Photograph: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via Reuters

Military coups during wars are not an exception. The one attempted by German generals against Adolf Hitler comes to mind.

The '20 July Plot' as it came to be known was qualitatively different than the present coup attempt by the Wagner group.

The German generals who plotted against Hitler were against continuing a losing war.

Historically, one can compare the actions of the Wagner group to the failed revolt by French paratroopers against Charles de Gaulle in 1958.

The coup leaders were against de Gaulle's policy of withdrawing from Algeria.

The coup was put down easily as de Gaulle enjoyed popular support for his Algeria policy.

Here, the popular support appears to be with the Wagner group.

It seems that the Wagner group is dissatisfied with Putin's half measures.

The sub-text may well be that the Wagner group was pushing for use of tactical nukes and Putin refused this escalation.

The coup attempt has indeed weakened Putin's position and in desperation he may well sanction the use of nukes.

In any case, Putin's likely successor could be even more hawkish.

IMAGE: Fighters of the Wagner mercenary group leave the headquarters of the Russian southern military district to return to base. Photograph: Reuters

The truth of this war is that while Russia was certainly the aggressor, it was Ukraine that first provoked Russia by threatening to join NATO.

This is seen by most Russians as a direct threat to their country.

The war has indeed reached a decisive stage and the only way out seems to be the acceptance of 'Finlandisation' by Ukraine.

This alludes to the security guarantees Russia gave Finland after World War II on the promise of neutrality.

With the possibility of the use of nukes by Russia, Ukraine has the choice of accepting 'neutrality' or destruction.

Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is a military historian whose earlier columns can be read here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'The Modi visit will prove to be the watershed where India and the United States commenced technology trade and transfer.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and United States President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Today, India-China-US are the three largest economies in the world in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms. If any two of them come closer to each other, it will be alarming or discomforting to the third," says Ambassador Gautam Bambawale, India's former envoy to China, Pakistan and Bhutan.

"It is now increasingly apparent that the United States is willing to sell technologies and products to India which it never transferred or sold to China. From that perspective, the strategic as well as tactical proximity of India and the US must be looked at with suspicion and distrust in Beijing," he says in an e-mail interview to Rediff.com's Archana Masih.

You mentioned in a television interview that this visit was an 'inflection point' in India-US ties. Can you elaborate on that thought?

What are some of the deals struck and agreements made that may have been unthinkable in the past?

India-US ties have been strengthening steadily since the visit to India of then US President Bill Clinton at the invitation of the then PM of India, Mr Vajpayee.

This steady progress in our relationship has continued through the periods of leadership in the United States of Presidents George W Bush, Obama, Trump and now President Biden.

Similarly, on the Indian side, such forward momentum has been maintained through the prime ministerships of Mr Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh and now Mr Modi.

The important point here is that improving and expanding bilateral relations is supported by all political parties whether in India or in the States.

When you look back over the past 20-odd years, you will see that the steady upward graph in India-US relations have from time to time been given a forward impetus which I call an 'inflection point'.

The visit to India of Bill Clinton was one such moment in time.

The India-US nuclear deal in the period 2005 to 2008 under the leadership of President George W Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was another such moment.

The just concluded visit to the United States by PM Modi is also an inflection point which has pushed the relationship into a higher orbit or trajectory.

This is an inflection point because for the first time the United States has agreed to transfer sensitive and fairly high-level technology to India.

In the past, all countries have been reluctant to do so including the US. Such technology is coming to India either through co-production and co-manufacturing of GE-F414 jet engines, or through joint training and joint missions in the field of space exploration, or through foreign direct investment by US firms in the semi-conductor and chips sector, or through the many areas of the i-CET program in critical and emerging technologies.

So, the Modi visit will later -- as we look back on it -- prove to be the watershed where India and the United States commenced technology trade and transfer which in turn can be ascribed to the high levels of trust and confidence in each other.

This is why I call this visit an 'inflection point'.

IMAGE: Modi and Biden at the State dinner at the White House, June 22, 2023. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Why do you think the US was reluctant to share technology with India in the past? And what has changed now that it has decided to do so now?

In the past, India and the US were on opposing sides of the geo-political fence.

For example, during the Cold War period, there was no question of US companies sharing sensitive technology with us nor were they permitted to do so by the US government.

After the Cold War too, such trade and transfers were not allowed as confidence and trust in each other was still very low.

Since the turn of the century and the Clinton visit to India, we have got more comfortable with each other because we have had many more conversations, discussions, even dis-agreements.

Such interaction has taken place not merely between the leaders of India and the United States, but also amongst the bureaucracies, the militaries, firms and companies, academicians, technologists, space scientists, and ordinary people of both sides.

Through such interactions has come an understanding of the thinking of the other side.

The result has been greater trust and confidence.

Such mutual understanding has led to the current breakthrough to transfer sensitive technologies.

We must also factor in that today India is the fifth largest economy in the world with GDP of $3.75 trillion.

It is the fastest growing major economy, with a large market and with capabilities which few other nations have.

India is soon expected to be the third largest economy in the world.

Such changes have created the economic conditions for tech transfer and cooperation.

Meanwhile, geo-politics has also turned full cycle and today many of India's national interests overlap those of the US - A multi-polar Asia and a rules-based Indo - Pacific are in both countries interest.

The shared values of democracy and upholding the rights of the individual also bind us together.

These are the reasons the United States is ready to transfer technology to India.

IMAGE: Modi meets Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk in New York, June 20, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

How intently or minutely do you think China was watching this state visit?

How is the strategic proximity of India and the US as displayed last week being interpreted in Beijing?

Today, India-China-US are the three largest economies in the world in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms.

If any two of them come closer to each other it will be alarming or discomforting to the third.

Hence, PM Modi's State visit to the United States was surely tracked, analyzed and dissected by Beijing.

What their conclusions are and how they will respond remains to be seen.

It is now increasingly apparent that the United States is willing to sell technologies and products to India which it never transferred or sold to China.

From that perspective, the strategic as well as tactical proximity of India and the US must be looked at with suspicion and distrust in Beijing.

However, it must also be kept in mind that it is China's aggression over the past few years epitomised by its 'wolf warrior diplomacy' and its assertive actions all over the globe which provides the glue to US-India relations.

So, in a sense Beijing is reaping what it sowed.

What could be the guarantees or assistance or assurances that both countries would have given each other in dealing with their respective challenges with China?

India and the United States have a global strategic partnership. Both are big countries with capabilities of their own.

The successful State visit to the US of PM Modi is a message by and in itself.

The fact that the United States is willingly transferring and co-producing jet engines and its technology to India is a statement by itself.

The fact that American firms are wanting to establish reliable and resilient supply chains in semi-conductors by investing and manufacturing in India is a message in itself.

The fact that India has signed the Artemis Accords and NASA will train Indian astronauts and they will undertake a joint mission to the International Space Station is clearly an indicator of the depth of the relationship.

I could go on and on with examples from the just concluded visit of PM Modi.

I won't because I think I have made my point -- India and the United States have clearly signaled to the world how close their ties are today.

Moreover, the world has taken notice of this development.

IMAGES: Modi meets Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at The White House, June 21, 2023. Photographs: ANI/Twitter

If you look back at the progress of India-US relations over the decades, what have been the key turning points that have brought us thus far?

Post India's nuclear tests of 1998, we were sanctioned severely by the US. The series of Jaswant Singh-Strobe Talbott discussions thereafter was important in enhancing understanding on both sides. Then followed the Clinton visit to India and proved to be a key inflection point in the relationship which improved dramatically.

The next key turning point was the India-US nuclear deal of 2005 to 2008.

It enabled India to be recognised as a responsible nuclear power and not as a nuclear pariah.

It also showed the support India had in the US Congress across the political aisle.

Simultaneously, defence ties began growing and has become a key aspect of the bilateral relationship.

The visit to the US by PM Modi and the understandings and agreements reached before and during the visit is another inflection point in bilateral ties due to the salience and importance it places on technology cooperation between the two sides.

This visit will raise relations to a new level or take them to a new, higher orbit.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Modi addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress as US Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy listen behind him in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, June 22, 2023. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

White House officials have termed bilateral ties with India as the 'most consequential' relationship for America.

In what ways is the future of India-US relations going to be different from here on?

There will be a steady enhancement and strengthening of the relationship on this new trajectory that we are on.

There are bound to be greater economic exchanges between us as India grows.

From now on this will also take the shape of both nations and both societies working closer on new cutting-edge technologies.

Any breakthroughs will benefit the whole of humanity.

So, this partnership between two of the biggest countries and economies of the globe is for global good.

Our cooperation has implications for greater employment, better lifestyles and cleaner environment standards not merely for our two countries but for all nation states.

This will be the true impact of this 'most consequential' relationship between India and the United States.

IMAGE: Modi acknowledges the applause after his speech in the US Congress, June 22, 2023. Photograph: PTI Photo

India's foreign policy which has always followed the path of self interest is a reason for disquiet among some skeptics in the American security establishment vis a vis China.

What shadow is this likely to cast on the future of this relationship?

What became apparent during PM Modi's State visit to the United States is that such a view is not shared by Americans in the administration.

It is a viewpoint vocalised merely by a handful of sceptics outside government.

It is not widespread even amongst academics and think-tankers.

Unfortunately, such pessimism and scepticism is passed off as analysis these days.

We should not take it seriously. The majority of Indians and Americans expect bilateral relations to bring great benefits for both countries and the world at large.

Naturally, bilateral India-US ties will lead to serving the national interest of each country.

At the same time, it does not mean that India and the United States will have exactly overlapping interests or positions on each and every issue in international relations.

Our partnership is mature enough to understand this and to factor it into our relationship.

To quote Prime Minister Modi, even the sky will not limit bilateral cooperation.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court by the sister of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf seeking constitution of a commission chaired by a retired apex court judge to inquire into their 'custodial' and 'extra judicial deaths'.

IMAGE: Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the forensic team recreate the crime scene, where three assailants shot dead gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf on April 15, 2023 in Prayagraj. Photograph: ANI Photo

Atiq Ahmad, 60, and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj in April.

In her petition, Aisha Noori, has also sought a comprehensive inquiry by an independent agency into the 'campaign of encounter killings, arrests and harassment' targeting her family which is allegedly being carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government.

'The petitioner, who has lost her brothers and nephew in 'state-sponsored killings', is constrained to approach this court through the instant writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a comprehensive inquiry by a committee headed by a retired judge of this court or in the alternative by an independent agency into a campaign of 'extra-judicial' killings carried out by the respondents,' the plea submitted.

'The respondents-police authorities are enjoying full support of the Uttar Pradesh government which appears to have granted them complete impunity to kill, arraign, arrest, and harass members of the petitioner's family as part of a vendetta,' it alleged.

It claimed that in order to 'silence' the members of the petitioner's family, the state is 'roping them one by one in false cases'.

The petitioner said it is essential that an independent agency carries out an inquiry which can 'evaluate the role played by high-level state agents who have planned and orchestrated the campaign targeting the petitioner's family'.

The top court is seized of a separate plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking an independent probe into the killing of Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

While hearing Tiwari's plea on April 28, the apex court had questioned the Uttar Pradesh government why Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were paraded before media while being taken to a hospital for a medical checkup in police custody in Prayagraj.

The counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh had told the top court that the state government is probing the incident and has constituted a three-member commission for this.

The top court had directed the state government to submit a status report on steps taken after the incident.

In his plea, Tiwari has also sought an inquiry into the 183 encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters, and accused the Opposition of using the UCC issue to "mislead and provoke" the Muslim community..

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' booth-level workers' training programme, in Bhopal on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Bhopal in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, Modi also launched a stinging attack on the Opposition parties, contending they can only "guarantee" corruption, and accused them of being involved in scams worth at least Rs 20 lakh crore".

He also termed the mega conclave of Opposition parties in Patna last Friday to stitch an anti-BJP alliance for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as a mere "photo-op"..

The prime minister further said that those supporting 'triple talaq' were doing a grave injustice to Muslim daughters and that Pasmanda Muslims, who are backward, are not even treated as equals because of the vote bank politics.

Modi asserted that the BJP has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics, adding that the policy of appeasement practised by some is "disastrous" for the country.

"You tell me, in a home, how can there be one law for one member and another law for another member? Modi said interacting with BJP workers at a function organised under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign, virtually sounding the poll bugle. Assembly polls in MP are due by the year-end.

Will that home be able to function? Then how will the country be able to function with such a dual (legal) system? We have to remember that even in India's Constitution, there is a mention of equal rights for all."

Even the Supreme Court has advocated for a UCC, which will override personal laws of different religions, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it, Modi said batting for the UCC with less than a year left for the Lok Sabha polls.

The UCC has been one of the three key poll planks of the BJP for a long time with the other being the abrogation of Article 370 that had given special status to Jammu and Kashmir and construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

UCC refers to a common set of laws that are applicable to all the citizens of India that is not based on religion and dealing with marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption among other personal matters.

The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.

Opposition parties including the Congress hit out at Modi for raising issues like UCC only to divert attention from the real issues of unemployment, price rise and Manipur violence and urged him not to make such matters an instrument of 'dog-whistle politics'.

"These are all diversionary issues. He wants to run away from the real issues of the country, that is why they are only trying to divert the issues," Congress general secretary, organisation, KC Venugopal said.

While All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked whether the country's pluralism and diversity would be "snatched away" in the name of UCC, RJD leader Manoj Jha said the prime minister should not make issues like UCC an instrument of "dog-whistle politics".

A key aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that Modi's speech betrayed worry in the BJP camp following the supreme success of the recent opposition conclave.

Bihar minister and senior Janata Dal-United leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary also alleged that Modi was aiming at communal polarisation by touching upon the UCC.

The BJP hit out at the opposition for criticizing the PM's stand on UCC, saying such a code has been provided for in the Constitution as directive principles of state policy and that the Supreme Court has also endorsed the provision in its various judgements.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav slammed the opposition parties over their accusation that BJP is trying to create a division among Muslims by wooing Pasmanda community, saying they should be ashamed of not doing anything for those belonging to exploited deprived and oppressed sections of the society.

In his speech, Modi said those who do vote bank politics have ruined Pasmanda Muslims.

"They have not got any benefit. They do not get equal rights. They are considered untouchables." 'Pasmanda' is a term used for backward classes among Muslims.

He said in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, South India, especially in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, and a number of other states, many castes were left behind from development because of the policy of appeasement.

These people (opposition) level allegations against us but the reality is that they chant Musalman, Musalman. Had they really been (working) in the interests of Muslims, then Muslim families would not have been lagging in education and jobs."

The prime minister further said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters.

Triple talaq was abolished in Egypt 80-90 years ago. If it is necessary, then why has it been abolished in Pakistan, Qatar and other Muslim-dominated nations, he said.

Triple talaq doesn't just do injustice to daughters...entire families get ruined. If triple talaq is an essential part of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia? Modi asked.

Modi said the BJP follows the path of santushtikaran (satisfaction), instead of tushtikaran (appeasement).

"The BJP has decided it won't adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank" and instead work with the motto of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas.

"If you want the welfare of your sons, daughters and grandchildren, then vote for the BJP and not any family-oriented parties," he said.

Exuding confidence about retaining power at the Centre, Modi said, "People have made up their mind to bring the BJP to power again in 2024."

He said these days a new word is gaining currency and that is "guarantee". "It is a big responsibility of BJP workers to tell the people that the Opposition is a "guarantee of scams."

The PM said he is giving the "guarantee" that his government will take action against those involved in "scams" and corruption.

Nowadays a new word is being made very popular - guarantee. All these Opposition parties are a guarantee of corruption, they are a guarantee of scams worth lakhs of crores," he maintained.

Amid efforts by the Opposition parties to come together to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, Modi said, "We should not have a feeling of anger, but compassion towards those who are uniting against the BJP."

Referring to the Opposition's unity huddle in Patna, the prime minister said, "If you see the history of parties which participated in the meeting, all those seen in that photo are the guarantee of Rs 20 lakh crore worth of scams. The scams of the Congress alone are worth lakhs of crores, Modi said, linking the grand old party to coal, 2G, commonwealth and other scams.

While mentioning several other "scams", the PM also named the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Trinamool Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party.
A 20-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her cousin after she married her lover in court against her family's wishes in Gujarat's Surat district, police said on Tuesday.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo



The police on Tuesday arrested Himmat Sonawane, 24, who stabbed his cousin to death at her husband's house in Limbayat area on Monday evening, an official said.

The victim Kalyani married Jitendra Sonawane in court against the wishes of her family members a month ago, and her husband's family had decided to hold a traditional wedding ceremony for the couple on Tuesday, inspector H B Zala of Limbayat police station said.

The accused allegedly attacked his cousin with a knife when a pre-wedding function was underway at her husband's house last evening, he said.

The victim was rushed to a hospital, where she died, he added.

Based on a complaint lodged by the woman's husband, a first information report (FIR) was registered under Sections 302 (murder) and 324 (causing voluntary hurt using a dangerous weapon) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the official said.
The Delhi Police on Monday apprehended two men who were allegedly involved in robbing a delivery agent and one of his associates of Rs 2 lakh at gunpoint inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel, officials said.

The development comes two days after the incident that took place on Saturday.

In a statement issued late in the evening, Delhi Police's Public Relations Officer (PRO) Suman Nalwa said two men were apprehended, the remaining suspects have been identified and raids are being conducted to arrest them.

Footage obtained from more than 350 CCTV cameras was scanned in the last 48 hours to identify the four motorcycle-borne men who allegedly robbed the delivery agent and his associate, the police said.

The staff of the delivery agent's company, his employer and associates have also been questioned, they added.

The delivery agent of Omiya Enterprises, Chandni Chowk and his associate were robbed of Rs 2 lakh when they were going towards Gurugram in a taxi to deliver the money, the police said.

"We have scanned the footage obtained from more than 350 CCTV cameras installed along the route towards the Pragati Maidan tunnel and the way ahead to ascertain the route taken by the assailants after carrying out the robbery.

"Though CCTV cameras captured the incident clearly, we could not see the faces of the motorcycle-borne robbers as they were wearing helmets," a senior police officer said.

The police suspect the involvement of more than four people in the robbery and said they have got clues regarding the modus operandi of the accused.

"We suspect six people were involved in the robbery. Though the involvement of the four accused has been established through the CCTV footage, the probe so far has revealed that the robbery was executed on the directions of someone else, who could be an insider and knew that the victim was carrying a huge amount of cash on that particular day," he said.

A 22-second video of the incident received by the police shows that the four men were following the taxi on two motorcycles and intercepted it inside the tunnel as other vehicles passed by.

As the taxi stopped, the two men riding pillion got off the motorcycles. While one of them went towards the driver's seat, the other went towards the rear door of the car, both apparently whipping out their pistols. All four were wearing helmets.

The footage then showed that the car gates opened and the man at the rear door was handed over a black handbag, apparently containing the money. The two men then quickly hopped onto the waiting motorcycles and fled with their accomplices.

Officials said the incident was caught in one of the CCTV cameras installed inside the 1.5-km tunnel that connects New Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan and Noida.

A case has been registered under Sections 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, the police said.
Diwali, the festival of lights, will now be enshrined as a school holiday in New York City, authorities announced here and described it as a victory for the city's residents, including the Indian community.

IMAGE: President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris host a reception in the East Room at the White House to celebrate Diwali, on October 24, 2022. Photograph: Courtesy @POTUS/Twitter

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he was proud that the State Assembly and the State Senate have passed the bill making Diwali a New York City Public School holiday.

And we feel confident that the governor is going to sign this bill into law, he said at a special announcement from City Hall Monday.

This is a victory, not only from the men and women of the Indian community and all communities that celebrate Diwali, but it's a victory for New York, Adams said.

Diwali will be a public school holiday in New York City beginning this year.

New York Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian-American woman ever elected to a New York State office, said for over two decades, the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean community has fought for this moment.

Today, the mayor and I are proud to stand before the whole world and say that from now on and forever, Diwali will be a school holiday in New York City.

Rajkumar said the Diwali holiday is to be enshrined in law.

Diwali, at last, will be a holiday in our great city. So today we say to over 6,00,000 Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain Americans across New York City, we see you. Today, we say to families from India, Guyana, Trinidad, Nepal, and Bangladesh, we recognise you.

Today, we proudly say that Diwali is not just a holiday. It is an American holiday, and the South Asian community is part of the American story. Indeed, Hindu, Sikhs, and Buddhists have an important place in the civil rights tradition of America. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr himself once said that India's Gandhi was the guiding light of his movement of non-violent social change in the Montgomery bus boycotts, she added.

Joined by community and diaspora leaders as well as city officials and lawmakers, Adams said New York city is continuously changing and welcoming communities from all over the world.

Our school calendar must reflect the new reality on the ground. It cannot reflect the absence of those who are not being acknowledged, he said.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said, "We have been pushing for this school holiday to happen, and I cannot be happier that now we are on the cusp of our efforts becoming a reality. The time has come for our school system to acknowledge and appreciate this important observance, just as it rightly does for holidays of other cultures and ethnicities."

Meng said adding Diwali to the school calendar will further reflect the rich and vibrant diversity that exists in the city and hoped that it will pave the way for other cities across the country as well .

She said establishing a federal holiday for Diwali is not just about a day off for kids. But it's a chance for all students and New Yorkers of all backgrounds to better understand the culture and the diversity and the inclusivity of this city and including holidays like Diwali.

Last month, Meng introduced a bill in Congress to make Diwali a federal holiday. Under the Diwali Day Act, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States.

New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks said declaring a Diwali holiday for school children all across this city is 'less about the fact that schools will be closed in recognition of Diwali, but more about the fact that minds will be opened because of what we are going to teach them about Diwali and about the history'.

I'm happy for all the children and the families and the communities around New York City who are going to learn more about the depth and the heritage and the history of this community, Banks said.
The Delhi high court has asked the state to provide for sufficient number of long stay and short stay homes for people with mental illnesses who do not require regular hospitalisation but have no homes to go back to live in a safe and pleasant environment.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The high court said it is the bounden duty of the state to take care of the lives of all its citizens, and asked the authorities to take adequate care of a woman convict, suffering from schizophrenia, and such other patients.

The judgment is part of 65 verdicts delivered by separate division benches headed by Justice Mukta Gupta, a day before her retirement. She is retiring from the Delhi high court on Tuesday at the age of 62 years.

It is hoped and expected that in terms of the directions of this court in  the state will ensure sufficient number of short stay homes and long stay homes for people with mental illness who do not require regular hospitalisation and who have no homes to go back to live in a safe, congenial and pleasant environment, a bench of Justices Gupta and Poonam A Bamba said in a 70-page judgment.

The bench was dealing with an appeal filed by the woman challenging her conviction and life sentence for killing her husband.

She was also held guilty of causing grievous injuries to her step daughter who later died.

During the trial, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had to undergo treatment as an outdoor patient at Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. The disease may cause hallucinations, delusions, and disorderly thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling.

She was arrested in September 2005 and her treatment at IHBAS started in May 2009.

The trial court convicted her of offences under Sections 302 (murder) and 326 (causing grievous hurt) of IPC on August 21, 2010 which she challenged before the high court.

The high court modified the woman's conviction from murder to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It, however, upheld her conviction for causing grievous hurt to her step daughter.

The high court commuted the sentence of life imprisonment to 12 years in jail.

As per the nominal roll, the brief history of a convict, the woman has served 18 years in jail. Taking note, the court held she has already undergone the sentence awarded to her for the offences.

The high court took note of the medical report of IHBAS which said according to her latest evaluation on February 20, her paranoid schizophrenia is in remission and she is fit to defend herself.

It proceeded to hear her appeal on merits after granting an opportunity to her lawyer to visit her at the half way home at IHBAS.

The bench said, It is the bounden duty of the state to take care of the life of all its citizens. Since the appellant is not in a position to take care of herself, even though the schizophrenia is in remission at the moment, nor does any of her family members is inclined to look after her, it is the duty of the State to take adequate care of  (woman) and such other patients, for which purpose the short/ long stay homes have been set up.

It also said the woman will continue to stay in the long stay home at IHBAS and expenses towards her treatment and stay will be borne by the state.

The bench ordered that a copy of the judgment be also sent to Delhi government's principal secretary (home) and principal secretary (health), director general (prisons) and medical superintendent, IHBAS for necessary compliance.
Women activists were deliberately blocking routes and interfering in operations by security forces in violence-hit Manipur, the Army said, urging people to help it in restoring peace in the Northeastern state.

IMAGE: Local women demonstrate over violence in Manipur's Kanto Sabal, in Imphal West on June 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Terming such 'unwarranted interference' detrimental to the timely response by security forces, the Army's Spears Corps shared a video on Twitter late on Monday of some such incidents.

The statement came two days after a stand-off in Imphal East's Itham village between the Army and a mob led by women that forced the forces to let go of 12 militants holed up there.

'Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.

'Indian Army appeals to all sections of population to support our endeavours in restoring peace. Help us to Help Manipur,' it tweeted.

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 force against large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, officials said.

Twelve members of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, were holed up in the village, they said.

The security personnel left with seized arms and ammunition.

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.
The Allahabad high court on Tuesday expressed concern over the way key characters of the epic Ramayana have been depicted in the controversial movie Adipurush, saying, "Hindus are tolerant but why they are tested every time?"

The Lucknow bench, which was hearing petitions seeking a ban on the film, also issued a notice to the movie's Hindi dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir after allowing an application for his impleadment.

The bench declined to accept the contention that a disclaimer shown at the start of the film makes it clear it is not the Ramayana.

"When the filmmaker has shown Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravan, Lanka, etc, how will the disclaimer convince the people at large that the story is not from Ramayana," the vacation bench of justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Shree Prakash Singh said.

It asked deputy solicitor general SB Pandey to seek instructions as to whether the central government was contemplating reviewing the certificate granted by the Censor Board (Central Board of Film Certification) for screening the movie.

"Hindus are tolerant but why they are tested every time? When Hindus are civilised, is it correct to suppress them," the bench said.

It made the oral observations after a petitioner's lawyer Ranjana Agnihotri said that the movie may "not only affect adversely the sentiments of the people at large, who worship Lord Rama, Devi Sita, Lord Hanuman, etc, but the manner in which the characters of Ramayana has been depicted would create serious disharmony in society also".

The bench added that it is good that the controversy relates to a religion whose followers have not disturbed public order anywhere.

"We should be thankful to them. Some followers went to close the cinema halls but they got only the halls shut down, while they could have done many other things," it said.

The petitioners also said nothing in the manner shown in the film has been narrated in Valmiki's Ramayana or Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas.

The court has fixed the next hearing on Wednesday.

Adipurush, a retelling of the epic Ramayana, has come under attack from some quarters over its dialogue, colloquial language and representation of some characters.

The high court was hearing two PILs filed by Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan.

"The reasons shown in the application appear to be appropriate, therefore, the impleadment application is allowed. Let Sri Manoj Muntashir @ Manoj Shukla be impleaded as the opposite party no. 15.... Let notices be issued... Steps to be taken within seven days," the bench said in the order.

"Having regard to the fact that Shri S B Pandey has not received complete instructions from the Union of India, more particularly, from the ministry of information and broadcasting, opposite party no. 1 and Central Board of Film Certification, opposite party no. 3, he is granted 24 hours' time to seek complete instructions," the order said.

It said that Pandey will also apprise the court as to whether the ministry is "considering to take appropriate steps in the interest of public at large by invoking its revisional power under Section 6 of the Act, 1952," the order said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on Opposition leaders, asserting that he will not "spare anyone involved in corruption" while pledging "to take every scamster to task".

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the BJP's booth-level workers, Bhopal, June 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"I will take every scamster to task," PM Modi said, without taking any names.

His scathing remarks came days after an Opposition party meeting in Patna earlier this month pledged to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in next year's elections.

While addressing party booth workers in Madhya Pradesh where elections are due later this year, PM Modi said, "All the corrupt politicians joined their hands in Patna's meeting. Opposition is trying to escape the anti-scam crackdown. The corrupt leaders are trying to save each other."

Lashing out at the mega meeting held in Patna on June 23, which saw participation by leaders from over 15 Opposition parties, Modi said all corrupt leaders had joined hands in Patna.

"The party booth workers will expose their corruption at the village level. They will let people know about their (oppositions) real face. People of this country have an awareness of what was the real agenda behind opposition leaders in getting together on one platform," the PM said.

Pressing on with his attack, the prime minister said that the term "guarantee" was in vogue these days.

"Nowadays a new word is being heard, 'guarantee', Modi said, apparently hinting at the Congress's poll guarantees during the recent Karnataka elections.

"But what is the guarantee all about? The guarantee is for corruption. The guarantee is about scams worth lakhs of crores. The identity of such opposition leaders is to guarantee a scam worth Rs 20 lakh crore," the PM said.

"I guarantee you, I will not spare any of them," Modi said in his address in Bhopal.

"If they have the guarantee of scams and corruption then I also have one guarantee for all of you and it is that I will not spare any of those who are involved in corruption," Modi said.

The Opposition meeting in Patna was called by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who severed ties with the BJP to form an alliance with his political rival Lalu Prasad Yadav, paving the way for 'Mahagathbandhan 2.0' ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Taking a dig at opposition leaders who have been accusing PM Modi of "misusing" probe agencies for "political ends", the PM said, "Today when action is being taken against them (Opposition), they are banding together and forming unity."

Earlier in the day, PM flagged off five Vande Bharat Express trains from the Rani Kamalapati railway station in Bhopal.

Ahead of the flagging-off ceremony, the prime minister interacted with crew members of the train and some children on board the Vande Bharat train at Rani Kamlapati railway station.
Pakistan has formally lodged a protest with the US over its joint statement with India against the country's involvement in cross-border terrorism.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets United States President Joe Biden Biden at the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali on November 16, 2022. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Pool/Reuters

The foreign office in Islamabad said in an overnight statement that the US deputy chief of mission was summoned to the ministry of foreign affairs on Monday evening and a demarche was issued to him regarding the US-India joint statement of June 22.

Pakistan's concerns and disappointment at the unwarranted, one-sided and misleading references to it in the joint statement were conveyed to the US side," it said.

In their joint statement following one-on-one meetings and delegation-level talks on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden called on Pakistan to punish perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.

Later, Prime Minister Modi in his address to the joint meeting of the US Congress said there can be "no ifs or buts" in dealing with terrorism and sought action against state sponsors of terrorism, in a veiled attack on Pakistan.

He said that more than two decades after 9/11 and over a decade after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, radicalism and terrorism still remain a pressing danger for the whole world.

The Pakistan foreign office said the counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and US was progressing well and that an enabling environment, centred around trust and understanding, was imperative to further solidify Pakistan-US ties.

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan on Friday said that the joint statement issued by India and the US during the state visit of Prime Minister Modi to America has reduced the country to a "promoter of cross-border terrorism in India and nothing more".

Addressing the media in Washington on Monday, US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations."

"We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue, he said.

Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the US state visit of Prime Minister Modi.

In the joint statement, both US President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.
Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday said he has asked the state police to maintain strict vigil and seal borders to ensure there is no transportation of cattle from neighbouring states and also no attack on gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes).

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Allison Joyce/ Getty Images

The speaker also said he has asked the police to set up squads to visit and patrol sensitive areas.

Narwekar said he had a meeting with the additional director general of police (law and order) and Nanded's superintendent of police over the fear among institutions and NGOs that there could be mass gau-vansh hatya (bovine killing) during the upcoming Bakr-Eid.

So, precautionary measures should be taken also with regards to the violence that had erupted in Nanded and other places," he said.

"We have asked them (police) to maintain strict vigilance and set up squads to visit and patrol sensitive areas, seal the borders to not allow any flow of cattle between states and also to ensure there is no attack on these gau-rakshaks,the said.

Notably, a 32-year-old man was lynched allegedly a group of 'cow vigilantes' on suspicion of transporting beef in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Saturday.

This was the second incident in Nashik in nearly two weeks of killing of a person by 'cow vigilantes'.

Last week, a 32-year-old 'cow vigilante' was killed in an attack in Nanded after he and his friends sought to intercept a vehicle on suspicion that it was smuggling cattle, the police said.

Narwekar said the state is doing its bit to control everything and this is not happening for the first time.

It has been happening and we want to ensure this time it is controlled totally. It was a pre-emptive meeting, precautionary meeting that was taken, he said.

On Monday, the Congress slammed the Eknath Shinde government over the incident in Nashik on Saturday and asked if the rule of law existed in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre will last for six more months as the Lok Sabha polls will be held in February-March next.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee serves tea to people at a tea stall as part of her campaign for the upcoming state panchayat polls, at Malbazar, in Jalpaiguri, June 26, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri district for the July 8 panchayat polls, Banerjee said the Border Security Force must work impartially as the BJP "may not be in power tomorrow".

"The next Lok Sabha polls will be held in February-March. The tenure of the BJP government is just around six months. Sensing defeat, it is trying to lobby with various groups and communities," she claimed.

The last Lok Sabha election was held in April-May 2019, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking oath for the second consecutive term on May 30, 2019.

Taking a swipe at the BJP for reaching out to the minority community, the Trinamool Congress boss said those who are accused of lynching minorities and Dalits are now sharing pictures with the minorities.

"They are now sharing pictures with Muslim community members to show how much they care about them. Those Muslims, who are more of businessmen and do not care about the poor and downtrodden, are being used by the BJP," she said, adding minorities are safe and secured as long as "Didi is here". Banerjee's supporters fondly call her "Didi" (elder sister).

From the rally, Banerjee also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh and jobs for the kin of those killed allegedly in BSF firing.

"I am not accusing all BSF officials; they guard our borders. But the force must act impartially and independently as BJP may not be in power tomorrow, but they must keep doing their job," she said.

Referring to the alleged shooting of villagers by the BSF last year, whom the border force claimed as smugglers, the CM said, "They must not engage in atrocities. Kin of those who died in BSF firing will get jobs as home guards and Rs 2 lakh assistance. This is not a new decision and it has been our norm."

On Monday, she had accused the BSF of intimidating voters in the bordering areas on behalf of the BJP, prompting a strong response from the border force, which dubbed the allegation "far from truth".

Banerjee criticised the role of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress, saying despite her efforts to form a grand opposition alliance against the BJP at the Centre, their actions are helping the saffron camp in the state.

"We might be getting into an alliance with them (CPI-M and Congress) at the pan-India level, but in Bengal, BJP-CPI(M)-Congress are working together. They will be defeated in the state," she said.

Urging people to ensure the victory of TMC candidates in the rural polls, Banerjee said once the new village councils are formed, the party will take special measures to check corruption.

"We want to ensure a people's panchayat this time, and our party will monitor all activities after the results to ensure zero corruption. If someone asks for money for enlisting you in welfare schemes, tell them that you will complain to me directly as you have the number of Sorasori Mukhyamantri (Talk to CM directly helpline)," she said.

Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise in the July 8 rural polls to elect nearly 75,000 candidates in zilla parishads, panchayat samiti and gram panchayats.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was injured when the helicopter in which she was flying made an emergency landing at the Sevoke air base near Siliguri in the northern part of the state due to bad weather on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

IMAGE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrives at SSKM hospital, Kolkata, after being injured when her helicopted made an emergency landing at Sevoke airbase near Siliguri, June 27, 2023. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, was found to have suffered ligament injuries in the left knee and left hip joint, a senior doctor at state-run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata said.

Earlier, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing after the helicopter started "shaking terribly" when it ran into bad weather on the way to Bagdogra airport.

Banerjee was injured when she tried to deboard the chopper at the air base. She later returned to Kolkata by a flight from Bagdogra Airport.

The chief minister, soon after reaching the city, was taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital where an MRI was conducted on her, the official said.

"Doctors examined her and found a few ligament injuries on her left knee and hip joint. She was treated for these injuries. The chief minister has been advised hospitalisation but she preferred treatment staying at home," the doctor said.

Banerjee left the hospital at around 9 pm.

The incident occurred when she was returning to Kolkata after a two-day trip to northern districts of the state to campaign for the July 8 panchayat elections.

Earlier, Banerjee was injured in March 2021 ahead of the assembly election.

The TMC supremo, who was a candidate from Nandigram, had alleged that she was attacked by "four-five men" who pushed her during the election campaign in that constituency following which she was injured in the left leg.

She later continued campaigning from a wheelchair.

Sources said that Governor CV Ananda Bose telephoned Banerjee and enquired about her health condition.

"Several specialist doctors examined the chief minister in the hospital. A team of doctors will be visiting her residence on Wednesday morning for another round of check-ups," the official said.

A Defence official later said that Banerjee along with three other passengers on board, made a precautionary landing at Sevoke Road Army aviation base at 1.35 pm due to bad weather.

Officials at the base escorted Banerjee to the waiting area, where she interacted with the Army personnel.

Banerjee waited there till 2.23 pm when she commenced her onward journey to Bagdogra airport near Siliguri by road, the Defence official said.
Russia dropped the "armed mutiny" criminal charges against Wagner mercenary group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and its members, a domestic intelligence agency said on Tuesday, The New York Times reported.

IMAGE: Wagner mercenary group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. Photograph: Reuters

In a statement, the Federal Security Service said, "It was established that its (Wagner) participants stopped their actions directly aimed at committing a crime on June 24," adding, "Taking into account these and other circumstances of value to the investigation, the investigative agency resolved on June 27 to terminate the criminal case."

An amnesty for the Wagner fighters who participated in the mutiny was part of a deal brokered on Saturday by Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin that brought an end to the war and also avoided the possible bloodshed in the country.

The Wagner forces also shot down several Russian aircraft, leading to the deaths of an undisclosed number of airmen whom Putin has praised as "fallen hero pilots."

Meanwhile, the Russian defense ministry announced that the mercenary group's fighters were preparing to hand over military equipment to the army, reported The New York Times.

The announcements appeared to be an effort to address one of the questions that have lingered since the weekend mutiny: the fate of Wagner's heavily armed forces.

Putin has said that all private armies fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine would have to come under the supervision of the Russian Defense Ministry by July 1, including members of Wagner.

But there was no immediate response from the Wagner group or from Prigozhin, who has not been seen publicly since Saturday.

Prigozhin, in an audio message published on Monday by his news service, 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.

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."
A wanted criminal, named in more than a dozen cases, was killed in an encounter with the police in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district early Tuesday morning, officials said.

IMAGE: UP police personnel. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

Gufran, a resident of neighbouring Pratapgarh district, was injured in an exchange of fire with the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force near Samda village in the Kaushambi district, Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said.

He was rushed to the district hospital where the doctors declared him dead, the police officer said, adding Gufran had 13 cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery and loot registered against him and was carrying a total reward of Rs 1.25 lakh on his arrest.

The ADG of Prayagraj Zone and the Sultanpur district had declared rewards of Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively, on him, a senior official said in Lucknow.

One carbine, pistol and a motorcycle were seized from Gufran, the official added.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had in April said that they have gunned down 183 alleged criminals in encounters in the six years of Yogi Adityanath's government.

In May, Uttar Pradesh STF had gunned down Anil Dujana, an accused in 18 cases of murder, in an encounter at a village in Meerut.

The encounter took place on the day of polling for the first phase of the urban local body elections in the state.

The Yogi Adityanath government's major poll plank has been its 'strict' handling of law and order.

The UP Police data showed that more than 10,900 police encounters have taken place in the state since March 2017, when Adityanath took over as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time. In these encounters, 23,300 alleged criminals were arrested and 5,046 were injured.

Of the 13 policemen killed in encounters since March 2017, eight were ambushed in a narrow lane in a village in Kanpur district by the aides of notorious gangster Vikas Dubey.

Dubey was shot dead by police when he tried to escape while being brought to UP from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

Police said Dubey's vehicle had overturned during the transit and he had snatched a policeman's gun.
Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used as a base for any threats against India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, asserting that the island nation remains "neutral", having no military agreements with China.

IMAGE: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Photograph: Reuters

Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to the UK and France, made the comments during an interview with France's state media on Monday.

In an interview with France24, Wickremesinghe said, "We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India."

Responding to a question about China's perceived military presence in Sri Lanka, the president said that the Chinese have been in the country for about "1500 years and, so far, there has been no military base".

Wickremesinghe asserted that the island nation has no military agreement with China and said, "There won't be any military agreements. I don't think China will enter into one."

The president said there were no issues of military use by the Chinese of the southern port of Hambantota, which Beijing took over on a 99-year lease as a debt swap in 2017.

He assured that even though the Hambantota harbour has been given out to China's Merchants, its security is controlled by the Sri Lankan government.

"The Southern Naval Command will be shifted to Hambantota, and we have got one brigade stationed in Hambantota in the nearby areas," he added.

Last year, Sri Lanka allowed the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota port, raising fears in India and the US about China's increasing maritime presence in the strategic Indian Ocean region.

There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.

The ties between India and Sri Lanka had come under strain after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports in 2014.

Wickremesinghe, 74, was elected president last year following the resignation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who fled the country amid the turmoil caused by Sri Lanka's economic crisis, its worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, triggered by forex shortages.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Indian operator Vodafone Idea (aka Vi) says it is in advanced talks with various network vendors for finalisation of its 5G rollout strategy and has concluded device testing of all major OEMs on its upcoming next-generation mobile broadband network.

According to comments in its latest annual report, Vodafone Idea says it remains committed to ramping up 4G coverage and introducing 5G services once funding is in place.

The company has pointed to 5G clusters in Delhi and Pune where it has partnered with various OEMs to test the compatibility of available 5G handsets.

As Indias Economic Times points out, rival operators Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have been expanding their 5G coverage since last October with both now looking to launch next-generation services nationally by December 2023.

By contrast, Vodafone Idea has yet to announce its 5G launch timeline, most likely due to the ongoing fundraising issues mentioned in the report. It has been trying, with limited success, to raise around 200 billion rupees via a mix of debt and equity for over a year. Thats about US$2.44 billion, though gross debt is more than ten times that figure at about $25.5 billion.

In the report, Vodafone Ideas chairman Ravinder Takkar cited another problem: that telecom tariffs remain unsustainable, and need to increase significantly to generate reasonable returns for operators to promote investments.

Also, of course, the company still has some creditors to appease. For example, another story in the Indian press says that tower company Indus Towers has said Vodafone Idea is now paying 100% of its current monthly charges but won't be able to clear outstanding dues without its pending fundraising.

Vodafone Idea accounts for around 40% of Induss revenue. Its total dues to Indus are estimated at around 70 billion rupees (about US$854 million).
The US has been consistently calling on Pakistan to step up efforts to permanently disband all terrorist groups like the LeT, JuD and their various front organisations, a top state department official has said.

Addressing the media on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials and will continue to work together with it to counter mutual terrorist threats.

We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations," he said.

"We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue, he said.

Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

In the joint statement, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. Miller declined to comment on India's response to former US president Barack Obama's statement about minority rights in India.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly 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.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers have slammed Obama for his statement, saying, "He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president)".

Singh's comments came a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during Obama's tenure.

In response to another question, Miller said, "We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi.
It is imperative that the NUG successfully integrate the defecting Karenni forces and accommodate their leadership.

Since the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front defected to Myanmars National Unity Government, fighting has been fierce in southern Kayah state. Here, villagers and resistance fighters gather and bury what they say are victims of a junta airstrike, outside the town of Pasuang on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

The slowing of Myanmar military defections to the National Unity Government (NUG) since 2022 challenges the opposition theory of victory based on hollowing out the junta army as an effective fighting force, spread too thinly across too many fronts. The Myanmar militarys most important victory to date may not have been on the battlefield, but in the barracks, having staved off mass defections.

Cracks have recently emerged, however, as the Karenni National Peoples Liberation Front (KNPLF) announced that its two battalions had defected to the NUG. The border guard forces on the countrys eastern frontier with Thailand had been integrated into the Myanmar military for more than a decade.

Though small with only a few hundred men, it is the first Border Guard Force (BGF) to defect en masse. And while it is one of dozens of BGFs, which are in no way a monolithic force, the reasons for their defection may be shared more widely across the multi-ethnic country of 55 million people.

The Border Guard Forces

Border Guard Forces emerged as the Myanmar military reached ceasefires with various ethnic resistance organizations that had been fighting the central government for decades. This accelerated during the National Ceasefire Agreement process, during which 10 ethnic armies signed a pact with the military in 2015. The military sought to divide the different ethnic armies and buy off individual commanders with promises of local autonomy, control over lucrative cross-border trade and more control over special economic zones.

The most notorious example of these zones is the gambling hub of Shwe Kokko in eastern Kayin state.

In 1994, a group broke away from the Karen National Union/Liberation Army (KNLA), establishing themselves as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army. In 2009-2010, they became the Kayin State Border Guard Force, under the leadership of Colonel Saw Chit Thu, and formally integrated into Myanmar's military.

Under the agreement, Saw Chit Thu was allowed to develop the area. Enter a Chinese national, with Cambodian citizenship, She Zhijiang, whose Yatai International Holdings pledged to invest $15 billion in Shwe Kokko, starting in 2017.

Soldiers from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) provide security near their camp in Myawaddy, Karen state, Myanmar, close to the border with Thailand, in 2012. Credit: Khin Maung Win/Associated Press

Yatai New City is nothing but a hub of gambling, human and drug trafficking, and on-line scam centers. An ex-BGF colonel, Saw Min Min Oo, is one of directors of Myanmar Yatai, the local partner. Another key player is Chit Lin Myaing Co., ostensibly the corporate holding company of Saw Chit Thus Border Guard Force.

In December 2020, the military raided Shwe Kokko, but when the government tried to oust Saw Chit Thu in January 2021 some 7,000 border guards threatened to resign in protest, forcing a government rethink. The government quickly reappointed him and Saw Chit Thu became an important military ally following their seizure of power on Feb. 1, 2021.

Since then, Shwe Kokko has grown, with rents paid to the State Administrative Council (SAC), as the junta formally calls itself. Thailand arrested She Zhijiang in August 2022 at Chinas request and will soon extradite him, but business continues. Under pressure from China, Thai authorities briefly turned off the power to Shwe Kokko and other SEZs in June 2023.

Border Guard Forces have done much of the front-line duty against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the cost of doing business with the junta. In April 2023, there was intense fighting near Shwe Kokko, which caused a large refugee exodus into Thailand.

Though the juntas border guards suffered heavy casualties, they were supported by the Myanmar Air Force, which eventually pushed the KNLA back; the KNLA and allied People's Defence Force militias suffered their own heavy losses.

Since the coup, casinos and scam centers, funded by Chinese transnational criminal enterprises, have proliferated along the border, under the protection of Naypyidaw-backed BGFs. They are an important financial lifeline for the economically beleaguered junta, whose sources of revenue have dwindled due to their economic mismanagement.

The Karenni patchwork

Like elsewhere in Myanmars border regions, the political tapestries are complex and there are a multiplicity of actors in Kayah state.

The Karenni National Progressive Party immediately joined with the NUG following the February 2021 coup and has actively fought against junta forces. They have worked with the Karen Nationalities Defense Force that was established following the coup as an umbrella for local peoples defense forces in Kayah State and southern Shan State.

The KNPLF was one of the 2015 National Ceasefire Agreement parties, formally integrated into the military as the Karenni Border Guards Force.

Despite being on the juntas side, the KNPLF has been attacked by the Myanmar military. On 24 December 2021, over 100 members of the 66th Light Infantry Division massacred and incinerated the bodies of some 40 civilians, including two aid workers from Save the Children, in Hpruso. When the KNPLF tried to intervene and secure the release of detained civilians, the military killed four of their members. In early 2023, the KNPLF refused to attend a ceasefire meeting in the capital Naypyitaw.

Vehicles burn after Myanmar junta soldiers massacred and incinerated the bodies of about 40 civilians, including two aid workers from Save the Children, in Hpruso on Dec. 24, 2021. When the KNPLF tried to intervene and secure the release of detained civilians, the military killed four of their members. Credit: Karenni Nationalities Defense Force

Unlike other BGFs, the KNPLF control no special economic zone. As such their defection is not a financial loss for the junta. With fewer financial incentives than the border guards in Shwe Kokko and other areas, the KNPLF has been less willing to fight on behalf of the junta or be used as cannon fodder.

Fighting in the Karenni region has subsided in relative terms, according to the think tanks IISS and ACLED. And there may be a reason for the decline in violence: The various Karenni forces have routed the military in recent engagements. In reply, the military has increased air attacks; some 108 in Kayah state in April, alone. Theres been at least at least two since the defection, with more expected.

And yet, it is a loss and one more piece of the border that the junta no longer controls, between the Karen region and Shan State, adjacent to Thailands Mae Hong Son and close to Naypyitaw.

While numerically small, the KNPLF immediately joined in military operations against the junta, which had tried to seize their headquarters in Mese township. Several military outposts near Mese fell over this past weekend, and there are reports that Light Infantry Battalion 430 surrendered, with up to 100 troops. If so, it would be the largest surrender to date.

Finally, on June 12, a group of ethnic armies and opposition militias established the Karenni State Interim Executive Council, the first revolutionary state government established. The KNPLFs defection helps to maintain political solidarity.

Contagion unlikely

Every Border Guard Force is their own organization, with their own political and economic motivations to maintain their alliance with the junta.

The BGFs who control the special economic zones in Shwe Kokko, KK Park, and Kokang still have a financial incentive to stay loyal to the junta. Many fear the more puritanical ethnic armies, which are vehemently against the gambling and human trafficking that goes on within the economic zones and might not countenance being under the NUG umbrella.

And given the fighting that has transpired between some BGFs and ethnic armies, the latter may not be too willing to embrace their formal rivals. Spread thin, the junta needs the border guards now more than ever, which gives them additional leverage over Naypyitaw.

A contagion is unlikely, but the first BGF to defect represents a crack. As the junta fails to provide other BGFs with materiel or air support, while milking them for funds and using them as fodder, some groups may take note.

To that end, its imperative that the NUG handle this well, integrating the defecting Karenni forces and accommodating their leadership. After all, the theory of victory is based on the man-by-man, unit-by-unit hollowing out the juntas forces.

Zachary Abuza is a professor at the National War College in Washington and an adjunct at Georgetown University. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect the position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the National War College, Georgetown University or Radio Free Asia.
In Brief

Many nations and environmental groups have questioned Japans decision to discharge nuclear wastewater from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese government is among the plans most vocal critics, with Chinas foreign ministry recently issuing statements questioning the plans safety and declaring that the Japanese government is imposing a unilateral decision without considering less harmful disposal methods.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found these claims to be unfounded. Japan's planned release of water meets current international safety standards regarding wastewater discharge recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as Chinas own domestic safety standards.

The Chinese foreign ministrys accusation that Japan is making a unilateral decision without sufficient evidence is also misleading. In the more than twelve years since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan has proposed a variety of disposal methods for consideration, with the IAEA and broader international community engaging in related research and evaluation several times.

In Depth

The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant on Japan's Hakura Beach, is scheduled to begin discharging almost 400,000 of treated wastewater from the plant into the sea later this summer.

The impending deadline has brought international attention back to the more than 1.3 million cubic meters of wastewater currently stored in thousands of water storage tanks at the plant.

TEPCO maintains that the controlled discharge of the wastewater follows a rigorous nuclear purification process using a pumping and filtration system known as ALPS (Advanced Liquid Processing System) that is based on and meets the IAEAs safety standards.

A final IAEA assessment of the proposal is expected to be published at the end of June, with earlier IAEA reports indicating that the organization will likely support the plan. The reported decision has reopened domestic and international debate on the issue, and many groups have expressed their opposition, including the Japanese fishermen association, the international NGO Greenpeace and many in the marine ecology community.

What are Chinas main criticisms about Japans efforts to dispose of the wastewater?

China is one of the harshest critics of the plan. Chinese officials alleged that Japans plan lacks sufficient scientific evidence, that the ALPS treated water poses a great harm to the environment and that Japan has neither offered alternative plans nor consulted extensively with the international community  particularly neighboring countries who will be affected by the discharge.

Such allegations have been reiterated by top Chinese officials over the last three months, including by the Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, Chinas permanent representative to the IAEA Li Song and Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Chinese netizens on video sharing platforms such as Douyin and TikTok have widely circulated these officials' comments, with many echoing their governments rhetoric about the great harm posed by the wastewater.

Fukushimas nuclear wastewater contains more than 60 kinds of radioactive elements, reads one comment.

The half-life [of the radioactive elements] is up to 5,000 years, says another netizen.

Videos on Chinese social media comment on the dangers of Japan's proposed plan to discharge nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima disaster into the Pacific Ocean. Credit: Screenshots from Douyin user accounts.

Will the ALPS treated water be a great harm to the environment?

No.

Discharging water into the ocean is a disposal method used by nuclear power plants around the world, including many of the 55 such plants in China. Despite this, Chinese officials have repeatedly claimed without further explanation that wastewater treated by ALPS is different from water discharged at other nuclear plants.

Chinas assertions are incorrect, according to David Krofcheck, a professor of physics at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He told AFCL that ALPS purified water is as safe as wastewater discharged from normal nuclear power plants, even going so far as to say he would eat fish caught in the discharged waters around Fukushima.

What radioactive elements will ALPS remove from the wastewater?

ALPS will reduce 62 of the 63 radioactive substances currently in the wastewater to amounts that will have a negligible impact on the environment, according to the IAEA and Japanese officials.

The one substance still remaining in significant amounts following purification and dilution is an isotope known as tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen that exists in trace amounts in nature and which can combine with oxygen to form a radioactive water known as T2O or tritiated water .

In light of international concerns and following suggestions by the IAEA, Japan has agreed to dilute the tritiated water one further time following its initial purification by ALPS before discharging it into the sea.

Official diagram of the wastewater discharge plan and its anticipated impact. Credit: Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

How much tritium in water is considered normal?

Radioactivity is typically measured by the international unit becquerel.

The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that drinking water contain no more than 10,000 becquerels of tritium per liter, Krofcheck says.

The purified wastewater Japan plans to discharge contains 1,500 becquerels per liter, or about one-seventh of the WHO recommended amount, he says.

In comparison, Chinas government allows a nuclear power plant in the coastal town of Qinshan to discharge wastewater containing up to 3700 becquerels of radioactive elements per liter.

In 2022 alone, the plant itself disclosed that it discharged 201 megabecquerels (201,000,000 becquerels) of liquid tritium, about one-fourth of its government stipulated annual cap of 800 megabecquerels. This figure is over nine times higher than Japans estimated 22 megabecquerels of annual tritium which will result from the Fukushima discharge.

Has Japan provided alternative plans of disposal for consideration?

Yes.

Japan proposed five different ways to dispose of ALPS treated water in 2016 before finally settling on discharging the water into the ocean as of April 2021.

Has Japan coordinated the discharge with the IAEA?

Yes.

Since 2011, the Japanese government has regularly submitted progress reports to the IAEA concerning the response to the Fukushima accident. Japan has also asked the IAEA to participate in the creation and oversight of the entire discharge plan, with the UN nuclear agency forming a task force composed of scientists from 11 different countries, including China.

The international task force created by the IAEA has spent the past two years surveying the situation in Fukushima, holding dozens of meetings and publishing six reports offering specific recommendations to improve Japans final discharge efforts.

The Task Force made its final trip to Fukushima at the end May 2023 and is currently preparing to publish its final report on the matter.

Has Japan communicated with its neighbors and the broader international community in planning the wastewater discharge?

Yes.

The IAEA task force further worked with independent third-party laboratories in Austria, Switzerland, France, South Korea and the U.S. to confirm that Japans ALPS treated water can meet all international safety standards regarding radioactive harm to the environment and humans.

In addition to the task force, the Embassy of Japan in China says that Japan sends monthly briefings on the discharge plan to all foreign embassies in Tokyo, including Chinas mission.

TEPCO has set up websites in Japanese and English to explain the progress of the process while also publishing web pages in Chinese and Korean that explain the ALPS treatment process. In addition, the company regularly publishes monitoring data on the Fukushima nuclear plant every month.

TEPCO's official explanatory chart. Credit: TEPCO official website.

The IAEA has not responded to AFCL's inquiries about the conclusions of the Task Force as of the time this report was published.

Theres no perfect plan, but experts think discharging the wastewater into the sea is the least bad option. According to Krofcheck, many of these criticisms are connected to TEPCOs slow response to the initial crisis in 2011.

Krofcheck notes that to just leave the more than 1,000 tanks of treated water in Fukushima  a region where another earthquake will likely occur within the next 30 to 40 years  potentially sets the stage for an even graver nuclear energy-related crisis down the line.

Conclusion

China's criticism and resistance towards Japanese plans is part of the larger international controversy surrounding how to best deal with the wastewater left over from the Fukushima nuclear accident. However, statements on Chinese social media about the treated waters great harm are misinformed and the assertion by the Chinese foreign ministry that Japan is unilaterally deciding on a plan that lacks ample scientific evidence is simply untrue.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a new branch of RFA established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of public issues.
Vietnam denies it sent drones and critics see move as attempt to rally voters ahead of July 23 election.

Hun Sen's elite troops prepare to deploy in provinces near the Vietnam border following claims that drones from Vietnam violated Cambodian airspace.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday ordered 500 troops and 200 anti-aircraft weapons systems to four northeastern provinces to hunt down drones that allegedly violated the countrys airspace.

He said aircraft are believed to be operated by ethnic insurgents in Vietnam, but Vietnamese authorities have denied that the drones were theirs.

We urge those countries that allow drones to use their countries to violate Cambodia to immediately halt their actions, he said. It is an act of terrorism against Cambodia.

Hun Sen urged calm in a pre-recorded address released via ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, or CPP, mouthpiece FreshNews. The residents of Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri and Tboung Khmum provinces have no reason to fear an impending conflict, he said.

Don't worry about war in Cambodia  our troops  are intervention troops to help local authorities due to repeated violations by drones we don't know the source of yet, he said.

The prime minister said that the military assets being sent to the four provinces will be there not only to destroy drones, but also to search for those who fled from Vietnam to hide in Cambodia, without providing further details.

On June 11, attacks on two commune offices in central Vietnams Dak Lak province  across the border from eastern Cambodia  left nine people dead. Last week, Vietnamese authorities said they will prosecute 84 people accused of being involved in the attacks. No one has claimed responsibility for them, and the motivation remains unclear.

Rallying voters

Members of Cambodias opposition said they believe Hun Sen  who has been in power since 1985  is using the development to scare voters into throwing their support behind the ruling CPP ahead of a general election on July 23. He has used similar tactics in the past.

"Before the 2011 elections, there were skirmishes between Cambodia and Thailand, and in 2016 there was a border dispute with Laos, and [the government] deployed troops as the elections approached," said Morn Phally, an activist with the Cambodia National Rescue Party living in exile in Malaysia.

Hun Sen's elite troops prepare to deploy in provinces near Vietnam following Hun Sens claims that drones from Vietnam violated Cambodian airspace. Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday assured residents of four provinces that their security is not at risk after ordering 500 troops stationed there to hunt down drones that allegedly violated the countrys airspace. Credit: Facebook/@HunManyCambodia

Hun Sen has frequently invoked the specter of threats to national security during speeches in the lead up to ballots, and framed the vote as a referendum on which party can best maintain Cambodias sovereignty.

Speaking to RFA on Tuesday, Finland-based political analyst Kim Sok questioned why Hun Sen was deploying troops to the border when Vietnam has denied involvement in the drone incursions.

Hun Sen is using this strategy to intimidate people and control power, he said.

Tuesdays troop deployment follows the unanimous approval by Cambodias National Assembly of an amendment to the election law that prohibits those who dont vote in next months elections from running for office in future elections.

Analysts say the change appears to be aimed at preventing a large-scale boycott of the July 23 vote by supporters of the main opposition Candlelight Party.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The city continues to operate as a haven for murky shell companies and illicit transactions.

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.

The Russian private military company Wagner Group, which made headlines over the weekend by starting to march on Moscow amid an apparent dispute with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has longstanding ties to Hong Kong, records show.

Public domain information shows that its predecessor, the Slavonic Corps, was founded in the city by two employees of the Russian private security firm Moran Security.

And Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian oligarch-turned-military leader known as "Putin's chef," has raised funds for at least some of his ventures in the city, via a number of Hong Kong-registered companies held by several affiliated parent companies, according to a survey of public records carried out by RFA Cantonese.

The Wagner crisis comes amid growing concern over the use of Hong Kong as a domicile for a growing number of shell companies hiding illicit operations following the 2018 arrest in Canada of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou for alleged business dealings with sanctioned Iranian companies.

Hong Kong has also been used by the ruling Communist Party's financial and political elite as both a haven and channel for its private wealth, with top Chinese leaders and their families owning luxury property in the city.

The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and other studies have detailed how the Corps' first deployment  to Syria in 2013  ended in disaster due to supply and logistical problems at Deir al-Zour, after which it was disbanded.

Along with the Russian opposition-backed Dossier Center, CSIS describes Wagner as an unofficial Russian army with operations in Ukraine, Syria and Africa in recent years.

Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin [center] meets with Russia's Deputy Minister of Defense Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, at the headquarters of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in this screenshot from a video released on June 24, 2023. Credit: Screenshot from video obtained by Reuters





However, affiliated companies remained in existence in Hong Kong until 2020, when they were named and sanctioned by the United States.

Research has shown that Wagner Group doesn't actually exist as a legal corporate entity, yet until last weekend, it enjoyed the full support of the Kremlin, according to the CSIS.

Yet the group's affiliates have longstanding ties to Hong Kong and mainland China.

Slavonic Corps

Customs records show that these companies have had frequent transactions with Russian companies over the past 10 years, and reveal a network of Russian financial dealings criss-crossing Hong Kong and mainland China.

Wagner's predecessor, the Slavonic Corps, is typically reported as having been founded in 2013, but a search of Hong Kong's Companies Registry showed it was established in 2012, with the founder named on the record as "Vadim Gusev, deputy director of Moran."

Another board member is named as Sergei Kramskoi, another former Moran employee.

Wagner's predecessor, the Slavonic Corps, had a Hong Kong address in an office building at 1 Duddell Street, Central [shown], according to RFA Cantonese research. Credit: Google Street View





In early 2013, the Slavonic Corps placed a recruitment ad on several Moscow military websites, successfully recruiting 267 people, some of whom were military veterans, including one Dmitry Utkin, a former high-ranking officer of the Russian intelligence special ops forces, Spetsnaz GRU.

Dmitry Utkin later used the call sign "Wagner," sparking speculation that he founded the group from the ashes of the Slavonic Corps.

An investigation by RFA Cantonese found a copy of the advertisement, which shows a Hong Kong address for the company in an office building at 1 Duddell Street, Central.

However, the company's 2013 and 2014 annual reports show the company address as being in New Trade Plaza, Shatin. Few contact details are given other than an email address.

At the end of the same year, the Slavonic Corps started operating under the name Wagner. It took part in the annexation of Crimea the following year, including attacks on Ukraine.

The company registration in Hong Kong remained unaffected, and it wasn't until 2021 that it was officially deleted and dissolved by the Hong Kong Government Companies Registry, because it was believed not to have been operating for several years.

U.S. sanctions

By July 2020, the US Department of Defense had accused the Russian government of running a huge mining operation in Tripoli through Wagner, bankrolling the now-fallen dictatorship in Sudan and exacerbating the Libyan conflict.

The resulting sanctions targeted Wagner and Prigozhin, along with various companies in Hong Kong and Thailand that U.S. officials said had helped Prigozhin conduct 100 transactions worth a total of U.S.$7.5 million between 2018 and 2019.

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. Credit: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters





According to the U.S. Treasury, the list of sanctioned companies included three Hong Kong-registered companies: Shen Yang Jing Cheng Machinery Imp & Exp Co. Ltd (formerly Anying Group Ltd); Shine Dragon Group Ltd and Zhe Jiang Jiayi Small Commodities Trade Co. Ltd, all of which were held and managed by Russian businessman Igor Valerievich Lavrenkov, acting as an intermediary.

The address given in the Hong Kong Companies Registry for all three companies was "Chaoyang, China."

In its July 15, 2020 statement announcing the sanctions, the Treasury described Prigozhin as the financier of Wagner, "a designated Russian Ministry of Defense proxy force."

"Wagners activities in other countries, including Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, and Libya, have generated insecurity and incited violence against innocent civilians," the Treasury said.

The three companies had facilitated transactions ... [that] supported [Prigozhin's] activities in Sudan and maintenance of his private aircraft," it said.

"Shine Dragon Group Limited, Shen Yang Jing Cheng Machinery Imp&Exp. Co., Zhe Jiang Jiayi Small Commodities Trade Company Limited, and Lavrenkov are being designated for having materially assisted Prigozhin," the statement said.

All three companies were founded in 2009 and dissolved between 2021 and 2022, according to Hong Kong company records.

A police van is parked outside Wagners headquarters in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 24, 2023. Credit: Olga Maltseva/AFP





The U.S. customs trade data platform Import Genius shows that Shen Yang Jing Cheng mostly served Russian clients, exporting some 50 tons of oil-drilling and pipeline equipment on five occasions to several different Russian companies between 2014 and 2017.

Zhe Jiang Jiayi Small Commodities shipped more than 7,000 tons of plastic products and parts to at least 10 Russian companies over a 10-year period; the two companies report that most of their products are sourced from China.

According to the U.S. Treasury, Lavrenkov set up another company in Hong Kong in 2012 called SD Airport Security Systems Ltd, using a different passport, but the registration was suddenly withdrawn in January 2017.

According to "Import Genius", a company using the same name repeatedly shipped metal detectors, X-ray detectors and related parts to the same Russian company in May 2015.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Activists and ethnic armies can no longer count on the government to combat trafficking.

The Taang National Liberation Army, a ethnic rebel group in Myanmars Shan state, destroys seized drugs at an anti-drug day event on Monday, June 26, 2023.

Drug production and usage is on the rise in Myanmar in the aftermath of the military coup, ethnic rebel groups and activists said Monday, as countries around the world observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The growth in Myanmars drug market in the more than two years since the Feb. 1, 2021, takeover is directly correlated with what observers have described as a precipitous decline in rule of law in the country amid the juntas poor governance, the groups said.

On Monday, the Taang National Liberation Army, or TNLA, said it had destroyed 900 million kyats (US$430,000) worth of drugs seized in northern Myanmars Shan state from 2018 to 2023, to mark the annual U.N. day to combat drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.

The rebel group said the haul included nearly 160 kilograms (350 pounds) of opium, 57 kilograms (125 pounds) of heroin, and more than 3.4 million methamphetamine pills known as yaba.

Armed conflict between the military and the ethnic Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army, or RCSS/SSA, following a junta offensive in the region prevented the TNLA from destroying the drugs until this year, it said.

TNLA spokesperson Lt. Col. Mai Aik Kyaw told RFA Burmese that drug production and abuse in Myanmar largely takes place in areas with junta troops or a police presence, where the rule of law is said [by the regime] to prevail.

The drug trade has increased since the military coup, he said. We sometimes have to go into towns to seize drugs [because the junta isnt effectively policing the trade].

In addition to cracking down on drug trafficking in Shan, the TNLA has also had to make up for the juntas failure to promote drug rehabilitation programs in the state, Mai Aik Kyaw said.

Military involvement?

But the TNLA spokesperson alleged that the increase in drug trafficking and abuse isnt merely a result of willful ignorance on the part of the junta.

He said that some of the drugs in Shan are being produced by militia forces directly under the junta, such as the Pyu Saw Htee, to fund food and salaries for their fighters.

A police officer walks past burning illegal narcotics during a destruction ceremony marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Monday, June 26, 2023. Credit: Thein Zaw/Associated Press

The RCSS/SSA also reported holding drug awareness activities on Monday to mark International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It said in a statement that since 2022 it had seized nearly 460,000 MDMA, or ecstasy, pills and 975 kilograms (2,150 pounds) of methamphetamine known as ice.

Ethnic rebels also reported seeing a growth in drug production and abuse, but said they have been unable to address it because they are too busy fighting junta troops amid a military offensive.

Thant Suem Mont, chairman of the anti-junta Chin Defence Force, or CDF, said that eradication efforts in Chin state under the deposed civilian government had abruptly ended with the military takeover, putting the onus on his rebel group to fight the trade.

But he added that poppy cultivation will have to be dealt with later because the CDF does not have the resources to combat both the trade and the junta.

Poppy production has increased since the military coup, he said, with cultivation almost doubled over the same period.

Its as if the sellers have licenses

Shan and neighboring Kachin state have long been centers for illicit drug production.

Following Chinas 1912 revolution that brought about the end of the Qing Dynasty, the countrys new government prohibited opium production, prompting a wave of Chinese opium poppy growers to relocate to the remote regions across the border in Myanmar.

The opium trade thrived in Shan and Kachin, in part due to lax regulation in Myanmar, until a total ban on the drugs use and production was introduced in the mid-1970s.

But anti-narcotics activists told RFA that they have seen a substantial uptick in the drug trade across Myanmar since the coup, with abuse spreading from the countrys urban to its rural areas. Increased production has driven down prices, they said, with one pill of yaba costing as little as 350 kyats (17 U.S. cents) and a gram of heroin only 5,000 kyats ($2.40).

Tin Maung Thein, a resident of Magway regions Kyaukme township who has worked in drug prevention for more than 30 years, said that since the takeover drugs have become the best goods to trade in Myanmar amid a breakdown in the rule of law.

Its as if the sellers have licenses, he said. [Addressing this issue] is the answer to the drug crisis  [and] thats why I am very worried about the future.

The junta appears to at least acknowledge that the drug trade is a problem in Myanmar.

On Monday, junta Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Soe Htut said in a statement marking International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking that while the regime has made arrests, there has been no decrease in illegal drug trafficking in the country.

The Taang National Liberation Army displays seized drugs at an anti-drug day event on Monday, June 26, 2023. Credit: Taang State TV

The junta did not make a show of burning seized drugs in observance of the day, as it has in previous years, but pro-junta media reported that authorities had destroyed 1.2 trillion kyats (US$572,000) worth of illicit drugs in the cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Taunggyi.

Reports said that the junta had seized US$462 million worth of drugs  including heroin, opium, ecstasy, ice, marijuana, and opium byproducts  in 2021, and US$534 million worth in 2022. They said that the value of drugs seized by the junta in 2023 had reached nearly US$180 million as of May.

UNODC report

A report issued in late March by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, or UNODC, found that opium poppy cultivation had increased significantly in Shan, Kachin, Kayah, and Chin states in the more than two years since the military coup.

It said Shan state was the largest producer of opium poppies in the country by far, with 39%, while Chin was responsible for 14% of production, and Kayah and Kachin produced 11% and 3%, respectively.

Since the coup, poppy cultivation in Myanmars mountainous areas has increased by more than 100,000 acres, the report said. Potential yield from such an increase is equivalent to 790 tons of refined opium, it said, or an 88% growth over production prior to the takeover.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Troops also killed 3 civilians and burned homes in the Sagaing region raid, locals said.

The Peoples Defense Force camp near Kin Taw village, Sagaing township, Sagaing region that was raided by junta troops on June 25, 2023.

Junta troops killed 20 people in a raid on a Peoples Defense Force camp in Sagaing region and neighboring villages, locals and a militia official told RFA Tuesday.

A column of around 50 troops raided the camp east of Kin Taw village in Sagaing township on Sunday morning.

They killed 17 defense force members, according to a leader of the local PDF.

The junta troops came by boat and raided the camp early in the morning  when there were no guards, and all the PDF members were killed, the leader, who declined to be named, told RFA.

He added that the 14 men and three women aged between 20 and 30 had been tortured, with their faces disfigured.

A Sagaing resident, who did not want to be named for security reasons, confirmed to RFA that the temporary camp was raided and 17 bodies were found near the camp and on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River.

He said three civilians were also shot dead at their homes when the junta raided nearby villages in the township.

The three men killed were 37-year-old Myint Kyaw Thu and 50-year-old Maung San from Kin Taw village, and 69-year-old Pauk Sa from Myin Se village.

The local said that Pauk Sas wife is also missing and a 50-year-old man is suffering from gunshot wounds.

Nearly 100 houses were burned down when neighboring Let Pan Taw village was also raided on Sunday, according to locals.

Calls to the junta spokesperson for Sagaing region, Aye Hlaing, went unanswered.

On Tuesday junta-controlled newspapers confirmed the raid on PDF camps near Kin Taw and U Yin villages, saying guns and ammunition were seized.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Residents are doing their own peoples environment assessment after official report minimized impact.

During a tour of the Yuam River, Singkarn Ruenhom explains how the sediment in the river would be changed by the dam, harming species living there, March 12, 2023.

For a full year, Singkarn Ruenhom is working with 14 others to document the potential destruction that a huge dam could wreak on the residents and rural farmland along the Yuam River.

They are conducting a peoples environmental impact assessment to counter the findings of a 2021 study by Thailands Royal Irrigation Department and Naresuan University that reported only four houses in the river village of Mae Ngao, where 170 people live, will be affected by new infrastructure alone..

Local residents say the destruction from the dam  officially called the Yuam River Diversion Project  will be far greater, clearing a minimum of 600 hectares of land and affecting the livelihoods of an estimated 40,000 people in 46 villages.

I think about life in the water, the plants and the animals. They will go extinct. If the project goes through, Singkarn said after hooking a fish in the river, taking a photo and documenting his catch in Thai and Karen. Thats something we cant bring back.

In the past, such grassroots research efforts have warranted some big wins for communities in both Thailand and Myanmar over major construction projects that were scratched. In those cases, too, environmental impact assessments were either bypassed altogether or not made public.

In 2019, villagers in northeast Thailand staged forums and protests alongside their environmental study, which successfully blocked the company from moving mining equipment to a new potash drilling site despite obstruction lawsuits hedged from the company.

A man stands at the confluence of the Yuam and Ngao rivers, March 13, 2023. Credit: RFA





The Hatgyi Dam, a project which was slated for construction in a conflict zone in Karen State, was delayed due to both ongoing conflict and grassroots impact reporting. After the coup in 2021, it also faced attempted revival under military administration.

Saw Tha Poe, who works at Karen Rivers Watch, says the cross-border community has needed to join forces to demonstrate the impact to areas downstream and track fish species.

Many Karen people along the river in both the Thai and Burma side have a good relationship and collaborate together, doing the research, doing the surveys, for example, about the fish species, he said, adding that the community has found some to be endangered.

Grassroots research

With a group of volunteers, Thai professors Malee Sitthikriengkrai and Chayan Vaddhanaphuti teach research methods they can use alongside their daily routines to document how the soon-to-be dammed river would affect not only livelihoods but the local environment overall.

Chayan has been fine-tuning this research since the 1990s, and its since become popular around Southeast Asia. For the Karen, Chayan says, this research is particularly useful in giving indigenous people a voice.

Roughly 80 percent of Mae Ngao residents are Karen, many of whose families have resided in Thailand for over 60 years. A few have more recently come across the border from Myanmar, where their ethnic group has been engaged in a war with the military for decades.

Despite residing in Thailand for decades, Singkarn says as many as half of the Karen residents in the village are still applying for Thai identification card  a process that can take as much as 20 years.

And non-Thai citizens are not legally entitled to full compensation for their land or livelihood. Additionally, any land designated part of the newly finished Mae Ngao National Park under the National Park Act could mean a long legal battle, or no compensation at all.

People who have the color card, they cant travel out of the district. If their houses have been flooded, where are they going to live? Singkarn asked. Color cards referr to pink or white cards that allow migrants to work in Thailand or show theyre in the process of proving their citizenship.

Villagers march from Mae Ngao Bridge to a point where the Yuam and Ngao rivers converge for the International Day of Action Against Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life, March 13, 2023. Credit: RFA





Where are they going to work to make money, because they have been locked in this district? They [will] have no other place to go because of the water.

But when inspectors came to measure the impact of the dam on the surrounding area, they minimized the damage, said Jor Da, one of Mae Ngaos Thai-Karen residents.

If it happens, it will be challenging for the families here, he said. During the meeting (with residents) they only showed as little damage as possible. We live here inter-depending with trees and forests.

Villagers present findings from their preliminary research on the Yuam River, March 13, 2023. Credit: RFA





Upon the publication of the 2021 environmental impact study, Malee said the original reports thousands of pages about impacted areas were almost entirely inaccessible to villagers.

After being charged over 20,500 Thai baht (US$600) for printing the report, they received a copy that was heavily redacted and grossly underestimated the harmful effects of the project.

Neither Naresuan University nor the Royal Irrigation Department responded to RFAs request for comment.

Its very difficult for the community to raise their voice, said Sor Rattanamanee, whose Community Resource Centre Foundation is providing legal counsel to Mae Ngao and helped them obtain the original impact assessment.

Some of them may not have the identity card, thats why its very difficult for them to complain because the officers will use this opportunity to put pressure on them and [put] them at risk.

Layers of impact

While Mae Ngaos full report wont be published until later this year, graduate student Manapee Khongrakchang says findings already point to major disruptions for the border community.

The fishermen found that nearly all 53 species of fish documented in the river so far would be impacted by the project by changes in food chain and typology of the river. The village is also documenting their relationship to the river and history through art and storytelling, calculating total revenue from cash crops year-round, and documenting unique species found in the area.

Children in the area present stories about their communities and the wildlife there with the help of graduate student Manapee Khongrakchang, March 13, 2023. Credit: RFA





We have one species thats going to be extinct for the Yuam and the Ngao River thats called pla sa nge [short-finned eel], Manapee said. Villagers also raise concerns about a species of clam, which lives in the rocky bottom of the river and would be impacted when other types of sediment flood the region. Both are sources of food for the community.

Its questionable to me  is that fair for one species, that they cant get back to the river that they live? she said.

On a nearby hill, Daw Po lives in one of the only houses in Mae Ngao documented in the original environmental impact assessment.

Despite being one of the few certain of compensation and legally living in Thailand, she has little faith in this outcome. Her house sits next to the spot designated to be the site of six water-pumping stations to pump into an eight-meter pipe carrying water 600 meters below ground.

Daw Po sits with a relative in her home. It was one of only four houses counted in Mae Ngao village. I will not brood over the house if I need to run, she told RFA. Credit: RFA





[Here], I will not brood over the house if I need to run. If I own something, I will be sorry to lose it. I am not sure whether I should go or stay, Daw Po told RFA. While she and her elderly parents cannot attend meetings in the village anymore due to health issues, shes concerned about maintaining access to natural foods from in and around the river.

Despite past successes, Malee says it will take more than just research to stop the mega-projects from developing remote communities with little chance of fighting back. After the research is finished, they plan to hold meetings to share their findings with the public.

The government is like a superpower compared with us. We are like ants and they are like elephants, she said. The government and the irrigation department thought, Oh, for this village, no one will pay attention, or they can build up this project easily. But it wont be that way.

Edited by Malcolm Foster


Eight-year-old Halima was devastated to learn that after overcoming numerous obstacles to her education under Taliban rule, her path to learning had been blocked with the closure of her private school.

"We all went home crying," she told RFE/RLs Radio Azadi of the day she and her fellow students learned that their classes in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar Province had been terminated.

"Our schools were closed first by the coronavirus [pandemic], then there was fighting, and now they have been shut again," she said. "We just want to study."

The rural classroom where she studied was a lifeline for learning basic mathematics, Afghan languages, science, and Islamic studies despite the ruling Taliban's efforts to restrict girls' and women's access to education.

But on April 16, classes ended when the hardline Islamist authorities announced that the school, among Afghanistan's thousands of Community-Based Education (CBE) centers, would be closed following unspecified "complaints from locals."

Unrest and poverty in Kandahar and neighboring Helmand Province made the two regions a focal point for the development of CBE centers over the past three decades, with funding coming primarily from Western donors via the United Nations and international nongovernmental organizations.

Countrywide, more than 500,000 Afghan children currently attend CBE centers, which were established in cooperation with the communities in which they were based and are often held in private homes, mosques, or large tents.

Aid groups pay teachers' salaries, provide educational materials, and offer the same curriculum taught in Afghan state schools. The centers, typically made up of a single classroom catering for up to 50 students, half of them girls, also filled an education void in remote areas where there were no state schools.

But since mid-April, nearly 1,600 CBE centers in Kandahar Province have been closed, depriving 50,000 students of an education. Similar numbers have been recorded in neighboring Helmand Province in a nationwide trend.

'It's Heartbreaking'

The termination of classes at Halima's school and others like it appears to show that the narrow window for learning in remote areas is being closed as the Taliban looks to impose full control over how children are educated.

Munir Ahmad, who ran a literacy class inside his mudbrick home in Dand, a rural district in Kandahar Province, said he was forced to close his doors to students in April.

"It is heartbreaking to lose these classes because they serve children in remote areas where there are no other education opportunities," he told Radio Azadi.

The Taliban, approaching two years in power, has not commented on whether it has ordered the school closures. But aid workers, rights campaigners, and education experts suggest that the hardline group is trying to ensure that young students receive an Islamic education even though the CBE centers follow the state model.

This, in turn, has led to concerns that the Taliban either intends to permanently shut down the schools or use them as venues to spread its extremist worldview and ideology.

"It is alarming," said Heather Barr, associate director of the women's rights division at Human Rights Watch. "The Taliban will likely change these schools in a way that is harmful to students, particularly girls."

Education has been a main target of the Taliban's extremist policies since it seized power in August 2021 and took steps to root out secular education.

Teenage girls were promptly banned from attending school despite the Taliban's promises to the international community, which has listed the Taliban's stance on girls' and women's education as a key obstacle to officially recognizing its government.

'Jihadi Madrasahs'

Since taking power, the Taliban has consistently enforced strict gender segregation and replaced professional educators with clerics.

Last year, Taliban supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada appointed key loyalists Mawlawi Habibullah Agha and Nida Mohmmad Nadim to lead the education and higher education ministries, respectively.

The two have diligently worked to expand the ban on womens education and attempted to turn schools into a tool for indoctrination by tweaking the curriculum, critics say. In some cases, modern schools have been converted into madrasahs.

In December, the Taliban upped the ante by prohibiting women from receiving a university education.

And in the latest move, a Taliban official said this month that its government had established "jihadi madrasahs" in at least five provinces. Many Islamist militant groups, including the Taliban, emerged from such religious schools in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan in the 1980s.

Wazhma Tokhi, an Afghan human rights activist with a particular focus on women's rights and education in Afghanistan, suggests that the recent school closures can be seen as another example of the groups determination to root out secular education.

"They want to turn the schools into madrasahs," Tokhi said.

The UN agency for children, UNICEF, which funds many CBE centers, says it is now holding discussions with the Taliban over "timelines and practicalities" for possibly handing them over to Afghan NGOs, many of which receive outside funding and have some protection from the Taliban.

Tokhi sees disastrous consequences if the Taliban assumes direct control over CBE centers.

"Our future is destroyed," she said.
SOFIA -- Critics are accusing Bulgaria's top broadcast and new-media regulator of falling for the Kremlin's hybrid warfare after Sonia Momchilova likened UN-backed evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine to anti-Putin "propaganda."

More than 1,400 bodies were discovered in a suburb of Ukraine's capital after Russian troops withdrew from Bucha following a 26-day occupation in March 2022. Evidence cited by the United Nations and the International Criminal Court's prosecutor indicated that Russian forces carried out systematic brutality in Bucha, including execution-style killings of civilians.

The chairwoman of the Council for Electronic Media (CEM), Momchilova drew swift local and international censure along with calls for her dismissal when she told YouTube vlogger Asen Genov's Kontrakomentar program on June 19 that "just as there is Russian propaganda, we cannot deny that there is also [some] in the opposite direction," adding, "You know, about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's illness, that he'd been replaced [by a double], Bucha, and so on."

There has been speculation for years over the 70-year-old Russian president's health, sometimes including unsubstantiated reports alleging the use of lookalikes for public appearances.

One day after her comments to Kontrakomentar, Momchilova lashed out on Facebook at local news site Dnevnik, which had long argued that coverage of the Bucha tragedy in the Bulgarian media reflected an "information war" between Russia and "Ukraine and the democratic community."

A Bulgarian think tank, the Center for the Study of Democracy, published a report in April in which it asserted that "pro-Kremlin disinformation is most prominent in countries with deep-rooted cultural and historical alignments to Russia," singling out Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Serb enclaves in the Balkans in particular.

Momchilova's comments equating Bucha reports with anti-Russian "propaganda" emerged amid a broader and highly politicized debate over Bulgarian National Radio and perceptions of bias and "propaganda insinuations" in some of its programming. Russia sanctions and other tough responses to the invasion of a post-Soviet neighbor have proved divisive in Bulgaria amid political stalemate and two years of inconclusive elections. In the discussion about the public radio broadcaster, Momchilova had suggested the show in question was serving the role of public media by reflecting the attitudes of the public.

A former prime ministerial adviser and communications specialist, Momchilova was appointed to the CEM by pro-Russian President Rumen Radev in 2021 and became chairwoman of the council half a year later. Two of the five council members are presidential appointees, while the other three are appointed by parliament.

She has come under criticism before. Two NGOs demanded her resignation earlier this year over her criticism of a joint investigation (including by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service) of Bulgarian authorities' treatment of migrants at the border. Momchilova cast the decisive vote to keep herself in office at the time.

Her recent outspokenness has also extended to issues of gender and sexual orientation, including mocking EU job offers in the context of the Pride movement and what she described this week as a "digital and polygenderist transition towardstotal monkeyfication."

The Ukrainian Embassy challenged Momchilova's comments likening Bucha reports to anti-Russian "propaganda" on June 21, calling them "unacceptable and manipulative."

It noted that Bulgaria was a signatory to an EU declaration in 2022 condemning "in the strongest possible terms the reported atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in a number of occupied Ukrainian towns" including Bucha.

The embassy statement said it "expects the Council for Electronic Media and the relevant Bulgarian institutions to refute and take the necessary measures to respond to the dangerous and misleading claims regarding the atrocities committed by Russian occupiers in Bucha. These claims contradict the official position of the Republic of Bulgaria as a member state of the EU and NATO."

Shortly afterward, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia issued a statement warning that the "Kremlin's disinformation machine goes into overdrive when denying Russia's targeting of civilians." It cited the "massacre" at Bucha and added, "Don't be fooled by the lies."

Less than an hour after that, Momchilova's interviewer Genov also circled back to say her "inconsistent statements regarding the war in Ukraine worried me seriously during our conversation." He said he was concerned at their effect on Bulgaria's image.

On June 22, dozens of journalists appealed to Bulgarian lawmakers for Momchilova's resignation or dismissal and a broader debate on laws regulating the media.

"We are outraged by a statement by the Chairman of the Council for Electronic Media, Sonya Momchilovain which she defines the tragic events in the city of Bucha as Ukrainian propaganda," the signatories complained. They called such a "qualificationa cynical disregard for the truth and an insult to humanity."

"Such behavior sends an extremely harmful message to our already vulnerable media environment and damages the prestige of Bulgaria," they argued. The signatories also echoed Kyiv's demand that the council and all "relevant Bulgarian institutions" refute Momchilova's statement.

It is unclear how much agreement the journalists' appeal would have garnered among legislators. But the council acted first.

"The Council for Electronic Media categorically does not share any suggestions related to the denial of the atrocities in Bucha," it said in a June 22 statement. It called the events there "a monstrous act of torture and the killing of civilians."

The absence of any names attached to the five-member council's statement means it was unanimously supported, including presumably by Momchilova herself.

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service.
An independent probe in Kyrgyzstan has concluded that the National Television and Radio Corporation (NTRC) created a network of fake social accounts to promote the governments policies and attack its critics.

The claim has been denied by state TV as well as the office of President Sadyr Japarov.

The investigation -- Does The President Need The Support Of Fake Accounts? -- was conducted by the Checkit Media group, which includes several independent media outlets in Kyrgyzstan.

The video report said that pro-government reportage and comments have increased on Kyrgyz social media since the taxpayer-funded NTRC opened a special department to disseminate information online. The department -- SMM and New Media -- was launched in November.

Pro-government content has been posted and shared both on the personal social media accounts of NTRC employees and on fake accounts, the Checkit Media report said. It also claimed that the accounts of state TV workers are closely associated with the troll accounts.

The fake accounts have been particularly active in promoting the governments narrative on several high-profile court cases against government critics, independent journalists, and nongovernmental organizations, the report said.

For example, the troll accounts actively commented on the infamous Kempir-Abad case, a legal action against 27 activists, journalists, and politicians who opposed Japarovs border demarcation deal with Uzbekistan.

Who's Behind The 'Troll Factory'?

Checkit Media said the SMM department is headed by Usubaly Mabmetov, who frequently shares social media posts praising the authorities.

Citing anonymous sources, it also claimed that the assignments come from Daiyrbek Orunbekov, the head of the Information Policy Department in the presidential administration.

Orunbekov has previously been linked to an alleged troll factory created to support the family of controversial former state customs agency deputy chief Raiymbek Matraimov, a central figure in a large-scale money-laundering case involving tens of millions of dollars, the report said.

Orunbekov denied the claim, calling it slanderous. He told RFE/RL that Checkit Medias claims are based on an unconvincing anonymous source and that it doesnt inspire confidence.

[Checkit Media] took the liberty of labeling state TV journalists as trolls just because they share materials on positive developments in the country, the official told RFE/RL.

He accused Checkit Media journalists of looking for negativity and seeking to damage the governments image.

The NTRC issued a statement to officially deny the claim that its SMM and New Media department allegedly employs trolls who disseminate their opinions through fake accounts.

An NTRC employee, Chynara Kaparova, took to Facebook to respond to the Checkit Media probe.

It is wrong to launch an information attack, saying that millions of funds from the state budget are being spent on the NTRC, and then point the finger only on the New Media department. This is deceiving the public, she wrote.

Old Phenomenon

Online trolls -- linked to various political forces and authorities -- have become increasingly prevalent in Kyrgyzstan in recent years.

Several media outlets in Kyrgyzstan had in the past investigated such phenomenon. The probes demonstrated how the fake accounts were used to shape public opinion on certain political events or to purposefully target individuals to damage their public image.

Fake accounts are being created and used not only by those who are in power, but also by anyone who has some degree of influence or money, said Kyrgyz journalist Mirzhan Balybaev.

Balybaev said that its not easy to eliminate the use of trolls and fakes, as its a convenient method for their creators to spread their message.

He added that an effective way to fight the fakes and trolls is to raise awareness about them within society, so people can distinguish between fake and true content and reporting.

Checkit Media was created in February as part of a project to fight against fake accounts and the manipulation of information. It groups the media outlets April TV, Bashtan Bashta, Bulak.kg, Factcheck.kg, Media.kg, Mediahub, and PolitKlinika.

Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague based on reporting by RFE/RL in Bishkek.
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.
Ukrainian authorities on June 28 arrested a person they accused of helping Russia direct a missile strike that killed at least 11 people and injured 61 at a restaurant in Kramatorsk the night before.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), working with special police forces, detained the person, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram on June 28.

"Whoever helps Russian terrorists to destroy lives deserves the maximum penalty," Zelensky said in his nightly address.

He did not identify the person who was detained in the attack, but the SBU said earlier it was a man who worked for a gas transportation company and is suspected of filming the restaurant for the Russians and informing them about its popularity.

Twin sisters who were to have turned 15 in September were among the 11 people killed, regional officials said earlier on June 28.

Kramatorsk Mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko said on Facebook that a third minor, a boy, had been killed and his body pulled from the rubble.

Kramatorsk was targeted by two Russian missiles on June 28 in the evening, with one hitting a crowded restaurant and shopping center in the city center and a second hitting a village on the outskirts of the city in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

The head of the Donetsk military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, said 18 multistory buildings, five schools, and two kindergartens, had been destroyed, in addition to the shopping center and pizza restaurant, which was reportedly frequented by journalists, aid workers, and soldiers.

Separately, a strike in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region killed three civilians near their homes, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.

Kramatorsk is a major city in the Donetsk region that houses the Ukrainian Army's regional headquarters and is likely a key objective in any Russian advance to the west. It has been a frequent target of Russian attacks.

It was hit on May 2 by rockets fired from a Tornado multiple-rocket launcher. Russian forces claimed a railcar full of ammunition was destroyed in that strike.

WATCH: Artillerymen of the 30th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces say fighting has intensified near the contested city of Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region since Ukraine recently launched a counteroffensive.

In April last year, 63 people were killed in a Russian strike on Kramatorsk's main railway station. At least two other strikes have hit apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure in the city this year.

In response to the outcry over the attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 28 claimed Russia only carries out strikes "that are in one way or another linked to military structure."

Moscow has repeatedly denied shelling the civilian population in Ukraine despite evidence and testimony to the contrary.

Valeriy Zaluzhniy, commander in chief of Ukrainian forces, said he spoke by phone with U.S. Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the situation at the front line was discussed.

Ukrainian forces "continue to conduct offensive actions" and "are advancing," he said. "The enemy is putting up a strong resistance, at the same time suffering heavy losses."

Russian forces are trying to hold on to positions by continuously mining the area, Zaluzhniy said on social media. He said he told Milley the Ukrainian military urgently needs weapons, ammunition, and demining equipment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on June 26 handed out awards and posed for selfies with troops who are along the front line in Ukraine, saying it was an honor to be with them and shake their hands.

"Thank you for protecting Ukraine, fighting for our independence and freedom -- freedom for each and every one of us. Keep yourselves. Save your life -- save Ukraine," the president said in one of several videos posted on Telegram.

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.

One video showed Zelenskiy handing out awards and viewing maps with Oleksandr Syrskiy, the commander of Ukraine's ground forces. Another showed him alongside troops in a queue at a gas station counter and then posing for photos with the soldiers and women working at the gas station.

"The roads of Donetsk region, gas station, communication with our warriors. Thank you for everything you do for Ukraine! Thank you for protection! I wish you all good health and good luck in battle!" he said in a text accompanying the video.

The president's office did not say when Zelenskiy made the visit but said that in Donetsk he had met units of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, including soldiers who have fought in the Bakhmut sector, where they distinguished themselves in heavy battles.

I wish you health and only victory. Ukraine is proud of each of you. You are great, strong, our true Ukrainians," he said, referring to the group.

Another video showed Zelenskiy, dressed in his trademark military style T-shirt, addressing troops.

He said it was very important for him to visit the frontline positions of Ukrainian troops in the Berdyansk direction, singling out the third battalion of the Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytskiy Separate Presidential Brigade.

Ukraine says it has been making advances this month since launching a counteroffensive, but Russian forces still hold swaths of Ukrainian territory following their full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A spokesman for the press center of Ukraines defense forces said separately that Ukrainian troops had advanced 1 1/2 kilometers near Melitopol.

"As a result of systemic pressure, the defense forces of the Tavria direction have succeeded and advanced 1 1/2 kilometers deep into the territories captured by the enemy," military spokesman Valeriy Shershen said.

Ukrainian troops are entrenched there and aerial reconnaissance of the area and demining has been carried out, he said, adding that artillery is working on detected enemy targets.

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar reported earlier on June 26 that during the past week in the east, Ukrainian troops conducted both defensive and offensive actions and had tactical success. Ukrainian forces continue the offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions, she said.

It was not possible to independently verify the battlefield claims.

With reporting by Reuters
In the neutral territory between Estonian and Russian checkpoints, at Luhamaa on June 21, dozens of Ukrainian passport holders could be seen waiting in the sun as vehicles rolled past. The Ukrainians say they have endured days in the open under the summer sun and nights being swarmed by mosquitos, as other passport holders are ushered through.

Look, my arms and legs are sunburned, one woman named Maria said. For two days Ive been here. Maria is hoping to travel from the border near Pskov to Russian-occupied Mariupol. The southeastern Ukrainian city was largely destroyed in the Russian invasion, but Marias apartment, she says, appears to have survived intact.

Viktoria, a Ukrainian heading to eastern Ukraine, explains that with all border crossings between Russia and Ukraine closed, we travel in a huge circle through the European Union. "And we have so many people who travel, she says. We get to the [Estonian-Russian] border by bus, wait here for two or three days, then we pass, take another bus, and go to Donetsk. According to Viktoria, There are no other options. Some people are visiting their children or grandchildren. Others are traveling to visit sick parents. As long as people are healthy enough, the Ukrainian says, they will travel.

Olga, 62, is also hoping to reach Mariupol. My house is ruined and everything left was looted. Im going there just to collect some documents, she said, adding, "It may be possible to get some form of housing, though I heard only collaborators are given housing and anyone against the occupation gets nothing. Recently, the Ukrainians say, an elderly woman fainted while waiting in the summer heat. Since then, the Russian border guards have been fast-tracking Ukrainians over 65 and parents with young children.

For the rest, the queue is virtually motionless, with just a couple of people passing every few hours. The editors of RFE/RLs North.Realities, a regional news outlet of RFE/RL's Russian Service, sent a query to the Russian border authorities asking what is causing the massive delays for Ukrainian passport holders. No response had been received at the time of publication.

After the days-long wait in the open air, the Ukrainians ushered into the Russian border facility face questionnaires, followed by hours more waiting. The forms ask for personal data such as where the person came from and where they will go, as well as personal opinions on topics such as the policies of the Ukrainian government. An in-person interview follows that can last up to one hour. One young man claims the Russian border guards recovered deleted contacts from his phone and began calling them to find out who hed been speaking to, and what about. Anya, a Ukrainian woman, is traveling with her two boys, one of whom is younger than 2. Although they were quickly ushered into the Russian checkpoint, Anya and her boys spent a day and night waiting inside the facility before being let through. Earlier in the war, Anyas husband was evacuated from the Ukrainian war zone into the Russian city of Rostov. When she and her sons fled to safety into the European Union she says, The children were growing up without a father. Thats why were going. I can live in Russia. I dont feel any hostility.

Volunteers on the Russian and Estonian side of the border are unable to enter the neutral territory but offer help where they can. Elena, a humanitarian volunteer on the Russian side, said the situation is similar at all five border checkpoints from EU territory into Russias Pskov region. She says food and water is sent into the neutral areas where the Ukrainians are waiting, largely by asking truckers to carry it through the border. But we still need to find someone who can take it through, she says.
Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust said chairman Martin Havenhand was leaving having provided successful and sustained leadership over nine years.

A leaving date has not yet been given but the health trust is advertising the vacancy on its website.

Earlier this year, NHS England confirmed Mr Havenhand would become the new chairman of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust at the start of April.
Household utility services provider Telecom Plus Plc (TEP.L) reported higher profit before tax for fiscal 2023, on higher revenues.

Yearly profit before tax increased 81.1 percent to 85.5 million pounds from 47.2 million pounds in the same period last year.

Earnings per share increased 92 percent to 86.6 pence from 45.1 pence of last year.

Adjusted profit before tax was 96.2 million pounds, compared to 61.9 million pounds for the same period last year.

Revenue increased 155.9 percent to 2.475 billion pounds from 967.4 million pounds in the previous year on high organic growth of the customer base reflecting a 22 percent rise. The company also saw the services it supplies climb by 24 percent.

The company declared a final dividend of 46 pence per share payable on August 11 to shareholders of record on July 21. This brings the full year dividend to 80 pence per share showing an increase of 40.4 percent.

Looking ahead for the full year, the company anticipates double-digit annual percentage customer growth that will result in an increase in adjusted pre-tax profits correspondingly. The company plans to scale their insurance by establishing an in-house broker and insurer.

On Monday, shares of Telecom Plus closed trading at 1510 pence, down 0.53% on the London Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Brookfield Reinsurance (BNRE.TO, BNRE) delivered a letter to the board of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL) setting forth a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of American Equity Investment Life not already owned by Brookfield Reinsurance for aggregate consideration of $55.00 per share. For each AEL share, shareholders will receive $38.85 in cash and a number of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (BAM, BAM.TO) class A limited voting shares having a value equal to $16.15.

Brookfield Reinsurance plans to acquire from Brookfield Corporation (BN, BN.TO) shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. required to satisfy the non-cash consideration offered to AEL shareholders. Brookfield Corp.'s interest in Brookfield Asset Management will decrease from 75% to approximately 73%.

Brookfield Reinsurance will increase its assets under management to approximately $100 billion upon closing of the acquisition, and Brookfield Asset Management will increase its overall AUM to approximately $900 billion.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A plan to restore San Diego Countys only freshwater lagoon to its original saltwater state received unanimous support this week from the Carlsbad City Council.

Now we finally have light at the end of the tunnel, said Councilman Keith Blackburn, who praised the regional planning agency, the San Diego Association of Governments, or SANDAG, for taking over the Buena Vista Lagoon restoration project after it stalled under the states Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2012.

Saltwater is the preferred alternative in the final environmental impact report released in September by SANDAG for the lagoons proposed restoration. The other options are 2) to keep the lagoon filled with freshwater but clean out the weeds and silt, 3) to create a hybrid water body with the western half saltwater and the eastern half freshwater, or 4) to do nothing.

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The 240-acre lagoon at the border of Carlsbad and Oceanside has contained freshwater since property owners installed a weir in the 1940s at the outlet near the beach. The weir is a type of low dam installed at the lagoons outlet near the beach to keep out saltwater and hold in the freshwater supplied by creeks and storm runoff. The present structure was built in 1972.

Like all Southern California lagoons, the Buena Vista has been slowly shrinking. Development has encroached on its edges, along with reeds and cattails, and sand and sediment have clogged its channel. Without extensive dredging and excavation, the lagoon would fill completely in a few more years.

But the proposed restoration has been delayed for years by controversy over whether to keep the weir.

Removal of the weir would allow the ocean tides to sweep in and out, creating a more natural habitat that supports native species of plants and animals. Experts say tidal flows also help prevent flooding and greatly reduce the stagnant water that creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.

Saltwater performs best for flooding, water quality, mosquitoes and more, Keith Greer, a senior regional planner for SANDAG, said in a presentation Tuesday to the Carlsbad council.

Also, state and federal agencies have said they would only provide funding for the saltwater project, he said. That basically rules out the other options.

The hybrid is the worst of all worlds, and it costs the most, Greer said, and doing nothing is not acceptable.

The Carlsbad council voted unanimously Tuesday to write a letter of support for the saltwater alternative.

The project is expected to go to the county Board of Supervisors for approval in January, Greer said. Numerous other federal, state and local agencies also will have to sign off on the work.

Past estimates of the restoration costs range from $43 million to $62 million for the various alternatives. No construction funding has been identified so far, but money could be available through the North Coast Corridor Project, which includes the widening of the Interstate 5 and railroad bridges across the lagoon. One condition of most grants is that the project be shovel-ready, Greer said.

Most of the property owners at the edge of the lagoon and many overlooking it want it to stay filled with freshwater. They say they prefer their open-water views, and that tidal flushing would twice a day expose smelly mudflats, stop people from walking across the inlet, and that a proposed pedestrian bridge would create a safety and security hazard.

Representatives of the Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation and the Buena Vista Audubon Society, which has a nature center and offices in Oceanside on Coast Highway at the edge of the lagoon, spoke in favor of the saltwater alternative.

They have chosen the alternative that is best for the lagoon, the community, and the taxpayers, said Natalie Shapiro, the Audubon Society chapter president and a Carlsbad resident.

The lagoon foundation was a reluctant convert to the saltwater alternative, its longtime president, Regg Antle, told the council.

The foundation was formed in 1982 to work for the restoration of the lagoon, he said. Originally, the goal was to keep the freshwater state, but more than 30 years later, nothing has happened, and the foundations board has agreed to back the SANDAG recommendation.

We want the lagoon restored, he said, and the saltwater plan is the only viable option.

No one opposed to the saltwater plan spoke at Tuesdays meeting, but many residents and owners near the lagoon want to keep it the way it is.

Maintaining our lagoon view with substantial open water is of high importance to our community, states a letter supporting freshwater submitted by Robert and Michelle Dupre in 2015 when the draft environmental documents were released.

Creating a saltwater wetland in this important habitat would be a tragic disruption to a well-established ecosystem, wrote Carlsbad resident Elizabeth Jacinto in her comments on the plan.

Adding to the challenges of the proposed change is that the weir is on private property.

About half is owned by the wealthy residents of the Saint Malo Beach Colony, a gated community of large, multimillion-dollar homes built in the 1920s and 30s just north of the lagoon. The other half of the weir is owned by the Carlsbad Beach Homeowners Association, which represents 14 properties at the northern end of Ocean Street in Carlsbad. Both groups oppose the removal of the weir.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the chairman of "Georgian Dream", stated that the majority of the recommendations have been implemented. He further mentioned that there are a few remaining issues, which they are actively addressing, and expressed hope that these recommendations will be duly evaluated by foreign colleagues.He also mentioned that there will be additional consultations with partners concerning these specific points."At the same time, we will need additional consultations to address each point, and European colleagues will not even be able to use a tone of reproach towards us in relation to any of them. Three recommendations were considered fully implemented. Taking a critical and conservative approach, we have observed some progress on the points, with seven out of the eight points practically being addressed. An even more objective assessment would allow us to state that not three, but ten points have been fulfilled. However, if there are any remarks, naturally, we will continue to work in this regard. There are many phrases and sentences that can be discussed. We will have a lot of additional consultations with partners because we ask and demand not to be oppressed, and that the evaluation criteria are also fair.We observed the evaluation criteria in the previous case, and as a result, the country faced injustice. If only a fair decision based on these criteria had been made, we would have obtained the candidate status. We witnessed their own published evaluation criteria, which demonstrated significant progress in all crucial aspects. However, despite these achievements, we were unable to achieve the candidate status. The European perspective seemed promising, but that was all we received. Therefore, our efforts continue, with a focus on addressing the remaining points. In the end, we will do everything so that no one has an excuse to discuss reasons for non-compliance with the recommendations," stated Mdinaradze.The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, held a farewell meeting with Ulrik Tidestrom, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden. The meeting took place at the government administration and focused on discussing the productive cooperation between Georgia and Sweden. Attention was particularly given to the assistance provided by Sweden in various areas of Georgia's development. Gharibashvili acknowledged Sweden as one of the largest international donors to Georgia, emphasizing its significant contribution to the country's democratic and institutional modernization, as well as its socio-economic progress.The conversation also addressed Georgia's European integration path and Sweden's support in this process, which holds particular significance considering Sweden's presidency of the Council of the European Union.The meeting acknowledged the progress made by Georgia, including the positive dynamic of implementation of 12 recommendations. The Prime Minister emphasized that Georgia's integration into the European Union is the choice of the Georgian people, and the country awaits candidate status.Gharibashvili expressed gratitude to Ulrik Tidestrom for his support of Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the EU integration process, along with his dedication to European reforms. He extended his well wishes for Tidestrom's future endeavors.
Placental mammals  the evolutionary lineage that includes humans  co-existed with non-avian dinosaurs for a short time before the dinosaurs went extinct, according to new research.

About 66 million years ago, a massive asteroid crashed into Earth near the site of the small town of Chicxulub in what is now Mexico.

This impact unleashed an incredible amount of climate-changing gases into the atmosphere, triggering a chain of events that led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs and 75% of life on the planet.

Debate has long raged among paleontologists over whether placental mammals were present alongside the dinosaurs before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, or whether they only evolved after the dinosaurs were done away with.

Fossils of placental mammals are only found in rocks younger than 66 million years old, suggesting that the group evolved after the mass extinction. However, molecular data has long suggested an older age for placental mammals.

In the new study, University of Bristol paleobiologist Emily Carlisle and colleagues used statistical analysis of the fossil record to determine that placental mammals originated before the mass extinction, meaning they co-existed with dinosaurs for a short time.

However, it was only after the asteroid impact that modern lineages of placental mammals began to evolve, suggesting that they were better able to diversify once the dinosaurs were gone.

The researchers collected extensive fossil data from placental mammal groups extending all the way back to the mass extinction 66 million years ago.

We pulled together thousands of fossils of placental mammals and were able to see the patterns of origination and extinction of the different groups, Dr. Carlisle said.

Based on this, we could estimate when placental mammals evolved.

The model we used estimates origination ages based on when lineages first appear in the fossil record and the pattern of species diversity through time for the lineage, said Dr. Daniele Silvestro, a paleobiologist at the University of Fribourg.

It can also estimate extinction ages based on last appearances when the group is extinct.

By examining both origins and extinctions, we can more clearly see the impact of events such as the end-Cretaceous mass extinction or the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), said University of Bristols Professor Phil Donoghue.

Primates, the group that includes the human lineage, as well as Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares) and Carnivora (dogs and cats) were shown to have evolved just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, which means our ancestors were mingling with dinosaurs.

After they survived the asteroid impact, placental mammals rapidly diversified, perhaps spurred on by the loss of competition from the dinosaurs.

The study appears today in the journal Current Biology.

_____

Emily Carlisle et al. 2023. A timescale for placental mammal diversification based on Bayesian modelling of the fossil record. Current Biology, in press;
Eudyptula wilsonae is the smallest extinct crown penguin yet known and is a possible ancestor of the korora or New Zealand little penguin (Eudyptula minor minor), which is endemic to New Zealand and is the smallest living penguin species.

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to three of the six living penguin genera, including the little penguins (genus Eudyptula), said Dr. Daniel Thomas from Massey University and his colleagues from the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and Bruce Museum.

Little penguins occur across southern Australia and the New Zealand archipelago.

They are remarkable for being among the smallest obligate marine endotherms yet having breeding colonies distributed across the broadest range of mean annual sea-surface temperatures observed in penguins.

Their biogeographic origins and morphological evolution are therefore of great interest.

The newly-described species is an extinct member of the little penguin lineage and is the smallest extinct crown penguin yet known.

Named Eudyptula wilsonae, or the Wilsons little penguin, it lived during the Late Pliocene between 3.4 and 3 million years ago.

The two specimens  the nearly complete skulls of an adult and a fledged but immature individual  of the new species were found in the Tangahoe Formation, exposed in the southern Taranaki region of the North Island of New Zealand.

The fossils reveal that the physical characteristics of little penguins have remained largely unchanged across 3 million years, despite substantial environmental changes in the region across that time.

Our work helps to illustrate ancient penguin origins and provides significant evolutionary links between living animals and their Zealandia ancestors, Dr. Thomas said.

These newly discovered fossils show little penguins like korora have been part of coastal ecosystems of Zealandia for at least 3 million years.

This is important when thinking about the origins of these penguins, the evolution of the seabird diversity of Aotearoa and the dynamic environment in which they live.

For one thing, the climate has changed a lot over this time and this lineage has been robust to those changes.

The study supports a Zealandian origin for the little penguins and confirms their presence during the Neogene period.

Both skulls show more slender proportions than modern little penguins and precede genome-derived estimates for the divergence between Eudyptula minor minor and Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae, the authors said.

This raises the possibility that the fossil species represents a lineage directly ancestral to extant little penguins.

Our results support a Zealandian origin for little penguins, with subsequent Pleistocene dispersal to Australia and a more recent Holocene range expansion of Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae back into New Zealand.

The study was published in the Journal of Paleontology.

_____

Daniel B. Thomas et al. Pliocene fossils support a New Zealand origin for the smallest extant penguins. Journal of Paleontology, published online June 21, 2023; doi: 10.1017/jpa.2023.30
Spaceflight company Virgin Galactic introduced the crew aboard the 90-minute mission set on June 29. The personnel includes lead astronaut instructor Colin Bennett, Italian airforce senior members Walter Villadei and Angelo Landolfi, and National Research Council of Italy technical engineer Pantaleone Carlucci.

Virgin Galactic's First Crewed Mission

The mission, named Galactic 01, will be the first fully commercial crewed spaceflight of Virgin Galactic. If it succeeds, the company can compete with rival agencies that provide commercial passenger flights like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

During their flight, the crew will conduct suborbital science experiments like equipment testing for cosmic radiation and materials analysis in microgravity conditions. The passengers will be housed in the rocket-powered spaceplane called SpaceShipTwo vehicle VSS Unity. Its cabin will be transformed into a suitable science laboratory for conducting suborbital experiments.

Former US Air Force lieutenant colonel Michael Masucci will drive the space rocket. At the same time, US military pilots Kelly Latimer and Jameel Janjua will pilot the VMS Eve, which will serve as the mothership that will carry VSS Unity into space.

2019 Virgin Galactic signed the contract for this space mission with the Italian Air Force, with a launch estimate between 2020 and 2021. However, some supply chain and labor issues delayed the projected planned flight. The US Federal Aviation Authority also grounded all its missions in late 2021. This is due to the technical problems involved in the Unity 22 mission, which carried Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson.

In May 2023, a test flight was successfully conducted by the company. After this first crewed mission, a second commercial spaceflight named Galactic 02 is expected to be launched in early August. Virgin Galactic hopes that monthly spaceflights will follow the second mission.

READ ALSO: Virgin Galactic Signs With NASA for Private Space Missions Program

What is a Suborbital Flight?

In the space travel industry, a spaceflight can be orbital or suborbital. Their main difference lies in the speed at which a vehicle is traveling. In an orbital flight, the spacecraft must achieve orbital velocity, whereas a suborbital flight allows the rocket to fly at a lower speed.

Orbital velocity refers to the speed that needs to be maintained by an object for it to remain in orbit around the Earth. During an orbital space flight, a vehicle must travel at 17,400 mph to travel 125 miles above the Earth. Because of this incredibly high speed, an orbital flight is technically complex and expensive.

In contrast, a suborbital flight only requires a speed of 3,700 mph which is still faster than a commercial airplane. A suborbital rocket cannot achieve orbit, so it tends to fly up to a certain altitude depending on its speed. Once the engines are shut off, the rocket will come back down on the surface of the Earth.

Private spaceflight companies compete in providing orbital or suborbital journeys to potential customers. Agencies such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are in a race to attain regular private suborbital flight services in the future.

RELATED ARTICLE: Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson Wants to Build 'Hotel Off the Moon' After Successful Space Flight

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
MONTGOMERY, Ala.  Alabama legislators will hold their first meeting next week to determine what the states new congressional map should look like after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the states existing plan unlawfully diluted the power of Black voters.

The chairmen of the Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment on Wednesday released a schedule for hearings and deadlines.

A three-judge panel last week gave lawmakers until July 21 to adopt a new congressional map. The deadline comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last week affirmed the panels finding that Alabama likely violated the Voting Rights Act with a congressional map that had only one majority Black district out of seven in a state where more than one in four residents is Black.

The state must now draw a new map where Black voters comprise a majority, or close to it, in a second district.

The reapportionment committee set a June 27 public hearing, a July 7 deadline to submit plans to the committee, and another public hearing for July 13. Hearings can be watched online at the Alabama Legislatures website.

Lawyers for the state of Alabama told the three-judge panel last week that they were prepared for a special session beginning the week of July 17. The court would then review the plan enacted by lawmakers. The judges tentatively set an Aug. 14 hearing date to review the new map.
Three people were arrested late last week after a shower of bullets struck several mobile homes in Houston County.

Diana Bryan and Todd Eric Martin are charged with one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling and one count of second-degree assault. Lezair Hammock is charged with two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Bond was set at $20,000 for both Bryan and Hammock. Martin is being held in the Houston County Jail on a fugitive hold after investigators discovered he was wanted on a domestic violence strangulation charge in Sumter County, Florida.

On Friday, June 23, at around 7:50 p.m., Houston County deputies responded to the 7200 block of U.S. Highway 84 in Cowarts for a possible firearm assault.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officials discovered a female victim who had been hit in the face by a small caliber bullet. The victim was transported by air to a hospital in Birmingham to undergo surgery.

As the investigation got underway, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza said two of the suspects, Bryan and Martin, were outside shooting at targets when one of the bullets ricocheted into a nearby mobile home, striking the woman.

In response to the victim getting hit, her husband, later identified as Hammock, stepped outside and fired shots back at Bryan and Martin. However, several bullets ended up striking two other nearby mobile homes.

Following the shooting, Martin fled law enforcement by running into the woods, and was apprehended a few hours later. Bryan was taken into custody without incident, and Hammock was later arrested after he drove the victim to Southeast Health for medical treatment.

Although the target shooters didnt intend to harm, Valenza believes a little common sense wouldve prevented this situation.

To me, its reckless, Valenza said. They were outside shooting around people who were inside their mobile homes.
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is set to bring about a significant transformation in ESG reporting for Australian businesses, according to BCSD Australia.

The ISSB recently introduced two new sustainability disclosure standards, namely the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and the IFRS sustainability disclosure standard  IFRS S2 Climate-related disclosures.

These standards, launched in London, are expected to reshape the reporting landscape and play a crucial role in aligning different sustainability disclosure regimes while addressing investor information needs regarding sustainability-related risks and opportunities.

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) recently launched its inaugural standards, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, revolutionizing sustainability disclosures in global capital markets. These standards provide a common language for disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities and aim to enhance trust in company disclosures for investment decisions.

The ISSB will support the adoption of the standards, establish implementation groups, and collaborate with jurisdictions and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to ensure effective reporting.

Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSD Australia, which represents the countrys business sustainability leaders, expressed his enthusiasm for the ISSBs new sustainability disclosure standards.

He emphasised that these comprehensive reporting standards will transform Australian businesses and capital markets, enabling them to report on their Ambition, Action, and Accountability in their ESG data.

The ISSBs new sustainability disclosure standards mark the first major steps in creating alignment between differing sustainability disclosure regimes and helping meet investor information needs on sustainability-related risks and opportunities, Petersen said.

The new comprehensive reporting standards will be transformative for Australian business and capital markets in reporting on their Ambition, Action and Accountability in their ESG data.

The introduction of the IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 disclosure standards is expected to provide Australian businesses with clarity on how to report their environmental, social, and governance issues. Moreover, these standards will facilitate clear and comparable reporting, ensuring consistency across various companies.

Petersen highlighted that by adopting the ISSBs standards, companies will enhance their ability to meet the escalating expectations of investors, regulators, and the public. In addition, these standards will enable organisations to identify sustainability-related risks and opportunities, leading to better decision-making and resource allocation.

The ISSB, established by the IFRS Foundation, operates as an independent, not-for-profit organisation responsible for developing high-quality, globally accepted accounting standards. The ISSBs new reporting standards build upon the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and incorporate industry-specific requirements based on the SASB Standards. This approach aims to streamline the sustainability reporting landscape, promote consistency in disclosure practices, and provide a framework that can effectively address the challenges posed by climate change and other sustainability issues.

Read more here.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets with his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins in China, June 27, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

Vietnam and New Zealand aim for bilateral trade turnover to reach $2 billion by 2024, a 54% increase from 2022.

At a Tuesday meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealander counterpart Chris Hipkins at a World Economic Forum meeting in China, both leaders said Vietnam and New Zealands economic, trade and investment cooperation have made important progresses.

New Zealand is now considered one of Vietnams strategic economic and education partners.

In 2022, bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached around $1.3 billion.

Chinh and Hipkins agreed to encourage a more open market for goods, including agricultural products, in order to increase the bilateral trade turnover to $2 billion in 2024.

Chinh said Vietnam would create opportunities for New Zealand businesses to invest into fields like education, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, agriculture and construction. He also asked that New Zealand support Vietnamese businesses investing into the country.

New Zealand has the 4th highest vegetable export turnover in Vietnam, accounting for 7% of the market. In 2022, New Zealand officially began to import citrus products from Vietnam. Vietnamese limes became popular there alongside other existing Vietnamese products in New Zealand such as dragonfruit.

Hipkins said bolstering economic-trade relations with Vietnam is a priority for New Zealand. He also supports the significant role of ASEAN, including Vietnam, when it comes to regional issues.

Also on Tuesday, Chinh met with his Mongolian counterpart Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai. Chinh said Vietnam is willing to be a bridge for Mongolia to bolster relations with ASEAN for peace and prosperity in both the region and the world.

Luvsannamsrai said Mongolia is proud to be a friend with Vietnam. He called on both sides to utilize the Mongolia-Vietnam inter-governmental committee and other cooperation mechanisms between the two countries.

"Mongolia wants to expand cooperation with Vietnam in fields like traffic, railways, aviation and tourism," he added.

Chinh also met with his Barbadian counterpart Mia Mottley.

Chinh said he wanted to boost cooperation between the two countries, including the signing of a visa exemption agreement for those carrying diplomatic and official passports. Chinh said he hopes that Vietnam can bolster relations with the Caribbean region through Barbados.

Mottley said she hopes both countries will maintain their bilateral cooperation and mutual support on multilateral forums, especially the United Nations.

Chinh is officially visiting China and attending the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions by the World Economic Forum in Tianjin from June 25 to June 28.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh wants to look into the possibility of developing a standard, high-speed railway that connects Vietnam and China.

At a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in China's Beijing on Tuesday, Chinh requested China to bolster the progress of opening the market for Vietnam's agricultural products, and create opportunities for Vietnam to open more offices to promote trade in China.

Chinh also wants China to give more quota for Vietnamese goods in transit to a third country by Chinas railway, as well as looking into cooperation possibilities for a standard, high-speed railway connecting the two countries.

Chinh also commended Chinese businesses for expanding high-quality investments into Vietnam, wishing for more exchanges between both countries and to contribute to a resilient social foundation for bilateral relations.

Chinh stressed that a stable and long-term relations with China has always been a strategic choice of foremost priority for Vietnam's external relations.

In response, Xi said China has always regarded Vietnam as a priority when it comes to its diplomatic policies, and wants to bolster the relationship between the two countries and the two Parties.

Xi said China is ready to maintain strategic exchanges with Vietnam, import goods from Vietnam and bolster railway, road and border infrastructure connectivity.

Xi commends Vietnam for participating in China's global initiatives and promoting peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Both leaders agree to control and appropriately deal with disagreements, as well as maintaining peace and stability at sea.

Also on Tuesday, Chinh ] met with Zhao Leji, chairman of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, requesting for the two countries to collaborate at multilateral forums and appropriately deal with differences on a friendly spirit and in accordance with international law.

Zhao said China values the development of friendly relations with Vietnam, and is willing to conduct agreements with Vietnam and to bolster the two's comprehensive strategic partnerships to new heights. The Chinese National Assembly is also willing to bolster friendly exchanges with the Vietnamese National Assembly, he added.

Chinh is officially visiting China and attending the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions by the World Economic Forum in Tianjin from June 25 to June 28.
June 26, 2023 | 03:22 pm PT

"As long as it's still hot, we will continue to tell people to save energy," said Pham Minh Duc, a Hanoi employee of Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

He and his colleagues have been touring the streets, even going inside people's homes to tell them to turn off unnecessary electric devices amid the summer heat.

A friend sent me a video of such a tour, saying he felt their attempts were "desperate." I completely understand.

The power shortages we experienced in the previous weeks did not come out of nowhere. They have been forecasts for years. Central and southern Vietnam would have suffered the same fate, if not for (ironically) an economic downturn that reduced power demand.

The hot, dry weather was cited as one of the reasons for the power shortages. New, alternative power sources in the north could not keep up with the region's power demand.

The capabilities of the power distribution system also could not keep up with the development of renewable energy sources in central and southern Vietnam, meaning a burden was placed on the north's power grid. These are just a few of the reasons.

Let's skip the weather for a change. Let's ask ourselves this: could investments in the consistent development of power sources and the power grid help resolve shortages for the long-term, and ensure national energy security in a sustainable way?

To answer that, we should look at the big picture of Vietnam's power demand and usage efficiency.

To ensure energy security, there must be optimal solutions for power supply, demand, and its delicate balance. Such a balance must be supported by institutional frameworks and legal corridors.

I will only discuss power demand in this article. If you want to read about the supply-demand balance to keep up with the ever-increasing production of solar and wind energy, there might be a future article for that.

An important criterion to evaluate the efficiency in power usage for a country is electricity intensity, measured as the number of kWh required to create a dollar of GDP growth. This value is calculated by dividing a country's total power usage by its total GDP in a year. The higher the electricity intensity is, the lower the efficiency.

I calculated Vietnam's electricity intensity over the last 10 years on average at 0.65 kwh per USD, which is twice the global average at 0.31 kWh per USD.

Vietnam's value is 1.2 times higher than China's, 1.4 times higher than Malaysia's, 1.7 times higher than Thailand's, 2.3 times higher than the Philippines', 2.5 times higher than Indonesia's, 3.1 times higher than Japan's and 4.3 times higher than Singapore's.

Most notably, this value is on the rise, with 0.59 kWh per USD in 2021 rising to 0.67 kWh per USD in 2021.

It means Vietnam is becoming more reliant on power usage to fuel economic growth, but we are not using it efficiently. I call this a "power trap," which implies that any issue that affects a country's power sources and pricing harbors the risk of harming its economy and sustainable development.

If we don't find a way to break out of this trap, we will be stuck in an endless loop of power shortages, which spur investments into the power grid, which help drive growth, only for the cycle to repeat.

One of the reasons for this precarious situation is the fact that Vietnam has kept its power prices for production among the lowest in Asia. Over the last 20 years, people who use electricity for daily usage and businesses have had to pay higher power prices to support the industrial production sector. But here's the thing. Industrial production takes up half of all electricity production in the entire country, while power demand for daily usage only takes up a third, and power demand for commercial and service purposes only takes up 5%.

Such a situation means power-intensive industries rush to Vietnam for investments to make use of its cheap electricity prices. This has been happening for a long time.

I have not seen Vietnam clearly shifting its growth model towards green and sustainable production. For example, there's a proposal to build the Lo Dieu steel factory in the central province of Binh Dinh, capable of producing 5.4 million tons of steel a year.

If it goes into operation, the factory will consume around 3.78 billion kWh a year, which is enough for the entire city of Hanoi to use for two months.

Vietnam has around 3,000 power-intensive facilities, with over 2,400 of them being industrial facilities. Out of the 860,000 businesses in Vietnam, these 3,000 facilities consume a third of all electricity produced throughout the country, enough to power around 25 million families.

Just by cutting down power usage in these facilities by 10%, Vietnam would save over 8 billion kWh a year, enough for Hanoi to use for four months. These are conservative estimates, as the World Bank said Vietnam's industrial sector has the potential to cut down power usage from 25 to 40%.

What I'm trying to say is calling for people to save energy by turning off their devices is not something truly necessary. It is indeed something "desperate," as my friend remarked.

Saving energy is each and everyone's duty, but it would be more effective if we knew where to focus our energy, using policies and initiatives in a systematic way.

From adjustments to growth models to choices of investments, and approval of green and sustainable technologies, these are the true answers to Vietnam's power demand problem.

*Nguyen Dang Anh Thi is an expert on energy and environment.
Investors' focus in the middle of the week was likely to be on the European Central Bank's central banking forum in Sintra, Portugal.

The head of the Bank of England, US Federal Reserve, ECB and Bank of Japan were all scheduled to participate on a panel in Sintra from 1430 BST.

Earlier in the day, Bank chief economist, Huw Pill, was to deliver a speech at the same venue on "lessons fro recent experiences in macroeconomic forecasting".

In terms of data, at 0700 BST consultancy GfK was due to publish its consumer confidence index for Germany covering the month of July.

It would be followed by the M3 money supply figures for the euro area in May at 0900 BST.

Stateside, at 1330 BST the Department of Commerce would release a preliminary estimate for foreign trade in May.

Wednesday 28 June

INTERIMS

Abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust, Harmony Energy Income Trust, Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crude Oil Inventories (US) (15:30)

GFK Consumer Confidence (GER) (07:00)

M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)

MBA Mortgage Applications (US) (12:00)

Services Sentiment (EU) (10:00)

GMS

Panthera Resources

FINALS

SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust

AGMS

Atalaya Mining, Avacta Group, Boku, Inc (DI) Reg S Cat 3/144A, Cambridge Cognition Holdings, CEIBA Investments Limited NPV, Cizzle Biotechnology Holdings, Cobra Resources, Cora Gold Limited (DI), Datang International Power Generation Co Ltd., Dial Square Investments, Medcaw Investments, NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited, Pembridge Resources, Pembridge Resources, Pineapple Power Corporation , Polarean Imaging, Polarean Imaging, Ra International Group, Shield Therapeutics, Star Phoenix Group Ltd NPV (DI), Tialis Essential IT, Valirx, Velocys plc, Vertu Motors, Warpaint London , Westminster Group

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nationwide House Price Index (07:00)
CAB Payments said on Tuesday that it expects to be valued at around 851.4m when it lists in London next month.

The company, which specialises in business-to-business cross-border payments and foreign exchange, said the offer price has been set at 335p per share.

Chief executive officer Bhairav Trivedi said: "I'm delighted to announce to the market a compelling offer price. CAB Payments has a differentiated business model with an attractive economic profile marked by profitability, cash generation and strong margins, and it benefits from structural growth drivers.

"We have been pleased with the investor engagement so far and are excited to continue to meet the institutional and retail investment community over the next week."

Earlier this month, WE Soda - the worlds largest producer of natural soda ash - said it had abandoned its London IPO plans amid "extreme investor caution".

The companys chief executive, Alasdair Warren, said at the time: "Since our intention to float announcement some weeks ago, we had been encouraged by the breadth of investor engagement globally and the subsequent interest from prospective investors in our IPO.

"Despite this, the reality is that investors, particularly in the UK, remain extremely cautious about the IPO market and this extreme investor caution in London meant that we were unable to arrive at a valuation that we believe reflects our unique financial and operating characteristics. As a result, we have decided to cancel our IPO on the London Stock Exchange."
South Africa: SA, Germany strengthen ties at 11th Bi-National Commission

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Dr Naledi Pandor says South Africas relationship with Germany is one of the most crucial and strategic, with the European country being a major investor and an important development partner.

The Minister was speaking during the 11th Meeting of South AfricaGermany Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on Tuesday, where she hosted her counterpart Annalena Baerbock, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Pandor said the South Africa-Germany Bi-National Commission is one of the most substantive the country has.

Highlighting the importance and closeness of relations between the two countries, Pandor said South Africa is Germanys largest trading partner in Africa.

At the same time, Germany is the third largest export market for South African products, most of which are value-added. The German economy is export-focused and yet we have a healthy trade surplus. Your country is a major investor in South Africa and an important development partner, Pandor told her counterpart.

The Minister said Germany is the third largest source of overseas tourists to South Africa.

Before the pandemic, the country received about 350 000 German tourists a year. This dropped to only 44 000 in 2021, but is already back above the 200 000 mark currently.

COVID-19 illustrated the importance of international cooperation to deal with international problems. We differed strongly on issues of vaccine equity during the pandemic, but Germany is today an important partner in the establishment of the mRNA vaccine transfer hub in South Africa.

Climate change is a matter of concern to all of us and will impact on all of us. Again, we can count on Germany as a valuable partner in our Just Energy Transition journey, Pandor said.

Referring to the Agreed Report of the BNC, which is almost 50 pages in total, Pandor said it is clear that the two countries' relationship is very substantial, very diverse and it benefits our people in various ways.

South Africa and Germany share many common values on matters of peace and security, human rights, climate change and sustainability, and economic development.

In order to pursue these values more effectively, Pandor said both South Africa and Germany believe in the need to reform the United Nations.

The Minister told her counterpart that she remains keen to have a discussion on the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and to find ways in which South Africa and Germany can cooperate to improve the lives of women in places such as Afghanistan and Palestine.

Turning to various challenges facing country, Pandor told her counterpart that these challenges also bring great opportunities.

You will be aware of our energy challenges, which can mostly be ascribed to our aging coal-fired power stations, which can no longer function at optimum level. However, at the same time, the development of alternative energy sources, be they renewable such as solar or wind, or green hydrogen, have grown exponentially.

Our government will publish its strategy for electric vehicles in a few months, and we hope that the German automotive companies that are here already will utilise this opportunity to expand their capacity and produce electric vehicles in the same quantity and quality as they do internal combustion engine vehicles at the moment, Pandor said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
 | | Part 1 Origins 

Introduction

Welcome to things-that-count.net. This website describes a collection of antique calculators (collection Calculant1) and uses it to help develop a historical account of the way humans developed the need and capacity to calculate, the things they used to help them, and how human societies (and even human brains) evolved with those developments.

The account given here is of a 37,000 year story, one in which humans came to count, record their counting and do simple arithmetic sums. Over time these capabilities became essential ingredients in what became increasingly complex societies. More citizens needed to be able to manipulate numbers in their daily lives and, over time, a range of aides of various sorts were developed to assist. At the beginning, the aides were very simple - for example, marks scribed on bones and patterns arranged with pebbles. Later, primitive devices and tables were developed and sold. Over time, much more elaborate mechanical devices were developed to help in this task. Many of these devices, where they survive, now represent little more than mechanical fossils. Unused and largely forgotten their remains are scattered across history from earliest human pre-history to our present moment.

The need for calculation, however has prospered. As societies have become more complex, transactions in them depending on arithmetic (the familiar tasks of counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing), as well as more complex mathematics, have intensified. Yet over much of this period, for many people in these societies, doing even the simplest arithmetic tasks has been neither easy nor, for some, comprehensible. For this reason finding ways to do these tasks faster and more accurately, and to spread the ability across more people, has been a preoccupation in many societies. It is the approaches that have been taken to aid achieving these simple goals (rather than the development of complex mathematics) which is the primary focus of this website.

Early calculators were not things. Rather they were people who were employed to calculate. Over time these people were first aided, but later replaced by calculating devices. These devices became very widely used across many countries. There is evidence we may now be passing the heyday of such stand-alone calculators. This is because, increasingly since the advent of electronic computing, the aides to calculation have begun to appear in virtual form as apps in phones, tablets and laptops. The end of calculators, seen as devices, in this sense is looming.

One might imagine that a history of calculators would consist simply of the progressive discovery and invention of ever more effective and sophisticated calculating devices. Indeed many such accounts do focus on this with loving details of the minutae of mechanical invention. But to focus simply on that is to oversimplify and lose much of what is potentially interesting. Across human history many weird things were indeed devised for doing simple calculations. But the development of these begs a series of questions: When and why were they made, how were they used, and why at times were they forgotten for centuries or even millennia?

The objects in collection Calculant described here, which are used to help illustrate answers to these sort of questions, are drawn from across some 4,000 years of history. Each of them was created with a belief that it could assist people in thinking about (and with) numbers. They range from little metal coin-like disks to the earliest electronic pocket calculators - representing a sort of vanishing point for all that had come before. The collection and the history it illustrates in a sense form a duet - the two voices each telling part of the story. The history has shaped what has been collected, and the collection has helped shape how the story is told.

1. Initial observations.

As most people know, the spread of electronic personal calculators of the 1970s was followed quickly by the first personal computers. Before long, computer chips began to be embodied in an ever expanding array of converging devices. In turn, ever greater computing power spread across the planet. However sophisticated these modern computers appeared on the outside, and whatever the diversity of functions they performed, at heart they achieved most of this by doing a few things extremely fast. (Central to the things they did were logic operations such as if, and, or and not, and the arithmetic operations of addition and subtraction - from which multiplication and division can also be derived). On top of this were layers of sophisticated programming, memory and input and output.

Prior calculating technologies had to rely on slower mechanical processes. This meant they were much more limited in speed, flexibility and adaptability. Nevertheless they too were designed to facilitate the same fundamental arithmetic and logical operations. The technologies of mathematics are in this sense much simpler than the elaborate analytic structures which make up mathematical analysis. And for this reason, it is not necessary to consider all of mathematics in order to follow much of the history of how the technologies to aid mathematical reasoning developed. Just considering the history of the development of aids to calculation can tell a great deal. As already noted, it is that which is dealt with here.

The calculational devices that were developed show an unmistakeable progression in complexity, sophistication and style from the earliest to the latest. Corresponding to this it is possible to construct histories of calculational aids as some sort of evolution based on solving technical problems with consequent improvements in design building one upon the other. But, as already noted, it is also important to understand why they were invented and used.

Fortunately in order to understand what has shaped the development of these calculational aids we can largely avoid talking much about mathematics. This is lucky because mathematics is by now a huge field of knowledge. So you are entitled to relief that in this site we will avoid much of mathematics. We need not touch, for example, on calculus, set and group theory, the mathematics of infinite dimensional vector spaces that make the modern formulation of quantum mechanics possible, and tensors which Einstein used to express his wonderfully neat equations for the shape of space-time.2 It will be sufficient to note that many modern challenges - from the prediction of climate under the stress of global warming, to the simulation of a nuclear reactor accident, to the deconstruction of DNA - could not occur without enormous numbers of calculations which in the end are constituted out of additions and subtractions (and multiplications and divisions) and can only be carried out in workable times with the use of ever faster calculating devices.

Even keeping our attention restricted to the basic arithmetic operations, it turns out we will still encounter some of the curly issues that we would have to think about if we were focussing on the whole evolving field of mathematical thought. Of course history of mathematics is itself a field of scholastic study which can be developed from many perspectives. These include those from the mainstream of history and philosophy of science3 through to the sociology of science.4 Even though this discussion here focuses on only a tiny arithmetic core of mathematics it will still be useful to take some account of this literature and its insights. In particular, whether concerning ourselves with the evolution of the simple areas of mathematics or the more obstruse areas, one question is always raised: what led to this particular development happening as and when it did?

2. Did increases in the power of mathematics lead the development of calculators? Was it the other way round?

It might be assumed that arithmetic, and more broadly, mathematics, developed through a process that was entirely internal to itself. For example, this development might have been propelled forward because people could ask questions which arise within mathematics, but require the invention of new mathematics to answer them.

Suppose we know about addition and that 2+2 =4. Then it is possible to ask what number added to 4 would give 2. Answering that involves inventing the idea of a negative number. This leads to progress through completing mathematics (i.e. seeking to answer all the questions that arise in mathematics which cannot yet be answered.) That must be part of the story of how mathematics develops. Yet the literature on the history of mathematics tells us this cannot be all.

The idea of mathematics, and doing it, are themselves inventions. The question of when mathematics might be useful will have different answers in different cultures. Different societies may identify different sorts of issues as interesting or important (and only some of these will be usefully tackled with mathematics). Also different groups of people in those societies will be educated in what is known in mathematics. Finally, different groups of people, or organisations, may have influence in framing the questions that mathematicians are encouraged (and resourced) to explore.

But the same is true of invention. At different times and in different cultures there have been quite different views taken on the value of change, and thus invention. At some points in history the mainstream view has been that the crucial task is to preserve the known truth (for example, as discovered by some earlier civilisation - notably the ancient Greeks, or as stated in a holy book). At other times or places much greater value has been placed on inventing new knowledge. Even when invention is in good standing there can be a big question of who is to be permitted to do it. And even if invention is applauded it may be still true that this may only be in certain areas considered appropriate or important. This is as true in mathematics as in other areas of human activity.

In short, a lot of factors can shape what is seen as mathematics, what it is to be used for, and by whom. As an illustration it is worth remembering that astrology has until relatively recently been considered both a legitimate area of human knowledge and a key impetus for mathematical development. Thus E. G. Taylor writes of the understandings in England in the late sixteenth century: The dictum that mathematics was evil for long cut at the very roots of the mathematical arts and practices. How were those to be answered for whom mathematics meant astronomy, astronomy meant astrology, astrology meant demonology, and demonology was demonstrably evil?5 Indeed, it was noted that when the first mathematical Chairs were established at Oxford University, parents kept their sons from attending let they be smutted with the Black Art.6 However, despite these negative connotations, practioners of the dark arts played a strong role in developing and refining instruments and methodologies for recording and predicting the movement of star signs as they moved across the celestial sphere.

One of the key features of the contemporary world is its high level of interconnection. In such a world it is easy to imagine that developments in mathematics which happen in one place will be known and built on almost simultaneously in another. Yet that is a very modern concept. In most of history the movement of information across space and time has been slow and very imperfect. So what at what one time has been discovered in one place may well have been forgotten a generation or two later, and unheard of in many other places. For this reason, amongst others already mentioned, talk of the evolution of mathematics as if it had a definite timetable, and a single direction is likely to be very misleading.

History of course relies on evidence. We can only know where and when innovations have occurred when evidence of them can be uncovered. Even the partial picture thus uncovered reveals a patchwork of developments in different directions. That is certainly a shadow of the whole complex pattern of discovery, invention, forgetting, and re-discovery which will have been shaped at different times by particular needs and constraints of different cultures, values, political structures, religions, and practices. In short, understanding the evolution of calculating machines is assisted by investigating it in the context of the evolution of mathematical thinking. But that is no simple picture. The history of developments in calculators and mathematics has been embroidered and shaped by the the social, political and economic circumstances in which they emerged. At times, mathematical developments have shaped developments in calculators, and and other times, the opposite has been true.

3. What is a calculator?

Calculator could be taken to mean a variety of things. It could be calculation app. on a smart phone, a stand alone elctronic calculator from the 1970s, or the motorised and before that hand-cranked mechanical devices that preceded the electronic machines. In earlier times it could simply mean someone who calculates. It is difficult to see where the line should be drawn in this regress all the way back to the abstract manipulation of numbers.

In this discussion, calculator is used as shorthand for calculating technology. In particular it is taken to mean any physically embodied methodology, however basic, used to assist the performance of arithmetic operations (including counting). Thus a set of stones laid out to show what the result is if two are added to three (to give five), or if in three identical rows of five what the outcome is of multiplying five by three (to give fifteen) will be regarded as a simple calculator. So too, will the fingers of the hand, when used for similar purpose, and even the marking of marks on a medium (such as sand, clay or papyrus) to achieve a similar result.

This approach is certainly not that taken in all the literature. Ernest Martin in his widely cited book The Calculating Machines (Die Rechenmaschinen) is at pains to argue of the abacus (as well as slide rules, and similar devices), that it is erroneous to term this instrument a machine because it lacks the characteristics of a machine.7 In deference to this what is referred to here is calculators (and sometimes calculating technologies or calculating devices). Where the phrase calculating machine is used it will be in the sense used by Martin, referring to something with more than just a basic mechanism which would widely be understood to be a machine. But with that caveat, the term calculator will be used here very broadly.

The decision to apparently stretch the concept of calculator so far reflects a well known observation within the History and Philsophy of Science and Technology that in the end, technique and technology, or science and technology, are not completely distinct categories. Technologies embody knowledge, the development of technologies can press forward the boundaries of knowledge, and technological development is central to discovery in science. As Mayr says in one of many essays on the subject, If we can make out boundaries at all between what we call science and technology, they are usually arbitrary.8 Indeed, as will be described later, the mental image that mathematics is the work of mathematicians (thinkers) whilst calculators are the work of artisans (practical working people) is an attempt at a distinction that falls over historically, sociologically, and philosophically.

4. A discussion in three parts.

This is a work in progress, which in part is why it is formed as a website. So please regard it as a first draft (for which there may never be a final version). For this reason, corrections, additional insights, or links to other resources I should know about will be much appreciated.

A word also about the way I have constructed the historical account. In keeping with the analysis I have contributed to elsewhere (in a book by Joseph Camilleri and myself9), human development, will roughly be divided into a set of semi-distinct (but overlapping) epochs, preceded by a pre-Modern Era spanning the enormous time period from the birth of the first modern homo-sapiens to the beginning of the Modern Period. This beginning is set as beginning (somewhat earlier than is conventional) in the middle of the sixteenth century, with the Early Modern Period continuing from the mid-sixteenth to late eighteenth century, and the Late Modern Period stretching forward into the twentieth century, and terminating around the two world wars. From thereon the world is regarded by Joseph Camilleri and myself as entering a period of transition10 (but there is not much need to focus on that here).

Thus the historical account is broken into three parts. The first part looks at the relationship between the evolution of calculating and calculators in the pre-Modern period. That forms a backdrop but only one object in the collection is of an appropriate age. Apart from that object (which is some 4,000 years old) the objects in this collection Calculant are drawn from the Modern Period (the earliest of these objects being from the early sixteenth century), and the Late Modern Period (from 1800) when mechanical calculation began to gain greater use in the broader society.

 | | Part 1 Origins 

 | | Part 1 Origins 

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Aerial view of a section of Thanh An Commune in HCMC's Can Gio District. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

A future Ho Chi Minh City port is expected to contribute up to VND40 trillion ($1.69 billion) annually to the national budget while also creating tens of thousands of jobs.

According to a document on the construction of the Can Gio Port, sent from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport to the municipal People's Committee for submission to the prime minister, the port would span over 7 km and be capable of receiving the heaviest container ship available today (at 250,000 DWT), as proposed by container shipping company MSC.

The project would be built at Phu Loi Island, part of the Cai Mep estuary, and would cost around $5.45 billion. The project would be divided into seven phases, with the first phase to be completed in 2027 and the whole project in 2045.

The port is expected to be a major boon to the local and national economies, contributing some VND34-40 trillion to the national budget every year once construction is complete in 2045, the construction department said.

Various taxes and fees would make up the majority of the funds funneled into the state coffers.

The port would also attract investments from businesses and create jobs for around 6,000-8,000 employees at the port directly, along with tens of thousands of other people working indirectly elsewhere in logistics.

The amount of goods passing HCMC ports is expected to increase over 5% on average until 2030, with the amount of containers increasing by 6%, according to the municipal transport department.

Meanwhile, container systems at seaports have already exceeded their capacity.

The construction of the Can Gio Port would therefore boost the citys seaport system, creating competitive advantages with other countries, as well as providing breakthroughs for the development of Vietnams maritime economy.

By 2030, the ports capacity is expected to reach 4.8 million teu, and 16.9 million teu by 2047.

For connectivity, HCMC will build the Can Gio Bridge to connect the Can Gio Port area with the metropolis southern transport hub Nha Be District.

The city will also upgrade several bridges on Rung Sac Road to connect the road with the Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway, the longest in southern Vietnam, in Binh Khanh Commune.

Authorities are also looking into building an elevated road running along the Rung Sac Road to connect to the Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway intersection.

With the arrival of the Can Gio Port, after 2030 there would be an urban railway running along Rung Sac, connecting the Can Gio sea urban area with HCMCs fourth metro line (Thanh Xuan-Hiep Phuoc urban area) in Nha Be District.

, the construction department said
London-based consumer electronic brand Nothing has introduced the new Glyph Composer along with a first of its kind creative collaboration. Nothing and Grammy Award-nominated electronic music titans and global supergroup Swedish House Mafia have partnered to launch an exclusive Glyph Ringtone composition and Glyph Sound Pack, the company said in a statement.

"The Glyph Composer will be available for both Nothing smartphones from the Phone (2) launch. The Swedish House Mafia Glyph Ringtone and Glyph Sound Pack will be accessible this summer."

With the new composer, Phone (2) and Phone (1) users will be able to design their own Glyph Ringstone, a series of sounds and corresponding lights on the back of Nothing's smartphones. After users find their rhythm, they can hit the record button and produce their very own Glyph Ringtone using the Glyph Sound Pack from Swedish House Mafia.

Moreover, users can also use the preset Glyph Ringtone mixed by Swedish House Mafia. "A complete Glyph Ringtone will be a composition of eight-10 seconds and provided as a multitrack audio file. Monophonic clips up to two seconds in duration will sync with the user experience on the back of the smartphone," Nothing said.

Additionally, each sound pack contains five distinctly different tones and sound mixes that the user can play and record. "Were excited to have collaborated with the Nothing team in London to launch a smartphone innovation that brings the worlds of music and tech ever closer," said Swedish House Mafia members Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso.

Earlier this month, the electronic brand had announced that it will launch its next flagship smartphone, Phone (2), in India.
The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India is all set to celebrate Udyami Bharat-MSME Day on 27th June 2023 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Aligned with the theme of "Building a Stronger Future Together," this event coincides with World MSME Day and aims to highlight the importance of collaboration in empowering MSMEs. In the wake of the global pandemic, MSMEs have faced unprecedented challenges. However, they have also demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. The Ministry of MSME recognizes the vital role that MSMEs play in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating employment opportunities. With Udyami Bharat-MSME Day, the Ministry aims to celebrate the achievements of MSMEs and reinforce its commitment to supporting their growth and development.

Creating employment opportunities is one of the key focuses of Udyami Bharat-MSME Day. MSMEs have long been recognized as significant contributors to employment generation, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The government aims to build on this foundation and promote inclusive growth by nurturing and supporting MSMEs. By highlighting the role of MSMEs in job creation, the celebration seeks to inspire and encourage further expansion in this sector. Enhancing productivity and competitiveness is another critical aspect of empowering MSMEs. The Ministry of MSME understands that improving the productivity of MSMEs is vital for their sustainability and growth. Through initiatives such as skill development programs and technology adoption, the government aims to equip MSMEs with the necessary knowledge and tools to thrive in a dynamic business landscape. Access to finance and infrastructure development are also key areas of focus, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs.

Collaboration and partnerships are central to the theme of "Building a Stronger Future Together." The government recognizes that collective efforts between governments, industry associations, financial institutions, and other stakeholders can provide MSMEs with access to expertise, technology, and markets. By fostering collaboration, the Ministry aims to create an environment where MSMEs can scale their businesses, expand into new territories, and succeed on a global scale. Udyami Bharat-MSME Day serves as a platform to showcase the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for MSMEs. The Ministry has introduced various reforms to simplify regulations, enhance the ease of doing business, and promote digitalization. This celebration not only recognizes the contributions of MSMEs but also serves as a call to action, urging all stakeholders to come together and support the growth and development of MSMEs.

Bridging the Digital Divide

India's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), encompassing approximately 63 million small businesses, are pivotal to the country's economy, contributing 30% to the GDP and 45% to manufacturing output. However, despite their significance, the digital transformation of MSMEs lags behind attributed to structural handicaps such as limited resources, financial constraints, inadequate digital infrastructure, and a lack of digital literacy. Bridging this digital divide necessitates concerted efforts, including providing support and resources for digital up skilling, raising awareness, and ensuring affordable access to digital infrastructure. By embracing digital technologies, MSMEs can enhance productivity, expand market reach, and drive innovation, underscoring the urgency for collaborative initiatives to empower MSMEs and enable them to thrive in the digital era.

Mr. Vishal Rally, Senior Vice-President - Product, Commercial and Marketing, Tata Teleservices said, On MSME day, we recognize and celebrate the immense contribution of MSMEs to the economic growth of the country with their entrepreneurial spirit and creating opportunities for communities. At Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS) we are committed to supporting MSMEs in their growth and success. We understand that in this digital age, they require advance technology solutions to compete effectively in the market and grow their business. With our customer-centric approach and cutting-edge solutions, we empower MSMEs to simplify and accelerate their digital transformation journey, harness the true potential of their workforce, and unlock remarkable innovation. Together, we strive to forge a digital ecosystem that champions MSMEs' growth, resilience, and prosperity, propelling India's economy to new heights.

Mr. Joyjeet Bose, Sr. Vice- President, Tata Teleservices said, "We recognize the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving countrys economic growth, creating employment opportunities while nurturing local communities. We understand the unique requirements and challenges faced by MSMEs in todays digital landscape and as their trusted digital enabler guide them through the digital transformation journey. At Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS), we are committed to providing robust digital infrastructure to empower MSMEs compete on a global scale. We remain investible in cutting-edge technology, offering innovative and affordable solutions, and delivering unmatched customer experience to meet the evolving needs of the MSME sector.

Mr. Girish Rowjee, the co-founder and CEO of greytHR said, firmly believes that technology and data analytics are shaping the future of HR operations. He emphasizes the growing adoption of AI-powered HRMS tools among MSMEs, enabling them to automate hiring processes, implement data-driven strategies, and make informed decisions while optimizing costs.

With a focus on collaboration, the event highlights the resilience of MSMEs and their vital contributions to the economy while also emphasizing the need for collective efforts to create employment opportunities, enhance productivity, and bridge the digital divide. By fostering partnerships, supporting digital transformation, and providing necessary resources, the government aims to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive, driving inclusive growth and building a stronger future together.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City will bring mindful breathing practices to all public schools for students from pre-K to 12th grade.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David C. Banks, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced the Department of Educations (DOE) Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program is the first Yoga Alliance-approved yoga and mindfulness program in a public school system nationwide.

Under this program, all schools will soon be required to facilitate two to five minutes of mindful breathing practices in schools every day. The aim is to increase physical and mental health, enhance social-emotional learning, and improve public schools culture.

We live in a time of toxic social media communities, constant news flashes, and unfiltered alerts, all leaving a toll on the mental health of our students. But, today, it is time for our students to calm their nervous systems down, said Adams. Mindful breathing can be done by anyone, anywhere and anytime. We are proud to announce another promise delivered on from our State of the City speech earlier this year that will soon engage all students in mindful breathing practices. Mindful breathing is another way we are teaching our young people healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

The program is building the capacity of school staff to integrate yoga and mindfulness into DOE public schools to engage students, teachers and staff. As part of the initiative, the city has already begun a rollout of a citywide professional development program for educators in mindful breathing practices.

Integrating yoga and mindfulness into school communities addresses and supports significant social and emotional needs of young people, according to the mayors office. Studies show these practices support students ability to feel secure and receptive while learning.

The mental wellbeing of our students is a top priority for New York City public schools. These are the future leaders of tomorrow, and its important that our young people have a robust tool belt of practices to guide them inside and outside the classroom, said Banks. Im thrilled that were enabling our educators to support our kids in this way, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our school leaders and partners across the city in furthering this essential work.

In March, the DOE began to roll out a professional development program to train educators and other school staff in the implementation of mindfulness breathing practices and tools that can be used in the classroom to support the social and emotional needs of students and the wellness of their entire school community.

These professional development sessions are virtual and available to all staff. Educators also have access to online resources to aid in facilitating these practices.

School leaders will be empowered to implement this initiative in individualized ways, but all New York City public schools will soon be required to offer all students mindful breathing practices in school every day.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  James Laieta, an elementary school teacher at PS 8 in Great Kills, has been chosen as a New York City winner of the prestigious Big Apple Awards for the 2023-2024 school year.

The awards celebrate the exemplary performance of public school teachers throughout the city who inspire students, model great teaching, and enrich school communities. The Big Apple Awards is a citywide recognition program celebrating New York City public school teachers, who were directly nominated by district leaders and principals.

The appointment recognizes Laietas exceptional leadership qualities, dedication to education and commitment to shaping the lives of students, according to Staten Islands District 31 office. He is a fifth-grade teacher who believes that student empowerment and student voice are paramount to his classroom pedagogy.

He was surprised on Friday when District 31 Superintendent Marion Wilson, Principal Lisa Esposito, Assistant Principals Joanne Hotaling and Michael Ammirato, and District Advance Leads David Possner and Amery Rock arrived in his classroom with a sign and balloons to announce his award.

The fifth-grade students erupted with cheers and applause as Laieta thanked them for their partnership. He dedicated the award to his students and their efforts, while also attributing his success to the partnerships he has developed with other educators across Staten Island.

I am humbled, shocked and honored, said Laieta. Theres so much talent on this Island. And theres so many wonderful teachers out there and industry leaders Ive learned from. I have been blessed.

When you walk into Laietas Wizard of Oz themed classroom, one can immediately recognize the relaxed atmosphere in which students work. He has created a culture in his classroom that invites all students to succeed and has provided students with enrichment opportunities that include Socratic seminars, which invite students to facilitate a discussion in order to work together toward a shared understanding of a text.

Esposito called him an innovator, trendsetter and a dynamic educator who puts the needs of children first.

During visits to his classroom, you will observe students engaging in questioning that far exceeds that of adults. For example, students engage in discourse around real-world scenarios, such as the benefits of cellphone usage in schools. Student choice and engagement activities are incorporated into the lesson structure  supporting students in developing compassion and empathy, as students share their opinions using textual evidence or personal experience. Students develop great questions, share responses, think critically and respect one anothers ideas.

Its my honor to present this award to Mr. Laieta. I have been in his classroom and heard his children speak, said Wilson. The academic vocabulary and conditions he creates for them to be successful are exemplary. This award is well deserved.

As a Big Apple Award Winner, James Laieta will continue his exemplary work in the classroom while also engaging in a unique professional development experience. Throughout the school year, Big Apple Fellows have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, expand their expertise in education, and participate in transformative initiatives. This includes active involvement in leadership development sessions and engagement in the Chancellors Teacher Advisory Council, where they can contribute their insights and expertise to shape educational policies and programs.

The Big Apple Awards is the culmination of a rigorous selection process that includes community nominations, principal recommendations, classroom visits, an interview, and a review by a board of judges. The awards are made possible in part by private support through the Fund for Public Schools  the city Department of Educations (DOE) nonprofit fundraising partner  which facilitates sponsored awards and ensures all recipients receive a classroom grant.

Next school year, the award winners will serve as Big Apple Fellows and will meet monthly with one another to share ideas and strategies. They will also be invited to serve on the Chancellors Teacher Advisory Group, which meets bi-monthly and contributes to Department of Education policy.

The Big Apple Teacher Award and subsequent appointment as a Big Apple Fellow serve as a testament to Laietas achievements and underscore his commitment to excellence in education, according to the District 31 office.

District 31 extends its sincerest congratulations to James Laieta for receiving the Big Apple Teacher Award. His unwavering commitment to education and exceptional leadership in the field inspire all those around him, said David Posner and Amery Rock, Advance Leads in District 31.

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Two people in Arkansas died, and an Indiana man was killed and his wife injured when a tornado ripped through multiple states on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

The tornado that struck the Indiana home Sunday evening was part of a storm system that pushed through a rural area of southern Indiana, damaging at least 75 homes, according to the news outlet.

High winds in Tennessee, Arkansas and Michigan caused tens of thousands of homes and businesses to lose electricity, the AP reported.

Local television station KTHV-TV reported that multiple people were killed and a person was injured when a tree fell onto a home in the central Arkansas community of Carlisle.



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Smoke from raging Canadian wildfires engulfed New York City skies earlier this month with an uncanny orange haze, and European researchers now say emissions from the continuous blazes has reached the highest level in 21 years of record keeping.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service, a European Union program, said Tuesday that smoke from wildfires spread throughout Canada through June 26 has reached 160 megatons of carbon emissions, the largest total since satellite monitoring began in 2003, and even spread across the Atlantic Ocean to parts of Europe.

Wildfires in Canada first began in the western part of the country  a location where the blazes are more common  but later expanded to eastern regions as unusually dry conditions set in, triggering poor air quality in wide swaths of the United States.

Our monitoring of the scale and persistence of the wildfire emissions across Canada since early May has shown how unusual it has been when compared to the two decades of our dataset, said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist for the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, in a release.

Copernicus Climate Change Service graphic illustrating smoke from Canadian wildfires.

This years Canadian wildfire season has already torched nearly 30,000 square miles and surpassed the combined area burned over the past three years, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Nearly 500 fires are considered still active, the agency said, underscoring the likelihood emissions from the blazes will continue to rise.

Smoke from those fires is expected to bring hazy skies to Europe this week, though it is unlikely to have a significant affect on air quality.

The long-range transport of smoke that we are currently monitoring is not unusual, and not expected to have any significant impact on surface air quality in Europe, but it is a clear reflection of the intensity of the fires that such high values of aerosol optical depth and other pollutants associated with the plume are so high as it reaches this side of the Atlantic, said Parrington

Canadas wildfire season typically peaks in the summer months, raising the possibility that weather patterns can again cause smoke to affect parts of the U.S. by degrading air quality.

Experts have said that while climate change cannot be tied to individual wildfires, a warming planet causes ideal conditions for fires to spread and become uncontrollable, especially in areas where they are not common.

Anyone who tells you that youre not going to get more of these events is crazy, Hugh Safford, a research ecologist at the University of California Davis and the chief scientist of Vibrant Planet, previously told the Advance. This is just a harbinger of whats coming.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The grief-stricken friends of a Rossville man who was killed following a catastrophic fall at work have started a GoFundMe campaign to help the Staten Islanders widow and 4-year-old son.

An electrician by trade, Ivan Zherebnenko, 32, sustained extensive injuries after falling from a ladder while doing an electrical installation for a customer in New Jersey, according to the GoFundMe.

Zherebnenko was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, where he was placed in a medically induced coma, noted the online fundraising campaign. On June 24, after battling for over a week, Zherebnenkos family made the decision to remove him from life support.

Zherebnenko was his familys sole provider, according to the GoFundMe. All of the proceeds of the fundraiser will first go toward covering his funeral expenses; the rest will go directly to help support Zherebnenkos wife Zarina, a stay-at-home mom to the couples 4-year-old son Daniel.

He was one of the nicest people we dealt with in having things done in our home, one of Zherebnenkos former customers, who requested their name be withheld from publication, told the Advance/SILive.com. He was a true professional who you could clearly see cared about the quality of his work.
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On Thursday, Gladys Berejiklian will learn her fate when the Independent Commission Against Corruption finally releases its report into the conduct of the former premier.

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But since her hasty resignation in 2021 after the commission revealed she was being investigated, Berejiklian appears to be living her best life. Her new, well-paid job as an Optus executive doesnt require holding those cursed daily press conferences that characterised her final months as premier.

Then theres the romance with high-flying barrister Arthur Moses, SC. Berejiklians Northbridge home is up for rent, and Moses bought in the suburb last year, which leads us to believe things are going rather well.

But a forgotten detail, buried amid the several hundred exhibits revealed during the ICAC probe, shows how different things could have been. Berejiklians disgraced ex Daryl Maguire had tried to hire Moses before his first appearance at the ICAC in 2018, according to intercepted phone conversations between the two right after the Wagga Wagga MP was first summonsed.
Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox.

US intelligence services  the CIA, the FBI and other spooky types  released a summary of the intelligence they had collected about the origins of COVID-19 this week.

Read some of the news coverage and youd think it entirely vindicated those who had spent the past few years loudly demonising science and scientists in service of a narrative of lab leak and cover-up.

In this January 27, 2020, photo, workers in protective gear catch a giant salamander that was reported to have escaped from the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, a centre of the early COVID-19 outbreak. Credit: AP

The story goes that the intelligence report, as lab leak advocates had long predicted, revealed scientists in Wuhan were working with the military on some sort of clandestine engineered bioweapon, and then accidentally  or deliberately  let it out. Or something.
The states two biggest universities have broken into the worlds top 20 for the first time after the University of Sydney and UNSW achieved their highest-ever rankings in the latest global league table.

The 2024 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings show that 33 Australian universities have improved their overall positions, while rival institutions  the University of Sydney and University of NSW  climbed more than 20 places each to achieve joint 19th-place.

Two NSW universities, the University of Sydney and UNSW, have climbed up the ladder in the latest QS rankings. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Australias top-ranked institution, the University of Melbourne, leapt from 33rd to 14th spot, overtaking the Australian National University which slipped four places to 34th.

The improvements come after higher education analysts QS overhauled the methodology of its rankings, introducing sustainability, employment outcomes and international research network into its assessment. The changes also put less weight on student-to-faculty ratio measures and academic reputation.
The news

One of Queensland Rails biggest blunders is being remedied with more than half of Queenslands 75 New Generation Rollingstock trains now modified to meet international disability standards.

Forty-three of Queenslands 75 new trains now meet international disability access standards after a very slow start.

Downer has completed the upgrades to 43 NGR trains at its workshop in Maryborough as part of the ongoing accessibility improvement program.

There were 28 trains and six-car carriage sets completed six months ago and a further 15 trains and six-car carriage sets have been completed in the past six months.
We were thinking of the worst, Kennedy said. Beecroft, a highway patrol officer of more than 14 years, who holds a gold class drivers licence with no speed restrictions attached, was the closest unit. He allegedly travelled at speeds of up to 230km/h to reach the scene near Euroa, about 160 kilometres north of Melbourne, shortly before 3pm on March 21, 2021. Generic airwing vision of the Hume Highway. Beecroft was later charged with dangerous driving and speeding. He has pleaded not guilty and is contesting the charges in court this week. The court heard the case would probably come down to the reasonableness of the officers speed in the circumstances.

Beecrofts passenger and partner that day, Leading Senior Constable Robert Kucia, said in court this week that at no time did he feel unsafe while Beecroft was driving to the scene. While on their way to the scene, Kucia said the pair heard Pauls call for help and were unaware of how seriously injured the officer may be. He came across as distressed, Kucia said of the injured officers initial call for help. At some stage, there was no response. We had concerns there had been no reply  so we increased speed and activated the blue lights ... on the freeway. We proceeded with haste to where we believed the location of the crash was.

Loading In Pauls statement, read to the court by the police informant, he said he attended the scene alone to find a vehicle had been abandoned in a dangerous position on a blind bend. Then, after he was rear-ended, the officer said he learnt the driver who had struck him had a child in the car. I told him to go back to her and take care of her and get off the road and over the barriers, Paul said. I could hear police communications trying to raise me over the radio. I was trying to come back up on the radio but due to being dazed and confused, I was a bit delayed. I was trying to stay conscious.

Prosecutors allege Beecroft endangered the lives of other road users when he unreasonably reached speeds of 230km/h while on route to the collision site. They said Beecroft passed 77 vehicles while travelling at speed over an approximately 8.7-kilometre stretch of freeway, with a collision reconstruction expert finding he was about 1.9 million times more likely to be involved in a casualty crash at his alleged speed. Beecroft is a highway patrol officer. Credit: Chris Hopkins The footage from Beecrofts body-worn camera, played to the court, showed the officer pointing out a nearby fixed speed camera and saying, I dont care about the speed, shortly before they arrived at the crash site. A line was crossed in this case, we say, prosecutor Marcel White said.

A gold-class licence is not a licence to breach the Road Safety Act. Other officers who also responded to the scene, who had speed limitations on their licences, breached those speed limits but were not charged. In-car data showed one of those officers, then a first constable, travelled at more than 140km/h while only permitted to go 25km/h over the speed limit. While a speed camera detected Beecroft travelling about 200km/h, the prosecution allege in-car data saw him reach 230km/h. During his police interview, played in court on Tuesday, Beecroft maintained he only began to accelerate when he learnt an officer had been struck, with his mind turning to whether it may have been an act of terrorism. Beecroft said he initially believed there were two injured officers at the scene, with policy dictating members must work in pairs. He said it wasnt until he arrived at the scene that he learnt Paul was working alone after his female offsider left to take care of children.

Im panicking  worried shes stuck between two cars, Beecroft told investigators. I ran straight to their truck. Shes not in the f---ing car. I cant see her. I yell at Lucas Paul. He says shes not here. The crash in Euroa came less than a year after four officers were hit and killed while standing at the side of the Eastern Freeway in Kew, when a truck veered into the emergency lane. In Beecrofts police interview, he said that two hours before he was dispatched to the scene he had emailed his boss to raise concerns about what he believed were dangerous instructions to pull the public over on the Hume.
The United States is committed to holding the perpetrators of sexual violence accountable, and to backing countries to deliver the long overdue justice that the victims and survivors deserve, said United States Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Conflict-related sexual violence is prevalent around the world. Russian soldiers in Ukraine, gang members in Haiti, armed groups in Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are using gender-based violence, including sexual violence, to terrorize and control populations with impunity.

Some of the most egregious crimes against humanity, particularly gender-based violence against women and girls, were committed by the ISIS terrorist group against Iraqs Yezidi community. On Aug. 3, 2014, ISIS militants invaded the Yezidi homeland and began a reign of terror. They murdered the men and boys and took the women and girls as sex slaves. Yezidi women were raped degraded, tortured, and murdered, bought and sold like cattle.

On June 20, the U.S. Department of State designated two ISIS leaders as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, under Executive Order 13224. They are Arkan Ahmad Abbas al-Matuti, also known as Abu Sarhan, a senior field military commander in the town of Wilayat al-Jazirah, and Nawaf Ahmad Alwan al-Rashidi, or Abu Faris, an ISIS financial manager and smuggler.

At the same time, the Department of State Department, and the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, designated, pursuant to Executive Order 13664, two high-ranking officials of South Sudan for their involvement in abductions of South Sudanese women and girls and conflict-related sexual violence.

James Nando is a Major General in South Sudans Peoples Defense Forces. In 2021, forces loyal to Nando were responsible for at least 64 instances of rape and sexual slavery against civilians in Western Equatoria. In 2018, Nando was responsible for the abduction of hundreds of women and girls.

Also in 2018, forces under the command of Alfred Futuyo, currently the Governor of Western Equatoria, carried out numerous attacks there that resulted in the abduction of 887 civilians, of whom at least 43 were raped.

The United States does not accept conflict-related sexual violence as an inevitable cost of armed conflict, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a written statement. We remain committed to supporting survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches to helping survivors access the services needed to help them recover and secure the justice they deserve.
The University of Melbourne has achieved the highest-ever global ranking of an Australian tertiary institution in the annual QS rankings, as three Australian universities claim a spot among the worlds top 20 for the first time.

The rise comes after a change in the ranking formula that added factors like sustainability and employment outcomes, and de-emphasised academic reputation and the teacher-student ratio.

The University of Melbourne is Australias top institution in the QS World University Rankings. Credit: Wayne Taylor

The 2024 QS World University Rankings show a continued rise for the University of Melbourne  last year the only Australian institution in the worlds top 50  up the rankings. This year, the university climbed another 19 places, from 33rd to 14th.

The University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales also entered the top 20, tying in 19th place.
A Perth couple with six children say they will have no roof over their head come October after their landlord did not renew the lease on the property they rent while they wait for their new home to be finished.

Zoe-marie Masters and her husband Joel signed a preliminary works agreement with Commodore Homes, owned by Western Australias largest builder, BGC, in December 2020.

Zoe-Marie and Joel Masters with their children Temperance (12), Max (10), Grace (4) and Lilly (2) outside their unfinished home in Mandogalup. Credit: Ross Swanborough

Fast-forward to June 2023, and their home in Mandogalups Apsley Estate is yet to be complete.

We are now down and out financially, having spent in excess of $48,000 in rent and mortgage interest since our slab went down, Masters said.
Vision of the car WA Police believe hit a Perth schoolgirl on Tuesday morning has been released by police as they continue to search for the driver allegedly involved.

The vision shows a small white hatchback travelling on roads around Willetton Senior High School, where Alexis Lloyd, 12, was crossing a street when she was struck and badly injured.

She suffered two fractures, to her collarbone and right leg, which required surgery and will see her spend at least six weeks in a wheelchair. On Wednesday she was recovering from surgery in hospital.

Her mother, Tory Carter, said witnesses told her the driver briefly stopped for a few seconds and then sped off.
Pacific Island nationals brought to Australia under a workforce scheme to bolster regional economic and diplomatic ties have abandoned the program by a nearly 10-fold increase in the past five years, with some complaining of racking up debt while languishing for months without work.

While employers accuse the government of aiding the black market because of the low numbers of visas being cancelled after labourers abscond from farms, workers are being left without enough money to feed themselves, leaving charities to step in.

One worker (centre-front) said he and his workmates had to resort to fishing to feed themselves.

One worker from Vanuatu said after more than two months without work in northern Tasmania last year, he and his team pooled money to buy two fishing rods between 12 of them to feed themselves.

We went down to a bridge at Devonport and stayed there for hours, the worker, who spoke under the condition he was not named. We basically had to go fishing every day.
Mainly, her memories of Animal Bar are positive  a place for hard workers to clock off and enjoy themselves. It was a place where you didnt need a surname, or even a real name. There was Sharkie and Geronimo and Popeye, she explains. Eskimo and Mad Mick. If the trawlers had had good catches, money flew. Smith recalls a $6000 bar tab ($20,000 today) being set by one skipper. Prawn trawlers in the Karumba harbour. Credit: Alamy If a boat had a really good catch, the skipper would order Barramundi Juice for the whole crew  every white spirit on the shelf, a nip of creme de menthe and then a dash of milk. It was kind of like this murky green, cloudy sort of thing. The crew drank Barra Juice until dawn and had plenty of the tab left over in the morning. Smith  honest soul that she is  gave the skipper his change. While Barramundi Juice might not be the drink du jour anymore, Animal Bar keeps it no-frills. Visitors can choose from a simple lineup of classic Aussie tap beers (youre in Queensland, go with XXXX), stubbies of the classics, a small selection of wines and the usual spirits lined up against the wall  Jack and Bundy clearly the most popular. This isnt the pub for a craft beer palate, this is where you quench a thirst.

When we visited Animal Bar, it was a stinker. Arriving in mid-February, The Wet was in full swing  100 per cent humidity, a temperature gauge topping 35 degrees and an angry-looking storm brewing off the coast, its thunder rumbling ominously. Caught in the far Norths tropical climate, Karumba is hot and dry over the winter, unbearably hot and humid in the summer. If you want it comfortable, go mid-year. But if you can handle it, a far north summer season is the quintessential Australian experience. Animal Bar is designed for this kind of weather. Walking in across patchy grass and passing picnic tables that would later be packed with punters, wet and sticky thanks to spilled drinks and near-constant condensation, we realise that the place has no walls  the only part that closes is the front bar, with heavy-duty roller doors that say Time To Go, tastefully decorated with two hands waving the middle finger. The floor is tiled, no doubt for easy cleaning. The message delivered at closing time is not subtle. Steel ceiling fans whirr wildly, desperately trying to cool that steamy heat. But theyre not working nearly as hard as theyll have to later on  when we arrive on a Friday at lunch time, the place is empty. This isnt common or uncommon  as owner and operator of Karumba Lodge (which encompasses Animal Bar) Carly Child explains, Animal Bar is at the mercy of the trawlers. Friday nights are when the place gets rowdy, but also during prawn season.

We order two schooners of XXXX (what else?) and settle in at one of the low barrels that double as tables. They are, I notice, bolted to the floor. But the chairs are not  although everything is unfussy and sturdy, like if it was thrown at the wall, life would go on. A large mural adorns the left of the bar, a friendly crocodile (the Norman river just out the front is teeming with them, and its not uncommon to spot them along the dock) and a pot-bellied cow having a beer as a female bartender contends with a man trying to take her singlet off with a fishing rod. Its the kind of mural no-one would get away with these days, but it feels like it should be heritage-listed here. Aside from the art, Animal Bar is no-frills  there are a bunch of scribbles on the walls from tourists and locals, and in the middle, two pool tables that look worse for wear but are nonetheless kept pristine are taken up by groups of locals. Its not as wild as it used to be  Margie Smith had a story of a local who drove his car right into the bar itself, and Mick Jones (not the aforementioned Mad Mick, another Mick), the local cop in town during the early 2000s, recalled someone doing wheelies on his motorcycle against the wall. These days, Animal Bar abides by the more stringent liquor licensing and police laws, Child says, plus fishing regulations are tougher than they were back in the 80s, so they see less of those packed crowds (and less $20,000 bar tabs).

But the memories live on. Smith remembers Prince Charles and Princess Dianas wedding, when the whole town gathered in their Sunday best to watch the ceremony still without shoes. Its these memories that feel alive in Animal Bar. Every scuff on the wall has a story, every scratch on the bar a wild tale. You visit not for what it is in that moment, but for everything its been in the past. The details Fly Rex flies daily from Cairns into Normanton, which is 45 minutes south of Karumba. See rex.com.au Drive

Starting in Cairns or Townsville is your best bet if you plan to drive to Karumba. Its around an eight to nine-hour drive, so consider staying overnight in Mount Surprise or Georgetown. Stay It doesnt get friendlier or more welcoming than Karumba Point Holiday and Tourist Park, which accommodates caravan travellers and those looking for self-contained cabins. Dont miss the daily happy hour! Tour Keen fishermen and novices alike will enjoy cruising the Gulf with Micks Fishing Adventures. If youre lucky, you might even be enjoying barramundi for dinner.
PHILIPSBURG:--- All Access TV St. Maarten attended the 25th edition of the St. Kitts Music Festival, held from June 22 to June 25, 2023, on the island of St. Kitts. The annual event was a significant cultural and economic development for the country and attracted a diverse range of attendees from all over the world. The festival showcased a variety of musical genres, including reggae, dancehall, soca, and R&B, and featured iconic acts such as Grammy-nominated Gramps Morgan, Air Supply, and Burna Boy.

The All Access TV St. Maarten team had the opportunity to interview Gramps Morgan, who presented the Gramps Morgan Experience on Saturday night. Jemere Morgan, one of Gramps Morgan's musical sons, also graced the stage and shared his talents with the audience. Jemere has released two albums and frequently tours worldwide, both with his family and with other acts.

Other legendary reggae and dancehall performers included Dexta Daps, Koffee, Romain Virgo, Anthony B, Governor, Byron Messiah, and Valiant. Meanwhile, the soca stars Nailah Blackman, KES the band, Patrice Roberts, Skinny Fabulous, Preedy, and Ricardo Drue dominated the genre on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

The festival also showcased local talent from St. Kitts, including R&B songstress Erica Edwards and bands such as the Kollission band, Small Axe band, Grandmasters, and Nu Vybes band.

The culinary experience was just as impressive as the music, as one of the largest food courts was made available for the attendees. The highlights of the festival will be broadcasted to fans during the first week of July 2023. This marked the fourth time that All Access TV St. Maarten covered the music fest in Saint Kitts as part of their 16-year anniversary. The television broadcast will undoubtedly give fans a glimpse into the unforgettable experience that was the 25th edition of the St. Kitts Music Festival.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The 160th Annual Emancipation Day celebration will take place on July 1st, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport drs Rodolphe Samuel invites all interested citizens and persons residing on Sint Maarten to join in the celebration that is scheduled to take place in Philipsburg. The celebration will begin with an Ecumenical Church Service at 5:30 am at the Anglican Church on Backstreet, followed by a Freedom March to the Boardwalk (Sports Park) for the Born Free cultural manifestation.

Emancipation Day was the first public holiday established by the Parliament of Sint Maarten since becoming a Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Every year the Department of Culture hosts the Emancipation Day celebration at different venues throughout the island as a means to bring the community together as one people to reflect on the atrocities and inhumane conditions that our ancestors experienced. Emancipation Day is also a day to pay homage to the freedom fighters that fought for their human rights to be a free people throughout the period of enslavement until they achieved their goal.

BORN FREE, the title of this years theme, celebrates the God-given right of all persons to enjoy the ability to come into this world and experience freedom as human beings without any imposed restrictions. It is important to note that our African ancestors were free before they were captured and enslaved. The cultural manifestation will be an interdisciplinary tribute to celebrate the spirit of resistance, rebellion, and triumph over, suppression and inequality, and the role of the Dutch Kingdom in the enslavement period. The cultural manifestation will also celebrate and pay tribute to the greatness, intelligence, beauty, full scope, and grandeur of our humanity and survival over adversity.

The strong and resilient Sint Maarteners of that era were a people that were aware that the former enslaved persons on the Northern part of the island were free as of 1848 and many of them ran away from the deplorable conditions that they had been forced into. These actions by the enslaved persons seeking their freedom culminated in the Proclamation of the Abolishment of Slavery of 1863 as the European powers knew that the slave labor system could not continue as it did for so many years. Freedom for the enslaved ancestors was inevitable. There are many accounts of rebellion and resistance towards the oppressive slave system such as the Diamond 26 Run for Freedom and the expressions of the Ponum Dance and Song. Persons interested in joining the festivities for Emancipation Day are encouraged to follow a dress code that symbolizes nobility, wealth, and power.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), Honourable Arthur Lambriex, held a productive meeting with representatives from Delta Airlines to explore opportunities for enhancing air travel connectivity and discuss the airline's promising performance. The meeting, which took place on June 22nd, included Mr Travis Hill, Manager of Network Planning, and his team, as well as members of the Minister's Cabinet and Ministry.

During the meeting, both parties emphasized their commitment to bolstering tourism and fostering regional economic growth. Key discussions revolved around the following highlights:

Delta's Contribution: Delta Airlines has played a significant role in driving air traffic to SXM, positioning itself among the top three airlines for passenger volume. This recognition underscores Delta's strong market position and commitment to providing exceptional service to travelers.

Key Hubs: The meeting highlighted the importance of Delta's operations in major hubs such as New York, Atlanta, and Boston. New York emerged as a significant source of plane embarkations, with Delta playing a pivotal role in supporting the high number of travelers. Delta's strong presence in Atlanta and Boston also ensures extensive flight options and enhanced connectivity for passengers traveling to and from SXM.

Promising Performance: Delta representatives shared positive news regarding the airline's performance in recent months. April, May, and June showed stronger results than the previous period, indicating a growing demand and a favorable market response. Delta's ongoing success aligns with the company's commitment to providing exceptional service and meeting customer needs.

Affordable Pricing: Minister Arthur Lambriex emphasized the importance of affordable airfares for residents and visitors to St. Maarten and neighboring islands. The Minister highlighted the need for a win-win situation where Delta can achieve its business goals while ensuring accessible and competitive pricing that benefits the local community and promotes tourism.

Delta Airlines also announced its plans to begin servicing Boston to SXM in 2024. This strategic route expansion aims to enhance air travel connectivity further and meet the growing demand for travel between these destinations.

The Ministry and Delta Airlines are confident that their joint efforts will further enhance air travel connectivity, attract more visitors to the destination, and contribute to the overall economic development of St. Maarten and the surrounding islands.
Li-Metal Issues CEO Letter Outlining Strategic Priorities

Li-Metal Corp. (CSE:LIM) (OTCQB:LIMFF) (FSE:5ZO) (aLi-Metala or athe Companya),  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/li-metal-corp/  a developer of lithium metal anode and lithium metal production technologies critical for next-generation batteries, today issued a letter from recently appointed CEO, Srini Godavarthy. This outlined the Companya?s focus on advancing its vertically integrated business model, growth strategy and roadmap to product commercialization.

Dear Colleagues, Partners, Customers and Shareholders:

As I reflect on my decision to join Li-Metal, it fills me with pride to know that I chose one of the most innovative enterprises in the battery materials industry. At Li-Metal, we foster an environment where innovation thrives, empowering our employees to develop ground-breaking solutions that will shape the next generation of batteries. I firmly believe that we are one of the few companies that is positioned to build a vertically integrated lithium metal and anode platform. It is a tremendous honor to lead the Company as the CEO, and I commend our founders, Maciej and Tim, for transforming their vision into a recognized and admired supplier of ultra-thin metal anodes within a remarkably short time frame.

Although we have succeeded to deliver on several critical milestones, we must recognize that the battery industry is not one to reward past accomplishments. The pressure to scale up and deliver will only intensify, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that Li-Metal not only thrives but also becomes the preferred anode partner to battery manufacturers and OEMs. We must continue to push the boundaries, driving innovation and maintaining our commitment to excellence.

In recent weeks, the management team, in collaboration with our board members, has developed an ambitious execution plan. This plan aims to accelerate our vision of creating a sustainable, domestic lithium metal and anode production network in North America. I am thrilled to share with you our updated growth strategy and commercial execution plan. Many companies aspire to transform the world, but few have the required elements to deliver: people, resources and tenacity. Having witnessed firsthand the exceptional capabilities of our highly talented team of employees, technology partners and investors, I am confident that we have the right team in place, which can deliver on our dream.

Li-Metal stands at a pivotal moment, brimming with exciting opportunities for both our lithium metal and anode businesses. To position the company for long-term growth, we will focus on executing a three-fold execution strategy:

 Position Li-Metal as the preferred anode partner to next-gen battery developers and OEMs

Advance our Anode Business in line with Customer Growth: The Li-Metal team continues to progress our ultra-thin metal anodes business, further strengthening our technological advantage with our roll-to-roll physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. Our efforts to accelerate customer engagement have resulted in increased requests for samples and we are strategically expanding our workforce at our Rochester anode facility to meet this demand.

Secure Commercial Partnerships with Key Players in the Next Generation Battery Industry: Li-Metal continues to build relationships with leading battery developers and automakers. Over the past few weeks, the business development team has accelerated these conversations, with the aim of converting these conversations into strategic agreements to secure a robust customer pipeline. As we work towards commercial-scale PVD capabilities, which we expect we will achieve in 2024, it is critical for us to build a healthy order book to maximize our PVD process and technology.

 Scale-up our modular metal production and scrap reprocessing process

Demonstrate Modular Lithium Metal Production: As we continue to engage with our customers, it has become evident that a sustainable and modular process for producing lithium metal is crucial. The projected demand for lithium metal is expected to increase by 10-12 times the current capacity by 2030 to 40,000 tonnes per annum. Our team has diligently been working to advancing a modular technology; an important milestone in this endeavor is the ongoing engineering study, which we are conducting in collaboration with our global engineering partner, which we expect to finalize this year.

Establish a Pilot to Demonstrate Lithium Anode Scrap Reprocessing: As we continue to supply customers with sample metal anode material, a need to reprocess scrap anodes has evolved and we believe this presents an accretive opportunity for Li-Metal. To our knowledge, there are currently no reprocessing facilities and customers are actively looking for solutions for their scrap lithium foil. The Company is currently installing and commissioning a pilot scale lithium metal anode scrap reprocessing and casting facility and aims to demonstrate the process at pilot scale.

 Strategic partnerships and new customer agreements

Develop Partnership with Key Equipment Supplier: A key development for the commercial team was the entering of a non-binding agreement with Mustang Vacuum Systems (aMVSa), a seasoned PVD machine builder and technological leader, for the exclusive supply of high-performance PVD machines to produce battery materials for next-generation batteries. The partnership supports Li-Metala?s growth strategy for its anode business by securing an experienced machine building partner, thus improving ability to serve its growing customer base.

Secure Long-Term Contracts with Customers: The Li-Metal commercial team also secured its first major recurring commercial order for anode materials with a battery developer. This key commercial agreement generates near-term revenues while providing an additional opportunity to further validate the performance of our anode materials. Furthermore, we continue to expand upon the discussions we are having with battery developers and automotive OEMs.

Advance Plans for Commercial Metal Plant; The Li-Metal commercial team has continued to receive inquiries from stakeholders throughout the lithium value chain who are interested in learning about our lithium metal production technology and forming a partnership for metal production. The team is currently exploring different business models with the goal of establishing a commercial lithium metal facility, either through a suitable strategic partner or independently.

Key Milestones Achieved:

The Li-Metal team has continued to make significant progress and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight several key milestones achieved over the last several months as we continue to work at the forefront of next-generation battery technology. Some of the key achievements include:

Successfully Produced Metal Directly from Lithium Carbonate: In May 2023, the team accomplished a major milestone for our lithium metal business as they successfully produced lithium metal directly from lithium carbonate. This helps further demonstrate that our patented lithium metal technology can produce this strategic next-generation battery material, sustainably. I believe our lithium metal business is positioned for long-term success as we advance our technology and aim to scale up production to full-scale capacity at our pilot plant. From there we plan to replicate our success in the pilot stage at commercial scale.

Anode Production in Rochester: The Company continues to demonstrate its ability to produce high performance anode materials for production qualification using our roll-to-roll PVD technology, equipment and process. To-date in 2023, the team produced more than 5,787 metres of sample lithium metal anode material and continues to achieve high efficiency and process intensity metrics, which are important targets for PVD processes.

Non-Dilutive Grant Funding: In June 2023, Li-Metal was awarded non-dilutive funding of more than CAD$1.4 million in grants, from various programs sponsored by the Government of Ontario, to develop and commercialize our lithium metal production technology. The funding from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network and the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund further supports our efforts to advance our growth strategy for our lithium metal business. We believe receiving these grants also further validates our technology and endorses the role that Li-Metal plays in building a next-generation battery supply chain.

Protecting our Technology and IP Portfolio: In support of our ongoing product development roadmap, Li-Metal continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio with a total of 33 patents and patents pending.

In addition to the three key strategic priorities, the management team also identified organizational culture as a priority. The success of our endeavors ultimately hinges on the organization we build and the culture we cultivate. Our objective is to foster a culture that embraces curiosity, innovation, and the sharing of knowledge. These qualities have consistently proven invaluable, particularly during periods of disruption and transformation. As a result, we plan to prioritize the development of a growth mindset within our management team and across the entire organization. A growth mindset fuels our determination to gain a deeper understanding of our customers, while also fostering empathy among our colleagues. It enables us to function as a united and harmonious team. Additionally, we recognize the importance of reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve and the people we aim to assist globally. By doing so, we enhance our capacity to support individuals worldwide in their pursuit of greater achievements.

Thank you for your continued support and I am confident in our ability to meet our strategic goals and deliver value to our shareholders in the long-term.

Sincerely,

Srini Godavarthy

Chief Executive Officer

About Li-Metal Corp.

Li-Metal (CSE:LIM)(OTCQB:LIMFF)(FSE:5ZO) is a Canadian-based vertically integrated battery materials company and innovator commercializing technologies to enable next-generation batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. We believe our patented lithium metal technology, next-generation battery anode technology and production methods are significantly more sustainable than existing solutions and offer lighter, more energy-dense and safer batteries. Li-Metal\-s battery materials support battery developers\- ability to power more cost-effective electric vehicles that go farther and unlock the future of transportation. For more information, visit: www.li-metal.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains aforward-looking informationa within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as aexpectsa, aanticipatesa, abelievesa, aprojectsa, aplansa and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements about, among other things, the Companya?s strategic plans are forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on managementa?s reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the development of the business of the Company will be completed as described above. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by applicable law.

Li-Metal Investor Contact:

Salisha Ilyas

ir@li-metal.com

Tel: +1 647 494 4887

Li-Metal Media Contact:

Harry Nicholas

Li-MetalPR@icrinc.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

McKinsey & Company: Australiaa?s Potential in the Lithium Market

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/australias-potential-in-the-lithium-market
Singapore is a true partner to the United States, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a press availability with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan:

For six decades now the Strategic Partnership between the United States and Singapore, rooted in respect for the rules-based international order, has helped strengthen peace and stability in the region and around the world.

Secretary Blinken praised Singapores efforts along with ASEAN to seek a peaceful resolution in Burma, where the militarys coup and the brutal crackdown continues to harm civilians, to deprive them of their right to choose their own path, and threatens regional stability.

Its very important that we continue, all of us, to sustain the appropriate pressure on the junta and look for ways to engage the opposition in Burma and find every possible avenue to advance Burmas return to their democratic path, to an end to the violence, the freedom of people whove been unjustly imprisoned, he said.

In addition, the United States welcomes Singapores partnership in maintaining the necessary economic pressure on perpetrators of these crimes in Burma, said Secretary Blinken. Singapore has also joined the United States in sanctioning Russia for their war of aggression against Ukraine.

Our two countries are also seizing new opportunities to work together from space and cyber to supply chain resiliency to clean energy, said Secretary Blinken. These include the Green Shipping Challenge, under which Singapore committed to work with the port of Los Angeles and Long Beach to upgrade their digital infrastructure and reduce emissions.

The United States and Singapore expanded their climate change partnership, which includes new and enhanced areas of cooperation from reducing deforestation to encouraging energy-efficient buildings. The United States is also working with ASEAN to advance clean energy across Southeast Asia, and specifically help Singapore reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Our friends in Singapore, said Secretary Blinken, are essential to realizing what is a shared vision for a free and open, a prosperous, a secure, connected, a resilient Indo-Pacific, where people, where goods, where ideas can travel freely, where rules are applied fairly and transparently.
Bennett University, a Times Group enterprise, received two esteemed awards recognizing its commitment to excellence. The university was honored as the top Law School in India by BW Legal World and received the Best Infrastructure between Engineering College award at the Edufuture Excellence Awards Season 3 by Zee Digital. The prestigious prizes were presented at a grand ceremony held at The Leela in New Delhi. The celebration was hosted by Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of Heavy Industries.Bennett Universitys recognition as the top Law School in India by BW Legal World is being seen as a nod to its dedication to providing exceptional legal education. The universitys faculty, students and staff are known for consistently striving for excellence, fostering an environment that promotes knowledge, innovation, and ethical practices within the legal field.The Best Infrastructure among Engineering College award given by Zee Digital recognizes the institutions commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities for its engineering students. According to the university, its emphasis on modern infrastructure and cutting-edge technology enables students to receive a world-class education and prepares them to excel in their chosen fields. With a vision to be at the forefront of educational innovation and research, Bennett University continues to make significant strides in various disciplines. These recent awards reinforce its position as a leading education institution in the country.
Taurus the bull is one of the most well-known and noticeable constellations in the sky over Earth.

Taurus is the sixth largest of the Zodiac constellations and the 17th largest constellation overall, occupying around 797.2 square degrees or 1.9% of the sky over Earth , according to Astronomy Trek.

Taurus is one of the twelve Zodiacal constellations recognized by the Babylonians in the 5th century B.C.E. Zodiacal constellations are defined by Star Walk as constellations that are located along the path of the sun in the sky, also known as the elliptic. The sun passes through Taurus each year between mid-May and mid-June, according to In the Sky.

Observations of Taurus date back as far as the stone age, and as such, the celestial bull weaves its way through the myths and legends of our ancestors. Today, the constellation is a popular observing target for astronomers of all skill levels, home to some of astronomy 's most fascinating stars and cosmic objects. But, before you can dive into the constellation, you'll have to hunt for the bull.

Related: Night Sky, 2023: What you can see tonight

Where and when can you see Taurus?

According to In the Sky, Taurus is a prominent northern constellation that is highest in the sky over the northern hemisphere in the months around December and January. Taurus is visible in the northern hemisphere between Fall (Autumn) and Spring and in the southern hemisphere between spring and fall.

The bull-shaped Taurus is comprised of what appears to be a two-pronged fork of stars, with the central "v" and the head of the bull made of the Hyades star cluster. Though the constellation is fairly easy to spot to hunt the bull, EarthSky recommends first locating the constellation of Orion, the hunter, fittingly enough. First, find the three stars that comprise Orion's belt , then draw a line sweeping upwards to lock on to the brightest star of its neighbor Taurus Aldebaran  a bright red star often called the "eye of the bull" due to its position within the constellation.

Other neighboring constellations of Taurus are Aries , Auriga, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, and Perseus . The celestial coordinates of Taurus are right ascension 4 hours, declination 15 degrees, with the bull best visible between latitudes 90 degrees and minus 65 degrees.

Night sky map of the Taurus constellation showing some of its most striking celestial bodies. (Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)

Observing targets in Taurus

As you may imagine, for a constellation that occupies so much of the sky over Earth, it's no bull to say the potential celestial targets for astronomers in Taurus are too numerous to list. Here are some of the most interesting cosmic objects within the bounds of the bull.

Jargon buster

Magnitude : An object's magnitude tells you how bright an object is as it appears from the Earth. In astronomy, magnitudes are represented on a numbered scale. Quite confusingly the lower the number, the bright the object. For example, an object of a -1 magnitude is brighter than one with a magnitude of +2.

Right ascension (RA): Right ascension is to the sky what longitude is to the surface of the Earth, corresponding to east and west directions. Measured in hours, minutes and seconds since, as Earth rotates, we see different parts of the sky through the night

Declination (Dec): Tells you how high your object will rise in the sky. Like Earth's latitude, declination measures north and south. Its units are degrees, arcminutes and arcseconds. There are 60 arcmins in a degree and 60 arcsecs in an arcmin.

The Bull's Eye Aldebaran

Aldebaran Magnitude: +0.85 Approximate distance from Earth: 65 light-years Location: 4h 35m 55s (right ascension), +16 30' 33" (declination)

The eye of the celestial bull is Aldebaran, also known as Alpha Tauri due to its status as the brightest star in Taurus, is one of the 15 brightest stars over Earth with a magnitude of 0.85, according to Britannica.

Aldebaran, which means "the follower" in Arabic a name that refers to the fact it follows the Pleiades star cluster across the sky, is located around 65 light years from Earth. It is an example of a red giant star, the phase that stars like the sun enter when they exhaust hydrogen for nuclear fusion , causing their cores to collapse and their outer layers to puff out. As such, the red giant star is around 44 times as wide as the sun despite having just 1.2 times the mass of our star.

The star was once believed to be part of the cluster the Hydaes, which astronomers now know is more distant than Aldebaran.

The Pleiades

A ghostly interstellar nebula in the Pleiades open star cluster reflecting the light of bright young stars. (Image credit: Philippe Mingasson / 500px)

The Pleiades Magnitude: 1.6 Approximate distance from Earth: 440 light-years Location: 3h 47m 24s (right ascension), +2407' 0" (declination)

The Pleiades is a bright open star cluster within Taurus, also known as Messier 45 (M45), NGC 1432, and in reference to Greek legend, "the Seven Sisters". Open star clusters are defined as groups of stars that all form from the same cloud of gas and dust and Taurus is replete with them.

The Pleiades is located around 440 light years from Earth and is made up of around 1,000 stars, seven or eight of which can be seen with the naked eye from Earth. The stars of the Pleiades are young and hot, estimated to be just around 100 million years old, virtual infants in comparison to 4.5 billion-year-old stars like the sun and the 13.8 billion-year-old universe.

This relative youth and the massive size causes these stars to glow blue, and this blue color is reflected by an independent cloud of gas and dust called a reflection nebula which is drifting through the cluster at a relative speed of about 6.8 miles per second (11 kilometers per second). NASA says it is this reflection nebula that gives the cluster its "nebulosity," with the gas and dust from which the stars of this open cluster formed having been dispersed long ago.

The brightest stars of the Pleiades are named after Altas and Pleione and their daughters in Greek myth Alcyone, Electra, Maia, Merope, Taygeta, Celaeno, and Asterope (comprised of two stars, Sterope I, and Sterope II). Their magnitudes range from 2.86 (Alcyone or 25 Tauri) to 6.41 (Sterope II or 22 Tauri).

The Seven Sisters is not the only star cluster that even amateur astronomers can spot in the constellation of Taurus.

The head of the bull: The Hyades

This image shows the region around the well-studied Hyades star cluster, the nearest open cluster to Earth. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, and Z. Levay (STScI) )

The Hyades Magnitude: 0.5 Approximate distance from Earth: 150 light-years Location: 04h 27m (right ascension), +1552' (declination)

Forming the v-shapes "head" of Taurus is the Hyades cluster, another open star cluster that EarthSky says is one of the closest star collections of this kind to Earth at a distance of just 150 light-years away. The Hydaes cluster takes its name from the half-sister of Pleiades in Greek mythology, but there is little relationship between the two clusters in cosmic terms, however.

In contrast to the young blue stars of the Pleiades, the stars of the Hyades are older red giants and white dwarfs , stellar remnants that form when the outer layers of stellar material from red giants move away, leaving a smoldering but cooling stellar core. This indicates that the Hyades is older at around 600 million years old.

The Bulls' Horn the Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula is a remnant of a supernova blast. (Image credit: NASA, ESA, J. Hester, A. Loll (ASU))

Crab Nebula Magnitude: 8.4 Approximate distance from Earth: 6,500 light-years Location: 5h 34m 32s (right ascension), +22 00' 52" (declination)

Another object with a Messier designation in Taurus is the Crab Nebula , which is also known as Messier 1 (M1), NGC 1952, and Taurus A.

The Crab Nebula is a six- light-year -wide remnant of a supernova blast that was spotted over the skies of China in July 1054. The blast was visible for just 23 days, according to Britannica , and it was bright enough to see during daylight, with its temporary nature earning it the name "guest star."

The supernova remnant is located around 6,500 light years from Earth and has a magnitude of around 8.4. This makes the Crab Nebula bright enough to spot with even a small telescope, with January being an ideal month to attempt this. Finding the nebula is easy enough as it is located just below the lower horn of the constellation Taurus.

Good viewing conditions could reveal some of the structure of the crab nebula, but what can't be easily viewed is the rapidly spinning neutron star or pulsar lurking at the heart of the nebula. This dense stellar remnant was born from the death of a massive star which also triggered the supernova that created the Crab Nebula wreckage. This spinning neutron star is the source of twin beams of radiation that make the neutron star appear to pulse 30 times every second and gives the Crab Nebula an eerie blue glow at its heart.

While studying the horns of Taurus, star watchers may also want to spy on stars at the tip of this celestial headgear. One of these stars is Beta Tauri (Elnath), the second brightest star in Taurus and a blue-white giant star with a magnitude of 1.65 located 134 light years from Earth.

The other star at the tip of the celestial bull's horns is the blue-white star Zeta Tauri (Tianguan) which is actually a binary system located around 417 light years from Earth.

Taurus has galaxies too!

In addition to its stars and open clusters, the constellation of Taurus is populated with a wealth of galaxies. The brightest galaxy in Taurus, with a magnitude of 11.7, is the elliptical galaxy NGC 1587, according to In the Sky , which is located around 165 million light-years from Earth.

Also notable in Taurus are the colliding galaxies NGC 1409 and NGC 1410 , which together are also known as UGC 2821 and are located around 300 million light-years from Earth. Mutual centers of these galaxies are tightly bound together by gravity and are just 23,000 light years apart.

As the galaxies which clashed around 100 million years ago whip around each other at a speed of around 670,000 miles per hour, around 450 times as fast as a jet fighter's top speed, a " pipeline " stretches the 20,000 plus light-years between the galaxies funneling material from NGC 1410 to NGC 1409.

The Taurid meteor shower

A bright Taurid meteor descends in glowing aurora over Lake Simcoe on Nov. 9, 2015 (Image credit: Orchidpoet/Getty Images)

Between October and December each year, Earth passes through a cloud of debris left in the vicinity of the sun by Comet 2P/Encke (Encke).

As the nearly 3-mile-wide (4.8-kilometer) comet approaches the sun , radiation from the star heats material turning solid matter in Encke's shell straight into gas, a process called sublimation. This blows away fragments that not only make up the characteristic glowing tail and aura, or coma, of the comet but also leave behind the fragments for Earth to pass through annually.

The fragments of Encke enter the atmosphere at speeds of around 68,000 miles per hour (109,000 kilometers per hour), burning up and generating streaks of light or meteors with occasional larger pebble-sized debris fragments creating bright fireballs.

So why is this relevant to Taurus? As the name suggests, when the meteors of the Taurid shower stream into Earth's atmosphere, they appear to do so from the bullish constellation of the same name.

Taurus FAQs answered by an expert

We asked Italian amateur astronomer, astrophotographer, and author Giuseppe Donatiello some questions about the Taurus constellation.

Giuseppe Donatiello Amateur astronomer Giuseppe Donatiello is an Italian amateur astronomer, astrophotographer, and author who is known for his discovery of six nearby dwarf galaxies and several planetary nebulas.

Where is the Taurus constellation? Taurus is a typical winter constellation located between the constellations Orion, Auriga, Eridanus, and Aries. Being crossed by the eclipticthe projection of the Earth's orbit in the sky it is one of the zodiacal constellations.

How can astronomers find and photograph Taurus? Despite being north of the Celestial Equator, it is still observable from every terrestrial latitude at certain times of the year. In the early evening, it rises in the east in late summer and sets in the west in late spring. The constellation Taurus can be photographed with a common wide-angle lens with which neighboring constellations can be included. However, at longer focal lengths, her jewels can be better captured. No large telephoto lenses are needed, so focal lengths of 135 and 200 mm are optimal for both the Pleiades and the Hyades. With these focal lengths, we can get an overview and the surrounding environment. With longer focal lengths, we get a partial view of these two large clusters. M1 and the Hind Variable Nebula are best photographed with telescopes for greater detail.

What are some of the interesting observing targets in the constellation? In Taurus, there are some of the most beautiful objects in the whole sky. Undoubtedly, the most beautiful is the open cluster of the Pleiades, also known as Messier 45. The Pleiades are probably the most famous open star cluster. It consists of about a thousand stars, mostly faint. Just about twenty are above the threshold of visibility with the naked eye. The brightest are all stars of class B, A, and F with masses less than 8 times that of the Sun. This means that class O stars, born with the cluster, have already exploded as supernovae. Although less than 100 million years old, M45 is no longer a young cluster but in the process of progressive disintegration. To give the impression that M45 is a young cluster is the presence of a faint reflection nebula, erroneously believed to be a legacy of its formation. In reality, the cluster has already swept away its gaseous birth cloud many millions of years ago and is now simply passing through a thick cirrus cloud of dust. The stars in the cluster merely illuminate this cirrus system, part of the larger Molecular Cloud in Taurus. This expansive cloud is a favorite target for astrophotographers as it is surrounded by intriguing structures and dark nebulae. The brightest star is Aldebaran (magnitude 0.85), set in the Hyades asterism , which represents the head of Taurus. It is a variable and multiple giant star and the 13th brightest star in the sky. Aldebaran is moving away from us at a speed of +54.11 km/s. Astronomers have calculated that for about 200 thousand years, it was the brightest star in the sky. It reached its peak brightness 320,000 years ago when the star was about 21.5 light-years from Earth. At that time, it appeared as bright as the star Sirius is now.

How many stars are in the Taurus constellation? The constellation contains 17 stars up to the fourth visual magnitude, almost all with a proper name. They are essentially those that draw the figure of the constellation. However, from a very dark location, about 160 of them can be seen with the unaided eye above magnitude 6, according to the Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue. Among them are a number of interesting variable stars. The constellation contains at least 85 deep-sky objects, but they are mostly very faint galaxies. In Taurus, however, there are some of the most beautiful objects in the whole sky. At the heart of the constellation Taurus is a V-shaped asterism which is, in truth, another open cluster, only second in distance to the moving group of the Big Dipper at just 80 light-years. We are talking about the Hyades cluster. Its distance is only 150 light years away, and it has an estimated age of about 600 million years. Aldebaran occupies the southern tip of the V but is not part of the cluster, being 66.64 light-years away. These stars also faintly scatter the light of cirrus clouds of interstellar dust. This light is visible in long-exposure astrophotography. Other fainter clusters within its boundaries are New General Catalog (NGC) 1746, NGC 1647, and NGC 1807. NGC 1746 can be identified with binoculars, 5 degrees southwest of the star  Tauri (the vertex of the Auriga pentagon), in an area poor in stars due to the presence of extensive dark nebulae.

Additional resources

If you want to learn more about the wealth of myth and legends surrounding Taurus Under Richard J Bartlett explains here . Taurus is replete with a wealth of open star clusters, the European Space Agency (ESA) explains why these collections of stars are so fascinating. The eye of Taurus is a huge red giant star, a star phase that our sun will enter in around 5 billion years. Read about that process and why it is bad news for our planet with these ESA resources .

Bibliography

D. Ford., The Constellation Taurus, In the Sky [Acessed 06/10/23], [ https://in-the-sky.org/data/constellation.php?id=80 ]

Zodiac constellations and zodiac signs, Sky Walk, [Acessed 06/10/23], [ https://starwalk.space/en/news/zodiac-constellations#what-are-the-zodiac-constellations ]

J. Miller, Star Constellations | The Zodiac, Astronomy Trek, [Accessed 20/06/23], [ https://www.astronomytrek.com/star-constellations-the-zodiac/ ]

B. McClure., Meet Taurus the Bull in the evening sky, EarthSky [Acessed 06/10/23], [ https://earthsky.org/constellations/taurus-heres-your-constellation/ ).]

Aldebaran, Britannica, [Accessed 06/10/23], [ https://www.britannica.com/place/Aldebaran ]

Aldebaran Star | The Eye of the Bull, Astro Backyard, [Acessed 16/10/23], [ https://astrobackyard.com/aldebaran-star/ ]

Ghostly Reflections in the Pleiades, NASA Hubblesite, [Acessed 16/10/23], [ https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2000/36/1009-Image.html ]

Pleiades, Britannica, [Acessed 16/10/23], [ https://www.britannica.com/place/Pleiades-astronomy ]

Tianguan -  Tauri (zeta Tauri), The Sky Live, [Acessed 16/10/23], [ https://theskylive.com/sky/stars/tianguan-zeta-tauri-star ]
European Investment Bank subscribes to a Bankinter covered bond of 250 million. Operation will enable Bankinter to mobilise up to 500 million in loans.

Financing will support investment for green projects by small and medium-sized businesses, and private individuals, with 20% of the funds earmarked for energy efficiency.

Projects will be located mainly be in Spain and also in Portugal, and up to 50% are expected to be in cohesion regions.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Bankinter have signed an agreement for the purchase of a covered bond worth 250 million. This will enable Bankinter to mobilise up to 500 million in financing to support investment by small companies and mid-caps, and in green projects that focus specifically on energy efficiency improvements.

With 20% of the investment earmarked for energy efficiency projects, the operation is aligned with the EIB's key policy objective of climate change mitigation. The projects will also contribute toward the objectives of REPowerEU, the EU plan designed to eliminate Europe's dependence on fossil-fuel imports.

Energy efficiency upgrades will focus on the construction of nearly zero-energy buildings and on the renovation of existing building stock. Projects by private individuals, homeowner associations and real estate developers are all eligible for financing. Other green investments, such as solar photovoltaic installations for residential buildings will also be covered by this operation.

These upgrades will generate savings in primary energy consumption and reduction in carbon emissions (35 000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year). The operation will also have a positive impact on employment. According to the EIB's preliminary estimates, the construction and renovation works will create jobs for 1,467 people a year during the implementation phase.

A significant proportion (50%) of the projects are expected to be located in EU cohesion regions in Spain and Portugal. These are regions with a per capita gross domestic product below the EU average and lag in investment. The operation will help alleviate these issues and promote equitable growth and convergence between EU regions, which is one of the key aims of the EIB's cross-cutting activities.

"This new agreement with Bankinter covering two countries highlights the EIB Group's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of our financing reach small and medium-sized enterprises. Such companies are essential for creating wealth and employment in the Spanish and Portuguese economies," said EIB Vice-President Ricardo Mourinho Felix. "In addition, the special green project component will help to fast forward the energy transformation of housing and buildings while promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union, all of which are priorities for the EIB Group."

Bankinter Chief Executive Officer Maria Dolores Dancausa said: "This new agreement highlights the Bank's commitment to the economic development of small and medium-sized enterprises, both in Spain and Portugal, and our support to enable these enterprises to improve their energy efficiency and transition to more environmentally sustainable models." Dancausa added: "Bankinter maintains a firm commitment to sustainability as a cross-cutting, integrated strategy that we have implemented in all of our activities. In fact, according to the main related indices, we are one of the most sustainable banks in the world."

The EIB and energy security

In 2022, the EIB Group committed financing of more than 17 billion for the energy transition in Europe. As this is a top priority for the EU climate bank, Spain received a record 3.2 billion in financing for sustainable energy and natural resources projects in the same year, making it the second largest beneficiary of financing in the European Union. This figure confirms the Group's commitment to ensuring access to sustainable energy at a time of great uncertainty. These investments are helping Europe weather the crisis triggered by the abrupt cut in gas supplies in the wake of Russia's unjustified attack on Ukraine.

In October 2022, the EIB Board of Directors decided to raise the Group's clean energy financing volumes to unprecedented levels in support of the REPowerEU objective of ending Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports. Over the next five years, an additional 30 billion will be invested on top of the EIB's already robust support for the EU energy sector. The financing pledged under REPowerEU is expected to generate an additional 115 billion in investment by 2027, thus making a substantial contribution to Europe's energy independence and to the EIB Group's target of mobilising 1 trillion in climate finance this decade.

Spain is set to play a key role in the deployment of REPowerEU and in helping the EIB Group see through its overarching long-term commitment to sustainable energy. This can be seen in the financing granted for projects such as Bankinter, as well as other energy efficiency and storage, renewable energy and energy network projects in Spain that have received EIB financing.

Find out more about the EIB's support for the energy sector here.

Background information

About the EIB

The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) formed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF) reported another year of excellent results in Spain, with record support for climate action and environmental sustainability projects and 9.9 billion of total financing signed in 2022.

About Bankinter

Bankinter is the fifth bank in the Spanish financial system in terms of size, profits and market capitalisation, and the first among listed banks in terms of return on capital and asset quality. It has more than 106 billion euros in total assets, lendings of 73 billion and controlled resources amounting to nearly 120 billion. With a presence in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Luxembourg, Bankinter bases its strategy on various complementary business lines, one of the main ones being corporate business. Its corporate loan book totalled more than 30 billion euros at the end of March 2023, up 2.9% on the same period in 2022, above the sector average.
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract for a supply of geothermal power facility for the Menengai Geothermal Power Station in Kenya by Toyota Tsusho Corporation, which entered into an EPC contract with QPEA GT Menengai Limited, a subsidiary of Globeleq, a British independent power producer operating and developing power projects in Africa.

1. Contract Details

This contract is Fuji Electric's second geothermal power project in Kenya following the Olkaria I Geothermal Power Station Unit 6, which started operation in 2022. The project is to construct a geothermal power plant in the Menengai area, a promising new geothermal field following the Olkaria area. Fuji Electric will be in charge of the manufacturing and supply of geothermal steam turbine, generator, and other key equipment, while CSI Energy Group, a construction company doing business mainly in the East African region, will be responsible for the construction work.

2. Fuji Electric's Geothermal Power Generation Business

Geothermal power generation uses underground steam and hot water, which are renewable energy sources, to generate electricity. Since 1960, Fuji Electric has supplied geothermal power generation facilities (such as steam turbines and generators) to various parts of the world, including the US, Indonesia, the Philippines, Iceland, New Zealand, and Japan. The total capacity of the 86 units delivered to date exceeds 3,600 MW.



Kenya has the world's fourth largest reserve of geothermal resources, after Japan, and is one of Africa's leading countries in clean energy, generating approximately 90% of its electricity from renewable energy sources.



Fuji Electric intends to further promote and expand our geothermal power generation facilities in Africa and contribute to economic development in the region and prevention of global warming.
I t seems scarcely believable but Jeremy Hunts flit to Brussels today to meet EU Commissioners is the first by a UK Chancellor in more than three years.

Over the same period his predecessors Nadim Zahawi, Kwasi Kwarteng and Rishi Sunak  now his boss  have all found time to visit America, while Hunt himself has flown to India.

Yet Brussels, the capital of Britains biggest trading partner and a bloc inextricably entwined with the UKs economic destiny  regardless of Brexit  has remained off the Treasurys must visit list since early 2020.

The Chancellor is due to discuss UK/EU cooperation with his counterparts at the European Commission and will hold meetings with financial services Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, and digital commissioner Margrethe Vestager. Whatever your views on Britains future relationship with the EU these are serious people whose decisions still have a huge knock on effect for the UK.

The Chancellor will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with McGuinness on future financial services cooperation. All of that is welcome.

The rebuilding of the shattered trust between London and Brussels should have happened four or five Chancellors ago. But better late than never.

The rewriting of the rules governing trade, economic and financial relations between the UK and EU is far from played out and it is vital that the Chancellor engages with Brussels to prevent further harm.

It cannot be another three years before Mr Hunt or any of his successors beat a path to Le Berlaymont.
L ast weekend, the FTs Janan Ganesh raised all manner of hackles (again) with a pop quiz on Asian history. To that end, lets do something similar but for Labour politicians.

No cheating, GDPR has been suspended, pens at the ready. Can you name:

If you answered any of these correctly, do not pass Go, do not collect 200, close this newsletter at once and pick up a copy of The Da Vinci Code or Eat, Pray, Love at your local Waterstones. You are wasting a perfectly good life.

The point of the above isnt to make fun of voters or politicians. Unhappy is the land where the shadow solicitor general (STOP IT) enjoys high name recognition  it couldnt possibly be for anything good.

So I think the least interesting thread of a fascinating bit of polling by Ipsos for the Standard is on how the public struggles to name the vast majority of the shadow cabinet. The same was said for members of David Camerons opposition frontbench team, and some of those people were Theresa May and Michael Gove.

What does stand out from the poll is Labours many varieties of lead. On the headline figure, the party has extended its advantage over the Conservatives to 22 points, 47 per cent to 25 per cent. Labour leads on practically every policy area, including the top five issues highlighted by voters: health, cost of living, the economy, immigration and education. Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves edges out Jeremy Hunt as most capable chancellor by 41 per cent to 29 per cent.

The main negative for Starmer is that half of adults say they dont know what he stands for, a figure up six points since January (which is by now several U-turns ago). Its curious, because Labour still has a bunch of quite radical policies  on industrial strategy, energy, workers rights and planning law.

In todays paper, Alastair Campbell says crystallising in the publics mind why a Labour government would be better must be the priority. This sounds like good advice, and clearly theres a question of how all these policies can be communicated.

At the same time, I wonder how much of this is a hangover from Covid. Recall that Starmer became Labour leader during a national crisis, one in which he knew there would be little political benefit in challenging a government enjoying somewhat of a boost in sympathy and support. As a result, the Labour leader frequently found himself supporting rather than criticising the government for much of his first year.

This was the right call. Starmer weathered the vaccine bounce and now finds himself 22 points ahead in the polls and, thanks to trouble north of the border, likely to pick up seats in Scotland too, which further reduces the required Labour lead for a parliamentary majority.

Now, politics is dynamic. There is still room for improvement (and scope to fall). But having crushed Jeremy Corbyn, outlasted Boris Johnson and dominated (according to the polls) Rishi Sunak, we may eventually have to accept that Keir Starmer is actually quite good at politics.

In the comment pages, Anne McElvoy says Prince Williams fight against homelessness could benefit all London. Nimco Ali calls out the West for repeatedly failing the global south on climate change. While Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, warns London is at risk of wrecking its skyline.

And finally, whats it like aboard the sleeper train from London to Berlin? Nick Curtis beds down on the new overnight service and revisits his favourite city.

This article appears in our newsletter, West End Final  delivered 4pm daily  bringing you the very best of the paper, from culture and comment to features and sport. Sign up here.
Review at a glance









W hile a thousand cameras were trained on Paul McCartney at the sides of a dozen stages at this weekends Glastonbury Festival, the National Portrait Gallery was preparing an extensive glimpse through the other end of the lens.

Over 250 Pentax 35mm photographs the Beatles legend took in the four months between November 1963 and February 1964  just as their star ascended at home and Beatlemania struck America  have been selected for the Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64 exhibition.

They come from over 1,000 shots unearthed, all but forgotten, from McCartneys personal archive in 2020. Between them, and the accompanying photo-book 1964: Eyes of the Storm, they provide a wonderfully candid trip inside a phenomenon, mid-explosion.

Taking in the noirish focus and filmic framing of McCartneys shots of early support acts and his nonchalant, cigarette-drooling self-portraits in hotel mirrors, you can better understand the affinity hed go on to have with his first wife, the photographer Linda. And there are plentiful insights into the easygoing nature of the Hamburg-hardened Fab Four, found lounging in dressing rooms or guesting on Jukebox Jury largely unfazed by the gathering storm.

Amid plenty of pensive Ringos, awkward Georges and cheery Brian Epsteins, John Lennon is a flitting figure, sometimes serious and bespectacled, sometimes playful, clowning through his pre-show grooming routine or gooning to camera.

John Lennon in Paris , January 1964 / Paul McCartney

Side-of-stage shots from 1963, taken on McCartneys Pentax by crew members, offer an electric new angle on their live show and, backstage, moments of largely headwear-based fun emerge: George wearing a stack of top hats, or Ringo and John sporting Napoleonic bicorns.

As the media tumult descends in Paris in 1964 you can see the showmen in them leap to life, while the Pauls-eye-view of The Beatles first visit to the US is a priceless historical document. From inside the chaos we witness hordes of blurry girl fans  some dressed as beauty queens; one, if you look closely enough, holding a chimpanzee  swarming over the roofs and runways of JFK airport or crammed against barriers outside New Yorks Plaza Hotel. Portraits of bemused, overrun cops. Fans, through the rear window, chasing the bands car through Manhattan on foot.

What were looking at is the first generation of teenage pop fandom, having cut its teeth howling at Elviss every gyration, now losing itself in full-blown hysteria and pushing at its limits, clawing at the boundary between fan and idol. Meanwhile, behind the camera, The Beatles are also fathoming how global superstardom works  or can work  in any sort of un-claustrophobic manner, bewildered by all their dreams coming true overnight.

The crowds chasing us in A Hard Days Night were based on moments like this. Taken out of the back of our car on West Fifty-Eight, crossing the Avenue of the Americas. New York, February 1964 / Paul McCartney

As Paul switches his film to colour in Miami, a surreal tone sets in. Theres shy one George accepting a cocktail from a bikini-clad waitress in the very image of first-generation rock star luxury  an image the 1970s would solo itself senseless trying to emulate  but with the distant expression all four share as they calmly try to fish, swim or lounge on Miami Beach while police hold back baying hordes. The modern pop dynamic is born in these pictures and, coloured by the seismic cultural impact of the era, its both humanising and beautiful to watch.

National Portrait Gallery, June 28 to October 1; npg.org.uk
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.
W ith the final instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise just days away, theres never been a more opportune moment to catch up on the old movies.

The four previous films, which span four decades, follow the adventures of American archeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) as he discovers valuable runes, explores magical ruins and becomes embroiled in the dangerous plots behind mysterious artefacts.

I mean, its kind of silly, said Ford to Sky. Its 42 years weve been going on with this. But the reason for that, I think, is because these are family films and theyre passed on from generation to generation of young people when their parents feel its the right time.

So how to best watch the films? Well, you can either watch in order of release, or in order of plot. We prefer the latter.

1. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

The second film released in the franchise is actually the first in the timeline. Set in 1935, the Temple of Doom follows Indy as he investigates the disappearance of children from a village in the middle of India. A sacred Sankara stone gets stolen, and Indy decides to go on a rescue mission.

2. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

The first Indiana Jones film, which sees a 39-year-old Ford running around the globe (yes, the actors almost as ancient as some of the artefacts Indy works with), was a collaboration between George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Legendary composer John Williams created the score  as he has for all five of the films  and introduced its unforgettable jingle to the world.

Set in 1936, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a straight up chase between Jones, who is working for the Americans, and rival archaeologist Rene Belloq, who is working for the Nazis. The Nazis want to get their hands on the Ark of the Covenant, a legendary relic which will apparently make their army unstoppable. Theres a lot on the line, then, and Jones must stop them.

3. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Its 1938, and Indys father Henry Jones (Sean Connery no less), has gone missing while searching for the Holy Grail. Ever the doting son, Indy goes to find him (and the Holy Grail). Its not a simple task by any means, so Jones tasks academic Dr. Elsa Schneider (Alison Doody) with helping him.

4. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

After the franchises first three thrilling films, Indiana Jones lay quiet for two decades. Ford spent those years making 15 films including Presumed Innocent (1990), The Fugitive (1993), Sabrina (1995) and What Lies Beneath (2002). But happily for Jones fans, director Spielberg  who made the previous three films  and Ford finally continued their collaboration in 2008 with the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

This time it is 1957 and Indy gets kidnapped by Soviet agents  theyre looking for an alien body and need Indy to help them find it (makes sense). After an incredible escape sequence, Indy travels to deepest darkest Peru to find some magical crystal skulls before the Soviets do.

5. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Last but not least... the new film. Set first in 1944 (yes, Indy hasnt aged well  though to give him his dues, suncream hasnt been invented yet) and then 25 years later, the story follows Indy, his colleague Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) and Shaws daughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) as they foil a Nazi scientists plot to acquire an Archimedes Dial, which allows time travel. Mads Mikkelsen is back on screen as a baddy, Antonio Banderas and John Rhys-Davies also star, and James Mangold is directing for the first time. Read our deep dive here.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will open in cinemas on June 28
T he teaser trailer for Christopher Nolans upcoming film, Oppenheimer, is a real spine-tingler.

Theres an explosion and a red, black and orange cloud billows and thunders on screen. The sequence then flashes to the eye of J Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), the theoretical physicist who is credited with the creation of the atomic bomb.

We imagine a future and our imaginings horrify us. They wont fear it, until they understand it, and they wont understand it, until theyve used it, he says over the rest of the trailer.

Theory will take you only so far. I dont know if we can be trusted with such a weapon. But we have no choice.

This is Nolans take on the true story of the creation of the atomic bomb  the weapon that would be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

The atomic bomb marked a shift in human capability and cruelty, as well as creativity. The film provokes questions  the same question the scientists were asking at the time  about power, morality and ambition.

It will be the award-winning directors first film since Tenet in 2020. The film has a starry cast including Emily Blunt and Matt Damon. Its a thrilling topic for Nolan, who is known for the size and ambition of his projects, to take on.

Here we breakdown the true story behind the forthcoming biopic.

What was the Manhattan Project?

The Manhattan Project was a US-led government research project which was active from 1942 to 1946 and was disbanded the following year. The organisation developed the atomic bomb, the first of which (the Trinity test) was tested in New Mexico in July 1945. The second and third were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki just a month later.

The idea of the project was to try and find the means to use the fission process, which had been discovered in December 1938, for military purposes. Over its short existence, the Manhattan Project grew exponentially, eventually employing as many as 130,000 people and costing $2 billion to run (approximately $23 billion in todays money).

Who is Oppenheimer?

J Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York City in 1904, the son of secular German-Jewish immigrants  his mother was a painter and his father was a textile importer. He was brilliant at school, skipping eighth grade completely and completing several other grades in one year. He went to Harvard, majoring in chemistry and would go to Cambridge for further study.

He was a depressive and a heavy smoker, who reportedly did not eat while he was in his darkest moods. He was also apparently incredibly clumsy in the lab, which was one of the reasons why he pursued theoretical rather than experimental physics. He completed his PhD at the University of Gottingen and then began his career with a fellowship at Caltech in 1927.

He immediately enjoyed a glistening and enriching academic career, spending time at the University of Leiden, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and becoming an associate professor at Berkeley when he returned to the US. In 1936, he was promoted to full professor. At the time he also worked closely with Nobel-prize-winning physicist Ernest O Lawrence - the beginning of many fruitful collaborations. He married Katherine Vissering Puening in 1940. They had two children and remained together until his 1967 death aged just 62 from throat cancer.

For much of his early life, Oppenheimer was apparently so involved in his scientific research that he was not aware of much that was going on in the outside world. For example, he did not read newspapers or listen to the radio and only heard about the 1929 Wall Street Crash six months after it had happened.

However, from the mid-1930s he became more engaged with the world. He started supporting social reforms and donated money to progressive causes. He never joined the Communist Party, but was said to have given money to people who had. These associations would later come to harm him: Oppenheimer was investigated by both the FBI and the Manhattan Projects own internal security arm from 1941 onwards and the investigations would culminate in the scientist being stripped of his security clearance in 1954.

In May 1942, one of Oppenheimers Harvard professors, who was then the National Defense Research Committee Chairman, brought Oppenheimer in to work on neutron calculations for a new atomic bomb  the project had been given the green light by President Roosevelt in 1941. In June, the Manhattan Project was created, Oppenheimer became the first director of its laboratory, The Los Alamos Laboratory, and the rest is history.

Cillian Murphy plays J Robert Oppenheimer /  Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved

Oppenheimer, it seems, was aware of the historical repercussions of the project. Several days before the Trinity test went ahead, he apparently shared his thoughts using a verse from Hindu linguistic philosopher Bhartrharis Satakatraya. It said: In battle, in the forest, at the precipice in the mountains / On the dark great sea, in the midst of javelins and arrows / In sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame / The good deeds a man has done before defend him.

Oppenheimer was a cultivated scholar whose interest in Hinduism led him to read the Hindu text the Bhagavad Gita in its original Sanskrit (he had begun to learn the language in 1933). In a 1965 TV interview, he shared a line from the scripture which has come to be closely associated with him. He said that after the Trinity test, the line that ran through his mind was: I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.

According to the New York Times, he continued to be plagued by the moral repercussions of his role in the creation of the bomb. He reportedly told fellow physicists that: In some sort of crude sense which no vulgarity, no humour, no overstatements can quite extinguish... the physicists have known sin; and this is a knowledge which they cannot lose.

However, in 1961 he would say: I carry no weight on my conscience... Scientists are not delinquents.

Our work has changed the conditions in which men live, but the use made of these changes is the problem of governments, not of scientists.

Oppenheimer was nominated three times for the Nobel prize (in 1945, 1951 and 1967) but never won. While being one of the minds that created the atomic bomb, he would eventually lobby for the restriction of the use of nuclear weapons.

What do we know about Christopher Nolans new film?

Christopher Nolan  the director that brought audiences Inception, the Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, Dunkirk and Tenet  now takes on Oppenheimers story.

The biographical film starring Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer is based on the 2005 book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kai Bird and historian Martin J Sherwin. The film will explore the life of the physicist whose work changed the world.

Alongside Murphy, whose last full-length film was 2020s A Quiet Place Part II, the film will star Emily Blunt as Katherine, the German biologist and Oppenheimers wife, Matt Damon as US officer and Manhattan Project director Leslie Groves, and Robert Downey Jr as Lewis Strauss, a major player in the development of nuclear weapons and the man who oversaw the 1954 security hearing which resulted in Oppenheimers Q clearance (the US Department of Energys top secret security clearance) being removed.

Florence Pugh is also set to star as the psychiatrist and journalist Jean Tatlock, who was also Oppenheimers lover, while Uncut Gems director Benny Safdie will play physicist Edward Teller. Rami Malek, Josh Hartnet, Gary Oldman, Casey Affleck and Kenneth Branagh will also all have roles in the forthcoming film.

Murphy and Nolan are longtime collaborators, having worked together on Inception, Batman Begins and Dunkirk. Ludwig Goransson, who created the soundtrack for 2018s Black Panther, Venom and 2020s Tenet is composing the score.

What has Nolan said about the film?

Nolan is known for the ambitious nature of his projects and extraordinary set pieces  for Tenet he crashed a real-life 747 into a building  but Oppenheimer is arguably his most ambitious project to date. In an interview with Total Film, Nolan, who much prefers using physical effects rather than CGI, said: I think recreating the Trinity test without the use of computer graphics, was a huge challenge to take on.

He continued: Its a story of immense scope and scale... And one of the most challenging projects Ive ever taken on in terms of the scale of it, and in terms of encountering the breadth of Oppenheimers story. There were big, logistical challenges, big practical challenges.

Speaking about the narrative itself, Nolan said: Were trying to tell the story of somebodys life, and their journey through personal history and larger-scale history... And so the subjectivity of the story is everything to me. We want to view these events through Oppenheimers eyes.

IMAX also created a new black-and-white kind of film for Oppenheimer. Nolan said: We challenged the people at Kodak photochem to make this work for us... And they stepped up. For the first time ever, we were able to shoot IMAX film in black-and-white. And the results were thrilling and extraordinary.

Oppenheimer in popular culture

Oppenheimer was the subject of a seven-part BBC-produced miniseries in the Eighties, which had Sam Waterston playing Oppenheimer.

Then in 2014 the American series Manhattan, which imagined the lives of the scientists who were working at The Los Alamos Laboratory, premiered on WGN America. It ran for two series and starred Daniel London (The Bridge to Nowhere) as Oppenheimer.

The same year, the scientist became the subject of a Royal Shakespeare Company play by Tom Morton-Smith. After a critically acclaimed sell-out run in Stratford-upon-Avon, it transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London where it ran from March to May in 2015.

John Heffernan, who had previously played principal roles in Edward II and Saint George and the Dragon at the National Theatre, played Oppenheimer.

At the time the Standard said: This is the second time Ive seen Oppenheimer and the scale of its achievement seems even greater: ambitious writing, stylishly directed and impeccably performed by an ensemble of 20 actors.

Another British newspaper said: Morton-Smith neither eulogises nor condemns Oppenheimer: he simply shows him as a flawed human being aware that he has the scientific capacity to murder every last soul on the planet.

Oppenheimer is set to be released in the UK on July 21, 2023
"I am pleased to welcome nine talented students to Avangrid for the summer to take part in our company's first-ever Union Scholars Program," said Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, Inc. "With the challenges our industry faces, from making our systems increasingly sustainable while ensuring top-notch reliability, it is critical that Connecticut's best and brightest join our team, and that is exactly what these Union Scholars represent. I am proud they have chosen to work with us this summer, and the door is open to them for future opportunities within our company."

Following a rigorous recruitment and interview process, UI's Senior Manager of Regional Operations Christine Pariseau, Avangrid's Human Resources team, and UWUA Local 470-1 President Moses Rams selected nine students from technical high schools in the UI service territory to participate in the paid internship and training program. Five of the Union Scholars will graduate next year from Eli Whitney Technical High School in Hamden, and four will graduate from Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport. Throughout the summer, they will receive training with the Overhead Line School and Underground Line School apprentices, and their supervisors at UI aim to connect them with linecrews doing operations and maintenance work in their own communities.

"The Union Scholars Program is a testament to UI's commitment to investing in the future of our workforce," said Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of United Illuminating. "By recruiting students from technical high schools in two of our state's largest cities, UI is showcasing the depth of our commitment to building a workforce that is diverse, inclusive, and honed right here in Connecticut. With this innovative internship program, we are truly leading the electric utility industry, and I look forward to watching the Union Scholars succeed this summer and into the future."

"I am grateful to Avangrid's Human Resources department, the UWUA Local 470-1, and Avangrid's leadership team for bringing the Union Scholars Program to fruition this week," said Kyra Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Avangrid, Inc. "To create a talent pipeline from Bridgeport and New Haven technical schools to good-paying union jobs demonstrates Avangrid's investment in the communities we serve, and the enthusiasm this program generated at the schools we recruited from demonstrates the value this partnership will bring to our region."

"The Union Scholars Program has been a dream of ours for many years, and thanks to the collective efforts of Avangrid's Human Resources team and UWUA Local 470-1, it has now become a reality," said Moses Rams, Chief Line Crew Leader at UI and President of UWUA Local 470-1. "Alongside Christine and our linecrew members, I look forward to showing the talented Union Scholars the important work linecrews do every day, while providing them with a safe, successful summer internship experience."

About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit www.uinet.com.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies - a ranking of America's best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
O ne of the best things about Glastonbury is its vastness; theres something weird and wonderful happening in a single corner. Its possibly the only place on earth where it feels completely normal to encounter sweaty cage-dancers in bondage harnesses, giant anthropomorphic trees teetering on tiny little stilts, a serene tent full of hypnotic chanting, and a group of mates in Teletubbies costumes doing the macarena within the space of a 10-minute stroll.

The only catch? Its impossible to keep up with everything happening across Worthy Farm, and even the most intrepid explorer will miss out on something incredible like Cate Blanchett turning up as a backing dancer for Sparks, or Tilda Swinton casually doing a poetry reading with neo-classic composer Max Richter.

Whether you recreated your own Glastonbury at home in front of the telly, or youre back home from the festival on the other side of a hot shower and kicking yourself about the highlights you missed, we have your back.

All of these highlights are on iPlayer for your viewing pleasure for the foreseeable future, with no trekking across fields necessary to secure a good spot. Grab a lukewarm can: its time to get stuck in from the comfort of your sofa.

Elton John

Look, even if you were one of the lucky punters in front of the Pyramid for Eltons last ever UK gig, its worth firing it up on the old telly box to revisit the special guests, the plentiful fireworks, and above everything else, Eltons parade of classic hits. Keep a special look-out for his shiny gold trainers, too; a classy touch.

Watch the full set here.

Gabriels

A dedicated champion of new music, its perhaps no surprise that Elton John reserved majority of his special guest slots for rising talent; clad in a fuschia-pink suit and belting out Are You Ready For Love, Jacob Lusk was one of the headline sets many highlights. The frontman of Gabriels  one of the most talked about live sensations in recent years, with good reason  also stole the show at West Holts, with Lusk throwing shapes in a bright green kilt. Just phenomenal.

Watch the full set here.

Rina Sawayama

Another rising act championed by Elton John (the alt-pop star joined him on the Pyramid for duet Dont Go Breaking My Heart) Rina played her own set at Woodsies earlier in the weekend, approaching the tent like it was Wembley Stadium. She also hit headlines when she spoke out against her Dirty Hit labelmate, The 1975s Matty Healy, live on stage. I wrote this next song because I was sick and tired of microaggressions. So, tonight, this song goes out to a white man who watches [pornography series] Ghetto Gaggers and mocks Asian people on a podcast. He also owns my masters. Ive had enough, she said.

Watch the full set here.

Lizzo

Cranking out extended Mozart pieces on flute, deploying some flawless choreography, and generally bringing great vibes to the Pyramid, Lizzo was short-changed with a co-headliner slot which was really just playing second-fiddle to Guns N Roses with better branding. One of the most joyful sets of the weekend, its not hard to imagine her returning in a couple of years  perhaps with one more album under her belt  for a crack at the real thing.

Watch the full set here.

Jockstrap

Where to begin with describing Jockstraps strange, genre-slippy music? The classically trained duo, who studied at Londons Guildhall, combine their meticulous grasp of theory with a love of all things electronic and pop, with bizarre and brilliant results. Georgia Ellery  who is also a member of Black Country, New Road  was the perfect ringleader in her gold running kit, while the hilariously nonplussed Taylor Skye tinkered away with all manner of synths, air horns, drum machines, and keyboards.

Watch the full set here.

Rick Astley and Blossoms

Yes, you read that correctly - the internets favourite Rick-Roller really did link up with Manchester indie band Blossoms for a set of The Smiths covers at Woodies. Standing in for Morrissey, Rick Astley threw himself into the role of flamboyant frontman with aplomb. All together now: IF A DOUBLE DECKER BUS, CRASHES INTO US... Prepare to meet your new favourite supergroup.

Watch the full set here.

Lil Nas X

Last appearing at Glastonbury as Miley Cyrus special guest, still riding the wave of his breakout hit Old Town Road, the quality of Lil Nas Xs visual spectacle has only continued to grow. And grabbing his Pyramid stage slot by the golden chest-plate, he delivered: gleefully courting provocation by snogging his back-up dancer, bringing out Jack Harlow, and putting on one of the best shows of the weekend. Happy Pride month!

Watch the full set here.

Pretenders

Very kindly confirming their secret set a few days ahead of the festival, new wave legends the Pretenders made sure that superfans could get into position for their Park Stage set. But for anybody else who missed out, the set featured Foo Fighters Dave Grohl and The Smiths Johnny Marr as surprise guests. Beatles legend Paul McCartney stopped short of performing anything, but also popped out to give the crowds a wave. Catch up below.

Watch the full set here.

Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul

This Ghent-based dance duos set was a Glastonbury standout, with the pair waking up the broken and bedragged masses on Sunday afternoon up the Park Stage. No surprise there: debut album Topical Dancer was one of last years finest, smartly exploring racism, misogyny, and colonisation atop hooky, warped electro-pop.

Watch the full set here.

Phoenix

You have to feel for French pop-rockers Phoenix; plonked on at Woodsies while Elton was breaking attendance records at the Pyramid, their set flew slightly under the radar, with a fairly sparse crowd in attendence. Accordingly, frontman Thomas Mars didnt take a single person in that tent for granted. You have so much choice tonight he marvelled. You guys are the most loyal to us, well remember every single face.

Watch the full set here.
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Its just theatre! Its not real! Thats what the character known only as the Maniac insists as he throws on increasingly silly costumes, shoves his head through walls and forces a group of hapless, corrupt policemen to sing in harmony. But then, every so often, he spits out some statistic about the Met Police  less than 1% of complaints about the police lead to disciplinary action  and amid the bomb-blast comedy of this institutionally funny play, reality comes crashing back in.

When legendary Italian theatremaker Dario Fo wrote Accidental Death of an Anarchist in 1970 he based it on the real case of a man who fell out of a fourth floor window while being interrogated by police in Milan. After successful stage adaptations of Kafka and Dostoyevsky, Tom Basden (ITVs Plebs, BBCs Here We Go) keeps the buffoonery and savagery of Fos original play, but updates it to become a farce-filled invective against the failures of the Met Police. Its bants! exclaims the Maniac at one point, like when we take selfies with murder victims.

After runs in Sheffield and Hammersmith, this isnt an obvious choice for a West End transfer, but it certainly deserves it. From the off, director Daniel Raggett takes the production at full pelt, with barely a moment of slack in the heady blend of farce, satire, agitprop, polemic and panto (complete with sweets tossed out to the stalls). Designer Anna Reid has created a wonderfully drab, grotty Met office, tilted downwards so that it looks like the mildewy box files and vinyl chairs might come barrelling towards us.

The company / Helen Murray

The supporting performances are great  Tom Andrews as the tough cop, Tony Gardner the anxious police chief afraid of his own shadow in case it turns out to be an undercover journalist  but the show is Daniel Rigbys, no question.

Rigby plays the Maniac, a hyperactive man who insists hes in a play, and who pretends to be a pompous judge so that he can investigate the unexplained death of the defenestrated anarchist. Three witless police officers fall for the disguise, and as they become increasingly confused about whether this judge is trying to help them or hang them, they begin to incriminate themselves.

Rigby, who has the unparalleled quality of being annoying in the most endearing way, doesnt just perform Basdens exquisite script: he blows every single line up, making each one a balloon or a bomb depending how mad hes feeling.

His performance is a ferocious chatter of lines, gasping for breath between tirades, and he rivals Toast of London for unexpected line delivery, with intonation plucked from some other planet, as if hes never heard human words before. On top of that he adds beautifully precise physical slapstick: the skit when he tries to step off a table is a comedy masterclass in itself.

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Then amid the rattling monologuing of the Maniac, Basden slips in another of those statistics about the Met. Theyre jarring, these suddenly solemn lines, but their cumulative power is devastating. Nor are the police the only recipients of Basdens ire: the right-wing government, the ineffective left, lazy journalism Basden piles up the corpses of post-truth society. Police brutality was never so funny  but if we didnt laugh, wed have to cry.

Theatre Royal Haymarket, to September 9; book tickets here
K ristin Scott Thomas and Lily James will star together in a new play, Lyonesse, later this year.

The work, written by Penelope Skinner, will be directed by Ian Rickson and will run at the Harold Pinter theatre from October 17 to December 23.

Lyonesse tells the story of Elaine (Scott Thomas) a reclusive actor who remerges after three decades. Now ready to share what happened to her, she invites young film executive Kate (James) to her Cornish home.

The play will be produced by Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) whose credits include The Book of Mormon, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and the upcoming Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Im a huge admirer of both Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James, and am so grateful for Sonia Friedmans faith and vision in giving this new play a home in the West End, said Skinner, who won the George Devine Award and the Evenign Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright for The Village Bike in 2011.

I was inspired to write Lyonesse after wondering what would happen if the dramatic action of a traditional revenge tragedy was flipped, so that the story instead became about the person upon whom revenge had been sworn, she said. Skinners previous works for stage include Angry Alan, Meek, Linda, The Ruins of Civilisation, Freds Diner, Eigengrau and F***ed.

Director Rickson has collaborated 11 times with SFP, including on major West End plays such as Jerusalem, Rosmersholm, Walden, The Childrens Hour and The Birthday Party. Rickson previously worked with Scott Thomas on a 2007 Royal Court production of The Seagull for which Scott Thomas won an Olivier award.

Working with Ian is one of the great joys of my professional life, said Scott Thomas. And a new play is such an adventure. Penelope Skinners writing had me gripped from the first page. I love the questions the story raises. Scott Thomas most recently starred on stage in Peter Morgans The Audience in 2015.

I have always wanted to work with Ian Rickson, said James. When I received Penelope Skinners brilliant play, I read it in one sitting and adored it  I was utterly gripped by these strong, original characters. To work with Sonia Friedman again is an absolute dream but most importantly, I am so happy to be reunited with my friend, Kristin Scott Thomas.

The two actors actors previously worked together in the 2017 film Darkest Hour and in the 2020 Netflix film adaptation of Rebecca.

James was nominated for a Golden Globe award for playing Pamela Anderson in the controversial Hulu Pam & Tommy miniseries which aired last year, and most recently starred on stage as Eve Harrington in All About Eve which ran at the Noel Coward Theatre in 2019.

Lyonesse will be designed by Georgia Lowe, whose recent credits include Henry VIII at The Globe (2022), Anna Karenina at the Crucible Theatre (2022) and The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse (2022). Lighting will be by Jessica Hung Han Yun, who recently worked on the RSCs My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican.

Music will be by Oscar-winning composer Stephen Warbeck, while sound will be by Tingying Dong, who worked on Lyndsey Turners The Crucible at the National Theatre (2022).

Lyonesse tickets go on sale on June 29 at midday; lyonesseonstage.com
I ts the stuff legends are built on: an epic rivalry between two siblings, each of them striving to best the other in a battle of lyrical prowess.

Welcome to Champion: the newest (and much hyped) BBC show set to hit our screens. Written and developed by Candice Carty-Williams  the author most famous for writing Queenie, which she is also adapting for screen  this is an exploration of South Londons black music scene.

Our protagonists are Vita and Bosco Champion. Bosco is a talented rapper just released from prison and attempting to make a comeback; Vita has spent her whole life in his shadow but begins to take steps towards establishing herself as a solo artist over the course of the show. Is there drama? Naturally, but the inspiration for the show is slightly more old-school.

Our reference was Sister Act, director John Ogunmuyiwa says. Well, Sister Act 2, because no one really thinks of that show as a musical. Everyone thinks, Oh, I remember the music. But I also liked the performances, its quite seamless how they brought in the music and embedded it into the acting.

Many of the cast  including leads Deja J Bowens and Malcolm Kamulete, who play the warring siblings Vita and Bosco  had never really sung on screen before.

As Bowens says, I wasnt quite prepared for the amount of music that there was. Its present in almost every scene, as we travel from the recording studio, to the Champion siblings fathers radio station in Brixton, to the stage.

The shows music-heavy focus carried over into the directors room, too. We took a perspective of [filming the show] almost like a documentary: youre kind of there in the room, Ogunmuyiwa says. And sometimes its really smooth, and sometimes its hectic, but youre just kind of there.

Candice Carty-Williams / Emil Huzeynzade

At the screening I attended, it was clear how passionately the cast feel about the show  passionately enough, in Kamuletes case, to come out of semi-retirement after appearing in the original Channel 4 iteration of Top Boy.

I literally saw the name was Champion, and its the namesake of my very close friend who I lost in 2013 - Champion Ganda, God bless him, Kamulete says. So as soon as I saw the email, I called my mum, and I told her, Im back. This is my role.

Though Champion is predominantly a show about music, the show doesnt shy away from the harsher realities of life in the UK for black British people. The first episode alone features a scene where officers break down the door of the Champion family home following a noise complaint and arrest Bosco, who is eventually released without charge.

The whole scene is harrowing to watch and  the cast say  difficult to film, too. So why did they include it?

Carty-Williams pauses. F*** the police, she says. I think its a disgusting institution; I think its rotten.

We are so disproportionately targeted, she adds. And I dont think anyone really stops and thinks about the pain that causes every single person, and humiliation. And it happens time and time and time again. In the case of Bosco, this didnt end with death, but it does. And thats really painful. So this isnt that kind of show. But, you know, it could have been.

Even if the police dont feature in every episode, their presence is felt throughout as Bosco struggles with anger management issues and anxiety likely caused by his time inside, and amplified by his attempts to stage a successful comeback.

The scenes where he fights for breath and tries not to break down are hard to watch, too  but as Ray BLK points out, mental health isnt an uncommon problem for people in the music industry.

Thats something that really needs to be touched on. Because with male artists in particular, thats something that they hide, and they dont talk about, but I feel like most artists deal with anxiety and pressure, depression, and the highs and lows of being on top and then you know, falling off, she says.

Honey (Ray BLK) / BBC/New Pictures Ltd/Ben Gregory-Ring

And I felt like that story in particular was really important to tell because a lot of people dont know that this is what their favourite artists are going through.

But the shows commitment to authenticity goes further than that. BLK  who served as one of the shows music executives, alongside playing Vitas best friend Honey  goes onto cite a toe-curlingly awkward scene where Bosco meets the record label executives to chat about a new album.

Apart from him and his manager, the rest of the faces in the room are white  and keen to build on his brand as a just-released convict by filming a music video of him in a prison jumpsuit.

You would like to think that its not like that anymore, she says. But it is exactly like that. Just people in a room that dont really understand the culture [that] they are exploiting.

It seems especially galling when faced with the discrimination that many black artists face when making music  music that Champion is seeking to celebrate.

Music is just an art form of self-expression, and all genres of music just express emotion and express what that artists is going through, BLK says.

But unfortunately black music is specifically targeted. And people dont look at the breadth of conversations thats actually happening within black music a lot of artists are blocked from doing tours, their successful sold-tour tours will be cancelled last minute or police will ram the venue to make it feel uncomfortable just because they feel like the lyrics might be aggressive or incite violence.

Its just an art form: of people letting out their pain, their struggle, what theyre going through and its relatable.

Champion airs from July 1 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
F or Anya Chalotra, Joey Batey and Freya Allan, doing press for season three of The Witcher must be a bizarre experience.

For one, Henry Cavill himself isnt doing any. The other reason? Hes actually leaving the show. This will be his last season donning Geralts white wig and sword  something his castmates are keenly aware of.

We found out quite a few months after wrapping we found out the day before the world found out. It was a shock. Everyone was in shock at the same time, Allan (who plays Ciri, Geralts surrogate daughter) says.

I cried when I found out; I just didnt expect it. I feel very connected to him through our characters. It was sad.

Instead of Cavill, season four will begin filming with Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth in the titular role; something that seems to have been done rather hastily. Did Chalotra, Batey or Allan do chemistry readings with Hemsworth to get to know him ahead of the news breaking? No, we didnt. We just got told the day before it was announced, Allan says. So it was a lot. The cast are actually yet to meet him in person.

Weve reached out and done our best to welcome him [Hemsworth], Batey (who plays bard Jaskier) says. And, you know, weve emailed and exchanged book quotes, that sort of thing. And by all accounts, it sounds like hes just in training. Hes taking on the role incredibly seriously.

Is he a fan of the books, I ask? Batey smiles politely. Im pretty sure he wouldnt be doing it if he wasnt.

Cavill announced his resignation in October 2022 with an Instagram post.

My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4, he wrote.

In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liams take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men.

Reports later emerged that Cavill had quit due to creative differences between himself and The Witchers showrunners.

However, he will be making one last appearance in season three of The Witcher, the first part of which airs on Netflix from June 29 and teases more danger ahead for Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer - including the appearance of the Wild Hunt, who are tracking down Ciri for her magical powers.
I m irresistibly drawn to sleeper trains even though the reality of services like the Caledonian Sleeper and the California Zephyr is more functional than romantic. The same is true of the new European Sleeper from Brussels to Berlin via Holland which, with the right Eurostar connection, enables you to leave St Pancras on Friday afternoon and wake up in the German capital the next morning.

The age of the trains rattly carriages  1955 sleepers and 1967 couchettes  not only keeps the price down but carries a powerful nostalgic charge for me. In 1985, aged 18, I lived with the cultured, welcoming Khalcke family and worked in an old peoples home right by the Berlin Wall, tending to people whod lived through the Second World War, for four hugely formative months. The Wall is now long gone and the city reunified and reconfigured, but it still feels like the place I know and love best after London. The sleeper reminded me of the trains I travelled on to Berlin and across Europe in the 1980s.

Nick Curtis cabin aboard the European Sleeper / Nick Curtis

These are early days for the company created by rail nerds Elmer van Buuren and Chris Engelsman. Service on this, the first of several planned routes, has a retro feel too. They hadnt got round to issuing tickets and sometimes didnt show the train on departure boards when I travelled. Food and drink are rudimentary, albeit delivered with a smile. I was in a six-bunk couchette compartment, thankfully alone: two-bed compartments with their own basin are more expensive, seats cheaper. Ventilation is from the juddering pull-down windows but thanks to noise-cancelling earphones I had an excellent nights sleep.

Arriving before the shops opened I dumped my bag at the stylish new Hoxton Charlottenburg and strolled around some old haunts: the Metropol theatre in Nollendorfplatz where I saw a punk production of Benjamin Brittens Midsummer Nights Dream, and a gig by the pungently named Jim Foetus; the bombed Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church, modern blocks of concrete and beautiful stained glass surrounding the ruined spire; the 1960s architecture of Zoologischer Garten station, immortalised in the grimy 1981 film Christiane F, featuring David Bowie. The Museum of Photography, round the corner from Zoologischer Garten Berlin (or Zoo, as everyone calls it) and housed in a former casino for army officers, only opened in 2004. Its home too to the Helmut Newton Foundation and I took in a stylish retrospective of the work of Newtons wife and fellow photographer Alice Springs, as well as an exhibition detailing the role photography played in the Holocaust. The city is still in active dialogue with the horrors of the Nazi past. Everywhere are stolpersteine, literally stumble stones, small raised pavement plaques commemorating Jews and others who lived at nearby addresses and were murdered in the concentration camps.

Although almost all traces of the Wall have gone, apart from a few blocks preserved at Potsdamer Platz and elsewhere, the years of division are powerfully felt too. I walked through Tiergarten, the massive central park, and still felt a shiver as I passed under the Brandenburger Tor and into Unter den Linden, the citys historic main thoroughfare that used to be walled off in the East.

In 1985 you could visit East Berlin for a day but you had to change a certain amount of money and spend it all there, even though there was nothing to buy. You could also get off trains at Friedrichstrasse and buy cheap DDR booze at a kiosk, then get back on again. Armed guards stopped you leaving the station, and others policed platforms where western trains passed through eastern territory. The wall ran through lakes and in places down the middle of the River Spree. It seems all mad and inconceivable now.

The main library, university buildings, cathedral and opera house are on Unter den Linden, and the great museums are on the nearby Museum Island in the Spree. So the West German government built new versions of most of them, with the result that, after reunification, a city with half Londons population has two of most major cultural institutions. British architect David Chipperfield master planned the restoration of the neglected and war-damaged Museum Island and his blend of cool modernism and preserved decay in the Neues (New) Museum is as beautiful as its famous bust of Nefertiti. The neighbouring Pergamon is a match for the British Museum.

Soho House Berlin / Soho House

Slightly footsore now, I was glad to stop for a refreshing beer and a dip in the rooftop pool at Soho House Berlin, just past the concrete communist-era Alexanderplatz, with its ball-on-a-spike television tower. Supper was a Reuben sandwich at Mogg, in a beautiful former Jewish girls school on Auguststrasse. Then, because I am this papers theatre critic and a nerd, I paid my first ever visit to Bertolt Brechts theatre, The Berliner Ensemble, for a shouty, futuristic adaptation of Strindbergs Dance of Death. (Other forms of diversion, including Berlins legendary nightclub scene, are available.)

The Hoxtons bar and its stylish Indian restaurant were buzzing but my bedroom was delightfully quiet. After a restful night and a hipster breakfast of avocado on sourdough I headed east to Treptow, which I last visited in 1985 on a day trip to see the huge Soviet war memorial (told you I was a nerd). Its now home to the enormous indoor Arena flea market, the Badeschiff swimming pool moored in the Spree and surrounded by an artificial beach, and lots of cool bars and food stalls along the river and the adjacent canal.

A bus took me to the vast Tempelhof field, the former city-centre airport thats now a public park (an act of civic generosity that would be unthinkable in London: a similar site would be dense with luxury apartments here). Then underground and overland trains delivered me to Potsdamer Platz and the nearby Kulturforum, where West Berlin built its own Philharmonic concert hall (where I saw Oscar Peterson play in 1985), state library and so on. In the ravishingly clean-lined New National Gallery, designed by Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1968, I took in a peerless exhibition of modernist early 20th century art, plus 100 works by Dresden-born artist Gerhard Richter.

Badeschiff swimming pool / Alamy Stock Photo

There was just time for a shower back at the hotel, and a beer and a bratwurst before my sleeper train left from Lichtenberg station in the distant east at 9.40pm (in future, theyll come into the central Hauptbahnhof). As on the inward journey, the trip was noisy, basic but brilliant fun. You can keep Paris, Amsterdam, even New York: Berlin remains the only city to match the culture, cuisine, architecture, parks and sheer excitement of London. It may even have the edge in terms of transport and infrastructure, though its not as cheap as it was. Still, you can get there overnight for just 51 now. What are you waiting for?

European Sleeper has seats on its Brussels to Berlin service from 42 and B&B sleeping compartments from 68 (europeansleeper.eu); Eurostar has returns to Brussels from 78 (eurostar.com); The Hoxton has room-only doubles from 179 (thehoxton.com)
C ryptocurrencies are a digital-only form of financial exchange that use cryptography as a means of security. They are not physical currencies in the same way as, say, pounds or dollars.

Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, made its debut over a decade ago and has paved the way for the creation of thousands of rival cryptocurrencies.

Crypto top 10

If youre unfamiliar with the world of crypto, here are the top 10 largest cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalisation. Often shortened to market cap, this figure represents the total value of each coin thats in circulation.

The law of supply and demand means that market cap figures are continually subject to change. For the purposes of the list below, the figures relate to June 2023 and are necessarily approximate.

The abbreviation after each cryptocurrency, BTC for example, relates to its ticker symbol. Its a means of identification for trading purposes.

Note: investing in cryptocurrencies is not for everyone. The UKs financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), issues regular warnings to consumers about the crypto industry. The FCA reminds would-be traders that cryptoassets are unregulated and high-risk, which means people are very unlikely to have any protection if things go wrong, so people should be prepared to lose all their money if they choose to invest in them.

1 eToro Invest with a crypto brand trusted by millions Buy and sell 70+ cryptoassets on a secure, easy-to-use platform 1 eToro eToro Own Crypto On eToros Website * Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated in the UK. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.

1. Bitcoin (BTC)

Market cap: 412.4 billion

The original cryptocurrency, Bitcoin was first mooted in 2008 by an anonymous individual, or group of people, using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Its invention was a breakthrough in cryptography.

As with most cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin runs on a blockchain - a piece of software that acts as a digital ledger that logs transactions distributed across a network comprising thousands of computers.

Because additions to the distributed ledger must be verified by solving a cryptographic puzzle - a process known as proof of work - Bitcoin is kept secure from fraudsters.

Despite becoming a household name, Bitcoins price has oscillated wildly in recent years. At the time of writing, a coin was worth around 22,781 having peaked at just over 51,000 in November 2021. In 2016, a single Bitcoin could be bought for around 370.

2. Ethereum (ETH)

Market cap: 178.1 billion

Ethereum is both a cryptocurrency and a blockchain platform and is popular with programme developers because of its potential applications.

These include so-called smart contracts that automatically execute when conditions are met, as well as non-fungible tokens - or NFTs. NFTs are digital assets that represent real-world objects, such as unique works of art.

Ethereum is another cryptocurrency that has experienced tremendous growth. For example, from April 2016 to date, its price has risen from 8 to around 1,474, increasing approximately 18,325%.

3. Tether (USDT)

Market cap: 66.9 billion

Unlike some of its cryptocurrency rivals, Tether is a type of stable coin.

Stable coins attempt to peg their market value to an external reference. For Tether, this means its backed by established fiat currencies such as UK pounds, US dollars or the euro and hypothetically keeps a value equal to one of those denominations.

Tethers value, the theory runs, ought to be more consistent than other cryptocurrencies. It tends to be favoured by investors who are wary of the extreme volatility associated with other coins.

4. Binance Coin (BNB)

Market cap: 32.5 billion

Binance Coin is a version of cryptocurrency where users can trade and pay fees on Binance, one of the worlds largest crypto exchanges. Fees paid on the exchange in Binance Coin receive a discount.

Launched in 2017, Binance Coin has moved on from only facilitating trades on the Binance exchange. It can now be used for trading, payment processing, and even booking travel arrangements. It can also be traded or exchanged for other forms of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

In 2017 a coin was priced at under 10p, but this month it has been trading around the 268 mark.

5. US Dollar Coin (USDC)

Market cap: 23.0 billion

US Dollar Coin (USDC) is another stable coin. Its redeemable on a 1:1 basis for US dollars, backed by dollar denominated assets held in segregated accounts with US-regulated financial institutions. USDC is powered by Ethereum and can be used to complete transactions worldwide.

6. XRP (XRP)

Market cap: 21.93 billion

XRP aims to be a fast, cost-efficient cryptocurrency for cross-border payments.

Created by some of the same founders as Ripple, a digital technology and payment processing company, XRP can be used on that network to transact exchanges of different currency types, including fiat currencies and other major cryptocurrencies.

At the beginning of 2017, the price of XRP was 0.004. As of 7 June 2023, its price reached 0.42, equal to a rise of approximately 10,448%.

7. Cardano (ADA)

Market cap: 9.2 billion

Later to the crypto scene, Cardano is notable for its early embrace of proof-of-stake validation.

This is the second (along with proof-of-work, see Bitcoin above) of two major consensus mechanisms that cryptocurrencies use to verify new transactions, add them to the blockchain, and create new tokens.

This method hastens transaction times and reduces energy usage and environmental impact by removing the competitive, problem-solving aspect of transaction verification that exists via platforms such as Bitcoin.

Cardano also works like Ethereum to enable smart contracts and decentralised applications, powered by ADA, its native coin.

Cardanos ADA token has had relatively modest growth compared to other major crypto coins. In 2017, ADAs price was about 1.5p and, as of 7 June 2023, its price was at 0.26. This is an increase of around 76%.

8. Dogecoin (DOGE)

Market cap: 7.56 billion

Dogecoin started out as a joke in 2013, but rapidly evolved into a prominent cryptocurrency thanks to a dedicated community and creative memes. Unlike many other cryptos, there is no limit on the number of Dogecoins that can be created, which leaves the currency susceptible to devaluation as supply increases.

Dogecoins price in 2017 was 0.00016. By June 2023, its price was at 0.05, up 33,724%.

9. Solana (SOL)

Market cap: 6.2 billion

Developed to help power decentralized finance (DeFi) usages, decentralized apps (DApps) and smart contracts, Solana runs on a unique hybrid proof-of-stake and proof-of-history mechanisms to process transactions quickly and securely. SOL, Solanas native token, powers the platform.

When it launched in 2020, SOLs price started at 0.57. By late June 2023, its price was around 15.61, a gain of around 2,638%.

10. Polygon (MATIC)

Market cap: 5.8 billion

Polygon used to be known as Matic Network. With the ticker symbol (MATIC) it is an Ethereum token that powers the Polygon Network, a scaling solution for Ethereum. Polygons aim is to provide faster and cheaper transactions on Ethereum using blockchains that run alongside the Ethereum main chain.

Polygon has undergone tremendous growth since its first launch. Today MATIC trades at 0.62.

1 eToro Invest with a crypto brand trusted by millions Buy and sell 70+ cryptoassets on a secure, easy-to-use platform 1 eToro eToro Own Crypto On eToros Website * Cryptoassets are highly volatile and unregulated in the UK. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.

Frequently asked questions

What are cryptocurrencies?

A cryptocurrency is a type of currency that only exists in digital form. Cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to make online purchases, side-stepping the need of going through a third-party such as a bank. They are also used for investment/speculation.

How many cryptocurrencies are there?

From stablecoins to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and dog memes, the variety of cryptocurrencies is mindblowing. CoinMarketCap reports that there are approximately 23,827 cryptocurrencies with a market cap of more than $1.1 trillion.

Whats the difference between trading cryptocurrencies and traditional shares?

Buying a share in a company means you own a tiny piece of the corporation concerned. Shares also confer on the holder the right to vote on key decisions that a company makes  from its direction of travel, to how much it pays its executive board.

If a company folds, shareholders may be entitled to compensation once creditors that are higher up the pecking order have been paid off.

In contrast, buying a cryptocurrency only grants the holder ownership over the token itself. If a cryptocurrency loses values, thats it. There is no extra layer of compensation for the holder.

There are several key differences between shares and cryptocurrencies worth bearing in mind:

Trading hours: traditional stock exchanges such as London and New York are only open for set periods daily, five days a week. Cryptocurrency markets never close, however, enabling participants to make transactions 24/365.

Regulation: share trading is subject to strict regulation, and the reports and accounts of publicly listed companies are matters of public record. Cryptocurrencies are unregulated. Unlike other parts of the financial services marketplace, there is no financial safety net for customers in the event a cryptocurrency company goes to the wall.

Volatility: Investing in both shares and cryptocurrencies involves risk. Investors can lose money from both and, in extreme cases, end up with nothing. While share prices tend to rise and fall based on company performance, cryptocurrency prices tend to be more speculative. This can make price moves in the latter extremely volatile, sensitive to something as seemingly insignificant as a celebritys tweet.

How do you buy crypto?

You can buy cryptocurrencies through a number of exchanges such as Coinbase.

Is cryptocurrency a good investment?

Cryptocurrency is volatile and unpredictable. Despite countless stories of people buying Bitcoin in its early days and becoming millionaires, you are not guaranteed a return on your investment. Youre not even guaranteed to break even.

The UKs financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned repeatedly that anyone investing should be prepared to lose everything.

HMRC and Kantar Public research from July 2022 found 28% of UK crypto investors had either broken even or lost money trading. 3% of poll respondents lost more than 5,000.

The same research said 63% of crypto owners who sold assets made a profit, with 24% making profits of 500 or less. The research of course relied on participants to answer the questions honestly.

The uncertainty of crypto markets mean cryptocurrencies cannot be considered a good investment. They are, at best, a risky investment.

How much money should I invest in crypto?

You should invest no more than youd be comfortable losing.

Depending on what tokens youre interested in buying, you might only need to spend pennies. However, most exchanges enforce a minimum deposit of around 10 before you can start trading.

Do you have to pay taxes on cryptocurrencies?
The long awaited Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny will hit cinemas this week following a slew of high octane premieres across Los Angeles, Cannes and London. As the fifth film in a billion dollar franchise, the roll out has been the epitome of opulence and good old fashioned Hollywood glamour  mainly fronted by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Harrison Ford and Phoebe Waller-Bridge at the London premiere / Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/WireImag

For the first time the superstar screenwriter and Emmy-winning actress will appear as the leading lady in a blockbuster movie, cementing her rise from the hustling on the Edinburgh Fringe festival circuit to the upper echelons of theatre, television and cinema.

And boy does she look the part. Last night she stunned at the UK premiere wearing a gorgeous, futuristic sleek, figure hugging chainmail dress from Saudi Arabian couture label Ashi Studio that she paired with a regal white cape. Posing alongside her co star Harrison Ford  whose films have grossed more than 8 billion worldwide across his 60 year career  the multi-hyphenate looked every inch the Hollywood starlet.

Shes certainly capable of being a movie star, said Harrison Ford in her latest cover for the July/ August issue of Vanity Fair. Its a question of whether or not she wants to endure that responsibility. Whatever it is that we think she should do, shell have a better idea. Shes sitting on top of the pile right now.

Phoebe Waller Bridge as the cover star of Vanity Fairs July/ August issue, on newsstands June 29 / Alasdair Mclellan/Vanity Fair

That includes the fashion pile, too. For their LA premiere earlier this month she sported an equally elegant abdomen-baring cut-out by Alexander McQueen, while at Cannes she opted for a Dolce & Gabbana lace polo-come-corset dress. Perhaps her most jaw dropping look, however, was the Schiaparelli Haute Couture dress that she wore for the films premiere at Cannes  which is the celebrity-preferred brand for best dressed red carpet fashion.

Behind her Hollywood makeover has been stylist Ryan Hastings, who works with Anya Taylor-Joy and Rooney Mara, as well as celebrity stylist Elizabeth Saltzman, who also styles Gwyneth Paltrow, Saoirse Ronan and Jodie Comer. Together theyve crafted Waller-Bridges undeniably A list look since she cracked America in 2019.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Harrison Ford pose for photographers at the 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' Cannes premiere / Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP

The 37-year-old was born and raised in West London. After graduating from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 2006 she made her stage debut at the Soho Theatre in 2009, where she played a trickster bond trader who misused her sex appeal. Yet, it was her then-low budget one-woman play Fleabag that she wrote and starred in 2013 that put her name on the map. Although it was described as a tad contrived by The Times and The Guardian rated it 3 out of 5 stars, it dominated the Fringe  winning the coveted First Award.

Still, she hadnt properly started on the long and winding road to Hollywood  first she needed to crack the UK. Fortunately the BBC caught wind of the buzzy, slightly perverse show and commissioned it for their late night comedy channel, BBC Three, in 2016.

It was an immediate cult hit. Fans were hysterical about the Fleabag character for its unflinchingly honest exploration of modern womanhood. Mike Hale from The New York Times praised the show for its "restless, almost feral energy and its slap-in-the-face attitude. While Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times commended its unpredictability, acting, and "clear eye for truth that often becomes, like all good comedy, quite devastating.

It was the second series though that became a widespread cultural phenomenon. By then the BBC had moved the show to its main channel, BBC One and Amazon Prime picked it up for its US audience.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge glittered on the No Time To Die red carpet (Ian West/PA) / PA Wire

At the 2019 Emmy Awards after picking up her third win (across categories Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Comedy Series and Best Comedy Writing), Waller-Bridge told the ceremonys audience this is just getting ridiculous before adding that the journey from a 2014 Edinburgh one-woman show to BBC series has been absolutely mental.

Little did she know it was only the beginning. Within a week Amazon Prime had offered the rising superstar a staggering 16 million deal to write and produce new content for the streaming service. Then James Bond came knocking on the bequest of Daniel Craig himself, practically begging Waller-Bridge to work her magic into the mega franchises 25th script.

Its no wonder BBCs Director of Content, Charlotte Moore, has described Waller-Bridge as a phenomenal force of nature.

She has taken the world by storm with her breathtakingly original creations [Fleabag and Killing Eve] and is an utterly unique writer and performer, she added. [Her] emotional honesty and mischievous wit constantly surprises and captures the zeitgeist, and leaves the audience only craving more.

From topping the Radio Times annual power list in 2022, beating the likes of journalist Emily Maitlis and broadcaster Stacey Dooley, to playing Harrison Fords god-daughter in one of the biggest movie franchises in history, Waller-Bridge is showing no signs of slowing down. Expect plenty more acting and sartorial triumphs to come.
LS Power Grid Maine, a subsidiary of LS Power, has received bipartisan legislative approval for Aroostook Renewable Gateway, an electric transmission line to interconnect renewable energy resources in northern Maine with the electric grid operated by the New England independent system operator (ISO-NE).

Legislative Document 924 (L.D. 924), signed on June 22, 2023 by Governor Janet Mills of Maine, provides the first of several approvals LS Power Grid Maine requires to build new transmission infrastructure that will create hundreds of construction jobs, provide tens of millions of dollars in new tax base to host communities, deliver fixed price renewable energy from Aroostook County to provide power to Maine homes and businesses, and enhance transmission grid reliability.

"LS Power is grateful for the leadership of Senate President Troy Jackson and Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart for sponsoring L.D. 924 and their bipartisan efforts and support that led to the successful passage of this important bill. I would like to thank Governor Mills for signing this legislation and appreciate her continued support as we advance this important project. The Aroostook Renewable Gateway will allow us to deliver cost effective, renewable energy from Aroostook County to Maine and the regional power grid," said Paul Thessen, President of LS Power Development.

"The Legislature's bipartisan approval is a major step towards ensuring Maine meets its ambitious renewable energy and climate goals in a cost-conscious manner while realizing economic benefits for the state," continued Thessen.

The LS Power Grid Maine project calls for building more than 100 miles of new 345 kV transmission lines and multiple substations to deliver new renewable energy from Aroostook County. These projects will provide significant benefits to Maine and the region, including jobs, tax revenues and avoided emissions from fossil fuels. The location of the new facilities will be considered through a robust siting and stakeholder engagement process with community open houses beginning later this year. This information will be evaluated and presented in an application with the Maine Public Utilities Commission requesting approval of a final route.

"We look forward to implementing this industry-leading grid infrastructure in close collaboration with Maine's local and state regulatory agencies, local communities, and other stakeholders," said Doug Mulvey, Vice President, LS Power Development. "We are excited to be part of building Maine's renewable energy future."

About LS Power Grid

LS Power Grid, a leading developer and operator of electric transmission based in Chesterfield, MO, is an advocate for transparent and competitive processes to plan, build and own transmission infrastructure. These processes encourage innovative solutions, facilitate the integration of renewable resources, and lower costs. For information, please visit www.LSPowerGrid.com.

About LS Power

LS Power is a development, investment, and operating company focused on the North American power and energy infrastructure sector. Since inception in 1990, LS Power has developed, constructed, managed, or acquired more than 47,000 MW of power generation, including utility-scale solar, wind, hydro, natural gas-fired, and battery energy storage projects. In addition, LS Power developed and operates over 680 miles of high-voltage transmission, with an additional 200+ miles and multiple substations under construction. Across these efforts, LS Power has raised $50 billion in debt and equity financing to support North American infrastructure. For more information, please visit www.LSPower.com.
P olice have issued a CCTV appeal after a female police officer was sexually assaulted while working at last years Notting Hill Carnival.

The on-duty PC was assaulted by two different people while in a dense crowd slowly making its way along Westbourne Grove, on Monday, August 29, 2022.

Scotland Yard says the suspects took advantage of the busy environment to sexually assault the officer from behind.

Due to the volume of people present, she was unable to identify who was responsible at the time, it added.

Ten months on and the Met is yet to identify the suspects, despite an extensive investigation.

On Tuesday, the force appealed to the public for help as it released CCTV footage of two men officers are keen to trace.

The clip shows the two men moving through a sea of people at the hugely popular carnival, which sees thousands of revellers take to the streets of west London every August.

PC Richard Spears, who worked in the Notting Hill Carnival post-incident team, condemned the disturbing assaults.

He said: Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant event which sees communities come together to celebrate, and the atmosphere is generally very friendly and welcoming.

Sadly, the suspects in this incident have used the cover of a dense crowd to sexually assault a female police officer, presumably in the belief they would get away with it.

Assaults on officers during the course of their duty are unacceptable, and the fact this one is sexual in nature makes it particularly disturbing. We are releasing CCTV footage of two men we would like to speak to as part of our inquiries. Do you recognise them? Please contact us if you can help.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference CAD 5082/25Apr23.
P assersby tended to the knife wounds of a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed repeatedly close to a south London tram stop.

Police rushed to reports of a stabbing in Shoreham Close, close to the Croydon Arena Tram Stop at 7.40pm on Monday.

A Met spokesman said: Officers responded with London Ambulance Services.

A 16-year-old boy was found suffering stab injuries. Members of the public administered first aid prior to the arrival of emergency services.

He was taken to hospital, where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening.

Scotland Yard said there have been no arrests at this time.

Enquiries are ongoing.
C hildren with anxiety are more likely to be kept off school now increasing numbers of parents are working from home, the schools minister suggested.

Nick Gibb said that post-pandemic it is easier for parents to allow their children to stay at home, whereas previously they would have had no choice but to take them to school.

Mr Gibb was quizzed by MPs on the education committee about the rise in the number of children who are persistently absent from school.

Robin Walker, chair of the committee, said MPs were concerned about the stubbornly high levels of persistent absence which have been slow to decline since the pandemic.

He said primary school headteachers have told him parents are now more inclined to talk about anxiety as a reason for children to be away from school where perhaps before the pandemic they were more likely to say their child was a little bit worried about going to school but still send them.

Mr Gibb said: It is easier for parents to allow their child to remain home if they are working from home. Whereas in the past a child with anxiety and both parents had stressful jobs they had to get to by 8 oclock there really is no choice, the child has to go in.

He added that there is a real mental health problem in schools which has got worse as a consequence of lockdown and children being away from their peers during the pandemic.

Latest figures show that in the autumn term last year, 24.4 per cent of pupils were persistently absent. This was more than double the 10.9 per cent persistent absence rate of autumn 2018/19, before the pandemic.

The percentage of children classed as severely absent  which is missing half their time at school  was 1.7 per cent in autumn last year  this was again more than double the pre-pandemic level when 0.7 per cent of pupils were severely absent in autumn 2018/19.

Mr Gibb said one of the reasons absence rates have been slow to improve was illness, and pointed to an outbreak of flu and scarlet fever that has hit schools.

He said: There are some longer term consequences of the lockdown that concern us. One is that parents are slightly more cautious about sending their child into school with a mild cold and we are trying to emphasise the point that its the fever that matters.

Mr Gibb spoke to MPs on the committee for the first time since regaining his post as schools minister last year. He said since coming back to office in October he noticed a change in why children were absent, saying: It wasnt just the unauthorised holidays and so on. It was an increase illness, an increase in barriers to attendance.

He added that children were affected by being stuck at home for quite a big chunk of the last two years due to the pandemic. He said some children suffered from mental health issues that caused them to fall behind in their work, and some were frightened of going to school because they had fallen so far behind.
L abour has pledged to build a new hospital in Hillingdon by the end of their first term in Government  just weeks before a crucial by-election in the constituency.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the new facility in Boris Johnsons former constituency would be built by 2028 if the party won a General Election next year.

The hospital was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection in 2018.

Plans for a new hospital were approved by Hillingdon Council in January and it is named in the Governments New Hospitals Programme. Minister recently confirmed that it would be rebuilt by 2030.

Mr Streeting visited the hospital on Monday afternoon alongside Labours parliamentary candidate for Uxbridge, Danny Beales.

After touring the building and speaking to staff, Mr Streeting told Sky News it was by far the worst hospital I have ever seen.

Staff are working in intolerable conditions, patients are sweltering in intolerable conditions on such a hot day.

I think it's outrageous, actually, that the Conservatives have lumbered the people of Hillingdon with such an unacceptable building for so long. I mean, it resembles a Dad's Army site.

More than 31,000 people across Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust are awaiting treatment including more than 800 children, according to the latest NHS figures.

The average wait for a hospital appointment is 17 weeks  three weeks longer than the national average.

Mr Streeting told the Standard: The Conservatives have failed the people of Uxbridge and South Ruislip yet again. No new hospital built, the NHS is crumbling and patient safety in Hillingdon is put at risk every day.

Enough is enough. An incoming Labour government will deliver a new, state of the art hospital for Hillingdon. This will be done in the first term. No ifs, no buts, no more broken promises. Uxbridge and South Ruislip deserves better.

A by-election will take place in the constituency on 20 July after Mr Johnsons departure from the Commons.
H ospital consultants in England are set to take industrial action on July 20 and 21 after voting heavily in favour in a dispute over pay, the British Medical Association announced on Tuesday.

It comes just days after junior doctor members of the BMA will stage five days of industrial action - the longest in the history of the health service.

The news will come as a blow to Health Secretary Steve Barclay after the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) on Tuesday announced that it had failed to meet the threshold for further strikes.

The BMA said that take-home pay for consultants in England has fallen by 35 per cent since 2008/2009 and that the result demonstrated the strenfth of feeling among consultants.

Industrial action will take the form of Christmas Day cover, meaning that most routine and elective services will be cancelled but full emergency cover will remain in place.

Prolonged strike action is likely to impact Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks target to bring NHS waiting lists down by next year.

Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said: We know consultants don't take the decision around industrial action lightly, but this vote shows how furious they are at being repeatedly devalued by Government. Consultants are not worth a third less than we were 15 years ago and have had enough.

Consultants don't want to have to take industrial action, but have been left with no option in the face of a Government that continues to cut our pay year after year. However, it is not too late to avert strike action and the Government simply needs come back to us with a credible offer that we can put to our members.

We are simply asking for fairness to ensure that there is a pay settlement that begins to reverse the real-terms pay decline that we have suffered and a commitment to fully reform the pay review process to ensure that it can make truly independent recommendations in the future that take into account historical losses so that we don't find ourselves in this situation again.

But if they refuse, it is with a heavy heart that we will take action next month. We will prioritise patient safety and continue to provide emergency care, in-keeping with the level of services available on Christmas Day.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said: A double whammy of consultants resorting to two days of Christmas Day cover - meaning they will provide emergency care but routine work will be paused - and a full walkout by junior doctors days earlier in the longest single strike ever seen in the NHS means disruption for many thousands of patients and yet more pressure on overstretched services. This is a huge risk for the NHS to manage.

July will be the eighth consecutive month of industrial action across the NHS. More than 651,000 routine operations and appointments have had to be postponed already since December due to industrial action across the NHS with knock-on delays for many thousands more.

He added: We understand how strongly doctors feel  the high turnout in the consultants vote shows just how strongly - and why they are striking. Trust leaders will continue to do everything they can to limit disruption and keep patients safe but thats getting harder and more expensive with every strike.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: We hugely value the work of NHS consultants and it is disappointing the BMA consultants have voted to take strike action. Consultants received a 4.5% pay uplift last financial year, increasing average earnings to around 128,000, and they will benefit from generous changes to pension taxation announced at budget.

Strikes are hugely disruptive for patients and put pressure on other NHS staff. Weve been engaging with the BMA Consultants Committee on their concerns already and stand ready to open talks again  we urge them to come to the negotiating table rather than proceeding with their proposed strike dates.

We urge the BMA to carefully consider the likely impact of any action on patients.
The 52-year-old TV and radio presenter revealed in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with autism, describing the revelation as life-affirming.

She spoke to Alan Carr about her Tourettes on his podcast Lifes A Beach, released on Monday (July 17).

In the interview, Carr confirmed she was able to swear on the podcast, to which she said: Oh good, but Ill try not to, because Ive just discovered I have Tourettes.

She explained: I am wired a completely different way and Im only just understanding it.

Where I used to think, Whats wrong with me? Now I know its everything thats right with me.

Other celebrities, including Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish, have opened up about living with Tourettes.

Last month, Capaldi fans helped the Scottish singer finish his song at Glastonbury after he experienced tics caused by Tourettes syndrome.

Capaldi announced the following week, in a message posted on Instagram and Twitter, that he would be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.

Heres a look at what Tourettes syndrome is and what the symptoms are.

What is Tourettes syndrome?

Tourettes syndrome (also written as Tourette or its abbreviation TS) is a neurological condition that causes the sufferer to make involuntary movements or sounds, known as tics.

As Capaldi noted, the tics can become more obvious when the person is feeling extreme emotions, such as tiredness, stress, or nerves.

The tics usually begin to appear during childhood between the ages of two and 14 and often improve as people become adults.

What are symptoms of Tourettes syndrome?

The severity and frequency of tics can vary widely among individuals with Tourettes syndrome. Tics can be simple or complex. Examples of physical (motor) tics include, but are not limited to:

blinking

eye rolling

grimacing

shoulder shrugging

jerking of the head or limbs

jumping

twirling

touching objects and other people

There are also vocal tics, or involuntary noises, that include:

grunting

throat clearing

whistling

coughing

tongue clicking

animal sounds

saying random words and phrases

repeating a sound, word, or phrase

swearing (rare, affecting roughly 10 per cent of people with Tourettes)

Tics are not usually physically painful, although violent movements can be uncomfortable, such as sudden head jerking.

Symptoms of Tourettes will often be worse on some days than others, particularly if the person is stressed or tired.

Most people experience whats called a premonitory sensation before a tic, similar to the feeling before you sneeze or itch.

Some examples of these include a burning sensation in the eyes before blinking, a dry or sore throat before grunting, or an itchy joint before twitching.

Some people with Tourettes can control their tics but this is usually tiring. After a longer period of controlling them, people may experience a period of increased tics, such as returning home from work or school.

Diagnosis usually comes after experiencing tics for several years, as theres no distinct test for the condition.

In addition to tics, sufferers may experience other associated conditions. These include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. It is important to note that not everyone with Tourettes syndrome will have these associated conditions.

What causes Tourettes syndrome?

The exact cause of Tourettes syndrome is unknown, but research suggests that it may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is believed to be related to abnormalities in certain brain regions and imbalances in neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain.

Can Tourettes syndrome be cured?

While there is no cure for Tourettes syndrome, management focuses on reducing the impact of tics and improving quality of life. Treatment options can include medication to help control tics and associated conditions, behavioural therapy, and support from healthcare professionals, educators, and family members.

Further support for getting a diagnosis or seeking behavioural therapy for Tourettes can be found via the NHS. For more information about treatment and support, you can also contact the charity Tourettes Action.
F our people have been arrested afer Just Stop Oil activists targeted a multinational energy firms base in Canary Wharf in a paint attack on Tuesday morning.

Four JSO protesters entered TotalEnergies UK headquarters around 8am, dousing its lobby with black paint from fire extinguishers.

Meanwhile outside, four more activists sprayed the buildings exterior with orange paint before sitting down to await arrest.

Scotland Yard said it had arrested four people on suspicion of criminal damage.

Protesters are said to have sprayed paint before sitting down to await arrest / Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil is calling for an end to new oil, gas and coal projects in the UK. It says it carried out Tuesdays action alongside around 60 members of Students Against EACOP (the East African Crude Oil Pipeline).

The student group is demanding an immediate suspension of the destructive pipeline in Uganda, of which TotalEnergies is the majority shareholder.

Covering nearly 900 miles, the controversial EACOP will transport oil produced from Ugandas Lake Albert oilfields to the port of Tanga in Tanzania where oil will then be sold on to world markets.

A spokesperson for Students Against EACOP said: This pipeline is destroying national parks, lakes and rivers, causing massive ecological damage and displacing wildlife.

Just Stop Oil

Many financial institutions have refused to underwrite this project and if TotalEnergies backs off, the government of Uganda would have a hard time funding this project.

One of those taking action at Canary Wharf on Tuesday was a 27-year-old Doctor of Philosophy student at the University of Oxford, named only as Solveig.

I wish we could stop these atrocities through peaceful and quiet protest, but we cant, he said. This is why I have to stand up to Total and push for the de-funding of EACOP.

TotalEnergies says on its website: As a responsible operator, TotalEnergies recognises the projects environmental and social issues, and takes them into consideration.

Responding to the protest, a spokespeson for the firm said: TotalEnergies fully respects the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression, but deplores all forms of violence, whether verbal, physical or material. TotalEnergies promotes transparent and constructive dialogue with all its stakeholders.

Just Stop Oil launched its campaign on February 14, 2022, and has frequently carried out public stunts involving paint, and bringing key London roads to a standstill. It says its protesters have been arrested 2,200 times, and 138 people have spent time in prison.
T wo London universities have been named in the top ten worldwide in a new global league table.

Imperial College was ranked sixth and University College London came ninth in the QS World University Rankings.

The respected global league table, now in its 20th year, analyses the academic reputation, employability, international research and sustainability of each university.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA was named as the best university in the world for the twelfth year running, followed by Cambridge. The University of Oxford was in third place.

The results mean 40 per cent of the top ten universities were from the UK  the same percentage as the United States.

One university each from Switzerland and Singapore also made the top ten.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London said: This result confirms that Imperial is one of the best universities in the world, and is a testament to our brilliant, diverse community, our global outlook, and the spirit of innovation that runs through everything we do.

He added: These same qualities define the best of London, and the rankings show, once again, that the capital is the place to be  nurturing top talent from across London and the UK, and acting as a magnet for the best students and researchers from across the globe.

A spokeswoman for QS World University Rankings said the UK has tightened its grip on the elite echelon of global higher education.

She said the results show the UK is one of the most desirable study destinations in the world for international students, bit there is room for improvement in the UKs rating for high impact research.

The 2024 league table also shows the UK is held in excellent esteem among international employers and academics, and boasts some of the worlds most employable graduates.

The league table features 1,500 universities. Ninety of those featured are from the UK, making it the second most represented location, behind the US, with 199, and before China, with 71.

The University of Edinburgh, Manchester, Kings College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) are also named in the top 50.

Overall, UK universities saw the most improvements in the international student ratio indicator, which reflects how accessible an institution is for foreign students and the on-campus diversity they can expect there. But UK universities saw a drop in the rating for class size and teaching resource allocation.

Jessica Turner, QS Chief Executive, said: UK universities have demonstrated their powerful global appeal, excelled as international education front-runners, and produced some of the worlds most employable graduates. Their commitment to robust international collaboration has transformed them into a global magnet, attracting bright minds from around the world.

But she added: Despite this noteworthy success, it is important to recognise the increasingly competitive international education landscape. As students explore a wider range of universities across multiple countries, the UK must continue to innovate and uphold its world-class offerings to remain a preferred choice for students globally.
A waste collection firm has been fined nearly quarter-of-a-million pounds after a beloved dad-of-four from Enfield was killed in a crash with litter-picking vans.

Tony Skerratt, 44, was in the passenger seat of a Wren Kitchens lorry when it ploughed into the vans as they blocked a lane on the A11 near Attleborough, between Norwich and Thetford.

An investigation by independent regulator the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has since discovered failings by waste contractor Serco, which left both staff and members of the public at significant risk.

Serco had been contracted by Breckland District Council to carry out the litterpick on the dual-carriageway on the afternoon of February 26, 2019.

While staff collected rubbish from the roadside Serco vans had been moving slowly along the inside lane, periodically stopping to allow bags of rubbish to be collected, when the lorry Mr Skerratt was in crashed into them. He died of his injuries.

A damning HSE investigation found Serco had not given its employees appropriate instructions, or supervised and monitored the high-risk litter pick to ensure it was carried out safely on the high-speed road.

Mr Skerratts family said in a statement: The pain the family feels is as tender as the day we heard the worst possible news imaginable.

The court case has been ongoing for so long, the wounds are unable to heal until justice is served. Tony was the youngest of four children and the only son to mum and dad. They grieve for the loss of their son. The pain of losing a child is something you can never recover from.

It wasnt Tonys time to go, otherwise we would have had the chance to say goodbye.

Serco Limited has now pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined 240,000 and ordered to pay costs of 37,074, at Norwich Crown Court on Friday.

HSE Inspector Saffron Turnell said: This was a tragic incident where the death of a member of the public could have easily been prevented had Serco Ltd implemented and monitored the robust management systems required to ensure such a high-risk activity could be carried out safely.

The companys failings put its employees and those using the dual carriageway at significant risk and this incident has left a family grieving the loss of much loved son, brother and uncle. Our thoughts remain with the family.

Serco says it has taken steps to help prevent similar tragedies.

We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr Tony Skerratt, said a spokesperson.

As the judge made clear, Serco co-operated fully with the Health and Safety Executive, has a good health and safety record and a strong health and safety culture. Serco gives health and safety the highest priority throughout the business and we have implemented actions that are aimed at ensuring that such an accident will not happen again.
W ireless Festival is to be held in north Londons Finsbury Park for the next five years - despite backlash from locals.

Haringey Council has signed a deal with the music festivals promoter to allow the event to take place every summer until 2027, in the hope it will raise significant income for the park and local economy.

The weekend festival, which draws daily crowds of up to 50,000 people, has been held in the park annually since 2014 except for two years during the pandemic.

However, locals have long campaigned for it to be held elsewhere, citing issues with noise pollution, antisocial behaviour, environmental impact and the acres of public land it takes up.

Until now, Wireless has been booked on a yearly basis. But the council said its new five-year deal will guarantee money to fund the parks upkeep - despite admitting in a report that its new approach will reduce the income level received.

Community group the Friends of Finsbury Park has slammed the councils decision, claiming the move will result in less oversight of events, and is about money, not culture.

Evidently, council budgets are tight, they said. But elsewhere in the borough, Haringey Council is making great investments in parks. And perversely, this deal appears to deliver less money for Finsbury Park.

The friends group supports holding smaller-scale events of fewer than 10,000 people in the park but says major events reduce access for residents and lead to noise and antisocial behaviour.

The group says it is incredibly disappointed the council had not held a promised [public] consultation on the proposal and instead signed the five-year deal which appears to learn none of the lessons from the disastrous Tough Mudder event earlier this year.

Finsbury Park was left muddy and damaged after a Tough Mudder challenge in April / The Friends of Finsbury Park

Haringey Council banned Tough Mudder challenges from the park in April, after one particular event held in wet weather left the ground a sea of churned-up mud - damage that was blasted by the Friends group and described by Labour MP David Lammy as an environmental disgrace.

Alexandra Worrell, a Labour councillor for Stroud Green ward, said she believes events the scale of Wireless are unsuitable for the park, and the council has not been sufficiently clear, transparent or communicative about how the money raised from the events was being used.

The council said events raise around 1.2 million per year for Finsbury Park, funding the maintenance team and paying for improvements such as a new play space, air-quality monitoring stations and an expanded skate park.

It said holding events with fewer than 10,000 attendees would mean having to find an extra 400,000 per year to support the park.

As part of the new deal Wireless promoter Festival Republic will also hold a second weekend of major events in the park each year. Two days of free community events will also take place: Finsbury Fest, which will see local artists play on the festival stage, and Haringey Schools Music Festival, which will showcase the boroughs young musicians.

Council leader Peray Ahmet said: Finsbury Park is a thriving green space in the heart of our borough. We are incredibly proud of the park and its long history of hosting some of the biggest names in music through the summer events programme.

As well as bringing in significant funds to help us manage and improve the park, events are an important opportunity for residents, especially our young people, to access world-class music and culture in an affordable and sustainable way.

Responding to the concerns over the absence of a public consultation on major events, a council spokesperson said: In line with our outdoor events policy, we engaged with recognised stakeholders ahead of taking this decision, with feedback received being evaluated as part of the decision-making process. Our procedure for notifying and engaging with stakeholders was tested and found to be robust by the High Court in a 2016 judgment.

Festival Republic has been approached for comment.
CARLIN  After one Carlin City Council meeting, those attending had to walk across the pedestrian bridge to get home because a Union Pacific Railroad train was blocking the citys crossings, Carlin City Manager Madison Aviles said. They left their cars at city hall.

Long UP trains often stop within Carlin city limits, blocking all avenues across the tracks and the ability for rescue vehicles to cross, but Aviles said that earlier this month, they broke a train here in town to allow us to have traffic to and from one of the crossings. It was the first time Ive seen a conductor break a train and move a portion up a little so the crossing is clear.

Breaking the train shows that there are solutions that exist in order to make these crossings passible, she said. Its a public safety issue. We want to make sure ambulances can pass through and our police have access throughout town.

Union Pacifics manager of communications, Mike Jaixen, said on June 26 that UPs goal is to keep our trains moving safely and efficiently. A stopped train isnt good for customers and communities.

He said the operation team is working right now to make sure trains are not blocking both crossings in Carlin and Wells, although one crossing could still be blocked in either community.

Anyone who experiences blocked crossings can go to the website UP.com/notifyUP to report the problem, and technology will use the persons phone to determine exactly where you are since UP has operations in 23 states, Jaixen said.

Aviles told Elko County Commissioners about Carlins problem with trains stopping at the crossings in the city, and former Elko County Commissioner Cliff Eklund said the stoppage has been as long as eight hours while other times the crossings are blocked for 30 minutes to an hour.

Aviles said in a phone interview that on the day when those at the Carlin City Council meeting were blocked from getting home, the rail crossings were blocked for at least five hours or so.

Carlin has been working with U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., regarding the rail crossings, and Amodei has been really, really great to work with Carlin and keep the city up to date, the city manager said.

I can confirm that the Carlin city manager flagged this issue for us, and our office has been working to resolve the problem since last week, Kelsey Mix, communications director for Amodei, said in a June 23 email. Congressmen Amodei has personally called a Union Pacific official and has requested that they improve the lines of communication with the city and the local community.

Mix said Amodeis office was looking at progress within the week.

Were excited to see some progress, Aviles said in the call.

Commissioners voted on June 21 to send a letter of support for Carlins efforts to ease the UP problem to lawmakers, and Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne said in an email that the letter will be sent to all our federal delegates. That includes Amodei and U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto and Jacky Rosen, both D-Nev.

Issues in Wells

Osborne said the letter will mention problems with train crossings in Wells, as well, because Wells has similar issues.

Wells City Manager Jason Pengelly said Wells has been dealing with blocked crossings for some time, but the crossings arent blocked as often as they had been in the past, when trains were stopped as long as five or six hours. He said he calls his contact at Union Pacific.

When train crews run out of hours, they just pack up and leave, so the train is stopped until a new crew arrives, and that could be from Elko or Salt Lake City, he said.

No ambulances can get through when a train blocks Seventh Street, stopping access to Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and 10th streets, and blocks Pacific Avenue, preventing access to the citys light industrial park and housing, Pengelly said by phone June 26.

U.S. Highway 93 that goes through Wells is on a bridge over the tracks, so highway traffic is continuous.

Lee Cabanis, emergency manager director for the county, said by phone June 23 that when trains are blocking crossings that is a public safety issue. Now that the issue has been raised, his office will keep an eye on it.

Aviles said Carlin police and city officials have frequently called the Union Pacific dispatch line, and UP has confirmed its their trains blocking intersections.

Why are they stopping?

She said theyve heard the stoppages are caused by engine problems or because by federal mandate train operators must stop a train when they have worked so many hours.

Our police are frequently out and about town, and they are usually the first to notice when a train has blocked an intersection., Sometimes she calls when the way home from Carlin City Hall at 151 S. Eighth is blocked, except by the pedestrian bridge.

Aviles said the pedestrian bridge owned by Union Pacific is one of the few such bridges remaining, and it is really important to have that pedestrian bridge. Its not in the best of shape. It needs some repair. She said UP crews have made a couple of repairs, but there is still work to be done.

Its our only access when the track is blocked. If we didnt have that, it would be an even more dangerous crossing. Kids might try to jump through stopped trains, but you never know when a train will start back up again, and we dont want to see anyone hurt, Aviles said.

Schoolchildren use the pedestrian bridge to get to or from school, too, when the crossings are blocked.

Carlin City Hall, the police department, the public works department and the justice court are on the south side of the UP tracks, but the fire department is on the other side of the tracks. Aviles said police officers are on duty on both sides of the tracks in case of emergency.

She said despite concerns nothing major has happened to date.

Aviles also reported that a train blocked the Carlin-Eureka Highway in May for the first time, and that became an issue for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Normally blocked crossings are within the city of Carlin, she said.

Issues with long trains blocking railroad crossings are a problem in many parts of the country involving different railroad companies.

An investigation partnership between the nonprofit ProPublica and InvestigateTV that showed children having to crawl under a parked train to get to school in an Indiana suburb got national attention and led to the Federal Railroad Administration issuing a safety advisory, according to a ProPublica article last month.
B oris Johnsons clear and unambiguous breach of the rules over his Daily Mail column shows the urgent need to reform the good chaps approach to post-ministerial jobs, the Government has been warned.

Acoba, the watchdog which scrutinises ex-ministers jobs after leaving office, said the former Prime Ministers office had only informed them of the column 30 minutes before it was announced on social media.

Under the ministerial code, former ministers are not allowed to take up new appointments or announce them before seeking advice.

In correspondence published on Tuesday, Acoba chair Lord Eric Pickles said what action to take in relation to this breach is a matter for the government.

In a letter to the Cabinet Office, Mr Pickles said: Mr Johnsons case is a further illustration of how out of date the governments Business Rules are.

They were designed to offer guidance when good chaps could be relied on to observe the letter and the spirit of the Rules.

If it ever existed, that time has long passed and the contemporary world has outgrown the Rules.

He called on the Government to introduce greater sanctions for non compliance and to remove cases with a known low risk profile for corruption from the vettings process for post-Government jobs.

He said: I suggest that you take into consideration the low risk nature of the appointment itself, and the need to reform the system to deal with roles in proportion to the risks posed.

The rules are in place to avoid suspicion that an appointment might be a reward for past favours.

Emails between Mr Johnsons office and the watchdog reveal that his office first told Acoba of his intention to take up a new column with the outlet after it was reported in the media.

Shelley Williams-Walker, who followed Mr Johnson out of No 10 and into his private office before being made a dame in his resignation honours, emailed in the request for advice at 12.31pm on June 16.

Half an hour later a pre-recorded video was tweeted by the Mail showing Mr Johnson confirming his appointment.

A response from Mr Johnson to a request for clarity from Acoba was sent less than 20 minutes before the 5pm deadline the committee set.

I have not signed any contract or been paid, the former MP argued.

If you have any objection to my signing a contract in the next few weeks perhaps you could let me know.

Mr Johnson resigned as an MP earlier this month after being found by the House of Commons Privileges Committee to have misled MPs over Partygate.

It has triggered a by-election in the London seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, due to be held on July 20.
A former Downing Street aide said he told Conservative officials about an allegation he groped a TV producer in No 10 during his selection as a potential candidate to become London mayor.

It comes amid reports that at least one Conservative MP has withdrawn support for Daniel Korski, who has said he does not understand how Daisy Goodwin came away with that perception of the meeting between them a decade ago.

Mr Korski has said it is categorically untrue that he groped Ms Goodwin, after she used articles in The Times and Daily Mail to identify the former special adviser.

I didnt do whats been alleged. I absolutely didnt do that. Ten years ago, when it happened, nothing was said to me. Seven years ago, when this first came out, nobody alleged anything to me.

I just didnt do whats being alleged, he told TalkTV on Tuesday.

Ive had countless meetings in Number 10, have had thousands of meetings since then in my business career, I treat everybody with the utmost respect, I work hard to create an empowering and respectful environment, and I sit appropriately in chairs, and I try to treat everybody with respect in order to get the best out of a professional situation.

I dont know how she could have come away with that perception.

I certainly didnt leave the meeting feeling that I had done anything wrong, and subsequently even wrote to her, congratulating her on some of her professional success. But I dont really know why she felt the way she did.

Mr Korski has said that he was not aware of an official complaint being made against him, and in a statement posted to Twitter said it was disheartening that the accusation had re-emerged during his mayoral bid.

In the interview he acknowledged that the allegation had been raised as part of the process for choosing the Conservatives candidate to become London mayor.

During the process, I was asked about if there were any outstanding issues the party may be aware of. I said to the party, seven years ago there was a story. I was never named in the story. As far as I know, there was no investigation. But I did mention this to the party.

Asked by TalkTV if he had always been faithful to his wife, he said: Look, I mean, I have a fantastic marriage to my wife. And Im really, you know, excited that weve built a fantastic family together. I dont think it would be appropriate to talk about anything else.

Daisy Goodwin, who has accused Daniel Korski of groping her a decade ago / PA

I have a loving relationship with my wife. Weve been together for 22 years. We met originally in Bosnia after the war. And, you know, Im thrilled to to build a life and a family with her.

The Conservative Party said it was not investigating the claim and Downing Street said No 10 was a safe environment for women.

Downing Street earlier refused to be drawn on the individual case or whether there would be a Cabinet Office investigation into Mr Korski who, at the time of the allegation, was a special adviser to then-prime minister David Cameron.

A Tory spokesman said: The Conservative Party has an established code of conduct and formal processes where complaints can be made in confidence.

The party considers all complaints made under the code of conduct but does not conduct investigations where the party would not be considered to have primary jurisdiction over another authority.

It is understood no formal complaint has been made by Ms Goodwin to Conservative Party headquarters.

According to Sky News, Harrow MP Robert Halfon has paused his support for Mr Korski in the wake of the allegation. The Standard has approached both Mr Halfon and Mr Korski for comment on the report.

Ms Goodwin, who was behind the hit show Victoria, wrote in the Times that at the end of a meeting the spad [special adviser] stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened.

I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the 80s I knew how to deal with gropers.

What I felt was surprise and some humiliation.

I was a successful award-winning TV producer with 40 or so people working for me; this was not behaviour that I would have tolerated in my office.

By the time I got back to work I had framed it as an anecdote about the spad who groped me in No 10.

His behaviour was so bizarre that I couldnt help seeing the humour in it.

It was as if I had walked into Carry On Downing Street.

It is not the first time Ms Goodwin has spoken about the alleged incident, but she said that she now wanted to name Mr Korski given he was in the running to become the Conservative mayoral candidate.

Asked if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thought it was important that allegations of harassment should be investigated, the No 10 spokesman said: Without wanting to be drawn into specifics, I think in any walk of life, I think the Prime Minister would expect that to be the case.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Korski has clearly got to answer questions about his alleged behaviour.

I know very little of the detail here, other than Ive seen the awful allegations, Sir Keir told the New Statesmans Politics Live Conference in central London on Tuesday.

He has clearly got to answer those allegations, as far as Im concerned.

I think there will be a level of concern that yet again it is a sort of pattern of behaviour in politics.
T he Government has decided not to proceed with the Bill of Rights, the Justice Secretary has said.

Alex Chalk confirmed in the House of Commons that Dominic Raabs plans to rewrite human rights law will be officially shelved after having carefully considered the Governments legislative programme in the round.

The Justice Secretary said ministers remain committed to a human rights framework which is up-to-date and fit for purpose and works for the British people.

Concerns had long been raised by parliamentarians, lawyers, and human rights organisations, among others, over the proposals for a new Bill of Rights.

Let me say that the Government remains committed to a human rights framework which is up-to-date and fit for purpose and works for the British people

Mr Raab had introduced the Bill during his first stint as justice secretary, but it was then shelved by Liz Trusss short-lived government.

Once back in the Cabinet, Mr Raab was set to revive it as part of the Governments strategy to deal with the crisis of migrant small boats crossing the English Channel but it was again thrown in thrown into doubt after his resignation.

Speaking during justice questions on Tuesday, the Conservative chairman of the Commons Justice Committee Sir Bob Neill asked Mr Chalk to confirm whether it was the Governments intention to update and modernise our human rights law as necessary, but doing so whilst firmly remaining in adherence to the Convention on Human Rights.

Mr Chalk replied: Yes, thats correct. I can say also that having carefully considered the Governments legislative programme in the round, I can inform the House we have decided not to proceed with the Bill of Rights.

He added: But let me say that the Government remains committed to a human rights framework which is up-to-date and fit for purpose and works for the British people.

We have taken and are taking action to address specific issues with the Human Rights Act and the European Convention, including through the Illegal Migration Bill, the Victims and Prisoners Bill and Overseas Operations Act 2021 and indeed, the Northern Ireland Legacy Bill, the last of which addressed vexatious claims against veterans and the armed forces.

It is right that we recalibrate and rebalance our constitution over time. That process continues.

Commenting on the decision to abandon the Bill, shadow justice secretary Steve Reed told the PA news agency: This is the third time the Government have U-turned on their Rights Reduction Act.

The plans were a dangerous threat to peace in Northern Ireland, prevented us from deporting foreign terrorists and dented the rights of rape survivors.

Whats astonishing is that a string of Tory prime ministers indulged this half-baked nonsense for so long. If you needed any more evidence that this clownish Conservative Government is a directionless political circus, this is it.
T alks on the UK participating in the Horizon Europe science programme have not stalled but are looking at crunchy financial details, Jeremy Hunt said.

The Chancellor said any agreement on UK involvement would depend upon the benefit to taxpayers.

Mr Hunt said the optimal outcome would be to find a way for participation in the programme to work for the UK.

Asked about the negotiations during a visit to Brussels, he said: I wouldnt describe them as stalled. I think that they are becoming more crunchy as we start to work out precisely what terms for participation in Horizon would be fair to UK taxpayers and work for the UK.

But I think both sides recognise that it is a successful and very important programme and the optimal outcome will be to find a way where participation can work for the UK.

Horizon Europe is a collaboration involving Europes leading research institutes and technology companies.

The Government was set for membership of the programme as part of the Brexit trade deal but that was scuppered by disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Those have now been resolved through the Windsor Framework and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to Rishi Sunak to join the scheme.

The Chancellor was in Brussels to sign a memorandum of understanding with financial services commissioner Mairead McGuinness in the latest sign that damage in the relationship between the UK and EU was being repaired.

She said: I think both sides know that there are benefits to have a shared area around science and innovation.

I like the word crunchy  I think the objective is a shared one and certainly I would encourage more crunching so that we get a result.

Meanwhile, another complication in the UKs post-Brexit relationship with the EU has emerged in Gibraltar, where Spain is reportedly eyeing up control of the territorys airport.

The Times reported that talks on the long-term relationship between Gibraltar and its neighbour Spain had foundered over the issue.

The Spanish have asked for a regulatory framework over the management of the airport which implies Spanish jurisdiction, which is not something that Gibraltar can tolerate, Vice-Admiral Sir David Steel, the governor of Gibraltar, said.

In Westminster, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Were working side by side with the government of Gibraltar, were committed to concluding the UK-EU treaty as soon as possible.

That would not be possible before Spains elections on July 23, the spokesman said, but we remain a steadfast supporter of Gibraltar, and were not going to do anything that would compromise sovereignty.
M easures 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.

Labour in government will turbocharge the transition to electric vehicles

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.
M att Hancock issued an apology for every Covid death and told the public inquiry there isnt a day that goes by when he does not think of the dead and their grieving relatives.

The former Health Secretary faced a first bout of questioning before the UKs Covid-19 Inquiry on Tuesday, and said the country made a huge error with the way it planned for pandemics.

In his witness statement, Mr Hancock wrote: There isnt a day that goes by that I do not think about all those who lost their lives to this awful disease or the loved ones they have left behind.

My office in Parliament overlooks the National Memorial Covid Wall. I have visited the wall and been able to read about many of the families affected. I express my deepest sympathies to all those affected.

Giving live evidence, Mr Hancock acknowledged he was aware after taking up the Health Secretary job in July 2018 that Britain had limited testing capacity, problems with stockpiling antivirals, and preparations were focused on a flu, not coronavirus, pandemic.

Questioned why he had not acted to fix the problems, he said: I was assured that the UK planning was among the best and in some instances the best in the world.

Of course with hindsight I wish I had spent that short period of time as health secretary before the pandemic struck also changing the entire attitude to how we respond to pandemics.

One of the reasons I felt so strongly about the important of this inquiry, and why Im so emotionally committed to making sure it is a success, with full transparency and total, brutal honesty, answering questions to get to the bottom of this, is because of this huge error in the doctrine that the UK and the whole western world had in how to tackle a pandemic.

That flawed doctrine underpinned many problems that made it extremely difficult to respond.

I am profoundly sorry for the impact that had. Im profoundly sorry for each death that has occurred.

I also understand why for some it will be hard to take that apology from me. I understand that, I get it.

Its honest and heartfelt. Im not very good at talking about my emotions and how I feel. But that is honest and true, and all I can do is ensure that this inquiry gets to the bottom of it and in the future we learn the right lessons so we stop a pandemic in its tracks much much earlier, and we have systems in place ready to do that.

Im worried that they are being dismantled as we speak.

Arriving at the Inquiry centre in west London, Mr Hancock was faced with images of a dead Covid-19 victim and a demand from a widow to tell the truth.

Lorelei King / PA

Lorelei King, 69, held images of her husband Vincent Marzello, 72, who died in a care home in March 2020. In one photo, he is pictured meeting Hancock, and it was captioned: "You shook my husbands hand for your photo op."

In her other hand was an A4 image of her husbands coffin, captioned: "This was my photo op after your ring of protection around care homes."

Ms King insisted Mr Hancock must tell the truth, telling reporters: "The bereaved families deserve that much."

Beginning his evidence, Mr Hancock insisted: I took my responsibilities as the principle responder to a pandemic very seriously.

As Secretary of State, I felt keenly the responsibility as, essentially, the lead responder in the first instance to these sorts of health emergencies that it was part of my day to day work, because these emergencies happen from time to time.

Counsel to the inquiry Hugo Keith KC made it clear Mr Hancock would not be questioned today on vaccines, PPE supply, test and trace, and other issues that arose when the pandemic began.

The politician will return to give evidence on those topics during later stages of the inquiry.

Last week, former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the UK had been ranked as one of the best in the world for pandemic preparations, but its plans were aimed at coping with deaths rather than preventing the spread of a disease in the first place.

Mr Hancock echoed his comments, saying the UK was geared towards how to clear up after a disaster, not prevent it.

He said he had questioned his departments plans for pandemics after receiving a briefing in August 2018.

One of the areas I pushed hard on was looking at the UKs domestic vaccine manufacturing, given the importance of a vaccine in responding to a pandemic, he said.

Its an area I worked on intensively up until the pandemic struck.

Mr Hancock said the country must be prepared for wider, earlier, more stringent lockdowns in the event of future pandemics.

The failure to plan for that was a much bigger flaw in the strategy than the fact that it was targeted at the wrong disease, he told the hearing.

I understand deeply the consequences of lockdown and the negative consequences for many, many people  many of which persist to this day.

He also acknowledged that Brexit planning had taken resources away from the countrys pandemic planning. I take full responsibility for the fact that in the face of Brexit and the threats that a disorganised Brexit could do, the resources were moved across the department to focus on that threat, including away from pandemic preparedness-planning.

This was proposed to me by the permanent secretary and the CMO (chief medical officer), and I signed it off. I regarded the secretary of states job not to run the department in terms of resource allocation, but to set the direction, but I signed off that decision.

The thing is that you face a lot of risks and threats.

The inquiry continues.
A fter a crucial deadline passed, the Covid inquiry is allegedly still waiting to receive WhatsApp communications that were sent and received by Boris Johnson before May 2021.

A High Court decision ordering the government to turn in the former prime minister's unredacted notebooks, diaries, and WhatsApp communications from his time in Downing Street was due to take effect at 4pm on Monday.

However, the PA news agency reports that Mr Johnson is still in possession of his old phone, which is where the communications are located, as he works with government representatives to attempt to safely extract the data.

Whitehall officials have been forced to formally explain to the panel why they haven't been able to deliver them the material yet.

Access to WhatsApp messages on Mr Johnson's devices from a group chat created to discuss the pandemic response has been requested by inquiry chair Baroness Hallett.

She also requested access to his WhatsApp conversations with other politicians, including the UK's senior civil servant Simon Case and the then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The former PM's WhatsApp communications, however, are kept on a phone that has been securely locked away and switched off since May 2021 as a result of a security breach.

Last month, former health secretary Matt Hancock appeared before the Covid inquiry, answering questions about his and the governments response to the pandemic.

Earlier the same month, former prime minister David Cameron was sworn in to become the first politician to appear.

The British Medical Association said Mr Cameron and former chancellor George Osborne  who appeared before the inquiry on Tuesday  should be taken to task at the Covid Inquiry over austerity-era decisions that left us so unprepared for the pandemic.

Fresh evidence of Tory events that broke Covid lockdown rules has also emerged in the form of a video that shows Conservative staff at a Christmas party in 2020.

Government decisions, as well as political reputations and the use of public funds, will all be examined via hundreds of thousands of documents to establish a truthful account of what happened during what was one of the biggest crises the UK has ever faced.

What is the Covid inquiry?

The public hearings of the UK Covid inquiry began on June 13. The independent public inquiry is examining the UKs response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the intention of improving preparedness for any future pandemic. It is chaired by Heather Hallett, a member of the House of Lords and a former Court of Appeal judge.

According to its official website, the Covid inquiry has been set up to examine the UKs response to and impact of the Covid pandemic, and learn lessons for the future.

The inquiry is split into modules, which explore how prepared the UK was for the pandemic, how decisions were made during the pandemic and the impact that it had on the healthcare system and the people that work in it and use it.

When did the Covid inquiry begin?

The first module of the Covid Inquiry, which examines the UKs preparedness for the pandemic, opened on July 21 last year.

The full hearings for the first stage of the investigation, however, began in London on June 13. For the next six weeks, witnesses will provide evidence.

You can watch the inquiry and hearings via a YouTube channel where they will be live streamed.

How are Boris Johnsons texts involved?

Mr Johnson handed over his unredacted WhatsApp messages to the inquiry last month. The former PM also called on the Cabinet Office to urgently disclose his notebooks to the inquiry.

However, the Cabinet Office had claimed it did not have access to Mr Johnsons WhatsApp messages and private notebooks, which were demanded by Lady Hallett.

Ministers have so far objected to the release of unambiguously irrelevant material.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said all the material requested by the Covid inquiry had been handed to the Cabinet Office and should be disclosed to Lady Hallett.

The Cabinet Office has now confirmed it has received the information and officials are looking at it.

How long will the inquiry last?

The inquiry has announced it aims to complete the public hearings by the summer of 2026  although legal experts say it will probably last until 2027. It is expected to cost tens of millions of pounds.

You can find out more about the inquiry here.

Who is speaking at the inquiry?

Several key figures both inside and outside of Westminster are scheduled to speak at the Covid inquiry.

Former PM David Cameron gave evidence to the inquiry last month, where he fought accusations that austerity measures negatively affected the UKs Covid preparedness.

It was the turn of Oliver Letwin, the former Minister for Government Policy, and former chancellor George Osborne, who served in Camerons government from 2010 to 2016.

On Thursday (June 22), the inquiry heard from Sir Chris Whitty, the governments current Chief Medical Officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the former Chief Scientific Adviser. The two were seen regularly on television screens across the country during the pandemic, addressing questions from journalists and the public.

More recently evidence has been given by the Welsh government.

The Welsh government conducted a study earlier this year, which the UK Covid-19 Inquiry learned revealed that there were still issues with Wales' civil contingencies system, especially those related to leadership, training, and lesson-learning.

The panel was informed that some civil contingency planning authority was moved from Westminster to the devolved Welsh government in 2018, but Dr Goodall claimed that resources had been shifted to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

What has the government said?

Housing Secretary Michael Gove apologised after the video surfaced of Conservative HQ staff having a Christmas party during lockdown in 2020.

He said: The people who were there Im sure feel contrite, I certainly hope they do.

He added: As I say there was a previous investigation into this and we now know more about it, but I can only say Im very, very sorry that there were people who were working in Government very hard on [the publics] behalf, not all of whom on every occasion will have made the right decision in policy terms, but all of the time we were thinking about how we could help [the public] and others.

Theres a Covid Inquiry ongoing at the moment which will look at the decisions that Government made.
H uman remains found in the San Gabriel mountains in southern California have been confirmed to be those of Julian Sands, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the PA news agency.

The British actor, 65, had been missing for more than five months, after failing to return from a hike in the Mount Baldy area on January 13.

The actors remains were found in the same area on Saturday by civilian hikers, with a coroner later confirming them to be those of Sands.

He was best-known for his breakout role in the 1985 romantic period drama A Room With A View, in which he starred alongside Helena Bonham Carter.

Sands later transitioned successfully to the horror genre, with appearances films including Gothic, Warlock and Arachnophobia.

The news was shared with PA by the Sheriffs department on Tuesday.

The identification process for the body located on Mt Baldy on June 24, 2023, has been completed and was positively identified as 65-year-old Julian Sands of North Hollywood, a statement shared with the PA news agency read.

The manner of death is still under investigation, pending further test results.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to try to locate Mr Sands.

Last week, Sands family released a statement saying they were continuing to keep him in our hearts with bright memories.

We are deeply grateful to the search teams and co-ordinators who have worked tirelessly to find Julian, a family statement, issued on Wednesday by the sheriffs department, read.

We continue to hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer.

Over the course of five months, search efforts had been continuously hampered by poor conditions in the area and halted in March due to the risk of avalanches.

The sheriffs department previously said that a total of eight searches specific to Sands by both ground and air had taken place.

The most recent search had involved over 80 search and rescue volunteers, deputies, and staff, with their efforts supported by two helicopters, and drone crews.

The department added that volunteer searcher hours had exceeded 500 hours.

Sands had lived in Los Angeles since 2020.

He was known for his love of the outdoors and hiking in the surrounding areas, and was considered an experienced and competent mountaineer by his friends.

Sands hiking partner and fellow actor Kevin Ryan previously told the PA news agency that he was the most advanced hiker I know.

Its what he did. His whole life he was climbing mountains. It was a true passion of his, Ryan told PA.

From 1984 to 1987 the actor was married to future Evening Standard and Today editor Sarah Sands, with whom he shares a son.

He also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.
AFP: Can you confirm whether or not President Xi has spoken personally yet with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the recent developments in Russia involving the Wagner group?

Mao Ning: I have no information on that.

TASS: ARD reported that diplomats from China, Brazil, India, South Africa and some Western countries attended a confidential meeting in Copenhagen on June 24. Another report says that formal negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis may be held as early as July. Can the foreign ministry confirm that relevant parties plan to hold peace talks on the Ukraine issue in July? If it is true, will Russia be invited?

Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, which centers on promoting talks for peace and a political settlement of the crisis. China stands ready to work with the rest of the world to continue to play a constructive role in deescalation.

The Associated Press: Reports say the Israeli Prime Minister will be visiting China next month. Can you confirm his planned visit and when it might take place? A second question is, a large New Zealand delegation has arrived with Prime Minister Hipkins. In addition to trade, how does China view its relations with New Zealand? And what are the key areas of discussion? What areas of cooperation is China seeking with New Zealand?

Mao Ning: On your first question, I have nothing to share. China and Israel maintain friendly exchanges. China stands ready to work with Israel for sustained and steady growth of our innovative comprehensive partnership.

On your second question about the visit of New Zealands Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, China and New Zealand are each others important cooperation partners. We are ready to work with New Zealand on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, step up exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade and other fields and further grow bilateral ties. As for the details of the visit, we will release information in due course. Please check back for updates.

Beijing Youth Daily: ASDAA BCW, a Dubai-based PR consultancy, recently conducted a survey among 3,600 people aged between 18 and 24 in 18 Arab countries. The results show that 80 percent of those surveyed consider China an ally, ranking near the top. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted the survey findings. In fact, we have seen over recent years other survey reports also showing increasing favorable sentiments among people in Arab countries towards China. The survey results you just cited are clear indication that Arab friends, especially the young generation, see China as a sincere, amicable and trusted friend.

China and Arab countries enjoy a longstanding tradition of friendly exchanges. Young people are the ones to carry forward this traditional friendship and represent the source of strength and hope for our friendly cooperation. At the end of 2022, President Xi Jinping attended the first China-Arab States Summit and put forward eight major initiatives on China-Arab practical cooperation, including one on youth development, which are being implemented with concerted efforts on both sides. Soon the two sides will jointly launch in China a China-Arab youth friendship ambassadors 2023 program, which will bring nearly 100 Arab youth to China for exchanges. We stand ready to work with Arab countries to continue enhancing youth exchange and cement the public foundation for building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.

AFP: The top intelligence body in Switzerland said in a report published on Monday that Russias invasion of Ukraine has turned Switzerland into a hub for Russian and Chinese spy operations. Has the Chinese foreign ministry seen this report and what is its reaction?

Mao Ning: China is a victim of spy operations. We are always firmly opposed to espionage activities. We hope relevant parties will stop smearing China with groundless accusations.

China News Service: According to a recent study led by the University of Leeds and published in the UK journal Nature Sustainability, almost 90 percent of excess carbon emissions come from developed countries such as the US, who could be liable to pay USD 170 trillion in climate reparations to low-emitting countries to ensure targets to curtail climate breakdown are met, according to the researchers. What is your comment?

Mao Ning: This research proves that developed countries have historical responsibilities, legal obligations and moral responsibilities for climate change. They need to take a lead in drastically cutting their carbon emissions and reach net zero carbon emissions much earlier than 2050, and create space for developing countries sustainable development. Developed countries also need to provide support to developing countries in finance, technology and capacity-building. Regrettably, however, developed countries have yet to deliver on their promise of mobilizing USD 100 billion per year for climate action in developing countriesa promise made 14 years ago, and to offer a roadmap for doubling adaptation finance.

China is a doer in ecological conservation and climate governance. We will remain committed to working actively and prudently toward the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality, and provide support and help to fellow developing countries for climate response under the frameworks of green Belt and Road and South-South cooperation. We hope developed countries will shoulder their historical responsibilities, deliver on their commitments at an early date, step up financial, technological and capacity-building support for developing countries, and work for substantive progress in global climate governance.

Bloomberg: Its reported that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to visit Beijing early next month for high-level economic talks. Can you confirm that or do you have any details to add?

Mao Ning: China and the US are in touch about dialogue and exchange at various levels. As for the specific visit you mentioned, Id refer you to competent Chinese authorities.
T he legendary Foo Fighters have announced they will be performing six dates as part of a monumental UK tour following their Glastonbury success.

The American rock band which kept its set a secret at Worthy Farm this weekend  will return to London in what is set to be its first gigs since the Taylor Hawkins memorial concert last year at Wembley Stadium.

The group  who wowed crowds this weekend singing a medley of iconic tracks including Best of You, Learn to Fly, and My Hero  say they are back for the six-date tour and bigger than ever.

Today (June 27), on their social media accounts, they announced they would be bringing the Everything or Nothing tour to the UK, much to the delight of fans.

One wrote: Thats me booking a day off to get these tickets. Legends, while other fans were already begging for more dates, despite the tickets not even going on sale yet: Please do more than six. I need to see you.

Others begged for more venues: Ahh theres no Ireland on here. Please come and see us.

So what are the details of the gigs, and how can you get your hands on tickets? Here is everything we know.

Where are the Foo Fighters touring in the UK?

All the gigs will take place in 2024.

Kicking off on June 13, at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, the band will then go on to perform in Hampden Park, Glasgow, on June 17, West Hams London Stadium on June 20 and 22, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on June 25, and Villa Park in Birmingham on June 27.

Who will be the support acts for the Foo Fighters tour?

These have already been announced, and fans are excited. In Manchester, bands Wet Leg and Loose Articles will be supporting, while in Glasgow, Courtney Melba and Honeyblood will support.

Bands Hot Milk and the Himalayas will also join on other dates.

When do tickets go on sale and how can I get them?

The tickets go on general sale from Friday, June 30, at 9am.

Tickets are expected to sell out fast.

A presale began on Wednesday (June 28) at 9am, ending on June 29, at 10pm.

Fans will be able to purchase six at a time for the presale and eight per household, and only per show for the general sale, from Viagogo, Ticketmaster, and from GigsAndTours.
T he UK Government remains determined to pass its controversial Legacy legislation despite a significant element of the Bill being removed in the House of Lords, a spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office has said.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill proposed offering immunity from prosecution to those who committed crimes during the Troubles, if they co-operated with a truth-recovery body.

The legislation would also stop new inquests and civil cases taking place.

The House of Lords on Monday supported by 197 votes to 185, majority 12, a demand to remove the contentious immunity provision.

The UK Government remains determined, through the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill, to deliver better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles, and we maintain that this legislation is the best way of doing that

Removing this element of the Bill was led by Labour former Northern Ireland secretary Lord Murphy of Torfaen, who said the Bill was almost universally condemned.

Victims groups, the main Stormont political parties and the Irish government have all expressed their opposition to the Bill.

Speaking on Tuesday, a Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said the legislation remained the best way to deliver for victims of the Troubles.

The UK Government remains determined, through the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Bill, to deliver better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles, and we maintain that this legislation is the best way of doing that, they said.

The Government will continue to engage on the Bill as it progresses through its final parliamentary stages

We acknowledge that this Bill contains uncomfortable and finely balanced choices, but we have to be realistic about what we can best deliver for families over a quarter-of-a-century after the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

The Government will continue to engage on the Bill as it progresses through its final parliamentary stages.

The House of Lords did agree to some of the Government amendments, including shifting the date by which inquests needed to have concluded to May 1 2024.

The Legacy Bill will now return to the House of Commons where further changes, including reinstating the immunity provision, may be made by MPs.

Recent protests against the Legacy Bill have called on the Irish government to take an interstate case against the UK to the international court of the Council of Europe should the Bill pass, which Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said he would consider.
T he widow of a man who shook hands with Matt Hancock for a photo op before he died from Covid-19 broke down in tears as the former health secretary arrived at the Covid Inquiry.

Standing outside Dorland House in London on Tuesday, Lorelei King held a sign with a photo of Mr Hancock standing with her late husband, above the words: You shook my husbands hand for your photo op.

In her other hand she held a sign with a photo of her husbands coffin, alongside the words: This was my photo op after your ring of protection around care homes.

Vincent Marzello died of coronavirus in March 2020 at the age of 72. He was living in a care home at the time due to suffering early onset dementia.

Mrs King, 69, from London, described the facilities as charnel houses and called on Mr Hancock to tell the truth after he arrived to give evidence to the inquiry on Tuesday morning.

Six members of the group Covid Families for Justice waited outside for Mr Hancocks arrival.

Speaking to media, Mrs King said: We would visit by FaceTime. I noticed something was wrong  his breathing wasnt quite right. At that time there wasnt any testing available, and he died five days later.

Care homes became charnel houses because there was no testing, there was insufficient PPE, but, most disastrously, its because they discharged people from hospitals without testing them.

Lorelei King outside the inquiry on Tuesday / PA

She called on Mr Hancock to tell the truth to the inquiry, adding: The bereaved families deserve that much.

A video taken outside the inquiry showed Mrs King being consoled by other bereaved family members when she broke down in tears after Mr Hancocks arrival.

The former health secretary, who became one of the best-known politicians in the country while he worked during the coronavirus response before being forced to quit in June 2021, will give evidence to Lady Halletts inquiry throughout Tuesday morning.

A leak of more than 100,000 of Mr Hancocks WhatsApp messages by journalist Isabel Oakeshott to the Daily Telegraph, many of which were published earlier this year, provided a glimpse into the inner workings of Government during the pandemic.

The MP denied the distorted account with a spokesman alleging the messages had been spun to fit an anti-lockdown agenda.

Breaved family members outside the inquiry on Tuesday / REUTERS

Mr Hancock, who will stand down at the next general election, has faced criticism in the past about Government policy on Covid testing and nursing homes.

His attendance comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, another former health secretary, admitted that groupthink meant the UK was not prepared for a pandemic beyond planning for a flu outbreak.

On Monday, former deputy chief medical officer Dame Jenny Harries was quizzed on the capacity of the UK health system as well as the organisational reforms before coronavirus spread.
H oliday-makers could soon be denied entry to countries like France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal without a new permit.

The new travel permit is set to come into force in 2024, and will be called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which has come into place after Brexit.

What is the new permit and when will it come into force?

Officially, the ETIAS is not a visa, its a pre-travel authorisation system, similar to the US Esta and Canadian eTA, which are not technically visas.

The ETIAS will cost 7/6 for people over 18 to 70, while those outside of this age bracket can get the ETIAS free of charge.

The ETIAS is valid for three years, and allows people with the permit to travel to Europe multiple times.

There is also the Schengen Visa, a short-stay visa that will allow a person to travel to any member of the Schengen Area. This visa will be eligible for a holiday stay of up to 90 days for either leisure or business purposes. However, British citizens are not required to have a Schengen Visa, and instead can use the ETIAS.

How to apply for the ETIAS

You cannot apply for the ETIAS until the system goes live in 2024. When the system is live, travellers are advised not to apply less than three days before their journey to the Schengen Area.

The entire ETIAS application process is done online, which means there is no need to visit an embassy or book any in-person appointments.

Travellers will need to register with the ETIAS site to visit any of the countries in the Schengen Area without a visa. This rule will come into effect in 2024.

The steps are:

Complete the ETIAS registration form using a device connected to the internet

Provide the required items, including a valid passport and an email address

Use a debit or credit card to cover the small ETIAS processing fee

The application process for ETIAS is expected to take just a few minutes, and no supporting documentation is needed apart from a valid passport issued by an eligible country.

Why is there a new permit to travel to Europe?

The EU has spoken on safety issues being a reason for the introduction of the permits.

Recent security concerns with terrorism and the migrant crisis have called for better management of who is entering EU borders. The EU has continuously declared its goal of making travelling within its borders a more secure experience.

To reduce procedures and wait times and address security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has come up with a solution  ETIAS. The ETIAS will undergo a detailed security check of each applicant to determine whether they can be allowed to enter any Schengen Zone country.

While citizens of countries who do not need a visa for travel purposes of up to 90 days in the EU do not need to go through a long process of applying for the visa, the ETIAS will make sure that these people are not a security threat.

The permits are set to come into force in 2024.

What to do if you have travel plans

If you want to travel right now, there are no restrictions, as you do not currently need an ETIAS to enter the Schengen Area.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) claims that once the ETIAS starts operating, there will be a very low share of applicants who will be rejected. Travellers whose ETIAS application has been refused, however, have the right to appeal the decision.

For further information, visit the ETIAS site.
T he summer season has begun and for children across the UK that means an extended time off school.

While students eagerly await the final bell before six weeks of fun, we take a look at the dates that schools adjourn for the summer as well as the length of the breaks.

When do schools break up for the summer holidays?

Most schools in England and Wales will finish around Friday, July 21.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, schools break up and return much earlier in the year, at the end of June or beginning of July.

Term times are different across all schools because state schools are established by local education authorities (LEAS) or by the heads of academies, foundations, and volunteer-aided institutions in different parts of the country.

The simplest way of finding out when your childs school breaks up for the holidays is to visit the websites for your school, local council, or government by entering your postcode.

How long are the summer holidays?

This autumn, many students will likely return to school on or around Monday, September 4. However, this will vary by school or LEA.

Children attending state schools in England and Wales typically take a six-week summer holiday before starting school again at the beginning of September.

Scotland has an early summer break, so students return around the middle of August. The date is anticipated to fall on or around Wednesday, August 16, this year.

Northern Ireland is expected to return a little later, on September 1.

Is there a bank holiday during this period?

The next bank holiday falls on August 28, if youre hoping to get an extra day off during this time to spend with your family.

It is the last bank holiday until the end of the year when bank holidays for Christmas Day and Boxing Day take place.
E id al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice and a major religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, is fast approaching.

The second and most significant of the two main holidays in Islam after Eid al-Fitr, it honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allahs (Gods) command. However, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah provided a ram as a substitute.

Here is everything you need to know about Eid al-Adha 2023, including London events celebrating it.

When is Eid al-Adha 2023?

Eid al-Adha takes place on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah (also written as Dhul Hijjah), the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. It follows the completion of Hajj.

Like Eid al-Fitr, the date of Eid al-Adha is determined by the sighting of the new moon.

Children at morning prayer during Eid al-Adha in Southall Park, Uxbridge, in 2021 / PA Media

The date of the big Eid also varies every year, much like Eid al-Fitr. This year, it is predicted to start on June 28, although this can vary around the world.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha?

The festival typically lasts for four days, during which Muslims participate in various religious rituals and activities. One of the central practices is the sacrifice of an animal, typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This sacrifice is performed to emulate the willingness of Ibrahim and to remember his devotion to God.

The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part is kept for the family; another is shared with relatives and friends; and the remaining one is given to the less fortunate and those in need.

An Indian goat seller pours water on his goat at a market ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebrations near the Jama Mosque in the Old Quarters of Delhi, India, in August 2018 / EPA

In addition to the sacrifice, Muslims also engage in prayer, particularly the congregational prayer held in mosques or prayer grounds. This is performed in the morning and is followed by a sermon delivered by an imam (the person who leads prayers in a mosque).

Eid al-Adha is a time for Muslims to reflect on the values of sacrifice, obedience, and gratitude. It is a period for families to come together, share meals, exchange gifts, and extend acts of kindness to others.

Like Eid al-Fitr, it is a time of celebration, strengthening community bonds, and practising generosity by helping those in need.

What is Hajj?

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha on the last day of Hajj  an annual pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia and the Fifth Pillar of Islam.

It is considered a religious obligation for able-bodied and financially capable Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj pilgrimage takes place during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah and takes between five and six days.

Thousands of Muslims assemble around the Kaaba for Hajj / AFP/Getty Images

Hajj traces its origins back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family. It involves a series of specific rituals and acts of worship that commemorate the trials and sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim and his family. The pilgrimage is a symbol of unity, equality, and devotion, as Muslims from diverse backgrounds and nationalities come together in a shared spiritual journey.

During Hajj, Muslims stand before the Kaaba together, a shrine built by Ibrahim, and praise Allah. They also engage in other rituals such as the Stoning of the Devil. This involves pilgrims throwing pebbles at three pillars known as Jamarat, symbolising the rejection of evil and temptation.

Whats happening in London for Eid al-Adha 2023?

1Eid Festival

For almost 20 years, 1Eid have been serving the community with the best of spiritual Eid prayers at festivals across London.

This year, the 1Eid festival will take place across five different locations  Southall Park, Goodmayes Park, Harrow Kenton Recreation Field, Luton Stockwood and Wardown Park.

The day starts with Eid Salah for men and women at 10am, followed by a range of activities throughout the day. These include petting zoos, donkey rides, circus performers, nasheed (a form of Islamic vocal music) groups and fire jugglers. A huge fireworks show will end the day.

Various dates and locations. Tickets available here

Eid in the Park, White Hart Lane

Whether its getting your thrill fix at the fun fair, chilling out at a BBQ or relaxing in the sun with an ice cream, Eid in the Park has it all.

There is also an opportunity to buy from a range of stalls from organic foods, crafts, books, toys and gifts at the Souk Zone, or sell to a unique and large crowd if you are a small business. And, of course, you can tuck into some of the finest halal food and beverages.

June 28; N22 5QW. Tickets available here

The London Eid al-Adha Fair, Epsom Downs Racecourse

Organised by Inspiring Community Events at Epsom Downs Racecourse, the London Eid al-Adha fair brings together different businesses across the community under one roof.

At this free event, visitors can feast on a delicious range of foods to complement the Eid experience and shop at Muslim-owned stalls. Meanwhile, children can tire themselves out on the bouncy castles.

July 2; KT18 5LQ. Tickets availabe here

Eid in the Park with Annoor, Acton Park

Expect funfair rides, international food stands, a henna station and more at this years Eid in the Park with Annoor.

It is billed as a great opportunity to celebrate Eid with your loved ones and meet new friends in the community.

June 28-July 2; W3 7JX. Tickets available here
Ms Goodwin claimed that Daniel Korski  who is shortlisted to become the Conservative Partys candidate for next years London mayoral election  put his hand on her breast during a meeting at Downing Street in 2013. At the time, Mr Korski was a special adviser to David Cameron.

Ms Goodwin first went public about the incident in 2017 but she did not name Mr Korski at the time. She said that she now wanted to name him given the fact he is a mayoral contender.

Mr Korski has denied the 61-year-olds accusations in the strongest possible terms.

Who is Daisy Goodwin?

Daisy Goodwin is a BAFTA-award-nominated television producer and novelist.

The 61-year-old is the creator and producer of hugely successful and long-running shows Escape to the Country and Grand Designs. In 2005, she started her own production company, Silver River Productions, which she sold to Sony seven years later.

She has also written multiple New York Times bestselling novels, including My Last Duchess and The Fortune Hunter, as well as her memoir Silver River.

She studied history at Cambridge, before attending Columbia Film School, and then spent a decade at the BBC making art documentaries.

Ms Goodwin lives in London with her husband, television executive Marcus Wilford, and their two daughters.

What are Ms Goodwins allegations?

Ms Goodwin wrote in the Times that she first met Mr Korski at a social event and he suggested they meet again.

On their second meeting, Ms Goodwin visited Downing Street and met Mr Korski to discuss a possible TV project.

She wrote that Mr Korski commented on her sunglasses, saying she looked like Monica Bellucci, the Italian actress who had recently made headlines by appearing in a Bond film opposite Daniel Craig as an older woman.

Ms Goodwin said this felt awkwardly flirtatious and odd.

She then wrote: When we both stood up at the end of the meeting and went to the door, the spad [special adviser] stepped towards me and suddenly put his hand on my breast.

Astonished, I said loudly, Are you really touching my breast? The spad sprang away from me and I left.

Although I suppose legally his action could be called sexual assault, I have to say that I did not feel frightened. I was older, taller and very possibly wiser than the spad, and having worked for the BBC in the Eighties I knew how to deal with gropers.

What has Daniel Korski said?

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Korski said it was a baseless allegation from the past and suggested it was a political attack.

Politics can be a rough and challenging business, he wrote.

I categorically deny any wrongdoing.

It is disheartening to find myself connected to this allegation after so many years, but I want to unequivocally state that I categorically deny any claim of inappropriate behaviour. I denied it when it was alluded to seven years ago and I do so now.

The statement does not make clear whether he plans to continue to seek the Tory mayoral candidacy nomination.

He added: To those who have been affected by any form of misconduct or harassment, let me assure you that I stand firmly against such behaviour.

I am committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported.
A n audio recording of Donald Trump from 2021 has been released where he discusses holding secret documents and admits he did not declassify them.

The recording, from Bedminster in New Jersey, was obtained by CNN who broadcast it for the first time on Monday evening.

It is thought the audio is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

In one section of the recording Trump seems to indicate he was holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran.

These are the papers, Trump says, while discussing the Pentagon attack plans, a quote not included in the indictment.

In the two-minute audio recording, Trump and his aides also joke about Hillary Clintons emails after the former president says that the document was secret information.

Hillary would print that out all the time, you know. Her private emails, a staffer says.

No, shed send it to Anthony Weiner, Trump responds, referring to the disgraced former Democratic congressman.

The recording casts significant doubt on Trumps claim on Fox News last week that he did not have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox.

Boxes of classified information in a bathroom of Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate / Getty Images

And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

The audio recording comes from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster resort.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance  a writer, publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about the plan of attack on Iran.

The special counsels office declined to comment to US media.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in statement that the audio tape provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all.

The recording obtained by CNN begins with Trump claiming these are bad sick people, while his staffer claims there had been a coup against Trump.

Like when Milley is talking about, Oh youre going to try to do a coup. No, they were trying to do that before you even were sworn in, the staffer says, according to the audio.

The next part of the conversation is mostly included in the indictment, though the audio makes clear there are papers shuffling as Trump speaks.

He said that I wanted to attack Iran, Isnt it amazing? Trump says as the sound of papers shuffling can be heard.

I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look. This was him. They presented me this  this is off the record but  they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him.

Trump speaks about the Iran document, according to the audio recording and indictment transcript.

I was just thinking, because we were talking about it. And you know, he said, He wanted to attack Iran, and what,  Trump says.

These are the papers, Trump continues, according to the audio file.

This was done by the military and given to me, Trump continues, before noting that the document remained classified.

See as president I could have declassified it, Trump says. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Now we have a problem, his staffer responds.

Isnt that interesting, Trump says.
Hanoi listed top five world cities making significant improvements in global livability ranking (Photo: tienphong.vn)

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 flag pole (Photo: laodongthudo.vn)

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.

Foreign Ministry gets plan ready for citizen protection in Russia

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, said the Vietnam News Agency.

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.

Russian law enforcement forces are deployed on Red Square in Moscow on June 24

(Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

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.

France, Italy enter final of Da Nang Intl Firework Festival

The fireworks teams from France and Italy have been selected to compete in the final night of the Da Nang International Firework Festival (DIFF) 2023, the Vietnam News Agency qouted the announcement of the organisation board on June 25.

According to Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People's Committee Ngo Thi Kim Yen, who is also head of the organisation board, the jury found it difficult to choose the two teams for the final as all the eight teams have shown endless creativity in their eye-catching fireworks performances which left a deep impression on the audience.

Firework display of the Italian team on June 17 (Photo: VNA)

The French and Italian teams combined music and fireworks in an artistic and smooth form, and their fireworks displays are very consistent with the rhythm and the emotion of the music, said composer Nguyen Duc Trinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Musicians' Association, a member of the jury.

According to the draw result, the Italian team will perform first, and the French team's display will close the DIFF 2023.

This year, the organisation board of DIFF 2023 has decided to double the prize value. The champion will receive a prize of 20,000 USD, while the runner-up will receive 10,000 USD.

Additionally, two sub-prizes worth 3,000 USD each will be presented to the most creative team and the team that receives the most votes from the audience.

The final night will be broadcast live on VTV1 channel of Vietnam Television at 8:pm on July 8.

US navy ships make port call in Vietnam

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan escorted by Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), began a goodwill visit to Vietnam on June 25, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

The two escorting cruisers docked at Tien Sa port, while nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan anchored offshore.

The five-day goodwill visit is part of activities to mark 10 years of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US (2013-2023).

US commanders and the crew of USS Ronald Reagan, USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), are welcomed at Tien Sa port of Da q Nang City, on an goodwill visit to Vietnam. (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

The US ships and the crew were welcomed at Tien Sa port by leaders of the Da Nang administration, including Ho Ky Minh, deputy head of the municipal government, along with representatives of the Ministry of National Defence.

During their stay, commanders of the US Navy convoy will greet the leaders of the Da Nang administration and the third Regional Command.

They will also take part in cultural exchanges, sport games, food display, as well as humanitarian activities at Hope Village and Hoa Mai Orphanage Center.

The visit to Vietnam by the US Navy ships is expected to contribute to further developing the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership, and to demonstrate Vietnams ability to ensure logistics for foreign ships on visits./.
I taly's culture and tourism ministers have vowed to find and punish a tourist who was filmed carving his name and that of his apparent girlfriend in the wall of the Colosseum in Rome.

The English-speaking tourist was filmed engraving a message reading Ivan+Haley 23 on the Colosseum on Friday afternoon.

It comes at a time when Romans already were complaining about hordes of tourists flooding the Eternal City in record numbers this summer.

The crime has resulted in hefty fines in the past.

A fellow tourist, Ryan Litz, of Orange, California, filmed the incident and posted the video on YouTube and Reddit.

The video received more than 1,500 social media views and was picked up by Italian media.

Mr Litz told the Associated Press on Tuesday he was dumbfounded that someone would deface such an important monument.

Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the writing carved into the almost 2,000-year-old Flavian Ampitheatre serious, undignified and a sign of great incivility.

He said he hoped the culprits would be found and punished according to our laws.

Italian news agency Ansa noted that the incident marked the fourth time this year that such graffiti was reported at the Colosseum.

It said whoever was responsible for the latest episode risked 12,000 in fines and up to five years in prison.

Tourism minister Daniela Santanche said she hoped the tourist would be sanctioned so that he understands the gravity of the gesture.
T win sisters aged just 14 were among 11 people killed when a missile reportedly fired by Russia struck a Ukrainian restaurant on Tuesday evening.

At least 61 people including an eight-month-old baby were also injured in the attack in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, officials have said, while several people are feared to remain trapped in the wreckage.

The twins killed in the strike have been named by Iuliia Mendel, spokesperson for Ukrainian president Voldymyr Zeklensky, as Yulia and Anna Aksenchenko, who had just graduated from eighth grade and would have celebrated their 15th birthdays in September.

Kramatorsk City Council said on Telegram that a 17-year-old girl was also among those killed in the attack.

A search and rescue mission remained underway on Wednesday at the site of the pizza restaurant, which was left pile of twisted beams.

The missile hit both the restaurant and shopping centre in the city centre just after 8pm, according to Ukraines interior ministry.

The Kremlin appeared to deny involvement in the attack on Wednesday, claiming Russia only strikes military targets and not civilian ones.

As of now, rescuers have recovered the bodies of 10 people from the rubble, Veronika Bakhal, spokeswoman for the Donetsk region emergency services, told Ukrainian television on Wednesday.

Eight people had been rescued alive from the rubble and at least three more were believed to be trapped, she said.

Kramatorsk City Council said on Telegram that bomb technicians, investigators, criminologists, paramedics, and patrol officers were contnuing to work at the scene of the tragedy, while victims and their relatives were being given medical and psychological aid.

A man stands on a street in front of a shop and restaurant RIA Pizza destroyed by a Russian attack in Kramatorsk, Ukraine / AP

Kramatorsk is a major city west of the front lines in Donetsk province and a likely key objective in any Russian advance to move westward to capture all of the region.

The city has been the frequent target of Russian attacks, including a strike on the towns railway station in April last year that killed 63 people.

Asked about the attack, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said: We condemn Russias brutal strikes against the people of Ukraine, which have caused widespread death and destruction and taken the lives of so many Ukrainian civilians.

President Joe Biden on Sunday told Mr Zelensky that the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine and provide Ukraine with weapons and equipment to defend itself against Russian aggression, the spokesperson said.

The missile attacks came as Vladimir Putin told Russian military leaders that they had prevented an all out civil war by persuading mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to abort his armed march on Saturday.

The aftermath of a Russian missile attack in Kramatorsk / via REUTERS

Speaking at the Kremlin on Tuesday, the Russian president told up to 2,500 members of the military and security forces that they had saved the country from chaos.

You have defended the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of our citizens. You have saved our Motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war.

He was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal had been one of the mercenaries main demands.

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.
O rca carrying out attacks on sail boats off the coast of Spain are doing it for an adrenaline shot, a researcher has said.

The attacks began in 2020 and at least 130 incidents have spooked sailors since, according to Spanish reports.

Last month, British sailors had to be rescued after the animals wrecked the hull of their yacht off the coast of Gibraltar and the boat started sinking.

In a nail-biting video, April Boyes, on board the vessel, can be heard saying: Jesus, oh my God, as each thud causes more damage to the boat, eventually destroying the rudder and piercing the hull.

Last Thursday, Dutch sailing team Team JAJO fell victim to an attack in the Atlantic Ocean to the west of Gibraltar while competing in The Ocean Race.

But a marine biologist, who Spanish authorities have commissioned to investigate the orcas behaviour, said they are ramming boats for fun and not out of malicious motives.

Renaud de Stephanis told El Mundo that what the animals are looking for is a reaction to their game, to give them a kind of beastly adrenaline shot.

Dont ask me how they started it because I dont know, and I dont think anyone ever will. What we do think is that it is a simple game for them, he said.

Mr de Stephanis is completing a report on the orcas that will be given to the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition, in a bid to prevent further boat rescues.

He said: If two or three killer whales really attacked a sailboat, they would sink it in a matter of seconds. We as humans can tell that it is an attack.

But without wanting to make the matter less serious, a furious attack by that animal can have much worse consequences for a boat and for whoever is on board than a mere feeling of fear for a few minutes, until they leave.

The orca thought to be initiating the playful attacks has a deep scar on its back, suspected to be caused by hitting an engine propeller.

We believe that she is at the origin of everything, Mr Stephanis told El Mundo.

Today she is a subjuvenile orca. She belongs to a family of seven members and as far as we know, she is the most active of all.

Underwater cameras have helped researchers capture numerous videos of the orcas since the incidents began in 2020.

One animal has been tagged with a geolocation system, which provides teams with satellite coverage for around 10 hours a day.
A private jet linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin has landed at a military airfield in Belarus, according to reports.

The Belarusian Hajun project, which monitors the countrys airspace, said the plane landed at the Machulishchi military airfield near Minsk at 7.40am on Tuesday.

Flightradar24 tracking data shows the Embraer Legacy 600 jet flew to Minsk from Rostov.

There was no immediate identification of who was on board.

The identification codes of the aircraft suggest it is linked to Autolex Transport, a Russian-based aviation firm connected to Prigozhin that was previously hit by US sanctions.

Wagner boss Prigozhin is believed to have fled Russia having called off a mutiny on Saturday after cutting a deal to let him retreat to Belarus.

In his first public comments since his aborted march on Moscow, Prigozhin denied trying to topple Vladimir Putin and said the rebellion was in response to failings by defence chiefs during the invasion of Ukraine.

He said: The aim of the march was to avoid destruction of Wagner and to hold to account the officials who through their unprofessional actions have committed a massive number of errors.

He added his troops, who downed military planes while heading for the capital in an armoured column of more than 5,000 men, regret they had to hit Russian aviation. He said they turned back to avoid spilling blood of Russian soldiers.

The revolt began with the seizure of a military HQ in Rostov-on-Don after 30 Wagner troops were allegedly killed in a rocket attack.

But Prigozhin abruptly called off the mutiny after Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal allowing him to leave Russia.

The Kremlin has said that as part of the deal, Prigozhin and his forces would not be charged.

But state-controlled Russian media said on Monday that sources at the FSB spy agency had told them the decision to launch a criminal case had not been reversed and inquiries continued.
R AF fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft 21 times in just three weeks, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced on Tuesday.

He told how the British Typhoon planes, part of the Quick Reaction Alert force for the Nato Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia, were scrambled to respond to Russian aircraft.

The Ministry of Defence in London said these intercepted Russian planes included fighter aircraft (Su-27M FLANKER B, Su-30SM FLANKER H), long-range bombers (Tu-22M BACKFIRE), VIP and other transport aircraft (Tu-134 CRUSTY, An-72 COALER, An-12 CUB), and intelligence collection aircraft (Il-20 COOT A).

Mr 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 Typhoons, from RAF Lossiemouth-based number 1 (Fighter) Squadron, have been operating out of Amari Air Base in Estonia since March as part of the UKs contribution to Nato.

They are working alongside the Portuguese and Romanian Air Forces based in Lithuania.

The Nato planes are launched to monitor Russian aircraft when they do not talk to air traffic agencies, making them a flight safety hazard, according to the MoD.

Scott Maccoll, Commanding Officer of the RAFs 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, said: 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.
V olodymyr Zelensky hailed on Tuesday Ukranian forces seizing territory in all directions across a swathe of the east of the war-torn country.

In his most upbeat assessment so far of Ukraines counter-offensive, he said in his late night address that this is a happy day.

Ukrainian troops appeared to have gained ground amid the turmoil in the Russian military sparked by the Wagner Group revolt.

Addressing the nation on Monday night, Mr Zelensky said: Today - the front. Donetsk region, Zaporizhzhia. Our warriors, our frontline positions, areas of active operations at the front.

Today, our warriors have advanced in all directions, and this is a happy day. I wished the guys more days like this.

Ukranian units were also said to have made advances around the eastern town of Bakhmut.

In its latest intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence in London said: Ukrainian Airborne forces have made small advances east from the village of Krasnohorivka, near Donetsk city, which sits on the old Line of Control.

This is one of the first instances since Russias February 2022 invasion that Ukrainian forces have highly likely recaptured an area of territory occupied by Russia since 2014.

The briefing added: Recent multiple concurrent Ukrainian assaults throughout the Donbas have likely overstretched Donetsk Peoples Republic and Chechen forces operating in this area.

Mr Zelenskys comments contrasted with Vladimir Putins threats and angry condemnation of the leaders of the failed Wagner Group revolt.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told MPs on Monday that Ukraine, not Russia, now had the strategic patience to win the war launched by Putin in February 2022.

Putin, in a televised address on Monday, made his first public comment since Saturday's armed revolt led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and confirmed reports on social media that Wagner forces had downed Russian aircraft in the fighting.

He said Russia's enemies wanted to see the country "choke in bloody civil strife", before singling out the actions of the pilots.

"The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences," Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russia's very existence and those behind it would be punished.

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.

The claims could not be independently verified.

Wagner leader Prigozhins plane was reported early on Tuesday to be heading for Minsk, the capital of Belarus.

Earlier, he spoke in an 11-minute audio message posted on his press service's Telegram channel before Putins address.

He said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove nearly 800km (500 miles) towards the capital, before abruptly calling off the uprising.

Numerous Western leaders saw the unrest as exposing Putin's vulnerability following his decision to invade Ukraine 16 months ago.

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.

Last seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders from the back of an SUV as he withdrew from the Russian city of Rostov occupied by his men, Prigozhin said his fighters had halted their campaign to avert bloodshed.

Military experts say his forces were facing defeat.

The Wagner boss added that 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.
V ladimir Putin has said that the Russian military leaders prevented an all out civil war by persuading mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to abort his armed march on Saturday.

Speaking at the Kremlin on Tuesday, the Russian president told up to 2,500 members of the military and security forces that they had saved the country from chaos.

You have defended the constitutional order, the lives, security and freedom of our citizens. You have saved our Motherland from upheaval. In fact, you have stopped a civil war.

He was joined by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, whose dismissal had been one of the mercenaries main demands.

Putin also requested a minute of silence to honour Russian military pilots killed in the revolt. The fighters had shot down several aircraft during their run towards Moscow, although they faced no resistance on the ground.

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.

Putin said that the mercenary group had been entirely financed by the Russian state, which spent 784m on it between May 2022 and 2023.

He added that Prigozhin had made almost as much during the same period from his food and catering business.

On Monday night, Putin blamed Russia's enemies for stoking the rebellion and thanked the mercenaries for not letting the situation deteriorate into bloodshed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing on Tuesday the deal ending the mutiny was being implemented, and he had no information on where Prigozhin was.

Under a deal brokered by Lukashenko late on Saturday that ended a mutiny by the Wagner fighters, they were allowed either to join Russia's regular armed forces, move with their leader Prigozhin into exile in Belarus, or simply return to their families.

Lukashenko on Tuesday said that his country would not build any camps for Russias mercenary Wagner group.

However, he said that Wagner soldiers would instead be offered abandoned military bases.

In an audio statement issued on Monday evening, Prigozhin said he didnt want to overthrow the government in his first spoken comments since launching the alleged mutiny.

He 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.
P aralympic champion Ellie Simmonds has revealed she was given up for adoption when she was two weeks old, as she tracked down her birth mother for a new documentary.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, who has achondroplasia dwarfism, explores the relationship between disability and adoption in Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family for ITV.

She said: Until now, its never emotionally affected me, it never made me feel rejected or ask why do my birth parents not want me.

Ive been so focused on the future and never thought about it.

She added: One of the reasons for being given up for adoption is because of dwarfism and maybe it can be a factor of why my personality is like it is now, because of that rejection at the start.

Even if you do have a loving family, being rejected straight away, like as soon as you were born.

In the documentary, Simmonds spends time with families who adopted disabled children and hears deeply personal stories from disabled people who tried to find their birth parents, only to be rejected again.

The programme aims to highlight the pioneering work of social services teams around the UK and explore barriers on both sides of the adoptive process, both social and institutional, to ask if they are perpetuating an unfounded stigma around having disabled children.

After finally meeting her birth mother for the first time, Simmonds said: I think its really helped that finding out who I am, looking at someone who birthed me, the nature that Im from and the questions I had to ask her and she answered them it makes you a bit more whole.

She added: Although I have no idea how all this will play out, Im glad Ive gone through this process, questions Ive carried for years have been answered.

Im proud of my life and I love my family and maybe, perhaps, that family just got bigger.

Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family will air on ITV on July 6.
At the talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Photo: VNA)

Sharing his hosts delight at the development trend of the bilateral relations since the historic visit to China in late 2022 by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, PM Chinh, who is paying an official visit to China, emphasised that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam consistently attach importance to promoting the sound relations with the fraternal Chinese Party, Government, and people.

This is the consistent policy, the strategic choice, and the top priority in Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, he said.

Premier Li stressed that China always considers Vietnam as a priority direction in its foreign policy with neighbouring countries and supports Vietnam to successfully carry out national industrialisation and modernisation and raise its position in the world.

At the talks, the two leaders agreed to promote the effective implementation of the Vietnam - China joint statement on the continued enhancement of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership; while maintaining exchanges and meetings at all levels as well as between the two Parties, the two Governments, the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Peoples Congress of China, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference.

They agreed to bring into play the role of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in coordinating cooperation fields; expand collaboration in key areas such as diplomacy, defence, and security; boost practical cooperation in spheres and friendship exchanges between localities and peoples organisations of the two countries; build the shared land border into a border of peace, stability, cooperation and development; and properly control differences, maintain peace and stability at sea; and foster coordination at international and regional forums.

PM Chinh underlined that both sides should make use of their geographical advantages and complementarity to step up result-oriented cooperation.

He proposed China to accelerate the opening of its market to agricultural and aquatic products of Vietnam; create conditions for the early establishment of trade promotion offices of Vietnam in Chengdu city of Sichuan province and Haikou city of Hainan province; coordinate to improve the customs clearance capacity to avoid goods congestion at border gates; work together to thoroughly deal with problems of some cooperation projects in the spirit of harmonising interests and sharing risks; and speed up the implementation of Chinas non-refundable aid packages for Vietnam.

The Vietnamese PM suggested the two sides reinforce ties in finance, agriculture, transport, environment, health care, and science - technology, with a focus on digital transformation, green growth, circular economy, and climate change fight; exchange experience in macro-economic management and governance of financial and monetary policies; along with crop production, agricultural processing, disease control, and protection of fishery resources in the Gulf of Tonkin.

He recommended the two nations to enhance rail, road, and sea connectivity and soon sign an agreement on search and rescue at sea; comprehensively resume commercial flights; strengthen cooperation in managing water resources in the Mekong - Lancang river basin; properly carry out the agreements on educational, cultural and tourism cooperation; and hold people-to-people exchanges in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Li affirmed his willingness to deepen substantive cooperation with Vietnam, and continuously enrich the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Appreciating Vietnam's rapid economic development and dynamic business environment in the region, he said that the two countries hold great potential for promoting economic and trade cooperation.

China will further open its market for Vietnamese goods, especially high-quality agricultural and aquatic products and fruits; coordinate in creating favourable conditions for quarantine and customs clearance, and is willing to work together with Vietnam to address obstacles related to institutions and policies, he stated.

He suggested the two sides strengthen strategic connectivity, especially in infrastructure and transport; promote cooperation in economy, trade and investment in the fields of production, manufacturing and agriculture.

The Chinese Premier emphasised that people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities play an important role in enhancing understanding, trust and friendship between the two countries, stressing the need to hasten both sides to effectively implement cooperation in culture, education and tourism, and increase the frequency and improve the quality of locality-to-locality collaboration.

The two leaders sincerely and frankly exchanged views on maritime issues, and agreed to affirm the importance of properly controlling disagreements, and maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.

PM Chinh suggested the two sides strictly implement high-level common perceptions and the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China; 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); promote the effectiveness of negotiation mechanisms on maritime issues; fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and strive to build a substantive, efficient and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the UNCLOS.

The two PMs also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern, and agreed to maintain coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums.

PM Chinh affirmed the consistent support for the One China principal, and for Chinas increasingly important and active role in the region and in the world. He proposed the two sides strengthen coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two leaders then witnessed the signing and announcement of four cooperation documents between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries in the fields of immigration management, market supervision, smart border gate construction, and research on marine environmental management in the Gulf of Tonkin./.
J amie Oliver will be trying new culinary experiences when he travels around the Mediterranean in a TV series that is slated for Channel 4.

The four-part series, Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean, will see the chef travel around Greece, Tunisia, Spain and France to meet new people and create new recipes that have been inspired by his travels.

On the show, Oliver, 48, will make smoky aubergine flatbread, inspired by Greek cuisine, and crispy prawn parcels drizzled with harissa, which was dreamt up in Tunisia.

The chef will show audiences the ease of cooking Mediterranean cuisine, also dishing up Spanish pork chops with chargrilled peppers and a courgette, goats cheese and olive tapenade tart, which he created in France.

Speaking about the programme, Samantha Beddoes, executive producer for Jamie Oliver Productions, said: Were really excited to see Jamie out and about again, rolling up his sleeves along with cooks and foodies from all over the Mediterranean to explore the way each country uses ingredients differently and creatively.

This series is about honouring the traditional methods and getting excited by new ones to help bring us all a taste of holiday whilst were home.

Tim Hancock, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: Jamies been going from strength to strength in his series for us, and this is a really beautiful travelogue showcasing techniques and recipes even the most avid foodie might have missed, and some ingenious recipes from Jamie.

In total, there will be four hour-long episodes of Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean, which will air on Channel 4 this autumn.

Oliver is a chef and TV personality who has fronted multiple TV series, including The Naked Chef which aired in 1999.

In 2005, he caused a furore when he hit out at turkey twizzlers in school meals, in an attempt to make school dinners healthier for students.

The chef has released dozens of cookbooks and in April he published his first ever childrens book, Billy And The Giant Adventure.
Q ueer Eyes Tan France has said he would assume documentarian Louis Theroux  who he called his idea of a very posh man  as being the kind of guy who would say something mean about him being gay.

The fashion designer came out when he was 17 and has previously spoken out about the racism and homophobia he faced as a person from a Pakistani background growing up in Doncaster, Yorkshire, in the UK.

He told The Louis Theroux Podcast: If I didnt know you, I would think: He seems like the kind of guy who would say something mean about me after weve done the podcast, about me being gay, but I know that thats not you.

You just seem so straight that you couldnt possibly be nice to us (the gay community). But you are. Youre lovely.

The 40-year-old said: I havent lived in England for a long time but you are my idea of a very posh man and I would assume  raised upper class. So, those folks, I just always assume, cant possibly like the marginalised groups very much.

Obviously, Ive known your work for years, so I know that thats not you. But if we didnt know you from TV, or radio, youd fit the mould.

Theroux said: I appreciate your honesty. That isnt what I was expecting and it gives me a lot to think about.

I feel like Im having my own sort of one-man Queer Eye experience.

He added: You get the medicine that you need, not the medicine you want, right?

France discussed what it has been like to live in America and said the racism he experiences in the UK is often worse than in the US.

He said: The Brits dont want to hear it. Theyre not ready to hear it.

It makes them really, really angry and I think that speaks volumes, Louis.

I think that its a real issue we have back home and its the reason why Im so much happier here, and that comment also gets a lot of negative reaction, a huge negative reaction saying; Weve seen the racism on the news in America, youre telling us that its worse than the UK? For me personally. Yes. Thats exactly what Im saying.

France added that he knows the racism for the black community in the US is disgusting but he can only talk about his view as an Asian man growing up in the UK.

He said: My family continues to experience the same thing. I left the UK 15 years ago and Im not saying that I hate the UK, I love the UK.

The majority of the people in the UK are amazing and have been so good and compassionate, and arent racist at all.

But, as we know, its not those lovely people that are speaking up.

Its the people who hate you who are going to tell you they hate you on the street.

France also said he was incredibly frustrated that when he speaks out he is viewed as an arrogant douche who thinks he is better now he has left the UK.

He added: Were saying that weve now left the UK, so we feel galvanised and powerful enough to be able to say we dont expect anything from you, so we can now speak about how bad the damage was that was done to us.

France now lives in Salt Lake City in Utah with his partner Rob France, who was raised Mormon.

The Louis Theroux Podcast is available on Spotify, with new episodes airing every Tuesday.
T an France has said he feels safer living in America than in the UK as he discussed the racism he experienced growing up in Doncaster.

The Queer Eye star has been living across the pond for 15 years with his husband, RobFrance, and is now based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with their two sons.

In a candid new interview, the Netflix favourite recalled his experiences of racism on home soil, revealing how he was physically attacked by a group of white men aged six.

Appearing on The Louis Theroux podcast, France detailed several other horrific situations where he had been a victim of racism and homophobia.

The presenter now lives in Utah with his husband Rob and their two sons / Rob France / Instagram

The TV star said that racism is still a huge issue in Britain and explained that is why he feels happier putting down roots in the States.

France reflected: The hard part about talking about life in the UK is that the Brits dont want to hear it.

They arent ready to hear it. It makes them really, really angry. And I think that speaks volumes, Louis. I think thats a real issue we have back home and its the reason why Im so much happier here.

Expanding on his point, the Next in Fashion host continued: [I know] that comment gets a lot of negative reaction saying, weve seen the racism on the news in America and youre telling us that its worse in the UK?

For me personally, yes, thats exactly what Im saying.

He shared: For the black community here in America, racism is disgusting, and it has impacted their lives so greatly.

And in England, that might be the case also, but I dont know the black experience in the UK. I know the Asian experience and Ive got a lot of family and we all experienced the same thing. My family continues to experience the same thing.

France admitted that hes frustrated that his experiences havent being taken seriously, and just wants people to believe him.

The presenter added: Im not saying that I hate the UK, I love the UK - and I love the majority of the people in the UK, who are amazing and compassionate, and arent racist at all.

But as we know, its not those lovely people that are speaking up. Its the people who hate you and who are going to tell you they hate you on the street.

Im incredibly frustrated a lot of the time with [people] not willing to believe that me or any other entertainer who speaks out about it.

Concluding his sentiments, France said he now feels empowered to speak about the issues the UK is facing as he has perspective being away for 15 years.

The Louis Theroux Podcast is available for free exclusively on Spotify with new episodes airing every Tuesday
At the ceremony (Photo: U.S. Embassy in Vietnam)

At the ceremony, the VNOSMP representatives handed over one set of remains to the DPAA. The remains were found as a result of the 151st joint field activity (JFA) from recovery operations in Nghe An, Quang Binh, and off the coast of Khanh Hoa Province. The 151st JFA started in mid-May and will conclude at the end of July. Dignitaries from the U.S. Embassy, Hanoi, the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), and other Embassies attended the event. Consulate General Susan Burns from HCMC and Mr. Le Cong Tien, VNOSMP Director, presided over the event.

Vietnamese and U.S. forensic specialists examined the remains on June 26, 2023 in Danang and determined that the remains might belong to a U.S. servicemember missing in action from the war in Vietnam. The U.S. side will transfer the remains to DPAAs laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii for further verification.

The intent of the joint humanitarian effort is to locate and identify U.S. servicemembers who went missing in the war in Vietnam. These sustained efforts have been implemented for 35 years by the two governments since 1988.

MIA cooperation is one of the longstanding pillars in the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship that seeks to settle the war legacies between the two countries. To date, 733 U.S. servicemember MIAs have been identified./.
EconMin Oprea welcomes launching of Romvolt project, with lithium-ion battery cells factory to be built in Galati.

Through the Romvolt project, which implies the construction of a state-of-the-art electric battery factory in Galati, Romania is making the transition from a consumer state to a producer of lithium-ion battery cells, Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan Radu Oprea stated at the project launch event, told Agerpres.

The Economy minister participated, between 26 and 27 June 2023, in Brussels, at the launching event of the Romvolt project, which creates the premises for the construction of a battery factory in Romania. The invitation was launched by Noshin OMAR, founder and CEO of the Belgian company Avesta Battery and Energy Engineering (ABEE), and the event was also attended by the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, according to a Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Ministry (MEAT) press release sent to AGERPRES on Tuesday.

"One of the priorities of the Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Ministry is to boost Romania's integration into the European battery value chain in line with European policies and regulations in order to create the optimal development framework for electromobility, part of the Green Deal objectives. That is why, I welcome the launch of the Romvolt project, which implies the construction of a lithium-ion battery cell factory in Galati, with a total capacity of 22 GW. Besides the fact that we will have a state-of-the-art electric battery factory, the investment will create new jobs and strengthen the industrial ecosystem in our country. Through Romvolt, Romania is making the transition from a consumer state to a producer of lithium-ion battery cells," stated minister Stefan-Radu Oprea, who attended the Romvolt launch event.

There are currently more than 4 million electric vehicles in circulation worldwide. Moreover, this number is expected to grow to 50-200 million by 2028, rising to 900 million by 2040. In this regard, the European Union has declared battery production as a strategic imperative for the clean energy trajectory, but also for the modernization and competitiveness of the industry, in line with the Green Deal objectives, the press release mentions.

According to the quoted source, the ABEE investment will make possible Romania's transition from a consumer to a producer of lithium-ion battery cells. This fact is also a competitive advantage for our country, taking into account the crisis of dependence on critical raw materials in Europe. The factory will be operational in 2026, after the completion of administrative procedures and the acquisition of production lines and the arrangement of production spaces.

"Romania supports investments like Romvolt! We will continue to support the implementation of such projects, which are necessary for the development of an environment favorable to sustainable economic growth," Stefan-Radu Oprea said.
Senate's relevant committees issue positive opinion regarding bill on special pensions.

The Judicial and Labour Committees of the Senate issued a positive opinion on Tuesday regarding the draft law on special pensions in the form passed by the Chamber of Deputies, told Agerpres.

The Chamber of Deputies passed on Monday the draft law on special pensions, the normative act having been returned to the Senate on the grounds that several amendments have been adopted which "generate major differences of legal content" from the form previously passed by the Upper House.

"The normative act takes into account the calculation of service pensions based on seniority in the specialist field, reducing the calculation percentage in relation to the income obtained and aligning the minimum contribution period with that applied in the public pension system," it is mentioned in the report of the relevant committees, passed by the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies.

The draft law does not provide for the removal of these pensions, but a gradual transition to pensions based on contributions until 2043, the head of the Labour Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Adrian Solomon (the Social Democratic Party - PSD), said on Tuesday.

At the debates in the Senate's Labour Committee, Stefan Palarie (the Save Romania Union - USR) said that the draft is "a pseudo-reform." The leader of the USR senators' group, Radu Mihail, pointed out that the bill does not repeal any special pension.

"The Labour Ministry assumes all the amendments made. I agree with the people of the European Commission, the World Bank, who have been consulted. We all want to attract money from European funds, it is a milestone in the PNRR [the National Recovery and Resilience Plan], we must achieve. But there are things that are not solved, we can harmonize them in the meantime," head of the Labour Committee Ion Rotaru said.

The draft law regarding the special pensions could be debated on Wednesday by the plenary sitting of the Senate.
THURSDAY, June 22, 2023 (HealthDay News)  Americans could soon be eating lab-grown chicken at upscale restaurants after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved products made by two companies on Wednesday.

Upside Foods and Good Meat, both based in California, will be the first in the United States to sell meat thats cultivated in a laboratory rather than from slaughtered animals.

The meat is still actually meat, coming from animal cells, fertilized eggs or stored cells.

Instead of all of that land and all of that water thats used to feed all of these animals that are slaughtered, we can do it in a different way, Josh Tetrick, co-founder and chief executive of Eat Just, which operates Good Meat, told the Associated Press.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had already determined the products were safe to eat, the AP reported.

Manufacturing company Joinn Biologics was given the go-ahead to make products, which will initially be sold at the restaurant Bar Crenn in San Francisco in the case of Upside products, and at restaurant in Washington, D.C., run by chef Jose Andres in the case of Good Meat.

Singapore was the first country to begin allowing cultivated meat, the AP reported.

The meat is grown in steel tanks, coming out in large sheets and then cut into expected shapes.

The Upside chicken looks slightly paler, but has the same appearance, smell and taste of chicken once cooked, the AP reported.

The most common response we get is, Oh, it tastes like chicken, Amy Chen, Upsides chief operating officer, told the AP.

Good Meats chicken will come pre-cooked and only need reheating.

About half of U.S. adults surveyed in a recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said they were not likely to eat lab-grown meat because it just sounds weird or they thought it would be unsafe.

Still, it is the meat that youve always known and loved, Chen said.

The meat is made by taking the chicken cells and combining them with a broth of amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, salts, vitamins and other elements cells need to grow, the AP reported. The cells grow in tanks, taking about three weeks to mature.

More than 150 companies from around the world are working on creating chicken, pork, beef and lamb from cells, the AP said.

Still, its unlikely consumers will see cultivated meat in grocery stores soon because it cant be produced on a large scale yet and is expensive, Ricardo San Martin, director of the Alt:Meat Lab at University of California, Berkeley, told the AP.

San Martin said hes concerned that cultivated meat may end up being only for rich people, which would not have as much environmental impact.

If some high-end or affluent people want to eat this instead of a chicken, its good, he said. Will that mean you will feed chicken to poor people? I honestly dont see it.

More information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more on cultured meat.

SOURCE: Associated Press
Nearly 1,000 yogis in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau gathers at the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 (Photo: VNA)

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, VNA quoted the saying of Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the Ba Ria- Vung Taus Yoga Federation Nguyen Thi Lan.

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./.
WEDNESDAY, June 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- When people think about Alzheimer's disease, they usually associate it with seniors who have had a long and fulfilling life.

Sadly, two rare conditions that imitate the symptoms of Alzheimer's strike infants and children. Two of these disorders, Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) and Sanfilippo syndrome, will be discussed here. Here is everything you need to know about childhood Alzheimers, including what it is, its causes and risk factors, symptoms and treatments.

What is childhood Alzheimer's?

Sanfilippo syndrome and NPC cause symptoms resembling dementia, hence the reference to childhood Alzheimers disease. These diseases are lysosomal storage disorders. The Cleveland Clinic states that people with a lysosomal storage disorder lack certain enzymes that help the body break down fats, sugars and other substances. These substances cannot be properly stored by the body and then cause harm when they build up in the body.

Childhood Alzheimer's causes and risk factors

Boston Childrens Hospital advises that a genetic mutation in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene causes NPC. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that to be affected, the child must receive a defective gene copy from each parent. NPC results in an abnormal storage pattern of fat molecules inside cells.

Sanfilippo syndrome is also a genetic disorder that is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, with a defective gene from each parent. Sanfilippo disease results in an inability to break down heparan sulfate, which then builds up in the body, causing harm.

Childhood Alzheimer's symptoms

Because Sanfilippo syndrome and NPC are different diseases, their symptoms differ.

NPC symptoms typically begin in childhood, although they can present at any time, including adulthood.

According to Boston Childrens Hospital, symptoms include:

Enlarged liver/spleen

Difficulty coordinating movement

Abnormal eye movement

Poor muscle tone

Severe liver disease

Frequent respiratory infections

Difficulty with speech

Loss of cognitive skills

Seizures

Difficulty with swallowing and feeding

Children with Sanfilippo syndrome typically appear healthy at birth and do not tend to show symptoms right away; some of the early signs are typical of common childhood conditions. The Cure Sanfilippo Foundation lists the following symptoms:

Early symptoms

Transient tachypnea of the newborn (fast breathing after birth)

Coarse facial features (prominent forehead, full lips and nose)

Prominent eyebrows

Excessive body hair

Large head size

Speech and development delays

Recurring ear/sinus infections

Chronic upper respiratory congestion

Behavioral issues

Features of autism

Sleep disturbances

Diarrhea, loose stools

Umbilical/inguinal hernia

Enlarged liver/spleen

Later symptoms

Continued coarsening of facial features

Development of features of autism

Brain atrophy (shrinking of brain tissues)

Seizures/movement disorders

Hyperactivity

Impulsivity

Loss of ambulation

Loss of oral feeding

Enlarged liver/spleen

Hearing loss

Early death

Childhood Alzheimers treatment

There is currently no cure for either Sanfilippo syndrome or NPC. Treatment for both of these diseases is supportive. Treatment at a dedicated multidisciplinary center is ideal for helping manage specific symptoms of each condition. Endocrinologist Venkatraman Rajkumar says in StatPearls, It helps prevent delays, decreases patients lost to follow-up and vastly improves outcomes.

Living with childhood Alzheimers

Is childhood Alzheimer's terminal? Life expectancy with a diagnosis of Sanfilippo syndrome is 10 to 20 years of age. Life expectancy with NPC varies greatly, depending on the severity of the disease. Often receiving the correct diagnosis is difficult because while childhood Alzheimers life expectancy is limited, it can mimic common childhood illnesses.

Kidshealth.org has helpful advice for when you have received a life-changing diagnosis for your child:

Surround your child and your family with loving support

Seek therapy when needed to help cope with both the child's and the parents' feelings

Educate yourself and your child as much as possible; as a parent, you will be your childs best advocate
THURSDAY, June 22, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Space travel appears to weaken astronauts immune systems, and researchers believe changes in gene expression are the culprit.

These immune deficits arent permanent. They disappear when back on Earth, often within weeks, according to new research published June 22 in Frontiers in Immunology.

Here we show that the expression of many genes related to immune functions rapidly decreases when astronauts reach space," said study lead author Dr. Odette Laneuville, an associate professor of biology at the University of Ottawa in Canada.

"The opposite happens when they return to Earth after six months aboard the ISS [International Space Station], Laneuville added in a journal news release.

Astronauts seem more susceptible to infections in space, often getting skin rashes and a variety of other diseases on the ISS, evidence has suggested. They also shed, or emit, more live virus particles, including those for the Epstein-Barr virus; varicella-zoster, which is responsible for shingles; and herpes-simplex-1, the source of "cold sores."

To delve into this, the researchers studied gene expression in leukocytes (white blood cells) in 14 astronauts. Among them were three women and 11 men living on the ISS from 4.5 to 6.5 months between 2015 and 2019.

The research team drew blood from each astronaut at 10 time points, including pre-flight, in flight and after their return to Earth.

The investigators found that 15,410 genes were differentially expressed in these white blood cells. The researchers identified two clusters among these genes, with 247 and 29 genes, respectively, that changed their expression in tandem during the studied timeframe.

The study showed that genes in the first cluster were dialed down when reaching space. Then they increased again when returning to Earth.

Genes in the second group followed the opposite pattern.

Both clusters mostly consisted of genes that code for proteins. Their predominant function was related to immunity for the genes in the first cluster, and to cellular structures and functions for the second cluster.

This suggests that during space travel these changes in gene expression cause a rapid decrease in the strength of the immune system.

This is an important finding, the researchers noted.

A weaker immunity increases the risk of infectious diseases, limiting astronauts ability to perform their demanding missions in space. If an infection or an immune-related condition was to evolve to a severe state requiring medical care, astronauts while in space would have limited access to care, medication or evacuation, said Dr. Guy Trudel, a rehabilitation physician and researcher at the Ottawa Hospital.

Fortunately, these changes were transient, with most genes in both clusters returning to normal within a year of landing back on Earth, and often after only a few weeks, the study found. Returning astronauts appear to have an elevated risk of infection for at least one month after their return to Earth.

What isnt clear is how long it takes before immune resistance is back to its pre-flight strength. That may vary based on age, sex, genetic differences and childhood exposure to pathogens, according to the study.

The Canadian Space Agency funded the research.

More information

NASA has more on human health and space travel.

SOURCE: Frontiers in Immunology, news release, June 22, 2023
ST. LOUIS  Steel in the parking garage on Sixth Street downtown is rusting. Metal beams are mounted floor-to-ceiling to support some floors. Sign posts warn drivers not to park in certain areas.

And recent high-profile building collapses around the country  including a parking garage collapse in April in New York  have some of the garages users on edge, especially since theyve received little information about the condition of the structure.

It made you question what the situation was, why (the shoring) was in place, said Tricia Smith, who used the garage before she recently left her job at Stifel Financial. There was a lack of communication.

But St. Louis officials say a fix is finally coming.

The citys development agency, St. Louis Development Corp., has already paid one engineering firm almost $50,000 to study the condition of the city-owned garage. On Tuesday, an arm of SLDC is seeking an additional $225,000 to pay another engineering firm to evaluate those findings and develop a plan to do the necessary repairs at the garage, St. Louis Centre East, just south of Washington Avenue.

Our objective is to responsibly accelerate the schedule so the necessary repairs can begin as soon as possible, said SLDC spokeswoman Sara Freetly.

Since 1998, SLDC has invested nearly $5 million in maintaining the 41-year-old concrete-and-steel garage at 400 North Sixth Street. The public garage is used primarily by employees of several downtown companies, including Stifel.

Commuters said the steel beams shoring up the garage appeared about a year ago, closing off parking and traffic in those sections. Then in July, the Citizens Service Bureau, which fields complaints throughout the city, reported that bricks were loose on an exterior wall, violating the citys property maintenance code.

Commuters said there had been little communication about why the shoring was installed and when repairs would occur. The situation grew more unnerving, they said, after a parking garage in New York collapsed in April, killing one person.

I remember parking on the roof one day (after the New York collapse) and thinking, Well at least Im on the roof. That was an absurd thought to have, Smith said.

No one was taking ownership, she added.

Stifels head of corporate communications, Neil Shapiro, said in a statement that employee safety is a top priority for the company and that it is in active communication with the city over the garage.

We have been assured by the city that the garage is structurally safe and that it is planning to make any necessary repairs as quickly as possible, Shapiro said.

SLDC in 2022 hired Walker Consultants, which has extensive experience in parking garage design, to perform a structural assessment of the garage. The company performed two analyses and tested six different areas in each analysis, according to the reports released as part of an open records request.

At two locations on the fourth level of the garage, Walker Consultants reported finding four of the steel tendons in a row were broken, and required shoring and additional review. The company said in the reports that it advised St. Louis Parking Co., which manages the garage, to not allow vehicles to park in those areas.

The company found that, of the tendons it examined, 72% showed corrosion that varied between minor surface corrosion to severe, with section loss. And between 71% and 83% of the tendons it examined were dry without protective grease, according to the reports.

The lack of grease may lead to additional moisture getting into the concrete, which can accelerate corrosion and garage deterioration, said John Myers, a professor of engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, who reviewed the reports for the Post-Dispatch.

Moisture and oxygen corrode steel over time, a process that can be accelerated by de-icing salts used during winter, Myers said. A garage that old would start showing some signs of deterioration, he said. And metal shoring is sometimes used to provide temporary support.

The Walker Consultants reports, dated in March, led the agency to seek additional structural engineering services to further evaluate the problems, said Freetly, the agency spokeswoman. SLDC is aiming to hire CDG Engineers Inc., an engineering firm on its short list, to perform the work for $225,000.

The board of the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, an arm of SLDC, will review the request at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the engineering firm slated to perform the additional work.
A Hazelwood doctor who is fighting to become an Iowa-licensed physician was once accused of waging a campaign of harassment aimed at a colleague who questioned his abilities.

Dr. Brett Snodgrass is taking the Iowa Board of Medicine to court and seeking judicial review of a June 8 board decision denying him a license to practice in Iowa. That decision was based on questions pertaining to Snodgrass moral character, which Snodgrass argues have caused him to undergo costly psychological testing.

Snodgrass obtained his medical degree in 2007 but board records indicate he has not been licensed anywhere to practice as a physician.

Documents from the Missouri Administrative Hearings Commission outline the specific concerns raised by regulators in that state in 2013 and which form the basis for the Iowa boards June 8 decision.

The commission records indicate Snodgrass attended medical school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and earned his M.D. in May 2007. In his last year of medical school, he was accepted into a residency program at Carolinas Medical Center in North Carolina.

Within a few months, however, he was informed that he would not be accepted into the five-year general surgery residency program due to concerns over his ability to interact with, and care for, patients. According to the commission records, a supervisor wrote in an evaluation of Snodgrass that he does not have the skills to be a caregiver of humans and that he instilled fear, rather than confidence, in nurses, patients and their families.

In 2008, Snodgrass entered UMKCs four-year pathology residency program. By December 2010, he had been placed on a remediation plan. According to commission records, the interim head of the residency program, Dr. Kamani Lankachandra, expressed concerns with what she called Snodgrass substandard behavior, chronic tardiness, disheveled appearance and utter inability to follow instructions.

In 2011, after 35 months in the residency program at Kansas Citys Truman Medical Center, Snodgrass was terminated from the program and not allowed to complete his final year, according to the commission records.

Snodgrass attorney later filed papers with Missouri licensing officials in which Snodgrass admitted having engaged in a string of harassing actions aimed at Lankachandra that resulted in a 2012 conviction on a charge of disturbing the peace.

According to the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts, Snodgrass sent, or caused to be sent, as many as 500,000 emails to Lankachandra; created a Facebook page about Lankachandra that included negative comments about her behavior and professionalism; used Lankachandras name and personal information  including loan documents and insurance records  to have her bombarded with mass mailings from various organizations; and posed as Lankachandra in seeking help for addiction issues from various drug rehabilitation facilities.

FBI investigated Craigslist ads posted by Snodgrass

The records also indicate the Missouri board accused Snodgrass of making harassing and threatening phone calls to a colleague while using a fake Indian accent, and that while at Truman Medical Center, he dictated notes for transcriptionists using a fake Indian accent.

In late 2012 or early 2013, Snodgrass was accepted into an internship program in Boston and applied for a medical license in the state of Georgia. When Georgia officials notified him theyd been informed he had been placed on probation in the University of Missouri-Kansas City residency program, Snodgrass withdrew his application and, with no medical license, lost his Boston internship.

A few weeks later, Snodgrass posted two ads to Craigslist that included a drawing of a man resembling a terrorist with a bomb strapped to his chest. One of the ads was captioned, Rice[in] inside a can, for sale (F UMKC], and the other was captioned, Looking for a consultant, labor person [meet at second floor].

Snodgrass later told licensing officials the ads, which drew the attention of the FBI and resulted in increased security at Truman Medical Center, were posted to get the attention of UKMC so he could clear up any issues involving the residency program.

In November 2013, the Missouri Division of Professional Regulation notified Snodgrass his application for a medical license was being denied. In its letter, the division cited his conduct toward Lankachandra, and an alleged lack of competency as a physician.

Public officials bombarded with Twitter messages

In January 2014, Snodgrass unsuccessfully challenged the state of Missouris decision to deny him a license. As he later acknowledged, while that case was pending, he created and used multiple Twitter accounts to send hundreds of tweets to medical boards, senators and others in an effort to force a settlement in the dispute.

In a 2014 brief filed with the commission, his attorney argued Snodgrass was within his rights to send such tweets. While the recipients may have preferred that they not receive all of the tweets, such is the reality of the social media world we live in, Snodgrass attorney wrote.

According to records from the Iowa Board of Medicine, Snodgrass subsequently submitted applications for licensure in Connecticut and Illinois without success. In 2020, he submitted an application for medical licensure in Iowa, detailing his ongoing efforts to remain in the medical profession by working as a phlebotomist, clinical research coordinator and certified nursing assistant.

In response to his Iowa application, the Iowa Board of Medicine issued a preliminary notice of denial in July 2021. Snodgrass appealed that decision, which led to a hearing in March 2022. The board ruled that if Snodgrass chose to submit to a set of evaluations he could submit the results of the assessments to the board, which would then consider granting him a license.

According to the board, Snodgrass subsequently stated he wanted to omit any psychological testing from the evaluations and indicated hed only agree to competency testing by an entity of his own choosing.

Earlier this month, the board voted to deny Snodgrass application for an Iowa license, stating that while his behavioral issues occurred some time ago, denial of the application was appropriate because there was insufficient evidence of rehabilitation.

The board had hoped to remove the uncertainty about Dr. Snodgrasss character  and now fitness given the passage of time since his training  by allowing him time to undergo approved evaluations, but he failed to successfully complete such, the board stated in its ruling.

In seeking judicial review of that decision, Snodgrass says he was asked by the board to submit to two evaluations  an Acumen Assessment that would measure his suitability for licensure, and a clinical competency test. The Acumen Assessment, Snodgrass claims, drew unspecified conclusions based on quasi-scientific methods, and the boards order for such an assessment provided the clinical competency testers with prejudicial information that has made a clinical competency test impossible.

The Iowa Board of Medicine has yet to respond to Snodgrass petition for judicial review.

When asked about the specific allegations involving Lankachandra, Snodgrass sent the Iowa Capital Dispatch a written statement that said, My actions, sending spam to Dr. Lankachandra, were shameful and I regret disturbing the peace and my prior unprofessional conduct.
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ST. LOUIS  A few years back, Julian Bush taught me some old-school Bible.

It was during the second phase of the citys dabble in airport privatization. Former Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, with the backing of carpenters union leader Al Bond, was proposing a voter initiative to accomplish what financier Rex Sinquefield and his well-paid consultants had failed to accomplish.

Two aldermen, Jack Coatar and Cara Spencer, asked Bush whether Reeds proposal was legal. Bush was the city counselor. It has long been common for aldermen to ask the city counselor to weigh in on proposed legislation. Its not much different than when Missouri officials ask the attorney general for a legal opinion on legislation or other matters. Those opinions are posted online for all to see. There is a state law that requires it.

In writing back to the two aldermen, Bush pulled out his King James version of the Bible. What Reed was proposing wasnt legal, Bush said, because he was trying to accomplish it in the wrong form.

Indeed, the petition contains nary a jot or a tittle of a proposed ordinance, let alone an ordaining clause, Bush wrote.

The jot or a tittle was a reference to the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus explained to his disciples that Old Testament law wasnt going away, even as God created a new covenant with his followers.

Bushs letter had a direct impact in scuttling the Reed proposal and killing airport privatization. A lot has changed since then. Reed went to prison on unrelated bribery charges. Bond was fired amid accusations of spending issues in the union.

And three years later, its not clear that such a letter from the city counselor would land with the same impact. Thats because Sheena Hamilton, the city counselor appointed by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, has created a new covenant of her own, decreeing that city counselor opinions are now closed records.

Last week, I filed a Sunshine Law request for Hamiltons opinion on a bill sponsored by Spencer, who is seeking to regulate the open carry of guns in the city, particularly by juveniles. My Sunshine Law request was denied, citing an exception in the open records law related to legal discussions. Jones office told me that Hamilton believes the law requires all such legal opinions to be closed.

Thats just not true, says Kansas City attorney Jean Maneke, one of the states foremost experts on the Sunshine Law. Multiple attorneys across the state offered similar reactions about closing legal opinions by the city counselor.

Its definitely a stretch, said David Roland, the director of litigation of the Freedom Center of Missouri.

What governmental bodies regularly get wrong about exceptions to the Sunshine Law is that the law presumes openness. It allows  but doesnt require  records to be closed.

Technically, it can be closed, Maneke says, but the exceptions are all discretionary, not mandatory. They could give it to you if they wanted to.

Indeed, thats what happened. A source  not Hamiltons office  gave me the records. The source and several aldermen believe those opinions help inform public debate about important issues, as they have in airport privatization and so many other matters.

But now the mayor, or at least her city counselor, wants those opinions secret?

Its a troubling pattern for a mayor who campaigned on operating a more transparent government. And its not just legal opinions where there are issues.

Earlier this year, I was in federal court when it was revealed that the citys police department conducted an audit of several years worth of Force Investigative Unit probes into officer shootings. The city denied my Sunshine Law request for that audit, calling it a personnel record. The Post-Dispatch has now intervened in a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by former police Officer Milton Green, seeking to unseal the audit in court records. The city is fighting to keep the audit secret.

Janis Mensah, who was appointed by Jones as chairperson of the Detention Facilities Oversight Board, says the lack of transparency is so bad that the board cant even operate. The director of the corrections department, Jennifer Clemons-Abdullah, has conspired with Hamilton to hide records even from the board that is supposed to examine them. The city counselor has given Clemons-Abdullah legal cover to keep those records under wraps.

By denying oversight visits and withholding use-of-force reports as well as internal complaints, the warden makes sure the conditions of the jail are a well-kept secret, Mensah says.

Members of the oversight board have called for Clemons-Abdullah to resign.

The city counselors office hides Clemons-Abdullahs obstruction behind legal opinions, attorney-client privilege, and confidentiality, Mensah says. The public demanded oversight and accountability. There is none.

When Bush wrote his legal opinions on airport privatization, there was nary a jot or a tittle of a reference to confidentiality and attorney-client privilege on the letters he sent to aldermen. The same is true for numerous other city counselor legal opinions over the years.

Hamilton, on the other hand, types the words confidential and attorney-client privileged in all-caps atop her letters and supplements them with a footnote justifying her lack of transparency.

In 1973, Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to pass an open records law that clearly established a presumption of transparency in government. Fifty years later, the Jones administration is turning its back on that policy, choosing secrecy and locking St. Louisans out of their government.
ST. LOUIS  At least eight federal prosecutors are set to join the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office on a limited basis to help clear a backlog of dozens of pending murder and manslaughter cases.

Six assistant U.S. attorneys with dozens of years of combined experience were sworn in at the city's civil courthouse on Tuesday as special prosecutors. Two others will be installed in the coming weeks. They will each take homicide cases while maintaining their federal caseloads.

Among those stepping in to help is Hal Goldsmith, who has prosecuted several high-profile public corruption cases, including the cases of former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and former St. Louis Aldermanic President Lewis Reed.

Also joining are former city prosecutors Christine Krug, Jennifer Szczucinski, Jerry McDonald, Nicholas Lake and Matthew Martin, as well as longtime criminal defense attorney Paul D'Agrosa. Ashley Walker, another former city prosecutor whose name was rumored to be on a list of people to succeed former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner, will also join.

"This will immediately give us increased capacity to handle our most serious cases," said St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore in a news release.

The announcement comes as Gore tries to rebound from years of chronic understaffing and dysfunction in the city prosecutor's office. When she stepped down last month, Gore's predecessor, Gardner, had a third of the attorneys on staff as when she took over in 2017.

U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming said in a news release her office wanted to "do our part to help the criminal justice system in the city of St. Louis."

"We have always worked closely with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, but today's swearing-in represents a significant expansion of that relationship," she said.

Gardner's office was under scrutiny for years for chronic understaffing that contributed to logistical woes and the bungling of high-profile prosecutions. Representatives from the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the Missouri Attorney General's Office and nearby county prosecutor's offices said they had offered to help Gardner's office fill in the gaps, but their attempts were met with silence.

Then, days before her abrupt resignation, Gardner called upon St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and some of his staffers to help, eventually drafting an order that would have given Bell "all powers granted the Circuit Attorney." The order was never signed by a judge.

Still, Bell, the Missouri Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Attorney's Office private firms others pledged their support to whoever replaced Gardner. Gore took office May 30 and said he'd take them up on it. He also immediately started hiring new full-time staffers.

Gore has since tapped 12 attorneys to join his staff, most of whom have experience as prosecutors. Those hires include Chief Trial Assistant Marvin Teer, Chief Warrant Officer Steven Capizzi, homicide team leader Mary Pat Carl and prosecutors Chris Faerber, Bret Rich and Sherry Wolk.

Gore said in a news release that the help of the U.S. Attorney's Office will also help serve the city in "new and unprecedented ways."

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming for her partnership," he said.
JEFFERSON CITY  A former inmate at a Missouri prison says the states solitary confinement policy discriminates against individuals with HIV and is unconstitutional.

Jane Roe, a transgender woman using a pseudonym in court documents because of a fear of harm and retaliation, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in Jefferson City on Tuesday challenging the states policy.

Roe is being represented by Lambda Legal, a law firm that litigates for the civil rights of individuals within the LGBTQ community.

She is seeking a declaration that department practices are unconstitutional, an order permanently enjoining the states solitary confinement policy with respect to offenders with HIV, as well as monetary damages.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections on Tuesday said she could not comment on this case.

The lawsuit claimed Roe spent more than six years in solitary confinement after, on or about April 2015, her cellmate brutally assaulted her during an attempted sexual assault.

As punishment for experiencing a sexual assault and because of her HIV status, Ms. Roe was deemed an immediate or long-term danger to other offenders and was placed in solitary confinement, the lawsuit said.

Roe was released on parole in 2022, the lawsuit said. She had previously been convicted of assault and risking infection of HIV after, as an adolescent, she bit a police officer who was trying to arrest her for misdemeanor stealing, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit said Roe was released on probation in 2012 but returned to prison in 2014 from probation.

The lawsuit named as defendants Anne Precythe, director of the Department of Corrections; Doris Falkenrath, warden of the Jefferson City prison; Jay Cassady, the warden when Roe was placed in solitary confinement; and Billy Dunbar, the assistant warden when Roe was initially confined, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also names six corrections officials  Stanley Keely, Justin Krantz, Noel Obi, Jason Hess, Elizabeth Thornton and Michael Cahalin  who were on the panel reviewing Roes solitary confinement placement.

Also named in the lawsuit is Scott Kintner, a caseworker, who is accused of being personally aware of the harm Roe was incurring from solitary confinement. The lawsuit also claims that Alan Earls, deputy director of adult institutions, was personally involved in the decision, and had the authority, to place Roe in solitary confinement.

The lawsuit quotes department policy on when single-cell assignments are authorized.

The definition of Mandated Single Cell Assignment on the states website means Assignment of an offender to a single cell within an administrative segregation unit for documented safety and security reasons, such as offenders who are considered an immediate or a long term danger to other offenders that would be celled with that offender, based on extremely violent, aggressive, threatening actions toward others, which may include murder/manslaughter, sexual assault/rape, assault with serious physical injury, sexually active HIV positive offender.

The lawsuit alleges Earls, Cassady and Keely arbitrarily decided to punish Roe after her sexual assault by using her HIV status to classify her as an immediate and long-term danger to other offenders, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit alleges Earls, Cassady and Keely did not consider that Roe could not spread HIV because it was virally suppressed.

Defendants policy unconstitutionally singles out people who are living with HIV for severe disciplinary action to which others are not subjected, the lawsuit said. Defendants policy adds an arbitrary and discriminatory category to a list of otherwise violent conduct.
MAKING AMENDS: From Belinda Royall to Cori Bush

The idea of paying reparations or making other amends for slavery and discrimination has a long history in the United States.

1783: A freedwoman named Belinda Royall asks the Massachusetts legislature for reparations and is granted a pension of 15 pounds, 12 shillings out of the estate of the man who had enslaved her.

1865: Months before the U.S. Civil War ends, federal legislation calls for land to be leased or sold in 40-acre parcels to people who had been enslaved, reminiscent of Union General William Tecumseh Shermans field order authorizing the redistribution of land confiscated from or abandoned by Confederates to the newly emancipated. But white Southerners abandoned little land, and Congress didnt provide funds to buy land for freedmen.

1868: The 14th Amendment, passed by Congress in 1866, is ratified by the states. It grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof  including the formerly enslaved. It provides that they cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process, and that they are entitled to equal protection of the laws.

1878: Henrietta Wood wins $2,500 for lost wages and loss of freedom in a lawsuit she had brought in Ohio against an Ohio deputy sheriff who had engineered a kidnapping that led to her enslavement. Wood had been born into slavery in Kentucky, freed by a slaveholder who took her to Ohio, then lured back to Kentucky and enslaved again in 1853.

1890: At the urging of Nebraska businessman Walter Vaughan, a Democrat and the son of slaveholders, Republican U.S. Representative William J. Connell introduces a bill proposing the federal government provide pensions to those formerly enslaved. Although the bill fails, Vaughan keeps publicizing an idea that he sees primarily as a way to inject cash into the Souths struggling economy.

1898: U.S. Representative Jeremiah D. Botkin, a Kansas Democrat, introduces a bill to provide individuals who were formerly enslaved 40 acres of land and families 160 acres. The proposal, which also would have provided cash payments, fails to pass.

1915: Callie House, a formerly enslaved person inspired by a pamphlet produced by Nebraska businessman Walter Vaughan, works with attorney Cornelius Jones to sue the U.S. Treasury Department, arguing the federal government had benefited financially via taxes from the sale of cotton produced by the enslaved. The suit estimates the federal government had collected $68 million in taxes that should be returned to the formerly enslaved. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals dismisses the suit, saying the government cannot be sued without its permission.

1960: In a speech in Boston, Malcolm X declares the United States must compensate us for the labor stolen from us, calling for land.

1961: The term affirmative action is used in an executive order signed by President John F. Kennedy instructing federal contractors to ensure that applicants are treated equally. While some point to affirmative action as a way to address the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination, others note it does little for Black Americans who are unable to benefit from the concept in higher education and jobs.

1966: The 10 Point Program of the Black Panther Party includes: We Want An End To The Robbery By The Capitalists Of Our Black Community. We believe that this racist government has robbed us, and now we are demanding the overdue debt of forty acres and two mules. Forty acres and two mules were promised 100 years ago as restitution for enslaved labor and mass murder of Black people. We will accept the payment in currency which will be distributed to our many communities.

1968: The Republic of New Africa, a Black nationalist group, calls for $400 billion in reparations for slavery.

1969: James Forman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee stands at the pulpit at Riverside Church in New York to demand that white Christian churches and Jewish synagogues which are part and parcel of the system of capitalism pay $500 million in reparations to be spent on a land bank for Black farmers, publishing houses and TV networks to provide jobs and a voice for Black Americans, and other projects.

1972: Mayor Richard G. Hatcher of Gary, Indiana, U.S. Representative Charles C. Diggs. Jr. of Michigan, and poet and playwright Amiri Baraka are among the organizers of a National Black Political Convention in Gary. More than 2,000 voting delegates adopt a final declaration that includes a call for a majority-Black commission to determine how to calculate and distribute reparations in terms of land, capital and cash.

1973: Yale law professor Boris Bittker, working with editor Toni Morrison, publishes The Case for Black Reparations.

1987: The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations, known as NCOBRA, is founded.

1989: Representative John Conyers, a Michigan Democrat and an African-American, first introduces House Resolution 40  the figure refers to 40 acres and a mule  proposing a federal commission to study reparations for slavery and its legacy. Conyers introduces H.R. 40 at every congressional session until his retirement in 2017, after which Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, a Democrat from Texas who is Black, continues to introduce the bill.

1993: A conference in Nigeria sponsored by an Organization of African Unity (OAU) reparations committee concludes the impact of slavery and the slave trade damaged lives of contemporary Africans from Harlem to Harare and economies worldwide. The final declaration urges the OAU  precursor to the African Union  to call for reparations that could take such forms as capital transfers and debt cancellation.

1994: Florida legislators authorize payments of $150,000 for each of the nine survivors of a 1923 attack by white people that killed at least six people and destroyed the Black community of Rosewood; a $500,000 pool of funds for their descendants; and individual $4,000 scholarships for the youngest generation of descendants of the victims.

2000: Randall Robinson, who had gained prominence as an anti-apartheid campaigner and a co-founder of the TransAfrica Forum think tank, publishes The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks. He argues that the appeal here is not for affirmative action, but, rather, for just compensation as an entitlement for the many years of heinous U.S. government-empowered wrongs and the stolen labor of our forebears.

2001: Conservative author David Horowitz places advertisements in U.S. college newspapers detailing ten reasons why reparations for slavery is a bad idea  and racist too. Among his points, he argues that the claim that all African-Americans suffer from the economic consequences of slavery and discrimination is unsubstantiated and that reparations have already been paid in the form of welfare benefits and racial preferences in jobs and education.

2006: A faculty, student and administrator committee appointed by Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons releases a report detailing ties to slavery of several Brown founders and benefactors. The university later takes such steps as offering free tuition to graduate students in the field of education who pledge to serve in public schools in Providence and surrounding areas, and creating a $10 million permanent endowment to support education in Providence.

2007: State lawmakers in Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia formally apologize for slavery and, in the case of North Carolina and Virginia formally apologize for slavery and, in the case of North Carolina, for Jim Crow. Virginia was the first U.S. state to make such an apology.

2008: State lawmakers in New Jersey and Florida formally apologize for slavery.

2014: Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates publishes The Case for Reparations in The Atlantic.

2015: The president of Georgetown University creates a working group on the ties to slavery of the Catholic university, whose future had been secured by the sale in 1838 of 272 men, women and children who had worked on a Jesuit plantation. After the working group is formed, Jesuits vowed to raise $100 million to benefit the descendants of the people the Catholic religious order owned and to promote racial reconciliation.

2019: Descendants of African American sharecroppers murdered in 1919 by a white mob in Elaine, Arkansas, gather in Elaine to commemorate the massacre and call for reparations, including the return of land that passed into white hands after the killings.

2020: The Denver Black Reparations Council gives its first grant to TeaLees Tea House and Bookstore, a Black-owned business, helping the owner stay in business after her husband died. The council is funded by Reparations Circle Denver, which fundraises among white people.

2021: The city council of Evanston, Illinois, votes 8-1 to begin distributing $400,000 to eligible Black residents through $25,000 grants for home repairs, down payments or mortgage payments in reparation for the lasting damage from decades of segregation and discriminatory practices.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam signs the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program. It requires that five universities that profited from enslaved labor provide scholarships to the descendants of the enslaved.

2022: An Oklahoma judge rules the three known living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa massacre, in which a white mob murdered scores of Black Tulsans and razed much of a Black neighborhood, can proceed with a lawsuit seeking reparations. The suit seeks such remedies as a 99-year tax holiday for Tulsa residents who are descendants of victims of the massacre in the neighborhood of Greenwood. The judge also rules that six descendants of victims cannot seek reparations.

The deed to beachfront property in the city of Manhattan Beach, California, that had been taken in 1924 from Willa and Charles Bruce, an African-American couple, is returned to their heirs. What had been a Black resort in then-segregated Los Angeles County was taken by Manhattan Beach officials, ostensibly to build a park. Activists and politicians said the real motivation was racism. A state law in 2021 approved returning the land to the Bruces heirs.

Church leaders in Forsyth County, Georgia, after consultation with Black community members, establish a scholarship fund open to descendants of those Black families violently driven out of the county in 1912 after six Black men were accused in the assault of a white woman.

Harvard University announces it is setting aside $100 million for an endowment fund and other measures to close the educational, social and economic gaps that are legacies of slavery and racism.

Boston creates a Reparations Task Force to develop proposals to provide reparations to Black residents to make amends for slavery and racial discrimination.

2023: Final recommendations are approved by Californias governor-appointed Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The recommendations include suggested formulas to determine cash reparations and a call for state lawmakers, who will make the final decision on whether reparations should be made and if so what that would entail, to issue a formal apology for the states role in perpetuating discrimination against African Americans.

U.S. Representative Cori Bush, a Democrat from Missouri, introduces House Resolution 414, which says that the United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people. It says economists have calculated that reparations to close the racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans would be, at a minimum, $14 trillion.

 Donna Bryson, Reuters
WENTZVILLE  Spectators at this year's Fourth of July parade in Wentzville will find a child leading the star-spangled event.

City officials announced recently that Jaxson Dreiling will serve as the Grand Marshal of the annual parade, which is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Dreiling is described by city leaders as a "young champion who has inspired the community with his resilience and unwavering spirit" following his diagnosis with stage four chronic kidney disease in January 2022.

Earlier this year, Dreiling received a life-saving kidney transplant from his mother.

"Jaxson is a symbol of strength and perseverance for our community," city officials said in an announcement.

In addition to the parade, Wentzville's Fourth of July festivities include a free swimming event at Progress Park pool from noon to 5 p.m. on July 4 and fireworks that evening from Progress Park starting at 9:30 p.m. A description of the parade route is available online on the city's website.

Editor's note: Due to an editing error, an earlier headline had an incorrect age for the boy who was named grand marshal.
Photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the packaged flight model of satellite of the MisrSat II satellite project during a delivery ceremony at the Egyptian Space Agency near New Administrative Capital, Egypt. Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CAIRO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites.

During the delivery ceremony held at the Egyptian Space Agency near the country's New Administrative Capital, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat thanked China for supporting and cooperating with the agency, and being a "strategic partner and friend" of Egypt.

She noted that the China-funded MisrSat II satellite and satellite assembly, integration and test (AIT) center has greatly boosted Egypt's capacities in satellite research, development, measurement and control, making Egypt a leading African country in the aerospace field.

"The advanced devices and effective technology we saw today are important for Egypt as they open a gateway for cooperation with Africa in this field," she said.

Describing the MisrSat II satellite project as another landmark outcome of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Egypt, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the project has laid a solid foundation for Egypt's space industry and will promote the development of space technology on the African continent.

According to the Chinese ambassador, it is the first time that China has completed a large-scale overseas test on an entire satellite and delivered a satellite cooperation project overseas.

"Egypt is the first African country to have complete satellite assembly, integration and testing capabilities," Liao said.

Sherif Sedky, chief executive officer of the Egyptian Space Agency, said over the past three months, Egyptian and Chinese engineers and experts have joined hands to run every stage of the tests on the three models of the MisrSat II satellite, comprising two prototype models and one flight model.

He noted that these tests inaugurated the largest satellite AIT center in Africa and the Middle East, which was fully equipped through a grant from China.

"The center is the first of its kind to localize the satellite industry in Egypt. It also gives Egypt a leading role in transferring this technology to Africa," Sedky said.

With an image resolution of up to 2 meters, the MisrSat II satellite will make an effective contribution to the Egypt Vision 2030 for sustainable development by maximizing the use of national resources, including determining the types of crops and their distribution in Egypt according to the nature of the atmosphere and soil, exploration of mineral resources, urban planning, and monitoring coastal changes, according to Sedky.

After the delivery of two prototype satellites in Cairo, an in-orbit delivery of the flight model of the MisrSat II satellite has also been scheduled. 

Photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the packaged flight model and two prototype models of satellite of the MisrSat II satellite project during a delivery ceremony at the Egyptian Space Agency near New Administrative Capital, Egypt. Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat (R) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang after a delivery ceremony of two prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project at the Egyptian Space Agency near New Administrative Capital, Egypt, on June 25, 2023. Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A delivery ceremony of China-funded prototype satellites is held at the Egyptian Space Agency near New Administrative Capital, Egypt, on June 25, 2023. Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project during a delivery ceremony at the Egyptian Space Agency near New Administrative Capital, Egypt. Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)  Abortion pills will remain legal in Wyoming for now, after a judge ruled Thursday that the states first-in-the-nation law to ban them wont take effect July 1 as planned while a lawsuit proceeds.

Attorneys for Wyoming failed to show that the ban wouldnt harm the plaintiffs before their lawsuit is resolved, Teton County Judge Melissa Owens ruled after hearing arguments from both sides. Meanwhile, those plaintiffs have clearly showed probable success on the merits, Owens said.

While other states have instituted de facto bans on the medication by broadly prohibiting abortion, only Wyoming has specifically banned abortion pills. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that access to one of the two pills, mifepristone, may continue while litigants seek to overturn the Food and Drug Administrations approval of it.

Wyoming's pill ban is being challenged by four women, including two obstetricians, and two nonprofit organizations. One of the groups, Wellspring Health Access, opened as the state's first full-service abortion clinic in years in April following an arson attack in 2022.

They're are also suing to stop a near-total ban on abortion enacted in Wyoming in March. Owens has suspended that law, too, and combined the two lawsuits.

Because abortion remains legal in Wyoming, banning abortion pills would require women to get more invasive surgical abortions instead, Marci Bramlet, an attorney for the ban opponents told Owens in Thursdays hearing.

It effectively tells people you must have open-heart surgery when a stent would do, Bramlet said.

A state constitutional amendment enacted in 2012 also came into play in court arguments. The amendment passed in response to the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obamas health care law, says Wyoming residents have the right to make their own health care decisions.

Wyomings new abortion laws allow exceptions to save life and for cases of rape or incest that are reported to police. But abortion for other reasons isnt health care under the amendment, Jay Jerde, an attorney for the state, argued.

Its not restoring a womans body from pain, injury or physical sickness, Jerde said. Medical services are involved, but getting an abortion for reasons other than health care, it cant be a medical decision.

Pregnancy involves pain and sickness, Owens pointed out. But women dont get abortions for that reason, countered Jerde.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs later questioned how the state could know the motives of women getting abortions.

Wyomings new laws were enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year. Since then, some 25 million women and teenagers have been subjected to either stricter controls on ending their pregnancies or almost total bans on the procedure.

In central Wyoming, services at Wellspring Health Access include pill abortions  a method for ending pregnancy that is used in more than half of all U.S. abortions, said Julie Burkhart, Wellsprings president, in a statement.

Medication abortion is safe, effective, and has been approved by the FDA for more than two decades," Burkhart said.

Previously only one other clinic in Wyoming  a womens health center in Jackson, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) away  offered pill abortions.

Wyoming officials didnt immediately return a request for comment but previously have promised to vigorously defend the legality of the new laws.

In recent years, abortions using two kinds of pills, usually taken days apart, have become the preferred method for ending pregnancy in the U.S., in part because the process offers a less invasive alternative to surgical abortions. Until Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon signed the legislation outlawing medication abortions, no state had passed a law specifically prohibiting abortion pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

However, 13 states enacted blanket abortion bans that included medical abortions and 15 states already had limited access to the pills.

Starting with an abortion ban that was set to take effect last summer, Owens has now blocked three abortion bans signed into law by Gordon, the Republican governor who appointed her.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A 26-year-old man was charged Monday in a weekend shooting that killed three people and wounded six more in Kansas City, police said.

Keivon Greene is accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, and prosecutors said they expect to file more charges. A second suspect was involved in the shooting, according to a probable cause statement.

Responding officers found two men and a woman dead from gunshot wounds about 4:30 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot where a crowd had gathered near an auto shop known to host informal after-hours get-togethers, police said.

According to the probable cause statement, one of the wounded told police the shooting started after she greeted one of the suspects and his girlfriend with a hug.

The victim's boyfriend then told the suspect to watch his hands. When the victim and her boyfriend began to walk away, the suspect took out a gun and fatally shot him in the back, according to the statement.

Another person pulled a gun and began shooting, striking the woman in the buttocks. The victim identified Greene as the man who shot her, according to the statement.

Online court records did not name an attorney for Greene.

Police initially said at least five others were shot and taken to hospitals by private vehicles and ambulances. On Monday, police identified a sixth person who went to a hospital after being wounded.

The dead were identified as Nikko Manning, 22; Jasity Strong, 28; and Camden Brown, 29.

Greene was taken into custody at a hospital, where he went after being shot in the hand. The second suspect was arrested Sunday in Grandview, Missouri, police said.

Police said Sunday that another person was wounded in a separate shooting blocks away about 3 a.m. No additional information in that shooting has been released.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves joined people at the scene in a prayer circle as officers collected evidence.

This story has been corrected to say that suspect Keivon Greene was taken into custody at a hospital and a second suspect was arrested in Grandview, Missouri.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  In an unusual legal move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is asking a state appeals court to reverse the conviction of a white former Kansas City police detective who shot and killed a Black man three years ago.

In a brief filed Monday, Bailey said the evidence presented at a trial in 2021 did not support Eric DeValkenaeres conviction for second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb on Dec. 3, 2019.

Bailey asked the court to reverse DeValkenaeres conviction or order a new trial.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, whose office secured DeValkenaeres conviction, said the motion by the attorney general  the states top law enforcement officer  to challenge a conviction was unprecedented and an affront to the people of Kansas City.

In a news conference on Monday, she accused Bailey, a Republican who was appointed to the attorney generals office in January, of attempting to expand his power to that of a judge.

I cant say in my time, 25-plus years of being here, that Ive seen anything like this before, Baker said.

Cameron Lambs father, Aqil Bey, said at the news conference that Baileys actions were a miscarriage of justice. He said DeValkanaere had been given every legal advantage, including not having to serve a day in jail since his conviction.

We dont feel good about it. But we are going to continue to let the legal system run its course, and well see what happens, Bey said.

Ben Trachtenberg, a University of Missouri School of Law professor and expert in criminal law, agreed that Baileys decision was unusual, noting the states attorney generals office has a history of vigorously defending convictions, even in cases where the local prosecutor is trying to overturn a conviction.

Baileys predecessor, Eric Schmitt, who is now a Republican U.S. senator, strongly opposed efforts by Baker and former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner to release two men  Lamar Johnson and Kevin Strickland  who they believed were jailed for murders they didnt commit. Both men were eventually released from prison.

Still, Trachtenberg said Bailey was within his authority in not defending DeValkenaeres conviction.

The attorney generals office does have broad responsibility for dealing with criminal appeals, he said. But lawyers dont have to defend every single case. The Attorney Generals Offices highest duty is to pursue justice. If they think somebody is innocent, they dont have to defend the conviction.

DeValkenaere was convicted in November 2021 of killing Lamb, who was shot as he backed his truck into his garage. Police said DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, went to Lambs home after reports that Lamb was involved in a car chase with his girlfriend on residential streets.

Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge J. Dale Youngs, who convicted the former detective after a bench trial, sentenced DeValkenaere to three years for involuntary manslaughter and six years for armed criminal action, with the sentences to run consecutively.

But Youngs later ruled that DeValkenaere could remain free while his conviction is appealed.

In his motion, Bailey said Lambs death was tragic and shouldnt have happened. But he argued that DeValkenaere used reasonable force because he believed Lamb was going to shoot Schwalm. The motion, which includes several pages reiterating the police departments version of events, said officers believed they saw Lamb with a handgun inside the truck, and a handgun was found near the truck after Lamb was shot.

DeValkenaeres use of force was reasonable in light of Mr. Lambs use of deadly force against Schwalm, and the court erred as a matter of fact and law in determining that Schwalm and DeValkenaere were the initial aggressors, Bailey wrote. DeValkenaere also was not criminally negligent.

Prosecutors and Lambs family had alleged the handgun was planted after the shooting. But Youngs did not address that issue when he convicted the detective.

Instead, the judge said the officers had no probable cause to believe that any crime had been committed, had no warrant for Lambs arrest and had no search warrant or consent to be on the property. He said police were the initial aggressors and they had a duty to retreat, but DeValkenaere illegally used deadly force instead.

Rumors had swirled in the past month that Republican Gov. Mike Parson was considering pardoning or granting clemency to DeValkenaere, prompting Baker to send him a letter urging him not to do so. Civil rights advocates warned that releasing the former detective could cause unrest in the city and damage an already tense relationship between police and Kansas Citys minority community.

Parson said last week that he had not yet decided what action to take and criticized Baker for using the case for political purposes.

Summer Ballentine reported from Columbia, Mo.
Growing up as a queer kid in Alabama, I spent much of my life hiding or purposely blending in, even fearing for my safety. When I moved to St. Louis 10 years ago for a job at Washington University, I made a personal commitment to exist as a fully out human being, professionally and personally. It was the first step in my healing journey.

That was the attitude with which I interviewed for a job six years ago at the Cambridge Innovation Center  the collaborative work community better known as CIC St. Louis. I brought my full self to the table. I have found success, not because or in spite of my queer identity, but simply for who I am. My background and personal experience as an out, gay man, often on the margins of the business world, have given me interest in the human side of business, or how we treat each other at work. Which is why working in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) space is so important to me.

With this national wave of legislation targeting queer and trans people, my heart aches. I cant help but think, from a business perspective, such exclusion, denial and alienation is as short-sighted as it is morally bankrupt. Many executives categorize DEIB as auxiliary  a nice to have thing when it benefits business or offers a great photo opp. To me, doing business in a DEIB-aligned way  healing as we work alongside each other  has the potential to bring us out of the economic impact of Covid and catapult us to new levels of equitable economic growth.

Since I began at CIC St. Louis, we have worked to create a place where people of historically oppressed identities feel psychologically safe and flourish socially and professionally  crafting policies and cultivating an inclusive community where people dont feel like they have to hide as I once did. My approach is grounded in the belief that liberation for the LGBTQIA+ community is tied to the liberation, celebration, and inclusion of all oppressed identities.

When asked to think about our site and this city from an economic perspective, one of the first conclusions I arrived at is that there is no economic progress until we address the racist, homophobic and transphobic legacies of our history. We must take a closer look at the anti-racist work being done in the city and examine how we are engaging communities of color in ways that are centered on their needs first. We must make sure our spaces are not just available, but welcoming to queer and trans people.

With programs like our Social Impact Cohort and institutions like Venture Cafe, we begin to eliminate the barriers to entry in our space and the greater entrepreneurial community. When we look at our vendors, we take care to work with local, women- and people-of-color-owned businesses wherever we can to make sure our economic impact is felt locally. Finally, we form powerful partnerships with other organizations that are doing great work in the community so that their light may shine even brighter.

Theres an introspective element to this work too. I am equally as interested in our companys transformational journey as I am in getting the right policies in place. As we strive, fail, and strive again to get it right, Im interested in who we become along the way. I want us to examine how white supremacy, homophobia, and transphobia show up in our company and then dismantle those patterns systematically. Make no mistake: Even the best organizations on the planet still deal with these issues. Having the humility to know they are present rather than to deny them is the first step in effectively counteracting them.

Creating welcoming spaces, enabling access to resources, striving to walk alongside community partners rather than out in front, directing our own spend to local businesses, and being mindful of our own internal processes are ways to lead with healing in mind. This month, I invite other business leaders to engage this approach and give hope to those still being forced to hide. Youll likely discover that its not only the right thing to do from a business perspective, but you may find your own path to healing in the process. John Land is general manager for CIC St. Louis
In addition to everything else it reveals, the newly released audio recording of former President Donald showing off sensitive documents to a writer and others neatly encapsulates many of the problematic personality traits that have been on display in various ways since he first burst onto the political scene eight years ago.

There are his well-known indications of narcissism (This was done by the military and given to me), his braggadocio (This is secret information  Isnt that incredible?) and his plain old immaturity (Its so cool).

And of course, the lies: See, as president I could have declassified it, but now I cant  even though hes been publicly insisting for months now that he did.

The point here goes beyond what appears to be strong new evidence in the federal criminal case against Trump for allegedly mishandling sensitive documents, in this case a U.S. plan of attack on Iran. It also goes to the heart of issues like his immaturity, instability and habitual dishonesty.

Trumps supporters have long shrugged off those personality issues as irrelevant, while critics have warned they could have negative consequences for the country. The audio and other evidence in this case, whether it justifies a criminal conviction or not, should leave little question to any objective listener that America would not be safe with Trump back in the White House.

Top Republicans, including Missouri senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, have been promoting misleading narratives since the federal grand jury indicted Trump at the behest of a special prosecutor on June 8.

President Joe Biden has indicted his top political opponent, tweeted Schmitt. Biden believes he can just jail his political opponents, added Hawley. Both tropes are utterly false. Since this is the kind of misinformation strategy Trumps enablers have settled upon, its important to review the facts.

Before exiting office in January 2021, Trump had hundreds of official documents, many marked to indicate they were classified or top secret, transported to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The indictment against Trump alleges the documents involve information related to the military, U.S. intelligence and even nuclear weapons.

Why Trump kept the papers remains unclear. Former advisor John Bolton has speculated that Trump may have just thought [they] were cool, a lot of them he thought might be souvenirs. Of course, that would be completely consistent with Trumps history of servicing his ego by putting his name on buildings and products  and who thinks the normal rules never apply to him.

Where the case turns from a tale of an oddly persistent hoarder to one of conspiracy, obstructing justice, withholding information from a grand jury and causing false statements to be made to the government (all included in the formal indictment) are the lengths Trump went to to prevent the government from recovering the papers.

While repeatedly failing to return all the documents despite repeated requests and even a subpoena, the government now alleges, Trump ordered the documents moved around, stored in unsecure places including a bathroom.

At one point, he allegedly hinted to one of his lawyers, Isnt it better if there are no documents? Interpret that for yourself.

In June 2022, Trumps attorneys told the government theyd conducted a search and that all classified documents had been returned. The government had reason to believe that wasnt true, and a FBI court-ordered search of Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 proved them correct. More than 100 more documents with classified markings were recovered.

Trump has repeatedly claimed he declassified the documents before leaving office, telling Fox News last fall that he could do so just by saying its declassified, even by thinking about it.

He followed up that fanciful notion in a Fox interview this month in which he claims part of the reason he didnt return the documents is because the government didnt say  please, please, please, could we have it back?

What an interesting legal theory. (Question: Do they have to actually say please, or can they just think it?)

The audio recording released this week, made by Trumps own staff with his knowledge, seems to show he knew full well the documents were still classified, and were sensitive  hes bragging about that very point, after all. Amid the rustle of papers, the former commander in chief of the United States armed forces can be heard bragging to a writer with no security clearance about how papers are highly confidential, secret regarding attack plans against a foreign adversary. This is secret information.

The facts of this entire case, and particularly the most recently released audio, brings to mind comments this month by, of all people, Bill Barr, Trumps former attorney general.

Barr described his former boss as a defiant 9-year-old kid, whos always pushing the glass toward the edge of the table, defying his parents to stop him from doing it.  Hes a very petty individual who will always put his interests ahead of the countrys, his personal gratification of his ego  Our country cant be a therapy session for a troubled man like this.

This may be a first for us, but Bill Barr is right. Whatever happens going forward with the criminal case, any prominent Republican who continues to support Trumps presidential campaign should be made to explain how the man on that recording belongs anywhere near presidential power.
Last week proven liar Rep. Adam Schiff was censured by the U.S. House for his lies about having proof of collusion, distorting facts, leaking information, now known to be false, as the socialist left cheered him. ("In rowdy scene, House censures Rep. Adam Schiff over Trump-Russia investigations," June 22.) It was kind funny to see all of the Democrats shouting out "shame" and "disgrace," then, as if by magic, Schiff appeared in the middle of their group, answering their call.

It is not often in American history that any group of people, even those trying to usurp power and transform our nation from a democratic republic into a big government socialist state, cheer someone who lied so blatantly and who did so much to divide our nation with those lies. Those who were chanting chose to take up the mantle of a proven liar in an effort to further their socialist cause.

What Schiff did should have raised the ire of every veteran who ever served in defense of our freedom and he was not alone in his actions. The next ones to be censured should be Nancy Pelosi for encouraging the lies, and Rep. Eric Swallwell needs to be shamed and pushed to the side as well.

My question is, how is it that a socialist propaganda sheet like the Post-Dispatch could simply ignore this story?

Geoff Orwig  Webster Groves
Heres an idea for a pilot study to address gun violence in St. Louis, which now merits the title of failed city: Select 500 to 1,000 two-parent families with children who reside in the most disadvantaged North City neighborhoods. Enlist big corporations like Emerson Electric, Bayer and Boeing (and not fast food restaurants) to hire one adult in each family. Assign a social worker to bond with each family and to help each kid with school and recreation.
Legislatures and legislators in the United States of America appear to be for sale. Does that upset anyone besides me?

Listening and reading CBS news online recently, I learned that the state of Ohio has a vote scheduled in August to raise the percentage for amending the state constitution from 50% to 60%. In November, Ohio voters will be asked whether abortion availability should be enshrined in the Ohio constitution.

Recent votes in Kansas and Michigan to maintain state constitutional availability of abortion were accepted, by state voters, by percentages of at or about 57%.

A Republican donor from Illinois, who opposes abortion, contributed largely to a political group in Florida that purchased advertising in Ohio to support the passage of the 60% level being necessary for voters to amend their state constitution. Passage of the 60% rule will assuredly make the availability of medically safe abortions in Ohio difficult to secure.

The state of Missouri is also considering a similar increase in voter acceptance for amending our state constitution. I wonder who will pay (contribute) to advance that piece of legislation?

A recent editorial cartoon had a "For Sale" sign attached to the Supreme Court. It looks like in the U.S., money might buy legislation and maybe justice too.

Karl H. Zickler  St. Louis County
B. Michael Korte was recently awarded the first True Grit Award at the annual convention of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys. The award recognizes an honorable representative of MATA and the legal profession who primarily practices in the field of workers compensation, enjoys a good reputation for professionalism and ethics, grit, legal acumen and lawyerly skills. Korte shared the initial presentation of the award with his longtime friend and colleague, John B. Boyd, of Independence, MO.

Korte, a fellow in the American Bar Associations College of Workers Compensation Lawyers, was previously honored by the Workplace Injury and Litigation Group as one of the nations Top 100 workers compensation attorneys. In addition to the True Grit award, he is the only person to have been awarded both MATAs Outstanding Service Award and the Workers Compensation Distinguished Lawyer Award, presented by the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and Kids Chance Inc., a charitable organization.

Korte lives in Kirkwood and maintains his law office in Webster Groves.
This photo taken on May 12, 2023 shows Donghuashan Village in the Shunyi District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Liu Zhihe has a notebook. Since he became the village Party chief, he has recorded every piece of the village's change, big and small, in the notebook.

"In 2017, 1.1 hectares of land was vacated as the illegal construction facilities were demolished and the land lease contract of the breeding farm expired." "In 2018, trees were grown on 1.1 hectares of the land in the plain area." "In June 2021, a restoration project at the quarry was launched."

Liu hails from Donghuashan Village in the Shunyi District of suburban Beijing. His notes have demonstrated how Donghuashan has turned from a quarry mining site to a beautiful village with a green landscape.

Liu remembered that change began six years ago when cement enterprises moved out of the village under the guidance of the local government. In the same year, Shunyi District launched a campaign to build an ecological scenery zone.

In 2018, Beijing started a new round of afforestation projects, aiming to plant 1 million mu of trees (66,667 hectares). Liu mobilized the villagers to restore part of the vacated land for farming, while the rest applied for greenery plantations. More trees were planted in the following years, which has improved the local ecology to a large extent.

According to Dasungezhuang Town, where Donghuashan Village is located, the local forest coverage rate has reached nearly 50 percent as the town grew 182.2 hectares of trees in 2022 alone.

Over the past five years, Beijing has outstripped the target of the 1-million-mu tree plantation, with the forest coverage rate reaching 44.8 percent, according to the city's government work report this year.

Donghuashan Village has also replaced coal with natural gas and electricity for heating, upgraded the sewage processing station and the sewage pipeline network, and carried out garbage sorting in recent years.

The much-improved environment has drawn many young villagers to come back, including 28-year-old Xu Bainian.

After graduating from college last year, Xu returned to his hometown and now serves on the village committee.

"I majored in social work in college and hope to contribute to rural revitalization here," he said.

Party chief Liu said the young people returning home have injected vitality into the village.

"With their detailed plans and science-based approaches, the village will grow better," Liu said. 

This photo taken on May 12, 2023 shows an artificial lake at Donghuashan Village in the Shunyi District of Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
The Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces in June has been successful, but slow. Russia knew it was eventually coming and built extensive fortifications, including obstacles to vehicle movement as well as planting lots of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. The anti-tank mines are frequently used because they are so effective. The mines themselves do not destroy tanks and other vehicles but inflict mobility kills by rendering the mine-damaged vehicles unable to move because of damaged tracks and/or tires/track wheels and suspension system. If this happens during combat, the vehicles and their crews are in big trouble. That often means the crew abandons the vehicle and seeks shelter elsewhere. Historically, most tank and armored fighting vehicle (AFV) losses come from mobility kills. The Ukraine War was unique because top attack ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles) were able to destroy Russian-designed tanks and AFVs by causing the turret to explode and kill the entire crew. Now the Ukrainians are on the offensive and have to devote a lot of men and resources to removing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. At the same time the Ukrainians use anti-tank mines to protect quiet sectors of the front line from surprise armored attacks.

The tracks on tanks are also vulnerable to accidental damage if the driver tries to cross an obstacle that can damage the tracks, often by just causing tracks to be separated from their supporting road wheels. When this happens, the crew has to get out and go through a time-consuming and strenuous effort to get the tracks back on. Track systems suffering battle damage can sometimes be repaired in the field if there is no damage to the wheels the tracks run on. Tank drivers are important members of the crew because they have to be alert and know what they are doing whenever the tank is moving. When not in combat, the tank commander will often stick his head and shoulders out of the turret and use his better view of the way ahead to warn the driver when an avoidable obstacle is spotted. .

A lot of different anti-tank weapons have been developed over the last century but none have been so successful as anti-tank mines, Anti-tank guns and missiles can be defeated with better armor or the more recent APS (Active Protection System). For example, in 2021 Germany successfully completed acceptance tests of the Israeli Trophy APS they wanted to purchase for their Leopard 2 tanks. The acceptance tests consisted of firing ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles), RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) and shells from tank guns or artillery that often fire such shells equipped with shaped charge warheads at tanks, at a Trophy-equipped Leopard 2.

This was not the first Leopard 2 to use an APS. Turkish Leopard 2 and M60 tanks were equipped with the Ukrainian Zaslon APS in 2018 and were successful enough for Turkey to obtain a manufacturing license to build Zaslon. Several other countries have ordered Zaslon because it is one of the few APS systems that proved itself in combat. Zaslon is more flexible to install as it uses individual modules and can be used on tanks equipped with ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor). On the downside, Zaslon will injure nearby infantry, which is a major problem for many nations. Zaslon has been in service for as long as Trophy and worked against Russian weapons in 2015, but saw little exposure to combat after that until the Turks noticed it.

Russia has used a lot of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines in Ukraine and the Ukrainian forces have been supplied with equipment and training to find and destroy or disable them. Russia has deployed thousands of these mines in southeast Ukraine to disrupt a Ukrainian offensive. Russia has mapped these minefields in case they are no longer needed and the mines can be removed. If Russia is defeated, those minefield maps are unlikely to be given to the Ukrainians and the mines will be a public hazard for years to come. Ukraine will have to maintain mine-clearing teams and await reports from local civilians about minefield discoveries. Russia and Ukraine have both been using anti-tank mines against each other since 2015.

The American M1 and German Leopard 2 have improved but are still vulnerable track-laying systems. So do large militarized commercial bulldozers used by army engineer units to clear visible obstacles as well as detect and destroy anti-tank mines.

Commercial tracked vehicles have been around since the 19th century and were the basis of the first tanks, which used commercial tracklaying systems for movement across World War I battlefields torn up by shell craters and man-made fortifications. This commercial tech was quite mature and reliable when World War I broke out in 1914 and was often used near the front lines to clear roads and repair damage caused by all the artillery shells. It didnt take long for someone, in this case the British, to put armor and weapons on a large tractor and create the first tanks. These were first used in combat during 1916 and were a success. By 1917 hundreds of tanks of all sizes were used in successful allied offensives.

Between the World Wars there were major improvements in automotive technology, tank design and armored warfare tactics. Only the Russians, now ruled by a communist dictatorship, produced a lot of new tank designs. The World War I peace treaty limited the size of the German military and banned Germany from having tanks. That did not stop the Germans from developing new armored warfare tactics. For a while the Russians allowed the Germans to observe Russian tank developments. The Germans noted that the Russians were developing all sorts of tank designs, often using new American automotive and tracked vehicle tech. The Americans continued using World War I tanks into the 1930 because military budgets were small, especially during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

When World War II broke out in 1939 America quickly mobilized and eventually produced more tanks and warplanes than anyone else. By 1939 the Russians finally ended seven years of border battles with the Japanese in Mongolia by defeating the Japanese with mechanized units featuring lots of light tanks. Because of this impressive Russian performance, Japan decided to stay out of any further fighting with the Russians. That lasted until Germany was defeated by the Western allies and Russia in 1945. Japanese armored vehicle design and tank warfare tactics had not developed much before or during World War II. Japanese forces in China were quickly defeated by the Russians while the Americans used their huge navy and new atomic weapons to force the Japanese to surrender, something that was previously unthinkable to the Japanese.

Between 1939 and 1943 the Germans conquered most of European Russia using increasingly inferior, compared to the new Russian tanks, mobile forces. From 1943 to 1945 the Germans were on the defensive. Germany developed superior tanks like the Panther and Tiger, but not enough to offset the larger allied and Russian tank forces.

At the end of World War II Russia was using a lot more T-34/85 tanks which were good enough to overwhelm the smaller number of superior German tanks. Britain and the United States never developed any outstanding tank designs during the war but, because the American out-produced everyone else, the allies always had more tanks in action, supported by more artillery, warplanes and much else. Both Russia and the Western allies used huge numbers of adequate tanks to defeat the smaller number of more effective German tanks.

During the subsequent Cold War (1947 to 1991) the Russians and Western allies never fought each other directly. By 1991 the Soviet Union had dissolved and a much smaller Russia ended up with most of the 50,000 tanks the Soviet army had. By then the Western allies, including West Germany, later reunited Germany, had developed superior tank technology and, for the first time in 2023, those Western tanks saw their first action against Russian forces in Ukraine. The Western M1, Leopard and Challenger tanks were operated by Ukrainians, who had earlier wiped out most of Russias modern tanks using modern anti-tank weapons. Ukraine had more than a thousand Russian-designed tanks but it was Ukrainian infantry armed with new anti-tank weapons, most of them from NATO countries, who really destroyed the larger and theoretically superior Russian tank force. After sixteen months of that the Ukrainians went on the offensive but not with a lot of Western tanks. There was a lot of Western artillery and other new weapons. The Russians were forced to fall back on older and still reliable defensive tactics using anti-tank mines, tank obstacles and a sense of desperation. This time, unlike World War II, the Russians were the invaders and unsuccessful ones at that during the first major war between Russia and Western weapons operated by Ukrainians. The war isnt over yet but the Russians are seeking ways to get out of Ukraine and from underneath the crippling economic sanctions imposed because they invaded Ukraine.

Modern Western tanks were a factor in the victory, but more as a threat than actual use in battle. That was because the Western tanks had already proved themselves in battle, but not a major war.

The M1 entered service in 1980 and 10,300 were built. The Leopard 2 followed in 1983 and 3,600 were built. Production of both these tanks sharply declined after the Cold War ended in 1991. At that point a lot of existing Leopard 2s were no longer needed and became a hot item in the second hand market. By 2010 secondhand Leopard 2s were hard to come by because so many had already been sold or scrapped.

Germany sold off or retired so many of its Leopard 2s that by 2017, when they sought to rebuild their tank force to face the new Russian threat, it found Turkey, Chile, Greece, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and Poland each had more operational Leopard 2 tanks than Germany. This odd situation was revealed in late 2017 when it was discovered that 53 of Germanys Leopard 2s were unavailable because they were undergoing upgrades and 86 were inoperable because of spare parts shortages. That meant Germany only had 95 Leopard 2 tanks that were combat ready. Thats 39 percent of the 244 Leopard 2s then operated by the German army.

This was all attributed to a 2015 program to expand and upgrade the German tank force. That involved taking 104 retired (in the 1990s) Leopard 2A4 tanks and putting them back into service after refurbishing the older tanks and upgrading them to the A7V standard. The 104 reactivated Leopard 2A7Vs did not begin arriving until 2019 and it will take until 2023 to complete the process. There may be further additions to the active tank force depending on how much of a threat Russia continues to pose.

Most Germans believed peace would last after the communist governments Russia had imposed on most East European nations after 1945 suddenly collapsed in 1989 followed by the Soviet Union dissolving in 1991. That marked the end of the Cold War. On top of that Germany was reunited in 1990 and the Russian-equipped East German military was largely scrapped. At that point the German Leopard 2 fleet shrank over 85 percent (from 2,000 to 225). Germany also retired over 2,200 Leopard 1s. Most of the retired Leopards were sold off or scrapped. But nearly a thousand Leopard 2s were put in storage just in case. Until 2014, Germany believed that those retired Leopard 2s would eventually be sold off or used for spare parts. A minority of Germans thought there was still a risk of a renewed Russian threat, so plans were made to keep upgrading Leopard 2s for foreign customers who were now operating most of the remaining Leopard 2s. Only 225 German Army Leopard 2s nominally remain in service.

Currently the American M1A2SEP and the Leopard 2A7V are the two most effective and numerous modern tanks. There are also the lighter 57-ton French LeClerc 2 and the 63-ton British Challenger 2. Both of these tanks were built in small numbers (about 400 each). German firm Rheinmetall won the billion-dollar contract to produce the Challenger 3, which is a major upgrade of Challenger 2, including a new turret and much improved 120mm gun. Sometimes superior tank designs can help win a war without ever fighting. There were also new developments in anti-tank weapons, including anti-tank mines. A new American anti-tank mine design not only damages the tracks but also sends a metal projective through the thinner bottom armored of tanks. As in the past, these mines remain the major threat to tanks and any advance involving tanks has to be led by armored mine-clearing vehicles.
Iranian influence on the Shia rebels is fading and many rebel factions call for some kind of peace deal and an end to a civil war that the rebels were losing. The war continues in part because this factionalism among the rebels is something that the government and Saudis are unable to address.

Ceasefire negotiations did have some positive results, in addition to the reduced fighting plus halts to Saudi airstrikes and rebel missile attacks into Saudi Arabia. Commercial passenger and cargo flights were resumed in rebel-controlled airports. In February aid shipments resumed through the Red Sea port of Hodeida for the first time since 2016 with the arrival of the first general cargo ship which unloaded followed by the arrival and unloading of two more. The cargo delivery was made possible by the ongoing peace talks between the government and the Shia rebels. Bringing general cargo in via Hodeida was cheaper for customers in the northwest than the previous use of the southern port of Aden. This required sending the cargo north by truck.

There is still some fighting in the usual war zones; Taiz province in the south and Marib in central Yemen. The fighting is less intense than in the past. The Saudis continue to negotiate directly with the Shia rebels in order to keep the peace on the Saudi border. Peace in the Shia rebel north is partly the result of exhaustion after eight years of fighting and not much to show for it. Down south the Yemen government controls 80 percent of Yemen but has to deal with separatist southerners and Islamic terrorists. The STC (South Transitional Council) and many government troops spent the ceasefire period going after Islamic terrorist groups AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) and ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in the south and east. A major reason for rebels agreeing to a ceasefire was a decline in Iranian support due to lack of funds plus unrest at home. The Iranian weapons, cash, advisors and smuggling network supercharged the Shia rebels, enabling them to keep fighting the more numerous and better armed force arrayed against them. Iran has been openly supporting the Shia rebels since 2014 and later admitted that less visible support had been supplied since 2011.

Eight years of civil war have revived the centuries old north-south divide. This was last mended in the 1990s. The possibility of a split has returned because the UAE (United Arab Emirates) has been in charge of security (and aid delivery) in the south since 2015 and supported formation of the STC. This group is composed of southern tribes that want autonomy but are willing to fight and defeat the Islamic terrorists as well as the Shia rebels. Aidarous al Zubaidi, the STC leader, is seen as more popular in the south than any government official. The Saudis and the UAE do not agree on dividing Yemen once more but for the moment it is more convenient to support the STC and its efforts to defeat the Iran-backed Shia rebels.

Information based on interceptions by American and other warships in the naval blockade of rebel-controlled coastlines indicates that Iranian smuggling of weapons to the rebels continues but at a lower intensity, and consists mainly of infantry weapons rather than cruise and ballistic missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are negotiating directly with the Iranians about the fighting in Yemen and how to reduce it. This is part of an effort, brokered by the Chinese, to improve relations between the Saudis and Iran and reduce the tensions in the Persian Gulf and Yemen.

Yemen was in bad shape economically before the civil war began in 2015. Since then, the situation has gotten much worse. There have been nearly 400,000 deaths, most of them caused by starvation and illness, not combat. The damage to infrastructure and lack of food led to an outbreak of cholera in 2016, which has made over two million people ill since then, killing about 4,000. Nearly fifteen percent of the population were driven from their homes. Nearly 20 million of the 24 million Yemenis have suffered hunger and/or poverty as a result of the war. Most Yemenis are exhausted by the years of privation and violence and are willing to accept peace on just about any terms. The currency is too expensive in terms of buying dollars, to import affordable goods. The rebels disrupted oil exports. These are small but account for most of the government budget.

June 24, 2023: In Saudi Arabia two Yemeni men were executed for planning terror attacks in Saudi Arabia and having already obtained weapons and explosives.

June 22, 2023: In the south (Ibb province) hundreds of uniformed and armed Shia rebels gathered and organized themselves into parade formation and held a parade. This was unexpected and seen as a morale building event that might encourage some of the locals to join Ibb province is northeast of Taiz province, another area where the rebels are still fighting and losing ground. The current truce has reduced the fighting to very low levels, apparently low enough to send hundreds of rebels to one location and hold an unannounced parade.

June 19, 2023: For the first time since 2015, Yemeni Shia flew to Saudi Arabia to take part in the annual Haj pilgrimage in the city where Islam was founded. Such travel from Yemen ceased in 2015 because the Iran-backed civil war included attacks on Saudi Arabia.

June 11, 2023: In the south (Shabwa province) al Qaeda Islamic terrorists ambushed and killed two soldiers. Two of the attackers were wounded. This part of Yemen still harbors some al Qaeda groups, the main one being AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula). There are also some ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) factions as well but ISIL is not tolerated anywhere in Yemen.

May 25, 2023: At the prompting of Iran, Yemen Shia rebels kidnapped 17 members of the Bahai religion who were among the 2,000 living in the capital Sanaa. The Bahai movement began in Iran during the 19th century and believed in the goodness in all religions. Since then, they have been persecuted in most Moslem majority nations as heretics. There are only about six million Bahai worldwide and their world headquarters is in Israel. Thats another reason for Iran to go after the Bahai.
ST. PAUL, MN and CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) top 10 finalists. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

This year's finalists - fourteen students ranging in age from 11-14 - identified an everyday problem in their community or the world and submitted a one- to two-minute video communicating the science behind their solution. An esteemed and diverse group of judges, including 3M scientists and leaders in education from across the country, evaluated entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness. The competition event will take place from October 9-10, 2023, at the 3M Innovation Center in Minneapolis.

"For 16 years, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has exemplified our belief in harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what's possible. The remarkable young innovators of this competition share our determination to help shape a brighter future." said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. "By asking students to think creatively and apply the power of science to everyday problems, incredible solutions and leaders arise."

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists include students from public and private schools across the U.S. Each finalist will be evaluated on a series of challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of America's Top Young Scientist.

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Heman Bekele , Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools

, Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools Anisha Dhoot , Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48J

, Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48J Ishaan Iyer , Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School District

, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School District Sean Jiang , Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, Private

, Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, Private Shripriya Kalbhavi , San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District

, San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District Annie Katz , New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, Private

, New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, Private Anish Kosaraju , Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School District

, Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School District Adhip Maitra , Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School District

, Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School District Shruti Sivaraman , Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District

, Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District Sarah Wang, Andover, Mass., The Pike School, Independent

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

"What a delight it is to see these incredible young innovators recognized for their hard work. The 2023 finalists showcase the power of innovation with projects spanning an array of fascinating scientific topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We cannot wait to see your ideas come to life!" 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: [email protected]

Grace Maliska

Discovery Education

Email: [email protected]





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: [email protected]

SOURCE: Discovery Education

View source version on accesswire.com:
ST. PAUL, MN and CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) top 10 finalists. As the nation's premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

Originally published on 3M News Center

This year's finalists - fourteen students ranging in age from 11-14 - identified an everyday problem in their community or the world and submitted a one- to two-minute video communicating the science behind their solution. An esteemed and diverse group of judges, including 3M scientists and leaders in education from across the country, evaluated entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness. The competition event will take place from October 9-10, 2023, at the 3M Innovation Center in Minneapolis.

"For 16 years, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has exemplified our belief in harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what's possible. The remarkable young innovators of this competition share our determination to help shape a brighter future." said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. "By asking students to think creatively and apply the power of science to everyday problems, incredible solutions and leaders arise."

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists include students from public and private schools across the U.S. Each finalist will be evaluated on a series of challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation. Each challenge will be scored independently by a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of America's Top Young Scientist.

The top 10 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Heman Bekele , Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools

, Annandale, Va., Frost Middle School, Fairfax County Public Schools Anisha Dhoot , Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48J

, Portland, Ore., Stoller Middle School, Beaverton School District 48J Ishaan Iyer , Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School District

, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Perdew Elementary, Etiwanda School District Sean Jiang , Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, Private

, Baltimore, Md., Gilman School, Private Shripriya Kalbhavi , San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District

, San Jose, Calif., Joaquin Miller Middle School, Cupertino Union School District Annie Katz , New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, Private

, New Rochelle, N.Y., Leffell School, Private Anish Kosaraju , Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School District

, Saratoga, Calif., The Harker School, Campbell Union High School District Adhip Maitra , Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School District

, Oviedo, Fla., Jackson Heights Middle School, Seminole County School District Shruti Sivaraman , Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District

, Austin, Texas, Canyon Vista Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District Sarah Wang, Andover, Mass., The Pike School, Independent

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

"What a delight it is to see these incredible young innovators recognized for their hard work. The 2023 finalists showcase the power of innovation with projects spanning an array of fascinating scientific topics like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. We cannot wait to see your ideas come to life!" 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.

SOURCE 3M

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from 3M on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: 3M

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3m

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: 3M

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U.S. Manufacturer to Offer On-Site Color Coating with Acquisition of JonMandy Corp.

MOUNT VERNON, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) has added in-house color painting capability to its repertoire of options for chain products and component parts, following the acquisition of Torrington, CT-based JonMandy Corporation. Expanding its paint coating services is part of Ball Chain's renewed commitment to product innovation and product development. This strategic acquisition will enable Ball Chain to oversee production of custom color-coated ball chains and component parts, which were previously painted off-site. Color-coated chain products are particularly popular for use in crafting, key chains, fishing tackle, roller shade pulls, ceiling fan pulls, jewelry, and more.

"We were thrilled to purchase JonMandy Corp., one of our longtime, trusted business partners and another family-owned and -operated U.S. business. Under President Donald Nardozzi's leadership, JonMandy painted large quantities of our ball chain and components for decades. Our Mount Vernon, New York, manufacturing team is thrilled to focus on increasing options for our customers, as we look to the future. Adding JonMandy's complement of services underscores our commitment to U.S. manufacturing and adding local jobs. We are truly excited to offer our customers new color options that will help increase customer satisfaction and drive sales. We look forward to adding new options to our website and boosting our marketing efforts." - Bill Taubner, President, Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Founded in 1993, JonMandy Corp. has 30 years of experience in the tumble spray process of painting eyelets, pop rivets, small parts, and bulk. The Connecticut-based company was primarily engaged in performing painting applications for the trade. As the first company of its kind to provide ball chains with a long-lasting durable, non-chipping surface, Ball Chain successfully pivoted during the pandemic with the formation of Bona Fide Masks Corp. to help address the shortage of PPE. Bona Fide Masks has grown to be one of the country's most trusted suppliers of authentic masks and related products. Ball Chain is now redoubling its efforts with respect to on-site manufacturing and related services offerings, such as painting and enameling.

More about Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.:

Family-owned and -operated since 1938, Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) is the only major U.S. manufacturer of metal ball chain and attachments. The company's ball chain is featured in window roller shades, light fixtures, plumbing devices, keychains and jewelry items. Ball Chain manufactures more than 4 million feet of product per week at its Mount Vernon, New York factory (all ball chains are made in the USA). It is the exclusive supplier to the U.S. military for the iconic dog tag ID necklace worn by U.S. servicemen and women. Ball Chain designs and fabricates innovative products while providing exemplary customer service. After entering the interior design market with ShimmerScreen decorative metal curtains, the company further diversified its offerings with the launch of LogoTags, a promotional products division. Ball Chain is proud of its commitment to the American workforce and the environment. The company has earned industry recognition for its responsible business practices, including "green business" certification from the Green Business Bureau (GBB) and certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

https://WWW.BALLCHAIN.COM

Company Address:

Ball Chain Mfg. Co. Inc.

741 South Fulton Avenue

Mount Vernon, NY 10550

Contact Information

Bill Taubner

President

[email protected]

914.664.7500

Priti Patel

Director of Marketing

[email protected]

914.664.7500

SOURCE: Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Gen

Gen Blog | Community

By Kim Allman | Head of Corporate Responsibility and Government Affairs

This month, the Gen" family of brands, including Norton, Avast and more, joins millions around the world recognizing Pride month. This is a time to memorialize the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and those who have lost their lives due to hate crimes, commemorate the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on our collective history, celebrate the progress made in the fight for equality and reaffirm our commitment to support LGBTQ+ rights.

Gen + The Trevor Project

We are excited to announce our new partnership with The Trevor Project, the leading organization working to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. and beyond. The nonprofit operates several programs to help prevent and respond to the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, who are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying.

According to the most recent data from the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than half of LGBTQ+-identifying students have experienced cyberbullying at some point during their lifetimes. In addition, the CDC's annual Youth Risk Behavior survey has consistently found that queer students, including transgender and non-binary students, are more than twice as likely than their heterosexual peers to be bullied online.

To combat these trends, Gen is teaming up with The Trevor Project to bolster the organization's TrevorSpace platform, an affirming online community for 400,000 LGBTQ+ young people to safely share interests and make connections. Gen is also supporting the creation of an educational resource that speaks to how LGBTQ+ young people can stay safe online and how we can all promote more inclusive and welcoming digital spaces. We look forward to providing more details on this initiative over the next year.

Gen Team Pride Month Activations

During Pride month, Gen will co-host an employee Lunch & Learn with our PROUD employee resource group (ERG) and The Trevor Project. Gen teams will learn more about the urgency of The Trevor Project's mission, get access to the latest data and insights on LGBTQ+ mental health and hear more about how support and affirmation for the LGBTQ+ community is crucial year-round.

Gen and PROUD will also host our third annual all-employee virtual Pride Parade, featuring a guest speaker from The Trevor Project.

Additionally, PROUD plans to offer a TED Talk discussion while WONDER, our women-focused ERG, is running an #IamRemarkable workshop on intersectionality.

The Social Impact team has set up an #AllInThisTogether Pride Challenge in our Giving Hub, hosted by Benevity, so that employees can learn, share and participate by taking actions each week to support LGBTQ+ people at Gen and in our community during Pride Month. Employees that complete the challenge will receive a reward to donate to their favorite cause. Employees will also get the chance to learn more about our corporate nonprofit partners - The Trevor Project, Out & Equal, and The Pride Forum in Czechia - and give to these and other causes supporting LGBTQ+ communities and vetted by our PROUD ERG.

These June activations are complemented by two recent employee training co-hosted with Out & Equal. The organization is renowned for its work to make the world's workplaces as inclusive as possible for LGBTQ+ professionals. Out & Equal provided resources at the Nonbinary & Beyond training focused on pronoun usage and other nonbinary allyship topics. An additional training, on Intersectional Allyship at Work, took place to help employees develop a greater understanding of their own dimensions of diversity, learn what "intersectionality" is and expand their own capacity for allyship, through interactive and dynamic group exercises.

While we are happy to be celebrating Pride this June, we focus on equality year-round at Gen. We will continue to partner with high-impact nonprofits and will work within our own company walls to promote LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Gen on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Gen

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gen

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Gen

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POSITIVE PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY AT THE DOROPO GOLD PROJECT

Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") work underway assessing upside opportunities

PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Centamin ("Centamin" or "the Company") (LSE:CEY)(TSX:CEE) is pleased to provide the outcomes of the pre-feasibility study ("PFS") at its Doropo Gold Project ("Doropo") located in north-eastern Cte d'Ivoire, including maiden Mineral Reserves estimate, detailed project parameters and economics, with identified upside opportunities for evaluation during the definitive feasibility study ("DFS").

MARTIN HORGAN, CEO, commented: "The results from the Doropo PFS demonstrate an economically robust project that meets Centamin's hurdle rates to proceed with a definitive feasibility study. A life of mine average production rate of approximately 175kozpa at US$1,000/oz AISC over 10 years delivering an IRR of 26% at a gold price of US$1,600/oz in a well-established mining jurisdiction represents an excellent outcome. We have identified opportunities to further optimise the project which will be assessed as part of the DFS which is scheduled for completion in mid-2024. A substantial part of the DFS fieldwork has already been completed in 2023 which derisks the timeline to completion and further confirms our faith in the potential of Doropo to support a commercially viable project which will bring significant investment and job creation to northeastern Cote d'Ivoire."

HIGHLIGHTS[1]

 Maiden Mineral Reserve Estimate of 1.87 million ounces ("Moz") of Probable Mineral Reserves, at an average grade of 1.44 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"), supporting a 10-year life of mine ("LOM")

 Average annual gold production of 173koz over the LOM, with an average of 210koz in the first five years

 All-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of US$1,017 per ounce ("/oz") sold over the LOM, with an average AISC of US$963/oz for the first five years

 The mine plan assumes conventional open pit mining of a sequence of shallow pits

 Mineral processing via a 4.0 to 5.5 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") semi-autogenous grinding ("SAG") mill, ball mill and crusher ("SABC") circuit, and conventional carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit for an average LOM gold metallurgical recovery rate of 92%

 Total construction capital expenditure ("capex") of US$349 million, inclusive of a 10% contingency, with a 2.3 year payback[2] at a US$1,600/oz gold price

 Robust economics with a post-tax net present value of US$330 million and internal rate of return ("IRR") of 26%, using 5% discount rate ("NPV 5% ") and US$1,600/oz gold price (Discount rate and gold price sensitivity table available below)

 Definitive feasibility study ("DFS") and environmental and social impact assessment ("ESIA") completion expected in H1 2024 ahead of mining license submission deadline

 Upside opportunities identified for potential resource and reserve growth and improvements to capital and operating expenditure estimates

 The Company will host a webcast presentation of the Doropo project with the interim financial results on Wednesday, 26 July at 08.30 BST (UK time)



 Link to print-friendly version of the announcement including PFS cash flow summary table

PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY

Units Years 1-5 LOM PHYSICALS Mine life Years 5 10 Total ore processed kt 22,138 40,554 Strip ratio w:o 3.9 4.1 Feed grade processed g/t Au 1.59 1.44 Gold recovery % 92.6% 92.4% Total gold production koz 1,048 1,729 PRODUCTION & COSTS Annual gold production oz 210 173 Cash costs US$/oz 813 869 AISC US$/oz 963 1,017 PROJECT ECONOMICS (post-tax and at US$1,600/oz) Construction capital expenditure US$m 349 Cash flow US$m 526 NPV 5% US$m 330 IRR % 26% Payback period years 2.3

POST-TAX NET PRESENT VALUE (US$M) SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Gold price Discount rate US$1,500/oz US$1,600/oz US$1,700/oz US$1,800/oz US$1,900/oz US$2,000/oz 5% 248 330 428 526 624 701 6% 222 300 393 486 579 652 7% 198 272 360 448 536 606 8% 176 247 330 414 497 563 9% 156 223 302 382 461 524 10% 137 201 276 352 428 487

PROJECT CASH FLOW SUMMARY: link

WEBCAST PRESENTATION

The Company will host a webcast presentation with the interim results on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 at 08.30 BST to discuss the results and Doropo Gold Project, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

Webcast link: https://www.investis-live.com/centamin/64632d444170900d004d0607/lubo



PRINT-FRIENDLY VERSION of the announcement: www.centamin.com/media/companynews.

DOROPO GOLD PROJECT PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY

OVERVIEW

The Doropo Gold Project is in the northeast of Cote d'Ivoire, situated in the north-eastern Bounkani region between the Comoe National Park and the international border with Burkina Faso, 480km north of the capital Abidjan and 50km north of the city of Bouna.

The license holding is currently 1,847 km2 and covers thirteen gold deposits, named Souwa, Nokpa, Chegue Main, Chegue South, Tchouahinin, Kekeda, Han, Enioda, Hinda, Nare, Kilosegui, Attire and Vako. Approximately 85% of the gold deposits are concentrated within a 7km radius ("Main Resource Cluster"), with Vako and Kilosegui deposits located within an approximate 15km and 30km radius, respectively.

Geologically, Doropo lies entirely within the Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite domain, bounded on the eastern side by the Boromo-Batie greenstone belt, in Burkina Faso, and by the Tehini-Hounde greenstone belt on the west.

MINERAL RESOURCES AND RESERVES

The PFS is based on the 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate for Doropo published in November 2022 (link to regulatory announcement here). The maiden Mineral Reserve estimate has converted 74% of Mineral Resource ounces to Mineral Reserves.

There is potential for additional resource conversion and further resource growth. Several exploration targets have been identified across the license holding which have the potential to increase the resource and reserve base.

Detailed Mineral Resource and Reserve notes can be found within the Endnotes.

Jun-23 Tonnage (Mt) Grade

(g/t) Gold Content (Moz) MINERAL RESERVES Proven - - - Probable 40.55 1.44 1.87 P&P Reserves 40.55 1.44 1.87 MINERAL RESOURCES (including reserves) Measured - - - Indicated 51.51 1.52 2.52 M+I Resources 51.51 1.52 2.52 Inferred 13.67 1.14 0.5

MINING

 11 years of mining operations, including pre-commercial works

 LOM 4.1x strip ratio (waste to ore)

 24 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") peak total material movement

The relatively shallow deposits will be mined using a conventional drill, blast, load and haul open pit operation. The basis for the PFS is a contract mining operation, delivering up to 5.4 Mtpa of ore to the run of mine ("ROM") pad and stockpiles annually, with variation based on the location and the combination of oxide, transition and fresh ore mined. The project plans to mine 41Mt of ore to be fed into the process plant and 166Mt of waste over the life of mine.

PROCESSING

 Free milling gold leads to conventional closed SAG/ball mill and CIL flowsheet

 Mill capacity 5.5Mtpa (oxide/transition ore), 4.0Mtpa (fresh ore)

 Averaging 92% gold recovery over the LOM

Flowsheet development has been supported by extensive metallurgical test work at the PFS stage. The results showed high gold extractions and low reagent consumption results in most fresh rock master composites tested and excellent gold extraction in oxide and transitional master composite samples. As a result the flowsheet has been simplified by removing the pyrite flotation, ultrafine grind circuit and subsequent flotation concentrate leaching circuits which were assumed in the 2021 preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") flowsheet.

Processing at Doropo will involve primary crushing and grinding of the mined ore, using SAG and ball mills in closed circuits to a target grind size (P 80 ) of 75 microns (m) for fresh ore and 106 m for oxide and transition ore. A gravity circuit will recover any native/free gold, before entering the carbon-in-leach ("CIL") circuit. After which the gold will be recovered by an elution circuit, using electrowinning and gold smelting to recover gold from the loaded carbon to produce dore.

INFRASTRUCTURE

 Access to 90kV national grid for the Doropo project power provision

 Tailings storage facility ("TSF") will be fully geomembrane lined and the embankment will be built using the downstream construction method

Knight Piesold Consulting, the global mining services specialists, carried out a PFS of the site infrastructure for Doropo includingTSFa, water storage/harvest dam, airstrip and haul access road.

The TSF was designed in accordance with Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management ("GISTM") and Australian National Committee on Large Dams ("ANCOLD") guidelines. The TSF will be fully lined with a geomembrane liner and constructed by the downstream construction method with annual raises to suit storage requirements. The TSF is designed to have a final capacity of 29Mm or 41Mt of dry tails and will cover a total footprint area (including the basin area) of approximately 346 hectares for the final stage facility.

The power supply for the project will use the Cote d'Ivoire national grid, this offers a cost and potential carbon saving relative to other options including self-generation as the tariff is based on a mix of hydro and thermal generation with a large portion of hydroelectric.The proposed power supply solution for the project is via the existing Bouna Substation which is approximately 55km southeast of Doropo.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

The Company has established engagement forums with local communities and authorities at Doropo through the PFS phase and consulted with project affected communities on impact management and mitigation measures.

The project baseline ESIA was prepared by Earth Systems and H&B Consulting working in conjunction with Centamin. Early development of the baseline ESIA information has allowed its incorporation into the PFS design and decision-making process. The baseline studies indicate 2,000 to 3,000 people may require physical resettlement and up to 5,000 hectares of agricultural land could be impacted by the project development.ThePFS plans for a staged approach to project development, mining sequencing and therefore Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP"), with progressive rehabilitation to help minimise community and physical impacts as resettlement and livelihood restoration outcomes are a key factor for project success.

The project provides a valuable opportunity to boost local social development and regional infrastructure with a commitment to invest 0.5% of project revenues into a social development fund, and through local job creation.

The outer extent of the Doropo project is 7.5km from the Comoe National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Doropois being designed to avoid adverse impacts to the park and its biodiversity, including assessing the opportunity to create a 'buffer-zone' to further safeguard the natural area.

The full ESIA work programme is now underway to support formal mining licence application in 2024 and the inform the DFS work programmes.

COSTS

Operating Costs

Operating cost estimates for mining have been prepared by the consultant Orelogy, through a competitive bid process. Contract mining has been selected as the basis for all the open pit mining activities managed by Centamin's operation team. Cost estimates for processing and general and administration ("G&A") costs were prepared by Lycopodium with input from Centamin. Key input costs used are a delivered diesel price of $1.00 per litre, and power costs of $0.113/kwh, down from the PEA cost of $0.159/kwh due to the ability to utilise grid power versus on-site power generation.

LOM Average Costs

Area Unit Cost Mining US$/t mined 4.1 Processing US$/t processed 12.9 G&A US$/t processed 3.5

Capital Costs

 Total up-front construction capital costs of US$349 million, including US$34 million in contingency

 LOM sustaining capital costs of US$110 million, including closure costs

The below table is an estimate of the initial construction capex prepared by Lycopodium and Knight Piesold. Centamin provided the Owner Project Cost.

Construction Capital Estimate US$m Construction distributable 26 Treatment plant costs 99 Reagents & plant services 18 Infrastructure 73 Mining 19 Management costs 27 Owner project costs 54 Total excl. Contingency 315 Contingency 34 TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CAPEX 349

The below table is an estimate of ongoing capital commitments to sustain operations over the LOM, as well as closure and rehabilitation costs. It uses input from Knight Piesold as well as closure estimates based on similar operations.

Sustaining Capital Estimate US$m Sustaining capital expenditure 80 Closure and rehabilitation 30 TOTAL SUSTAINING CAPEX 110

OWNERSHIP, PERMITTING, TAXES AND ROYALTIES

 Financial modelling based on current Ivorian mining code and tax regime

 Sliding scale royalties between 3%-6% depending on the gold price

 Social development fund royalty of 0.5%

The Doropo project is contained within the current exploration permits that were granted to Centamin's 100% owned subsidiaries, Ampella Mining Cote d'Ivoire and Ampella Mining Exploration Cote d'Ivoire.

Under the current Ivorian mining code, mining permits are subject to a 10% government free-carry ownership interest. However, for the purpose of the PFS project evaluation and disclosures included within this document, the cash flow model is reflected on a 100% project basis.

The financial model has assumed the corporate tax ("CIT") rate of 25% for the LOM, adjusted for a 75% rebate on CIT for the first commercial year of production and 50% rebate on CIT for the second year of commercial production, as per the mining code. The full 25% CIT rate is applied thereafter. The project benefits from a VAT and import duties exemption during the construction phase and until first production.

Royalties are applied to gross sales revenue, after deductions for transport and refining costs and penalties on a sliding scale depending on gold price. Please refer to the table below:

Spot Gold Price (US$/oz) Applicable Royalty Rate 3.00% 1,000 - 1,300 3.50% 1,300 - 1,600 4.00% 1,600 - 2,000 5.00% >2,000 6.00%

The project will support local development through the payment of a social fund royalty of 0.5% of gross sales revenue.

PROJECT TIMELINE

 Submit mining license application by the middle of 2024

 Final commissioning two years from final investment decision (T=0)

NEXT STEPS

The Company completed a high-level of detailed work during the PFS stage, to de-risk and expedite the delivery of the DFS and meet the mining licence application deadline.

The 2023 Doropo budget remains unchanged and on track at US$23 million, of which US$13.2 million has been spent year to 31 May 2023 primarily on drilling and ESIA baseline study work.

DFS work programmes are underway:

 Drilling: To take advantage of the favourable drilling conditions during the dry season, the DFS drilling programme was prioritised and is 94% complete. To date 64,922 metres have been drilled, costing US$6.1 million:

o 39,649 metres of reverse circulation ("RC") resource infill drilling

o 4,096 metres of diamond drill ("DD") resource infill drilling

o 14,708 metres of RC grade control drilling

o 5,650 metres of DD metallurgical drilling

o 818 metres of DD geotechnical drilling

o The remaining 4,000 to 4,500 metres of drilling to do will be split between some geotechnical drilling, and infill and twin hole drilling at the Vako and Sanboyoro deposits.

 ESIA: Data collection for the ESIA and RAP is underway, including and not limited to extensive public consultation with our local stakeholders. Completion of the draft report is targeted by the end of 2023 for submission to the Ivorian authorities for approval and permitting.

 Desktop and laboratory work programmes, including but not limited to, metallurgical test work to establish grade recovery curves and optimise reagent consumption. Continued geological and hydrological work such as structural interpretation and domaining, refining lithology models, groundwater modelling and geotechnical testing of the main lithologies.

PROJECT UPSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

 Resource upgrade: there are Inferred Mineral Resources situated both outside and within the current pit shells. With additional drilling and metallurgical test work, these resources could support conversion of some of the material into Indicated Mineral Resources which can then be converted into reserves for evaluation and inclusion in the DFS.

o Potential extensions to mineralisation at the Han, Kekeda and Atirre deposits within the Main Resource Cluster

o Potential at depth where the Souwa mineralised structure (which dips north-west) intersects the trending Nokpa mineralised zone

 Additional mineralisation from target areas, systematic surface exploration work has identified multiple exploration targets (gold-in-soil/auger anomalies) across the project footprint. Some targets have been drill tested and warrant further development work, whilst others remain untested. These have the potential to provide resource growth which could be supported by a Mineral Resource Estimation and provide upside potential to the current mine life. Some of the drilling results could be incorporated in the DFS resource update, otherwise, further brownfields exploration will be undertaken during the life of mine.

o At Kilosegui, mineralisation remains open along strike in both directions from the mineral resource area, indicated by gold-in-soil and sample auger geochemical anomalies. In addition, there is a second short parallel structure evident from soil and auger sampling on the south side of the Kilosegui resource area.

o Untested soil anomalies in the Vako-Sanboyoro area 10-15km west of the Main Resource Cluster

o Untested soil anomalies to the North and to the South of the Main Resource Cluster

 Operational cost-saving opportunities

o Further pit optimisation and evaluation of owner-mining, instead of contract-mining, given the Company's extensive operating experience at the Sukari Gold Mine in Egypt.

o Further processing optimisation, including evaluation of the comminution parameters and reagent consumption

 Construction cost-saving opportunities by increasing in-house project execution versus the use of engineering, procurement and construction management contractors.

 Environmental and social opportunities to minimise the requirement for physical community resettlement through the DFS and ESIA workstreams.

ENDNOTES

Investors should be aware that the figures stated are estimates and no assurances can be given that the stated quantities of metal will be produced.

MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RESERVE NOTES

Mineral Resource Notes

 Mineral Resource Estimates contained in this document are based on available data as at 25 October 2022.

 The gold grade estimation method is Localised Uniform Conditioning.

 The rounding of tonnage and grade figures has resulted in some columns showing relatively minor discrepancies in sum totals.

 All Mineral Resource Estimates have been determined and reported in accordance with NI 43-101 and the classification adopted by the CIM.

 A cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t gold is used for reporting as it is believed that the majority of the reported resources can be mined at that grade.

 The Mineral Resource cut-off grade of 0.5g/t was established prior to the PFS study, confirming the economic viability of a smaller portion of lower-grade oxide resources. As Centamin proceeds with the DFS, a review and revision of the Mineral Resource cut-off grades for oxide resources will be conducted.

 Pit optimisations based on a US$2,000/oz gold price were used to constrain the 2022 Mineral Resource and were generated by Orelogy Mine Consultants.

 This Updated Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Michael Millad of Cube Consulting Pty Ltd who is the Qualified Person for the estimate.

 This Updated Mineral Resources Estimate is not expected to be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues.

Mineral Reserve Notes

 The Mineral Reserves were estimated for the Doropo Gold Project as part of this PFS by Orelogy Mine Consulting.

 The total Probable Mineral Reserve is estimated at 40.6 Mt at 1.44 g/t Au with a contained gold content of 1.87Moz.

 The Mineral Reserve is reported according to CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM, 2014).

 The mine design and associated Mineral Reserve estimate for the Doropo Gold Project is based on Mineral Resource classified as Indicated from the Cube Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) with an effective date of 25 October 2022.

 Open pit optimizations were run in Whittle 4X using a US$1,500/oz gold price to define the geometry of the economic open pit shapes.

 Mining costs were derived from submissions from mining contractors to a Request for Budget Pricing. Other modifying factors such as processing operating costs and performance, general and administrative overheads, project capital and royalties were provided by Centamin.

 Ore block grade and tonnage dilution was incorporated into the model.

 All figures are rounded to reflect appropriate levels of confidence.

 Apparent differences may occur due to rounding.

 The Mineral Reserve was evaluated using variable cut-off grades of 0.39 to 0.71g/t Au depending on mining area and weathering as detailed in the table below:

Mining Area Unit Weathered Fresh Souwa / Nokpa / Chegue Main & South g/t Au 0.39 0.6 Enioda g/t Au 0.44 0.66 Han g/t Au 0.43 0.64 Kekeda g/t Au 0.42 0.63 Kilosegui g/t Au 0.5 0.71

QUALIFIED PERSONS

A "Qualified Person" is as defined by the National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The named Qualified Person(s) have verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in this announcement in accordance with standards appropriate to their qualifications. Each Qualified Person consents to the inclusion of the information in this document in the form and context in which it appears.

Information of a scientific or technical nature in this document, including but not limited to the Mineral Resource estimates, was prepared by and under the supervision of the Centamin Qualified Persons, Howard Bills, Centamin Group Exploration Manager, and Craig Barker, Centamin Group Mineral Resource Manager, in addition to the below independent Qualified Persons.

The following table includes the respective independent Qualified Persons, who have the sign-off responsibilities of the final NI 43-101 Technical Report. All are experts in their relevant disciplines who fulfil the requirements of being a "Qualified Person(s)" under the CIM Definition Standards.

Author(s) Company Discipline Michael Millad Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Stephan Buys Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design and operating estimate Ross Cheyne Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods David Morgan Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design

Independent Technical Consultants

The following table includes the consultant companies that contributed to the Centamin PFS report:

Company Discipline Cube Consulting Mineral Resource estimate and geology Earth Systems Environment and social studies ECG Consulting Power supply and distribution Knight Piesold Consulting Project infrastructure design Lycopodium Minerals Metallurgy, process design, capital and operating estimate Orelogy Consulting Reserve estimate and mining methods SRK Consulting Open pit geotechnical design TetraTech (Piteau Associates) Hydrology, hydrogeology, geochemical studies

ABOUT CENTAMIN

Centamin is an established gold producer, with premium listings on the London Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company's flagship asset is the Sukari Gold Mine ("Sukari"), Egypt's largest and first modern gold mine, as well as one of the world's largest producing mines. Since production began in 2009 Sukari has produced over 5 million ounces of gold, and today has 6.0Moz in gold Mineral Reserves. Through its large portfolio of exploration assets in Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire, Centamin is advancing an active pipeline of future growth prospects, including the Doropo project in Cote d'Ivoire, and has over 3,000km2 of highly prospective exploration ground in Egypt's Nubian Shield.

Centamin recognises its responsibility to deliver operational and financial performance and create lasting mutual benefit for all stakeholders through good corporate citizenship, including but not limited to in 2022, achieving new safety records; commissioning of the largest hybrid solar farm for a gold mine; sustaining a +95% Egyptian workforce; and, a +60% Egyptian supply chain at Sukari.

FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit the website www.centamin.com or contact:

Centamin plc Alexandra Barter-Carse, Head of Corporate Communications

[email protected] FTI Consulting Ben Brewerton / Sara Powell / Nick Hennis

+442037271000

[email protected]



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement (including information incorporated by reference) contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements with respect to future financial or operating performance. Such statements include "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlook" with respect to prospective financial performance, financial position, EBITDA, cash flows and other financial metrics that are based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes", "expects", "expected", "budgeted", "forecasts" and "anticipates" and include production outlook, operating schedules, production profiles, expansion and expansion plans, efficiency gains, production and cost guidance, capital expenditure outlook, exploration spend and other mine plans. Although Centamin believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Centamin can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections of the management of Centamin about future events and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition, there are a number of factors that could cause actual results, performance, achievements or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements; the risks and uncertainties associated with direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19 or other pandemic, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the results of exploration activities and feasibility studies; assumptions in economic evaluations which prove to be inaccurate; currency fluctuations; changes in project parameters; future prices of gold and other metals; possible variations of ore grade or recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; climatic conditions; political instability; decisions and regulatory changes enacted by governmental authorities; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or completing development or construction activities; and discovery of archaeological ruins. Financial outlook and future-ordinated financial information contained in this news release is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook or future-ordinated financial information contained or referenced herein may not be appropriate and should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments at the date hereof, and represent, to the best of management's knowledge and opinion, the Company's expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements, particularly in light of the current economic climate and the significant volatility, the risks and uncertainties associated with the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

LEI: 213800PDI9G7OUKLPV84

Company No: 109180

[1] 100% project basis, NPV calculated as of the commencement of construction and excludes all pre-construction costs

[2] Payback calculated from the commencement of commercial production

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Centamin PLC

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / The Chemours Company:

Chemours recently released its sixth annual Sustainability Report, outlining the company's progress toward meeting its ESG targets. The report showcases the company's global commitment and collective determination to responsible manufacturing of essential chemistries and significant-often industry-leading-progress toward its goals.

Titled "Essential. Responsible. Chemistry.," the report illustrates how Chemours brings to life its commitment to making chemistry as responsible as it is essential through environmental leadership, sustainable innovation and community impact while striving to be the greatest place to work for all its employees.

"At Chemours, sustainability is central to everything we do," said Mark Newman, President and CEO of Chemours. "That includes the products we make. While our chemistries are integral to everyday life and technologies enabling a new, green economy-from clean hydrogen and electric vehicles to advanced electronics and durable infrastructure, and so much more-they must also come with an unwavering commitment to responsible manufacturing. I'm incredibly proud of the collective effort of our teams, who have embraced Chemours' vision to create a better world through the power of chemistry."

"To us, making our chemistry as responsible as it is essential means setting ambitious goals to back our innovative chemistries with responsible manufacturing, strict emissions control, and a focus on improving end-of-life management," said Dr. Amber Wellman, Chief Sustainability Officer at Chemours. "We're proud of the incredible progress we've made toward our goals, reaffirming our ongoing support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and continuing to challenge ourselves to achieve more, going beyond what's required to do what's right."

Select report highlights from the company's 2022 operations include:

Achieved an overall 30% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2018-reaching the halfway point of our 2030 goal.

Reached a 53% reduction in total process fluorinated organic chemical (FOC) emissions to air and water since 2018-surpassing the halfway point to our 2030 goal of a 99% reduction.

Realized approximately 48% of revenue from offerings that make a specific contribution to the UN SDGs.

Committed 36% of our $50 million investment in STEM, safety, and environmental initiatives across our local communities.

Surpassed our Sustainable Supply Chain goal having assessed sustainability performance of 90% of our suppliers by 2022.

Committed to setting official Scope 1, 2, and 3 science-based targets for approval by the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Recognized as a "3+" Company by 50/50 Women on Boards" (50/50WOB), a global education and advocacy campaign driving gender balance and diversity on corporate boards.

Read Chemours' full 2022 Sustainability Report.

Media Contacts:

INVESTORS

Kurt Bonner,

Manager, Investor Relations

+1.302.773.0026

[email protected]



NEWS MEDIA

Thom Sueta

Director, Corporate Communications

+1.302.773.3903

[email protected]

About Chemours

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and consumer electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Ti-Pure", Opteon", Freon", Teflon", Viton", Nafion", and Krytox". The company has approximately 6,600 employees and 29 manufacturing sites serving approximately 2,900 customers in approximately 120 countries. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC.

For more information, we invite you to visit chemours.com or follow us on Twitter @Chemours and LinkedIn.

Read More

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Chemours Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Chemours Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-company

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: The Chemours Company

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / CNH Industrial

Meet Barry Palmer, Secretary of the Canvey Bay Watch in the United Kingdom. They are part of a European Beach Care initiative wherein CNH Industrial, through its CASE Construction Equipment brand, works to keep some of the EU's coastlines clean.

The Beach Care Project raises awareness of the damaging impact plastic has on the marine environment, promotes the preservation of beach ecosystems and organizes beach clean-up operations. The video takes you to France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, showing how the multi-generational project has inspired young children right though to retirees.

Hear from experts, including an ecologist, marine researcher, and coastguard, who explain the environmental, social, touristic, and economic importance of beaches.

This project further demonstrates CNH Industrial's commitment to sound, progressive environmental stewardship through concrete actions that deliver real results.

Go to bit.ly/BreakingNewGround_en to watch the film and discover more about how CNH Industrial is supporting local communities.

CNH Industrial supports coastline clean-up



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: CNH Industrial

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrial

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: CNH Industrial

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 26, 2023 / Electrovaya Inc. ("Electrovaya" or the "Company") (TSX:ELVA)(OTCQB: EFLVD), a leading lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing company, will be presenting at the 49th Annual Power Sources Conference .





Date: June 27-29, 2023

Location: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center; Fort Washington, MD

Event Details: The Power Sources Conference brings together members of the academic, government, industry, and military sectors to discuss energy and power technology developments, research findings, and use cases. Electrovaya is a Gold Sponsor for the event and will exhibit at Booth #504. Dr. Trevor Grant will deliver a presentation titled, "Advances on High Safety and Longevity Lithium-ion Batteries," during Session 1: Battery Safety / Quality / Testing on Tuesday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time in Ballroom #1.

Investor and Media Contact:

Jason Roy

Director, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Electrovaya Inc.

905-855-4618 / [email protected]

About Electrovaya Inc.

Electrovaya Inc. (TSX:ELVA) (OTCQB: EFLVD) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries without compromising energy and power. The Company has extensive IP and designs, develops and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Electrovaya has two operating sites in Canada and has acquired a 52-acre site with a 135,000 square foot manufacturing facility in New York state for its planned gigafactory. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com .

SOURCE: Electrovaya, Inc.

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The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 26, 2023. The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to deteriorate over the past three months despite a lull in armed clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) and government forces in North Kivu province, said Martha Pobee, UN assistant secretary-general for Africa, on Monday. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to deteriorate over the past three months despite a lull in armed clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) and government forces in North Kivu province, said Martha Pobee, UN assistant secretary-general for Africa, on Monday.

Thus far, the cease-fire between the M23 rebel group and government forces has relatively held and contributed to some security gains. However, the withdrawal of M23 from the occupied areas has been piecemeal, tactical and political. The M23 still controls a large part of the Masisi and Rutshuru territories as well as the movement of people and goods in those areas, she told the Security Council.

Moreover, the M23's offensive repositioning in recent weeks has raised fears that hostilities could flare up again at any moment. The M23 continues to create insecurity, reportedly killing at least 47 civilians in North Kivu over the recent period, she said.

Pobee welcomed the continued efforts of regional leaders to persuade the concerned parties to implement the decisions of the Luanda roadmap and the Nairobi process, and reiterated the readiness of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, to assist the Congolese authorities with the pre-cantonment and disarmament of the M23.

Last week, MONUSCO and the Congolese authorities undertook a reconnaissance mission at the Rumangabo base to assess the conditions for the pre-cantonment of the M23. For these efforts to bear fruit, it is urgent that the M23 withdraw completely from the occupied territories, lay down their arms unconditionally and join the demobilization, disarmament, community recovery and stabilization program, she said.

The relative security gains in North Kivu are unfortunately fragile and overshadowed by the deteriorating situation in neighboring Ituri province, said Pobee.

Ituri has suffered from the security vacuum created by the government forces' redeployment to North Kivu. Over 600 people were killed by armed groups in the past three months. The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), Zaire militia, and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are the main perpetrators of these atrocities, she said.

A particularly heinous example was the CODECO militia attack on the Lala site for internally displaced persons in mid-May. More than 40 displaced people were killed and 800 shelters were burnt, she noted.

Despite the joint operations of the armed forces of the DRC and Uganda, the ADF has extended its area of influence to an unprecedented level and remains a serious threat to the security and stability of the DRC, she said.

"At the same time, the persistent activities of armed groups in South Kivu for the control of mining sites, in particular Mai-Mai militias, reminds us that it is imperative to resolve the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC for peace to be restored," said Pobee. "We urge all armed groups to cease hostilities and call for a redeployment of national security forces, particularly in Ituri, to restore state authority in this area. The population, especially the most vulnerable, cannot remain without the protection of the Congolese state. The consequences of this absence are deeply worrying."

Pobee expressed deep concern about the growing number of women and girls who have been subjected to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, noting that gender-based violence has increased by 23 percent nationwide, and by 73 percent in North Kivu province alone, compared with the same period last year.

These violations are linked to the proliferation of armed groups in areas where displaced people are hosted, and to frequent breaches of the civilian and humanitarian character of these displacement sites. Furthermore, the surge in sexual violence against children has also increased and is particularly horrifying, she said.

A significant scale-up of services to prevent and respond to sexual violence in and around displacement sites as well as to ensure better access to food, water and safe sanitation facilities is urgently required, she said, calling on the Congolese authorities to take stronger action, including the provision of additional sites to assist and protect displaced people, and better security in the sites, and in the fight against impunity.

In addition to the security and humanitarian challenges in eastern DRC, pockets of instability have resurfaced in the western and southern parts of the country, said Pobee.

Violence has persisted in the provinces of Mai-Ndombe, Kwilu and Kwango, and spread to Maluku in the province of Kinshasa, leaving at least 67 people dead in the last three months. Tensions and violence have also been reported in other places, she said. "We urge the authorities to hold the perpetrators of violence to account and to take measures to strengthen social cohesion to preserve the gains made toward stability in these areas." 

Martha Pobee (Front), UN assistant secretary-general for Africa, speaks at a Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 26, 2023. The security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to deteriorate over the past three months despite a lull in armed clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23) and government forces in North Kivu province, said Martha Pobee, UN assistant secretary-general for Africa, on Monday. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Entergy Corporation

A few years ago, Mississippi celebrated its bicentennial and this year Entergy Mississippi, formerly Mississippi Power & Light, recognizes our 100th anniversary. Our company has been a part of this state's journey for almost half of its life.

We have been here for some of the most remarkable moments in our state's - and the world's - history. Entergy Mississippi has been alongside our state at its very best:

Keeping a fan circulating to cool off B.B. King as he learned to heat up a guitar in the middle of a Mississippi Delta Summer.

Powering electrical surgical equipment for the world's first heart transplant at University Mississippi Medical Center.

Energizing stadium lights for Jackson State's Walter Payton as he launched a Hall of Fame career.

Illuminating a desk light for Eudora Welty as she wrote her Pulitzer Prize winner.

We've been here during some of the most difficult and tragic times, too. I can imagine that as Medgar and Myrlie Evers were pioneering the civil rights movement in Mississippi, we were there with them. We kept electricity flowing as air conditioning cooled an auditorium where Medgar organized civil rights boycotts and as kitchen appliances in their home produced meals to sustain their bodies and minds while they advocated for their neighbors and worked to change the world.

Because of Medgar Evers

We can't tell Mississippi's history - or learn from it - without the Evers family. The National Park Service recently designated their family home as a National Monument during the "Voices of Courage and Justice Festivities" which commemorated the 60th anniversary of Medgar Evers' assassination at his home on June 12, 1963. Courage and justice indeed. I can think of no one else as courageous and passionate about bringing equality and justice for all Mississippians than Medgar and Myrlie Evers.

Entergy has contributed to this noble undertaking, but our contribution actually originated from Medgar Evers himself.

Because of the work of Medgar Evers, those locked out of the voting booth in Mississippi were able to join the political process and begin changing laws.

Because of the work of Medgar Evers, Mississippi companies began responding to those laws and hiring more people that looked like Medgar Evers.

Because of the work of Medgar Evers, those same people began to influence the policies and practices of Mississippi companies.

And because of the work of Medgar Evers, those Mississippi companies began contributing their resources to more diverse and disadvantaged communities in our state.

I am profoundly humbled that Entergy Mississippi is part of this important and historic project. It's something that would have been unheard of in this state 60 years ago without the work of Medgar Evers.

Medgar Evers' life and legacy has come full circle. Yes, just last week we stood on the grounds of what is now a National Monument to dedicate a house. But really, we were honoring the home that Medgar Evers laid the foundation for in this state with his own two hands. It is a beautiful and spacious home, made of equality and justice, that is open to all. For generations to come, may all who walk through its doors take a moment to honor its builder.

Advancing the Evers' legacy

Over the last century, Entergy and its employees have been here to volunteer, bring jobs to Mississippi, sponsor cultural pursuits, offer a helping hand, provide a strong voice for progress and be leaders in the communities we serve.

We continue to lift up our communities today as a proud partner with the Trust for Public Land and the National Park Service to preserve the legacy of Medgar and Myrlie Evers and honor their contribution to our nation's continued progress toward racial justice and equity.

Our $100,000 contribution is made possible through Entergy's Social Justice and Equity Fund, which advances social justice and equity for historically underserved communities across Entergy's service territory. The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument is the second major grant awarded through the fund and the first in Mississippi.

The fund supports organizations that foster diversity, equity and inclusion through civic engagement and education, as well as support for initiatives that advance economic mobility and equity for individuals from historically underserved communities.

The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home is a landmark of national importance. Its preservation will enable current and future generations to learn about the civil rights movement and its heroes like Medgar and Myrlie Evers who dedicated their lives to creating a more just and equitable society for all.

On behalf of the 2,500 Entergy employees who live and work in Mississippi and all our employees throughout the region, we are honored to support the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in its mission to "educate, empower and inspire every American to stand up, get involved and join together to create a better life for all."

Myrlie Evers and others look on as Haley Fisackerly speaks at the grand opening dedicating the Evers' home as a National Monument.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

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Innovative partnership between Flix Pago and Mercado Pago Mexico brings a seamless, secure, and cost-effective remittance solution to Latin families in the US.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Silicon Valley-based fintech startup Felix Pago is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Mercado Pago Mexico, the leading financial services provider in Latin America. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the way Latin families in the US send money to their loved ones back home, offering a fast, secure, and affordable solution through a seamless WhatsApp-based remittance platform.

Felix Pago and Mercado Pago Partnership

Felix Pago and Mercado Pago Mexico Join Forces to Transform Cross-Border Remittances for Latin American Families.

The partnership between Felix Pago and Mercado Pago Mexico will empower Latin families to manage their finances more efficiently and cost-effectively, providing numerous benefits for both senders and receivers. With a simple WhatsApp conversation, users can send money instantly, with a low transfer fee of just $2.99.

Felix Pago Co-Founder Bernardo Garcia said, "Our remittance service on WhatsApp leverages the power of cryptocurrency to enable real-time transactions. We've made the process incredibly simple. People just open their WhatsApp, which is already in the hands of 70% of those sending money, and message us like they would anyone else. For recurring customers, the entire transaction takes about 40 seconds to complete, and the money is always delivered instantly."

As part of this partnership, recipients will gain access to Mercado Pago Mexico's comprehensive financial ecosystem, which includes digital accounts with annual yields over 10%, debit cards, online payments, personal loans, and exclusive discounts. This inclusive financial environment will help Latin families improve their financial well-being and overall quality of life.

Manuel Godoy, co-founder and CEO at Felix Pago, explains, "Partnering with Mercado Pago will help us accelerate our mission to help Latinos in the US send money back home. The beneficiaries of remittances will be able to use the funds as they see fit leveraging Mercado Pago's platform. Our users will now have more options to provide care for their families."

To celebrate the launch of this partnership, Felix Pago is offering a special promotion of three free transfers to Mercado Pago accounts per user.

About Felix Pago

Felix Pago is a Silicon Valley-based fintech startup on a mission to simplify cross-border remittances for Latin American families. Its user-friendly service, accessible through WhatsApp, provides a fast, secure, and affordable way for users to send money to loved ones in other countries. Since its launch in 2022, Felix Pago has rapidly gained popularity among Latin American communities in the United States.

About Mercado Pago

Mercado Pago is the largest fintech company of Latin American origin in the region. Founded in 2003, it provides the most comprehensive ecosystem of financial solutions for companies, startups, or individuals who want to manage their money safely, easily, and conveniently, with a wide range of possibilities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. Currently, it processes more than 15 million transactions per day.

Contact Information

Manuel Godoy

CEO

[email protected]

SOURCE: Felix Pago

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MARION, NC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Greene Concepts, Inc. (OTC Pink:INKW) is pleased to announce Pancho Alvarez as its new company brand ambassador. As a brand ambassador, Pancho creates and maintains positive relationships between the BE WATER" brand and its customers (both retail business clients and end-user consumers). The primary goal of a brand ambassador is to increase brand awareness and sales.

As a brand ambassador for BE WATER, Pancho's tasks include:

Positively promoting the BE WATER brand on social media platforms

Educating both retail clients and end-users on BE WATER's benefits, background, values, and mission (see: BE WATER Product Deck)

Utilizing word-of-mouth marketing to naturally build brand awareness

Participate in and lead BE WATER event marketing platforms and product demonstrations

Visiting various retail outlets selling BE WATER to ensure proper marketing and product positioning on the shelves

Pancho Alvarez, Greene Concepts new brand ambassador and leader of the local North Carolina GetBeWater Distribution Team, conveys, "I have already been leading the GetBeWater Team in capturing increased interest of BE WATER in the North Carolina area where we have placed BE WATER in nearly 100 local retailers and businesses near the bottling plant. As the Company's brand ambassador, I believe this role builds off of what I have already been doing and which is educating the public on BE WATER's benefits along with sharing the brand's value proposition. Greene Concepts has entrusted me with this role to help bring marketing and brand awareness locally, regionally, and nationally."

Lenny Greene, Greene Concepts president and CEO, states, "Having someone who loves your brand and who actively advocates the brand on your behalf we believe is of great benefit to the brand and the Company. Pancho began his work at Greene Concepts by assisting our Company in our early sales developments at Amazon, Camping World, as well as our online BE WATER sales and distribution efforts while also helping to manage and train new staff members on processing orders."

Mr. Greene concludes, "As a new brand ambassador Pancho will work to ensure that quality merchandising occurs within the different retail locations that sell BE WATER so both business clients and customers understand and value the unique quality and benefits of BE WATER. He will assist in the company's success as we spread awareness of BE WATER and its benefits to the masses."

Follow Greene Concepts Inc. on Twitter as well as BE WATER"

Follow the GetBeWater Team on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/getbewater or connect with the team at [email protected]

About Greene Concepts, Inc.

Greene Concepts, Inc. (http://www.greeneconcepts.com) is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The Company's flagship product, BE WATER, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts' beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, North Carolina, and their water is ethically sourced from seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. Greene Concepts continues to develop and market premium beverage brands designed to enhance the daily lives of consumers.

Safe Harbor: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a few uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and OTC Markets, Inc. OTC Disclosure and News Service. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:

Greene Concepts, Inc.

Investor Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE: Green Concepts Inc.

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AUSTIN, MN / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, is one of the best companies to work for in America, according to a list compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

The publication measured workplace factors -including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.- in determining its inaugural list of 200 companies.

"We are honored to be counted among the best companies to work for in America," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. "This recognition serves as a testament to the enduring values and strong culture that have shaped our organization over our 132 year history. At Hormel Foods, we have always believed that our success stems from the passion and commitment of our remarkable team members, and our dedication to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous growth. Our team members are the bedrock of our company, and we take immense pride in creating an atmosphere that nurtures their talents, empowers their voices, and supports their overall well-being."

Already considered one of the most trusted and admired companies in the world, Hormel Foods places a great importance on the growth, development and engagement of its team members, providing competitive pay and benefits while also ensuring a safe, inclusive workspace for everyone.

"This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, fostering a collaborative culture, and prioritizing the overall well-being of our team members," said Katie Larson, senior vice president of human resources for Hormel Foods. "We understand the significance of attracting and retaining top talent in today's competitive landscape, and our focus is on how we will continue to build a workplace that not only attracts top talent but also fosters a sense of fulfillment, belonging, and shared success. We are proud of this recognition and excited for the future as we continue to prioritize our employees' satisfaction and well-being."

Hormel Foods has a long-standing reputation as one of the most successful food companies in the world and has received numerous honors and accolades in that regard. The company has been named one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune, America's Most Responsible Companies for a fourth consecutive year by Newsweek, one of the World's Top Female-Friendly companies by Forbes, and one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek for the second straight year.

To view the full list of U.S. News' best companies to work for, visit https://www.usnews.com/.





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Hormel Foods Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Hormel Foods Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hormel-foods-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation

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The inconvenience and expense associated with a faulty water heater, leading to a lack of hot water and potential repair or replacement expenses, is a concern homeowners cannot afford to ignore.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Leading plumber Newcastle-wide, The Plumbing Life Saver, is pleased to share valuable insights into the different types of hot water systems available for residential and commercial properties. With their extensive knowledge and expertise, The Plumbing Life Saver aims to help local residents and businesses make informed decisions when selecting the most suitable and efficient hot water systems.





Blocked drains Newcastle





According to The Plumbing Life Saver, gas continuous flow systems are a popular choice due to their ability to provide an uninterrupted supply of hot water, without the need for a storage tank. They are known for their energy efficiency and compact design, making them suitable for properties of all sizes.

Electric storage systems feature a large tank that stores hot water for immediate use. These systems ensure a constant supply of hot water and come in various tank sizes to meet different household or commercial needs. The Plumbing Life Saver says these systems are reliable and durable options for properties in Newcastle.

Heat pump systems use advanced technology to extract heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to the water. These systems are highly energy-efficient, reducing utility bills significantly, and The Plumbing Life Saver says they are an ideal choice for environmentally conscious individuals and businesses.

Solar hot water systems harness the power of the sun to heat water. The Plumbing Life Saver explains these systems consist of solar panels that absorb sunlight and transfer the heat to a storage tank. These renewable energy solutions are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, making them a great choice for properties with ample sunlight exposure.

Electric continuous flow systems are designed for properties where gas supply is not available. These systems provide hot water on-demand without the need for a storage tank. Compact and efficient, they ensure a constant flow of hot water.

The Plumbing Life Saver advises property owners to consult with a licensed plumber to determine the most suitable hot water system based on their specific needs and budget. Their team of experts is ready to provide professional guidance and assistance in selecting, installing and maintaining hot water systems for homes and businesses in Newcastle.

For more information and to see all services offered, including blocked drains Newcastle-wide, visit www.plumbinglifesaver.com.au

About The Plumbing Life Saver

The Plumbing Life Saver is the leading plumbing service provider in Newcastle, Australia. With a team of highly skilled professionals and a commitment to superior customer service, they offer a wide range of plumbing services, including repairs, installations, maintenance and emergency assistance.

Contact Information:

The Plumbing Life Saver

Marketing Manager

[email protected]

0448 669 938

SOURCE: The Plumbing Life Saver

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IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Neudesic, an IBM Company, today announced it has won the 2023 Microsoft Global Migration to Azure Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology.

2023 Microsoft Global Migration to Azure Partner of the Year

Neudesic recognized as the winner of the Partner of the Year.

"Neudesic takes pride in our mission to be the global leader in business innovation. This award is a testament to our visionary thinking to deliver and manage world-class business and technology solutions that help our clients thrive in a cloud-first, data-driven world," said Ashish Agarwal, CEO of Neudesic. "We are fortunate to have worked side by side with Microsoft over the past two decades, and our team of world-class migration experts has been instrumental in driving business impact for our shared clients. We are honored to be recognized among the pool of distinguished nominees in Microsoft's partner network."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. Neudesic was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Migrations to Azure.

The Migration to Azure Partner of the Year Award recognizes a partner that excels in delivering outstanding solutions for accelerating customer migration to the cloud. From helping customers access their existing environment, planning their migration/modernization of infrastructure, databases and application workloads, to accelerating adoption of Azure at scale. With an end goal of improving business outcomes, increasing customer value, and helping companies drive their business forward.

Neudesic has a proven, successful track record of providing repeatable solutions that enable organizations to leverage cloud solutions resulting in increased scalability and flexibility, delivered with speed and security. Our winning nomination was for a retail client who was in the early stages of their cloud modernization journey. Working closely with the Microsoft team, we accelerated retail innovation and streamlined operations by leveraging our repeatable migration framework solution - Neudesic Cloud Factory. The strategy and initial execution on this multi-phased project delivered more than 150 workloads being migrated from an on-prem environment into Azure (with more to come!) and realized cost savings totaling $2M to date.

"Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!" said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year's winners demonstrate the best of what's possible with the Microsoft Cloud."

"Neudesic is thrilled to be recognized by Microsoft for our commitment to helping organizations drive business value in the Microsoft cloud," said Mike Graff, Neudesic's Vice President of Alliances. "We have an amazing co-selling and teaming approach with Microsoft, and we look forward to driving incredible value to our clients together in the years to come."

The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company's global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog: https://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners.

To learn more about our Cloud Infrastructure Services, click here.

To see a list of our service offerings - including the Neudesic Cloud Factory - on Azure Marketplace, click here.

About Neudesic, an IBM Company

Neudesic, an IBM Company, is the trusted technology partner in business innovation, delivering impactful business results to clients through digital modernization and evolution. Our consultants bring business and technology expertise together, offering a wide range of cloud and data-driven solutions, including custom application development, data and artificial intelligence, and comprehensive managed services. Founded in 2002, Neudesic is headquartered in Irvine, California. To learn more, visit www.neudesic.com.

For additional information, contact:

Nada Ungvarsky

Sr. Manager, Marketing & Alliances - Cloud Infrastructure Services

[email protected]

Contact Information

Nada Ungvarsky

Sr. Manager, Marketing & Alliances - Cloud Infrastructure Services

[email protected]

(800) 805-1805

SOURCE: Neudesic, an IBM Company

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Nextech3D.AI (formally "Nextech AR Solutions Corp'') (OTCQX:NEXCF)(CSE:NTAR)(FSE:EP2), a Generative AI-Powered 3D model supplier for Amazon, P&G, Kohls and other major e-commerce retailers provides an update to shareholders on its 3D modeling business and its Nextech Event Solutions product, as well as recent spin-off companies ARway.ai in which it controls a 49% stake and Toggle3D.ai in which Nextech3D.ai retains a 45% stake.

With Nextech3D.ai's suite of commercialized products and pure play spin-off Companies, Nextech3D.ai is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the transformational technology shift that is happening now with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Three Dimensional (3D) models, Augmented Reality (AR) and Machine Learning (ML). Mass adoption is being led by big tech and is driving massive growth in these markets.

In Q1,2023 Nextech3D.ai reported sales surging +550% YoY & record 3D modeling revenue.

Q1 Highlights

Multiple breakthrough generative AI patents filed

Delivered 20,000 3D models to Amazon

Year over year 3D model revenue growth +550%

Sequential technology revenue growth +40%

Gross profit increased to 41% from 39% in sequential quarters and is projected to increase in Q2

Read the full earnings press release - https://www.nextechar.com/press-releases-and-media/nextech3d.ai-reports-sales-surging-550-yoy-record-3d-modeling-revenue-for-first-quarter-2023

Nextech3D.ai

Nextech3D.ai provides AI-powered 3D modeling solutions focusing on the e-commerce industry. The Company's breakthrough patented-based generative AI technology enables 3D model creation, CAD-POLY and 2D to 3D conversion, which has positioned it as a leader in the industry. The Company is already a preferred 3D model supplier for Amazon , representing a massive growth opportunity since only a minuscule >1% of the 300 million products listed on Amazon have been converted from 2D-3D. Thus far, Nextech3D.ai has delivered approximately 25,000 models to Amazon. With the increasing popularity of e-commerce globally, the Company's services are becoming more valuable, providing an excellent runway for ongoing growth. The Company also supplies some of the largest brands and platforms including; Kohls, Target, Dyson, Eletrolux, LifeFitness, P&G, CB2, Bucketplace, and more.

The Company is focused on increasing its breakthrough generative AI to scale 3D model production and increase profit margins from the 40% range to the 80% range and going cash flow positive, which the Company believes is achievable with its breakthrough AI.

Patents

Nextech3D.ai also has an expansive patent portfolio protecting its groundbreaking technologies. Technology patents are essential for the Company as they protect intellectual property, provide a competitive advantage, facilitate strategic positioning, and foster innovation. Patents safeguard the Company's innovative ideas and groundbreaking technologies, granting exclusive rights. They enable Nextech3D.ai to capitalize on their inventions, attract customers and investors, and establish themselves as leaders in their industry.

Nextech3D.ai has eleven patents pending and expects to file additional patents to protect its breakthrough technology:

Description Date Provisional Patent Filed Status of Non-Provisional Patent Filing Jurisdiction NEXTECH CREATING 3D MODELS FROM 2D PHOTOS AND APPLICATIONS - covers core AI algorithms for creating 3D models automatically from 2D photos and is the core of Threedy tech N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in March 2022 United States NEXTECH EFFICIENT CREATION OF 3D MODEL AND APPLICATION - covers the virtual assembly line concept that helps scale 3D content creation from 2D photos N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in March 2022 United States NEXTECH MATERIAL ESTIMATION FOR 3D MODELING AND APPLICATION - covers the AI/ML techniques for creating 3D textures and materials automatically from 2D reference photos N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in March 2022 United States NEXTECH AUTOMATICALLY EXTRACTING TILEABLE UNITS FROM IMAGES - describes a method for compressing large textures with regular patterns to significantly reduce the size of the texture files N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in March 2022 United States NEXTECH METHODS & SYSTEMS FOR CREATING OPTIMIZED 3D MESHES FROM CAD DRAWINGS - describes the technology and process we have built to covert 3D CAD files and other solid designs into optimized 3D meshes suitable for real-time visualization on the Web and AR N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in May 2022 United States NEXTECH AUTOMATIC BACKGROUND REMOVAL FOR HUMAN TELEPRESENCE - covers the technologies built into our HoloX app to create holograms without requiring a green screen N/A Non-provisional Utility patent filed in May 2023 United States NEXTECH THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) MODEL GENERATION FROM CAD DATA - covers core artificial intelligence algorithms for creating 3D models automatically from 2D photos March 2023 To be finalized for filing within the next year United States NEXTECH MATERIAL ESTIMATION FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL ("3D") MODELLING - covers the artificial intelligence techniques for creating 3D textures and materials automatically from 2D reference photos March 2023 To be finalized for filing within the next year United States ARWAY GENERATING 3D DIGITAL TWIN FROM PROPERTY FLOORPLAN IMAGES FOR NAVIGATION SYSTEMS - covers the framework for generating a virtual representation of a floorplan from floorplan images, in accordance with some embodiments. March 2023 To be finalized for filing within the next year United States ARWAY DEVICE LOCALIZATION BASED ON TWO-DIMENSIONAL (2D) REFERENCE IMAGES - covers integration of visual markers, such as QR codes or other identifiable 2D objects in the physical environment, with an online map database. June 2023 To be finalized for filing within the next year United States TOGGLE / NEXTECH GENERATIVE AI FOR 3D MODEL CREATION FROM 2D PHOTOS USING STABLE DIFFUSION WITH DEFORMABLE TEMPLATE CONDITIONING - creating 3D models from 2D reference photos, either as a whole, or part-by-part by evolving differentiable, deformable templates to convert into 3D parts, conditioned on one or more reference photos of the part. March 2023 To be finalized for filing within the next year United States

ARway.ai is 49% owned by Nextech3D.ai (13 million shares)

ARway.ai was the first spin-out from Nextech3D.ai. On October 26, 2022 Nextech3D.ai spun out its spatial computing platform, "ARway.ai" as a stand alone public Company. Nextech3D.ai retained a control ownership in ARway.ai with 13 million shares, or a 49% stake, as of the close on June 26, 2023 the valuation of these shares was $9.62 million. At a stock price all time high of $2.95, the valuation of these shares was $38.3 million. An additional 4 million ARway.ai spin-off shares were distributed to Nextech3D.ai shareholders on a pro-rata basis. ARway.ai is currently listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:ARWY), in USA on the (OTC: ARWYF) and Internationally on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: E65). ARway.ai is disrupting the augmented reality wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon spatial computing platform enabled by visual marker tracking.

The next multi-decade long growth cycle in technology will be dominated by AR glasses, and ARway.ai is perfectly positioned. Recently ARway.ai has announced that it currently provides software solutions compatible with AR Headsets , such as Magic Leap 2 and HoloLens 2 , and intends to distribute its groundbreaking indoor navigation and 3D technology with the Apple ecosystem for the Pro Vision Augmented Reality Headset. According to Statista, Apple claimed a 20.5 percent share of the global smartphone market in the first quarter of 2023. With Apple being a premier provider of smartphones, the Apple Vision Pro is anticipated to be an industry leading AR headset, with technological breakthroughs as the "first ever wearable spatial computer." ARway currently performs best on iOS devices and will seamlessly integrate with Apple's ecosystem.

The ARway offering has an unlimited number of use cases for augmenting physical spaces in the metaverse, consisting of indoor navigation with AR activations to improve the visitor experience in large and complex spaces. With value propositions spanning multiple industries and use cases, ARway leverages Nextech's 3D/AR technology solutions to new substantial markets, for use by creators, brands, and companies.

Toggle3D.ai 45% owned by Nextech3D.ai (13 million shares)

Toggle3D.ai was the second spin-out from Nextech3D.ai. Toggle3D.ai is a groundbreaking SaaS solution that utilizes generative AI to convert CAD files, apply stunning 4K texturing, and enable seamless publishing of superior 4K 3D models, serving various industries within the $160 billion CGI market. The spin-out IPO from Nextech3D.ai was finalized on June 14, 2023, and is now trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") under the ticker symbol: TGGL. Nextech3D.ai owns 13,000,000 common shares in escrow or about a 45% ownership stake in Toggle3D.ai. As of the close on June 26, 2023 the valuation of these shares was $14.3 million. At a stock price all time high of $4.75, the valuation of these shares was $61.7 million. An additional 4 million Toggle3D.ai shares have been issued as a stock dividend to Nextech3D.ai shareholders on a pro-rata basis and are currently being distributed. Toggle3D.ai plans to expand its presence to the Frankfurt and OTC markets in the near future.

With its Augmented Reality-based rapid prototyping web app, Toggle3D empowers designers, artists, marketers, and eCommerce owners to effortlessly convert, texture, customize, and publish high-quality 3D models and experiences, regardless of technical or 3D design expertise.

Nextech Event Solutions 100% owned by Nextech3D.ai

This is Nextech3D.ai's Event Solutions Platform (formerly Map D) which includes the following components:

Interactive Floor Plan

The Map D interactive floor plan is a powerful tool for tradeshows, festivals, and conferences. With information-rich profiles, it's easy to build out a marketplace of participating vendors and connect them to attendees, sessions, speakers, and more. The floor plan is easy to navigate, search, and bookmark, making it an essential tool for any event with a vendor marketplace.

Booth Sales

Conference organizers can sell booth space to exhibitors with customizable gateway and checkout scenarios. The product allows clients to view the real-time availability of booths and their sales status. It allows exhibitors to reserve a booth or pay for it using a credit card directly from the floorplan.

Mobile App

The app combines the current MapD event management solutions technology with ARway, the AI-powered Augmented Reality Navigation platform with a disruptive no-code, no-beacon spatial computing solution, creating an industry-first augmented reality / artificial intelligence combined solution for event management providers.

Launched: The Public Company CEO Experience Podcast

Nextech3D.ai has recently launched "The Public Company CEO Experience Podcast," featuring Evan Gappelberg, a highly accomplished three-time public Company CEO and serial entrepreneur. The podcast offers listeners an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the dynamic life of a public Company CEO with valuable insights, while also discussing trending topics and providing business updates on Nexech3D.ai, Toggle3D.ai, and ARway.ai. To learn more please visit

https://www.nextechar.com/investors/the-ceo-experience

Listen Now

https://publiccompanyceoexperience.buzzsprout.com/

Subscribe

https://www.nextechar.com/the-ceo-experience/subscribe?hs_preview=zEQZywkL-118569404742

About Nextech3D.ai

(formally "Nextech AR Solutions Corp" or the "Company") (OTCQX:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR) (FSE:EP2 is a diversified augmented reality, AI technology Company that leverages proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) to create 3D experiences for the metaverse. Its main businesses are creating 3D WebAR photorealistic models for the Prime Ecommerce Marketplace as well as many other online retailers. The Company develops or acquires what it believes are disruptive technologies and once commercialized, spins them out as stand-alone public Companies issuing a stock dividend to shareholders while retaining a significant ownership stake in the public spin-out.

On October 26, 2022 Nextech3D.ai spun out its spatial computing platform, "ARway" as a stand alone public Company. Nextech3D.ai retained a control ownership in ARway Corp. with 13 million shares, or a 49% stake, and distributed 4 million shares to Nextech AR Shareholders. ARway is currently listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:ARWY), in USA on the OTCQB (OTC: ARWYF) and Internationally on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: E65). ARway Corp. is disrupting the augmented reality wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon spatial computing platform enabled by visual marker tracking.

On December 14, 2022 Nextech announced its second spinout of Toggle3D, an AI-powered 3D design studio to compete with Adobe. Toggle3D went public in June 2023, listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:TGGL).

To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact

Lindsay Betts

[email protected]

866-ARITIZE (274-8493) Ext 7201

Nextech3D.ai

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

Forward-Looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Nextech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Nextech3D.ai

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Study shows office-based lens surgery is safe as - or safer than - lens surgery in the literature.

KANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / iOR Partners, the pioneer in office-based surgery (OBS) in the field of ophthalmology, announced the publication of, "Safety of Office-Based Lens Surgery: A U.S. Multicenter Study," in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. The study was led by Lance J. Kugler, MD, Director of Kugler Vision, Omaha, NE, and Medical Director of iOR Partners.





iOR Partners

High-def logo





The study evaluated case records of more than 18,000 consecutive patients who underwent office-based lens surgery for visually significant cataract, refractive lens exchange (RLE), or phakic IOL implantation, at 36 participating U.S. sites, and found that office-based lens surgery can be performed safely, with adverse event rates similar to or lower than those in the published literature.

Outcome measures included the assessment of intra- and postoperative complications such as the incidence of iritis, corneal edema, endophthalmitis, and unplanned vitrectomy. The rates of postoperative endophthalmitis, toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), and corneal edema were 0.028%, 0.022%, and 0.027%, respectively. Unplanned vitrectomy was performed in 0.177% of patients. "Our study demonstrated that the safety profile of office-based lens surgery either matches or exceeds the literature-reported values of adverse events documented for modern cataract surgery," said Dr. Kugler.

Office-based lens surgery centers are not to be confused with in-office procedure rooms. Rather, they are nationally accredited operating rooms located within a practice, rather than in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). "Trends suggest a shift from ASCs to office-based surgery (OBS) suites as the new normal for ophthalmic surgery over the next 10 years. As eye surgeons consider modifying their practice paradigm to include OBS, they want to ensure it is safe. This study provides surgeons with the safety data and transparency that they need," said iOR CEO James Williams.

In the study, patient selection for office-based lens surgery was based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system. Patients classified as ASA I and II were deemed adequate for surgery at an office-based facility. Patients classified as ASA III were selected for surgery on a case-by-case basis according to the physician's discretion. Patients with an ASA IV classification were deemed inappropriate for office-based surgery. While many of the cases in the study population were younger patients undergoing refractive lens exchange (RLE), more than half (54%) were Medicare-age (65+) and the majority had comorbidities typical of any cataract surgery population.

"Increasingly, ophthalmic surgeons are realizing that OBS can increase convenience and facilitate more consistent control of staff, equipment, and scheduling," said Daniel S. Durrie, MD, founder of Durrie Vision, Overland Park, KS, and Chairman of the Board of iOR Partners. "Now, with the addition of iOR's Real World Data (iRWD) registry, surgeons who are considering OBS can make a fully informed decision."

About iOR Partners

iOR Partners, LLC is paving the way for the future of cataract surgery with innovative, office-based surgery suites. iOR surgical suites provide cataract surgeons the ability to offer more personalized care in a safe and comfortable surgical environment. The company's turnkey solution includes assistance with space build-out, acquiring surgical equipment, staff training, insurance acquisition, accreditation, and compliance services. iOR Partners is the only company dedicated to ophthalmic office-based surgery and partners with practices nationwide.

Contact Information

Deb Holliday

President, Holliday Communications, Inc.

[email protected]

412-877-4519

SOURCE: iOR Partners

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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM)(FSE:YXEP)(OTCQB: CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 7,050,000 common shares (the "Hard Shares") at a price of $0.085 per Hard Share, up to 4,000,000 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.15 per FT Share, and up to 3,712,500 charity flow-through common shares (the "CFT Shares") at a price of $0.16 per CFT Share.

"We are pleased with the level of support received to date for the Offering, which will allow to fund our 2023 exploration program in James Bay: drilling for gold at Sakami and perform field follow-up on the best targets identified from the lithium potential study that is being finalized by ALS GoldSpot. We are looking forward to very positive news the remainder of 2023. We appreciate the support from our shareholders and look forward to making important discoveries at one of Canada's leading gold and lithium districts.", commented Normand Champigny, CEO.

The net proceeds from the sale of the Hard Shares will be used by the Corporation for general corporate and working capital purposes. The net proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of the FT Shares will be used for exploration expenditures on the Corporation's projects located in the Province of Qubec.

The gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares and CFT Shares will be used for Canadian exploration expenses (as such term is defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada)) which, once renounced, will qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditure", as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024 and renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023. This applies to a Quebec resident subscriber who is an eligible individual under the Taxation Act (Quebec), which qualifies (i) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Quebec), and (ii) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining expenses or oil and gas exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).

The Hard Shares, FT Shares and CFT Shares will be subject to a four-month "hold period" commencing on the Closing Date pursuant to National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities and Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities (Quebec) and the certificates or DRS advices representing such securities will bear a legend to that effect. Closing of the Offering is expected on or around July 4, 2023. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange").

In connection with the Offering, the Corporation may pay in respect of certain subscriptions a finders' fee or commission paid in compliance with section 1.14 of Policy 4.1 as well as Policy 5.1 of the Exchange.

QPM's updated investor presentation and website can be found on www.qpmcorp.com

About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

QPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the Sakami project and advance to the mineral resource estimate stage.

For more information please contact:

Normand Champigny

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: 514 979-4746

[email protected]

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statements with respect to completion of the private placement financing of the expected size or at all, the expected closing date, obtaining the necessary approvals to complete the financing and the Corporation's expected work programs in 2023 are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Corporation, including discussions with investors and other participants in the private placement. Although the Corporation 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 Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including but not limited to the risks that market conditions, commodity prices, or other circumstances can affect the Corporation's ability to complete the financing, as well as other risks with respect to the Corporation described in the Corporation's public disclosure filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Corporation 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.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

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EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. (TSX-V:RUM) (the "Company" or "Rocky Mountain"), listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), today reported the shareholder voting results of its 2023 Annual and Special Meeting held June 27, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta.

The five director nominees who received the highest number of votes in the contested election, and therefore are elected to the board and will be directors of the Company for the ensuing year are:

Courtney Burton

Peter J. Byrne

Gene Coleman

Robert Normandeau

Allison Radford

Shareholders voted and approved to appoint Grant Thornton LLP, Chartered Accountants as Auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizes the directors to fix their remuneration.

The resolution to approve the continuation of the Company's Stock Option Plan did not receive the requisite majority of votes, therefore is not approved.

About Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain owns 100% of Andersons Liquor Inc. ("Andersons"), headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, which now own and operate 25 private liquor stores in that province, up from 18 stores since the Common Shares began trading in December 2008. It is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V:RUM).

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 investment decisions. In particular, results achieved in 2023 and previous periods might not be a certain indication of future performance, which is subject to other risks, including but not limited to changes in operational policies, changes in management, changes in strategic focus, market conditions and customer preference. 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, the risks that these events may not materialize as well as those additional factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in RUM's Management Discussion and Analysis, which can be obtained at www.sedar.com. If they do materialize, there remains a risk of non-execution for any reason. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, timelines and information contained in this news release.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof 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 TSX-V. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information:

Allison Radford

Chief Executive Officer

(780) 483-8183

Sarah Stelmack

Chief Financial Officer

(780) 483-8177

SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc.

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The completion of the deal on the sale by the Veon group, which includes the Ukrainian operator Kyivstar, of the Russian subsidiary VimpelCom was delayed due to unforeseen difficulties, at present it is expected in the next month or two, president of Kyivstar Oleksandr Komarov said.

"The move to withdraw from Russia turned out to be difficult not only in terms of making a decision, but also difficult in terms of its implementation ... But, I hope, this is a matter of one or two months to complete the deal," he said in an interview with Interfax -Ukraine.

Komarov recalled that a year ago he "had the recklessness" to say that it was impossible for such a large infrastructure company as Veon to work simultaneously in Ukraine and Russia, but the company's management subsequently made exactly the same decision that was announced in November last year.

The head of Kyivstar specified that such a decision means giving up half of the business.

"Veon without Russia and Veon with Russia are two completely different businesses. I think this is a very correct step, although it is an economically difficult step," Komarov said.

He added that during the business trip to Washington and work with the Veon team, he emphasized the importance of accelerating the exit from the Russian market.

"Because these are issues of our investments, our national security. We need the trust of Ukrainian institutions and a step towards withdrawing from Russia," the head of Kyivstar said.

According to him, the difficulty in the implementation of the transaction lies in its coordination with the regulators of various countries, since Veon has seven licenses, as well as with the imposed sanctions.

"The last (obstacle), which we didn't even take into account, is related to Euroclear. This agreement (built) without money, this is an exchange of debts in order not to pay anything in the Russian Federation. But Euroclear cannot cooperate with some Russian institutions, because they have limitations," Komarov gave an example.

"When we withdraw, you will need to do a separate interview with me, with representatives of Veon, so that we can tell you about this thriller," the president of the largest Ukrainian telecom operator added.

He stressed that at present the whole situation with the work of Kyivstar in Ukraine is very transparent. "That is, we are fully embedded in the legislative field of Ukraine and meet all the requirements. In addition, under the martial law, we are fully integrated into all elements of national security - from network management to cyber defense," the head of the company said.

He also emphasized that Veon does not have a controlling shareholder, and in addition to sanctioned persons, there are also much respected investors in the ownership structure, such as Prosperity Capital.

"This is how the historical ownership structure of this company has developed. We have no influence from these sanctioned persons and no connection with them. They are completely cut off from Veon, cut off from LetterOne, which owns these shares," Komarov stated.

Commenting on an open letter from the Shah Capital hedge fund, which owns approximately 4-5% of Veon shares, dated the end of April this year with a proposal to spin off Kyivstar from Veon, the company president noted that this is the position of this shareholder - he sees local or international IPOs of operating companies as the right course of action.

"It is certainly too early to discuss this phase during the war, but I also personally think that this is the right development of events. Because for Kyivstar, it allows emphasizing the value, on the one hand, of this company, and on the other hand, to solve or alleviate some structural issues," Komarov expressed his opinion.

At the same time, he pointed out that Veon did not comment on this proposal.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Duke Energy

By Jessica Wells

Community has always mattered to Amy Strecker, so when she was promoted to president of the Duke Energy Foundation, she was excited to lead the team from Charlotte, N.C., and continue making a difference.

The Foundation invests more than $31 million each year in projects that support nonprofits in the seven states the company serves while focusing on strengthening economies, being resilient to climate change, and addressing justice, equity and inclusion.

"I think the most interesting work we're doing," she said, "is going to be at the intersection of these focus areas."

For example, one of her favorite Foundation collaborations was creating the first lineworker training program at Central Piedmont Community College in Mecklenburg County, N.C., where Duke Energy is headquartered.

Training programs like this one prepare a skilled workforce and creates opportunities for economic mobility.

The company's goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 requires upgrades to the electric grid and enough lineworkers to complete them. While the company employs more than 7,700 lineworkers, who build and maintain thousands of miles of power lines and equipment that enables the grid, the participants in the program at Central Piedmont are not required to work or apply for roles at Duke Energy. The program also helps create a pipeline of lineworkers for other utilities as the U.S. energy industry undergoes a massive transformation.

"Here's where philanthropy can lend some dollars that align well with the company's business priority on the clean energy future, but it also does so much for the community," Strecker said. "The best path to economic mobility is great employment - and that is what Duke Energy offers with competitive salaries for our lineworkers that can really transition a family out of poverty and create a great life for someone with an outstanding company."

Strecker, who has worked for Duke Energy from the Raleigh office in various roles since 2010, was the Foundation's vice president before her promotion. Despite being new to town, Strecker earned a spot on the Charlotte Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list of leaders.

Strecker said she was flattered to receive the honor and is enjoying learning about the needs and nonprofits across Duke Energy's territory and how her team can help.

"I get a lot of energy from being surrounded by interesting people who are trying to make positive changes in their communities," Strecker said, "and it is a real privilege to be able to represent Duke Energy in these conversations."

While Strecker said this is her dream job, working at a utility wasn't her plan.

After graduating from the University of Texas, she started her career as an English teacher in eastern North Carolina with Teach for America. While there, she met her wife, Emmy Coleman, who was a principal at another school. The couple decided to stay in North Carolina, and while Strecker earned her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she joined Progress Energy, a Duke Energy legacy company, as an intern in corporate communications and the Foundation.

She was on track to become a librarian, but her internship proved corporate philanthropy was a better fit and she could help rural communities like the one where she started her career. Her former students, she said, are never far from her mind.

"I'm thinking, OK, this program sounds like a good idea, but how are my students in these very rural, under-resourced communities going to benefit from this investment? How do we make sure communities that haven't had the same educational opportunities benefit? How do we make sure that our workforce reflects the communities that we serve?' All these questions are the lens through which we're reviewing opportunities to make sure our dollars are well spent in programming that reflects our customers."

As Foundation president, Strecker is responsible for the company's employee philanthropy efforts. Employees and retirees volunteer thousands of hours in their communities and donate $10 million per year to nonprofits. She is the executive sponsor for Charlotte-based employee resource groups (ERG), networks that support veterans, women in the workforce and other areas of diversity. Before becoming the sponsor, Strecker was chair of the Business Women's Network and a member of WeR1, the ERG that supports LGBTQ+ equality.

Supporting employees matters to Strecker. When she met her wife, she remembers not feeling comfortable to be open at her previous job about her relationship. At Duke Energy, she has felt supported by her co-workers and managers and said she hopes by being herself, others will feel empowered to do the same.

"Keeping a secret about an essential part of your life is a burden that I do not wish upon anyone," Strecker said. "That's something I really value about Duke Energy - the ability to be my authentic self."

To her, Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate that authenticity and community and remind others of the importance of inclusion.

"Pride means different things to people, but for me it's a symbol of being safe and welcomed," Strecker said. "In the workplace, we're all just looking for safety, kindness and respect. And you do not have to understand the intricacies of any colleague's life to treat them well and wish them joy on their journey."

As she starts her new journey in Charlotte, she's building her own community as well. She and Coleman are hosting neighborhood gatherings to make friends, volunteering and learning about the city.

"We're working really intentionally to build a personal community in Charlotte and some deep friendships here, too," Strecker said. "The Charlotte community has been so welcoming and gracious. I know the operational side of our philanthropic world really well from spending years on this team, but to get to dive deeper into this community and partner with our Duke Energy leaders on our path forward feels really exciting."

Diversity and inclusion at Duke Energy

To learn more about Duke Energy's employee resource groups and its commitment to diversity and inclusion: Diversity and Inclusion.

View original content here

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Duke Energy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy

Email: [email protected]



SOURCE: Duke Energy

View source version on accesswire.com:
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSX.v:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB: XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") also announces that it has completed its shares for debt previously announced on May 26, 2023 by issuing 1,655,043 common shares at a deemed price of $0.15 to settle outstanding debts for $248,256.48. The hold expiry date on these shares is October 17, 2023.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations: [email protected]

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under a option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has also acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. 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 forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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

Ximen Mining Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4 Tel: 604-488-3900

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:
Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI) announced today it has agreed to acquire California-based startup Casetext for $650 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2023.

Casetext is best known for its CoCounsel product, which is an AI legal assistant. CoCounsel is powered by OpenAIs ChatGPT-4.

Thomson Reuters said the acquisition will enhance its current AI prospects and initiatives.

"The acquisition of Casetext is another step in our 'build, partner and buy' strategy to bring generative AI solutions to our customers," said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters.

"We believe that Casetext will accelerate and expand our market potential for these offerings - revolutionizing the way professionals work, and the work they do."

BofA analyst Heather Balsky weighed in positively on TRIs proposed acquisition.

We think this acquisition significantly advances TRIs already strong competitive positioning and its ability to advance its AI strategy, which has been a key investor debate. Casetexts customers include 10,000+ law firms and corporate legal departments. TRI management has spoken positively in the past about the CoCounsel product and we have garnered a favorable impression of the product from our recent expert calls, Balsky said in a client note.

The analyst rates TRI stock as Buy with a $157 per share price target.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
MALVERN, Pa. & JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 3SI Security Systems and Wren Solutions announced today that they will merge, strengthening both companies product offerings and leadership in delivering innovative security technology to modern retail and financial services environments.

The strategic combination of 3SI and Wren enables both companies to scale their operations, diversify their product portfolios, and leverage enhanced capabilities to drive new product development and innovation in partnership with customers. Both companies will continue to operate under their respective brands, while working together to integrate their solutions and deliver expanded retail loss prevention and asset protection capabilities, such as integrated video surveillance, GPS tracking and video analytics, as retailers increasingly rely on these tools to support a better and safer in-store experience.

3SI is the market leader in pioneering advanced security solutions for asset protection and recovery. Starting with the commercialization of dye and ink staining, to todays modern solutions for GPS tracking of high-value assets, 3SI has more than 148,000 trackers deployed worldwide.

3SI and Wren are both long-time security industry leaders with similar cultures focused on people, innovation and collaborative customer partnerships, said Todd Leggett, CEO of 3SI. We are excited to extend our complementary market-leading technologies to our respective customers, enhancing their ability to protect their assets and their people.

Wren Solutions has a long history of helping top U.S retailers protect their assets, reduce loss, and keep employees and customers safe. Wrens innovative, flexible solutions are purpose built in partnership with clients to support their video surveillance and video analytics investments, addressing the unique demands of retailers that are not met by standard products in the market.

We are thrilled to join Wren and 3SI, as both companies share a passion for helping retail clients reduce losses, increase safety, and improve customer experience, said Andrew Wren, CEO of Wren. Wren delivers innovative and custom solutions to the retail industry every day, which aligns directly with 3SIs mission of Security, Safety, Service, and Innovation.

Together, the 3SI and Wren team will include nearly 300 employees, helping protect more than 70,000 retail and financial services locations nationwide.

LLR Partners, the existing investor in 3SI, is partnering with the Wren family to provide growth capital to facilitate the merger and continue to expand the solutions and capabilities of the combined enterprise. Raymond James served as financial advisor to LLR and 3SI, and Imperial Capital served as financial advisor to Wren in this transaction.

About 3SI Security Systems

Founded in 1971, 3SI is the market leader in pioneering advanced security solutions for asset protection and recovery. We are and have always been ahead of the curve starting with the commercialization of dye and ink staining, to our ongoing development in GPS tracking and SaaS solutions to protect staff, customers, and assets. Our services protect financial institutions, retail locations, and law enforcement agencies worldwide, and we actively combat crime through innovative solutions. Our vision is to create a #SaferWorld.

About Wren Solutions

Founded in 1983, Wren is a second-generation family business headquartered in Jefferson City, Missouri. Wren entered the retail asset protection market with a focus on CCTV housings and later expanded to provide a wide range of innovative solutions used by top retailers. The companys solutions protect more than 25,000 locations nationwide and deliver asset protection, safety and a better customer and employee experience for their clients.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627148371/en/

Press:

3SI Security Systems

Mary Pifer

VP, Global Marketing & Product Management

[email protected]

LLR Partners

Kristy DelMuto

Senior Director, Marketing

[email protected]

Source: 3SI Security Systems and LLR Partners
Effective June 20, 2023, John Vitalie is new Chief Executive Officer

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aktana, the leader in intelligent customer engagement for the global life sciences industry, welcomes John Vitalie as Chief Executive Officer.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627578961/en/

Aktana welcomes John Vitalie as Chief Executive Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

Before joining Aktana, John led global teams across various technology domains, including AI/ML, SaaS, CRM, and CX. Notably, he spearheaded the scaling of the Healthcare & Life Science business for Salesforce and Siebel Systems, and he led the CX business for Oracle.

John has served as CEO for three different software companies, mostly recently at Aizon. Under his leadership, Aizon pioneered a new market segment by introducing an advanced GxP AI and data management platform specifically designed to optimize biopharma manufacturing. In 2022, he was recognized as one of the Top 25 Biotech CEOs by the Healthcare Technology Report.

John is the perfect choice to supercharge the future of Aktana, said David Schiff, Aktana board member and CEO of Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC. He brings deep industry experience and a track record of successfully leading highly innovative technology companies, driving strong and consistent financial performance and creating value for shareholders.

I am excited to join the talented team at Aktana, said John Vitalie. Aktana has developed an AI-enabled technology platform and applications that are transforming commercial customer engagement by making each interaction more timely, personalized and effectiveacross the life science and medical device markets. We are at a remarkable time in the industry where next-level growth is being propelled by AI, and the next evolution of customer engagement is all about applying AI and ML to continuously improve execution in real-time and deliver significant and measurable business value.

About Aktana

Aktana is the category creator and leader of intelligent engagement in the global life sciences industry. By ensuring that every customer experience is tailored to individual preferences and needs, Aktana helps life science companies strengthen their relationships with healthcare providers to inspire better patient care. Today, commercial and medical teams from more than 300 brands use Aktanas AI-enabled Contextual Intelligence Engine to coordinate and optimize personalized omnichannel engagement at scale. More than half of the top-20 global pharmaceutical companies are Aktana customers. Headquartered in San Francisco, Aktana has offices in every major biopharma region around the world. For more information, visit www.aktana.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627578961/en/

Lisa Barbadora

[email protected]

(610) 420-3413

Source: Aktana
Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise launches its next generation network management system, OmniVista Cirrus Release 10

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, cloud and networking solutions tailored to customers industries, has announced the release of

Alcatel-Lucent OmniVista Cirrus Release 10, its next generation cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) network management system.

The scalable and secure cloud platform offers intuitive user interface and simplified work flows for configuring and monitoring Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar WLAN access points, empowering businesses with greater control, flexibility, and simplicity.

With a subscription-based model, OmniVista Cirrus 10 enables businesses to respond to their evolving needs in the digital era, including:

Digital transformation leading to increased expectations on network scalability and efficiency

Mobility and IoT proliferation that generate constant demand for high network performance and security considerations

and Increased agility to adjust to changing business priorities and technology updates

To support IT teams in overcoming these challenges, OmniVista Cirrus 10 is based on a cloud-native microservices architecture to deliver continuous improvements without downtime. With simplified provisioning, it offers automatic software updates that include critical security patches for enhanced protection and compliance.

It comes with features that cater to network users needs. Proactive Service Assurance enables businesses to monitor the Quality of Experience (QoE) of users, while detailed network and user analytics provide valuable insights for optimising performance.

OmniVista Cirrus 10 helps streamline IT operations by simplifying management and troubleshooting operations, particularly in distributed deployments with limited IT staff.

The cloud platform includes Unified Policy Access Manager (UPAM), a Network Access Control (NAC) service that provides enterprise secure authentication, role management, and policy enforcement for employees, guests, BYOD users, and IoT devices.

The fully Open API-based platform can seamlessly integrate with third-party systems and is highly customisable to fit the needs of IT teams, allowing them to deploy new services or upgrade existing ones without any network disruptions.

Stephan Robineau, Executive Vice President of ALE Network Business Division, comments: Our objective is for OmniVista Cirrus 10 to be the ultimate platform for managing LAN, WLAN, SD-WAN, IoT and security through a single unified pane. It will empower businesses to embrace digital transformation, enhance user experiences, and simplify IT operations, while ensuring scalability and security, translating into reduced total cost of ownership (TCO).

With an abundance of new features, OmniVista Cirrus 10 continues to evolve and integrate cutting-edge functionalities. Moving forward, it will be integrated with OmniVista Network Advisor, bringing Artificial Intelligence powered decision-making to IT operations.

The software-as-a-service solution can be tailored to fit business needs based on consumption and is therefore available with a variety of flexible payment options.

#ENDS#

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise:

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

www.al-enterprise.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627649683/en/

Press Contacts:

Carine Bowen

Global press

[email protected]

Source: Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise
SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is proud to announce that five high-profile agents and teams have been ranked among the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Top Latino Agents for their outstanding 2022 sales performance.

NAHREP released its 12th annual Top 250 Latino Agents Report, recognizing outstanding Latino real estate agents and teams from around the country. This year's report includes rankings of the Top 100 Agents, Top 100 Teams, and Top Agents by major market regions.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is honored to celebrate the following agents:

Top 100 Latino Real Estate Agents- Teams Volume

No. 9 - Susana Corrigan & Patty Cohen

Lic # 00837598 / 01340902

La Jolla

Top 100 Latino Real Estate Agents- Individual Volume

No. 74  Cecilia Guerrero Zavala

Lic # 01931715

Rancho Santa Fe



No. 86  Karina Matic

Lic # 01726170

Santa Barbara

Top 100 Latino Real Estate Agents  Southwest Region

No. 45  Daniel Garcia

Lic # 01374819

Pasadena



Lic # 01374819 Pasadena No. 88  Veronica Mejia

Lic # 01223093

Del Mar

These exceptional and dedicated agents and teams are among the highest echelon of Latina/Latino agents in the country, and we are incredibly proud as they are greatly respected within the industry, and by their Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties family, said Martha Mosier, the companys President. These outstanding agents have performed admirably and tirelessly to increase the rate of Hispanic homeownership in their respective communities. As we celebrate their achievements, we are reminded that homeownership among minorities is critical in obtaining and maintaining generational wealth. These six agents are most deserving of this honorable recognition and acknowledgement of their fine work in the industry.

The success of these agents and brokers is a true testament to their leadership in the profession and commitment to promoting homeownership. NAHREP congratulates the Top 250 Latino Agents on their continued success, following their $11.2 billion in combined sales volume last year, 2023 NAHREP President Nuria Rivera said.

About NAHREP:

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals is The Voice for Hispanic Real Estate and proud champions of homeownership for the Hispanic community. Our role as trusted advisors and passionate advocates is to help more Hispanic families achieve the American Dream in a sustainable way that empowers them for generations to come.

Methodology:

The Top 250 Latino Agents is compiled through a self-nomination process reflective of the residential real estate transactions closed during the 2022 calendar year. Once received, NAHREP reviews the nomination data for accuracy by validating other available data. In instances where there is a tie based on transactions, a higher rank is given to the agent with greater sales volume. Ethnic background is confirmed through self-attestation. NAHREP membership is not a prerequisite for participation or acknowledgment in the Top 250 Latino Agents Award.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties:

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties proudly supports nearly 3,000 sales associates in 42 offices spanning Santa Barbara to San Diego. In 2022, our expert agents assisted in more than 8,000 client transactions for over $13.7 billion in sales volume.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., and a member of HSF Affiliates, LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. For more information, visit www.bhhscalifornia.com. To learn about career opportunities, visit www.bhhscalifornia.com/careers.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627975214/en/

Bill Bartshe

858-792-3384

[email protected]

Source: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
LYNCHBURG, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) (NYSE: BWXT) will issue a press release detailing second quarter 2023 results on Thursday, August 3, 2023, after market close and will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Listen-only participants are encouraged to participate and view the supporting presentation via the Internet at www.bwxt.com/investors. The dial-in numbers for participants are (U.S.) 1-888-550-5326 and (International) 1-646-960-0829; conference ID: 5948806. A replay of the call will remain available on the BWXT website for a limited time.

About BWXT

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, BWXT is a Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With approximately 7,000 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. In addition, BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXT and learn more at www.bwxt.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627460840/en/

Media Contact

Jud Simmons

Senior Director, Media and Public Relations

434.522.6462

[email protected]

Investor Contact

Chase Jacobson

Vice President, Investor Relations

980.365.4300

[email protected]

Source: BWX Technologies, Inc.
Aircraft to Be Delivered from Lessors Orderbook

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (CDB Leasing), announced today the signing of lease agreements for a series of six Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to its current customer, Turkish Airlines (Turkish), the flag carrier of Turkiye.

All six aircraft are part of the lessor's existing orderbook with Boeing. They will be powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines and built with the AnadolouJet-specific configuration, which is a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines. Deliveries are set to take place in 2024 and 2025.

Were delighted to have signed these new lease agreements with our valued customer, Turkish Airlines, for the financing of the upcoming six 737 MAX aircraft deliveries from our orderbook, stated Jie Chen, CDB Aviations Chief Executive Officer. Turkish has become a leader among airlines in undertaking sustainability-focused initiatives to modernize every stage of their flight and ground operations. These highly efficient aircraft will bring Turkish closer to achieving their ambitious sustainability goals by lessening the environmental footprint of their mainline and subsidiary carriers flight operations.

Levent Konukcu, Turkish Airlines Chief Investment and Technology Officer, commented: We are proud to collaborate with partners like CDB Aviation in our pursuit of excellence. Adding these aircraft to the AnadoluJet fleet will contribute significantly to our goals and allow us to present remarkable travel experiences to our passengers."

With the addition of the six MAX aircraft, CDB Aviation will have nine aircraft on lease to the carrier, including 1x 737-800, 1x 777-300ER and 1x A320neo. In 2022, the lessor delivered Turkish Airlines first A320neo, which marked a significant step forward in the airlines ongoing fleet modernization process.

As you would expect for a lessor with a sizable orderbook, CDB Aviation is continually in discussions with existing and prospective customers on how we can leverage our orderbook and price-competitive leasing products to help the airlines modernize their fleets with new technology aircraft and meet long-term business growth objectives, concluded Chen.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviations business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as may, will, seek, continue, aim, anticipate, target, projected, expect, estimate, intend, plan, goal, believe, achieve or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviations management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Turkish Airlines

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 419 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 344 worldwide destinations as 291 international and 53 domestics in 129 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (CDB Leasing) a 38-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moodys (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the worlds largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.

CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in Chinas leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business  listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623467536/en/

Media contact: Paul Thibeau

[email protected]; +1 612 594 9844

Source: CDB Aviation
DOVER, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clariti is excited to welcome the Town of Clayton, North Carolina, to its rapidly growing customer base. The town has selected Claritis Community Development Software to digitize its permitting, inspections and code enforcement processes.

The new system will be implemented by sCube, a trusted Clariti partner.

Clayton is the fastest-growing municipality in Johnson County, North Carolina, the fastest-growing county in the state. Its population has doubled in size since 2000 and is home to approximately 30,000 residents. Its about a 20-minute drive from Raleigh, the state capital, and has become the home of several large manufacturing companies, which has helped fuel the towns growth - and put pressure on its services and systems.

With so much growth, the town faced increasing pressure to deliver a more efficient permitting service, which led them to Clariti. The new online system will enable them to move off their paper-based permitting system, described as cumbersome and complicated by town staff and the local development community, and provide a digital portal and back office workflows to limit the number of over-the-counter permit applications they receive.

We want 100% paperless experience for people using our permitting, inspection and code enforcement services, says Jonathan Jacobs, Assistant Engineering Director. We want to save staff resources and move people from focusing on permit intake to plan reviews and issuance in order to improve our turnaround times and support our fast-growing community.

The town selected Clariti after its evaluation of 5 vendors, determining that the Community Development Solution was able to meet all of the 42 requirements and best suited their needs.

Were focused on developing the most comprehensive catalogue of product capabilities in the Community Development Software industry, says Clariti Co-CEO Cyrus Symoom. Were excited to work with Clayton, and help the town meet its aggressive targets for development and growth.

Claritis Community Development platform includes consoles for permitting, planning, inspections and code enforcement in addition to an admin console that enables end-users to make updates to workflows, fields and other data. The town will also implement Claritis managed integrations with Bluebeam and Esri to create a true enterprise-level platform.

About Clariti

Claritis government software helps North Americas largest and fastest-growing communities deliver exceptional community development, permitting, and licensing experiences online.

Founded in 2008, Clariti is built as an alternative to code-heavy, non-configurable systems that create technology barriers for governments to meet their communitys evolving needs. Our software is trusted by government agencies that serve over 150 million people across North America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627611460/en/

Jeremy Bosch

Clariti VP, Marketing

[email protected]

Source: Clariti
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has said that the implementation of recovery projects is slow and urged the authorities to speed up.

"We have created the Fund for the Liquidation of the Consequences of Armed Aggression. This is one of the main sources of financing for recovery. There are already almost UAH 62 billion in the fund," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Tuesday.

The prime minister said the government had already provided UAH 23.5 billion to various recovery projects.

"Now we see that, despite the provided funds, the projects are moving too slowly. Therefore, I repeat once again for all the leaders of central executive and local authorities: recovery is a priority, and people are waiting for help!" Shmyhal said.

The prime minister also said that 21,600 applications have been submitted under the eRecovery program, but only 378 applications were transferred for payments.

"Only 2%. This is unsatisfactory work! The government has created all the tools, adopted the necessary resolutions, procedures, and documents, and created a digital architecture for the entire process. Local leaders and commissions must speed up the process by several times. Fast is not months, but weeks, which we give for changing the situation," he said.
Visit booth 307 to learn how Covalon is creating a new standard for compassionate IV care technology designed to help protect patients from infections, pain, and trauma

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Covalon Technologies Ltd. (the "Company" or "Covalon") (TSXV: COV; OTCQX: CVALF), an advanced medical technologies company, today announced its participation in the 2023 Annual Oley Foundation Conference being held in St. Louis, Missouri from Tuesday, June 27 to Friday, June 30, 2023. Patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and advocates looking for more compassionate care solutions for those living with intravenous therapies should visit Covalon at booth 307 to learn more about Covalons unique position to provide apology-free dressings that are gentle on skin.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627972227/en/

IV fluid line secured to the forearm with IV Clear, a soft dual-antimicrobial silicone IV securement dressing offered by Covalon. (Photo: Business Wire)

There is no reason why patients living with daily or frequent IV-line care need to live with the pain, discomfort, and worry that can come with receiving IV therapy, said Ron Hebert, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Covalon. For those relying on parenteral nutrition, their IV is a lifeline, but it can also be a direct line to infection, pain, and trauma. At Covalon, were committed to improving the patient experience with comfortable and flexible dressings and vascular access line guards that help protect the line, while providing patients with the flexibility and freedom they deserve.

Stable and safe intravenous access with a central venous catheter is an absolute requirement for delivery of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Dressings and line guards play a critical role in protecting patients from an increased risk of infection that comes with TPN (long term and sometimes for life) and keeping the vulnerable skin surrounding line sites healthy and comfortable.

Not all IV dressings are made equal. Due to differences in adhesive materials and active ingredients, IV dressings may not provide patients the protection from infection intended and cause medical adhesive related skin injuries (MARSI) surrounding the IV insertion site, an area vulnerable to pathogen entry.

The two most common adhesive components used in IV dressings are acrylic and silicone:

Acrylic adhesives are known to be incredibly strong due to their tackiness. Acrylic can perform well when it comes to holding, fixing, and gripping - but it can be incredibly traumatic to the patients skin. Acrylic can also be time consuming to move, requiring healthcare providers to use solvents and scrapers.

Soft silicone dressings are tacky enough to adhere to the surrounding skin, while being gentle enough to allow for minimized trauma during dressing changing.

If a patient has delicate skin and will be wearing an IV securement dressing for long periods of time, a silicone dressing is best for minimizing pain and trauma.

Covalons IV Clear dressing is the worlds only dual antimicrobial silicone adhesive vascular access dressing. Its features include:

Chlorhexidine and silver embedded into the entire surface of the dressing provide broad spectrum protection.

Silicone adhesive helps to maintain skin integrity and keeps patients comfortable.

Complete transparency allows for visualization and easy daily assessment of the site and surrounding skin.

Covalons other IV-related solutions include:

CovaClear IV  utilizes soft silicone adhesive technology to help protect patients from skin injuries, but does not incorporate antimicrobials, for use with patients who either don't require or cannot tolerate antimicrobials.

VALGuard - a transparent, environmental barrier designed to protect catheter hubs and line connections from external contaminants and gross contamination, including body fluids and other secretions. It incorporates a quick-release pull strip for fast access to infusion hubs and for easy removal.

The 2023 Annual Oley Foundation Conference

The Oley Foundation aims to enrich the lives of those living with home intravenous (IV) nutrition or tube feeding through advocacy, education, community, and innovation. The conference brings together clinicians, patients, and industry to facilitate knowledge sharing on tube feeding and IV nutrition. Covalon representatives will be available to meet with participants on site. To make an appointment, please contact Ron Hebert, SVP Marketing, at [email protected].

Conference details

Dates: Tuesday, June 27  Friday, June 30, 2023

Venue: Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch (315 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63102)

Registration: https://oley.org/event/Oley2023

For healthcare providers who are not able to attend the conference but are interested in learning more about Covalons solutions, visit www.covalon.com or follow Covalon on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

About Covalon

Covalon Technologies Ltd. is a patient-driven medical device company, built on the relentless pursuit to help the most vulnerable patients have a better chance at healing. Through a strong portfolio of patented technologies and solutions for advanced wound care, infection prevention, and medical device coatings, we offer innovative, gentler, and more compassionate options for patients to heal with less infections, less pain, and better outcomes. Our solutions are designed for patients and made for care providers. Covalon leverages its patented medical technology platforms and expertise in two ways: (i) by developing products that are sold under Covalons name; and (ii) by developing and commercializing medical products for other medical companies under development and license contracts. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, having the symbol COV and trades on the OTCQX Market under the symbol CVALF. To learn more about Covalon, visit our website at www.covalon.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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events. The forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan, "estimate", "expect", "intend", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events, or results may, could, would, might, will or will be taken, occur, or be achieved. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent managements expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the factors described in greater detail in the Risks and Uncertainties section of our managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended September 30, 2022, which is available on the Companys profile at www.sedar.com, any of which could cause results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, further events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627972227/en/

To learn more about Covalon:

Brian Pedlar, CEO, Covalon Technologies Ltd.

Email:[email protected]

Phone:905.568.8400 x 233

Toll-Free:1.877.711.6055

Website:https://covalon.com/

Twitter:@covalon

Source: Covalon Technologies Ltd.
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amber Specialty Pharmacy announces today that Craig Holtgrave has been named senior vice president of business innovation. In this role, he will oversee the companys national sales team, as well as the payer and contracting teams as he helps grow and expand Amber Specialty Pharmacys operations in specialty drugs and infusion.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627005162/en/

Craig Holtgrave (Photo: Business Wire)

Holtgrave joins Amber Specialty Pharmacy with more than 18 years of sales experience in the health care industry, with a strong focus in pharmaceutical manufacturing and pharmacy operations. In his most recent role, Holtgrave served as senior vice president of sales and marketing at MedAvail Technologies Inc. Holtgrave holds a bachelors degree in business administration from McKendree University.

We are proud to welcome Craig to the Amber Specialty Pharmacy team as we work together to increase health care access for specialty pharmacy patients nationwide, said Kristin Williams, president of Amber Specialty Pharmacy. Craigs extensive health care background in technology, retail and specialty pharmacy will serve him well in his new role leading our national sales team and forging strong industry partnerships.

Amber Specialty Pharmacy, a Hy-Vee, Inc. subsidiary, is a pioneer and leader in the specialty pharmacy industry with 25 years of experience providing specialized care for persons with chronic, complex medical conditions. Amber Specialty Pharmacy has built an exceptional reputation by providing personalized support and quality clinical care to patients and families. This comprehensive care approach supports the medical, emotional, financial and administrative needs of patients throughout the United States. Amber Specialty Pharmacy is accredited by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC) and the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). Amber Specialty Pharmacy headquarters are located in Omaha, Nebraska, with an additional 18 locations throughout the United States. Amber Specialty Pharmacy was named the 2020 Specialty Pharmacy of the Year by the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy. Visit www.amberpharmacy.com to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627005162/en/

Nola Aigner Davis

Senior Communications Manager

Office: (515) 695-3198

Mobile: (641) 430-9170

[email protected]

Source: Amber Specialty Pharmacy
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) announced today that the company will release its second quarter 2023 operating results on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after the close of trading. A conference call to discuss those results will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 9:00 am Central Time. The conference call will be available via live audio webcast on the Investor Relations section of the companys website (www.eqcre.com). A replay of the audio webcast will also be available following the call.

About Equity Commonwealth

Equity Commonwealth (NYSE: EQC) is a Chicago based, internally managed and self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) with commercial office properties in the United States. EQCs portfolio is comprised of 4 properties totaling 1.5 million square feet.

Regulation FD Disclosures

We use any of the following to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD: press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, or our website. We routinely post important information on our website at www.eqcre.com, including information that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors and others interested in the company to monitor these distribution channels for material disclosures.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627083456/en/

Investor Contact

Bill Griffiths, (312) 646-2801

Source: Equity Commonwealth
New partnership brings Pearls suite of FDA-cleared AI and computer vision solutions to Espires 27 practice locations

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, and Espire Dental, a fast-growing, doctor-led Integrated Dental Organization (IDO), today announced a partnership to implement Pearls Second Opinion and Practice Intelligence solutions in Espires 27 practice locations throughout Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming and California. The partnership will equip Espires practices with Pearls suite of FDA-cleared AI and computer vision solutions designed to deliver an elevated standard of clinical performance and patient care delivery.

At Espire Dental, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of convenient and effective dental care, and that starts with selecting the most effective tools and technology for our practices, said Tim Hill, CEO of Espire Dental. With Pearl as our designated AI provider, our practices are equipped with the industrys most advanced clinical AI toolset, ensuring every patient receives state-of-the-art care for superior oral health outcomes.

Espire Dental recently converted to using CareStack with SOTA Cloud, a cloud based practice management system with software for dental imaging, which already has Pearls Second Opinion real-time clinical pathology detection aid fully assimilated within its native platform. With this partnership, Pearls AI-powered technology is directly integrated with Espires imaging software, providing a seamless user experience for patients and providers across all Espire Dental locations.

With a mutual mission to transform the standard of dental care quality and delivery, our partnership with Espire brings the advanced clinical benefits of AI-backed care to one of dentistrys fastest growing integrated dental organizations, said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. Together with Espire, we are providing an expansive group of patients and providers with increased access to our cutting-edge technology developed to improve diagnostic precision and accuracy across the dental field.

About Pearl

Pearl is leading the global dental AI revolution with groundbreaking computer vision solutions that elevate efficiency, accuracy, and the standard of care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by Ophir Tanz, Pearl is backed by Craft Ventures and other leading venture capital firms. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/demo.

About Espire Dental

Espire Dental is a group of practices founded by doctors with a vision to create something extraordinary: a dental setting where excellence in dentistry meets inspired hospitality. Espire is pioneering a new practice category, operating as an Integrated Dental Organization (IDO) instead of a DSO to create a large, top quality and unique group practice operating under a single, trusted brand. With a focus on cosmetic dentistry and elevated quality, multi-specialty care, and creating exceptional experiences for patients and employees, Espire believes that we bring out the best in people. Espire is a fast-growing group of 27 practices, looking to build its presence in the Western United States. Learn more at www.espiredental.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627084777/en/

Erik Arvidson

Matter Health for Pearl

[email protected]

Source: Pearl
Providing one-stop professional business platform for F&B industry players

Photo download

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair will be staged together from 17 to 19 August 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fairs will bring together a wide range of global specialty food and beverage, tea, and related products, providing a one-stop sourcing platform for F&B importers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, hospitality groups, department stores and e-tailers. The fair is open to public visitors with ticket admission on the last day (19 Aug).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626136519/en/

HKTDC Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair to be staged together in August (Photo: Business Wire)

Food Expo PRO: Asias key trade event for F&B

This year, the Food Expo Trade Hall will transform into Food Expo PRO and will focus on and further deepen the B2B elements, with a view to providing a one-stop professional business platform to help F&B industry players explore opportunities and build connections. Food Expo PRO presents the Food Science and Technology zone, as well as pavilions from various countries and regions, including Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Poland and more. Other product categories include food & beverage products, food packaging, labeling & logistic service, food processing products, machinery, and Halal food and beverage products.

The concurrent Hong Kong International Tea Fair brings together a wide variety of products including tea and tea-related products, tea packaging, tea ware and tea technology. Serval provinces from Mainland China will set up group pavilions at the fair. Also, Sri Lanka pavilion is returning this year, bringing Ceylon tea products from the region.

The two fairs will continue to adopt the HKTDCs EXHIBITION+ model that integrates online and offline elements, extending face-to-face interactions from physical events to smart business platform, Click2Match, which will be open to participants from 10 to 26 August.

In addition, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM), organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA) together with the HKTDC and eight scientific research institutions, will be held at the same venue on 17 and 18 August to deliver professional Chinese medicine insights into the industry.

Register for Free Buyer Badge Now: https://rb.gy/nnwus

Websites:

Food Expo PRO foodexpopro.hktdc.com Hong Kong International Tea Fair hkteafair.hktdc.com ICMCM icmcm.hktdc.com

Concurrent public fairs:

Food Expo hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com Beauty & Wellness Expo hkbeautyexpo.hktdc.com Home Delights Expo homedelights.hktdc.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626136519/en/

For enquiries:

Media Relations, Exhibitions and Digital Business

Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)

Doris Cheng

Tel: (852) 2240 4606

Email: [email protected]

Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council
SHENZHEN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recently, the Eatern Yixiang - China Fashion Gala has opened with great anticipation. As a fashion name card to help build Shenzhen into a global fashion capital and enhance the international influence of Chinas jewelry brands, the Industry and Information Technology Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Commerce Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and Luohu District Peoples Government of Shenzhen served as the guiding units for this event. It was sponsored by Shenzhen International Jewelry and Jade Comprehensive Trade Platform and Shenzhen Gold and Jewelry Culture Research Association. It was co-organized by the Innovative Design and R&D Platform of 100 Global Jewelry Designers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627770269/en/

Living Like Summer Flowers with Continuous Development for Prosperity, Eastern Yixiang - China Fashion Gala Grand Opening (Photo: Business Wire)

With the theme of Promoting the International Influence of Chinas Jewelry Brands Through Product Strength, the event relies on the development advantages of Shenzhens fashion industry chain and supply chain to extract and showcase the contemporary value and global significance of Chinas excellent traditional culture.

The biggest highlight of this gala is the award ceremony. The organizing committee spent two years selecting works themed Living Like Summer Flowers from Chinese jewelry companies, and invited 35 fashion experts from around the world, such as Cartier and Bulgari experts, to conduct professional evaluations. The final selection carried the mission and responsibility of representing China in spreading the beauty of Eastern Yixiang to the global fashion industry (Eastern Yixiang: the image of the East/Eastern Imagery).

The first, second and third prizes of Creativity Award in the Design of Jewelry were awarded in the main competition unit. The first prize was won by KYLIN LUCKYs Peony, GEMHORNs Rosy Days, ALLOVEs Phoenix, FONIKSs Emerald Ring and Brooch, and Guoyus Dragon Flying Across the World, which demonstrated the product design creativity of Chinas jewelry brands and the exquisite skills of Chinese traditional jade craftsmanship, showcasing the product strength of Chinas jewelry brands. The first prize of Best Overall Styling was won by VM Jewelry, which is also the first time that Chinas jewelry industry has set up an award for overall styling, reflecting the beauty of matching high-end jewelry and high-end fashion garments.

The grand opening of the Eastern Yixiang - China Fashion Gala signifies the true transformation of Chinas jewelry brands from cultural confidence to cultural consciousness, a new beginning for reshaping the discourse power of Chinese fashion, and the continuous development and advancement of Chinas jewelry and fashion industry.

Eastern Yixiang - China Fashion Gala will be held once a year. Through continuous promotion and publicity, it will create a fashion highland for Chinas jewelry brands, highlighting the impact of Chinas jewelry brands, enhancing the international and domestic influence of Chinas jewelry. It aims to achieve the ultimate goal of international influence of China as a Global Jewelry Capital with the advantage of Shenzhen As Chinas Jewelry Capital, providing continuous support for the revival of Chinas fashion industry.

https://youtu.be/RpGtfYOuIYU

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627770269/en/

Farah Zhao

[email protected]

https://youtube.com/@chinafashiongala

Address: Floor 28, Block B, Shuibei Jinzhan Jewelry Building, Shenzhen

Source: Eastern Yixiang - China Fashion Gala
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Materion Corporation (NYSE: MTRN) will participate in the CJS Securities Annual New Ideas Summer Conference on July 11, 2023. Jugal Vijayvargiya, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shelly Chadwick, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and John Zaranec, Chief Accounting Officer, will be hosting an in-person fireside chat at 10:30AM ET and will be available for one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the day.

About Materion

Materion Corporation is a global leader in advanced materials solutions for high-performance industries including semiconductor, industrial, aerospace & defense, energy and automotive. With nearly 100 years of expertise in specialty engineered alloy systems, inorganic chemicals and powders, precious and non-precious metals, beryllium and beryllium composites, and precision filters and optical coatings, Materion partners with customers to enable breakthrough solutions that move the world forward. Headquartered in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, the company employs more than 3,700 talented people worldwide, serving customers in more than 60 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627190517/en/

Investors:

Kyle Kelleher

(216) 383-4931

[email protected]

Source: Materion Corporation
Lens Antenna Deployment to Enhance NASCAR Event Experience with Improved Mobile Speeds and Capacity

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MatSing, the pioneer and innovator of high-capacity Lens Antennas, today announced the integration of its multibeam antennas as part of a leading carriers 4G LTE and 5G mobile network being scaled in downtown Chicago to support the upcoming NASCAR Chicago Street Race on July 1 and 2.

With the first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series street course races hitting the streets of Chicago, an influx of revved-up fans is expected in the city to capture moments and share their experience in real-time with family and friends across social media. While Chicago gears up to host the fans, the mobile network is being set up to support the increased need for speed and capacity.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is the first of its kind, said Bo Larsson, MatSing CEO. At such an anticipated event, its crucial that fans can stream and share their favorite race day moments. Carriers, venues and event organizers select MatSing Lens Antenna technology because of our ability to deliver superior performance with higher network speed, bandwidth and reliability with a limited number of antenna locations. For the upcoming race weekend in Chicago, we are pleased to share that our antennas will also support C-Band, which is key for high-capacity 5G connectivity at a mega-event like this.

MatSing leverages patented lightweight metamaterials and a unique design to distinguish its high-performance antennas. Delivering high sectorization without signal interference, fewer antenna locations are typically required to deliver the advanced performance that carriers want from their networks.

As fans flock to capture the victory lap of the NASCAR street race, complete with the famous Grant Park and Lake Michigan backdrop, they will be able to connect seamlessly and augment their race day experience.

About MatSing

Founded in 2005, MatSing has developed and patented new metamaterials to create the worlds first lightweight and multibeam Lens Antennas. This new approach for high-performance, high-capacity antenna design is more efficient and offers key advantages over traditional antennas, the ability to provide broadband coverage, emit and maintain multiple beams, and to do so cleanly with minimal RF interference. Nationwide coverage isnt the only critical challenge facing telecoms companies, and MatSings Lens Antenna solution is ideal to meet the capacity demands at outdoor events, stadiums and macro uses in cities, suburbs and rural areas. Each antenna can provide multiple independent sectors, up to 48, providing the highest capacity across multiple bands with the fewest antennas possible. MatSing lens technology is the perfect fit for 4G LTE and 5G mobile broadband coverage, and it is the most cost-effective network densification tool in the industry.

To learn more about MatSing RF Lens Antennas, please visit us at MatSing - RF Lens Technologies or send an email to our expert staff at [email protected].

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627365018/en/

Kendra Young

The Hoffman Agency on behalf of MatSing

(818) 404-4409

[email protected]

Source: MatSing
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Montecito Medical, a leading acquirer of medical office properties nationwide, has acquired a 24,900-square-foot medical office property in Murray, KY.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626831782/en/

Village Medical Primary Care - Murray, KY (Photo: Business Wire)

Village Medical Primary Care is the anchor tenant for the property, which is 100% leased.

We are very pleased to add this outstanding medical office asset to our portfolio. It represents a focal point for the delivery of care in the area, said Rus Gudnyy, Senior Vice President of Investments at Montecito Medical.

Marc Barlow of CBRE represented the seller in the transaction.

Village Medical is one of the nations largest providers of primary care services, with more than 680 locations across cities, suburbs and rural areas. The 19 providers at the Murray location offer a full range of primary care along with CT imaging services.

The facility, one of the few primary care clinics in Murray, is just over one mile from a 225-bed hospital and receives referrals from the University Health Services Department at nearby Murray State University, which has an enrollment of more than 9,400 students.

We are very bullish about medical real estate opportunities in tertiary markets like Murray, and we are excited to expand our growing footprint in Kentucky, said Chip Conk, CEO of Montecito Medical.

About Montecito Medical

Montecito Medical is one of the nations largest privately held companies specializing in healthcare-related real estate acquisitions and partnering with physicians and developers to fund development of medical real estate. The company also supports providers with a suite of AI-powered technology solutions that increase revenues, reduce costs and build physician wealth. Since 2006, Montecito has completed transactions involving more than $5 billion in medical real estate. Headquartered in Nashville, TN, the company has been named for five consecutive years as a key influencer in healthcare real estate by GlobeSt.com and the editors of Real Estate Forum. For more information, please visit www.montecitomac.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626831782/en/

Brandi Meeks

VP of Marketing

[email protected]

Source: Montecito Medical
Second annual report highlights companys advancements with a focus on innovation and access to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for women worldwide.

JERSEY CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Organon (NYSE: OGN), a global healthcare company focused on womens health, today released its 2022-2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. The report highlights the companys progress on its comprehensive ESG platform, Her Promise, and its related goals, which are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At Organon, our purpose is fueled by the promise held by the four billion women and girls in the world, said Kevin Ali, Organon CEO. Alongside our partners, Organon has made measurable gains against our ESG strategy, including innovating for womens health needs and helping to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies. Im proud of the progress weve made and the impact our initiatives are having in creating a better, more equitable world.

Organon has continued to make focused investments and form strategic partnerships to introduce and expand access to health solutions and advance gender equity. Additional highlights of Organon's progress included in its 2022 ESG Report include:

Completed eight transactions since Organons launch in 2021 that allow the company to advance meaningfully toward its vision of innovating in womens health, with new assets and investments in areas of unmet medical need.

Together with our collaborators, helped to prevent an estimated 57 million unplanned pregnancies since the Her Promise Access Initiative program began, putting the company approximately half-way to its goal of preventing an estimated 120 million unplanned pregnancies by 2030.

Launched Her Plan is Her Power, a three-year, $30 million initiative that expands and accelerates the companys efforts to help reduce unplanned pregnancies through global advocacy as well as investments in community-driven solutions, in the United States, in low- and middle-income countries, and around the globe.

Advanced diversity, equity and inclusion within the company by increasing female representation in leadership and completing its first pay equity studies of employees in the companys largest markets; Achieved the companys supplier diversity goal of increasing addressable spend with diverse suppliers (including women-led businesses) by 25%.

Made progress toward key environmental goals. This includes overall reductions in the energy, waste and water used.

Organon's business mission and its ESG strategy are very much linked, said Carrie Cox, Board Chairman. Our second ESG report, highlighting the companys first full year of operations, shows its progress toward important goals. We look forward to Organon maintaining this momentum as the company grows and continues to help improve the health of women, their families and their communities.

For more details on Organons ESG strategy, goals, and initiatives, download the full 2022 ESG Report at https://www.organon.com/about-organon/environmental-social-governance/.

About Organon

Organon is a global healthcare company formed to focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. Organon offers more than 60 medicines and products in womens health in addition to a growing biosimilars business and a large franchise of established medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. Organons existing products produce strong cash flows that support investments in innovation and future growth opportunities in womens health and biosimilars. In addition, Organon is pursuing opportunities to collaborate with biopharmaceutical innovators looking to commercialize their products by leveraging its scale and presence in fast growing international markets.

Organon has a global footprint with significant scale and geographic reach, world-class commercial capabilities, and approximately 10,000 employees with headquarters located in Jersey City, New Jersey.

For more information, visit http://www.organon.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements and disclosures in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as goals, "may," expects, intends, anticipates, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, will, or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Organon undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Organons filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Organons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent SEC filings, available at the SECs Internet site (www.sec.gov).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627997194/en/

Media Contacts:

Karissa Peer

(614) 314-8094

Kate Vossen

(732) 675-8448

Investor Contacts:

Jennifer Halchak

(201) 275-2711

Alex Arzeno

(646) 430-2028

Source: Organon & Co.
Exports via grain corridor falls by 18% over past week, next week figures would not change  UCAB

Exports of Ukrainian agricultural products through the seaports of the Odesa region from June 19 to June 25 (the 47th week of the grain corridor) fell by 18% compared to a week earlier, to 358,300 tonnes, the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB) said on Tuesday.

According to information published on its website, six vessels were loaded from the ports of Big Odesa, which are three dry cargo vessels less than a week earlier. However, they did not pass the necessary inspection.

"Next week, figures are expected to be at the same low level because last week only six inbound vessels passed inspection," UCAB said.

At the same time, last week in the structure of exports of Ukrainian agricultural products, the largest shares fell on corn (68%) and wheat (32%). Ukrainian products went to Europe (Spain, the Netherlands)  178,000 tonnes, Asia (China, Indonesia)  117,000 tonnes and Africa (Egypt)  63,000 tonnes.

In general, from the beginning of the work of the grain corridor from August 1, 2022 to June 25, 2023, it was possible to export 32.4 million tonnes of agricultural products, which brings the average shipment volume per week to 689,360 tonnes.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In light of unusual trading activity, Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (Postmedia) today confirmed that Nordstar Capital LP (Nordstar), owner of Metroland Media Group and the Toronto Star, and Postmedia have entered into non-binding discussions to consider a combination of Postmedia, together with the Metroland newspapers and certain operational assets of the Toronto Star, through a potential merger transaction.

The merged entity, which is yet to be named, would be jointly owned and jointly controlled by Nordstar (which would have a 50% voting interest and 44% economic interest) and existing Postmedia shareholders (who would have a combined voting interest of 50% and a combined economic interest of 56%).

Jordan Bitove, Publisher of the Toronto Star and owner of Nordstar, would be Chairman of the merged entity and Andrew MacLeod, CEO of Postmedia, would be CEO.

The Toronto Star would maintain its editorial independence from the merged entity through the incorporation of a new company, Toronto Star Inc., which would manage editorial operations of the Toronto Star. Nordstar would retain a 65% interest in Toronto Star Inc., and Jordan Bitove would remain Publisher of the Toronto Star.

The merger contemplates a significant reduction in overall debt through a conversion of a portion of the outstanding debt to equity, resulting in significant economic dilution to existing shareholders. This will result in an overall reduction in debt of the merged entity, providing it with stability to preserve and grow a strong national editorial infrastructure and maintain important brands.

The core rationale for the proposed merger is to create a new entity with reduced debt, national digital scale to compete with the global technology giants and economies of scale in the business model. The proposed merged entity would provide the best opportunity to ensure strong news media coverage for Canadians from coast to coast, said Andrew Macleod, President and Chief Executive Officer of Postmedia. The news media industry in Canada and around the world is under existential threat, new models are urgently required. Scale, reach and efficiency are all prerequisites for future success and to compete with the global technology platforms. Canadians deserve and expect world-class journalism from trusted sources, and we are committed to preserving the editorial independence of all our newsrooms, added Mr. MacLeod.

The viability of the newspaper industry in Canada is at an extreme risk, especially in the small towns and communities that are important to this nation. By pooling resources and working collaboratively, we can ensure that more Canadians have access to trusted journalism and quality reporting. This will strengthen our democracy and protect the fabric of our country, said Jordan Bitove, Publisher of the Toronto Star. Preserving the editorial independence of our newsrooms, including the Toronto Star, is of particular importance to this arrangement going forward.

The companies stress that the negotiation of this transaction is ongoing and is currently in the form of a non-binding Letter of Intent. There can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into and on what terms. Any definitive agreement, if entered into, would be subject to a number of closing conditions and there are no assurances that such conditions will be satisfied or waived and the transaction will close.

Postmedia does not currently intend to disclose further developments with respect to the potential merger unless and until a transaction is entered into or negotiations otherwise conclude without a transaction being entered into.

About Postmedia Network Canada Corp.

Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B) is the holding company that owns Postmedia Network Inc., a Canadian news media company representing more than 130 brands across multiple print, online, and mobile platforms. Award-winning journalists and innovative product development teams bring engaging content to millions of people every week whenever and wherever they want it. This exceptional content, reach and scope offers advertisers and marketers compelling solutions to effectively reach target audiences. Our expertise in home delivery and expanding distribution network powers Postmedia Parcel Services. For more information, visit: www.postmedia.com, www.postmediasolutions.com, and www.postmediaparcelservices.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to Postmedia. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Postmedias current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including the ability of Postmedia to successfully negotiate and enter into definitive agreements in respect of a merger transaction with Nordstar and related transactions, satisfy all conditions in respect of such merger transaction and related transactions and close such transactions; and the risk factors discussed in materials filed by Postmedia with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time, including matters discussed under Risk Factors in Postmedias most recent Annual Information Form. Although Postmedia believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627494115/en/

For Postmedia

Phyllise Gelfand

Vice President, Communications

(647) 273-9287

[email protected]

Source: Postmedia Network Canada Corp.
Platform launches new, full-spectrum brand of end-to-end concrete polishing and surface preparation solutions for next chapter of growth

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SASE Company announced today the launch of their new holding company brand, SBG Holdings, Inc. (SBG). This formation results from the platforms organic growth and multiple strategic acquisitions, which have significantly expanded the Companys core end markets, sales channels and product offering.

From the outset, our focus with Blue Point was to strategically expand our product and service offering to best serve an ever-growing base of customers across a multitude of channels and end markets, said SBGs CEO Karl Moritz. Having successfully brought SASEs direct-to-contractor brand and Bartell Globals distribution channel brand together, were benefitting from economies of scale as an industry leader while maintaining the integrity of our highly respected brands in the market.

SBG Holdings, Inc. will continue to provide consumables and associated equipment for the ongoing maintenance, conversion and placement of concrete flooring and other hardscapes through its industry-leading brands of SASE and Bartell Global.

"As our capabilities and market footprint have grown dramatically in recent years, it is the perfect time to establish a holding company brand that aligns with what the platform has become. There will continue to be compelling organic and acquisitive opportunities to welcome new brands and products to the SBG platform," said Blue Point Partner Brian Castleberry.

To learn more about our investment strategy or share information about potential add-on acquisition opportunities, please contact Blue Point Managing Director of Business Development Megan Kneipp.

SBG Holdings, Inc. is a holding company of subsidiary trade brands providing consumables and associated equipment for the ongoing maintenance, conversion and placement of concrete flooring and other hardscapes through its industry-leading brands of SASE and Bartell Global. SASE directly serves surface preparation and concrete polishing contractors with a comprehensive offering of consumables, equipment, and related solutions. Bartell Global serves a wide range of distributors and rental providers with a comprehensive offering of solutions for site preparation and surface placement, finishing and polishing.

Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm managing over $1.9 billion in committed capital. With resources in Cleveland, Charlotte, Seattle and Shanghai, Blue Points geographical footprint allows it to establish relationships with local and regional entrepreneurs and advisors while providing the perspectives and resources of a global organization. Blue Point has over a two-decade history of partnering with lower middle-market businesses to build processes and capabilities to achieve growth. Blue Points portfolio is supported by its unique capabilities  which include an integrative team focused on innovative global supply chain, data and digital and human capital strategies  as well as its extensive experience, network of industry resources and focused M&A efforts. Blue Point typically invests in businesses that generate between $30 million and $300 million in revenue.

Note: Certain statements about Blue Point Capital Partners made by portfolio company executives herein are intended to illustrate Blue Point Capital Partners business relationship with such persons, including with respect to Blue Point Capital Partners facilities as a business partner, rather than Blue Point Capital Partners capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services. Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with their participation, although they generally receive compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles, and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and/or investors in Blue Point Capital Partners-sponsored vehicles.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627654761/en/

Blue Point Capital Partners

Megan Kneipp

Managing Director, Business Development [email protected]

Brian Castleberry

Partner [email protected]

MiddleM Creative (Media Inquiries)

Jan Morris

Vice President [email protected]

Source: Blue Point Capital Partners
MACON, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Southern Trust Insurance, a provider of reliable coverage across the Southeast for over 50 years, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for a partnership with Arbour National. The significant investment will support the continued growth of Southern Trust, reinforcing its commitment to independent agents and policyholders across the Southeast.

This is the best thing for our people. We had a great fit with the Arbour team from the beginning, and our group is thrilled about the opportunities for growth this partnership will bring, Southern Trust CEO & President Les Cole said. With Arbour's support and access to capital, we will be able to continue growing while staying true to the principles that have guided Southern Trust for decades."

As part of the agreement, Southern Trust will continue to operate independently in Macon, Ga., led by Mr. Cole, who will remain a significant shareholder and board member. Founder Billy Anderson, who started the organization 55 years ago, will also continue as a board member and shareholder ensuring continuity of the companys unique culture. Arbour National will become the majority owner of both Southern Trust Insurance Company and Southern Specialty Underwriters, with Cole and Anderson as key partners. To support continued expansion and hiring, at closing Arbour National will contribute an additional $20 million to Southern Trusts surplus.

We think this is a quality company that has a lot of potential, Arbour National Chairman Dale Jenkins said. We believe in Les Cole and think this team can continue to prudently grow across the Southeast." Arbour National President Connor Leonard added we deeply respect what the Andersons built over the first 55 years and plan to continue with a similar ownership approach that invests behind the team in Macon.

The partnership is expected to close in 2023 subject to regulatory approval. The sellers were represented by PhiloSmith and Mette, Evans & Woodside, while the buyers were represented by WyrickRobbins and ArentFox Schiff.

About Southern Trust Insurance: Southern Trust Insurance Company has offered a wide array of competitively priced Property and Casualty Insurance products for independent agents for over fifty years. Southern Trust currently offers homeowners, auto, and a variety of business insurance products in Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. The company has a strong history of growth and profitability, maintaining an A.M. Best rating of A-Excellent for over thirty years. For more information, please visit www.stins.com.

About Southern Specialty Underwriters: Southern Specialty Underwriters is a wholesale outlet of specialized coverage for personal and business insurance options. SSU provides insurance agents and brokers access to a nationwide wholesale insurance outlet of specialized commercial and personal insurance program. For more information, please visit www.ssund.com.

About Arbour National: Arbour National is dedicated to the long-term ownership of specialty Property & Casualty insurance companies led by extraordinary teams. Based in Raleigh, NC, Arbour is a privately held insurance holding company with a multidisciplinary team that has experience in insurance, entrepreneurship and investing. Arbours goal is to partner with proven underwriters in diverse specialty segments, creating an environment where leadership teams have the resources and support of a larger group while maintaining the autonomy and ownership culture of an independent company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627482349/en/

Connor Leonard

Arbour National

(919) 653-7499

Source: Arbour National
NEWCASTLE & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Technip UK Limited, a subsidiary of TechnipFMC plc (NYSE: FTI), and Technip Energies France SAS, a subsidiary of Technip Energies NV, have agreed to resolve their outstanding matters with the French Parquet National Financier (PNF). The resolution encompasses historical conduct arising from nearly fifteen-year-old former Technip S.A. group projects. This settlement took the form of a convention judiciaire d'interet public, or CJIP, which does not involve any admission of liability or guilt. The CJIP remains subject to final approval by the President of the Tribunal Judiciaire of Paris at a hearing scheduled on June 28, 2023.

Under the terms of the CJIP, Technip UK and Technip Energies France will pay a fine of 154.8 million and 54.1 million, respectively, for a total of 208.9 million. TechnipFMC is responsible for 179.45 million to be paid in installments through July 2024, and Technip Energies is responsible for the remaining 29.45 million under their separation agreement.

TechnipFMC fully cooperated with the PNF and will not be required to retain a monitor.

Important Information for Investors and Securityholders

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words expect, believe, estimated, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments  Subsea and Surface Technologies  we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627724032/en/

Investor relations



Matt Seinsheimer

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer



James Davis

Director, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis

Media relations



Catie Tuley

Director, Public Relations

Tel: +1 713 876 7296

Email: Catie Tuley



David Willis

Senior Manager, Public Relations

Tel: +44 7841 492988

Email: David Willis

Source: TechnipFMC plc
Black people are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) at nearly three times the rate of their white counterpartsthis collaborative project will create the first online hub of Black TNBC resources for the community, by the community.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliancein partnership with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and Nueva Vidawas awarded the first Toward Health Equity for Black People Impacted by Triple Negative Breast Cancer Resource Hub grant from Gilead Sciences for their project Black TNBC Matters.

With a community-driven lens, the Black TNBC Matters team seeks to build a culturally agile, bilingual, scientifically vetted, search engine optimized (SEO)- and mobile-optimized, web-based home for Black people impacted by TNBC and their loved ones. The stellar team consists of leading advocacy groups for Black, and Latina people impacted by TNBC and other types of breast cancer; the countrys first and largest cancer research organization; and preeminent doctors with expertise in Black TNBC.

Black TNBC Matters will startand be grounded throughout the processin community, says Ricki Fairley, CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance. The first thing that someone newly diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer does after they leave their doctors office is to search triple negative breast cancer online. Usually sitting in their car on their cell phone. As is, the results are scary and confusing. If you add Black into that search, it only gets worse. We want our resource hub to be a light in all that darkness. All Black people impacted by TNBC deserve to find community and hope from that very first search.

Black breast cancer patients have a 41% higher mortality rate than white patients as well as the lowest 5-year survival rate of any race or ethnicity. The relative risk of recurrence for Black breast cancer patients is a staggering 39% higher than for white breast cancer patients. These statistics are compounded when you look at TNBC. Black people have almost three times higher odds of being diagnosed with TNBC, and Black women with late-stage TNBC have a dismal 10.2% 5-year relative survival, the lowest of all ethnicities.

But Black TNBC doesnt have to be a death sentenceTNBC research is advancing at record speeds, the world is demanding action around health disparities, and the Black breast cancer community is more engaged and unified than ever before. Yet we are in dire need of a comprehensive, culturally tailored TNBC digital resource hub that can give the Black breast cancer community the best possible tools to educate and advocate for themselves and each other. Black TNBC patients deserve a safe and trusted homeinformed by a community-based, scientifically sound approachwhere they can find vetted, timely resources made accessible and engaging. Black TNBC Matters aims to be that sourcea living, breathing resource that evolves and grows based on the ever-changing landscape of Black TNBC.

Our motto is no one fights alone, says Hayley Dinerman, Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. We want the Black TNBC Matters resource hub to be a tab that Black TNBC patients and their loved ones keep open on their computers, that they come back to on a regular basis in order to get what they need at any given point during their TNBC experience.

Nueva Vida is thrilled to partner with TOUCH, the TNBC Foundation, and AACR, says Laura Logie, PhD, the Director of Research at Nueva Vida. Together, we are committed to utilizing a community-driven lens to create the first TNBC resource hub, because Black and Latina TNBC matters.

This unprecedented initiative is made possible by the generous support of Gilead Sciences, who has demonstrated time and again their commitment to the Black breast cancer community.

Gilead recognizes that patients and communities often face challenges in accessing the best possible care, and we know that passion for scientific discovery alone  and that Gilead alone  cannot solve these challenges, says Deborah H. Telman, Gilead's Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and General Counsel. We believe that this hub will make critical strides towards health equity for Black women impacted by TNBC.

Visit BlackTNBCMatters.org and follow @touchbbca to learn more about the collaboration and the project.

About TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance seeks to advance critical, life-saving science for Black breast cancer survivors/thrivers and drive the collaborative efforts of the breast cancer ecosystempatients, survivors, advocates, advocacy organizations, health care professionals, researchers, and pharmaceutical companiesto work collectively, with accountability, towards the common goal of eradicating Black Breast Cancer.

About the TNBC Foundation

The TNBC Foundation is known throughout the triple negative breast cancer community as the most trusted source for TNBC-specific information and resources, demonstrated by its deep engagement from and dedicated relationship to the community. The TNBC Foundation is the credible source for triple negative breast cancer information, a catalyst for science and patient advocacy, and a caring community with meaningful services for patients and their families.

About AACR

Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the worlds first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR membership includes more than 54,000 laboratory, translational, and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and patient advocates residing in 130 countries and territories around the world. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 30 conferences and educational workshops; publishing 10 prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients, and their caregivers; funding meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations; and actively communicating with legislators and other policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

About Nueva Vida

Nueva Vidas mission is to inform, support, and empower Latinas whose lives are affected by cancer as one of the few community-based nonprofits providing free, comprehensive, and culturally competent services along the cancer continuum in Spanish.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, inflammation, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627356392/en/

Emily Powers |TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance | [email protected]

Source: TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VillageMD announced today that Richard Rubino will join the organization as chief financial officer (CFO) effective June 26. As CFO, Rubino will be responsible for enterprise-wide financials, investor relations, payer contracting and analytics.

Were thrilled to have Rich join VillageMD as he brings extensive financial planning, strategy and leadership experience, said Tim Barry, CEO and Chair of VillageMD. The business is increasingly complex, as we operate primary, urgent and multispecialty care in markets across the United States while expanding our patient populations in risk-based contracts. Rich will play an important role in this next stage of our growth.

Prior to VillageMD, Rubino served as CFO of Cedar Gate Technologies, Inc, a value-based care enablement enterprise that provides analytics, capitation, population health and prospective bundles solutions for payers and providers. He also served as CFO of Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2012 to 2021. Rubino also held executive positions with Medco Health Solutions, including as CFO when Medco merged with Express Scripts.

I am excited to join VillageMD and help drive the enterprise to exceed its strategic plan and reach operational excellence at scale, said Rubino. In the United States, we spend more on health care per person than other wealthy countries, yet our system is complicated, fragmented and broken. VillageMDs mission to transform the way health care is delivered is inspiring and necessary right now, and I look forward to participating in that transformation.

About VillageMD

VillageMD provides high-quality, accessible health care services for individuals and communities across the United States, with primary, multispecialty, and urgent care providers serving patients in traditional clinic settings, in patients homes and online appointments. Committed to serving all patients and working with all payers, VillageMD consistently innovates value-based care, bringing integrated applications, population insights and staffing expertise to its owned and affiliate practices, ensuring high-quality care, better patient outcomes and a reduction in the total cost of care. Through Village Medical, Village Medical at Home, Summit Health, CityMD and other practices, VillageMD serves millions of patients throughout their lives, wherever and whenever they need care. Its dedicated workforce of more than 20,000 operates from more than 700 practice locations in 26 markets.

To learn more, please visit www.villageMD.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623244072/en/

Media Contact:

[email protected]

Source: VillageMD
BENGALURU, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vonage, a global leader in cloud communications helping businesses accelerate their digital transformation, announced today that it is furthering its commitment to driving innovation by opening a Research and Development (R&D) Centre of Excellence in India.

Based in Bengaluru, the heart of Indias high-tech industry, Vonages expanding R&D team will focus on building new features and solutions across Vonages innovative portfolio of business communications solutions. Led by Manjunath Lakshminarayanan, Vonage Vice President of Engineering and India CoE Lead, the hub will support Vonages expansion and strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Manjunath Lakshminarayanan comments, With this new centre and major talent acquisition, Vonage will gain significant technology expertise for the development of the programmable, flexible and intelligent capabilities of our Vonage Communications Platform and robust portfolio of APIs. The opening of this centre emphasises our commitment to continue driving innovation that transforms the way businesses operate and engage with their customers.

Savinay Berry, Vonage Executive Vice President, Product and Engineering, adds, In an age where customers expect ultra-fast, dynamic engagement, Vonage is meeting customer needs now and is positioned to meet their evolving needs well into the future. We are delighted to have opened this Center of Excellence in the IT capital of India. Our new talent acquisition in Bengaluru will help Vonage to continue delivering solutions that help customers in India and around the world create innovative solutions that drive more meaningful engagement across any channel - in service of our product vision, turning notifications into conversations wherever you are, enabled by the worlds largest immersive engagement platform."

Through the Vonage Communications Platform (VCP), Vonage develops and markets cloud APIs enabling Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for messaging, conversational commerce, voice, AI and video services. This allows developers to embed advanced capabilities into applications, workflows and systems, without back-end infrastructure or interfaces. VCP is fully programmable and also includes Vonages Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS) applications that enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or remotely - providing the flexibility to perform better and enhance customer engagement.

Around the world, VCP serves more than 120,000 business customers, has a global community of more than one million registered developers and a highly scaled platform. Vonages solutions have facilitated transformative projects for multiple startups and established companies across Asia including Carousell, PT. Telekomunikasi, Kakao, Doctor Anywhere, Manulife, PUBG Corporation, Insung Information, Spacely and more.

Vonage continues to invest in R&D in key global hubs for digital talent such as Tel Aviv, Wroclaw, London and San Francisco, as well as Bengaluru. As an employer that has embraced hybrid and remote work even before the pandemic, Vonage also offers partial to fully remote roles, alongside other flexible arrangements.

To find out more about careers at Vonage, visit www.vonage.com.

# # #

About Vonage

Vonage, a global cloud communications leader, helps businesses accelerate their digital transformation. Vonage's Communications Platform is fully programmable and allows for the integration of Video, Voice, Chat, Messaging, AI and Verification into existing products, workflows and systems. The Vonage conversational commerce application enables businesses to create AI-powered omnichannel experiences that boost sales and increase customer satisfaction. Vonage's fully programmable unified communications, contact center and conversational commerce applications are built from the Vonage platform and enable companies to transform how they communicate and operate from the office or remotely - providing the flexibility required to create meaningful engagements.

Vonage is headquartered in New Jersey, with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ericsson. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage. To become a fan on Facebook, go to facebook.com/vonage. To subscribe on YouTube, visit youtube.com/vonage.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626714873/en/

Nicola Brookes, +44 (0)207 785 8888, [email protected]

Source: Vonage
ZNet Technologies & Lightstorm partner to provide business value to businesses looking to transform their network interconnectivity ecosystem across multi-cloud, hybrid, CDNs, Internet Exchanges and more.

DELHI, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ZNet Technologies Private Limited ( www.znetlive.com ), India's leading cloud distributor offering cloud infrastructure and managed services, announced its partnership with Lightstorm, a digital infrastructure provider, for its newest offering Polarin; a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform designed to cater to cloud-native, forward-thinking businesses, offering a diverse range of connectivity solutions, granting unparalleled control and visibility over network design, deployment, and scaling.

Polarin enables businesses to transform their business capabilities by providing them with scalable and agile cloud interconnectivity across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure, internet exchanges, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and various SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365. The solution addresses the inadequacies of traditional network solutions as it operates on a cloud model, much like our cloud partners AWS, Oracle, GCP and Azure. The challenge of lengthy network setup and multiple partner onboardings is eliminated, enabling faster execution and time-to-market for businesses, allowing automation through seamless API integrations for on-demand and real-time use, simplifying network management and driving operational efficiency.

"We are thrilled to join forces with Polarin by Lightstorm," said Munesh Jadoun, Founder & CEO, ZNet Technologies. "This partnership unlocks incredible opportunities for startups, enterprises, and visionary organizations in search of seamless connectivity and future-focused networking solutions across India. Together, we will transform the way businesses connect and thrive in the digital landscape."

As a Platinum Partner of Lightstorm, ZNet Technologies is poised to leverage its extensive partner and customer base to amplify the reach of Polarin's groundbreaking NaaS platform. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation in the networking space for businesses, enabling them to bid farewell to complicated provisioning processes and inflexible legacy networks that hinder growth.

Commenting on the partnership, Amajit Gupta, Group CEO & MD, Lightstorm, said, In todays rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly turning to cloud computing to meet their infrastructure needs. We are delighted to partner with ZNet Technologies, and through this strategic partnership we aim to leverage synergies and deliver exceptional value to businesses through enhancing their network interconnectivity, by creating a wider reach for Polarin by Lightstorm to go to the market.

The market for Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) is experiencing rapid growth as businesses increasingly recognize the need for scalable and agile network interconnectivity. According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) market is projected to witness a remarkable CAGR of 24.6% during the forecast period of 2023-2029. The partnership between ZNet Technologies and Lightstorm is poised to address this demand, with Polarin by Lightstorm filling the gap in the market.

About ZNet Technologies Private Limited

ZNet Technologies Private Limited, a subsidiary of the billion-dollar group - Rashi Peripherals Limited, was established in 2009 and provides B2B cloud technology solutions.

As a distributor and strategic partner of various technology brands, such as Microsoft, AWS, and Acronis, ZNet not only offers these products but also provides managed services with its team of over 200 certified cloud professionals. With an in-house cloud service delivery and business automation platform, ZNet automates service delivery and accurately bills for usage based on consumption.

Overall, ZNet Technologies Private Limited is a leading global provider of cloud, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity services to partners worldwide. Visit www.znetlive.com for more information.

About Rashi Peripherals Limited: Founded in 1989, Rashi Peripherals Limited (RPL) is a prominent national distribution partner for global technology brands in India, in terms of revenue and distribution network. With a pan-India distribution network of 50 branches, 50 service centers, and 60+ warehouses, RPL caters to the technology requirements of over 7,000 B2B customers in 700+ cities and towns across India.

About Polarin by Lightstorm

Polarin is an interconnection network platform offering from Lightstorm that enables seamless connectivity between data centers, hybrid and multi-cloud environments, internet exchanges, and SaaS applications like Microsoft Office 365. With Polarin, organizations can effortlessly scale their networks while ensuring high availability, low latency and 100% uptime, delivering a transformative customer experience. Experience unparalleled performance and agility with Polarin and empower your digital infrastructure for the future. Visit polarin.lightstorm.net for more information.

About Lightstorm

Lightstorm is building infrastructure for hyperscale networking across Asia Pacific and the Middle East to accelerate the region's growth and spur innovation in the digital economy. It is building a first-of-its-kind utility-grade resilient fiber network, SmartNet, in several countries in the region. A trusted partner of several Fortune 500 companies, Lightstorm is creating a robust foundation of digital infrastructure to create new sources of value and differentiation for businesses. For more information, visit www.lightstorm.net .You can also connect with Lightstorms experts on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626518636/en/

Media:

Devesh Vyas

[email protected] | 8290929909

Source: ZNet Technologies Private Limited
Brookfield today announced that following close of markets on June 26, 2023, Brookfield Reinsurance (NYSE: BNRE) delivered a letter to the board of directors of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE: AEL) (AEL) setting forth a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of AEL not already owned by Brookfield Reinsurance for aggregate consideration of $55.00 per AEL share.

As consideration for each AEL share, shareholders will receive $38.85 in cash and a number of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE, TSX: BAM) (BAM) class A limited voting shares (BAM Shares) having a value equal to $16.15 based on the unaffected 90-day VWAP as of June 23, 2023, resulting in total consideration of $55.00 per AEL share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as set forth in the proposal, a copy of which is attached hereto.

Brookfield Reinsurance intends to acquire from Brookfield Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BN) shares of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (BAM) required to satisfy the non-cash consideration offered to AEL shareholders. Subject to this occurring, BAMs public float will increase by approximately 10%, which is strategically important as BAM continues to broaden its shareholder base. Brookfield Corporations interest in Brookfield Asset Management will decrease from 75% to approximately 73%. Accordingly there will be no net new issuance of shares of BAM1, BN or BNRE and no dilution to BAM, BN or BNRE shareholders as a result of this transaction.

Brookfield Reinsurance will have the option to pay cash for the share portion of the transaction if the shares of BAM are trading below where they are trading at the current time such that the aggregate consideration per AEL share would be less than $54.00 per share. In this circumstance, Brookfield Reinsurance may elect, in its sole discretion, to pay the non-cash consideration in cash instead of utilizing BAM shares in the transaction.

The proposal represents a premium of 35% to the closing price as of June 23, 2023, the last trading day prior to delivery of the letter, and a 42% premium to the 90-day volume weighted average price (VWAP) as of the same date, in each case, for the AEL common shares.

Consistent with the AEL 2.0 strategy, Brookfield Reinsurance will continue to focus on meeting the needs of AEL policyholders and clients while delivering high quality customer service. Brookfield Reinsurance intends to continue AELs focus on alternative asset strategies and expects BAM will manage a significant portion of AELs assets. As a result, AEL will gain access to BAMs leading direct origination platforms and asset management capabilities while maintaining its current high-quality bias and investment grade focus.

Brookfield Reinsurance will increase its assets under management to approximately $100 billion upon closing of the transaction, and BAM will increase its overall AUM to approximately $900 billion through its asset management, wealth and insurance subsidiaries.

The proposal set forth in the letter is a non-binding expression of interest only. There is no guarantee that an agreement will be reached among the parties or on what terms.

About Brookfield Reinsurance

Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd. (NYSE, TSX: BNRE) operates a leading capital solutions business providing insurance and reinsurance services to individuals and institutions. Through its operating subsidiaries, Brookfield Reinsurance offers a broad range of insurance products and services, including life insurance and annuities, and personal and commercial property and casualty insurance. Each class A exchangeable limited voting share of Brookfield Reinsurance is exchangeable on a one-for-one basis with a class A limited voting share of Brookfield Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BN).

For more information, please visit our website at http://bnre.brookfield.com or contact:

Communications & Media: Investor Relations: Kerrie McHugh Hayes Rachel Powell Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (416) 956-5141 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

About Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE, TSX: BAM) is a leading global alternative asset manager with over $825 billion of assets under management across renewable, infrastructure, real estate, private equity, credit and other. We invest client capital for the long-term with a focus on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. We offer a range of alternative investment products to investors around the world  including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors. We draw on Brookfields heritage as an owner and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for its clients, across economic cycles.

For more information, please visit our website at https://bam.brookfield.com or contact:

Communications & Media: Investor Relations: Kerrie McHugh Hayes Jason Fooks Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (212) 417-2442 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

About Brookfield Corporation

Brookfield Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BN) is focused on compounding capital over the long term to earn an annualized return of 15%+ for our shareholders.

Today, our capital is deployed across three businesses  Asset Management, Insurance Solutions and our Operating Businesses, generating substantial and growing free cash flows, all of which is underpinned by a conservatively capitalized balance sheet.

We employ a disciplined investment approach, leveraging our global reach and the scale and flexibility of our capital, to identify proprietary opportunities to invest on a value basis. We then utilize our deep operating expertise, based on our 100+ year history as an owner and operator of real assets, to grow cash flows and create value in each of our businesses to generate strong risk-adjusted returns across market cycles.

For more information, please contact:

Communications & Media Investor Relations Kerrie McHugh Hayes Linda Northwood Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (416) 359-8647 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

1 BN will source the share consideration from a portion of its existing 1.2 billion shares that it currently owns in BAMs asset management business, which it will exchange for an equal number of shares in BAM. As such, the transaction will result in no net new shares being issued and no dilution to BAM shareholders.

No Offer

No person has commenced soliciting proxies in connection with the proposed transaction referenced in this press release, and this press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Information in this press release that is not a historical fact is forward-looking information. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and forward- looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as expect, anticipate, believe, foresee, could, estimate, goal, intend, plan, seek, strive, will, may and should and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements reflect current estimates, beliefs and assumptions, which are based on the Companys perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. The Companys estimates, beliefs and assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events and as such, are subject to change. The Company can give no assurance that such estimates, beliefs and assumptions will prove to be correct. Particularly statements about the name change and trading symbol change are forward-looking statements.

Other factors, risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes are not material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by statements containing forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on statements containing forward-looking information that are included in this press release, which are made as of the date of this press release, and not to use such information for anything other than their intended purpose. The Company disclaims any obligation or intention to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Schedule A  Non-Binding Proposal

June 26, 2023

Dave Mulcahy, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company

6000 Westown Parkway

West Des Moines, IA 50266

Dear Dave:

Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd. (NYSE/TSX: BNRE) ( BNRe  or  we ) is pleased to submit this non-binding proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company ( AEL  or the  Company ) not already owned by BNRe for aggregate consideration of $55.00 per AEL share to be paid in the form of cash and stock of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE/TSX: BAM) ( Brookfield ), as described in more detail below (the  Proposal ).

We believe that our Proposal reflects an extremely attractive value for the Companys public shareholders. Specifically, $55.00 per AEL share represents a premium of 35% to the closing price as of June 23, 2023, the last trading day prior to delivery of this Proposal, and a 42% premium to the 90 day volume weighted average price ( VWAP ) as of the same date, in each case, for the AEL common shares (the  AEL Shares ).

As consideration for each AEL Share, shareholders will receive $38.85 in cash and a number of BAM class A limited voting shares ( BAM Shares ) having a value equal to $16.15 based on the unaffected 90-day VWAP as of June 23, 2023, resulting in total consideration of $55.00 per AEL Share. In the event that the 10-day VWAP of BAM Shares (measured five business days prior to closing of the transaction) (the  BAM Final Stock Price ) would result in the aggregate consideration per AEL Share being less than $54.00, the number of BAM Shares delivered for each AEL Share will be increased such that the value of the aggregate consideration delivered for each AEL Share will be equal to $54.00. In such circumstance, BNRe may elect, in its sole discretion, to substitute cash consideration in lieu of all or any portion of the BAM Share consideration; provided that in the event that BNRe elects to substitute cash for less than all of the BAM Share consideration, the BAM Share consideration must have an aggregate value of not less than $200 million. In the event that the BAM Final Stock Price would result in the aggregate consideration per AEL Share being greater than $56.50, the number of BAM Shares delivered for each AEL Share will be decreased such that the value of the aggregate consideration delivered for each AEL Share will equal $56.50.

BNRe is well capitalized and committed to meeting the needs of its policyholders and clients while delivering high quality customer service. Given the complementary nature of AELs annuity business to BNRes existing re/insurance platform, we also expect our Proposal will deliver significant value to the Companys policyholders, employees, distribution partners, and other stakeholders. We are committed to continuing AELs leading position in the annuity market and strong operating platform in Iowa, and expect that growth in the AEL platform over time should increase net jobs in Iowa. Additionally, we look forward to supporting the greater Des Moines area, including through maintaining AELs existing charitable contributions and Brookfields broader charitable foundation and other charitable initiatives.

Brookfield is a leading global alternative asset manager with over $825 billion of assets under management across renewable power and transition, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit. Brookfields objective is to generate attractive, long-term risk-adjusted returns for the benefit of its clients and shareholders. BNRe is proposing to acquire AEL due to AELs successful transformation into an asset manager and an asset-light insurer under the AEL 2.0 strategy. Through the BAM Shares offered as partial consideration for this transaction, AEL shareholders will continue to have the opportunity, through BAM, to invest in a market leading asset manager.

The BAM Share consideration to be delivered in this transaction is being contributed to BNRe by Brookfield Corporation (NYSE: BN) ( BN ) from its existing ownership interest. If the full number of BAM Shares is delivered in the transaction, BNs ownership interest in BAM will be reduced from 75% to approximately 73%. As such, this transaction is non-dilutive to BAM shareholders.

BNRe is prepared and intends to negotiate in good faith the terms of a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposal such that the parties may announce a transaction on or prior to June 30, 2023.

We are required to publicly disclose this Proposal promptly in an amendment to our current Schedule 13D, which we expect to do following close of markets today.

This Proposal is a non-binding expression of interest only and does not impose any legal obligation on any person. BNRe reserves the right to withdraw or modify our Proposal in any respect at any time. BNRe, Brookfield, and their respective affiliates will be bound only in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in executed definitive agreements, if any.

We are available at your convenience to discuss any aspects of our Proposal.

Sincerely,

BROOKFIELD REINSURANCE LTD.

/s/ Sachin Shah

___________________________

Sachin Shah

Chief Executive Officer




Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) announced it has reached a deal with the IAM union, potentially ending the US strike.

Following the announcement, Spirit AeroSystems, as well as Boeing (NYSE: BA) shares rose more than 1% after-hours.

The new four-year contract proposal includes several key terms such as maintaining existing healthcare coverage, no mandatory weekend overtime, a $3,000 sign-on bonus, and substantial pay increases (total wage increase of 9.5% in year one, guaranteed increase of 23.5% over the life of the contract, and annual bonuses and Cost of Living Allowance on top).

The bargaining committee of the Local Lodge 839 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has unanimously agreed to a new contract proposal. IAM union members will vote on approval on June 29.

By Davit Kirakosyan
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in Berdiansk direction.

"It is very important to be here today. It is especially pleasant to welcome the 3rd Battalion of the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thank you for defending Ukraine, fighting for our independence and freedom  freedom for each and every one of us. Take care of yourself. Save your life  save Ukraine," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Monday.

He also gave awards to distinguished fighters.
FILE PHOTO: People walk outside of Jefferies Financial Group offices in Manhattan, New York, U.S., December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

By Jaiveer Shekhawat and Lananh Nguyen

(Reuters) -Jefferies Financial Group Inc on Tuesday posted second-quarter profit that edged past analysts' estimates as robust performance in the investment bank's capital markets business cushioned a slump in dealmaking.

The New York-based firm's results are a precursor to earnings from Wall Street titans such as JPMorgan Chase & Co, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), which report in mid-July.

Investment banking net revenue tumbled 26% to $510 million at Jefferies, weighed down by subdued mergers and acquisitions, while capital markets net revenue surged 30% to $543 million in the quarter.

"For a difficult period in the world, and for a down-cycle moment, the operating business did fine," Jefferies President Brian Friedman told Reuters.

The challenges during second quarter included "the fallout from the regional banking crisis, the government-supported forced merger of Credit Suisse and UBS, and the tumultuous process of extending the U.S. debt ceiling," Friedman and CEO Richard Handler said in a statement.

Excluding one-time items, Jefferies posted a profit of 28 cents per share that beat analysts' estimates of 27 cents, according to calculations by Refinitiv IBES.

June has also brought "green shoots" in its investment banking and capital markets business, the bank said.

Its shares recovered some lost ground and were last down 1.4% in extended trading.

Jefferies has recruited 21 new managing directors in investment banking since the start of its 2023 fiscal year. That is a sharp contrast with larger rivals, such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley , which have laid off thousands of employees.

"It is frankly easier to hire in periods of competitive dislocation and cyclical lows," Friedman said. "We can't let an opportunity go to waste."

The senior hires left major banks for Jefferies because "its entrepreneurial and nimble nature appealed to them," he added.

Total net revenue at Jefferies fell 22% to $1.04 billion.

Meanwhile, Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) earlier this year combined its U.S. equity and M&A business with Jefferies.

The deal, which will also see SMBC parent Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group boosting its stake in Jefferies to as much as 15% from 4.5%, will allow Jefferies to offer more lending capabilities.

(Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru and Lananh Nguyen in New York; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and David Gregorio)
Imperial Oil Limited (NYSE American: IMO) announced today that it has received final acceptance from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) for a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to repurchase up to five percent of its 584,152,718 outstanding common shares as of June 15, 2023, or a maximum of 29,207,635 shares during the next 12 months. This maximum will be reduced by the number of shares purchased from Exxon Mobil Corporation (ExxonMobil), Imperials majority shareholder, as described below.

The new one year program will begin on June 29, 2023, and will end should the company purchase the maximum allowable number of shares, or on June 28, 2024.

Imperial has established an automatic share purchase plan with its designated broker to facilitate the purchase of common shares, both under the NCIB and concurrently from ExxonMobil, during times when Imperial would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed black-out periods. Before entering a black-out period, Imperial may, but is not required to, instruct the broker to make purchases under the NCIB based on parameters set by Imperial in accordance with the share purchase plan, TSX rules and applicable securities laws. The plan has been pre-cleared by the TSX and will be implemented effective June 29, 2023.

Consistent with the companys balance sheet strength, low capital requirements and strong cash generation, this announcement reflects the companys priority and capacity to return cash to shareholders. The NCIB represents a flexible and tax-efficient way of distributing surplus liquidity to shareholders who choose to participate by selling their shares. In addition, the NCIB will be used to eliminate dilution from shares issued in conjunction with Imperials restricted stock unit plan.

ExxonMobil will be permitted to sell its shares to Imperial outside of, but concurrent with, the NCIB in order to maintain its proportionate share ownership at approximately 69.6 percent. ExxonMobil advised Imperial that it intends to participate, as it has in prior years, and has established an automatic share disposition plan to facilitate the sale of its shares concurrent with the NCIB.

All share purchases will be made through the Toronto Stock Exchange and through other designated exchanges and published markets in Canada. Shares purchased under the NCIB are cancelled and restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares.

As of the close of business on June 15, 2023, Imperial has 584,152,718 issued and outstanding common shares. The average daily trading volume of Imperials common shares over the six calendar months prior to the date of this announcement was 1,102,109 shares per day. Imperials daily purchase limit under the new program will be 275,527 shares, which represents 25 percent of the average daily trading volume.

The acceptance marks the continuation of Imperials most recent normal course share repurchase program that was completed on October 21, 2022. Under the most recent program, the company purchased the maximum 31,833,809 shares that were available, with 9,677,500 shares purchased on the open market and a corresponding 22,156,309 shares purchased from ExxonMobil to maintain its proportionate share ownership at 69.6 percent, representing a total cost of about $1,945 million and an average cost of $61.11 per share.

Source: Imperial

After more than a century, Imperial continues to be an industry leader in applying technology and innovation to responsibly develop Canadas energy resources. As Canadas largest petroleum refiner, a major producer of crude oil, a key petrochemical producer and a leading fuels marketer from coast to coast, our company remains committed to high standards across all areas of our business.

Cautionary statement: Statements of future events or conditions in this release, including projections, expectations and estimates are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include references to the companys low capital requirements, strong cash generation, and priority and capacity to return cash to shareholders; and ExxonMobils intention to participate concurrent with the NCIB. Forward-looking statements are based on the company's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions at the time the statements are made. Actual future financial and operating results, including expectations and assumptions concerning demand growth and energy source, supply and mix; commodity prices, foreign exchange rates and general market conditions; capital and environmental expenditures; production rates, growth and mix; project plans, timing, costs, technical evaluations and capacities and the companys ability to effectively execute on these plans and operate its assets; and applicable laws and government policies could differ materially depending on a number of factors. These factors include global, regional or local changes in supply and demand for oil, natural gas, and petroleum and petrochemical products and resulting price, differential and margin impacts, including foreign government action with respect to supply levels and prices; availability and allocation of capital; availability and performance of third-party service providers; management effectiveness and disaster response preparedness; political or regulatory events, including changes in law or government policy; unanticipated technical or operational difficulties; operational hazards and risks; currency exchange rates; general economic conditions; and other factors discussed in Item 1A risk factors and Item 7 managements discussion and analysis of Imperial Oil Limiteds most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent interim reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some that are similar to other oil and gas companies and some that are unique to Imperial Oil Limited. Imperials actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them. Imperial undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627353706/en/

For further information:

Investor Relations



(587) 476-4743

Media Relations



(587) 476-7010

Source: Imperial
PERHAM, Minn., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arvig has been named one of Minnesotas Top Workplaces for 2023 by the Star Tribune, making it the only internet service provider to rank in the newspapers annual survey this year.

This is the fifth year employees have provided feedback that rates Arvig as one of the best companies to work for in Minnesota. Arvig ranks No. 21 among the 50 top large companies on the list of 200 workplaces. Arvig was previously recognized as a Top Workplace in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.

"Being recognized as a Top Workplace again this year is a reflection of Arvig's dedicated employees," said David Arvig, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Arvig. "Our company culture is rooted in values that are meant to help us build our strengths and share a commitment to doing the best work we can."

The analysis included responses from 124,719 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations. The survey measures employee engagement, organizational health and satisfaction.

Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove said, The companies in the Star Tribune Top 200 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies.

A complete list of the honorees is available at StarTribune.com/mn-top-workplaces. The list was also published in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section on June 18.

To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Over 5,000 companies were invited to participate.

About Arvig

Headquartered in Perham, Minnesota, Arvig is a local, employee-owned broadband and full-service telecommunications provider. Committed to delivering cutting-edge technology to customers throughout the region, Arvig provides residential and business internet, television, and telephone services. Additionally, Arvig provides a wide variety of business technology solutions. Visit arvig.com for additional information.

Media Contact: Lisa Greene, Director, Marketing & Customer Experience Arvig | 150 Second Street SW 218.346.8294 | [email protected]

Source: Arvig
CHATHAM, ONTARIO and TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Global Brands Inc. (Atlas Global, or the Company) (CSE: ATL) announced today that further to the Companys news release dated June 2, 2023, Ernst & Young Inc. has been appointed as receiver and manager (the Receiver) over certain current and future assets of Atlas Biotechnologies Inc. (ABL), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Atlas Growers Ltd. (together with Atlas Biotechnologies, the Atlas Subsidiaries), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) and the Personal Property Security Act (Alberta).

The Atlas Subsidiaries senior lender, the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (the AFSC), obtained the receivership order from the Court of Kings Bench of Alberta (the Court) with the consent of the Atlas Subsidiaries. The order follows on the Companys decision to cease operations at its facility in Gunn, Alberta and liquidate the assets of the Atlas Subsidiaries in an orderly manner as it focuses on cost reductions, savings and production efficiencies across its operations and the cannabis value chain. A copy of the order is or soon will be available on the Receivers website which can be accessed at https://documentcentre.ey.com/.

As would be expected in the circumstances, the AFSC has also filed a statement of claim against the Company with the Court in connection with the enforcement of an existing $1.4 million limited parental guarantee of the Company in respect of the indebtedness of ABL to the AFSC. The Company and the AFSC are in discussions concerning payment plan of the parental guarantee in the event the proceeds from the liquidation of the Atlas Subsidiaries assets are not sufficient to satisfy amounts due to the AFSC.

About Atlas Global Brands

Atlas Global is a global cannabis company operating in Canada and Israel with expertise across the cannabis value chain, including cultivation, manufacturing, marketing, distribution. Atlas currently distributes to seven countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Norway, and the United Kingdom. In addition to a differentiated product mix, Atlas operates two licensed cannabis facilities: (1) an EU-GMP facility in Chatham, ON, and; (2) a GACP and IMC-GAP facility in Stratford, ON. Atlas also has a majority interest in 3 medical pharmacies in Israel and has entered into binding agreements for the acquisition of a majority interest in a Trading House and 6 additional medical cannabis pharmacies in Israel. Learn more by visiting: www.atlasglobalbrands.com.

ContactsBernie YeungChief Executive Officer 1-844-415-6961[email protected]Alyssa BarryMedia and Investor Relations 1-833-947-5227[email protected]

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking information in this news release is based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including assumptions that or regarding: the winding up of the Atlas Subsidiaries and the liquidation of their respective assets will result in cost savings and efficiencies for Atlas Global; the insolvency proceedings with respect to the Atlas Subsidiaries will proceed in a timely manner and that all applicable regulatory approvals, court approvals and stakeholder approvals, as the case may be, will be obtained.

The forward-looking information reflects managements current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, including: the costs associated with the insolvency proceedings of the Atlas Subsidiaries may negatively impact the Companys financial results and operations and negatively impact the share price of Atlas Global on the Canadian Securities Exchange; the expected cost savings and synergies resulting from the insolvency proceedings may not be realized; the Atlas Subsidiaries may not obtain all applicable regulatory approvals, court approvals and stakeholder approvals, as the case may be, in a timely manner or at all; the ability of the Atlas Subsidiaries to operate in the normal course during the insolvency proceedings; and potential litigation resulting from the insolvency proceedings of the Atlas Subsidiaries.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Companys management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Companys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information.

The forwardlooking statements set forth herein concerning the Company reflect managements expectations as at the date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Atlas Global Brands Inc.
AURORA, Ill., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Its A BIG DAY! BERNINA of America , the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, is unveiling three revolutionary new machines to further enhance the joy of creating. As part of BERNINA University 2023  the premier annual Dealer conference taking place in Dallas, TX (June 27-30, 2023),  the opening ceremony provided an exciting first look at the newest innovations of the BERNINA 790 PRO , and two very special edition machines which include the BERNINA 570 QE Kaffe Edition and bernette 79 Yaya Han Edition . Each new machine is complemented by premium, curated gifts to enhance the user experience.

We are thrilled to launch these amazing machines built with passion and commitment. They will further enhance the quality and Swiss precision sewing enthusiasts have come to expect from BERNINA, said Paul Ashworth, CEO and President, BERNINA of America. I couldnt be more excited about the cutting-edge technology of the B 790 PRO sewing, embroidery and quilting machine. The B 790 PRO, with the next generation stitchprecision technology, embraces advanced features that spark creativity. Whilst the B 790 PRO is our most advanced machine to date, we didnt stop there. We have collaborated with world renowned textile artist Kaffe Fassett and legendary cosplay artist and designer Yaya Han on two special edition machines.

Available for purchase in July, the three new feature-packed machines from BERNINA include:

BERNINA 790 PRO --- Preorders available starting June 27, 2023. MSRP is $15,499.00

The next generation sewing, embroidery and quilting machine is enriched with BERNINA stitchprecision technology that makes the creative experience more precise and joyful. Swiss innovations allow for superior stitch quality and up to 33% higher Smart Drive Technology (SDT) embroidery speed, while the new BERNINA pinpoint laser marks your start and travel points. The high-end embroidery module L with SDT comes standard and affords an extra-large embroidery area along with enhanced stitch quality, smoother and quieter movement. Featuring the Automatic Needle Threader and a stitch designer that can transform ones own unique design into a stitch pattern with a simple click on touchscreen, the B 790 PRO has a variety of unique characteristics including:

 4-Point Placement with Morphing: The new function enables you to place designs to precisely suit your project by simply defining four points on the fabric in the hoop, where the design is placed proportionally or can be morphed to fit the created boundary.

 WiFi Connectivity and BERNINA Stitchout App: Providing the ability to directly transfer embroidery designs back and forth from the BERNINA Embroidery Software 9 to the machine, this new WiFi feature is a convenient addition. The B 790 PRO also connects with the app to monitor (via smartphone and mobile devices) the status of your embroidery stitchout from any place and notify you when the machine needs your direct attention.

 Customizable Quilt Designs: With unlimited scaling possibilities, you can now bring the functionality of professional longarm quilting to your embroidery machine. You will be able to quilt like a PRO and achieve perfect computerized quilting on an embroidery machine, including the ability to modify the stiches per inch and utilize enhanced quilt securing functions.

 Alignment of Lettering and Designs: Personalize your text placement with Multi-line Lettering and Text Alignment, and you can easily align and distribute embroidery designs horizontally and vertically.

 Shape Designer: Whatever the shape (circle, square, heart, etc.), new and unique designs will emerge as you can multiply designs with one click while arranging them in a desired formation.

 Color Wheel: This feature allows one to change designs easily and coordinate a favorite color scheme before you start embroidering.

BERNINA 570 QE Kaffe Edition --- Preorders available starting June 27, 2023. MSRP is $7,399.00

As colorful as your imagination, the Limited Edition B 570 QE model celebrates the Big Blooms floral design by highly recognized textile artist Kaffe Fassett with an eye-catching faceplate on the front of machine. For more than 60 years, Kaffe Fassett has inspired people around the world with his colorful work in fabric, knitting, needlepoint, patchwork, painting and mosaic.

Combining innovative features with lots of space for creativity, the BERNINA 570 QE Kaffe Edition has 481 gorgeous decorative stitches and 39 exclusive embroidery designs by Kaffe already pre-installed. In addition, there are 73 quilting stitches, 34 utility stitches and eight sewing alphabets with the latest sewing and embroidery functions, as well as easy navigation on a centrally located color touch screen. Offering state-of-the-art technology for quilters, the B 570 QE Kaffe Edition by BERNINA boasts:

 Robust Freearm: This feature provides 8.5 inches of workspace to the right of the needle to handle amazing quilting projects.

 BERNINA Hook: With a stitch width of up to 9 mm, you can sew precisely, quickly and quietly. In addition, the Jumbo Bobbin holds up to 70% more thread than standard bobbins.

 BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR): When free-motion quilting, you are ensured beautiful even stiches.

 BERNINA Dual Feed: Providing the flexibility to feed from both the top and bottom, you can effortlessly handle difficult and fine fabrics.

 Patchwork Foot #97D: Featuring three notches on the side for precise guidance, this is ideal for stitch width up to 9mm.

 Speed Control: This machine provides ease in sewing and embroidery speeds up to 1,000 stitches per minute.

I am so grateful to BERNINA for letting me decorate their iconic machines and Im thrilled at how this collaboration has blossomed, said Kaffe Fassett. Color is the tonic the world needs and I hope these machines inspire others to add more color to their designs, workspaces and life.

bernette 79 Yaya Han Edition  Available beginning July 24, 2023. MSRP is $3,335.00

Yaya Han has transformed her creative passion to become a highly recognized costume designer and cosplay artist. Her intricate and lavish creations have earned awards and acclaim nationwide, and Yaya has made a name for herself with her popular cosplay accessories line.

For the first time, she is teaming up with bernette on the introduction of the new b79 Yaya Han Edition for sewing, embroidery and cosplay enthusiasts alike. Combining a reliable, high-quality bernette machine with the BERNINA Embroidery Software 9 Creator ($1,100 value), will help grow ones skills with each project. The many supporting features of the bernette 79 Yaya Han Edition include:

 Stylish and Imaginative Embroidery Designs: Sixty-four exclusive designs curated by Yaya Han and four motifs designed by the cosplay artist and designer.

 Yaya Han Presser Foot Set: Eight additional presser feet will help tame difficult fabrics and embellish projects with creative appliques.

 bernette Dual Feed: Providing the ability to feed from above or below, the special feed will allow users to smoothly guide all types of fabrics, while also providing for straight positioning of appliques.

 Stitch Designer: Featuring 500 integrated stitch patterns, the Stitch Designer allows you to create your own stiches or customize existing stitches. You can even save the designs in the memory of the bernette machine.

 bernette Creative Consultant: Helpful tutorials provide step-by-step introduction into the world of creative embroidery, and the Creative Consultant helps you find the right settings for any fabric.

Whether youre working on your next cosplay creation, experimenting with fashion designs or simply looking to take your sewing skills to the next level, this machine has everything you need to succeed!, shares Yaya Han, Cosplay Artist and Designer.

For more information on the three new machines and BERNINA of America, please visit bernina.com . Shop for BERNINA products online or buy directly from your nearest BERNINA Dealer . Follow BERNINA on Facebook , Instagram and Pinterest . You can also find helpful tips for every skill level on the BERNINA Blog, We All Sew .

About BERNINA

BERNINA is the worlds premier manufacturer of quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers and embroidery software. Since being founded over 125 years ago, BERNINA has maintained a strong commitment to serving the creative community. This dedication threads through the Swiss precision found in every machine, the training and education available through our over 400 fully trained independent BERNINA Dealers and the endless tutorials and content shared on BERNINAs blog and social media channels. BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year. Shop for BERNINA products online or buy directly from your nearest BERNINA Dealer . Follow BERNINA on Facebook , Instagram and Pinterest . The BERNINA sister machine, bernette, can be found on Instagram . You can also find helpful tips and tutorials for every skill level on the BERNINA Blog, We All Sew .

Media Contact

A photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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Portland, OR, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Rock Coffee Bar, known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel Energy drinks, has announced the opening of its sixth location in the dynamic Boise metro area. This marks the brands long-awaited expansion in Idaho since the opening of its last store in November 2017.

Located in the Boise suburb of Meridian at 3335 E. Victory Road at the intersection of S. Eagle Rd., the new Black Rock Coffee Bar location is set to open its doors on Friday, June 30, 2023. To celebrate its grand opening, the popular boutique coffee chain will offer all customers free 16oz drinks all day at this location as well as other specials throughout the following week.

We are eager to bring our unique blend of exceptional coffee, seasonal energy drinks and fast and friendly service to our third store in Meridian and sixth in the Boise area, said Jeff Hernandez, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Black Rock Coffee Bar. Meridian and Boises vibrant community, rich cultural heritage, and love for quality coffee align perfectly with our brand values. We consider ourselves fortunate to be a part of this local coffee scene, where we have the opportunity to create memorable moments for our customers.

The new 2000-square-foot Black Rock Coffee Bar store incorporates Black Rocks signature industrial modern design and a vibe that invites connection among friends and family. With more than 100 stores in seven states, Black Rock Coffee Bar is guided by three principles - coffee, community and connection. Its mission is to be a positive force in the communities it serves.

Founded in 2008 in Portland, Oregon, an area of the Pacific Northwest known for its coffee excellence, Black Rock Coffee Bar continues its rapid expansion in the West and into the Sunbelt with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. The boutique coffee chain recently was named the Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon and SW Washington in 2021 by the Portland Business Journal. Last year, Black Rock Coffee Bar ranked 837th among Americas Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazines 5000 Annual List.

The Black Rock culture prides itself on providing opportunities for young people to learn how to lead, run a business, and develop people skills.

About Black Rock Coffee Bar

Black Rock Coffee Bar is a national boutique coffee shop that is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel energy drinks. Founded as a family owned and operated business in Oregon in 2008, Black Rock Coffee Bar has grown to more than 100 retail locations in seven states. The Black Rock culture prides itself on not only being a positive force for the communities it serves, but also the team members that fuel their locations day in and day out. An important aspect of their team mission is to recognize those that go above and beyond by displaying the 4Gs of Black Rock - grit, growth, gratitude, and grace.

For more information, visit https://br.coffee/

Attachment

Beth Gast Black Rock Coffee Bar 5037024405 [email protected]

Source: Black Rock Coffee Bar
Cheyenne Wyoming, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Federal Credit Union is taking part in the nationwide Bike to wherever Day (BT(W)D )on June 28th, 2023 in both Cheyenne and Laramie Wyoming, as well as Fort Collins, Colorado.

Some have described it as "the best holiday all on two wheels others just love the celebration of people who ride bicycles. During BT(W)D, community members are encouraged to travel by bike wherever they're headed, be it work, errands, to drop kids to daycare, or just for fun. Participants who ditch the car in favor of a bicycle can find free breakfast located all around the towns that take part in the day. Some participants try to hit as many stations as possible. Others are happy to find a scenic spot to comingle with a few other folks. The point is to get on your bike wherever you're headed that morning!

It is exciting to bring our community an event that combines fun, fitness and good food, says Kylee Sara, Membership Development Director. Blue loves being involved in the Fort Collins, Laramie, and Cheyenne communities.

The City of Cheyenne encourages you to get out on your bike and enjoy the over 45 miles of Greenway trails the city has to offer. The Greater Cheyenne Greenway safely connects our community to parks, schools and other important destinations, says Jeanie Vetter, Greenway and Parks Planner, Planning and Development Department of Cheyenne.

While on your way to work, be sure to ride by our 7th Avenue Branch in Cheyenne, downtown Laramie, or at two stops on the Power Trail in Fort Collins where we'll have breakfast to go for you to have a great start to your day, wherever that is.

We invite everyone to bike to work or wherever with us and catch up with friends, Sara says. We are committed to building a strong community and look forward to seeing everyone at this years event!

Turnout for the event is expected to be at a record-high this year and Blue reminds all community members to ride safely and obey bike traffic laws.

###

Blue Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution serving eight Wyoming locations and twelve Colorado locations, as well as members worldwide. Our purpose is to create a true cooperative connected to and inspired by the communities we serve and to help discover new pathways to realize your possibilities. To learn more about joining Blue, visit bluefcu.com/join.

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Michele Bolkovatz Blue Federal Credit Union 3074325402 [email protected]

Source: Blue Federal Credit Union
YEREVAN, Armenia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apricot Capital CJSC, the General Investment Partner of ConFEAS 2023, an annual International Conference of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges, is glad to confirm that the conference in Armenia successfully attracted more than 200 participants. Four areas of capital markets, including Trading, Post-Trade, ESG, and Public Relations, were discussed. The conference returned with a brand new format and gathered 40 speakers from Exchanges, CSDs, Banks, Regulatory Bodies, Investment Companies, and IFIs from more than 30 countries to touch upon the most recent developments, challenges, and potential in modern capital markets.

During their opening speeches, Armen Nurbekyan, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia, and Rafayel Gevorgyan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, emphasized the strategic significance of fostering capital market growth in Armenia. They highlighted the need for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors to ensure alignment between regulatory policies and private sector initiatives and challenges.

The annual ConFEAS event, previously held in Abu Dhabi and Bucharest, has been held for the first time in Armenia this year. Konstantin Saroyan, Secretary General of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges, mentioned: This event presents a remarkable opportunity for all participants to acquire new knowledge and establish valuable connections through networking.

High representatives and experts from renowned organizations such as Bloomberg, EBRD, Ernst & Young, Euronext, Blockstation, Eric Salmon and Partners, Baymarkets, stock exchanges, and central depositories from Greece, Poland, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Egypt, Romania, Hungary, Georgia, and Armenia, players from the private sector such as TBC Bank, SPRING PR-Company, AICA - Angel Investor Club of Armenia and Team Telecom Armenia, engaged in extensive panel discussions. They covered diverse subjects, including trading and post-trading, sustainability and ESG, financial education, investment, and public relations.

Vachik Gevorgyan, Chief Executive Officer of Apricot Capital CJSC, the General Investment Partner of ConFEAS 2023, reflecting on their operations in Armenia as an investment and fintech company, mentioned several challenges that are being solved through joint efforts of ecosystem players and regulators. We are actively addressing the issues by enhancing connectivity with local counterparts and supporting the efforts of the Armenian Stock Exchange and Central Depository in implementing new software solutions. Additionally, we prioritize workforce development through training programs and advocate for regulatory updates to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.

Throughout the conference, there was a strong emphasis on fostering ecosystem development through collaborative endeavors, adopting best practices, and capacity building.

Media contact:

For further information please contact:Tatevik Simonyan, Spring: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e690181-2482-4ae7-9880-ed69b0f7ef3f

ConFEAS2023 The ConFEAS2023 conference

Source: Apricot Capital CJSC
DAYTON, OH, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centric Consulting, an international business and technology consulting firm, announces that co-founder Dave Rosevelt has been named one of Consulting Magazines Top Consultants for Lifetime Achievement.

Since 2000, Consulting Magazines Top Consultant Awards for Lifetime Achievement has identified the most influential practitioners in the consulting profession  those individuals having the biggest impact on their clients, their firms and the industry throughout their storied careers. The honorees in this category define what it means to be a lifelong trusted advisor and are worthy of being classified as the best in the consulting industry.

Rosevelt was named a Top Consultant for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his 30-year consulting career and impact on the industry as founding CEO of Centric.

Well-deserved  I cant think of a better person to receive this honor, said Eric Van Luven, Centric Co-founder and Vice President of Operational Analytics. Dave has delivered on his mission to create a best-in-class consulting company that provides unmatched experiences to both our clients and our employees. He embodies our Centric culture, which places core values like integrity and openness on par with excellent client delivery. Dave also provides a measure of humility and grace that is a model for everyone within Centric.

As Centric Consultings co-founder and CEO from 1999 to 2023, Dave Rosevelt has been a pivotal leader in building Centric Consultings foundation, culture and longevity.

Rosevelt started Centric with the goal of putting company culture, clients and employees first. He envisioned a company where employees led a balanced lifestyle, nurtured their talents and interests, and shared his commitment to helping clients. Rosevelts vision has resulted in Centric having one of the best cultures in the consulting industry, with many organizations and publications recognizing Centric as a best workplace over the years. He has also been rated among Glassdoors highest-rated CEOs based on employee satisfaction.

Rosevelt was instrumental in developing Centrics company-wide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, Centric Together, which focuses on evolving practices and culture to welcome and nurture a more diverse workforce. He also contributed to Centrics track record of creating longstanding, trusted relationships with clients, many of whom have been with the company for over 20 years. Under his leadership, Centric saw an average of 10 percent growth year-over-year, a statistic that is sure to continue as part of his legacy.

Its a tremendous honor to be recognized by Consulting Magazine, but no leader achieves success alone. This recognition is a testament to our clients unwavering support and our employees commitment. Centric wouldnt be where it is today if it wasnt for our consultants  and our clients who trust us to be their partners from the beginning, said Rosevelt. Thank you to all of my colleagues, partners and friends who have been a part of my lifelong career.

Click here to read Rosevelts full interview with the Magazine to find out the most significant factor in his success, his proudest achievement and what has motivated him to excel throughout his longstanding consulting career.

About Centric Consulting

Centric Consulting is an international management consulting firm with unmatched expertise in business transformation, AI strategy, technology implementation and adoption.

Founded in 1999 with a remote workforce, Centric has established a reputation for solving its clients toughest problems, delivering tailored solutions, and bringing deeply experienced consultants centered on whats best for your business.

In every project, you get a trusted Centric advisor averaging over 15 years of experience and the best talent from across the United States and India. Centric deliberately builds teams that can scale up or down quickly based on client needs, industry and desired outcome.

Headquartered in Ohio, with 1,400 employees and 14 locations, Centric has been honored over the years with over 100 awards for its commitment to employees, clients and communities. Most recently, the firm was recognized as one of Fast Companys 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators.

Visit http://www.centricconsulting.com to learn more. Connect with Centric Consulting: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Lindsay Dawson Centric Consulting 888-781-7567 [email protected]

Source: Centric Consulting
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the creation of the Marine Corps during a working trip to the front on Monday.

Several operational decisions were made. Once again, we discussed the creation of the Marine Corps, all the details are clear, absolutely clear  organization, training, supply ... We are strengthening the Marines and all elements of our Defense Forces, it is a must, he said in a video message on Monday night.

Today, our warriors have advanced in all directions, and this is a happy day. I wished the guys more days like this, he said.

"A busy day, a lot of emotions. I must reward our soldiers, thank them personally. Shake hands, thank you for all your words of support, thank you for hugs, very warm today. And thank you for your chevrons, it is very honorable for me," Zelenskyy also said.

Zelenskyy noted "yesterday's negotiations with partners, in particular with President Biden, primarily on the supply of weapons. And today, where exactly these weapons will give more strength, more protection for the lives of Ukrainians. And it will bring our victory closer  this is the main thing."
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Endeavour Silver Corp. (Endeavour or the Company) (NYSE: EXK; TSX: EDR) announces it has entered into a sales agreement dated June 27, 2023 (the Sales Agreement) with BMO Capital Markets Corp. (the lead agent), CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, B. Riley Securities, Inc., Raymond James (USA) Ltd. and National Bank of Canada Financial, Inc. (collectively, the Agents) pursuant to which the Company may, at its discretion and from time-to-time during the 25 month term of the Sales Agreement, sell, through the Agents, such number of common shares of the Company (Common Shares) as would result in aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to US$60 million (the Offering). Sales of Common Shares will be made through at the market distributions as defined in the Canadian Securities Administrators National Instrument 44-102 - Shelf Distributions, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE), or any other recognized marketplace upon which the Common Shares are listed or quoted or where the Common Shares are traded in the United States. The Common Shares will be distributed at the market prices prevailing at the time of each sale and, as a result, prices may vary as between purchasers and during the period of distribution. No offers or sales of Common Shares will be made in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) or other trading markets in Canada. All references to dollars ($) in this news release are to United States dollars.

The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2023 to the Companys existing U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (the Registration Statement) and Canadian short form base shelf prospectus (the Base Shelf Prospectus), each dated June 16, 2023. The prospectus supplement relating to the Offering has been filed with the securities commissions in each of the provinces of Canada (other than Quebec) and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The U.S. prospectus supplement (together with a related Registration Statement) is available on the SECs website (www.sec.gov) and the Canadian prospectus supplement (together with the related Base Shelf Prospectus) is available on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com. Alternatively, BMO Capital Markets will provide copies of the U.S. prospectus upon request by contacting BMO Capital Markets Corp. (Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 151 W 42nd Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036, by telephone: (800) 4143627, or by email: [email protected].

Net proceeds of the Offering, if any, together with the Companys current cash resources, will be used to fund the construction and development of the Companys Terronera Mine, to advance the evaluation and development of the Pitarrilla and Parral properties, to assess potential development stage mineral properties for acquisition, to fund the potential acquisition of other development stage mineral properties, for continued exploration on the Companys existing mineral properties and to add to the Companys working capital.

The Company will pay the Agents compensation, or allow a discount, of 2.00% of the gross sales price per Common Share sold under the Sales Agreement. Sales under the Sales Agreement remain subject to necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX and the NYSE.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell any securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Endeavour Silver  Endeavour is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is advancing construction of the Terronera Project and exploring its portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal to become a premier senior silver producer. Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

For Further Information, Please Contact Galina Meleger, Vice President, Investor RelationsTel: (604) 640-4804Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to the anticipated Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued operation of the Companys mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with managements expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as described in the section Risk Factors contained in the Companys most recent Form 40-F filed with the SEC and Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Since forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and address future events, conditions and expectations, forward-looking statements by their nature inherently involve unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors well beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Material factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in such forwarding-looking statements include risks related to the conditions requiring the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering to change, timing of, and ability to obtain, required regulatory approvals and general economic and regulatory changes. These forward-looking statements represent the Companys views as of the date of this release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Source: Endeavour Silver Corporation
MARKHAM, Ontario, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Extendicare Inc. (Extendicare or the Company) (TSX: EXE) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) has approved the renewal of Extendicares normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Under the terms of the NCIB, the Company may purchase for cancellation up to 7,273,707 of its common shares (the Common Shares), representing 10% of its public float of issued and outstanding Common Shares. As at June 16, 2023, there were 84,351,546 Common Shares issued and outstanding and the public float was 72,737,079 Common Shares, calculated in accordance with the rules of the TSX.



Purchases under the NCIB may commence on June 30, 2023 and continue until June 29, 2024, when the NCIB expires, or on such earlier date as the NCIB is complete. The actual number of Common Shares purchased under the NCIB and the timing of any such purchases will be at the Companys discretion. Based on the average daily trading volume of 145,126 during the last six months, daily purchases will be limited to 36,281 Common Shares, other than block purchase exceptions.

Purchases made by Extendicare will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or through alternative Canadian trading systems, in accordance with TSX rules. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled.

The Companys board of directors has authorized the NCIB because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of Common Shares may be such that their purchase may be an attractive and appropriate use of corporate funds. The NCIB will provide the Company with additional flexibility to manage capital. Decisions regarding the quantity and timing of purchases of Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB will be based on market conditions, share price, capital needs and other factors.

Under its prior NCIB that commenced on June 30, 2022 and expires on June 29, 2023, the Company had sought and received approval from the TSX to purchase up to 7,829,630 Common Shares. As of June 27, 2023, the Company had purchased 5,635,980 Common Shares under its prior NCIB through open market purchases on the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, at a weighted average price of $6.94.

The Company has entered into an automatic purchase plan (APP) with its designated broker in connection with its NCIB to facilitate the purchase of Common Shares during times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase Common Shares due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed black-out periods. Before entering a black-out period, the Company may, but is not required to, instruct the broker to make purchases under the NCIB based on parameters set by the Company in accordance with the APP, TSX rules and applicable securities laws. The APP has been pre-cleared by the TSX.

About Extendicare

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors across Canada, operating under the Extendicare, ParaMed, Extendicare Assist, and SGP Purchasing Partner Network brands. We are committed to delivering quality care throughout the health continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors population. We operate or provide contract services to a network of 103 long-term care homes and retirement communities (53 owned/50 contract services), provide approximately 9.3 million hours of home health care services annually, and provide group purchasing services to third parties representing approximately 111,800 beds across Canada. Extendicare proudly employs approximately 18,000 qualified, highly trained and dedicated individuals who are passionate about providing high quality care and services to help people live better.

Forward-looking Statements

Information provided by Extendicare from time to time, including this release, contains or may contain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, economic performance or expectations with respect to Extendicare and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, statements regarding its business operations, business strategy, growth strategy, results of operations and financial condition. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the expressions anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, objective, plan, project, will, may, should or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys current expectations regarding future results, performance or achievements and are based upon information currently available to the Company and on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Extendicares forward-looking statements. Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Extendicare with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com and on Extendicares website at www.extendicare.com.

Extendicare contact:

David Bacon, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

T: (905) 470-4000

E: [email protected]

www.extendicare.com
Fayetteville, Ark., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that Carter Malloy, founder and CEO of AcreTrader was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Southwest Award winner on June 24 in Dallas. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Malloy was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

Its an incredible honor to be selected for this award and to represent our region as a hub of innovation and growth. Im deeply grateful to our team at AcreTrader and the broader business community for continually inspiring and supporting our companys mission of bringing transparency to the land market, said Carter Malloy.

AcreTrader is a land investment and technology company that empowers its customers to buy and sell land investments smarter through advanced technology, data and expertise. Since its founding in 2018, AcreTrader has broadened access to research, buy, sell, and invest in shares of land for thousands of investors, registered investment advisors, farmers, and landowners across the United States and Australia.

For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives.

As a Southwest award winner, Malloy is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nations most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in June 2024.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks

Daymond John of FUBU

Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc.

Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop!

Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company

James Park of Fitbit

Jodi Berg of Vitamix

Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc.

Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC

Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation

Sheila Mikhail of AskBio

About AcreTrader

AcreTrader is a land investment and technology company that empowers its customers to buy and sell land smarter through advanced technology, data, and expertise. Since its founding in 2018, AcreTrader has broadened access to research, buy, sell and invest in shares of land for thousands of investors, farmers and landowners across the US and Australia. AcreTrader Financial, LLC, is a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC offering access to farm and timberland investments to accredited investors through its platform. For more information, including terms of use, privacy policy and risk factors, visit acretrader.com.Securities offered through AcreTrader Financial, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Alternative investments are considered speculative, involve a high degree of risk, including complete loss of principal and are not suitable for all investors. Learn more about the risks of investing in farmland and the nature of the asset class by looking at our general risk factors. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment decisions should be made based on an investors objectives and circumstances and in consultation with your financial or tax professional. SponsorsFounded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors Colliers International, Donnelly Financial Solutions and Haynes and Boone LLP, Gold sponsor Roach Howard Smith & Barton, and Silver sponsors D CEO, Marquee Events and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneur Of The Year is a prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.About EYEY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

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Mary Mickel AcreTrader 479.202.6167 [email protected]

Source: AcreTrader
Ginoa also unveils AI Chatbot, GinoaGPT, to help users tap into NFT analytics

NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ginoa , a comprehensive NFT platform for traders to buy, sell, barter, trade, and explore analytics for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), today announced the official launch of their platform. Ginoa's aggregator offers convenience to NFT traders by eliminating the need to visit multiple platforms. NFT traders are empowered to make informed decisions about NFT collections through analytics, as well as purchase, sell, and swap NFTs. This new layer of trading gives flexibility to traders, from entering and exiting collections without needing liquidity, to flipping ones way up.



Ginoas flagship product, Barterplace, will allow users to seamlessly acquire and trade NFT collections. Users can offer one or more NFTs, as well as cryptocurrency if desired, in exchange for another NFT or multiple NFTs, along with the corresponding cryptocurrency. Additionally, the Collection Offer feature enables you to make an offer on each individual NFT in the collection you're interested in, providing unparalleled convenience. Backed by AI-powered data, Barterplace facilitates fair exchanges, eliminating the need to sell NFT holdings solely for liquidity when transitioning to a new collection, or resorting to risky over-the-counter swaps through unknown links.

To help investors make informed decisions about their collection, Ginoa leverages AI technology to deliver precise and data-driven insights about the NFT market. In partnership with Upshot , a platform that aims to make NFT financial markets more accessible through machine learning, the platform has evaluated more than 50 million NFTs from tens of thousands of NFT collections with an impressive accuracy rate of over 95%. NFT holders currently face several challenges when looking to expand their portfolio including trust in the project, valuation, liquidation and fees.

The highly unstable values of digital assets like NFTs have become a significant issue, particularly for NFT holders. As a result, buyers and sellers of NFTs face difficulties in completing transactions due to security, liquidity and valuation issues. Leveraging AI, we created Ginoa to solve these issues with bartering, predictive analytics and market analysis, said Samet Duman, CEO of Ginoa.

Additionally, Ginoa is launching their AI-powered chatbot, GinoaGPT, to help users better understand NFT collections and make informed decisions about their NFT investments. GinoaGPT enables users to inquire about NFTs, NFT collections, and Ginoa-related information. This includes real-time data on collections, overvalued and undervalued NFTs, sales figures, transaction volume, pricing, valuable traits, royalty fees, and much more.

We are thrilled to introduce ginoa.io, our revolutionary NFT barterplace that is set to transform and democratize the way people engage with digital assets. Our team has worked tirelessly to create a platform that combines the power of blockchain technology with the simplicity of bartering, opening up new possibilities for creators, collectors, and enthusiasts alike, said Bartu Utku, Co-Founder of Ginoa.

The Ginoa team operates across three continents and five countries, closely monitoring industry trends and offering the fastest and most precise solutions to meet user needs. After spending several years conducting NFT research, Batkan Cetin, Erdem Akdemir, Samet Duman and Bartu Utku co-founded Ginoa in 2021. Ginoas team consists of state-of-the-art web3 engineers and machine learning architects, advised by MIT AI researchers.

About Ginoa

Founded in 2021, Ginoa leverages AI technology to allow users to seamlessly barter, trade, and explore analytics for NFTs. Ginoa aims at democratizing access to trading, analytics, and financial tools by allowing peer-to-peer trading in its barterplace. Ginoa is backed by leading investors TechOne Venture Capital, DOMiNO Ventures, Aegean Ventures, and Lima Ventures. For more information about Ginoa and to examine its products in detail, visit https://app.ginoa.io/ and follow @ginoa_io on Twitter.

Media Contacts

Kayla Gill | Serotonin

[email protected]
New York, NY, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (GTII: OTCQB) Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. (GTII or The Company), www.gtii-us.com, announced today that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Boca Del Toro LLC., (BOCA) a privately-held Costa Rican company that owns a scalable commercial grade mineral based Aquifer located in a large recognized Blue Zone, which is both an anthropological term and recognized geographical area (there are five recognized Blue Zones worldwide) whereby people live longer than average, experiencing healthier lives overall. The water source is situated on five (5) acres of land owned by BOCA, which also owns the concessions rights. BOCA purchased the property in 2007 and was issued a water concession and extraction license in 2014.

According to BOCA, it has been in the land development business on the Pacific Coast for over 20 years and discovered this source by extensive lab and pump testing. BOCA spent years and financial resources to attempt to maximize the Aquifers value by meeting regulatory standards and production capabilities.

Frank Brady, Partner in BOCA, stated: Once we realized the scale and naturally occurring nutritional content of this water and compared it to the major premier brands, we believed that we had an extremely valuable natural resource and competitive edge. Thereafter, we made the decision to explore partnering with GTII, a public company in the business of partnering with developing companies, to attempt to facilitate our intention, which is to make this company a global player in the commercial water business.

David Reichman, Chairman & CEO of GTII, stated: There are few commodities in this world today more precious than fresh water, and so when you find one that appears to be so much more than a basic commodity, based on the documented evidence that we have looked at, it was no surprise that management decided to move decisively to work more closely with BOCA.

About GTII: GTII is a publicly traded Company incorporated in the state of Nevada, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies. Visit GTII here https://gtii-us.com/.

Please follow our Company at: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GTII

Harbor Forward-Looking Statements:This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Companys most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time.

Words such as estimate, project, predict, will, would, should, could, may, might, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, expect, aim, goal, target, objective, likely or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of this press release. Unless legally required, we undertake no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.511 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800New York, NY 10011[email protected]

Source: Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.
Tiverton, Ontario, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government of Canada has announced its intent to lead the fight against cancer at home and around the world with funding announced today that will support the development of a medical isotope ecosystem in Canada. The partnership includes Indigenous communities, Ontarios nuclear industry, and leading research facilities, academics, and firms working to commercialize novel therapies.

As part of the funding announced today at the Bruce Power Visitors Centre, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) will take the next step in their partnership with Bruce Power to jointly produce, advance and market new isotopes in support of the global fight against cancer, while also working together to create new economic opportunities within the SON territory.

This funding will ultimately enable a pan-Canadian consortium  the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE)  to advance and accelerate the development of the next generation of novel medical isotopes and technologies. The CMIE will position Canada as a leader across all stages of the isotope production cycle, most importantly to ensure cancer patients and health care professionals have access to the critical isotopes they need, when they need them.

Canada is a world leader in medical isotope research and production, and Bruce Power is proud to be among the innovative companies that places Canada at the forefront of nuclear medicine, said Mike Rencheck, Bruce Powers President and CEO. We are honoured to partner with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation to market isotope production and thank the federal government for its support in leveraging this historic opportunity, while creating sustainable economic benefits within the SON territory.

The Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, advanced the funding to support projects that strengthen Canadas leadership position in research, development and production of medical isotopes and pharmaceuticals.

Our government is proud to partner in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, which includes support for the SON First Nations communities partnership with Bruce Power to innovate in the fight against cancer, said Minister Champagne. The pandemic has shown us how important it is to have strong domestic production of pharmaceuticals, and we are delivering on our commitment to providing Canadians with the best therapies they need to care for their health. With this investment, we are making our country a major player in the global biomanufacturing and life sciences industry while creating good jobs for Canadians and stimulating the local economy.

Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and the Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington, has been a strong advocate for Canadas medical isotope sector, and announced the funding on behalf of Minister Champagne at todays event.

With this investment in the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, the Government of Canada is taking another major step towards building resiliency in our domestic medical production capabilities, which will help to ensure the health and safety of Canadians in the event of any potential future global supply chain disruptions, said Damoff. This investment will not only grow the economy, as the Ecosystem is expected to attract over $75 million in investment, and create or maintain over 600 highly skilled, well-paying jobs, but also contribute to economic reconciliation with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Bruce Power partnered with the SON in 2019 in an historic collaboration for the marketing of current and new isotopes produced through the first-of-a-kind Isotope Production System (IPS) that was installed at Bruce Power in 2022. The partnership, named Gamzookaamin aakoziwin, which translates to We are Teaming Up to Fight the Sickness, includes a revenue-sharing program that provides a direct benefit to the community.

Today marks another important milestone in the Gamzookaamin Aakoziwin partnership between Bruce Power and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, said Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. By working together, patients around the world have access to cancer-fighting treatments made possible through medical isotope production.

We are proud to be part of this innovative project, which will deliver benefits beyond the local community, to people across the world in the global fight against cancer, said Chief Conrad Ritchie, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.

The Made-in-Ontario IPS, designed and installed by Isogen (a joint venture between Framatome and Kinectrics) at Bruce Power, irradiates ytterbium-176 to produce lutetium-177, which is then transported to ITMs manufacturing facility in Germany for processing of pharmaceutical-grade, non-carrier-added lutetium-177 (n.c.a. lutetium-177) and used in various clinical and commercial radiopharmaceutical cancer treatments.

With commercial production of lutetium-177 well underway at Bruce Power, physicians and their patients worldwide now have access to a new, dependable, large-scale supply of lutetium-177 for their cancer treatments, said John DAngelo, Chair, Isogen Corp.

The funding announcement was made possible through Innovation, Science and Economic Developments Strategic Innovation Fund, which provides major investments in innovative projects that will help grow Canadas economy for the well-being of all Canadians. The investment will help develop Canadian technologies and support advancements in Canadas medical isotope industry, supporting projects at Bruce Power, TRIUMF, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization, McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and BWXT Medical.

About Bruce PowerBruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

John Peevers Bruce Power 5193863799 [email protected]

Source: Bruce Power
LONDON, June 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H&H Group has announced the successful completion of the issuance of a new 3-year bond amounting to US$200,000,000. This is an important milestone for the Groups liability management exercise to refinance its outstanding bond which will mature in October 2024. This achievement enables the Group to maintain a stable and sustainable capital structure, alongside preserving the Group's liquidity for operational and business development purposes.



Jason Wang, H&H Group Chief Financial Officer, says this accomplishment showcases the Groups resilience in raising capital, particularly during challenging market conditions and persistent external headwinds.

We are extremely pleased with the successful conclusion of this debt refinancing, as it propels us towards a solid path of reducing debt levels and effectively managing risk on our balance sheet, ultimately strengthening our financial position.

The Group also successfully broadened and diversified its investor base from this new bond issuance, including new investors from the Middle East, Asia and Europe  in line with the business footprint expansion in those regions.

In addition, the Group successfully raised RMB500 million through a long-term loan agreement with China Construction Bank Corporation Guangzhou Development District Branch (CCB). The loan, provided to H&H China, a wholly-owned subsidiary of H&H Group, will be used to further enhance the Groups liquidity position and diversify the Groups sources of capital.

This refinancing is a testament to our steadfast dedication in fulfilling our commitments and implementing strong strategies for the remainder of 2023 and beyond. Our primary focus continues to be on fostering growth, expanding our global presence, maximising synergies across our three business segments and deleveraging the balance sheet.

Akash Bedi, H&H Group Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, adds, This is an exciting achievement for the Group and a demonstration of our successful business model across our three segments, our leading brand positions across multiple markets, and our strong ability in executing successful business strategies. This refinancing will enable more financial flexibility to successfully deliver on our strategic objectives, to provide the best for our consumers, customers and our shareholders. We remain on track this year to achieve growth in our core markets of China, Australia and North America and continue to diversify our Pet Nutrition & Care (PNC) segment as we capitalise on growing pet nutrition industry trends.
Leading Breast Pump Brand Hosts Global Event to Advance Breastfeeding Research and Understand Current Hospital-Based Practices, Sharing Research Findings Free of Charge

Switzerland, Baar, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medela, the brand trusted by millions of moms*, concluded its 16th Global Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium, focused on advancing lactation science to improve care. This three-part world tour was held in three locations, kicking off in Chicago, Illinois in April, followed by Beijing, China in May, and concluding in Munich, Germany in June. All three events welcomed more than 2,600 healthcare professionals in maternal and infant care to learn about the latest research findings and key insights from globally and regionally renowned experts in human milk and lactation. Delivering on Medelas commitment of turning science into care, speaker presentations from the series will be available free of charge for virtual access through Medela University from next week.

By bringing together top minds in lactation science from around the world, we are able to further our shared goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes, said Annette Bruls, CEO of Medela worldwide. We know that conducting the research is only half of a much larger picture, which is why our Global Symposium is committed to creating a dynamic learning opportunity to transfer this knowledge from the experts in science and research to the leaders in healthcare settings around the world. We are bridging the gap between research and practice, making it accessible, free of charge, to the people who use and need it, with the sole intention of nurturing health for generations.

The global event featured presentations and discussions from experts, including:

PROF. LARS BODE (USA) | Lactation as a biological system: The dynamics of human milk composition

Human milk and lactation do not stand in isolation; they are part of a dynamic biological system that is embedded in socioeconomic, cultural, behavioral, and environmental contexts, explains Professor Bode, Ph.D., at the University of California San Diego. As a scientist, it was exciting to participate in Medelas Breastfeeding & Lactation Symposia because the events connect the science with the clinical application of human milk and lactation, which together is a major driver to advance the field with maximum impact on infant health and development.

PROF. DONNA GEDDES (AU) | Lactation as a biological system: The importance of dose

As we seek to understand how human milk composition impacts the health of our next generation, we often default to analyzing concentrations of milk components. Yet when we measure the dose the baby receives, a new world opens up with the promise of innovative ways to improve the health of our children, says Professor Geddes from the University of Western Australia. I appreciate the opportunity to share my scientific findings at this stellar conference, but I find the interaction with the participants invaluable, as they come from all disciplines essential to improving breastfeeding and breast milk delivery for all lactating women and their babies.

DR. REBECCA HOBAN (CA) | Initiation of lactation: Prophylactic lactation support as standard of care for mothers of NICU infants

Although we know that mothers milk is literally lifesaving for preterm infants in the NICU, many mothers struggle to make enough milk for their babies, limiting their infants lifelong milk dose and it is my passion to optimize lactation for these vulnerable families, shares Dr. Hoban, staff neonatologist and Director of Breastfeeding Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Medelas Symposium brings new lactation evidence to clinician leaders who will translate the science to the bedside for families around the world. Its a great way to spread the word about the latest findings in breastfeeding research!"

PROF. DIANE SPATZ (USA) | A call to action: Improving human milk and breastfeeding outcomes by prioritizing effective initiation of lactation

There is a critical window for the establishment of a milk supply and, we as advocates and clinicians have an obligation to families to teach them the science of human milk and the physiology of lactation, explains Professor Diane Spatz, who also serves as chairperson for Medelas Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board in the Americas. Prof. Spatz presented a call to action about the need for prioritizing effective initiation of lactation in order to improve exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. Prof. Spatz is a Professor of Perinatal Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing sharing a joint appointment at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Held as a hybrid event in Beijing on May 13-14, the China Symposium focused on providing a platform for like-minded breastfeeding professionals to share ideas, experiences and best practices. In partnership with the China Maternity and Child Health Association, the event marked a shared commitment to educating individuals on the benefits of human milk, while strengthening the collective efforts to foster a supportive environment for breastfeeding in China.

PROF. CAO YUN (CHINA) | The impact of human milk feeding on the outcomes of NICU premature infants based on clinical research in China

As an experienced NICU physician, I have been promoting human milk feeding since I learned of its benefits for NICU infants. I am pleased to see so many obstetrics, pediatrics, and nursing experts gathered here. The promotion of breastfeeding cannot be achieved without the cooperation of various departments and multi-disciplinary teams. says Prof. Cao Yun from Fudan University Children Hospital. It is great that Medela organizes such an informative symposium that allows us to unite to promote breastfeeding in China.

PROF. YU HONG (CHINA) | Quality improvement study on breastfeeding in mother-infant-separation dyads after standardized interventions

I was very excited to participate in this grand event organized by Medela and learned about global cutting-edge research, says Prof. Yu Hong from Southeast University Zhongda Hospital. I led a multiple-center quality improvement study in Jiangsu Province, and our objective is to support lactation and improve the dose of own mothers milk feeding through the evidence-based interventions.

PROF. FENG QI (CHINA) | Clinical study on promoting breastfeeding of premature infants in China

Breastfeeding is not only a mother's business, but also depends on family and social support, says Prof. Feng Qi from Peking University First Hospital. At present, the government has issued documents to support breastfeeding, and we also have the consensus from professional groups. As more and more hospitals are paying increasing attention to breastfeeding, we need to proactively adopt best clinical practices to improve breastfeeding in the NICU.

DR. YUKI TAKAHASHI (JAPAN) | Effect of epidural analgesia on infant sucking and opportunities for improvement to achieve the standard of care for infants

Intrapartum interventions such as epidural analgesia or induction of labor can influence skin-to-skin contact and rooting/suckling behavior, not only right after, but up to two days after birth, says Dr. Yuki Takahashi from Nagoya University Japan. And the important thing is to prioritize breastfeeding support resources to provide behaviorally appropriate and individualized care during this critical period.

On June 23-24, Medela hosted the European Edition of their world tour in Munich, Germany, and welcomed two internationally renowned British speakers who shared their insights for improving lactation support in the neonatal intensive care unit. On day two of the symposium the healthcare experts on-site took these findings into curated workshops with the goal of translating them into clinical practice.

PROF. NEENA MODI (UK) | Perspectives: Prioritizing own mothers milk in the neonatal unit - need for standardized metrics that capture lactation and infant feeding

"Prioritizing the provision of own mother's milk (OMM) is a crucial step in neonatal care and thorough, high-quality data on lactation and infant feeding are fundamental in assessing the success of OMM provision and understanding the extent to which infants leave the neonatal unit breastfeeding, asserts Professor Neena Modi of the Imperial College London, who also serves as President-elect of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine. Prof. Modi underscored that by implementing standardized information recording in neonatal units, we can develop universally accepted quality indicators, improve care, and drive research for better breastfeeding outcomes.

DR. SARAH BATES (UK) | Spotlight: Improving survival & outcomes for preterm infants through optimizing early maternal breast milk - a national Quality Improvement toolkit from BAPM

Optimizing own mother's milk (OMM) is crucial for the long-term health of preterm infants," explained Dr. Sarah Bates, Consultant Pediatrician and Neonatologist at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. In her talk Dr. Bates shed light on the innovative national toolkits created by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine, demonstrating its utility in optimizing OMM for preterm infants from initiation of lactation to post-discharge. Her session, infused with success stories and insightful parental views, showcased how this initiative can positively reshape the health trajectories of preterm infants nationwide.

Turning science into care

Presentations from speakers will be available free of charge for virtual access through Medela University, an online professional education platform for lactation science offering continuing education units (CEUs).

In addition, Medela will host a series of educational webinars in the US and Europe to translate existing research findings into clinical practice and share important conclusions and expert recommendations. While the US webinars will focus primarily on disparities in breastfeeding and resources for clinicians to assess their own implicit bias and alter clinical practice to better support Black women who breastfeed, the European webinars will focus on improving lactation science and improving care in neonatal units.

Learn more about the Global Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium at medela.com/symposium.

Media resources, including language versions of the press releases and visual assets are available for download at medela.com/symposium-media.

About Medela

Through advancing research, observing natural behavior, and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients, and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world. As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela provides leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. For more information, visit www.medela.com.

* Medela global sales, 2022

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. (Pender) is pleased to announce that Aman Budhwar, CFA has been appointed Co-Manager of the Pender Small/Mid Cap Dividend Fund.

Aman joined Pender in February 2022, and will work alongside David Barr, existing Co-Manager of the Fund to seek out compelling investment opportunities in small- and mid-cap companies that are earning a return above their cost of invested capital, and have the potential to deliver long-term, risk-adjusted returns for our clients.

With over 25 years of experience in equity research, analysis and stock-selection, Aman brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record of stock-picking to his new position. Throughout his career, Aman has uncovered investment opportunities by analysing long term trends, and adopting a differentiated view to the market. He is methodical in his approach, assessing both the potential bull and bear cases before committing capital to an investment. Over the years, he has developed a process to help identify long term compounders by focusing on key attributes such as a sustainable competitive advantage, high returns on capital, and an attractive free cash flow yield. Aman's sector-agnostic approach, coupled with his vast experience in markets which demand deep, company-specific knowledge, is advantageous to investors in the small- and mid-cap Canadian equity market.

The Pender Small/Mid Cap Dividend Fund is designed to provide investors with a combination of long-term capital appreciation and cash distributions. The Fund will invest primarily in Canadian securities, with a focus on dividend paying small- and mid- cap companies though it explores a wider universe of small to medium businesses.

"I am really excited to be working alongside David Barr on the Fund," said Aman. "I believe our strategy of identifying high-quality small- and mid-cap stocks early on, before they are bid up in the marketplace, and holding them for the long-term as they compound per-share earnings and cash flow, will be rewarding for our investors. We are particularly attracted towards great businesses that may be operating under a temporary cloud, as we can wait for the storm to pass and sun to shine again."

We are delighted to appoint Aman to the Co-Manager of this Fund, commented Felix Narhi, Penders CIO. Aman brings a rigorous approach for identifying undervalued quality companies with consistent cashflows which is particularly well suited for this mandate.

As part of the appointment, Amar Pandya, CFA will step down from portfolio management duties on the Pender Small Mid/Cap Dividend Fund. Amar will continue as Portfolio Manager on the Pender Alternative Arbitrage Fund and the Pender Alternative Special Situations Fund.

About PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.

Pender was founded in 2003 and is an independent, employee-owned investment firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our goal is to protect and grow wealth for our investors over time. We have a talented investment team of expert analysts, security selectors and independent thinkers who actively manage a suite of differentiated investment funds, exploiting inefficient parts of the investing universe to achieve our goal. Please visit www.penderfund.com.

Please read important disclosures at www.penderfund.com/disclaimer.

For further information, please contact:Melanie MooreVice President of Marketing, PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.[email protected](604) 688-1511Toll Free: (866) 377-4743

Source: PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PenderFund Capital Management Ltd. (Pender), the manager of the Pender mutual funds (the Funds), announces that the risk rating of Pender Alternative Special Situations Fund (PASSF) and Class F (US$) of Pender Bond Universe Fund (PBUF) have changed. As part of its review of the investment risk level of its mutual funds and applying the standardized risk classification methodology as set out in Appendix F to National Instrument 81- 102 - Investment Funds, Pender has determined that the investment risk level of PASSF and of Class F (US$) of PBUF has changed and the change was reflected in the Funds annual simplified prospectus renewal, which was filed on June 27, 2023.

Risk Rating Changes

Fund/Class New Risk Rating Prior Risk Rating PASSF Medium to High Medium Class F (US$) of PBUF Low to Medium Low

A summary of the methodology used by Pender to identify the risk rating of each of the Funds can be found in the Funds simplified prospectus available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. This methodology is also available by calling toll-free 1-866-377-4743 or sending an email to [email protected].

The risk rating for each of the Funds is reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis, as well as when a Fund undergoes a material change. No material changes have been made to the investment objectives, strategies or management of the Pender Funds.

About PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.

Pender was founded in 2003 and is an independent, employee-owned investment firm located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Our goal is to protect and grow wealth for our investors over time. We have a talented investment team of expert analysts, security selectors and independent thinkers who actively manage our suite of niche investment funds, exploiting inefficient parts of the investing universe to achieve our goal. For more information on Pender and for standard performance information on our funds, please visit www.penderfund.com or www.fondspender.com.

For more information on Pender, visit www.penderfund.com and www.fondspender.com.Please read important disclosures at www.penderfund.com/disclaimer.

Melanie Moore Vice President of Marketing, PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.[email protected](604) 688-1511Toll Free: (866) 377-4743

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business and operations of Pender and the Funds (forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as intend, anticipate, project, expect, believe, plan, will, may, estimate and other similar expressions. These statements are based on Penders expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding New PSGIFs anticipated class switch and current distribution policy. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions; they are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading Risk Factors in the simplified prospectus available on the SEDAR profile of each Fund at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, Pender assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: PenderFund Capital Management Ltd.
The Defense Forces continue conducting offensive operations in Melitopol, Berdiansk and Bakhmut directions, spokesperson of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Kovaliov said.

According to Military Media Center with reference to the words of Kovaliov, in the directions Novodarivka  Pryiutne, Novodanylivka  Robotyne, the Ukrainian military have been successful, continue to fire artillery at the identified enemy targets.

Also, the Defense Forces are conducting offensive actions in Bakhmut direction in the areas of the settlements of Horikhove-Vasylivka, Ivanivske, Kurdiumivka, Pivnichne, have been successful, are gaining a foothold on the achieved boundaries.

The spokesperson noted that the Ukrainian military continue to restrain the offensive of Russian troops in Lymany, Avdiyivka and Maryinka directions.
Not for dissemination in the United States of America.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Diversified Holdings Inc. ("Premier" or the "Company") (TSXV: PDH) announces that it has entered into certain loan agreements, as set out below.

Loan Agreement with MPIC Fund I

Premier entered into a loan agreement (Loan Agreement) dated June 27, 2023 with MPIC Fund I, LP ("MPIC") for a secured loan in the principal amount of up to USD$100,000 (the "June Loan"). The June Loan matures on June 27, 2024 and bears interest at a rate of 6% per annum.

The June Loan is secured with all of the present and after-acquired property of the Company and ranks equally in priority with all of the loans previously made to the Company by MPIC. The June Loan will be used for working capital (including for Premiers partially owned subsidiaries, Purposely Platform Inc. (Purposely) and MyCare MedTech Inc.) and may be used to acquire an additional interest in MyCare MedTech Inc. (MyCare), a telehealth company.

The Company is not issuing any securities, or paying any bonus, commission or finder's fees on the loan. The loan is repayable at any time without penalty. Purposely and MyCare are generating revenue, and the Company expects to receive re-payment of funds from such entities, allowing it to partially repay some of the funds owed to MPIC. The loan is subject to review and acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Amended Loan Agreements with MPIC Fund I, LP

The Issuer previously entered into a certain loan agreement dated July 15, 2020 in the principal amount of USD$40,000 as amended June 28, 2021 and amended again on July 15, 2022, for a loan from MPIC. The parties entered into a third amending agreement dated June 27, 2023 to extend the maturity date of the loan from July 15, 2023 to July 15, 2024.

The Issuer previously entered into a certain loan agreement dated July 8, 2022 for a loan from MPIC in the principal amount of USD$100,000. The parties entered into an amending agreement dated June 27, 2023 to extend the maturity date of the loan from July 8, 2023 to July 8, 2024.

No other material terms were amended under any of the foregoing amendments.

Related party transaction disclosure

As MPIC is a control person of Premier, the June Loan and the amended loan agreements described above each constitute "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). These agreements have been determined to be exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval based on sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101.

Premier does not have securities listed or quoted on any of the specified markets listed in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. Premier is relying on the exemption from minority shareholder approval in 5.7(1)(f) of MI 61-101 as the loans were obtained by Premier from MPIC on reasonable commercial terms that are not less advantageous to Premier than if the loans had been obtained from a person dealing at arms length with Premier. Further, the loans are not convertible, directly or indirectly, into equity or voting securities of Premier or a subsidiary entity of the issuer, or otherwise participating in nature, or repayable as to principal or interest, directly or indirectly, in equity or voting securities of Premier or a subsidiary entity of the issuer.

About Premier Diversified Holdings Inc.

Premier Diversified Holdings Inc. participates in diversified industries through its acquisitions of securities and/or assets of public and private entities which it believes have potential for significant returns. It may act as a holding company (either directly or through a subsidiary) and may participate in management of subsidiary entities to varying degrees.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Sanjeev Parsad"

Sanjeev ParsadPresident, CEO and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions.

Further information regarding the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Not for dissemination in the United States of America.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are indicated expectations or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those regarding loan terms including regarding maturity date(s), that PDH will repay the loan from MPIC as disclosed in the news release, and that the net proceeds of the Loan will be used as stated in this news release. Factors that could cause actual results to be materially different include but are not limited to the following: that any revenue which PDH makes indirectly via its operating subsidiaries will be insufficient to repay the loans to MPIC, that its operating subsidiaries, including MyCare, will not generate revenue, or will retain or redirect such revenue, that the terms and conditions of the various loans may be amended, that the management or board of PDH may use its revenue or other the funds for other purposes, that the capital raised will be insufficient capital to accomplish our intentions and capital alone may not be sufficient for us to grow our business, that the issuer's financial position will not improve, will stay the same or will decline further, that the timing of receipt of anticipated revenues or returns may be delayed, that its ongoing expenses including general and administrative expenses will increase, and that complications or unforeseen obstacles from COVID-19 or other factors may negatively impact Premier. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. It is not our policy to update forward looking statements.

For further information, contact: Sanjeev Parsad, President and CEO Phone: (604) 678.9115 Fax: (604) 678.9279 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.pdh-inc.com

Source: Premier Diversified Holdings Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MAX Power Mining Corp. (CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF; FRANKFURT: 89N) (MAX Power or the Company) has identified multiple radiometric anomalies from preliminary airborne survey data covering approximately two-thirds of its Corvette Lake North Lithium Property to date. Corvette Lake North is adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals Corvette Property, 5 km south of PMETs CV-5 discovery, in Quebecs James Bay Lithium Camp (refer to Figure 1).

The first high resolution heliborne radiometric and magnetic survey ever flown over the 67 sq. km Corvette Lake North Property was launched last week and a total of 1,017 line kilometers has been completed. Interruptions can be expected due to the forest fire situation in the region.

Preliminary Geophysical Anomalies at Corvette North:

Preliminary radiometric and magnetic survey results at Corvette Lake North show a strong radiometric anomaly located at the ridge at the shoreline of Lac Corvette (Shoreline Zone);

Additional anomalies have been identified to the west and north of the Shoreline Zone, most coincident with locally higher topography;

Several anomalies have been identified at breaks in the magnetic signal or in magnetic lows, a type of signature that has been observed over known pegmatite dykes elsewhere in the James Bay Lithium Camp.

Prospectair Geosurveys of Gatineau, Quebec, is carrying out the airborne survey which is acquiring detailed information on Corvette Lake North using 50-metre line spacing. The tight line spacing is an important factor in interpreting structures and rock formations, especially where rocks are not outcropping.

The airborne survey is also scheduled to be carried out at Corvette Lake South for a total of 2,257-line-kilometers over both properties.

Figure 1: Location Map

Management cautions that mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of the presence of similar mineralization or geology on the Company's properties.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Lauder, P.Geo., Member of the Order of Geologists of Quebec and Senior Geologist and Exploration Manager for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Lauder is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

About MAX Power

MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance North Americas renewable energy prospects.

Contact: [email protected]

MarketSmart Communications at 877-261-4466.

Forward-Looking Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling, mineralization and historical results on the Properties; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the initiation of and the results thereby of any future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling and the timing of same; the merits of the Properties and the James Bay region, generally; the potential for lithium within the Properties; commentary as it related to the opportune timing to explore lithium exploration and any anticipated increasing demand for lithium; future press releases by the Company; funding of any future drilling program; regulatory approval, including but not limited to the CSE. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," interpreted, "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," suggests, often, target, future, likely, pending, "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," possibly, preliminary, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Managements Discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e231148-2e57-4d0f-83f5-1b9a671890d6

MAX Power Mining Corp MAX Power Mining Corvette North and South Properties, James Bay Lithium Camp, Quebec, Canada

Source: Max Power Mining Corp
The program enables the recruitment and career development of new and diverse talent in the data center industry

DENVER, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STACK Infrastructure (STACK), the digital infrastructure partner to the worlds most innovative companies and a leading global developer and operator of data centers, expanded its Women in Data Centers Program aimed at recruiting and supporting the career development of new and diverse talent in the data center industry. The Women in Data Centers Program offers a year-long, full-time, paid apprenticeship that targets candidates of all backgrounds with strong values, who do not have prior data center operations experience. The apprentices will train alongside industry professionals as Critical Operations Technicians with the opportunity to be placed in a permanent role in one of STACKs Americas facilities upon completion of the program. Although the Women in Data Centers Program is actively sourcing women, STACK is an equal opportunity employer that supports diverse, inclusive, and unbiased hiring practices and all interested applicants are encouraged to apply.



We are proud to greatly expand this program after a successful first year, which experienced tangible, positive results with previous apprentices who are now thriving in their full-time positions within the data center field, said Brian Cox, Chief Executive Officer of STACK Americas. It is essential that the digital infrastructure industry diversify its technical operations talent pool by addressing the underrepresentation of women and diverse groups to create an equitable environment where new voices and new ideas can flourish.

The goal of the program is to attract applicants who would not normally have the baseline experience for the position of Critical Operations Technician, a role that is crucial in maintaining uptime within these critical facilities. Following the success of last years program, STACK has placed candidates and continues to accept applications for the 2023 class. STACK ensures that regardless of employment background, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, all employees have the training, guidance, and tools to obtain high-demand skills necessary to be successful in this rapidly growing industry with historically lucrative career advancements.

Interested candidates should visit the STACK Infrastructure careers page for more information and to apply. This announcement comes shortly after STACK and IPI Partners expanded the Womens Leadership Summit globally, with the STACK Americas event nearly doubling in size while STACK EMEA hosted its first summit. The Women in Data Centers Program and Womens Leadership Summit are two examples among many initiatives that showcase STACKs commitment to fostering diverse representation within the data center industry.

ABOUT STACK INFRASTRUCTURE

STACK provides digital infrastructure to scale the worlds most innovative companies. With a client-first approach, STACK delivers a comprehensive suite of campus, build-to-suit, colocation, and powered shell solutions in the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions. With robust existing and flexible expansion capacity in the leading availability zones, STACK offers the scale and geographic reach that rapidly growing hyperscale and enterprise companies need. The world runs on data. And data runs on STACK. For more information about STACK, please visit: www.stackinfra.com .

Media Contacts

Sammer Khalaf

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e697d5f-036b-4c54-bece-ebfd39c642ad
OGDEN, Utah, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TAB Bank, a technology-driven, online bank serving small businesses, families, and individuals, in collaboration with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is offering $166,183 to a total of six Utah non-profit organizations for critical financial support for affordable housing and community development initiatives. As mentioned, TAB Bank is joining FHLB Des Moines, which administers a Member Impact Fund, a fund providing nearly $15 million in grants to hundreds of non-profit or government agencies.

FHLB Des Moines received more than 500 applications from 85 members in Hawaii, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The following Utah organizations are receiving a total of $46,000 from TAB Bank and $120,183 from the Member Impact Fund:

We are thrilled to play a pivotal role in securing critically needed funds to these outstanding organizations to assist in offering affordable housing and community development in Utah, said Richard L. Bozzelli, TAB Bank President and CEO. The grants showcase TAB Banks permanent commitment to give back to the communities we serve and provide trusted banking services to commercial businesses and consumers, in Utah and throughout the United States.

The Member Impact Fund increased from $10 million in 2022 to $15 million in 2023, but grant requests exceeded available funds by $2.2 million. The fund offers a nearly $3-to-$1 match of member donations and will be used for a variety of purposes including but not limited to, job training, down payment assistance, strategic planning, financial literacy, food banks, youth programs and more.

About TAB Bank

TAB Bank is an innovative and technology-forward bank offering custom banking solutions to consumers and commercial businesses across a wide range of industries throughout the country. Our bank is and has always been a completely mobile online solution that makes banking easier and more intuitive. After 25 years TAB Banks focus remains with providing banking solutions to ensure financial success of our clients.

For more information, visit www.TABBank.com.

ContactTrevor MorrisDirector of Marketing801-624-5172[email protected]Twitter - @TABBankFacebook  facebook.com/TABbank

Source: TAB Bank
Transaction increases TerrAscends retail footprint to three dispensaries in the state with adult-use launch set to begin on July 1, 2023

Attractively priced US$6.75 million transaction is expected to be immediately accretive on an EBITDA and cashflow basis

TORONTO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TerrAscend Corp. ("TerrAscend" or the "Company") (CSE: TER) (OTCQX: TRSSF), a leading North American cannabis operator, today announced that on June 26, 2023 it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hempaid, LLC (d/b/a Blue Ridge Wellness), a medical dispensary in Maryland. The transaction expands TerrAscends footprint to three dispensaries in the state. Blue Ridge Wellness is well positioned to achieve substantial sales growth following the commencement of adult-use sales in Maryland, which is set to begin on July 1, 2023.

Under the terms of the agreement, TerrAscend will acquire Blue Ridge Wellness for total consideration of US$6.75 million (the "Transaction"), including US$3.0 million in cash, with the remainder in a sellers note. The acquisition, which is expected to be accretive to TerrAscend on an EBITDA and cashflow basis, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. Following the close of the Transaction, TerrAscend's retail footprint will increase to 36 dispensaries nationwide.

Blue Ridge Wellness, a medical dispensary located in Parkville, Maryland, is currently on a revenue run rate of approximately US$4.3 million. TerrAscend expects to achieve significant sales and margin improvement at this location with the launch of adult-use and by offering a complete selection of its high-quality brands including Kind Tree, Gage, Cookies and Wana. The Company has plans to relocate the Blue Ridge dispensary to a new, larger storefront it has already secured. This 3,900 square foot, prime location is conveniently located near the White Marsh Mall, a high-traffic retail center. The Company expects to complete the relocation of Blue Ridge in the next six months.

Upon closing, Blue Ridge will be our third dispensary in Maryland ahead of the imminent launch of adult-use sales. We anticipate that Blue Ridge, combined with our other Maryland dispensaries, will drive substantial revenue growth and profitability for TerrAscend in Maryland, even prior to our scheduled move to a prime location later this year. We are focused on acquiring an additional dispensary to reach the four-dispensary cap in Maryland, said Jason Wild, Executive Chairman of TerrAscend.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About TerrAscend Corp. TerrAscend is a leading cannabis company with interests across the North American cannabis sector, including vertically integrated operations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and California through TerrAscend Growth Corp. and retail operations in Canada. TerrAscend Growth operates The Apothecarium and Gage dispensary retail locations as well as scaled cultivation, processing, and manufacturing facilities in its core markets. TerrAscend Growths cultivation and manufacturing practices yield consistent, high-quality cannabis, providing industry-leading product selection to both the medical and legal adult-use markets. The Company owns or licenses several synergistic businesses and brands including Gage Cannabis, The Apothecarium, Cookies, Lemonnade, Ilera Healthcare, Kind Tree, Legend, State Flower, and Valhalla Confections. For more information visit www.terrascend.com.

Caution Regarding Cannabis Operations in the United StatesInvestors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute, or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable US federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with medical or adult-use cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve TerrAscend of liability under U.S. federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against TerrAscend. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of TerrAscend and any proceedings brought against TerrAscend thereunder may adversely affect TerrAscend's operations and financial performance.

Forward Looking InformationThis news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as, may, would, could, will, likely, expect, anticipate, believe, intend, plan, forecast, project, estimate, outlook and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment, and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2023.

The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether, as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

For more information regarding TerrAscend:Keith StaufferChief Financial Officer717-343-5386[email protected]

Briana ChesterMATTIO Communications424-465-4419[email protected]

Source: TerrAscend
Advanced certification distinguishes hospitals for excellence in efforts to provide equitable care, treatment and services

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Illinois, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Joint Commission is launching a voluntary Health Care Equity Certification Program, effective July 1. The advanced certification will recognize hospitals and critical access hospitals that strive for excellence in their efforts to provide equitable care, treatment and services.

Improving health care equity is a quality and safety priority at The Joint Commission. The Health Care Equity Certification builds on The Joint Commissions longstanding accreditation requirements that support health care equity, as well as its new requirements to reduce health care disparities that were implemented on January 1 and are being elevated to National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) 16 on July 1.

The new certification requirements emphasize the structures and processes health care organizations need to decrease health care disparities in their patient populations; promote diversity, equity and inclusion for their staff; and address the following five domains:

Leadership

Collaboration

Data collection

Provision of care

Performance improvement

The Health Care Equity Certification will be available to all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals, as well as non-Joint Commission-accredited hospitals and critical access hospitals that comply with applicable federal laws, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation.

Health care equity is not only an issue of social justice, it is a fundamental issue of patient safety and quality of care, says Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, MSHA, MACP, FACMI, president and chief executive officer, The Joint Commission Enterprise. This is why I made it a top priority for The Joint Commission to advance health care equity. COVID-19 sharpened health cares focus on fractures in care that are unacceptable. All people deserve access to safe, high-quality care. The Health Care Equity Certification Program will distinguish those organizations making health care equity a strategic priority and are collaborating with patients, families, caregivers and external organizations to identify and address needs that help translate equitable health care into better health outcomes.

To help health care organizations meet the certifications requirements and elements of performance (EPs), The Joint Commission has developed the Health Care Equity Certification Resource Center. The resource center provides practical strategies, toolkits, templates, brief synopses and videos. The curated collection of resources is organized by certification domain for direct accessibility. Sign up for E-Alerts to receive notification when new resources are added.

Learn more about The Joint Commissions Health Care Equity Certification Program.

###

About The Joint Commission

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve healthcare for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating healthcare organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nations oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.
Rare earth elements (REEs) are metals in high demand for modern technologies ranging from phones to F-35 jets

China currently maintains a commanding global control over the worlds REE supply chain, from mining to production, and has generated international controversy by introducing price increases and export restrictions

The European Union imports 98 percent of its REE supply and the United States imports 78 percent of its REE supply from China

Canada-based Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is demonstrating an REE process technology it regards as an improvement on the standard processing technology used by China, and Ucore intends to use its development for commercial REE processing in Louisiana

Ucore has received a $4 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to help demonstrate its capabilities, and is raising further financing through a brokered private placement announced June 16

Critical technology metals supply chain innovator Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is continuing to build supportive financing for its push to build a North American base for rare earth element (REE) processing.

Ucore announced earlier this month that it had garnered a $4 million project award from the U.S. Department of Defense to demonstrate the capabilities of its RapidSX(TM) solvent extraction process (https://ibn.fm/k7XZ2), and built on that development with the announcement June 16 of a brokered

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to UURAF are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/UURAF

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Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) (OTC Pink: CRUCF) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to report the results of recent geological mapping and outcrop sampling completed at the Banco de Oro and Bonancita targets on the Plomo property, EP Gold Project, Caborca Gold Belt, Sonora.

Ron Goguen, President & CEO of Colibri commented, "Our compilation and interpretation of exploration data covering our "EP" project, consisting of our Evelyn property and the newly acquired Plomo property, has provided the Company with a strong foundation for continued exploration. On the Plomo property, we will swiftly continue hitting the ground and completing the necessary basic boot and hammer work required to support advanced exploration and an inaugural drill program. On the Evelyn side of the property, we are preparing for a drill program to evaluate newly acquired geochemistry results and to test targets that have already advanced through the exploration pipeline."

BANCO DE ORO HISTORICAL SUMMARY AND RESULTS

Background

The historical Banco de Oro Mine is located on the southwestern part of the Plomo property (see illustration 1) and consists of a narrow south-southeast striking and shallow west dipping open cut developed on surface over an approximately 70 m strike length. The full extent of underground development is unknown to the Company, however, historical sampling of the fault zone exposed in the open cut at surface and underground returned 298.0g/t Au over 2.35 metres, 15.1g/t Au over 0.65 metres, 14.5g/t Au over 0.80 metres and 11.0g/t Au over 0.60 metres. A grab sample collected during due diligence field work by the company assayed 12.3 g/t Au (see illustration 2).

Numerous historical surface grab samples > 1 g/t, including 5 samples > 5 g/t Au, from the Banco de Oro target area form a north-northeast trend over an approximately 1 km distance. Reconnaissance level field work completed by Colibri during it due diligence process returned 7.56 g/t Au and 1.99 g/t Au from grab samples along this northeast trend (see illustration 2).

Mineralization at Banco de Oro consists of brecciated quartz veins hosted in foliated sericitized and pyrite bearing rhyolite. It is interpreted to be located at the intersection of a north-northwest trending fault zone which is mapped on the Evelyn property and extrapolated onto the Plomo property (supported by the interpretation of a resistivity survey) and the northeast trending mineralized zone described here. The Banco de Oro is a priority target area with the objective of developing a drill plan.

Current Results

Geological mapping recently completed by the Company was focussed on covering the northeast trend and covered an area of approximately 41 ha extending approximately 500 m north of the historic Banco de Oro mine. Bedrock exposure in the map area was limited however several outcrops of tourmaline-quartz breccia were mapped which form a northeast trend. Sixty-six grab samples of outcrop were collected for Au assay and the results indicate a widespread area gold enrichment; Au was detected in 46 of the samples, 14 samples returned Au assays > 0.1 g/t Au with a high value of 1.49 g/t Au.

Illustration 1: Evelyn & Plomo Outcrop & Trench Grab Samples

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Illustration 2: Banco de Oro geology and sample map

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BONANCITA SUMMARY AND RESULTS

Background

The Bonancita target area is located in the north-central part of the Plomo property and consists of 4 prospects all of which contain historical assays from outcrop samples > 1 g/t Au. Three of the prospects, Bonancita, Bonancita NWI and Bonancita NWII, form a NW trending linear, approximately 2 km in length (see illustration 1), which is coincident with both a strong topographic lineament and with a strong, NW trending, regional scale magnetic gradient lineament. Historical work in the Bonancita target area has mapped very strong NW trending foliation development. The prospects comprising the Bonancita target area are delineated by a number of historical outcrop grab sample assays greater than 1 g/t Au and include high values of 16.3 g/t Au and 6.44 g/t Au.

Current Results

Geological mapping and sampling recently completed by the Company was limited to the southern-most prospect where the objective was to evaluate a northwest mineralized trend defined by historical sampling, including a high value of 7.62 g/t Au, occurring within a wider zone of vein quartz. Approximately 60 ha were mapped and a total of 75 outcrop samples were collected for Au analyses. Au was detected in fifty-five of the 75 samples analysed, 15 of the samples returned values > 0.1 g/t Au, and 3 of the samples contained Au > 1.0 g/t, with a high sample of 2.72 g/t Au. The mapping and sampling confirmed the previously delineated northeast mineralized structure. Mineralization within the trend is characterized by vitreous quartz with weakly disseminated but ubiquitous pyrite and oxidized pyrite and locally containing galena. This style of mineralization contrasts sharply with adjacent vein quartz, which is milky white, contains no visible sulphide, and very low grade Au values. Mapping has also delineated a northeast trend of anomalous to higher grade samples within the area of historical sampling.

Colibri views the Bonancita target area as an earlier stage opportunity to evaluate the potential for a large gold system. Work was initiated in the southern-most prospect area (Bonancita) of the Bonancita NW trend and will be extended to the northwest.

Illustration 3: Bonancita geology and sample map

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EP PROJECT NEXT STEPS

The Company continues to evaluate both the Evelyn and Plomo properties of the EP Gold Project with the objective of advancing prospects and prioritizing drill targets. The Company will continue to evaluate mineralized domains at the Banco de Oro, Bonancita, and Pavo Real targets as well as initiating work at the San Perfecto target. The Company anticipates continued exploration to include geological mapping as well as trenching with a mechanical shovel. On the Evelyn side, the Company is currently planning a RC drilling program to follow up on positive soil geochemistry results north and south of the Main Zone a well as west of El Sahuaro.

ABOUT PLOMO

The newly acquired Plomo property is contiguous with the Company's Evelyn Property and collectively they comprise the Company's EP Gold Project covering a total area of 4,766 Ha. The EP Gold Project is located in the 500 km long, northwest trending Caborca Gold belt which includes the > 15 million ounce La Herradura Mine, located 25 km west of EP, the > 2-million-ounce Noche Buena Mine located approximately 8 km southwest of EP, and the past producing Soledad-Dipolos Mine (> 3 Moz Au) located approximately 32 km to the northwest of EP (see attached map 4).

Highlights of the Plomo Property include:

The historical database, totaling 1,853 surface rock samples, includes 524 samples greater than 0.1 grams per tonne ("g/t") Au, 132 samples greater than 1.0 g/t Au, and 15 high grade samples greater than 10 g/t Au. Surface exploration including prospecting, mapping, and rock sampling since 2007 has resulted in the identification of 9 target areas on the Plomo property (see Map 3)

Underground sampling completed in the adit at the Banco de Oro prospect in 2008 are reported to have included 298.0 g/t Au over a chip length of 2.4 metres

The Plomo property has been the subject of only very limited exploration drilling, completed in 2008, with a total of 1,570 meters completed in 10 holes. Highlights of the drilling are 0.66 g/t Au over an intersection length of 11.65 metres ("m") and 0.92 g/t Au over an intersection length of 4 m.

The Plomo property has had small scale artisanal mining including pits, adits, and placer mining dating back to the 18th century. The first recorded exploration was in 2006 and the property has been the subject of only episodic exploration since that time.

Mapping completed by Colibri geologists confirmed vein style mineralization consisting of veins, veinlets, and vein stockworks, altered host rocks that include intense silicification, sericite, disseminated pyrite, and locally tourmaline bearing stockworks and breccias.

Sampling by Colibri completed during its due diligence evaluation confirmed the historical distribution of high-grade samples at Plomo and included twenty-five grab samples with values > 1.0 g/t Au, including 6 samples with values > 5 g/t Au. A total of 62 grab samples taken by Colibri during due diligence sampling returned Au assay values > 0.1 g/t Au.

Illustration 4:Location of the Plomo & Evelyn properties within Caborca Gold Belt

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QAQC

Assays for the Plomo mapping and sampling program have been completed at ALS Laboratories (ALS) with sample preparation completed in Hermosillo, Sonora and Atomic Absorption and Fire Assay analyses completed in Vancouver, Canada. Colibri employs industry standard QAQC protocol including the use of control samples (Certified Standards and Blanks) and check assays. Jamie Lavigne, P. Geo has supervised the drilling program at Evelyn.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Jamie Lavigne, P. Geo and a Director for Colibri is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release.

ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION:

Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company holds six high potential precious metal projects, all of which have planned exploration programs for calendar 2023.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.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.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

For information contact: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171455
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Eastern Platinum Limited (TSX: ELR) (JSE: EPS) ("Eastplats" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Target IR & Communications ("Target IR"), a full-service investor relations and communications firm that focusses on the metals and mining and technology sectors. Under the terms of the consulting agreement (the "Agreement") effective July 1, 2023, Eastplats will provide a base monthly fee for the 12-month period of the contract. The Company has also granted Target IR 240,000 stock options that vest in 90 days in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. The options were granted for a term of five years and expire on June 21, 2028. Each option allows the holder to purchase one common share of Eastplats at an exercise price of CDN$0.10.

Wanjin Yang, Chief Executive Officer and President commented, "We look forward to working with the Target IR team as we execute the Zandfontein underground restart plan and communicate key project milestones to the investment community over the next six to 12 months."

Based in Toronto, Target IR is a strategic IR firm serving growing and emerging publicly listed companies, with over 35 years of combined experience working alongside technology, mining and health care clients. With TSX/TSX-V, NYSE and LSE experience, the firm's dedicated team leverages their deep IR, strategic communications and capital markets expertise to plan and execute proactive investor relations programs. Neither Target IR, nor any of its principals, hold any securities of the Company.

About Eastern Platinum Limited

Eastplats owns directly and indirectly a number of platinum group metal ("PGM") and chrome assets in the Republic of South Africa. All of the Company's properties are situated on the western and eastern limbs of the Bushveld Complex, the geological environment that hosts approximately 80% of the world's PGM-bearing ore.

Operations at the Crocodile River Mine currently include re-mining and processing its tailings resource to produce PGM and chrome concentrates from the Barplats Zandfontein tailings dam.

For further information, please contact:

EASTERN PLATINUM LIMITED

Wylie Hui, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary

[email protected] (email)

(604) 800-8200 (phone)

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "will", "plan", "intends", "may", "will", "could", "expects", "anticipates" and similar expressions. Further disclosure of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and other forward-looking statements are discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the vesting and expiry of options issued by the Company and potential execution of the Zandfontein underground restart plan and ability to achieve and communicate key project milestones over the next six to 12 months, forecasts, estimates, expectations, and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, commodity prices, economic conditions, currency fluctuations, competition and regulations, legal proceedings and risks related to operations in foreign countries.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date they are given and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171460
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Interra Copper Corp. (CSE: IMCX) (OTCQB: IMIMF) (FSE: 3MX) ("Interra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that was held on June 27, 2023 (the "Meeting"). Shareholders were asked to vote on several items of business as described in the Company's Management Information Circular dated May 23, 2023 (the "Circular"), and all proposals put forward to the Company's shareholders were approved. A total of 3,748,261 Common shares representing approximately 16.77% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares were voted in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

Shareholders fixed the number of directors to be elected at the Meeting at six (6) and elected incumbent directors Chris Buncic, Rick Gittleman and Jason Nickel as well as new directors Mike Ciricillo, Dr. Mark Cruise, and Rich Levielle. At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors, Paul Robertson was appointed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.

Chris Buncic, President, CEO and a Director of Interra Copper, commented, "We are excited to welcome Mike, Mark and Rich to Interra's Board of Directors as we chart our course for growth for the Company. Their combined technical experience is unparalled among the leadership teams of junior exploration and development companies, and we expect great things to come for our business. Paul has been working with the Chilean team since inception and has a valuable experience in Latin America, and we look forward to continuing our work with him."

Mike Ciricillo is a mining executive with over 30 years of operational and project experience, having lived and worked on 5 continents over the span of his career. Mike began his career in 1991 at INCO Ltd in Canada and later joined Phelps Dodge in 1995 which was acquired by Freeport-McMoRan. There he served in positions of increasing responsibility in the United States, Chile, The Netherlands, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the DRC, Mike served as President of Freeport McMoRan Africa and spent 5 years at Tenke Fungurume from the construction phase into the operations phase. Mike then joined Glencore in 2014 as Head of Copper Operations in Peru, followed by the role of Head of Copper Smelting Operations, and eventually, he was placed in the role as Head of Glencore's Worldwide Copper Assets. He is currently President of the Natural Resources Sector for the NANA Corporation in Alaska.

Dr. Mark Cruise, PGeo, ICD.D is a professional geologist with over 27 years of international exploration and mining experience. A former polymetallic commodity specialist with Anglo American plc, Dr. Cruise founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Trevali Mining Corporation. Under his leadership, from 2008 to 2019, the company grew from an initial discovery into a global zinc producer with operations in the Americas and Africa. He has previously served as Vice President Business Development and Exploration, COO and CEO for several TSX, TSX-Venture and NYSE-Americas listed exploration and development Companies.

Rich Leveille has a lifetime's worth of experience in the mining sector, having grown up in major copper camps in the western US where his father worked for Kennecott. He has a B.S. Geology from the University of Utah and an M.S. in geology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He worked for a progression of companies including AMAX, Kennecott, Rio Tinto, Phelps Dodge and Freeport-McMoRan in the US and internationally, where he was directly involved with and/or managed teams that made several major discoveries. His last corporate position was Sr VP Exploration for Freeport-McMoRan, based in Phoenix. Mr. Leveille retired in September 2017 and has devoted his time since then to hiking, backpacking, fishing, writing, advocacy for immigrants and geological consulting.

Paul Robertson, CPA, CA is the founding partner of Quantum Advisory LLP and has over 20 years of accounting, auditing, and tax experience. He has developed extensive experience in the mining sector and provides financial reporting, regulatory compliance, internal controls and taxation advisory services to a number of junior resource companies.

Interra would also like to thank David McAdam, Scott Young, and Oliver Foeste for their past services to the Company and wishes them well in their future pursuits.

At the Meeting, shareholders also supported the re-appointment of D&H Group LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.

About Interra Copper Corp.

Interra Copper Corp. is focused on building shareholder value through the exploration and development of its portfolio of highly prospective/early-stage exploration copper assets located in Chile and Northern British Columbia.

The Company's portfolio includes three copper projects located the Central Volcanic Zone, within a prolific Chilean Copper belt: Tres Marias and Zenaida in Antofagasta Region, and Pitbull in Tarapaca Region. The Company now holds a significant land package covering an area of 20,050 ha with the projects situated amongst several of the world's largest mines owned by the largest global mining companies including Glencore, Anglo American, Teck Resources and BHP among others. The Company also owns two exploration projects in Northern British Columbia: Thane and Chuck Creek. The Thane Project is located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC and spans over 20,658 ha with 6 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization.

Interra Copper's leadership team is comprised of senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Interra Copper is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which we operate. The Company's common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol "IMCX". For more information on Interra Copper, please visit our website at www.interracoppercorp.com.

On behalf of the Board and Interra Copper Corp.

Chris Buncic

President & CEO, Director

For further information

Katherine Pryde

Investor Relations Contact

[email protected]

Twitter

LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Information

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration on the Company's Tres Marias Copper Project, and the potential results of exploration work on the project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Company's website. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171514
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting on preparations for the summit.

NATO. Vilnius. Ukraine. There is every reason for a political invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance. There is a full understanding of the security guarantees for Ukraine until the moment of accession. We are working with the team to make the decisions of the Vilnius Summit truly meaningful, he said on the Telegram channel on Tuesday.
Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - LBank Exchange, a global digital asset trading platform, will list UNIPAYCOIN (UPC) on Jun 27, 2023. For all users of LBank Exchange, the UPC/USDT trading pair will be officially available for trading at 8:00 UTC on Jun 27, 2023.

UPC Listing Banner

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The UNIPAYCOIN platform is a structure in which individual, 1-person companies or small business owners work together to market and share profits. The UNIPAYCOIN platform supports personal broadcasting through a system that supports 1-person media, allowing individuals to sell each other's products and share profits, supporting each other's non-business ventures and overcoming the limitations of small business owners. Its native token, UPC, will be listed on LBank Exchange at 8:00 UTC on Jun 27, 2023, with the goal of expanding its global footprint and supporting the realization of its forward-thinking objectives.

Introducing UNIPAYCOIN

LBank Exchange is thrilled to announce the upcoming listing of UNIPAYCOIN (UPC), a structure in which individual, 1-person companies or small business owners work together to market and share profits. The UNIPAYCOIN platform supports personal broadcasting through a system that supports 1-person media, allowing individuals to sell each other's products and share profits, supporting each other's non-business ventures and overcoming the limitations of small business owners.

Including solo entrepreneurs, small business owners are facing an environment in which they cannot properly market themselves. This can be due to a lack of funding. In a society where everything is capital-focused, small business owners cannot afford to advertise on a large scale like big corporations. To solve this problem, the UNIPAYCOIN platform was created with the idea that "we can achieve something if we band together like the forgotten old slogan."

The non-business structure of UNIPAYCOIN is based on the ecosystem of Korea's local platform. The ecosystem includes the payment service DDK PAY, media service Korea Cyber City, high-value online shopping mall, and WFUN NFT exchange, and operates through staking and governance.

The UNIPAYCOIN Foundation operates a crypto-circular system through UNIPAYCOIN, which reduces the burden of financial debt that has been paid excessively in interest. The crypto-circular system is operated for small business owners who have difficulty securing funds, and it is also a part of the business user's contribution to the ecosystem. By participating in the ecosystem, a system is created where new credit is generated and consumption protects one's own future.

As UNIPAYCOIN (UPC) prepares to list on LBank Exchange on June 27th, 2023, we invite you to join us in celebrating this exciting milestone and discover the remarkable potential of this visionary project.

About UPC Token

UPC is a governance token responsible for platform-wide policies and decision-making, including boosting specific merchants and fees for each service within the ecosystem. Staking-governance adopts the staking-governance model of CurveDAO, which has been validated through various tokenomics. When UPC tokens are staked, VeUPCTokens are received and used as voting power within the platform. The VeUPCToken model operates by locking up tokens for a long period to allow platform stakeholders to focus on the platform's growth.

UPC has a total supply of 1 billion (i.e.1,000,000,000) tokens. It will be listed on LBank Exchange at 8:00 UTC on Jun 27, 2023, investors who are interested in UNIPAYCOIN can easily buy and sell it on LBank Exchange by then.

Learn More about UPC Token:

Official Website: http://unipaycoin.com/

Contract: https://scope.klaytn.com/token/0x444262d01f642cc0c1b976911c566ff82c340948

Whitepaper: http://unipaycoin.com/wp/UPC_WP_ENG.pdf

About LBank

LBank is one of the top crypto exchanges, established in 2015. It offers specialized financial derivatives, expert asset management services, and safe crypto trading to its users. The platform holds over 9 million users from more than 210 regions across the world. LBank is a cutting-edge growing platform that ensures the integrity of users' funds and aims to contribute to the global adoption of cryptocurrencies.

Start Trading Now: lbank.com

Community & Social Media:

l Telegram

l Twitter

l Facebook

l LinkedIn

l Instagram

l YouTube

Contact Details:

LBK Blockchain Co. Limited

LBank Exchange

[email protected]

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171437
Mesa, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - June 26, 2023) - Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys has announced updates to legal services offered for individuals in the Phoenix area who may be suffering from severe injuries incurred in a motor vehicle accident, including car, truck and big rig incidents.

The updated range of legal solutions from Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys aims to assist individuals who may be undergoing physical, emotional, and financial struggles following a major accident. The firm's goal is to help people receive justice and a fair settlement from insurance companies that may try to undervalue a client's injury claim.

Further details can be found at: https://lernerandrowe.com/phoenix/practice/truck-accident-attorney.





Lerner & Rowe Announces Updated Legal Services For Phoenix Truck Accident Claims

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With legal advice from the team at Lerner and Rowe, injured parties and their loved ones have an opportunity to receive fair compensation from insurance companies. A timely financial settlement can help families pay for necessary medical care and other accident-related bills.

In addition, with legal guidance from Lerner and Rowe, people who have been in an accident can find out what type of settlement they are entitled to receive and obtain this pay-out in a timely manner.

The support process offered at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys draws on the experience and dedication of the legal team and involves multiple steps. To create a solid case, the firm conducts thorough investigations, helps gather medical records and other evidence, and aims to build a strong legal strategy.

The firm also offers personalized attention for each client, including a comprehensive review of medical records and professional guidance throughout the claims process. More information can be found here: https://www.theattorneypost.com/your-personal-injury-guardians-nationwide-lerner-rowe-ensuring-justice-across-the-us.

Lerner and Rowe has ten offices located throughout Arizona, with a central hub in Phoenix. The network of offices, including branches in Glendale, Gilbert, Tucson and Yuma, allows the legal firm to provide networked services to individuals throughout the state, ensuring that clients receive the legal consultation they need in the aftermath of a car or truck accident.

The firm is bilingual, offering legal services in English and Spanish; it also offers a discount for military veterans and first responders. Interested parties can reach the legal team by telephone, live chat on the firm's website, or submit an online case review form.

Further details can be found at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/31foTm5go3riOoQTsJ1XOV?si=ZXqn0_xUQ6q-LxETClrljg&nd=1

Contact Info:

Name: Kevin Rowe

Email: [email protected]

Phone:1-602-977-1900

Organization: Lerner & Rowe

Address: 535 E McKellips Rd STE 105, Mesa, AZ 85203, United States

Website: https://LernerAndRowe.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171225
New Results:

71.5% Combined Gold Recovery from a Sulphide Composite; and

+70% Recovery of Leachable Gold from an Oxide Composite

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - Southern Silver Exploration Corp. (TSXV: SSV) ("Southern") reports that metallurgical scoping tests confirm the technical feasibility of recovering both free cyanide-leachable gold and refractory gold from pyritic material through a process of fine grinding and hot atmospheric pressure oxidation followed by cyanide leaching. The results are significant as it now allows the consideration of new gold revenues in future economic modelling of the Cerro Las Minitas (CLM) Project. This work is one of several engineering initiatives the company is pursuing to de-risk and increase the value of the CLM project.

Earlier work on the CLM project did not consider the potential contribution of gold in the financial modelling mainly due to low gold grades in the Skarn Front mineralization which made up the majority of the mineral resources on the project. However, post-2020 drilling in the La Bocona, South Skarn and North Felsite regions encountered significantly higher gold grades which represented untapped value to be assessed. Similarly, oxide mineralization which was identified in the 2021 Mineral Resource Update on the project (see NR-21-21 dated Dec., 15th, 2021) was never incorporated into the most recent economic modelling on the project. To assess these factors, Southern Silver initiated a metallurgical test program to understand gold deportment in both the sulphide and oxide resources.

Both sulphide and oxide composites were tested as part of the metallurgical program. Mass balance reconciliations on the sulphide composite testwork indicate that 50% of the total gold is recoverable by hot atmospheric pressure oxidation prior to cyanide leaching at an overall 83.9% recovery. An additional 21.5% of gold is recovered into a copper concentrate at payable grades for a total of 71.5% recovery of gold.

The oxide composite was treated with standard cyanide-leach over a 48-hour period at increasingly finer grinds. Leach extraction successfully returned 70.2% recovery at a p 80 of 75 microns grain size; 74.0% recovery at p 80 of 53 microns; and 75.1% recovery at a p 80 of 38 microns.

Work continues on the CLM Project with a focus on adding value early in the production time-line for maximum economic benefit. This includes: the scheduling of recently added mineral resources into the economic modelling, further engineering upgrades to the project design; a detailed review of the capital expenditures; and pre-concentration to improve the project economics. Mineralization remains open at depth, particularly on the eastern side of the Cerro which with further exploration can continue to add high margin mineralization early in the production scenario.

VP Exploration Rob Macdonald stated: "Southern is very encouraged by the results from this most recent metallurgical test program on the CLM Project which will allow the incorporation of +70% recoveries of gold from both oxide and sulphide mineralization into the process flowsheet. Of the three commercially proven oxidation techniques, the atmospheric leach has demonstrated what is likely the most cost-effective gold extraction technique which can be easily incorporated into future financial modelling of the project."

Test Program Summary

The test program on the sulphide composite replicates the CLM flowsheet (see NR-07-22, dated Sept., 29th 2022) which incorporated the generation of a pyrite/arsenopyrite-rich concentrate following the recovery of saleable copper, lead and zinc sulphide concentrates. Bench-scale flotation tests were performed by BaseMet Labs of Kamloops, BC. and were conducted on a 53.5kg composite of sulphide mineralization with a head grade of 0.78g/t Au with the majority of the samples taken from more recent, post-2020 drilling on the North Felsite, La Bocona and South Skarn deposits (Figure 1). Rougher concentrates of copper, lead and zinc were produced and cleaned with the Zn tails added to the pyrite/arsenopyrite concentrate for further treatment. The pyrite/arsenopyrite concentrate, in hot solution, was treated with oxygen at atmospheric pressure to convert sulphides to sulphates. The neutralized residue was treated with cyanide to release the gold resulting in 83.9% gold extraction after 48 hours. This equates to 50% of the gold from the original composite recovered by cyanide-leach. A further 21.5% of the gold which reported to the Cu concentrate would be considered "payable" for recovery purposes resulting in a total of 71.5% recovery. Cyanide consumption was 1.25kg/t.

Table 1: Gold deportment in cleaner tests. (Au Head grade = 0.78 g/t)

Stream Mass (%) Au grade (g/t) Au deportment (%) "Cu" concentrate 1.1 15 21.5 "Pb" concentrate 5.2 0.88 5.9 "Zn" concentrate 8.5 0.7 7.5 Zn cleaner tails 8.4 1.38 14.7 Arspy-Py concentrate 10.9 1.78 24.8 Pyrite cleaner tails 10.1 2.04 10 Final tails 48.9 0.03 1.9

Cyanide-leach testwork was also conducted on a 50.3kg composite of oxide mineralization sampled from core from mainly the Muralla gold zone, a near surface region of the La Bocona deposit located on the eastern side of the Cerro. The work was carried out by BaseMet Labs at a sample head grade of 1.65g/t Au. Direct cyanidation returned 70.2% extraction at a p80 of 75 microns after 48 hours. Cyanidation at increasingly finer grain sizes returned:

Table 2: Gold extraction from oxide material at varying grain sizes (Au Head grade = 1.65 g/t)

P80 (micron) % Au Extraction 75 70.2 53 74 38 75.1





Figure 1: Plan view of the surface projection of the known mineral deposits on the CLM property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5344/171331_31009ff6c4e07805_004full.jpg

About Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

Southern Silver Exploration Corp. is an exploration and development company with a focus on the identification of world-class mineral deposits in major jurisdictions, advancing them either directly or through joint-venture relationships. Our specific emphasis is on advancing the 100% owned Cerro Las Minitas project, one of the world's largest undeveloped silver-lead-zinc deposits, to a production decision.

Southern has assembled a team of highly experienced technical, operational and transactional professionals to support our efforts in developing (recent robust PEA) the Cerro Las Minitas project into a premier, high-grade, silver-lead-zinc mine. Our property portfolio also includes the Oro porphyry copper-gold project and the Hermanas gold-silver vein project where permitting applications for a drilling is underway; both are located in southern New Mexico, USA.

Qualified Persons

In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Robert Macdonald, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release.

Arthur Barnes, P.Eng, FSAIMM, M.Sc.(Eng.), principal consultant of Metallurgical Process Consultants Limited is responsible for the design and oversight of the metallurgical test program and the mass balance reconciliations used in this disclosure.

Risk Factors

Southern Silver is aware this project is subject to the same types of risks that large precious and base metal projects experience at an early stage of development in Mexico. The Company has engaged experienced management and specialized consultants to identify, manage and mitigate those risks. However, the types of risks will change as the project evolves and more information becomes available.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Lawrence Page"

Lawrence Page, K.C.

President & Director, Southern Silver Exploration Corp.

For further information, please visit Southern Silver's website at southernsilverexploration.com or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at [email protected].

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Southern Silver Exploration Corp. 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 to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171331
The Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem will support the development, production, advancement and distribution of isotopes, and position Canada as an international medical isotope powerhouse

Vancouver, British Columbia, and Hamilton, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - TRIUMF Innovations and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) today announced they will receive up to $35 million in funding for the creation of the new Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE). CMIE has been created to support advancements in Canada's medical isotope industry through funding of projects at TRIUMF, CPDC, Bruce Power, McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and BWXT Medical, as well as to support the commercial development of new medical isotope technologies from researchers and SMEs across Canada.

Over the term of the funding, CMIE is expected to launch three high-demand medical isotopes and related drug products into the marketplace. It will also advance two medical isotopes from early stage to pre-clinical evaluation. CMIE is also expected to attract more than $75 million in investment, create or maintain over 600 highly skilled jobs for Canadians, and create 30 internship opportunities.

The $35 million in funding will be delivered through Innovation, Science and Economic Development's Strategic Innovation Fund, which provides major investments in innovative projects that help grow Canada's economy for the well-being of all Canadians.

QUOTES

"Our government is proud to partner with CPDC and TRIUMF Innovations as part of our Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy to create the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem. Our commitment to providing Canadians with the best therapies they need to care for their health is coming to fruition, as the pandemic has shown us how important it is to have strong domestic production of pharmaceuticals. With this investment, we are making our country a major player in the global biomanufacturing and life sciences industry while creating good jobs for Canadians and stimulating the local economy."

- The Honourable Franois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"For more than 60 years, Canada has been a global leader in the research, development and production of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. In fact, Canada's isotope program pioneered a new era in cancer therapy and diagnostic medicine worldwide. CPDC alone has brought more than a dozen radiopharmaceuticals into clinical development and created 4 new radiopharmaceutical companies. We are grateful to Minister Champagne for his leadership in ensuring our medical isotope industry can continue to thrive globally."

- Owen Roberts, CEO, CPDC

"Each year, medical isotopes are used in more than 40 million procedures globally and demand is increasing worldwide. CMIE will encourage the domestic production of medical isotopes, an important component used in the healthcare sector for medical diagnoses and therapies, including cancer and heart diseases. With TRIUMF Innovations' focus on commercialization, we are pleased with this new level of support for medical isotope commercialization from Minister Champagne and the Canadian government."

- Kathryn Hayashi, President & CEO, TRIUMF Innovations

About CPDC

CPDC is a "not-for-profit" corporation founded in 2008 to advance probe (chemical agents that will carry medical isotopes to targets in the body) discovery, development and clinical research, and provide a reliable supply of radiopharmaceuticals. In the past 15 years, CPDC has created four Canadian commercial entities that have advanced the availability of radiopharmaceuticals to the Canadian medical community. CPDC's mission is to be a global leader in the radiopharmaceutical industry dedicated to transforming patient's lives by advancing high quality drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. CPDC's self-funding business model will continue to identify and advance critical radiopharmaceuticals to meet the needs of Canadian patients and physicians.

Learn more at www.cpdc.ca.

About TRIUMF Innovations

TRIUMF Innovations Inc. is TRIUMF's business interface and commercialization arm, connecting Canada's particle accelerator centre to the private sector via industry partnerships, licensing, and company creation. TRIUMF Innovations provides pathways for businesses to access the expertise and infrastructure at TRIUMF and across the TRIUMF network. TRIUMF has been pushing frontiers in research for over half a century, while training the next generation of leaders in science, medicine, and industry. Learn more about TRIUMF's work to produce actinium-225 here.

Learn more at www.triumfinnovations.ca and connect on Twitter at @TRIUMFInno.

Media Contact

Megan Helmer

604.240.5223

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171512
Summary Highlights:

8-person field crew actively working on extensive, 15,110 hectare property, including 4 geologists evaluating the geological environment at some of the known occurrences and prospecting a variety of newly identified targets;

Rock samples from the Trench Zone and the 'New' Zone sent to Eastern Analytical for assaying;

Initial assay results expected in 1 to 2 weeks;

Anomalous radiometric readings have been discovered in association with favorable host rocks along a 7 km trend indicating the potential for large areas of mineralization;

Field work over the next month will focus on trenching, channel sampling, and comprehensive geological mapping of all trenches; as well as more regional target evaluations; and

Diamond drilling planned for August.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 27, 2023) - York Harbour Metals Inc.(TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0)(the "Company" or "York")is pleased to provide an update on the progress of its ongoing field work and recent discoveries at the Bottom Brook Rare Earth Elements Project in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

York's comprehensive exploration efforts are now well underway following the full thaw of the winter snowpack. Despite the initial setbacks caused by cool weather, the Company's eight-person field crew, including field geologists, is capitalizing on the improved conditions to evaluate the geological environment and prospect new targets on the 15,110 hectare site.

Initial rock samples collected from the known Trench Zone and 'New' Zone have been submitted to Eastern Analytical in New Brunswick for preparation and subsequent shipping to Eastern Analytical in NL for detailed analysis and assaying. We expect to receive the initial assay results next week that will provide valuable insights into the geological controls on mineral disposition and also the grade of different styles of mineralization at several locations on the property. These initial assay results will also inform some of the next phase of work that will include trenching and further sampling that will help provide important information in advance of the Company's initial drill program on the project in August. This week we shipped an additional 60 rock samples to Eastern Analytical, and we anticipate receiving the assay results from these additional samples within a month.

Field crews have utilized helicopter support to prospect and map some more remote airborne geophysical targets that were inaccessible. Early and quick access to these more remote targets has allowed us to gain initial information about the regional potential on some of our new targets.

We have successfully accessed and sampled a number of previously unexplored targets and have been successful in, uncovering several intriguing prospects that will warrant further investigation. These prospects will undergo detailed prospecting, mapping, and radiometric surveying, with the goal of understanding the local geology, structure and controls on any mineralization that is of economic interest. Areas of interest will be investigated further as data is received and synthesized.

Our geological team have been conducting radiometric surveying over previously identified prospecting targets, while also engaging in extensive mapping and sampling of outcrop exposures. These efforts aim to enhance our understanding of the geological context of these target areas and help refine our exploration strategies.

Preliminary findings have yielded promising results, with anomalous radiometric showings featuring favorable host rocks and mineralization identified along a 7 km strike length, trending north-northeasterly from the 'New' showing area discovered in late May. This significant radiometric mineralization highlights the potential and prospectivity of our project to have mineralization over large areas on the property.

Looking ahead, our field work over the next month will focus on trenching, channel sampling, and comprehensive mapping of all trenches. These activities will prepare us for the initiation of diamond drilling in August, marking a critical milestone in our exploration and evaluation process.

Qualified Person

Doug Blanchflower, P. Geo., a Director of York Harbour, and Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and accepted the technical material contained in this news release.

About York Harbour Metals

York Harbour Metals Inc. (TSXV: YORK) (OTC Pink: YORKF) (FSE: 5DE0) is an exploration and development company focused on two high-grade projects in Newfoundland. The York Harbour Copper-Zinc-Silver Project is located approximately 27 km from Corner Brook in Newfoundland. The Company intends to continue drilling the 11 known mineralized zones and explore new massive sulphide targets.

Recently, the Company announced the acquisition of a high-grade Rare Earth Elements ("REE") project also located in Newfoundland. The Bottom Brook Critical Metals Project, covering 15,110 hectares, is located next to the Trans Canada Highway and is just 27 km from the deep-water port at Turf Point. York Harbour intends to actively identify diamond drill targets through property-wide prospecting, focused soil sampling, and geological mapping. A substantial drill program is scheduled for this year.

For further details on York Harbour Metals, please reach out via email to [email protected] or call +1-778-302-2257. You may also visit the Company's website at www.yorkharbourmetals.com for past news releases, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces by management.

On Behalf of The Board of Directors,

"Signed"

Bruce Durham

CEO, President, and Director

Telephone: 778-302-2257 | Email: [email protected]

Website: www.yorkharbourmetals.com

1518 - 800 Pender Street W, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2V6

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company's mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171386
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Goldstone Financial Group's CEO Anthony Pellegrino appears as a guest on the prestigious The Bloomberg Advantage podcast, discussing investment strategies.



Wealth management and retirement planning firm Goldstone Financial Group has announced that its principal and CEO Anthony Pellegrino has been featured on The Bloomberg Advantage podcast. An experienced fiduciary advisor, Pellegrino was invited to discuss investment strategies related to risk management.

More details can be found at https://www.goldstonefinancialgroup.com/securing-your-financial-future/

Talking to podcast hosts Carol Massar and Cory Johnson, Goldstones CEO Anthony Pellegrino discussed managing the comfort level for potential losses in the markets, advising investors to evaluate their appetite for risk.

I believe investors should be evaluating what their comfort level for loss is, are they in types of investment accounts that have some type of a built-in floor of protection in the event of the market continuing to drop, said Anthony Pellegrino, adding that his firm Goldstone Financial Group has been utilizing a couple of strategies for their clients.

One such strategy are tactically managed accounts which, says Anthony Pellegrino, allow the firm to shift resources into cash proactively; thus offering clients a certain degree of protection during market turmoil.

Along with appearing on The Bloomberg Advantage podcast, Anthony Pellegrino and other members of his firm have been recently featured on numerous TV networks, including Business First AM and ABC 7 Chicago - discussing the Silicon Valley bank frenzy and the impact of The SECURE Act 2.0.

About Goldstone Financial Group

Founded and led by principal Anthony Pellegrino, who has helped over 2,500 clients bridge the paycheck gap during retirement, Goldstone Financial Group specializes in wealth management, retirement, legacy, investment, and tax planning. The firm operates under the fiduciary standard and has several offices across Illinois and Tennessee. Anthony Pellegrino also hosts his own radio show 'Securing Your Financial Future', where he discusses comprehensive retirement planning and provides timely updates on all financial topics. 'Securing Your Financial Future' is available on-demand and live every Saturday at 10 am on WLS 890AM.

Interested parties can find out more at https://www.goldstonefinancialgroup.com/contact-us/

Contact Info:

Name: Anthony Pellegrino

Email: Send Email

Organization: Goldstone Financial Group

Address: 18W140 Butterfield Road 16th Floor, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, United States

Phone: +1-630-620-9300

Website: https://goldstonefinancialgroup.com/



Release ID: 89100644

If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
#QSWUR

LONDON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education specialists, released the twentieth edition of the QS World University Rankings. Featuring 1500 institutions across 104 locations, it is the only ranking of its kind to emphasise employability and sustainability.

The results draw on the analysis of 17.5mln academic papers and the expert opinions of 240,000+ academic faculty and employers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology celebrates twelve years at the top, the University of Cambridge retains 2nd place while the University of Oxford (3rd) climbs one position.

This year, QS has implemented its largest-ever methodological enhancement, introducing three new metrics: Sustainability, Employment Outcomes and International Research Network.

"Deep consultation across global higher education has empowered the QS World University Rankings to align better with Gen Z and Alpha priorities, focusing on what genuinely matters to increasingly socially conscious students in our rapidly evolving world," stated Ben Sowter , Senior Vice President, QS.

QS World University Rankings 2024: Top-20 2024 2023



1 1 MIT US 2 2 University of Cambridge UK 3 4 University of Oxford UK 4 5 Harvard University US 5 3 Stanford University US 6 6= Imperial College London UK 7 9 ETH Zurich Switzerland 8 11 National University of Singapore Singapore 9 8 UCL UK 10 27 University of California, Berkeley US 11 10 University of Chicago US 12 20 Cornell University US 13 13 UPenn US 14 33 The University of Melbourne Australia =15 6= Caltech US =15 18 Yale University US =17 12 Peking University China =17 16= Princeton University US =19 45 The University of New South Wales Australia =19 41 The University of Sydney Australia  QS Quacquarelli Symonds 2004-2023 www.TopUniversities.com

In this edition:

75% of Africa's universities fare better. Nine new entries.

universities fare better. Nine new entries. Arab Region remains increasingly competitive.

remains increasingly competitive. Asia's top university, National University of Singapore (8 th ) breaks into top-10. South Korea and Japan remain strong but less prolific. Thailand and Indonesia emerging.

top university, (8 ) breaks into top-10. and remain strong but less prolific. and emerging. Australia excels at global engagement. Three universities join the top-20.

excels at global engagement. Three universities join the top-20. Canada : University of Toronto is the new national leader.

: is the new national leader. China : Most improved for research impact (79% institutions rise in Citations per Faculty ).

: Most improved for research impact (79% institutions rise in ). ETH Zurich is continental Europe 's best university for the sixteenth consecutive year.

is continental 's best university for the sixteenth consecutive year. France 's merged universities shine. Universite PSL (24 th ) enters the top-25.

's merged universities shine. Universite PSL (24 ) enters the top-25. India : New national leader, IIT Bombay, climbs into world top-150.

: New national leader, IIT Bombay, climbs into world top-150. Universidade de Sao Paulo (85 th ) takes Latin America's top-spot.

) takes top-spot. UK : Shines for cross-border research collaborations. 72/90 institutions place higher.

: Shines for cross-border research collaborations. 72/90 institutions place higher. USA : UC Berkeley , named world's leader in Sustainability, breaks into top-10.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2142268/QS_Quacquarelli_Symonds_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE QS Quacquarelli Symonds
WASHINGTON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AACC, a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to better health through laboratory medicine, is pleased to announce that Anthony A. Killeen, MB, BCh, PhD, MSc, has been elected to serve on the AACC board of directors as president-elect starting in August 2023 . Following this, he will serve successive terms as the association's president from August 2024-July 2025 and as past president from August 2025-July 2026. In addition, the AACC membership elected a new secretary and two new directors to the association's board. They will take office in August 2023 along with the incoming president of AACC Academy and the incoming chair of the AACC Clinical Laboratory Scientists Council, both of whom will also serve on the board.

"I am truly honored that the membership has elected me to serve as the president-elect," said Dr. Killeen . "I am passionate about our field and its role in healthcare, and I look forward to working with AACC's leadership, staff, and members to ensure laboratory medicine professionals have the resources and support they need to excel in a quickly changing healthcare landscape. I fully support efforts to promote diversity in laboratory medicine and clinical chemistry and to expand opportunities for professional advancement to all."

Dr. Killeen is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and the director of clinical laboratories at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (Adult Hospital) in Minneapolis . He has been closely involved with AACC for most of his career and has served in many leadership positions, including as board secretary from 2017 to 2020. He is currently chair of AACC's Education Core Committee.

AACC Secretary

Christopher McCudden , PhD, FAACC, will serve as AACC secretary from August 2023 to July 2026 .

Dr. McCudden is a clinical biochemist at the Ottawa Hospital in Ontario, Canada . He is a professor and vice chair of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Ottawa. He serves as deputy chief medical scientific officer and medical director of informatics and information technology for the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association.

Dr. McCudden has served AACC in various capacities, including within his local section, the Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians, the Annual Meeting Organizing Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Finance Committee. He is currently a member of the board of directors.

AACC Board Members

M. Laura Parnas , PhD, DABCC, FAACC, and Christina Lockwood , PhD, will serve as members of AACC's board of directors from August 2023 to July 2026 . Allison Chambliss , PhD, DABCC, FAACC, will also serve on the board from August 2023-July 2024 as president of AACC Academy, the association's home for distinguished laboratory experts who shape science in the field. Additionally, Kacy Peterson , MBA, MLS (ASCP), DLM (ASCP), will serve on the board from August 2023-July 2024 as chair of the Clinical Laboratory Scientists Council, which guides AACC's activities and programs to address the professional needs of AACC's clinical laboratory scientist members.

Dr. Parnas is disease area network lead, cardiometabolism and neurology, medical and scientific affairs, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis .

Dr. Lockwood is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology and adjunct professor of genome sciences at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle .

AACC Nominating Committee

AACC's membership has also elected Deborah French , PhD, DABCC, FAACC; James H. Nichols , PhD, DABCC, FAACC; and Nicole V. Tolan , PhD, DABCC, to serve from August 2023-July 2026 on the association's Nominating Committee. The AACC Nominating Committee carries out the important task of ensuring that the association's leadership comprises a diverse and highly talented group of individuals who represent the full breadth of AACC's membership.

Dr. French is an assistant director of chemistry and director of mass spectrometry, UCSF Clinical Laboratories, San Francisco .

Dr. Nichols is a professor of pathology, microbiology, and immunology; medical director, clinical chemistry and point-of-care testing, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee .

Dr. Tolan is assistant professor of pathology, Harvard Medical School; co-medical director, clinical chemistry laboratory, medical director, mass spectrometry and point-of-care testing, Brigham and Women's Hospital; CLIA laboratory and medical director, Mass General Brigham Home Care ; Boston .

About AACC

Dedicated to achieving better health through laboratory medicine, AACC brings together more than 70,000 clinical laboratory professionals, physicians, research scientists, and business leaders from around the world focused on clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, mass spectrometry, translational medicine, lab management, and other areas of progressing laboratory science. Since 1948, AACC has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing programs that advance scientific collaboration, knowledge, expertise, and innovation. For more information, visit www.aacc.org.

Bill Malone

AACC

Director, Communications & News Publications

(p) 202.835.8756

[email protected]

Molly Polen

AACC

Senior Director, Communications & PR

(p) 202.420.7612

(c) 703.598.0472

[email protected]

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SOURCE AACC
Annual Award Recognizes Those Who Make a Powerful Difference in their Community

HARRISBURG, Pa. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP is now accepting nominations for its 2023 (State) Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors 50+ Pennsylvanians sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.

"AARP Pennsylvania is excited to shine a light on 50+ Pennsylvanians who are using what they've learned to make a difference in the lives around them," said Bill Johnston-Walsh , AARP Pennsylvania State Director.

AARP Pennsylvania will evaluate nominations based on how the volunteer's work has improved the community, reflected AARP's vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers. The award recipient will be announced in early fall.

AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Nominee must be 50 years or older.

The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay. Volunteers receiving small stipends to cover the costs associated with the volunteer activity are eligible.

The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must reflect AARP's vision and purpose.

vision and purpose. The achievements, accomplishments, or service on which the nomination is based must be replicable and provide inspiration for others to volunteer.

Partisan political achievements, accomplishments or service may not be considered.

Couples or partners who perform service together are also eligible; however, teams are not eligible.

Previous Andrus Award recipients are not eligible.

Volunteers serving on the Andrus Award selection committee are not eligible.

AARP staff members are not eligible.

staff members are not eligible. This is not a posthumous award.

Please contact (AARP State Office name and contact information) for further information and a nomination form. The application deadline is August 22, 2023 .

The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 49 outstanding individuals and couples nationwide.

ABOUT AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico , and the U.S. Virgin Islands , AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

MEDIA CONTACT: TJ Thiessen | [email protected] | (202) 374-8033

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SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania
Jaclyn Allyn is member of 1st graduating class at Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers

YONKERS, N.Y. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forced to abruptly relocate from Chicago to Yonkers, NY , four years ago when her mother died of breast cancer, Jaclyn Allyn didn't know where she and her two siblings would continue their studies.

"It was a very complicated situation. My dad was already in New York because we were planning to move here after I graduated middle school," said Allyn, 18, who on June 23 graduated from the Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE). "My mom died halfway through the year, and it was a situation in which no one was taking care of the kids, so we had to move to Yonkers with my dad so we wouldn't get put into the foster system."

Allyn was accepted by the CSEE as a ninth grader, and she is now a member of the Class of 2023, the school's first graduating senior class with a graduation rate of 98 percent. She gives the school staff credit for her success. "Their support for me and my family after my mother's death gave me strength and the confidence that I could go on. And I can't say enough about them," she said.

"And I have my Dad. We got closer, so he's one of my best friends now. I can go to him for anything. And I also have a couple of staff members at the school who I know I can trust, who I can confide in as part of my support system," said Allyn, who will enter Clark Atlanta University in September.

Members of the Class of 2023 accepted offers from some of the country's most prestigious universities, including Cornell University, New York University, Boston University, and other competitive schools. Most of the school's graduating seniors have already taken college-credit courses, and they will not need remedial courses in college.

"Our school was founded with the belief that all children can excel academically if they are given rigorous course work," said high school principal Dwain Palmer . "The higher education destinations for our first graduating class prove that children from all backgrounds can gain entry to the most competitive schools if they are given the chance to succeed. Jaclyn is a great example of the crucially important role a school can play in shaping a student's future."

The Class of 2023's June graduation rate of 98 percent is significantly higher than the New York state average, which was 87 percent in 2022. Students earned more than $7.5 million in scholarships.

The first graduating senior class is the CSEE's latest accomplishment. Earlier this year the K-12 school cut a ribbon on professional-grade performance stage to expose students to the world of performance and media production. In 2021 the school opened its $27 million high school building at 220 Warburton Ave.

Many members of the Class of 2023 chose to stay local and attend colleges close to home, including Mercy College, Iona University and Westchester Community College. The City University of New York and the State University of New York systems were also popular.

Allyn chose Clark Atlanta University because she wanted to attend a historically Black institution and Atlanta was her target city. She said her four years at the CSEE prepared her well for college and made her resilient.

"I'm always ready for anything that's thrown at me because I've had a lot of obstacles in my life," said Allyn. "I know that there are going to be a lot of hard things coming towards me and I don't know what they are yet, but I'm very excited to be moving forward and I know my experiences at CSEE have given me the chance to move to the next level."

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SOURCE Charter School of Educational Excellence
Cabinet to be able to apply disciplinary sanctions to executive authorities' heads without complying with current procedure's requirements  decision

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the possibility of applying disciplinary action against the heads of executive authorities without complying with the requirements of the current procedure during martial law.

As representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk said in Telegram, the decision was made at a government meeting on Tuesday.

In particular, changes have been made to the procedure for conducting disciplinary proceedings against ministers, their deputies, heads of other central executive authorities and their deputies, heads of local executive authorities and their deputies, who are not covered by the legislation on civil service.

It is provided that during martial law, in the event of appropriate decisions by the Verkhovna Rada or the National Security and Defense Council, the Cabinet of Ministers may decide to apply a disciplinary sanction against the heads of executive authorities without complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned procedure.
BOSTON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysis Group, one of the largest international economics consulting firms, announces 41 promotions to managing principal, principal, and vice president, and welcomes a new senior advisor and principal, as well as five vice presidents.

"We are delighted to announce the promotions of our consultants, and to welcome new consultants to the firm," said Martha S. Samuelson , CEO and Chairman of Analysis Group. "The intellectual rigor and creative problem solving that these consultants apply on behalf of our clients is remarkable. Among other contributions, they have participated in antitrust policy and regulation enforcement across Europe ; analyzed complex finance matters; conducted detailed analyses in mergers and litigation; developed intricate models for a wide range of environmental and energy markets; evaluated intellectual property matters; assessed quantum of damages in international arbitration; and developed clinical and real-world evidence for novel treatments of serious diseases.

"In addition, we are pleased to announce senior promotions on our marketing and finance teams. These dedicated professionals have made important contributions to our firm's success."

New Senior Advisor

Eliana Garces brings deep public- and private-sector antitrust policy and regulation experience in the US and Europe , including serving in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) and Directorate-General for Internal Market and Industry. Her consulting and case work experience includes mergers and conduct cases in the telecommunications, media, industrial, consumer staples, and technology sectors. Dr. Garces has corporate experience at a large technology company and is widely recognized as an expert on the economic analysis of new digital business models, as well as on regulation in innovative sectors.

New Managing Principals

Kris Comeaux specializes in the application of finance and economics to complex business litigation and damages estimation. She has led teams across a broad range of matters involving commercial disputes, antitrust and competition, and securities and finance. Her clients include leading media and technology companies, financial institutions, global manufacturers, and life sciences companies. Ms. Comeaux has provided assistance through all phases of pretrial and trial practice, including expert search, fact discovery, class certification, quantification and rebuttal of damages, expert testimony, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations. She has also assisted clients in mass arbitration proceedings, regulatory investigations, and strategy engagements. Ms. Comeaux has experience with a wide range of empirical methodologies, particularly within the context of damages analyses. Her work regularly involves critical examination of theories of liability, development of models to quantify damages, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses in response to allegations of negligence or punitive damages. She has worked with a wide variety of academic and industry experts to assess organizational, industry, and market conditions in order to contextualize analyses of damages. Ms. Comeaux has particular expertise in organizational assessments that address theories of liability, including reviewing and responding to the results of assessments conducted by regulators and third parties.

Emily Cotton specializes in conducting complex quantitative and qualitative analyses of data in both mergers and litigation matters. She has supported experts from leading universities and managed case teams in a broad range of industries on matters related to antitrust, bankruptcy, class certification, intellectual property (IP), securities, survey design, tax, and transfer pricing. Her recent case work has included assessing competitive effects in major antitrust matters and mergers; analyzing Federal Trade Commission, US Department of Justice, and Canadian Competition Bureau merger compliance, including assistance with Hart-Scott-Rodino filings, second requests, divestiture analysis, advocacy, and merger trial testimony; managing the independent evaluation of large-scale transaction and customer datasets in major antitrust matters; examining damages issues in a data breach context; and determining arm's-length pricing in a large US transfer pricing matter. Ms. Cotton also has substantial experience evaluating questions of commonality and typicality in the context of privacy, technology, data breach, pharmaceutical, medical device, and overcharge class actions.

Pavel Darling applies economic theory to address litigation, strategy, regulatory, and policy questions in a wide range of antitrust and competition, class certification, health care, energy, and environmental matters. He has submitted and supported expert testimony before US district and appellate courts, state utility commissions, siting boards, and federal agencies. He has also assisted clients with responses to government investigations and presented findings before US Attorneys' Offices, state attorneys general, and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. In the areas of health care and antitrust, Mr. Darling has extensive experience supporting clients on issues related to discovery and data production, class certification, patent infringement, market definition and market power, and competitive effects in pharmaceutical and life sciences matters involving patent infringement issues, reverse payment settlements, and product hop allegations. He has designed and implemented customized suspicious order monitoring (SOM) and loss prevention programs for controlled substances, and has experience in False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute litigation cases, including analyses of causation and damages calculations. Mr. Darling is also an expert on electricity, oil, and natural gas pricing, markets, and infrastructure. His consulting work on behalf of utilities, state and regional organizations, and global companies includes projects related to cost-benefit analyses of new plant construction and retirements; ratepayer and bill impacts; environmental effects of emissions and pollution controls; economic impacts of energy projects, mergers, and policies; natural gas, biomass, and other market studies; and climate change matters, including decarbonization policy proposals and quantification of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. He has conducted and overseen numerous economic and bill impact assessments in support of projects and policy proposals, ranging from new power plants and transportation facilities to electric, petroleum, and natural gas transmission infrastructure.

New Principals

Laura Comstock applies economic and financial analyses to litigation and other complex business situations. She has assisted clients in all phases of the litigation process, including fact and expert discovery, trial preparation, and settlement negotiations. Ms. Comstock's case work has involved litigation related to the high-profile bankruptcies of several firms. She has provided consulting support and supported experts in cases related to the alleged manipulation of different benchmark rates, including evaluations of the effects of alleged manipulation on the value of different derivatives and securities. She has also provided consulting and expert support in matters involving alleged violations of Rule 10b-5 and Section 11, and on matters related to mortgage-backed securities. Ms. Comstock has supported experts in ERISA-related litigations, alleged breach of contract matters, and other business and valuation disputes.

Na Dawson specializes in applying economics and finance to complex problems in business litigation, including IP, false advertising, securities, and finance matters. Her experience spans several industries, from medical devices and high tech to telecommunications and accounting. Dr. Dawson has consulted to counsel in all phases of the litigation process, including understanding complex claims, assisting with fact and expert discovery, and providing trial support. She has served as an expert witness on matters involving false advertising, breach of contract, and copyright infringement. Dr. Dawson's case work has involved complex data analysis, development of financial models, general damages assessment, evaluation of lost profits, royalty, and other damages remedies in IP and false advertising matters, ascertainment of loss causation and damages in securities fraud matters, and financial statement analyses.

Eric Korman applies economic theory to issues related to finance, regulatory, antitrust, and class action matters, with extensive experience in securities litigation. His experience includes performing damages exposure analyses, supporting counsel in mediation, and supporting experts in their preparation of testimony and reports on class certification, liability, and damages issues in numerous Rule 10b-5 and Section 11 matters, including the securities fraud class action matter T. Jeffrey Simpson , et al. v. Homestore.com, Inc., et al.  one of the relatively few securities fraud matters that has proceeded to trial  and recent securities matters in the high-tech, health care, energy, and industrial sectors, among others. In the context of ERISA litigation, he has evaluated investment performance, fees, portfolio management, mutual funds, and stable value funds. Mr. Korman has extensive experience analyzing market power in wholesale electric power markets. He has analyzed such markets in several M&A proceedings, and supported the preparation of numerous wholesale power market analyses related to company applications for market-based rate authority from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). He has also provided testimony on these issues to FERC on several occasions.

Xinyu Ji specializes in the application of economics and finance to litigation matters in the areas of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), valuation, financial instruments, and tax. He has significant experience supporting academic and industry experts, as well as providing consulting assistance to clients. Mr. Ji has examined all aspects of M&A, including bid premiums, public and private benefits of control, deal terms, sales mechanisms, negotiation processes, shareholder activism, merger arbitrage, advisor fees, material adverse event (MAE) and material adverse change (MAC) provisions, and consequences of breaching non-disclosure or standstill agreements. His valuation experience includes analyzing real estate, telecommunications, energy, public transportation, medical devices, and banking and brokerage assets. In the bankruptcy area, he applies his valuation skills to solvency and fraudulent conveyance analyses. Mr. Ji has managed case teams in matters involving various types of financial instruments and markets, including foreign currencies, auction-rate securities, precious metals, and fixed-income derivatives. He has also assessed the economic substance of various complex tax shelter transactions. In addition, he has provided econometric analyses in matters related to accounting restatements and securities fraud.

Jessica Resch applies her expertise in finance, financial economics, and accounting issues in complex litigations and arbitrations, with a particular focus on international arbitration. She is a testifying expert, specializing in the quantification of economic damages in both international arbitration and litigation. Ms. Resch has advised on valuation issues such as cost of capital and valuation discounts and premia. Her damages and valuation work has spanned disputes over complex financial instruments; oil and gas contracts; government expropriation matters; and shareholder disputes throughout the UK , Russia , Central Asia , and South America in both commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration. She has also consulted on state aid proceedings in the banking industry and provided damages assessments in litigation matters before the UK High Court of Justice.

New Vice Presidents

Analysis Group promoted 34 professionals to vice president, and hired five more, across 10 offices.

In Boston , Arielle Bensimon specializes in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and provides expertise in decision modeling methods for health technology appraisal. Priyanka Bobbili specializes in the application of statistical methods to the causal analysis of complex longitudinal data in epidemiology and outcomes research, including studies on causal methods, drug adherence, and comparative effectiveness, particularly in the oncology disease area. Jennifer Cathell co-leads the firm's marketing and business development team. Wei Gao specializes in developing innovative statistical methodologies and applying them to the study of clinical and economic outcomes in a broad range of disease areas. Atang Gilika specializes in applying financial and economic principles to complex business problems in litigation, and evaluation and quantification of damages. Kerri Holmsten specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to questions arising in life insurance, securities and finance, antitrust, and energy litigation. Victoria Hopcroft co-leads the research and affiliate support functions within the firm's marketing and business development team. Michaela Johnson specializes in the application of economic and statistical methods in health economics and complex litigation. Nori Mehta conducts complex economic analyses related to commercial litigation and HEOR. Christopher Ody applies complex economic theory to conduct analyses of competition and antitrust issues across a range of industries. Oscar Patterson-Lomba applies mathematical epidemiology and statistical approaches to health care research, and designs and implements analytics platforms to enhance research capabilities. Ishita Rajani specializes in the application of microeconomics, econometrics, and statistics to complex litigation matters in the areas of antitrust and competition. Lucia Tiererova specializes in economic analyses of large datasets and applying a wide range of empirical methods to complex business litigation matters and commercial disputes, particularly within the context of class certification and damages analyses. Derek Vicino leads the firm's corporate finance and client finance teams. Charles Wu applies economic theory to a wide range of energy economics, securities, trade disputes, antitrust, and statistics-based projects. Jia Zhong uses epidemiologic methodology to study a broad range of disease areas through clinical (HEOR, clinical trials, and large-scale epidemiological studies.

In Denver , Steve Allen specializes in transfer pricing and related global tax controversy matters, including the application of US and international transfer pricing regulations to all types of intercompany transactions.

In London , Marianne Cunnington specializes in the generation of real-world evidence in support of the development and life cycle management of pharmaceutical and vaccine products, with a particular focus on regulatory risk management strategies and product benefit-risk assessments. Weiguang Xue specializes in using health economics analyses to inform product launch strategies, as well as decision making in early-stage clinical development.

In Los Angeles , Phil Hall-Partyka specializes in applying statistical and financial analyses in support of insurance, valuation, investment suitability, and ERISA matters.

In Menlo Park , Katie Williams specializes in the application of statistical and economic analyses to complex business litigation and damages estimations in a wide range of industries, including financial services, insurance, and health care.

In Montreal , Alix Duhaime-Ross specializes in the application of microeconomic principles, statistics, and econometric analyses to problems arising in a variety of industries, including online platforms, finance, agricultural production, manufacturing, and technology. Bruno Emond specializes in biostatistics and economics within the field of HEOR, including across a range of investigations into epidemiology, quality of life, patient-reported outcomes, cost of illness, resource utilization patterns, treatment patterns, cost-effectiveness, and treatment outcomes. Patrick S. Gagnon specializes in applying advanced econometric methods to HEOR, with a particular focus in database analyses. Dominick Latremouille-Viau specializes in HEOR and epidemiology, designing chart review and survey studies, and analyzing outcomes associated with a range of pharmaceuticals and medical devices using medical claims data and electronic health records. Irina Pivneva applies expertise in HEOR to a wide range of medical conditions and pharmacoeconometric studies. Michal K. Popiel specializes in the application of statistical analysis and economic theory to complex litigation matters, with particular expertise in the areas of finance, antitrust, and commercial disputes, among others. Ludmila Rovba applies econometrics and microeconomic techniques to conduct complex analyses underlying a range of litigation and non-litigation matters.

In New York , Alex Fiore specializes in economic analysis and damages quantification in complex litigation matters and commercial disputes, including IP, class certification, false advertising, breach of contract, and antitrust issues. Viviana Garcia-Horton specializes in the application of advanced statistical techniques to the field of HEOR, developing research and strategies in a wide range of disease areas. Debbie Goldschmidt specializes in the application of statistics and econometrics to HEOR, including medical chart reviews, retrospective claims analyses, physician surveys, surveys of the general public, and clinical trial analyses. Aaron Kelley specializes in applying economic principles and data analysis to problems in complex business litigation. Pavithra Kumar specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to questions arising in complex securities and finance litigation. Michael Kwak specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to questions arising in complex securities and finance disputes.

In Paris , Pierre Lissot applies analytic expertise in the areas of modeling, forecasting, policymaking, macroeconomics and microeconomics, econometrics, and energy and environment to regulatory and antitrust matters involving mergers, cartels, and vertical restraints. Devin Reilly specializes in the application of economic and financial analysis to litigation, regulatory investigations, and consulting efforts in a range of areas, including antitrust and competition, finance and securities, class certification, and IP.

In San Francisco , Luxi Wang specializes in complex financial analysis of securities trading data, claims of deficient underwriting, accounting and damages calculations, and trading strategies and risk exposure.

In Washington, DC , Della Cummings specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to a range of complex business litigation disputes, including IP, damages, commercial disputes, and tax matters. Joseph Maloney specializes in the application of economic and financial theory to questions arising in complex securities, finance, and valuation disputes.

To learn more about Analysis Group's capabilities, visit AnalysisGroup.com

About Analysis Group:

Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,200 professionals across 14 offices in North America , Europe , and Asia . Since 1981, we have provided expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, and government agencies worldwide. Our internal experts, together with our network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, offer our clients exceptional breadth and depth of expertise.

Contact:

Analysis Group

Eric Seymour , 617 425 8103

[email protected]

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SOURCE Analysis Group
LONDON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Appian Capital Advisory LLP ("Appian"), the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest in mining and mining-related companies, is pleased to announce the acquisition of an 89.96% interest in the producing Rosh Pinah zinc mine, located in the Kharas region in southern Namibia , from Trevali Mining Corporation.

Highlights

Rosh Pinah is an operating underground zinc-lead mine with a 2,000 tonnes per day milling operation

Appian plans to restart the Rosh Pinah 2.0 mine expansion project which will nearly double the mine's annual ore throughput to 1.3 million tonnes and improve safety and environmental performance

Appian will retain the existing site management team and workforce, who have substantive technical expertise and understanding of the asset

Rosh Pinah is one of three recent investments by Appian in the attractive zinc market, a base metal which is playing an increasingly important role in the energy transition

Acquisition complements Appian's world-class portfolio of highly prospective assets located in attractive operating jurisdictions

Michael W. Scherb, Founder and CEO of Appian, commented:

"This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Appian as we continue to develop our world-class portfolio of highly attractive zinc assets, a critical metal that will help facilitate the upcoming energy transition. We look forward to welcoming the 450 employees at Rosh Pinah to Appian as we utilise our extensive operational and project development expertise to support the existing management team with delivering the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project. We extend our gratitude to the Namibian government, our valued partners, and the local community for their trust and support."

Rosh Pinah is an operating underground zinc-lead mine with a 2,000 tonnes per day milling operation, located in southwestern Namibia , approximately 800 km south of Windhoek . The mine has been in continuous operation since 1969, producing zinc and lead sulphide concentrates, as well as smaller amounts of copper, silver, and gold.

Appian plans to restart the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project which envisages the construction of new processing facilities, including the addition of a paste fill and water treatment plant, as well as a dedicated portal and decline to extended deposits. The project will increase mill throughput from 0.7 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes of ore per annum, increasing zinc equivalent production to 170 million pounds per annum, on average.

Following Vedra Metals in Italy and Pine Point in Canada , Rosh Pinah is Appian's third investment in the attractive zinc market, and a strong fit with Appian's investment strategy:

Controlling ownership enabling Appian to apply its best-in-class technical and operating capabilities to optimize existing operations and deliver the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project safely

Attractive expansion project that will significantly improve the mine's cost position and extend mine life

Significant upside from near mine exploration and already identified prospects

Operating mine with an experienced management team that has strong technical skills and in-depth knowledge of the asset

For further information:

FGS Global +44 (0)20 7251 3801 / [email protected]

Charles O'Brien , Richard Crowley , Theo Davies-Lewis

About Appian Capital Advisory LLP

Appian Capital Advisory LLP is the investment advisor to long-term value-focused private capital funds that invest solely in mining and mining-related companies.

Appian is a leading investment advisor in the metals and mining industry, with global experience across South America , North America , Australia and Africa and a successful track record of supporting companies to achieve their development targets, with a global operating portfolio overseeing nearly 6,300 employees.

Appian has a global team of 70 experienced professionals with presences in London , New York , Toronto , Vancouver , Lima , Belo Horizonte , Montreal , Dubai and Perth .

For more information please visit www.appiancapitaladvisory.com, or find us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1720474/Appian_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Appian Capital Advisory LLP
Arasan Chip Systems, announces its participation in the MIPI I3C Interop Session at MIPI Member Meeting with its I3C Host IP and I3C Device IP

SAN JOSE, Calif. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arasan Chip Systems announces its participation in the I3C Interoperability Session at the MIPI Member Meeting in San Jose . Arasan will test its I3C Host IP and I3C Device IP with other participants. Arasan has been a consistent participant in the MIPI I3C Interoperability sessions including the prior sessions at Seoul, South Korea and Bangalore, India . Our participation not only ensures compliance of our I3C Host and Device IP, but also furthers the I3C standard through interoperability and compliance among vendors.

The I3C HCI specification standardizes the interface to enable building of common software drivers. Arasan is testing its I3C Host IP compliant to the latest I3C HCI v1.2 specifications along with its linux software stack and I3C HDK which are also available to customers.

Arasan's I3C IP is fully configurable across multiple parameters through simple scripts based on the customer's specifications making it suitable for a variety of Sensor applications. Arasan's I3C IP has been validated at the RTL level with 3'rd party VIP and the System Level at multiple I3C interoperability sessions conducted by the MIPI Association. Licensees can be assured of an I3C compliant IP from Arasan

Our I3C IP has also been seamlessly integrated with our MIPI CSI IP cores along with our Universal C-PHY / D-PHY Combo PHY IP to enable camera sensor control via I3C, one of I3C's primary functions. Sensor and AP vendors can license the entire package of I3C, CSI and C/D-PHY IP from Arasan.

Arasan I3C has already been licensed by early adopters and semiconductors incorporating our IP are in production by our licensees. The I3C PHY I/O Test Chip based on a 7nm node is available for prototyping.

About Arasan

Arasan Chip Systems, a contributing member of the MIPI Association since 2005 is a leading provider of IP for mobile storage and mobile connectivity interfaces. Arasan's high-quality, silicon-proven, Total IP Solutions include digital IP, AMS PHY IP , Verification IP, HDK and Software. Arasan has a focused product portfolio targeting mobile SoC's. For more information, please visit arasan.com

Contact:

Dr. Sam Beal

[email protected]

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SOURCE Arasan Chip Systems, Inc.
GREEN BAY, Wis. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) today announced it will release second quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday, July 20, 2023 , after market close. The Company will host a conference call for investors and analysts at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) on the same day.

Interested parties can access the live webcast of the call through the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, http://investor.associatedbank.com. Parties may also dial into the call at 877-407-8037 (domestic) or 201-689-8037 (international) and request the Associated Banc-Corp second quarter 2023 earnings call. The financial tables and an accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company's website just prior to the call. An audio archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website approximately fifteen minutes after the call is over.

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin , Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin , Illinois and Minnesota , and loan production offices in Indiana , Michigan , Missouri , New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes any statements regarding management's plans, objectives, or goals for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings, or other measures of performance. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "should," "will," "intend," "target," "outlook," "project," "guidance," or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations and, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include those identified in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings. Such factors are incorporated herein by reference.

Investor Contact: Ben McCarville

Vice President | Director of Investor Relations

920-491-7059 | [email protected]

Media Contact: Jennifer Kaminski

Vice President | Public Relations Senior Manager

920-491-7576 | [email protected]com

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SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp
CTEK Advises Travelers Prepare for their Summer Picnic or Road Trip

CHICAGO , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2022, a record number of people traveled over the July 4th weekend and this year, Americans will be taking to the road again. According to a new consumer survey from Winnebago Industries, Inc, Americans are increasingly looking to the outdoors and road trips to improve mental well-being and to combat the rising costs of flights, lodging and car rentals.

CTEK, the global leader in battery charging solutions, advises Fourth of July travelers to protect against dead batteries whilst on an adventure, by packing the CTEK CS FREE, the ultimate charging solution for people picnicking, travelling outdoors, or off-grid. But what happens if an emergency strikes when you are celebrating, and you find yourself stuck with a dead battery or a dead phone battery a long way from home after a long weekend or day outdoors. CTEK offers a great emergency kit to keep you connected and moving.

The CTEK CS FREE is a 4-in-1 portable battery charger, smart maintainer, adaptive booster and a hi-tech power bank. The unique adaptive booster can safely restart a dead vehicle battery within only 15 minutes! It's a safe-start that can be used instead of jump starting or using a traditional booster  it won't damage the battery or the vehicle electronics. With the portable solar panel kit, you can even recharge it when you're out in the middle of nowhere! The CS FREE can be used to charge your vehicle battery, making sure that you'll be able to travel far and wide, or boost your battery when it's running out of charge.

When used as a hi-tech power bank, you'll never have to worry about uncharged devices again, just hook it up to the solar panel and you'll never run out of power. Keep your head cool and bring the CS FREE with you, for worry-free travelling wherever you go.

Bobbie DuMelle , President North America said, "after a few uncertain years, people are more optimistic about travelling again. With the current sociopolitical and economic climate, travelers want holidays that help them escape from reality and switch off, perhaps with only the basics included. Picnicking and camping are the perfect long weekend get-away. Don't let a dead battery ruin your July 4th celebration, carry the CS FREE  it's the ultimate emergency kit!"

For more information about the CS FREE please visit www.smartercharger.com

For more information about the CS FREE, registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office: click here

About CTEK

Established in Dalarna, Sweden , CTEK is the leading global brand in battery charging solutions, most specifically vehicle charging. CTEK offers products ranging from 12V and 24V battery chargers to charging solutions for electrical vehicles. CTEK's E-mobility solutions range from individual EV chargers to larger corporate and commercial installations with multiple charging stations that require load balancing and integrate seamlessly with monitoring and payment equipment. CTEK's products are sold via a carefully selected network of global distributors and retailers: as original equipment; supplied to more than 50 of the world's leading vehicle manufacturers; and through charge point operators, property owners and other organizations/individuals providing EV charging infrastructure. CTEK takes pride in its unique culture based on a passion for innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the transition to a greener mobility, by adhering to industry leading ESG standards.

Press Contact:

Michelle Suzuki

http://www.smartercharger.com

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SOURCE CTEK
WASHINGTON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is pleased to announce the election of officers and new board members to its Board of Directors following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). These appointments bring diverse expertise and industry leadership to guide the CABC in promoting strong economic and political partnerships between Canada and the United States . The new elected officers to the CABC are:

Chair: Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel (Lockheed Martin)

(Lockheed Martin) Past Chair: Jennifer M. Sloan (Mastercard)

(Mastercard) Vice Chairs: Helene V. Gagnon (CAE), Cathy Worden (Cisco), Kevin Kolevar (Dow)

(CAE), (Cisco), (Dow) Treasurer: Gabe Batstone (contextere)

(contextere) Counsel: Joanne Zimolzak (Dykema)

The CABC is also pleased to welcome the following members to its Board of Directors:

Janet Drysdale (CN)

(CN) Chris Kopecky (Capital Power)

(Capital Power) Joanne Pitkin (Amazon)

"We are delighted to welcome our newly elected officers and board members," stated Maryscott Greenwood , CEO of the CABC. "Their exceptional backgrounds will enrich our discussions and contribute to the continued success of the CABC as we look to continue fostering strong ties and collaboration between Canada and the United States ."

Jennifer Sloan , the outgoing Chair of the CABC, expressed her confidence in the entire elected board leadership team, saying, "The CABC has always been committed to bringing together outstanding individuals who are dedicated to advancing cross-border business relations. I have no doubt that the newly elected officers and board members will provide valuable insights and contribute to the CABC's mission."

"I have been a board member since 2019 and am honored to take on new responsibilities during a critical time in our world," shared Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel , Vice President, International Government Affairs, Lockheed Martin. "The organization has an essential role to support security in North America . We will work towards growing economic ties between our two countries and building resilient industrial partnerships."

For more information about the CABC and its leadership team, please visit https://cabc.co/who-we-are/.

About the CABC: Established in 1987, the Council is the leading non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in Canada the US. Members are key business leaders and stakeholders from both sides of the border ranging from entrepreneurs to best name brands in the world. Collectively, CABC members employ about two million people and have annual revenues of close to $1.5 trillion .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cabc-welcomes-new-directors-and-board-executives-301864258.html

SOURCE Canadian American Business Council
The combination of data science expertise, cloud resources, and Cato's vast data lake enables real-time, ML-powered protection against evasive cyber-attacks, reducing risk and improving security.

TEL AVIV, Israel , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cato Networks, provider of the world's leading single-vendor SASE platform, introduced today real-time, deep learning algorithms for threat prevention as part of Cato IPS. The algorithms leverage Cato's unique cloud-native platform and vast data lake to provide highly accurate identification of malicious domains, which are often used in phishing and ransomware attacks. In testing, the deep learning algorithms identified nearly six times more malicious domains than reputation feeds alone. Cato's Security Research Manager, Avidan Avraham , and Cato Data Scientist Asaf Fried presented on the use of machine learning to detect C2 communications at the AWS Summit in Tel Aviv .

Tapping Deep Learning to Stop Phishing and Ransomware Attacks

Real-time identification of malicious domains and IPs is essential to stopping phishing, ransomware, and other cyber threats. The traditional approach  relying on domain reputation feeds to categorize and identify malicious domains  has proven far too inaccurate as domain generation algorithms (DGAs) enable attackers to quickly generate new domains, which lack reputation. At the same time, users continue to click through to malicious domains mimicking well-known brands (such as microsoftt[dot]com or amazonlink[dot]online) whose lack of reputation also makes detection by reputation feeds alone unreliable.

Cato's real-time, deep-learning algorithms address both problems. The algorithms prevent access to DGA-registered domains by identifying those new domains infrequently visited by users and with letter patterns common to DGAs. They block cybersquatting by hunting for domains with letter patterns similar to well-known brands. And the algorithms stop brand impersonation by examining parts of the webpage, such as the favicon, images, and text.

These radical advancements in network security are enabled by the cloud-native architecture of Cato's technology. Real-time deep learning algorithms require significant compute resources to avoid disrupting the user experience. The Cato SASE Cloud provides those resources. In milliseconds, Cato inspects flows, extracts their destination domain, measures the domain's risk, and infers the necessary results from the traffic without disrupting the user experience.

At the same time, deep learning models need extensive training data. The massive data lake underlying Cato SASE Cloud provides that resource. Built from the metadata of every flow traversing Cato and further enriched by 250+ threat intelligence feeds, the deep learning algorithms benefit from analyzing patterns across all Cato customers. Those insights are further enhanced by custom analyses derived from customers' trafficthe result: precise, algorithmic identification of suspicious domains.

Real-time Deep Learning Yields 6X Improvement in Threat Detection

Cato Research Labs routinely observes tens of millions of network connection attempts to DGA domains from across the 1700+ enterprises using the Cato SASE Cloud. For example, of the 457,220 network connection attempts to DGA domains made in a sample period, only 66,675 (15 percent) were listed in the 250+ threat intelligence feeds consumed by Cato. By contrast, Cato algorithms identified the rest, over 390,000 additional DGA domains, a nearly six-fold improvement.

Real-time, Deep Learning : Just One Part of Cato's Multitiered Security Protection

Cato's real-time, deep learning algorithms are not the only way Cato detects and stops threats. The Cato SASE Cloud's combination of SWG, NGFW, IPS, NGAM, CASB, DLP, RBI, and ZTNA provides multitiered protection against exploitations, disrupting cyberattacks at multiple points in MITRE's ATT&CK Framework.

The deep learning algorithms are the latest AI and ML additions to the Cato SASE Cloud. Cato has long used machine learning for offline analysis to solve problems at scale, such as OS detection, client classification, and automatic application identification. ChatGPT is also used in various ways, including automatically generating descriptions of threats for Cato's threat catalog.

To learn more about Cato and its security capabilities, visit https://www.catonetworks.com/security-service-edge/.

CLICK TO TWEET: How do #enterprises increase their ability to detect #phishing & #ransomware attacks by 600 percent? Deploy @CatoNetworks' #IPS, a key part of #CatoNetworks #SASE Cloud platform. https://www.catonetworks.com/news/

Supporting Quotes

Elad Menahem , senior director of security, Cato Networks

"ML and AI are essential to defending against the ever-evolving, sophisticated, and evasive cyber-attacks. But that's easier marketed than done," says Elad Menahem , senior director of security at Cato Networks. "ML algorithms must be trained and re-trained on high-quality data to provide value. Cato's data lake provides an enormous advantage in that area. Its convergence of rich networking data and security sources, coupled with its sheer scale, enables Cato to train algorithms in unique ways. Our current work is only the start of AI and ML innovation."

Asaf Fried , Data Scientist, Cato Networks

"Real-time ML must be continuously trained and updated to deal effectively with evasive attacks. A SASE cloud allows training on quality data at scale and continuous updates. Appliance-based solutions can't offer either, making enterprises who rely on them for their network security an easier target."

Digital Assets

Supporting Resources

For more information about Cato's news and activities, follow the company via Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Cato Networks

Cato provides the world's most robust single-vendor SASE platform, converging Cato SD-WAN and a cloud-native security service edge, Cato SSE 360, into a global cloud service. Cato SASE Cloud optimizes and secures application access for all users and locations everywhere. Using Cato, customers easily replace costly and rigid legacy MPLS with modern network architecture based on SD-WAN, secure and optimize a hybrid workforce working from anywhere, and enable seamless cloud migration. Cato enforces granular access policies, protects users against threats, and prevents sensitive data loss, all easily managed from a single pane of glass. With Cato, businesses are ready for whatever's next.

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SOURCE Cato Networks
ST. LOUIS , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) today announced that it will release its 2023 second quarter financial results at approximately 6 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, July 28, 2023 , and will host a conference call afterwards at approximately 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to review the results.

Investors and other interested parties are invited to listen to the conference call by dialing 1-877-883-0383 in the U.S. and Canada ; +1-412-902-6506 from abroad, including the following Elite Entry Number: 6765870, to expedite caller registration; or via a live, audio webcast on the Company's website at www.centene.com, under the Investors section.

A webcast replay will be available for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call for the next 12 months or until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, July 26, 2024 , at the aforementioned URL. In addition, a digital audio playback will be available until 9 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, August 4, 2023 , by dialing 1-877-344-7529 in the U.S. , 1-855-669-9658 in Canada , or +1-412-317-0088 from abroad, and entering access code 8191341.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives. The Company takes a local approach  with local brands and local teams  to provide fully integrated, high-quality, and cost-effective services to government-sponsored and commercial healthcare programs, focusing on underinsured and uninsured individuals. Centene offers affordable and high-quality products to nearly 1 in 15 individuals across the nation, including Medicaid and Medicare members (including Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) as well as individuals and families served by the Health Insurance Marketplace and the TRICARE program. The Company also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide a variety of specialty services focused on treating the whole person. Centene focuses on long-term growth and value creation as well as the development of its people, systems, and capabilities so that it can better serve its members, providers, local communities, and government partners.

Centene uses its investor relations website to publish important information about the Company, including information that may be deemed material to investors. Financial and other information about Centene is routinely posted and is accessible on Centene's investor relations website, https://investors.centene.com/.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centene-corporation-schedules-2023-second-quarter-financial-results-conference-call-301864975.html

SOURCE Centene Corporation
HOUSTON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Core Laboratories (NYSE: "CLB") will broadcast its second quarter 2023 conference call over the Internet at 7:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. EDT on July 27, 2023 .

Larry Bruno , Chairman and CEO, Chris Hill , CFO, and Gwen Gresham , SVP Corporate Development and Investor Relations, will discuss financial and operational results. An earnings press release will be issued after market close on July 26 th and may be accessed through the Company's website at www.corelab.com.

To participate in the live webcast, simply log on to www.corelab.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call. For those who are not available to listen to the live webcast, a Podcast will be available immediately following the conference call and a replay will be available on Core's website shortly after the call which will remain on the site for 10 days.

To listen to the conference call via telephone, please contact Lena Brennan at [email protected] for the dial-in number.

Core Laboratories Inc. (www.corelab.com) is a leading provider of proprietary and patented reservoir description and production enhancement services and products used to optimize petroleum reservoir performance. The Company has over 70 offices in more than 50 countries and is located in every major oil-producing province in the world.

For more information contact:

Gwen Gresham , SVP Corporate Development and Investor Relations: + 1 713 328 6210

E-mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE Core Laboratories Inc
NEW YORK , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Drexel Hamilton, the sole investment bank that is 100% veteran-owned and operated, is delighted to announce the appointment of Retired U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal to its inaugural Board of Advisors.

General (R) Stanley McCrystal joins Drexel Hamilton.

As a highly esteemed four-star general, McChrystal brings an unparalleled wealth of leadership experience, organizational expertise, and geopolitical thought leadership to Drexel Hamilton.

"General (R) McChrystal stands as the foremost leader of the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have someone of his caliber join our team, aligning perfectly with our culture and commitment to veteran hiring, as a 100% veteran-owned and operated broker-dealer," commented John Martinko , President of Drexel Hamilton.

McChrystal served as the former commander of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan , as well as the former commander of Joint Special Operations Command, the nation's premier military counter-terrorism force. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions in developing and implementing counter-insurgency strategies in Afghanistan , as well as revolutionizing the interagency operating culture through the creation of a comprehensive counter-terrorism organization.

In 2011, McChrystal founded McChrystal Group, an esteemed advisory services firm composed of professionals from diverse backgrounds, including military, academic, business, and intelligence sectors. The group specializes in transforming stagnant and siloed organizations into cohesive, adaptable "teams of teams," offering innovative leadership solutions to businesses operating in dynamic and challenging environments.

"This generation of veterans represent the epitome of excellence, and the more than 35 veterans who own, operate, and lead Drexel Hamilton  ranging from enlisted Army Rangers to commissioned Navy pilots  embody the finest qualities among us. I am honored to work with them," remarked McChrystal.

About Drexel Hamilton

Drexel Hamilton takes immense pride in being the only securities broker-dealer that is 100% veteran-owned and operated. With a certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise status and over 65% of our employees being military veterans, we possess an exceptional track record in underwriting and executing securities transactions for corporations, municipalities, and financial institutions, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to the veteran community.

Contact Us: https://drexelhamilton.com/contact-us/

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SOURCE Drexel Hamilton, LLC
The International Centre for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression (ICPA) against Ukraine will open next week in The Hague, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin has said at the fifth Slynn Foundation Open Forum on the issue of Russian impunity.

"Hopefully this will eliminate the gaps in the mechanisms for bringing the aggressor to justice. The creation of a special international tribunal is the most legitimate solution and response to Russia's impunity," Kostin said according to Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) press service on Tuesday.

The decision to open ICPA was made in March 2023 at the United for Justice conference in Lviv. At that time, the Prosecutor Generals of the member states of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) signed an annex to the Agreement for setting up a JIT on the start of work on the basis of Eurojust of the International Centre for the Prosecution of Crimes of Aggression against Ukraine.

"Ukraine's position is clear: we must put an end to Russia's impunity of both the state and specific individuals involved in planning and committing crimes. This is critically important for the security of the whole world," Kostin said.
NEW YORK , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Elite Litigators, a premier attorney network committed to connecting clients with top-notch legal representation nationwide, has named Leitner Varughese Warywoda as the Best Personal Injury Law Firm in New York for 2023.

"We are thrilled to recognize Leitner Varughese Warywoda as the top personal injury law firm in New York ," said Seth Persily , CEO of Elite Litigators. "Their consistent record of securing staggering jury verdicts and settlements, and their unwavering commitment to their clients, make them a standout firm in an extremely competitive field. Their dedication to justice, exceptional professional achievements and significant peer recognition underscores their top ranking."

The selection process conducted by Elite Litigators involved a meticulous evaluation based on several key factors. These included the firm's track record in securing some of the largest personal injury jury verdicts in New York State and in the United States , its reputation in the legal community, client reviews and feedback, peer endorsements, as well as the breadth of personal injury cases handled.

Leitner Varughese Warywoda emerged as the leading firm after an in-depth analysis of these parameters. The firm is highly praised for its dedication to clients, legal prowess, and its empathetic and clear communication throughout the case process.

"We are incredibly honored by this recognition," said Brett Leitner , Partner at Leitner Varughese Warywoda. "This award affirms our unwavering commitment to standing up for the rights of those who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our comprehensive, client-centric approach is a point of pride, and this recognition is a true testament to the dedicated and tireless work of our team."

Leitner Varughese Warywoda rose to national and international prominence in 2021 resulting from its representation of more than 100 families whose loved ones died in nursing homes during COVID-19. After evidence presented by the firm led them to file lawsuits against several of those nursing homes, the New York State Attorney General and the State Comptroller initiated separate investigations which revealed that the publicly reported data by the New York State Health Department on Covid-19 deaths was underreported, and many nursing homes failed to comply with critical infection control policies. As a result, significant nursing home reform legislation was passed, which included the repeal of a NY state law providing nursing home operators with immunity against any negligence claims during the pandemic emergency.

Leitner Varughese Warywoda's recent successes include an $8.5 million medical malpractice jury verdict, a $7.8 million municipal liability jury verdict, and a $6.9 million construction accident settlement. The firm's attorneys have been consistently recognized as distinguished trial lawyers by nationally acclaimed organizations including SuperLawyers, the National Trial Lawyers Association, and Best Attorneys of America.

Persily added, "At Elite Litigators, we are committed to highlighting law firms that not only achieve excellent results for their clients but also maintain the highest standards of professional integrity and peer respect. Leitner Varughese Warywoda embodies these values."

About Elite Litigators

Elite Litigators is a premier attorney network dedicated to connecting clients with exceptional legal representation across the nation. By identifying and showcasing law firms that have distinguished themselves through superior professional achievement and significant peer recognition, Elite Litigators provides clients with a trusted source of legal counsel.

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SOURCE Elite Litigators
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building a better world

PLANO, Texas , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that Sheldon Arora of LiquidAgents Healthcare was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 Southwest Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. Sheldon Arora was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous award winners, leading CEOs, investors and other regional business leaders. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

"I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful to Ernst & Young for the recognition," said Sheldon Arora , CEO of LiquidAgents Healthcare. "Our teams are dedicated to delivering our healthcare workers white glove treatment on a daily basis. We go the extra mile to ensure "concierge-level" support to healthcare workers and it makes all the difference to the people out in the field."

LiquidAgents Healthcare, the most award-winning healthcare staffing agency, provides clinical staffing solutions to public and private health systems across the U.S. for travel nursing, travel allied and permanent placement. The company provides experienced healthcare professionals, staffing flexibility, industry-leading credentialing methods and dedicated customer support.

LiquidAgents Healthcare is certified by The Joint Commission with a "Gold Seal of Approval," and is recognized by the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations and Staffing Industry Analysts as a trusted leader in the healthcare staffing space.

Arora is also the founder and CEO of StaffDNA, a digital marketplace for healthcare job seekers. The company launched its namesake app three years ago to deliver unprecedented user autonomy and transparency in pay packages. The app has been downloaded over one million times by job searchers seeking more control over the job search process than traditional staffing models provide.

For nearly four decades, EY US has honored entrepreneurs whose ambition, courage and ingenuity have driven their companies' success, transformed their industries and made a positive impact on their communities. Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners become lifetime members of a global, multi-industry community of entrepreneurs, with exclusive, ongoing access to the experience, insight and wisdom of program alumni and other ecosystem members in over 60 countries  all supported by vast EY resources. Since 1986, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 US executives.

As a Southwest award winner, Sheldon Arora is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2023 National Awards. The National Award winners including the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will be announced in November at the Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nation's most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The YearAward in June 2024 .

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs such as:

Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks

and of Arista Networks Daymond John of FUBU

of FUBU Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani, Inc.

of Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop!

and of Supergoop! Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company

of James Park of Fitbit

of Fitbit Jodi Berg of Vitamix

of Joe DeSimone of Carbon, Inc.

of Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott LLC

of Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation

and of Sheila Mikhail of AskBio

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors Colliers International, Donnelly Financial Solutions and Haynes and Boone LLP, Gold sponsor Roach Howard Smith & Barton, and Silver sponsors D CEO, Marquee Events and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy .

About EY Private

As Advisors to the ambitious, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private .

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About LiquidAgents Healthcare

LiquidAgents Healthcare provides workforce staffing solutions for healthcare facilities nationwide. LiquidAgents' experienced recruiters use proven identification and selection methods to recruit choice healthcare talent, including nurses and allied health professionals, and place them in public and private facilities looking to secure travel, local, staff, and per diem healthcare personnel. LiquidAgents Healthcare has been a long-time leader in the industry, consistently recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Companies by Inc Magazine and Fast Company, Best Places to Work by Modern Healthcare, and many others. The LiquidAgents app is available to download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

About StaffDNA

StaffDNA was founded in March 2020 to redefine the digital staffing model with next generation technology. The Plano, TX based company pioneers digital marketplace offerings for healthcare professionals and employers. The StaffDNA app gives users unprecedented levels of transparency and control over their healthcare careers and provides nationwide coverage to more than 6000 hospitals, long term care, and skilled nursing facilities. StaffDNA has won numerous awards including World Changing Technology recognition from Fast Company and Best Places to Work by Modern Healthcare. To learn more visit www.staffdna.com. StaffDNA's app is available to download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Contact:

[email protected]

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SOURCE LiquidAgents Healthcare, LLC
Evolution in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy gives men more treatment options

Treatment is one avenue for men with localized prostate cancer

New therapy is targeted and offers fewer side effects than traditional treatment

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoag is giving men with localized prostate cancer an additional treatment option in the battle against disease with the introduction of Focal One, a noninvasive robotic High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology.

An advanced technology that precisely targets cancerous prostate tissue, HIFU allows urologic surgeons to ablate, or destroy, just the diseased portion of the prostate. The result is a cancer treatment without many of the side effects that come with treating the entire prostate, including urinary and erectile side effects.

"Hoag is a leader in introducing evidence-based technology that advances care and improves patients' quality of life," said Jeffrey C. Bassett , M.D, M.P.H., Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology. "There is now ample evidence to support that this technology allows us to ablate a smaller portion of the prostate, which lessens the damage to surrounding healthy tissue."

Surgeons compare the procedure to a lumpectomy versus a mastectomy in breast cancer.

"Analogous to a woman choosing a lumpectomy for her breast cancer, not all men with localized prostate cancer want or need the entirety of their prostate treated," said Hoag urologic oncologist Daniel Su , M.D.

Those most likely to benefit from this new treatment are men with smaller volume low or intermediate risk disease, including some men on active surveillance, according to Dr. Bassett . Hoag was an early adopter of active surveillance for men with non-lethal prostate cancer. In safely monitoring men with slow-growing cancers, the potential side effects of treatment are mitigated, helping to maintain a better quality of life.

As successful as active surveillance is, some men aren't comfortable with the approach either at the time of diagnosis or in the long term.

"HIFU gives men a treatment option with a low risk of urinary and sexual dysfunction when contending with a slow-growing and non-lethal cancer," said Dr. Su .

Funded through philanthropy, Focal One HIFU combines real-time ultrasound image guidance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy data presented in 3D. Using a transrectal probe, the surgeon navigates to the tumor, directs high intensity ultrasound energy at the target area and ablates only the cancerous portion of the prostate. No incisions are made.

The introduction of this technology represents the latest in Hoag's commitment to image-guided technology that enables physicians to provide precise, targeted treatment.

Hoag's multidisciplinary team works with men to help tailor the most appropriate treatment approach to them. Hoag was the first hospital in Orange County to offer prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radiotherapy for metastatic prostate cancer, as part of Hoag's Molecular Imaging & Therapy program. The hospital was also the first in Southern California to perform minimally invasive prostate removal through a single incision. In fact, Hoag surgeons have performed the highest volume of single port robotic prostatectomies in the western half of the United States .

And now, Hoag is proud to offer a new treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer.

"Thanks to the generosity and support from our philanthropic community, we are building on our commitment to the highest level of prostate cancer care," Dr. Bassett said.

For more information about Focal One HIFU, visit hoag.org/hifu or contact the Institute at 949-7-CANCER.

ABOUT HOAG

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County , California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 15 urgent care facilities, 10 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer , digestive health , heart and vascular , neurosciences , spine, women's health , and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California , as well as a designated Magnet hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org .

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hoag-introduces-new-precision-treatment-for-prostate-cancer-patients-301865010.html

SOURCE Hoag
RENO, Nev. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSX: IAU) (NYSE: IAUX) ("i-80", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and Nevada Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation ("BMRR") for an additional 24.49 acres of disturbance consisting of up to 70 additional pad locations at its 100% owned, high-grade, Ruby Hill Property (" Ruby Hill " or "the Property") located in Eureka County, Nevada . This approval will allow the Company to begin testing the highly prospective, approximately 3 km long, mostly unexplored structural corridor between the Hilltop deposits and the recently acquired Paycore Minerals ("Paycore") property to the south.

Ruby Hill is one of three core assets being advanced by i-80 and is host to high-grade Carlin-Type gold deposits and multiple Carbonate Replacement Deposits (CRD). In mid-2022, i-80 discovered multiple zones of high-grade CRD and skarn mineralization proximal to the Hilltop fault at Ruby Hill and earlier in 2023, acquired Paycore for its exploration potential and its FAD deposit, one of the highest-grade polymetallic deposits in North America . The consolidation of the "Hilltop Corridor" provides i-80 with a favourable structural trend that measures more than 3 km and is host to multiple historic mines and new gold and polymetallic deposits.

Importantly, this permitting will provide enhanced drill sites to define and expand mineralization at Upper Hilltop, one of a series of high-grade CRD zones located on the south side of the Archimedes pit (see Image 1) where previously released drill results include 515.3 g/t Ag, 28.9 % Pb, 10.5 % Zn & 0.9 g/t Au over 28.3 m in hole iRH22-43, 1.9 g/t Au, 631.3 g/t Ag, 7.4 % Zn & 33.0 % Pb over 18.3 m in hole iRH2253, and 60.2 g/t Au, 908.7 g/t Ag, 1.1 % Zn & 15.7 % Pb over 10.0 m in hole iRH22-55.

Also, high-grade CRD and skarn mineralization has been discovered under alluvial cover in the East Hilltop area. Owing to limited drill platforms, this target has been difficult to test but has returned significant mineralization including 12.3 % Zn over 39.4 m in hole iRH22-61 (East Hilltop skarn) and 226.1 g/t Ag, 9.7 % Zn and 10.0 % Pb over 8.4 m in hole iRH23-10 (East Hilltop CRD).

The Hilltop Corridor is a predominately alluvial covered trend immediately south of the Archimedes pit believed to be host to multiple feeder fault structures (see Image 1) that is largely untested by previous drilling due to the alluvial cover and lack of interest in base metals. The Hilltop discoveries were made in the second half of 2022 exploration campaign while testing one of several generative exploration targets identified proximal to the Blackjack (skarn) deposit, confirming the Company's belief that the Ruby Hill Property could be host to multiple types of mineralization and several large-scale deposits. Additional highgrade CRD discoveries have been made in 2023, extending mineralization along the Hilltop fault over a strike length of approximately 750 metres. The permitting will allow the Company to more thoroughly define mineralization along the Hilltop fault but also test new targets being generated from drilling or geophysical surveys.

Paycore was a key acquisition for i-80 as it consolidates the most productive part of the Eureka District , adding 3,627 acres to the Company's land package. The FAD deposit is host to a historic non 43-101 compliant resource of 3,540,173 t @ 5.14 g/t Au, 196.46 g/t Ag, 8.0% Zn, 3.8% Pb1 and where Paycore drilling in 2022 returned numerous high-grade intercepts including 1.06 g/t Au, 155.5 g/t Ag, 22.0% Zn & 1.5% Pb over 12.5 m and 2.03 g/t Au, 231.6 g/t Ag, 6.3 % Zn & 3.7 % Pb over 44.8 m (PC22-07), 7.1 g/t Au, 376.3 g/t Ag, 6.3 % Zn & 10.3% Pb over 14.8 m (PC22-08) and 8.0 g/t Au, 79.0 g/t Ag, 10.0 % Zn & 1.0% Pb over 27.4 m and 1.8 g/t Au, 318.0 g/t Ag, 4.6 % Zn & 6.1 % Pb over 7.4 m (PC22-10).

_________________________________

1 The historical estimates contained in this presentation have not been verified as current mineral resources. A "qualified person" (as defined in NI 43-101) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

Geophysical surveys completed at Ruby Hill have identified several highly prospective anomalies that are believed to have the potential to represent additional massive sulfide targets. Several of these anomalies will be tested in the 2023 drilling program. Additional geophysical surveys including high-resolution magnetics and magnetotellurics are currently being completed to cover the southern extension of the Hilltop Corridor and the FAD Property.

The Ruby Hill Property is one of the Company's primary assets and is host to the core processing infrastructure within the Eureka District of the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend including an idle leach plant and an active heap leach facility. The Property is host to multiple gold, gold-silver and polymetallic (base metal) deposits. The Company has submitted for approval its plan to develop an underground mine at Ruby Hill with mineralization accessed via a ramp from the Archimedes open pit. Work is also progressing for the completion of updated mineral resource estimates (gold and polymetallic zones) and an initial economic study for the gold zones (only).

Please click here for further information on abbreviations and conversions referenced in this press release.

QAQC Procedures

All samples were submitted to either American Assay Laboratories (AAL) or ALS Minerals (ALS) both of Sparks, NV , which are ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratories, independent of the Company. Samples submitted through AAL and ALS are run through standard prep methods and analysed using Au-AA23 (ALS) or FA-PB30-ICP (AAL) (Au; 30g fire assay for both) and ME-ICP61a (35 element suite; 0.4g 4 acid/ICP-AES) for ALS and IO-4AB32 (35 element suite; 0.5g 4-acid ICP-OES+MS) for AAL. Both AAL and ALS also undertake their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. i-80 Gold Corp's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results. Previous assays conducted on Paycore Mineral's samples were submitted to ALS Minerals (ALS) of Sparks, NV , which is an ISO 9001 and 17025 certified and accredited laboratory, which is independent of the Company. Samples submitted through ALS were run through standard prep methods and analysed using Au-AA23 (Au; 30g fire assay) and ME-MS61 (48 element suite; 0.25g 4-acid/ICP-AES and ICP-MS). ALS also undertakes their own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Paycore's QA/QC program included regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results, and third-party assay checks of mineralized intercepts.

Qualified Person

Tyler Hill , CPG-12146, Chief Geologist at i-80 is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp. is a Nevada-focused mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status through the development of multiple deposits within the Company's advanced-stage property portfolio with processing at i-80's centralized milling facilities. i-80 Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol IAU:TSX and IAUX:NYSE. Further information about i-80 Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.i80gold.com or by email at [email protected].

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the expansion or mineral resources at Ruby Hill and the potential of the Ruby Hill project. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

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SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp
BEIJING , June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 14 , JA Solar was awarded Top Brand PV for the European market from EUPD Research at its booth, with Chairman of EUPD Research, Markus A.W. Hoehner , and Jin Baofang, Chairman of JA Solar, both attending the certification ceremony.

Top Brand PV is awarded by world-renowned authoritative research institution EUPD Research and enjoys a high reputation in the global PV industry and is evidence of the high credibility of the PV brand. Through conducting in-depth researches on installers and distributors in various PV markets worldwide, EUPD Research selects outstanding companies in terms of visibility, customer satisfaction, customer selection, and distribution range before giving out the Top Brand PV award.

JA Solar has maintained a leading position in the European market for many years. In 2022, its market share in Europe reached as high as 23%, with an outstanding market share in the UK and the Netherlands reaching 68% and 55% respectively. This is a full reflection of JA Solar's excellent product reputation and high market recognition.

In recent years, JA Solar has been awarded Top Brand PV by EUPD Research in Europe , Latin America , Africa , the MENA region, Southeast Asia , Africa , Germany , France , Poland , Italy , Netherlands , Switzerland , Brazil , Mexico , Chile , Nigeria , Vietnam , Thailand , the Philippines , etc. which demonstrates the high recognition the company and its products have won in the global market.

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SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd.
DURHAM, N.C. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leyline Renewable Capital, a leading provider of development loans for renewable energy projects, today announced a project development loan for renewable energy developer RAI Energy. With the support of Leyline Development Capital, RAI is advancing multiple large utility-scale solar and solar-plus-storage projects in the Western Energy Coordinating Council (WECC) market over the next four years.

RAI was founded by renewable energy veteran Mohammed S. Alrai in 2016 to focus on utility-scale renewable energy projects in western markets. Mohammed previously led the development of power projects with Calpine, BP Solar, and Regenerate Power before launching his own development company. Mr. Alrai is joined by industry veterans with more than 100 years of combined experience in developing the multi-gigawatt pipeline of projects in WECC.

"The RAI Energy team lead by Mohammed has proven they not only have the industry knowledge but also the personal energy and problem-solving ability to get large scale projects across the finish line," said Todd Kice , Managing Director of Originations at Leyline. "The low-hanging fruit in our industry has been picked, so to speak, and utility- scale projects are going to get harder to complete in the years to come. You need experience as well as resilience to be successful; Mohammed has the creativity and the tenacity to work through the unexpected issues that inevitably arise and get projects done."

"We're thrilled to enter into this agreement with Leyline as a partner to accelerate our growth," said Mohammed S. Alrai , Founder and CEO of RAI Energy. "Their invaluable experience navigating the highs and lows of development, extensive industry knowledge, and adaptable financing approach make them an outstanding financial partner as we expand our project portfolio. This financing will not only enable us to achieve our company's vision, but also allow us to grow our team further."

Leyline was advised on this transaction by an advisory team from Holland & Knight led by Lara Rios . RAI Energy was advised by an advisory team from Orrick led by Thomas Glascock . Bill Chamberlin at KeyBanc Capital Markets served as the financial advisor for RAI Energy on this transaction.

About Leyline Renewable Capital

Leyline Renewable Capital invests in the development of utility scale renewable energy projects. Backed by a team of seasoned investors with deep experience in the renewable industry, Leyline provides financing that supports early-stage development through construction. By investing in the early stages of renewable energy projects, Leyline accelerates the development process and helps developers scale quickly without taking dilution. Leyline leverages a broad base of experience in greenfield project development, design, construction, and finance with an extensive network of relationships with industry leaders to provide support and capital for projects from concept to commercial operation. www.leylinecapital.com

About RAI Energy

RAI Energy is a Western US focused renewable energy development company with a proven track record of developing more than 750 MW of utility-scale and distributed generation solar and energy storage, including multiple projects now in operation and a 150MW/600MWh hybrid solar and BESS plant now under construction. RAI Energy is on track to develop a 4-gigawatt (GW) project portfolio, driving decarbonization efforts across the energy sector by 2027. Through continuous innovation and excellence, RAI Energy takes pride in being a nimble provider of reliable, affordable, profitable zero and low-carbon solutions. By serving as a trusted navigator for all smart energy project stakeholders, RAI Energy is enabling customers to become clean energy leaders while providing environmental and economic benefits for local communitiesleading the U.S. into a sustainable energy future. www.raienergy.com

Media Contact:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Leyline Renewable Capital
Smith has deep roots in the solar industry, having helped grow Sunrun, Vivint Solar and Brite Energy

LEHI, Utah , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumio , the preeminent leader in personalized renewable energy, announced today the appointment of Brendan Smith as its chief operations officer (COO). Smith is a seasoned executive with decades of experience growing home services and green energy companies. Prior to this new role, Smith was the COO for WeLink communications, one of the fastest-growing and most innovative ISPs in the United States . In his first year at WeLink, he helped grow subscribers by 250%, increase revenue by 325% and reduce operating expenses by 35%  all while helping the company expand into three new markets.

"I have had the pleasure of working with Brendan before and have seen his commitment and dedication to his team as he has achieved incredible results time and time again," said Greg Butterfield , CEO at Lumio. "He has a deep understanding of our industry, understands the needs of the customer and will be an enormous asset to our C-suite as we continue to scale. We are thrilled to have him on our team."

Smith is known for helping companies profitably scale their operations while maintaining a world-class customer experience. Prior to his role as COO at WeLink, Smith was the SVP of operations at Sunrun, a publicly traded solar integrator, the SVP of Field Operations for Vivint Solar and Vice president of Field Operations at Brite Energy. At Sunrun, he led the integration efforts with the Vivint Solar acquisition and led a team of over 4,000 employees across 20 states and 60 branches.

"Having spent most of my career in green energy, I have been very impressed with Lumio's unique approach to personalizing renewable energy and how well this approach has fostered the company's growth," said Smith. "It is an honor to join a team with a wealth of expertise at such a unique company. Furthermore, I am thrilled to be working amongst such an amazing team, many of whom I am lucky enough to call friends."

Smith's deep industry knowledge and experience scaling companies will support Lumio as it continues to grow to meet the challenging demands of the renewable energy industry. In addition, his operational experience will support growth throughout the company and strengthen its foundation for continued growth. As COO, Smith's ability to translate high level strategic goals and initiatives into operational processes and actions which are both realistic and measurable, will make him an enormous asset to the team.

About Lumio

Lumio changed the residential solar industry by merging five regional leaders into a powerful national brand in December 2020 . Today, Lumio leads the industry in customer experience, quality, and technological innovation. The company's vision to make power personal diversifies and decentralizes power production via good clean sun energymaking electricity cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable for homeowners across the country. Lumio's more than 5,000 team members are dedicated to their stewardship with nature and crafting earth's best home experience.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lumio-announces-appointment-of-brendan-smith-as-coo-301864626.html

SOURCE Lumio HX, Inc.
COLUMBIA, Md. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Merkle, dentsu's leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company, today announced at Snowflake's annual user conference, Snowflake Summit 2023, the launch of Merkury's identity resolution engine, Powered by Snowflake. Merkury is Merkle's proprietary customer recognition and identity resolution platform that helps companies grow and own their own cookie-less private identity graph by using first-party data as a competitive differentiator and strategic asset to better recognize, understand, and serve their customers across all channels in real time.

Amidst rapidly evolving privacy regulations and the deprecation of third-party cookies, Merkury is among the few enterprise identity platforms that bring together the accuracy and sustainability of client first-party data, quality PII-based third-party data, and some of most cookie-less media and technology platform connections in the market. It does so by identifying anonymous customers as a cookie-less ID, enhancing the ID with person-based data, and connecting those IDs to platforms for targeting and analysis.

"Snowflake is a critical partner for our Merkury products and solutions. Snowflake's ability to integrate with all the major martech and CDP providers allows us to deliver modern, cloud-based data management solutions to power personalized, connected experiences for our clients  regardless of their tech stack," said Matt Seeley , Merkle's head of data and identity solutions.

With this launch, Merkury will become one of the first large-scale enterprise-level identity resolution products to be built on the Snowflake Data Cloud.

"Our joint customers will experience a seamlessly integrated solution, combining the power of Merkury's identity matching with the performance and versatility of the Snowflake Data Cloud," said Scott Schilling , Senior Director of Global Partner Development at Snowflake.

As a Snow Row sponsor at the upcoming Snowflake Summit on June 26-29 in Las Vegas, NV , Merkle will participate in three sessions:

Universal Destination and Experiences Leverages Snowflake to Fuel Its Personalization Initiatives at Scale : TJ Jana, director, data/AI and martech at NBCUniversal and Ankur Jain , SVP, cloud practice lead at Merkle will discuss how Universal Destinations and Experiences enhanced their cloud-native data lake by leveraging the Data Cloud to unify, integrate, analyze, and share previously siloed data in a secure, governed, and compliant manner.

: TJ Jana, director, data/AI and martech at NBCUniversal and , SVP, cloud practice lead at Merkle will discuss how Universal Destinations and Experiences enhanced their cloud-native data lake by leveraging the Data Cloud to unify, integrate, analyze, and share previously siloed data in a secure, governed, and compliant manner. Tuesday June 27 , 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM PDT

Transforming Identity Resolution with the Data Cloud : Morten Lileng , SVP of identity products, Merkle, Nick Pileggi , senior solutions architect, phData, and Dominick Rocco , chief architect, data science and machine learning, phData, will discuss the benefits of using Snowpark to transform an identity resolution algorithm and how Merkle redefined its application distribution strategy with Snowflake.

: , SVP of identity products, Merkle, , senior solutions architect, phData, and , chief architect, data science and machine learning, phData, will discuss the benefits of using Snowpark to transform an identity resolution algorithm and how Merkle redefined its application distribution strategy with Snowflake. Wednesday June 28 , 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM PDT

Composable Customer Data Platform (CDP): Can Data Teams Move Away from Being Cost Centers? : Peter Rogers, EVP, head of technology, Merkle, Michelle Ballen , head of analytics, Future, and Boris Jabes , CEO & co-founder, Census, will share their insights and experiences regarding how data teams can leverage composable CDPs to enable better collaboration between data engineers and data analysts, and add more value to marketers and the business.

Peter Rogers, EVP, head of technology, Merkle, , head of analytics, Future, and , CEO & co-founder, Census, will share their insights and experiences regarding how data teams can leverage composable CDPs to enable better collaboration between data engineers and data analysts, and add more value to marketers and the business. Thursday June 29 , 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM PDT

Industry leading applications are Powered by Snowflake. By building on Snowflake, product and engineering teams are able to develop, scale, and operate their applications without operational burden, delivering differentiated products to their customers. With the Powered by Snowflake program, builders get access to resources to help them design, market, and operate their applications in the Data Cloud. To learn more about the Powered by Snowflake program and how organizations are building on Snowflake, click here.

For more information about the relationship between Snowflake and Merkle, click here.

About Merkle

Merkle, a dentsu company, is a leading data-driven customer experience management (CXM) company that specializes in the delivery of unique, personalized customer experiences across platforms and devices. For more than 30 years, Fortune 1000 companies and leading nonprofit organizations have partnered with Merkle to maximize the value of their customer portfolios. The company's heritage in data, technology, and analytics forms the foundation for its unmatched skills in understanding consumer insights that drive hyper-personalized marketing strategies. Its combined strengths in consulting, creative, media, analytics, data, identity, CX/commerce, technology, and loyalty & promotions drive improved marketing results and competitive advantage. Merkle has more than 16,000 employees in 30+ countries throughout the Americas , EMEA, and APAC. For more information, contact Merkle at 1-877-9-Merkle or visit www.merkle.com.

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SOURCE Merkle
Roda elected Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer and joins the company's Executive Leadership Team

PITTSBURGH , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA), the leading global manufacturer of safety products and solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures, has elected Richard Roda as its Chief Legal Officer. Mr. Roda succeeds Stephanie Sciullo , who was recently named President of the company's Americas business segment.

A 28-year veteran of the company, Mr. Roda most recently served as Deputy General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer. As Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, Mr. Roda will have responsibility for the company's global legal function and will report to Nish Vartanian , MSA Chairman and CEO.

"I am pleased to announce Rick's promotion today, as it reflects the level of expertise he has developed throughout his MSA career," said Mr. Vartanian . "For several years, Rick has served as an integral leader across MSA and has helped guide our organization through many periods of change. He has also overseen the legal work related to every MSA acquisition over the past two decades, and he guided efforts that resulted in the modernized legal structure that MSA has in place today. We're excited to have Rick join our Executive Leadership Team, and I know this will be a seamless transition for him and our entire legal group."

Mr. Roda joined MSA Safety in 1995 after graduating from Westminster College (Pa.) with a degree in English. He began his career as a Customer Service Representative, serving in a variety of sales support and product technical support roles. He graduated from Duquesne University Law School in 2001, and became a full-time commercial and transactional attorney for the company.

Over his legal career with MSA, Mr. Roda has served in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including those focused on transactional, corporate legal and securities law functions. As Chief Compliance Officer, he oversaw the design and implementation of the company's ethics and compliance program.

Mr. Roda will remain located at the company's global headquarters in Cranberry Township , Pa.

About MSA Safety

Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products and solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, software, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The Company's comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, construction, industrial manufacturing applications, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration, utilities, mining and the military. MSA's core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2022 revenues of $1.5 billion , MSA employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. The Company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa. , and has manufacturing operations in the United States , Europe , Asia and Latin America . With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America . For more information visit MSA's web site at www.MSAsafety.com.

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SOURCE MSA Safety
The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) proudly announces Jessica Brooks-Woods as its incoming CEO and celebrates the remarkable tenure and service of outgoing CEO Janet Trautwein during the Annual Convention held in New Orleans, LA .

WASHINGTON , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an extensive national search, Jessica Brooks-Woods , MPM, PHR, has been appointed as the incoming CEO of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP), assuming her role on September 1, 2023 . In her capacity as CEO, Jessica will provide strategic guidance and leadership to a 30-member staff in Washington, DC , as well as oversee the representation of over 100,000 licensed health insurance agents, brokers, general agents, consultants, and benefits professionals through 200 state and local chapters.

With a wealth of experience as a business leader, health equity advocate, and benefits expert, Jessica Brooks-Woods is well-positioned to drive NABIP's mission forward. " Jessica Brooks-Woods brings nearly twenty years of experience not only as a business leader but as a health equity advocate and benefits expert to NABIP," said NABIP President Eric Kohlsdorf . "The Board looks forward to working with Jessica as the association continues to shape the future of healthcare."

Jessica Brooks-Woods founded Executive Action and Response Network (EARN) and EARN Staffing Solutions, a full-service DE&I-centered consulting and talent placement firm that played a crucial role in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the business community. Her previous role as President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health (PBGH) from 2013-2022 showcased her exceptional leadership, where she redefined and advanced healthcare value, access, equity, and quality on behalf of employers. Under her stewardship, PBGH consistently achieved financial gains, delivering millions of dollars in annual savings to both employers and employees.

Jessica earned her master's degree in public management from Carnegie Mellon University and serves on various boards, including the Board of Governors for the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence. Her extensive industry expertise and unwavering dedication to healthcare led to her appointment as a board member of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange.

Outgoing CEO Janet Trautwein's decision to step down and pursue new opportunities was met with gratitude from the NABIP Board of Trustees, who recognized her exceptional 26 years of service and leadership within the organization. NABIP Past President Kelly Fristoe expressed his appreciation, stating, "Janet has led NABIP through a remarkable transformation. Her deep health expertise, fierce advocacy, and longtime commitment to the profession will be missed."

"The association's Trustees, staff, and members are excited to welcome Jessica as the new CEO in September," said Trautwein. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our staff and members for the last 26 years, and I am excited to see Jessica build upon our work, leveraging her industry and DE&I expertise, as she leads the premier association for health insurance and employee benefits professionals."

"I'm honored and thrilled to join NABIP as its incoming CEO. With our shared commitment to high-quality, affordable healthcare, I am excited to collaborate closely with the talented staff, dedicated members, and esteemed Board of Trustees. Together, we will make a significant impact, enhancing the lives of millions across the nation," said Brooks-Woods.

The announcement coincides with NABIP's Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana , where members met Brooks-Woods and celebrated Trautwein's tenure and service to the association.

About the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals

NABIP is the preeminent organization for health insurance and employee benefits professionals, working diligently to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and related benefits. NABIP represents and provides professional development opportunities for more than 100,000 licensed health insurance agents, brokers, general agents, consultants, and benefit professionals through more than 200 chapters across America.

Press Contact:

Kelly Loussedes, SVP Public Relations

Phone: (202) 595-3074

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak believes that the decision to transfer long-range weapons to Ukraine will be made.

"The process is underway. My personal opinion is that this decision will be made," he told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday, answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine.

Earlier, the issue of supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons was raised during the negotiations between the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden on Sunday, June 25.
Net zero affordable neighborhood demonstrates the importance of natural gas in a sustainable future for all

NAPERVILLE , Ill. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nicor Gas, Southern Company and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity announced today the groundbreaking of a new community designed to be carbon-neutral and achieve net-zero in Aurora, Illinois . The largest natural gas distributor in the state is partnering with the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliate to offer new smart homes to first-time home buyers with an emphasis on resiliency and affordability.

Nicor Gas is part of Southern Company Gas, a family of four natural gas distribution companies whose commitment to sustainability includes working towards a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions from operations while delivering quality customer solutions, enriching communities and investing in innovation.

This is Southern Company's first Smart Neighborhood community to be led by a natural gas company and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The project will demonstrate the benefits of a smart building envelope with dual energy solutions to shine a spotlight on affordable, sustainable living.

"Nicor Gas has always been committed to giving back to our community, and this neighborhood is an extremely powerful symbol of that commitment. Through this project, we not only demonstrate the important role that we play in advancing Illinois' clean energy goals, but we put on display how dual energy solutions can create affordable, sustainable solutions for customers," said Meena Beyers , vice president of Community and Business Development at Nicor Gas. "Habitat for Humanity is a dream partner that shares the same values in providing first-time home buyers an affordable, resilient, sustainable future."

Smart Neighborhood is a trademarked brand of Southern Company, the ultimate parent company of Nicor Gas. Smart Neighborhoods advance energy technologies that work together as a part of an affordable, reliable clean energy economy. They lead to job creation, diverse business partnerships, economic development and green transportation.

"Habitat for Humanity has led with the philosophy that home buying provides stability and resiliency to our first-time home buyers. In partnering with Nicor Gas on these neighborhoods designed to achieve net zero, we are further supporting our goals with smart energy solutions and technology that will empower our homeowners through energy bill affordability and tremendous resiliency during inclement weather," said Jeffrey Barrett , CEO and executive director of Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity.

The 17 homes in the Aurora development will be part of Nicor Gas' Smart Neighborhood, where each technology-enhanced home will be served with clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service and supplemented by rooftop solar installations, high-efficiency building envelopes and in-home battery energy storage. These homes have been designed to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions, which refers to the balancing of greenhouse gas emissions, where the home saves more carbon dioxide emissions than consumers produce to power, heat and cool the home on an annual basis.

The homes will offer the following features:

Solar panels

Battery storage

Smart electric panel

Insulating concrete form walls

Spray foam

Energy efficient windows

Energy recovery ventilation unit

LED lighting

Federal funding for the neighborhood was secured by U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) of the 11th District.

"In Congress, it has always been one of my top priorities to ensure the communities I represent receive their fair share of federal resources," said U.S. Congressman Foster. "That's why I was proud to secure $1.25 million in federal funding to provide the infrastructure for this Smart Neighborhood . Not only will this project help 17 families achieve the dream of home ownership, but it will also invest in the technologies that are integral to our clean energy future."

The neighborhood in Aurora is one of two new smart neighborhoods being developed by Habitat for Humanity and Nicor Gas. The second one in Northern Fox Valley is slated to break ground in late 2024. To learn more about the Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood and the projects' partners, visit ngsmartneighborhoods.com.

About Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois , excluding the city of Chicago . For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

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 approximately 4.4 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states with 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.

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SOURCE Nicor Gas
Fort Belknap and Spy Ego Media will complete a full reservation wide Broadband Feasibility Study to bring over 7,000+ members up-to-date broadband solutions

HARLEM, Mont. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Located forty miles south of the Canadian border and twenty miles north of the Missouri River sits the Fort Belknap Reservation, the fourth largest Indian reservation in Montana . Encompassing over 675,000 acres of land, spanning 28 miles east and west, and 35 miles north and south, the Fort Belknap Reservation's rolling plains are home to two communities with over 7,000 tribal members. Due to their location, funding, and resources, these tribal members have yet to hold current broadband and communication services that would empower community members with equal opportunities  until now.

Spy Ego, the industry leader in delivering a broad spectrum of technological solutions is proud to announce that they will be partnering with the Fort Belknap Reservation to complete a full reservation wide Broadband Feasibility Study to determine the best course of action to enable broadband and communications services across the reservation. Upon receiving the The Bureau of Indian Affairs National Tribal Broadband Grant (BIA NTBG), Spy Ego and Fort Belknap have set a plan in motion to study the needs of the communities, address broadband capabilities, and build out infrastructure accordingly.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs National Tribal Broadband Grant (BIA NTBG) will lay the foundation for next-gen broadband and communications systems that will propel the Fort Belknap Tribal Community into the modern age. In doing this, the schools, businesses, and community members will receive adequate coverage to meet their needs and beyond.

"After years of being unserved and underserved, we are proud to work with such an amazing Tribe to discover ways of closing digital divide. No community should experience a lack of reliable and stable high-speed Broadband and we are excited to identify ways of closing that broadband gap"  James Gusman , Spy Ego Media LLC

By undertaking the Broadband Feasibility Study, Fort Belknap , and Spy Ego usher in a new era of opportunity and possibilities for thousands of tribal members across 675K+ acres. Working in tandem, these two companies are bringing more equitable solutions to the community with passion, precision, and purpose.

To learn more about Spy Ego, please visit: https://www.spyego.com/

About Spy Ego

Spy Ego Media | SEMCOMM is an industry leader in delivering a broad spectrum of technological solutions. Holding over two decades of experience in the IT industry, thousands of successful projects, hundreds of IT, wireless, fiber, and cybersecurity certifications, and a proven track record of success, Spy Ego Media delivers reliable solutions every time. Applying a holistic approach to incorporating best practices and delivering top-of-the-line solutions Spy Ego's focus is a world-class team comprised of experts with an unmatched passion for delivering best-of-class solutions and value to all clients.

Press Contact:

Sierra Guptill , +1-888-444-1250, https://www.spyego.com/

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SOURCE Spy Ego
The technology-driven plasma collection company introduces its modern approach to a new market.

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Parachute and the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Crossville's first plasma donation center. Parachute offers Tennessee residents the opportunity to turn their compassion into compensation by donating life-saving plasma.

Parachute's mission is to increase national access to plasma by introducing thoughtfully designed plasma donation centers to new communities, offering an innovative approach to plasma donation with a mobile app.

"By reimagining the donation experience with welcoming and modern centers, seamless scheduling, and customer engagement touchpoints, we're able to create a meaningful experience for our members," said Wayne Sharp , Parachute's VP of Operations. "We're thrilled to be open in Tennessee and serve as a community partner. In addition to donor compensation, our centers create healthcare-oriented jobs and support for local businesses."

"We're excited to celebrate this milestone and welcome Parachute into our community," said Ethan Hadley , President of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. "On behalf of our members, we want to thank you for investing in Crossville and creating an opportunity for our residents to earn additional income while making a positive impact."

Parachute combines technology and hospitality with donor experience, allowing members to schedule donations, receive customer support, and manage payments through a mobile app. Parachute offers members a unique loyalty-driven earning structure, a referral program, and monthly bonus opportunities.

The new plasma donation center is located at 2463 N Main Street in Crossville, Tennessee . To schedule a donation download the Parachute app .

About Parachute

Delivering the best experience possible to as many plasma donors as possible. Parachute's mission is to increase national access to life-saving plasma by reimagining the plasma donation experience into one that is modern and convenient. To learn more about Parachute, visit www.joinparachute.com

SOURCE Join Parachute, LLC

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SOURCE Join Parachute, LLC
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Porter Capital Corporation, a leading provider of working capital solutions, is proud to announce the successful completion of a financing agreement aimed at enhancing the liquidity and competitive positioning of The Heubach Group, a renowned global pigment producer. In January 2022 , Heubach and a private investment firm, acquired Clariant Pigments, resulting in the creation of a major contributor in the pigment technology industry operating under the Heubach brand.

To continue its growth trajectory, The Heubach Group sought the assistance of a financial advisory firm, which introduced them to Bob Reagan , Senior Vice President of Business Development at Porter Capital Corporation. With over 20 years of experience in business funding and extensive global connections, Reagan is an invaluable resource for orchestrating substantial transactions involving multinational corporations. Reflecting on the collaboration, Reagan stated, "It was a privilege to collaborate with European business leaders and navigate the complexities of this large-scale deal, ensuring working capital availability for Heubach's ongoing and future growth initiatives."

As a leading global provider of organic, inorganic, and anti-corrosive pigments, pigment preparations, and dyes, Heubach is recognized for its technological advancements and commitment to quality. With its global presence, Heubach operates across Europe , the Americas , Asia , and Africa through its nineteen state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Jerry Sahi , Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at the Heubach Group, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "I cannot overstate the outstanding leadership exhibited by Porter Capital and the seamless collaboration with their team. Despite the complexity of the deal, the Porter team remained dedicated and efficient. In three words the Porter Capital team is forthright, transparent, and most importantly agile, enabling the swift provision of working capital without bureaucratic hurdles that often delay results."

With a track record spanning over three decades, Porter Capital Corporation offers working capital solutions to companies operating in various industries nationwide. Throughout its history, Porter Capital has successfully provided over $8 billion in funding to both domestic and global companies with a presence in the United States . From startups to large enterprises, Porter Capital is adept at assisting companies with expansion efforts, facilitating acquisitions, and effectively managing unforeseen cash flow challenges.

John Cox Miller , Senior Vice President of Sales at Porter Capital, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Porter Capital is thrilled to be part of Heubach's continued success story and collaborate with their global leadership to provide the necessary working capital for liquidity, market expansion, and potential new acquisitions."

About Heubach Group

With a tradition of delivering excellence that stretches back over 200 years, the Heubach name is synonymous with innovation, attention to customer needs, and reliability in creating colors. Today's Heubach is a global industry leader in the field of pigments, pigment preparations, dyes, colorants, and specialty materials. Heubach is committed to the reliable supply of high-quality materials to meet customers demanding production environments. Sustainability is a part of the Heubach DNA. Heubach has a global manufacturing footprint including 19 facilities around the globe and generates approximately 1 billion in annual sales. For more information, please visit www.heubachcolor.com.

About Porter Capital Group

Porter Capital Corporation was founded in 1991 by brothers Marc and Donald Porter in Birmingham, AL . Porter offers working-capital solutions to businesses all over the country in a variety of industries. As a direct lender and factoring company, Porter Capital has provided over $8 billion in funding since its inception. Porter Capital offers Invoice Factoring and Asset Based Credit Lines up to $40 million . Since founding the company, Porter Capital has expanded to include a special transportation division known as Porter Freight Funding. The Porter businesses continue to grow by providing working capital solutions, emphasizing personalized, dedicated customer service without sacrificing speed and efficiency. To know more about Porter Capital Corporation and how it can be a working capital solution provider for businesses, call 1-888-865-7678 or visit its official website, portercap.com.

CONTACT: Michelle Milhoan , Vice President of Marketing, [email protected]

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SOURCE Porter Capital
Issued by TechBehemoths.com: https://techbehemoths.com/blog/future-ai-european-union

BERLIN , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The discussions surrounding the regulation of Language Models (LLMs) in the European Union (EU) have gained momentum since Italy's temporary ban and subsequent reintroduction of ChatGPT. Over the past few months, there have been lively debates, both online and offline, involving EU officials and Sam Altman , the founder of OpenAI.

The most recent public declaration came at the end of May 2023 when Altman expressed concerns to Time magazine about OpenAI's potential departure from Europe due to the ongoing negotiations surrounding the new AI Act between the EU Council and Parliament.

However, in early June 2023 , Altman held a meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following a series of high-level discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak .

A significant development occurred on May 8, 2023 , when an internal document , now classified as public, presented the results of a Europol Innovation Lab Workshop. The document highlighted the potential abuse of LLMs such as ChatGPT by criminals in various areas of crime, including fraud, social engineering, disinformation and propaganda, cybercrime, and child sexual abuse, particularly online grooming of children. The workshop revealed that ChatGPT's ability to generate highly authentic texts based on user prompts enables the rapid and scalable creation of criminal content. Moreover, even individuals with limited technical knowledge can utilize these models to generate malicious codes for cyberattacks.

These findings raise legitimate concerns, suggesting that robust regulation of LLMs, including ChatGPT, may be necessary in the European Union to combat cybercrime, social engineering, and child abuse, among other criminal activities. The EU is determined to take proactive measures to safeguard society from such threats.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the positive role that LLMs can play in assisting law enforcement agencies. The internal document also highlights the potential benefits of LLMs, such as supporting officers in investigating unfamiliar crime areas, facilitating open-source research and intelligence

The research on the Future of AI in the European Union was conducted by TechBehemoths between May 12 - June 10, 2023 . The full article is available on techbehemoths.com/blog/future-ai-european-union.

TechBehemoths is the platform that connects projects with IT service providers globally. It is created in Germany and lists 45,000+ reputable IT service providers from 140 countries, that cover 500+ services, from logo design to complex AI and enterprise projects.

Media Contact:

Marcel Sobieski

1-763-630-2768

[email protected]

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SOURCE TechBehemoths
SHANGHAI , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE: 601727) ("the Company") has been recognized as one of China's 500 Most Valuable Brands, according to an annual list published by World Brand Lab, a world's leading research institute specializing in digital marketing and brand valuation. The 2023 edition of the report, which gauges companies' brand status based on their financial data, brand strength, and consumer behavior, shows that Shanghai Electric holds the 48th position with a brand value of RMB 172.58 billion ( USD 23.99 billion ), marking the seventh consecutive year that the Company made it to the Top 50.

"The ranking once again attests to Shanghai Electric's commitment to technological innovation as the cornerstone of the Company. We view innovation as the driving force behind our rapid development, strengthening our competitiveness as a green-focused company while exploring technological breakthroughs to empower China and beyond to achieve low-carbon targets. Meanwhile, we also place openness and win-win cooperation at the core of our business strategy as we endeavor to bring more value to our partners and accelerate global industrial development," said Liu Ping , President of Shanghai Electric.

"As we strive to catalyze the innovation of China's high-end equipment industry, Shanghai Electric has established itself as a key player on the global stage. Over the past few years, we have participated in over 100 power engineering products under the Belt and Road initiative, exploring effective and efficient construction and management models and experience that refine our expertise and equip us with industry-leading solutions," he added.

Leveraging Green Innovation to Decarbonize Industries

Taking the forefront in driving sustainable growth for the energy and industrial sectors, Shanghai Electric is committed to advancing the development of new power systems and zero-carbon industrial park solutions with the aim to help its customers and partners in reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, Shanghai Electric is actively expanding and diversifying its solution portfolios, facilitating partners in their transition towards greener power sources.

In partnership with the municipal government of Nantong City, Shanghai Electric has established Hengxi Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd as a springboard to propel Nantong's new energy industry to greater heights. The new company will be instrumental in forming a photovoltaic industry cluster and strengthening the synergy of the solar sector of the city, with the initial phase of the project set to have a production capacity of 4.8 GW for high-efficiency heterojunction (HJT) solar cells and modules.

Armed with seventy years of experience in industrial design, the Shanghai Institute of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (SIMEE) plays a pivotal role in driving low-carbon development by delivering solutions that help its partners and customers trim down their carbon emissions. The institute, which has clinched over 300 national and provincial awards, holds over 110 patents and invests RMB 100 million in its R&D initiatives for upgrading manufacturing processes, equipment development, and the formulation of new design standards. Volkswagen's Changsha factory designed by the institute has been granted China's Green Building Label Certificate for achieving the highest green standards and adopting BIM design management for the entire process.

As the fourth industrial revolution fuels innovations in IoT, big data, robotics, and AI to drive low-carbon production, Shanghai Electrics also harnesses its technological prowess in these fields to provide intelligent manufacturing automation solutions for industries such as lithium batteries, aerospace, automobiles, and security. Shanghai Electric's lithium battery production line achieves 30% energy savings and a 60% cost reduction, while its aviation automation solutions, which encompass industry-leading lithium battery production equipment, industrial robots, and aerospace automation systems, provide one-stop services for building smart factories.

Pushing for Power Revolution with Win-Win Cooperation

For decades, Shanghai Electric is pioneering global energy innovation to drive green development for the power sector, bringing both economic and social benefits for users worldwide with its solutions that unlock new possibilities.

2023 marks a new milestone as the Company has completed a 168-hour trial operation of the 660 MW coal-fired power station unit 2 in the Yanghuopan coal-electricity integration project. Designed by Shanghai ElectricSPX Engineering & Technologies Co., Ltd., the project is the first of its kind powered by natural ventilation direct cooling (NDC) system which delivers exceptionally better performance in terms of energy efficiency, emissions reduction, noise reduction, frost resistance, and operational flexibility compared with mechanical ventilation direct cooling (ACC) and natural ventilation indirect cooling (ISC) systems.

Shanghai Electric Power Engineering Company has been selected as the general contractor for Phase I and Phase II projects of the renewable energy power station in Selangor, Malaysia . A key project commissioned by the state's government to boost the local economy while enhancing the well-being of residents, the station is capable of processing 2,900 tons of waste per day, as well as helping decontaminate and reuse half of the solid waste generated within the state.

In the UK , the 20.8 MW Low Farm project, the seventh installment among a series of eight photovoltaic projects in the country constructed by Shanghai Electric, has been connected to the grid, contributing to the UK's renewable energy capacity and supporting the country's efforts in transitioning towards a greener and more sustainable future. The official operation of the project reinforces Shanghai Electric's position as a leader in the global new energy market and showcases its capability in building large-scale photovoltaic projects in the Western markets that uphold high standards of quality for infrastructure construction.

About Shanghai Electric

Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK:2727, SSE: 601727), a leading global supplier of industrial-grade eco-friendly smart system solutions with a presence around the world, is dedicated to smart energy, intelligent manufacturing, and the integration of digital intelligence. With the focus on low-carbon development and digital transformation by opening up new arenas and promoting new growth drivers, Shanghai Electric will strive to be a leader in the pursuit of peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, new energy equipment production, and high-end equipment localization, utilizing the boundless opportunities in an innovative industrial ecosystem along with global partners.

For more information, please visit https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/

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SOURCE Shanghai Electric
BETHLEHEM, Pa. , and SAN MATEO, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Luke's University Health Network of Bethlehem, Pa. , and Helix, Inc. of San Mateo, Calif. , a leader in population genomics, are joining forces to offer precision medicine opportunities to patients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey through a new community health research program.

"We have arrived at a historic turning point in the history of medicine  the ability to use information stored in patients' DNA to improve the accuracy of certain treatments for the individual patient," said Dr. Aldo Carmona , St. Luke's Senior Vice President of Clinical Integration.

Genetic testing has been on the rise in recent years as it enables physicians to guide treatment options for patients with certain conditions, Carmona explained. "The St. Luke's-Helix partnership will create a unique research program in our region that will greatly expand those capabilities to benefit more patients. We expect the results to allow St. Luke's to gain important insights about our community, so that we can offer more precise and effective treatment, and design solutions that may prevent disease for years to come."

The St. Luke's-Helix community health research program initially aims to enroll 100,000 participants over four years. The individuals who participate will be provided with important health information about their potential risks for serious health conditions such as certain types of cardiovascular disease and cancer, allowing them to make proactive decisions in conjunction with their healthcare provider to potentially delay, reduce or even prevent these conditions from occurring later in life. These include hereditary conditions that often go unrecognized, such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2) and Lynch syndrome, a form of colorectal cancer.

For those who provide their informed consent to participate, Helix will apply its end-to-end genomics platform and unique Sequence Once, Query OftenTM model, which allows future genomic tests to be run with a provider's order without the need to collect an additional sample. This may provide each participant's provider of choice with information that can be used to tailor care options and prescribe medications with greater accuracy to improve effectiveness.

" St. Luke's is one of the most innovative healthcare providers in Pennsylvania , and the collaboration is yet another example of St. Luke's taking the initiative to explore new ways to efficiently improve long-term healthcare while reducing costs," noted Dr. Carmona . "This research program will provide valuable insights about precision medicine and inform initiatives that may enable early detection of health conditions along with the selection of precise treatment options."

Participation is voluntary and those participants who receive genetic testing results will be able to seek additional or follow-up care from any health system or provider of their choosing. Researchers will employ safeguards to protect the privacy of all participants and the confidentiality of their data.

"Our partnership with St. Luke's gives providers and patients access to vital genetic information that can impact not only their lives but their entire families, for generations to come," said Dr. James Lu , M.D, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Helix. "We're delighted to partner with St. Luke's and other leading health systems deploying genomics at scale across the United States ."

St. Luke's joins Helix's leading group of partner health systems participating in the research, which includes HealthPartners, Memorial Hermann, the Medical University of South Carolina and WellSpan Health. Details regarding participation in the community health research program will be provided to potential participants later this year, prior to the official launch date.

Media Contact:

For St. Luke's : Sam Kennedy , Corporate Communications Director, 484-526-4134, [email protected]

For Helix: Consort Partners, [email protected]

About Helix

Helix is the leading population genomics and viral surveillance company. Helix enables health systems, public health organizations and life sciences companies to accelerate the integration of genomic data into patient care and public health decision making. Learn more at www.helix.com.

About St. Luke's

Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 19,000 employees providing services at 14 campuses and 300+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue of $3.2 billion , the Network's service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh , Northampton , Berks , Bucks , Carbon, Montgomery , Monroe , Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey . St. Luke's hospitals operate the biggest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania .

Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke's is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania . In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley's first and only four-year medical school campus. It also operates the nation's longest continuously operating School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 45 fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with more than 400 residents and fellows. In 2022, St. Luke's , a member of the Children's Hospital Association, opened the Lehigh Valley's first and only free-standing facility dedicated entirely to kids.

SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley -based health care system to earn Medicare's five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World's Best Hospital. The Network's flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Fortune/Merative 10 times total and eight years in a row, including in 2022 when it was identified as THE #2 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke's was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of the SLUHN's information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information. The Network is also recognized as one of the state's lowest cost providers.

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SOURCE Helix
Debuting September 2023 , Crescent Real Estate brings luxury accommodations, local culinary experiences, and exceptional event spaces to Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crescent Hotel , Fort Worth  the Cultural District's first luxury property  debuting in late summer 2023, will welcome guests with its sense of community and invite them to discover all the neighborhood has to offer. The hotel is the newest project in Crescent Real Estate's platinum portfolio of properties. Inspired by Fort Worth's surrounding world-class museums and historic neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel mirrors the unique history, diversity and character of the city.

"Rising at the cultural crossroads of a vibrant downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel will deliver a local experience," said owner, John Goff . "From thoughtful on-property programming and culinary experiences and partnerships with renowned local museums and attractions to a curated art program inspired by international as well as local artists, the hotel experience will serve as Fort Worth's living room  an extension of the inspired surrounding areas."

Conveniently located steps from Fort Worth's top destinations like The Modern Art Museum, Dickies Arena , and the Kimbell Art Museum, the hotel was designed at five stories by OZ Architecture to blend seamlessly into the noted Cultural District , with interiors designed by Rottet Studio . The authentic, natural materials used throughout the space  including a balanced marriage of stone, wood, metal, concrete, and locally sourced brick  are thoughtfully positioned to create a tangible sense of place from the moment guests arrive. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a clear view of the lush courtyard oasis and fill the lobby with natural light that lends to its striking ambiance.

The hotel will feature 200 masterfully crafted guestrooms including 12 luxury suites. Simple elegance and comfort are at the forefront of each room's design, from the rich marble accents to the refined decor. Guestrooms feature local artwork, mini bars, lounge seating and an ample workstation.

Guests and locals will enjoy dynamic dining experiences from morning to evening including upscale Mediterranean restaurant, Emelia's, partnering with Fort Worth's top purveyors and local farms, and an extended fine dining offering  Blue Room at Emelia's. The main dining room's refreshing ambiance and energy, brought to life by AvroKO Hospitality Group, serves as the inviting backdrop to relish in the light, bright flavors of each dish thoughtfully developed by the restaurant's talented Executive Chef, Preston Paine of Food Network's "Ciao House." The hotel's lobby bar, The Circle Bar, champions the Mediterranean mood and mindset by seamlessly transitioning from day to night. From morning espressos to afternoon aperitivos and a rich variety of cocktails, wines, and bites from Emelia's menu into the evening, The Circle Bar will be the welcoming social center of the hotel. Finally, The Crescent Hotel's exclusive rooftop bar will stun, with panoramic views of Fort Worth and craft cocktails curated by expert mixologists.

The Crescent Hotel will boast more than 14,000 square feet of special event space across 10 unique venues, featuring a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, each complete with state-of-the-art technology. "The hotel's 8,000-square-foot courtyard will serve as the heart of the community with a custom climate-controlled tent for year-round memorable events, weddings and celebrations, while The Grand Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling glass doors creates a space flooded with natural light and indoor-outdoor possibilities," said General Manager, Robert Rechtermann .

The Canyon Ranch Wellness Club, which will open Oct. 2023 , will create a nurturing haven for a well-balanced lifestyle. Hotel guests will have access to the state-of-the-art fitness center and the renowned spa, which will feature 10 treatment rooms and a salon.

Reservations for The Crescent Hotel are now available for stays beginning September 2023 . For more information and reservations, visit thecrescenthotelfortworth.com.

The Crescent Hotel is part of a larger mixed-use project  The Crescent, Fort Worth  which also includes a 170,000-square-foot Class AA office building and 167 luxury apartments. To learn more, visit www.thecrescentfw.com.

About The Crescent Hotel , Fort Worth

Located at the crossroads of downtown, the world-renowned Cultural District and surrounding historic neighborhoods, The Crescent Hotel is an extension of these unique areas, serving as the new social center of Fort Worth . Mirroring the unique history, diversity and character of the city, The Crescent Hotel offers luxury amenities and unmatched refinement in every detail. With 200 masterfully designed guest rooms (including 12 suites), two restaurants with culinary offerings curated by Executive Chefs Preston Paine and Andrew Bell , a sophisticated lobby bar, the exclusive rooftop bar, 14,000 square feet of available event space, and Canyon Ranch Wellness Club (set to open in Oct. 2023 ), the hotel's architecture, design and amenities offer an inviting, timeless, and community-focused experience as the living room of Fort Worth . To learn more about the property, please visit thecrescenthotelfortworth.com.

About Crescent Real Estate, LLC

Today, Crescent Real Estate LLC is a real estate operating company and an SECregistered investment advisory firm with assets under management, development, and investment capacity of more than $10 billion . Through the Funds, Crescent acquires, develops and operates all real estate asset classes alongside institutional investors and high net worth clients. Crescent's premier real estate portfolio consists of Class A and creative office, multifamily and hospitality assets located throughout the U.S. , including The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas , and the wellness lifestyle leader, Canyon Ranch.

About HEI Hotels & Resorts

HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn. , is a leading hospitality investment and management company that owns or operates 100+ luxury, upper-upscale and upscale independent and branded hotels and resorts throughout the United States . HEI's branding partners include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Choice and Wyndham. The company is renowned for its commitment to its associates under the culture of HEI Loves, its revenue management, profit contribution and empirically based real estate value creation, driven by a full complement of proprietary software tools to set and exceed targets on a fully integrated basis. HEI works hand-in-hand with institutional capital partners on existing assets under management as well as sponsored acquisition opportunities. The company has ample equity capital and strategically co-invests with its partners on many transactions. To learn more about HEI, please visit www.heihotels.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

The Zimmerman Agency

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BUFFALO, N.Y. , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Sandra Ann Ham is acknowledged as a Top Pinnacle Professional for her contributions as a Biostatistics Consultant.

Ms. Ham pursued higher education at Kettering University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She realized her passion for health sciences and discovered the field of nutritional epidemiology as she was working towards a Master of Science in Nutrition at Cornel University. She noted that this prompted an in-depth study of epidemiological research and modeling methods that would shape the rest of her career. Ms. Ham later completed a Master of Divinity at the University of Chicago Divinity School which reflected a shift in her career and her growing interest in addressing social problems, including public health through the lens of historical culture and faith.

Launching her career in epidemiology with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ms. Ham was a health statistician on the epidemiology and surveillance team in the CDC'S division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. According to Ms. Ham , she helped craft official public health records and policy at a national level and included research and information management for a broad range of projects. Among these was her participation in a working group collaboration with the World Health Organization as a part of the Global Burden of Disease 2002.

Ms. Ham is currently a biostatistics consultant and owner of Sandra Ham Consulting serving clients. She worked with Tredegar Film Products as a technology supervisor and plastics process engineer from 1997 to 1999 and briefly working as a data analyst for TRW based out of Atlanta Georgia .

A testament to her expertise, Ms. Ham was a member of the Healthy People 2010 working group and the organization's speaker's bureau as well as serving as lead statistician on the Shephard Award Committee, which recognizes outstanding scientific research. From 2011 to 2019, she explored these issues as an independent scholar, incorporating the work of many other theologians, philosophers, and scientists and served as a senior statistician at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine's Center for Health and Social Sciences. She is a published author and has chapters in "Interactive World Interactive God," released in 2017, and has been the editor of H-Scholar since 2020.

Ms. Ham is associated with the Theology Society/National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She would like to dedicate this honor with special thanks to Paul Mankowski and SJ and Caroline Macera .

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634, [email protected]

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VANCOUVER, BC , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Trevali Mining Corporation ("Trevali" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the press release on December 16, 2022 , it has completed the sale of its 90% interest in the Rosh Pinah Mine located in Namibia to funds advised by Appian Capital Advisory LLP (jointly "Appian"). In accordance with the share and asset purchase agreement between the parties, Appian purchased the issued and outstanding shares held by Trevali in GLCR Limited ("GLCR") and assumed certain capital loans owed to Trevali by subsidiaries of GLCR (collectively, the "Transaction").

The Transaction was approved pursuant to an approval and vesting order dated December 21, 2022 , at a hearing before the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court") during the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings (the "CCAA Proceedings") of Trevali and Trevali Mining ( New Brunswick ) Ltd.

In connection with the Transaction and an order of the Court dated April 24, 2023 in the CCAA Proceedings, Trevali used a portion of the sale proceeds from the Transaction to (i) repay Trevali's debt obligations owed to its senior secured lenders under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated August 6, 2020 between the Company, as borrower, the Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent, and lenders party thereto (as amended from time to time); and (ii) repay a portion of its secured debt obligations owed to Glencore Canada Corporation ("Glencore") pursuant to the Facility Agreement dated August 6, 2020 between Trevali, as the borrower, and Glencore, as the lender.

FTI Consulting Canada Inc. (the "Monitor") acted as court-appointed monitor in respect of the Transaction. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as counsel to Trevali and Stikeman Elliott LLP acted as counsel to Appian. National Bank Financial acted as financial advisor to Trevali and Black Swan Advisors Inc. acted as restructuring advisor to Trevali.

All inquiries regarding the Transactions and Trevali's CCAA Proceedings should be directed to the Monitor (email: [email protected] or telephone: +1-877-294-8998). Information about the Company's CCAA Proceedings, including all court orders, are available on the Monitor's Website.

About Trevali Mining Corporation

Trevali is a base-metals mining company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada .

For further details on Trevali, readers are referred to the Company's website (www.trevali.com) and to Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

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SOURCE Trevali Mining Corporation
Yermak: Kyiv interested in holding Peace Summit ASAP, although it may take place in late 2023

Kyiv is interested in holding the Peace Summit as soon as possible, although, according to pessimistic forecasts, it may take place before the end of 2023.

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak told reporters in Kyiv, commenting on the meeting of advisers to leaders of more than ten countries on the topic of holding the Peace Summit that took place in Copenhagen on Saturday.

"According to pessimistic forecasts, the summit may take place at the end of the year, but this does not suit us: every day of the war is a tragedy. It must be organized as quickly as possible," Yermak said.

He acknowledged that the motive for postponing the summit in time is that "everyone wants it to be productive."

According to him, the venue of the summit is still being discussed. "We have several proposals - France, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands. Two international platforms. India during the G20 summit there. And the UN General Assembly," Yermak said, adding that in total, 40-50 countries are ready to participate in the summit.

The meeting in Copenhagen, he said, was not attended by the representative of China. "I hope he will be at the next meeting," Yermak said. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke at the meeting via video link.

"All participants share the principles of the Peace Formula. Everyone is united in their willingness to do everything possible to end the war. Everyone knows what victory is for us. And there will be no compromises on territories," Yermak said.

According to him, "after the summit, conferences will be organized on its individual points, including nuclear safety, ecocide, humanitarian issues and others."
Celebrates outstanding Franchisees and Service Providers

DENVER , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WellBiz Brands Inc., the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise platform, recently recognized top franchisees and service providers at its annual UNITED conference at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas . The WellBiz Brands portfolio includes Amazing Lash Studio , Drybar, Elements Massage , Fitness Together and Radiant Waxing .

WellBiz Brands Inc. recognized top franchisees and service providers at its annual UNITED conference in Las Vegas .

With the theme of Unstoppable Growth, the Support Center announced a multitude of new programs including the new operations support structure launched for franchisees and a preview of the new innovations and initiatives that will shape the next year and beyond. Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Morgan spoke to attendees about his vision and commitment to their continued success.

"At WellBiz Brands, we are laser-focused on providing world-class experiences for every guest. That is what drives us," Morgan said. "However, we all know that providing those experiences and allowing them to recharge through services provided by the brands is a lot of work. And so, at this conference, we celebrate the amazing franchise owners, service providers and support staff who make the magic happen for everyone who enters their shops, salons and studios."

During the UNITED conference, WellBiz Brands recognized the Franchisee and Service Providers of the Year:

Franchisees of the Year

Amazing Lash Studio: Juan Cristerna has three studios in Brownsville and McAllen, Texas , with the McAllen location having the 2022 highest membership count in the system with an impressive 955 members. Cristerna was also recognized for being the first franchisee in the history of the brand to reach $2 million at one single location. Cristerna and his team's top priority is creating a great guest experience through the services they offer. A longtime member of the Franchise Advisory Council , Cristerna was recognized for championing the brand and for his commitment to helping other franchisees by sharing best practices.

Juan Cristerna has three studios in and , with the location having the 2022 highest membership count in the system with an impressive 955 members. Cristerna was also recognized for being the first franchisee in the history of the brand to reach at one single location. Cristerna and his team's top priority is creating a great guest experience through the services they offer. A longtime member of the , Cristerna was recognized for championing the brand and for his commitment to helping other franchisees by sharing best practices. Drybar : In 2018, Joy Vertz opened her first shop in Milwaukee , and since that time added three additional shops in Illinois and this summer will open her second shop in the Milwaukee area. A true Drybar brand ambassador, Vertz exemplifies leadership through her passion, drive and sense of fun. She never hesitates to help others and often goes above and beyond to grow the Drybar brand.

In 2018, opened her first shop in , and since that time added three additional shops in and this summer will open her second shop in the area. A true Drybar brand ambassador, Vertz exemplifies leadership through her passion, drive and sense of fun. She never hesitates to help others and often goes above and beyond to grow the Drybar brand. Elements Massage: Sam Humphrey and Jeff Crenshaw collectively own four studios in the Phoenix, Arizona , market. Much loved by their team, they challenge employees to be their best and have fun doing it. They were among the first to launch the Element Massage brand's Career Advancement Program; they also take two days per year to create training programs based on massage therapists' recommendations. Additionally, Humphrey is a valuable member of Elements Massage Franchise Advisory Council .

Sam Humphrey and collectively own four studios in the Phoenix, , market. Much loved by their team, they challenge employees to be their best and have fun doing it. They were among the first to launch the Element Massage brand's Career Advancement Program; they also take two days per year to create training programs based on massage therapists' recommendations. Additionally, Humphrey is a valuable member of . Fitness Together: Tom Lavoie owns the Fitness Together studio in Reading, Massachusetts. In 2022, the studio had a Net Promoter Score  a customer experience metric  of 100, which is nearly impossible to achieve. Additionally, his studio employs some of the longest-tenured employees.

Tom Lavoie owns the Fitness Together studio in Reading, Massachusetts. In 2022, the studio had a Net Promoter Score  a customer experience metric  of 100, which is nearly impossible to achieve. Additionally, his studio employs some of the longest-tenured employees. Radiant Waxing: As the owner of two Radiant Waxing salons, Brandie Chapman has built a culture based on respect and trust. In addition to Radiant Waxing, this powerhouse entrepreneur also owns a Drybar shop but that's not all - her first Amazing Lash Studio location is currently being developed! She is not only known for creating a thriving culture within her locations, but for also supporting other owners.

Service Providers of the Year

Amazing Lash Studio: Lash Stylist of the Year Elizabeth "Liz" Gearheart, Suntree, Florida , is praised for her attention to detail and eye for aesthetics for guests, as well as her dedication to continuing education and willingness to share her knowledge with others.

Lash Stylist of the Year Elizabeth "Liz" Gearheart, Suntree, , is praised for her attention to detail and eye for aesthetics for guests, as well as her dedication to continuing education and willingness to share her knowledge with others. Drybar : Service Provider of the Year Ally Williams , Rogers, Arkansas , wears many hats in the shop and has learned all bartending duties, checks clients in and out and is helping to recruit stylists in an effort to be more helpful and take on more responsibility.

Service Provider of the Year , , wears many hats in the shop and has learned all bartending duties, checks clients in and out and is helping to recruit stylists in an effort to be more helpful and take on more responsibility. Elements Massage: Massage Therapist of the Year Senia Seturino , Scottsdale, Arizona , focused on professional development, earning a master therapist designation and seeing client request rate grow to an amazing 86%.

Massage Therapist of the Year , , focused on professional development, earning a master therapist designation and seeing client request rate grow to an amazing 86%. Fitness Together: Personal Trainer of the Year Hannah Maples , Bearden , Tennessee , has averaged nearly 2,000 training sessions per year since she was hired in 2019, and as studio manager, she has helped grow the studio's sales by 280%.

Personal Trainer of the Year , , , has averaged nearly 2,000 training sessions per year since she was hired in 2019, and as studio manager, she has helped grow the studio's sales by 280%. Radiant Waxing: Waxologist of the Year Rachel Westerlund , Westfield, New Jersey , completed an average 324 services per month in 2022. Last summer, she became head trainer for four salons and she runs the location's social media accounts.

With nearly 900 franchise locations open globally and more than 300 in development, WellBiz Brands offers opportunities to experienced and prospective entrepreneurs that fit their passions and goals. For more information, please visit: WellBizbrands.com.

About WellBiz Brands Inc.:

WellBiz Brands Inc. is the pre-eminent beauty and wellness franchise platform catering to the needs of the affluent female consumer. The WellBiz Brands' portfolio features category leaders including Drybar, Amazing Lash Studio , Radiant Waxing, Elements Massage and Fitness Together. The company's cross-brand digital marketing program drives effective member acquisition strategies, creating a world-class membership ecosystem. WellBizONE, a proprietary technology platform, enhances studio operations for franchisees, fueling member engagement and retention. With expertise in supply chain management, e-commerce and product innovation, WellBiz Brands provides franchisees with a leading edge. The company has received national recognition on lists such as the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Franchise Times Fast & Serious, among others. For more information, visit WellBizBrands.com.



Contact: Sandra Dimsdale Horan , APR

[email protected]

863.646.2488

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellbiz-brands-inc-hosts-united-conference-in-las-vegas-showcases-a-plan-for-unstoppable-growth-301864201.html

SOURCE WellBiz Brands
SoCalGas' $4 Million Initiative Fueling Our Communities will provide food for families and seniors in need; Largest Donation to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles will provide 20,000 meals

LOS ANGELES , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of SoCalGas' 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative, the company announced a $325,000 donation to the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. This donation to the YMCA-LA's program, FEED LA, will serve approximately 20,000 low-income residents throughout Los Angeles County with "Grab and Go" meals and fresh produce.

The grant to the YMCA-LA is the largest of several other anticipated donations to local charities, funding local nonprofits' programs to provide meals and groceries for low-income individuals this year. SoCalGas is expanding the impact of the 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative by allocating $4 million , the largest commitment to date, to new and existing partnerships with food banks and nonprofits throughout SoCalGas' 12-county service area.

"In the face of food insecurity, our district's strength lies in the unwavering commitment of organizations like the YMCA, dedicated to fostering equitable access to nutritional meals for those in need," said Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). "Through the generous support of community partners, the YMCA will extend its reach, providing even more nutritious food to families and individuals across the district. Meanwhile, I will continue working in Congress to expand food nutrition programs and ensure healthy meals are accessible and affordable for everyone."

"Food insecurity is a serious crisis that affects a significant number of residents in LA County," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis , representing the First District . "I am grateful for community partners such as the YMCA, which strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has equitable access to nourishing meals. I extend my sincere gratitude to SoCalGas for their generous contribution, as it will empower the YMCA to expand the number of meals it provides to individuals and families in need across the County."

The YMCA Of Metropolitan Los Angeles' FEED LA program provides fresh food and nutritious meals in underserved areas and is aimed toward ending food insecurity in Los Angeles County . Hunger continues to be a pressing and widespread issue with a recent study revealing approximately 1 in 4 residents face food insecurity. The YMCA-LA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring Los Angeles residents have access to healthy food choices. To date, the YMCA-LA's food insecurity programs have distributed over 9 million pounds of fresh produce to low-income families and seniors.



"The YMCA-LA Feed LA program has fed thousands of families in need throughout Los Angeles for over two years," said Victor Dominguez , President and CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. "As a result of SoCalGas's generous contribution to the program, we can continue to fight food insecurity in communities that need help the most and we are grateful for their partnership and support."



By partnering with SoCalGas, the YMCA-LA is able to expand the program to San Fernando Valley communities in need, fund home deliveries for seniors, and increase the frequency of the Feed LA program at some locations, while continuing to serve families at Y branches throughout Los Angeles County . Both the YMCA-LA and SoCalGas are committed to bridging the gap in food access for underserved communities by providing nutritious meals and groceries to thousands of families.



"Fueling Our Communities is one way we demonstrate SoCalGas' commitment to investing in our service area communities. Partnering with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles was an easy choice because of their reach and relationships with the communities they serve," said SoCalGas Chief Operating Officer Jimmie Cho . "Food insecurity is a critical issue across the state, with many local food banks reporting that they are serving double the amount of people compared with 2019. This initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic and partnerships like this one with the LA Y have helped provide tens of thousands of families with fresh produce and food."



The Fueling Our Communities initiative began in 2020 as a collaborative effort between SoCalGas and five regional nonprofits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its first summer, the program successfully provided more than 140,000 meals to 40,000 individuals from underserved communities across Southern California .



SoCalGas is expanding the impact of the 2023 Fueling Our Communities initiative by allocating $4 million , the largest commitment to date, to new and existing partnerships with food banks and nonprofits throughout SoCalGas' 12-county service area. This expansion will primarily focus on serving families and seniors in need, providing vulnerable populations with food support that is so needed.



SoCalGas remains committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves, and the Fueling Our Communities effort is a testament to this ongoing dedication. By addressing food insecurity in Los Angeles County , SoCalGas and its partners aim to create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Media assets can be found here.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles , SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States . SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to over 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines will continue to play a key role in California's clean energy transitionproviding electric grid reliability and supporting wind and solar energy deployment.

SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest and most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. In support of that mission, SoCalGas aspires to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and delivery of energy by 2045 and to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply to core customers with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for customers. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), an energy infrastructure company based in San Diego .

For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.

About the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: The YMCA-LA is committed to rebuilding communities by providing equitable programs and services to empower all Angelenos. The Y-LA is focused on fighting food insecurity, providing equity in education, making sure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sports, ensuring kids and teens have a safe place to grow, learn and live a healthy lifestyle. The LA-Y's health and wellness initiatives offer medical and mental health resources to ensure everyone has access to basic health needs. During the pandemic, the LA-Y became the safety net for millions of Angelenos. They provided millions of meals, hundreds of thousands of hours of free childcare, arranged critical blood drives, provided showers for the homeless, flu and COVID vaccines as well as medical and mental health assistance. Visit https://www.ymcala.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter .

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company
FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speak during a meeting at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi, Russia June 9, 2023. Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Kremlin via REUTERS

By Andrew Osborn

LONDON (Reuters) -Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is usually the one thanking Russia's Vladimir Putin or asking him for a favour - be it a loan, cheap gas, help in navigating protests or tactical nuclear weapons. This time, the shoe is on the other foot.

While the full extent of Lukashenko's role in defusing an armed mutiny on Saturday by Wagner mercenaries aimed at toppling Russia's military leadership remains unclear, the Belarusian leader - derided by Russian officials for years as a useful but volatile and demanding partner - is now being feted in Russia.

It was Lukashenko, according to his own narrative and Putin, who played a major role in ending a mutiny that threatened to destabilise the world's largest nuclear power.

In Lukashenko's telling - something he did in some detail on Tuesday - he was the one who persuaded rogue mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in phone negotiations to halt his mutiny and who advised Putin not to "wipe out" Prigozhin.

Lukashenko said: "...A brutal decision had been made to wipe out the mutineers. I suggested to Putin not to rush."

It is not immediately apparent what more Moscow, on whom Lukashenko relies for cheap energy to keep his country's Soviet-style economy afloat and whose security apparatus he relies on to ensure his own political survival in extremis, can give him.

But he has at the very least bought himself more political goodwill that he may convert into further financial and economic concessions when the time is right.

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus as - in his own words - Europe's last dictator, since 1994.

According to his opponents, many of whom he has jailed or forced to flee abroad after giant protests against his rule in 2020 and 2021, his actions to defuse the mutiny were likely all about self-preservation.

"Lukashenko was not saving Putin. He was saving himself. He realised that if Prigozhin reached Moscow he would be the first to crumble," Franak Viacorka, chief adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, told Reuters.

"Lukashenko is so vulnerable right now and so dependent on Putin's will. The likely reward is that Putin will continue to keep him as an exclusive ally and to support him financially and politically. In exchange for that, he will do what Putin wants."

Lukashenko's Belarus is intricately tied to Putin's Russia.

Moscow used Belarusian territory to attack Ukraine from the north at the start of what it calls its "special military operation", has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus which it retains control over, and has garrisoned thousands of Russian troops there.

Lukashenko, who said there were no heroes in the saga, including himself, acknowledged how closely his own fate and that of his country in its current form was tied to Putin's.

"If, God forbid, this turmoil would have spread across Russia, and the prerequisites for that were enormous, we would be next," he said on Tuesday.

"If Russia collapses, we will all be under the rubble."

RUSSIAN ACCLAIM

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of parliament, opened on Tuesday with a tribute to Lukashenko and Putin and a round of applause.

Putin, in his first address to the nation since the mutiny was called off, thanked Lukashenko on Monday night for "his contribution in peacefully resolving the situation".

High-profile Russian state TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov said Lukashenko deserved to be made a Hero of Russia and Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, on Tuesday hailed the Belarusian leader as "a very experienced and wise statesman."

At home, where Lukashenko has long cast his strategically important country sandwiched between NATO and Russia as Moscow's younger but staunchly loyal brother, he was also praised as the saviour of Moscow - albeit by his own tightly-controlled media.

Independent Belarusian media outlet Zerkalo (the Mirror), which monitored Belarusian state TV coverage, cited presenter Yevgeny Pustovoi as saying that Minsk was becoming "the peacemaker of Slavic civilisation".

The dust is still settling on a dramatic weekend that has challenged many people's assumptions about Russia's internal politics and stability.

One direct result of Lukashenko's intervention, is clear, however: Prigozhin, who triggered the mutiny and has been a constant thorn in the Russian defence ministry's side for months, is now living in exile in Belarus.

Thousands of his fighters may follow him.

On Tuesday, Lukashenko said there was no need for Belarus to fear the presence of the mercenaries who could share their battlefield experience with his army. "We will keep a close eye on them," he said.

Critics think he may have imported a problem.

"Lukashenko has built a story of himself as the saviour of the world. It will work for his internal supporters and audience," said Viacorka, the opposition adviser.

"But in the longer run Lukashenko doesn't know what to do with Prigozhin's thugs."

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Alex Richardson)
A plane used in the last Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983) by the Naval Prefecture under registration PA-51, used in 1977 to throw alive into the sea three members of the organisation Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, a group of women united by the disa

By Miguel Lo Bianco

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine officials on Monday welcomed the return of an airplane from which the country's last military dictatorship threw political opponents to their deaths, and that will now be part of a museum dedicated to the victims' memory.

The turboprop plane took part in the so-called "death flights" that Argentina's bloody 1976-1983 dictatorship employed as one of its tools to get rid of critics.

The victims on one flight on Dec. 14, 1977, included French nuns Alice Domon and Leonie Duquet, who had spoken out about the growing number of "disappeared" people during the dictatorship.

Another victim, Azucena Villaflor, had helped start the Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a group of mothers dedicated to searching for and seeking justice for their disappeared children, before she herself was detained and killed by the dictatorship.

"It is terrible to think that a mother who was only looking for her son was thrown alive from this plane," her daughter Cecila told Reuters.

At the request of relatives of the victims, Argentina's economy minister bought the plane and organized its transfer from the United States.

It will be housed at a museum in the capital, Buenos Aires, on the site of a former clandestine detention and torture center where death flight victims were held before their murders.

"The past cannot be changed, but it does serve to learn from it," Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said on Monday during a ceremony presenting the airplane.

The event was attended by relatives of the victims, Fernandez de Kirchner, and Sergio Massa, economy minister and presidential candidate for the ruling party, who led international efforts to recover the aircraft.

The Skyvan PA-51 was identified in 2010 by journalist and survivor of the dictatorship, Miriam Lewin, and the Italian photographer Giancarlo Ceraudo, using flight logs.

The discovery provided evidence used in a historic trial that convicted dozens of people of dictatorship-era crimes.

About 30,000 people disappeared during the 1976-1983 dictatorship, according to human rights organizations.

(Reporting by Miguel Lo Bianco; Writing by Lucila Sigal and Brendan O'Boyle. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
FILE PHOTO: Rupert Stadler, former CEO of German car manufacturer Audi, sits in a regional courtroom in Munich, Germany, May 16, 2023. Stadler plans to plead guilty in connection with the 'Dieselgate' emissions cheating scandal. Matthias Schrader/Pool via

By Jorn Poltz

(Reuters) - Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler was handed a suspended sentence of one year and nine months by a Munich court on Tuesday for fraud in the 2015 diesel scandal, becoming the first former Volkswagen board member to receive such a sentence.

The ex-boss was fined 1.1 million euros ($1.20 million), which will go to the state treasury and non-governmental organisations, the court said.

Further ongoing cases include a criminal case against other former managers of Volkswagen taking place in Braunschweig, and a case against former Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn on hold due to problems with his health.

Stadler's sentence is in the middle of the 1.5-2 year timeframe the judge had said the former CEO would face if he confessed to the charge.

The case is among the most prominent in the aftermath of the diesel scandal, when parent group Volkswagen and Audi admitted in 2015 to having used illegal software to cheat on emissions tests.

Stadler was accused of failing to stop the sale of the manipulated cars in Germany after the scandal became known.

He had previously rejected the allegations.

But speaking on Stadler's behalf in May, his lawyer Ulrike Thole-Groll said that while he did not know that vehicles had been manipulated and buyers had been harmed, he recognised it was a possibility and accepted that there he should have taken more care.

Prosecutors had originally wanted a 2-million-euro fine, citing Stadler's salaries at Audi and Volkswagen and his financial and real estate assets.

Two further defendants accused of manipulating motors -former Audi executive Wolfgang Hatz, and engineer Giovanni P. - were sentenced on Tuesday, with Hatz facing a two-year suspended sentence with a 400,000 euro fine and Giovanni P. a year and nine months and a 50,000 euro fine.

The prosecutor's office and the accused can appeal until July 4.

($1 = 0.9141 euros)

(Reporting by Joern Poltz, Victoria Waldersee; editing by Friederike Heine, Jason Neely and David Evans)
FILE PHOTO: The entrance to an AutoZone store is pictured in Temple City, California December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

(Reuters) - AutoZone Inc CEO Bill Rhodes will step down in January next year after leading the company for more than 18 years, the U.S. car parts retailer said on Monday.

Another company veteran, Philip Daniele, currently vice president of merchandising, marketing and supply chain teams, will succeed Rhodes.

Rhodes will transition to the role of executive chairman.

During his tenure, the company roughly doubled the number of stores and increased revenue by more than three times, AutoZone said, adding the stock price increased by more than 25 times.

Daniele, 54, will take charge when U.S. auto suppliers face higher costs due to elevated material costs and supply chain woes.

In May, AutoZone missed expectations for third-quarter net sales as increased prices of parts led to a rise in inventories.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Sriraj Kalluvila)
FILE PHOTO: A Bank of America logo is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 30, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

By Saeed Azhar and Lananh Nguyen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Bank of America Corp is adding consumer branches in four new U.S. states, it said on Tuesday, bringing its national footprint closer to rival JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Bank of America will open new financial centers in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Alabama and Louisiana as part of a four-year expansion across nine markets, including Louisville, Milwaukee and New Orleans.

The openings will give BofA a retail presence in 39 states, compared with JPMorgan, the largest U.S. lender, which has branches in 49 states.

The two banks have been buoyed by resilient consumers and small businesses, while bringing in more income from clients' interest payments as the Federal Reserve raised borrowing costs.

Consumer banking accounted for 38% of BofA's net income in the first quarter. The new branches aim to bring its services -- which include banking, lending and brokerage -- under one roof.

"By expanding our capabilities in these markets, we are able to better serve clients, and help drive local community growth," CEO Brian Moynihan said in a statement.

The bank predicts a "mild recession" for the U.S. in the first part of next year, with two quarters of negative growth, Moynihan said an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

Inflation is still higher than the Federal Reserve wants, which means the central bank will need to keep raising rates, he said.

BofA's network has shrunk to 3,800 branches from 6,100 in the last decade, while its consumer deposits have almost doubled to $1 trillion.

It is renovating locations with larger waiting areas, office spaces for client meetings and less prominent teller windows. That corresponds to a 50% decline in foot traffic for transactions from 2019, versus a 90% surge in appointments.

"We have put in place almost 30,000 bankers and specialists that help clients every day with their life priorities," Aron Levine, its president of preferred banking, told Reuters.

Holly O'Neill, Bank of America's president of retail banking, said last month that she expects good performance for the unit in the second quarter.

The company will report results on July 18.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar and Lananh Nguyen, editing by Deepa Babington)
(Reuters) - Belgian group Avesta Battery & Energy Engineering (ABEE) is planning a 1.4 billion euro ($1.53 billion) battery plant in Romania's Galati, creating up to 8,000 jobs, the city's mayor said on Tuesday.

"Our city has become more and more attractive to investors," Galati Mayor Ionut Pucheanu said on Facebook.

The company's spokesperson was not immediately available and did not respond immediately to an emailed request for comment.

The lithium-ion factory will have production capacity of 22 GWh, news agency Agerpres reported.

"Battery production is crucial for the (European Union) due to the current market situation where China dominates the supply of Li-ion batteries," the agency quoted an ABEE official as saying.

"More production capacity is needed in the future to meet growing European demand."

The plant's production will be aimed at the car sector, with Renault's Dacia and U.S. carmaker Ford producing vehicles in Romania, as well as batteries for use in the energy storage market.

In May, ABEE signed a contract with North Macedonia to build a factory for the production of electric batteries for cars.

($1 = 0.9122 euros)

(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague; Edited by David Evans)
FILE PHOTO: French police secure the area as firefighters work after several buildings on fire following a gas explosion in the fifth arrondissement of Paris, France, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) - A body has been found in the rubble after a building collapsed in Paris last week, the Paris prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.

The victim has yet to be identified and a post mortem examination will be carried out, the department said. One person had been reported missing since the blast, which injured 50 people.

The blast - believed to have been the result of a gas explosion - tore through the Rue Saint-Jacques near the historic Latin Quarter. The street runs from near the Notre-Dame Cathedral through to the Sorbonne University.

The Paris prosecutor has opened an investigation into potential security violations and possible manslaughter.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Alison Williams)
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro gestures as he greets supporters at Salgado Filho International Airport, on the day the Electoral Justice begins the trial to determine his political rights, as he arrives in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

By Ricardo Brito

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was staring into the political abyss on Tuesday when a federal electoral court (TSE) justice voted to bar him from office until 2030 for anti-democratic abuse of power during last year's fraught election.

The vote by Benedito Goncalves, the lead justice in the case against Bolsonaro, does not amount to a full conviction, but may set the tone for subsequent judge's votes.

The outlook appears increasingly bleak for Bolsonaro, a career politician who was until recently Brazil's most powerful man. The far-right nationalist narrowly lost Brazil's most troubled election in a generation to his leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and now faces an institutional reckoning for having forged a nationwide election denial movement.

Bolsonaro stands accused of abusing his power when he summoned ambassadors last year and vented unfounded claims about the security of Brazil's electronic voting system, one of a series of attacks that critics say were aimed at diminishing voters' faith in the vote.

Goncalves said Bolsonaro was guilty of abuse of power and improper use of the media. "Bolsonaro used the meeting with ambassadors to spread doubts, incite conspiracy theories," Goncalves said during his vote.

After his vote, the session was adjourned until Thursday.

Bolsonaro had appeared increasingly sanguine about his hopes of political survival in the lead-up to the vote.

"Everyone seems to say that it's likely I'm going to be barred from office," Bolsonaro told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper in an interview published this week. "I won't despair. What can I do?"

Yet political ineligibility may not be the end of Bolsonaro's problems. The 68-year-old also faces multiple criminal investigations that could still put him behind bars.

Many of his former allies have turned their backs on him, pinning their hopes on new right-wingers like Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio Freitas and Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema.

Bolsonaro's best hope at relevance may lie with his family, including his wife and lawmaker sons, who could also harbor their own presidential ambitions. He told the Folha de S. Paulo that his wife Michelle could well be a presidential candidate in 2026, but noted she lacked political experience.

(Additional reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Richard Chang and Stephen Coates)
Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed the need to strengthen the eastern flank of NATO.

"We are now strengthening the security of the eastern flank of NATO  Poland and the Baltic states. We see what is happening in the East. The Wagner group is moving to Belarus, and this is an extremely negative signal for us, which we intend to convey to our allies," the Polsat television channel said, citing Duda.

According to the President of Poland, NATO representatives need to put into practice earlier decisions.

President Alexander Lukashenko, not recognized by the West as a legitimately elected president, said on Tuesday that Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Belarus, and the leadership of the republic's Ministry of Defense is interested in the experience of Wagner fighters. They were offered "one of the abandoned parts." "And whoever wants to serve there, they will find a way there," Lukashenko said.
FILE PHOTO: U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice

By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees who were charged with guarding accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein did not search his jail cell as required and failed to check on him for hours before he killed himself in 2019, the U.S. Justice Department's internal watchdog said on Tuesday.

In a scathing new report, Inspector General Michael Horowitz singled out 13 BOP employees for "misconduct and dereliction of their duties," saying their actions allowed Epstein to be alone and unmonitored in his solitary cell inside Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center from 10:40 p.m. on Aug. 9, 2019 until he was discovered at 6:30 a.m. hanging from what appeared to be a linen or piece of clothing.

He also criticized the bureau for other serious operational flaws, such as failing to upgrade the Metropolitan Correction Center's camera surveillance system and under-staffing its facilities.

"The combination of negligence, misconduct, and outright job performance failures documented in this report all contributed to an environment in which arguably one of the most notorious inmates in BOP's custody was provided with the opportunity to take his own life," the report says.

Epstein, 66, killed himself while he was awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The federal jail where he was being housed has since been shuttered.

In response to the report, BOP director Colette Peters said the findings "reflect a failure to follow BOP's longstanding policies." She added that the BOP concurs with a list of recommended reforms, which "will be applied to the broader BOP correctional landscape."

A separate investigation by the FBI determined that Epstein's death was not the result of a criminal act such as murder.

Although the inspector general uncovered serious misconduct by BOP employees, the report did not find evidence to contradict the FBI's findings.

'SO MUCH TROUBLE'

Two jail guards - Tova Noel and Michael Thomas - were later charged for falsifying prison records to make it appear as though they had conducted routine checks on Epstein prior to his suicide.

Noel and Thomas were ones who discovered Epstein hanging from his bunk. "We're going to be in so much trouble," the report quotes Thomas as saying as he tried to resuscitate Epstein.

The charges against them were later dropped after they entered into deferred prosecution agreements and successfully completed mandatory community service.

Horowitz's report identified at least two other unnamed employees who may have committed criminal conduct by falsely certifying inmate counts and rounds, but prosecutors declined to file charges.

Epstein, a registered sex offender who once counted former presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton as friends, avoided federal charges in 2008 after he agreed instead to plead guilty to lesser Florida state charges of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex.

As part of that deal, he only served 13 months in jail and was allowed to leave the facility during the day.

Years later, that arrangement became the subject of an investigative report by the Miami Herald, which raised new questions about the Justice Department's handling of the case.

In July 2019, federal prosecutors in Manhattan's Southern District of New York filed fresh criminal charges, accusing Epstein of luring dozens of girls, some as young as 14, to his homes in New York and Florida and coercing them into sex acts.

He pleaded not guilty, but died before he could go to trial. His former girlfriend, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, was later tried, convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting and grooming four girls to have sexual encounters with Epstein.

RED FLAGS

In the weeks leading up to Epstein's death, there were red flags about his mental state.

On July 23, 2019, he was discovered inside his cell with a piece of orange cloth around his neck that was similar to the kind he later used to hang himself.

BOP psychologists determined that for his own safety, he needed to be housed with a cellmate, and over 70 employees were notified about the requirement.

But when the U.S. Marshals warned on Aug. 8 that they planned to transfer his cellmate to a different facility, he was never assigned a replacement, and instead was left in isolation with an excess of blankets, linens and clothing, some of which were "ripped to create nooses."

The report also found that Epstein drafted a last will and testament on Aug 8, and on Aug 9 was permitted to make an unrecorded and unmonitored phone call in the evening before returning to his cell.

In a statement, the BOP said it now provides employees with annual training in suicide prevention, and strives to prioritize "the physical and emotional well-being of those in our care and custody."

(Reporting by Sarah N. LynchEditing by Nick Zieminski)
(Reuters) -The head of Sudan's army called on young men to defend their country, including by joining the army, and announced a ceasefire for the Eid al Adha holiday on Wednesday, when a rival force has also declared a truce.

Multiple ceasefire deals have failed to stick in the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that began April 15, including several brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States at talks in Jeddah that were suspended last week.

"We ask all of the country's youth and all those who can defend not to hesitate or delay in playing this national role in their place of residence or by joining the armed forces," army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said in a speech late on Tuesday.

The RSF late on Monday declared a ceasefire for Tuesday and Wednesday. Both sides said their ceasefires were "unilateral."

Artillery fire, air strikes and clashes could be heard on Tuesday in parts of Sudan's capital, residents said.

The war has brought widespread destruction and looting to Khartoum and has triggered unrest in other parts of Sudan, especially in the western region of Darfur where attacks and ethnic violence spread.

Almost 2.8 million people have been uprooted by the fighting, with more than 2.15 million internally displaced and nearly 650,000 fleeing into neighbouring countries, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration published on Tuesday.

The U.N. refugee agency said that it expects the conflict to turn more than 1 million people into refugees within the next six months.

Residents say those fleeing attacks by Arab militias and the RSF in the Darfur city of El Geneina have been killed or shot at as they try to reach Chad by foot.

Burhan, who is also the head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, blamed the RSF for what he called "war crimes and crimes against humanity" in the city.

In an audio message on Monday, RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, said the RSF would establish a special committee to investigate alleged violations by his troops, which would be treated "with severity and seriousness".

A senior U.N. refugee agency official said on Tuesday that many women and children had been arriving in Chad with injuries.

The RSF accuses the army of fomenting violence in the area.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz, Nafisa Eltahir, and Yomna Ehab; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Conor Humphries and Cynthia Osterman)
By Anthony Deutsch

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - Eastern European NATO countries on Tuesday warned that a move of Wagner's Russian mercenary troops to Belarus would create greater regional instability, but NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance is ready to defend itself against any threat.

"If Wagner deploys its serial killers in Belarus, all neighbouring countries face even bigger danger of instability," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said after a meeting in The Hague with Stoltenberg and government leaders from six other NATO allies.

"This is really serious and very concerning, and we have to make very strong decisions. It requires a very, very tough answer of NATO," Polish President Andrzej Duda added.

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin arrived in Belarus on Tuesday under a deal negotiated by President Alexander Lukashenko that ended the mercenaries' mutiny in Russia on Saturday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wagner's fighters would be offered the choice of relocating there.

NATO's Stoltenberg said it was too early to say what this could mean for NATO allies, and stressed the increased defence of the alliance's eastern flank in recent years.

"We have sent a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO is there to protect every ally, every inch of NATO territory," Stoltenberg said.

"We have already increased our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance and we will make further decisions to further strengthen our collective defence with more high-readiness forces and more capabilities at the upcoming summit."

Stoltenberg said the mutiny had shown that Putin's "illegal war" against Ukraine had deepened divisions in Russia.

"At the same time we must not underestimate Russia. So it's even more important that we continue to provide Ukraine with our support."

Poland's Duda said he hoped the threat posed by Wagner forces would be on the agenda at a summit of all 31 NATO members in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11-12.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer and Anthony Deutsch; editing by Jonathan Oatis and David Gregorio)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former police chief in Maryland, who was labeled a serial arsonist by law enforcement officials and convicted of setting several fires over a span of nine years targeting his enemies, was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison.

David Crawford, 71, of Ellicott City who served as police chief in the city of Laurel before resigning in 2010, was arrested in 2021. He was charged with 24 counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder and more than two dozen counts of arson and malicious burning.

Following a jury trial in March, Crawford was found guilty of eight counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of first-degree malicious burning and three counts of first-degree arson.

"In light of the defendant's age, he is not likely to breathe free air again, and we think it's appropriate," Howard County State's Attorney Rich Gibson said in a statement on Tuesday after Crawford was sentenced to two life terms plus 75 years in prison.

Investigators said they found all of the fire victims had previous disagreements with Crawford. They said they found a target list of the victims while conducting a search of Crawford's residence in January 2021.

There were no casualties in the fires but residents fled from their homes as a result and lost their belongings.

Crawford's attorney, Robert Bonsib, said he was likely to appeal his convictions in Howard County.

"Mr. Crawford continues to maintain his innocence," Bonsib was quoted as saying by the Washington Post.

The targets of Crawford's acts included a former City of Laurel official, three former law enforcement officials including a former City of Laurel Police Chief, two relatives and two of Crawford's former physicians, law enforcement officials said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio)
The lawyer of Rupert Stadler, former CEO of German car maker Audi, Thilo Pfordte arrives for Stadler's verdict in the so-called 'Dieselgate' emission cheating scandal at a regional court in Munich, Germany, June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

HAMBURG (Reuters) - Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler was handed a suspended sentence of one year and nine months by a German court on Tuesday for fraud over Volkswagen's 2015 diesel scandal, becoming the first former board member to receive such a sentence.

The fallout from the German auto group's manipulation of diesel engine emissions tests, which shook the industry almost eight years ago, has been keeping many courts busy ever since.

Below is an update on various legal proceedings:

FRAUD TRIAL IN BRAUNSCHWEIG AT A STANDSTILL

Four current or former Volkswagen managers and engineers have been standing trial at the regional court in Braunschweig, northern Germany, since September 2021 on charges of group and commercial fraud.

The trial has dragged on for so long because numerous witnesses refused to testify. Even after more than 70 days of hearings, there is no end in sight. The proceedings against former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, who resigned a few days after the scandal came to light in September 2015, were separated due to his state of health. It is unclear whether the 76-year-old will ever stand trial. DAMAGES CLAIMS In addition, there are a large number of civil proceedings in which both investors and diesel car owners are making claims for damages. The most prominent is a lawsuit brought by fund manager Deka Investment in the higher regional court in Braunschweig.

The plaintiffs, mostly institutional investors, accuse Volkswagen and its parent company Porsche SE of keeping information about the emissions scandal secret for a long time.

The overall claims amount to around 9 billion euros ($9.9 billion). If Deka wins the case, plaintiffs then have to assert their claims there separately. CONSUMER PROTECTION GROUP CLAIM SETTLED Three years ago, a case brought by consumer protection groups ended in a settlement. Volkswagen had to provide a total of 830 million euros of compensation for hundreds of thousands of diesel customers.

EMISSIONS DEVICES - ROOM FOR INTERPRETATIONS

One key area of dispute is around devices used in diesel engines that only regulate emissions at certain temperatures. This case differs from the diesel scandal, where Volkswagen admitted wrongdoing, as automakers dispute allegations they use the devices improperly to mask the true pollution levels of their vehicles. Germany's highest federal court recently changed its stance on these devices following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. This improves the chances of compensation for owners of vehicles with such devices. Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz are potentially affected. However, any liability is yet to be clarified. There are more than 100,000 cases still pending at the highest court itself and numerous courts across Germany. $32 BILLION COMPENSATION COSTS

Volkswagen made the biggest payout over its diesel scandal in the United States, where the environmental authorities revealed its emissions test cheating in September 2015. So far, the company has paid out more than 32 billion euros, mainly in fines and damages in the U.S.

($1 = 0.9137 euros)

(Reporting by Jan Schwarz; Writing by Andrey Sychev; Editing by Mark Potter)
FILE PHOTO: White crosses are placed by border residents and members of the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) during a vigil to honor the 53 migrants who died in a cargo truck in San Antonio, in El Paso, Texas, U.S. June 30, 2022 REUTERS/Jose Luis Go

By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - U.S. officials in Texas have arrested four Mexicans who were indicted on suspicion of operating a human smuggling ring responsible for the deaths a year ago of 53 migrants packed into a truck during sweltering heat, the Justice Department said on Tuesday.

Dozens of migrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras were found in a tractor-trailer with malfunctioning air conditioning that was abandoned on the outskirts of San Antonio on June 27, 2022, a day when temperatures soared as high as 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius).

U.S. officials allege the suspects operated a ring that smuggled adults and children from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico into the United States, overseeing the fateful journey with eight children and a pregnant woman aboard.

The suspects shared routes, guides, stash houses and vehicles, storing some of their tractors and trailers at a private parking lot in San Antonio, prosecutors said.

The indictment alleges some of the defendants knew the trailer's air conditioning was broken and unable to blow cool air to the migrants inside.

When the suspects opened the door after a three-hour journey, they found 48 of the migrants dead, including the pregnant woman, prosecutors allege. Sixteen others were taken to the hospital, five of whom died.

A grand jury indicted the four men on June 7 on a host of illegal transport charges that could result in life imprisonment if they are convicted, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas said in a statement.

They were arrested on Monday in San Antonio, Houston and Marshall, Texas, and identified as Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30; Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53, the statement said.

Reuters was unable to determine whether they had retained attorneys who could make any statement in their defense.

The arrests follow the indictments last year of four other suspects connected to the case, including the driver who police found hiding in the brush near the abandoned truck.

"The allegations in the indictment are horrifying. Dozens of desperate, vulnerable men, women and children put their trust in smugglers who abandoned them in a locked trailer to perish in the merciless south Texas summer," Jaime Esparza, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, said in the statement.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
THE HAGUE (Reuters) -Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Tuesday gave the green light to the prosecution to resume an investigation into alleged human rights abuses by Venezuelan officials.

In their decision, the judges said that while Venezuela is taking some steps to investigate alleged abuses, "its domestic criminal proceedings do not sufficiently mirror the scope of the prosecution's intended investigation.

Venezuela's government said in a statement that it disagreed with the decision, which it would appeal within the ICC's Appeals Chamber.

"National and international political operators have tried to sustain an accusation of alleged crimes against humanity that have never occurred, based on the deliberation manipulation of a small group of human rights crimes that have been or are being investigated," the statement said.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in November asked judges to reject Venezuela's demand for a deferral of the case.

Caracas had sought the delay to show that authorities were ready and able to conduct their own investigation into alleged crimes committed under the rule of President Nicolas Maduro.

But the judges agreed with Khan that the announced legal reforms were not enough to warrant a delay.

An independent panel of experts of the Organization of American States looking at alleged human rights violations in Venezuela found in a May report that the legal reforms proposed by the Venezuelan government worked to actively shield high-level perpetrators from possible prosecution by the ICC.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Additional reporting by Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Jamie Freed)
ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government on Tuesday announced a crackdown on the use of electric scooters on city streets, looking to cut accidents, reduce injuries and prevent pavements from becoming cluttered obstacle courses.

Updating Italy's highway code, the government also announced it would suspend driving licences for people caught using a mobile phone while behind the wheel and promised zero tolerance for anyone found drunk or on drugs while driving.

Like in many European countries, the use of e-scooters has boomed across Italy in recent years, with rental companies flooding major cities with scooters for rent that are popular with locals and tourists alike.

However, police have reported countless accidents, with six people dying in Rome alone over the past two years while riding scooters. Scooters have also caused problems for pedestrians, with no rules in place for where they should be left.

Under the new regulations approved by the cabinet, riders will have to wear a helmet and have insurance, while e-scooters will now be required to have a registration plate. The measures will have to be approved by parliament to become law.

It will be forbidden to ride the two-wheelers outside of built-up areas, such as on major highways, or to leave them parked haphazardly on pavements.

"We need to restore a bit of order. Thinking about the pavements of the big cities like Milan and Rome, it is like a gymkhana for people with pushchairs," Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said after unveiling his plan.

Despite offering an environmentally friendly way to get around town, e-scooters have faced a backlash from people, who have felt threatened by the zippy, silent machines.

Parisians voted in April to ban them from the French capital. There has been no such suggestion in Italy, although various cities have looked to cap the speed limit of scooters and reduce the number of firms that can hire them out.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Sandra Maler)
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Maverick Mexican politician Senator Xochitl Galvez on Tuesday said she was entering the race for the presidency in 2024 as a struggling opposition tries to claw back the initiative from President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's ruling party.

Galvez, 60, made her announcement in a video posted on Twitter standing outside Lopez Obrador's office in Mexico City, injecting a dash of unpredictability to a burgeoning field of hopefuls for the election next June.

"I am going to be the next president of Mexico," she said.

Galvez, a feisty champion of indigenous peoples' rights with a knack for generating publicity, is seen by supporters as one of the few opposition leaders who cuts across class divides and - like the president - connects well with poorer Mexicans.

Lopez Obrador recently described her as "tenacious."

Galvez contrasts her humble origins to those of the contenders of Lopez Obrador's leftist National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), whom she says grew up with more privilege.

Bolstered by Lopez Obrador's robust personal approval ratings, MORENA is heavily favored to win the 2024 election, and many political insiders believe its candidate could end up being ex-Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum.

Galvez, a trained computer engineer elected to the Senate for the center-right National Action Party, could help counter the appeal of a female MORENA candidate, analysts say.

MORENA is expected to announce its nominee on Sept. 6, while an alliance of opposition parties said on Monday it planned to reveal its candidate on Sept. 3.

In April, Galvez chained herself to a desk reserved for the head of the Senate in a bid to stop MORENA holding a congressional session that sought to circumvent the opposition.

Earlier this month, she created a media stir as she stood knocking on the doors of the presidential palace in protest at being denied entry to Lopez Obrador's morning press conference, where she was planning to criticize him.

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Are Saints Really Like Us?

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Carmel Communications

June 27, 2023



SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- The great Communion of Saints is a huge part of the lives of Catholics, but many don't know that there are saints from every background, ethnicity, vocation, country and demographic just waiting to be discovered to help people on Earth who want to imitate holiness and get to heaven. THE LEAVEN OF THE SAINTS: BRINGING CHRIST INTO A FALLEN WORLD (Ignatius Press), by Dawn Marie Beutner, seeks to connect those saints to Catholics searching for intercessors and real, holy people to whom they are able to relate.



Beutner entered the Catholic Church as a young adult and worked as an engineer before becoming a technical writer. She lives with her husband and two children in northern Virginia, where she leads various parish groups that promote life issues, serve the needy and learn about the Bible and the Catholic faith.



The saints have come from every background, people and era. They have been rich and poor, healthy and sick, single and married, members of the clergy and of the laity. THE LEAVEN OF THE SAINTS groups them according to the kind of Christian witness they have given the world  as martyrs, Fathers and Doctors of the Church, priests and religious, popes and bishops, national heroes, founders of religious orders, married persons and more.



Every reader will find at least one saint within the pages of THE LEAVEN OF THE SAINTS with whom they can relate in some way and be inspired to follow Christ more closely because of their example.



"Amidst the demands of life and the experience of our own weaknesses, great sanctity can seem remote, even impossible to many people," said Fr. Sebastian White, O.P., Editor-in-Chief of Magnificat. "Fortunately, Dawn Beutner has written a book which reminds us daily that it is God who makes saints through his grace and love. And if God has already transformed so many witnesses of his Son's redemptive love in the world, can't he do the same for us?"



For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Dawn Marie Beutner, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com) of Carmel Communications.



SOURCE Carmel Communications



CONTACT: Kevin Wandra, 404-788-1276, KWandra@CarmelCommunications.com


Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak does not believe in the success of the Vatican's mediation efforts to establish peace and suggests that it can only help resolve humanitarian issues.

As expected, the special envoy of the Vatican, Matteo Zuppi, intends to visit Moscow on June 29 and 30.

"Negotiations in Moscow can only make sense if he can secure the release of captive and illegally deported children," Yermak told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday.

"We don't need mediation," he said.
By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico is likely to hand over control of the capital's main airport - the busiest in the country - to its navy, according to a draft decree published on Tuesday, in what would be the latest step increasing the military's role in the sector.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has touted the armed forces' involvement in aviation, arguing it has reduced drug trafficking and smuggling out of airports.

The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) currently sits under the transportation ministry, though the navy has already taken over security operations, including customs. Former navy pilot Carlos Velazquez was appointed as its top director last year.

"There's more security, more certainty, the rules are followed better, there's more discipline," with the navy in charge of the airport, Velazquez told reporters on Tuesday.

The draft decree must be published in Mexico's official gazette to take effect.

Velazquez said that authorities were working to make sure the AICM, also known as Benito Juarez, would be able to take advantage of the funds generated from the airport-use tax.

The money currently goes to a fund to pay off bondholders who financed the construction of an airport canceled by Lopez Obrador in favor of building the Felipe Angeles airport on the outskirts of the capital.

The little-used, one-year-old Felipe Angeles airport, one of the president's largest public works projects, is also on an active military base.

In May, the AICM moved nearly 4 million passengers, according to data from the national aviation authority, while Felipe Angeles airport's passenger numbers were almost 95% lower.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Jamie Freed)
FILE PHOTO: New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 05 April 2023. OLIVIER MATTHYS/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) - New Zealand's Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Tuesday she had a "very robust" discussion during an earlier meeting with her Chinese counterpart, as the leaders of the two countries prepare to meet.

A report by the Australian newspaper said Mahuta received an "epic haranguing" and an "almighty dressing down" during a March meeting with China's foreign minister Qin Gang, in a potential sign of tensions in the relationship between New Zealand and its largest trading partner.

"I would say that China is very assertive in the way that it conveys its interests," Mahuta told reporters on Tuesday, characterising the March meeting as "very robust".

"The fact that we were able to achieve an invitation for our prime minister to visit China reflects the nature of the relationship, how mature it is, the fact that we can have robust discussions and still be able to take a trade delegation over there."

Mahuta did not elaborate further on the topics discussed in the meeting.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is currently leading a delegation to Beijing that arrived on Monday and includes some of New Zealand's biggest companies.

He is expected to meet President Xi Jinping later on Tuesday, as well as Premier Li Qiang and the chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, Zhao Leji, before he returns home on Friday.

China is New Zealand's largest export market by far, most notably for its dairy industry, and Mahuta has previously taken a more cautious approach towards condemning China's human rights record, in contrast to neighbour Australia.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
FILE PHOTO: DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson speaks outside of a polling station during local elections in Dromore, Northern Ireland, May 18, 2023. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Northern Ireland's largest pro-British party could back a new proposal to solve post-Brexit trading difficulties between the province and the rest of the United Kingdom as part of a long-term solution, its leader Jeffrey Donaldson said on Tuesday.

The Democratic Unionist Party has been at odds with the government since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed a new deal with the European Union earlier this year, which London said eased trade arrangements and firmly rooted the province's place in the United Kingdom.

The DUP has not returned to Northern Ireland's devolved executive since February 2022, rejecting the first post-Brexit deal with the EU and then the second, so-called Windsor Framework, which is due to be introduced later this year.

Donaldson said he was still awaiting a response from the government on his proposals to fix the problems caused by the Windsor Framework, but that a report by the Centre for Brexit Policy could form a basis for a longer-term solution.

"We are very clear that the Windsor Framework does not meet our seven tests. We've put proposals to the government that we believe would address those concerns, we'll see what the government come back with," he told a press conference.

"I've made clear we need to find a longer-term solution to this problem and ... mutual enforcement, we believe, would meet the requirements that we've set down for that longer-term solution."

He said there could be potential for his party to return to the power-sharing government, but that London would have to accept the proposal of the mutual enforcement of trading rules and then it would have to win the backing of the EU.

In response, a British government spokesperson said the Windsor Framework was "the best deal for Northern Ireland", adding that it was working with businesses, communities and political parties on implementing the framework.

It is in the best interests of Northern Ireland to restore a fully functioning Executive and Assembly as soon as possible, the spokesperson said.

The DUP has criticised the government's post-Brexit deals for the province since former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol in order to secure a Brexit divorce and wider trade deal with Brussels.

It says that deal, and the subsequent one, have put a question mark over Northern Ireland's place in the UK after the province effectively remained in the EU single market for goods to preserve an open border with bloc member Ireland.

That put an effective border in the Irish Sea, and the new report suggested instead Britain should launch a system of mutual enforcement of import and export regulations and standards at a so-called invisible border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

The proposal's supporters said London could act unilaterally, but even they raised doubts over whether the government would move to a new negotiating position just months after it had won the Windsor Framework deal.

Sunak's government has said the Windsor Framework solves most of the post-Brexit trade problems and that it has no plans to renegotiate it. Instead it is trying to offer the DUP legal guarantees to protect post-Brexit trade with the province.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; editing by Christina Fincher and Mark Heinrich)
FILE PHOTO: A Sudanese refugee who has fled the violence in Sudan's Darfur region, sits at her makeshift shelter near the border between Sudan and Chad in Koufroun, Chad May 15, 2023. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File Photo

By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee agency warned on Tuesday that an earlier projection that conflict in Sudan would prompt 1 million people to flee across its borders is likely to be surpassed.

So far, the conflict between warring military factions that began in mid-April has caused nearly 600,000 people to escape into neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan and Central African Republic.

"Unfortunately, looking at the trends, looking at the situation in Darfur, we're likely to go beyond 1 million," Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, said in response to a question about its estimate in April for the coming six months.

He was referring to ethnically motivated attacks and clashes in the Darfur region, which suffered a major conflict in the early 2000s killing some 300,000 people.

He did not give details on how far above 1 million he expected refugee numbers fleeing abroad to reach. The United Nations estimates more than 2.5 million people have been uprooted since April, most within Sudan.

The latest wave of violence in Darfur has been driven by militias from Arab nomadic tribes along with members of the Rapid Support Forces, a military faction engaged in a power struggle with Sudan's army in the capital, Khartoum, witnesses and activists said.

Witnesses told Reuters this month an increasing number of Sudanese civilians fleeing El Geneina, a city in Darfur hit by repeated attacks, have been killed or shot at as they tried to escape by foot to Chad.

"Lots of women and children are now arriving with injuries. It's very concerning," Mazou said.

He described access to refugees in Chad as "extraordinarily difficult" because the start of the rainy season was making it harder to reach refugees and move them away from the border into safer camps.

The UNHCR has already had to revise its forecast for people fleeing into Chad from Sudan to 245,000 from 100,000 people, he said.

"There's been less and less people wanting to stay at the border as the situation deteriorates in Darfur," he said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alison Williams)
PARIS (Reuters) -A French police officer is being investigated for homicide after shooting dead a 17-year-old on Tuesday morning in the Paris suburb of Nanterre after the youth failed to comply with an order to stop his car, the local prosecutor's office said.

BFM TV broadcast images of sporadic clashes breaking out between youths and police on Tuesday evening, as anger over the death of the teenager grew in the local community.

The officer fired at the boy, who subsequently died from his wounds, said the Nanterre prosecutor's office.

A video shared on social media, verified by Reuters, shows two police officers beside the car, a Mercedes AMG, with one shooting as the driver pulled away.

After a record 13 deaths from police shootings in France during traffic stops last year, this is the second fatal shooting in such circumstances in 2023.

Three people were killed by police shooting after refusing to comply with a traffic stop in 2021 and two in 2020. A Reuters tally of fatal shootings in 2021 and 2022 shows the majority of victims were Black or of Arabic origin.

"As a mother from Nanterre, I have a feeling of insecurity for our children," said Mornia Labssi, a local resident and anti-racism campaigner, who said she had spoken to the victim's family, which she said was of Algerian origin.

One passenger was taken into police custody but later released while police were unable to contact another passenger, the prospector's office said. The driver was "known to the judicial services for having refused to comply with a traffic stop" on a previous occasion, it said.

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez told BFM TV that "this act raises questions for me" and that the justice system would decide whether or not it was appropriate.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in a Twitter post that the General Inspectorate of the National Police was investigating "to shed light on the circumstances of this drama."

(Reporting by Layli Foroudi, Juliette Jabkhiro, Dominique Vidalon; Additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta;Editing by Conor Humphries, Alistair Bell and Sandra Maler)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with service members at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 27, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Tereshchenko/Pool via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the finances of Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's catering firm would be investigated after his mutiny, saying Wagner and its founder had received almost $2 billion from Russia in the past year.

Putin initially vowed to crush the mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolutions of 1917 and then a civil war, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Speaking to soldiers from the Russian army at a meeting in the Kremlin, Putin said he had always respected Wagner's fighters, but that the fact was the group had been "fully financed" from the state budget.

He said it had received 86 billion roubles ($1 billion) from the defence ministry between May 2022 and May 2023.

In addition, Prigozhin's Concord catering company made 80 billion roubles from state contracts to supply food to the Russian army, Putin said.

"I do hope that, as part of this work, no one stole anything, or, let's say, stole less, but we will, of course, investigate all of this."

Prigozhin, whom Putin did not mention by name, could not be reached for immediate comment on Putin's remarks.

He said earlier this year that he had always financed Wagner but had looked for additional financing after the war began in Ukraine.

He said on Monday that he had not been trying to overthrow the Russian state and that he remained a patriot who was trying to settle scores with the defence ministry.

($1 = 85.4705 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walks outside the Rolls Building of the High Court in London, Britain June 6, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) -Prince Harry should receive a maximum of just 500 pounds ($637) in damages for one admitted instance of unlawful information gathering, lawyers representing a British tabloid newspaper group told London's High Court on Tuesday.

Harry, King Charles' younger son, is one of more than 100 people suing Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, over allegations of phone-hacking and unlawful information gathering.

Their lawyers allege unlawful activity was "widespread" at all three MGN newspapers between 1991 and 2011.

The fifth-in-line to the throne spent a day-and-a-half in the witness box earlier this month, being grilled over allegations he had been unlawfully targeted by MGN titles for 15 years from 1996, when he was a child.

His cross-examination, when he became the first senior British royal to appear in a witness box for more than 130 years, began with an apology from MGN's lawyer Andrew Green for one instance of unlawful information gathering.

MGN admitted at the start of the trial in May, which concludes this week, that on one occasion a private investigator had been engaged to unlawfully gather evidence about Harry at a London nightclub in 2004, for which it "unreservedly apologises".

However, the publisher argued in court filings released on Tuesday that Harry "has failed to identify any evidence of voicemail interception against him, nor any other evidence of unlawful information gathering in respect of his private information", apart from the one incident it has admitted.

"The Duke of Sussex should be awarded a maximum of 500 pounds given the single invoice naming him concerns enquiries on an isolated occasion and the small sum on the invoice - 75 pounds - suggests enquiries were limited," Green said.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, January 30, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers on Tuesday urged the U.S. State Department not to renew a decades-old U.S-China agreement on scientific cooperation, arguing that Beijing would seek to use it to help its military.

The deal, signed when Beijing and Washington established diplomatic ties in 1979 and renewed about every five years since, has resulted in cooperation in areas from atmospheric and agricultural science to basic research in physics and chemistry.

But concerns about China's growing military prowess and theft of U.S. scientific and commercial achievements have prompted questions about whether the Science and Technology Agreement (STA) set to expire on Aug. 27 should continue.

In a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the chair of the U.S. House of Representative's select committee on China Mike Gallagher and nine other Republican representatives said the deal should be scrapped.

The letter cited concerns about joint work between the U.S. and China's Meteorological Administration on "instrumented balloons", as well as more than a dozen U.S. Department of Agriculture projects with Chinese entities that it said include technologies with "clear dual-use applications," including techniques to analyze satellite and drone imagery for irrigation management.

"The PRC (People's Republic of China) uses academic researchers, industrial espionage, forced technology transfers, and other tactics to gain an edge in critical technologies, which in turn fuels the People's Liberation Army modernization," the lawmakers wrote.

"The United States must stop fueling its own destruction. Letting the STA expire is a good first step," they said.

China has sought to accelerate efforts to achieve self-reliance in agricultural technology, including in seed development. U.S. authorities have stepped up efforts to counter what they say is industrial espionage by Chinese individuals in the sector.

China's officials hope to extend the deal, and have said publicly they approached the U.S. last year to discuss renewal, but that Washington has been conducting a review of the agreement.

The State Department earlier this month declined to comment on "internal deliberations on negotiations."

Proponents of renewing the deal argue that without it, the U.S. would lose valuable insight into China's technical advances. Nonetheless, many analysts say the agreement must be fundamentally reworked to safeguard U.S. innovation in a time of heightened strategic competition with China.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee and Jamie Freed)
FILE PHOTO: Flags of China and Russia are displayed in this illustration picture taken March 24, 2022. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

(Reuters) - Russia and China's foreign ministries on Tuesday held a round of consultations on anti-missile defence, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"A thorough exchange of views took place on various aspects of this issue, including its global and regional dimensions," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

"The intention was reaffirmed to hold such consultations on a regular basis in the future."

Since invading Ukraine in February 2022 in what it calls a "special military operation", Russia has increasingly courted China for trade and diplomatic support.

China has not condemned the invasion, and Washington and other Western allies said earlier this year that China was considering providing weapons to Russia, something Beijing denies.

(Writing by Kevin Liffey; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
KYIV (Reuters) -Russia hit a cluster of buildings in a missile strike on Kremenchuk in central Ukraine on Tuesday, the first anniversary of a deadly attack on a shopping mall in the city, Ukrainian officials said.

Dmytro Lunin, governor of the Poltava region that includes Kremenchuk, said what he described as a dacha - or cottage - cooperative had been struck, but reported no casualties.

"The enemy attacked Poltava region. Just like a year ago on this day, with X-22 missiles," Lunin wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

At least 22 people were killed at the Amstor shopping mall during a Russian missile strike on Kremenchuk on June 27, 2022, Lunin said in a later Telegram post.

Russia did not immediately comment on Tuesday's attack. It has regularly carried out air strikes since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kremenchuk is the site of a Ukrainian oil refinery that has been attacked repeatedly by Russia since it invaded Ukraine last year. Ukrainian officials have said it is no longer functioning.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a presidential adviser, described Tuesday's attack as an attempt to distract the Russian public's attention after an aborted mutiny by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin against the Russian military.

Yuriy Malashko, the governor of the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine, said separately that a man aged 77 had died of his wounds after a Russian artillery attack on the small town of Orikhiv, and that three other people were wounded.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Some 49 Ukrainian military medics have been trained in tactical medicine in the UK, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said.

"Some 49 Ukrainian military medics were trained in tactical medicine in the UK as part of the Operation Orbital program," the General Staff said on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.

This is reportedly "a unique course conducted by the British Army, together with representatives of the Netherlands and Iceland. Ukrainians are taught: mass examination of the wounded with various injuries; rendering assistance to victims with severe injuries caused by explosions and small arms; assistance and ways to safely remove victims from civilian and military vehicles; evacuation of the wounded under fire."

According to the statement, returning home, the medics will pass on knowledge about first aid to other servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
FILE PHOTO: Small figurines are seen in front of displayed Alphabet logo in this illustration taken February 11, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Ilustration

(Reuters) -A Russian court has fined Alphabet's Google 4 billion roubles ($47 million) for failing to pay an earlier fine over alleged abuse of its dominant position in the video hosting market, the country's anti-monopoly watchdog said on Tuesday.

The decision is the latest multi-million dollar fine in Moscow's increasingly assertive campaign against foreign tech companies.

Google was fined 2 billion roubles in February 2022. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) at the time said Google's YouTube had a "non-transparent, biased and unpredictable" approach to "suspending and blocking users' accounts and content", the TASS news agency reported.

Google ultimately appealed that decision. The U.S. company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on Tuesday.

The FAS said the previous fine it imposed on Google had been doubled due to non-payment.

"The company must additionally pay more than 4 billion roubles to the Russian Federation's budget," the FAS concluded.

YouTube, which has blocked Russian state-funded media globally, is under heavy pressure from Russian state bodies and politicians, but Moscow has stopped short of blocking it, a step taken against the likes of Twitter and Meta's Facebook and Instagram.

Google stopped selling online advertising in Russia in March 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine but has kept some free services available. Its Russian subsidiary officially filed for bankruptcy after authorities seized its bank account, making it impossible to pay staff and vendors.

Google must pay the fine within 60 days, TASS reported.

($1 = 85.0250 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Susan Fenton)
A view shows a building of a restaurant heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in central Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine June 27, 2023. Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Andriy Yermak via Telegram/Handout vi

By Max Hunder

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - A Russian missile struck a restaurant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Tuesday, killing at least eight people and wounding 56, emergency services said, as rescue crews combed the rubble in search of casualties.

A second missile hit a village on the fringes of Kramatorsk, injuring five, but the main casualties were at the restaurant, where at least three children were among the dead.

"Rescuers are working through the rubble of the destroyed building and searching for people who are probably still under it," emergency service officials said on the Telegram messaging app.

A Russian missile also hit a cluster of buildings in Kremenchuk, about 375 km (230 miles) west in central Ukraine, exactly a year after an attack on a shopping mall there that killed at least 20. No casualties were reported in the latest attack.

In Kramatorsk, a city frequently targeted by Russian attacks, emergency workers scurried in and out of the shattered restaurant as residents stood outside embracing and surveying the damage.

The building was reduced to a twisted web of metal beams. Police and soldiers emerged with a man in military trousers and boots on a stretcher. He was placed in an ambulance, though it was unclear whether he was still alive.

Two men screamed in frenzied tones for a tow rope, then ran back towards the rubble.

"I ran here after the explosion because I rented a cafe here.... Everything has been blown out there," Valentyna, 64, told Reuters.

"None of the glass, windows or doors are left. All I see is destruction, fear and horror. This is the 21st century."

Emergency services posted pictures online of rescue teams sifting through the site with cranes and other equipment.

Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko told national television that people were visible under the rubble. Their condition was unknown, he said, but "we are experienced in removing rubble".

Video footage on military Telegram channels showed one man, his head bleeding, receiving first aid on the pavement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video message that the attacks showed that Russia "deserved only one thing as a consequence of what it has done -- defeat and a tribunal".

Kramatorsk is a major city west of the front lines in Donetsk province and a likely key objective in any Russian advance westward seeking to capture all of the region.

The city has been a frequent target of Russian attacks, including a strike on the town's railway station in April 2022 that killed 63 people. There were at least two strikes on apartment buildings and other civilian sites earlier this year.

Russia denies targeting civilian sites in what it has described as a "special military operation" since invading its neighbour in February 2022.

(Writing by Ron Popeski, editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Leslie Adler, Mark Heinrich, Cynthia Osterman & Simon Cameron-Moore)
(Reuters) - Police in Moscow have arrested Italian national Giovanni Di Massa, a senior manager at the Italian energy company ISS International, on suspicion of possessing drugs, the TASS news agency quoted law enforcement as saying on Tuesday.

Italy's ANSA news agency reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Di Massa had been released on probation and was awaiting trial.

An official said Di Massa's taxi had been stopped in central Moscow.

"A roll of drugs was found on the foreigner, who was noticeably nervous," the official added, according to TASS. "Analysis showed that it was more than 1 gram (0.04 oz) of mephedrone."

Mephedrone is a powerful stimulant often compared to drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.

Reuters was not immediately able to reach Di Massa for comment. ISS International did not immediately respond.

TASS said a criminal case had been opened and that Di Massa could face up to three years in prison if found guilty.

(Reporting by Alexander Marrow and Federico Maccioni; Editing by Kevin Liffey, William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: A Starbucks logo is pictured on the door of the Green Apron Delivery Service at the Empire State Building in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S. June 1, 2016. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

(Reuters) -Starbucks plans to issue "clearer" centralized guidelines for in-store visual displays following a union's allegations that managers banned Pride-themed decor, the coffee chain said in an internal memo to employees.

"We intend to issue clearer centralized guidelines... for in-store visual displays and decorations that will continue to represent inclusivity and our brand," Starbucks North America President Sara Trilling said in the memo.

The memo comes after the union representing the coffee chain's baristas alleged that managers at dozens of Starbucks locations had prevented employees from putting up Pride Month flags and decorations, or had removed them. The coffee giant disputes these allegations.

More than 3,000 workers at over 150 Starbucks stores in the United States will walk off the job, the union said on Friday.

Starbucks also filed two complaints against Workers United with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Monday, alleging that the union made misleading claims on the company's in-store decoration guidelines and gender-affirming care benefits.

The union said in an emailed statement to Reuters that every charge against them by Starbucks was dismissed by the NLRB, adding that any new charges will also be dismissed because "they are nothing more than a public relations stunt meant to distract from Starbucks' own actions."

The union added that if Starbucks wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.

NLRB did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Several U.S. retail brands have faced backlash from conservatives over the display of LGBTQ+ merchandise, as well as criticism from gay rights groups for insufficient support for the community.

(Reporting by Akanksha Khushi and Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Additional Reporting by Lavanya Ahire and Chandni Shah; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Rashmi Aich)
Adam Gamar an asylum seeker from Darfur in Sudan points to El Geneina on a map, a city in which there is intense violence targetting his tribespeople, in the Masalit tribe community centre in southern Tel Aviv, Israel June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

By Hannah Confino

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Members of Sudan's Masalit tribe in Israel are watching in torment as family and friends have been caught up in factional bloodshed in Sudan's Darfur region that has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing into neighbouring Chad.

Residents have blamed violence, centred on the city of El Geneina, on Arab militias known as "Janjaweed" and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a faction that has been fighting the army in the capital Khartoum and other areas of Sudan since April 15.

"There's no internet there but we still have connections to people who are telling us what is happening in El Geneina now," Usumain Baraka, head of the Masalit tribe in Israel, told Reuters.

"The Janjaweed people are going home by home trying to open the windows and doors and killing people. Going from home to home asking, 'Are you from the Masalit tribe?'"

Just over 5,000 Sudanese people live in Israel, mainly in Tel Aviv, dating to when brutal conflict escalated in Darfur from 2003.

At the time, Sudan's government and the Janjaweed were accused of widespread atrocities as they acted to crush an insurgency by rebels complaining of discrimination.

Last week the United Nations raised the alarm over ethnically motivated targeting and killings of Masalit, who comprise the largest single community in El Geneina, amid fears of a repeat of the atrocities.

Baraka said the community in Israel is collecting money to send to refugees in Chad so they can buy food, water and medicine.

(Reporting by Hannah Confino; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Mark Heinrich)
FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate for the Semilla party Bernardo Arevalo speaks with members of the party during a press conference on the day of the first round of Guatemala's presidential election in Guatemala City, Guatemala, June 25, 2023. REUTERS/Cr

By Enrique Garcia

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -An anti-corruption presidential candidate in Guatemala, whose surprise showing in a first-round election on Sunday means he will contest a runoff vote in August, said on Tuesday he would pursue closer relations with China if he wins.

"We need to work on our trade relations and expand them in the case of China," said Bernardo Arevalo in an interview with the Con Criterio radio program.

Guatemala, Central America's most populous country, has for decades opted for ties with Taiwan instead of the Asian giant.

Arevalo's comments follow China's success in recent years peeling off one-time allies of Taipei.

Guatemala is one of only 12 countries, plus the Vatican, with official diplomatic ties with China-claimed Taiwan.

In March, Honduras' leftist President Xiomara Castro opened relations with China after cutting ties with Taiwan.

Arevalo, a 64-year-old center-left congressman and son of a former president, said he seeks "to maintain good political relations with the Republic of China and Taiwan within the framework of mutual respect."

The candidate, who finished second in the crowded field behind Sandra Torres, the wife of another former president, stressed the need for a foreign policy based on Guatemala's interests.

"Let's be the owners of our foreign policy," said Arevalo, adding that no one else should dictate the country's position.

Torres will face Arevalo in the August runoff. She has promised to maintain Guatemala's ties with Taiwan.

In a statement to Reuters, Taiwan's foreign ministry said it would "continue to explain" the results of cooperation between Taiwan and Guatemala to both presidential candidates.

Taiwan would "actively seek the support of the two candidates for the traditional friendship between Guatemala and Taiwan", the ministry added.

In April, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited Guatemala a week after the rupture with Honduras. Guatemala's outgoing president, conservative Alejandro Giammattei, followed up with a visit to Taiwan later that month, promising to deepen ties.

The United States, Guatemala's top trading partner, has tried to stem Taiwan's diplomatic losses in the region.

A defection by Guatemala would leave tiny Belize as Taiwan's last Central American ally.

(Reporting by Enrique Garcia; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle;Editing by Sandra Maler, Robert Birsel)
Firefighter EMT William Dorsey lifts a migrant woman suffering from heat exhaustion onto a stretcher in the border community of Eagle Pass, Texas, U.S. June 26, 2023. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee Beal

By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) - A prolonged heat wave kept its grip on the U.S. South on Tuesday as dangerously high temperatures rising well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) and oppressive humidity were on tap across a wide swath of the region through the holiday weekend.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases were being cautioned to stay indoors for a wholly different reason: polluted air.

Some 62 million Americans in central Arizona, across Texas and the Deep South and into Florida's panhandle were under excessive heat watches, warnings and advisories that were expected to last until the Fourth of July, the National Weather Service said.

"There may be more danger than a typical heat event due to the longevity of elevated record high nighttime lows and elevated heat index readings during the day," the NWS said in an advisory. "It is essential to have a way to cool down and interrupt your heat exposure."

Heat index temperatures were forecast to reach 110 degrees in Dallas, 111 degrees in New Orleans and 107 in Mobile, Alabama, on Tuesday, the service said, urging people across the region to stay out of the sun and drink plenty of fluids.

"This is a health threat," New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said during a news conference on Tuesday, noting that the city had opened cooling centers. "This is unprecedented. We are living in unprecedented times. We are going to do everything necessary to meet the needs of the most vulnerable."

The stationary high pressure system across the South that is trapping the heat and humidity, known as a heat dome, has been lingering for the last few weeks, causing the sweltering weather.

The heat wave claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy who was hiking in the Big Bend National Park in Texas on Friday when the temperature reached 119 degrees. His stepfather was killed in a car crash when he went to get help, the park said in a statement.

In several upper Midwestern cities, air-quality alerts were in effect as a cloud of hazy smoke from wildfires in Canada hovered above the region. Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, had the worst air quality of any large city in the world due to the smoke, according to IQAir, a website that tracks pollution.

The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather across the United States is symptomatic of human-driven climate change, scientists say.

As of midday on Tuesday, no widespread power outages were reported in the South. However, some 110,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity in Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma after strong storms over the weekend took down power lines, according to poweroutage.us.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Porter)
FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears by video conferencing before Justice Juan Merchan during a hearing before his trial over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, i

By Karen Freifeld and Luc Cohen

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Tuesday said he would likely decline former U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to move from state to federal court a criminal case stemming from a hush money payment to a porn star.

Trump's lawyers say federal court is the proper venue for the case, arguing that his actions were related to his presidency. The Manhattan District Attorney's office, which brought the charges, says the case has nothing to do with any presidential act and should remain in state court.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said he was inclined to side with prosecutors.

"The argument is very clear that the act for which the president has been indicted does not relate to anything under color of his office," Hellerstein said at the end of a hearing in Manhattan federal court, expressing his "present attitudes" toward the case ahead of a written ruling within two weeks.

Both sides declined to comment after the hearing.

Trump, front-runnner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, pleaded not guilty in April to 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide reimbursements in 2017 to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen for the $130,000 payment to silence porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she had a sexual encounter with Trump. He denies it.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche argued that the former president's payments to Cohen were part of a retainer agreement for legal services. Blanche said that Trump hired Cohen because he had been elected president and needed to ensure that his business dealings were kept separate from his official duties.

When pressed by Hellerstein as to whether Trump and Cohen had a retainer agreement, Blanche conceded he was not aware of one being signed.

Prosecutors said the payments were personal.

"Writing personal checks, even if he did it in the Oval Office, is not an official act," prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said at the hearing. "These payments were personal payments from personal accounts to a personal lawyer handling personal affairs."

Hellerstein said it was clear Cohen was hired "to take care of private matters."

Blanche also argued that the former president is charged with reimbursing Cohen for a payment made to influence the presidential election, and that federal law preempts state law for federal elections.

"Determining whether there is a federal election law violation is something this court should do and not the state," Blanche said.

But Hellerstein noted that Trump was not being prosecuted for violating election law, and that the purpose of his alleged "deception" did not matter.

"There's no reason to believe an equal measure of justice cannot be delivered by the state court," Hellerstein said.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld and Luc Cohen; Editing by Howard Goller and David Gregorio)
Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly addresses the closing session on the second day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain, June 22, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will continue to push for the speedy conclusion of Sweden's accession to NATO, British foreign minister James Cleverly said on Tuesday.

"We will continue to push for the speedy completion of your accession process," Cleverly said at a press conference, standing alongside his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom during a visit to Sweden.

"Sweden must and shall join NATO, and should do so as soon as possible."

Sweden applied to join NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year but ratification of its membership has been held up by Turkey and Hungary.

Asked whether Britain had spoken to Turkey about its position, Cleverly said he has spoken with his counterpart there and made Britain's position clear.

"It's in Turkey's interest that Sweden become a member of the alliance and does so quickly," he added.

(Reporting by William James, editing by James Davey)
FILE PHOTO: Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko visits the site where an apartment building was damaged during Russian missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's government reprimanded Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko on Tuesday after criticism of city officials over the state of bomb shelters following the deaths of three people locked out on the street during a Russian air raid.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of the heads of two Kyiv districts and two acting heads of districts.

It was not immediately clear whether Klitschko, a former boxer, would face any further action.

Uncertainty about his political future grew after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised officials in the capital over the June 1 incident, in which two women and a girl were killed by falling debris after rushing to a shelter and finding it shut.

Zelenskiy also ordered an audit of all bomb shelters in Kyiv after the incident, and said personnel changes would be made.

Now in his ninth year as mayor, Klitschko was seen as one of Zelenskiy's highest-profile opponents before Russia's invasion in February 2022, and they had a public spat last November when the president accused him doing a poor job setting up emergency shelters to help people with power and heat.

Klitschko could not be reached for comment by Reuters on Tuesday. After the bomb shelter incident, he said he bore some responsibility but that others were to blame, especially presidential appointees to some districts of the capital.

Klitschko had earlier on Tuesday inspected a Kyiv bomb shelter equipped with an automated opening system, signalling that moves are under way to improve access to such shelters in the capital following the June 1 deaths.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told a government meeting that the audit ordered by Zelenskiy had found that 77% of the shelters in Ukraine were fit for use, but that many did not "meet any standards".

He said the situation was "unacceptable" in some places, and mentioned districts in the Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions, as well as the city of Kyiv.

The government said it had also approved the dismissal of district officials in Zhytomyr, Bila Tserkva and Konotop.

Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin had been appointed to coordinate all questions and processes related to bomb shelters, it said.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Danish Defense Ministry: Denmark expects to be able to simultaneously train up to six Ukrainian pilots on F-16; program still being developed

The international training program for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters is still being developed by Western countries, the duration of the course may vary depending on the training of pilots and language skills.

As the Danish Ministry of Defense told Reuters, "the dialogue and planning of this is still ongoing, which is why there is no final plan yet."

It is noted that Denmark expects to be able to simultaneously train up to six Ukrainian pilots, as well as up to 40 soldiers for training and maintenance, the Danish Defense Ministry said.

The ministry cannot say how long it will take to complete the training.

"It depends on their fighter experience and language skills," the ministry said.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks at a "Veterans for Nikki" campaign event at VFW Post 1631 in Concord, New Hampshire, U.S., May 24, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File photo

By Gram Slattery and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley staked out one of the most hawkish positions on China in the 2024 Republican presidential field on Tuesday, calling for Washington to drastically limit ties with its geopolitical foe to address a dramatic rise in overdose deaths attributable to fentanyl in the United States.

"We've tried sanctions but they're not working. We must ratchet up the pressure. As president, I will push Congress to revoke permanent normal trade relations until the flow of fentanyl ends," Haley said at a speech at the American Enterprise Institute, a right-leaning think tank in Washington.

Some Republicans in Congress have pushed bills to end the preferential trade status China has enjoyed for decades and require annual presidential approval for it to receive preferential trade and tariff terms that other approved countries get.

"If China wants to start normal trade again, it has to stop killing Americans," she said.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Haley's remarks.

China is a major producer of the chemicals that are required to create fentanyl, which is frequently smuggled over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Haley is well behind in the presidential primary polls, with just 3% of Republicans planning to vote for her, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released earlier in June. She has sought to use foreign policy as a way to differentiate herself in a crowded Republican field, and her hardline stance on China could push her rivals to adopt harsher positions too.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse says fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50-100 times more potent than morphine, has contributed to a sharp rise in U.S. drug overdose deaths. Almost 80,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

U.S. officials say the fentanyl issue has been a top priority in talks with Beijing even as relations between the geopolitical rivals have plumbed their lowest depths in decades.

They say China's government has not been cooperative in recent years in helping to crackdown on the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals or on money laundering related to trafficking.

But Beijing has countered that Washington should stop using the fentanyl crisis as a pretext to sanction Chinese companies, and Chinese state media have repeatedly said addiction and demand for the drug are U.S. domestic problems.

Several candidates vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination have adopted a confrontational stance toward China, though Haley appears to be upping the ante by putting forth a series of aggressive, specific policy proposals.

Haley and other Republican candidates are tapping into a deep distrust of China held by the American public. Some 82% of American adults expressed an unfavorable opinion of China, according to a Pew Research Center poll from last year.

Haley also pledged to shut down a pathway for the export of certain sensitive technologies to China from the United States.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Michael Martina, editing by Ross Colvin and Alistair Bell)
FILE PHOTO: An advertising board, which promotes service in Wagner private mercenary group, is on display on the roadside in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2023. A slogan on the board reads: "Accede to the team of victors!" REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File

By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is examining how the Wagner Group's short-lived mutiny against Russia's military establishment might affect the mercenaries' operations in the Middle East and Africa, officials said.

Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin startled the world by leading an armed revolt on Saturday that brought his fighters from the Ukrainian border to within 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow before he abruptly called off the uprising.

U.S. policymakers view the mercenary force through the prism of a rivalry with Russia for influence in Africa and the Middle East and accusing it of gross human rights violations. The U.S. military has clashed directly with Wagner forces in Syria.

Among the possibilities policy analysts are considering, said a U.S. official, is that leaders of African nations may be less willing to hire the group after witnessing Prigozhin turn against his patrons. One of the options Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wagner members was to sign a contract with the Russian armed forces.

"If these Wagner forces are absorbed into the Russianmilitary overnight, it could be a problem. Many of thesecountries didn't sign up for a Russian military presence whenthey asked for Wagner forces," the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Some of those African leaders, said the official, worry deeply about internal rivals and Wagner's march on Moscow could fuel their fears.

'DESTABILIZING INFLUENCE'

Although not officially part of Russia's military, the Wagner Group is important to Putin because it can promote his foreign policy priorities and reach at a fraction of the cost. Putin said on Tuesday that the group had been "full financed" from the state budget.

The organization has deployed thousands of troops to Africa and the Middle East. It has established strong ties with several African governments over the past decade with operations in countries including Mali, Central African Republic (CAR), and Libya.

The mercenaries have played a central role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, doing much of the bloodiest fighting against Ukrainian troops.

At the Pentagon, spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder declined to speculate about Wagner's future but condemned the group's actions in Africa and beyond.

"They are a destabilizing influence in that region and certainly a threat, which is why they've been declared a transnational criminal organization," Ryder said.

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian media that Wagner's work in Central African Republic would continue.

The U.S. official said that despite Lavrov's comments, the United States was looking to see if countries in Africa trusted those assurances.Prigozhin, a former Putin ally, defied orders this month to place his troops under the command of Russia's Defense Ministry. Following the mutiny, Putin said on Monday he would honor his promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, sign formal army contracts or return to their families.Much would depend on Prigozhin's fate and how much influence he retained with his troops in Africa, the U.S. official said.

Michael Mulroy, a former senior Pentagon official, agreed that the weekend's events could harm Wagner in Africa.

"They will be seen as too unstable and potentially a threat to the leadership in those countries," Mulroy said. "They almost started a coup in their own (country)," he added.

Despite the obvious risks to Prigozhin's organization, there is a chance that the group benefits from its mutiny, a second U.S. official said. Wagner's surprise push to Moscow, which faced little resistance, could boost its reputation, leading to more business in Africa.

"He deals in matters of violence and this is good for the brand," said the second U.S. official.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Don Durfee and Grant McCool)
Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/FILE PHOTO

(Reuters) -The United States is considering new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence chips to China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of Nvidia fell more than 2%, while Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) fell about 1.5% on the news in extended trading.

The Commerce Department will stop the shipments of chips made by Nvidia and other chip companies to customers in China as early as July, the report said.

Nvidia, Micron, and AMD are among the U.S. chipmakers caught in the crossfire between China and the Biden administration.

In September, Nvidia had said that U.S. officials asked the company to stop exporting two top computing chips for artificial intelligence work to China.

Months later, Jensen Huang-led Nvidia said it will offer a new advanced chip called the A800 in China to meet export control rules. The company also tweaked its flagship H100 chip early this year to comply with regulations.

But the new curbs being mulled by the department would ban the sale of even A800 chips without a special U.S. export license, the report added.

The Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Reporting by Granth Vanaik and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shweta Agarwal)
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. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

By Daphne Psaledakis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States took aim at Russia's Wagner Group and imposed sanctions on Tuesday on companies it accused of engaging in illicit gold dealings to fund the mercenary force.

The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it slapped sanctions on four companies in the United Arab Emirates, Central African Republic and Russia it accused of being connected to the Wagner Group and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The companies engaged in illicit gold dealings to fund the militia to sustain and expand its armed forces, including in Ukraine and some countries in Africa, the Treasury said.

"The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in a statement.

"The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else."

The Wagner Group did not immediately respond to the U.S. allegations.

The U.S. State Department ahead of the announcement said that the action against Wagner was unrelated to an aborted mutiny last weekend.

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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that the finances of Prigozhin's catering firm would be investigated after his mutiny, saying Wagner and its founder had received almost $2 billion from Russia in the past year.

Wagner has fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries, and has fought the bloodiest battles of the 16-month-old war in Ukraine. It was founded in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and started supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

The United States has previously imposed sanctions on Wagner and Prigozhin. Washington has repeatedly warned of what it says are Wagner's destabilizing activities and has ramped up sanctions against the private army following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The companies hit with sanctions on Tuesday included Central African Republic-based Midas Ressources SARLU and Diamville SAU, Dubai-based Industrial Resources General Trading and Russia-based Limited Liability Company DM.

The United States also issued an advisory highlighting risks raised by gold trade in sub-Saharan Africa due to what it said was increasingly concerning reporting related to the role of illicit actors, including the Wagner Group.

Washington also imposed sanctions on Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, a Russian national the Treasury accused of being an executive in the Wagner Group and said he worked closely with senior Malian officials on weapons deals, mining concerns and other Wagner activities in the country.

Russia's embassy in Washington and Industrial Resources did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reuters could not immediately reach a spokesperson for Midas Ressources, Diamville or Limited Liability Company DM.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk and Costas Pitas; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool and Howard Goller)
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, U.S., April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rebuffed a legal theory favored by many conservatives that could hand sweeping power to state legislatures to establish rules for presidential and congressional elections and draft electoral maps giving huge advantages to the party already in control.

The justices, in a 6-3 decision authored by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, ruled against Republican state legislators in a case arising from a legal fight over their map of North Carolina's 14 U.S. House of Representatives districts. The state's top court last year blocked the map as unlawfully biased against Democratic voters.

The legislators had asked the justices to embrace a once-marginal legal theory, called the "independent state legislature" doctrine, that would remove any role of state courts and state constitutions in regulating federal elections. Critics of the doctrine, including many legal scholars, Democrats and liberal voting rights advocates, have called it a threat to American democratic norms.

The doctrine is based in part on the U.S. Constitution's statement that the "times, places and manner" of federal elections "shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof."

"The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review," Roberts wrote of that constitutional provision.

The ruling still puts the Supreme Court or other federal courts in a position to second-guess state courts in certain types of election-related cases.

Roberts was joined by fellow conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett as well as the court's three liberal members. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissented, saying the case should have been dismissed.

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to marginalize certain voters and increase the influence of others is called gerrymandering. Critics of the doctrine have said its application would let legislatures easily pass further voting restrictions or pursue extreme partisan gerrymandering. The Supreme Court in 2019 barred federal judges from curbing partisan gerrymandering.

The doctrine has gained ground among some Republican politicians, who have passed laws and restrictions in numerous states they have said are aimed at combating voter fraud. These efforts accelerated following Republican former President Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

Abha Khanna, an attorney for some of the map's challengers, hailed Tuesday's ruling as a "resounding victory for free and fair elections in the United States."

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said, "This is a good decision that curbs some of the power of Republican state legislatures and the ruling affirms the importance of checks and balances. But Republican legislators in North Carolina and across the country remain a very real threat to democracy as they continue to pass laws to manipulate elections for partisan gain by interfering with the freedom to vote."

Roberts, while rejecting the legislators' main arguments, cautioned that "state courts do not have free rein" to undermine power that the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures to craft election rules.

Roberts stopped short of announcing a legal test for determining when a state court has ventured too far, but that conclusion could still give politicians another chance to defend contested rules or maps.

The issue is "sure to be back at the court in future years, when state courts reject legislatively drawn maps and take it upon themselves to draw districts," said Michael Dimino, a professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Pennsylvania.

DRAWING ELECTORAL DISTRICTS

The North Carolina Supreme Court, whose judges are elected by the voters in the state, last year ruled that the Republican-drawn map unlawfully disadvantaged Democrats and that partisan gerrymandering violated the North Carolina state constitution. A replacement map was in effect for the November 2022 elections.

The state court's composition flipped in the November elections from a 4-3 Democratic majority to a 5-2 Republican majority. In April, it overruled its 2022 decision, concluding that state courts do not have the power to rein in electoral map drawing by politicians to entrench one party in power.

Timothy Moore, the speaker of North Carolina's House of Representatives who defended the Republican-drawn map, said that "fortunately the current Supreme Court of North Carolina has rectified bad precedent from the previous majority."

"We will continue to move forward with the redistricting process later this year," Moore added.

Electoral districts 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.

Numerous plaintiffs, including Democratic voters, sued after North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature passed its version of the congressional map in 2021. The plaintiffs argued the map violated the North Carolina state constitution's provisions concerning free elections and freedom of assembly, among others.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
FILE PHOTO: Bradley Fighting Vehicles of the U.S. army get offloaded from cargo vessel ARC Integrity, after their arrival at the harbour in Bremerhaven, Germany, February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will provide Kyiv with a new military package worth up to $500 million, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, in a show of support for Ukraine's fight against Russia as Moscow deals with the aftermath of a mutiny by mercenary fighters.

The package will include ground vehicles including Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers, and munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, according to a statement from the Pentagon.

The package "includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses ... and other equipment to help Ukraine push back on Russia's war of aggression," the Pentagon said.

"I am sincerely grateful," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a Twitter post "for another $500 million defense assistance package. Additional Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, ammunition for HIMARS, Patriots and Stingers will add even more power."

Russia's embassy in the U.S. said on its Telegram messaging app that with the aid, "Washington only confirms the obsession with the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation."

The package is being funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from U.S. excess inventory.

The security assistance package is the 41st approved by the United States for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, for a total of more than $40 billion.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Additional reporting by Paul Grant, Rami Ayyub, Ronald Popeski, Lidia Kelly and Ismail Shakil; Editing by Alistair Bell and Stephen Coates)
FILE PHOTO: Volvo reveals their new Volvo EX30 fully-electric small SUV vehicle during an event in Milan, Italy June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Claudia Greco

(Reuters) - Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement with Tesla to give its electric vehicles (EVs) access to the EV maker's Supercharger network in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The deal makes Volvo the first European automaker to adopt Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS), adding to the slew of EV makers and charging equipment manufacturers taking up the technology.

Starting 2025, Volvo's cars in the three countries will be equipped with the NACS port, it said, adding that drivers who choose to use the Combined Charging System (CCS) will able to do so with an adapter provided by the company.

Earlier this month, California-based EV maker Rivian Automotive Inc and General Motors said they would adopt the charging design, following Ford's announcement last month.

Tesla's Superchargers account for about 60% of the total fast chargers available in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Its recent deals represent major strides in displacing rival standard CCS that earlier exclusively had the backing of President Joe Biden's administration.

The government is offering $7.5 billion in funding to speed the deployment of EV chargers in the United States.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
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. REUTERS/Stringer/File photo

By Martin Quin Pollard and Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING (Reuters) - As news broke on Saturday that mercenary Wagner troops were careering towards Moscow in a short-lived rebellion, several businessmen from southern China began frantically calling factories to halt shipments of goods destined for Russia.

While the mutiny - the biggest test of Russian President Vladimir Putin's leadership since his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine - quickly faded, some of these exporters are now left questioning their future dependence on Beijing's closest ally.

"We thought there was going to be a big problem," Shen Muhui, the head of the trade body for the firms in China's southern Fujian province said, recalling the scramble among its members exporting auto parts, machinery and garments to Russia.

Though the crisis has eased, "some people remain on the sidelines, as they're not sure what will happen later," he added, declining to name the companies pausing shipments.

China has sought to play down the weekend's events and voiced support for Moscow, with which it struck a "no limits" partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in what Moscow calls a "special military operation".

But a top U.S. official on Monday said the weekend uprising had unsettled Beijing's cloistered leadership, and some analysts inside and outside China have started to question whether Beijing needs to ease off its political and economic ties to Moscow.

"It has put a fly in the ointment of that 'no-limits' relationship," said Singapore-based security analyst Alexander Neill.

China's foreign ministry, which described the aborted mutiny as Russia's "internal affairs" and expressed support for Moscow's efforts to stabilise the situation, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CALLS FOR CAUTION

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private army that has fought some of Russia's bloodiest battles in the Ukraine war, led the armed revolt after he alleged a huge number of his fighters had been killed in friendly fire.

But the mercenary leader abruptly called the uprising off on Saturday evening as his fighters approached Moscow while facing virtually no resistance during a dash of nearly 800 km (500 miles).

China did not comment as the crisis unfolded, but released a statement on Sunday when Foreign Minister Qin Gang hosted a surprise meeting with Russia's deputy foreign minister in Beijing.

At the heart of China and Russia's relations is a shared opposition to what they see as a world dominated by the United States and the expansion of the NATO military alliance that threatens their security.

After securing an unprecedented third term as president earlier this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first overseas trip to Moscow to meet his "dear friend" Putin.

While nationalistic commentators in state-run Chinese tabloids cheered Putin's swift efforts to stamp out the rebellion, even some in China - where critical speech is tightly controlled - have started to question Beijing's bet on Russia.

China "will be more cautious with its words and actions about Russia", said Shanghai-based international relations expert Shen Dingli.

Some Chinese scholars have gone even further.

Yang Jun, a professor at Beijing's China University of Political Science and Law, wrote a commentary published on Saturday that called for China to directly support Ukraine to avoid being "dragged into a quagmire of war by Russia".

"With the development of the current situation and the trend of the war...(China) should further adjust its position on Russia and Ukraine, make its attitude clearer, and decisively stand on the side of the victors of history," he wrote in Chinese-language Singaporean newspaper Lianhe Zaobao.

It was unclear if Yang's article was written before the Wagner rebellion and he did not respond to requests for an interview from Reuters.

Other China-based academics, however, said Beijing would not change its stance on Russia as a result of the incident.

INVESTOR UNCERTAINTY

China is Russia's top trading partner, with Beijing exporting everything from automobiles to smartphones and receiving cheap Russian crude oil that faces sanctions in much of the rest of the world.

But even in the energy sector, which fuelled a 40% jump in trade between Russia and China in the first five months of this year, there are some signs of caution in China.

Top company executives at Chinese state energy companies have routinely said it was too early to comment or sidestepped questions on new investments in Russia.

"Should Russia lose the war or see changes in the domestic leadership, it will create huge uncertainties for Chinese investors," said Michal Meidan, head of China energy research at The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

He said the Chinese government also seemed to be exercising caution, pointing out that Beijing had not yet signed a deal for a major new gas pipeline connecting the countries despite a push from Moscow.

While China is vital to Russia's economy, China's trade with the likes of the United States, the European Union and Japan - among the fiercest critics of Moscow's war in Ukraine - dwarfs its dealings with Russia.

"Beijing now has more reasons to have more reservations and to become more transactional in its dealings with Putin's Russia," said Wen-Ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University.

"There's no point making long-term investment in someone who may not credibly survive into the long-term."

(Reporting by Martin Quin Pollard and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing and the Shanghai newsroom; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
(Reuters) - Shares of Xponential Fitness slumped nearly 34% on Tuesday after short-seller Fuzzy Panda Research alleged that the boutique gym chain has misled investors by "hiding" the losses of its brands and franchisees.

Fuzzy Panda, in a report made public on Tuesday, revealed its short position on the company. It said more than half of Xponential's studios did not make a positive financial return, and eight out of 10 brands were losing money monthly, according to its review of 64 franchise disclosure documents (FDD).

It also said that CEO Anthony Geisler had made "false claims" that Xponential had never closed a store, but it discovered that more than 30 stores had been closed permanently.

Xponential Fitness did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report.

Shares of the company tumbled to a more than 10-month low of $16.59 in morning trade. If current losses hold, the stock would record its worst ever session.

Fuzzy Panda said some franchisees told the short seller the "losses were so bad that they sold their studios back to Xponential for $1," adding it has found more than 100 franchises for resale at a discount of over 75% to the initial cost.

Xponential has more than 2,700 fitness studios, including Cyclebar and Club Pilates brands, according to its website.

(This story has been refiled to correct syntax in the headline and paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced an additional $500 million in security assistance to Ukraine, which includes ammunition for Patriot and HIMARS, according to the Pentagon website.

"This package, valued at up to $500 million, includes key capabilities to support Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses to help Ukraine protect its people, as well as additional armored vehicles, anti-armor systems, critical munitions, and other equipment to help Ukraine push back on Russia's war of aggression," according to the statement.

The assistance package included 30 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Stryker APCs, as well as additional ammunition for Patriot and HIMARS, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Demolitions munitions and systems for obstacle clearing, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin, AT-4 anti-armor systems, anti-armor rockets, high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs), precision aerial munitions.

In addition, small arms and over 22 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades, thermal imaginary systems and night vision devices, testing and diagnostic equipment to support vehicle maintenance and repair, as well as spare parts, generators and other field equipment will be provided.
KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stepped up calls for Ukraine to receive a "political invitation" to join NATO when the military alliance holds a summit in Lithuania next month.

Zelenskiy also reiterated demands for security guarantees if Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia, is not given membership of the alliance in the near future.

"There is every reason for a political invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

He said there was "a full understanding of the security guarantees for Ukraine until the moment of accession" but gave no further details.

Kyiv has in recent weeks pressed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization increasingly hard over its membership bid and over its demands for security guarantees as the alliance prepares for the July 11-12 summit in Vilnius.

Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said last week he expected Kyiv to receive a clear signal and "formula" for it to become a member. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Tuesday for "crucial political decisions" to be made at the summit.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential staff, said last week the failure of the alliance to deliver a "strong" decision at the summit would demoralise Ukrainians and that Kyiv had shown it was ready to join with its fighting on the battlefield.

Zelenskiy has also said he recognises it would be impossible to join while Russia's war in Ukraine is still raging.

While Ukraine wants to join as quickly as possible, the alliance is divided over how fast that step should be taken.

Western governments such as the United States and Germany are wary of moves they fear could take the alliance closer to entering an active war with Russia, which has long seen NATO's expansion into eastern Europe as evidence of Western hostility.

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
FILE PHOTO: Employees work at the assembly line of Zoox, a self-driving vehicle owned by Amazon, at the company's factory in Fremont, California, U.S. July 19, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

By Abhirup Roy and Akash Sriram

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc's self-driving vehicle unit Zoox has grown its headcount by about 16% at a time when access to capital is tight and other large companies have exited the autonomous driving sector.

Amazon's shares were 1.2% higher at $128.84 in early afternoon trading.

Based in California, Zoox, has ramped up its efforts to test its driverless robotaxi on public roads of Las Vegas since June 16, where the autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals has been driving itself around with the company's employees.

Zoox's headcount has grown to about 2,200, up from 1,900 at the beginning of the year, Chief Technology Officer Jesse Levinson told Reuters.

Levinson said that Zoox autonomous vehicle will not be driving on the Vegas strip yet but is being tested for handling traffic lights, intersections and drive at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

It follows approval from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles that authorizes Zoox to test drive its robotaxis on public roads in the state.

The company also intends to invest in its Vegas facilities, adding warehouse spaces to house its testing and robotaxi fleets.

"We are preparing for commercial launch and so it is important to beef up," Levinson said, adding that the company expects to maintain a similar growth rate in headcount throughout the year.

This comes at a time when the sector has been struggling with the development of fully autonomous vehicles due to constrained access to funding and an uncertain economy.

Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG last fall announced that they would shut down their Argo AI self-driving unit and focus on driver-assistance technology that provided more immediate returns.

Alphabet's self-driving technology project Waymo laid off 137 employees in a second round of job cuts this year.

(This story has been refiled to correct a typographical error in paragraph 3)

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco and Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shweta Agarwal)
0001285543 true Yes FY 2023 0001285543 2022-01-01 2022-12-31 0001285543 2023-03-31 0001285543 2022-06-30 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K/A

Amendment Number 1

 ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the fiscal year ended

 TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from _________ to _________

ZERIFY, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

Wyoming 000-55012 22-3827597 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) file number) Identification No.)

1090 King Georges Post Road , Suite 603

Edison , NJ 08837

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

( 732 ) 661-9641

(Issuers telephone number)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered N/A N/A

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

Common stock, $0.0001 par value

Title of Class

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  No 

Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such a shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated Filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act. Yes  No 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class Outstanding at March 31, 2023 Common stock, $0.0001 par value 1,364,017,560

Class Outstanding at March 31, 2023 Preferred stock, Series A, no par value 3

Class Outstanding at March 31, 2023 Preferred stock, Series B, $0.10 par value 36,667

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Solely for purposes of the foregoing calculation, all of the registrants directors and officers are deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status for this purpose does not reflect a determination that any persons are affiliates for any other purposes. $ 21,120,000

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format Yes  No 

Documents Incorporated By Reference

None

The registrants auditor is Weinberg & Company, P.A , Los Angeles, California (PCAOB ID 572 )

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Zerify, Inc. is referred to herein as we, us, our, or the Company.

On April 14, 2023, we filed our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the 10-K); however, we failed to include under Controls and Procedures, our Managements annual report on internal control over financial reporting in the 10-K (the Report). We are amending the Form 10-K in this Form 10-K amendment to reflect the addition of the Report. In connection therewith, our 10-K filed on April 14, 2023 regarding Controls and Procedures is stated at page 30, as follows:

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) require public companies to maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which are defined as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuers management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and our Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the effectiveness our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2022. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective at the reasonable assurance level due to the following material weaknesses:

1. We do not have written documentation of our internal control policies and procedures. Written documentation of key internal controls over financial reporting is a requirement of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which is applicable to us as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management evaluated the impact of our failure to have written documentation of our internal controls and procedures on our assessment of our disclosure controls and procedures and has concluded that the control deficiency that resulted represented a material weakness.

2. Our board of directors has no independent director or member with financial expertise which causes ineffective oversight of our external financial reporting and internal control over financial reporting.

3. We do not have sufficient segregation of duties within accounting functions, which is a basic internal control. Due to our size and nature, segregation of all conflicting duties may not always be possible and may not be economically feasible. However, to the extent possible, the initiation of transactions, the custody of assets and the recording of transactions should be performed by separate individuals. Management evaluated the impact of our failure to have segregation of duties on our assessment of our disclosure controls and procedures and has concluded that the control deficiency that resulted represented a material weakness.

To address these material weaknesses, management performed additional analyses and other procedures to ensure that the financial statements included herein fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

2

Remediation of Material Weaknesses

We intend to remediate the material weaknesses in our disclosure controls and procedures identified above by adding an independent director or member with financial expertise or hiring a full-time CFO with SEC reporting experience in the future when working capital permits and by working with our independent registered public accounting firm to refine our internal procedures.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during our most recently completed fiscal quarter or during 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

We hereby amend the above disclosure to also include the Report, as follows:

Managements Annual Report on Internal control over Financial reporting

(c) Managements Annual report on Internal Control over Financial reporting

Cash

We currently have our Controller perform all of the Companys Bank reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of the Cash that is being reporting.

Accounts receivable

Due to lack of segregation in duties, as mentioned in our evaluation of control over financial reporting, our controller will prepare the customer invoices along with any supporting documentation to support the invoice and posting the cash payment on account once received. We are planning on having our accounting staff post the Cash Receivable on account, which will allow our Controller to reconcile the Cash and Accounts Receivable Ledger to the sub-Ledger to ensure accuracy.

Accounts Payables

A. Vendor Invoices

When a Vendor invoice is received it must be validated prior to being posted on account and it must have supporting documentation, which validates the invoice along with review and approval from the corresponding Manager.

B. Payments to Vendors

When payments are made to Vendors via Check ACH or Wire, an invoice must be submitted and validated. Our controller currently processes the invoices for payment and our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) currently approves and issues the payment. For internal controls purposes, any amount over $5,000 USD requires a second signature from another Company officer, such as our Chief Operating Officer or Chief Information Officer. . Once the payment is made, our Controller records the payment accordingly and reconciles it with the cash.

C. Expense reports (Reimbursable cost)

All reimbursable cost has to be approved in advance by the corresponding manager as well as our CEO. Once approved, the employee, consultant or client must provide complete a reimbursement form accompanied by receipts of the transaction detailing the approved expense with the name, quantity, amount, and date of purchase. They also need to show the payment method to establish they actually paid for the item themselves. Once the form and receipts are submitted to the controller, he reviews the Expense report along with the receipts for accuracy and validation. Our Controller then records the expenses to be paid out on a weekly basis, and the CEO conducts a final review prior to issuing the payment.

D. Payroll

We issue Payroll on a Bi-weekly basis. Our employees are on a salary, hourly, or commission basis. All hourly employees are to submit a timesheet no later than the Friday before a pay date and is required to be approved by the corresponding manager and then paid with the bi-weekly check run. For Salaried employees, management approval is still required and paid on a bi-weekly basis. For commissions, we agree upon the rate in which they are to be paid based on results of sales and other factors; once approved by the manager, it is then s submitted to the Controller or CEO for processing via ADP. Once completed prior to submitting the Payroll the Controller Prints, the Pay register and Summary report is provided to the CEO to review for accuracy. Once approved, the payroll is submitted and pay is issued on the pay date.

3

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

ZERIFY, INC. Dated: June 27, 2023 By: /s/ Mark L. Kay Mark L. Kay Chief Executive Officer

Dated: June 27, 2023 By: /s/ Philip E. Blocker Philip E. Blocker Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date /s/ Mark L. Kay Director June 27, 2023 Name: Mark L. Kay /s/ Ramarao Pemmaraju Director June 27, 2023 Name: Ramarao Pemmaraju /s/ George Waller Director June 27, 2023 Name: George Waller

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of June 2023

Commission File Number: 001-40649



REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD.

(Translation of registrants name into English)

Kibbutz Glil-Yam 4690500, Israel

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F  Form 40-F 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On June 27, 2023, REE Automotive Ltd. (the Company) issued a press release entitled Carlton Rose Joins REE Automotive Board of Directors. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report on Form 6-K.

This first and fifth paragraphs of the press release attached to this Form 6-K shall be deemed to be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into the Companys registration statements, including its registration statements on Form S-8 (File No. 333-261130 and File No. 333-272145) and registration statements on Form F-3 (File Nos. 333-266902 and 333-258963), and shall be a part thereof, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

1

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibit is filed as part of this Form 6-K:

2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: June 27, 2023

REE Automotive Ltd. By: /s/ Avital Futterman Name: Avital Futterman Title: General Counsel

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ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

PRESS RELEASE OF REE AUTOMOTIVE LTD., DATED JUNE 27, 2023
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or

15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of June 2023

Commission File Number: 001-39928

_____________________

Sendas Distribuidora S.A.

(Exact Name as Specified in its Charter)

Sendas Distributor S.A.

(Translation of registrants name into English)

Avenida Ayrton Senna, No. 6,000, Lote 2, Pal 48959, Anexo A

Jacarepagua

22775-005 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)



Form 20-F: y Form 40-F: o

SENDAS DISTRIBUIDORA S.A.

PUBLICLY HELD COMPANY

CNPJ No. 06.057.223/0001-71

NIRE No. 33.3.002.7290-9

MINUTES TO THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HELD ON JUNE 26, 2023

1. DATE, TIME AND VENUE: June 26, 2023, at 4 p.m, held virtually as if it had taken place at the headquarters of Sendas Distribuidora S. .A . ( Company ), at city o f Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Ayrton Senna, n 6.000, Lote 2, Pal 48959, Annex A, Jacarepagua, CEP 22775-005.

2. BOARD: Chairman : Oscar de Paula Bernardes Neto; Secretary : Aline Pacheco Pelucio.

3. CALL AND ATTENDANCE: Call was waived in accordance with the regalement and the meeting had the presence of all the members of the Company's Board of Directors: Mr. Oscar de Paula Bernardes Neto, Jose Guimaraes Monforte, Andiara Pedroso Pettterle, Belmiro de Figueiredo Gomes, Leila Abraham Loria, Leonardo Porciuncula Gomes Pereira, Julio Cesar de Queiroz Campos, Luiz Nelson Guedes de Carvalho and Philippe Alarcon.

4. AGENDA: To resolve on (i) the execution, as well as the approval of terms and conditions, of the 7 (seventh) issuance of debentures, not convertible into shares, unsecured, in up to three (3) series, of the Company, in the total amount of, initially, BRL 1.000.000.000,00 (one billion reais) ( Issuance ), for private placement pursuant to article 59, paragraph 1 of Law No. 6,404, of December 15, 1976, as amended ( Brazilian Corporation Law ) and other applicable legal and regulatory provisions, pursuant to the Instrumento Particular de Escritura da 7 (Setima) Emissao de Debentures Simples, Nao Conversiveis em Acoes, da Especie Quirografaria, em ate 3 (tres) Series, para Colocacao Privada, da Sendas Distribuidora S.A., to be entered into between the Company and True Securitizadora S.A., as the debenture holder ( Indenture  and  Securitization Company , respectively); which was issued in the context of a securitization transaction of real estate receivable certificates, to be issued by the Securitization Company ( CRI  and  Securitization Transaction , respectively), that will be subject of a public distribution operation under the automatic registration procedure, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios) ( CVM ) Resolution No. 160, of July 13, 2022, as amended ( CVM Resolution 160  and  Offering dos CRI ); and (ii) the authorization and ratification to the Board of Executive Officers and other legal representatives of the Company for them to perform all acts and adopt all necessary and/or convenient measures for the formalization of the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, including, but not limited to, the signature of the Indenture, the hiring of the financial institutions and others service providers related to the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, the signature of all others documents related to the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, and the performance of all acts and the adoption of all necessary measures for the formalization of the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, as well as the signature of any amendments to said instruments, as well as the ratification of all acts and measures taken in this regard.

5. RESOLUTIONS: The Board of Directors members analyzed the Agenda and resolved, by unanimous decision, without any exception to:

(i) Authorize the Issuance by the Company, with the following main characteristics, which will be detailed and regulated within the scope of the Indenture, as well as the execution of the Indenture, of other documents of the Issuance and any amendments to such documents, by the officers of the Company and/or attorneys appointed pursuant to article 17, item (h) of its Bylaws, regardless of additional approval in this regard at the General Meeting.

(a) Binding to the issuance of the CRI: the Debentures (as defined below) will back the issuance of up to three (3) real estate credit certificates by the Securitization Company, which shall represent the Real Estate Credits consolidated by the Debentures ( CCI ) and bound to the CRI by means of the Termo de Securitizacao de Credito Imobiliario das 1, 2 e 3 series da 192 Emissao de Certificados de Recebiveis Imobiliarios da True Securitizadora S.A., Lastreado em Creditos Imobiliarios devidos pela Sendas Distribuidora S.A. to be executed between the Securitization Company and Vortx Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios Ltda. ( CRIs fiduciary agent  and  Securitization Instrument , respectively);

(b) Total Amount of the Issuance: the total amount of the Issuance shall be one billion reais (BRL 1,000,000,000.00) on the Issuance Date (as defined below) ( Total Amount of the Issuance ), with no minimum or maximum amount for allocation among the series, considering that the Total Amount of the Issuance may be (i) increased by up to 25% (twenty-five percent), i.e., by up to two hundred and fifty million reais (BRL 250,000,000.00), in the event of partial or total exercise of the additional lot option in the CRI issuance, pursuant to article 50, of CVM Resolution 160; or (ii) reduced due to the possibility of partial distribution of the CRI, pursuant to article 73 of Resolution CVM 160 ( Partial Distribution ), observing the minimum amount of R$750,000,000.00 (seven hundred and fifty million reais) ( Minimum Amount ), in accordance with the demand verified during the Bookbuilding Procedure (as defined below) ( Additional Lot Option );

(c) Issuance Date: for all legal purposes and effects, the issuance date of the Debentures shall be defined in the Indenture ( Issuance Date );

(d) Number of Issuance: The Issuance shall be the Company's seventh (7 th ) issuance of Debentures;

(e) Unit Par Value: the unit par value of Debentures, on Issuance Date, shall be one thousand Reais (BRL 1,000.00) ( Unit Par Value );

(f) Series: the Issuance will have of up to three (03) series. The number of Debentures to be allocated in each series of the Issuance and the final number of series will be defined after the completion of the Bookbuilding Procedure, noting that the allocation of Debentures among the series will occur in the system of communicating vessels, in which the number of Debentures of a series should be decreased from the total number of Debentures ( Communicating Vessel System ). There will be no minimum or maximum number of Debentures or minimum or maximum amount for allocation among the series, and any of the series may not be issued, in which case the totality of the Debentures will be issued in the remaining series(es), pursuant to the terms agreed upon at the end of the Bookbuilding Procedure, with the first series Debentures hereinafter referred to as  First Series Debentures , the second series Debentures hereinafter referred to as  Second Series Debentures  and the third series Debentures hereinafter referred to as  Third Series Debentures  and, collectively,  Debentures ;

(g) Number of Debentures: one million (1,000,000.00) Debentures will be issued, no minimum or maximum quantity to be allocated among the series, observing that the quantity of Debentures may be (i) increased by up to two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) Debentures, in the event of the exercise, in full or in part, of the Additional Lot Option; or (ii) reduced due to the Partial Distribution observing the minimum amount of R$750,000,000.00 (seven hundred and fifty million reais);

(h) Bookbuilding Procedure: the procedure for collecting intentions of investment from potential investors will be adopted, observing the provisions of Article 61 and following of CVM Resolution 160, with receipt of reservations, without minimum or maximum lots, to verify demand for the CRI, to be organized by the financial institutions hired in the context of the CRI Offering ( Financial Institutions ), to be defined jointly with the Company and to define: (i) the final CRI compensation of each series and, consequently, the Debentures compensation of each series; and (ii) the existence of the three series of CRI (and, consequently, the existence of the three series of Debentures) and the volume to be allocated to each series of CRI (and, consequently, the volume to be allocated to each series of Debentures), subject to the Additional Lot Option and the possibility of Partial Distribution ( Bookbuilding Procedure );

(i) Guarantees: the Debentures will not be secured by guarantees;

(j) Effectiveness and Maturity Date: except in the cases of Optional Early Redemption (as defined below), redemption as a result of an Early Redemption Offer (as defined below), and declaration of early maturity of the Debentures, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, (i) the First Series Debentures will mature one thousand and ninety-four (1,094) days from the Issuance Date, maturing on the date stated in the Indenture ( First Series Debentures Maturity Date ); (ii) the Second Series Debentures will mature one thousand and four hundred and fifty- nine (1,459) days counted from the Issuance Date, maturing, therefore, on the date established in the Indenture ( Second Series Debentures Maturity Date ); and (iii) the Third Series Debentures will mature in one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five (1,825) days from the Issuance Date, maturing on the date stated in the Indenture ( Third Series Debentures Maturity Date  and, with the Maturity Date of the First Series Debentures and the Maturity Date of the Second Series Debentures, together herein referred to as the  Maturity Date );

(k) Conversion and Form: the Debentures will be issued in registered and book- entry form, without the issuance of certificates or safeguards and will not be convertible into shares issued by the Company;

(l) Form and Debentures Ownership Confirmation: Debentures will be issued in registered and book-entry form, without the issuance of certificates, and, for all legal purposes and effects, ownership of the Debentures will be evidenced by the Securitization Companys registration in the Companys nominative debentures registry book ( Nominative Debentures Registration Book ), pursuant to articles 31 and 63 of the Brazilian Corporation Law;

(M) Kind: the Debentures will be non-privileged, pursuant to Article 58, caput, of the Brazilian Corporation Law. The Debentures will not grant any special or general privilege to their holders, nor will any of the Companys assets be segregated, in particular for guaranteeing the Debenture Holders in the event of the need for judicial or extrajudicial execution of the Company's obligations under the Debentures;

(n) Use of Proceeds: the net proceeds from this Issuance will be used entirely and exclusively by the Company to reimburse expenses and expenditures incurred by the Company related to the expansion and/or maintenance of certain properties, to be specified in the Indenture, incurred within twenty-four (24) months prior to the date of communication of the closing of the CRI Offering, observed the form of use and the proportion of the funds raised to be destined to each of the Destination Enterprise and the Reimbursement Enterprise, as foreseen in the Indenture, and the indicative schedule of the destination of the funds foreseen in the Indenture ( Use of Procedures );

(o) Monetary Restatement: the Unit Par Value of the Debentures and the balance of the Unit Par Value of the Debentures shall not be monetarily restated;

(p) Compensation of Debentures:

(i) Compensation of First Series Debentures : from the first Payment Date, the Debentures will be entitled to a compensation corresponding to the accumulated variation of 100% (one hundred percent) of the average daily rates of DI  Interbank Deposits of one day, over extra group, expressed as a percentage per year, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days ( DI Rate ), calculated and published daily by the Brazilian Stock Exchange (B3 SA  Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao) ( B3 ), in the daily newsletter available at its website (http://www.b3.com.br), exponentially increased by a spread of 1.00% (one percent) per year, to be determined according to the Bookbuilding Procedure, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days, levied on the Unit Par Value or the Unit Par Value of Debentures of First Series balance, as the case may be, according to the formula described in the Indenture ( Compensation of First Series Debentures ).

(ii) Compensation of Second Series Debentures : from the first Payment Date of the Second Series Debentures, the Second Series Debentures will be entitled to a compensation corresponding to a certain percentage per year, to be defined according to the Bookbuilding Procedure, limited to the highest rate among (I) percentage corresponding to the respective DI Rate, according to the quote of the last price verified at the closing Business Day before the date the Bookbuilding Procedure is performed, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days, published by B3 4 , corresponding to the futures contract maturing on July 1, 2027, increased exponentially by a spread of 1.00% (one percent) per year; e (II) 12.31% per annum, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty two) Business Days and, in both cases, levied on the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures or on the balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures ( Compensation of First Series Debentures ), as the case may be, according to the formula described in the Indenture.

(iii) Compensation of Third Series Debentures: as from the first Payment Date, the Third Series Debentures will be entitled to a compensation corresponding to the accumulated variation of one hundred percent (100%) of the DI Rate, calculated and disclosed daily by B3, increased exponentially by a spread to be determined according to the Bookbuilding Procedure, limited to 1.15% per annum based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days, levied on the Unit Par Value or on the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, of the Third Series Debentures ( Compensation of the Third Series  and, together with the Compensation of the First Series and the Compensation of the Second Series,  Compensation ), in accordance with the formula established in the Indenture.

4 https://www.b3.com.br/pt_br/market-data-e-indices/servicos-de-dados/market-data/consultas/mercado-de-derivativos//precos-referenciais/taxas-referenciais-bm-fbovespa/

For purposes of calculation of the Compensations, the  Capitalization Period  means the period that begins on the respective  Payment Date  (including), in relation to the first Capitalization Period, or on the respective immediately previous Compensation Payment Date (including), in relation to the other Capitalization Periods, and that ends on the date of the next Compensation Payment Date, as the case, of the respective period (excluding). Each Capitalization Period succeeds the previous one without interruption, until the Maturity Date.

(q) Payment Dates of the Compensation: the compensation of the Debentures will be paid semi-annually, as of the Issuance Date, according to the schedule established in the Indenture;

(r) Repayment of Unit Par Value:

(i) Repayment of the Unit Par Value of the First Series Debentures : the Unit Par Value of the First Series Debentures or the balance of the Unit Par Value of the First Series Debentures, as the case may be, will be amortized in a single installment, on the Maturity Date of the First Series Debentures, except in the cases of Optional Early Redemption, redemption as a result of an Early Redemption Offer, Optional Repayment and redemption due to the declaration of early maturity of the Debentures, according to the Indenture;

(ii) Repayment of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures : the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures or the balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures, as the case may be, will be amortized in a single installment, on the Maturity Date of the Second Series Debentures, except in the cases of Optional Early Redemption, redemption as a result an Early Redemption Offer, Optional Repayment and redemption due to the declaration of early maturity of the Debentures, according to the Indenture;

(iii) Repayment of the Unit Par Value of the Third Series Debentures : the Updated Unit Par Value of the Third Series Debentures or the balance of the Updated Unit Par Value of the Third Series Debentures will be amortized in two (2) installments, annually and consecutively, the first on the date defined in the Indenture and the last on the Third Series Debentures Maturity Date, according to the schedule established in the Indenture, except in the cases of Optional Early Redemption, redemption as a result an Early Redemption Offer, Optional Repayment and redemption due to the declaration of early maturity of the Debentures, according to the Indenture;

(s) Placement: the Debentures will be the object of a private placement, without intermediation by institutions that are part of the securities distribution system and/or any sales effort to investors and will not be registered for distribution and trading on a stock exchange or unorganized over-the-counter market;

(t) Subscription and Payment: the Debentures will be subscribed by the Securitization Company on a single date, through the signature of a subscription bulletin ( Subscription Bulletin ), as well as the registration on its behalf in the Nominative Debentures Registration Book. The Debentures will be paid in cash and in national currency, on each of the CRI payment dates, if there is more than one, in the terms and conditions of the Securitization Instrument and the Indenture. The payment price of the Debentures will correspond to the Unit Par Value of the Debentures. If the Debentures are paid in on more than one date, the price of the Debentures paid in after the first Payment Date will be equivalent to the Unit Par Value, plus the respective Compensation of each Serie calculated pro rata temporis, from the first Payment Date (inclusively) to the date of the effective payment of the Debentures (exclusively) ( Payment Price ). The Debentures can be paid with goodwill or negative goodwill, in accordance with goodwill or negative goodwill applicable to the CRI, to be defined upon the subscription of the Debentures of the same series paid in on the same date, at the exclusive discretion of the Managers, as set forth in Contrato de Coordenacao, Colocacao e Distribuicao Publica, sob o Regime Misto de Garantia Firme e Melhores Esforcos de Colocacao, de Certificados de Recebiveis Imobiliarios das 1, 2 e 3 Series da 192 Emissao da True Securitizadora S.A. to be entered into between the financial institutions part of the distribution system, the Company and the Securitization Company ( Distribution Agreement );

(u) Early Maturity: subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Securitization Company shall declare the early maturity of the obligations arising from the Debentures upon the confirmation of the occurrence of certain events, as provided for in the Indenture, and demand the immediate payment, by the Company, of the Unit Par Value of the Debentures, balance of the Unit Par Value of the Debentures, as the case may be, increased by the respective Compensation, calculated on a pro rata temporis basis, from the respective first Payment Date, or the respective Compensation Payment Date immediately preceding it, until the date of its actual payment, regardless of any notice, demand or judicial or extrajudicial notification to the Company, under the terms and deadlines established in the Indenture ( Events of Early Maturity );

(v) Optional Total Early Redemption: the Company, from the date to be defined in the Indenture, may redeem, at any time, the entirety of the First Series Debentures and the Third Series Debentures, in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Indenture ( Optional Early Redemption ). In the event of Optional Early Redemption of First Series and/or Third Series Debentures, the payment of the respective Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value, however the case may be, plus the respective Compensation, calculated pro rata temporis from the respective first Payment Date or the respective last Compensation Payment Date, however the case may be, through the date of the effective Optional Early Redemption, plus the Optional Early Redemption Premium of First Series, as set forth in the Indenture, including interest and fines in arrears, if any. As set forth in the Indenture,  Optional Early Redemption Premium of First Series  is considered to be a premium equivalent to 0.35% per year, pro rata temporis, base two hundred and fifty-two (252) Business Days, levied on the Unit Par Value or on the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, increased by the respective Compensation due, calculated pro rata temporis from the first Payment Date of the respective series or the respective last Compensation Payment Date, as the case may be, until the date of the actual Optional Early Redemption, multiplied by the remaining term, considering the number of Business Days to elapse between the date of the Optional Early Redemption of the First Series and the respective Maturity Date of the First Series Debentures and/or Third Series Debentures, according to the formula described in the Indenture;

In the event of Optional Early Redemption of Second Series, the payment will be made of the amount indicated in items (i) or (ii) below, whichever is greater: (i) the Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures, as the case may be, plus: (a) the Remuneration of the Second Series calculated, pro rata temporis, since the first Date of Payment or the last Date of Payment of Remuneration of the Second Series, as the case may be, until the date of effective redemption (exclusive); and (b) the Default Charges (as defined in the Indenture), if any; or (ii) the present value of the sum of the remaining amortization payment values of the Unit Par Value or balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures, as the case may be, and of the Remuneration of the Second Series, using as discount rate the DI rate for two hundred fifty-two (252) Business Days based on the adjustment (interpolation) of the Pre x DI curve, to be published by B3 on its website, corresponding to the vertex with the number of calendar days closest to the remaining duration of the Second Series Debentures, to be calculated on the closing of the Business Day immediately preceding the Optional Early Redemption Date of the Second Series Debentures, calculated according to the formula established in the Indenture.

(w) Optional Repayment: the Company may perform, as of the dates set forth in the Indenture, an optional repayment of the Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, limited to 98% (ninety eight per cent) of the Debentures of each series ( Optional Repayment ).

In the event of Optional Repayment of the First Series Debentures and/or of the Third Series Debentures, payment will be made of a part of the Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, of the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures, as the case may be, plus the respective Compensation, calculated pro rata temporis since the first Date of Payment or the respective last Compensation Payment Date, as the case may be, until the date of the effective Optional Repayment, plus the Optional Amortization Premium (as defined below), as well as fine and default interest. For purposes of 35% per annum, pro rata temporis, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days, on the portion of the Unit Par Value or on the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, of the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures, as the case may be, plus the respective Compensation, calculated on a pro rata temporis basis from the first Date of Payment or from the respective last Compensation Payment Date on the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures as the case may be, subject to the Optional Repayment, multiplied by the remaining term of the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures, as the case may be, subject to the Optional Repayment considering the number of Business Days to elapse between the date of the Optional Repayment of the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures, as the case may be, and the Maturity Date of the First Series Debentures and/or the Third Series Debentures subject to the Optional Repayment, in accordance with the formula described in the Indenture.

In the event of an Optional Repayment of the Second Series Debentures, the payment will be made of the amount indicated in items (i) or (ii) below, whichever is greater: (i) the portion of the Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures, as the case may be, plus: (a) the Compensation of the Second Series calculated, pro rata temporis, since the first Date of Payment or the last Date of Payment of Compensation of the Second Series, as the case may be, until the date of effective redemption (exclusive); and (b) the Default Charges, if any; or (ii) the present value of the sum of remaining amounts of amortization payment of the Unit Par Value or balance of the Unit Par Value of the Second Series Debentures, as the case may be, and of the Compensation of the Second Series, using as discount rate the DI rate for two hundred fifty-two (252) Business Days based on the adjustment (interpolation) of the Pre x DI curve, to be disclosed by B3 on its website, corresponding to the vertex with the number of calendar days closest to the remaining duration of the Second Series Debentures, to be calculated on the closing of the Business Day immediately preceding the date of the Optional Amortization of the Second Series Debentures, calculated according to the formula described in the Indenture.

(x) Early Redemption Offer: the Company may, at its sole discretion, at any time from the Issuance Date, make an early redemption offer for all of the First Series Debentures, Second Series Debentures and Third Series Debentures, jointly or individually ( Early Redemption Offer ), and the Early Redemption Offer proposed by the Company must be addressed to the Securitization Company, with a copy to the CRIs Fiduciary Agent. The Company will carry out any Early Redemption Offering by sending a communication addressed to the Securitization Company, with a copy to the CRIs Fiduciary Agent ( Early Redemption Offering Notice ), which shall describe the terms and conditions of the Early Redemption Offering, including (i) series(es) of Debentures object of the Early Redemption Offer, which will coincide with the payment of the Amount of Early Redemption Offering; (ii) effective date for the redemption object of the Early Redemption Offering, which will coincide with the payment of the Amount of Early Redemption Offering (as defined below); (iii) mention that the Amount of Early Redemption Offering will be calculated as per the Indenture; (iv) the portion of the Early Redemption Offering Value (as defined below) to which it corresponds to any early redemption award to be offered by the Company, if any, which cannot be negative; (v) the form and deadline for the manifestation to the Company of Debenture holders who choose to adhere to the Early Redemption Offering; and (vi) any further information necessary for the operation of the Early Redemption Offering.

On the occasion of the Early Redemption Offering of the Early Redemption Offering, the Securitization Company will be entitled to payment of the Unit Par Value or the balance of the Unit Par Value, as the case may be, plus: (i) the Compensation, calculated pro rata temporis, from the respective first Payment Date or the immediately preceding Compensation Payment Date, as the case may be, until the redemption date object of the Early Redemption Offering, as well as, if applicable, (ii) a redemption premium, which, if any, cannot be negative, and (iii) if applicable, any late payment charges due and not paid, until the date of said redemption ( Amount of Early Redemption Offering ).

(y) Optional Early Redemption due to Tax Event: The Company may, at any time, in the event that it is required to carry out a withholding, a deduction or a payment referring to the addition of taxes under the terms of the Indenture, carry out the optional early redemption of the totality of the Debentures (partial redemption being prohibited), with the consequent cancellation of such Debentures, by sending a direct communication to the Securitization Company, with a copy to the CRIs Fiduciary Agent, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the redemption date, perform the total early redemption of the Debentures ( Optional Early Redemption by Tax Event ).

In the case of Optional Early Redemption by Tax Event, the amount to be paid by the Company relative to each of the Debentures will be equivalent to the Unit Par Value of the Debentures, added with: (a) the Compensation of the Debentures, calculated, pro rata temporis, from the first Payment Date of the Debentures or the Compensation Payment Date of the Debentures immediately preceding, as the case may be, until the effective redemption date (exclusive); (b) Arrears Charges (as defined below), if any; and (c) any pecuniary obligations and other accruals relating to the Debentures.

(z) Optional Acquisition: the optional early acquisition of the Debentures by the Company will be prohibited;

(aa) Renewal: the Debentures are not subject to scheduled renewal;

(bb) Charges in Arrears: in the event of failure in the payment, by the Company, of any amount payable to the Securitization Company, the overdue debts not paid by the Company, shall be, from the default date to the effective payment date, subject to, regardless of request, communication or judicial or extrajudicial request, in addition to the respective Compensation: (i) traditional fine, not subject to reduction and non-compensatory, of two percent (2%); and (ii) interest in arrears, at the rate of one percent (1%) per month, both levied on the overdue amounts, except if the default has taken place by virtue of any operational issue caused by third-parties and provided that such issue has been resolved within one (1) Business Day after the default date;

(cc) Payment Place: payments to which the Debentures are entitled will be made by the Company in the account held by the Securitization Company, as stated in the Indenture;

(dd) Extension of Time Limits: the deadlines referring to the payment of any obligation established in the Indenture until the first subsequent Business Day will be considered automatically extended if the maturity coincides with a day in which there is no banking business in the City of Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo, without any addition to the amounts payable; and

(ee) Other Characteristics of the Issuance: all other terms and conditions of the Issuance, of the Debentures and of the CRI shall be defined in the Indenture.

(ii) Authorize the Board of Executive Officers and other legal representatives of the Company to retain the service providers necessary for the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, including but not limited the signature of the Indenture, to the financial institutions and others service providers related to the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, the signature of all others documents related to the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction, perform all acts and adopt all necessary measures for the formalization of the Issuance and the Securitization Transaction and ratify the acts already practiced by the Board of Executive Office, as appropriate.

6. APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE OF THESE MINUTES : Nothing else to be discussed, the works were suspended for the drawing up of these minutes. After reopening the work, the present minutes was read and approved, having been signed by all attendees. Rio de Janeiro, June 26, 2023. Chairman : Mr. Oscar de Paula Bernardes Neto; Secretary : Mrs. Aline Pacheco Pelucio. Attending members of the Board of Directors: Mr. Oscar de Paula Bernardes Neto, Mr. Jose Guimaraes Monforte, Mr. Andiara Pedroso Pettterle, Mr. Belmiro de Figueiredo Gomes, Mrs. Leila Abraham Loria, Mr. Leonardo Porciuncula Gomes Pereira, Mr. Julio Cesar de Queiroz Campos, Mr. Luiz Nelson Guedes de Carvalho e Mr.Philippe Alarcon.

I hereby certify, for due purposes, that this is a certificate of the minutes registered in the relevant corporate book, in accordance with Article 130, paragraph 3, of Brazilian Corporation Law.

Rio de Janeiro, June 26th, 2023

Aline Pacheco Pelucio

Secretary

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: June 27, 2023

Sendas Distribuidora S.A.

By: /s/ Daniela Sabbag Papa

Name: Daniela Sabbag Papa

Title: Chief Financial Officer

By: /s/ Gabrielle Helu

Name: Gabrielle Helu

Title: Investor Relations Officer

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.
Air Force leaders said Monday that they plan to buy 96 aircraft, including 72 fighter jets, and boost their research into future technologies by nearly 10% as part of the services more than $185 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2024.

The spending plan for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 is about $5.4 billion more than the budget for 2023. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the plan is a beautiful balance between operational demands now and modernizing to stay ahead of the future threats that are primarily coming from Chinas ability to rapidly update its militarys technology. Its just part of the more than $215 billion budget request from Department of the Air Force, which includes $30 billion for Space Force.

I'm very comfortable with what we're asking for. I think we've got a good mix here, Kendall said Friday on a call with reporters.

The Air Force funding plan is part of the Defense Department budget proposal of $842 billion, which is up 3.2% from fiscal 2023, which ends Sept. 30. The $26 billion increase from last years spending would include a 5.2% salary bump for troops  the highest in 20 years.

The Air Forces proposed budget speeds up planned purchases of aircraft, including 48 F-35A fighter jets and 24 F-15EX jets. The service also plans to retire 310 aircraft, including 32 F-22 Raptors, 57 F-16 Eagles, 48 MQ-9 Reapers, which are unmanned aircraft, and 42 A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog.

The Air Force also plans to retire 24 KC-10 tankers as it requests the purchase of 15 of its replacement aircraft, the KC-46.

The plan includes funding for 1.1 million flying hours.

The proposal calls for a 9.7% increase in research and development spending, including the formation of an experimental operations unit, said Maj. Gen. Michael A. Greiner, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for budget. It includes an increase in money for the intercontinental ballistic missile replacement, the Sentinel program, as the first of the new strategic bomber B-21 Raider is projected to take flight later this year, he said.

Other new technology programs with increased funding include the next generation of manned and unmanned combat aircrafts and test aircraft for the continued development of the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, which is sometimes called the Doomsday plane and is made to survive a nuclear blast.

The Air Force budget also calls for $42.1 billion to fund 512,100 members of the Air Force and Space Force, including Air National Guard and Reserve members.

There are about 504,475 troops now in the Air Force and Space Force, according to budget documents. The Air Force is authorized now to have about 250 additional troops. If the Air Force can fill all the positions its requesting in 2024, it could see about 7,625 more troops in its ranks.

The Air Force asked for $588 million for civilian personnel, which includes a 5.2% pay raise  the largest in 40 years, Greiner said.

To help with recruiting, the budget includes funding for increasing pilot retention bonuses from $35,000 to $50,000, and $45 million for initial recruiting bonuses.

The service is requesting $368 million that will go toward 39 dormitories, and another $731 million for infrastructure improvement for environmental sustainability, such as electric, water, pipeline and landscaping improvements.

The Air Force requested $3.8 billion for 49 projects in 17 states and overseas locations for military construction.

Kendall said its important that Congress pass this budget on schedule.

So many people have been asking me about going faster and accelerating change  and how to make acquisition move faster. We move at the pace of money and engineering. And you don't start until you get the money, he said.
(Tribune News Service)  An active duty airman assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base has been identified as the victim of Saturday's drowning at Pactola Reservoir.

Ellsworth Public Affairs identified the individual as Airman 1st Class Weds Byssainthe, 20.

"The Air Force and Ellsworth Air Force Base lost a member of the family, and we extend our deepest condolences to Airman 1st Class Weds Byssainthe's family and friends," said Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing Commander. "We share in the sorrow felt by his loved ones, and the loss of one of our own affects all of us. Our focus right now is on his family in this difficult time."

The Pennington County Sheriff's Office received a report of a potential drowning near Pactola Point Picnic Area just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The rescue mission transitioned to recovery just after 7 p.m.; Byssainthe's body was recovered around 8 p.m., according to PCSO.

Sheriff Brian Mueller said in a statement Saturday, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family at this painful time." He attributed the quick recovery to the coordinated efforts of all the teams involved.

The incident is still under investigation.

ddodge@rapidcityjournal.com

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ATLANTA  The Air Force will base F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets at Moody Air Force Base in the coming years as the installation retires its A-10 attack aircraft, the service announced Monday.

The Air Force will base two squadrons of the services most advanced fighters at the south Georgia base with the first aircraft set to arrive in fiscal 2027, according to the announcement. The decision comes as Congress appeared poised to allow the Air Force to retire much of its fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, affectionately known as Warthogs, a move long requested by the service.

The decision to host the F-35 mission at Moody AFB came after assessing the areas ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors and cost, the Air Force said.

Basing the two F-35 squadrons at Moody will require an increase of about 500 troops at the base, the service said. It was not immediately clear Tuesday what kind of infrastructure improvements might be needed to house the fifth-generation fighters.

The service said it will soon launch an environmental impact study to ensure Moody can safely house the F-35s. That analysis is expected to be completed by fall 2025, according to the Air Force.

The plan comes as the Air Force intends to retire the 54 A-10s now housed at the base. The popular attack jets have been based at Moody since 2009. The base is home to the 23rd Fighter Group and the 476th Fighter Group of the Air Force Reserve.

Congress appeared likely to approve an Air Force plan to retire 42 of its 281 A-10s, including six from Moody through fiscal 2024, based on legislation approved by key panels last week in both chambers. Moodys remaining 48 A-10s would be retired by fiscal 2028, and simultaneously replaced by F-35s, according to the service plan.

Congress has pushed back for years on Air Force plans to scrap its A-10s, largely because no other U.S. aircraft matches its precise mission to provide close air support to ground troops in combat. But the Senate and House Armed Services committees last week approved A-10 retirement plans included in their versions of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The NDAA, an annual bill that sets policy and spending priorities for the Pentagon, must be passed by both chambers and reconciled before it can be signed into law by the president.

The A-10s are beloved by front-line ground forces who relied on them in combat in the Middle East and Afghanistan for many years. Air Force officials, however, have said the more than 50-year-old jet has outlived its use and would fare poorly in a conventional fight with a near-peer power such as China or Russia.

They have argued the F-35A  the most expensive fighter jet ever built  can provide close air support, among the dozens of other types of missions that it is capable of flying.

The F-35A brings an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate, the services Moody announcement said. With its aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics, the F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., applauded the Moody decision in a statement Monday, calling the decision a major step forward for the base.

Moody is a critical national security asset and a vital job creator for South Georgia, he said. The men and women who serve at Moody are among the finest in our armed forces.

The Air Force also announced Monday that Gowen Field Air National Guard Base in Idaho will receive F-16s to replace the A-10s based there. Its A-10s are expected to begin retiring in fall 2026, and F-16 Fighting Falcon fourth generation aircraft will start to arrive in spring 2027, according to the service.
Lt. Col. Jon-Paul Depreo went from commanding an engineer battalion at Fort Johnson to prison-bound in less than six months after he pleaded guilty Monday to charges of assault and conduct unbecoming an officer in a courtroom at the Army post in Louisiana.

Military judge Col. Maureen Kohn sentenced Depreo, 42, to spend two months in prison, which was consistent with the terms of the plea agreement, according to a statement from Shelby Waryas, a spokeswoman for Fort Johnson, formerly Fort Polk. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault consummated by a battery and one count of conduct unbecoming.

He was originally charged with one count of abusive sexual contact, one count of maltreatment of a subordinate, and two counts of conduct unbecoming of an officer for his alleged actions, Waryas said last month when Depreos case posted to the Armys online court docket.

Waryas did not say what led to the charges against Depreo.

Depreo took command of the 46th Engineer Battalion on June 17, 2021, and was fired in January, according to Fort Johnson.

Within Depreos first month in command, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremy Compton, the units top enlisted soldier, was fired amid a separate criminal investigation. Compton pleaded guilty June 1 to distributing child pornography, adultery and sharing explicit photos of himself while in uniform. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
(Tribune News Service)  A $91.5 billion bill making its way through Congress funding programs under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security includes provisions to continue supporting an increased U.S. Coast Guard presence in the Pacific.

The bill includes $335 million requested by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who represents urban Honolulu and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, for the acquisition of four new Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters for the Coast Guard to support operations in the Pacific.

The measure also includes language encouraging the Coast Guard to continue stepping up its coordination with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, expand intelligence-sharing efforts with regional countries and take steps to improve Coast Guard facilities in Hawaii.

"My recent site visits to U.S. Coast Guard stations in Honolulu, Washington state and Alaska not only reinforced my understanding of the service's critical role in our country's maritime security and emergency search and rescue operations, but the visits also strengthened my push to increase the Coast Guard's presence in the Indo-Pacific," Case said in a news release.

The Coast Guard has been working to modernize its aging fleet of cutters as the service plays an increasingly critical role in the U.S. military's strategy at sea.

This month, Pacific Shipyards International completed dry-dock maintenance work on the USCGC Kimball, which along with the USCGC Midgett is one of two Legend-class National Security Cutters assigned to Coast Guard District 14. Headquartered in Honolulu, District 14 encompasses Oceania and the Western Pacific and is the Coast Guard's largest area of operations.

The Legend-class cutters are among the service's largest vessels at 418 feet long, 54 feet wide, with a water displacement of 4, 500 long tons and an operating range of 12, 000 nautical miles. Most recently, the Kimball sailed all the way to Japan to conduct operations and train with the Japanese Coast Guard.

But while the two national security cutters conduct long-range missions around the region, the Coast Guard also looks to its more nimble fast-response cutters to respond quickly to contingencies and conduct operations in island communities with ports and harbors too small for the large Legend-class cutters to enter.

These vessels  which are gradually replacing the service's older Island-class patrol boats  are operated by a 24-person crew, are 154 feet long and can reach speeds of more than 30 mph. Of the 10 cutters currently assigned to District 14, six of them are fast-response cutters.

In 2021 the Coast Guard held a historic triple commissioning ceremony when it brought three new fast -response cutters  the Myrtle Hazard, Oliver Henry and Frederick Hatch  to Santa Rita, Guam. Then-Coast Guard commandant Adm. Karl Schultz, now retired, flew from Washington, D.C., to Guam to preside over the occasion, telling attendees, "These FRCs are so capable that we bring expeditionary capability to the region that we haven't had before."

The Coast Guard also launched a study in 2020 looking at the feasibility of stationing a fast-response cutter permanently in American Samoa, but abandoned the effort after determining building infrastructure to support it would be too costly. However, the service is still looking to increase patrols around the island territory.

The Coast Guard also has been stepping up cooperation with regional countries to monitor fisheries. Many Pacific island nations lack navies or Coast Guards of their own and rely on partnerships to help them with fishery enforcement and search and rescue missions.

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, which is responsible for overseeing fisheries in Hawaii and around America's Pacific island territories, has expressed concerns that large-scale foreign commercial fishing is having a serious impact on American fisheries.

American Samoa's longline fishing fleet caught 5,000 metric tons of albacore tuna in 2007, but Wespac says that today it barely brings in more than 1,000. Wespac officials have blamed the stark decrease on charter agreements China has signed with nearby Pacific island nations.

Foreign "distance fishing" fleets operate differently from local commercial fishermen; they have much larger boats with huge onboard freezers that allow them to take back bigger hauls. Many foreign fishing vessels will also deliver their hauls to even larger industrial freezer ships that take fish back to Asia rather than returning to port after reaching capacity. That allows these vessels to stay at sea for months or even years as they get refueled and resupplied at sea.

Some of the companies operating these vessels have been accused of flouting environmental regulations and underreporting their catches. By some estimates as many as 1 in 5 fish sold in supermarkets may have been caught illegally. In 2020 the Coast Guard said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing  which maritime agencies call IUU  had surpassed high-seas piracy as the top global maritime security threat.

Coast Guard officials point to competition over dwindling stocks leading to instances of violence at sea between rival fishermen and bitter international disputes between governments over fishing and maritime navigation rights. In some instances, fishermen struggling to bring in enough fish have also turned to drug smuggling and other crimes to make up for lost income.

There has also been increasing scrutiny of Chinese vessels. In 2020 the leaders of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard wrote that China "deploys a multilayered fleet" that includes "naval auxiliaries disguised as civilian vessels." Sometimes called "maritime militias," these vessels have been used to conduct surveillance missions in support of China's conventional navy and to stake out disputed territories in the South China Sea.

This month in an interview with Reuters, Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. said he had asked the United States to step up patrols of his country's waters after several incursions by Chinese vessels, including what they considered suspicious activity by one that appeared to be surveying an area near fiber-optic cables vital to the country's communications.

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Yermak: Don't understand why Netanyahu not come to Kyiv yet

Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said he did not understand why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet arrived in Ukraine.

"I don't understand why Netanyahu didn't come to Kyiv, didn't visit the holy places, Uman, in particular, Babyn Yar," he told reporters in Kyiv on Tuesday.

Noting that Ukraine is cooperating with Israel in humanitarian projects, Yermak said "they can help us more seriously."

The head of the President's Office also expects the response of the Israeli leadership to the "absolutely inadequate statements" of Vladimir Putin, who once called the President of Ukraine "a disgrace to the Jewish people."

"If official Israel does not react, it will look bad. This is not a situation where you can remain neutral," Yermak said.
(Tribune News Service)  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 civilians  including seven children  and 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 Hawaii  at 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.

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An annual Black Sea exercise that has frequently drawn Russias ire resumed this week after a year hiatus, thousands of miles away from its hotly contested home waters.

Sea Breeze, led this year by the U.S., kicked off Monday in Glasgow, Scotland, the Ukrainian navy and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet said.

The exercise includes 15 countries and the NATO Maritime Command, Lt. j.g. Triona Swanson, a spokesperson for NAVEUR-AF/6th Fleet, said Tuesday. Its taking place in the Firth of Clyde near Glasgow and Loch Ewe, Scotland, through July 7.

A small contingent of U.S. sailors and Marines is taking part in the exercise, which last took place in the Black Sea in 2021.

Sea Breeze this year is land and sea-based, with an emphasis on mine countermeasures and dive operations, Swanson said. It also offers an opportunity for training and preparing the Ukraine Maritime Command staff, Swanson said.

The Ukrainian minehunter ships Cherkasy and Chernihiv are participating in the exercise.

Tensions ahead of the 2021 exercise ran high as Russia threatened to fire on participants if they encroached on its territorial waters.

Moscow ultimately claimed to have fired at and dropped bombs in front of a British ship transiting the Black Sea near Crimea in June of that year.

The British disputed the Kremlin claim, saying no shots were fired and their ship was transiting Ukrainian waters in accordance with international law.

Shortly after Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, the Black Sea was closed to foreign warships. Since then, only Black Sea-homeported warships from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine can enter.

In February, the destroyer USS Nitze visited Turkey, bringing the ship closer to the Black Sea than any other U.S. warship since Russia invaded Ukraine.

On Monday, Ukrainian navy commander Vice Adm. Oleksiy Neizhpapa said he was thankful for the help of the U.S., the U.K. and others in ensuring that the exercise went ahead despite the war.
(Tribune News Service)  While training off the coast of Croatia, scuba divers spotted something rising from the seafloor  and stumbled on a well-preserved ancient shipwreck, photos show.

The Croatian and Italian navies planned a joint training for underwater mine clearing operations off the coast of Scedro Island, Croatias Ministry of Culture and Media said in a June 23 news release. The training involved remote-operated vehicles and scuba diving.

Officials scanned the islands coast and selected some sites with unusual underwater structures for the divers to explore, the release said.

Searching the seafloor about 160 feet below the surface, divers found a 2,200-year-old shipwreck. Photos show the ruins.

Underwater archaeologists Sasa Denegri and Tea Katunaric Kirjakov identified the wreck as one of the earliest, completely preserved shipwrecks in the eastern Adriatic Sea, the release said.

The sunken ship was still loaded with ancient Roman pottery dating to the 3rd century B.C., archaeologists said. Photos show the pile of artifacts on the seafloor.

During the 3rd century B.C., the ancient Roman empire was expanding throughout the Italian peninsula, according to maps from Britannica.

Modern-day Croatia, along with other neighboring countries, was under the control of the Illyrian people during the 3rd century B.C., according to Britannica. An Illyrian queen antagonized Rome with a large fleet of ships during this period, leading Rome to retaliate.

By 168 B.C., the ancient Roman empire had established control of Illyria, renaming it Illyricum, per Britannica. Illyricum would remain under Roman control until the empires collapse and division in the fourth century A.D.

The 2,200-year-old shipwreck was found off the coast of Scedro Island. It is the third shipwreck found near the island since 2014, the University of Split said in a news release. The island is about 290 miles southeast of Zagreb, the capital city.

Archaeologists will continue studying the shipwreck site and figure out how to protect and conserve the ruins, ministry officials said.

Google translate was used to translate the news releases from Croatias Ministry of Culture and Media and the University of Split.

2023 The Charlotte Observer.

Visit charlotteobserver.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Los AngelesAs the couple sauntered down the aisle, an instrumental hip-hop version of the wedding classic Canon in D oozed from a boombox, and a small crowd, most of them perfect strangers, danced and cheered in celebration.

The bride wore a sundress and a veil she picked out moments earlier and the groom a black button-down with a fresh haircut from his family's salon down the street.

The ceremony itself took less than 10 minutes  affordable, memorable and intimate, exactly what Ana Soriano and Luis Moreno had wanted.

"It was just us," she told him moments after their nuptials. "You and me."

Both in their early 30s, the couple met on Myspace 13 years ago and got engaged at a cathedral in Italy a few months before the pandemic shutdowns. Moreno, a studio engineer, lost his income overnight, and wedding planning moved to the back burner.

The couple knew some relatives had spent close to $50,000 on weddings, but they wanted to prioritize saving for a down payment on a home. And being inclined to avoid the spotlight, they liked the prospect of skipping the pressure of a big gathering.

They had settled on a backyard ceremony until the groom's sister saw something on Facebook about the Old Brown House, a wedding chapel in Highland Park recently opened by a couple who, for years, officiated free weddings at Burning Man. Before the pandemic reorganized their lives and priorities, Soriano said, she felt some pressure to have a larger, more traditional wedding  but this had been so much better.

"Plan B is now Plan A for a lot of people," said Connie Jones-Steward, an LA-based wedding officiant, who said the demand for small ceremonies has remained high since restrictions were lifted.

Largely gone are the days of Zoom weddings and socially distanced outdoor ceremonies, but some of the other pared-down celebrations that were once a pandemic necessity are now increasingly a top choice.

Some of the lexicon popularized during the shutdowns  "micro-wedding" and "minimony," the portmanteau of mini and ceremony  still dominates the bridal blogosphere, and hundreds of companies have cropped up to cater to tiny gatherings.

Google searches for "elopement"  a term whose definition has evolved in recent years, to suggest a small, destination wedding more than something furtive  are even higher now than during the first wave of pandemic shutdowns. A survey conducted by a diamond company a few months before the pandemic found that more than 90% of millennials said they would consider eloping. Their top reason? Saving money.

Jones-Steward  who offers a beach elopement package starting at $399  keeps in touch with many of the couples who eloped during the pandemic and learned that some who originally planned to have another big ceremony down the road ultimately decided against it, realizing they were grateful to have avoided the stress and cost. These days, she said, many of her Generation Z and younger millennial clients prioritize saving for travel and a down payment.

"They'd rather have this quickie ceremony," she said, "and spend the money on a world cruise for a honeymoon."

And if marital longevity is your goal, there's evidence that's a good call.

A pair of economists surveyed more than 3,000 people who were or had been married and found that those who spent $1,000 or less on their wedding were significantly less likely to get divorced than many couples who had spent more. Going on a honeymoon, however, correlated with a longer marriage duration.

One of the study's authors, Hugo Mialon, an Emory University economics professor, said he was inspired to conduct the study, in part, by ads he'd seen on TV as a child from De Beers, the company that introduced the slogan "A diamond is forever" in an attempt to boost sales after the Great Depression.

The expensive-crystals-equal-everlasting-love messaging proved wildly successful for the company, which, in another advertising campaign decades later, used an image of a beautiful, pouty woman to help shape cultural expectations around how much suitors should spend on a ring.

"You can't look at Jane and tell me she's not worth 2 months' salary," it read. "I mean just look at her."

The Old Brown House, which looks just like it sounds, sits on a fairly quiet stretch of York Boulevard, across the street from a cannabis dispensary that was once a Pizza Hut.

Decorated on the inside with vintage furniture and a pump organ, the chapel held its grand opening on the second Saturday in June  the brain- and love child of owners Tess Sweet and Dan Gambelin.

The couple met at Burning Man in 2009 and returned several years after that to perform free wedding ceremonies to honor the festival's tradition of giving. They loaned out thrifted gowns, gifted rubber rings and devised a Mad Libs-style format so people could quickly write personalized vows. They married more than 300 couples in ceremonies that, although not legally binding, were often profound.

Sweet, 51, and Gambelin, 54, both faced career crossroads early in the pandemic, and as they reflected on the intense joy packed into that week at the festival, they wondered if there was a way to sprinkle that throughout the year.

"We both retired from worlds that broke our hearts," Sweet said. "This is a new chapter."

For more than 20 years, Sweet worked to establish herself as a filmmaker, but she grew increasingly discouraged by the industry and how so much hinges on whom you know  and how, as soon as you've finished one project, people immediately ask what's next.

At the end of 2020, Gambelin retired early with post-traumatic stress disorder after more than two decades as a firefighter and paramedic in San Mateo, a job he loved but one that slowly ate away at him. He began to disassociate, stamping down devastating images seared into his mind  body parts in a field at the scene of a car accident, the terror in the eyes of a child whose little brother died of sudden infant death syndrome.

He had been there for the worst days of so many people's lives. It gnawed at him that, even though they surely didn't remember him, his presence, his face, had been associated with deep fear and despair.

Officiating weddings, he realized, offered the exact opposite; now he was the stranger playing a small part in one of the happiest days of their lives.

Using money they'd saved from selling their home in the Santa Cruz Mountains several years earlier, the couple bought the chapel in 2021. It was painted white at the time and decorated with signs that the previous owners used to advertise their tax and notary services, as well as weddings and divorces.

Sweet and Gambelin  who both got ordained online through the Universal Life Church to perform weddings  spent two years renovating the place themselves and, in April, did a test run of sorts officiating the wedding of Hattie Brown, one of Sweet's relatives.

She and her now-husband, Daniel Saavedra, who works as a chef at a restaurant downtown, got engaged a few months before the pandemic and knew they wanted a simple ceremony  something affordable, lighthearted and poignant to honor the relationship they'd built since meeting a decade ago while working at Yosemite National Park.

"I didn't want the whole bells and whistles wedding," said Brown, who stays home to care for the couple's 6-month-old daughter. "That's a lot of money that we don't have and a lot of work."

On a bright Saturday in April, about 20 of their family members gathered at the Old Brown House. Before they walked down the aisle, everyone took a shot of tequila.

Two of Saavedra's brothers, who initially had scheduling conflicts, surprised them by showing up, and Brown carried a bouquet that included a small picture of her father, who died last year. During the ceremony, Saavedra recalled looking over at Brown and then up at the strings of lights lining the ceiling of the chapel.

"Almost like I was in a fairy tale," he said.

At the grand opening, the chapel offered free ceremonies all day and the event stretched until after dark.

Of the 12 couples who had ceremonies, which were split between the indoor chapel and outdoors, some had brought their marriage license paperwork and others either planned to get their official license later or had the ceremony as a symbolic union but didn't intend to file paperwork with the state. A few other couples, including the owners, had recommitment ceremonies.

Sweet and Gambelin are still nailing down specifics on pricing but plan to offer weddings for around $600  less than the price of a new iPhone and less than a third of the average rent for a studio apartment in LA The couple added that they intend to never turn someone away because of cost, describing it as a "nontraditional, nonconformist, sliding-scale wedding chapel."

To keep some of the pop-up energy of the weddings at Burning Man, they've decided not to book things out more than a month or two in advance.

"It's like going to Vegas," Sweet said. "Elope to Highland Park."

Early in the event, people began to huddle near a table decorated with wildflowers in a mason jar and a yellow legal pad. Soriano and Moreno, the couple who met on Myspace, were the first names on the list.

Sweet welcomed them and tugged Soriano into a shed filled with loaner dresses and other accessories. Soriano clipped a layered veil into her hair, tearing up when she looked in the mirror. The officiant, Kaibrina Sky Buck, one of Sweet's longtime friends, popped in to introduce herself and asked what descriptors to use to refer to the couple.

"Husband and wife is good," Soriano said.

"OK, cool!" Buck said.

"Let's do this!"

An hour later, another couple, Jen Ballera and William Ascencio, who live two doors down from the event space, had their ceremony in the indoor chapel. Gambelin, who officiated, asked them to read from the Mad Libs-style vows they'd filled out 10 minutes earlier.

"My dearest Jen," the groom said, "together with you, my life is amazing, fun and damn near perfect."

"My dearest Will," she told him, "together with you, my life is full of music and joy and love."

After they kissed, Crazy Town's iconic track spilled out of the boombox  "Come my lady, come, come my lady. You're my butterfly, sugar, baby"  and Ballera lifted her eyebrows in excitement, bursting into laughter. The song had been popular when they were growing up and always had a way of following them.

"Did you ask them to play this?" she asked. Ascencio shook his head.

Sweet had picked it out  a staple on her playlist of favorite celebration songs.
Russia's Wagner Group has played a central role in a campaign of killings, torture and rape in the Central African Republic and has driven civilians away from areas where its affiliated companies have been awarded mining rights, U.S. nonprofit the Sentry said in a report.

Wagner, which had close ties to the Kremlin until last weekend's short-lived rebellion led by the group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, was hired by CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera in 2018 to help fend off rebels, according to the Sentry. It's one of several African countries where Wagner has established a presence in recent years, offering its services often in return for mineral resources, as a way to indirectly bolster the Kremlin's geopolitical reach, according to the Sentry and the U.S. Treasury.

The Treasury has described Wagner's operations in Africa as "an interplay between Russia's paramilitary operations, support for preserving authoritarian regimes and exploitation of natural resources."

Wagner's activities have drawn increased scrutiny since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the U.S. accusing it of exacerbating instability in some African nations and using them to run weapons to the war. It remains unclear what Wagner's game plan in Africa will be following Prigozhin's insurrection that ended abruptly with a murky deal that allowed the Wagner leader and his troops to leave seemingly without consequences.

"Wagner, Touadera, and his inner circle have perpetrated widespread, systematic, and well-planned campaigns of mass killing, torture, and rape," the Sentry, which was set up in 2016 to probe the links between conflict and money in Africa, said in the report published on Tuesday.

Wagner did not respond to requests for comment. Touadera's senior adviser, Fidele Gouandjika, confirmed Wagner's presence in CAR but told Bloomberg it was not involved in any military offensives or torture.

The Sentry cited interviews with more than 45 people including 11 members of CAR's armed forces, militiamen, documents and satellite images.

"In CAR, Wagner has perfected a blueprint for state capture, supporting a criminalized state hijacked by the Central African president and his inner circle, amassing military power, securing access to and plundering precious minerals," the Sentry said.

The Sentry was co-founded in 2016 by the actor George Clooney and John Prendergast, a human rights activist who has worked for the U.S. government. Its funders include the Carnegie Foundation of New York, The Ford Foundation and a fund sponsored by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.

Russia "built a monster for geostrategic expansion but also for economic gain," said Nathalia Dukhan, a senior investigator for the Sentry, in an interview. "It's very likely that this monster will evolve and will survive."

The report documented a number of massacres including the killing of ethnic Fulani in a series of attacks in the village of Boyo between Dec. 6 and 13, 2021, which the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said were perpetrated as punishment for local Muslims assumed to support the rebels. Participants in the attack told the Sentry that it was orchestrated by Wagner and they were told to kill all the men.

The Boyo attacks were replicated elsewhere at diamond and gold mining sites where Wagner-affiliated companies operated, according to the Sentry.

Wagner fighters took part in the attacks and gave the orders, people interviewed by the Sentry said. They also trained the CAR military and affiliated militia on how to cut and strangle rebels and "burn people alive."

Gouandjika denied that government forces and Wagner had carried out the attacks in Boyo, blaming it instead on rebel groups fighting each other.

"The Russian soldiers that are called Wagner in our country are never on the offensive. They don't attack," he said.

Gouandjika also denied that the armed forces use torture or had been trained in such techniques, but confirmed the army's policy was to take "no prisoners" in its fight against what he described as "bandits and terrorists."

He confirmed that Russia is supplying his country with weapons, specifically tanks.

"We have a defense agreement with one of the biggest nuclear powers in the world," he said.
TIANJIN, China  Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday accused Western nations of sowing division and confrontation, in thinly veiled criticisms of Washington, as he sought to cast his country as a responsible world power and champion for globalization.

Speaking at the opening of the World Economic Forums Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin  sometimes called the Summer Davos  Li worked to draw a contrast between his country and some people in the West who, he claimed, have politicized economic issues at a time when the global economy most needs exchange and cooperation.

The invisible barriers put up by some people in recent years are becoming widespread and pushing the world into division and even confrontation, Li said.

This is the first time since before the pandemic that the event has taken place in person, and Lis first time on center stage. A former Chinese Communist Party boss in Shanghai who became premier in March, Li is close to Xi Jinping, the most powerful Chinese leader in decades.

Attendees include the prime ministers of New Zealand, Vietnam and Barbados, as well as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization.

Recent years of rhetoric by some people have stoked ideological prejudice and hatred and, as a result, we are seeing acts of encirclement and oppression, Li told the forum, which continues through Thursday.

His remarks come after the United States and other Group of Seven countries pledged to reduce their exposure to China, the worlds second-largest economy, saying they needed to de-risk and diversify away from China as its business practices distort the global economy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was the first to use the language de-risk, not decouple, in January this year.

Li took direct aim at the strategy of de-risking  a term U.S. officials say is meant to show a desire to reduce potentially dangerous dependencies.

If there is risk in a certain industry, it is businesses that are in the best position to assess such risk. Governments ... should not overreach and they should not stretch the concept of risk to turn it into an ideological tool, the premier said.

On a visit to Beijing last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was not trying to economically contain China, but was trying to ensure it did not sell China specific technologies that could be used against American interests, such as in Beijings nuclear weapons or hypersonic missile programs.

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, who is due to visit Beijing next week, has echoed this, saying that decoupling would be disastrous and that the U.S. only wanted to de-risk the relationship.

But China sees such efforts as part of an American plan to thwart its rise, and efforts to exert pressure from the outside are particularly concerning for Beijing as it struggles to restart the consumer-led economy after three years of paralyzing zero covid policies.

U.S. and European countries so-called de-risking will in practice mean reduced purchases from China. U.S. and European Union countries hope to gradually break away from their reliance on Chinese goods to encourage the return of manufacturing. This will definitely be bad for Chinas economy, said Xi Junyang, professor at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

Estimates for Chinas growth this year range from 4.4% to more than 6%  an increase made possible, Xi notes, mainly because of the low level of growth last year of 3%. That was well below the government target and one of Chinas worst economic performances in decades.

S&P Global on Tuesday cut its forecast for Chinas growth for the year to 5.2% from its previous estimate of 5.5%.

Weak consumer spending  on everything from gadgets to cars  and slow property sales are adding to concern that growth, which picked up immediately after the end of zero-COVID restrictions in December, is now losing its momentum.

During the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday at the end of last week, the number of trips taken and the amount spent during them was lower than in 2019, before the pandemic, according to official statistics.

Li spoke from Tianjin, a port city of more than 13 million residents where many of the challenges the country faces  depressed consumption, rising unemployment and wary foreign investment  are on display.

Across the street from where Li delivered his remarks hailing the strength and dynamism of the Chinese economy, a quiet shopping mall was filled with dozing security guards and workers taking a break from the heat. Miles away, closer to the center of the city, office buildings and residential apartments sit empty.

The city is not that attractive to young people. The city is not that dynamic, said Catherine Guo, general manager of the Tianjin chapter of the European Union Chamber of Commerce. Guo said some of their members are looking into relocating all or part of their operations to elsewhere in China.

Tianjin, whose economy has traditionally been dominated by state-owned enterprises, saw 1% growth last year, one of the slowest growing regions in China in 2022.

Authorities have been working to turn the city into an international consumption center by building and upgrading shopping malls. Across from the conference center, food trucks and small stands selling beer and skewers were set up for the evening  one of the citys attempts to create a more vibrant night economy.

Some experts at Chinese state think tanks have called on the government to issue special treasury bonds to all 1.4 billion people in China to subsidize cash-strapped households.

The risk of a serious property market downturn, unsustainable levels of government debt and rising unemployment are also adding to concerns about the Chinese economy.

Youth unemployment is particularly bad, with the rate for people aged between 16 and 24 hitting a record high of 20% last month, a figure that analysts say most likely does not capture the full picture of joblessness.

But Li, who is in charge of Chinas economic policies, sought to restore confidence in the Chinese economy as it struggles to recover. He said he was fully confident in his countrys economic prospects and that China was on track of meeting its economic goal of around 5%.

China, as a responsible major country, has stood on the right side of history and the right side of progress, he said.

While officials such as Li try to emphasize that China is again open for business, at home authorities have raided foreign consulting firms, cracked down on Chinese entrepreneurs and updated a foreign espionage law that left overseas firms wary of doing business here.

Authorities continue to keep a tight rein on information. On Monday, Wu Xiaobo, a popular blogger who writes about finance, was blocked from the platform Sina Weibo for posting negative and harmful information about Chinese economic policies.

Pei-Lin Wu in Taipei contributed to this report.
Founder and partner of Asters law firm Markiyan Kliuchkovsky member of the advisory board of the School of Law of the Ukrainian Catholic University, has been appointed Executive Director of the Register of damage caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Deputy Justice Minister Iryna Mudra has said.

"After agreeing on the Rules for the Appointment and Dismissal of Members of the Council of the Register of damage caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, it was proposed to appoint the Executive Director of the Register. At the suggestion of the Government of Ukraine and the decision of the Conference, Markiyan Kliuchkovsky became its head. This is a completely logical, natural purpose of the person who proposed the model of the Compensation Mechanism, and does not stop working on it for a moment, on its launch," Mudra said, following the results of the Conference of the participants of the Register of damage in Strasbourg.

In addition, the Conference approved provisional costs for the period from July 1 to September 30, 2023. Other administrative issues were also discussed: the location of the Register in The Hague (Host State Agreement between the Council of Europe and the Netherlands). The admission of candidates for members of the Registry Board will begin shortly.

"The next checkpoint is on September 12, 2023 in Riga (Latvia), the next Conference of Participants, where we will finally check how everything worked for us, and we will run further to carry out other components of the Compensation Mechanism: the compensation commission and the fund. And in parallel, we continue to work on confiscation of Russian sovereign assets," Mudra said.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  One of the United States closest military allies has selected its first group of enlisted women to serve aboard submarines starting next year.

Seven female noncommissioned officers were chosen from more than 20 applicants to undergo training for submarine service, the Ministry of National Defense said in a press release Monday.

Training is expected to last until January or February and is required for all submariners, a South Korean navy spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday.

Two commissioned naval officers selected last month to serve on a submarine are also undergoing training, the spokesman added.

Of the more than 41,000 sailors in the South Korean navy, at least 2,800 are women, according to the spokesman.

South Korean government officials typically speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

South Korean women were previously barred from serving in submarines due to the space required for separate living spaces.

The South Korean navy in July deemed two 3,000-ton submarines could meet the needs for accommodating women submariners: the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chango-ho and the ROKS Ahn Mu, South Korean-built vessels capable of launching ballistic missiles.

Women in South Korea have served in the military since the 1950-53 Korean War in positions such as the nursing corps, a spokesman for the Institute for Military History told Stars and Stripes by phone Tuesday.

South Korea joins the United States, Canada and Japan, among other nations with women submariners.

The U.S. lifted its ban on women submariners in 2010 and first permitted female officers to serve aboard the vessels, followed by enlisted women three years later, according to the Navys website.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
The first batch of Abrams tanks ordered by Poland was scheduled to arrive Tuesday at a Baltic Sea port, part of a multibillion-dollar program that also includes a new maintenance center to manage the influx of American-made armor.

A port near Szczecin was slated to take delivery of 14 tanks, and additional tanks for the formation of a battalion will arrive within months, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said in a statement Monday.

The shipment serves as a milestone for the Polish army, which has been investing heavily in modernization over the past several years. Those efforts have intensified since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.

In all, Poland will incorporate 366 Abrams tanks into its arsenal in the coming years. The fleet will be a mix of the M1A1 and the more state-of-the-art M1A2 version.

Polish officials also announced Monday that a center for maintaining and servicing tanks will be created in Poznan, which is home to the U.S. Armys first permanent base in the country.

In the longer term, the potential of the center will also be available to U.S. troops stationed in Poland and other European countries, a statement by the Polish Armaments Group said.

The Poznan facility further cements the citys status as a hub for the U.S. Army, which on Monday marked a first when leadership of the services new garrison switched hands during a change of command ceremony at Camp Kosciuszko.

Col. Christopher Church took command of the garrison, which oversees day-to-day support operations for the Army across Poland. The camp in Poznan is also home to the Armys V Corps forward headquarters.

Church replaced Col. Jorge Fonseca, who over the past several years led the Armys on-the-ground effort to set up its first permanent garrison in Poland, which activated in March. There are about 500 military personnel operating at the Poznan base and 10,000 American military members in Poland.
Export Credit Agency of Italy confirms its readiness to insure investments of Italian companies in Ukraine

The Export Credit Agency of Italy (SIMEST) has confirmed its readiness to insure the investments of Italian companies in Ukraine, Director of Ukraine Invest Serhiy Tsivkach said on his Facebook page.

"SIMEST has announced EUR500 million in support for Italian companies planning to invest in Ukraine," he said.

As reported, a statement of intent on cooperation in restoring the Ukrainian private insurance market was signed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Commission, Norway, Switzerland, the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and Ukraine within the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

In addition, the global reinsurance broker Aon, the world's leading insurance and reinsurance marketplace Lloyd's, announced a partnership with Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) to expand (re) insurance of opportunities to improve Ukraine's economic resilience and support the country's recovery and reconstruction. The reinsurance brokerage Marsh McLennan on June 22 announced its intention to work with the Ukrainian government and insurers to help open access to the global insurance market, according to the Marsh website.
(Tribune News Service)  Federal agents are investigating TAM Ceramics, a 117-year-old Niagara County, N.Y., 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 company's 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 we're 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 don't 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo News reported.

TAM had filed four lawsuits against the Town of Niagara to try to get its plant's 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.

Niagara's then-town supervisor, Steven Richards, complained publicly in 2011, when the Niagara USA Chamber named TAM as Niagara County's "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 TAM's 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.

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(Tribune News Service)  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 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 the 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.

Staff writer Susan K. Livio contributed to this report.

tsherman@njadvancemedia.com

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KYIV. June 27 (Interfax-Ukraine)  The absolute majority of the surveyed residents (82%) consider Ukraine a successful state, according to the data of the sociological study of the Rating group.

Thus, 42% of respondents answered the corresponding question "unequivocally yes" and 40%  "rather yes". At the same time, only 16% have the opposite opinion.

The presentation of the sociological study of the Rating group, commissioned by the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion on June 6-11, 2023, was held at the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Tuesday.

More than half of the Ukrainians surveyed (56%) consider a strong army to be the main sign of a successful state. A third consider such signs to be a developed economy, the rule of law and the unity of society, 19% each consider social protection of citizens and the international authority of the country, and 14-16% each  modern science and technology, political stability, an equal society, while 11% consider the national idea as such a factor.

Assessments of the most priority areas of the country's development after the war have shown that the security factor and social protection are dominant. Thus, 77% determined that the priority after the war in Ukraine should be the development of the military industry, strengthening borders and reforming. Some 70% consider the growth of salaries and pensions, the availability of medicine, financial assistance to the poor to be a priority. Innovations in the state (new technologies, energy conservation, science and education) are considered a priority by 44% of respondents.

According to the survey, the majority of respondents (58%) noted that for the sake of victory they are ready to experience difficulties due to the war of several years. Some 11% noted that they are ready to endure for about a year, 12%  for several months. Some 11% of respondents are not ready to endure difficulties, most of all among the poor (23%).

Medicine (50%), military industry (46%), construction (43%), agriculture (38%) and education and science (34%) are the sectors of the economy that, according to respondents, should develop first of all after the war in Ukraine. Some 23% believe that heavy industry and metallurgy should be the priority of development, 15%  the IT sphere.

Youth (50%), military and veterans (46%) are the categories of the population that, according to the majority of respondents, will contribute most to the effective development of Ukrainian society in the future. Some 30% of respondents believe that they should be scientists, innovators, 26%  volunteers, 25%  entrepreneurs of small and mediumsized businesses, 16%  public figures, 13% - politicians or heads of large businesses, enterprises. Some 8% each consider representatives of local authorities, or clergy, 6%  journalists, bloggers.

On June 6-11, 2023, the Rating sociological group conducted a study on "Resilience during the war and in the post-war period: what Ukrainians rely on." Using the CATI method (telephone interviews), 1,200 respondents among the population of Ukraine aged 18 and over were interviewed throughout the territory, with the exception of the temporarily occupied Crimea and Donbas, as well as territories where there was no Ukrainian mobile communication at the time of the survey.

The sample is representative by age, gender and type of settlement. The error of representativeness of the study with a confidence probability of 0.95: no more than 2.8%. The survey was commissioned by the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion.
Judge Nolan ordered Francie Stokes (23) to carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of 18 months in prison

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.

Yesterday, Judge Nolan ordered Stokes to carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of 18 months in prison.

Francie Stokes

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.
Clarke has 44 previous convictions

An inmate who called a female prison officer a tramp and told her he would slice her has been jailed for two and half years.

Damien Clarke (40) of North Strand, Drogheda, Co Louth pleaded guilty to two counts of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a prison officer at Cloverhill Prison on January 3, 2022.

Imposing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Orla Crowe said that prison officers perform an important function in society and to threaten one in the course of their work was a serious offence.

She accepted that Clarke had pleaded guilty at an early stage and that he was suffering from mental health issues and had polysubstance abuse issues at the time.

Judge Crowe imposed a sentence of three years and suspended the final six months on strict conditions including that Clarke engage with the Probation Service for two years upon his release from prison.

Garda Mark Grant told Fiona Crawford BL, prosecuting, that the first complainant was on duty from 8am on the day in question, assisting with the unlocking of prisoners' cells to let them go to breakfast.

Clarke told the prison officer that he had moved landing to get away from her and called her a tramp.

When he returned a short time later, Clarke told the prison officer in an aggressive manner: When I get you, I'm going to slice you. You're nothing but a tramp.

The court heard the complainant felt he was capable of carrying out the threat as he had been hostile towards her in previous dealings.

At around 8.30am, Clarke asked a male prison officer to move him to a different landing. When the officer said he would check if this was possible, Clarke's demeanour changed. He then told this prison officer that he would box the head off him if he didn't arrange to move him.

The male prison officer told Clarke to get his breakfast and go back to his cell. Clarke continued to scream and shout abuse. He also made a gun symbol using his thumb and finger.

When asked what that meant, Clarke said; You know what it means. You'll see at your house.

Other prison officers also observed Clarke's behaviour towards their colleagues. Victim impact statements were submitted to the court, but not read aloud.

Clarke has 44 previous convictions including 12 for theft, 13 for public order offences and one for assault causing harm. At the time of this incident, he was on remand.

Gda Grant agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that Clarke had longstanding polysubstance abuse issues.

He accepted that Clarke appears to be a different person following a period of treatment at the Central Mental Hospital and a new medication regime.

Mr Rea told the court that his client has seven children and another child was stillborn in 2015. His client has a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, was transferred to the Central Mental Hospital last August for treatment and seems to be doing well.

A psychological report was handed to the court.
Im just lucky it hasnt been noticed in work so far. If they read that in the paper Ill be gone

OBrien says hell get the boot from his job if his conviction is discovered

OBrien says hell get the boot from his job if his conviction is discovered

A man who harassed a traffic warden and his boss for six years over a 40 parking ticket says he is trying to keep his conviction low-key as he doesnt want his workplace to find out.

Healthcare worker Rory OBrien (47) of Kilnacranna, Carrigatoher, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, waged a bizarre campaign of harassment against parking warden Arthur Kelly on various dates between February 25, 2015 and July 27, 2021 in Nenagh Town Centre, all because Mr Kelly gave him a 40 ticket for parking in a loading bay.

Over that six-year period, OBrien followed Mr Kelly around the town shouting horrific abuse at him on multiple occasions.

OBrien ramped up the campaign of harassment on June 8, 2021 when he targeted Mr Kellys boss, Rosemary Joyce, following her and abusing her at the Tesco in the town.

Rory OBrien talks to our reporter Alan Sherry at his Tipperary home

He continued the harassment against Ms Joyce, who is the Nenagh Municipal District Administrator, up to July 2021.

OBrien pleaded guilty to harassing the two victims when he appeared before Nenagh District Court on June 9.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath sentenced OBrien to six-months imprisonment for harassing Mr Kelly and four months in prison for harassing Ms Joyce, but suspended the sentences for two years and ordered OBrien to stay away from the victims and their workplace.

Despite his guilty plea, OBrien saw himself as the victim when the Sunday World called to his home this week.

We just want to be left alone. Weve been to court. Were not going to get justice, he said.

OBrien said he is worried he will lose his job when his workplace finds out about his conviction.

They do vetting at work twice a year. It was done the last few weeks and I escaped that [his conviction came after the vetting].

Im just lucky it hasnt been noticed in work so far. If they read that in the paper Ill be gone, its written in black and white in my contract. It hasnt come up in garda vetting yet.

OBrien says hell get the boot from his job if his conviction is discovered

The case has already been reported on by local newspapers and broadcasters and OBrien conceded his workplace would find out about the conviction through garda vetting anyway.

He made false and ludicrous allegations that he was assaulted by Mr Kelly on the day he got the parking ticket and was unhappy that Ms Joyce did not believe his claims.

I was loading something for someone who doesnt drive and was trying to get the item to Roscrea for them. Thats all I was doing. He let fly at me for parking [there], OBrien claimed.

Despite OBriens claims, Mr Kelly, who is well-liked in the town, did not assault him and was himself the victim of verbal abuse after he gave OBrien a ticket for being in the loading bay.

Mr Kelly had never met OBrien before that day and had no interactions with him other than issuing that ticket, but OBrien made it his mission to harass him over the following six years. Some of the verbal abuse was at the extreme end and Mr Kelly was concerned OBrien would follow him home and bring the abuse to his doorstep.

Asked why he started harassing Ms Joyce as well, OBrien told the Sunday World that he wrote a letter to her about his interaction with Mr Kelly and was unsatisfied with the response.

He then espoused a bizarre conspiracy theory that the parking warden, local municipal district and gardai were all part of a conspiracy to deny him justice.

When we asked him about the nature of the harassment he pleaded guilty to, OBrien declined to say but he said he didnt stalk either victim.

I didnt stalk anyone. I have no time for any of that carry on. I work in healthcare. I have enough to be doing, he said.

As part of his sentence OBrien was ordered not to have contact with the victims and not to go with 200m of their workplace.

Locals say Mr Kelly is well liked and known for being fair.

He appeared in a viral video jokingly putting a ticket on a toy car in the town in Christmas 2021 and locals described him as an absolute legend and the best traffic warden in Ireland.

Ms Joyce has also come in for praise for the commitment and work from her and her office.

Ms Joyce told the Sunday World that she and Mr Kelly could not comment on the case.

The case has been dealt with in the courts which is the appropriate place for it and we have no further comment, she said.
A massive search has been underway since Monday morning at Slieve League which is the setting for Europe's highest sea cliffs.

Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard carry out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal. Photo by Joe Dunne 27/06/2023

Gardai are examining a blood splattered car as part of their investigation into a suspected missing person in Co Donegal.

Two people remain in garda custody after they were arrested yesterday.

It follows the alleged serious assault of a person in the Slieve League/Killybegs area of the county.

A massive search has been underway since Monday morning at Slieve League which is the setting for Europe's highest sea cliffs.

The area, which is normally busy with tourists, has been closed off by gardai as a search continues by various parties including the Irish Coast Guard, the Rescue 118 helicopter, the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team and gardai.

Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard are carrying out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person (Pic: Joe Dunne)

A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off since Monday.

Forensics officers are at the house and are carrying out a search of the property.

A key part of the investigation will be forensic evidence being taken from a car suspected of being central to the investigation.

Gardai have recovered forensic samples from the car which include blood.

A warrant to examine the car was granted by Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Since then gardai have been examining the car as they try to form a bigger picture of what exactly may have happened.

It is understood the car belongs to one of the two people who have been arrested.

The two people are a man aged in his 30s and a woman aged in her 20s.

They are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at local Garda stations in Co. Donegal.

The man is being detained at Letterkenny Garda Station while the woman is being held at Ballyshannon Garda Station.

Tourists are turned away as gardai and the Irish Coast Guard carry out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal. (Pic: Joe Dunne)

The man's period of detention has been extended after he complained of not feeling well and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be examined.

Gardai are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to to the alleged assault incident to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Slieve League between Saturday evening, June 24, 2023 and Sunday evening, June 25, 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the assault to come forward.

A man is in critical condition in hospital after a serious assault on Cook Street in Dublin city centre last week.

The attack happened near the quays at approximately 6.15 pm last Wednesday with gardai from Kevin Street currently investigating.

The injured man, aged in his late 40s, was rushed to St Jamess Hospital for treatment.

A statement from An Garda Siochana today said: Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this assault to come forward.

Any road users and pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash cam) and were in the area of Cook Street, Dublin 8 between 6pm and 6.30pm on the evening of Wednesday 21st June, 2023 are asked to make this footage available to gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kevin Street Garda station on 01 666 9400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Both men, who are in their 30s, were arrested and later charged when gardai raided the grow house in Monaghan town at approximately 1pm yesterday,

Two men were arrested after the raid

Some of the plants seized in Monaghan

Two men were arrested after gardai raided a grow house and seized 162,000 worth of cannabis in Monaghan yesterday afternoon.

Both men, who are in their 30s, were arrested and later charged when gardai raided a home in Monaghan town at approximately 1pm yesterday,

Gardai attached to the Detective Unit in Monaghan Garda Station searched a home with assistance from the Armed Support Unit, Community Engagement Unit and the Dog Unit.

Two men were arrested after the raid

Gardai said the search was conducted as part of Operation Tara, to target the sale and supply of drugs in Monaghan.

A grow house operation was discovered inside the residence as well as large quantities of suspected cannabis herb contained in vacuum sealed bags, gardai said.

The estimated value of cannabis seized is over 162,000. The drugs are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.

Two men (aged in their 30s) were arrested as part of this operation and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at a Garda station in Co. Monaghan.

Gardai revealed that both men have since been charged and are due to appear before the District Court later this afternoon.

Operation Tara was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021 to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The United States is encouraged by recent efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage productively on the peace process, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing, Trend reports.

"The US is pleased to host Foreign Minister Mirzoyan of Armenia and Foreign Minister Bayramov of Azerbaijan to facilitate negotiations this week as they continue to pursue a peaceful future for the South Caucasus region. Secretary Blinken was honored to welcome the foreign ministers at the opening meetings this morning at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center. The Secretary met both individually with each minister and held a meeting with two of them together and emphasized in each meeting that direct dialogue is the key to resolving issues and reaching a durable and dignified peace. The United States is encouraged by recent efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage productively on the peace process. We will continue to assist them any way that we can to build on that momentum. Today was the first day of meetings that will continue through Thursday," he said.

Secretary Antony Blinken today held bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Afterwards, he participated in an opening plenary session with the two ministers at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Bayramov and Mirzoyan are holding a bilateral meeting at the moment.

The talks between the foreign ministers of the two counties will continue through June 29. They are primarily focusing on the draft peace agreement.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
The man who is allegedly missing is from Northern Ireland but was staying with the man and woman in recent days in south-west Donegal.

Tourists are turned away as gardai and the Irish Coast Guard carry out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person, in Co. Donegal. (Pic: Joe Dunne)

Two people arrested in connection with an alleged serious assault of a missing person in Co Donegal have both been released without charge.

A massive search was sparked in the Slieve League area after gardai received information that a person had been assaulted by the pair.

The suspects, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s, were arrested by gardai on Sunday last.

It followed a tip-off by a third party who claims she had been told of an incident which led gardai to believe that a man had been seriously injured by the pair.

The man who is allegedly missing is from Northern Ireland but was staying with the man and woman in recent days in south-west Donegal.

It is alleged that a row broke out between the three people and that the man from Northern Ireland was seriously assaulted. Its understood both arrested parties blamed each other for the incident.

Gardai and the Irish Coast Guard are carrying out a search of Sliabh Liag for a missing person (Pic: Joe Dunne)

The tip-off led gardai to launch a massive search involving the Irish Coast Guard, the Rescue 118 helicopter and members of the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team at Slieve League, the setting of Europe's highest sea cliffs.

Gardai sealed off access to the area which is normally very busy with tourists at this time of year.

Despite the extensive search over the past two days however, nothing has been found.

Tonight the search was once again called off.

The various search parties are due to meet tomorrow morning to decide what action to take in the coming days.

As part of the investigation, gardai also seized and are examining a blood-splattered car.

A key part of the investigation will be forensic evidence being taken from the car suspected of being central to the investigation.

Gardai have recovered forensic samples from the car which include blood.

A warrant to examine the car was granted by Judge Brendan O'Reilly at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Since then gardai have been examining the car as they try to form a bigger picture of what exactly may have happened.

The scene in Donegal

It is understood the car belongs to one of the two people who have been arrested.

A house in the Killybegs area has also been sealed off since Monday.

Forensics officers are at the house and are carrying out a search of the property.

The man and the woman, who are both natives of Co Donegal, were arrested on Sunday.

They were held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at local Garda stations in Co. Donegal.

The man was detained at Letterkenny Garda Station while the woman was being held at Ballyshannon Garda Station.

Public access to Slieve League remains closed amid the ongoing investigation.

Investigating gardai continue to appeal to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Slieve League between Saturday evening, June 24, 2023 and Sunday evening, June 25, 2023, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyshannon Garda Station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

A spokesperson said: Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow.
The Atto 3 is the first of many BYD models to arrive in Ireland over the coming years

The Atto 3 doesnt break any new ground on the outside

Youve definitely heard the radio ads and probably seen the taxis. You may have even read Daraghs first drive review from the European launch in Barcelona last April which was more of an introduction to the brand as opposed to a deep dive into the new car.

Since then, both of us have had a full week in the BYD Atto 3 and both of us have fallen head over heels in love with it.

Just in case it still needs an introduction, BYD is (as the ads infer) the biggest car company in the world youve never heard of and stands for Build Your Dreams. Thats not a joke, thats very real.

And once you get over the fact that it means that youll be fine. Trust us. And for now the full name gets emblazoned across the rear but expect the acronym to become the norm in years to come.

Motormouths loved the interior additions

There are silly names for the individual models too, with the Dolphin, the Seal, the Tang and Han among the others being sold in various territories around the world.

But today is all about the Atto 3, which is the companys initial launch model here and is a medium-sized electric crossover which is smaller than an ID.4 or bZ4X, but bigger than an MG4 or ID.3.

Its a smidge taller than the Megane E-Tech and Peugeot e-2008, so it is trying desperately to disrupt a claustrophobic segment riddled with big names and brands.

The one thing that the Chinese super brand has going for it is that it manufacturers its own batteries, motors, electronics, software and even chips, meaning there are no third-party supplier issues.

And after more than two decades in the business they have made all their mistakes in the home market, flushed them out and now we are in the privileged position to be receiving highly-advanced, fun, safe, good looking cars that are priced below the traditional brands  causing a massive stir in the motor business here.

From the outside, lets be real and fair. Its not the type of car that had us both drooling over it. To be clear, it is far from ugly.

It doesnt go rogue though, which will help it with its sales as some Chinese car companies are landing in here to Ireland with space-age-style designs which make traditional car buyers here in Ireland a little allergic.

Motormouths loved the interior additions

The slight roof rails and low-slung cladding on the exterior ensure that this particular EV is in the crossover segment.

Far more importantly, the designers were allowed to go nuts inside and that is where we both started to get our drool on bright colours, bold designs, unusual angles, tactile controls, ergonomic steering wheel and a drive mode shift control that looks like it was lifted right out of a fighter jet.

The gigantic infotainment touchscreen rotates from portrait mode to landscape mode, which after a week driving around in it didnt get any less exciting to see.

And each door has three elastic strings that double up as a storage unit and a makeshift guitar, which again, surprisingly didnt grow old. If anything, it focussed the kids attention on some longer journeys as they attempted to play lucid tunes.

Overall, it is playful yet practical and will appeal to the driver as much as the passenger. It is roomy inside and three kids had no problem fitting into the back row on several school runs throughout the week.

Details on the BYD Atto 3 where a big hit with Motormouths

One of the USPs here is their cell-to-pack battery which, in truth, the motor industry has been threatening to introduce for years. I wont bore you with the full list of technical reasons why this is good but all you need to know is that their blade battery consists of far more useful tech than the normal battery packs you get in traditional EV cars.

Battery tech is very unsexy for a lot of us. So, lets focus on what it actually means to you the driver.

The range of 420km after a full charge is very a real range. Unlike so many car companies who seemingly inflate their WLTP ranges or calculate it while driving in desert-like temperatures on a straight road at less than 20km/h, this Atto 3 will get you 420km at real-time driving.

We are not saying it will give you 420km of motorway driving, but it is far closer to a real figure than we are used to.

It drives very smoothly and has a lot of firepower under your right foot if you want it (200bhp) yet it feels pretty light compared to its rivals.

You will be glad to know that every version of this beauty gets a full driver-assist suite which includes a really good 360-degree parking camera system. And we havent even got to the best bit yet. It starts from 37,128 and the top spec doesnt go much higher.

Dealerships currently consist of two in Dublin (Deansgrange and Navan Road) and one in Cork, but with the might of MDL behind them as distributors and based on early reaction to the car, you can expect to see more popping up in the coming years.
Joanna you are a superwoman for saving your son in his time of need.

A fundraiser for heroic mum Joanna Wisniowska has raised over 10,000 in a matter of days.

The Polish lady tragically died whilst saving the life of her 10-year-old son from drowning near Ballycroneen beach in Cork on Sunday afternoon.

He will never forget your heroism that has given him the opportunity to make you a very proud mommy, a statement on the fundraiser page reads.

Joannas son was able to make it to safety but she got into difficulty whilst saving her boy, leading to rescue by the RNLI and her transfer to Cork University Hospital, where she sadly died.

The GoFundme site set up to raise funds for Joannas children has a heart-breaking affirmation written on the page.

The loss of anyone close to you is the hardest thing in the world, but the death of a parent at a young age feels like everything around them has come to an end, especially when it's a mother.

Ballycroneen beach

There is nothing more precious than a mother's love and unfortunately two beautiful children will not get to experience the full loving potential that Joanna wanted to, but won't have the chance to provide

Joanna may you rest in God loving arms while you watch over your family from heaven and we will watch over them from here. We love and miss you, the statement concludes.

Cork East Sinn Fein TD Pat Buckley described how Joanna, her partner Maciej and their children Stanislaw and Zofia were well known 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.

That young fella (Stanislaw) was rowing yesterday morning with East Ferry Rowing Club in a regatta. Ballycroneen is a beautiful beach but there can be riptides there, Mr Buckley added.

The RNLI shared a post on Facebook regarding the tragic event, saying, '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.'
Twitter message was posted two months before admission

Cops involved in the Noah Donohoe case have been accused of leaking the teens shock 3am disappearance months before they told his mum.

A Twitter post about the early morning vanishing, which only came to light last week, is being investigated as it seems to confirm the PSNI knew about it long before they informed Noahs family.

Last week we revealed how investigative reporter Donal McIntyre discovered the 14-year-old had sneaked out of his home in the early hours of the morning on the day he went missing.

The teenager left his home at 3.30am and returned almost 35 minutes later after an unexplained and secret trip.

McIntyre also revealed Noahs mum Fiona wasnt told this fact until last October. Fiona said she had no idea her son had left their home and can throw no light on where he may have gone.

I had no idea. I havent seen the footage; it is simply too distressing, but my legal team has, and it is shocking and truly concerning. We still have no idea where he was going, if he was meeting anyone or what was the purpose of the trip, Fiona said.

Noah was found dead in a storm drain on June 27, 2020, six days after he went missing as he cycled to meet up with friends.

We now know the teenager left his home on Fitzroy Avenue in south Belfast in the rain in the early hours of the morning wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, and carrying headphones.

When he returned at 4.05am, just as dawn was breaking, he was captured on CCTV soaking wet and without the headphones and the flip-flops.

Now a social media post has resurfaced which seems to prove the police knew about the mystery late night trip.

Noah tweet

We can reveal a Twitter post from August 14, 2022, where, under an anonymous profile, someone responds to supporters of the Donohoe family, arguing that the conspiracy theories surrounding Noahs death are wide of the mark.

During the debate the mystery profile defends the PSNI, who were criticised by the Donohoe family, and reveals that Noah had left his home at 3am the night before he went missing. Another person asks the tweeter: The night he went missing? Or the night before? I havent heard any reports about this from the police either.

They answer suggesting theyve said more about the subject than they should. The Sunday World understands the Police Ombudsman has been asked to investigate this social media post and it will also form part of Donal McIntyres investigation.

A source told the Sunday World: The person tweeting that is either a cop, married to a cop or had been told by a cop.

Theres no other way they could have known because it was posted two months before the family were told about it. And during the latest Crimeworld podcast, Donal McIntyre tells Sunday World reporter Nicola Tallant that he understands the police knew about the mystery trip just a few days after Noah had gone missing but failed to tell his family or put out an appeal to the public.

He also refers to the contentious tweet and says a complaint has been made to the inquest into Noahs death about police leaks.

After the Sunday World story last weekend, a Crowdfunder for an investigative documentary about Noah was started on the third anniversary of his death.

By yesterday afternoon it had raised almost 71,000 of its 150,000 target.
This is the biggest fear for all parents.

A young Irishman who drowned in a swimming pool in Greece was from a very well known business family, it has been revealed.

Rory Deegan, (22), from Culahill in County Laois, was found unresponsive in the water on Sunday night on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

It has been reported in Greek media that despite the efforts of a lifeguard who administered CPR, Mr Deegan was pronounced dead upon arrival at Zakynthos Hospital.

Its understood the tragic youngster was on a summer holiday break with friends.

Zakynthos

A local councillor said Rorys death leaves the local community in shock at the terrible news.

This terrible news came through yesterday evening. The family run a supermarket in Urlingford, Kilkenny, Fine Gael Councillor John King told sundayworld.com.

His family are very well respected in the local community and involved in GAA circles. They are from a farming and business background.

I want to sympathise with the family at this very difficult time, they have the support of everyone in the local and wider community.

Nobody wants news like this coming through the door. The biggest fear and all parents of children will say the same, they want them to go safe and come home safe, Cllr King added.

Mr Deegan is a past pupil of Colaiste Mhuire in Johnstown and was a student at the Technological University of Shannon in Limerick city.

Local councillor James Kelly stated that the community are in complete shock at Rorys passing. Rory was a young man who went out with three other friends to Greece to get some work for the summer when he was on holidays from college. This tragedy has brought huge shock in the community.

Cllr Kelly added the community in Culahill and Durrow will rally around the family and will mourn with them at this sad time.

The department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that it is providing consular assistance to the family.

Mr Deegan is survived by parents Joe and Diane as well as brothers Conor, Barry, Ross and Jack and sister Rachel. Funeral details have yet to be announced.
The new film is set 25 years after the events of the original Russell Crowe lead blockbuster which catapulted the New Zealander to superstardom.

Irish heart-throb Paul Mescal has been pictured dining with the cast and crew of the new Gladiator movie in Morocco.

A photo of the star-studded cast was shared by a restaurant called Kasbah Des Sables in the province of Ouarzazate.

Paul looked chilled out in a pair of olive-coloured trousers, a black shirt and a pair of Adidas shoes. He was joined by Narcos star Pedro Pascal and the director of the film, Ridley Scott.

Kasbah Des Sables restaurant

The film is set 25 years after the events of the original Russell Crowe lead blockbuster which catapulted the New Zealander to superstardom.

The film is the long-awaited sequel to the 2000 epic Gladiator, which starred Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman slave who rises through the ranks in brutal combat to become a fan-favourite gladiator and champion of the people.

Mescal is reportedly playing the lead role of Lucius, the son of Lucilla, played by Danish actress Connie Nielsen.

Moroccan style prawns

This will be the Normal People star's first leading role in a major Hollywood studio production.

Mescal previously acknowledged that a physical robustness will be required of him to play the role, but said that hes not interested in undergoing any transformation.

This guys got to fight and got to be a beast. And whatever that looks and feels like is right for me, is what its going to be, he said earlier this year.

Paul Mescal works out

Of course theres a physical robustness required for the character, but past that, Im not interested.

With films like this and superhero films, there is sometimes a focus on that, which I dont find that interesting.

Sometimes I see films and Im like, That person doesnt look real.

One thing that is real is Kasbah Des Sables restaurants consistent five-star ratings on dining websites, where prices range from 21-27 for main courses. It is not known if Mescal, who once starred in a Dennys ad, ordered sausages.
A well-known Kiwi scientist is visiting Tauranga on June 28, to explain the concept of degrowth, and why we can't become a sustainable region without addressing the problems caused by rapid growth.

Prominent freshwater ecologist and science communicator Dr Mike Joy is being hosted by the Sustainable Bay of Plenty Trust to talk on Degrowth & Climate Change at Holy Trinity in Tauranga City, from 7pm Wednesday, June 28.

Dr Mike Joy was a top researcher role at Victoria University of Wellington until recently; today he's part of Degrowth Aotearoa New Zealand, which formed by a small group of individuals passionately dedicated to raising awareness about the urgent need to find ways of living within biophysical limits.

Mike has previously received Forest & Bird's Old Blue award, the Ecology in Action award from the NZ Ecological Society, and the Royal Society of NZs Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement.

The Tauranga event on June 28 is free to the public, with Sustainable BOP executive director Glen Crowther hoping Western Bay of Plenty residents will take advantage of the opportunity to hear Dr Mike speak, and to facilitate open discussion on the topic.

Black growth

Mike will talk about how economic growth driven by fossil fuels (black growth) has resulted in massive ecological devastation. He believes green growth' just replaces fossil fuels with renewable energy and traps us in this spiral of environmental damage.

'All growth requires more consumption, which requires mining more non-renewable materials and more energy, which is unsustainable. To decarbonise, managed degrowth is our only good option.

Mike says only 13 per cent of global energy consumption comes from renewables. 'Renewables could soon overtake coal generated electricity, but electricity is only 20 per cent of total energy use.

'Replacing fossil energy with renewable energy requires much more land to produce the same amount of energy. For example, the UK would require its entire landmass and Singapore would need an area of 60 Singapores.

'What's more, global energy consumption is increasing faster than we are adding renewable generation. 'So, if we fixate on replacing fossil fuels with renewables, and don't reduce consumption and waste, we'll simply swap one race to destruction with another.

Mike says maintaining industrial civilisation is the real cause of our climate crisis and all other environmental problems. 'Green growth'  attempting to maintain life as usual v will destroy the life-supporting capacity of our planet.

Stop obsession

Traditionally, environmentalists tried to protect water, rainforests, and endangered animals  however today environmentalism usually means reducing carbon emissions and the goal is to reach net zero carbon by 2050 at any cost.

'The word net' is based on a delusion and avoids the need to reduce our energy consumption and protect our environment.

'We must somehow stop this obsession with growth and instead consume less and waste less, or we will destroy our life-sustaining systems. True environmentalism protects those systems  rather than just maintaining our industrial way of life, but without carbon emissions.

Hear Mike talk on Wednesday, June 28, at Holy Trinity in Tauranga City from 7pm. Entry is free, but donations ae welcome.
The Government will provide up to $5 million to the liquidators of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) to ensure the mountain's 2023 ski season can go ahead, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says.

This will allow time for liquidators to decide on the purchaser or purchasers of the business and its assets.

The watershed meeting of RAL creditors on Tuesday last week failed to see either of the proposals to take over the business succeed, ending in a stalemate. RAL was put into liquidation by the High Court in Auckland the next day and the government has been working through the next steps.

'We've always been committed to finding a way to ensure the ski season on Mount Ruapehu goes ahead this year. Cabinet's decision today has solidified that, says Allen.

'Ruapehu is a very significant part of the economy in the central North Island, accounting for around a tenth of regional GDP, or $100 million per year.

"The season going ahead will save hundreds of jobs and support local tourism, the regional economy and the community, while a long-term solution is found."

Allen says this will provide workers on the mountain with job security and ensure businesses dependent on activities on and around the mountain have the certainty they need for the season ahead.

'The liquidator is able to operate under the existing concessions," says Allen.

'The Crown has also received a further expression of interest following the watershed meeting, to take over the ski operations on the mountain.

"This proposal from Te Ariki Ta Tumu Te Heuheu on behalf of Tuwharetoa is in addition to the expressions of interest received from Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Turoa before the watershed meeting."

Allen says the final decision in relation to the sale is made by the liquidator.

'The Government is now considering the three bids for Government support and I have asked MBIE to engage with the bidders to determine the best outcome for RAL's creditors, the Crown, the local economy and community.

'The government remains committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for the region for many future ski seasons."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Second Karabakh War in 2020 could have been avoided if Yerevan had recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of the commission to investigate the circumstances of the Karabakh war, Trend reports.

The Armenian PM added that by August 2020, he was assured that the army was ready to fulfill its tasks, although "it will be very difficult."

And all this is said by Pashinyan with his rhetoric and his actions, who did everything to provoke a war.

His country did nothing to avoid war, on the contrary, resorted to provocations, to which a harsh response was given, the Armenian army was defeated, the occupiers were eliminated, and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan was restored.

Following over a month of military action to liberate its territories from Armenian occupation from late Sept. to early Nov. 2020, Azerbaijan has pushed Armenia to sign the surrender document. A joint statement on the matter was made by the Azerbaijani president, Armenia's PM, and the president of Russia.
Scientists have returned from a 14-day expedition to one of the most unexplored parts of the ocean.

NIWA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography researchers on board NIWA's deep-water research vessel Tangaroa deployed four autonomous robots, known as Deep Argo floats, along the Kermadec Trench in the southwest Pacific Ocean.

The Deep Argo floats, built at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, collect information on the ocean temperature, salinity, and water flow from the surface to 6000m depth.

The floats surface every 10 days to send their data back via satellite, and once deployed, they are left for up to six years to work autonomously.

NIWA Physical Oceanographer Dr Denise Fernandez says the Deep Argo floats will reveal clues to long-term trends in the deep ocean.

"The ocean depths are crucial to the world's climate and ecosystems - they act as carbon sinks', store heat, and transport things like oxygen and nutrients around the globe via currents. However, only 10 per cent of ocean data comes from below 2000m, so we know very little about how significant the role of the deep ocean is at regulating the climate system.

"These floats will provide much needed information about what's happening way below the surface," says Dr Fernandez.

New Zealand's environment is greatly impacted by deep-ocean processes, with warm subtropical currents coming from Australia and the cold Antarctic circumpolar current coming in from the south.

"The deep ocean isn't immune to climate change. The tropics are getting warmer and ocean currents are carrying this heat towards us, driving the consistent marine heatwaves that New Zealand has experienced over the past few years. So, by understanding the deep ocean, we understand our entire climate and environment better," says Dr Fernandez.

This work is part of the larger Argo Program, a global network of nearly 4000 of these autonomous robotic floats.

NIWA has deployed around 2000 Argo floats in the Pacific, Indian and Southern Ocean over many voyages since 2004, more than any other organisation.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Dr Nathalie Zilberman says that this voyage allowed key development of Deep Argo technology.

"A big part of this mission was testing and validating several Deep Argo oxygen sensors to bring their performance closer to ship-based instruments. The long-term objective of this project is to better understand how the amount of oxygen in the deep ocean is impacted by climate change.

"All oxygen data from the Tangaroa cruise will be shared with the sensor manufacturers. This unique collaboration between academia and the industry will increase the accuracy, precision, and stability of oxygen measurements collected from Argo floats from the surface to the sea floor," says Dr Zilberman.

In addition to research activities, Dr Fernandez lead a STEM education activity for students as part of the voyage.

Styrofoam cups, decorated by seven-year-old students from Silverstream School in Upper Hut, were attached to the CTD rosette and lowered to a depth of 6000m to study the effect of water pressure on them.
Nighworks and road closures are being planned for State Highway 29 tonight.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Angecy says urgent asphalt road repairs are required at the intersection of SH29 and SH28 on the western side of the Kaimai Range.

"The repairs will take place tonight with associated one-way closures," says a spokesperson for the roading agency.

"Road users will need to take an alternative route at set times during the night.

"There will be a reduced speed limit of 30km/hr through the worksite."

The alternative routes that will be in place are as follows:

- Northbound via, SH2, SH26, and SH24 or SH27 (and vice versa), this detour is not HPMV compliant.

- Southbound via, SH2, SH29, SH36, SH5 and SH1 (and vice versa), this detour is not HPMV compliant.

- Southbound detour suitable for HPMV is via, SH2, SH33, SH5, SH1 and SH29 (and vice versa)

The closure points on the western (Matamata) side of the Kaimai Range are at the intersection of SH29/SH24 and the intersection of SH29/SH28, and on the eastern (Tauranga) side of the Kaimai Range at the intersection of SH29/Cambridge Road.

Motorists are advised to consider these closures when planning their journey, and where possible take the alternative detour routes, allow extra time and visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website journeys.nzta.govt.nz before leaving home to view the latest road conditions.

Time Access East (Waikato to BOP) Access West

(BOP to Waikato) Prior to 8:00pm Open Open Between 8:00pm and 9:00pm Closed Closed Between 9:00pm and 00:30pm Open Closed Between 0:30pm and 1:00am Closed Closed Between 1:00am and 4:30am Closed Open Between 4:30am and 5:30am Closed Closed After 5:30am Open Open

Residents and Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times, however residents are advised to liaise with the traffic control teams on-site.

Other maintenance activities will be undertaken at the same time as the closure. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency acknowledges that this work and the temporary traffic management are disruptive, however this is the safest and most effective way to undertake these repairs.
A ban on non-compostable labels on New Zealand-grown fruit and vegetables comes into force on July 1.

But that doesn't mean consumers can put the stickers in their home compost from then on.

Growers say most of this season's produce has already been packed with the current plastic labels attached, meaning non-compostable stickers will still appear on fruit and veg until next year.

And label suppliers haven't found a home compostable glue yet for the labels, despite 'extensive efforts.

Rob Meates from Just Earth Papers has bought machines to make takeaway cups completely out of paper. They are compostable at home and break down without putting plastic into the soil or out to sea.

The Ministry for the Environment says the label adhesive doesn't have to be home compostable until July 2025, when global manufacturers are expected to have such an adhesive available.

Non-home compostable plastic produce labels that are affixed to produce prior to July 1 are exempt from the ban.

The largest supplier of fruit labels in New Zealand, Jenkins Freshpac Systems, says it has certified home compostable labels with standard glue available for growers.

Regional market manager Tom McLaughlin says the company hopes to have a home compostable adhesive available some time in 2024.

The Tauranga-based company is supplying the plant-based labels on behalf of global company, Sinclair International.

Making the label in itself has been 'challenging, with the labels having to last six to eight months on fruit in a cool store, says Tom.

'It's high-tech stuff requiring a product that can sit on an organic piece of fruit, and yet stay stable in the cool store, and break down only when it's connecting with the right combination of moisture and heat and time.

While not having a label at all is an option, that comes down to individual grower choice, he says.

'A fruit label is no different to any producer wanting to be able to package their product appropriately so they can connect with the consumer.

'If you went into a supermarket and the beer and wine section had no labelling, how would you tell which wine or beer to select?

For apples alone, there are more than 30 commercial varieties produced in New Zealand, says Tom.

Most are red in colour, but priced differently, he says.

'If there was no identification on the produce, the consumer's got no idea what they're buying. The retailer's got no idea what product the consumer has picked up.

'The label allows the retailer to price correctly, and gives the confidence to the consumer that they're actually being charged the correct price.

The company started manufacturing the compostable labels for certain growers this week, having received orders from about 40 pack houses around the country.

It will be up to marketing companies in New Zealand to inform consumers when labels were fully compostable, says Tom.

Most labels the company supplies are still non-compostable, with most of New Zealand's produce exported, and Belgium and France being the only other countries focused specifically on using compostable fruit labels so far, he said.

Golden Bay Fruit, which exports about 95 per cent of its apples and kiwifruit, says it will 'come down to economics as to whether the family-run business switched to compostable labels for all their fruit.

Co-director Evan Heywood says while compostable labels might 'cost a little bit more at the moment, there was 'genuine keenness for everyone in the supply chain to go to something more sustainable.

Kiwifruit exporter Zespri says the government's Waste Minimisation (Plastic and Related Products) Amendment Regulations 2022 that comes into effect on July 1 aligned with Zespri's commitments to have 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025.

Executive officer sustainability, Rachel Depree says Zespri is 'fully committed to replacing its plastic fruit labels with compostable labels, with 'promising results from the 'extensive trial to identify a home compostable adhesive.

The company was currently using an industrially compostable label with industrially compostable adhesive for fruit it sold in Belgium and on all its organic fruit.

It has compostable paper labels with non-compostable adhesives on this season's New Zealand grown fruit for sale in France  and is monitoring the performance of those labels.

Plastic produce labels were among the latest batch of single use plastics about to be banned in New Zealand, including produce bags, drinking straws and tableware and cutlery.

-Katy Jones/Stuff.
Gibraltar celebrates Gay Pride Several hundred people attended the parade, which was followed by music and dance performances and speeches

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Several hundred people attended the Pride parade on Main Street in Gibraltar on Saturday, 24 June, where they rolled out a giant rainbow flag as a symbol of support for the LGBTQ rights movement.

Ampliar Picardo and Sacramento at the event on Saturday, 24 June. SUR

There were also music and dance performances in Casemates Square, as well as speeches from the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, Minister for Equality Samantha Sacramento and other representatives from political forces and social movements. The mayor, Carmen Gomez, also spoke.
The Malaga connection: stash of cocaine worth 175 million found hidden in shipment of bananas Around 5,000 kilos of the drug entered Spain from South America, concealed in a shipping container

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Police have busted an Albanian criminal organisation that tried to smuggle 175-million-euros worth of cocaine into Europe hidden in a shipment of bananas.

The cargo first arrived into the Port of Malaga, before being transported to Alicante when it was seized by officers from the Udyco National Police unit against drugs and organised crime.

Five people have been arrested, four of them of Albanian origin and one Spanish after agents raided a warehouse on an industrial estate in Alicante and found 5,000 kilos of cocaine stashed among a shipment of bananas. The amount of drugs would have reached a value of 175 million euros on the black market.

Ampliar CNP

Investigators said that the shipment had arrived in Spain on a merchant ship from South America and had been unloaded in the Port of Malaga. From there, the stash was transported by road to Alicante, from where it was to be distributed throughout Europe.

The operation not only points to the crucial role of the Port of Malaga on the drugs map - although police pressure has so far prevented traffickers from establishing a permanent route - but also the warning message given on Monday 26 June by the Anti-Drugs Prosecutor's Office, that most of the drugs circulating in Spain are moved from Malaga.

"Most of the major drug trafficking organisations are currently based here and, therefore, most of the drugs that pass through Spain are coordinated from here," said anti-drugs prosecutor in Malaga, Fernando Bentabol.
New Video Series Offers Biblical Cure for Injustice Amid Mass Shootings, Political Turmoil in U.S.

NEWS PROVIDED BYJune 27, 2023RICHARDSON, Texas, June 27, 2023 / Standard Newswire / -- More than 310 mass shootings in the U.S. this year  that is more shootings than days so far in 2023. And the nation's unprecedented political turmoil is leading to a new quest for answers from an ancient source  the Bible."Like so many Americans, I'm grieved by the tragic events we see unfolding around us, and it's painful to see humans attacking each other," said Ben Quine, co-producer of the new eight-part video series [Watch promo here] " Biblical Justice: Answers for Difficult Days ," releasing June 29. "When evil strikes, it awakens us to do something."Quine hopes the new video series will provoke renewed understanding of biblical justice and virtue, constructive discussion, and fervent prayer for the nation at a time when investigations and indictments of elected officials are headlining the news, and the application of the law is being unevenly applied in even the highest offices.The writer and producer, who serves as director of curriculum and strategic ministry partnerships for Christians Engaged , collaborated with President Bunni Pounds, the former Texas congressional candidate and consultant who founded the non-partisan group in 2019, to produce Biblical Justice. As co-hosts of the video series, they aim to show how "God's biblical principles of justice and transformed hearts are the ultimate cure for injustice."The video series tackles difficult issues surrounding justice, including equality, reparations, borders, taxes, sanctity of life, and self-defense. "Many people ask, 'If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why doesn't He stop human suffering?'" Quine said.Pounds offered, "God is the King, who gives humans the choice to choose good or evil. He doesn't force anyone into obedience, but through the Gospel He has provided the antidote for injustice."The video series also features insights from well-known ministry leaders, including David Barton, Wall Builders; Kerby Anderson, Probe Ministries; Stuart Greaves, International House of Prayer in Kansas City; the Hon. Scott Turner and Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, Prestonwood Baptist Church; Kyle Lance Martin, Time to Revive; Matt Lockett, Justice House of Prayer, Bound4Life, and Dream Stream Company; Will Ford, 818TheSign and Dream Stream Company; Lea Patterson, First Liberty Institute; and Seth Young, attorney.Anderson, president of Probe Ministries, said he believes this series will help resolve confusion "at a time when many Christians are talking about 'biblical justice,' and then we hear [increasing calls for] 'social justice.'"And Barton, president of Wall Builders, shows how "biblical principles are enshrined in our nation's founding documents," claiming 92 percent of the sources cited by the founders when writing the U.S. Constitution were derived from the Bible or biblical philosophers."Right now, there's a deficit of Bible-minded people in the U.S.," Barton said, citing statistics that only 9 percent of Christians read the Bible regularly, and a staggeringly low 6 percent of Christians hold what he describes as the Biblical Worldview.Pounds said, "God's principles are the only foundation that can rescue a culture from destruction. We must understand the basis of justice and virtue comes solely from the Word of God."Christians Engaged, a 501(C)(3), was founded by Bunni Pounds, a Bible teacher and former political consultant who ran for Congress in 2018. Since 2020, Christians Engaged has served over 125 churches, has educated more than 1,650 people through in-person, Zoom, and on-demand video classes, and they currently have over 100,000 Christians in their voter communication system. This national ministry has produced a myriad of free content, including books, articles, prayer calls, and podcasts, to educate the church on the importance of its biblical call to pray, vote, and engage for the wellbeing of America. For information, visit www.Christiansengaged.org SOURCE Christians EngagedCONTACT: Gregg Wooding, gregg@iampronline.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The leading Colombian NTN24 news channel, broadcasting to the entire American continent, has shown a story about the new realities that have arisen in the region after the 44-day Second Karabakh War, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Mexico told Trend.

The new channel showed that as a result of the 44-day Second Karabak War in 2020, the Azerbaijani army put an end to the 30-year Armenian occupation and restored the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Despite the signing of a trilateral Ceasefire Declaration in November 2020 with the mediation of Russia, the Armenian armed forces continue to commit provocations on the border with Azerbaijan, information is provided on the ongoing peace talks.

Moreover, the story includes quotes from the speech of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting with citizens returning to the city of Azerbaijans Lachin district.

It is pointed out that Azerbaijan has strong positions at the negotiating table and on the border and that after Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, there are no serious obstacles to signing a peace agreement.
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DEAR ABBY: My mother is 74 and has been widowed for 10 years. During this time, my sister and I have tried to convince her to downsize from her very large, hard-to-maintain house to something more manageable. She is always overwhelmed. Friends and other family members offer to help her with it, and she acts like its more than she can manage.

We are now watching her becoming overwhelmed by everything in life, not just the house. We are also wondering if some dementia is starting to set in. My sister and I want her to see a counselor and talk with her doctor, but shes too overwhelmed to do this either. Can we make an appointment with a counselor or minister for her? -- TRYING TO HELP

DEAR TRYING TO HELP: Make an appointment for her with her doctor, provide the transportation and stay with her if possible. The doctor should be informed about whats going on so your mother can be evaluated. Changes like the ones you describe could be symptoms of an underlying illness as well as dementia, and the sooner you can find out, the better for your mother.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order How to Have a Lovely Wedding. Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

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Syracuse, N.Y. - A man suffered minor injuries early Tuesday morning after two men attacked him when they broke into his home to rob him, police said.

Around 12:47 p.m., police responded to 921 Ballantyne Road for a reported shooting, Syracuse police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Blake said. Police discovered it was a home invasion and robbery, he said.

Blake said a 31-year-old man who lived in the apartment on Ballantyne Road told police two men broke in. One man then hit him in the head with a handgun, he said.
Update as of 2:55: Caleb Widrick was found and is in good health, police said.

Watertown, N.Y.  Police are searching for a missing Upstate New York man known to frequently be in Jefferson and Oswego counties, state troopers said.

Caleb E. Widrick, 32, was last seen in the Williamstown/Redfield area on Monday, according to New York State Police. His motorcycle was found near a u-turn area off of Interstate 81, troopers said.

Widrick is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, 220 pounds, with brown eyes, and red/gray facial hair, troopers said. He was last seen wearing a tight black shirt, jeans, and work boots.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 315-366-6000.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has refuted another disinformation of the Armenian side, Trend reports.

"We categorically refute the information spread by the Armenian side about the alleged shelling of the plant in the direction of the Armenian village of Arazdeen by units of the Azerbaijani army on June 27 at about 13:15 (GMT+4)," the ministry said.
Colesville, N.Y.  A Broome County man is facing murder charges after he shot a crossbow, killing his 3-week-old daughter and injuring his wife, authorities said.

Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, of Nineveh, got into an argument with his wife Monday morning and fired the crossbow at her as she held their baby girl, according to the Broome County Sheriffs Office.

The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the infant in the upper torso and exited near the armpit, then struck Proefriedts wife in the chest, deputies said in a news release.

Proefriedt tried to remove the bolt and attempted to stop his wife from calling 911, deputies said. He then left in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck.

Emergency crews were called to the home on state Route 41, near Cass Road, at 5:14 a.m.

When they arrived, deputies found the crossbow, secured the scene and tried to save the babys life before bringing her out to paramedics, they said.

The baby, Eleanor M. Carey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The babys mother was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center outside of Binghamton, where she was being treated for her injuries, deputies said.

Broome and Chenango county sheriffs deputies, and state police, meanwhile, formed a perimeter around the area and used aerial drones to search for Proefriedt. Police found him in the woods less than a mile from the residence after his truck got stuck in the mud, deputies said.

Proefriedt was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and first-degree criminal contempt, all felonies. The criminal contempt charge accuses Proefriedt of violating an order of protection.

Proefriedt had a history of domestic incidents with the victim and an active stay away order of protection in place, Broome County sheriffs deputies said in the news release.

Proefriedt was sent to the Broome County jail, where he remained Monday night.

This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory, Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said in the news release. Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey. I commend the quick and decisive action of our Law Enforcement division in responding to this tragedy and ensuring Mr. Proefriedt did not escape justice. Thank you to the New York State Police and the Chenango County Sheriffs Office for assisting with this investigation and arrest.

Nineveh is a hamlet with about 50 homes on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Broome County, according to Wikipedia. It is part of the town of Colesville in the Binghamton area, about a 1 1/2 hour drive from Syracuse.

Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie OToole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook
A new awards show in Central New York is putting the emphasis on one of the most popular genres of music.

The inaugural Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards, also known as The Sha Awards, crowned the best rappers and more in a ceremony Saturday as part of the new Freedom Festival in Hannibal, N.Y. Winners included several artists featured recently on syracuse.com | The Post-Standards Syracuse Playlist, such as Shas Best New Artist winner Amanda Marie, Best Male Artist winner Leekindacut, and Pop Song of the Year winner Furco (Act Like).

The awards show had a rough start after organizer MarsaQuaon Thomas arrived late due to car trouble, according to Thomas, but he said the event was overall a success.

It was awesome, said Thomas, also known as V-Lot.

Thomas, who created The Sha Awards through his record label Venom Nation Records, said there were more than 100 submissions for the inaugural show. Categories included Hip-Hop Song of the Year (winner: Hassy G - Hatin You), Littest DJ of the Year (2live showtime) and Hall of Fame inductees (Kage Green and Legacy Kong).

L-R: Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards host Ace Morr with Album of the Year winner Bk Smith, and Littest DJ of the Year 2Live Showtime with Morr at the inaugural Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards on June 24, 2023, in Hannibal, N.Y. (Provided photos)

Some categories were judged by online fan voting, while most were selected by an anonymous panel from its board of directors. All winners received a diamond-shaped trophy dubbed The Diamond in the Ruff Trophy.

Thomas said he plans to hold the next Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards in June 2024, making it an annual event to celebrate local artists in hip-hop, pop and R&B. Next years submissions will open in May 2024 at syrhhawards.com.

Itd be great to kick off summer with this kind of event, Thomas said.

Best New Artist winner Amanda Marie performs at the 2023 Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards on June 24, 2023, in Hannibal, N.Y. (Provided photo)

See the full list of 2023 Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards winners below:

BEST NEW ARTIST

Stizzy

Harley Queen

Amanda Marie - Winner

Hassy G The Reason

Hammy Q

JoJo 2xx

* * * * *

BEST FEMALE ARTIST

Chai

Chyna Dtw

Keke The Rapper

Ms. Huxstable - Winner

Sierra The Goddess

Swave Jaiseason

* * * * *

BEST MALE ARTIST

315Ca$h

Az Brazy

Billy Bucks

Jungle Baby

Noon dha goon

Leekindacut - Winner

* * * * *

HIP-HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

315Ca$h

Ace Morr - Winner

DRose

Mr get ahh bag - walkem down

Young Dellz

Young Savv Double V

* * * * *

HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR

DRose - Cloudy Days

Jungle baby - Risk Takers Remix

Prada Jones - Head Bussa - Winner

Trench G - Stay With Me

Trizzy2Bizzy - GG

Y.K. - King Griffey

* * * * *

POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR

DreaMe - Winner

Furco

Mikey T

Pug

Spookyboi

DreaMe wins Pop Artist of the Year at the inaugural Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards on June 24, 2023, in Hannibal, N.Y. (Provided photos)

* * * * *

POP SONG OF THE YEAR

DreaMe - Godsent

Furco - Act Like - Winner

Mikey T - Do What I Do

Pug - Mood

Spookyboi - Again

* * * * *

R&B SONG OF THE YEAR

CY O.D The Style Bender - Feel It remix

Hassy G The Reason - Hatin You

Lamar Lamb - Forever (Love Is Blind )

Princess Heat - Circles - Winner

Roche - Feelin Moody

Trae Riel - Right Or Wrong

* * * * *

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (VOTING)

Chi - Tiz (W.O.M.O.)

Hassy G - Hatin You - Winner

Lamar Lamb - Nightmare

Noon Dha Goon - Honors

Sierra The Goddes - With Me

Trench G - Stay With Me

* * * * *

LITTEST DJ OF THE YEAR

2live showtime - Winner

DJ Dice

* * * * *

BEST NEW DJ

DJ Dice

* * * * *

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

J Serius

Kage Green - winner

Legacy Kong - Winner

* * * * *

HIP-HOP ALBUM / EP OF THE YEAR

Bk Smith - Toxicity - Winner

Chi-Tiz (W.O.M.O) Walking On My Own

Dolla Bandz -Still Cooking 2

Milly Fevante - Gse Lyfestyle Vibez vol 1

VinnyVeg - 1104 vol 3 GOATIZUM

* * * * *

PRODUCER / ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

John Spezie - Winner

* * * * *

RECORD LABEL / ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

Real Raw Breed

Stash Box Records

West Rock Ent - Winner

* * * * *

VIDEOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (VOTING)

Leek GotFilmz - Winner

Xcasmarex productions

* * * * *

HOST OF THE YEAR (VOTING)

Ray Melo - Winner

Tim Da Tool

* * * * *

7-year-old rapper Mi'onestie B, left, and her mother Bitty Baby, right, perform at the inaugural Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards on June 24, 2023, in Hannibal, N.Y. (Provided photos)

Jacob Furco, a.k.a. Furco, wins Pop Song of the Year at the inaugural Syracuse Hip-Hop Awards on June 24, 2023, in Hannibal, N.Y. (Provided photo)

For more information, visit syrhhawards.com/ or facebook.com/syracusehiphopawards.



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Syracuse Playlist: Kick off summer with 13 songs from Central New York music artists

SAMMYS makes history with youngest winner (2023 Syracuse Area Music Awards winners list, photos)
Syracuse, N.Y.  Loretto is doubling the size of its paid training program for entry-level nursing home workers and significantly boosting pay for those who successfully become certified nursing aides.

Central New Yorks largest nursing home provider says theres a shortage of frontline workers who are responsible for the day-to-day care of residents. Loretto says it requires staffing from outside agencies to fill roughly 25% of its 135 certified nursing aide positions at its main nursing home on any given day.

Such shortages have led Loretto, as well as other local nursing homes like Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, to operate their own paid programs to train as many workers as possible. Training programs are also offered by local colleges and non-profits.

Loretto currently trains 100 certified nursing aides each year. That number is expected to double to 200 with the expansion of the program from its East Brighton Avenue nursing home to its Auburn facility, The Commons on St. Anthony.

People accepted into Lorettos training program will be paid $14.50 an hour during the 5-week training course, the non-profit said. Those who pass state certification will get a raise to $22 an hour, with the opportunity to make as much as $27 an hour with experience. Thats a 36% raise over prior rates.

Loretto says its 5-week training classes have been full -- with 16 students at one time -- leading to the expansion into Auburn. Now theyll be able to train 32 at one time. New hires who are not able to take the training could be assigned to other areas within the organization, such as food service or janitorial.

New hires are also eligible for health care, dental and vision, and other benefits.

Sarah Scott, 29, of Syracuse, said she left a grocery store job to join Loretto a couple months ago, enticed by the promise of the paid training program. She earned her certified health aide license earlier this month, taking the bus to work each day.

Scott said she felt drawn back to a job caring for others.

I enjoy coming to work, she said, adding that she hopes to someday take further Loretto training to become a licensed practical nurse.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070.
These are the standards of our journalism.

NY Cannabis Insider offers detailed reporting, smart analyses and expert insight into one of New Yorks biggest economic opportunities in years.

Preamble

Advance Locals affiliated media groups are built for and driven by communities. The companys newsrooms are dedicated to unrivaled local journalism across the United States to strengthen and empower communities, and we have a commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion efforts both internally and externally.

As one of Advance Locals newsrooms, NY Cannabis Insider is the first publication dedicated to covering the issues, policies, laws, regulations, politics and people making an impact on the states cannabis industry through accurate, timely and thorough journalism. We strive to maintain a watchful eye on powerful interests, monitor the use of taxpayer funds and amplify underrepresented and underserved voices.

These principles are defined by NY Cannabis Insider as the foundation of ethical journalism and the free exchange of public information.

Seek truth and report it

NY Cannabis Insiders team believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Staff writers and contributors strive to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough.

Staff and contributing writers provide reliable, timely and important information to readers and serve as an essential source for those serious about entering the nascent cannabis industry.

Our goal should always be to produce top-quality journalism that covers all aspects of the cannabis market, with a particular focus on the equity provisions in New Yorks Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.

We should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When we cannot corroborate information, we should say so.

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair, and journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

Ultimately, our purpose is to affect meaningful change across New Yorks cannabis space by monitoring taxpayer funds, holding politicians accountable and righting wrongs.

Journalists should:

Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work: Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible. Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.

Provide context: Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarizing a story. Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.

Identify and attribute sources clearly: The public is entitled to as much information as possible to judge the reliability and motivations of sources. Reserve anonymity for sources who may face danger, retribution or other harm, and have information that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Explain why anonymity was granted. Open a platform to important subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing if their platform isnt harmful.

Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information unless traditional: These methods will not yield information vital to the public. Artificial Intelligence may be used as a means for testing headlines and for generating images (with an AI source attribution in the caption) when photographers and designers arent available. Any other use of the technology should be disclosed.

Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable: Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the publics business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all. Provide access to source material when it is relevant and appropriate.

Label advocacy and commentary: Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Never plagiarize. Always attribute.

Diversity and inclusion

NY Cannabis Insider aims to highlight small businesses within New Yorks cannabis industry and give a platform to those affected by changes in the marketplace.

We go further with our community engagement by bringing members of the industry together to build a foundation for the marketplace by holding regular conferences where professionals, entrepreneurs and ancillary businesses can make important connections and learn from each other.

Coverage can expand and strengthen when revenue increases. NY Cannabis Insider also strives toward bringing in profits for Advance Media through subscriptions, sponsorships and advertising opportunities.

Journalists should:

Boldly tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience: Give a voice to the voiceless. Seek sources whose voices we seldom hear. Avoid stereotyping. Journalists should examine the ways their values and experiences may shape their reporting.

Reach out and engage communities we serve beyond our current audience: There are people disproportionately affected by cannabis legislation, and their voices should be heard. Reach out to sources directly impacted by the industry, and make sure events are accessible to all that should be represented within journalism covering this specific marketplace.

Minimize harm

Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others. What is done cannot be undone.

Journalists should:

Balance the publics need for information against potential harm or discomfort: Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness. Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Use heightened sensitivity when dealing with juveniles, victims of sex crimes, and sources or subjects who are inexperienced or unable to give consent. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.

Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast: Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.

Balance a suspects right to a fair trial with the publics right to know: Consider the implications of identifying criminal suspects before they face legal charges. Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of publication. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.

Act independently

Journalists must be independent voices. We should declare to our editors and audiences any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest. We tell people how to think, not what to think.

Journalists should:

Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived: Disclose unavoidable conflicts. Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and avoid political and other outside activities that may compromise integrity or impartiality, or may damage credibility. Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; do not pay for access to news. Identify content provided by outside sources, whether paid or not.

Distinguish news from advertising: Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage. Shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two. Prominently label sponsored content.

Be accountable and transparent

A sign of responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors, we must correct them and our expressions of regret must be sincere, not defensive. We listen to the concerns of our audience. We may not change what readers write or say but we will always provide remedies when we are unfair.

Journalists should:

Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences: Encourage a civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity and fairness.

Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently: Explain corrections and clarifications carefully and clearly. Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within the newsroom.

NY Cannabis Insiders Code of Ethics is based on the publications beat and mission to represent the states cannabis marketplace and those affected by cannabis legislation. This guideline contains information borrowed from the newsrooms mother company, Advance Local, and the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.
Jessica Naissant is the CEO of Wake and Bake Cafe. In the newest entry of NYs women in cannabis, Naissant talks about her inspiration to start in the cannabis industry and steps organizations can take to support gender diversity at senior levels.

Women are vastly underrepresented in cannabis, and not just in New York. From 2019 to 2022, executive-level females have seen their industry wide status drop from 37% to 23%. Yet the MRTA makes things very clear: women-owned businesses are a key component of the states social and economic equity plan.

NY Cannabis Insider is seeking to elevate women in cannabis through a hyper-focus on female story sourcing, quoting and visual layouts, balanced representation in our People to know and Behind the story series, and prioritized guest column submissions.

This series will last for as long as submissions come in.

Why did you launch your career in the cannabis industry? Were there any women who inspired you to do so? How did you do it?

My grandmother inspired me to pursue my passion of plant healing. She was a plant healer and shaman from Haiti. I decided to pursue a career in medicine and studied biochemistry and biological sciences in college and later worked at a lab on Long Island.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership? Are the barriers different in cannabis than any other industry?

One of the most significant barriers for women in leadership is the lack of opportunities. Businesses are less likely to onboard women into C-Suite positions. This has caused me to launch several businesses and become a serial entrepreneur. In my own experience, Ive been overqualified and knowledgeable.

Why do you think women are so underrepresented in leadership roles in cannabis?

I think women are often overlooked professionally. The absence of women in leadership roles can create a lack of visible role models and mentors for aspiring women in the cannabis industry. This lack of representation can impact their confidence, networking opportunities, and access to valuable guidance and support.

What are some ways in which companies can support gender diversity at senior levels?

Intentionally hire women for senior roles and create initiatives and training for women who are already in the company. Most importantly, end the wealth gap by paying these women equivalent salaries of their male predecessors and/or coworkers with similar roles and titles.

Shout out your other favorite women-owned or women-led businesses in the industry.

Dasheeda Dawson, Jamila Washington, Matha Figaro

What advice would you give your 25-year-old self? What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

Advice I would give my 25-year-old self would be: dont be afraid to pivot. Life is a flow, go with it, intentionally.

Advice I would give the next generation: dont be afraid to take up space and 10x your price!

Is there anything we left out that youd like to add?

Yes, where I would see myself in the next five-to-10 years: I intend to be the first Haitian woman licensed to sell cannabis in states all across the country.

If youd like people to connect with you, please share your favorite methods of contact (email, phone, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.).

@wakenbakecafe_ & @thedopeconnection.bk
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.
The unmanned vessel which traveled to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean this month to figure out what happened to a missing tourist submarine was produced right in Upstate New York.

According to News Channel 2 the remotely piloted Odysseus 6K, operated by a company in East Aurora, found a debris field not far from the historic Titanic wreckage where the submersible OceanGate Titan was carrying five passengers to go explore. It was determined that Titan experienced a catastrophic implosion, killing everyone aboard the craft.

Made by the Pelagic Research Services firm, the deep diving robot can travel down to 19,000 feet. The U.S. Coast Guard said the Titan had imploded from the water pressure at 12,000 feet below the surface, near the bow of the Titanic wreckage.

CBS News reported that Odysseus 6K has made at least 4 dives in the days following the debris discovery to continue efforts of the Titan sub recovery.

The U.S. Coast Guard U.S. has launched an investigation into the loss of the Titan sub and what factors may have led to the catastrophic implosion, 2 and a half miles below the waters surface. The first step in the investigation will be collecting evidence by salvaging debris. The investigation will also examine potential misconduct, incompetence, negligence, unskillfulness or willful violation of law by OceanGate, parent company of the Titan sub, and by the Coast Guard, the service branch said in a statement.

According to a Facebook post made by the Pelagic Research Services, the current mission for Odysseus 6K is for continued mapping and documentation of the area and assisting in any direct recovery of debris. The Odysseus has grappling claws used in the debris recovery.

It also clarified that the Pelagic ROV is the only ROV which has been to the debris site during this investigation.

The company said in a previous statement that they will not be releasing any underwater footage of the debris site to the public.
A bear is making one Central New York area a regular picnic site.

According to News Channel 2 WKTV, a small black bear has been seen twice in the past two weeks in the town of Ilion.

The first sighting happened in the parking lot of the Barringer Road School and then a bear appeared again in the yard of a local resident. Neither time did the bear appear to be a threat to others.

The Ilion PD asks residents who spot the bear to not approach it and instead contact authorities at 315-894-9911.

Last month a large black bear was spotted in the neighboring town of East Herkimer, foraging for some easy food from a residents chicken coop.

In both foraging incidents, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was consulted and residents were told to remove food sources, such as bird feeders.

Here are the NYS DECs tips for clearing outdoor food sources that could attract bears:

Remove bird feeders and clean up spilled seed. Let nature feed the birds from spring to fall.

Secure garbage cans in a sturdy building.

Clean or remove all residual grease and food from grills.

Store pet and livestock food indoors

The DEC website advises that bears are intelligent and opportunistic animals, so while all of their nourishment can be found in the forest, they will find the easiest food they can access.

READ MORE

A mystery solved in Upstate NY: Was that a human hand, or a bear paw?

Number of bears euthanized by DEC highest since 2018: People havent gotten used to living with bears

See where the most bears were hunted in NY state last year
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)  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 murder  one for each person at 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.

This thing sitting in this court room is not a human, it is a monster, said Jessica Fierro, whose daughters boyfriend was killed that night. The devil awaits with open arms.

The guilty plea comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victims families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial.

More charges could be coming: The FBI confirmed Monday it was working with the U.S. Justice Departments civil rights division on a separate investigation into the attack.

People in the courtroom wiped away tears as the judge explained the charges and read out the names of the victims. Judge Michael McHenry also issued a stern rebuke of Aldrichs actions, connecting it to societal woes.

You are targeting a group of people for their simple existence, McHenry said. 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 killings rekindled memories of the 2016 massacre at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people.

Relatives and friends of victims were able to give statements in court Monday to remember their loved ones. Survivors spoke about how their lives were forever altered just before midnight on Nov. 19 when the suspect walked into Club Q and indiscriminately fired an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle.

The father of a Club Q bartender said Daniel Aston had been in the prime of his life when he was shot and killed.

He was huge light in this world that was snuffed out by a heinous, evil and cowardly act, Jeff Aston said. I will never again hear him laugh at my dad jokes.

Daniel Astons mother, Sabrina, was among those who said they would not forgive the crimes.

Another forgave 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, said Wyatt Kent, Astons partner. 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.

Aldrichs 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.

Aldrich  who identifies as nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns  did not reveal a motivation and declined to address the court during the sentencing part of the hearing. Defense attorney Joseph Archambault said they want everyone to know theyre sorry.

The guilty plea follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to The Associated Press expressing remorse for the shooting.

District Attorney Michael Allen said Aldrichs statements were self-serving and rang hollow. And the prosecutor rejected the notion that Aldrich was nonbinary.

Theres zero evidence prior to the shooting that he was nonbinary, said Allen, who repeatedly called Aldrich a coward. He exhibited extreme hatred for the people in the LGBTQ+ community, and so I think it was a stilted effort to avoid any bias motivated or hate charges.

Allen told the judge that the victims were targeted for who they were an are.

Hatred coupled with criminal action will not be tolerated, he added.

Aldrichs no contest plea on hate crimes charges effectively has the same impact as a conviction under Colorado law and doesnt absolve them of responsibility.

Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes. The U.S. Justice Department has been considering federal hate crime charges.

The status of those deliberations were unclear Monday but FBI special agent Mark Michalek confirmed there was an ongoing investigation. The U.S. Attorneys Office has requested no documents in the case be released, said Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez.

Allen said the federal death penalty was a big part of what motivated the defendant to plead guilty.

However, the Colorado plea deal and sentence would not preclude U.S. authorities from charging Aldrich with a federal crime that carries a death sentence, explained Robert Dunham, former head of the Death Penalty Information Center and now an adjunct professor of death penalty law at Temple Law School.

Double jeopardy, the prohibition against trying someone twice for the same crime, wouldnt apply, because federal and state jurisdictions arent the same and because the charges wouldnt be identical. It isnt clear what specific crime Aldrich would face.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for Colorado said it could not comment on ongoing investigations.

The line to get through security and into the courthouse early Monday snaked through the large plaza outside as victims and others queued up to attend the hearing. One man wore a t-shirt saying Loved Always & Never Forgotten.

The attack at Club Q came over a year after Aldrich was arrested for threatening their grandparents and vowing to become the next mass killer " while stockpiling weapons, body armor and bomb-making materials.

The charges in that case were eventually dismissed after Aldrichs mother and grandparents refused to cooperate with prosecutors, evading efforts to serve them with subpoenas to testify. Aldrich was released and authorities kept two guns. But there was nothing to stop Aldrich from legally purchasing more firearms.

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. When asked whether the attack was motivated by hate, Aldrich said that was completely off base.

District Attorney Allen said Aldrich knew exactly what they were doing during the attack and had drawn diagrams in advance indicating the best way to carry it out.

He emphasized that Aldrich didnt get any concessions in the plea agreement  sentenced to the maximum of five consecutive life sentences plus 2,208 additional years for the 46 counts of attempted murder. That amounts to the second longest sentence in state history behind only the one given the person who killed 12 people at a movie theater in a Denver suburb in 2012, Allen said.

That night, when Ashtin Gamblin stared into Aldrichs face, shots were already going off.

I nuzzled up with my friends body, soaking my clothes in his blood, terrified that this person might come back, said Gamblin, who was shot nine times. I hope for the worst things possible in prison, and even that wont be good enough.
NEW YORK (AP)  A U.S. judge is set to hear arguments Tuesday over President Donald Trumps attempt to move his criminal case in New York out of the state court, where he was indicted, to a federal court where he could potentially try to get the case dismissed.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein will listen to the afternoon arguments, though he isnt expected to immediately rule.

Trumps lawyers sought to move the case to Manhattan federal court soon after Trump pleaded not guilty in April to charges that he falsified his companys business records to hide hush money payouts aimed at burying allegations of extramarital sexual encounters.

While requests to move criminal cases from state to federal court are rarely granted, the prosecution of Trump is unprecedented.

The Republicans lawyers say the charges, while related to his private companys records, involve things he did while he was president. U.S. law allows criminal prosecutions to be removed from state court if they involve actions taken by federal government officials as part of their official duties.

Trump is alleged to have falsified records to cover up payments made in 2017 to his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to compensate him for orchestrating payouts in 2016 to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump has denied having had affairs with either woman.

Trumps lawyers have said those payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses and not part of any cover-up.

The Manhattan district attorneys office, which brought the case, has argued that nothing about the payoffs to either Cohen or the women involved Trumps official duties as president.

If a judge agrees to move the case to federal court, Trumps lawyers could then try to get the case dismissed on the grounds that federal officials are immune from criminal prosecution over actions they take as part of their official job duties.

Moving the case to federal court would also mean that jurors would potentially be drawn not only from Manhattan, where Trump is wildly unpopular, but also a handful of suburban counties north of the city where he has more political support.

In state court, a criminal trial was set for March 25 in the thick of the primary season before next years November presidential election.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg pursued the case after Trump left office. He is the first former president ever charged with a crime.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. A trilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has been held in the US, Trend reports.

The meeting took place at the National Training Center for Foreign Affairs named after George P. Schultz.

Blinken held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of the two countries behind closed doors today.

The main topic of the negotiations, which will continue until June 29, is a peace agreement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Azerbaijan Western Community has issued a statement expressing serious concern about the recent hearings of the Commission on Human Rights established by Tom Lantos from the US Congress, whose goal is to promote human rights at the international level regarding Armenians living in the Karabakh district of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Will be updated
Ongoing global economic uncertainty is impacting technical hiring strategies. Given the persistent financial challenges, more organizations are revising their hiring plans by freezing new positions.

However, the demand for skilled tech talent remains strong, particularly in newer areas such as cloud and containers, cybersecurity, and AI/ML.

More organizations plan to increase rather than decrease their technical staff. According to the latest jobs market research, training, and upskilling are essential strategies for organizations looking to address the changing hiring landscape.

Last month, Linux Foundation Training & Certification and Linux Foundation Research announced the release of the 2023 State of Tech Talent Report: Acquiring and Retaining Technical Talent in 2023 at Open Source Summit North America.

The report highlights that 70% of the more than 400-plus hiring managers of organizations surveyed provide training opportunities for their existing technical staff on new technologies, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing development and growth.

Upskilling is becoming more important for recruitment, with organizations choosing to train existing employees more often than hiring consultants when they cannot find suitable external candidates. This trend recognizes the value of investing in existing staff and the challenges of finding qualified external candidates, according to researchers.

Certifications and testing are becoming necessary tools for organizations to verify the skills of potential candidates. That said, Clyde Seepersad, SVP and GM of Linux Foundation Training & Certification avoided answering if the state of tech talent is better or worse this year over previous years.

The long-term growth trends for the profession and the professional remain strong. Even though we have seen some challenges in the sector, organizations and professionals are taking smart steps to keep things in balance, he instead told LinuxInsider.

Role Shifts, Skills Verification

More than half of the 400-plus organizations reported revising hiring plans due to economic conditions. However, those revisions often include headcount reductions or hiring freezes in one or more areas while simultaneously increasing hiring in others, offered Seepersad.

The key takeaway is a positive outlook for hiring in the tech industry. Many organizations plan to increase their technical headcount in the coming years. There is an ongoing demand for skilled technical talent, especially at the more entry-level positions for professionals with developer skills, he explained.

An interesting finding is a shift in the types of technical roles organizations are filling, emphasizing developers and IT management roles over senior technical jobs. This change suggests that organizations seek skilled individuals who can contribute to project implementation, management, and technological development.

Respondents expressed that certification and pre-employment testing are necessary to verify skills to address the challenges of finding the right candidate. These measures are beneficial in assuring organizations recruit individuals who are apt for the roles. Further, they provide potential candidates with a clear understanding of the skills they must demonstrate to succeed in the position.

For more than a decade, the tech training industry has been saying that upskilling the talent you have is essential to building and retaining strong tech teams. And while training has always been offered as a retention tool, new hires and consultants were almost always seen as the best way to bring new skills into an organization, said Seepersad.

Tech Certifications Outpace College Degrees

The tech talent report shows upskilling and new hires essentially on par with each other as approaches to support introducing new technologies and the skills needed to manage them. Three factors are driving this directional shift:

Tech talent will remain in short supply for the foreseeable future.

Onboarding is time-consuming, while turnover remains high.

Recruiting fees are high, and timelines to get candidates into open roles are measured in months, not days.

Coincidentally, HR managers and their organizations face three key takeaways they need to know to remain competitive, Seepersad said of the reports analysis:

Almost one out of every three (29%) new hires depart within six months of being onboarded.

Upskilling is an essential strategy for all organizations, whether used to help mitigate the impact of reduced headcount or to acquire needed skills and knowledge.

Training and certifications are increasingly more important than a university education because they provide a means to demonstrate current, proven skills and knowledge.

Source: 2023 State of Tech Talent Report. Copyright 2023 The Linux Foundation.

This third point is key for technical professionals as well. We clearly see that employers are looking for certified professionals rather than college degrees because certifications assure an employer that the individual has the technical skills for the job, he reasoned.

How To Meet Tech Hiring Challenges

For the tech industry to improve the ongoing talent shortages, companies need to be creative in their approach to hiring. They also must consider alternative solutions to overcome the challenges posed by the current tech talent shortage, recommended Seepersad.

While it is tempting to rely solely on external recruitment efforts to address the shortage, the data suggests this wont be enough, he observed.

Organizations must employ alternative approaches such as upskilling existing employees, offering increased salaries, improving work/life balance, and providing opportunities to work on open-source projects to attract and retain top talent more successfully.

The sooner senior management accepts and embraces these alternatives to traditional hiring practices, the better the situation will be for tech professionals, HR managers, and their organizations, suggested Seepersad.

Additionally, organizations should commit resources to the long-term development of talent. He added that they can achieve this goal by getting involved with their communities and supporting organizations that help cultivate and grow young talent.

Tech Growth Hinges on Talent Strategy

The tech industry will continue to operate in an increasingly volatile and complex world, according to Seepersad.

Remaining  or becoming  a strong technological organization, regardless of your business, requires having the right talent. That requires a thoughtful mix of solutions to recruit, verify, retain, and grow that talent.

To succeed for the medium- and long-term, all solutions, including ongoing learning and development, should be on the table, he concluded.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Macron is the last hope for Armenian separatists, Trend reports.

The Armenian side, which has been intensively shelling the positions of the Azerbaijani army in Nakhchivan and other border areas over the past month, opened fire on Azerbaijani soldiers at the Lachin checkpoint.

Now the Armenians went to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers on peace negotiations on the other side of the ocean, to Washington. Baku has no confidence in Yerevan with its destructive statements after each negotiation process, sabotage of peace talks.

Despite the fact that expectations are low, especially against the background of frequent shelling of Azerbaijani positions by the Armenian side, Baku still does not lose optimism that under pressure and insistence of the mediators, Armenia will fulfill the obligations assumed at the negotiating table. That is why last day Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov went to the US for the another round of the Washington meeting.

Bayramov and Mirzoyan are expected to meet in Washington today. After the meeting was postponed on June 12, no one should not expect significant changes in the agenda that the ministers will discuss. But if it takes into account that Baku will be a strong party at the negotiating table in any case, everybody can assume that all these attempts of manipulation will harm the Armenian government.

The geopolitical situation in the world is becoming increasingly strained, there are new threats in our region, revengeful forces are rising in Armenia again, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev mentioned during his speech in one of the military units of the commando of the Ministry of Defense.

Revanchist forces are raising their heads in Armenia, and the process of Azerbaijan's purchase of new weapons continues, but Baku takes its courses.

Taking all this into account, Azerbaijan has very important advantages both at the diplomatic table within the framework of post-conflict realities and from a military point of view, and this advantage is growing every day.

Against the background of all these processes, what the Armenian political leadership will say at the next round of the Washington meeting does not really matter much. If Armenia does not want peace, there will be no peace.

It is possible that Yerevan will try to put pressure on Baku again, to slow down the negotiation process by putting forward an "international mechanism for protecting the rights and security of the Armenian residents of Karabakh." Although, Azerbaijan's position on this issue remains unchanged: the issue of the rights and security of the Armenian residents of Karabakh is an internal matter of Azerbaijan, according to its Constitution and laws.

This means that Azerbaijan will not discuss this issue with any of its international partners. And Armenia has been well aware of this for 3 years. Therefore, the sooner the Armenian leadership moves away from its delusional ideas, the better for it.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who have recently often said that they recognize Karabakh as the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, would do well to explain to the international community the decision taken at the next meeting of the Armenian government to allocate another financial aid to the Karabakh separatists.

If the Armenian side still cannot accept that Karabakh is an internal matter of Azerbaijan, then it is too early to talk about any lasting peace. After all, it is the latest provocations, military incidents committed, destructive statements that prevent the reintegration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh.

Despite the fact that this time the talks in Washington will last several days, Yerevan is expected to remain "faithful" to the tradition of avoiding peace at the end of the process. However, after a few days ago, Jeyhun Bayramov said that a peace agreement could be signed earlier than by the end of the year, a similar optimistic statement was made from Yerevan.

Nevertheless, France, which tries to impose itself as a "mediator" in peace negotiations, actually hinders this process.

It is appropriate to mention here a recent article by Newsweek Romania on the latest developments in the South Caucasus and the negotiation process on the final peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The article, which aroused considerable interest with its notes, says that the last hope of the Armenian separatists is Macron.

"French President Emmanuel Macron and some Russian circles are supplying Armenia with weapons, thereby strengthening Yerevan's opponents of a peaceful settlement. There are still separatists in the Karabakh region. Thus, Macron strengthens the supporters of revanchism," in the Newsweek Romanias article said.

It was also added that France "acts as an intermediary, but at the same time supplies weapons to Armenia."

Pashinyan, who hopes so much for Macron, should understand that such behavior could be the end of his political activity. These politicians should remember the riots that engulfed the whole of Armenia after the trilateral declaration that marked the end of the 44-day war.
Singaporean authorities arrested a 28-year-old man for suspected involvement in several e-commerce scams. The online seller allegedly advertised the sale of Pokemon cards on Carousell.

(Photo : Photo by IDA MARIE ODGAARD/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

Jens Ishoey Prehn presents some cards of his collection of pokemon cards in Niva, eastern Denmark on November 25, 2022.

Scamming People with Pokemon Cards

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Division in Singapore arrested a 28-year-old man on Monday for scamming people with Pokemon cards, advertised on Carousell. According to a report from The Straits Times, the preliminary investigations revealed that the man could have been involved in at least eight similar cases, with losses amounting to more than SG $9,000.

Authorities revealed that they have received similar several reports from June 20 up until the 24th from different victims, alleging an online seller who advertised the sale of the collectibles. As per reports, the man became uncontactable after obtaining the money he received from his customers or victims.

The transaction was done using PayNow, a payment service by participating banks in Singapore. The authorities rapidly established the identity of the man and was arrested immediately, charged with cheating, and may be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

After the immediate action, members and victims were advised to only purchase from authorized sellers or reputable sources, knowing that Pokemon cards are high-valued items. If possible, people should opt for buyer protection by using in-built payment methods that will only be paid once delivered.

Arrested for Stealing Pokemon Cards

A few weeks ago, police also arrested a 35-year-old man in Japan for allegedly stealing about 1,500 Pokemon cards worth $8,000. According to Japan Times, the incident happened in Tokyo's Akihabara district, where rare Pokemon cards are usually traded at high prices.

Masaki Omori from Urasoe, Okinawa Prefecture, admitted to the charges against him, including stealing, breaking, and entering. Police were told by the suspect that he responded to a Twitter post and stole the cards based on the instructions given to him by another person. Following this, he rented a car in Ibaraki Prefecture and receive the tools for the operation.

This includes gloves from a man waiting at a retail store. This case appears to be "yami baito," which means dark/shady part-time jobs. According to Omori, he was offered more than a million yen but did not come through. Investigators are still looking for the individual who gave the orders to the suspect.

Also Read: Target Suspends 'Pokemon TCG' Actual Cards Because of Aggressive Buyers: How to Buy It Online



Meanwhile, in February last year when an unknown man broke inside a local card shop based in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The owner of the show managed to get out of the place and steal some valuable Pokemon cards, reaching thousands of dollars in price.

A small hole was created in the wall as he infiltrated the storage area of the shop. Based on the obtained footage, the robber reportedly took two hours to get all he needed to this agenda. By not opening the doors of the store, the thief did not trigger any alarms.

Related Article: Unknown Man Reportedly Robs $250K Worth of Rare 'Pokemon' Cards From Minnesota Shop

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A team of scientists in Switzerland has developed silicon-made raspberries that can help train robots to pick and handle this delicate fruit.

Harvesting raspberries can be difficult since they can easily be damaged because they are soft. Thus, they are usually harvested by human hands.

(Photo : EPFL Official YouTube Channel)

An EPFL laboratory has created a silicone twin of a raspberry in order to train a robot to pick it with the required delicacy.

Testing Fruit-Picking Robots With Fake Raspberries

Engineers at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne's (EPFL) Computational Robot Design & Fabrication (CREATE) lab are training robots to pick raspberries on a silicone version.

According to Interesting Engineering, the fake raspberries developed by engineers mimic the real thing. This innovation will lessen food waste in testing and avoid challenging harvesting seasons.

CREATE professor Josie Hughes shared her excitement with this invention. Hughes said in a statement, "It's an exciting dilemma for us as robotics engineers. The raspberry harvesting season is so short, and the fruit is so valuable, that wasting them simply isn't an option."

She added: "What's more, the cost and logistical challenges of testing different options out in the field are prohibitive. That's why we decided to run our tests in the lab and develop a replica raspberry for training harvesting robots."

Their study was posted in this week's journal Communications Engineering. The replica version was reportedly a "marvel of engineering" as it consists of flesh made from silicone and a receptacle from 3D-printed plastic.

What the CREATE engineers have achieved was no small feat, as they have designed and built a fake raspberry that can "tell" the robot how much pressure is being applied to avoid damaging the fruit during harvest.

PhD student Kai Junge noted that through their sensorized raspberry and a machine learning program, they could teach a robot to apply just the right amount of force.

Junge, who is involved in the study, said the most challenging part was training the robot to loosen its grip once the raspberry detaches from the receptacle so that the fruit does not get squashed.

Considering that the robots are typically conventional, the released statement noted that this process was hard to achieve.

Read Also: Robots with Soft Grip? NUS Researchers Debut Machine with Delicate Fingers for Soft Materials

Ongoing Tests for the Fruit-Picking Robot

The engineers described the development as incredibly challenging since they have been using a simple feedback system. The harvesting robot currently consists of two 3D-printed fingers, acting as a gripper, covered with a thin silicone layer attached to a robotic arm.

PopSci reported that Hughes said the engineers' next step is to design and build more complex controllers so robots can pick raspberries on a larger scale without damaging or crushing them.

The engineers will first focus on developing a camera system that will allow robots to "feel" and "see" the raspberries. Hughes noted that this system would also be used to pick other soft fruits too.

"We'd also like to develop technology for other soft fruit and apply this physical-twin concept to more complicated tasks like other berries, tomatoes, apricots or grapes," Hughes said.

Based on a small test with real raspberries, the robot created by CREATE engineers harvested 60% of the fruits without damaging them. However, that's pretty low compared to the average 90% from human harvesters. Thus, they made a fake raspberry that could help the robot improve.

The CREATE engineers plan to test their robots in the summer raspberry-picking fields in order for them to see how well the machines perform. If this technology works as planned, the team reportedly wants to expand its fake fruit repertoire to cover apricots, tomatoes, and other berries.

Related Article: Cambridge Consultants Develops Robot That Can Pick And Sort Out Fruits

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On June 18, OceanGate's submersible Titan embarked on a historic mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic.



Titan begins a descent from the Canadian research vessel the Polar Prince to the Titanic wreck, a trip expected to take two hours to reach the ocean floor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.



Titan fails to resurface as scheduled. Here is what we know so far.

The Crew Onboard

Prior to embarking on the submarines provided by OceanGate, passengers were informed through a contractual agreement about the associated risks, acknowledging that the equipment had not obtained approval or certification from any regulatory authority. The contract explicitly highlighted the potential for physical injury, disability, motion trauma, or even loss of life.

This disclaimer is just one among a series of concerns raised regarding the company's safety track record, particularly as the whereabouts of the crew remain unknown while the air supply diminishes rapidly.

A lawsuit, a letter from industry leaders, and statements from the company's CEO about the missing crew members have all raised alarms regarding potential issues with the Titan submersible.

Despite these warnings and uncertainties, OceanGate proceeded with its ambitious Titanic mission. Boarded on the vessel were five individuals, notably for their wealth.

Stockton Rush

Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate, was at the helm of the mission and guided the team into the depths.

Hamish Harding

Hamish Harding, a seasoned businessman, and explorer, brings his wealth of experience and multiple Guinness World Records to the venture.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet

Additionally, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French expert renowned for his remarkable 35 previous trips to the Titanic's wreckage, lends his expertise to the team.

Together, this diverse group embarked on an extraordinary journey to unravel the mysteries of the wreckage.

Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood

Joining them are Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, a father and son duo from a prominent British-Pakistani family, who eagerly tried to contribute to the expedition.

Read Also: YouTuber MrBeast Says He Got Invited to Join Ill-Fated Titan Submersible

Suleman Dawood Brought a Rubik's Cube to Beat a Record

19-year-old Suleman Dawood, a student at Strathclyde University, had embarked on the ill-fated trip despite feeling terrified, as it coincided with Father's Day, according to his aunt.

Suleman's remarkable talent for solving the Rubik's Cube in just 12 seconds was well-known among his family. His mother, Christine Dawood, shared how he would always carry his Rubik's Cube with him and had even taught himself to solve it through YouTube tutorials.

Suleman had planned to attempt a world record during the expedition and had brought a camera to capture his feat. Sadly, while Suleman's mother and sister were aboard the Polar Prince, the support vessel, they received the distressing news that communication with the Titan had been lost.

The Disappearance and the Robot That Scoured the Ocean Floor

Approximately 90 minutes into the descent, communication between the Titan and the mothership ceased, raising concerns. An "anomaly" was detected in the vicinity of the site through Navy acoustic equipment, and the submersible failed to resurface at the expected time of 3:00 P.M.

A search operation was launched, and underwater noises were reported in the search area by Canadian aircraft.

Authorities in the United States and Canada had shifted their focus from search and rescue operations to conducting an investigation into the tragic maritime incident involving the implosion of the Titan submersible.

As part of the investigation, a robot was meticulously scouring the ocean floor in search of debris related to the devastating event. The primary objective was to determine the factors that contributed to the disaster and ascertain if any legal violations occurred.

Pelagic Research Services reported that their remotely operated vehicle, the Odysseus 6K, which previously discovered the debris field of the Titan submersible, was engaged in the operation to retrieve debris from the Atlantic Ocean. The company acknowledged the utilization of Odysseus' heavy-lifting capabilities in the ongoing Titan recovery mission.

However, they did not disclose whether any debris had been successfully recovered. They directed CNN to the US Coast Guard, the leading agency overseeing the investigation and recovery efforts following the implosion.

The Somber Discovery

On the morning of June 22, a debris field was discovered by an ROV from the Horizon Arctic near the Titanic, confirming the worst. Coast Guard officials reported that significant remnants of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan submersible, including the tail cone and two portions of the pressure hull, were identified within the debris field resulting from its disintegration. However, there was no indication provided regarding the sighting of human remains.

The US Coast Guard announced on the same day was discovered fragmented due to a devastating implosion. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of all lives on board. The loss of the Titan's crew was announced, leading to a wave of grief and shock. The multinational search for the vessel had concluded.

Ofer Ketter, a respected submersible specialist and co-founder of Sub-Merge, explained that the implosion force would have disintegrated parts of the submersible instantly, leaving only materials such as titanium and steel intact. Ketter emphasized that the crew would not have suffered as the event occurred in less than a millisecond.

The Disheartening Online Reactions to Titan's Tragedy

A cultural expert and psychologist have expressed alarm over a decline in empathy within the American public, highlighting a stark example through the proliferation of hateful remarks online targeting the victims of a submersible incident during their expedition to explore the Titanic wreckage.

While the search efforts were still underway, a surge of derogatory and mocking comments flooded the internet, with some individuals even resorting to phrases like "Eat the rich."

While the tragic incident unfolded, social media platforms saw an influx of Titanic jokes and insensitive comments about the submersible passengers. Clinical psychologist Michelle Solomon expressed concern over the lack of empathy in our culture and urged for compassion during such distressing times.

The loss of Titan's crew serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with deep-sea exploration and the need for stringent safety measures. OceanGate and the broader maritime community mourn the lives lost in this ill-fated mission, prompting a critical examination of future underwater expeditions.
Hikvision and Dahua lead the world in the production of surveillance cameras, but deficiencies have recently been discovered in their security systems.

With the help of a hacker, BBC Panorama conducted an investigation to test the security of these Chinese-made surveillance cameras, with the results being even more grim than we thought.

These two Chinese brands compose the majority of security cameras used in the UK - from houses and privately-owned properties to local councils and government-related establishments.

(Photo : PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)

An employee of the European multinational information technology service and consulting company, Atos, is pictured at the company's cybersecurity centre for the 2024 Olympic Games in Madrid, on April 24, 2023.

Demonstrating the Infiltration

BBC Panorama recently ran an investigation regarding the reliability of these Chinese-made surveillance cameras. Through a joint effort with a hacker, BBC set up a darkened studio inside its Broadcasting House in London and acted swiftly.

Starting with a demonstration of how these hackers can hack them, an oblivious BBC employee was the unlucky target. Even in the darkened studio, the hacker can see everything he does through the lens of a hijacked security camera.

Personal things, such as entering his phone's passcode, the interior of his surroundings, and everything he's typing on the laptop. Every single action the employee takes is seen and monitored by the hacker.

Read Also: What Is Ethical Hacking? Here's How It Helps Make Blockchain More Secured

Risks and Caution

UK's Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson, warned that the crucial infrastructure in the country, including access to clean food and water, transport networks, and power supplies, 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," Sampson said.

Charles Parton, a fellow at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and a former diplomat who worked in Beijing, seemed to agree and said: "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."

Having all this heat on their backs, Hikvision refuted the claims and told BBC Panorama that their products and services contain no malware that makes it possible to infiltrate the privacy of any customer, regardless if they may be the public or the government.

"Hikvision has never conducted, nor will it conduct, any espionage-related activities for any government in the world," the company 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."

Following the statement, BBC Panorama formed and operated a collaboration with US-based IPVM, one of the world's leading surveillance technology authorities, to know whether or not Hikvision's camera security system can be remotely exploited and invaded from a studio.

For safety reasons, Panorama managed the experiment in a separate place, working with a computer with little to no software protection. Shockingly, the team found a weakness and is deemed a "backdoor" vulnerability that hackers can exploit.

Director Conor Healy of IPVM portrayed this as something Hikvision deliberately ingrained in their products for espionage reasons. However, Hikvision said its products do not have a "backdoor" and did not program this flaw deliberately, and believed that almost all local authorities using their gadgets would have updated their cameras long before now.

Panorama then ended their experiment on Hikvision here. For Dahua, the cooperating hackers got into the system fairly quickly, lasting about 11 seconds before the cameras were invaded.

Upon being notified of the vulnerability, Dahua asserted that it took immediate action by conducting a thorough investigation and promptly resolving the issue through firmware updates.

According to the company, it was not affiliated with any state entity and emphasized that its equipment was incapable of interfering with the critical infrastructure of the UK.

Dahua strongly refuted the allegations, deeming them false and asserting that they present a distorted and misleading portrayal of Dahua Technology and its product line.

Despite these claims, experts argue that the UK must take further measures to safeguard itself against the use of Chinese technology, which Sampson described as "digital asbestos."

With the installation of previous-generation equipment primarily driven by affordability and functionality, realizing its inherent risks has raised concerns. In light of this, the question arises: what steps should be taken to address this situation?

When asked about his trust in Hikvision and Dahua, Sampson expressed his lack of confidence, stating that he trusts them "not one bit." That highlights the need for increased scrutiny and precautions in dealing with these Chinese companies and their products.

Related Article: Suspecting Over Your Webcam Security? Here's How to Tell If It Has Been Hacked

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
New rules have been set up in the House of Representatives around how the congressional offices can use AI-powered models like ChatGPT. This becomes the latest move from Washington on how they are grappling with the implications of the recent growth in generative AI.

(Photo : Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 18: The House of Representatives continues to debate two Articles of Impeachment of President Donald Trump at US Capitol on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Restricting Staff on Using AI Models

The congressional office staff is now restricted to use unauthorized artificial intelligence models. According to a memo to House staffers obtained by Axios, House of Representatives Administrative Chief Catherine Szpindor set up narrow conditions where staff is now limited to using ChatGPT Plus due to its enhanced privacy features.

Compared to the free service, Szpindor argued that the $20 monthly subscription's features are necessary when it comes to protecting data from the House. This effort shows how Washington grapples with the implications regarding the recent explosive growth in generative AI legislatively.

No other large language models are now authorized for use. Offices can only use the product strictly for research and evaluations, the staff is also restricted from pasting texts that have not already been made public and only input non-sensitive data into the model, and privacy settings should be enabled to ensure safety when in use.

The announcement comes just a few days after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Congress to hasten more on passing the new legislation in order to regulate the industry of artificial intelligence. The Verge reported that Schumer laid out a new framework that details the focus of Congress, such as the potential risks of AI to national security and job loss.

While AI could be the most spectacular innovation yet that could contribute to the new era of technological advancement, Schumer believes that innovation can also be done safely to keep the development of AI moving forward.

Introducing Two Bipartisan AI Bills

Earlier this month, two separate bipartisan bills have been introduced to address the advancement of artificial intelligence, following how it gained popularity. Reuters reported that the first bill would require the government to be transparent when using the technology when interacting with people.

This was introduced by Senators Gary Peters, Mike Braun, and James Lankford. The bill postulates the agencies and divisions of the government to create a mechanism to appeal decisions made by the technology. This will make sure that humans are still leading the conversation and creating decisions, promoting proactiveness and transparency.

Also Read: Fake AI Chatbot Apps Are Spreading: Here's How to Avoid Being Tricked

Meanwhile, the other bill aims to establish an office to determine the country's competitiveness in the latest technologies revolving around AI. The Global Technology Leadership Act would create an office consisting of experts from the industry, the Pentagon, and other related and relevant agencies.

This will be the counterpart for other departments in the country that process comparisons with other countries' critical technologies. The bill was introduced by Senators Michael Bennet, Mark Warner, and Todd Young.

Related Article: US Congress Introduce Two Bipartisan Bills, Addressing Concerns Surrounding Artificial Intelligence

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Dr. John B. Goodenough passed away on Sunday at an assisted living facility in Texas. He became a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry in 2019 for his crucial role in developing revolutionary lithium-ion batteries.

(Photo : Peter Summers/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Chemistry Nobel Joint Laureate John B Goodenough attends a press conference on October 9, 2019 in London, England.

Goodenough Passes Away at 100

One of the most influential scientists in technology has died. According to a report from The Verge, 2019 Nobel Prize Winner for Chemistry John B. Goodenough passed away at the age of 100. He was known for developing the revolutionary lithium-ion batteries, which come as the rechargeable power pack in today's wireless devices and electric vehicles.

Dr. Goodenough's contribution is regarded as the crucial link in its development. The technology did not flourish much not until Dr. Akira Yoshina scrapped raw lithium in favor of safer lithium ions, producing a practical design for Asahi Kasaei Corporation. This was followed by Sony delivering the first consumer-friendly rechargeable lithium-ion battery in 1991.

Despite achieving his laboratory breakthrough in 1980, where he created a battery that has now populated smartphones, laptops, and tablet computers, Dr. Goodenough's work was exploited by the commercial titans, making him relatively unknown beyond scientific and academic circles. He did not care little for money and fame as he signed away most of his rights.

He did not receive any royalties for his work on the battery, but only his salary for six decades as a scientist and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oxford, and the University of Texas. Engadget reported that Dr. Gooenough also shared patents with his colleagues and donated stipends that came with his awards from his research and scholarships.

Aside from the mentioned above, Dr. Goodenough was responsible for much more. He was among the pioneers to help the technology that would eventually become the random access memory (RAM) in computing products during his stint at MIT in the '50s to '60s. He was also an active researcher into his '90s.

Winning the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

In 2019, The New York Times reported that Dr. Gooenough became the oldest winner in history, receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry when the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences that he would share the $900,000 award with Binghamton University Professor M. Stanley Whittingham and Asahi Kasei Corporation Honorary Fellow Akira Yoshino.

During this time, he was still active in research at the University of Texas.

Also Read: Lithium Ion Batteries of the Future Could FULLY CHARGE in 5 Minutes, According to Research

While industries are slowly developing and moving away from lithium-ion batteries, we cannot deny the fact that modern technology would not be what it is without the efforts of Dr. Goodenoough especially since this became part of electric vehicles before transitioning to solid-state batteries.

His legacy will be remembered and will likely be felt in the upcoming years.

Related Article: Alternative Lithium-Ion Batteries for Industrial Robots to Go Into Mass Production in Japan

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Several future models from Aston Martin are getting a different kind of treatment, as it tapped into Lucid Motors to share its different parts and features for its upcoming EV development. Aston Martin's plans center on an ultra-high-performance luxury electric vehicle in the future, with Lucid Motors fulfilling the technology that it would use.

Supplying parts to other manufacturers or a shared development among car brands is not a new thing to the industry, but this would be the first time that Lucid receives this kind of order and partnership.

Aston Martin is Getting Lucid's Tech for its EVs

(Photo : Lucid)

Lucid announced that it is entering into a long-term strategic partnership with Aston Martin, and this will center on the EV company being the technology provider to the British car company's future developments. Its collaboration would center on future releases from Aston Martin which will be clean energy cars, something Lucid is known for.

This partnership would ask Lucid to supply Aston Martin with EV batteries, electric motors, and other needs for future release.

"The supply agreement with Lucid is a game changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin," said Aston Martin Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll. "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."

Read Also: Aston Martin Finally Updates Its Infotainment System

Aston Martin's High-Performing Luxury EV

Aston Martin selected Lucid strategically to help it build its plan of developing an ultra-high-performance luxury electric vehicle.

With Lucid's ultra-high performance twin motor drive unit, batteries, the Wunderbox, and more, both will get to showcase the strengths of their brands to deliver the upcoming Aston Martin EV.

Lucid Motors and Aston Martin

Lucid Motors is one of the renowned startup brands in electric vehicles now, but its most iconic feature is that the company brings luxury and premium features to its clean energy cars. Back in 2021, Lucid is one of the frontrunners of the EV race, rivaling that of Tesla with its "Air," mostly focusing on its premium tiers like the Model S and its variants.

On the other hand, Aston Martin remains one of the most famous car companies in the world, centering also on luxury and performance with its ICE cars. The company also looked into developing clean energy cars, and back in 2022, Aston Martin partnered with Britishvolt to develop new power cells that it would use for its DBS and Vantage EVs soon.

It was known that Aston Martin is on its way to developing clean energy cars, but the company is now looking to collaborate with Lucid, a renowned brand in the EV industry. It is yet unknown what vehicle Aston Martin is working on, but this centers on a luxurious and high-performance electric vehicle that will bear the badge of the famed British car company.

Related Article: Lucid Confirms Apple CarPlay is Now Available on EVs, Comes Standard with Connectivity Feats

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The Google Pixel Fold has received some negative reviews lately, and the buzz around the device highly criticizes the company's development of its first foldable smartphone.

Generally, the Google Pixel lineup, especially the flat and non-folding ones, gets a good rating from tech enthusiasts and content creators. However, this is different from the Google foldable, despite being a relatively new device, which was only released earlier this May.

Google Pixel Fold Reviews: What's So Bad About It?

The Google Pixel Fold is receiving negative reviews now, including one from The Verge, which compared it to a Samsung foldable phone, and said it is far behind the Galaxy Z Fold 4 from the South Korean company.

First, the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 4 share the same overall concept, but the Google device has a wider and more useful cover screen compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 4. The Pixel Fold also gives users a landscape orientation on the inside screen.

While this feature is perfect for Google apps, third-party apps have difficulty acclimating to this display. When unfolding to access the larger display, it can split the screen between two apps, but that is where its multitasking abilities end.

The Verge's review also claimed that while the Z Fold 4 has a smaller battery, it is more reliable and long-lasting than the Pixel Fold.

Ars Technica reported that the Pixel Fold's flexible OLED screen suddenly died after only four days. While this might also be an issue among other foldable smartphones, the Pixel Fold's design presented a flaw that makes it a fragile device.

Read Also: YouTube 'Playable' is a New Game Streaming Service from Google-Stadia Revamp?

Google Pixel Fold: Is It Still Worthy to Own?

CNET has given a mixed review, but still, a significant rating of 7.8 out of 10, citing that several exclusive and new features outweigh the cons of the device. The Pixel Fold still brings iconic features to users invested in foldables, including a larger outer screen, thinner, and an almost gapless fold.

It is worth checking out in-depth reviews to weigh the pros and cons of the Pixel Fold, especially as it is a $1,799 device that could be flushed down the drain immediately or be a worthy investment.

The Google Pixel Fold

Back when the Pixel Fold was only a rumor or speculation from several insiders and leakers, there were massive expectations for the device.

First, it was said to be better than other foldable smartphones in the market, including those from Samsung, Oppo, Motorola, and others. Additionally, it was said to be offering the Tensor G2 chipset that is renowned for its performance and build among Pixel phones.

The Pixel Fold was one of the most notable announcements from May's Google I/O 2023, and it brought significant differences compared to other foldable smartphones. It featured a significantly thinner body that fit a larger battery than others, making it a promising device.

Initial impressions were good for the Google Pixel Fold, but now that it has been available for over a month, the in-depth reviews are rating it far from what was initially said.

Negative reviews represent the Pixel devices now, but it remains Google's first take on a foldable smartphone, and it was a still decent one with some notable developments.

Related Article: Want the Android Switch? Google's Pixel Fold is Offering Massive Trade-In Discounts for iPhones

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The Quest 2 and Quest Pro are getting new upgrades as Microsoft will be releasing initial rendering support for its Azure Cloud. This comes as part of an official announcement, which released a public preview of the new feature.

Microsoft Releases Azure Remote Rendering Support for Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2

According to the story by Road to VR, the company recently released the Azure Remote Rendering support public preview for both the Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2. The new updates reportedly gives promises regarding developers being allowed to render complicated 3D content in the cloud.

Users would reportedly also be able to stream the contents to their VR headsets in real time. It was also revealed that the Microsoft Azure Remote Rendering already supports desktop as well as the HoloLens 2, the company's AR headset.

The HoloLens 2 reportedly utilizes a hybrid rendering approach to be able to combine locally rendered and remotely rendered content. With the new update, developers would be able to have the Microsoft Azure cloud rendering capabilities integrated to the Quest 2 and Quest Pro.

Abilities Displayed via How a CAD Review can be Enhanced

A new Microsoft developer blog post revealed that Fracture Reality, a developer, has been able to already integrate its JoinXR platform with Azure Remote Rendering. The new abilities include how CAD review can be enhanced and how engineering clients' workflows can be improved.

JoinXR provided a model which reportedly took 3.5 minutes to upload despite it containing 8K images and 12.6 million polygons. This could still be considered quite impressive, given it was constructed with the use of Microsoft's cloud systems.

It was also noted that while streaming XR content directly from the cloud wasn't something new, Nvidia previously released its own version of the CloudXR integration designed for AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure in 2021.

Microsoft is Ramping its Efforts to Ensure Customers Know It Hasn't Abandoned the VR Front

Microsoft is reportedly offering direct integration as a signal that the company has not yet abandoned its VR efforts. This shows that the company is still actively attempting to bring enterprise deeper into its services.

The recent announcement by Microsoft comes as the company is ensuring it doesn't fade away when it comes to the VR space, especially when talking about next-gen technology like the integration of cloud abilities.

Read Also: Microsoft Researchers Announce Major Breakthrough in Practical Quantum Computing

Azure Remote Rendering Support is Available for Multiple Headsets

With the Azure Remote Rendering support available for different kinds of headsets, the ability to render becomes even more simplified as developers can now work on certain projects remotely. This would not only help accelerate projects, but also help provide avenues for new developers in remote locations.

With the addition of cloud technology to headsets, Microsoft is trying to make the Azure Remote Rendering support even more available for developers using different devices, not just those using the Microsoft HoloLens 2.

Related Article: Microsoft Claims Next-Gen Consoles Expected by 2028-New Lineup from Xbox, PlayStation

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. A bilateral meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and US State Secretary Antony Blinken has been held in the US, Trend reports.

The meeting was held at the National Training Center for Foreign Affairs named after George P. Schultz behind closed doors.

After the meeting, Blinken will take part in the first plenary session with the the FMs of Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The negotiations will continue until June 29. The main topic is the peace agreement.



Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
In a groundbreaking achievement, a group of international scientists has utilized NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to identify a new carbon compound in space for the first time.

Termed methyl cation (CH3+), this molecule holds significant importance as it contributes to the formation of more complex carbon-based molecules.

Its detection in the d203-506 young star system, accompanied by a protoplanetary disk situated approximately 1,350 light-years away within the Orion Nebula, marks a momentous milestone in our quest to understand the origins and potential existence of life beyond Earth.

Building Blocks of Life

Carbon compounds serve as the building blocks of all known life forms, making them a focal point for scientists striving to unravel the origins and possibilities of life within our universe.

According to NASA, Webb's remarkable spatial and spectral resolution and sensitivity significantly contributed to the team's success. The identification of key emission lines from CH3+ by the telescope solidified this groundbreaking finding.

Marie-Aline Martin-Drumel, a member of the science team from the University of Paris-Saclay in France, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "This detection not only validates the incredible sensitivity of Webb but also confirms the postulated central importance of CH3+ in interstellar chemistry."

Despite the d203-506 star being a diminutive red dwarf, the system experiences intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation from nearby hot, young, massive stars.

Scientists posit that most planet-forming disks undergo a phase of vigorous UV radiation, considering that stars often form in clusters that frequently encompass massive stars capable of producing UV light.

Read Also: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Catches an 'Asteroid Photobomber' Roughly the Size of Rome's Colosseum

Surprising Find Using NASA James Webb Space Telescope

Conventional wisdom suggests that complex organic molecules would succumb to the detrimental effects of UV radiation. Thus, the discovery of CH3+ may come as a surprise.

However, the team postulates that UV radiation might serve as the catalyst for the formation of CH3+. Once formed, it subsequently initiates a cascade of chemical reactions, leading to the construction of more intricate carbon molecules.

The team also observed notable dissimilarities between the molecules present in the d203-506 system and those commonly found in protoplanetary disks. Particularly noteworthy was the absence of detectable water signatures.

Olivier Berne, the lead author of the study from the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Toulouse, highlighted the implications of these findings, saying, "This clearly shows that ultraviolet radiation can completely change the chemistry of a protoplanetary disk."

Berne added that "it might actually play a critical role in the early chemical stages of the origins of life." The findings of the team were published in the journal Nature.

Related Article: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures 'Butterfly Nebula' In Stunning Motion | Fun Facts About This Beautiful Space Butterfly

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Researchers at TU Wien have introduced a new protocol called "Glimpse" that facilitates exchanges between different cryptocurrencies. Unlike traditional methods that rely on centralized crypto depots, this protocol enables decentralized exchanges without compromising security.

The Glimpse Protocol

It must be noted that cryptocurrencies operate on blockchains, which record every transaction and maintain a history of all transfers. These transactions can be more complex than simple bank transfers, as cryptocurrencies offer programmability through smart contracts.

These contracts stipulate specific conditions that must be met for a transaction to be valid, ensuring the successful completion of the transfer or its cancellation if conditions are not fulfilled.

While such transactions are possible within a single blockchain, cross-currency transactions between different cryptocurrencies pose challenges and are not supported by default.

According to the team, the newly developed Glimpse protocol addresses this issue by enabling efficient, decentralized, and secure exchanges between different cryptocurrencies.

The research was conducted in collaboration between TU Wien and Pantos, a decentralized multi-blockchain token system supported by Bitpanda, an Austrian financial services company.

Read Also: CryptoWatch: Binance's Referral Program, Massive Energy Consumption, and Nansen's Workforce Cuts

Proof of Transfer Using Small Amount of Data

Efficiency, compatibility, and expressiveness were essential considerations in developing the Glimpse protocol. Zeta Avarikioti, one of the researchers involved in the study, explained that the protocol needed to provide proof of transfer using a relatively small amount of data to ensure practicality.

Large amounts of data would render the protocol impractical, requiring hundreds of gigabytes of blockchain data. The protocol also aimed to be highly compatible with existing blockchains, supporting as many cryptocurrencies as possible.

"It has to prove that the amount was actually transferred by only using a relatively small amount of data. If large parts of a blockchain were needed for this, with hundreds of gigabytes of data, it would be completely impractical," Avarikioti said in a statement.

"In addition, the protocol should have the greatest possible compatibility with existing blockchains - as many cryptocurrencies as possible should be supported," Avarikioti added.

The new protocol has the potential to be integrated directly into current cryptocurrency software. The research team is currently in discussions with Bitpanda, their close collaborator, to explore integration possibilities.

According to Lukas Aumayr, the applications of the Glimpse protocol extend beyond cryptocurrency exchanges. The researchers demonstrate its utility in expressing crypto loans within smart contracts, facilitating other decentralized financial instruments such as asset migrations, and wrapping and unwrapping of tokens.

With the introduction of the Glimpse protocol, researchers have taken a significant step toward bridging different cryptocurrencies in an efficient, secure, and decentralized manner.

This breakthrough offers promising prospects for the future of the crypto world, enhancing its functionality and expanding its range of applications.

Related Article: CryptoWatch: SBF Wants to Drop Charges Against Him, Bybit's Race Team Sponsorship, and Canada's Digital Dollar





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NASA's ambitious project to simulate a year-long Mars mission has taken a significant step forward as four volunteers have entered the 3D-printed virtual Mars habitat at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Simulated Mars Habitat

The mission, known as CHAPEA (Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog), aims to replicate the challenges and conditions that astronauts would face on a real mission to Mars.



The primary objective of the mission is to evaluate the impact of Mars-related resource limitations on human health and performance in isolation and confinement.

To gather comprehensive data, the crew members will reside in a simulated Mars habitat designed to resemble the actual conditions they would encounter on the Red Planet.



The habitat, spanning an impressive 1,700 square feet, has been constructed using cutting-edge 3D printing technology.



Throughout the simulation, the researchers will recreate the various difficulties inherent in a Mars mission, including limited resources, equipment failures, communication delays, and environmental stressors.



By collecting data on both cognitive and physical performance, the team aims to gain valuable insights into the potential effects of long-duration space missions on astronauts' well-being.



NASA's ultimate goal is to establish a sustained presence on the Moon through the Artemis program, which will serve as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars.



The knowledge gained from lunar exploration will be pivotal in ensuring the safety and success of astronauts embarking on the challenging journey to the Red Planet.

Read Also: NASA's MAVEN Spacecraft Captures Enchanting Ultraviolet Views of Mars

Meet the 4 Volunteers

The four participants selected for this simulated Mars mission were chosen through NASA's rigorous selection process. Let's meet the members of the crew:



Kelly Haston, the commander of the mission, is a research scientist with a strong background in modeling human disease. Her expertise lies in stem cell-based projects focused on infertility, liver disease, and neurodegeneration.



Ross Brockwell, the flight engineer, is a structural engineer and public works administrator. With extensive experience in infrastructure, building design, and organizational leadership, he brings valuable expertise to the team.



Nathan Jones, the medical officer, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician specializing in prehospital and austere medicine. His experience as an emergency medicine physician and his academic role at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine make him a crucial asset in managing medical emergencies during the mission.



Anca Selariu, the science officer, is a microbiologist serving in the US Navy. Her research experience spans various fields, including viral vaccine discovery, prion transmission, gene therapy development, and infectious disease research project management.



As the crew settles into their simulated Mars habitat, they will undergo numerous activities, including crop growth, simulated spacewalks, habitat maintenance, and scientific experiments.



This immersive experience will provide NASA with invaluable insights into the physical and psychological challenges that astronauts may face on a real mission to Mars.



NASA's pioneering effort to simulate a year-long Mars mission marks a significant milestone in the agency's pursuit of deep space exploration. By meticulously studying the effects of extended space travel on human health and performance, NASA aims to pave the way for successful human missions to Mars in the not-too-distant future.

Related Article: Sunrise on Mars: NASA's Curiosity Captures What Red Planet Mornings Look Like

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Both Meta's Facebook and ByteDance's TikTok released an additional roll-out of their respective parental control tools in an effort to easily filter out inappropriate content for children. But which of the two is much more effective?

(Photo: Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) BANGKOK, THAILAND - NOVEMBER 10: Children play with camera phones during the Bangkok International Fashion Week at Siam Paragon on November 10, 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand.

TikTok's Added Parental Controls

Three years after TikTok introduced the Family Pairing feature, the platform added new content filtering controls to let parents filter out videos containing specific words and hashtags. According to a report from Engadget, parents will be able to link their accounts through the feature to enable content and privacy settings.

Two features will be combined through the newly-added controls as TikTok brings this tool to Family Pairing as empowerment to parents and guardians. By adding this feature, TikTok believes that it will help reduce the likelihood of teenagers viewing explicit or jarring content. Prior to this recent launch, the company revealed that they have been working on this functionality since March.

As per a report from TechTimes, TikTok discussed with experts in the industry, like the Family Online Safety Institute, to make the feature more reliable and effective. "Striking a balance between enabling families to choose the best experience for their needs while also ensuring we respect young people's rights to participate in the online world," the company added.

Forming a global Youth Council was also announced by TikTok, aiming to listen to the experiences of those who directly use the platform and provide better offerings to make changes in order to create the safest possible experiences for the community.

Facebook's Parental Controls

Meanwhile, Meta also announced new parental control tools on Facebook, including a new parental supervision hub in Messenger that will block unwanted direct messages on the platform. TechCrunch reported that the controls would be available in Meta's Family Center, letting parents and guardians have access to the privacy and safety settings of the children.

They will also be notified when a teen reports someone by allowing this notification through the teens' phones. When it comes to messaging, parents have also controls regarding who can message and view their children's stories and reels.

Other than Facebook and Messenger, Meta also added these features to Instagram, which has taken a lot of multiple steps to limit teen interaction with grown adults. A "Take a Break" feature will also be tested by the company to nudge users after continual usage of the platform to put their phones down to take breaks and set daily time limits.

Also read: Meta Announces New Features for Parental Control on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger

Which is Better?

While both platforms offer the same feature, Meta and ByteDance provided their respective parental controls aiming for the same reason: children's safety. The newly added controls will lessen the potentially damaging and traumatizing moments for the kids and teenagers, helping parents to easily adopt a feature for their children's sake.

However, these features were also added to comply with previous cases after facing investigations from the authorities. TikTok faced scrutiny over issues in the United States to its targeted-children userbase, while Meta was fined more than $400 million for violating guidelines from the GDPR over children's privacy.

Related Article: TikTok Updates Family Pairing and Establishes Youth Council

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Crash Test systems will be introduced by the European Union, specifically made for artificial intelligence. Through this process, EU regulators will ensure that innovations and technology are safe to use before hitting the market.

(Photo: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration picture shows the AI (Artificial Intelligence) smartphone app ChatGPT surrounded by other AI apps in Vaasa on June 6, 2023.

Launching Crash Test Systems

The European Union launched four permanent testing and experimental facilities across the continent in an effort to ensure that innovations powered by artificial intelligence are safe before hitting the market, Bloomberg reported that the trade bloc injected around $240 million (220 million) into this project.

Through the crash tests systems and facilities that will be launched from next year, it will give technology providers a space to test AI and robotics in different fields, including manufacturing, health care, agriculture and food, and cities. Testing the technology is the only right choice for the trade block, knowing that it rapidly emerges every day.

EU Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry Lucilla Sioli stated during a launch event in Copenhagen that innovators are expected to offer new AI-powered tools in the market, labeled as "trustworthy" products. Sioli also highlighted disinformation as one of the risks introduced by AI to the people.

Also read: How Artificial Intelligence Is Going To Be Regulated By The US Government: A Closer Look

Last week, consumer groups across European countries urged regulators to launch investigations into the potential risks of generative artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT. Through this effort, the consumer groups believe that it will enforce existing legislation to keep the consumers safe.

BEUC Deputy Director General Ursula Pachl stated her concerns surrounding the technology, noting the potential deception, manipulation, and harm affecting individuals. According to the released statement, this will also contribute to disinformation, bias amplification, and fraudulent activities facilitated by the systems.

Pachl stated, "We call on safety, data, and consumer protection authorities to start investigations now and not wait idly for all kinds of consumer harm to have happened before they take action. These laws apply to all products and services, be they AI-powered or not and authorities must enforce them."

EU's AI Act

This effort came after the European Union head started the AI Act. According to a report from The Guardian, this is already two years in the making as its first serious attempt to regulate the technology. The act classifies AI systems according to the risk they pose to users, including unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk, and minimal or no risk.

Once the trade block poses a technology as an unacceptable risk, this will eventually be banned as it promotes manipulating people, encouraging dangerous behavior in children, social scoring, policing systems based on profiling, location or past criminal behavior, and identifying via biometric systems.

EU aims to agree on the final draft by the end of this year after MEPs set their votes in the middle of June for this bill to push through an amended version of the draft tabled by the commission. As of the moment, there are no trilateral talks between the EU, the EU Parliament's AI Committee Chairs, and the European Union Council to push the legislation through.

Related Article: Consumer Groups Urge EU to Launch Investigations Into Risks of Generative AI



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A new study by researchers from the University of Vienna and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna has unveiled the impressive capabilities of dogs in comprehending and analyzing gestures and expressions.

These findings offer intriguing perspectives into how dogs and humans perceive social interactions and the involvement of the temporal lobe in this mechanism.

The study, published in Communications Biology, employed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the brain responses of dogs and humans when presented with visual stimuli.

MRI Scans Reveal Dogs Can Process Gestures, Expressions

Humans and primates have specific areas in their temporal lobes dedicated to processing faces and bodies.

Studies suggest that our brains have different parts that affect face perception. One important area is called the temporal lobe, which is located on the sides of the brain.

Within the temporal lobe, there are specific regions involved in face perception. These regions include the ventral occipitotemporal cortex, superior temporal sulci, and anterior temporal regions.

Interestingly, dogs have also developed a separate temporal lobe, distinct from that of primates, which serves a similar function.

Previous studies have demonstrated that dogs excel in understanding facial expressions and body language, including hand signals.

As per the report shared by Phys.org, this recent study aimed to explore whether this behavioral proficiency is mirrored in the canine brain.

Performing the Study

To carry out the research, the study team devised training protocols to acquaint the dogs with the MRI surroundings.

Unlike sedated animals, the dogs were not restricted in movement throughout the procedure and could exit whenever they wished. The study encompassed a combined group of 15 pet dogs and 40 human participants.

The study's findings presented the initial proof that dogs, like humans, possess a distinct brain area in the temporal lobe that focuses on visually perceiving body postures.

Read Also: Researchers Warn 'Disease X' Could Be Next Pandemic: What's This Pathogen?

Furthermore, other regions within the canine brain were discovered to play an equal role in recognizing faces and bodies.

Importantly, in contrast to humans, these dog regions displayed variations in activation in scent-processing areas, indicating that dogs depend on olfactory cues while processing visual information.

A Closer Look at the Study

The research also discovered familiar areas in humans solely dedicated to recognizing faces.

Nevertheless, the scientists observed that whereas humans primarily concentrate on faces when communicating, dogs place more significance on body postures and overall perception.

This emphasizes the distinctive social perception tactics dogs employ, which can be attributed to their extensive history of intimate companionship with humans.

The researchers additionally noted that dogs displayed equal levels of brain activity in their specialized regions when shown images of both their fellow species and humans.

This discovery highlights the profound connection and shared comprehension between dogs and humans, despite their diverging evolutionary paths.

By examining the social perception and information processing mechanisms in dogs and humans, we gain valuable insights into the fascinating concept of convergent evolution.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Scientists Create Pangolin-Inspired Medical Robot for Precise Stomach Surgeries

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Z-Library, the worlds largest pirated e-book library, has recently released a dedicated Tor-enabled desktop launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms, according to a new report from TorrentFreak.

Previously, the Z-Library users accessed the site through a dedicated URL, which required the users to enter their regular login credentials. Once logged in, they were sent to a personal domain that provided access to the library.

However, the new Z-Library launcher software will automatically send users to the library directly without being redirected to the personal domain.

Also, since the software is able to connect over the Tor network, it will provide uninterrupted access to the library while adding an extra privacy layer for protection.

Introducing the alpha version of Z-Library launcher for desktop. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for a working website link, as our desktop launcher takes care of everything for you.

What`s more, it operates seamlessly over the TOR network, ensuring uninterrupted access to the library while keeping your browsing experience anonymous and your privacy protected, the Z-Library team announced a few days ago.

According to Z-Library, the user may encounter a warning triggered upon the first launch of the application stating that it is from an unverified developer, which is nothing but a standard notice.

However, the pirated e-book library warns users that third-party applications should be treated with caution.

Z-Library, also known as a shadow library, has majorly positioned itself as the largest online platform for free access to literature.

The goal of Z-Library is to provide free access to literature to as many people in need as possible. Books are the scientific and cultural heritage of all humankind, and we strive to preserve this legacy and use its power for the benefit of our society, it says.

However, Z-Library emphasizes that it does not promote privacy, which is somewhat confusing.

We dont promote piracy. The work of authors and publishers should be paid for and valued. We dont engage in any political activity. We support copyright legislation, but we dont aim to change laws. We dont sell books, the Z-Library team explains.

About Z-Library

Z-Library offered more than 12 million books and 84 million articles free of charge in a huge 220 TB database via its website. However, last year, several domains related to the popular pirated online eBook repository were seized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) in accordance with piracy laws.

As part of the investigation, two Russian nationals, Anton Napolsky and Valeriia Ermakova, were arrested in Argentina in November 2022. Despite the arrest and seizure of over 200 domain names, the pirate eBook website continued to remain operational on the Dark Web, offering millions of pirated books and articles as before.

In February 2023, Z-Library announced that the platform is once again publicly available on the Clearnet and offering a unique or personal domain name for each member but with some technical tweaks, making it more difficult for law enforcement to completely shut down the operations.

As the crackdown from the U.S. Government caused substantial financial damage to the platform, the pirate eBook repository started a donation drive from March 15, 2023, to April 1, 2023, and encouraged its users to contribute. The donation drive turned out to be successful, with Z-Library collecting tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

In April 2023, Z-Library announced that it is working on a new service called Z-Points that will help users to share physical copies with each other via dedicated pick-up points around the world.

Despite being in the midst of a criminal crackdown and losing over 200 domain names, the Z-Library team doesnt seem to give up.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 28. A bilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia has been held in the US, Trend reports.

Negotiations continued intermittently for 4-5 hours.

23:56 (GMT+4) The talks between Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, continue for the fourth hour in a row.

19:57 (GMT+4) A bilateral meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan, has kicked off in Arlington, the US.

Today, US State Secretary Antony Blinken held separate closed-door meetings with the foreign ministers of both countries, after which the negotiations continued in a trilateral format.

The main topic of the talks, which will continue until June 29, is a peaceful agreement.
"...the victims will be transferred to Jayapura..."

On Tuesday, Rescuers recovered six bodies of the victims from a small plane that crashed in the mountainous area in Indonesia's eastern province of Highland Papua last Friday.

"We're currently evacuating all victims using helicopters to the airport in Wamena town," Marinus Ohoirat, the chief operating officer of the Jayapura search and rescue agency, said.

Ohoirat also stated that the victims will be transferred to Jayapura, the capital of the province, for identification.

According to Ohoirat, the plane was completely burned, with all people on board killed in the accident.

Official reports show that the plane was carrying two crew members and four passengers.

On June 23, in the crash that occurred in the town of Ellerim in Papua Province in #Indonesia, none of the six people on board survived.https://t.co/O2vDEkf130 pic.twitter.com/rkisUgwKEw  BeijingNews  (@BJNewsWorld) June 27, 2023

Last Friday, according to official statements, the plane lost contact with air traffic controllers seven minutes after departing from Elelim airport in Yalimo Regency at 10:53 a.m. local time.

Official authorities have stated that the plane was heading to the nearby Poik airport.

The wreckage of the Cessna Caravan aircraft was found by air patrol a few hours later on the jungle floor, with smoke still rising from the plane. However, bad weather had been impeding the rescue efforts.
Origin of life: Have you cracked the mother of all questions, Ulrich Schreiber?

Did the lioness come from private keeping? In Germany, this is hardly regulated

A cloud of dust from the Sahara is moving towards the Caribbean

A moment of coolness Nagano More than 700 wind chimes at the shrine of Ueda

Commuter hustle and bustle at Achim station: "Are you from Amazon?"  "Depends on who asks."

After the agreement with Tunisia on irregular migration... Will Europe succeed in replicating the experience with other countries?

Illegal electric three- and four-wheeler hazards: It is easy to overturn at a speed of more than 10 kilometers per hour

Why did a junior high school dropout and migrant worker struggle all the way to get into a doctorate?

Renewable energy. For these reasons, experts considered it an urgent necessity, and these are the efforts of the Arab countries in this field

In the first half of the year, excellent works were frequently published, and the pace of high-quality development of TV dramas accelerated

New Zealander Wilkinson, a striker who wants to make football equal to rugby in her country

The Football Association issued four tickets in a row, and spectators in the Jiangsu Division were fined for throwing objects at each other and attacking each other

Women's World Cup: victory and records for New Zealand and Australia in the opening

Claudia Zornoza: "As a result of the injuries I got rid of all the hobbies because I think they are not good"

Asgreen and the agonizing triumph of an escape that tried to torpedo Philipsen with the most controversial maneuver

Alonso and his first victory: "That day changed my life and I lost my privacy"

Restless record holder: Isinbayeva will lose IOC privileges in the summer of 2024 and may become persona non grata in Russia

After the release of the central heavy document, these supporting policies will be introduced

People from private enterprises talked about China's promotion of the private economy to become bigger, better and stronger: boosting confidence and stimulating vitality

The provincial and municipal dispatched agencies of the State Administration of Financial Supervision were listed

LPR "on hold" in July, the market expects that the third quarter may usher in a RRR cut

Netflix plummets 8% in the stock market despite adding almost 6 million subscribers in three months

For Patrick Martin, new president of Medef, a baptism of field in Rennes with the Le Duff group

Many ministries and commissions have taken active actions to fully fulfill their responsibilities and help the construction of a unified market

The creation of snack industry clusters in various places has driven a large number of entrepreneurs and employment personnel to join

Ostersund goes in battle to get NATO staff  would mean 400 top jobs

Golf: a trio in the lead ahead of Antoine Rozner, after the 1st round of the British Open

In DRC, the army announces the neutralization of several ADF leaders in the east of the country

After the renewed crisis. How big is Ukraine's contribution to the world grain market?

In rejection of the judicial amendments. Hundreds of military personnel stop their service in the Israeli army, Netanyahu briefed on the readiness of his forces

Friedman: Biden calls on Netanyahu to stop judicial amendments and warns of their repercussions on the relationship with Washington

Three activists arrested for sneaking into Ibiza airport sticking to a private jet and spraying it with paint

The astonishing data of the time trial in which Vingegaard swept Pogacar: "He scored more watts than expected"

The Palacios Group asks not to consume its tortillas sold in Carrefour, El Corte Ingles, Dia and 9 other supermarkets

Vingegaard and the shadow of doping: "I wouldn't take anything I couldn't give my daughter"

RaHDit hackers published the routes of ships from which they could hit the Crimean bridge

Many ministries and commissions have taken active actions to fully fulfill their responsibilities and help the construction of a unified market

He sold his car to open his only restaurant. Turkish chef Burak sues father for fraud

 Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have discussed the prospects for negotiations on a draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports.

"The parties discussed the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace process, the prospects for negotiations on the draft bilateral agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the current situation in the region," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said.

During the meeting, Minister Bayramov outlined Azerbaijan's position on the issues raised in the draft agreement. He spoke about Armenia's attempts to obstruct the peace process and Yerevan's provocative actions.

It was stated that in order to successfully advance the peace process, it is important to refrain from such steps, to withdraw the armed forces of Armenia from the territories of Azerbaijan, to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty both in words and in deeds.

The bilateral meeting was followed by a trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia with the participation of Secretary of State Blinken.

The next round of negotiations between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on a draft bilateral agreement on the establishment of peace and interstate relations will last until June 29.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. It's important to show progress in talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia this week, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing, Trend reports.

"We continue to believe that peace is within reach. We've hosted these two parties before. The Secretary has talked to both foreign ministers on a number of occasions. We think these meetings are important. This week we think it's important that they show progress. We do think that peace is within reach if the two parties will put aside their differences," he said.

Secretary Antony Blinken today held bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Afterwards, he participated in an opening plenary session with the two ministers at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Bayramov and Mirzoyan are holding a bilateral meeting at the moment.

The talks between the foreign ministers of the two counties will continue through June 29. They are primarily focusing on the draft peace agreement.

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Nearly all of the 57 people on Louisiana's death row have asked Gov. John Bel Edwards to spare their lives, a historic request made after Edwards broke his silence on how he views capital punishment and pushed lawmakers to outlaw the practice.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The US supports Armenia and Azerbaijan working together toward a durable and dignified agreement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, Trend reports.

"Hosting peace talks this week with Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center. We support Armenia and Azerbaijan working together toward a durable and dignified agreement. Dialogue is key to lasting peace," he wrote on Twitter page.

Secretary Antony Blinken today held bilateral meetings with Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers Jeyhun Bayramov and Ararat Mirzoyan at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Afterwards, he participated in an opening plenary session with the two ministers at the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center.

Bayramov and Mirzoyan are holding a bilateral meeting at the moment.

The talks between the foreign ministers of the two counties will continue through June 29. They are primarily focusing on the draft peace agreement.
The two founders of Stake.com have managed to avoid a $580 million claim against their business by a former business partner after a US court threw out the claim for a lack of jurisdiction.

Last year, the former business partner to Bijan Tehrani and Edward Craven  Christopher Freeman  launched court action in the Southern District of New York claiming he had been shut out of the business and had been misled by the Australian-based entrepreneurs.

Stake.com founders Bijan Tehrani and Edward Craven.

An investigation by this masthead in 2021 revealed that Craven and Tehrani were the founders of the wildly popular online cryptocurrency casino Stake.com, and that the group was operated out of Australia despite being registered in the Caribbean island Curacao.

The Stake.com parties had asked for the case to be thrown out because it failed to properly state a claim against them and did not have proper jurisdiction given the business, Stake.com, was not operated out of the US.
The boss of major KFC franchisor in Australia, Collins Foods, still believes that the companys quick-service Mexican food business Taco Bell can succeed in the Australian market despite the brands results hitting the groups full-year profits.

Revenue at Collins Foods was up 14.2 per cent to $1.3 billion in the 12 months to April 30. KFC stores hit $1 billion in revenue for the first time, but the companys net profit declined by 76.7 per cent to $12.7 million.

Same-store sales at Taco Bell declined by 4.8 per cent in 2023. Credit: J. Michael Jones

A $36.7 million impairment against the Taco Bell business impacted the results, with Taco Bell stores posting a same-store sales decline of 4.8 per cent for the year.

Collins Foods shares surged 16.7 per cent to $9.17 in late afternoon trade on Tuesday despite the drop in net profit for the year, with analysts saying the strength of KFC sales was impressive and the outlook for the groups brands was positive.
Seattle: The first flight of Virgin Australias new fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8s has hit a snag after manufacturing issues delayed the rollout of its new-look fleet by four months.

The aircraft  dubbed Monkey Mia  was scheduled to take off for Brisbane from Boeings Seattle base on Wednesday, four months after it was initially due to arrive. But final maintenance checks ahead of the takeoff took longer than expected, resulting in the flight being delayed until Thursday (AEST). The aircraft will be the first of 33 Max 8s due to join the Virgin fleet over the next five years when it reaches Australian airspace later this week.

Boeing Max 8s being manufactured at the Renton factory, Seattle.

Virgin chief operations officer Stuart Aggs said the new aircraft would be the backbone of the airlines decarbonisation ambitions, a crucial part of owner Bain Capitals plans to float the airline this year.

We expect our fleet renewal program, combined with other fuel efficiency initiatives, to support over 80 per cent of out 2030 interim target to reduce the airlines carbon emission intensity by 22 per cent, Aggs said.
Pressure is mounting on Labor to end logging in the proposed Great Koala National Park, as politicians and environmental groups say the plans fly in the face of biodiversity protections.

A coalition of peak environmental groups, including the Nature Conservation Council and World Wildlife Fund, and 13 local community conservation groups within the proposed area, gathered outside NSW Parliament on Wednesday to voice concerns over the logging practices.

Plans to create the Great Koala National Park fly in the face of logging in the area, environmental groups say. Credit: Kate Geraghty

The proposed national park would link together and protect existing national parks and state forests and add other critical habitats from South West Rocks, north of Coffs Harbour, to Woy Woy on the Central Coast, and areas inland over parts of the Great Dividing Range.

But large parts of the proposed park are earmarked for logging in the coming months. Forestry Corporation NSW plans show that over the next 12 months it intends to log 30,813 hectares of a total 175,000 hectares of state forests that fall within the boundaries of the proposed national park, home to one in five of the states surviving koalas.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex elbowing 17-year-old K-pop singer Haerin and Charlize Theron out of the way to become the face of French luxury house Dior had all the key ingredients of a great royal rumour.

The timing of Meghan landing on her feet in a pair of Jadior slingbacks was perfect, now that the Sussexes lucrative Spotify deal has soured less than a year after the debut of her podcast Archetypes.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at Queen Elizabeths Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, 2022, wearing Dior, will not become a face of the brand. Actor Charlize Theron, attending the Dior runway show in Paris in February, has a rumoured $US55 million deal with the luxury house. Credit: Getty

Theres also money, which Dior has plenty of, with fragrance ambassador Theron on an estimated $US55million ($82 million) contract as the face of Jadore.

And Dior is not afraid of a bit of controversy, working with Johnny Depp, says Michel Hogan, a Melbourne-based brand counsel. Depp signed a $US20 million deal to remain the face of Diors Sauvage fragrance last year, before a lengthy court case with his ex-wife Amber Heard was decided in his favour.
Columnist Jenna Price and former Liberal MP Tim Wilson have had an interesting relationship over the years. The pair began duelling back in 2014, soon after Wilsons unorthodox hiring by then attorney-general George Brandis to the post of human rights commissioner.

Prices pointed criticisms that ran in The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times once described Wilson as a henchcommissioner of Tony Abbotts government, prompting a rejoinder from Wilson to be printed in The Crimes in which he rejected Prices charges.

Tim Wilson still hasnt won over columnist Jenna Price. Credit: Darrian Traynor

She later called for his resignation from the commission and was back for another crack in 2019 as Wilson, then a Liberal government MP, prosecuted an effective campaign against Bill Shortens ill-fated franking credits policy, with Price alleging her Liberal targets behaviour was falling well short of decent parliamentary standards and that he should, yes, resign.

Spoiler alert: he didnt. But he did get bundled out of his seat of Goldstein by teal independent challenger Zoe Daniel at the 2022 election, and although he is doing a bit of consulting these days, Price has had a better idea.
The assassination of Sydney crime figure Alen Moradian has sparked fears of reprisals as police hunt the two gunmen who ambushed him in a Bondi Junction car park, while a gun recovered from a torched luxury car is believed to be key to solving the daylight murder.

Detectives also have the task of unpicking which underworld group, or individuals, had fallen out with Moradian to the point they felt he should be killed.

A gun believed to be linked to the daylight execution of Alen Moradian has been found inside a partially burnt-out Porsche. Credit: Kate Geraghty

NSW Police were called to the basement car park of Moradians Spring Street unit block just after 8am on Tuesday, when gunshots rang out.

They found Moradian, a one-time cocaine kingpin, shot and beyond saving in his car.
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).

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.
In a life furnished with Versace trimmings and enriched by the proceeds of selling bricks of cocaine stamped with a rip-off Ferrari logo, Alen Moradian always seemed like a character who had sprung from celluloid.

Fittingly, Moradians wife, Natasha, once tried to curtail her husbands behaviour by evoking The Sopranos.

The Golden Gun syndicate was one of the biggest drug groups broken by NSW police.

Why do you just sit there and show off  I am the man, I am the man. Do you see Tony Soprano doing that? Natasha wrote in a 2007 email to her husband, who was slain in a Bondi underground carpark on Tuesday morning.

He points it all off on a junior for a reason, to take the heat away from him. He doesnt care who people think is the boss ... You on the other hand want the attention, you get a big head, you love it.
About 200 kilometres of Southern Ocean coastline could be unlocked to become an offshore wind farm zone stretching from Warrnambool in Victoria to Port MacDonnell in South Australia  potentially creating 3000 ongoing jobs in the region.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the proposed zone would apply to 5100 square kilometres offshore, including near Portland, which is home to one of the countrys largest smelters and draws on significant amounts of electricity.

The federal government wants to open up more than 5000 square kilometres in the Southern Ocean for wind farming.

Any turbines operating within the wind farm zone would be at least 10 kilometres from shore. Public consultation on the proposed zone opens on Wednesday and will run until August 31.

Bowen said the zone was large enough to generate renewable energy to power 8.4 million homes, and to create 3000 construction jobs and 3000 ongoing jobs.
Military experts have questioned how the Albanese governments latest aid package to Ukraine adds up to an impressive-sounding total of $100 million as the opposition blasted the government for offloading unwanted military equipment onto Ukraine.

With the previous bipartisanship on Australian support for Ukraine rapidly descending into a partisan fight, senior government ministers defended their decision not to send Australian-made Hawkei protected mobility vehicles to the frontline despite desperate pleas from the Ukrainian government.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the governments Ukrainian aid package was frankly embarrassing. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The government announced on Monday it was sending 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, 28 trucks and 14 trailers plus an additional supply of artillery ammunition to Ukraine in its first major assistance package since October.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton hardened his criticism of the government on Tuesday by saying: Its frankly embarrassing internationally that as a trusted partner, Australia would be put into a position by this government where were offering up equipment that is not fit for purpose.
In March, this masthead and 60 Minutes revealed at least 82 Australian children had been taken by their Japanese parents under the countrys sole-custody laws, which give one parent total control over a childs future, triggering a race to snatch children both inside and outside Japan. The reporting was raised in the US Congress before a House foreign affairs committee hearing in May. Loading We owe it to the children and their families to resolve these abductions and to work to prevent them, said Michelle Bernier-Toth, the US State Departments special adviser for childrens issues. US officials estimate more than 400 American children have been taken by their Japanese parent over the past two decades, while hundreds more have come from Europe and the United Kingdom. The new documents also reveal that the Australian embassy has been co-ordinating its response to the child abductions with other Japanese partners and with the European Unions embassy in Tokyo, a move that could be seen as interfering in Japans internal affairs.

The Japanese embassy in Canberra said it was not in a position to comment on the documents or refer to the details of diplomatic exchange with the government of Australia. The government of Japan will continue discussions on the custody system after divorce while listening to a wide range of diverse opinions both domestically and internationally, a spokesman said.

It has previously denied that Japans sole-custody laws facilitated child abduction and said they were designed to protect partners fleeing abusive relationships. The Japanese government has announced a review of the system, and recommendations are expected to be handed down by the end of this year. Australian mothers and fathers say they are running out of time to see their children again.

The Japanese government are on the beat. The day after my son turned 16 they sent me a letter saying nothing with regards to The Hague Convention is applicable any more, said Australian parent Scott Ellis, who has not seen his children, Mera and Telina, since they were taken to Japan from his home in Queensland four years ago. The international treaty to return abducted children to their home country was signed by Japan in 2014, three decades after it was first enacted. Scott Ellis with his children, Mera and Telina It was Christmas Day. I rang, rang, rang, rang, no answer, no answer. So, I rang the police in the local town over there, and I got them to do a welfare check on the kids. At 8pm that night, the police got back to me, the kids are fine, but youre gonna need a lawyer, Ellis said. I would never have dreamt that anything like this could possibly have ever happened to me.

Ellis, who ran outdoor education camps and his own security firm on the Sunshine Coast, rang the Australian government for advice. They said it happens with Japan. Its a child abduction case. And Ill tell you, man, it will be the worst time of your life. We will have no success, he said. But these are the processes you can go through. Four years later, Ellis does not know where his children are. His ex-wife was contacted for comment. Ive taken thousands of children on school camps and I cannot speak to nor see my own two children, he said. Its devastating, absolutely devastating theres no other way of putting it.

Ellis and Australian mother Catherine Henderson, who has not seen her children in four years, want the Australian government to publicly condemn the Japanese governments actions after years of quiet diplomacy. Albo, get on it, said Ellis, referring to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Dont avoid this topic. These are little Aussie kids. Why is this happening? Its not just my case. There are so many cases of this. Japans laws are just out of touch with todays world. Its 100 per cent wrong. The newly released documents show the Australian government wrestling with questions about how to handle the fallout over a landmark military reciprocal access agreement with Japan signed in 2021. Why did Australia sign a significant defence agreement with Japan while our children are still missing? the DFAT talking points asked.

The briefing notes also formulate responses to why Canberra has been less vocal on the issue than other governments. Why doesnt Australia make a public statement on this issue when other countries (such as France, Italy, Lithuania and now the US) are publicly supporting affected parents? Why wont the Australian ambassador meet with us? Loading The documents advised former foreign minister Marise Payne to respond: We consider targeted and sustained advocacy on child custody with the Japanese government and other stakeholders is the best approach to support favourable outcomes for parents  and will be more effective in seeking family law reform. This issue remains a priority for the Australian government

But the documents also reveal the department and the embassy in Tokyo implemented one blanket response for all individual cases. Loading What is the government doing to assist Mr X/Ms X (whose children have been abducted by their spouse in Japan)? Due to privacy, it is not appropriate to comment on individual cases. The documents show the department and embassy cancelled group meetings with parents after recordings of Australian officials criticising the Japanese government were leaked to this masthead in 2021 and later posted on TikTok. Due to privacy considerations of consular clients, as well as in relation to our staff, we are not planning to continue group sessions at this stage, the internal emails show.
Here Comes Hydrogen: Mitsubishi Corporation: New Company for Green Hydrogen Business "Eneco Diamond Hydrogen" Established in Europe







TOKYO, Jun 22, 2023; Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is pleased to announce the establishment of Eneco Diamond Hydrogen B.V. (Eneco Diamond Hydrogen) to develop green hydrogen and associated renewable energy in Europe. Eneco Diamond Hydrogen, which was officially registered on June 6, 2023, is a joint venture between MC and its subsidiary N.V. Eneco (Eneco), an integrated energy company that is also headquartered in Rotterdam.

With global efforts to decarbonize gaining momentum, more and more countries are looking to make renewable energy a larger part of their energy mix. As it can be stored, piped, and otherwise shipped, there are growing expectations surrounding the use of hydrogen as both a fuel alternative and a flexible capacity for power grid. EU has been accelerating the introduction of hydrogen by, for example, setting annual targets of 10 million tons for both its own production and its imports of green hydrogen by 2030.

Eneco Diamond Hydrogen develops green hydrogen and associated renewable energy businesses, pivoting from the Netherlands, by taking full advantage of its parents' respective strengths. These include Eneco's lengthy track record and experience in renewable energy business, and MC's vast network, which spans a wealth of operations in oil refining, chemicals, steel, marine transport and other industries.

MC has made energy transformations central to its latest midterm corporate strategy, one of the objectives of which is to provide zero-carbon solutions that will help the world's energy sector to decarbonize. Through this establishment of Eneco Diamond Hydrogen, we have taken another step towards achieving that objective by committing to the green hydrogen businesses in Europe.

Interest in hydrogen is also growing outside Europe, with Japan, the US and other western and Asian nations all looking for ways to both produce and use it more widely. At MC, we are looking forward to applying our know-how gained through Eneco Diamond Hydrogen towards the development of hydrogen operations in other regions throughout the world. We hope to make meaningful, global contributions to decarbonization.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Western Azerbaijan Community has significant concerns regarding the recent hearing on Armenians living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, held by the Tom Lantos Commission, which was established by the US Congress with a declared goal of promoting human rights internationally, according to the statement of the Western Azerbaijan Community, Trend reports.

The statement also says:

First of all, we shall emphasize that it is crucial to provide a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia's human rights violations against Azerbaijanis are immense and unprecedented in scale and magnitude.

Armenia expelled all Azerbaijanis from its territory between 1987 and 1991, followed by its use of force against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and occupation of 20 percent of latter's territories. These actions resulted in the displacement of 700 thousand Azerbaijanis from occupied territories, in addition to the nearly 300 thousand Azerbaijani refugees from Armenia.

Thousands of Azerbaijani civilians were killed, Azerbaijani cultural and religious sites, graveyards were destroyed both in Armenia and the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijani private and public property and infrastructure were plundered. Armenia obliterated hundreds of Azerbaijani towns and other settlements. Armenia also laid millions of landmines in the formerly occupied territories of Azerbaijan, with the sole objective of complicating the safe return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their homes after liberation of those territories from Armenias decades-long, devastating military occupation.

We are deeply concerned about the demonstrative bias exhibited by the speakers at the hearing. It is disheartening to learn that some of them have close ties to pro-Armenia interest groups. This raises questions about the objectivity and fairness of the hearing, as it seems to have been influenced by a predetermined narrative. The substance of the contributions at the hearing was deeply flawed and failed to accurately represent the actual situation. It was marred by outright lies and a pervasive anti-Azerbaijani rhetoric that lacked a solid foundation of factual information. The misleading narratives presented during the hearing only served to perpetuate a one-sided perspective, disregarding the facts, complexities and historical context of the situation.

In particular, the repeated use of religiously biased language by the speakers is deeply troubling. The Tom Lantos Commission is meant to promote the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which recognizes the equality of all human beings, regardless of their religion. By using vocabulary that shows religious bias, the Commission pointedly failed to uphold its own objectives, values and principles.

The disregard for the rights of Azerbaijanis, especially those expelled from Armenia, is deeply disappointing. It brings into question whether the Commission truly values the rights of all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity and religion. It also appears that the Commission ceases to care about the rights of a population group once they are expelled from their homes. This selective and dangerous approach undermines the credibility and fairness of the hearing.

All these clearly show that the Commission's hearing was not truly about human rights but rather seemed to serve certain malicious interests. While we recognize that each state and group is free to defend its interests, it is unacceptable to misuse the noble idea of human rights, including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, for such purposes.

Furthermore, the hearing undermines the ongoing efforts to establish peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as it perpetuates a divisive narrative and adds a further obstacle to the path of reconciliation.

The hearing represented a regrettable chapter in the history of the Tom Lantos Commission. In light of the Commission's obvious omissions and biases, we call on the Commission to engage in meaningful effort that acknowledges and upholds the rights of over a million ethnic Azerbaijanis, who have been suffering by Armenias ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity. It is crucial for the Commission to recognize the fundamental rights of Azerbaijani individuals who have been forcibly expelled from Armenia. We urge the Commission to actively engage in sincere dialogue with our Community to rectify its shortcomings and address the injustices faced by Azerbaijanis. Specifically, we call on the Commission to work towards ensuring the safe and dignified return of Azerbaijanis from Armenia, a fundamental right that is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (KOBIA), operating under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, carries out targeted activities for the development of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Azerbaijan, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov tweeted, Trend reports.

KOBIA is constantly at the service of SMEs with various support mechanisms, Jabbarov added.

"The agency's activity in the direction of building and developing a business, supporting the implementation of innovative ideas, deserves praise," he said.

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly declared June 27 as the Day of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The main activities of KOBIA are the adaptation of management in the field of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan to modern requirements, support for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as increasing its role in the country's economy.
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) Board of Directors will hold a special meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 29, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m.

During the meeting, the Board will consider the following items of business:

Contract for broadband technical consulting

Contract with the University of Wyoming Center for Business and Economic Analysis

Annual Challenge Loan Report

Executive Session for personnel matters

No further business will be addressed at this meeting. A full agenda and board materials are available on the WBC website

If joining by phone please note your ability to interact with the panelists may be limited due to system limitations. Anyone interested in joining the meeting may do so at wbc.pub/Special_Mtg or by calling 1.669.900.6833; enter Meeting ID 295-704-768 (no PIN required, press # when prompted).

Members of the public who wish to speak during the meeting should send an email to wbc-conference@wyo.gov prior to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, stating your name and the topic you wish to address.

The next regular meeting of the WBC Board of Directors will be in Evanston on September 6 and 7, 2023.
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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%.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with showers and scattered thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
5 Teens Killed After Vehicle Lands in Florida Retention Pond

Close up of a police car in Fort Myers, Fla., in a file photo. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

FORT MYERS, Fla.An out-of-control car landed in a southwest Florida retention pond where it went underwater, killing all five teenagers in the vehicle, authorities said Monday.

The accident in Fort Myers, Florida, happened either late Sunday or early Monday, killing three woman and two men, all ages 18 or 19, according to officials with the Fort Myers Police Department.

The names of the teens werent immediately released. No further details were made public Monday.

The News-Press in Fort Myers reported that four of the teenagers worked together at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant.
After Wagner Revolt, White House Urges Beijing to Stop Backing Putins War Machine

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on June 26, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

The White House urged China on Monday to stop supporting Moscows invasion of Ukraine after the brief Wagner mutiny threw Russias domestic political balance into uncertainty.

According to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby, the Biden administration is actively monitoring the situation but has not yet determined how the recent revolt of Wagner Group, a prominent Russian private military company, will affect Russia, Ukraine, and other European nations.

The White House is also unsure whether this will make Beijing more hesitant to back the Kremlin.

It is up to the Chinese regime to decide what happens next in its relations with Moscow, Kirby said during a press briefing in response to a question from The Epoch Times.

We dont want to see any country at all support Mr. Putin and make it easier for him to kill more Ukrainians, Kirby stated.

We want to see every country around the world sign up and actually implement the [international] sanctions that are in place  and not provide any ability for Mr. Putin to continue to operate his war machine. And we have communicated that not just to the PRC, but to other countries all around the world.

Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence on Monday for the first time since the Wagner mutiny ended in an uncertain peace on June 24, promising in a televised address that the Wagner rebellions leaders would face punishment.

On Friday, Wagner Group initiated an armed mutiny against the Kremlin under the direction of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the groups leader and once a trusted ally of Putin.

On Saturday, Prigozhin ordered his forces to stand down and return to base as part of a deal in which criminal proceedings against him were purportedly withdrawn in exchange for his agreeing to go into exile in neighboring Belarus.

In his speech, Putin referred to Wagners acts as a stab in the back and vowed to crush what he called a rebellion.

In this grab taken from video and released by Prigozhin Press Service, on June 23, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the outspoken millionaire head of the private military contractor Wagner, speaks during his interview at an unspecified location. (Prigozhin Press Service via AP)

During a White House event on Monday, President Joe Biden also commented on the brief insurrection, saying he had been in close communication with U.S. allies over the weekend to prepare for a variety of possible scenarios.

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.

Its still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going. The ultimate outcome of all this remains to be seen.

Beijing has been closely monitoring the situation and has voiced its support for Putin after a brief but impactful insurrection that poses a great challenge to the Russian leaders power.

This is Russias internal affair, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in an online statement. 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.

On Sunday, Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang held a meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Beijing to discuss Sino-Russian relations and international and regional issues of common concern, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Rudenko also held scheduled consultations with Chinas Deputy Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Airstrike Hits Busy Market in Opposition-Held Northwestern Syria and Kills at Least 9 People

JISR AL-SHUGHUR, SyriaAn airstrike early Sunday over a busy vegetable market in northwestern Syria killed at least nine people, activists and local first responders said.

Activists and Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Russia, a top ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, launched the strike over the strategic opposition-held town of Jisr al-Shughur near the Turkish border.

Opposition-held northwestern Syrias civil defense organization known as the White Helmets said over 30 people were wounded, and expected the death toll to increase.

Were hearing that the critically wounded have been dying after reaching the hospital, Ahmad Yaziji of the White Helmets told The Associated Press. It was a targeted attack in the main vegetable market where farmers from around northern Syria gather.

Farmers rushed the wounded to the hospital in bloodied vegetable trucks, while activists shared urgent calls for blood donations.

Neither Syria nor Russia commented on the airstrike, though Damascus says strikes in the northwest province target armed insurgent groups. The Syrian pro-government newspaper Al-Watan, citing an unidentified security source, said that the airstrike targeted militants and a weapons depot.

Northwestern Syria is mostly held by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al Sham, as well as Turkish-backed forces.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) increased by 45 percent and amounted to about 360,000 from 2018 through 2021 in Azerbaijan, Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The agency notes that 97.3 percent of the SMEs operating in Azerbaijan are micro, 1.9 percent are small and 0.8 percent are medium-sized businesses.

"SMEs mainly work in the field of trade, agriculture, construction, processing, logistics, industry, tourism, catering, transport and other areas in Azerbaijan," the agency said.

According to the State Statistics Committee, the share of SMEs in non-oil GDP increased from 23.5 percent to 26.6 percent in 2018-2021.

The agency notes that entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan, including small and medium-sized businesses, are covered by broad measures of state support.

"The Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses of Azerbaijan provides activities to regulate the SME sector, improve the provision of public services to business, protect the interests of SMEs, improve their access to knowledge and innovation, markets and finance, provides SMEs with a number of services," the agency said.

The SME development centers have conducted more than 3,000 trainings to improve the business knowledge of SMEs, which are used free of charge by about 40,000 SMEs, provided consulting services, which are used by up to 5,500 entrepreneurs, developed a business plan for about 800 SMEs," the agency added.

Moreover, the agency issued about 100 startup certificates, which exempted them from profit tax on income from innovation activities for 3 years.

"In order to support the improvement of the financial capabilities of SMEs within the framework of the financing mechanism for their projects in the field of education, science, research and support, so far 39 SMEs have been granted amounts of money worth more than 750,000 manat ($441,176)," the agency notes.

The agency notes that they have received about 1,500 applications from entrepreneurs who want to build a business and invest in the liberated territories from Armenian occupation [after the Second Karabakh War], of which about 70 percent are applications from local enterprises.
Americas First State Trans Representative Arrested for Child Pornography

A mug shot of Stacie-Marie Laughton, a transgender-identifying man. (Courtesy of Nausha, New Hampshire's police department)

New Hampshire police arrested transgender state representative Stacie-Marie Laughton for distributing child sex abuse images.

Laughton, a Democrat, was Americas first transgender state representative. Born male, he went through sex change procedures to resemble a woman.

This incident isnt Laughtons first brush with the law. Police arrested Laughton on Nov. 12, accusing him of violating a court order prohibiting him from posting on social media about another individual. According to court documents, prosecutors also seek to impose a suspended sentence of up to nine months he was given last year.

In that case, police accused Laughton of texting 911 for no emergency or police related matter a dozen times between May and July 2021. Prosecutors dropped nine of the 12 charges. On the others, courts ordered him to perform community service, participate in a peer support program and remain on good behavior.

A transgender flag sits on the grass outside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington on May 22, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

In 2012, Laughton, a New Hampshire state-level representative, was the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature.

But he never took his seat, resigning after a prior felony conviction raised questions about his legal ability to serve.

New Hampshire politicians can only run for office after final discharge from prison. When Republicans noted that Laughton was still outside prison only on condition of good behavior, he resigned.

In 2020, Laughton ran for office as a state representative and won. He won again in 2022.

But at the time of his most recent arrest, Laughton wasnt in office in his third Hillsborough district. He resigned in December 2022 after facing stalking charges.

The Epoch Times reached out to Laughton for comment but received none by publication time.

On the Nausha, New Hampshire, police records website, the press release describing his arrest wasnt available and displayed an error message.

An officer told The Epoch Times that the website had been hacked and had problems displaying criminal charges.

The police supplied records that referred to Laughton with female pronouns as they charged him with four counts of child pornography distribution.

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, Officers responded to a local facility for a juvenile matter. They spoke with reporting parties that indicated Laughton distributed sexually explicit images of children, the police report reads.

Daycare Worker Arrested

The police also sent The Epoch Times a press release on the arrest of 38-year-old Lindsay Groves on child pornography charges.

Due to the nature of the investigation members of the Homeland Security Investigations were notified, the police press release reads.

Groves is a Hudson, New Hampshire, resident.

According to a press release by the Massachusetts Attorney General, authorities arrested Groves for taking sexually explicit pictures of children at Creative Minds, a daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts.

Groves, a daycare employee, sent these pictures to an individual with whom she was previously in an intimate relationship, according to the press release. However, the press release never names this individual.

A mug shot of Lindsay Groves. (Courtesy of Nausha, New Hampshires police department)

Due to Grovess case now being investigated federally, I cannot comment on the connection between the two cases, Sergeant John Cinelli of the Nashua Police Department told The Epoch Times.

However, New Hampshire city of Nashua police public information officer Sgt. John Cinelli told The Union Leader that Laughtons arrest stemmed from the same investigation that led to Groves arrest.

In office, Laughton sponsored and cosponsored a range of bills that included legalizing marijuana, decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms, and prohibiting anti-union activities by employers.

Along with Democrats Rep. David Cote and Rep. Fred Davis, Laughton won office in 2022 in his three-seat district with 26.4 percent of the vote.

Voters also chose Laughton in the 2012 state election and 2020 state election.

Democrats in the State House will always work to protect a womens (sic) right to an abortion, push to adopt domestic renewable energy so we can lower energy costs and fight to keep public money in public schools so every student in New Hampshire has the opportunity succeed, Laughtons House Democrats campaign page reads.

From Prison to Preaching

Recently, Laughton was ordained as a minister, according to his YouTube page.

GetOrdained.org shows Laughton affiliated with Buddhism, Methodism, New Age, Oneness Pentecostalism, Pentecostalism, Protestantism, Rastafarianism, Spiritualism, Tibetan Buddhism, Unitarian Universalism, and Universal Life Church.

Its not clear what Laughtons position on child transgenderism is. On his Facebook page, he links to a video from Caitlyn Jenner, a man who says he is a woman.

In the video, Jenner condemns the radical rainbow mafia.

Governments basically trying to take over our children, Jenner said. This is an issue between the parents, God, and their doctor.

Caitlyn Jenner arrives at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday, in West Hollywood, Calif., on March 27, 2022. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Experts and activists have voiced concern over men who enjoy dressing as women receiving access to children.

Jon Uhler, a therapist who treats sex offenders, said that in his experience if a man feels comfortable performing sexual dance in a skimpy womens outfit for children, hes likely extremely sexually deviant and poses a significant risk to women and children.

Some transgender-identifying men experience autogynephilia, a feeling of sexual arousal by thinking of themselves as female.

According to government surveys, nearly 3 percent of men experience this feeling, and increasing numbers of these men identify as transgender.

Autogynephilia exemplifies an unusual paraphilic category called erotic target identity inversions, in which men desire to impersonate or turn their bodies into facsimiles of the persons or things to which they are sexually attracted.
ANALYSIS: Chinese Premier Visits Europe as EU Proposes Economic Security Strategy

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (L) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speak to the media at the Chancellery on June 20, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

News Analysis

Chinese Premier Li Qiangs first diplomatic trip overseas took him to Europe last week, where he sought ways to de-escalate the Chinese Communist Partys trade confrontation with liberal democracies.

However, Lis six-day visit to the top EU economies Germany and France coincided with the release of the European Unions proposed new economic security strategy to address economic security risks and, as part of that, ensure that critical technologies do not flow into the hands of adversaries.

The European Economic Security Strategy paper, released on June 20, aims to convince the 27 EU member states to agree to tighten controls on technology exports and outflows that could be used for military purposes by rivals such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

EU diplomats say it may take months of debate before the strategy becomes a concrete policy. Still, it is an essential first step in preventing economic objectives from undermining the EUs security.

Although the document does not name any specific country, European diplomats told the New York Times the strategy is clearly aimed at China.

Li has been the premier of the CCPs State Council in China after he took office in March this year. He was in Germany for the talks on June 20 for the seventh round of Sino-German government consultations before heading to France for this first official visit and to attend French President Emmanuel Macrons New Global Financing Pact June 22 to 23.

Chinese state media said that Lis choice of Europe for his first overseas trip shows that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Europe and regards boosting China-Europe relations as a priority for CCP diplomacy.

But the EU doesnt show signs of sharing that same enthusiasm for embracing cooperation with the CCP.

Li Yuanhua, a former professor at Beijings Capital Normal University, told The Epoch Times on June 21 that the EUs economic security strategy document is a response to three years of the CCPs draconian zero-COVID policies threatening the security of the global industrial supply chain.

EU has recognized the weakness of a supply chain [reliant on China] for Europe, Li Yuanhua said.

In addition to supply chain issues, the EUs new policies are aimed at preventing authoritarian states from stealing sensitive technologies, including AI and microchips, and using them in the military sphere, thus posing a threat to all of humanity, according to Li Yuanhua.

EU View on Economic Security

The EUs wariness of trade reliance with the CCP was evident for some time before its European Economic Security Strategy proposal, Chen Weijian, editor-in-chief of Beijing Spring, a monthly magazine that reports on the democracy movement in China, told The Epoch Times on June 21.

In the 14-page strategy, the European Commission expressed concern about poor coordination among member states and weak trade rules that could give opponents an economic stranglehold on EU economies or manufacturers. This problem needs to be addressed urgently, the commission said.

European Union flags flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on June 5, 2020. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

The European Commission considers the export and sharing of emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computers, a potential security risk, as it could allow some hostile countries to use these technologies for their military purposes.

The strategy ensures that the supply chain for security-sensitive products is closed to hostile nations, designed to stop the leaks of European proprietary technologies in AI, chip manufacturing, and biotechnology.

The EU should also exclude potential rival countries and their companies from crucial infrastructure, such as ports and pipelines, and ban EU companies from exporting high-tech military applications to potential rivals, it states.

In some cases, technology leakage risks strengthening the military/intelligence capabilities of those that could use them to undermine peace and security, especially for dual-use technologies such as Quantum, Advanced Semiconductors or Artificial Intelligence, it reads.

The commission has proposed a list of dual-use technologies for risk assessment that the EUs Trade and Technology Council could adopt by September this year. The list will consider for each nation the risk of civil-military fusion, and the risk of their [technology] misuse for human rights violations.

CCPs Diplomacy in Europe

Li Qiang said during his German trip that the CCP is willing to send a positive and strong signal for keeping the international industrial and supply chains stable, and for maintaining world peace and prosperity, according to Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such words seem to imply a semi-threatening underlying implication, reminding Europe and the world that China still plays a vital role in the international supply chain.

But in fact, the reality facing China is the opposite, Li Yuanhua said, as Chinas economy is on the verge of collapse and desperately needs foreign capital injections and overseas orders, [it is under] tremendous economic pressure, so the CCP is eager to rescue its collapsing economy by strengthening trade cooperation with Europe after losing the support of the United States.

Bavarias State Premier and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) party Markus Soeder and Chinas Premier Li Qiang review an honor guard of Bavarian mountain riflemen at the Residenz, the former royal palace of Bavarias Wittelsbach monarchs, in Munich, southern Germany, on June 20, 2022. (Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images)

Li Yuanhua said that another veiled mission for Chinas premierin addition to subtly warning the EU that withdrawing trade with China would be bad for world peacewas lobbying Europe in the diplomatic arena to move closer to the CCP to counterbalance the United States.

The CCP has been aware that the United States is bound to impose sanctions on it, as no matter which party is in power in the United States, public opinion and its global strategy require it to restrict and balance the expansion of the CCPthis despotic regime that harms the people.

Thus, the CCP can only pin its hopes on aligning with European powers to resist U.S. sanctions, Li Yuanhua said.

Meanwhile, Chen Weijan believes the EUs steadily formed stance of de-risking concerning the CCP wont be easily changed, especially by a visit from a Chinese communist leader or some superficially low-profile rhetoric.

Whats more, Chinese leader Xi Jinpings policies for China have adopted a hard-line war-warrior diplomatic strategy, continued hostility toward the United States and Western institutions, and retractive and repressive tactics against foreign businesses, which has led to a large number of foreign companies fleeing China.

Under this internal and external political environment, Li Qiangs visit to Europe will be unlikely to achieve any tangible results, Chen said.

Kane Zhang contributed to this report.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Australian PM Is Confident of Winning Vote to Change Constitution Despite Falling Public Support

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to media during a press conference at the Kaarta Gar-up Lookout in Perth, Australia, on May 8, 2023. (AAP Image/Matt Jelonek)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is still confident in the success of a referendum to change Australias Constitution despite new polling showing a drop in the publics approval.

This comes as advocacy groups prepare to launch thousands of Yes events across the country to encourage Australians to back the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Voice is an initiative by the Labor federal government to embed a permanent body into the Constitution that will have the power to advise the Parliament and government on issues deemed to impact Indigenous people.

Australians will go to the polls sometimes between October and December.

Local Indigenous Ngunnawal residents celebrate at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2023. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

According to the latest Newspoll conducted by The Australian newspaper, 43 percent of the respondents said they would vote Yes in the coming referendum, down from 46 percent in the previous polling.

Meanwhile, the percentage of people disapproving of The Voice had risen from 43 to 47 percent.

The remaining ten percent were unsure whether to support the change to Australias constitution.

Young people aged 18-34 had the highest support for The Voice at 63 percent, while most of those above 50 opposed the initiative.

This is not the only poll to show a decline in support for altering the Constitution.

Prime Minister Remains Confident

The prime minister, however, remained optimistic.

Its always easier in a referendum to put a no argument out there, and thats why the success rate is something like eight out of 48 (referendums), Albanese told Sevens Sunrise program.

He also believed people would change their attitude when the pro-Voice campaign took off.

People will really focus on this when the campaign is actually on. They would recognise the great benefit that would come from this, and there really isnt a downside, Albanese said.

Im very confident that Australians will embrace that opportunity to say yes in the referendum in the last quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton warned about the significant risks associated with the changes to Australias Constitution.

By its very design, The Voice is going to have the ability to have a say on every area of government responsibility, he told reporters.

Dutton noted that once The Voice was embedded into the Constitution, it could not be undone by any legislationonly via another referendum.

In addition, he said the government had not provided a clear explanation of how The Voice would work despite the oppositions repeated requests.

Leader of the opposition Peter Dutton MP during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Feb. 14, 2023. (Martin Ollman/Getty Images)

The legal uncertainty and ambiguity here are quite remarkable, and to change the Constitution this way is without precedent, Dutton said.

The opposition leader then called on the Labor government to cancel the referendum to avoid setting back reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

If the prime minister is set on that course  going into a referendum knowing its going to fail and the reconciliation will be set back, he should delay it or pull it back together, Dutton said.

Yes Campaign to Launch Thousands of Events

Meanwhile, the Yes campaign for the referendum says it will launch a new fund to encourage communities to hold conversations about the importance of a successful referendum.

Specifically, the Yes Alliance Capacity Fund will provide one-off grants between $1,000 (US$672) and $15,000 to help community groups run activities and forums to convince Australians to vote yes.

It also encouraged Indigenous community organisations to apply for financial assistance.

Yes 23 campaign director Dean Parkin said the fund would support more Yes conversations across the country.

We want to encourage even more community conversations with everyday Australians about why a successful referendum will help deliver practical outcomes on the ground and move Australia forward, he said.

This fund will help ensure even more community events can get off the ground so our positive message can be heard by more Australians.

The campaign is expected to organise thousands of such events before the referendum occurs.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil believed support for The Voice would grow when more conversations took place.

We are going to win this referendum through millions of conversations that happen around peoples kitchen tables and on their doorsteps, she told ABC Radio.

It is very hard to get a referendum passed in this country, and what we need to do now is having those millions of conversations that are going to switch hearts and minds.
Barbara Kay: Mulling Legal Sanctions Over Arbitrary Residential School Denialism Accusations Is Dangerous Territory

Commentary

Kimberly Murray, an indigenous rights careerist appointed to advise Attorney General David Lametti on missing children, unmarked graves, and burial sites associated with the Indian Residential Schools, has submitted a controversial interim report. Most troubling amongst the recommendations, Murray urges the government to impose legal sanctions on dissenters to the now received wisdom amongst our intelligentsia and political elites that the residential schools were a form of genocide. Shockingly, Mr. Lametti declared himself open to the notion of civil or even criminal code options to deal with these alleged denialists.

Journalist Terry Glavinhimself targeted as a denialist for his feature article in the National Post last year enumerating a litany of media failures in reporting on the alleged Kamloops unmarked graves narrativewrote a testy response to the report, describing those making accusations of denialism as a fringe movement. It may be fringe in the sense that only a core group of activists promote it, but the movements success cannot be gainsaid. Just days ago, federal MPs stood for a moment of silence, piously to mark the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, even though every last one of them knows the word discovery is a falsehood, and the 215 children a factually untethered hypothesis.

Murrays report also recommended a policy of data sovereignty, a more abstract trope, which didnt receive much attention in the media. But the words rang like a fire bell to objective residential-school researchers. Under the rubric of data sovereignty, federal law would place primary historical documentation on all indigenous issues presently held in government, church, and university archives, and open to the public, under the guardianship of unaccountable indigenous bodies with the power to permitor, where appropriatecurtail access to researchers. Needless to say, those considered denialists would be shut out. These records are the tools of objective research. Behind the bland mask of data sovereignty is the ugly face of identity-politics tyranny.

Its no accident Murrays report is titled Sacred Responsibility. Identity politics lends special status to suffering of all oppressed groups, but activists demand a uniquely spiritual level of reverence, which requires genuflection to indigenous ways of knowing. Stubborn insistence on scientific objectivity is considered something like blasphemy.

A study in the journal Social Philosophy and Policy, titled The authority of the sacred victim, examines the relationship between oppressed-group suffering and the sanctity their suffering is accorded by others. The researchers found that this sacred status [is] socially constructed. Based on the sacred-making (that is, sacrificial) power of suffering, the sacred status elicits piety, gives its bearers special authority, surrounds them with sanctions, and calls for symbolic sacrificial punishments of the impious. These words eloquently describe our present unwholesome tension with regard to the moral high ground that is by default ceded to indigenous claimants.

In the case of documents-based research, there is too much already cached for data sovereignty to prevail utterly. But the principle of sacred status, pitting indigenous culture against modern science, reified in law, imposes greater duress on researchers in other fields. In the United States, for example, forensic anthropology, which is the study of ancient societies through the examination of human remains and artifacts, is in the throes of a struggle for survival as a science-based, rather than an ideology-based, discipline.

Human remains are to forensic anthropologists what documents are to Canadian residential-school researchers. Similarly to what Canadian activists wish to accomplish with a data-sovereignty law, a federal U.S. law mandates the return of bones and other artifacts to the indigenous groups who claim them. The remains must be reburied without scientific study, even if theres no clear genealogical link between the human bones and the native Americans who presently reside in that region. The case of San Jose State University (SJSU) professor of physical anthropology Elizabeth Weiss exemplifies the unjust fallout of this mindset.

Weisss area of study is bones that are 5003,000 years old. Without bones, she cant do research. Following publication of her 2020 book with co-author James Springer, Repatriation and Erasing the Past, she was removed as longtime curator of the universitys collection of remains and locked out of the research facility. She was not allowed to study X-rays of the remains or even show a photograph of the boxes in which they are kept (a stipulation by activists grounded in arcane spiritual beliefs). The universitys choice to privilege these anti-science superstitions over Weisss academic freedom is based in the sacred victim mentality cited above.

In a December 2021 column on Weisss Maoist ordeal, then at the height of its surrealist fervour, I elaborated on the cultic extremism this has led to within her discipline. During the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archeology in April 2021, Weiss gave a remote talk titled Has Creationism Crept Back into Archeology? In the talk, she quite reasonably warned against placing animistic creation myths of the indigenous oral tradition on an equal footing with scientific evidence, such as the exciting revelations currently turning up under the increasingly sophisticated toolbox of paleogeneticism.

But the blowback was intense, and consequential. Canadian indigenous archeologist Kisha Surpernant, who was present at the meeting, claimed that her very humanity and human rights [were] being questioned by Weisss words. Another archeologist judged Weisss paper as racist, anti-indigenous [expletive] with talking points from white supremacy. These activists gained the upper hand, and it seemed that Weisss downfall might be permanent.

Happily, Weisss ordeal is now over, with a settlement to her lawsuit against SJSU concluded just days ago. Even before the settlement was reached, with Pacific Legal Foundations support, SJSU had, according to Weiss, removed some of the most offensive new protocols, such as prohibiting menstruating personnel (!) from going near Native American remains; gave me access to the non-Native American skeletal remains collection (i.e. Carthage) after ten months of withholding them; and, enabled me to bring speakers to campus.

The settlement allows Weiss to spend next year as a fellow with Heterodox Academys Center for Academic Pluralism and retire with full benefits in May 2024, plus emeritus status  something awarded only to retirees. This is important, as it gives Weiss access to the library (especially the online materials) and retention of a university email address (which is sometimes needed for journal publications).

It is heartening in this science-embattled era to see the victim of an academic witch hunt made professionally whole. I hope, for the sake of residential-school researchers, that Weisss outcome will become the rule, and not, as things stand, an exception to it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Iran imported 3.26 tons of gold bars worth more than $202 million, during December 3, 2022 through June 18, 2023, Advisor to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran, Mehdi Mohammadi said, Trend reports.

Mohammadi noted that gold import increased after the Iranian government's decision on December 3, 2022, regarding the exemption of all taxes and duties on the import of gold bars into the country.

"Meanwhile, in the last Iranian year alone (March 21, 2022 through March 20, 2023), Iran imported 1.38 tons of gold bars worth approximately $81.4 million," he added.

The advisor also said that Iran imported about 1.88 tons of gold bars worth more than $121 million from the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2023) to June 19, 2023.

The new sanctions imposed by the US against Iran have made it extremely difficult to bring foreign currency (USD) to the country. Thats why Iran prefers to use alternative ways to avoid sanctions. In this regard, the Iranian government has created conditions for the exporters of non-oil products to import gold bars into the country instead of foreign currency.

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.

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Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur
California Hires Recalled SF District Attorney to Train Law Students in Criminal Justice

Commentary

California leaders continue to charge ahead in implementing a radical progressive (a.k.a. socialist) agenda even when it goes directly against the will of the people. For instance, California voters have twice voted to ban the use of affirmative action in hiring and school admissions. But the states leaders continue to implement gender and racial equity through a myriad of laws, programs, and policies. The states universities even banned the use of objective measures of merit like SAT scores in order to allow them to implement more equitable standards for admissions.

The latest example is the hiring of ousted San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin by the states most prestigious public law school, University of CaliforniaBerkeley. Boudins hiring came less than one year after the people of San Francisco voted to recall him from his position by an over ten-point margin. Some defended the controversial hire, noting that law students must be open to hearing all views. But, speaking from experience, when you are 22 years old and learning criminal law for the first time, who teaches it and what is taught has a lasting impression. Most law students do not have a sufficient frame of reference to disagree with a law professor.

Further, he was not just hired as a professor. He was hired as the executive director for the schools new Criminal Law & Justice Center. The purpose of the center appears to be to promote the implementation of precisely the type of criminal justice Boudin implemented in San Francisco. According to Berkeley Laws website, the center was created to tackle projects to address foundational problemsincluding structural inequities related to poverty and racism. It goes on to note, Studies show that Black men have a 1 in 4 chance of being incarcerated compared to 1 in 23 for white men, Black women are six times as likely to be imprisoned as white women, and ethnic minorities are arrested more often and punished more severely than white people for the same offenses.

The center, like Boudin, simply assumes that any disparity in incarceration rates between white and black people and ethnic minorities are the result of racism. This is simply false. As Barack Obama said in 2008, Children who grow up without a father are 5 times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime, 9 times more likely to drop out of school and 20 times more likely to end up in prison.

Indeed, black children are far more likely to live in a single-parent families, at 64 percent. Only 24 percent of white children do, and only 16 percent of Asians. Incarceration rates mirror these numbers, with Asians having by far the lowest rate, followed by white people, with black people having the highest. The center conveniently does not address Asians specifically, only ethnic minorities. If it did, it would have to acknowledge that, miraculously, this minority group does not suffer from any discrimination in criminal justice.

The Boudin hire could be seen as a slap in the face to residents of San Francisco who suffered a huge increase in crime and general lawlessness as a result of Boudins radical reforms. He was accused of turning the district attorneys office into a second public defenders office.

Boudin allegedly fired the citys best prosecutors, replacing them with former public defenders. Around fifty percent of his district attorney staff either quit, were fired, or retired. Rather than doing the job of the district attorney, i.e., prosecuting criminals according to the laws, he took it upon himself to implement policies designed to reduce the prison population. This includes ending cash bail, not charging for lesser crimes, reducing charges on all crimes, and allowing for early release of prisoners.

In addition, Boudin took office as the citys top prosecutor having never been a prosecutor himself. A poll taken a few months before the recall showed 70 percent of residents disapproved of Boudins performance.

These [George] Soros-backed prosecutors are 1960s-type radicals, pure and simple, said Jonathan Hatami, a Los Angeles assistant district attorney who sued the current district attorney, George Gascon, over his policies and is now the leading candidate to unseat him in the upcoming election.

Boudin and Gascon refuse to carry out the basic functions of their job. They take whole classes of crimes and reclassify them as non-crimes. In both San Francisco and L.A. their leadership had resulted in an institutional breakdown of professional and prosecutorial norms. They run the office like a parallel public defenders office, Hatami said.

Former District Attorney Boudin was also a former translator for the late Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. His family background includes Marxist theoreticians, socialist party leaders, and members of the Weather Underground leftist radical group founded in the 1960s. His parents were convicted of murder for their role in the killing of three people during the 1981 robbery of a Brinks armored car. With his parents behind bars, Boudin was raised by infamous Weather Underground members Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

Who decided to hire this guy to work for a state university that operates on taxpayer money to train the next generation of lawyers on criminal law? Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, who is viewed by many as the architect of this brand of leftist criminal justice reform. He worked with Gascon to implement 66 blanket directives upon taking office, all designed to limit the ability of prosecutors to do their job.

Boudin and Gascon are exactly the type of district attorneys that Chemerinsky contends are needed. He wrote a passionate defense of Gascon in the Los Angeles Times when he was facing a recall. Gascons new policies  move the office away from excessive tough on crime charging and sentencing practices that did not enhance public safety but instead have produced overcrowding in prisons and jails, Chemerinsky wrote.

Gascon had also never been a prosecutor, indeed had never even practiced law, when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed him district attorney. After two terms, he declined to seek reelection and later ran in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney is up for reelection in 2024. With the city suffering the same problems San Francisco suffered under Boudin, Angelenos are poised to replace Gascon with someone like Hatami, who plans to actually do the job and enforce the law. A place at Berkeleys Law & Criminal Justice Center will no doubt be waiting for Gascon. We can only hope it will soon house all the states leftist radicals.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
DeSantis Pledges Action, and Lots of It, at the Nations Borders

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas, on June 26, 2023. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Ron DeSantis rolled out a detailed plan to secure the nations borders, something hes said hell begin implementing on the first day of his presidencyif elected.

Speaking in Eagle Pass, Texason the Rio Grande River on June 26the Florida governor and candidate for the Republican nomination touted a plan listing 35 actions he commits to taking under subheadings like Stop the Invasion, Build the Wall, Hold Cartels Accountable and Work With States to Enforce the Law.

His pledges include everything from tightening up on catch-and-release and other abused policiesto deploying the military at the border and, if necessary, into Mexican territory to stop cartel activity.

He says hell use the Navy and Coast Guard to stop the importation of fentanyl precursor chemicals into Mexico if the latter doesnt cooperate in cracking down on it.

In a speech to supporters and a press conference afterward with the river behind him, accompanied by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), DeSantis came back again to the many woes of the southern border: Fentanyl surging into the country and causing drug overdose deaths. Crime committed by illegal aliens. An overbroad system for allowing asylum.

U.S. Coast Guard personnel patrol near the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami in Florida on Jan. 26, 2022. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Children are used as pawns to help unrelated adults enter the United States.

A court system releasing illegal immigrants into the nation with court dates that they usually skip, set years in advance.

The violence along the border itself. An overtaxed Border Patrol and Coast Guard inadequately supported by the Biden administration.

He told his Texas audience that while some seek to pigeonhole the border crisis as a Texas or Arizona problem, When you dont have control of your own border, thats an American problem.

Drug deaths throughout the country are caused by fentanyl coming across the border. Social services are strapped by the cost of providing medical services and welfare payments for illegal immigrants. They burden the justice system.

Illegal immigrants wait to be transported by bus to Border Patrol processing facilities in Yuma, Ariz., on May 18, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

DeSantis noted hed sent Florida forces to help at the Texas border twice. Some are there now, 400 members of the Florida Natural Guard, Highway Patrol, and Fish and Wildlife Commission. And he sent them in 2021 as well.

What were saying is theres no excuses on this. Get the job done. Make it happen. We want results. We dont want hollow rhetoric. We dont want empty promises, he said.

Republicans and Democrats alike are always chirping about this and yet never actually bringing the issue to a conclusion.

He pointed to aggressive actions hes taken in Florida as governor. When an overtaxed Coast Guard began depositing refugees theyd intercepted on beaches in the Florida Keys, DeSantis declared a state of emergency and mobilized state marine forces to the area.

A Coast Guard Station Key West boat crew on scene with a 21-foot vessel with 22 people aboard approximately 7 miles south of Key West, Fla., on July 23, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)

They intercepted boats with migrants from Cuba and Haiti on them and then gave them to the Coast Guard at sea. The Coast Guard then could deport them back to their countries of origin, he said.

DeSantis sent 50 illegal immigrants to the tiny Massachusetts resort island of Marthas Vineyard, which billed itself as a sanctuary city. The town has a refugee welcome center, he saidbut declared a state of emergency because 50 showed up at once.

I guess theyve never actually served anyone. Think about the town down here in South Texas. If you just had 50 one day, that would be a good day, right?

Florida has mandated employers use of E-Verify to verify job applicants legal residency and eligibility to work, he said.

He has made criminal laws tougher for drug traffickers selling to minors or whose drugs kill children.

Florida authorities shut down a fentanyl operation and seized an amount of fentanyl enough to kill more than 4 million people, the Florida state attorney generals office announced on Sept. 21, 2022. (Clay County Sheriffs Office)

DeSantis says his border plans combat the problem at every level. He pledges to work with Congress and the administrative agencies; to end catch-and-release, holding apprehended illegals until their court dates.

Asylum seekers will have to remain in Mexico while their claims are processed. The governor said hell raise Border Patrol pay; direct Homeland Security to recruit military veterans and police officers for the Border Patrol; and end birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.

And hell tax the money illegal aliens send abroad, with exemptions for citizens and legal residents; end prosecutorial discretion in immigration cases and deport criminal aliens; strengthen the use of E-Verify; prosecute entities that seek to circumvent immigration law and strengthen penalties for human trafficking and smuggling.

Among other promises are: Deporting those who overstay visas; ceasing funding to non-governmental organizations that encourage human smuggling and mass migration; seeking to reinstate agreements with Central American countries to reinstate asylum agreements; giving immigration judges more authority, and requiring the Justice Department to narrow grounds for a continuance of court cases and other delaying tactics.

A merchant ship sails along the Panama Canal, in this file photo. China is continuing its push to displace U.S. influence in the region and already has put parts of the Panama Canal under its control. (Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images)

And if countries dont accept deportees DeSantis plans to restrict visas.

If elected, he will use every dollar available to him as president and every dollar he can squeeze out of Congress to build the wall along the 600 remaining miles of open border, according to his campaigns statement.

The Left tries to make fun of a border wall, but walls work, his campaign said in releasing his plans.

Israel built a 152-mile-long fence along its border with Egypt. Once completed, illegal crossings dropped by more than 99 percent year-over-year.

DeSantis pledges to hold the drug cartels accountable, designating them as transnational criminal organizations and sanctioning them, their leaders, and those who do business with them.

Illegal immigrants board vans after waiting along the border wall to surrender to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol agents near the Rio Grande River into the United States on the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, on May 11, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

And DeSantis says he wants appropriate rules of engagement for using force along the border. He decried human traffickers boldly cutting through the walls steel beams even where its been built.

If someone were breaking into your house to do something bad, you would respond with force. Why dont we do that at the southern border? 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 goes even further. He says in his plan that if the Mexican government drags its feet, hell reserve the right for U.S. forces to operate in Mexico to secure American territory from cartel activities.

If the Mexican government wont stop cartel drug manufacturing, DeSantis will surge resources to the Navy and the Coast Guard and block precursor chemicals from entering Mexican ports, his plan states.

DeSantis talked of the Angel Moms, mothers whose children have lost their lives to border-related violence.

One spoke with him, Florida State Rep. Kiyan Michael, a Jacksonville Republican motivated to run after her son died in an auto accident with a twice-deported illegal immigrant, who only received two years of jail time.

Kiyan (L) and Bobby Michael, whose son, Brandon, was killed by an illegal immigrant, stand near the U.S.-Mexico border in Rio Grande City, Texas, on April 26, 2019. Kiyan Michael is now a Florida state representative working on immigration enforcement. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

As Angel parents, we get tired of hearing were gonna do something, were gonna do something and nothing happens, she said. When she told DeSantis her story in 2019, I could see that he actually cared and we could tell a difference.

I can see everything that you told us you were going to do, you have done, and I thank you for that, she said. We need you as president, we you to stand for us. There is nobody else thats gonna fight like this governor fights.

Roy detailed the violence Texans have lived with on a daily basis.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) speaks on the House floor on June 22, 2023. (U.S. House of Representatives/Screenshot via NTD)

Weve got a system that is indefensible. Its causing ranchers in this room that Ive talked to, to find bodies on their ranches.

Or 53 human beings that were cooked in a tractor-trailer in San Antonio last summer.

All of this on the watch of an administration that doesnt care.
EXCLUSIVE: US Bid to Rejoin UN Education Agency Could Be Derailed by House GOP

State Department says rejoining agency helps advance U.S. interests and restore American leadership; critics say agency is wasteful and extremely politicized

The logo of UNESCO in Paris on Nov. 12, 2021. (Julien de Rosa/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite an ongoing scandal involving the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) leadership and the agencys decision to flout U.S. law by admitting the State of Palestine as a member state, the United States is now formally seeking to rejoin.

However, lawmakers may scuttle the effort by refusing to provide necessary funding.

If it moves forward, rejoining the U.N. education and culture agency is expected to cost U.S. taxpayers more than half a billion dollars just to rejoin, with additional funding expected each year going forward.

There has been some criticism in Congress already. And congressional appropriators dealing with foreign operations and State Department funding have vowed to terminate funding for UNESCO in the 2024 budget.

The Biden administration and defenders of the move argue that rejoining the agency would help counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

A spokesman for the U.S. State Department told The Epoch Times that the move would advance U.S. interests and restore American leadership.

In a June 8 letter to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay obtained by The Epoch Times, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma also argued that the international agency had made progress in addressing the concerns that caused the U.S. government to withdraw in 2018.

But critics contend that, among other concerns, rejoining the U.N. agency would actually be a boon to the CCP, which has members serving in senior positions.

It would also benefit other forces hostile to U.S. interests and allies such as Israel, according to experts, lawmakers, and former officials.

Opponents of the move who spoke to The Epoch Times, including senior officials behind the 2017 decision to leave UNESCO, slammed the Biden administrations move to rejoin.

They ought to be paying us to be involved, argued former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs of State Kevin Moley, who, along with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, shepherded the withdrawal through to completion.

Speaking to The Epoch Times in a phone interview, Ambassador Moley said the decision would not serve U.S. interests. Instead, he argued, it will benefit U.S. adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Citing a variety of issues including anti-Semitism, waste, corruption, and extremism within the U.N. education agency, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. government would withdraw from the organization in 2017.

Pointing to murderous dictatorships on the agencys human rights committee and other policies, then-U.N. Ambassador Haley at the time said the extreme politicization of UNESCO had become a chronic embarrassment.

Just as we said in 1984 when President Reagan withdrew from UNESCO, U.S. taxpayers should no longer be on the hook to pay for policies that are hostile to our values and make a mockery of justice and common sense, Haley said.

Even before that, federal laws barring U.S. support for international organizations that accept the State of Palestine as a member forced the Obama administration to stop U.S. taxpayer funding to UNESCO over a decade ago. The laws were aimed at forcing Arabs to negotiate a settlement with Israel rather than unilaterally seeking statehood via international organizations.

The Reagan administration pointed to similar problems as those cited by the Trump administration decades later.

As previously reported in November of 2021, the Biden administration was hoping to rejoin the organization after having rejoined various other U.N. entities and agreements. At the time, U.S. law made that impossible due to the membership of the Palestinians.

But in December, with Democrats getting ready to hand over power in the House of Representatives, Congress approved the omnibus bill with a waiver purporting to allow the administration to rejoin and fund UNESCO if it believed the move would serve U.S. interests. The bill also authorized more than $500 million of taxpayer money in arrears for the agency.

However, sources on Capitol Hill tell The Epoch Times that Republicans intend to terminate funding for UNESCO and numerous other international agencies and programs.

A document outlining the priorities of Republicans on the House Appropriations subcommittee dealing with international organizations confirmed that UNESCO funding is on the chopping block, along with funding for the U.N. general budget.

Impact on US Classrooms

Even without being involved in UNESCO, its influence was still felt in American classrooms, explained former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.

While I most certainly do not agree with the U.S. rejoining it, nonetheless I cant help but wonder how truly removed we are from UNESCO policy and influence, she told The Epoch Times, adding that U.S. officials continued working on international education initiatives involving UNESCO even after withdrawal.

She also warned that U.S. involvement with UNESCO was a way of allowing foreign governmentsincluding dictatorshipsa voice in the education of American children.

As if the nationalization of education through Common Core Standards wasnt bad enough, in returning to UNESCO we will once again allow international ideology to be part of the indoctrination of our children, she warned, pointing to biblical admonitions on child rearing and warning about the danger of allowing U.N. or even federal agencies to be involved in educating children.

Critics Speak Out

Criticism of the decision to rejoin is growing louder. Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Moley, who pushed for and oversaw the withdrawal in 2017 and 2018, previously told The Epoch Times he did not think UNESCO was fixable.

As long as the G77 + China [group of over 130 governments] rules the roost in these U.N. organizations, we have no business being involved, he told The Epoch Times last week, noting that the grouping led by the CCP dominates policymaking in international organizations such as UNESCO even though American taxpayers pay much of the bill.

Not only does rejoining UNESCO not serve U.S. interests, Moley continued, it serves the interests of our adversaries such as the CCP, and we are paying for it.

All this this doing is enhancing CCP influence by making us part of the problem they caused, added Moley, who has served at a senior level in international affairs across multiple administrations after his time in the Marines.

We are actually becoming, in effect, co-conspirators by financing these organizations that are patently at odds with our interests and the interests of our allies, he added.

Describing the process and reasoning that led up to the final withdrawal in 2018, Moley said a brazenly anti-Israel resolution in 2017 was the straw that broke the camels back and gave us the opportunity to finally say no more.

But in addition to the pervasive anti-Israel bias, Moley pointed to widespread waste, corruption, anti-American bias, not getting any benefits for U.S. taxpayers, CCP influence, and many other problems.

Critics around the world also raised concerns about UNESCOs leader at the time, Bulgarian Irina Bokova, who had a long history of involvement with the Bulgarian Communist Party and the brutal regime it controlled.

Other governments had also grown critical, Moley said, pointing to a UK review of multilateral agencies over a decade ago finding UNESCO was among the worst.

Israel announced its withdrawal shortly after the United States.

Rather than protecting culture and history, UNESCO contributes to its erasure, the influential Jerusalem Post said in a recent editorial, criticizing the organizations treatment of Jerusalem while describing the prospect of Israel rejoining as a mixed bag.

There is an automatic majority in votes against Israel and many U.N. institutions are systemically biased against the Jewish state. Arguing for engagement by saying Israel can sway these bodies to be in its favor would be quixotic.

Sources within UNESCO who spoke with The Epoch Times on condition of anonymity to avoid issues with their employer also slammed the move.

One diplomatic source in Paris said plans were underway to have Arab diplomats representing the State of Palestine join other U.N. agencies as a member state, now that the U.S. laws forbidding it have been undermined.

Rejoining Would Restore US Leadership

In a statement emailed to The Epoch Times, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said, the Biden administration believes firmly that the United States must be present and active on the global stage wherever U.S. interests can be protected and advanced.

Rejoining UNESCO, the spokesman continued, would allow the United States to restore its leadership on a host of matters including expanding access to education, preservation of cultural heritage, protection of journalists, shaping best practices for new and emerging technologies, Holocaust education, and much more.

UNESCO influences our shared international understandings on matters such as the evolution of artificial intelligence, the responsibility of nations to respect media freedoms, the immeasurable toll of the Holocaust, and protection of world heritage in ways both immediate and incremental, the spokesman continued.

In the letter to UNESCO chief Azoulay obtained by The Epoch Times, the administration argued that UNESCO had modernized its management and reduced political tensions within the organization, especially involving Middle East issues, a clear reference to concerns about anti-Israel bias.

The administration also praised UNESCOs work to address new and emerging challenges beyond its original focus on culture, science, and education.

One recent focus of the agency beyond its traditional mandate includes fighting conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Among other concerns, the U.N. agency warned that they fuel populist movements, undermine trust in public institutions, and may cause people to be less concerned about their carbon footprint.

In announcing the move, the head of UNESCO praised the agency, the Biden administration, and multilateralism more broadly.

This is a strong act of confidence, in UNESCO and in multilateralism, Azoulay said in a statement celebrating the news. Not only in the centrality of the Organizations mandateculture, education, science, informationbut also in the way this mandate is being implemented today.

CCP Response

The CCPs ambassador to UNESCO praised the move and called for U.S. taxpayers to pay over $600 million in arrears accrued since the U.S. government stopped financing the agency.

Being a member of an international organization is a serious issue, CCP Ambassador Jin Yang was quoted as saying by French media, adding that the U.S. withdrawal had negatively impacted UNESCO.

We also hope that the U.S. will shoulder its international responsibilities and fulfill its obligations and assure its sincerity to comply with international rules and respect international rule of law, he added.

A recent report by the Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project blasted UNESCO for allowing the heritage system to be made complicit in CCP atrocities and even genocide perpetrated against Uyghurs.

Before the U.S. government can rejoin, UNESCO member states must give their approval.

Last week, Azoulay convened a session with UNESCO member states to share the Biden administrations request.

The Japanese government with support from other delegations proposed an extraordinary session of the UNESCO General Conference to consider the proposal. That session is now scheduled for June 29.

With more than half a billion dollars on the line, and considering the fact that U.S. taxpayers have long covered almost one fourth of the agencys budget, widespread support for the Biden administrations request is expected, diplomats in Paris told The Epoch Times.

UNESCO did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
Florida Supreme Court Says State Attorney Waited Too Long To File Case Against DeSantis

Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren addresses the media after learning he was suspended from his duties by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 4, 2022. (Octavio Jones/Reuters)

State attorney Andrew Warrens latest push to overturn Governor Ron DeSantiss decision to suspend him from his job has been struck down by the Florida Supreme Court.

Warren is a twice-elected Democrat in Hillsborough County, which contains a large part of the Tampa Bay region. He has argued that the Republican governor misused his power by removing him from office on Aug. 4, 2022.

But Warren was told by the state Supreme Court on June 22 that he waited too long to file his petition. The Sunshine States highest court ruled 6-1 against Warren.

This is an issue that is crucial for democracy in Florida, Warren said in a written statement, reacting to the decision. Rather than addressing the substance of the governors illegal action, the court cited a technicality and avoided a ruling on the merits of the case.

DeSantis said he suspended Warren from his role in the 13th Judicial Circut due to incompetence and willful defiance of his duties as state attorney.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), a Republican presidential candidate, speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference in Washington on June 23, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Warren first opted to challenge DeSantiss decision in federal court, arguing that the suspension was an attack on free speech and in violation of the Florida Constitution. But the U.S. District Court upheld DeSantiss decision, finding the Eleventh Amendment prohibited federal intervention in the matter.

Now, the Florida Supreme Court has rejected the case, saying: We deny the petition due to petitioners unreasonable, unexplained delay.

The state court also outlined that Article IV, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution grants the governor the power to suspend from office any state officer not subject to impeachment and that it would be up to the Florida Senate to reinstate Warren to his position.

Justice Jorge Labarga was the lone dissenter among his peers, nothing that Warren has been elected twice by the Tampa area voters, and the amount of time still left in his term warranted hearing the case.

Given that this case involves the suspension of a then-sitting elected officialfor whom a substantial portion of the term yet remainsI am unpersuaded by the majoritys conclusion that Warrens petition is properly denied on the ground of unreasonable delay, he wrote in his dissent.

Labarga was appointed by former Gov. Charlie Crist, a Democrat who tried to displace DeSantis from the governors mansion in the November 2022 gubernatorial election.

Warren filed an appeal to the federal courts ruling and currently is waiting for a response.

At Odds with DeSantis

Warren found himself at odds with DeSantis after stating he would not enforce further restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming healthcare passed by the Republican-controlled state government.

In 2021, Warren signed a joint statement declaring he was not going enforce state law and would use his own discretion and not promote the criminalization of gender-affirming healthcare or transgender people.

After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Warren signed another joint statement declaring he and 90 other elected state prosecutors would decline to use [their] offices resources to criminalize reproductive health decisions and commit to exercise our well-settled discretion and refrain from prosecuting those who seek, provide, or support abortions.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the newly-adopted Florida Heartbeat Protection Act, which prohibits abortions once the unborn child has a detectible heartbeat, in Tallahassee on April 13, 2023. (Courtesy of the Florida Governors Office.)

DeSantis then shared his perspective on the matter, and suspended Warren.

State Attorneys have a duty to prosecute crimes as defined in Florida law, not to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his personal agenda, DeSantis said.

It is my duty to hold Floridas elected officials to the highest standards for the people of Florida.

Florida had a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Then, earlier this year, lawmakers in the Florida Legislature passed a bill lowering that abortion window to six weeks, and DeSantis signed it.

He also signed legislation that banned transgender modifications that cause permanent mutilation of minors and requires adults receiving transgender surgeries and hormones to be informed about the likelihood that the procedures will be irreversible.

Federal judges have since blocked enforcement of that six-week abortion restriction and parts of the transgender legislation.

More Suspensions By Governor

Warren is not the only official in the state to get into trouble with DeSantis.

In Orange and Osceola Counties, State Attorney Monique Worrell butted heads with the governors office after it was said her office failed to enforce the appropriate punishment on a 19-year-old felon Keith Moses, resulting in him being able to kill three people, including a 9-year-old girl.

The failure of your office to hold this individual accountable for his actionsdespite his extensive criminal history and gang affiliationmay have permitted this dangerous individual to remain on the street, said DeSantiss counsel, Ryan Newman.

The Florida Supreme Court building in Tallahassee, Fla., on Jan. 22, 2023. (Nanette Holt/the Epoch Times)

Worrells office came under fire again after it allegedly refused to properly prosecute at least two human trafficking cases. She fought against the claims and remains in office.

In the last 30 days, I have been the target of a fierce political attack by Governor DeSantis, Senator Rick Scott, and local law enforcement working on behalf of the governor, Worrell posted on Twitter on March 27.

The way they have prioritized politics over public safety has been frightening.

Worrell had joined Warren and other state attorneys in signing the joint statement refusing to criminalize gender-affirming health care.

On June 5, the mayor of North Miami Beach, Anthony DeFillipo II, was suspended by DeSantis after he was arrested by local authorities for allegedly committing voter fraud.

Patricia Tolson, Dan Berger, and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Free Speech Takes a Backseat as Musks Twitter Threatened With $700,000 Daily Fines

The Twitter logo on the exterior of Twitter headquarters in San Francisco, Calif., on Oct. 28, 2022. (Constanza Hevia/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

Free speech is a precious thing. It deserves protection. It needs to be cherished.

Free speech allows for new, even radical ideas to be considered. Without free speech, which is an expression of free thought, much of what is enjoyed and understood today would be denied us.

In debates, the truth will ultimately win out, and the wrong and false will be exposed while abuse of all sorts will be condemned. In the middle of all this, carefully drafted defamation laws protect us all and are rightly seen as a necessary limit on free speech.

But when governments and authorities start telling their people how they intend to legislate, regulate, and punish certain types of communication we should all be concerned.

The question in Australias body politic today is whether the power to stop hate speech and penalise misinformation should exist.

Australias e-Safety commissioner is threatening Twitter with $700,000 daily fines if it doesnt deal with hate speech. At the same time, Australias government is contemplating new laws to empower another authority to issue millions more in fines to deal with misinformation.

The same overreach by authorities plays out again and again.

Historically the Christians faced persecution under the Romans as they do today in the communist dictatorship of China along with Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners. The Chinese authorities would have no hesitation in asserting that the messages of religion are misinformation.

Star rugby player Israel Folau had his contract cancelled for repeating a Bible verse on social media.

It appears people who dont believe in Hell or Heaven, let alone the Bible, took umbrage at what he said. Why should they care? The accusation was deemed hate speech and saw him sacked.

The fact those attacking Folau for his beliefs may have been engaged in similar activity about his beliefs and religion was completely ignored. Are these matters not best resolved in the court of public opinion with individuals making up their own minds, rather than through arbitrary decisions?

Israel Folau of Catalan Dragons warms up prior to the Betfred Super League match between Hull FC and Catalan Dragons at KCOM Stadium in Hull, England, on March 1, 2020. (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

One Persons Free Speech Is Anothers Hate

When we have authorities like Julie Inman Grant, the e-Safety commissioner, giving Twitter 28 days to respond to a request to show what they are doing to keep Australia safe from online hate it is time to ask who is controlling the controller.

It is understood a similar notice was issued in August last year.

No one likes ugliness or hateful expression in any forum. But is one persons hate anothers honest and deep-felt conviction? When does robust discussion turn into hate? Is being called a denier hateful?

Referring to a particular characteristic of a person might be so taken by one person and laughed off by another.

In the end, Twitter may have to err on the side of caution and dance to the commissioners tunerestricting freedom of expression to avoid financially ruinous fines.

Yet the owner of Twitter, Elon Musk, is self-described as a free speech absolutist.

Further, if people want to engage in the social media sewer can we simply say they do so at their own peril?

If hurtful words can be uttered on the street, should they be denied expression on social media?

Do we need a regulatory framework about which lawyers will dine for years to come while social media companies continue restricting communication?

Elon Musks photo through a Twitter logo on Oct. 28, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Whats More Concerning: Misinformation or Government Overreach?

If this latest warning from Australias e-Safety commissioner isnt concerning enough, we have the federal government wanting to tackle online misinformation, defined as unintentionally false, misleading, or deceptive content.

Todays falsehood may become tomorrows truth as some people found out with the shape of the Earth. Todays dogma may well turn out to be tomorrows error.

It is only free speech that can expose the error of a particular dogma.

Had the powers suggested been around during COVID-19, one wonders how many fines wouldve been issued in circumstances where more sophisticated considerations have now been verified through the effluxion of time.

Would people questioning the climate alarmists be adjudicated as peddling misinformation?

These are the powers that governments with an authoritarian streak weaponise to the detriment of their people.

The preemptive assertion of Communications Minister Michelle Rowlands that the legislation is not intended to stifle free speech but to keep Australians safe is surely an acknowledgment that it does stifle free speech.

What Australians need to be protected from is not a few nutbags on social media peddling what most would consider dubious and highly ugly material, but from a government that in the name of protecting the people, is stripping away the fundamental human right to free speech.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Gaetz, Greene Announce Move to Defund Director of ATF

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speak at a news conference on Republican lawmakers' response to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) will seek to defund the Office of the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) under a little-used House rule.

In a June 26 letter (pdf) to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas), the lawmakers announced their plans, holding that the ATF had been weaponized against U.S. citizens by the Biden administration.

The leadership at the ATF has proven unable or unwilling to see that the ATF respect the rule of law and not act where Congress has not legislated, they wrote. Instead, the ATF abuses its rulemaking authority, legislating through the executive and making a mockery of the separation of powers mandated by the Constitution.

In February, internal documents outlining the ATFs federal firearms licensee (FFL) inspection guidance were leaked to the press. The documents revealed that the Biden administrations zero tolerance policy had made it easier to revoke the licenses of gun store owners.

In their letter, Gaetz and Green noted that under the policy mere clerical errors could result in such revocation.

The ATF has even made it a matter of official policy to shut down gun stores by making perfection the standard in record keepinga standard the ATF itself could not meet, they wrote. Since the Biden Administration has announced its new zero tolerance policy in 2021, Federal Firearms Licensees have faced the highest revocation rate in 16 years.

They continued: The ATF has shown itself incapable of operating within the confines of its statutory authority, and we must force a change. Hence, I write to inform you that I intend to use the Holman Rule to defund the Office of the Director of the ATF in the next available appropriations period.

Zero Tolerance

In a previous statement provided to The Epoch Times, Erik Longnecker, deputy chief of ATF Public Affairs Division, downplayed the Biden administrations policy to revoke federal firearms licenses for willful violations of the law.

A willful violation occurs when a federal firearms licensee commits the violation with an intentional disregard of a known legal duty or with plain indifference to their legal obligations, Longnecker said. Most federal firearms licensees operate in compliance with federal laws and regulations. In Fiscal Year 2022, only 90 federal firearms licenses were revoked out of almost 7,000 compliance inspections.

However, at a June 26 field hearing in Shalimar, Florida, Gaetz and Greene further criticized the policy and the ATF, which they castigated as a clown show, holding that the administration was trying to circumvent the Second Amendment.

They want to make it impossible to exercise Second Amendment rights, and what better way to do this than to make it difficult to purchase a firearm? Gaetz noted. Make no mistake, the ATF is going after Americans and FFLs are just in the way.

During the hearing, local gun store owners and manufacturers testified as to how they had personally been affected by the Biden administrations policies.

Chris Smith, the owner of Gulf Coast Gun and Outdoors, noted that his business was recently inspected after his business posted pictures on social media of staff members dressed up as ATF and FBI agents for Halloween.

It seemed that the intent was to shut me down from the moment that they walked in, Smith said, noting that his staff overheard an agent saying, I bet they arent laughing at us on Facebook now.

Smith also said that an agent cited his business for a form they said had been improperly filled out by a customer when it was supposed to be filled out by staff.

One of my employees confirmed that the portion [the agent] was referring to was his own handwriting, but the ATF agent still cited us for the form.

The Holman Rule

First adopted in 1876, the Holman Rule allows amendments to appropriations bills that would reduce the number or salary of federal employees or cut certain programs.

The rule was rescinded in 1983 but has in recent years been reinstated on a temporary basis, including in 2017 and 2018. In January, Republicans revived it again at the urging of the House Freedom Caucus.

Congress has the tools in its arsenal to hold the Biden administration accountableif we activate them, the Freedom Caucus wrote in a proposal (pdf) last July. Democrats eliminated the Holman Rule when they took the House because it allows members to make targeted spending cuts in appropriations funding bills by slashing the funding of specific federal programs or cutting the salaries of individual federal employees (e.g., Dr. Anthony Fauci). Republicans must reimplement the Holman Rule.

But the rules successful use may be easier said than done. Any amendments passed by the House will still require the approval of both the Democrat-controlled Senate and President Joe Bidenhence the rules infrequent use.

Both Gaetz and Greene have called for the ATF to be abolished in the past.

In 2021, Greene put forward the Brian A. Terry Memorial Eliminate the ATF Act, which aimed to abolish the agency, remove restrictions on lawful gun owners, and provide funds to the surviving families of U.S. Border Patrol agents killed as a result of Operation Fast and Furious.

More recently, in January, Gaetz introduced the Abolish the ATF Act, which would do exactly what the title suggests. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

Mark Tapscott and Naveen Athrappully contributed to this report.
Global Mining CEO Says Chile Easier to Deal With Than the Queensland Government

BHP halting investment in the Australian state

The company logo adorns the side of the BHP gobal headquarters in Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 21, 2023. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

BHP CEO Mike Henry has continued pressuring the debt-heavy Queensland Labor government over its contentious decision to raise mining royalties in the coal-rich state.

Henry reiterated that recent policies from the state (and federal) government would compel the global mining giant to pull investment from the region, despite major opportunities in critical mineral mining.

Capital is global. It will flow to where the risk/returns ratio is most attractive. Where governments act unpredictably and unreasonably, they increase risk for investment, he told the World Mining Congress in Brisbane on June 27.

In Chile, there was a push to raise copper royalties. Notwithstanding a government for the strong left, they engaged industry and sought to understand and work towards an outcome that struck a balance between public needs and what was required to keep industry and the country competitive, Henry said.

The CEO called the process respectful and collaborative, noting that BHP would continue investing in the South American country.

By way of contrast, and it saddens me to have to say this on this stage and in this place, but I think we owe it to our host state and to this audience, to be honesthere in Queensland, the approach to raising royalties could not have been more different. No industry engagement, no effort to understand, and no interest in understanding, he said.

The near tripling of top-end royalties makes Queensland the highest coal taxing regime in the world. I repeat, the highest coal taxing regime for mining in the world.

Henry also criticised the federal Labor governments recent changes to workplace laws, including the multi-employer bargaining, and Same Job Same Pay laws.

The latter means businesses will need to pay contractors the same rates and benefits as full-time workersBHP has previously complained that the move will cost the company $1.3 billion (US$850 million) per year.

Read More Labor Reshaping Australias IR System to Fit the Union Vision

Despite the frustration, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who spoke prior to Henry, announced a swathe of initiatives to try to position the state as a global leader in critical mineral mining.

The critical minerals strategy lays out the blueprint to mine and process the minerals and to manufacture the renewable technologies right here in Queensland, she said.

The Labor government will invest $55 million into providing free rent for new and existing exploration permits for the next five years, and $75 million to support critical minerals projects in certain areas, beginning with Julia Creek-Richmond and around Mt Isa.

The government will also establish a $100 million Critical Minerals and Battery Fund.

Labors Contentious Mining Tax Hike

The Queensland government last year raised mining royalties amid rising public spending.

We need to make sure that we look at those multinational companies, looking at those super profits theyre making, and some of that money thats owned by every single Queenslanderbringing that back to our communities to provide for our schools and our hospitals, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said last year.

From July 1, 2022, the state government began charging a 20 percent tax on each tonne of coal sold for more than $175; 30 percent for prices above $225 a tonne; and 40 percent for prices above $300 per tonne.

Queenslands previous coal royalty tax was a flat rate of 15 percent per tonne, in New South Wales and Western Australia, coal royalties are under 10 percent. The move was even poorly received by the Japanese government.

This year, the royalty scheme has helped pad the states finances, resulting in a $12.3 billion (US$8.3 billion) budget surplus over the 2022-23 financial year.

Yet the Budget Papers show net debt will still reach $47 billion by 2026-27 amid infrastructure spending for the Olympics and a ballooning public service with another 4,666 positions added (Labor has bolstered the public service by 20 percent since winning office in 2015).
Judge in Trump Documents Case Denies Special Counsel Jack Smiths Request to Seal Witness List

Former President Donald Trump is introduced at the Oakland County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich., on June 25, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A federal judge on Monday denied special counsel Jack Smiths request to file a confidential list of 84 witnesses in the classified documents case involving former President Donald Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta.

Smiths motion, filed on Friday, sought to keep the list of witnesses a secret from Trump and forbid him from communicating directly with them about the case.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, said in her order that prosecutors failed to explain why it was necessary to keep the names under seal or why redacting or partially sealing the document would be inadequate.

According to Cannons order, Trumps attorneys took no position on Smiths motion but reserved the right to object to aspects of it, such as implementation. Cannon also said that numerous news organizations opposed Smiths motion in court filings citing the First Amendment and related legal principles.

Upon review of the foregoing materials, the Governments Motion is denied without prejudice, and the Motion to Intervene and accompanying Motions to Appear Pro Hac Vice are denied as moot, Cannon wrote in her ruling.

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.

In Smiths June 23 motion, he said the government provided Trumps legal team with the list of witnesses they wished to remain under seal. The court had previously instructed Trump at his June 13 arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty, not to engage in any communication with Nauta or the witnesses involved in the case.

Security Clearances

Trump was indicted on 37 counts related to sensitive and classified documents retained beyond his term in office. The documents were seized during an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in August last year.

Smith presented evidence during the June 13 proceeding indicating that Trump allegedly violated federal law by allegedly retaining the documents, sharing them with individuals who were not authorized to access such information, and obstructing the investigation by directing Nauta to relocate boxes at Mar-a-Lago instead of surrendering all the materials to the authorities.

Trump has maintained his innocence. In various remarks to the media and to his supporters, Trump has framed the prosecution and raid as the weaponization of the Department of Justice under his chief 2024 presidential rival, incumbent President Joe Biden.

Last week, Cannon initially set the trial date for Aug. 14, which is about seven weeks away. Smith filed a separate motion requesting to delay the start date by four months, pushing it back until December. He stressed that proceeding with the trial on the originally scheduled date would not allow enough time for adequate preparation, which would negatively impact both the defense and the governments interests.

The case involves classified information, which requires Trumps lawyers to seek and receive final security clearances, required to access a few classified documents, which can take up to 60 days. The process for his lawyers to receive interim security clearances was already underway.

Smith filed a separate motion on Friday requesting a classified information security officer under the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA). The motion clarified that CIPA has implications for the trial proceedings, as it introduces additional time requirements specific to cases involving classified information.

Under CIPA, parties can request a pretrial conference to discuss any possible issues related to the prosecution of the case concerning classified information. Cannon set July 14 hearing to discuss how classified materials will be handled in the case in a separate order on Monday.

The appointment of a classified information security officer was also granted.
Los Angeles Metro Considering Creating Its Own Police Department

Police search for a suspect in a Times Square subway station in New York City following a call to police from riders on April 25, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) June 22 voted to move forward with a plan to create its own public safety department.

The agencys board of directors voted to have staff present a comprehensive planincluding department structure, regulatory rules, job descriptions, and pay rangesfor the board to consider in January 2024.

[We need to] look at how we can reconfigure our public safety model because I dont think what we had necessarily worked for everybody in our system, Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County Supervisor and MTA board director, said during the meeting.

Should the plan ultimately be approved, the safety department would supersede existing contracts with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and the Long Beach Police Department, which are currently responsible for patrolling Metro buses, trains, and stations.

Having its own security department will give the agency more control over training and positioning its officers, allowing safety measures to be better implemented, according to a 27-page feasibility study done by the agency.

The study also suggests that such a change could provide the agency with better fiscal sustainability as compared to rising costs with the law enforcement agencies it currently contracts.

Additionally, the study indicated that an in-house department can speed up response time to calls.

However, it pointed out that the change could lead to increased insurance costs for employees, staffing difficulties, and legal challenges. It could also take between three to five years to develop a fully staffed safety department.

Safety Concerns

This is not the agencys first attempt to address safety concerns as crime, drug overdose deaths, and homeless concerns have increased over the last few years.

Previously, the MTA has deployed other unarmed safety personnel like transit security officers, ambassadors, and homeless outreach teams.

According to LAPD data, there are over 1,300 cases of violent crime reported on Metro properties over the last 12 monthsabout 15 percent higher than before the pandemic.

Last week, a bus driver was stabbed, marking the second attack on a Metro driver in a month. A 17-year-old was arrested for stabbing a bus driver earlier in May.

Over 20 people have died on the systems buses and trains this year, mostly from suspected overdoses, according to the agency.

Ridership has also been declining due to safety concerns, with nearly 10 million fewer riders on average between 202023 across the system compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from LA Metro.

Nationwide, six of the 10 largest transportation agencies have created their own police department, including the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, according to the LA Metro study.
Man Shot in His Parked Car in Attempted Robbery at San Diego Mall

SAN DIEGOA 29-year-old man was shot in his car during a robbery at Fashion Valley shopping mall, authorities said June 24.

The crime occurred at 7067 Friars Road, just northwest of the convergence of the Mission Valley 8 Freeway and state Route 163 around 9:45 p.m.

The suspect, a man believed in his 20s, approached the victims car and demanded his money and cell phone at gunpoint, but a struggle occurred in which the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the upper thigh, according to the San Diego Police Department.

The victim was transported to the local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. It was unclear what, if anything, he escaped with.
OC Discovery Cube Features New Hands-On Ocean Encounter With Sea Life

Children and families enjoy new ocean-themed exhibits at Discovery Cube, a children's educational museum in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 22, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The Discovery Cube of Santa Ana celebrated the opening of two interactive ocean-themed exhibits last week that incorporate sea life interactions with tide pool science.

Did you just see that? a young boy yelled to his mother as a sting ray surrounded by small Bamboo sharks breached the surface of the new, waist-high Sea Lab aquarium, which will now be a permanent fixture at the education institution after nine months of construction.

The second exhibit, which will run through Sept. 4, is the Ocean Encounter, featuring ocean-themed activities ranging from digital scavenger hunts to inflatable play equipment.

These exhibits are about helping kids to appreciate the ocean and inspire them with the life that surrounds it, Discovery Cube spokeswoman Cherie Whyte told The Epoch Times.

At the Sea Lab, families can see sharks and rays up close, but also touch them under the supervision of staff members.

Our sharks are from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and we should be getting more of them in the future, Aquarist Martika Cummings told The Epoch Times.

As both exhibits give visitors the opportunity to see ocean life in diverse climates and depths, it also allows them to see current global conservation efforts and the effects of coral bleaching, plastic pollution, and global kelp forest declines.

By providing a hands-on experience, we hope to empower the next generation to become stewards for these animals and their habitats, said Joe Adams, CEO of The Discovery Cube.

The Discovery Cube will also host its first-ever beach clean-up day June 29 in Seal Beach, California from 9 to 11 a.m. with the goal of inspiring children to use science for the good of the oceans.

The event is open to all and sign-ups are available on the Discovery Cubes website.

Its another way for children to be inspired by our local ocean life and learn to care for it, Whyte, the facilitys spokesperson, said.

The Discovery Cubes Orange County location is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. As part of the efforts to expand flight destinations and increase the number of international flights, the Civil Aviation Committee of Kazakhstan has addressed the issue of enhancing air connectivity with Russia, Trend reports.

Thus, as the Civil Aviation Committee of the country reported, starting from June 28, 2023, Russia's Azimuth airline will resume regular passenger flights on the Almaty-Sochi route.

The flights will operate once a week on Thursdays using Russian-built Sukhoi Superjet-95 aircraft.

"The resumption of air connections will contribute to further development of trade, economic, business, tourism, and cultural cooperation between the countries," noted the committee.
People Dont Know How Embedded Mining Is in Their Lives Due to Misinformation: Opposition

A 450 megawatt combined cycle gas-fired power station under construction at Citic Pacific Mining's Sino Iron magnetite iron ore project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia on Mar. 5, 2010. (Photo credit should read AMY COOPES/AFP via Getty Images)

The growing anti-mining sentiment in the past decades has led the public to underestimate the importance of the mining industry despite it being so embedded in peoples daily lives, an international mining conference has been told.

Australias Federal Opposition Resources Spokeswoman Susan McDonald on June 26 called on industry groups to stand up and tell the world what vital work you do, saying said that over-regulation and misinformation are throttling the resources sector.

The senator argued that many people dont realise the mining sector is whats behind the phones they use every day, their computers, reusable glass coffee cups, the bricks in their house, the fertilisers that help grow vegetables that they eat, or radioactive materials so critical to medical research.

Despite the increase in anti-mining sentiment that has developed over the last few decades, it remains simply a very loud minority actively working against the sector, she told the World Mining Congress 2023 in Brisbane, Australia.

However, there remains a risk that if this rhetoric is allowed to flourish unchecked, that it will spread misinformation about the sector that builds pressure on government and industry, putting the future of mining at risk.

Mining: The Backbone Of Australia

McDonald noted that the security of reliable energy sources is even more important as the world is facing supply shocks during COVID-19 and gas shortages following Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The mining sectorthe largest sector by share of Australian GDP (10.4 percent between 2019 and 2020) is not only the backbone of Australia, but the backbone of global development, she added.

From sourcing secure, reliable and affordable energy sources, to transforming the manufacturing sector, building infrastructure and housing, and feeding nations with fertilisers, it is non-negotiable: resources are irreplaceable.

Contrary to popular belief that the resources sector is harmful to the environment, strong mining industry is actually what enables countries to provide high-quality energy sources to developing nations, which helps decrease their reliance on poor energy sources like dung, wood or other fuels.

Ironically, Australia providing supply in the world thermal coal and gas market reduces world emissions by pushing down prices and allowing developing nations to utilise cleaner energy sources, she said.

This dramatically increases their living standards and can allow countries to provide a quality of life enjoyed by many developed countries like Australia across the world.

Australias resources sector has some of the best environmental standards in the worldwe know how to properly manage environmental concerns and deliver world-class rehabilitation projects.

In terms of the economy, the resources sector is one of the most in-demand employers due to well-paid jobs, good working conditions and limitless opportunities.

The sector paid over $38 billion in wages in 2022, supporting over 1.1 million Australians across the country. It pays higher than the median wage and offers increasingly flexible arrangements for the many workers employed, McDonald said.

Additionally, the sector has helped revitalise rural and regional communities.

On the other hand, the opposition resources spokesperson noted that the critical minerals are booming and urged Australia to capitalise on the opportunity for downstream investment in processing and refineries.

For example, iron ore demand is estimated to grow by eight percent, aluminium demand is expected to grow by 45.5 percent, and lithium demand is predicted to grow by 368 percent

However, she argued that it would not replace the strength or success of traditional resources like coal, iron ore, gas and steel.

Red Tape Must Be Reduced For Mining To Flourish

Despite the resources sectors major contribution to the Australian economy, over-burdening regulation is stifling its growth, Senator McDonald added.

She called on the government to strike a balance between upholding environmental protections and delivering manageable project timeframes.

This does not mean environmental protections, she argued, but it means devising a plan to streamline approvals and reduce red and green tape to make sure projects can progress in a cost-minimal and timely manner, especially for projects of national significance.

Currently, the permitting process for mining projects takes an average of three-and-a-half years as its laden with duplications of regulatory barriers. Meanwhile, project timeframes for nickel or copper mines can take up to 20 years from initiation to first production.

This means that many mineral projects would have needed to start 10 years ago to meet the forecasted demand.

A Gathering Of The Greatest Minds In Mining

More than 3000 delegates will attend the World 2023 mining conference after CSIRO mining expert and 26th Congress chair Hua Guo led Australias bid for the event in 2016.

Held in Australia for the first time, Guo said the United Nations-affiliated event brings together people who can re-imagine mining to resource the world for the future and benefit society.

We have gathered the greatest minds in mining around the world, the influential companies, the smartest inventors, the most progressive investors and thousands of passionate delegates, he said.

For those wanting gadgets and gizmos, there is an exhibition hall featuring the latest in automated underground coal mining and preparations for moon mining.

AAP contributed to this article.
Police Accused of Racism in Handing Out COVID Fines

Victoria Police patrol at St Kilda beach in Melbourne, Australia on Oct. 3, 2020. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Victoria Police officers have been accused of racial profiling, with a damning report showing they disproportionately targeted people of non-Anglo appearance during the pandemic.

African, Middle Eastern and First Nations people were up to four times more likely to be fined for COVID-19 breaches when considering their share of the states population.

More than 37,000 fines were issued for COVID-related offences in 2020, with at least 28,000 including details of the persons perceived racial appearance, according to data from Inner Melbourne Community Legal released on Tuesday.

More than 20 percent were issued to people of African and Middle Eastern appearance, despite them only making up about five percent of the Victorian population.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people accounted for nearly three percent of all fines yet make up just one percent of the states population.

Melbourne suburbs with higher proportions of people from non-English speaking backgrounds also received more fines.

Lead researcher Tamar Hopkins said the data was evidence of racist policing.

We found strong evidence that African/Middle Eastern-appearing people were more likely to be issued with a fine that required questioning than white people, Hopkins said.

This difference in treatment provides evidence of racial profiling by the police.

Various fines were issued, including a $100 penalty for not wearing a mask, $2,726 for failing to isolate and up to nearly $5,000 for illegal gatherings.

Ilo Diaz from the Police Accountability Project, which is associated with Inner Melbourne Community Legal, called for all fines to be scrapped.

Were asking for all these fines to be waived, Diaz told ABC radio in Melbourne.

More importantly, we know that when police are given extra powers and extra discretion, its racialised communities that get impacted the most  so we need a better accountability system for policing.

The report has called for an independent complaints body to oversee police as part of its recommendations.

It follows an apology from Victorias top cop in May for racist practices within Victoria Police.

During a truth-telling inquiry, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton acknowledged the states criminal justice system had failed First Nations people over generations.

I know Victoria Police has caused harm in the past and, unfortunately, continues to do so in the present, he told the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

As an organisation, we continue to make necessary changes and improvement, and it is a firm requirement of mine that we will continually strive to do better.

Asked about Tuesdays report, a spokeswoman for Victoria Police denied any wrongdoing.

Victoria Police rejects any suggestion that officers targeted specific ethnic groups for COVID-19 offences, she said.

This is simply not true.

Inner Melbourne Community Legal advocates for human rights and systemic change with a focus on police accountability.

13YARN 13 92 76

Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905
Prosecutors File Charges in Shooting That Killed 3 and Wounded 6 in Kansas City

Evidence markers filled the street as police were investigating the scene after several people died and others were injured following a shooting near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Mo., on June 25, 2023. (Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star via AP)

KANSAS CITY, Mo.A 26-year-old man was charged Monday in a weekend shooting that killed three people and wounded six more in Kansas City, police said.

Keivon Greene is accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, and prosecutors said they expect to file more charges. A second suspect was involved in the shooting, according to a probable cause statement.

Responding officers found two men and a woman dead from gunshot wounds about 4:30 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot where a crowd had gathered near an auto shop known to host informal after-hours get-togethers, police said.

According to the probable cause statement, one of the wounded told police the shooting started after she greeted one of the suspects and his girlfriend with a hug.

The victims boyfriend then told the suspect to watch his hands. When the victim and her boyfriend began to walk away, the suspect took out a gun and fatally shot him in the back, according to the statement.

Another person pulled a gun and began shooting, striking the woman in the buttocks. The victim identified Greene as the man who shot her, according to the statement.

Online court records did not name an attorney for Greene.

Police initially said at least five others were shot and taken to hospitals by private vehicles and ambulances. On Monday, police identified a sixth person who went to a hospital after being wounded.

The dead were identified as Nikko Manning, 22; Jasity Strong, 28; and Camden Brown, 29.

Greene was taken into custody at a hospital, where he went after being shot in the hand. The second suspect was arrested Sunday in Grandview, Missouri, police said.

Police said Sunday that another person was wounded in a separate shooting blocks away about 3 a.m. No additional information in that shooting has been released.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves joined people at the scene in a prayer circle as officers collected evidence.
Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Over Trumps Former DC Hotel

The U.S. Supreme Court on June 26 dismissed an appeal over a long-running dispute between former President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats over the former Trump International Hotel in the nations capital.

The dispute focused on documents related to the lease of the government property in downtown Washington that housed the hotel. Democrats claimed that Trump received a sweetheart deal and demanded documentation from the government, which refused their request.

Trump left the presidency in January 2021, and The Trump Organization sold the lease to the property in May 2022 to CGI Merchant Group for an undisclosed sum. The hotel is now known as the Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. and is part of Hilton Worldwide.

If the case had been heard and Democrats had prevailed, the minority party in Congress would have gained a great deal more power going forward to investigate a presidents administration of the opposite party, even if the minority party lacked the committee votes required to issue a subpoena.

The Supreme Court had just decided on May 15 to hear the case, but Democratic lawmakers advised the court on June 7 that they had voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit in the lower courts.

The case is Carnahan v. Maloney, court file 22-425.

Robin Carnahan is the administrator of the General Services Administration, an independent agency of the U.S. government that manages federal property and provides contracting options for government agencies. The lead respondent, former Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), chaired the U.S. House Oversight Committee until she left office on Jan. 3.

The case dates to 2017, when Trump had just become president and Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress. At that time, several Democrats on the House Oversight Committee demanded that the Trump administration produce records concerning how Trump had acquired the rights to develop the historic Old Post Office building, located a few blocks away from the White House, as a luxury hotel. The Trump administration refused. Trump critics have alleged that the deal smacked of corruption and that various organizations, including foreign governments, booked the hotel to curry favor with the administration.

The legal issue was whether individual members of Congress have standing under Article III of the U.S. Constitution to sue an executive agency to compel it to disclose information that the members have requested under 5 U.S.C. Section 2954. That law states that a request for information must be acted upon if just seven members of the House Oversight Committee or five members of its counterpart in the Senate demand it. Article III of the Constitution is the article that created the federal judiciary.

A federal district judge threw out the Democrats lawsuit in 2018, finding that they lacked standing to bring the case. The court found that the lawmakers werent injured by being denied the documents and that there was no historical precedent for members of Congress to even attempt to enforce unmet  demands through the federal courts.

But a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned that ruling on a 21 vote in 2020, finding that the lawmakers had the right to sue. The panel sent the case back to the lower court for reconsideration, stating that the separation of powers, it must be remembered, is not a one-way street that runs to the aggrandizement of the executive branch.

The Supreme Courts new decision came in an unsigned order. The order remands the case to the D.C. Circuit with instructions to dismiss the case. The court didnt explain why it made its decision.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the ruling.

Instead of vacating the D.C. Circuits decision, she said she would instead dismiss the writ of certiorari as improvidently granted.

The petition for certiorari, or review, was filed on Nov. 4, 2022, with the Supreme Court. The writ of certiorari was issued on May 15 when the court agreed to take the case.

How to settle similar disputes about the 1928 law has never been resolved in the courts. Lawmakers have sued twice, but both cases concluded without legally significant rulings, according to The Associated Press.

The Biden administration had urged the Supreme Court to take up the case, arguing that failing to remove the D.C. Circuit ruling from the books would allow lawmakers to interfere with the presidency.

In the petition filed with the Supreme Court in November 2022, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar approvingly quoted the dissenting circuit court judge, Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, who wrote that members of the minority party could use the law to harass presidents.

Rao said the panel decision meant that the more fractious members of Congress would be at liberty to enlist the courts in their political conflicts and strategically threaten executive agencies with protracted litigation.

The Democrats attorney, Georgetown University law professor David Vladeck, didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The U.S. Department of Justice and The Trump Organization also didnt respond by the time of publication to a request for comment.
IN-DEPTH: Supreme Court Poised to Issue Blockbuster Rulings This Week

The Supreme Court is poised this week to issue a series of rulings covering the hot-button issues of affirmative action, student loan forgiveness, the intersection of religious freedom with free speech and employment law, and how much power state legislatures should have in the congressional redistricting process.

It was this month last year that the court issued landmark rulings overturning the Roe v. Wade abortion precedent, recognizing a right to carry a gun in public for self-defense, and reining in the governments regulatory authority regarding the environment.

The Supreme Court is close to wrapping up its current term that began in October 2022, during which it has issued 49 opinions in argued cases. About another 10 opinions are expected before the court recesses for the summer, possibly at the end of the month. The court is scheduled to release more opinions at its sitting on June 27 but as of press time, it had not scheduled any additional sittings.

It seems unlikely that the court will release all the remaining opinions on June 27, so the justices will probably have to add new sittings to their calendar. Current court policy dictates that the court only issues opinions during scheduled courtroom sittings at which justices read summaries of the decisions aloud.

Affirmative Action at Colleges

Most Supreme Court justices seemed receptive on Oct. 31, 2022, to the argument that racially discriminatory admissions policies at U.S. colleges are unconstitutional and must be struck down.

The case is actually two separate appeals: Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard College and SFFA v. University of North Carolina (UNC).

The Biden administration argued the policies should be allowed to continue indefinitely because they promote diversity.

Although left-wing activists such as advocates of Marxist-derived critical race theory contend that race-conscious policies are essential to dismantle the systemic racism they claim pervades the American experience, public opinion polls suggest the majority of Americans disapprove of using race in college admissions.

Critics cite then-Justice Sandra Day OConnor, a moderate conservative who believed the policy was a necessary evil that must eventually end.

We expect that 25 years from now the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today, she wrote in a 2003 opinion in Grutter v. Bollinger.

Making race-focused admissions decisions is dangerous, and a deviation from the norm of equal treatment, she wrote.

Harvard and UNC are, respectively, the oldest private college and the oldest public college in the United States.

In the Harvard case, a federal district judge found the schools policy that was said to discriminate against Asian American applicants was not motivated by racial animus  or intentional discrimination and was narrowly tailored to achieve diversity and the academic benefits that flow from diversity. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit affirmed.

In the UNC case, a federal district judge upheld the schools admissions policy because it uses race flexibly as a plus factor and only as one among many factors.

Race should be used by UNC indefinitely because it is interwoven in every aspect of the lived experience, the judge ruled.

SFFA appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, but before that court could rule on the case, also sought review from the Supreme Court, which was granted.

A 4-4 split in the Harvard case is a possibility because one of the justices wont be participating in the decision.

Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused herself from the Harvard case because of her close ties to the school. However, liberal Justice Elena Kagan didnt recuse herself from the case even though she was dean of Harvard Law School from 2003 to 2009.

Student Loan Relief

During oral arguments on Feb. 28, conservative members of the Supreme Court seemed skeptical of Biden administration statements that the governments plan to partially forgive student loans was authorized by federal law.

The prevailing view among legal experts appears to be that the Supreme Court will strike down the loan forgiveness program as unconstitutional.

About 26 million people reportedly applied under the program before courts blocked it last year. Of that total, 16 million are said to have been approved before the government halted applications. The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the program in December 2022.

The government claims that it has the authority to grant debt relief, which would cancel as much as $20,000 in loan principal for 40 million borrowers.

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar told the court that the federal Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act (HEROES Act) gives the federal secretary of education blanket authority to grant loan forgiveness en masse, a contention several justices found fault with.

COVID-19 is the most devastating pandemic in our nations history and  over the past three years, millions of Americans have struggled to pay rent, utilities, food, and many have been unable to pay their debts, the top government lawyer told the court.

If forbearance ends without further relief, its undisputed that defaults and delinquencies will surge above pre-pandemic levels.

President Joe Biden unveiled the plan in August 2022 in a move critics decried as a legally dubious attempt to help Democrats in November midterms that year. The government said the plan could cost about $400 billion, but the Wharton School estimates the price tag could blow past $1 trillion.

Biden vetoed a congressional measure earlier this month that sought to block the program, which is premised on twin emergencies the Trump administration declared in March 2020 to combat the COVID-19 virus. The national emergency and the public health emergency enabled federal agencies to exercise expansive powers but Biden rescinded the declarations in May.

The Biden administration paused student loan payments and interest during the recent pandemic at an estimated cost of $100 billion, but then claimed last year that the pandemic gave it emergency authority to forgive student debts.

The pause expires in the fall. Interest restarts in September and loan payments resume in October, according to the government.

Republican lawmakers involved in the passage of the HEROES Act say it was enacted after the 9/11 terror attacks to provide student loan relief to military service members and their families, not for widespread debt forgiveness.

The Supreme Court heard two related cases dealing with the program, Biden v. Nebraska and Department of Education v. Brown, on the same day four months ago.

The Nebraska case springs from a lawsuit filed by six states.

The other appeal arises from a lawsuit filed by two borrowers who say the department improperly denied them the opportunity to participate in the public commenting process and that they would have urged greater debt relief.

Congressional Redistricting

Politics junkies are eagerly awaiting the courts decision in Moore v. Harper, which was heard on Dec. 7, 2022.

At issue is the independent state legislature doctrine, under which Republicans argue the Constitution has always directly authorized state legislatures to make rules about federal elections in states without state courts intervening. Democrats say the doctrine is a fringe conservative legal theory that could endanger voting rights, enable extreme partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process, and cause upheaval in election administration.

Conservatives like petitioner Tim Moore, Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, said the Constitution is crystal clear: State legislatures are responsible for drawing congressional maps, not state court judges and certainly not with the aid of partisan political operatives.

When it was dominated by Democrats, the Supreme Court of North Carolina rejected the state electoral map drawn up by the states legislature for supposedly discriminating against Democrats.

But while the U.S. Supreme Court justices in Washington were deliberating Moore v. Harper, on Feb. 3, the new Republican majority on the state court voted to rehear the case.

That court reversed its prior ruling, holding on April 28 that the General Assemblynot judgeshas sole authority over redistricting. The courts majority opinion said there was no judicially manageable standard by which to adjudicate partisan gerrymandering claims and that courts are not intended to meddle in policy matters.

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered lawyers to file supplemental briefs on how to proceed in light of the state court ruling. The Biden administration has urged the court to dismiss the case as moot, but Moores lawyers say this is an important issue that the court needs to decide.

The U.S. Supreme Court has a multitude of options. It could end up dismissing the case as moot, embracing the independent state legislature doctrine, rejecting the doctrine, or issuing a compromise ruling.

Christian Designer

The Supreme Court seemed receptive to arguments on Dec. 5, 2022, by a Christian website designer who says Colorados law forcing her to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings infringes on her constitutional rights.

Although the court has become increasingly protective of religious freedoms in recent years, those on the left say the courts embrace of those freedoms comes at the expense of LGBT individuals.

At the hearing in 303 Creative v. Elenis, the Biden administration backed the law.

Left-wing activists have been targeting bakers for years for political purposes, asking Christian confectioners opposed to same-sex marriage to bake wedding cakes for gay marriage celebrations. When the bakers refuse, these activists sue under anti-discrimination laws, hoping to secure favorable legal precedents.

In the 2018 decision of Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the Supreme Court sided in a narrowly worded ruling with Jack Phillips, a Christian baker whom a gay couple had asked to create a custom cake to celebrate their union, finding a state human rights commission had violated his First Amendment right to free exercise of religion.

Website designer Lorie Smith claims she is being singled out by the state because she doesnt support non-traditional marriage. Smith has said she will design custom websites for anyone, including LGBT individuals, so long as their message doesnt conflict with her religious views. This means that she wont promote messages that condone violence or encourage sexual immorality, abortion, or same-sex marriage. When clients want such messages expressed, Smith refers them to other website designers.

Smiths attorney, Kristen Waggoner of the Alliance Defending Freedom, told justices her client blends art with technology to create custom messages using words and graphics, and serves all people, deciding what to create based on the message, not who requests it.

The state law forces Ms. Smith to create speech, not simply sell it, Waggoner said.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch suggested to Colorado Solicitor General Eric Olson that the law enforced a kind of thought control.

Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop had to go through a re-education training program pursuant to Colorado law, did he not, Mr. Olson? the justice asked.

Olson rejected the characterization, saying Phillips had to go through a process to make sure he was familiar with Colorado law.

Someone might be excused for calling that a re-education program, Gorsuch replied.

Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor said Smith was supporting discrimination, the way a hypothetical luncheonette might give gay couples a limited menu, not a full menu.

Christian Postal Worker

The justices seemed receptive on April 18 to arguments of an evangelical Christian mail carrier who quit the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) after it refused to accommodate his wish not to work on the Sunday Sabbath.

The case is Groff v. DeJoy.

Like 303 Creative, the case is of intense interest to faith communities. Some liberal commentators have expressed concern that the court may go too far in the case, possibly giving religious people too much power to dictate workplace policies.

Gerald Groff of Pennsylvania began working as a mail carrier for USPS in 2012. He was a rural carrier associate who filled in for absent career employees.

The postal service initially tried to accommodate his request not to work on Sundays, but he quit in 2019 after the agency stopped exempting him from Sunday work.

He sued, claiming the postal service discriminated against him by refusing to accommodate his religion. The suit went forward under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation for religious employees.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit turned down Groffs appeal, finding that exempting him would have imposed an undue hardship on the postal service.

In 1977, the Supreme Court narrowed the application of the religious provision of Title VII in Trans World Airlines v. Hardison, holding an employer suffers undue hardship if accommodating the employee forces the employer to bear more than a de minimis cost.

Groffs attorney, Aaron Streett, told the justices that Hardison is a bad precedent because it violates the promise of Title VII that employees should not be forced to choose between their faith and their job.

Theres no reason religious workers should receive lesser protection than those covered by other accommodation statutes, he said.

Prelogar, U.S. solicitor general, urged the justices not to entirely discard the Hardison precedent, which the courts have been using for decades when analyzing undue hardship under Title VII.

A clarification of what Hardison actually means would be helpful, she said.

Groffs absences created direct concrete burdens on other carriers who had to stay on their shifts longer to get the mail delivered, and this interfered with the timely delivery of mail and created employee retention problems.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Prelogar how the court could deal with this case without destabilizing the law.

To preserve stability, the court needs to make clear that you dont need to redo all of the work thats been done for five decades under the Hardison standard as properly understood, Prelogar said.
Texas Supreme Court Rules ERCOT is Immune From Lawsuits Over 2021 Deadly Winter Storm

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has sovereign immunity from lawsuits.

In a split decision, the Supreme Court ruled that ERCOT qualifies as a government entity and cannot be sued for Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, which left millions of Texans without power for days and led to at least 246 deaths. ERCOT is a government-formed nonprofit corporation that operates and manages the Texas electrical power grid but is regulated by the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC).

ERCOT operates under the direct control and oversight of the PUC, it performs the governmental function of utilities regulation, and it possesses the power to adopt and enforce rules pursuant to that role, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht wrote in the courts 40-page majority opinion. (pdf)

In addition, recognizing immunity satisfies the political, pecuniary, and pragmatic policies underlying immunity because it prevents the disruption of key governmental services, protects public funds, and respects separation of powers principles.

Thus, ERCOT is immune from suit.

The Texas Supreme Court is made up of nine Republicans.

ERCOT is pleased with the Texas Supreme Courts decision, which recognizes the Public Utility Commissions exclusive jurisdiction and that ERCOT is entitled to sovereign immunity. The Courts careful consideration of these significant legal issues allows us to continue to focus on our core State responsibilities on ensuring a reliable grid for Texans, ERCOT said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

People carry groceries from a local gas station in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2021. Winter Storm Uri brought historic cold weather to Texas, causing traffic delays and power outages. (Montinique Monroe/Getty Images)

Texas courts have been back and forth over the decision of whether or not ERCOT is an arm of the law.

The recent high courts decision reversed a previous ruling from the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas in February 2022, which found that ERCOT was not entitled to sovereign immunity, according to Cooper and Scully, a Dallas law firm. Likewise, the Fifth Court of Appeals decision overturned the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, which ruled that ERCOT is a government agency and entitled to immunity.

What if ERCOT could be sued?

If the Supreme Court had ruled that ERCOT was not an arm of the law and could be sued for its actions during the deadly freeze, any judgments would have been passed down to consumers, Ed Hirs, energy economist at the University of Houston, told The Epoch Times.

ERCOT has no financial resources, Hirs said. For example, if people were to sue ERCOT and win, the only way ERCOT could pay off any judgments is to raise rates.

Hundreds of wrongful death and financial impact lawsuits are still pending, and according to Hirs, those suits will likely continue through other defendants, such as the power companies and local utilities, he said.

Hirs said the problems with the power grid are no surprise and that the Texas legislature has made no provision to add capacity after the 2021 storm.

On Monday, ERCOT issued its second weather watch for this week as triple-digit temperatures put more demand on the power grid.

ERCOT will monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid and will continue our reliability-first approach to operations, ERCOT said in a news release.

Power lines are shown in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 16, 2021. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

Two Cases, One Ruling

The courts ruling stems from two cases filed against ERCOT. The Supreme Court heard arguments on the combined cases in January.

In a lawsuit filed about a month after Winter Storm Uri, CPS Energy, San Antonios municipally owned utility service company, accused ERCOT of allowing wholesale electricity prices to soar to the highest permissible rate of $9,000 per megawatt hour for a prolonged period. (pdf)

On Feb. 15, 2021, ERCOT declared an Emergency Energy Alert Level 3, its highest state of emergency, and directed transmission operators to curtail firm load. The PUC directed ERCOT to set pricing to the maximum price allowed to reflect the scarcity of supply. Two days later, the firm load was recalled, but prices remained at the cap rate through for 32 additional hours.

CPS alleges that ERCOT should have ended its pricing intervention when it recalled its firm load shed instructions and that its failure to do so resulted in $16 billion in overcharges to market participants, Hecht wrote.

Some market participants defaulted after Uri, leading ERCOT to implement its short-pay procedures and default uplift process.

These processes spread the impact of the default, allocating the loss among market participants  including CPS  by reducing the amounts that are owed by ERCOT, the opinion reads.

Lawyers for CPS argued that ERCOTs processes were illegal and cost the company millions of dollars.

CPS alleges it was short-paid at least $18 million through the short-pay process. It also alleges that ERCOT intended to apply two downward adjustments to the credit in CPS account by over $1 million each through the default process.

CPS Energy spokeswoman Dominique Ramos said the company has recovered the back amounts owed to us and that the case was about ERCOTs process, according to San Antonio Report.

CPS Energy did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment.

A woman walks through falling snow in San Antonio on Feb. 14, 2021. As temperatures plunged and snow and ice whipped the state, much of Texas power grid collapsed, followed by its water systems. Tens of millions huddled in frigid homes that slowly grew colder or fled for safety. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

The other case involved Dallas-based Panda Power Funds, a private equity firm that sued ERCOT for allegedly misleading reports that caused Panda substantial financial harm, according to the court document.

Panda Power alleges it invested $2.2 billion in several power plants based on ERCOTs 2011 and 2012 energy projections that showed an energy supply shortage for future demands.

Undermines public trust

The dissenting justices argued that there is no statute that designates ERCOT as part of the government.

At the heart of sovereign immunity  the doctrine that the Sovereign cannot be sued without its consent  lies a contest between core values of constitutionalism, wrote the Justices Jeff Boyd and John Phillip Devine in a 53-page dissenting opinion. (pdf) Justices Debra Lehrmann and Brett Busby also dissented in the case.

They argued that ERCOT is a purely private entity and that the Supreme Courts ruling undermines public trust.

The public expects and trusts that those injured can claim the protection of the laws and that those responsible  to the extent responsibility exists  will be held accountable: the government through the political process and at the ballot box and private entities in court, the opinion reads.

But by granting sovereign immunity to a purely private entity that has not been designated as part of the government and without requiring a demonstration of the governments actual control over the complained-of conduct, the Court undermines this public trust.
UC Irvine Siblings Develop Empathetic Artificial Intelligence Tech

Pratyush Muthukumar (L) poses with his sister Karishma Muthukumar at the University of CaliforniaIrvine in Irvine, Calif., on May 15, 2023. (Courtesy of Steve Zylius at University of CaliforniaIrvine)

Two siblings from the University of CaliforniaIrvine have teamed up in creating their own artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot for use in the medical field, which they say, will be able to potentially employ empathy in its computing and operations.

The pair will present their work next month at the United Nations (UN) AI for Good 2023 Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

I am absolutely delighted to announce that I will be speaking at the UN! In this Age of AI, I am thrilled to share my medical innovation and advocate for compassionate AI solutions in healthcare, one of the siblingsKarishma Muthukumarshared in a recent social media post.

Both Karishma and her brother Pratyush graduated from the university last year with degrees in cognitive science and computer science, respectively.

According to the siblings, their technology is geared to employ compassion in its interactions with patients struggling with mental health issues.

Theres a lot of buzz around ChatGPT and similar language models that are coming out around this time, but we wanted to gear a chatbot specifically designed to consider empathy and compassion in responses, Pratyush said in a recent statement from the school. Patients suffering from depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges might be able to talk with a chatbot thats empathetic.

First Encounters With Artificial Intelligence

Karishma began learning about artificial intelligence nearly a decade ago as a teen intern at the Childrens Hospital of Orange County summer program working in the Sharon Disney Lund Medical Intelligence, Information, Investigation and Innovation Institute, where she says she began learning how to integrate artificial intelligence within healthcare technology.

A year later, at age 15, she became the youngest person ever to be honored for best abstract in Artificial Intelligence at the International Society for Pediatric Innovations annual Peds 2040 conference in San Diego, California.

She was honored again for her AI work in 2018, when she was named Young Innovator to Watch at the Consumer Electronics Show an annual conference for tech innovators and developersfor her work in integrating emojis and artificial intelligence in tablets and other devices to help paralyzed patients communicate.

During her time at UC Irvine, Karishma earned the Donald A. Strauss Foundations public service scholarship through which she expanded her work in building empathy in clinical settings by founding the Patient Project, an on-campus organization that promotes conversational care, where loved ones and patients are given emotional support through talking in hospital and care center waiting rooms in an effort to improve their mental health. The program remains as an active campus organization following her graduation.

She and her brother eventually decided to collaborate on a conversational artificial intelligence bot after taking a computational biology class together.

I found it was really great to be in the same classroom with him, Karishma said in a June 12 statement from the school. I think that illustrates the importance of a similar dynamic with artificial intelligence as well.

Pratyush expressed similar sentiments in combining his skillset with his sisters when building a compassionate AI bot, as well as the future of such technology.

I think that right now were seeing a trend of  [artificial intelligence] language models being made available to the public, he said in the school statement. I hope that empathy and compassion will be included as major aspects behind [how such technology is made].

Pratyush earned the Barry Goldwater Research Scholarship at UC Irvine for his work in producing empathy-based artificial intelligence, and graduated last year at just 18.

He is currently at Stanford University on a scholarship to complete his masters in computer science, specializing in artificial intelligence.

Both siblings also continue to work on their empathy-based artificial intelligence chatbot alongside Pramod Khargonekar, UC Irvines vice chancellor for research, and Deepan Muthirayan, a postdoctoral scholar in electrical engineering and computer science.

Now were moving into an artificial intelligence world. So how do we want to shape that? Thats something that we, as a society, are collectively thinking about and deciding, Pratyush said in the statement.
Ukraine Defence Effort Gets $110 Million Boost From Australia

Ukrainian soldiers ride on an armoured vehicle near the recently retaken town of Lyman in Donetsk region on Oct. 6, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Yasuyoshi Chiga/AFP via Getty Images)

Australia will provide a boost to the Ukrainian defence effort, with the federal government announcing a multi-million-dollar assistance package.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a press conference on June 26 that the additional $110 million (US$73.5 million) support package will make a difference to Ukraines defence effort.

Included in assistance will be 70 vehicles, including 28 Rheinmetall armoured trucks, 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 special operations vehicles, and artillery ammunition.

Australia will also provide $10 million to the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs and will extend tariff-free access for Ukrainian goods for a further 12 months in order to support their economy.

This new military and humanitarian assistance package is an additional $110 million, bringing our total contribution to $790 million, including $610 million of military assistance. 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, Albanese said.

The prime minister also signalled that Australia would continue to support the war effort for as long as necessary.

It is sobering that 16 months on from Russias invasion, its brutal conflict continues, he said.

We will continue to work collaboratively with our partners, we are continuing to train Ukrainian forces in the United Kingdom, and we will continue to engage with Ukraine for as long as it takes to support President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine in this struggle. This is a significant commitment but it is one that is necessary, he said.

Ukraine Welcomes Package

The new package has been welcomed by the Ukrainian government, with its ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, welcoming the prime ministers statement.

On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I thank the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian people for their most recent package of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, he said in a statement on Twitter.

I am optimistic about further working with Australia to bring Russias war on Ukrainians, on global security and our shared democratic values to an end.

On behalf of the Government of Ukraine, I thank the Commonwealth of Australia and the Australian people for their most recent package of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. I am reassured by the Prime Ministers strong statement that Australia is unwavering in its  Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) June 26, 2023

Ukrainians Want More Australian Bushmaster Vehicles

Myroshnychenko did say he would like to see Australia progress Ukraines requests for further donations of life-saving Bushmasters, available Hawkeis, and tanks.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Olegksii Reznikov even took to Twitter in May to beseech Australia to send more armoured vehicles.

He described Australia as a nation of freedom-loving warriors who always stand up to a bully.

Your Bushmasters have been incredible in real combat operations, he said.

But our fight for global freedom is not over yet, and we still need your support. I encourage you today to join the international tank coalition for Ukraine. In addition to tanks, we would be honoured to receive the Australian Hawkies. They could prove invaluable to our troops during the counteroffensive.

The Ukrainian government has also launched a social media campaign in a bid to encourage the Australian government to gift them the Hawkei armoured vehicle.

In a viral post on Twitter, the government also said it had developed an affinity for the Hawkei.

These two would be a perfect match on the battlefield, they posted. We would truly appreciate their reunion in Ukraine, @AlboMP!

Our soldiers absolutely love Australian Bushmasters. But now they have a new crush: the Hawkei.

These two would be a perfect match on the battlefield.

We would truly appreciate their reunion in Ukraine, @AlboMP!

????? pic.twitter.com/5EP2Eo36Qv  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 10, 2023

Designed and built in Australia by French manufacturer Thales, the Hawkei is a light armoured four-wheel-drive patrol vehicle designed as an armoured support vehicle that has evolved to include light armoured fighting features.

It can carry up to five personnel, is highly mobile, and is light enough to be loaded onto a Chinook CH-47 helicopter.

It also has a protected mobility combat system, which provides protection from ammunition blasts, and it can operate command and control networks over large distances.

Ukrainian servicemen of the 80th Air Assault Brigade stand in front of a Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle near Bahmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Feb. 16, 2023. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)
Azerbaijan`s Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with the servicemen who were awarded high military ranks by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

After solemn reading out the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the relevant order of the Minister of Defense on the awarding of high military ranks to the servicemen of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, a ceremony of presenting the servicemen with high military ranks was held. Conveying the congratulations of the Commander-in-Chief to the military personnel, the Minister of Defense wished them success in their future service and gave his instructions and recommendations.

The awarded servicemen expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and expressed confidence to justify the trust placed in them.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The emergence of trade routes between Europe and Asia underscores the vital role of Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries in their development, the press office at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation told Trend.

"Kyrgyzstan and other countries of Central Asia are essential for the development of the emerging trade routes between Europe and Asia, especially the Trans Caspian International Transport Route. In this light, on the occasion of its European Presidency during the second semester of 2023, Spain will advocate in favor of the reinforcement of the relations between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union, in particular by means of the European Global Gateway initiative" the ministry said.

Spanish side noted that the country is determined to further deepen and strengthen its relationship with Kyrgyzstan given the increasing significance of the country and Central Asia in the current geopolitical landscape.

According to the source, sectors such as renewable energy, water management, or infrastructures are promising niches of cooperation where Spanish companies, with their world-class experience, could contribute to the development of the Kyrgyz economy.
Whats happening in India, PM asks Nadda on arrival







NEW DELHI,

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. Modi returned to India in the early hours of Monday after his six-day visit to the US and Egypt. He was received at the Delhi airport by Union MoS for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi and Nadda. BJP leaders and MPs from Delhi such as Harsh Vardhan, Hans Raj Hans and Gautam Gambhir were present. He asked Nadda ji how it is going here, and Nadda ji told him that party leaders were reaching out to people with report card of the nine years of his Government, and the country is happy, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said.
Anti-Women Taliban





By Asad Mirza

THE slew of anti-women measures adopted by the Taliban Government in Afghanistan has essentially gone against them, further isolating them globally and making them a pariah. Reportedly, a handful of Afghan women courageously held a demonstration in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on 8 March, calling on the international community to protect Afghan women. This was the second International Womens Day observed under the Taliban-led Government in Afghanistan, which swept back to power in August 2021, and more or less marked a year-and-a-half of increasing misery for Afghan women. In a statement to mark the International Womens Day, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, RozaOtunbayeva said it has been distressing to witness the Talibans methodical, deliberate, and systematic efforts to push Afghan women and girls out of the public sphere. The UN mission said the crackdown was a colossal act of national self-harm at a time when Afghanistan faces some of the worlds largest humanitarian and economic crises.

The anti-women Taliban decisions have faced international condemnation, including by some Muslim countries even. The State of Qatar, earlier this week expressed deep concern over the Afghan caretaker Governments decisions which negatively affect Afghan women and girls rights, especially suspending their studies in secondary schools and universities and banning their work in non-Governmental organisations. The Qatari condemnation was conveyed in a statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, HE Dr. Hind Abdul Rahman Al Muftah during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, within the framework of the 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mehmet Kemal Bozay, has said that the international community must not allow the situation in Afghanistan to deteriorate even further. The Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, spoke in Geneva and, reiterated the OICs condemnation of Kabuls edicts banning women from education and work, saying: It is against our religion. The biggest crackdown on teenage girls and university students came just days before Womens Day, when earlier this week the authorities banned them from secondary schools and higher educational institutions. No country has officially recognised the Taliban Government as Afghanistans legitimate ruler, with the right to education for women a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition.

According to UNESCO, currently, 80 pc of school-aged Afghan girls and young women - totalling 2.5 million people - are out of school.The Talibans decision to keep girls schools shuttered has reversed significant gains in female education during the past 20 years. In another anti-women diktat, Taliban Government has annulled divorce in Afghanistan, forcing divorced women to go back to abusive husbands. Lawyers say that several women have reported being dragged back into abusive marriages after Taliban commanders annulled their divorces. The Taliban Government adheres to an austere interpretation of Islam and has imposed severe restrictions on womens lives that the United Nations called gender-based apartheid. According to the UN Mission in the country, nine out of 10 women in Afghanistan experience physical, sexual or psychological violence from their partner. Divorce, however, is far greater a taboo than the abuse itself and women who part with their husbands sustain many atrocities at the hands of society. Meanwhile, a prominent group of Afghan and Iranian women are backing a campaign calling for gender apartheid to be recognised as a crime under international law.

What perplexes one is that though the Taliban describe most of these decisions as Islamic, in fact they are completely unIslamic. Islam gives equal rights to men and women in all spheres of life, including, education, inheritance, right to work, say in marriage. Yet, in action Taliban goes completely against the spirit and teachings of Islam. Instead, if they had adopted a new pragmatic and forward looking approach towards reorganising the Afghan society, it would have gone in their favour and would have helped them to consolidate their power in the country. As currently there seems to be no political force in the country, which could counter the Taliban. In addition, it would have provided them legitimacy and support from the so-called Islamic countries, if only they would have chosen to uphold the Islamic teachings, which in reality, they have failed to do.
CM reviews arrangements for Prime Ministers rally at Lal Parade Ground





Staff Reporter

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took stock of the preparations made for the Prime Ministers programme on June 27 at Lal Parade Ground. He received information about the meeting place, stage and seating arrangements and other necessary arrangements. He was informed about the preparations by the officers handling the responsibility of various arrangements. MP and BJP State chief V D Sharma and other public representatives also accompanied the Chief Minister. Traffic diversions for PM visit today: In view PMs visit, the entry of vehicles is restricted or diverted for Tuesday. According to schedule, traffic diversion will be applicable near Barkatullah University, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station and Lal Parade Ground at 2 pm. PM Modi will be reaching Bhopal at 9:50 and then he will be departing for Jabalpur at 1 pm.

Entry of heavy vehicles, commercial and permission granted vehicles will remain restricted from 7 am to 12 noon from Bagsewaniya police station square to Mansarovar Triway and Board Office square to Bagasewaniya police station square. Vehicles coming from Misrod will be allowed to use Arvind Vihar Colony road from Bagsewaniya square to move towards AIIMS, RRL, Habibganj Naka, etc areas. From morning 8 am to 2 pm, vehicles would not be allowed from Roshanpura to Police Control Room triway and Bharat Talkies to control room triway. Vehicles commutation will be completely restricted from Roshanpura to Polytechnic, Kamla Park, Retghat, VIP Road, Lalghati, Gandhi Nagar Triway and Polytechnic square to Gandhi Park.
IMD issues heavy rains alert in country





NEW DELHI,

6 killed in Mumbai in 48 hrs in rain-related incidents 4 killed by lightning in Rajasthan Hundreds stranded at Chandigarh-Manali national highway after flash floods in Himachal

INDIA Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in most parts of country. Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over east-central, north-west and west India over the next 4-5 days and the south-west 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. Conditions are favourable for further advance of south-west monsoon into some more parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, remaining parts of Haryana and Punjab during next 2 days, IMD added. IMD also issued agromet advisories for rainfall, thunderstorms/gusty winds and heatwave over several parts of the country. Delayed by over a fortnight, monsoon finally hit Maharashtra with full fury, claiming at least six lives in the past 24 hours in the financial capital Mumbai. The IMD has forecast heavy rains in Mumbai over the next 48 hours with an orange alert for Tuesday. Several districts like Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have also been issued rainfall warnings of varying alerts till June 30. Late on Saturday, two contract workers fell into a manhole while cleaning up a rain-soaked road at Govandi in north-east Mumbai.

They are identified as Ram Krishan, 30 and Sudhir Dhas, 35. Early on Sunday morning, a senior couple Priscilla Misquitta, 65 and her husband Robi Misquitta, 70, were killed after a two-storied building crashed in Vile Parle gaothan area in the western suburbs. Barely hours later, a tenement crashed in Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar in Ghatkopar east, trapping several persons of whom two were killed, and four others were injured. They were identified as Alka Palande, 94 and her son Naresh Palande, 56, whose bodies were recovered from the debris on Monday morning. Heavy rains or showers continued to lash Mumbai and the coastal Konkan region all through Monday, though there was no major disruption of rail, road or air traffic. Waterlogging was reported from some areas in the city and suburbs including water seeping into ground floor homes, some low-lying roads and subways, putting people on alert. Four people were killed and as many others injured in incidents of lightning strikes in Rajasthan as first monsoon rains were received in some parts of the State, officials said Monday.

The deaths were reported from Pali, Baran and Chittorgarh districts, they said. Monsoon entered parts of the State on Sunday, bringing light to moderate rains and heavy rains in some districts of Udaipur, Kota, Bikaner, Jaipur divisions. IMD also 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. Hundreds of commuters, including tourists, were stranded in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district as the Chandigarh-Manali national highway was blocked following flash floods and landslides, officials said on Monday. The 70-km Mandi-Pandoh-Kullu stretch has been badly affected, they said. A total of 301 roads are closed in the State following heavy rains, while 140 power transformers are disrupted. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked for vehicular traffic following landslides due to heavy rainfall in Mehad and Cafeteria Morh of Ramban district. As per the latest visuals, there is a long queue of vehicles on the highway. Notably, the 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.
Letter war between BJP, Congress ahead of PM Modis visit to city





BHOPAL,

A war of letters began between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh. Senior leaders of both the political parties on Monday wrote letters on different issues accusing each side. First, a letter was written by senior BJP leader and state Home Minister Narottam Mishra to state Congress President Kamal Nath. In his letter, Mishra accused Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge of promoting cow slaughter and has sought Kamal Naths reply on his statement. Mishra said that Kamal Nath claimed to have set up several cowsheds during his 15-month Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, and on the other side, a minister of the Congress-led Karnataka government was promoting cow slaughter and pressuring police to put cow protectors into jail.

Soon after coming to power, the Congress-led Karnataka government scrapped anti-conversion law. The anti-conversion law was established to protect the rights of Hindu women. Now, a Congress minister is promoting cow slaughter in Karnataka. In my letter, I have asked MP President Kamal Nath to clear his view on this issue, Mishra said. Senior Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Govind Singh. Singh, who is MLA from Lahar Assembly constituency in Bhind district, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has sought a meeting with him during his visit to Bhopal on Tuesday.

In his letter, Singh has highlighted the incident of Shri Mahakal Lok corridor issue, where six Saptarshi idols fell on ground due to a thunderstorm last month. PM Modi is coming to Bhopal on Tuesday, therefore, I have requested him to allow me to meet him. I want to tell him something secret about the Mahakal Lok corridor issue, Singh said.

Interestingly, the letter war ahead of PM Modis arrival to poll-bound Madhya Pradesh began from both ruling and opposition sides. Notably, the assembly constituencies of both these political rivals-Mishra and Singh-share borders and also they are considered good friends.
Loktantra Senani Samman Nidhi hiked from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month: CM





Staff Reporter

The Samman Nidhi of Loktantra Senani has been hiked from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month, announced Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday. 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 these fighters. CM Chouhan was addressing the conference of democracy fighters of the State.

The CM 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 New Delhi. They will be able to stay in district rest houses and other rest houses for two days by paying 50 per cent 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 the same immediately. They should not consider themselves alone in any kind of trouble, the state government stands with them.

Loktantra Senanis are the heritage of the country: 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. Chief Minister Chouhan inaugurated the convention held in the residence premises by lighting the lamp.

It is the responsibility of all of us to save democracy: CM Chouhan 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 (PM) 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The governments of Tajikistan and Qatar signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of tourism and trade, Trend reports.

According to official information, the signing of the document took place within the framework of the state visit of the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Dushanbe (Tajikistan).

The main purpose of signing this document is to strengthen and expand cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism and trade events. This step is aimed at deepening and developing a broader range of cooperation relations between the two countries in economic, trade, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Within the framework of this document, the parties interact on the basis of the principles of equality and mutual benefit, taking into account the national legislation of their states, and its implementation of this cooperation is considered appropriate in the interests of the well-being of the peoples of both countries and for the development of relationships between travel companies of both sides.

The tourism sector is one of the interesting areas for further cooperation between Tajikistan and Qatar, this document will give a serious impetus to the development of cooperation.

Meanwhile, in general, following the results of high-level meetings and negotiations between Tajikistan and the State of Qatar, 15 new documents on cooperation were signed in the presence of the heads of state.
MANIPUR CRISIS





THE latest round of violence in Manipur calls for measures that not only evoke confidence among the ethnic groups in what is popularly referred to as the jewelled land, but also bring them together on a common ground of peaceful co-existence. For that to happen, the response of the Central Government should have come at an earlier stage. Albeit delayed, the Centre has made a good beginning with the all-party meeting as an effort to reach out to the people of Manipur. However, the political response from all the parties has to be based on understanding of the history of Manipur. As per the records, Manipur was an independent kingdom with a 2000-year-old history. In modern context, it was the last princely State to come under the colonial rule of the British. The State has two major ethnic groups -- Meitei inhabiting the valley area, and Naga with the Kuki inhabiting the hills areas that are geographically larger than the valley. Currently, the mob violence is between Meiteis and the Kukis. Historically, Manipur has been better connected to the Indian cultural roots compared to some other parts of the North-East. In fact, one of the kings of Manipur had made Hinduism the official religion of the kingdom. Maharaja Bhagyachandra spread Vaishnavism and was successful in creating a unified Manipur.

However, when the British came to help the later rulers to fight Burmese war, the colonialist mindset started vitiating the situation. In the latter years, the British faced hostilities from Kuki and Chin tribes. Hence, the British divided Kuki territory and encouraged tribes to claim separate identities, leaving behind a legacy of secessionist tendencies for Independent India to deal with. The situation was made grim with the rise of Pan-Mongolian movement in 1956-57. It led foundation for insurgency, with young Meiteis starting cultural revival and demanding adoption of Manipurs old name Kangleipak. Naga militancy having close association with Nagas in Manipur, added another dimension to the clash. Soon, Manipur landed in a multi-dimensional crisis. Around 1990s, there emerged a major clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis. Now, it appears that the same is in play again, overshadowing other undercurrents. Whenever such clashes erupt, the insurgents from both the sides target everything Indian. This time, even the residences of the political leaders were targeted. The violence did not even spare children as was reported. The Indian Army faces a tough time handling all these. Thankfully, the Indian Army is known for its professionalism and maturity. In the latest display of its professionalism, the Indian Army took a mature decision to leave Itham village in Imphal East with seized weapons and ammunition and to not risk civilian lives despite knowing that a wanted terrorist of the Meitei militant group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup was holed up in the village. Given the dynamics of the situation, it is not difficult for the Indian Army to go for some decisive action against different insurgent groups active in Manipur.

However, such an action has a lurking fear of escalating the ethnic struggles as well as fuelling secessionist tendencies. Against this backdrop, the Indian forces deserve praise for being mature, sensitive and sensible in decision making instead of placing over-reliance on mere action. As far as political class is concerned, however, it took own time to gauge gravity of the situation and taking concrete steps. But, now, it appears that a good beginning has been made. First, there was a meeting of all the parties concerned. More recently, Mr. Amit Shah, Home Minister, held an all-party meeting to discuss Manipur crisis. Following the meeting, Mr. Shah also briefed Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi who has returned from his successful visits to the US and Egypt. The Central Government, thus, now seems to be tackling Manipur crisis on priority. The high-level briefing is bound to yield some decisions and outreach activities, which may gradually pave way for positive change in the prevailing situation on ground. Unfortunately, for the sake of opposition, Congress leaders have been making certain statements that may not be in the best interest of efforts to resolving the prevailing crisis.

Mr. Naorem Mohen, General Secretary (Organisation) of Manipur Patriotic Party, has flayed Congress party by writing a letter to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leader. In the letter, Mr. Naorem Mohen has accused Congress of having continued the British policy of Meitei containment and encouraging illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh out of vote bank politics. If Mr. Naorem Mohens charges are true, Congress party will have to do a lot of answering as far as serving national interest in the context of Manipur is concerned. It is also time for the stakeholders in Manipurs progress and peace to realise the strength in diversity and weakness in isolation on identity lines. One just hopes that peace prevails in Manipur and the people of the State are not disappointed by the leaders of all political parties, when it comes to contributing towards harmony. For, Manipur has been a rich part of Indian history. Apart from celebrating Ras Leela as a cultural symbol, Manipur holds a proud distinction of having been the place where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his Azad Hind Fauj first hoisted the Indian flag for the first time on the banks of Loktak Lake. Efforts are needed to reach out to Manipur people with this rich history of cultural integration with Indian values of peaceful co-existence. It is in this direction that the steps are being taken. Hopefully, these pave way for positive outcome.
Medical Education Principal Secy Deshmukhs surprise visit creates chaos in NSCBMCH





Staff Reporter

The surprise visit of Principal Secretary, Medical Education, Caralyn Deshmukh created chaos in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College Hospital (NSCBMCH) on Monday morning. The Principal Secretary directly reached OPD where the duty doctors were not present in their respectively departments. Without wasting a single moment, she sought explanation from the hospital superintendent and other concerned officers and strictly advised to ensure timely presence of duty doctors during OPD hours.

Deshmukh visited the recently constructed building of New Academic Hall and expressed satisfaction over the facilities made for the medical students there. Later on she moved towards Super Specialty Hospital to monitor the facilities and healthcare services being administered to the patients there. She also discussed different points with the doctors and patients. Dean, Dr Geeta Guin and other senior doctors accompanied the Principal Secretary during her visit at Surgery, Medicine and Pediatric Departments in the Old Building.

During discussion with faculties, Deshmukh sought details about treatment being offered to the patients under Ayushman Yojana and instructed the hospital management to ensure best facilities for patients. The Principal Secretary also took details about cleanliness and food arrangements for patients in the hospital.
PM Modi chairs meeting with senior Ministers





NEW DELHI :

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. Modi arrived here in the early hours of Monday from State visits to the US and Egypt.
By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch two Vande Bharat trains from Bhopal to Jabalpur and another from Bhopal to Indore via Shri Mahakal Nagari, Ujjain. Later, PM Modi will also participate in the BJPs programme, said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday. The Prime Minister will visit State capital only. Prime Ministers visit to Shahdol has been postponed due to possibility of heavy rains on Tuesday. Now, the Prime Minister will visit Shahdol on July 1, said CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaking to media, CM Chouhan on Monday said, Due to the possibility of heavy rains on June 27, PM Modis schedule visit to Lalpur and Pakaria in Shahdol district has been postponed.

The arrangements for the programme will also continue in Lalpur. PM Modis programmes in Bhopal will remain the same, Chouhan added. This will be the Prime Ministers first visit after returning from the historic US tour, he added. Denying charges of vote bank politics on Rani Durgavatis by BJP, CM Chouhan has told The Hitavada BJP used to commemorate freedom fighters and great personalities who have devoted their lives for the sake of the people. It is not Congress who remembers members of a single family. Security has been beefed up at the State capital in view of the high profile visits here consecutively for two days.

On Monday, President of Bharatiya Janata Party J P Nadda had come to Bhopal. Followed by Prime Ministers visit on Tuesday. Augmenting security arrangements at the State capital where more than three thousand police personnel have been deployed for these two days of high profile visits. Area falls under a three kilometre radius from BU University, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station and Motilal Nehru Stadium areas have been declared Red zones. Once again, the clouds looming over Prime Minister Narendra Modis proposed roadshow forced the organisers to cancle the event, official told on Monday.
PoK is, was and will remain a part of India: Rajnath





JAMMU (J&K) :

PAKISTAN Occupied Kashmir (POK) is, was and will remain a part of India and the Pakistan Government will achieve nothing by repeatedly claiming PoK, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Jammu on Monday. He emphasised that illegal occupation of the PoK does not make locus standi of Pakistan. 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 three proposals of this intention have now been passed in the Parliament, Singh said. Defence Minister was addressing a security conclave organised at Jammu University on internal and external dimensions of the countrys defence mechanism, with a particular focus on J&K. A large part of Jammu and Kashmir is under the occupation of Pakistan. People on other side are seeing that people are living their lives peacefully in J&K. People living in POK going through a lot of suffering and they will raise demand to go with India, Singh said. Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, he said that BJP abrogated the article and did justice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who were been unfairly treated for decades. Because of Article 370 and 35A, the common people of Jammu and Kashmir were kept away from the mainstream of the country for a long time, it was a hindrance in taking action against any anti-national force, he said. He further said that the general public is happy with the decision of abrogation of Article 370. The trouble is only for those whose shop of hatred and separatism is getting closed, Singh said.

We have managed to stop the funding of terrorism, stopped the supply of weapons and drugs and along with the elimination of terrorists, the work of dismantling the network of underground workers working here is also going on, he added. He further said that the Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Modi with US President Joe Biden has made it clear that India has changed the mindset of the whole world including America on the issue of terrorism. The countries that use terrorism as a state policy have to under stand very well that this game is not going to last long, today most of the big countries of the world are united against terrorism, he said. The Minister also said that despite perception differences with China, there are some agreements and protocols following which the armies of both countries patrol at borders. Our other neighbour country is China. Even with China, many times there are differences on some issues. It is true that there is a perception difference regarding the border with China for a long time.

Despite this, there are some agreements and protocols following which the armies of both countries patrol at borders. These agreements were made in the time of Narasimha Rao ji, Atalji and in the time of Dr Manmohan Singh ji on the basis of the consent of both the countries, he said. He also said that the dispute in East Ladakh in 2020 arose because Chinese forces ignored the agreed protocols. The reason for the dispute that arose in East Ladakh in the year 2020 was that the Chinese forces ignored the Agreed Protocols. Chinese Army PLA tried to make some changes on LAC in a unilateral manner which was thwarted by Indian troops, he added. Singh further said that 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 the world came to know what is the meaning of Zero Tolerance against Terrorism. AFSPA has been removed from large parts of North East as we have successfully controlled the problem of insurgency in North East India. I am waiting for the day when there will be Permanent Peace in J-K and there will be a chance to remove AFSPA from here too, he said.
US-India friendship most consequential: Biden





By Lalit K Jha

Washington,

The US-India relationship is among the most consequential in the world with bilateral ties more dynamic than ever, US President Joe Biden has said after the two countries elevated their strategic technology partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modis historic state visit. 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 its stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever, US President Biden tweeted on Sunday.

Responding 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. Tagging Bidens 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 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.
Youth killed over old rivalry in Bantallaiyya area





Staff Reporter

A youth was killed after stabbing with sharp-edged weapon over an old rivalry during a marriage function in Bantallaiyya area under the jurisdiction of Belbagh police station late night on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Mohit Munnalal Prajapati (22), a resident of Panagar. According to Belbagh police, they received information about an attack and injured was rushed at hospital in Bhantallaiyya area. Learning about the incident, a police team reached the hospital and learnt that the injured was declared brought dead. A youth Milan Prajapati, a resident of Panagar informed that his younger brother Mohit went to attend the marriage function of Pawan Parajapati at Bhantallaiyya Government School ground.

During the marriage function, cousins of groom Nicky Pappu Prajapati started abusing him when Mohit objected him. Meanwhile, Nicky took out a knife and attacked the abdomen of Mohit for two-three times. The injured was rushed to hospital where he was declared brought dead. Milan further informed that the accused Nicky is a habitual criminal earlier he attacked him with sharp edged weapon. Acting on the complaint, Belbagh police have registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC while further investigations are on.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Turkmenistan will start supplying electricity to Pakistan via a power transmission line from a power plant in the Turkmen city of Mary to the Afghan city of Herat, Trend reports.

According to the information, the power transmission line, which is under construction, will be able to supply not only to Pakistan, but also to other countries of South Asia.

The Mary Hydroelectric Power Station is equipped with two installations provided by the US General Electric company, enabling the production capacity of up to 3,580 MW/hours of electricity per day.

In addition, work is currently underway to increase the volume of electricity sent along the Serhetabat  Herat  Towrgondi and Rabatkashan  Kalainau (Turkmenistan  Afghanistan) routes.

Turkmenistan is actively integrating into the common energy system of Central Asia.

The country is expected to significantly increase the volume of electricity exports by 8.7 percent by 2025. The achievement of this goal will be facilitated by the construction of new power plants, power transmission lines, modern transformer substations and energy distribution facilities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Uzbekistans Yashil Energiya Company has reached an agreement with Tongwei Solar (Hefei) Company, a Chinese company specializing in the production of solar cells and wafers, Trend reports.

This contract entails the supply of photovoltaic modules for small-scale renewable energy sources in Uzbekistan. The installation of these modules is intended on buildings and structures belonging to social facilities, government agencies, and other organizations. The cumulative capacity of these installations is expected to reach up to 300 MW.

Tongwei Solar is the leading manufacturer of solar cells and wafers globally, recognized as a top-tier company in the industry. Their photovoltaic modules have spread in numerous regional markets around the world, particularly in the field of photovoltaic energy production.

The annual production capacity of Tongwei solar panels exceeds 45 GW, while the overall production capacity of solar cells exceeds 100 GW per year.

According to the Center for Economic Research and Reforms of Uzbekistan (CERR), China and Uzbekistan have great potential for expanding cooperation in the field of alternative energy.

The Center highlighted the potential of collaboration with prominent Chinese companies like JinkoSolar Holding Company, JA Solar Technology Company, Trina Solar Company, LONGi Green Energy Technology Company, and Suntech to drive the growth of Uzbekistan's energy sector. Creating joint ventures with these companies will enable the establishment of solar panel production in Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, partnering with Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co. presents an opportunity for cooperation in wind turbine production.
Abacus Planning Group Inc. cut its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:EEM  Get Rating) by 2.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 72,575 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 2,164 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF accounts for about 0.7% of Abacus Planning Group Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Abacus Planning Group Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $2,864,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. City State Bank boosted its position in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 686.1% during the 4th quarter. City State Bank now owns 1,077 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 940 shares during the period. Finally, Regimen Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. 82.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Stock Up 0.3 %

EEM opened at $39.30 on Tuesday. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a fifty-two week low of $33.49 and a fifty-two week high of $42.53. The business has a 50-day moving average of $39.29 and a 200-day moving average of $39.40.

About iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded equity securities in global emerging markets, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the Index).

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Shares of Azarga Metals Corp. (CVE:AZR  Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$0.10 and last traded at C$0.10, with a volume of 1000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.01.

Azarga Metals Trading Up 900.0 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 0.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 208.67. The firm has a market capitalization of C$20.81 million, a PE ratio of -0.21 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.01 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.02.

Azarga Metals Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Azarga Metals Corp. engages in the exploration and development of mineral resource projects in Russia. It owns a 100% interest in the Unkur copper-silver project located in the Zabaikalsky administrative region in eastern Russia; and the Marg copper project located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The company was formerly known as European Uranium Resources Ltd.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Chunghwa Telecom Stock Down 0.8 %

Chunghwa Telecom stock opened at $39.90 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $38.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.25 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. Chunghwa Telecom has a 1-year low of $32.90 and a 1-year high of $43.61.

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Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:CHT  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Chunghwa Telecom had a net margin of 16.92% and a return on equity of 9.54%. The company had revenue of $1.78 billion during the quarter.

Chunghwa Telecom Cuts Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chunghwa Telecom

The company also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 29th will be paid a dividend of $1.5291 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 28th. Chunghwa Telecoms dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 75.32%.

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CHT. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Chunghwa Telecom during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 184.2% in the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 790 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 512 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its position in Chunghwa Telecom by 50.0% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,754 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 585 shares during the period. 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 worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 1,679 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its position in shares of Chunghwa Telecom by 50.6% during the 3rd 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. 2.45% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Chunghwa Telecom

(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.

Further Reading

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Vapotherm (NYSE:VAPO  Get Rating) and Cochlear (OTCMKTS:CHEOF  Get Rating) are both medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings and risk.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Vapotherm and Cochlears revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vapotherm $66.80 million 0.30 -$113.26 million ($3.82) -0.11 Cochlear N/A N/A N/A $1.64 92.50

Cochlear has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Vapotherm. Vapotherm is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cochlear, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Profitability

53.7% of Vapotherm shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.5% of Cochlear shares are owned by institutional investors. 15.8% of Vapotherm shares are owned by 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 Vapotherm and Cochlears net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vapotherm -172.33% -1,250.70% -76.03% Cochlear N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Vapotherm and Cochlear, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vapotherm 1 2 0 0 1.67 Cochlear 0 0 0 0 N/A

Vapotherm currently has a consensus price target of $2.00, indicating a potential upside of 365.12%. Given Vapotherms higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Vapotherm is more favorable than Cochlear.

Summary

Cochlear beats Vapotherm on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vapotherm

(Get Rating)

Vapotherm, Inc., a medical technology company, focuses on the development and commercialization of proprietary high velocity therapy products used to treat patients of various ages suffering from respiratory distress in the United States and internationally. The company offers precision flow systems, such as HVT 2.0, Precision Flow Hi-VNI, Precision Flow Plus, Precision Flow Classic, and Precision Flow Heliox that deliver heated, humidified, and oxygenated air at a high velocity to treat patients through a small-bore nasal interface. It also provides companion products, including Vapotherm Transfer Unit, which allows patients to be transferred between care areas within the hospital or ambulate while on therapy; Q50 compressor, which provides compressed air necessary to run the precision flow systems; aerosol aeroneb adaptor to facilitate delivery of ultrasonic aerosolized medication; aerosol disposable patient circuit that is designed to streamline the provision of continuous and intermittent delivery of aerosol medication; and tracheostomy adaptors. In addition, Vapotherm, Inc. offers ProSoft cannula to provide gentle contact with the skin; and disposable products comprising single-use disposables and nasal interfaces, as well as Oxygen Assist Modules, which helps clinicians maintain oxygen levels within a target range. The company sells its products to hospitals. Vapotherm, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Exeter, New Hampshire.

About Cochlear

(Get Rating)

Cochlear Limited provides implantable hearing solutions for children and adults worldwide. It offers cochlear implant systems, sound processor upgrades, bone conduction systems, accessories, and other products. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. The Agartala-Akhaura rail line project, which will connect Indias Northeastern state of Tripura with Bangladesh, is expected to be operational by the end of this year, ThePrint has learnt.

The 15-km-long project, which was sanctioned in 2003 and signed by both countries in 2013, aims to enhance bilateral trade and tourism, as well as reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka. The foundation stone was laid in 2016. Once operational, it will reduce the travel time between Agartala and Kolkata, via Dhaka to 10 hours from 31 hours, Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway, told ThePrint Friday.

Of the 15 km link, 33.52 percent (5.05 kilometers) is in India and the remaining 10.014 kilometers is in Bangladesh. The project was originally supposed to be completed by 2020 but got delayed because of a host of reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

The project is part of Indias Act East Policy, which aims to promote economic cooperation and develop strategic ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The Northeast has been earmarked as a priority region in this policy.

The railway line will link Akhaura Junction railway station in Bangladesh with Agartala through an international immigration station at Nischintapur (that falls on the India-Bangladesh border), which will be a dual gauge station for both passenger and goods interchange.

The Indian Railways portion has a broad gauge system while the portion in Akhaura has a metre gauge system, De explained.

In a broad gauge, the distance between the two tracks is 1.676m, while in the metre gauge system, the distance stands at one metre.

So far, 85 percent of work on the Indian side of the railway line has been completed while close to 75 percent of the work on the Bangladesh side is over, though some issue has cropped up regarding its funding, a source in the railways ministry, who wished to not be named, told ThePrint.
Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. (EFH.TO) (TSE:EFH  Get Rating) shares rose 2% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as C$1.51 and last traded at C$1.51. Approximately 2,900 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average daily volume of 51,759 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.48.

Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. (EFH.TO) Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of C$18.13 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.55. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$1.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78.

About Echelon Financial Holdings Inc. (EFH.TO)

(Get Rating)

Echelon Financial Holdings Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance products and services in Canada. It operates in two segments, Personal Lines and Commercial Lines. The Personal Lines segment primarily underwrites automobile and personal property insurance. The Commercial Lines segment designs and underwrites commercial property and automobile insurance.

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British Land (OTCMKTS:BTLCY  Get Rating) and Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (OTCMKTS:HENKY  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, risk and earnings.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.0% of British Land shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 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.

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Dividends

British Land pays an annual dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.1%. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA pays an annual dividend of $0.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%.

Volatility and Risk

Profitability

British Land has a beta of 1.6, meaning that its share price is 60% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has a beta of 0.63, meaning that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500.

This table compares British Land and Henkel AG & Co. KGaAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets British Land N/A N/A N/A Henkel AG & Co. KGaA N/A N/A N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares British Land and Henkel AG & Co. KGaAs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio British Land $503.89 million 6.88 -$1.25 billion N/A N/A Henkel AG & Co. KGaA $23.60 billion 1.28 $1.33 billion N/A N/A

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has higher revenue and earnings than British Land.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for British Land and Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score British Land 3 1 3 0 2.00 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA 4 2 1 0 1.57

British Land currently has a consensus price target of $456.67, indicating a potential upside of 12,110.34%. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has a consensus price target of $61.50, indicating a potential upside of 251.23%. Given British Lands stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe British Land is more favorable than Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

Summary

British Land beats Henkel AG & Co. KGaA on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About British Land

(Get Rating)

Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics assets throughout the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at 13.0bn (British Land share: 8.9bn) as at 31 March 2023 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies. We create Places People Prefer, delivering the best, most sustainable places for our customers and communities. Our strategy is to leverage our best in class platform and proven expertise in development, repositioning and active management, investing behind two key themes: Campuses and Retail & London Urban Logistics. Our three Campuses at Broadgate, Paddington Central and Regent's Place are dynamic neighbourhoods, attracting growth customers and sectors, and offering some of the best connected, highest quality and most sustainable space in London. We are delivering our fourth Campus at Canada Water, where we have planning consent to deliver 5m sq ft of residential, commercial, retail and community space over 53 acres. Our Campuses account for 63% of our portfolio. Retail & London Urban Logistics accounts for 37% of the portfolio and is focused on retail parks which are aligned to the growth of convenience, online and last mile fulfilment. We are complementing this with urban logistics primarily in London, focused on development-led opportunities. Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our approach is focused on three key pillars where British Land can create the most benefit: Greener Spaces, making our whole portfolio net zero carbon by 2030, Thriving Places, partnering to grow social value and wellbeing in the communities where we operate and Responsible Choices, advocating responsible business practices across British Land and throughout our supply chain, and maintaining robust governance structures.

About Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

(Get Rating)

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the adhesive technologies, beauty care, and laundry and home care businesses worldwide. The company's Adhesive Technologies segment offers adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings for various business areas, including packaging and consumer goods; automotive and metals; electronics and industrials; and craftsmen, construction, and professional industries. This segment markets its products primarily under the Loctite, Technomelt, Bonderite, Teroson, and Aquence brands. Its Beauty Care segment provides hair cosmetics; and body, skin, and oral care products, as well as operates professional hair salons. This segment distributes its products through brick-and-mortar stores, hair salons, third-party online platforms, and direct-to-consumer channels primarily under the Schwarzkopf, Dial, and Syoss brands. The company's Laundry & Home Care segment offers heavy-duty and specialty detergents, fabric softeners, laundry performance enhancers, and other fabric care products; hand and automatic dishwashing products; cleaners for bathroom and WC applications; household, glass, and specialty cleaners; and air fresheners and insect control products for household applications. This segment markets its products primarily under the Persil, Bref, Purex, all, and other brands. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA was founded in 1876 and is headquartered in Dusseldorf, Germany.

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First Citizens Bancshares (OTC:FIZN  Get Rating) is one of 273 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare First Citizens Bancshares to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, earnings, valuation, dividends and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets First Citizens Bancshares N/A N/A N/A First Citizens Bancshares Competitors 33.36% 10.33% 0.91%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score First Citizens Bancshares 0 0 0 0 N/A First Citizens Bancshares Competitors 1049 3184 3101 18 2.28

Dividends

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 313.91%. Given First Citizens Bancshares rivals higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Citizens Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

First Citizens Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.45 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. First Citizens Bancshares pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 12.9% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares First Citizens Bancshares and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio First Citizens Bancshares N/A N/A 16.87 First Citizens Bancshares Competitors $1.84 billion $516.80 million 261.48

First Citizens Bancshares rivals have higher revenue and earnings than First Citizens Bancshares. First Citizens Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

0.1% of First Citizens Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.3% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held 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.

Summary

First Citizens Bancshares rivals beat First Citizens Bancshares on 9 of the 10 factors compared.

About First Citizens Bancshares

(Get Rating)

First Citizens Bancshares, Inc., through its subsidiary, First Citizens National Bank, provides various commercial banking services to individuals and corporate customers. The company offers checking and savings deposits, as well as certificates of deposit; and residential, commercial, and consumer lending products. It also provides personal and home loans; and home equity line of credit. In addition, the company provides commercial real estate, construction and facility, equipment financing, residential development and construction, operating loans and lines of credit, and SBA and United States department of agriculture (USDA) loans, as well as debit and credit card services. Further, it offers home purchase and refinancing, and reverse mortgages; mobile, telephone/text, and online banking services; e-statements; investment, insurance, and retirement and benefit services; and trust, overdraft, identity theft protection, and treasury services, as well as safe deposit boxes. First Citizens Bancshares, Inc. was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

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MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag (OTCMKTS:MGYOY  Get Rating) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Rating) are both energy companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag and Chevron, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag 0 0 0 0 N/A Chevron 0 8 13 0 2.62

Chevron has a consensus target price of $191.68, indicating a potential upside of 24.46%. Given Chevrons higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Chevron is more favorable than MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag N/A N/A N/A Chevron 14.74% 23.15% 14.25%

Dividends

This table compares MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag and Chevrons net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag pays an annual dividend of $229.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 5,191.1%. Chevron pays an annual dividend of $6.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag pays out -60.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Chevron pays out 32.6% 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. Chevron has increased its dividend for 37 consecutive years. MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag and Chevrons top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag N/A N/A N/A ($380.55) -0.01 Chevron $246.25 billion 1.18 $35.47 billion $18.52 8.32

Chevron has higher revenue and earnings than MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag. MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Chevron, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.0% of MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 69.7% of Chevron shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Chevron shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Chevron beats MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag

(Get Rating)

MOL Magyar Olaj- es Gazipari Nyilvanosan Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated oil and gas company in Hungary and internationally. The also company engages in oil and gas exploration, and production of assets and related activities; and provides range of refined products including gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, lubricants, bitumen, Sulphur and liquefied petroleum gas which are marketed to household, industrial, and transport use. In addition, it offers consumer services comprising retail services, which operates a network of approximately 2,000 service stations under MOL, Slovnaft, INA, Tifon, Energopetrol, and PapOil brands; mobility solutions, which includes car and bike sharing, fleet management, and public transport services; and digital factory including data science, master data management, loyalty, customer relationship management, campaign management, API integration, omnichannel, and payment services. The company also provides industrial services, which includes oilfield chemical technologies comprising hydrate inhibition, and selective Sulphur removal; and oilfield services including drilling, workover, pressure pumping, cementing and stimulation, coiled tubing and nitrogen, tubular handling, well test, slickline, wireline mud logging, and seismic data processing service lines. Further, it operates natural gas transmission pipeline system. Additionally, it offers real estate, accounting, pipeline, leasing, machinery and equipment, investment, repair and maintenances, production and distribution of mineral water, marketing agent, transportation, power production, geothermal, insurance, financial, and security services; and firefighting, tourism, hydrocarbon exploration, wholesale and retail trade, rental, hospitality, caring, engineering, technical consultancy, and plastic compounding services. The company was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Budapest, Hungary.

About Chevron

(Get Rating)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant. The Downstream segment refines crude oil into petroleum products; markets crude oil, refined products, and lubricants; manufactures and markets renewable fuels; transports crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corporation and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in San Ramon, California.

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Babylon Holdings Limited (NYSE:BBLN  Get Rating) major shareholder (Cyprus) Ltd Vnv sold 62,457 shares of Babylon stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $0.58, for a total value of $36,225.06. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,178,767 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,843,684.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Large shareholders that own at least 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

(Cyprus) Ltd Vnv also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, June 15th, (Cyprus) Ltd Vnv sold 93,228 shares of Babylon stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.58, for a total transaction of $54,072.24.

Babylon Trading Down 9.5 %

NYSE BBLN traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $0.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 814,937 shares, compared to its average volume of 416,404. The company has a market capitalization of $17.86 million, a PE ratio of -0.03 and a beta of 2.42. Babylon Holdings Limited has a 52 week low of $0.46 and a 52 week high of $29.00. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $2.87 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.75.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Babylon ( NYSE:BBLN Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported ($2.53) earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $311.12 million during the quarter.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on BBLN shares. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Babylon from $15.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Friday, March 10th. BTIG Research cut Babylon from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, May 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Babylon

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in shares of Babylon by 1,051.2% in the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 159,645 shares of the companys stock valued at $813,000 after purchasing an additional 145,777 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Babylon by 14.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 208,624 shares of the companys stock valued at $99,000 after buying an additional 26,449 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC bought a new position in shares of Babylon during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $49,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Babylon by 22.5% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,120,998 shares of the companys stock worth $1,002,000 after buying an additional 390,215 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD bought a new position in shares of Babylon in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,903,000. 37.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Babylon Company Profile

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Babylon Holdings Limited operates as a digital healthcare company. It offers end-to-end care solution that facilities through its digital health suite, virtual care, in-person medical care, and post-care offerings. The company provides Babylon Cloud and clinical services. Babylon Holdings Limited was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

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Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (CVE:RECO  Get Rating) shares fell 12.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as C$1.07 and last traded at C$1.16. 358,534 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 94% from the average session volume of 184,409 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$1.32.

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Price Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average is C$1.31 and its 200-day moving average is C$1.46. The stock has a market cap of C$238.34 million, a PE ratio of -6.16 and a beta of 1.43.

Reconnaissance Energy Africa Company Profile

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Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd., a junior oil and gas company, engages in exploration and development of oil and gas potential in Namibia and Botswana. It holds a 90% interest in a petroleum exploration license that covers an area of approximately 25,341.33 km2 located in Namibia; and 100% working interest in a petroleum license, which covers an area of 8,990 square km2 located in northwestern Botswana.

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SIRIUS XM CDA HLDG SUB-VTG (OTCMKTS:SIICF  Get Rating)s stock price shot up 0.1% on Monday . The company traded as high as $3.35 and last traded at $3.35. 100 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average session volume of 1,786 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.34.

SIRIUS XM CDA HLDG SUB-VTG Stock Up 0.1 %

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $3.35.

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TELUS Co. (TSE:T  Get Rating) (NYSE:TU) has earned an average recommendation of Buy from the six ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is C$32.17.

Several research analysts have commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on TELUS from C$32.00 to C$33.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Scotiabank cut their price objective on TELUS from C$31.00 to C$29.50 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their target price on shares of TELUS from C$33.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Cormark dropped their price target on shares of TELUS from C$33.00 to C$32.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of TELUS from C$31.00 to C$32.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 5th.

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TELUS Stock Performance

TELUS stock opened at C$25.21 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$26.93 and a 200-day moving average of C$27.28. The company has a market capitalization of C$36.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.71. TELUS has a 1 year low of C$25.21 and a 1 year high of C$30.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 152.41, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.52.

TELUS Increases Dividend

TELUS ( TSE:T Get Rating ) (NYSE:TU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported C$0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.28 by C($0.01). The business had revenue of C$4.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$4.86 billion. TELUS had a net margin of 7.63% and a return on equity of 8.98%. On average, equities research analysts predict that TELUS will post 1.0611318 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a $0.364 dividend. This is an increase from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. This represents a $1.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. TELUSs payout ratio is presently 140.78%.

TELUS Company Profile

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TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network revenue; mobile technologies equipment sale; data revenues, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services.

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TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE:THS  Get Rating) Director Mark Hunter sold 7,828 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.41, for a total value of $410,265.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,567 shares in the company, valued at $239,356.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

TreeHouse Foods Stock Down 1.4 %

THS stock traded down $0.71 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $51.15. The companys stock had a trading volume of 206,541 shares, compared to its average volume of 343,719. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.88 billion, a P/E ratio of -22.43 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. TreeHouse Foods, Inc. has a 52-week low of $39.78 and a 52-week high of $55.30.

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TreeHouse Foods (NYSE:THS  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The company reported $0.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $894.80 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $850.83 million. TreeHouse Foods had a positive return on equity of 5.90% and a negative net margin of 3.23%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 15.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned ($0.15) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that TreeHouse Foods, Inc. will post 2.61 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Institutional Trading of TreeHouse Foods

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of TreeHouse Foods from $53.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th. UBS Group boosted their target price on TreeHouse Foods from $60.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Barclays raised their price target on TreeHouse Foods from $49.00 to $57.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on TreeHouse Foods in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James & Associates lifted its holdings in TreeHouse Foods by 5.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 32,412 shares of the companys stock worth $1,046,000 after buying an additional 1,607 shares during the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. raised its holdings in TreeHouse Foods by 9.4% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 51,469 shares of the companys stock worth $1,660,000 after purchasing an additional 4,405 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of TreeHouse Foods by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,652 shares of the companys stock worth $182,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in shares of TreeHouse Foods by 72.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 36,709 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,198,000 after buying an additional 15,386 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of TreeHouse Foods by 52.8% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 28,727 shares of the companys stock valued at $927,000 after buying an additional 9,923 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.55% of the companys stock.

About TreeHouse Foods

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TreeHouse Foods, Inc manufactures and distributes private label foods and beverages in the United States and internationally. The company provides snacking product, such as crackers, pretzels, in-store bakery items, frozen griddle items, cookies, snack bars, and unique candy; and beverage and drink mix, including non-dairy creamer, single serve beverages, broths/stocks, powdered beverages and other blends, tea, and ready-to-drink-beverages.

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Analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Get Rating) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Sunday. The firm set a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Price Performance

Shares of XIN stock opened at $3.44 on Friday. Xinyuan Real Estate has a one year low of $2.95 and a one year high of $9.20. The companys fifty day moving average price is $3.57 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.87, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 0.96.

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Institutional Trading of Xinyuan Real Estate

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Get Rating) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 478,629 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $536,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. owned about 0.90% of Xinyuan Real Estate as of its most recent filing with the SEC. 1.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Xinyuan Real Estate

Xinyuan Real Estate Co Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the acquisition, investment, and development of real estate properties. It operates through the following geographical segments: Henan Region, Shandong Region, Shanghai Region, Sichuan Region, Beijing Region, Hainan Region, Hunan Region, Shaanxi Region, Guangdong Region, Hubei Region, Liaoning Region, and the United States.

Further Reading

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said the State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go down in history as the turning of a page and starting of a bold new chapter in India-US relations.

He also said that it is more than a relationship between the two countries.

"It's a friendship, it's genuine and it's deep.

I think this visit will go down in history as the turning of a page and the starting of a bold new chapter in US and India relations. It's the culmination of years and even decades of work, Garcetti told PTI in an interview.

He also said that it has leapfrogged beyond many of the expectations, whether it's been a personal relationship between Prime Minister Modi and President Joe Biden, whether it was breadth and depth of the work done by the governments, or whether it was the people to people ties, business leaders and cultural leaders and everyday Americans and Indians.

This really is about the future. And I think America and India are the future, stronger together and showing a vision of how we can create a more prosperous world for everyone if this relationship deepens, 52-year-old Garcetti said.

On the takeaways from the visit, Garcetti noted the four Ps - peace, prosperity, planet, and people.

He said when it comes to peace, real defence deliverables and the sharing of deeper technology than the United States has done, even with most of its closest allies, on prosperity, finally putting trade disputes behind us, deepening the technological cooperation and supply chains, on the issue of the planet, work of climate, space and ocean.

In the people-to-people ties opening up of new consulates.

This is an all-arena relationship now. And it's more than a relationship. It's a friendship, it's genuine and it's deep, he said.

Garcetti said this moment is defined by optimism and I don't see that optimism waning in the years ahead. But I think there is a realisation that we do have to plan not just for this moment, that we have to plan for the next 20-25 years.

He said that there are people who don't share our values who have planned for the long term, who aren't democracies, that don't see technology as something to help people's lives, that maybe are not interested in helping or moving our work to combat climate change.

He noted that for the next 25 years, India and the US must prepare for much more than what they have today.

The number of good things we need to do together, we need to prepare for the rise of the middle class in India... we have to prepare for a way that US and India can really build supply chains that help the world de-risk, he said.

He further added that New Delhi and Washington have to make sure that our military cooperation isn't just aspirational and occasional, but it's a true deterrent to bad actors and can help preserve a world based on the rule of law and order.

On the relationship between Modi and Biden, Garcetti said while world leaders need to talk to each other, from what I saw reflected in that they (Modi and Biden) love to talk to each other. They need to spend time together. But they also love to spend time together. And that is so important. Whether it's for things that are easy to talk about or some of the more difficult challenges that we face.

He said during the State Visit, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi were together on about six or seven occasions, and it was as enthusiastic and warm to the very end as it was the first moment they saw each other.

The US envoy said that "the Indian dream to me in 2023 mirrors what the American Dream has been for so long. This idea that doesn't matter where you come from, if you set your sights high and work hard, with a little luck, anybody should be able to go as far as she wants."

When people say they know India, I always doubt that because there are so many Indias. And if people want to simplify India, I would say what's beautiful about India is its complexity, to see the difference in culture, cuisine and language, to understand the vibrancy of the political opinions that people hold, to spend time with those that are struggling to build the kind of world and country they want to see - that to me is very inspiring."

It's not always a perfect picture, no country is. But to me, it's an inspiring picture. I couldn't think of a better job. I'm having the time of my life. This is the best job I could ever imagine having, and the best country I could ever imagine the President sending me to represent our country.

On March 16, Garcetti was confirmed by the US Senate as the country's next ambassador to India, filling the key diplomatic position that had been vacant for more than two years.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Moldova has started the process of withdrawing from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, Speaker of Moldova's Parliament Igor Grosu said, Trend reports.

He noted that the draft decision is in the government and is expected to be considered in the future.

Moldova is also analyzing its legislative framework and other agreements signed with the CIS.

The Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA) is an interstate body of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The IPA CIS is composed of the parliamentary delegations of the Member Nations. The delegates are appointed or elected by the national parliaments.
Whats new? For sixteen-plus years, the U.S. has helped wage war on Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. While President Joe Biden has wound down U.S. participation in some post-9/11 conflicts, he has approached Somalia differently  reversing his predecessors decision to withdraw U.S. forces. U.S. troops are now supporting Mogadishus offensive against Al-Shabaab.

Why does it matter? Washingtons Somalia policy focuses on containing the perceived Al-Shabaab threat to U.S. interests militarily, with too little focus on reconciliation and conflict resolution. A major mishap involving U.S. forces or changing U.S. politics could lead Washington to withdraw.

What should be done? The U.S. should rebalance its policy by increasing stabilisation assistance and better helping Somalia address political rifts impeding conflict resolution. The offensive creates governance and reconciliation opportunities the U.S. should encourage. Washington should also prepare for the possibility of negotiations between Mogadishu and Al-Shabaab.

Executive Summary

In May 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden reversed the eleventh-hour decision of his predecessor, Donald Trump, to pull U.S. troops out of Somalia. Biden wanted U.S. soldiers on the ground to help the Danab, an elite Somali special operations unit fighting the Al-Shabaab Islamist insurgency. But the seemingly straightforward decision masked a tangle of contradictions and questions. On one hand, Biden had run for president promising to end U.S. engagement in forever wars launched after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. On the other hand, his administration had proven willing to continue certain post-9/11 missions. But to what ultimate end was, in Somalia, unclear. Even with recent gains, a decisive victory for Somali forces over Al-Shabaab seems out of reach. Meanwhile, U.S. politics are fickle, and a change of administration could mean an abrupt end to the mission. If the U.S. wants its engagement in Somalia to have lasting benefits for regional peace and security, it should rebalance its approach. It should develop a peacebuilding strategy focused on stabilisation and political reconciliation to complement its military operations to contain Al-Shabaab.

For years, the U.S. agenda in Somalia has been centred around counter-terrorism. Following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. embarked on a series of military campaigns  colloquially known as the global war on terror  to destroy al-Qaeda and its affiliates. Seeing Somalia as a largely ungoverned space where jihadist militants could thrive, Washington soon made the country a front in its wide-ranging war. Its targets were Islamist militants it deemed linked to al-Qaeda, a category that eventually widened to include Al-Shabaab. It mostly went after the insurgents from the air while an African Union (AU) force battled them on the ground, but in 2013, President Barack Obama also sent a small contingent of U.S. troops into Somalia to train a special operations unit, the Danab, to fight Al-Shabaab. U.S. military operations reached their peak under Obamas successor, President Donald Trump, whose gloves off approach failed to bring the group to heel.

Then, shortly after losing his bid for re-election in November 2020, the mercurial Trump shifted gears, signing a one-page directive ordering the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Somalia. The Pentagon followed the letter of Trumps order, repositioning units to neighbouring Djibouti and Kenya, but the troops continued to cycle in and out of Somalia, supporting the Danab as though little had changed. The general in charge, Stephen Townsend, described the new force posture as commuting to work. It might have been less efficient than the prior arrangement, and the troops might have been exposed to greater risk, but it kept the mission alive.

This situation presented President Biden with an awkward choice when he took the reins of government in January 2021. As the U.S. approached the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks still fighting a sprawling war on terror, he had promised on the campaign trail to wind down what he described as forever wars. But the commitment was less than tightly framed, and included nothing specific with respect to Somalia. The question of how to translate the stump speeches into policy was left to be worked out through a series of policy reviews to be conducted during his first months in office.

After the deliberations over U.S. engagement in Somalia were concluded, Biden made his choice: the troops would return. There were several factors at play. First, there was an argument that U.S. troops had never really left but were shuttling in and out of the country, a half-in-half-out posture that at some level defied common sense. Secondly, Townsend mounted a vigorous advocacy campaign contending that Al-Shabaab posed a threat to U.S. interests abroad and even the United States itself  persuading the Defense Department to advocate for sending the troops back in. Thirdly, the State Department and National Security Council staff sided with the Pentagon, believing U.S. engagement still offered more benefits than costs to U.S. interests in Somalia and the surrounding region.

It was at least as important, however, that no one was really pushing back at the Defense Departments position. While the Biden team took a major strategic decision (at some political cost) to remove U.S. forces from Afghanistan, once the central front of the war on terror, it did not make a wholesale commitment to rolling up all the post-9/11 conflicts, at least not right away. In places where it judged U.S. troops to serve an interest at low cost and low risk, Biden and his team were content to let operations continue. Somalia emerged as one such place.

The question is what happens now. Somalia has had pieces of good news of late. The AU reconfigured, renamed and extended its mission  albeit only until 2024  with UN and European Union support. After lengthy delays, federal elections wrapped up with the selection, in May 2022, of a new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Mohamud is both more fiercely committed to fighting Al-Shabaab and less divisive in his political style than his predecessor. U.S. troops are now working with Somali forces to press an offensive against the insurgents; a first phase focused in central Somalia made good progress, largely because of local clan collaboration; phase two (which will focus on the south) will be much more difficult.

The primary U.S. focus [in Somalia] is on containing the perceived threat posed by Al-Shabaab militarily.

But Somalia still faces enormous challenges. Most experts believe that Al-Shabaab cannot be defeated militarily. Rifts between the central government in Mogadishu and the federal member states are both deep and potentially dangerous, as are fault lines among different factions in the states themselves. In the meantime, the U.S. strategy appears to be to keep Somalia in a box in the words of one official. That is, the primary U.S. focus is on containing the perceived threat posed by Al-Shabaab militarily. These efforts are not, however, joined up with a long-term political or other approach that could help end the conflict.

The current approach might make sense if Washington intended to remain in Somalia forever, but Mogadishu cannot bank on that, and neither should U.S. policymakers. There are simply too many contingencies that could bring about a quick exit. A change of administration or an incident that results in U.S. casualties could easily reset cost-benefit calculations in the U.S., and lead Washington to complete the disengagement that Trump set out to accomplish but failed to make happen. Rather, U.S. and Somali leaders should look at how to optimise Washingtons engagement so that its actions on the battlefield are better balanced by efforts to achieve durable change though non-military means.

The U.S. should reallocate resources, and the attention of its senior officials, so that more effort goes into stabilisation  which can include a range of activities that help bring about conditions for peace  and political reconciliation. While Washington is appropriately cautious about what it can achieve in these realms, that may have led it to undersell what it has to contribute. It could usefully do more by (for example) funding quick-reaction projects in areas freed from Al-Shabaabs grip, helping Mogadishu launch a constitutionally required reconciliation mechanism and pushing other donors to finance this work. The U.S. should also quietly prepare for the possibility that the conflict could end through negotiations with the insurgents, which it should not impede.

After more than fifteen years fighting in Somalia, Washington must know that at some point it will need to pull back. In order to leave a legacy commensurate with its investment, it should broaden its approach, and do more to help Somalia build the cohesive political culture that can best serve as a platform for peace.

Mogadishu/Nairobi/New York/Washington/Brussels, 27 June 2023

A cursory look at the Oil and Gas host communities in Delta state reveals an area tensed up with a lot of issues, intrigues and hiccups. Their anger in the present moment, going by media reports, is precipitated by the alleged opaque manner the former governor of the state, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, managed the 13% Oil Derivation Fund that accrued to the state.

Correspondingly, It will not be characterized as hasty to conclude that there is presently in Delta state no agency or commission that is troubled as the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission(DESOPADEC), an agency created by the enabling Act in Delta state, to secure 50% of the 13% Oil Derivation Fund accruing to Delta State government and the received sum used for rehabilitation and development of oil-producing areas of the state as well as carry out other development projects as may be determined from time to time.

Supporting the above assertions is a recent statement by Edwin Clark, convener of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), where he alleged that Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta, misappropriated the states derivation fund amounting to N1.760 trillion. Pa Edwins bombshell was followed in quick succession by protest staged in Abuja by representatives of the Delta state Oil and gas host communities, calling on Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to investigate the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for allegedly misappropriating over N1tn oil derivation fund belonging to the state during his tenure.

While the coastal dwellers in their statement insisted that the former governor unlawfully diverted the aforementioned sum, the former Governors men are at work, thwarting every attempt to rubbish the reputation of their former boss. For instance, the immediate-past Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Ehiedu Charles Aniagwu, recently told the world that all the money Okowas administration got from Federation Account Allocation Committee, including derivation for the whole period in office amounted to N2.1trn and therefore described as wild goose chase HOSTCOMs narrative on N1trn.

But in all this, what this piece observed could be safely categorized into three parts; first, Senator Okowas led government brought to the oil and gas host communities flashes of streets/internal roads.

Beyond this acknowledgement, there exists also in the state a deeply neglected coastal area which doubles as oil and gas host communities where poverty, disease and illiteracy walked their creeks, rivers and estuaries and as a resultant effect, forced many children out of school not because of their unwillingness to learn, but occasioned by non availability/provision of schools in the area by the government. These are verifiable facts!

A movement by boat from Egbema Kingdom in Warri North Local Government Council to Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South, from Ogulaha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government to Kabowe in Patani Local Government Area, down to Bomadi Local Government Local Councils, among others, reveals a seemingly similar experience. They are all oil and gas bearing kingdoms and communities and play host to major crude oil platforms operated by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), but they have nothing to show for it.

Secondly, without going into critical analysis of claims by the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, that DESOPADEC got what was due to it according to the law establishing it, this piece believes that such declaration on DESOPADEC receiving a total of N208 billion in the eight years of his administration, as its rightful statutory funds appears inaccurate and, therefore, cannot hold water when faced with embarrassing arguments.

DESOPADEC, as noted in the first paragraph, is to secure 50% of the 13% Oil Derivation Fund accruing to Delta State government. With this in mind; is the former Governor saying that it was only 416 Billion naira that accrued as 13% derivation to the state in the past 8years, which summed DESOPADECs statutory 50% to N208 billion? Again, instead of giving a cumulative amount received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, what stops the former Governor and his supporters from specifying the exact amount received as 13% derivation?

While answer(s) to the above questions raised is awaited, the third and most dramatic point is DESOPADEC-specific. The non satisfactory development of the area within this period under review in my view remains an emblematic sign that the affairs of the coastal areas of the state was handed over to a bunch of politicians masquerading as leaders but lack public leadership acumen and orientation. To use the words of a public affairs commentator, they were people that spend more time with wines than with books.

Aside from turning the coastal part of the state to an endangered species via wicked human capital neglect and infrastructural abandonment, these leaders, in turn, neglected community relations and communication. And because of this non-participatory leadership style and engagement, each time communities ask for bread, the agency makes stones available and when the communities ask for fish, DESOPADEC provides a snake.

This piece will highlight two recent separate but related examples to support the above claims.

In October 2022, it was in the news that in the face of grave developmental challenges confronting the coastal dwellers in the state crying for attention, DESOPADEC leadership against all known logic opted for the donation of 50 grass-cutting machines to the people of Okerenkoko community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-Local Government Area of Delta state. Presenting the machines, the DESOPADEC commissioner noted that the donation of grass-cutting machines to the community was statutorily captured in the commissions 2021 budget; adding that the project was principally influenced by him''.

For those that are not conversant with the Okerenkoko community and may be tempted to believe that the donation was a right step taken in the right direction, they may see nothing wrong with the donation. But for someone that is familiar with the aforementioned community, the decision to donate these machines qualifies as a misguided priority.

In fact, there is everything wrong with the development. For instance, there is evidence which points to the fact that the community was neither consulted nor carried along before the decision was made. The grass-cutting machine donation, in the opinion of this piece, failed the NEEDS assessment stipulations.

The words of the youth leader from the community support this assertion.

Reacting to the development, the youth leader who spoke on behalf of the community among other things, said, We heard about the skill acquisition that is ongoing. We are appealing to the Commissioner to at least create some avenue for those skill acquisitions for our ladies, for the youth in this community so that they can go out there and learn skills to back themselves, put themselves in order.

From the above comment, one thing stands out; the fact that if given the opportunity, these knowledge-hungry youths in the community, who will provide the future leadership needs of the country, would have opted for skill acquisition. Instead of grass-cutting machines, the youths in the community would have preferred access to good schools where they will learn and compete with their peers across the globe. They were not just asking for more, rather, they asked for something new, different and more beneficial to their future.

Similarly, in November 2022, barely one month after, It was again reported that DESOPADEC leadership, invited the Local Government Chairmen of Burutu, Bomadi, Patani and Warri South West Local Government Areas of the state, to a shop in Warri city, Delta state, where it handed over relief materials purchased for the victims of the flood that ravaged almost all the communities/villages in the afore mentioned local Government councils.

The items distributed to the affected local governments were bags of garri, bags of rice, and bags of onions, bags of beans, noodles, vegetable oil, palm oil, toiletries, and foams, among others.

While the donation to flood victims is understandable, commendable and appreciated, some questions immediately come to mind as to why DESOPADEC management decided to be compassionate by proxy? What prevented DESOPADEC management from visiting the real victims of the flood to personally empathize with them? Is DESOPADEC management unaware that in the applied sense of the word, the real empathy lies more in the visit and emotional consolation of the flood victims than the so-called relief material sent through proxy? What will it cost DESOPADEC to pay a visit to these villages/communities in creeks?

What is the distance from Warri to Patani, Burutu and Bomadi that DESOPADEC management cannot send delegation? How will DESPODEC management ensure/ascertain that the relief materials got to the targeted beneficiaries without getting lost on transit or misdirected? If DESOPADEC management cannot visit the creeks in this period of crisis, what time will be more/most suitable to visit these people?

Even as this ugly leadership situation blossoms in the coastal communities of Delta State, the truth remains that if we look hard enough at the moment, we shall as a people discover that the challenge confronting the region is not too difficult to grasp. Rather, the challenge flourishes because agencies such as DESOPADEC and their administrators have routinely become reputed for taking decisions that breed poverty.

For me, While it is important that DESOPADEC's new leadership commits to mind the above admonition, this piece holds the opinion that to sustainably solve the problem of the coastal dwellers in the state, a compelling point the state government must not fail to remember is the present call by stakeholders on DESOPADEC management to emulate the Chevron Nigeria Limited template in community engagement. A template that deals directly with the host community and an approach the communities claimed has worked perfectly in the area of infrastructural provision.

On his part, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State should within this period execute for the oil and gas host communities legacy projects that will stand the test of time. In fact, it will not be out of place if a bridge is constructed to link and open these oil bearing communities.

Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO). [email protected]/08032725374 .
As danger of deglobalisation poses an enormous risk to developing countries, including Nigeria, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has reiterated the call for re-globalisation..

At the 13th World Chambers Congress, she disclosed to business leaders that the current multilateralism serves global interest , though it needs urgent reform.

Held every two years, the World Chambers Congress involves participants from around the world to address common challenges that shape the activities of chambers of commerce and businesses.

The countrys ex-minister of finance also noted that the rising geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing war in East Europe, climate shocks and the resulting disruptions to trade have spiked concerns about whether the multilateral trading system still works.

Okonjo-Iweala noted that the WTOs dispute settlement system still needs fixing to provide the certainty business needs.

She also advised, keeping the WTO fit for purpose for the 21st-century economy requires updating the organisations rulebook, particularly, with digital trade.

The future of trade is services, its digital, its green and it has to be inclusive,

We must push back against the pressures for global economic fragmentation, which would be costly and could well weaken supply resilience, the WTO DG said.

She further disclosed: A better path forward is what we call re-globalisation, deeper, more de-concentrated markets, achieved by bringing more people and places from the margins of the global economy to the mainstream.

Greater diversification would make it harder to weaponise interdependencies. This holds for critical minerals as well. Many rare minerals are not so rare, but we need technological innovation so that the developing countries where they are found can extract and process them in cleaner ways.
The sight of young boys roaming the streets in the North could be disturbing. They depend on the street to survive with bleak future. Yet, the little kids also have nursed ambition to become successful in life. For instance, 12-year-old Saani Aliyu in Kano said he would love to become President of Nigeria and make the country better. He specifically said he would help the poor when he becomes the president.

Sanni is not the only Almajiri with a future ambition, Abdulah Abdullah and Usman Abdullah and thousands of Almajirais are also thinking big. Meanwhile, their dream is achievable if government could provide them with sound education. Unfortunately, these children lack access to formal education as many of them only attend quranic schools where they learn Arabic Language and Islamic doctrines.

As a result of this, stakeholders are worried over the plight of the Almajiris in the North and seeking way out to liberate them. The United Nations Children Fund is commited to securing a better future for children in Nigeria so that they would achieve their full potential in life. UNICEF is supporting Nigerian government in many ways, as well as initiating and implementing different programmes and activities aimed at ensuring child protection in the country.

Very paramount, is the need to respect the rights of the children as enshrined in the Child Rights Law. Nigeria in 1990 ratified the Child Rights Convention of 1989 and also in 2001 ratified the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child adopted in 1990. However, in spite of the Child Rights Convention and the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, children in Nigeria continue to experience abuse in different forms while perpetrators often go scot-free.

The Child Rights Act 2003 principally enacts into Law in Nigeria the principles enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the AU Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is expected to be domesticated across the country to curtail incidences of child abuse in Nigeria. Sadly, action or in action by duty bearers impact on the realisation of child rights. The costs of inaction in fulfilling children's right are huge. For instance, in 2016, the cost of inaction on child protection cost Nigeria 1.6 trillion Naira.

It is therefore in this light that, UNICEF is also appealing to government to ensure prompt implementation of the Child Rights law so as to curb the menace of child abuse. Regarding the role of the media, UNICEF has charged the media to be more deliberate in raising awareness about the Child Rights Law 2023 amongst Nigerians. This was the thrust of a two-day Media Dialogue facilitated by UNICEF in collaboration with Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry Of Information and Culture on the new Country Programme 2023-2027 and the Status of Implementation of The Child Rights Law in the states.

Dr Geoffrey Njoku, UNICEF Communication Specialist and Hajia Fatima Adamu, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist charged journalists to step up the reportage of Child Rights law and the status of the implementation across the country. Winifred Ogbebo, a journalist with Leadership Newspaper admonished media practitioners on objective reportage of Child Rights Law in a way that would prompt government to take appropriate actions in a timely manner.

The Chief Information Officer at Child Rights Information Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr Falayi Temitoye lauded the media for adequately reporting issues around child protection and called for more intensive reporting until the Child Rights Law is fully implemented across all the states in Nigeria.

As Sanni Aliyu, Abdulah Abdullah, Usman Abdullah and other Almajiri boys continue to roam streets of Kano hopelessly, it's imperative for government to look in their direction and make formal education accessible to them. When the Child Rights Law is properly implemented, Almajiris would be off the streets and all other components of child protection would have been taken care of.

A child's rights to survival, development and protection are very crucial for that child's development as well as the development of any nation. Thus the need to ensure that every Nigerian child is carried along and protected for once a child is left out, that child poses a security risk to the larger population. Implementing the Child Rights Law is a cheap solution and a stitch in time, as the saying goes, saves nine.
Reactions have trailed the ban on meetings of the members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Anambra State, by the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

It would be recalled that Governor Soludo, through the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, placed an indefinite ban on all meetings of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Anambra State, with effect from Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

According to her, the ban was as a result of what she described as a show of shame exhibited by members of the Union during their State Wing Executive Committee meeting held at the Teachers' House in Awka, the State capital, on Tuesday June 6, 2023.

The Commissioner further noted that ban was predicated on the need to avoid breakdown of Law and Order in the State, while adding that the ban remains in force, pending the settlement of the internal wranglings bedeviling the Union in Anambra State, by the National body of the Nigeria Union of Teachers.

She also cautioned everyone to be guided accordingly.

Meanwhile, the said ban has continued to generate a chain of reactions and counter-reactions from both teachers in the State and social media users.

While some described the ban as a breach of democracy and infringement on the fundamentals human rights of the Anambra Teachers; some others upheld it as a step in the right direction, arguing that the Union in the State has since been headed by a retired teacher who refused to leave office since after his retirement, on the claim of being given an extension of service by former Governor Willie Obiano.

Some, in their reactions, also lamented that the teaching profession was becoming unsustainable because of the very low pay, urging the government should look into the problem; while others even questioned the relevance of NUT in today's realities.
The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has appealed to the British government for leniency for convicted former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

The Igbo group made this appeal on Tuesday when the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo affirmed that it accepted the pronouncement of the trial court that approved nine year and eight months jail term for Ekweremadu in the matter of organ harvesting.

It could be recalled that the UK court on May 5, also sentenced his wife, Beatrice and the doctor, Obinna Obeta to four years six months and 10 years in prison respectively.

One of the leaders of the group, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, said that Ndigbo would be happy should Ekweremadus jail term be reduced.

Chukwuma said, There is a very important issue that we have to bring to your attention. Youre aware of the case of Nigerias former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who was convicted and is in jail in your country. Hes from this state and we all know the circumstance he got entangled in that unfortunate incident because he wanted to save his daughter.

He is already serving a jail term. Its unfortunate but it has happened. I testified for him during the trial and in fact, the judge mentioned my name two times while delivering his judgment.

But were using the opportunity of your visit to ask for leniency for him so that he doesnt spend the number of years in jail. We have accepted the judgment, but are saying if theres anything that could be done to reduce the jail term. Hes from this area and if we dont bring this thing up as Ohanaeze or from us here, concerning this important son of Igboland, it wouldnt be nice of us. We are quite overwhelmed.
The Chairman/Founder of The Address Homes Limited, Dr Bisi Onasanya, has donated a completed multi-million naira block of classrooms to Ilara community in Epe, Lagos State in furtherance of his vision to support education through his philanthropic works.

The donation of a block of six classrooms with a fully-equipped library at Ilara Model Primary School, Ilara, Epe, was made by Onasanya in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Lagos, Bowen College and Bank of Industry and was commissioned by His Royal Majesty Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara-Epe Kingdom on Monday.

L-R: Olori Yetunde Ogunsanwo, HRM Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, (Telade IV) The Alara of llora Kingdom, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, Chairman/Founder, The Address Homes Ltd and Otunba Yemi Lawal during the commissioning of block of 6 classrooms with fully equipped library donated by Dr. Onasanya for Ilara Model Primary School, Along Igbonla Road, Igboku-Kekere llara, Eredo LCDA, Epe Division, Lagos State, on Monday June 26, 2023

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Onasanya, a former Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Plc, said the gesture formed part of his efforts to support the underprivileged and contribute his quota in bridging the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria's education sector.

Onasanya, whose company, The Address Homes Limited, leads the luxury homes market of the property industry, reckoned that the figure of children without access to education in Nigeria is still alarmingly high, a development that should trigger an alignment between the government, private sector and well-meaning Nigerians to address the gap.

"I have always believed that as individuals we should always remember where we are coming from. Society has been kind to some of us and we should give thanks to God; in addition to that, we must give back to that society.

L-R: Olori Yetunde Ogunsanwo, HRM Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, (Telade IV) The Alara of llora Kingdom, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, Chairman/Founder, The Address Homes Ltd and Otunba Yemi Lawal during the commissioning of block of 6 classrooms with fully equipped library donated by Dr. Onasanya for Ilara Model Primary School, Along Igbonla Road, Igboku-Kekere llara, Eredo LCDA, Epe Division, Lagos State, on Monday June 26, 2023

"There is an event that I never shared but remains indelible in my memory. I attended St. Paul Primary School in Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos, a public school, I remember that on my very first day in school, there was a very rowdy session because people were struggling to get enlisted. I am not sure my mum will remember this incident, the head of the school then, because of the rowdiness and the first come, first serve arrangement, actually slapped my mother. I was six years old, that was in 1967, I can never forget and it made me resolute that no child should be made to go through a situation like that to access education and no child should be disadvantaged as a result of the status of his parents.

"The UNICEF standardization report showed that only 61 percent of children between ages 6 and 11 are in school; this is a dangerous situation and I just thought that no child should be denied basic and quality education, no child should be made to walk up to a mile before he or she could access quality education and I think this is a big opportunity to achieve what I have always wanted to do which is making education easy and accessible to every child," said Onasanya who recently bagged an honourary doctorate degree in finance from the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

Meanwhile, the outgoing President of the Rotary Club of Lagos, Joseph Aikhigbe, recalled how Onasanya promptly acceded to their request for the construction of the classrooms which underlined the property mogul's commitment to the upliftment of education in Nigeria.

"Education is a powerful agent of change, it stabilises lives and livelihood and drives long-term economic growth. It is every child's right to have access to quality and basic education. We thank Dr Bisi Onasanya; we approached him on this laudable project and he showed his commitment and kept his word. It is difficult to find people like him, he only told us it is done, and today we are commissioning the project. We laid the foundation on September 29, 2022, and today the edifice is standing before us," he said.

L-R: HRM Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, (Telade IV) The Alara of llora Kingdom, Dr. Bisi Onasanya, Chairman/Founder, The Address Homes Ltd and Otunba Yemi Lawal during the commissioning of block of 6 classrooms with fully equipped library donated by Dr. Onasanya for the Ilara Model Primary School, Along Igbonla Road, Igboku-Kekere llara, Eredo LCDA, Epe Division, Lagos State, on Monday June 26, 2023

An elated Oba Ogunsanwo said he immediately approved the land for the construction of the project because it aligned with his vision for the kingdom. He said Dr Onasanya's kind gestures would go a long way in solidifying education in his domain.

"When I ascended the throne, I said attention to education will be one of the bedrock of what we do and my three years of ascension have been dedicated to educating our children because they are not only our tomorrow, they are our today, if you train a child, you are educating a nation. We thank God to have bestowed this edifice on the people of Ilara Kingdom through Dr Bisi Onasanya. We also thank Bowen College for providing the furniture and the Bank of Industry for the e-library as well as the physical library. We can't thank you enough and may God reward you," said Oba Ogunsanwo, who is the Vice Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas.

One of the major highlights of the event was the bestowment of the chieftaincy title of Akinrogun and Yeye Akinrogun of Ilara Kingdom on Dr Onasanya and his wife, Helen, by Oba Ogunsanwo.

Many royal fathers within Lagos and beyond graced the well-attended event. Other dignitaries at the ceremony include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Abayomi Abolaji; the Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Wahab Olawale Alawiye-King and property merchant, Otunba Yemi Lawal, among others.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that chief of Wagner PMC has arrived in the country, Trend reports.

Lukashenko spoke about the details of the negotiations that took place on June 24 with the head of Wagner PMC Yevgeny Prigozhin.

He noted that Prigozhin had already arrived in Belarus by plane and confirmed that Belarus would provide assistance and support to the Wagnerists, including accommodation and other services, while the costs would be covered by their own funds.

On June 24, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Wagner PMC, claimed that the Russian Ministry of Defense was striking behind the Wagner group and asserted that there were casualties. The Russian Ministry of Defense called the situation a provocation and stated that the information did not correspond to reality.

Prigozhin had issued a menacing ultimatum to march towards Moscow. However, on June 25, Prigozhin unexpectedly struck a deal to relocate to Belarus. On June 27, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has terminated the criminal case against Wagner chief. The Kremlin assured him and his troops of immunity from prosecution, and provided an option for those interested to enlist in the regular Russian armed forces by signing contracts.
Coalition bloc eyes backup plan

BANGKOK: The eight prospective coalition parties are expected to discuss a contingency plan at a meeting on Thursday (June 29) if they cannot proceed with the formation of a government, according to Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Tuesday 27 June 2023 09:03 AM

Leaders and other key members of eight coalition parties, led by Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat (centre) arrive for a meeting at Pheu Thai Party headquarters on June 7. Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb

Asked if Pheu Thai had a backup plan in case the Move Forward Party (MFP) cannot form the government, Mr Prasert said: If necessary, the issue may be raised at a meeting on June 29, the day the eight-party coalition will have a meeting.

After the selection of the House speaker, the next step is to select a prime minister. We may have to discuss the matter carefully, particularly the number of MPs who support [each candidate], the Bangkok Post reports Mr Prasert as saying.

Asked about a rumour that a substantial sum of money would be paid to renegade MPs in certain parties in exchange for their support during the vote on the House speaker or the vote for a prime minister, Mr Prasert said: It will not be easy this time because democracy has progressed considerably.

In previous elections, renegade MPs could not make it back into parliament, he said, adding that Pheu Thai never grants its MPs a free vote on important issues such as the selection of the House speaker.

The rumour mill went into overdrive recently about a move by rival parties to form a government and usurp the eight-party coalition led by the MFP by paying to lure the support of renegade MPs.

Responding to the rumour that about 60 renegade MPs would be paid B100 million each in exchange for their support, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said: People [in their right mind] wouldnt pay.

Asked whether Bhumjaithai would join a coalition government led by Pheu Thai if the MFP fails in its bid to form a government, Anutin said that there had been no signs showing the MFP would fail so far.

He also said that Bhumjaithai had never even thought of joining a minority government.

Meanwhile, Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, programme director for politics and development strategy at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), said that Mr Pita stands a good chance of becoming the next prime minister.

He said that when 500 MPs and 250 senators convene to select a PM, should Mr Pita fail to secure the support of more than half, or 376 lawmakers, the eight-party coalition must try to gather the backing of other parties.

If that support is still not enough, Pheu Thai will have the legitimacy to form a government, Mr Phichai said.

However, he said the Democrat Party may become a decisive factor in deciding the fate of Mr Pita.

Mr Phichai said the Democrats would hold a general assembly on July 9 to select a new leader, and if Abhisit Vejjajiva, its former leader, is re-elected, it is likely that he will support Mr Pita to become the next prime minister.

Mr Phichai said he did not think Pheu Thai would try to oust the MFP to become the leader in forming a government as this would hurt the partys reputation.

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, echoed the view, saying he did not think a minority government was a possibility, particularly as the sums quoted to secure the support of renegade MPs were not worth paying.

A minority government will lack political legitimacy and could not run the country. It also remains to be seen whether Pheu Thai will stick with the eight-party coalition or change sides, Mr Olarn said.

Writing on Facebook yesterday, former senator Paisal Puechmongkol said that the plot to buy renegade MPs had been aborted because Anutin refused to join a minority government, and the Democrats appear to support Mr Abhisits return as party leader.

Mr Abhisit is likely to uphold democratic principles by supporting a candidate from the party that won the most House seats in the election, Mr Paisal said.

His Majesty the King will preside over the state opening of parliament on July 3, and members of parliament will select the House speaker the following day, according to Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

After the selection of the House speaker, a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate is expected to convene on July 13 to select a new prime minister.
Phuket marks World Drug Day

PHUKET: Phuket officials held a series of events yesterday (June 26) to mark World Drug Day. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 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.

drugshealthcrime

By The Phuket News

Tuesday 27 June 2023 01:59 PM

At the Phuket Government Center Auditorium, Phuket Vice Governor Anupap Rodkwan Yodrabam presided over an event held to declare Phuket Provincial Office joins Thai forces to stop drug threats with a declaration of intent and combine cleaning power.

Vice Governor Anupap read a speech prepared by caretaker Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to mark World -Drug Day 2023, after which the hundreds of officials, students and members of the general public pledged an oath against drugs under the theme, Phuket United, Power of Thailand.

After the mass pledge, the participants then made their way to Suan Luang (King Rama IX Park) to take part in a Big Cleaning Day cleanup of litter and other refuse throughout the park.

Officials and law-enforcement authorities were continuing their campaigns against drug users and dealers, noted a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

The most common drug seized in making arrests was methamphetamine (ya bah), followed by crystal meth (ya ice) and cocaine.

The most common drugs seized among tourists arrested were cocaine and alprazolam, often found used in conjunction with marijuana.

Officials were continuing their campaign against drugs, the report added, but noted that the focus was on rehabilitation.

A separate event was held at Srinagarindra the Princess Mother School, Phuket in Saphan Hin, with direct focus on students at the school.

The event was organised by the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court, and led by Central Juvenile and Family Court Chief Judge Ratthee Yomjinda.

The event was held to educate the students on the mental, physical and legal consequences of illicit drugs, and to warn them of the effects of using e-cigarettes.

Joined by Associate Judges, senior school management and staff, the event, including students, saw an estimated 400 people in attendance.

Chief Judge Ratthee explained that the focus on e-cigarettes was essential because many children and youth today use e-cigarettes and they [e-cigs] are easily bought.

It is illegal and dangerous to health, he said.

Paitoon Chotchaiphong, Chief Judge of the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court, called e-cigarettes an important silent threat.

With marketing tactics such as advertising, e-cigarettes are believed to be harmless to health because there is no tobacco leaf, he said.

It also creates an image of smokers as being fashionable, but in reality it was found that e-cigarettes contain high amounts of nicotine, and e-cigarette devices can import into the smokers body four to nine times nicotine more than regular cigarettes, he added.

There are also many other chemicals in the solution that can cause harm to the body, and the solution itself is and addictive substance. This is why the smoker is addicted no different from normal cigarettes, Chief Judge Paitoon said.

E-cigarettes are still illegal. Anyone who imports, sells or possesses will be prosecuted, which is punishable by both imprisonment and fine, he added.

Nowadays, many children and young people use e-cigarettes a lot. They are easy to buy and they lead to widespread addiction Therefore, creating knowledge and understanding among young people to be aware of the dangers of e-cigarettes is therefore important so that children and youths are aware of the dangers and stay far away from e-cigarettes, Chief Judge Paitoon concluded.
Putin accuses West of wanting Russians to kill each other in mutiny

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday (June 26) 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.

RussianUkraineviolencepolitics

By AFP

Tuesday 27 June 2023 09:27 AM

Members of Wagner group sit atop of a tank in a street in the city of Rostov-on-Don, on Saturday (June 24). Photo: AFP

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 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, 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 Russias military leadership - but 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.

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 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.

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 Russias military machine in Ukraine and in African and Middle East hotspots - operational.

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.

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 the Voronezh region south of the capital lifted anti-terrorist emergency security measures imposed to protect the capital from rebel assault.

Happy day

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a morale-boosting trip to troops fighting Russian forces near the city of Bakhmut, the site of some of the most intense battles in the conflict, and touted his forces military progress.

Today, our soldiers made progress in all areas, and this is a happy day, Zelensky said yesterday in his regular evening address.

Military leaders said their forces were making progress in the south and east of the country.

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.

Near Bakhmut, residents in the frontline town of Druzhkivka, which is also in Donetsk, told AFP that four explosions had 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Egypt, the bilateral ties between India and Egypt were elevated to a "strategic partnership", Trend reports.

Discussions between PM Modi and Egypt's President focused on enhancing the partnership in various areas, such as trade, investment, defense, security, renewable energy, culture, and people-to-people connections.

On the concluding day of PM Modi's visit, India and Egypt signed a significant strategic partnership treaty. This agreement was previously agreed upon during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's visit to New Delhi as the chief guest for the Republic Day parade in January.

Egypt has expressed keen interest in attracting more Indian investments and has proposed utilizing Egypt's geographical location as a gateway to Europe, West Asia, and Africa. They have also offered the possibility of establishing an industrial zone for India in Egypt.

By strengthening ties with Egypt, India aims to reinforce its leadership position within the Global South and deepen relations with an Arab nation beyond the Persian Gulf region.

During their meeting, Modi and the Egyptian President held a private one-on-one conversation, building on the discussions from the latter's visit to New Delhi in January. Economic cooperation, including Indian investments in infrastructure projects such as the Suez Canal Authority, were key topics, and agreements were signed in the fields of agriculture and healthcare.

India's bilateral trade with Egypt reached $6.06 billion in 2022-23, with India maintaining a trade surplus. Major Indian exports to Egypt include diesel, organic chemicals, heavy machinery, iron and steel, and cotton. Refined petroleum is the primary import item from Egypt.

The Indian Embassy in Cairo reports that more than 50 Indian companies have invested over $3.2 billion in sectors such as apparel, agriculture, chemicals, energy, automobiles, and retail. These investments have created employment opportunities for approximately 35,000 Egyptians. Notable Indian investments in Egypt include TCI Sanmar Chemicals, Alexandria Carbon Black, Kirloskar, Dabur India, Flex P Films, Scib Paints, Godrej, Mahindra, and Monginis.
Talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Washington 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," 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 27. Head of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya), Viktor Zolotov, said that the Wagner PMC would not have been able to enter Moscow during the attempted mutiny, Trend reports.

He explained that the rapid advance of Wagner Group across the country was due to the large concentration of forces around the capital.

According to him, any provocations that arose in the capital in the context of the rebellion would have been suppressed.

On June 24, Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of Wagner PMC, claimed that the Russian Ministry of Defense was striking behind the Wagner group and asserted that there were casualties. The Russian Ministry of Defense called the situation a provocation and stated that the information did not correspond to reality.

Prigozhin had issued a menacing ultimatum to march towards Moscow. However, on June 25, Prigozhin unexpectedly struck a deal to relocate to Belarus. On June 27, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) has terminated the criminal case against Wagner chief. The Kremlin assured him and his troops of immunity from prosecution, and provided an option for those interested to enlist in the regular Russian armed forces by signing contracts.
Sophie Furley

I first discovered this timepiece at Watches and Wonders earlier in the year on the wrist of the brands CEO Walter Ribaga. The Cyrus Klepcys GMT Palm Green isnt new, but this is a new version that comes with a rather lovely green palm tree design on the openworked dial and movement. What I love about Cyrus is just how user-friendly and intuitive their timepieces are, despite the complexity of their movements, which are all made by master watchmaker Jean-Francois Mojon. The hours and minutes are read in the conventional way and the GMT function is displayed on a chapter ring in the centre of the watch, making it childs play while in Greece. The model I tested was on a grey textile strap, but there is also a brand-new metal bracelet that is being offered with this watch, which is well worth trying on.

Suzanne Wong

While the most arresting aspect of Cyrus timepieces for most people may be their bold designs and avant-garde aesthetics, Ive got to say Ive always been a fan of their technically refined movements. Thanks to the involvement of master watchmaker Jean-Francois Mojon, known for his creative yet practical approach to movement development, the watches of Cyrus are a strong balance between design and utility. This is definitely the case in the Klepcys GMT, with its retrograde GMT indication. The retrograde action is usually effectuated with a snail cam, but the implementation of a spiral spring here makes the motion far smoother and less aggressive, which gives greater durability to the GMT function.

Jordy Bellido

Now decked out in palm green, the new Klepcys GMT Retrograde is the ideal summer companion. Although I havent spotted any palm trees around Athens, where I am as I write these few lines, the colour of the upper bridge, small seconds and rotor is a perfect match for the olive trees around me. Treated with an ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating, the tinted components enjoy an even colouration that reveals itself when kissed by the suns warm rays. Added to this is the use of grade 5 titanium for the bracelet, a material that is more resistant to scratches and corrosion  not to mention being hypoallergenic, transforming the watch into a true all-terrain timepiece that has nothing to fear from the excesses of summer holidaymakers.

Marie de Pimodan

A touch of colour, a zest of lightness, a good dose of casual elegance... There's no doubt, the Klepcys GMT Palm Green is the ideal watch for enjoying the pleasures of summer. On my way to a deserted Greek beach, I noticed that the ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) green colour of the calibre's upper bridge, cut in the shape of a palm leaf, was in perfect harmony with the colour of the water. A shade that changes according to the reflections of the light. I also realise just how important the comfort of a watch - both its ergonomics and its weight - is when the sun gets biting. With the Klepcys GMT Palm Green, lightness is definitely the order of the day, since its 42mm cushion case and bracelet are cut from titanium - a first for the bracelet of this model, which was unveiled in 2020. It's a perfect way to enjoy the mild summer weather and carefree holidays while keeping an eye on what time it is at home, thanks to a particularly intuitive 24-hour second time-zone reading, with the retrograde local time hand moving along a central hour-circle.

Allissa Pataki

The shade of the new Cyrus timepiece truly inspired me, and when my turn came around to test it out, I wanted to showcase its versatility. While some might see it and immediately think of it as very masculine and futuristic-looking, I decided to opt for an unconventional approach in line with the brand's tagline: setting a beautiful and colorful field of flowers as a backdrop to this this self-winding watch, reflecting the green hues found on the palm tree-inspired dial. A choice I thought was very fitting  demonstrating that it could appeal to the (dare I say?) more romantic of us. Aesthetics aside, this 38-piece limited edition is quite remarkable to look at, with its three-dimensional openworked dial, 55-hour power reserve, and splendidly lightweight titanium bracelet. An undeniably perfect timepiece for the summer season.
Four people, including a child, were killed and more than 25 were injured in northern Egypts Beheira governorate as a four-storey building collapsed reportedly due to a gas cylinder explosion on Friday.

The bodies of the deceased - a 10-year-old child, a 22-year-old man and his 50-year-old father, and a fourth unidentified victim - were pulled from under the rubble in the Itay El-Baroud area of Damanhour city, Beheira.

The injured, who suffered from fractures and minor wounds, were transferred to Damanhour Medical National Institute, the Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.

Following the collapse, 18 ambulances rushed to the scene, the ministry said.

The police launched an investigation to probe the circumstances of the incident.

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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.

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While the West sees, in the now-ended attempt by a mercenary group to seize power in Russia, signs of the weakening power of President Vladimir Putin, commentators must also reflect on the speed at which the mutiny was put down, apparently with little conceded and sanctuary having been found for the leader of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in friendly Belarus. It would seem clear that Mr. Prigozhin had realised the futility of his attempt, bolstered as the regime in Moscow quickly was by its friends in Beijing and Pyongyang, with both China and North Korea having assured Mr. Putin of their support.

The Russian establishment, too, appears to have reached out to members of the Wagner group, giving them some of the assurances they had sought as part of a festering dispute with the countrys defence minister. While the revolt appears to have ended for now, and Wagner troops have returned to their barracks, several questions will remain, the foremost of which is the risk inherent in handing over security duties to a private group in a country armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons.

If Mr. Putin cannot control those he hires, and is forced to fortify Moscows defences to stave off a possible attack, how really can be protect the nuclear weapons his country possesses? And just how will he ensure nothing catastrophic occurs should another detachment of these mercenaries turn rogue? This are questions that Mr. Putin and those who support him, like Chinese President Xi Jinping, must answer. The West which has egged Ukraine on, and is implementing plans to arm it further and aid its socalled counter-offensive, too must reflect on the risks inherent in the seemingly endless war it has sponsored, which every day brings the world closer to disaster. Ineffectual as the peace efforts made by Turkey, China and India may have been, at least they were made. No substantial proposal for peace has really emanated from the West, not from Washington nor from either of the two headquarters in Brussels.

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On the contrary, the West appears to be gloating at the recent discomfiture of Mr. Putin, and drawing the conclusion that he has been so weakened by the Wagner revolt that ended in a fizzle that it is time to go in for the kill. While political commentators may be correct in assessing that Russia witnessed a crisis of institutions, and that the mutiny was defused because of the unity that fearful elites found forced on them, they must also introspect on the reaction of a cornered leadership in Moscow should the Wests assistance actually allow Ukraine to make serious inroads. Kyiv, propelled by Western support, is already seeing a window of opportunity. But it must also account for the possibility of a cornered Russian leader striking back in ways he has eschewed so far, should the pressures on him reach a breaking point.
North Koreas show of belligerence and the open threat of a nuclear war to deal with the imperialist US at mass rallies held in Pyongyang on Sunday is another move on the chessboard of international relations made by its patron state, the Peoples Republic of China. Earlier this month, China ~ joined now by its ally Russia ~ had spurned a call to condemn Pyongyangs provocative conduct and had instead blamed the United States for raising tensions on the Korean peninsula. At Sundays rally in the North Korean capital, participants held up banners saying The whole US mainland is within our shooting range, a clear provocation that was backed up by a statement that alleged the US was making desperate efforts to ignite a nuclear war, and that North Korea now had the strongest absolute weapon to punish the US imperialists.

It is surprising that China, which had displayed considerable alacrity in attempting to play down the threat of a nuclear war initiated by Russia in Ukraine, sees nothing wrong in the language deployed by Pyongyang and indeed even exhibits subtle signs of endorsing it. North Korea was frustrated in its plans to launch a military surveillance satellite that would give it eyes on its enemies when the launch failed last month, but has announced it will launch another. Since 2022, Pyongyang has launched over 100 missiles of varying sizes to demonstrate its capability to strike targets in both the United States as well as South Korea, a country with which it is still technically at war.

While Seoul and its allies, including the United States, have also conducted exercises in the region, these have largely been defensive and aimed at telling Pyongyang that its continued belligerence will draw a response. While the US is committed to providing security to the South and has been quite vocal in its support, Beijing does not come out into the open or participate in the Norths military games. But by sharing technology, including military, and offering support at international forums, Beijing makes it clear that North Korea is for all intents and purposes a client state. While the rallies were held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the start of the Korean War, reports suggest that the North Korean regime is planning a huge military parade on 27 July, the anniversary of the armistice to show off its military hardware and weapons capability. Last February, the Norths leader Kim Jong un had unveiled a new solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.

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This weapon was said to have been flight tested in April and is said to have the potential to reach America. China and North Korea signed a mutual aid and cooperation treaty in 1961, the only defence treaty either nation has with any country. North Korea is one of the worlds most isolated nations, and among Asias poorest.
Prime Minister Modis recent visit to USA was amongst the most keenly observed events globally. The attention to detail given by the White House as also multiple visits to Delhi by high-ranking US diplomats displayed efforts by the Biden administration to make it a success.

While the visit hogged headlines in India and the US, which was expected, it drew adverse comments from China even before it commenced. An editorial in the Global Times quoted Wang Yi, director of the CCPs Foreign Affairs Commission and erstwhile foreign minister as saying, The USs geopolitical calculations are not difficult to read. Washingtons vigorous efforts to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with India is primarily to slow down Chinas economic development. He added, Indias trade with the US cannot replace its trade with China, nor can India replace China in global supply chains. It cautioned on developing Indo-US relations by mentioning,

US pays lip service to India but seldom delivers. In another article titled, India may ask for higher price as US to woo Modi during visit, the Global Times mentions, completely leaning toward the US for its strategic pursuit means India will alienate itself from China and Russia. It also stated, Unless the US is willing to keep paying a high price to attract India, sooner or later, the two sides will disappoint each other. It added that India will not be a US military ally. For China, US-India proximity is intended at curbing its growing quest to be the dominant power in Asia.

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It also believes, and rightly so, that the US is seeking to move global supply chains away from China, preferably to India. No wonder Wang Yi stated, Chinas position in the global supply chain cannot be replaced by India or other economies. China is also aware that transfer of technology and provision of latest weapons from the US could reduce the technological and military advantage it possesses. Post the visit, the Global Times mentioned,

We welcome US-India cooperation aimed at peace and development. However, we strongly oppose any US-India schemes targeting China. It added, The more strategically independent a country is, such as India, the less likely it is to strictly follow the script written by Washington, hinting that India may not join any US led alliance.

In another article it stated, Americas embrace of India doesnt go beyond exploiting shared apprehension toward China. Lisa Curtis, senior fellow in the Centre for New American Security, in a discussion mentioned, the Biden administration believes that a strong US-India partnership is essential to achieving its Indo-Pacific goals. Ashley Tellis added in the same dialogue, Both the US and India share the objective of not having an Asia that is dominated by China, or an Indo-Pacific region that is subject to Chinese coercion and assertiveness.

For the US, an economically and militarily strong India is a challenge to China. Hence John Kirby spokesperson for the NSA, stated, We support Indias emergence as a great power. John Bolton, the former US NSA mentioned, I think the big challenge that confronts India and the US is how to deal with China. A lot depends on how countries in the region align with countries outside the region to deal with it (China).

The two most important countries in that complex situation are India and the US. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence, stated, you hear us talking a lot about a free and open Indo-Pacific. A strong India and a strong US-India partnership is central to achieving that vision. That is why the relationship matters. Simplistically put, for both, India and the US, China is a common threat not just militarily but also economically.

The US is well aware of the IndiaChina equation. It was summarized by Kirby when he stated, This state visit wasnt about China. India has challenges with China as well, right on their doorstep, but also more broadly in the region. For China, a US-India alliance is a matter of concern.

Hence, the visit was closely observed and commented upon by Beijing. Further, to enhance Indo-US ties, no contentious subjects including Indias procurement of Russian oil or its stand on the Russo-Ukraine war were broached during the visit. Kirby clearly enunciated, India will not be lectured on human rights. India also represents the global south and that itself challenges Chinese intent to dominate the Pacific and Africa, a fact not missed by the US. For India to develop as a military and economic power it requires technology transfer, modern military equipment and investments, all of which could flow from the US.

The signing of deals for technology transfer of GE 414 engines, assembling Predator drones, establishment of a Micron semiconductor manufacturing unit etc., as also increased investments indicates that the US considers India as a trusted partner.

In return, India would be firmly in their camp and work with them in securing the Indo-Pacific, without challenging China militarily. It is already doing so by conducting military exercises with Asean nations while selling Brahmos missiles to Chinas adversaries. Indias shift from Russia to the US simultaneous with a growing Russia-China proximity could change geopolitical dynamics. India will continue in global forums alongside China and Russia.

The US is aware that Indias ongoing dispute with a stronger China precludes it from being a military ally as also limits its participation in military actions against China. Hence, Delhi will continue as a strategic partner which can influence the region in multiple forms including relocating global supply chains, thereby reducing Chinas ability to blackmail.

While the US would encourage India to continue to expand its sphere of influence, China would seek to limit it. India, in the meanwhile, will desire to grow in power and develop capabilities which would preclude Chinese misadventures. Both India and the US consider China a competitor and seek to contain it, while China visualizes the two nations ganging up against it. At the end of the day, the US views India through the prism of China.

Beijing views Delhi through the prism of Washington while India seeks to counter Chinese threat with USs technological and military backing. Variations in strategic outlook of the three nations are evident.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
The Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a rebuttal regarding accusations of high-handedness by the force made by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee in north Bengal on Monday.

Mamata kick started her campaign for the Panchayat elections in the state from the district of Cooch Behar on Monday.

While addressing a gathering at the border district, she not only accused the BSF of gunning down villagers but also warned that personnel of the border guarding force would try to intimidate the border population to try and keep them from voting for her party in the rural polls.

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The allegations made by the CM of West Bengal at Cooch Behar are totally baseless and far from the truth. The BSF is a professional force that has been entrusted with the responsibility of securing the international border across the country.

The Force has never intimidated the border population or any voter for any reason. The BSF is deployed along the Indo-Bangladesh Border to provide a sense of security to Indian citizens living along the international border and to prevent trans-border crimes, unauthorised entry into or exit from Indian territory.

The BSF is also responsible for preventing smuggling and other illegal activities along the international border, the rebuttal issued by the Guwahati Frontier of the BSF states.

The Indo-Bangladesh border along Cooch Behar falls under the jurisdiction of the Guwahati Frontier of the federal force.

No complaint of intimidation of any person living along the border has so far been received by the BSF or any sister agency. BSF is fully committed to the peaceful and unhindered electoral process along the border and other areas.

BSF personnel are also deployed for election duty, which they perform under the supervision of the local administration. Hence, the BSF emphatically deny any such allegations made by the CM of West Bengal, the rebuttal further states.

It is a known fact that a section of the border population in West Bengal is involved in trans-border crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking and drug running.

There are frequent alterations between the BSF and such criminals leading to accusations of high-handedness by the border-guarding troops along the highly porous border.

At the same time, Opposition parties in the state  particularly the BJP  has made inroads into bordering areas, causing some discomfort for the ruling Trinamool Congress.

No wonder, the BSF comes under fire whenever Mamata or other top leaders of her party, including national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee address political meetings in the border districts.

The decision by the Centre to extend the jurisdiction of the BSF from 15 km inland to 50 km has also not gone down well with Mamata who passed a resolution against this in the West Bengal Assembly.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and the BSF, however, maintain that this is essential as the trail to cross-border crime, sometimes related to national security, extends far beyond 15 km from the border.

Moreover, the extension of jurisdiction doesnt grant permission to the BSF to prosecute or arrest a person. The Force can simply carry out a probe and then hand over details to the local police for necessary legal action.
The Calcutta High Court on Monday dismissed an order by a Single Bench directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against a block development officer of tampering with the nomination documents of two candidates for the forthcoming West Bengal panchayat elections.

On 21 June, the Single Bench of Justice Amrita Sinha directed the CBI enquiry against the block development officer of Uluberia in Howrah district, based on the petitions by two candidates, namely Kashmira Bibi and Omja Bibi, who accused the official concerned of tempering with their nomination documents.

Giving the direction, Justice Sinha observed that since the allegations are against a state government official, it will not be wise for a state investigation agency to probe the matter and hence, the charge of the probe is handed over to the CBI. She also directed the CBI to submit a detailed report on this count to her court by 7 July, which is just a day ahead of the rural civic body polls.

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On 22 June, the state government challenged the order before the division bench of Justices Arijit Banerjee and Apurba Sinha Roy, which heard the matter in detail on June 23 but reserved the order on that day. Finally, on Monday, the division bench dismissed the Single Bench order for the CBI probe and instead directed the state police to initiate a probe against the accused BDO.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims walked or rode buses Monday to a giant tented city near Mecca for the climax of the annual hajj that Saudi officials say could break attendance records.

After performing the ritual circumambulation of the Kaaba, the giant black cube at Mecca's Grand Mosque that Muslims pray towards each day, worshippers set off for Mina, about seven kilometres (more than four miles) away, in suffocating heat.

Pilgrims in robes and sandals, many carrying umbrellas against the beating sun, undertook the journey on foot or crowded onto hundreds of air-conditioned buses provided by Saudi authorities.

They will spend the night in white tents in Mina, which every year hosts the world's largest encampment, before the hajj's high-point on Tuesday: prayers at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is said to have delivered his final sermon.

"It is an experience that is worth it," said Salim Ibrahim, a 39-year-old Nigerian, when asked about temperatures that have touched 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit).

"Even if the heat gets stronger, I will repeat the hajj again," he added.

Saudi officials say this year's hajj -- one of the five pillars of Islam -- could be the biggest in history. After 2.5 million attended in 2019, numbers were capped in 2020, 2021 and 2022 because of the Covid pandemic.

The event has seen multiple crises over the years, including militant attacks, deadly fires and a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 people. There have been no major incidents since.

As part of the safety measures, helicopters and AI-equipped drones have been deployed to monitor the flow of traffic towards Mina, which sits in a narrow valley flanked by rocky mountains.

A small fleet of self-driving buses, seating up to 11 people, is in operation between the sites of the rituals, including Mecca -- Islam's holiest city -- Mina and Muzdalifah.

One of the biggest risks this year at the hajj, which follows the lunar calendar, is heat, especially after maximum age restrictions were removed.

Habbia Abdel Nasser, a Moroccan woman who was performing the rituals with her husband, needed urgent medical treatment near the Grand Mosque because of the heat.

"The weather is very hot here compared to Morocco, and we feel exhausted," said her husband, 62-year-old businessman Rahim Abdel Nasser, as he poured water on her head to cool her down.

The health ministry has recommended pilgrims use umbrellas during the day and has told the sick and elderly to stay indoors around midday to "avoid sunstroke".

Four hospitals and 26 clinics are ready to deal with ailing pilgrims in Mina, and more than 190 ambulances have been deployed, officials said.

On Tuesday, the pilgrims will pray and recite the Koran for several hours at Mount Arafat and spend the night nearby. The following day, they will gather pebbles and hurl them at three giant concrete walls for the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual.

The last stop is back in Mecca, where they will perform a final circumambulation of the Kaaba.

All Muslims who are capable are expected to form the hajj at least once. About 1.6 million foreigners had arrived for the pilgrimage by Friday evening, officials said.

Many are overcome by the experience as they fulfil a lifelong dream at the sites where Islam began.

"I still can't believe I'm performing the hajj pilgrimage," Syrian merchant Mohammad Hajouj, 59, told AFP as he fought back tears.

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There is a reason why Mamata Banerjee kicked off her rural polls campaigning from North Bengal. Actually there are more reasons than one. According to the political experts, the northern districts of the state that she rules, have always been a bit of a headache for the West Bengal chief minister and winning elections, whether Panchayat, Parliamentary or Assembly has never been a cakewalk.

To begin with, Didi, when she came to power as chief minister in 2011, inherited the problems which had plagued the northern district of Darjeeling for years  the movement for Gorkhaland, in which the Bengal districts Gorkha-speaking people were demanding a separate state based on language and identity. Interestingly, the BJP, Banerjees biggest political rival in the state, kept winning the Parliamentary seat from Darjeeling. In 2009, before she became CM, when Mamata and Trinamools Parliamentary seats shot up from just one to 19, Darjeeling was retained by BJPs then incumbent MP, Jashwant Singh. Five years later and three years after she became CM, in 2014, even though Didi swept the Parliamentary polls in the state, Darjeeling again went to the BJP and S.S. Alhuwalia became the M.P. And last but not least, in 2019, the last Parliamentary elections, BJP, once again won Darjeeling with Raju Bista becoming MP.

Capturing ground from the BJP in North Bengal is a priority for Didi and her starting her campaigning in those districts is an indication, says Prof. Biswanath Chakraborty, political analyst.

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Indeed as far as Darjeeling is concerned, one of the key factors of BJP winning the seat was the ambivalent signals that the Gorkhaland agitators were getting from the party, which kept the hope, and by so doing, the issue, alive. The state governments position, on the other hand, was an unequivocal No. It had categorically ruled out the division of Darjeeling. In a sense, North Bengal, specifically Darjeeling, was the entry point of the BJP in Bengal. And much of BJPs subsequent ground-gaining in Bengal has been in the North.

This is particularly glaring as far as the Alipurduar Parliamentary constituency is concerned. Not a single one of the seven Assembly constituencies which make up this Parliamentary constituency belongs to Trinamool. Each and every one of them, on the other hand, has been captured by its chief political rival. And Cooch Behar, from where Mamata began her campaign yesterday, is an Assembly segment of the elusive Alipurduar Parliamentary constituency.

The campaigning for the Panchayat polls next month is also a campaigning for the Parliamentary elections next year because the results of the rural elections would be an indicator of how we will fare in the general elections, Trinamool MP and veteran politician Prof. Saugata Roy told this correspondent.

Indeed it has been said of Mamata that she rarely makes a move, political or otherwise, which is not calculated. And so the decision to kick start the campaigning for the rural elections next month (read: general elections next year) from Cooch Behar was no shot in the dark.
The Delhi government is planning to build a residential home for children with special needs, aiming to improve the lives of many individuals with diverse needs in the National Capital.

Delhi Social Welfare Minister Raaj Kumar Anand conducted a review meeting with department officials to discuss and make significant decisions in this regard.

In this meeting, Anand gave the approval to construct a newly-built residential home in Mamurpur village, Narela, specifically designed for boys with special needs. The utmost care and support will be provided to children with specific requirements. In the initial phase, approximately 456 boys with special needs would be admitted to the residential home.

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He said, The Kejriwal government has made the decision to build residential homes for mentally challenged children residing in Delhi. The plan is underway to construct these homes on a 9.7-acre plot of land in Mamurpur village, Narela. Currently, these newly built residential homes are being initiated exclusively for boys with disabilities.

Anand added that the Delhi government, with a focus on the requirements of the differently abled, will ensure that this building is made exceptionally modern. The infrastructure of the residential home will be modernised, and a multipurpose hall will be constructed where workshops and programmes for individuals with special needs would be organised at regular intervals.
The Gujarat High Court has admitted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the 16 June public flogging by policemen of people protesting against demolition notices to some Islamic shrines in Junagadh.

The PIL was filed by the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC) and Lok Adhikar Sangh about the flogging of some arrested Muslims by plainclothes policemen after violence broke out during the protest against demolition threat to Geban Shah mosque near Majevadi Gate in Junagadh.

A video of the public flogging of the arrested protesters by policemen has become viral during the last one week or more.

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The PIL in the High Court stated that about ten Muslims were queued up by the Junagadh police and mercilessly flogged in public view near the Geban Shah mosque in Junagadh on 16 June night.

Such police brutality without any due process of law and without any court pronouncing them guilty is the worst form of human rights violation by the law enforcement agency, the PIL added.

Violence was sparked off in Junagadh on 16 June during protests following its Municipal Corporation issuing demolition notices to five Islamic religious sites near Geban Shah mosque.

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice A J Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav admitted the PIL and listed the matter for next hearing on Wednesday, 28 June.

The PIL also alleged that the medical professionals in Junagadh were prevented by the police from issuing certificates stating the injuries sustained by public flogging of the Muslims held for violence during their protest against demolition notices to the Islamic shrines.
Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari met Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and urged him to immediately initiate confidence-building measures (CBMs) in Kashmir to further assuage prevailing public sentiment.

Bukhari called on Shah in New Delhi to discuss crucial matters related to the economic, administrative, and political issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

According a statement issued by the party here after the meeting, The discussions between the two leaders focused on a wide range of issues, aiming to enhance prevailing peace, foster development, improve governance, and address the political dynamics in the region.

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During the meeting, Bukhari provided a comprehensive appraisal to Shah regarding the existing state of peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir. He told him that J&K people have played a significant role in fostering and maintaining peace, demonstrating their commitment to a peaceful environment. He also conveyed that the people are eager to contribute even more to strengthen the ongoing peace process, as they aspire to reap the benefits that come with an enhanced state of peace, the statement said.

In this context, Bukhari made an appeal to the Union home minister to take immediate Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) to further bolster the prevailing public mood in favour of peace.

In particular, he recommended two significant actions: the release of prominent religious leaders ahead of the upcoming Eid festival and the timely announcement of assembly polls in the Union Territory (UT).

The release of prominent religious leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Moulana Abdul Rasheed Dawoodi, and Moulana Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri, will further fill the environment with a spirit of positivity. These influential figures possess the ability to play an important role in helping eradicate social evils, including the prevailing drug abuse in the Valley, Bukhari told the Home Minister.

Furthermore, the long-awaited announcement of assembly polls in the region would instill a sense of political empowerment among the people. These measures would not only foster a positive atmosphere but will also signify the governments commitment to empowering the people and upholding democratic processes in Jammu and Kashmir, the Apni Party President conveyed to the Home Minister.

Since Jammu and Kashmir has been experiencing an extended period of peace and harmony after a considerable duration, it is an opportune moment to take proactive measures to strengthen democracy and enhance peace further in the region. It is primitive that people are not deprived of their constitutional right to choose their own representatives any longer, Bukhari added.

Welcoming the Amarnath Yatra, which is beginning soon, Apni Party President informed the Home Minister that J&K people are eager to greet the pilgrims as this Yatra has always played a pivotal role in fostering religious harmony, strengthening cultural bonds, and yielding significant economic benefits for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the statement, Bukhari stressed the importance of granting people every opportunity to showcase their warm hospitality by wholeheartedly welcoming the yatra and embracing pilgrims with open hearts and minds. He emphasised the need for the government to have unwavering trust in the people and to ensure ample opportunities for them to extend their gracious hospitality to the yatris.

By doing so, it would not only enhance the overall experience of the pilgrims but also foster a positive and inclusive environment that promotes cultural exchange, understanding, and harmony between the local population and the visiting devotees, Bukhari added.
The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested one Pakistani national while he was illegally crossing the India-Pakistan international border in Punjabs Ferozpur district, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) Punjab Frontier, the Pakistani national was caught by the BSF troops while he was crossing the international border and entering the Indian territory, near the Hazara Singh Wala village in the Ferozepur district. During the investigation, it was revealed that the arrested Pak national had crossed over to Indian territory unintentionally.

The Pak national had crossed the border inadvertently. Nothing objectionable has been recovered from him, said the PRO.

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Subsequently, the BSF approached the Pakistan Rangers and lodged a protest on the matter.

Thereafter, on June 27 2023 at about 5:10 pm, the arrested Pakistani national, being an inadvertent border crosser, was handed over to Pakistan Rangers on humanitarian grounds, stated the Punjab Frontier PRO.

Additionally, the PRO made a statement that the BSF always takes a humane approach while dealing with inadvertent border crossers.
With the Opposition mounting a scathing attack on VK Pandian, Private Secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Centre has asked the Odisha Government to initiate appropriate action against the 2000-batch IAS officer on alleged violation of the All India Services Conduct (AISC) Rules, 1948.

The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) of the Union Government by forwarding the complaint lodged by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Aparajita Sarangi and BJP State President Manmohan Samal has asked Chief Secretary PK Jena to take action as appropriate.

The government has taken cognizance of the violation of service conduct rule by an officer in Odisha. Based on clear evidence of violation, DoPT has asked Chief Secy to take action as State is the cadre controlling authority. Hope law will be allowed to take its course, Sarangi later tweeted.

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Both the BJP leaders had furnished photographic and video graphic evidence on the alleged violation of AICS rules by the influential bureaucrat.

Mr. Pandian is moving around the State using State plane/helicopter and attending public reception. He is announcing new projects and as per his own claims, all this on the instruction of CM. This is done in clear violation of Rule 5(I) and Rule 12 (I) of AISC Rules. 1948, they alleged in the complaint lodged with the DoPT.

There is no such instruction of CM available. Even if there was instruction to go to the field to supervise development works, the activities of the officer, under the garb of supervision of development works, are clear violation of the conduct rules, they further alleged.

The BJP leaders alleged that the CMs private secretary is attending the decorated public meetings that bore resemblance to ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party meetings. The meetings are being organized by prominent BJD faces.

IAS officers are bound by AISC Rules and such spectacle by a serving officer is unheard of in any other part of India, the complaint alleged.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Congress has also lodged a similar complaint against the CMs private Secretary.

No serving officer is permitted under the AISC Rules to represent a political functionary in a public meeting. Since the officer is presently working as the private secretary to Odisha CM, it is futile to expect CM to take action against the officer for violation of rules, Bijay Kumar Patnaik, former Chief Secretary and the current Campaign Committee Chairman of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, stated in a complaint to the DoPT.

With the Opposition attacking the Chief Minister almost on a daily basis over Pandian violating the service conduct and being preferred ministers, BJD MLAs in reviewing development works, Naveen Patnaik in an audio message to people at a public meeting in Barpali yesterday told them that they can voice their grievances to his private secretary. Pandian had played the audio message of the CM in the public meeting at Barpali in Bargarh district on Monday to silence his critics.

However the propriety of Pandian undertaking extensive tour of the State in the name of review of the developmental works is being questioned and has come under criticism from several quarters.

Even if there is an instruction (from CM) to go to the field to supervise the development works, the activities of the officer under the garb of supervision of development works are in clear violation of the Conduct Rules, BJP leaders Samal and Sarangi alleged.
Enabling easy access to justice for the common man, the Ministry of Law and Justice has rolled out eSewa Kendras. The eSewa Kendra will bridge the digital divide by providing e filing services to lawyers and litigants.

815 eSewa Kendras have been made under 25 High Courts, benefiting all the stakeholders to avail citizen-centric services of courts and case-related information conveniently.

Initially, e-Sewa Kendras were created in the High Courts and in one District Court in each State on a pilot basis. It enables litigants to obtain information with respect to case status and to obtain copies of judgments and orders. These centres also extend assistance in e-filing of cases.

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Speaking to The Statesman, President, Supreme Court women Lawyers Association, Mahalakshmi Pavani said, This is going to cut down time and energy for the litigants and the lawyers. The eSewa Kendra would certainly help to bridge the divide. These Kendras represent a significant step for the common man and his right to access to justice. The problem however is about feasibility. The internet access needs to be smooth and the technical knowledge to handle such services is required. Lack of understanding of the subject may pave the way for the touts that need to be checked.

Covering all High Courts and one District Court as a pilot project, it is being expanded to cover all court complexes. The eSewa Kendras are being set up at the entry point of the court complexes with the intention of facilitating the lawyer or litigant who needs any kind of assistance ranging from information to facilitation and e filing.

On 30 October 2020, Indias first e-Resource Center was inaugurated at Nagpur in Maharashtra. The e-Resource Centre Nyay Kaushal will facilitate e-filing of cases in Supreme Court India, High Courts and District Courts across the country. It will also assist the lawyers and litigants in accessing online e-Courts services and shall be the saviour for those who cannot afford the technology. It will provide benefits in saving time, avoidance of exertion, travelling long distances, and saving cost by offering facilities of e-filing of cases across the country, to conduct the hearing virtually, Scanning, Accessing e-Courts services.

Another Practicing Supreme Court Lawyer Abani Sahu said, This will certainly help us all. This will also help to ease out the burden on the courts and cut down on waiting time. The faster system will certainly help the litigants and lawyers both.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has assured that he would talk to the Union Government regarding amendments in the law against drug peddlers.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who organized this programme, was participated by people from various sections of the society, departments and educational institutions also participated.

While flagging off the brisk walk organized from Haroli to Kangar against drugs in Una district, on Tuesday, he said that todays wars were not fought only with weapons, but indirect wars were being fought by making the youth of the country addicted to drugs.

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India is a young nation and some of our neighbouring countries were doing mischief by exploiting the youth of our country, he said, adding that there were about 3000 prisoners in the jails of Himachal Pradesh, out of which more than 40 per cent of the prisoners were involved in offences of drug abuse.

I am happy that the spirit with which I am campaigning against drugs in Himachal is getting support from all sections of the society, the government as well. The Deputy Chief Minister has further strengthened my campaign against drugs. I am sure Himachal is now in a mood to fight a decisive battle against drugs, said he.

He said that Una being a border district was vulnerable to drug peddlers and in such a situation, this program was important.

The governor himself took part in the walk and gave the message of public awareness against drugs. On the occasion, the Governor launched the helpline number 94180-64444. He also released the poster giving further messages to the anti-drug campaign.

While welcoming the Governor, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that he has started this mega campaign from Haroli on the call of the Governor.

He said that this was a well thought fight against drugs. Anyone involved in this illegal trade, no matter how influential he or she may be, will not be spared, he said, adding that this fight was to safeguard the future of yoaung generations. For this, every person needs to spread awareness from every house.

Agnihotri said, There was a need to bring changes in the laws related to drugs. There should be no provision of bail in this and the property of the persons involved in such illegal business should be confiscated and for this the central government needs to cooperate for amendment of the Law.

He said that a proposal in this regard has been sent to the Central government through the Legislative Assembly.

Synthetic drugs have become a big challenge today, which has reached far-flung villages. Strict steps were being taken at every level to stop the smuggling of drugs from the borders of the state, he said.

Those who give protection to such persons should also be brought before the society, he said, adding that there should be a public boycott of such people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth workers to get socially connected with the people and become a medium for common issues at the grassroots level. He counselled the booth workers, asserting that the BJP is a cadre based-party and works on the ground.

The Prime Minister suggested various steps to the party workers during the launch of a nationwide programme mera booth-sabse majboot at Motilal Nehru stadium in Bhopal on Tuesday. The concept was launched in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh to encourage the partys booth workers.

Modi engaged in a dialogue with 2,649 booth workers selected from different states who attended the programme physically. , Around 10 lakh booth workers across the country were digitally connected to listen to the PMs advice, according to Madhya Pradesh BJP president V. D. Sharma.

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The nearly two-hour interaction was based on a question-answer session. While replying to the queries of the BJPs booth workers, Modi hit out at the Opposition accusing them of indulging in corruption and also batted for the controversial Union Civil Code (UCC) calling it the need of the hour in the country.

During the dialogue session, a total of six out of the total 2,649 booth workers physically present were given the opportunity to ask questions to Modi. They were Ram Patel (Madhya Pradesh), Satram Krishna (Andhra Pradesh), Rinku Singh (Bihar), Himani Vaishnav (Uttarakhand), Rani Chaurasia (UP), Heralben Jani (Gujarat).

While responding to each question, the PM spoke at length on a particular issue and at the same time, he continued to attack the Congress and other political parties on different issues. For instance, once he said, One thing you must note that the BJP is not like those who sit in AC rooms and issue fatwas (direction) to their party workers. The BJP is the party of its workers, who work on the ground. You have to understand this basic difference between the BJP and the other political parties.

During his speech, he also encouraged party workers saying all the beneficiary schemes launched by his government could reach the ground level because of the BJPs youth workers. You need to connect with the people socially and make then realise that you stand with them whenever needed. You are the pillar of a long chain of the party workers. If you think doing a booth workers job is small, then you are wrong. You are the ones who are connected with the people directly and others are dependant on you only.
Two days before the festival of Eid-ul-Zuha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi onnTuesday hit out at those allegedly supporting triple talaq and made an ardent appeal to for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country.

Addressing BJP workers in person and virtually at the Motilal Nehru police stadium in Bhopal this afternoon, the PM also spoke about the cause of Pasmanda Muslims and said those involved in vote bank politics had made the lives of these Muslim brothers and sisters miserable. The PM also alleged that a section of the Muslims had only exploited the Pasmanda Muslims.

Modi said triple talaq was not a part of Islam. He pointed out that many Muslim countries including Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Indonesia and others do not allow triple talaq.

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He maintained that those speaking in favour of triple talaq are only involved in vote bank politics and are destroying the lives of Muslim daughters.

The PM appealed for the UCC and said it is not possible to have two different laws for people living in one house. He said in the same way India cannot function properly as a country with this dual system of laws. The PM pointed out that the constitution of India speaks about equal and same rights to all citizens and the Supreme Court has also asked for a common civil code.

The PM also launched a scathing attack on the opposition parties that have taken steps to form a unified coalition against the BJP.

The PM said it was clear from the jittery actions of the opposition parties that the people of the country have made up their minds to again bring the BJP to power in the 2024 lok sabha polls. He said that the opposition parties would resort to tactics like spreading rumours, false allegations and misleading the people to gain power.

Modi said there are numerous scams carried out by the Congress, RJD, TMC, DMK and other opposition parties and the scam metre of these parties would restart if they somehow manage to come to power.

Modi lauded the BJP workers and said they were the real strength of the party on the ground. He said that his address virtually to about 10 lakh BJP workers today is possibly the first time such an event has taken place.

Earlier, the PM flagged off five new Vande Bharat trains, two in MP and three virtually in other states, at a function organized at the Rani Kamlapati Railway station in Bhopal.
The Sudan conflict is worsening to "alarming levels" in Darfur and taking on a worrying ethnic dimension, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Darfur, a vast western region bordering Chad, has witnessed the deadliest violence since the conflict between rival armed forces broke out on April 15.

The army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, after the two fell out in a power struggle.

"We are particularly concerned about the worsening situation in West Darfur," Raouf Mazou, the UN refugee agency's assistant high commissioner for operations, told a briefing in Geneva.

"According to reports from colleagues on the ground, the conflict has reached alarming levels, making it virtually impossible to deliver life-saving aid to the affected populations.

"Increasing numbers of injured civilians are among the newly arrived refugees in Chad," including women and children.

He added: "The ethnic dimension that we had observed in the past is unfortunately coming back" in Darfur, a region scarred by civil war in the 2000s.

That conflict, which erupted in 2003, pitted ethnic minority rebels who complained of discrimination against the Arab-dominated government.

"What we are seeing today is a widening and intensification of conflicts," said UNHCR's Mazou.

"It is very worrying and we are calling on all parties to the conflict to ensure that they spare civilians."

UNHCR said the number of refugees fleeing the fighting in Sudan had now topped 560,000, while the number of people internally displaced within the country was around two million.

UNHCR said it was increasingly alarmed by the growing humanitarian needs of people affected by the crisis, as the delivery of aid remains severely limited by insecurity, a lack of access and low funding.

"560,000 people in just over two months is a huge number," said Mazou.

He said that level of burden could frighten some neighbouring countries, so the international community had to ensure those states could meet the humanitarian needs.

Egypt has received the highest number of refugees, followed by Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.

UNHCR was planning on the basis that a million refugees might flee Sudan in six months, but Mazou said given current trends and the situation in Darfur, it is likely the figure will be exceeded.

It had thought 100,000 might reach Chad in six months, but the projection is now 245,000.

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In an effort to transform Uttar Pradesh into a trillion-dollar economy, the Yogi Adityanath government is embarking on a significant initiative to establish a mega textile park.

State Cabinet Minister Rakensh Sachan, during a two-day Uttar Pradesh MSME Conference 2023, The park, set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon, revealed that the park will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon.

The conference was organised by the apex trade body  Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here on Monday.

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The proposed sprawling textile park, will be developed between Hardoi and Kanpur, making it a highly ambitious project expected to commence within the next one or two months under the esteemed presence of Prime Minister Modi.

Highlighting the governments commitment to promoting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and addressing their concerns regarding financial assistance and marketing, Sachan acknowledged the significant packaging challenges faced by small enterprises. Recognising the pivotal role that quality packaging plays in enhancing product value, the state government is actively exploring the establishment of a packaging institute in Lucknow.

Minister further stated, We are also focusing on the development of multi malls. Three multi malls are proposed for Uttar Pradesh, namely Banaras, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur. We have engaged in discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal regarding this initiative.

Underlining the importance of MSME registration, Sachan encouraged more enterprises in the state to come forward for registration. To incentivise the process, the state government provides accident insurance coverage of up to five lakh rupees for registered MSMEs. This initiative has already resulted in a notable increase, with 1.35 lakh new MSME registrations recorded in Uttar Pradesh during the month of June alone. Registered enterprises enjoy easier access to financial facilities from banks and institutions, prompting the state government to provide additional incentives for MSME registration.

He stated that out of the total 90 lakh MSMEs operating in Uttar Pradesh, only 14 lakh small enterprises are currently registered. The government aims to encourage more businesses to formalise their operations, thereby unlocking the potential for growth and development in the states vibrant MSME sector.

The inauguration of the mega textile park by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to mark a significant milestone in Uttar Pradeshs economic journey, fostering job creation, enhancing trade opportunities, and positioning the state as a major hub for textile manufacturing and production.

Earlier, Suhail Naithani, President, National Council of ASSOCHAMs WTO, Trade and Investment, in his welcome address said that MSMEs can be taken to a new high level with the cooperation of the Central and State Governments.

Ramachandran Venkataraman, Co-Chairman, Business Facilitation and Global Competitiveness, Assocham said that MSME is an important sector in terms of providing employment and regional development. Financial facilities and marketing development remain a big challenge in front of them efforts should be intensified in this direction.

Abhishek Kumar Swarnkar of NPCI stressed on the need for small enterprises to adopt more and more digital payment systems. He said that India has given many new things to the world in the past and India has also played a big role in providing digital payments. He said that out of all the digital payments done in the world, 46 percent of the payments have been done in India.

Anupam Mittal, Co-Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Development Council, ASSOCHAM, in his vote of thanks, offered to help in setting up a packaging institute in the state. He also emphasized on the MSMEs without registration to come forward for registration.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be on a two-day visit to violence-hit Manipur on June 29-30, party leaders said on Tuesday.

Sharing the details of Rahul Gandhis travel plan to Manipur, Congress General secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in a tweet, Rahul Gandhi will visit Manipur on June 29-30. He will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit.

Targeting the BJP government, Venugopal said, Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that the society can move from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate.

The Congress has demanded immediate removal of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for failing to control the situation in the northeastern state.

The Congress has also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modis silence on Manipur, where over 100 people have died in violence that erupted on May 3.

Thousands of people have been forced to take refuge in relief camps across Manipur.
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
As Manipur grapples with escalating ethnic unrest, the absence of Irom Sharmila, the renowned Iron Lady of Manipur has sparked questions about her whereabouts amidst the ongoing violence.

Sharmila, known for her indomitable 16-year hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act, has faced personal hardships. After the historical hunger strike Sharmila relocated to Bengaluru (Bangalore), where she is now settled with her two children. Sharmilas remarkable hunger strike brought global attention to the struggles faced by Manipur and its people. Her non-violent resistance and unwavering determination shed controversial light on AFSPA Act, which granted special power to the military.

Following the conclusion of her hunger strike Irom Sharmila ventured into politics by establishing the People Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA). However, her political endeavors did not yield the desired outcome in the 2017 Manipur State Assembly Election. This prompts the question about whether her absence amidst the ongoing crisis reflects disenchantment with the political system or a deliberate decision to focus on alternative methods of advocating for change.

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The ethnic unrest in Manipur stems from demands from the Meitei community, who seek greater recognition and representation within the state. The clashes between different factions have inflicted significant loss of life and widespread destruction. Amidst this backdrop, Irom Sharmila, a prominent figure in the history of Manipur, is being remembered by many due to her significant contribution in tumultuous circumstances in the past.

After years of relentless fasting, she might have faced physical and emotional challenges that compelled her to step back from the public sphere. Although Irom Sharmilas absence has left a void in Manipurs fight for justice and equality, it is essential to respect her right to privacy and her personal journey after the historic hunger strike. While her powerful voice was once at the forefront of Manipur civil rights movements, her current silence is a reminder of the toll politics may have taken on her well-being. Has the weight of her struggle left her emotionally drained from the forefront of activism or is it how India now values non-violent struggles ?

Her decision to abstain from active participation in the conflict has also sparked a crucial discussion, that she seeks to maintain a neutral stance, avoiding favoritism towards her own Meitei community. As a renowned advocate for justice and peace, Sharmilas deliberate disengagement raises complex questions about the delicate balance between individual neutrality and loyalty to ones community in times of turmoil.

Though, she did on one occasion appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help end violence in Manipur and also asked women of Manipur to concertedly work towards peace in the state.
Accompanied by a convoy of almost 600 vehicles, BRS supremo and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday left for a two day long visit to Solapur in Maharashtra.

The 600-vehicle long convoy seems to be an attempt on Raos part to recreate the 1,000-car long rally from Hyderabad to New Delhi which had taken place in March 2003 in an effort to grab the eyeballs of the residents of the national capital, so far insulated from the heat of the Telangana movement for statehood.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known as, had driven his own car and maintained contacts with the participants in other cars through walkie-talkies and slogans of Jai Telangana reverberated in the air as the vehicles entered and paraded through the streets of Delhi ending with his speech at Ram Leela Maidan. It was also the first time Rao had travelled extensively through Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and had extended his support to the cause of Vidarbha.

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After two decades, Rao is now eyeing a similar impact in Maharashtra where he is keen to fight elections taking advantage of the current political flux after the split in Shiv Sena and the changing ties between political parties. Keen on expanding the BRS in neighbouring Maharashtra Rao has been making several trips to the state, this year, the last one just ten days ago to inaugurate the newly set up BRS office in Nagpur.

Today, Rao set out from Pragathi Bhavan in one of the two buses in the convoy along with his trusted lieutenants like MPs K Keshav Rao, Nama Nageshwar Rao and J Santosh and several ministers. Cars in the convoy had pink banners fixed atop and people lined up on stretches of the road to throw rose petals as the huge convoy made its way to Solapur.

During his visit to Solapur the BRS supremo will combine party work with temple visits. The Telangana chief minister is slated to visit Lord Vithoba temple at Pandharpur which is a popular shrine among farmers who pray for a good monsoon and a good harvest at this time of the year and the Tulja Bhavani Temple at Tuljapur.

The BRS, which has raised the slogan Ab ki bar Kisan sarkar, also plans to shower rose petals from a helicopter on the pilgrims at the Vitthal Rukmini temple at Pandharpur. Rao will also address a rally at Solapur. The chief minister reached Solapur today evening and will stay overnight before leaving for his temple visit tomorrow.
Apple has been looking forward to launching its payment feature called Apple Pay in India for a long time now.

As per GSMArena, Apple is planning to hold talks with the local regulatory bodies, specifically, the NPCI  a special division of Indias central bank Reserve Bank of India. Apple Pay would be entering into a hyper-competitive segment with players like PhonePe, GooglePay, WhatsAppPay, and Paytm, among others.

Reportedly, Tim Cook met with Indian authorities to negotiate a localized version of Apple Pay  customers to be able to scan QR codes and initiate UPI transactions without using third-party apps. Apple also wants users to confirm UPI transactions using the Face ID feature.

However, Apple hasnt entered negotiations with local partners (banks) yet.

In March, Apple introduced Apple Pay Later, a buy now pay later service, but only for select customers in the US. First announced at the WWDC last year, Apple Pay Later lets users split the cost of an Apple Pay Purchase into four equal payments over six weeks, and there is no interest or late fees.

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The Yogi Governments startup policy to encourage new entrepreneurs has started reaping rich dividends. As a result of the policy adopted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2017, Addverb, which started operations from a 400 square feet room, has become the countrys largest robotics company today.

The turnover of the company is more than Rs 450 crore. Besides, the company has given direct employment to more than 2,000 skilled youths. In the near future, Addverb will provide direct employment to 3,000 more skilled youths.

Chief Minister Yogi aims to provide a platform for the innovative and creative youths to set successful business models. In view of the betterment of startup schemes and the need of the youth, he has also formed an Innovation Fund in the state. Its benefits are being given to Uttar Pradesh-based startups. Addverb and companies like it are poised to to making UP a $1 trillion economy.

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The Uttar Pradesh government provided all kinds of support to Addverb from allotting land to setting up the industry. This is the reason why in the year 2021 the Boat-Valley robotic plant started its production in a record time of 18 months. Addverb, which runs on Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India mantra, is making 100 percent indigenous robots. In view of the increasing demand, the company has started its second plant named Boat-verse on 15 acres, which was inaugurated by CM Yogi in the past.

Addverbs robots are used for transporting materials from one place to other. It is being used in factories and warehouses as well as at airports and hospitals. Today, robots made in Uttar Pradesh are being exported to Australia, Singapore, Dubai, America and Europe.

Chief Marketing Officer Satish Kumar Shukla said that the journey of Addverb began with the journey of Yogi ji as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. We started our journey from a small office in Delhi in the year 2017 by taking a rented office and factory in Noida. We got a lot of help from the Startup Policy of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. In true sense, our growth is from UP only. The experience of ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh cannot be found elsewhere.
Yevgeny Prigozhin threatened to march on Moscow in order to remove Russias defence minister, an action that infuriated President Vladimir Putin, who vowed to punish those who betrayed Russia. But after just 36 hours of this conflict, Prigozhin consented to a deal that would see him move to Belarus.

The Kremlin said, he would not be prosecuted as a result, and neither would his loyal troops. Those who wished to could sign contracts to join the regular Russian armed forces.

It is still unknown whether Yevgeny will continue to oversee any mercenaries and, if so, where they will be based.

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A private army of mercenaries known as The Wagner Group has been fighting alongside the Russian armys regular counterpart in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of Wagner soldiers reportedly participated. The groups self-description is private military company, recent actions by the Russian government were seen as an effort to rein it in.

Wagner Group

The Wagner Group (PMC Wagner) first came to light in 2014 when it backed pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine.

It is estimated that there were about 5,000 fighters in this organisation at that time, the majority of them were former members of Russias elite regiments and special forces. It was operated primarily in Africa and the Middle East. Since then, it has expanded significantly.

Russia had trouble filling its regular army, so this organisation began aggressively recruiting in 2022.

The US National Security Council stated that at the beginning of this year, about 80% of Wagners troops in Ukraine were recruited from prisons.

Despite the fact that mercenary forces are prohibited in Russia, the Wagner Group registered as a business in 2022 and established the new headquarters in St Petersburg.

Wagner Group in Ukraine

The Wagner Group played a significant role in Russia capturing the city of Bakhmut, in eastern Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian soldiers, their fighters were sent to attacks in large numbers over open terrain, where many of them killed.

At first, the Wagner Groups involvement in the fighting was not acknowledged by the defence ministry. Later, it commended its mercenaries for acting in a courageous and selfless manner.
An audio recording of a 2021 meeting has revealed former US President Donald Trump discussing holding secret documents he did not declassify after leaving the White House, a media report said.

In the two-minute recording exclusively obtained by CNN, Trump is heard riffling through papers and saying: This is highly confidential.

The recording includes new details from the conversation in Bedminster, New Jersey, which is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of the classified documents.

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During the conversation, Trump is heard describing a document that he alleges is about possibly attacking Iran.

He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isnt it amazing? Trump says near the beginning of the clip.

I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look, he says.

See as President I could have declassified it Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret. These are the papers, Trump says in the audio recording.

The former President and his aides also joke about former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons emails after Trump says that the document was secret information.

Hillary would print that out all the time, you know. Her private emails, Trumps staffer said.

No, shed send it to Anthony Weiner, Trump responded, referring to the former Democratic congressman, prompting laughter.

This latest development comes a week after Trump told Fox News that that he did not have any documents with him, CNN reported.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things.

And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles, the former President was quoted as saying to Fox News.

Earlier this month, Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
If youre tired of the current heatwave and seeking an affordable foreign destination for an escape, read on for a comprehensive guide on how to reach the renowned Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

To begin, you can take a flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Kolkata to Kathmandu. If you have ample time, theres also the option of taking a train to Gorakhpur, Jainagar, New Jalpaiguri, or any station near the Nepal-India border, and then crossing the border in a local vehicle. The great news is that you wont require a visa for this adventure.

The trek to Everest Base Camp commences with a picturesque 30-minute flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. Alternatively, you can opt for a flight from Ramechhap Airport (Manthali Airport) to Lukla, which is the nearest airport to the worlds highest peak. This will be the starting point of your trek.

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For those seeking an alternative to the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Phaplu Everest Base Trek offers a longer and safer journey to the Base Camp of Everest. This trek commences from the charming village of Phaplu, after a short 30-minute flight or a 7 to 8-hour drive from Kathmandu.

Another option worth considering is the Jiri to Lukla route. These traditional routes to Everest Base Camp were quite popular in the 1950s, and the legendary Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa followed these trails during their Mount Everest Expedition. They are especially appealing to those who wish to avoid the Lukla flight, which is considered one of the worlds most perilous flight trips.

Lastly, the Everest Helicopter Tour provides a short and convenient helicopter trip that takes you right to the heart of the mighty Everest, along with other breathtaking Himalayan ranges. This option is ideal for those who prefer not to engage in lengthy days of hiking or have limited time available in their schedule.

Take a break from the scorching heatwave and immerse yourself in the refreshing air of Everest. Indulge in a few days of exploration, visiting museums, monasteries, and savoring the delectable local delicacies. And dont forget to capture countless memories with your camera!
Natural reserves across Egypt, particularly the coastal ones, are fully prepared to welcome thousands of visitors during the four-day Eid Al-Adha holiday, Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said.

With their strong emphasis on visitor comfort and an immersive ecotourism experience, the reserves will offer a unique connection with nature during Eid Al-Adha, noted Fouad.

She further stated that the Ministry of Environment completed preparations for the holidays at the reserves, especially those along the picturesque coastline, such as South Sinai's Ras Mohamed natural reserve and the enchanting Wadi Al-Gemal protectorate in the Red Sea governorate.

"These preparations reflect the Ministry of Environment's ongoing efforts to create a bond between citizens and nature. They also encourage citizens to explore and appreciate the natural wealth within these protected areas," explained the minister.

During the Eid festivities, the reserves will offer programs to educate visitors about Egypt's remarkable biological diversity. Furthermore, environmental researchers will be on-site to engage with the visitors and guide them through the natural wonders, Fouad added.

The reserves, especially marine ones, will have ambulances and trained rescuers stationed to ensure the safety of visitors, she noted.

Egypt is proud to be home to 30 natural reserves nationwide, spanning regions such as Sinai, the Red Sea, Matrouh, Port Said, Greater Cairo, Kafr El-Sheikh, Fayoum, Aswan, Assiut, Beni Suef, Luxor, and the New Valley.

Some notable reserves include the Red Sea's Nabq, Abu Galum, Taba, Saint Catherine, and Cairo's Wadi Degla.

Situated on the outskirts of the Maadi district, Wadi Degla attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, with entrance tickets costing no more than EGP 10 per individual.

With its wealth of fossils and limestone formations, which have endured for millions of years, the reserve offers a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's geological history.

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An investigation has been launched following the disappearance of 10 kg of gold from a total of 100 kg of jalahari, a sacred receptacle, at Nepals historic Pashupatinath Temple. In response to reports of the missing gold, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has assumed control of the temple premises for a thorough investigation.

The jalahari is a container that covers the base of the Shiva Linga, a symbol of Lord Shiva, and is used to collect and drain liquid offerings such as water and milk. The anti-corruption body, which has been probing allegations of corruption related to the installation of the gold jalahari, removed it from the temple and weighed it on Sunday as part of their investigation.

According to Section 12 of the relevant Act, anyone involved in the destruction, removal, alteration, defacement, or theft of an ancient monument or archaeological object is subject to punishment, which includes a fine ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs100,000, imprisonment for a period of 5 to 15 years, or both. The recovery of an amount equal to the claimed damage to the ancient monument or object is also mandated.

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The Pashupatinath Temple holds immense significance as the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. While the exact date of its construction remains uncertain, records indicate its existence as early as 400 CE. The temple features an intricately adorned pagoda housing the linga of Lord Shiva.

Situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is a revered pilgrimage site for devotees and pilgrims from Nepal and India. Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and ascetics also flock to the temple to catch a glimpse of the sacred Shiva lingam. Although the primary temple complex is accessible only to Hindus, non-Hindus can observe from the terraces across the Bagmati River to the east.

Tourists, including many from India who visit Nepal, make it a point to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. Located 5 km east of Kathmandus city center, the capital of Nepal, the temple holds cultural and religious significance for both locals and visitors alike.
Less than a week after the US and India issued a joint statement in which the two nations vowed to stand together to counter global terrorism, the Department of State said that Washington has been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups.

Department spokesman Matthew Miller made the remarks during a press conference on Monday when he was asked to comment on Pakistan dismissing the joint statement as baseless and one-sided.

In his reply, Miller said: We remain committed to working with Pakistan to address the shared threat posed by terrorist groups throughout the region.

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The Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks over the years. We do recognise that Pakistan has taken some important steps to counter terrorist groups in line with the completion of its Financial Action Task Force actions plans.

Moreover, we commend both Pakistan and India for continuing to uphold the ceasefire along the Line of Control.

He however, said that at the same time, the US has also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and their various front organisations.

We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, the spokesman added.

When asked about the joint statement not addressing concerns regarding human rights and religious freedom violations in India, Miller said that we regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials.

And you saw President (Joe) Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi.

Millers remarks came less than a week after the joint statement was issued on June 22 during Prime Ministers state visit to the US.

The statement said that Biden and Modi reiterated a call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, Islamic State, LeT, JeM, and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

The two leader also 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.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, has emerged as a prominent figure in the international arena, particularly in the context of recent discussions following the Wagner Mutiny in Russia. Amidst the ongoing conflict, Sheikh Tamim engaged in a formal virtual conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting Qatars active role in diplomacy and global affairs.

Born as the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, Sheikh Tamim has inherited a legacy of leadership and responsibility. Described by those who know him as friendly, confident, and open-minded, he possesses a unique blend of qualities that have enabled him to navigate the complex world of politics and international relations.

In addition to his charismatic personality, Sheikh Tamim is often recognized for his pragmatism and careful decision-making. He maintains excellent relations with Western nations, further strengthening Qatars position on the global stage. With his deep understanding of regional dynamics and his commitment to diplomacy, Sheikh Tamim has played a crucial role in advancing Qatars interests and promoting stability in the region.

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Beyond his official duties, Sheikh Tamim leads a fulfilling personal life. He is an avid participant in competitive sports, having been captured on film playing badminton and bowling alongside former Egyptian military chief Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. Sheikh Tamims enthusiasm for physical activity reflects his commitment to maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Aside from sports, Sheikh Tamim has a profound interest in history and the rich heritage of his nation. His dedication to preserving Qatars cultural legacy is a testament to his deep-rooted sense of identity and pride. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, he possesses the linguistic skills necessary to address the public and engage with international counterparts effectively.

During the recent conversation with President Putin, Qatars state news agency QNA reported that bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed, alongside the latest regional and international developments. Qatar, known for its nuanced approach to global affairs, has maintained a largely neutral stance amid Russias 16-month full-scale war on neighboring Ukraine. This balanced approach has allowed Qatar to play a constructive role in fostering dialogue and pursuing peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

As Sheikh Tamim continues to guide Qatars diplomatic efforts and shape the nations foreign policy, his leadership remains instrumental in navigating complex international challenges.
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.
Four people are now confirmed dead as civil protection units managed on Tuesday to find one more body under the rubble of the building that collapsed Monday in Alexandria, Egypts second-largest city.

The identity of the latest victim remains unknown as rescue operations to determine if more people were trapped under the rubble continue, with five residents still reported missing.

Earlier today, the civil protection units pulled the body of a 13-year-old boy, Abdullah Mahfouz, from the rubble just one day after recovering the bodies of Mostafa Othman, 22, and Hamdy El-Sayed, 40.

Four individuals who sustained minor injuries in the collapse left the hospital on Monday after receiving medical treatment.

The 13-story apartment building, accommodating Egyptian holidaymakers, collapsed in Alexandria's Sidi Bishr neighbourhood on Monday, prompting heightened vigilance among the local authorities, including the governorate's apparatuses and health and social solidarity facilities.

"The top floor of the building had already received a demolition order, and the entire property was examined by a committee responsible for inspecting buildings at risk of collapse," Governor of Alexandria Mohammed El-Sherif said.

The Public Prosecution issued an order to detain a contractor for four days pending investigation over charges of carrying out unauthorized constructions on the top floor and ignoring the demolition order.

It also launched an investigation into the collapse, sending a team to inspect the scene. The prosecution instructed civil defence and municipal officials to secure the area and adjacent properties.

A committee from the governorate's Housing Directorate has also been formed to determine the cause of the incident and examine the building's documentation, according to a statement by the prosecution.

The Decent Life Foundation announced Monday that it would provide EGP 25,000 to the victims' families.

The foundation said it had also deployed field monitoring teams in Alexandria to provide on-ground support to the affected individuals.

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FILE - Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey smiles during inauguration ceremonies in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, in Boston. Healey  one of the country's first two openly lesbian elected governors and a descendant of Irish immigrants  is planning to address the Irish Senate on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to help commemorate the 30th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ireland.
The conservative Republican attorney general of Kansas says a new Kansas law requires the state to reverse any previous gender changes in its records for trans peoples birth certificates and drivers licenses while also preventing such changes going forward
FILE - Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Prosecutors say they are seeking the death penalty against Kohberger, the man accused of stabbing four University of Idaho students to death in November 2022. Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson filed the notice of his intent to seek the death penalty in court on Monday, June 26.
After the Titan implosion, the US Coast Guard wants to improve the safety of submersibles

An international group of agencies is investigating what may have caused a submersible to implode while carrying five people to the Titanic wreckage
A New Hampshire woman who worked at a Massachusetts day care center is accused of taking sexually explicit photos of children and sending them to a former partner
The United States said Monday it would stop funding scientific research with Israeli academic institutions in the occupied West Bank, taking a new step away from validating the occupation of Palestinian territories.

The decision by President Joe Biden's administration reverses a move made under Donald Trump that rejected the wide international consensus that Israel illegally occupies the West Bank, which it seized in the 1967 Six-Day War.

New guidance to US government agencies advises that "engaging in bilateral scientific and technological cooperation with Israel in geographic areas which came under the administration of Israel after 1967 and which remain subject to final-status negotiations is inconsistent with US foreign policy," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

He stressed that the United States "strongly values scientific and technological cooperation with Israel" and said the restriction on West Bank funding "is reflective of the long-standing US position going back decades."

The decision will most visibly apply to Ariel University, a major academic institution founded in 1982 on what was then a new settlement in the West Bank.

Members of the rival Republican Party swiftly attacked the decision.

Senator Ted Cruz, known for his outspoken criticism of Biden, slammed the administration for what he called "anti-Semitic discrimination" against Jews in the West Bank, and said it was "pathologically obsessed with undermining Israel."

David Friedman, Trump's ambassador to Israel and champion of Ariel University, accused the Biden administration of embracing the activist movement to boycott Israel.

The administration however says it opposes the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, which calls for severing ties with Israel as a whole, not just settlements.

Under Trump's secretary of state Mike Pompeo, Washington took actions to normalize Israeli settlements in the West Bank including by letting their products be labeled as "made in Israel."

The Biden administration has gone back to the long-standing US position of calling for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and criticizing settlement expansion under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Washington has stopped short of any substantive effort at negotiating a peace deal, seeing prospects as highly unlikely with Netanyahu, who is leading the most right-wing government in Israeli history.

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Three Palestinian shepherds, including a child, were injured today in an attack by Israeli settlers northwest of the ancient city of Jericho, in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported.

Settlers chased the shepherds while they were grazing their sheep in al-Mleihat community, threatened them at gunpoint, and forced them to leave the pastures, Hasan Mleihat, an activist with the Bedouin community said.

He said two men and a 10-year-old child were injured in the attack.

Settlers regularly attack shepherds in the pastures and force them to leave the area.

The incident came amid a wave of Israeli attacks on Palestinian villages in the West Bank over the last week.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, approximately 200 Israeli settlers, some armed and under the protection of the Israeli army, carried out a brutal attack on the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya in the central West Bank, murdering one Palestinian and wounding dozens of others. They also burned 30 houses, 60 cars and dozens of olive trees.

Later, the extremist Israeli settlers stormed a mosque in Urif, vandalized the building and to ripped pages out of the Quran before discarding it in the street. Settlers also set fire to a school and attempted to burn down houses.

UN estimates indicate that about 700,000 illegal settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank and occupied Jerusalem.

Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

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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.

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.
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.

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.

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.

Western leaders say that the failed mutiny by the Russian mercenary Wagner Group over the weekend reveals the weakness of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 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.
Job Title: Information Systems Officer  Software

Organisation: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Senior Systems Administrator

Job code: UETCL/023

About US:

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company limited (UETCL) is responsible for bulk purchase of electricity from the generating companies and selling it in bulk to the distribution companies throughout Uganda. UETCL is also responsible for exports and imports of electricity to Uganda. Our vision is: To Become a leading strategic business partner in the transmission and Single Buyer Business and to support sustainable energy development in Uganda.

Job Summary: The Information Systems Officer  Software will provide Software maintenance, documentation, training and support. Design, installation, testing and maintenance of software systems for more efficient processes and operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Evaluate companywide requirements for information systems, assess design and maintain their protection procedures/mechanisms in accordance with the ICT policy.

Automate business processes in accordance with the Corporate Business Plan including but not limited to bespoke software design, development, maintenance and user training.

Maintain the intranet portal and Company website.

Maintain up to date information systems configuration documentation in accordance with the ICT policy including but not limited to maintaining of an up-to-date software media inventory.

Carry out database administration for all relational databases.

Manage availability of information systems (Imaging, Backup and restore).

Carry out any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

A bachelors degree with honours in Computer Science or Information Technology or Physical sciences (Maths or Physics) Statistics or Electrical/Electronic Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering or related IT field.

Three years of experience in design, installation, testing and maintenance of software systems.

Must have an IT professional certificate(s) such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, CISA or ITIL.

Knowledge of computer hardware, software and network applications including, Storage, Virtualization and Microsoft technologies.

Significant experience in developing and implementing IT systems using dot net framework or PHP or Python, C++ or JAVA or related programming and scripting languages.

Expert proficiency in the use, design, implementation and publishing of web applications including in-depth understanding of webservers such as Apache, Microsoft Internet Server (IIS) or Nginx.

Previous experience in developing database driven applications using Oracle or Microsoft SQL.

Must have a good analytical and communication skills.

A person of integrity, highly motivated, innovative and a committed team player.

How to Apply:

If your qualifications and experience match the requirements for any of the roles, please complete and submit your application via the following link: Application Form for UETCL Staff Recruitment. All applications must be submitted via the online application form at the link above.

NB: All applications will be selected on merit and only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. For any questions regarding the application process please contact the Executive Selection Division (ESD), KPMG on +256 312 170080 or +256 312 170081 or via ug-fmesd@kpmg.com

Deadline: 7th July 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Job Title: Senior Legal Officer  Litigation

Organisation: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Manager Litigation

Job code: UETCL/005

About US:

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company limited (UETCL) is responsible for bulk purchase of electricity from the generating companies and selling it in bulk to the distribution companies throughout Uganda. UETCL is also responsible for exports and imports of electricity to Uganda. Our vision is: To Become a leading strategic business partner in the transmission and Single Buyer Business and to support sustainable energy development in Uganda.

Job Summary: The Senior Legal Officer  Litigation will provide legal advice and manage the litigation unit for the safeguarding of UETCL interests.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Review court pleadings and advise the company on the likelihood of success or failure in prosecuting/defending the matter. Attend Court mediation process for amicable settlement of cases.

Follow up on the progression of cases before the court and advise the company on the course of action.

Prepare legal briefs to external counsel, obtain all relevant documentation in support of court cases by and against UETCL

Provide legal advisory which involves preparation of legal opinions on different matters within the company and preparation of land acquisition agreements following the Public Procurement and Disposal law.

Negotiate settlement of all claims arising from breach of torts or contracts, viz. Common Law Actions by UETCL employees, public liability claims against UETCL, UETCL claims against other parties; claims arising from trespass, defamation, slander, nuisances, sale of goods, etc.

Provide legal advice concerning the day-to-day contract negotiations, drafting, and document preparation & advice in respect of all procurements of goods, services, works, and consultancies in UETCL.

Sensitize staff on legal issues and contract management to minimize litigation.

Advise management on the legal issues to ensure compliance with the attendant laws.

Support the litigation process of the company by liaising with external counsel to defend matters under litigation and ensuring proper and effective resolution of suits by or against the company.

Manage resolution of insurance claims.

Develop the companys annual risk assessment matrix.

Arrange and prepare witnesses within the company to attend court.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The applicant must hold a bachelors degree with honours in Law from a recognized institution.

Must have a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal practice.

Must have a valid practicing certificate.

Six years of professional experience as a practicing advocate specifically in commercial and land transactions with at least 3 years in drafting contracts and negotiations.

Organizational skills

Honesty and Integrity

Ability to pay attention to detail

Good legal analysis skills

Excellent speaking and writing skills in English, including the ability to draft material in a variety of styles, for different audiences and within tight deadlines

Ability to undertake a variety of tasks within the same time frame

How to Apply:

If your qualifications and experience match the requirements for any of the roles, please complete and submit your application via the following link: Application Form for UETCL Staff Recruitment. All applications must be submitted via the online application form at the link above.

NB: All applications will be selected on merit and only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. For any questions regarding the application process please contact the Executive Selection Division (ESD), KPMG on +256 312 170080 or +256 312 170081 or via ug-fmesd@kpmg.com

Deadline: 7th July 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
An Al-Badr terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.

They said a Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel was injured during the operation in Hoowra area of the south Kashmir district.

A police spokesman said a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces in Hawoora area during the night after a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist.

As the search party moved towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately, leaving a J-K police personnel injured, the spokesperson said, adding he has been shifted to a hospital for treatment.

The hiding terrorist was given an opportunity to surrender, but he kept on firing on the forces, inviting a retaliation, the spokesman said.

In the ensuing encounter, the local terrorist linked with proscribed Al-Badr was killed and his body retrieved from the site, he said.

The spokesperson identified the slain terrorist as Adil Majeed Lone, a resident of Akbarabad Hawoora, Kulgam.

Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including a pistol with live rounds and a grenade were recovered from the site of the encounter and taken into case records for further investigation, the spokesman added.

Earlier, a video purportedly showing the militant minutes before his killing surfaced on social media in which he identified himself as Adil Majeed Lone, associated with al-Badr outfit.

"My name is Adil Majeed Lone. I am a resident of Hoowra village of Kulgam district, associated with al-Badr outfit. I have been working with them for a long time, he says in the video, brandishing a pistol.

He asked people to pray for him so that God accepts my martyrdom.
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.
In another incident of encounter killing in Uttar Pradesh, a 27-year-old man, accused in multiple cases of murder and dacoity, was shot dead by police personnel on Tuesday morning.

Police identified the deceased as 27-year-old Muhammed Gufran. He was an accused in over a dozen cases and carried a reward of Rs 1.25 lakh on his arrest.



According to Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, Gufran, a resident of the neighbouring Pratapgarh district, was injured in an exchange of fire with the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force team near Samda village in the Kaushambi district. Though he was rushed to the district hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.



As per statistics, as many as 183 criminals have died in encounter killings since March 20, 2017, in the state. These included the recent murders of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, his brother and his son. Other gangsters who died in encounter killings include Vikas Dubey on July 10, 2020, and gangster Tinku Kapala the same year.



Opposition parties and human rights activists have questioned the genuineness of many of these incidents. At least one listed criminal has been killed every 13 days in a police encounter in the state in the past six years.


A man travelling on Mumbai-Delhi Air India flight was held on Monday for allegedly defecating and urinating in flight.

According to the police, the incident took place onboard AIC 866 on Saturday.

An FIR was registered by the police against the person identified as Ram Singh. He was travelling to Mumbai.

The passenger on seat number 17F, defecated, urinated and spat in row 9 of the aircraft, the FIR stated.



It was the cabin crew members, who first spotted the misconduct, following which a verbal warning was given to the person. He was secluded from the rest of the passengers, said the police.

The crew also informed the pilot-in-command and message was immediately sent to the airline authorities. The airport security was alerted and was requested to escort the passenger on arrival.

The act mid-air had left several passengers agitated, stated the FIR.

The head of Air India security attended the passenger on arrival at Delhi airport and escorted Singh to the local police station, it said.

"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. Air India follows a zero tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations," the airline said in a statement.

Police said that a case under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against Singh.

The accused personnel was produced before a court and later was granted bail, a senior official told ANI.

Police said that further investigation is underway.

Earlier, on November 26 last year a man, who was in an inebriated condition, allegedly urinated on a woman co-passenger onboard an Air India flight from New York to Delhi.

Similar incident occurred 10 days later, when a "drunk" male passenger allegedly "urinated" on a blanket of a female passenger on a Paris-New Delhi Air India flight on December 6.

(With PTI inputs)
The NHRC has sent notices to the chairman of the Railway Board, the Delhi government and the city police chief after a woman died of electrocution on the New Delhi Railway Station complex, officials said on Tuesday.



The 34-year-old schoolteacher came in contact with a live wire when she lost her balance and grabbed an electric pole to break her fall amid rain early on Sunday morning.



In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that besides civic and electricity authorities, the Indian Railways also "seemingly failed to keep a vigil on such life-threatening lapses" at the station, which is one of the busiest public places of Delhi.



The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that the woman was electrocuted at the New Delhi Railway Station premises on June 25. Reportedly, she clutched an electric pole for support in a waterlogged area, where people alight from taxis, on the Ajmeri Gate side of the station, it said.



Her sister too received an electric shock while trying to rescue her. Allegedly, the victim's family has claimed that despite a police station located just a few metres from the spot, no one came to help in time, the statement said.



The commission observed that the media report, if true, amounts to a "grave violation" of the human rights of the victim and her family due to the "apparent negligence of the authorities contributing to waterlogging and open electrical wires".



Accordingly, the NHRC issued notices to the chairman of the Railway Board, the chief secretary of the Delhi government, and the city police commissioner, seeking a detailed report within four weeks.



"It should include the present status of the FIR registered in the matter, action taken against the officers/officials responsible for the negligence as well as compensation if any, paid to the aggrieved family. The Commission would also like to know about the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future," the statement said.



The NHRC said the victim's family members have reportedly claimed that she lay on the ground for around 25 minutes before some taxi and autorickshaw drivers came for help. They pulled away the victim's nine-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter, who were standing next to her and saved them, it said.



Sakshi Ahuja, along with her family, was on her way to board a train to Chandigarh. She was with her father, mother, brother, sister, and two children at the time of the incident. She lived with her family in Preet Vihar and was a teacher at Lovely Public School in Laxmi Nagar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will make a two-day visit to Manipur on Thursday, on the backdrop of ongoing violence in the state.

In a tweet, Congress party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said, @RahulGandhi ji will be visiting Manipur on 29-30 June. He will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit.

He added, Manipur has been burning for nearly two months, and desperately needs a healing touch so that the society can move from conflict to peace. This is a humanitarian tragedy and it is our responsibility to be a force of love, not hate.

Home Minister Amit Shah conducted an all-party meet recently to discuss Manipur violence. Parties who attended the meeting questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue.

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.
A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court by the sister of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf seeking constitution of a commission chaired by a retired apex court judge to inquire into their "custodial" and "extra judicial deaths".

Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj in April.

In her petition, Aisha Noori, has also sought a comprehensive inquiry by an independent agency into the "campaign of encounter killings, arrests and harassment" targeting her family which is allegedly being carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government. "The petitioner, who has lost her brothers and nephew in 'state-sponsored killings', is constrained to approach this court through the instant writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a comprehensive inquiry by a committee headed by a retired judge of this court or in the alternative by an independent agency into a campaign of 'extra-judicial' killings carried out by the respondents," the plea submitted.

"The respondents-police authorities are enjoying full support of the Uttar Pradesh government which appears to have granted them complete impunity to kill, arraign, arrest, and harass members of the petitioner's family as part of a vendetta," it alleged.

It claimed that in order to "silence" the members of the petitioner's family, the state is "roping them one by one in false cases".

The petitioner said it is essential that an independent agency carries out an inquiry which can "evaluate the role played by high-level state agents who have planned and orchestrated the campaign targeting the petitioner's family".

The top court is seized of a separate plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari seeking an independent probe into the killing of Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf.

While hearing Tiwari's plea on April 28, the apex court had questioned the Uttar Pradesh government why Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were paraded before media while being taken to a hospital for a medical checkup in police custody in Prayagraj.

The counsel appearing for Uttar Pradesh had told the top court that the state government is probing the incident and has constituted a three-member commission for this. The top court had directed the state government to submit a status report on steps taken after the incident.

In his plea, Tiwari has also sought an inquiry into the 183 encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017.
Hours after it triggered a huge controversy, Periyar University in Salem, Tamil Nadu withdrew its circular asking the students not to wear black clothes during the convocation ceremony on Wednesday. The University reportedly feared there could be protests as Governor R.N. Rav is expected to attend the event.

Earlier, the university had sent out a circular to the students, advising them not to wear black clothes and avoid using mobile phones during the function.

The circular said that the instructions were given by the university administration based on the instructions from Salem district police. The circular was issued by University Registrar K. Thangavel's office. The 21st convocation ceremony of the university is scheduled to happen on Wednesday and Governor R.N. Ravi who is the chancellor of all universities in Tamil Nadu will preside over the event.

However, police sources told THE WEEK that the police did not ask the university administration to issue any such instructions. Police sources said that they visited the premises only to oversee security arrangements for the event. We did not ask the university to send out any such circular, police sources told THE WEEK.

The circular stirred a huge controversy in the state, as black is a colour associated with Periyar and Dravida Kazhagam. Since black is known to be symbol of protest, sources say the circular was issued by the university administration as it feared there might be protests or opposition from the students against the governor.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, while interacting with over 10 lakh booth-level BJP workers across the country during his Madhya Pradesh visit said, the opposition is instigating people in the name of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).



"Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country be run on two (laws)? The Constitution also talks of equal rights...Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics," he said.

Making a strong case for the UCC in India, he said that it is envisioned in the Constitution and the Supreme Court has asked for it to be implemented. Modi also said the issue of UCC is being used to mislead and provoke the Muslim community, he added.

Addressing over 3,000 BJP workers selected from across the country, an impassioned Modi said, Those supporting triple talaq are doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters". The 3000 BJP workers Modi addressed had made effective contributions in empowering their booths under the party's Mera Booth Sabse Majboot" campaign.

On the topic of triple talaq, Modi said that even in countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where there is a Muslim majority, triple talaq has been banned. "I was in Egypt day before yesterday. In Egypt, over 90 per cent people belong to the Sunni communiy. They did away with triple talaq 80-90 years ago. If Islam is a necessary tent of Islam, then why don't these countries have triple talaq? Why do Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia do not have triple talaq?" he said.

"Will a family function if there are two different sets of rules for people? Then how will a country run? Our Constitution too guarantees equal rights to all people," the prime minister added.



Here's how the opposition reacted



Reacting to PM Modis statement on Uniform Civil Code, CPIM leader M A Baby said, PM has not spoken a word on Manipur. Its the immediate issue that needs mention by the prime minister. He is not satisfied by putting the northeastern state on fire and now wants the same for the country. UCC is aimed at assaulting a minority community."

The Congress, meanwhile, released an animated video comparing Rahul Gandhis mohabbat ki dukaan" with BJPs nafrat ka bazaar".

Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Tariq Anwar commented, When any law is made it is for everyone and they have to follow it. Then what is the need to discuss that bill which has already been passed? PM Modi is doing so because elections are ahead and they have done nothing for the country."

DMK leader TKS Elangovan said, Uniform Civil Code should be first introduced in the Hindu religion. Every person including SC/ST should be allowed to perform pooja in any temple in the country. We don't want UCC only because the Constitution has given protection to every religion.

Arif Masood, Congress leader and Executive member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board said, PM should remember that he has taken oath on the Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar. All sections of the country have faith in Constitution and will not allow it to change.
One of Japans best-known kabuki actors Ennosuke Ichikawa has been arrested on suspicion of assisting his mothers suicide, according to local media. Both of his parents were found unconscious at his home last month.



According to local broadcaster NHK, Ichikawa has been arrested. A renowned star of the classical art form, Ichikawa has performed in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Rescue workers found his 76-year-old father  also a kabuki actor  and his 75-year-old mother unconscious at his home in Tokyo, in May. Both of them were confirmed to be dead later from an overdose.

47-year-old Ichikawa was found in a cupboard at the house and taken to hospital. One being questioned by the police, he said the family discussed dying and being reborn and that his parents had taken sleeping pills. He admitted to the charges and said, he was going to follow my parents and kill himself. Ichikawa, who had also written a suicide note, had prescribed the sleeping pills. He reportedly attempted suicide with his parents and was arrested as the police feared that he might tamper with the evidence or attempt to run away,

The circumstances around the deaths are being investigated. Ichikawa, whose real name is Takahiko Kinoshi, made his kabuki debut in 1980.
In response to the India-US joint statement calling on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used for terror acts, Islamabad on Monday summoned the US embassy's deputy chief to voice its concern at the "unwarranted, one-sided and misleading references to it in the joint statement."

Pakistan had handed over a demarche to deputy chief of mission Andrew Schofer, urging the US to refrain from issuing statements that may be "construed as encouragement of Indias baseless and politically motivated narrative against Pakistan."



The statement by Pakistan's Foreign Office read: "It was also emphasised that counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and US was progressing well and that an enabling environment centred around trust and understanding was imperative to further solidify Pakistan-US ties."



: PR NO. 127/2023



Demarche conveyed to the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission



https://t.co/10v0gHyiAn pic.twitter.com/9vJsSnNNFa  Spokesperson  MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 26, 2023

Islamabad's response came after India and the US issued a joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US state visit. In the joint statement, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including Al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.



They also strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks. They called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks to be brought to justice.



Pakistan immediately protested the joint statement calling it "contrary to diplomatic norms." The country's FO had also expressed surprise at the statement considering "Pakistans close counterterrorism cooperation with the US."



However, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller reacted to Pakistan's demarche during his daily news briefing. Miller said that while Pakistan had taken important steps to counter terrorist groups, Washington advocated for more to be done.



"At the same time, however, we have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently dismantle all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad, and their various front organizations and we will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials," he said.

LeT is the group behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks which claimed over 160 people while Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the Pulwama 2019 bombing in Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops.


Pope Francis' envoy Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi will be travelling to Moscow on Wednesday to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war.

Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference will be accompanied by Secretariat of State official, Vatican News reported.

Zuppi will likely uphold Pope Francis's desire for a resolution to the war on the European continent, the publication reported. Pope Francis had earlier said a secret mission was in place to broker peace between the warring nations.

He is due to remain until Thursday, which is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul an important day for both Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

The two-day mission by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a veteran of the Catholic Church's peace initiatives, comes as the Kremlin is reeling from the weekend armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russia has since dropped charges against Prigozhin and others who took part in the brief rebellion.

The principle aim of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity that can contribute to favour a solution to the tragic current situation and find paths to a just peace, the statement said.

Zuppi, 67, is a veteran of the Catholic Church's peace mediation initiatives through his longtime affiliation with the Sant'Egidio Community. Through the Rome-based charity, Zuppi helped mediate the 1990s peace deals ending civil wars in Guatemala and Mozambique, and headed the commission negotiating a cease-fire in Burundi in 2000, according to Sant'Egidio.

Zuppi visited Ukraine's capital earlier this month, on 5-6 June, as part of the peace mission. The Cardinal met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior Ukrainian government officials during the visit. During the meeting with Zelenskyy, the Cardinal expressed Vatican's readiness to assist through diplomatic channels and humanitarian initiatives.

A pastor in Francis' style and considered papabile having the qualities of a future pope Zuppi was tapped by Francis in May. The Argentine Jesuit pope has repeatedly expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for peace, but he has refrained from calling out Russia or President Vladimir Putin by name.

The Vatican has a tradition of quiet diplomacy and not taking sides in conflicts, in hopes of helping forge peaceful outcomes.

(With PTI inputs.)
Also welcome are U.S. dues that once accounted for 22 percent of UNESCO's budget. The Biden administration has proposed slowly paying off the $619 million in arrears, starting with $150 million in 2024 dues and back payments.

"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.

"The reason why the U.S. is coming back is a strong signal that UNESCO's mandate is more relevant than ever," said UNESCO's 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.

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."

Still others suggest Israel, which similarly defunded and ultimately left the body, should follow Washington's footsteps in returning.

Yet even as many welcome Washington's move to rejoin over concern that competitors like China are filling the void, some observers wonder how long that welcome will last. Next year's U.S. presidential elections are looming, potentially ushering in another administration hostile to UNESCO's policies and membership.

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 agency's 193 members, although China and Russia have offered some critical and cautionary remarks.

UNESCO member states meet later this week on the Biden administration's bid to rejoin the Paris-based UN 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.

 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 UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

More than a thousand sites have also made UNESCO's 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

"You're seeing China taking a lot of leadership roles," said Markham, who can still participate in scientific meetings as a member of a nongovernmental organization. "I'm not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing. It's 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.

Now, politics are again driving America's 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 France's Le Monde newspaper in an editorial -- even as it warned against Washington's "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?

China's 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."

Russia's foreign ministry said it, too, was willing to welcome back the U.S., but warned Washington needed to follow UNESCO's 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 newspaper's own editorial suggested Israel might consider rejoining the agency -- picking which programs to support while boycotting others -- to counter Palestinian "disinformation."

Mixed reactions over UNESCO have been sounding in the U.S. as well. "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. "The one thing they burst out spontaneously in applause was when I said the U.S. had announced it was going back to UNESCO," he said. "And I'm certain there were Republicans as well as Democrats in that audience."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he would have suppressed Saturday's armed rebellion by the Wagner Group anyway, adding that he let the mutiny go on as long as it did to avoid bloodshed.

The President, who appeared on state TV on Monday, said the leaders of the mutiny wanted to see Russian society "split and sink into bloody civil discord."



"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."



"The organisers of the mutiny, having betrayed their country, their people, also betrayed those whom they dragged into the crime. They lied to them, they pushed them to death: under fire, to shoot their own."



"The armed mutiny would have been suppressed in any case. The mutiny's organisers, despite their loss of judgment, could not but understand this," he added. He, however, did not mention Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.



Putin, whose last appearance was hours before the mutiny, also thanked the Wagner fighters who made the "right decision" to retreat. He said they would have the opportunity to continue serving Russia by entering into a contract with the Ministry of Defense or other law enforcement agencies.



"Whoever wants to can go to Belarus," Putin added.



The Russian President also confirmed that Russian fighter pilots were killed in the aborted mutiny as he paid tribute to them. "The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences," Putin said. However, there was no mention of how many men died. There were reports from Russia 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, reported Reuters.



Later in the evening state media RIA Novosti reported Putin holding a meeting with heads of security agencies, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Putin also spoke with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the rebellion, according to the Kremlin.


The White House, on Tuesday, condemned the online harassment of Sabrina Siddiqui, the Wall Street Journal journalist, who asked PM Narendra Modi a question about ethnic minorities in India. Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council John Kirby said the White House was "aware of the reports of that harassment".



The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said the journalist had been subjected to "some intense online harassment from people inside India".

"Were aware of the reports of that harassment. Its unacceptable. And we absolutely condemn any harassment of journalists anywhere under any circumstances... And its antithetical to the very principles of democracy that - that - youre right - were on display last week during the state visit, Kirby said.

PM Modi was asked the question: Mr Prime Minister, India has long prided itself as the worlds largest democracy, but there are many human rights groups who say that your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics. As you stand here in the East Room of the White House, where so many world leaders have made commitments to protecting democracy, what steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and to uphold free speech?



To the question, Modi responded, Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracyour government has taken the basic principles of democracywe have always proved 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.





The WSJ also said, "At the question-and-answer event with the president and Prime Minister Modi, our colleague, Sabrina Siddiqui of The Wall Street Journal, asked a question of the prime minister and since the time she has been subjected to some intense online harassment from people inside India. Some of them are politicians, they have associations with the Modi government.



White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said that "we're committed to the freedom of press" and "condemn any efforts of intimidation or harassment of a journalist".
Ahmedabad, Jun 27 (PTI) The Gujarat government will on Wednesday sign an MoU with American computer storage chipmaker Micron Technology for a semiconductor assembly and test facility at Sanand in Ahmedabad district, said the state government on Tuesday.

The MoU (memorandum of understanding) will be signed in the evening in Gandhinagar in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries, said a government release.

On June 22, Micron had announced it will set up a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat entailing a total investment of USD 2.75 billion (around Rs 22,540 crore).

Micron's plant has been approved under the central government's "Modified Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) Scheme".

Under the scheme, the US-based firm will receive 50 per cent fiscal support for the total project cost from the Centre and incentives representing 20 per cent of the total cost from the Gujarat government.

"Phased construction of the new assembly and test facility in Gujarat is expected to begin in 2023. Phase 1, which will include 500,000 square feet of planned cleanroom space, will start to become operational in late 2024," Micron had said in a statement earlier.

The company had said the plant will create up to 5,000 new direct jobs and 15,000 community jobs over the next several years.

"Micron's new facility will enable assembly and test manufacturing for both DRAM and NAND products and address demand from domestic and international markets," the statement said.
Guwahati, Jun 27 (PTI) A Rs 250 crore fund has been created in Assam by multiple stakeholders, including World Bank, to promote small and medium units in the agriculture sector, officials said on Tuesday.

Venture capital fund Caspian Impact Investment Adviser said it has joined hands with the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society to roll out the agribusiness investment firm.

The Hyderabad-based company said that according to the agreement, ARIAS will be the nodal agency for establishing and implementing a contributory and determinate investment trust -- the Assam Agribusiness Investment Fund (AAIF).

"With a corpus of Rs 250 crore, AAIF is a unique sector-specific fund, focusing on boosting agricultural productivity and employment generation in the state. It will mainly invest in small and medium enterprises in the agribusiness and allied sectors to achieve accelerated growth," it said in a statement.

ARIAS is designated as the anchor investor for the AAIF, which will be managed by Caspian Equity as the fund manager.

Commenting on the development, Caspian Impact Investment Adviser Executive Director and CEO Saurabh Johri said: "We are delighted to collaborate with ARIAS in our shared mission to catalyse the economic development of Assam's rural communities. By combining our investment expertise with ARIAS' deep-rooted knowledge and experience, we aim to make a sustainable impact and empower individuals to thrive."

Caspian Investment Director Ravi Narasimham will lead the fund and the company looks forward to building a partnership with ARIAS to enable the creation of a prosperous and empowered rural community, he added.

ARIAS Society Chairman Ashish Kumar Bhutani said, "AAIF is a unique and first-of-its-kind state-led initiative that aims to address the critical gaps in value chain finance in the agriculture and allied sectors and help increase farmers' income."

World Bank Group Finance Sector Specialist Toshiaki Ono said that agribusiness SMEs play a vital role in this transformation but external finance, especially long-term and patient capital for their growth, is extremely limited.

"We are confident that the Fund will support high-growth and high-impact agribusiness SMEs for vibrant and resilient agri-food value chains in Assam," he added.
ISELIN, N.J. and LONDON and MUMBAI, India , June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies, a leading global provider of IT services and solutions, has been honored with two prestigious awards at the Microsoft AI Solutions Foundry Program. Competing against more than 30 outstanding teams, Hexaware's innovative use of AI demonstrated a groundbreaking application of MicrosoftAzure Open AI service, securing a spot among the top 5 winners and an additional special mention.



Hexaware's BondReco solution was awarded as one of the highly coveted 'Top 5 Winning Solutions'. This unique offering leverages generative AI capabilities to automatically classify bonds into ERISA-eligible and non-eligible categories, providing invaluable assistance in identifying safe and unsafe investments. Beyond this, BondReco notably reduces manual processing times by over 40+ hours and curtails audit fees by a substantial $7000.

Hexaware's second solution, Loan Audit Automation, received the distinguished 'Noteworthy AI Solution Award'. The solution expedites the loan application compliance process, enabling early risk assessment and pinpointing potential Non-Performing Assets. This innovative solution has showcased its potential to reduce a bank's Adjusted NPA rates by up to 50%.



Milan Bhatt, President & Global Head, Cloud and Data, Hexaware, commented on the recognition, "At a time when Generative AI has become a keystone of innovation, we have seized its profound potential and taken the lead in developing industry-specific solutions that are transforming industries and reshaping business landscapes. By leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI service, we've crafted solutions that not only save time and money but contribute to a safer and more transparent investment environment. We see this recognition as a reaffirmation of our mission to empower our clients and the industry at large, through ground-breaking AI solutions."



Venkat Krishnan, Executive Director, Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft India, said, "At Microsoft, our goal is to democratize our breakthroughs in AI through Azure to help people and organizations be more productive and solve the most pressing problems of our society. Microsoft AI Solution Foundry is a five-week intensive program, aimed at offering Microsoft partners an opportunity to innovate by helping them develop cutting-edge AI solutions. My heartfelt congratulations to Hexaware for this achievement and their innovative use of AI to create these unique solutions."



About Hexaware



Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Our 29,000 Hexawarians wake up every day with a singular purpose; to create smiles through great people and technology. With 54 offices in 19 countries, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes.



Learn more about Hexaware at https://www.hexaware.com.



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/530945/Hexaware.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Infrastructure company G R Infraprojects Ltd on Tuesday said its engineers are assessing the reason for the caving in of a bridge pillar in the Kishanganj district of Bihar.

In the incident, which took place on Saturday, a pillar of the bridge over the river Mechi had collapsed.

"Galgalia Bahadurganj Highway Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) regrets the unfortunate pillar sinking incident in Kishanganj of pillar sinking at one of our project locations over Mechi river," G R Infraprojects Limited said in a statement.

A thorough investigation is underway to determine the reasons for caving in the pillar. A technical team is on-site to determine the cause of the incident and take necessary remedial actions to mitigate any associated risks, the Gurugram-based company said.

The under-construction bridge on NH-327E would have linked Kishanganj and Katihar upon completion.

G R Infraprojects Ltd is an integrated (engineering, procurement and construction) EPC player.
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) A special court has given the go-ahead to start the trial in the Rs 331-crore loan fraud in IFCI against builder Era Housing and Developers and its directors after the CBI filed a charge sheet, officials said Tuesday.

The CBI had filed the charge sheet against the company and its authorised representative Delhi-based industrialist Hem Singh Bharana besides 13 other entities including companies and individuals, they said.

Taking cognisance of the charge sheet filed by the CBI, the special court has summoned all the accused for August 14 for initiating the trial, they said.

The central probe agency has charged Bharana and the other accused under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and others.

The agency has alleged that all the accused dishonestly induced IFCI Ltd. to disperse the term loan by submitting misleading facts and wrong CA Certificates.

It alleged that as part of the conspiracy, they diverted the term loan funds for a purpose other than it was granted.

"Thereby, in pursuance of criminal conspiracy, they have cheated IFCI Ltd. and incurred wrongful gain to the tune of Rs. 331 Crores to themselves and wrongful loss to IFCI Ltd," the agency alleged.

The IFCI had alleged that the company had started defaulting on loan payments since 2012 following which a number of notices were issued, they said.

When the company went to sell mortgaged properties at Palwal to recover dues, they encountered third parties which claimed their ownership over the land.

The matter was handed over to the CBI in 2020 when the agency was already probing another alleged scam case of Rs 737 crore by Bharana in the UCO Bank in which former chairman and managing director of the bank Arun Kaul was also an accused.
Srinagar, Jun 27 (PTI) The Centre's decision to remove 20 per cent retaliatory import duty on American apples will pile on difficulties for the already stressed Kashmiri horticulture industry, fruit dealers and growers in the valley said.

The farmers and dealers were suffering due to hail storms and unexpected weather conditions, including unseasonal rain, this year, Bashir Ahmad, president of the Fruit Growers and Dealers Association of Kashmir, told PTI

The fruit industry of Kashmir is already struggling. Reducing 20 per cent import taxes on Washington Apple will add more difficulties and have an adverse impact on the horticulture industry, he said.

"Now, if we wont get adequate rates of the apples, it will be very unfortunate. Though the production of apples is quite high, a decrease in rates will raise our difficulties tremendously. We request the Government of India to immediately roll back the waiver," Ahmad added.

He said this will not only benefit the apple farmers of Kashmir but also those from Himachal and Uttarakhand.

Shahid Chowdhury, General Secretary of the New Kashmir Fruit Association, said the 20 per cent waiver will substantially bring down the prices of Kashmir apples.

"Foreign countries are quite advanced than us. The farmers get subsidies, technologies and there are a number of schemes that make their products far superior in quality. If tax is lower, growers of Kashmir and apples of Kashmir would not be able to compete with them," Chowdhury said.

Farooq Ahmad Rather, an apple grower, said that in 2017, the government of India raised the duty of the apple from the United States from 50 per cent to 70 per cent.

"But now the unfortunate news came that Washington Apples duty is reduced by 20 per cent. It will adversely affect the local produce of Kashmir.

"For three to four years, the US product was not affecting our market but now produce from other countries was coming up in the market that is having very bad consequences on growers of Kashmir. We are already at a great loss ... I believe this is a wrong decision and the government should look into this," he added.

Mehraj Ahmad, a fruit seller, said if the cost of American apples is reduced, the market of the local apple will get affected.

"As Kashmiri apples are famous all over India, we dont want our apple demand to be reduced. We want our apple industry to grow," he added.
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) The second season of Korean military drama series "DP", starring popular actors Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan, will start streaming on Netflix from July 28.

The fast-paced thriller revolves around Private An Jun-ho (Jung) and Corporal Han Ho-yeol (Koo) who return to capture army deserters and "bring them back, safe and sound".

The Korean arm of streaming service Netflix on Tuesday shared the official teaser and premiere date on its official Twitter handle.

"It will never change. if you don't do anything. An unusual story that ordinary people had to go through, <D.P.> Season 2. July 28 only on Netflix," the streamer said in the tweet.

Based on the Lezhin webtoon "DP Dog's Day" by Kim Bo-tong, "DP 2" will also see Kim Sung-kyun and Son Suk-ku reprise their roles of Sergeant First Class Park Beom-gu and Captain Im Ji-sub, respectively.

While Jung is popular with Indian fans for K-dramas "Something in the Rain" and "One Spring Night", Koo is known for the Netflix series "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" and acclaimed film "Escape from Mogadishu".

Kim starred in Korean shows such as "Reply 1988" and "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo", whereas Son's credits include "My Liberation Notes" and Korean adaptation of American legal drama "Suits".

The first season of "DP" aired on Netflix on August 27, 2021 and received critical acclaim for its screenplay and the cast's performance.
Karachi, Jun 27 (PTI) Ahead of Eid ul-Adha celebrations, street criminals in Pakistan's largest metropolis, Karachi, are increasingly targeting people carrying sacrificial animals which are being sold for thousands and lakhs of rupees.

In the first five months of 2023, street crimes in the city rose sharply, with at least 46 people killed while resisting robberies in over 3,000 reported incidents, according to the Sindh Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).

Alarmingly, over 21,000 mobile phones have been snatched, and over 20,000 motorcycles and cars were reported snatched or stolen.

Street criminals in the city have graduated from looting people to stealing sacrificial animals and carrying out daring hold-ups in restaurants and even graveyards, making life miserable for the over 17 lakh metro area population.

In a new trend witnessed in recent days, criminals have taken to stealing and taking off with sacrificial animals with impunity, brought in large numbers by citizens ahead of Eid ul-Adha celebrations on Thursday.

Being sold this year for thousands and lakhs of rupees, sacrificial animals have become such a lucrative target for criminals that a special security force has been deployed by the Sindh police at the main animal markets set up for the upcoming Eid.

Last week, armed robbers daringly unloaded goats from a moving van as the driver watched helplessly with two motorcyclists pointing guns at him.

The nadir came last Saturday when six criminals looted people in a graveyard in the Korangi area of the city while video-recording their exploits on their mobile phones.

The six were identified and arrested from the Shershah area in the city, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malik Zafar Awan.

We found stolen motorcycles, mobiles and other valuables from their safe house in Shershah when we conducted a raid to arrest them, he said, adding that the gang was also involved in street crimes and home invasions in different parts of the city.

Karachi, reported to be the 12th largest city in the world and Pakistans economic hub, has been plagued by street crimes for many years, with the impunity of street criminals growing due to the weak law enforcement in the city.

According to sociologist Dr Aima Akbar, the recent increase in street crimes can be attributed to the ongoing political and economic turmoil in the country.

Criminals are emboldened because of the turmoil, and for a long time now, it is common knowledge the Sindh police does not have enough manpower to man a city like Karachi which is expanding rapidly, she said.

Admitting that police were short-staffed, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Muhammad Tariq Mughal said, "We have set up a special Shaheens force to deal with street criminals, but presently we have just 128,000 policemen of all ranks on duty, and this makes it difficult to petrol every area of the city.

He conceded that many cases of street crimes also go unreported.

Shedding light on the reasons for rampaging street crimes, Aima Akbar said, These are complex and multifaceted. Unemployment and poverty contribute to this. Many qualified youths are without jobs, and this leads to frustration and anger."

The combination of poverty with the large population of poor and underprivileged people in Karachi often leads people to turn to crime as their means of survival.

Weak law enforcement is also a significant factor contributing to street crime in the populous city with a metro area population of 17,236,000. Newly elected Mayor Murtaza Wahab said one of his main priorities was to work with law enforcement agencies and improve the security situation in Karachi.

Asserting that the provincial government has already taken various steps to improve law and order, including establishing special police units to tackle street crime, he said, "But we also need to address the other causes for the youth turning to street crimes like creating more job opportunities."
Up to 69,000 jobs could disappear if the minimum wage rises to W10,000 an hour next year, according to a business lobby (US$1=W1,306).

Prof. Choi Nam-suk at Jeonbuk National University analyzed the impact of minimum wage hikes at the request of the Federation of Korean Industries and said a 3.95 percent hike in the minimum wage next year could result in the loss of 29,000 to 69,000 jobs.

That is equivalent to 8.9-22 percent of new jobs that were created annually on average over the last five years. If the minimum wage were set at W12,210 as labor unions demand, up to 470,000 jobs could disappear.

"Small businesses that employ mostly young workers in the hospitality and construction sectors will be hit especially hard," Choi said. "If the minimum wage rises, small businesses will face financial difficulties, which would result in a decrease of jobs available for low-income groups."

A commission of labor, management, government and academic representatives is in tense negotiations before it comes up with the new rate at the end of the month.

Last week labor representatives on the commission rejected a proposal from business groups to exempt certain sectors from the next hike because they can no longer cope.
Singapore, Jun 27 (PTI) A 37-year-old Indian national has been sentenced to five months in jail and fined 1,000 Singaporean dollars for biting off one of the ear lobes of a compatriot worker and also cursing him in 2020 while inebriated.

Manohar Sankar, a construction worker from Tamil Nadu, stayed at a workers' apartment in Singapore along with others, Channel News Asia reported on Monday.

On May 19, 2020, Sankar was drinking liquor on the rooftop of the apartment where the victim was also present.

Without any provocation, Shankar started scolding the 47-year-old Indian, who was not named, with vulgarities in Tamil, following which the victim felt distressed and asked Sankar to stop scolding him.

The pair scuffled and fell down, and Sankar bit off the victim's left earlobe, the report said. While other men separated the duo and administered first aid to the victim.

Shankar pleaded guilty to one count each of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and using abusive words.

Sankar was sentenced to five months in jail and a fine of 1,000 Singaporean dollars (USD 740) for his crimes.

A doctor at a hospital found that the victim had lost 2 cm of his left earlobe in a 'traumatic left ear laceration'. His wounds have since healed, but he suffers permanent disfiguration of his left earlobe, the prosecutor was quoted as saying in the report.

For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, Sankar could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined or caned.
Peshawar Jun 27 (PTI) At least six people, including two children, were killed and four others injured when a speeding passenger van fell into a deep ravine in a mountainous district in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, a rescue official said.

The passenger van was on its way to Kolai Palas in the Lower Kohistan district from the Bisham area when it lost control while negotiating a sharp turn in the mountainous terrain.

At least six people, including a woman, and two children, were killed and four others injured in the accident, a rescue official said.

The injured were immediately shifted to a hospital in Patan for necessary medical aid. The police have launched an investigation into the accident, reported ARY news.

According to the initial police report, the accident occurred due to overspeeding.

The caretaker chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Muhammad Azam Khan, took notice of the accident and ordered concerned authorities to ensure medical facilities for the injured.

The KPK governor Haji Ghulam Ali also expressed his grief over the incident and directed authorities to provide a detailed report on the incident, the report said.

Road accidents happen frequently in Pakistan, especially in areas where roads and highways need repairs and no proper safety measures are followed while awarding licenses and permits to commercial vehicles.
Beijing, Jun 27 (PTI) Ahead of next months SCO summit to be held for the first time under Indias Presidency, India on Tuesday inaugurated an exquisitely designed 'New Delhi Hall' here at the headquarters of the eight-member grouping, which External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said depicted a mini-India.

The Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) comprising China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan is located in the high-end diplomatic area in Beijing.

While the six founding members China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan have their halls highlighting their cultures and unique features, India is the first to add its own 'New Delhi Hall' which is officially opened ahead of the July 4 SCO summit to be held in virtual format.

Pakistan may have to await its turn to set up its hall.

In his video address, Jaishankar said, I am delighted to inaugurate the New Delhi Hall at the SCO Secretariat today amidst the august presence of the SCO Secretary General and other distinguished colleagues.

I am particularly pleased to note that this is being done under the first-ever SCO presidency which will conclude soon with the SCO Summit, he said.

The New Delhi Hall, Jaishankar said, is conceived to be a mini-India in the SCO Secretariat and will showcase various facets of Indian culture.

To make you visualise the depth of Indias artistic tradition and cultural identity, the Hall has been designed with exquisite patterns and motifs representing the rich architectural craftsmanship found throughout India, he said.

The hall, with its traditional design, is also equipped with modern technologies to facilitate meetings both in physical and virtual formats, he said.

I hope that the New Delhi Hall will be a useful addition to the SCO Secretariat that will augment Indian colours/flavour to the multicultural and multinational character of the SCO Secretariat. The Hall will be a testament to Indias commitment to fostering the essence of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam which means The World is One Family, he said.

The hall will be useful in conducting the activities and meetings of the Secretariat which are increasing year after year, he said.
Houston, Jun 27 (PTI) The horrific death of an airport ground worker in the US state of Texas who was sucked into a passenger jet engine has been ruled a suicide by the local medical examiner.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office on Monday said 27-year-old David Renner died of blunt and sharp force injuries at San Antonio International Airport, local media outlet KEN 5 reported.

The Medical Examiners Office ruled the death a suicide, it said.

The workers death occurred at about 10.25 pm (local time) as a Delta Air Lines flight which had just arrived in San Antonio, Texas from Los Angeles was taxiing to an arrival gate with one engine running when he was killed on Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the employee was "ingested" into the engine of the plane.

An investigation was initially launched by the NTSB, but it came to a halt on Monday after the medical examiner confirmed suicide as the cause of the death, cbsaustin.com reported.

The NTSB will not be opening an investigation into this event. There were no operational safety issues with either the airplane or the airport, it quoted an NTSB spokesperson as saying.

The family of Renner says he was working for a company that Delta Air Lines contracts for ground support.

"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 statement from the airline read.

Renner was employed by Unifi Aviation, a company which several airlines contract to assist with ground handling operations.

Unifi Aviation has said it will have grief counsellors on site through Tuesday.

Earlier, the company said in a statement that it is "deeply saddened" by the tragic incident.

"Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased, and we remain focused on supporting our employees on the ground and ensuring they are being taken care of during this time," it said.

"From our initial investigation, this incident was unrelated to Unifis operational processes, safety procedures and policies. Out of respect for the deceased, we will not be sharing any additional information," it added.

San Antonio firefighters and police officers were the first to respond to the workers death late on Friday.

A similar incident occurred late last year in Alabama when an airport worker was pulled into a plane engine.

On Wednesday, regional airline Piedmont was fined USD 15,625 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the death of a ground crew worker in the Alabama incident.

"Proper training and enforcement of safety procedures could have prevented this tragedy," said OSHA Area Director Jose A Gonzalez in Mobile, Alabama.

"This incident is a tragic reminder that safety measures must be in place even for a routine assignment," Gonzalez said in a statement.

A subsidiary of American Airlines, Piedmont Airlines Inc. is based in Salisbury, Maryland.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Rome, Jun 27 (AP) Pope Francis' peace envoy is heading to Moscow on Wednesday in hopes of helping find a solution to the tragic current situation of the war in Ukraine, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

The two-day mission by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a veteran of the Catholic Church's peace initiatives, comes as the Kremlin is reeling from the weekend armed rebellion led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Russia has since dropped charges against Prigozhin and others who took part in the brief rebellion.

It follows Zuppi's visit to Kyiv earlier this month, which the Vatican described as an initiative to try to find paths of peace.

On the Moscow leg, Zuppi will be accompanied by an official from the Vatican secretariat of state, according to a statement from the Holy See press office.

He is due to be remain until Thursday, which is the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul  an important day for both Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

The principle aim of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity that can contribute to favor a solution to the tragic current situation and find paths to a just peace, the statement said.

Zuppi, 67, is the archbishop of Bologna, president of the Italian bishops conference and a veteran of the Catholic Church's peace mediation initiatives through his longtime affiliation with the Sant'Egidio Community.

Through the Rome-based charity, Zuppi helped mediate the 1990s peace deals ending civil wars in Guatemala and Mozambique, and headed the commission negotiating a cease-fire in Burundi in 2000, according to Sant'Egidio.

A pastor in Francis' style and considered papabile  having the qualities of a future pope  Zuppi was tapped by Francis in May.

The Argentine Jesuit pope has repeatedly expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for peace, but he has refrained from calling out Russia or President Vladimir Putin by name.

The Vatican has a tradition of quiet diplomacy and not taking sides in conflicts, in hopes of helping forge peaceful outcomes. (AP) FZH
Colombo, Jun 27 (PTI) Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used as a base for any threats against India, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said, asserting that the island nation remains "neutral", having no military agreements with China.

Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to the UK and France, made the comments during an interview with France's state media on Monday.

In an interview with France24, Wickremesinghe said, "We are a neutral country, but we also emphasise the fact that we cannot allow Sri Lanka to be used as a base for any threats against India."

Responding to a question about China's perceived military presence in Sri Lanka, the president said that the Chinese have been in the country for about "1500 years and, so far, there has been no military base".

Wickremesinghe asserted that the island nation has no military agreement with China and said, "There won't be any military agreements. I don't think China will enter into one."

The president said there were no issues of military use by the Chinese of the southern port of Hambantota, which Beijing took over on a 99-year lease as a debt swap in 2017.

He assured that even though the Hambantota harbour has been given out to China's Merchants, its security is controlled by the Sri Lankan government.

"The Southern Naval Command will be shifted to Hambantota, and we have got one brigade stationed in Hambantota in the nearby areas," he added.

Last year, Sri Lanka allowed the Chinese ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota port, raising fears in India and the US about Chinas increasing maritime presence in the strategic Indian Ocean region.

There were apprehensions in New Delhi about the possibility of the vessel's tracking systems attempting to snoop on Indian installations while being on its way to the Sri Lankan port.

The ties between India and Sri Lanka had come under strain after Colombo gave permission to a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine to dock in one of its ports in 2014.

Wickremesinghe, 74, was elected president last year following the resignation of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who fled the country amid the turmoil caused by Sri Lanka's economic crisis, its worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, triggered by forex shortages.
Idlib (syria), Jun 27 (AP) A Russian airstrike Tuesday targeted a military post of a group linked to al-Qaeda in northwest Syria killing at least six militants, medical officials and a war monitor said.

The airstrike on the Jabal al-Zawiya area in the northwestern province of Idlib came two days after another airstrike on a busy vegetable market in the same province killed at least nine people.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the Tuesday morning airstrike killed eight militants and wounded other members of the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS.

Medical officials in the area said the strike killed six militants and wounded others.

It is not uncommon to have conflicting figures of casualties in the aftermath of airstrikes on Idlib province, the last remaining rebel stronghold in war-torn Syria.

Russia joined the war in September 2015, helping tip the balance of power in favor of President Bashar Assad in the 12-year conflict that has killed half a million people.

Neither Syrian nor Russian authorities commented on Tuesday's airstrike.

HTS is the most powerful group in the region which is also home to other factions including Turkey-backed groups.

Turkey has been a main backer of the opposition since the conflict began and has troops deployed in northern Syria. (AP) FZH
Washington, Jun 27 (PTI) Members of the powerful India Caucus have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing India access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and boost its security goals with the US in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

Indian-American Democratic Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Marc Veasey joined Republican Congressmen Andy Barr and Mike Waltz in introducing the legislation that will allow weapon sales to India from the US to be fast-tracked and deepen the US-India defence ties.

Companion legislation has also been introduced by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Cornyn in the US Senate, a statement issued by Krishnamoorthis office said.

Barrs office said in a statement that this legislation would place India on equal footing with other U.S. partners and allies by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and exports under the Arms Export Control Act.

It subjects Indian FMS to the same threshold for oversight and accountability as other key US partners and allies, ensuring that India has streamlined access to the high-end capabilities necessary to defend itself.

By deepening the U.S.-India defence partnership, this legislation will buttress Indias role as a key provider of security in Asia, the statement said.

The move came days after the historic state visit to the US by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, India and the US signed a host of defence and commercial pacts, including joint production of jet engines in India to power military aircraft and a deal on the sale of armed drones.

Krishnamoorthi said that under the Arms Export Controls Act, the review and sales process for weapons to American partners and allies is streamlined and accelerated.

By adding India to this list, FMS will not only be approved faster but they will also be required to clear the same threshold for oversight and accountability as all other American allies.

"This will ensure India has access to the weapons it needs to defend itself and further US-India security goals in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.

Krishnamoorthi said strengthening the U.S.-India strategic partnership is vital to the prosperity and security of not only both nations but also other democracies around the world.

That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to expand security cooperation between the United States and India by adding India to the list of partners included in the Arms Export Control Act, he said.

Krishnamoorthi added that on the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party, where he serves as the Ranking Member, we passed this legislative recommendation with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now we must pass this bipartisan measure into law.

Congressman Waltz said the US and India are bonded by shared national security interests and democratic values.

"Which is why its so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today, he said.

"As our militaries continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

India, the US and several other world powers have been talking about the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of Chinas rising military manoeuvring in the strategically vital region.

China claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, through which more than USD 5 trillion of trade passes annually.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over some of the areas claimed by China.

Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Congressman Barr added that by removing the red tape around military sales, we are recognising India as the key partner it is."

"Together, the United States and India will continue to cooperate and safeguard our shared national security interests and promote stability in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Barr said as the worlds largest democracies, strengthening our global partnership is paramount in addressing the challenges of today and securing a safer future for all.
Minsk, Jun 27 (AP) Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of inmate recruits and other mercenaries that has fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is in Belarus after his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin, Belarus's president said on Tuesday.

The exile to Belarus of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of the deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. He and some of his troops would be welcome to stay for some time at their own expense, President Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said preparations are under way for Wagner to hand over its heavy weapons to the Russian military. Prigozhin had said his troops were preparing to turn over their weapons ahead of a July 1 deadline for them to sign contracts to serve under the Russian military's command.

Russian authorities also said on Tuesday that they have closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no charges against Prigozhin or his troops after the negotiated deal. The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said its investigation found that those involved in the mutiny, which lasted less than 24 hours, ceased activities directed at committing the crime".

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for charges of financial wrongdoing against an affiliated organisation owned by Prigozhin. He told a military gathering that Prigozhin's Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles (USD 941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over USD 1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items.

I hope that while doing so they didn't steal anything or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concord's contract.

For years, Prigozhin has had lucrative catering contracts with the Russian government. Police who searched his St. Petersburg office over the weekend said they found 4 billion rubles (USD 48 million) in trucks outside, according to media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers' families.

Over the weekend, the Kremlin had pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, even though Putin had branded them as traitors and authorities rushed to fortify Moscow's defences as the mutineers approached the capital.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has treated those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have gotten long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

Prigozhin's specific whereabouts were not known on Tuesday.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putin's grip on power amid the 16-month-old war in Ukraine. In addresses Monday and Tuesday, Putin has sought to project stability.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in a clash between Prigozhin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Their long-simmering personal feud has at times boiled over, and Prigozhin has said the revolt aimed to unseat Shoigu, not Putin.

Lukashenko said he put Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing as the mutiny unfolded. He said he had urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, adding that a conflict with Wagner could have spiralled out of control.

Like Putin, Lukashenko portrayed the Ukraine war as an existential threat, saying: If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose any details about the Kremlin's deal with the Wagner chief. He said only that Putin had provided Prigozhin with certain guarantees, with the aim of avoiding a worst-case scenario".

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports. The Defence Ministry didn't release information about casualties.

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) from Moscow without facing any serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters, We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Zolotov also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

In a nationally televised address Monday night, Putin said organisers of the rebellion had played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies. Although critical of their leaders, he praised the mutineers who didn't engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink.

A Washington-based think tank said that was likely in an effort to retain them in the fight in Ukraine because Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

In his Kremlin speech to soldiers and law enforcement officers on Tuesday, Putin praised them for averting a civil war".

As part of the effort to cement his authority following the chaotic response to the mutiny, the ceremony featured Putin walking down the red-carpeted stairs of the Kremlin's 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address the troops.

Putin mentioned the casualties and honored them with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said. They didn't waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists have vented outrage about Prigozhin and his troops not getting punished for killing the airmen. Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in an audio statement on Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because they were getting bombed.

In another show of authority, Putin was shown meeting Monday night with top security, law enforcement and military officials, including Shoigu. Putin thanked his team for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Shoigu.

In a defiant statement on Monday, Prigozhin taunted the Russian military again, but said he hadn't been seeking to stage a coup against Putin.

It wasn't clear whether he will be able to keep his mercenary force. Putin has offered Prigozhin's fighters to either come under Russia's Defence Ministry's command, leave service or go to Belarus.

Prigozhin said, without elaborating, that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction, but it was unclear what that meant.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagner's presence in his country, though in Russia there have been recent incidents of Wagner-recruited convicts being suspected of violent crimes.

The Wagner troops have priceless military knowledge and experience they can share with Belarus, he said during a meeting with his defence minister.

But Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbours.

Belarusians don't welcome war criminal Prigozhin, she told The Associated Press. If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbours. (AP) PY

PY
Korean sci-fi film "The Moon" starring Sol Kyung-gu has been sold to 155 countries before it even hit the screens here next month.

The film's distributor said Monday that growing global interest in all things Korean has facilitated the sale to countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and the U.S.

"Korean content is in focus around the world and there is a high level of expectations over production quality," a staffer at the distributor said. "Foreign buyers showed a lot of interest and confidence in the overwhelming scale and quality of 'The Moon,' which is about space and lunar exploration."

Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, who also helmed the "Along With the Gods" hit franchise, "The Moon" is a survival drama about Korea's first astronaut to set foot on the celestial body.

Also starring Doh Kyung-soo of boy band EXO and Kim Hee-ae, it opens in theaters here on Aug. 2.
Minsk, Jun 27 (AP) Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and is in Belarus, that country's president said.

The exile of the 62-year-old owner of the Wagner Group was part of the deal that ended the short-lived mutiny in Russia. He and some of his troops are welcome to stay for some time at their own expense, President Alexander Lukashenko said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said preparations are under way for Wagner to hand over its heavy weapons to the Russian military. Prigozhin had said those moves were underway ahead of a July 1 deadline for his troops to sign contracts to serve under the Russian military's command.

Russian authorities also said on Tuesday that they have closed a criminal investigation into the uprising and are pressing no charges against Prigozhin or his followers after the negotiated deal. The Federal Security Service, or FSB, said they, ceased activities directed at committing the crime".

Still, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to set the stage for charges of financial wrongdoing against an affiliated organisation owned by Prigozhin.

He told a military gathering that Prigozhin's Concord Group earned 80 billion rubles (USD 941 million) from a contract to provide the military with food, and that Wagner had received over 86 billion rubles (over USD 1 billion) in the past year for wages and additional items.

I hope that while doing so they didn't steal anything or stole not so much, Putin said, adding that authorities would look closely at Concord's contract.

For years, Prigozhin has had lucrative catering contracts with the Russian government. Police who searched his St. Petersburg office on Saturday said they found 4 billion rubles (USD 48 million) in trucks outside, according to media reports confirmed by the Wagner boss. He said the money was intended to pay soldiers' families.

Over the weekend, the Kremlin had pledged not to prosecute Prigozhin and his fighters after he stopped the revolt on Saturday, less than 24 hours after it began, even though Putin had branded them as traitors and authorities rushed to fortify Moscow's defences as the mutineers approached the capital.

The charge of mounting an armed mutiny is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Prigozhin escaping prosecution poses a stark contrast to how the Kremlin has treated those staging anti-government protests in Russia, where many opposition figures have gotten long sentences in notoriously harsh penal colonies.

Prigozhin issued no public statements on Tuesday.

The series of stunning events in recent days constitutes the gravest threat so far to Putin's grip on power amid the 16-month-old war in Ukraine.

In addresses Monday and Tuesday, Putin has sought to project stability and demonstrate authority.

In his Kremlin speech to soldiers and law enforcement officers on Tuesday, Putin praised them for averting a civil war.

The ceremony featured the president walking down the red-carpeted stairs of the Kremlin's 15th century white-stone Palace of Facets to address the troops.

Russian media on Tuesday showed Defence Secretary Shoigu, in his military uniform, greeting Cuba's visiting defense minister in a pomp-heavy ceremony. Prigozhin has said his goal had been to oust Shoigu and other top Russian military leaders, not stage a coup agianst Putin.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for 29 years while relying on Russian subsidies and support, portrayed the uprising as the latest development in the clash between Prigozhin and Shoigu. While the mutiny unfolded, he said, he put Belarus' armed forces on a combat footing and urged Putin not to be hasty in his response, lest the conflict with Wagner spiral out of control.

Like Putin, Lukashenko portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, If Russia collapses, we all will perish under the debris.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not disclose details about the Kremlin's deal with the Wagner chief. He said only that Putin had provided Prigozhiin with certain guarantees, with the aim of avoiding a worst-case scenario".

Asked why the rebels were allowed to get as close as about 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) from Moscow without facing any serious resistance, National Guard chief Viktor Zolotov told reporters, We concentrated our forces in one fist closer to Moscow. If we spread them thin, they would have come like a knife through butter.

Zolotov also said the National Guard lacks battle tanks and other heavy weapons and now would get them.

The mercenaries shot down at least six Russian helicopters and a military communications plane as they advanced on Moscow, killing at least a dozen airmen, according to Russian news reports. The Defence Ministry didn't release information about casualties.

Putin mentioned the casualties on Tuesday and honoured those killed with a moment of silence.

Pilots, our combat comrades, died while confronting the mutiny, he said. They didn't waver and fulfilled the orders and their military duty with dignity.

Some Russian war bloggers and patriotic activists have vented outrage about Prigozhin and his troops not getting punished for killing the airmen. Prigozhin voiced regret for the deaths in an audio statement Monday, but said Wagner troops fired because they were getting bombed.

In a televised address Monday night, Putin said organisers of the rebellion had played into the hands of Ukraine's government and its allies. Although critical of their leaders, he praised the mutineers who didn't engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped on the brink.

A Washington-based think tank said that was likely in an effort to retain them in the fight in Ukraine because Moscow needs trained and effective manpower as it faces a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Institute for the Study of War also said the break between Putin and Prigozhin is likely beyond repair, and that providing the Wagner chief and his loyalists with Belarus as an apparent safe haven could be a trap.

On Monday, too, Putin was shown meeting Shoigu and other top security, law enforcement and military officials. Putin thanked them for their work over the weekend, implying support for the embattled Shoigu.

In a defiant statement on Monday, Prigozhin taunted the Russian military again. It wasn't clear whether he will be able to keep his mercenary force. Putin has offered Prigozhin's fighters to either come under Russia's Defence Ministry's command, leave service or go to Belarus.

Prigozhin said, without elaborating, that the Belarusian leadership proposed solutions that would allow Wagner to operate in a legal jurisdiction, but it was unclear what that meant.

Lukashenko said there is no reason to fear Wagner's presence in his country, though in Russia there have been recent incidents of Wagner-recruited convicts being suspected of violent crimes. The Wagner troops have priceless military knowledge and experience they can share with Belarus, he said during a meeting with his defense minister

But Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a 2020 election that was widely seen as fraudulent and triggered mass protests, said Wagner troops will threaten the country and its neighbours.

Belarusians don't welcome war criminal Prigozhin, she told The Associated Press. If Wagner sets up military bases on our territory, it will pose a new threat to our sovereignty and our neighbours. (AP) PY

PY
Washington, Jun 27 (PTI) The US has been consistently calling on Pakistan to step up efforts to permanently disband all terrorist groups like the LeT, JuD and their various front organisations, a top state department official has said.

Addressing the media on Monday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials and will continue to work together with it to counter mutual terrorist threats.

We have also been consistent on the importance of Pakistan continuing to take steps to permanently disband all terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and their various front organisations," he said.

"We will raise the issue regularly with Pakistani officials, and will continue to work together to counter mutual terrorist threats, as we discussed during our March 2023 CT dialogue, he said.

Miller was responding to a question on the India-US joint statement issued during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

In the joint statement, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for concerted action against all UN-listed terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul-Mujhahideen.

The two leaders strongly condemned cross-border terrorism, and the use of terrorist proxies and called on Pakistan to take immediate action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for launching terrorist attacks.

Miller declined to comment on India's response to former US president Barack Obama's statement about minority rights in India.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Obama reportedly 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.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior ministers have slammed Obama for his statement, saying, "He (Obama) should also think about how many Muslim countries he has attacked (as US president)".

Singh's comments came a day after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at Obama, saying his remarks were surprising as six Muslim-majority countries had faced US "bombing" during Obama's tenure.

In response to another question, Miller said, "We regularly raise concerns about human rights in our conversations with Indian officials. And you saw President Biden speak to this himself in the joint press conference that he held with Prime Minister Modi.
Islamabad, Jun 27 (PTI) The Pakistan government on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the trial of civilians allegedly involved in attacks on the army facilities has not yet started in the military courts.

A six-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik was hearing the pleas challenging the trial of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the Official Secret Act, 1923.

Attorney General Mansoor Awan told the bench during the hearing that the trial of civilians involved in the May 9 violence was yet to begin after the chief justice on Monday hoped the trial would not commence while the court was hearing the case.

The development came as the military spokesman on Monday told the media that 102 civilians were in military custody for trial at 17 military courts which were already functional under the existing laws.

No trial has started yet and that also takes time. The accused will have time to hire lawyers first, the attorney general informed the court.

Lawyers representing the petitioners asked the court to issue an order to stay the trial of civilians in military courts but the bench said an interim stay was not possible without hearing the arguments of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP).

However, the chief justice directed that the suspects be allowed to speak to their families.

Later, the hearing was adjourned till the Eid festival which will be observed on June 29.

Pakistan's Punjab government last week submitted a report to the Supreme Court detailing the number of people arrested in the province following the May 9 violence after the top court summoned the records of hundreds of alleged rioters, including women and journalists, in custody.

The government has decided to try civilians under the Army Act after enraged protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party vandalised army installations following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Widespread violence erupted in Pakistan after Khan was arrested by paramilitary personnel inside the Islamabad High Court on May 9. He was later released on bail.

Over 20 military installations and state buildings, including military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched in the violent protests that followed Khan's arrest.

More than 10,000 persons, including 4,000 solely from Punjab province, had been arrested following the violence that saw a crackdown on PTI activists across Pakistan.

Various national and international rights bodies have already expressed concerns about the trial of civilians in the military courts.
Nashik, Jun 27 (PTI) Three men were killed when a speeding state transport bus hit their two-wheeler in Maharashtra's Nashik district, police said on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Shirwade Vani Phata in Niphad taluka of the district around 11 pm on Monday, an official said.

The victims were on their way home to Shirwade Vani village, when a state transport bus hit their two-wheeler, killing them on the spot, he said, adding that the trio were activists of the Shiv Sena (UBT).

Angered by the deaths, residents of Shirwade Vani villagers staged a protest on Mumbai-Agra national highway on Tuesday morning, demanding the construction of a flyover near the village.

The protest affected vehicular traffic on the highway for some time.

Taking cognisance of the incident, Union Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pawar reached the spot and held a discussion with officials. After the minister's intervention and assurance of necessary action, the agitation was called off.
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) Police on Tuesday arrested four workers of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena in connection with an assault on a civic engineer.

Accused Santosh Kadam, Sada Parab, Uday Dalwi and Haji Aleem Khan were produced before a court which remanded them in judicial custody, said an official of Vakola police station.

Former state cabinet minister Anil Parab has been named as an accused in the FIR but he was not arrested.

Parab and other Sena workers had taken out a march to H/ East ward office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Monday afternoon to protest demolition of a `shakha' (local branch) of the Shiv Sena (UBT) in suburban Bandra area.

During the protest, the accused allegedly assaulted BMC engineer Ajay Patil (42). A case was registered against them under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506-2 (criminal intimidation).
Indore, Jun 27 (PTI) Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Tuesday said the Vande Bharat Express between Bhopal and Indore was just a "piece of dessert" for Indore as the city needed more connectivity.

The train was among the five Vande Bharat Express trains flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Bhopal earlier in the day.

Speaking at an event to mark the train's arrival here, Mahajan, who represented Indore region eight times in the Lok Sabha between 1989 and 2019, said the Vande Bharat Express should connect the city with Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khajuraho and Surat.

I thank the prime minister for launching the Vande Bharat train between Bhopal and Indore....I believe it is a piece of dessert for us, it is not the whole dessert. But we will also get the whole dessert," she said.

She was confident that in the coming days the Vande Bharat Express will be run from Indore to Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khajuraho and Surat, Mahajan said.

After the event, when asked about the steep fares of the train, Mahajan told reporters, "A Vande Bharat train with better facilities requires a lot of maintenance. But if this train is run for a long distance, then passengers will not feel it to be very expensive."

The senior BJP leader also termed the slow pace of the project to convert the meter gauge rail track between Mhow to Khandwa into a broad gauge track a matter of concern.

"The Railway Minister has assured me that he will personally look into the project," she said.
Pandharpur, Jun 27 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday offered prayers at the Vitthal Rukmini temple in Maharashtras Pandharpur.

Raos visit to the pilgrimage town came two days ahead of Ashadhi Ekadashi.

The Bharat Rashtra Samiti leader and his cabinet colleagues arrived in Pandharpur on Monday in a motorcade with 600 vehicles, a BRS leader said.

Raos visit also comes days after Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders questioned his intentions behind making a serious push into Maharashtra, saying this would undermine the Oppositions unity bid against the BJP.
Patna, July 27 (PTI) A key aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Bhopal betrayed worry in the BJP camp following the supreme success of the opposition meeting here last week.

State minister and senior JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary also alleged that by touching upon the uniform civil code(UCC), Modi was aiming at communal polarisation.

Earlier, people in the BJP used to say that opposition leaders will never agree to even sit together because of mutual differences. The June 23 meeting in Patna refuted their claim. The way the PM spoke about opposition unity shows his worry and bears testimony to the supreme success of our opposition unity drive, said the JD(U) leader.

Nitish Kumar, JD(U)'s supreme leader, had snapped ties with the BJP last year, vowing to defeat the saffron party in next year's Lok Sabha polls by uniting all parties opposed to it.

Last week, leaders of over a dozen parties, some of them from far-off regions like Jammu and Kashmir and Tamil Nadu, and some others bitter rivals like the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, and the Left, attended the conclave hosted by Kumar and agreed to build on the momentum at the next meeting proposed in Shimla in July.

Chaudhary also asserted that there was "nothing new" in the PM's fulminations against corruption and nepotism, pointing out that the BJP has often ended up having a truck with those it accused of graft.

"Also, it has become common knowledge that parties and coalitions opposed to the BJP, like the Mahagathbandhan that rules Bihar, are being selectively targeted by central agencies. The people are watching, alleged the Bihar minister.

On the charge of dynasty rule, railing against which the PM had mentioned families of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and former Congress president, Chaudhary said The Mahagathbandhan enjoys the trust of the people who are well aware of who lead these alliance partners of ours. The PM is coming out with no great news.



The JD(U) leader also mocked the PM's claim that the public mood was in favour of the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls, pointing out, he said the same during the assembly polls in Karnataka. His party could not win seats equal in number to the quintals of flower petals which the BJP showered on him during canvassing.

The JD(U) leader added that the UCC was a communally sensitive issue and nothing but worry in the BJP camp explains it being raised, publicly, at the highest level".
Patna, Jun 27 (PTI) A hardcore Naxalite, wanted in more than 100 cases and carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh in adjoining state of Jharkhand, was arrested in Bihar's Gaya district, police said on Tuesday.

According to a release issued by the police headquarters here, Arvind Bhuiyan alias Mukhiya ji, a self-styled zonal commander, was arrested from Sohail police station area of Gaya on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

A raid was conducted in the area following a tip-off that Bhuiyan, who hails from Chatra district in Jharkhand, had come to Gaya to meet his in-laws.

A country made pistol, 35 cartridges, two magazines and six mobile phones were seized from the possession of Bhuiyan, who was named in over 100 serious cases lodged in Gaya and nearby districts and also carried a reward of Rs 50,000 in Bihar.

Prominent among the cases in which he was wanted include ambush of a COBRA battalion team in 2016, which killed 10 jawans, and an IED blast a year earlier that blew up a police vehicle and claimed lives of two CRPF personnel.

Police added that based on the inputs given by Bhuiyan during his interrogation, one of his aides, Yogendra Bharati, was caught from a hilly hideout in Gaya with an unlicensed rifle.
Galleria Department Store opened a Five Guys burger restaurant in Gangnam on Monday where a burger costs W13,400, a small order of French fries W6,900 and a soft drink W3,900. Customers can choose from 15 different toppings.

Locals seem unfazed by burgers priced over W10,000 and set menus costing more than W20,000 and queue up before the outlets even open their doors (US$1=W1,306). But who will be the winner?

Premium U.S. burger brands are competing fiercely for the well-heeled market in Seoul's upmarket Gangnam district.

Super Duper Burgers, run here by fried-chicken franchise BHC, opened in Gangnam in November last year and sold 20,000 hamburgers in the first two weeks. Two more outlets opened earlier this year.

When Shake Shack, operated by bakery chain SPC, started here in 2016, 1,500 people lined up on the eve of the grand opening to be the first to order burgers. Now, there are 25 outlets in Korea.

Premium or gourmet burger chains typically advertise wagyu or some such upmarket beef, and their condiments and buns are a cut above McDonalds'. But they are still an extremely profitable business model given the high prices they can charge.

And appetite seems bottomless. According to Euromonitor, the Korean burger market grew from W2.6 trillion in 2018 to W3.8 trillion in 2022 and is expected to increase to W5 trillion this year (US$1=W1,306).
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Boosting bilateral cooperation in areas of maritime security, trade and investment, health and tourism will be high on agenda during Filipino Foreign Secretary Enrique A Manalo's four-day visit to India from Tuesday.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Manalo's visit will provide an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral relations between India and Philippines and to explore ways to further deepen and strengthen them.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Manalo will co-chair the fifth meeting of India-Philippines joint commission on bilateral cooperation (JCBC) on June 29.

The secretary of foreign affairs of the Philippines is visiting India at the invitation of Jaishankar.

The MEA said both sides will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, defence, security, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, health and tourism at the JCBC.

It said the two sides will also discuss regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

Secretary Manalo will also deliver the 42nd Sapru House lecture as a joint project under the MoU signed between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of Philippines and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).
New Delhi, Jun 27 (PTI) Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Tuesday, two days after the restive state's Chief Minister N Biren Singh met him.

Nearly 120 people lost their lives and over 3,000 have been injured ever since the ethnic violence broke in Manipur nearly two months ago.

"The Governor of Manipur, Ms. Anusuiya Uikey called on Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah," Shah's office tweeted.

Singh met Shah on Sunday and after the meeting said he had briefed the home minister about the "evolving situation on the ground" in Manipur and that the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent".

Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

On June 10, the central government had constituted a peace committee in Manipur headed by the Governor and for facilitating peace making process among various ethnic groups and initiate dialogue between conflicting parties and groups.

However, office bearers of several civil society groups have refused to be part of the peace committee for different reasons.

On June 4, the Centre had set up a Commission of Inquiry, headed by former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba, to probe the recent violence in Manipur.

The Union Home Ministry said the commission will make inquiry with respect of the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in Manipur on May 3 and thereafter.

Shah had also visited the state for four days last last month and met a cross sections of people in his efforts to bring back peace in the Northeastern state.

The Centre had also approved Rs 101.75 crore relief package for the displaced people in Manipur following a directive of the home minister.
New Delhi, June 27 (PTI) A section of Delhi University teachers have deplored the varsity's decision to observe June 29 as a working day despite the festival of Eid-ul-Adha, terming the move as sectarian and insensitive.

However, DU said that June 29 has been marked as a working day to complete all arrangements prior to the next day's function where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest.

In a notification, the varsity also mentioned that the employees who wish to celebrate the festival on June 29 are exempted from attending the office.

The Valedictory Function of Centenary Celebrations is scheduled on Friday, 30 June 2023. With a view to completing all arrangements prior to the function, the University will be observed Thursday, 29 June 2023 as a working day for all the employees of the University.

"The employees who wish to celebrate the festival on 29th June 2023 are exempted from attending the office, the notification said.

A group of teachers called out the university administration for a sectarian mindset, lack of sensitivity and deliberate attempt to isolate one community. They have demanded the university retract the notification.

In a statement, the Democratic Federation of Teachers said June 29 is a mandatory holiday for celebrating Eid-ul-Adha and has been notified in the Gazette of India.

Members of the Muslim community celebrate Eid-ul-Adha. Members of other communities join these celebrations. It (the notification) is a step that demands reproach and condemnation for its sectarian mindset, lack of sensitivity and deliberate attempt to isolate one community, the statement said.

The university could have identified its volunteers for the unfinished tasks for the Valedictory function, the teachers' group said.

The list of Gazetted Holidays has been known to the University much before the year 2023. No emergent situation or calamity has struck. It is unlikely that the University Administration would have taken a similar step in case the concerned day had been Holi or Diwali. That would have figured in its mind while drawing any schedule, the teachers alleged.

We demand that the University Administration retracts this undesirable notification, they added.
Shimla, Jun 27 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Art of Living to run anti-drug campaigns across the state.

The MoU was signed by Administrative Reforms secretary C Palrasu and Air Marshal (Retd) VPS Rana from the Art of Living (AoL) in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla, a statement issued here said.

The chief minister said under the aegis of spiritual guru Ravi Shankar, this initiative will help in creating mass awareness to fight the drug menace.

Sukhu emphasised the significance of this collaboration, stating that AoL will wholeheartedly assist the state government in eradicating the drug menace, together bearing the associated expenses.

Apart from this, the NGO will also collaborate in various other areas like sustainable environmental protection, community livelihood models, community-based tourism, herbal wellness, community forest management, modern education, skill development and youth empowerment.

Chief Advisor and Trustee of the Himalayan Unnati Mission, Air Marshal (Retd) VPS Rana said this was the result of the far-reaching efforts of the state government that AoL got an opportunity to work as an official partner for the sustainable development of the remote areas of the state.
Chandigarh, Jun 27 (PTI) A Pakistani national, who was apprehended after entering the Indian territory inadvertently, was handed over to the Pakistan Rangers on "humanitarian grounds", the BSF said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Border Security Force (BSF) said that it held the Pakistani national after he crossed the international boundary on Monday and entered Indian territory in an area near village Hazara Singh Wala in Punjab's Ferozepur district.

During his questioning, it was revealed that he crossed over to the Indian territory inadvertently. Nothing objectionable was found in his possession, said the BSF.

The BSF approached the Pakistan Rangers and lodged a protest in this regard.

"The Pakistani national, being an inadvertent border crosser, was handed over to Pakistan Rangers on humanitarian grounds," said the statement.
Shillong, Jun 27 (PTI) The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has given the A+ accreditation to 57-year-old Shillong College here, officials said on Tuesday.

The NAAC is entrusted to assess and accredit Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).

"Your institution has been accredited with a CGPA of 3.33 points at A+ Grade valid for a period of 5 years from 24-06-2023," the NAAC said in an email to the principal.

The outcome of the Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) exercise of the institution was processed and approved by the standing committee constituted by the executive committee to examine the peer team reports and declare the accreditation results, it added.

College principal Dr E Kharkongor expressed her gratitude to all faculty, supportive staff and students for the feat.

"I am elated. My gratitude goes to the hardworking and well-trained faculty and the support staff for putting in their best effort that made the difference in our service to provide the best education to the students," she stated.

With the latest NAAC ranking, the 1956-founded college was ranked the highest grade among other colleges assessed by the NAAC till date in Meghalaya.
Jaipur, Jun 27 (PTI) A 20-year-old man was killed and another injured in a blast while doing illegal mining at a hill in Rajasthans Barmer district on Tuesday, police said.

The incident happened near Chohtan area, they said.

Hajariram and Padmaram were doing illegal mining on the hill by blasting, they said.

Police rushed to the spot on information on locals and shifted them to a hospital where Hajariram was declared dead.

The matter is being probed further, police said.
Hyderabad, Jun 27 (PTI) Ahead of Bakrid, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C V Anand on Tuesday held a coordination meeting with GHMC, Animal Husbandry department officials and Muslim clerics here.

In the meeting, the Muslim clerics and the public representatives appealed to their brethren to dispose the animal viscera properly to keep the streets clean and cooperate with the police, a release from Hyderabad Police said.

"It is our collective responsibility to uphold the Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb of our city and maintain peace," the peace committee members said.

The attendees assured to cooperate with city police and comply the safety instructions shared by the police.

Addressing the meeting, Anand assured that only police personnel, GHMC and animal husbandry staff will man the check posts.



"Instructions were given to all officials to take fool-proof security and traffic management measures. Patrolling will be intensified," Anand said.
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), Jun 27 (PTI) The death of a 22-year-old man in a village in Andhra Pradesh's Konaseema district on June 25 is prima facie suicide, police said on Tuesday.

On the morning of June 25, police received a complaint about Medisetty Shyam Manikanta Ramprasad, who was found hanging with slashed wrists, police said.

"We did an inquest and the parents did not point to any suspicion. As of now, prima facie it seems to be a suicide," Konaseema district Superintendent of Police S Sridhar said on Tuesday.

Following the post-mortem whose report is awaited, police have handed over the body to Ramprasad's family members.

According to police, the youth had studied hospitality management and was not working while his parents are living in Tirupati.

A native of Katrenikona village near Kothapeta in Konaseema district, police are probing Ramprasad's death, registering a case under CrPC Section 174.

Reacting to the death, TDP chief and the state's principal opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu demanded a thorough investigation into the matter alleging the involvement of ruling YSRCP members.

"I strongly urge for a thorough investigation into this matter, ensuring justice is served. It has been alleged that YSRCP members are involved. Their involvement must be probed impartially," tweeted Naidu.
Mumbai, Jun 27 (PTI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday said no insult of the images of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray took place during the demolition of unauthorised structures in suburban Bandra last week.

The action in H-East ward was taken as per the rules and it was issuing the clarification "to avoid misunderstanding among the public," the civic body said.

H-East ward office had taken action against unauthorized structures near the Bandra railway station including two libraries and an office of an auto rickshaw union affiliated to the Shiv Sena (UBT).

The Sena UBT had alleged that images of Shivaji Maharaj and late Bal Thackeray were `insulted' during the action.

But the BMC said its officials had requested the union officials to take out everything including framed photographs and statues before the demolition, and the latter cooperated.

A day before, alleged members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) had manhandled a BMC engineer.

The civic body dubbed the incident as unfortunate, and said it stands by its employees.

The Municipal Mazdoor Union and Municipal Engineers Association staged a protest outside the H-East ward office on Tuesday against the incident, and sought security for civic engineers like that provided to the doctors working in government hospitals.
James Mangolds deep voice resonates with conviction, while his neat-student demeanor exudes tranquility. The New Yorker was tasked with concluding the Indiana Jones story, but he had already done this once before, albeit it on a smaller scale, with Wolverine in Logan (2017). Im guilty, yes, he laughed. But obviously I had never thought about doing it with Indiana, he told a group of journalists at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny premiered before its release in theaters. The final installment of the Indy saga is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 30.

It wasnt Steven Spielbergs idea to have James Mangold as director. After all, the Indiana Jones franchise is his baby. Nor did it come from George Lucas, the creator of the character, or Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy. It was Harrison Ford who suggested Mangold. In the fall of 2019, Mangold was working with Ford on additional scenes for The Call of the Wild when Ford conveyed some qualms about his digital rejuvenation in the opening sequence of Indiana Jones 5, which takes place at the end of World War II. The technical process wasnt the problem. Ford was wondering who would want to see a movie with a much older version of Indiana Jones. The details of that conversation were never divulged.

When Spielberg decided not to direct the last chapter of the adventurer-archaeologist saga, Ford proposed Mangold, a director with a track record of commercial success, who is adept at resurrecting careers (Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land) and breathing life into any genre: musical biopics (Walk the Line), westerns (3:10 to Yuma), dramas (Girl, Interrupted), and action films (Knight and Day). Mangold turned Ford Motors ambition to win the 1966 Le Mans Grand Prix into the fascinating Ford v Ferrari. At 59 years old, Mangold is synonymous with high-quality films for grownups and knowing how to treat audiences with respect.

But Mangolds rapport with Spielberg also had something to do with it. I first met with him [Speilberg] in his office at Amblin [Spielbergs production company], said Mangold. We talked about the structure of the film, and I threw out some raw ideas. I thought, and still think, that the only way to make a fifth film [in the franchise] was to make the heros aging a central theme of the movie. Its somewhat ridiculous how we often try to remain the same person we were decades ago, just like in the movies. I wanted to delve into this theme in the script and challenge the audience with the fact that Indy is old now. One measure of Mangolds respect for Spielberg was not asking why he didnt want to write and direct the final chapter. Why would I?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Harrison Ford in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.'

About Harrison Ford, Mangold effusively said, I adore him. He inspired the whole cast, setting aside the obvious fact that hes a legend. Harrison is a true actor and has remained at the top for decades because of his ability to explore different worlds and add nuances to his characters. This begs the question  can the franchise continue with someone else in the lead role? How could it? The name of the series is Indiana Jones, not Star Wars. Theres literally nothing without Indiana. But thats just my opinion, said Mangold diplomatically, adding that hes only a hired gun.

Nevertheless, Mangold seems to have pointed the way for more installments in the franchise. Together with frequent collaborators John-Henry and Jezz Butterworth, he created the character of Helena, Indys dynamic goddaughter played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (of Fleabag fame), modeled after Barbara Stanwycks character in The Lady Eve (1941). The character was created specifically for Waller-Bridge. Shes charming but can also destroy you, said Mangold. One of those magnetic and selfish characters who have always captivated movie audiences  like Han Solo. Could the Indiana Jones universe live on through Helena? Thats not up to me, dodged the filmmaker.

James Mangold and Harrison Ford chat on the set of 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' Lucasfilm

Mangold doesnt want to make trouble for himself. He has a Swamp Thing movie in development for DC and another for Star Wars. Hes also hoping to direct (if the Writers Guild strike allows it) A Complete Unknown, a film about Bob Dylan starring Timothee Chalamet. I like talking about motivations, scripts, ideas and expectations, but at the end of the day, what draws people into theaters? asks the director. With a big smile, he answers his own question. Movie stars. And you cant ignore that. Is he wary about working on franchises? I am alarmed by the idea of being part of one more exploitation of a never-ending tale  the storytelling loses its magic. How does he challenge that? Directing is like gambling at a casino. You place your bets and bluff to meet the producers expectations. Then you make your move, and if youre lucky, you win.

Over the course of five thrilling adventures spanning 42 years, time itself has been a powerful, driving force in the archaeologists quest. Rooted in Jones search for long-lost relics, these exploits hold a moving lens to humankinds timeless reflection on mortality and the ultimate futility of our pursuits. Since that first meeting, we envisioned time as the plots foundation to showcase how present actions stem from past mistakes, said Mangold. Its fitting that the Antikythera mechanism  a purportedly Archimedean-built computer portrayed as a time machine  serves as the MacGuffin in Indiana Jones 5. Were adding a new concept to the film, explains Mangold. It delves into a more complex era. Though humans have just set foot on the moon, Nazis are still around in 1969. Rather than presenting the Nazis as the archetypal bad guys, weve chosen to challenge the norms and create a world of grays, nuances, nuclear weapons, rock n roll, and realpolitik. Who is the real enemy now? Confusion, instability, and contradictory facts dominate the landscape, said Mangold. Indiana Jones, a man with murky depths, pulls off great feats despite long-held fears. Hes egotistical and jealous, a university professor sporting a fedora and a whip. Yet, this human quality is precisely what makes him so relatable. Indiana can falter and persevere through contradiction, which is the essence of life itself. This film is a poetic exploration of times imprint on life.

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Kaushambi (UP), Jun 27 (PTI) Police arrested three men on Tuesday for allegedly indulging in illegal religious conversion in this Uttar Pradesh district, a senior officer said.

Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said the residents of the Sarai Akil police station area alleged that Ramchandra Pal, a resident of Akbarabad village located within the Sarai Akil police station limits, and his associates ask members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community to come to their place every Monday, promise to cure their diseases and other problems with the help of "miracles" and convert them from Hinduism to Christianity.

The officer added that a case has been registered against the accused under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act.

The arrested men have been identified as Govind Pandey, Gulbadan and Abhishek Kumar Pasi.
Gondia, Jun 27 (PTI) Gondia and Bhandara districts of eastern Maharashtra received heavy rainfall over the last two days, officials said on Tuesday night.

An unidentified middle-aged man riding a bicycle was swept away and drowned in a flooded nullah on Neemgaon- Pimplegaon road in Arjuni Morgaon tehsil, they said.

Four gates of Pujaritola dam were opened following the rainfall, said an official.

Gondia Collector Chinmay Gotmare has asked people living on the riverbanks to remain alert.

Agriculture Superintendent Hindurao Chavan has asked farmers to wait before starting sowing and paddy nursery work.




The NYPDs Hate Crimes Task Force is on the hunt for a suspect who assaulted an elderly Jewish man in Williamsburg on Monday afternoon while spewing anti-Semitic hate.

Police say that an unidentified individual, seen riding a motorcycle in the video clip below, approached his 77-year-old victim and threw a cutting instrument at him, striking in him in the face, while spouting anti-Jewish rhetoric. The suspect then fled the scene and has not been seen since.

The victim was treated at the scene for his injuries, but did not require hospitalization.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




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 Russias enemies and said they miscalculated.

The Kremlin also tried to project stability on Monday when authorities released a video of Russias defense minister reviewing troops in Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary group, said he wasnt 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 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 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.

(AP)




An international group of agencies is investigating what may have caused the Titan submersible to implode while carrying five people to the Titanic wreckage, and 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 collect.

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.

Early summer is the best time to be conducting this type of operation because of the lower likelihood of storms, but its still likely to be painstaking, said Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol.

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, Murphy said.

But Hartsfield said based on the data hes reviewed and the performance of the remote vehicles so far, he doesnt 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.

On Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it has begun an investigation and has been speaking with those who traveled on the Polar Prince. Board chairperson Kathy Fox said officials will share information it collects with other agencies, such as the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which is taking part in the overall investigation.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Saturday that it will conduct a full investigation only if it appears criminal, federal or provincial laws were broken.

If it chooses to do so, the Coast Guard can make recommendations to prosecutors to pursue civil or criminal sanctions. 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.

Coast Guard officials have not indicated whether they will take that route.

The Polar Prince, towing the ill-fated Titan, left Newfoundland on June 16. There were 41 people on board: 17 crew members and 24 others, including the five-man Titan team.

After the vessel lost communication, the Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission, a massive international effort that likely cost millions of dollars. Questions have also arisen about possible reimbursement for rescue agencies, but the Coast Guard doesnt charge for searches nor do we associate a cost with human life, Mauger said.

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.

(AP)




Startling revelations emerged on Monday as CNN aired a recording in which former President Donald Trump seemingly showcased and discussed classified documents concerning Iran during his tenure in the White House.

The recording, aired during an episode of CNNs program, featured Trump conversing about the alleged documents. Host Anderson Cooper played the recording, in which Trump can be heard saying, With Milley, let me see that. Ill show you an example. He said that I wanted to attack Iran. Isnt it amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look.

The sound of papers shuffling can be heard as Trump continues, This was him. They presented me this. This is off the record, but they presented me this. This was him. This was the Defense Department and him.

During the recording, Trump describes the documents to his guests, highlighting their length and contents. He exclaims, This totally wins my case, you know. Except it is, like, highly confidential, secret.

Acknowledging the sensitive nature of the information, Trump states, This is secret information. But look, look at this, while laughter emanates from the background. A woman, identified by CNN as one of Trumps staffers, interjects, Hillary would print that out all the time, you know, to which Trump responds, No, shed send it to Anthony Weiner. The pervert.

Trump continues discussing the papers, emphasizing their origin. He remarks, These are the papers. This was done by the military and given to me, before noting, See, as president, I could have declassified it. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret. The audio concludes with Trump requesting refreshments, saying, Hey, bring some, uh, bring some Cokes in please.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The Pentagon will announce it is sending up to $500 million in 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, as Ukrainian and Western leaders try to sort out the impact of the brief weekend insurrection in Russia.

The aid is aimed at bolstering Ukraines counteroffensive, which has been moving slowly in its early stages. It wasnt clear Monday if Ukrainian forces will be able to take advantage of the disarray in the Russian ranks, in the aftermath of the short-lived rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner mercenary group that he has controlled.

An announcement on the aid package is expected Tuesday. This would be the 41st time since the Russian invasion into Ukraine in February 2022 that the U.S. has provided military weapons and equipment through presidential drawdown authority. The program allows the Pentagon to quickly take items from its own stocks and deliver them to Ukraine.

Because the aid packages are generally planned in advance and recently included many of the same critical weapons for the battlefront, the contents werent likely chosen based on the weekend rebellion.

But, the missiles and heavy vehicles can be used as Ukraine tries to capitalize on what has been a growing feud between the Wagner Group leader and Russias military brass, with simmering questions about how many of Prigozhins forces may leave the fight.

The mercenaries left Ukraine to seize a military headquarters in a southern Russian city and moved hundreds of miles toward Moscow before turning around after less than 24 hours on Saturday.

According to the officials, the U.S. will send 30 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and 25 of the armored Stryker vehicles to Ukraine, along with missiles for the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Patriot air defense systems. The package will include Javelin and high-speed anti-radiation (HARM) missiles, demolition munitions, obstacle-clearing equipment and a wide range of artillery rounds and other ammunition.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the aid has not yet been publicly announced.

According to the Pentagon, the U.S. has delivered more than $15 billion in weapons and equipment from its stocks to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and has committed an additional $6.2 billion in supplies that havent yet been identified. The more than $6 billion extra is the result of an accounting error, because the military services overestimated the value of the weapons they pulled off the shelves and sent to Ukraine over the past year.

More broadly, the U.S. has also promised to send more than $16.7 billion in longer-term funding for various weapons, training and other equipment through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and an additional roughly $2 billion in foreign military financing.

The U.S. has at least $1.2 billion in drawdown authority that hasnt yet been committed but will expire at the end of this fiscal year on Sept. 30. The remaining $1.9 billion in USAI funds does not expire until the end of the next fiscal year, in September 2024.

(AP)




CLAIM: Vaccines developed for COVID-19 contain a cancer-causing virus DNA found in monkeys.

APS ASSESSMENT: False. Public health officials and the lead researcher of a study cited in many of the social media posts say theres no monkey virus DNA in the inoculations approved by government regulators. Some COVID-19 vaccines utilize DNA molecules derived from Simian Virus 40, but thats not the same as the virus itself and the molecules arent cancer-causing.

THE FACTS: Social media users are claiming a dangerous ingredient has been discovered in coronavirus vaccines: cancer-causing monkey virus DNA.

Green Monkey DNA confirmed present in COVID jabs, read one tweet that was retweeted more than 2,500 times.

The post shared an article reporting on the claims with the headline: Monkey Virus DNA Found in COVID-19 Shots.

Found: Cancer-Promoting Simian Virus 40 (SV40) in Pfizer Vials, read another headline shared in a screenshot on Instagram.

But theres no evidence to support the claim that the COVID-19 vaccines contain monkey DNA nor the virus known as SV40, according to public health officials and the lead researcher of a recent study cited in some of the social media posts.

Spokespersons for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration referred to their respective websites, where the ingredients of approved vaccinations  and the long running myths and concerns around them  are explained.

There is no evidence to indicate the presence of SV40, a virus found in monkey kidneys that can potentially cause cancer in humans, in the formulation of COVID-19 vaccines, wrote Alessandro Faia, a spokesperson for the European Medicines Agency, the Netherlands-based European Union agency that regulates pharmaceuticals, in an email.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer also confirmed in an emailed statement that no monkey DNA was used in creating its version of the COVID-19 inoculation.

The vaccine is a completely synthetic vaccine, the company wrote. There were preclinical animal challenge studies utilizing rhesus macaques; however, no part of our vaccine or studies utilized green monkeys. The claim that the vaccine includes monkey DNA is inaccurate.

Kevin McKernan, one of the authors of the study cited in some of the posts, dismissed the claims as fear mongering and click bait.

He says researchers involved in the study, which is a pre-print that has not been published in a peer-reviewed academic journal, discovered an SV40 promoter in the Pfizer vaccine.

But thats not the same as finding the full SV40 virus in the shot, stressed McKernan, a former research director at MITs Human Genome Project who now runs Medicinal Genomics, a Massachusetts company that sells DNA testing kits and other laboratory materials to cannabis companies.

Promoters are DNA sequences that help stimulate gene expression and have been long used in molecular biology, McKernan and other experts explained. In the case of the SV40 promoter, it happens to be derived from the SV40 virus.

Its just the volume knob that drives high level expression of anything put under its control, which in this case is just an antibiotic resistance marker, wrote Phillip Buckhaults, director of the Cancer Genetics Lab at the University of South Carolina who was not involved with the study, in an email.

The fear about the SV40 sequences is total nonsense, he wrote. The vaccine is not going to cause cancer. There is no cancer causing gene in the vaccine.

The false claims play on decades-old fears of SV40 and increased risk of developing cancer, adds Michael Imperiale, a molecular biologist at the University of Michigan Medical School who was also not involved in the research.

From 1955 to 1963, up to 30% of polio vaccines administered in the U.S. were found to have been contaminated with SV40, which came from monkey kidney cell cultures that had been used to make the vaccines, according to the CDC website.

But subsequent studies found no causal association between the SV40-contaminated polio vaccines and cancer development, the CDC writes.

Whats more, the SV40 promoter, on its own, cant cause cancer, said Imperiale. The part of SV40 thats potentially cancer-causing, known as the T-antigen, isnt present in the vaccine.

(AP)
For many years, Javier Garcia (44) worked as an engineer at the multinational infrastructure company Ferrovial. Born in Logrono (Spain) and based in Dallas, he liked books, Latin American culture, listening to his favorite authors and drinking beers while commenting on new books by Yuri Herrera, Horacio Castellanos Moya, and Carlos Manuel. Little by little, his small Dallas bookstore grew to become one of the most important cultural centers in the southern United States. Lost among cowboy hats, oil wells and Tex-Mex culture, The Wild Detectives bookstore has become a gateway for a generation of great Latin American writers as Texas consolidates its position as the place to be for Hispanic culture.

Question: Until The Wild Detectives arrived, there was only one bookstore in Dallas. It doesnt seem to be the most profitable business, does it?

Answer: We were two Spanish engineer friends doing what we liked best. Gradually, connections with writers and literary fairs in Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia began and suddenly all those writers and publishers who were friends agreed to go through a place as hostile as Dallas [to access the U.S. market]. Over time, we gradually picked up others. But yes, that was the picture a decade ago: one chain-owned bookstore in an urban area of nearly seven million people.

Q. What is happening in Texas?

A. Theres a lot of migration from both coasts of the United States, especially California and New York, and Texas is benefiting from it. Lower taxes and cheaper rents have led to the arrival of a profile of liberal professionals who are more open and receptive to the culture that Dallas is benefiting from.

Q. The University of Texas has the manuscripts of Garcia Marquez and Borges, and there is a Medina Azahara capitel and paintings by Goya at the Meadow Museum. Is Texas the place to be for Latin culture?

A. In Texas, Hispanics make up more than 40% of the population and Spanish has ceased to be a language linked to the marginal or socially stigmatized, and has become an aspirational language. They are de facto bilingual and are taking advantage of that. You can live in Dallas without knowing English because even public documents are written in both languages.

Q. Is Spanish an industry in the United States?

A. Latin American culture is a lure and Spanish is the language everyone wants to know. Now people dont have a complex when they speak Spanish and, by extension, Spain benefits from being the cradle of everything that is happening. For example, there are many people without Latin ties who call their bar La bonita because it is more elegant. At the literary level it is not a large industry, but it has been growing, and the major publishers have collections exclusively in Spanish.

Q. Does the interest in Latin American literature in the United States have the same strength in Spain?

A. Spain has always looked with admiration at what comes from France or England, and has treated the national production or what comes from Latin America with contempt. In the United States, only 3% of books are read in translation compared to Spain, which reads almost 25%, when there is a continent with 500 million people producing an amazing culture. Its something to keep an eye on.

Q. What book and talks have surprised you recently?

A. A book I was surprised by was Fortuna by Hernan Diaz (Anagrama), which won the Pulitzer, and as for an event, a recent talk by Cartarescu. Two hundred people listening with open mouths to talk about the differences between Romanian modernism and postmodernism was a surprise. These are things that used to happen only in San Francisco or New York but not in Dallas. It is as if the Beatles came to Logrono.




Eliezer Noach and Hadassah Shulman, the Chareidi couple injured by a water cannon in October 2022, settled a lawsuit they filed against Israel Police and reached a compromise agreement.

According to the agreement, the couple will receive NIS 48,000 from the police in compensation. The operator of the water cannon, who violated police instructions in the use of the cannon, has been dismissed from his position.

The couple was in the area of a protest in Jerusalem at the time but were not involved in it and were standing at a considerable distance from it. The water cannon was sprayed directly at them, hitting Hadassah, 70, in the head, causing her to fall and injure her arm and require treatment at the hospital.

The couple filed a huge lawsuit against the police with the assistance of the BTzalmo organization.

I welcome the settlement agreement, Attorney Michael Litvak said. The police made a serious mistake when they harmed my clients, the Shulmans. Unfortunately, the police did not take immediate responsibility, did not apologize to the couple or fire the operator, so we had to file a civil lawsuit.

I am happy that the Prosecutors Office was able to take responsibility for the serious injury, reach a compromise and provide significant compensation. I regret the closing of the case at the Police Investigation Department and an appeal will be filed soon. I call on every person who has been harmed by the police not to give up and file a civil lawsuit. Its the only way we will eradicate police violence.

Shai Glick, the head of BTzalmo, said: Israel Police should understand that they must treat all citizens equally. Unfortunately, we repeatedly see cases of police harming innocent people, including adults and youth, just because they are Chaeidim or settlers. This phenomenon must stop and if Israel Police does not understand it on its own or through the directives of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir it will have to understand it through its pocket.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The Shin Bet revealed on Sunday evening that a rocket was discovered in an east Jerusalem neighborhood on Yom Yerushalayim last month.

IDF forces found the rocket during the Jerusalem Flag March, which is held every year under threats of rocket attacks by Palestinian terror groups. In 2021, Hamas launched rockets at Jerusalem on Jerusalem Day, triggering Operation Guardian of the Walls.

The rocket was found in an open area of the Beit Hanina neighborhood in Jerusalem, a short distance past the security barrier, and a suspect was arrested in a joint investigation of the incident by the Shin Bet and IDF.

The suspect, Abdel Hakim Buatna, a resident of the Palestinian Authority town of Ajul, was interrogated for the alleged intent to launch rockets at Jerusalem during the Flag March. He claimed that he worked alone, without affiliation to any terror group, and that he learned how to construct and launch rockets from Telegram groups and the internet.

He also claimed that he built the rocket out of curiosity and had not planned to launch it at a specific time.

According to reports, although Buatna succeeded in assembling two rockets and attempted to launch them numerous times, none of the launches were successful.

The base of the rocket that was found attested to the previous launches as it was old and damaged. There were also no explosives inside the rocket when the IDF found it.

Palestinians in the Jenin area attempted to launch at least two rockets at a Jewish yishuv on Monday morning, the second such incident in a month.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The Likud party on Sunday filed a complaint with the police against former prime minister Ehud Barak, who called once again for a civil rebellion during a protest in Tel Aviv on Motzei Shabbos.

The letter submitted to the police by the partys lawyer, Avi HaLevy, states: I hereby submit to the police a complaint to open an investigation against Mr. Ehud Barak, the former prime minister, for the offenses of incitement, publication of sedition and harming the rule of law and society in the State.

On June 24, 2023, at a protest held on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, Mr. Ehud Barak gave an inflammatory speech in which he called on the public: We must intensify the struggle and resort to civil disobedience I call on every citizen to prepare himself for this test of civil disobedience and respond to the call when it comes.'

The complaint noted that Barak attempted to disguise the criminality of his statements by qualifying the civil rebellion as non-violent, but these statements do not change the specific essence of an act that calls for disobedience of the law  which is a call for violence and a violation of the rule of law and social order in the country.

Mr. Baraks call to citizens not to obey the law expresses an anarchist consciousness, which does not recognize the idea that stands at the foundation of the democratic state  the duty of citizens to obey the law. The examples from the past that Mr. Barak presented as disobedience to the law are not at all similar to the case in front of us, where the motive for calling for disobedience to the law is the former prime ministers failure to recognize the result of democratic elections for the legislature and his failure to recognize the Knessets right to enact laws.

Mr. Ehud Baraks calls for disobedience and violation of public order are not covered under the right to freedom of expression. They constitute a cynical use of the right to freedom of expression as a tool to incite violence and call for rebellion against the elected government, which won the peoples trust in the elections to the 25th Knesset. The enforcement and investigation authorities must quickly take the necessary measures to investigate the serious allegations.

A delay in the investigation of the allegations could intensify the distrust of the citizens in the enforcement and investigation authorities, cause the recurrence of similar offenses in violation of the law and undermine the rule of law and social order in the State. In light of the seriousness of the offenses arising from his statements, which constitute offenses under the Penal Law, 1977, of incitement to violence, publication of sedition, and harm to the rule of law and social order in the State, we ask Israel Police to immediately open a criminal investigation against Mr. Ehud Barak.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




A group of leftist anarchists arrived in a residential area of Modiin on Tuesday morning at 5:30 a.m. and made a huge racket outside the home of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, blaring horns, megaphones and drums, burning tires in the middle of the street, and blocking the entrance to the parking lot of the building with barbed wire.

Despite pleas from Levin and his neighbors, the police took an hour and a half to show up. The protesters refused police orders and even surrounded the police car and started confrontations with the officers. In response, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and arrested six protesters for violating public order. Even after the arrests, the protesters stormed the police car, blocking it from leaving the street with the detained protesters.

The protest was a well-organized and well-funded violation of public order, with buses arriving at the area from all over the country and a prepared breakfast for the participants.

Right-wing activist Berale Crombie wrote: The anarchists learned from the Palestinians in Kfar Beta to burn tires next to houses and damage them with the smoke. And here its only meters away from the houses! Where are all the environmentalists and defenders of ecology?! Hypocrites.

Chareidi journalist Aryeh Ehrlich wrote: The camp that displayed self-righteousness over the Chareidim for using disposables demonstrates authentic and deep concern for climate and air pollution.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated: Freedom to protest yes, violence and anarchism no. It is important that the police acted to arrest the anarchists but there is no doubt that if it would have been right-wing riots, they would have arrested dozens and the Attorney-General would have made sure to request that they be detained until the end of the proceedings. Unfortunately, a handful of rioters are paralyzing Israel with the backing of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

There is no question that Rebbitzen David ah was a remarkable person, a master mechaneches for over six decades, who imbued yiras shamayim within her thousands of talmidos. At Nais Yaakov Yerushalayim (BJJ) and even earlier, she had literally changed the landscape of Torah Judaism.

The fact is, however, that the name Bruriah was not a common name among eastern European Jews, nor was it common among western European Jews. True, there is no question that we was a tzadaikes and in the times of the Tannaim and Amoraim she was quite legendary. She was the daughter of Rav Chananya ben Tradyon, and the wife of the great Tannaitic sage, Rabbi Meir  but there appears to be a very disturbing incident recorded in Rashi in Avodah Zarah 18b.

It is an incident that would appear to be a game-changer regarding naming someone after her.

The incident in the Rashi would appear to indict her for two very serious offenses  that of taking ones own life and that of, when greatly challenged, marital infidelity.

Rav Hutner ztl, a close Talmid of the Alter of Slabodka had certainly absorbed both aspects of the Alters understanding of Dakei Dakos. The first is that when we speak of the Avos and others in Tanach, any aveirah is one that is infinitesimal from our perspective. The Alters second understanding of this idea is that even a subtle encounter with something wrong, can cause a microscopic, barely detectable change in our apperception of the seriousness of an aveirah.

How then could it be that Rav Hutner ztl would name his daughter after such a serious indictment of her namesake in the Rashi of Avodah Zarah 18b?

A SECOND QUESTION

Another question that can be posed is where on earth did Rashi get this startling information from? It is not found anywhere in the Bavli nor in the Yerushalmi or any of the extant Midrashim. This second question is so profound that Rav Yosha Ber Soloveitchik zatzals son, Dr. Chaim Soloveitchik, in his most recent book, employs this as a proof that there was another, third Yeshiva community in Babylonia  that was different than the Yeshiva communities of Sura and Pumpedisa. This third Yeshiva had its own traditions and teachings that were received. This third Yeshiva community, according to Professor Soloveitchik were the antecedents of the Chasidei Ashkenaz and had made their way toward Germany from Bavel. The Chasidei Ashkenaz were the teachers of Rashi, and he had received the tradition of that incident from them, according to Professor Soloveitchiks theory!

A NEW THEORY

Perhaps a theory can be proposed as to why Rav Hutner zatzal named his daughter after Rav Meirs wife. This theory, can also provide a different answer as to the source of this Rashi. Finally, this theory could gives rise to a secondary problem, which could have been the reason why Rav Hutner chose to remain silent about why he named his daughter after Rav Meirs wife  Bruriah.

Rav Hutner zatzal, no doubt, thoroughly reviewed every aspect of the sugya in the Gemorah. His mastery of the mesechta and of the ways of the Rishonim was also quite legendary. He is known for his Pacha Yitzchok, but anyone that has ever examined his Toras HaNazir begins to realize and appreciate the profundity and sheer brilliance of this great Rosh Yeshiva.

A TRIP BACK IN TIME

Lets use our imagination a bit, and travel back in time, to an earlier period in Rav Hutners life. We are in the Beis Midrash in either Chevron, Eretz Yisroel or in Slabodka, Lithuania (or perhaps even earlier). Before us stands a young and somewhat perplexed Rav Yitzchak Hutner.

Let us attempt to unfold his latent processes of thinking. Rav Hutner reads the Rashi. He does a double take. How could it be that Rabbi Meir suggested a clear violation of the Torah prohibition of Lifnei Iver? It is also a double Lifnei Iver  one for his student, and one for his own wife!?! He now does a triple-take. He is also bothered by the second question mentioned above  how come there is no mention of this in Shas or elsewhere? Hmm.., he considers. But, no conclusions yet.

Now, he does what other Yeshiva students do, and have done for centuries. Rav Hutner subjects the words of the Tosfos to intense scrutiny  not just on this sugyah, but on the entire amud and chapter.

Wait! There is no mention of the entire topic here! How could it be? Perhaps an error entered the text? And how could it be that there is no mention of this incident here with Bruriah when it comes to the permission to take ones own life?

Rav Hutner, it seems, concluded that a grave error had entered into our texts  and this grave error had destroyed the pristine and pure reputation of this incredible person! Furthermore, she was orphaned from her parents!

He researches further. He sees the approach of the Tiferes Yisroel on the topic, but rejects it. That approach as well, does not do justice to either of them.

And now the quandary. Re-correcting an error that crept into a Rashi could open the door to other people, incorrectly, re-correcting Rishonim. He chooses to name his daughter after her, but he remains quiet about his reasoning. True, we must do what we can to salvage her reputation and that of Rav Meir too. But, perhaps, Rav Hutner reasoned, we cannot do it at the expense of the future Torah learning of Klal Yisroel.

And so, Rav Hutner remained silent as to his reasons. His action of naming saved the reputation of Bruriah. And his silence, or inaction, vouchsaved the correct methodology of not changing texts indiscriminately. It is a unique combination.

And perhaps, even more uniquely, this father and daughter team, was perhaps the greatest such promoters of future Torah learning of any father-daughter team in all of Jewish history.

The author can be reached at [email protected]




Reuven Lediansky, who is running for mayor of the city while waging war on Chareidim and Datiim, published a post last week slamming a Chabad chassid and dubbing him a missionary.

Lediansky is at the forefront of fighting against everything or anyone related to religion in the city of Tel Aviv, including a Yom Haatzmaut tefillah due to the use of mechitzos [despite allowing an Islamic prayer event with mechitzos] and the promised use of a building for Yeshivas Maale Eliyahu.

Lediansky, who served as deputy mayor of Tel Aviv until he was fired from his position by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai earlier this month, reposted a video of a mother verbally attacking the Chabadnik and telling him to get out of here. He wrote: Huldai is abandoning our children to Chabad missionaries!! It will end with me!! Our children are out of bounds for the missionaries! A Chabad agent showed up at the entrance to the Boy Scouts group in Ramat Aviv with the goal of putting tefillin on minors. Kol HaKavod to the mother lioness who stood up to him!

Attorney Amir Shmeterling Halevi sent a letter to Lediansky on behalf of the Chabadnik demanding that he remove the post and threatening him with a libel lawsuit. Halevi wrote, among other things: We were deeply shocked by the case in which a public representative allowed himself to attack a citizen without any restraint and publicly shame him while exploiting his power on the social network in a bullying manner and while calling and presenting him as a missionary and a member of a Messianic sect.

Using these expressions has one purpose  to hurt and insult, and we will not agree to that. In the State of Israel, placing tefillin on Jews over the age of 13, without coercion, is not a criminal offense and certainly not defined as missionary.'

Lediansky not only didnt remove the post but added two more posts since then with escalated rhetoric, calling Chabad chassidim messianic and missionary agents.

Speaking as if he was talking about a terrorist mingling among children, he wrote: Threats of a lawsuit will not move me I will continue to protect our children from messianic and missionary elements! I received a warning letter prior to a lawsuit to the court from the lawyer of the same Chabad agent who was standing near the gate of the Ramat Aviv Scout tribe. Neither Chabad nor the Messianic bodies will control the public space. The fact that they got used to it because Huldai abandoned the streets of the city  this is about to end! I will not allow appeals to our children, there will be no separate events between men and women with mechitzot on the streets of the city, there will be no religionization in Tel Aviv-Yafo and certainly not religious coercion

 I will fight against all the extremists and messianics who want to damage the image of our city! Only under my leadership will Tel Aviv continue to be secular and liberal.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
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.
Telecom Plus has hailed its best-ever annual performance after the multi-utility supplier's customer growth was supercharged by the failure of competitors.

Turnover at the FTSE 250 business - which trades as Utility Warehouse - skyrocketed by more than 1.5billion to a record 2.48billion for the 12 months ending March, with almost all growth the result of higher electricity and gas revenues.

Statutory pre-tax profits rose by 81 per cent to a record 85.5million even as Telecom Plus passed on over 30million of energy savings to consumers.

Performance: Turnover at Telecom Plus - which trades as Utility Warehouse - skyrocketed by more than 1.5billion to a record 2.48billion for the 12 months ending March

The surge in energy prices resulting from the Ukraine war and end to Covid-19 curbs led to the collapse of multiple energy suppliers, with many of their customers subsequently applying for Utility Warehouse's energy services.

But the company has also seen stronger demand for its broadband, insurance and cashback card offers.

This helped the group far exceed internal targets last year, with a 22 per cent growth in customer numbers and a 24 per cent increase in services revenue.

However, gains were tempered by higher employee, technology and infrastructure costs over the reporting period.

'This has been an outstanding year for the company,' said Andrew Lindsay and Stuart Burnett, joint chief executives of Telecom Plus.

'The fundamental strengths of our business model have reasserted themselves and delivered a strong outcome for all our stakeholders - particularly for our customers who benefitted from the lowest energy prices in the country throughout the year.'

Telecom Plus shares jumped 7.55 per cent to 16.24 on Tuesday afternoon, making them the biggest riser on the FTSE 250 Index.

It also announced a hike in its final dividend to 46p per share, compared to 30p for 2022.

For the current year, Telecom Plus expects a 'modest' headwind from the recent fall in the Ofgem price cap, but also a 'comfortable' double-digit rise in customers.

This, it says, will produce a 'broadly corresponding' boost in adjusted pre-tax profits.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The failure of energy suppliers such as Bulb, Ampower, Igloo, Hub Energy and many, many more has caused great distress to many households, but a lot of them have been able to get help from Utility Warehouse'

'As a result, the FTSE 250 firm is looking forward to healthy further customer and profit increases in the year to April 2024, even after a record twelve months just ended.'
In Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), the first of the films that make up the Indiana Jones saga, U.S. government agents order the protagonist  a professor of archaeology named Indiana Jones (Indy to his friends)  to find the Ark of the Covenant, an impressive golden chest containing the Tablets of the Law that God gave to Moses and bring it back to the United States. But the Nazis are already ahead in their excavations and could make use of the arks apocalyptic destructive power at any time. World War II is about to break out. In 1939, Francisco Francos government agreed with Adolf Hitlers government  this is real, not fiction  to open the Visigoth necropolis of Castiltierra (Segovia) to demonstrate the Aryan origin that supposedly united both nations. All encouraged by the Falange [fascist party] and the connivance of the General Secretary of Excavations, Julio Martinez-Santa Olalla. More than 400 tombs were opened and their rich trousseaux were plundered and sent to Germany by diplomatic pouch. In Steven Spielbergs film, the ark ends up in the warehouses of Area 51, a secret military base in Nevada. In the case of Castiltierra, most of the Visigothic funerary elements have been kept at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg and have never been returned.

Archaeologist Esperanza Martin (site director of Flavia Augusta and Lucus Asturum, among others) gives talks in schools on the importance of protecting heritage. Just before the release of James Mangolds Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, (the fifth and final part of the saga) this Wednesday, the expert considers that the Indy movies have good and bad aspects. The protagonist [Harrison Ford] is a cultured and educated person, but he is also a born destroyer. Someone who destroys archaeological sites to find mythical treasure. The specialist believes that these Hollywood films portray professionals as people who are adventurers, continuously struggling, out of touch with reality, and, most dangerously, treasure hunters who are capable of destroying everything in order to achieve their goal.

For Martin, however, much worse is Tadeo Jones [a childrens animated movie], where the main character has no scientific training whatsoever [in the film he says he works as a bricklayer], which makes it seem like anyone can be an archaeologist. In addition, the expert continues, Tadeo is accompanied by a young woman who is smarter than him, but who is mocked by other characters because she is a woman, despite being highly qualified. Is that the message we want to send to our children?

Jordi Serrallonga is a collaborating professor of Prehistory, Anthropology and Human Evolution at the Open University of Catalonia, a job he combines with research in Africa, America, Oceania and Asia. He has just published Un arqueologo nomada en busca del Dr. Jones (only available in Spanish), a book in which he shows his admiration for the well-known American movie and recalls the happy memories of his childhood when he saw it for the first time. I put on my fedora [the type of hat worn by Indiana] and any jungle, desert, savanna, mountain or ocean becomes the setting for a story where the memory of Jones  and not his buff physique  accompanies me at all times. Its easy. Although in the real world there has never been a treasure hunter who answers to the nickname of Indy or Indiana, Dr. Jones is an avatar that feeds on what archaeology was, is and will be.

Manuel Rojo Guerra, professor of Prehistory at the University of Valladolid, admits that he gave one of his collaborators in the spectacular research they do in El Pendon (Burgos) an Indy hat and a whip for her birthday. She loves the Spielberg saga, and we had a few laughs. But my opinion about this kind of film is not positive, as they do not reflect the reality of archaeology. Its a cinematic adventure that uses archaeology as an excuse, he says. Some students may have become interested in our discipline after seeing Indiana, but archaeology is hard, serious, laboratory work. Its nothing like the films. Like his colleagues, Rojo maintains that in this work, not everything goes towards achieving an end. We work with respect, [use] proper methodology to reach scientific conclusions, and we dont blow up buildings to find a secret door.

The trepanned skull of the woman found in Reinoso (Burgos).

Vicente Lull, director of the La Almoloya-La Bastida excavation project, latest Fundacion Palarq archaeology prize winner and professor of Prehistory at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, maintains that Indiana Jones has contributed to the popularity of archaeology, without a doubt, but at the same time he has trivialized it. The idea of an adventurous, heteropatriarchal, attractive, and seductive male protagonist has convinced many people to throw themselves into a beautiful but moribund profession by adopting a self-serving generic. There is scant public investment in researching and safeguarding a collective social inheritance that, curiously enough, is called heritage.

Aerial view of the Argaric settlement of La Almoloya (Murcia). Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona

In Spain, the average investment for an excavation is around 18,000 ($19,732). Most archaeological teams, including professors, usually take advantage of their summer vacation days to excavate, employ interns or recent graduates for research work. They spend the limited subsidies received from public administrations, universities and private foundations on the young peoples board and lodging, hiring laborers for the hardest tasks, and to pay for laboratory work. Nothing like Spielbergs intrepid professor, who travels the world alone and has no financial troubles.

Surroundings of the municipality of Fresno de Cantespino (Segovia), in the area where the Castiltierra necropolis is located. Santi Burgos

Lull believes, however, that the daughter culture of comics and tourism has a friendly face that generates benefits, and we should take advantage of them. I think the greatest virtue of Joness impact on archaeology lies in the fact that we have traded the colonialists pith helmet for the brown fedora, which burns your head so much that you imagine youre in the era that youre excavating. And then, you see yourself with the whip in your hands, and you wonder what you are doing and for whom, he notes.

Esperanza Martin explains, The worst thing about Indiana Jones is that the mythical Ark of the Covenant ends up in a warehouse on a military base in the United States without anyone being able to admire it, instead of a museum, which is where it should be. Although the Visigothic treasure of Castiltierra is located in a museum, it is in Nuremberg, 1,844 kilometers from it was stolen.

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TORONTO, June 26, 2023  Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) (NYSE / TSX: TRI), a global content and technology company, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Casetext, a California-based provider of technology for legal professionals, for $650 million cash.

The proposed transaction will complement Thomson Reuters existing AI roadmap and builds on its recent initiatives, including a commitment to invest more than $100 million annually on AI capabilities, the development of new generative AI experiences across its product suite, as well as a new plugin with Microsoft and Microsoft 365 Copilot for legal professionals.

Founded in 2013, Casetext uses advanced AI and machine learning to build technology for legal professionals, creating solutions that help them work more efficiently and provide higher-quality representation to more clients. Casetext employs 104 employees, and its customers include more than 10,000 law firms and corporate legal departments.

Casetext was granted early access to OpenAIs GPT-4 large language model, allowing it to develop solutions with the new technology and refine use cases for legal professionals. Its key products include CoCounsel, an AI legal assistant launched in 2023 and powered by GPT-4 that delivers document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes.

The acquisition of Casetext is another step in our build, partner and buy strategy to bring generative AI solutions to our customers, said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters. We believe that Casetext will accelerate and expand our market potential for these offerings - revolutionizing the way professionals work, and the work they do.

"For the last ten years, we have harnessed the power of AI to build products that elevate the practice of law and enable attorneys to serve more peoples legal needs, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to justice," said Jake Heller, CEO of Casetext. Joining Thomson Reuters is an incredible opportunity to advance our mission and the field of generative AI solutions exponentially, not only for lawyers but across professions, ensuring this revolutionary technology can benefit as many people as possible.

Closing of the transaction is subject to specified regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is anticipated to occur in the second half of 2023.

Thomson Reuters will hold a conference call to discuss additional details related to the proposed transaction on Tuesday, June 27 at 9:00 AM EDT. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of www.thomsonreuters.com.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (NYSE / TSX: TRI) (TR) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.

Casetext

Casetext has led innovation in legal AI since 2013, applying cutting-edge AI to the law to create solutions that enable attorneys to provide higher-quality representation to more clients, enhance efficiency and accuracy, and gain a competitive advantage. In launching CoCounsel, the first-ever legal AI assistant, Casetext ushered in a new era for legal technology. CoCounsel processes 2B+ words per day, automating critical, time-intensive tasks for lawyers and expanding access to justice. For more information visit www.casetext.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, MATERIAL RISKS AND MATERIAL ASSUMPTIONS

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking, including but not limited to the expected closing date for the proposed transaction, and the strategic benefits of the proposed transaction. The words expect, anticipate, believe and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. While the company believes that it has a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this news release, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes and there is no assurance that any of the other events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond our companys control and the effects of them can be difficult to predict. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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Baldrige Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Get Rating) by 26.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 61 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 22 shares during the quarter. Baldrige Asset Management LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $41,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BLK. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock in the first quarter valued at approximately $115,000. United Bank boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 17.1% in the first quarter. United Bank now owns 1,287 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $983,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the period. Panagora Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 2.6% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,978 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,512,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 35.4% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,025 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $783,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its position in shares of BlackRock by 11.7% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 1,452 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,110,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on BLK shares. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $583.00 to $542.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating and a $750.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $840.00 to $780.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on shares of BlackRock from $662.00 to $673.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BlackRock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $755.92.

Insider Activity at BlackRock

BlackRock Price Performance

In related news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total value of $24,862,405.50. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 484,325 shares in the company, valued at $336,363,712.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . In other news, CEO Laurence Fink sold 35,799 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $694.50, for a total value of $24,862,405.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 484,325 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,363,712.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $696.00, for a total transaction of $2,088,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 . 1.06% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Shares of BLK opened at $680.45 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $101.90 billion, a PE ratio of 21.11, a PEG ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 1.27. The companys 50-day moving average is $669.55 and its 200-day moving average is $689.94. BlackRock, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $503.12 and a fifty-two week high of $785.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 4.20 and a quick 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, beating the consensus estimate of $7.71 by $0.22. BlackRock had a net margin of 28.13% and a return on equity of 13.66%. The company had revenue of $4.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $9.52 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that BlackRock, Inc. will post 34.28 EPS for the current year.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, June 8th were paid a $5.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 7th. This represents a $20.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.94%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.03%.

BlackRock Company Profile

(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.

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First Heartland Consultants Inc. lifted its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VEA  Get Rating) by 3.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 163,621 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,227 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF accounts for approximately 1.1% of First Heartland Consultants Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest holding. First Heartland Consultants Inc.s holdings in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF were worth $7,391,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in VEA. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P increased its stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF by 1.1% during the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 1,002,770 shares of the companys stock worth $48,163,000 after acquiring an additional 11,011 shares during the period. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF by 70.3% during the first quarter. Ironwood Wealth Management LLC. now owns 26,321 shares of the companys stock worth $1,264,000 after buying an additional 10,861 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF by 3.0% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 5,186,505 shares of the companys stock worth $249,108,000 after buying an additional 152,648 shares in the last quarter. MAS Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF by 13.7% during the first quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 44,656 shares of the companys stock worth $2,178,000 after buying an additional 5,372 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF during the first quarter worth about $6,004,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF Trading Down 1.6 %

VEA stock opened at $45.18 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $109.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.40 and a beta of 0.89. Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF has a 52 week low of $35.42 and a 52 week high of $47.55. The companys 50-day moving average price is $46.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.91.

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF Profile

The Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund (VEA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market-cap weighted index of large-, mid- and small-cap stocks from developed markets outside the US. VEA was launched on Jul 20, 2007 and is managed by Vanguard.

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Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG  Get Rating) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the four brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $82.33.

A number of research firms have recently commented on GGG. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Graco from $82.00 to $89.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. DA Davidson lifted their price target on Graco from $70.00 to $75.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Graco from $75.00 to $83.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. William Blair reaffirmed a market perform rating on shares of Graco in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Graco in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Graco news, insider Claudio Merengo sold 21,793 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.32, for a total value of $1,750,413.76. Following the sale, the insider now owns 18,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,468,731.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Claudio Merengo sold 21,793 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.32, for a total transaction of $1,750,413.76. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 18,286 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,468,731.52. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director J Kevin Gilligan sold 16,320 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.88, for a total value of $1,303,641.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,462 shares in the company, valued at $1,394,864.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 67,358 shares of company stock valued at $5,367,802 over the last quarter. Insiders own 2.98% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Graco Price Performance

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GGG. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its position in Graco by 3.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,270 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $437,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in shares of Graco by 18.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 86,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,176,000 after buying an additional 13,302 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in shares of Graco by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 96,025 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $6,879,000 after buying an additional 7,396 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in shares of Graco by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,834 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $407,000 after buying an additional 440 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Graco by 74.3% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 9,636 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $684,000 after buying an additional 4,108 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.47% of the companys stock.

GGG stock opened at $84.47 on Friday. Graco has a 1 year low of $56.76 and a 1 year high of $86.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 2.07 and a current ratio of 3.38. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $78.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.52. The firm has a market cap of $14.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.74, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.80.

Graco (NYSE:GGG  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The industrial products company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $529.65 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $501.87 million. Graco had a net margin of 22.44% and a return on equity of 26.12%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.57 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Graco will post 3.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Graco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.11%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. Gracos dividend payout ratio is currently 33.10%.

Graco Company Profile

(Get Rating

Graco Inc designs, manufactures, and markets systems and equipment used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray fluid and powder materials worldwide. The company's Industrial segment offers proportioning systems to spray polyurethane foam and polyurea coatings; equipment that pumps, meters, mixes and dispenses sealant, adhesive, and composite materials; and gel-coat equipment, chop and wet-out systems, resin transfer molding systems and applicators, and precision dispensing solutions.

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Fresnillo plc (LON:FRES  Get Rating) has been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the eight research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 735 ($9.35).

Several analysts have issued reports on FRES shares. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 690 ($8.77) to GBX 620 ($7.88) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on shares of Fresnillo from GBX 700 ($8.90) to GBX 650 ($8.26) and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Finally, Peel Hunt reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 800 ($10.17) price objective on shares of Fresnillo in a research note on Tuesday, March 7th.

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Fresnillo Stock Performance

Shares of LON:FRES opened at GBX 617.73 ($7.85) on Thursday. Fresnillo has a 52 week low of GBX 603.80 ($7.68) and a 52 week high of GBX 996.80 ($12.67). The stock has a market capitalization of 4.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,108.97, a PEG ratio of -1.58 and a beta of 0.21. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 686.08 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 772.72. The company has a quick ratio of 3.28, a current ratio of 2.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.64.

About Fresnillo

Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas.

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Arden Trust Co cut its position in Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA  Get Rating) by 4.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,846 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 82 shares during the quarter. Arden Trust Cos holdings in Murphy USA were worth $476,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MUSA. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Murphy USA during the 4th quarter valued at $51,918,000. Morgan Stanley lifted its position in shares of Murphy USA by 76.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 379,886 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $106,194,000 after acquiring an additional 164,519 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 355,479 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $99,371,000 after buying an additional 80,791 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,650,681 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $728,697,000 after buying an additional 80,089 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP raised its holdings in shares of Murphy USA by 824.0% during the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 83,906 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $23,455,000 after buying an additional 74,825 shares in the last quarter. 85.01% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Murphy USA Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of MUSA stock opened at $290.77 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $6.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.84 and a beta of 0.80. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $282.09 and a 200-day moving average of $271.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. Murphy USA Inc. has a 1-year low of $226.09 and a 1-year high of $323.00.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

Murphy USA ( NYSE:MUSA Get Rating ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The specialty retailer reported $4.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.18 by $0.62. Murphy USA had a return on equity of 86.87% and a net margin of 2.68%. The company had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.95 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $6.08 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Murphy USA Inc. will post 20.36 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.52%. This is a positive change from Murphy USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. Murphy USAs dividend payout ratio is presently 5.67%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on MUSA shares. StockNews.com raised Murphy USA from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Murphy USA from $325.00 to $330.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $315.60.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Murphy USA news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 550 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $283.97, for a total value of $156,183.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 2,874 shares in the company, valued at $816,129.78. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 550 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $283.97, for a total value of $156,183.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,874 shares of the companys stock, valued at $816,129.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 1,075 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.72, for a total value of $298,549.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,849,892.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,628 shares of company stock worth $455,611. Corporate insiders own 9.47% of the companys stock.

About Murphy USA

(Get Rating)

Murphy USA Inc engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands. It operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in El Dorado, Arkansas.

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Arden Trust Co cut its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Get Rating) by 12.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,648 shares of the companys stock after selling 377 shares during the period. Arden Trust Cos holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $356,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of KMB. Bell Investment Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 1,475.0% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 189 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Affiance Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 56.3% during the 4th quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 225 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. 74.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $130.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $123.00 to $133.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $118.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $134.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark Price Performance

In other news, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . In related news, CEO Michael D. Hsu sold 46,508 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, VP Andrew Drexler sold 7,970 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.12, for a total value of $1,156,606.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 4,889 shares in the company, valued at approximately $709,491.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 59,416 shares of company stock valued at $8,580,971. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE KMB opened at $136.39 on Tuesday. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a fifty-two week low of $108.74 and a fifty-two week high of $147.87. The stocks 50-day moving average is $139.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $134.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.23, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market cap of $46.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.41.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Rating) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.06 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 279.42% and a net margin of 9.75%. The businesss revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.35 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.18 per share. This represents a $4.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 8th. Kimberly-Clarks payout ratio is 80.82%.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

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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.

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Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF (NYSEARCA:CLTL  Get Rating) by 0.9% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 13,073 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF were worth $1,380,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF by 101.2% during the 1st quarter. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. now owns 33,935 shares of the companys stock worth $3,581,000 after acquiring an additional 17,067 shares during the last quarter. Dock Street Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF by 24.5% during the 4th quarter. Dock Street Asset Management Inc. now owns 83,375 shares of the companys stock worth $8,783,000 after purchasing an additional 16,402 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC purchased a new position in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $17,576,000. New York Life Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF by 11.1% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 218,306 shares of the companys stock worth $22,996,000 after purchasing an additional 21,826 shares during the period. Finally, Core Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF during the 4th quarter worth $2,698,000.

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Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:CLTL opened at $105.39 on Tuesday. Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF has a 12-month low of $104.81 and a 12-month high of $105.82. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $105.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $105.48.

Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF Profile

The Invesco Treasury Collateral ETF (CLTL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the U.S. Treasury Short Term index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. CLTL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is managed by Invesco.

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Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Rating) by 17.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 15,537 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,302 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $1,364,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. O ROURKE & COMPANY Inc boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. O ROURKE & COMPANY Inc now owns 3,112 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $265,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 13.5% in the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 890 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 3,914 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Surevest LLC boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 37.0% in the 3rd quarter. Surevest LLC now owns 411 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 33,259 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,828,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. 84.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on MS shares. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Morgan Stanley from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Morgan Stanley from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Morgan Stanley from $89.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Cfra reiterated a strong-buy rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted 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. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $95.34.

Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

MS opened at $83.59 on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley has a 52-week low of $72.05 and a 52-week high of $100.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.60 billion, a PE ratio of 14.36, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $85.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $89.27.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Rating) last released its 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. The business had revenue of $14.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.96 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 11.35% and a net margin of 14.12%. Morgan Stanleys revenue was down 1.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.06 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Morgan Stanley will post 6.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 1st were paid a $0.775 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. This represents a $3.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.71%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is 53.26%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Morgan Stanley

In other Morgan Stanley news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $9,921,451.05. Following the sale, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total transaction of $9,921,451.05. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas H. Glocer sold 4,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total value of $395,043.85. Following the transaction, the director now owns 98,110 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,546,362.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Morgan Stanley Profile

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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.

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Douglas Lane & Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Rating) by 1.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,983 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the period. Douglas Lane & Associates LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,618,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 104,649.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 30,247,436 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,320,866,000 after acquiring an additional 30,218,560 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,893,715,000. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 38,966,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $4,278,132,000 after acquiring an additional 4,886,954 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 83.1% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,925,012 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $582,924,000 after acquiring an additional 2,235,314 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 154,563,421 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $14,955,557,000 after acquiring an additional 2,011,683 shares in the last quarter. 73.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE ABT opened at $108.51 on Tuesday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $93.25 and a 52-week high of $115.69. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $107.02 and a 200-day moving average of $106.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $188.69 billion, a PE ratio of 32.98, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The companys revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.73 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.01%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms 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 completion of the sale, 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories 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 sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on ABT shares. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Bank of America cut their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Barclays boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $121.26.

About Abbott Laboratories

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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.

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The Roman marble female bust-portrait was kept in a storage room in Baena (Cordoba), Spain. The experts advising Spains Civil Guard police describe it as a unique and absolutely exceptional piece of artistic quality, similar to those exhibited in major museums like the Louvre and the Capitoline in Rome. This Monday, the armed forces announced that, as part of the so-called Operation Plotina, they have arrested two people who are charged with allegedly committing crimes against historical heritage  smuggling and receiving the same  and that they have recovered 119 extraordinarily valuable archaeological pieces. Operation Plotina is part of the international Pandora VII operation, conducted by Spains Civil Guard police, Europol and Interpol to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property in Europe. The international operation has resulted in 60 people arrested, 237 people under investigation and 11,049 seized cultural assets.

The Spanish Civil Guard police explains that after numerous interviews with sources, meetings with collectors, attendance at specialized art forums and periodic inspections of premises and establishments for purchasing and selling cultural goods, it learned about a couple with a police record that might be engaged in the internal trade of cultural goods on the black market. Within the closed and complex world of the art market, we found that the people we investigated were living a normal  not luxurious  life, acting at different times of the day to go completely unnoticed and put the historical goods on the black market, thereby obtaining great financial benefits, the agents said in a statement.

After several months of surveillance, the authorities finally located some of the plundered archaeological pieces in a storage room in the Spanish municipality of Baena (Cordoba). Investigators were surprised to find Roman sculptures, architectural elements from the 7th century, absolutely exceptional ceramics and exceedingly rare ancient Greek, Iberian and Roman coins.

The most striking piece was the aforementioned Roman female bust. It is a private portrait from the first third of the second century that follows portrait models of imperial princesses; based on the type of hairstyle, it is similar to that of Salonina Matidia, the niece of Trajan and the mother of Vibia Sabina, Hadrians wife, the press release says. In addition to the sculpture, the Civil Guard also discovered a late-antique Corinthian limestone piece from the 7th century. This architectural element matches a [rare] typology. Its carving is of exceptional quality.

A piece of cultural heritage from the VII century, seized in Baena by Spains Civil Guard. Museo Arqueologico de Cordoba

The Museum of Cordoba, under the direction of archaeologist Lola Baena, says that it is an absolutely exceptional piece. It depicts a young woman dressed in a tunic and cloak, the folds and movement of which are carved with great skill. Her head is slightly tilted to the left, her neck is long and slender, and her features conform to a realistic idealized representation, a feature that characterizes Roman portraiture from the High Imperial period (1st-3rd centuries) from Augustus onward. The piece is unquestionably exceptional, and it is on par with the best second-century Roman sculpture made in Hispanic workshops, as well as close to the quality of those from Rome itself.

A Roman Republican silver coin from after 44 B.C stands out among the coins seized by the authorities. It is a denarius coin that matches the type of coins issued by Brutus, one of Caesars assassins, that were meant to pay his army in the war against Octavian. They note that it is very rare coinage, of which very few specimens have been preserved.

Now recovered, the pieces have been transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba for custody, conservation and expertise. The Andalusian governments Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has been involved in this operation through the participation of two expert archaeologist-curators from the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba.

The people arrested and investigated in this operation have been brought to court for the alleged illegal trafficking of archaeological property belonging to Spanish Historical Heritage, smuggling and receiving archaeological material by plunder.

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Naples Global Advisors LLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Rating) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,454 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 680 shares during the quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,274,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 27,597 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,794,000 after purchasing an additional 577 shares during the period. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 15,983 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,618,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 245.2% in the 1st quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 226,916 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $22,977,000 after purchasing an additional 161,187 shares during the period. Signet Financial Management LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 8,518 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $863,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Claro Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 5,478 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $555,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the period. 73.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on ABT. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. BTIG Research raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.26.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.4 %

ABT opened at $108.51 on Tuesday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $188.69 billion, a PE ratio of 32.98, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.67. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $93.25 and a 1-year high of $115.69. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $107.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.37.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.73 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 62.01%.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Abbott Laboratories

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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.

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State of Alaska Department of Revenue reduced its holdings in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Get Rating) by 1.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 266,636 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,485 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenues holdings in Citigroup were worth $12,502,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First National Trust Co grew its holdings in Citigroup by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 25,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,135,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Scott & Selber Inc. boosted its stake in Citigroup by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Scott & Selber Inc. now owns 53,681 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,428,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Citigroup by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,750 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,074,000 after buying an additional 227 shares in the last quarter. Telemus Capital LLC raised its position in Citigroup by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Telemus Capital LLC now owns 4,888 shares of the companys stock valued at $229,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Investors Research Corp raised its position in Citigroup by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 11,491 shares of the companys stock valued at $520,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. 69.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In related news, insider Zdenek Turek sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.87, for a total value of $598,440.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 155,979 shares in the company, valued at $7,778,672.73. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Citigroup Stock Performance

Shares of C opened at $46.25 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $46.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $47.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $90.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.74 and a beta of 1.57. Citigroup Inc. has a 52 week low of $40.01 and a 52 week high of $54.56.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 14th. The company reported $2.19 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.53. The firm had revenue of $21.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.07 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.84% and a net margin of 12.96%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.02 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 1st were issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 28th. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is presently 28.45%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on C. Bank of America boosted their target price on Citigroup from $58.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Citigroup from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Citigroup from $50.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. StockNews.com began coverage on Citigroup in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Citigroup from $47.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.79.

Citigroup Profile

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Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Institutional Clients Group (ICG), Personal Banking and Wealth Management (PBWM), and Legacy Franchises.

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Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA  Get Rating) and Swiss Re (OTCMKTS:SSREF  Get Rating) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, risk, dividends and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Reinsurance Group of America and Swiss Res net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Reinsurance Group of America 5.66% 23.94% 1.52% Swiss Re N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Reinsurance Group of America and Swiss Re, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Reinsurance Group of America 0 4 5 1 2.70 Swiss Re 0 0 0 0 N/A

Insider and Institutional Ownership

Reinsurance Group of America presently has a consensus price target of $161.55, suggesting a potential upside of 16.41%. Given Reinsurance Group of Americas higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Reinsurance Group of America is more favorable than Swiss Re.

93.6% of Reinsurance Group of America shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.3% of Swiss Re shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Reinsurance Group of America shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Reinsurance Group of America and Swiss Res revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Reinsurance Group of America $16.33 billion 0.57 $623.00 million $13.85 10.02 Swiss Re N/A N/A N/A $11.77 8.31

Reinsurance Group of America has higher revenue and earnings than Swiss Re. Swiss Re is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Reinsurance Group of America, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Reinsurance Group of America pays an annual dividend of $3.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Swiss Re pays an annual dividend of $4.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Reinsurance Group of America pays out 23.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Swiss Re pays out 37.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Reinsurance Group of America has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years.

Summary

Reinsurance Group of America beats Swiss Re on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Reinsurance Group of America

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Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated engages in reinsurance business. The company offers individual and group life and health insurance products, such as term life, credit life, universal life, whole life, group life and health, joint and last survivor insurance, critical illness, disability, and longevity products; asset-intensive and financial reinsurance products; and other capital motivated solutions. It also provides reinsurance for mortality, morbidity, lapse, and investment-related risk associated with products; and reinsurance for investment-related risks. In addition, the company develops and markets technology solutions; and provides consulting and outsourcing solutions for the insurance and reinsurance industries. It serves life insurance companies in the United States, Latin America, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and the Asia Pacific. Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri.

About Swiss Re

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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.

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GAM (OTCMKTS:GMHLY  Get Rating) is one of 1,187 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare GAM to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares GAM and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GAM N/A N/A N/A GAM Competitors 378.68% 7.64% 4.95%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

32.6% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by institutional investors. 18.1% of shares of all Asset Management companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GAM 0 0 0 0 N/A GAM Competitors 1039 4503 5847 82 2.43

This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for GAM and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 95.61%. Given GAMs peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe GAM has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares GAM and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio GAM N/A N/A 0.80 GAM Competitors $427.31 million $2.13 million 30.28

GAMs peers have higher revenue and earnings than GAM. GAM 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.

Dividends

GAM pays an annual dividend of $0.12 per share and has a dividend yield of 73.1%. GAM pays out 58.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.1% and pay out 637.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. GAM is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

GAM peers beat GAM on 8 of the 10 factors compared.

About GAM

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GAM Holding AG is a publicly owned asset management holding company. The firm provides its services to institutions, financial intermediaries and private investors. Through its subsidiaries, the firm manages separate client focused equity and fixed income portfolios. Through its subsidiaries, it also launches and manages equity, fixed income, and balanced mutual funds. Through its subsidiaries, the firm invests in public equity and fixed income markets. GAM Holding AG is based in Zurich, Switzerland with an additional office in Geneva, Switzerland and London, United Kingdom.

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Naples Global Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Get Rating) by 7.3% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 13,611 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 923 shares during the quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLCs holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $1,419,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of ICE. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the 4th quarter valued at about $579,605,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 45.5% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,114,267 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,755,753,000 after acquiring an additional 5,354,161 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 18.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 25,406,629 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,606,466,000 after acquiring an additional 4,044,744 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 59.2% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,275,418 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $564,869,000 after acquiring an additional 1,589,999 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec boosted its position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 3,801.0% during the 3rd quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 1,320,464 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $119,304,000 after acquiring an additional 1,286,615 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 85,461 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.89, for a total value of $9,220,387.29. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,188,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at $128,182,490.65. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 85,461 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.89, for a total transaction of $9,220,387.29. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,188,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at $128,182,490.65. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Warren Gardiner sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.52, for a total value of $55,260.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 16,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,771,083. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 93,934 shares of company stock valued at $10,139,046. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Intercontinental Exchange Stock Performance

Shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock opened at $110.13 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.93. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a 52 week low of $88.60 and a 52 week high of $113.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The firms 50 day moving average is $108.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $105.70.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The financial services provider reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.90 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 12.98% and a net margin of 14.97%. The companys revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.43 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Intercontinental Exchange Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.53%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Intercontinental Exchanges payout ratio is currently 65.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on ICE shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $125.00 to $122.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $168.00 target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $126.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $130.00 to $135.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $122.00 to $120.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $129.89.

Intercontinental Exchange Profile

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Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.

Further Reading

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M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB  Get Rating) had its price objective cut by Barclays from $153.00 to $150.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday, The Fly reports. Barclayss price target would suggest a potential upside of 25.87% from the companys current price.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Bank of America lifted their price target on M&T Bank from $141.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. SpectralCast reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of M&T Bank in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Argus raised M&T Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $150.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. UBS Group lowered M&T Bank from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on M&T Bank from $155.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $160.05.

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M&T Bank Stock Up 2.8 %

Shares of MTB opened at $119.17 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. M&T Bank has a 12 month low of $109.36 and a 12 month high of $193.42. The stocks 50 day moving average is $121.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $134.79. The firm has a market cap of $19.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.23, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.79.

Insider Buying and Selling at M&T Bank

M&T Bank ( NYSE:MTB Get Rating ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $4.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.37 billion. M&T Bank had a return on equity of 11.97% and a net margin of 23.20%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.73 earnings per share. Analysts predict that M&T Bank will post 16.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, CFO Daryl N. Bible acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $120.61 per share, for a total transaction of $1,206,100.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now owns 10,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,206,100. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Rudina Seseri sold 700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.40, for a total value of $82,880.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,736 shares in the company, valued at approximately $205,542.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Daryl N. Bible acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was purchased at an average price of $120.61 per share, for a total transaction of $1,206,100.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,206,100. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On M&T Bank

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MTB. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 35.2% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,153,301 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,811,880,000 after buying an additional 3,945,773 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in M&T Bank during the 4th quarter worth $231,022,000. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in M&T Bank by 71.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,986,977 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $433,291,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,265 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in M&T Bank by 18.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,523,856 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $801,292,000 after purchasing an additional 875,870 shares in the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp grew its stake in M&T Bank by 77.0% during the 1st quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 1,778,136 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $212,612,000 after purchasing an additional 773,810 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.62% of the companys stock.

About M&T Bank

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M&T Bank Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association that offer retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. The company's Business Banking segment offers deposit, lending, cash management, and other financial services to small businesses and professionals.

Further Reading

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Gradient Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Get Rating) by 2.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,265 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLCs holdings in Novartis were worth $576,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Novartis by 102,209.0% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,522,057 shares of the companys stock valued at $410,241,000 after purchasing an additional 4,517,637 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Novartis by 153.4% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,127,082 shares of the companys stock valued at $374,409,000 after purchasing an additional 2,498,355 shares in the last quarter. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at $55,110,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Novartis by 27.2% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,781,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $244,085,000 after purchasing an additional 594,194 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Novartis by 872.0% during the 4th quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 619,932 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,240,000 after acquiring an additional 556,154 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 8.07% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on NVS. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating on the stock. BTIG Research increased their price objective on shares of Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $82.25.

Novartis Trading Down 1.2 %

Novartis stock opened at $99.52 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $100.87 and its 200-day moving average is $93.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 1.05. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $74.09 and a 1 year high of $105.56. The company has a market cap of $210.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.62, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.54.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.16. Novartis had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 23.29%. The company had revenue of $12.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.60 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Novartis Company Profile

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Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Innovative Medicines and Sandoz. The Innovative Medicines segment offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It also provides cardiovascular, ophthalmology, neuroscience, immunology, hematology, and solid tumor products.

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Naples Global Advisors LLC lessened its position in shares of The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR  Get Rating) by 1.9% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 43,937 shares of the companys stock after selling 850 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLCs holdings in Kroger were worth $2,169,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in KR. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Kroger during the 4th quarter worth approximately $156,126,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Kroger by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 65,735,592 shares of the companys stock worth $2,875,933,000 after purchasing an additional 3,443,687 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its position in Kroger by 12,613.8% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 3,367,640 shares of the companys stock worth $150,129,000 after purchasing an additional 3,341,152 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in Kroger by 119.0% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,289,249 shares of the companys stock worth $235,795,000 after purchasing an additional 2,874,114 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. increased its position in Kroger by 82.0% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 5,667,159 shares of the companys stock worth $252,642,000 after purchasing an additional 2,552,989 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.73% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Stuart Aitken sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.29, for a total value of $1,232,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 178,328 shares in the company, valued at $8,789,787.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Kenneth C. Kimball sold 29,024 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, April 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $48.39, for a total transaction of $1,404,471.36. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 90,732 shares in the company, valued at $4,390,521.48. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Stuart Aitken sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.29, for a total transaction of $1,232,250.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 178,328 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,789,787.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 102,024 shares of company stock worth $4,926,821 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.38% of the companys stock.

Kroger Stock Up 1.1 %

Kroger stock opened at $46.65 on Tuesday. The Kroger Co. has a 1-year low of $41.81 and a 1-year high of $52.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.47. The firms fifty day moving average price is $47.64 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

Kroger (NYSE:KR  Get Rating) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 15th. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $45.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $45.26 billion. Kroger had a net margin of 1.71% and a return on equity of 30.96%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.45 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that The Kroger Co. will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have issued reports on KR shares. Stephens decreased their price target on shares of Kroger from $57.00 to $52.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 6th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $51.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $75.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Telsey Advisory Group decreased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $64.00 to $55.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Kroger from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Kroger has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $52.41.

Kroger Profile

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The Kroger Co operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys.

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Czech National Bank raised its stake in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Get Rating) by 0.6% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 69,211 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 434 shares during the quarter. Czech National Banks holdings in EOG Resources were worth $7,934,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tejara Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the 4th quarter worth $106,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 196.1% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,859,925 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,175,599,000 after purchasing an additional 6,529,464 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 87.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 7,787,281 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $1,008,609,000 after purchasing an additional 3,641,504 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 126.2% in the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,111,339 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $662,021,000 after purchasing an additional 2,851,839 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 103,083.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,272,097 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $294,282,000 after purchasing an additional 2,269,895 shares in the last quarter. 89.58% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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EOG Resources Stock Performance

EOG Resources stock opened at $110.00 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.90. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 1-year low of $92.16 and a 1-year high of $150.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.54. The companys 50-day moving average is $112.94 and its 200 day moving average is $119.07.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Rating ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.27. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The company had revenue of $6.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $4.00 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.34 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.825 dividend. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20.64%.

Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

In other news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on EOG. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on EOG Resources from $167.00 to $158.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 8th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $146.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $139.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 price objective for the company. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $148.17.

About EOG Resources

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EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Manning & Napier Group LLC decreased its position in Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Get Rating) by 0.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 183,925 shares of the companys stock after selling 761 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $14,651,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in ADM. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 135.6% in the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 318 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 655.8% in the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 393 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 275.5% in the 4th quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 398 shares of the companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.13% of the companys stock.

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance

Shares of ADM opened at $73.64 on Tuesday. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a twelve month low of $69.92 and a twelve month high of $98.28. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $74.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $80.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.24, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend

Archer-Daniels-Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Rating ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.38. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 4.36% and a return on equity of 18.39%. The business had revenue of $24.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.09 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.90 EPS. The companys revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 6.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.58%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on ADM. 92 Resources restated a maintains rating on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $98.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland from $94.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Roth Mkm started coverage on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $92.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a 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 $99.50.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company Profile

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Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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The American financial and economic magazine Forbes, one of the most authoritative and well-known economic publications, called Ruben Vardanyan "a leader in blocking a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Azernews reports, citing reliable sources.

"On May 28, Vardanyan stated on his Russian-language Telegram channel that the separatists "should not sign any agreements with Azerbaijan." Vardanyan has been associated with the separatists for some time. On his Twitter page, Vardanyan writes "about human rights issues" related to the Karabakh region, and speaks particularly loudly about the so-called "blockade" of the road connecting the region with Armenia," the author of the article notes.

Moreover, as the author rightly writes, Vardanyan, a criminal oligarch who was "exported" to the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan from Moscow and used to be the so-called "minister of state" of the separatists, most likely left his "post" to avoid the risk of individual sanctions.

Currently, he is also subject to immediate detention and transfer to the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine or NATO countries, the author added.




This handout picture released by the Honduran Armed Forces shows inmates during an operation at the National Penitentiary "Francisco Morazan" in Tamara, north of Tegucigalpa, on June 26, 2023. HANDOUT (AFP)

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  posted photos of male inmates forced to sit in rows, spread-legged and touching, during a raid to seize contraband in one prison.

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 found ammunition, guns and grenades during the search of a mens prison in Tamara, the same town where the womens prison massacre occurred.

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.

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Manning & Napier Group LLC increased its position in RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR  Get Rating) by 75.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 67,424 shares of the insurance providers stock after acquiring an additional 28,989 shares during the quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC owned about 0.15% of RenaissanceRe worth $13,508,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RNR. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in RenaissanceRe in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in RenaissanceRe during the 4th quarter valued at about $38,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 84.6% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 240 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 30.0% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 312 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.15% of the companys stock.

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RenaissanceRe Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSE:RNR opened at $186.32 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $198.83 and a 200 day moving average of $198.73. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a 1-year low of $124.18 and a 1-year high of $223.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a current ratio of 1.31.

RenaissanceRe Dividend Announcement

RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $8.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.34 by $0.82. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. RenaissanceRe had a positive return on equity of 11.89% and a negative net margin of 1.61%. RenaissanceRes quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.50 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 23.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 given a $0.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.82%. RenaissanceRes payout ratio is currently -41.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling at RenaissanceRe

In related news, CEO Kevin Odonnell acquired 13,020 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $192.00 per share, for a total transaction of $2,499,840.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 296,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $56,836,800. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on RenaissanceRe in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $245.00 to $256.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on RenaissanceRe in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price target for the company. Finally, TheStreet downgraded RenaissanceRe from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $215.60.

RenaissanceRe Company Profile

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RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Ronald Blue Trust Inc. cut its position in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Get Rating) by 5.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,072 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 1,277 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc.s holdings in Oracle were worth $1,722,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. F&V Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Oracle by 3.2% in the first quarter. F&V Capital Management LLC now owns 144,175 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $13,397,000 after purchasing an additional 4,510 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank grew its position in shares of Oracle by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 181,051 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $16,823,000 after buying an additional 1,120 shares during the last quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co raised its stake in Oracle by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Hills Bank & Trust Co now owns 19,812 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,841,000 after acquiring an additional 3,831 shares in the last quarter. City Holding Co. boosted its stake in Oracle by 8.4% in the first quarter. City Holding Co. now owns 18,605 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $1,729,000 after acquiring an additional 1,445 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Oracle by 2.1% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 82,661 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $7,681,000 after acquiring an additional 1,708 shares in the last quarter. 43.43% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on ORCL shares. Berenberg Bank boosted their target price on Oracle from $72.00 to $82.50 in a report on Wednesday, March 8th. Mizuho increased their price objective on Oracle from $116.00 to $150.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Oracle from $95.00 to $110.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Oracle from $84.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Oracle from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $75.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $115.21.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Oracle Trading Down 1.6 %

In related news, insider Edward Screven sold 354,837 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.39, for a total value of $43,783,337.43. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,543,033 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $313,784,841.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other Oracle news, insider Edward Screven sold 354,837 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.39, for a total transaction of $43,783,337.43. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,543,033 shares of the companys stock, valued at $313,784,841.87. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Also, Director Michael J. Boskin sold 90,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.83, for a total transaction of $10,694,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 87,473 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,394,416.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 6,052,544 shares of company stock valued at $686,725,797. Insiders own 43.70% of the companys stock.

Oracle stock opened at $116.78 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $316.97 billion, a PE ratio of 38.16, a P/E/G ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 1.00. Oracle Co. has a 52 week low of $60.78 and a 52 week high of $127.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.54. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $104.43 and a 200 day moving average price of $93.33.

Oracle (NYSE:ORCL  Get Rating) last announced its earnings results on Monday, June 12th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $13.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.74 billion. Oracle had a net margin of 17.02% and a negative return on equity of 470.73%. Oracles revenue was up 16.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.31 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 4.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Oracle Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 12th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 11th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.37%. Oracles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.29%.

Oracle Profile

(Get Rating)

Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing.

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Northwest Investment Counselors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Get Rating) by 11.5% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,009 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 131 shares during the period. Northwest Investment Counselors LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $83,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Murphy Pohlad Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 1st quarter valued at about $220,000. Jacobs & Co. CA lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Jacobs & Co. CA now owns 102,679 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $8,494,000 after purchasing an additional 933 shares during the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 72,835 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $6,026,000 after purchasing an additional 462 shares during the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 55.4% in the first quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,389 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $363,000 after acquiring an additional 1,565 shares during the last quarter. Finally, WoodTrust Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 12.7% in the first quarter. WoodTrust Financial Corp now owns 11,530 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $954,000 after acquiring an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. 79.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Edwards Lifesciences Stock Down 0.9 %

Edwards Lifesciences stock opened at $89.49 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.25 billion, a PE ratio of 37.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 1.01. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a twelve month low of $67.13 and a twelve month high of $107.92. The company has a quick ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 3.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The company has a 50 day moving average of $87.24 and a 200-day moving average of $81.50.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Rating ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 27.07% and a return on equity of 25.81%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $75.00 to $87.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. 92 Resources reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $97.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Edwards Lifesciences has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $90.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.15, for a total value of $780,699.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at $19,273,529.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Larry L. Wood sold 8,660 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.15, for a total value of $780,699.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 213,794 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,273,529.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Catherine M. Szyman sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.81, for a total value of $429,050.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 35,056 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,008,155.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 201,151 shares of company stock worth $17,523,816 over the last quarter. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Edwards Lifesciences Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease, and critical care and surgical monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of heart valves; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases.

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Manning & Napier Group LLC reduced its position in General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS  Get Rating) by 1.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 210,548 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,340 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Group LLCs holdings in General Mills were worth $17,993,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in GIS. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of General Mills in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. James Investment Research Inc. acquired a new position in shares of General Mills in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new position in shares of General Mills in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. AXS Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of General Mills in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC lifted its stake in shares of General Mills by 50.7% in the 3rd quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 428 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. 76.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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General Mills Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of GIS opened at $81.89 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. General Mills, Inc. has a 12-month low of $70.08 and a 12-month high of $90.89. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $85.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $83.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.27.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Insider Activity at General Mills

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on GIS shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $76.00 price objective on shares of General Mills in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of General Mills from $73.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of General Mills from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, March 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of General Mills from $88.00 to $89.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of General Mills from $75.00 to $80.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $84.76.

In related news, insider Jodi J. Benson sold 3,009 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.59, for a total value of $272,585.31. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 35,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,215,129.69. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other General Mills news, CAO Mark A. Pallot sold 4,081 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.32, for a total transaction of $368,595.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 13,121 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,185,088.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Jodi J. Benson sold 3,009 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.59, for a total transaction of $272,585.31. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 35,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,215,129.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 55,371 shares of company stock valued at $4,849,178. 0.67% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

General Mills Profile

(Get Rating)

General Mills, Inc manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates in five segments: North America Retail; Convenience Stores & Foodservice; Europe & Australia; Asia & Latin America; and Pet. It offers ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and salty snacks, ice cream, nutrition bars, wellness beverages, and savory and grain snacks, as well as various organic products, including frozen and shelf-stable vegetables.

Further Reading

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Northwest Investment Counselors LLC grew its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) by 57.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,564 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,297 shares during the period. Northwest Investment Counselors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $247,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BMY. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,544,751,000 after buying an additional 21,451,006 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $992,048,000 after buying an additional 3,627,705 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 174,002,852 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,369,862,000 after buying an additional 3,357,590 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Edmp Inc. lifted its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6,884.3% during the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 3,343,588 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $46,471,000 after buying an additional 3,295,715 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.57% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total transaction of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.08% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of BMY stock opened at $64.79 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The stock has a market cap of $136.11 billion, a PE ratio of 18.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 0.44. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $66.58 and a 200-day moving average of $69.56. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $63.07 and a one year high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.52%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is 66.47%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMY has been the topic of several research reports. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $72.00 in a research 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. 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. StockNews.com started coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $78.62.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get Rating)

Bristol-Myers Squibb 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.

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An international group of agencies is investigating what may have caused the Titan submersible to implode while carrying five people to the Titanic wreckage, and 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.

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 operations such as controlling an underwater vehicle more difficult, noted Donald Murphy, an oceanographer who served as chief scientist of the Coast Guards International Ice Patrol.

The dynamics of area make it difficult to do any kind of operation at the surface, Murphy said. There can be quite vigorous currents down there.

The early summer is the best time to be conducting this type of operation because of the lower likelihood of storms, but its still likely to be painstaking, Murphy said.

Its not impossible, however. Working in their favor: The ocean bottom where they are searching is smooth and not near any of the Titanic debris, said Carl Hartsfield of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

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.

On Saturday, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it has begun an investigation and has been speaking with those who traveled on the Polar Prince. Board chairperson Kathy Fox said officials will share information it collects with other agencies, such as the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which is taking part in the overall investigation.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Saturday that it will conduct a full investigation only if it appears criminal, federal or provincial laws were broken.

If it chooses to do so, the Coast Guard can make recommendations to prosecutors to pursue civil or criminal sanctions. 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.

Coast Guard officials have not indicated whether they will take that route.

The Polar Prince, towing the ill-fated Titan, left Newfoundland on June 16. There were 41 people on board: 17 crew members and 24 others, including the five-man Titan team.

After the vessel lost communication, the Coast Guard led the initial search and rescue mission, a massive international effort that likely cost millions of dollars. Questions have also arisen about possible reimbursement for rescue agencies, but the Coast Guard doesnt charge for searches nor do we associate a cost with human life, Mauger said.

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.

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A little more than five decades after the first Pride march, there is still a yawning gap in political representation for LGBTQ+ people in Latin America. However, citizens are increasingly open to a more diverse democracy. This is reflected in the results of the study, LGBT+ in politics: perceptions of the electorate in Latin America among people from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia, according to which 55% of respondents support the participation of LGBTQ+ people in political positions and are in favor of greater representation.

Commissioned by Luminate, the survey conducted by the Ipsos polling organization questioned 4,400 people in these four countries to identify Latin American citizens perceptions of LGBTQ+ people in politics. The results showed that with 59%, Brazil is the country with the highest support for representation, followed by Argentina, with 55%, and Colombia and Mexico, both with 51%.

Another finding is that 63% agree with LGBTQ+ people running for and holding public office, and only 9% indicated that they would not vote for an LGBTQ+ person for president of their country. Although there are already some individual cases of LGBTQ+ women representatives or mayors in the surveyed countries, the representation is not even close to what experts expect in terms of proportionality, Felipe Estefan, Luminates vice president for Latin America, said in a recent interview. The study notes, however, that 63% believe that diversity of voices, which includes LGBTQ+ people, is an essential aspect of a democracy. The version of democracy that people hope to see in the future includes all colors of the rainbow, Estefan adds.

The study also revealed that support for LGBTQ+ representation in politics is driven by a belief in the value of equality for all people, and not necessarily by a recognition of the unique contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in public office. However, within sexual diversity candidacies, specific challenges such as inequalities, violence and discrimination persist. It is trans people who face the greatest resistance from the electorate in all four countries, the survey notes. Of the sample, 49% said they were completely comfortable with transgender people taking public office in their countries. For lesbians, the result was 53%; and for gay men, 52%.

On the other hand, 60% of respondents support the implementation of agendas that promote equality, regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of those in power. And 47% of respondents fully or partially agree that the lack of LGBTQ+ political representation is harmful to the protection of LGBTQ+ rights. Argentina is at variance with this fact, as 70% believe that it is not necessary to have LGBTQ+ representatives in power to make advances in the protection of that communitys rights.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to pilots killed fighting an aborted mutiny, confirming their deaths for the first time while thanking Russians for showing patriotic solidarity in the face of the Wagner militia groups march on Moscow.

Putins televised address on Monday was his first public comment since Saturdays armed revolt led by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and confirmed reports on social media that Wagner forces had downed Russian aircraft in the fighting.

Thanking the Russian people, servicemen, law enforcement and security services for remaining united to protect the Fatherland, Putin said it showed Russia would not succumb to any blackmail, any attempt to create internal turmoil.

He said Russias enemies wanted to see the country choke in bloody civil strife, before singling out the actions of the pilots.

The courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen heroes-pilots saved Russia from tragic devastating consequences, Putin said, adding that the rebellion threatened Russias very existence and those behind it would be punished.

There has been no official information about how many pilots died or how many aircraft were shot down.

Some Russian Telegram channels monitoring Russias 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.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. It was also not clear in what circumstances the aircraft were shot down and pilots killed.

Putin said the leaders of the mutiny had engaged in a criminal act, in a split and a weakening of the country, which is now facing a colossal external threat and unprecedented pressure from within.

The mutinys organisers had also betrayed the soldiers that they led, he said.

They lied to them, they pushed them to death: under fire, to shoot their own, Putin said. It is this very phenomenon  fratricide  that is sought by Russias enemies.

He said steps were taken on my direct instruction to avoid serious bloodshed during the insurrection, which ended abruptly with Wagner forces standing down and Prigozhin agreeing to go into exile in neighbouring Belarus.

Wagner leader Prigozhin also spoke in an 11-minute audio message posted on his press services Telegram channel, and gave few clues to his whereabouts or the deal.

He said his men had been forced to shoot down helicopters that attacked them as they drove nearly 800km (500 miles) towards the capital, before abruptly calling off the uprising.

Numerous Western leaders saw the unrest as exposing Putins vulnerability following his decision to invade Ukraine 16 months ago.

The Russian president said he would honour his weekend promise to allow Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus, sign a contract with Russias 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 spokesperson.

One of Prigozhins principal demands had been that Shoigu be sacked, along with Russias top general, who by Monday evening had not appeared in public since the mutiny.

The defence ministry said early on Tuesday it was conducting tactical fighter jet exercises over the Baltic Sea.

PRIGOZHIN WHEREABOUTS UNCLEAR

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.

Last seen on Saturday night smiling and high-fiving bystanders from the back of an SUV as he withdrew from a Russian city occupied by his men, Prigozhin said his fighters had halted their campaign to avert bloodshed.

We went as a demonstration of protest, not to overthrow the government of the country, Prigozhin said in the audio message.

On Saturday, Prigozhin had said he was leaving for Belarus under a deal brokered by its president, Alexander Lukashenko. In Mondays remarks, he said Lukashenko had offered to let Wagner operate under a legal framework, but did not elaborate.

Belarusian state media reported that Lukashenko would speak with journalists on Tuesday, which could potentially shed more light on the whereabouts of Prigozhin.

The White House said it could not confirm whether the Wagner chief was in Belarus.

Russias 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.

Lawmaker Leonid Slutsky said in a post on Telegram that Russia needed a contract army of at least seven million military and civilian personnel, on top of the current conscript army, so that there would no longer be a need to use private military companies like Wagner.

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.

Investors also backed away, as the rouble sank to its weakest in nearly 15 months, at 87.23 per dollar on Monday, but by early Tuesday it had steadied slightly to 84.80 per dollar .

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the military had made advances on Monday in all sectors of the front line, calling it a happy day in his nightly video address delivered from a train after visiting frontline positions.

Kyiv hopes the chaos caused by the mutiny attempt in Russia will undermine its defences as Ukraine presses on with a counteroffensive to recapture occupied territory.

SOURCE: REUTERS
[June 27, 2023] Northstar Travel Group launches The Meetings Show Asia Pacific in 2024 Tweet

LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Northstar Travel Group, the leading B-to-B information, events and marketing solutions company in the travel industry, announces the launch of a major hosted buyer led tradeshow for the Asia Pacific meetings industry. The Meetings Show Asia Pacific (www.themeetingsshow-apac.com), supported by Singapore Tourism Board, will take place from 17-18 April 2024 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, welcoming global exhibitors and an audience of pre-qualified and hosted buyers. Singapore is a Global-Asia node for MICE and business. As a gateway to the fast-growing Asia Pacific region and home to a vibrant business community, Singapore was chosen as the host destination for the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, offering access to new partnerships and business ideas. Featuring Asian and international destinations, venues, hotels and other key suppliers, the event will be supported by an exclusive hosted buyer programme, bringing senior meetings, conventions, events and incentives buyers to a bustling tradeshow floor. A unique prescheduled meetings platform will provide an intimate platform to do business, as well as a conference providing a thought-provoking education programme and a series of high-quality networking events. The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is an extension of te long standing 'The Meetings Show' brand, which takes place annually in London, and will further complement Northstar Meetings Group's global portfolio of media, events, information & marketing solutions.



Jason Young, CEO, Northstar Travel Group, said: "With our continued commitment to greater serve the APAC region, our depth of industry knowledge and the experienced meetings professionals who work in our UK, Singapore and US offices, it became apparent there was an opportunity to bring our world class experiences to the Asia Pacific meetings market under the established and successful brand of The Meetings Show." Commenting on the launch, Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "We are pleased to welcome the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific in Singapore, an ideal platform for global MICE businesses to network, forge new relations and grow their businesses. The choice of Singapore as host affirms our position as the preferred destination for MICE events here in the region. We look forward to welcoming The Meetings Show Asia Pacific participants to Singapore in 2024."

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific will add to the Northstar Meetings Group's leading brands, which include: Meetings & Conventions (M&C), M&C Asia, Successful Meetings, Incentive, Association Meetings International (AMI), Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT), SportsTravel, as well as 22 hosted buyer events including: The Meetings Show, SMU International, M&C/Asia Connections, the Global Incentive Summit, the TEAMS Conference and Expo, TEAMS Europe and the Esports Travel Summit, to name a few. For more information visit www.themeetingsshow-apac.com. Notes to Editors About Northstar Travel Group Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.2m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstarttravelgroup.com About EagleTree Capital EagleTree Capital is a leading New York-based middle-market private equity firm that has completed over 40 private equity investments and over 90 add-on transactions over the past 20+ years. EagleTree primarily invests in North America in the following sectors: media and business services, consumer, and water and specialty industrial. For more information, visit www.eagletree.com or find EagleTree on LinkedIn View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northstar-travel-group-launches-the-meetings-show-asia-pacific-in-2024-301863885.html SOURCE Northstar Travel Group

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The story of four children lost in the Colombian jungle is on its way to becoming a Hollywood blockbuster. Producers and agents from all over the world are currently in Bogota, trying to close a deal with the family that will allow them to film the story of how the four siblings survived in the Amazon jungle for 40 days, all by themselves. It has become a race to find the highest bidder. Everyone is in a hurry to keep the rights and be able to sell the story exclusively to the platforms, said a source familiar with the negotiations.

The producers want, above all, the testimony of 13-year-old Lesly, the oldest of the four, who managed to keep alive her three siblings, ages one, five and nine, in a place full of wild animals and poisonous plants. Their ordeal has all the ingredients of a great story. The major studios want to bring it to the big screen and are scrambling to get the rights. The grandparents were offered a substantial contract from a U.S. company, but they rejected it when they saw that it included a clause that granted the company rights in perpetuity.

As many as 13 companies, including Warner Bros., have submitted their proposals in writing. The lawyers representing the childrens grandparents have asked the producers to make offers that are compatible with indigenous jurisdiction and include benefits for the community where the minors are from, Araracuara, a village in the Amazon. If possible, they also want the director to be someone of Colombian nationality. Obtaining the rights, as this newspaper has learned, will include a visit to the territory with the protagonists of this story and an immersion in the Uitoto culture, the indigenous ethnic group to which they belong.

Some have jumped the gun and have already started to tell the story in record time. A TMZ investigative team has begun airing on Hulu and Fox News the first season of a series titled The Miracle Children of the Amazon. The documentary is based on testimonies from the family, members of the military and indigenous people who participated in the rescue operation. According to industry sources, Netflix and NatGeo already have production teams on the ground. This has pushed back small and midsize production companies that were preparing a pitch for streaming platforms.

President Gustavo Petro has also been involved in this mad race. On June 22, he announced on Twitter that two-time Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Simon Chinn will lead the production of the documentary Operation Hope, in reference to the name by which the mission was known. Petro shared a photo of himself with Chinn and public television assistant manager Hollman Morris, who will co-produce the documentary. The National Organization of the Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, Opiac, did not appreciate Petros haste at all. We express our rejection of the announcement of this documentary production, since the decision was taken unilaterally by the national government, unaware that the search work was carried out by the teams of indigenous peoples from the area and relatives in the beginning, and only later by the military forces, the organization wrote in a public statement.

In their view, the state cannot decide to make a documentary behind the backs of the next of kin, the indigenous guard, and the various organizations and communities that participated in the search, bypassing the autonomy, the knowledge system and the self-government of our territories, the Amazon region and all the people who live there. Opiac requests that no production be carried out until all the organizations and people involved can participate in the decision. It seems that any studio that intends to tell the story of what happened in the jungle must first reach an agreement with all these organizations, which surely will not be easy.

Custody dispute

All this is taking place despite the fact that custody of the children is still up in the air. While they continue to recover in a military hospital, the children remain under the protection of Family Welfare, Colombias institute for minors. The authorities must now decide whether to leave them in the care of their maternal grandparents  the parents of the mother who died in the plane crash  or their father, Manuel Ranoque, against whom complaints have been filed in the past involving abusive behavior towards his wife and kids. A third option would be for the children to remain under the guardianship of the state. In that case, the plans for all these blockbusters would be up in the air.

Even so, producers and streaming platforms are fighting to be the first to secure the rights. The adventure of the children of the Amazon has become as fascinating as Alive was back in the day  the story of a rugby team lost in the Andes after a plane crash who had to resort to cannibalism to survive; or, more recently, the rescue of children trapped in a cave in Thailand for two weeks. Meanwhile, the four siblings rescued from the Amazon jungle continue to see life through the windows of a hospital, unaware of what the world has in store for them.
[June 27, 2023] RENATUS ROBOTICS Inc. announces $2 million in seed funding to shape the future of fully unmanned and autonomous logistics infrastructures, starting with e-commerce Tweet

The logistics, robotics, and blockchain company is seeking an additional $2 million for its pre-Series A round as it prepares for its first commercial installation at an e-commerce fulfillment center LEWES, Del., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RENATUS ROBOTICS Inc., a logistics startup, has announced the successful closing of its initial seed round. The company secured $2 million in funding from e-commerce logistics company e-LogiT co., ltd. and CVC fund Dawn Capital. This key funding milestone is a testament to the industry's faith in RENATUS ROBOTICS' groundbreaking vision to revolutionize logistics through its end-to-end automation technologies starting with their automated robot storage system RENATUS. The company's eventual goal is to create a fully unmanned and autonomous logistics network under its motto, "Toward a Creative Society." PV (RENATUS System Overview):https://youtu.be/UrkULdULVGM Installation of the first commercial RENATUS system is already underway and slated for operation starting in Q2 2024. A majority of the system is planned to be portioned and contracted with e-LogiT for use in their order fulfillment operations, while the remaining portion will be reserved for use by RENATUS ROBOTICS for its RENATUS NETWORK blockchain project. The purpose of this round of fundraising is multifaceted. The key aim is to leverage the cutting-edge AI and robotics technology of RENATUS ROBOTICS with the e-commerce logistics expertise of e-LogiT and the blockchain acumen of Dawn Capital. E-LogiT operates a domestic network of 8 fulfillment centers with over 1700 clients. Dawn Capital's Akatsuki Ventures has a well-established record of strategic investment in the blockchain space, having previously backed STEPN through its Emoote fund. By combining expertise, RENATUS ROBOTICS aims to accelerate its business growth and push forward automation in the logistics industry. As part of its growth trajectory, RENATUS ROBOTICS is currently cnsidering an additional $2 million pre-Series A round, with future rounds of fundraising expected. This move is designed to provide the capital required to scale up its operations and expand within the US. The funding will also be allocated to the expansion of sales partnerships and OEM contracts with logistics vendors, solutions companies, and system integrators.



The company cordially invites interested investors, media outlets, and job candidates to get in touch. Online appointments for a live streamed demo of RENATUS are available for waitlist scheduling via Google Form (forms.gle/9jPsMos45sUtXDELA). INVESTOR AND PARTNER COMMENTS (Translated from Japanese)

We firmly believe that RENATUS ROBOTICS, consisting of top-tier members with backgrounds in AI and robotics, is exactly what the logistics industry needs, which has led us to invest. We are very much looking forward to the launch of the automated robot warehouse system "RENATUS," its completion and commencement of operations. We, Dawn Capital, fully support RENATUS ROBOTICS to ensure their strengths are further highlighted. -Taisei Yamazaki, Director at Dawn Capital In carrying out logistics operations, investments in "AI" and "automation", and the implementation of "automated warehouse systems", will become indispensable elements for the entire logistics industry in the future. With the cooperation of RENATUS ROBOTICS, our company has decided to implement a full-scale "AI-powered automated warehouse system." With the "One-Stop Pick & Pack" of RENATUS, it is expected to improve work productivity, improve warehouse utilization, and significantly reduce costs, enabling the realization of a warehouse with high ROI. Please look forward to it! -Ryoichi Kakui, President & CEO at e-LogiT co., ltd. Around the fall of 2021, our company began working on a performance verification project with RENATUS ROBOTICS in order to consider the implementation of "RENATUS" to our large-scale logistics centers. We've had the opportunity to talk with various logistics vendors, but the team at RENATUS ROBOTICS embodies a very high aspiration and expertise in both the algorithm and robotics aspects. I think it's an extremely attractive team where each member, excelling in their respective fields of hardware and software, is working well in unison towards organizational goals. We look forward to their future achievements. -Masaya Suzuki, President & CEO at MonotaRO ABOUT RENATUS ROBOTICS Inc. RENATUS ROBOTICS is a logistics, robotics, and blockchain company based in Delaware, USA and Tokyo, Japan. The company is building logistics automation systems like RENATUS automated robot storage system to realize fully unmanned and autonomous logistics networks. By combining expertise in logistics, hardware, and algorithms, RENATUS ROBOTICS is striving to shape the future "Toward a Creative Society." PV(Image of RENATUS fully unmanned warehouse):

https://youtu.be/4fYXs-A4LAI

https://youtu.be/EAAngB8oMWI For more information, visit www.renatus-robotics.com CONTACT

Yodai Takeuchi

[email protected]

www.linkedin.com/in/yodai-takeuchi/ Contact Google Form

forms.gle/9jPsMos45sUtXDELA View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renatus-robotics-inc-announces-2-million-in-seed-funding-to-shape-the-future-of-fully-unmanned-and-autonomous-logistics-infrastructures-starting-with-e-commerce-301864304.html SOURCE RENATUS ROBOTICS Inc.

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[June 27, 2023] Supply & Demand Chain Executive Awards Parkview Health and Tecsys with 2023 Top Supply Chain Project Award for Bringing Pharmacy Supply Chain into the Future Tweet

This?award?profiles innovative case study-type projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline and improve the?supply?chain. FORT WAYNE, Ind., June 27, 2023 /CNW/ -- Tecsys, a leader in supply chain management software, and Parkview Health, a prominent Indiana-based health system, have been jointly recognized by Supply?& Demand Chain Executive as winners of this year's Top?Supply?Chain?Projects?Award for their groundbreaking supply chain transformation project integrating pharmaceuticals into the broader healthcare product supply chain processes. The award?profiles innovative case study-type projects designed to automate, optimize, streamline and improve the?supply?chain. "From demand planning and forecasting to implementing the ultimate in warehouse automation, the past 12 months has seen companies within the?supply?chain?and logistics space upgrade, enhance, adopt and adapt in order to achieve greater efficiency along the?chain,"?says Marina Mayer, editor-in-chief of?Supply?& Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics.?"That's why it's important that today's?supply?chains run on collaboration. [] It's these partnerships that have enabled many?supply?chain?organizations to better manage inventory, reduce costs, retain employees, track data and analytics and build resilience for whatever disruptions may lie ahead." The collaboration between Tecsys and Parkview Health has led to end-to-end transparency into all supply purchases and inventory, including medical/surgical supplies and pharmaceuticals. This has enabled Parkview Health to drive down costs, increase efficiencies, and capitalize on savings opportunities, while ensuring clinicians have the products they need for patient care. "We've built an end-to-end, automated digital supply chain across the Parkview Health network, with Tecsys playing a crucial role in that transformation," said Donna Van Vlerah, senior vice president, support division, Parkview Health. "We accept this award with an appreciation that by collaborating with our technology partner, we have achieved something innovative and highly effective in operating our supply chain at scale and in the best interests of our patients." The synchronization between Parkview Health's pharmacy, and the broader healthcar supply chain has yielded significant and ongoing results. These include global visibility to drive informed decision making, optimized inventory management, electronic procurement for all drug purchases with accurate, up-to-date pricing, streamlined processes for greater efficiency among pharmacy staff members, and support of multiple class-of-trade price points.



"It's a privilege to join forces with healthcare leaders like Parkview Health, who are ready to challenge the status quo to achieve extraordinary results," adds Valerie Bandy, Pharm.D., MBA, senior director of Pharmacy Solutions at Tecsys. "By partnering with Parkview Health, we combined our leading-edge supply chain expertise with a highly skilled team to set a new benchmark for the future of healthcare supply chain." This joint win is a testament to the successful partnership between Tecsys and Parkview Health, and their shared commitment to innovation and efficiency in supply chain processes. It serves as a model for other health systems seeking to integrate pharmaceuticals into their broader healthcare product supply chain processes.

Go to? https://sdce.me/av7r0h ?to?view the full list of Top?Supply?Chain?Projects winners. Go to? www.SDCExec.com/awards ?to learn more about upcoming?Supply?& Demand Chain Executive awards. About?Supply?& Demand Chain Executive Supply?& Demand Chain Executive?is the only?supply?chain?publication covering the entire global?supply chain, focusing on trucking, warehousing, packaging, procurement, risk management, professional development and more. Supply?& Demand Chain Executive?and sister publication?Food Logistics?also operate SCN Summit and Women in?Supply?Chain?Forum. Go to? www.SDCExec.com ?to learn more. About?Parkview Health Parkview Health is a not-for-profit, community-based health system serving a northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio population of more than 1.3 million. Parkview Health's mission is to improve health and inspire well-being in the communities it serves. With more than 15,000 co-workers, it is the region's largest employer.?Parkview Health includes 10 hospitals and an extensive network of primary care and specialty care physicians. About Tecsys Since our founding 40 years ago, much has changed in the realm of supply chain technology. But one thing has remained constant; by developing dynamic and innovative supply chain solutions, Tecsys has been equipping organizations for growth and competitive advantage. Serving healthcare, distribution and converging commerce industries, and spanning multiple complex, regulated and high-volume markets, Tecsys delivers warehouse management, distribution and transportation management, supply management at point of use, retail order management, as well as complete financial management and analytics solutions. Tecsys' shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TCS. For more information on Tecsys, visit www.tecsys.com . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supply--demand-chain-executive-awards-parkview-health-and-tecsys-with-2023-top-supply-chain-project-award-for-bringing-pharmacy-supply-chain-into-the-future-301864037.html SOURCE Tecsys Inc.

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[June 26, 2023] Virginia to Receive $1.4 Billion in Federal Funding for Universal Broadband Access Tweet

~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-sped 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. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virginia-to-receive-1-4-billion-in-federal-funding-for-universal-broadband-access-301863730.html SOURCE Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

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[June 26, 2023] HP Inc. Commences Cash Tender Offer for Up to $1.0 Billion Aggregate Purchase Price of Certain of its Outstanding Notes Tweet

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (HP) (NYSE: HPQ) today announced it has commenced a cash tender offer (the Tender Offer) to purchase outstanding debt securities of HP up to a combined aggregate purchase price, including the applicable Early Tender Premium (as defined below) but excluding accrued and unpaid interest (the Purchase Price), of the notes listed in the table below (collectively, the Notes, and each a Series of Notes) from each registered holder of the applicable Series of Notes (each, a Holder, and collectively, the Holders) equal to $1,000,000,000 (the Maximum Amount), subject to certain acceptance priority levels, each as specified in the table below. Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Aggregate Principal

Amount Outstanding Acceptance

Priority

Level Early

Tender

Premium

(1) Reference

Security Bloomberg

Reference

Page Fixed

Spread 3.400% Notes due

June 17, 2030 40434L AC9/

US40434LAC90 $850,000,000 1 $30 3.375% U.S. Treasury Notes due May 15, 2033 FIT1 170 bps 4.200% Notes due

April 15, 2032 40434L AL9/

US40434LAL99 $1,000,000,000 2 $30 3.375% U.S. Treasury Notes due May 15, 2033 FIT1 190 bps 1.450% Notes due

June 17, 2026 40434L AD7/

US40434LAD73

40434L AF2/

US40434LAF22

U44259 BZ8/

USU44259BZ80 $1,000,000,000 3 $30 4.125% U.S. Treasury Notes due June 15, 2026 FIT1 65 bps 3.000% Notes due

June 17, 2027 40434L AB1/

US40434LAB18 $1,000,000,000 4 $30 3.625% U.S. Treasury Notes due May 31, 2028 FIT1 100 bps 4.000% Notes due





40434L AK1/

US40434LAK17 $1,000,000,000 5 $30 3.625% U.S. Treasury Notes due May 31, 2028 FIT1 120 bps 2.200% Notes due

June 17, 2025 40434L AA3/

US40434LAA35 $1,150,000,000 6 $30 2.875% U.S. Treasury Notes due June 15, 2025 FIT5 60 bps 4.750% Notes due

January 15, 2028 40434L AM7/

US40434LAM72 $900,000,000 7 $30 3.625% U.S. Treasury Notes due May 31, 2028 FIT1 130 bps (1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.





Indicative timetable for the Tender Offer: Event Calendar Date and Time Commencement June 26, 2023 Early Tender Deadline 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 10, 2023, unless extended with respect to one or more Series of Notes. Withdrawal Deadline 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 10, 2023, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. Price Determination Date 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on July 11, 2023, unless extended with respect to one or more Series of Notes. Expiration Time 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 25, 2023, unless extended with respect to one or more Series of Notes. Settlement Date Promptly after the Expiration Time. Expected to be July 27, 2023, the second business day following the Expiration Time, but subject to change. The complete terms of the Tender Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated June 26, 2023(as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the Offer to Purchase). Consummation of the Tender Offer is subject to a number of conditions, including the absence of certain adverse legal and market developments. Subject to applicable law, HP may waive any and all of these conditions or extend, terminate or withdraw the Tender Offer with respect to one or more Series of Notes and/or increase or decrease the Maximum Amount. The Tender Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum amount of Notes being tendered. There are no guaranteed delivery provisions applicable to the Tender Offer. The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 25, 2023, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Expiration Time). Holders of Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw their Notes at or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 10, 2023, unless extended (such date and time, as the same may be extended, the Early Tender Deadline), to be eligible to receive the applicable Total Consideration (as set forth in the table above) for their tendered Notes, which includes an early tender payment of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes accepted for purchase (the Early Tender Premium) as set forth in the table above. The Total Consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes of any Series tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread (the Fixed Spread) specified for such Series (as set forth in the table above) over the yield (the Reference Yield) corresponding to the bid-side price of the applicable Reference U.S. Treasury Security specified for such Series in the table above (the Reference U.S. Treasury Security), as calculated by BofA Securities, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on July 11, 2023 (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the Price Determination Time). Assuming the Tender Offer is not extended and the conditions to the Tender Offer are satisfied or waived, HP expects that settlement for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Deadline, and for Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline and on or before the Expiration Time, will be on July 27, 2023 (the Settlement Date). Notes tendered may be validly withdrawn at any time on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 10, 2023 (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the Withdrawal Deadline), but not thereafter, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. For a Holder who holds Notes through DTC to validly tender Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer, an Agent's Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and any other required documents must be received by the Tender Agent at its address set forth on the Offer to Purchase at or prior to the Expiration Time. For a Holder who holds Notes through Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme or Euroclear Bank SA/NV to validly tender Notes pursuant to the Offers, such Holder must tender such Notes in accordance with the procedures of such clearing system. There is no letter of transmittal for the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Deadline and on or before the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive the applicable Tender Consideration (as set forth in the table above) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered by such Holder that are accepted for purchase, which is equal to the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on their purchased Notes from the last interest payment date for such Notes to, but excluding, the Settlement Date. HP reserves the right to increase or decrease the Maximum Amount at its own discretion. Accordingly, Holders should not tender any Notes that they do not wish to be accepted for purchase. If Holders tender more Notes than they expect to be accepted for purchase by HP, based on the Acceptance Priority Level (as defined below) of the Notes being tendered, and HP subsequently accepts more of such Notes tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Withdrawal Deadline, such Holders will not be able to withdraw any of their previously tendered Notes. The amount of each Series of Notes that is purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer on the Settlement Date will be subject to proration as described further below and determined in accordance with the acceptance priority levels specified in the table above and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled Acceptance Priority Level (the Acceptance Priority Level), with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 5 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level. All Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any tendered Notes having a lower Acceptance Priority Level are accepted in the Tender Offer, and all Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline having a higher Acceptance Priority Level will be accepted before any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline having a lower Acceptance Priority Level are accepted in the Tender Offer. Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase in priority to other Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, even if such Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline have a higher Acceptance Priority Level than the Notes tendered on or before the Early Tender Deadline. If the Purchase Price of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline exceeds the Maximum Amount, the amount of such Notes purchased on the Settlement Date will be prorated and HP will accept for purchase only a combined aggregate principal amount of such Notes that will not result in the Purchase Price of such Notes exceeding the Maximum Amount, and none of the Notes, if any, validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline will be accepted for purchase regardless of the Acceptance Priority Level of such Notes. If Notes are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn such that the Purchase Price of such Notes does not exceed the Maximum Amount on or before the Early Tender Deadline but exceeds the Maximum Amount at the Expiration Time, no proration will be applied to any Series of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Deadline, and, with respect to the Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, HP will accept for purchase only a combined aggregate principal amount of such Notes in accordance with the Acceptance Priority Levels (with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 5 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level) such that the Purchase Price of such Notes accepted for purchase on the Settlement Date will not exceed the Maximum Amount. Subject to applicable law, the Tender Offer may be amended, extended, terminated or withdrawn with respect to one or more Series of Notes at any time. If the Tender Offer is terminated with respect to any Series of Notes without Notes of such Series being accepted for purchase, Notes of such Series tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer will promptly be returned to the tendering Holders. Notes tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer and not purchased due to the priority acceptance procedures or due to proration will be returned to the tendering Holders promptly following the Expiration Time. HPs obligation to accept for purchase, and to pay for, validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes, and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer, is subject to, and conditioned upon, satisfaction or, where applicable, waiver of the conditions to the Tender Offer described in the Offer to Purchase. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, any security. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Tender Offer is being made solely pursuant to terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as are permitted under applicable law. BofA Securities, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as the Dealer Managers in connection with the Tender Offer. Questions regarding the terms of the Tender Offer should be directed to BofA Securities, Inc. at +1 (888) 292-0070 (toll free) or +1 (980) 387-3907 (collect) or to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at +1 (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or + 1 (212) 834-4818 (collect) or +44 (207) 134-2468 (outside the United States). Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference therein may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Tender Agent and the Information Agent for the Tender Offer, at the following telephone numbers: banks and brokers at (800) 628-8528 (toll free); all others at (212) 269-5550 (all others). About HP Inc. HP Inc. is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the expected timing, size or other terms of the Tender Offer and HPs ability to complete the Tender Offer. Forward-looking statements can also generally be identified by words such as expects, intends, will, would, could, may, and similar terms. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include factors relating to the risks that are described (i) in Risk Factors in the Offer to Purchase and (ii) in our filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the risks described under the caption Risk Factors contained in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. HP does not assume any obligation or intend to update these forward-looking statements. Editorial contacts HP Inc. Media Relations

[email protected] HP Inc. Investor Relations

[email protected]





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[June 26, 2023]

Wazuh XDR for proactive threat management

XDR is an invaluable tool for proactive threat management, empowering organizations to anticipate and effectively mitigate potential security risks.

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Proactive threat management is an innovative approach that shifts the cybersecurity ideology from a defensive stance to an anticipatory mindset. It involves a comprehensive set of strategies, technologies, and practices aimed at identifying and mitigating threats before they materialize into security incidents. Organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and safeguard critical assets by utilizing proactive threat management.

XDR (Extended Detection and Response) has emerged as a useful solution for proactive threat management. XDR provides organizations with comprehensive visibility into their digital environment by integrating and correlating data from multiple sources, such as endpoints, network traffic analyzers, and cloud nodes. This approach enables threat hunting, real-time detection of sophisticated attacks, and quick responses to security incidents. Wazuh is an XDR platform that empowers organizations to protect their systems and networks. With its robust capabilities, Wazuh helps organizations take proactive measures, anticipate threats, and fortify their defenses against the ever-evolving threat landscape.







Wazuh has several capabilities that help organizations implement proactive threat management. They include:

Log data analysis: Wazuh enables comprehensive analysis of log data, allowing organizations to gain insights into system activities, detect anomalies, and identify potential security threats.

Automated response: Wazuh empowers organizations to automate and execute predefined actions in response to security incidents using the active response capability.

Malware detection: The Wazuh XDR solution leverages comprehensive threat intelligence, behavior monitoring, and advanced analysis techniques to detect malware.

Security Configuration Assessment (SCA): Wazuh provides SCA functionality, allowing organizations to assess and validate the security configuration of their systems and ensure compliance with regulations, industry standards, and best practices.

Vulnerability detection: The Wazuh Vulnerability detector module helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in their infrastructure, applications, and systems.

System inventory: Wazuh provides organizations with a comprehensive and up-to-date view of hardware and software assets within their IT infrastructure.

Real-time alerting: Wazuh provides real-time alerting using emails and also via integrations with Slack, PagerDuty, VirusTotal, and Shuffle.

About Wazuh

Wazuh is a free and open source platform that offers unified XDR and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) capabilities. It protects workloads in various environments, including on-premises, virtualized, cloud, and containerized environments. Wazuh also has an ever-growing community where users can receive adequate responses to their queries.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wazuh-xdr-for-proactive-threat-management-301863723.html

SOURCE Wazuh
[June 26, 2023] Old Glory Bank Announces Mission Statement Tweet

Old Glory Bank is the first FDIC-insured, chartered bank to openly support America, its flag, freedom, patriotism, the military, and first responders. Old Glory Bank started opening consumer accounts in March and begins opening business accounts in July. Old Glory Bank has customers in all 50 states and is your hometown bank, regardless of where you call home. Old Glory Bank proudly announces its Mission Statement - the US Constitution, which was adopted in 1788 and amended over the years, most notably by the Bill of Rights. Old Glory Bank derives its values from the US Constitution and relies on its principles to protect the Bank's customers from government overreach. Explains co-founder Dr. Ben Carson, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, "Old Glory Bank is FDIC-insured, so your money is protected up to $250,000 per depositor, but we will never cower to government overreach." Says co-founder and radio & television host Larry Elder, "Old Glory Bank is a law and order bank, but there is a very bright 'red, white, and blue' line that separates actual criminal activities from non-criminal activities, and we know the difference. Lawfully exercising your First and Second Amendment rights is not criminal activity." If the government requests that Old Glory Bank punish or cancel a customer for lawfully attending a protest, Old Glory Bank confirms it will not comply. If the government requests that Old Glory Bank cancel a customer for participating in the American lifestyle and using fossil fuels and lawful firearms, Old Glory Bank states it will not comply. Country suprstar and co-founder, John Rich, adds, "If other banks want to stand with their elite friends in government to punish or cancel Americans for speaking truth to power, that's on them - Old Glory Bank will never punish or cancel customers for their lawful activities. The government has no 'back-door' into Old Glory Bank's technology or customer data."



Old Glory Bank's President and CEO (and 30-year lawyer) Mike Ring further explains, "The law is crystal clear, and there is no discretion for the FDIC to remove its insurance because we push back against government overreach. So, we will never be bullied or run from a fight." Headquartered in Elmore City, Oklahoma, Old Glory Bank provides best-in-class mobile banking solutions from sea to shining sea. Open an account today at www.oldglorybank.com.

More information about Old Glory Bank is in its Electronic Press Kit, available at https://media.oldglorybank.com and by contacting Ms. Jules Wortman, at [email protected]. About Old Glory Bank Established in 1903, First State Bank in Elmore City was renamed Old Glory Bank in 2022. Old Glory Bank is FDIC-insured and offers the best mobile banking to customers from sea to shining sea. Not a "challenger" bank that relies on a third-party bank partner, Old Glory Bank is itself a real, autonomous bank and is committed to serving those who feel marginalized for believing in the greatness of America. Old Glory Bank was co-founded by some of the leading voices supporting freedom and love of country, including former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson; Radio and Television Host Larry Elder; country music superstar, TV host, entrepreneur, and songwriter, John Rich; and former two-term Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin-Christensen. Visit www.oldglorybank.com. We Stand with You. No Matter Where You Stand. Member FDIC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626485354/en/

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[June 26, 2023] Sosei Heptares Provides Update on Lotiglipron Development Tweet

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 oter 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 | [email protected]m MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (for International Media)

Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Eleanor Perkin

+44 (0)203 928 6900 | [email protected] 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.



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[June 26, 2023] UST Delivers API Prototypes for Retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) experimentation for the Bank of International Settlement and Bank of England Tweet

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 wrk 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

[email protected] 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' organizationsdelivering measurable value and lasting change across industries, and around the world. Together, with over 30,000 employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching 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

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.S.:

S&C PR

+1-646.941.9139

[email protected] Makovsky

[email protected] Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ust-delivers-api-prototypes-for-retail-central-bank-digital-currency-cbdc-experimentation-for-the-bank-of-international-settlement-and-bank-of-england-301863209.html SOURCE UST

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[June 26, 2023] Global Industrial Robotics Market Analysis Report 2023-2027: Growing Demand from SMEs in Developing Countries is Fueling the Growth of the Market and Presenting Opportunities Tweet

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 robot 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

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Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-industrial-robotics-market-analysis-report-2023-2027-growing-demand-from-smes-in-developing-countries-is-fueling-the-growth-of-the-market-and-presenting-opportunities-301863107.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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[June 26, 2023] Karen Harrison Promoted to Executive Vice President, Community Banking Executive Tweet

The Banner Bank board of directors announced today that Karen Harrison has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Community Banking Executive. Previously, she held the position of Senior Vice President, Community Banking Director. "Since joining Banner Bank in early 2022, Karen has demonstrated extensive leadership capability and strategic acumen. She is responsible for the performance of 137 branches in four states as well as the bank's digital branch, business banking service delivery, merchant services, Community Banking training and development, and Banner Investment Services. This promotion recognizes the significant contributions Karen brings to our clients and our Bank," said Cindy Purcell, Chief Strategy and Administration Officer. Prior to Banner, Harrison held increasingly responsible roles in credit unions and large multinational financial services organizations where she focused on business and consumer banking and lending, aswell as product management and marketing. She earned an MBA from University of Phoenix and a bachelor's in Journalism from California State University. She also completed the Women's Leadership Program at Columbia University Graduate School of Business.



"The culture at Banner Bank sets the company apart from others and is the catalyst for Banner Bank's 133 years of phenomenal client service and community support. I am honored to join the executive leadership team, which is committed to our core value of doing the right thing," said Harrison. "I look forward to continuing our good work as a super community bank, honoring Banner's legacy as one of the best banks and most trustworthy companies in America." About Banner Bank

Banner Bank is a Washington-chartered commercial bank that conducts business in Washington, Oregon, California and Idaho. Banner offers a wide variety of commercial banking services and financial products to individuals, families, and small and medium-sized businesses. Banner Bank is part of Banner Corporation, a $15.5 billion bank holding company headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington. Visit Banner Bank at www.bannerbank.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230626008734/en/

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Maria Corina Machados opposition to everything is starting to pay off. In a country where life is marked by disillusionment and despair, most Venezuelans are also fed up with everything, and many of them have turned to the so-called iron lady of the opposition.

Machado is now leading the polls for the opposition primaries, which will be held on October 22. While its still too early to say who will win, the politician  once marginalized for her refusal to back any strategy that did not involve ending Chavismo by force  is shaping up to be the candidate to face off against Nicolas Maduro at the 2024 presidential election.

A total of 14 candidates are running in the opposition primaries, but only two names have a real chance of winning: the moderate Henrique Capriles and the radical Machado. With four months to go, Machado is in the lead, with over 50% of support. Whoever wins will have to unite the rest of the opposition parties if they want to defeat Maduro.

But a change in government will not be easy. At the end of 2021, when the opposition won the state elections in Barinas, which had been governed by the Chavez family since 1998, there were hopes that things could change. The opposition believed that by ironing out their differences, rallying behind a single candidate and going to the elections as one force, they could have a chance at winning over the country, which is home to 28 million people. This strategy, however, came crashing down due to deep divisions within the group and the governments moves to thwart any kind of opposition victory.

Today, the country is in a very different place to where it was at the end of 2021, when Chavismo accepted the opposition win. Maduro has so far refused to set a date for the presidential elections and is taking advantage of the time to dampen hopes  roused by the Barinas election  that change is possible in Venezuela.

Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado holds a rally ahead of the presidential primary in October. LEONARDO FERNANDEZ VILORIA (REUTERS)

Machado rose to prominence for her outspoken opposition to the late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. But over time, she became less visible, as other opposition leaders came to the fore, with whom she has a deep enmity. Machado, for example, has been just as critical of the interim government of Juan Guaido, which unsuccessfully sought the end of Chavism through confrontation, as she has been of the moderate sector of the opposition, which believes in changing the government at the polls.

Machado wanted to end the government by force with the help of the U.S., but this was never even a properly thought-out idea. Now, after arguing that taking part in elections legitimizes the Maduro government, Machado could be the opposition candidate at the presidential election.

While before she had support among Venezuelas upper class and exile community, today she is able to hold large-scale rallies in Chavista strongholds and far from Caracas, where her followers grab her hand as if it were the only thing they had left.

Even still, winning the presidential election will be a challenge. While 70% of the population rejects the government, the opposition is not faring any better.

Maduro has the support of between 28% and 30% and has halted the decline he had been seeing since the end of 2022. While that number does not give him the majority, if the others do not do their job, Maduros could be the largest minority, warns Luis Vidal, director of pollster More Consulting. At least 50% of voters do not back either Chavismo or the opposition. It is these voters the winner of the opposition primary must try to convince in order to win the 2024 election.

Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that comedian Benjamin Rausseo, who is the second-most popular figure in the opposition, said that he will not run in the opposition primaries, but will run as an independent in the presidential election. Complicating matters further, Capriles has been banned from public office, but said he would run anyway. And there are also rumors that Machado may also be disqualified from running.

At this point, anything can be expected from the Maduro government, especially now that it has a stronger position on the world stage and has benefited from the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.

Some opposition parties have tried to rally the seven million Venezuelans living abroad, but only 100,000 of them are registered to vote overseas. Within Venezuela, another three million potential voters are not registered due to the collapse of the National Electoral Council (CNE), resulting from the National Assemblys decision to order the CNE rectors to step down.

In the meantime, the so-called iron lady is playing the role of as an outsider, even if she has been involved in politics for years. And the strategy is working: Machado is winning over Venezuelans who, fed up with everything, do not want either Chavismo or the opposition.

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[June 26, 2023] LexisNexis Risk Solutions Delivers Next-Generation Orchestration Platform to Help Reduce Risk and Financial Crime Tweet

LexisNexis RiskNarrative Puts Financial Crime Experts in Control of Multiple Information Sources to Make Strategic Changes to Risk Models in Minutes ATLANTA, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions has launched an end-to-end customer lifecycle management platform to help businesses effortlessly integrate multiple information sources to make better risk decisions and provide smoother customer journeys. LexisNexis RiskNarrative leverages automation and decisioning technology to provide a sophisticated, configurable and accessible financial crime lifecycle management solution. The growth of technology and digital platforms is changing how customers interact with businesses. Customers return to businesses expecting to be instantly recognized across multiple channels while new customers want to be able to onboard quickly and make transactions immediately. However, this digital transition in the global economy is also increasing opportunities for criminals to exploit digital ecosystems and evade detection. LexisNexis RiskNarrative orchestration platform helps solve costly challenges caused by siloed operations by unifying multiple customer onboarding, compliance and risk-based workflows within a single Application Program Interface (API) and platform environment. Orchestration platforms deliver a single, real-time view of customer risk for more effective and continuously responsive, end-to-end financial crime management. Organizations can expedite risk decisions through this more holistic view that incorporates Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Business (KYB), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) activity, identity documentation, behavioral biometrics and enhanced fraud detection. What Makes LxisNexis RiskNarrative Unique:



End-to-end customer lifecycle management: RiskNarrative enables organizations to manage critical fraud detection, financial crime prevention and compliance workflows from a single API. It provides teams with a unified view of customer risk to facilitate more informed business decisions, drive down compliance costs and outsmart fraud.

RiskNarrative enables organizations to manage critical fraud detection, financial crime prevention and compliance workflows from a single API. It provides teams with a unified view of customer risk to facilitate more informed business decisions, drive down compliance costs and outsmart fraud. No-Code Configuration : Fine-tuning strategy to keep pace with financial crime risk and regulations demands operational agility, yet reflecting changes requires technical resources, which incur delays and cost. RiskNarrative platform users can make changes to rules, models and integrated application providers without programming skills.

: Fine-tuning strategy to keep pace with financial crime risk and regulations demands operational agility, yet reflecting changes requires technical resources, which incur delays and cost. RiskNarrative platform users can make changes to rules, models and integrated application providers without programming skills. Drag and Drop Services and Apps: Businesses can connect to a rich ecosystem of pre-integrated, third-party data sources, rulesets and machine learning models that can be incorporated into journeys and workflows through a simple drag and drop interface.

Businesses can connect to a rich ecosystem of pre-integrated, third-party data sources, rulesets and machine learning models that can be incorporated into journeys and workflows through a simple drag and drop interface. Easy Integration: Effective anti-financial crime lifecycle management requires access to best-in-class insights and services. The RiskNarrative platform needs only one integration to use multiple services. An easy and intuitive restful API implemented by allowing rapid integration for availability within days. "Businesses are balancing providing a smooth customer journey with the constant threat of financial crime and fraud. Digital solutions help them gain the real-time, actionable insight and analysis needed to serve their customers without compromising their business," said Ryan Morrison, vice president of platform strategy at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. "An orchestration platform helps to create a smooth and efficient exchange between the compliance, fraud and infosec functions. In a world where financial crime risk and regulation are constantly shifting, LexisNexis RiskNarrative delivers a single, unified decision engine to drive high-confidence compliance decisions and the best customer outcomes." Learn more about LexisNexis RiskNarrative, now utilized by more than 200 businesses worldwide.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions includes seven brands that span multiple industries and sectors. We harness the power of data, sophisticated analytics platforms and technology solutions to provide insights that help businesses and governmental entities reduce risk and improve decisions to benefit people around the globe. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have offices throughout the world and are part of RELX (LSE: REL/NYSE: RELX), a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions and RELX. Media Contact:

Marcy Theobald

678.694.6681

[email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/lexisnexis-risk-solutions-delivers-next-generation-orchestration-platform-to-help-reduce-risk-and-financial-crime-301863360.html SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions

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[June 27, 2023] BIGO Unveils Singapore-Jordan Incubation Program to Support Singaporean Startups Tweet

SINGAPORE, June 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore based technology firm, BIGO Technology (BIGO), unveiled its Singapore-Jordan Incubation Program at the Global [email protected] (Singapore Business Federation) event - Globally Ready In An Open World on 21 June 2023. The Singapore-Jordan Incubation Program aims to support Singaporean startups looking to venture into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through Jordan. Through the Program, Singaporean startups can receive free co-working space, use of facilities in the BIGO office for up to six (6) months, free business matchmaking and networking opportunities, as well as assistance in employment permits and establishing a local presence in Jordan.



Jordan is a strategic location for Singaporean businesses looking to expand into the MENA region as it offers the following benefits:

1) Connectivity:

Jordan is strategically located in the middle of three (3) continents - allowing businesses to grow in Jordan while leveraging the Kingdom as a springboard into the larger MENA region

is strategically located in the middle of three (3) continents - allowing businesses to grow in while leveraging the Kingdom as a springboard into the larger MENA region

Jordan has extensive Free Trade Agreements with various locations; including Arab countries, EU, Singapore , Turkey and USA 2) Stability

Jordan is heralded for its strong political and social stability. It is led by a government that maintains an open, inclusive and multicultural community 3) Return of Investment

Jordan is currently ranked second in the Middle East on Investment Freedom and Trade Freedom Indexes

is currently ranked second in the on Investment Freedom and Trade Freedom Indexes

The Kingdom has a highly skilled and cost efficient talent pool in the ICT and renewable energy sectors BIGO established its presence in Jordan in 2019 and has grown from 25 employees to 1000 by the end of 2022. Experiencing the tremendous opportunities in Jordan, BIGO strives to provide support for Singaporean businesses looking to enter Jordan and the wider MENA region. About BIGO Technology BIGO Technology (BIGO) is one of the fastest-growing Singapore technology companies. Powered by Artificial Intelligence technology, BIGO's RTC (Real Time Communications) based products and services including Bigo Live (live streaming), Likee (short video) and imo Ads (advertising platform) have gained immense popularity, with hundreds of millions of monthly active users in more than 150 countries. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/bigo-unveils-singapore-jordan-incubation-program-to-support-singaporean-startups-301863917.html SOURCE BIGO

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[June 27, 2023] Wemade welcomes SkyJet Software and MetaTokyo Studio on its blockchain game platform WEMIX PLAY, expanding its reach into Lithuania and Japan Tweet

SkyJet Software to release its 3D helicopter shooting game Skybreakers on WEMIX PLAY

MetaTokyo Studio developing Chromata, an FPS/RPG hybrid, in Unreal Engine 5

WEMIX PLAY to solidify its global no. 1 platform status through continuous lineup growth and genre diversification SEOUL, South Korea, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wemade signed onboarding contracts with SkyJet Software and MetaTokyo Studio. The two companies will release each of their games on WEMIX PLAY, a global blockchain game platform by Wemade. SkyJet Software, a Lithuanian game developer and publisher, is preparing to service a 3D helicopter shooting game Skybreakers. Players can customize dozens of helicopters and weapons to enjoy realistic PvP battles. MetaTokyo Studio, a Japanese gaming company, is developing a sci-fi fantasy game called Chromata, an FPS/RPG hybrid, in Unreal Engine 5. Uses can engage in various game content including PvP, PvE, and E-Sports tournaments in Chromata's futuristic world, with more than 120 characters to choose from in hi-res graphics.



Wemade is continuing to sign onboarding deals with developers from all over the world including North America, Europe, and Asia. The company seeks to solidify its status as a global no. 1 blockchain game platform through continuous lineup growth and genre diversification. This July, Wemade is participating in WebX, a Web conference in Tokyo, as a platinum sponsor to further expand its reach into the Japanese market. Blockchain games of different genres such as MMORPG, strategy, and SNG can be enjoyed on WEMIX PLAY. Detailed information on WEMIX PLAY's blockchain games can be found on the official website.

For more information, visit wemixplay.com About WEMADE A renowned industry leader in game development with over 20 years of experience, Korea-based WEMADE is leading a once-in-a-generation shift as the gaming industry pivots to blockchain technology. Through its WEMIX subsidiary, WEMADE aims to accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain technology by building an experience-based, platform-driven, and service-oriented mega-ecosystem to offer a wide spectrum of intuitive, convenient, and easy-to-use Web3 services. Visit www.wemix.com/communication for more information. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/wemade-welcomes-skyjet-software-and-metatokyo-studio-on-its-blockchain-game-platform-wemix-play-expanding-its-reach-into-lithuania-and-japan-301864089.html SOURCE Wemade Co., Ltd

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[June 27, 2023] Vega Cloud Adds Benchmarking and Gamification to Enterprise FinOps Platform Tweet

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vega Cloud , the cloud financial management software company, announces a major new release of its FinOps platform for large enterprises. The SaaS-based system, which is designed for companies that spend tens of millions of dollars a year on cloud infrastructure and applications, now includes a benchmark scoring feature to help companies understand which applications are performing optimally, and a gamification feature to incentivize internal IT teams to optimize their use of cloud resources.

In related news, Vega Cloud announces that Willy Sennott, EVP of FinOps at Vega Cloud, has joined the Governing Board of the FinOps Foundation, which is holding its annual conference this week in San Diego. In this role, Sennott will share his expertise and experience with the broader FinOps practitioner community. Enterprise FinOps Platform Vega Clouds FinOps platform has been in-market since 2019 and is being used by large enterprises across vertical markets to save an average of 22% per year on their cloud spend. The full-function platform is built through the FinOps lifecycle to empower teams -- from engineering to procurement -- to connect, manage, automate and optimize multi-cloud environments and reduce cloud spend across the enterprise. Companies can get up-and-running in minutes and Vega Cloud guarantees 10% minimum savings. Vega Cloud estimates that companies will waste over $500 billion on cloud infrastructure between now and 2030. This stems from a tendency companies have to over-provision their infrastructure and the complex nature of cloud environments, whih makes it hard for IT pros to see how their infrastructure is being used. Vega Cloud is addressing these issues with the launch of the new infrastructure and application benchmarking and gamification features.



VScore Benchmarking Vega Cloud has developed a proprietary benchmark scoring system called Vscore, which aims to provide IT professionals with visibility into how their cloud infrastructure and applications are performing relative to other infrastructure and applications in their environment. Additionally, the users can measure their cloud cost performance against industry standards, encouraging them to further optimize their spending and drive greater efficiency.

It can be difficult for a company to understand which infrastructure and applications are performing optimally, said Sennott. Is it the application that has the lowest storage costs? What about workloads that use cloud-native technology? The reality is that its all of these factors and more. VScore is a simple way for organizations to make sense of their cloud investments and prioritize additional optimization work in the future. Cloud Heroes Gamification The Cloud Heroes feature in the new Vega Cloud release enables users to turn financial management into an engaging and enjoyable end-user experience. The Vega Cloud platform identifies IT professionals who are optimizing cloud resources and tracks how much each person has saved. The intention is to encourage cost optimization throughout the IT organization, change cloud behavior and reward the top performers. In addition to VScore and Cloud Heroes, the updated Vega Cloud platform includes improved visibility into cloud spend data, so users can take even more control of their cloud finances, and up-to-the minute alerts on cloud spend anomalies as well as recommendations for optimization. Its never a question of if a company wants to optimize its cloud resources -- everyone wants to -- but rather do they know how and are they committed to the process, said Kris Bliesner, CEO at Vega Cloud. Benchmarking and gamification give our customers the tools they need to make cost optimization identification and execution easier and more rewarding. We think these improvements are going to have a measurable impact on our customers' cloud spend. The new release of the Vega Cloud Enterprise FinOps platform is currently in private preview and will be available for customers in July. About Vega Cloud Vega is a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform for enterprise cloud optimization. Vega unlocks the power of public cloud infrastructure, giving businesses the freedom to innovate and efficiently deliver world-class products and services. Vega combines scale management with speed and efficiency to drive business outcomes that align with key business goals. Public Cloud infrastructure isn't just for architects or DevOps engineers anymore. Vega puts the power of fully optimized infrastructure to work for your business. For more information about Vega Cloud, visit https://www.vegacloud.io . Contact:

Kevin Wolf

[email protected]



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[June 27, 2023]

Texas Woman's University Graduates to Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications

America's first publicly funded women's university taps Oracle to modernize its finance and human resource functions

AUSTIN, Texas, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Woman's University (TWU) has selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite to unify its finance and HR operations on a single cloud-based platform. With consistent processes and data across all its most important business functions, TWU will be able to increase efficiency and make more informed decisions to better serve both employees and students as it continues to expand.

TWU is the largest and first publicly funded university primarily serving women in the United States. In May of 2021, Texas established TWU as the seventh public university system in the state serving 16,000 students across its campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. As the university expanded and diversified its offerings, it needed to break down silos between campuses to better understand and manage its financials and staffing. After a thorough review, TWU decided to replace its highly customized on-premises solutions with Oracle Fusion Applications.

"As we grow and evolve TWU's locations to better serve our students, consistency and transparency across campuses is critical," said Jason Tomlinson, vice president for finance and administration, Texas Woman's University. "Oracle Fusion Applications will enable us to optimize finance and HR processes with a complete set of integrated applications, so we can use data to continuously improve how we operate, help our students and staff succeed, and position the university for future growth."

With Oracle Fusion Cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM), and Oracle Fusion Analytics, TWU will be able to increase productivity, reduce costs, and enhance the employee experience so its staff can focus more time on serving the needs of the institution and its students. Additionally, TWU will leverage Oracle Student, a student centric offering allowing institutions to improve efficiency and drive better student outcomes.







"As higher education organizations adapt to changing student demands, Oracle is well-positioned to help institutions adopt more flexible and responsive business models that provide a competitive edge," said Vivian Wong, group vice president of higher education development, Oracle. "With Oracle Fusion Applications, TWU will be able to centralize finance and HR processes to keep its operations nimble, while Oracle Student will help deliver innovative academic offerings to meet both current and future student needs."

Over 11,000 organizations turn to Oracle Cloud ERP and Oracle Cloud HCM applications to run their businesses. Oracle Cloud ERP offers a comprehensive set of enterprise finance and operations capabilities, including financials, accounting hub, procurement, project management, enterprise performance management, risk management, subscription management, and supply chain management & manufacturing. Oracle Cloud HCM delivers market leading capabilities for human resources, talent management, workforce management, payroll, and the award winning employee experience platform, Oracle ME. These self-updating platforms provide customers with the industry's most advanced technologies every 90 days, giving organizations the ability to build, innovate, automate, adapt, and leverage new business opportunities on-demand.

Oracle Consulting will lead the implementation.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company--ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-womans-university-graduates-to-oracle-fusion-cloud-applications-301863720.html

SOURCE Oracle
[June 27, 2023] St. Luke's University Health Network and Helix Partner on Population Genomics Research Program to Accelerate Precision Medicine Tweet

BETHLEHEM, Pa., and SAN MATEO, Calif., June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Luke's University Health Network of Bethlehem, Pa., and Helix, Inc. of San Mateo, Calif., a leader in population genomics, are joining forces to offer precision medicine opportunities to patients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey through a new community health research program. "We have arrived at a historic turning point in the history of medicine  the ability to use information stored in patients' DNA to improve the accuracy of certain treatments for the individual patient," said Dr. Aldo Carmona, St. Luke's Senior Vice President of Clinical Integration. Genetic testing has been on the rise in recent years as it enables physicians to guide treatment options for patients with certain conditions, Carmona explained. "The St. Luke's-Helix partnership will create a unique research program in our region that will greatly expand those capabilities to benefit more patients. We expect the results to allow St. Luke's to gain important insights about our community, so that we can offer more precise and effective treatment, and design solutions that may prevent disease for years to come." The St. Luke's-Helix community health research program initially aims to enroll 100,000 participants over four years. The individuals who participate will be provided with important health information about their potential risks for serious health conditions such as certain types of cardiovascular disease and cancer, allowing them to make proactive decisions in conjunction with their healthcare provider to potentially delay, reduce or even prevent these conditions from occurring later in life. These include hereditary conditions that often go unrecognized, such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2) and Lynch syndrome, a form of colorectal cancer. For those who provide their informed consent to participate, Helix will apply its end-to-end genomics platform and unique Sequence Once, Query OftenTM model, which allows future genomic tests to be run with a provider's order without the need to collect an additional sample. This may provide each participant's provider of choice with information that can be used to tailor care options and prescribe medications with greater accuracy to improve effectiveness. "St. Luke's is one of the most innovative healthcare providers in Pennsylvania, and the collaboration is yet another example of St. Luke's taking the initiaive to explore new ways to efficiently improve long-term healthcare while reducing costs," noted Dr. Carmona. "This research program will provide valuable insights about precision medicine and inform initiatives that may enable early detection of health conditions along with the selection of precise treatment options."



Participation is voluntary and those participants who receive genetic testing results will be able to seek additional or follow-up care from any health system or provider of their choosing. Researchers will employ safeguards to protect the privacy of all participants and the confidentiality of their data. "Our partnership with St. Luke's gives providers and patients access to vital genetic information that can impact not only their lives but their entire families, for generations to come," said Dr. James Lu, M.D, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Helix. "We're delighted to partner with St. Luke's and other leading health systems deploying genomics at scale across the United States."

St. Luke's joins Helix's leading group of partner health systems participating in the research, which includes HealthPartners, Memorial Hermann, the Medical University of South Carolina and WellSpan Health. Details regarding participation in the community health research program will be provided to potential participants later this year, prior to the official launch date. Media Contact:

For St. Luke's: Sam Kennedy, Corporate Communications Director, 484-526-4134, [email protected] For Helix: Consort Partners, [email protected] About Helix

Helix is the leading population genomics and viral surveillance company. Helix enables health systems, public health organizations and life sciences companies to accelerate the integration of genomic data into patient care and public health decision making. Learn more at www.helix.com. About St. Luke's

Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network (SLUHN) is a fully integrated, regional, non-profit network of more than 19,000 employees providing services at 14 campuses and 300+ outpatient sites. With annual net revenue of $3.2 billion, the Network's service area includes 11 counties in two states: Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Montgomery, Monroe, Schuylkill and Luzerne counties in Pennsylvania and Warren and Hunterdon counties in New Jersey. St. Luke's hospitals operate the biggest network of trauma centers in Pennsylvania. Dedicated to advancing medical education, St. Luke's is the preeminent teaching hospital in central-eastern Pennsylvania. In partnership with Temple University, the Network established the Lehigh Valley's first and only four-year medical school campus. It also operates the nation's longest continuously operating School of Nursing, established in 1884, and 45 fully accredited graduate medical educational programs with more than 400 residents and fellows. In 2022, St. Luke's, a member of the Children's Hospital Association, opened the Lehigh Valley's first and only free-standing facility dedicated entirely to kids. SLUHN is the only Lehigh Valley-based health care system to earn Medicare's five-star ratings (the highest) for quality, efficiency and patient satisfaction. It is both a Leapfrog Group and Healthgrades Top Hospital and a Newsweek World's Best Hospital. The Network's flagship University Hospital has earned the 100 Top Major Teaching Hospital designation from Fortune/Merative 10 times total and eight years in a row, including in 2022 when it was identified as THE #2 TEACHING HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY. In 2021, St. Luke's was identified as one of the 15 Top Health Systems nationally. Utilizing the Epic electronic medical record (EMR) system for both inpatient and outpatient services, the Network is a multi-year recipient of the Most Wired award recognizing the breadth of the SLUHN's information technology applications such as telehealth, online scheduling and online pricing information. The Network is also recognized as one of the state's lowest cost providers. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-lukes-university-health-network-and-helix-partner-on-population-genomics-research-program-to-accelerate-precision-medicine-301863860.html SOURCE Helix

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[June 27, 2023] DNAnexus Platform Enables Researchers to Access and Analyze Biomedical Data for Largest Health Research Program in Mexico Tweet

DNAnexus Inc., the leading provider of cloud-based genomic and biomedical data access and companion analysis software, today announced its platform is being used by researchers to access and analyze data from the Mexico City Prospective Study, the largest population health research study of its kind in Mexico. Under the terms of the agreement, approved scientists will be able to use DNAnexus' environment for accessing and analyzing the large-scale dataset and tools to drive biological insights and advance precision medicine. The Mexico City Prospective Study reflects a long-standing collaboration between Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) and Oxford Population Health. More than 150,000 participants provided physical measurements, blood samples, and information about their lifestyles and disease history. Under this new collaboration with DNAnexus and Amazon Web Services (AWS), researchers can now link the participants to national mortality records from the last two decades to study how social, lifestyle, physical, metabolic, and genetic factors influence the major causes of death in Mexican adults. "Our work with Oxford Population Health, DNAnexus, and AWS presents a unique opportunity for researchers in Mexico to advance medical research for the people of Mexico," said Jesus Alegre-Diaz, Professor of Epidemiology at UNAM and Principal Investigator for the Mexico City Prospective Study. "Data collected by the Mexico City Prospective Study will be used to solve some of the most pressing health challenges faced by the world today." "The Mexico City Prospective Study was designed to help improve our understanding of how diseases affect specific populations which in turn can help us develop more effective treatments," said Jonathan Emberson, Professor f Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at Oxford Population Health and UK Principal Investigator for the Mexico City Prospective Study. "Together with our partners at UNAM, we are excited to work with DNAnexus and AWS to make this rich and vital information more accessible and cost-effective for a broader range of researchers."



Today, DNAnexus has more than 12,000 users across 48 countries and actively manages and supports more than 80 petabytes of complex proteomic, genomic, multi-omic, and clinical datasets on behalf of a growing network of collaborators. The company provides a comprehensive cloud platform designed to meet the most rigorous standards for quality, security, privacy, and safety. "We are honored to be part of this exciting collaboration with UNAM, Oxford Population Health, and AWS," said Richard Daly, CEO at DNAnexus. "From this Mexico Prospective Study to the UK Biobank to Our Future Health, the DNAnexus platform continues to be the trusted platform of choice for the world's largest biomedical research programs. We are proud to play a role in these transformational projects that empower more researchers to accelerate the era of precision medicine."

Researchers in Mexico can apply for access to the Mexico City Prospective Study genetic data on the DNAnexus platform now. For more information, please visit https://www.ctsu.ox.ac.uk/research/mcps. About DNAnexus DNAnexus is a leading provider of secure, scalable, and intuitive biomedical data analysis software and bioinformatics applications for the life sciences and healthcare communities. The company actively manages and supports more than 80 petabytes of complex genomic, multi-omic, and clinical datasets on behalf of a growing network of collaborations with large-scale biobanks, as well as leading pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostic, academic research, and government organizations. Scientists across 48 countries are now using the highly collaborative, cloud-based, end-to-end platform to gain data-driven insights that can advance scientific discovery, accelerate precision medicine, and improve patient care. For more information on DNAnexus, please visit www.dnanexus.com or follow the company @DNAnexus. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627149657/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Velsera Announces Appointment of Two New Board Members Tweet

Velsera, a healthcare technology company offering a universal software platform to connect clinical care with discovery, today announced the addition of Rachael Brake, PhD, and Ukonwa Ojo to its board of directors. Brake is a distinguished scientist with more than 20 years of experience in R&D, global clinical development and medical affairs. She serves as the chief scientific officer of Corbus Pharmaceuticals, a precision oncology company, and prior to that she worked in leading roles at Takeda Oncology and Amgen. Brake holds a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Western Australia. "I find what Velsera is doing -- to power precision oncology to marry the medicine to the patient -- very inspiring," Brake said. "Given my professional background working across discovery research, clinical development and medical affairs, I understand where the roadblocks to this vision might be. I look forward to helping to develop strategies to define where Velsera can bring value to these kinds of customers and the patients they serve." Video clip: Brake speaking about her experience



Ojo is a seasoned commercial business leader and marketing executive who has spent more than 25 years leading cross functional teams at large consumer brands and organizations, including Amazon Prime Video & Studios, MAC Cosmetics, Coty and Unilever. She is currently the founder and chief executive officer of Zaia Ventures, an incubator committed to building and scaling businesses that serve underrepresented and marginalized communities. Ojo received her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. "I am a strong supporter of Velsera's ambition to democratize precision medicine for all, and in particular their efforts to improve healthcare access and outcomes for black and brown communities all over the world," Ojo said. "The real, actual impact that this company can have -- not only on patients but also on all the other humans that love them and want them to have a better quality of life -- is one that I am inspired to contribute to as a board member."

Video clip: Ojo speaking about her experience Hans Cobben, chairman of Velsera's board and a partner at Summa Equity, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Ukonwa and Rachael to the Velsera board of directors. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business and expand our reach." Ojo and Brake join a board of directors led by Cobben that shaped Velsera before its launch in January 2023, as a merger of three industry leaders in bioinformatics, clinical interpretation and lab workflow automation. About Velsera Velsera is the precision engine company. Launched in January 2023, we connect healthcare and life sciences to reveal the true promise of precision medicine -- a continuous flow of knowledge among researchers, scientists and clinicians around the world, creating insights that radically improve human health. For more information, visit www.velsera.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627167199/en/

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[June 27, 2023] OmicsEdge Unveils Groundbreaking Genotype Imputation Method at European Society of Human Genetics Meeting Tweet

GLASGOW, United Kingdom, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OmicsEdge, a vanguard in genetic technology, is delighted to announce the presentation of its new genotype imputation method at the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) meeting in Glasgow. This innovative method, which has been benchmarked against other world-leading techniques, boasts approximately 10% greater accuracy. Genotype imputation is a statistical technique that predicts unknown genotypes using a reference panel of fully genotyped individuals. It's an invaluable tool in genetic research and precision medicine, allowing scientists to identify disease markers and understand the genetic architecture of various traits. "Our benchmarking results demonstrate that we have the world's leading genotype imputation method," proclaimed Dr. Puya Yazdi, the study's lead. "Additionally, our method is especially more accurate when it comes to imputing rare variants, which are more important clinically speaking. Both when it comes to polygenic risk scores and for drug discovery." Rare variantssmall and often individual-specific genetic changescan have substantial effects on an individual's risk of disease. They are crucial in nderstanding complex genetic diseases and play a pivotal role in drug discovery.



OmicsEdge is currently improving this technology's computational efficiency to create near whole genome datasets at a fraction of the cost of whole genome sequencing. This advancement will contribute to more accurate polygenic risk scoresmeasures of genetic risk based on multiple variants, helping identify individuals at the extremities of risk distribution. This enhanced precision will allow people to better quantify rare variants implicated in disease, making them ideal drug targets. The introduction of this technology doesn't just bring us closer to personalized medicineit's a game-changer for companies seeking to deepen their understanding of the genetic influence on health. OmicsEdge is currently offering this technology to other companies interested in harnessing it for their work.

About OmicsEdge

Bioinformatics technology from OmicsEdge processes and analyzes genomic and phenotypic data at an unprecedented scale providing unmatched utility for any organization performing genetic research. Formed in 2021, OmicsEdge's mission is to make precision health affordable to all by empowering organizations to easily build precision health products using its bioinformatics infrastructure. For more information, visit omicsedge.com . For media inquiries, please contact:

Victoria Shelton

Marketing Director

[email protected]

949-328-4072 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/omicsedge-unveils-groundbreaking-genotype-imputation-method-at-european-society-of-human-genetics-meeting-301864390.html SOURCE OmicsEdge

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[June 27, 2023] COSRX to Showcase Global Success at the Cross-Border E-Commerce Conference in Vietnam, Themed "Embrace Asian Experience, Vietnamese Brands Go Global" Tweet

LOS ANGELES, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- COSRX, the renowned skincare brand known for its simple yet effective products, is excited to announce its successful participation in the prestigious "Embrace Asian Experience, Vietnamese Brands Go Global" event. This event was organized by Amazon Global Selling & Vietnam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency  Ministry of Industry and Trade to meet the growing demand from Vietnamese businesses and empower them to seize the emerging Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC) opportunity. The event, which took place in Hanoi on June 7th and in Ho Chi Minh City on June 9th, showcased Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their potential to thrive in the global market. It featured a CBEC conference where the latest insights and information about the e-commerce export industry were shared. The event also highlighted the achievements of successful Amazon selling partners from Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. As a brand that succeeded in achieving global prominence, COSRX was invited as a distinguished guest at the event. On June 7th and 9th, Ms. Hyeyoung Lee, COSRX's Chief Growth Officer, delivered a captivating speech titled "How cross-border e-commerce propelled COSRX as a dominant force into the global beauty industry." Ms. Lee shared valuable insights on the brand's remarkable success as the 2023 TOP Brand Seller on Amazon during the event's "Successful Seller Sharing" section. Her presentation emphasized the pivotal role of CBEC in COSRX's international growth and industry dominance. Reflecting on COSRX's remarkable journey, Ms. Hyeyoung Lee explained, "In 2018, we launched COSRX on Amazon as an integrated marketing channel targeting the United States. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we noticed a surge of online activity which prompte us to recognize the immense potential of Amazon as a customer-friendly search engine for accessing our products. Consequently, we developed new Amazon strategies that focused on analyzing customer reviews to extract keywords that could be used to improve digital content such as product detail pages and ads. This fine-tuned our ability to target consumers and enabled us to better communicate our products' unique selling points thereby expanding our marketplace presence.



Ms. Lee shared that in 2022 alone, COSRX experienced outstanding success with an average growth of +266% in overall sales and +105% with hero products. In addition, the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence proudly secured the position of "#1 Best Seller" in Amazon's Facial Serums category, surpassing numerous renowned skincare brands and solidifying COSRX's leadership in the industry. The essence's exceptional performance during the latest Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) promotion, where it outperformed other best-selling beauty products, further reaffirmed COSRX's global accomplishments. COSRX's participation in the "Embrace Asian Experience, Vietnamese Brands Go Global" event at CBEC marks a significant milestone in the brand's journey towards global success. With a steadfast commitment to providing effective skincare solutions and leveraging CBEC opportunities, COSRX continues to solidify its position as a global leader in the beauty industry.

Meanwhile, the brand's global reach extends to over 146 countries, with the brand already present on various Amazon marketplaces, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In 2023, COSRX plans to expand into additional marketplaces, demonstrating its commitment to meeting the rising global demand for its exceptional skincare products. About COSRX:

With its powerful yet affordable skincare solutions, COSRX has quickly become one of America's favorite skincare brands. Using a minimal number of highly effective natural extracts in concentrated doses, COSRX products deliver visible results by treating the skin with only the essentials it needs and nothing it doesn't. Find its best-selling skincare solutions at retailers nationwide, including Amazon, ULTA, JCPenney, Target and Dermstore. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cosrx

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cosrx_official

COSRX Official Website: https://www.cosrx.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cosrx-to-showcase-global-success-at-the-cross-border-e-commerce-conference-in-vietnam-themed-embrace-asian-experience-vietnamese-brands-go-global-301864426.html SOURCE COSRX

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At the intersection between the Andes and the Amazon, the jungle territory that encompasses the Great Madidi-Tambopata Landscape begins. Thats the natural space from which caiman alligator meat comes, which chef Marsia Taha and her entire team serve at Gustu, which was named Best Restaurant in Bolivia in 2022. We have been working with this meat since 2015, when the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Tacana indigenous community offered it to us, she explains from La Paz. But it wasnt until 2018 when they traveled there to understand how entire families worked and lived from their sustainable production: We didnt go before because entering these communities is not easy, you need to develop trust. They are also remote places and access is difficult, but since we were already working with their meat and were going along with our partners, they extended a special welcome to us.

Each year, through its Sabores Silvestres [Wild Flavors] project and foundation, the Gustu team makes several trips to Bolivian territory to learn more about the culture and native products. The foundation seeks to boost the conservation of biodiversity, preserve food heritage and promote Bolivian gastronomic culture, Marsia explains. Between 60 and 70% of Bolivia is Amazonian. We have more than 37 indigenous communities, so we are focused on traveling there. Based on the foundations research of its native country, this cuisine serves two purposes: on the one hand, it shows the restaurants clientele Bolivias flavors, culture and biodiversity; and, on the other hand, it helps raise awareness of the raw materials they find on their trips and then teach about and revalue them. In this way, they allow Bolivian society and other cooks to learn more about these foods and facilitate their accessibility. Thats what they did with the yacare caiman, which arrived at the restaurant through this collaboration and has become one of the menus flagship raw materials.

A Tacana indigenous woman prepares alligator cracklings. Christian Gutierrez/ Gustu

In much of the Amazon, consumption of this reptile is not unusual among the communities. Although it is not the most widely consumed meat, it has always been used locally in different sectors of communities and in some cities, says Gustavo Alvarez, the biologist in charge of Wildlife Management Projects for the Wildlife Conservation Society. This NGO, which specializes in the conservation of natural spaces through joint work with indigenous peoples, has been working with the Indigenous Council of the Tacana People (CIPTA), the Ministry of Environment and Water (MMAyA) and the National Agricultural Health and Food Safety Service of Bolivia (SENASAG) to promote the National Program for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Yacare Caiman, a project that allows the sustainable use of caiman meat through a management plan and the study of its population.

The caimans were illegally hunted by people from outside the communities before; now the Tacana community controls the [yacare caiman] population, explains Alvarez. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the indiscriminate and illegal hunting of wild and endangered animals took a toll on the Bolivian Amazon. Later, European demand for their skins became a legal form of income for these communities. Large European luxury corporations received hides directly from this area to manufacture handbags and wallets. They knew that there was an economic benefit to selling the skin, but they discarded the meat, so we supported them in learning how to manage their resources sustainably, he says. Thinking about the possibility of selling it and taking advantage of the entire animal, they trained workers and created a mobile space in the middle of the jungle to work in situ, complying with all public health requirements and without breaking the cold chain. Hunting is done only once a year on new-moon nights between October and November after the breeding season, and the process takes a series of parameters into account: the yacare caiman populations must have 25% of adult males measuring more than 1.80 meters (6 feet) in length, and only a quarter of them will be slaughtered.

A Tacana worker prepares the yacare caiman after hunting it. Christian Gutierrez/ Gustu

In the jungle, the communities cook it as if it were pork rinds; they overcook it for health reasons and make it with the same skin so that it does not shrink down. They also use the same preparation techniques they use for fish like the tacuara method (it is cooked inside bamboo trunks), grilled or cooked over hot coal in palm leaves, or in a sudado (a soup that includes tomatoes, onion, garlic, peppers, cilantro, fruit rinds and small pieces of caiman meat), says the chef. When they started working with the yacare caiman meat at Gustu, they tested it extensively, but we realized that raw was the best way to take advantage of its flavor, texture and aroma. We smoke it or make quick cured products to eat the [meat] in a tiradito [a raw preparation] or a ceviche, but we never overcook it in the traditional way.

A 'crudo' (soup) yacare caiman meat, urucu and sacha inchi at Gustu restaurant. Christian Gutierrez/ Gustu

Although yacare caiman meat was already consumed in certain areas of the country, when the restaurant began to serve it, people were reluctant to order it unless it was on the tasting menu. As time has gone by, the public has gotten used to it, and it has become a commonly consumed meat. Its increased use in the catering world, along with obtaining a seal that certifies the sale of their meat, allowed the Tacanas to start distributing it to the Bolivian supermarket chain Hipermaxi in the cities of Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba in 2018, the chef says. In addition, at home families have started to treat it as if it were a fish because it can be marinated, fried, grilled, prepared in ceviche or pickled. The meat is a hybrid between fish and boiled chicken. And she emphasizes: In the restaurant, we have a certificate that ensures that the caiman meat comes from a legal and sustainable [source]. This is essential because when people do not have the option of doing what they have always done to bring food and money home, they exploit non-renewable resources like gold minings use of mercury, which also contaminates the Amazonian rivers and destroys their biodiversity. With the NGOs help, the restaurant is trying to combat such practices through the legal and controlled exploitation of the reptile. We seek to provide work alternatives through contact with restaurants and supermarkets so that [indigenous communities] can earn an income and have market opportunities without engaging in illegal activities, Gustavo concludes.

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[June 27, 2023] Cambodia Fintech Delegation, Led by the National Bank of Cambodia, Showcases Bakong at the Inclusive Fintech Forum in Kigali, Rwanda Tweet

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A prestigious delegation of Cambodia's fintech leaders, led by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), recently made a resounding impact at the Inclusive Fintech Forum held in Kigali, Rwanda from June 20 to 22, 2023. The delegation was co-organized by the Cambodian Association of Finance and Technology (CAFT) and the Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC). The delegation seized the opportunity to showcase Bakong, Cambodia's groundbreaking payment and banking system, and highlighted the nation's thriving fintech ecosystem. The Inclusive Fintech Forum organized by Kigali International Financial Centre and Elevandi is a global platform on Financial Inclusion and FinTech for Good focused on fostering implementation strategies for the inclusive and sustainable development of FinTech through deep-dive roundtables and workshops as well as showcase of best-in-class Inclusive FinTech projects. The success of the Cambodia Fintech Delegation was made possible through the invaluable support of its sponsors. ABA Bank, a distinguished financial institution in Cambodia, served as the platinum sponsor, further reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation and driving economicgrowth within the country. The event also received significant backing from bronze sponsors Acleda Bank and Wing, highly respected entities in the Cambodian banking and mobile payment sectors, respectively.



A key community sponsor, Credit Bureau Cambodia, played a crucial role in advocating responsible lending practices and enhancing financial transparency, ensuring the success and integrity of Cambodia's fintech advancements. Additionally, the delegation enjoyed the valuable partnership of several prominent players in the Cambodian fintech landscape. Ipay88 Cambodia, a leading online payment gateway, Pipay PLC, a digital payment solution provider, and TrueMoney Cambodia, a renowned mobile financial services provider, all contributed their expertise and resources to showcase Cambodia's fintech potential at the forum.

In collaboration with Linx International and strategic collaboration with PR Newswire, a global leader in news distribution, bolstered the success of the Cambodia Fintech Delegation. Their commitment to amplifying the delegation's achievements through effective media outreach significantly enhanced the visibility and recognition of Cambodia's fintech advancements. At the Inclusive Fintech Forum, the Cambodian delegation drew attention to Bakong, the revolutionary blockchain payment and banking system developed by the National Bank of Cambodia. Bakong has transformed the way Cambodians transact and engage with financial services, promoting financial inclusion and empowerment. Its seamless digital infrastructure and interoperability have set new standards in the region, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and economic growth. During the forum, the delegation showcased a range of innovative fintech solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of Cambodia's population. From micro-lending platforms to user-friendly mobile banking applications, Cambodia's fintech ecosystem demonstrated its capacity to address financial challenges and drive inclusive economic development. The presence of the Cambodian delegation at the Inclusive Fintech Forum fostered fruitful discussions and facilitated knowledge sharing with international fintech leaders. The National Bank of Cambodia's visionary leadership and the collaborative efforts of CAFT and ABC have positioned Cambodia as a regional hub for digital finance and innovation. Reflecting on the delegation's success, CAFT Board and Executive leadership reflects, "We take immense pride in the achievements showcased by Cambodia's fintech delegation at the Inclusive Fintech Forum. The success of Bakong and our fintech ecosystem demonstrates our commitment to driving financial inclusion and leveraging digital technology for the betterment of our society. We eagerly anticipate future collaborations and the continued growth of our fintech ecosystem. CONTACT: Weena Llona

+855-968712304

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cambodia-fintech-delegation-led-by-the-national-bank-of-cambodia-showcases-bakong-at-the-inclusive-fintech-forum-in-kigali-rwanda-301864444.html SOURCE Cambodian Association of Finance and Technology

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[June 27, 2023] Enterprise SIEMs Miss 76% of all MITRE ATT&CK Techniques Used by Adversaries Tweet

CardinalOps' third annual report analyzes real-world data from production SIEMs covering nearly 4,000 detection rules across diverse industry verticals TEL AVIV, Israel and BOSTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CardinalOps, the detection posture management company, today released its Third Annual Report on the State of SIEM Detection Risk. The report analyzes real-world data from production SIEMs  including Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar, and Sumo Logic  covering more than 4,000 detection rules, nearly one million log sources, and hundreds of unique log source types. The data spans diverse industry verticals including banking and financial services, insurance, manufacturing, energy, media & telecommunications, professional & legal services, and MSSP/MDRs. Assessing and Strengthening SIEM Effectiveness

According to industry analysts, the SIEM continues to be the "operating system of the SOC" and is not going away anytime soon. However, most organizations face the challenge of how to continuously assess and strengthen the effectiveness of their existing SIEMs, using standard frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to measure their readiness to detect the highest-priority threats. This is a major challenge because organizations have to grapple with constant change in adversary techniques plus constantly expanding attack surfaces, combined with the difficulty of hiring and retaining skilled detection engineers. These challenges are clearly illustrated in data from this year's SIEM Detection Risk report. Using MITRE ATT&CK as the baeline, CardinalOps found that, on average:



Actual detection coverage remains far below what most organizations expect: Enterprise SIEMs only have detections for 24% of all MITRE ATT&CK techniques. That means they're missing detections for around three-quarters of all techniques that adversaries use to deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, and execute other cyberattacks.

Enterprise SIEMs only have detections for 24% of all MITRE ATT&CK techniques. That means they're missing detections for around three-quarters of all techniques that adversaries use to deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, and execute other cyberattacks. SIEMs don't need more data: SIEMs are already ingesting sufficient data to potentially cover 94% of all MITRE ATT&CK techniques. But many enterprises are still relying on manual and error-prone processes for developing new detections, making it difficult to reduce their backlogs and act quickly to plug detection gaps. A more effective strategy would be to scale SIEM detection engineering processes to develop more detections faster, via automation.

SIEMs are already ingesting sufficient data to potentially cover 94% of all MITRE ATT&CK techniques. But many enterprises are still relying on manual and error-prone processes for developing new detections, making it difficult to reduce their backlogs and act quickly to plug detection gaps. A more effective strategy would be to scale SIEM detection engineering processes to develop more detections faster, via automation. Broken rules are also common: 12% of SIEM rules are broken and will never fire due to data quality issues such as misconfigured data sources and missing fields  resulting in increased risk of breach due to undetected attacks.

12% of SIEM rules are broken and will never fire due to data quality issues such as misconfigured data sources and missing fields  resulting in increased risk of breach due to undetected attacks. Organizations are implementing "detection-in-depth" but monitoring of containers lags behind: Enterprise SIEMs are following best practices and collecting data from multiple security layers such as Windows endpoints (96%), network (96%), IAM (96%), Linux/Mac (87%), cloud (83%), and email (78%). But monitoring of containers lags far behind other layers at only 32%, despite Red Hat data showing that 68% of organizations are running containers. This low number could be because it's challenging for detection engineers to write high-fidelity detections to uncover anomalous behavior in these highly-dynamic environments. "These findings illustrate a simple truth: most organizations don't have good visibility into their MITRE ATT&CK coverage and are struggling to get the most from their existing SIEMs," said Michael Mumcuoglu, CEO and Co-Founder at CardinalOps. "This is important because preventing breaches starts with having the right detections in your SIEM  according to the adversary techniques most relevant to your organization  and ensuring they're actually working as intended. Based on the experience of our enterprise customers, leveraging automation and detection posture management are critical capabilities for achieving this. To help organizations address their detection challenges, the 2023 CardinalOps report also includes a series of best practices to help SOC teams measure and continuously improve the robustness of their detection posture over time.

You can download the full report here. About CardinalOps

Backed by security experts with nation-state expertise, the CardinalOps platform uses automation and MITRE ATT&CK to continuously ensure you have the right detections in your existing SIEM to prevent breaches, based on a threat-informed strategy. What's more, it improves detection engineering productivity by 10x and reduces the need to hire additional SOC personnel. Native API-driven integrations include Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar, Google Chronicle SIEM, CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale, and Sumo Logic. Learn more at CardinalOps.com. For Media Inquiries:

Nathaniel Hawthorne for CardinalOps

Lumina Communications

(661) 965-0407

[email protected]com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/enterprise-siems-miss-76-of-all-mitre-attck-techniques-used-by-adversaries-301863728.html SOURCE CardinalOps

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[June 27, 2023] Edelman Smithfield Investor Pulse Research Identifies Key Trends to Unlock Value in Financial Services Sector Tweet

Financial services companies need to prepare for a wave of shareholder activism and industry consolidation, according to a survey of institutional investors released today by Edelman Smithfield, a global financial communications firm that specializes in the financial markets and strategic situations. Edelman Smithfield's investor pulse research, "Unlocking Value in Financial Services," examines investor sentiment and perspectives on the sector regarding valuation, the merger and acquisition ("M&A") environment, trends in shareholder activism, and views on capital allocation strategies. "In recent months, the financial services sector has seen immense change and volatility, causing investors to reevaluate their perceptions and expectations of financial services companies," said Hunter Stenback, Senior Vice President of Strategic Situations and Investor Relations at Edelman Smithfield. "Despite a pullback in valuations, our research indicates that many investors still believe financial services companies are overvalued at current levels. In addition, our survey results align with the increase we're seeing in management scrutiny and shareholder activism. As a result, it is more critical than ever for companies to clearly articulate drivers of valuation upside to an increasingly skeptical shareholder base." Ted McHugh, Edelman Smithfield's Head of Strategic Situations and Investor Relations, said, "With industry consolidation expected to accelerate, our findings showthat M&A can be a path to unlocking additional value. Companies should prioritize accretive deals that enhance business diversification, while ensuring they maintain a healthy balance sheet in the current environment."



The research surveyed 300 institutional investors,100 each from the US, UK, and continental Europe (France, Germany, and Switzerland), between May 2, 2023 and May 12, 2023. Of the firms represented by investors, 50% have $50 billion or more assets under management. Notable highlights from the investor pulse research include:

Investors see limited near-term valuation upside.

Eighty-seven percent of institutional investors believe financial services companies are overvalued or fairly valued at current valuations. Only 13% of investors believe financial services firms are undervalued. Companies need to prepare for an increase in shareholder activism.

Seventy-three percent of investors expect shareholder activism to increase over the next 12 months within the financial services sector. Seventy-three percent of investors also say they are frequently inclined to support activists. As industry consolidation accelerates, deals must be immediately accretive.

Nearly three in four investors expect more consolidation in the financial services industry over the next twelve months compared to historical levels. Seventy-three percent of investors expect M&A to deliver increased profitability within the first three quarters, and 93% say within the first year. Business diversification should be a core component of a company's strategy.

The number one consideration for investors evaluating an investment in the financial services sector is diversification of revenue streams. When assessing M&A, investors identify deals designed to diversify a company's geographic footprint or diversify a company's capabilities as the most valuable acquisitions in the current environment. Investors value balance sheet strength in the current environment above all else.

Thirty-nine percent of global investors and 42% of US investors say paying down debt is the best use of capital for financial services firms, ranking above share buy-backs, M&A, dividends, and organic growth investments. While investors expect more M&A and view it as a potential driver of valuation upside, companies should prioritize the balance sheet first. ABOUT EDELMAN SMITHFIELD Edelman Smithfield is a financial communications boutique that specializes in the financial markets and strategic situations with the full reach and resources of Edelman. The Edelman Smithfield team comprises approximately 250 advisors across more than 25 cities and 15 countries serving an expansive roster of top organizations around the world. www.EdelmanSmithfield.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627887344/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. signs a Letter of Intent with BOCA Del Toro, LLC., a Costa Rican Water Company Tweet

New York, NY, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ( GTII : OTCQB) Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. ( GTII  or The Company), www.gtii-us.com , announced today that it has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Boca Del Toro LLC., (BOCA) a privately-held Costa Rican company that owns a scalable commercial grade mineral based Aquifer located in a large recognized Blue Zone, which is both an anthropological term and recognized geographical area (there are five recognized Blue Zones worldwide) whereby people live longer than average, experiencing healthier lives overall. The water source is situated on five (5) acres of land owned by BOCA, which also owns the concessions rights. BOCA purchased the property in 2007 and was issued a water concession and extraction license in 2014.

According to BOCA, it has been in the land development business on the Pacific Coast for over 20 years and discovered this source by extensive lab and pump testing. BOCA spent years and financial resources to attempt to maximize the Aquifers value by meeting regulatory standards and production capabilities. Frank Brady, Partner in BOCA, stated: Once we realizd the scale and naturally occurring nutritional content of this water and compared it to the major premier brands, we believed that we had an extremely valuable natural resource and competitive edge. Thereafter, we made the decision to explore partnering with GTII, a public company in the business of partnering with developing companies, to attempt to facilitate our intention, which is to make this company a global player in the commercial water business.



David Reichman, Chairman & CEO of GTII, stated: There are few commodities in this world today more precious than fresh water, and so when you find one that appears to be so much more than a basic commodity, based on the documented evidence that we have looked at, it was no surprise that management decided to move decisively to work more closely with BOCA. About GTII: GTII is a publicly traded Company incorporated in the state of Nevada, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies. Visit GTII here https://gtii-us.com/.

Please follow our Company at: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GTII Harbor Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Companys most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time. Words such as estimate, project, predict, will, would, should, could, may, might, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, expect, aim, goal, target, objective, likely or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of this press release. Unless legally required, we undertake no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise. Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.

511 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800

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[June 27, 2023] Arable and Shell Collaborate on Carbon Breakthrough in Agriculture Tweet

Arable, the leader in crop intelligence, today announced a joint initiative with Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., supported by HabiTerre and Quanterra Systems, to deliver a high-trust, low-cost carbon measurement and verification system that would advance sustainable farming practices. The groundbreaking project, which will launch in Brazil, is designed to both reduce complexity and increase reliability of carbon monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) in agriculture. At scale, this initiative aims to unlock agriculture's potential to be a leading source of carbon sequestration, which would make a significant impact on mitigating the impact of climate change. This announcement comes as the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) scientists predict that up to 10 gigatons of CO2 will need to be removed annually from the atmosphere by 2050 to reach global emissions reduction targets. Although the soil used for farming has the potential to capture up to half that amount through sustainable farming practices, leveraging agriculture as a means to reduce atmospheric carbon remains largely underutilized, primarily due to the difficulty and expense in accurately estimating changes in soil carbon and on-farm emissions. Current measurement protocols require soil tests and infrastructure that require significant investment relative to the price of carbon credits, limiting the value share available to farmers and thus the scalability of the market. This project is designed to demonstrate the power of combining ground truth crop intelligence with remote-sensed data and scientifically rigorous modeling to produce an accurate and scalable carbon measurement and verification system. It leverages and integrates the latest in digital agriculture technology advancements, including the Arable Mark. The Arable Mark is an in-field sensing and communication device that uniquely measures weather, plant, soil and irrigation flow information all in one simple, reliable system. The data collected from the Mark will be combined with information gathered via Quanterra's cutting edge carbon monitoring solution and used in HabiTerre's novel carbon models to provide accurate and trusted estimation and verification at a fraction of he cost of existing MRV methods.



"Shell is committed to finding pathways that will help move us forward in becoming a net-zero energy business by 2050," said Jessica Hinojosa, nature-based solutions researcher & commercial lead at Shell. "We see great potential within agriculture and the promise of new technologies like this that will help move it forward. We couldn't be more thrilled to be working with Arable, a leader in advancing digital agriculture around the world." Arable's ability to collect highly accurate, comprehensive data points is essential to developing trusted carbon credits. In addition to sensed data, the Mark's integrated camera can provide an extra low-cost layer of verification, confirming practices such as planting, tilling, use of cover crops and harvesting via high-resolution images of the field.

"We are proud to be the leading crop intelligence solution for companies working to improve sustainability in agriculture," said Jim Ethington, CEO of Arable. "Our work with Shell, HabiTerre and Quanterra builds on our proven ability to collect highly reliable ground-truth data that can be used to address the most pressing issues facing our planet. It's an honor to be part of a project that holds the potential to unlock the power of agriculture and create a scalable carbon solution that could be leveraged worldwide. This is yet another example of the dynamic and diverse ways crop intelligence can be used." The initial phase of the project will take place in Brazil and will include the placement of Arable Mark in-field sensing devices as well as Quanterra's flux towers in 20 locations spanning multiple crop types. Brazil was selected for the initial deployment because it is not only one of the world's largest agricultural regions, but also is an area that struggles to produce high-quality carbon estimates and credits due to lack of access to key information such as weather, satellite imagery and soil data. With 40% of its land area dedicated to farming, Brazil represents one of the biggest untapped opportunities for reducing net carbon emissions from agriculture. At scale, this novel system could be used in virtually every major growing region on the planet and would offer a farmer-friendly method to unlock the vast potential of the agriculture-based carbon market. With this new system, farmers would receive financial incentives for sustainable practices while also enabling businesses to offset emissions at scale through the creation of high-quality carbon credits, which are in short supply today. Arable customers would additionally benefit from a single system that provides carbon credit qualification while improving farming and operational decisions to become more productive, profitable and sustainable. "HabiTerre is proud to support this innovative project, which holds the exciting potential to advance sustainability worldwide," said Nick Reinke, CEO of HabiTerre. "Our environmental and productivity modeling, with support from accurate and comprehensive data delivered through the Arable Mark, will deliver important advances to the quantification infrastructure necessary for robust environmental markets, unlocking greater opportunities for agriculture as a leading climate change solution." About Arable Arable, the leader in crop intelligence, advances digital agriculture globally. Forward-thinking agribusinesses, farming operations, and food and beverage companies use Arable to be more productive, sustainable and profitable. Arable's intuitive IoT-based solution combines reliable in-field weather, forecast, plant, soil and irrigation data with advanced modeling and machine learning to deliver real-time, actionable insights into the entire crop system. Arable helps customers in more than 30 countries optimize water use, crop protection, fertilization, field work, research trials, food supply chains and sustainability initiatives. About Shell Royal Dutch Shell plc, incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 70 countries and territories with businesses that include renewable energy projects. For further information, visit www.shell.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627781058/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Ecologyst Secures Strategic Investment from Coeuraj Capital, Accelerating Sustainable Growth and Building North America's First Net Zero Clothing Supply Chain Tweet

VICTORIA, BC, June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - Ecologyst, a leader in sustainable clothing manufacturing, is thrilled to announce a significant investment from Coeuraj Capital. This strategic partnership will enable Ecologyst to accelerate its mission of building North America's first net zero clothing supply chain. "We are excited to partner with Coeuraj Capital as we embark on this next leg of our journey," said Rene Gauthier, CEO of Ecologyst. "We were fortunate to have several options when choosing a capital partner, and we agreed to terms with Coeuraj Capital because of their unwavering commitment to biosphere integrity and their long-term approach in achieving it. Together, we are determined to obliterate the notion that making a profit and doing good are mutually exclusive." Ecologyst's ambitious plan to build North America's first net zero clothing supply chain reflects its dedication to UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). By creating or retrofitting existing infrastructure, Ecologyst aims to enable the necessary changes toward a truly sustainable clothing industry. This innovative approach will drive systemic change, reducing carbon emissions and resource consumption throughout the supply chain. "We are champions of innovative companies that defy convention and are fearless in their approach to achieving financial and societal impact," stated Duncan MacRae, Co-Founder and President of Coeuraj. "We choose Ecologyst for our first investment due to their unwavering dedication to sustainable manufacturing, reputation for high-quality product, and ambitions for driving systemic change in the clothing industry," said Bobby Ahluwalia, Managing Partner of Coeuraj Capital. "We, along with our sister company Coeuraj, are excited to join forces with Ecologyst, contributing not only financial resources but also strategic guidance enabled by our transdisciplinary capability to drive their growth and scale impact."



The investment will enable Ecologyst to continue executing its buy and green-scale strategy. In August 2022, Ecologyst completed its first acquisition of Frankie Collective, a company that diverts clothing from landfill and uses end-of-life clothes as raw materials in manufacturing new pieces. This acquisition is an important component of building a circular supply chain, reducing waste, and dramatically reducing carbon footprint. Funds will be used to acquire additional components of the clothing ecosystem. Ecologyst and its partnership with Coeuraj Capital and Coeuraj represent a unified effort to build a sustainable future. With the new funding, Ecologyst is poised to embark on an exciting phase of growth, further solidifying its position as a leader in the clothing industry.

ABOUT ECOLOGYST Ecologyst is a clothing manufacturer committed to making high-quality, responsibly-made products for conscientious consumers. With a focus on durability, environmental stewardship, and ethical manufacturing practices, Ecologyst strives to create a circular supply chain accessible to brands and end customers alike. Through its dedication to responsible sourcing and innovative design, Ecologyst aims to inspire individuals to live in harmony with nature and make a positive impact on the planet. ABOUT COEURAJ CAPTIAL Coeuraj Capital is a private equity firm that seeks to create financial and societal benefits through the ownership and management of transformative businesses. They are dedicated to unlocking the potential in companies to better serve the systems in which they operate. The firm seeks to support innovative businesses that are reshaping industries and fostering positive change in the world. Coeuraj Capital invests in companies with sound value, defensible business models, and strong management teams. The firm optimizes investments through disciplined financial management, innovative growth strategies, and a world-class design capability. SOURCE Ecologyst

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[June 27, 2023] Berkeley SkyDeck to Host 30 Japanese Startups Through JETRO Partnership Tweet

Berkeley SkyDeck, the global hub for entrepreneurship and a leading accelerator, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) resulting in 30 Japanese startups being selected to participate in Berkeley SkyDeck's Batch 17 Innovation Partner Program in November. All 30 startups will receive access to Berkeley SkyDeck's vast network of resources, mentors, and investors as they plan to break into the US market. Applications are now open through July 26. Interested startups can apply here. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627106259/en/ The SkyDeck Innovation Partner Program is a three-month program that provides a soft landing in Silicon Valley to startups that want to enter the US market. Startups are sent to Berkeley SkyDeck by SkyDeck Innovation Partners, which are usually government organizations from outside of the US such as JETRO. Through this program, SkyDeck Innovation Partners are plugged into the Berkeley SkyDec ecosystem, and the startups are able to access the significant network, advisor insights, and other resources SkyDeck has to offer.



"Berkeley SkyDeck was built on the idea that entrepreneurs from around the world have what it takes to make it in Silicon Valley. Our global SkyDeck Innovation Partners like JETRO are essential in helping us find and support these companies as they break into the investment ecosystem here," said Caroline Winnett, Executive Director at Berkeley SkyDeck. "We are confident that this new cohort of 30 companies - our largest yet - will reap extraordinary benefits from joining the Berkeley SkyDeck ecosystem." The organizations have partnered since 2021 to bring 32 Japanese startups to Silicon Valley. The fall 2023 batch represents the largest single cohort of startups as well as nearly doubling the total number of startups that have received access to the Innovation Partner Program through this collaboration. Dedicated teams from Berkeley SkyDeck and JETRO work closely together from program promotion to startup selection and program execution to ensure successful experiences for each founder.

JETRO is a government organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting direct foreign investment into Japan and helping Japanese startups and scaleups maximize their global potential. "In our increasingly interconnected world, access to capital and resources are essential for startups to become global brands. Together, JETRO and Berkeley SkyDeck are forging those critical connections for these promising startups, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for this latest cohort of companies," said Ken Yoshida, Executive Director at JETRO San Francisco. Alumni of Berkeley SkyDeck, which include Deepscribe, MindsDB, Chemix, and Xendit, have enjoyed great success in their respective industries, collectively raising more than $1.7 billion in funding, with nearly 20 exits through acquisition or public offering. Berkeley SkyDeck's Batch 16 of companies started its term in May 2023, with its Demo Day planned in September. Applications for Berkeley SkyDeck's Batch 17 open in August of 2023. About Berkeley SkyDeck Berkeley SkyDeck is a leading accelerator and the global hub for entrepreneurship. As UC Berkeley's largest and most prominent accelerator, SkyDeck combines hands-on mentorship with the vast resources of its research university. SkyDeck is the only accelerator of its kind that offers the value of a dedicated investment fund alongside the resources and network of a top university. To date, SkyDeck startups have raised more than $1.7 billion in aggregate. Participating startups have access to SkyDeck's 500 advisors, 70 industry partners, and a network of more than 510,000 UC Berkeley alumni. For more information, see skydeck.berkeley.edu. About JETRO The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a Japanese government-affiliated agency that supports Japanese businesses expanding globally and international businesses entering Japan. JETRO facilitates collaborations and business alliances between Japanese and overseas companies with its business platform "J-Bridge." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627106259/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Qmerit, Lucid Motors Expand Their Partnership into Canada Tweet

Lucid Canadian customers get easy access to home charger and cable installations focusing on convenience, safety, and quality IRVINE, Calif., June 27, 2023 /CNW/ -- Qmerit, North America's leading provider of installation services for EV charging and other electrification technologies, today announced it is extending its Lucid Motors partnership, currently live in the United States, into Canada. The expansion provides Lucid's Canadian consumers easy access to Qmerit's installation services for the automaker's charging products. From the Lucid Mobile Charging Cable, standard with all Lucid Airs, to the aftermarket Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, customers have the optionality and flexibility to install the right home solution with the help of Qmerit's installation expertise. Lucid owners can now complete a questionnaire on Qmerit's website to quickly receive an estimate on installation services for a suitable outlet or the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station, based on the customer's home layout and electrical panel specifications. Upon accepting the estimate, the customer is connected with a certified Qmerit installation professional who has been vetted by Qmerit for quality, safety and customer service.



Canada a more streamlined experience in making the switch to EV ownership," said Ken Sapp , Qmerit's Senior Vice President for Business Development. "It represents the innovations underway with technology and workforce to reduce the friction that can come in adopting a new form of transportation." According to Fausto Bonomo, Head of Sales, Canada at Lucid Motors, "the expanded partnership helps to ensure Canadian consumers receive the highest levels of technical support in handling an installation process that many are unfamiliar with due to the unique nature of home charging installation."

"Amongst the various ways to charge your vehicle, the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station is a next-generation product, providing versatility on the installation at multiple power levels up to 19.2kW and only gets more intelligent over time. Our relationship with Qmerit then provides the very best installation services to our customers in a streamlined manner," said Bonomo. The Lucid Connected Home Charging Station delivers up to 130 kilometers of range per hour (80 Amps, 240 Volts), is WiFi-enabled for over-the-air updates and comes with a sleek, 7-meter cable. Qmerit's network has installed more than 269,000 Level 2 home and commercial charging systems across North America in addition to hundreds of thousands of other electrification technologies. With its Canadian headquarters in Toronto, Qmerit has a network of certified installers across the provinces in addition to a customer support team that accommodates both French and English-speaking consumers. About Qmerit Qmerit is North America's leading provider of implementation solutions for EV charging and other energy transition technologies, simplifying electrification adoption for residential and business markets. Qmerit's value-driven services are delivered through a network of company-owned contractors, independent Certified Solutions Partners, and Certified Installers skilled in system implementation and integration. Qmerit partners with top automakers from the U.S., Europe and Asia. Qmerit boasts high customer experience (NPS) scores well above the industry average. For more information, visit https://qmerit.ca/, and connect on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram . Media Contact:

Samantha Graham

[email protected] SOURCE Qmerit

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[June 27, 2023] Mascoma Bank Partners with VSoft & Implements its OnView Deposit Suite Tweet

VSoft Corporation, a global leader in providing information and technology solutions for financial institutions, announced today that Mascoma Bank has chosen to implement the company's OnView Deposit product suite, which includes its Teller Deposit, Branch Deposit, and ATM Deposit solutions. Founded in 1899 by community members aiming to establish a healthy local economy, Mascoma Bank is an independent, full-service financial institution and Certified B-Corporation. Today, the bank has grown to manage more than $2.6 billion in assets with 29 locations serving customers throughout New Hampshire, Vermont and Portland, Maine. For more than a century, the bank has focused on providing exceptional service while making a positive impact in the lives of customers and their community. By partnering with VSoft and leveraging the company's OnView product suite, Mascoma Bank will further enhance the customer experience while boosting operational efficiencies in the back office. VSoft's OnView Teller Deposit solution allows the bank to capture deposits at any one of its 140 teller stations, or behind the teller line in the branch back office. The solution reduces manual errors and image quality returns for more automated check processing that saves time and operational costs while ensuring a positive customer experience.



"Mascoma Bank takes pride in being 'different by design,' and this virtue drives many of our initiatives, from our high-impact community projects to our IT investments," said Raphael Reznek, Chief Technology Officer of Mascoma Bank. "Our team recognized that VSoft's technology would help us stay ahead of the curve and exceed our customers' expectations for service that's convenient and personal. By eliminating the manual tasks and tedious data entry associated with check processing, our team can spend more time helping customers. We look forward to a productive partnership together."

"We are proud to add Mascoma Bank as our newest client and empower their team to continue building strong relationships with the customers in their local communities," said Steve Thomas, Vice President of Sales at VSoft. "From the start, Mascoma Bank has remained dedicated to its customers and delivering the most convenient banking experience possible. We look forward to supporting the bank in this endeavor and fostering their future growth with VSoft's technology." About Mascoma Bank Headquartered in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Mascoma Bank is a $2.6 billion mutual bank and Certified B-Corporation with 27 branches and 2 loan offices throughout Northern New England. Mascoma Bank was founded in 1899 by community members seeking ways to establish a healthy local economy. For over 122 years, Mascoma Bank's foundation of mutuality has continued to be a force for positive change supporting communities to reach thriving sustainability. Mascoma Bank has made a strong commitment of utilizing technology to help support its mission and values of putting the customer at the center of its work. About VSoft Corporation VSoft Corporation offers platform-based services for the banking and financial services industry. Its core, payment and digital banking solutions reduce cost and maximize efficiency while providing seamless, real-time, high-volume and high-performance transactions across multiple channels. The VSoft platform can be delivered in-house, or as an outsourced ASP or SaaS model to best meet the needs of individual financial institutions. VSoft's services have been trusted by financial institutions worldwide. For more information, please call 678-602-1384, or visit www.vsoftcorp.com, or follow them on Twitter @VSoft_Corp. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627070938/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Liar, Liar, Phone's on Fire -- New App Verifies Truth Using Cell Phone Camera and AI Tweet

A Mobile App Called VerifEye Measures Changes in Involuntary Eye Behavior to Accurately Rat Out Fake Online Profiles, Credit Risks, False Insurance Claims, Undesirable Job Applicants, Unfaithful Spouses, and More LEHI, Utah, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It may be hard to believe it's true, but a Utah tech company has developed the world's first accurate truth verification app. And, unlike other credibility assessment methods, it doesn't require an examiner or any sensors attached to the test taker. After three months of beta testing, today Converus officially released VerifEye in the U.S. VerifEye. This self-administered test, for Apple (iOS) and Android phones, uses a cell phone's camera and AI to verify truth by measuring changes in a person's involuntary eye behavior and other physiological factors. Personal credentials and certifications, criminal history, infidelity, insurance fraud, creditworthiness, compliance with a treatment program, and more can all be tested via VerifEye. Converus originally disrupted the lie detection industry in 2014 with EyeDetect, a computer-based test that also detects deception via one's eyes. IsoTalent, a Utah-based global recruiting and employment firm, uses VerifEye to confirm nurses based in Mexico are certified and don't have any disqualifying issues  like drug use or ties to cartels  before a U.S. hospital hires them. IsoTalent has been retained to identify 1,200 hirable nurses. "Using VerifEye as an initial screening tool for new hires will redce recruitment costs by 20%," said IsoTalent CEO and Co-founder Paul Ahlstrom.



EyeCanKnow, a U.S.-based company using VerifEye to provide truth verification services, has launched an online service for anyone seeking fidelity or sobriety testing. The customer chooses a topic, timeline, and other details about a particular event and then receives a unique VerifEye link by email to take a test. Clicking the link downloads the app and starts the test, which is self-administered on a mobile phone. No reading is required  a digital voice asks test questions using the device speaker and verbal responses are recorded. After the test, the customer can pay to see the test results. The VerifEye app is gaining worldwide popularity. In Mexico, VerifEye is used for pre-employment and employee monitoring tests by a security company, a logistics company that distributes medicine, and by a BMW dealership. And a South African firm uses VerifEye to test for ties to terrorists.

"The ability to affordably, accurately and quickly verify truth via an app anywhere, anytime, and in almost any language, has garnered interest worldwide," said Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen. "We've had discussions with several large companies  one has the potential to run over a million tests annually." Once a VerifEye test is completed, data are uploaded, analyzed and scored in near real time. Test results are available to the customer in a dashboard, by email, or via the VerifEye API. The test is about 80 percent accurate. Unlike other Converus technologies, no proctor is required  but VerifEye offers a proctor mode to allow test takers to be managed and monitored. Visit: converus.com About Converus

Converus provides scientifically validated credibility assessment technologies. VerifEye is the world's first mobile app to help organizations or individuals accurately verify the truth about a person  including background, identity, creditworthiness and claims  in about 10 minutes. EyeDetect, which detects deception by measuring involuntary eye behavior, is a fast, accurate, affordable, noncontact, scalable, and fully automated option to polygraph. EyeDetect+ is the world's first automated polygraph. Visit converus.com Contact:

Jeff Pizzino, APR

4806068292

[email protected]com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liar-liar-phones-on-fire--new-app-verifies-truth-using-cell-phone-camera-and-ai-301864629.html SOURCE Converus

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Every night since she was 15 years old, Elizabeth II sat at her desk and wrote in her journal, a custom she in all probability inherited from her father, King George VI. It is known that the Queen of the United Kingdom ordered her staff not to interrupt her writing at the end of her day, except in cases of national emergency. It is also known that she wrote in black leather notebooks and that every morning she asked for the blotting paper she had used the night before to be destroyed, so that no one could decipher the contents of what she wrote. It is known that only Elizabeth II herself had the key to the drawer in her office where she kept her precious notebook. And it is known that only her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, skimmed over the pages. Little else is known about the journals that the queen filled religiously for 81 years. Now it is another man, Paul Whybrew, the monarchs most trusted aide, who will have access to the journals and decide whether their daily entries will be made public or remain private.

Until Queen Elizabeths death last year, Whybrews official title was Page of the Backstairs. But the exact tasks of Paul Whybrew, 64, who served the Queen of England for 44 years, were difficult to classify. On paper, his job was to attend to the queens daily needs: from waking her up for breakfast and managing her correspondence and phone calls to receiving her visitors and taking care of her beloved corgi dogs. After so many years in service, Whybrew  who is known in the palace as Tall Paul due to his height (192 centimeters)  became one of the people closest to Elizabeth II. The two shared the same sense of humor, and the queen sometimes invited Whybrew to watch television with her or help her finish her puzzles. Elizabeth II considered him such a loyal person that she even awarded him the Royal Victorian Medal, which recognizes services to the queen.

Like the crown itself, King Charles III has also inherited his mothers trust in Whybrew. The king has entrusted him with reviewing his mothers letters, diaries and other private documents, alongside a team, who will decide which parts will remain confidential and which can be published in the coming years in the Royal Archives. There is a precedent, created by Elizabeth II herself, who in 2012 authorized the release of the diaries of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. She also began writing at an early age, specifically at the age of 13, and maintained the habit until 10 days before her death. In total, she filled 121 journals. After her death in 1901, it was his daughter, Princess Beatrice, turned literary executor, who reread all her diaries and, following her mothers instructions, eliminated everything that could upset the British royal family. Of this edition, 111 volumes remained. These journals are available from the Windsor Castle Royal Archives and also via their website.

Queen Elizabeth II and her aide Paul Whybrew in 2004. Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library (Tim Graham Photo Library via Get)

Paul Whybrew became world-famous on July 9, 1982. It was that day when the Irishman Michael Fagan entered Queen Elizabeths room at Buckingham Palace in what was the biggest security breach the British monarchy had seen in the 20th century. I was scareder than Id ever been in my life, Fagan told the British tabloid The Independent in 2012, in reference to the moment he drew the curtains and woke up Queen Elizabeth. Then she speaks, and its like the finest glass you can imagine breaking: [What] are you doing here?! According to a Scotland Yard report, the queen managed to remain calm and had a 10-minute conversation with him. Before being arrested by the police, he was found by Paul Whybrew, who managed to calm the young man by offering him a cigar and a glass of Scotch whiskey in his own office.

Since then, his tall figure has always discreetly appeared behind Elizabeth II, both in large celebrations and in smaller events. His name popped up again during the Covid-19 lockdown, when it became known that he was one of the few people who, along with Angella Kelly, the queens personal assistant and wardrobe manager, and the Duke of Edinburgh, were exempted from the social distancing restrictions and allowed near the monarch. He was also in the background on September 19, 2022, during the state funeral for Elizabeth II. Tall Paul could be seen walking behind the coffin in the procession to Westminster Abbey, just behind the queens family retinue.

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[June 27, 2023] FiscalNote Releases Second Annual Corporate Sustainability Overview for FY2022 Tweet

FiscalNote Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NOTE), a leading AI-driven enterprise SaaS technology provider of global policy and market intelligence, today announced the publication of its second annual corporate Sustainability overview, "Our Progress Toward a Sustainable Future: FiscalNote's Sustainability & Social Impact Efforts", which outlines related programs and efforts for the 2022 calendar year. FiscalNote's overview covers the following areas: Environmental Sustainability (including emissions and Scope reporting), Social Initiatives (including CSR & DEIBA), Governance (including ethics, privacy, and compliance), and the company's sustainability focus for 2023. In the 2022 overview, Tim Hwang, FiscalNote's Chairman, CEO, and Co-founder, states: "As we expand our offerings and equip our customers with AI-enabld workflow tools to manage their regulatory, geopolitical, and operational risk around the world, we continue to focus on empowering our customers to address and tackle their ESG priorities. Sustainability is of ever-growing interest to various stakeholders, and this overview demonstrates our ongoing progress in that area. Throughout our 2022 Sustainability Overview, we are pleased to demonstrate our commitment to creating lasting, positive change while also driving efficiency, value for our customers and shareholders, and innovation in our services."



The 2022 overview is accompanied by a Medium post from Gerald Yao, FiscalNote's Co-founder and Global Head of ESG, which provides more background about FiscalNote's sustainability efforts, available here. To access FiscalNote's 2022 Sustainability overview, please go here.

The Company's inaugural sustainability overview, covering 2021 and published in 2022, can be accessed here. About FiscalNote FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leading technology provider of global policy and market intelligence. By uniquely combining AI technology, actionable data, and expert and peer insights, FiscalNote empowers customers to manage policy, address regulatory developments, and mitigate global risk. Since 2013, FiscalNote has pioneered technology that delivers mission-critical insights and the tools to turn them into action. Home to CQ, FrontierView, Oxford Analytica, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote serves approximately 5,000 customers worldwide with global offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. To learn more about FiscalNote and its family of brands, visit FiscalNote.com and follow @FiscalNote. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230627540621/en/

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[June 27, 2023] Nerdio Recognized for Second Consecutive Year as Finalist of 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award Tweet

CHICAGO, June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nerdio today announced it has been named a finalist in the Commercial Marketplace category of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. Our investment in the Azure Marketplace continues to pay dividends in allowing us to scale and best support partners, customers, and organizations of all sizes, all over the world, said Joseph Landes, CRO and co-founder, Nerdio. Coming on the heels of significant product advances that go beyond virtual desktop management and allow organizations to unify, manage, and cost-optimize more of their native Microsoft investments  this years accomplishment and recognition is especially meaningful. The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. Nerdio was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in the global category of Commercial Marketplace. The Commercial Marketplace Partner of the Year Award recognizes a partner organization that excels at providing innovative and unique solutions via Microsfts commercial marketplace  either Microsoft AppSource or Azure Marketplace. In Nerdios case, both Nerdio Manager for Enterprise and Nerdio Manager for MSP can be installed directly from the Azure Marketplace.



Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards! said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year's winners demonstrate the best of whats possible with the Microsoft Cloud. The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the companys global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 18-19, 2023. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog. The complete list of categories, winners and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners .

### About Nerdio Nerdio adds value on top of the powerful capabilities in Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, and Microsoft Intune by delivering hundreds of features that simplify management, ensure efficient operations, and lower Azure compute and storage costs by up to 80% via automation. Leveraging Nerdio, MSPs can manage customers cloud environments through streamlined, multi-tenant, workflow-powered technology that allows them to create and grow cloud-based recurring revenues. Enterprise IT professionals can deliver and maintain a wide range of virtual Windows endpoints across hybrid workforces with ease and fine-tune end-user computing (EUC) approaches for maximum effectiveness using powerful monitoring and analytics capabilities. For more information, please visit www.getnerdio.com .

Haley Sullivan Nerdio [email protected]

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[June 27, 2023] Volpara recognized as the winner of 2023 Microsoft Healthcare & Life Sciences Partner of the Year Tweet

SEATTLE, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Volpara Health (ASX: VHT), a global leader in software for the early detection of breast cancer, today announced it has won the Healthcare & Life Sciences 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology. Of the awards, Teri Thomas, Volpara CEO and Managing Director, said: "We love our Microsoft partners and are so proud to be named Microsoft Partner of the Year in the Healthcare & Life Sciences category. We couldn't agree more with Microsoft that 'technology should be a force for global good' in the service of a brighter, more equitable future. This perfectly describes our collaboration with Microsoft to develop new methods of disease detection, enhance our security stance, and reach new markets, which in the end are all meant to improve people's lives. For this reason, we rely heavily on a partner as committed to the end goal as Microsoft." The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognize Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services, and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honorees chosen from a set of more than 4,200 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide. Volpara was recognized for providing outstanding solutions and services in Healthcare & Life Sciences. The Healthcare & Life Sciences Partner of the Year Award recognizes a partner organization that excels at providing innovative healthcare and life sciences services or solutions based on Microsoft cloud technologies, driving customer growth, transformation, and enhanced patient care. "Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2023 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards!" said Nicole Dezen, Chief Partner Officer and Corporate Vice President of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft. "The innovative new solutions and services that positively impact customers and enable digital transformation from this year's winners demonstrate the best of what's possible with the Microsoft Cloud."



In its mission to save families from cancer, Volpara Health hosts over 90 million mammograms on the Azure cloud, builds software on the Azure IoT platform, and protects sensitive information for more than 2,000 healthcare facilities with Microsoft Security. Last year, a team of Microsoft experts arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, to embark on a unique healthcare collaboration: the creation of a software product that detects and quantifies breast arterial calcifications (BAC), which can signal the presence of heart disease. Working alongside Volpara scientists and analysts, Microsoft provided guidance on using Microsoft's Azure Machine Learning platform to improve Volpara's BAC model and data processing. The project marked the beginnings of a new application of Volpara's AI-driven analysis of mammography and tomosynthesis images, one anticipated to enter the Microsoft Gold Partner into a new area of care and the US$146.4B cardiovascular disease market.

As part of the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program for the past seven years, Volpara is a managed independent software vendor (ISV), one of only 20 in New Zealand and the first to be recognized in the global Healthcare & Life Sciences category. In 2021, Volpara's innovative work in supporting healthcare providers was honored with its SaaS (Software as a Service) Award win at the Microsoft New Zealand Partner Awards. The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards are announced annually prior to the company's global partner conference, Microsoft Inspire, which will take place on July 1819 this year. Additional details on the 2023 awards are available on the Microsoft Partner blog:

https://aka.ms/POTYA2023_announcement. The complete list of categories, winners, and finalists can be found at https://partner.microsoft.com/en-US/inspire/awards/winners. About Volpara Health (ASX: VHT) Volpara Health makes software to save families from cancer. We help leading healthcare providers have a positive impact on communities around the world. They use Volpara solutions to better understand cancer risk, empower patients in personal care decisions, and guide recommendations about additional imaging, genetic testing, and other interventions. Our focus on customer value means that our AI-powered image analysis enables radiologists to quantify breast tissue with precision and helps technologists produce mammograms with optimal image quality. In an industry facing increasing staffing shortages, our software streamlines operations and provides key performance insights that support continuous quality improvement. Volpara is a Certified B Corporation and holds the most rigorous security certifications and numerous patents and regulatory registrations, including FDA clearance and CE marking. Since listing on the ASX in April 2016, Volpara has raised A$132 million. Volpara is based in Wellington, New Zealand, with an office in Seattle. For more information, visit www.volparahealth.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volpara-recognized-as-the-winner-of-2023-microsoft-healthcare--life-sciences-partner-of-the-year-301864834.html SOURCE Volpara Health

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[June 27, 2023] RED DOOR COMMUNITY, FORMERLY GILDA'S CLUB NYC, CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING SUCCESS OF ANNUAL CELEBRATING WOMEN LUNCHEON Tweet

Healthcare Industry Leaders Jo Natauri and Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez Presented with Prestigious Red Door Award for Leadership At This Year's Luncheon NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Door Community, formerly the founding Gilda's Club New York City, proudly hosted its highly anticipated 15th Anniversary Celebrating Women Working & Living with Cancer Benefit Luncheon on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 at the prestigious Metropolitan Club in New York City raising nearly $550,000. This extraordinary event brought together 200+ professionals representing a diverse range of industries, including biopharmaceutical, investment banking, legal, advertising, and cosmetic, among others. The luncheon served as a powerful platform to celebrate women living with cancer and their remarkable achievements, while supporting Red Door Community's free comprehensive cancer support program for cancer patients and their families, delivered through both virtual and in-person programming. This year, Red Door Community was privileged to honor two exceptional leaders in the healthcare industry. Jo Natauri, Partner and Global Head of Healthcare Private Investing at Goldman Sachs, and Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Community and Population Health at Northwell Health, received the prestigious Red Door Award for Leadership for their steadfast dedication in challenging barriers faced in the healthcare industry and for helping to make a difference in the lives of others. Jo Natauri, Partner and Global Head of Healthcare Private Investing at Goldman Sachs and Red Door Award for Leadership Honoree, expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am truly honored to have been selected to receive the Red Door Award for Leadership. It is so special to be recognized by an organization that has so much meaning to me personally and in front of so many people who have loved and supported me through my own journey with cancer. I wated to share my story today because it is the reason I connect so deeply and personally to this organization, Red Door Community. As a cancer patient, you feel so alone and isolated... that this 'thing' is happening to you and no one else. Psychological and emotional support, creating a sense of community which enables strength and hope is as important as the actual medical treatment itself. There is significant clinical data supporting the positive impact of such care to patient outcomes. This aspect of cancer care is often overlooked, which is why the mission of organizations like Red Door Community is so important."



The 2023 Celebrating Women Luncheon exceeded all expectations, becoming the most successful Benefit Luncheon in the history of Red Door Community. The resounding success of this event was made possible by the unwavering support and generosity of all the event's sponsors and supporters, especially the Luncheon's Red Door Benefactor Sponsor, Goldman Sachs. Their commitment to Red Door Community's mission and incredible generosity in helping RDC expand its free cancer support program will truly have a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals. Reflecting on the success of the luncheon, Red Door Community member Krista shared her personal experience, stating, "you don't know how much you need a place like Red Door Community until you really need a place like Red Door Community. That's why it's incredibly important to me that we continue to raise awareness and support for Red Door Community - so that this incredible organization can continue to support people like me, living with cancer, free of charge. When you support Red Door Community, you are helping them make someone's life a little better, a little easier, a little more hopeful, and you can't put a price on that."

Red Door Community CEO, Lily Safani, emphasized the organization's commitment, saying, "Red Door Community has been around for 28 years. And the reason we are still here is one word  cancer. Unfortunately, cancer is not going away. And neither is Red Door Community. We are committed to helping cancer patients and their families learn to live with cancer, whatever the outcome. In a nutshell, that means we provide 960 support groups, 820 educational lectures and workshops, and 300 individual counseling sessions annually and growing each year. All 100% free of charge for adults, teens, and children." The Celebrating Women Living & Working With Cancer Luncheon was hosted by Gerri Willis, Anchor and Correspondent of Fox Business Network. Her captivating presence and dedication to raising awareness for Red Door Community's free cancer support program added an exceptional touch to the event. Sebastian Clarke, Appraiser from Antiques Roadshow, lent his expertise as the auctioneer, creating an engaging atmosphere of generosity that contributed to the event's overall success. Through the collective efforts and generous contributions of attendees, sponsors, partners, and their Board of Directors, Red Door Community solidified its commitment to its free cancer support program. By reaching more people, in more places, and in more ways than ever before, Red Door Community is determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families. At Red Door Community, no one faces cancer alone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever. About Red Door Community: Red Door Community, formerly known as Gilda's Club New York City, is a leading cancer support organization whose mission is to create a welcoming community of FREE cancer support to bring knowledge, hope, and empowerment to anyone and everyone impacted by cancer and their families including adults, teens and children. CONTACT:

Alexandra Bestick

Marketing & Communications Manager - Red Door Community

303-501-4508

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-door-community-formerly-gildas-club-nyc-celebrates-record-breaking-success-of-annual-celebrating-women-luncheon-301864902.html SOURCE Red Door Community

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[June 27, 2023] Celebrating MSME Day with Alibaba.com: Helping Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Build Bridges and Break Barriers in Global Trade Tweet

Leading B2B e-commerce platform celebrates results from Fiscal Year 2023 and continues to offer comprehensive solutions for MSMEs to seamlessly participate in global B2B trade NEW YORK, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group (AIDC), today celebrates Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Day, first designated six years ago by the United Nations to honor the crucial role played by MSMEs in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contributions of MSMEs to the global economy. "MSMEs are the backbone of many economies worldwide, and Alibaba.com's efforts to help them connect and trade globally are significant," said Annabel Sykes, E-commerce and SME digital transformation advisor at the International Trade Center (ITC), in a recent webinar session with Alibaba.com. "The digitalization of trade is a game-changer and can help MSMEs tap into new markets and grow their businesses. Alibaba.com is a strong partner in this journey." Helping MSMEs access global supply chains and become micro-global companies

During FY2023 (April 2022-March 2023), Alibaba.com brought together more than 40 million MSMEs worldwide, creating an extensive network of buyers and sellers. This enabled a substantial portion of these MSMEs to evolve into micro-global enterprises. "About 80-90% of my sales on Alibaba.com are allowing other global businesses create private labels for resale elsewhere  enabling me to reach businesses beyond the U.S.," says Shirley Cheung, founder of Envydeal, a manufacturing and distribution/wholesale business in the U.S. that uses Alibaba.com as a platform for developing long-term relationships with customers. "When I first founded my business, I initially thought I would create a B2C (business-to-consumer) supplement business, but quickly realized my primary strengths in business were in creating a successful B2B operatin by leveraging Alibaba.com's global tools."



Giving MSMEs an added layer of security when sourcing global products

Alibaba.com's Trade Assurance service has safeguarded over 16 million orders globally, protecting each stage of the purchase process when buyers transact and make payments on Alibaba.com. Trade Assurance is a free-to-use service Alibaba.com provides to MSMEs using their platform for sourcing, designed to help foster trust between buyers and suppliers. The escrow service, in particular, offers MSMEs security and peace of mind during a period of time in which many small businesses are facing challenges from disruptions to their global supply chain. Helping MSMEs transact globally by breaking the language barrier in B2B trade

Alibaba.com's "LIVE" function, which enables buyers and suppliers to interact in real time despite language barriers, is an increasingly important tool for MSMEs to transact efficiently and effectively. "LIVE" viewers in German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic increased by 166% year-on-year in March 2023  a clear indicator that direct communication is gaining momentum in global B2B sourcing.

As a global procurement hub, to better facilitate communication, Alibaba.com has also rolled out real-time auto translation for 13 languages when buyers and sellers communicate in the chat box function of the app and website. Offering MSMEs direct support through the Manifest Grants Program

Since its launch in 2021, the Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program has attracted more than 27,000 applications from start-up business owners  69% women, 90% BIPOC (Black Indigenous and People of Color)and 12% people with disabilities. As part of the Manifest Grants Program, Alibaba.com has provided dozens of small businesses with a total of $1.25 million in financing and logistics service support. Alibaba.com also equips MSMEs with the necessary tools, resources and guides to be successful, and has offered a robust curriculum of live and recorded professional seminars to help MSMEs grow into more impactful and sustainable businesses. "Alibaba.com has been instrumental in our journey and in meeting our goal of simplifying the sourcing process so we can focus on product innovation and business success," said Amanat Anand, founder of SoaPen and one of 50 recipients of the 2022 Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program. "In our second year of sales, we have been able to build a robust business by pinpointing the right sourcing partners. My advice to entrepreneurs and MSMEs seeking to grow is that embracing the right platform can truly revolutionize previously complex and time-consuming tasks to scale your business with world-class operational efficiency." For more information regarding Alibaba.com and its resources for MSMEs or to set up a press interview, please contact [email protected]. About Alibaba.com

Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce that serves buyers and suppliers from over 190 countries and regions around the world. It is engaged in services covering all aspects of commerce, including providing businesses with tools that help them reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers discover products, find suppliers and place orders online fast and efficiently. Alibaba.com is part of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celebrating-msme-day-with-alibabacom-helping-micro--small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-build-bridges-and-break-barriers-in-global-trade-301864991.html SOURCE Alibaba.com

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[June 27, 2023]

First Regional Energy and Resource Tables Collaboration Framework for Accelerating a Low-Carbon Economy Released

VANCOUVER, BC, June 27, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia (B.C.), and the First Nations Leadership Council are working together to build a net-zero economy and create good, middle-class jobs across British Columbia.

The Canada British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Tables (B.C. Regional Table) is the primary forum for this collaboration. The Regional Energy and Resource Tables are partnerships between the federal government and individual provinces and territories, in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, to align efforts and seize key economic opportunities enabled by the global shift to net zero. These Tables seek robust input from partners including industry and labour.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Josie Osborne, B.C. Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation; Robert Phillips, Political Executive, First Nations Summit; and Chief Don Tom, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, announced a groundbreaking Collaboration Framework outlining key areas of collaboration and a range of action items to be pursued. Minister Wilkinson also announced over $100 million in federal and provincial investments to advance British Columbia's low-carbon economy.

The British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Table: Framework for Collaboration on the Path to Net Zero (Collaboration Framework) identifies six strategic areas of opportunity that have the potential to contribute significantly to building a prosperous economy in an increasingly low-carbon world: clean fuels/hydrogen, electrification, critical minerals, forest sector, carbon management technology and systems, and regulatory efficiency.

The Collaboration Framework is the first of its kind to emerge from the nine Regional Tables launched to date. It lays out a long-term vision for building an inclusive and prosperous net-zero future in British Columbia.

Central to the B.C. Regional Table is an acknowledgment that the integration of First Nation perspectives is critical to realizing a low-carbon economy that is grounded in respect, recognition and reconciliation, and that First Nations are full participants and beneficiaries. This approach will also align with Canada and British Columbia's adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Canada and B.C. have agreed to:

work with First Nations, and with the participation of industry, on an approach to accelerate the regulatory and permitting processes for clean growth projects in a manner consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act ;

; advance intra-provincial clean electricity infrastructure with a particular focus on the North Coast; and

advance the Equal by 30 campaign, which B.C. has committed to join.

As part of the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia's commitment to build a competitive and clean economy, the Collaboration Framework is complemented by initial federal and provincial investments of over $100 million that include:

Up to $48.7 million to support production projects and feasibility studies related to hydrogen and other clean fuels from Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) Clean Fuels Fund . This includes $14.4 million for Andion and Semiahmoo First Nation's Renewable Natural Gas Facility and $10.5 million for EverGen Infrastructure Corp.'s Pacific Coast Renewables RNG Expansion Project.

to support production projects and feasibility studies related to hydrogen and other clean fuels from Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) . This includes for Andion and Semiahmoo First Nation's Renewable Natural Gas Facility and for EverGen Infrastructure Corp.'s Pacific Coast Renewables RNG Expansion Project. A $15 million contribution from the Strategic Innovation Fund for AVL Fuel Cell Canada Inc. to support a portfolio of innovative hydrogen fuel cell technologies and world-class engineering solutions for customers in the global transportation sector.

contribution from the for AVL Fuel Cell Canada Inc. to support a portfolio of innovative hydrogen fuel cell technologies and world-class engineering solutions for customers in the global transportation sector. Up to $10.8 million from NRCan's Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities program to support capacity building, demonstration projects and feasibility studies in rural, remote and Indigenous communities to reduce their reiance on diesel through renewable energy projects, enhanced energy efficiency, and local skills and capacity building.

from NRCan's to support capacity building, demonstration projects and feasibility studies in rural, remote and Indigenous communities to reduce their reiance on diesel through renewable energy projects, enhanced energy efficiency, and local skills and capacity building. More than $12.3 million for projects, research and development, and promotional activities to strengthen the provincial forest sector's competitiveness and sustainability while encouraging greater use of wood in non-traditional construction.

for projects, research and development, and promotional activities to strengthen the provincial forest sector's competitiveness and sustainability while encouraging greater use of wood in non-traditional construction. Over $6.7 million for projects from the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways program to support clean energy projects and critical regional priorities, including capacity building, and feasibility studies to support Indigenous communities.







May 2, 2023

Through these collaborative efforts, we can position British Columbia to be a global energy and technology supplier of choice in a net-zero world, creating good jobs and lasting prosperity here at home.

Quotes

"The Regional Energy and Resource Tables initiative represents an important opportunity to foster and grow First Nations' participation in clean energy projects. This provides First Nations the opportunity to take a leading role in achieving a net-zero economy in the coming years, which is a critical step in addressing the climate crisis."

Robert Phillips

First Nations Summit Political Executive

"First Nations are disproportionately bearing the impact of the climate crisis and embrace clean energy initiatives that do not involve further extraction, transportation or production of fossil fuels. UBCIC is hopeful that the RERT will provide the opportunity to reshape the current energy landscape and drastically reduce GHG emissions."

Chief Don Tom

Vice-President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs

"The Regional Energy and Resource Tables are a novel initiative that allow us to seize the enormous economic opportunities associated with building a net-zero economy. I am pleased to launch the first Collaboration Framework under this initiative with the Government of British Columbia and look forward to deepening collaboration with First Nations partners."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources

"Our government knows that achieving our climate goals requires joint efforts. That's why we're looking forward to working with the British Columbia government, Aboriginal partners and industry on clean tech projects that will enable us to continue leading the way in tomorrow's green economy. The investment in AVL Fuel Cell Canada Inc.'s project in Burnaby will strengthen our economy by creating good jobs for Canadians while helping us achieve our reduction emissions goal."

The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"The way we develop our economy today will shape opportunities for future generations. By supporting projects that promote Indigenous economic growth and the development of sustainable natural resources and clean energy, we are building a prosperous future for British Columbians."

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan

Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan)

"British Columbians are on the frontlines of climate change and seeing its impacts on land, water, communities and people. Now is the time for all of us to work together as partners, government-to-government with First Nations and with the support of industry, labour and others to build a low-carbon economy that is powered by our province's clean energy and creates good, sustainable jobs for people."

The Honourable Josie Osborne

British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation



"It is through collaboration with all levels of government, Indigenous organizations and stakeholders that we are able to understand and act on the opportunities in our resource and clean energy sectors. This new framework aligns with B.C.'s StrongerBC Economic Plan, which is designed to meet the challenges of our time by achieving two big goals  clean and inclusive growth  to create a more prosperous and sustainable British Columbia today and for generations to come. It addresses today's challenges by closing the skills gap for people and businesses, building resilient communities and helping businesses and people transition to clean-energy solutions."

The Honourable Brenda Bailey

British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

"Today's agreement demonstrates how important it is, and what we can get done for people, when all of us collaborate to address the climate crisis. By working together, we are ensuring British Columbia continues to be a leader in North America and creating clean and healthy community economies for people now while protecting our environment for our children and grandchildren."

The Honourable George Heyman

British Columbia Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy



"British Columbians care deeply about our forests and the many benefits they provide. A strong value-added sector, including a thriving bio-economy industry, means getting more sustainable, family-supporting jobs for every tree while reducing carbon emissions from wood sources and promoting the healthy forests so vital in the fight against climate change. We are committed to fostering innovation and collaborating with First Nations, workers, industry and all levels of government to create a stronger, more sustainable forest economy, prioritizing ecosystem health and community resiliency."

The Honourable Bruce Ralston

British Columbia Minister of Forests

"The operating and performance requirements of a hydrogen fuel cell in light-duty vehicles, like those we drive every day, is very different from what's needed for aviation, marine and trucking applications. At AVL FCC, we custom design, engineer and test fuel cell stacks and systems across applications for customers developing and commercializing products. We are proud to be part of Canada's thriving hydrogen sector and are grateful for this investment that supports our efforts to reimagine motion for a greener, safer, better world of mobility."

Jose Rubio, Managing Director

AVL Fuel Cell Canada

Quick Facts

Related Information



Regional Energy and Resource Tables

British Columbia Regional Energy and Resource Table: Framework for Collaboration on the Path to Net Zero

What we heard: Summary of May 2nd presentations

Regional Tables Launched to Collaboratively Drive Economic Opportunities in a Prosperous Net-Zero Future

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan )

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
A war of words has emerged in the ongoing legal fight over the conviction of a former KCPD detective.

Here's what our blog community can offer outside of the mainstream discourse . . .

There's has been a low-key threat of violence and/or "community outrage" over a potential overturn of the first conviction of a Kansas City Police Officer in the modern era. Here at TKC we believe that kind of fear mongering is dangerous and politicized rhetoric that only speaks for the feelings of activists and not neighborhoods.

Of course there is sympathy and love from the family of Cameron Lamb.

However . . .

Nobody is going to riot for a guy who has been dead for three years. That's just not the way the world works, even before social media shortened the attention span of the American public to that of a goldfish.



Accordingly . . .

This is a boring political and legal discussion and probably not something that resonates as much with the plebs as local activists mistakenly contend.

None of this is to say that the proceedings aren't important and critical to a POLICY DEBATE going forward.

Accordingly, here are the main points . . .



"The evidence credited by the trial court did not support the convictions entered by the trial court," Bailey wrote. "DeValkenaeres use of force was reasonable in light of Mr. Lambs use of deadly force against Schwalm, and the court erred as a matter of fact and law in determining that Schwalm and DeValkenaere were the initial aggressors. DeValkenaere also was not criminally negligentboth because he did not act with criminal negligence in causing Mr. Lambs death and because he reasonably used deadly force in defense of Schwalm. The Court should reverse DeValkenaeres convictions and order him discharged or order a new trial."



The local response . . .

Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker, whose office secured the conviction, said it was another case of overreach by Baileys office and an attempt to expand his power to that of judge in a move unprecedented in her 25-year legal career.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Missouri AG recommends overturning conviction of former KCPD detective Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is recommending that former Kansas City Police Department detective Eric Devalkenaere's conviction be overturned.

Missouri AG sides with DeValkenaere, asks for reversal of former KCPD officer's conviction In a highly unusual move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sided with convicted former Kansas City, Missouri, Police Det. Eric DeValkenaere in the state's response to his appeal.

'This is extremely distressing.' Prosecutor weighs in on AG brief of DeValkenaere case

Kansas City attorney reviews Missouri AG's call to reverse DeValkenaere's conviction John Picerno, a Kansas City area defense attorney, weighed on a brief filed by MO AG Andrew Bailey where called for former KCPD Det. Eric DeValkenaere's conviction to be reversed or for a new trial.

Developing . . .
A quick look at crime reporting, court cases and ALLEGED misdeeds. Along with some nicer news near the end of the compilation.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

New details revealed about carjacking, shootouts with Kansas City police Court documents detail allegations against a man accused of multiple carjackings and shooting at Kansas City police.

Blue Springs woman charged in deadly motorcycle crash Jackson County prosecutors charged a Blue Springs woman in a deadly motorcycle crash at Todd George Parkway and Leinweber Road in Lee's Summit.

Kansas Appeals Court overturns conviction in Wyandotte County sex crimes case over error A man convicted to consecutive "hard 40" sentences for sex crimes involving children had his conviction overturned earlier this month by the Court of Appeals in the State of Kansas.

Driver traveling 100 mph before deadly Merriam crash, court documents show Merriam police say a driver traveled 100 mph when he rear-ended a car at Antioch Road and Shawnee Mission Parkway, killing one and injuring one.

Jesse Eckes' children file wrongful-death lawsuit against Jerron Lightfoot The children of Jesse Eckes, the pedestrian who was killed in the Feb. 15, 2023, crash that also killed a KCPD officer and his K-9 partner, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Jerron Lightfoot.

Bonner Springs road reopens after report of explosive The Kansas City, Kansas bomb squad helped Bonner Springs after someone reported an explosive device that turned out to be an inert mortar round.

Olathe police providing wheel locks to Kia and Hyundai car owners vulnerable to theft Olathe, Kansas, is joining the growing list of cities providing anti-theft measures to owners of specific car models

Kids outnumber adults at KC domestic violence shelters. Can they break cycle of violence? In 2022, 56% of Kansas City area domestic violence shelter residents were children - about 140 more kids than adults.

5 surgeries later, an Excelsior Springs police officer is back on duty after being shot After nine months of recovery and plenty of doctor visits, officer Andrew Stott is returning to work

Memorial bench honoring fallen KCPD officer James Muhlbauer installed at Trail of Heroes A memorial bench honoring fallen Kansas City, Missouri, police officer James Muhlbauer was installed at the Trail of Heroes.

Developing . . .
Just a bit more follow-up . . .

In the afternoon, the newspaper came out and wrote what KICK-ASS TKC COMMENTERS had noted on Sunday . . . Sketchy after-hours parties played a role in this tragedy.



Here are the basics and links to more info . . .



"A Kansas City police spokesperson said detectives identified one other person who was shot Sunday in the incident and arrived at a local hospital. That brings the number of surviving shooting victims to six -- and the total number of people struck by gunfire to nine. "



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

9 victims were shot outside Kansas City auto shop known for informal parties, police say Sunday's shooting that left three dead and six wounded happened outside Perfect Touch Auto Detail, which was established on Prospect Avenue in 2014.

Kansas City man charged in shooting that killed 3 at 57th, Prospect A Kansas City man faces charges in connection to a Sunday shooting that left three people dead near 57th Street and Prospect Avenue.

Police identify names of 3 victims killed in Sunday mass shooting in Kansas City; number of victims rises to 9 Kansas City, Missouri, police have identified the three victims that were killed in a mass shooting early Sunday morning at E. 57th Street and Prospect Avenue.

Initial charges filed in 57th and Prospect shooting that killed 3, wounded 6 in Kansas City More charges are expected later this week, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office.

Developing . . .
Hottie Lindsay is a biz lady, fashion leader and our inspiration for today's peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check www.TonysKansasCity.com news gathering . . .

Another Local Garbage Agreement

Kansas City says no to landfill for now "It kicks the can down the road,"

The Dotte Fights Car Crime

KCK Police distributing free anti-theft wheel locks to Kia owners You can qualify for a free wheel lock if you live in Kansas City, Kansas and own one of several Kia models.

KCMO Open Season Redux

Can you set off fireworks in your city? Depends on where you live. Check out the list below for the several municipal ordinances in the Kansas City area.

Diva Double Take

Playboy babe Lindsey Pelas 'transforms into Pamela Anderson' for red hot shoot US model Lindsey Pelas looked just like Baywatch icon Pamela Anderson as she posed up a storm for the collaboration with Colombian photographer Peranza in a sexy shoot

Progressive Double Standard?!?

Nothing to see here: Democrats ignore alleged Biden corruption Congressional Democrats are ignoring the growing evidence surrounding President Biden and his family's alleged corruption by voting against transparency.

MAGA On The Record

Exclusive: CNN obtains the tape of Trump's 2021 conversation about classified documents | CNN Politics CNN has exclusively obtained the audio recording of the 2021 meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey, where President Donald Trump discusses holding secret documents he did not declassify.

Nobody Beats The Don

'Ego, pure delusion and fantasy': How the 2024 GOP field got so big The hottest club in GOP politics right now is the party's presidential primary.

Euro Fight Featured

There Are Fancy Ukrainian Brigades-Then There's The 31st Mechanized. The Unassuming Unit Just Pulled A Daring Maneuver. The Ukrainian army's 31st Mechanized Brigade this weekend liberated the village of Rivnopil in southern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast.

Meet The New Boss

China owns 380,000 acres of land in the U.S. Here's where Chinese companies and individuals own farmland across America. But lawmakers in Washington are pushing to block any purchases that could be connected to the Chinese Communist Party.

Getting In Off Her Chest

I have 42H boobs - people moan my breasts are 'always out' but I'm not a nun A BUSTY woman has admitted that people complain that her breasts are supposedly always out, but she can't help it. She boasts a 42H bust and declared that she's definitely not a nun. Pl...

Historic Wins Calculated



Ranking Kansas City Chiefs coaches by most career wins text 1. Hank Stram (124) Former Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt is credited with a lot of brilliant ideas and one of those concerned the decision for who should lead hi

Warm Up On The Way

FORECAST: Intense heat to return by Wednesday It won't be overly humid on Tuesday, but we will be a few degrees warmer. We really crank up the heat on Wednesday.

Loud Luxury x Two Friends feat. Bebe Rexha - If Only I is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
On the night of December 14, 1977, three members of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo human rights organization  Azucena Villaflor, Esther Ballestrino de Careaga and Maria Eugenia Ponce de Bianco  were thrown alive into the sea from a Skyvan PA-51 military plane. The brutal Argentinean dictatorship, which first disappeared their children then kidnapped those mothers who were searching for them, tortured them, and tried to dispose of their bodies on a death flight. Along with Villaflor, Ballestrino and Ponce de Bianco, French nuns Alice Domon and Leonie Duquet and seven other victims were also murdered that night. The Skyvan, located in the United States thanks to a journalistic investigation, has now been repatriated to Argentina after almost three decades out of the country. It will be transferred to the former Higher School of Mechanics of the Navy (ESMA), which hosted the largest clandestine detention center of the military regime, as a symbol of the horrors of the dictatorship (1976-1983).

We have mixed emotions, says Cecilia de Vincenti, Villaflors daughter, standing in front of the Skyvan in the military sector of Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires. On the one hand, something that we have wanted to happen for many years has come true, but on the other hand it triggers feelings of sadness, pain and despair, because if we could change history we would, but unfortunately we cant.

De Vincenti poses for the cameras with Mabel Careaga, Esther Ballestrinos daughter. From time to time, they embrace. Both turn their backs on the sinister plane, the last place their mothers were alive, after having spent almost a week in custody at ESMA. When we found out what had happened to them, we couldnt believe it; we couldnt believe there was so much evil, Careaga says.

Cecilia de Vincenti, daughter of Azucena Villaflor, in Buenos Aires. JUAN MABROMATA (AFP)

The 12 victims of the founding nucleus of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo collected funds at the doors of the Santa Cruz Church to pay for an advertisement in the newspaper La Nacion, which listed the names of 804 missing persons. They were targeted by Navy Captain Alfredo Astiz, who had pretended to be the brother of one of the disappeared and had gained their trust. Astiz singled out those that were to be kidnapped and passed the information to the military authorities.

The aircraft was located by investigative journalist Miriam Lewin, together with Italian photographer Giancarlo Ceraudo, 15 ago in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At the time, it was part of the fleet of a U.S. postal company. Ceraudo inspected its interior and photographed the fateful plaque: Tailgate operation. Not to be opened during flight except on captains orders. The mechanism to activate it was on the co-pilots side, one of the pieces of evidence presented to the Argentinean judiciary, which in 2017 sentenced the two pilots on that flight, Mario Daniel Arru and Alejandro Domingo DAgostino, to life imprisonment.

Lewin, who survived the ESMA, was with Ceraudo in Fort Lauderdale but stayed as far away from the Skyvan as she could. When she saw the plane land in Buenos Aires, she wept, as did many of those who contributed to its recovery. She believes its significance will be key for new educating new generations, who did not experience the military regime firsthand, and as physical proof against denialist discourse. In this era of the rise of denialism, it is very important to have a material manifesto of the evil and the refinement of the methods used to dispose of the bodies of the disappeared. Not only did they want to disappear people, but they wanted to guarantee, without any margin for error or doubt, that their bodies could not be found, says Lewin.

Mabel Careaga, daughter of Esther Ballestrino. JUAN MABROMATA (AFP)

The sea, though, did not swallow up the bodies of the founders of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, but washed them up on the coast of Santa Teresita, almost 350 kilometers (217 miles) south of Buenos Aires. A forensic report indicated that they had fractures compatible with a fall from height, but no investigation was opened. They were buried as NN (unidentified corpses) in a local cemetery and remained there until 2005, when the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team exhumed the remains and confirmed their identities. Their relatives, who were able to properly mourn after the operation, pushed for the purchase of the Skyvan, which was completed by the Ministry of Economy.

This plane must be at ESMA, as part of history, so that something like this will never happen again, said De Vicenti. Villaflor and Ballestrinis daughters participated in the official act to mark the recovery of the Skyvan on Monday, presided by Argentinean Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. It is incredible that there are those who deny what happened, said Kirchner during her speech, in which she said she was in favor of promoting a law against denialism similar to the one in force in Germany regarding Nazi crimes.

According to Argentine Naval Prefecture flight logs, the death flights took place at night and lasted between two and a half and three hours. The Skyvans made about 200 flights between 1976 and 1978. That of December 14, 1977, took off from Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires, located on the River Plate. The same plane landed last Saturday at the same place, closing the circle of one of the darkest chapters of Argentinean history.

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Today we notice outrage from our progressive friends and smart "stall ball" tactics from Missouri conservatives . . .

And all of should know that a referendum for abortion in Missouri has the potential to spark another game-changing "pro-choice" defeat in an overwhelming red state.

Translation: It happened in Kansas and Missouri GOP warn that voters are likely to make abortion rights part of the state's constitution.



Here's the word . . .



On Monday, Circuit Judge Jon Beetem said he agreed with Bailey that the appeal filed within 24 hours of the original order resulted in an automatic stay of his ruling. He added that the schedule set by the Missouri Supreme Court for an appeal of that order will bring a quick resolution.



That final decision may not come as fast as the ACLU of Missouri would like, Beetem noted, but it is speedy in court terms. The Supreme Court set oral arguments for July 18, and Beetem said he would expect a decision by the end of July.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Missouri Supreme Court to hear abortion petition dispute involving Bailey (The Center Square) - The Missouri Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments next month in a case disputing petitions to get an abortion rights measure on the ballot.

Citing appeal, judge declines to order Missouri AG to comply with order on abortion initiative * Missouri Independent A Cole County judge rejected a call from the ACLU of Missouri asking him to order the attorney general to comply with a court order.

'State sponsored violence against women's bodies': Reverend Taves on Missouri abortion ban Reverend Krista Taves is a Unitarian Universalist Minister in Missouri and long-time abortion rights activist. She joins Jen Psaki to discuss her advocacy for reproductive freedom and the lawsuit Revered Taves and other ministers joined when Roe v. Wade was overturned and Missouri's abortion ban took effect.

A year since the Dobbs decision, Missouri's abortion ban has far-reaching effects on health care Missouri was the first state to pass a near-total abortion ban after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. But advocates also say the decision has had spillover effects, sowing confusion over the legality of contraception and concern over doctors' discretion to provide emergency care.

Developing . . .
Suburban parents blame phones for their lackluster skills . . . Here's a glimpse at losing fight against media that can be solved with a little self-control and/or maybe by picking up a book instead.

Check-it . . .



The resolution, which is included on the boards agenda for June 26, would ask the attorneys to review litigation options against social media companies like Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and others.



The suit would recover damages suffered by the District as a result of social media companies engaging in deceptive practices by designing and promoting their products to attract and addict children

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Ambassador Vicente Muniz Arroyo (left); from the documentary, 'Mas alla del reglamento.' Instituto Mora

Vicente Muniz Arroyo, Mexicos ambassador to Uruguay from 1974 to 1977, had a message for his staff: Asylum seekers must first be given protection; the question of granting asylum shall follow in due course. The South American country was in crisis and he knew it was time to act. With Juan Maria Bordaberrys military-supported dictatorship in power, hundreds of regime opponents faced torture, imprisonment and even death. During his three years in charge of the Mexican Embassy, Muniz opened his home to around 400 people, processing safe-conduct permits and arranging flights that took hundreds of exiles to Mexico.

Growing up in Churintzio, a town in the Mexican state of Michoacan, his childhood home always welcomed visitors with open doors, showing kindness and generosity to anyone in need. In 1965, Muniz Arroyo arrived in Montevideo as Mexicos representative to the Latin American Free Trade Association (ALALC) after earning an economics degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In this role, Muniz successfully brokered key trade agreements between both nations. In 1974, he was appointed ambassador to Uruguay during one of the countrys darkest periods when the repressive dictatorship forced almost 10% of its citizens to flee the country.

The Southern Cone region saw the rise of guerrillas and dissidents who opposed the severe repression of national security policies often dictated by the White House. Simmering tensions soon led to a full-blown coup in the country. Two years later, in November 1975, Uruguay officially joined the Operation Condor, a military collaboration by Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay to persecute, disappear and torture their main enemy: communists. Uruguay legalized physical and psychological torture in addition to state terrorism. President Bordaberry faced growing unrest fueled by various opposition groups, particularly the National Liberation Movement (Tupamaros), an armed faction founded in 1963 with a mission to institute a new order through force. The U.S. government carefully monitored the situation, wary that the Cuban Revolution in 1959 could embolden radicalism that threatened its political and economic interests in the region.

Uruguyanas lived in fear amid the constant patrolling of security forces. Clara Emilia Puchet, a teacher and biologist from the city of Durazno, was one of the 400 people who was given shelter and protection by Ambassador Muniz. She was 16 years old when the coup happened. It was a terrifying time for the country. They could detain anyone for any reason. Being young and a student was a serious offense according to the regime, Puchet told EL PAIS. Her father, journalist Carlos Puchet, was the first person to seek asylum in the Mexican Embassy when his home was raided in October 1975. Carlos wasnt there at the time, but his wife, Emilia Anyul, and their two daughters, Clara and Ana, were home when the military seized the house for three days. We have visitors, Emilia told her husband by phone. That was the code to let him know the authorities were at the house. The journalist holed up in the ambassadors residence for over a month.

Clara Puchet, Emilia Anyul and Ana Puchet; Mexico City, 1976. Cortesia

In November 1975, Emilia, Clara, and Ana received an unexpected summons from Muniz. It was time for their father to leave for Mexico. Emilia and the sisters were surprised to hear from the ambassador that they too would have to go into exile, as their lives were in peril. At first, Emilia didnt see the need for such a drastic measure. She thought they could continue living their lives as normal, despite her husbands absence. The repression only intensified, said Clara. After my father left for Mexico, my sister was kidnapped and tortured. When my mother managed to get her out, we left our home and started moving from place to place to avoid detection. We were at a beach called Piriapolis, when people from the Mexican Embassy came to tell us that the army was coming after us and we had to seek refuge in the embassy right away. With nothing but the few belongings they had taken for a day at the beach, they headed to the ambassadors residence in Montevideo. They lived there for 65 days.

Arriving at the Mexican Embassy

Although Ambassador Muniz personally sought out a few people threatened by the regime, most of those he helped came to him seeking asylum. Jose Luis Blasina, an 87-year-old from Montevideo, was a trade unionist affiliated with the Uruguayan Socialist Party in the early 1970s. On the day of the coup, he was arrested and imprisoned for two months. As the repression escalated, Blasina was compelled to leave his spouse and children and seek asylum in the Mexican Embassy in September 1976. I felt like they were right on my heels, he told EL PAIS. I had to rush to the [Mexican] embassy, which I knew was the only one taking in people. The building was surrounded by military and police officers. I dont know how I got through  I caught them off guard for a moment.

The ambassador and his driver would take asylum seekers to his residence in his car, protected by diplomatic immunity. But with Blasina and three others in the car, the entrance to the ambassadors residence was blocked by a group of soldiers who commanded the driver to stop. Muniz ordered him to accelerate, forcing the soldiers to jump out of the way. The four asylum seekers arrived safely at their new home.

Jose Luis Blasina, in a photo provided by his family. Cortesia

At its peak, up to 200 people were living in the ambassadors official residence. Silvia Dutrenit, a historian from Montevideo who settled in Mexico in 1976, has written numerous accounts of Munizs efforts to protect people from the Uruguayan regime. Dutrenit left her homeland and eventually arrived in Mexico under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The historian says there isnt an exact record of how many Uruguayans sought asylum in Mexico, as many didnt follow the proper procedures to enter the country. According to Dutrenit, a distinguishing characteristic of the Uruguayans seeking asylum in Mexico was the time they spent in the Mexican Embassy in Montevideo. An astounding 95% had lived in Ambassador Munizs residence.

Dutrenit says that very few embassies opened their doors to people in danger, and the ones that did, like Colombia and Venezuela, took in very few people. But Muniz Arroyo was different. He welcomed everyone who came and didnt wait for official asylum requests. That sensitivity was one of his characteristics, along with his immense generosity and courage, said Dutrenit. In 2010, the historian directed Mas alla del reglamento (or, Breaking the Rules), a documentary about the diplomats life and the experiences of some of those who took refuge in his residence.

Jose Carlos Fazio Varela was born in 1948 in Montevideo. He was 24 when he left Uruguay alone, one night after security forces detained him for no cause. Like Dutrenit, he made it to Argentina where he sought help from the UNHCR. Juan Domingo Peron died in 1974 while Fazio was there, and then came the military coup led by Jorge Rafael Videla. Fazio realized he had to leave Argentina and finally arrived in Mexico on August 6, 1976, as a refugee. He was helped by a group of Uruguayan exiles, the Mexican consulate in Argentina and Ambassador Muniz, whom he later wrote about. As Mexicos Ambassador to Uruguay, he provided asylum to many persecuted individuals. He joins the esteemed ranks of Mexican diplomats, including Gonzalo Martinez Corbala, Luis I. Rodriguez, Gilberto Bosques and Isidro Fabela, who all upheld Mexicos creed that freedom is the greatest treasure of all.

Normalcy amid uncertainty

Thirty people were already taking refuge at the ambassadors residence when Clara Puchet arrived with her mother and sister. During their 65 days there, the number had risen to over 100. Apart from Uruguayans, the group also included exiles from Paraguay and Brazil. Muniz gave up his entire home to accommodate more people. Dozens of mattresses covered the floors at night and were put away in the morning to accommodate daily activities. Various work groups were organized for cleaning, cooking and teaching. Clara and her sister offered French classes, while others taught painting, music, history and computer skills. The house even had a makeshift school for the children. The goal was to establish normalcy amid the uncertainty.

Vicente Muniz offered everything he had to the asylum seekers. Gustavo Maza, the embassys First Secretary from 1973 to 1976, recalls in the documentary how the diplomat made his guests daily lives more bearable. He gave away his house, dishes, records, clothes, bed, sheets  everything. He was left with nothing, said Maza, adding that Muniz never submitted his expenses to the Foreign Ministry in Mexico for reimbursement. He paid for everything out of his own pocket.

A list of some of the people who sought asylum in the home of Ambassador Vicente Muniz Arroyo; from the documentary, 'Mas alla del reglamento.' Instituto Mora

No one could leave. The house was permanently guarded by Uruguayan security forces. Jose Luis Blasina remembers the constant fear of someone coming to take them away. Despite the hardship, the diplomats compassion made life easier for everyone. I was staying in this huge house with around 200 people. It was definitely a test, but we all managed to live together in harmony, he recalls. Muniz never missed a chance to celebrate. Whenever a child had a birthday, the ambassador threw a party complete with balloons, cake and presents. He even made sure every child received a gift during Three Kings Day festivities.

Whenever the Uruguayan government issued a permit for a refugee to leave the country, Muniz would throw a farewell party. They played Mexican music and served drinks, said Blasina. The ambassador always gave farewell gifts to those heading to Mexico. He not only escorted them to the airport but also boarded the plane to make sure there were no last-minute problems.

Vicente Muniz Arroyo (center) with asylum seekers in the ambassadors residence in Montevideo. Instituto Mora

The exiles traveled in groups to Mexico City, where the Ministry of the Interior received, interviewed and housed them temporarily in hotels. Clara Puchet clearly remembers how she felt the day they arrived in the Mexican capital. We arrived on March 26, 1976. I thought it was a very colorful and enormous city, especially for someone from Montevideo. Theres so many people in Mexico City  we had never seen crowds like that on the streets. In Uruguay, those crowds would only gather for demonstrations, said Puchet.

Vicente Muniz was removed as Ambassador to Uruguay in 1977. President Jose Lopez Portillo assigned the post to Colonel Rafael Cervantes Acuna, who terminated diplomatic asylum in the Mexican Embassy. Silvia Dutrenit says there was a strategy to end the open-door policy of Mexican embassies in South America.

The dictatorship in Uruguay lasted until March 1, 1985, when democracy was restored. After the announcement by President Julio Maria Sanguinetti of the amnesty law that freed 200 political prisoners, thousands of exiles like Blasina were able to return home. Carlos Fazio returned as a correspondent for Proceso, the Mexican news magazine founded by Julio Scherer. However, others like the Puchet and Dutrenit families chose to remain in the countries that gave them new lives.

A demonstration in memory of detained and disappeared people during the Uruguayan dictatorship; Montevideo, May 20, 2015. Matilde Campodonico (AP)

In 1987, Muniz returned to Uruguay as Mexicos representative to the Latin American Integration Association, a regional organization promoting socio-economic development. He lived in Uruguay until his death on August 23, 1992. There is a monument in his honor on Montevideos La Rambla Avenue, across from Plaza de la Armada. The plaque reads, Don Vicente Muniz Arroyo fiercely defended democracy and unwaveringly upheld the right of asylum, safeguarding freedom and saving countless lives of those persecuted during the dictatorship.

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The sound of heavy gunfire rang out in Kingstown, the capital of St Vincent last night and w
The Latvian government has decided to include Russia in the list of countries and territories with low or no taxation starting July 1, 2023.

That's according to Delfi, which cites the Latvian Ministry of Finance, Ukrinform reports.

In addition to Russia, the list of offshore jurisdictions also includes the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Ministry of Finance of Latvia urged taxpayers to pay special attention to transactions with persons located, established or registered in these countries and territories.

These countries have been added to the list of offshore jurisdictions because they do not cooperate with the European Union (EU) in the field of taxation. The EU updated the list on February 14, 2023.

Under the current regulations on low-tax or tax-free countries and territories, these are the territory of the United Kingdom of Anguilla, the territory of the United States of Guam, the territory of the United States of Samoa, the territory of the US Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Panama, the Independent State of Samoa, the Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Republic of Vanuatu.

As Ukrinform reported, the Latvian Foreign Ministry suspends acceptance of documents from Russian citizens for all types of visas starting June 26 due to the unpredictable internal political situation in Russia.
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.
The raid of Wagner units on Moscow clearly demonstrated the weakness of Putin's regime. The provision of security assistance to Ukraine, increased sanctions pressure, and decisive action by the international community will ensure Russia's defeat in the war against Ukraine and the democratic world.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba made a relevant statement at EUs Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"On Saturday evening, we saw not a final but only a break in another act of destruction of Putin's vertical. Russia gets weaker day by day. It is critically important now to provide Ukraine with all the necessary weapons, first of all, artillery systems, MLRS, rounds and missiles, to strengthen international sanctions in the areas of nuclear energy, digital technologies, the sale of diamonds, maritime logistics, and finance. We must also prevent Russia from launching missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, primarily through a global ban on the supply of dual-use goods for the Russian missile and drone industries," Kuleba said.

The minister urged the EU and the USA to speed up the process of training Ukrainian pilots and technicians and transfer of Western aircraft to Ukraine.

"All these steps together will allow us to liberate all Ukrainian territories," Ukraines top diplomat stressed.

He also welcomed the EU's decision to increase the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) which will help not only ensure stable supplies of military equipment for Ukraine but also develop the UkrainianEuropean alliance of defense industries. According to the minister, a special event will be held in Ukraine in the near future to initiate the creation of such long-term defense cooperation.

Finally, Kuleba told the European foreign ministers the story of two Ukrainian teenagers from Berdiansk, Tihran Ohannisian and Mykyta Khanhanov who gave their lives in the fight against the Russian occupation. "Ukraine will definitely win because it is defended by such Heroes as Tihran and Mykyta. Slava Ukraini!" the minister concluded his speech.

As reported, the Foreign Affairs Council meets in Luxembourg on June 26 to discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The logo of the Wagner Group  a skull at the point of a guns red viewfinder  was becoming popular on the streets of Russia until the mercenary group launched a rebellion last weekend. People as different as the manager of a cheap Moscow hostel, a young man from a posh gym and a mutilated man on the street were united by the symbol of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, and the new Russian alpha male who has challenged the Ministry of Defenses bombastic propaganda about the war in Ukraine. As the mercenaries marched towards the Russian capital on Saturday, they were met with applause from the people and the passivity of the armed forces.

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, Prigozhin said in an audio message on Monday. His survival  both politically and literal  presents a new threat to the regime. But Putin needs the mercenaries. One day after shaking Russia to its foundations, Wagner pins and T-shirts were back on sale in stores.

The consensus of the experts is that it is very likely that Aleksey Dyumin  Putins former bodyguard and current governor of Tula  will become the new Defense Minister and General Sergey Surovikin will become the Chief of the General Staff, said Sergei Markov, a former Putin adviser who is very close to the Russian president, on Monday. Current Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is in such a weak position that even Russian pro-war channels argued that a video of him reportedly making his first public appearance since the uprising was recorded days earlier. But the dismissals will not happen immediately so that it is not thought that Shoigu and [Valery] Gerasimov  the current Chief of the General Staff  were dismissed at the request of the rebel, adds Markov.

Infighting within the Russian armed forces came to the fore after early setbacks in the fall of 2022, when Ukraine recaptured parts of Kharkiv and Kherson. Surovikin was promoted to sole commander of the offensive to the applause of Prigozhin and the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, whose Praetorian Guard-type force, known as The Kadyrovtsy, has also played a key role in the war. But the joy was short-lived: in January, Shoigu appointed Gerasimov as Chief of the General Staff to the detriment of Surovikin.

The failed rebellion has also revealed the doubts of many figures close to the Kremlin. The Chechen leader took more than half a day to publicly declare himself in favor of Putin, while Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of the Russia Today media outlet and until recently a fervent fan of Wagner, explained on Monday that she was not aware of what was happening because she had been on a boat on the Volga river.

The Kremlins strategy against Prigozhins rebellion was to appeal for unity in support of the president. On Monday, lawmakers called for blind support for Putin, while other sectors backed the message. In difficult times, the loyalty of the Russian people to its leaders has always helped us, a radio presenter on Last.FM read out dispassionately at the request of music producers. Last.FM happens to be a radio station that is heard at all hours in taxis throughout the country.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (r) and Yevgeny Nikiforov, the commander of the Western Military District, in a military helicopter. Associated Press/LaPresse

Wagner shows it is indispensable

Prigozhins paramilitaries had been described as mere cannon fodder, as soldiers who are sent in for suicide missions. But the debate about whether Wagner Group should be dismantled or not shows that Prigozhin may still have an ace up his sleeve. Andrey Kartapolov, the head of the Defense Committee of Russias lower house, the State Duma, defended the existence of Wagner despite presenting a bill that regulates mercenary companies.

Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin said that children are not responsible for the actions of their parents. The person who started the rebellion must answer [...] Wagner is the best trained unit in Russia, and even the armed forces recognize it. Its difficult to imagine a better gift for NATO and the Ukrainians than to disarm them, Kartapolov said Monday, justifying that his new law requires a laborious study that could be delayed until the fall. Its a curious legal move, given that mercenary groups have been prohibited by law since before Wagner was even founded.

The Ministry of Defense, however, is in favor of disarming the mercenaries. Other influential figures in Russian politics have supported this position. Politician and former Soviet soldier Viktor Alksnis, who is known as The Black Colonel, reminded the State Duma that they only recently approved a law that sentences people to up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the Wagner Group. There cannot be two (three, four, etc.) armies in one state! All military contractors and other armed formations must be banned and disarmed! he wrote on Telegram, where he pointed out another threat: I wonder what President Putin will do now with Kadyrovs Chechen army, which has more than 70,000 bayonets.

Another influential Putin adviser, Vladislav Surkov, also backed the call to disarm Wagner. In Russia, it is impossible to have a private nuclear power plant. How about a private assault division? Why? These private armies have only emerged in Russia during times of unrest and the 1920 Civil War, he said in an interview with political scientist Alexei Chesnakov. Why do we need them [Wagner] now that we openly participate in the battle for Ukraine? he added in recognition that the mercenary group was used to hide the fact that the Kremlin was provoking the armed conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group military group. Associated Press/LaPresse (Associated Press/LaPresse)

The images of civilians cheering Prigozhins troops in Rostov-on-Don have sparked fear among the Russian elite, who are now aware of how popular the mercenary chief has become thanks to his criticism of Shoigu. The feared Russian internet vigilante, Roskomnadzor, immediately blocked access to Prigozhins posts on Vkontakte (VK) the Russian equivalent of Facebook  while the main online sales platforms, Ozon and Wildberries, hid Wagner merchandise during the rebellion and vowed to remove them completely in the near future.

The fear of supporting Wagner lasted little longer than Prigozhins aborted advance on Moscow. By Monday, Wildberries was offering 11,565 musician products on the platform. Wagner, the musicians the whole world knows was the slogan of a flag held up by a model surrounded by flames. The background featured a paramilitary armed with a violin, a rifle and a rocket launcher. Some of the other popular so-called musician products included car key rings, clothing emblems, machetes, and caps. Many of them were sold out, while delivery times were more than a week long.

Prigozhin has gained prominence in Russian due to his criticism of the military top brass. According to a survey by the independent sociological center Levada, for the first time in May, he was listed among the top 10 most-trusted political figures in Russia. The survey found that 4% of citizens trusted him, compared to 11% for Shoigu. Playing against Prigozhin are the crimes of his mercenaries. The most recent happened the same day as the rebellion: on June 23, three former mercenaries got drunk in the Russian city Kurgan and opened fire in an area of country houses. This time no one was hurt, which cannot be said for other similar incidents that have occurred in recent months.

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Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk was summoned to the Israeli Foreign Ministry after his recent criticism of the country's policies.

This was reported by The Jerusalem Post, according to Ukrinform.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Kornichuk has been summoned by the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry for a meeting on July 3 over his recent criticism of Israeli policies, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The meeting will be held with Aliza Ben Nun, the Head of the Strategic Affairs Directorate.

As reported, the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel called on the Israeli government to change its position on Russia and support Ukraine with defensive means in the fight against the aggressor.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country is in a special situation that differs from Poland, Germany, France or any of the Western countries that are helping Ukraine.

Read also: Blinken discusses Ukrainian issue with Israeli Foreign Minister

According to Netanyahu, Israel is also concerned that any systems provided to Ukraine will be used against them, as they could end up in Iran. In his opinion, the balanced way in which Israel is acting is the right way.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre have held a phone conversation.

The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

During the phone call with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre, I spoke about my trip to the frontline positions of Ukrainian troops in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, Zelensky wrote.

The parties discussed the current situation on the battlefield and daily steps to de-occupy Ukrainian territory.

I conveyed some of Ukraines defense needs, including artillery, the Head of State noted.

Additionally, Zelensky and Stre coordinated their positions on the eve of the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

President Zelensky also invited the Prime Minister of Norway to visit Ukraine.

I am grateful to Jonas Gahr Stre for the unwavering political, economic and defense support. In particular, for the latest military assistance package and Norways contribution to the fighter jet coalition, Zelensky added.

A reminder that Norway will provide military, humanitarian and civilian support to Ukraine, totaling NOK 75 billion, over a period of five years.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
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Published June 27, 2023

CAPTION: ULM President Dr. Ron Berry receives a ceremonial key from Lumen VP of Customer Success and Advocacy Stephanie Polk.

MONROE, Tuesday June 27, 2023  Lumen Technologies (NYSE:LUMN) and the University of Louisiana Monroe announced the donation of Lumens local campus to the university. In a departure from corporations selling their unused real estate after moving to remote or hybrid work, Lumen is gifting its property to the university in alignment with its ongoing commitment to both higher education and the Monroe community.

Hybrid work is the future. Lumen is embracing this work model for employee wellness and flexibility, stated Chris Stansbury, chief financial officer at Lumen. We continue to be committed to the hundreds of Lumen employees in the Monroe area, and were so excited to partner with ULM on investing in the future of this vibrant community.

The press conference announcing the donation was held in the current Lumen Technologies Center for Excellence, which will become the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus when the transaction is finalized on Saturday July 1, 2023. Williams was the founder of Lumen, then CenturyTel, and was a longtime supporter of ULM.

Lumens impact on our region and university has been remarkable since its humble beginnings in northeast Louisiana, offered Ron Berry, President of ULM. A special thanks to Lumen CEO Kate Johnson, Lumens board of directors, and the many amazing leaders who have made todays announcement possible. ULM looks forward to leveraging this historic gift to continue Lumens legacy while creating life-changing opportunities for our region.

Lumen is donating two of its campus buildings, totaling over 800,000 square feet. The company will also lease back around 52,000 square feet of office space from the university for in-person events and meetings.

This is the largest single donation ever received by ULM and among the largest received by any public university in the state of Louisiana.

The magnitude and significance of this gift is almost indescribable, indicated President Berry. Lumen is well known for their innovative solutions to some of societys biggest technological challenges. ULM is honored to use this campus to keep the spirit of innovation and advancement alive for generations to come.

I know that my father would be so honored to see his name attached to this Innovation Campus, said Carolyn Williams Perry, daughter of Clarke M. Williams. His heart was always with ULM, then Northeast Junior College of Louisiana State University, and so it is very fitting that his legacy will live on in this way.

Speakers at the press conference included Lumen Vice President of Customer Success and Advocacy Stephanie Polk, ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry, State Senator Stewart Cathey, Jr., City of Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, City of West Monroe Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell, Town of Sterlington Mayor Matt Talbert, Ouachita Police Jury President Shane Smiley, and Carolyn Williams Perry, daughter of Clarke M. Williams.

In addition to todays speakers, this endeavor is in the backyard of 5th District Congresswoman Julia Letlow, US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, State Senator Stewart Cathey, Jr., and State Representative Michael Echols. The regional reach is home to Senators Katrina Jackson, Jay Morris, Glen Womack, and Representatives Adrian Fisher, Foy Gadberry, Jack McFarland, Pat Moore, Neil Riser, Francis Thompson, and Chris Turner.

In addition to Lumen, The Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus will house a Cor Medical clinic. The campus will be a mixed-use commercial facility, with ULM recruiting companies to fill the space.





About Clarke M. Williams

Clarke M. Williams was the founder and chairman of the board of directors for CenturyTel, which eventually became Lumen Technologies.

Mr. Williams was a true visionary, both as a businessman and a citizen. He was also a humble man, determined to build a business based on fairness, honesty, integrity, commitment to excellence, positive attitude, respect, faith and perseverance. A long-time mayor of his hometown of Oak Ridge, Mr. Williams believed in serving others.

In 2002, Mr. Williams passed away at the age of 80.

Mr. Williams built a strong, enduring legacy both in his personal life and as an exceptionally successful business leader. He made countless contributions to his community and to the telecommunications industry.

His values and principles continue to live on through the many people he touched throughout his lifetime.

ULM is proud to honor the legacy of Mr. Williams in the naming of the new Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus.

About Lumen Technologies:

Lumen connects the world. We are dedicated to furthering human progress through technology by connecting people, data, and applications  quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Everything we do at Lumen takes advantage of our network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, and managed service capabilities, we meet our customers needs today and as they build for tomorrow. For news and insights visit news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies, and YouTube: /lumentechnologies.
South Africa: SA to participate in SACU Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday attend the 8th Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) Heads of State and Government Summit in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The President will lead a delegation comprising Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel; Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana and the South African Revenue Service Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.

The Presidents working visit at the SACU Heads of State and Government Summit is at the invitation of the current Chair of SACU, His Majesty King Mswati III and the iNgwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

The 8th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit will be preceded by the meeting of the Council of Ministers taking place on 27  28 June 2023.

According to the Presidency, the Council of Ministers meeting will reflect and update on the status of the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027, of which the Heads of State and Government will provide political and strategic guidance.

The SACU Strategic Plan 2022- 2027 - which will be in its first year of review since being adopted at the 7th SACU Heads of State and Government Summit - is centered on six pillars, namely Industrialisation, Export and Investment Promotion, Trade Facilitation and Logistics, Implementation and Leveraging of The AFCFTA Opportunities, Trade Relations/Unified Engagement with Third Parties, Finance and Resource Mobilisation and Effectiveness of SACU Institutions, the Presidency said.

Established in 1910, SACU is the oldest Customs Union in the world and has since its agreed new dispensation by its five members states (Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa) in 2002 assumed the status of an international organization, which facilitates compliance with the World Trade Organisation treaty in pursuit of its goal of regional economic integration.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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.

"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.
Dozens of American bison graze in the wide-open fields of El Carmen (Coahuila), a reserve of 140,000 hectares, roughly the same size as Mexico City. The countrys northern plains had not played host to the bison in 100 years, after decades of indiscriminate hunting and habitat destruction eradicated the animals. In 2021, following an initiative led by the Mexican multinational cement company Cemex, bison returned to the grasslands, where the soil stores huge amounts of carbon, making the region key to the fight against climate change. Initially, 19 bison were introduced at the reserve; today there are almost 100. The mammals daily routine makes it a perfect vehicle for regenerating grassland vegetation and sustaining hundreds of species that coexist with it.

The even pruning of the grasses [produced by the bison as they eat] helps to increase the diversity of plants on the ground. They also take care of the regeneration of ecosystems by carrying seeds from one place to another in their digestive tract and defecating them, explains Rurik List, a researcher in environmental sciences at the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) in Mexico City. The bison is a temperate animal, which unwittingly encourages other species to survive in the spaces it inhabits. Its considerable weight flattens the grassland in its path, an alteration that helps rodents such as the Mexican prairie dog, which requires short grass to be able to keep watch for predators.

Cemex carries out various different conservation initiatives to try to offset the impact of its operations. The company has more than 250 active quarries around the world, and tries to minimize its footprint from several perspectives: rehabilitating the sites they have exploited, preparing them before starting work to protect their biodiversity, and promoting spaces such as the El Carmen reserve, which Cemex became involved with 22 years ago. From the beginning, a series of studies were carried out to determine what was most appropriate at the reserve. An inventory of flora and fauna was taken to determine which conservation targets should be retained. And an analysis was done to determine the status of the habitat, says Alejandro Espinosa, director of the El Carmen reserve.

A young bison calf with its herd at Bull Hollow, Oklahoma, on September 27, 2022. The Cherokee Nation had a few bison on its land in the 1970s but they disappeared. It wasn't until 40 years later that the tribe's contemporary herd was begun. Audrey Jackson (AP)

1,000 kilos and a 14-kilometer stroll

The bison is the largest land mammal in North America: it can stand more than 1.6 meters tall and weigh well over 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). Espinosa finds the animals fascinating: Did you know that a bison can walk up to 14 kilometers [8.6 miles] a day? On its long walk, the bison scratches itself against the trees to relieve itself from flies. The hair it sheds is used by birds for their nests, again contributing to the conservation of other species.

Their passage through the grasslands helps to maintain the biodiversity of the area. They urinate and defecate. When they die, thats 1,000 kilos of fertilizer decomposing. They are also eaten by scavengers when they die and when they are alive, they are also consumed, occasionally by wolves, but more occasionally by grizzly bears and cougars. They are also a prey species, List explains.

The executive director of the U.S. National Bison Association, Jim Matheson, says the American mammals wild instincts are key: The bison was never domesticated and, as such, retains the innate herding instincts that make it the ideal ruminant to recover the North American grasslands.

A hidden lung on the plains

Cemex began rehabilitating the reserve with the help of environmental authorities, universities, scientists, and the support of the U.S. National Park Service. More than two decades later, the landscape is different. It was rare to see wide vegetation cover: there were a lot of rocks and the whole process of overgrazing had just passed. The place was divided into paddocks, with fences. One of the first actions taken was to open up the landscape [...] More than 20,000 hectares of grasslands that had been invaded by scrub were restored and after several years of work, we decided that it was time for native species of the area that grazed naturally grazed, says Espinosa. Bison were among those species, which were methodically selected. The company tried to select the purest specimens possible  for their survival, bison have previously been bred with cattle. The result was 19 bison (three males and 16 females) brought in from other areas of North America.

Grasslands are one of the planets hidden lungs. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) argues that these lands can store and capture a greater amount of carbon than forest ecosystems  up to 30% of the planets CO2. To these beneficial characteristics, List adds another: resistance to fires. Ninety percent of the carbon in the grasslands is under the soil. If there is a fire, 10% will be burned but 90% will remain, which, as soon as the rains come, will grow again, unlike forests such as those in the Redd+ program [dedicated to carbon storage], whose carbon reserves are released into the atmosphere when they burn.

The Mexican National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) estimates that grasslands can absorb up to 45 tons of carbon per hectare. The 140,000 hectares that make up the reserve can theoretically hold 6.3 million tons.

Iconic in the United States

This year, the Coahuila reserve witnessed the birth of its second generation of native offspring, further evidence of its settlement. So far, Espinosa has counted a total of 94 American bison. Conanp states that 300 years ago there were between 30 and 60 million bison in North America. By 1880, the population had been reduced to just over 1,000.

Matheson says that the IUCN Red List, which determines the danger of extinction among a wide range of species every five years, has downgraded bison. It has not been threatened with extinction for several years and the herd has proliferated on all interested fronts - private, agricultural, tribal and conservation - in recent years. I believe that the current bison herd is quite stable.

Bison, once an important source of food and furs for the native peoples of North America, has flourished on its return to the northern grasslands of Mexico. In just two years, its population has grown by more than 60 animals. You have bison, you have grasslands; you have grasslands, you have carbon in the soil. You lose the bison and you start to lose the grasslands, List concludes.

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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.

The development revived Black Louisianans optimism of creating a second majority-Black district in the Deep South state. For more than a year, there has been a legal battle over the GOP-drawn political boundaries, with opponents arguing that the map is unfair and discriminates against Black voters. The map, which was used in Louisianas November congressional election, has white majorities in five of six districts  despite Black people accounting for one-third of the states population.

White Republicans hold each of the five mostly white districts. A mostly Black district could deliver another congressional seat to Democrats.

Im super excited, Ashley Shelton, head of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, one of the groups challenging the maps, said following Mondays news. What this does is it puts us back on track to realize a second majority-minority district.

The order follows the courts rejection earlier in June of a congressional redistricting map in Alabama and unfreezes the Louisiana case, which had been on hold pending the decision 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 states challenged map to be used in last years 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, citing that 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 case on hold. The justices said that appeal now could go forward in advance of 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.

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 redistricting process in Louisiana proved to be a tense political tug-of-war, with the Republican-dominated Legislature and Democrats, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, fighting over the boundaries since February 2022. Along with the legal battle, the debate over the map was marked by Edwards vetoing the boundaries and the Legislature overriding his veto  marking the first time in nearly three decades that lawmakers refused to accept a governors refusal of a bill they had passed.

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Andrea Enria, the chair of the European Central Bank's supervisory board, wrote a letter to members of the European Parliament, urging their national lenders to exit Russia faster, US media reported Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) Andrea Enria, the chair of the European Central Bank's supervisory board, wrote a letter to members of the European Parliament, urging their national lenders to exit Russia faster, US media reported Tuesday.

"I have repeatedly and publicly expressed concerns about the disappointingly slow progress made by banks in reducing risks stemming from ongoing operations in the Russian market," Enria wrote in a letter seen by Bloomberg news agency.

Enria said the banks should "speed up their downsizing and exit strategies by adopting clear roadmaps" and regularly report to their management bodies and to ECB Banking Supervision on the execution of these plans.

Banks overseen by the ECB reduced their presence in Russia by 37% in 2022, Enria estimated. He said the European Union's bank was evaluating whether "further supervisory actions" were warranted for individual banks.

Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International, Hungary's OTP Group and Italy's UniCredit are some of the EU-based banks that have retained their Russia business.

Raiffeisen's CEO Johann Strobl said it would take until October to spin off the highly profitable business, which saw profits more than triple in the first quarter of 2023 to 301 million euros ($331 million).
Ishpingo, Ecuador, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jun, 2023 ) :A group of Indigenous Waorani women give a war cry warning that environmentalists are not welcome in their part of the Ecuadoran Amazon, where an oil field operates partly on a protected reserve.

"We will not allow 'kowori' (strangers)... to enter," said Waorani leader Felipe Ima, translating the belligerent words of the group of seven women from the Kawymeno community that supports oil extraction at the nearby Ishpingo field.

The community is pitted in a battle of wills against environmental group Yasunidos, which has been fighting for a decade for a referendum on leaving the oil underground.

In May, Ecuador's Constitutional Court allowed the request, and a plebiscite has been scheduled for August.

Escorted by a spear-wielding warrior, the women from Kawymeno hold hands and dance in little clothing and feather crowns at the entrance to Ishpingo A platform.

They demand that any consultation should be with "the owners" of the land, and not with anyone that is "not even from the territory," explained Ima.

In Ecuador, the Constitution recognizes Indigenous people's "collective ownership of land as an ancestral form of territorial organization." The State, however, maintains control over anything under the soil.

Ishpingo together with the nearby fields of Tiputini and Tambococha form the so-called ITT block, or block 43, which holds an estimated 282 million of the South American country's proven crude reserves of 1.2 billion barrels.

Extraction at Tiputini and Tambococha started in 2016 after years of fraught debate over whether to drill inside the Yasuni National Park.

This came after the government of then-president Rafael Correa failed to persuade the international community to pay former OPEC member Ecuador $3.6 billion not to exploit the ITT block to protect the Amazon and help curb climate change.

In April last year, the government announced pumping has also started at Isphingo.

At the site protected by women in the dense, green jungle, stands one of twelve platforms of the ITT block that contributed 57,000 barrels per day (bpd) to Ecuador's total production of 464,000 bpd from January to April.

It is in the Yasuni National Park -- a biosphere reserve that houses some 2,000 tree, 610 bird, 204 mammal, 150 amphibian and more than 120 reptile species, according to the San Francisco University of Quito.

The Waorani community of Kawymeno, a journey of about four hours by foot and canoe from Ishpingo, is near the border with Peru.

Its 400 inhabitants have declared themselves defenders of the oil activity and its windfalls they say make up for the absence of government services.

"If there were no oil industry, we would not... have had education, health, family welfare," says Panenky Huabe, leader of the village where many work in the oil sector.

Besides being among the most biodiverse areas on Earth, the million-hectare (2.5-million acre) Yasuni park is home to two of the world's last uncontacted Indigenous populations.

It also holds oil fields that started operating before the ITT block.

"We see how extraction has been besieging the Yasuni for many years, since the 1970s when exploitation began," Yasunidos lawyer and spokesman Pedro Bermeo told AFP.

"Basically, the (block) 43 is the only one with a part (of jungle) that remains to be saved," he said.

But the referendum has generated deep divisions even among the Waorani, whose 4,800 members own some 800,000 hectares of jungle in the provinces of Orellana, Pastaza and Napo.

In 2019, the Waorani of Pastaza won a historic court ruling that prevents the entry of oil companies on 180,000 hectares on their territory.

But at Ishpingo A in Orellana, oil worker Akao Yetebe -- also a Waorani -- insisted "we will continue working" because "black gold benefits big cities, teachers, education, health, everything." State-owned Petroecuador is authorized to operate on about 300 hectares of the Yasuni for its ITT block.

So far it has used about 80 hectares, generating $4.2 billion for the State -- some $1.2 billion in 2022 alone.

If the "Yes" wins in next month's referendum, "losses will be substantial," said Petroecuador manager Ramon Correa -- some $16.4 billion in projected income as well as jobs and investments already made.
MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) The priority security task for Belarus is prevention of escalation as tensions are already high, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.

"Your (security officials) priority, as well as (the priority of) all the people in uniform, is to take the necessary measures to prevent the escalation of the situation.

Tensions are already to the limit," Lukashenko said, as quoted by the state-run Sovetskaya Belorussiya - Belarus' Segodnya newspaper.
A search began in France on Tuesday for the remains of dozens of German soldiers said to have been executed by French Resistance fighters during World War II

Meymac, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jun, 2023 ) :A search began in France on Tuesday for the remains of dozens of German soldiers said to have been executed by French Resistance fighters during World War II.

Coming 79 years after the alleged killings, the search was sparked by statements from a 98-year-old former resistance fighter, Edmond Reveil, who has gone public with the allegation in recent years.

Reveil was part of a commando that he said took 46 German soldiers they had captured, as well as a French woman suspected of collaborating with the Nazi occupiers, to a wooded hillside on June 12, 1944, and shot them dead.

The reason for the killings, in the southwestern Correze region, was that the members of the local resistance group, made up of around 30 militia and communist partisans, were too few to guard the prisoners, Reveil told AFP.

"If we had let the Germans go, they would have destroyed Meymac," the nearby town, he said.

He had previously told the local newspaper La Vie Correzienne: "We felt ashamed, but did we have a choice?" The handful of people who knew about the incident mostly kept quiet over the decades, though historians told AFP that it was sometimes mentioned in private.

A dig was even started in the 1960s to shed light on the affair, but was quickly stopped, "perhaps because of pressure", said Meymac's mayor Philippe Brugere, who added that he had been unable to find any record of that search in the town archives.

A fresh investigation was launched when Reveil began to talk publicly about the incident in 2019, and started giving media interviews.

Brugere called the search for the truth "honourable", saying it was necessary for people to "look at history with honesty".

But the resistance veteran association Maquis de Correze deplored the "media buzz" sparked by the revelations, which it said could become a "pretext for sullying the memory of the Resistance".
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MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to pay an official visit to China in July to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other top officials, The Times of Israel newspaper reported, citing sources.

The visit demonstrates "growing impatience with Washington" as Beijing is gaining more influence in the region, the report said, adding that the offices of the Israeli and Chinese leaders had held extended contacts to organize the visit.

"Netanyahu is not going to stand and wait for an invitation that is not forthcoming to visit the White House. He is also working in parallel channels," a diplomatic source was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The source added that Netanyahu would represent the interests of his country during his visit to China, the exact date of which is yet to be announced. The newspaper also assumed that Israel would try to improve its relations with Saudi Arabia with the help of China, as Beijing recently brokered the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit the White House in three weeks, which could serve as a counterweight to Israel's wooing of China by maintaining relations with the United States, the report said.

US President Joe Biden said in late March that he did not plan to receive Netanyahu in Washington in the near future. Disagreements between the two leaders were caused by massive protests against judicial reform in Israel.

In January, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin rolled out a legal reform package that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court by giving the cabinet control over the selection of new judges, as well as allowing the parliament to override the court's rulings with an absolute majority. The reform sparked nationwide protests that had been ongoing for three months.

In late March, Netanyahu announced the suspension of the legislative process on judicial reform in order to negotiate and reach a compromise with its opponents. Despite the suspension, protesters continue to take to the streets, fearing that the reform will undermine democracy in Israel and bring the country to the brink of a social and constitutional crisis.
CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has unilaterally announced a ceasefire in the country for the period of Eid al-Adha, one of islam's major holidays.

"We declare a ceasefire unilaterally, starting tomorrow (June 27) and throughout the holiday," Daglo told Al Arabiya broadcaster on Monday.

The Sudanese armed forces have not yet made an official statement on this matter.

On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese regular armed forces and the RSF paramilitary group, with the epicenter located in Khartoum.

The government forces accused the RSF of mutiny and launched airstrikes against their bases. Burhan issued a decree disbanding the RSF. The parties have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but the conflict has not been settled yet.

The United Nations estimates that as of June 12, at least 958 people were killed and 4,700 injured in the clashes, while over 2.1 million persons were forced to leave their homes.
Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will give China two days to remove any of its military installations from Cuba or otherwise will impose tariffs and taxes on billions of dollars worth of their goods

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th June, 2023) Former President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will give China two days to remove any of its military installations from Cuba or otherwise will impose tariffs and taxes on billions of dollars worth of their goods.

"In Cuba, 90 miles off our coast, think of this, China is now building military installations in Cuba, and Biden does not want to talk about it," Trump said. " When I get back in, I will inform China that they have 48 hours to get any military and spy equipment the hell out of Cuba or there will be taxes and tariffs placed on their billions and billions of dollars of things that they send into us like they've never seen before."

US intelligence agencies tracked employees of the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE at suspected Chinese spy facilities in Cuba, The Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing sources familiar with the matter.

During Trump's presidency, US officials received tracking data of Huawei and ZTE workers entering and leaving sites suspected of conducting Chinese eavesdropping operations from the island, according to the report.

The sources said the intelligence reports strengthened suspicions within the Trump administration that the tech giants could be instrumental in expanding China's ability to spy on the United States from Cuba.

However, it is unknown whether such practice has continued under incumbent US President Joe Biden.

Huawei and ZTE do not necessarily produce devices that can be used for eavesdropping or gathering intelligence, but they both specialize in technologies that can facilitate data transmission to China, according to the sources.

Huawei rejected such accusations in a statement, while ZTE and the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to the WSJ's request for comment, the news outlet noted.

Earlier in June, WSJ reported, citing US officials familiar with classified information, that China had reached a deal with Cuba to establish a spy base in the island nation as a response to US military activities near the Chinese borders, including in Taiwan. Commenting on the article, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the report "is not accurate." Cuba's Embassy in Washington said the article was "totally mendacious and unfounded information," while the Chinese diplomatic mission had no comment.
An audio recording from a meeting in which former President Donald Trump discusses a highly confidential document with an interviewer appears to undermine his later claim that he didnt have such documents, only magazine and newspaper clippings. The recording, from a July 2021 interview Trump gave at his Bedminster, New Jersey, resort for people working on the memoir of his former chief of staff Mark Meadows, is a critical piece of evidence in special counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump over the mishandling of classified information.

The special counsels indictment alleges that those in attendance at the meeting with Trump  including a writer, a publisher and two of Trumps staff members  were shown classified information about a Pentagon plan of attack on an unspecified foreign country. These are the papers, Trump says in a moment that seems to indicate hes holding a secret Pentagon document with plans to attack Iran. This was done by the military, given to me.

Trumps reference to something he says is highly confidential and his apparent showing of documents to other people at the 2021 meeting could undercut his claim in a recent Fox News Channel interview that he didnt have any documents with him.

There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers, and everything else talking about Iran and other things, Trump said on Fox. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories and articles.

Trump pleaded not guilty earlier this month to 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents kept at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of a 38-count indictment that also charged his aide and former valet Walt Nauta. Nauta is set to be arraigned Tuesday before a federal judge in Miami.

A Trump campaign spokesman said the audio recording, which first aired Monday on CNNs Anderson Cooper 360, provides context proving, once again, that President Trump did nothing wrong at all. And Trump, on his social media platform late Monday, claimed the recording is actually an exoneration, rather than what they would have you believe.

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USM Brings Bachelors in Accounting to Online Students Beginning Fall 2023

Tue, 06/27/2023 - 03:26pm | By: Josh Stricklin

To assist in meeting market demand for accountants, The University of Southern Mississippis (USM) School of Accountancy will begin offering its undergraduate degree in accounting fully online beginning August 2023.

The program is designed to empower students to earn their degree while working full time. The initiative provides an opportunity for students with prior college credit or a degree in another field to earn their accounting degree in as little as two years.

The same faculty who teach the on-campus courses at USMs Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses will be teaching in the fully online program. The USM School of Accountancy is one of only 194 accounting programs in the world that has been separately accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only one percent of schools worldwide offering a degree in business hold separate AACSB accounting accreditation. In addition, USM will be the only AACSB accredited university in Mississippi offering its bachelors degree in accounting in a fully online format.

Dr. Blaise M. Sonner, Director of the School of Accountancy, states that as a taxpayer supported university, USMs call is to provide educational opportunities that enable individuals to achieve a better life for themselves and their family. The faculty of the School of Accountancy at Southern Miss is providing the opportunity for students to earn a bachelors degree in the exciting field of accounting in a fully online format to assist in fulfilling that mission.

Sonnier adds that the school is excited to offer our bachelors in accounting fully online to enable working adults to pursue their dream of earning a bachelors degree in accounting.

Dr. Bret Becton, Dean of the College of Business and Economic Development at USM, underscores Sonniers enthusiasm, noting that "we are excited to launch our new online accounting program, which will provide students with a flexible and accessible way to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this field. This program represents our commitment to meeting the needs of today's learners and tomorrow's workforce."

Dr. Tom Hutchinson, Dean of Online Learning and Enrollment, notes that as the need for accountants grows, we are excited to help our students meet that demand. Moving this degree online means we can help more people reach their career goals in more places than ever.

The accounting curriculum at USM provides foundations in theory, data analytics, analytical tools, and problem-solving methods. Students learn the core leadership, business, and accounting competencies necessary to succeed. For more information, please visit the online accounting page.
Joined by Anita Weisbeck (left), a registered nurse with the Hot Springs County Public Health Department, Tracey Kinnaman, director of the Hot Springs County Library, is excited to receive blood pressure monitoring kits for the library. (Dian True Photo)

Self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are now available for checkout at the library in Thermopolis. The kits are offered through a collaborative pilot project involving the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) at the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Healths Chronic Disease Prevention Program and the Hot Springs County Library.

The kits, available in both English and Spanish, include an automated home blood pressure cuff; blood pressure logbooks; educational materials from the American Heart Association; information on what blood pressure is; and ideas for healthy lifestyle changes. The kits also include a resource directory to local community-based organizations and referral resources to the Healthy U chronic disease self-management program and Cent$ible Nutrition Program.

The loan period is three weeks. Blood pressure kits can be renewed, up to two times, if there are no holds on the item. Failure to return a blood pressure cuff kit will result in a blocked account until the item is returned. This program also is currently available to residents in Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Fremont, Laramie, Lincoln, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Washakie and Weston counties, with plans to be in all 23 counties by the end of June.

Nearly half of adults in the United States -- 47 percent, or 116 million -- have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, or are taking medication for hypertension, and 24 percent with hypertension have their condition under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Wyoming, 30.7 percent of adults have been told that they have high blood pressure, according to the Wyoming Department of Healths Chronic Disease Prevention Program.

While self-measured blood pressure is not a substitute for regular visits to primary care physicians, it is a way for individuals to see and track their numbers, giving them more information that can be communicated to their doctors.

Information is power and, the more information a patient and their doctor have, the better the treatment plan, says Dian True, a senior project coordinator with WyCOA. Better treatment plans lead to better overall health. Thats the goal of this project -- to work to improve the health of our communities.

The Hot Springs County Library is committed to building and supporting strong, healthy communities. This project provides a unique opportunity to offer the community more information about self-monitored blood pressure and its important role in health.

Were excited to partner with the Wyoming Department of Health and WyCOA to bring these much-needed resources to the community, says Tracey Kinnaman, director of the Hot Springs County Library.

We are looking forward to this program and a partnership with the library and to help the community learn about hypertension, says Anita Weisbeck, a registered nurse with the Hot Springs County Public Health Department. We are excited to have these great new resources. It is a win for the communities we serve.

To learn more about the Hot Springs County Library, go to www.hotspringscountylibrary.wordpress.com.

To learn more about WyCOA and its programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/wycoa/.
A working group appointed by University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel has submitted a report regarding freedom of expression, intellectual freedom and constructive dialogue at UW.

Chaired by faculty members Nevin Aiken, an associate professor in the School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies, and Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology visiting researcher Martha McCaughey, the working group recommends a number of actions to enhance UWs commitment to freedom of expression and respectful discourse -- and ensure that the university remains a place where many ideas and perspectives are expressed, explored and debated.

UW already has a strong culture of free expression and respectful dialogue that reflects Wyomings inspiring history of equality, independent thought and civic connection, the report says. These recommendations, therefore, are intended as nutrients for an already fertile ground.

The report, which is available here, includes a proposed Statement of the University of Wyoming Principles regarding institutional neutrality; intellectual and academic freedom; freedom of expression; and civil discourse and constructive dialogue. Also included are recommendations to operationalize, communicate and practice those principles. Seidel says he is reviewing the report and will determine next steps in the fall semester.

In the meantime, members of the campus community and the public are invited to read the report and submit input by Sept. 8 by going here.

I deeply appreciate the thoughtful work of the Freedom of Expression, Intellectual Freedom and Constructive Dialogue Working Group, Seidel says. This group included faculty, staff, administrators, students and others with a wide diversity of opinions and perspectives. It also sought input from a diverse mix of external stakeholders from across the state. The groups report includes a strong statement on these important issues and a thorough list of recommendations for us to consider implementing as priorities and resources allow.

The working group was appointed in December and met frequently throughout the spring semester. In addition to consulting with external stakeholders in Wyoming, it reviewed programs and policies at other universities; historical reports on freedom of expression and institutional neutrality in the nation; accreditation criteria; UWs current regulation on academic freedom and statement on free speech; Wyomings Constitution; and the Code of the West, adopted as the states code of ethics in 2010.

The proposed statement of principles notes that the university plays a unique role by providing a neutral forum for the deliberation and debate of public issues.

This adherence to impartiality reaffirms the intellectual freedom of all at UW to seek and receive information without restriction and enjoy unfettered access to all expression of ideas through which any side of a question, cause or movement may be explored, the statement says.

It adds, Academic freedom helps preserve a climate of ongoing inquiry at UW where ideas are openly shared and rigorously examined. The role of the university teacher is not to indoctrinate. Students are responsible for learning in their course of study material reflecting scholarly standards, understandings and expertise, including that which may challenge their existing beliefs. At the same time, instructors must take care not to present untested or controversial claims as settled truth without letting students take reasoned exception. In both teaching and scholarly endeavors, partisan interests -- whether those of university personnel or those of government, religious, corporate or political groups --should never supersede sound academic judgment, principles and procedures.

Additionally, the proposed statement says UW recognizes and respects the liberty of students, faculty and staff as private citizens to express their opinions and identities, including concerns they may have about public institutions and the larger society. At a public university, it is inevitable that the ideas and beliefs of different members of the UW community or visitors to campus will conflict with one another. UW does not shield individuals from the free expression of ideas and criticism, including that which community members may find uncomfortable, disagreeable or even deeply offensive. The expression of criticism must respect the legal right of others to express themselves without serving to obstruct, censor or otherwise interfere with the rights of others to hear those ideas.

The proposed statement also acknowledges that: Free expression has legal limitations, some examples of which include expression that is obscene or defamatory; constitutes a genuine threat or discriminatory harassment; incites imminent violence or other lawless action; unjustifiably invades privacy; interferes with the free expression rights of others; or otherwise stands in violation of the law. UW may reasonably place content-neutral limitations on the time, place and manner of expression to ensure the universitys ordinary educational, scholarly and administrative functioning. Nevertheless, these are narrow exceptions.

The proposed statement concludes:

The University of Wyoming strives to support and model a culture of respectful engagement in which even the most difficult or challenging of ideas can be expressed, received and contested with grace through the practice of civil discourse and constructive dialogue. In so doing, UW encourages people with diverse backgrounds and values to speak, write, live and learn together in a welcoming, inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment that celebrates free expression and intellectual and academic freedom. This reflects Wyomings spirit of equality and civic connection across difference, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive as members of a vibrant university community where critical thinking, creativity, innovation and independent thought can flourish.

In addition to Aiken and McCaughey, the Freedom of Expression, Intellectual Freedom and Constructive Dialogue Working Group included:

-- Vladimir Alvarado, a UW Faculty Senate member and professor of chemical engineering.

-- Christi Boggs, associate director of digital teaching and learning.

-- Brad Bonner, of Cody, a member of the UW Board of Trustees.

-- Allison Brown, president of the Associated Students of UW in 2022-23.

-- Kevin Carman, executive vice president and provost.

-- Stephen Feldman, a professor in the College of Law.

-- Casey Frome, an assistant lecturer in the Department of Management and Marketing.

-- Janice Grover, an associate librarian for libraries education and research services.

-- Zebadiah Hall, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.

-- Mollie Hand, a UW Staff Senate member and manager of LeaRN Programs.

-- Jennifer Harmon, an associate professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

-- Tammy Heise, an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.

-- Catherine Johnson, an assistant lecturer in LeaRN Programs.

-- Daniel Laughlin, a professor in the Department of Botany.

-- Ryan ONeil, dean of students.

-- Gabe Saint, an undergraduate political science major from Douglas.

The working group also sought input from former state legislator Eli Bebout, of Riverton; Sara Burlingame, of Cheyenne, executive director of Wyoming Equality and a former legislator; Sandy Caldwell, executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission; Cathy Connolly, a retired UW faculty member and former legislator; U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman; Karen Kemmerer, of Jackson, a former executive with AT&T and Lucent Technologies; Matt Micheli, a Cheyenne attorney and former Wyoming Republican Party chairman; Maggi Murdock, a former UW administrator and professor emerita; and Jen Sieve-Hicks, owner and executive editor of the Buffalo Bulletin.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 21:10 | All, Japan, World

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.

Japan was represented in the online meeting by Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura and Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. They were joined by Valdis Dombrovskis, executive vice president of the European Commission for an Economy that Works for People.

The call to boost supply chain networks comes as Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues to heighten economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Dombrovskis said during their meeting that the EU was able to partially decouple its economy from Russia through sanctions, which were imposed with like-minded partners to degrade Moscow's military capacity and hit the Kremlin's war chest.

The participants also affirmed the importance of protecting digital data when transferred across national borders with the highest standards of cybersecurity, the ministry said.

Japan and the EU last held an economic dialogue in October 2022, when the focus was on the importance of securing stable energy and food supplies threatened by Russia's war with Ukraine.
An Amsterdam museum that severed ties with St. Petersburg's Hermitage collection after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year has been renamed and on Monday announced partnerships with renowned galleries in London, Paris and Washington.

Starting in September, the Hermitage Amsterdam will be called H'ART Museum. It has established partnerships with the British Museum, Centre Pompidou and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to bring art to the historic building on the banks of the Dutch capital's Amstel River.

"It's an exciting new step for us, a contemporary and future-proof model," museum director Annabelle Birnie said in a statement.

She said the museum's program will be "multi-voiced, reflecting the times we live in" and will range from major art exhibitions to smaller presentations.

The first major show  scheduled to open midway through 2024  will be a partnership with Paris' Centre Pompidou focused on Wassily Kandinsky, the Russian-born artist who became a French citizen and died in France in 1944.
Dozens of Burkinabe soldiers and allied volunteer militiamen have been killed in attacks carried out by suspected jihadists, security sources said Tuesday.

One of the poorest and most troubled countries in the world, Burkina is struggling with a jihadist insurgency that swept in from neighboring Mali in 2015.

Nearly a third of the country lies outside state control, according to the government, which in response to the spiraling security crisis formed the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP)  civilian volunteers who are given two weeks' military training.

They work alongside the army, typically carrying out surveillance, information-gathering or escort duties.

"Terrorist groups attacked the village of Noaka" in the north-central region, "mainly targeting the VDP," a security source said, adding that "another attack targeted troops returning from escort duty in the Sahel region."

"Unfortunately, we have recorded several dozen dead, soldiers and volunteers," the source added, a report confirmed by a local VDP official.

"We lost dozens of men in Noaka and several are wounded. ... Several other fighters are still missing," he told AFP, adding that commanders would give a precise toll later.

'A massacre'

"It was a massacre that took place in Noaka," one resident said, adding that about 30 VDP fighters had been killed in the attack alone.

"The valiant fighters, backed by the army, also inflicted a heavy loss on the attackers," he said, adding that "several motorcycles and weapons were recovered".

More than 10,000 civilians, troops and police have died since the start of the jihadist attacks, according to an NGO count, and at least 2 million people have been displaced.

Anger within the military at failures to roll back the insurgency sparked two coups in Burkina Faso last year.

"The response of the forces allowed us to neutralize about 40 terrorists. Security operations and sweeps are underway in these areas," another security source said of the latest attacks.

The local VDP official also said that a smaller attack took place on Monday in Gayeri, in the eastern province of Komondjari, killing four members of the volunteer force.

Residents of the eastern town of Tanwalbougou had protested the same day against the upsurge in jihadist attacks, calling for supplies for their town, which has been blockaded by armed groups for several weeks.
The United States will add eight new fields of study for international students looking to acquire practical work experience in the country, the Department of Homeland Security announced last week.

The eight new fields of study include: landscape architecture; institutional research; mechatronics, robotics and automation engineering technology/technician; composite materials technology/technician; linguistics and computer science; developmental and adolescent psychology; geospatial intelligence; and demography and population studies.

The new fields will all be added to the science, technology, engineering, mathematics Optional Practical Training, or STEM OPT, program. Announced in a July 12 Federal Register notice, the additions will provide international students with more opportunities to temporarily work in the United States.

This is the latest move intended to attract more foreign STEM students to the United States.

Early last year, the Biden administration added 22 fields of study to the STEM OPT program.

STEM innovation allows us to solve the complex challenges we face today and make a difference in how we secure and protect our country, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in announcing the 2022 expansion. Through STEM education and training opportunities, DHS is expanding the number and diversity of students who excel in STEM education and contribute to the U.S. economy.

DHS received nominations for 120 fields, from which eight were selected and announced last week.

Through OPT, international students on an F-1 visa can gain experience in their area of study during or following the completion of their degree.

More than 200,000 international students used the program to gain work experience in the United States during the 2020-21 academic year.

The program usually lets students work for up to one year, but certain STEM students can extend that for an additional two years.

Boundless, a firm that helps people immigrate to the U.S., hailed the latest STEM expansion.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, initiatives like STEM OPT play a crucial role in promoting innovation, economic growth and cultural exchange, the Seattle-based company said in a recent statement. By expanding access to practical training, the U.S. signals a commitment to fostering a diverse and globally connected workforce.
Deforestation rates are near record lows in Indonesia, home to the world's third-largest rainforests.

It's one of the few bright spots in an otherwise grim annual report, on the loss of forests worldwide, from the environmental research and policy group World Resources Institute.

Overall, the world lost 4.1 million hectares of undisturbed tropical forest last year, an area the size of Switzerland, according to WRI. That's a 10% increase from 2021. The loss of forest released as much planet-warming carbon dioxide as all the fossil fuels burned in India in 2021.

Deforestation reverses the CO2 removal function that trees perform. It raises local temperatures and disrupts rainfall patterns.

World leaders pledged to end deforestation by the end of the decade during climate negotiations in Glasgow in 2021.

"Are we on track to halt deforestation by 2030? The short answer is a simple no," Rod Taylor, head of WRI's forests program, told reporters at a news conference announcing the results.

Deforestation rates

The good news from Indonesia is that government moratoriums on logging and palm oil plantations and increased fire prevention measures have kept forest losses low.

Corporate pledges to end deforestation in the palm oil supply chain also appear to be working, WRI says.

The 230,000 hectares of untouched, primary forest lost last year is a sharp decline from the 2016 peak of 930,000 hectares.

Still, "that's a pretty big loss," Arie Rompas, head of the forest campaign for Greenpeace Indonesia, told VOA. "The area lost is about three times the size of the capital, Jakarta.

Deforestation is still taking place in protected areas, he noted.

Indonesia's environment ministry released official figures Monday showing far less deforestation than WRI's. The ministry says 104,000 hectares (256,990 acres) were lost last year, down from 113,500 hectares (280,464 acres) in 2021.

WRI says it is working with the ministry on forest monitoring but describes the partnership as "a work in progress."

Deforestation rates also have leveled off in neighboring Malaysia, another major palm oil exporter with similar policies and pledges on deforestation. Commitments to end deforestation in the world's two largest palm oil producers now cover more than four-fifths of their refining capacity, according to WRI.

Brazil tops forest losses

Separately, forest losses increased by 15% in Brazil. The 1.8 million hectare (4.45 million acre) decline in undisturbed forest was the largest since 2005.

Brazil was responsible for 43% of the losses worldwide.

They took place during the last year of President Jair Bolsonaros term. He encouraged increased logging, mining and agriculture in the Amazon rainforest.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, took over at the beginning of 2023 and has promised to reverse course.

Earlier in June, Lula released his plan to reach zero deforestation by 2030. The Brazilian space agency, INPE, reported 31% less forest loss in the first five months of 2023 compared to last year.

Experts say Lulas efforts will face opposition from agribusiness supporters in the legislature.

The second-largest forest losses were in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Poverty, not commercial agriculture, is the leading driver of deforestation in the DRC, WRI says. Most forests are cleared for small-scale farming and production of charcoal, the main cooking fuel.

The region's growing population is putting increasing pressure on tropical forests in the Congo Basin, the world's second largest.

Elsewhere, Bolivia lost the third-largest area of undisturbed forest, and its losses are increasing. The country lost one-third more forest last year than in 2021.

Land clearing for soybeans and other commodity crops is mainly responsible, and Bolivia's government backs a further increase in large-scale farming. The country is one of the few that did not sign the 2021 Glasgow pledge to end deforestation.

Four of the 10 countries with the highest rates of forest loss are in Latin America.

Commodity crops drive deforestation

Global demand for soybeans, corn, sugar, paper, timber and livestock are the main forces of deforestation worldwide.

Legislation in the European Union will soon prohibit deforestation in supply chains.

Indonesia and Malaysia call the legislation discriminatory.

But WRI's Taylor said, "It's an encouraging decision and hopefully it will impact on deforestation rates in the near future."

He added, "It's one big market, but there are other markets that haven't moved on that kind of legislation yet."

Rio Tuasikal contributed to this report.
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Russia experienced the most serious threat to the state in decades, but it is unclear where things stand. Front-line Ukrainian troops say their fight continues. Poland hosts about half a million school-aged Ukrainian refugee children including recent graduates taking college entrance exams.
A German court gave Rupert Stadler, the former head of Audi, a suspended sentence along with a fine Tuesday as he became the highest-ranking executive to be convicted in connection with an emissions cheating scandal.

As part of a plea deal, the court gave Stadler a 21-month suspended sentence and ordered him to pay $1.2 million.

Prosecutors did not accuse Stadler of orchestrating the system in which Audi's parent company, Volkswagen, admitted it used software to rig emissions tests in 11 million diesel vehicles to make them seem less polluting.

Stadler admitted to continuing to allow vehicles potentially equipped with the software to be sold even after learning about the scam.

The court gave co-defendant Wolfgang Hatz, a former manager at Audi and Porsche, a two-year suspended sentence along with a $438,000 fine. An Audi engineer received a 21-month suspended sentence and a $55,000 fine.
The fallout from this weekends rebellion in Russia continues as Vladimir Putin addressed his country for the first time; A visit to the Ukrainian front lines and a heat wave in India. Plus violence is on the rise in the West Bank and a Somali refugee finds a career in American politics.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Palestinian official discussed violence in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, with Gallant's office saying he offered reassurance about Israel's intention to crack down on Jewish settler riots.

Both the phone call and the announcement that it took place were unusual for Israel's religious-nationalist government and followed mounting expressions of U.S. concern about the situation in the West Bank, among areas where Palestinians, with foreign backing, seek statehood.

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday "called on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions that further inflame tensions" and urged restraint to reduce tension and prevent further escalation.

During a council meeting on Tuesday, Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood said Washington would work with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to lower tensions and restore trust in a bid to create conditions to bring them back to talks.

"We call on all parties to refrain from unilateral actions, including settlement activity, evictions, and the demolition of Palestinian homes, terrorism and incitement to violence, all of which serve to only further inflame the situation," Wood said.

A Hamas gun attack that killed four Israeli civilians outside a West Bank settlement sparked days of violent incursions into Palestinian villages and towns by groups of Jewish settlers. Twelve suspects have been arrested in the latter incidents, Israeli police said.

"Israel views with gravity the violence inflicted upon Palestinian civilians in recent days by extremist elements," Gallant's office quoted him as telling Hussein Al-Sheikh, an official in the umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization.

"Israel would exact full penalty of the law from the rioters," Gallant added, according to the statement.

There was no immediate comment from Al-Sheikh's office.

Israeli forces, which intensified raids against suspected Palestinian militants over the last 15 months, will continue to operate "anywhere required," Gallant said, while describing a calming of the West Bank as his common interest with Al-Sheikh.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday for the occasion of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, a statement from Herzog's office said.

Herzog "underlined his unequivocal denouncement of the recent assault on innocent Palestinians by extremists."
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.

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.

Ukrainian officials advocated Monday for gaining membership in the NATO alliance, as NATO leaders prepare to gather for a July summit in Lithuania.

"There is every reason to take strong steps on Ukraine's NATO membership perspective," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted after a discussion with Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. "We are working with all allies to achieve the best possible result for Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic security."

NATO members agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually join NATO, and the alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg has reiterated that stance throughout the conflict that Russia launched in Ukraine last year.

But Stoltenberg has said Ukraine joining NATO will not happen while the conflict is ongoing and said last week that in the preparations for the summit in Vilnius, "we're not discussing to issue a formal invitation."

"At the summit, we will agree a multi-year package of assistance, and upgrade our political ties with Ukraine," Stoltenberg said Monday during a visit to Lithuania. "This will bring Ukraine closer to its rightful place in NATO."

Zelenskyy visits troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with troops and handed out awards during a visit to the eastern region of Donetsk.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that the troops included those involved in the long-fought battle in Bakhmut.

"I thank everyone who is now fighting for Ukraine, who is preparing for combat, who is on combat missions, who is at combat posts... All those who are recovering from injuries," Zelenskyy said.

EU support

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 2023. The fund allows EU countries that supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine to claim a portion of the cost.
Which is the longest river in the world, the Nile or the Amazon? The question has fueled a heated debate for years. Now, an expedition into the South American jungle aims to settle it for good.

Using boats run on solar energy and pedal power, an international team of explorers plans to set off in April 2024 to the source of the Amazon in the Peruvian Andes, then travel nearly 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) across Colombia and Brazil, to the massive river's mouth on the Atlantic.

"The main objective is to map the river and document the biodiversity" of the surrounding ecosystems, the project's coordinator, Brazilian explorer Yuri Sanada, told AFP.

The team also plans to make a documentary on the expedition.

Around 10 people are known to have traveled the full length of the Amazon in the past, but none have done it with those objectives, said Sanada, who runs film production company Aventuras (Adventures) with his wife, Vera. Decades-old dispute

The Amazon, the pulsing aorta of the world's biggest rainforest, has long been recognized as the largest river in the world by volume, discharging more than the Nile, the Yangtze and the Mississippi combined.

But there is a decades-old geographical dispute over whether it or the Nile is longer, made murkier by methodological issues and a lack of consensus on a very basic question: where the Amazon starts and ends.

The Guinness Book of World Records awards the title to the African river.

But "which is the longer is more a matter of definition than simple measurement," it adds in a note.

The Encyclopedia Britannica gives the length of the Nile as 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles), to 6,400 kilometers (3,977 miles) for the Amazon, measuring the latter from the headwaters of the Apurimac River in southern Peru.

In 2014, U.S. neuroscientist and explorer James "Rocky" Contos developed an alternative theory, putting the source of the Amazon farther away, at the Mantaro River in northern Peru.

If accepted, that would mean the Amazon "is actually 77 kilometers longer than what geographers had thought previously," he told AFP. Challenges could include alligators

Sanada's expedition will trace both the Apurimac and Mantaro sources.

One group, guided by Contos, will travel down the Mantaro by white-water raft. The other will travel the banks of the Apurimac on horseback with French explorer Celine Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

At the point where the rivers converge, Sanada and two other explorers will embark on the longest leg of the journey, traveling in three custom-made, motorized canoes powered by solar panels and pedals, equipped with a sensor to measure distance.

"We'll be able to make a much more precise measurement," Sanada said.

The explorers plan to transfer the sustainable motor technology to local Indigenous groups, he added.

The expedition is backed by international groups including The Explorers Club and the Harvard map collection.

The adventurers will traverse terrain inhabited by anacondas, alligators and jaguars  but none of that scares Sanada, he said

"I'm most afraid of drug traffickers and illegal miners," he said.

The boats will be outfitted with a bulletproof cabin, and the team is negotiating with authorities to obtain an armed escort for the most dangerous zones.

If the expedition is successful, it may be replicated on the Nile.

Sanada said the debate over the world's longest river may never be settled. But he is glad the "race" is drawing attention to the Amazon rainforest's natural riches and the need to protect it as one of the planet's key buffers against climate change.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 16:21 | All, Japan

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.

Kishida, who became the first Japanese leader to attend a NATO summit in Spain in 2022, is set to join this year's gathering of the trans-Atlantic alliance, which is considering opening a liaison office in Tokyo in an attempt to respond to security threats in Asia.

The prime minister has expressed readiness to promote "resource diplomacy" during his four-day tour to the Middle East from July 16, with Japan depending largely on imports of fossil fuels such as crude oil.

Related coverage:

Japan, France vow to boost defense ties amid NATO office plan discord
New York has received a critical federal approval for its first-in-the-nation plan to charge big tolls to drive into the most visited parts of Manhattan, part of an effort to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and raise funds for the city's public transit system.

The program could begin as soon as the spring of 2024, bringing New York City into line with places like London, Singapore, and Stockholm that have implemented similar tolling programs for highly congested business districts.

Under one of several tolling scenarios under consideration, drivers could be charged as much as $23 a day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, with the exact amount still to be decided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the long-stalled plan.

The congestion pricing plan cleared its final federal hurdle after getting approved by the Federal Highway Administration, a spokesperson for New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Monday.

"With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program," Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement.

People headed into Manhattan already pay big tolls to use many of the bridges and tunnels connecting across the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers. The special tolls for the southern half of Manhattan would come on top of those existing charges.

The new tolls are expected to generate another $1 billion yearly, which would be used to finance borrowing to upgrade the subway, bus and commuter rail systems operated by the MTA.

The state Legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing back in 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic combined with a lack of guidance from federal regulators stalled the project.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Russias Wagner mercenary group, has arrived in Belarus after staging a short-lived, aborted mutiny last weekend against Russian President Vladimir Putins leadership over the fight against Ukraine, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear where Prigozhin was in Belarus, how many fighters had accompanied him or how long he planned to stay there. Lukashenko, an ally of Putin, last Saturday negotiated Prigozhins departure for Belarus after Prigozhin led thousands of his fighters out of Ukraine on a caravan toward Moscow before calling off the advance well short of confronting Russian soldiers on the outskirts of the capital city.

Putin has promised Prigozhins safety in Belarus, and according to Belarusian state media, the authoritarian Lukashenko has urged Putin to not kill Prigozhin.

"I said to Putin: we could waste [Prigozhin], no problem. If not on the first try, then on the second. I told him: don't do this," Lukashenko said during a meeting with security officials, according to state media.

Western countries have sanctioned the 68-year-old Lukashenko for cracking down on opposition figures and allowing Russia to attack Ukraine last year from Belarusian territory, while more recently allowing Russia to store tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus for possible use in the conflict in Ukraine.

While pledging that Prigozhin would be safe in Belarus, Putin has expressed mixed views about the Wagner Group since the rebellion against his authority and the leadership of the Russian defense ministry. Putin has characterized Wagners leaders as traitors but said the rank-and-file mercenaries really showed courage and heroism" in their fighting against Kyivs forces.

Prigozhins arrival in Belarus came as Putin said Tuesday that Moscow had paid $1 billion between May 2022 and May 2023 to fully fund the Wagner mercenary fighters, contrary to claims by Prigozhin that he had financed his mercenaries.

"The content of the entire Wagner Group was fully provided by the state, from the Ministry of Defense, from the state budget. We fully funded this group," Putin told defense officials in televised remarks. Russia once denied the existence of the Wagner Group, but it has defended Russias interests in several African and Middle Eastern countries.

Many of the Wagner fighters in Ukraine were convicted criminals freed from Russian prisons on the promise that if they fought in neighboring Ukraine for six months, the remaining portions of their sentences would be rescinded.

As it has turned out, however, many of the Wagner recruits were poorly trained, ill-equipped for warfare on the front lines in Ukraine and quickly killed.

In addition to Russia paying salaries and incentive awards to the Wagner troops, Putin said Prigozhins food and catering business was paid nearly another billion dollars to feed Russian troops.

"I do hope that, as part of this work, no one stole anything, or, let's say, stole less, but we will, of course, investigate all of this, Putin said of the states funding of Wagner and Prigozhins catering company.

Prigozhin said earlier this year that he had always financed Wagner but had looked for additional funding after Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago.

Prigozhin said Monday that his troops advance on Moscow had not been an attempt to overthrow the Russian government and that he remained a patriot. Prigozhin for weeks has complained that Russian defense officials have not provided them enough ammunition.

Putin has assailed the Wagner advance on Moscow as an armed rebellion and ordered that Wagner lose its heavy weaponry, while its fighters either join the regular armed forces or accept exile in Belarus.

Russias Federal Security Service announced Tuesday it was closing an investigation into the armed mutiny.

In a statement carried by Russian news agencies, the FSB said those involved ceased activities directed at committing the crime. Not prosecuting the fighters was part of an agreement late Saturday that brought the mutiny to an end.

Russias defense ministry also said Tuesday that the Wagner group was preparing to transfer heavy military equipment to the Russian military.

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.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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 policemen's release "after the act of aggression that Serbia did in Kosovo." Officials said they wanted Serbia held responsible for the alleged incursion into Kosovo's 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 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 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 Monday's 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.
South Africa's worst ever energy crisis has the country reeling amid daily blackouts, but new Minister for Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is hoping China can provide a light in the darkness.

Ramokgopa said earlier this month that hed soon be announcing details of a major grant from China of equipment like solar panels and generators, following Beijings offer to help South Africa with its energy woes by providing renewable energy equipment and expertise.

Following Ramokgopas one-week visit to China, details of any concrete deals remain scant, with the ministers spokesperson telling VOA Tuesday that any agreements from the trip would only be made public when they are finalized.

While in China, Ramokgopa visited Shanghai Electric, renewable energy company Goldwind, Huawei and other enterprises.

The visit to Huawei forms part of our efforts of finding solutions to reinforce the grid. South Africa has abundant solar resources, making it a prime location for the development of solar energy projects, he tweeted after that meeting.

He also met with officials from the National Energy Administration in Beijing, tweeting: The discussion was monumental in establishing what will be a lasting partnership in aid of our pursuance for energy security in South Africa.

Chinese expertise

A combination of factors including aging and neglected coal power stations, as well as alleged government corruption and mismanagement at state power utility Eskom, have led to severe power shortages in South Africa that have only intensified over the past year.

Experts have warned of the possibility of a complete collapse of the grid, and to save electricity the government has implemented what is known as loadshedding  daily scheduled power outages across the country, sometimes for up to 10 hours a day.

As Africas most developed economy, the crisis has hit the country hard, with businesses suffering and citizens furious at being plunged into darkness most nights.

Polls have suggested the governments failure to deal with the problemwhich also comes amid high unemployment and other ills  could cost the ruling African National Congress party its electoral majority for the first time in next years polls.

China and South Africa have close diplomatic and economic relations, with China the country's biggest trading partner and both belonging to the BRICS group of emerging economies. Trade between the two reached $56 billion last year and South Africa is also one of the largest investment destinations for Chinese enterprises on the continent.

Earlier this month, Chinas ambassador offered to send technical experts to train South Africans, saying that China is now the world's leading country in terms of installed capacity of hydro, wind and solar power.

As South Africas good brother, good friend and good partner, China very much relates to the challenges here and we are ready to provide support to South Africa within our capacity, Ambassador Chen Xiaodong said in his address to the China-South Africa New Energy Investment and Cooperation Conference in Johannesburg.

Chinas State Grid will also send a team of experts to South Africa very soon to provide technical advice, he said, in the remarks emailed to VOA by the Chinese embassy.

Help welcome

While Western countries have given funding to South Africa for its move away from reliance on fossil fuels towards renewables, Reuters quoted Ramokgopa as saying China was the only country willing to assist South Africa without any condition.

Asked whether it would welcome Chinese help, a spokesperson for Eskom, the state power utility, told VOA: Any credible assistance in ensuring that we end loadshedding is appreciated.

Ghaleb Cachalia, a member of parliament for the opposition Democratic Alliance and the partys public enterprises spokesperson, told VOA that while the offer from China is interesting, we need to remember that nothing comes for free.

However, Cobus van Staden, a China expert at the South African Institute for International Affairs, told VOA he thought there was a lot of potential good in China and South Africa cooperating to ease the power crisis.

Firstly, Chinas obviously the worlds largest producer of solar and other renewable energy equipmentand also Chinas by far the largest actual implementer of green energy, so in terms of locating equipment and technical capacity Chinas a very robust partner, he said.

Van Staden said he didnt foresee major pitfalls, saying, I think this is an emerging field of Chinese engagement with the Global South, and of course from the perspective of Global South countries its extremely welcome.

But as details are still lacking, he cautioned, it will depend a lot on the specifics, of whats being given, how the financing will work, you know, what is actually being planned.
Fighting raged in the Sudanese capital on Tuesday, the eve of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday, after paramilitaries seized Khartoum's main police base.

Fighting in the city between the army led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo is now concentrated around military bases.

At the same time in Sudan's west, the conflict is worsening to "alarming levels" in Darfur, the United Nations warned.

Since the war erupted on April 15, the RSF has established bases in residential neighborhoods of the capital while the army has struggled to gain a foothold on the ground despite its air superiority.

As the RSF fights to seize all of Khartoum, millions of people are still holed up despite being caught in the crossfire without electricity and water in oppressive heat.

Late Sunday, the RSF said it had seized the headquarters, on Khartoum's southern edge, of the paramilitary Central Reserve police, sanctioned last year by Washington for rights abuses.

On Tuesday the RSF attacked army bases in central, northern and southern Khartoum, witnesses said.

Mawaheb Omar, a mother of four who has refused to abandon her home, told AFP that Eid, normally a major event in Sudan, will be "miserable and tasteless," as she cannot even buy mutton, a usual part of the feast.

Looting, violence

Burhan took to state television on Tuesday to urge "all the young people of the country, and all those who can defend it, not to hesitate to do so ... or to join the military units."

The United States, Norway and Britain, known as the Troika, on Tuesday condemned "widespread human rights violations, conflict-related sexual violence, and targeted ethnic violence in Darfur, mostly attributed to soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias."

RSF are descended from Janjaweed militia unleashed by Khartoum in response to a rebel uprising in Darfur in 2003, leading to war crimes charges.

In the current fighting, the RSF has been accused of looting humanitarian supplies, factories and houses abandoned by those displaced by the fighting or taken by force.

Dagalo responded to these accusations on Tuesday in an audio recording posted online.

"The RSF will take swift and strict action" against those in its ranks who have carried out such abuses, he said.

The RSF had said Monday evening that it was beginning to try some of its "undisciplined" members and announced the release of "100 prisoners of war" from the army.

Since the beginning of the conflict, both sides have regularly announced prisoner swaps through the Red Cross, without providing the exact number of those captured.

Dagalo, a former Darfur militia chief, also warned against "plunging into civil war."

The U.N. and African blocs have warned of an "ethnic dimension" to the conflict in Darfur, where on Tuesday, Raouf Mazou, the U.N. refugee agency's assistant high commissioner for operations, told a briefing in Geneva there is a "worsening situation" in West Darfur state.

"According to reports from colleagues on the ground, the conflict has reached alarming levels, making it virtually impossible to deliver life-saving aid to the affected populations," he said.

New fronts

Elsewhere in the country, new fronts have opened against the army from a local rebel group in South Kordofan state, south of the capital, as well as in Blue Nile state on the border with Ethiopia.

In South Kordofan, authorities have decreed a nighttime curfew to curb the violence.

The Troika expressed "deep concern" about the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, as well as Darfur, that "risked further broadening the conflict."

Hundreds of civilians have fled over the border to Ethiopia because of the fighting reported around Kurmuk in Blue Nile, the U.N. said.

This adds to the ever-increasing number, now almost 645,000 people, who have fled to neighboring countries, mostly Egypt and Chad, according to the latest International Organization for Migration data. About 2.2 million people have been displaced within Sudan, the agency said.

A record 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the U.N. says.
The commander of the Sudan paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, announced the 48-hour cease-fire for al-Adha festivities from early Tuesday morning through Wednesday.



In an audio address provided to VOA by the Al Hadath TV channel, Hemedti declared a two-day unilateral truce, honoring the Muslims Adha festivity.



He says his forces will remain in their position and will act only in self-defense.



Hemedti notes the unilateral cease-fire shows the commitment of his forces to end fighting and end the suffering of civilians.



He says it is his wish that these days will be used for a genuine forgiveness and reconciliation among the people. He cited a deep feeling for our people, who are suffering and going through harsh humanitarian situations because of the ongoing fighting, which has affected their livelihoods. He said they are determined to end this war hopefully strong and united once again.



However, the RSF commander expressed concern about the alleged human rights violations committed by his forces against civilians.



He announced the establishment of field courts headed by Major General Esam Saleh Fidhel to carry out investigations into claims of offenses allegedly committed by the RSF.



He says the violations are against RSF law and the instructions of its senior leadership. We are going to address them firmly and seriously. I am here sincerely assuring our people that we reject and condemn any violation against civilians, including those believed to have been committed by our RSF forces.



VOA contacted al-Tahir Abu Hajah, the head of media and information in the office of Sovereign Council Chairman and army chief Abdel-Fattah Burhan, for comment on the report, but Hajah didnt answer.



Speaking to VOA on Tuesday, Mohammed Khaleel, a retired military officer and a lecturer of international relations at various Sudanese Universities, downplayed the unilateral cease-fire announced by the RSF.



Khaleel says the cease-fire is meant to please the international community, and civilians will still experience looting of their property, theft and intimidation.



Khaleel said he doesnt think the cease-fire is meant for civilians because civilians have left their houses and their property is being looted by the RSF and sold cheaply in local markets in RSF-controlled areas within Khartoum and elsewhere.



The U.N. says about 2.5 million people have been displaced in and out of Sudan since the onset of the conflict on April 15. Nearly 2 million people are internally displaced.
Black voters in the U.S. state of Alabama may have a bigger role in 2024 elections following a Supreme Court ruling that a Republican-drawn congressional map violated their rights to fair representation.

The old congressional maps were undeniably unfair, explained Collins Pettaway, a Black voter in Selma, Alabama, a city famous for its role in the fight for civil rights.

Every voter has a right to have their voice heard, and up until this decision by the Supreme Court, Black Alabamans didnt have that, he told VOA. The old maps made us feel like our votes didnt matter, but now we have a real chance to empower Black voters and increase our representation in the state.

Each U.S. state is broken into congressional districts of relatively equal population size. Densely populated areas have smaller districts. Sparsely populated areas have larger districts. Based on changing demographics in census results each decade, states are required to consider redrawing districts to ensure that voters are represented fairly.

Critics of the Alabama map say the redistricting process has been unfair. For decades, only one of the states seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives was in a district in which a majority of voters were Black. This even though more than 26% of Alabamas voters are African American.

It has made it nearly impossible for Black leaders to be elected to represent their communities, creating an even more prominent and intentional barrier to diversifying Alabamas political leadership, said DeJuana Thompson, president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

A participatory government is only possible when those making the laws, enforcing the laws, and subject to the laws have equity. Were a little closer to that now and its going to ensure a more engaged and motivated electoral process. This ruling is a great thing for Alabama.

Surprise or expected?

For a Supreme Court with a conservative majority, the decision was largely unexpected, especially given recent rulings more aligned with priorities of the Republican Party.

I was very surprised by the Courts decision, Jay Williams, a consultant for several top Republican politicians told VOA. The Supreme Court has trended rightward on this issue, and I thought that would continue.

Unfortunately, I think this decision is going to cause some real harm, he continued. It perpetuates a false notion that southern states are inherently racist in their decision making. Its patently false and incredibly pretentious to promote this viewpoint.

Past decision making in southern states led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which ended many barriers to African American voters including poll taxes and literacy tests. New hurdles quickly took their place.

Cracking, then packing

Southern states with a history of disenfranchising Black voters responded by drawing congressional districts in irregular shapes that managed to spread concentrations of urban Black voters across several different districts, explains University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock.

The result was that none of the districts were majority Black, he added, making it nearly impossible for voters of color to elect Black leaders.

This was known as cracking the Black vote.

The Supreme Court sought to stop that practice with its 1986 unanimous decision in the Thornburg v. Gingles ruling that states must add a majority-minority district if the minority population is sufficiently large and compact enough for a new district, if the minority population is sufficiently cohesive to vote as a bloc, and if the dissipated minority blocs political preference is frequently defeated by a bloc of majority voters.

The result was new majority-minority districts across the country, including one in Alabama.

Now that cracking was no longer possible, they switched to packing, Bullock told VOA. In other words, Republican-led legislatures would draw districts, again in irregular shapes, so that all of the Black voters were packed into one district. Thats where we are today. They concede one district, but they make the minority vote negligible in all the others.

Beyond Alabama

This months decision found cause for a second majority-minority Congressional district in Alabama to provide fair representation for Black residents there. Lawmakers in Montgomery now have until July 21 to redraw the congressional map to meet this requirement. As with many Supreme Court decisions, the impact stretches beyond any one state.

Lawsuits have already been filed in Louisiana and Georgia, and I expect the same will soon happen in Texas, Florida, potentially New York, and maybe elsewhere, Bullock said. Some states, like the Carolinas, might not meet the requirements, but I think you could see enough seats change in 2024 to flip the House of Representatives to Democratic control if all else remains equal.
Top Indian government officials are pressing their state-level counterparts in northeastern Manipur state to engage warring ethnic factions in talks as they try to defuse weeks of deadly violence between majority Hindu Meiteis and Christian tribal Kukis.

The move comes shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting about the Manipur crisis. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) controls Manipur where violence has left at least 115 dead and 300 injured in nearly two months.

Modi, who has been criticized repeatedly for not discussing the interethnic crisis publicly, convened the high-level Cabinet meeting Monday just hours after returning from a two-nation trip to the United States and Egypt. During the meeting, he was briefed by senior ministers about steps being taken to restore normalcy in the lush and hilly northeastern state.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Manipur state government officials were asked to talk to all stakeholders in the divide between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

A rare all-party meeting, convened by Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday, gave BJP lawmakers and all opposition political parties a chance to discuss the conflict  an apparent acknowledgment that the situation in Manipur was spiraling out of control.

Since May 3, more than 5,000 incidents of arson were reported in the state, and thousands were forced to flee their homes. Both Meitei and Kuki mobs have engaged in violence, several sources reported.

Following Saturdays meeting, N. Biren Singh, chief minister of Manipur state, said the federal government was serious about defusing the crisis and that his state government would work in tandem with federal officials to restore peace.

Shah has assured [me] that the central government will take all possible steps to bring normalcy in Manipur, Singh tweeted Sunday after meeting with Shah in Delhi.

Manipur-based political opposition leaders recently issued a memorandum criticizing Singh for his handling of the violence and questioning Modi's stoic silence on the matter.

At Saturday's meeting, Singh also said that Manipur opposition leaders had been camping in Delhi since June 10 as part of an effort to meet with Modi, who did not grant an appointment.

Shah told the Saturday meeting that there has not been a single day when he did not discuss the Manipur crisis with Modi, who has been giving him instructions on the crisis.

Most of the young men [who took part in violence in Manipur] have surrendered their weapons to the police. We have taken suggestions from all the parties [during the meeting], and steps are being taken in the right direction, Sambit Patra, who heads the BJP in Manipur, told reporters in Delhi.

Although Saturdays meeting failed to outline a plan to contain the violence, at least two opposition parties suggested that an all-party delegation visit Manipur to engage directly with those affected by the violence.

To boost the confidence of the people of Manipur and to provide a healing touch, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) demands an all-party delegation be sent to the state next week, said an official AITC statement released after the meeting.

The message which has gone out [so far] is that the Union government is ignoring the Manipur crisis. That needs to change [in order] to heal, care, restore peace and harmony, the statement said.

Root of violence

More than 6,000 houses, businesses, churches and temples in northeastern Manipur  which borders Myanmar  have been set ablaze in the violence sparked on May 3 after the nontribal Meiteis sought access to benefits and quotas in education and government jobs reserved for ethnic tribal groups, including the Kukis.

The Meiteis make up more than half of Manipurs estimated 3.3 million population and mostly live in the valley, while the Kukis are located mostly in the hill areas of the state.

The violence started when the Kukis protested the Meiteis demands. Violence between the two communities worsened after mobs looted more than 4,000 guns from police armories and used them during clashes.

While some of the looted arms have been voluntarily returned, three-fourths of them have yet to be recovered.

Some 60,000 people have been displaced and taken shelter in close to 350 relief camps or homes of friends and relatives, while more than 40,000 security personnel  army and paramilitary  have been deployed across the state to curb the violence.

Sporadic killings and arson are continuing.

In Manipurs capital, Imphal, last Friday, a mob set fire to $14.63 million worth of pipes earmarked for a government sewage project. Several vehicles and the BJP office in Imphal were also set ablaze. Security forces foiled attempts to torch a government ministers residence in Manipur.

The federal government had made some efforts to bring the warring sides to the negotiation table. Shah visited Manipur in late May and tried to organize a peace panel made up of a cross-section of people. But both sides refused to participate in the process.

In early June, New Delhi approved a $12.4 million relief package for people displaced by the violence.

The Kukis allege that Meitei-dominated government agencies, including the police, have taken a partisan role and are supporting the Meiteis.

Many Kukis living in the valley area of Imphal and other towns have fled to the hills since the violence broke out. Some Meiteis who live in the hill areas have withdrawn to the valley, resulting in an increasingly divided society of deepening mistrust.

Manipur hasnt witnessed this kind of violence since the state was incorporated into the Union of India in 1949, said Binalakshmi Nepram, a social activist from Manipur.

A violent ethnic conflict has been engineered by people who are close to guns, drugs and political power, between two ethnic communities who have been living together for decades, Nepram told VOA. The situation is like a civil war where both sides are arming themselves while New Delhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have maintained a stoic silence on the crisis.

This is the darkest moment in Manipur's history, and the people of Manipur have felt completely abandoned by the Indian state,Nepram said.

New Delhi-based senior BJP leader Alok Vats agreed that the situation in Manipur is still very volatile.

We are indeed concerned about the situation in Manipur. The central leadership of the BJP is trying its best to resolve the crisis and restore peace in Manipur, Vats told VOA.

Mobs looted arms from police armories and are using them fiercely in violence. There are over 40 ethnic militant groups in Manipur. Many of them are suspectedly siding with the warring groups. We are still hopeful that the efforts of our central leadership will succeed to bring the warring sides to the negotiating table and resolve the crisis.

Last week, retired Lieutenant General L. Nishikanta Singh said in a tweet, The state is now stateless. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria etc.

Following Monday's Cabinet meeting, Manipur state government officials were asked to talk to all stakeholders in the ethnic divide between the two communities.
Turkish police have ramped up a crackdown on LGBTQ activists as dozens of people were detained Sunday at Pride marches in Turkey's metropolitan Istanbul and Izmir provinces.

Istanbul's governor said police detained 113 people attending the 31st LGBTQ Pride March there on Sunday (June 25).

"Our national future depends on keeping the family institution alive with our national and moral values," Davut Gul, the governor of Istanbul, said on Twitter Monday as he announced the number of detentions. "We will not allow any activity that would weaken the family institution," Gul said.

Bans on Pride marches

Authorities have banned the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul since 2015, citing security and public concerns.

Sunday, Turkish police blocked access to Istanbul's busy Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square, a traditional gathering spot for the Pride marches. However, LGBTQ activists gathered in Mistik Park in the Sisli district instead.

Organizers of the march read a press statement as the crowd chanted slogans and waved their rainbow and transgender flags.

"This year, we are in the areas where you are trying to drive us away, with the theme: 'We are returning,'" the statement read, referring to the bans on the Pride marches by the authorities.

"We will not leave our spaces; you will get used to us. We are here today despite all your prohibitions and in spite of you," it added.

On the same day, in Turkey's western Izmir province, police detained more than 40 people during the pride march as the authorities had banned it "to protect public morality and public order."

On June 18, police detained at least seven people in the ninth Trans Pride March in Istanbul.

"Trans Pride March is significant to us because we, as trans people, need to organize for ourselves. We need our voices to be heard, and this march was a platform for that," Beha Yildiz, one of the trans activists detained by the police, told VOA.

Yildiz thinks that police increasingly target LGBTQ people to prove themselves to their higher-ups, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, who has called LGBTQ people "deviants" in the past.

"They think that the more barbaric they treat us, the more they will be rewarded, but I can say that this will not happen," Yildiz said.

Anti-LGBT rhetoric

In its 2022 Human Rights report released in March, the State Department noted that LGBTQ people in Turkey "experienced discrimination, intimidation, and violent crimes."

Erdogan and his government officials have intensified their anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in public. During his election campaign for his Justice and Development Party (AKP) and People's Alliance, Erdogan repeatedly attacked the LGBTQ community in Turkey.

"AKP and other parties in our alliance would never be pro-LGBT because family is sacred to us. We will bury those pro-LGBT in the ballot box," Erdogan said at his rally in Istanbul on May 7.

Tulay Savas, a lawyer and one of the founding members of LISTAG, a support group for parents of LGBTQ children in Turkey, says that the government's discrimination and targeting of LGBTs have increased over seven years.

"This has become a government policy. Now all their goals are to destroy LGBTs; this is how we perceive it," Savas told VOA.

"Especially trans people are attacked more often because of their appearance. The worry that there will be more attacks in the future makes us very sad," Savas said.

The LGBTI+ Human Rights Report of 2022 by Ankara-based LGBTQ rights group KAOS-GL, found a sharp uptick in the number of LGBTQ people experiencing violations of their personal rights last year, with 571 incidents reported compared to 43 in 2020.

Lack of legal protection

Beha Yildiz points out that Turkish laws do not provide protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

The Turkish Constitution's Article 10 prohibits discrimination based on "language, race, color, sex, political opinion, philosophical belief, religion, and sect, or any such considerations."

"When we, as LGBT people, are subjected to any discrimination, we have to make our legal case based on 'any such considerations' as the category," Yildiz told VOA, adding that this lack of constitutional recognition is one of the biggest problems of LGBTs in Turkey.

In 2021, the Turkish government withdrew from the Istanbul Convention, a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe, which provided a legal framework to combat violence against women, including lesbian, bisexual, trans women, and intersex people.

After his election victory, Erdogan is pushing for constitutional amendments to define the family as a unit composed of marriage between a man and a woman. By doing this, his government aims to prevent any possibility of marriage equality in the future.

"From the possible constitutional amendments, it seems that women's rights would be worsened, and legislation on LGBT rights fueled by hate would be on the agenda," Sena Kaleli, a former parliamentarian from the main opposition Republican People's Party, told VOA.
With nearly constant surveillance, grueling isolation and limited family access, the treatment of the last 30 Guantanamo detainees is "cruel, inhuman and degrading," U.N. rights experts said Monday as they reported on their first visit to the U.S. military prison.

U.N. 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-Qaida 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 news 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 U.N. special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism, traveled to Guantanamo with a team in February after U.N. 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 U.S. 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 U.N. 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 U.S. justice system, "remains a priority."

In addition, "the U.S. 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 U.S. envoy to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, said the U.S. does not accept all her assessments.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 28, 2023 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan

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Japan ruling parties to allow new fighter jets to be exported

TOKYO - Japan's ruling parties are including provisions in their security policy blueprint that would allow the export of next-generation fighter jets to other countries, despite the country's strict regulations on international arms sales, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, said the pros and cons of exporting defense apparatuses equipped with lethal arms needed further discussion.

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Japan reveals guidelines to urge firms to develop defense technology

TOKYO - The Japanese government on Wednesday revealed guidelines for the development of its defense technology with the aim of urging private firms and research institutes to join in creating cutting-edge equipment such as insect-sized robots and self-reparable materials.

The guidelines, which gave examples of technologies expected to be put to practical use in a decade's time, were drawn up based on three key documents on security policies updated last December, including the long-term National Security Strategy.

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Belarus confirms arrival of Wagner's Prigozhin after Russia uprising

TOKYO - Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group, arrived by air in Belarus on Tuesday following a short-lived military uprising in Russia, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the country's state media.

Lukashenko, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and who brokered a deal with Prigozhin to halt the rebellion which broke out on Friday, said the country will provide security guarantees to the Wagner Group founder and his fighters, the Belarusian Telegraph Agency reported.

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Baseball: Ohtani leads Angels to win with 10 strikeouts, 2 homers

ANAHEIM, California - Shohei Ohtani delivered a spectacular two-way performance Tuesday to propel the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox, striking out 10 while extending his MLB home run lead with a pair of long bombs.

Ohtani (7-3) surrendered a solitary run on four hits and a pair of walks over 6-1/3 innings on the mound, backed by his 3-for-3 night at the plate that included his 27th and 28th home runs and two walks.

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Taiwan pledges to work with U.S. to safeguard Indo-Pacific

TAIPEI - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met Wednesday with a U.S. congressional delegation in Taipei, where she pledged the island's dedication to working closely with the United States in safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Taiwan is on the frontline of defense of democratic values. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with the United States in such areas as economics and national defense," Tsai told the nine-member bipartisan delegation led by Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

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Japan currency diplomat warns of action against excessive forex moves

TOKYO - Japan will respond "appropriately" to excess volatility in foreign exchange markets, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Wednesday, calling recent yen moves "one-sided."

With the yen falling below 144 relative to the U.S. dollar, Japan's top currency diplomat Masato Kanda also said the government is keeping tabs on market developments with "a sense of increased urgency."

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North Korea raps Japan over abduction symposium, repeats issue resolved

BEIJING - North Korea has criticized Japan over a symposium it will host with the United Nations and other countries on Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese nationals, reiterating the issue has been resolved, state-run media said Wednesday.

"It has been completely, finally and irreversibly settled, thanks to our magnanimity and sincere efforts," Ri Pyong Dok, a researcher at the North Korean Foreign Ministry's Institute for Japan Studies, said in an article issued Tuesday, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

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Japan prefecture ordered to pay damages over fatal 2017 avalanche

UTSUNOMIYA, Japan - A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered the Tochigi prefectural government and a high school athletic federation to pay 290 million yen ($2 million) in damages to the families of five people killed in an avalanche during a mountaineering course in March 2017.

Three instructors responsible for delivering the course were also defendants in the lawsuit, which sought 385 million yen, but the Utsunomiya District Court dismissed the claims against them.

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Video: Anti-U.S. rally in Pyongyang
A blistering new report by the U.N. human rights office shows that nobody in Russias war of aggression in Ukraine is without fault and that Ukrainian civilians have been arbitrarily detained by both warring parties, but that the Russian Federation is guilty of most of the crimes and cases of abuse.

The report, which was issued Tuesday, covers a 15-month period from Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, to May 2023. The documented material is based on 1,136 interviews with victims, witnesses and others, 274 site visits and 70 visits to official places of detention run by Ukrainian authorities.

Authors of the report note that Ukraine gave them unimpeded confidential access to official places of detention and detainees, with one exception. They say the Russian Federation did not grant us such access, despite our requests.

The report documents more than 900 cases of arbitrary detention of civilians, including children, and elderly people. It says the majority of these  864 cases  were perpetrated by the Russian Federation, many of which amounted to enforced disappearances.

Matilda Bogner heads the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Speaking from Uzhhorod in western Ukraine, she said her team did not document any cases of arbitrary detention committed by the mercenary Wagner Group because they do work under the overall control of the army in Russia.

She noted a previous report published in March had documented cases of arbitrary detention, torture and ill treatment and executions of prisoners of war by the Wagner Group. She added, None of these cases related to civilian detainees.

The report documents the summary execution of 77 civilians while they were arbitrarily detained by the Russian Federation.

Bogner said, It is a war crime to execute a civilian after detention. It is also a gross violation of international human rights law.

In terms of the 77 public executions, I could not say that it is the tip of the iceberg. I think we have documented a large number of them, she said. Clearly, we have not documented them all, but I do not think that there are thousands and thousands of cases that we are not aware of.

She pointed out that the human rights mission had not documented any summary executions of civilian detainees by the Ukrainian forces.

The report says civilians detained by the Russian authorities in territories under their occupation were perceived as supporters of Ukraine. It says they were held incommunicado, often in deplorable conditions.

The report accuses the Russian armed forces and other authorities of having engaged in widespread torture and ill-treatment of civilian detainees and in some cases of subjecting them to sexual violence. It said that torture was used to force victims who were detained in Russian-occupied territory to confess to helping Ukrainian armed forces.

The U.N. monitors have documented 75 cases of arbitrary detention by Ukrainian security forces, mostly of people suspected of conflict-related offenses. They note that many of these cases also amounted to enforced disappearances.

The monitors documented that over half of those arbitrarily detained were subjected to torture or ill-treatment by Ukrainian security forces. Most of these cases, they say, occurred while people were being interrogated after their arrest.

Authors of the report deplore the lack of accountability for these crimes and the failure of Russian authorities to investigate allegations of arbitrary detention and abuse of civilians by Russian armed forces.

They criticize a law approved by the Russian parliament that would potentially exempt from criminal liability perpetrators of international crimes in occupied regions of Ukraine, if they are committed to protect the interests of the Russian Federation.

The report notes the Ukrainian government has convicted 23 people, including 19 in absentia, on allegations of civilian detentions by the Russian Federation.

It says, however, We are not aware of any completed criminal investigations by Ukrainian authorities into its own security forces for such violations.
The United Nations said Tuesday that bombings and other militant violence in Afghanistan had killed more than 1,000 civilians since the Taliban regained control of the country nearly two years ago.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan recorded 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 deaths, between August 15, 2021, and May of this year. The report said 92 women and 287 children are among the dead.

Most of the deaths, 701, were caused by "indiscriminate" improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, attacks in populated areas, including places of worship, schools, and markets.

UNAMA said that a regional Islamic State affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan, or IS-K, was responsible for most IED attacks, including suicide bombings. It noted a significant increase in the number of attacks by the terrorist group since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul.

"Of particular concern is the apparent increase in the lethality of suicide attacks since August 15, 2021, with fewer incidents causing a higher number of civilian casualties in that period," the report said.

More than 1,700 Afghan civilian deaths and injuries were attributed to attacks claimed by IS-K.

The chief of UNAMA's human rights service condemned the attacks on civilians as "reprehensible" and called for ending them immediately.

"It is critical that the de facto authorities uphold their obligation to protect the right to life by carrying out independent, impartial, prompt, thorough, effective, credible, and transparent investigations into IED attacks affecting civilians," Fiona Frazer said.

UNAMA said Monday that Taliban authorities continue to prevent journalists from covering mass casualty IED attacks, saying it recorded many instances of "arbitrary arrest and detention, ill-treatment, and excessive use of force" deployed against media workers covering such incidents.

The mission said that Taliban authorities do release information on incidents of violence but "casualty figures are often inaccurate and unrealistic."

The Taliban maintain their counterterrorism operations have significantly degraded the IS-K presence in Afghanistan, killing its key commanders in recent months.

The Taliban waged a deadly insurgency and reclaimed power as the United States and its NATO allies withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, ending their two-decade-long occupation.

UNAMA documented more than 3,000 civilian deaths in 2020 and 1,659 fatalities in the first half of 2021 alone, blaming the then-insurgent Taliban and other anti-government armed groups for causing most of those casualties.
In Sudan's western Darfur region, conflict and unrest have sparked sexual violence against women, according to the United Nations. Many who fled the region to neighboring Chad say there has been a complete breakdown of law and order, allowing for more attacks on women. Henry Wilkins speaks to survivors of sexual violence in this report from Koufroune, Chad.
The United States will this week announce actions to hold the Russian mercenary Wagner Group accountable, the U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday, for its activities in Africa and unrelated to its aborted mutiny in Russia.

Spokesperson Matt Miller did not detail at a daily press briefing what the planned U.S. action would be.

"These are actions that we are taking against Wagner not in relation to events that happened this weekend but for their prior activities," Miller said, adding that those involved countries in Africa.

A clash between Moscow and Wagner was averted on Saturday after the heavily armed mercenaries withdrew from the southern Russian city of Rostov under a deal that halted their advance on the capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin initially vowed to crush the mutiny, which was the biggest blow to his authority in 23 years, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolution of 1917 and then a civil war, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Prigozhin "is in Belarus today," Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying by state news agency BELTA on Tuesday.

The Wagner militia forces have played an increasingly central role in the long-running internal conflicts of Mali and Central African Republic.

It has also been fighting in Ukraine following the Russian army's invasion of its neighbor 16 months ago.
The United States on Tuesday accused companies in the United Arab Emirates, the Central African Republic and Russia of engaging in illicit gold deals to help fund the mercenary fighters of Russias Wagner Group.

The U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement it has sanctioned four companies linked to Wagner and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, that it alleged were used to help pay the paramilitarys forces fighting in Ukraine and undertaking operations to support Russian interests in Africa.

"The Wagner Group funds its brutal operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali. The United States will continue to target the Wagner Groups revenue streams to degrade its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine, and anywhere else," Brian Nelson, Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in the statement.

The State Department said the sanctions were unrelated to Wagners short-lived mutiny last weekend against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscows defense leadership for its handling of Russias war against Ukraine. The sanctions block any assets the companies hold in the U.S. and prohibit them from engaging in new deals in the U.S.

Wagner has fought in Libya, Syria, the Central African Republic, Mali and other countries, and has fought some of the bloodiest battles of the 16-month war in Ukraine, including at Bakhmut. Wagner was founded in 2014 after Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and started supporting pro-Russia separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

The sanctions were imposed on Central African Republic-based Midas Ressources SARLU and Diamville SAU; UAE-based Industrial Resources General Trading; and Russia-based DM, a limited liability company.

Russia's embassy in Washington and Industrial Resources did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Reuters could not immediately reach a spokesperson for Midas Ressources, Diamville or Limited Liability Company DM.

Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov, a Russian national, was also sanctioned. The Treasury Department accused him of being an executive in the Wagner Group and said he worked closely with senior Malian officials on weapons deals, mining concerns and other Wagner activities in the country.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
Authorities in Zambia have arrested former President Edgar Lungu's son and daughter-in-law on charges of money laundering and possessing property believed to be proceeds of crime worth more than $5 million. Lungu's Patriotic Front Party has described the move as continued persecution of Lungu's family by the government.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga told VOA on Tuesday that Dalitso Lungu and his wife, Matildah, have been arrested in their capacity as directors of Saloid Traders Limited.

He said they are accused of owning 69 motor vehicles and other properties believed to have been proceeds of crime.

Hamoonga outlined the charges.

Police have arrested and charged Dalitso, aged 36, and Matilda Likando Milinga, aged 36, for the offense of possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act of 2010. Dalitso Lungu has also been arrested and charged for the offense of money laundering. The duo has since been released from police custody and will appear in court soon, said Hamoonga.

The arrests come a week after Zambian authorities announced the seizure of some 20 properties linked to Dalitso, former President Lungus wife, Esther, and daughter Tasila. SEE ALSO: Zambia Seizes Properties Linked to Former President Edgar Lungu Brian Mundubile, one of the lawyers for Dalitso and his wife, confirmed the arrests and charges.

Mundubile also confirmed Tuesday on WhatsApp to VOA that his clients have since been released on bail pending a court appearance soon.

He added that the Lungus should be accorded the dignity of their status as the former first family.

Mundubile described his clients arrests as unnecessary actions meant to harass them. He said the government must be clear about their intentions regarding the family instead of embarrassing them. Mundubile notes that the arrests have caused pain and anger to the Lungu family and does not think this is the way for the state to go.

SEE ALSO: Zambian Officials Arrest Auditor General, Others on Corruption Charges The Zambian president of anti-corruption group Transparency International, Sampa Kalunga, says his organization has been following with keen interest cases that have to do with corruption  especially cases involving the Lungu family and former officials in Lungus government.

He adds that law enforcement needs to follow through on the cases to the end.

As much as we applaud this, but [at] the same time, we would like to make a caution to the law enforcement agencies that they do a good job on investigations on gathering evidence so that we do not see cases which only end up at either seizing properties or being withdrawn by the courts, said Kalunga.

The acting president of Lungus Patriotic Front Party, Given Lubinda, addressed party members in Lusaka on Tuesday and advised them to brace for more arrests of Patriotic Front Party members.

He accused authorities of only focusing on PF members in their fight against corruption.

We have a team of lawyers who are ready to defend us. There are even other lawyers who are coming on board to come and join the team of our lawyers to defend you, so dont be cowed. Continue to organize. Continue to mobilize the party. Dont be scared. Zambia is for us all, said Lubinda.
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.
HARARE (Reuters) - Shares in Premier African Minerals plunged 40% on Monday after the company declared force majeure at its Zimbabwe lithium mine, citing a defect at its processing plant.

A Premier statement said the plant could not produce sufficient spodumene concentrate to meet conditions of its offtake agreement with China's Canmax Technologies.

Chinese lithium battery company Canmax last year provided $35 million for the construction of a pilot plant at Premier's Zulu lithium project in exchange for the annual supply of up to 50,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate.

Premier said it issued a force majeure notice to Canmax on June 25 because milling problems at its recently completed plant had affected production plans. The plant contractor was working to resolve the problem, it added.

"The company is unable to deliver product within the stipulated dates as set out in the agreement," Premier said.

Triggering a force majeure clause in contracts allows certain terms of an otherwise legally binding agreement to be ignored because of unavoidable circumstances.

The two parties are negotiating possible changes to the current agreement, Premier said, adding that Canmax has proposed to convert its $35 million cash injection into debt or shares. Canmax is also a 13.38% shareholder in Premier.

A Canmax representative was not immediately available for comment.
One on One with Joe Korkowski, is heard Saturdays on KXRA-1490AM / 100.3fm/105.7fm (@7:40am) and KXRA-92.3FM (@7:00am), as well as each Sunday morning on KXRZ Z99.3fm (@10:15am).

The interview is also re-broadcast on Monday mornings on KX92 at 10:00am and on Z99 at 9:10am.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 16:36 | All, Japan

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.

The couple was later pronounced dead, with Ennosuke having been hospitalized until he was taken to the police station Tuesday morning for voluntary questioning, where he was subsequently arrested.

Ennosuke admitted to the allegation and was quoted by the police as saying, "It is true I helped my parents commit suicide. I had also intended to follow them by killing myself."

The incident occurred on the same day a weekly magazine published a report detailing Ennosuke's alleged involvement in bullying and sexual abuse of people including actors and staff in his theater collective.

"A weekly magazine report prompted us to hold a family meeting and we decided to say good-bye," he said prior to his arrest, according to the source.

The immediate charge leveled against him by the police was assisting in his mother's suicide, in part by giving her sleeping drugs between the afternoon of May 17 and the next morning.

Traces of two types of sleeping medication were found in her body, with both possibly taken at the same time, according to the police.

Ennosuke himself showed signs of having taken sleeping medication when he was taken to the hospital, and traces of the same two drugs were also found in his body.

The police found that Ennosuke had been prescribed sleeping medication in the past.

An investigation is also being conducted on the actor's suspected involvement in his father's death. An autopsy found that his death was also caused by ingesting drugs.

The police did not find any drugs or pill containers during their on-site investigations. The actor has told the police that he had disposed of medicinal trash.

The parents were found in their home's living room, while Ennosuke was found semi-conscious in a closet in his own room on a lower level.

Ennosuke, who began his career in the early 1980s, is considered a major figure in the Kabuki world and has also appeared in several popular television series.

He also featured in a series of "Super Kabuki" plays, a new genre of Kabuki that combines traditional performance with modern theater effects and music, attracting attention for his role in one based on the manga "One Piece."

After the play achieved major commercial success, he announced that he would be involved in another production based on the popular "Demon Slayer" series in 2024.

Award-winning actor Teruyuki Kagawa, who has adopted the Kabuki stage name of Ichikawa Chusha, is his cousin.

Emergency service in Japan: 119



If you are having suicidal thoughts, help is available.

For Japan, call Yorisoi Hotline at 0120279338 (toll-free). Press 2 after the recorded message for consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, Nepali, or Indonesian. The service in these languages is also available on Facebook messenger.



For those outside Japan, you can find a list of other resources here.
A Florida man who dubbed himself the Wolf of Airbnb has pleaded guilty to a wire fraud charge for defrauding landlords and cheating a government pandemic program. Konrad Bicher entered the plea Monday in Manhattan federal court, admitting he gained about $2 million illegally. He agreed not to appeal any prison sentence that's roughly four to five years. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Bicher proudly referred to himself as the Wolf of Airbnb but admitted his businesses were premised on fraud. He says Bicher entered lease agreements on false pretenses and made false statements to obtain U.S.-guaranteed loans.
The Conference on Ukraines Recovery was held in London, and marked the transition to a new phase of the war against Russia: the US, NATO, and the EU are not only continuing to arm Kyiv forces but are preparing to transform Europe in the forefront of a long-lasting confrontation with Russia. There are several indications of what the plan might be:

1) Create a military demarcation line in Europe, like the one that has divided the Korean peninsula for 70 years, formally demilitarized through an armistice with Russia.

2) Put Ukraine, formally out of NATO, under the tutelage of Poland which, at the official request of Kyiv, would permanently deploy its military forces there together with those of the three Baltic Republics and possibly other NATO countries.

Hence the need for Ukraines recovery, which cost is expected to be between 400 and 1,000 billion dollars. In this framework, European Union  which this year has allocated 18 billion euros to pay salaries, pensions, and public services in Ukraine  allocates another 50 billion euros for the recovery of Ukraine, taking away other vital resources from EU countries.

The plan stems from the failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive which, according to what they announced, was supposed to break through the Russian lines and reconquer the occupied territories. The Ukrainian armed forces, financed, armed, and trained by NATO, equipped with the most modern weaponry (such as the German Leopard tanks) are suffering increasing losses. Hence the need for a new strategy.

An unwinnable war / Washington needs an endgame in Ukraine, [1] writes Samuel Charap, an analyst at the RAND Corporation: A total victory on the field by either side is nearly impossible. Proper peace is impossible. However, it is possible that the two sides could settle for a Korean-style armistice line. This scenario is further elaborated by Anders Rasmussen, NATO secretary general at the time when it demolished the Libyan State in war and started covert operations to do the same in Syria: We know that Poland is very busy providing assistance specific to Ukraine. I do not exclude that Poland is even more involved in this context on a national basis and that it is followed by the Baltic states, with the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine.
Can Yevgeny Prigozhins attempted "coup" reverse the fate of arms in Ukraine? This was the wish of Nato, which hoped for this uprising and awakened its sleeper agents in Russia. The United Kingdom and the United States wanted to finally bring about the partition of the country that they had been unable to complete in 1991 [1].

The creation of private military companies (PMCs), including the Wagner Group, was an idea endorsed by President Vladimir Putin to test new forms of command before selecting and imposing the best ones on his army. In the space of a few years, these companies have tested many different methods, often proving their effectiveness. The time had come to complete the restructuring of the Russian army by disbanding them and integrating their forces into the regular army [2]. A deadline had been set by President Putin: July 1. Last month, the Ministry of Defense therefore sent draft contracts to the various private military companies to plan their incorporation. But the Wagner Group refused to respond, and Yevgeny Prigozhin stepped up his insults against the Minister and the Chief of Staff.

Its important to understand whats going on: Russias creation of private military companies is the equivalent of what the United States did, under Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, when it increased the use of PMCs on the bangs of the Pentagon. At first it worked, but these companies also worked for the CIA, and the mix of genres led to a series of disasters. When they were working exclusively for the Pentagon, their executives spoke out in public, like Blackwaters Erik Prince. But they never took a stand against the Secretary of Defense or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

By the way, neither Blackwaters U.S. soldiers nor Wagners Russians are mercenaries. They are fighting for their country, and are paid to take inordinate risks that cannot be asked of regular soldiers. On the contrary, mercenaries fight for money under the command of a foreign power.

The fact that the head of a private military company publishes inflammatory videos against the heads of regular armies for two months, and moreover in the middle of a military operation, would not be tolerated in any state. Yet it was with Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia. The correspondents we interviewed during these two months all considered that the Kremlin was letting him bawl to capture the attention of Westerners and conceal from them the reorganization of the regular armies. Some began to roll their eyes when, in March, there was talk of Prigozhin running for the Ukrainian presidency: had the swindler lost his sense of proportion?

Western intelligence services focused on Yevgeny Prigozhin from the start of military operations in Ukraine. On March 18, they revealed a thousand documents on his activities [3]. The aim was to expose the network of companies he had set up, in order to lend credibility to the accusation that Russia was not an anti-colonial power, since Wagner was plundering Africa. But in the final analysis, these documents show that Prigozhin is a thug, not that he steals from the countries he works with.

He took part in the hunt for corruption within the Russian armed forces, but that didnt stop him from developing corruption outside the armed forces. It is possible that, thanks to these investigations, Westerners have found a way to manipulate him; the man being both a patriot and a proven swindler, convicted in the Soviet Union. We dont know, and wont know until the case is over.

The fact remains that Yevgeny Prigozhin has embarked on an enterprise worthy of the oligarchs of the Yeltsin period. He claims that the Minister of Defense, the touvain Sergei Choigou, went to Rostov-on-Don to supervise the bombing of Wagners troops. He accused the Ministry of Defense of murdering thousands of his men. Finally, he left the front and came to Rostov-on-Don to take possession of the headquarters of the regular armies. He announced that he was marching on Moscow with his 25,000 men to settle scores with the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff.

In his latest video, he declares: "We were ready to make concessions to the Ministry of Defense, to give up our weapons, to find a solution on how we would continue to defend the country (...) Today, they launched rocket attacks on our camps. Many soldiers died. We will decide how to respond to this atrocity. The next round is ours. This creature [the Minister of Defense] will be stopped.

Wagner had 25,000 men at his disposal, but not just on the Ukrainian front. Many were stationed in Asia and Africa. Whats more, although he has aircraft at his disposal, his air force is inadequate compared with that of the regular armies, and his column would have been bombed without him being able to protect it.

In less than a day, all the authorities in the Russian Federation renewed their allegiance to the Kremlin. President Vladimir Putin spoke on television. He recalled the precedent of 1917, when Lenin withdrew Tsarist Russia from the First World War when it was close to victory. He called on everyone to assume their responsibilities and serve the fatherland rather than personal adventure.

During his speech, Vladimir Putin praised the valour of Wagners soldiers, many of whom died for their country. He did not hold them responsible for the situation, but asked them not to follow their leader against the state and therefore against the people.

Concluding his short address to the Nation, President Vladimir Putin declared: "We will save what is dear and holy to us. We will overcome all tests, we will become even stronger".

This speech was broadcast over and over again on Russian TV, dramatizing the situation.

The Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation opened an investigation against Prigozhin for "organizing an armed rebellion".

The Ukrainian authorities appealed on social networks to the Belarusian opposition to take advantage of the Russian disorder, rise up and eliminate President Alexander Lukashenko [4].

The Russian secret services, which had been watching all the protagonists and keeping a low profile from the outset, had the traitors who had unmasked themselves in Belarus and Russia arrested in flagrante delicto.

During the day, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who had been telephoned by his Russian counterpart, contacted Yevgeny Prigozhin and persuaded him to abandon his plans and return his troops to the front. Vladimir Putin gave his word that the rebel would respect the agreement he had signed. The latter announced that he was giving up on overthrowing Shoigu and Gerasimov.

End of story.

First point: there was never any attempt at a "coup detat". Wagner was not capable of taking Moscow, and Prigozhin never verbally attacked President Putin. In fact, Putin never denounced anything of the sort, but rather "a stab in the back" against Russian forces in the Ukraine.

Secondly, this is not a "mutiny" either. Wagner does not report to the Minister of Defense, but directly to the President. Prigozhin rebelled against it and it alone. His only demand was to remain independent of the regular armies. If he was ready to give up his military activities, he clings to the related businesses he has developed in all theaters of operation where he is present. As we have said, the man is both a patriot and a swindler.

Third point: in the words of President Putin, this is "armed rebellion" and "abandonment of duty". Wagner left the front, but the Ukrainians didnt dare, or couldnt, attack the part of the front he had abandoned. Now, theres nothing more contemptible to Russians than defenders who abandon their posts. Thats why Prigozhin had broadcast a video the previous day claiming that Kiev had not bombed the Donbass in the previous eight years, shamelessly contradicting the observations of the OSCE and the UN Security Council. Unfortunately for him, the Russians dont take kindly to anyone questioning their good faith.

At this point, one more remark is in order: while rebelling against President Putin, Prigozhin didnt kill anyone. His troops entered Rostov-on-Don without encountering any resistance. Regular Russian forces did not attack Wagners headquarters in Saint Petersburg. Prigozhins men did not march on Moscow. The Ministry of Defense apparently fired no missiles at Wagners soldiers. The Prosecutor General has closed the rebellion case. The Wagner militiamen who did not take part in the rebellion were immediately integrated into the regular army. Three units returned to the front. The fate of militiamen who took part in the rebellion will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

All in all, the state has not been weakened. The two winners are the Russian Federation and Belarus. The fact remains that, in the Russian mind, the whole affair was largely staged: we witnessed a threatening rebellion that immediately dissipated. The only thing that remained was the questioning of the quality of military command - a stubborn idea, despite the populations faith in the self-sacrificing spirit of its soldiers.

At the end of this strange episode, President Putin spoke again on television. He praised the Wagner fighters and called on them to join the regular army, the secret service or other security forces. He also gave them the choice of returning home or joining Prigojine in Belarus.

All sorts of hypotheses are circulating on Russian social networks. The most surprising is that Wagner could not rebel and march on the capital without the help of the Ministry of Defense, which supplied him with fuel.

The next few weeks should see the final phase in the transformation of the Russian army. It is by no means certain that those who clashed yesterday will turn out to be adversaries.
Photo: Taylor Hill/WireImage

Earlier this month, Spotify, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle made a mutual decision to part ways on their $20 million exclusive deal. However, despite the microphones being put away, the noise inside Archewell Audio still seeps out in the form of drama and rumors. To backtrack a little: Spotify announced that the former royal family members signed an exclusive deal with it toward the end of 2020. With Archewell Audio, their goal was to create podcasts that centered on uplifting voice through shared experiences, powerful narratives, and universal values. During their time with Spotify, they released two podcasts: a holiday special and Archetypes, hosted by Markle, which discusses stereotypes against women that featured guests like Mariah Carey, Mindy Kaling, and Paris Hilton. However, just a little under three years after the announcement, Archewell Audio is splitting from Spotify and reportedly searching for a new home for its audio projects.

As Markle and Prince Harry try to figure out their next move, were still trying to figure out what in the past two years led to all this. Thankfully, weve compiled all the Meghan/Harry/Spotify drama and will be dishing it out in a 20-episode-long drawn-out podcast series with ads every 15 minutes. Kidding. Its all below for easy listening reading.

What was going on behind the scenes?

According to The Wall Street Journal, Spotify leadership was reportedly frustrated with the time it took to conceptualize and complete projects. Archewell struggled with its team, as it initially did not have a team member assigned to audio projects but eventually hired a head of audio. Despite the slow start, Archetypes flew to No. 1 on the Spotify charts and was in talks for a season two before the contract ended. However, its short success wasnt unconditional. Since its inception in 2020, the Archewell team had several departures in its leadership. The head of communications at Archewell left in May 2022, and several others, like the head of audio, head of scripted content, and head of marketing, left as well. Other departures included Promising Young Woman producer Ben Browning and president of Archewell Mandana Dayani.

Prince Harry pitched what as podcasts?

On Harrys end of the deal, he reportedly struggled to develop a podcast idea that led to an actual show. WSJ reported that some of his ideas ranged from interviewing military veterans to misinformation to his point of view on living in America. Others included celebrities involvement, like co-hosting an unnamed show with comedian Hasan Minhaj. According to Bloomberg, he was also interested in a podcast about fatherhood and major societal conversations, with Pope Francis on as a potential guest to talk about religion. However, the most random ideas that came from Harry were the reports that he wanted to interview guests like Vladimir Putin, Mark Zuckerberg, and Donald Trump on their childhood trauma to see how they became the people they are today.

What are industry leaders saying?

They are  not being supportive, to say the least. The CEO of UTA Jeremy Zimmer called Markle untalented during the Cannes Lions advertising festival. Turns out Meghan Markle was not a great audio talent, or necessarily any kind of talent, Zimmer reportedly said of the end of the podcasting deal and the trend of celebrity podcasts, according to Semafor. And, you know, just because youre famous doesnt make you great at something. Spotify executive and the Ringer CEO Bill Simmons called the couple grifters on his podcast, criticizing their involvement with the platform. The F**king Grifters. Thats the podcast we should have launched with them. I have got to get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. Its one of my best stories  F**k them, he stated.

Have Harry and Meghan responded?

Not officially, no. But according to a report from the Daily Mail (which should be taken with a grain of salt), the pair have privately blamed bad luck for their failure to produce content at Spotify as well as Netflix. An unnamed insider told the Mail that Covid, economic woes, the death of the Queen and the decline in Price Philips health are, according to the couple, behind their misfortune. The word is that they think theyve been really unlucky, the source said.

Whats Taylor Swift got to do with this?

It all leads back to Taylor Swift. Markle allegedly wrote Swift a personal letter asking her to Speak Now (Taylors Version) to come on the Archetypes podcast, to which she declined through a representative  she was probably working on Midnights during that time, to be fair. No other details have been confirmed on what their episode topic wouldve been.

So, now what?

Well, the ex-royals still have their deal with Netflix. Despite Harry and Meghan becoming the most-watched documentary on the platform, they are apparently on thin ice, according to The Sun. The Sun reports that the couple was only paid half of their Netflix deal and will allegedly only get the rest if they produce another hit. Scripted content is probably off the table due to the ongoing writers strike, so the couple is perhaps coming up with some reality-show pitches. Maybe theres a dating show between royals and commoners coming soon to Netflix, as long as its nothing like I Wanna Marry Harry. Or actually 

This post has been updated.
Um, can we get Isabella into some kind of intensive trauma-therapy program? The fifth episode of Cruel Summer: The Revenge Porn Murder Edition has finally offered some clarity on Izzies pre-Chatham life, and it turns out that by July of 2000, Isabella has now been involved in two best friends mysterious deaths in less than two years. The second of these was Luke, of course, and the first was Lisa  Izzies frequently referenced European bestie to whom she has been writing unsent postcards about her new life in the Pacific Northwest and who we now know has been dead the whole time. So, either Isabella is a murderous psychopath (in which case, I still think some serious mental-health care is in order), or shes just deeply cursed.

But for all the Anna Delvey vibes Isabella is giving, of the two of them, I think Megan has the most promising future career as a Girl Boss Scammer. Because All I Want for Christmas also gave us some insight into Megans  less dark but potentially more illegal  secret life, where she is learning how to hack into federal databases from the creepy, gun-toting recluse (also known as Captain Cray-Cray to Isabella) who lives near Lukes family cabin in the woods.

Its all very ominous and intriguing, which I appreciate, but none of these revelations bring us any closer to understanding how Luke died or how Megan and Isabella were involved. This plot is doing too much and also not enough at the same time. I know this is Cruel Summer and not Cruel Winter, but I think the pacing would all be a lot more effective if the show spent more time in the December time period and less in the Julys, since December is when all the actual plot momentum happens. I say this even though the July 99 plot just got interesting for the first time since Isabella arrived.

In 1999, Izzie is about to celebrate the well-known American tradition of Christmas in July for the first time when shes surprised by an unwelcome blast from the past sitting in the Landrys kitchen. His name is Trevor  brother of Lisa (R.I.P.), ex-boyfriend, and kind of a jerk, if Im honest. Trevor cant decide what about Isabellas new life he finds most disturbing: that she wears mall brands now, that shes dating Luke, or that she hasnt told any of her new best friends that she (possibly) contributed to Lisas tragic drowning death during some sort of drunken European escapade. Actually, he seems most put out by the fact that after his sister died, Isabella immediately disappeared to hide out in Everytown, USA, without saying anything to him.

In her defense, Isabella tells Trevor that she cant control where her parents decide to ship her off to and that Megan really is her new best friend. She also tries to distract him by smashing her face onto his face. Its a noble effort, but it fails.

After Trevor leaves, July of 99 returns to its regularly scheduled teen love-triangle programming. Isabella and Luke have sex for the first and (as far as we know) last time, because as soon as Izzie returns home, Megan confesses that she actually does have feelings for Luke, and Isabella promptly backs off. Two teens in 1999 who are obsessed with The Matrix? Who is Isabella to come between soul mates like that?

Anyway, cut to December. Megan has made Izzie a photo album filled with carefully gathered and assembled Polaroids of the two of them and their friends as a Christmas gift because, must we remind you, Megan is poor. Isabella then pulls out her Christmas gift to Megan, an obscenely expensive new monitor for her computer. So, you know, things are still a little weird between our ride-or-dies. Theres also the fact that Megan is still touchy about the Isabella-and-Luke dynamic, and also Isabellas new habit of following Megans car to spy on her. This is how Izzie catches Meg delivering gifts to Captain Cray-Cray, which she finds sketchy and immediately reports to Luke.

Im just going to say this: If Isabella really wants Megans undying loyalty, shes going to have to stop spilling her secrets to literally everyone. For instance, if you go snooping through your best friends garbage and discover a positive pregnancy test, dont tell anybody! You never know if it could be used against said best friend in a murder investigation six months later. In July of 2000, Megan and Isabellas relationship has become downright hostile, perhaps in part because Izzie is the reason Megans pregnancy is now being printed in newspaper headlines. Isabella confesses she found out Megan was pregnant and at some point told this news to her lawyer, who told the press. That is simply not ride-or-die behavior, Isabella. Im still rooting for you, but come on.

Megan, kind of understandably, in my opinion, insists to Debbie that Isabella find somewhere else to live for the time being, and Debbie reluctantly obliges. Isabella agrees to go, but not before dropping one more bombshell. Debbie, theres something under my bed that Megan wanted to get rid of, Isabella tells her. You should ask her why.

All I know for sure is that Isabella is not to be trusted with sensitive information.

Clues to Watch

 Why, exactly, is Megan trying to hack the Feds? Is this still considered white hat hacking?

 How did Lisa die?

 What happened to Brent?

 Im also going to need a lot more information about Isabellas so-called diplomat parents.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 21:46 | All, World, Japan

Shareholders of Nissan Motor Co. on Tuesday approved a revamped management that diminishes the influence of its biggest shareholder and alliance partner, Renault SA, as the Japanese automaker seeks to rebalance its rocky partnership with the French company.

At their 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.

The company said it will not appoint a new COO to replace Gupta. The Indian executive became Nissan COO in December 2019 after serving as COO at Mitsubishi Motors Corp., another alliance partner.

Among other directors, Masakazu Toyoda, chair of the nomination committee, and Jenifer Rogers, a legal expert, also stepped down, while Brenda Harvey, hailing from IBM Corp., was newly appointed, reducing the total number of directors to 10 from 12.

The decision came as Nissan tries to gain more independence from Renault, which currently holds an over 40 percent stake in the Japanese company.

The two companies in February agreed to make their mutual cross-shareholdings equal at 15 percent in a deal that would change the decades-old capital alliance.

A final agreement has yet to be reached, however, despite their initial plan to conclude a deal by the end of March this year.

The departure of Gupta, announced earlier this month, surprised many in the industry as he was seen as a candidate for future Nissan CEO. Infighting among its executives is said to be behind his decision to leave the company.

Nissan initially said he decided to leave to pursue other opportunities, but in response to increased media attention, the automaker said it has asked a third-party body to examine the matter.

"Nissan is always plagued with scandals," said a 73-year-old shareholder from Tokyo who attended the annual meeting. "I wonder if its corporate governance is really functioning."

Prior to the vote on directors, U.S. proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis had advised shareholders to vote against the reappointment of Uchida, saying the company is not doing enough to address issues related to climate change and that he should be held responsible.

Related coverage:

Ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn files $1 bil. lawsuit against carmaker: report

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 14:17 | World, All

Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed Tuesday Beijing's firm opposition to the "politicization" of economic and trade issues and pledged to advance high-standard opening-up in a speech to a World Economic Forum meeting in Tianjin.

At an opening ceremony of the three-day conference dubbed the Summer Davos, the premier stressed the importance of openness and cooperation in the world economy and warned against moves in the West to de-risk or reduce dependency on China, labeling them "false propositions."

"Governments and relevant organizations should not overreach themselves, still less, overstretch the concept of risk and turn it into an ideological tool," Li said.

He urged the international community to work together "to keep global industrial and supply chains stable, smooth and secure" in order to deliver the fruits of globalization to different countries and groups of people in an equitable way.

The premier also assured China will uphold the market economy and support free trade to steer the world toward a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic future.

Li's remarks came as U.S. President Joe Biden has underlined the need to "de-risk and diversify" his country's relationship with China, rather than de-coupling from the world's second-largest economy.

In May, Biden and other Group of Seven leaders also mentioned de-risking in their joint statement following a summit in Hiroshima, western Japan.

The annual Summer Davos meeting was held this year in the port city southeast of Beijing for the first time since 2019. It was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in each of the past three years.

Some 1,500 participants from business circles, governments, international organizations and academia have joined the event, which is themed on entrepreneurship. They include New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
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In a 6-3 decision, the US Supreme Court firmly rejected the so-called independent state legislature theory. This bizarre theory would have allowed renegade legislators to violate their state constitutions in setting rules for federal elections  allowing them to hijack elections for US Congress and even the presidency. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The ruling was therefore a vote to protect the democratic process. Thats one of the Supreme Courts most important jobs. Its hard to overstate how important it is that this court is prepared to fulfill that duty.

The decision in the case, Moore v. Harper, was written by Chief Justice John Roberts. It was joined not only by the courts three liberals but also by Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. That too is significant. By joining the opinion, Kavanaugh and Barrett showed that, notwithstanding their undoubted conservatism, they are not going to be radical revolutionaries when it comes to the basic structure of democratic elections. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the dissenters, Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito.

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When the case was argued, I described in some detail the crazy argument that the court was encouraged to consider. Basically, it relied on extreme literalism. The US Constitution says that its up to state legislatures to specify the time, place and manner of congressional elections. (Ditto for presidential elections.) Based on that language, the petitioners in the case asserted that a state supreme court  applying the state constitution and state laws  lacked the authority under the federal Constitution to strike down unlawful action by the state legislature. Their theory was that since the Constitution says that the state legislature is in charge, the state supreme court cant intervene, no matter what.

Robertss opinion made it clear that this argument holds no water under basic principles of US constitutional law. Under the fundamental theory that underlies not only the federal but all the state constitutions, the state legislature is the creature of the state constitution. And under the principle of judicial review, the state supreme court has the authority to interpret the state constitution and state laws, just like the Supreme Court has the last word on the meaning of the US Constitution and federal law. To say otherwise, as the petitioners did, would distort the basic fabric of both state and federal constitutional law.

Its kind of astonishing that anyone would disagree with this. But Thomass dissent did. To give you just a flavor of how arcane his argument was, Thomas insisted that, since congressional elections are a product of the Constitution, not of states rights, then the Constitution must be read as literally requiring the states lawmaking body to set election rules. Thus the state legislature  not the state constitution as applied by the state supreme court  must have the final word in state elections. (Only Gorsuch joined that part of Thomass dissent. Alito joined the part of the dissent that said the Supreme Court should not have taken the case because it was already moot.)

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The practical question going forward is how the US Supreme Court will review the actions of state supreme courts when they intervene in redistricting or in presidential elections. That issue has its roots in the Bush v. Gore litigation, in which the US Supreme Court overturned the Florida supreme courts application of Florida election law.

Roberts told state supreme courts that the Supreme Court would grant some deference to their interpretation of their own state constitution and state laws. But he also warned that the US Supreme Court would strike down state supreme court rulings if they transgress the ordinary bounds of judicial review such that they arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections.

In a solo concurrence, Kavanaugh tried to refine the standard, advocating for the one advanced by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist in the Bush v. Gore case: whether the state court had impermissibly distorted state law beyond what a fair reading required. He suggested this was effectively the same as the standard presented by Justice David Souter that case: whether the state court exceeded the limits of reasonable interpretation of state law. In truth, Souters standard is more deferential, and would be the better one for the court to adopt should it find itself intervening in future cases.

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The upshot is that, when the Supreme Court wants to, it will still overrule state supreme courts interpretations of state law when it comes to federal elections. Thats the enduring legacy of Bush v. Gore. But at least for now we know that six justices dont want runaway state legislatures to break electoral democracy. Thats one less thing to worry about.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 A Conservative Theory Too Extreme Even for This Supreme Court: Noah Feldman

 The Mystery of Gorsuchs Passionate Support for Tribes: Stephen L. Carter

 Supreme Courts Voting Rights Ruling Contains Hints for Affirmative Action: Stephen L. Carter

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Noah Feldman is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A professor of law at Harvard University, he is author, most recently, of The Broken Constitution: Lincoln, Slavery and the Refounding of America.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

2023 Bloomberg L.P.

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Workers in a gemstone mine where lithium-bearing ore is also unearthed.

Afghanistan may have the worlds largest lithium reserves. Chinese entrepreneurs are eager to help the countrys Taliban rulers exploit them.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 20:57 | All, World, Japan

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. They are also close to an agreement to resume a bilateral currency swap agreement, officials said.

The 2019 removal of South Korea from a "white list" of countries entitled to receive minimum restrictions on trade came after South Korea's Supreme Court in the previous year ordered two Japanese firms to compensate Korean plaintiffs over forced labor accusations connected to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Though widely seen as a retaliatory step, Japan at the time said it had concerns over Seoul's export system and needed to confirm whether it was effective in preventing exported goods from flowing into North Korea and other countries of concern. The measure affected a wide variety of products and technologies that could be diverted for military use.

Seoul later removed Japan from its own white list.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet gave approval following the completion of procedures to collect public opinion on lifting the measure, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a press conference that the two countries have also agreed to establish a follow-up scheme, including reviewing the export control systems of both countries if necessary.

South Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry on Tuesday also welcomed the mutual lifting of export controls, saying it had "completely restored bilateral trust."

The finance authorities of the two countries will meet Thursday in Tokyo to discuss issues surrounding their economies, including steps to counter future financial crises, the officials said.

The currency swap agreement, aimed at ensuring they have access to sufficient dollar funds to withstand financial market instability, expired in 2012 amid a territorial dispute.

In March, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit where they vowed to mend ties.

The same month, Japan eased export controls on three key semiconductor manufacturing materials heading to South Korea, in response to Seoul retracting its complaint with the World Trade Organization over the export controls.

The next month, South Korea put Japan back on its list of countries entitled to preferential treatment after its removal more than three years earlier, allowing strategic items to head to Japan with a shorter review period.

The two countries also resumed in April their policy dialogue.

Related coverage:

Japan, South Korea to further discuss preventing radar lock-on incidents

South Korea fund compensates surviving Japan wartime labor victim
After I presented, no one said anything, which was fairly unusual. A few minutes later, a vice-president in the room said you know what I think we should do, and then he basically regurgitated everything I had said, even though there was a PowerPoint slide right behind me and hes looking at it and claimed all the ideas as his. He got full credit for that campaign. No one said anything. No one defended me. No one did anything. Brie Larson stars as Elizabeth Zott in Apple TVs forthcoming adaptation of Bonnie Garmus book. Credit: Speaking over Zoom from London, where she, her husband and 99, her greyhound, now live, she says she stomped back to her desk thinking how many times has this happened to women in the world today, or this week, or this year? And I decided it was probably in the billions. So cross was she that, ignoring a copywriting deadline, she bashed out the first chapter and final three sentences of Lessons in Chemistry. That was in 2013. She set the book in the late 50s and early 60s because I needed reassurance that we had moved forward as women in the world and that day I wasnt completely sure. She also realised that she was writing about a woman of her mothers generation.

Bonnie Garmus says her character Elizabeth Zott is her role model. Credit: Linda Hildrum I had a chance to look back and think about everything those women in my neighbourhood had given up or had been forced to give up to be stay-at-home mums, which was really their only choice. And for me growing up, all those women were always called average housewives  it was very dismissive. But Elizabeth is not an iteration of her mother; rather, she is Garmus role model. That day I felt like I needed a role model and thats why I started to write. There is one character in the book, however, who does have a solid basis in reality, the tall, gray, thin dog called 6.30 (youll have to read the book to learn the reason for the name) with an impressive comprehension of English. His real-life equivalent was Garmus dog, Friday, a rescue hound who had been so abused her previous owner was jailed. She turned out to be the Einstein of dogs. In the book, Elizabeth is teaching her dog words but in real life Friday just learned words by listening.

She followed conversations, keeping her eye on each speaker. And when Garmus would read her work out loud, she would stare at me the entire time. Unfortunately, she died before the book ended, but the good thing is that she had already heard the last three sentences. Lewis Pullman as Calvin Evans and Brie Larson with 6.30, the dog. Credit: And Friday, it seems, was bilingual. When the family moved to Switzerland, she had to pass a tricky Swiss obedience test  in German  to be legally registered. She was with the dog handler for an hour and when they came back he told Garmus Friday was not an American dog, but Swiss. He said this dog passed our test. Shes the only one who got 100 per cent in two years. That included all the Swiss dogs. So, she was really unusual. In the forthcoming Apple TV adaptation, Brie Larson plays Elizabeth and Lewis Pullman is Calvin. Garmus says the structure has changed because no one writes a novel in exact 15-minute segments. The series is still being edited, so she hasnt seen it all, but says the experience hasnt been horrible. I got some good advice early on, which is you release your novel to them and then you back away ... You just kind of give up your trust.

Garmus has always been concerned about privacy issues in the US, but says with social media it has become a real issue. Now with her new-found fame she is more guarded than previously. She is still amazed at the number of people who want a selfie when she does an event. Its just the strangest thing. She may be living in London, but home remains the US, and she expects to return to Seattle eventually. She was there at Christmas, but says she barely recognises the US now. With the strong shift to the right, she reckons the idea of democracy and civil discourse have been polluted. Money seems to be the ruling decree there now. And theres so much misinformation, and people are bombarded by it. They dont know what to believe. So they believe what they see and you really cant do that anymore. Garmus says that copywriting taught her not to bore people, and to be tough about sentence structure, length and communication. When Im writing I always think of the same person, somebody whos coming home from work on the Tube. Theyre tired and they dont want to read something that just goes on and on, she said. Its a lot to ask somebody to sit down with your novel for eight or 10 hours. Its a privilege for me to have someone read my book and I just dont want to waste their time. No question of that with Lessons in Chemistry.
Having stared down Vogue readers from 40 covers, veteran supermodel Lauren Huttons opinion of beauty is surprisingly more homespun than high fashion.

I like looking good because people are nicer to you and then youre nicer to them, Hutton, 79, says. I just need to remind myself to be nicer to myself.

Supermodel Lauren Hutton on the Valentino runway in Paris, 2019. Credit: Getty

Surely, the woman who inspired some of photographic master Richard Avedons best work and broke modellings reflective glass ceiling in 1973, by signing a $250,000 a year Revlon contract for 20 days work, understands the power of high cheekbones, an unflinching stare and athletic frame.

Well I spent enormous amounts of time in the sun growing up, so some days I wake up looking like the bottom of a foot.
She is the eldest of three girls. Neither of my parents finished high school so it was really important for them that we had a good quality education. We went to Tranby College in Baldivis, she said. After she graduated from high school she studied Indonesian as well as politics and international relations. I wasnt always politically minded, but when I went to uni Colin Barnett was premier and Tony Abbott prime minister. I didnt feel they represented my values, she said. A lot of opportunities afforded to me in my life came from Labor governments, the train line which meant I could go to university and the HECS scheme which meant I could be the first in my family to go to university, so I joined the Labor party in 2014.

Among her mentors are Labor heavyweights including McGowan, Premier Roger Cook and Alannah MacTiernan. All three have had such successful careers because they are so authentic, Marshall said. Magenta Marshall with former premier Mark McGowan. On Friday Marshall confirmed McGowan, one of the most popular premiers WA has ever seen, will be campaigning alongside her, a move that will all but seal the fate of the other candidates running in the nine-horse race. Roger and Brenda Park have lived in Rockingham for 40 years and said given McGowan had endorsed Marshall, they would vote for her.

He did us proud, and good on him for pulling the pin when he wanted to, said Roger. Rockingham voter Greg Lowe said the election result was a foregone conclusion. I was very shocked when McGowan resigned. He did a hell of a job, he said. Im not sure why the Liberal Party even bothered putting a candidate up. Rockingham has been a Labor seat since day one. Rockingham Liberal candidate Peter Hudson said he was realistic about his chances, but was up for a fight.

Ill leave it to punters to speculate about who could win but every time the Libs run in a seat we are fighting to win, he said. McGowan is undoubtedly still popular in the seat, but Magenta cant hide behind McGowan because his name wont be on the ballot come July 29. Peter Hudson with Libby Mettam. There are a lot of people in the electorate who feel the seat has been neglected and left behind particularly since Labor took office six years ago. Hudson, 21, joined the Young Liberals on his 16th birthday and cites John Howard as a role model.

He grew up and attended school in the electorate and still lives and works there today. Hudson said he would be campaigning on the ground all day every day from 6am to midnight until election day. Political commentator Peter Kennedy said the seat was Marshalls to lose, and there would have to be a record swing for the seat to swing to another party or independent. He said axing social media was one way to prevent any potentially embarrassing and fatal blunders. Deleting personal social media accounts is a safety-first measure, he said.

A lot of candidates have gotten into a lot of bother when past messages have been dredged up. Loading Major parties are quite aware of these problems now and always ask candidates if there are any major skeletons in their closet they need to be prepared for. Kennedy said the by-election was still a good opportunity for the Liberals to make a dent in the vote. One challenge of the election was the lack of awareness with some voters that McGowans resignation had triggered a by-election.
Senator David Van billed taxpayers for accommodation in the Whitsundays region while he was onboard an all-expenses-paid voyage on a defence ship as part of an $8000 trip to Queensland that began just before his home city of Melbourne was locked down.

The former Liberal, who was pressured to quit the party after multiple allegations of touching women which he denies, travelled to the Whitsundays on July 13, 2021 where he joined an Australian Defence Force vessel.

Senator David Van during a visit to Australias main operating base in the Middle East region in 2020.

Accommodation was provided by the ADF but Van claimed $2208 in travel allowance  an expenditure that is considered within the guidelines of parliamentary travel entitlements.

Records reveal Van travelled to Queensland at his own expense but billed taxpayers for an eight-night stay in Proserpine. He was off the coast on board the vessel as part of an Australian Defence Force parliamentary program trip.
Its said that a visit to Tanna is a chance to see Vanuatu as it really is. On this island in the South Pacific archipelago, resorts are rarities and visitors can feel as if theyre stepping into another world, one where the clock has turned back. Roads are few and far between; most are unsealed and potholed. Power supplies are intermittent and arranged marriages are common.

Even my transfer from Tannas White Grass Airport is a throwback to another time. After a 40-minute flight from Port Vila, Im collected in a safari-style vehicle with open rows of seats fitted in the back. Our driver, whose impressive dreadlocks hang halfway down his back, drives us three kilometres north along a dusty track before turning into the White Grass Ocean Resort, one of just a few on the island.

In Tanna, resorts are rarities and visitors can feel as if the clock has been wound back. Credit: iStock

Its set among swaying coconut palms on a coral bluff overlooking Tannas sheltered north-west coast. It opened in 2001 and, with a 3.5-star rating, still ranks as the islands ritziest, with 18 beach bures or two-bedroom family villas. A big asset are its genial Ni-Vanuatu staff, most of whom have been recruited from nearby villages. Theyll soon make you feel so at ease youll begin to entertain thoughts of inviting them for dinner.

Not so long ago, Vanuatu was ranked the happiest place in the world, following criteria that measured wellbeing, equality and life expectancy against a nations environmental impact. The simple things in life are what matters most here.
London: Russian intelligence services threatened to harm the families of Wagner leaders before Yevgeny Prigozhin called off his advance on Moscow, according to UK security sources.

It has also been assessed that the mercenary force had only 8000 fighters rather than the 25,000 claimed and faced likely defeat in any attempt to take the Russian capital.

Vladimir Putin is now trying to assimilate Wagner Group soldiers into the Russian military and take out its former leaders, according to insights shared with The Telegraph.

The analysis offers clues into the mystery of why Prigozhin, the Wagner Group leader, called off his mutinous march on Moscow on Saturday just hours before reaching the capital.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter to President of DjiboutiIsmail Omar Guelleh on the occasion of the Independence Day of this country, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

It is on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Djibouti  Independence Day that on my behalf and behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I cordially congratulate you and through you, your people.

I believe we will make joint efforts to develop Azerbaijan-Djibouti interstate relations along a friendly course and continue successfully our efficient cooperation within international bodies, including the Non-Aligned Movement and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, happiness, success and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Djibouti," the letter said.
By Toyohiro Horikoshi, KYODO NEWS - Jun 27, 2023 - 04:12 | Feature, All, World, Japan

The tumultuous life of Shiho Sakanishi, a Japanese woman who came to the United States nearly 100 years ago and whose trailblazing efforts helped bring the two countries together, should serve as an example for people in Japan today, especially the younger generations.

At a time when it was much harder for people in Japan to go abroad, let alone land a job in a foreign government, Sakanishi arrived in California in the 1920s when she was in her 20s, earned her doctorate in Michigan and worked as chief of the Japan section at the Library of Congress in Washington before World War II.

"It was a much more difficult time than now, and I think she was a highly capable woman," said Eiichi Ito, who holds a current post at the library similar to Sakanishi's former role, referring to an era of tensions between Tokyo and Washington as the war neared.

The library keeps many historical documents related to Sakanishi, including her letters. They include a note in which she showed her eagerness to research American diplomat Townsend Harris, who signed the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1858, a deal that led Japan to end its pre-modern national isolation.

Among the documents is a 1939 letter in which Shinzo Koizumi, then president of Keio Gijuku, the Tokyo-based academic institute that operates Keio University, asked her to attend its delegation in the United States.

Several decades removed from Sakanishi's death in 1976 at the age of 79, few Japanese know her name or life story, even among those living in the United States.

She was born in 1896 in the village of Shioya, now a part of the city of Otaru, Hokkaido. Her father was a former police officer. The family was not well-to-do, but she was able to attend a girls' school with the help of an American missionary and others.

Sakanishi was associated with Inazo Nitobe, a prominent educator and the first president of Tokyo Women's Christian University whose portrait was featured on Japan's old 5,000-yen bill.

Following her arrival in the United States, Sakanishi studied at Wheaton College in Massachusetts on a scholarship and went on to study aesthetics at a graduate school of the University of Michigan, earning her Ph.D. from the same institution. She was hired by the library in the U.S. capital in 1930.

When talking about Sakanishi, it is impossible not to address her role in the run-up to the Pacific War. Japanese officials, in their haste to gather information about the United States, asked her to help in light of her broad networks of U.S. contacts. The U.S. intelligence community considered her a spy.

Ellis Zacharias, an expert on Japan who served in naval intelligence, described Sakanishi in his 1946 book "Secret Missions" as "one of Japan's best operatives in the United States, screening her activities as an employee of the Congressional Library."

She was forced to return to Japan because U.S. authorities arrested her after the war broke out with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Some materials indicate Sakanishi tried to hide the fact that she hailed from Hokkaido, apparently due to fear that her record of arrest or surveillance by intelligence officers could affect her relatives.

Manabu Yokoyama, a professor emeritus of Notre Dame Seishin University who is familiar with her life, said in a thesis that Sakanishi did not think she did anything wrong in providing the requested information to Japanese Embassy staff in Washington.

"It seems she believed it should be her role to fill in those who were not well versed in the U.S. society on how Americans typically think and feel. It was part of what she did every day," Yokoyama said.

After the war, Sakanishi became known as a straight-talking critic in Japan. Many of her comments in newspapers reflected her idea that Japan was lagging behind the open-minded, democracy-based United States, a view which must have displeased some. She wrote many books and held many public positions in Japan, including as a member of the National Public Safety Commission.

"She established her place by responding to requests one by one. Her outstanding English language ability and the human skills that endeared her to so many people are amazing," Yokoyama said.

Sakanishi and others like her were trailblazers in cross-cultural understanding. They helped pave the way for growing numbers of Japanese in later generations to come to the United States for educational opportunities that enabled international careers.

In recent years, however, the number of students from Japan seeking degrees in the United States has steadily declined. The annual figure has long since been overtaken by the numbers of students from China and South Korea.

(Toyohiro Horikoshi is Kyodo News Washington Bureau chief)
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the WCO Regional Customs Laboratory for Europe, under the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund  Germany, successfully delivered a national workshop for the Republic of Albania on analyses of goods of Chapters 54 and 55 of HS. The workshop was held from 21 to 22 June 2023 at the Chemical Laboratory of the Albanian Customs Administration in Tirana, Republic of Albania.

The objective of the workshop was to improve the knowledge of the Customs Laboratory of Albania in textile analysis, classification and the use of adequate equipment.

The workshop was facilitated by an accredited WCO Technical and Operational Advisor on Customs Laboratory Matters from Italy, assisted by a national textile expert from the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency.

Over the course of the workshop, a wide range of topics related to textile products issues were addressed and the participants were informed about several databases and documentation specifically designed for the day to day routine in a Customs Laboratory.

The structure of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Laboratories was described in detail as a representative example of modern Customs Laboratories.

Participants were also informed about the efforts of the WCO Secretariat in promoting cooperation and networking between Customs Laboratories and, in particular, about the WCO Regional Customs Laboratories (CLEN  Customs Laboratories European Network) initiative.

Furthermore, specific tests for the identification and classification of textile products (fibres, yarns, fabrics and other textile articles) were put into practice with several application examples by participants and facilitators, including the differences between textured and non-textured polyester filaments, the recognition of synthetic staple fibres in yarns and fabrics, the classification of knitted fabric in headings 60.01, the needleloom felt and stich-bonded fibre fabrics, the difference between woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics, etc.

The workshop was attended by more than 10 participants from different departments of the Customs Administration of the Republic of Albania, involved in Chemical Laboratory and Classification of goods Unit.
The ICC held its 13th World Chambers Congress from 21-23 June 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. As the worlds largest business organization representing more than 45 million companies globally, the flagship event was co-organized with the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services under the theme  achieving peace and prosperity through multilateralism with a focus on the role of business and chambers in revitalizing multilateralism for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

The Congress brought together over 1500 participants from over 120 countries across the world. During the 3-day event, over 40 sessions were held on various topical matters shaped around the concepts of multilateralism, innovation and sustainability.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ATA Carnet operation, a dedicated Carnet session was held within the Congress program on 22 June 2023. The WCO, as a depository of the ATA and Istanbul Conventions on which the ATA Carnet is based, participated at the ATA Carnet session through a panel discussion. During the panel discussion, the WCO highlighted the value of the ATA Carnet in allowing the free movement of goods across frontiers and their temporary admission into a Customs territory with relief from duties and taxes, and also emphasized the high level of cooperation between the Customs community and national guaranteeing associations.

The WCO also spotlighted the importance of Carnet digitalization as a way to enhance efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness of temporary importation operations to the benefit of both Customs and the business community. Embracing the eATA initiative and thanking the ICC for the progress made so far, the WCO remarked that the successful use of the ATA Carnet for 60 years was an important milestone for the WCO, the ICC and the entire Chamber network.

The Congress is held every two years in a different region of the world as an international forum for chamber leaders and professionals to share best-practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world. The next Congress will be held in Melbourne, Australia in 2025.
Xinhua's Liu Kai has traveled over 6,000 km from the Russian Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to the capital Moscow. Check out what he encountered during the journey.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
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)
LUANDA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank and the Ministry of Finance of Angola on Monday signed an agreement worth 300 million U.S. dollars to boost the Central African country's economic diversification and create jobs.

The financing agreement for the economic diversification and job creation acceleration project aims to promote increased private investment for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in Angola while ensuring their resilience, said Victoria Kwakwa, vice president of the World Bank for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The project will benefit 12,000 companies and improve the country's overall business environment, she added.

She further explained that the project also focuses on the Lobito corridor, which is crucial for economic diversification as it connects the coastal areas with agricultural zones and neighboring countries. The trade corridor will make the economies of Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania tightly connected upon completion.

The Angolan ministry said that this agreement aligns with the government's strategy for public debt management to reduce costs and extend repayment periods. 
Lindquist Pops to dazzle audiences for 44th year at Weber State

June 27, 2023

OGDEN, Utah  The annual Lindquist Family Symphony Pops Concert and Fireworks will light up the skies above Weber State University on July 16 from 911 p.m.

Now in its 44th year, the free community celebration was initiated by John A. and Telitha E. Lindquist in 1978. Today, John E. Lindquist, president of Lindquist Mortuaries and Cemeteries in Ogden, proudly continues the tradition.

The Lindquist Family Symphony Pops Concert and Fireworks has become a hallmark of summer in northern Utah, said WSU President Brad Mortensen. Every year, we are grateful to the Lindquist family for sponsoring this beloved event that brings our community together on WSU's beautiful Ogden campus.

The New American Philharmonic will provide a 60-minute concert beginning at 9 p.m. at the Ada Lindquist Plaza at the heart of campus. The performance will include Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture with a battery of 16 cannons provided by the Cannoneers of the Wasatch.

Around 10 p.m., thousands of attendees will enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays in Utah, set to the music of the live symphony.

Several local food trucks will also be on hand to sell refreshments.

On-campus parking and seating is available, but limited. Parking lots A1 and A10 will be closed beginning July 15 at 9 a.m. Guests traveling in motorhomes or larger vehicles are encouraged to park on the east side of campus near Stewart Stadium. Additional parking is also available at the Dee Events Center.

The roundabouts off Harrison Boulevard and Dixon Drive will be closed to traffic, but vehicles can still access campus from Skyline Drive and Taylor Avenue. The interior part of campus will be closed to vehicles.

To minimize damage to campus grounds, attendees may not leave blankets, chairs or save spaces before 6 p.m. on July 15. Items placed on the lawn prior to that time will be removed.

Tarps, stakes and tent pegs are not allowed due to safety concerns and will be removed. No personal fireworks or pets are permitted, with the exception of service animals. Spectators are asked to clean up their area and drive with courtesy and caution following the event.
UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Monday called on the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) to provide more support for Honduras.

Under the leadership of President Iris Xiomara Castro, Honduras has adopted a series of measures in upholding the rule of law, improving livelihoods, fighting corruption and organized crime, strengthening public services, empowering women and youth, and ensuring fair elections, all of which have consolidated effectively the country's peace and stability, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Honduras' successful practices have provided valuable experience for international efforts in peacebuilding. China appreciates such contribution, he told a PBC ambassadorial-level meeting on peacebuilding in Honduras.

China hopes the PBC will continue to leverage its own strengths to provide more support to Honduras' nation-building and sustainable development under the framework of peacebuilding, said Geng.

It is important to fully respect the sovereignty and ownership of Honduras and listen to the needs and thoughts of the Honduran government in a timely manner. It is also important to curate well-designed cooperation programs conducive to strengthening the internal drivers of development, in line with the country's priorities in the next phase and with the 2030 Agenda, he said.

The PBC should utilize its convening and coordinating power to mobilize broad-based resources from UN entities, the Peacebuilding Fund, and international financial institutions, so as to build powerful synergy for the development of Honduras, he said.

Not long ago, President Castro paid a state visit to China, which opened a new chapter of China-Honduras relations. China firmly supports Honduras in its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and independence, promote development, and improve livelihoods, he said.

"We firmly support Honduras in its own choice of a development path suited to its national conditions. We also firmly support the country's efforts for promoting socioeconomic development. China stands ready to continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Honduras and work with Honduras to make greater contributions to maintaining international and regional peace and security and promoting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda," said Geng. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Becoming mostly cloudy with some gusty showers, storms, and downpours from midnight to sunrise; warm and muggy. .

Tonight

Becoming mostly cloudy with some gusty showers, storms, and downpours from midnight to sunrise; warm and muggy.
DALLAS (AP)  Personal information for more than 8,000 applicants to become pilots at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines was stolen when hackers broke into a data base maintained by a recruiting company.

The breach at Austin, Texas-based Pilot Credentials occurred April 30, and the airlines learned about it on May 3. They notified affected job seekers last week.

According to letters that the airlines were required to file with regulators in Maine, hackers gained access to names, birth dates, Social Security and passport numbers, and driver and pilot-license numbers of applicants for pilot and cadet jobs.

According to filings, 5,745 applicants to American and 3,009 at Southwest were affected, many of whom were hired by the airlines.

The Allied Pilots Association, which represents pilots at American, said 2,200 of its members were affected by the breach. Spokesman Dennis Tajer said the union is upset that American knew about the breach for more than seven weeks before it notified victims.

American said it had no evidence that the information was used for fraud or identity theft, but it offered each applicant two years of coverage from a service designed to protect people from identity theft.

The airlines said that since the breach, they have run their recruitment work through websites that they run instead of relying on an another company.

Fort Worth, Texas-based American and Dallas-based Southwest say they are working with a law enforcement investigation.
EXETER TWP., Pa.  The Fourth of July isn't until next week, but there was an early fireworks display at Monday's meeting of the Exeter Township Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor David Hughes was expelled from the meeting by Chair George Bell and Police Chief Matthew Hawley after he refused several requests by Bell to cease speaking so the meeting could return to the agenda. Hughes was later allowed to return when Bell said he intended only for Hughes to be removed for the vote on expenditures, not the entire meeting.

Before leaving, Hughes read a statement.

"I'd just like to say, as you've seen the events play out tonight, this township is in crisis," Hughes began. "And if I were allowed to give my report as I intended to do tonight, you'd find there are a group of individuals orchestrated by powers in this township, both here and behind the scenes, ready to oppose my opinions, my views."

"These folks are backed by powerful organizations with huge financial stakes and have persistently challenged me for the last two years," he alleged.

"The choice is yours," he continued. "Ignore the reality or lend an ear to what's really going on in these meetings. We have no leadership, as displayed by our chairman."

After Hughes left the meeting, Supervisor Ted Gardella made a motion to censure Hughes, seconded by Supervisor Michelle Kircher. Bell said he would prepare the censure motion in writing. It was approved 4-0 to prepare the motion.

"I want to get something done at these meetings," Kircher said. "We're not getting anything done except bickering back and forth with him (Hughes), and I commend you for what you're doing, George."

When Hughes returned, the supervisors continued with business.

Zoning/planning

After holding a public hearing on the matter, the supervisors approved Ordinance 2023-859 to allow additional conditional uses in the Township Commons zoning fistrict. The additional conditional uses are primarily related to residential uses such as apartments, condominiums, townhouses, assisted living facilities and mixed use.

A time extension for Exeter Self Storage was approved. The applicant requested the extension to address modifications to stormwater drainage.

The supervisors approved a time extension for Crestwood Subdivision A, Section 4 to extend plan review to October 24, 2023.

In addition, a time extension for Martin's Appliance until December 15, 2023, was approved. The extension was requested due to an issue with Sunoco on the relocation of their pipeline.

Administration

The supervisors ratified a transfer of funds in the amount of $310,447 from the American Rescue Plan Act to capital expense. The 2023 budget provided for ARPA funds in the amount of $496,500 for police purchases. So far, these purchases total $310,447 and reflect the purchase of body cameras, in-ground scales, license plate reader, and crime scene reconstruction equipment.

The supervisors also approved Keystone Management Solutions to provide direction, support and expertise to assist with the creation of the 2024 budget and improvement of the overall budget process. KMS will meet with elected officials, department management and staff members as well as other stakeholders.

The proposed fee is $22,500. The proposal assumes that the township provides all requested financial and other pertinent information in a complete, accurate and timely manner. Following the completion of the services, KMS will provide ongoing consulting services on an as-needed basis, strictly at the discretion of the township, at the rate of $225 per hour.

A motion to take action on hiring a search firm to recruit a new township manager to replace Betsy McBride was tabled until the next meeting on July 10. However, the supervisors approved the immediate hiring of Larry Piersol, currently director of public works, as interim manager.

Also, the supervisors approved 60 months of legal defense coverage for outgoing manager McBride to be done on a contract basis.

Parks and recreation

The supervisors authorized Piersol to solicit requests for proposals for the Pineland Park project to include installation and electrical work, ordering a restroom/pavilion building kit and playground equipment.

In addition, the supervisors authorized Piersol to apply for grant funding available through the Berks County Planning Commission's new Greenway, Parks, and Recreation program, a part of the Imagine Berks Economic Development Action Plan.

There is $250,000 set aside for 2023 for the county, and there will be another round for 2024. To apply, a statement must be submitted which describes the project, timeline, cost, the amount of funding being sought and the benefit to the community.

Police promotions

Police Chief Matthew Hawley reported the promotions of Sgt. Sean Fullerton to lieutenant, and Officers Craig Downs and Nathan Daniels to sergeants.

Supervisor Gardella commented that he was disappointed that the promotions were not brought before the supervisors for approval, although this is not required. Supervisor David Vollmer defended Hawley's actions.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - On Monday, the Pennsylvania State Senate confirmed Governor Josh Shapiro's nomination of Khalid Mumin as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

I am elated to have earned the trust and confidence to serve in this position and ensure every child in Pennsylvania receives a quality education, said Secretary Mumin. I would not be here today without the teachers and mentors who supported me. Our schools are more than buildings: they are conduits of hope. I will take the experiences I have gained through my life and career to carry out Governor Shapiros vision so that every Pennsylvania student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

Secretary Mumin brings more than 25 years of experience to the role. Beginning as an English teacher in Franklin County in 1997, he rose through the leadership ranks of the education system in Pennsylvania as a teacher, dean of students, principal and administrator.

Mumin served as superintendent of the Reading School District from 2014 to 2021. While in Reading, he was named the 2021 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA.)

I am firm in my belief that students learn in different ways, and highly effective educators are leaders who ignite learners interest, passion and focus on meeting high expectations in all educational settings, added Mumin. As Secretary of Education, I will remain committed to supporting education systems with resources and information to provide instruction that is high-quality, engaging and aligned with the needs of the workforce of the future.

Most recently, Dr. Mumin served as the Superintendent of Schools at Lower Merion School District.
READING, Pa.  Reading City Council voted unanimously Monday to allocate $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the Reading Redevelopment Authority for the acquisition, remediation and disposition of blighted properties within the city.

Last week, the chairman of the authority, John H. Miller Jr., told council that the authority will address blight through a plan to acquire blighted properties and act to either have them rehabilitated or demolished.

The authority will have an annual goal of dealing with 50 properties per year, as funding permits.

0:26 RSD holds public hearing on proposed STEM academy Reading residents discussed a plan to add a science-focused high school in the city.

Prior to the adoption of the ordinance, council President Donna Reed attempted to have the bill mandate that $100,000 be used to address blight in the area of Ninth and Douglass streets, which is the location of a new STEM school being constructed by the Reading School District.

Council rejected the amendment with only Melissa Ventura and Wanda Negron supporting Reed's request.

Councilwoman Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz said blight should be addressed based on priority.

"I understand the thought going behind this, but there are so many blighted properties at this point that are a health hazard, and I think those should be priorities and not a specific area of the city," Goodman-Hinnershitz said.

Councilman Chris Daubert said he understood where Reed where coming from, but said he was reluctant to tie the redevelopment authority's hands.

Reed attempted to convince her colleagues by reminding them that when the organization started by the late Albert Boscov  Our City Reading attempted to attack blight, it did so in a piecemeal fashion.

"We don't have a stronger neighborhood anywhere in the city to show for that because it was piecemeal," Reed said. "It was haphazard, and my feeling was that devoting $100,000 of this to a particular area would strengthen a core area of the city."

Managing Director William Heim said the $500,000 is really only seed money to see that the authority can move forward with the action.

"We shouldn't be handcuffing the authority by designating certain areas," Heim said. "At this point, let's get them moving and see what they can do."

"And if they are successful, then we need to look for further funds so that we can start to narrow the concentration," Heim continued. "It will take a lot more funding to make an appreciable difference in this city because $500,000 is not going to go very far at all."
READING, Pa.  The Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority voted Monday to authorize its executive director to solicit consultant proposals for engineering and environmental professional services to assist in the development of a service plan for the proposed passenger rail line.

The authority acted on the advice of Scott France, chairman of the planning committee, who explained the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has urged the start of the process ahead of some key financial assistance.

The authority is currently waiting on a finalized grant agreement with the FRA for a congressionally mandated grant in the amount of $750,000.

But more importantly, the authority is waiting to find out if the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail project will be accepted into the FRAs Corridor Identification Development Program. An announcement is expected in September.

The program is a key component in working towards the planning process to restore passenger rail service between Reading and Philadelphia.

We have gotten consistent guidance from the FRA that it is desirable if we are able to begin some of our activities before the quarterly advancements (from the grant) are made, France said. I think it would look well to the FRA that we are committed and ready to go. It would also give us a head start because even if we're accepted into the Corridor Identification program in September, it could be well into 2024 before we are actually working with the Corridor ID money.

The 750,000 we have would not be eligible for future match money because it is federal and it does not require match money upon itself, France explained. If we're ready to go and have use for that funding, there's no reason to sit on it and not get started.

Berks County Commissioner and authority chairman Christian Y. Leinbach noted that the development of a service plan cannot be undertaken by the authoritys existing overall project consultant, Transportation for America.

Thats not what Transportation for America does, Leinbach said. We need a specific type of consultant which is delineated in the material (from the FRA.)

The anticipated cost for the development of a service development plan is about $2 million.

The authority is a joint venture between Berks, Montgomery and Chester Counties and is tasked with the long-term goal of restoring passenger rail service from Reading to Philadelphia.
NEW DELHI, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Indian police in the capital city of Delhi detained over 1,500 people and seized 270 vehicles during an intensified night patrol operation, a local media report quoted police officials as saying Tuesday.

Meanwhile, five people were arrested for a daylight robbery of 2,438 U.S. dollars, police said.

According to the police, swift action to arrest the culprits and intensify night patrolling was taken against "bad characters" and those responsible for disturbing peace in the city.

The massive crackdown carried out on Monday night was initiated after a delivery agent and his associate were allegedly robbed at gunpoint by four motorcycle-riding men inside the Pragati Maidan tunnel.

The incident caught on closed-circuit television cameras installed at the location raised questions over the capital city's law and order situation.

Commenting on the robbery, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena, who is the federal government's representative. Law and order in Delhi is directly controlled by the federal government.

Kejriwal also repeated his long-standing demand that the control of the police force be handed over to the Delhi government. 
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa.  By a unanimous vote Monday night, the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission advanced the final land development plan of a proposed medical office.

The 45,000-square-foot facility is planned for 5 acres of land at the southwest corner of the Easton Avenue-Farmersville Road intersection in Bethlehem Township. Across Easton Avenue is another doctor's office  the St. Luke's William Penn Family Practice. An apartment complex has also been proposed for the southeastern corner of this intersection.

The medical office's parking lot would feature two-way entrances/exits on both Easton Avenue and Farmersville Road, according to renderings of the site by its developer, TSV-CEVN Bethlehem LLC.

The developer requested one waiver of a township ordinance to permit a 2-to-1 slope  meaning a slope that moves 2 feet vertically for every 1 foot horizontally  along the intersection of Easton Avenue and East Reeve Drive to minimize potential impact on homeowners whose backyards are adjacent to the proposed facility. The slope along this intersection is located behind and west of the development site.

Planning commission Vice Chairman James Daley made a motion to grant this waiver, with Chairman Les Walker seconding.

+2 Chrin V7, Miller Farm developments pulled from Monday's Bethlehem Township planning agenda Two big developments that would bring 364 new homes to Bethlehem Township have been pulled from Monday's agenda.

The decision to advance this proposal came during a 30-minute meeting, after more anticipated matters like the proposed Chrin V7 and Miller Farms developments were pulled from the township's agenda on Monday afternoon. The proposed twin homes development at 1932 Farmersville Road  south of Freemansburg Avenue  was also not discussed at the meeting.

The medical office proposal now heads to the Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners for final approval.

The township's planning commission will next meet on Monday, July 24. Walker said he will be absent from this meeting, so Daley will preside.
ERIE, Pa. - A funeral was held Monday for a Pennsylvania state trooper who was gunned down in the line of duty.

Jacques Rougeau Junior was laid to rest after a memorial service in Erie.

The 29-year-old trooper was killed on June 17 in a shootout in central Pennsylvania.

Another state trooper was wounded in a separate shootout with the same gunman.

The suspect was later killed by police.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  Non-U.S. citizens would be able to teach in Pennsylvania classrooms in a measure passed by the state House of Representatives on Monday.

The bill passed 110-93. It now goes on to the state Senate, which is considering its own version of the measure.

The legislation would allow teachers with a valid immigrant visa, work visa or employment authorization documentation to be eligible for certification to teach in Pennsylvania schools.

Currently, the state prohibits non-U.S. citizens from teaching unless they are applying to teach a foreign language or have a green card and have documented their intent to become a citizen. Additionally, young immigrants, who are living in the country undocumented and are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and can legally work, are not eligible for teacher certification in the state.

Sponsors for the bill say it will help offset the decline in teachers  with fewer new teachers certifying and higher teacher attrition in the state. It also would help chip away at the gap between the percentage of students of color and teachers of color, sponsors said.

Lets as a collective tackle this growing problem and lets continue to eliminate some of these barriers that dont apply to most careers in the Commonwealth, let alone in the United States, said the bills primary sponsor, Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, a Democrat from Berks County. We have so many people that are qualified.

Meanwhile, a state Senate committee advanced a bill that would enter Pennsylvania into the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.

That means, under Senate Bill 843, teachers with eligible certification in other compact states would not be required to complete additional materials, exams or coursework when applying for certification in Pennsylvania. They would still be required to complete background checks and other security clearances.

The bill was sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. Dave Argall, who represents Carbon, Schuylkill and part of Luzerne counties.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Gov. Josh Shapiro has been an advocate for fixing Pennsylvania's public education. However, the state's largest unions are giving him a failing grade in one area of support.

"We will not tolerate any misguided voucher scheme," said Rich Askey, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

It was a Capitol Rotunda rally from Pennsylvania's largest public education teachers' unions pleading for Shapiro to end his support of lifeline vouchers.

Askey represents 177,000 public education employees state wide. He says any voucher programs hurt public schools.

"We're disappointed at the timing, considering the court case. And the fact that he said he would make sure public schools are fully funded. That's not happening," he said.

Shapiro supports a Republican-backed Senate bill allowing students in the bottom 15% of districts to get a "scholarship" for a private or religious school.

Freshman Republican Senator and former Parkland school board member Jarett Coleman, who has campaigned for vouchers, is pleased to see Shapiro reaching across the aisle.

"In his (Shapiro's) campaign, he said that he supported this, it's now good to see that he's once again, you know, following up with that campaign promise. Let's hope he follows through," Coleman said.

Shapiro's voucher support comes four months after a landmark state Supreme Court ruling stating public education funding is unconstitutional and lawmakers have to fix it.

Chair of the House Educational Committee, Democrat Pete Schweyer, says there's been no legislative movement stemming from that court case and is unsure if this voucher plan has life in budget negotiations.

"We need to make sure that kids in the Parkland School District and kids in the Allentown School District have all the same opportunities. We are not going to get there by diverting funding away from our schools," Schweyer said.

The governor's office did not return our request for comment.
A students practices cake-decorating skills at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An instructor (1st L) supervises students on their frying-pan skill practice at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Students practice noodle-slicing skills at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A student practices noodle-stretching skills at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A student practices knife-handling skills at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Students practice noodle-stretching skills at a culinary school in Lantian County of Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 25, 2023. Lantian is home to more than 60,000 people in culinary service in over 30 countries and regions around the world. A secondary school specialized in chef training has been established here to bring more job opportunities to the locals, and to boost rural revitalization. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
Monday, June 26, 2023 marks a celebration for the ages. 101 years to be exact, as a World War II Veteran rings in more than a century with loved ones by his side.

At 101 years old, family and friends of Nesquehoning native Angelo Bokeko say he's still got it: the quick wit, charming personality, and more than a century's worth of stories to tell.

"Nesquehoning was a coal mining town," Bokeko remembers. "It's where my father worked as a coal miner."

He tells of his life like he's reading a book. He says at just 20 years old he headed West to California before being sent off to Europe to soldier in World War II.

His mind, he says, remembers it like it was yesterday. However, not all of it was pleasant.

"I still remember a lot of stuff that I can in my mind, you know? How we continued on, the shuffling we did. But a lot of this stuff," he says tearfully, "I try to forget."

He says he a proud father of four with several generations to follow and on his 101st birthday, family and friends at Complete Care at Lehigh Center in Macungie showed up to celebrate.

"He's just a sweet man," his friend from Complete Care, Claire Forte said. "He really is. His family is sweet and we just love him."

His Bingo friends Claire Forte and Connie Green say the turnout at his birthday party is a true tribute of his character.

"When he was doing his tour around the room, he came up to me, took my hand and he would not let go," friend from Complete Care, Connie Green, said. "He kept holding my hand. He loves women. He really does. He really appreciates us. He's a gentleman."

Filled with a BBQ lunch fit for a king and a cake to follow, Angelo says, his secret to a long, happy, healthy life has less to do with what you eat and much more to do with how you treat others.

"I try to treat everybody the way that they would want to be treated," Bokeko says. "And everybody's happy about it."
FRANCONIA TWP., Pa. - Authorities in Montgomery County say an 18-year-old man died after his sedan hit a tree Monday morning.

The Franconia Township Police Department said it received a report of a one-vehicle crash in the 300 block of Schoolhouse Road, near the intersection of Halteman Road, in Franconia Township at approximately 7:15 a.m.

Officers found that a sedan had left the roadway and crashed into a tree, according to a news release from township police. Immediately following the impact, a passing driver and a Pennsylvania State Trooper, who happened to be nearby, were able to remove the driver from the vehicle and render aid before the car caught fire.

Officers and members of the Souderton Fire Department extinguished the fire.

The driver, identified as an 18-year-old Franconia Township resident, was transported to Grand View Hospital by VMSC Ambulance where he was pronounced dead a short time after arrival, according to police.

Schoolhouse Road was closed between Lower Road and Halteman Road with the assistance of the Souderton Fire Police until 8:50 a.m.

Officers at the scene were assisted by Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, Lower Salford, and Souderton Borough Police Departments, along with the Souderton Fire Department, VMSC Ambulance, Freedom Valley Medical Rescue, Jeff Stat 2 Medical Helicopter, and Copes Towing.

No police officers, firefighters, or members of the public were injured during the incident.

The crash is being investigated by the Franconia Township Police Department. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call the Franconia Township Police Department at 215-723-6778.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)  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 murder  one for each person at 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.

This thing sitting in this court room is not a human, it is a monster, said Jessica Fierro, whose daughters boyfriend was killed that night. The devil awaits with open arms.

The guilty plea comes just seven months after the shooting and spares victims families and survivors a long and potentially painful trial.

More charges could be coming: The FBI confirmed Monday it was working with the U.S. Justice Department's civil rights division on a separate investigation into the attack.

People in the courtroom wiped away tears as the judge explained the charges and read out the names of the victims. Judge Michael McHenry also issued a stern rebuke of Aldrichs actions, connecting it to societal woes.

You are targeting a group of people for their simple existence, McHenry said. 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 killings rekindled memories of the 2016 massacre at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people.

Relatives and friends of victims were able to give statements in court Monday to remember their loved ones. Survivors spoke about how their lives were forever altered just before midnight on Nov. 19 when the suspect walked into Club Q and indiscriminately fired an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle.

The father of a Club Q bartender said Daniel Aston had been in the prime of his life when he was shot and killed.

He was huge light in this world that was snuffed out by a heinous, evil and cowardly act," Jeff Aston said. "I will never again hear him laugh at my dad jokes."

Daniel Aston's mother, Sabrina, was among those who said they would not forgive the crimes.

Another forgave 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, said Wyatt Kent, Astons partner. 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.

Aldrichs 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.

Aldrich  who identifies as nonbinary and uses they and them pronouns  did not reveal a motivation and declined to address the court during the sentencing part of the hearing. Defense attorney Joseph Archambault said they want everyone to know theyre sorry."

The guilty plea follows a series of jailhouse phone calls from Aldrich to The Associated Press expressing remorse for the shooting.

District Attorney Michael Allen said Aldrichs statements were self-serving and rang hollow. And the prosecutor rejected the notion that Aldrich was nonbinary.

Theres zero evidence prior to the shooting that he was nonbinary, said Allen, who repeatedly called Aldrich a coward. He exhibited extreme hatred for the people in the LGBTQ+ community, and so I think it was a stilted effort to avoid any bias motivated or hate charges.

Allen told the judge that the victims were targeted for who they were an are.

Hatred coupled with criminal action will not be tolerated," he added.

Aldrich's no contest plea on hate crimes charges effectively has the same impact as a conviction under Colorado law and doesnt absolve them of responsibility.

Aldrich originally was charged with more than 300 state counts, including murder and hate crimes. The U.S. Justice Department has been considering federal hate crime charges.

The status of those deliberations were unclear Monday but FBI special agent Mark Michalek confirmed there was an ongoing investigation. The U.S. Attorneys Office has requested no documents in the case be released, said Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez.

Allen said the federal death penalty was a big part of what motivated the defendant" to plead guilty.

However, the Colorado plea deal and sentence would not preclude U.S. authorities from charging Aldrich with a federal crime that carries a death sentence, explained Robert Dunham, former head of the Death Penalty Information Center and now an adjunct professor of death penalty law at Temple Law School.

Double jeopardy, the prohibition against trying someone twice for the same crime, wouldnt apply, because federal and state jurisdictions arent the same and because the charges wouldnt be identical. It isnt clear what specific crime Aldrich would face.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for Colorado said it could not comment on ongoing investigations.

The line to get through security and into the courthouse early Monday snaked through the large plaza outside as victims and others queued up to attend the hearing. One man wore a t-shirt saying Loved Always & Never Forgotten."

The attack at Club Q came over a year after Aldrich was arrested for threatening their grandparents and vowing to become the next mass killer " while stockpiling weapons, body armor and bomb-making materials.

The charges in that case were eventually dismissed after Aldrichs mother and grandparents refused to cooperate with prosecutors, evading efforts to serve them with subpoenas to testify. Aldrich was released and authorities kept two guns. But there was nothing to stop Aldrich from legally purchasing more firearms.

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. When asked whether the attack was motivated by hate, Aldrich said that was completely off base.

District Attorney Allen said Aldrich knew exactly what they were doing during the attack and had drawn diagrams in advance indicating the best way to carry it out.

He emphasized that Aldrich didnt get any concessions in the plea agreement  sentenced to the maximum of five consecutive life sentences plus 2,208 additional years for the 46 counts of attempted murder. That amounts to the second longest sentence in state history behind only the one given the person who killed 12 people at a movie theater in a Denver suburb in 2012, Allen said.

That night, when Ashtin Gamblin stared into Aldrichs face, shots were already going off.

I nuzzled up with my friend's body, soaking my clothes in his blood, terrified that this person might come back, said Gamblin, who was shot nine times. I hope for the worst things possible in prison, and even that wont be good enough.

Associated Press reporters Michael Tarm, out of Chicago, and Matthew Brown, out of Denver, contributed to this story.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  The bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, resigned under pressure Tuesday following allegations he mishandled sex abuse allegations and several of his priests complained about his leadership and behavior, sparking a Vatican investigation.

Pope Francis accepted Bishop Richard Stikas resignation, according to a one-line statement from the Vatican. At 65, Stika is still 10 years below the normal retirement age for bishops.

The archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, the Most Reverend Shelton Fabre, was named temporary administrator to run the diocese until a new bishop is installed.

Stika's departure, after 14 years as bishop of Knoxville, closes a turbulent chapter for the southern U.S. diocese that was marked by a remarkable revolt by some of its priests, who accused Stika of abusing his authority and protecting a seminarian accused of sexual misconduct. They appealed to the Vatican for merciful relief in 2021, citing their own mental health, sparking a Vatican investigation that led to Stikas resignation.

In media interviews, Stika strongly defended his actions and his leadership and said he worked to bring unity in the diocese.

In a statement Tuesday, Stika cited life-threatening health issues as part of the reason for his resignation. He listed diabetes, heart problems and neuropathy, among other issues, though he also said the public airing of problems in the diocese had affected him.

I recognize that questions about my leadership have played out publicly in recent months. I would be less than honest if I didnt admit that some of this has weighed on me physically and emotionally. For these reasons, I asked the Holy Father for relief from my responsibilities as a diocesan bishop, he said.

In addition to the priests complaints, Stika is the subject of at least two lawsuits that accuse him of mishandling sexual abuse allegations and seeking to silence the accusers.

In an interview with WVLT-TV on Tuesday, Stika said he never covered up sexual abuse.

No matter what anyone says, I would never tolerate sexual abuse of a minor or a vulnerable adult, said Stika, who also shared that he was the victim of sexual abuse by a priest when he was a freshman in high school.

In one lawsuit, a former employee at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville  who uses the pseudonym John Doe  accused a seminarian there of harassing and raping him in 2019.

The suit filed in Chancery Court in Knox County says Stika should have known the seminarian was dangerous because he had been accused of sexual misconduct previously. Instead, Stika encouraged the accuser's friendship with the man, and the accuser felt pressure to comply for fear of losing his job, it says.

Even after the former employee accused the seminarian of rape, Stika let the seminarian live in his home and steadfastly defended him, the suit says. Stika also told multiple people that the seminarian was innocent and that the accuser was the aggressor, it says. In addition, Stika removed an investigator who was looking into the allegations, replacing him with someone else who never talked to the accuser, according to the lawsuit.

In a second lawsuit, a Honduran immigrant seeking asylum in the United States accused a priest in the diocese of locking her in a room and sexually assaulting her after she went to him for grief counseling in 2020. The woman went to the police, and the diocese was aware of the accusation but took no action against the priest until after he was indicted on sexual battery charges in 2022, according to the lawsuit.

The suit accuses the diocese of spreading rumors about the woman that led to her being shunned and harassed in the community.

The woman, who uses the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed a civil suit against the diocese. The diocese, in turn, hired a private detective to investigate her. The detective illegally obtained her employment records and told police that she had committed employment fraud, according to the lawsuit.

The suit claims the diocese was trying to either intimidate her into dropping both lawsuits or get her arrested and deported.

Around the same time, a group of priests from the Diocese of Knoxville sent a letter to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. In the letter dated Sept. 29, 2021, the priests appealed for merciful relief from the suffering weve endured these past 12 years under Stika.

Those years have been detrimental to priestly fraternity and even to our personal well-being, the letter states. It goes on to describe priests who are seeing psychologists, taking anti-depressants, considering early retirement, and even looking for secular careers.

The Vatican authorized an investigation of the diocese, called an apostolic visitation, that took place in late 2022.

The main U.S. advocacy group for survivors of clergy sexual abuse, SNAP, blasted Stika for claiming he was retiring for health reasons.

It is an outrage that Stika would disguise his departure as a retirement when it is clear that he was asked to resign following Vatican investigations of cover-up of clergy sexual abuse and other misconduct, said Susan Vance, SNAP's Tennessee leader.

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the online research database BishopAccountability.org, said Pope Francis should "condemn the bishops appalling, repeated abuse of his authority and tell us what the papal investigators found out."

The Popes practice to date has been to stay silent when a guilty bishop is finally forced from office, Doyle said in a news release. "But this silence does harm, and it is inconsistent with the transparency he has promised."

In his statement, Stika said he hoped to remain in active ministry in his hometown of St. Louis and continue living with Cardinal Justin Rigali, a retired archbishop of Philadelphia with whom he has lived for the past 12 years in the same Knoxville bishop's residence as the seminarian.

His temporary replacement, Fabre, thanked Stika for his service and asked for prayers for himself and the people of East Tennessee during this time of transition. ___

Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Jonathan Mattise contributed from Nashville.

This story corrects that the new investigator is not the father of a priest.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The first U.N. independent investigator to visit the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay said Monday the 30 men held there are subject to ongoing cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under international law.

The investigator, Irish law professor Fionnuala Ni Aolain, said at a news conference releasing her 23-page report to the U.N. Human Rights Council that the 2001 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that killed nearly 3,000 people were crimes against humanity. But she said the U.S. use of torture and rendition against alleged perpetrators and their associates in the years right after the attacks violated international human rights law  and in many cases deprived the victims and survivors of justice because information obtained by torture cannot be used at trials.

Ni Aolain said her visit marked the first time a U.S, administration has allowed a U.N. investigator to visit the facility, which opened in 2002.

She praised the Biden administration for leading by example by opening up Guantanamo and being prepared to address the hardest human rights issues, and urged other countries that have barred U.N. access to detention facilities to follow suit. And she said she was given access to everything she asked for, including holding meetings at the facility in Cuba with high value and non-high value detainees.

The United States said in a submission to the Human Rights Council on the report that the special investigators findings are solely her own and the United States disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions in her report.

Ni Aolain said significant improvements have been made to the confinement of detainees but expressed serious concerns" about the continued detention of 30 men, who she said face severe insecurity, suffering and anxiety. She cited examples including near constant surveillance, forced removal from their cells and unjust use of restraints.

I observed that after two decades of custody, the suffering of those detained is profound, and its ongoing, the U.N. special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism said. Every single detainee I met with lives with the unrelenting harms that follow from systematic practices of rendition, torture and arbitrary detention. 

Ni Aolain, concurrently a professor at the University of Minnesota and at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, said there was a heartfelt response by many detainees to seeing someone who was neither a lawyer nor associated with the detention center, some for the first time in 20 years. During the visit, she said, she and her team scrutinized every aspect of Guantanamo.

Ni Aolain said many detainees she met showed evidence of deep psychological harm and distress  including profound anxiety, helplessness, hopelessness, stress and depression, and dependency.

She expressed grave concern at the failure of the U.S. government to provide torture rehabilitation programs to the detainees and said the specialist care and facilities at Guantanamo are not adequate to meet the complex and urgent mental and physical health issues of detainees ranging from permanent disabilities and traumatic brain injuries to chronic pain, gastrointestinal and urinary issues.

Many also suffer from the deprivation of support from their families and community while living in a detention environment without trial for some, and without charge for others, for 21 years, hunger striking and force-feeding, self-harm and suicidal ideation (ideas), and accelerated aging, she said.

Ni Aolain expressed profound concern that 19 of the 30 men remaining at Guantanamo have never been charged with a single crime, some after 20 years in U.S. custody, and that the continuing detention of some of them follows from the unwillingness of the authorities to face the consequences of the torture and other ill-treatment to which the detainees were subjected and not from any ongoing threat they are believed to pose. She stressed repeatedly that using information obtained by torture at a trial is prohibited and she said the United States has committed to not using such information.

She also found fundamental fair trial and due process deficiencies in the military commission system, expressed concern at the extent of secrecy in all judicial and administrative proceedings, and concluded the U.S. failed to promote fundamental fair trial guarantees.

Ni Aolain made a long series of recommendations and said the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be immediately closed, a goal of the Biden administration.

Among her key recommendations to the U.S. government were to provide specialized rehabilitation from torture and trauma to detainees, ensure that all detainees whether they are high-value or non-high value are provided with at least one phone call every month with their family, and guaranteed equal access to legal counsel to all detainees.

The U.S. response, submitted by the American ambassador to the Human Rights Council, Michele Taylor, said Ni Aolain was the first U.N. special rapporteur to visit Guantanamo and had been given unprecedented access with the confidence that the conditions of confinement at Guantanamo Bay are humane and reflect the United States respect for and protection of human rights for all who are within our custody.

Detainees live communally and prepare meals together; receive specialized medical and psychiatric care; are given full access to legal counsel; and communicate regularly with family members, the U.S. statement said.

We are nonetheless carefully reviewing the (special rapporteurs) recommendations and will take any appropriate actions, as warranted, it said.

The United States said the Biden administration has made significant progress toward closing Guantanamo, transferring 10 detainees from the facility, it said, adding that it is looking to find suitable locations for the remaining detainees eligible for transfer.

The report also covers the rights of the 9/11 victims and the rights of the detainees released from Guantanamo who have been repatriated to their home country or resettled.

Ni Aolain stressed that victims of terrorism have a right to justice, and called it a betrayal that the U.S. use of torture would prevent many from seeing the perpetrators and their collaborators in court. She also said children whose families accepted compensation in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and waived their rights should be able to pursue compensation and health care.

As for the 741 men who have been released from Guantanamo, she said, many were left on their own, lacking a legal identity, education and job training, adequate physical and mental health care, and continue to experience sustained human rights violations, poverty, social exclusion and stigma.

The special rapporteur stressed that the United States has international law obligations before, during and after the transfer of detainees and must provide fair and adequate compensation and as full rehabilitation as possible to the men who were detained at Guantanamo.
BRASILIA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.

During a meeting at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lula highlighted the importance of economic and financial integration, and proposed to help Brazilian exporters maintain their presence in the Argentine market amid the latter's economic woes.

"We are working on creating a comprehensive line of financing for Brazilian exports to Argentina. It does not make sense for Brazil to lose space in the Argentine market to other countries because they offer credit and we do not," he said in a joint statement.

To promote economic integration, the two countries are also mulling an initiative to establish a regional currency for trade that would function alongside their respective national currencies, according to the statement.

Argentina is Brazil's third largest trading partner, behind China and the United States, and Brazil is Argentina's top export market, he added.

For his part, Fernandez acknowledged that Argentina's economy is struggling under a heavy debt burden.

"When you are in trouble, you ask friends for help and your friends are always there. Brazil and Argentina were born to be permanently united. There is no chance of anything other than that happening," said Fernandez. 
SAN ANTONIO (AP)  U.S. authorities on Tuesday announced the arrests of four men they say were part of a human smuggling effort last year that ended in the deaths of 53 migrants, including eight children, who were left in a tractor-trailer in the scorching Texas summer.

Authorities said on the anniversary of the June 27, 2022, tragedy that the four Mexican nationals had a planning role in the smuggling operation, and were aware that the trailer's air-conditioning unit was malfunctioning and would not blow cool air to migrants trapped inside during the sweltering three-hour ride from the border city of Laredo to San Antonio.

When the trailer was opened in San Antonio, 48 migrants were already dead. Another 16 were taken to hospitals, where five more died.

It was the deadliest tragedy to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico. The dead included 27 people from Mexico, 14 from Honduras, seven from Guatemala and two from El Salvador.

The driver and another man were arrested shortly after the migrants were found. They were charged with smuggling resulting in death and conspiracy.

The four new arrests were made Monday in Houston, San Antonio and Marshall, Texas. Riley Covarrubias-Ponce, 30, Felipe Orduna-Torres, 28, Luis Alberto Rivera-Leal, 37, and Armando Gonzales-Ortega, 53, were all charged with conspiracy to transport immigrants resulting in death, serious bodily injury and placing lives in jeopardy. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

A federal grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday reveals some details of a patchwork association of smugglers that allowed them to consolidate costs, spread out risk, and operate more profitably.

The indictment alleges the men worked with human smuggling operations in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, and shared routes, guides, stash houses, trucks and trailers, some of which were stored at a private parking lot in San Antonio.

Migrants paid the organization up to $15,000 each to be taken across the U.S. border. The fee would cover up to three attempts to get into the country, the indictment said.

Migrants were given a code word to provide at various checkpoints on their journey, which would show they were paid customers of a smuggler who had made arrangements for them.

The indictment said the men exchanged the names of migrants who would be smuggled in the truck. Orduna-Torres provided the address in Laredo where they would be picked up, and Gonzalez-Ortega met them there. The four then coordinated the trip and exchanged messages about the truck's progress on the drive to San Antonio.

The truck was found on a remote San Antonio road, and arriving police officers detained driver Homero Zamorano Jr. after spotting him hiding in some nearby brush.

Surveillance video captured footage of the 18-wheeler passing through a Border Patrol checkpoint. One survivor, a 20-year-old from Guatemala, told The Associated Press the smugglers had covered the trailers floor with what she believed was powdered chicken bouillon, apparently to throw off any dogs at the checkpoint.

Another survivor, Adan Lara Vega, said the truck was already hot when it left Laredo and that the trapped migrants soon started crying and pleading for water. Some took turns breathing through a single hole in the wall, while others pounded on the walls and yelled to get the driver's attention.

A climate and health expert who has studied child deaths in cars said it likely would have taken an hour or less for temperatures to climb to 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51 Celsius) or hotter inside the trailer.

Human smugglers prey on migrants hope for a better life  but their only priority is profit, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Tragically, 53 people who had been loaded into a tractor-trailer in Texas and endured hours of unimaginable cruelty lost their lives because of this heartless scheme."

Vertuno reported from Austin.

For more AP coverage of immigration issues: https://apnews.com/hub/immigration
This video screenshot shows Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking in a televised address to the nation on June 24, 2023. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, June 27 (Xinhua) -- In a national address on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Wagner forces to relocate to Belarus if they wanted, sign a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry, or return to their families.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the Russian intelligence services were investigating whether Western spy agencies played a role in the aborted mutiny, the TASS news agency reported.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States and its NATO allies were not involved in the incident and Washington would not take sides in the "internal matter" of Russia.

This image captured from a video shows citizens standing near military vehicles on a street of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Vladimir Konstantinov/Xinhua)

OPTIONS FOR WAGNER SOLDIERS

"We knew that the vast majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are also Russian patriots, devoted to their people and state," Putin said in his address to Russian citizens Monday night, stressing that they were simply used (by some people) without their knowledge during the armed mutiny.

The president noted that the mutiny organizers betrayed the country and those who followed them and "an armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He urged the soldiers of the Wagner group to sign a contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Putin thanked "all servicemen, law enforcement officers, special services who stood in the way of the rebels."

He also thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediating role in resolving the attempted mutiny.

Local reports said on Monday that a criminal case against Yevgeny Prigozhin -- head of the Wagner private military group -- for organizing an armed mutiny has not been closed.

"The criminal case against Prigozhin has not been closed. The investigation continues," Sputnik reported, citing a source in the Russian Prosecutor General's Office.

U.S. President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, May 10, 2023. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

DISCLAIMER FROM U.S.

Biden declared that the United States and its allies were not involved.

"We made clear we were not involved, we had nothing to do with this," Biden said on Monday in his first comments on the Wagner incident.

Biden said he spoke with key allies in a video conference to make sure everyone was "on the same page" and coordinated in their response.

While stressing his team would continue assessing the fallout from the incident, Biden said: "It's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going."

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States does not know the details of the deal reached between Putin and Prigozhin that ended the mutiny, nor did he know Prigozhin's whereabouts.

"We're not taking sides in this internal matter," he said.

Biden, who spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, said he would also talk to the latter again soon to make sure they were "on the same page."

Zelensky on Monday travelled to the front line running through the eastern Donetsk region to hand out decorations to troops near the occupied city of Bakhmut, his office said.

People walk near the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, June 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

COUNTERTERRORISM REGIME IN MOSCOW LIFTED

On Saturday, Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee announced that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts after the Wagner private military group was accused of trying to organize an armed rebellion.

After Moscow and Prigozhin reached a compromise through the mediation of Lukashenko, the committee declared on Monday that the legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation had been canceled in the above-mentioned places due to normalization of the situation. 
TIANJIN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday stressed solidarity and cooperation when addressing the opening of the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, in north China's Tianjin Municipality.

"Having experienced the shocks of global crises, we should all the more cherish solidarity and cooperation," Li said in his speech.

Over the past three years, all countries have fought hard against the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the powerful strength of humanity pulling together and looking out for each other in hard times, Li said.

In the face of a major crisis, no country can stay unscathed or solve the problems single-handedly, Li said, adding that humanity is also confronted with global challenges such as climate change, debt risks, slowing growth, and wealth gaps.

"As a community with a shared future, we must cherish the gains of cooperation, embrace the concept of win-win cooperation, and work together to tackle these global challenges and promote human progress," Li said. 
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH  Get Rating) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after B. Riley raised their price target on the stock from $22.00 to $28.00. The company traded as high as $24.07 and last traded at $24.04, with a volume of 72113 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $23.22.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Beazer Homes USA in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Wedbush increased their price target on shares of Beazer Homes USA from $18.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Beazer Homes USA

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BZH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 107.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 264,624 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,027,000 after acquiring an additional 136,954 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 167,312 shares of the construction companys stock worth $2,547,000 after buying an additional 3,073 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Beazer Homes USA by 54.6% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 16,908 shares of the construction companys stock worth $257,000 after purchasing an additional 5,973 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. acquired a new stake in Beazer Homes USA in the 1st quarter worth about $196,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in Beazer Homes USA by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,013,201 shares of the construction companys stock worth $15,422,000 after purchasing an additional 5,052 shares in the last quarter. 77.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Beazer Homes USA Stock Up 4.8 %

The firms 50-day moving average price is $20.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.81. The company has a market capitalization of $762.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 2.17. The company has a current ratio of 16.37, a quick ratio of 2.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99.

Beazer Homes USA (NYSE:BZH  Get Rating) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.29. Beazer Homes USA had a net margin of 8.54% and a return on equity of 21.32%. The firm had revenue of $543.91 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $519.91 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.45 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Beazer Homes USA, Inc. will post 3.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Beazer Homes USA Company Profile

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Beazer Homes USA, Inc operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

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Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Rating) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

BA has been the topic of a number of other reports. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Boeing from $261.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Northcoast Research lowered Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Boeing from $230.00 to $237.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, 888 restated a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $221.60.

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Boeing Price Performance

NYSE BA traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $205.56. The company had a trading volume of 3,441,798 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,926,078. The firms 50 day moving average is $207.06 and its 200 day moving average is $205.44. Boeing has a fifty-two week low of $120.99 and a fifty-two week high of $223.91. The company has a market capitalization of $123.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -29.71 and a beta of 1.42.

Insider Buying and Selling at Boeing

Boeing ( NYSE:BA Get Rating ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The firm had revenue of $17.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.56 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted ($2.75) EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Boeing will post -1.15 EPS for the current year.

In other Boeing news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total value of $84,196.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,511,109.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.15% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Boeing

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings 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 buying an additional 16,041,103 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Boeing by 734.7% in the first quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 4,359,740 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $926,140,000 after purchasing an additional 3,837,422 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Boeing by 8.1% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 35,950,526 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $7,636,970,000 after purchasing an additional 2,682,272 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 1,071.3% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,592,100 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $550,640,000 after purchasing an additional 2,370,800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its holdings in Boeing by 1,050.3% in the first quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 1,735,800 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $368,736,000 after purchasing an additional 1,584,900 shares during the period. 60.22% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Boeing

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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.

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Muncy Bank Financial (OTCMKTS:MYBF  Get Rating) is one of 271 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Muncy Bank Financial to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Dividends

Muncy Bank Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Muncy Bank Financial pays out 28.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 12.9% and pay out 18.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Muncy Bank Financial lags its competitors as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Muncy Bank Financial and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Muncy Bank Financial N/A N/A 12.65 Muncy Bank Financial Competitors $1.68 billion $474.67 million 262.99

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Muncy Bank Financials competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Muncy Bank Financial. Muncy Bank Financial 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.

2.6% of Muncy Bank Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.3% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Muncy Bank Financial and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Muncy Bank Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A Muncy Bank Financial Competitors 1049 3184 3101 18 2.28

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 313.77%. Given Muncy Bank Financials competitors higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Muncy Bank Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Profitability

This table compares Muncy Bank Financial and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Muncy Bank Financial N/A N/A N/A Muncy Bank Financial Competitors 33.49% 10.24% 0.91%

Summary

Muncy Bank Financial competitors beat Muncy Bank Financial on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

Muncy Bank Financial Company Profile

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Muncy Bank Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial services to individuals and businesses in the United States. It accepts savings, money market, and checking accounts, as well as demand, time, and certificates of deposit. The company's loan products include mortgage, home equity, vehicle, commercial mortgages, personal, commercial equipment loans, and lines of credit, as well as business and real estate loans. It also offers investment services, such as wealth transition, retirement accounts, college savings strategies, insurance protection, portfolio analysis, brokerage services, tax-deferred investments, and tax-advantaged income; and wealth management and trust services comprising estate administration, investment management services, guardianship, and IRA/retirement accounts, as well as living/grantor, charitable, irrevocable, and special needs trusts. In addition, the company provides cash management services consisting of ACH origination, check positive pay, online wire transfer, and remote deposit capture services; merchant services; and telephone and electronic banking services, as well as debit and credit cards. It operates through offices located in Muncy, Hughesville, Clarkstown, Montoursville, Dewart, Avis, Linden, and Montgomery, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1893 and is based in Muncy, Pennsylvania.

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Exxaro Resources (OTCMKTS:EXXAF  Get Rating) and CONSOL Energy (NYSE:CEIX  Get Rating) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, dividends, risk, profitability, earnings and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Exxaro Resources and CONSOL Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Exxaro Resources 0 1 0 0 2.00 CONSOL Energy 0 0 1 0 3.00

CONSOL Energy has a consensus target price of $80.50, suggesting a potential upside of 26.71%. Given CONSOL Energys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe CONSOL Energy is more favorable than Exxaro Resources.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Exxaro Resources N/A N/A N/A CONSOL Energy 28.86% 56.19% 21.56%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

This table compares Exxaro Resources and CONSOL Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

15.2% of Exxaro Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 82.3% of CONSOL Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of CONSOL Energy shares are owned 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.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Exxaro Resources and CONSOL Energys revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Exxaro Resources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A CONSOL Energy $2.10 billion 1.05 $466.98 million $19.73 3.22

CONSOL Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Exxaro Resources.

Summary

CONSOL Energy beats Exxaro Resources on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Exxaro Resources

(Get Rating)

Exxaro Resources Limited engages in coal, iron ore investment, pigment manufacturing, and renewable energy businesses in South Africa, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company produces thermal coal, metallurgical coal, and semi-soft coking coal products primarily in the Waterberg and Mpumalanga regions; offers gas-atomised ferrosilicon for use in separation plants, as well as iron ore; and operates two wind farms. The company was formerly known as Kumba Resources Limited and changed its name to Exxaro Resources Limited in November 2006. Exxaro Resources Limited was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Centurion, South Africa.

About CONSOL Energy

(Get Rating)

CONSOL Energy Inc. produces and exports bituminous coal in the United States. It operates through Pennsylvania Mining Complex and CONSOL Marine Terminal segment. The company's Pennsylvania Mining Complex segment engages in mining, preparation, and marketing of bituminous coal to power generators, industrial end-users, and metallurgical end-users. Its CONSOL Marine Terminal segment provides coal export terminal services through the Port of Baltimore. In addition, the company develop and operates the Itmann Mine, and the Greenfield reserves and resources. It owns and operates the Pennsylvania Mining Complex (PAMC), which includes the Bailey Mine, the Enlow Fork Mine, the Harvey Mine, and the Central Preparation Plant; and CONSOL Marine Terminal located in the port of Baltimore. Further, the company had 622.1 million tons of Pittsburgh seam reserves; and own and control approximately 1.4 billion tons of Greenfield reserves and resources located in the Northern Appalachian, Central Appalachian, and Illinois basins. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

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UCB (OTCMKTS:UCBJY  Get Rating) is one of 352 publicly-traded companies in the Biotechnology industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare UCB to similar companies based on the strength of its earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for UCB and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score UCB 0 0 1 0 3.00 UCB Competitors 654 1349 3427 27 2.52

As a group, Biotechnology companies have a potential upside of 109.07%. Given UCBs peers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe UCB has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Dividends

Institutional and Insider Ownership

UCB pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. UCB pays out 46.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Biotechnology companies pay a dividend yield of 2.8% and pay out 12,095.2% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

22.6% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are owned by institutional investors. 26.2% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares UCB and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio UCB N/A N/A 57.83 UCB Competitors $112.97 million -$851,250.00 21.92

UCBs peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than UCB. UCB is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares UCB and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets UCB N/A N/A N/A UCB Competitors -594.71% -69.21% -19.99%

Summary

UCB beats its peers on 7 of the 13 factors compared.

UCB Company Profile

(Get Rating)

UCB SA, a biopharmaceutical company, develops products and solutions for people with neurology and immunology diseases. The company's primary products include Cimzia for inflammatory TNF mediated diseases, as well as ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis; Vimpat, Keppra, and Briviact for epilepsy; Neupro for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome; Nayzilam, a nasal spray rescue treatment for epilepsy seizure clusters; and Zyrtec and Xyzal for allergies. It also offers Evenity for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women; BIMZELX for treating psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa; and dapirolizumab pegol for systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, the company is involved in developing rozanolixizumab to treat myasthenia gravis, immune thrombocytopenia, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; zilucoplan to treat myasthenia gravis and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; staccato alprazolam to treat tereotypical prolonged seizure; Bepranemab to treat Alzheimer's disease; and UCB0599 to treat Parkinson's disease. Further, it engages in contract manufacturing activities. UCB SA has collaboration agreements with Amgen, Biogen, Roche/Genentech, Novartis, Otsuka, and doc.ai. It operates in the United States, Japan, Germany, rest of Europe, Spain, France, China, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1925 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

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Parsons (NYSE:PSN  Get Rating) and Web Blockchain Media (OTCMKTS:WEBB  Get Rating) are both business services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Parsons and Web Blockchain Medias top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Parsons $4.20 billion 1.19 $96.66 million $0.92 51.58 Web Blockchain Media N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Parsons has higher revenue and earnings than Web Blockchain Media.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Parsons 2.30% 8.38% 4.12% Web Blockchain Media N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Parsons and Web Blockchain Medias net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Parsons and Web Blockchain Media, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Parsons 2 2 3 0 2.14 Web Blockchain Media 0 0 0 0 N/A

Parsons presently has a consensus price target of $49.78, suggesting a potential upside of 4.91%. Given Parsons higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Parsons is more favorable than Web Blockchain Media.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

99.6% of Parsons shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Parsons shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.5% of Web Blockchain Media shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility & Risk

Parsons has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Web Blockchain Media has a beta of -0.6, meaning that its stock price is 160% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Parsons beats Web Blockchain Media on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Parsons

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Parsons Corporation provides integrated solutions and services in the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets in North America, the Middle East, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Federal Solutions and Critical Infrastructure. The company offers cybersecurity; missile defense technical solutions; C5ISR; space launch and ground systems; space and weapon system resiliency; geospatial intelligence; signals intelligence; nuclear and chemical waste remediation; border security and critical infrastructure protection; counter unmanned air systems; and biometrics and biosurveillance solutions to U.S. Department of Defense, including military services; Missile Defense Agency, the Department of Energy; the Department of State; the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Further, it provides integrated traffic solutions for arterials, smart intersections, airport landside, ports, and tolling integrators; systems optimization, communications-based train control, rail system design and system assurance services; engineering, program management, and environmental solutions to private sector industrial clients and public utilities; digital transformation, advisory services, AI/ML, and digital twin and cyber services; planning, engineering, and management services for infrastructure, including bridges and tunnels, roads and highways, water and wastewater, and dams and reservoirs. Parsons Corporation was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Centreville, Virginia.

About Web Blockchain Media

(Get Rating)

Web Blockchain Media Inc. engages in television production, Internet, and streaming media with crypto, blockchain, and fin-tech space. The company is based in Studio City, California.

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GMS Inc. (NYSE:GMS  Get Rating) major shareholder Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 371,725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.70, for a total value of $25,537,507.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,235,321 shares in the company, valued at $290,966,552.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Coliseum Capital Management, L also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, June 22nd, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 35,278 shares of GMS stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.27, for a total value of $2,408,429.06.

On Friday, June 16th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 800,000 shares of GMS stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.06, for a total value of $52,848,000.00.

On Wednesday, June 14th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 80,071 shares of GMS stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.89, for a total value of $5,355,949.19.

On Monday, June 12th, Coliseum Capital Management, L sold 201,213 shares of GMS stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.93, for a total transaction of $13,668,399.09.

GMS Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of GMS stock traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $67.85. 962,561 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 287,285. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $62.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $58.10. GMS Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.31 and a 12-month high of $70.47. The stock has a market cap of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.69 and a beta of 1.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On GMS

GMS ( NYSE:GMS Get Rating ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 22nd. The company reported $2.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.21. GMS had a net margin of 6.25% and a return on equity of 32.45%. The firm had revenue of $1.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.27 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.09 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that GMS Inc. will post 6.99 EPS for the current year.

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in GMS in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,532,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in GMS by 3,313.0% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 462,185 shares of the companys stock worth $1,183,000 after purchasing an additional 448,643 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC grew its position in GMS by 392.3% in the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 436,444 shares of the companys stock worth $19,422,000 after purchasing an additional 347,783 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its position in GMS by 66.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 523,918 shares of the companys stock worth $26,091,000 after purchasing an additional 209,513 shares during the period. Finally, Coliseum Capital Management LLC grew its position in GMS by 3.3% in the 3rd 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. 99.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of GMS from $63.00 to $72.00 in a report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of GMS from $55.00 to $68.00 in a report on Friday. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of GMS from $67.00 to $75.00 in a report on Friday. StockNews.com lowered shares of GMS from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of GMS from $70.00 to $82.00 in a report on Friday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, GMS currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $69.14.

About GMS

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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.

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Kepler Capital Markets downgraded shares of InterContinental Hotels Group (NYSE:IHG  Get Rating) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Friday, MarketBeat reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on IHG. Barclays cut InterContinental Hotels Group from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, March 6th. StockNews.com lowered InterContinental Hotels Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5,466.67.

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InterContinental Hotels Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IHG opened at $67.18 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $68.79 and its 200 day moving average is $67.08. InterContinental Hotels Group has a 52-week low of $47.06 and a 52-week high of $72.10.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group Company Profile

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of InterContinental Hotels Group by 235.0% during the 1st quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 716,436 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,389,000 after buying an additional 502,600 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of InterContinental Hotels Group by 139.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 148,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,196,000 after buying an additional 86,405 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of InterContinental Hotels Group by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 490,190 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,735,000 after buying an additional 84,613 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of InterContinental Hotels Group by 251.1% during the 3rd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 96,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,676,000 after buying an additional 68,800 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in shares of InterContinental Hotels Group by 57.0% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 177,674 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,366,000 after buying an additional 64,518 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 5.41% of the companys stock.

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, avid, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names.

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Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc lessened its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Get Rating) (TSE:MFC) by 4.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 72,534 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 3,686 shares during the quarter. Richard P Slaughter Associates Incs holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $1,332,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new stake in Manulife Financial in the first quarter worth $35,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 80.0% during the first quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 11,385 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $204,000 after buying an additional 5,060 shares during the last quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 7.1% during the first quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 307,300 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,642,000 after buying an additional 20,500 shares during the last quarter. Spinnaker Trust bought a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the first quarter worth about $2,124,000. Finally, Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 3.3% in the first quarter. Bridge Creek Capital Management LLC now owns 89,325 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,640,000 after buying an additional 2,875 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 40.71% of the companys stock.

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Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.3 %

NYSE MFC traded up $0.23 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $18.54. 671,081 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,232,304. The company has a market capitalization of $34.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.12. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $18.91. Manulife Financial Co. has a 12-month low of $14.92 and a 12-month high of $20.40.

Manulife Financial Cuts Dividend

Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Rating ) (TSE:MFC) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The financial services provider reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $9.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.68 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th were issued a $0.269 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 23rd. Manulife Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on Manulife Financial in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock.

Manulife Financial Company Profile

(Get Rating)

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC  Get Rating) (TSE:MFC).

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of WPP (NYSE:WPP  Get Rating) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning.

WPP Price Performance

WPP stock opened at $53.65 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $55.07. WPP has a fifty-two week low of $39.67 and a fifty-two week high of $64.07. The company has a market cap of $11.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91.

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Institutional Trading of WPP

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in WPP by 23.6% during the first quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,006 shares of the business services providers stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its position in WPP by 4.4% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 4,930 shares of the business services providers stock worth $249,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the period. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. lifted its position in WPP by 3.5% during the first quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 6,453 shares of the business services providers stock worth $384,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in WPP by 34.6% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 977 shares of the business services providers stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. raised its stake in WPP by 3.7% during the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 7,558 shares of the business services providers stock worth $450,000 after acquiring an additional 273 shares in the last quarter. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About WPP

WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.

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The Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs assures a seamless pilgrimage experience for the faithful visiting Arafat. Equipped with air-conditioned tents, three nutritious meals a day, and essential health services, the organization is committed to the well-being of pilgrims on their spiritual journey.

The anticipation and enthusiasm among pilgrims from across the globe, who have gathered in the holy city of Mecca, is palpable. Their hearts are filled with eagerness to embark on the sacred pilgrimage to Arafat, located approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) east of Mecca.

On Monday, following the afternoon prayer, these faithful will ascend to Arafat, where a series of rituals await them. Presidency of Religious Affairs head Ali Erba? will lead the prayer after the combined prayers (that travelers can avail of while on long journeys), also known as "Cem-i Takdim," performed on the eve of Qurban Bayram, also known as Eid al-Adha. Subsequently, the pilgrims will proceed to Muzdalifah to engage in a combined/collective prayer session, also known as "Cem-i Tehir."

At Muzdalifah, the pilgrims will gather stones that will be later used in the symbolic act of stoning Satan at the "Jamarat" area in Mina. As the first day of Eid al-Adha dawns, the devotees will participate in the ritual of throwing seven stones at the "Great Satan."

Upon completing the stoning ritual, the pilgrims will conclude their ihram, or state of ritual consecration, by cutting their hair and partaking in necessary animal sacrifices. Subsequently, they will perform the obligatory circumambulation and engage in the essence of the pilgrimage, marking the successful completion of their sacred journey.

Once their pilgrimage to Mecca concludes, nearly 2.4 million Muslims, having transformed into pilgrims, will continue their worship and visits in Medina. Bidding farewell to the Kaaba and the city of Mecca, these pilgrims will undertake a farewell circumambulation, expressing gratitude and reverence.
DAMASCUS, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The readmission of Syria into the Arab League (AL) signals a shift in Arab countries' strategy toward Syria and its civil war: that an Arab solution instead of outside intervention is the key to solving the country's protracted crisis.

According to local analysts, after 12 years of broken ties and isolation, the Arab world came to realize that the Western-led strategy: the language of threat, as well as the economic and social blockades, are no cure to the Syrian war.

Instead, the war has exerted destabilizing impacts on the Arab countries and the rest of the world, manifested in weakened border security that resulted in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the refugee crisis, among other issues.

Now the Arab countries start to reconnect with Syria to reverse the negative impact, in the hope of coming up with an Arab solution to the prolonged Syrian crisis to achieve a win-win. The restoration of Syria's membership in the AL is a significant step.

On Sunday, the Syrian government appointed Houssam al-Din Ala as Syria's ambassador to Cairo and the Arab League, following the 22-member council's decision to give Syria its seat back in the league in May.

Osama Danura, a political expert, told Xinhua that the change reflects that Arab countries are acknowledging that combating terrorism, rejecting foreign intervention, and other factors are key to solving the Syrian crisis.

In addition, in Danura's view, Syria's return to the Arab world is a move that "cuts the road" ahead of foreign intervention, which indicates a good start for building constructive economic, social, and political relations among the Arab states and with other regional countries.

"The Arabs could facilitate Syria to reach a political solution that would be welcomed in the Arab world if no foreign agenda was involved," Danura noted.

Mohammad al-Omari, a political expert and writer, told Xinhua that today the Arab countries seem to shelve differences and embark on a new era of understanding and consensus.

He believes Syria is now close to a political solution considering the change in the attitude of Arab countries.

"The return of Syria to the Arab League doesn't mean resolving the Syrian crisis, but it should facilitate and accelerate the formation of mechanisms of the solution," he said. 
Idaho student killings suspect could be executed by firing squad if he is convicted and sentenced to death
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attends an entrepreneur dialogue and exchanges ideas with entrepreneurs at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, in north China's Tianjin Municipality, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

TIANJIN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended an entrepreneur dialogue at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, on Tuesday in north China's Tianjin Municipality, exchanging ideas with entrepreneurs.

The dialogue was chaired by Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and over 120 entrepreneurs from more than 20 countries and regions were in attendance.

The wisdom and strength of entrepreneurs are indispensable forces for economic development, Li said, noting that he hopes entrepreneurs can enhance their understanding of China.

China is an open, inclusive and honest large country that is not only devoted to its own development, but also shares its opportunities with other countries proactively, Li said.

China's development can inject stability and positive energy, and bring a sense of security to the rest of the world, he said.

Li noted that more cooperation opportunities should be created as China pursues high-quality development, saying that the country will work with all parties to promote the development of cutting-edge technologies and expand new areas of cooperation, providing new and broader space for the investment and development of enterprises.

China is willing to work with entrepreneurs from all countries to enhance driving forces for high-quality development through high-level opening-up and cooperation, adding more certainty to the world economy, Li said.

Entrepreneurs in attendance said that China is the most dynamic market with huge growth potential, and expressed a willingness to participate in the high-quality development of China's economy. 
GENEVA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Over 2.4 million refugees globally will need resettling in 2024, a 20 percent increase compared to 2023, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday.

According to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024 report, the Asian region tops the list of estimated needs for 2024, with nearly 730,000 refugees due to require resettlement support. This represents 30 percent of global needs.

The report said that with the Syrian crisis extending to its 13th year and remaining the largest refugee situation, Syrian refugees continue to present the highest resettlement needs for the eighth consecutive year. Around 754,000 Syrians across the globe require urgent assistance through resettlement.

Refugees from Afghanistan are estimated to have the second-highest resettlement needs, followed by those from South Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to UNHCR, in 2022, out of approximately 116,000 applications, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement.

UNHCR says that resettlement provides a lifeline of hope and protection to those facing extreme risks, by offering a durable solution while reducing the pressure on host countries.

"We are witnessing a concerning increase in the number of refugees in need of resettlement in 2024. Resettlement remains a critical lifeline for those most at risk and with specific needs," said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 
TELE1 Editor-in-Chief and daily BirGun columnist Merdan Yanardag was detained yesterday by anti-terrorism police officers at the television channel where he works.

Merdan Yanardag [Photo: Tele 1]

After a Supreme Board of Radio and Televisions (RTUK) investigation of TELE1, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office launched an investigation into Yanardags remarks last week on Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Partys (PKK). Yanardag was detained on charges of Praising crime and criminal and Making propaganda for a terrorist organization. He will be brought to court today.

The World Socialist Web Site opposes this reactionary state crackdown and demands his immediate release. The detention of a journalist for his remarks is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and basic democratic rights.

Last week, Yanardag responded to an interview with Galip Ensarioglu, a Diyarbakr deputy from President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In the interview, Ensarioglu commented on the revival of the peace process between the Erdogan government and the PKK, which collapsed in 2015. Ocalan was more sincere, Ensarioglu said of the negotiations, adding that Kandil [PKKs actual leadership] and Selahattin Demirtas are to blame for the end of the process.

After stating that these remarks by Ensarioglu indicated that the Erdogan government has renewed its negotiations with the PKK, Yanardag criticised the isolation imposed on Ocalan for a long time in prison. He said, If we look at Imral Island, Abdullah Ocalan is over 70 years old and it must be admitted that I am talking about a person who has been in prison and in isolation for a very long time, 25 years without interruption.

He continued: Ocalan is the longest serving political prisoner in Turkey. If normal execution laws were applied, he should be released, under house arrest etc. The isolation imposed on Abdullah Ocalan has no place in the law. It must be lifted.

Yanardag then stated that Erdogan governments officials sometimes met unofficially with Ocalan, adding: But you are holding him hostage, you are negotiating with him. You are making threats through him. He cannot even meet his family, he cannot meet his lawyers. Can there be such a system of execution? Abdullah Ocalan is not someone to be taken lightly. He has almost become a philosopher in prison, because all he does is read.

Ocalan was captured in Kenya in 1999 in a CIA-backed Turkish intelligence operation in violation of his right to political asylum and brought to Turkey. Yanardags mention of Ocalans isolation while being held on Imral Island in the Sea of Marmara under aggravated life imprisonment, is undeniably a statement of fact.

The Asrn Law Office issued a statement yesterday saying that they have not heard from their client, Ocalan, or from three other clients on the island since March 25, 2021. The prevention of fundamental rights and freedoms is one of the forms of torture in Imral, it said, adding that not being able to receive news from clients, cutting off all ties with the outside world, not having information about their health and conditions of detention is the most severe stage of torture in Imral.

The Office recalled its application to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 2022 and noted that the Committee had issued an injunction in September 2022. It added, On 19 January 2023, the Committee again reminded the [Turkish] government of its injunction, stating: They [prisoners] should be granted immediate access to their lawyers without restriction.

The lawyers emphasized that the governments refusal to comply with this decision and the continuation of other forms of isolation constitute the crime of torture, together with the crime of willful misconduct in office.

In another statement in April, the Office said that Ocalan and other clients on the island have been held incommunicado since March 25, 2021.

According to the Mezopotamya News, the lawyers stated: Imral Island is the only island prison in Turkey and is under a military exclusion zone. It is governed by an extraordinary regime ... This is isolation, and on top of that, the prevention of the right to access to lawyers, family, telephone and letters has become a separate punishment system. They also pointed to the report prepared by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) on August 5, 2020, which deemed the isolation in Imral as unacceptable.

According to Turkish law, prisoners sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment are entitled to one hours visit with close relatives and one telephone call with them every fifteen days. Depriving Ocalan of even these very limited rights is clearly a violation of basic democratic rights.

In a statement released after Yanardags arrest, the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) said that the journalist had exercised his right to freedom of expression and had not called for violence, demanding his release.

The Kurdish nationalist Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) also denounced the state crackdown, stating: The investigation process initiated against Tele1 TV Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardag for his assessment of the inhumane isolation in Imral has once again shown that the judiciary and the RTUK in Turkey act according to the policies of the government.

It continued: The RTUK should give up this behaviour and stop its pressure on the opposition channels. We remind once again that the judiciary should not act against those who criticise the isolation of Mr Ocalan, but against those who do not apply the law in Imral.

Thousands of HDP members, including former co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, have been imprisoned for years on grounds similar to Yanardags.

The HDP played a key role in the NATO-backed negotiations between Ankara and the PKK. It has faced an anti-democratic crackdown by the Erdogan government since the collapse of this process after US imperialism resorted to using the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) as its main proxy force in Syria. The YPG is a sister organization of the PKK.

In the presidential elections held last May, in which Erdogan once again won in the second round, TELE1 and HDP had supported Kemal Klcdaroglu, the leader of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) against Erdogan.

The WSWS has well-documented and irreconcilable political differences with both Kurdish nationalist parties and Yanardag. However, the violation of basic democratic rights is at stake in Yanardags detention and the imprisonment of numerous Kurdish politicians. Workers must demand for the release of journalists and all political prisoners in Turkey and internationally as an integral part in defense of basic democratic rights.
The Australian Labor government yesterday announced a further $110 million in aid to Ukraine, taking the total so far to $790 million in a little over a year. The government is continuing to bill Australia as one of the most significant non-NATO contributors to the Ukraine war effort.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (center) during his visit to Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, July 3, 2022. [AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty]

Announcing the latest spend, senior Labor politicians, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong, highlighted that $10 million of the funding was going to United Nations humanitarian operations. Even if this were the case, $100 million, or more than 90 percent, is being allocated directly to weapons of war.

The pledge for more military assistance comes amid a Ukrainian counter-offensive that is resulting in the deaths of up to 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers a day. The disastrous operation, with Ukrainian youths and conscripts treated as cannon fodder, is being ever-more openly directed by the US and NATO, which provoked the war and have used it to advance long-standing plans for a conflict with Russia.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said: Australia continues to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Ukraine to resolve this conflict on its own terms.

That is a declaration, in line with the Biden administrations position, that there will be no negotiated settlement to the war. Instead, it will be fought to the last Ukrainian, with the aim of inflicting a major defeat on Russia, which is viewed as an obstacle to the untrammeled pursuit of American imperialist interests globally.

The latest shipment will include 70 military vehicles, including 28 M113 armoured vehicles, 14 Special Operations Vehicles, trucks and trailers. News reports have indicated that previous deliveries of Australian Bushmaster military vehicles are being used extensively on the battlefield. This is not indirect military aid, therefore, but direct Australian participation in the counter-offensive and the hostilities against Russian forces.

In addition, Australia will send an undisclosed amount of ammunition. In the past, Australian governments have also dispatched rifles. The precise destination of the weapons remains unclear. It appeared likely that at least some of the rifles were going to end up with volunteer and irregular Ukrainian units, many of which are infested with fascist and Nazi elements.

The announcement was couched in aggressive militarism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese proclaimed that the Ukrainian forces continue to show great courage in the face of Russias illegal, unprovoked and immoral war.

Australia has participated in every illegal, unprovoked US war of the past eighty years, from Korea to Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. Russias reactionary invasion, moreover, was plainly provoked by the decades-long eastward expansion of NATO, and the transformation of Ukraine into a hostile garrison state on Russias border.

Albaneses comments form part of a broader pattern, with the Australian government increasingly dispensing with even a pretence of diplomacy in its attitude to Russia. The new shipment was unveiled a week after the parliament came together to pass extraordinary legislation barring the construction of a new Russian embassy in Canberra on nebulous national security grounds.

Albanese touted the fact that: We are continuing to train Ukrainian forces in the United Kingdom, and we will continue to engage with Ukraine for as long as it takes to support President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine in this struggle.

It remains unclear precisely which forces Australia is training, and in what. Again, the question of fascistic paramilitaries that are prominent in Ukraine is raised, but not answered.

The announcement of the shipment, despite its bellicose framing, received a mixed response. The opposition Liberal-National Coalition condemned the package as inadequate. The most hawkish sections of the media adopted a similar line.

Media reports had indicated discussions of even more extensive weapons shipments. There was talk of Hawkei armored vehicles, which are capable of transporting a major Norwegian-American air defence system. Marles indicated that these would not be forthcoming, based on unspecified advice.

Media reports earlier in the month also revealed advanced discussions between the Labor government, the US administration and the Ukrainian regime about the dispatch of Australian Hornet fighter jets to Kiev. That would be a vast escalation of the conflict, with US and NATO leaders previously admitting that the deployment of Western military aircraft could be a direct prelude to a world war.

In any event, the escalatory trajectory, and Labors full commitment to it, are clear. Albanese will attend the NATO summit in Lithuania next month, planning the next stages of the Ukraine war. Previous such visits have been accompanied by announcements of military aid, so Labor is likely keeping some of the big-ticket items up its sleeve for unveiling next month.

Australias role in the conflict, despite its geographical distance from the battlefield, again underscores the fact that the Ukraine war is increasingly morphing into a global confrontation. As it is committing hundreds of millions to the front in eastern Europe, Labor is playing a central role as an attack dog for Washingtons aggressive confrontation with China in the Indo-Pacific.

This has included hectoring and bullying countries throughout the region, as well as embarking on the biggest Australian military build-up in post-World War II history.

Australias involvement was also underlined by a report last week in the Australian. It revealed that Albanese will visit Germany on July 10, for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, prior to the July 11-12 NATO summit. They will reportedly discuss closer military ties and co-operation on critical minerals and technologies.

Australia and the US have struck a far-reaching deal on critical minerals, aimed at guaranteeing US supply in a sector heavily-dominated by China. The US and Europe have reached a similar deal. The arrangements have the character of a wartime bloc, with national economies being readied for major conflict.

A huge arms export from Australia to Germany is being finalised. As per the Australian: German-owned Rheinmetall is working on a deal to supply its home country with an extra 150 Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles built at its Brisbane-plant, on top of an earlier 123-vehicle export pledge. The proposal to sell Boxers to Germany would lift the value of the planned transaction to about $6.5bn, a source said, making it Australias largest defence export deal by a wide margin.

Even the Murdoch-owned publication acknowledged that the deal is in the context of a massive German remilitarisation. That, like the similar rearmament underway in Japan, evokes the worst horrors of the 20th century.

All these military preparations are being conducted behind the backs of the population. The vast aid packages to Ukraine, now approaching a billion dollars, are simply announced, without even a figleaf of democratic discussion or debate. So it was with Labors announcement of a $368 billion AUKUS program for Australia to acquire US and UK nuclear-powered submarines for use against China.

While there are almost limitless funds for war, Labor, together with the entire ruling elite, is insisting that workers must accept sacrifice in the face of the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.
New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, center left, Friday, June 23, 2023. [AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris]

New Democracy (ND) Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was sworn in Monday after defeating the opposition Syriza (Coalition of the Radical LeftProgressive Alliance) in a rout in Sundays Greek general election.

As well as the right-wing ND taking office for another term, the election saw the reconsolidation in parliament of three far-right parties, which won more than 12 percent of the vote combined and 34 seats.

The election of a conservative government and the elevation of the far-right in what one analyst described as the most conservative parliament since the restoration of Greeces democracy in 1974 is the political responsibility of Syriza.

In government between 2015 and 2019, Syriza imposed savage austerity, while loyally defending and funding Greeces key role within NATO and implementing brutal Fortress Europe measures against refugees on behalf of the European Union (EU). It has only deepened this agenda, demobilising and betraying the workers and youth who once looked to it for leadership.

Syriza first came to power in January 2015 in a landslide based on pledges to end the austerity measures demanded by the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but demonstrated within a few months that it was a party working solely in the service of the bourgeoisie. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) assessed this in its statement The Political Lessons of Syrizas Betrayal in Greece as an immense strategic experience for the working class.

The ICFI had from the beginning rejected Syrizas claims and those of its numerous pseudo-left cheerleaders internationally that its election would lead to the implementation of left-wing and even socialist policies. Based on an analysis of Syrizas class character as representative of upper-middle class strata, advancing a pro-capitalist program, the IC warned that it would rapidly renege on its promises and impose the austerity offensive demanded by Greeces creditorsleading to the strengthening of right-wing and fascistic forces.

In a perspective column dated January 27, 2015, The significance of the election of Syriza in Greece, the WSWS stated:

The International Committee of the Fourth International rejects with contempt the political excuse offered by the petty-bourgeois pseudo-left to justify support for Syriza and its pro-capitalist agendathat a Tsipras government is a necessary experience for the working class, from which it will somehow come to understand the necessity for genuinely socialist policies. Such sophistries are advanced only to oppose the emergence of a revolutionary movement of the working class, a development possible only through a relentless political exposure of Syriza. This task is undertaken by the World Socialist Web Site in order to prepare workers and young people for the decisive struggles they face in Greece and internationally.

In an article published the following day, Syrizas electoral success and the pseudo-left, the WSWS wrote:

Another of their [the pseudo-lefts] arguments is that one must support Syriza so that the working class can go through these experiences and learn from them. This is pure cynicism. Given the enormous dangers posed by a Syriza government, the task of a Marxist party is to expose the class interests represented by Syriza, to warn the working class against its consequences and provide it with a clear socialist orientation.

The ICFIs analysis of Syriza was placed in the context of the development of similar political formations internationally, including Podemos in Spain, the Left Party in Germany, the Left Bloc in Portugal and the New Anti-Capitalist Party in France.

The betrayal by Syriza set a pattern that was to be repeated beyond the borders of Greece. Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader of the British Labour Party in September 2015. Corbyns declared mission was to save the Labour Party from Pasokificationthe meltdown experienced by Greeces social democratic PASOK after it imposed the first raft of EU- and IMF-dictated austerity measures.

In his victory speech to Labours 2016 Special Conference, Corbyn declared, Since the crash of 2008, the demand for an alternative and an end to counter-productive austerity has led to the rise of new movements and parties in one country after another. ... In Britain, its happened in the heart of traditional politics, in the Labour Party, which is something we should be extremely proud of.

Among the most ardent supporters of Corbyn was Syrizas former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who had only resigned from government in July 2015 to distance himself from the austerity measures being imposed by Tsipras, which he had been instrumental in negotiating. Corbyn even employed Varoufakis as an economic adviser.

The outcome of the Corbyn experience, four years of abject political capitulation to his right-wing opponents inside and outside the Labour Party, was a rout, with Labour, now led by Sir Keir Starmer, pledged to savage austerity and marching in lockstep with a vicious Conservative government in backing NATOs war against Russia in Ukraine.

After claiming that workers had to go through the experience of governments run by Syriza and their ilk in order to arrive at socialism, not one pseudo-left tendency has ever even acknowledged that the result has instead always been a lurch to the right. Moreover, after each political betrayal, the search continues for the next Syrizaa petty-bourgeois formation employing a smattering of left-sounding phrases that can be offered up as a bogus alternative leadership for the working class.

No other conclusion can be drawn other than that the pseudo-left groups actively seek the political neutering of the working class in order to secure the privileged and comfortable existence they enjoy within capitalism.

The essential lesson to be drawn by workers and youth internationally is the necessity to build sections of the ICFI in Greece and in every country. The ICFIs writings on the pseudo-left tendencies comprise the necessary theoretical arming of workers to take forward this struggle.
Do you work at Norfolk Southern or another Class I railway? Tell us what you think about the East Palestine disaster by filling out the form at the bottom of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

This photo taken with a drone shows the continuing cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, last February. [AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar]

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were told that Norfolk Southerns decision to vent and burn five train cars of toxic chemicals had not been necessary, a public hearing last week revealed.

The controlled release and burn was carried out three days after the major derailment near the town of East Palestine, Ohio on February 3. This move, which contaminated the soil, ground water and atmosphere of the surrounding region with vinyl chloride and dioxins, and sent a huge black smoke cloud billowing into the sky, was justified at the time as needed to avert an imminent catastrophic explosion. That argument, questioned at the time by independent experts, has now been exposed as a lie. In early May, it was revealed that the company made the decision to blow up the tank cars without consulting federal authorities.

The revelation that the claim used to justify the decision was a lie from the start demonstrates that Norfolk Southern deliberately chose to poison the area in order to get its operations back up as soon as possible. Trains began running on the track shortly after the release and burn, once the accident site was cleared. Many members of the community strongly suspected from the start that Norfolk Southern made the decision to burn the five cars as the fastest way to reopen the tracks and get trains moving.

Vinyl chloride is classified as a carcinogen known to cause liver and brain cancer and damage most other organs of the body. Tens of thousands of dead fish and other wildlife have been counted since the disaster. The byproducts of burning vinyl chloride produce dioxins, a class of highly toxic chemicals that can build up in the body over time.

Since the derailment and the controlled burn, residents of East Palestine and surrounding communities have suffered from burning eyes, noses and throats, as well as nausea, headaches and stomach pains.

Company knew at the time explosion was not likely

The company has always insisted that the decision was made because they feared that one of the tanker cars that contained vinyl chloride was undergoing a chemical reaction, known as polymerization, that would cause the tankers to explode.

But Paul Thomas, vice president of health, environment, safety and security at OxyVinyls, the manufacturer of the vinyl chloride, told the hearing that on three separate occasions they informed Norfolk Southern that it was their opinion that the chemical was not undergoing polymerization and that the tankers did not have to be detonated.

In very careful and thorough testimony, Thomas explained that OxyVinyls informed Norfolk Southern that if the vinyl chloride was going through polymerization, then there would be clear evidence of the tank cars heating up, which there was not.

The one tank car in question was showing a temperature of 135 degrees, which he explained was most likely caused by the fires from the other cars, and not the polymerization of the vinyl chloride. A chart presented by NTSB officials of temperature readings of the rail car shows that the cars temperature was in fact declining and not rising.

Second, Thomas explained that for polymerization to take place oxygen had to be present. He explained that the vinyl chloride is packed in such a way as to ensure less than two parts per million of oxygen within the tank cars. For the vinyl chloride to be exposed to oxygen would have meant that the cars had ruptured, which they had not.

Lastly, Thomas pointed out that the cars had functioning pressure release valves, designed to relieve internal pressure, and that these valves had been working. This meant that when the cars heated up in the aftermath of the derailment, and as officials and their contractors repeatedly witnessed, the pressure release valves began flaring vinyl chloride out of the tankers. These valves, he said, are also designed to fully open if the tanker was getting too hot and in danger of exploding.

Thomas said that this information was communicated to Norfolk Southern officials three times, including on the evening of Sunday, February 5, the day before the controlled release and burn, by a company expert who had traveled to East Palestine to provide assistance.

East Palestine Fire Chief William Jones testified that he was only given a 13-minute window to approve the recommendations being made by Norfolk Southern, their contractors, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Environmental Protection Agency to burn off the five tanker cars carrying vinyl chloride. This significant fact exposes the involvement of both federal and state agencies in the subsequent cover-up of the disaster. The EPA, for example, delayed testing for dioxins in East Palestine for weeks without explanation.

Company ignored rail crews warnings

Investigators were also told that Norfolk Southern never conducted a mechanical inspection on the car whose overheated axle caused the accident, when it was placed on the train at a rail yard or at any point along the trains nearly 600-mile trip from Decatur, Illinois.

In addition, NTSB investigators were told that the trains engineer, after having inspected the train 30 hours earlier in Decatur, had told company officials that the train was too long and the cars improperly balanced to make the trip to Pennsylvania, but was ordered to take the train anyway.

In May, a retired railroad engineer who had worked 40 years for several different railroads, including 20 for Norfolk Southern, told the World Socialist Web Site that accidents like the one in East Palestine are all too predictable due to the unsafe weight of trains.

He explained that light or empty cars followed by full and heavy cars present a danger as the train accelerates, crosses hilly terrain, or slows down, because the inertia of the heavy cars can actually lift the lighter cars off the tracks.

It is important that you carefully control the weight of the train, both the total weight of the train and that of each car. If you put empty cars, especially flatbeds which are the lightest of all the cars, in the middle of a train, they will be picked right up off of the tracks when going around bends, he said.

The companies dont care about that anymore, they just want to make the trains as long as possible so they can make as much money on each train, he said. The East Palestine disaster was clearly preventable. For nearly an hour they knew that they had a bad axle, yet they kept the train moving.

This, he told the WSWS, is one of the reasons for the growing number of derailments throughout the United States.

The Norfolk Southern train that derailed February 3 was 150 cars long and had a weight of over 10,000 tons. The derailment was caused by a defective wheel bearing which began overheating and gave out. Wayside detectors, which are positioned at intervals on the track and are meant to monitor problems on the train, first detected that the wheel bearing was overheating some 45 minutes before the derailment.

However, Norfolk Southern officials did not notify the train crew or advise them to stop the train and inspect the wheel. Security camera video from a company located along the tracks 20 miles outside of East Palestine captured the train passing by and showed the wheel in flames.

Norfolk Southern continues to deny responsibility for the derailment. No doubt the testimony provided at the NTSB hearing will be used in the many lawsuits that have been brought against the company. While the testimony of Paul Thomas from OxyVinyl is very damaging, it is important to note that the company also has its own interests to protect. A recent report found that over 500,000 pounds of vinyl chloride are released each year in the manufacturing process.

It is also important to note that while most of the media coverage of the hearings haa centered on Thomass remarks, and these are certainly telling, the NTSB largely left untouched the role of various government agencies, the EPA and the NTSB itself, which should have been making these decisions. The hearing also failed to address the longstanding practice of precision scheduling being conducted by all the Class I railroads.

As long as the railroads and the other major sectors of the economy, such as the petrochemical industries, are left in the private hands of the capitalists and run only for the profit of a few, these and other disasters are bound to continue.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center, with Holly Sullivan, Vice President of Economic Development at Amazon, center right, cut the ribbon during a grand opening ceremony at Amazon's second headquarters, HQ2, in Arlington, Va., Thursday, June 15, 2023. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

On Saturday, June 17, Amazon officially opened its second headquarters, dubbed HQ2, in Arlington, Virginia. The new location, located just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, has co-equal status with the companys original headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

The company announced in 2018 that it had chosen the Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. suburbs to house the second headquarters. Amazon says the newly-opened part of HQ2 can accommodate about 14,000 of its white-collar employees, 8,000 of whom have already been hired. In all, HQ2 will employ some 25,000 corporate employees, according to Amazon.

Construction on the first of two phases of the sprawling campus finished earlier this year. Phase 1 focused on building Metropolitan Park, a complex with two office towers called Merlin and Jasper  named after Amazon Web Services software  as well as a playground and green spaces, an art installation and over a dozen new shops.

In March, Amazon announced it was pausing construction on Phase 2 of the project, which has been named PenPlace and will be located directly north of MetPark, with three new skyscrapers, plus a helix-shaped glass structure to be known simply as The Helix.

According to the Washington Post, the companys highly publicized move to Arlington is playing out amid broader concerns about soaring housing costs, remote work and the contraction of the tech industry. The latter part of the statement is a reference to Amazons recent cutting of 27,000 jobs from its workforce as the company pares back its operations following declines in the stock market.

Last Thursday, Amazon executives joined political officials from the area to cut the ribbon on the project. In attendance were Amazon Vice President of Public Policy Brian Huseman, VP of Worldwide Economic Development Holly Sullivan, VP of Global Real Estate John Schoettler. Also on hand was a bipartisan delegation of regional politicians, including Virginias Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, his wife Suzanne, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Democratic congressman Don Beyer and Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, among others.

At the ceremony, Youngkin beamed, We celebrate this partnership building a better and brighter future right here in Virginia. The Amazon team is truly engaged fully, not just in their business, but in Virginia.

By partnership, Youngkin is referring to the incentives Virginia offered Amazon to attract it to the capital region. When Amazon was scouting for a new location, it invited cities to compete against each other as it considered where to make its multibillion-dollar investment and locate its tens of thousands of highly-paid corporate employees. Cities and states tripped over each other to offer Amazon billions of dollars in tax breaks and incentives, along with promises to build up local infrastructure to suit Amazons needs.

In Virginia, state and local officials approved almost $2.4 billion in different perks and incentives as the company meets certain hiring and construction goals. In April, the company applied to receive nearly $153 million in incentives from Arlington County in Virginia for its 8,000 hires thus far.

The state of New York had previously offered the company $3 billion when it was considering splitting its HQ2 campuses between the District of Columbia and New York City, a decision it later abandoned in retaliation against local opposition in 2019.

At the time, Virginia officials pompously promoted their craven pursuit of HQ2. Christian Dorsey, Arlington Countys Democratic Board Chairman, stated that Virginia, unlike New York City, has its act together. On Saturday, Dorsey exalted that we are catalyzing the emergence of a dynamic neighborhood that will be the envy of our region which would deliver transformational change.

Dorseys dynamic neighborhood surrounding HQ2 is in fact a classic case of gentrification. An article in the Post, which is owned by Amazons billionaire founder Jeff Bezos, that accompanied the grand-opening was forced to acknowledge that residents opposed to rapid development worry the coming influx of software engineers will further strain their more suburban neighborhoods.

An article in the Post last year centered on Amazons voluntary Housing Equity Fund, supposedly dedicated to combat the areas rising cost of living, noted that Amazons efforts will likely do little to move the needle for the regions lowest-income residents, many of whom are already stretching their paychecks to make rent every month. It reported that just 6 percent of the units secured so far under Amazons fund have been set aside for the poorest renters  hardly enough to address fears that they will have to move out as the companys new office buildings go up.

Amazons decision to forge ahead with its HQ2 grand opening, despite difficulties it has encountered during the pandemic, is a showing of the corporations commitment to playing an essential role in the United States governments war policy against Russia and the preparations for a conflict against China.

Amazon has long maintained a close relationship with the US state and particularly its military and intelligence apparatus. Since 2013, the corporation has held a $600 million contract with the Central Intelligence Agency to manage its cloud service. In May 2022, Amazon was awarded a $10 billion contract to manage the National Security Agencys cloud. In 2021, Amazon abandoned the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) after a protracted fight with Microsoft over a contract to build an internet-based structure to house the United States militarys information systems.

The Pentagon replaced the contentious JEDI contract bidding process with a new program called the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC). At the end of last year, the Defense Department awarded a four-way bid to the major cloud computing companies: Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Oracle. Amazon also uses third parties to sell its technology to Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The World Socialist Web Site wrote in 2018, prior to Amazons HQ2 announcement, of the fusion of Americas high-tech sector with its military, in line with the Pentagons so-called third offset strategy, which aims to regain Americas military edge by harnessing a range of technologies, including robotics, autonomous systems and big data.

This process has only become more of an imperative under the Democratic Biden administration, which has staked its presidency on a war in Europe with nuclear-armed Russia and conflict with China. As Amazons more than one million workers are drawn increasingly into conflict with Amazons exploitation of the workforce, they must recognize that they are also in a fight against a critical part of Americas war machine and draw the necessary conclusions.
The World Socialist Web Site has received a significant amount of correspondence from UPS workers since it published an article Friday detailing the companys wage demands. The companys proposal would effectively create new tiers for both full- and part-time workers, cut wages for new full-time employees and freeze pay for new part-time workers, who make up two-thirds of the 340,000-strong workforce. At the same time, behind a screen of militant and angry-sounding rhetoric, the Teamsters bureaucracy is maneuvering to impose a contract that accepts all of the companys essential demands.

We are publishing a selection of comments below. If you want your voice to be heard, contact us by filling out the form at the bottom of this article. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A UPS driver removing a package to deliver in August, 2020 [Photo: US Department of Agriculture]

A driver in the Denver, Colorado area: I want UPS to get rid of 60 hour work weeks. Driving a truck for 12 hours a day for 5 days a week is absolutely ridiculous and unfair. They literally rape the drivers. Then sometimes they demand 6 days from us. This is a violation of our lives. They act as though we have no families. I [typically] expect two 14 hour shifts, two 12 hour shifts, and an 8 hour for my maximum 60 hours that UPS can get out of me most weeks.

A warehouse worker from Virginia: I am fairly certain I work in the same hub as this gentleman  Everything he spoke of is true. The bathrooms and water issues are a constant problem, not to mention the time clocks. They are antiquated and dont work correctly sometimes. In the area I work in, we dont even have a time clock. We write in our name and start time, and pray that at some point a supervisor transcribes it all correctly. Many times that doesnt happen. I have lost countless paid time. The start times are also rarely posted on time, and can change at a moments notice. I dont think a strike is a good thing for either side, but I will be happy to lay it all down and join the picket line  Solidarity!

A warehouse worker from Northern California: Working conditions are pretty brutal, with start times being pushed as far as 5:15 AM and us not getting our guaranteed 3.5 hours. We are being pushed to get these trucks loaded. We are not allowed to stop the conveyor belt if we have bulk items that are big and heavy. All the other packages coming down behind them, we end up stacking outside the trucks and under the belt, but we cant get in a second or two to catch our breath once we get the bulk off the belt before we are hit with an abundance of packages again.

Yes this is the job requirement, but we really are busting our behinds in loading trucks in numerical order for drivers to get deliveries. Also, a lot of time there was supposed to be double time but we were not paid double time. And when we request a sick day, those requests are not being met.

Working conditions arent too bad at our center, but the ways in which UPS goes about the guaranteed 3.5 is, they ask you if you want to go home, and if we dont say we want our 3.5 hours, we wont get them. I feel like, yes, they are giving us an option without being clear about the guaranteed hours.

A part-timer near Columbus, Ohio: I sincerely hope you are wrong about Sean OBrien and the Teamsters. I work at UPS and work conditions are terrible. We as part timers are paid $20.25 an hour. When I started we got paid $22.50 an hour. If this contract doesnt bump us up to $25, I can promise you not only will workers in our building strike but we will quit and find other careers. We arent going to be beaten up by UPS any longer. And if the union isnt fighting for us we dont want any part of them either. But like I said, I hope you are wrong about that.

A warehouse worker from Massachusetts: Working conditions at UPS have become a big problem. I have worked in the UPS warehouse as a package handler, sorter as well as an irregular package handler. Harassment from management has gotten out of control. UPS used to be a great place to work, but ever since the pandemic, harassment has gotten worse. I've been with UPS for 16 years and was terminated more than 3 times for petty things. Giving one person over five different jobs throughout the building and demanding you get the job done, I think other UPSers would agree with me on that, enough is enough!

A worker from North Texas: I work on the 3rd story of a metal building with NO climate control in Texas. I have collapsed twice in the summer heat, and still have trouble working through the whole summer. Its a hostile work environment  Supervisors either do nothing about it or their reports are ignored. The union has done nothing to help with our complaints 

We havent worked a full week of normal hours since January. We dont bring home enough on our pay checks to pay more then one bill, if even that, per check. And thats WITH the [market rate adjustment] in place.

We havent been able to rely on the union backing us with the company for a few years now. Weve been on our own to fight for ourselves with any problem that we have. All we want is to work in peace and safety. We want to be able to support ourselves and our families, without worrying where our next meal is coming from or how well put gas in our cars to get to work.

You want an idea of our working conditions? You come do our job for a week then take our paycheck and try to live on it, lets see how fast our working conditions and wages improve.

Another worker from Texas: The 22.4 [i.e., hybrid driver] idea was sold as inside workers that would occasionally do delivery work. We all knew that wouldnt happen. They are basically full-time package car drivers with lower pay and less protections than full time drivers.

The company creates such a stressful work environment with the harassment. Sensors on horns, brakes, doors, etc, and inward facing cameras in the cab, with managers following you to write you up if you didnt place your hand properly on the hand rail when getting on or off the truck. Now they want drivers to park 20 feet away from anything, meaning more walking to and from the vehicle.

More packages, more stops, higher production requirements. And the company has started a new program in which they just dont deliver certain zip codes on certain days, even if the customer paid for next day delivery. Its disgraceful.

A part-time worker from southeast Michigan: I would love to see myself and all the part time workers that come in early in the morning to get the day started for deliveries paid at least $25.00. If it wasnt for us coming early as 4 AM to get packages out, whether its cold or hot [nothing would get done]. We deserve to be recognized as why the customers are getting their packages on time.

Also, with the economy so high now, most are struggling from paycheck to paycheck like myself. If UPS cant recognize that the people inside their facilities are making their business grow and moving their deliveries, then Im all in for a strike. Its not fair for any of us to be treated like were not the muscle behind the business!
Photo taken on May 16, 2023 shows trucks full of commercial goods at the border crossing point of Torkham between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Standing by a dozen containers at the Torkham land port of eastern Afghanistan and waiting to receive his goods imported from China, Afghan businessman Parwiz Khan said his business with Chinese partners had changed his living conditions.

"Since I began my business 12 years ago, my living conditions have changed, as today I have a car, a house, and life is going on smoothly," Khan told Xinhua.

Torkham in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, which connects neighboring Pakistan onward to China, has been regarded as a major border crossing, linking South Asia and Central Asia via the war-torn Afghanistan.

Importing cosmetics from China, Khan said Chinese products are popular among Afghans due to their reasonable pricing, adding that he and other Afghan traders import their goods from China through the Pakistani port of Karachi, and it took about three months to deliver the goods.

It costs 200,000 to 250,000 afghanis (2,300 to 2,900 U.S. dollars) to transport one container from China to Torkham of Afghanistan, Khan noted.

The Torkham crossing point is always hustle and bustle, as hundreds of thousands of people are busy with their businesses every day, buying and selling a variety of items to earn a livelihood for their families.

"It takes 20 to 25 days to transport 25 tons or 27 tons of goods from the border town of Hairatan to Pakistan's Peshawar," truck driver Ostan said.

Each day 400 or 450 containers are cleared in the border town of Torkham towards Pakistan and almost the same number comes to Afghanistan, commissioner of the border town of Torkham Mufti Esmatullah said.

"The majority of them are goods from China," he added.

Afghanistan's exports to China include pine nuts, almonds and walnut, the official said.

However, he admitted that telegraphic transfer (TT) has remained an obstacle in business between Afghan traders and their Chinese partners, as Afghans cannot transfer money due to restrictions imposed by the United States on the Afghan banking system.

"Our request is to cooperate with Afghan traders and exempt trade from politics," Esmatullah told Xinhua.

Nevertheless, the official noted that Afghan authorities have been working to keep the Torkham crossing point open around the clock and reduce tariffs as part of the efforts to expand business activities.

"The Torkham port as a pivotal point is important for Afghanistan as traders' goods including those from China enter the country," said Qurishi Badlon, public relations officer of Nangarhar province.

"Via the Torkham port, we have established good trade relations with China, and therefore we attach more importance to it," he added. 

Photo taken on May 16, 2023 shows trucks full of commercial goods at the border crossing point of Torkham between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
This past Friday three San Antonio, Texas, police officers, Sgt. Alfred Flores and officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos, were charged with murder in the killing of 46-year-old Melissa Perez. A mother of four and grandmother to two, Perez was shot multiple times by the three officers while locked inside of her apartment after 2:00 a.m. on June 23.

This photo combo shows from left, Sgt. Alfred Flores and Officers Eleazar Alejandro and Nathaniel Villalobos. The three San Antonio police officers have been charged with murder this past Friday in the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Melissa Perez. [AP Photo/San Antonio Police Department via AP]



A GoFundMe organized to help cover Perezs funeral expenses notes, she did not have life insurance and her children do not have the means to pay for her burial  please pray for her four children and relatives that she leaves behind.



In an attempt to cut off mass anger at the latest heinous police slaying, San Antonio police chief William McManus announced that the three officers who shot and killed Perez had been suspended without pay, charged with murder and taken into custody.



According to Mapping Police Violence, Perez is one of at least 504 people who have been killed by police in America so far this year. As has been the case for the last decade, on average, US police kill three people a day and over 1,000 a year. Less than 2 percent of these killings result in any charges against police.



The shooting of Perez was caught on multiple police body cameras. A portion of the video was released during a Friday night press conference held less than 20 hours after the shooting.



In the press conference, McManus said it appeared that Perez was having a mental health crisis and that the shootings were not consistent with SAPDs policy and training. He said the police placed themselves in a situation where they used deadly force, which was not reasonable given all the circumstances as we now understand them.



In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Brent Packard, a lawyer working with the Perez family on a civil lawsuit against the city, confirmed that Perez had a history of mental illness.



We believe SAPDs conduct was not only an egregious constitutional violation of Ms. Perez foundational rights, but that this behavior stems from many systemic failures within SAPD, Packard said.



Nearly one in five US adults has a mental illness and people with an untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police compared to other people, according to a 2015 study from the Treatment Advocacy Center. Of the 1,165 individuals shot and killed by police in 2018, the Washington Post confirmed that more than 200, at least 25 percent, were suffering from a mental health crisis at the time of their deaths.



The heavily edited police body-camera video shows that none of the three cops who fired into Perezs apartment was in danger at the time of the shooting. Instead, it appears that the police had grown impatient with the woman, who was obviously in the throes of severe mental crisis, and decided to escalate the situation in order to force a violent conclusion.



Police claim that they were initially dispatched to the Southwest Side apartment complex because Perez had been cutting the wires of an external fire alarm system. Police documents assert that during initial questioning Perez told them she was cutting the wires because the FBI was listening to her.



In the video released by the police, the footage begins with a cop approaching a person and their dog who are standing in the grass outside an apartment complex. In the blurred out footage, it appears that as the person turns to walk away, the cop yells, Hey lady, get over here. The woman, believed to be Perez, continues to walk away from the cop, who again tells them to come over here.



The footage then cuts to an hour later, just after 1:40 a.m. By this time there were multiple police officers standing outside the patio of Perezs first floor apartment. One cop leapt over the balcony railing and proceeded to rip out the screen on a window leading into Perezs apartment. Perez is heard telling the police, Dont come in.



After police gathered themselves they attempted to break into Perezs apartment again.



A little after 2 a.m. a cop tried to break into the apartment through the window. As Perez approached him he pulled back and drew his gun and pointed at Perez, warning her, You are going to get shot. Perez, responded Shoot me. You dont have a warrant. As a second cop leapt over the railing, a third cop, who appears to be Eleazar Alejandro, began shooting his pistol through the window into the apartment.

Body camera footage showing San Antonio police firing into Melissa Perez's apartment, killing her. [Photo: San Antonio Police Department]



After police fired at least five shots at Perez there was a brief lull before Perez was heard yelling Hey! at which point another cop yelled Back up! followed by multiple gunshots through Perezs glass patio door. A third cop is also seen firing through the window into Perezs apartment. Within 10 seconds, three different cops fired over a dozen rounds into the apartment, killing Perez.

Body camera footage showing San Antonio police firing into Melissa Perez's apartment, killing her. [Photo: San Antonio Police Department]

The police affidavit claims that Perez was swinging a hammer at police when they attempted to break into the apartment through her patio door. The affidavit claims a cop suffered a minor arm injury when Perez allegedly threw a glass candle holder through the window. No guns were discovered inside the apartment and it does not appear, as of this writing, that anyone else was injured from the multiple bullets that were fired into the apartment complex.



All of the police involved in the killing of Perez had been on the force for over two years, with Flores having been with the department for 14 years, Alejandro for five, while Villalobos has been a cop for two years. While the three cops have been charged with murder, there is no guarantee they will be tried, much less convicted. If the case does go to trial there is the distinct possibility they will only be found guilty of a lesser crime, as was the case with former Lonoke County, Arkansas, deputy sheriff, Michael Davis, who was found guilty in the police killing of 17-year-old Hunter Brittain last March.



At around 3 a.m. on June 23, 2021, Davis shot and killed 17-year-old Brittain during a traffic stop outside of Cabot, a small city about a half hour north of Little Rock. Despite the fact that Brittain was unarmed and non-violent, Davis, who did not turn on his body camera until after the shooting, claimed he feared for his life when the youth got out of his truck during the stop to place a can of antifreeze behind his tire to prevent his truck, which he was trying to fix, from rolling into the patrol car.



While Davis was charged with felony manslaughter, after a four-day trial, held in a US Army National Guard armory, away from angry family and community members, Davis was only found guilty of misdemeanor negligent homicide and sentenced to one year in jail plus a $1,000 fine.



It is exceedingly rare that police in America face any repercussions for assaulting and killing poor and working class people. According to a database maintained by Bowling Green State University criminal justice professor Philip Stinson, in 2021, out of over 1,140 police killings, only 21 police were charged with murder or manslaughter from an on-duty shooting. This figure, representing less than 2 percent of all killings, is the highest since Stinson began tracking in 2005.



As was the case with the police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis earlier this year, none of the officers involved in the shooting of Perez appeared to be a different race than the victim, undercutting the Democratic Party narrative that police killings are a manifestation of white supremacy.



While racist and fascistic attitudes are cultivated in police departments around the world, police violence is fundamentally a class question. As long as capitalism exists, police, no matter how diverse or well-trained, will continue to assault and kill workers and the poor. As inequality continues to widen, the question of ending police violence is not about reforming or reimagining police, but uniting the working class in the fight for socialism against the source of police violence, the capitalist system.
Debris covers a residential area in Perryton, Texas, Thursday, June 15, 2023, after a tornado struck the town. [AP Photo/David Erickson]

Extreme weather and scorching heat across the southern United States, brought on by a heat dome, have caused dozens of injuries and deaths over the last week. The severe weather has taxed the Texas power grid, with no end in sight for the record highs. Moreover, the blistering temperatures are expected to expand during the coming week, putting even more people at risk.

Much of the southern US, particularly Texas, remains in the midst of a record-breaking and brutal heat wave that meteorologists believe will last until July 4. On Wednesday, six all-time heat records were broken or tied in the state of Texas. The records included a blistering 115-degree reading in Del Rio and Laredo and 116 degrees in Cotulla. Many places such as San Angelo reached 114 degrees and Kingsville hit 111 degrees, all-time record highs.

The heat index, which is how hot it feels to the human body when humidity is factored in, reached an unofficial record of 125 degrees in Corpus Christi.

On Thursday, heat alerts remained in effect for 18 million people across much of Texas, northern Mexico, parts of New Mexico and a small part of Oklahoma.

Metropolitan areas suffering amidst the unbearable conditions include Tulsa, Oklahoma; Roswell, New Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Austin, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas; Houston; and San Antonio. Each of these cities was as hot as or hotter than Californias Death Valley, an arid desert infamous for its extreme heat.

The Tuesday death of a postal worker in Dallas, where the heat index reached 115 degrees, was blamed on the extreme heat.

Across these areas, high temperatures ranging from 90 to over 100, combined with high humidity, have led to heat index values above 110 degrees. In extreme cases along the Gulf Coast, the cocktail of heat and humidity has pushed the heat index as high as 120 degrees.

The heat index reached 118 degrees Tuesday at Rio Grande Village in Big Bend National Park. Local media reported a man was hospitalized after collapsing in the heat. The unnamed individual and his son were reportedly hiking through the desert that connects Texas and Mexico at the time of his medical emergency.

All-time records were also set in parts of Mexico in recent days, including in the town of Monclova in Coahuila state, as well as in Chihuahua state. According to world temperature records expert Maximiliano Herrea, much of northern Mexico has also witnessed temperatures near 120 on the heat index.

The past week also saw a tornado spawned by a multitude of severe storms in the region. At least four people died and nine were injured after a tornado hit Matador, Texas, a small town of about 800 people northeast of Lubbock, late Wednesday night.

The tornado struck around 8 p.m., making it difficult for local authorities to immediately assess the full extent of the damage. According to first responders, three people died as a result of the storm and 10 were injured and were transported to Lubbock hospitals by Emergency Medical Services. One of the injured died at the hospital.

Multiple state and local agencies have sent police, fire and EMS resources to Motley County, where Matador is, to help with search and rescue efforts. Derek Delgado, public information officer for Lubbock Fire Rescue, said he has never seen so many agencies working together on one disaster. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration in response to the Matador tornado. As of this writing, Abbott has issued disaster declarations for at least 21 counties as a result of the severe weather.

Texas is no stranger to extreme heat during the summer season, but this is a significant heat event for the state, especially for the month of June.

Many experts note that the brutal, record-smashing heat wave that is scorching northern Mexico and the south-central U.S., especially Texas, has a connection to human-induced climate change.

According to Alex Lamers from the Weather Prediction Center, if the current temperatures continue into the next week, Texas could experience the hottest two-week stretch on record. The high heat is forecast to last into July.

Undoubtedly, human-induced climate change is increasing the odds of Texas seeing longer, more frequent and intense heat waves in the immediate future.

An analysis of data from Climate Central, a science advocacy group based in Princeton, N.J., said that climate change is making events like the heat wave at least five times more likely.

Human caused climate change made the extreme and extremely unusual temperatures in Mexico and the southern U.S. much more likely. Heat this intense, this early in the year will create stressful conditions for millions of people, Andrew Pershing, vice president for science at Climate Central, told USA Today earlier this week.

Climate Central's findings come from its Climate Shift Index tool, which is a model-derived analysis of the likelihood of local temperatures with and without the influence of climate change, expressed on a simplified scale to quantify the degree to which carbon pollution affected average temperature, according to Peter Girard, the Vice President of Communications.

On Thursday, the CSI measured the highs across Texas at levels of 3, 4, and 5 on the index. That equates to the background warming due to climate change making the extreme temperatures three to five times as likely as they otherwise would be if baseline temperatures were not influenced by climate change.

In Texas, the average daily high temperatures have increased by 2.4 degrees0.8 degrees per decadesince 1993, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, amid concerns over human caused climate change resulting in rising temperatures. Atmospheric changes such as altered jet stream and El Nino also play a role.

The local capitalist press has remained virtually silent on the social impact of the harsh weather. Regardless, the widespread misery millions must endure across the south is a direct product of American capitalism. In addition to Texas shredding environmental regulations over the last few years, state officials have refused to update the states outdated power grid. Rural and urban Texans must deal with power outages during extreme heat and freezes. In Houston alone, more than 200,000 customers were temporarily out of power yesterday as a result.

According to the National Weather Service, heat waves are viewed as less dramatic than other natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding or even thunderstorms, but they kill more people in the U.S. than all other weather-related disasters combined and cause hundreds of deaths each year.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System reports that more than 46 million people from west Texas and southeastern New Mexico to the western Florida Panhandle are currently under heat alerts.
UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The General Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution urging UN member states to promote and improve mental health services.

The resolution calls on member states to promote and improve mental health services as an essential component of universal health coverage by integrating a human rights perspective into mental health and community services.

It urges member states to adopt, implement, update, strengthen or monitor all existing laws and policies relating to mental health, with a view to eliminating all forms of discrimination, stigma, stereotypes, prejudice, violence, abuse, social exclusion, segregation, unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, medical institutionalization, and overmedicalization.

It encourages member states to work toward integrating mental health into primary health care by 2030 as an essential component of universal health coverage, with a view to ensuring that no one is left behind.

The resolution, recognizing that health financing requires global solidarity and collective effort, requests member states to strengthen international cooperation to support efforts to build and strengthen capacity in developing countries.

It also calls on member states to promote international cooperation to compile knowledge, experiences and good practices for, and build capacity in, the development, implementation and evaluation of their policies, plans and laws relevant to mental health. 
DG Okonjo-Iweala said: I am delighted to welcome China's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. As the world leader in marine fish catch, China's support for the implementation of this agreement is critical to multilateral efforts to safeguard oceans, food security, and livelihoods. By curbing harmful fishing subsidies worldwide, we can together forge a path towards a legacy of abundance and opportunity for generations to come.

Minister Wang said: The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the second multilateral agreement reached by the WTO since its establishment in 1995, and the first WTO agreement aimed at achieving the goal of environmental sustainable development. It is a significant agreement to boost the confidence of all members in multilateralism. China has completed the approval procedure of the agreement and will work with all members to push the agreement to enter into force before the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference. At the same time, China will participate in the second phase of negotiations in a positive and constructive manner and look forward to an early outcome of the negotiations.

Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks. In addition, the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations.

The Agreement prohibits support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bans support for fishing overfished stocks, and ends subsidies for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Acceptances from two-thirds of WTO members are needed for the Agreement to come into effect.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to making recommendations by MC13, to be held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here. The list of members that have submitted their acceptance of the Agreement is available here.

Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- It was the night before the deadline and Cheng Guangyu, a Beijing college junior, was still four research papers away from meeting the academic requirements of the semester. However, as if by miracle, Cheng submitted all the papers the following day without delay.

Tech-savvy people may know this "miracle" by the name of ChatGPT. For students like Cheng, who didn't bother to look up source materials, add citations or even do their own typing, ChatGPT is a thing of wonder.

"I just fed ChatGPT the general research directions and let it finish the papers all by itself," said Cheng. "It did a better job than I ever could."

ACADEMIC WRITING WITHOUT "WRITING"

Cheng was not the only college student in China who took advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In colleges across the country, a growing number of students are resorting to AI-writing applications when doing homework or writing research papers, with some going as far as finishing their graduation theses with the help of AI.

On Chinese online experience-sharing platforms like Zhihu, many netizens shared stories about how their AI-generated papers won the praise of tutors, further proving the popularity of this writing method.

However, fantastic as it may sound, AI-assisted academic writing has its limitations. One college student in Hunan felt that AI writing tools can only be useful in polishing articles, for they were not competent enough in illustrating innovative ideas.

On the other hand, AI can sometimes be too "innovative." "If looking closely at the citations of some AI-generated academic writings, one can spot that nearly all the critical information, including the names of authors and publications, are fabricated," said He Shiming, a professor at Changsha University of Science and Technology. "Even some of the historical events referenced in these papers are nonexistent."

CURSE OR BLESSING?

The popularity of AI-assisted academic writing has triggered a series of debates among experts, particularly college teachers. Currently, several Chinese higher education institutions have made their own stipulations regarding the matter. But people still couldn't seem to agree on whether using AI-assisted writing is a novel research method or an act of academic dishonesty.

Some experts consider AI writing as just another handy tool brought by the advancement of technology. Yang Zhiping, a professor at Northeast Normal University, summarized his experience using AI writing. He said that conversations with an AI model fed with enough material helped him clarify his research approaches.

"It's like exchanging views with an expert who is extremely knowledgeable," said Yang. "The collision of thoughts can be helpful in developing new academic ideas."

However, some college teachers argue that the convenience of AI-assisted writing can cause students to become dependent on it when conducting academic research, which will lead to the deterioration of academic atmosphere.

On this matter, Fu Weidong, a professor at Central China Normal University, said that any AI-generated thesis should be reviewed in accordance with existing academic standards as well.

According to Fu, AI writing is a technology based on collecting and processing existing knowledge, and therefore can't avoid repeating the thought or even exact texts from existing academic works. "Once the repetition reaches over the allowed level, it should be considered plagiarism," Fu said.

ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Facing the irreversible development of AI use in academic writing, experts believe that measures should be taken to standardize the application of advanced technology.

It is necessary to specify the scope and extent of AI use in writing, rather than just prohibit the tool, according to Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute in Beijing.

Xiong also suggested that universities should introduce courses on the use of AI writing tools to inform students of the standards, methods, and ethics of AI-aided academic writing.

In a bid to detect AI-assisted academic plagiarism, efforts should be made to the research and development of related software which can identify whether an essay is "written" by AI writing tools, said He.

The education sector should pay more attention to cultivating students' problem-solving mindset and enhancing their capability of observing, understanding, and analyzing nature and society, instead of making academic writing a matter of formality, said Xie Di, an associate professor with the School of Public Administration, Hubei University. 
TIANJIN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday warned against overstretching the concept of the so-called "de-risking," or turning it into a political or ideological tool. 
Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, attends a plenary session of the second standing committee meeting of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. During the meeting, 13 members of the standing committee shared views on facilitating the creation of a new development pattern and advancing Chinese modernization. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A plenary session of the second standing committee meeting of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) was held in Beijing on Tuesday.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory body, attended the meeting.

During the meeting, 13 members of the standing committee shared views on facilitating the creation of a new development pattern and advancing Chinese modernization.

Ning Jizhe emphasized the need to enhance sci-tech innovation and facilitate the integrated development of the real economy, digital economy and green economy.

Zheng Yongfei said that it is necessary to improve innovation capacity in the engineering technology sector. He noted that opening-up and independent research and development need to be integrated, and that a modernized industrial system needs to be developed.

On behalf of the Jiusan Society Central Committee, Qian Feng called for enhancing basic research, improving innovation and application, and moving the manufacturing sector towards high-end, smarter and greener production through sci-tech innovation.

Xie Dong emphasized the need to enhance the study and analysis of risky situations, step up financial regulation and steadily advance the handling of existing risks.

The meeting was presided over by Ho Hau Wah, a vice chairperson of the CPPCC National Committee. 
MOSCOW, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday thanked the country's armed forces, security and law enforcement officers for defending Russia's constitutional order and preventing the outbreak of a civil war.

The country's military and law enforcement officers acted as the "real defenders," and defended the constitutional order as well as the lives and freedom of Russian citizens, Putin said during a speech, adding that they had saved the country from upheaval and chaos, and stopped a potential civil war over the past weekend, according to the Kremlin official website.

Putin noted that the country's security forces were able to ensure the reliable operation of important control centers and defense facilities throughout this tense time, including military formations that continued to fight in the area of the special military operation.

The president also paid tribute to the Russian pilots that had died "in the confrontation with the rebels."

The determination and courage of the country's security forces, and the unity of Russian society had ultimately played "a huge, decisive role in stabilizing the situation," 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.

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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.
"To go through something that terrible and be able to come out the other side and be whole, well, I can't imagine it," director Conor Allyn said of Heard

Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Amber Heard attends the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023

Amber Heard is receiving some serious kudos from her In the Fire director and costars.

The 37-year-old actress made an appearance at the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy over the weekend alongside the movie's director Conor Allyn, where he told Deadline he's "so happy" that while Heard "went through something so awful," the experience "didnt change her as a person."

Heard famously faced off against her ex-husband Johnny Depp last spring in a defamation trial the Edward Scissorhands actor brought against her, in which a seven-person jury reached a June 1, 2022, verdict that largely sided with Depp 60, though Heard won one of her three counterclaims.

Speaking with Deadline on Saturday at the premiere of In the Fire, Allyn said of Heard, "Shes still the shining light ... and to go through something that terrible and be able to come out the other side and be whole, well, I cant imagine it."

Heard's costar in the thriller, Luca Calvani, had similar words for the actress, telling Deadline, Anyone that suffers that sort of ordeal and is able to overcome it with grace, no matter what side youre on, no matter what you believe or which social media [outlet] you plug into or whatever your hashtags are, you have to give credit for the incredible journey this woman has been through, and she can teach us all a couple of things as far as resilience and courage.



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Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Amber Heard and Conor Allyn attend the 69th Taormina Film Festival on June 24, 2023

Related: Amber Heard Attends Taormina Film Festival for Her Movie 'In the Fire' 1 Year After Johnny Depp Trial

Calvani, 48, also praised Heard as "a star," adding that "she has that light" and was generous and encouraging on the film's set.



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She glows and she pulls you in and she shares it with everybody. The last person on set will feel it and feel a connection with her," he added.

During the premiere on Saturday, Heard walked the red carpet in a long black dress that featured a belt across her waist. She had her hair styled in tight curls that fell around her shoulders and wore a bold red lipstick.

She told PEOPLE about Into the Fire, "Its a beautiful movie about the almost supernatural effect and force of love. It is about the boundaries that love can cross and its creation, and really about the overwhelming power that love has."

"I dont want to sound cheesy about it, but its a movie about love," the actress added.



Kevin Dietsch/Getty ; Ron Sachs/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in spring 2022 during their defamation trial

Related: Johnny Depp Speaks at Cannes About His 'Comeback' After Amber Heard Trial: 'I Never Went Anywhere'

The premiere marked Heard's first appearance promoting a movie since the end of the defamation trial brought against her by Depp.

After news of the $1 million settlement she paid to Depp earlier this month  and the five charities he'll donate the money to  Heard was photographed smiling while out in Madrid. (The actress previously relocated to Spain and now lives there with her 2-year-old daughter Oonagh.)

When she announced the settlement, Heard said in part that it was "not an act of concession" and "there are no restrictions or gags with respect to my voice moving forward."

Depp's first movie since the trial, Jeanne Du Barry, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France last month. It is also slated to be screened at the Taormina Film Festival this Friday.

The 69th Taormina Film Festival kicked off June 23 and runs through July 1.

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Read the original article on People.
Clinton-Questlove - Credit: Ginny Suss

Former president Bill Clinton joined the Questlove Supreme podcast for an intimate conversation on jazz music in honor of Black Music Month.

In an exclusive first listen ahead of Wednesdays episode, Clinton shares his early aspirations of becoming a musician with Team Supreme and pays homage to the greats that inspired him throughout his career. I went to summer camp at university and i would sometimes play 12 hours a day, Clinton said. My gums were practically bleeding and I loved it. Starting from when he was a kid growing up in Arkansas, Clinton recounts how he once looked at himself in the mirror at 16 years old and asked, Will you ever be as good as Coltrane? He goes on to say that he felt conflicted at the time, and wanted to be three things in life: A doctor, a musician, and in politics.

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I wanted to do three things in my life, said Clinton. I wanted to be a doctor that helped people that didnt have access to healthcare I wanted to be a musician, and I wanted to be in politics because I could see when I was a boy how much conflict there still was in America.

Clinton also opens up about his friendship with Ray Charles, and the phone call he had with him weeks before Charles died in 2004. The two met via mutual friend Quincy Jones. Clinton recalls Charles traveling from central Florida to Seattle before recounting his personal interactions with him. He called me and I knew he was sick, says the former president. It was pretty public by then. He didnt talk about any of that. He had no interest in talking about that. He just said, Im just calling a few of my friends. People I want to talk to, you know, one more time. And we shot the breeze for like 20 minutes.

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He knew he was going to die, but he didnt want to talk about that. He wanted to just talk about life, continued Clinton. I think there were 12 or 15 people he just called that he wanted to talk to. I always thought he was something special.

During the episode, Questlove stretches his existential muscles and ponders his own role as a commander in his industry and asks, Why should we want to be a leader?

Most of life is a social experiment and a social experience, Clinton replies. It starts with how you keep score If you keep score in a way that is at all other-directed, then if you get a chance to lead, you have to do it.

Clintons conversation on art and leadership marks Black Music Month, which he officially signed into a bill in 2000  calling for a formal acknowledgment and celebration of Black musics contribution to and impact on American life and culture. The Clinton Foundation is an extension of his efforts to foster a new generation of leaders by inspiring citizen engagement and service through the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, which offers year-round educational and cultural programming and is home to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.

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A sound bite from a 2014 interview featuring Cameron Diaz has resurfaced and is gaining traction on TikTok.

In 2014, while promoting the film The Other Woman in Manila, Philippines, Diaz, who is seen alongside co-stars Kate Upton and Leslie Mann, talks to a Filipino journalist about how she grew up with a lot of Filipinos. This segment of the interview has since become a trending sound bite on TikTok that many Gen Z Filipinos are playfully using.

I havent been to the Philippines, but I grew up with a lot of Filipinos, Diaz, who is half Cuban, says with whats likely an attempt at a Filipino accent. My best friend who I grew up next door to, her mother was from the Philippines. Lumpia, adobo, I ate it every single day. . . . Rice, all the time, her mom made the best rice.

Lumpia, a fried spring roll, and adobo, a chicken or pork stew, are traditional dishes in Filipino cuisine.

Nahhhh its still weird to say it like that, Cameron. These yes men in the comments are giving terrible advice, @midnightmint3 replied to the Diaz interview clip.

No way everyones gassing her up when this made me cringe so hard, @angelsincielo222 also commented.

TikTok users who identify as Filipino are reciting Diazs now-trending quote about the Southeast Asian country and its dishes to cheekily prove or legitimize their connection to the culture.

On May 4, Shana Mafnas (@shanamafnas), who lives in Hawaii according to her TikTok page, used the sound bite in response to trying to convince my family in the Philippines that Im in touch with that side even though I wasnt raised in PI.

About the extent of my Filipino knowledge too, @xpbnslayx commented on Mafnas video.

no like this sound needs to trend bc LMAO, @saintbabyy also wrote.

Diazs sound bite also resonated with TikTok creator Tina (@chefboyardeelasagna), who used it in a video posted to the platform in May.

me when someone tries to guess what asian i am and they say filipino, she writes.

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Imagine my surprise when i click on the sound and see that its cameron diaz, @kayemgee111 commented, to which Tina replied, I WAS SO SHOCKED.

In June, Laura Greenaway (@laura.greenaway) used the sound bite to explain when ur wasian but ur lola and lolo raised you. The term wasian is used to describe those who identify as being half white and half Filipino.

While Filipino Americans are poking some fun at Diazs fondness of the Filipino culture, theres a notable history of Filipinos from the Philippines gravitating toward white, Hollywood celebrities whove shown interest in the country, its people and traditions. The pride some Filipinos derive from being noticed by white celebrities who are famous in America may, in part, be due to the countrys colonial history. The country has long seen ones whiteness  over brownness  as a marker of beauty and prestige, according to some critics.

After World War II, the white paragon of beauty persisted, popularized by movie studios and their stables of mestizo and mestiza stars, Rey E. de la Cruz, Penelope V. Flores and Delia R. Barcelona wrote for Positively Filipino, a magazine that focuses on the Filipino diaspora. The terms mestizo and mestiza refer to people who are of mixed white European ancestry. Also, there were American television shows (e.g., Bewitched and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.) and commercials (e.g., Goodyear tires and L&M cigarettes), which all featured handsome white men and women. Mestizas were the choice Filipina contestants sent to international beauty pageants.

Diaz is among many Hollywood stars whove received a warm welcome in the Philippines. Margot Robbie, Owen Wilson and Zac Efron are some other stars whove previously been spotted enjoying their time in the country.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post Cameron Diaz sound bite, I havent been to the Philippines, but I grew up with a lot of Filipinos, is trending on TikTok appeared first on In The Know.

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Photo by Theo Wargo/WireImage

Perhaps the third time is the charm for Dave Bautista going into the WWE Hall Of Fame?

Dave Bautista was scheduled to get inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2020 but the pandemic put a halt to those plans. WWE then announced it would induct the 2020 and 2021 classes together at WrestleMania 37, but a schedule conflict resulted in Bautista putting off his inclusion for another year.

Bautista was again brought up as a potential name for the 2023 induction, with Bautista himself saying he was trying to make it happen. In February, Bautista told Liam Crowley of ComicBook.com that he was trying to make it happen but couldnt confirm hed be there.

Bautista was ultimately not part of this years class, and now hes confirmed that his omission was related to his busy filming schedule.

During a recent appearance on CoolKicks, Dave Bautista was asked about his status during this years WrestleMania week festivities in Los Angeles. Bautista said he missed out because he was actually in South Africa filming a new movie.

No. I was in South Africa. I was supposed to go into the [WWE] Hall Of Fame but I was on this film that I was committed to, Bautista said. I couldnt get out of it.

Bautistas comments confirm a report from PWInsider.com, which noted Bautista was unable to fly into Los Angeles for the ceremony because of his film commitments. Bautista was in South Africa filming My Spy: The Eternal City, a sequel to the 2020 spy comedy film My Spy.

CoolKicks also asked Dave Bautista if he enjoyed wrestling or acting more. Bautista said acting was it now, but nothing beats being in front of a WWE crowd.

At this point in my life, acting, Bautista said. But nothing replaces the adrenaline of being in front of a wrestling audience.

Bautista recently starred in Knock at the Cabin and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He is set to appear as a hitman named Joe Flood in Lionsgates upcoming movie titled The Killers Game.

The post Dave Bautista Confirms Why He Wasnt Part Of 2023 WWE Hall Of Fame Ceremony appeared first on Wrestlezone.
AYBAK, Afghanistan, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have rounded up 230 alleged criminals from Afghanistan's northern Samangan province over the past three months and discovered 30 pieces of arms from their possessions, a statement of provincial police department said Tuesday.

The arrested individuals, allegedly involved in criminal activities, including theft, robbery, carrying arms illegally and creating law and order problems, had been detained during search operations, crackdown on outlaws and routine checking of people in police checkpoints, the statement added.

Police in Samangan province will not allow anyone to undermine security or create law and order problems for the people, the statement asserted.

Similarly, police in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province had also arrested 93 people on charge of involvement in criminal activities over the past month and confiscated arms and ammunitions from their possessions.

The Afghan caretaker government has vowed to crack down on criminal elements to ensure law and order in the war-torn country. 
Don Lemon recently spoke about CNN and the state of journalism in his first interview since he was fired from the network two months ago. (Evan Agostini / Invision/AP)

Don Lemon has more to say about his unexpected firing from CNN.

In his first interview since departing from the news network in April, the former anchor spoke on Saturday with ABC24 Memphis about the current state of journalism and life after CNN.

When asked if he has any future projects lined up, Lemon played it cool and said he's waiting for the right opportunities to arise.

Read more: Don Lemon says he was fired by CNN without warning. Network blasts 'inaccurate' statement

"Im not gonna force anything. Im not gonna let other peoples timeline influence me," he said. "I know people say, I miss you on television. What is your next move? Im figuring that out. I dont have to be in a rush. I think sometimes people rush to make decisions and they end up making the wrong decisions.

On April 24, Lemon announced that he had been fired from CNN after 17 years at the cable news network. News of Lemon's firing came the same day that former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson was ousted from the conservative network by Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch.

The move came as CNN began facing resistance from advertisers and potential guests for the morning news program CNN This Morning, which Lemon co-anchored.

Read more: CNN co-hosts address Don Lemon's exit on air: 'Thankful to have worked alongside him'

Lemon was briefly suspended in February after he made offensive comments about when a woman is past her prime while speaking about 51-year-old Republican former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is running for the partys presidential nomination for the 2024 election.

I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN, Lemon wrote in an April statement posted on Twitter. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that 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."

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CNN refuted Lemon's account of how his exit went down, tweeting, "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."

Read more: Don Lemon was the brightest star at CNN. Then he became the story

Speaking on the state of journalism and perhaps hinting at the newly adopted strategies of CNN on Saturday, the former talk show host reprimanded organizations that give equal footing to disparate voices.

I dont believe in platforming liars and bigots, and 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," Lemon said. "I think that would be a dereliction of journalistic duty to do those sorts of things."

Despite the messy exit and an uncertain future, Lemon wants everyone to know that he's "fine."

"And I'm not worried at all," he clarified. "People are concerned about me and more worried about me than I am about myself. I'm fine  someone is looking out for me."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Newsmax

Former President Donald Trumps interview last week with Bret Baier was marred by how the Fox News anchor didnt come off like a MAGA fanboy, Trump complained Monday.

Appearing on Newsmax a few days after trashing Baiers employer as hostile, Trump was asked about how hed feel about participating in the GOPs first scheduled primary debate in August, which Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate.

Trump began by reiterating that its difficult for him to see the need to debate considering his wide polling lead. He then griped, again, that Fox News is hostile toward him.

When I did the interview with Brett, I thought it was fine. I thought it was OK, Trump told Eric Bolling in a lukewarm manner. But there was nothing friendly about it. You know, it was nasty, and I thought I did a good job. Ive been getting credit for doing a good job.

Trump then gave the impression that he felt like Baier should have behaved more like a campaign surrogate.

Everything was like an unfriendly everything was unfriendly: no smiling, no Lets have fun, lets make America great again. Everything was like a hit.

In that interview, Baier pushed back against Trumps 2020 election lies. The Fox anchor also asked him why, in light of his 2016 pledge to surround himself with only the best and most serious people, he ended up often having an insult-rich public falling out with many top members of his administration.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Food Truck

Family members in Portland, Oregon has hired a lawyer, Alicia LeDuc Montgomery, to investigate the assault of Black food truck owner Darell Preston, 36, and officers response to his attack, Oregon Live reports.

The outlet claims that on June 15, Preston was on the phone with his wife outside his business in Southeast Portlands Foster-Powell neighborhood when after 7:00 p.m., without warning, a white man started beating him while calling him racist slurs. Per Montgomery, Preston required medical attention for severe facial injuries. We are deeply disturbed by this assault, which has left the community shaken and outraged, she said. We call upon law enforcement to thoroughly investigate this despicable act of violence.

Along with investigating the incident, Montgomery is also reportedly looking into the timeliness and sufficiency of the governments response, the publication noted. On June 20, a police spokesperson alleged Preston declined to talk with the cops at length when they arrived at the scene.

It took officers several minutes to convince the victim to come out of the foot cart to talk with them, spokesperson Terri Wallo Strauss said. Once the victim was out, he told [law enforcement] he was delivering food and was attacked. When the officer asked for more detail on exactly what happened, the victim refused to say more and locked himself in the cart. Montgomery responded to authorities claim by stating her client was too injured and scared to speak with police then. He could hardly speak because his face had been so badly beaten in, she said.

Yesterday (June 26), another police spokesperson, Sgt. Kevin Allen, said that local detectives are investigating the attack as an assault and not as a bias crime. This isnt being investigated as a hate crime since no elements of a hate crime was detailed to [police], Allen said. The victim would not agree to cooperate with the investigation and provided no description of the assault to [law enforcement].

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On June 17, Prestons loved ones started a GoFundMe to help with the family bills. Per Oregon Live, the victim closed his food truck after the incident left one of his eyes leaking blood, the other swollen shut, and a swollen lip. Montgomery shared that the truck is set to open back up later this week.

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FLO_PC-Conor-Cunningham-2 - Credit: Conor Cunningham*

Not too long ago, the British girl group FLO were a newly signed act trying to persuade their label to drop a song called Cardboard Box as their debut single. The label wanted to try other songs first, but Jorja Douglas, 21, Stella Quaresma, 21, and Renee Downer, 20, collectively agreed that the lively R&B breakup track was the one.

Its just a thing between us three, says Douglas. When were all on the same page, were a force to be  whats the word?

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Reckoned with, finishes Quaresma.

Thats exactly the one, says Douglas. When you trust that gut instinct, it really pays off.

Cardboard Box went on to get more than 34 million Spotify streams and 8.5 million YouTube views, helping attract a devoted fan base for FLOs effortless harmonies and nostalgic early-2000s R&B sounds. They just wrapped up their first-ever tour, where stars like Wiz Khalifa and Victoria Monet were spotted in the crowds, and theyve earned co-signs from Missy Elliott and Stormzy.

Now, FLO are translating the energy of Cardboard Box, and their recent tour dates, into the recording studio as they work on their debut album. All three members are involved in the songwriting process, a rarity for a new pop act. Well jump on the mic and freestyle some melodies and see where the wind takes us, Downer says. We like to work very militantly to get a song done. Helming the project is Grammy-nominated producer MNEK (whose work with U.K. group Little Mix is a major influence on FLO). Hes so integral to our music and journey. Hes literally the fourth member, Quaresma says.

Despite only having worked together for a relatively short time, the trio has already established a firm foundation of collaborative friendship. They say theyre hopeful that by grounding their success in honesty and communication, they might be able to enjoy the longevity of some of the classic groups they admire. All three members of FLO name Beyonce as their greatest inspiration. Its a very cliche thing to say, but its just so real, Downer says, adding that hearing FLO compared to iconic acts like Destinys Child and TLC makes the group feel like were doing something right.

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Several months ago, FLO got in the studio with producer Rodney Jerkins, whose catalog includes Beyonces all-time greatest song, Destinys Childs Say My Name, two songs from SZAs most recent album, and many, many more pop and R&B hits. They got to hear some stories about Queen Bey from back in the day that further confirmed why shes the Number One. Working with Jerkins proved productive, leading a few new songs, and they plan to go back in the studio with him soon. He can literally do it all, Douglas says.

FLO hope to get their debut album ready by sometime this year, Were trying to do things a little bit differently, Douglas says. We have to be really honest with each other and with the people we work with. We have to make sure how we feel is being heard.

Its very important for everybody to speak up, Quaresma adds. Dont let anybody make you feel like youre being a diva or youre being dramatic.

Preach! Douglas responds.

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Nearly two months to the day since Tucker Carlsons unceremonious Fox News ouster, the conservative cabler is unveiling its new primetime game plan.

The big news: Jesse Watters has inherited Carlsons perch, as his Jesse Watters Primetime relocates from 7 to 8 pm. Meanwhile, Laura Ingrahams The Ingraham Angle  formerly at 10 pm  will shift to 7 pm. In turn, former 11 pm occupant Greg Gutfeld will move into the to 10 pm slot. Sean Hannitys Hannity will remain at 9 pm. Lastly, Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher will air an hour earlier at 11 pm.

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The new schedule goes into effect Monday, July 17. A snapshot of the tweaked lineup is below:

7 pm: The Ingraham Angle

8 pm: Jesse Watters Primetime

9 pm: Hannity

10 pm: Gutfeld!

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, Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement. 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.

News of Carlsons ouster from Fox News broke on April 24, with the cabler saying in a statement, Fox News Media and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways. We thank him for his service to the network as a host and prior to that as a contributor.

Weeks later, Carlson said in a three-and-a-half minute Twitter video that the show he had hosted for six-and-a-half years on would continue on via the social media platform. Fox News  which reportedly continues to pay Carlson after removing him from the airwaves  has since sent Carlson a cease and desist letter.

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Carlsons lawyers, meanwhile, have asserted his First Amendment right to free speech.

Fox defends its very existence on freedom of speech grounds, Carlsons lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said in a previous statement to Axios. Now they want to take Tucker Carlsons right to speak freely away from him because he took to social media to share his thoughts on current events.

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Giselle Fernandez receives her Woman of Influence award on June 20, 2023, at the Sofitel Hotel Los Angeles.

Giselle Fernandez, local and national network news anchor for more than four decades and current anchor at Spectrum News 1 in Southern California, made a plea for telling "stories that inspire" and "transcend the noise" in order to win back viewers and help the country.

"The intersection of media and politics is more weaponized than it has ever been," Fernandez said in accepting the as a "Woman of Influence" at the Wonder Women of Los Angeles ceremony on June 20. "And you know, those algorithms on those competing social media microsites, they play to that rage and that hate, and it's good for business even if it's tearing our country apart. But I can tell you from my experience of late, and it's been a hard time for all of us, stories that inspire, allow you to see the best in each other [are] also good for business. People are craving stories that inspire, give you hope, uplift and remind us we are good too. That we are more alike than we are different. I know firsthand this because our viewers tell us every single day."

Also: Woman of Influence Giselle Fernandez Sets the Tone in City of Angels

Fernandez anchors Your Morning on Spectrum News 1 and hosts L.A. Stories With Giselle Fernandez, the interview program she said enabled her to be doing "the most fulfilling work of my career in my sixth decade."

Jennifer Lahmers hands Giselle Fernandez the Woman of Influence award at Wonder Women of Los Angeles.

Fernandez said her mother, who once recorded oral histories in Mexico as part of a PhD project, taught her that "every human being, no matter who they are, where they come from, has a story to tell. And those stories tell us all a lot about who we are, where we're going."

Fernandez, who earlier in her career worked for both CBS News and NBC News, said she always wanted to be a reporter. And as a reporter she has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of humanity. But her experience lately has left her with hope for a unifying effect from sharing experiences through storytelling.

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"People are craving stories that inspire, give you hope, uplift and remind us we are good, too," she said. "That we are more alike than we are different. I know firsthand this because our viewers tell us every single day. Getting this award made me think a lot about not only how I use my influence with the stories that we share, but the people I interview also have this immense power to influence by sharing their most intimate life stories of redemption, innovation, transformation, how they survive horrors and turn tragedy into triumph. How they've changed their lives, that of their communities. These stories move people, they inspire and remind us of the possible. And this is where I so believe we tap into our shared humanity. That's where real influence lies. Especially today. I feel so blessed because I'm given the time, the platform thanks to Spectrum, which is so rare these days to have a long-form interview show where we can really listen to where someone's coming from."

She continued: "It's about being more human than we've ever been and seeing, as my mom said early on, there is dignity in every being. If there was ever a time for all of us to share stories that open hearts, widen the aperture to different views, find common ground, the time for that is now."

Fernandez said she felt lucky to be in position to help shape a news broadcast after having been away from a TV newsroom for a long time before Spectrum News 1 launched in Southern California in 2018.

"I had been out of the news business for about 15 years and I was told by mostly men running networks and studios that I was past my prime," she recalled. "The business had changed. It just takes one person to believe in you. And that person is here today. Her name is Cater Lee [V.P., Original Programming and On-Air Talent Development, Spectrum Networks Southern California]. She's the titan force that built Spectrum News 1 from scratch. Understanding the trust in hyper-local coverage, that relationship and bond with viewer matters, that trust matters. Good solid journalism matters. When she called and asked if I wanted to come back to news, I literally was like, 'Do you know I'm 57?' " Lee's response was: I certainly do. When can you come in?

"That was five years ago," Fernandez said. "Because of her, I get to do the most fulfilling work of my career in my sixth decade."
Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

Humans unquenchable thirst for groundwater has sucked so much liquid from subsurface reserves that its affecting Earths tilt, according to a new study.

Groundwater provides drinking water for people and livestock, and it helps with crop irrigation when rain is scarce. However, the new research shows that persistent groundwater extraction over more than a decade shifted the axis on which our planet rotates, tipping it over to the east at a rate of about 1.7 inches (4.3 centimeters) per year.

That shift is even observable on Earths surface, as it contributes to global sea level rise, researchers reported in the study published June 15 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Earths rotational pole actually changes a lot, said lead study author Ki-Weon Seo, a professor in the department of Earth science education at Seoul National University in South Korea, in a news release. Our study shows that among climate-related causes, the redistribution of groundwater actually has the largest impact on the drift of the rotational pole.

Earths drifting axis

You might not be able to feel Earths rotation, but its spinning on a north-south axis at a rate of about 1,000 miles per hour (1,609 kilometers per hour).

The ebb and flow of seasonal change is linked to the angle of the planets rotational axis, and over geologic time, a wandering axis could affect climate on a global scale, said Surendra Adhikari, a research scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in the release. Adhikari was not involved in the study.

Earths interior is layered with rock and magma surrounding a dense, hot core. But in the outermost rocky layer, there are also vast quantities of water. Below the planets surface, rocky reservoirs known as aquifers are estimated to contain over 1,000 times more water than all the surface rivers and lakes in the world.

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Over geologic time, a wandering axis could affect Earth's climate on a global scale, scientists say. - NASA/File

Between 1993 and 2010, the period examined in the study, humans extracted more than 2,150 gigatons of groundwater from inside Earth, mostly in western North America and northwestern India, according to estimates published in 2010. To put that into perspective, if that amount were poured into the ocean, it would raise global sea levels by about 0.24 inches (6 millimeters).

In 2016, another team of researchers found that drift in Earths rotational axis between 2003 and 2015 could be linked to changes in the mass of glaciers and ice sheets, as well as the planets reserves of terrestrial liquid water.

In fact, any mass change on Earth, including atmospheric pressure, can affect its axis of rotation, Seo told CNN in an email.

But axis changes caused by atmospheric pressure shifts are periodic, which means that the rotational pole wanders and then returns to its prior position, Seo explained. Seo and his colleagues had questions about long-term changes to the axis  specifically, how groundwater contributed to that phenomenon. It had not been calculated in prior research.

Revealing groundwater extractions impact

Shifts in Earths axis are measured indirectly through radio telescope observations of immobile objects in space  quasars  using them as fixed points of reference. For the new study, scientists took the 2010 data about groundwater extraction and incorporated it into computer models, alongside observational data about surface ice loss and sea level rise, and estimates of rotational pole changes.

The researchers then evaluated sea level variations using the groundwater mass change from the model, to pinpoint how much of the axis shift was caused by groundwater pumping alone, Seo said.

The redistribution of groundwater tilted Earths rotational axis east by more than 31 inches (78.7 centimeters) in just under two decades, according to the models. The most notable driver of long-term variations in the rotational axis was already known to be mantle flow  the movement of molten rock in the layer between Earths crust and outer core. The new modeling reveals that groundwater extraction is the second most significant factor, Seo said.

This is a nice contribution and an important documentation, Adhikari said. Theyve quantified the role of groundwater pumping on polar motion, and its pretty significant.

Future models can use observations on Earths rotation to illuminate the past, Seo added. The data is available since the late 19th century, he said. With that information, scientists can peer back in time and trace changes in planetary systems as the climate warmed over the last 100 years.

Groundwater pumping can be a lifeline, particularly in parts of the world that are heavily affected by drought caused by climate change. But subterranean reserves of liquid water are finite; once drained, they are slow to replenish.

And groundwater extraction doesnt merely deplete a valuable resource; the new findings demonstrate that this activity has unintended global consequences.

We have affected Earth systems in various ways, Seo said. People need to be aware of that.

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Kendall Jenner Marechal Aurore/ABACA/Shutterstock

Kendall Jenner looked like a walking cloud as she strutted down the Jacquemus spring 2024 runway in Versailles, France, on Monday, June 26.

The 27-year-old supermodel was a vision in the luxury labels new puffy white dress, which featured an off-the-shoulder construction and a micro silhouette. The leg-baring design was teamed with square-toe heels and a gem-adorned choker. The California native wore her hair in a sleek bun and further accessorized with dangling earrings.

The presentation  unveiled by the fashion houses designer, Simon Porte Jacquemus  was hosted at the Palace of Versailles and was attended by Eva Longoria, Victoria Beckham, Emily Ratajkowski, Claire Foy and more. In addition to Jenner, runway star Gigi Hadid also owned the catwalk.

Kendall Jenner Marechal Aurore/ABACA/Shutterstock

The collection was a visual representation of daydreaming as other models donned whimsical gowns, loose-fitting trousers, sheer frocks and more garments that were airy, lively and exciting. I was so inspired by this historical place during the design process that it led me to explore many new creative possibilities, Jacquemus told WWD on Monday.

Jenners gig in France comes after she opened up about her career to WSJ. Magazine in an interview published on Wednesday, June 21.

The 818 Tequila founder shared that while shes grateful for her life, she doesnt always love being in the limelight.

I consider myself one of the luckiest people on the planet to be able to live the life that I live, she told the publication. But I do think that its challenging for me a lot more than its not  I was born into this life, but I didnt choose this life. Im not built for this by any means. Im not good at it. I do it, and Ive learned how to do it.

Kendall Jenner Laurent VU/SIPA/Shutterstock

She continued: Im not going to sit here and say, Poor me, but I do think that its pretty intense  People are more mean to my family in general. They take everything and make it a bad thing.

While being in the public eye isnt always ideal for Jenner, the Kardashians star has built a strong reputation in the fashion industry.

Marc Jacobs  who cast Jenner in her first major runway show in 2014  was also featured in the WSJ. interview and praised the reality stars work ethic.

[Kendall is a] very rare breed of model that has the beauty and has the larger-than-life personality, and truly brings this kind of magic to the clothes and photographs, the designer said.
Marcus Brandt/picture alliance via Getty Images

A UK man diedn while on vacation with his family in Jamaica after he tried to complete a challenge that involved drinking all 21 cocktails included on the resort bars menu.

Per ITV News, Timothy Southern, 53, of Staffordshire, was able to drink 12 of the menus various cocktails before returning to his hotel room at the Royal Decameron Club Caribbean in Saint Ann, where he later died due to acute gastroenteritis" related to "alcohol consumption.

An investigation into the man's death found that he had been drinking brandy and beer in the morning before partaking in the cocktail challenge, which he decided to do after meeting two Canadian women celebrating a birthday who were trying to complete the challenge before midnight

He was on his back choking. I put him in the recovery position and screamed for an ambulance," one of his family members later told authorities. "He was making a gurgling sound. As soon as he was in the recovery position, he vomited. I was shouting his name with no response."

The family has since criticized the first responders at the hotel, saying they were not prepared to take care of him, calling the service "disgusting."

When the nurse arrived, I said had an ambulance been called and she said no. I thought she would take over. But that was not the case. I noticed he was starting to lose temperature. I checked his pulse and couldnt find it, the relative said.

She said he had a pulse. I was starting to lose it. I got a full look at his face and I thought he had passed away," the relative continued,

I said, Dont just sit there looking at him, start CPR. She only gave him chest compressions. Maybe if she had known what she was doing, maybe he would still be here.," they added.

The family has since started a GoFundMe that reads, "Please help bring our Dad home from Jamaica," which has currently raised 9,000 pounds out of its goal of 15,000 pounds.

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"We know dad was loved by so many with friends all over the world, the biggest character most would ever come across," the statement reads on the GoFundMe page. "We're hoping by doing this we could try to raise as much money as we can to get him home so that we, as a family, get to say our goodbyes."

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"Their sudden absence has left a deep scar on our family," Christopher Chambers said

GoFundMe Elyse, Christopher and Beidi Chambers

A California husband and father said he's "left with unbearable questions" after his wife and 12-year-old daughter were killed in a car crash.

A 44-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter  identified by Christopher Chambers as his wife, Beidi, and daughter, Elyse  were involved in a solo crash on June 14, according to the Santa Clara Police Department. When officers arrived just after 2:00 p.m. local time, they found their Tesla slammed into a tree.



Both passengers were found inside the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.

In an emotional message shared on a GoFundMe page, Chambers said the crash started out as a day "like any other." When the pair left for a doctor's appointment, Chambers stayed at home with their son.

"I didnt even say goodbye," he wrote.



Related: Chicago Billionaire, 70, Dies in Race Car Crash in Colorado on His Birthday

Chambers told local station KRON-TV that he received a call from the doctor when they failed to show up for their appointment, scheduled for 2:15 p.m.



They left around 1:45, which shouldnt have been an issue with getting there on time," he said. "And about 2:30 the doctor called and said they never showed up for their appointment."

On the GoFundMe page, Chambers wrote that after failing to locate their phones and vehicle, he and his son drove to the doctor's office. On the way, they encountered "dark smoke billowing into the sky."

"We ran towards it through the throng of emergency responders, only to find a burning, twisted white Tesla Model Y," he shared. A short while later, he wrote that he learned from police that "it was our car" and that his "wife and daughter had been inside when it was engulfed in flames."

"'Were my girls conscious, in the end? Did they suffer?'" he recalled thinking to himself.

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The grieving man wrote that wished he could take the place of Beidi, whom he met while studying in China.



"Their sudden absence has left a deep scar on our family," he wrote. "A grieving husband and father, a bewildered son, and Beidis mother, mourning the loss of her only daughter  not to mention all the extended family and friends whose lives were touched by their lives and love."



Related: Man and 14-Year-Old Stepson Die After Hiking at Texas National Park in 119-Degree Heat

Now, the family is raising money to "find a beautiful, peaceful place for Beidi and Elyse to rest together, side by side."

"Somewhere close by where friends and family can visit them to honor and remember two beautiful lives cut short, gone in the blink of an eye," Chambers wrote. "Please help us ensure their memory remains."

As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign has raised over $80,000.



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Germany is ready to deploy a robust brigade of some 4,000 troops to Lithuania permanently, in coordination with NATO's rethink on defence of its eastern flank in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Germany's 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," Pistorius said during a visit to Vilnius on Monday, without giving a timeline.

In the past, Berlin said it would take Lithuania years to provide barracks, housing areas for the families, depots and sufficient training grounds, Azernews reports.

"Precondition (for the deployment) is that the necessary infrastructure is in place," he told reporters on a visit to Lithuania.

Germany already leads NATO's multi-national battlegroup in Lithuania, a reinforced battalion of some 1,000 troops, meant to strengthen the alliance's eastern flank.

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.

"We agree that the brigade will grow step by step as the infrastructure is established," Pistorius noted, adding that such a deployment could not be completed within "a few months".

The endeavour must be compatible to NATO's regional plans detailing how the alliance would respond to a Russian attack, the minister stressed, referring to documents recently drawn up for the first time since the end of the Cold War.

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.

On July 11-12, NATO leaders will meet for a summit in Vilnius.
HONG KONG, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Tuesday that the HKSAR search and rescue team was awarded the inaugural Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, announced the launch of the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance in the 2022 Policy Address to give recognition to meritorious and exemplary teams or individuals in the civil service on a regular basis, with a view to encouraging civil servants to constantly strive for excellence. It also aimed to allow the public to have a better understanding of the HKSAR government's work and the excellence of the civil service.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Turkiye in February, killing more than 50,000 people. The HKSAR government immediately deployed the HKSAR search and rescue team to carry out search and rescue operations in quake-stricken areas in Turkiye. The 59-strong team went to the quake-stricken areas in southern Turkiye and rescued four people and recovered six bodies under the debris.

Lee said that the team members risked their own lives to accomplish an extremely challenging mission. They carried out the search and rescue work with a strong passion for life and great professionalism, and the operation demonstrated good cross-departmental teamwork.

The team has truly lived up to the very spirit meant to be commended by the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance, Lee said, believing that the Hong Kong community would join him in paying tribute to the search and rescue team members.

Ingrid Yeung, secretary for the civil service of the HKSAR government, extended heartfelt congratulations to the HKSAR search and rescue team for being awarded the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance.

She said the team worked in unity to overcome all the difficulties in the quake-stricken areas in Turkiye and rescued four people. They have demonstrated the glory of humanity and the spirit of commitment that civil servants should uphold. The work of the team has told the world an inspiring and touching story of Hong Kong civil servants.

Leading the search and rescue team, Yiu Men-yeung, deputy chief fire officer of the Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government, was very pleased that the team was awarded the first Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance. He expressed gratitude to the HKSAR government for affirming the team's efforts in the rescue operation in Turkiye, as well as to the national search and rescue team for all the assistance provided.

Yeung said the team will continue to be dedicated to their duties in different positions, and give their best to serve the country, the HKSAR government and Hong Kong residents.

The award presentation ceremony for the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance will be held in mid-July. 
Max has made its first series order in Spain.

Last year, Max owner Warner Bros Discovery decided to pull out of production for Max predecessor HBO Max in much of Europe and underwent a period of painful cuts, but Spain was one of the few countries in Europe to avoid the cull.

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RELATED: 2022-23 Max Series & Pilot Orders

Max has now greenlit the start of production on When Nobody Sees Us, an eight-part thriller from Zeta Studios and based on the Sergio Sarria novel of the same name. This also marks the first Spanish production since HBO Max was combined with Discovery+ to create Max.

Daniel Corpas leads the writing team, with the collaboration of Arturo Ruiz and Isa Sanchez. Enrique Urbizu (No Rest for the Wicked, La Caja 507) will direct.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Spanish Holy Week celebrations, the series is a thriller led by two policewomen trying to solve a series of crimes in the Andalusian town of Moron de la Frontera, in the political and cultural region of Sevilles so-called deep Spain, which is home to one of the biggest international U.S. military bases.

Lucia Gutierrez is a sergeant of the Spanish Civil Guard investigating the bizarre suicide of a neighbour and strange events that have taken place during the first Holy Week float processions. Magaly Castillo is a Special Agent of the Military Police of the United States Army sent to find out the whereabouts of a missing American soldier who seems to be linked to the shady business of Colonel Douglas Hoopen, head of the Air Force Base, and an underhanded marine, Lieutenant Andrew Taylor. They soon discover that the two investigations are connected.

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Throughout my professional career I have made several thrillers with different intensity and themes. When Nobody Sees Us is for me a first and exciting incursion into the television serial of detectives and pure investigation, said director Urbizu, With two women as our protagonists, Lucia and Magaly, one from the Spanish Civil Guard and the other from the American Military Police, together they share mysteries, dangers and confidences. Both in tone and rhythm, this is a new adventure for me.

When Nobody Sees Us is a bet for the purest thriller, in which the limits of different frontiers in themes and narrative are explored, added Executive Producer Miguel Salvat for WBD. Of course, there is the border between good and evil, but also the clashes between two ways of life, between countries and cultures, and the weight of tradition. We believe that Enrique Urbizu has all the tools to tell this story that will surprise and engage us all, no matter which side of the border we find ourselves on.

Antonio Asensio, Paloma Molina and Salvador Yague are executive producers for Zeta Studios. Salvat, Antonio Trashorras and Patricia Nieto do the same for Warner Bros. Discovery and production services are provided by Zeta-owned Cuando Nadie Nos Ve La Serie, S.L.

In related WBD news, HBO and Max originals will be made available on the Go3 OTT service in the Baltics (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia). From July 3, subscribers will gain access to the likes of House of the Dragon, Succession, The Last of Us and The White Lotus, plus legacy titles including The Sopranos, The Wire and Game of Thrones.

HBO and Max Originals such as Full Circle and Superpowered: The DC Story will also be included.

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Special counsel Jack Smith is overseeing the federal probe into the election

MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Donald Trump

In the wake of Donald Trump's recent federal indictment in a classified documents case, and his indictment by a grand jury in New York over an alleged hush money payment, the former president could be facing more legal issues, with reports suggesting prosecutors are narrowing the scope of their investigation into his claims of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

The Washington Post reports that prosecutors are focused on ads and fundraising pitches that falsely claimed election fraud as well as plans for fake electors to be installed in swing states that voted for Joe Biden.

Reports surfaced in 2022 that, in the wake of Trump's loss, groups from seven states including Arizona, Georgia and New Mexico sent lists of so-called "alternate electors" to the National Archives. Those who signed the falsified documents claimed that Trump won the 2020 election  when, in reality, the electors in those states voted in favor of now-President Biden.

The Post reports that investigators are focusing on some of the attorneys that were in Trump's orbit during his attempts to overturn the election results, such as Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, Kurt Olsen and Kenneth Chesebro, and Jeffrey Clark.

Related: Donald Trump Heard Talking About Alleged Classified Documents on Tape: These are the Papers

Special counsel Jack Smith is overseeing the federal probe into the election, which is separate from a criminal probe by the district attorney in Fulton County, Ga.  which is also investigating Trump and his allies' efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Smith is also overseeing the investigation into Trump's handling of classified document, for which the former president was recently indicted by a federal grand jury.

Earlier this month, Trump was accused of 37 criminal offenses in that case: 31 counts of willful retention of national defense information (a violation of the Espionage Act); one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice; one count of withholding a document or record; one count of corruptly concealing a document or record; one count of concealing a document in a federal investigation; one count of scheme to conceal; and one count of false statements and representations. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

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Each of those charges against the former president carry potential prison sentences, with the obstruction charges carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years per count. Violating the Espionage Act carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years, and both the conspiracy and false statements charges carry sentences of up to five years per offense.

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In March, Trump was indicted by a grand jury in New York on charges that stemmed from an alleged $130,000 hush money payment he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels while he was a presidential candidate in 2016.



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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

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Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin and New York Giants great Eli Manning talk "Merch Madness"
UPDATE: Attorneys for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claimed that he is immune from The Walt Disney Co.s federal lawsuit over his effort to strip to the company of control over a special district covering its theme parks and resort in the state.

In a motion to dismiss filed on Monday, attorneys for the state also argued that the federal district court lacks jurisdiction.

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Although Disney grabbed headlines by suing the Governor, Disney  like many litigants before it who have challenged Floridas laws  has no basis for doing so. Neither the Governor nor the Secretary [of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity] enforce any of the laws at issue, so Disney lacks standing to sue them, the attorneys wrote in their motion (read it here).

The states attorneys also called the Disney lawsuit meritless for many reasons, including that a special district cannot bind the State to transfer a portion of its sovereign authority to a private entity.

Disney filed its lawsuit against the governor in April, claiming that he violated the companys First Amendment rights by retaliating against its opposition to a parental rights law, also known as dont say gay. The company also named as defendants the new DeSantis-selected board of the Reedy Creek special district, which was renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

The their motion to dismiss, the states attorneys argued that DeSantis is entitled to absolute legislative immunity for signing the bill that stripped Disney of control of the Reedy Creek special district. The attorneys claimed that the immunity covered the governor no matter if his actions were retaliatory. The state contended that Disney could not claim that the governor enforces the legislation because he signed it. When the governor signs a bill, he acts in a legislative, not executive, capacity.

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The state also claimed that DeSantis and his Economic Opportunity secretary do not have power over the new special district board, other than the governors ability to appoint its members. And the attorneys also contended that the governor had no authority to enforce Disneys contracts, in response to the companys claim that DeSantis also violated the contracts clause of the Constitution.

A Disney spokesperson said that they had no immediate comment. The company has until late July to file a response.

Shortly before DeSantis signed the bill stripping the company of control over the special district, the Disney-backed members of Reedy Creek passed development agreements that ensured that the company would still have a say over planning decisions and other matters. The state then passed a law prohibiting the DeSantis-controlled special district from complying with the development agreements.

After Disney filed the federal lawsuit, DeSantis-selected special district board filed its own litigation in state court against the company, seeking to have the development agreements declared void and unenforceable.

In its own motion, the special district board said that the federal case should be stayed until the state case is resolved. The board also urged an alternative action: a dismissal of Disneys case due to the forum- selection clause that requires Disney to bring these claims in the circuit court for Orange County, Florida. The district board claimed that the development agreements are void as a matter of Florida law and therefore have never had any legal force or existence.

The boards attorney, Charles Cooper, wrote in their brief that Disney does not have a First Amendment right to its preferred governance structure for the district in which it is located. To the contrary, that is a fundamental matter of state sovereignty that the First Amendment does not restrict.

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REUTERS/Ammar Awad

On a recent episode of This Past Weekend with Theo Von, the popular comedian sat down with fellow comic Roseanne Barr, whose comeback show was canceled in 2018 in the wake of her sending racist tweets. Now, Barr has made another alarming comment, telling him that nobody died in the Holocaust, before adding, It should happen. Six million Jews should die right now cause they cause all the problems in the world.

Its unclear whether she actually believes the Holocaust didnt take place, or whether she was making an abhorrent comment about what you are and arent allowed to say online.

Barr had previously attributed her cancellation over her racist tweet, which read, muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj [Valerie Jarrett], to intellectual witch-burning, and arrogance and ignorance. All of the press of the United States and the world, how they interpreted my tweet without any knowledge of the fact that I was sending it to a journalist in Iran about what was happening to the people in Iran. Were under such terrible censorship. Its just terrible and frightening.

In May, she also blasted former Roseanne co-star Sara Gilbert for talking extensively about her cancellation over racist tweets. It wasnt enough that [Gilbert] stabbed me in the back and did what she did to me there, but then she would go on her talk show every day and talk about how shocked she was at my racism on top of it, Barr told Megyn Kelly. It was [Gilberts] tweet that canceled the show.

Roseanne Still Blames Everyone but Herself for Cancellation

Barr, who is Jewish, brought up the Holocaust in the context of a conversation with Von about not being able to speculate that the last presidential election had been rigged without being de-platformed from Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

You cant say that like, you know, the election, Barr told Von, was rigged or not rigged, Von finished. Right, Barr responded. Thats all a lie. The election was not rigged. Thirty six counties can give you 81 million votes. Thats a fact.

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That's the truth, Barr said, as Von laughed. And dont you dare say anything against it. Youll be off YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and all the other ones because we have, you know, theres such a thing as the truth and facts and we have to stick to it.

And that is the truth, Barr continued, and nobody died in the Holocaust either.

Von didnt push back against Barrs statement in the clip, and instead pivots right into asking her, Youre part Jewish, right? And a lot of Hollywood is Jewish, yeah? They started Hollywood.

Just like rap, Black people started rap, Barr responded. So I went to go over there and tried to get in rap and go, All these Black people, you know, go on Saturday Night Live like Dave Chappelle. Im just saying a lot of Black people are in control of rap. Hello? Well, you went there. You tried to get in show business. Of course its Jewish. But you know, and people should be glad that its Jewish too, because if Jews were not controlling Hollywood, all youd have was fucking fishing shows.

Von, meanwhile, appeared to be attempting some damage control when he tweeted on Tuesday, This Roseanne Barr clip was sarcasm folks. A clip taken out of a long sarcastic rant she had during our chat. Can we not recognize sarcasm anymore?

In response to Barrs comments, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, Sarcasm or not, Roseanne Barrs comments about Jews and the Holocaust are reprehensible and irresponsible. This isnt funny. And shame on Theo Von for letting it go unchallenged and instead diving into conspiracy theories about Jews and Hollywood.

Dave Chappelle Uses SNL Monologue to Echo Kanyes Antisemitism

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The Wagner private military group's abortive mutiny in Russia risks destabilizing African countries where its troops have been deployed.

A number of African nations, including Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), Libya and Sudan, rely on Wagner to fight insurgents, quell dissent, train local troops, and spread propaganda.

President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address on Monday, declared that Wagners leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, will "be brought to justice" after the latter ordered his troops to march to Moscow on Saturday before later calling them off. Putin said Wagner fighters could sign a contract with the Russian military, return to their families or move to Belarus.

"Wagner is not Russia anymore," said Rama Yade, senior director of the Atlantic Council's Africa Center, referring to the view widely held prior to the mutiny that the military force was inextricably linked to the Kremlin.

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Wagner, founded in 2014, routinely operates in African countries for access to natural resources such as gold and precious stones. Analysts say this has become a crucial part of its business model and trading commodities has helped Russia to evade sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war.

CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera has used Wagner to fight insurgencies since 2018. Malis military junta, whose leaders seized power in 2021, have also called on Wagner to fight Islamist rebels.

Wagner has been accused of carrying out human rights abuses in the CAR and Mali. Calls by the United Nations earlier this year for an independent investigation into possible crimes by Malian troops and Wagner fighters in March 2022 soured the UNs relationship with Bamako's ruling junta. Earlier this month Mali called on the UN to withdraw its 13,000-strong peacekeeping force, Minusma, from the West African country "without delay."

Alexis's view

Mali and the CAR are now in limbo. Wagner's structure must change because Putin can't allow a private force capable of mounting a rebellion to remain in its current form. The move to absorb Wagner fighters into the Russian army is the first stage of that transformation. Mali and CAR rely so heavily on Russian fighters that they will be seriously weakened if troops are redeployed in large numbers as part of that restructuring, which could also destabilize neighboring countries.

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Mali's military rulers formed a close alliance with Russia while growing more hostile to other foreign nations, who reacted by withdrawing peacekeeping troops. Minusma's seemingly imminent exit will leave around 1,000 Wagner troops to fight militants linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda who have killed thousands of people in the last decade and control huge swathes of central and northern Mali. The use of aircraft, procured from Russia, also helped Mali's rulers. But events in Russia call into question the extent of the support the junta will receive.

Wagner clearly no longer has the Kremlin's backing and African leaders who lean on them must wait for power struggles in Russia to play out. They must also realize that Putin will prioritize stabilizing the situation at home and pursuing victory in Ukraine in the midst of Kyiv's counteroffensive.

The implications could be dire for Mali, CAR and countries around them. Both nations are fragile and at risk of falling deeper into disorder that could spill over across borders. We've already seen those problems unfold in the Sahel  where Islamist militants have attacked Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger in recent years. And CAR borders Sudan which is mired in a conflict that has spawned a growing humanitarian crisis.

Russia has used Wagner to expand its economic and political footprint in Africa. It's been particularly effective as a propaganda tool that portrays Moscow as a trustworthy ally and demonizes France in its former colonies. Lagos-based risk analyst Cheta Nwanze, who monitors the Sahel, told me Wagners use as a geopolitical weapon that generates funds from African natural resources meant Moscow would find a way to maintain its presence on the continent.

"Russia needs to have a private military company to do its dirty work, so someone else will be found to take over what Prigozhin leaves behind," said Nwanze, lead partner at SBM Intelligence. "It may even be called another name but the need still exists."

The uncertainty probably means there may be a "brief respite" from the expansion of Wagner operations across the subregion, said Peter Pham, the former U.S. special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes Region. "But nature abhors a vacuum and, inexorably, someone else will fill the void if security and proper governance do not."

Room for Disagreement

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday said Wagner members were working as "instructors" in Mali and CAR. "This work, of course, will continue," he said in an interview with Russian state news channel RT, adding that the aborted revolt would not affect Russias ties with "partners and friends."

The View From Bamako

"In terms of Wagner's expansion in Africa, they have been eying Burkina Faso for a while to sell weapons and mercenaries," said Ulf Laessing, who heads the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think-tank. "Rulers there and elsewhere in the Sahel will think twice about making a bet on Russia, like Mali and CAR have done, given the uncertainties around Wagner's future."

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The Prince of Wales heard about one of his grandfather's visits to Belfast while visiting Northern Ireland to promote Homewards, his project to combat homelessness

Phil Walter/Getty Prince Philip and Prince William in 2015

Prince William's late grandfather is still making him smile.

During his visit to Northern Ireland on Tuesday, the Prince of Wales, 41, was welcomed with some old stories about Prince Philip, who died in April 2021 at age 99.

At the East Belfast Mission, which provides a range of homeless support, the royal chatted with Rev. Brian Anderson, who told Prince William a funny story about the Duke of Edinburgh, Hello! magazine reported.

The Reverend recalled how the royal's grandfather used directness  and some colorful language  to his advantage when persuading politicians and other civil servants to provide funding for the building that Prince William was visiting.

He said that Philip immediately asked, Why don't you just give them the money?  but with more obscene language.

There was an expletive in there, but I'm not going to say that, the Reverend said, per the outlet. "And three weeks later, the money turned up."

The Prince of Wales responded, That sounds like my grandfather.

Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty Images Prince William visits Belfast on June 27

Related: Prince William Surprises Royal Fans with Walkabout on Visit to Homeless Mission in Belfast

After his visit to the East Belfast Mission, Prince William embarked on an impromptu royal walkabout, shaking hands with, hugging and chatting with locals in a crowd that formed outside of the building.

"The Reverend has been telling me stories about my grandfather, the royal told the crowd with a smile, according to Hello! magazine.

Related: King Charles' Previous Royal Website Shuts Down  But Will Prince William Take It Over?

Following Prince Philip's death, Prince William shared a personal message honoring his grandfather.

"I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life  both through good times and the hardest days," he said. "I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her. I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humor!"

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Tim Rooke -Pool/Getty Images Prince William visits Belfast on June 27

Related: Prince William Teams Up with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner on Homelessness Project Launch

Prince Williams visit to Northern Ireland's capital was part of his two-day tour around the U.K. for his newly unveiled Homewards project to combat homelessness. The five-year-plan will put $3.8 million toward six different locations as seed money for a plan to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.

During the tours first stop in Lambeth, London, on Monday  before teaming up with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner in Newport, Wales later in the day  the royal elaborated on the ambitious initiative.

"Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact, he said. This will inspire belief throughout the U.K.  and beyond  that homelessness can be ended for good.

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Nina Dobrev and Shaun White stole the spotlight at the premiere of Dobrevs new Netflix action flick, The Out-Laws.

White, 36, kept his look classy on the Monday, June 26, red carpet in Los Angeles by sporting a deep purple suit, white dress shirt and short black boots. Dobrev, 34, meanwhile, stood out among her costars  including Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan and Lauren Lapkus  in a sparkling, long-sleeved black Khaite mini dress. In addition to rocking a natural glam and her brand-new bangs, the Vampire Diaries alum completed her ensemble with a large, bedazzled ring and black pumps.

The couple  whom Us Weekly confirmed were dating in April 2020 after they were spotted biking together in Malibu, California, one month prior  looked happier than ever while posing for pics at the premiere. The film, which premieres Friday, June 30, stars Dobrev as Parker, who along with her fiance, Owen (Devine, 39), discover that her parents (Brosnan, 70, and Ellen Barkin) are a pair of infamous bank robbers. After Parker gets kidnapped, Owen teams up with his future in-laws in hopes of rescuing her before they say I do.

Dobrev and White have hit many red carpets together since making their romance Instagram official in 2020. They made their first official red carpet appearance as a couple at the May 2022 premiere of Top Gun: Maverick  which starred the Love Hard actress ex-boyfriend Glen Powell. That same month, the duo stepped out at the With Love for Peace Gala benefitting Ukranian refugees at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

After spending time together in Greece as Dobrev shot the film The Bricklayer, the two moved in together in New York City. Theyre excited to explore the city together, an insider exclusively told Us in September 2022, noting that both were gearing up for a very busy 2023 between Dobrevs upcoming projects and Whites new company, Whitespace.

Three months later, White  who retired from snowboarding following the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022  revealed that he and Dobrevs families were spending the holidays together in Mexico by sharing a slideshow of pics and videos from their trip via Instagram.

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As the couple approached three years together, another source exclusively told Us in February that they had discussed making things official in the near future. Theyve talked about getting married, having kids, the whole nine yards, the insider added.

The source went on to note that the Perks of Being a Wallflower actress and the five-time Olympian were so in love and cant imagine not spending the rest of their lives together. What they have is the real deal. The insider also shared that while Dobrev has no idea what Shaun has planned up his sleeve, she suspects he could pop the question soon.

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Staying close to the family. While a handful of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggars 19 children have moved away from their parents huge property, many of them still live at home or near the main house. Keep reading for a breakdown of the Duggar family compound and who lives on the property, plus find out which Duggar children have left the nest.

Where Is the Duggar Compound?

The Duggar compound is located in Tontitown, Arkansas. The main house took a year and a half to build with the help of family and friends, and the Duggars officially moved in in 2006.

How Big Is the Duggar Compound?

It takes a lot of space to raise 19 children. So, its not too surprising that the Duggar familys main house is 7,000 square feet big. Fans of the familys now-canceled TLC shows, 19 Kids and Counting (2008 to 2015) and Counting On (2015 to 2020), have gotten plenty of looks at the property, and Jim Bob and Michelle have shared insights on their home.

In a 2011 house tour, Michelle revealed that they received triple the amount of supplies they needed to build the main home, which turned out to be a blessing.

The house grew, from two of them to three of them! It worked out perfectly, she said. Now we have added on a whole other part of the house, which is the girls room and the garage down below.

The main house has received many updates and makeovers through the years. Jim Bob and Michelles property has even spread beyond the house, with several buildings on the compound to accommodate for the Duggar children growing up. The Duggar compound spreads across more than 97 acres of land, as The Sun reported in 2022.

Who Lives on the Duggar Compound?

In a July 2020 episode of Counting On, Jim Bob and Michelle revealed that their children are allowed to move out at 18 years old if they wish to do so. However, they added that many of the children have chosen to stay on the compound as adults in order to save money. Marital status also seems to affect the Duggars living situation, as the kids traditionally stay at home until they tie the knot.

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The four youngest Duggar children  Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace and Josie  are all under the age of 18 at the time of this publication and therefore live in the main house with Jim Bob and Michelle. The girls share a room. Michelles great-nephew Tyler Hutchins, whom she and Jim Bob gained primary custody of in 2016, is also under 18 and living at the house.

Meanwhile, Jana Duggar, Jason Duggar, James Duggar and Jackson Duggar are older than 18 but still unmarried and living on the familys property. Jason lives in his own home located at the compound. James seemingly has his own place, too, as seen in a Christmas vlog in 2022. Rumors have circulated that Jana now lives in a tiny house on the property after bunking with her younger sisters for many years.

Some of the married Duggar children still live on the compound with their own families. While eldest son Josh Duggar is serving his prison sentence, his wife Anna Duggar is reportedly living on the Duggar property with their seven kids. Joseph Duggar and his wife, Kendra Duggar (nee Caldwell), live in a cabin that is reportedly located at the Duggar compound.

Which Duggars Moved Away from the Compound?

As for the other Duggar children, they are mostly scattered throughout Arkansas with their spouses and children, living on their own but still near Jim Bob and Michelle. Estranged daughter Jill Dillard (nee Duggar) and her husband, Derick Dillard, live slightly farther away with their three kids. Jill and Derick moved into a home in Siloam Springs, on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, in June 2023.

Meanwhile, Jinger Vuolo (nee Duggar), who is also estranged from her parents, and husband Jeremy Vuolo moved across the country to California in 2019 after previously living in Texas. They share two daughters.

Why Were the Police at the Duggar Compound?

In Touch confirmed that on June 26, 2023, police visited the Duggar family compound at 8:26 a.m. as part of a follow-up investigation. However, the incident that prompted the initial investigation is unknown at the time of publication.
Texas Woman Charged with Murder after Shooting Uber Driver She Thought Was Kidnapping Her

A Texas woman has been charged with murder after she allegedly shot her Uber drive while mistakenly believing she was being kidnapped.

Phoebe Copas, 48, is being held on a $1.5 million bond, the El Paso Police said in a statement Thursday.

Police said there's no evidence that Copas was being kidnapped during the incident, nor that her driver, 52-year-old Daniel Piedra Garcia, veered from her destination route.

RELATED: Texas Pharmacy Tech Disappears After Leaving Strange Messages Saying She Had Met A New Man

According to court documents reviewed by NBC affiliate KTSM, Copas was in El Paso to visit her boyfriend. She had paid for an Uber to take her to a local casino on June 16 to meet her boyfriend after he got out of work.

At some point during the drive, Copas thought she was being taken into Mexico and shot Piedra, police alleged.

Court documents state that Copas believed Piedra Garcia was attempting to kidnap her and take her out of Texas after seeing traffic signs for Juarez, Mexico. That's when Copas allegedly pulled a handgun out of her purse and shot Piedra Garcia in the back of the head several times, causing the car to crash on the US-54 highway.

A booking photo of Phoebe Copas

Phoebe Copas Photo: El Paso Sheriff's Office

Copas reportedly snapped a photo of Piedra Garcia after she was shot, and texted it to her boyfriend, before calling the cops/

Officers responding to the scene saw Copas drop everything she was holding in her hands on the ground. Included with the items that fell to the ground, was a brown and silver handgun, the court documents stated, according to KTSM.

RELATED: Man Will Serve Nearly 200 Years in Prison After Guilty Plea in Shooting Death of Wife and Unborn Son

The documents also said that the crash happened in an area with no immediate access to travel into Mexico.

The investigation does not support that a kidnapping took place or that Piedra was veering from Copas destination, police said in a statement.

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A photo of Daniel Piedra Garcia

Daniel Piedra Garcia Photo: GoFundMe

A GoFundMe page created by the victims wife, Anna Piedra, said that Piedra Garcia was the sole provider for his family and was very happy to finally be able to work and bring home income after he hurt his knee at a previous job and had to have surgery in April.

Today we unfortunately had to disconnect my husband as the doctors did not give any chance that he would survive, Anna Piedra wrote in the post. After being disconnected he sadly passed.

"He was a hardworking man and really funny," Piedra Garcia's niece, Didi Lopez, told the El Paso Times.

Piedra Garcia began working as an Uber Driver a few weeks ago and would pick up passengers from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the news outlet reported.

On June 16, Piedra Garcias family believed he had picked up his last customer, but started to worry when he didn't answer his phone.

When someone mentioned to the family that an article reported that an Uber driver had been shot, they called the El Paso Police Departments nonemergency line, the Times reported.

A photo of Mia Kanu

College Student Seen on Video Being Thrown from Car and Dying, But Police Are Puzzled As To What Caused the Tragedy

That's when they told them that it was him, Lopez told the Times. And so for us to go to the hospital. That's how we found out."

Doctors told the family that his brain was destroyed, but that there was a percentage of his brain that was still functioning, Lopez said.

Lopez said that her family decided to take Piedra Garcia off life support because of the state he was in after being shot. He died on June 21.

"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.

Copas was initially arrested on charges of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, but her charge was upgraded to murder.

We just want justice for him. That's all we're asking," Lopez told the Times.
Artists perform during a welcome ceremony for Central Asian leaders and their wives attending the China-Central Asia Summit in the Tang Paradise in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)

For him, mutual understanding and learning between different civilizations are of great importance. "I still have a great interest in China and a desire to help Westerners and Chinese people understand each other better."

LONDON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese civilization is highly consistent, enabling Chinese people to draw on the wisdom of their ancestors and giving them tools to tackle present-day problems, British writer Tim Clissold, author of the critically acclaimed Mr. China, has said.

"In Chinese culture...there is a connection between the past and the present," Clissold told Xinhua in a recent interview.

In his view, Chinese civilization is very consistent, partly because of its writing system. "You can just look at a poem and understand the basic meaning even if it's 1,000 years old."

"I see the Yellow River water," Clissold cited one sentence from a poem written by Huang Tingjian, a poet and calligrapher in the Song Dynasty.

"You can immediately tell what he's saying in his calligraphy (of the poem)" which was written more than 900 years ago.

In England, a document called the Doomsday Book dates back to a similar period. "A modern person in England cannot read the Doomsday Book. You need to be trained for years to be able to read it, whereas in Chinese culture you can immediately read something that's very, very old," Clissold said.

Clissold has been studying Tang and Song poems for years. His latest book Cloud Chamber, a collection of English translations of Chinese poems, was published last year.

Chinese poetry is "the most extensive body of coherent literature of any culture at any time. It consists of tens of thousands -- possibly hundreds of thousands -- of poems running in an unbroken chain" from ancient China until the present day, Clissold wrote in Cloud Chamber.

According to him, revisiting ancient Chinese poems not only brings aesthetic pleasure but also sharpens people's awareness of the problems in the modern-day world.

Clissold explained to Xinhua the reason why he wants to introduce the ancient Chinese poems to Westerners: "People (in the West) naturally think Chinese civilization is difficult to understand. But actually, the underlying ideas are very straightforward and (there is) something that lots of people can empathize with."

The topics of these ancient poems are related to friendship, humans' relationship with nature, the sense of smallness in the universe, grief on the death of a child, and so on. "All these things are something that any human being can understand and relate to."

Clissold lived in China for more than 20 years. According to his observation over those years, the efforts to preserve China's traditional culture "have intensified."

Dancers of China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe perform the dance poem "National Beauty" in Santiago, Chile on Dec. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Jorge Villegas)

"China has a lot of economic success and has lifted so many people out of great poverty. It feels quite self-confident and...more comfortable explaining those traditional values to people from outside China," he said.

Clissold recalled his first visit to Hong Kong in the late 1980s. "As soon as I arrived, I was just fascinated by Chinese characters and different habits." Shortly after, he took a trip to Guangzhou.

For him, mutual understanding and learning between different civilizations are of great importance. "I still have a great interest in China and a desire to help Westerners and Chinese people understand each other better."

Clissold told Xinhua that he recently came across a book collection of Chinese poems writing about places along the ancient Silk Road. His next journey to China will be visiting on a bicycle the places where the poems were originally cited.

"I'm interested in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," he said, adding that he plans to translate the poems into English and try to explain the BRI in terms of poems which are nearly 1,500 years old.

Clissold hoped that through his translation, Westerners will be able to understand actually the BRI "is just a continuation of something that has been happening for a very, very long time."

"Whatever happens, ordinary people on the planet want more cooperation rather than less...one of the completely undeniable trends in the world is globalization," he added.
A month after a big trial win, toy company MGA is demanding that rapper T.I. repay a whopping $6 million that the company says it spent defending against his frivolous lawsuit.

T.I. and his wife, Tameka Tiny Harris, claimed MGA owed them nearly $100 million for stealing the design of its OMG dolls from the OMG Girlz  a defunct teen pop trio created by Tiny that included her daughter, Zonnique Pullins.

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But following a trial last month, a jury quickly rejected those claims. And now, MGA says T.I. and his company must repay the more than $6 million the company spent litigating the messy lawsuit, which resulted in a sudden mistrial in January after jurors heard inadmissible racially-charged testimony.

The OMG Girlz litigation tactics, over-reaching claims, and misconduct  including violating one of this Courts  rulings as to require a mistrial  justify awarding MGA the over $6.1 million in fees spent litigating this matter, the companys lawyers wrote in a new court filing on Monday (June 26).

The battle over the OMG dolls began in 2021, when T.I. (real name Clifford Harris) and Tiny claimed that MGA had committed both cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property by stealing the look of the OMG Girlz. Their complaint included side-by-side images aiming to show how each OMG doll was directly based on a particular member of the OMG Girlz, including bright-colored hair and edgy clothing.

The case initially went to trial in January, but on the fifth day of the proceedings jurors heard videotaped deposition testimony in which a former MGA customer claimed the company steals from African Americans and their ideas and profit off of it. After MGAs lawyers argued the comment had ruined their chances of a fair trial, the federal judge overseeing the case quickly granted a mistrial.

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Four months later, the two sides did it all again. But after a 10-day trial in Los Angeles that saw both T.I. and Tiny take the witness stand, jurors needed just a few hours to side entirely with MGA.

Under U.S. law, each side typically pays its own legal bills, regardless of who wins a case. But in trademark lawsuits, federal judges are empowered to force losing parties like T.I. to repay the winner if a case is exceptional.

In Mondays filing, MGA said the case had been exactly that kind of exceptional situation. They argued that T.I.s lawyers used an extremely aggressive style that made the case exceptionally contentious, and claimed that the other side had committed discovery misconduct. They also cited the missteps that led to the mistrial, which required an entire second trial to be staged.

Both in the manner the OMG Girlz litigated this case, and the weakness of the substantive claims and theories the OMG Girlz presented (as confirmed by the jury), the Court should conclude that this case stands out from others, MGA wrote.

An attorney for T.I. did not immediately return a request for comment on Tuesday.

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Fox News

Telling Fox News that he did nothing wrong in response to the leaked recording of him waving around highly confidential documents he admittedly did not declassify, the ex-president grumbled on Tuesday that the conservative cable giant was fake news.

CNN obtained an audio tape of a 2021 meeting between Trump and several people working on the memoir of Mark Meadows, Trumps former chief of staff. In the recording, which matches up with evidence included in Special Counsel Jack Smiths indictment of Trump for mishandling classified documents, the ex-president indicated he was in possession of secret defense documents about an Iran attack plan.

These are the papers, Trump said on the tape. See, as president, I could have declassified it. Now I cant, you know, but this is still a secret.

Acknowledging to his staff and guests that the documents remained confidential, Trump added: Its so cool.

Donald Trump Trashes Fox Anchor Bret Baier After Fiery Interview

The recording undercuts what Trump claimed in a testy interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier last week. There was no document. That was a massive amount of papers and everything else talking about Iran and other things, the former president insisted to Baier. And it may have been held up or may not, but that was not a document. I didnt have a document, per se. There was nothing to declassify. These were newspaper stories, magazine stories, and articles.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked by a Fox News reporter how he could square his previous comments to Baier with what the audio recording reveals. In Trumpian fashion, the ex-president praised himself and claimed the whole issue was fabricated.

Trump on the tape of him discussing classified documents: We did absolutely nothing wrong. This is just another hoax. Everything was fine. We did nothing wrong and everybody knows it. pic.twitter.com/DrsBcFKXVP  Acyn (@Acyn) June 27, 2023

I said it very clearlyI had a whole desk full of lots of papers, mostly newspaper articles, copies of magazines, copies of different plans, copies of stories, having to do with many, many subjects, and what was said was absolutely fine, Trump groused. We did nothing wrong. This is a whole hoax.

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Echoing his perfect phone call claims, he continued: My voice was fine. What did I say wrong on those recordings? I didnt even see the recording. All I know is I did nothing wrong.

Of course, since hes currently in the midst of his never-ending love-hate relationship with Fox, he had to bestow the network with his favorite pejorative for media outlets he dislikes.

We had a lot of papers, a lot of papers stacked up, he declared. In fact, you hear the rustle of the paper. And nobody said that I did anything wrong other than the fake news, which is Fox, too.

Donald Trump and Fox News Anchor Bret Baier Clash in Heated Interview

Trump then shrugged off the possibility of additional recordings, asserting, I dont do things wrong because Im a legitimate person. (In a Truth Social post on Monday night, Trump also proclaimed the tape was actually an exoneration while raging about how this continuing Witch Hunt is another ELECTION INTERFERENCE Scam.)

Having already fumed to Baier that Fox News was hostile, Trump later ran to far-right competitor Newsmax to further complain about how nasty and unfair the network had been to him. He also reiterated that it was unlikely hed participate in the first 2024 GOP presidential primary debate, which Baier and Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum will moderate.

When I did the interview with Bret, I thought it was fine. I thought it was OK, he told Newsmax host Eric Bolling on Monday. But there was nothing friendly about it. You know, it was nasty, and I thought I did a good job. Ive been getting credit for doing a good job.

He was also displeased that Baier didnt gleefully join him in trying to make America great again, moaning that everything was unfriendly and there was no smiling.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Harrison Ford is hanging up his hat  at least literally.

Surrounded by relics from his time as adventuring archeologist Indiana Jones, the 80-year-old star grabs Indy's iconic pinch-front fedora and carefully places it on a coat rack next to a leather jacket and whip before taking a seat beside a chalice, an idol, books, suitcases, even sticks of dynamite  all the little tchotchkes one might imagine adorn the charming globe-trotter's personal office after all these years.

Ford pauses to look back at the hat, contemplating it as if to say, "What a ride," before shaking his head and giving that trademark irresistible smirk that's brought so much charm to the likes of Indy, Han Solo, and Jack Ryan all these years. When one of EW's cover shoot directors yells cut and gently asks Ford how the first take felt, he pauses, looks her in the eye, and says sardonically, "So f---ing good."

Everyone gathered around, including Ford, lets out a laugh, releasing some pent-up energy in the process. From the instant the star walked on set, constructed in a tucked-away ballroom at a Los Angeles hotel, there's been a palpable charge in the air  one that can only be created by someone like the Oscar-nominated actor, who has steadily worked in Hollywood since the late 1960s, bringing to life some of cinema's most legendary characters in the process.

But Ford would never use that term  "legend"  to describe himself, of course. "I don't connect the dots myself. I mean, I do not know what a legend does for a living. I know that I consider myself to be a working actor, and I'll settle for that," he tells EW a few weeks after his late-May cover shoot, now across town at another L.A. hotel.

Thinking more on it, "I suppose legend means that you've been around for a long time. And I think it's meant to be, uh, gracious, but it just, uh sounds old," he adds. "I'm clever enough to figure out that it's meant to be a nice thing to say, and so it must be. But I'm just telling you what my gut reaction to it is," he concedes with a laugh. Fair enough.

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Ford's feelings on his legend status aside, it's hard to deny the ubiquitousness of his character Indiana Jones, who first swung into the zeitgeist with the trilogy of 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1984's Temple of Doom, and 1989's Last Crusade. A book series, a Young Indiana Jones TV series, and a handful of Disney theme park rides followed. And then, after an almost 20-year break, Ford returned to the role for 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Now Ford is back in Indy's fedora for a fifth  and final, he adamantly swears  outing with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in theaters Friday. (It should be noted that Ford himself has no plans to retire. In fact, he's currently garnering Emmy buzz for his roles in Paramount+'s 1923 and Apple TV+'s Shrinking, and next year enters the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking over the role of General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross from the late William Hurt.)

We can partially thank the lackluster response to Crystal Skull for this new adventure. From the moment the film  which featured Shia LaBeouf as Indy's son and heir apparent  failed to land with audiences, franchise director Steven Spielberg and his fellow executive producer George Lucas (who pitched the idea of Raiders after Spielberg expressed desire to helm a James Bond movie) began mulling the idea of a fifth installment. Ford does not recall feeling that same itch. "No, I don't think so. It doesn't sound much like me. It would've taken a while. I would've had to do a few other things," he says, adding that he's grateful to the successes of the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises for making it possible for him to have such a "freedom of choice."

In this case, those choices included reprising some other beloved characters (Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode VII  The Force Awakens and Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049) as well as taking part in several other notable projects (42, The Expendables 3, Anchorman 2, among others). As a result, Ford says, "It took me a while to miss him."

But miss the wisecracking professor he did, and eventually, Ford started to think "there was room for one more story." He continues, "And that story was the one that dealt with age, time, and relationships in his family  knitting the whole thing together just a little bit more, and feeling a kind of roundness in all of the different stories we've told. I'm more comfortable leaving him at this place than he was at the end of Crystal Skull."

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Lucasfilm Ltd. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

An initial release date for a fifth entry was set for 2019, before a number of setbacks made that lofty goal an impossible one. Spielberg ultimately stepped down as director in early 2020, with Ford v Ferrari and Logan helmer James Mangold taking the reins shortly thereafter. At the time, "there was a feeling that they hadn't gotten the script they wanted," Mangold says. The filmmaker found the draft they handed him to be "a well-written adventure, but I didn't feel like it was about anything. Specifically, I didn't feel like it was addressing the reality that audiences were going to be facing when they saw the movie, which is that we have a star who's almost 80 years old who's playing this character. The movie has to somehow be about someone in their later years who was a great hero, but who is in this moment experiencing the realities of age.

"So when I decided the movie had to use Indy's and Harrison's age as a feature and not a bug, it became obvious to me that the relic  [Archimedes' Antikythera, a.k.a. the titular Dial of Destiny]  should somehow also have some kind of relationship to time itself," continues Mangold, who worked on a new draft with two Ford v Ferrari co-writers, brothers Jez and John-Henry Butterworth. (David Koepp also shares a screenwriting credit.) "The movie is not about aging per se, but time  the way time travels for all of us, the way we all get older as the world changes around us."

The resulting script, set in 1969, follows Indy and his estranged goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in a rip-roaring race against time to keep the Dial out of the hands of Nazi-turned-NASA-scientist Jurgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen).

Renaldo (Antonio Banderas), Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), and Popeye (Antonio Iorio) get ready to scuba dive in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd. Renaldo (Antonio Banderas), Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), and Popeye (Antonio Iorio) get ready to scuba dive in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

It felt like "a wonderful opportunity" to Ford, who says he was excited specifically for the chance to see Indy "towards the end of his life."

"I wanted to see him reflect on the behavior that he has exhibited over his life," the veteran actor explains. "He's retiring from academia. He's been teaching disinterested students archeology, at a time when everybody's looking forward. No one wants to think about the past. There are men on the moon in a very exciting new time, but this sort of makes him feel a bit out of place."

Someone who didn't feel out of place, though, was Ford himself, who jokes that "a little brush up with the whip" is usually all that's required to step back into the character's well-worn shoes  even if this time around the familiar face of Spielberg wasn't peering back at him from behind the camera.

Not that Ford was worried about the longtime director's absence. "Steven's in here," he says, pointing to his head. "And here," he continues, placing his hand on his heart. "And Jim [Mangold] acknowledges that he's been influenced by Steven  his work and his style, his method of work  ever since he can remember." In a more literal sense, Spielberg executive-produced Dial of Destiny and was "involved in every aspect of the film," Ford notes.

In fact, Spielberg was in the editing room so often that Mangold can't accurately recall the number of times his "idol" stopped by  sometimes for stretches of six to eight hours at a time. And when Spielberg saw the finished product, it was with his successor sitting behind him, looking over his shoulder in the editing bay. Mangold concedes the whole thing "could have been a weird experience," but says Spielberg "became a friend" and "collaborator" through the process. "There weren't any internecine battles over what it was going to be," he says. "Everyone was really comfortable with where we were going and how we were doing it."

Mangold wasn't aiming to "make any one of the movies over again," but he admittedly looked to Raiders of the Lost Ark  his personal favorite of the originals  to inspire Dial of Destiny. "Almost like an archeologist, if you're trying to understand the epistemology of Indiana Jones, if you're trying to understand what the vernacular and the language is of this kind of movie, then you go to the original because that's where the standard was set," he says.

In that spirit, the film does welcome back Indy's longtime friend Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and longtime love Marion (Karen Allen). (The nature of Marion's return shall not be spoiled here, but Allen does wish her character was "more a part of the adventure of this story." That said, she feels a "sense of gratitude" stepping back into the role for a third time: "She's such a vibrant, wonderful character, and it would've broken my heart to see her just vanish into the ether.")

Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Lucasfilm Ltd. Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

For series newcomer Waller-Bridge  who counts herself among Indy's many admirers ("There was no one like him before, and won't ever be again")  the reverence for all of the archaeologist's past adventures was integral to what she loved about the script. "I was breathless reading it," says the Fleabag phenom, who "screamed yes" at producer Kathleen Kennedy when she offered her the role of Helena. "It's just got so many beautiful tips of the hat to the original franchise."

While Helena might be reminiscent of Marion  daring, intelligent, resourceful, and feisty  Waller-Bridge says her character actually was inspired in part by Barbara Stanwyck's con-artist character in the 1941 classic The Lady Eve, charming on the outside but "incredibly ambitious and steely" on the inside.

When we meet Helena, she's essentially an orphan. Her mom and dad have long since passed, and she hasn't seen her one other father figure  her godfather Indy  in a couple of decades. But she's been living her own life of adventure, trading antiquities on the black market. "I love her positivity in the face of absolute catastrophe," the British star says before quipping, not unlike her character, that "the ingenuity of a person like that in the first place, of a successful criminal, is always inspiring."

Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd. Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Helena in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Helena, to put it mildly, kicks ass  and getting to work with a stunt team was a new challenge for Waller-Bridge, one which she relished (even if she did unintentionally crash a tuk-tuk on set). "Before this movie, I think the amount of physical action I'd done had mainly been just comedic running up and down the street, and even then, I didn't know that was funny but apparently it was," she deadpans.

Of course, another perk of the project was getting to work with the man, the myth (but not the legend!) himself. Waller-Bridge recalls her first introduction to Ford, a voicemail in which he stated his name and said he was looking for her. "That was actually great because I got my first screaming reaction out of the way without him actually having to be there," she admits.

Their first in-person meeting was at Mangold's office for a script read-through. She recalls opening the door, almost as if in slow motion, and walking in. "He immediately went, 'Hey!' like an old friend," she says. "And from that day on, we were fine. We read the script for about five minutes, and we all had a scotch for an hour. So it was perfect."

That jovial atmosphere followed them to filming locations including London, Sicily, Edinburgh, and Morocco  as did some rather, erm, unexpected nicknames. "From the moment we met, it was 's---head's all round. We were taking the piss out of each other all the time, and having a lot of fun," says Waller-Bridge, laughing at the memory. "The most extraordinary thing about working with Harrison is that you're definitely at work  in that his work ethic is so on point, and his discipline is so extraordinary  but because he's that specific and the foundation of the work is really strong, the rest of it can be really fun," she continues, pausing a beat before adding, "There were a lot of pranks... lots of pranks."

For instance, very detailed masks of the actors' faces were made for the stunt doubles to wear, and Waller-Bridge managed to get her hands on one of a young Ford that'd been crafted for a flashback scene. Donning the mask, the actress set out to spook her costar in his trailer. "It scared the crap out of him, actually. Even though that 'actually' is only represented by him blinking three times and saying, 'Get the hell out of my trailer,'" she recalls.

About 20 minutes later, Ford returned the favor, sneaking up on Waller-Bridge while wearing the mask of her face. He even took the time to tie his shirt into a little bow to match her character's outfit. When asked about this later, Ford fittingly doesn't divulge details, demurring, "I didn't think of it as a 'prank.' But yes, I mean, we spent a lot of time fooling around."

All the better for Waller-Bridge, who says occasional sentimental thoughts about the franchise's legacy left her in need of a distraction. "Every now and again when there was a scene with a whip and the guns, or when Harrison first wore the outfit on set, you just got chills. There was a great reverence for the franchise, especially for Harrison, and the atmosphere was thick with that all the time. You'd have to stop yourself getting overwhelmed by it, and just sit down and do a crossword," she says.

Mangold echoes finding that balance of reverence and reality, most fondly recalling what would become somewhat of a morning routine as they prepared for the first shot of the day. Ford would get "itchy to get acting," as Mangold puts it. "You suddenly hear from some corner of the set, 'Let's shoot this piece of s---,'" he says, doing his best Ford impersonation. "And to me, [it's that and] the buoyant feeling of working with this wonderful man who I love. I mean, honestly, I really love him very much. He's irascible, and he can be difficult, and he can be hilarious, and he can be brilliant. It's a relationship I'll be grateful for all my life."

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Lucasfilm Ltd. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

Gratitude is a word thrown around a lot in the interviews for this story, but mostly from Ford himself. He says he's grateful that Tom Selleck, the first choice to play Indiana Jones, couldn't get released from his Magnum, P.I. obligations to take the job. He says he's grateful to Spielberg and Lucas and Raiders screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, and all the people who put their talents and work into supporting the stories themselves. Here, he pauses  there's that famous smirk again  to reflect on what he's just said. "I think that's a lot of gratitude," he adds, wryly.

He swears the gravity of playing a beloved character for one final adventure was not something he ever dwelled on while on the set ("I'm just not constructed that way"). And he swears up, down, and sideways that he could never pick a favorite character among all those he's played ("I'm a 'love the one you're with' guy  I don't have favorites"). But even he can't deny that this character is a bit of a, well legend. At least to the fans.

"There is an audience loyalty that is exceptional. I guess it has to do with rinse and repeat, perhaps, but it is gratifying," he says. "And what's more gratifying even than that is the fact that these movies have been passed on from generation to generation in families. And that really has introduced me to new generations of filmgoers."

There's a moment early in Dial of Destiny, at Indy's retirement party, where he's given the chance to say a few words to the colleagues gathered around to celebrate him. "Thanks for putting up with me," the professor says simply.

If provided a similar opportunity in real life, what would Ford say to the generations of Indy fans as he hangs up the fedora after four decades? "Well, you just set me up," the actor responds with a laugh before borrowing Indy's own thoughts: "Thanks for putting up with me," he says, pausing wistfully as he chooses his next words. "I hope you've had a good time I sure have."

Directed by Kristen Harding & Alison Wild

DP: Kayla Hoff; 1st AC: Denis Zemtsov; Steadicam Op: Devon Catucci; Gaffer: Pablo "Saint" Lopez; Key Grip: Corey Millikin; BBG: Alex Burdick; BBE: Eli Lopez; Set Design: Keith Boos; Leadman: Jared Piller; Set Dressers: Sydney Wienberger, Nathan Castiel

Photo Director: Alison Wild; Head of Video: Kristen Harding; Senior Video Producer: Ethan Bellows; Creative Director: Chuck Kerr

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Adrian Belew playing guitar onstage with bassist Julie Slick and Les Claypool in a pig's mask

When Adrian Belew and Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison wound up supporting Les Claypools Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, awesome things were bound to happen but who could have predicted this spellbinding live version of King Crimson's Thela Hun Ginjeet?

The six-and-a-half-minute single originally appeared on 1981's Discipline, the first of three Crimson albums to feature the four-piece line-up of Belew, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin and Bill Bruford. According to Belew's online blog , he came up with the title  an anagram of Heat In The Jungle  using Scrabble titles while on a flight to London. It's not the first time Claypool has covered the tune though, he's previously reworked it both at solo shows and with Claypool Lennon Delirium  his psychedelic project with Sean Lennon.

Belew and Harrison have been touring North America to celebrate the anniversary of Talking Heads' Remain In Light and in summer 2023, their dates joined up with Les Claypools Fearless Flying Frog Brigade Summer Of Green. Claypool has also used the tour to perform Pink Floyds Animals in full.

The clip, shot by a fan at The Music Hall at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, shows Claypool in a pig mask jamming onstage with the Belew/Harrison live band, which includes Belew Power Trio bassist Julie Slick, and percussionist Yahuba Garcia-Torres. Belew performs the song with the biggest smile on his face.

Although Belew and Harrison's Remain In Light shows have now come to an end, Les Claypools Fearless Flying Frog Brigade are continuing to tour throughout July and October. They'll be supported by prog-psych act Moon Duo at select dates from July 7. Fans will be able to catch Adrian Belew live at Cruise To The Edge in March 2024.
Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas" is slated to embark on its maiden voyage out of South Florida in January 2024

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Icon of the Seas is drawing closer to its debut in January 2024 after completing its first phase of sea trials in Europe.

Set to be the worlds largest cruise ship and the company's first Icon-class ship, the vessel has been under construction at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, according to an official release.

The cruise will offer vacationers the worlds largest waterpark at sea, dubbed Category 6 and featuring six water slides. Icon of the Seas also offers a "resort getaway," a "beach escape," a theme park and over "40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained," according to the company.

Royal Caribbean

Inside, it will feature a one-of-a-kind accommodation: the "Ultimate Family Townhouse," which Royal Caribbean describes as a three-story "sprawling adventure-filled pad" with an in-suite slide, a karaoke station, and hidden areas to discover.



Royal Caribbean

The ship's 20 decks will include Royal Caribbean's first-ever dueling piano bar, eight "neighborhoods," the largest pool at sea and experiences for thrill-seekers like Crown's Edge, described as "a fear-inducing challenge thats part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride and an all-out test of your courage."



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.

Royal Caribbean

Related: Royal Caribbean's Private Island Will Feature the Tallest Waterslide in North America

The ship weighs in at an estimated 250,800 tons and measures close to 1,200 feet long. It also holds about 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members, according to CNN.

Over 450 specialists have run four days of preliminary tests on the ships main engines, bow and propellers, as well as checking noise and vibration levels, a release shared.

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Royal Caribbean

"Between preparations and the trials, the important step in the journey to bring Icon to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles traveled, four 37- to 67-ton tugboats and more than 350 hours of work," according to the release.



All of that will prepare the cruise for its second round of sea trials later this year, ahead of its debut out of South Florida in January 2024.



Royal Caribbean

Related: Would You Take a 3-Year Cruise? Ship Will Visit 135 Countries on All 7 Continents for $30,000 Per Year

The Icon of the Seas will set sail from Miami on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations all year round, where passengers can visit popular tropical destinations like the Bahamas, Mexico, St. Maarten and Honduras, as well as Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean

At a press panel earlier this year, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley described the ship as literally the best-performing new product launch weve ever had," according to CNN.

Royal Caribbean will be ousting themselves from the top spot. It's Wonder of the Seas is currently the worlds largest cruise ship.

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Nine years before he was accused of killing four college students in Idaho, Bryan Kohberger was arrested in his native Pennsylvania and charged with misdemeanor theft for allegedly stealing his sister's iPhone, according to records reviewed by ABC News.

It was Kohberger's father, Michael, who reported the incident to police, according to the court records.

According to the records, Michael Kohberger told law enforcement Bryan had warned him "not to do anything stupid" after learning his son had taken the phone, adding that his son had struggled with drug addiction.

Bryan Kohberger's earlier run-in with the law, as described in these records, is only now coming to light, as he prepares to defend himself against charges he killed four University of Idaho students last fall.

According to the records, Bryan Kohberger was 19 years old when he was arrested for the alleged theft in 2014. He served no jail time, according to officials. There is now no public record of that arrest or the outcome of the case.

Monroe County, Pennsylvania, offers first-time offenders the opportunity to enter into a pretrial program called "Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition," which allows for charges to be dropped and the record to be "expunged" once the accused successfully completes probation.

Martin Souto Diaz, an attorney representing the Kohberger family, declined to comment on the record describing the earlier arrest. The district attorney's office in Monroe County also had no comment.

In a court filing Monday, Idaho prosecutors announced they intend to seek the death penalty against Bryan Kohberger for the alleged murders.

It remains to be seen whether the alleged incident in 2014, and his previous alleged history with substance abuse, will have any bearing -- or offer any clues -- in relation to what happened in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, when four college students -- Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21 -- were stabbed to death at an off-campus home on King Road in Moscow, Idaho.

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PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, May 22, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Zach Wilkinson/AP, FILE)

A source briefed on the case told ABC News the alleged 2014 incident is now a subject of inquiry for prosecutors in Idaho, as they prepare for an impending capital trial that could start as early as October.

"You want to get all the puzzle pieces figured out, even as you keep finding new pieces," said ABC News law enforcement contributor Richard Frankel, a retired senior FBI official and former prosecutor in the New York City suburb of Suffolk County.

"You're working to figure out how they all fit together," Frankel said, speaking generally on investigative procedure for building a case.

"One, that's a big jump to go from [an alleged] non-violent theft -- and from a family member -- to being charged with multiple homicides. And two, eight years is a long time for nothing to happen," Frankel said. "So, I would want to know, both as a prosecutor and as the investigator, what he did in those years in between?"

MORE: Idaho college murders strain town financially as investigation expenses mount

ABC News contributor Robert Boyce, the retired chief of detectives for the New York City Police Department, said, "What you look for now, is, was this a foundational moment, and was this a precursor for things to come."

A trial in the quadruple homicide has been set for Oct. 2, though that could be delayed.

Bryan Kohberger is due to appear at the Latah County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, for another in an ongoing series of pretrial hearings connected to the murder case. He is being held without bail at the Latah County Jail.

Bryan Kohberger's team is pushing for a pause in his case while the defense and prosecution argue over the scope of which grand jury materials can or should be released. His lawyers are looking to determine whether there are grounds to dismiss his indictment based on the way the grand jury was selected, according to court documents.

The defense is asking Idaho prosecutors to disclose more information about their investigation, including more detail on their forensic DNA analyses, and information obtained from cellphone records, according to court filings.

The hearing Tuesday is also expected to focus on Bryan Kohberger's request for more time to decide whether to offer an alibi at trial, as his attorneys say they are trying to navigate the "voluminous" and "still ongoing" discovery process, according to recent court filings. Prosecutors said they wouldn't object to a "reasonable extension" to decide, so long as any potential alibi is offered within the next month.

Back in Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, Bryan Kohberger had "recently exited a rehab center and rejoined the family," his father told police, according to the records reviewed by ABC News. Home from rehab, Bryan took his sister Melissa's iPhone, which had an estimated value of $400, Michael Kohberger told police, according to the records.

Authorities said, according to the records, Bryan Kohberger paid a friend $20 to pick him up and take him to a local mall, where he sold the phone for $200 at an automated kiosk for used electronics.

The records say Bryan Kohberger was charged with misdemeanor theft and offer no further explanation about what happened from there.

"With any case, we'd always do a timeline. And on this case, I would want to do the timeline not just of the actual [alleged homicide] incident, minute by minute -- but also I would want to do a behavioral timeline from his teens into his adulthood, because I want to know who this guy is," Frankel said.

"It all goes to the assessment of his character -- it may also help me when I interview other people about him, because I may know what the right questions are to ask going in," Frankel added.

MORE: Investigators probe Bryan Kohberger's social media in connection with Idaho college murders

Bryan Kohberger, now 28, was indicted in Idaho last month and charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary.

At his Idaho arraignment in late May, Bryan Kohberger declined to offer a plea, so the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Authorities allege that in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at Washington State University, broke into an off-campus home and stabbed to death the four students from the nearby University of Idaho.

After a more than six-week hunt, according to police documents, police zeroed in on Bryan Kohberger as a suspect, tracking his white Hyundai Elantra, cellphone signal data, and recovering what authorities say was his DNA on a knife sheath found next to one of the victims' bodies.

That DNA evidence taken from the knife sheath at the crime scene "showed a statistical match" with a cheek swab taken directly from Bryan Kohberger after his arrest, authorities said in a recent filing.

Bryan Kohberger's attorneys pushed back on that analysis in several recent court filings, casting doubt on whether that DNA evidence irrefutably implicates their client, saying the "statistical probability is not an absolute," and pointing to what they called a "total lack of DNA evidence" from the victims in Kohberger's home or car.

He was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, at his family's home in Pennsylvania, after driving cross-country to spend the holidays in Albrightsville.

Some of Bryan Kohberger's childhood acquaintances have recalled to ABC News that the "quiet" but "funny" person they knew began to alienate some of his friends in high school, as his drug habit developed.

Casey Arntz, who went to high school with Kohberger, told ABC News he would ask her for rides that she later found out were to buy drugs.

"Bryan used me to, you know, drive him around and get heroin," Arntz said. "A lot of people are like, well, why were you still friends with him after that? And I'm like, because you gotta forgive him. I mean, you can't fault him for being so sucked down this hole. And I did, I did forgive him."

Idaho college killings suspect was first arrested in 2014, records show originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
We see a bird's-eye view image of the sandy and rocky desert of northern Peru. Running diagonally in the photo is a high stone wall.

An ancient desert wall in northern Peru was built to protect precious farmlands and canals from the ravages of El Nino floods, according to new research.

Many archaeologists had suggested that the wall, known as the Muralla La Cumbre and located near Trujillo, was built by the Chimu people to protect their lands from invasions by the Incas, with whom they had a long-standing enmity. But the latest research affirms a theory that the earthen wall, which stretches 6 miles (10 kilometers) across the desert, was built to hold back devastating floods during the wettest phases of northern Peru's weather cycle.

These phases are now known as El Nino  Spanish for "The Boy," a reference to the child Jesus  because they bring heavy rain to the region around Christmastime every few years.

We see the brownish ground with paper tags marking different layers of flood sediments.

Although El Nino brings drought to some other parts of the world, it brings heavy rains to Ecuador and northern Peru. El Nino floods are thought to have occurred there for thousands of years, and they would have been a serious danger to the Chimu, Gabriel Prieto , an archaeologist at the University of Florida, told Live Science.

"The annual rainfall there in a regular year is very low  almost no rain at all," he said. "So when the rainfall was very high, that caused a lot of damage."

Related: AI identifies 3 more 'Nazca Lines' figures in Peru

Ancient kingdom

We see an excavated inside corner of the stone wall with a measuring stick by it.

The Chimor kingdom of the Chimu people emerged around A.D. 900 in the territories once occupied by the Moche people; as a result, the Moche period is sometimes called "Early Chimu."

According to the " Encyclopedia of Prehistory " (Springer, 2002) the Chimu worshipped the moon  instead of the sun at the center of Inca worship  and they were independent until they were conquered by the Incas in about 1470, a few decades before the arrival of the Spanish in South America.

Today, the Chimu are known mainly for their distinctive pottery and metalwork, as well as for the ruins of their capital, Chan Chan, which are listed by the United Nations as a World Heritage site .

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Prieto has examined the 8-foot-high (2.5 meters) La Cumbre wall and found layers of flood sediments only on its eastern side, which suggests it was built to protect the Chimu farmlands to the west, beside the coast. Radiocarbon dates from the lowest layers reveal that the wall was started in about 1100, possibly after a large El Nino flood at that time, he said.

The wall is built across two dry riverbeds that flood during El Nino. Preventing flooding in the farmlands also would have protected Chan Chan, which was connected to them by a network of canals.

"I'd guess, to some degree, that the wall worked like a kind of a dam," Prieto said. The research has not yet been published as a peer-reviewed study.

An aerial view of the wall in the desert.

Human sacrifices

Prieto previously found evidence of mass child sacrifices at Chimu sites, including the remains of 76 victims at Pampa La Cruz near Huanchaco, a few miles northwest of Trujillo. He thinks the El Nino floods that necessitated the desert wall also may have been linked to the sacrifices.

Prieto has used radiocarbon dating to determine that one of the sediment layers along the wall is from about 1450  a date that corresponds to the sacrifice of more than 140 children and 200 llamas at another Chimu site. He thinks it's likely that the Chimu knew the dangers of El Nino floods, which happened every few years, and that their society's rulers took advantage of the recurring disaster to solidify their authority with sacrifices.

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"The Chimu were the descendants of people who had lived in this region for 10,000 years  they knew exactly what was going on," he said. "This was a kind of political game, I think."

Edward Swenson , an archaeologist at the University of Toronto who isn't involved in the research, told Live Science that Prieto's interpretation made sense.

"The idea at first struck me as incongruous, because I've not heard of walls against water before," he said.

But Prieto's research has changed his mind, although he still thinks the wall also may have served as a defense. "The old idea was that this wall was to protect the Chimu from Inca attacks, and it might have been multifunctional," Swenson said.
A group of New England fashion companies is under fire for branding their leather footwear and belts and other goods with deceptive Made in America claims, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The agency, better known as the FTC, ordered Massachusetts- and New Hampshire-based companies owned by Thomas Bates to fork over nearly $200,000 for marketing that doesnt pass muster with its Made in USA standards.

More from Sourcing Journal

Made in the USA means what it says, Samuel Levin, director of the FTCs bureau of consumer protection, said. Falsely labeling products as Made in the USA hurts consumers and competition, and the FTC will continue to aggressively enforce the law to stop deceptive claims and hold violators accountable.

According to the FTC complaint published Tuesday, Chaucer Accessories, also known as Chaucer Leather; Bates Accessories, also operating as Thomas Bates, TB Phelps, David Spencer Shoes and Custom Brand Footwear; and Bates Retail Group ran afoul of the requirements for labeling products as American-made. All three companies are alleged to frequently advertise their products as Made in the USA or Hand Crafted in the USA in their marketing and sales materials. The companies also sold belts labeled Made in the USA from Global Materials, per the FTC complaint.

But FTC claims the companies have violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, and said that the firms sold certain products that were imported outright or incorporated significant materials sourced offshore. The complaint said the belts made from global materials consisted of belt straps imported from Taiwan with buckles attached in the States.

The homepage on Chaucer Leathers website.

Chaucer Leather is one of the oldest remaining leather accessories factory [sic] in the USA, states Makers Row, a website that serves as a database of U.S. manufacturers across various industries. Chaucer is proud to be Made in the USA.

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But Chaucer, whose factory is in a former leather tannery in the Massachusetts town of Haverhill, a onetime footwear manufacturing powerhouse 35 miles north of Boston near the New Hampshire border, gets a bit murky. On Makers Row, it states that it can produce finished or semi-finished products in Asia through trusted partner factories. Its website further says it sources raw materials worldwide, producing various leather products in China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Korea for over 25 years.

Similarly, Thomas Bates website states that its products are made in the United States with materials sourced overseas. David Spencers Amazon storefront states that its penny loafers, for example, are made with genuine American cowhide leather, though no other details are provided. T.B. Phelps website says the company celebrates classic American style and suggeststhough never explicitly saysthat its products are made on U.S. soil. It does, however, state that T.B. Phelps supports both American made and global production . . . utilizing as much American materials and workmanship as possible.

David Spencers Amazon page states that these loafers were made with American cowhide leather.

The FTCs order against the trio and Bateswhich the respondents have agreed toincludes several requirements about the claims they make. First, the companies and Bates are prohibited from making unqualified U.S.-origin claims for any product unless they can show that the products final assembly or processing, as well as all significant processing, takes place in the U.S. and that all or virtually all components of the product are made and sourced in the States.

They are also required to include, in any qualified Made in USA claims, a clear and conspicuous disclosure about the extent to which the product contains foreign parts, components or processing. Third, the companies and Bates must also ensure that, when claiming a product is assembled in the United States, its substantially transformed in the U.S., its principal assembly takes place in the U.S., and U.S. assembly operations are substantial. The FTC also ordered Bates et al. to pay it $191,481.

As part of their settlement, the companies are required to notify customers that the agency has sued them for making false claims.

Bates and his three companies did not respond to Sourcing Journals request for comment by press time.

Click here to read the full article.
Venice may be sinking, but thats not stopping hoteliers from sinking millions into new hotels in the floating metropolis. In fact, this week French hospitality group EVOK will open its first property outside of France just one canal west of St. Marks Square.

Like Paris, this alluring city evokes a feeling of dreamlike fantasies, Emmanuel Sauvage, cofounder and CEO of EVOK tells Robb Report. Such a unique charm was why we decided to open Nolinski Venezia in the boldest and most unusual buildings in the city.

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The 43 rooms at the Nolinski Venezia are a departure for the French-focused EVOK brand.

The new 43-room Nolinski Venezia will be housed in Venices former stock exchange, a historic building just a diamonds throw away from stores such as Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, and Giorgio Armani. Thanks to the interior design duo of Yann Le Coadic and Alessandro Scotto, the property marries modernism with Italys answer to art nouveau. Its equal parts guesthouse and equal parts gallery. In fact, the focal point of the hotels Library Barwhich boasts a collection of 4,000 booksis a hand-painted 430-square-foot Simon Buret ceiling fresco.

Nolinski Venezia will also have an Ottoman spa with Swiss treatments, an indoor rooftop pool with 360-degree views of the city, an elegant cafe serving only Italian products, and a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant housed in a majestic amphitheater. Sauvage says EVOKs goal is to create emotions guests will never forget. Of course all these five-star feelings come at a five-star price. Rates at Nolinski Venezia range from $915 per night for a 280-square-foot superior room to $3,638 for the 592-square-foot master suite.

Violino dOro is a canal front boutique that is already turning heads.

If your travels wont bring you to Venice before autumn, you can also always book a room at the new Violino DOro. Deemed one of the 40 best new luxury hotels to open in 2023, this canal-front 32-room boutique hotel is housed in a painstakingly restored palazzo located just down the street from Nolinski Venezia. Its the latest from the Italian luxury hotel brand Collezione EM and the love child of Sara and Elena Maestrelli. Not only does the aunt-and-niece duo co-own Violino DOro, but theyre also the visionaries behind the exquisite design. The signature Venetian seminato floors, for example, are handmade by a local artisanal family, and the hotels vegetarian-friendly restaurant, Il Piccolo, features enchanted Richard Ginori ceramics and soft Rubelli cushions. The restaurant has just nine tables, so reservations are necessario.

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Originally slated to open in May, Violino DOro is now scheduled to open November 1. Rates range from $975 for a 170-square-foot classic room to $3,455 for a 790-square-foot suite that comes with its own private terrace. All rooms and suites are soundproofed, so you dont need to worry about the bellowing gondoliers below. Located on the Grand Canal, just a five-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, the new Venice Venice Hotel is also accessible by water taxi. Its owners, Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, are the Venetian natives behind the dirty designer sneaker brand Golden Goose. Robb Report Malaysia describes the 45-room avant-garde hotel as a bridge to the past and a homage to romance, and it houses one of the citys finest collections of contemporary art. Rates range from $750 for a 250-square-foot king room to $16,175 for the 2,045-square-foot Venice Suite.

Youll have to wait a few more years to check-in the splashy forthcoming Langham Venice on Murano island.

If you want to stay in the most-anticipated hotel on Venices Murano island, however, you may have to wait a few years. Originally slated to open in 2023, the Langham Venice is now scheduled to start welcoming guests in 2026. Why the delay? The 133-room resort is an ambitious endeavor for the Hong Kong-based Langham Hospitality Group. This will be their first property in Italy, and a large part of it will be housed in a 16th-century casino and former glass factory requiring serious renovations.

Langham Hospitality Group strategically expands into destinations which represent important cultural and economic hubs, Bob van de Oord, incoming CEO of Langham Hospitality Group says. Our goal is to create a resort destination which Venetians and Italians would be proud of. While nightly rates at the Langham Venice are TBD, van de Oord says guests can expect to enjoy a 65-foot outdoor pool, a unicorn of amenities in the space-strapped city, and rumor has it the resort will also feature an Italian cooking school. The Langham, Venice will not only raise the bar for luxury in the laguna city but will also become a new heritage landmark in the community, he says.

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biggest airports

Travelers have experienced that anxious feeling when confronted with a seemingly endless security line at the airport. Before you book your next ticket, its worth knowing which U.S. airports boast the shortest TSA wait times.

Heres a comprehensive analysis of average TSA wait times over a one-year period, according to Bounce, a luggage storage company.

For Domestic Travelers

If youre flying locally and dont need to worry about passport security checks, youre in luck. These airports prioritize efficiency, getting you through TSA in record time.

Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Swift Performers

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey boasts an impressive average wait time of three minutes and six seconds.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland keeps things swift and steady with a flat four minute wait.

San Jose International Airport in California ensures a hassle-free experience with only four minutes and six seconds in the security line.

Ontario International Airport in California matches San Joses efficiency clocking in at four minutes and six seconds.

Prepare for Some Patience

Palm Beach International Airport in Florida tests your patience with a wait time of 34 minutes and six seconds.

St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri keeps you stationary for 26 minutes and 36 seconds.

San Francisco International Airport in California adds 25 minutes and 36 seconds to your airport experience.

While these times may not be the worst, they can be frustrating if youre juggling children or running late, leading to incessant phone-checking and mounting anxiety.

For Passport Checks

If youre required to undergo a passport security check, be sure to allocate an additional 10 minutes on top of the regular security time.

The Speed Demons

Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland impresses once again completing both security and passport checks in just 14 minutes and 48 seconds.

San Antonio International Airport in Texas ensures a smooth journey through both stops taking 17 minutes and 42 seconds in total.

San Jose International Airport in California maintains its efficiency clocking in at 18 minutes and 18 seconds for both checks combined.

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These times are still faster than many security-only wait times, making these airports a preferred choice for travelers.

Prepare for Extended Delays

Stephen Chernin | Getty Images
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission met with the leading members of the newly-elected Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) at Zhongnanhai in Beijing on Monday afternoon, and made an important speech thereafter. He stressed that on the shoulder of the young generation is placed the future of the cause of the Party and the nation. The CYLC Central Committee is expected to thoroughly implement the requirements of the CPC Central Committee, conscientiously shoulder the missions and tasks entrusted by the Party in the new era and on the new journey, inherit and carry forward fine traditions, continue to reform and innovate, and better unite and rally the young generation around the Party, so as to make unremitting efforts in advancing the building of a great country and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

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 was present at the meeting.

Xi said that the CPC has made notable achievements in its work concerning young people and major changes have taken place in this regard since the 18th CPC National Congress. The CPC has fully strengthened its leadership over the work on the CYLC and the youth. The foundation and political orientation of the CYLC have been consolidated, and direction and tasks of its work further clarified. CYLC organizations' political consciousness, advanced nature, and orientation toward the people have become even more prominent. League staff have developed a more positive and healthy style of thinking, work and life, presenting a brand-new image to the youth. Over the past five years, the CYLC has organized its members and other young people to participate, shoulder great responsibilities and pioneer in such major tasks as building the new development pattern, promoting high-quality development, winning the battle against poverty, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the courage and sense of responsibility of the Chinese youth in the new era. The CPC Central Committee has faith in the CYLC and the youth.

Xi noted that the CPC Central Committee pins high hopes on the new leadership of the CYLC Central Committee. He hopes that it will continue improving itself, play an exemplary role, and promote greater development of the undertakings of the CYLC and the work concerning young people.

Xi stressed that it is a major experience in the past more than 100 years to make the central tasks of the Party the theme and direction of Chinese youth movement and work in this regard. The CYLC, as an aide to and reserve force of the Party, must do its work by focusing on the central tasks of the Party in the new era and on the new journey which were set at the 20th CPC National Congress, go in the right direction and strive for greater achievements. To realize the great goals of building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation, the whole Party and all Chinese people, including the youth, must unite and go all out to take on more challenges and overcome more difficulties. The CYLC should firmly grasp the theme of the work related to the youth in the new era, as extensively as possible unite, organize, and mobilize young people, encourage them to have a stronger sense of historical responsibility and mission, stimulate their passion of getting involved in the endeavors of building a stronger country, and play the role of a vanguard and spearhead in the great cause of building China into a great country and national rejuvenation.

Xi pointed out that greater efforts should be made to strengthen political guidance for young people. Only with ideals, a sense of responsibility, grit and dedication will Chinese youth be strong, and there be hope for the cause of the Party and the country. It is important to foster strong ideals and convictions among young people, and guide them to develop the ideal of communism and consolidate the shared ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Young people should have a firm conviction of steadfastly following the Party and its guidance, set up the right life goals in the historical trend of building a stronger country and national rejuvenation, so as to lay the cornerstone for the endeavor of their whole life. The CYLC must give top priority to strengthening political guidance for league members and young people, strive to train socialist builders and successors, and constantly foster competent and energetic new members to the Party. It is necessary to carry out theoretical study programs among league members and young people, who should be guided to earnestly study and grasp the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to master the worldview and methodology of this scientific thought. They should be good at applying the stand, viewpoints and methods in the thought to analyzing problems, and improve their understanding of the Party's basic theory, guideline and policy.

Xi stressed that the CYLC must focus on the central tasks, serve the overall interests, and proactively dovetail its work with major national strategies and tasks. He urged the league to mobilize young people to participate in China's modernization drive by doing their own job well. Young people should strive to be the vanguard and a vital contingent in scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, national defense, safeguarding frontiers and the like, so as to demonstrate the vitality of youth.

Xi noted that it is imperative for the CYLC to follow the requirements for full and rigorous Party self-governance, adopt a problem-oriented approach, be strict with itself, deepen the Communist Youth League's reform and exercise rigorous self-governance to unswervingly follow the development path of people's organizations with Chinese characteristics, constantly maintain and strengthen the league's political character, pioneering nature and connection with the people, so as to strengthen its leading capacity, organizing capabilities and services. It is imperative to keep consolidating the primary level, constantly expand the reach of the CYLC organizations and improve the working capabilities of young people. All league staff must cherish the precious opportunity of being involved in the Party's work related to the youth, constantly strengthen their political ability, theoretical literacy and ability to engage with the people, and fully commit themselves to performing their duties, so as to win the Party's trust, gain respect from the society and enjoy a good reputation among young people with down-to-earth achievements.

At the end of the meeting, Xi stressed that Party committees (leading Party members' groups) at all levels should adhere to the principle that the Party exercises leadership over the work concerning the youth, strengthen their leadership over and support for the work of the CYLC, establish and improve a working paradigm under which all departments work together under the Party's leadership to promote the work related to the youth, and support the CYLC in doing its work in an innovative way. Leading officials at all levels should do whatever they can to become the confidants of young people, and guides for their future development.

A Dong, first secretary of the Secretariat of the 19th CYLC Central Committee, reported on the convening of the 19th CYLC national congress and its first plenary session, as well as the considerations for implementing the spirit of the Party Central Committee. The secretaries of the Secretariat of the CYLC Central Committee Xu Xiao, Wang Yi, Hu Baijing, Hu Sheng, Shapkat Wushur, and Yu Jing, respectively delivered speeches.

Shi Taifeng, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Chen Wenqing, Liu Jinguo, and Wang Xiaohong were present at the meeting. 
Culture's Biggest Night was one for the books. The BET Awards 2023 is officially in the rearview, and below, we've rounded up the best moments of the night and everything you might have missed from the nearly four hour-long ceremony. There were surprise performances, show-stopping medleys and guest appearances, and big wins for some of the biggest names in entertainment, including SZA, Latto, Beyonce, Drake, Coco Jones, and more.

The BET Awards 2023 were held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 25. The awards show went without a host for the first time in its 23-year history, as a result of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. (More on that here.) Even without a script, the show did not disappoint. Throughout the night, Hip Hop's 50th anniversary was celebrated by artists from across the nation and the globe  Nigeria, South Africa, and Jamaica were all in the house. Special medley performances honored Hip Hop's life thus far, from its golden era all the way to its streaming age.

Related: All the Looks You Might Have Missed from the BET Awards 2023

A few of the most memorable moments of the evening included Patti LaBelle's tribute to Tina Turner, who passed in late May, and Busta Rhymes's passionate, teary-eyed, 13-minute long acceptance speech for the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Keep scrolling to check out our full highlight reel of the 2023 BET Awards below.

Quavo and Offset reunited onstage to pay tribute to Takeoff

Seven months after the fatal shooting of Takeoff, one-third of Migos, groupmates Quavo and Offset made a surprise reunion onstage to honor their late friend and nephew. Offset and Quavo have been rumored to be estranged for months, which makes this public reunion even more significant. The two were both present at a celebration of life for Takeoff last week, on what would have been the rapper's 29th birthday. Quavo and Offset played a part of Takeoff's opening verse in Hotel Lobby" before declaring Do it for Take," as a titan-sized image of Takeoff took up the stage screen behind them. The two remaining Migos then launched into their 2016 smash hit Bad and Boujee" with the entire crowd on their feet.

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Coco Jones teared up while accepting the award for Best New Artist

Coco Jones got her flowers last night. The ICU singer took home the trophy for 2023's Best New Artist and delivered an emotional speech that held a special message for Black girls. I just wanna thank God so much for keeping me when I didnt understand, said Jones. And for all of my Black girls, we do have to fight a little harder to get what we deserve, but dont stop fighting. Even when it doesnt make sense, youre not sure how youre going to get out of those circumstances. Keep pushing. Cause we are deserving of great things, yall. And I'ma continue to give yall my everything.

Sexyy Red performed her hit Pound Town from the audience

What happens when you put a commercial break and a breakout star together? Magic, of course. As her song played in between the live broadcast, Sexyy Red delivered an impromptu performance of her viral hit Pound Town, hyping up the audience members around her and twerking in the aisle. We love to see it.

Ice Spice recreated her neighborhood in the Bronx for her medley performance

For a 3-song medley of her hits Munch (Feelin U), Princess Diana, and In Ha Mood, Ice Spice recreated her local subway stop from her hometown of the Bronx. The set design was immaculate, with her producing partner Riot playing DJ from the inside of a bodega. The June Teen Vogue cover star even recreated the basketball court scene from her Munch music video  descending from the air while sitting on a basketball hoop like a true Fordham fairy.

Latto shouted out other female rappers while accepting the Best Female Hip Hop Artist award  and wore only one shoe

Wardrobe malfunctions don't stop a B*tch From Da Souf. While accepting her award for Best Female Hip Hop Artist  which had previously gone to Megan Thee Stallion three years in a row  Latto's high heel got caught on the train of her gown. In a fitting move, she put it on the floor and left it there. Child, I've got one heel on, one heel off, she laughed. While expressing her gratitude, Latto also took the time to shout out a few of the female rappers she felt should have been included in this year's category, too. Doechii, I love you, baby; Maiya The Don; Flo Milli Mello Buckzz, TiaCorine. Shout-out to all the women. We killin' it. This is the year of the female, year of women. Hopefully, we gon' see an all-female tour. You feel me? Very soon. Keep killin' it.

Teyana Taylor won Video Director of the Year, and accepted her award on FaceTime

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Busta Rhymes's moving Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech

When you're in the presence of a musical legend, you let them spout wisdom with no time limit. While accepting the biggest award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Hip Hop innovator Busta Rhymes spoke for a little over 13 minutes. "So, I'm gonna wear it on my sleeve. I do wanna cry," he started. Busta took the crowd through a brief reflection of his storied career, and then urged the new school of Hip Hop to prioritize unity. Stop these little petty beefs that we be doing Yall messing up the bag. Y'all messing up the energy, said Busta. "I don't like when I talk to these dudes that run these streaming platforms and they talking about, You know, we turning the consumer off because there's so much little this and little that going on with you rappers. Were gonna stop that. We're gonna love each other, and we gonna get to this money." Period.

Busta's tribute performance featured artists like BIA, Cutty Ranks, Dexta Daps, M.O.P., Rah Digga, Scar Lip, Spice, Super Cat, Swizz Beatz, and Coi Leray. Speaking of

Coi Leray paid tribute to more than 20 female rappers with her stage look

BET Awards 2023 - Show Getty Images

Coi Leray took the stage as a guest during Busta Rhymes's triumphant marquee performance, wearing arguably the most iconic 'fit of the night: a matching set emblazoned with the names of other female rappers, those both her elders and her peers. Leray wore the names of lady emcees like Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, City Girls, Young M.A., GloRilla, Doechii, Saweetie, Queen Latifah, Ice Spice, Roxanne Shante, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Latto, and many more. Leray commented on the design process of her stage look on Instagram: Shout out @otheezycreatedit for pulling this look off!! I had an idea and the way she brought it to life I couldnt even imagine!! HIPHOP 4EVER .

Almost every rapper on Earth came out to celebrate Hip Hop's 50th anniversary in gigantic tribute

In the most full-bodied 50th anniversary tribute we've seen yet, led by Hip Hop giant Kid Capri, rappers from all over the nation graced the BET Awards stage to pay tribute to the genre that has changed the world forevermore: Sugarhill Gang, MC Lyte, D-Nice, Big Daddy Kane, E-40, Tyga, Yo-Yo, Trick Daddy, Trina, Uncle Luke, Doechii, Trillville, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Ja Rule, Fabolous, 69 Boyz, Chief Keef, DJ Unk, Fast Life Yungstaz, Kid 'n Play, Master P, Soulja Boy, Warren G, and Ying Yang Twins. Happy 50th birthday Hip Hop!

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more great Culture stories from Teen Vogue? Check these out:
MILAN  You can rub its oils on aches and pains, fuel a vehicle with it, smoke its leaves, and now you can even wrap your body in luxuriantly fresh fabrics made from its fibers. As consumers reconsider the sustainable qualities of cotton, fibers from the stalks of the cannabis sativa plant had been providing a viable alternate option, even reaching into the realm of luxurious.

On a little side street called Via Parini in Turin, the former Italian capital, women of a variety of races and creeds are sewing hemp sheets through their work with Color Vivi, a social enterprise that affords women a new lease on life. Their finished products are destined for an upscale, niche brand called Casa Parini. The company was founded by Viola Stancati, a writer and voice on sustainable fashion whose grandfather worked at the same address as a textile-maker 60 years ago.

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Raised in Rome, Stancati has written for the likes of vanguard magazines like Harpers Bazaar Italia, bringing to the fore ethical and sustainable solutions. She had an epiphany one day when, realizing there was a gap in the bedding industry, as major players like Zara Home and Ikea mostly use cotton and linen. Even organic cotton has serious issues especially with regards to water consumption, she said. Hemp, however, needs minimal water, about a third that of organic cotton.

According to WWF, cotton production is associated with runoff of pesticides, fertilizers and minerals from cotton fields that can contaminate rivers, lakes, wetlands and underground aquifers. These pollutants affect biodiversity directly by immediate toxicity or indirectly through long-term accumulation.

It takes 10,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of cotton. Global cotton production requires more than 250 billion tons of water annually, according to environmental awareness platform The World Counts.

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Cozy and soft like cotton in some cases, hemp fabrics are replacing cotton as a sustainable alternative for bedding and home across the board. From Crate & Barrel to the boho chic brands of Europe, the home and decor industry is banking on its ecologically low-impact and commercial appeal. In Italy, where sheets are traditionally hung dry and ironed, hemp fabrics have a refined quality that gets better over time, Stancati explained.

The 33-year-old said her sales have doubled in the last year and its time to expand production. Casa Parini sheets are currently sold on upscale platforms like Artemest, where a duvet cover retails for 250 euros, for now.

Aside from the work we do with Colori Vivi, we have recently decided to move part of our production [to] Tuscany, in a small female-run sartorial lab near Prato that has been producing bedding for over 30 years. This allows us to satisfy our production needs without putting too much strain and on the women of the social enterprise, she said.

Casa Parini has in fact chosen to use only natural hemp, from cannabis plants grown without pesticides, considered one of the most ecological in the world, not to mention beneficial for sleep because its breathable and thermoregulatory.

Viola Stancati

Co-branding within the home and decor sector is key, and co-branding is ever more present, Stancati explained. Fashion brands and departments stores are looking to small brands like ours to diversify their offering and be aligned with more sustainable values. Case in point, Casa Parini created the A Notte, a CBD pillow spray in collaboration with Adesso Beauty, in order to complement its sheets for the perfect nights sleep.

Casa Parini has also teamed up with Italian ready-to-wear label Erika Cavallini for bedding sets to be sold on the brands website in the near term.

Casa Parini bedding.

Italian interior designers are also embracing hemp as a high-end fabric that exudes a sense of calm throughout the home, explained Marialaura Rossiello Irvine of Studio Irvine in Milan. The architectural designer added that she recently experimented with hemp, mixing it with natural clay and then put the mixture on a wall to create a three-dimensional material effect.

For the bedroom, for example, a headboard can be replaced with this material, applied onto a boiserie or directly on the wall. [Hemp] is the perfect color and perfect material for the bedroom, which is intended for rest, Irvine said.

Architect and designer Giuseppe Porcelli reflected that attitudes and focus on wellness are also elevating hemp as a luxury fabric. We live in a time where there is an extreme focus on natural materials in general, and in particular on the fabrics we wear and the materials we choose to upholster the furniture on which we sit or sleep, he said.

According to The Sustainable Angle, which hosts the Future Fabrics Expo, the future for luxury conglomerates could possibly be hemp, the organization told WWD last year, noting a high content of hemp together with cotton immediately brings down the environmental impact. The organization, which partnered with LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton to support the focus on biodiversity last year, added that the plant doesnt need to be irrigated, and it grows in temperate climates which makes it beneficial to those who live close to the Northern Hemisphere and where there is a higher consumption of textiles due to the weather.

When asked how hemp has shed its reputation for earthy crunchy it earned in the 90s to its luxury status of today, Stancati said that limited demand is the main factor.

A bit how cashmere once was. They made less of it so it was more expansive, now that the production has expanded the luxury of it is decreasing in a way, she explained.

Porcelli, whose work on elegant spaces is distinguished by his generous use and flair for fabrics, agreed. There is nothing but talk about quiet luxury. I believe that a material like hemp, especially considering its neutral tones and the raw textures, can find a place in the world of luxury. Many brands, both fashion and furniture, have built their storytelling around these natural materials indeed.

Casa Parini bedding.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
Opening Plenary with Li Qiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China World Economic Forum/Benedikt von Loebell

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the idea of reducing dependency on China is a forced proposition.

Li said companies  not governments or organizations  should have the freedom to assess risks.

The US-China trade war has impacted manufacturing exports, particularly in the semiconductor industry.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang criticized governments in the West for their idea of reducing dependency on China.

In his opening remarks at the World Economic Forum's "summer Davos" in Tianjin on Tuesday, Li said that "some in the West are hyping up the so-called phraseologies of reducing dependencies and de-risking."

"These two concepts are forced propositions," he added.

What is de-risking?

The word de-risk has been thrown around a lot this year in the context of China. It means reducing any form of economic vulnerability to a country without damaging trade or investment.

The word de-risk first made an appearance in March in a speech made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"I believe it is neither viable  nor in Europe's interest  to decouple from China. Our relations are not black or white  and our response cannot be either. This is why we need to focus on de-risk  not de-couple," she said.

Subsequently, the G7 caught wind of the word. The group endorsed de-risk in its communique, writing that it was taking concrete steps to "coordinate our approach to economic resilience and economic security that is based on diversifying and deepening partnerships and de-risking, not de-coupling."

Li slammed this strategy in his speech on Tuesday and said it is for companies to decide, not governments. He said if there is risk in a certain industry, it is not the call or decision by a particular organization or government.

"It is businesses that are most sensitive and are in the best position to assess such risks. They should be left to come to their own conclusions and make their own choice," Li said, adding that governments and relevant organizations should not overreach.

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Opening Plenary with Li Qiang, Premier of the People's Republic of China World Economic Forum/Benedikt von Loebell

Why does de-risking matter?

China and the US have been in a trade war since 2018. It started when then-President Trump imposed duties on over $300 billion of Chinese exports. According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, the trade war of 2018-19 devastated US exports to China.

These figures grew slightly in 2022 with imports and exports totalling $690.6 billion, according to official estimates. However, tensions continue to dominate the relationship between the two countries.

A big sticking point for the two nations is the US manufacturing exports to China. "Prior to the trade war, manufacturing was 44 percent of total US goods and services exports to China  the largest component of pre-trade war commerce. By 2022, that had fallen to 41 percent," according to the Peterson Institute.

The manufacturing exports include semiconductors, equipment, aircraft engines and parts, and auto parts.

In a research note, JP Morgan wrote that semiconductors are at the heart of the US-China trade relationship. At the peak of Trump's presidency, the US government imposed a 25% tariff on US imports of semiconductors and other goods from China. According to industry experts, this has resulted in a 3.1% price increase.

"According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, about 75% of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity is concentrated in China and East Asia while 100% of advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity is located in Taiwan (92%) and South Korea (8%)," per the JP Morgan note.

JP Morgan argues that with the world's most advanced semiconductors being manufactured in Taiwan, its tech dominance is deep-rooted and any material disruption could bring the semiconductor supply chain to its knees.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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The expert solution for your curing setup.

Food & Wine / Alli Waataja

Charcuterie extends beyond the trendy and visually appealing cheese and meat boards that are ever-present on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. It's a comprehensive French term encompassing various curing methods for products such as terrines, pates, sausages, salami, ham, and more. While readily available options like salami and prosciutto can be easily obtained from grocery stores, a dedicated community of curing enthusiasts prefers experimenting with homemade recipes. These individuals passionately engage in curing meat in their own specially designed chambers. Among them is Jason Molinari, an engineer and blogger specializing in cured meats raised in Milan who came to the States to attend school at Georgia Tech. Molinaris interest began with recreating the cotechino sausage traditionally eaten on New Years in Italy with lentils. That was the beginning of his obsession with everything cured meats.

I started trying to understand the processes behind it, says Molinari. The chemistry and physical processes behind it as far as it pertains to fermentation of products and how that achieves safety standards. I started digging into the scientific literature to understand what was going on in the process. At that point, it became more trial and error, starting with some whole muscle.

There are several styles of curing, each with its unique processes. One popular method is sausage curing, which involves the mixture of spices, curing salt, and meat, followed by aging in a refrigerator. Another traditional approach is dry-curing, where the meat is thoroughly coated with salt and spices for extended periods. During this process, the salt extracts moisture from the meat while preserving it. Examples of dry-cured meats include bresaola, pancetta, and lardo. Equilibrium curing is a more precise technique that requires calculating the appropriate salt-to-meat ratio based on the weight of the meat. Alternatively, brine curing entails submerging or injecting the meat with a wet curing solution. Lastly, combination curing combines elements of both dry and wet curing methods.

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While investing in a fully equipped curing chamber such as this one is possible, many home curing enthusiasts prefer to construct their setups due to the apparent cost. By utilizing a refrigerator and a carefully selected assortment of additional tools and equipment recommended by experts like Molinari, anyone can embark on the rewarding journey of curing meat at home without a significant financial investment.

Drawing upon his expertise and our own insights, we have compiled a collection of the best tools for curing meats at home, ranging from the essential components needed for constructing a curing chamber to an electronic slicer for achieving the perfect final product.

Meat Grinder

KitchenAid KSMMGA Metal Food Grinder Attachment

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For years and years, I used a KitchenAid grinder, so that's perfectly adequate, says Molinari. The KitchenAid Metal Food Grinder attachment is a versatile tool every KitchenAid Stand Mixer owner needs. The set includes fine, medium, and coarse grinding plates, which can work with various ingredients and textures. You can pre-chill the grinder before use, so the meat is kept cold for the easier grinder. The larger food tray means you can process more products simultaneously, saving time. There are two feeding tubes for sausage stuffing, and the attachment comes with a storage case.

If you dont have a KitchenAid Stand mixer or prefer a stand-alone meat grinder, our favorite, the STX International Turboforce 3000 Electric Meat Grinder, impressed us with its power and abundance of accessories. It easily processes large quantities of product and is also easy to clean.

Price at time of publish: $100 and $160

Digital Pocket Scale

Weigh Gram Digital Pocket Scale

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The scale is probably one of the most important items because, especially these additives, you're dealing with quarters of percentages, says Molinari. So less than single grams or less.

Most scales cannot measure the microscopic amount of additives you need for curing. With a maximum capacity of 200g and a readability of 0.01g, the Weigh Gram Scale 200g Series Pocket Scale ensures precise measurements every time. The stainless steel platform and protective flip cover make this pocket scale lightweight and portable, perfect for on-the-go use. The easy touch buttons and large LCD with blue backlit illumination allow easy reading in all lighting conditions. This pocket scale offers four different weight modes for versatile use and includes a tare function for net determination. It also conserves battery life with a 60-second auto shut-off feature.

Price at time of publish: $11

Sausage Stuffer

LEM Mighty Bite 5 lb Sausage Stuffer

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A sausage stuffer helps fill salami and fresh sausage casings with meat mixture. It makes the process much easier. This single-gear stainless steel stuffer has carbon steel gears crafted to eliminate slippage and wear and ensure long-lasting durability. The stainless steel construction resists rust and prevents the accumulation of bacteria. It is also easier to clean than sausage stuffers because you can pop them in the dishwasher. For those interested in making smaller-sized snack sticks (think SlimJim), a Stuffing Tube is available as a separate accessory. The stuffer also comes with a storage case.

Price at time of publish: $180

Related: How to Grind Meat at Home

Refrigerator

Samsung RT21M6213SG 21.1 Cu. Ft. 33-Inch Top-Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone

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While it may lack some extra features in higher-end models, this Stainless Steel Samsung refrigerator does its job effectively. It makes an excellent curing chamber thanks to its FlexZone technology, which allows you to change the top part from freezer to fridge. That means even more room for curing. The FlexZone technology helps maintain optimal humidity levels, ensuring your food stays fresh longer. The built-in ice maker adds convenience, but if you prefer more freezer space or intend to use it as a secondary fridge or curing fridge, you can opt for the version without the ice maker. The adjustable shelves and door storage in the freezer provide flexibility for organizing your food, and the exterior features a fingerprint-resistant coating and recessed/reversible handles, giving it a sleek and modern look. The reversible door hinge allows you to customize the fridge's configuration to suit your space.

Price at time of publish: $1,215

Related: The 9 Best Refrigerators for Every Kitchen

Digital Temperature and Humidity Controller

Inkbird ITC-308 Temperature Controller with IHC-200 Humidity Controller

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When curing, your goal is to maintain your curing chamber within a specific temperature and humidity range. "The general idea when we're turning a fridge into a curing chamber is what we want to control temperature through a temperature controller and humidity through an ultrasonic humidifier and a humidity controller," says Molinari.

These Inkbird Plug-n-Play temperature and humidity controllers are user-friendly and easy to set up. All these temperature and humidity controllers didn't exist for the hobbyist, says Molinari. Now, a couple of companies make plug-and-play devices where you plug the fridge into it, you plug the humidifier into it, you set your values, and away it goes."

The built-in programmable temperature controllers offer custom adjustments for high and low temperature/humidity alarms, providing flexibility and control. It plugs in the fridge and humidifier and allows you to set the temperature and humidity values. The controller turns the fridge and humidifier on and off to achieve those settings, creating the ideal environment to cure and dry your meats. Each controller features dual relays with two power outlets, connecting heating equipment, ventilation fans, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. It's an excellent choice for people looking to build DIY ventilation systems or regulate the temperature in grow tents, home brewing, mushroom cultivation, and mini-greenhouses.

Price at time of publish: $73

Related: The Best Charcuterie Boards for Perfect Grazing

Humidifier

Crane Filter-Free Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Anrdoezrs.net

Since you are trying to maintain a humidity above your normal home environment (say 70% versus the 40% one would typically keep their house at), a humidifier is key to the setup. Molinari says a humidifier with an on-and-off switch is best so the digital and humidity controller (from above) can operate it. He recommends the Crane Drop Ultrasonic Humidifier. Its a reliable solution for maintaining optimal humidity levels in small to large rooms. Its easy-to-clean, detachable top fill tank has a one-gallon capacity, providing up to 24 hours of continuous humidification for spaces up to 500 square feet. You can easily customize the humidity level with adjustable settings and a filter slot to suit your needs. While it is an excellent solution for a curing chamber, it is also helpful for other spaces, such as bedrooms or children's rooms. It also doubles as a diffuser with optional vapor pads or essential oil pads and has a color-changing nightlight.

Price at time of publish: $60

Meat Slicer

Weston Electric Meat Cutting Machine, Deli & Food Slicer

Buy at Amazon.com

Buy at Anrdoezrs.net

This home kitchen meat slicer is affordable for anyone looking to slice meat at home. The adjustable thickness control allows paper-thin slices or thick cuts. The belt-driven motor keeps operation quiet, and the compact design makes storage effortless. The slicer has a sturdy base with suctioned feet, so the slicer stays in place while in use. The food pusher has teeth, so the food is secured and the results consistent. The corrosion-resistant coated steel and aluminum housing ensures durability.

Price at time of publish: $120

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to make my own cured meats at home?

Curing meat at home involves a certain level of risk, so it's essential to research thoroughly, follow reliable recipes from trusted sources, and pay close attention to food safety guidelines to ensure a safe and delicious end product.

Does meat quality matter?

Yes, using quality meat when making your own cured meats at home is essential since it will affect the end product. There are numerous sources online for great meat, including our list of the best meat subscriptions.

Do I need a curing chamber to make cured meats?

No. You can make some recipes on your refrigerator between 34-40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use a cool basement or cellar or natural air flow with certain recipes by hanging the meat in a well-ventilated area.

What are the essential ingredients for curing meat?

The main ingredients used for curing meat are salts, nitrites, and nitrates, both artificial and naturally occurring ones. Other materials, such as herbs and spices, can control the flavor of the end product.

What if I need more guidance on how to make cured meats?

There are numerous books out there by masters that can teach you how to make cured meats, such "The Art of Charcuterie" by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Paul Bertolli's "Cooking By Hand," "Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing" by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn, and "In the Charcuterie: The Fatted Calf's Guide to Making Sausage, Salumi, Pates, Roasts, Confits, and Other Meaty Goods" by Taylor Boetticher and Toponia Miller.

Our Expertise

Jennifer Zyman is a Senior Commerce Writer for Food & Wine and a former restaurant critic with a culinary school degree and over 15 years of food writing experience. Her work has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Bon Appetit, Eater Atlanta, The Kitchn, Local Palate, National Geographic, Simply Recipes, Southern Living, and Thrillist. She wrote this story using testing data, research, and expert advice from home-curing enthusiast Jason Molinari.

Related: Charcuterie

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
OCALA, Fla. -- A Florida prosecutor decided a woman accused of fatally shooting her neighbor after a long-running neighborhood feud will face a manslaughter charge, not a second-degree murder charge.

Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm earlier in June after she allegedly shot Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens, 35, through a closed front door in their Ocala neighborhood. Owens' death sparked protests from community members and civil rights leaders who felt Lorincz's arrest took too long and the charges, which she still faces, weren't sufficiently severe.

Owens' family and others in the community called for an upgrade to second-degree murder. State Attorney Bill Gladson said in order to prosecute Lorincz for that crime, the state would have to prove beyond a 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," Gladson 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."

Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens

Owens' family, attorney 'disappointed' by decision

Anthony D. Thomas, who is representing Owens' family alongside civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, said the family is concerned that if Lorincz is released early, it would be a slap in the face for Owens' children.

"We're disappointed," Thomas said. But, he said Owens' family is "hopeful that there will be a conviction."

Lorincz is being represented by public defenders. Michael Graves, head of the public defender's office, told the Ocala Star-Banner, part of the USA TODAY Network, his office had no comment on Gladson's decision.

State attorney faces threats, protests over charging decision

State Attorney Bill Gladson addresses a crowd of protestors who came to ask questions about the investigation into the shooting death of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens prior to Susan Lorincz's arrest. Owens was shot while standing outside her neighbor's door June 2 in Ocala.

Gladson said his office also chose not to file three other charges that Lorincz could have faced: misdemeanor assault, misdemeanor culpable negligence and misdemeanor battery.

Story continues

Dozens of people protested in front of the Marion County Judicial Center on Monday. The state attorney's office has been flooded with calls from people upset that Lorincz was being held on only a manslaughter charge.

Regina A. Pines is accused of calling the Ocala state attorney's office and threatening to shoot Gladson if he didn't upgrade the criminal charge against Lorincz. Pines, 31, was arrested Friday on a charge of corruption by threat against a public servant and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

Lorincz faces 30 years in prison

Lorincz also faces one count of assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, for allegedly threatening one of Owens' children. If convicted of both charges, Lorincz could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.

Lorincz's arraignment is scheduled for July. As of Monday, Lorincz remained in the county jail with bail set at $154,000.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: In AJ Owens killing, charges won't shift from manslaughter to murder
The Indochinese leopard is dangerously close to becoming extinct in Cambodia, according to wild cat conservationists, who spent more than a decade looking for the creatures and found just 35.

According to a report from Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization, researchers set up hundreds of cameras in two protected areas in Cambodias Eastern Plains Landscape between 2009 and 2019.

During that period, they only spotted 35 adult Indochinese leopards, and when they returned in 2021, not a single leopard could be seen.

That prompted the scientists to conclude the species was no longer viable to reproduce for the next generation, according to the report, compiled with Oxford Universitys WildCRU and published in Biological Conservation.

Historically, the Indochinese leopard was found throughout Indochina  spanning Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and parts of southeastern China  but almost all the territory they once roamed has disappeared due to human encroachment.

During the period of the study, human activity in Cambodia surged 20-fold and the likelihood of getting caught in lethal traps soared 1,000-fold, the report said.

Poaching in the region is driven by a high demand for wild meat, which is considered to be a delicacy or status symbol of middle and upper-class urban consumers in Cambodia, the report noted.

Hunters also target the wild cats for their thick, spotted coats, and habitat loss has caused the leopards prey populations to decline dramatically.

The World Wide Fund estimates there are some 12 million snares dotting eastern Indochina, adversely affecting 700 mammal species in the region including the Asian elephant and Sumatran rhinoceros.

Only 35 adult Indochinese leopards were seen between 2009 to 2021 in Cambodia, conservationist group Panthera found. - Panthera/WildCRU/WWF Cambodia/FA

Cambodia, which has been ruled by Prime Minister Hun Sen for more than three decades, has long suffered from entrenched corruption. Transparency International ranks it at 150 out of 180 countries in its annual Corruptions Perceptions Index, towards the very bottom of the table.

Story continues

The Southeast Asian country has also suffered some of the highest rates of deforestation of any nation since the 1970s, according to the Global Forest Watch, which estimates that Cambodia has lost about 557,000 hectares of tree cover in protected area between 2001 and 2018.

Activists often risk their lives to protect Cambodias forests, and in 2022, five journalists who were covering a huge deforestation operation in southern Cambodia, were violently arrested, according to Reporters Without Borders.

No consolidated conservation initiative targeting Indochinese leopards exists due to a lack of funding, and despite ramped up law enforcement against poaching by local authorities over the past decade, the scale of the illegal wildlife trade is unprecedented, the report added.

Without the global communitys injection of expeditious resources to prevent the Indochinese leopard from disappearing in the last two remaining strongholds, we will lose this unique subspecies from the planet forever, said Susana Rostro-Garcia, Panthera conservation scientist and lead author of the report.

While leopards are vanishing from Cambodia, their numbers in the wild along the Thailand-Myanmar border and Peninsular Malaysia are unknown and are likely less than 900, Rostro-Garcia added.

Gareth Mann, Pantheras leopard program director, said: It is disheartening to see the long-overlooked leopard follow the same fate of the tiger in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Punishing hunters alone arent enough to put an end to the loss of wildlife, as researchers called on nationwide efforts to proactively reduce the consumption of game meat.

Just as Indochina now serves as ground zero for tiger poaching and conservation, it is also where the global and conservation community must fully invest our efforts to save the leopard, hand-in-hand with the governments of Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar.

The leopard species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while the Indochinese leopard subspecies is classified as critically endangered.

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on strike sign at protests

European vacations and getaways are a top pick for travelers venturing across the water this summer. However, many American travelers may not realize the strife underway in Europe that could negatively impact their travel plans.

Many countries are experiencing mass protests and worker strikes that are crippling their local travel and tourism industries. Delays and cancellations to destinations like France, Spain, and Italy hang in the balance as disgruntled protesters demand changes. With wage disputes, pension reform, and reduced flights all bubbling to the brim, travelers should expect delays and cancellations this summer, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Traveler experts are recommending travelers plan ahead if they intend to travel to certain European countries. Due to expected cancellations and flight delays, travelers should confirm all flights before heading to the airport, allow additional time to check in, and postpone checking out of accommodations until they receive their flight confirmation. Heres what travelers can expect when heading to Europe to explore this summer.

Photo credit: Rosemary Ketchum

France

Believe it or not, the Parisian city of love has not been so lovely these past few months. In fact, many cities throughout France have gotten downright grimy as protestors and workers resist the pension reform changes. According to AFAR, many French citizens are upset following the increase in the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The bill passed on April 14 and citizens have not stopped fighting back since, leading to major demonstrations in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Back in March, intense protests and clashes between protesters and police disrupted both train and airline services. The mayhem even temporarily shut down the Eiffel Tower.

The US Embassy in Paris has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the city under a demonstration alert. With protests seemingly being unpredictable, those visiting France this summer could see delays if the demonstrations trickle back into the countrys travel industry.

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Italy

If protests persist in Italy, travelers should definitely expect a delay in visiting the country. Recently, baggage workers and air traffic controllers initiated a 24-hour strike. Airports in Milan, Naples, Rome, Pisa, and Florence were all disrupted by the one-day strike, causing Ryanair to reduce flights.

A national transportation strike will also be taking place in Italy on July 7. Officials are expecting ferry boats, buses, trains, and airport ground crews to be impacted by the strike. Travelers should also expect delays on July 15 when traffic controllers rejoin the strike, according to The Local Italy.

Sweden

There will be multiple strikes in Sweden this summer involving transportation workers. Security contractors will be on strike in July. This will impact airports in Stockholm, Rome, and Gothenburg Landvetter on July 3, July 7, July 10, and July 14, according to The Jerusalem Post. Travelers should also expect disruptions at Stockholms Arlanda airport from July 5 to July 6 and also on July 12 and 13.
We see stones piled up near the grass along the Nile River.

A vast number of stone walls spread across more than 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) of the Nile River were constructed over a period of 3,000 years and "functioned as flood and flow control structures," new research reveals.

The walls, called "groynes," stretch from the first cataract of the Nile River, in what is now Egypt, to the fourth cataract, in what is now Sudan. To study the groynes, researchers used a mix of satellite and aerial photography, as well as ground survey and archaeological excavation. They looked at aerial photographs of the region taken decades ago to document groynes that are now heavily damaged or destroyed, as well as interviewed local people. In total, the researchers documented more than 1,200 groynes, the team wrote in a paper published May 27 in the journal Geoarchaeology .

The groynes appear to have been built over a span of thousands of years. Some examples found near the ancient site of Amara West, in modern-day Sudan, date back more than 3,000 years, but others are only decades old. Some may have been constructed when ancient Egypt controlled the area, while others were built at a time when the Kingdom of Kush, or various other states flourished in the region.

"Around 10% of the groynes we surveyed have a distinctive construction technique also seen in medieval stone buildings in the area," Matthew Dalton , a research associate at the University of Western Australia and lead author of the paper, told Live Science in an email. "Some were built in living memory, as recently as the 1970s."

Related: Vanished arm of Nile helped ancient Egyptians transport pyramid materials

We see black stones in a vast line from an old wall in the desert sand.

The sizes of the stone walls vary. Some are small and were likely built by an individual or small group in a matter of days, Dalton said, while some are immense. One example, found at an ancient site called Soleb in modern-day Sudan, is about 2,300 feet (700 meters) long (and 13 feet (4 m) wide, and is made of quartz boulders weighing 220 pounds (100 kilograms) or more, Dalton said. The wall's height in ancient times is unclear, but based on its remains, it would have taken at least 1,680 tons (1,520 metric tons) of quartz to build it, he added.

Story continues

Modern-day farmers in the region that researchers interviewed said that walls like these help capture silt from floods, which makes the soil more fertile. The walls also help prevent erosion by the Nile River, the farmers said.

related stories

Was ancient Egypt a desert?

110 ancient Egyptian tombs, including baby burials, found along Nile

Ancient Egyptian queen's bracelets contain 1st evidence of long-distance trade between Egypt and Greece

"The groynes that the team describe from the Nile Valley are very interesting and [consistent] with observations of other water-management systems across Egypt during the period [in ancient times]," Judith Bunbury , a geoarchaeologist at the University of Cambridge who wasn't involved in the research, told Live Science in an email.

Some of the groynes appear to date to the Kerma period, which lasted from roughly 2500 B.C. to 1500 B.C., said Julia Budka , a professor of Egyptian archaeology and art at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich who has studied groynes at a number of sites in Sudan.

Budka, who was not involved in the research, said she agrees with the authors that the construction of groynes is "a very long-lasting tradition, clearly based in indigenous knowledge in Sudan."
A squirrel climbing down a tree in a tropical rainforest at night

Flying squirrels in China have developed a clever way to hide their nuts  chewing grooves in them so they can be stored between tree branches.

The unusual behavior, seen in two species in the tropical rainforests of Hainan Island, may preserve the critters' food for longer than burying the nuts in the moist forest floor, scientists said.

"Only these two flying squirrel [species] have this technique and no other squirrel species or animals are known to have this ability," Han Xu , professor of ecology at the Chinese Academy of Forestry in China, told Live Science. The findings were published June 13 in the journal eLife .

Related: Watch squirrels perform parkour-like stunts for peanuts

To capture the unusual behavior, Han and his colleagues set up 32 infrared cameras across 13.5 acres (5.5 hectares) of rainforest where they had found 151 nuts wedged between tree branches. Most of the nuts were stored between 5 and 8 feet (1.5 to 2.5 m) above the ground.

After analyzing the recordings, the researchers found that Indochinese flying squirrels (Hylopetes phayrei) and particolored flying squirrels (Hylopetes alboniger) nibbled at grooves in the nuts and adjusted how the nuts were positioned between Y-shaped tree branches so that the twigs fit better into nuts' furrows.

a squirrel hiding nuts in a tree

When the researchers checked on the stored nuts three and a half months later, they found the nuts had not germinated. As nuts stored in the ground typically germinate within two to three months, the team think the unique storage technique might help preserve the nuts for longer, said Xu.

"We also think the squirrels may have learned the habit from individuals that first invented the storage technique," said Han.

Other experts not involved in the study told Live Science the findings help shine a light on ways animals adapt to environmental challenges.

RELATED STORIES

How do squirrels remember where they buried their nuts?

30,000-year-old fur ball hidden in Canadian permafrost is actually a mummified squirrel

Story continues

Why do dogs bury bones?

Other experts not involved in the study told Live Science the findings help shine a light on ways animals adapt to environmental challenges.

"This is an important and valuable discovery on flying squirrels' hoarding behavior," Pizza Ka Yee Chow , whose research at the University of Chester in the U.K. focuses on animal behavior and cognition, told Live Science. "The suggestion on storing nuts in the fork of twigs to avoid germination is possible, and it is always interesting to see how animals develop surprising and effective ways to overcome challenges from their environment."

But the behavior is not so different to previously described squirrel behaviors, said Nathanael Lichti , a landscape ecologist at Purdue University in Indiana. "There are many species of squirrels, chipmunks, and mice that gnaw on seeds to prepare them for storage, Lichti told Live Science.

In future, it would be interesting to explore whether the behavior is learned or innate; do young squirrels do it instinctively, or do they pick it up by watching adults? said Lichti.
Anadolu Agency - Getty Images

On June 14, a fishing boat overloaded with as many as 750 Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian, and Palestinian refugees and migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

Nearly two weeks later, in what the EU commissioner for home affairs is calling the worst tragedy ever to take place in the Mediterranean Sea, hundreds are still missing. Only 104 have been rescued alive, and at least 82 bodies have been recovered, per authorities.

Currently, officials are collecting DNA samples from people whose relatives were on the vessel to help in the identification of the bodies.

The migrantsmany who were seeking jobs and better lives in Europepaid thousands to smugglers for the dangerous voyage. Pakistan's government has launched a crackdown on the human traffickers thought to be responsible, and so far, police have arrested at least 17 people in connection with the case, per ABC News. Also, nine Egyptian men suspected of crewing the ship are in pretrial custody in Greece and awaiting charges including, potentially, participating in a criminal organization, manslaughter, and causing a shipwreck.

Meanwhile, the Greek coast guard has been widely criticized for not doing enough to save the migrants as the boat sank.



Below, see what you can do to help the survivors and fallen victims' families.

Donate to the IRC

The International Rescue Committee provides lifesaving medical services, funds, and other essential supplies and support to countries affected by devastating human crises, including Greece, Niger, Libya, and Italy. Donate here.

Donate to the UN Refugee Agency

The organization responds "whenever and wherever violence erupts or disaster strikes" by helping refugees rebuild their lives. It provides, among many things, cash assistance, household essentials, and education. Donate here.

Donate to the IOM

The International Organization for Migration is the leading UN agency working on migration. It protects and assists those displaced or stranded by crisis, and supports populations and their communities to recover. "We work to mitigate adverse drivers that force people from their homes, help build resilience and focus on reducing disaster risk so that movement and migration can be a choice," their site states. Donate here.

Story continues

Donate to Amnesty International

The nonprofit aims to help end human rights abuses of asylum-seekers, refugees, peaceful protesters, and people on the front lines of the worlds most pressing crises. Donate here.

Raise awareness

Seeking asylum is a human right, but it's important to raise awareness of the dangers that asylum seekers face when attempting to seek a better life, including deadly conditions during their journeys, scams and abuse from traffickers, and lack of regulations from governments around the issue.

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Aerial photo taken on Aug. 30, 2022 shows the scenery of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

YINCHUAN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Police in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region have cracked a tomb-raiding criminal gang and recovered hundreds of kilograms of ancient coins from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), according to local public security authorities.

In May, police in Helan County got a clue that some people were trading ancient coins in Tongxin County. Then, they found that these ancient coins had been unearthed from the Helan Mountain Nature Reserve.

Three suspects involved in trading of the ancient coins were caught on the spot and more than 300 kg of ancient coins dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279), worth over 500,000 yuan (about 69,350 U.S. dollars), were seized.

A total of seven suspects were arrested. The case is being further investigated. 
If you heard the roar of a jet engine and looked up to see a U.S. Air Force tanker Tuesday morning, you witnessed a flyover.

Air Force pilots conducted the flyovers to observe 100 years of air refueling  an important military role for Kansas with McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and the Air National Guard's Forbes Field in Topeka.

A KC-135R Stratotanker from the Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field is seen behind a KC-46A Pegasus from the Air Force Reserve's 931st Air Refueling Wing out at McConnell fly over the Kansas Statehouse Tuesday afternoon to mark 100 years of Kansas Air Refueling.

"Air refueling propels our Nation's air power across the skies, unleashing its full potential," said Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of the Air Mobility Command. "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."

Employees working downtown take a break to watch from the top of the Crosby Parking Garage Downtown as a KC-135R Stratotanker from the Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field trails behind a KC-46A Pegasus from the Air Force Reserve's 931st Air Refueling Wing out at McConnell Tuesday afternoon to mark 100 years of the division.

When and where did the flyovers happen?

10:23 a.m., Lawrence: University of Kansas, downtown

10:28 a.m., Topeka: Kansas State Capitol

10:38 a.m., Manhattan: Kansas State University

10:52 a.m., Salina: KSU Aerospace and Technology Campus

11:15 a.m., Wichita: Wichita State University

11:16 a.m., Wichita: Downtown and Keeper of the Plains

All times were approximate.

The flyovers gave civilians a greater view of the planes than is normally available to the public. They flew at about 2,000-2,500 feet above ground level during the flyovers, but later participated in air refueling operations at much higher altitudes.

Flyovers also happened across the country, with aircraft based in Kansas flying over Colorado and California.

What planes were in the flyover?

A KC-46 Pegasus and a KC-135 Stratotanker flew over several cities in Kansas.

McConnell Air Force Base's 22nd Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Wing participated in flyovers, but only the 931st was part of the Kansas mission.

The Wichita pilots flew a 46A Pegasus, and were joined by Topeka pilots flying a KC-135R Stratotanker from the Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing. That put two tankers over Kansas landmarks.

The two planes marking 100 years of the Air Forces Air Refueling wings out of McConnell Air Force Base and Forbes Field continue west over Topeka Tuesday afternoon during their national flyover.

McConnell was the first base to operate with the Pegasus, the military's newest tanker. The first KC-46 aircraft were delivered in 2019. Air refueling is the practice of transferring jet fuel from one aircraft to another while both aircraft are flying.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Why Air Force refueling tankers are flying over Kansas cities
SHANGHAI  Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, landed in Beijing on Tuesday, visiting key retail locations in the countrys capital city.

For his first post-pandemic China visit, Arnault made stops at SKP Beijing, China World Mall and WF Central in downtown Beijing and conducted store visits at LVMH brands such as Dior, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, Fendi and Bulgari.

More from WWD

According to social media posts shared on Xiaohongshu, the social-commerce platform, Arnault was accompanied by his daughter, Delphine Arnault, chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture; his youngest son, Jean Arnault, director of marketing and development, Louis Vuitton watches, and other top executives at LVMH.

According to Xiaohongshu, Arnault spent a particular amount of time at Dior boutiques. He also made a quick stop at Hermes SKP Beijing store.

Bernard Arnault and Delphine Arnault were seen leaving a Tiffany & Co. store at WF Central in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.

The Arnault entourage also stopped at The Espace Louis Vuitton in Beijing, a cultural and art space adjacent to the China World Mall that opened in 2017.

An LVMH spokesperson declined to comment on Arnaults China itinerary, but it is believed the LVMH chief will travel to Chengdu, then Shanghai, both key retail hubs for the luxury goods conglomerate in China.

In April, Arnault and senior members of the LVMH management team met with Wang Wentao, Chinas Minster of Commerce, in Paris. Arnault revealed that LVMH will participate in the sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai later this year. Wang expressed his satisfaction with the strength and diversity of the worlds largest luxury groups commitment to China, praising the many commercial and cultural contributions made by various brands under the group.

Arnaults China visit comes after a series of high-profile trips made by luxury executives to the country in recent months. Last Feburary, Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering, became the first luxury executive to visit China since the country reopened last December.

Story continues

Arnaults expected China visit was first reported by Reuters earlier this month.

Chinas post-COVID-19 recovery helped lift LVMHs first-quarter revenue by 17 percent. Asia, excluding Japan, registered 14 percent growth in the first quarter. Despite a swift rebound for the first half of 2023, an impending slowdown in the market meant that luxury players will continue to court big spenders in a bid to sustain the high level of growth seen during the past decade.

Louis Vuitton and Dior, two of the largest brands at LVMH, have been revamping their existing flagships and opening up exclusive salons to better serve super VIPs in China.

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
From our Boardr Boyz who just hit Korea with The Gonz. "Behold! Mark Gonzales! I got to take a trip with Mark to Seoul, South Korea. It was the first time for both of us. Rolling with Mark through a city is just what you think it would be...spontaneous, fun, and playful. Mark lives in the moment and does what he wants. But he's also ready to get down to business when it's time to work. The media really showed up for the opening of the Mark Gonzaels pop-up store."

So apparently there's a Mark Gonzales "store" in Korea? He's a brand now? I mean, it makes sense. Koreans and Japanese are into all different sorts of American culture so we're not really surprised. Those MG polos look sick. FA just opened what looks like a massive store over in Korea too.

And... a bar?

Next trip might have to be to Seoul to see what exactly is going on over there. Looks fun!

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The price hike, which is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will increase the tax on cruise passengers docking in Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini.

Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

Cruising to The Bahamas is going to get more expensive next year when the island nation implements a new passenger tax increase.

The price hike, which is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will increase the tax on cruise passengers docking in Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini from $18 to $23, Eyewitness News Bahamas reported. That will be even higher  $25  for passengers who head to a cruise lines private island without visiting another port in The Bahamas.

The tax increase was initially supposed to go into effect in July, but was postponed.

Nobody wants their taxes to increase. Theyve made certain representations. Weve taken those into consideration, tourism minister Chester Cooper said, according to Eyewitness News Bahamas, adding Suffice to say we have already given a seven months [delay] in the implementation of the tax. The tax does not come into force until January 2024.

In addition to the passenger tax, The Bahamas will implement a $5 tourism environmental tax and a $2 tourism enhancement tax for each cruise passenger.

Cooper said the taxes are essential to build roads and schools and docks and to revitalize Bay Street, The Tribune reported.

A representative for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism did not immediately respond to Travel + Leisure's request for comment.

Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy told Travel Weekly earlier this month the increased tax will affect travelers on a budget, and said she was hoping for a delay.

Look, if I'm on a budget, this is my budget. This is what I can spend," she said. "But I mean, look at resort taxes and resort fees. I don't want to say people have gotten used to it, but it has been piling on.

Different ports each charge a different tax and fee for cruise passengers. If a ship is unable to dock in a port (due to weather, scheduling, etc.) those taxes and port fees are refunded.

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Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Charity Lawson didnt waste any time eliminating men she didnt care for on episode one of The Bachelorette Season 20.

The beauty from Columbus, Georgia began the Monday night premiere with 25 hot guys, many of whom were super tall, as she recently told Parade in an interview.

Charity connected with many of them during the traditional parade of limo arrivals.

The fan favorite, who finished fourth for Zach Shallcross heart on last seasons The Bachelor, was more than ready to look for love.

With host Jesse Palmer there with words of encouragement, Charity told the cameras, Let the journey begin. Bring on my husband.

ABC

But as fans saw, she sent six guys home at the end of the show. Read on for more!

Who stood out in the cast after they exited the limos?

Software salesman Aaron B. impressed Charity right away as smart and clever. Doctor Caleb A. handed her a stethoscope so she could listen to his heart beating just for you. Chris, a world record holding jumper, did a back flip for Charity. Medical sales director Spencer was honest, admitting that he was terrified to be part of the show. Handsome Brayden brought liquor shots to share with Charity.

Which limo entrance left the biggest first impression on your heart?  @CharityLaws_ #TheBachelorette pic.twitter.com/u5RbdL2zUA  The Bachelorette (@BacheloretteABC) June 27, 2023

Who got Charity's first impression rose on The Bachelorette Season 20?

Although her undercover brother Nehemiah Lawson dressed up as a bartender to spy on the suitors and reported back to Charity that Brayden was arrogant, she gave him her first impression rose anyway. The two had bonded as Brayden told her hed been cheated on. Charity had confided to Zach on The Bachelor that a previous boyfriend had been unfaithful. The child and family therapist, 27, kissed Brayden, a travel nurse, and noted their fierce chemistry. That left the rest of the dudes to worry theyd be departing.

>>> Sign up for Parade's Daily newsletter and get the scoop on the latest TV news and celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox <<<

Who else did Charity kiss?

Scientist Xavier, who stands 66, told her Im a pretty open person and they shared a make out session. Charity felt he might be too good to be true. With John, she made the first move, pulling him in for a kiss. The Auburn University graduate also kissed Aaron B. and told cameras that he was a charmer.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth Aaron B., a software salesman and former football player from San Diego, poured on the charm with Charity.

What did Charity say to the men as they gathered for the rose ceremony?

After the cocktail party, Charity thanked the guys for an incredible night and said, I am following my gut and my heart in giving out roses.

ABC

Who received roses on episode one of season 20 of The Bachelorette?

In addition to Brayden, who earlier gained the safety of her first impression rose, Charity gave roses to the following hopefuls in order:

Aaron B.

John

Xavier

Joey

Caleb B.

Warwick

Aaron S.

Caleb A.

Adrian

James

Sean

Michael

Tanner

Dotun

Kaleb K.John HenryJoshSpencer

Who melted down during The Bachelorette rose ceremony?

Overwrought Spencer, who had earlier told Charity he is a single dad, said in confessional that he struggled with being validated and was wiping away tears. But he proudly accepted the final rose Charity handed out on night one.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth Contestant Spencer wore his heart on his sleeve.

Who did Charity Lawson send home tonight on Episode 1 of The Bachelorette Season 20?

The evening started with 25 men and ended with 19. Here are the six men who went home tonight:

Ahmad Khalid, 28, a tech recruiter from Dearborn, Mich.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Christopher Chris, 27, a world record jumper from White Plains, N.Y.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Peter, 33, an airline pilot from New York, N.Y.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Joe, 32, a tech operations director from San Francisco, Calif.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Nicholas Nick, 32, an HR executive from Bayonne, N.J.

ABC/Ricky Middlesworth

Taylor, 32, a loan officer from Springboro, Ohio.
In yet another bizarre orca incident around the Strait of Gibraltar, a pod of killer whales interfered with a boat competing in The Ocean Race last week, an endurance yacht race around the world .

Thankfully, no one was injured and the boat did not sustain any damage during the 15 minute encounter, which occurred last Thursday when Team JAJO was approaching the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea on the final leg of the race from the Netherlands to Genova, Italy. However, the "scary moment" did temporarily knock the team back two spots from second to fourth place on the leg of the journey.

Video of the run-in taken by crew members shows one of the orcas seemingly nuzzling the rudder underneath the boat, while a second was captured bumping its nose into the hull.

The crew responded to the attack by dropping the ship's sails and making a clatter in an attempt to scare the animals off.

"So, sailing again, or actually racing again, because like 20 minutes ago we got hit by some orcas, Team JAJO skipper Jelmer van Beek said in the video, just after the incident. Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders. Impressive to see the orcas, first of all, beautiful animals, but also a dangerous moment for us as a team. The team reacted really well, we took down the sails and slowed down the boat as quickly as possible and luckily after a few attacks they went away.

"This was a scary moment," he added.

The team was eventually able to make up for its lost ground, coming across the finish line in second place. But given some of the other recent encounters with orcas around Gibraltar, the crew were lucky that the whales gave up when they did. In some recent incidents, which have been escalating along the Iberian coast in recent years, orcas have caused extensive damage or even sunken vessels passing through or nearby the straight.

"We knew that there was a possibility of an orca attack this leg, Team JAJO onboard reporter Brend Schuil later said in a statement. "So we had already spoken about what to do if the situation would occur."

No one knows why orcas have suddenly began targeting ships in the area, but the behavior is beginning to spread. In yet another recent incident, an orca attacked a yacht off the Shetland Islands coast in the North Sea, more than 3,000 miles away from the epicenter of the attacks off the coasts of Spain and Portugal.
Prada Group is to donate 1 percent of all revenues from its Re-Nylon collection to the Sea Beyond educational program  and the Italian brand is inviting its luxury peers to do the same.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Pradas head of corporate social responsibility, swept into Paris on Tuesday to reveal the financial commitment  and an enhanced partnership with Sea Beyond  during the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commissions Member States Assembly, which runs through Friday.

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At a press conference attended by ambassadors from dozens of countries including Bangladesh, Iceland, Colombia, Chile and Indonesia, the executive said the scope of its partnership, initiated in 2019, would extend to ocean-related scientific research and humanitarian projects.

In addition, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission-UNESCO plans to establish an Ocean Decade Coordination Office in Venice to encourage the implementation of a blue curriculum across all of its 193 member states, plus a host of other initiatives.

Since Sea Beyonds debut, more than 600 secondary school children in eight countries have completed its educational module, while about 120 preschoolers completed Kindergarten of the Lagoon outdoor lessons in Venice, Italy, earlier this year.

That may seem like a drop in the ocean, but Bertelli is convinced that culture and education are fundamental for making change happen. We need to invest in a constructive dialogue with young generations to contribute to a more sustainable future and preserve our ocean.

Midway through the press conference, the executive flashed a slide noting that there are about 1.8 billion students between the ages of 3 and 23 in the world, meaning Sea Beyond has so far reached only 0.0005 percent of the population.

The organizations goal is to educate 10,000 students in ocean literacy by 2025, but it hopes to reach legions more.

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Indeed, the ambition is to make Sea Beyond an open platform that welcomes third-party projects with ocean preservation principles at the core. IOC/UNESCO intends to scout relevant opportunities and will analyze and validate proposals submitted by Prada Group.

During the conference, Bertelli revealed that watchmaker Panerai, owned by rival luxury group Compagnie Financiere Richemont, will join Sea Beyond.

During an interview with WWD, he declined to share details of Panerais commitment, but hinted there has been outreach to other luxury brands. Its a never-ending effort, and UNESCO is helping us. We want first of all to inspire.

Bertelli also declined to quantify Pradas annual contribution to Sea Beyond, but described it as quite a lot of millions.

He described a multiplier effect of its ocean-education efforts, since students often share their enthusiasm with friends and family member.

Whats more, there is a scholastic system in place in virtually every country, which he described as a huge tool to do more on this matter.

This is the only way to shape the mind and hearts of future generations, so they have a more responsible behavior when they become entrepreneurs, or the manager of a country, or a prime minister, he said in the interview. We want to prove that this project is convenient for everybody  for us as a company, for the students and for everybody. And we want to lead the way and show that sustainability is convenient for everybody, also from the monetary perspective.

He explained that prevention is always less expensive than fixing a problem.

Prada invited an array of speakers at UNESCO to underline the urgency of its mission.

Vladimir Ryabinin, executive secretary of IOC/UNESCO and assistant UNESCO director general, said Sea Beyond is seeding ocean knowledge in the minds of school students from many countries. What a great way it is to make people kinder and ocean healthier.

So far, schools in Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, the U.K. and South Africa have completed modules.

Giovanni Chimienti, a marine biologist at Bari University, flashed slides of some of the dazzling coral forests hes discovered in the Mediterranean Sea, noting that more than half of coral species live in the deep sea, including black varieties that live long and grow very slowly.

The oldest hes discovered is 2,100 years old, not far from the Italian coast. He stressed the need to educate local communities about such hidden treasures.

Its something people dont see everyday, but its something they have to protect.

The scientist noted that only about 3 percent of the deep ocean has been explored. Ive been in places where Im the first person down there, and Ive seen plastic, he said.

While congratulating Prada Group and IOC on its projects during a question-and-answer session, the Iceland delegate highlighted that many adults perceive the ocean as a cold, dark and dangerous place. Some people have not fallen in love with it, she said.

Giant wave surfer Maya Gabeira, who never met a wall of water she didnt love, spoke of the need to foster awareness experiences that awaken emotions. The audience gasped when a video was screened showing Gabeira riding a 73-foot wave in Portugal in 2020, setting a world record.

The final goal is to live in harmony with nature, she concluded.

Delegates and journalists also viewed a teaser for a documentary about the kindergarten program in Venice, showing toddlers riding in big canoes, netting samples from a stream, viewing teeming microorganisms under a microscope, and sharing their feelings about the sea.

Francesca Santoro, the IOC/UNESCOs senior program officer, said the full film will be taken to documentary film festivals in the hopes of it landing on cinema screens, television and streaming services. We protect only what we love, she stressed.

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Rep. Katie Porter talks motherhood, politics and looking at a "work-life balance" in a new way. (Photo: Getty; designed by Quinn Lemmers)

Welcome to So Mini Ways, Yahoo Life's parenting series on the joys and challenges of childrearing.

Rep. Katie Porter may be the U.S. representative for California's 47th congressional district and also a 2024 candidate for the U.S. Senate, but one of the questions shes most commonly asked involves her role as a single mother of three. From the moment she first hit the campaign trail, Porter says she has been asked, What will happen to your kids if you win?

I was always puzzled by this, says the three-term congresswoman. They're not going to evaporate or break their arms on election night. I think what they were trying to ask is, How will you do this job, with all of its challenges, successfully while you continue to be a parent to your three kids? And I would think, Well, why are you not asking my opponents this?

But then, Porter  mom to Luke, 17, Paul, 14, and Betsy, 11  noticed who exactly was inquiring about how shed approach this particular balancing act. It wasnt older men or young guys, she recalls. It was other moms. And I started to hear the question differently. I started to hear it not as, We don't want you to do this, but rather as, I am a mom, and I am struggling to get my kids to school and still finish my work and do it all in a country, in an economy, in a society that doesn't really do right by working parents. If I'm struggling, and I work 20 miles down the road, how will you do it and work 3,000 miles away?

Thats when she realized it was important to be in Washington, D.C. and represent the millions of working and single parents in the U.S. I started to realize that it was important that I be modeling some of the realities of parenting, says Porter.

Known for  bringing the receipts , Porter aimed to deliver reality checks about what it looks like to serve in Congress as a single parent in her new memoir, I Swear: Politics Is Messier Than My Minivan.

Most political books try to lift up the politician and make it seem all mysterious and amazing, she explains. [In] my book, I'm really frank and personal about what it's like to try to serve in Congress, particularly as a single mom of three kids. What I'm trying to illustrate is not just the juggling and the difficulties that I face but to actually connect back to how hard it is for working parents generally. When people say to me, If you're giving a speech on the House floor, you're not able to pick up a phone call from your kids, well, neither is the woman who's a welder  she can't weld and hold the phone at the same time. People said, You're away from your kids sometimes. So were the folks who work as pilots, flight attendants, folks in the U.S. military.

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And all of these parents are struggling to juggle their careers with parenting and navigating challenges like finding and affording child care that suits their specific schedule, points out Porter.

They might also have to talk to their kids about what their careers mean to them. Porter admits that her kids initially werent sure about their mom running for Congress. I think, for them, it came out of left field, she notes. And I think they're still not sure. They still have mixed feelings. I'm running for the U.S. Senate, and there are days that they're like, We hope you win. And there are days that [theyre] like, If you lose, can we get a dog?

Her kids also happen to be valuable constituents, says Porter. Hearing and seeing what they're worried about for the future is really valuable to me as a representative, she explains, sharing that Paul recently asked, If I don't live in California, will you still come visit me? I said, Of course I will, but why dont you want to live in California? You love California. And he said, I just don't know if I'll be able to afford to buy a house here. We have very high housing costs, and it's a real struggle.

Whether theyre talking about economic concerns or sharing the workload around the house, heart-to-hearts are a must in Porters house. After my first year in Congress, at the end of 2019, we basically had a sit-down, and I said, Guys, I'm exhausted, and I'm feeling like I'm letting you down, recalls the congresswoman. And we created chores. We call Paul LB [which stands for] laundry boy, and he does all the laundry. He doesn't fold, but he gets it moving into the washer and the dryer, and we wash everything on warm. We simplified the process. Luke unloads the dishwasher and puts the trash out. So, if I'm in Congress on Thursday night, I dont have to worry about whether we're going to have a bunch of stinky trash piling up.

In turn, the kids have learned how to do things Porter believes theyll be glad to know how to do as they grow up. I taught my oldest how to fill a prescription, so when he goes to college, he is not going to be worried about doing that, she explains. Seeing [my kids] be able to solve problems and be independent is incredibly rewarding and important.

Still, Porter has found that raising a tween and two teens has given way to one major point of contention: fighting over the bathroom. The three kids share a bathroom, she explains. Bathroom fighting has become like a whole big thing: Who's taking too long, and who has too many products, and whose towel was this? But when she tried to replace the cartoon monkey theme she chose for them when they were younger with something more teenage-themed, the kids banded together against her. There was a big outcry, and I was told that the monkey bathroom is iconic, laughs the politician. So, there I am with them, fighting over a monkey cartoon bathroom. Theyre pretty normal kids, I would say.

But no matter what challenge shes facing, Porter finds solace in the most valuable advice shes received as a parent. Somebody said, You dont have to be good at doing every aspect of being an employee and being a parent at every moment in time, she notes. Its OK to say that today, I did nothing but deal with work and sent the kids a text and made sure they were alive, and that was what I could do today. But last Sunday, I made three meals and froze them and went to water polo games and helped people clean up their rooms and dealt with their permission slips.

Porter admits that when she was first working and parenting, she hated the expression work-life balance. I would be like, How can you feel balance when a kid just pooped all over your work outfit? Like, where's the balance in that? But she has learned to reframe the concept.

It's balanced like riding a bike, explains the proud mom of three. You just try to keep pedaling, right, but you lean a little bit. You hit a bump. There are a lot of times you have to get off and have a water break, but you get back on. That is different, more active. That kind of balance gives you a lot more freedom to be forgiving of yourself for staying on the journey, rather than this kind of static, perfect 50/50 balance, which I have rarely been able to find. And if I have, I certainly haven't been able to hold on to it.

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Welcome to the Great Bagel Boom, a series celebrating the vast creative expanses of bagel culture across Americabecause yes, you can find truly wonderful bagels outside of New York now.

People have strong opinions on sweet bagels. Go online and youll find that most people think theyre not as complex as savory bagel sandwiches, that the taste of the bread clashes with sweetness, that bagels are simply only good at being vessels for bacon, egg, and cheese or scallion schmear. But I disagree. Sweet bagel sandwiches can be just as complex, and its time we give them the respect they deserve.

Sure, rainbow bagels and funfetti cream cheese gave the sweet bagel sandwich a bad name. A new set of destination bagel shops across the country, though, are churning out legit good sweet bagel sandwiches: bagels with cream cheese and house-made guava jelly in Milwaukee; bagels topped with sliced banana and peanut butter blended with coconut, maple, and toasted seeds in Maine; and open-faced bagels featuring labneh, roasted strawberries, and slivers of pickled fennel in New Orleans. And I ask you this: If you order chocolate chip pancakes or syrupy waffles, why not show the sweet bagel sandwich some love once in a while too?

One of my favorite newfangled sweet bagel sandwiches comes from Korshak Bagels in South Philly. When I first visited in April, I had every intention of ordering a savory breakfast sandwich. Then I saw the three most beautiful words: Banana Foster Wallace. One of the staffers, who saw me standing there with my mouth open down to my feet, recommended that I order the spread on a cinnamon raisin bagel. I did, and when I unwrapped it, I found layers of marshmallow fluff and warm banana tahini jama medley of sticky-sweet, warm, and nutty flavorsheated to caramelly perfection. It was almost as if the cinnamon raisin bagel was made for this moment (cinnamon and raisin toast pairs wonderfully with honeyed tahini and banana, after all). One bite and I had unlocked a new core memory. I was sitting on a bench with my partner, eating what was basically a Bananas Foster for breakfast.

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Photograph by Breanne Furlong for Bon Appetit

It was a revelation, but sweet bagels are not a new phenomenonand to me, theyve always been worth ordering. During my summer breaks in Turkey in the early 2000s, there was no sound sweeter than the cries of the simit man. Balancing a mountain of sesame bagels on a wooden board atop his head, he would wander the streets of the neighborhood like a door-to-door salesman. Though there are countless ways to enjoy simit, I always reached for the ever-so-saccharine black cherry jam to make a treat that marries all the flavors of home I love so much: toasted, nutty sesame seeds; thick, creamy tereyag, or butter; and sweet-tart cherries.

There's also the ultimate legend in the sweet bagel canon, at least where I grew up on Long Island: Panera Breads Cinnamon Crunch Bagel. Its baked with cinnamon and vanilla flavored chips and topped with a sweet cinnamon crunch topping; I eat it with cinnamon cream cheese for a warm, chewy treat with a crackle of cinnamon sugar in every bite. Im not alone in my nostalgic love for this sweet treat. A cursory search for cinnamon crunch bagel yields countless copycat recipes, as well as lengthy discussions on how to order them in bulk in the Panera subreddit.

And who can forget Cynthia Nixons lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, red onion, and capers on a cinnamon raisin bagel? It sounded atrocious to many, but when BA staffers tried it, many conceded that the sweet-and-savory combo worked well.

So even if you never got into the sweet bagel in the past, it may be time to revisit. Obviously you cant go wrong with a bagel with scallion cream cheese, or perhaps topped with bacon, egg, and cheese. But the sweet bagel sandwich is unique. But the sweet bagel sandwich is unique. When done welldon't go for gimmicky flavors like an Oreo bagelit's another enticing way to highlight the best of fruity, creamy, sweet flavors. So be unafraid, friends. Get the sweet bagel, and embrace eating dessert for breakfast.

Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit

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Kai Lenny is one of the most recognizable names in surfing. He's an accomplished competition surfer, and has appeared in numerous films since he burst onto the scene in 2012.

Lenny joins Travis Rice, one of the greatest snowboarders of all time, on an epic heli trip to Alaska in this episode of the 'Life of Kai' video series.

Check out a preview of the episode below:

View the original article to see embedded media.

"With big wave season ending in Hawaii, Kai Lenny chases a new challenge in Alaska where he meets up with snowboarding icon Travis Rice to learn how to take his surfing to the next level (on snow)."

Click here to watch the full episode on Red Bull TV.

Respect to Lenny for venturing out of his comfort zone. It takes more than just guts to travel to Alaska and keep up with Travis Rice.

In case you don't recall, the episode went viral before it was even released. Kai Lenny dropped a clip of him riding through a small avalanche earlier this year to tease the episode's release.

Check out the clip below:

To be in these mountains is a dream come true. Humbled and honored to be here with @travisrice, thanks @redbull for the trip of a lifetime! #lifeofkai pic.twitter.com/cFEapOCKL8  Kai Lenny (@Kai_Lenny) April 19, 2023

Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional skier 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 POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
A fleet of Jiefang trucks of different generations parade to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of their maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A Jiefang truck is pictured during a parade to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of its maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

This aerial photo taken on June 26, 2023 shows a fleet of Jiefang trucks of different generations during an event to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of their maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

This aerial photo taken on June 26, 2023 shows a fleet of Jiefang trucks of different generations parading to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of their maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A fleet of Jiefang trucks of different generations parade to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of their maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)

A man takes photo of Jiefang trucks of different generations during an event to celebrate the upcoming 70th anniversary of their maker FAW Group, in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. FAW Jiefang is the truck subsidiary of China's leading automaker FAW Group, a state-owned enterprise founded in 1953 in Changchun. It is also dubbed the cradle of China's automotive industry. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Tiffany & Co. is advancing its net-zero aims with new fanfare.

On Tuesday, the group announced the Science Based Targets Initiative, or SBTi, formally approved its net-zero targets. In 2022, Tiffany & Co. first set the road map detailing net-zero emissions by 2040, or 10 years earlier than whats outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

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Tiffanys goal falls under the SBTis Net-Zero Standard, with interim targets set in the decade ahead of a 2019 baseline. The organizations approved targets comprise a 70 percent emissions reduction in owned operations by 2030 (Scopes 1 and 2) with a commitment to also reduce Scope 3 emissions by 40 percent in that time frame. The company is on track to meet both targets, having achieved 33 percent greenhouse gas emission reductions in its direct and indirect supply chain in 2022.

By 2040, Tiffany & Co. pledges to reach a 90 percent reduction of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. To achieve this, the groups sustainability plan spans investments in everything from renewable energy to green building credentials, sustainable transportation innovation and supplier decarbonization programs. The remaining 10 percent of emissions are to be offset through Tiffany & Co.s carbon removal investments, including investments in nature-based solutions, among them a forest conservation project in Kenyas Chyulu Hills.

Other endeavors are in motion at the jeweler. Earlier this year, Tiffany & Co. reopened its Landmark flagship in New York City with a significant focus on sustainability. The Landmark is on track to receive both WELL Platinum certification, for indoor air quality and health, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification, joining more than 35 sites in the brands portfolio that have been LEED-certified. Last year, Tiffany also launched its Atrium platform to amplify diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. And on the giving front, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation recently reached a new $100 million grant-making milestone with land and ocean conservation earmarked as priority.

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In addition to an investment in building credentials across its portfolio, starting in 2006, Tiffany & Co. installed on-site solar at five locations globally, including the Dominican Republic, Cambodia, Rhode Island and two facilities in New Jersey. The house plans to expand this solar investment in 2023, eyeing facilities in Botswana and Kentucky. Currently, Tiffany & Co. sources 91 percent of global electricity from renewable sources in more than 25 countries of operation.

As for what else is in store, the house is rolling out a decarbonization program for its suppliers with pilot programs to launch by year-end 2023, according to the company.

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Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) champion of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes

The Grand Depart of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be in Rotterdam in 2024, Wielerflits reported, citing multiple unnamed sources.

The news should be made official this week by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) in the lead-up to the start of the Tour de France in Bilbao.

After starting with a circuit race in Paris for its first edition in 2022 and then a road stage in Clermont-Ferrand in 2023, the third edition of the race will head outside of France for the first time in its history.

Wielerflits reports that the first three days of the stage race will take place outside of France, starting with a time trial in Rotterdam on August 12, one day after the end of the Paris Olympic Games.

Read more

Tour de France Femmes 2023



Annemiek van Vleuten seals Tour de France Femmes victory



Youve come a long way, baby - Vital statistics show sea change in womens cycling

Stage 2 will be a road stage from Rotterdam to The Hague. Starting in Valkenburg, the third stage may bring the riders to the Walloon region of Belgium.

The peloton should ultimately reach France on the fourth day of racing.

Two of the WorldTour Spring Classics taking place in Belgium, Liege-Bastogne-Liege Femmes and La Fleche Wallone Femmes, are also organized by ASO.

Last year, the Tour de France Femmes was an eight-day race that began on the Champs-Elysees in Paris in conjunction with the final stage 21 of the men's Tour de France and ended on La Super Planche des Belles Filles where Movistars Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands was crowned the overall champion.

The Tour de France Femmes 2023, from July 23-30, will be held across eight stages once again and will take on a whole new area of France this year, starting in the Massif Central.

The 956km route will take the peloton south and into the Pyrenees, ending with a mountaintop finish on the iconic Col du Tourmalet on stage 7, the crowning moment of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, and a stage 8 individual time trial in Pau.

Join Cyclingnews' coverage of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes with race reports, results, photo galleries, news and race analysis.
Watch Aggressive Orcas Target Another Sailing Ship Off the Coast of Europe photo

A yacht competing in a round-the-world race was temporarily halted last week by a rogue pod of killer whales in the Straits of Gibraltar, 400 miles southwest of Madrid, Spain. While there were no injuries or damage to the boat, the crew was forced to lower sail and lost two positions in the race, according to a news release and YouTube video published by the Ocean Race.

Racing in second place through the Strait of Gibraltar, team VO65 Sprint suddenly spotted three killer whales approaching their boat at about 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. Recognizing the potential for a dangerous encounter, Captain Jelmer van Beekvan ordered his crew to take immediate action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1rqcI2jULY\u0026t=5s

Three orcas came straight at us and started hitting the rudders, van Beek said in the YouTube video. Impressive to see the orcas...but also a dangerous moment for us as a team. We took down the sails and slowed down the boat as quickly as possible and luckily after a few attacks they went awayThis was a scary moment.

According to Ocean Race officials, orcas have been ramming boats with alarming frequency this year. "In some cases, boats have been significantly damaged," the Ocean Race press release states, "at least three to the point of sinking."

The video, a compilation of above-water and underwater shots taken from two cameras, captures the killer whales as they surface in their rapid approach to the boat. The crew pounds the side of the boat to deter them. Two other racing yachts can be seen in the distance.

One of the orcas slows down as it nears the boat, rolls over, and then bumps and nudges the rudder several times, shaking the entire boat. After the encounter, van Beeks team dropped from second to fourth place.

The Ocean Race is a five-month, 32,000-nautical mile race around the world. This years race, the events 14th edition since 1973, started in Alicante, Spain on January 15th 2023, and will finish in Genova, Spain this week.

Related: Why Are Orcas Attacking Boats Off the Coast of Europe?

On June 19, an orca reportedly slammed into a yacht in the North Sea between Scotland and Norwaysuggesting that orca attacks are now occurring in areas beyond just the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. Scientists studying the phenomenon say the behavior may be a new killer whale fad or a response taught by a matriarchal pod leader who had a traumatic encounter with a boat.
Of all the barriers for entry into surfing, access to equipment is among the biggest.

But one young surfer in Liberia is making the most of what hes got, swapping the traditional surfboard for a literal plank of wood  and shredding on it.

Watch the clip below:

The clip comes from surfer, photographer, and videographer, Luke Patterson. It shows a young boy in the West African country of Liberia, comfortably catching waves and pretty much shredding on a stark, rectangular piece of wood.

Of course, in the early days of surfing, Polynesians would ride similar, hand-carved pieces of wood, called an Alaia. And today, some folks still use this ancient waveriding equipment, although its more of a style choice versus the only means available.

In the caption, Patterson wrote:

bare necessities.

And in the comments, World Champion Italo Ferreira chimed in, making a generous offer to the young shredder; he wrote:

Thats awesome  Does anybody know where is it? I would like to help.

However, Italos comment caused somewhat of a debate in the comments; others wrote:

doesn't look like he needs help bro

Did he ask for help? These kids are having fun and living their lives, but because his surfboard is unconventional, we just automatically assumes he needs help.

white savior complex. Can't you see he's happy. Just tell the western world to pay more for African resources

Despite a few dissenters at Italos surfboard offer, the majority of the comments were in support of the Brazilian World Champ offering to help.

Famously, Italo got his start surfing on a foam lid from a cooler box  humble beginnings, not too different from this young gun down in Liberia.

New World Champ from Liberia in, say, five or 10 years?

***

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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.
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.

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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.
Just a month ago, Erik Logan was doing damage control.

The World Surf League CEO was caught up in the controversy following the Surf Ranch Pro, in which several top Brazilian surfers (and countless surf fans) were publicly voicing their concerns surrounding unfair judging criteria and alleged favoritism.

Social media screeds, side-by-side wave comparisons, death threatsthe drama.

But today, sitting beachside on the sunny shores of Saquarema, Brazil for the VIVO Rio Pro, Erik E-Lo Logan is singing a different tune. Instead of reprimanding the surfers and surf fans for critiquing the WSL judging panel, hes praising the famously passionate Brazilian fanbase for their devotion to the sport.

A bit of a 180, huh?

Heres the caption from a lay day recap video posted to E-Los Instagram:

While we have another off day, lets look at day 1...  Day 1 in beautiful Brazil, and what an exhilarating kick-off to the competition! 



Its impossible to capture in words the electrifying atmosphere that surrounds us here. Every cheer from the crowd, every wave ridden, and every drop of the golden Brazilian sun fills us with pure joy and adrenaline. The Brazilian fans, you are truly amazing - your passion, your energy, and your love for surfing is infectious! 



From the first light of dawn to the setting sun, the competition was intense and thrilling. Witnessing our talented surfers perform at their best on this stunning beach was nothing short of spectacular. Their skill, courage, and camaraderie reminded us why we love this sport and why we love this event. 



Seeing the event site come alive with all the activations was a sight to behold. The seamless blend of sport, culture, and community that these activations represent is what makes this trip to Brazil one of my favorite parts of the year.



We also want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors: VIVO, Corona, the State of Rio De Janeiro, and the city of Saquarema. Your unwavering support and commitment have played a crucial role in making this event a reality. 



Thank you, Brazil, for welcoming us with open arms and open hearts. Your spirit is what fuels this competition, and were so excited to experience more of this amazing journey with you.



Stay tuned for more action on the waves. Heres to a spectacular Day 2, and many more days of epic surfing to come! "

Story continues

Water under the bridge. Kumbaya. More competition to come.

***

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.
Government officials in Queensland, Australia, are offering a $500,000 reward for information about the mysterious death of a young woman two decades ago.

The 25-year-old, identified by Queensland Police as Meaghan Louise Rose, was found dead at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast on July 18, 1997, Queensland Police said in a news release announcing the reward.

Although authorities initially deemed her death "non-suspicious," they later opened an investigation after discovering new details surrounding Rose's case that pointed to potentially suspicious circumstances. Queensland Police cited a life insurance policy taken out prior to her death as one example.

The department is offering the reward to anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest and conviction in Rose's case, although the government prize also "offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice," if they can provide the information and did not commit the alleged murder themselves, according to Queensland Police.

Meaghan Louise Rose's body was found in July 1997 at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs, according to Queensland Police. / Credit: Queensland Police

Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said in a statement that, as investigators continue to probe the cold case homicide, they are "particularly appealing to members of the community who knew Meaghan around the time of her death, many whom live at the Sunshine Coast and Victoria, to think back and provide any information about her no matter how irrelevant they think it may be."

"A number of lines of enquiry are being examined as we speak," Kentwell's statement continued. Hours after the government reward was announced for Rose's case, a 70-year-old man questioned Sunday in connection with the investigation disappeared from the Portland area of Victoria, the Australian news station Nine News reported, citing police, who reportedly identified the man as Keith.

"His vehicle, a silver Holden Captiva, was located at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse carpark on 26 June about 5:30 p.m.," Victoria Police said, according to Nine News.

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The government reward in Rose's cold case comes as leaders elsewhere in Australia offer large prizes for information leading to convictions in long-unsolved homicide or missing persons cases. In Western Australia, government officials recently announced that $1 million rewards would be given out for tips that would allow police to solve any one of the state's 64 cold cases.

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View of the hominin tibia  the magnified area that shows cut marks. (Briana Pobiner)

The bone of an ancient human relative shows signs of being cut with stone tools - by another human relative looking to cut off meat to eat.

The nine cut marks on a 1.45 million-year-old left shin bone from a relative of Homo sapiens were found in northern Kenya.

Analysis of 3D models of the fossils surface revealed that the cut marks were dead ringers for the damage inflicted by stone tools.

National Museum of Natural History paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner said, The information we have tells us that hominins were likely eating other hominins at least 1.45 million years ago.

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 recognised.

Read more: Melting snow in Himalayas drives growth of green sea slime visible from space

Pobiner first encountered the fossilised tibia, or shin bone, in the collections of the National Museums of Kenyas 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.

Pobiner sent moulds of the cutsmade with the same material dentists use to create impressions of teethto co-author Michael Pante of Colorado State University.

Pante created 3D scans of the moulds and compared the shape of the marks to a database of 898 individual tooth, butchery and trample marks created through controlled experiments.

Read more: A 1988 warning about climate change was mostly right

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.

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According to Pobiner, the bite marks could have come from one of the three different types of sabre-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.

3D model of marks 7 and 8 which were identified as cut marks (Briana Pobiner)

These cut marks look very similar to what Ive 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.

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 Historys 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.

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.

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.

Watch: Most of us have herpes thanks to ancient interspecies sex
The News

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie has lately found himself facing down a new challenge: Defending his decision to vote yes on a bill.

For years, the Republican has been known as Capitol Hills Mr. No, thanks to his willingness to buck party leadership by opposing legislation. In March 2020, he drew an angry phone call from former President Trump for single-handedly delaying final passage of the first $2 trillion COVID-19 economic rescue package.

But this month, Massie disappointed many of his fellow conservatives by giving his thumbs up to the debt ceiling deal negotiated between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House, providing a key vote on the Rules Committee that allowed the bill to reach the chambers floor. The move earned him blowback from the right  though he says it hasnt been overwhelming.

On the Richter scale with 10 being the Cares Act when the President was screaming at me, that was like six or seven, Massie told Semafor. And by the way: Two years later, those add to your credibility.

Know More

Chief among Massies Republican critics these days is Russell Vought, the former Office of Management and Budget director under Trump who has become an influential economic advisor to hardline conservatives. (He even enjoyed automatic approval for meetings with Massie himself).

Your path to the dark side is now complete. You have become your enemy, Vought tweeted at Massie last month. He later dubbed the deal the McCarthy-Massie debt bomb. When Massie shot back that Vought helped the Trump administration rack up $4.5 trillion in new debt, Vought suggested Massie should take a course in Remedial American Government.

That was low-class I thought, Massie said. First time there was a hiccup, hes decided everybody whos not on his side is a sellout, which is completely ridiculous. I would never say that about anybody in here based on one vote, or even three votes.

Massie was one of three hardline conservatives who received seats on the Rules panel as part of the deal that allowed McCarthy to become speaker. The concession gave right-wing members more hope theyd be able to control the Houses agenda, since the committee effectively decides what bills get an up or down vote.

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But Massie says he doesnt intend to use his position on the rules panel to blow up legislation he disagrees with. When I got on the Rules Committee, I was resigned to voting for things that I might not vote for on the floor, Massie said. Im just trying to fix the process, not imprint my ideology.

House Freedom Caucus members vented their frustration over the debt ceiling deal earlier this month by shutting down business on the House floor. It was unclear to many what their specific demands were at the time, but there are already whispers of a potential repeat down the line.

Massies take, as a veteran protest vote? Find a clear ask next time.

Their tactics were downright brutal, he said. I approve, but whats the strategy?

Editor's note

Due to a production error, Semafor unintentionally published an early version of this post. We've updated it to the correct version, which also appeared in Tuesday's Principals newsletter.
The News

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires has traveled over the Atlantic Ocean and reached parts of Western Europe, the EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service said Tuesday.

The smoke blanketed much of the eastern United States earlier this month, and is continuing to impact parts of the U.S., leading to orange skies and unhealthy air.

Weve curated insightful analysis from experts on the latest developments on the Canadian wildfires.

The Insights

In Europe, the smoke has reached a high altitude and is not expected to have a big impact on surface air quality, according to Copernicus. But it could lead to hazy, red-orange skies, Politico Europe reported, while the UK Met Office said residents could enjoy "some vivid sunrises and sunsets."
Trucks leave for Russia at the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Trucks wait to pass the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Trucks pass the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

A traveller boards a tourist bus at the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 27, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Travellers are pictured at the inbound hall of the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 27, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Travellers are pictured at the inbound hall of the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 27, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Trucks wait to pass the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

Trucks wait to pass the highway port in Hunchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, June 26, 2023. Hunchun borders Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and serves as the only port city of Jilin Province to Russia. More than 73,000 counts of persons and over 16,000 counts of vehicles have passed through the Hunchun highway port so far this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)
A former Chicago attorney was sentenced Tuesday to more than three years in prison for helping her brother hide hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets in bankruptcy proceedings tied to the collapse of a Bridgeport neighborhood bank.

Jan Kowalski, 59, pleaded guilty last year to concealing assets from a bankruptcy trustee, admitting she falsified documents and lied during testimony in bankruptcy proceedings for her brother, Robert, costing creditors about $357,000.

In sentencing Kowalski to 37 months behind bars, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall called her conduct extremely serious, particularly for an attorney who had taken an oath to uphold the law.

It is the complete antithesis of what an attorney is supposed to be doing, Kendall said. People lose faith, and it really is the beginning of the destruction of our judicial process and the destruction of our democracy.

Kowalskis attorney, William Stanton, had asked for probation, saying she suffers from a lengthy list of physical and mental ailments, is the sole caretaker for her elderly mother, and has a son who has had his own difficulties.

Before she was sentenced, Kowalski, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, stood at the lectern and lamented her situation but did not apologize for her conduct.

My mother and father had three children, and all three of us are indicted and going to jail, probably, she said. And now there is no one to care for my mother.

Kowalski was among more than two dozen defendants charged as part of a multiyear investigation into the failure of Washington Federal Bank for Savings, a family-run institution that had been a mainstay in the citys Bridgeport neighborhood for more than a century.

The sprawling probe also ensnared Patrick Daley Thompson, the then-11th Ward alderman and scion of the Daley political dynasty, was convicted last year of two counts of lying to federal regulators about loans he had with Washington Federal and falsely claiming mortgage interest deductions on his tax returns.

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Thompson, who by law was forced to step down immediately after his conviction, was sentenced to four months in prison.

Robert Kowalski, who was a large debtor of the bank when it was closed by regulators in December 2017, was convicted at trial earlier this year of conspiring with the banks president, John Gembara, to rack up millions in collateral-free loans, then lying about and concealing assets and income in bankruptcy proceedings and on his tax returns.

Gembara, meanwhile, was found dead Dec. 3, 2017, in the Park Ridge home of a bank customer where he had been staying. An autopsy report showed Gembara was found seated in a chair in his bedroom with a rope tied to the banister and around his neck. His death was ruled a suicide by the Cook County medical examiners office.

The Kowalskis other sibling, William Kowalski, was also charged in the case but has since entered into a deferred prosecution agreement that will likely lead to the charges being dropped in exchange for his cooperation.

As part of that agreement, William Kowalski admitted he and his brother embezzled about $190,000 from Washington Federal to buy a Sea Ray 420 Sundancer boat named Expelliarmus, the famous spell in the Harry Potter book series, court records show.

Eight others have pleaded guilty to roles in the scheme. Several others are awaiting trial, including William Mahon, a then-top official with the citys Streets and Sanitation Department charged with willfully filing false tax returns and failing to disclose a $130,000 personal loan hed received directly from Gembara.

According to prosecutors, Jan Kowalski helped her brother conceal more than 100 cashiers checks by putting them in her attorneys trust account using some of the funds to invest in real estate and eventually withdrawing the rest in cash.

When the bankruptcy trustee unearthed the transactions, Jan Kowalski lied repeatedly to try to cover the fraud, first by creating phony account ledgers and later by flat-out lying about where the money came from while under oath in bankruptcy proceedings, according to court records.

In April 2019, Kowalski falsely testified that she had given $250,000 in missing funds to a business associate while they watched the Grammys on television in her office two months earlier, prosecutors wrote in a recent court filing.

Kowalski told the court shed put the money in a lockbox, but when she returned to her office a few weeks later she discovered it had been stolen, according to prosecutors.

In asking for a sentence of 46 months, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Snell said Kowalskis deceit was much, much, much more involved that a typical concealment of an asset.

This was a deliberate, persistent course of dishonesty that spanned months, Snell said.

Robert Kowalski, 61, who was jailed after his conviction in March, is still awaiting sentencing.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
A prominent Haitian power broker says a decision by Canada to impose sanctions on him is a serious blow to his efforts to help bring jobs and social development to one of Haitis more neglected regions.

Andre Andy Apaid also said its incomprehensible that he would be placed on a list of sanctioned individuals accused of human rights violations, including sexual violence. 

I categorically reject all accusations and suspicions of contributing to the climate of insecurity or corruption, Apaid said, asking Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to verify her sources and the facts.

Last week, while attending the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in Washington, Joly announced that Ottawa had imposed sanctions against Apaid and three well-known gang leaders, two of whom were involved in the abductions of 17 American and Canadian Christian missionaries in the fall of 2021. As with previous sanctions, she did not give specifics on why the people were blacklisted. The sanctions bans an individual from traveling to Canada and freezes any assets one may hold in the country.

Haitian banks, fearful of losing correspondent banking relationships with U.S. and Canadian banks, have responded to sanctions by closing accounts, making it difficult for individuals to do business in Haiti.

READ MORE: How U.S. sanctions turn people into economic pariahs and why some call it a civil death

Apaid, a U.S. citizen who has enjoyed both warm and contentious relations with various Haitian leaders over the years, said the decision by Canada has serious repercussions on his business dealings, including an ambitious agricultural project hes launching in Haitis Central Plateau region with foreign partners.

I am a dedicated Haitian-American citizen who strongly supports a peaceful resolution to the serious crisis our country is facing. This is well known among political and civil society members, he said.

Apaid is the latest member of Haitis business and political elite to push back on the sanctions designations, which so far have been issued by Canada, the United States and the Dominican Republic after the United Nations last year voted unanimously to clamp down on illicit arms sales and violent criminal armed groups in Haiti.

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The U.N., which sanctioned former cop-turned-gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, has a team investigating who it will add to its list, including individuals already blacklisted by other foreign governments. The European Union is also expected to begin issuing sanctions soon.

While the sanctions policies have elicited fear in Haiti, they have also raised questions about how far foreign governments are willing to go to target members of Haitian society and where are they willing to draw the line in a country where businesses have survived because of extortion payments and ties to gangs. Questions have also been raised about how countries choose who they sanction.

For example, a sanctions list put out by the Dominican Republic is controversial because of who is included and who is not, and privately some diplomats dont give it much credence.

In the case of Canada, the lack of details about what individuals are accused of, has raised concerns in diplomatic circles. The Canadian government has been asked to provide more details but so far has rejected the request.

Instead, Ottawa has criticized other countries, including the United States, for not following its aggressive approach to target individuals involved in corruption and fanning instability in Haiti.

U.S. State Department officials, who have been criticized for the lack of business people on the American list, have said they remain committed to issuing tough financial sanctions.

A longtime industrialist, Apaid rose to prominence in the early 2000s as the leader of the civil society organization known as Group 184, which launched a social movement and organized in opposition to Jean-Bertrand Aristide when he was president.

In a press statement, Apaid said that with the exception of current Canadian ambassador to Haiti, Sebastien Carriere, whom he has not met, almost all of Canadas ambassadors since 2004have witnessed my efforts and contributions to persuade gangs to disarm.

As a team, including human rights advocates, religious leaders, and credible and courageous individuals from civil society, we have made four attempts to persuade gangs to participate in a disarmament process, he said.

As a businessman, Apaid said, he has worked tirelessly to create tens of thousands of jobs in Haiti despite the challenges. He and his family, which operates a factory, adhere to a strict and courageous policy of not providing money or goods to armed groups, he said. This commitment came with enormous risks for our collaborators and my sons.

Apaid is currently involved in a major agricultural project in the Central Plateau to benefit farmers and inhabitants of the region. It is being carried out on land belonging to the Dejoie family that was confiscated in 1957 and handed over to the Haitian government. Under a deal with former President Jovenel Moise, Apaid now has control of the land and says his project will create more than 20,000 jobs over seven years.

The project includes donations of land to farmers, a high school and a public market financed by the World Bank in Saint-Michel-de-lAttalaye. The plan also includes a construction school with scholarships for 250 individuals.

The announcement of this incomprehensible measure by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada will harm the development of this project, of expected jobs and will deepen the suffering of the most vulnerable, Apaid said. Unfortunately, this is a serious blow to the job creation and social efforts that motivate us.
OTTAWA COUNTY  The Michigan Court of Appeals has denied Ottawa County Health Officer Adeline Hambley's request asking the court to order her possible firing be supervised by a circuit court judge, claiming recent actions from the county board of commissioners are aimed at trying to oust her.

In a Monday, June 26, filing, Hambley said the Ottawa Impact-led board intends to use a newly approved resolution to "protect child innocence," as well as statements critical of the health department's participation in various county Pride Month events, as a way to make a case to fire her for cause.

Hambley's attorney, Sarah Riley Howard, asked the COA to amend its June 6 order to require trial court supervision of the process, should the commissioners take action "to assert adequate statutory cause for initiating due process proceedings to remove her."

Howard said it's "reasonable to conclude that relief is needed as soon as possible, and that (the commissioners) could be planning to initiate sham proceedings against (Hambley) shortly following the commission meeting on June 27."

Sarah Riley Howard

The resolution, which prohibits county staff and resources from being used for "activities, programs, events, contents or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the sexualization of youth," was approved Tuesday, June 27.

The resolution is the latest in a series of moves from conservatives nationwide to limit "child sexualization" they link with the LGBTQ+ community.

Most notably, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis championed the Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to as the "Don't Say Gay Law," which prohibits public schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through third grade and prohibits adopting procedures or student support forms that maintain the confidentiality of a disclosure about gender identity or sexual orientation from parents.

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A national version of the bill, the "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act," was introduced last year, but did not advance out of committee.

Ottawa Impact, a far-right fundamentalist group formed in 2021 over outrage at the county and state responses to the global COVID-19 pandemic, has been emphatic in its stances against diversity, equity and inclusion and any discussion surrounding sexual health behaviors in minors.

In November, OI founders Joe Moss and Sylvia Rhodea crafted a 14-page manifesto titled The Sexualization of Michigan Children in Public Schools." In it, they make the argument that the sexualization of Michigans children and the push to eliminate parents from education and medical decisions  has occurred under the strategic influence of activists within Michigan government and special interest groups.

Tuesday's resolution passed 9-2, with Moss and Rhodea joined in voting yes by Commissioners Allison Miedema, Rebekah Curran, Roger Belknap, Lucy Ebel, Kyle Terpstra, Gretchen Cosby and Jacob Bonnema. Commissioners Doug Zylstra and Roger Bergman voted no.

Although the resolution doesnt mention specific organizations or events, Rhodea said its time to "define the plus in LGBTQ+. She also criticized the health department.

Our health department has advised school districts on implementing radical comprehensive sexuality education and has used results from the intrusive, over-the-top, sexualized (Youth Assessment Survey) as a justification for doing so, Rhodea said. We must always weigh the risk of harm to children in public policy decisions. Taxpayer-funded government bureaucracy should not be utilized for the promotion of a sexuality agenda to children.

From dictating to Hambley that Ottawa County will not issue any health orders that "overstep parental rights" to erroneously claiming the county's health department sponsored Grand Valley State Universitys recent Sex Ed Week to refusing to approve federal grant-funded mental health positions and state-funded nonprofit projects, OI commissioners have been laser-focused on the health department since taking office at the beginning of the year.

During a report from Hambley before the Health and Human Services Committee on June 20, several OI-linked commissioners questioned the departments involvement in Pride Month events in Grand Haven and Holland, with Rhodea going so far as to say the event was grooming children, a term used to refer to lowering a child's inhibitions with the goal to sexually abuse them.

Ottawa County Health Officer Adeline Hambley leaves the courtroom Friday, March 31, 2023, in Muskegon.

"Commission Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea complained that attendance at a public festival like a Pride Festival or Sex Ed Week at Grand Valley State University by the health department showed 'a pattern of a lack of discernment on some of these issues, especially in particular to the grooming of our children,'" Howard wrote in the most recent filing.

Miedema said children would pick up "deviant" behaviors from attending such events.

"Miedema said that a drag queen show, as one of many events held during the Grand Haven Pride Festival, encouraged any children present at the show to later imitate giving tips to drag queens in their play and to exhibit 'deviant' sexual behavior," Howard wrote.

Commissioner Allison Miedema listens during a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in West Olive.

"She said, 'By being in attendance [at Grand Haven Pride Festival], the Ottawa County Department of Public Health is promoting sexual promiscuity, which in turn, can contribute to future clients of public health, who will be seeking positive STD testing along with mental health services.'"

Hambley defended the criticisms at the HHS committee meeting, saying the department frequents several well-attended events, including local farmers markets and Holland's Tulip Time Festival, to provide vaccines and information on sexually transmitted diseases.

Gwen Unzicker, the countys medical director, also has said it's the role of the health department to meet people where they are.

Commissioner Doug Zylstra sits during the board of commissioners meeting Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Ottawa County Offices in West Olive.

During discussion Tuesday, Zylstra questioned the portion of the resolution that forbids allocation of resources to "sexualize" children, asking for a list defining those activities, programs, events, content and institutions.

Zylstra said it's only fair to staff to know whats not allowed ahead of time. Moss said there's not a list drafted and it wouldnt be possible to capture all potential future events in such a list.

Bergman said the resolution doesn't address things such as poverty, hunger and homelessness that also harm childhood innocence.

This resolution is wrong on so many fronts, Bergman said. For you to vote 'yes' is a slap in the face to parents who don't share your beliefs.

Moss said the resolution deals with county employees, not parents at large.

Cosby suggested a policy be drafted to address Zylstras concerns, which many commissioners found favorable. Ebel suggested a 90-day timeframe to create such a policy. Zylstra asked to table the resolution until the policy could be drafted, but didn't receive support.

Rhodea said she supports working on a policy, but said the resolution lacks specifics intentionally to leave room to discuss with staff.

I dont think it was ever the intention to just have a resolution stand by itself with staff unsure where to go with it, she said. Clarity and discussion around what this means with staff is important, which is one reason why exact specifics are not in the resolution, to give opportunity for staff input as policy is created.

Zylstra said he worries the resolution is laying a trap for staff," which Cosby and Rhodea disputed.

This was not written to be a trap, this was written as a resolution for our county to follow, Rhodea said.

Zylstra concluded the discussion by asking for grace for staff while policy is being developed.

Adeline Hambley

On Wednesday, June 28, Hambley released a statement in response to the move:

"On Tuesday, the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners took an alarming step under the guise of 'protecting childhood innocence' to restrict county programs, services, and funding if they are not deemed 'wholesome, good, and honorable,' by the Board of Commissioners. The resolution draws a target on staff and funding for failure to comply with its subjective and unclear requirements.

"Our staff have never provided services that sexualize or abuse children. The Health Officer has explicit legal authority and responsibilities under the Michigan Public Health Code to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote public health for everyone. These laws exist to ensure local public health is nonpartisan and acts without moral judgement in the duty to protect health.

"The Ottawa County Department of Public Health does not, and will not, discriminate against any group of people. We will continue to do our jobs to the best of our abilities within the framework of the laws of Ottawa County and the State of Michigan."

Hambley sued the board in February, claiming the OI-linked commissioners have repeatedly interfered with her ability to do her job. The suit was filed days after Moss made statements on a conservative West Michigan radio show claiming the health department was "promoting radicalized sexual content.

More: Judge: Ottawa health officer will remain in place until trial on broader issues

More: Ottawa Impact broadens control in new communications lockdown mandate

On April 18, a circuit court judge in Muskegon granted Hambley a preliminary injunction that allows her to remain in her role until a trial can take place later this year. The Michigan Court of Appeals denied the commissioners the right to appeal the lower courts ruling prior to a trial, but later granted a narrow window to appeal certain aspects of the lower court's findings.

The court limited the appeal to issues over whether the trial court erred in awarding Hambley declaratory relief  determining she was appointed the health officer of Ottawa County by the previous board of commissioners  and whether the trial court erred in granting the preliminary injunction.

In Monday's filing, Howard says the latest criticisms of Hambley and the health department, coupled with the upcoming resolution, are a clear indication the OI majority intends to move forward with firing Hambley, which she claims is politically motivated.

David Kallman addresses the judge during proceedings Friday, March 31, 2023.

Howard cited a June 7 interview with WZZM TV-13, during which the commission's lead attorney, David Kallman, said, "I think that the board wants to exercise its authority and bring someone on board that theyre comfortable with."

Howard argued that Kallman's statement is directly contrary to the requirements of MCL 46.11(n), the state statute that regulates how health officers may be removed from office. The statute states the board may "remove an officer or agent appointed by the board if, in the board's opinion, the officer or agent is incompetent to execute properly the duties of the office or if, on charges and evidence, the board is satisfied that the officer or agent is guilty of official misconduct, or habitual or willful neglect of duty, and if the misconduct or neglect is a sufficient cause for removal."

Hambley said her position grants her certain powers through the state and that her position is of a just cause nature, where the supervising authority  the board of commissioners  would need to provide a reason, or cause, to fire her, and could only do so after a public hearing, where she could be represented by legal counsel.

Kallman and Moss' recent statements are "exactly the scenario that the preliminary injunction aimed to prevent, and which this court kept in place pending its hearing of appellants interlocutory appeal," Howard wrote.

Commissioner Joe Moss listens to public comment during the board's meeting Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at the county offices in West Olive.

Howard said when Hambley's lawsuit was heard before the 14th Muskegon County Circuit Court in March, Kallman said Hambley had been doing a "fine job" and that she "might have been the commission's pick."

"Counsel for appellants had acknowledged that they had no statutory cause for removal of (Hambley)," Howard wrote.

Howard said the totality of the issue equates to the board forcing her client to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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"Appellees intend to insist that (Hambley) discriminate in the provision of public health services on the basis of LGBTQ+ status, under the guise of 'protection of children,' in a manner that would both violate Michigan and federal law, and in a manner that diverges from (Hambleys) professional judgment about what actions are appropriate and necessary to promote public health in the county," Howard wrote.

Kallman filed a response Wednesday, June 28, arguing Howard had no legal or factual basis for her request and that the motion was "merely a rehashing of the same legal issues previously raised prior to the June 6, 2023, order under the guise of 'new' facts."

Kallman claims in his response the COA vacated the lower court's ruling that prohibited the board from firing Hambley.

"Pursuant to MCR 7.205(E)(2), the court vacates the April 19, 2023, order to the extent that it prohibits the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners from taking action allowed by MCL 46.11(n) to remove plaintiff-appellee as the health officer for Ottawa County. Under MCL 46.11(n), a county board of commissioners has authority to remove a health officer in limited circumstances and when certain processes are given," the higher court wrote in its ruling.

Kallman said it's no secret that the board plans to remove Hambley.

More: Health experts: The actions of Ottawa Impact commissioners aren't really for the greater good

More: Ottawa County's prospective health officer has no experience. Here's why that could be a problem

"(The commissioners) have argued since the very beginning of this matter that (Hambley) is not the permanent Ottawa County Health Officer, and the BOC will eventually need to appoint someone permanently to that position. This is a surprise to no one," he wrote Wednesday.

"All of the alleged statements referenced by (Hambley) merely reflect their long-known position that (Hambley) is only in her position on a temporary and interim basis and someone permanent must be appointed, whether that be (Hambley) or someone else."

Kallman said Howard was making a "conclusory leap to a grand conspiracy" that commissioners wouldn't follow the law.

"It is preposterous to argue that the BOC merely putting on the agenda a proposed resolution to protect children is somehow the first step of a nefarious conspiracy to illegally fire (Hambley)," he wrote. "Indeed, the resolution does not even mention (Hambley), anyone in the health department, or the health department itself. Despite (Hambley's) unfounded fears, not everything the BOC does is about her."

Hambley has claimed the OI commissioners plan to install their preferred health officer candidate, who aligns ideologically with their views.

"It appears appellants plan to use this to make another unlawful attempt at removing (Hambley) and installing their preferred candidate, Nathaniel Kelly, before this court can rule," Howard wrote in her Monday request.

Kelly, a COVID-19 minimalist who has no experience in public health, is a health and safety manager at a Grand Rapids-area HVAC company.

Kelly and his wife both commented on the county's live YouTube stream of Tuesday's meeting.

"I absolutely cannot wait to run the health department," Kelly said. "It's going to be an eye opener for the county to see how an effective leader operates."

 Sarah Leach is executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter@SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Does OI's newest resolution lay a 'trap' for health department staff?
The National Weather Service expects temperatures in Oklahoma to reach 103 degrees on Wednesday.

National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec told The Associated Press that a heat wave is spreading across the southern United States.

Going forward, that heat is going to expand ... north to Kansas City and the entire state of Oklahoma, into the Mississippi Valley ... to the far western Florida Panhandle and parts of western Alabama," while remaining over Texas, Oravec told the AP.

So far, medics have responded to 22 suspected heat-related illnesses and transported 13 patients to Oklahoma City hospitals since June 21, reports EMSA.

The EMSA Medical Heat Alert issued last week will remain in effect through Friday due to forecasted high temperatures in the Oklahoma City area.

Dangerous heat indices from 105 to 113 F are forecast once again across southern Oklahoma and north Texas for Monday afternoon.



Across the northern half to two-thirds of Oklahoma, heat indices will be lower (generally in the 90s F)...so "less hot".



Stay cool! #okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/JhgWSfqtL9  NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 25, 2023

No floaties, no problem: Kiddos can have fun in the sun at greater OKC splash pads

Heat warnings expected for much of the South

Oravec told The Associated Press that forecasters expect to record high temperatures around 110 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of western Texas on Monday and relief is not expected before the Fourth of July holiday.

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System reports more than 46 million people from west Texas and southeastern New Mexico to the western Florida Panhandle are currently under heat alerts. The NIHHIS is a joint project of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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The heat wave, or heat dome, is the result of a dome of stationary high pressure with warm air combined with warmer than usual air in the Gulf of Mexico and heat from the sun that is nearly directly overhead, Texas state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon said.

More: Thousands in Oklahoma still without power following 100 mph winds

A young boy of the Oklahoma Afterschool Network makes a splash in the water at the Northeast Community Pool in Oklahoma City.

Cooling centers located around OKC metro

Area libraries and businesses are offering cooling centers for residents to get out of the heat. OG&E offers a comprehensive list:

Edmond

Edmond Center, 3413 Wynn Drive.

Rankin YMCA, 1220 S Rankin St., Edmond.

Mitch Park YMCA, 2901 Marilyn Williams Drive, Edmond.

Edmond Library, 10 S Boulevard.

Edmond Daily Living Center, 3413 Wynn Drive.

Oklahoma City

Almonte Library, 2914 SW 59 St.

Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S Walker.

Capitol Hill Library, 327 SW 27 St.

Earlywine Park YMCA, 1801 S May Ave.

Wright Library, 101 Exchange Ave.

Homeless Alliance Day Shelter, 1724 NW Fourth St.

Edward L. Gaylord Downtown YMCA, 1 NW Fourth St.

Ralph Ellison Library, 2000 NE 23 St.

Ronald J. Norick Library Downtown, 3000 Park Ave.

Red Shield Dining Room, 1001 N Pennsylvania Ave.

Patience S. Latting Northwest Library, 5600 NW 122 St.

Belle Isle Library, 5500 N Villa Ave.

The Village Library, 10307 N Pennsylvania Ave.

Northside Branch YMCA, 10000 N Pennsylvania Ave.

Jones Library, 12900 E Britton Road.

Rockwell Plaza YMCA, 8300 Glade Ave.

Warr Acres

Warr Acres Library, 5901 NW 63 St.

Bethany

Bethany Branch YMCA, 3400 N Mueller Ave.

Bethany Daily Living Center, 3000 N Rockwell Ave.

Midwest City

Midwest City YMCA, 2817 N Woodcrest Drive.

Midwest City Senior Center, 8251 E Reno Ave.

Moore

Moore Sr. Citizens Center, 501 E Main.

Choctaw

Choctaw Library, 2525 Muzzy St.

Nicoma Park

Nicoma Park Library, 2240 Overholser Drive.

Norman

Food and Shelter, 201 Reed Ave.

More: Millions expected to suffer as heat dome expands beyond Texas this week: Graphics

A person sits beside fountains at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Oklahomans can apply for utility assistance programs

Oklahomans can apply for LIHEAP, a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to approximately 182,000 Oklahoma low-income households each year to help them meet the cost of home energy.

Those hoping to participate in the summer cooling program are encouraged to apply online during the open enrollment period. Those seeking help may be asked to provide some verification documents to determine eligibility for utility assistance. The program is based on income and all adult individuals should provide a month's worth of income statements upon applying.

Native American households may apply through Oklahoma Human Services or through their tribal nation for LIHEAP. However, tribal households cannot receive assistance from both the Oklahoma Human Services and their tribe during the same federal fiscal year.

All applicants for the program should have the most recent heating bill information for their home and utility supplier, as well as their ID, Social Security number and verification of income.

Contributing: Ken Miller of The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Heat wave in USA expected to reach Oklahoma, bring triple-digit temps
Courtesy Pamela Hemphill

Actual truth has erupted on Truth Social.

It came on Monday, after Donald Trump posted a compound falsehood.

AMERICAN JUSTICE: 69-year-old Grandma with Cancer given more prison time for walking inside US Capitol than Hunter Biden for sharing classified documents with foreign regimes and multi-million dollar bribery schemes.

Trump endorsed the lies with a one word comment.

HORRIBLE.

But then that same grandma with cancer, who is actually 70, came right at him.

Please @realDonaldTrump dont be using me for anything, Im not a victim of Jan 6, I pleaded guilty because I was guilty! #StopTheSpin, Pamela Hemphill of Idaho wrote on the platform.

She added that Trump should not compare her to the current presidents son.

He didnt try to attack the Capitol! she tweeted.

FBI

Hemphill says that until three months ago she was under the spell of what she calls the Trump cult. She attended the Jan. 6 rally as a self-appointed citizen journalist and videographer after her brother gave her a plane ticket to Washington. He was trying to lift her spirits as she fought breast cancer.

My brother calls, says, Hey, you, since youre going to start chemotherapy, why dont you go see Trump and video-record that? she told The Daily Beast. I said I couldnt afford it. But he said, Ill give it to you for a Christmas present.

Three days after Christmas, Hemphill announced on Facebook that she was going to Washington.

Its not going to be a FUN Trump rally that is planned for January 6th, its a WAR!

She added, The fight for America is REAL, show up. I dont need to hear your excuses! We have no second chances. If Millions, and I mean Millions show up, we may have a chance. FIND A WAY!

That New Years Eve, a friend posted on Facebook what Hemphill says was just a joke photo of her holding a plastic rifle.

Happy New Year! On my way to Washington on January 6, the caption read.

FBI

Hemphill later said that she had not realized how lost she had become.

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You dont see it as a cult when youre in it, she told The Daily Beast. You dont recognize it.

She says she still had 40 stitches from her breast surgery when she was caught up in the rush into the Capitol building. She credits one of the cops with saving her from serious injury. A combination of excitement and pain medication caused her to then urge the crowd to go on in, she says

This is your house. Your house! she can be heard saying on her own video.

FBI

That next morning, she flew back to Boise. She was home eight months later when FBI agents arrived at her door and arrested her. They were nothing like the jackbooted feds of far-right fictions.

The FBI were really good to me, she recalled. They just have procedures. Its just what they do.

The agents agreed to let her just sit down and collect herself.

I said, I gotta vape for a minute here. Im nervous. Ive never been in jail in my life, she recalled.

After Hemphill pleaded guilty to invading the Capitol, she was sentenced to 60 days in prison. In mid-July of last year, she paid two months rent in advance and surrendered at the federal prison in Dublin, California. She says that a large number of her fellow inmates were cartel women. They had not forgotten Trumps diatribes against Mexican immigrants and they knew what being a Jan. 6 prisoner meant.

They hate Trump, she said. I was lucky to get out.

Hemphill says the 60 days felt like an eternity, and during the long hours she started to understand why the cartel women felt the way they did about Trump. She said she had deepening doubts that the election had really been stolen.

I was starting to see things, she recalled. I was back and forth, not knowing what to believe.

But Trumpism kept its hold on her until after she was back home and family members began speaking hard truth to her just as she had to alcoholics and drug abusers before she retired as a substance abuse counselor.

Telling me, Pam, youre in a cult. You really need to get out of that We really care about you, but this is a cult. Youre trapped in a cult, she recalled.

She began to see the Trump who had been there all along.

I started seeing the narcissistic behavior, she recalled. And I said, Wait, wait, this is gaslighting. This is not true. She began to listen to what her gut had been telling her.

I never liked how he talked to people anyway, she recalled. Hes rude. Hes very mean to people.

She discerned the truth about fake news.

Tell everybody its fake news and they dont listen to that news, she said.

She became angry when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and others spoke of her as a victim.

Whats happened is they're using me like a victim, Hemphill said. Im not a victim. I pleaded guilty because I was guilty, period. I mean, I was trespassing. I had a choiceI could have left.

And she was disturbed by the ongoing Trump mania.

All those flags with his picture on it and T-shirts, she said. Its like, Wait, you guys, this is getting a little weird.

In the meantime, other Jan. 6 participants and their supporters were bombarding Hemphill with texts and tweets.

Just telling me all their victimness, gaslighting, she recalled. And I started saying, Wait, wait, wait. You guys, the officers were nice to me. I dont see what youre talking about. I started hearing all their lies, their stories. I said, Wait, it doesnt look like [the police] started anything.

Jordan Klepper Grills Jan. 6 Trump Supporter Who Confesses: I Just Got Out of a Cult

In April, Hemphill finally broke the spell. She told herself what her family had been telling her.

I said, This is it. Pam, this is a cult. Just face it. Back away a hundred percent, she recalled.

Those still deep in the cult were furious.

I started debunking them and they got mad at me and they started getting more mad at me and started a smear campaign on me, Hemphill recalled. That I was a fed agent. That I was antifa. Just silly children, high school stuff.

She was exiled from the Jan. 6 Twitter spaces. She started one of her own that filled with people who wielded the best weapon against a cult.

Facts, she said.

She came to understand how she and others became members of the Trump cult.

Its called love-bombing, she said. Hes a rescuer trying to save the world, you know.

On Monday, Hemphill responded to Trump with fact on Truth Social. And it was not because she favors any of the other presidential candidates.

Too bad we dont have a Black woman running, she said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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(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.

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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.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Tuesday he does not know if former President Donald Trump would be the "strongest" Republican candidate to challenge President Joe Biden in the race for the White House next year.

While McCarthy said during an interview with CNBC that he believes Trump can defeat Biden in the 2024 presidential election, he also expressed some doubt that the former president would be the best contender to win back the White House for the Republican Party.

"Can Trump beat Biden? Yeah, he can beat Biden," McCarthy said. "Is he the strongest to win the election? I don't know that answer."

McCarthy's comments came after he was asked whether it would be a good thing for the Republican Party if Trump  who is currently facing two indictments  is selected as the GOP nominee in the 2024 general election.

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks in the Rayburn Room following the House vote on Fiscal Responsibility Act at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on May 31, 2023. The US House of Representatives voted today, May 31, 2023 to raise the federal debt limit, moving the country a step closer to eliminating the threat of a calamitous credit default -- just five days ahead of the deadline set by the Treasury.

McCarthy, a close Trump ally, argued that in terms of "sheer policy to policy," Trump would be better for the United States than Biden.

"Trump's policies are better, straightforward than Biden's policies," he said.

McCarthy in a statement to USA TODAY said "as usual, the media is attempting to drive a wedge between President Trump and House Republicans as our committees are holding Biden's (Justice Department) accountable for their two-tiered levels of Justice."

"The only reason Biden is using his weaponized federal government to go after President Trump is because he is Biden's strongest political opponent, as polling continues to show," he added. "Just look at the numbers this morning  Trump is stronger today than he was in 2016."

Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month on charges related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The former president pleaded not guilty to 37 charges in federal court in Miami.

McCarthy has recently shown support for Trump. For example, he signaled he would support a symbolic resolution to expunge the former president's two impeachments from the House record.

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Some of the candidates challenging Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination have claimed that a Trump victory would be harmful to the Republican Party.

Former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, the latest candidate to enter the 2024 race, said in an interview last week that he would not support Trump if he was the eventual Republican nominee.

McCarthy has not endorsed a candidate in the 2024 Republican primary.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: McCarthy doesn't 'know' if Trump is 'strongest' 2024 Republican
a cylindrical piece of debris floating in the ocean

South Korean military authorities have salvaged North Korea's first spy satellite after its failed first launch last month, according to media reports.

North Korea attempted to launch the satellite on May 31, but the rocket carrying it suffered an unknown failure and crashed into the sea shortly after liftoff. The satellite, known as Malligyong-1, is reported to be designed to take high-resolution images of Earth to provide intelligence for the reclusive country's military.

Pieces of debris believed to be the Chollima Type 1 rocket used for the mission were recovered just days after the attempted launch, Reuters reported on June 15. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency is now reporting that the South Korean military has salvaged "an object believed to be a military reconnaissance satellite," offering a valuable opportunity to learn about the spacecraft and its planned capabilities.

Related: North Korea says its rocket launch failed, 1st spy satellite lost

Close to 180 pieces of debris were reported to have landed in the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean peninsula, according to the report.

Unnamed military sources told Yonhap News Agency that "various wreckage has been collected from the site," and "the salvage operation and related activities are continuing." The suspected satellite has been transferred to a military research facility in Daejeon, South Korea for further analysis.

a small inflatable boat in the sea beside a metal cylinder

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North Korea has previously launched satellites to orbit, once in 2012 and again in 2016 , but neither was believed to be designed to collect intelligence as Malligyong-1 was. Some analysts think these launches were meant to provide cover or research for the nation's widely condemned missile program.
Editors Note: Keir Giles (@KeirGiles) works with the Russia and Eurasia Programme of Chatham House, an international affairs think tank in the UK. He is the author of Russias War on Everybody: And What it Means for You. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

While the dust starts to settle from Yevgeny Prigozhins abortive march on Moscow with his Wagner mercenaries, details of the deal that brought their short-lived insurrection to an end remain incomplete and confusing.

Keir Giles - Munira Mustaffa

In fact, anybody who says theyre not bewildered by the situation plainly hasnt been paying attention. But while the short-term impact of the challenge to Moscows authority is still playing out, the long-term consequences for Russia are far more clear.

Both President Vladimir Putin, and Russia itself, have been shown to be far weaker than they would like to pretend to be. The sight of Wagner columns apparently being waved through on their way to Moscow, and calmly breezing in to occupy a key military headquarters while holding coffees, has exploded the idea that Putin has a firm and unchallenged grip on power throughout his own country.

And the ability of a group of armed insurrectionists to roam southern Russia unchallenged has highlighted the Russian states lack of capacity to deal with challenges beyond the front line of its war on Ukraine.

That doesnt mean that the Ukrainian army could similarly roll up the highway to Moscow unopposed. But it does show that the Kremlin and its forces are divided and uncertain  and that success for Ukraine in the war may be more easily achievable than thought before Prigozhin showed up Russias vulnerability.

Crucially, it also doesnt mean that Russia is at imminent risk of collapse or fragmentation. Prigozhin could not have mounted a direct challenge to Putins power even if he had wanted to  and furthermore, regimes in Russia have a tendency to survive their own evident dysfunctionality for far longer than expected.

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The opportunity for Ukraine lies, instead, in the effect this should have on its coalition of Western backers.

What the Wagner showdown means for negotiated settlement

This proof of the fragility of Russias resistance demolishes a key argument for pushing Kyiv into a ceasefire or negotiated settlement.

The argument ran that, since it was unlikely to be possible for Ukraine to deal Russia a convincing defeat and evict its forces from Ukrainian territory currently under savage military occupation, Kyiv would eventually have to seek peace terms  and the sooner it did so, the better.

Its a line thats often accompanied by nonsensical arguments for Ukrainian neutrality, ignoring both past history and current reality. But the key impact of all of these proposals would be to hand Russia victory and reward Moscow for its aggression.

The appearance of slow progress in Ukraines counteroffensive hasnt helped. Senior figures in Kyiv have been careful to manage expectations both before and after major operations began. And military analysts have begun to discern the shape of what Ukraine is doing, and agree that success shouldnt be measured just by movement of the front line.

Nevertheless, its vital for Ukraine to show progress and the prospect of an end to the war in order to maintain its coalition of support and head off these continuing calls to accept defeat  especially in light of suggestions that Kyiv has one shot at clear success before being pushed into negotiations.

Instead of planning for defeat, the West must redouble support

The Prigozhin adventure shows that the prospect of collapse of Russian resistance held out by Ukraines more optimistic supporters could be closer than thought. But this has to be set against the fear that Ukraines efforts might have been fatally compromised by delays to supplies of war-winning military equipment, primarily by the US and Germany.

Those delays represent a stunning success for Russian information campaigns, primarily nuclear intimidation. But they also point to a circular argument by Western politicians who, whatever their reasons, are not fully convinced of the need for Ukrainian victory.

Planning instead for defeat risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy  the thinking goes that Ukraine hasnt been given enough military aid to defeat Russia, therefore it cannot achieve victory, therefore we should plan for a stalemate and negotiations, therefore there is no point in increasing military aid to Ukraine.

What the Wagner showdown demonstrates is that, instead, now is the time to redouble support to Ukraine. Now is the moment to make up for lost time and take advantage of the evident faltering within Moscow to achieve the convincing defeat of Russian aggression that is essential to - at least temporarily - remove the threat to Europe.

This doesnt just mean meeting Ukraines immediate and crucial needs, such as the means to continue to deny Russian air supremacy. It also means lifting all of the artificial constraints of what Ukraine can do with the weapons they are provided. The nonsense of prohibitions on using them to strike into Russia, for fear of offending Putin, has to end.

Above all, the fear in some Western capitals of Ukrainian victory, and Russian defeat, must be overcome. This week, the Chatham House international affairs think-tank released a report by nine leading experts on Russia and Ukraine (including myself), looking closely at possible outcomes from the war.

Our unanimous conclusion is that the only way to make Europe safer from Russia lies through urgently increasing assistance to allow Kyiv to win.

Arms supplies to Ukraine, and full backing for Kyiv to defeat and evict Russias invading army, are an investment in peace.

The best time to make that investment is already long gone. But the next best time is now.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The destruction of the worlds rainforests ramped up last year, despite global pledges to end deforestation by 2030, according to a new report.

An area of tropical forest the size of Switzerland was lost in 2022, as forest destruction rose by 10% compared to the previous year, according to the report by the World Resources Institutes (WRI) Global Forest Watch, which draws on data collected by the University of Maryland.

The rate of loss was equivalent to losing 11 soccer fields of forest a minute, the report found, as swaths of tropical forest were cleared for farming, mining and other commercial activities.

As well as having a devastating impact on wildlife, this destruction has significant consequences for climate change, as tropical forests are important stores of carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon pollution produced in 2022 from deforestation was equivalent to Indias annual fossil fuel emissions, according to the report.

Brazil cut down the most tropical primary forest, amounting to 43% of the global total, the report found. The countrys rate of forest loss rose 15% from 2021 to 2022.

This comes as some scientists warn the Amazon is approaching a critical tipping point that could see the rainforest transform into a grassy savannah, with huge implications for the worlds ability to tackle the climate crisis.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has promised to tackle Amazon deforestation - Gustavo Moreno/AP

The 2022 figures are from the final year of Jair Bolsonaros presidency in Brazil, which saw high rates of deforestation. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who took office in January, has pledged to tackle Amazon deforestation and repair the damage caused by his predecessor.

Elsewhere, the Democratic Republic of Congo lost more than half a million hectares in 2022, primarily because of land clearing for farming, while Ghana had the biggest relative increase in rainforest destruction when compared to 2021, the report found.

Bolivia saw a record-high level of primary forest loss last year, with a 32% increase compared to 2021. It came in third behind only Brazil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for area of primary forest loss, the report found.

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Broken promises

This destruction has happened despite an agreement by more than 100 world leaders to end and reverse deforestation by the end of the decade, made at the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow in 2021. At the time, Boris Johnson, then the UK prime minister, hailed it as a landmark agreement to protect and restore the Earths forests.

President of the Cop26 climate summit speaks in Glasgow. - Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty Images

But as deforestation intensifies, experts have called into question the validity of the commitments.

Rod Taylor, global director of WRIs Forest Program, said in a statement: We have seen governments and companies make time-bound commitments to end deforestation, restore degraded forest landscapes, and achieve sustainable forest management.

But rapid deforestation and forest degradation have continued, driven primarily by growing global demand for food, fuel, and fiber. Climate change impacts, including severe fires and new vectors and outbreaks of forest pests and diseases, exacerbate the decline, he continued.

There was some better news in the report, however. Despite the global increase in deforestation, there has been a sharp reduction in forest loss in Indonesia and loss levels in Malaysia have remained low, according to the report.

Tacking the palm industry has been a big factor, the report found. In Indonesia there has been a clamp down on new oil palm plantations, which have been a major driver of deforestation in the country, while Malaysia has also strengthened palm oil regulations.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
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. 
A man is facing federal charges after authorities say he assaulted two flight attendants and demanded a kiss from one of them during a flight from California to Las Vegas.

The suspect was charged with two counts of simple assault after the FBI filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court of Nevada on Friday.

The incident took place on a Southwest flight from Palm Springs to Las Vegas in October, according to a five-page criminal complaint filed by the FBI.

About 100 passengers, including the suspect and three flight attendants, were on board the plane when the alleged assault took place.

Assault in the sky A Georgia doctor says he flew to Maine to propose. A woman says he groped her on board.

A jump seat, a demanded kiss and a panic attack

Court papers filed by a FBI special agent reveal that about 20 minutes before the plane landed, the suspect got up from his seat, approached a flight attendant sitting in a jump seat in the back of the plane and demanded she kiss him.

"(The victim) got up from her jump seat, at which point the suspect put his arms on her shoulders and demanded a kiss again before stating that he was going to have a panic attack if (the flight attendant) did not go into the bathroom with him."

The complaint goes on to say the suspect grabbed the flight attendant and attempted to push her into the bathroom, causing her to fear for her life.

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 passenger plane takes off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

'Textbook' teamwork: What happened on this flight when a passenger had a heart attack

A second reported assault

The flight attendant pushed the suspect away, FBI agents said, and she called for help from another flight attendant, who ran to the back of the plane and tried to calm the suspect down.

Instead, the complaint continues, the suspect grabbed that flight attendant's shoulders and, once again, said he needed a kiss from her coworker.

"(The suspect) then grabbed (the first flight attendant's) face and squeezed hard while trying to kiss her," court papers say.

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According to the FBI, three other men on board stepped in and restrained the suspect in a back-row seat until the flight landed at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

It was not immediately known where the suspect is from or whether he was in custody Tuesday.

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: Man accused of grabbing Southwest flight attendants, demanding kiss
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with a man convicted of stalking after he sent hundreds of Facebook messages to a musician in Colorado she viewed as "creepy," drawing criticism from some advocates who said the decision would make it harder to convict people for similar behavior.

The appeal from Billy Counterman asked the Supreme Court to decide what constitutes a "true threat" that can be prosecuted as a crime versus what types of menacing language is protected. In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the standard prosecutors in Colorado used to convict Counterman violated the First Amendment.

Counterman claimed he did not intend to threaten the musician, Coles Whalen, with his messages. The Supreme Court's decision tosses his conviction but leaves open the possibility that prosecutors could try again under the more rigorous standard. The court said prosecutors must show a defendant acted recklessly, meaning the person "disregarded a substantial risk that his communications would be viewed as threatening."

"The state had to show only that a reasonable person would understand his statements as threats. It did not have to show any awareness on his part that the statements could be understood that way," Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority, recapping how prosecutors approached the case. "That is a violation of the First Amendment."

The decision drew criticism from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who said it would make it "more difficult to stop stalkers from tormenting victims."

Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at the University of Miami, wrote on Twitter that the decision "just decreed that stalking is free speech protected by the First Amendment if the stalker genuinely believes his actions are non-threatening. That is, the more deluded the stalker, the more protected the stalking."

Some of Counterman's messages were laden with profanity, and others suggested he had sought the musician out in public.

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"Was that you in the white Jeep?" one of the messages read. "You're not being good for human relations. Die. Dont need you," read another. "Seems like I'm being talked about more than Im being talked to. This isn't healthy," Counterman wrote in another.

Case tracker: Race, religion and debt: Here are the biggest cases pending at the Supreme Court

Staying in cyber life is going to kill you," Counterman wrote at one point. "Come out for coffee. You have my number."

After Whalen secured a protective order in 2016, Counterman was arrested on charges of stalking under a Colorado law that bars "knowingly ... repeatedly" making any form of communication with another person that "would cause a reasonable person to suffer serious emotional distress." The trial court ruled that his messages constituted a "true threat" and therefore didn't deserve protection under the First Amendment.

A jury convicted Counterman, and he was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

The Supreme Court on May 18, 2023.

Several First Amendment advocates applauded the decision.

"We're glad the Supreme Court affirmed today that inadvertently threatening speech cannot be criminalized," said Brian Hauss, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project. In a world rife with misunderstandings and miscommunications, people would be chilled from speaking altogether if they could be jailed for failing to predict how their words would be received."

Counterman acknowledged that his messages were "annoying" and "weird." But he argued that, in determining whether he was guilty of stalking, courts should have considered whether he intended the messages to be threatening. A state appeals court in Colorado upheld Counterman's conviction in 2021 under a different standard: that a person could "reasonably perceive" that the threats were serious.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote in dissent that the court's decision "unjustifiably grants true threats preferential treatment." Counterman, Barrett wrote, "knew what the words meant."

David Brody, managing attorney of the Digital Justice Initiative with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said the court's opinion attempted to find a compromise. But, Brody said, the "reckless" standard would make it "more difficult to combat online harassment and other attacks that intimidate people from participating in public life."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Critics say Supreme Court ruling will make it harder to nab stalkers
[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.

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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
Its been a tough few days for United Airlines passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport. Just ask Fr. Zachary Navit, who said hes been living in the terminal for almost two days with a group that was scheduled to fly out on a Catholic pilgrimage trip to Ireland.

Whats consistently come out behind the scenes in talking to people on the ground, its staffing, Navit told USA TODAY. They just do not have the staffing to handle the volume of people, the flights that are scheduled.

The tour group hes leading was originally scheduled to depart on Sunday evening. Their first flight to Dublin was delayed multiple times and eventually canceled, and then the whole group was rebooked for a 7 p.m. departure on Monday. They did eventually board the plane around 3:45 a.m. Tuesday, but that flight never made it out, either, because the crew eventually timed out.

The person at the gate explained, were just trying to keep postponing this flight instead of canceling it in the hopes of putting together a crew, but we just dont have a crew, Navit said.

His trip was booked through a third-party tour company, Select International Tours, which is working to rebook the group.

In this file photo taken on January 11, 2023, a United Airlines plane taxis at Newark International Airport, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Its the fourth day of travel headaches for passengers on United and other airlines in the Northeast, though United seems to be faring the worst.

According to tracking website FlightAware, at about 2:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, United had canceled more than 410 flights, or about 14% of its daily schedule, with 684 more flights delayed. Newark, also, had the highest cancellation rate of any airport in the country on Tuesday, with 167 departures and 209 arrivals already canceled by the early afternoon. That represents 24% of the outbound schedule and 29% of the inbound schedule for the day.

On Monday night, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby sent a letter to his employees in which he mostly put the blame for these ongoing issues at the feet of the Federal Aviation Administration.

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"The FAA frankly failed us this weekend," the letter said. "The FAA reduced the arrival rates by 40% and the departure rates by 75% (on Saturday). That is almost certainly a reflection of understaffing/lower experience at the FAA. It led to massive delays, cancellations, diversions as well as crews and aircraft out of position."

He went on to say that those Saturday issues cascaded through the weekend as summer weather continued, with more than 150,000 passengers affected on United alone.

"To be fair, it's not the fault of the current FAA leadership that they are in this seriously understaffed position  it's been building up for a long time before they were in charge. But it's incumbent on them now to lead and take action to minimize the impact. It's not their fault, but they are responsible for solving the problem they inherited, the letter said.

The FAA forewarned of travel headaches in the New York area this summer, saying that staffing issues were going to reduce capacity in one of the busiest sectors of the nations airspace. The agency preemptively asked airlines to reduce their schedules in the Northeast to account for those limitations.

A United spokesperson told USA TODAY that Newark was more affected by this week's weather than other airports in the New York area, and that the airline is continuing to work to recover its operations. United has issued a waiver for some major Northeast airports, providing passengers with extra flexibility to rebook if they are scheduled to travel in the region through Wednesday. The airline also recommends that passengers keep track of their flight status and use self-help rebooking tools as much as possible.

The FAA issued a statement responding to Kirbys letter.

We will always collaborate with anyone seriously willing to join us to solve a problem, it said.

Flight delayed or canceled?: Why what you're owed may be less than you think

But thats probably cold comfort to travelers who are stranded, like Thompson Gerhart.

The 34-year-old was on his way to Malta for a family trip and was approaching 24 hours at the airport on Tuesday afternoon.

Were, I dont know, three or four, maybe even five gates away from where the customer service desk is, and the line is forming around here, he said. United was able to rebook his group on flights for Friday, but he said now theyre trying to see if they can get their bags back so theyll have the clothes and other necessities theyd packed for the time they were supposed to be away.

To other travelers headed to Newark, he said: brace yourselves.

Expect delays. I would definitely say that, and if things do get to the point where theyre delayed or canceled, you may be better off trying to start a rebooking process on your own, because everyones going through a lot of pain right now, he said.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: United Airlines CEO: FAA to blame for Newark delays and cancelations
Weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine was seized during the latest round of Operation Consequences in the High Desert.

The latest round of Operation Consequences targeted several locations in the High Desert where authorities seized weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine.

The week of targeted crime suppression led by San Bernardino County Sheriffs investigators ended Friday, June 23 and included the following locations:

19000 Block of Jasmine Street, Adelanto

13200 Block of Mohawk Road, Apple Valley

36100 Block of Montera Road, Barstow

11600 Block of Pinon Avenue, Hesperia

10900 Block of I Avenue, Hesperia

13400 Block of Nevada Rd, Phelan

9600 Block Sultana Avenue, Fontana

22600 Block of East Avenue R, Palmdale

1400 Block of E. Ninth Street, San Bernardino

Investigators from the county's Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with sheriff deputies from patrol stations, served 10 search warrants and contacted suspects at the locations.

During the service of search warrants and additional contacts, investigators seized 40 firearms, four of which were ghost guns, and over 1,400 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators also made nine felony arrests.

Weapons and over a thousand pounds of methamphetamine was seized during the latest round of Operation Consequences in the High Desert.

Operation Consequences will continue to focus on conducting targeted crime suppression operations in the High Desert and the Sheriffs jurisdiction surrounding the city of San Bernardino.

The nearly year-long operation also includes personnel from the sheriffs Gangs/Narcotics, Specialized Enforcement division as well as California Highway Patrol, SBC Probation, and Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

There are currently 6,568 parolees at large in California and 534 parolees at large in San Bernardino County, authorities reported.

Operation Consequences will continue to take place throughout the years to curb violent crime, disrupt and dismantle targeted criminal street gangs, and locate and arrest criminals who are illegally possessing, manufacturing, and trafficking firearms, sheriffs officials said.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Weapons, meth seized during latest round of Operation Consequences
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.
A Palestinian child plays near a house after it was destroyed in Deir al-Balah refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, June 20, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- With their house being destroyed in recent Israeli airstrikes, many Gazans are deprived of the joy of this year's Eid al-Adha, one of the most celebrated festivals on the Islamic calendar.

"We used to spend long hours every day preparing for the Eid festival, cleaning and decorating our house, buying sweets and making cakes for Eid," Najah Nabhan, a 62-year-old woman from Beit Lahia, a city in northern Gaza, told Xinhua.

Now, instead of going to the markets and buying new clothes, Najah's grandchildren were searching between the rubble of their destroyed house for clothes they could wear.

"When I see such painful and sad scenes of my kids, I wish I was killed during the Israeli airstrike. The Israelis destroyed not only our house, but also our total life as well as our hopes," Mohammed Nabhan, Najah's son, told Xinhua.

Palestinian children stand on the ruins of houses in Deir al-Balah refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, June 20, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

"I do not know how other people in Gaza will celebrate the Eid. For me, the festival will be spent on the ruins and pain," the 39-year-old lamented.

In May, Gaza and the Israeli army engaged in a five-day military confrontation after a sudden Israeli airstrike killed three senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement in the enclave.

During the conflict, the Israeli army destroyed 120 residential units in Gaza, leading to the displacement of more than 1,000 people, according to official statistics issued by the Hamas-run Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza.

A Palestinian is pictured amid the ruins of a house following an airstrike in Gaza City on May 13, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

The Israeli army said its attacks targeted sites belonging to the PIJ and houses it used to launch rockets at Israeli cities.

"Even if their allegations are true, what is the fault of our children, who have to live a harsh life like this?" said Mohammed Abu Obeid, a 52-year-old man who lost his house in May.

It was the second time that Abu Obeid has lost his residence. The Israeli army destroyed his house in 2014, accusing him of involvement in military activities with the PIJ.

"During the first time (2014), I was displaced for more than three years before I managed to rebuild my house in late 2017. Now, my 20-member families became displaced again and can not celebrate the Eid," the man said with a broken voice.

A Palestinian inspects the ruins of a house following an airstrike in Gaza City on May 13, 2023. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Both Nabhan and Abu Obeid fear that they would have to wait a long time before their homes can be rebuilt, as officials in Gaza have warned them about the lack of international donations.

"It is truly a tragic situation that we are currently living through ... We hope that this renewed suffering from time to time will end someday," Abu Obeid said.

The Gaza Strip needs about 205.5 million U.S. dollars to reconstruct all the houses destroyed during the wars since 2008, according to Jawad al-Agha, the undersecretary of the Hamas-run Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza.

"Currently, there are about 1,980 totally-destroyed and more than 90,000 partially-destroyed houses that have not been reconstructed," said al-Agha. 
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration on Tuesday issued a yellow alert for mountain torrents in parts of the country.

From 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday, mountain torrents are expected to hit parts of Shanxi, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu, according to the alert.

Local authorities are advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warning procedures amid measures to brace for evacuation.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. 
Instanta a decis! Ce se intampla cu barbatul care si-a mutilat sotia cu nenumarate lovituri cu ciocanul

Daniela Roba a fost la un pas de moarte, dupa ce a fost lovita cu ciocanul de catre sotul ei Daniel Balaciu. Femeia a trecut peste momentele critice, insa mai are nevoie de trei [citeste mai departe]
This autumn, the Hungarian Parliament is to discuss the regulation of drone use, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure.

A 60-member commission under Laszlo Palkovics, Minister for Innovation and Technology, will be looking at ways to establish a protocol were vital resources, such as the Paks Nuclear Power Plant or the Danube Refinery, to come under threat.



With the use of unmanned aerial vehicles unregulated across Europe, member states may adopt stricter rules than those set by the EU but not contradictory ones. This means that Hungarian laws and regulations, as well as the rules formulated by the EU, must be interpreted collectively.



Hungary intends to host an international drone conference in 2024, when the country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.



Original source: index.hu



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
Hungarys government will continue to deny its consent to the next instalment of 500 million euros in the European Peace Facility to Ukraine until it removes Hungarian commercial bank OTP from its list of war sponsors, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Luxembourg on Monday, insisting that OTP had not violated any international regulations.

On the sidelines of a meeting of his European Union counterparts, Szijjarto said participants had agreed on increasing the peace facility by 3.5 billion euros, but added that Hungary had voted for the proposal on the condition of receiving legal guarantees to preserve the global nature of the facility.



That means, he added, that the fund could assist countries in the Western Balkans and in Africa in maintaining stability and prevent new waves of migration.



Szijjarto said some 6 billion euros had been used from the facility to finance arms shipments to Ukraine, adding that Hungary had sharply opposed this shift in focus and insisted that the facility had been created to support stability in a number of places such as Africa, the Sahel region or even in the Western Balkans and mitigate security challenges for Europe through preventing further waves of migration.



Szijjarto referred to a huge pressure ... nearly all participants urging to facilitate the next instalment of 500 million for weapons to Ukraine, but said Hungarys representatives continued to deny their consent as we had earlier made it clear that we would continue blocking it until Ukrainian authorities give up their ridiculous and false claims under which they had included OTP ... on a list of international war sponsors.



Szijjarto insisted it was nonsensical that while Ukraine ... expects further aid to finance arms shipments, they put the largest Hungarian bank on a list of war sponsors and will not change it.



He also added that he had asked his EU counterparts to urge Ukraine to remove OTP from the list.



Ukrainian authorities could remove OTP from that list in a second, but it seems they dont want to, he said, adding that Ukraine had sanctioned OTP under ridiculous and false claims lacking any realistic foundations.



Szijjarto: EU Continues to Urge Military Solution to Ukraine War



Though it has finally been acknowledged at a meeting of the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council that the global majority wants immediate peace in Ukraine, most member states continue to urge a military solution to the war, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Luxembourg.



The war continues to claim many lives, and the possibility of increasingly grave natural disasters is arising, Szijjarto told a press conference during a break in a meeting with his EU counterparts, according to a ministry statement. Also, the danger of nuclear accidents is being talked about more and more openly, he added.



All of these facts prove that there is no solution to this war on the battlefield, Szijjarto said. Weve been saying this for a very long time, and unfortunately I have to tell you that the daily tragically sad developments are proving us right.



This war cannot be resolved on the battlefield, only through negotiations, Szijjarto said. But in spite of this, it unfortunately became clear again at todays Foreign Affairs Council meeting that the vast majority of member states and the European Union itself insists on a military solution.



Although, after sixteen months, it has been acknowledged at the Council meeting that the global majority wants immediate peace, but despite this acknowledgement, they continue to urge a military solution in the European Union, the minister said.



Szijjarto said those who favoured a solution to the war on the battlefield over a diplomatic settlement bore responsibility for the growing casualties and natural disasters, which he said would increase the price of reconstruction likely to be spearheaded by Europe.



But, he said, serious questions needed to be put on the agenda before any decision was made about how a reconstruction would be financed and how it would affect the development funding of member states.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto noted a fresh report by the Venice Commission declaring that Ukraine failed to meet its obligations regarding the rights of national minorities.



He said Ukraine had been curtailing the rights of national minority communities since 2015. He called Ukraines decision to delay the changes to the operations of minority schools propaganda, arguing that this offered no solution to the situation of ethnic Hungarian schools.



If Ukraine fails to restore the rights of the ethnic Hungarian community in Transcarpathia, it will not be ready to start accession talks with the EU, and we wont be able to give our support, either, Szijjarto said.



Hungary expects Ukraine to meet the EU requirements and obligations enshrined in international treaties on guaranteeing the rights of minority communities, he said.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto said Hungary would never approve sanctions that would render the operations of its own nuclear industry impossible. In response to a question, Szijjarto said Hungary had monitored this past weekends conflict between Russias Wagner mercenary group and the military leadership closely so that the government could act in a timely fashion if necessary.



Szijjarto said he spoke by phone on Saturday with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov as well as with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov who had briefed him on the situation and likely developments, adding that both officials had turned out to be correct.



He said he had also been in contact with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, who had briefed him late in the afternoon on a phone call between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin which eventually resolved the situation.



So, long before the fact of the agreement or the resolution of the situation became public, my Belarusian counterpart had informed me about it, Szijjarto said. He added that he had simultaneously kept the prime minister updated about the situation.
Peter Marki-Zay, the one-time joint opposition candidate for prime minister, has announced a new opposition party, Everyones Hungary Peoples Party (Mindenki Magyarorszaga Neppart).

The new party is in opposition to the system, not part of it, Marki-Zay told a press conference held in front of Parliament on Saturday.



Whats now needed is not an opposition but resistance, he declared at the event streamed on his YouTube channel.



He said the system of Prime Minister Viktor Orban could not be overturned in an election, so action must be taken to change the rules.



Marki-Zay pledged to take a stand for persecuted social groups such as teachers, students, health and law enforcement workers.



Also, a change in culture was needed, he said, adding that Hungary was poor due to corruption, and that Hungarians were emigrating because of endemic graft.



What distinguishes the new party from the others, he said, was that they exclusively functioned on the back of donations and eschewed state funding. Marki-Zay added that Everyone for Hungary Peoples Party, an offshoot of the Everyones Hungary Movement, would strive to join the European Peoples Party over the longer term.



The new party will not participate in the local elections but it will do so in the European Parliament elections, he said.



Another founder, Tibor Barna, called the new party Western, though it would stand up for Hungarian national interests and values while being open-thinking and taking a 21st-century approach.
Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang (L) shakes hands with Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat after the delivery ceremony of China-funded prototype satellites in Cairo, Egypt, June 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CAIRO, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to the Egyptian side on Sunday, making Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test satellites.

During the delivery ceremony held at the Egyptian Space Agency near the country's New Administrative Capital, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat thanked China for supporting and cooperating with the agency, and being a "strategic partner and friend" of Egypt.

She noted that the China-funded MisrSat II satellite and satellite assembly, integration and test (AIT) center has greatly boosted Egypt's capacities in satellite research, development, measurement and control, making Egypt a leading African country in the aerospace field.

"The advanced devices and effective technology we saw today are important for Egypt as they open a gateway for cooperation with Africa in this field," she said.

Photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project in Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

Describing the MisrSat II satellite project as another landmark outcome of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Egypt, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said the project has laid a solid foundation for Egypt's space industry and will promote the development of space technology on the African continent.

According to the Chinese ambassador, it is the first time that China has completed a large-scale overseas test on an entire satellite and delivered a satellite cooperation project overseas.

"Egypt is the first African country to have complete satellite assembly, integration and testing capabilities," Liao said.

Sherif Sedky, chief executive officer of the Egyptian Space Agency, said over the past three months, Egyptian and Chinese engineers and experts have joined hands to run every stage of the tests on the three models of the MisrSat II satellite, comprising two prototype models and one flight model.

Photo taken on June 25, 2023 shows the delivery ceremony of China-funded prototype satellites in Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

He noted that these tests inaugurated the largest satellite AIT center in Africa and the Middle East, which was fully equipped through a grant from China.

"The center is the first of its kind to localize the satellite industry in Egypt. It also gives Egypt a leading role in transferring this technology to Africa," Sedky said.

With an image resolution of up to 2 meters, the MisrSat II satellite will make an effective contribution to the Egypt Vision 2030 for sustainable development by maximizing the use of national resources, including determining the types of crops and their distribution in Egypt according to the nature of the atmosphere and soil, exploration of mineral resources, urban planning, and monitoring coastal changes, according to Sedky.

After the delivery of the two prototype satellites in Cairo, an in-orbit delivery of the flight model of the MisrSat II satellite has also been scheduled. 
One of Budapests most popular summer attractions, the riverside beach spot of Plazs at Romai-part in Obuda, is reopening on 30 June, welcoming bathers until the public holiday of 20 August.

The only spot within Budapest along the Danube where you can swim, this open-air beach is now in its third year and is completely free of charge.



Visitors can use the showers, sunbeds and cycle storage, as well as take advantage of the nappy-change facilities and free drinking water.



Monitored by lifeguards, Plazs has its water and UV radiation checked at regular intervals to ensure a safe day out for all the family.

Plazs, Budapest 1039, Kossuth Lajos udulopart 15-17.



Original source: obudainyar.hu



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



Photo: Rockstar photographers
Interclean Amsterdam is one of the worlds largest cleaning industrial events for professionals, where the most prestigious players in the industry take part. After a four-year break, this May particular attention was paid to young talent, cleaning in the healthcare sector and updates for Facility Managers.

The international ensemble of 669 exhibitors and 25886 visitors from 125 countries came together again for 4 days of knowledge-sharing, product experience and dealing business at Interclean Amsterdam 2022.



As Robert Stelling, director of Interclean Global Events pointed out the event has demonstrated that the power of personal interaction is extremely valuable.



" am also proud of the Healthcare Cleaning Forum where we bridged the gap between infection prevention and cleaning. It was also fantastic to see how our sector is dealing with sustainability. On top of all that we learned that robotisation has now really taken off.  Stelling added.



Cleaning robots play a key role in transforming the business

The Innovation Lab, the Robot Arena and the Zero Waste Dome brought the latest innovative solutions, trends and developments into the limelight. The profession now shares the view that digitization is gaining strength in the facility management industry and cleaning robots play a key role in this.



It is not accidental that professionals at this trade fair were so keen on Robin, the autonomous cleaning robot developed by the R&D team of B+N Referencia Zrt. This popular and good-looking equipment took a tour every one and a half hours in the Robot Arena created for this purpose under the attention of a great number of visitors.



The Hungarian cleaning robot is unrivalled

Peter Zalka, the head of the companys R&D Department says that Robin is considered to be unique even among the top class robots of this trade fair because, in contrast to the other equipment, it maps its own cleaning path, which means that it offers a completely universal solution.



For B+N, business networking is a key benefit of taking part in this trade fair, besides introducing Robin to the public. As Peter Zalka put it: manufacturers of equipment parts and accessories were important as they could become prominent partners in the future. There were several companies at the fair showing interest in cooperation in the field of robotized cleaning.



Amsterdam Innovation Award supports Amref Flying Doctors

True to tradition the Amsterdam Innovation Award was presented when Interclean opened. This year the trophy was awarded to the overall winner Essitys Tork Biobased Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth.



Following the presentation, the amount raised by the participants in the Amsterdam Innovation Award of  12,675 was handed over to Amref Flying Doctors to support their projects in Ethiopia.



Click here to virtually visit B+N
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 Hastings Aquacourt Fun-Plex Fremont Splash Station Island Oasis Norfolk AquaVenture Mahoney State Park Pawnee Plunge CoCo Key Big Blue Water Park Papio Bay Aquatic Center Fullerton
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has completed 31-years in Bollywood and celebrating the same, he took on to Twitter conversing with his fans. In one such conversation, SRK replied to a Twitter user regretting flouting traffic norms 31-years ago, for a movie song. A Twitter user Pratt (@thatladka) posted a clip from the movie Deewana released in 1992 in which Shah Rukh Khan can be seen riding a Yamaha motorcycle along with his friends on other bikes, without wearing a helmet. The song 'Koi Na Koi Chahiye', was one of the super hit songs in its era.

Sharing the clip, Pratt asked Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) Sir how do you feel when you watch this epic entry of yourself. Its been 31 years and it still gives us chills. To everyone's surprise, Shah Rukh Khan replied by saying he regrets not wearing a helmet. Should have worn a helmet replied SRK to the Twitter post. An actor of SRK's stature admitting his mistake of not wearing a helmet for a movie shoot is a big message for road safety.

Should have worn a helmet!!! https://t.co/pFr5hbNdXg  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) June 25, 2023

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India is the number one country in the world when it comes to the road accidents and the number of deaths caused due to the road accidents. The majority of these accidents are related to two-wheeler riders in India. Yet, people are not taking road safety seriously and wearing a helmet on a two wheeler is seen more as an enforcement than necessity. On the top of that, Bollywood actors riding bikes for movies without helmet also play a big role in such mindset of flouting traffic rules.

Although such shoots are done in a controlled environment, people replicate them in real life conditions, causing danger to their lives. In the past, we have seen actors like Akshay Kumar riding a high-speed Ducati for a movie chase sequence. Not just in Bollywood, in Hollywood also, we have seen several incidences of actors, not wearing helmet while riding two wheelers

For instance, in movie Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, Tom Cruise doesnt wear a helmet while riding a bike as powerful as the BMW S1000RR. And this has been a case in most of the movies across nations. Shah Rukh Khan regretting not wearing a helmet in the movie Deewana, hence, makes a big impact in promoting road safety.
New Delhi: India and other countries around the world are familiar with the moniker Lijjat Papad. It is a shining example of a modest beginning that developed into a remarkable success tale. Lijjat Papad, a cooperative that was founded in 1959 by seven women with a meagre investment of 80 rupees, has expanded into a multi-million dollar organisation that has empowered thousands of women and become one of India's most recognisable and reputable businesses.

Early Days

Lijjat was created by seven Gujarati women from Bombay (now Mumbai), who wanted to create a business using their sole talent for cooking to support themselves. This took place in the 1950s.



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The women received an 80 rupee loan from the social worker and Servants of India Society member Chhaganlal Karamsi Parekh. They bought a papad manufacturing company that was in the red and invested in the tools and equipment required to start making papads.

Consequently, a well-known company formed and run by women for the progress of powerful, passionate women.

Scaling

Lijjat Papad created a cooperative organisation and initially permitted younger girls to join; eventually, the admission age was raised to eighteen. Within three months, some 25 women were working in the papad industry.

They purchased the company's necessities, including cutlery, cabinets, and ovens. In its first year, the company generated sales of Rs 6,196, and any papads that were damaged were shared with the neighbours in the area.

Through word-of-mouth and stories in local media, the club received tremendous visibility that helped it obtain more members. Around 100 to 150 women had joined by the end of the second year, and by the end of the third year, the membership had surpassed 300.

'Lijjat Papad'

The business made the decision to brand its products Lijjat in 1962, which is Gujarati meaning "tasty." The organisation was known by its formal name, Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. By 1962-1963, papad sales had reached Rs 182,000 annually.

In 2002, Lijjat generated $300 billion in revenue and exported Rs 10 billion. It employed 42,000 people in 62 divisions all around the country.
New Delhi: 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. 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. (Also Read: A 56-Year-Old Millionaire Who Failed Country's Toughest Exam For 27th Time, Still Dreaming To Be An Intellectual, Studying 12 Hours Daily)

She conspired with the other accused persons to sanction or get sanctioned credit facilities in favour of companies of Videocon Group, the CBI said. (Also Read: From Ultra-Luxurious House To Luxury Cars: Check The List Of Expensive Things Google CEO Sundar Pichai Owns)



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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 the 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 Kochhar 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.
Lucknow: The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police gunned down a wanted criminal in an early morning encounter in Kaushambi district on Tuesday. The slain criminal, identified as Mo Gufran, was wanted in several cases of murder and dacoity. He was carrying a reward of Rs 1,25,000 on his head.

Confirming the development, news agency ANI quoted SP Kaushambi Brijesh Srivastava as saying, A criminal identified as Mo. Gufran has been killed in an encounter with UP STF near the Samda sugar mill of Manjhanpur, Kaushambi.





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Uttar Pradesh | A criminal identified as Mo. Gufran has been killed in an encounter with UP STF near the Samda sugar mill of Manjhanpur, Kaushambi. He was carrying a reward of Rs 1,25,000: SP Kaushambi Brijesh Srivastava pic.twitter.com/iUdihy1yCe  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 27, 2023

According to reports, the encounter began when the Special Task Force team was confronted by Gufran during a raid in the Kaushambi district.

Gufran opened fire on the STF team, which retaliated, and in the ensuing cross-firing, the criminal was seriously injured. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to UP Police records, Gufran was wanted in more than 13 cases of murder, loot and dacoity in Pratapgarh and other districts of Uttar Pradesh. The UP Police had announced a bounty of Rs 125,000 for any information leading to this capture.

The Kaushambi encounter is part of the Yogi Adityanath governments crackdown on criminals and mafias across the state. Ever since Yogi Adityanath took over as Chief Minister in 2017, there had been close to 10,500 encounters across the state which resulted in the killing of nearly 185 criminals.
New Delhi: Russia dropped the "armed mutiny" criminal charges against Wagner mercenary group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and its members, a domestic intelligence agency said on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. In a statement, the Federal Security Service said, "It was established that its (Wagner) participants stopped their actions directly aimed at committing a crime on June 24," adding, "Taking into account these and other circumstances of value to the investigation, the investigative agency resolved on June 27 to terminate the criminal case."

An amnesty for the Wagner fighters who participated in the mutiny was part of a deal brokered on Saturday by Belarus President Aleksander Lukashenko between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin that brought an end to the war and also avoided the possible bloodshed in the country. The Wagner forces also shot down several Russian aircraft, leading to the deaths of an undisclosed number of airmen whom Putin has praised as "fallen hero pilots."

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the mercenary group's fighters were preparing to hand over military equipment to the army, reported The New York Times. The announcements appeared to be an effort to address one of the questions that have lingered since the weekend mutiny: the fate of Wagner's heavily armed forces.

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Also Read: Who Is Yevgeny Prigozhin, The Wagner Group Chief Who Openly Challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin?

Putin has said that all private armies fighting on behalf of Russia in Ukraine would have to come under the supervision of the Russian Defense Ministry by July 1, including members of Wagner. But there was no immediate response from the Wagner group or from Prigozhin, who has not been seen publicly since Saturday.

Prigozhin, in an audio message published on Monday by his news service, 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.

Also Read: Russia Crisis Explained: Who Is Yevgeny Prigozhin And Why His Wagner Group Is Rebelling Against Putin?

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."
NEW DELHI/MOSCOW: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, has shaken the Kremlin by recently ordering his army to march towards Moscow in an open challenge to his former boss and Russias all-powerful President Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group chief, who has now abandoned that rebellion for exile in Belarus  a deal that leaves several questions unanswered - has issued clarifications that the ''march was not meant to overthrow power'' in Russia. Prigozhin, in an audio message, said that 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".

Prigozhin claimed 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 claimed. Without sharing any details regarding his location and future plans, Prigozhin said that about 30 of his fighters died in the Russian army's attack on the mercenary group last week.

So, Who Is Yevgeny Prigozhin And What Is The Wagner Group?

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Prigozhin is the founder of the Wagner Group  a private military in Russia - that fought both in Ukraine and, increasingly, for Russian-backed causes around the world. Prigozhin was once known as Putins chef. He rose to prominence for his visible role in the Ukraine War in which his mercenaries have been fighting on behalf of Moscow after regular Russian troops suffered heavy attrition and lost territory in humiliating setbacks.

Taking full advantage of that situation, Prigozhin later blamed top Russian military commanders for the failures in Ukraine, even without fearing any retribution from the Kremlin for his open defiance. Prigozhins running feud with the Russian Defence Ministry widened after the Wagner fighters crossed from Ukraine into the Russian border city of Rostov-on-Don and took control of key military facilities.

Not only that, but the Wagner chief also questioned the official Kremlin version of Russias invasion of Ukraine. However, the Kremlin has now vowed to punish those involved in an armed rebellion. Prigozhin was convicted of robbery and assault in 1981 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Following his release, he opened a restaurant business in Saint Petersburg in the 1990s.

Putin's Chef

A St. Petersburg native like his boss Putin, Prigozhin, 62, became a wealthy oligarch by winning lucrative catering contracts with the Kremlin, earning him the moniker Putins chef. Both Putin and Prigozhin have known each other since the 1990s. He came to be known as a brutal warlord after the 2014 Russian-backed separatist movement in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine. Around 2014, Prigozhin founded Wagner as a shadowy mercenary outfit that fought both in Ukraine and, increasingly, for Russian-backed causes around the world.

A Media Manipulator

"Prigozhin is a mastermind of media and also is the mastermind of social media," according to Kateryna Stepanenko, a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, a public policy research based in Washington, DC

Wanted By FBI

Prigozhin is also wanted by the FBI for "conspiracy to defraud the United States." The US federal law enforcement agency has announced a USD 250,000 award for information leading to Prigozhin's arrest for allegedly overseeing the political and electoral interference of the St. Petersburg and Florida-based Internet Research Agency from 2014 to 2018. The agency, for which Prigozhin was the primary funder, worked to interfere with the 2016 US presidential election, the FBI alleged.

Besides fighting in Ukraine, the Wagner troops have been very active in Africa, where some nations are turning to Wagner to fill security gaps or prop up dictatorial regimes. Over time, Prigohzin has immensely helped Putin project his influence around the world. During Russias intervention in the war in Syria. Wagner and its fighters helped Putin and remained on the ground in the Middle Eastern country many years later. Wagner mercenaries have been accused of atrocities, including mass murder and rape, across Africa and alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a bid by Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Broadcom Inc (AVGO.O) 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 (MSFT.O), Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS), Dell Technologies Inc (DELL.N) and HP Inc (HPQ.N), accusing them of infringing the same patents in separate cases that are still pending.
This image captured from a video shows Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering a national address in Moscow, Russia, June 26, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a national address on Monday urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus. (Xinhua)

MOSCOW, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin in a national address on Monday urged the members of the Wagner private military group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

The majority of the fighters of the Wagner group are patriots of Russia, and they were simply used, Putin said in his address to Russian citizens Monday night.

"We knew that the vast majority of the fighters and commanders of the Wagner group are also Russian patriots, devoted to their people and state," he said, while stressing they were used without their knowledge during the armed mutiny.

The president noted that the organizers of the mutiny in Russia betrayed the country and those who followed them and "an armed rebellion would have been suppressed in any case."

He proposed the soldiers of the Wagner group to sign contract with the country's defense ministry, return home or go to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Putin thanked all Russian servicemen, law enforcement officers and special services who prevented the mutiny.

"I thank all our servicemen, law enforcement officers, special services who stood in the way of the rebels. You have remained faithful to your duty, and the people," Putin said.

He also thanked Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his mediating role in resolving the attempted mutiny.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee announced on Saturday that a counter-terrorist operation regime was introduced in Moscow city, the Moscow region and the Voronezh region to prevent possible terrorist acts after the Wagner private military group was accused of trying to organize an armed rebellion.

However, according to local reports, Moscow and Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military group, later reached a compromise through the mediation of Lukashenko.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee declared on Monday that the legal regime of the counter-terrorist operation had been canceled in Moscow, the Moscow region and Voronezh region due to the normalization of situation. 
Modifying a car takes more than just money. Finding the right set of mods for a car is the most important task of all. Some owners are just so right about their choices of modifications, their possessions look dope. Something similar we found on the internet that makes us believe that Tata Nexons appeal can be shot up with some simple changes. Well, the example we are talking about is the Tata Nexon facelift, which we came across via a YouTube channel - Charlie Vlogs. It is wrapped in a Nardo Grey vinyl wrap, which certainly has upped the ante for the Nexon.

The YouTube host claims that it is the only Nardo Grey-coloured Tata Nexon in the country. Earlier, the car was wrapped in matte black, and it now dons a spoiler at the rear. The owner has blacked out all the chrome bits that were on the car in its factory-spec iteration.



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Furthermore, the stock rims and rubber are retained, and it gets tyre stickers. Besides, there are speed stripes on the bonnet. The owner has also tuned the ECU of his Nexon. It is not confirmed what are the increased numbers on the tap with the remap.

Also read - 2023 Tata Nexon Facelift Ready To Launch In July: Top 5 Big Changes To Expect

Tata Nexon Specs

In the stock avatar, the Nexon manages to push out 120 PS of peak power and 170 Nm of max torque. The oil burner, however, belts out higher torque of 260 Nm, but slightly lower power output of 115 PS. Transmission choices are limited to only 6-speed MT and 6-speed AMT. The Nexon delivers a claimed mileage of 17.33 kmpl in the turbo-petrol guise and 23.22 kmpl with the diesel engine.

2023 Tata Nexon

The best-seller of the indigenous carmaker is ready to receive a major update in the coming days. The test mule of the 2023 Nexon is caught on camera numerous times, revealing some crisp details. It will be receiving a major design overhaul for the nose, inspired by the Tata Curvv Concept showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year. Anticipated on the updated Nexon is a longer features list comprising a larger touchscreen infotainment unit, new instrument cluster, 6 airbags and more.
Air India on Tuesday said a passenger behaved in a repulsive manner onboard an Air India flight from Mumbai to the national capital on June 24 and was handed over to the security personnel after the plane landed at Delhi airport. A police complaint has been registered and the incident has also been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to police, a man has been held here for allegedly defecating and urinating on the floor of the flight. Ram Singh defecated, urinated, and spat in row nine of the aircraft.

Upon observing the "misconduct", the cabin crew warned the passenger and secluded him from the others, as per the FIR. In recent times, there have been rising incidents of unruly behaviour of passengers onboard flights.

"A passenger on our flight AI866 operating Mumbai-Delhi on June 24 behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers. In doing their best to manage the situation in the circumstance, the crew immediately secluded the passenger for the rest of the flight and issued a warning," an airline spokesperson said in a statement.



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The airline said the passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing in Delhi and a police complaint (FIR) was registered subsequently, as was the matter reported to the regulator.

Upon arrival, the head of Air India security escorted the passenger to the local police station, it said, adding that a case under IPC sections 294 (obscene acts) and 510 (misconduct in public by a drunken person) has been registered, police said.

"Air India follows a zero tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour. We are extending all cooperation to the ongoing investigations," the spokesperson said.
Muslims all over the world celebrate two major Festivals  Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul- Adha. Eid ul Fitr is Celebrated at the culmination of Ramadaan, the fasting month, and is generally called Meethi Eid because Siwaiyan or Kheer are the prominent dishes. Eid ul Adha is called Baqra Eid or Namkeen Eid because the dishes are generally salty and are made of meat from the sacrificial animal. In both the festivals Public Prayers are the important factor.

Two Important Reasons for Eid-ul-Adha

Firstly, during Eid-ul-Adha we remember the spirit of Prophet Abraham and how he was willing to sacrifice the person he loved the most, his son because it was Allah's command for him.



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Second, Eid-ul-Adha ends the period of Hajj Pilgrimage, the 5th pillar of Islam (the other four being  the Declaration of Faith, Offering Prayers, Fasting, and Alms Giving. Every year, about 3 million people go to Mecca and perform the pilgrimage together.

Eid ul-Adha occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja, depending on the visibility of the moon each year. It is Thanksgiving Day when the Muslims assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to offer their gratitude to Allah for helping them to fulfill their journey to the rightful path.

Muslims pray today in a special way and commemorate this outstanding act of sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim by themselves slaughtering an animal. People visit each other's homes and share festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children receive gifts and sweets on this happy occasion. Muslims visit their near and dear ones. Delicious Muslim delicacies and drinks are served to make it a festival to remember for a long time.

Greetings On The Occasion Of Eid

May this Eid ul Adha bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to you and your family!

Wishing a very lovely Eid to you and your family. Enjoy peace, prosperity, and tranquility.

Wishing a joyous and blissful Eid to you! May Allahs blessing never leave your side.

Wishing you a cheerful and spiritual Eid ul Adha Mubarak. My heartiest regards go to you and your family!

On this auspicious occasion, may all your good deeds be accepted and you be awarded the highest reward of all.

On this holy day, may we sacrifice all the ills within us and remember the spirit of Sacrifice shown by Hazrat Ibrahim.
According to a study presented at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, the percentage of adults with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), the major global cause of liver disease, is growing. Mexican Americans consistently had the highest percentage of MAFLD, especially in 2018, although the prevalence of increase was higher among Whites, the study found.

MAFLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is fast becoming the most common indication for liver transplantation. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and a common type of liver cancer. If untreated, MAFLD can lead to liver cancer and liver failure.

"MAFLD affects Hispanics at a higher prevalence relative to Blacks and Whites. This racial/ethnic disparity is a public health concern," said researcher Theodore C. Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science in Los Angeles, Calif, adding, "Overall, the increase in MAFLD is concerning, as this condition can lead to liver failure and cardiovascular diseases and has an important health disparity."



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Also read: Poor Sense Of Smell Associated With Higher Risk Of Depression In Senior Citizens: Study

The researchers analysed data for 32,726 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1988 to 2018. "We found that overall, both MAFLD and obesity increased with time, with the increase in MAFLD greater than the increase in obesity," Friedman said.

"The percent of people with MAFLD increased from 16% in 1988 to 37% in 2018 (a 131% increase) while the percent of obesity rose from 23% in 1988 to 40% in 2018 (a 74% increase)," said the study's first author Magda Shaheen, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, adding, "The prevalence of MAFLD increased faster than the prevalence of obesity, suggesting that the increase in the other risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension may also contribute to the increase in the prevalence of MAFLD."

Among Mexican Americans, the percent of MAFLD was higher at all times compared to the overall population. The percent increase of MAFLD in 2018 relative to 1988 was 133% among Whites, 61% among Mexican Americans, and 56% among Blacks. "In summary, MAFLD is increasing with time and more efforts are needed to control this epidemic," Shaheen said.
IMPHAL: Indian Army has appealed to women activists not to block routes and interfere in the ongoing operations by security forces in violence-hit Manipur, urging people to help it in restoring peace in the Northeastern state. Terming such "unwarranted interference" detrimental to the timely response by security forces, the Army's Spears Corps shared a video on Twitter late on Monday of some such incidents.

The statement came two days after a stand-off in Imphal East's Itham village between the Army and a mob led by women that forced the forces to let go of 12 militants holed up there. "Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.





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Women activists in #Manipur are deliberately blocking routes and interfering in Operations of Security Forces. Such unwarranted interference is detrimental to the timely response by Security Forces during critical situations to save lives and property.

Indian Army appeals to pic.twitter.com/Md9nw6h7Fx June 26, 2023

"Indian Army appeals to all sections of the population to support our endeavours in restoring peace. Help us to Help Manipur," it tweeted. 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 the use of force against a large irate mob led by women and likely casualties due to such action, officials said.

Twelve members of the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), a Meitei militant group, involved in a number of attacks, including the ambush of a 6 Dogra unit in 2015, were holed up in the village, they said. The security personnel left with seized arms and ammunition.

Over 100 Dead In Manipur Ethnic Violence

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: A day after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned of attacks across the border if the need arises, the Government of India summoned a senior diplomat of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and sought an explanation over rising attacks on the Sikh community members living in the neighbouring country. According to sources, the Government also asked the Pakistani authorities to investigate the case of attacks on the Sikh community with sincerity and share the probe report at the earliest.

Sources said that the GoI has lodged a strong protest against the incidents taking place against the Sikh community in Pakistan. It also conveyed its strong displeasure over such incidents and demanded that Pakistan should ensure the safety and security of its minorities, who live in constant fear of religious persecution.

The action from the Indian government came after four incidents of attacks have taken place between April-June in 2023 against the Sikh community. On Saturday, a Sikh community member was shot dead after unidentified armed men opened fire at him, Pakistan-based The News International reported.



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4th Sikh Community Member Shot Dead In Kakshal

The victim was identified as Manmohan Singh who was murdered by unidentified assailants in the Kakshal locality on Saturday. "Manmohan Singh, 34, was on his way home in an auto-rickshaw on Saturday evening when unidentified armed men opened fire on him near Guldara, Kakshal," a spokesman for the capital city police said on Saturday night.

He was taken to hospital but he succumbed to injuries. The official said senior police officials and investigation teams have rushed to the spot to collect CCTV footage and other evidence. Besides, a search operation was also launched in the vicinity to arrest the culprits, reported The News International.

Earlier on Friday, another Sikh man was shot and injured in the Dabgari area of the provincial capital. The victim was identified as Tarlug Singh son of Makhan Singh was shot in the leg by unidentified armed men in Dabgari, The News International reported. He was taken to hospital where his condition was out of danger.

In May, assailants gunned down Sardar Singh in a drive-by shooting in the eastern city of Lahore. Singh, 63, received a fatal gunshot to the head, this is the third attack on the Sikh community. Police officer Asad Abbas said the bodyguard was wounded in the attack, according to Pakistan Today. Earlier in April, gunmen shot and killed Dayal Singh in Peshawar.

As targeting killings against the Sikh community are on the rise in Pakistan, the minority communities and especially Sikhs are feeling insecure as the Pakistan government's failure to protect minorities is encouraging perpetrators to act with impunity.

Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan

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 also assured 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.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks on triple talaq, Uniform Civil Code and Pasmanda Muslims in Bhopal and said that PM Modi did not grasp Barack Obamas advice well. PM Modi seems to have misunderstood Obamas advice. Modi ji, answer me, will you abolish the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)? This is causing the country to lose Rs 3064 crores every year, Asaduddin Owaisi said. Earlier, former US President Barack Obama, in a media interview, said that the country may start falling apart at some point if ethnic minorities are not protected.

Obama said that PM Modi should be reminded of the protection of the Muslim minority in a majority Hindu India if he meets with President Joe Biden. Taking to Twitter, the AIMIM chief said, "It seems Modi ji could not understand Obama's advice properly. Modi ji tell me, will you end the "Hindu Undivided Family" (HUF)? Because of this, the country is suffering a loss of 3064 crores every year  ."





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The Hyderabad MP accusing PM Modi of shedding ''crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims'' said, "On one hand you are shedding crocodile tears for Pasmanda Muslims, and on the other hand your pawns are attacking their mosques, taking away their jobs, bulldozing their homes, killing them through lynching, and They are also opposing their reservation. Your government has abolished the scholarship of poor Muslims. What are you doing if Pasmanda Muslims are being exploited? Before seeking the votes of Pasmanda Muslims, your workers should go door-to-door and apologize that your spokesperson and MLA had insolent in the glory of our Nabi-e-Kareem."

.@narendramodi   , UCC        



                    "  " (HUF)   ?        3064      



    Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 27, 2023



Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Bats For Uniform Civil Code, Says 'The Country Can't Run On Two Laws'

"Citing Pakistan, Modi ji has said that there is a ban on triple talaq. Why is Modi ji getting so much inspiration from the law of Pakistan? You even made a law against triple talaq here, but it did not make any difference at the ground level. Rather, the exploitation of women has increased further. We have always been demanding that social reform will not happen through laws. If a law has to be made, then it should be made against those men who run away leaving their wives even after marriage," AIMIM chief further said.

PM Modi's Remarks On Triple Talaq

Notably, PM Modi hit out at Opposition parties for "vote bank politics" and their "policy of appeasement" and said that those who are supporting triple talaq are doing grave injustice to Muslim women. Stating that advocating Triple Talaq is a "grave injustice" to Muslim women, PM Modi said that if it is a necessary tenet of Islam, then why Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh do not have it?

"Whoever talks in favour of Triple Talaq, whoever advocates it, those vote bank hungry people are doing a great injustice to Muslim daughters. Triple talaq doesn't just do injustice to daughters. It is beyond this; the whole family get ruined. If it has been a necessary tenet of Islam, then why was it banned in countries like Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh," said PM Modi.
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed to have killed one local terrorist in an overnight encounter at the Hoowra village in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir. ADGP Kashmir Police Zone said, "One local terrorist got killed in an operation and his Identification & affiliation is being ascertained. He added "Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition recovered from him, the operation is called off after thorough searches.

J&K | One terrorist neutralised in an encounter in Kulgam. Identification & affiliation being ascertained. Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow: Kashmir Zone Police  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2023

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Earlier, one cop was also injured in the initial exchange of gunfire. He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, a police officer said.

A joint operation was launched by the security forces after receiving a tip about the presence of terrorists in the area. A police officer monitoring the operation said that as the suspected area was cordoned the terrorists hiding there fired on the search party, which retaliated strongly. The gunfire from both sides resulted in the killing of a local terrorist in the encounter.

With the latest encounter, the security forces have so far succeeded in killing at least 12 terrorists in the month of June. Earlier, 11 terrorists were killed near the Line of Control (LoC) when security forces foiled 3 infiltration bids in the Kupwara district.

Earlier on Monday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a terror-related case registered by the agency last year. In May this year, the NIA carried out searches at three locations in Kashmir Valley in connection with the terror conspiracy case and seized incriminating literature and several digital devices, according to ANI.
New Delhi: Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani's upcoming outing - Satyaprem Ki Katha makers are leaving no stone unturned into making this one a massive hit. The mega promotions are in full swing and as part of an event, the lead pair headed to Jaipur, Rajasthan recently. One of the pictures from the promotional gig led to netizens speculating if Kiara is expecting.

IS KIARA ADVANI PREGNANT?

Well, a particular picture of Kiara and Kartik from the event went viral adding on to the pregnancy rumour. In the photo, the actress is standing in such a tilted pose that she looks a little bloated. But fans were quick to call her preggers. One person wrote in the comment section: We can all see the bump right?

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Another user wrote: Kiara mujhe hi pregnant lg rhi h ya kisi aur ko bhi?

Well, quashing all pregnancy rumours, Kiara later shared a bunch of her photos ahead of the big movie event looking absolutely stunning in a sexy green dress. She literally shut the pregnancy rumours with her latest photoshoot in well-fitted attire. Take a look here:

SATYAPREM KI KATHA RELEASE

Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the film is all set to hit the theatres on June 29, 2023. The film marks Kartik and Kiara's second collaboration after their blockbuster horror comedy 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2'. The film also stars Supriya Pathak Kapur, Gajraj Rao, Siddharth Randheria, Anooradha Patel, Rajpal Yadav, Nirrmite Saawaant and Shikha Talsania.

On the work front, Kartik will be seen in Hansal Mehta's next 'Captain India' and in Kabir Khan's next untitled project. Kiara, on the other hand, will also be seen in director Shankar's next, 'Game Changer', opposite actor Ram Charan.
RAMALLAH, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Monday expressed frustration at Russia's recent decision to open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem.

"Such a decision could be taken advantage of by other countries waiting for the opportunity to follow," Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Palestine Gocha Boachidze in the West Bank city of Ramallah, according to a ministry statement.

The decision came without prior coordination with the Palestinian side or providing explanation afterward, al-Maliki noted.

On June 16, the Russian embassy and the Israeli foreign ministry announced that Russia will open a branch of its consular section in Jerusalem.

A plot of land located on the corner of King George and Ma'alot Streets in Jerusalem could be used to build the branch, according to a statement by the Israeli ministry.

The Palestinians want to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, while the Israelis consider the whole of Jerusalem as its eternal capital.

Jerusalem is one of the final status issues for Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, which stopped in 2014. 
New Delhi: Actor Jimmy Sheirgill is enjoying his OTT run and balancing it well with films. The 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' star is happy that irrespective of the mediums, makers are taking risks and coming up with interesting projects. Jimmy recently attended QueueBuster Engage 2023 Retail & Tech Summit. In an exclusive conversation with Zee News Online, Jimmy opened up on the troll culture in Bollywood and shared his thoughts on it.

When asked about what keeps him going, motivated, he said "I have a problem, I have to be on the move. Even on my relaxed day, I try to just get on wid my routine. Am not one of those people who will rest or relax, I just want to be working 24X7, that's just how I am. Even on my off day, I schedule my meetings or dubbing sessions but I just won't rest. It's like my routine, I wake up early and do my yoga because after shooting for so many days you need a detox."





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Talking about the working hours and shifts while shooting films and series, he said, "I prefer the morning shifts as the traffic is less, you are fresh from your morning workout and it takes lesser time to reach but in evenings, the travel time doubles and then it also ends late."

He also opened up on his journey of two decades in Bollywood. "My journey only includes hard work and hard work and that according to me is the most important thing in life, to keep going. Love what you are doing, be honest and sincere to your craft and all the pieces may fall into the right places," he said.

We also discussed with him how the youth today, looks up to celebrities and how much of a responsibility a celeb feels about it. "It is a burden, a big responsibility and it's something that I tell my son and other kids also. It is a responsibility how you carry yourself as people are watching. It just takes a second to bring you down and I have tried to be very sincere and simple with whatever I do, I have made mistakes obviously everyone does but I try my best," he added.

Opening up on being vocal and creating a buzz amongst trolls, he said, "Be vocal only if u have a proper idea and knowledge of it otherwise it's wrong if you are just passing wrong information or anything controversial. This has become a trend as well, say something controversial and you'll be in the news for days as you'll get trolled and shockingly, people like doing it which is just sad."

On the work front, the actor will be seen in Ajay Devgn's upcoming film directed by Neeraj Pandey, Auron Mein Kaha Dum Tha. Jimmy is mixing it up well for himself by playing characters that have something to offer to the viewers.
New Delhi: By the end of this year, the smartphone company OnePlus is rumoured to release its following flagship model. Experience More, a tipster, claims that the OnePlus 12 could be released by the end of 2023. The launch timeline matches a prior disclosure from Yogesh Brar, who previously provided the same information.

Recall that the current OnePlus 11 was introduced in January of this year. The flagship launch may take place months ahead of schedule if the OnePlus 12 launch schedule is accurate. (Also Read: Top 10 Smartphones Under Rs 20,000 With 108 MP Camera)

According to the most recent report, the device might have a triple camera system on the back. According to rumours, the OnePlus 12 will include a 50MP + 50MP + 64MP camera system.



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The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC is supposed to power the smartphone. Readers should be aware that the chipset has not yet been revealed. It will probably be made public this year in November or December.

According to rumours, the OnePlus 12 will have a 5,000mAh battery. The gadget might allow fast charging at 150 watts. It might have a 6.7-inch QHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

OnePlus is also developing its first foldable phone in the meantime. Online rumours about the OnePlus Fold V recently surfaced. The renders, which Smartprix and OnLeaks jointly shared, were made using a prototype model.

A noticeable, circular camera module is visible on the back in the photographs. Three camera sensors are contained inside the module, along with the recognisable Hasselblad logo. Outside of the camera island, in the left-hand corner, is the rear camera flash.

The well-known alert slider and a fingerprint scanner located on the power button are additional features seen in the pictures. The phone's screen bezels are thin. The selfie camera on the front of the OnePlus Fold V is located in the middle. The phone's internal selfie camera is located in the left-side corner when it is folded.
New Delhi: Baidu Inc, China's leading search engine provider, said the latest iteration of its ChatGPT-style service had surpassed the widely popular Microsoft-backed OpenAI chatbot on multiple key metrics. Baidu said in a statement on Tuesday that Ernie 3.5, the latest version of its Ernie AI model, had surpassed "ChatGPT in comprehensive ability scores" and outperformed "GPT-4 in several Chinese capabilities".

The Beijing-based company cited a test that the state newspaper China Science Daily ran using datasets including AGIEval and C-Eval, two benchmarks used to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) models. OpenAI did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment outside of usual business hours.

The Baidu announcement comes amid a global AI buzz kicked off by ChatGPT that has spread to China, prompting a flurry of domestic companies to announce rival products. Baidu was the first big Chinese tech company to debut a AI product to rival ChatGPT when it unveiled its language AI Ernie Bot in March. Ernie Bot, built on Baidu's older Ernie 3.0 AI model, has been in invite-only tests for the past three months.



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Other big Chinese tech firms, including Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings, have all since revealed their respective AI models. Baidu said its new model comes with better training and inference efficiency, which positions it for faster and cheaper iterations in the future. Baidu also said its new model would support external "plugins".

Plugins are additional applications that will allow Baidu's AI to work on more specific scenarios such as summarizing long text and generating more precise answers. ChatGPT rolled out plugin support in March.
New Delhi: WhatsApp Business, the communication app specifically tailored for small businesses, has achieved a significant milestone of surpassing 200 million active users worldwide, as announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In addition to celebrating this remarkable achievement, Mark has unveiled exciting new features for the app, including simplified ad creation and a personalized messaging service.

In his broadcast announcement, Mark Zuckerberg shared that the vast user base of over 200 million WhatsApp Business users will soon have the ability to create Facebook and Instagram ads, enabling them to reach and engage with new customers effortlessly, even without a Facebook account.

No Need For Facebook Account

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The Meta-owned chat app said that, starting today, WhatsApp Business users will be able to create click-to-WhatsApp ads without a Facebook account. The company noted that sellers can create, purchase, and publish ads for Facebook and Instagram directly from within the app.

Last year, during Metas Q3 earnings call, Zuckerberg mentioned that click-to-WhatsApp ads surpassed the annual revenue run rate of $1.5 billion with 80% year-on-year growth.

Automate The Process Of Sending Personalised Messages

WhatsApp Business is also adding another paid feature that lets merchants automate the process of sending personalized messages to their customers. The company didnt share the pricing details as WhatsApp said it will start testing the feature soon.

The screengrabs shared by the company indicate that businesses will be able to send different messages to different customer lists. For instance, a seller can send a discount code to new customers with a purchase button.

Over the last few months, Meta has made concrete steps towards increasing revenue earned through paid messaging. In February, it announced changes in the pricing structure and messaging categories on WhatsApp. These categories included utility, authentication (to send one-time passcodes), marketing, and user-initiated service conversations.

I shared last quarter that click-to-message ads reached a $10 billion revenue run rate. And since then, the number of businesses using our other business messaging service  paid messaging on WhatsApp  has grown by 40% quarter-over-quarter, Zuckerberg said in the Q1 2023 earnings call.

Currently, the company doesnt declare separate revenue for WhatsApp, but clubs it with the other category. In the quarter ending in March, Meta said that the WhatsApp Business platform had a strong growth in messaging revenue, but it was offset by a decline in other line items  resulting in a 5% dip for the category year-over-year.

WhatsApp has also taken steps to foster its payments business on the platform. In April, it introduced the ability to pay merchants for users in Brazil. A month later, the company introduced similar functionality in Singapore. Earlier this month, WhatsApp launched the channels feature to facilitate broadcast conversations from different organizations. At that time, the company also mentioned that it is exploring ways to integrate payments into channels.
HAVANA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Cuba continues to carry out zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Monday.

"Cuba ratifies its zero-tolerance policy against that global scourge," he said on Twitter, adding that the Cuban government constantly combats drug trafficking.

Earlier on Monday, Cuban daily newspaper Granma said that local authorities will continue to boost international collaboration against illegal drug trafficking.

Nelson Gutierrez, director of management and risk control at the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba (AGR), said that the island has seen increasing attempts to smuggle illicit drugs in 2023.

In January this year, the AGR inaugurated in Havana an office to enhance real-time operational communication between international airports, so as to counter organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism. 
GENEVA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday voiced concern over the violation of migrant rights by some developed countries including Britain, and urged them to effectively protect migrant rights.

Delivering a statement at the ongoing 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Chinese side said that while enjoying the benefits brought by well-educated and high-skilled migrants, some developed countries, instead of playing a greater role in global migration governance, not only violate immigrants' rights at home, but also become the main driving force behind the global refugee and immigration crises.

The deportation of asylum-seekers to other countries by Britain is a matter of concern, and the fact that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the country are facing the risk of disappearance and trafficking also needs to be attended, the statement said.

It added that UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures and UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies have expressed concern about this, and that UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child has recently urged the British side to urgently amend its illegal immigration bill.

The Chinese side urges relevant countries to face up to their violations and take actions to protect migrants' rights, said the statement. 
RIYADH, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq al-Rabiah announced on Tuesday that more than 1.8 million worshippers from more than 150 countries are performing the Hajj in 2023.

The number of pilgrims from Arab countries reached more than 346,000, or 21 percent of the total, the General Authority for Statistics said Tuesday.

Among the pilgrims were more than 1 million from Asian countries excluding Arab nations, making up 63.5 percent of the total, while nearly 223,000 pilgrims, or 13.4 percent of the total, came from African countries excluding Arab nations.

More than 36,500 worshippers travelled from Europe, America, Australia and other unlisted countries to Saudi Arabia, representing 2.1 percent of the total, according to the General Authority for Statistics. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh in Beijing on Tuesday.

Noting that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Xi said China regards Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and is working to build a community with a shared future with Vietnam -- a strategic choice China has made based on the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Facing an increasingly severe and complex international situation, China and Vietnam should uphold the spirit of equality, mutual benefit, solidarity, mutual trust and win-win cooperation, work together for common development to bring more benefits to the two peoples, and inject more stability into the world, Xi said.

Xi described China and Vietnam -- both socialist countries -- as comrades with a high degree of mutual trust, partners pursuing win-win results, and friends who know each other well. He called on the two sides to adhere to the concept of putting people first, and firmly support each other in pursuing socialist paths that suit their own national conditions and modernization paths with their own characteristics.

The two sides should build a high-quality Belt and Road together, enhance the synergy of development strategies, leverage complementary advantages, and accelerate practical cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, smart customs and green energy, Xi said.

China is willing to import more marketable Vietnamese products and welcomes Vietnam's participation in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and the China International Import Expo in the second half of this year, Xi said.

He said the two sides should enrich people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples -- especially the younger generations -- and consolidate the social foundations for the development of bilateral relations.

Xi called on the two sides to jointly oppose decoupling and the severing of industrial and supply chains, and oppose politicizing economic, scientific and technological issues. He said the two countries should safeguard international fairness and justice, and their own development rights and interests.

A more just and reasonable international order should be promoted, and a peaceful and stable external environment for the modernization drive of the two countries should be created, he added.

Pham Minh Chinh said that developing long-term, stable and sound Vietnam-China relations has always been the strategic choice and top priority of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government.

Vietnam will always remember and sincerely thanks China for the long-term, valuable assistance it has provided to Vietnam, and cherishes the relationship carefully cultivated by the older generations of leaders, Pham Minh Chinh said.

Vietnam is proud of the major innovative achievements in theory and practice made by the Communist Party of China, he said, adding that China is sure to realize Chinese modernization and build itself into a great modern socialist country under General Secretary Xi Jinping's vigorous leadership.

Vietnam firmly upholds the one-China policy, supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and will continue to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road, he said.

Vietnam opposes the politicization of economic issues and is willing to work closely with China to guard against and combat all kinds of risks and challenges, and will never allow any force to drive a wedge between the two countries, Pham Minh Chinh said. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for strengthening connectivity and deepening friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation between China and Mongolia.

Noting the two countries are neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Xi pointed out that the development of long-term good-neighborliness is a strategic choice made by both sides, which fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples. China, a trustworthy and reliable partner for Mongolia, attaches great importance to developing China-Mongolia relations, Xi said.

"China stands ready to work with Mongolia to deepen friendship, mutual trust, and cooperation under the guidance of building a China-Mongolia community with a shared future, take China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, and inject more stability and certainty into the region," he said.

Xi stressed that China and Mongolia should uphold mutual respect for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, respect the development paths independently chosen by the two peoples, and firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.

China is advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, while Mongolia is also making efforts in national reform and economic and social development. The two sides can forge ahead to synergize development strategies and work together to promote modernization, he said.

Xi said that China will continue to cooperate with Mongolia in the spirit of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, strengthen connectivity between the two countries, advance the construction of the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, and jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China plays an active role in global environmental governance and stands ready to cooperate with Mongolia in preventing and controlling desertification, and will continue to support Mongolia's tree-planting campaign dubbed "Billion Trees," said Xi, adding that China is willing to improve interparty exchanges and promote experience exchanges in state governance with Mongolia.

He pointed out that China and Mongolia are both developing countries, sharing extensive common interests and similar positions on international and regional affairs. He said that China supports Mongolia in playing a positive role in regional and international affairs. He expressed hope that the two sides will uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, firmly safeguard multilateralism, and jointly promote a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.

For his part, Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia and China have a shared future and that the heart of the two is connected. He praised the successful hosting of the Winter Olympics amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it manifested solidarity and cooperation, boosting the confidence of the international community.

The prime minister appreciated China's remarkable development achievements and leadership in the world, adding that the Mongolian side will not forget the valuable assistance provided by China.

Mongolia is willing to work with China in making the Mongolia-China relations an example for relations between countries, Oyun-Erdene said. He pledged that Mongolia adheres to the one-China principle, supports China's position on Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative.

He expressed the willingness to work closely with China, continue to uphold mutual respect and support each other's choice of development path, jointly promote a high-quality BRI, and strengthen exchanges between political parties and young people. He said the two countries should improve the connectivity of cross-border railways and ports, and promote cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, green development, and anti-corruption.

Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, was also present at the meeting. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
UNITED NATIONS, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to break the cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and strive for common security.

Palestine and Israel are neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other. No party should pursue absolute security at the expense of the security of the other party, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

The international community must give equal attention to the legitimate security concerns of both sides and promote a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. Both sides must be encouraged to achieve common security through dialogue and negotiation, he told the Security Council.

It is important to break the cycle of violence, he said.

The UN secretary-general's latest report on the Middle East situation provided an alarming account of violence and Palestinian casualties in the occupied territory, as well as civilian casualties on the Israeli side, said Zhang. "I wish to reiterate China's opposition to unilateral actions that exacerbate tensions in the occupied territory, all violence against civilians, as well as irresponsible provocation and incitement. The occupying power must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law and guarantee the security of people and their property in the occupied territory."

It is important to uphold the international rule of law and stop unilateral actions to change the status quo, he said.

The construction of settlements in the occupied territory violates international law and runs counter to the requirements of Security Council Resolution 2334. Israel recently approved amendments that would streamline and expedite the settlement approval process, and approved plans to build thousands of new settlement housing units. China is concerned about the development, said Zhang.

"Every inch of settlements expansion represents a further squeeze on the living space of Palestine, a further encroachment on the land and resources of the occupied territory, and a further weakening of the two-state solution. We once again urge the cessation of all settlement activities and unilateral actions to change the status quo of the occupied territory," he said.

It is important to honor political commitments and advance the two-state solution, said Zhang.

It should be noted that the crisis and instabilities in the occupied Palestinian territory today are rooted in the occupation and settlement expansion for over half a century and in the protracted stalemate of the Middle East peace process. The fundamental solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian question lies in the resumption of peace talks and the implementation of the two-state solution, he said.

The international community must always place the Palestinian question high on the international agenda and take practical steps to advance the two-state solution. The Security Council must demonstrate a sense of urgency and be prepared to take meaningful action, and provide oversight and safeguards for the implementation of the political commitments, he said.

The Palestinian question is at the heart of the Middle East issue and bears on the lasting peace, stability, and security in the Middle East. China has always been upholding fairness and justice on the Palestinian question, and has all along firmly supported the Palestinian people's just cause of restoring their legitimate national rights. China stands ready to work with the international community to actively contribute to a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, the realization of the peaceful co-existence of Palestine and Israel, the common development of the Arab and Jewish peoples, and the lasting peace and stability of the Middle East at an early date, said Zhang. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- China's emphasis on self-reliance is by no means to adopt a closed-door policy, but to better connect domestic and international markets, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi's remarks came during his talks with Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins, who is paying an official visit to China.

Xi stressed that, at present, China's central task is to advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. He said achieving high-quality development is a top priority, common prosperity for all the Chinese people is essential, and making a greater contribution to world peace and development is an important goal for China.

China is such a big country with such a large population that it can only base the development of the country and the nation on its own strength, Xi said.

"Only by opening up can China realize modernization. Development is the top priority of the Communist Party of China in governing and rejuvenating the country. We will continue to vigorously promote high-level opening up and better protect the rights and interests of foreign investors per the law," Xi said.

On bilateral relations, Xi said he attaches great importance to China-New Zealand ties. He recalled his visit to New Zealand in 2014, during which the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xi said the sound and steady growth of China-New Zealand relations over the past decade brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributed to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

China has always regarded New Zealand as a friend and partner and is ready to work with New Zealand to embrace another 50 years in bilateral relations and promote the steady growth of China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.

China-New Zealand relations have long been a pacemaker in China's relations with developed countries, Xi said.

Both countries should continue to see each other as partners rather than adversaries and opportunities rather than threats to consolidate the foundation for the growth of China-New Zealand relations, Xi said.

The Chinese president called for a thorough implementation of the upgraded bilateral free trade agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and provide a better business environment for companies to invest and operate in each other's countries.

He noted both China and New Zealand need to step up exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and at the sub-national and non-governmental levels so that there can be more people like Rewi Alley, a pioneer in China-New Zealand relations, to boost the bilateral friendship.

Xi called on both sides to jointly advocate true multilateralism and a free trade system and address global challenges such as climate change, adding that they can also help the development of Pacific island countries together.

Hipkins said that last year New Zealand and China celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, which is a vital milestone in bilateral relations. He said New Zealand attaches great importance to developing relations with China.

Hipkins said he is leading a large business delegation to China to explore more cooperation opportunities and lift bilateral relations to a new level.

New Zealand is willing to strengthen personnel exchanges with China, expand bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, education, science and technology, culture, and other fields, and jointly implement the upgraded version of the bilateral free trade agreement, Hipkins said.

The New Zealand side believes that differences should not define the bilateral ties, and what is important is candid exchanges, mutual respect, and harmony without uniformity, Hipkins said, adding that New Zealand is willing to maintain communication with China on helping develop island countries. 
JERUSALEM, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) Gaby Portnoy on Tuesday accused groups associated with Iran of launching cyberattacks on civilian targets in many countries in the region.

Speaking at the annual Cyber Week held at Tel Aviv University in central Israel, the INCD chief said the Israeli defense community knows the Iranian cyber activities "inside out," and "is working to disrupt them in different ways."

"Anyone who carries out cyberattacks against Israeli citizens must take into account the price he will pay for it," he warned.

The INCD has been working hard to increase resilience and expand capabilities to detect cyberattacks in the past year, raising shields and exposing "malicious" activities, specifically those from Iran, the director general noted, adding most of the attacks were thwarted.

Iran has not responded to the accusations yet. 
The Bahrain Association of Banks' (BAB) Board of Directors has committed to enhancing banks role in executing strategic initiatives to boost the financial sector and backing the nation's recovery and sustainable development plan.

At its second meeting in 2023 led by Adnan Yousif, the Association's Chairman, the meeting reviewed the activities carried out by two key committees: the Risk and Credit Management Committee and the Retail and Investment Banking Committee. Subsequently, the Chairman presented the outcomes of his meeting with the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain.

Yousif highlighted upcoming events and activities organised by the Association, along with its initiatives to strengthen Bahrain's position in banking and finance. He underscored the significance of fostering cooperation between government agencies and financial institutions as a crucial element in accomplishing the Association's strategic objectives. Furthermore, he affirmed the Association's unwavering dedication to pursuing these goals and enhancing banking services in alignment with the development strategy of the financial services sector.

Fostering partnerships

Dr Waheed Al Qassim, CEO of BAB, reiterated the executive body's commitment to operating within the framework outlined by the Board of Directors' strategy.

He emphasised the Association's determination to launch various initiatives fostering partnerships among Bahraini banks. These initiatives aim to establish a common platform, promote best practices and international standards in banking services, and facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge with both local and international partners.

Dr Al Qassim further noted that the Association conducted a series of meetings with relevant ministers responsible for economic projects. The objective of these meetings was to discuss the activation and expansion of banks' role in financing such projects. These efforts by the association aim to strengthen cooperation between government agencies and financial institutions in Bahrain while expediting the country's economic and investment development endeavours.--TradeArabia News Service
JUBA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Some 25 South Sudanese engineers on Monday traveled to China to learn skills in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.

Deng Marial, 28, a civil engineer in the Ministry of Transport, who is among the participants, said he and his colleagues are looking forward to learning Chinese experience on road and bridge maintenance in order to return home and utilize the knowledge acquired from overseas.

"I know we will go to China, we will learn a lot of things, and we will come back to the country and try to help in any way we can," Marial told Xinhua during the send-off ceremony held at the Chinese embassy in the South Sudanese capital of Juba.

"We hope to learn how they manage and maintain their roads and bridges, we will go through, and then we will tell our leaders from here that this is what is happening there, and if we can all cooperate, we can maybe try our best to cope up with what China is going through," he added.

Aben Jackline Chol, quality control engineer in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, said she expects her country to benefit immensely from her group of participants who will study for 21 days in China.

"My expectation is to learn and see what is outside the world that we don't have here and to see how to share the knowledge back home because we want to develop our country," Chol said.

Minister for Transport Madut Biar Yel appreciated the support the Chinese government has been providing to South Sudan over the years since its independence in 2011.

Biar said they are grateful for the support provided on building the Jur River Bridge and also maintaining another bridge in Wau Town of Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

"My advice to you is you represent more than 10 million South Sudanese, go there and come back to advise us on what you have seen not only on roads and bridges," Biar said while sending off the participants.

Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said China is helping South Sudan and other brotherly African countries promote their social and economic development in a more independent and stable way by sharing the valuable experience and knowledge gained in China's development in various fields.

Ma disclosed that inviting talents from various fields in Africa to participate in training seminars in China is an important practice in the capacity-building project.

In July last year, the seminar on road and bridge construction and maintenance in South Sudan was successfully held in Juba through online teaching.

He said the bilateral cooperation between China and South Sudan has achieved outstanding results in the field of infrastructure construction. 
WINDHOEK, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Namibia launched its national assessment of Internet Universality Indicators on Tuesday to evaluate the country's internet environment and policies, thereby helping to bridge the digital divide where 49 percent of the population lacks internet access.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus said the assessment aims to evaluate the country's internet environment and policies against the UNESCO ROAM-X (Rights, Openness, Accessibility, Multistakeholder) framework.

"The ROAM-X assessment, when completed later this year, promises to produce a concrete analysis of the Internet Universality concept at the country level. The purpose of this framework of Internet Universality Indicators is to assist interested governments and other stakeholders who voluntarily undertake this assessment of their national internet environments, providing them with direction for evidence-based policy formulation," she said.

The national assessment consists of 303 indicators and will provide a comprehensive understanding of Namibia's internet ecosystem, policies, and their alignment with UNESCO's principles, she said, adding that the evaluation will offer concrete policy recommendations and practical initiatives to improve the country's internet environment, especially in light of the evolving frontier of information and communications technologies.

In the meantime, to bridge the digital gap, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has launched a national digital literacy program aimed at empowering those without means with digital skills.

"We have implemented several policies, and additional ones, such as the National Digital Strategy, Cybercrime, and Data Protection laws, are in draft format," she said.

The Presidential Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, established by Namibian President Hage Geingob, has also contributed to assessing the readiness for technological advancements. 
OUAGADOUGOU, June 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 34 people, including 31 soldiers and three army auxiliaries, were killed on Monday in an ambush against a supply convoy in Burkina Faso, the army said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

The attack on the supply convoy escorted by military units took place in Namsiguia, in the Bam province, Centre-Nord region.

"Exceedingly violent, the fighting caused significant loss despite the vigorous response by the military units," said the statement.

Around 20 were injured and evacuated, and about 10 military members were missing. More than 40 terrorists were killed in the fighting, the statement added.

Reinforcements have been deployed in the area to carry on a sweep operation, according to the statement. 
NEW DELHI, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A 65-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl died, and another person was injured when a house collapsed amid heavy rains in India's western state of Rajasthan late Monday night, confirmed local police on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the state's Udaipur city, a popular tourist destination. The injured has been admitted to a hospital, and is undergoing treatment, a local police officer told Xinhua over the phone.

The house was quite old, and one of its walls collapsed. The ill-fated house was located in the Shreenathji Haveli area of Udaipur, according to the police officer.

Teams from Civil Defence, State Disaster Response Force, and the Fire Brigade carried out relief and rescue operations at the spot of the mishap.

Large parts of Rajasthan have been lashed by heavy rains over the past few days, resulting in rain-related deaths.

Besides, many other Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, parts of Haryana and Punjab, have been receiving incessant rains over the past few days, with at least six deaths reported in Himachal Pradesh.

Also, the northeastern state of Assam has been witnessing floods for nearly two weeks now, with many villages still inundated. 
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Xinhua) -- S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday affirmed its 'A-'long-term and 'A-2' short-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings on Malaysia.

The rating agency said in a statement that it has also affirmed its 'A' long-term and 'A-1' short-term local currency ratings on Malaysia.

The outlook on the long-term rating for Malaysia remains stable, according to S&P.

"The stable outlook reflects our expectations that Malaysia's steady growth momentum and fiscal policy will allow modest improvements in fiscal performance over the next two to three years," said S&P.

S&P also said its ratings on Malaysia are underpinned by the country's strong external position and monetary policy flexibility.

Although Malaysia's budget deficits remain high, S&P expects its growth dynamics to offset vulnerabilities associated with an elevated government debt stock and weak fiscal performance.

Political commitment to resuming post-pandemic fiscal consolidation also exists, according to the rating agency.

Meanwhile, S&P foresees Malaysia's economic growth in 2023 to moderate to 4 percent from a high base effect and a weaker global growth environment.

It also forecasts Malaysia's economy to expand on average 4.5 percent annually from 2024 to 2026.

With this, Malaysia's 10-year weighted average per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth will be 3.6 percent, which is well above the global median for peers at similar income levels.

Malaysia's real GDP growth accelerated to 8.7 percent in 2022, sustained by strong exports, high energy prices, and pent-up domestic demand following the reopening of the economy. 
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad said Tuesday it will be spearheading a nation-building initiative through a new green investment platform as announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently.

The green investment platform, which aims to attract domestic and overseas investments, will be mobilized under UEM Group Berhad (UEM Group), a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah, the fund said in a statement.

The platform will look to invest and build businesses in green sectors such as renewable energy and storage, green building technology and energy efficiency, and e-mobility ecosystem, it said.

In line with Khazanah's Advancing Malaysia strategy and as part of its nation-building and value creation initiatives, the platform is aimed at delivering societal, strategic and financial mandates. It plans for the platform to drive Malaysia's decarbonization agenda while also upskilling Malaysians in green sectors over the long term.

The platform will also serve to unlock value in Khazanah's existing portfolio and achieve commercial returns by developing its seed assets through new investments and collaborating with high potential local and international companies.

"Our vision is the development of a globally competitive green investment platform in the region, with a direct and active ownership approach," Khazanah managing director Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said.

He noted that this will be carried out in phases with its initial near-term objective of creating green domestic champions in the Southeast Asian country, followed by the medium-term aim of establishing a platform that is competitive regionally.

According to the fund's statement, Khazanah via UEM Group will soon launch a comprehensive strategy on strategic investments as well as partnerships and collaborations with both local and foreign entities, including planned approaches to attract green investments to create a vibrant and dynamic green economy ecosystem.

"We look forward to contributing towards the government's ambition in establishing Malaysia as ASEAN's center of electricity interconnection and integration to facilitate the sharing of renewable energy resources, crowd-in more investments and promote sustainable development in the region by synergizing efforts across our companies," said Amirul Feisal.

Khazanah is the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia entrusted to deliver sustainable value for Malaysians.

The fund aims to deliver its purpose by investing in catalytic sectors, creating value through active stewardship, increasing its global presence, as well as building capacity and vibrant communities for the benefit of Malaysians. 
Kaifa works with his colleagues on a section of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, June 16, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

by Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua, Zhang Jianhua

VIENTIANE, June 27 (Xinhua) -- "The Laos-China Railway is like a dream comes true," said Kaifa Keosingthong, a 24-year-old man from the countryside in northern Laos' Xayaboury province.

Kaifa is now working as an engineer in the maintenance center of the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd., a joint venture to run the railway.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project showcasing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operation in December 2021.

The railway also serves as a docking project, with Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub.

Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a number of development projects have been started and implemented, which is not only creating job opportunity and increasing revenue for Laos but also providing extensive benefits for the long-term development of Laos, as well as providing stable dynamics for economic cooperation between China and Laos.

Kaifa told Xinhua proudly that he has been striving to work on the project since he was a student.

"Working here has been my goal since I was a student. And when I had a chance to study in China, I took a course in railway engineering because I have always been interested in engineering."

"Another reason is that very few people in Laos have graduated from this major," he said.

Presently, Kaifa has been working in the maintenance center of the railway since he came back to Laos after graduating.

Kaifa also told Xinhua about his life in China and his perseverance when studying there in 2018. "When I went to study in China, I had a chance to learn about railways in detail, including construction and maintenance. But my Chinese was weak when I just arrived," he said.

"In the first year studying there, I decided to stay in China without returning home, aiming to learn the Chinese language intensively."

Kaifa practiced Chinese every day for a year and passed the test eventually. And these efforts were not in vain. He said that all the knowledge he had learned has been used in actual work, adding that he respects his Chinese colleagues as educators for always patiently teaching him anything he needed to know to do the jobs.

"My job is a bit difficult, but I always try to understand new information and learn with my Chinese colleagues. And they always find a way to help me understand easily."

Since it began operation, the China-Laos Railway has promoted regional connectivity, brought opportunities to enterprises and individuals in both countries and injected strong impetus into economic and social development along the route.

The China-Laos Railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13 and has been regarded as a historic event, as the landlocked country has realized its dream of becoming a land-linked hub in the region and beyond, which is the common wish of the Lao people.

The country is the only landlocked ASEAN member with mountains and plateaus that account for about 80 percent of the land area. Breaking through the blockade of mountains and converting it from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub have realized.

Cross-border passenger trains linking Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, to the Lao capital Vientiane, travel at a speed of up to 160 km per hour through mountains and valleys.

In 2013, China proposed the BRI to foster new drivers for global development. To date, more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed documents under the BRI framework, bringing an economic boon to participating countries.

More people and enterprises from both sides have benefited from the opportunities thanks to joint efforts of China and Laos to participate in the Belt and Road cooperation.

"It can be observed that the areas around the railway stations have been developed and some people have started their new businesses," Kaifa said, adding, "The railway makes traveling in Laos more comfortable. It makes me feel happy and so proud when I see villagers riding on the train conveniently."

"My Family and all relatives are very proud that I have an opportunity to work on a big project like this. And I am also proud of myself for being able to achieve my goal to work in the rail industry."

"We will do our best to carry out the maintenance work to preserve the China-Laos Railway," Kaifa said recently.

He went on to tell Xinhua about his ultimate goal, "My classmates and I have one common goal. We want to learn as much technical knowledge as possible to become experts. Then we will be able to lead Lao people in running the railway (by ourselves) in the future." 

The Lane Xang passenger train of the China-Laos Railway runs past a maintenance center in Luang Prabang, Laos, March 30, 2023. (Photo by Zhou Xing/Xinhua)

The Lane Xang passenger train of the China-Laos Railway runs past a maintenance center in Luang Prabang, Laos, March 30, 2023. (Photo by Zhou Xing/Xinhua)

Kaifa works with his Chinese colleague at a maintenance center of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on May 24, 2023 shows a maintenance center of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos. (Photo by Zhou Xing/Xinhua)

Kaifa works with his Chinese colleague at a maintenance center of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Kaifa plays badminton with his colleagues at a maintenance center of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, June 23, 2023. (Photo by Zhou Xing/Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 16, 2023 shows Kaifa boarding an engineering train at a maintenance center of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
SYDNEY, June 27 (Xinhua) -- China Eastern Airlines will resume two direct routes from Australia's Sydney to more cities in eastern and central China from mid-July.

The flight to Wuhan, capital city of central China's Hubei Province, will resume from July 17 while the flight to Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, will resume from July 19, according to a press release from China Eastern Airlines Oceania on Monday.

The airline will operate three flights a week on each route. The outbound flight departs from Sydney to Nanjing every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, while flights to Wuhan will run every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Those flights will be operated by Airbus 330-200 aircraft, adding extra 1,386 seats to the China-Australia market per week.

China Eastern Airlines contribute the significant capacity between China and Australia. The introduction of additional flights will provide travellers with more flexibility in terms of departure times, and enhance connectivity to China and beyond, said the press release.

As previously scheduled, the airlines maintained daily morning departure flights between Sydney or Melbourne and Shanghai. Furthermore, an extra 26 evening departure flights will be also added back in July this year. 
LONDON, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese civilization is highly consistent, enabling Chinese people to draw on the wisdom of their ancestors and giving them tools to tackle present-day problems, British writer Tim Clissold, author of the critically acclaimed Mr. China, has said.

"In Chinese culture...there is a connection between the past and the present," Clissold told Xinhua in a recent interview.

In his view, Chinese civilization is very consistent, partly because of its writing system. "You can just look at a poem and understand the basic meaning even if it's 1,000 years old."

"I see the Yellow River water," Clissold cited one sentence from a poem written by Huang Tingjian, a poet and calligrapher in the Song Dynasty.

"You can immediately tell what he's saying in his calligraphy (of the poem)" which was written more than 900 years ago.

In England, a document called the Doomsday Book dates back to a similar period. "A modern person in England cannot read the Doomsday Book. You need to be trained for years to be able to read it, whereas in Chinese culture you can immediately read something that's very, very old," Clissold said.

Clissold has been studying Tang and Song poems for years. His latest book Cloud Chamber, a collection of English translations of Chinese poems, was published last year.

Chinese poetry is "the most extensive body of coherent literature of any culture at any time. It consists of tens of thousands -- possibly hundreds of thousands -- of poems running in an unbroken chain" from ancient China until the present day, Clissold wrote in Cloud Chamber.

According to him, revisiting ancient Chinese poems not only brings aesthetic pleasure, but also sharpens people's awareness of the problems in the modern-day world.

Clissold explained to Xinhua the reason why he wants to introduce the ancient Chinese poems to Westerners: "People (in the West) naturally think Chinese civilization is difficult to understand. But actually, the underlying ideas are very straightforward and (there is) something that lots of people can empathize with."

The topics of these ancient poems are related to friendship, humans' relationship with nature, the sense of smallness in the universe, grief on the death of a child, and so on. "All these things are something that any human being can understand and relate to."

Clissold lived in China for more than 20 years. According to his observation over those years, the efforts to preserve China's traditional culture "have intensified."

"China has a lot of economic success and has lifted so many people out of great poverty. It feels quite self-confident and...more comfortable explaining those traditional values to people from outside China," he said.

Clissold recalled his first visit to Hong Kong in the late 1980s. "As soon as I arrived, I was just fascinated by Chinese characters and different habits." Shortly after, he took a trip to Guangzhou.

For him, mutual understanding and learning between different civilizations are of great importance. "I still have a great interest in China and a desire to help Westerners and Chinese people understand each other better."

Clissold told Xinhua that he recently came across a book collection of Chinese poems writing about places along the ancient Silk Road. His next journey to China will be visiting on a bicycle the places where the poems were originally cited.

"I'm interested in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)," he said, adding that he plans to translate the poems into English and try to explain the BRI in terms of poems which are nearly 1,500 years old.

Clissold hoped that through his translation, Westerners will be able to understand actually the BRI "is just a continuation of something that has been happening for a very, very long time."

"Whatever happens, ordinary people on the planet want more cooperation rather than less...one of the completely undeniable trends in the world is globalization," he added. 
MOSCOW, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The criminal investigation into an armed rebellion by head of the Wagner military group Yevgeny Prigozhin has been officially closed, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday, citing the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

"During the investigation of the criminal case initiated by the investigative department of the FSB on June 23 ... on the fact of an armed rebellion, it was established that on June 24 its participants stopped their actions aimed at committing a crime," the FSB said.

The FSB said that after taking into account all circumstances relevant to the investigation, it had made the decision to close the criminal case on Tuesday.

The Russian defense ministry said Tuesday that preparations are underway for the transfer of heavy military equipment formerly belonging to the Wagner military group to the Russian armed forces, according to RIA Novosti. 
Emirates Float Glass (EFG), a global leader in the float glass industry and a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments, has become the first float glass manufacturer to be ICV (In-Country Value Program) certified in the UAE.

With a state-of-the-art facility, EFG has become a dominant player in the region for float glass in architecture and automotive applications.

The certification evaluates a company's performance in various areas, including localisation, supplier development, technology transfer, and human capital development, among others. This significant milestone reinforces EFGs commitment to sustainable development, reiterating its position as an industry pioneer.

EFG attained an additional score due to its initiative to participate in the MoIAT assessment, which is a combination of end-to-end factory tour and group discussions with different stakeholders broadly covering strategy and governance, process and operations, innovation and R&D, customer and market, and IT management and governance, said the company in a statement.

The assessment also included outlining a roadmap to seamlessly implement the automation of production, planning and scheduling and implementation of digital capabilities, it stated.

By successfully meeting the rigorous ICV certification standards, EFG has demonstrated its dedication to nurturing the UAE's economy, supporting local industries, and creating sustainable employment opportunities, further solidifying the company's reputation as a leading contributor to the country's economic diversification and vision for the future, it added.

General Manager Saleem Raza said: "As the first float glass manufacturer in the UAE to achieve the ICV certification, Emirates Float Glass proudly leads the industry in driving economic growth and fostering local talent. Our group company, Dubai Investments support has been instrumental in meeting the stringent requirements and fulfilling the requirements towards this certification."

"This historic milestone demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the UAE's vision of sustainable development and propels us towards our goal of attaining the golden listing, further elevating our position among industry leaders," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Photo taken on Aug. 16, 2022 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

"With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, D.C., 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 noted.

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday announced more than 42 billion U.S. dollars to expand high-speed internet access in the country.

The White House said in a press release that more than 8.5 million households and small businesses are still in areas where there is no high-speed internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options.

The announcement is just one component of the administration's efforts "to ensure that everyone in America has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet" as part of Biden's Investing in America agenda, the White House said.

The White House compared the "largest internet funding announcement" in the country's history to Franklin D. Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Act, which brought electricity to nearly every home and farm in the United States in the 1930s.

U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia will receive funding from the 42.45-billion-dollar Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program from Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to administer grant programs within their borders.

Awards range from 27 million dollars to over 3.3 billion dollars, with every state receiving a minimum of 107 million dollars, said the press release, adding that 19 states received allocations over 1 billion dollars with the top 10 allocations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

"With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, D.C., 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 noted. 
Photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows a thermometer at a residential backyard in Plano, Texas, the United States. The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern United States continues to spread to other regions of the country this week, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua)

LOS ANGELES, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern United States continues to spread to other regions of the country this week, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts.

The heat wave has scorched Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, among other southern parts over the past week, setting or challenging all-time records.

The life-threatening "oppressive" heat dome was producing "dangerous heat and humidity in Texas and spread into the lower Mississippi River Valley," according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).

San Angelo in West Texas registered 114 degrees Fahrenheit twice in June, the highest ever recorded there. The border town of Del Rio hit 115 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time.

A reading of 119 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday in the Big Bend area of southwest Texas came within one degree of tying the state's previous all-time high of 120 recorded in 1994, according to meteorologists for the NWS in Midland.

The heat wave is continuing to bake Texas, and will expand in the coming days across much of the southern Plains, the Deep South, the Lower Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast, according to the NWS.

More of the Gulf region will see dangerous heat on Tuesday, lasting in some places through the Fourth of July, according to weather forecasts.

Excessive heat warnings are plastered across much of Texas, parts of New Mexico and Arizona and along the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, while heat advisories stretch from northern Florida to southern New Mexico.

Meanwhile, with a high-pressure system building over Southern California, the first heat wave of the summer is expected to hit the western region later this week into the holiday weekend, focused across interior areas.

Triple digit temperatures are expected across the hottest interior areas of Southern California, according to the NWS.

The oppressive heat has been caused by a stagnant upper-level ridge over the south-central portion of the country, according to the NWS. The dome of high pressure is expanding and will blast heat over much of the southern band of the country in the coming days.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 55 million people in the United States were under some form of heat advisory, watch or warning, according to New York Times estimates using NWS advisories and LandScan population data.

A handful of heat-related deaths have been reported across the South.

Health officials urged people to take precautions during the heat wave, particularly those in what are considered vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Extreme heat has been the greatest weather-related cause of death in the United States for the past 30 years -- more than hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding or extreme cold -- killing over 700 people per year, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In addition, the heat crisis does not affect people equally. Extreme heat mortality disproportionately affects Native American and Black communities, as well as those living in the urban core or very rural neighborhoods, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Studies have shown that climate change is making heat waves both more frequent and more intense, increasing the risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths, droughts and wildfires. 

Photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows electric power transmission lines in Plano, Texas, the United States. The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern United States continues to spread to other regions of the country this week, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua)

Workers repair a roof during a heat wave in Plano, Texas, the United States, on June 27, 2023. The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern United States continues to spread to other regions of the country this week, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua)

A child pours cold water on the body at a summer camp in Plano, Texas, the United States, on June 27, 2023. The extreme heat wave that has baked much of southern United States continues to spread to other regions of the country this week, with over 55 million people now under heat alerts. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua)
Prigozhin arrives in Belarus, says Lukashenko 27 June, 06:36 PM Yevhen Prigozhin leaves Rostov-on-Don, June 24, 2023 (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has arrived in Belarus after the Wagner PMC mutiny, Belarusian news agency BelTA quoted Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko as saying on June 27.

Security guarantees, as he (Russian dictator Vladimir Putin) vowed yesterday, have been provided, Lukashenko said.

I see Prigozhin is already flying on this plane. Yes, indeed, he is in Belarus today. As I promised, if you want to stay with us for a while and so on, well help you. Of course, at their (mercenaries) expense.

Video of day

At the same time, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin claimed that he would not mind such a unit in the army.

Lukashenko claims that he agrees and has already suggested that Khrenin open a dialogue with the mercenary company.

Prigozhins plane landed in Belarus on June 27, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Telegram, noting that Prigozhins business jet (registration No. RA-02795) landed at the Machulishchy military airfield outside Minsk at 7:40 a.m.

Mark Warner, chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, claimed that Prigozhin was being accommodated in a windowless hotel room in Minsk.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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.

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.

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.

The Kremlin soon announced that the criminal case against Prigozhin would be closed, and he himself would go to Belarus.

In a video address on June 26, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin offered three options to the fighters of the Wagner mercenary company who had participated in the mutiny attempt: to continue their service by signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, return to their homes in Russia, or go to Belarus.

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.

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Prigozhins plane lands in Belarus, reports Belarusian independent media 27 June, 11:54 AM Yevgeny Prigozhin (Photo:REUTERS/Yulia Morozova)

Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhins plane landed in Belarus on June 27, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported on Telegram.

Prigozhins business jet (registration No. RA-02795) landed at the Machulishchy military airfield outside Minsk at 7:40 a.m.

The Wagner mutiny: what we know

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.

Video of day

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.

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.

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.

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
(Bloomberg) -- Russian oil giant Rosneft PJSC handed a certificate representing a 49.9% stake in Citgo Holding Inc. to Venezuelas opposition-controlled Petroleos de Venezuela SA, according to a company statement.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A Rosneft subsidiary delivered the certificate on June 21 after PDV Holding, a Citgo parent company controlled by Venezuelas opposition, took legal action to recover it. The transfer took place as a Delaware court is considering the sale of PDV Holding shares to satisfy creditors like Crystallex and oil giant ConocoPhillips so they can collect arbitration awards for the expropriation of their Venezuela assets.

Houston-based Citgo is one of Venezuelas most important overseas assets and sanctions had previously blocked any share transfer. The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control awarded a license to PDV Holding in May authorizing Rosneft to hand over the certificate. The shares were pledged to the Russian firm as collateral for a $1.5 billion anticipated oil payment, an operation the Venezuelan opposition deemed illegal, said the statement.

The certificates transfer effectively ends Rosnefts claim over almost half of Citgo. The other half is currently pledged to the holders of a PDVSA bond that expired in 2020, who are also trying to attach the shares for payment.

Rosneft is no longer included in the long list of creditors that could have a right over Citgo, said Jose Ignacio Hernandez, former opposition-appointed prosecutor general. That is good news, even when there are still many outstanding claims.

Read more: US to Permit Court-Ordered Auction of Citgo Parents Shares

Toronto-based Crystallex has been seeking compensation after its gold mine was seized in Venezuela by late president Hugo Chavez. The mining company won an arbitration award in 2016. Oil driller ConocoPhillips is also seeking compensation for its seized assets, along with other creditors.

Last month, the opposition-appointed representative for PDVSA, Horacio Medina, said Citgo had at least $10 billion available to pay creditors with active claims against its assets.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
In this article, well take a look at the 25 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World. For a quick overview of the top ten, head over to the 10 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World.

The world can be a wonderful place, full of opportunities for discovering unique cultures, fascinating histories, and charming landscapes. However, our experiences across different countries can swing from warm, friendly encounters to feeling somewhat unwelcome.

This doesnt mean a country inherently harbors unfriendly citizens. The concept of friendliness is subjective, which can be a blend of cultural misunderstandings, historical context, and personal bias.

For instance, certain traditions or communication styles may appear unfriendly to outsiders, but they might be social norms for locals. In Nordic countries like Finland and Demark, people value personal space and privacy, but tourists may see it as unfriendly behavior.

The Happiest Countries in the World report confirms this cultural conflict, showing that Nordic countries top the charts in terms of citizen happiness. But they may not always rank high on the expats friendliness scale. When it comes to the most visited countries in the world, France, Spain, Mexico, and Turkiye seem to top the results.

Friendless and Tourism Industry

Tourism is considered the backbone of many economies around the globe. The direct contributions to a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through visitor expenditures on accommodation, food and drink services, entertainment, shopping, and transportation can be extensive.

In 2022, the travel and tourism sector contributed 7.6% to the global GDP and supported about 22 million new jobs. This highlights the massive potential of tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation.

For example, the Caribbean regions tourism industry contributed approximately 13.7% to its GDP and created around 17.1 million jobs in 2023. Likewise, the tourism industry in Thailand contributed 19.7% to its GDP in 2019. This is attributed to Thailand's vibrant culture, exotic beaches, and renowned hospitality, which attract millions of tourists each year.

When we talk about the potential of the tourism industry, travel titans in the industry have an influence on the perception of countries worldwide. When you start planning a trip, your first contacts are usually travel industry companies, be it airlines, hotels, or travel agencies. Now, if these interactions are smooth and positive, you're already stepping into your journey with a smile. In your mind, the destination becomes associated with friendliness.

But imagine the reverse. A hiccup with your flight or hotel booking could cast a shadow on your view of the destination, tagging it as 'unfriendly' even before you've had a chance to interact with the locals. It's fascinating how these early experiences with travel giants can frame our perception of an entire country.

Take airlines, for instance. Companies such as Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), United Airlines, and Ryanair connect people from different parts of the globe. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), for example, manages over 4,000 daily flights in more than 275 places worldwide. They're also known for being on time more than any other North American airline. Every year, about 200 million customers fly with Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL). That's what makes Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) one of the top-rated airlines in America.

Hotel chains like Marriott International (NYSE:MAR), Hilton Worldwide, and InterContinental Hotels Group also play an important role in shaping the narrative of friendliness. A tourists impression of friendliness often starts with their accommodation  the reception at the front desk, the housekeeping service, and the local recommendations from the concierge  all these interactions shape a guests perception.

Let's take the example of Marriott International (NYSE:MAR). As one of the world's most expansive hotel chains, Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) stretches across more than 138 countries. It not only offers travelers a comfortable place to rest their heads but also serves as a gateway to connect with and explore diverse destinations worldwide. This hospitality titan, with Marriott Internationals (NYSE:MAR) consistent service and commitment to guest satisfaction, often sets the tone for travelers experiences in these countries.

Online travel agencies also have their roles in shaping the friendliness perception of a country. Countries that offer accessible online booking systems often seem more approachable and easier to navigate.

Consider Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB), a platform that streamlines the booking process for travelers with more than 6 million active listings spanning over 100,000 cities worldwide. The user-friendly interface of the Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) app allows travelers to secure a booking in less than 11 minutes, on average.

Imagine a country without access to convenient online booking platforms like Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB), or with platforms that are hard to use. Problems like booking difficulties, poor customer service, or inaccurate local stay information can sour a traveler's initial impression. This negative start can lead tourists to perceive their destination as less friendly, even before they've set foot in the country.

25 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World

Fedor Selivanov/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

For our list of the "Most Unfriendly Countries in the World," we based our ranking on three credible indexes: the Visa Acceptance Index, the Global Peace Index, and the Danger and Safety Index.

Each of these indexes gives us different insights into how friendly or 'unfriendly' a country might seem to outsiders. We selected countries that were included in all these indexes. Each country's score was determined based on a weighted average of its positions in these three indexes. Specifically, the weight distribution was as follows:

Visa Acceptance Index: 40%

Global Peace Index: 30%

Danger and Safety Index: 30%

We first normalized each country's score within each index to range from 1 (most unfriendly) to 24 (least unfriendly). We then applied the weights mentioned above to calculate the overall 'unfriendliness' score for each country.

The countries were subsequently ranked in ascending order of their friendliness scores, with the country possessing the lowest score ranked (1) as the 'most unfriendly'.

When we refer to a country as 'unfriendly' in our article, we're basing it on these three indexes. It's a mix of how easy it is to visit the country, how safe it is, and how well it's set up for tourists.

Below is our list of the most unfriendly countries in the world.

25 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World

25. Benin

Insider Monkey Score: 24

The high poverty rates, reports of crime, and instances of civil unrest in Benin can make it seem less than welcoming to outsiders. Travel advisories warning about risks in certain regions further contribute to its image as an unfriendly country.

24. Guyana

Insider Monkey Score: 23

Despite its natural beauty, Guyana struggles with high crime rates and social unrest, creating a potentially unwelcoming environment for tourists. The lack of reliable public services and violent crimes add to its image of an unfriendly country.

23. Saudi Arabia

Insider Monkey Score: 23

The strict laws and customs in Saudi Arabia might seem overwhelming to those unfamiliar with its culture. However, Saudi Arabia is gradually opening up to tourism, with historic sites like Al Khobar and the futuristic city project NEOM.

22. Algeria

Insider Monkey Score: 22

Ongoing political unrest and irregular terrorist attacks in Algeria can create a sense of hostility. Travel restrictions in certain areas, coupled with occasional social unrest and strikes, contribute to the country's unfriendly reputation.

21. Burkina Faso

Insider Monkey Score: 21

Despite its vibrant cultural scenes, Burkina Faso faces increasing security threats and political unrest, which can create an hostile environment for visitors. Risks include terrorism, crime, and kidnapping, particularly for those traveling outside the capital, Ouagadougou.

20. Turkmenistan

Insider Monkey Score: 20

The closed-off nature of Turkmenistan, due to its strict regulations and limited press freedom, can make it seem unfriendly to outsiders. Difficulties in obtaining travel permits and restrictions on independent travel further add to this perception.

19. Guinea-Bissau

Insider Monkey Score: 19

Guinea-Bissau grapples with frequent political turmoil, widespread corruption, and poor public services, making it one of the most unfriendly countries for expats and tourists. The safety concerns, crimes, and lack of tourism infrastructure contribute to the country's unfriendly image.

18. Venezuela

Insider Monkey Score: 18

The ongoing political and economic crisis in Venezuela, along with high crime rates and shortages of basic necessities, contribute to its reputation as an unfriendly country. The often-volatile political situation and concerns about safety can make traveling to the country challenging.

17. Niger

Insider Monkey Score: 17

Niger faces significant challenges due to its socio-economic conditions, harsh desert environment, and the risk of terrorist attacks, especially near its borders. These issues, along with poor infrastructure and health services, create an intimidating environment for visitors and make Niger one of the most unfriendly countries in 2023.

16. Pakistan

Insider Monkey Score: 16

While Pakistan is known for its breathtaking landscapes, it grapples with political instability and security concerns, creating a potential perception of hostility. Incidences of terrorism and crime add to the perception of Pakistan as an unfriendly country.

15. Myanmar

Insider Monkey Score: 15

Myanmar's ongoing political unrest, including military coups and widespread protests, results in an unstable environment. Reports of human rights abuses and travel restrictions, especially in conflict-affected regions, contribute to the country's unfriendly reputation.

14. Russia

Insider Monkey Score: 14

Despite its rich history and cultural heritage, Russia might come off as unfriendly to some due to its political tension with certain countries and colder climate. It also has strict visa regulations and reported intolerance towards certain group, which contributes to the countrys reputation as challenging and unwelcoming. Moscow, a city in Russia, is also ranked as one of the most unfriendly cities in the world.

13. Cameroon

Insider Monkey Score: 13

Despite Cameroon's remarkable cultural and geographic diversity, it can seem unfriendly due to political unrest and increased crime rates. The threats of kidnapping and violence, especially in the northern region, along with frequent protests and strikes, make the environment more unfriendly for tourists.

12. Eritrea

Insider Monkey Score: 12

Eritrea, despite its rich cultural heritage and stunning coastline, faces international isolation and human rights issues. Its strict travel regulations, wrongful detentions, mandatory military service, and limited freedom of expression contribute to a perception of an unwelcoming atmosphere for tourists.

11. Mali

Insider Monkey Score: 11

Mali is steeped in historical significance, but it's plagued by frequent terrorist attacks, high crime rate, and political instability. These risks, alongside severe travel advisories and the existence of dangerous areas controlled by extremist groups, make Mali a challenging destination for outsiders.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World.

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Disclosure. None. The 25 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
3 Ways To Make Money With ChatGPT, According to YouTube

Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock.com

ChatGPT continues to dominate headlines as the evidence of all it can do mounts. A new trend taking off is YouTube tutorials explaining how to make money using this astonishing AI tool.

Discover: 5 Ways To Use AI To Generate Passive Income

Learn: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch

To understand exactly what some highly viewed YouTube tutorials on how to make money using ChatGPT explain, GOBankingRates talked with Stephen Fraga, who runs Prompt Yes!, a training company that offers classes in AI tools like ChatGPT.

Lets look at three unique YouTube tutorials on how to make money using ChatGPT. Note that while all are compelling and instructive, each of these tutorials have some weaknesses, in Fragas expert opinion.

Email Marketing Services

In this video, I Found the EASIEST Way to Make Money with ChatGPT, creator Gillian Perkins discusses how to create compelling email marketing services using ChatGPT. Fraga laid out the key steps to doing this, as shared by Perkins in the video:

Ask ChatGPT to write a short, punch email pitching my email marketing services. Get ChatGPT to create three versions of that email pitch, changing its wording so you can later find out which one performs best. Ask ChatGPT to generate a list of types of local businesses. Use Google to find actual local businesses in your city in each category: e.g., hair salons in Seattle. Manually email 500 local businesses your sales pitch about doing their email marketing. Use ChatGPT to customize the emails based on the business name, recipient name and industry. Rotate through your three templates to see which one performs best. Now get ChatGPT to create a set of questions specific to each industry to include in the emails, to get clients to tell you about their business  e.g., their email marketing budget and email list size. Put these questions into a Google form. For any responses to your initial email, send them a link to the Google form to tell you more about their business. For any finalists, get ChatGPT to write an email suggesting a quote for about $100/email, with eight emails per month. Ask ChatGPT to write the contract for your services corresponding to the quote. When you close the client, have ChatGPT write their marketing emails.

In this video, Perkins claims you can make upwards of $10,000 a month by performing these steps, but Fraga suggests this isnt necessarily the best tutorial to show you how to be so successful.

Im a Financial Planning Expert: Here Are 3 Ways ChatGPT Can Save You Money

It was a little bit meta in that ChatGPT is used to promote your email marketing services to other companies who then email their clients, Fraga said. The email marketing definition wasnt clarified  whether the emails to be sent were going to the local businesss prospective customers (unsolicited) or to existing clients (newsletter) or to prospects (sale emails).

The examples used  hair salons, floral delivery, etc.  probably dont have lists of prospects, only a database of existing customers who arent necessarily interested in emails about a service theyre already buying, Fraga continued. My guess is that those businesses would need to learn how to buy a list of local prospects (which wasnt covered), not how to write the marketing email to send them.

Publish Illustrated Book Summaries on Medium

In the YouTube video Easiest ChatGPT Side Hustle Nobody Talks About! (Make Money Online 2023), these are the recommended steps:

Ask ChatGPT to list the top 10 books in any category: history, business, romance, etc. Go to Audible.com to see which of those books are available. For your favorite of the available books, get ChatGPT to create a 2,000-word summary of it. Isolate one phrase in each paragraph of the summary from which to generate an illustration for that paragraph. Go to kittl.com and register for a free account to use its text-to-image generative tool Feed the individual phrases youve identified (e.g., a 19th century decorated school room), feed them to kittls generate AI tool to create a representative image. Go to Medium.com and create a new article titled Summary of [the book you chose]. Paste the 2,000-word summary text from ChatGPT and, underneath each paragraph, paste in the representative image. Register as an affiliate for Audible.com. After each block of text and images in your Medium.com summary, paste in a link to get the full book free from Audible, and add your affiliate link. Receive $5 for each free trial sign-up at Audible.com. Repeat the process 8-10 times per day with different books.

This video strikes Fraga as a bit weak because it does not make clear how, or if, anyone would find the articles on Medium.com.

Create a Chrome Extension

In 4 GENIUS Ways To Make Money with ChatGPT (Must See), Liam James Kay explains how to create a Chrome extension with the goal of monetizing it. Here are the steps:

Identify a need that you have as you surf the web. (The author uses the example of converting a recipe on a web page to a vegan equivalent by replacing ingredients.) Get ChatGPT to write the code for the browser extension. Get ChatGPT to tell you how to incorporate the extension. Sell the extension on the Chrome Web Store. Alternatively, offer the extension for free in exchange for a users email, and then build a list of those customers. With that list, make money from affiliate commissions by selling them, for example, vegan nutritional supplements.

This video has some great tips, and it details a cool concept, but does it offer a realistic way to make money?

It seems pretty rare that anyone pays money for a browser extension, Fraga said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Ways To Make Money With ChatGPT, According to YouTube
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C.

ACI Worldwide fined $25 million for multibillion-dollar mortgage payment 'fiasco' FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) headquarters in Washington, D.C.

(Reuters) - The top U.S. consumer finance watchdog on Tuesday said it had fined the Nebraska payment processor ACI Worldwide $25 million for improperly processing more than $2 billion in mortgage payment transactions without customer authorization.

The transactions occurred in April 2021 and affected nearly 500,000 homeowners with mortgages serviced by Mr. Cooper, exposing many to overdraft and insufficient funds fees, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

"The CFPB's investigation found that ACI perpetrated the 2021 Mr. Cooper mortgage fiasco that impacted homeowners across the country," CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement, adding that customer accounts had since been fixed but that the agency was penalizing the company for inconveniencing hundreds of thousands of borrowers.

ACI Worldwide consented to the CFPB order without admitting or denying responsibility.

In a statement, the company said the erroneous transactions had occurred after it took control of a newly acquired electronic payments platform and that consumer funds and data were safe at all times. A consumer class action over the incident had been settled last month, it said.

According to the CFPB, during a test of the payments platform in April 2021, ACI improperly used actual consumer data, rather than dummy data, which illegally initiated more than $2.3 billion in payments.

At one bank, more than 60,000 accounts were debited more than $330 million the following morning, with about 7,300 account balances reduced by more than $10,000.

(Reporting by Douglas Gillison; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge has rejected Apple's bid to throw out a class-action lawsuit that accused Chief Executive Tim Cook of defrauding shareholders by concealing falling demand for iPhones in China.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' decision late Monday night clears the way for shareholders led by a British pension fund to sue over a one-day plunge that wiped out $74 billion of Apple's market value.

The lawsuit stemmed from Cook's comment on a Nov. 1, 2018, analyst call that while Apple faced sales pressure in markets such as Brazil, India, Russia and Turkey, where currencies had weakened, "I would not put China in that category."

Apple told suppliers a few days later to curb production, and on Jan. 2, 2019, unexpectedly slashed its quarterly revenue forecast by up to $9 billion, blaming U.S.-China trade tensions.

The lowered revenue forecast was Apple's first since the iPhone's launch in 2007, and the Cupertino, California-based company's shares fell 10% the next day.

Judge Rogers, based in Oakland, California, said jurors could reasonably infer that Cook was discussing Apple's sales outlook in China, not past performance or the impact of currency changes.

The judge also said that prior to Cook's comment, Apple knew China's economy had been slowing and had data suggesting that demand could fall.

"A reasonable jury could find that failure to disclose these risks caused plaintiff's harm," Rogers wrote.

Apple and its lawyers did not respond on Tuesday to requests for comment.

Shawn Williams, a lawyer for the shareholders, said: "We are pleased with the ruling and look forward to presenting the facts to a jury."

The lead plaintiff is the Norfolk County Council as Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, located in Norwich, England.

Apple's share price has approximately quintupled since January 2019, giving the company a market value near $3 trillion.

The case is In re Apple Inc Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-02033.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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
Aston Martin vows to quadruple profits within five years as it embraces electric cars

Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll is working with Saudi partners towards electrifying more of the company's models - Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Luxury car maker Aston Martin is aiming to quadruple its profits within the next five years, as it pushes ahead with plans to sell more electric vehicles and limited edition models.

The company has set a target of doubling its sales to 2.5bn by its 2028 financial year and increasing adjusted profits to 800m in the same timeframe.

Under executive chairman Lawrence Strolls stewardship, the business has limited the number of cars it sells to dealers to keep demand and therefore prices high. It said this trend would help to push margins on its cars to 40pc.

As well as its popular SUVs, the company is planning to sell more limited edition cars, including one which is launching for its 110th anniversary this year. These cars typically cost more than 1m.

The one-off Victor model, a manual V12 which was launched in 2021, was said to have been sold for between 4m and 5m.

Its Valhalla hybrid model will take the company into a new market with its mid-engine arrangement and is expected to sell for about 700,000, plus tax, with deliveries starting next year.

The business revealed on Monday that it was aiming to adopt the comfort of a Rolls-Royce and the performance of a McLaren or Ferrari for its next round of models, as part of the plan to squeeze higher prices from its customers.

Mr Stroll said: I am extremely proud of the major industrial turnaround we have completed in the last three years, which has completely rebuilt this iconic company.

Chief financial officer Doug Lafferty said the focus for Aston would be on making sure that the balance sheet is robust. The company has said it is aiming to become sustainably free cash positive.

Mr Laffety said: I think the actions taken over the last 12 months mean that weve made good progress in that.

The sales target comes as Aston plots a path towards electrification of its fleet. It is looking to launch its first core all-electric car by 2025. Earlier this week, it unveiled a 182m deal with US luxury electric car company Lucid.

Under the agreement, Aston will buy battery systems from Lucid, a company which is backed by Saudi Arabia. Lucid will also be taking a 3.7pc stake in Aston.

Mr Lafferty said the deal meant Aston would be able to secure a supply of what it needs to end its reliance on petrol for a fraction of the price.

He said rivals had spent billions. Were spending a couple of hundred million dollars to access that, likening the deal to a library card to give the business as many parts as required.

The tie-up comes in the wake of the collapse of Britishvolt, an independent British gigafactory start-up, with which Aston had an early stage agreement. No firm orders were ultimately agreed with Britishvolt.

Aston has already received backing from the Saudis, with the Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund (PIF) last year taking part in its 575m rights issue to help the car maker pay off its debts.

PIF is now Astons second-largest investor, after chairman Mr Strolls consortium.

Mr Strolls Yewtree Consortium holds a 20.3pc stake in Aston, while PIF owns 17.2pc.

Chinese car maker Geely owns 17pc and Mercedes, which supplies the company with some of its engineering technology for combustion engine cars, owns 9pc.

The deal, which draws Aston close to PIF, comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is aiming to diversify itself away from petrol and plough part of its oil wealth into new technology before the fuel is banned.

Until recently, PIF also had shares in McLaren  only selling them to Bahrains state investment fund in recent days.

Other Saudi companies have also been firmly backing electrification, including Abdul Latif Jameel investment company, founded by the late sheikh of the same name, which was an early investor in Rivian, the US electric truck maker, and remains among its largest investors.

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.
FILE PHOTO: Coal is unloaded onto large piles at the Ulan Coal mines near the central New South Wales rural town of Mudgee, Australia

By Melanie Burton

BRISBANE (Reuters) -Australia's critical minerals strategy does not need the sugar hit of more subsidies as good projects will find investment, but the country needs to hasten mine development timeframes and rework new workplace legislation, BHP's CEO said on Tuesday.

BHP CEO Mike Henry's comments came a week after Australia, one of the world's biggest suppliers of raw minerals, outlined a strategy on how it will work with investors and international partners to build a critical minerals processing industry.

The strategy, which aims to see Australia as a significant producer by 2030 of critical minerals that are key to the global energy transition, drew criticism from some who were hoping for larger subsidies, shorter regulatory approval timeframes and additions to its list of critical minerals.

The strategy "is not enough", Henry told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Brisbane.

"Theres a big movement underway in the U.S. right now towards permitting reform. Australia needs to do that."

The government needs to address the overlap between state and national regulation as well as speed up permitting, he said.

National and state governments also need to focus on making their jurisdictions more attractive for investment.

"There is enough investment appetite for good projects under the right conditions," Henry told a mining conference in Brisbane.

"What the Australian resources industry needs is better productivity and fiscal settings," he said.

That includes a productive and flexible workforce and consultation over proposed regulations, such as changes to royalty regimes and labour reforms.

"Under those conditions, the capital will flow."

As an example of where capital will not flow, Henry said BHP would not invest further in Queensland, where the state government held no consultation before hiking coal royalties last year to the highest of any jurisdiction in the world.

Queensland on Tuesday announced a new critical minerals development strategy to attract investment to the state.

BHP estimates the world will need an additional $100 billion per year in capital investment in the resources sector to get on track to meet the Paris aligned 1.5C scenario, he said.

Translated into metals demand, Henry said that means twice as much copper, steel and potash and four times as much nickel, BHP's major products.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Axiata Group Berhad fair value estimate is RM4.71

Current share price of RM2.63 suggests Axiata Group Berhad is potentially 44% undervalued

Analyst price target for AXIATA is RM3.44 which is 27% below our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Axiata Group Berhad (KLSE:AXIATA) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Axiata Group Berhad

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM4.87b RM3.84b RM4.86b RM3.46b RM3.31b RM3.25b RM3.24b RM3.27b RM3.33b RM3.40b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x5 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Est @ -4.21% Est @ -1.88% Est @ -0.24% Est @ 0.90% Est @ 1.70% Est @ 2.26% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM4.4k RM3.2k RM3.6k RM2.3k RM2.0k RM1.8k RM1.6k RM1.5k RM1.4k RM1.3k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM23b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM3.4b (1 + 3.6%)  (10% 3.6%) = RM53b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM53b ( 1 + 10%)10= RM20b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM43b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM2.6, the company appears quite undervalued at a 44% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Axiata Group Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.831. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Axiata Group Berhad

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Wireless Telecom market.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Axiata Group Berhad, we've compiled three pertinent items you should look at:

Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for Axiata Group Berhad we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does AXIATA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp. is seeking to resume its municipal-bond underwriting in Texas after a nearly two-year pause because of a Republican-backed law targeting banks over their gun policies, according to public records obtained by Bloomberg.

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Bank of America, the nations biggest muni underwriter, hasnt managed debt sales by Texas or its cities since two GOP measures went into effect in September 2021. One of the laws, known as Senate Bill 19, bars governmental entities from working with companies that discriminate against firearm entities.

The legislation caused a major pullback of Texas business by Bank of America and other Wall Street banks that have restrictions on dealings with gun companies. In 2018, Bank of America said it would stop making new loans to companies that make military-style rifles for civilian use. That policy remains in place.

The bank intends to continue its work with clients in Texas, a lawyer for Bank of America wrote in a May 17 dated letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Leslie Brock, who leads the offices public finance division.

Even though BoA had suspended entry into any contracts requiring the SB 13 and 19 verifications, we believe BoA can appropriately make such written verifications based on an application of its current risk-based framework and policies, the letter said.

A spokesperson for Bank of America declined to comment. The Texas Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a phone call requesting comment.

Paxton was impeached and suspended by the Republican-dominated House of Representatives in late May. Former Texas Secretary of State John Scott was named the states interim attorney general.

Related: BofA, Citi, JPMorgan See Texas Muni Business Halt After Gun Law

Aside from the firearms legislation, a separate Texas law restricts certain public contracts with financial companies that boycott the energy industry. The Texas Comptrollers office has released a list of companies that it considers to do so, and Bank of America isnt on that list.

The lawyer at Foley & Lardner LLP, Ed Burbach, said in a separate email to the Attorney Generals office that the bank is not on that list, nor does it discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association. Burbach did not immediately respond to a phone call requesting comment.

The letter did say that the bank generally considers the firearms industry as high-risk, with clients subject to a heightened due diligence requirement. Because of that, the bank avoids certain business transactions based on traditional business reasons.

The letters and emailed correspondence were obtained via public records request.

BoA has longstanding business relationships with public and private entities operating in Texas, including many energy sector participants and firearms industry participants, the letter said. BoA anticipates continuing such relationships into the future. These commercial relationships are extremely important to BoA, its clients, and counterparties in Texas.

Other banks initially affected by the GOP laws have sought to revive their public finance businesses in the state. In January, the Texas Attorney Generals Office said it wouldnt approve state or local debt deals managed by Citigroup Inc. JPMorgan Chase & Co., meanwhile, has underwritten Texas muni deals this year.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Kiplinger's 2023 selections of the best national banks.

Citizens Bank

Why it won: Citizens offers a range of checking accounts to fit most needs and free financial planning services for all its customers.

Standout account: With One Deposit Checking, avoid a $10 monthly fee by making one monthly deposit of any amount.

Where it is: About 1,100 branches in 14 states in New England, the Mid Atlantic and the Midwest.

Along with the basic One Deposit Checking, Citizens offers another appealing account with Quest Checking, which provides freebies including checks, money orders, wire transfers and stop payments. Plus, pay no foreign-transaction fees when you use your debit card overseas. If you have at least $5,000 in total monthly deposits to your checking account or keep at least $25,000 in combined deposit and investment balances with Citizens, you skip the accounts $25 monthly fee. Citizens also offers Private Client Checkingwhich provides additional benefits, such as dedicated financial advisers and up to $10 reimbursed monthly for the fees that out-of-network ATM operators charge for using their machinesfor those who keep $200,000 or more in deposit and investment balances, as well as a free checking account for students younger than 25.

The banks savings accounts pair with its checking accounts. One Deposit Savings waives the $5 monthly fee if you make one monthly deposit of any amount, and Quest Savings is free if you have a Quest Checking account. Among the money market deposit accounts is Quest Money Market, which yields as much as 2.75% if you put in at least $25,000 in funds not already on deposit with Citizens. The 14-month certificate of deposit yields 2.75% with a $1,000 minimum balance.

Through Citizens Checkup, all customers get free financial-planning services from bankers, who assist with defining short- and long-term goals and planning for retirement.

Fifth Third Bank

Why it won: Fifth Third offers a free checking accounta rare find among large brick-and-mortar institutionsand an attractive premium checking account for customers who keep high balances.

Standout account: Momentum Checking has no monthly fee or minimum-balance requirement.

Where it is: About 1,100 branches in 11 midwestern and southern states. Rates and terms are for Cincinnati.

Momentum Checking is a great choice for customers who want a basic checking account with no strings attached. For those who have $100,000 or more in Fifth Third deposit and investment accounts, Preferred Checking waives the $25 monthly fee, and it comes with a host of benefits, including access to a team of investment advisers and free identity-theft protection services. Other perks include free checks, money orders, cashiers checks, stop payments and incoming wire transfers, plus reimbursement of up to 10 out-of-network ATM fees per month. Plus, Fifth Third offers a free checking account for students.

Rates on the banks Momentum Savings and Relationship Money Market accounts were recently just 0.01%. But the banks Promotional CDs offered yields of 4.85% for a five-month maturity and 4% for nine months ($5,000 minimum).

TD Bank

Why it won: A longstanding winner among national banks in our rankings, TD Bank continues to provide a solid collection of customer-friendly accounts.

Standout accounts: Convenience Checking requires a low minimum daily balance of $100 to avoid the $15 monthly fee, and Beyond Checking provides plenty of perks with a reasonable minimum-balance requirement.

Where it is: More than 1,100 branches in 15 eastern states and Washington, D.C. Rates and terms are for Delaware.

Convenience Checking is TD Banks most popular checking account, and it charges no monthly fee for account holders age 17 through 23. Beyond Checking provides three ways to waive the $25 monthly fee: Receive monthly direct deposits of $5,000 or more, maintain a $2,500 daily checking balance or keep at least $25,000 in combined balances in eligible TD deposit accounts, mortgages, and home equity loans or lines of credit. If you keep at least $2,500 in your checking account, TD reimburses out-of-network ATM fees, and account holders also get complimentary checks, money orders, cashiers checks, stop payments and incoming wire transfers; one outgoing wire-transfer fee is reimbursed monthly. Plus, pay no foreign-transaction fees when you use your debit card abroad.

Some of TDs savings accounts and CDs recently offered decent yields.
(Bloomberg) --

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OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman surprised everyone last month when he warned Congress of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Suddenly, it looked like tech companies had learned from the problems of social media and wanted to roll out AI differently. Even more remarkably: They wanted politicians help.

But a week later, Altman told a different story to reporters in London. The head of ChatGPTs creator said that he would try to comply with European Union rules but if that proved too difficult, his company would cease operating within the bloc. The remark prompted Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton to accuse Altman of attempting blackmail. Altman clarified his comments the next day, and when the CEO and commissioner met in person last week, they agreed that they were aligned on regulation.

AI development is blazing ahead. The sector raised over $1 billion in venture capital funding in the first four months of this year alone, and systems are already at work in everything from toothbrushes to drones. How far and how fast things continue to move will depend heavily on whether governments step in.

Big tech companies say they want regulation. The reality is more complicated. In the US, Google, Microsoft, IBM and OpenAI have asked lawmakers to oversee AI, which they say is necessary to guarantee safety and competitiveness with China. Meanwhile, in the EU, where politicians recently voted to approve draft legislation that would put guardrails on generative AI, lobbyists for these same companies are fighting measures that they believe would needlessly constrict techs hottest new sector.

The rules governing tech vary dramatically on opposing sides of the Atlantic. The EU has had comprehensive data protection laws on the books for over five years now and is in the process of implementing strict guidelines for competition and content moderation. In the US, however, theres been almost no regulation for more than two decades. Calling for oversight at home has been a way for Big Tech to generate good PR as it steers European legislation in a more favorable direction, according to numerous officials working on the blocs forthcoming AI Act.

Tech companies know they cannot ignore the EU, especially as its social media and data protection rules have become global standards. The European Unions AI Act, which could be in place in the next two to three years, will be the first attempt by a western government to regulate artificial intelligence, and it is backed by serious penalties. If companies violate the act, the bloc could impose fines worth 6% of a companys annual turnover and keep products from operating in the EU, which is estimated to represent between 20% and 25% of a global AI market thats projected to be worth more than $1.3 trillion within 10 years.

This puts the sector in a delicate position. Should a version of the act become law, said Gry Hasselbalch, co-founder of thinktank DataEthics, the biggest AI providers will need to fundamentally change how transparent they are, the way they handle risks and deploy their models.

Risky Business

In contrast to tech, lawmaking moves at a crawl. In 2021, the European Commission released a first draft of its AI Act, kicking off a process that would involve three governmental institutions, 27 countries, scores of lobbyists and round after round of negotiations that will likely conclude later this year. The proposal took a risk-based approach, banning AI in extreme cases  including for the kind of social scoring used in China, where citizens earn credit based on surveilled behavior  and allowing the vast majority of AI to operate with little oversight, or none at all.

Most of the draft focused on rules for high-risk cases. Companies that release AI systems to predict crime or sort job applications, for instance, would be restricted to only using high-quality data and required to produce risk assessments. Beyond that, the draft mandated transparency around deepfakes and chatbots: People would have to be informed when they were talking to an AI system, and generated or manipulated content would need to be flagged. The text made no mention of generative AI, an umbrella category of machine-learning algorithms capable of creating new images, video, text and code, that had yet to blow up.

Big tech welcomed this approach. They also tried to soften the edges. While the draft said developers would be responsible for how their systems were used, companies and their trade groups argued that users should also be liable. Microsoft contended in a position paper that because generative AIs potential makes it impossible for companies to anticipate the full range of deployment scenarios and their associated risks, it is especially crucial to focus in on the actual use of the AI system by the deployer. In closed-door meetings, officials from tech companies have doubled-down on the idea that AI itself is simply a tool that reflects the intent of its user.

More significantly, IBM wanted to ensure that general-purpose AI  an even broader category that includes image and speech recognition, audio and video generation, pattern detection, question answering and translation  was excluded from the regulation, or in Microsofts case, that it would be customers who would handle the regulatory checks, according to drafts of amendments sent to lawmakers.

Many companies have stuck to this stance. Rather than attempting to control the technology as a monolith, wrote Jean-Marc Leclerc, IBMs Head of EU Affairs, in a statement to Bloomberg, were urging the continuation of a risk-based approach.

The notion that some of the most powerful AI systems could largely avoid oversight set off alarms among industry-watchers. Future of Life, a nonprofit initially funded in part by Elon Musk, wrote at the time that future AI systems will be even more general than GPT-3 and needed to be explicitly regulated. Instead of categorizing them by a limited set of stated intended purposes, Future of Lifes President Max Tegmark wrote, the proposal should require a complete risk assessment for all their intended uses (and foreseeable misuses).

Threat Assessment

It looked as if Big Tech would get what it wanted  at one point countries even considered excluding general-purpose AI from the text entirely  until the spring of 2022, when politicians began to worry that that they had underestimated its risks. Largely at the urging of France, EU member states began to consider regulating all general-purpose AI, regardless of use case.

This was the moment when OpenAI, which had previously stayed out of the European legislative process, decided to weigh in. In June 2022, the companys head of public policy, met with officials in Brussels. Soon after, the company sent the commission and some national representatives a position paper, first reported by Time, saying that they were concerned that some proposals may inadvertently result in all our general-purpose AI systems being captured by default.

Yet EU countries did go ahead and mandate that all general-purpose AI comply with some of the high-risk requirements like risk assessments, with the details to be sorted out later. Draft legislation containing this language was approved in December  just a week after the release of ChatGPT.

Struck by the chatbots abilities and unprecedented popularity, European Parliament members took an even tougher approach in their next draft. That latest version, approved two weeks ago, mandates that developers of foundation models like OpenAI must summarize the copyrighted materials used to train large language models, assess the risks that the system could pose to democracy and the environment, and design products incapable of generating illegal content.

Ultimately, what we are asking of generative AI models is a bit of transparency, Dragos Tudorache, one of the two lead authors of the AI Act explained. If there is a danger in having exposed the algorithms to bad things, then there has to be an effort on the side of the developers to provide safeguards for that.

While Meta, Apple and Amazon have largely stayed quiet, other key developers are pushing back. In comments to lawmakers, Google said the parliaments controls would effectively treat general-purpose AI as high-risk when it isnt. Companies also protested that that the new rules could interfere with existing ones, and several said theyve already implemented their own controls. The mere possibility of reputational damage alone is already enough incentive for companies to massively invest in the safety of users, said Boniface de Champris from industry group CCIA.

Large Language

As the public has witnessed generative AIs flaws in real time, tech companies have become increasingly vocal in asking for oversight  and, according to officials, more willing to negotiate. After Altman and Googles Sundar Pichai embarked on a meet-and-greet tour with EU regulators at the end of May, competition chief Margrethe Vestager acknowledged that big tech was coming around to transparency and risk requirements.

This approach is very pragmatic, Tudorache said, adding that developers who fought regulation would land on the wrong end of history [and would be] risking their own business model.

Some critics have also suggested that complying with regulation early could be a way for big companies to secure market dominance. If the government comes in now, explained Joanna Bryson, a professor of ethics and technology at the Hertie School in Berlin, then they get to consolidate their lead, and find out whos coming anywhere near them.

If you ask tech companies, theyll tell you that theyre not against regulation  they just dont like some of the proposals on offer. We have embraced from the outset that Microsoft is going to be regulated at several levels of the tech stack; were not running from regulation, a Microsoft spokesperson wrote, expressing a view held by many developers. The company has also voiced support for the creation of a new AI oversight agency to ensure safety standards and issue licenses.

At the same time, tech companies and trade groups are continuing to push back against the parliament and member countries changes to the AI Act. Developers have pressed for more details on what regulation would look like in practice; and how, say, OpenAI would go about assessing the impact of ChatGPT on democracy and the environment. In some instances, theyve accepted certain parameters while challenging others.

OpenAI, for example, wrote to lawmakers in April expressing support for monitoring and testing frameworks, and a new set of standards for general-purpose AI, according to comments seen by Bloomberg. Google  which recently came out in support of a spoke-and-hub model of regulation in the US, asking that oversight be distributed across many different agencies rather than a single centralized one  has supported risk assessments but continued to back a risk-based approach. Google did not respond to requests for comment.

Yet with AIs moneymaking potential coming more clearly into view, some politicians are starting to embrace industrys views. Cedric O, Frances former digital minister-turned-tech consultant, warned last month that regulatory overreach could harm European competitiveness. He was backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who remarked at a French tech conference right after the parliaments vote that the EU needs to be mindful of not overpolicing AI.

Until the final vote on the AI Act takes place, its unclear to what extent the EU will actually decide to regulate the technology. But even if negotiators move as fast as possible, companies wont need to comply with the act until around 2025. And in the meantime, the sector is moving forward.

--With assistance from Anna Edgerton and Benoit Berthelot.

(AIs Explosive Growth Is Outpacing Global Efforts to Regulate It)

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During the 2019 annual meeting of Daily Journal Corp., renowned billionaire investors Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger engaged in a discussion about their hiring preferences, shedding light on their risk-averse approach.

Munger, the 99-year-old vice chairman of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. holding company, made a playful remark about Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk, emphasizing that Musk would not be his ideal candidate. Munger, who has a reported net worth of $2.5 billion, was responding to a shareholder's question regarding his preference for people who accurately assess their abilities.

See Next: This Startup Invented Programmable, Drinkable Plastic That Dissolves In Water In 60 Hours

Mungers Hiring Preference

The shareholder inquired about Munger's principle, which asserts a preference for working with people who have an IQ of 130 but believe it to be 120, rather than those with an IQ of 150 who mistakenly perceive it as 170. In response, Munger said, "You must be thinking about Elon Musk."

While Munger acknowledged Musk's propensity for setting seemingly impossible goals, he expressed a preference for hiring people who have a realistic understanding of their limitations. Munger believes that overestimating your abilities can lead to excessive risk without commensurate rewards. He alluded to Musk when discussing his preference for working with people who possess a modest self-assessment.

"Of course, I want the guy who understands his limitations instead of the guy who doesn't," Munger told his shareholders.

Munger's stance aligns with his long-standing investment strategy, which prioritizes stable, long-term investments over high-risk ventures. He and Buffett have amassed significant wealth through this approach, in contrast to Musk's more daring endeavors, such as challenging established automakers with Tesla Inc. and founding SpaceX for space exploration.

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Differing Investing Approaches

While both legendary billionaires have different wealth-building strategies, its hard to argue either is incorrect. Buffett and Munger traditionally aim for proven and profitable businesses at compressed valuations.

Whereas Musk engages in high-risk, high-reward ventures like building startups. Startup investing is typically an all-in approach because investors money is tied up for years with no way to sell until IPO. Startups are volatile and typically unprofitable so they have a high failure rate. But those that do make it to an IPO or acquisition result in substantial paydays for early investors. This method has grown in popularity in recent years through platforms like StartEngine and Wefunder, which allow anyone to invest in startups.

2023 Shareholder Meeting Update

During the 2023 shareholder meeting, Buffett and Munger were asked to revisit Mungers previous comment about Musk. The shareholder from Toronto specifically inquired about Musk and whether Munger still held the view that Musk overestimated himself, considering the success of his ventures like Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink.

Munger didn't shy away from his previous stance, responding, "Yes, I think Elon Musk overestimates himself, but he is very talented, so he's overestimating somebody who doesn't need to overestimate to be very talented." Munger acknowledged Musk's exceptional abilities but maintained his belief that Musk tends to overestimate himself.

Buffett also chimed in, acknowledging Musk's brilliance. He added, "Elon is a brilliant, brilliant guy, and I would say that he might score over 170 [in IQ], but he dreams about things, and his dreams have got a foundation."

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Damusa decentralized social media app based on the underlying Nostr protocolwill officially be removed from Apples App Store after failure to come into compliance with its Bitcoin tipping service.

Looks like we are getting removed from the appstore even after updating our app to make it clear that no digital content is getting unlocked when users are tipped, said Damus over Twitter on Monday. The company said it would file an appeal due to the motion against it being misapplied.

Damus lets users tip their favourite content creators through zapsBTC transfers over Bitcoins layer 2 Lightning Network. The app is built atop the Nostr protocol and its functionality is reminiscent of Twitters tipping service, integrated in 2021, which included lightning as a tipping method while the company was still led by Bitcoin bull Jack Dorsey.

Twitter Rolls Out Bitcoin Tipping Worldwide, Exploring Verified NFT Avatars

Damuss message from Apple claimed that optional tips and donations were permitted, but not if related to receiving digital content. They must use in-app purchase in accordance with guideline 3.1.1, it stated.

The denial was met with skepticism by Damus, Bitcoiners, and tech leaders across the boardincluding Jack Dorsey himself. Tips arent unlocking content, he said on Monday. Later, he added: "Removed from the App Store for enabling tipping to everyone in the world without the need for a bank, payment card, or government permission."

Removed from the App Store for enabling tipping to everyone in the world without the need for a bank, payment card, or government permission.https://t.co/kfeQNfal8Q  jack (@jack) June 27, 2023

Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeney responded to the companys announcement saying Apple must be stopped.

Dorsey has previously praised Nostr as being one of the only two truly censorship resistant technologies at scale  the other being Bitcoin.

When receiving two weeks notice to modify their tipping service earlier this month, Damus called Apples crackdown pretty sus given its timing. This was shortly before the company delivered a talk at the Oslo Freedom Forum about the importance of decentralized social networks based on lightning.

Damus critics have claimed that Apple simply wants the company to pay its 30% for digital content sold on its platform. By contrast, Damus claims there is no 30% or cut involved, since the payment tech it provides is completely peer-to-peer.

If people cant transact freely p2p on their platform, this has huge implications for the entire ecosystem of apps with lightning integration, said Damus last week.
The boss of the world's largest money manager said ESG has been 'weaponized' and 'misused by the far left and the far right.'

BlackRock (BLK) CEO Larry Fink has spent years reminding investors that they should consider responsible environmental, social, and governance practices when evaluating companies.

But he now refuses to use the word "ESG" any longer, saying "it's been misused by the far left and the far right."

"I'm not blaming one side or the other, but it has been totally weaponized," Fink said Sunday at the Aspen Ideas Festival, according to media reports.

The new pledge from the boss of the worlds largest money manager captures the intensity of the current debate around the subject of ESG investing.

Fink has become a corporate face of that trend over the last decade thanks to years of annual letters to investors that urged companies and long-term investors to do more to prepare for climate change.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

"Climate risk is investing risk," he said in one of these letters. ESG issues ranging from climate change to diversity to board effectiveness "have real and quantifiable financial impacts," he said in another. Fink asked companies in 2021 "to disclose a plan for how their business model will be compatible with a net-zero economy."

These comments earned him critics from both sides of the ideological spectrum. Some on the right accused him of "woke capitalism" and undermining the oil and gas industry. Some on the left said Fink's own firm didnt go far enough to reduce its own exposure to climate issues by divesting from oil and gas investments.

BlackRock became the target of public protests as well as high-profile efforts by state officials, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, to pull public pension money from BlackRock. Florida withdrew $2 billion from the firm as punishment for its ESG stance.

'The pendulum swung too far'

Finks frustration with the blowback was apparent last weekend during a conversation at the Aspen Ideas Festival.

His annual letters, he said, were never meant to be a political statement. They were written to identify long-term issues to our long-term investors.

In his last CEO letter released earlier this year, he said, "The phrase ESG was not uttered once, because it's been unfortunately politicized and weaponized."

It wasn't the first time he has discussed his view that the phrase has been weaponized; he made that same point to an Australian publication earlier in the month.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state decided to pull $2 billion in public pension money from BlackRock last year. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

One anti-ESG advocate in Washington responded to Finks comments with relish. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) told Yahoo Finance in an interview that he sees the new remarks as a win for his effort to stop the ESG trend in its tracks.

"The pendulum swung too far," he said Tuesday, arguing that asset managers have been too responsive to pressure from the left in recent years.

"They didn't know that there would be a counterweight and I think they've learned that."

The Kentucky lawmaker also lauded a recent move by Vanguard, another giant money manager, to withdraw from a climate-focused consortium called the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative.

The move, Barr says, shows the asset manager has also "seen the light" and that the overall Republican effort is working.

The political pressure from Washington is likely to only increase in the weeks to come.

Barr and other House Republicans have promised that once lawmakers return to Washington after the independence day recess, July will be dubbed "ESG month." That means a variety of bills and public hearings around the issue.

Shareholder pushback

Finks frustrations are surfacing amid a wider pushback this year against shareholder proposals that demand action on a variety of ESG issues ranging from corporate diversity to carbon emissions.

Conservative-leaning shareholders have pushed a record number of anti-ESG proposals during recent proxy seasons, a time in the spring and summer when shareholders seek votes on specific proposals.

The number of anti-ESG resolutions on corporate ballots between January 1 through May 31 rose by more than 400% from 2020 to 2023, according to ISS Corporate Solutions, a Rockville, Md.-based provider of ESG data and analytics to corporations.

That helped drive the volume of shareholder proposals up by 14 percent during that period.

Investors are also making it clear they are not in favor of certain pro-ESG measures that did make it to the ballot this year.

This spring, for example, investors rejected a series of shareholder proposals requiring American companies to disclose more about the risks they face now that women no longer have the constitutional right to an abortion.

All 16 proposals that went to a vote at annual meetings failed. Fourteen others were withdrawn, and in some cases, proponents revoked proposals after companies agreed to more transparency or broader consumer protections.

One proposal asking Mastercard (MA) to disclose the risks of handling law enforcement requests for abortion-related customer data is scheduled for a vote today.

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Spencer Ship Monaco, a full services yachting boutique, has been appointed by HCB Yachts, an industry leader in luxury centre console yachts, as the International Export Developer and Representative for the US-based group.

In this role, Spencer Ship Monaco will identify, set up and support the dealers network in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia and assist them in selling and promoting HCB Yachts.

A major global player, HCB (which stands for Hydrasports Custom Boats) is headquartered in Tennessee. Originally founded in 1970, HCB was bought in 2012 and has become the best-in-class of high-end central console yachts.

Known for creating the largest outboard central console yachts in the world, HCB turn on luxury high-end customers and is focused to create some of the finest outboard central console yachts imaginable.

As per the agreement inked with HCB, Spencer Ship Monaco will be also the selling interface, on the international market, for all private individuals where no local distributor is established, said the company in its statement.

David Russell, VP of Sales & Marketing of HCB Yachts, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Spencer Ship Monaco to support HCB Yachts International expansion endeavors. Finding established partners as we evolve worldwide holds great significance for us and Spencer Ship Monaco is known globally for their strong, trustworthy reputation."

"They exhibit a remarkable understanding of the HCB brand and the core values of our company as well as many years of experience building relationships with exclusive clientele. They have consistently provided exceptional service for many years," noted Russell.

"This partnership will enable us to maintain the high standard of service and customer care that aligns with HCBs renowned reputation in the US, ensuring that our international clients will be in great hands with our partners at Spencer Ship Monaco," he added.

Craig Harvey, Founder & CEO of Spencer Ship Monaco, said it was proud to represent HCB Yachts within the global market.

"This company has a reputation for creating the worlds largest centre console yachts and some of the most innovative and cutting-edge designs for their boats. With their line of yachts, the company introduces a brand-new concept to the boating community: the luxury center console yacht," he added.

This announcement, follow on the recent ones of Donzi and Statement Marine, reinforces the positioning of Spencer Ship Monaco as an expert representative on powerful chaseboats for the superyacht industry.

"Todays custom buyer is looking for something that did not previously exist. Thanks to the partnership with HCB, we can now propose a new category of boats to our high-end clientele," noted Harvey.

"Overall, the boats are standard yachts, but they also push the boundaries by incorporating new features and orientations that are functional to the yachting community. We fully share the values of this solid company, which boasts a proven tradition of around 50 years in the production of deep-v hulls, and we are honored to be able to support it in the development of its international market and in its destiny of success," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Boots

Boots will shut 300 stores across Britain over the next year as speculation mounts over a potential break-up by its US owner.

The retailer said it is planning a spate of closures, which will reduce its store count from around 2,200 to around 1,900 over the next twelve months. The stores which are being closed are expected to be ones which are near to other Boots sites.

It is understood that the retailer does not expect to make any redundancies.

Boots said: Evolving the store estate in this way allows Boots to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment.

The planned closures are the latest at Boots, which in 2019 said it would be shutting around 200 loss-making stores within the next two years.

It comes amid speculation that its owner Walgreens Boots Alliance is weighing up a breakup. Last year, Walgreens Boots shelved a sale of the UK retail chain after failing to find a buyer, citing an unexpected and dramatic change in financial markets.

However, according to reports earlier this year, Walgreens Boots investors and board members have since been calling for executives to accelerate a focus on the US, spinning off international operations as soon as possible. This could include a sale of Boots or Boots being floated on the stock market.

Walgreens Boots has not addressed the speculation, with chief executive Rosalind Brewer instead saying that the company would continue to take bold actions to create sustainable long-term shareholder value.

The plans for more closures in the UK were revealed as British chain Boots said sales were up 13.4pc over the three months to May 31 as shoppers continued to spend on beauty products despite the cost of living crisis.

Sales of beauty and skincare products were up 18pc year on year, it said, with the highest week of sales for beauty products outside Christmas taking place in May.

Meanwhile, sales of hay fever products were up almost a fifth compared to pre-Covid levels as high pollen levels across Britain hit allergy sufferers and as more households stock up, in the wake of medicine shortages last year.

Separately, Walgreen Boots posted results for the whole of its business, which also includes pharmacy chain Walgreens and Duane Reade convenience stores in the US. It said sales were up 8.9pc to $35.4bn (28bn) despite a challenging operating environment.

Walgreens Boots Ms Brewer said: Significantly lower demand for Covid-related services, a more cautious and value-driven consumer, and a recently weaker respiratory season created margin pressures in the quarter.

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Britain faces months-long wait for talks with Brussels over future of the City

Jeremy Hunt became the first chancellor to visit Brussels in more than three years on Tuesday - AP Photo/Virginia Mayo

Britain faces having to wait months for high-level talks to secure the City of London access to EU financial markets despite striking a new agreement with the bloc.

Jeremy Hunt travelled to Brussels on Tuesday to sign a memorandum of understanding with the European Commission, designed to boost regulatory cooperation on financial services.

The Chancellor said he was absolutely delighted with the pact, adding: We also see it as an important turning point... We see this very much as not the end of the process, but the beginning.

The deal, however, made no mention of Brussels granting market access, known as equivalence, for the City. Regulatory equivalence permits non-EU countries access to the blocs markets based on how similar, or equivalent, its rules are.

A spokesman for the Commission said the deal does not restore UK access to the EU, nor prejudices adoption of equivalence decisions.

Instead, the agreement means that the two sides will establish a forum to discuss voluntary regulatory co-operation on financial services issues.

A source told the Telegraph that there are tentative plans for the first of the bi-annual meetings to be held in October.

The expected wait for the talks comes after the deal was held up for two years because of the tetchy relations between Britain and Brussels following the finalisation of the UK-EU trade deal.

However, there have been signs of thawing relations in recent weeks, brought about by the signing of the Windsor Framework, which resolved the row over Northern Irelands post-Brexit trading arrangements. Mr Hunt was the first chancellor to visit the Belgian capital in more than three years.

The 'Windsor Framework' negotiated by Rishi Sunak's government has thawed relations between the UK and EU - DAN KITWOOD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Mairead McGuinness, the EUs financial services commissioner, said: Its fair to say weve turned a page on our relationship... This has allowed us to move forward in a spirit of partnership based on trustful operation and delivering benefits for people on both sides.

However, lawyers warned Britain not to expect major compromises from Brussels as the two sides thrash out market access. Etay Katz, a financial services lawyer at Ashurst, said: Fundamentally, the EU is competing with the UK for financial business and thus we do not expect any meaningful concessions from the EU other than those dictated by self-interest or systemic considerations.

The Commission has long been accused of holding up any decision on equivalence for the City, citing concerns that the UK has yet set out its plans for post-Brexit regulatory divergence. After Britains split from the bloc, Amsterdam overtook London as Europes largest share trading hub.

Brussels refused to make any provision for financial services in the trade deal.

Equivalence can be withdrawn unilaterally by either side with as little as 30 days notice.

This has been used by Eurocrats as political leverage in a number of negotiations, including a bid to force Switzerland to renegotiate its relationship with the EU.

Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, has previously accused Brussels of having unreasonable and unfair expectations of London during negotiations for post-Brexit access to EU financial markets.

In his Mansion House speech in 2021, he said: The EU has argued it must better understand how the UK intends to amend or alter the rules going forwards. This is a standard that the EU holds no other country to and would, I suspect, not agree to be held to itself.

The comments were echoed by an influential parliamentary committee, which last year accused Brussels of holding the City to a higher standard than Communist China.

Lord Kinnoull, chairman of the Lords European affairs committee, said: China has been granted equivalence by the EU in a dozen or more areas. It looks odd and wrong that the UK has not been granted this considering we are democracies of a similar character.



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(Bloomberg) -- A unit of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. raised the size of a credit facility to Compass Datacenters LLC shortly before Brookfield and other investors struck a deal to buy control of the Dallas-based company.

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Brookfield-managed infrastructure debt funds approved a $400 million increase to the facility in early June, taking it to $1.1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. Then, on June 20, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP announced it had joined forces with Ontario Teachers Pension Plan to acquire the company, which operates data centers in the US, Italy and Canada.

The deal is expected to close by year-end.

Brookfields plan to own both the debt and equity of Compass illustrates the multiple roles alternative asset managers are playing in deals as they expand their direct lending activities. Although its not uncommon for the same firm to participate in multiple parts of a companys capital structure, the situation can create the potential for conflicts in decisions about how to use a companys cash  whether to prioritize dividends or debt repayment, for example.

Compass will deal with any possible future conflicts of interest by having representatives from the Ontario Teachers fund take charge of any discussions related to Brookfields loan to Compass, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is still private. Representatives for Brookfield and Ontario Teachers declined to comment.

Compass plans to use the expanded credit facility for a variety of purposes, including capital expenditures, the people said. The loan increase was done in normal course on a competitive basis with proceeds supporting the continued growth of the Compass business and was approved through our existing governance with current equity owners including OTPP, Compass President Jared Day said in an emailed statement.

Last weeks deal valued Compass at $5.5 billion, including debt, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg. The amount of equity that Brookfield and its institutional partners are putting into the transaction couldnt be learned, but Brookfield and Teachers will each control 50% of the company, according to the people. Ontario Teachers has been an investor in Compass since 2017.

Brookfield Infrastructure shares have risen 14.3% this year in New York, while Brookfield Asset Management is up 13.8%.

(Updates with share movement in last paragraph. An earlier version corrected company name in first paragraph to say Ltd. instead of Inc.)

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(Bloomberg) -- American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. shares soared to an all-time high after an arm of Canadian investment giant Brookfield made a cash and stock takeover bid valuing the insurance firm at about $4.3 billion.

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Brookfield Reinsurance Ltd. is proposing to buy all the American Equity shares it doesnt already own for $55 apiece, according to a statement Tuesday. The offer represents a 35% premium to American Equitys closing price on Friday, the last full trading day before Bloomberg News reported Brookfields interest.

Shares of American Equity rose as much as 19% in early trading on Tuesday to hit their highest level on record. The stock was up 17% at 9:44 a.m. in New York, giving the company a market value of $4.1 billion.

American Equitys board will review the proposal with advisers. Brookfield said in a separate statement its aiming to reach a definitive agreement by June 30. The bid includes $38.85 per share in cash plus $16.15 per share in class A stock of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.

Brookfield has been one of the worlds most active dealmakers even as other investment firms slow down amid a dearth of financing. Already this year, the Canadian group has agreed to buy Middle Eastern payment processor Network International Plc for 2.2 billion ($2.8 billion), and its leading a consortium that struck an A$18.7 billion ($12.5 billion) deal for Australias Origin Energy Ltd.

Alternative Assets

A transaction would cap several years of takeover interest in American Equity from various suitors and add to the $15 billion in insurance company acquisitions announced globally over the past 12 months, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Brookfield Reinsurance is already the biggest shareholder in West Des Moines, Iowa-based American Equity with a roughly 20% stake, according to regulatory filings.

Brookfield Reinsurance plans to continue American Equitys push into alternative assets and would have Brookfield Asset Management oversee a large part of its portfolio. The transaction would help keep American Equitys investment grade focus while giving it access to Brookfields origination capabilities and investment expertise, the Canadian firm said.

Brookfield Reinsurance plans to acquire Brookfield Asset Management shares from the Canadian investment groups holding company, Brookfield Corp., to satisfy the stock portion of the bid. That setup would ensure the deal wont be dilutive to shareholders of any Brookfield entity.

Ardea Partners and JPMorgan Chase & Co. are advising American Equity.

Deal Synergies

Annuity players like AEL are a natural fit for larger asset managers that are able to generate synergies in asset accumulation and portfolio management, analysts at Truist Securities wrote in a note. Given the large number of players in the industry and AELs modest market share, there should be no antitrust concerns.

In December, American Equity rejected an unsolicited offer of $45 per share from rival insurer Prosperity Life Insurance Group that was backed by hedge fund Elliott Investment Management. Prosperity Life said in February it was withdrawing the proposal after American Equity refused to engage.

Before the latest share price jump, shares of American Equity had gained roughly 60% under the tenure of Chief Executive Officer Anant Bhalla, a former MetLife Inc. and American International Group Inc. executive who took the helm in early 2020. Hes been striking annuity deals with asset managers as a way to create a diversified portfolio and increase yield on its investments, part of a strategy dubbed AEL 2.0.

American Equity has announced partnerships with 26North Partners, the private equity firm started by Apollo co-founder Josh Harris, as well as alternative asset manager Varde Partners and Agam Capital Management. Its also been ramping up its allocations to private assets.

American Equity, which sells annuities and other insurance products, has long been a takeover candidate. It attracted a bid in 2020 from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Apollo Global Management Inc.s Athene Holding Ltd. American Equity averted that deal by selling a stake to Brookfield, which also signed a multiyear agreement to re-insure as much as $10 billion in existing and future annuity liabilities.

--With assistance from Alexandra Muller.

(Updates with shares from fourth paragraph.)

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Carnival Corporation & (NYSE:CCL) Second Quarter 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$4.91b (up 105% from 2Q 2022).

Net loss: US$407.0m (loss narrowed by 78% from 2Q 2022).

US$0.32 loss per share (improved from US$1.61 loss in 2Q 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Carnival Corporation & Earnings Insights

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 10% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 12% growth forecast for the Hospitality industry in the US.

Performance of the American Hospitality industry.

The company's shares are down 8.2% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Carnival Corporation & that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Some employees could have specific (and valid) reasons to resist charitable giving through their employer. Heres what not to do to try to persuade them.

I am a midlevel manager in a credit and collections firm located in the South that has a history of providing college scholarships and grants that goes back many years. In fact, several of our employees received these awards, which helped them to attend college. We encourage our employees to donate to the companys education foundation or to the local university that we support and which has been responsible for granting scholarships to many of the people who work here. We will match whatever the employee donates. But recently, we have noticed a great deal of resistance to charitable giving by recent college graduates who, I must tell you, are much better paid than former groups of entering employees and who also received grants from this company.

Charitable Giving Strategies for Not-as-Wealthy Donors

Additionally, our employee base is much more diverse than ever before, with new people from many countries. I let it be known that everyone expects that if you have received benefits from the company, then you should be generous, think of others and pay it forward, but what I am saying isnt working. Have you got any suggestions? Thanks, Erin.

What discourages employees from charitable giving

I ran Erins question by Jane Couperus, director of Planned Giving in the Division of Advancement at California State University, Bakersfield. She provided a list of the things not to do, things that would discourage a sense of generosity by an employee or even family members. Do not:

Make charitable giving mandatory. Forcing an employee to donate means that they are not giving from their heart, but because of the pressure you as the employer are putting on them.

They will not experience the joy of giving  that warm feeling of having done something that will benefit others. Also, the employer might not know that the employee could be giving to other charitable causes  their church, for example.

Limit to whom the employee may donate for matching funds. An unintended result of restricting matching contributions to one charity or organization is that it can greatly reduce the employees desire to give to other charities.

Erins company would be more successful by developing a list of choices where employees could donate in addition to their own, company-sponsored foundation.

How to Fail as a Leader

Restrict employee generosity to merely dollars, instead of encouraging them to volunteer their time  a few hours  at a soup kitchen or elementary school, for example. If an employer fails to encourage alternatives to donating money, that could spill over into other areas where employees might otherwise be charitable. Charity is not only governed by a checkbook, but also by giving time, and giving ones time to charity has a way of encouraging people to give more of their financial resources.

Assume that everyone shares the same views about charity. Employers should check out Charities Aid Foundations World Giving Index, which examines the nature of giving around the world. It looks at aspects of giving behavior and ranks countries by asking participants if theyve done any of the following in the past month:

Helped a stranger, or someone they didnt know who needed help?

Donated money to a charity?

Volunteered their time to an organization?

CAFs findings may correlate with what Erin is discovering, that several in her diverse group of employees could very well be from countries where personal giving  even if they have received a college scholarship  isnt something they normally do or where residents in general arent known for being generous to charities.

Also, perhaps an employee comes from a country with very high taxes, and therefore, the employee feels they have already given enough.

Erin needs to explore these possible explanations for why some newer employees do not wish to donate.

Fail to respect employees giving history by revealing who gave how much and to whom. This would be very embarrassing to an employee or family member who did not donate or who gave a very small amount to the organizations pet project. You cant shame someone into donating.

Refuse to let employees recommend which charities receive donations. The greater the participation of employees in the selection process for company donations, the more likely employees will be inspired to give to charity themselves.

Imply that the more they give, the greater their chances of advancing in the company, especially when it comes to political donations. This would be incredibly unethical and would paint any manager who did this as someone you cannot trust. Generosity must come from the heart, not because of threats that youll never advance unless we see you supporting this cause. Political and charitable donations should never be treated the same.

In Philanthropy, Gen Z and Millennials Do It Their Way

Charitable donations have a way of uniting people! Avoiding these pitfalls could encourage your employees spirit of generosity.

Dennis Beaver practices law in Bakersfield, Calif., and welcomes comments and questions from readers, which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993, or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1@gmail.com. And be sure to visit dennisbeaver.com.
Has ChatGPT ever not been in the news since its launch in November 2022? It's created excitement and panic. On June 26, it was announced that US Congress members cannot use the regular ChatGPTthey must use the paid version, ChatGPT Plus, purportedly for privacy reasons. There are also mixed messages regarding regulatory concerns in the European Union. The week prior, a study deemed that ChatGPT is inherently in violation of EU law.

This chatbot, which has both a free and paid version, launched by the research company OpenAI is one of the most prominent recent examples of artificial intelligence (AI).

In only a few months of existence, ChatGPT has quickly dominated conversations about AI and risen to international prominence. Users have adapted ChatGPT for a wide variety of uses, including to create workout plans, craft bedtime stories for children, and even to write scripts for television shows. Most importantly, ChatGPT has brought AI technology into mainstream awareness, providing a vehicle for people new to AI to imagine the possible ways that humans can interact with machines. In this article we explore what ChatGPT is and how it became popular so quickly.

Congress Restricts Staff Access to ChatGPT to Protect Privacy

The Basics of ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an example of an AI system that understands and produces conversational dialogue. It is a type of AI tool known as a chatbot, which many consumers will likely have encountered on the customer service websites for a variety of companies. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is a tech research company that aims to ensure artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity.

The name ChatGPT contains a reference to Generative Pre-training Transformer, which indicates the way that Chat GPT processes language. A key element of the way that ChatGPT was trainedand something that sets it apart from chatbots over many yearsis its use of reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF). RLHF is a process in which human AI trainers work with AI systems, providing rewards to help ChatGPT learn and correct its mistakes, to answer follow-up questions, and to automatically fix incorrect assumptions.

AI Chatbots Like ChatGPT and Google Bard Dont Meet EU Law Standards: Study

In preparing this article, Decrypt asked ChatGPT to write a paragraph explaining what ChatGPT is and how it works. In response, ChatGPT said:

ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, built upon the GPT-3.5 architecture. It functions as a conversational AI, designed to engage in human-like text-based interactions. By leveraging deep learning techniques, ChatGPT has been trained on an extensive corpus of diverse internet text, encompassing a wide range of topics and styles. This training enables it to generate coherent and contextually appropriate responses based on the input it receives. ChatGPT operates by employing a transformer neural network, which allows it to process and understand the relationships between words, sentences, and concepts in the given text. It can infer meaning, recognize patterns, and generate relevant and coherent responses based on the context provided in the conversation. Additionally, OpenAI has implemented strategies to encourage safe and responsible usage of ChatGPT, including mitigating biases and providing user control over the system's behavior.

To further explain some of ChatGPTs response, it is a system making use of deep learning, a process by which an AI tool examines a vast quantity of data to learn about common rules, style, and context. This, as well as the fact that ChatGPT utilizes a transformer neural network, allows it to not only understand the literal and contextual meanings of a wide variety of prompts, but also to create responses based on those prompts in a way that closely resembles human dialogue.

How ChatGPT Can Be Used

As mentioned above, users have already uncovered a tremendous variety of use cases for ChatGPT in its first months of existence. These uses run the gamut from minimal, chatbot-like functions to creative partners in a wide range of areas. ChatGPT can create content ranging from essays, think pieces, and articles to computer code, emails, and much more. The fact that ChatGPT remains available in a research-and-feedback-collection stage, meaning that it is free to the public to use, means that people everywhere can take advantage of its myriad uses. This is one reason why the Swiss bank UBS has called ChatGPT the fastest-growing app of all time, with 100 million active users just two months after its launch.

How to Access and Use Chat GPT

The easiest way to begin to access ChatGPT is to visit OpenAIs website and follow instructions to create an account. After you sign in, youll immediately have access to ChatGPT and can begin a conversation by asking a question. While the system is still in a research phase, it is likely to remain free and available for all users.

There is also a subscription option for users wishing to guarantee access even while the platform is at capacity, or to connect ChatGPT to other tools through plugins. And OpenAI is launching ChatGPT apps, web browsing features, and more.

What Are Some Controversies Surrounding ChatGPT?

A major concern surrounding ChatGPT is safety and security. The tool is undeniably powerful, and it has led to rampant speculation about what might happen when bad actors make use of ChatGPT. Could terrorists use ChatGPT to falsify documents, or to hack into otherwise-secure networks? Could ChatGPT be put to work creating code that could be used for nefarious purposes? The system is built with many security protocols in place, but the huge range of potential uses may leave vulnerabilities.

Another concern regarding ChatGPT is inherent bias. Because ChatGPT has trained on human-generated documents and data, and because humans have implicit and explicit biases, OpenAI has said that its systems are prone to bias on at least racial and gender lines. The more popular ChatGPT becomes as a tool, the more these biases may feed back into the AI-generated content that humans read and use. Biases can also contribute to damaging and inaccurate responses.

Unsurprisingly, one of the early controversies regarding ChatGPT has been its potential use by students looking to cheat at school. ChatGPT recently proved that it can pass the bar exam, and universities have raced to put in place tools designed to determine whether student work is created with the use of ChatGPT or a similar generative AI tool. But a bigger concern may be that students can interact with ChatGPT to cheat in ways that are more subtle than having the chatbot take an exam or write a paper. For instance, ChatGPT can easily produce a thorough outline for a paper without writing the essay itself. An enterprising student can use ChatGPTs outline as the basis for a student-written paper that will easily pass through any detection system.

Although its not a controversy exactly, one limitation to ChatGPT is that it has been trained on data up to a certain time only. This means that ChatGPT may not be aware of the latest news and developments, potentially leading to inaccurate or incomplete responses to certain prompts.

ChatGPT does not typically ask for clarification when a prompt or question is ambiguous, and instead makes a guess about what the question means. This can lead to unintentionally incorrect responses. Stack Overflow moderators have said that a problem with the system is that it produces answers that have a high rate of being incorrect, while typically looking like they might be goodand the answers are very easy to produce. ChatGPT is, after all, putting words together in order that matches up with the data it has been trained on. This does not, however, necessarily mean that it understands a question or that it is answering correctly.

Possible Impact of ChatGPT

AI experts have speculated that ChatGPT could fundamentally transform the way that people interact with computers. ChatGPT may replace traditional search engines by providing users a more interactive, more responsive, and generally more accurate and functional search experience. This is perhaps one reason why Microsoft moved quickly after the release of the chatbot to launch a version of its Bing search engine that is powered by ChatGPT.

Though ChatGPT is not without its controversies, as illustrated above, many feel that its possible uses are seemingly endless. Whats more, OpenAI is continuing to develop the technology behind ChatGPTand a host of other generative AI tools are also in development, pushing the AI space even farther forward.
An Australian human rights activist and critic of the Chinese Communist Party claims the CCP has put a Bitcoin bounty out on his family.

In emails seen by Decrypt, DP Bounty Hunters offer a bounty of $50,000 to terminate Drew Pavlou and family members, including his mother, Vanessainviting recipients to share their Bitcoin address to receive remuneration.

Pavlou claims the emails were sent to major shopping centers in Brisbane, in a bid to reach his mothers employer. While the most recent email bounty was taken out on Drew's mother, Vanessa, Pavlou claims that other family members have been targeted previously.

The bounty emails were first highlighted by Australian current affairs programme 60 Minutes Australia. Although they were sent from anonymous, hard-to-track ProtonMail addresses, Pavlou claims to have traced them to a "mercenary working for the Chinese government."

"We cant confirm for certain that the bounty email we received was the CCP itself," Pavlou conceded in Twitter DMs with Decrypt. "At the very least, I believe it is very likely a CCP supporter acting with their tacit approval, he said. It represents a new escalation in their attempts to terrorize people outside of China who protest against the regime."

Pavlou has gained notoriety over the years for his protests of the Chinese government, disrupting events including the Chinese Ambassadors first public speech in Australia in June 2022. Pavlou claims to have been repeatedly harassed by Chinese authorities, and has been publicly condemned by Zhao Lijian, Chinas Deputy Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs.

Tankies: The Chinese government doesnt even know Drew exists! Heres Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian personally denouncing me to world media as an ''anti-China element'' at an international press conference in Beijing. I was 21 when this happened https://t.co/eDMr8nGuyB pic.twitter.com/cCqQhdb8yj  Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) June 18, 2023

"The CCP often targets the family members of the person that they want to silence, since often a dissident is willing to pay a personal price for their activism but will draw the line if they know that their loved ones might be affected," William Nee, research and advocacy coordinator at human rights NGO coalition China Human Rights Defenders, told Decrypt.

"Personally, I'm inclined to see [this] scheme as less of a viable plan and more as a form of psychological intimidation," Nee said.

Decrypt has contacted Chinas embassy in Australia for comment and will update this story should we receive a response.

Why Bitcoin?

Using Bitcoin to pay for a bounty would add a level of plausible deniability, experts told Decrypt.

Max Galka, CEO and founder of blockchain intelligence platform Elementus, told Decrypt that crypto is frequently used for illegal activity because of its borderless nature, making it challenging to track and identify illicit crypto transactions. Its effectively frictionless because it, by design, avoids the barriers of traditional payment rails and third-parties," he explained.

Despite crypto's transparency and traceability, wallets are pseudonymousmeaning that, even if a transaction can be traced, it can be difficult to identify the owner of a wallet.

What Are Coin Mixers and How Do They Work?

Crypto mixers complicate matters further, enabling the transactions to easily be shrouded to disguise the original source, Galka said. Users send cryptocurrency to a mixing service where its pooled with other coins or tokens; it then sends the equivalent amount of mixed coins to a recipient address, masking the connection between sender and recipient.

In August 2022, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned coin mixer Tornado Cash, claiming that it had been used to launder more than $7 billion in virtual currency.

Nation states and crypto

Crypto has been used by a number of nation states for illegal activity, including North Korea, which is accused of orchestrating hacks and ransomware attacks worth hundreds of millions of dollars through a proxy, Lazarus Group.

North Korea "has been successful in stealing from cryptocurrency businesses, a spokesperson for blockchain analysis platform Chainalysis told Decrypt via email. But even in these cases, law enforcement is becoming more successful at tracing and seizing funds." Chainalysis told Decrypt that other illegal uses of crypto include sanctions evasion leveraging crypto from Russian actors. A spokesperson for the company added, however, that cryptocurrency markets aren't liquid enough for large-scale sanctions evasion to occur undetected."

Gensler Is Driving Crypto to Communist China, Says Republican Congressman

Other countries like Venezuela and Iran have also allegedly used crypto to evade sanctions. All of these parties have come under scrutiny for using crypto to bypass sanctions, but there has been little direct impact on the countries involved.

If this Bitcoin bounty was sent it is likely to be identified and possibly traced to a wallet but unlikely to result in any further consequences, unless the Australian government had concrete evidence that the bounty was issued by the CCP.

"They didnt include any evidence that they actually had the Bitcoin and didnt provide proper instructions for people to get in contact with them or claim it," Pavlou told Decrypt. "So my suspicion is that this was designed to install fear and terrorize my family rather than a serious attempt to offer a bounty on my life and the lives of my loved ones."

Since these threats have begun, Pavlou has been forced to constantly look over my shoulder," he said. "I try not to let the fear take over. But its been horrible," he said. "Ive been dealing with nightmares and cant sleep. Years of threats have really started to damage my health."
(Bloomberg) -- China is planning to release cotton from state stockpiles to boost supplies, people familiar with the matter said, underscoring concerns that the crop to be harvested later this year has been hit by poor weather.

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China may gather a smaller crop in the new season after a severe cold spell delayed sowing and hurt yields in Xinjiang, the top-producing region. The government could announce a plan to sell cotton from reserves as soon as this week, with volumes likely to be as much as a few hundred thousand tons, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.

China is the worlds biggest textile producer and one of the largest cotton importers. While it could boost purchases of foreign cotton to meet any shortfall in production, that may be countered by a weak outlook for demand as exporters of textile products grapple with a slowing global economy.

China imported just 490,000 tons of cotton in the first five months of the year, half the amount in the same period a year earlier. That has contributed to the weakness in benchmark US cotton prices, which are near a three-month low.

Chinas top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, didnt respond to a faxed request for comment.

The crop in Xinjiang, which accounts for about 90% of Chinas cotton, is currently at risk from high temperatures and hailstorms, just a few months after cold weather disrupted sowing. Mysteel, a commodity consultancy in China, forecast a 10% drop in cotton acreage as farmers have also switched to growing grains under a nationwide drive to bolster food security.

Its a recognized fact in the market that Xinjiangs cotton inventory is tight, broker SHZQ Futures said. Prices are likely to stay volatile in the short term.

China manages its cotton supply through the state reserves. Its hard to ascertain how the sale will influence Chinese imports, as the move could either curb demand for overseas supplies or increase the need to replenish stockpiles. The government limits imports through a tariff-rate quota system.

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China's Baidu says its new AI beat ChatGPT on some metrics

FILE PHOTO: A logo of Baidu is seen during the World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen

By Josh Ye

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Baidu Inc, China's leading search engine provider, said the latest iteration of its ChatGPT-style service had surpassed the widely popular Microsoft-backed OpenAI chatbot on multiple key metrics.

Baidu said in a statement on Tuesday that Ernie 3.5, the latest version of its Ernie AI model, had surpassed "ChatGPT in comprehensive ability scores" and outperformed "GPT-4 in several Chinese capabilities".

The Beijing-based company cited a test that the state newspaper China Science Daily ran using datasets including AGIEval and C-Eval, two benchmarks used to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) models.

OpenAI did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment outside of usual business hours.

The Baidu announcement comes amid a global AI buzz kicked off by ChatGPT that has spread to China, prompting a flurry of domestic companies to announce rival products.

Baidu was the first big Chinese tech company to debut a AI product to rival ChatGPT when it unveiled its language AI Ernie Bot in March. Ernie Bot, built on Baidu's older Ernie 3.0 AI model, has been in invite-only tests for the past three months.

Other big Chinese tech firms, including Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings, have all since revealed their respective AI models.

Baidu said its new model comes with better training and inference efficiency, which positions it for faster and cheaper iterations in the future. Baidu also said its new model would support external "plugins".

Plugins are additional applications that will allow Baidu's AI to work on more specific scenarios such as summarizing long text and generating more precise answers.

ChatGPT rolled out plugin support in March.

(Reporting by Josh Ye; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
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.
China and Vietnam should manage their South China Sea dispute through dialogue and promote cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday.

China is also willing to accelerate negotiations on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, Li said as he welcomed Chinh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"[We] should avoid taking any actions that would complicate and escalate the situation," Li said.

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.

According to China's state broadcaster CCTV, Chinh said that Vietnam would strengthen its coordination with China in multilateral organisations such as the United Nations.

Chinh and Li applauding during a signing ceremony on Monday. Photo: AFP alt=Chinh and Li applauding during a signing ceremony on Monday. Photo: AFP>

Li and Chinh also oversaw the signing of several agreements, including one on maritime cooperation.

Chinh's visit to China is the first by a Vietnamese prime minister in seven years. He is leading a high-level government delegation which will attend the World Economic Forum, the so-called Summer Davos, in Tianjin from Tuesday to Thursday.

Li told Chinh that China would like to forge closer links with Vietnam's development strategies through its own Belt and Road Initiative and a "bilateral cooperation leadership committee" established in 2006.

Key areas of cooperation, Li said, included law enforcement and security; trade and investment; science; education; culture and health. He added that railway connections, border port upgrades, agricultural trade, investment and energy were also topics of focus.

Vietnam is China's fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at US$175 billion in 2022, accounting for a quarter of the total trade between China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations members.

South China Sea disputes have been a primary obstacle to bilateral relations. Beijing claims most of the South China Sea through a "nine-dash line", while Vietnam claims the entire Paracel and Spratly Islands.

Besides two brief naval battles in 1974 and 1988, the two sides also frequently engage in clashes or confrontations over fishing rights as well as oil and gas development.

Vietnamese-built structures on the Vanguard Bank were recently involved in a dispute between the Chinese and Vietnamese coastguards. Photo: Handout alt=Vietnamese-built structures on the Vanguard Bank were recently involved in a dispute between the Chinese and Vietnamese coastguards. Photo: Handout>

The latest incident was reported last month when the coastguards of China and Vietnam had another stand-off near the Vanguard Bank - the westernmost reef in the resource-rich Spratlys - over Vietnam's latest oil development plan.

The Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. China and Asean countries are in talks on a legally binding Code of Conduct but progress is behind schedule. The second reading of text is expected to be completed this year.

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.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' initatives restricting free speech, abortion and healthcare for transgender residents keep getting challenged in court  and often losing. Why does he keep trying? (Greg Lovett / Associated Press)

A federal judge in Tallahassee left few doubts the other day about what he thought of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' assault on healthcare for transgender Floridians.

"For many years, Florida's Medicaid system paid for medically necessary treatments for gender dysphoria," Judge Robert L. Hinkle wrote on June 21. "Recently, for political reasons, Florida adopted a rule and then a statute prohibiting payment for some of the treatments."

Hinkle invalidated the rule and the law as unconstitutional acts of discrimination against transgender people and ordered coverage restored. He went further. He ascribed the policy to pure anti-transgender bigotry and implied that at least one of the state's witnesses defending the policies had lied.

Gender identity is real.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle of Florida

A Clinton appointee, Hinkle ridiculed the state's contention that treating gender dysphoria, in which patients feels a profound disconnection between their assigned gender and their identity, is more dangerous than not treating it.

The state's policy, he wrote, was largely motivated "by the plainly illegitimate purposes of disapproving transgender status and discouraging individuals from pursuing their honest gender identities."

Hinkle's ruling is only the latest in a growing file of court decisions invalidating or suspending reactionary laws and regulations promulgated by DeSantis and his henchmen and -women in the GOP-dominated state legislature.

These initiatives have all been aimed at shoring up DeSantis' right-wing bona fides as he pursues his quest for the Republican nomination for president in 2024.

DeSantis has evidently decided that the key to securing the nomination is to appeal to the narrowest conceivable voting base within the GOP.

That's the cadre that makes common cause with white supremacists in demonizing diversity and inclusiveness, that wishes to suppress any honest discussion of racism in America's past or present, that opposes the full spectrum of women's reproductive rights including the right to abortion.

Along the way, however, DeSantis keeps running into a judicial buzz saw. Let's call the roll.

Read more: Column: Right-wing hatemongers count on the cowardice of companies such as Target

DeSantis' "Stop WOKE Act," which restricts classroom discussions about race by public university faculty members in Florida, has been blocked by federal Judge Mark Walker of Tallahassee. Walker, an Obama appointee, called the law "positively dystopian" and quoted George Orwell's observation that "if liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."

On Friday, U.S.District Judge Gregory Presnell of Orlando blocked a law DeSantis signed aimed at shutting down hotels and restaurants found to have admitted a child to "an adult live performance."

That term was left purposefully vague, but critics say the law was designed to target drag performers. Presnell, a Clinton appointee, blocked the law pending a full trial, on grounds that it infringed on the performers' free speech rights.

Also coming under legal challenge is a ban on abortions after six weeks, one of the most restrictive such laws in the country. DeSantis signed the law , which supplanted a law DeSantis signed last year allowing abortions up to 15 weeks, in the dead of night on April 13.

The 15-week law has been challenged on grounds that it violates privacy rights enshrined in the state constitution, an issue now before the state Supreme Court. The new law is probably destined for review on the same grounds.

The transgender treatment policy reflects another front in the culture war that DeSantis seems to think will sweep him past Donald Trump and into the White House. He's not alone in targeting LGBTQ+ people and transgender individuals specifically. Laws and policies banning gender-affirming care for adolescents have been passed or implemented in 19 other states, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ rights group, and are under consideration in at least seven others.

The Florida initiative was launched last year via a decision by the state's Medicaid agency to cease paying for gender-affirming care.

Read more: Column: A glimpse into the dystopian abyss of President DeSantis' America

In practical terms, the decision applied to puberty blockers for transgender adolescents and cross-sex hormones  testosterone for those transitioning to men, and estrogen for those transitioning to women  for adults and older adolescents. The Medicaid agency ruling was followed by legislation prohibiting the use of state funds, including Medicaid, for "sex reassignment prescriptions or procedures."

Hinkle noted that those treatments had been approved for coverage by Florida Medicaid in 2016 and 2017, when the program recognized that failing to treat adolescents and adults with those drugs exposed them, as Hinkle wrote, to "higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide than the population at large."

One of the adult plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit Hinkle ruled on attempted suicide four times before beginning treatment with cross-sex hormones. "He is now thriving," the judge wrote.

Medicaid's experts noted that such treatments were consistent with the standard of care accepted by professionals in the field.

The four plaintiffs in the case two adolescents represented by their parents, and two adults had begun treatments paid for by Medicaid.

Everything changed last year, when DeSantis ordered the Medicaid agency to conduct another review of the coverage. The agency hired consultants "known in advance for their staunch opposition to gender-affirming care," Hinkle wrote. The process "was, from the outset, a biased effort to justify a predetermined outcome, not a fair analysis of the evidence."

The judge scoffed at testimony by the Medicaid employee who drafted the analysis that he did not know the outcome the analysis was expected to reach. "I do not credit the testimony," Hinkle wrote dryly. In the event, the analysis concluded that gender-affirming care was not a generally accepted medical standard but was experimental, and therefore could be dropped from coverage.

Hinkle made clear that he found no merit in the state's defense that its ban arose from a sincere concern for the health of transgender patients.

After observing that state officials accuse the professional bodies that endorse treatments with puberty blockers and hormones of pursuing "good politics, not good medicine," he responded, "If ever a pot called a kettle black, it is here." The law and regulation that denied coverage for those treatments, he wrote, "were an exercise in politics, not good medicine."

Read more: Column: A Republican governor vetoed a harsh anti-trans bill out of 'compassion'  then signed a worse one

Nor did he have any difficulty locating the bigotry motivating the state law: He found it in the words of state Rep. Webster Barnaby, a Republican from an Orlando exurb, who called transgender witnesses at a committee hearing "mutants" and "demons." "This is Planet Earth, where God created men male and women female," Barnaby brayed. "The Lord rebuke you Satan and all of your demons and imps...who come and parade before us and pretend that you are part of this world."

Hinkle rejected the contention by a defense witness for the state, Dr. Paul Hruz, that transgender individuals have a "false belief" in their gender identity, and are subject to a "charade" or "delusion." Hruz, an endocrinologist with no experience treating patients for gender dysphoria, "testified as a deeply biased advocate, not as an expert sharing relevant evidence-based information," Hinkle found.

The judge ruled that "the overwhelming weight of medical authority supports treatment of transgender patients" with puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones "in appropriate circumstances....Not a single reputable medical association has taken a contrary position."

The state's interference with these treatments crossed a bright line, the judge found: "Dissuading a person from conforming to the person's gender identity rather than to the person's natal sex is not a legitimate state interest."

Hinkle drew his own bright line that should be recognized by the red state legislators and governors who have been scurrying to interfere with their own citizens' pursuit of legitimate medical care.

In conclusion, the judge reproached DeSantis and Florida officials for casting doubt on medical science for their own partisan purposes. "Gender identity," he wrote, "is real."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Digital freight platform Convoy said Monday it has made cuts to one of its departments.

The company, based in Seattle, told FreightWaves on Monday the trims were to the customer experience operations team. Convoy did not state how many jobs were affected.

The company uses a variable staffing model, which is designed to flexibly address changing seasonal and economic conditions.

Earlier this year, we staffed this team at levels necessary to ensure a smooth transition to our new dedicated service model and to be prepared for a potential freight market rebound, a company spokesperson told FreightWaves. With our customer service model transition complete and demonstrating efficiency levels double that of 2022 in many cases, coupled with a delayed rebound in the overall freight market, we are now right-sizing staffing levels accordingly. This adjustment is specific to, and does not extend beyond, our customer experience operations team.

In February, Convoy went through a restructuring, leading to an undisclosed number of employees being laid off. With the reduction in staff, the company closed its location in Atlanta, which had opened in 2018.

On Friday, company co-founder Grant Goodale announced he would be stepping down as chief experience officer by the end of the month. Goodale has been with the company since it began in 2015.





Many FreightTech companies have experienced restructuring and employee reductions since Q4 of 2022, including Amazon, FourKites, project44, Tive, Flock Freight, Uber Freight, Loadsmart and GXO Logistics.

The post Convoy announces staffing reductions appeared first on FreightWaves.
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People fall into two camps regarding self-checkout at wholesale clubs, big box retailers and grocery stores. They either love it because they dont have to awkwardly interact with cashiers, or they hate it because they dont want to do the job of the cashier.

I Work at Costco: Here Are 12 Insider Secrets You Should Know

Find: How To Build Your Savings From Scratch

Costco now seems to be merging the worst elements of self-checkout with employee-assisted self-checkout to help crack down on shared memberships and theft, while also enabling lines to move more quickly. But it may not be working out as planned.

Costcos least expensive membership plan allows members to bring one additional household member to shop with them at the store. Employees are supposed to check the photo on your membership card at the stores entrance and cashiers will also verify your membership at checkout.

But savvy customers have been borrowing a friends card  with or without the friend present  and using self-checkout to circumvent the membership rules.

As a result, Costco is asking customers at self-checkout to show their membership card to employees when they ask. Some reddit users reported that Costco employees were aggressively checking for membership cards from self-checkout customers.

Eat This, Not That! solicited a comment from Costco management regarding the enforcement of the membership policy, with a spokesperson explaining: 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. Costcos membership policy has not changed. We have always asked for membership cards at our registers at time of checkout.

Related: 8 Luxury Beauty Products That Are Way Cheaper at Costco

Some customers see the purpose of enforcing the membership policy. Reddit user xlfoolishlx wrote, Costcos whole business model is based on membership income. Thats why they are able to provide the highest quality goods at the lowest possible price. Anyone who pays for a membership should be happy that their membership is verified and not allowing people to slide through the cracks.

Employees do assist with self-checkout, but  perhaps unsurprisingly  many shoppers prefer to check out for themselves if they opt for self-checkout. I do self-checkout to interact with the staff less, but I end up interacting with them more and more awkwardly, one reddit user wrote.

Another redditor stated, At my local Costco, they have employees man the self-checkout stations so its not actually self-checkout. Very weird.

Another chimed in: Why does Costco treat their members worse than Sams when it comes to self-checkout? If you dont trust your customers, dont give them self-checkout as an option.

Its not just customers who are annoyed. One self-identified Costco employee posted the following to the thread: The whole process is extremely frustrating for us too.

Sales figures are not yet publicly available to see if the crackdown on memberships and new self-checkout processes have hurt revenue for the wholesale club. However, it may not be surprising if customers started voting against these new policies with their wallets.

If we didnt have the executive card for Costco with the intent to purchase a regular membership with the rebate check next year, I doubt wed have a membership at all. Theyre quickly falling out of my preferred places to shop, user SnarkyAnxiety commented in one thread.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Is Costcos Employee-Assisted Self-Checkout Driving Away Customers?
(Bloomberg) -- US-based Circle Internet Financial Ltd. is closely watching regulatory developments in Hong Kong after the territorys new crypto rules went into effect, according to Jeremy Allaire, the companys co-founder and chief executive officer.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Hong Kong clearly is looking to establish itself as a very significant center for digital assets markets and for stablecoins and we are paying very close attention to that, Allaire said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China, on Tuesday.

As the issuer of USD Coin, the worlds second-largest stablecoin, Asia is a huge area of focus, he added.

The remarks come after Circle received a license as a major payments institution in Singapore, allowing it to offer digital payment token services as well as domestic and cross-border money transfer services in the city-state. The Singapore license will help Circle to distribute its USD Coin more fully in the region.

Hong Kong rolled out a new crypto regulatory regime starting June 1 at a time when global digital assets firms are seeking new destinations that are suitable and safe for investors and users amid a crackdown in the US. Hong Kong has yet to come out with regulations governing stablecoins.

Hong Kongs pivot toward becoming a digital-asset hub has quiet backing from Beijing even as trading remains banned on the mainland. The new stance in Hong Kong has stirred hopes that China could eventually lift its crypto ban sooner rather than later.

Read More: Hong Kong Crypto Ambitions Get Guarded Reception From Firms

Whats happening in Hong Kong may be a proxy for ultimately how do these markets grow in Greater China, Allaire said.

Jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Dubai are seeking to attract companies, while Singapore plans curbs on retail-investor participation. The European Union in April approved the most comprehensive digital-asset rules of any developed economy.

We see enormous demand for digital dollars in emerging markets and Asia is really center of that, Allaire said.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A new dawn is breaking in the world of cryptocurrencies, and its rising in South and Southeast Asia. An intriguing phenomenon is unfolding, as five countries from this region  with Vietnam and the Philippines in the top two spots, followed by India, Pakistan and Thailand ranking 4th, 6th and 8th, respectively  have risen to the top 10 of the Global Crypto Adoption Index. This compelling development paves the way for an exploration of the driving forces behind this extraordinary progress and a contemplation of what the future might hold.

Southeast Asia accounts for 8.6% of the world population, or approximately 688 million people. And thats not including India and Pakistan  countries on the periphery of Southeast Asia  which more than double this number. While these numbers are vast, whats truly fascinating is how individuals in each country are turning toward cryptocurrencies en masse, heralding a significant shift in global financial norms.

Lets take a closer look at a few of these key players in the global crypto scene. In India, the flourishing of cryptocurrency defies the odds, in spite of its squeeze of taxes and regulatory restrictions. Several reasons make this possible. Firstly, notwithstanding its government, the Indian people are embracing blockchain with open arms, and the technologys usage has permeated across diverse sectors like banking and supply chain management. By enhancing efficiency and transparency, blockchain  the cornerstone of cryptocurrency  has secured a firm footing in Indias economy.

The digital economy in India is on an upward trajectory, with cryptocurrencies making significant contributions. While Indias regulatory environment remains somewhat uncertain, this hasnt deterred the nations businesses and people from exploring cryptocurrencies.

A noteworthy factor is the burgeoning user base of cryptocurrency enthusiasts in India. India is currently on track to have 156 million crypto users by the end of this year, which could account for more than half of the worlds crypto users.

Indias investors also arent shying away from cryptocurrencies, despite a hefty 30% tax on crypto income. This persistent interest has also prompted several technology firms to accept crypto payments, further bolstering adoption rates.

Lastly, the undeterred activity in Indias crypto market can largely be attributed to the global essence of cryptocurrencies, transcending local regulatory constraints.

While this narrative might be unique to India, similar stories of perseverance and innovative approaches can be found in Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan and Thailand. In Thailand, for example, over 50% of cryptocurrency transactions were related to decentralized finance, demonstrating strong retail demand for decentralized financial services.

The broad implications of this trend are significant. The proactive approach by the people in the region toward adopting and integrating cryptocurrencies into their lives sets a precedent for other regions, encouraging a global shift towards decentralized financial systems. It also hints at a future where cryptocurrencies play a more mainstream role in other economies around the globe, paving the way for a more inclusive financial system that reaches the worlds masses of unbanked and underbanked populations.

Aside from cryptocurrency, blockchain technology also has immense potential to revolutionize supply chains in South and Southeast Asia, a region known for its dynamic economic activity and significant role in global trade. At its core, blockchain provides a secure, decentralized ledger for transactions, effectively eliminating the need for a trusted third party and facilitating faster and less expensive transactions.

In the context of supply chains, this means enhanced transparency and traceability of goods, from producer to consumer. Companies implementing blockchain in their supply chains can expect to realize significant cost savings, with reports indicating an average reduction of 15% in supply chain costs and a 50% decrease in exposure to risk. One key area where blockchain can make a difference is in combating fraud, a growing concern in the region. By providing an immutable record of transactions, blockchain can help reduce fraud in supply chains, thereby increasing trust among participants.

This is not to say the path toward this future is devoid of challenges. Issues of security, regulatory measures, and the need for robust financial literacy among South and Southeast Asias crypto users are pertinent matters that need addressing. But the peoples determination instills confidence in their ability to navigate these challenges effectively.

The rise of cryptocurrency in South and Southeast Asia brings with it the necessity of addressing and prioritizing security. As digital assets, cryptocurrencies are susceptible to cyber-attacks, scams and technical vulnerabilities. High-profile incidents of hacking, theft and fraud have underscored the critical need for robust security measures. These risks, if not effectively managed, can have significant consequences, including undermining user trust, hampering adoption and causing financial losses for individuals and businesses alike. It is crucial for the region to invest in developing secure cryptocurrency platforms and implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures. Additionally, education about safe practices in cryptocurrency use becomes paramount, ensuring users are well-equipped to protect themselves. As South and Southeast Asia charges ahead in adopting blockchain and cryptocurrency, prioritizing security is not just important, its essential to sustain and support the regions remarkable growth in its digital assets economy.

As we stand at this junction, South and Southeast Asias progress in its cryptocurrency adoption is an affirmation of the transformative potential of blockchain technology. By harnessing the power of cryptocurrency, DeFi and blockchain, the region is not only embracing a more financially inclusive future but also demonstrating the art of turning challenges into opportunities. This is a toast to the vibrant spirit of South and Southeast Asia and a testament to its emerging leadership in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies.
By Lisa Pauline Mattackal and Medha Singh

(Reuters) -What would Satoshi make of it all?

Bitcoin, the currency created to subvert the financial establishment, has shaken off weeks of sickness with the support of Wall Street's finest.

The original crypto coin has leapt 20% to two-month highs at $30,182 over the past 11 days after BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, revealed hopes for a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the United States.

BlackRock filed for a prospective spot bitcoin ETF on June 15, undeterred by the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) past record of rejecting every such application. The news helped bitcoin bounce out of the doldrums and snap two consecutive weeks of losses.

Satoshi Nakamoto's rebel child is invigorated by the prospect of an ETF that offers investors exposure to spot bitcoin on a regulated U.S. stock exchange without the hassle of custody.

Bitcoin's market value has grown to comprise nearly half of the $1.1 trillion overall crypto market, its highest share in over two years, according to data tracker CoinMarketCap.com. Its share was around 40% at the start of the year, up from a low of 34% in 2018.

"The news of the ETF filing is evidence of adoption and interest from top global players, which is, of course, interesting to institutional investors and traders alike," said Mikkel Morch, chairman at digital asset investment fund ARK36.

Fueling optimism among some crypto advocates is BlackRock's strong track record of getting the SEC's green light for ETFs more generally, although it hasn't filed for a crypto one before. It boasts a 575-1 approval rate, according to Rosenblatt Securities analyst Andrew Bond.

Since the BlackRock filing, Invesco and WisdomTree have also reapplied for spot bitcoin ETFs after they had previous applications rejected by the regulator, with asset manager Fidelity also reportedly planning to reapply for a spot fund.

The mini-rush of pitches to the U.S. watchdog comes days after the SEC sued major crypto exchanges Coinbase and Binance for allegedly breaking securities laws, casting a chill over the cryptocurrency market.

Not everyone's keen to jump in, though.

"You know what the rules of the road are in equities and bonds. But you don't fully know what the rules are going to be for crypto," said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments in New Vernon, New Jersey.

"As a consequence it has made it difficult to make an investment class for many people, myself included."

ROLLING OVER FUTURES

At present, American investors currently looking to gain exposure to crypto on stock exchanges are limited to futures-based ETFs. These funds track bitcoin futures contracts, which come with the additional costs of rolling over contracts on settlement days.

The total return for ProShares' Bitcoin Strategy ETF is about 79%, according to Morningstar data, versus bitcoin's 82% jump.

Bryan Armour, director of passive strategies research for North America at Morningstar, said a spot bitcoin ETF could be a more cost-effective way for investors to trade.

"It doesn't appear that most crypto ETF holders are institutional  assets are pretty spread out," he added.

Crypto investment products are still a tiny part of the overall market. Excluding grantor trusts - limited to accredited investors - such as the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, the current crypto ETF market totals about $2 billion, according to MorningStar Direct, less than 2% of overall crypto market.

BITO, the first bitcoin futures ETF and the fastest to notch $1 billion in market cap after its launch in 2021, ushered in a wave of other futures ETF launches.

About 48% of respondents in a survey this year of 549 international professional investors by TrackInsight, J.P. Morgan Asset Management and State Street said they would consider investing in single-cryptocurrency exchange-traded products, versus 37% who were interested in investing directly.

"I'd argue BlackRock is just as interested in retail as institutional," said David Wells, CEO of Enclave Markets.

"They may start with institutions but potentially hope that bitcoin is an option that goes into investors' retirement portfolios, and hoping the BlackRock name is a strong enough impetus to buy, and that's a big draw for retail investors."

(Reporting by Medha Singh and Lisa Pauline Mattackal in Bengaluru; Editing by Pravin Char)
Disney's (DIS) high-profile legal battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis escalated late Monday when Florida's attorney general filed a motion to dismiss an April lawsuit from the entertainment giant.

Disney had alleged in federal court that DeSantis and other officials punished the company for its stance on a parental rights bill when the state stripped the company of power it held for 55 years to self-govern a special tax district that houses Walt Disney World.

The argument made Monday by Florida state attorney general Ashley Moody was that the federal court in Tallahassee has no jurisdiction over DeSantis and the secretary for the state's Department of Economic Opportunity.

Moody says DeSantis and the secretary are protected from Disney's claims under the doctrine of legislative immunity, which insulates lawmakers from litigation over actions taken within their "sphere of legislative activity."

The US Constitution's 11th Amendment also bars federal litigation against the two, Moody says. The Amendment generally blocks federal-court suits against a state.

Disney vs. DeSantis

The dispute between Disney and DeSantis started about a year ago when Disney opposed a parental rights bill in Florida that prohibited educators from leading classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity. Opponents labeled the bill Dont Say Gay.

The law forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity from kindergarten through third grade.

In 2022, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek condemned this law at the company's annual shareholder meeting after initially deciding not to speak publicly on the matter.

In response, DeSantis signed a bill into law that allows him to take control of the company's long-standing special tax district, formerly known as Reedy Creek.

Floridas legislature then passed a series of bills that stripped the company of its power to self-govern the special tax district that is home to its Walt Disney World resort and roughly 25,000 acres surrounding it. The new laws throttle Disney's authority over the parcel, dismantling a five-person, Disney-appointed body known as the Board of Supervisors that oversaw the area, then known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID). DeSantis appointed five new people to call the shots as part of a Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.

Disney argues in the lawsuit that DeSantis, the secretary, and members of the replacement board violated the company's constitutional rights by taking its property without just compensation and that it was punished for its stance on the parental rights law.

A statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse at Walt Disney World in Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)

Disney's First Amendment right to speak freely without repercussions was violated, the company also claimed, when DeSantis retaliated by taking away control of the Walt Disney World tax district.

The governor's hand-selected Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board launched a countersuit against Disney shortly after its initial complaint, citing "backroom deals" favorable to the media giant.

Attorneys for members of the new board also filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the suit, or at least to abstain from deciding the matter until its unsettled questions of state law have been resolved. They also said the case belongs in state rather than federal court and that Disney's last-minute development agreement and restrictive covenants were never valid under Florida law.

A court document filed Monday by the state's attorney general argued that the Disney-controlled board had sweeping government-like authority to take private property for "public use," annex territory inside and outside its districts borders, and even build and operate an airport or nuclear power plant.

'Does the state want us to invest more...or not?'

Disney CEO Bob Iger has consistently defended the company's actions and denounced DeSantis's practices on multiple occasions.

"Does the state want us to invest more, employ more people, and pay more taxes, or not?" he said on Disneys second-quarter conference call last month.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Disney and the governor's office did not immediately respond to Yahoo Finance's request for comment.

The governor's office previously told Yahoo Finance that Disney's moves showcase a "desperate attempt to maintain their special privileges and ignore the will of Floridians as expressed through their duly elected representatives."

Alexandra is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @alliecanal8193 and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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
'We don't feel it's right': Costco cracks down on card sharing among non-member shoppers

A man exits a Costco in Colorado with a full grocery cart in January.

Costco's membership policy hasn't changed, but shoppers at the wholesale club may have noticed lately that the frequency with which it's enforced seems to have increased.

That's because employees at the membership-only retail chain are more routinely asking to see shoppers' membership IDs with their photo when they use the self-checkout lanes, Costco said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.

The crackdown on unauthorized card-sharing comes as employees have reportedly noticed that the expansion of the chain's self-service checkouts has coincided with more shoppers using membership cards that don't belong to them, Costco said.

"We dont feel its right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members," the statement read. "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."

Sam's Club vs. Costco: Is paying an annual fee worth the savings for shoppers?

Mixed reactions among Costco faithful

Those who have gotten used to lending out their membership cards to friends or family now find themselves in a similar position as Netflix viewers did earlier this year when the streaming service undertook a similar enforcement measure.

Users of the popular platform faced a difficult choice when Netflix cracked down on password sharing: transfer those who don't live in their household to their own accounts, or pony up another $8 per month to continue sharing it.

Netflix and not chill: How to cancel your account after Netflix ban on password sharing.

The decision seems to have left Costco customers divided.

A query posted by USA TODAY in the Costco Fans Midwest Facebook group drew comments from dozens of users. Some supported Costco's strategy of stricter enforcement while other card-carrying members saw it as an unnecessary  even intrusive  step that inconvenienced them while shopping.

"Ive felt more and more like Im doing something wrong each time I go," commented Ashely Dixon, a member of the group who said she was stopped four times in one recent trip in Illinois. "It's annoying to be hounded at every step while shopping."

However, other people commenting supported the strict enforcement, saying that those who flout the membership rules may be responsible if Costco raises its prices.

"I pay extra to shop somewhere to get the good prices," said Lisa Ladonski, another Illinois shopper. "Its not fair for multiple people to use one membership because lets say they all want to buy the same thing I do, they get to it and buy it and now I cant get what I need because theyre taking advantage of the system."

How much are Costco memberships?

Costco's basic "gold star" membership costs $60 per year and is good for up to two people per household, while the "executive" membership is double the price with additional perks. Business memberships comes with the option to add $60 for each additional user.

Membership fees account for the majority of Costco's profit, allowing the company to keep product prices lower than similar grocery stores and retailers. Costco employees have long required customers to show their membership cards at traditional checkout lanes, a requirement the chain said is now extending to the self-service lanes.

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: Costco card-sharing crackdown: Store enforces rules for non-members
By Gabriel Araujo

SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Investors were left disappointed by weaker-than-expected order numbers for Brazil's Embraer at the world's largest airshow last week, though some analysts were heartened by a bid from China and interest in Embraer's electric aircraft unit.

The world's third-largest aircraft maker after Airbus and Boeing, Embraer bagged 13 fresh orders for commercial jets at the Paris Airshow, falling short of market estimates and previous years' levels.

That led shares in the company to fall roughly 18% in a week, reversing the 11% gain realized in the days ahead of the show, when market players seemed excited by the prospects of new deals.

The 13 new orders compared with 74 secured at Le Bourget in 2019 and 28 in Farnborough last year. They also lagged some upbeat market forecasts, including expectations by JPMorgan analysts for at least 30 orders.

The U.S. bank said in a note to clients on Tuesday that it hosted Embraer for a webinar and the company acknowledged the low number of orders announced, but said it was in line with its strategy to preserve margins and profitability.

"Embraer continues to hold talks with several airlines, both in the U.S. and abroad, and expects to announce more new orders in the midterm," JPMorgan said as it reiterated its "overweight" rating on the firm.

In Paris, investors were especially disappointed by the lack of orders from the booming Indian airline market, which handled an all-time-high 500-plane transaction to Airbus and new orders to Boeing.

SLOW BUT LUCRATIVE

Still, a number of analysts remain bullish on the Brazilian company as a post-pandemic travel rebound continues to drive money into the sector.

BTG Pactual, which has a "buy" recommendation for Embraer, noted that the sales to existing clients Binter and American Airlines were equivalent to 19% of its outlook of 65-70 deliveries this year, making them "significant deals."

Those orders add to a backlog that remains robust, with the E2 aircraft seen as largely sold out for this year and 2024 after garnering new customers such as Royal Jordanian, Salam Air and Scoot recently.

Other upbeat takes from the airshow came from Embraer's electric aircraft subsidiary Eve, which signed deals for the sale of up to 150 flying cars, as well as Embraer's deal to return to China by converting passenger jets into freighters.

JPMorgan called Eve the "big winner" of the event, as the New York-listed company announced key equipment suppliers and increased its industry-leading backlog, outpacing global peers.

Eve's shares rose as much as 7% on Tuesday, while Embraer was trading up 2%, holding on to gains of around 20% year-to-date, as some analysts believe upside remains.

"We believe that most of the pre-event excitement has already been adjusted in share prices," said XP Investimentos, while also rates Embraer a "buy." "There is limited room for further pressure."

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Conor Humphries and Leslie Adler)
Hong Kong: CE boosts HK-Fujian exchanges

Chief Executive John Lee today met CPC Fujian Provincial Committee Secretary Zhou Zuyi at Government House to exchange views on strengthening co-operation.

Welcoming Mr Zhou and his delegations visit to Hong Kong, Mr Lee said the relationship between Hong Kong and Fujian has always been close, adding that Hong Kong has been the largest source of external direct investment in the province in recent years.

Mr Lee said he was confident that with the gradual recovery of the global economy, the economic and trade co-operation between Hong Kong and Fujian would bring new impetus to the economic growth of both places.

He wished the Fourth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Fujian Co-operation Conference to be held in Hong Kong tomorrow great success with fruitful achievements, bringing the co-operation and development of the two places to new heights.

Mr Lee pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been fully leveraging the citys role as a functional platform for the Belt & Road Initiative and encouraging Hong Kong's enterprises and professional services sectors to expand their businesses in the Belt-Road countries and collaborate with Mainland enterprises in going global together.

The Chief Executive noted that Hong Kong offers an enormous base of professionals well versed in international regulations who could provide Fujian with legal advice and services in Belt & Road development projects.

The professionals could also help enterprises understand international rules so that they could effectively cope with relevant risks when investing in different countries or regions.

Mr Lee said he looked forward to the continuous and pragmatic co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong in innovation and technology, maritime and logistics, tourism and youth development, so that the two places could better grasp the development opportunities arising from the National 14th Five-Year Plan and promote mutual benefits.

The Hong Kong SAR Governments Fujian Liaison Unit will continue to act as a bridge to promote exchanges and co-operation between the two places, Mr Lee added.

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Acwa Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants worldwide, has signed a three-year revolving credit facility (RCF) agreement with China Construction Bank (DIFC Branch).

Announcing this, Acwa Power said the agreement provides it with access to a $100 million credit facility that will support the company's strategic plans to scale its power and water generation portfolio in the Middle East and the Belt & Road countries and contribute to the social and economic development of the communities it invests in and serves.

Since 2009, Chinese financiers have contributed a total of $10 billion across Acwa Power's global project portfolio, while Chinese EPC contractors, suppliers, and financiers have taken part in 47 projects, covering landmark renewable and seawater desalination projects worldwide including the 2,400MW Hassyan power plant in the UAE.

Chief Financial Officer Abdulhameed Al Muhaidib said: "The revolving credit facility by China Construction Bank (DIFC Branch) is an outcome of the ongoing collaboration between Acwa Power and Chinese entities, boosting our near-term liquidity and funding flexibility as we pursue strategic growth opportunities."

"Most importantly, it goes to show the confidence that financiers have in our business performance and in our ability to deliver large-scale projects of transformative social and economic value," he stated.

"The revolving facility further diversifies Acwa Powers financing sources and enables it to continue to deliver low-carbon utility infrastructure for regions including the Middle East and Belt & Road Initiative countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan," he added.

Yuan Shengrui, Senior Executive Officer of China Construction Bank (DIFC Branch), said the credit facility was reflective of the branchs interest to strengthen its strategic partnership with Acwa Power and to promote the development of renewable energy projects, in line with the directives of the Belt and Road initiative.

"By supporting entities such as ACWA Power, we are able to make meaningful impact in the renewable energy sector, and jointly drive positive change for a greener tomorrow," he added.
Key Insights

Using the Dividend Discount Model, Teekay Tankers fair value estimate is US$37.04

Teekay Tankers' US$36.21 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Analyst price target for TNK is US$56.12, which is 52% above our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE:TNK) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Teekay Tankers

Step By Step Through The Calculation

As Teekay Tankers operates in the oil and gas sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. This often underestimates the value of a stock, but it can still be good as a comparison to competitors. We use the Gordon Growth Model, which assumes dividend will grow into perpetuity at a rate that can be sustained. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 2.1%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 11%. Compared to the current share price of US$36.2, the company appears about fair value at a 2.2% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= US$3.2 / (11%  2.1%)

= US$37.0

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Teekay Tankers as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.437. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Teekay Tankers

Strength

Currently debt free.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Oil and Gas market.

Opportunity

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Moving On:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Teekay Tankers, we've compiled three fundamental aspects you should further research:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Teekay Tankers (of which 1 doesn't sit too well with us!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does TNK's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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As EUs Landmark Crypto Rules Come Into Force, Do We Already Need MiCA 2.0?

The European Unions groundbreaking new crypto regulations will come into effect on Thursday, marking the end of two and a half years of legislating. But financial policymakers are already calling for a second version of the law to be introduced down the line.

Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) was published in the EUs official journal on June 9, and is scheduled to take effect on June 29, setting the clock ticking for firms to comply before its requirements are enforced. Certain regulations on stablecoins will be enforced one year from now, while the rest will be in use by the end of 2024.

But even as firms play catch-up to the new regime, Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said last week at an event in Paris that lawmakers now need to develop MiCA II, to better regulate the crypto sector. His comments echoed those of European Central Bank President Chrisine Lagarde, who has repeatedly called for a MiCA mark 2.0, in order to cover current blind spots such as decentralized finance (DeFi), lending and staking.

Is MiCA 2 already underway?

Decrypt understands that the EU Commission has not yet begun work on a second version of MiCA.

However, after 18 months the Commission will be obliged to produce reports concerning some of the current gaps in the legislation. On top of DeFi, lending and staking, that could also cover non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which were not included in the first version of MiCA.

What is MiCA? The European Unions Landmark Crypto Regulation Explained

Work would only begin if those reports throw up enough issues to justify the development of a new version. But the focus in Brussels is very much on implementing MiCA 1.

"In my opinion, MiCA 1 is a thorough piece of legislation, commented Laura Chaput, head of regulatory compliance at market maker Keyrock. It would be wise for lawmakers to carefully evaluate its implementation, weighing the benefits against potential drawbacks, before considering further regulation. It is important to allow the industry sufficient time to adapt to the new regulatory framework and evaluate its effectiveness."

But Anne-Sophie Cissey, head of legal and compliance at Flowdesk, said that crypto regulation was overdue, and with more traditional financial companies entering the blockchain, the need for additional clarity was urgent. With more opportunities come more responsibilities  and we need clear rules and supervision, she said.

What would be in MiCA 2?

While the actual implementation of a second MiCA might be a long way off, this has not put a stop to discussion in the industry of what should be included if the legislation is updated.

MiCA has laid the groundwork for regulating blockchain-based finance, Cissey said. But it stopped short from wading into specialized domains of DeFi uses like staking or on-chain lending. Token classificationincluding NFTs, as well as LP, utility, and governance tokens and their relationship regarding financial instrumentsis also missing. That is a vital and potentially highly contentious issue.

Because customers are already using many of the innovations not covered by MiCA, she said, they deserve clarity and protection.

We have to clean these spheres from illicit actors, she added.

Jon Helgi, a former central banker and co-founder of digital euro token issuer Monerium, argued that it should focus solely on crypto-related innovations such as DeFi and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), rather than existing regulated products. In particular, e-money tokens should continue to be governed by current e-money regulations, he said.

Will MiCA Jumpstart Crypto in EU? It's Too Early To Tell, Says Circle

However, if MiCA 2 decides to include EMTs as part of the framework, it should revisit provisions to allow non-bank issuers access to central bank deposit facilities, Helgi added. This would provide equal opportunities for both banks and non-bank payment service providers to benefit from the advantages of blockchain technology without unnecessary restrictions.

While the industry has largely welcomed regulation, Keyrocks Chaput pointed out that it is possible to have too much of a good thing, especially as regulators try to respond to multiple fronts of new technology.

"Given the regulatory agenda in the European Union, which includes MiCA, the new AML regulation (AMLR), the Travel Rule, the Data Act, and the AI Act, it is important to strike a balance between introducing new regulations and allowing the industry to adapt and innovate, she said.
The European Union (EU) has reached a political agreement on changes to the Capital Requirements Regulation and Directive, including new regulations for crypto assets. This move comes in response to lawmakers' calls for stringent rules to prevent unbacked cryptocurrencies from infiltrating the traditional financial system.

The announcement of this agreement was made public via a tweet from the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs committee. The tweet followed a meeting that brought together representatives from the European Parliament, national governments, and the European Commission, the body that initially proposed these rules back in 2021.

Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson, who chaired the talks on behalf of EU member states, stated that the new rules, which also recalibrate the risk weighting for banking assets such as corporate loans, aim to "boost the strength and resilience of banks operating in the Union."

The Council's statement further confirmed that the deal includes a "transitional prudential regime for crypto assets," without providing further details.

Preliminary details suggested a hardline stance, with a maximum possible 1,250% risk weight assigned to free-floating cryptocurrencies. This would have meant that banks would have to issue a euro of capital for each euro of Bitcoin (BTC) or Ether (ETH) they hold, effectively discouraging them from investing in the market.

However, during the talks, the European Commission proposed a softer stance for regulated stablecoins. This proposal appears to have found favor among EU governments.

Anticipating rule changes in 2025

The agreement now requires approval from member states in the EUs Council and lawmakers, which could take several months.

Furthermore, the final text will be issued to coincide with the new banking rules that will be introduced by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks. This rulebook is planned to be implemented by January 1, 2025.

As EUs Landmark Crypto Rules Come Into Force, Do We Already Need MiCA 2.0?

The final agreed text is not available yet, transitional provisions will be in place until January 2025, when international Basel III rules should kick in, a spokesperson to the European Parliament told Decrypt. The goal is to address potential risks for institutions caused by their exposures to crypto-assets that are not sufficiently covered by the existing prudential framework.

The committee suggested that a bank's exposure to certain crypto assets should not exceed 2% and should generally be lower than 1%.
(Bloomberg) -- The man who runs the bank widely seen as the European champion-in-waiting has all he needs to take center stage with a major merger.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Jean-Laurent Bonnafe has built an $8.3 billion war chest and the biggest corporate and investment bank in Europe in his 12-year stretch atop BNP Paribas SA. The CEO has seized on rivals stumbles and cost-cut his way to record earnings, and he has extensive knowledge of how to pull off the cross-border marriages that every bank executive says must happen to compete with the encroaching American giants.

But facing shareholders in the vast convention hall under the Louvre Museum in Paris last month, Bonnafe summed up the odds of him doing such a deal: close to the absolute zero.

The reserved and meticulous chief executive officer would know the pitfalls. He rose through BNPs ranks by integrating the huge mergers of his predecessors. His own reign has been marked by smaller deals, consistent results and the perfectly timed sale of US regional lender Bank of the West that closed just before that industry was thrown into chaos.

Bonnafes aversion to a major acquisition closes off one path for transformative growth at a time when investors look ready for something more dramatic. Since doubling in Bonnafes first two years in office, the shares have moved sideways over almost a decade. And despite being the most profitable bank focused on Europe and promises of steady growth and more buybacks, BNP Paribas now trades more than 40% below its book value, a bigger discount than the average for major European banks.

Bonnafe has made disciplined growth his brand while rivals lurched from one crisis to the next. Now, BNP Paribas faces the question of whats next  and whether that title as European champion-in-waiting will become a permanent moniker.

Bonnafes growth plan could use more clarity, said Jerome Legras, managing partner at Axiom Alternative Investments. The next 18 months are crucial for the bank, as well see if they manage to invest the proceeds from the Bank of the West sale into projects with higher profitability.

Legras said he doesnt expect Bonnafe to do a big deal, but rather keep diversifying and building up businesses where the bank can benefit from scale effects, like insurance. Bonnafe declined to comment for this story.

To be fair, European bank stocks overall havent done well since the financial crisis, and BNPs performance is still better than that of most peers. The stock is up 91% since Bonnafe took over in December of 2011, compared with 30% for local rival Societe Generale SA. Barclays Plc declined 11% and Deutsche Bank AG lost 62% over the period. Credit Suisse Group AG no longer exists as an independent firm.

All those rivals repeatedly shocked investors with steep losses over the past years. Not so Bonnafe, who posted a predictable profit in every quarter except one (in 2014, when he agreed to a historic $9 billion penalty after the bank violated US sanctions). Analysts agree that Bonnafe has done a good job managing risk and balancing opportunistic deals with conservatism.

BNP has been avoiding the landmines that blew up its competitors, said Matthew Clark, an analyst at Mediobanca. It kept delivering consistent earnings across its various franchises, enabling it to stack up capital.

Thats made BNP Paribas one of the few firms strong enough to step in as buyer when rivals had to shed businesses. In 2019, it agreed to take over Deutsche Banks prime brokerage business as the German lender retreated from equities trading as part of its restructuring. Soon after, Bonnafe picked up the hedge fund clients of Credit Suisse as that firm sought to become less risky following a $5.5 billion loss from its dealings with Archegos Capital Management.

BNP Paribas also bought the remaining stake it didnt already own in Exane SA to build out its equities platform, in a wager that the combination of research and prime brokerage will lure clients, including in the US.

By taking over a top tier platform, we saved about a decade of technology developments, says Yann Gerardin, BNP Paribass chief operating officer who also runs the investment bank, about the Deutsche Bank deal. The firm is now targeting the top spot in Europe in equities trading.

The deals in prime brokerage  the profitable but risky business of facilitating the often highly leveraged trades of hedge funds  have strengthened BNP Paribass markets unit as it competes with Barclays and Deutsche Bank for the top spot in Europe. Its corporate bank already ranks first in arranging European bonds this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

BNP is the last man standing in European investment banking, said Clark. While Barclays retains a large franchise in FICC trading, others such as UBS, Credit Suisse, SocGen or Deutsche Bank all cut back their business over the years.

That role as one of the last financial supermarkets in Europe, coupled with its financial strength  BNP has one of the biggest balance sheets among banks in Europe  has invited comparisons with Wall Street giant JPMorgan Chase & Co. In addition to its top-ranked corporate and investment bank, BNP Paribas also boasts extensive commercial and retail banking operations, from France, Belgium and Italy to China, where it targets corporations and wealthy clients. Its insurance arm Cardif operates in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America, making 30 billion in gross written premiums last year.

Yet if BNP is the closest Europe has to a JPMorgan Chase, its stock market valuation is a long way off. At about 68 billion, its worth less than a fifth of what its US rival fetches. Its price-to-book ratio, at 0.6, is just below the average of 0.62 for the Stoxx 600 Banks Index. JPMorgan, like most of the large US firms, trades at a premium to book value.BNP is a well-managed bank with a diversified business model that allows for a steady growth, said Flora Bocahut, an analyst at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Still, this doesn't show in the banks share price.

Indeed, if JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon epitomizes the swashbuckling Wall Street banker, Bonnafe is very much the opposite. A graduate of the Polytechnique engineering school who fast-tracked his career at the Corps des Mines where the French administration recruits top civil servants, he is deeply entrenched in the countrys elite. He joined Polytechnique the same year as French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and rubbed shoulders there with Frederic Oudea and Tidjane Thiam, who both went on to run major European banks.

A former colleague, who asked not to be identified discussing his personal views, describes Bonnafe as a hard-working technocrat focused on execution and results. Employees nickname him J-Lo for the initials of his first name, but he isnt a socialite. With the exception of the Paris Opera, where he chairs a group of supporters, or the French Open at Roland-Garros Stadium that BNP has sponsored for 50 years, he usually stays out of the spotlight.

At town halls and shareholder meetings, he has recently tended to dress down, breaking from the traditional more formal attire. He rarely loses his temper, even when shareholders quiz him about deals as they did in May. Having spent some of his military service in a nuclear submarine, he compared major takeovers to quantum-like situations that present themselves too rarely to make them a growth strategy.

Everything can always happen at some point or another of a companys history, he said, wearing his trademark zip-up cardigan. But when were thinking of strategy, we cannot have a strategy based on an event whose likelihood is close to the absolute zero.

Another former colleague, who also asked for anonymity to discuss his private views, agreed there wasnt much to acquire for Bonnafe in recent years, and that the transactions he did make were all focused and smart. But, this person said, BNP Paribas wasnt built through small bolt-on deals, and Bonnafe is now sitting on a massive war chest that is waiting to be deployed.

The deteriorating economy is going to create opportunities for those like BNP, who have the ability to take on market share when competitors withdraw, or even take up parts or entire institutions at good price if they fail, said David Knutson, investment director at Schroders Plc.

Throughout its history stretching back as far as 1822, BNP Paribas has been at the center of mergers and acquisitions in Frances banking industry. In its current form, it was created through the 2000 combination of Banque Nationale de Paris and Paribas under former CEO Michel Pebereau. Europe had established a single market for goods and services a few years earlier, and Pebereau was looking to build a bank for that new reality.

Bonnafe was still in his thirties when he was given the job of overseeing that deal. It was a lesson in how to combine two culturally very different firms, with BNP focused on retail and corporate clients, while Paribas was providing investment banking services to a more institutional client base.

The deal made Bonnafe the go-to person for subsequent transactions. When BNP Paribas took over Banca Nazionale del Lavoro in 2006, he was in charge of integrating it, shuttling between Paris and Rome and learning Italian at night. Soon after, BNP completed its last large transaction with the purchase of Fortiss operations in Belgium and Luxembourg at the peak of the financial crisis under CEO Baudouin Prot. Once again, Bonnafe played a key role, spending time getting to know clients in the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium, a region whose economy relies heavily on its ports.

His role in the Fortis deal set up Bonnafe to take over as CEO when Prot became chairman. The purchase had made BNP Paribas a true European bank and underscored its ambition as a potential acquirer in a cross-border consolidation. But while his predecessors liked to indulge in deal scenarios  Pebereau in his resignation speech as chairman made no secret of his interest in firms such as Societe Generale or Credit Lyonnais during the 1990s  Bonnafe remained reluctant to talk about takeovers.

Speculation about the need for bank consolidation in Europe has been rampant since the financial crisis, but actual deals have been rare, particularly cross-border takeovers. Thats because the lack of a common deposit insurance and onerous capital rules didnt make them attractive. The latter were softened last year, a change that was particularly positive for BNP.

Read more: European Banks Led by BNP to Benefit From Basel Rule Change

Political considerations remain a major hurdle. When Credit Suisse teetered on the brink in March of this year, the Swiss government quickly brokered a national solution that saw the lender collapse into the arms of cross-town rival UBS Group AG. BNP Paribas had been exploring which parts of Credit Suisse might be a match, part of its routine assessment of strategic opportunities, according to people familiar with the matter. In public, Bonnafe downplayed any suggestion that he was interested in the lender.

The deal reinforced a perception that the window for cross-border consolidation in Europe was perhaps closing again before it had properly opened. Banking had become a highly political subject after governments bailed out lenders in the financial crisis, and national authorities again stepped in with billions in guarantees during the pandemic. With so much taxpayer money at stake, handing a domestic lender to a foreign rival would be a hard sell.

Politics had complicated similar situations before. BNP Paribas reportedly held talks in 2017 about buying the German governments stake Commerzbank AG. Two years later, Berlin instead decided to promote merger talks with Deutsche Bank that ended up going nowhere. Or take ABN Amro Bank NV, another lender that still counts the government as shareholder. BNP was among banks expressing interest, but the Dutch never seriously examined it, Bloomberg reported previously. BNP recently denied having shown interest in ABN Amro.

At other times, it was Bonnafe who walked away. Before SocGen entered into talks with AllianceBernstein to set up a joint venture in cash equities and research last year, BNP Paribas was given the opportunity to assess the unit but decided against a deal, people familiar with the situation said. It also cooled on Credit Suisses securitized products group after looking at it when that business came to the market last year, Bloomberg reported at the time.

In another sign that Bonnafe is ready to give up size in favor of shareholder returns, he sold US retail lender Bank of the West, a Californian bank that BNP had owned since the late 1970s. Bonnafe decided to divest because the cost of participating in a consolidation overseas while BNPs own equity was still below book value would have been difficult to explain to shareholders.

Bank Chaos Opens Capitalisms New Era: Micklethwait & Wooldridge

The timing of the $16.3 billion sale, which closed in February, couldnt have been better. Shortly after, the troubles of several regional US lenders including Silicon Valley Bank triggered a banking crisis. JPMorgan stepped in to acquire one of them, First Republic.

Bonnafe has made it clear that he plans to use a large part of the proceeds from the Bank of the West sale for shareholder distributions, leaving about 7.6 billion for takeovers and investments in existing businesses. Recently, he invited division heads to pitch new investments, a person familiar with the plans said.

The bulk of our investments will be focused on organic growth, through immediate new businesses such as new clients, that keep our margins intact, Chief Financial Officer Lars Machenil said in an interview. The remainder will be allocated to bolt-on deals, either to take over units or portfolios that our competitors want to dispose of, should they complement our offer, or to acquire some technology.

Among the areas the bank could beef up is asset management. With 526 billion overseen for clients at the end of March, its dwarfed by the nearly 2 trillion at rival Amundi SA, which nearly doubled its assets under management through a string of acquisitions since its initial public offering in 2015. BNPs insurance arm is weighing a bid for the life insurance operations of Indonesias PT Astra International.

BNP is underexposed in asset management, and there are reasons to believe that the bank may have missed external growth opportunities in that space over the last decade, said Clark at Mediobanca.

But deals are no strategy, and so Bonnafe for now remains focused on what hes so successfully done over more than a decade. He has set a goal for an additional 2 billion in savings through 2025. Hes also giving up some of the banks historic buildings in central Paris and moving staff to the outskirts. Thats after he already reduced branches and moved back office operations to countries like Portugal.

This is not the Olympic Games, Bonnafe told Bloomberg Markets Magazine in an interview five years ago. This is banking. Banking is about history and numbers. Its an industry in which you have to survive the cycle. You have to have the ability to go through cycles and deliver a full scope of services in a number of geographies. Anything else is just funny, its just being brilliant. Its not banking.

--With assistance from Reinie Booysen and Stephanie Davidson.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Even though Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU) has lost AU$238m market cap in last 7 days, shareholders are still up 188% over 3 years

By buying an index fund, you can roughly match the market return with ease. But many of us dare to dream of bigger returns, and build a portfolio ourselves. For example, the Iluka Resources Limited (ASX:ILU) share price is up 30% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 22% (not including dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 28% in the last year , including dividends .

In light of the stock dropping 4.8% in the past week, we want to investigate the longer term story, and see if fundamentals have been the driver of the company's positive three-year return.

See our latest analysis for Iluka Resources

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During three years of share price growth, Iluka Resources moved from a loss to profitability. That would generally be considered a positive, so we'd expect the share price to be up.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

It is of course excellent to see how Iluka Resources has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling Iluka Resources stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Iluka Resources, it has a TSR of 188% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Iluka Resources shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 28% over one year. That's including the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 19% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Iluka Resources better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Iluka Resources (of which 1 is concerning!) you should know about.

Of course Iluka Resources may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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FILE PHOTO: An oil tanker is docked while oil is pumped into it at the ships terminal of PDVSA's Jose Antonio Anzoategui industrial complex in the state of Anzoategui

Exclusive-Russian firm asks Venezuela to match Chevron oil-for-debt deal FILE PHOTO: An oil tanker is docked while oil is pumped into it at the ships terminal of PDVSA's Jose Antonio Anzoategui industrial complex in the state of Anzoategui

By Alexandra Ulmer and Marianna Parraga

(Reuters) - A Russian oil firm is asking Venezuela's state-run company PDVSA for permission to take control of exports from their joint ventures to revive cash flow from the five companies, which have been hard-hit by U.S. sanctions, two people involved in the talks said.

Roszarubezhneft - a state-owned company that acquired Russian oil major Rosneft's assets in Venezuela in 2020 - wants to market the crude and fuel oil produced by the joint-ventures - similar to a deal PDVSA struck last year with U.S. oil producer Chevron.

Roszarubezhneft's five joint ventures now must rely on PDVSA-designated intermediaries that take a large share of the revenues for their services, the people said. The joint ventures are owed about $3.2 billion from sales handled by PDVSA, one of the people said.

PDVSA separately owes Roszarubezhneft some $1.4 billion from loans previously extended, the person said, adding that PDVSA is disputing that amount.

"Roszarubezhneft is ready to act as an offtaker," one of the people familiar with the matter told Reuters, using industry terminology for being able to sell cargoes itself to customers.

Roszarubezhneft, Russia's oil ministry, PDVSA and Venezuela's oil and foreign affairs ministries did not reply to requests for comment. Rosneft declined to comment.

The proposal may face significant hurdles because it would require a change to the Venezuelan law governing its oil exports and comes at a time when PDVSA is trying to rebuild its own finances after an audit found billions of dollars in unpaid sales for past exports.

Under Venezuela's statutes, the state oil company has control over the sale of oil and fuel exports. However, PDVSA last year agreed to a workaround with Chevron that allowed the U.S. oil major to market crude from its joint ventures in payment for outstanding debt and dividends.

Washington granted Chevron an exemption to U.S. sanctions on sales of Venezuelan oil so it could recover money owed to it but said cash payments to PDVSA were forbidden.

Approval of Roszarubezhneft's request could provide Russia with an additional source of cash at a time when Western sanctions for the war in Ukraine have clobbered its oil revenues and deepened a budget deficit. It also could help PDVSA make progress toward its goal of raising Venezuela's oil output by 40% this year.

The U.S. Treasury and National Security Council spokespeople declined to comment. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

PRIOR REQUEST IGNORED

A similar overture last year from Roszarubezhneft to PDVSA was ignored, another person familiar with the talks said.

The current request is unlikely to be granted if export proceeds go only towards debt repayment because PDVSA and the oil ministry are themselves focused on generating cash flows, two sources familiar with PDVSA's operations said.

Any change to the hydrocarbons law would require the blessing of President Nicolas Maduro's United Socialist Party, which dominates Venezuela's National Assembly.

Russia for years has been a close ally of Venezuela. Its oil companies poured billions of dollars into the South American country's oil fields before mounting debts, logistical headaches and U.S. sanctions put a damper on their operations.

Roszarubezhneft acquired the stakes in the joint ventures from Rosneft in 2020 after Washington sanctioned two Rosneft trading arms, alleging they were involved in the sale of Venezuelan crude. Rosneft denied this, calling the sanctions an "outrage."

Oil production at the five joint ventures has dwindled as U.S. sanctions have hampered investment and maintenance work, and deterred many buyers of Venezuelan crude. They pumped combined between 103,000 and 120,000 barrels of crude per day (bpd) this year, according to independent calculations by consultants, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information.

Cash flow, meanwhile, has declined since 2020 when PDVSA switched - in the face of U.S. sanctions - to contracting intermediaries to market exports, leaving the joint ventures with meager profits due to large price discounts, expensive freight tariffs and mandatory loan reimbursements.

The lack of cash flow from oil sales has hobbled the ventures' activities, leaving them struggling to pay expenses for drilling services, procurement and labor costs, the people said.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer and Marianna Parraga, additional reporting by Vivian Sequera and Deisy Buitrago; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Bitcoin digital currency is seen in a shop in Marseille

By John McCrank and Niket Nishant

(Reuters) -Asset manager Fidelity is expected to file with the U.S. securities regulator for a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund, joining other big money managers seeking to launch bitcoin ETFs, the Block reported on Tuesday citing a source familiar with the matter.

In the past two weeks, BlackRock, WisdomTree, Invesco, VanEck, and Bitwise have filed new applications with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for spot bitcoin ETFs, sending the price of bitcoin to a more than one-year high of over $31,000 on June 23.

Fidelity declined to comment.

The Boston-based financial firm is also part of a consortium that includes market makers Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial, retail broker Charles Schwab, and venture capital firms Paradigm and Sequoia Capital, which recently launched a crypto exchange called EDX Markets.

"There's a lot of optimism here that you're going to get a bitcoin ETF," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda.

"If that does get done, it could open the door for much more institutional money and probably some high-net-worth retail traders to get back into crypto," he said.

Futures-based bitcoin ETFs that track the price of bitcoin futures contracts have been allowed by regulators since October 2021.

But the SEC has in recent years rejected dozens of applications for spot bitcoin ETFs, which are a publicly traded investment vehicles that directly track the price of bitcoin, including one by Fidelity in January 2022, over concerns that the underlying market could be manipulated.

The game changer for many people this time around was BlackRock applying for a spot bitcoin ETF, because it files for ETFs only when it believes it can get them approved, Moya said.

The ETF filing has helped reverse negative sentiment in the bitcoin and broader cryptocurrency markets, after a series of crypto company meltdowns, including the sudden collapse late last year of exchange FTX, which authorities allege was running a multi-billion dollar fraud.

More recently, regulatory scrutiny has weighed on the sector. This month, Binance and Coinbase Global, two of the biggest crypto exchanges, were sued by the SEC for allegedly violating its rules, which the pair deny.

Investors and speculators view the recent spot bitcoin ETF filings as a vote of confidence for the crypto space, said Alex Adelman, chief executive of bitcoin rewards company Lolli, especially "since institutions like BlackRock and Fidelity provide the expertise and custodial services top retailers rely on to serve global consumers."

Separately, the SEC is itself being sued by Grayscale Investment over the regulator's rejection of Grayscale's application to convert its flagship spot Grayscale Bitcoin Trust into an ETF.

That case, which could wrap up by the end of summer, hinges on the SEC having previously approved certain surveillance agreements to prevent fraud in bitcoin futures-based ETFs, with Grayscale arguing that the same setup should apply to its spot fund, since both spot and futures funds rely on bitcoin's price.

(Reporting by John McCrank in New York and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Michelle Price and Lisa Shumaker)
The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. For example, the Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) share price has soared 135% in the last three years. That sort of return is as solid as granite. It's also good to see the share price up 17% over the last quarter.

Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business.

See our latest analysis for Ford Motor

To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Ford Motor became profitable within the last three years. Given the importance of this milestone, it's not overly surprising that the share price has increased strongly.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

It is of course excellent to see how Ford Motor has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. As it happens, Ford Motor's TSR for the last 3 years was 162%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Ford Motor has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 29% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 10% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Ford Motor (including 1 which shouldn't be ignored) .

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Former Navy SEAL seeks GOP nod to challenge Montana Democratic US Sen. Tester in 2024

Tim Sheehy, founder of Bridger Aerospace and Ascent Vision, pauses during a tour of the companys facility on Friday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Belgrade, Mont. Sheehy announced Tuesday, June 27, 2023, that hell seek the 2024 GOP nomination to challenge Montana Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. (Rachel Leathe/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy announced Tuesday he will seek the 2024 Republican nomination to challenge Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester as the Democrat tries to secure a fourth term.

Sheehy, 37, was recruited by GOP leaders eager to unseat Tester as they try to wrest control of the Senate from Democrats, who hold a slim majority and will have several vulnerable incumbents on the 2024 ballot, including Tester.

Sheehy runs an aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace, which he founded near Bozeman after moving to Montana in 2014. This is his first run for public office, and he said in a telephone interview that his military service and business background will set him apart in the race.

What I'm seeing now is kind of a government devoid of common sense, he said Tuesday. It's a lot of rhetoric, a lot of demagoguery, but not a lot of people sitting down actually trying to solve the serious problems we face as a country.

His entry shakes up a GOP primary that was previously considered a potential battle between Montana's two U.S. representatives  Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke.

Zinke  also a former Navy SEAL and who served as Interior secretary under Trump  is now supporting Sheehy.

But Rosendale is still eyeing a run after losing to Tester in 2018. Rosendale aligns with the partys extreme right wing and has been heavily backed in past elections by the conservative fundraising group Club for Growth. He issued a statement Tuesday saying Sheehy was the chosen candidate of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP party bosses.

Now Washington has two candidates - Tim Sheehy and Jon Tester - who will protect the D.C. cartel, Rosendale said. I believe that Montanans are tired of business as usual and will reject the McConnell-Biden Establishment.

Tester, a central Montana farmer viewed as a Senate moderate, won his 2018 election by four percentage points. Following his party's poor showing in Montana in 2020, Tester became the only Democrat in Montana to hold statewide office, reflecting a decade-long rise by Republicans.

Sheehys entrance into the contest was anticipated by Democrats, who in recent weeks issued statements criticizing the Republican as a newcomer to the state.

Montana Democratic Party spokeswoman Monica Robinson described Sheehy in a Tuesday statement as an out-of-state transplant recruited by Mitch McConnell and DC lobbyists.

She added that Tester has farm equipment thats been in Montana longer than Tim Sheehy.

Sheehy said he was born in Minnesota and moved to Montana to start Bridger Aerospace after being wounded in combat in Afghanistan.

I didn't live here because I was fighting our nation's wars and defending America, as was my wife," he said. Carmen Sheehy is a U.S. Marine veteran and served in Afghanistan, according to the Sheehy campaign.

His platform largely is in line with national Republican priorities such as securing the southern U.S. border, opposing gun control and reducing government's role in providing health care.

Bridger Aerospace  with 166 employees and a fleet of Super Scooper planes that can scoop up water from lakes to drop on wildfires  gets 99% of its revenue from government contracts, according to regulatory filings.

The company suffered a net loss of $42 million last year, in part because of interest payments on $213 million in debt from outstanding loans, the filings show.

The only other Montana Republican to formally enter the 2024 Senate race is Jeremy Mygland, who runs an East Helena home construction company. Mygland has raised about $85,000 since last July, Federal Election Commission campaign filings show.

Tester, 66, won his three prior Senate elections by narrow margins.

Former President Donald Trump campaigned heavily on Rosendales behalf in 2018 as Republicans portrayed Tester as too liberal for the state and criticized him for accepting money linked to corporate lobbyists, a practice that's continued.

Tester brought in more than $9 million since his last election and had more than $7 million remaining as of March 31, campaign filings show.

Tester's campaign spent almost $20 million in 2018 race. Money from outside groups drove up overall spending in that race to more than $60 million, shattering prior records for Montana elections.
Shares of Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) might be up 34% year to date, but analysts at both Bernstein and UBS (UBS) are cooling on the companys near-term prospects, downgrading their ratings for the search giants stock.

UBS analyst Lloyd Walmsley downgraded Alphabet from a Buy to Neutral, while Bernsteins Mark Shmulik rerated the stock from Outperform to Market-perform.

At the heart of it, the risk-reward looks better to us at Meta (META) and Amazon (AMZN), Walmsley told Yahoo Finance Live on Tuesday.

Google, what theyre doing is kind of investing to stay in the same place. There may be some offensive side to it over time, but in the near term, there could be some headwinds, he added.

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at a Google I/O event in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

In his research note, Shmulik said Alphabets narrative has caught up with the fundamentals. In other words, the stock is priced to match the companys current performance and outlook. He also raised concerns about the way market sentiment went negative on the company after OpenAI announced ChatGPT in Nov. 2022 only to turn positive when the tech titan debuted its own generative AI software in May.

What do we imagine would happen then, in any of the next 2-4 quarters, if Google Search numbers were to come in 'soft'? We imagine investors may once again ring the alarm bells around AI-related risks to Google's Search moat, Shmulik wrote.

The analysts also pointed to Googles Search Generative Experience (SGE) as a potential headwind for the companys search advertising business. SGE is Googles experimental generative AI-powered search platform. Like Microsofts Bing, it uses generative AI to provide users with answers to specific queries. The problem, the analysts say, is that the generative AI responses occupy screen space that is currently used to serve ads on the normal Google Search page.

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We recognize that [Googles] SGE roll-out is still in its very early stages (limited beta in US only), with the integration of ads still being figured out, Walmsley wrote in a research note. But our initial testing of SGE shows material changes to [search engine results page] vs. the old Googlewhich we see as demonstrative of the potential disruption to Google's well-oiled Search monetization machine.

Google is also increasingly facing challenges from the likes of Meta and Amazon in the digital advertising space. TikTok is also quickly playing a larger role in the industry. Increased spending on generative AI technologies could also cut into Alphabets margins.

The company is also staring down a slew of regulatory challenges including calls by the European Unions European Commission to break up Googles massive advertising business, which the commission says violates antitrust laws.

Here in the US, the Department of Justice and a number of state attorneys general are already suing to break up Googles ad business.

Daniel Howley is the tech editor at Yahoo Finance. He's been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @DanielHowley.

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Retail fashion sales in Saudi Arabia are expected to surge 48% to $32 billion from 2021 to 2025, representing an annual growth rate of 13% and luxury retail posting a 19% growth, according to a new report unveiled at Paris Fashion Week.

This growth is expected to be fuelled by the kingdoms economic expansion and growing population with apparel, accessories, footwear and luxury goods poised for significant gains.

Saudi Arabias fashion industry holds the largest projected growth rates of any other large, high-income market, the report said.

Sector opportunity

A first of its kind focusing on the Saudi Fashion ecosystem, The State of Fashion in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia clearly outlines the scale of the sectors opportunity.

With the Saudi fashion industry estimated to employ some 230,000 people, or 1.8% of the domestic workforce, in 2022 it contributed $12.5 billion, or 1.4% of GDP. The kingdoms investment in education equals 19% of the nations total government expenditure on education initiatives. Currently, there are 12 universities in the kingdom offering Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes in fashion-related fields.

Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in its talent pipeline through well-funded scholarship programmes to enable its students to study both local and international prestigious universities, building on the nations ability to produce world-class designers.

Scaling up

Annually, Saudi Arabia imports more than $7 billion of fashion products, representing a significant opportunity for manufacturers, logistics providers and specialist machinery suppliers over the next decade, as the kingdom seeks to rapidly scale up capabilities.

For context, a 20% displacement of fashion imports into the kingdom at 2021 levels would generate additional local manufacturing sales of $1.3 billion.

Last year, Saudi had the highest annual growth rate of the world's 20 biggest economies, growing 8.7% as high oil prices boosted revenue. The size of its non-oil economy is growing, mainly driven by the private sector, and fashion has the potential to be a major economic driver.

Burak Cakmak, CEO of the Fashion Commission, said: The State of Fashion in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia report tangibly demonstrates what we have long known to be true: the scale of the opportunity that now exists for Saudi Arabias emerging domestic fashion industry can hardly be overstated.

Catalytic role

The Fashion Commission is playing a catalytic role in shaping the future of the fashion industry in the kingdom. A world-class fashion industry that supports Vision 2030s goals, while celebrating and putting a modern, international twist on the kingdoms vast culture and heritage, is not only realizable, but realistic.

Saudi Arabias fashion industry is well-positioned to succeed. We are building the foundations for a robust, internationally networked value chain. Our vision is to develop a circular and sustainable industry, with a robust regulatory system, which allows local brands to share their identity with the rest of the world and presents opportunities for global brands and entrepreneurs.

The comprehensive report provides a detailed overview of the industrys size, growth, and key trends, along with an analysis of the competitive landscape, consumer preferences, emerging designers and sustainable practices within the sector.

It also showcases the unique cultural influences and talent that make Saudi's fashion industry distinct and vibrant.

Saudi 100 brands programme

The Commissions Saudi 100 brands programme has put its designers on the global fashion stage, taking the designers to major fashion events in New York, Paris and Milan, clearly demonstrating that Saudi is increasingly an integral part of the global fashion scene.

Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Founder and CEO of The Webster, said: Over recent years, we have witnessed the extraordinary transformation of Saudi Arabias role in fashion. The transition from a predominantly domestic-focused market, to one that is now participating on the global stage, demonstrates a clear intention to invest in the industry.

The report, and its manifestation in a unique design is but one example of what we can expect from Saudis burgeoning fashion scene, as the Fashion Commission continues to drive progress.

The report showcases the transformative nature of Saudis cultural development. As a key pillar of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the government is creating a healthy and vibrant society, encouraging people to get active.

Sportswear and general athleisure apparel

As a result of this, sportswear and general athleisure apparel have become a fast-growing product category in Saudi with $1.4 billion in sales in 2022 and it is expected to grow 21% by 2027. In 2022, Adidas Group, Nike and Puma goods accounted for more than 50% of total sales in Saudi.

The report also details new opportunities to invest heavily in sustainability as the kingdom takes decisive steps towards a more sustainable future. The use of environmentally sustainable materials, securing zero waste to landfill, and designing recyclable products, represent the top three areas of focus for the Saudi fashion ecosystem.

Launched at a celebratory showcase at Paris Fashion Week, the report was unveiled in the form of a one-of-a-kind book woven with materials designed by one of Saudis esteemed fashion power houses, Atelier Hekayat, into a dress. Celebrating the arrival of Saudi design on the global fashion stage, the design process embraced the fusion of tradition and innovation in the realm of fashion, while emphasising how Saudi is propelling itself towards the future.

Saudi Fashion Insights

With the unveiling of the report, the Saudi Fashion Commission also announces the launch of Saudi Fashion Insights, the leading platform for understanding the current state of the Saudi Fashion ecosystem.

It will house key insights into ongoing trends at a country and regional level and will seek to empower local and international fashion stakeholders. It will enable fashion houses, designers, investors, and policymakers to make strategic decisions based on reliable and up-to-date information, with regular updates to create a deep data repository.-- TradeArabia News Service
The mutiny against Putin could affect the Ukraine war  and its widespread impact on commodity markets  in at least three ways.

Mind-boggling developments in Russia could change or hasten the outcome of the war in Ukraine, with US and European leaders potentially contemplating new measures to exploit Russian President Vladimir Putin's most vulnerable moment in 23 years of otherwise ironclad rule.

The June 24 rebellion by Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, stunned Russians and revealed surprising ruptures in Putin's control.

Prigozhin directed several thousand of his troops, fresh from the front lines in Ukraine, to seize a key military command center in southwest Russia, then began a march toward Moscow, nearly 700 miles away. Prigozhin got two-thirds of the way there before a supposed deal with Putin convincing him to turn around and head for exile in Belarus.

Most experts think this is just the first act in a macabre power struggle that could play out for weeks or months and involve plenty of palace bloodletting. "It is unclear if we are witnessing the beginning, middle, or end of Putins end," Lucian Kim wrote in Foreign Policy. "What is certain is that it is the final chapter of his rule."

A screen grab captured from a video shows Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin making a speech after Headquarters of the Southern Military District surrounded by fighters of the paramilitary Wagner group in Rostov-on-Don, Russia on June 24, 2023. (Photo by Wagner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The mutiny against Putin could also affect the Ukraine war  and its widespread impact on energy and commodity markets  in at least three ways.

The Wagner troops, who have been Russia's most effective fighters in Ukraine, could end up out of the fight for good or absorbed into other units, their effectiveness diluted.

Russian military morale, already dismal, could also erode further and give Ukrainian forces a decisive edge in their ongoing counteroffensive.

And Ukraine's allies, sensing a tipping point, could take further action to aid Ukraine's military efforts and choke off Russia's sputtering economy.

Oil cap weighs on Russian economy

Russia's most important export is oil, which has provided Putin with plenty of money to finance the war he started in February 2022  even amid Western sanctions and a decline in the price of oil since the war's start.

The main sanctions on Russian oil, so far, are a near-total boycott of Russian oil products by Europe and the United States and a price-cap scheme setting the top price for Russian oil at $60 per barrel.

The price-cap construct is supposed to reduce the revenue Russia can earn on oil sales while still keeping that oil on the market.

When Putin invaded Ukraine in late February 2022, the price of Brent crude oil, the international benchmark price, spiked as high as $120 a barrel within a month; as of Monday, the price stood closer to $74.

A Stanford working group led by Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia, is calling for a ratcheting strategy on top of this cap  first to $45 per barrel, and eventually to $30, giving markets time to react to unforeseen consequences.

The $60 price cap seems to be working somewhat, with a modest decline in Russias oil revenue.

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Last December, seven large countries known as the G-7, led by the United States, said theyd only allow maritime services and insurance originating in those countries for the transport of Russian oil purchased at $60 per barrel or less.

Anybody can buy Russian oil at any price they want, as long as theyre willing to forgo G-7 services, which account for the vast majority of the market. But nonparticipating countries such as China and India have an incentive to play along because they save a lot of money on oil compared with prevailing market prices.

Natural gas squeeze

Russia also earns substantial revenue from natural gas exports.

Before the war, Europe got about 37% of its natural gas from Russia. Europe has cut those purchases in half but still contributes to Putins revenues through substantial gas purchases.

Europe could ban those imports, with the exception of gas that comes from Russia via Ukraine and earns the host country transit fees it desperately needs. Banning all other Russian gas imports would require Europe to establish other sources of mostly seaborne gas, in liquified form, which it has been in the process of doing.

McFaul's Stanford group proposes dozens of other measures that include sanctions on many non-energy commodities Russia exports and better enforcement to prevent the smuggling of sanctioned items. The confiscation of some $400 billion in Russian assets lodged outside the country, as well as individual sanctions on more than 20,000 Russian elites who so far have escaped Western notice, are also part of the group's proposal.

"By weakening Russia's military capabilities and reducing the Kremlin's resources to finance this war, new and better sanctions can provide the needed support," the report said. "Until that goal is achieved, more must be done. Every day that Russian armed forces are killing Ukrainians is a day that new sanctions should be imposed."

'Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake'

The United States and other Ukraine allies could also provide more of the advanced weapon systems Ukraine has been begging for, such as fighter jets and long-range missiles allowing strikes hundreds of miles behind the front lines.

A key question for policymakers is whether to go after Putin when he seems vulnerable or stand aside and hope he falls on his own.

There are arguments both ways.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow on June 26, 2023. (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Critics of the Biden administration have long called for more military aid for Ukraine and less worry about Putin lashing out with nuclear weapons or some other catastrophic response. Biden and his aides have taken an incremental approach, testing Putins limits one step at a time, then testing again. Putin's muted handling of the Prigozhin affair (so far) suggests Putins blustery threats of Armageddon are phony and backed by no stiffness of spine. So sure, kick him while hes down.

Putin, however, wants the Russian people and any possible sympathizers to believe Russia is fighting not a thuggish battle against one neighbor but an existential fight against the combined heft of NATO and the democratic West. Any piling on could vindicate Putins conspiratorial claims, as groundless as they may be.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake," is a famous aphorism attributed to Napoleon and repeated by many more.

Ukraine and its allies may wait to see how grievous Putin's mistake is before making their next move.

Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter at @rickjnewman

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 27, 2023 / IAVI announced today that the first participants have been vaccinated with a Sudan virus (SUDV) vaccine candidate in a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial in the U.S. The IAVI-sponsored trial is funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Known as IAVI C108, this first-in-human study is designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an investigational SUDV vaccine candidate donated to IAVI by Merck (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada) to supplement IAVI's ongoing SUDV vaccine development program. This investigational SUDV vaccine candidate was produced for IAVI from existing investigational bulk drug substance previously manufactured by Merck. IAVI is the vaccine candidate's regulatory sponsor. IAVI is responsible for all aspects of the candidate's future development, including demonstrating equivalence between this SUDV vaccine candidate and IAVI's other SUDV vaccine candidate, which utilizes the same viral vector but is manufactured using a new production platform.

The SUDV vaccine candidate being evaluated in IAVI C108 uses the same recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) viral vector platform as ERVEBO, Merck's single-dose Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) vaccine which is licensed in the U.S., U.K., European Union, Canada, Switzerland, and 10 African countries. rVSV is also the platform technology utilized in IAVI's portfolio of emerging infectious disease (EID) candidates.

"IAVI C108 represents an important first step toward generating the data needed for eventual licensure of an rVSV-SUDV vaccine. The development and licensure of ERVEBO has resulted in an important tool in Ebola Zaire outbreak response. If proven effective, we're hopeful that a vaccine candidate built on the same viral platform will be similarly important in future SUDV outbreaks," said Swati Gupta, Ph.D., vice president and head of emerging infectious diseases and epidemiology at IAVI. "In parallel, we must continue accelerating efforts toward the adequate availability of candidate vaccine doses for evaluation during and ahead of outbreaks with key partners, collaborators, and funders. We're grateful to Merck for donating the doses that will be used in IAVI C108 and to BARDA for its support of this trial."

IAVI C108 will take place at two U.S.-based clinical trial sites, where the study vaccine will be administered intramuscularly at three dosage levels. This is a placebo-controlled, single-blind study, meaning that only the researchers conducting the study will know whether a participant has received a vaccine dose or a placebo dose until after the trial is over. Approximately 36 healthy adults will be enrolled and will be followed for six months after vaccination to monitor their safety and immune responses to the vaccine candidate.

Like ZEBOV, SUDV is responsible for recurring viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, which have had lasting impacts on health security and geopolitical stability across sub-Saharan Africa. The estimated case fatality ratios of SUDV disease have varied from 41% to 100% in past outbreaks[1]. Despite high morbidity and mortality, there are no vaccines or therapeutics licensed for the prevention and treatment of SUDV. Existing ZEBOV vaccines and treatments are not effective against SUDV. Data being generated from ongoing studies suggest that rVSV could be a safe and effective platform for responding to SUDV and other related pathogens[2].

IAVI's rVSV-based EID portfolio includes a SUDV vaccine candidate supported by BARDA; a Lassa fever virus vaccine candidate currently in a Phase I trial and supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership; a Marburg virus vaccine candidate supported by BARDA and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD); and an intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate supported by DOD DTRA and the Japan Ministry of Finance.

The rVSV platform has been used extensively in adults and children[3]. The underlying vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a common animal virus that does not cause serious illness in humans and has been investigated extensively as a vaccine vector. In the vaccine platform, it is engineered to encode a surface protein from a target pathogen - in this case, SUDV - to prompt the body to mount an immune response.

Much of the research and development on IAVI's rVSV platform is performed at the IAVI Vaccine Design and Development Lab (DDL) in Brooklyn, New York. The DDL is located at the bioscience center in the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal. Since its founding in 2008, the IAVI DDL has become one of the world's leading viral vector vaccine research and development labs, known for innovation and generation of novel vaccine design concepts.

Scientists with IAVI's Human Immunology Laboratory (HIL) in London, U.K., are involved in processing participant samples and developing the analytical assays needed to evaluate IAVI C108 participants' immune responses. Established in 2001, the HIL is fully integrated into the Infectious Disease department within the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London and serves as the clinical immunology reference laboratory for IAVI and the network of clinical research centers with which IAVI collaborates worldwide.

###

Media Contact

Rose Catlos

Rcatlos@iavi.org

212-847-1049

About IAVI

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV, tuberculosis, and emerging infectious diseases. Its mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Read more at iavi.org.

Follow IAVI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and subscribe to our news updates.

About IAVI's rVSV vaccine candidates

IAVI holds a nonexclusive license to the rVSV vaccine candidates from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The vector was developed by scientists at PHAC's National Microbiology Laboratory.

IAVI initially developed its rVSV vector for HIV vaccine candidates and has since expanded its use to the development of vaccines addressing emerging infectious diseases (Lassa Fever, Marburg, Sudan ebolavirus, and COVID-19).

Funders who have made the development of IAVI's rVSV-vectored vaccine candidates possible include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Government of Canada; the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Government of Japan; the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation; the U.K Department for International Development; the U.S. National Institutes of Health; and through the generous support of the American people from the United States Agency for International Development.

This project is funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under contract number 75A50121C00077.

[1] https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON410

[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11262-017-1455-x

[3] https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/blue-print/who-vaccine-prioritization-report-uganda-ebola-trial-nov-16-2022.pdf

SOURCE: IAVI





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/763800/IAVI-Starts-First-in-Human-Phase-I-Clinical-Trial-of-Single-Dose-Sudan-Virus-Vaccine-Candidate




(Bloomberg) -- At a cremation ground on the banks of the Ganges river in Ballia, a district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, head priest Pappu Pandey says hes never experienced anything like the last few weeks.

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One of his jobs is to keep a count of bodies. As a vicious combination of extreme heat and punishing pre-monsoon humidity blanketed the region, the ground became choked with pyres. Pandey says deaths doubled to nearly 50 a day at the peak of the heat wave in mid-June  numbers hes not seen in 20 years at the site outside the Covid pandemic.

It was like a divine curse, Pandey said, describing the deadly spell of heat.

Junes sweltering weather, where the mercury soared as high as 46C (115F), is likely just a foretaste of what is to come. Scientists estimate climate change has made extreme heat 30 times more likely in India and the World Bank has flagged India is likely to be one of the first places in the world where heat waves breach the human survivability threshold.

As such, the numerous anecdotal reports of a spike in deaths among the most vulnerable in society have heightened concerns about both central and local government preparations. As well as the human cost, failure to truly tackle the challenges of new-look summer heat comes with a risk to Indias powerhouse economy. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the lost labor from work in areas exposed to extreme heat, such as construction and agriculture, could put at risk up to 4.5% of Indias GDP by 2030.

I have never seen such kind of heat in my entire life time, said C.P. Thakur, 91, a physician and former health minister of the country. It is worrying that so many people have died.

Disputed Fatalities

Just how many people have died because of the extreme heat is controversial. Add up estimates from local nonprofit groups and medical officials not authorized to talk to the media, and you quickly get into the hundreds. Ask government representatives, and the numbers dwindle to just a handful. Health authorities have resisted directly connecting the weather with deaths, pointing instead to peoples ages and pre-existing conditions.

One practical problem is that deaths may have multiple causes, said Ronita Bardhan, associate professor of sustainable built environment, University of Cambridge. If somebody with an underlying health condition like diabetes, which makes them more prone to dehydration and hence more vulnerable, dies on a day of 45C temperatures, was it diabetes or the heat that killed them?

It is very challenging to establish a direct correlation between deaths and extreme heat as there is no diagnostic test for heatstroke, Bardhan said.

Complicating the issue in India is that less than a fifth of deaths are certified by a medical professional, a step considered routine in most wealthy countries. In Bihar, one of the epicenters of the recent heat wave, the government estimates just 52% of deaths were even recorded in 2019. That means the common statistical technique of measuring excess deaths as deviations from a baseline is fraught with problems.

Even with these limitations, official figures suggests more than 11,000 people died from heat stroke between 2012 and 2021, according to National Crime Records Bureau data.

READ: India Doesn't Know How Many Die in Heat Waves

Heat waves also hurt the poor, who are least likely to be recorded in the statistics, disproportionately more. Many work outside, dont have access to well-ventilated housing or air conditioning and worry that visiting a hospital will lose them income and savings.

Sree Ram, 55, a mason in Bharauli village about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Ballia city fell sick in early June after working in the heat. He makes 500 rupees ($6) daily. When the heat became unbearable, he decided to take a few days off  a heavy financial burden for his family. Many others decided they couldnt, and were the most common victims of the sweltering summer, according to doctors and health officials who asked not to be named as they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Questions of Preparedness

There is no agreement whether such tragedies were a consequence of inadequate preparation, lack of execution, general under-investment in health care or simply the daunting challenges of the situation.

Its been a brutally hot year across Asia, with maximum temperature records tumbling from Singapore to Vietnam. India saw its hottest February since 1901 and forecasters had flagged the coming high heat and humidity well in advance. India has seen maximum temperatures reach above 45C for at least eight consecutive years through 2023, weather department data shows.

In March Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for hot weather conditions and ordered officials to produce accessible information material. And many states and districts have heat action plans detailing both preparations and responses. Standard operating procedures in Uttar Pradeshs case are detailed enough to assign responsibility for providing shade for stray animals.

Yet local media have reported on medical facilities overwhelmed by a surge in patients suffering from high fever and diarrhea  common symptoms of heat stroke  and of spotty power supplies as the grid struggled to cope with the surge in demand.

In Bihar local people told Bloomberg the heat alerts by the government were erratic. While some said they had received an occasional text message in April or May, most said such text message alerts became more frequent only after the heat peaked and patients had started dying in hospitals.

Local officials reject any suggestion they have been caught out. Ravindra Kumar, the district magistrate in Ballia, said authorities have a tried-and-tested warning system that is followed every year for all natural calamities.

Ranjeet Kumar, chief health surveillance officer for Bihar, said they started alerting people about heat protection in March and made ample preparations in the hospitals.

People too are well aware of these do's and don'ts, Kumar said by phone. But they have to step out for work.

One of the few places in India where there is any mechanism for day labourers to recoup earnings if they heed advice to stay inside is in the western city of Ahmedabad. A pilot project there is experimenting with an insurance scheme where women can receive payouts whenever heat makes it impossible to work outdoors. Its funded by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center.

READ: An Indian Citys Battle Against Extreme Heat

A key question is whether the heat plans are proactive enough. When researchers at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi reviewed 37 such plans in a report, they found significant gaps. Only about a third discussed funding sources. Few identified vulnerable populations and how to target resources. Most werent statutory documents so lack clear legal authority.

Heat waves have historically received less attention compared to other disasters, said Aditi Madan, associate fellow at the Institute for Human Development. While the plans demonstrate progress, the recent fatalities should serve as a stark reminder of the necessity for proactive measures by the government, indicating the gap between planning and implementation of HAPs.

Top bureaucrats in the health departments in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar didn't respond to multiple interview requests. In the central government, spokespeople at the home and health ministries didnt respond to email and phone requests for comment.

Political Will

While national elections are slated for next summer, historically natural disasters and other public health crises have had limited consequence at the ballot box.

Consider Indias ferocious second Covid wave in 2021, which saw cases cross 400,000 a day at the peak, overwhelming hospitals and crematoriums and forcing people to beg for oxygen. Modi was blamed by the opposition for not doing enough to protect lives, yet his Bharatiya Janata Party retained Uttar Pradesh, the countrys most populous state, in assembly elections in March 2022.

There can also be a sense of fatalism. One myth in Indian political discourse that scientists say must be dispelled is the idea its always been a hot country and Indians are more resilient to heat than people elsewhere.

Yet the risks of not allocating more resources may change as extreme heat gets more common and more cities start to experience dangerous summer highs. The planet has been scorched by eight of the warmest years on record and last year, temperatures in the country hit as high as 49C, close to the all-time record of 51C seen in 2016.

In its report on heat action plans, the CPR thinktank said by 2050, as many as 24 urban centres are projected to breach average summer highs of at least 35C.

Many places that need to have local heat action plans do not have one, said Aditya Pillai, lead author of the report. He notes that among the cities not to have published comprehensive plans are many of Indias biggest metropolitan areas  and drivers of its economy  like Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi.

--With assistance from Sreeja Biswas, Pratik Parija, Atul Prakash and Spe Chen.

(Adds historic heat data in 15th paragraph.A previous version corrected the Indian temperature record in 29th paragraph.)

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For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers So we wouldn't blame long term Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 31% over a half decade.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

See our latest analysis for Citigroup

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During five years of share price growth, Citigroup moved from a loss to profitability. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics might give us a better handle on how its value is changing over time.

We note that the dividend has remained healthy, so that wouldn't really explain the share price drop. While it's not completely obvious why the share price is down, a closer look at the company's history might help explain it.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Citigroup is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. If you are thinking of buying or selling Citigroup stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst consensus estimates for future profits.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Citigroup the TSR over the last 5 years was -18%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Citigroup provided a TSR of 0.8% over the last twelve months. Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. But at least that's still a gain! Over five years the TSR has been a reduction of 3% per year, over five years. It could well be that the business is stabilizing. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks, for example - Citigroup has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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It's easy to match the overall market return by buying an index fund. While individual stocks can be big winners, plenty more fail to generate satisfactory returns. For example, the MBB SE (ETR:MBB) share price is down 28% in the last year. That falls noticeably short of the market return of around 5.6%. On the other hand, the stock is actually up 19% over three years.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

View our latest analysis for MBB

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During the unfortunate twelve months during which the MBB share price fell, it actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 40%. It's quite possible that growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past.

It's surprising to see the share price fall so much, despite the improved EPS. So it's easy to justify a look at some other metrics.

Given the yield is quite low, at 1.3%, we doubt the dividend can shed much light on the share price. MBB managed to grow revenue over the last year, which is usually a real positive. Since we can't easily explain the share price movement based on these metrics, it might be worth considering how market sentiment has changed towards the stock.

The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We know that MBB has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? If you are thinking of buying or selling MBB stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of MBB, it has a TSR of -25% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

MBB shareholders are down 25% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 5.6%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 1.5% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. Before deciding if you like the current share price, check how MBB scores on these 3 valuation metrics.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Iowa receives $415M in federal funding to help bring high-speed Internet to all residents

President Joe Biden announces a $42.5 billion investment in high-speed internet infrastructure during an event in the East Room of the White House on Monday.

Iowa is in line for $415.3 million to expand access to high-speed Internet, part of a record $42.5 billion that's being rolled out to states and territories across the country.

President Joe Biden announced the awards Monday under the "Internet for All" initiative, which the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said was designed to ensure "affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America." The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program is funded through the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed in 2021.

Biden, appearing with Vice President Kamala Harris, compared his administration's efforts to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's initiative to bring electricity to "every American home and farm in our nation" through investments like the Tennessee Valley Authority's network of hydroelectric dams.

"Its the biggest investment in high-speed Internet ever," Biden said. "For todays economy to work for everyone, Internet access is just as important as electricity was or water or other basic services." U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who supported the Infrastructure Act, lauded the broadband investment.

Access to efficient broadband and transportation is critical to connecting people and positioning communities for long-term successes," Grassley said in a statement.

Today's infrastructure investments will kick start critical projects, particularly in rural parts of our state," he said.

More: Why Iowa Democrat Cindy Axne voted for $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan

The Biden administration said all U.S. states, the District of Columbia and territories will have the "resources to connect every resident and small business to reliable, affordable high-speed Internet" by 2030.

This is a watershed moment for millions of people across America who lack access to a high-speed Internet connection, Alan Davidson, an assistant commerce secretary and head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said in a statement. States can now plan their Internet access grant programs with confidence and engage with communities to ensure this money is spent where it is most needed.

The White House said 19 states received more than $1 billion apiece, with the top 10 allocations in Alabama, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

States will have 180 days to detail how they plan to run their broadband grant programs, the Commerce Department said.

White House also hands out transit funds; Iowa City state's top recipient

Grassley also highlighted three Iowa transportation awards announced Monday: Nearly $23.3 million for Iowa City to buy electric buses and replace its 1980s-vintgage operations and maintenance facility; nearly $17.9 million for the Iowa Department of Transportation to help five rural transit agencies buy electric buses; and nearly $2.4 million for Dubuque's The Jule transit system to buy electric buses and charging equipment.

The money is part of nearly $1.7 billion allocated for transit projects in 46 states and territories.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said small Iowa communities that have been underserved or disadvantaged could apply for $711,000 in grants to improve their drinking water infrastructure.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa to get $415M in U.S. effort to expand high-speed Internet access
(Bloomberg) -- Johnson & Johnson is facing a key test of its plan to use the US bankruptcy system to end more than 60,000 claims that a talc-based baby powder it sold for years causes cancer.

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A group of cancer victims is asking a federal judge in New Jersey to throw out, for the second time in less than two years, the insolvency case of LTL Management, a unit that J&J created to settle lawsuits over talc-based baby powder for $8.9 billion. Tuesday marks the start of a trial in which US Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan will again decide whether J&J is wrongly using bankruptcy laws to force a settlement.

The bankruptcy court strategy has split lawyers suing J&J into two camps: those who back the settlement and are ready to drop their lawsuits, and holdouts who want to take their claims to juries around the country instead. Last year Kaplan sided with J&J against a unified band of the top plaintiffs law firms in the US, but was overruled by a federal appeals court in Philadelphia, which ordered the judge to dismiss LTL Managements first Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition.

J&J responded by tweaking its legal strategy and raising its settlement offer to $8.9 billion in order to attract support from cancer victims. LTL returned to bankruptcy in April and Kaplan agreed to hold a hearing to decide if the new case fixed the legal flaws that doomed the first effort.

Opposing Views

Lawyers for the cancer victims who reject the settlement argue that the motive for the new bankruptcy is the same as the first: to protect J&J.

LTL was created, and this bankruptcy was filed to benefit J&J  not to preserve LTL, which has no operations, or to help sick-and-dying claimants, the official committee representing cancer victims said in a June 22 court filing.

J&Js latest effort is backed by lawyers who represent about 60,000 alleged victims. It is opposed by the official committee of cancer victims and lawyers who say they also represent tens of thousands of clients.

The holdouts argue that the new case, like the old one, is not a valid use of bankruptcy. The appeals court previously ruled that LTL  the bankrupt unit  was never in financial distress because it had an agreement with J&J to backstop any settlement funding shortfall. The court found the backstop agreement meant LTL could pay claimants as much as $61.5 billion outside of bankruptcy and therefore the Chapter 11 filing was not made in good faith.

In response, J&J and LTL agreed to cancel that funding agreement and replace it with one backed by a J&J holding company worth about $30 billion. J&J also said it would only provide LTL money to pay the cancer victims as part of a bankruptcy case. Lawyers for LTL say all of the changes mean the new case meets the appeals court test.

Kaplan has ordered the two sides into mediation, but any breakthrough is unlikely to come before the judge decides whether the bankruptcy case can continue.

The firms that appear to be leading the opposition effort have no interest in negotiation or proposing a workable alternative plan, but rather have repeatedly represented to the Court that they will never agree to any settlement, LTL said in a court filing.

Expensive Fights

Jury verdicts and settlements have cost J&J billions of dollars in recent years, including one case that the company appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court. It lost that case and was forced to pay out $2.5 billion to about 20 women. LTLs proposal would cap its exposure and limit compensation to individuals.

The US Trustee, an arm of the US Justice Department that monitors corporate bankruptcy cases, has joined J&Js critics, arguing the LTL insolvency proceeding was filed in bad faith. The holdouts contend LTLs decision to take a less lucrative funding agreement with J&J is evidence the bankruptcy is manufactured and doesnt serve a legitimate purpose.

Still, the events that lead to LTLs second bankruptcy may not be enough to sway Judge Kaplan, who has touted Chapter 11 as a better alternative for plaintiffs than waging costly and time-consuming litigation.

The draw of settling this case is going to be very strong, said Samir Parikh, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School who studies the use of Chapter 11 to resolve mass injury litigation.

The new bankruptcy filing is LTL Management LLC, 23-12825, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (Trenton).

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Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) today presented James L. Heffernan, FHFMA, MBA, with the 2023 Frederick C. Morgan Individual Achievement Award, honoring career-long contributions to HFMA and to the healthcare finance profession.



Heffernan was the senior vice president of finance and treasurer of the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO), for 25 years. He played a significant role in strategic planning for the MGPO, one of the largest physician group practices in New England, and for Massachusetts General Hospital, which is the corporate member and general hospital of the MGPO as well as one of the principal teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. He previously held chief financial officer, chief operating officer and other executive management positions at Saint Lukes Medical Center and Westlake Health Campus Association in Ohio. He continues in a part-time role teaching healthcare finance courses at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Wentworth Douglas Hospital in Dover, N.H.

Since the 1980s, Heffernan has served HFMA in many roles at the chapter, regional and national levels. After spending a decade in committee chair and board officer positions for HFMAs Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapters, he was elected Massachusetts chapter president in 2006-07, and facilitated the successful merger of the two chapters during his term. Heffernan subsequently represented New England on HFMAs Regional Executive Committee. At the national level, Heffernan served on the Board of Examiners, chaired the Physician Practice Leadership Council and served on the National Board from 2018-21.

Upon being notified of the award, Heffernan said, Throughout my career, HFMA has been synonymous with education and preparing its members to excel at managing their organizations to provide care and access for their patients and community. Never has this been more important as we seek to rebuild the morale and trust of employees who committed so much to our countrys survival through a national emergency. I trust HFMA can help us meet these challenges.

Over the course of a long and highly accomplished career, Jim Heffernan has shared his considerable financial and strategic expertise with HFMA and a host of other organizations that directly serve patients and communities, said HFMA President and CEO Ann Jordan. Although Jim has retired, his good works will long continue benefiting countless people.

Heffernan is a recipient of the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver and Muncie Gold merit awards in recognition of his many contributions to HFMA. He also is a recipient of the Founders Medal of Honor. He received the Hernan Award from HFMAs Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter for outstanding contributions in the field of hospital financial management and work in the chapter.

The HFMA story of Jim Heffernan is one of unparalleled commitmentover decades, wrote HFMA Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter Past President Roger C. Boucher in his nomination letter. It is the story of countless hours of service that no one ever sees to make sure things get done rightof recruiting new leaders and volunteersof managing ones own career with all those attendant responsibilities while still finding the time for HFMA service, and of building and strengthening one of HFMAs great chapters and regions. It is the best story of HFMA achievement, dedication and leadership that I have ever seen.

Heffernan has volunteered his time and professional expertise with many healthcare organizations, including the Mass Collaborative, a voluntary group dedicated to simplifying healthcare administrative processes; Tulane Medical School; the Ohio Health Care Board; and the Greater Cleveland Hospital Association. He has also been a preceptor for graduate students at Cornell University and Cleveland State University.

Tower Health System VP of Payer Contracts and Relationships Ethel Hoffman wrote in her nomination letter, While my internship under Jim occurred over 25 years ago, I still have vivid memories and experiences from that that time. Jim has continued to be an inspiration for me. He instilled in me a passion for education and mentorship. Following his example, I am preparing to launch a formal internship program for health finance leaders within my organization.

Heffernan also has held leadership positions in many civic organizations, including MGH Men Against Abuse; Jane Doe Inc, the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence; Templum House (a domestic violence advocacy and shelter); community development corporations in Detroit and Cleveland; and school district building and curriculum advisory committees.

In her nomination letter, Debra J. Robbin, Ed.M., executive director of Jane Doe Inc., wrote, We all learn so much from working with Jim. Through his time on our board, our finances have grown as has our reserve account. Jim is extremely supportive and constructive in his work with [us]. Strengthening [our organization] internally has given it the opportunity to be a thought leader in the work to end domestic and sexual violence. In our strategic planning work, Jim is both thoughtful and creative, weaving our commitment to racial justice with the goal of envisioning a world without violenceAs a colleague, a parent, a grandparent and partner, he exemplifies the strength of compassion and commitment to what is just and equitable. Jim inspires others to similarly strive to their full humanity by his strong sense of purpose.

Additionally, Heffernan has authored several articles in the professional literature, including HFMA publications, and made dozens of presentations on a wide variety of topics at educational conferences.

Heffernan holds a masters degree in business administration from Cornell Universitys Sloan Program in Health Administration. His undergraduate degree in chemistry, with a minor in biology, is from Boston University.

About HFMA

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) equips its more than 100,000 members to navigate a complex healthcare landscape. Finance professionals in the full range of work settings, including hospitals, health systems, physician practices and health plans, trust HFMA to provide the guidance and tools to help them lead their organizations, and the industry, forward. HFMA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that advances healthcare by collaborating with other key stakeholders to address industry challenges and providing guidance, education, practical tools and solutions, and thought leadership. We lead the financial management of healthcare.

Press inquiries should be directed to:

Brad Dennison

Healthcare Financial Management Association

630-386-2945

bdennison@hfma.org




(Bloomberg) -- Japan extended the term of its top currency official Masato Kanda for another year, in an unusual move that keeps the man behind last years $65 billion intervention strategy in place during a renewed bout of yen weakness.

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Kanda became just the fourth official in the past three decades to serve a third year as vice finance minister of international affairs, finance ministry documents indicated Tuesday.

We put appropriate people in the right positions, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told reporters Tuesday following the announcement of Kandas reappointment. Japan will also preside over the Group of Seven meetings until the end of the year. We need to maintain close collaboration in the field of international finance with G-7 and other nations.

By sticking with Kanda, Japan is reaffirming its commitment to entering markets if needed, leaving no room for doubt over whether a newly appointed official will take the same firm stand against speculators.

Kanda warned again on Monday that he wont rule out any options if he needs to take appropriate action over foreign exchange movements. For now, though, analysts see Japan staying out of markets unless the yen approaches 150, still some distance from the 143 range seen so far this week.

Kandas reappointment is likely to lead to speculation that action will be taken if the yens depreciation speeds up, said Masahiro Ichikawa, chief market strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.

The 58-year old is known as outer space man among ministry officials partly for his wide ranging interest in topics from currencies and economics to the future of human kind and the universe. His seemingly unlimited endurance is another reason they cite.

At the G-7 meetings in Niigata he gave an impassioned toast about the importance of our work, said Jay Shambaugh, under secretary for international affairs at the US Treasury. Hes a very frank person, very principled. You always know where he stands and what Japans position is on something, so that makes him easy to work with.

While he appears to have kept his US counterparts briefed, hes often kept market participants guessing.

Kanda wrong-footed foreign exchange traders in September by stepping into markets to stop the yen sliding for the first time in 24 years. The nation was expected to hold off on such a move for longer to avoid angering the US.

He moved again at around midnight on Oct. 21 soon after the yen hit 151.95, as Japan conducted its biggest yen buying intervention on record. That approach differed from Japans playbook of stepping into markets during regular Japan trading hours.

In another move to keep speculators on the back foot, Kanda declined to immediately confirm the second round of yen buying. Japan reveals the total amount of intervention at the end of each month, but full disclosure of the daily activity in October didnt take place until quarterly data was released in February.

The FX chief has also showed he wasnt afraid to sell US Treasuries to fund intervention, another potential source of friction with the US. Some analysts and speculators had assumed that Japans intervention firepower to prop up the yen was much more limited than the size of the governments dollar holdings, because of the Treasury holdings. Currently Japan has around $1.13 trillion in foreign currency reserves, mostly held in securities.

Kanda has done a good job. Its undeniable that the yen peaked out after the intervention, said Daisuke Karakama, chief market economist at Mizuho Bank. You could attribute it to other factors like the US CPI for the turnaround but the luck of timing is also a very important element in the market.

Kanda joined the finance ministry in 1987 after graduating from the University of Tokyo. He later earned a masters degree in economics from Oxford University. In 2002 he joined the ministrys currency division and gained first-hand experience of intervention there.

Colleagues and global peers talk of Kandas big picture perspective as being close to that of a philosopher or a monk.

The universe is too grand, our land, the Earth too small, Kanda wrote in 2010 for Koushikai, an association of bureaucrats and corporate executives. The origin of the universe and essence of our lives is unknowable. The knowledge of mankind is equivalent to nothing.

--With assistance from Christopher Condon.

(Updates with comments from US Treasury official)

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JIC Capital's logo is pictured at its headquarters in Tokyo

By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu

TOKYO (Reuters) - State-backed Japan Investment Corp (JIC) sees potential for more mergers and acquisitions in high-end corners of the chipmaking industry following its planned $6.4 billion buyout of materials maker JSR, the head of its private equity arm said.

The comments from JIC Capital CEO Shogo Ikeuchi signal a potential shakeup of an industry critical to everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence that is a lynchpin of economic security in the world's third-largest economy.

"We see potential in some speciality materials markets where JSR can win dominant positions by combining with other materials makers," Ikeuchi said in an interview.

"We believe that we can boost Japanese chip materials makers' global competitiveness by spurring industry consolidation," he added.

Ikeuchi said there are broad deal options because JSR's products are diverse. The company is involved in chipmaking from the front-end wafer fabrication process to the back-end chip packaging process.

The JSR deal is the latest of a series of increasingly muscular government steps to try to regain Japan's lead in advanced semiconductor production and maintain its edge as a maker of materials and tools used in their manufacture.

JSR is a top supplier of photoresists, which are light-sensitive chemicals used to etch patterns on wafers.

Ikeuchi also signalled JIC's appetite for more deals in chip-related industries, saying that its investment decisions were aligned with the trade ministry's policy and the semiconductor industry was critical for Japan.

He also cited chemicals, automotive components and healthcare as sectors where the government-backed fund could play a key role to foster consolidation.

In the chemicals industry, for example, Japan has "too many players making similar products that were once competitive but are now commoditised," Ikeuchi said. "Japanese companies will have a hard time ahead unless a certain degree of consolidation takes place."

JIC, overseen by the powerful trade ministry, was set up in 2018 to invest in Japanese companies to boost the nation's competitiveness.

While its predecessor, the Innovation Network Corp of Japan (INCJ), largely focused on cash-strapped or ailing firms, JIC has so far mostly invested in startups and venture capital funds.

Ikeuchi said JIC had revamped its investment decision making process to better scrutinise downside risks and would stay away from deals that just involved bailing out distressed companies.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Leaders across the hospitality sector discussed trade restrictions, transport infrastructure, currency fluctuations and supply chain breakages at the recent African Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.



The event was attended by Toggle Markets CEO, Fuad Sajdi, and VP of Africa, Abraham Muthogo Kamau, leading discussions on leveraging local and regional sourcing, and the innovative ways the sector is reducing operational costs.



Supply chain challenges in Africa have been one of the primary obstacles for economic growth and diversification, with businesses continuing to pay inflated prices for nearly every consumable and operational product that is not locally grown or manufactured  where even then it is more profitable to export outside the continent than to cater to the regional market due to weak intra-trade regulations.



The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the largest free trade area globally since the formation of the World Trade Organization, is set to significantly bolster intra-African trade. By reducing trade barriers, it allows a more fluid movement of goods, services, and people across borders. The ripple effect will be profound, with the hospitality sector one of the many industries reaping the benefits of this regional integration.



Breaking with the past



The lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic have been harshest on the worlds largest continent which has for so long relied on suppliers in far flung countries, most heavily on goods from China, European Union (EU) countries, United States and India.



Take for instance South Africa which remains the largest importing country in Africa at 17% of all imports in the region. Its largest import partners in 2023 were China at 21.9%, followed by United States at 8.8%, Germany at 7.3%, India 5.8% and the UAE 3.6%. The next largest importing countries are Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana.



Intra-African trade still stands at only 15.2%, a poor showing when compared with intra-continental trade figures for America, Asia, and Europe, which stand at 47%, 61%, and 67%, respectively, and which should be at the head of the pan regional efforts to support trade and business. Much of this is due to multiple trade restrictions that exist in the region and between neighbouring countries for instance.



The recent World Bank 2022 AfCFTA report shows that the borders between African countries rank among the most restrictive in the world and is the main reason there is relatively little intra-African trade and investment.



The impact of this in real terms is putting the break on the growth of regional businesses while limiting the flow of the international supply chain which in turn heavily relies on intra-African trade routes (where goods are transported across several borders by land routes) due to poor infrastructure and lack of trade and custom harmonisation.



For locally grown African hospitality investors and operators, the supply chain challenges remain acute, and ramifications have meant consistent delays in the growing pipeline of projects, along with sometimes turbulent price fluctuations on shipping and logistics services, as well as effects of weakened domestic currencies.



Trade Cooperation and Collaboration

The good news is that there are signs across all industry sectors of more joined up thinking and increased regional cooperation. For instance, amongst East African nations there has been a noticeable increase in activities across both government backed and private sector efforts through the multiple alliances that exist such as the East Africa Business Council, the East African Chamber of Commerce and Trade, and the East African Association.



In addition, the highly lauded and anticipated rollout of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is geared to be the largest free trade region in the world based on the number of countries  at once connecting 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at $3.4 trillion and with a major potential as well to lift over 30 million people out of the poverty line.



For this to succeed there will need to be mutual and significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures to reduce red tape, simplify customs procedures, and make it easier for African businesses to integrate into global supply chains. The upside is a boost of income gains around $300 billion.



The role of technology and the importance of a knowledge-based economy will increasingly be a driving force for transforming economic prosperity. The latest report from UNCTAD has warned that neglecting the high knowledge-intensive services, such as information and communications technology services and financial services, will be a key reason holding back export diversification in Africa.



A new generation of hospitality leaders in Africa making waves

One of the most exciting outcomes of more regional integration is the rise of home-grown hotel chains that are now expanding beyond their respective national borders. In 2022, intra-African travel accounted for 40% of the total number of hotel guests in the continent, up from 34% in 2019, according to the African Development Bank. This increase is partly attributable to the easing of travel restrictions and the growth of African hotel chains.



The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035. These figures make it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific.



This new wave of hospitality brands is being led by a dynamic generation of African leaders who understand the local markets and are at the forefront of developing more viable value-based networks and forging stronger regional partnerships. These individuals are harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA, using innovative practices to enhance the hospitality experience with a unique African flavour that can cater better to the African consumer needs while at the same time offering global standards of service. For example, today over 80 percent of safari lodges in South Africa are managed by indigenous brands and a part of the tourism sector that generates around 70 percent of hospitality revenue. This segment is growing rapidly across the region.



"There is a major paradigm shift taking place with progressive trade policies and cutting-edge technology. This new generation of leaders are poised to redefine the essence of hospitality in Africa. We are delighted to be participating this year at AHIF 2023 which continues year on year to help shape the African hospitality industry and spotlight investment opportunities," said Abraham Muthogo Kamau, VP of Africa at Toggle Market.



Technology is a driving force behind this transformation. Digitization is permeating every facet of the hospitality experience from reservation systems to room service, with growing numbers of hotels now using a form of smart-room technology or employing AI-driven services such as chatbots for customer service and offering mobile apps for reservations and in-stay services.



The integration of technology has also enhanced efficiency and sustainability within the sector. African hotels can see up to 30% increase in energy efficiency and 25% reduction in water usage, thanks to the adoption of smart technologies.



Although Africa only receives 5% of the regional share of worldwide tourism[4] this number is rising after the Covid slump with 2022 seeing 47 million tourists returning to the continent after the high of 69 million in 2019. UNWTO forecasts 134 million visitors by 2035 making it the second fastest growing region in tourism after Asia Pacific. There is also robust and growing domestic tourism within Africa as increasingly middle-class families and younger travellers opt for more local and regional travel.



The supply chain, too, has been revolutionized by both trade facilitations and technology. A recent survey revealed that the average lead time for supply delivery dropped by 15% in 2022. This improvement is due to more streamlined cross-border processes and the implementation of digital supply chain management systems. Moreover, the increased use of this technology has led to more resilient and responsive systems. More hotel chains can now track their supply deliveries in real-time, forecast demand more accurately, and react swiftly to changes in the market.



The wave of change isn't confined to the large chains alone. It's being felt in every corner of the industry, from boutique hotels in Accra that blend modern design with traditional Ghanian culture, to eco-friendly lodges in the Maasai Mara that champion sustainable tourism.



As intra-African trade continues to flourish and the technological landscape evolves, the African hospitality sector is preparing for an exhilarating future. This new era is being ushered in by ambitious, tech-savvy leaders who are ready to shake off the old and bring forth the new.  TradeArabia News Service
Stellantis says a new business unit focused on electric vehicle charging will benefit customers like those who drive the company's popular Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.

Jeep- and Chrysler-parent Stellantis is launching a new business unit to encompass its charging and energy management offerings.

The unit will manage a service called Free2move Charge to deal in everything from home charging wall boxes to public charging network aggregation, according to the announcement, which said the new service would address electric vehicle customer needs at home, in their business and on-the-go.

More announcements from the new business unit are expected in the coming months.

We want to bring as many charge points to our customers as possible, Ricardo Stamatti, Stellantis senior vice president of charging and energy, said this week of the plan to give the companys electrified vehicle customers access to more charging options, beginning first in North America and Europe.

Other automakers, including General Motors, Tesla and Volkswagen, have their own divisions along this front, but we have a different twist from the others, Stamatti said, suggesting that the unit be viewed through the lens of how Stellantis has a separate division, Mopar, for parts and accessories.

He said the process shows that the automakers are thinking alike when it comes to charging needs and offerings.

Although the new business unit shares part of its name with the companys Free2move car sharing and mobility service, Stamatti said they remain separate entities.

More: 'Car Wars' report: Next 4 years could be 'uncertain and volatile' for Detroit Three

More: General Motors closes another supply chain deal to ramp up EV production, cut costs

During a media roundtable on Monday to discuss the new unit, one of the first questions from reporters focused on whether Stellantis would adopt the Tesla charging connector, known as the North American Charging Standard (NACS) as General Motors, Ford and others have recently announced. While there was no news on that front Monday  the company has said its evaluating NACS  Stamatti did say at one point that there is a pending NACS announcement.

The shift to the former Tesla standard by numerous automakers will open up a much larger public charging network for many EV drivers and could help solve one of the perceived hurdles to widespread electric vehicle adoption.

While Stellantis, which also owns the Ram, Dodge and Fiat brands, is preparing to launch numerous fully electric vehicles in the coming years, Stamatti said customers would benefit initially from the new business unit because of the companys plug-in hybrid electric models. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe, for instance, is the most popular plug-in model in the United States, according to Stellantis.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jeep-parent Stellantis launches new EV charging business unit
WASHINGTON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. Congressman and Founder of The Kennedy Forum Patrick J. Kennedy delivered video remarks to the World Health Organization (WHO) this week at their Fourth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours ( FADAB ). The address comes during a swing of European engagements for former Congressman Kennedy with stops in the United Kingdom and Greece.

(PRNewsfoto/The Kennedy Forum)

The WHO convened an audience of member-state representatives, civil society leaders, advocates, and academics. Patrick J. Kennedy, nephew of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, spoke as a leading advocate in the mental health and substance use space, the author of the United States' 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, and a person with 12 years of continuous sobriety. His remarks centered on the need to prioritize mental health and substance use interventions locally, regionally, nationally, internationally, and at the United Nations (U.N.). In 2015, the U.N. integrated mental health as part of its sustainable development goals, though much greater mobilization is needed to make an impact on the lives of people struggling in communities across the world. Kennedy also emphasized that this mobilization should not single out a fraction of the care continuum but rather capture quality prevention, education, and treatment interventions. Other speakers at FADAB included WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the First Lady of Botswana Neo Masisi, and U.K. Member of Parliament Dan Carden.

Before his remarks to the World Health Organization, Congressman Kennedy spoke to students, alumni, and faculty at the Oxford Union in the United Kingdom. He then addressed global leaders at the SNF Nostos Conference in Greece, where he also met with former U.S. President Barack Obama. The Kennedy Forum's Co-Founder and staunch advocate for youth mental health, Amy Kennedy, also participated in SNF's Suicide Prevention panel: Safeguarding the emotional health of teens and young adults, on international approaches to combat global youth suicide rates.

To date, The Kennedy Forum has largely worked within the United States to transform mental health and substance use systems. But these challenges extend far beyond U.S. borders, with an international study reporting that the global prevalence of mental disorders increased from 80.8 million to 125.3 million, between 1990 and 2019. Former Congressman Kennedy and Amy Kennedy were honored to share The Kennedy Forum's expertise on a global stage and remain ready to serve across borders as the international community realizes the promise of mental health as essential health.

About The Kennedy Forum

Founded in 2013 by former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), The Kennedy Forum leads a national dialogue on transforming the health care system by uniting mental health advocates, business leaders, and policymakers around a common set of principles, including full implementation of the Federal Parity Law. Launched in celebration of the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's signing of the landmark Community Mental Health Act, the nonprofit aims to achieve health equity by advancing evidence-based practices, policies, and programming for the treatment of mental health and addiction. The Kennedy Forum's "Don't Deny Me" campaign educates consumers and providers about patient rights under the Federal Parity Law and connects them with essential appeals guidance and resources. To learn more about The Kennedy Forum and donate, please visit www.thekennedyforum.org .

Cision

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SOURCE The Kennedy Forum
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Koninklijke Philips fair value estimate is 32.04

Koninklijke Philips is estimated to be 41% undervalued based on current share price of 18.88

Analyst price target for PHIA is 18.05 which is 44% below our fair value estimate

Does the June share price for Koninklijke Philips N.V. (AMS:PHIA) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

View our latest analysis for Koninklijke Philips

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.06b 1.19b 1.50b 1.72b 1.87b 1.97b 2.05b 2.11b 2.15b 2.19b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x3 Analyst x2 Est @ 5.40% Est @ 3.90% Est @ 2.85% Est @ 2.12% Est @ 1.61% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.9% 994 1.0k 1.2k 1.3k 1.3k 1.3k 1.3k 1.2k 1.2k 1.1k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 12b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.4%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.9%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 2.2b (1 + 0.4%)  (6.9% 0.4%) = 34b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 34b ( 1 + 6.9%)10= 17b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 30b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 18.9, the company appears quite undervalued at a 41% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Koninklijke Philips as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.9%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.089. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Koninklijke Philips

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Medical Equipment market.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Koninklijke Philips, there are three relevant aspects you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Koninklijke Philips (2 are potentially serious!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does PHIA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Dutch stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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SINGAPORE and GUANGZHOU, China, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 27 June 2023, Lion TCR, a clinical-stage T-cell immunotherapy company, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its USD 40 million Series B2 financing round. Guangzhou Industrial Investment and Capital Operation Holding Group Ltd. led the financing with participation from Guangzhou Guoju Investment and CSPC NARD Capital Fund. The funds raised will be used primarily to support Lion TCR's clinical trials on hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific TCR T cell therapy, while also facilitating the construction of a state-of-the-art GMP facility in China. This momentous achievement will further accelerate the development of cutting-edge technology platforms and the advancement of Lion TCR's product pipelines.

During the 13th Meeting of the Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council (referred to as "SGCC") on June 26, 2023, Lion TCR achieved a significant milestone by signing the Investment Agreement with the three strategic investors. This event took place in the presence of distinguished witnesses, including Singapore's Minister for Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, and the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr. Wang Wei Zhong.

Lion TCR signing an Investment Agreement at the 13th Meeting of the Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council.

About Lion TCR

Lion TCR has successfully obtained IND approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its international multi-center Phase 1b/2 IND clinical trial. Notably, this trial marks the world's first FDA-approved international multi-center clinical trial utilizing TCR-T therapy for the treatment of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The enrollment of patients has commenced, and several individuals are already undergoing treatment. Additionally, the investigational product has received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA.

Lion TCR originated as a spin-off from A*STAR in Singapore in 2015 with the objective of advancing its groundbreaking HBV TCR-T cell therapy, a First-in-Class approach. This innovative therapy utilizes mRNA to encode HBV specific T cell receptors within patients' T cells, enabling the targeting of HBV epitopes expressed in liver cancer cells. Encouragingly, clinical trials have demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy outcomes. Leveraging its established mRNA technology and TCR discovery platforms, Lion TCR has significantly broadened its repertoire of clinical targets, particularly those associated with solid tumors. The company's expertise in these areas facilitates the delivery of autologous cell therapy and 'off-the-shelf' modalities. As a result, Lion TCR is poised to develop a robust pipeline of treatments targeting various solid cancers and chronic viral diseases, including chronic Hepatitis B, which is strongly linked to liver cancer.

Dr. Peng Xiaoming, CEO of Lion TCR, has expressed that the recent financing round will provide vital support for their product pipeline and international collaborations, with a primary goal of fostering a robust biotechnology ecosystem in Singapore and the GuangdongHong KongMacao Greater Bay Area. Lion TCR strives to become a beacon of excellence in the field of cell therapy, with a strong commitment to benefiting patients and society at large. As part of their strategic vision, in June 2022, Lion TCR entered into an agreement with the Huangpu District Government of Guangzhou to establish their Chinese headquarters in China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City. This strategic move empowers the company to leverage Guangzhou's resources and government support, thereby creating a comprehensive foundation for research, development, GMP production, and clinical trials. By covering the entire life cycle of cell product manufacturing, Lion TCR aims to effectively address the healthcare needs of Chinese patients, aligning with their mission of advancing innovative technologies for the betterment of patients worldwide.

Lion TCR China Headquarters, International Biomedical Innovation Center.

China-Singapore Smart Park at Guangzhou Knowledge City

About Guangzhou Industrial Investment and Capital Operation Holding Group Ltd.

Guangzhou Industrial Investment and Capital Operation Holding Group Ltd. is a prominent holding group with a significant presence in the market. It holds controlling stakes in more than 10 listed companies, including notable entities such as Guangzhou Automobile Group and Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group, along with leading enterprises like Yuexiu Enterprises (Holdings) Ltd. and Guoxin Securities Co., Ltd. The group has taken the lead in establishing and managing esteemed funds, such as the Guangzhou Industrial Investment Fund valued at 150 billion yuan and the Guangzhou Innovation Investment Fund valued at 50 billion yuan. With ownership of three fund management companies and collaboration with top institutions, it offers comprehensive fund investment services and has successfully launched over 50 funds. Guangzhou Industrial Investment and Capital Operation Holding Group Ltd. has consistently ranked among the "Top 500 Chinese Enterprises" and the "Top 500 Chinese Service Enterprises" for five consecutive years. It strives to create a globally recognized platform for market-oriented, professional, and internationally acclaimed state-owned capital investment and operations.

About Guangzhou Guoju Investment

Guangzhou Guoju Investment, a wholly-owned private equity fund subsidiary of Guangzhou Hi-Tech Investment Group Co., Ltd. (GHIC), effectively manages funds with a total asset value exceeding 3 billion yuan. Capitalizing on the synergistic potential of the "Biopharmaceutical Industry Fund," Guangzhou Guoju Investment actively participates in the establishment of notable funds like the "China-Israel Phase II Fund" and the "Guangdong Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Fund." It has forged partnerships with esteemed investment institutions, including Jingwei Venture Capital (Beijing) Investment Management Consulting Co., Ltd., Sequoia Capital China, and Oriza Holdings. Dedicated to excellence, Guangzhou Guoju Investment aspires to become a leading state-owned venture capital company in the biopharmaceutical industry of the GuangdongHong KongMacao Greater Bay Area. Moreover, it aims to establish a renowned domestic market-oriented fund management institution.

About CSPC NARD Capital Fund

CSPC NARD Capital Fund, a pharmaceutical investment fund, is the result of a collaboration between CSPC Pharmaceutical Group and NARD Capital Fund. Its operations are managed by Shanghai Shi Feng Xin Hui Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group is an innovative enterprise at the national level, encompassing research, development, production, and sales of innovative pharmaceuticals. As a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (01093.HK), it has achieved a remarkable market capitalization exceeding 100 billion RMB. The extensive product portfolio of CSPC Pharmaceutical Group is distributed in over 100 countries and regions globally, with 36 individual product varieties surpassing the sales milestone of 100 million yuan.

LION TCR

Cision

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SOURCE Lion TCR
Beverage company Diageo has severed its relationship with rapper and music producer Sean "Diddy" Combs after he filed a lawsuit against the spirits maker alleging racist handling of his liquor brands.

The lawsuit, filed with the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan last month, claims Diageo North America "starved" Combs' Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila brands of essential resources, depriving them of the same attention showered on White celebrity brands. Combs, who is Black, said Diageo's leadership acknowledged that his race played a role in its decision to limit distribution of his brands to "urban" neighborhoods, stunting sales growth as a result, the lawsuit states.

Diageo has denied the accusations and called Combs' suit a "sham action."

The spirits giant on Tuesday filed legal documents calling for a New York judge to dismiss Combs' suit. In its legal filings, Diageo labels the artist's claims as "false and reckless" and accuses him of filing the lawsuit "in an effort to extract additional billions" from the company.

"These allegations are nothing more than opportunistic attempts to garner press attention and distract the court from the fact that plaintiff's breach-of-contract claim is entirely without merit," lawyers representing Diageo said in the filing.

The U.K.-based company also said it is ending its brand partnership with Combs, adding that it has served his legal team with a notice of termination for their Ciroc relationship.

Combs and his lawsuit are not going away just because Diageo ended its partnership, the Grammy-winner's lawyer John C. Hueston told CBS MoneyWatch in a statement Tuesday. / Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Combs seeks billions in damages

Combs and his lawsuit are not going away just because Diageo ended its partnership, the Grammy-winner's lawyer John C. Hueston told CBS MoneyWatch in a statement Tuesday.

"Diageo attempting to end its deals with Mr. Combs is like firing a whistleblower who calls out racism," Hueston said. "It's a cynical and transparent attempt to distract from multiple allegations of discrimination. Over the years, he has repeatedly raised concerns as senior executives uttered racially insensitive comments and made biased decisions based on that point of view."

Combs, who has also gone by the stage names Puff Daddy, P Diddy and Diddy, said in the complaint he intends to seek billions of dollars in damages in other legal proceedings against Diageo.

Combs' relationship with Diageo dates back to 2007, when the London-based company  which owns more than 200 brands, including Guinness beer and Tanqueray gin  approached Combs about Ciroc. The company claims that it worked with Combs to build Ciroc vodka into "a huge financial success."

In a statement to Agence France-Presse earlier this month, Diageo called the partnership "productive and mutually beneficial."The company said in the Tuesday filing that Combs has acquired nearly $1 billion dollars throughout their 15-year relationship.

"This is a business dispute, and we are saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as anything other than that," the Diageo spokesperson said.

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lordstown Motors craters 48% after the company files for bankruptcy and sues Foxconn over failed deal

The Lordstown Motors factory, where GM once operated, in Lordstown, Ohio, on October 16, 2020. Photo by MEGAN JELINGER / AFP

Shares of Lordstown Motors plunged 48% on Tuesday after the company filed for bankruptcy.

The electric truck maker is also suing Foxconn for failing to live up to a deal to invest in the company.

Foxconn "willfully and repeatedly failed to execute on the agreed-upon strategy," Lordstown's CEO said.

Shares of Ohio-based electric truck manufacturer Lordstown Motors plummeted nearly 50% on Tuesday as the company filed for bankruptcy protection.

The stock was down as much as 60% pre-market, and was trading around $1.42 per share at 9:43 a.m. ET, down by about 48%.

The company, which went public in 2020 amid the SPAC boom, is suing Taiwanese electronics producer Foxconn, for failure to follow through on an investment agreement.

While Foxconn had invested $52.7 million in the electric vehicle maker and holds an equity stake of about 8.4%, Lordstown contends that it had agreed to invest up to $170 million. Foxconn has pushed back, noting that the agreement was void when Lordstown's stocks dropped below $1 per share.

"Despite our best efforts and earnest commitment to the partnership, Foxconn willfully and repeatedly failed to execute on the agreed-upon strategy, leaving us with Chapter 11 as the only viable option to maximize the value of Lordstown's assets for the benefit of our stakeholders," Lordstown CEO Edward Hightower said in a statement Tuesday. "We will vigorously pursue our litigation claims against Foxconn accordingly."

The Lordstown bankruptcy filing comes with the aim of securing a buyer, which it hopes to find through an auction process.

The company is best known for creating the Endurance electric pickup truck. The business could provide a potential buyer with an opportunity to enter the American EV market, Hightower told Reuters.

Foxconn first entered into partnership with Lordstown on ambitions of helping manufacture a significant portion of the world's EVs. Earlier in 2022, it purchased a former General Motors plant from Lordstown.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- The US antitrust agencies are requiring firms to turn over much more information about their transactions than before in an overhaul to merger rules that could delay deals by months.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The revamp of the so-called Hart-Scott-Rodino filing process, a move by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission to crack down on illegal mergers, could add as much as two to three months to the timetable for deals, according to one estimate.

The agencies say the overhaul, the first in 45 years, will allow them to more effectively and efficiently screen transactions for antitrust concerns.

Read the new merger-filing rules here.

The proposed changes, released Tuesday for publication in the Federal Register later this week, require details about acquisitions during the previous 10 years, information on company officers, directors and board observers, in addition to data on the firms workforce.

The agencies will take public comments on the proposed changes for 60 days. The new rules wont go into effect until after the FTC and DOJ publish a final version, which is expected to take several months to complete.

The new filings also would require disclosure of subsidies such as grants and loans by certain foreign governments including North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran. Congress passed a law in December requiring the agencies to begin collecting information on foreign government subsidies amid concerns that countries like China could distort competition by offering financial support to some firms.

The FTC estimated the new requirements laid out in the 126-page document would add more than 100 hours to the time it takes for firms to prepare their filings, which they said currently takes about 37 hours to complete.

However, Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Jennifer Rie said companies will likely need much longer than that to compile all the information and analysis the agencies will now be seeking. Today, a law firm can complete paperwork for companies seeking antitrust approval to merge in seven to 10 days, said Rie. The proposed changes could add months to that process, bringing the US merger filing regime more in line with Europes, she said.

Were looking at changing something from a 10-day process to a two-to-three month process, said Rie, who practiced antitrust law for 10 years before joining Bloomberg Intelligence.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta offered support for the proposal, which also seeks to make it easier for the federal antitrust agencies to share information with state attorneys general.

By requiring companies to provide more information in the early stages of the merger process, the proposed changes would help my team and our federal partners better focus on the transactions that truly may cause competition problems, said Bonta, who joined the DOJs challenge of JetBlue Airways Corp.s purchase of Spirit Airlines Inc. and the FTCs suit on Amgen Inc.s takeover of Horizon Therapeutics Plc. Greater efficiency is a win for competitive markets and for consumers.

Antitrust advocates praised the changes as a much-needed update that will help enforcers better investigate deals.

The merger and acquisition landscape has shifted dramatically in the past 45 years, and the HSR filing process  a key part of merger review  should reflect that, said Krista Brown of the antimonopoly group American Economic Liberties Project.

Bill Baer, who headed the Justice Departments antitrust division during the Obama administration, said the current filing is woefully inadequate for the government to make an informed judgment on whether to investigate further.

This is an effort to reset the balance, said Baer, now a fellow at The Brookings Institution.

The US Chamber of Commerce, the largest business lobby, decried the proposal as likely to mire every merger in government red tape.

With more than 2,000 mergers filed in a typical year, the vast majority of which presenting no antitrust concerns, this new form is not about enhancing merger enforcement but controlling mergers beyond the scope and intent of the law, said Sean Heather, the groups head of antitrust.

Under US law, deals valued at more than $111.4 million must notify the FTC and DOJ and wait 30 days before closing. The vast majority of mergers raise no concerns and are finalized after the initial waiting period expires. But the agencies can ask for additional information, triggering an in-depth probe of the deal.

Of the 3,520 transactions reported in fiscal 2021, the last year for which the agencies have published data, the FTC and DOJ asked for more information in 65 of them, or about 1.9%.

Todays filings mostly require one- and two-word responses, said Bloombergs Rie, whereas the new proposal would ask companies to provide narrative summaries of the transaction and outline business areas where the firms compete.

It creates a lot more likelihood that deals arent going to fly under the radar, she said. You are laying out competitive overlaps for them.

If adopted, the proposed changes would require a lot more work, said Alex Livshits, an antitrust partner at the law firm Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP.

The proposal basically forces all the disclosure of potential issues right at the front, he said.

An FTC official said the revamp is intended to help preserve agency resources and cut down on the need to ask for more documents or information during the first 30 days. The US agencies consulted with other jurisdictions, including the European Union, the UK and Canada, to see what information they require about deals up front, said the person, who wasnt authorized to speak on the record.

The US agencies dont believe that the new form will change the number of deals that draw in-depth probes, said the official. But they anticipate the beefed-up form may lead to fewer so-called pull-and-refiles, the person said, referring to a commonly used technique where companies withdraw their paperwork and submit a second time to give the FTC or DOJ an additional 30 days to decide whether to pursue a longer review.

Earlier this year, the agencies moved to a graduated fee system with the smallest deals paying $30,000 for their merger reviews while the largest ones must pay $2.25 million.

Here are some highlights from the new requirements:

Deal documents:

Draft agreement or term sheet on deal (not just preliminary agreement)

Draft versions of all deal documents (not just final versions)

Documents created by or for deal team lead (not just officers and directors)

Verbatim translations of all foreign language documents (not just summaries)

Company information:

Acquisitions within the past 10 years

Details on all officers, directors and board observers

Creditors and entities that hold non-voting securities, options, or warrants totaling 10% or more

Transaction details:

Identify potential horizontal overlaps, current or planned

Narrative on strategic rationale for the transaction and diagram of deal structure

Timeline and conditions for closing

Labor market analysis including workforce categories, geographic information, details on labor or workplace safety violations

Foreign jurisdictions reviewing deal

(Updates with reaction from California and US Chamber of Commerce from 11th paragraph. A previous version of the story corrected the antitrust filing threshold.)

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Late last week, Jack Dorsey tweeted a link to Nodeless and nothing else. Although cryptic, the mention seemed like a stamp of approval for the platform from one of Bitcoins most famous backers, sparking buzzy excitement as well as some debate over the merits of the Lightning payment processor.

What is Nodeless, exactly?

In short, merchants can add the tool to their website to accept Bitcoin payments more easily. Specifically, it helps with making transactions over the Lightning Network, which offers cheaper and faster payments over Bitcoin and is widely heralded as the most likely method through which Bitcoin will go mainstream.

"Our goal is to make Bitcoin a medium of exchange by making it as easy as possible for merchants to accept Bitcoin," Nodeless's pseudonymous creator UTXO told Decrypt.

Still, using Lightning non-custodiallywithout a middleman taking control of a users fundscan be tricky for newer users.

In some ways, Nodeless's functionality is similar to OpenNode, another Lightning-based Bitcoin payments provider. But Nodeless offers one key difference: users don't have to share identifying information to begin accepting payments using the platform. In other words, it's a non-KYC (Know Your Customer) service.

Nodeless payments

Using Lightning non-custodially generally requires a user to run their own Lightning node. This can be tricky for non-technical users or users strapped for time. There are already platforms out there like Voltage or Greenlight, however, which provide a one-click solution for setting up a Lightning node, and where users don't have to maintain the node over time.

But Nodeless takes a different approach. Nodeless is "nodeless" in the sense that a merchant accepting payments doesn't have to run their own Lightning nodewhich takes time and resources to establish and run, and eats up computational resources.

There's still a node involveda node is always involved when sending a Bitcoin or Lightning payment. But instead of a user running their own node, Nodeless's node is the one passing on the payment. When a payment is sent to the merchant, it's sent to Nodeless. Nodeless then immediately sends the payment to the merchants on-chain or Lightning address.

"Technically we custody individual payments for several seconds while the payment is in transit. We believe this is a fair trade-off versus the complexities of running a lightning node," UTXO said.

So, Nodeless is technically a custodial solution in that it holds a user's funds for a minute. But it promises to give it back very quickly. Users provide a Lightning address or cold wallet storage Bitcoin address to which Nodeless will promptly forward the user's funds.

Privacy money

Some Bitcoiners expressed skepticism about this model, arguing that as the company grows, KYC requirements from governments will get more stringent. Or, since Nodeless is technically a centralized solution, governments could conceivably step in and force the company to stop transactions it doesn't like.

But UTXO thinks Nodeless can bypass these pressures.

Nodeless operates legally in Canada, where transactions under $1,000 don't require KYC identification. In the long-term, they're looking to move to El Salvador, known for its lax measures toward Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, where UTXO said "this business is welcomed with open arms."

"I also think [governments will] be more interested in the non-KYC custodians before Nodeless," UTXO said.
Investors are continuing to pour money into metaverse projects, with nearly half of this years VC investments going to the sector.

According to a new report from DappRadar, venture capital firms invested $707M into metaverse projects in the first half of 2023, accounting for 44% of all web3 investments.

The industry continues to attract significant investments this continuous funding and development hint towards an exciting future in the metaverse space, DappRadar said.

The report also predicts the growing augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) sector could provide a boost to the metaverse sector, noting that metaverse tokens SAND and MANA rose roughly 5% when Apple launched its Vision Pro headset on June 5.

Metaverse Projects Attract 44% Of 2023 Web3 Investments

However, both tokens buckled the following week after being labeled as securities by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Digital Land Bust

The markets for digital land, a key commodity in many metaverse ecosystems, started 2023 with a bang. Trade volume nearly quadrupled to $311M in Q1, marking its strongest showing since May 2022. The number of digital land sales also increased by 83%, posting a record high of 146,690.

But volumes crashed by 81% during the second quarter, with the number of trades also shrinking by three quarters.

DappRadar attributes the sharp decline in virtual land sales to the recent resurgence in memecoin speculation and renewed interest in DeFi protocols. These alternative avenues within the blockchain ecosystem became more enticing, leading to a significant decrease in virtual world trading activities, the report said.

However, much of the pullback can be attributed to the top virtual world project by trade volume, Yuga Labs Otherdeed for Otherside, with its quarterly volume plummeting to $44M from $294M amid tumultuous.

For comparison, Topia ranked second with $2.7M after a 10% drawdown, followed by The Sandbox with $2.5M despite falling 44%, and Decentraland with $679,000 following a 68% drop.

Metaverse Projects Attract 44% Of 2023 Web3 Investments

Floor prices for leading digital land projects have also posted violent drawdowns from their 2022 all-time highs. Land prices for the Sandbox and Otherside are down roughly 85%, while Decentraland crashed 95%, and Topia has cratered 99.6%.

Uneven Growth

However, Yat Siu, co-founder of Animoca Brands, told The Defiant that much of the metaverse industry continues to grow despite trade volumes recently dipping.

The metaverse is not one entity and not one system but a multitude, and this aggregation is growing in various ways, Siu said. While specific aspects of the metaverse (e.g., trade volume) may appear down, the industry is still large and growing.

Siu noted the recent emergence of Bitcoin Ordinals, which use an inscription technique to create NFT-like assets on the Bitcoin blockchain.

Last week, Animoca announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Mitsui, a Japanese trading firm founded in 1947 with $115B in total assets, for promoting the metaverse and web3 in Japan.

In April, Japans government outlined plans for a national strategy intended to position itself as a leading jurisdiction for web3.

Identity Solutions To Bolster GameFi

Gabby Dizon, the co-founder of web3 gaming collective Yield Guild Games, told The Defiant that web3 identity solutions would underpin a resurgence in growth in the metaverse and GameFI sectors.

Having blockchain-based identity and reputation solutions will be critical for anyone looking to build a future for themselves in the open Metaverse, he said.

Dizon said YGG is working on NFT-based identity solutions that track a user's contributions and accomplishments within the guild.

This is really important because, in things like yield farming, we didnt really segregate between useful people or people who were just there to extract money, Dizon said. While there are many projects solving for asset liquidity in web3, there are very few solving for reputational liquidity, and YGG believes this is the key to unlocking a user-owned internet.
Officials for Mexico City-based Traxion said the acquisition of BBA Logistics is part of a plan to offer door-to-door cargo transportation services across the U.S. (Photo: Traxion)

Mexico-based transporter Traxion has acquired Las Vegas-based BBA Logistics for $10 million.

Traxion officials said the acquisition is part of a plan to offer door-to-door cargo brokerage services in the U.S. as freight volumes from Mexico to the United States continue to rise because of nearshoring of manufacturing plants to the country.

With this acquisition, Traxion moves forward with its expansion plans into the United States, particularly in domestic and cross-border cargo services, Aby Lijtszain, Traxions founder and president, said in a news release. With the integration of BBA Logistics, Traxion strengthens its strategic position to continue to capitalize opportunities brought by the nearshoring phenomenon.

BBA Logistics is an asset-light, cross-border, door-to-door logistics brokerage founded in 2018 by Jose Balderrama.

We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement to be a part of Traxion, a leading company in the market, officials for BBA Logistics said in a statement. This transaction represents a great opportunity for our company and our clients, as it will allow us to expand our services and improve our ability to meet their needs.

BBA Logistics offers cross-dock, transloading, storage and other logistics services for clients. In addition to Las Vegas, it has facilities in Nogales, Arizona; Los Mochis, Mexico; and Mexico City.

BBA Logistics handles more than 15,000 annual shipments in the U.S. and Mexico, including dry van, refrigerated and flatbed freight.

In a statement sent to the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV), publicly traded Traxion said BBA Logistics is expected to generate revenues of approximately $22 million a year.

Traxion officials also expect commercial synergies between BBA Logistics and Traxporta, the companys digital brokerage app for domestic cargo.

Traxion, founded in 2011, is one of the countrys largest transportation and logistics companies, with 9,974 power units and 21,000 employees. The company has more than 1,000 clients and operates about 7 million square feet of warehouse space across Mexico.

In September, Traxion also acquired V-Modal, a railway logistics firm, for about $6 million. That boosts Traxions rail coverage in Mexico and expands its service capabilities to the U.S. and Canada, the company said in a news release.

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The post Mexico-based mega carrier acquires US logistics firm for $10M appeared first on FreightWaves.
Etihad Airways, the UAE national carrier, and Chinas SF Airlines have signed an agreement to strengthen ties and further cooperation to increase cargo capacity between China and the rest of the world via Etihad Cargo's hub in Abu Dhabi.



In April 2023, Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, and SF Airlines signed a reciprocal capacity agreement to connect their respective networks. The new partnership saw the launch of two weekly freighter services between Abu Dhabi Airport and Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the Hubei Province of China and added a fourth Chinese gateway destination to Etihad Cargo's expanding global network.



The new flights have given Etihad Cargo's partners and customers greater accessibility to 25 domestic Chinese destinations, including Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Nanjing.



SF Airlines, via the agreement, has expanded its Middle Eastern footprint and benefits from Etihad Cargo's global network for its express product, supporting the airline's vision of growing its parcel delivery capabilities around the world.



The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) expands the cooperation between the two airlines and strengthens their commitment to exploring additional opportunities to achieve mutual growth and expand their respective networks via the Abu Dhabi and Wuhan mega-hubs. Future plans include expanding cooperated flights to Ezhou Huahu Airport, China's first cargo-focused airport. This move would make Etihad Airways the first international airline other than SF Airlines to operate flights to the airport.



Under the new agreement, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will review the schedule of services between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan with a view to increasing frequencies, thereby ensuring the airlines can meet increasing capacity demands from customers and partners in the UAE, China and around the world.



Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "As the national carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways is committed to supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a global logistics and express hub. The agreement between Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will contribute to achieving the emirate's ambitious strategic plans.



It was a pleasure to welcome such prominent visitors from SF Airlines' leadership to the country's capital. Etihad Cargo looks forward to expanding the agreement between the two airlines to not only benefit the partners and customers of both airlines but also broaden the strong ties between the UAE and China."



Li Sheng, Vice President of SF Group, Chairman of SF Airlines, said: "Working with Etihad Airways has been a significant milestone and achieved fruitful results. The elevation of two companies ties to a strategic partnership. By expanding this cooperation between SF Airlines and Etihad Airways, we will continue strongly supporting and improving both parties service capabilities, and provide global consumers with more convenient and reliable services."



While in Abu Dhabi, the SF Airlines' delegation visited Abu Dhabi Airport's new state-of-the-art terminal. Representatives from SF Airlines also visited the Etihad Aviation Training Centre and Etihad Engineering's facilities.  TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- Mizuho Financial Group Inc. is giving all its Japan bank employees access to Microsoft Corp.s Azure OpenAI service this week, making it one of the countrys first financial firms to adopt the potentially transformative generative artificial intelligence technology.

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The banking giant will allow 45,000 workers at its core lending units in the country to test out the service, according to Toshitake Ushiwatari, general manager of Japans third largest banks digital planning department. Already, managers and rank-and-file employees are submitting dozens of pitches for ways to harness the technology even before the software is installed.

There are many staff who are embracing ChatGPT in their private lives, Ushiwatari said in an interview. Its like poking a beehive, he said, referring to the enthusiastic response the firms move has sparked. They think it will completely re-set the world, triggering disruptive innovation.

The developments at Mizuho and its peers come as Wall Street grapples with the unfolding AI revolution and its impact. Within global banks, some have clamped down on ChatGPT for employees, even as they use AI for business purposes such as scanning wealthy client portfolios and screening for potential defaulters. Japanese financial firms, by contrast, appear to be adopting a more permissive stance internally.

Ushiwataris team plans to hold a so-called ideathon within the firm in Japan as early as next month and is brainstorming various ways to encourage employees to experiment with the technology. The tool will be introduced to its brokerage unit in the country next month, he said.

So far, one of the ideas being floated is to use generative AI  in which AI models analyze volumes of data and use it to generate new images, texts, audio and video  as a one-stop reference point for the banks vast trove of internal rules, processes and other manuals.

Ushiwatari has a rare background for a career-long banker. He went to one of Japans most prestigious science schools, Tokyo Institute of Technology, because he wanted to become a rocket scientist. But he switched career ambitions, joining what is todays Mizuho and has stayed for nearly three decades.

He said he is well aware of the risks of generative AI and the bank is introducing guidelines when it rolls out the technology to employees, such as information management, intellectual property and ethics.

Still, generative AI is something that will lift society and the bank cannot shy away from, according to Ushiwatari. This is something we have to do, otherwise, we get left behind, he said.

--With assistance from Takaaki Iwabu.

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Nancy Pelosi's husband just snapped up $2.6 million of Apple and Microsoft stock, closing out an options bet that the shares would soar

United States Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi, attend a Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul lead by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica in June. Stefano Costantino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi's husband exercised roughly $2.6 million worth of Apple and Microsoft stock options this month.

Paul Pelosi bought 5,000 shares of both Apple and Microsoft stocks on June 15, exercising 50 call options.

Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly said her husband's investments have nothing to do with her political knowledge.

Nancy Pelosi's husband exercised roughly $2.6 million worth of Apple and Microsoft stock options this month, according to a regulatory disclosure Thursday.

The transactions on the filing, marked with "SP" for spouse, indicate that Paul Pelosi bought 5,000 shares of both Apple and Microsoft stocks on June 15, exercising 50 call options purchased on May 24, 2022, with a listed expiration date of June 16.

The Apple options had a strike price of $80, and the Microsoft options had a strike price of $180. On Friday, those shares closed at $186.68 and $335.02, respectively, totalling about $933,000 and $1.7 million.

Since the options were purchased last May, Apple shares have gained 33%, and Microsoft has climbed 29%. The upside from the strike price is even higher, at 131% and 83%, respectively.

First highlighted by Quiver Quantitative and Unusual Whales, the disclosure comes after Congress failed to make progress on new legislation around lawmakers and their relatives trading stocks.

Earlier this year, Insider and several other news organizations identified 78 members of Congress who didn't properly report their financial trades as mandated by the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, also known as the STOCK Act.

Congress passed the law a decade ago to combat insider trading and conflicts of interest. But many lawmakers have not fully complied with reporting requirements, leading to calls for a complete ban on trading individual stocks among members of Congress.

Legislation on such a ban advanced last year, but the bill ultimately died.

Meanwhile, Paul Pelosi has faced backlash over stock trades that seem to coincide with legislation in the technology sector.

For example, in July 2021, he pocketed a $4.8 million gain in a Alphabet stock trade the week before the House Judiciary Committee advanced bipartisan antitrust bills targeting Google, Apple, and Amazon.

However, Nancy Pelosi has said repeatedly that her financier husband's trades have nothing to do with her political knowledge.

OpenSecrets estimated that Pelosi has a net worth of $114.6 million.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Dutch e-commerce investor Prosus NV and its controlling shareholder Naspers Ltd. shares gained after winning approval from South African regulators to unwind their complex ownership structure.

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In an unusual arrangement, for nearly two years Amsterdam-based Prosus has owned nearly half of its Cape Town-headquartered parent company Naspers. The South African Reserve Bank has now green-lit a transaction that will allow Naspers to buy back more of its shares and work to undo that structure, the companies said in a statement.

At the heart of the so-called cross-holding is the fact that Naspers owns more than a quarter of the Chinese Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd., whose market capitalization skyrocketed to nearly $1 trillion in early 2021. This massive stake pushed Naspers weighting on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to 23%, causing problems for local fund managers who faced caps on trading it.

In response, management arranged for Prosus to own a chunk of its parent in order to transfer some of its economic interest to the larger Dutch market. Since then, Nasperss size relative to the South African bourse has dropped, as has Tencents market value. Meanwhile, Prosus has been cutting its stake in Tencent, and the proceeds have been used to fund share buybacks for it and its parent.

Removing the cross-holding now does not unwind the benefits of what we did in 2021, Prosus Chief Financial Officer Basil Sgourdos said in an interview.

Naspers shares were up 8.1% in Johannesburg, while Prosus rose 5.2% in Amsterdam. Tencent shares gained 2.6%.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says:

Naspers and Prosus decision to unwind the unnecessarily complex and ineffective cross-shareholding is welcome, but only reverses a bad move the same management made in 2021. The new structure will still look very much like a holding company for the Tencent stake, with a relatively small set of other investments on the side. A more aggressive move to distribute this stake looks unlikely given current management.

 John Davies, BI telecom and media analyst

The regulators permissions will allow Prosus to be diluted out of its shareholding of Naspers, while Naspers will retain control over Prosus and a 43% direct economic interest in the company, Prosus Chief Executive Officer Bob van Dijk said in an interview.

The open-ended buyback created about $30 billion in value to date, Van Dijk said in an interview. However, we were going to run into limitations, and by removing the cross-holding we will be able to continue with the program.

Naspers split off Prosus in 2019 to manage the Cape Town-based companys tech holdings and the Tencent stake. When the cross-holding between the two businesses was introduced, it resulted in Prosus owning 49.95% of its parent company.

However, that move caused confusion among investors. Management is seeking to reduce the discount between Nasperss and Prosuss overall value and the value of the groups 26% stake in Tencent.

The agreement, which is subject to shareholder approval, is expected to be implemented in the third quarter.

--With assistance from Thyagaraju Adinarayan and Henry Ren.

(Updates with context throughout.)

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Regulators in Nevada are moving to shut down troubled cryptocurrency custodian Prime Trust after determining that the firm was so financially underwater that it would not be able to service customers anymore.

On Tuesday, the Nevada Financial Institutions Division submitted a filing to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas that called for a freeze on all Prime Trusts business activities. The regulator also called for the appointment of a receiver to manage the business in place of its current management. A receiver is an outside entity appointed to handle operations at an insolvent financial institution until all of its assets are sold, and claims against it are resolved.

According to the filing, the crypto custodian has fallen heavily into debt due to problems years in the making.

The Nevada regulator alleges that in January 2021, Prime Trust began reintroducing "legacy wallets" to customers after it moved its systems to digital asset security platform Fireblocks two years earlier. However, by December 2021, Prime learned that it could not access these wallets and the cryptocurrencies they held. From then until March 2022, FID said the company began buying digital assets using customer funds to meet withdrawal demands from clients.

BitGo Cancels Prime Trust Acquisition, Users Report Frozen Withdrawals

As a crypto custodian, Prime Trust's core business revolved around safeguarding clients funds and assets. Investment activities are usually handled on behalf of customers.

What FID found was that Prime owed massive debts in fiat and crypto currencies to clients. In total, the regulator said that Prime Trust owed more than $85 million in fiat with only about $2.9 million on hand. In terms of cryptocurrencies, Prime Trust owed about $69.5 million with a little over $68.6 million available to it.

This situation was not deemed sustainable by the regulator. According to FID, Prime Trust is in an "unsafe financial condition and/or is insolvent." It added that the company's position will likely worsen as more customers continue to withdraw their funds. For this reason, the FID requested Prime Trust be placed in a receivership.

Prime Trust did not immediately return Decrypts request for a comment.

Prime Trust Partner Banq Files for Bankruptcy Following BitGo Deal

This move follows a cascade of bad news for the lender. On June 14, a Prime-owned subsidiary, Banq, filed for bankruptcy in Nevada following allegations of mismanagement and legal woes.

Two days later on June 16, another blow came when crypto investment company Abra was hit with a cease and desist order from Texas regulators, and accusations of securities fraud. Prime Trust acted as the main custodian from Abra, who is said to have had $49 million in assets under management (AUM) as of May.

Last week, FID precipitated its move to wind down the company by issuing it a cease and desist letter on June 21, prompting a pause in customer withdrawals.

Shortly after this, rival custodian BitGo announced that it was walking away from acquisition talks that began only two weeks earlier on June 8. The company did not specify the reason for ending talks in a brief tweet, but said the decision was "not made lightly.
Americans are flooding into Florida expecting 'paradise'  but they're not thinking about this one hidden cost that's only been getting worse

Americans are flooding into Florida expecting 'paradise'  but they're not thinking about this one hidden cost that's only been getting worse

Florida has long been a go-to destination for sunshine seekers, retirees and tax-savvy Americans.

It was the fastest-growing state in 2022, with people flocking there for the warm climate, tax advantages, job opportunities and retirement amenities.

But its not always sunny in the Sunshine State. Theres one aspect to the cost to living in Florida that has cast a cloud over the states many benefits  the high price of home insurance.

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Florida homeowners are paying an average premium of $4,231 per year for insurance, compared to the U.S. average of $1,544, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I)  and the costs seem to be increasing.

I moved here in 2018; the insurance doubled by 2020, Inda Stagg of St. Petersburg, Fla,, recently told ABC Action News.

She says insurance for her 1,100-square-foot home went from around $3,000 to $6,000 per year and that last year she was informed it would go up to nearly $13,000, before she switched providers.

I have nightmares, nightmares, about the insurance here, Stagg said.

People thought they were moving to paradise and now they can't even afford to pay for home insurance, one person commented on ABCs coverage of the states insurance crisis on YouTube. It's a financial nightmare.

Heres why home insurance is such a pain point in the Sunshine State.

Hurricanes, storms and flooding

Floridas insurance crisis is down to both natural and man-made causes.

More than three-quarters of Floridians live in areas near the two coastlines, which are acutely vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and other natural disasters  all of which are contributing to the insurance crisis.

For instance, three major hurricanes have devastated parts of Florida in recent years  Irma in 2017, Michael in 2018 and Ian in 2022  causing billions of dollars worth of damage and a surge of costly home insurance claims.

The challenge that insurers have faced is that, until very recently, Florida policyholders could take up to three years to file a claim. This led to a phenomenon known as loss creep, where claims costs have increased over time, often beyond the insurance companys initial expectations.

Insurance companies estimate claims costs to help set their premiums. If the actual claims in a given year turn out to be much higher than the estimates due to loss creep, insurers could suffer financial losses, which they try to recoup by raising their premiums.

This difficult dynamic has proven too much for some Florida home insurers. Seven property insurance companies have gone bust since the beginning of 2022.

In February, Farmers Insurance became the latest to announce it would no longer write new property insurance policies in the state, citing historically high catastrophe costs as a main driver.

Housing prices are increasing, and inventory supply and demand, lumber prices and costs of labor are contributing to the increase, the insurer wrote in a memo sent to Farmers agents and obtained by News 6. These issues also are increasing the costs of claims, which in turn drives down profitability.

Read more: Worried about the economy? Here are the best shock-proof assets for your portfolio. (Theyre all outside of the stock market.)

Man-made catastrophe

Extreme weather challenges have been exacerbated by man-made problems  namely, fraudulent roof replacement schemes and excessive insurance litigation.

Florida is said to account for 79% of all homeowners insurance lawsuits over claims filed nationwide  yet Floridas insurers receive only 9% of all U.S. homeowners insurance claims, according to the Florida governors Office.

Many of those lawsuits revolve around roofing scams, insurers say, where contractors allegedly file fraudulent insurance claims for storm-related roof damages on behalf of unsuspecting homeowners. The contractors then sue insurance companies if they dispute those bogus claims, at which point it would often become cheaper for the insurers to settle.

In 2022, JD Supra, citing the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, reported that $51 billion had been paid out by Florida insurers over the previous decade, and 71% of that total went to attorneys fees and public adjusters  highlighting the true extent of the litigation problem.

To combat that, home insurers have hiked their prices about 57% since 2015, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions via the Miami Herald, which is nearly triple the national average of 21%.

Citizens Property Insurance is the state-backed insurer of last resort for Floridians unable to get home insurance through the private market because their risk is deemed too high. The number of Floridians using Citizens has doubled in two years from about 610,000 to over 1.3 million.

Citizens announced it would be seeking average rate increases of 13.1% in 2023  meaning that homeowners in the Sunshine State today could face double-digit price hikes in the next year.

The impact on real estate

Some people might be wondering how these insurance challenges might impact their real estate investments in the state.

You are not legally obligated to buy home insurance in Florida, but any third parties with a financial interest in your home  such as mortgage or home equity loan lenders  will require you to have insurance (no matter how expensive it is) because they want to protect their investment.

Much of Florida just basically became worthless, one fed-up YouTube user mused after suggesting that people wont be able to sell homes that are difficult to insure.

As high mortgage rates and insurance premiums erode affordability in the Sunshine State, some Americans may want to consider a new haven to live out their golden years.

What to read next

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate  without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

'It's going to be ugly': This CEO issued a dire warning about U.S. real estate, saying areas will be 'destroyed'  but he still likes 1 niche. What it is, and more smart ways to invest

Owning real estate for passive income is one of the biggest myths in investing  but here is 1 simple way to really make it work

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
North Sea windfall tax will raise up to 60pc less than planned

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the House of Commons

The Governments windfall tax on oil and gas companies will raise as much as 60pc less than expected after a sharp drop in energy prices.

Income from the so-called energy profits levy is now predicted to be just 16bn in the years up to 2028, down from an original forecast of 41.6bn, according to analysts.

It comes as tumbling oil and gas prices return the profits of energy companies to more normal levels, meaning there is less of a windfall to tax.

The drop in income from the tax will be cushioned by a simultaneous fall in the cost of the Governments support for household energy bills, a Whitehall source said on Tuesday.

The windfall tax was originally imposed by Rishi Sunak last year and was then extended to 2028 by Jeremy Hunt, when he took over as Chancellor, in November.

It took the headline rate of tax paid by oil and gas companies on their UK operations to 75pc.

At the time, the Treasury predicted the tax would raise almost 42bn.

However, with gas and oil prices now well below the peaks they reached last year, the expected income from the levy has fallen sharply.

A previous official estimate in March by the Office for Budget Responsibility said the levy was now expected to raise 26bn, a 40pc drop from the original forecast.

Analysts at WoodMackenzie said that could drop even further to just 16bn, a 60pc fall, in research published last month.

Natural gas spot prices in the UK have fallen from a peak of 640p per therm last August to about 80p per therm today, while Brent crude oil futures have fallen from a peak of $119 per barrel to $74 per barrel today.

Graham Kellas, Wood Mackenzies head of fiscal research, claimed the windfall tax was badly designed and had ended up hurting the sector.

He told the Financial Times: The Governments prediction of how much they get over the entire period of the windfall tax is going to be much less, whereas the money that theyve spent  that these taxes were designed to cover  has already largely gone out the door.

The Treasury insisted it was right that we recover excess profits resulting from Vladimir Putins war and use the money to help families facing cost of living pressures.

Updated forecasts are expected at the next fiscal event, most likely the Chancellors next Autumn Statement.

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LONDON, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Northstar Travel Group, the leading B-to-B information, events and marketing solutions company in the travel industry, announces the launch of a major hosted buyer led tradeshow for the Asia Pacific meetings industry.

SINGAPORE - MAR 6, 2020: Marina Bay Sands and ArtScience Museum in Singapore after sunset

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific (www.themeetingsshow-apac.com), supported by Singapore Tourism Board, will take place from 17-18 April 2024 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, welcoming global exhibitors and an audience of pre-qualified and hosted buyers.

Singapore is a Global-Asia node for MICE and business. As a gateway to the fast-growing Asia Pacific region and home to a vibrant business community, Singapore was chosen as the host destination for the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific, offering access to new partnerships and business ideas.

Featuring Asian and international destinations, venues, hotels and other key suppliers, the event will be supported by an exclusive hosted buyer programme, bringing senior meetings, conventions, events and incentives buyers to a bustling tradeshow floor. A unique prescheduled meetings platform will provide an intimate platform to do business, as well as a conference providing a thought-provoking education programme and a series of high-quality networking events.

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific is an extension of the long standing 'The Meetings Show' brand, which takes place annually in London, and will further complement Northstar Meetings Group's global portfolio of media, events, information & marketing solutions.

Jason Young, CEO, Northstar Travel Group, said: "With our continued commitment to greater serve the APAC region, our depth of industry knowledge and the experienced meetings professionals who work in our UK, Singapore and US offices, it became apparent there was an opportunity to bring our world class experiences to the Asia Pacific meetings market under the established and successful brand of The Meetings Show."

Commenting on the launch, Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "We are pleased to welcome the debut of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific in Singapore, an ideal platform for global MICE businesses to network, forge new relations and grow their businesses. The choice of Singapore as host affirms our position as the preferred destination for MICE events here in the region. We look forward to welcoming The Meetings Show Asia Pacific participants to Singapore in 2024."

The Meetings Show Asia Pacific will add to the Northstar Meetings Group's leading brands, which include: Meetings & Conventions (M&C), M&C Asia, Successful Meetings, Incentive, Association Meetings International (AMI), Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT), SportsTravel, as well as 22 hosted buyer events including: The Meetings Show, SMU International, M&C/Asia Connections, the Global Incentive Summit, the TEAMS Conference and Expo, TEAMS Europe and the Esports Travel Summit, to name a few.

For more information visit www.themeetingsshow-apac.com.

Notes to Editors

About Northstar Travel Group

Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.2m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstarttravelgroup.com

About EagleTree Capital

EagleTree Capital is a leading New York-based middle-market private equity firm that has completed over 40 private equity investments and over 90 add-on transactions over the past 20+ years. EagleTree primarily invests in North America in the following sectors: media and business services, consumer, and water and specialty industrial. For more information, visit www.eagletree.com or find EagleTree on LinkedIn

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By Ahmad Ghaddar

LONDON (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman earlier this month outlined one of the biggest reforms at OPEC in recent years and presented it as a reward for countries that invest in their oil industry.

The change clears the way for giving larger production quotas to OPEC Gulf members such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait at the expense of African nations such as Nigeria and Angola.

Production quotas and baselines, from which production cuts are calculated, have been a sensitive subject within OPEC for decades as most producers want a higher quota so they can earn more from oil exports.

The shake-up is likely to become more extreme in the next few years as Middle Eastern state oil majors ramp up investments while production falls in African nations that have struggled to attract foreign investment.

Gulf producers, the holders of the little spare capacity in the global oil market, have long dominated OPEC.

Their power and influence has already increased in the last 15 years with their rising capacity, while African production has fallen as foreign investments have shrunk.

Unlike Gulf producers, African producers rely heavily on investment from international oil companies. Those companies have shunned Africa in recent years in favour of investment in the U.S. shale patch and in prolific giant oilfields elsewhere such as offshore Brazil and Guyana.

In May, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait's share of total OPEC production was over 10% higher than it was 15 years ago at 55%, according to OPEC production figures. Nigeria and Angola's total share over the same period has shrunk by over 3% to below 9%.

For Nigeria, "capacity continues to be restricted by operational and security issues, combined with low investment levels, leading to decline," analysts at consultancy Wood Mackenzie said.

New field developments and recent discoveries in Angola will not be enough to stem long term capacity declines, they added.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have plans in place to significantly boost their production capacity to 13 million bpd and 5 million bpd, respectively, by 2027 from current levels of about 12 and 4 million.

Fellow Gulf producer Kuwait on June 18 said it would boost its production capacity by 200,000 bpd by 2025 to reach 3 million bpd.

Capacity additions from the three Gulf countries over the 2020-2025 period total a combined 1.2 million bpd, double the capacity that Nigeria and Angola are projected to lose over the same period, Reuters calculations find.

The two West African countries have lost nearly a quarter of their production capacity since 2019 as a result of underinvestment and security issues.

QUOTA OVERHAUL

At its June 4 meeting, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, led by Russia, (OPEC+) overhauled production quotas for the majority of its members.

"In the final analysis what this agreement will achieve for all of us is that those who invest, not this year, but the years to come, '24 and '25 and moving forward, there will be a recognition for their investment," Prince Abdulaziz said.

One OPEC+ source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the overhaul was needed to create a fairer system that better reflects the reality of member countries' production capacity.

While the majority of members of OPEC+ got a lower production target, the UAE's was higher.

Richard Bronze, Head of Geopolitics at Energy Aspects, said one of the reasons behind the change was to address OPEC's previous credibility issues when policy changes were not necessarily reflected on oil markets.

"It meant that the actual supply increase or decrease resulting for a quota change would be far smaller than the announced figure, fuelling doubts in the market about the ability of the group to manage market fundamentals," he said.

(Reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Geoffrey Swaine / Shutterstock.com

Although Costco hasnt raised its membership prices in years, chances are good that a hike is coming at some point in 2023. Analyzing past cost increases and recent corporate statements on the subject, enrollment fees will certainly go up  but when that will happen is up for speculation.

I Work at Costco: Here Are 12 Insider Secrets You Should Know

Find: Costco Prices Are Dropping Faster Than Inflation  Expect Savings Up To 25% on These Items

Costco averages a price increase every five years and seven months, according to Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti. This would have put Costco on track for a price hike sometime in January. As Eat This, Not That! reported, UBS Equity Research Analyst Michael Lasser expected one to be announced in the spring.

No news is good news in this case, but with spring already come and gone, analysts and pundits are looking for the membership-only retail giant to announce its next membership fee boost in September (or at its next earnings report at the beginning of October).

Overdue or not, Galanti and Costco havent felt hurried to set a date. Speaking during a December 2022 earnings report, Galanti was resolute that the company will need to implement a cost upgrade, but is comfortable waiting until the time is right.

Its a question of when, not if, he said. Theres no analytical framework we use other than we feel very good about our member loyalty and our strength. And if we wanted to do it yesterday, we could. If we want to do it six months from now, we can. So, well wait and see.

As CNBCs Make It pointed out, Costco last increased its memberships prices in June 2017, raising its everyday value Gold Star membership by $5 from $55 to $60 per year (plus applicable taxes) and its 2% annual reward Executive membership to $120 a year from $110.

Granted, a potential $5 hike isnt exactly a bank-breaker, but with the cost of goods and services still a tad too uncomfortable for most Americans, every dollar counts for Costcos 124.7 million cardholders.

For those unable to afford a Costco membership, a cost hike will place them further away from their wholesale shopping goals. For those on the fence about joining Costco, maybe now is the time to go for it.

During its most recent earnings call in May, Galanti remained consistently silent on an actual timeframe for membership price hikes, doubling down on being purposefully coy on when that might be.

New Costco Member? 5 Expert Tips To Get the Most From Your Bulk-Buying Budget

Explore: 5 Best Value Kirkland Brand Products To Buy at Costco

And at some point, we will [raise fees], but our view right now is that weve got enough levers out there to drive business, and we feel that its incumbent upon us to be that beacon of light to our members in terms of holding [fees] for right now, he said.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: If Pattern Persists, Costco Could Raise Membership Fees by $5 in September
Lufthansa Industry Solutions (LHIND), one of the leading IT consulting companies in Germany, is supporting the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany (BARIG) and its members as new business partner.



LHIND is an independent company within the Lufthansa Group and focusesbesides the industry, logistics, and automotive sectoron aviation as well.



We are very delighted to welcome Lufthansa Industry Solutions as another future-oriented business partner with great international orientation and experience. With its comprehensive, innovative, digital know-how, LHIND accompanies airlines, airports, and the industry in significant renewal and modernization projects, Michael Hoppe, BARIG Chairman and Executive Director, states.



The field of AI, in particular, offers airlines a number of opportunities to improve processes and make them much more cost-efficient. In air freight, for instance, AI can be used to optimize flight routes or loading of aircraft. In passenger traffic, AI can help create forecasts, evaluate customer feedback, and improve passenger services.



The roots of our company lie in international aviation. Accordingly, we are still one of the few proven specialists who can offer this industry profound, customized consulting services and products such as myIDTravel, myDutyTrip, or myIDgo, Volker Weller, Vice President Staff Travel Solutions at LHIND explained.



An international clientele with customers from Germany, Switzerland, the USA, and numerous other countries rely on LHINDs services. The business partnership with BARIG gives us the opportunity to have a constructive and future-oriented exchange with airline representatives from all over the world, which we are very much looking forward to.  TradeArabia News Service
(Bloomberg) -- Peruvian authorities are working on a plan to maintain the presence of soldiers along a road used to transport minerals to avoid disruptions to some of the worlds top copper mines.

Most Read from Bloomberg

We have a plan to keep the armed forces close, Energy and Mines Minister Oscar Vera said in an interview on Tuesday. We are coordinating so they can stay, which is important.

The highway, known as the mining corridor, is used by MMG Ltd.s Las Bambas, Glencore Plcs Antapaccay and Hudbay Minerals Inc.s Constancia to transport semi-processed copper to a seaport.

The road has been the site of multiple blockades, with Las Bambas a particular focus, including as recently as this year. Indigenous communities often stage protests to push for greater economic benefits for local populations. Such disruptions delay shipments to smelters in China and elsewhere.

Vera said the army would stay along the road to work on infrastructure projects, alongside communities. For now, a state of emergency allows for a military presence, although that status will expire soon.

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The award was presented to Pineapple Financial for developing, harnessing and utilizing technology and digital solutions to elevate its business.



TORONTO, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pineapple Financial Inc. (PAPL: Reserved), the tech-focussed mortgage brokerage with an integrated network of partner brokerages and agents across Canada, is proud to announce that they won the Award for Digital Innovation in a Brokerage at the Canadian Mortgage Awards . The award recognizes Pineapple's commitment to technology and digital innovation in the mortgage industry. Pineapple arms its brokers with the right tools and technology to create efficiency in its business and a seamless customer experience for its clients.

Pineapple Financial Inc. (CNW Group/Pineapple Financial Inc.)

"At Pineapple Financial, we pride ourselves in thinking differently and approaching human challenges from a unique and fresh perspective," said Kendall Marin, Co-Founder, President, and COO of Pineapple Financial Inc. "This award and all we have achieved to date would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our Technology Team. The mortgage industry has evolved more in the past five years than in the previous five decades, and Pineapple is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution."

Pineapple utilizes cloud-based applications and data-driven systems enabling its mortgage brokers to help Canadians realize their ultimate dream of home ownership. With a focus on solving broker and client challenges through technology, Pineapple is revolutionizing the Canadian Mortgage industry.

About Pineapple

Pineapple is a leader in the Canadian mortgage industry, breaking the mold by focusing on both the long-term success of agents and brokerages and the overall experience of homeowners. With approximately 700 brokers within the network, Pineapple utilizes cutting-edge cloud-based tools and AI-driven systems to enable its brokers to help Canadians realize their ultimate dream of owning a home. Pineapple is active within the community, and proud to sponsor cancer charities across Canada, where proceeds from every transaction go to improving the lives of fellow Canadians touched by cancer. Visit www.gopineapple.com for more information.

About the Canadian Mortgage Awards

For 17 years now, the annual Canadian Mortgage Awards (CMAs) have been recognized as the leading independent awards program in the mortgage industry. The awards showcase the leading brokers, brokerages, lenders, BDMs, underwriters and service providers for their outstanding achievements, best practices and leadership in the mortgage business over the past 12 months. The CMAs are presented by CMP, the resources of choice for the country's most forward-thinking mortgage professionals

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @pineapplemortgage @empoweredbypineapple

Facebook: Pineapple Mortgage

LinkedIn: Pineapple Mortgage

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(Bloomberg) -- Sign up to receive the Balance of Power newsletter in your inbox, and follow Bloomberg Politics on Twitter and Facebook for more.

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President Vladimir Putin condemned leaders of the Wagner mercenary group as traitors to Russia in a late-night speech to the nation, his first public comments since the weekend mutiny that posed the most serious threat to his nearly quarter-century rule.

The organizers of the rebellion betrayed their country and their people, and betrayed those who were dragged into the crime, Putin said, without mentioning Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin by name. Their actions were criminal in nature, aimed at polarizing people and weakening the country.

Putin spoke hours after Prigozhin denied that his march on the capital was a coup attempt and said hed keep his mercenary company going despite official efforts to shut it down. The monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported Tuesday that the mercenary chiefs business jet landed at Belaruss Machulishchi military airbase, though it was not immediately clear if Prigozhin himself was aboard.

Putins comments were the first since a TV address early Saturday when he threatened harsh punishment that never transpired. He said little to clarify the mystery around the weekends events or the fate of Prigozhin, who the Kremlin said had agreed to go to Belarus and avoid prosecution as part of the deal to pull his forces from the capital.

The only news from Putins speech is that Prigozhin was allowed to go to Belarus not alone, but with his comrades, Tatyana Stanovaya, founder of R.Politik, a political consultant, wrote in a Telegram post. That will be a separate intrigue.

The rapid chain of events has left the US, Europe and China puzzling over the political fallout from a rebellion that shattered Putins invincible image as Russias leader and spiraled into the greatest threat to his nearly quarter-century rule. The crisis highlighted bitter divisions within Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine thats the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to try to push Putins forces out of occupied territories.

While excoriating Wagners leaders, Putin said the groups fighters were patriots whod been used without their knowledge. He said they could join the regular military, go home or relocate to Belarus. The promise I made will be fulfilled, he said.

It wasnt clear what that meant for Prigozhin himself, however. State media reported earlier Monday that the criminal case against him opened at the start of the crisis still hasnt been closed.

What Is Russias Wagner Group and Why Was It Accused of Mutiny?

Prigozhin has accused the Defense Ministry of seeking to destroy Wagner with an order requiring his fighters sign up with the military by July 1. He said Monday that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who negotiated to end the revolt, had offered to allow Wagner to continue operating in his country.

Belarus may turn out to be a trap, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Lukashenko, who is economically and politically beholden to Putin, has shown he is capable of turning over Wagner personnel at Moscows request, analysts at wrote.

Putins speech showed the Kremlin is moving ahead with the plan to integrate Wagner forces and will still need them for the war in Ukraine, as well as other international operations, according to the Washington-based institute.

The president showed support for his close ally, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is the main target of Prigozhins attacks over the handling of the war against Ukraine. Just after his speech, Putin met with Shoigu and heads of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service, the Russian National Guard and the Investigative Committee, thanking them for their work in a 30-second clip broadcast on state television.

Putins Hunting Pal Is at the Center of Kremlin Caterers Mutiny

Prigozhin continued his criticism of top security officials on Monday. In an 11-minute audio message on his press services Telegram channel, he said the lightening progress of his fighters toward the capital, blockading military units along the way without significant resistance, highlighted serious problems with security on the whole territory of the country.

The mercenary chief said the march on Moscow by Wagner troops to within 200 kilometers (124 miles) of the capital on Saturday was a protest aimed at bringing to account those responsible for enormous mistakes in Russias war in Ukraine as well as to prevent the destruction of his private army by officials.

We did not have the goal of overthrowing the existing regime and the legitimately elected government, he said, stopping short of openly pledging his loyalty to Putin.

Putin Faces Historic Threat to Absolute Grip on Power in Russia

In his audio message on Monday, the mercenary chief pointedly noted the expressions of public support he said his fighters enjoyed as they marched through Russias heartland.

Though he retreated, Prigozhin is now a figure of a totally different scale, Stanovaya wrote. Putin will have to do something about this, balancing the risks of a potentially negative reaction from his followers and those who support him.

US President Joe Biden said it was still too early to determine the impact of the revolt.

Were going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekends events and the implications for Russia and Ukraine. It is still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where it is going, he said in his first public remarks on the mutiny, during a White House event on Monday.

US and NATO Werent Involved in Russia Insurrection, Biden Says

Theres an internal power struggle in Russia and we will not get involved, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters Monday as European Union foreign ministers gathered for a scheduled meeting in Luxembourg. We are seeing that Russias leadership is increasingly fighting within itself.

(Updates with Belarus jet details in third paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- President Vladimir Putin said Russia averted civil war with a deal for Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to end his armed rebellion, in a public display of support for his military leadership that the mercenary chief had sought to overthrow.

Most Read from Bloomberg

You in fact prevented a civil war, Putin told 2,500 troops assembled at a televised Kremlin ceremony Tuesday. In a difficult situation you acted clearly and coherently.

His praise of the militarys actions appeared at odds with the ease with which Prigozhin and his troops crossed 780 kilometers (485 miles) of Russias territory over 24 hours, blockading army units along the way without significant resistance.

Putin was later shown on television telling a group of soldiers that the state budget had fully financed Wagners operations. More than 276 billion rubles ($3.25 billion) went on salaries and insurance for Wagner forces in the year through May as well as on payments to its owners company for supplying food and catering for the army, he said, without mentioning Prigozhin by name.

I hope that no one stole anything, or, lets say, stole just a little in the course of this work, Putin said. But we will of course look into all this.

The president spoke after a meeting late Monday with security chiefs that included Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his close ally whos been the main target of Prigozhins attacks over the handling of the war in Ukraine.

Putins Hunting Pal Is at the Center of Kremlin Caterers Mutiny

The Federal Security Service announced earlier Tuesday that it had closed a criminal investigation into Wagner over Saturdays armed mutiny that spiraled into the biggest threat to Putins 24-year-rule. The Defense Ministry in Moscow said preparations have begun to transfer heavy weaponry from the mercenaries to units of the Russian army.

Putin had pledged to respect a deal brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for Prigozhin to end the uprising. That provided for the mercenary chief to go to Belarus and for criminal proceedings against him and his troops to be closed.

The rapid chain of events has left the US, Europe and China puzzling over the political fallout from a rebellion that shattered Putins invincible image as Russias leader. The crisis highlighted bitter divisions within Russia over the faltering war in Ukraine thats the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II, as a Ukrainian counteroffensive continues to try to push Putins forces out of occupied territories.

A private jet used by Prigozhin landed in Belarus at the Machulishchi airbase from St. Petersburg early Tuesday, according to the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group, which cited air traffic data. It wasnt immediately clear if Prigozhin was on board the aircraft and he hasnt been seen since ending the revolt.

It was very painful to see the events that happened in southern Russia, Lukashenko said at a televised meeting Tuesday with military officers in the capital, Minsk.

Prigozhin has accused the Russian Defense Ministry of seeking to destroy Wagner with an order requiring his fighters sign up with the military by July 1. He said Monday that Lukashenko had offered to allow Wagner to continue operating in his country.

The Kremlin and state media continued to tout support for Putin from world leaders. Putin and Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview with Germanys Bild that the Russian leader wont be weakened by the mutiny.

Wagners heavily-armed troops first took control of Russias southern city of Rostov-on-Don, and then rapidly moved toward Moscow virtually unopposed, reaching 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the capital before turning back.

What Is Russias Wagner Group and Why Was It Accused of Mutiny?

In an 11-minute audio message on Telegram Monday, Prigozhin said the lightening progress of his fighters highlighted serious problems with security on the whole territory of the country.

The mercenary chief also pointedly noted the expressions of public support he said his fighters enjoyed as they marched through Russias heartland.

Lukashenko said there were no heroes in the story of the mutiny and the effort to resolve the crisis. We let the situation get out of hand, he said.

(Updates with Putin comments on Wagner in fourth paragraph)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
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.

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(Bloomberg) -- The brief rebellion by Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is likely to bolster those in Washington seeking to enhance support for Ukraines war effort.

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed Prigozhin arrived in his country days after negotiating an agreement to end the mutiny, which saw Prigozhins Wagner forces come within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said his country had averted a civil war.

Latest Coverage

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All times CET:

Top General May Have Known of Prigozhin Plan, Report Says (4:05 a.m.)

A top Russian general who has been an ally of Prigozhin knew something of his plans for a rebellion, the New York Times reported, citing anonymous sources.

The newspaper said US officials were trying to determine whether the general, Sergei Surovikin, and other Russian military leaders supported Prigozhins move. The officials, according to the Times, think Prigozhin would not have acted unless he believed that he had powerful support.

Surovikin was replaced as commander of Russian forces in Ukraine in January after holding that post since October. Before that, he had been commander-in-chief of Russias aerospace forces and led operations in Syria.

Uprising Boosts Support for More US Arms to Ukraine (11:24 p.m.)

The 24-hour mutiny by mercenaries is likely to bolster those in Washington seeking to boost support for Ukraines war effort.

The failed rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhins soldiers-for-hire against Russian government forces may spur bolder commitments from other NATO countries when their leaders gather next month in Vilnius, Lithuania, according to a person familiar with the Biden administrations thinking.

Russian Rocket Strike Kills 3 in Ukraine Restaurant (10:30 p.m.)

At least three people were killed and more than 40 wounded in a Russian rocket strike that hit a restaurant in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, authorities said Tuesday, according to AFP.

Ukrainian police said Russia fired two S-300 surface-to-air missiles at the city.

The Ukrainian emergency service said on Telegram that 42 people were injured in the strike, which destroyed the popular Ria Pizza restaurant.

US Slaps New Sanctions on Wagner Companies (8:30 p.m.)

The US announced new sanctions targeting the Wagner Groups gold-mining activities in Africa as part of a bid to hamper the mercenary groups ability to fund itself.

Tuesdays action was the latest in a string of sanctions imposed on Wagner and Prigozhin by the US and its allies. A person familiar with the US stance, who asked not to be identified discussing internal deliberations, said the action had been planned well before Prigozhins forces launched the mutiny over the weekend.

Lukashenko Says He Told Prigozhin to Stop or Be Crushed (6:01 p.m.)

The Belarusian leader said he personally intervened with Putin and the founder of the Wagner mercenary group to prevent bloodshed during the weekend mutiny in Russia.

Lukashenko said he urged Putin not to kill Prigozhin and warned the Wagner chief to stop his soldiers advance or you will be crushed halfway like a bug, according to Belta.

Lukashenko Confirms Prigozhin Arrived in Belarus (3:47 p.m.)

Lukashenko said he will help Wagner mercenaries at their own expense if they decide to spend some time in Belarus, the state-run Belta new service reported. He also raised the prospect of discussing Wagner becoming a unit within Belarusian military.

While a significant part of Russian nuclear arms has already been delivered to Belarus, Lukashenko ruled out that the group would be taking part in guarding them.

The group is looking to set up some camps in Belarus, but so far they are in Luhansk in their camps, Belta cited Lukashenko as saying.

South Africa Reinforces Neutral Stance (3:30 p.m.)

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor made clear after talks with her German counterpart that the armed rebellion by Wagner group mercenaries wont alter her countrys neutral stance on Russias war on Ukraine.

My understanding is: There isnt a mutiny, there was an attempted mutiny, Pandor told reporters at a joint news conference with Annalena Baerbock in Pretoria on Tuesday. It will not affect our intention of continuing to engage with both Russia and Ukraine, she added.

Russia Fully Financed Wagner Army, Putin Says (2:38 p.m.)

The Wagner group was fully financed from the state budget through the Defense Ministry, President Putin said on state television.

In the year through May, Putin said the government spent about 276 billion rubles ($3.2 billion) on salaries and insurance for Wagner as well as on payments to its owner for food and catering supplies to the army.

Without mentioning Prigozhin by name, Putin said he hoped that no one stole anything, or, lets say, stole just a little in the course of this work. But we will of course deal with all this.

McCarthy Says Putin Looks Weaker After Rebellion (2:22 p.m.)

US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that the challenge to Putin from the Wagner group showed that he has become isolated and slow to make decisions.

In an interview Tuesday on CNBC, the California Republican said that Putin in the past would never have allowed Prigozhin to become powerful enough to mount a mutiny against the Russian government.

Prigozhin was very public for the last month or so criticizing Putin severely like nobody else has done, McCarthy said. He threatened many different ways. The Putin of old, Prigozhin would have fallen out a window or something. This would have never sustained itself.

Putin Says Russia Avoided Civil War (1:20 p.m.)

Putin hailed Russias military and paid tribute to the military pilots killed during Prigozhins mutiny after earlier calling Wagner Group members who revolted traitors.

You in fact prevented a civil war, Putin told 2,500 troops assembled at a televised Kremlin ceremony.

Pope Francis Sends Peace Envoy to Moscow (12:30 p.m.)

Pope Francis is sending an envoy to Moscow in an effort to foster what the Vatican called gestures of humanity that could eventually help end Russias war on Ukraine. Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi will visit the Russian capital on Wednesday and Thursday and Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that he would meet with the head of Russias Orthodox Church and Russian government officials.

The primary purpose of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity, that may contribute to promoting a solution to the tragic current situation, and to find ways to reach a just peace, according to a Vatican statement.

Orban Plays Down Mutiny Impact (11:45 a.m.)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the Wagner mutiny wont have any impact on the course of the war and dismissed the idea that Putin has been weakened.

If someone speculates that Putin might fail or be replaced, then they do not understand the Russian people and Russian power structures, Orban was quoted as saying by Germanys Bild newspaper in an interview.

The structures in Russia are very stable, he added. They are based on the army, the secret service, the police, so it is a different kind of country, it is a military-oriented country.

(An earlier version corrected month that Surovikin was replaced as commander.)

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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.
Samsung Beefs Up Chip Foundry Business as It Looks to Challenge TSMC

(Bloomberg) -- Samsung Electronics Co.s chip foundry business is adding production capacity and more advanced manufacturing techniques, aiming to make gains on market leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

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The South Korean company said it will introduce so-called 2-nanometer production for mobile phone parts by 2025 and expand applications. Samsung will also significantly increase output in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, and Taylor, Texas, to shore up the foundry division, which makes chips for customers on a contract basis, the company said at a presentation Tuesday in San Jose, California.

Read more: Samsung Woos US Chip Buyers With Tech Advances, Texas Focus

The worlds largest memory maker is looking to catch up with TSMC while also fending off a nascent challenge from Intel Corp., which is pushing into the foundry market. While the chip industry in general is suffering from sluggish demand for mobile and personal computer parts, the artificial intelligence boom has spurred interest in advanced processors.

Samsung shared details of its 2nm process technology, which would improve performance by 12% and power efficiency by 25% compared to its most advanced offering today, which is at 3nm.

Like other chipmakers, Samsung is looking to geographically diversify its manufacturing footprint, which is heavily concentrated in East Asia. The company, which has operated a facility in Austin for about 20 years, expects to complete the new Taylor plant this year, targeting to kick off operation in the second half of 2024.

The expansion of production lines at Pyeongtaek along with the Taylor fab will boost Samsungs capacity sevenfold by 2027 compared to 2021, the company said. In addition to current chip manufacturing sites, Samsung will expand into a new Yongin production base.

Read more: Samsung Joins Koreas $400 Billion Bid to Lead in Key Tech

The Biden administration is looking to cultivate domestic chip production with roughly $50 billion in incentives. Officials have said they will give some of the funds to companies like Samsung that are based overseas but expanding on US soil. Europe and Japan are also setting aside government money to foster the industry in those locations.

--With assistance from Vlad Savov.

(Updates with details from the company statement from fourth paragraph)

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(Bloomberg) -- Brilliant Labs, the designer of an AI-powered mixed-reality gadget, has pulled in investors including Oculus co-founder Brendan Iribe, Siri co-founder Adam Cheyer, and Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, for its seed round.

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The startups only product is a monocle-like device that retails for about a tenth of the price of Apple Inc.s Vision Pro headset but operates in the same sphere  augmenting a view of the real world with additional information and functionality. The $3 million round will help the company bring its second wearable to the market, it said in a statement Tuesday.

Singapore-based Brilliant is another example of how startups across the world are rushing to leverage generative artificial intelligence after OpenAIs ChatGPT debuted to a media firestorm in November.

The $349 device, a pocket-sized lens designed to clip onto reading glasses, has a ChatGPT extension built in, allowing users to ask it questions, build applications, read text and record video. It has one hours battery life and a charging case that carries six charges. Called the Monocle, it has been on sale since February and is a rudimentary tool that Chief Executive Officer Bobak Tavangar says can help users with their daily tasks.

When dealing with a flat tire, for example, it can help a driver call for help, choose the right tools, take photos, and follow step-by-step instructions on how to swap it out. The company is looking for developers to build additional functionality for the product. Its described as a rapid prototyping tool for anyone looking to build AR applications  which Apples incoming Vision Pro has sparked renewed interest in.

Open-sourced devices that interface with cloud-based AI  thats like your intelligent passport to the world around you, said CEO and co-founder Tavangar in an interview in Singapore. We dont think you need to spend billions and an army of humans building out an over-engineered device.

The firm is venturing into a space that has yet to produce a big winner: Alphabet Inc.s Google Glass and Snap Inc.s funky Spectacles are the biggest highlights from an AR boom that failed to sustain momentum years ago.

When it comes to how we interact with each other in the digital world, its a bit of a mess, said Tavangar, who used to work at Apple. We will never have a business model that sells the customers intimate data to someone else.

Founded in 2019 by Raj Nakarja, Ben Heald and Tavangar, Brilliant Labs is working on a thinner, lighter device that looks like a pair of regular glasses and will be available in a few months, said Tavangar.

In the US, a group of Stanford students have developed an application for the device named RizzGPT, using GPT-4 and Whisper to generate responses that help users flirt and ace interviews.

Brilliant Labs will always make devices that help people be more productive, said Tavangar. And I think AI will play a more important role in that.

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(Bloomberg) -- South Africas rail bottlenecks are getting worse, with the country on course to deliver less coal to the coast for export than last year, according to miner Exxaro Resources Ltd.

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Coal shipments by state-owned port and rail company Transnet SOC Ltd. have dropped to an annualized rate of 46.5 million tons, Exxaro said on Tuesday. Thats down from the 50.4 million tons it carried from mines to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal for export in 2022  already the lowest volume in three decades. Thungela Resources Ltd., Glencore Plc and Sasol Ltd. are among other companies that use the facility on South Africas east coast.

Various challenges, including poor locomotive availability, train derailments, and instances of cable theft and vandalism continue to impact negatively on export performance, Exxaro said in an update. Transnet and the coal industry continue to collaborate on efforts to improve rail performance.

Exxaro shares fell as much as 3.7% in Johannesburg, while the local benchmark stock index rose 0.3% by 10:42 a.m. local time.

Sales volumes are expected to decrease by 6% due to the slump in shipments and as lower coal prices make it less attractive to truck the commodity to alternative ports, Exxaro said. RBCT export prices for the first half of 2023 are expected to average $127 a ton, compared with $265 a ton in the previous six months.

(Updates with chart and share move.)

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The S/S Italica arrived in New York May 7, 1975. (Photo: American Shipper)

FreightWaves Classics is sponsored by Old Dominion Freight Line  Helping the World Keep Promises. Learn more here.

Every week, FreightWaves explores the archives of American Shippers nearly 70-year-old collection of shipping and maritime publications to showcase interesting freight stories of long ago.

This article comes from the June 1975 issue of American Shipper and shows a new take on maritime service at the time, showcasing a unique cargo design and beginning service between the Mediterranean and United States East Coast.

New S/S Italica completes maiden voyage to States

The S/S Italica, the Italian Lines new container ship, received the traditional harbor welcome from tugboats and fireboats as she arrived in New York, May 7, on her maiden voyage to the United States. Her first U.S. port of call had been Jacksonville on May 5.

The 680 ft. Italica, along with her sistership S/S Americana, will provide fortnightly service on the Italian Lines service between the U.S. East Coast and Mediterranean ports.

Like the Americana, which entered service last December, the Italica was designed to accommodate not only containerized cargo, but also liquid cargo, odd-sized heavy cargo, and all kinds of vehicles. Because the Americana and Italica are among the first ships in the world to carry every kind of cargo with their four ships in one design, they have attracted widespread attention in the shipping industry.

The Italica, captained by Vittoria Sartori, left Genoa on April 26 for her maiden voyage, arriving in Jacksonville on May 5. She sailed from New York late on May 7, Baltimore on May 9, and Portsmouth, Va. on May 10, and then headed for the Mediterranean ports of Valencia and Barcelona in Spain, Marseille in France, and Leghorn and Genoa, Italy, arriving in Genoa on May 23.

14-day turnaround

With a turnaround of only five days at the loading and discharge ports in the U.S., the Italica and the Americana permit the Italian Line to operate its transatlantic service on a fixed 14-day schedule.

The two ships each have a deadweight tonnage of 23,280 and a cruising speed of 23.5 knots. They have a container capacity of 1,079 20-foot equivalents. The bulk liquid space totals almost 40,000 cubic feet. Each ship has Ro/Ro space to accommodate 350 automobiles and other roll-on seven decks, four of which are movable, with a total of 159,000 cubic feet. Two hatches for LoLo cargo are served by a 50-ton Stulcken boom and have a capacity of 166,000 cubic feet.

General agents for the Italian Line cargo service are the Italian Line Steamship Agency, Inc. at 17 Battery Place North, New York City, headed by Anthony P. Mennella. Harrington & Company is the Jacksonville agent.

FreightWaves Classics articles look at various aspects of the transportation industrys history. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter!

Have a topic you want me to cover? Email me at bjaekel@freightwaves.com or follow me on Twitter.

The post Special 1975 4-ships-in-1 design serves route between Mediterranean, US appeared first on FreightWaves.
(Bloomberg) -- Starbucks Corp. plans to issue clearer centralized guidelines for in-store visual displays and decorations following a unions allegations that managers banned Pride-themed decor, which the company disputes.

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We have heard from our partners that you want to be creative in how our stores are represented and that you see visual creativity in stores as part of who we are and our culture, North America President Sara Trilling said Monday in a memo to employees seen by Bloomberg News. Equally, we have also heard through our partner channels that there is a need for clarity and consistency on current guidelines around visual displays and decorations.

Starbucks on Monday also filed complaints against the union with the National Labor Relations Board. In an emailed statement, Workers United said that it is confident the complaints will be dismissed.

The Seattle-based coffee giant has said that store leaders can decorate stores for heritage months such as Pride in line with safety standards. In the memo, Trilling said the company would continue to provide flexibility so stores reflect the communities they serve.

Workers United alleged in mid-June that store employees in states across the US were told Pride decorations werent allowed. On Friday, baristas at several unionized locations kicked off a 150-store Strike With Pride protesting the companys illegal union-busting campaign while speaking against Starbucks treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers, according to a statement from the union. The company denies illegal anti-union activity.

Managers at various stores have said there werent enough labor hours for decorating, that Pride decorations raised safety concerns, or that some people didnt feel represented by the umbrella of pride, according to the labor group.

Starbucks has denied changing its policies about the decorations, with Chief Executive Officer Laxman Narasimhan and Trilling saying in a statement last week that the company has been and will continue to be at the forefront of supporting the LGBTQIA2+ community.

Despite todays public commentary, there has been no change to any of our policies as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture and the benefits we offer our partners, the executives said, according to the statement. We continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for US Pride month in June, as we always have.

The Pride controversy has brought uncomfortable attention to the company, which for decades has worked to cultivate a progressive and inclusive brand. The union has frequently turned to tactics like coordinated walkouts and high-profile issues like LGBTQ rights as it tries to heighten public pressure on the company to curb alleged anti-union tactics and make concessions in contract talks.

Company Complaints

In the complaints filed with the NLRB in Los Angeles, the company alleges that the union engaged in a smear campaign that includes deliberate misrepresentations about Starbucks benefits for LGBTQ workers and its Pride displays, and in doing so illegally coerced employees and violated its duty to fairly negotiate with the company.

Such claims are considered by NLRB regional directors. If they find merit in the claims, they can prosecute them before agency judges, whose rulings can then be appealed.

In its statement, the union referred to the complaints as a public relations stunt.

While attacking the union that represents its own workers, Starbucks has now changed its policies in response to worker actions, the union said in a statement. If Starbucks truly wants to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, they will actually listen to their queer workers by coming to the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith.

The clash over Pride decorations is the latest between the company and the union, which has organized around 300 of Starbucks roughly 9,000 corporate-run US cafes since late 2021. National Labor Relations Board regional directors around the country have issued over 90 complaints accusing the company of illegal anti-union tactics, including refusing to negotiate fairly with the union, while judges and NLRB members have ordered reinstatement of 23 terminated activists.

Starbucks, in turn, has said that the union has failed to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores. The NLRB has dismissed previous complaints by the company accusing the union of failure to bargain.

(Adds unions statement in third, twelfth and thirteenth paragraphs.)

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SmartAsset: What Taxes Expats Pay in the U.S.

From sunny Caribbean beaches to charming European villages, the expatriate lifestyle offers numerous settings for relaxation, adventure and a refreshing switch from typical American living. However, understanding your tax obligations is essential as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living abroad. The United States requires all citizens and green card holders to file tax returns, regardless of location. This guide will offer insights and tips to navigate expat taxes  how they work, when to pay, how to manage them effectively and avoid penalties. Here is what to know.

A financial advisor can help optimize your financial plan to minimize your tax liability.

Do Expats Need to File U.S. Taxes?

The United States requires its citizens and permanent residents to file tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regardless of where they reside and earn income. Expats dont get an exception to this rule.

However, expats can be eligible for unique exclusions, deductions or credits to help reduce or eliminate their U.S. tax liability. For example, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) allows eligible expats to exclude a certain amount of their foreign-earned income from U.S. taxation. Additionally, there are tax treaties in place between the U.S. and some countries that may provide additional benefits and protections.

Remember, even if you dont owe any U.S. taxes as an expat due to these exclusions or other factors, its best still to file informational returns, such as the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requirements.

Reporting Requirements for Expats

Expats must include these aspects when reporting income and filing U.S. taxes:

Earned income. The IRS taxes every American citizen and permanent resident/green card holder on their income earned anywhere in the world. So, expats arent exempt from income taxes, even if they havent set foot in the U.S. for decades.

Specifically, you must file a federal U.S. tax return if youve earned over $12,950 in 2023 as a single filer. For retirees, the minimum threshold is $14,700. In addition, the threshold for married couples filing jointly is $25,900.

That said, you might have a lower threshold if you fit a specific exception. For example, self-employed expats must file if they earn $400 or more annually, while an expat married to a citizen of a different country and filing separately must file taxes if they earn $5 or more.

Passive income. Earned income comes from working for an employer or generating money as a self-employed worker. On the other hand, passive income comes from sources that require little to no active involvement, such as investments, rental properties, businesses or other ventures where you have limited or no direct involvement. So, expats who receive rental income, dividends from stocks, interest from savings accounts or bonds, royalties from intellectual property or profits from a business in which theyre not actively participating must pay taxes.

Remember, income streams can create different tax implications. For example, the IRS taxes rental income as regular income. Conversely, income from stocks or bonds is subject to capital gains taxes.

Foreign accounts and assets. Expats with financial accounts in other countries adding up to $10,000 or more must file a Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR). Eligible accounts include savings, checking, investment, pension and business accounts. Remember, FBAR reporting doesnt go to the IRS. Instead, youll fill out Form 114 for FinCen (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network).

In addition, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires expats to report foreign assets of a certain value when filing taxes, whether or not they file an FBAR. Specifically, foreign assets of $50,000 or more (or $100,000 for married couples) necessitate filing Form 8938 with the IRS.

Warning: failing to file foreign accounts and assets through the forms mentioned above results in a minimum fine of $10,000. Maximum fines for FATCA noncompliance are $50,000, and maximum fines for FBAR noncompliance are $100,000 or 50% of your account value.

Foreign businesses. Likewise, owning 10% or more of a foreign company as an expat obligates you to report it on your taxes. This rule applies to overseas partnerships, LLCs and other business types.

Additional Tax Filing Requirements

SmartAsset: What Taxes Expats Pay in the U.S.

The following factors may also influence your tax situation as an expat:

State and local taxes. In addition, your state may require expats to pay taxes if they maintain substantial connections, such as property ownership, investments, voter registration or dependent residents. The specific tax rates and regulations will depend on your state. For instance, Washington recently implemented a 7% tax on capital gains income exceeding $250,000 annually. On the other hand, New Hampshire is eliminating its investment and interest income taxes for 2023.

Moreover, some states, such as Virginia, California, New Mexico and South Carolina, have specific requirements for expats. They will continue collecting taxes from you unless you establish residency in another state or demonstrate that you wont return to the state at any point in the future. Conversely, certain states, such as Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming do not levy income taxes.

Lastly, while local taxes are unusual throughout the country, some municipalities levy them annually. Therefore, its advisable to research the tax obligations of your previous place of residence to preempt penalties for unpaid taxes.

Foreign taxes. The requirement to pay foreign taxes can vary depending on your country of residence. However, the United States has established tax treaties with numerous countries to prevent expats from paying taxes twice on the same dollar.

These treaties mandate expats residing abroad for a relatively short period (typically three to five years) should continue paying social security taxes to the United States but not to their country of residence. Then, if you plan to live abroad past this period, youll pay social security taxes to your country of residence but not to the United States.

Regrettably, international tax laws and loopholes dont guarantee the treaties to work in expats favor. So, its best to work with a tax professional to see if you can take advantage of the tax treaties in your country.

Tax Filing Deadlines

U.S. federal taxes are due on April 15 each year, and this date also applies to expats. However, the IRS grants expats an automatic 2-month extension, meaning you dont have to request an extension if youre late filing. So, expats can file by June 15 every year without incurring penalties. Remember, if the tax due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you have until the next business day to file.

In addition, if you fail to file by June 15, you can file an extension request to allow yourself until October 15 to file. To do so, submit Form 4868 to the IRS by June 14. Remember, receiving an extension means paying interest on your unpaid taxes for the luxury of more time.

How to File

Expats can file taxes electronically (E-file) or by mail, with E-filing being the more streamlined option. Remember, mailing documents means physically printing and completing each form. If you file by mail, send your return to the following address:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Austin, TX 73301-0215

USA

Remember, filing taxes entails the same steps whether you file as an expatriate or U.S. resident, as follows:

Calculate your gross income. Identify your eligible tax deductions to reduce your taxable income. Apply your tax credits after applying deductions. Calculate your taxes owed and compare the figure with the total tax payments you made for the applicable tax year. If you paid a higher amount throughout the year, you should get a refund (if your calculations are correct). File your tax return with the IRS.

Penalties for Failing to File Expat Taxes

Failing to file or filing late means paying penalties in addition to the taxes owed. Generally, the IRS will charge 5% of the amount due for each month you dont file. For instance, if you owe $5,000 of income taxes and are five months late, youll owe an additional $250 x 5 months = $1,250. This penalty maxes out at 25% of the balance owed. Remember, a granted extension can remove the late charges.

You should also note that all filing requirements are null if you dont owe taxes. So, if the government owes you a refund, it doesnt penalize you for filing late. The downside is that you wont get your refund until you file.

Lastly, your state taxes will impose separate penalties from the IRS. So, its best to familiarize yourself with your state tax code to avoid infractions.

Ways to Manage Expat Taxes Effectively

SmartAsset: What Taxes Expats Pay in the U.S.

Managing your tax situation is as crucial for expats as for typical U.S. residents. So, use these strategies to minimize your tax burden and avoid penalties:

Take advantage of deductions. Expats are eligible for tax breaks even though they reside overseas. For example, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion allows those who live in a foreign country for at least 330 days to exempt some or all of their income from U.S. income taxes. Remember, U.S. government employees usually cant claim this benefit.

Stay organized. Keeping all relevant documents, such as bank account statements, business records and proof of citizenship organized is vital to managing your taxes. This way, you will have all the necessary information when you file and ensure you report all eligible income, assets and deductions.

File promptly. The best way to prevent fees and penalties is to file promptly. Remember, you have an extra two months as an expat to file. However, its best to treat the regular April 15 date as your filing date if you can. In addition, self-employed expats must file quarterly estimated tax payments.

Bottom Line

Expatriates must comply with U.S. tax laws by filing tax returns with the IRS, regardless of location. Reporting requirements include earned and passive income, foreign financial accounts and assets, foreign businesses and state and local taxes.

Fortunately, there are exclusions and deductions available to reduce your tax liability. First, tax treaties can prevent double taxation, but their benefits vary. Plus, the IRS offers a 2-month filing extension for expats without the need to request one. Remember, expats should seek professional advice to enhance their understanding, comply with tax obligations and maximize deductions and credits.

Tips on Taxes for Expats

Expats face the challenge of living abroad and managing complex financial circumstances. Fortunately, a financial advisor can help optimize your finances and ensure that you comply with U.S. and foreign tax laws. Finding a financial advisor doesnt have to be hard. SmartAssets free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If youre ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Considering the expat lifestyle as a retiree? Here are the cheapest countries where you can retire well.

Photo credit: iStock.com/PIKSEL, iStock.com/Pekic, iStock.com/Korrawin

The post What Taxes Expats Pay in the U.S. appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.
FILE PHOTO: Preparations for the annual WEF meeting in Davos

(Reuters) -Thomson Reuters said on Monday it had agreed to acquire Casetext, a legal startup with an artificial intelligence-powered assistant for law professionals, in a $650 million all-cash deal.

Thomson Reuters' chief financial officer, Michael Eastwood, had said last month that the company planned to spend about $100 million a year to invest in artificial intelligence (AI), which would be separate from the news and information company's merger and acquisition budget of about $10 billion from now till 2025.

One of Casetext's key products is CoCounsel, an AI legal assistant launched in 2023 and powered by GPT-4 that delivers document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes, Thomson Reuters said in a statement.

Casetext was granted early access to OpenAI's GPT-4 large language model, allowing it to develop solutions with the new technology and refine use cases for legal professional, it added.

California-based Casetext employs 104 employees, and its customers include more than 10,000 law firms and corporate legal departments.

The acquisition of Casetext is another step towards bringing generative AI solutions to customers, said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters.

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that generates new content or data in response to a prompt, or question, by a user.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2023, subject to specified regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

(Reporting by Bharat Govind Gautam in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
The total return for Gamma Communications (LON:GAMA) investors has risen faster than earnings growth over the last five years

Stock pickers are generally looking for stocks that will outperform the broader market. Buying under-rated businesses is one path to excess returns. To wit, the Gamma Communications share price has climbed 49% in five years, easily topping the market decline of 8.2% (ignoring dividends). On the other hand, the more recent gains haven't been so impressive, with shareholders gaining just 0.6% , including dividends .

In light of the stock dropping 4.9% in the past week, we want to investigate the longer term story, and see if fundamentals have been the driver of the company's positive five-year return.

Check out our latest analysis for Gamma Communications

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During five years of share price growth, Gamma Communications achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 16% per year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 8% over the same period. So one could conclude that the broader market has become more cautious towards the stock.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

Dive deeper into Gamma Communications' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Gamma Communications's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Gamma Communications' TSR for the last 5 years was 57%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Gamma Communications provided a TSR of 0.6% over the last twelve months. But that return falls short of the market. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 9% over five years. Maybe the share price is just taking a breather while the business executes on its growth strategy. Before spending more time on Gamma Communications it might be wise to click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling shares.

For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- Some of the largest oil producers in Canada are objecting to potentially rising costs and fees to ship their crude on the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline, underscoring growing disappointment with the highly anticipated project.

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BP Plc, Suncor Energy Inc., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Cenovus Energy Inc. and PetroChina have filed letters with the Canada Energy Regulator voicing concerns about how much of the projects cost overruns theyll have to pay for as well as how the pipeline plans to handle fees for late shipments. Trans Mountain will provide a reply to comments by Friday, the company said by email.

The Trans Mountain expansion  which will nearly triple the systems capacity to 890,000 barrels a day  was supposed to provide a fast and relatively cheap way to sell Canadian crude into Asian markets through shipping terminals near Vancouver, breaking producers dependence on US refiners. But environmental opposition and construction challenges have delayed the line and boosted its costs. The resulting higher tolls may make Trans Mountain a more expensive way to reach Asian buyers than shipping through the US Gulf Coast.

The pipelines price tag has risen to almost C$31 billion ($24 billion), up more than fivefold since it was first proposed more than a decade ago. Producers that signed contracts to ship on the line are on the hook to pay for about 20% to 30% of the cost increase via higher tolls. These so-called uncapped costs have climbed to C$9.09 billion from C$1.77 billion in 2017.

The total fixed tolls for shipping the full length of the conduit from Edmonton to the Westridge Marine Terminal range from C$9.54 to C$11.46 a barrel, depending on how many years the shippers have committed to the line.

Trans Mountain has asked the regulator to approve its proposed interim tolls by Sept. 14, but hasnt provided a clear start date for the project. Typically, the new tolls for a pipeline are approved just 30 days before the start of service.

Trans Mountain hasnt provided producers with substantive or detailed information regarding the uncapped costs, making it hard for them to tell whether the expenses were properly allocated to the portion shippers have to pay for and whether they are just and reasonable, Canadian Natural Resources said in its letter to the regulator.

The level of proposed increase in the tolls will negatively impact netbacks obtained by Canadian producers and may adversely and materially impact the overall competitiveness of Canadas oil industry and the public interest, CNRL said.

Companies are also objecting to the size of the fees for late shipments, known as demurrage charges, as well as provisions that would allow the pipeline to delay shipments and thus generate those fees for its own account.

(Updates with Trans Mountains comment in third paragraph)

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Tredegar Corporation (NYSE:TG) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 11% in the last week. But don't envy holders -- looking back over 5 years the returns have been really bad. In fact, the share price has declined rather badly, down some 72% in that time. Some might say the recent bounce is to be expected after such a bad drop. However, in the best case scenario (far from fait accompli), this improved performance might be sustained.

While the stock has risen 11% in the past week but long term shareholders are still in the red, let's see what the fundamentals can tell us.

Check out our latest analysis for Tredegar

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Looking back five years, both Tredegar's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 27% per year. The share price decline of 22% per year isn't as bad as the EPS decline. So the market may previously have expected a drop, or else it expects the situation will improve.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Tredegar's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Tredegar the TSR over the last 5 years was -52%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Tredegar shareholders are down 34% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 11%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 9% per year over five years. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Tredegar better, we need to consider many other factors. Even so, be aware that Tredegar is showing 4 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 2 of those are significant...

We will like Tredegar better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

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(Bloomberg) -- Turkey will extend a tax exemption on state-backed bank accounts that aim to cut demand for foreign currency to the end of 2023, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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The Treasury and Finance Ministry sent the regulation on withholding tax  a levy on interest earned on bank deposits  to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for approval, the people said, asking not to be identified because the decision hasnt been made public yet.

FX-protected accounts, which guarantee savers local-currency holdings against depreciation, are a key tool in the governments efforts to stabilize the lira and currently hold 2.63 trillion liras ($101 billion). The extension of the tax break, which was due to expire at the end of June, provides an incentive to stay invested.

The government plans to gradually phase out the accounts, which are criticized by the opposition for the financial burden they put on the state budget, if authorities can attract foreign capital by the end of the year, the people said.

A technical team from a Persian Gulf country recently arrived in Turkey to discuss potential investments, they added. The visit follows Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simseks trip to the UAE last week, where he met investors and senior government officials, they said.

In another step, the government will increase the withholding tax rate on all foreign-exchange time deposits to 25% from current levels of 18% and 20%, the people said.

Turkeys Treasury and Finance Ministry declined to comment.

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UBS to cut Credit Suisse staff by more than half after takeover

Credit Suisse, which was bought by rival UBS in a government-brokered rescue in March, currently has 45,000 workers.

UBS is expected to lay off more than half of Credit Suisses workers from next month following its emergency takeover of the struggling 167-year-old lender.

The Swiss bank is planning on eventually reducing its total combined headcount by 30pc or 35,000 people, Bloomberg reported.

Credit Suisse, which was bought by rival UBS in a government-brokered rescue in March, currently has 45,000 workers.

The 2.6bn takeover was orchestrated by Swiss authorities in March to avoid Credit Suisse failing and causing a wider meltdown in the global banking industry.

Bankers, traders, and support staff across Credit Suisses investment bank in London, New York and parts of Asia are expected to be most affected by the layoffs.

Almost all of Credit Suisses divisions are at risk as UBS reportedly seeks to save around $6bn (5bn) in staff costs in the coming years.

The initial rounds of job cuts are expected to exclude those relating to the significant overlap between UBS and Credit Suisses operations in Switzerland.

As many as 10,000 roles could be made redundant if both banks decide to merge their domestic Swiss businesses.

UBSs combined headcount rocketed to 120,000 following the takeover, of which around 30pc are based in Switzerland.

Employees have reportedly been warned to expect three rounds of layoffs this year, with the first beginning at the end of July.

The remaining rounds are said to be planned for September and October.

It comes after UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti earlier this month warned of painful decisions about Credit Suisse job cuts, although did not provide details.

Speaking in Switzerlands capital, Mr Ermotti said: We wont be able to create, short term, job opportunities for everybody. Synergies is part of the story.

He added: We need to take a serious look at the cost base of the standalone and combined organisations and create a sustainable outcome.

According to Mr Ermotti, about 10pc of Credit Suisse employees have left the bank in the past few months.

UBS axed Credit Suisses most senior executives earlier this month, with high profile exits including its chief financial officer, general counsel, and co-heads of its investment banks and markets division.

The departures followed UBSs appointment of 160 leadership positions in the combined bank, with only a fifth handed to Credit Suisse workers.

Credit Suisse declined to comment. UBS was contacted for comment.

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(Bloomberg) -- The UK and the European Union signed a long-awaited memorandum of understanding on financial services on Tuesday, marking a moment of accord amid years of wrangling over post-Brexit co-operation.

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Jeremy Hunt approved the memo with Commissioner Mairead McGuinness during the first visit to Brussels by a UK chancellor in more than three years. Hunt described the move as an important turning point, saying we have shared objectives and cooperation is essential.

The UK and EUs financial markets are deeply interconnected and building a constructive, voluntary relationship is of mutual benefit to us both, Hunt said. The UKs financial services and related professional services sectors were worth 275 billion ($350 billion) in 2022, making up about 12% of the UK economy, according to the Treasury.

https://t.co/7BPn9aWSwI pic.twitter.com/znMsuL6ENP

 Bloomberg UK (@BloombergUK) June 27, 2023

The memo, which was initially expected in 2021, became stuck in limbo, first because of a dispute over fishing permits and later when the EU accused then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson of breaching international law.

The agreement outlines how financial regulators will interact on a regular basis, with the first meeting set for autumn. It does not grant companies access to markets across borders, known as equivalence. The EU has so far only granted limited equivalence to clearinghouses and has been pushing banks and other firms to conduct more business within the bloc to reduce its dependence on London.

(Updates to confirm signing, add Hunt comments and details on memo throughout.)

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By Elizabeth Howcroft

LONDON (Reuters) - UK law can accommodate crypto assets by creating a new category of personal property that would include digital assets, independent body the Law Commission said on Wednesday.

In a report commissioned by the government, the Law Commission said digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) do not fit within the traditional categories of personal property.

As expected, the Commission proposed adding a third category of "digital objects" to the existing categories of personal property, which are "things in possession" (tangible assets like gold) and "things in action" (such as debt or shares in a company).

The group also said the government should create a panel of experts to advise courts on legal issues involving digital assets.

These steps would support the UK government's aim of becoming a global hub for crypto assets, the Law Commission said in a statement.

The use and importance of digital assets has grown significantly in the last few years," said Sarah Green, law commissioner for commercial and common law.

"The flexibility of the common law means that the legal system in England and Wales is well placed to adapt to this rapid growth."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in April 2022, when he was finance minister, that he wanted to make Britain a global hub for crypto asset technology. He asked the Law Commission to review whether current laws can accommodate digital assets.

"The Law Commission has opted to wield the scalpel, not the sledgehammer, with these recommendations. This will be reassuring for many in the industry," said Adam Sanitt, knowledge director at Norton Rose Fulbright, which contributed to the report.

Sanitt said that taking forward the recommendations would pave the way for more protection for crypto asset holders and support the government's aim to make the UK a tech hub.

The Commission also said there was not enough legal certainty around collateral arrangements involving crypto assets and recommended the government set up a bespoke legal framework to facilitate such situations.

"There is a very high degree of demand for such law reform among consultees, markets participants and industry bodies," the report said.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft; Editing by Mark Potter)
(Bloomberg) -- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian troops had advanced in all directions across the frontline after visiting his governments forces in the countrys east and south.

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In his evening video address, Zelenskiy said he had also discussed arms supplies with allies including US President Joe Biden.

Biden reinforced his administrations commitment to Ukraines defense no matter what happened in Russia, and the US was set to announce a new $500 million package of military hardware for Ukraine drawn from Pentagon inventories.

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Wheat extended losses from the highest level in four months as traders sought clarity on the situation in Russia. Futures had climbed to the highest since February on Monday on concern that continued instability in Russia could disrupt supplies, but later fell to show a loss of more than 1%. Prices declined a further 1.8% on Tuesday.

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(Bloomberg) -- Lordstown Motors Corp. shares plummeted after the electric-vehicle maker once hailed by former US President Donald Trump for saving automaking jobs filed for bankruptcy.

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The move to seek Chapter 11 protection from creditors follows a protracted dispute with iPhone maker Foxconn Technology Group over a deal to make pickup trucks for Lordstown at an assembly plant in Ohio. The Taiwanese manufacturer had said it was prepared to pull out of their production partnership, prompting the EV startup to warn it could fail if it was unable to resolve the conflict.

Lordstown shares pared an early drop of as much as 59% to trade down 48% to $1.43 as of 9:41 a.m. in New York. The stock had traded at more than $400 as recently as early 2021.

The troubled EV manufacturer also sued Foxconn on Tuesday for breach of contract. In its complaint, Lordstown alleged Foxconn consistently failed to honor its agreements and forced it into bankruptcy.

After getting the valuable assets it desired upfront, it then sabotaged the Debtors business, starving it of cash and causing it to fail. Instead of building a thriving business for the benefit of all Lordstowns stakeholders, Foxconn maliciously and in bad faith destroyed that business, costing Lordstowns creditors and shareholders billions, it wrote in the complaint.

Foxconn in a statement rejected Lordstowns claims and said it reserves the right to pursue legal actions and also suspends subsequent good faith negotiations.

Lordstowns demise caps several torrid years for EV startups that reached sky-high valuations following reverse mergers, only to fall victim to brutal corrections. In its filing, Lordstown listed as much as $500 million of both assets and liabilities.

Foxconn agreed in November to invest as much as $170 million in Lordstown and take two board seats. The deal gave the EV maker much-needed capital while offering the Taiwanese manufacturer a firmer foothold in automotive production.

As part of the deal, Foxconn bought the former General Motors Co. factory in Lordstown, Ohio, from the startup, and planned to make the startups Endurance pickup under a contract agreement. The arrangement began to unravel in January, when Lordstown asked Foxconn to suspend production because the cost of making the truck exceeded its targeted sale price of $65,000, and said it would need another partner to share costs.

Foxconn has suspended talks with Lordstown, it said Tuesday, labeling comments by the US company false and malicious. The Apple Inc. supplier said it had tried to help Lordstown with its financial difficulties but ultimately the carmaker hadnt fulfilled its part of their investment agreement.

Read More: Foxconn Finds EVs Are Harder to Build Than iPhones and Tablets

The bankruptcy filing follows Lordstown going through several crises, including fighting off short-seller claims and a Securities and Exchange Commission inquiry about inflated vehicle pre-orders.

The Ohio plant also became the scene of a political standoff after GMs decision in 2018 to cease production there. The move was a blow to then-President Trump, who a year earlier discouraged rally-goers from selling their homes in the area because of all the jobs he said he would bring back. Democrats seized on the development as a symbol of unfulfilled promises made to voters in a key battleground state.

While Lordstowns bankruptcy may mean Foxconn loses one customer, the company still owns the manufacturing facility that will help with its ambition to offer EV manufacturing services in North America. Foxconn has targeted a 5% share of the global EV market by 2025.

--With assistance from Allison McNeely, Sean O'Kane, Janine Phakdeetham and Claire Boston.

(Updates with opening shares in third paragraph.)

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By buying an index fund, investors can approximate the average market return. But many of us dare to dream of bigger returns, and build a portfolio ourselves. Just take a look at Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC), which is up 58%, over three years, soundly beating the market return of 35% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the returns haven't been quite so good recently, with shareholders up just 3.7% , including dividends .

Although Wells Fargo has shed US$4.9b from its market cap this week, let's take a look at its longer term fundamental trends and see if they've driven returns.

See our latest analysis for Wells Fargo

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

During three years of share price growth, Wells Fargo achieved compound earnings per share growth of 5.9% per year. In comparison, the 16% per year gain in the share price outpaces the EPS growth. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did three years ago. It is quite common to see investors become enamoured with a business, after a few years of solid progress.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Dive deeper into Wells Fargo's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Wells Fargo's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Wells Fargo's TSR for the last 3 years was 68%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

Wells Fargo provided a TSR of 3.7% over the last twelve months. Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. But at least that's still a gain! Over five years the TSR has been a reduction of 3% per year, over five years. It could well be that the business is stabilizing. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Wells Fargo that you should be aware of.

We will like Wells Fargo better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
New York Skies Set to Darken Again With Smoke From Canada Wildfires

New York Skies Set to Darken Again With Smoke From Canada Wildfires

(Bloomberg) -- Smoke from Canadian wildfires will obscure the skies in New York and across the Mid-Atlantic starting Wednesday, just weeks after the blazes blanketed the region in a polluted haze.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Air quality could reach unhealthy levels in western and central New York Wednesday into Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul said in a tweet. Alerts have already been posted for the area, including Buffalo, Ithaca, Syracuse and Binghamton, according to the National Weather Service.

While the potential intensity of the pollution wasnt clear yet, Hochul said the smoke would start affecting New York City by Thursday.

Were expecting smoke and haze to come all across the state, Hochul said in a press conference.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said in a tweet that New Yorkers should be prepared for possible elevated levels of fine particulate pollution caused by smoke on Wednesday June 28th.

New York City and the Northeast had some of the worst air quality in the world earlier this month when smoke from Quebec forest fires swirled south, turning the skies over Manhattan an apocalyptic orange. The smog triggered flight delays and led to the cancellation of outdoor events.

If you want to know the effects of climate change, youre going to feel it tomorrow in real time, Hochul said. We are truly the first generation to feel the real effects of climate change, and were also the last generation to do anything meaningful about it.

The smoke is currently bringing unhealthy air conditions to Chicago and other areas of the Midwest, according to AirNow.gov.

Its pretty bad in Chicago, said Bryan Jackson, a forecaster with the US Weather Prediction Center. The citys mayor, Brandon Johnson, said residents should consider wearing masks and limit outdoor activity.

A weather pattern thats bringing thunderstorms and showers across the Northeast will move out of the region, causing winds to blow from north to south in coming days, Jackson said. This flow could channel the smoke from Canadas fires south.

Large parts of Canada from coast to coast have been burning for weeks. Currently 257 fires were burning out of control across the country, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

(Updates with Governors comments starting in third paragraph.)

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) will host a new edition of its trade talk show, The Knowledge Programme, to drive conversation and collective action towards strengthening regional food supply. The guest lineup features industry experts from the Malaysian Recycling Alliance Berhad (MAREA) and the Good Food Institute Asia Pacific.

The Knowledge Programmes three thematic pillars  mitigating food security, creating zero-waste food landscapes, and fostering innovative F&B practices in Southeast Asia

With a robust agenda that includes precision agriculture, food waste management, Blockchain, and food tech, the programme will be held on-site at MIFB 2023 on 12-14 July 2023, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

"As a go-between organisation that represents the F&B industry in sustainability conversations with wider stakeholders and the Malaysian government, MAREA is looking forward to actively participating in this year's MIFB. We believe that through collective effort, we can create a greener and more sustainable future not only for the environment, but for the long-term health of the industry as well," says Robert Benetello, CEO of MAREA.

Mirte Gosker, Managing Director of the Good Food Institute APAC, Asia's leading alternative protein think tank shares: "Part of the Institute's core values is to share knowledge freely. We look to bring our expertise in alternative protein solutions to the F&B regulators, stakeholders, and innovators in MIFB's global network and ultimately contribute our research data to policy conversations about developing sustainable production practices across the board."

Additionally, to reduce food wastage in the HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and cafes) market, MIFB is now also partnering with Malaysian procurement specialists Supplybunny and The Food Market Hub. Under this initiative, HORECA establishments can flexibly order goods in smaller quantities and pay via installment rather than upfront.

The trio is also extending an event-exclusive offer to businesses that sign up for the programme at MIFB 2023: zero interest on sign-ups and transactions for up to 30 days, as opposed to the conventional 2% interest. To find out more and and to sign up as a trade visitor, please visit mifb.com.my .

About Constellar

Constellar connects a global ecosystem of event partners and consumers through a holistic portfolio of intellectual property in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The brand specialises in building long-term business relationships between stakeholders and enabling cross-industry collaboration through world-class audience engagement solutions. Visit constellar.co for more information.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/zero-waste-and-food-security-solutions-take-centre-stage-at-mifb-2023-new-partnership-inked-to-reduce-hospitality-food-waste-301862936.html

SOURCE Constellar
Spotsylvania County Public School officials may fill up to 30 vacant teacher positions with interim teachers this coming school year.

The interim teachers will perform all the duties of a licensed teacher, according to the job description on the school divisions human resources website. They will be paid a starting base salary of $24,513 annually, with an additional daily stipend.

The starting salary for a licensed teacher with a bachelors degree, or step 0 on the divisions teacher salary scale, is $49,920.

According to a description of the interim teacher position that was provided at the June 12 School Board meeting, the stipend brings their daily rate of pay to $249.60 (Step 0 on Teacher Scale).

They will receive benefits, including health insurance, Virginia Retirement System benefits and sick and personal leave.

The School Board approved the temporary reclassification of 30 full-time teaching positions to secure interim teachers at its June 12 meeting.

To assist in meeting the demand for instructional staff, during the 202223 school year, we secured Interim Teachers. This helped us greatly in our efforts to fill vacancies and we plan to continue and expand the use of Interim Teachers in 20232024, staff wrote about the proposal in the agenda for the June 12 meeting.

The interim teachers must have an associates degree or at least 60 college credits, be actively enrolled in an educator preparation program and have the equivalent of one year of successful experience working with students.

The interim teacher positions will be spread across the elementary, middle and high school levels.

The Interim Teacher will perform the duties of the teacher including but not limited to actively participating in professional learning communities, planning, and delivering engaging lessons for students, cultivating a positive learning environment, building meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and families, and assessing students (formative and summative) and providing timely feedback, the job description states.

The School Board approved the reclassification of 16 full-time teaching positions to interim teachers for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The division was able to hire 14 interim teachers, 13 of whom plan to return this coming year.

Four of the 13 are now eligible for and/or hold a teaching license, so they will become full-time teachers with SCPS. The remaining nine would like to continue as interim teachers while continuing their education and completing licensure requirements, and school administrators support this recommendation, staff wrote in the agenda for the June 12 meeting.

Virginia Code requires the state Board of Education to maintain staffing standards of quality for public schools. According to these standards, School boards shall employ licensed instructional personnel qualified in the relevant subject areas and maintain certain ratios of licensed instructional personnel per number of students.

Staffing standards are taken into account during the state school accreditation process, according to state code.

Superintendent Mark Taylor has emphasized the divisions recruiting efforts in several recent interviews, and in a June 9 message to the school community, he wrote, Positions are available for anyone with a bachelors degree and a heart for kids.

Some School Board members have said they are worried about hiring potentially underqualified staff.

At a special meeting of the School Board on Monday, member Lorita Daniels stated that she understands the need for creative and innovative ways to fill vacant teaching positions, but that the board also needs to ensure we are locating qualified candidates that meet the professional job description that we post.

Board member Nicole Cole also expressed concern on Monday.

I believe there is a difference between someone being a body that has the best interest of our children in heart and that person being hired for a position they need to be qualified for to be able to make sure that our students get what they need in the classroom, she said.

Board member Rabih Abuismail said he doesnt believe that the school divisions amazing Central Office staff would leave any new hire out hanging high and dry.

I do not believe that were setting people up to fail, he said.
Tuesday

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Keene Memorial Librarys Out & About Storytime, 10 a.m., Barnard Park, Clarkson Street and Military Avenue, Fremont. The storytime is being sponsored by Keep Fremont Beautiful. Following storytime, attendees will work together to make Barnard Park beautiful by picking up trash.

Letters to the Churches of Revelation, 10 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Summer Lunch Program, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fremont Presbyterian Church, 520 W. Linden Ave., Fremont. Kids ages 1-18 eat free all summer (parents also). Registration is not required to eat lunch.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Steps of Freedom meeting, 1 p.m., LifeHouse, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. Pitch will be played at 6:30 p.m.

Utility and Infrastructure Board meeting, 4 p.m., Fremont Municipal Buildings second floor, 400 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The meeting is open to the public.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Mens and Womens Bible Study, 6 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Group, 6 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 401 E. Military Ave., Fremont. For more information, contact Tammy Flittie at 402-9814-0140 or Marlene Mullally at 402-727-9139.

Fremont City Council meeting, 7 p.m., Fremont Municipal Buildings second floor, 400 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Public comment will begin at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont.

Wednesday

Dodge County Board of Supervisors, Dodge County Board of Equalization and Dodge County Board of Corrections meetings, 9 a.m., board room, third floor, Dodge County Courthouse, 435 N. Park Ave., Fremont. The meetings are open to the public.

Summer Lunch Program, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fremont Presbyterian Church, 520 W. Linden Ave., Fremont. Kids ages 1-18 eat free all summer (parents also). Registration is not required to eat lunch.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Mens Bible Study, 1 p.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. There will be a coin auction at 4 p.m. Aerie and Auxiliary meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Community Breastfeeding Support Group, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Three Rivers Health Department conference room, 2400 N. Lincoln Ave., Fremont. This support group is for mothers and their babies. Siblings are welcome.

Supportive Singles, 5:30 p.m., Gringos Cantina, 1950 N. Bell St., Fremont. For more information, call 402-660-8474.

Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. The hotline number is 402-459-9511.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Thursday

Mens Bible Study, 8 a.m., Lighthouse, 84 W. Sixth St., Fremont.

Altrusa International of Fremont Inc. Spring Rummage Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Church of Christ, 4163 N. Broad St., in Fremont.

OK Boomers Fireworks ribbon cutting, 9-10 a.m., 950 S. Broad St., Fremont. OK Boomers Fireworks is opening its first tent and second location.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Union Pacifics Big Boy No. 4014 whistle stop, 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., 10 S. Main St., Fremont. Big Boy No. 4014 is the worlds largest steam locomotive still in operation. Train enthusiasts of all ages will get a chance to hear, smell and see the train when it passes through Fremont. Depending on the schedule, Big Boy will be in town for about 45 minutes. This will give participants plenty of time to see or talk to the steam team, as well as take a selfie with the worlds largest steam locomotive, one of 25 of its kind built and the only one operating today.

Summer Lunch Program, 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fremont Presbyterian Church, 520 W. Linden Ave., Fremont. Kids ages 1-18 eat free all summer (parents also). Registration is not required to eat lunch.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Eagles Club open, 3 p.m. to midnight, 649 N. Main St., Fremont. The club may stay open later or close early depending on business. The kitchen will be open from 5:30-7 p.m. The menu will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, tacos and soup. Everyone is welcome.

Keene Memorial Library Lego Club, 4-5 p.m., Gallery 92 West, 92 W. Sixth St., Fremont. Lego bricks will be supplied.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Fremont Area Antique Car Club Cruise-In, 6-8 p.m., John C. Fremont Park, Eighth and Broad streets, Fremont. Anyone with an antique, classic, muscle car, street rod or hot rod  auto, motorcycle or truck  is welcome. Drivers attending the cruise-in should enter from the north at 10th Street and Park Avenue, and drive between the buildings to the park.

Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., 1201 W. 23rd St., in yellow hangar at Fremont Airport.

Concert in the Park featuring Whiskey River, 7-9 p.m., John C. Fremont Park. Childrens activities with the Fremont Parks & Recreation Department will begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Food trucks will be selling a variety of food and drinks. Trolley rides will be offered from 5-10 p.m. Pick up and drop off locations are at John C. Fremont Park and Fourth and Main streets.

Movie Night featuring Jaws, 7 p.m., Fremont Theaters, inside Fremont Mall. Admission is a freewill donation. All proceeds will benefit the Empress Theatre renovation project.

Narcotics Anonymous Freedom Works Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1440 E. Military Ave.

Tally Ho Toastmasters, 7-8 p.m., Midland Universitys Anderson Building, Ninth and Clarkson streets, Fremont. Everyone is welcome to learn skills in communication, self-confidence and leadership. For more information, call 402-936-3479.

Narcotics Anonymous Back to Basics meeting, 7:30 p.m., First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 N. Davis St., Oakland.

Alcoholics Anonymous big book study, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Classics with a Cause featuring Kingpin, dusk (about 9:10 p.m.), Quasar Drive-In Theater, 13427 N. 300th St., near Valley. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Free admission is being provided by the Kiels Barber Shop. Donations of new school supplies, backpacks or monetary donations will be collected for school children in need.
It could be months, or even years, before prosecutors have enough evidence to prove Suzanne Morphew was murdered and bring the case to trial.

That could be a long time. It could be quick, it could be long. It depends on a lot of our investigation, said 11th Judicial Deputy District Attorney Mark Hurlbert in court Monday.

In one of the boldest statements made in open court regarding the struggling case, Hurlbert insisted that investigators suspect they know where her body is located.

She is in a very difficult spot. We actually have more than just a feeling  and the sheriffs office is continuing to look for Mrs. Morphews body, he said.

The hearing was called after Barry Morphews attorneys requested to keep records in the case sealed indefinitely. Prosecutors in March 2022, before the case was dismissed, filed a motion to admit statements Suzanne Morphew allegedly made to her best friend about the couples failing marriage.

Earlier, defense attorney Iris Eytan accused prosecutors of operating on a hunch in going after Barry Morphew for first-degree murder.

Park County District Judge Amanda Hunter ordered the records to be unsealed. But, as of Monday afternoon, they had not been made public.

Once unsealed, they could shed light on Suzanne Morphews mindset, as she poured her heart out to her best friend, Sheila Oliver.

Three months before she vanished from the couples remote mountain home near Salida, Suzanne Morphew, 49, was planning to leave Barry Morphew, her husband of 25 years. The conversations, which revealed her spiraling marriage to her best friend, would have been crucial to the prosecutions case had it ever have gone to trial.

Morphews thoughts were recorded on text, on a spy pen and relayed to investigators through the memory of Oliver. The two met while the they were students at Purdue University and remained close.

Still, the public heard some of those conversations during Barry Morphews August 2021 four-day evidentiary hearing through testimony of FBI Special Agent Ken Harris. The details of Suzanne Morphews alleged comments to Oliver provided below came from Harris testimony in open court.

Heartfelt communications from Morphew strengthened the prosecutions theory revealed in the evidentiary hearing that Barry Morphew had reason to kill his wife Mothers Day weekend 2020. In motions filed a month before Barry Morphews first-degree murder trial was scheduled to begin, the government wanted to get them admitted.

But because Suzanne Morphews body was missing, the case was dismissed without prejudice April 19, 2022. Prosecutors felt they would have a better chance of convicting the father of two if they waited for stronger evidence.

To dismiss a case without prejudice means that the case can be retried.

Morphews attorneys specifically wanted the court to keep the cases pre-trial records under wraps in order to protect Barry Morphews constitutional rights. Morphew became a free man when the case was dismissed, but his attorneys said hes struggling to get his life back to normal.

One of the motions Eytan wanted kept from a potential jurys eyes was a request by prosecutors to allow Suzanne Morphews words about her failing marriage to be admitted at trial.

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During Mondays hearing, Eytan argued that revealing Suzanne Morphews frame of mind about her marriage would be bad for Barry Morphew as he attempts to make a living and restart his life after three years of being the only suspect in her disappearance.

There is a cloud of suspicion unfortunately thats hanging over Mr. Morphews head as a result of the prosecutions continued statements that they have a hunch that he had something to do with Mrs. Morphews disappearance, Eytan said.

She called the prosecutions words in pretrial motions untrue, inflammatory and prejudicial.

Hurlbert said that except for one erroneous instance in one of their motions, everything filed has been the truth.

We are going to continue to look for her body, said Hurlbert. We are simply trying to get this case prosecutable, whether that is against the defendant or against somebody else.

At the time of her disappearance, Suzanne Morphew was having a long-distance affair with a high school flame and wanted to leave Barry Morphew to be with him, according to the evidentiary hearing. Morphew and Jeff Libler, a Michigan father of six, saw each other several times and fell in love.

The affair was discovered when law enforcement found a spy pen in Suzanne Morphews closet, which she purchased to place in Barrys vehicle because actually she suspected him of having an affair.

In text messages and conversations relayed to investigators by Oliver, Suzanne Morphew wanted to leave her husband, who she felt was turning their two daughters, Macy and Mallory, against her.

He pulled Macy in again and left. My heart hurts for her, Morphew texted.

At the time, Macy Morphew was still in high school living at home. Her older sister, Mallory, was in college.

Other statements revealed in the motion show Morphew felt her husband was too controlling and unstable. She described him to Oliver as narcissistic.

Suzanne Morphews phone was never found, but prosecutors were able to pull up her text messages by searching Olivers phone.

Barry Morphew has maintained his innocence in Suzanne Morphews death since the day she was reported missing on May 10, 2020. After nearly a year of investigation, Chaffee County sheriffs arrested Morphew in connection with his wifes murder.

He was released on bail the following September after his preliminary hearing, when 11th Judicial District Judge Patrick Murphy ordered him bound over for trial.

One instance during Mondays virtual hearing showed how hard it is to control the curious public in a high-profile case.

One of the people listening into the hearing identified publicly on the WebEx as Barry Killed Suzanne. Eytan interrupted and Judge Hunt removed the unknown listener from the proceeding.
Anderson Aldrich, who killed five people at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ nightclub in November, pleaded guilty to 51 charges on Monday, marking the end of Aldrich's time in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court, but what's next for the convicted mass shooter?

Aldrich, who was sentenced to five life sentences and 2,208 years in prison as part of the plea agreement, will be transferred out of the El Paso County jail in the coming days to a state prison.

At the press conference, District Attorney Michael Allen told media that he was unsure of which Colorado prison Aldrich would be transferred to.

While Aldrich's case has come to a close at the state level, further charges could await at the federal level.

Mark Michalek, an FBI special agent, confirmed at the press conference that the bureau has opened an investigation into Aldrich.

A federal case for Aldrich could result in placement in a federal prison or the death penalty, which remains illegal in the state of Colorado.

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Because of the accepted plea deal, Aldrich is unable to appeal the case in the Colorado Supreme Court, meaning the federal-level case is all that potentially remains for Aldrich.

Allen stated at the press conference that he would like to see Aldrich sentenced to death at the federal level if federal prosecutors opt to pursue charges.

Some legal experts speculated that Aldrich accepted the plea deal in an effort to avoid the federal death penalty.

Aldrich's mother, Laura Voepel, received significant blame from prosecutors and victims at Monday's sentencing hearing for allowing Aldrich to commit the shooting.

Voepel currently faces misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct after police told Voepel on Nov. 20, 2022, that her child had been arrested in connection with a murder.

Voepel's attorney has requested a competency evaluation to be performed on her client, and the misdemeanor case remains on hold as the court awaits the results of the evaluation.
Former pro-skier and current film maker Chris Anthony is now in the Warrior Legend Hall of Fame for the 10th Mountain Division.

The Warrior Legend Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the 10th Mountain Division and American society.

Anthony, who learned about receiving the honor just several days ago, flew to New York late last week to attend the ceremony.

"This was an unexpected honor I learned about two weeks ago," Anthony said of the induction. "The significance of it grew greater as I have spent the last two days amongst our active military at Fort Drum, NY."

Anthony, a 2018 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame inductee, received his plaque from Major General Gregory Anderson and Command Sergeant Major Nema Mobar with approximately 100 invitees in attendance.

"I have had some very special recognitions during my journey, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought something like this would happen as a civilian with zero military background other than what I have experienced over the years being part of as a skier filming," Anthony said.

The plaque reads:

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"For exhibiting the best qualities and characteristics of the 10th Mountain Division through a lifetime of service. Mr. Anthony significantly contributed to the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division on his public and private life. He provided extraordinary support of the soldiers, families, veterans and the community of the 10th Mountain Division."

The plaque Anthony received will be permanently placed in the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters, Riva Ridge Room. His name will also be etched at a few other locations in Fort Drum.

Anthony brought along his film, "Mission Mt. Mangart," to show the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division  the most deployed unit in the Army  while at Fort Drum.

The film tells tales of the 10th Mountain Divisions' events from 1939 leading up to June 3, 1945, when a ski race was held near the border of former Yugoslavia, which was hosted and organized by the soldiers of the 10th on Mount Mangart.

"In the past few years, while I've been building this movie, I have had the chance to sit with WW2 vets, commanding generals from multiple countries, as well as enlisted men and women, supreme (court) judges, ambassadors and distinguished medal honorees, but never have I been more infatuated with the importance of history and truly been amazed by the design of how this country and others have taken place," Anthony said, speaking about the recent showing and ceremony.

Anthony said approximately 350 soldiers attended the screening of his film.

"This has been a bit of a Twilight Zone. I could not be more proud and motivated to learn more," he said.
Officials with the Pueblo Fire Department rescued multiple pets from a house fire overnight Tuesday on the east side of Pueblo, according to the Pueblo Fire Department.

Pueblo firefighters received reports of a house fire in the Belmont neighborhood on Carousel Court just after midnight, Tuesday. Rescue officials arrived on the scene to find the home in heavy fire conditions, officials said.

While the residents of the home were able to escape the blaze, they told firefighters of two cats and a dog believed to still be trapped inside.

Rescue officials were able to locate the dog and one cat, and returned them to safety, but were unable to find the second cat inside the home.

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According to firefighters, properly working smoke detectors alerted the residents of the fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

We cant stress enough the importance of properly working smoke detectors in your home, officials said on social media Tuesday morning, reminding the public to check smoke detector batteries at least twice annually.

Officials said the blaze was extinguished quickly, and no one was injured during the incident.

Reporting by KKTV contributed to this article.
An exodus from the nations second-largest Protestant denomination over disagreements about human sexuality, abortion, Christian doctrine and biblical authority is continuing, with approval of 38 congregations in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and Utah to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

The decision at the Mountain Sky Conference, which began Thursday and ended Sunday in Colorado Springs, brings the total to 48 congregations in the Western Jurisdiction that have split from the mother church.

That represents about 10% of churches in the regional conference, said the Rev. Eric Strader, pastor of worship and administration at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, which hosted the event.

One Colorado Springs church was included in this go-round, the Korean-American United Methodist Church. Four others severed ties during previous conferences: Pikes Peak, Trinity, Wilson and Stratmoor Hills United Methodist churches.

About 16% of the nearly 30,000 United Methodist affiliates nationwide have separated from the denomination since 2019, Strader said, when a change to church law gave authority for congregations to do so.

No one has wanted this, Strader said. But its not shocking.

Infighting between mainline traditionalists and theologically progressive members began more than 50 years ago, with giving their blessing to same-sex marriage and gay clergy among the issues dividing the factions.

In recent years, Bishop Karen Oliveto, the churchs first openly gay lesbian bishop, became the episcopal leader of the Mountain Sky Area in 2016. She preached at a healing service following the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs last November.

I think its good they let the congregations go, said John Lomperis, a United Methodist director with The Institute on Religion and Democracy, based in Washington, D.C.

But he objects to the way in which it was done.

The process was very punitive in what has been known as a liberal conference, Lomperis said.

There was a statement made to the effect that these congregations are guilty of a breach of the law of love, accusing those disaffiliating of being unloving, he said. That seemed rather ungracious and mean-spirited to backstab them on their way out the door.

Strader said releasing the congregations has been done in a sympathetic manner.

These are beloved siblings of ours who feel it is better to go their own way, and we send them off with goodness and love, Strader said.

Lomperis said traditionalists dont believe that loving someone always requires you to agree, or if you disagree with someone you must hate them.

Traditionalists uphold the historic idea of marriage being between a man and a woman, Lomperis said, and welcome gay people but believe they should remain celibate, and so should gay clergy.

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If someone says, I find myself attracted to other men, leaders of the church have said, We have no inherent objection to that someone being ordained, he said. The issue is non-celibate gay pastors, not gay pastors.

Lomperis, who leads one of seven United Methodist Church caucuses, which defends historic doctrine, also objects to Oliveto saying that the Christian savior, Jesus Christ, was not perfect, while traditionalists uphold Jesus as God and therefore perfect.

Said Strader: Were not moving away from doctrinal standards. Were following Jesus Christ, who reached out to all kinds of people. We have chosen to be inclusive of all Gods people to move forward.

Some also disagree with additional financial penalties added for departing Mountain Sky Conference churches, saying extra expenses above whats already mandated for disaffiliation will tax strapped congregations.

Under the 2019 changes to church law, exiting congregations must pay a share of pensions of retired clergy, two years of yearly taxes that are levied to be part of the denomination, and legal fees involved with transferring property deeds and titles.

Some of the newly disaffiliating churches also must give 45% of their annual budget to the conference, said the Rev. Randy Jessen, whose United Methodist congregation disaffiliated from the Mountain Sky Conference last fall. He now leads the Plains Community Church in Genoa, Colo.

And all were required to agree to at least a 10-year lien on their property, he said.

So, if you sold the property, youd owe 20% of the property value back to the Mountain Sky Conference, like if you got a new car as a gift but someone else kept the keys, Jessen said. Everyone had different requirements, some harsher than our conferences.

The chance to legally depart from the denomination expires this year, said Lomperis.

Because of that, some of the churchs five jurisdictions have scheduled special sessions into December, he said.

Hundreds more churches are expected to part ways with the United Methodist Church, Lomperis said, with a possibility of an extension.

Some churches have closed, Lomperis said, others have joined a new traditionalist denomination, the Global Methodist Church. Jessen said nearly 5,000 congregations are affiliated.

Lomperis said, as a United Methodist since childhood, hes sad about the development.

This is not the United Methodist Church I signed up for, he said. Its become a very different thing. I hope the Global Methodist Church is going to be the church that preserves the best of what we had for years and learns from the mistakes of the United Methodist Church.

Strader said denominations are born out of dissatisfaction with existing theology, doctrine and governance, including the Methodist Church, which formed in the 1700s in England, and the United Methodist Church that was created in 1968 in the United States. In 1816, issues relating to racial discrimination caused a schism that led to the creation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

This is who we are, Strader said.
On July 29th, 2022, I woke up to a text from my boss asking me to call them. Ten minutes later, I had the phone against my ear and the words of my boss numbly echoing that my friend and co-worker of two years, Meadow Sinner, was killed. The day prior, Meadows ex-stepfather and abuser entered her home following a series of threats towards her and her mother and shot and killed both Meadow and her mother, Lindsay, before taking his own life.

Meadow was a friend, a daughter, an actress, an advocate, and so much more. Most importantly, she was a human whose life was stolen from her at the age of 16, literally by the hands of a gun and her abuser but ultimately at the hands of a failed system. The legal systems put in place to protect victims of domestic violence have continuously failed victims, such as Meadow, in the past and in the present. Based on statistics provided by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 36.8% of Colorado women and 30.5% of Colorado men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lives. It is no secret that domestic violence is and has been an issue we are facing.

Meadow and Lindsay were in an ongoing trial against their abuser before he killed them and had also called the courts just days prior to their deaths requesting a new protection order against him after he called and threatened to kill them  the judge decided that there was no credible threat. My friends murderer was a noted red flag in the system; the courts knew he was a danger, and so did many people around him, yet he was still able to take the firearm in his immediate possession and end the lives of her and her mother quicker than the courts were willing to release a new protection order against him.

The 2022 annual report from the Colorado Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board revealed that in 2021, Colorado had a total of 91 domestic violence fatalities (DVFs) the highest number of DVFs since the board was created in 2017. 81.1% of those fatalities were caused by the use of firearms, causing firearms to be the most frequent cause of death in DVFs.

While it is too late to save Meadow alongside the endless other victims who lost their lives to domestic violence, it is not too late for us to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future. On April 28, Governor Jared Polis signed the new expanded Red Flag Law. The new rendition of the Red Flag Law allows for family/household members, law enforcement officers, medical care providers, licensed mental health-care providers, licensed educators, and district attorneys to petition for an extreme risk protection order that will lead to the confiscation of guns in a persons home which is of threat to themselves or others. Previously, the law only allowed for law enforcement and family members to petition for the confiscation of guns, but now with a wider range of personnel being able to acknowledge and get help when a person seems of harm to themselves or others, many lives can be saved.

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Colorado currently has one of the lowest use rates of its red flag law, only issuing 3.3 protection orders per 100,000 residents through 2021. This law has great power and potential to save many lives being impacted by domestic violence, but it can only do so if we properly utilize it. Governor Jared Polis signing onto the expanded law is incredible news, however, individuals are far less likely than police officers to succeed with red flag petitions, and police arent utilizing the law as they should.

Red flag applications are approved 95% of the time if police petition them compared to 32% when Coloradans file their own petitions. While it is hopeful that the new additions signed into the law will make individual petitions more likely to be approved, it is also important that police are fully educated on this law and properly utilize it.

We know the red flag law is effective from 2020 to 2022, law enforcement, close family, and housemates filed 380 red flag petitions, saving countless lives and avoiding numerous tragedies. The new expanded red flag law creates the endless opportunity to make sure even more lives are saved lives such as Meadows. However, this law is being so heavily politicized, and fear mongered that it is not being properly utilized. In situations such as Meadows, it is clear that a threat is present  her abuser having posted on Facebook just hours before her death that he was going to kill them. The utilization of the red flag law in these situations, however, can completely alter the outcome, eliminating a clearly violent and dangerous weapon that took three lives in just this one account. While the fear of police abusing their power and taking ones guns away for no reason is valid in some accounts, this law is not something that should be politicized. This law was not implemented to take guns away without reason; it was created to prevent harm to save lives. Refusing to implement this law as a police officer has immensely harmful impacts  the numbers show just how important a police officials voice has in red flag petitions, and that should not be abused.

As I write this, I am two short months away from having to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of Meadows death. I will buy her orange lilies and drive an hour to her grave to say hello, and Im sorry. In another world, Meadow would be alive with green eyeshadow on, texting me about her cat Janice, but realistically we are in a world that failed her and her mother.

Emeline Smith is an advocate and youth mentor as well as a student studying Psychology and Creative Writing.
A recent data analysis conducted by WalletHub sought to determine which American states were best for summer road trips. Oddly  despite its popularity among travelers  Colorado was snubbed from the top 10, landing in a mediocre 19th-place ranking. The reason? Safety concerns.

The analysis looked at 32 key metrics falling into three greater categories  costs, safety and activities. While Colorado ranked 19th in terms of road tripping costs and 15th in terms of local activities, a 40th-place ranking among the 50 states brought down the Centennial State's overall score.

The "safety" category of criteria included factors like road and bridge quality, traffic fatalities, dangerous practices among drivers (cell phone use, speeding, aggression) and automobile thefts  with Colorado ranking 50th when it came to stolen vehicles.

It's well-known that vehicle theft has been an issue in Colorado in recent years, as well as road rage incidents.

Steering clear of urban areas can be one means of avoiding these two issues, as thefts and violence tend to be more common in places like Denver and Colorado Springs.

That being said, there are a few local "safety" issues that this ranking didn't touch on that may still apply.

Summers in Colorado are also known for wildfires and mudslides that can result in potential hazards and travel delays. Thankfully, both of these concerns can be avoided in most cases by watching the forecast and staying up to date with conditions that may amplify fire risk. It's also worth noting that road trippers may be uncomfortable navigating mountain roads, though this concern can also be avoided by paying close attention to route selection.

Overall, Texas ranked the highest when it came to being road tripper-friendly and Rhode Island ranked the worst.

See the full ranking here.
Under Colorado law, discrimination and retaliation by landlords are illegal. But are they something that can prevent a landlord from carrying out an eviction?

On Monday, the state Supreme Court agreed to review a case out of Adams County in which a tenant claims her landlord moved to evict her after she rejected his sexual advances. A trial judge decided she could not fend off the legal action by alleging retaliation and sexual harassment were behind the eviction.

"This decision puts Colorado at odds with nearly all state courts who have ruled on this question and have held that discrimination and retaliation under fair housing laws are affirmative defenses to an eviction," wrote attorney Spencer Bailey on behalf of Claire E. Miller.

A decision in Miller's favor could have significant effects on eviction filings in Colorado, which stood at 37,000 in 2022.

Miller rented a home from Jesse A. Amos. Amos moved to evict her last year, alleging she failed to abide by their agreement to clean the home in lieu of paying rent. He also accused Miller of being "aggressive" toward him.

In response, Miller alleged Amos was ejecting her because she rebuffed his sexual harassment. The case went to trial in Adams County Court, where a judge concluded the prohibitions on retaliation and discrimination in the Colorado Fair Housing Act could not serve as a defense against eviction.

Miller appealed, and District Court Judge Teri L. Vasquez acknowledged there was no precedent in Colorado to guide her. She noted a landlord's retaliation based on complaints made about the conditions of a housing unit can bar an eviction. Retaliation rooted in sexual harassment, however, did not qualify.

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Vasquez added she was "not indifferent" to the concern that landlords would be free to evict tenants because of sex, race, disability or other protected traits. But the fair housing act "specifically provides an affirmative remedy in the event a landlord engages in such conduct," she explained, referring to a separate lawsuit.

Miller asked the Supreme Court to hear her case and received the backing of multiple civil rights, legal aid and victim advocacy organizations. They argued a separate housing discrimination lawsuit, brought by a tenant who is already unable to pay rent, is unrealistic and comes too late. The sensible alternative, they contended, is to use a landlord's retaliation to halt the eviction in the first place.

"To keep a sexual harasser from exploiting the eviction process to further harm victims, tenants must have the ability to assert an affirmative defense in an eviction proceeding," wrote attorneys for the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, National Fair Housing Alliance, National Women's Law Center and other groups.

Miller pointed out that courts in at least 15 states and the District of Columbia have issued rulings that enable tenants to combat an eviction by showing a landlord acted out of discrimination or retaliation. Only two states, she alleged, have taken the opposite path.

In one of the early cases allowing for an affirmative defense to eviction, the Washington Court of Appeals agreed in 2002 that a tenant could invoke disability discrimination by her landlord to try and defeat the eviction attempt.

"Where a tenant does not pay the agreed rent, the tenant's defense must constitute an excuse," the court wrote. "While discrimination is extremely unlikely to be such a defense, it is not a logical impossibility."

The case is Miller v. Amos. Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright did not participate in the Supreme Court's decision to hear the appeal.
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday agreed a Boulder police officer acted reasonably when he asked a driver who crashed into and severely injured another man to take a blood test, then gave him substantial time to discuss it with his mother.

Eli Allan White was driving an unfamiliar Tesla and was preoccupied with the vehicle's controls when he slammed into a man whose own car was broken down. White pinned the man between the two vehicles and caused the victim's legs to be amputated. Although police believed distracted driving was the cause, they nevertheless asked if White would take a chemical test for intoxication.

The results came back positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. A Boulder County trial judge, however, blocked prosecutors from using those test results, concluding police unreasonably extended White's detention by seeking a blood test without any reason to suspect impairment.

"For multiple reasons, the officers understandably focused on Whites distraction from the road at the beginning of their investigation," acknowledged Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. in the Supreme Court's June 26 opinion. However, the request for a blood draw "was part of the one and only investigation into the cause of the collision, Whites role in the collision, and the crime or crimes he may have committed."

Prosecutors appealed the ruling of District Court Judge Patrick Butler directly to the Supreme Court, as state law permits. They argued if it was constitutionally unreasonable for police to simply ask a suspect to consent to a blood test, law enforcement would have a more difficult time investigating car crashes.

On Jan. 3, 2022, White was driving along Broadway. It was the middle of the day and weather conditions were good. However, White was manipulating the screen on his father's Tesla and did not see the victim's car, stopped in the road, until it was too late. The victim was at the rear of his vehicle and suffered severe injuries from being pinned between both cars.

Officer Joseph Clemen arrived first and noticed White had red eyes and "constricted pupils," but he attributed it to White's extreme distress and crying. Clemen allowed White to call his mother and also requested a victim advocate attend to White. Clemen asked if White was under the influence of drugs, and White responded he had only taken medicine for depression and anxiety.

Clemen consulted with two other officers who had begun to perform accident reconstruction. He said he had no indication White was intoxicated. The officers agreed distracted driving appeared to be the cause, but one of them suggested Clemen ask about White's sleeping schedule and if he would agree to a blood draw.

Returning to White, Clemen indicated White was not able to leave just yet. He inquired about White's sleep schedule, which was normal, and about White's willingness to do a chemical test. He said there would be no consequences for refusal. Clemen later testified he was simply trying to "back up" White's statements, and "not to find any incriminating evidence."

White called his mother, then agreed to a blood test. Clemen waited until the mother arrived, and clarified the voluntary nature of the request. The mother disclosed White used marijuana, but Clemen assured her it would "show up differently" if it were not "actively" in White's system. Again, White agreed to the test.

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The results showed his THC content was well over the amount state law sets as the cutoff for presumed impairment. As a result, prosecutors charged White with felony vehicular assault, which involves operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs.

In February, Butler issued an order suppressing the test results. He reasoned White was subject to an investigatory stop, which allows police to investigate a crime if they have reasonable suspicion and their actions are related to that inquiry. Yet, Butler effectively saw two investigations: the first, where officers concluded distracted driving caused the crash, and the second, where police detained White further to get his consent for a blood test.

White "was detained so law enforcement could attempt to gain his consent for a blood draw when they lacked reasonable suspicion that his blood would reveal evidence of intoxication," Butler wrote.

The district attorney's office, on appeal, insisted that criminal investigations are "fluid" and it was unreasonable to expect police to adhere to a single, preliminary theory behind a vehicle collision. Moreover, Clemen had accommodated White and his preferences throughout his time on scene.

"Officers, investigating a violent and tragic vehicle collision, asked Defendant if he would voluntarily provide a blood sample and gave him as much time as he needed to consult with family members and decide," wrote Senior Deputy District Attorney Ryan Day. "If this is unreasonable, what should officers have done differently?"

The Supreme Court, in reversing Butler, saw one continuous investigation that included both intoxication and distraction as potential causes. The officers would have been "derelict," wrote Samour, if they neglected to test White's blood.

"Considering the clear and sunny weather, the flat and straight surface, the generally dry road conditions, and the lack of any obstruction, simple carelessness was certainly a possible cause of the collision. But so was drug intoxication," he added.

Justice William W. Hood III wrote separately to say that while he agreed Clemen acted reasonably, the court's majority unnecessarily analyzed White's own role in prolonging his detention and the police's "diligence" in investigating. Hood believed officers already had probable cause for a crime  careless driving  and they would have been justified in arresting White, not simply detaining him.

Justice Maria E. Berkenkotter did not participate in the appeal. Clemen is no longer an officer, having been fired for concealing information to his supervisors outside of White's case.

The case is People v. White.
Gov. Jared Polis made an unannounced visit to the 2023 Colorado Municipal League conference in Aurora on Monday, with remarks characterized by one person as a "lecture" to elected municipal officials.

Polis has had few friends lately among municipal government leaders due to their opposition to his 2023 housing plan, which unsuccessfully sought to strip away local control on zoning issues from city and town governments. That change would have likely been felt the most by the 105 cities and towns with home rule authority granted under the state constitution.

That opposition didn't deter the governor from attempting to sell his housing ideas to the Colorado Municipal League audience, immediately launching into a pitch for the proposals but also drawing criticism for some of his comments.

"There's no need for endless assessments and planning, we just simply need to cut red tape," Polis said, saying that's particularly true for affordable housing such as duplexes, fourplexes and other options, and building units close to job centers around the state.

Polis asked for cities and towns struggling with affordable housing to see the state as a "tool" for achieving their goals.

But the governor's comments to the group, in particular, asking its members to be at the table for the next round of talks, was not well-received by officials, who maintain they have always been at the table to discuss the governor's housing plan but their input was not welcome.

Polis extended that invitation to the group and others to find common ground on policy that he said will move the state forward. But "if CML chooses not to, we're not offended by that," the governor added.

Polis said there are many ways to engage and his administration would "welcome direct engagement with CML," but he also directly appealed to the city and town councils officials in attendance.

"We want you to use the tool of the state to recognize your goals around housing and how your communities grow," Polis said. "Without action, housing will continue to be less affordable."

That scenario, he said, would push Colorado into looking more like California, which he said is about 10 years too late in addressing its affordable housing issues.

Polis pointed to an example from Montana, which he said "values local control" more than in Colorado, but where the legislature passed a "by-right" legislation for duplexes that covers cities of more than 5,000 population and multi-family housing by-right for cities more than 7,000 in population.

Polis said he's "very envious of Montana."

A 2022 study of Montana zoning recommended to state lawmakers that they consider incentive programs that would tie state housing funding to successful local zoning reforms; allow for 2-4 unit housing and accessory dwelling units (or granny flats) by-right; place limits on "harmful aspects of zoning," such as residential parking mandates; and, streamline permit processes.

Many of those ideas are similar to what was included in Senate Bill 23-213, the governor's housing proposal that failed to make it out of the legislature this year.

"We can help you solve your frustrations, reduce the cost of housing regionally," Polis concluded. "We ask for your help ... our constituents are your constituents."

The remarks didn't exactly go over well with some.

Sens. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, said she was surprised she hadn't been asked to the table on discussions around SB 213, given that she had been a member of the task force on affordable housing in the previous year and the prime sponsor of much of the legislation on the issue over the past six years.

"I kind of thought they would like to have me at the table to discuss next steps for the task force's work. But, as it turned out, not so much," she said.

She was not asked to join a single stakeholder discussion prior to to the bill's introduction, she said.

"But as it turns out, neither were you," she told the audience.

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The Colorado Municipal League conference had included awards presentations, including saluting their "Legislative Heroes," Zenzinger and Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, who led the opposition to SB 213's on the issue of state preemption.

Kirkmeyer said she, too, was never invited to sit down with the proponents, but that came as no surprise to her.

"The governor came to CML to lecture the cities," Kirkmeyer said of the governor remarks, adding that he continues to double down on his housing ideas.

What disappointed Zenzinger most was not that she wasn't included but "the enormous opportunity that was lost" because Polis insisted on his ideas.

"I can't think of a single opponent of SB 213 that doesn't believe" more should be done, she said in her remarks, adding SB 213 gave them preemption, not partnership, and mandates, not collaboration.

Zenzinger

"We lost out on an opportunity for state and local governments to join forces in order to tackle this problem in a more forceful way," Zenzinger said.

She urged municipalities need not to wait "for a bad bill to begin telling your story."

"You must offer up ways in which, we as a state, can work with local governments in a unified approach to tackle this issue now," she said.

She added that local governments should not use home rule or local control as a way to say "no," but as a powerful tool to address the statewide issue of housing affordability and partner with all groups with a voice in housing issues, which, she added, should include even those with whom they disagree.

"Local governments need to come together and aggressively demonstrate to the governor and the legislature that you accept the challenge and will lead the way on affordable housing," she said.

CML Executive Director Kevin Bommer said no one was happy SB 213 failed.

"I'm glad it didn't pass because of all the damage it would have done," he said but added that, in failing to pass a measure, "we lost a huge opportunity."

He lamented how people had to focus all their energy on ensuring an "unconstitutional" and "inappropriate" preemption didn't happen.

"It won't be that way going forward," he said. "There is a table. When we're invited that doesn't include preemption, we'll be more than happy to be part of the discussion,"

If not, he said, "we'll build our own table with partnership, with people who want to work together on affordable housing."

He said he would also challenge state legislators to take a pledge for partnership instead of preemption.

Cities and towns are a tight-knit group, Bommer said, adding, "I thank the governor for bringing us a little closer together."
Colorado state Rep. Ryan Armagost, an Iraq War veteran and former deputy sheriff, watched in horror as the video of what the Denver police described as the "ambush" of an officer unfolded.

In the video, a man opens a gate and enters. A police car is parked just a few feet away. Within seconds, the man pulls out a gun and opens fire at the police car.

The officer inside opens the driver's door, falls to the ground, and staggers out of view. A shootout ensues.

"Shots fired. I'm hit," the officer says. "Suspect, I think, is down."

Armagost, a Republican who represents Berthoud, said he earlier heard that two Denver officers were shot within 24 hours of each other. He didn't know yet that he, in fact, knows one of the officers very well.

That officer and Armagost were members of the Army National Guard, and they deployed to Iraq in 2008 as part of the same platoon. Both served as squad leaders and were assigned to detainee operations. They also shared a similar background, as both previously served in the U.S. Marines.

The officer who survived the "ambush" on June 7 outside the Quality Inn near North Speer Boulevard and Interstate 25 in Denver was hit several times, but his protective vest stopped three rounds, one to his chest and two to his back, according to the Denver Police Department.

Two days after the shooting, Armagost said that officer, whose name has not been released to the public, told friends via social media that he was fine.

"Everyone that knows ... I'm OK," Armagost quoted the officer as saying.

The officer added his vest saved his life.

That's when Armagost said he realized it was his fellow veteran, whom he spent nine months with in Iraq, who got shot.

"It definitely hits closer to home when it's somebody you personally know," Armagost said. "Hearing the sound of his voice after that made me realize he was definitely in distress when he said, 'I'm hit.'"

After learning it was his friend, Armagost said that's also when he recognized the officer's voice in the video.

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"I'm glad he won the fight," Armagost said.

In a Twitter post and in an interview later, Armagost blamed the policies coming out of the state Legislature for fostering what he described as an environment that is "soft on violent adult criminals and repeat offenders," which, he added, is "not helping society."

Denver PD recently had two officers shot within a day of each other.This officer is my veteran brother that I served with and deployed to Iraq with. He was ambushed in his vehicle and thanks to his ballistic vest, mindset, and training, he was able to win this fight.This is pic.twitter.com/9RWnLI12j2  Representative Ryan Armagost (@RepRyanArmagost) June 24, 2023

There's no way to know what the motive is behind the "ambush" of his friend, Armagost told Colorado Politics.

"It's the environment that we're fostering  violent behavior, mental illness  all of these things that are putting our officers in these kinds of positions," he said.

The position that Armagost articulated hews to Republican orthodoxy  specifically the belief that guns are not the source of violence, but the people who pulled the trigger. Republicans have decried the slew of gun-related legislation coming out of the Capitol, arguing they make it harder for Coloradans who legitimately need weapons to defend themselves and they make erstwhile lawful activity into an illegal one, thereby turning residents into criminals.

Democrats have countered that guns are the problems and it's a moral imperative to curb their proliferation and make it harder to access or use them. In signing several gun bills in May, Gov. Jared Polis called them a significant investment in making Colorado safer. He said Coloradans deserve to be safe in their communities, schools, grocery stores, nightclubs and everywhere in between, adding: They shouldnt have to fear the threat of gun violence.

At the same signing ceremony, Attorney General Phil Weiser said: Theres so much trauma in this room ... We are living in a time where the Second Amendment has been taken to a place that makes no sense.

During a recent press conference, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said the two incidents involving the police officers illustrate the challenges law enforcement faces in Denver "with far too many guns in our community."

In the second incident, which also happened on June 7, a police officer exchanged fire with a 17-year-old suspect. Both were taken to the hospital and have since been released.

Armagost said after he and his friend returned home and left the service, the officer joined the Denver Police Department, while he went to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.

They kept in touch.

"We both had been overseas a few times and came back, and to have even more combative incidents like that take place at home is just scary and kind of sad at the same time," Armagost said.
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.

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.
In a post-trial press conference on Monday, 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen joined several city leaders and public safety officials in praising the heroism shown during the Club Q shooting, as well as the law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts that led to Anderson Aldrich pleading guilty to more than 51 charges and being sentenced to five life sentences plus more than 2,000 years in prison, with no possibility of parole or appeal.

But with an emotional and arduous trial behind him, and with Aldrich unlikely to ever leave prison alive, Allen also had some strong words for the Club Q assailant as well as Colorado laws that prevented his office from pursuing the death penalty.

Today marks an important step in the recovery journey of the victims and family members of the Club Q shooting, Allen said.

Five consecutive life sentences  one life sentence for each murder victim plus 48 years for each person the defendant in this case attempted to murder that night, running consecutively, totaling 2,208 years on top of those five consecutive life sentences. That is the longest sentence ever achieved in the 4th Judicial District.

Allen highlighted the bravery of Thomas James, Richard Fierro, and Drea Norman in subduing Aldrich and helping to prevent a catastrophic situation from becoming much worse.

The combined heroics of these three individuals undoubtedly saved, as I said, countless lives, Allen said.

The District Attorney then expressed frustration at his offices inability to pursue a death sentence for Aldrich. Capital punishment was abolished in Colorado in 2020.

Cases like this are why the death penalty should exist in the state of Colorado, Allen said. The victims in this case deserve the ultimate punishment that the law can provide, and they were robbed of that by changes in the law just a few short years ago.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said Mondays sentencing was a necessary step toward healing for the Club Q victims and survivors, their families, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Words cant help those who were injured heal faster. They cant remove the trauma suffered by so many in the club and in the LGBTQ+ community, Vasquez said. What I hope today does is remind everyone that you are not alone. Every member of the police department stands by you today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Vasquez added that the U.S. Attorneys Office has requested that the police department not release any documents, evidence or video until the federal judicial process has concluded.

Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Denver, confirmed that his agency has opened an investigation into the Club Q attack, but declined to specify possible charges or penalties being sought.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade thanked the DAs office, CSPD, the FBI, and first responders for their combined efforts, beginning the night of the attack and leading up to Mondays disposition of the case.

Justice may have been served in the legal sense, Mobolade said. However, the fight for justice and healing must continue.

Former Mayor John Suthers, who was in office at the time of the attack, commended the Colorado Springs community for responding to the Club Q attack with dignity and compassion.

Our community is defined by our response to this incident and not by the acts of an evildoer, Suthers said. And I am confident, at this point in time, that history will judge it just so.

This was done right, and I, based on my experience, can assure our community and the victims of this crime that the disposition reached today, in light of the state of the law in Colorado  without a death penalty  this is the best possible disposition that could have taken place. Justice was achieved to the maximum degree allowed under the laws of the state of Colorado.

Asked for his assessment of the case, Allen did not mince words when speaking about the Club Q shooter.

Hes a coward, Allen said. Any time you go into any establishment  knowing that the people inside cannot effectively counter the firepower that youre bringing in  that is the epitome of being a coward.

Allen notably eschewed the use of they/them pronouns when referring to Aldrich, who has claimed to be nonbinary.

There was zero evidence, prior to the shooting, that he was nonbinary, he said. He exhibited extreme hatred for people in the LGBTQ+ community  and for other minority groups as well.

Mobolade stressed that the city will do what it can to help the LGBTQ+ community to continue to heal moving forward.

In the darkest of times, we choose to find the light as best we can, the mayor said. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Only when its dark enough can you see the stars.
Numerous Club Q victims and their families gave statements after Anderson Aldrich pleaded guilty to a mass shooting that left five dead last November.

Aldrich pleaded guilty Monday in a capacity courtroom to five counts of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 2,000-plus years in prison after victim impact statements were made to the court.

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 at the LGBTQ+ nightclub on North Academy Boulevard on Nov. 19.

In between Aldrich pleading guilty and Judge Michael McHenry's sentencing of the shooter, victims and their families gave their victim impact statements.

Jeff Aston, the father of Daniel Aston, 28, one of the five killed in the shooting, was among the first to speak to the court.

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.

Wyatt Kent, partner of Daniel Aston, was celebrating his birthday with a drag performance and dance party at Club Q the night of the shooting.

We as queer people were attacked on Nov. 19," Kent said. I forgive this individual, as they are the symbol of a broken system.

Aldrich was accused of fatally shooting five people and injuring nearly two dozen at the nightclub. Aldrich faced 323 charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and more from the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office.

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, maim and destroy is one that is unforgivable to me, Fierro said.

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.

Ashley was a loving woman, taken by one senseless act of hate. Why isn't the punishment for this much harder?  His punishment should be painful and match the pain he caused my wife, and many others."

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 said. I can't help but feel robbed. ... I refuse to let my sister be erased by horrific violence on the LGBTQ community."
Ashtin Gamblin was the self-proclaimed door girl at Club Q, a face familiar to the many patrons of the LGBTQ+ nightclub located in northern Colorado Springs.

On Nov. 19, Gamblin's life  along with the lives of more than 50 others who were at the nightclub that night changed forever.

Gamblin spoke at the shooter's sentencing hearing on Monday, where she recalled the harrowing night she and several others experienced at Club Q the night of the shooting.

Gamblin spoke to Judge Michael McHenry about how Aldrich shot her nine times, and if it weren't for the actions of her friend and Club Q bartender Daniel Aston she would have died. Gamblin stated that she was eventually taken to the hospital in the same ambulance as Anderson Aldrich, the person responsible for killing Aston and four others that evening.

"I often am curious if (Aldrich) remembers me," Gamblin said to McHenry, surrounded by her mother and husband as she spoke. "I had to ride in the ambulance as the same person who murdered my newfound family."

"You have an amazing son that saved my wife's life," Ryan Gamblin, Ashtin Gamblin's husband, said to Aston's parents.

Aston, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, Derrick Rump and Raymond Green Vance  ranging in age from 22 to 40  died in the shooting. Seventeen more were injured by gunfire.

Gamblin was just one of more than 20 people who gave impact statements to the court on Monday morning, the likes of which included victims, their families and their friends.

The numerous victims who spoke to the court described Aldrich as a "monster," "animal," "terrorist," and many more.

The sense of anger was palpable amongst those who spoke to the court.

Kassandra Fierro, the girlfriend of Vance, talked about the future with Vance, who she had been dating for six years, that was taken from her.

"Our entire futures were ripped from us," Fierro said. "Because of that evil man I will never be able to grow old with my person.

Fierro's mother, Jessica Fierro, described Aldrich as a "bigot, racist and coward" before informing Aldrich directly that "the devil awaits with open arms."

"With one cowardly act my wife, my best friend, the mother of my child is gone," Kurt Paugh, the husband of Ashley Paugh, who was out at Club Q with her friends at the time of the shooting, said. "(Ashely Paugh) was taken by one senseless act of hate."

"They (the victims of the Club Q shooting) died at the hand of an insecure and lonely loser who takes up oxygen." Z Williams, speaking on behalf of Del Lusional, a drag queen who performed at Club Q the night of the shooting, said. "Those sounds haunt me every moment of my life."

Perhaps the most anger-filed statement came from Richard Fierro, whose daughter  Kassandra Fierro  had been dating Vance. 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 head echo for the rest of your life.

As Fierro gave his statement Aldrich stared directly back during nearly his entire statement, the only victim Aldrich did so for. As Fierro returned to his seat Aldrichs red-eyed gaze followed, finally looking down at the table as Fierro sat down.

Fierro was not the only one who spoke on Monday regarding the topic of forgiveness, with the overwhelming sentiment being that they could never forgive Aldrich.

Sabrina Aston, the mother of Daniel Aston and one of the first people to speak on Monday, said that while her son may have had it in his heart to forgive Aldrich, "I can not."

"I can not express how devastated I am," Sabrina Aston said. "Not for one minute do I believe your words of regret and remorse.

"I will not forgive this person (Aldrich) next to me," Michael Anderson, a Club Q bartender and survivor said. "Im the only one who got to clock out that night, and thats not fair

While many of the survivors expressed their lack of forgiveness, one exception was Wyatt Kent.

"I forgive this Individual (Aldrich)," Kent said. "They are the symbol of a broken system."

Many who spoke also took time to speak about the impact Aldrich had on the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado Springs. While some spoke about the damage Aldrich caused, most chose to speak about how Aldrich's attempt to damage and hurt the LGBTQ+ community has only brought them closer together, and made them stronger.

Edward Sanders, another victim who was shot at Club Q, wrote a statement which was read by 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen. Sanders wrote about how the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs is small and "tight-knit" and how Club Q acted as a safe space for those in Colorado Springs.

"I was there the first weekend Club Q opened, and I will be there the first day it reopens," Sanders said in his statement via Allen.

"(Club Q) represented community, inclusivity and a sense of belonging," John Arcediano, a survivor of the shooting, said in his statement. "You have not won, Mr. Aldrich."

"You did not succeed in destroying this community," Matthew Haynes, a co-owner of Club Q stated.

Aldrich pleaded guilty to 51 charges  five counts of first-degree murder and 46 counts of attempted first-degree murder. McHenry sentenced Aldrich to five life in prison sentences and 48 years in prison for every attempted murder charge, equaling a total of 2,208 years in prison. Allen stated that Aldrich's sentence is the second-largest to ever be given in the state of Colorado.

As Gamblin neared the end of her impact statement she took off her sweatshirt  a sweatshirt she said she was wearing the night of the shooting  to reveal numerous large, red scars on her back and arms, which she said were from the bullets fired from Aldrich's gun the evening of Nov. 19.

"Nothing will make this ," Gamblin said. "I lost everything ... my entire life upended because someone had a gun.
Police are investigating a dumpster fire over the weekend at an Albany McDonald's as suspicious.

Albany firefighters received a call reporting a structure fire at the fast food restaurant, 820 Pacific Blvd. SW, at 3:32 p.m. Saturday, June 24, according to Albany Fire Department Fire Marshal Sandy Roberts.

They discovered the smoke and flames to be coming from a dumpster inside an enclosure behind the restaurant, next to the drive-thru lane.

The "fire was knocked down quickly and the building was evacuated by APD (Albany police). The fire did not affect the main building," Roberts said by email.

As firefighters mopped up, a parked car blocked access to the drive-thru lane. Roberts said power was then restored and Pacific Boulevard remained open during the incident.

"The fire was suspicious and APD is investigating," Roberts said.

Mid-Valley Media has an email out to Albany police.
Ranking city staff from Grants Pass, Springfield and Albany, New York are vying for the role of Benton Countys top employee as officials near the end of a monthslong search to permanently replace Joe Kerby.

Kerby left in March to assume a similar role in Jefferson County, Colorado, in the southwestern Denver metropolitan area. Suzanne Hoffman, who heads the Benton County Public Health Department, has been filling the top job in an interim role.

The human resources department began looking in April for someone to manage operations in the county of about 96,000 people and outlay an about $486 million budget.

A consultant told elected leaders in early June their finalists in a broad pool of applicants had visited and wanted to live in the Willamette Valley.

Aaron Cubic, an Oregon State University alum, has served as city manager in Grants Pass since 2012. He managed the city of Myrtle Creek and waste programs in Douglas and Lincoln counties.

Rachel McEneny was a budget officer before she was quickly promoted to an administrative services role in Albany, New York, where shes worked since 2016. She directed communications for the Albany County District Attorney; for U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand; and directed public affairs for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in New York.

Nancy Newton is the city manager in Springfield and worked for 16 years in Clackamas County as deputy director for a children, families and health commission; then as county administrator assistant and deputy county administrator. She was an assistant county executive and chief operating officer for Sacramento County before joining Springfield in 2020.

The candidates will answer public questions and present their vision for the Benton County job during a community interaction event 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 at the countys headquarters, 4500 Research Way in Corvallis.

Related stories:
A partial list from the 2023 session:

Housing and homelessness: $217 million for state aid to emergency regional efforts and agency planning (House bills 2001, 5019). Also $2 billion, mostly from bonds, for construction of affordable housing at 30% of household income (House Bill 3395 and Senate bills 5505 and 5511)

Behavioral health: $153 million added to the $1 billion committed in the past two years for mobile crisis response and coordination between responders and care centers. (House Bill 2757 plus three budget bills)

Semiconductor aid: $210 million for businesses and others seeking federal incentives for domestic manufacturing (Senate Bill 4); $50 million added to fund (Senate Bill 5506), plus new research and development tax credit and extension of existing state incentives (House Bill 2009)

Interstate 5 bridge: $1 billion pledged in general obligation bonds over the next four state budget cycles through 2029-31. (House Bill 5005, Senate Bill 5506)

Public schools: A record state school fund of $10.2 billion, plus $140 million in state grants to help boost reading skills (House Bill 5015, House Bill 3198)

Colleges: $1 billion in state support for the seven universities, and $300 million for Oregon Opportunity Grants, the maximum raised from $5,000 to $7,500. (House Bill 5025)

Child tax credit: Creates credit of $1,000, subtracted directly from taxes owed starting with 2023 tax year, for an estimated 55,000 children under age 6 in qualifying families. (House Bill 3235)

Abortion access: Ensures right of choice and right to sue for reproductive and gender-affirming care. (House Bill 2002)

Ghost guns: Guns with untraceable parts are barred after Sept. 1, 2024. (House Bill 2005)

Public defense: $90 million for hiring of more lawyers, compiling list of public employees available for representation. (Senate Bill 337)

Six other items

TikTok: Bans video-sharing app from state-owned devices starting Sept. 24. (House Bill 3127)

Rent cap: Reset at inflation plus 7%, but capped at 10% annually, starting this year for 2024. (Senate Bill 611)

Self-serve gas: Now an option for motorists, though full service remains for half of station pumps. (House Bill 2426)

High school graduation: Personal finance and life skills courses required starting in 2027. (Senate Bill 3)

Potato: Now Oregons official state vegetable. (Senate Concurrent Resolution 3)

Telephone fee: Sets rate of 40 cents per line monthly, effective Jan. 1, 2024, to pay for 988 crisis line. (House Bill 2757)
Hong Kong: Officials complete study programme

A delegation of senior officials today completed its study programme at the National Academy of Governance (NAG) in Beijing and visited the 1954 Constitution Archives Exhibition Hall in Hangzhou.

The delegation, comprising permanent secretaries and heads of departments, was led by Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung.

Fudan University China Institute Director Prof Zhang Weiwei gave a lecture to the participants on Chinas democratic politics to give them an in-depth understanding of the countrys unique system to achieve substantive democracy, good governance as well as stable and sustainable development.

After completing the study programme, NAG Vice President Gong Weibin attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech.

In the afternoon, Mrs Yeung and the delegation arrived in Hangzhou to visit the 1954 Constitution Archives Exhibition Hall where the 1954 Constitution, the first Constitution of the Peoples Republic of China, was drafted.

This story has been published on: 2023-06-27. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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.

In addition to the Iowa City funds, 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% by 2030.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The vision: Host a fun and impactful event that inspires hope and deeper appreciation of our divine purpose.

Members of a Clear Lake committee are aiming to do all that and more by hosting the inaugural "Bash on the Lake" Christian music festival, a free family event from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 29 at City Park.

Families attending the event will experience live Christian bands, local food vendors including a mobile Chick-fil-A from Rochester, Minnesota, and plenty of games and activities for the young and young-at-heart, according to a press release.

"All are welcome for an inspirational, music-filled evening headlined by beloved local and well-known international musicians," said Jamie Copley, who serves on the event's committee.

Producing the event is the nonprofit United to Serve with Passion and Purpose, a 501(c)3 founded by Cabin Coffee co-owner/co-founder Brad Barber aimed toward "seek[ing] to discover and live out our unique, God-given purpose, and empower individuals to explore opportunities to ... reinforce positive relationships, personal growth and life-long learning." The event is funded through business sponsorships, churches, foundations and individual donations.

"Its meant to spark joy, ignite memories, and build community in a positive, faith-filled environment," said Copley. "This event continues what was started by Bash on the Farm, a previously successful North Iowa musical festival."

Clear Lake nonprofit One Vision has partnered with the committee in coordinating activities, and it is offering expertise to ensure individuals of all abilities will enjoy the event. The committee says planning has united volunteers from many North Iowa businesses, churches, and organizations to work together toward a common goal.

The event will be preceded by a week-long vacation Bible school using the "Go Fish" curriculum. Go Fish is a high-energy Christian band confirmed for an afternoon performance. Following that, local musicians Awaken the Dust will bring perform. Rend Collective will headline in the evening, and The Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band promises to create an extraordinary experience.

"We invite you to embrace what is sure to become an annual event; indulge in the experience, stay for the community, make memories with those you love." said the committee's statement.
Tom Walters four-acre soybean plot edged up against Cerro Gordo County conservation land near the Shell Rock River looks almost barren compared to his other 150 or so acres just down the road. Walters land has been decimated by animals.

Ive been farming since 1984, and Ive never seen anything like this, Walters said of the damage to his field. I mean total wipeout. They didnt even leave anything around the edges. Its just completely mowed.

Walters said he would like more deer to be culled in the area to help protect the crops. Hes been in touch with Cerro Gordo County Conservation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, but theres not much they can do at this point. Cerro Gordo Conservation Director Josh Brandt is currently on vacation and unable to comment.

Hunting is not allowed on the Shell Rock River Greenbelt and Preserve that runs next to Walters field. Walters said he believes only some of the conservation land was originally designated as no hunting, but he said Brandt has given him the impression that all of the 590 acres of woods, meadows and ponds are not for hunting.

He didnt tell me which one of these fields had the covenant on one of the deeds, Walters said. The way he talks all of them are non-hunting, but I dont believe that.

Walters did meet with a DNR biologist after seeing the damage done to his mid-May planted soybeans.

Ive been informed by the DNR that this is all deer damage, he said. Turkeys didnt do any of this, according to them.

Ross Ellingson, an Iowa DNR deer deprivation officer, said that deer can damage crops, but theyre far from the only culprits.

We do hear about Canada geese sometimes grazing on beans and corn if its close to water, Ellingson said. Raccoons can be a major issue when it comes to crop damage and theres a lot of questions about other things, but most the time the culprit is deer or racoon.

Ellingson said there are multiple factors when crops are damaged, and he receives around 125 complaints per year in his district that covers the northeast and north central parts of Iowa.

Ellingson said there are options for farmers to help protect their fields. The Iowa DNR has a Wildlife Deprivation Program that allows for hunting of antlerless deer for a $13 tag price during the designated seasons. He advises farmers to know the hunting seasons and find hunters who would like to use extra tags. Landowners must prove damage to the DNR before allowing antlerless hunting on their property.

According to the Iowa DNR, the deer population in the state is estimated to be around 400,000 after the hunting season. The DNR also reports that deer harvests in recent years have exceeded 100,000.

Walters said hes not happy about whats happening to his field, but theres not much that can be done about it at this point. He considered replanting, but there would be no point if the new soybean plants were decimated as well. At the moment hes planning to turn the field into CRP land next year if nothing changes.

Im really agitated, Walters said. When you plant you expect the thing to grow. I can handle this, but when you wipe out a whole field, thats unacceptable. I dont know how this is going to be resolved.
Fireworks season is upon us, as evidenced by multiple fireworks stands in Mason City and the surrounding area.

But don't get too excited, because there are rules as to when and where you can set fireworks off.

State law allows for consumer fireworks to be used between June 1 and July 8. They can also be exploded between Dec. 10 and Jan. 3. Fireworks can only be used between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. most days along with an 11 p.m. cap on the Fourth of July and the following Saturday and Sunday.

But many Iowa cities, including Mason City and Clear Lake, have passed ordinances restricting the use of fireworks in town. Mason City has banned the use of consumer grade fireworks inside of city limits other than between 6 and 11 p.m. July 3 and 4. Fireworks must be more than 200 yards away from hospitals, hospices and nursing homes. It is also illegal to light fireworks on public property including parks and schools.

In Mason City violations carry a $250 fine, cited as a misdemeanor.

Clear Lake has a complete ban on shooting off fireworks in city limits.

Consumer grade fireworks are fireworks that can be sold to the general public without a license requirement. They may contain up to 50 mg. of flash powder for ground effects or 130 mg. of flash powder for aerial effects.

In 2022 the Legislature passed a law allowing the sale of consumer grade fireworks in any location zoned for commercial or industrial purposes. This forced cities that had passed ordinances restricting where fireworks be sold, including Mason City, to amend those ordinances.

The old Mason City ordinance required temporary structures like firework tents to be in an industrial district. The council remedied that conflict with state law last year.

Beverly Thompson has sold fireworks in Mason City for Bellino Fireworks since the law legalizing consumer fireworks was passed in 2017. She has gotten to know some customers who come back for more year after year. This year she's working out of a tent in the Hy-Vee West parking lot at 2400 Fourth St. S.W.

"We have regular customers just like a restaurant," Thompson said. "There are a lot of enthusiasts. The people who make the rules here don't represent 'we the people' just like the world is right now."

Thompson said she has several sought-after products, but the 1776 firework is so popular she has already sold out and ordered more.

She said her favorite part of the business is interacting with customers.

"I love talking to people, meeting the people, seeing the kids all excited -- and sometimes the dads too" she said.

Thompson added that some people prefer to avoid the hassles of the large public fireworks displays such as the events held in Mason City and Clear Lake.

"A lot of people just want to do their own celebrations," she said. "I would like them to comply, but you can also leave town and get out some place where you can do it legally."

Stock your car first aid kit with these essentials for summer road trips 1. Bandages 2. Gauze Pads and Tape 3. Alcohol Prep Pads 4. Anti-Itch Soothing Balm 5. Instant Cold Packs 6. Scissors and Tweezers 7. Pain Relievers 8. Aloe Vera Gel 9. Burn Relief Cream 10. Poison Oak and Ivy Wipes
GRINNELL  What do farmers and astronauts have in common? More than you might think, said Cedar Falls native and NASA astronaut Raja Chari.

From the guidance system of the Apollo 11 command module, to the suite of onboard tracking and imaging sensors, GPS and telematics inside the cab of todays modern combine that can make adjustments on the fly based on crop conditions, much of the technology common in agriculture and daily life today originates from the drive to put a human being on the moon.

Thats all relics of the Apollo (moon-landing mission) investments, Chari said Monday during a round table discussion on agriculture and ag science policy at Grinnell College with members of Iowas congressional delegation.

Chari, who grew up in Cedar Falls and graduated from Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, served as commander of the NASA SpaceX Crew mission to the International Space Station.

Chari returned to Earth in May of last year, after 177 days in space, where the International Space Station crew participated in more than 350 scientific investigations.

A lot of that is plant research, Chari said, from using a centrifuge to change the amount of gravitational force and stress put on plants and measuring the outcome, to growing plant cell cultures in microgravity.

We know how to grow plants in space. Thats, I would say, easy  but it takes a lot of time, he said. So the focus now is, how do we do it with less time? How can it be automated?

Additionally, astronauts can grow larger plant cell cultures in space.

Things that are harder to genetically manipulate on the Earth are easier in microgravity, Chari said. So we are (experimenting) with drought-resistant cotton strains.  That kind of research is where were going with a lot of the agriculture research.

The Indian American astronaut is among 18 picked for NASAs Artemis moon-landing program, which aims to send astronauts back to the moon by 2026 for the first time in more than 50 years.

Chari said NASA is seeking to collaborate with commercial and international partners to establish the first long-term presence and shared exploration of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits and to inspire a new generation of explorers.

He said three Iowa companies are supporting the Artemis missions  one for the rocket, one for the ground systems and another that builds components for the crawler that takes the rocket to the launchpad.

Thats just one program, and theres 300 other pieces of NASA programs that are part of what Iowa contributes, Chari said.

Collins Aerospace, with operations in Cedar Rapids, signed a $320 million contract with Lockheed Martin to provide critical subsystems for NASAs Orion spacecraft fleet for Artemis missions III through VIII. That includes environmental, waste and power management and distribution systems for the crew both in the spacecraft cabin and while isolated in launch and reentry suits.

Work for the systems will be performed in Connecticut, Texas, Illinois and California, according to the company.

Collins Aerospace was also selected to produce NASAs next-generation spacesuit for astronauts to wear when working outside the International Space Station and  within the next decade  on the moon.

Chari was joined by Iowa Republican U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion.

Both Grassley and Ernst serve on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

All three said NASAs lunar research may help improve food production and resource conservation for Iowa and U.S. farmers.

Learning to live on the moon means astronauts will need to learn to grow their own food in micro-gravity, Chari said.

I think its important that we invest in the technology in getting there so that we can continue to lead as a nation and lead the world, he said, just as we did during the Apollo era.

Ernst said what astronauts learn from living on the moon may wind up influencing a wide range of federal policies.

Its important not just for the Farm Bill, but its important for other departments as well as were moving forward doing research on crops, on protecting our water (and) water purification, Ernst said. The experiments that they work in space and out of space as well can apply to so many different avenues in the federal government.

Chari noted much of the research currently being done by NASA has practical applications for agriculture in the United States  from water reclamation to hyperspectral imaging for crop analysis to studying the targeted delivery of water and nutrients to artificial root systems.

This state feeds the vast majority of the country and the world, Chari said. And so the expertise you have here is whats going to enable us to do the same on the moon.  And how can Congress utilize the data that we see with the research from NASA and their partnership with the USDA  whenever we look at ag research?

Grassley noted NASAs ag research could also benefit the private sector.

"What we learn from research out of gravity is very important for agriculture research, Grassley said.

Hinson said her key take-away from Mondays discussion is that collaboration is essential.

Hearing about the work happening on the International Space Station down to the work were going to be doing on the Farm Bill to make sure that research and that innovation is supported, I think its absolutely critical, Hinson said.
Danville native Kate Clatterbuck finished as the fourth runner-up in last weeks Miss Volunteer America national pageant.

Clatterbuck, the reigning Miss Virginia Volunteer, most recently paid a visit to Danville for the unveiling of a new tourism brand: Visit SoSi.

Clatterbuck won her Virginia title in August, advancing her to take part in the national beauty pageant. The final round was hosted Saturday in Jackson, Tennessee.

Organizers of the national pageant said its more than just a beauty competition.

It goes beyond physical appearance to honor young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work, according to the groups website. This esteemed event shines a spotlight on exceptional individuals who embody the values of service, compassion and leadership.

The Virginia title win netted Clatterbuck a $10,000 scholarship last year. As a graduate of Roanoke College, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in education policy and research with the goal of becoming an education policy analyst, the group reported last year.

An active volunteer in Danville, Clatterbuck focuses on education promotion and giving back to the community.

We are incredibly proud of Kates exceptional performance at Miss Volunteer America, Miss Virginia Volunteer Executive Director Vickie Runk wrote in a news release. Her elegance, intelligence and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on society has truly set her apart.

Miss Virginia Volunteer is a statewide scholarship organization that celebrates volunteerism, education and individual growth, a news release reported.

The Miss Virginia Volunteer 2023 pageant is set for Aug. 3-5 in Lynchburg.
July 11 is now officially known as Arlene Poindexter Davis Day to honor the Pittsylvania County woman who worked at the White House under seven different presidents.

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors honored Davis last week with a lengthy presentation.

The 87-year-old first received an accolade during the pandemic, but because of spacing limitations that ceremony was fairly subdued.

County officials thought it was time to do it right.

With her accomplishments, with what she had done, I didnt feel like we had done her justice, Tim Dudley, who represents the Staunton River District where Davis lives, said at the June 13 meeting. I think we should be telling her story.

A chair was brought out to the open area when presentations are made for Davis to sit.

Dudley elicited a smile from Davis and a chuckle from the audience when he said You think you are somebody in that chair, dont you, during the somewhat lighthearted affair.

My mother, she didnt work in an office; she was a cleaner, her daughter, Evelyne Potter, explained. But she did was she was supposed to do and she was dedicated to her job.

For 27 years  from Jan. 3, 1967 to Oct. 1, 1994  Davis was employed under the General Services Administration to clean the White House offices.

Her stating pay was $1.53 per hour. She served under Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and Bill Clinton.

She met all seven presidents and first ladies.

Potter recalled going to Washington, D.C., the summer with her step-father to pick up her mother from work.

My mother would come out of that executive office building swinging her pocketbook like you would have thought she was the presidents wife, Potter said.

Asking her mother if she was tired, Davis replied Oh no, indeed.

Thats because she loved her work.

After Dudley read the Pittsylvania County resolution marking July 11 as Arlene Poindexter Davis Day, the larger-than-normal crowd for a board meeting erupted in applause and gave a standing ovation.

Other supervisors read resolutions from the Virginia Legislature including ones from State Sen. Frank Ruff and Delegates Danny Marshall and Les Adams.

Mrs. Davis, it is such an honor to read this to you, Vic Ingram, the Tunstall District supervisor, said as he recited what Ruff had presented.

Its an honor and privilege, Bob Warren, who represents the Chatham-Blairs District, said. I was in the last meeting during the pandemic that we got to recognize you and its good that we get to do it and everybody gets to be here.

Warren presented the resolution offered by the local delegates.

I am so proud, Anita Royston, president of the Pittsylvania County NAACP, said, unable to contain her noticeable excitement.

Mrs. Arlene Davis embodies the principles that Jesus demonstrated in his life, understanding that success often requires sacrifice and every opportunity has a price, Royston said. She set an example, not only for a daughter, but for many others as well.

U.S. Rep Bob Good, R-5th District, plans to make a speech on the House floor recognizing the Pittsyvlania County woman.

Goods resolution will go into the National Archives.

Banister District representative Robert Tucker, who read Goods resolution, also had a hard time controlling his excitement for the moment.

Mrs. Davis, it is certainly a pleasure to see you face-to-face, Tucker said. I applaud you and I salute you and I celebrate you.

Tucker said it was especially important in the wake of Juneteenth, a time that effectively ended slavery in the country.

I have to say this  Im the real preacher here  may the Lord bless and Keep you, Tucker said.

Her longevity speaks to a job well done, Royston said.

Potter recounted a time a few years ago when her uncle had a contract to help clean the YMCA.

Davis jumped at the opportunity to help. Potter, while rather reluctant, eventually agreed to take on the job also.

After working for a while, Davis made an observation about Potters performance.

You know you arent doing your job good, Davis told her daughter.

The experienced White House cleaner was apparently checking behind Potter.

She was decided to her work, Potter explained. She was there to do the work and I was there for a paycheck and thats it.

Dudley said he believes this is the first African-American lady the county has celebrated with a birthday resolution.

And we need to do more of that, he said. Isnt this a wonderful person to celebrate?
Our responsibility as consuming countries includes ensuring that everyone in the entire supply chain of a product  for example, a bar of chocolate  has the right to decent work, a living wage and a living income. Only when workers and smallholder farmers in our global supply chains earn a living wage or income can we effectively address major challenges such as poverty, hunger, deforestation, climate change and child labour.

Living incomes and wages go beyond just making ends meet. It means that a family cannot only provide for its food, housing, health care, education, transport and other essentials, but can also build sufficient financial reserves to become resilient to unforeseen circumstances or crises and break the cycle of poverty.

Living incomes and wages thus constitute a fundamental human right, as included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular in Article 23: "Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity." The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights articulates this right as binding legal obligations.

Unfortunately, still way too many workers and smallholder farmers worldwide are living in poverty due to insufficient incomes and wages.

This is why in January 2021, the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development and the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development have signed a Joint Declaration on Living Wage and Living Income. During a High-Level Meeting in Berlin on 21 June 2022, the Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation and Major Cities announced its willingness to join as a third signatory. In September 2022, the Luxembourgish Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs expressed his willingness to sign the Joint Declaration.

Today, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Liesje Schreinemacher, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation and Major Cities, Caroline Gennez, and Luxembourgish Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Franz Fayot, are delighted to announce that Luxembourg and Belgium have signed the Joint Declaration on Living Wage and Living Income.

The Joint Declaration proposes a number of concrete actions such as a dialogue between consuming and producing countries with regard to adequate minimum wages and incomes, support for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in order to develop international definitions and indicators, and support for social dialogue, which will empower workers in producing countries. Furthermore, the like-minded countries pledge to work together to put the issue on the agenda of EU regulation and policy.

The four signatories of this Joint Declaration support an ambitious EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) which protects the rights of workers and smallholder farmers in global supply chains. The inclusion of living wages for workers and living incomes for smallholder farmers is a pivotal element for structural changes in our partner countries and must therefore be an integral part of the upcoming EU Directive. Without them secured, there is a risk of a vicious cycle where those already vulnerable are left even further behind. Downstream operators risk pushing the cost of compliance with sustainability due diligence upstream onto those already struggling to make ends meets. This will only exacerbate their vulnerability to human rights abuses and environmental degradation and lead downstream operators to disengage from such risky contexts in a bid to minimize legal risk. Upstream suppliers also need longer-term financial and planning certainty to be able to shoulder the necessary investments into more sustainable practices. Longer term contracts may be part of downstream operators' smart investment in sustainability throughout their supply chain.

We, the signing Ministers, explicitly welcome the position of the European Parliament from 1st June 2023 in this regard, which proposes to include living incomes for producers and smallholders in the upcoming EU-Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.

By signing this Joint Declaration, the four like-minded countries underline their commitment to living incomes and wages worldwide. We have a responsibility towards smallholder farmers, producers and workers to ensure they can afford a decent standard of living from their daily labour. Adequate wages, responsible purchasing practices and fair prices that allow for living wages and incomes are a crucial step to break the cycle of poverty in global supply chains.

Press release by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs


GREENSBORO  In March, Gov. Roy Cooper came to Guilford County touting the benefits of K-12 education in his proposed state budget.

On Tuesday, Cooper was back  again at a local school  but with a message that shifted toward warning against what the state legislature may have in store for education.

Chief among his complaints was the inclusion by Republican lawmakers of a provision in the budget that would expand private school vouchers so wealthy families would be eligible for them, too.

Cooper expressed concern about what he called private school vouchers on steroids during his stop at Western Guilford Middle School on Tuesday. The Democratic governor expects the expansion of voucher eligibility  and taking the accompanying dollars away from public schools  will have a deep impact districts, especially in poor, rural counties.

To drive his message home, Cooper assembled a group of like-minded political leaders and educators from across the Piedmont who joined him for a panel discussion.

Alan Duncan, a Greensboro lawyer and vice chairman of the State Board of Education, said he found it ironic that the drive to expand private school vouchers is coinciding with politicians complaining that public schools are supposedly indoctrinating students.

Many private religious schools, he explained, are quite transparent and doing just that  literally explaining to parents that their children will be taught to know and believe the doctrine of the particular religion.

And thats fine, he said, if parents want to send their children to such a school  but its not anything the state should be subsidizing with tax dollars.

Superintendent Whitney Oakley emphasized that, unlike private schools, public school districts accept all students. She stressed that to have public education for all, and to invest in North Carolinas economic future, the state must better compensate public school teachers.

North Carolina cant be the best place for business and the last for education. It just doesnt add up, she said.

Deanna Kaplan, chair of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education, said members cant be silent when the state is funneling money to private and charter schools but not living up to the funding requirements spelled out by North Carolinas judicial system in relation to the Leandro decision. The 1997 decision by the N.C. Supreme Court ruled that the state had an obligation to providing every child with a basic education.

We just have to stand up, she said. And we have to make it known that this is not OK.
GREENSBORO  A former Greensboro police officer clasped his hands and softly shook his head in denial Monday as a prosecutor described his alleged sex assault of a mentally disabled woman.

Miguel A. Garcia, 24, was being held in High Point Jail and appeared via video streaming on a Guilford County courtroom monitor.

District Court Judge Caroline Pemberton raised Garcia's $575,000 bond to $750,000 after the prosecutor described how while in uniform he allegedly turned off the GPS in his police car and lured the woman outside her group home.

Garcia, who had completed the police academy and additional extensive training about six months ago, has been charged with one count of second-degree forcible sexual assault. He faces nearly 20 years in prison if convicted of the Class C felony.

Garcia told Pemberton he had hired an attorney but did not name that person. His next court date is July 26.

Garcia, who was fired and arrested Friday, was working a missing person's case in May involving the 32-year-old alleged victim, who is a ward of the state and has lived in a group home most of her adult life, according to Guilford County Assistant District Attorney Roger Echols.

Garcia is accused of returning to the group home May 31, which is out of his patrol district, to speak to the alleged victim for about an hour. This was not one of his duties, and he did so without his supervisor's knowledge, Echols said.

Later that day, Garcia texted her, telling her that she wasn't like the other group home residents, Echols said. When Garcia got off work that night, he remained in his uniform, turned off the GPS in his patrol car and returned to the group home, where he texted the alleged victim to come outside the home, said Echols, who accused Garcia of "grooming" the victim.

In court, Echols described Garcia as going to great lengths to hide his location that night. Garcia also asked the alleged victim to meet him, Echols said.

He was also texting a second person at the group home, Echols said, although it is unclear what additional interaction if any they might have had.

"While the victim was at his patrol car he asked the victim to perform oral sex on him, and she did," Echols said.

He had also asked her to erase all the texts between them. He did the same, although some have been recovered, Echols said in court.

The department was made aware of the allegations against Garcia on June 8, and the same day began an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative duty, police said. It is unclear who made the complaint, but some concerns were raised during the officer's interaction with the woman at the group home, Echols said.

"Employees of the group home noticed he was flirting with the victim," Echols said.

Echols said the two did not know each other prior to the missing person's case. The woman is bipolar and schizophrenic, something the former officer knew, Echols said.

"She stated he would not leave her alone," Echols said of a later interview with investigators.

The judge hearing the case reserved judgment for the legal process but weighed whether such alleged actions violated the public's trust before raising his bond.

Garcia tried to speak but the monitor was cut off.

Greensboro's Police Chief J.W. Thompson called the charges a "gut-punch" to the department during a press conference on Friday.

Including Garcia, Thompson has fired three police officers and a non-sworn employee in the last six months involving sexual misconduct charges.

Former Officer Garcia does not represent who we are as an organization, Thompson said.
GREENSBORO  After his court appearance Monday, Brandon Bentley offered an apology to anyone at N.C. A&T who may have been frightened after his March 26 arrest there on weapons charges.

"I would never hurt anybody," Bentley, 28, said outside the courthouse. "I've followed the law my entire life."

Bentley, who attended his court hearing alone, has been free on a $100,000 secured bond since the day after his arrest. On Monday, he told Superior Court Judge Patrick Nadolski that he plans to hire his own attorney before his next court date, scheduled Aug. 28.

During the hearing, Bentley also asked the judge to drop all charges against him and wanted to explain why. The judge told Bentley that it wasn't the appropriate time to make that legal request and advised Bentley that anything he said in court could be used against him.

As Bentley exited the courtroom into the fourth floor hallway, he appeared visibly shaken.

"It's been very emotional," he said.

While leaving the courthouse, Bentley said he had no intention of going to the A&T campus that night in March. He said he was going through a divorce and was trying to transfer some of his belongings  including his firearms  from one place to another.

According to court records, Bentley ran right up to officers asking for help early in the morning of March 26 because he was terrified of being kidnapped by a religious cult he found through social media. He explained to officers that he had the weapons because he was in fear for his life.

On Monday, Bentley told reporters that he believes his phone is tapped and that he has been investigated by the federal government for the past several years. He spoke briefly about his concerns for his safety.

Among some of the weapons seized from his vehicle in March were two handguns, two shotguns, a rifle and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to the Greensboro Police Department.

No weapons were used that night, and no one was injured. Bentleys previous court history includes only some traffic charges.

Bentley was charged in March with two felonies: possession of a gun on educational property and possession of an explosive device on educational property. He also was charged with four misdemeanors: possession of a weapon on educational property (not a gun), carrying a concealed gun, driving with revoked license and reckless driving, according to court records.

After Monday's hearing, Bentley said that the "explosive" device was fireworks or a smoke bomb  not something intended to hurt anyone.

In addition to the guns and ammunition in Bentleys 2004 Ford Mustang, officers also seized a crossbow, machete, stun gun, hatchet, knives, choking devices, pepper spray, blow dart gun, brass knuckles, sword and other assorted weaponry. The inventory of items also included one chicken foot, holy water, a radio receiver, a lighter, a window breaker and more.

As a condition of his release on bond, Bentley was ordered to stay away from any educational property, not just N.C. A&T.

"It's very unnerving," A&T parent Domita White of Cary said weeks after Bentley's arrest. Her daughter, she said, was among the students who were coping with anxiety and concerns about their safety.

White questioned why Bentley was on campus property with weapons.

"I understand how it looks," Bentley said on Monday.

Bentley, who described himself as spiritual and intuitive, said he hopes his apology to the A&T community is accepted.

When asked to respond to prosecutors' request in March that he have a mental health evaluation (which was denied by a judge), Bentley said Monday that he would gladly have such an evaluation if it would help his case.

"I plan to speak my truth," he said.
A state district court judge has ordered Montana Gov. Greg Gianfortes office to turn over public records related to his administration dropping enforcement actions against a mining company executive who allegedly ran afoul of Montanas bad actor hardrock mining law.

In his order, Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Christopher Abbott wrote that Gianfortes office has six weeks to turn over the documents to the Montana Environmental Information Center, after initially refusing to turn over any of the documents requested by the nonprofit organization in 2021.

While the decision whether to withhold any particular document may involve an exercise of discretion, the decision not to produce anything at all without doing that document-by-document review is not, Abbott wrote.

The lawsuit, filed by the Montana Environmental Information Center and Earthworks last year, is related to a proposed mine next to the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. After Gianforte, a Republican, was elected in 2020, his administration dismissed an ongoing enforcement action against Hecla Mining Co., which was seeking the permit to mine silver and gold.

Hecla CEO Phillip S. Baker had previously served as an executive with Pegasus Gold, Inc., in the 1990s, when the company filed for bankruptcy and walked away from the cleanup of several gold mines in Montana, including the Zortman-Landusky Mine just upstream from the Fort Belknap Reservation. The ongoing cleanup of Zortman-Landusky has to date cost the state and federal governments more than $83 million to remediate acid mine drainage and other pollution impacts. It was also a factor in bipartisan legislation in 2001 that strengthened Montanas bad actor provision.

The law prevents senior mining executives and companies from getting new permits from state regulators if they failed to either clean up a previous mine site or reimburse the Montana for the costs.

The DEQ cited the change in administration, along with a legal process that had already stretched for three years, in its decision to drop the claim against Baker.

DEQ would prefer to address the problem of bad actors and achieve the goal of protecting Montana from them through collaborative development of more comprehensive and current legislation applicable broadly, rather than litigation, the department wrote in a statement at the time.

After that decision, the environmental group requested communications and other records from his office related to the mines, the bad actor law and exchanges between his office and company representatives.

The governors office responded several months later that it wouldnt turn over the documents on the basis that they were covered by attorney-client privilege and the deliberative process privilege. In response to MEICs lawsuit, the governors office has also argued that the records request is an attempt to circumvent the discovery process in a separate lawsuit filed in response to Gianforte dropping the bad actor action.

The difficulty with this argument, however, is that it is completely unmoored from the text, history and purpose underlying both Article II, Section 9 and the implementing public records statutes, Abbott wrote, referring to the right-to-know provision of the Montana Constitution.

He added that the constitutional right to know is not affected by the motives of the person requesting public records.

Abbott also cites a law recently passed by the Legislature, clarifying that government agencies cant deny someones request for public records on the basis of ongoing litigation. After House Bill 693 initially passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, the governor vetoed the bill. It was one of several post-session vetoes that the Legislature has since overridden.

The law doesnt become effective until Oct. 1. But, Abbott wrote, if there were any doubt as to the Legislatures intentions when they enacted the public records statutes, the Legislature has now resolved that doubt.

Abbotts order also addresses which agency is tasked with providing public records generated by the governors office. MEIC had initially requested the records from the Department of Administration, which maintains the servers that emails and some other documents are stored on.

Each executive agency is tasked with managing its own records in accordance with the law, Abbott wrote in dismissing the claims against the department.

In a press release, the Montana Environmental Information Center praised Abbott's ruling.

The governor is not above the law, stated Anne Hedges, the group's director of policy and legislative affairs. "We have a fundamental, constitutional right to know what government is up to, especially when it regards this administrations failure to enforce the law against bad actors who have cost the state tens of millions of dollars."

A spokesperson for Gianforte declined to comment Monday.

In a separate lawsuit, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Ksanka Elders Advisory Committee and several conservation organizations sued in 2021 to require the agency to reinstate the bad actor enforcement action.

That case is still pending in Lewis and Clark County District Court, also before Judge Abbott. Oral arguments were held last November.
When I was leading groups into the Wyoming wilderness in the 1990s, once we left a trailhead we were on our own.

If somebody got hurt, we could walk or carry the injured person out or send runners to the road to call for support. In the case of a life- or limb-threatening emergency, we could use a transponder to try to send a coded message to a passing aircraft, pleading for help.

Things have definitely changed.

People expect to be rescued, said Tod Schimelfenig, who has been on the search and rescue team for Fremont County, Wyoming, since the 1970s. Maybe its that a whole generation has grown up with instant communication, and that drives what they do when they go into the wilderness.

What they do, according to Schimelfenig, is go farther and attempt more difficult objectives, which means demands on search and rescue teams have increased sharply over the last decade.

The United States has a patchwork of search and rescue organizations charged with responding to backcountry emergencies. Who comes to your aid depends on where you are and what land management agency is responsible. Most have volunteer teams that report to a local law enforcement officer, although some national parks, like Yosemite or Grand Teton, have paid crews on call.

In the 1930s, The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based climbing group, came up with what they called the Ten Essentials to help prepare people for outdoor emergencies. The checklist became ubiquitous. But its longer now, says Maura Longden, a member of the Teton County Idaho Search and Rescue, who trains teams across the country.

In addition to practical things like water, food, a map and layers of clothing, the essentials list now includes cellphones, personal locating beacons and GPS devices. Communication is critical.

Carol Viau, whos been with Teton County, Wyoming, Search and Rescue for 23 years, says that many people choose climbing routes, ski descents and remote peaks just by surfing the internet.

This past winter Viau helped rescue a skier whod been injured in a fall while deep in the Tetons a place hed chosen online. He used his phone to call for assistance, and Teton Countys SAR team brought him out.

Jim Webster has been involved in search and rescue since the 1970s and leads the Grand County, Utah, SAR team. He says todays outdoor recreationalists arent as self-sufficient as they used to be.

This spring, Websters team helped rescue a canyoneer who realized  midway down a rappel into a slot canyon  that her rope failed to reach the ground. She hung suspended in the air until rescuers were able to find her and haul her back out of the canyon.

Another spring rescue involved a solo boater who decided he wanted out from descending a flood-stage river. He couldnt  or wouldnt  go farther. Webster said he called for help and a rescue boat went to his aid.

Both of those calls had happy endings. But Websters team has experienced the opposite, including recovering the body of a BASE jumper last fall.

Webster says his team of 30 to 35 people responds to around 120 calls per year, an average of two a week. But teams often get two or three calls in a single day. Most teams are made up of volunteers, though in the case of Grand County, volunteers get paid when theyre on a call. Many have to take time off from work to respond.

This past winter in Wyoming, Viau says she was called out every day for a week  usually just as she was getting off her job as a guide at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. That stretched her eight-hour days into 12-plus-hour days. Shes so busy, she says, she doesnt think she should own a dog.

Its undeniable that the volunteer search and rescue system is feeling the strain. Last October, Christopher Boyer, executive director of the National Search and Rescue Association, told "PBS NewsHour" the current system was broke.

Whats the solution? In Colorado, you can buy an inexpensive SAR card that reimburses a county for the cost of your rescue. Or what about diverting some tax revenue to equip and pay teams?

For now, these unsung heroes keep bringing a victim back alive. They do it even when the desperate caller has gone somewhere they probably shouldnt have  somewhere they couldnt leave without help.
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
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Mainly clear skies. Low 76F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 76F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
" " John Singleton Copley's painting "The Death of Major Peirson" shows a Black soldier avenging the death of Peirson during the Battle of Jersey in England, a run-up to the American Revolutionary War. Wikimedia Commons

The story of the Black Loyalists of the American Revolution is the story of a people stolen into slavery who are given the chance to fight for their freedom, exact revenge on cruel masters, and establish one of the first free Black settlements on the continent. It's also a story of broken promises, racial discord and the lengths to which people will go to find a better life. And it's a nearly forgotten chapter in North American history.

When the American Colonies declared independence in 1776, African slaves made up 20 percent of the colonial population. The population of South Carolina was 60 percent slaves, and Virginia was 40 percent, mostly toiling on large plantations. (Slavery was not just a Southern institution then  in some Northern cities like Boston, slaves made up 20 percent of the population.) Even before the War for Independence officially began, the British tried to recruit American slaves to rise up and fight against their "rebel" plantation owners. "Loyalist" was the term given to people in the American Colonies who supported Britain.

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In 1775 the British royal governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, issued a stunning "emancipation proclamation" promising freedom and land to all slaves who would take up arms against their rebel masters. Dunmore was looking for manpower to put down an armed rebellion in Virginia, and he found it. Between 800 and 2,000 slaves and indentured servants fled their plantations and joined with the British, including a hard-fighting militia that would become known as Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment. The Ethiopian Regiment marched to battle in uniforms inscribed with the insignia "Liberty to Slaves."

Dunmore's proclamation was the "first mass emancipation in American history," says Isaac Saney, a history professor at Saint Mary's University in Nova Scotia. It happened nearly 90 years before Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in areas not under the control of the United States government.

When the tides turned against the British in 1779, they issued a second emancipation called the Philipsburg Proclamation, which extended the promise of freedom and land to any slave who would cross the British lines without the requirement to fight. The move, says Saney, was a form of economic warfare against the colonies.

"Escaping Africans would weaken the rebel economy," says Saney. "You'd have this mass emancipation taking place, and the colonists would now have to expend resources to guard the plantations, instead of using them in battle."

An estimated 12,000 slaves of African descent fought for the British, but the war was lost. When the British surrendered in 1783, one of the central points of contention, Saney says, was "the return of what George Washington deems 'U.S. property,' which are the enslaved Africans."
It wasn't until a decade later that the bell's famous nickname took hold. "[It] began being called 'Liberty Bell' in 1835, when the phrase first appeared in a pamphlet published by the New York Anti-Slavery Society  as the title of a rant about it [the bell] never pealing for African Americans," says Fried.

Some historians think that the newer bell was damaged in 1835, when it was rung to mark the death of the Chief Justice of the United States, John Marshall. Others believe the damage occurred in the early 1840s, either during the Fourth of July or during the celebration of George Washington's birthday (Feb. 23). The crack might have come about from 90 years of hard use, as the National Park Service (NPS) says, or it might be due to the metallic composition of the bell (see sidebar). Or both.

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In 1846, locals were again determined to ring the bell for Washington's Birthday. So, they set about making repairs. Using a method called stop drilling, they actually widened the crack, which is now 21 inches (0.5 meter) long and nearly an inch (2 centimeters) wide, so that when it was rung, the sides of the crack wouldn't touch  otherwise, they'd vibrate against each other and generate a terrible buzzing sound. But the repair wasn't successful. Another crack developed and the bell sounded no more.

But that didn't mean it disappeared quietly. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the bell went on occasional national tours. In 1915, politicians decided to hold a ceremonial ringing of the broken bell in hopes of drumming up support for World War I. (The bell was actually tapped with a mallet.) That led to the bell becoming the symbol of the immense fundraising effort for the war in the form of buying Liberty Bonds in 1917 and 1918.

" " A crowd looks on as the Liberty Bell is transferred from a truck to a train on its way back to Philadelphia from the St. Louis Exposition, 1905. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

They also sent it on a national railroad tour, with a newfangled lighting system that kept it illuminated each night on its journey aboard the Liberty Bell Special. Citizens flocked to see it. By some estimates, nearly a quarter of the entire country managed to set eyes on the symbol of freedom. And these Liberty Bond drives were a smashing success, raising billions of dollars in war bonds to help the Allied Powers win the war.

In 2003, the Liberty Bell Center at Independence Hall in Philadelphia was opened, which is where the bell now resides. Over the decades, there have been numerous calls to repair it and make it whole. A scientist at steel giant ArcelorMittal claimed it would be rather simple to melt the bell, balance the various metals in it, and then recast it to make it usable, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2019. But a representative for the NPS, which runs the center, said fixing the bell might be illegal and would serve no purpose. "The Liberty Bell's crack is its most recognizable feature," the representative told the Inquirer.

What does Stephen Fried think of these never-attempted repair plans?

"All of them have been ridiculous  because the bell is a more perfect symbol of our desire for a 'more perfect union' than it would ever have been unbroken," he says. "The bell is the most enduring, powerful, yet approachable symbol of our country. Even its crack is part of our patriotic metaphorical landscape."

Then Fried recalled lyrics from "Anthem," a song by the late Leonard Cohen:

"Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in."

Correction: The sentence on the role of the bell in World War I has been corrected to note that the bell was not sent on tour to drum up support for war bonds. Rather, it sent on tour to drum up support for the war effort. Later, it became a symbol for the drive to raise funds for the war via the selling of bonds.

Now That's Interesting In 1975, researchers at the Winterthur Museum set out to understand exactly why the bell cracked. Using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, they found that the bell was doomed from the outset. The high tin content resulted in a brittle composition that was prone to cracking  and that's exactly what happened.
According to Erdogan, Turkey maintains a constructive position on Swedens membership, but the changes to the law are meaningless as long as supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Syrian Kurdish organizations (PYD/YPG) are free to organize demonstrations in that country.

He also touched on the fact that attempts to link Turkeys requests for F-16s with Swedens membership are more harmful to NATO and the alliances security than to Ankara.

According to the Turkish point of view, Sweden tolerates and even supported members of the PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization in many countries, on its territory, and before joining NATO, it must take steps to prove that it wishes to change this.

Tobias Billstrom Swedish Foreign Minister stated last week that

the Turkish parliament must begin ratifying Swedens application to join, as Stockholm fulfilled its commitments under the deal with Ankara by recently passing a new law making it harder to finance or support terrorist groups.

Jens Stoltenberg announced on Monday: Sweden and Turkey will discuss the issue at a high-level meeting in Brussels before the NATO summit in Vilnius in a good two weeks.

Foreign ministers, heads of intelligence services and national security advisers will take part in the meeting. The goal is to make progress in completing Swedens NATO accession

 said the NATO Secretary General to journalists during his visit to Vilnius.

Cover photo: MTI/AP/Ali Unal
Not for the first time, the industrial cyber security firm Dragos has contradicted popular conclusions about malware, saying its research into the ICS malware, dubbed COSMICENERGY by the Google-owned Mandiant, has found that it is not an immediate threat to operational technology.

Mandiant issued a post about COSMICENERGY on 25 May, claiming it had been uploaded to a public malware scanning utility in December 2021 by a submitter in Russia.

"The malware is designed to cause electric power disruption by interacting with IEC 60870-5-104 (IEC-104) devices, such as remote terminal units (RTUs), that are commonly leveraged in electric transmission and distribution operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia," the post, authored jointly by researchers Ken Proska, Daniel Kapellmann Zafra, Keith Lunden, Corey Hildebrandt, Rushikesh Nandedkar and Nathan Brubaker, said.

But Dragos, a firm devoted solely to ICS, said in a brief authored by Reid Wightman, Carolyn Ahlers, Sam Hanson, Kate Vajda and Casey Brooks and released on Monday, that it had "independently analysed the malware and, counter to media headlines claiming power disruption or grid crippling abilities, concluded that COSMICENERGY is not an immediate threat to operational technology".

Mandiant's views were summed up this way: "What makes COSMICENERGY unique is that based on our analysis, a contractor may have developed it as a red teaming tool for simulated power disruption exercises hosted by Rostelecom-Solar, a Russian cyber security company.

"Analysis into the malware and its functionality reveals that its capabilities are comparable to those employed in previous incidents and malware, such as INDUSTROYER and INDUSTROYER.V2, which were both malware variants deployed in the past to impact electricity transmission and distribution via IEC-104."

But Dragos, which was founded by ex-NSA operative Rob Lee, contradicted these findings in its post on Monday, listing its key discoveries about COSMICENERGY as under:

COSMICENERGY is not an immediate threat to operational technology (OT).

The overall codebase of COSMICENERGY lacks maturity, contains errors, and is far from being a full-fledged attack capability like INDUSTROYER2 or CRASHOVERRIDE.

There is no evidence that COSMICENERGY is being deployed in the wild.

Operators should reach out to vendors to see if software packages include MS SQL.

Operators should ensure they have network monitoring in place, watch for xp_cmdshell alerts and, out of an abundance of caution, audit their MS SQL Servers.

Analysis indicates that the tool is likely part of a training exercise or for use in detection development.

In some parts of its post, Mandiant appeared to contradict itself, saying at one point: "Although we have not identified sufficient evidence to determine the origin or purpose of COSMICENERGY, we believe that the malware was possibly developed by either Rostelecom-Solar or an associated party to recreate real attack scenarios against energy grid assets." [emphasis mine]

And again, "However, given the lack of conclusive evidence, we consider it also possible that a different actor  either with or without permission  reused code associated with the cyber range to develop this malware." [emphasis mine]

While both firms said COSMICENERGY was composed of two elements, PIEHOP and LIGHTWORK, Dragos differed in saying, "LIGHTWORK is not a variant of the CRASHOVERRIDE/Industroyer2 family of malware or any other ICS malware discovered to date.

And the company's researchers added: "LIGHTWORK was compiled with symbol information which means Dragos recovered all function and argument names in the binary and produced an easy-to-read decompilation.

"The majority of the code is from a known 60870 open-source library, lib60870-C, maintained by MZ Automation GmbH, not a custom IEC104 library like the one in CRASHOVERRIDE and Industroyer2."

Mandiant's post appeared to be keen to associate COSMICENERGY with Russia, while Dragos, which has a policy of not associating threats with any country, kept to its own code.

Back in 2020, the Israeli security firm Claroty claimed to have fixed a flaw in the Siemens Digsi 4 protocol, saying that the protocol was the same as that exploited by the malware known as Industroyer in 2016.

Industroyer is claimed to have been used to attack the power grid in Ukraine on 17 December 2016. There is, however, no unanimity in this claim; as iTWire reported in 2017, researchers from Slovakian security firm ESET were cautious about concluding that Industroyer was really used in the Ukraine attack.

All that ESET committed to at the time was that their researchers had found malware  it was they who coined the name Industroyer  which could have done exactly what happened to the power grid in Ukraine. The capital, Kiev, was without power for an hour. A previous attack in 2015, also in December, knocked out the power in about 250,000 houses in various regions of Ukraine.
GUEST RESEARCH: Amazon Prime Day, the two-day members-only sales event being held from 11-12 July, is expected to reach new heights in 2023. New research within Pattern's fifth annual Marketplace Consumer Trends Report  2023, shows 43% of Australians now have access to Amazon this year, presenting local brands with significant opportunities for revenue.

"In spite of ongoing cost of living pressures impacting household budgets, its not expected that Amazon Prime Day will feel the force of reduced consumer spending. Our research shows 84% of consumers expect to spend more or the same amount shopping on the marketplace, and only 16% of consumers are planning to reduce their spend. This bodes well for local brands participating in Prime Day, as it is expected there will be strong consumer participation and opportunity for sales," said Pattern Australia general manager Merline McGregor.

To assist local brands in planning their Prime Day activities, the shopping categories Australian consumers indicated they would most likely consider purchasing on Amazon are:

Fifty-eight would consider buying home and kitchen products

Fifty-seven percent would consider buying electronics and computer equipment

Fifty-five percent would consider buying books or e-books

Forty-seven percent would consider buying sports, fitness and outdoor products

Forty-four percent would consider buying toys, kids and baby products

Forty-four percent would consider buying luggage and travel gear

Thirty-seven percent would consider buying skin care and makeup.

The popularity of these product categories across the Amazon Australia marketplace can (in part) be linked to the fact that there are a large and growing number of sellers within these categories, leading to wider ranges of products for consumers to choose from and competitive pricing, McGregor explained.

While shoppers participating in Prime Day sales will be eager for bargains, high value goods will also attract interest due to Amazons shopper demographic. High income earners are most likely to shop on Amazon compared with any other online marketplace  36% of Amazon shoppers are high income earners, versus 21% for marketplaces overall.

Australian businesses have significant opportunities for brand exposure and growth through Prime Day, with 30% of consumers stating they are open to buying from new brands on Amazon if they cant find the brand they are looking for. This also presents a risk for brands not present on Amazon or participating in Prime Day, who may lose customers if they arent providing consumers the products they are looking for on the platform, at the right time.

Importantly for brands considering listing on Amazon, consumers are becoming increasingly loyal to shopping on the marketplace, with 91% of shoppers indicating they had purchased multiple times from Amazon over the last 12 months, up from 82% in the previous year. Research also indicates those purchasing at least monthly had doubled in the past twelve months, and Prime deliveries are up 60% over the past year.

Prime membership is growing strongly in Australia. As Prime members rise, so too will the number of shoppers taking part in Prime Day and businesses looking to sell on the Amazon marketplace. Brands should proactively and strategically prepare for Prime Day by aligning their offerings with key categories for the opportunity to attract the most attention," concluded McGregor.

Download the full Australian Marketplace Consumer Trends Report  2023 report here.

About Pattern

Pattern is the category leader in global e-commerce and marketplace acceleration. Since 2013, Pattern has profitably grown to more than 1,100 employees operating from 22 global locations  including Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast - to help leading brands achieve accelerated growth on D2C websites and global marketplaces. As well as being one of the largest Amazon sellers in the world, we are also present on Tmall, JD.com, eBay and other marketplaces. We act as the authorised Amazon seller to more than 200 brands globally, buying their stock to sell on the marketplace and taking care of every aspect of their Amazon presence. For more information, visit www.pattern.com/au
Barnett will lead Oktas team of solution engineers, system architects and technical specialists across the APJ region, assisting the sales team in acquiring and supporting customers and generating growth. Barnett will also oversee pre-sales operations and drive Oktas scaled strategic, enterprise-wide go-to-market initiatives.

Barnett brings with her nearly 15 years of experience in the tech industry, having served across various leadership roles in sales, solution engineering and business development at IBM, Salesforce and Cloudflare. Barnett was most recently Vice President and Chief of Staff for Asia Pacific, Japan & China at Cloudflare, where she developed go-to-market strategies to drive new market expansion, supported sales growth, and nurtured key customer relationships.

Prior to that, Barnett rose through the ranks during her nine-year tenure at Salesforce to be appointed as Director, Emerging Solution Engineering APAC. In this role, it was imperative that Barnett developed deep working relationships with customers across various industries, understood unique customer requirements and their pain points, anticipated their needs and thereafter developed industry-leading innovative solutions with her team of technology experts.

Ben Goodman, Oktas Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific & Japan, said: We are excited to welcome Barnett to the Okta family. Her deep expertise in customer experience, data analytics, insights and security are key areas that bring depth to the Okta APJ leadership. This is in addition to her experience in leading solutions engineering and consulting teams, all of which put her in good stead to help organizations across the region heighten their security postures through an integrated digital identity approach while meeting the evolving needs of customers and employees in the hypercompetitive digital economy of tomorrow.

Organizations today need to ensure their security postures and digital identity deployments are able to meet the challenges posed by an ever-evolving cyber landscape while offering end-users a secure, frictionless user experience, said Barnett. I am proud to be able to lead Oktas efforts in helping customers harness advanced identity technologies to meet their whole-of-business needs.

Based in Singapore, Barnett holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Spanish and German from the University of Sydney, as well as a Masters of Innovation and Technology Management, Strategic Management of Risk from the University of New South Wales.
Lithium-ion battery co-inventor Dr John Goodenough has died at the age of 100, his employer, the University of Texas at Austin, announced on Monday, describing him as "a dedicated public servant, a sought-after mentor and a brilliant yet humble inventor".

He won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on this battery, becoming the oldest person to receive the award.

In March 2017, Dr Goodenough and his senior research fellow Maria Helena Braga came up with a low-cost all-solid-state battery that would not combust. The battery life was long, it had a high volumetric energy density and charging was fast.

Unfortunately, perhaps due to the pandemic intervening, Dr Goodenough did not live long enough to see this invention brought to market; he was on the record as saying in April 2017 that it would it take three years to bring the all-solid-state battery to market.

In March 2020, Canadian utility firm Hydro-Quebecit would begin work on the commercialisation of the all-solid-state battery. Since then, there has been no indication of the progress on this project.

Dr Goodenough celebrates his 95th birthday. Photo: The University of Texas at Austin

Dr Goodenough worked at the UT's Cockrell School of Engineering for 37 years. His research continued to focus on battery materials and address fundamental solid-state science and engineering problems to create the next generation of rechargeable batteries.

Born in 1922 in Germany, Dr Goodenough spent his childhood in the northeastern US and attended the Groton School in Massachusetts.

According to the UT, "In 1944, he earned a bachelors degree in mathematics from Yale University. After serving as a meteorologist in the US Army, Goodenough returned to complete a masters degree and PhD, in 1952, both in physics from the University of Chicago. At the University of Chicago, he studied under Nobel laureate Enrico Fermi and John Simpson, both of whom worked on the Manhattan Project. His doctoral adviser was renowned physicist Clarence Zener."

UT Austin president Jay Hartzell said: Johns legacy as a brilliant scientist is immeasurable  his discoveries improved the lives of billions of people around the world.

He was a leader at the cutting edge of scientific research throughout the many decades of his career, and he never ceased searching for innovative energy-storage solutions.

"Johns work and commitment to our mission are the ultimate reflection of our aspiration as Longhorns  that what starts here changes the world  and he will be greatly missed among our UT community.

Dr Goodenough and his wife, Irene Wiseman, were married for more than 70 years until she died in 2016. His brother, Ward, an anthropologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, died in 2013.
For months, the two superpowers have clashed over a wide range of issues: the alleged Chinese spy balloon that wandered across the United States in February, U.S. attempts to block China from advanced semiconductor technology, and military near-collisions at sea and in the air.

Both countries agreed they needed to stop the rivalry from spiraling into open conflict and "build a floor" under the relationship  which is exactly what President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping said they had already done at a summit meeting eight months ago. That floor didn't stay built  hence last week's call for a repairman.

By that modest standard, Blinken succeeded. The floor has been patched, but it's still pretty shaky.

The secretary of State asked for more frequent meetings, and he got that. But he also asked for direct exchanges between the two countries' military leaders, a priority he called "hugely important"  and the Chinese turned that down flat. And Xi deferred action on a request that should have been even easier: to curb Chinese-made chemicals that help produce the killer drug fentanyl.

"It's good that they recognized that they need to talk when the relationship is veering into dangerous territory," said Bates Gill, a China expert at the Asia Society in New York. "But talking is still going to be very difficult."

The drive toward peaceful coexistence still looks accident-prone. Only a day after Blinken left Beijing, Biden touched off a brief furor when he told donors that Xi hadn't known about the alleged spy balloon, which he called "a great embarrassment for [a] dictator." A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called the remark "absurd and irresponsible."

The underlying problem, deeper than any Biden gaffe, is that the two countries don't merely have different goals; they view the world from different premises.

In Xi's view, China is rising toward its rightful role as Asia's dominant country and the world's leading economic power, while the United States is a nation in decline.

U.S. officials understandably don't buy that narrative. They correctly argue that China has bullied its smaller neighbors, stolen Western technology and engaged in unfair trade practices.

Even when they try to bridge those differences, the two governments often manage to talk past each other.

When Biden entered the White House in 2021, his aides tried to come up with a useful, perhaps inoffensive framework for their approach to China. As Blinken put it: "We'll compete with confidence, cooperate when we can and confront when we must."

The Chinese hated it.

"They see 'competition' as meaning there's a winner and a loser," Gill said. "They think our version of competition is about America winning and China losing."

Beyond those differences, several major disagreements between the two countries are probably insoluble in the foreseeable future.

China believes it has an inalienable right to take over Taiwan; the United States has long been committed to helping the independent island defend itself.

Xi's economic ambitions focus on making China a high-tech colossus; Biden believes U.S. security requires blocking Beijing from advanced semiconductor technology.

Now add the Biden administration's success building alliances with other countries  including India, whose prime minister, Narendra Modi, was feted at the White House last week  and the European Union, even though it's China's biggest economic partner.

Xi's regime hasn't done as well at making friends. China's only real allies are Russia and North Korea.

All of these factors make it hard to find space for U.S.-Chinese cooperation, even when it should be relatively easy.

For example, Blinken's request for military contacts to prevent accidental conflicts fell on deaf ears because the Chinese fear it's a trap.

"They don't want to approach the issue from the standpoint of international law, because that might give us the right to fly or sail where they don't want us," said Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund. "If it became safe for us to conduct these flights, they'd see that as a win for us."

The clearest outcome of Blinken's trip will be a visit to Washington by China's foreign minister, Qin Gang  and, with luck, a meeting between Biden and Xi in San Francisco this fall.

But their agenda will be a familiar one: reducing the chances of U.S.-China conflict by repairing the same shaky floorboards again and again.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Previously:

 05/09/23: With just weeks left to strike a deal, it's time to worry about the debt ceiling

 05/02/23: A centrist, third-party alternative for 2024 is a nice idea --- but a nightmare in practice

 04/25/23: Trump seems to have a firm grip on GOP polls --- but his rivals think they can do better

 04/04/23: Ukraine is counting on its spring offensive against Russia. Biden has a stake in it too

 03/22/23: Silicon Valley Bank's collapse may be a blessing in disguise

 03/07/23: DeSantis wants to displace Trump as the GOP's 2024 nominee. But he has hurdles to overcome

 02/21/23: Biden's 2024 presidential campaign harks back to past Dem triumphs

 02/14/23: Chinese balloon is gone, but it's still making US-China relations harder to manage

 01/24/23: Biden said the pandemic is over. But, aw shucks!, the pandemic just won't cooperate

 01/17/23: The war in Ukraine could become a long, frozen conflict. Are we ready for that?

 01/10/23: The real winner from the House fight?

 12/28/22: Why Trump will never go to jail over Jan. 6

 12/20/22: Democracy around the world is looking a little healthier, at least next to the alternative

 12/13/22: Biden's policy makes Ukraine fight by rules Russia doesn't follow

 12/09/22: Iran protests have shoved the nuclear issue off center stage. It will be back

 09/20/22: Biden sent the wrong message on COVID. He can still fix it

 09/20/22: Putin's brutality in Ukraine can get worse. Get ready for a chilly winter

 09/13/22: China's economy is slowing, its population aging. That could make it dangerous

 06/28/22: To deter China on Taiwan, Biden needs to reassure

 05/24/22: India has become a US partner in countering China --- a limited partner, that is

 05/11/22: Slow Joe's premature self-congratulation won't help the US in Ukraine

 05/03/22: Can the US deter Putin from using his arsenal of battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine?

 04/08/22:Biden's budget is big. Dems will vote to make it bigger

 03/22/22: Ukraine's resistance offers a useful lesson to Taiwan

 03/15/22: China wanted to appear neutral between Russia and Ukraine. It isn't

 02/22/21: Who needs an invasion? Putin's offensive against Ukraine has been underway for a long time

 02/09/21: If Putin wants an exit from the Ukraine crisis, the offramps are open

 11/30/21: Biden wants to focus on China. Putin has another idea

 11/23/21: Our oldest president just turned 79. He might have something to learn from the second-oldest

 11/16/21: Can Biden and Xi talk their way out of a slide into conflict?

 10/13/21: Congress has a chance to take bipartisan action on Facebook. Don't let it slip away

 09/24/21: Can Dems win on crime issues with murders rising? Biden thinks so

 06/29/21: Can Dems win on crime issues with murders rising? Biden thinks so

 04/20/21:Afghanistan's war -- and America's stakes in it -- won't end when the troops leave

 03/31/21: Here's why our new cold war with China could be a good thing

 02/25/21: Sen. Joe Manchin drives Dems crazy. Here's why they need more senators like him

 08/11/20: Goodbye to traditional political conventions --- and good riddance



 05/19/20: We won't end COVID-19 with 'test and trace'

 04/07/20: Joe Biden is stuck in his basement. It just might help him win

 03/10/20: Where did Bernie's revolution go wrong?

 03/05/20: Dems give Trump good reason to smile

 02/18/20: Who will be the Un-Bernie?

 02/11/20: Buttigieg wants to be the Goldilocks candidate. It just might work

 01/21/20: The world according to Bernie

 09/04/19: Trump's draft deal with the Taliban looks ugly, but it may be the best we can get

 04/22/19: Something is missing from media-fawning Buttigieg campaign --- his stance on major issues

 03/14/19: Biden, If He Runs, Will Face A Cruel Irony

Doyle McManus

Los Angeles Times

(TNS)

Doyle McManus is an American journalist, columnist, who appears often on Public Broadcasting Service's Washington Week.
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
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.
Each year, nearly 50,000 physician assistants/associates (PAs) and NPs face career planning decisions upon graduation, including the option to pursue additional training through postgraduate clinical training (PCT).1,2 PCT programs for PAs have existed since the early 1970s; the first program for NPs arrived on the scene much later, at least by 2007.3,4 Although these programs initially were developed for only PAs or NPs, in recent years, PCT programs have been established that enroll both PAs and NPs in the same program.

It is not known when the first integrated PA/NP PCT program was established, but the literature suggests that they have existed since at least 2011.5 Minimal data exist regarding this novel form of interprofessional training, and our search failed to reveal any studies that specifically focused on integrated PA/NP PCT. A challenge in understanding the landscape of PA/NP PCT programs is the lack of an official comprehensive inventory of PCT programs, because no standard exists for reporting and programs are not required to be accredited. This lack of an inventory of PCT programs has resulted in challenges for previous researchers who have sought to study PA PCT programs.5,6 Despite the lack of comprehensive data, scholars have suggested that the development of integrated PA/NP PCT programs has expanded in recent years.7

The first published study that reported on PA/NP PCT programs was conducted in 2011.5 PA PCT programs in the United States were surveyed, finding that about 13% accepted applications from PAs and NPs, although none reported having NPs enrolled at that time. Since then, additional data on PA/NP PCT programs have been reported by the Association of Postgraduate Physician Assistant Programs (APPAP) from their annual survey of PA PCT program members. Their recent survey results indicate that 35% to 40% of member programs accepted PAs and NPs.7,8 Their data were limited by the inclusion of APPAP member programs only; the optional nature of their member survey; and the lack of annual dissemination of their results that could establish longitudinal trends. In contrast to the APPAP survey results, reporting on programs representing multiple specialties, a 2018 study of 10 hospital medicine PCT programs indicated that 80% enrolled PAs and NPs.9 Therefore, it is possible that the APPAP program data may underestimate the extent of integrated PA/NP PCT programs. Regardless of these limitations, it appears that there has been a trend over the past decade toward establishing interprofessional PA/NP PCT programs across the US clinical training landscape.7

Despite the apparent emergence of this new form of interprofessional training, little is known about these programs. First, it would be of value to understand the scope of PA/NP PCT programs across the United States and to establish the degree to which these programs may become the norm. Next, it would be useful to understand if this integrated training model is more common in some specialties. Finally, with the availability of accreditation by PA and NP organizations of PCT programs, but without a joint accreditation process that involves both PA and NP agencies, it is unknown if any of the interprofessional programs have been accredited. This study aims to establish the current state of PA/NP PCT programs in the United States and provide an inventory of programs that can be used for further research and to establish trends over time.

METHODS

This descriptive study uses published online data to report on PA/NP PCT programs in the United States. Programs included were those of at least 6 months' duration that accept PA and NP applicants. Included programs were identified from membership rosters of the APPAP and the Association of Post Graduate APRN Programs (APGAP) listed on their respective websites on September 1, 2021. We identified 137 APPAP and 157 APGAP member programs. After removing duplicate programs, 235 unique programs were noted. Each program website was assessed according to the inclusion criteria, resulting in 101 programs for inclusion. Upon reviewing the websites of sponsoring organizations of included programs, an additional 15 programs were identified, resulting in a total of 116. Data were extracted from each program's institutional website, including program name, sponsoring institution, location, specialty, duration, accreditation status, and accrediting body.

RESULTS

Program websites indicated that some programs in a single sponsoring institution were organized as specialty tracks under a common program name. Of the 116 programs, 43 were identified as tracks within nine broader umbrella programs. Each track was classified as a program for the purposes of this study.

Programs are located in 23 states and the District of Columbia and tend to be concentrated in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the United States (Table 1). Most programs (87%) lasted 12 months, with about 1% being less than a year and 9% lasting longer than 1 year. Three programs (2.6%) had insufficient data to determine duration but appeared to be at least 6 months in duration.

TABLE 1. - Programs by state Programs by state State # of programs Arizona 5 California 5 Colorado 1 Connecticut 1 Delaware 2 Georgia 2 Illinois 5 Indiana 8 Kentucky 2 Louisiana 2 Massachusetts 1 Minnesota 9 New Hampshire 2 New Mexico 3 New York 14 North Carolina 18 Ohio 7 Pennsylvania 9 Rhode Island 1 Texas 2 Utah 3 Virginia 6 Washington 3 District of Columbia 1

Forty different institutions, including large hospital networks, academic medical centers, and community practices, sponsor these programs. Half of these sponsoring institutions had two or more programs or specialty tracks (Table 2).

TABLE 2. - Program distribution by sponsoring institution Program distribution by sponsoring institution American Association for the Study of Liver Disease1

Atrium Health (Charlotte, N.C.)18

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center (Gilbert, Ariz.)1

Brown University1

Butler University Health System1

Carilion Clinic (Roanoke, Va.)5

Christiana Care (Wilmington, Del.)2

Dartmouth-Hitchcock2

Emory University1

Garry Weber UT Southwestern-Dallas1

HealthPartners (St. Paul, Minn.)3

Indiana University Health8

Intermountain Medical Center1

Mayo Clinic Arizona4

Mayo Clinic Minnesota6

Medical College of Wisconsin4

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York City)7

Northshore University Health1

Northwell Health (New York City)4

NYU Langone Health1

Ochsner Health2

OSF Healthcare (Peoria, Ill.)4

Petaluma Health Center1

Piedmont (Ga.) Healthcare1

PM Pediatrics (Lake Success, N.Y.)1

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance1

Shasta Community Medical Center1

St. Luke's Hospital (Bethlehem, Pa.)2

Stanford Health Care3

TeamHealth Emergency (Austin, Tex.)1

UMass Memorial Medical Center1

University of Colorado1

University of Kentucky2

University of New Mexico3

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center5

University of Rochester Medical Center1

University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute2

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health1

Washington Emergency Care Physicians1

Yale New Haven1

Various specialties are represented. The most common specialties are emergency medicine, critical care/trauma, and surgery/surgical subspecialities (Table 3). Oncology/cancer care and primary care/internal medicine also are represented.

TABLE 3. - Program distribution by specialty Program distribution by specialty Specialty Number of programs Cardiology 3 Critical care/trauma 19 Emergency medicine 19 Hepatology 1 Hospice/palliative care 3 Hospital medicine 7 Neonatology 2 Neurology 3 Oncology/cancer care 13 Orthopedics 6 Pediatrics 8 Primary care/internal medicine 11 Psychiatry 3 Surgical/surgical subspecialties 18

Six percent (n = 7) of program websites indicated that the program was accredited by one of three accrediting bodies: the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP), the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), or the National Nurse Practitioner Residency and Fellowship Training Consortium (NNPRFTC).

A variety of terms were used in the program names, reflecting the type of professionals trained and the program model. Most programs (72.4%) used the terms advanced practice, advanced practice providers, or the initialism APP in the program name. Fewer (18.1%) used the terms physician assistant or PA and nurse practitioner or NP, and less (7.8%) used the term advanced practice clinician or APC. Rarely were the terms physician extender (0.9%) or affiliate practitioner (0.9%) used.

Most programs were named fellowships (84.5%); fewer were called residencies (6%) or postgraduate programs (9.5%).

DISCUSSION

The results of this study describe the landscape of PA/NP PCT programs in the United States. The results indicate that about half of all PCT programs that enroll PAs and/or NPs have adopted an interprofessional model across various specialties. Given the existing literature, it appears that most of these programs have been established over the past decade, suggesting that this is a major innovation in clinical training for PAs and NPs. We theorize (it is beyond the scope of this study to establish) that the trend toward interprofessional PA/NP training has been driven by changes in the clinical workplace, where PAs and NPs share similar roles in collaborative practices. Furthermore, this educational innovation was likely affected by the rapid expansion of PAs and NPs in academic clinical settings (often in subspecialty disciplines) driven by the physician resident workhour restrictions implemented nearly 20 years ago.10

ACCREDITATION

Our study found that a small number of integrated programs have already received accreditation. Unlike physician residency programs, accreditation of PA and NP PCT programs has only been recently in existence.11 Three agencies (ARC-PA, PTAP, and NNPRFTC) offer PA and NP PCT program accreditation; no joint accreditation exists. However, efforts are underway to develop a joint accreditation process between the ARC-PA and an NP organization.12 Given the trend toward interprofessional programs, how accrediting bodies will assess these programs will likely be of great interest, and how the accreditation process itself may affect the interprofessional nature of these programs will be worth examining.

NOMENCLATURE

Although it was not our original intent to explore program nomenclature, our data provided us with this opportunity. In recent years, both the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) have released position statements on terminology pertaining to PAs and NPs. A Guide for Writing and Talking About PAs from the AAPA promotes the use of the PA abbreviation over physician assistant and discourages grouping PAs with other clinicians as APPs.13 The position statement suggests that using APP or other grouped terms may be misleading. The AAPA further indicates that midlevel provider, physician extender, and non-physician provider are unacceptable terms, which is congruent with the AANP's position.14 Despite these recommendations, consensus on terminology remains obscure, particularly when PAs and NPs practice or train in integrated roles.

Few programs in our study follow the AAPA recommendation of clearly delineating PAs and NPs in their name, and most programs used an inclusive term such as APP. The use of inclusive terms likely represents nomenclature used in the clinical workplace, where PAs and NPs may fill similar clinical roles or are used interchangeably. Ultimately, we agree with the AAPA that clear language addressing who qualifies as an APP is needed when professions are grouped. A failure to clearly define inclusive terms prevents candidates from finding appropriate PCT programs and may be problematic for researchers seeking to identify programs for future study.

Other language worth analyzing is the nomenclature around PCT programs themselves. Our findings demonstrate that most PA/NP PCT programs use the term fellowship and fewer programs use the term residency. Physician organizations recently have expressed concern about the use of these terms. A joint statement by multiple physician emergency medicine organizations, including the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, discouraged the use of fellowship and residency by PA and NP programs.15 Unfortunately, limiting educational terms for one profession and prohibiting their use by others risks further fragmenting the modern interprofessional state of healthcare professions education. Terms such as fellowship are not unique to physicians. Academics, artists, and others apply fellowship language when indicating additional dedicated study.16,17 In this context, we concur with the AAPA's recommendation to use clear language, such as PA/NP fellowship or physician fellowship, when describing a PCT program to provide clarity for applicants. Furthermore, as more PCT programs enroll PAs and NPs, changes in the use of language may provide insight into how programs and healthcare organizations view the two professions and the clinical nature of the training these programs provide.

MODEL OF STUDYING INTERPROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Finally, we are particularly interested in the interprofessional nature of these programs. Interprofessional learning, with its aim to enhance interprofessional practice and improve patient outcomes, has become an important topic in healthcare professions education. Interprofessional education, where two or more professionals learn with, from, and about each other, has been the primary pedagogical approach to developing competencies in interprofessional collaboration.18 However, a variety of important questions exist about interprofessional learning and practice, including those related to competency development, professional socialization, and identity formation. Although the literature about interprofessional education is robust, few models have been reported that fully integrate two or more healthcare professions in one clinical training program.19 Therefore, PA/NP PCT programs, as a novel means of fully integrated interprofessional training, provide a unique opportunity to explore a variety of questions about interprofessional learning, teaching, and practice.

LIMITATIONS

Given the lack of a way to track all PA/NP PCT programs in the United States, some programs may not have been identified for inclusion in the study. Another limitation was the use of data retrieved only from program websites. This approach was intended to ensure that all programs were considered for inclusion, as opposed to the use of survey methods with the risk of low response rates. Future studies that seek to explore the curriculum, program participants, or training context will need to adopt other research methods.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the current landscape of PA/NP PCT programs in the United States while establishing an inventory of programs. These data will be essential to following trends in PA/NP PCT programs over time; the inventory may be used for planning future studies to explore other questions about PA/NP PCT programs specifically and interprofessional learning, education, and practice more broadly.
A 46-year-old inmate died Sunday at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release.

Michael Thomas was found unresponsive in his cell. Prison personnel performed CPR and contacted emergency services, but Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.

Thomas began a 48-month sentence on May 11 after being convicted of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, resisting arrest and attempted tampering with a witness.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating his death, and a grand jury will conduct an investigation, as is done in all in-custody deaths.

The death was the second reported in as many days at the prison at 3218 W. Van Dorn St. Floyd Martin, an 88-year-old inmate serving 35 to 40 years for second-degree sexual assault of a child, also died Sunday.

Photos: Nebraska's new Reception and Treatment Center
A 28-year-old got prison time Monday for a daytime carjacking in the drive-thru of a west Lincoln D'Leon's.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jeff Mathers said Gilberto Portillo Barrientos blamed what he did during the lunch rush April 10 at the Mexican restaurant at Northwest 22nd and West O streets all on alcohol, drugs or both.

"I'm not sure that makes it any better," the prosecutor said. "This was a brazen, violent act, by carjacking two workers eating their lunch with a machete in his hand. That's not something thankfully we see every day in Lincoln, Nebraska."

Police arrested him blocks away from the fast-food chain about an hour later and he ultimately pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

Mathers said he would think that the federal government would take steps to deport Barrientos since he's undocumented.

"But that's probably not the case. So I'm asking you to send him to prison," he told District Judge Ryan Post.

Barrientos' deputy Lancaster County Public Defender, James Sieben, argued for probation, saying Barrientos' addiction issue wasn't an excuse, but it was a factor. And probation could help him get the help he needs to stay on track.

Barrientos asked the judge to give him a chance on probation.

"I don't know why I did it. I know it was wrong. I just want a chance. Everybody makes mistakes in his life," he said.

But Post said this wasn't just some mistake, as he handed down a prison sentence of 4-6 years.

"At the end of the day, you approached people at a D'Leon's with a machete and stole their van. And there's consequences for that," he said. "We just can't have that in our community."

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 University of Nebraska College of Law has announced a landmark gift from Lincoln philanthropist Phyllis Acklie to provide roughly 80 scholarships annually, as well as other financial support, to the law schools students and to permanently endow the colleges Childrens Justice Clinic.

It is said to be the largest gift to the NU Law College in its history, though the donors requested the university keep the total commitment amount confidential.

The Acklie Charitable Foundation, established by Phyllis and her late husband, Duane Acklie, made the gift commitment through the University of Nebraska Foundation as part of its campaign Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our Universitys Future, described as an effort to engage at least 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support the University of Nebraska.

Duane Acklie  who was raised on a farm near Norfolk and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska in 1953 and his law degree from Nebraska Law in 1955  went on to buy Crete Carrier Corp. with his wife and built it into one of the nations largest privately owned trucking companies.

He died in 2016.

The education from the College of Law has had a monumental impact on multiple generations of our family, and there is no question we feel passionate about Nebraska Law, and how we believe it is currently shaping Nebraskas next generation of leaders, said Halley Kruse, the couples granddaughter and a 2014 alumna of the College of Law.

The university said in a news release that the pledged money will provide immediately spendable dollars to fund about 80 scholarships each year for the next nine years, as well as stipends and travel awards to Nebraska Law students.

It also will provide permanent funding for the Childrens Justice Clinic, which gives legal representation to vulnerable Nebraska children, and ongoing support for the College of Laws other law clinics, which provide third-year law students a chance to represent actual clients under the supervision of faculty members.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green said the overall impacts made by the Acklie familys support of Nebraska Law are simply immeasurable.

He said this gift, combined with previous and ongoing gifts, has led to library and classroom updates, cutting-edge curriculum development, expanded student support via scholarships and unique experiential learning opportunities through the clinics.

Theirs is the deepest collective commitment to Nebraskas flagship university, Green said. By benefiting generations of Nebraska Law graduates and their prior considerable support for students, faculty and programs in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Business, Engineering and the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the Acklies are truly sowing good in the world.

Richard Moberly, dean of the College of Law, said the Acklie familys long dedication to the College of Law started with Duane Acklies days working and studying in the library and has included the education of generations of family members.

Their gifts have transformed our physical space and provided generous scholarships for our students, Moberly said. We are honored they continue to believe in our mission to develop inclusive leaders and are especially grateful for the support our students and programs will receive through this most recent gift.

He said the gift marks the largest single gift in the law colleges 132-year history and will significantly impact the ability of our students to serve their communities and advance justice for generations to come.

The Acklie Family also has provided funds that have helped renovate the Marvin and Virginia Schmid Law Library, which reopened in 2022; provided the lead financial gift for the College of Law Duane W. Acklie Classroom Wing in 2009; and established the Duane W. Acklie Honor Scholarship Fund in 2021 to aid Nebraska high school graduates from rural areas pursuing a law degree at the University of Nebraska.

The Acklie Family also has given millions of dollars to Nebraska Wesleyan University and in 2018 provided Bryan Healths largest-ever private donation.

16 famous University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni Johnny Carson Tyronn Lue Jeff Zeleny Willa Cather Ndamukong Suh Ev Williams Ted Kooser Joel Sartore Mary Pipher Tommy Lee Warren Buffett Aaron Douglas John J. Pershing Alex Gordon Ted Sorensen Louise Pound
Central and western Nebraska residents hoping to ask Gov. Jim Pillen a question will have the chance to do just that in the coming days.

Pillen will appear at five town hall events across the central and western parts of the state Wednesday and Thursday, and will make an appearance at a groundbreaking for a new fertilizer plant in Gothenburg on Wednesday, his office announced Tuesday.

The governor, nearly seven months into his first term, will take questions Wednesday at stops in Holdrege and ONeill. Pillen will participate in three town halls Thursday in Valentine, Chadron and Ogallala.

If you go WEDNESDAY: 12 p.m.  Phelps/Gosper Chamber of Commerce & Farm Bureau Town Hall at Sun Theater, 417 West Ave., Holdrege. 2 p.m.  Groundbreaking for New Fertilizer Plant at Industrial Park Road, Gothenburg. 5:30 p.m.  Town Hall Event at Handlebend, 215 Douglas St., O'Neill. THURSDAY: 9:30 a.m.  Town Hall Event, Mid Plains Community College, 715 E. US Highway 20, Valentine. 11:30 a.m. (MT)  Town Hall Event, Chadron State College Student Center, 1000 Main St., Chadron. 1:30 p.m. (MT)  Town Hall Event, Driftwood Restaurant, 118 N. Spruce St., Ogallala.

First as a gubernatorial candidate and, later, as governor, Pillen has faced scrutiny for his perceived inaccessibility to voters and the media.

The former University of Nebraska regent declined to participate in debates ahead of Novembers election, when he squared off with Bellevue Sen. Carol Blood, the Democratic candidate who Pillen beat by a 23-point margin.

Pillen, who participated in candidate forums in last years primary race, also declined to debate his primary opponents during reporter-led debates.

And since he was elected, Pillens office has largely not released information about his public schedule  breaking with more than 30 years of gubernatorial practice and drawing scrutiny from some government advocacy groups who critiqued the reduced public access and accountability.

Pillens campaign team defended the Columbus hog producers decision not to participate in debates, pointing to his direct engagement with voters in the run-up to Novembers election, when he appeared at more than 500 events, including five town halls.

And in defense of the governors opaque public schedule, Pillens spokeswoman Laura Strimple said the practice was subject to the governors preference.

In a news release announcing this weeks tour, Strimple said he would talk about highlights from the 2023 legislative session and take questions from attendees at each of the five town halls.

Pillen will also speak at a groundbreaking Wednesday for a $750 million fertilizer plant in Gothenburg, dubbed the largest single private investment west of Lincoln in recent memory. The governor wont take questions at the groundbreaking, which is open to the public.

Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
For the third time in the two years since he climbed into a burning truck to save its trapped driver, a Lincoln man is set to be honored for his heroism that day.

Joe Cockerill, 41, is one of 16 civilians from across the U.S. and Canada set to receive a Carnegie Medal this quarter, considered North Americas highest honor for civilian heroism, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund, which released its latest list of recipients Monday.

Cockerill's inclusion on the list comes nearly two years after the then-39-year-old entered the cab of a burning dump truck to free its unconscious driver, whose foot was caught between the seat and the center console on Sept. 23, 2021.

The Lincoln man had been on his way to work that morning when he noticed a big rig careen onto the westbound shoulder and into a ditch along U.S. Highway 6 near Waverly, he told The Waverly News last year.

Cockerill and another man  who turned out to be Matt Verkamp, a childhood friend of Cockerill's who happened to witness the same crash  worked to free the unconscious driver from the flaming truck.

Moments after Cockerill freed the man's leg and he and Verkamp pulled him away from the cab, the first of the rig's tires exploded. Flames would soon rise as high as 20 feet.

Five months later, Cockerill and Verkamp received the Citizen Certificate of Merit from the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office in February 2022 and received the Waverly Heroes Award from Mayor Bill Gerdes in front of the Waverly City Council later that month, The Waverly News reported.

But we didnt do it for any awards, Cockerill told the paper then. If roles were reversed, Id hope people would stop and do the same thing for me."

Cockerill will receive a financial grant along with his Carnegie Medal, which is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who "enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others," according to the organization's Hero Fund.

The medal has been awarded to 10,371 individuals since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904.

Photos: Firefighters in action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action Photos: Firefighters in Action
WASHINGTON  On the surface, the turmoil in Russia would seem like something for the U.S. to celebrate: a powerful mercenary group engaging in a short-lived clash with Russia's military at the very moment that Ukraine is trying to gain momentum in a critical counteroffensive.

But the public response by Washington has been decidedly cautious. Officials said the U.S. had no role in the conflict, insisted this was an internal matter for Russia and declined to comment on whether it could affect the war in Ukraine. The reason: to avoid creating an opening for Russian President Vladimir Putin to seize on the rhetoric of American officials and rally Russians by blaming his Western adversaries.

President Joe Biden told reporters Monday that the United States and NATO weren't involved. Biden said he held a video call with allies over the weekend and they are all in sync in working to ensure that they give Putin "no excuse to blame this on the West" or NATO.

"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."

Biden and administration officials declined to give 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.

"We're going to keep assessing the fallout of this weekend's events and the implications from Russia and Ukraine," Biden said. "But it's still too early to reach a definitive conclusion about where this is going."

Putin, in his first public comments since the rebellion, said "Russia's enemies" 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."

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was investigating whether Western intelligence services were involved in Prigozhin's 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.

Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said that 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 "don't want to be blamed for the appearance of trying to destabilize Putin," McFaul said.

A feud between the Wagner Group leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Russia's 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 miles toward Moscow, before turning around on Saturday, in a deal whose terms remain uncertain.

National security spokesman John Kirby addressed one concern raised frequently 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 his lieutenants have made repeated references to Russia's nuclear weapons since invading Ukraine 16 months ago, aiming to discourage NATO countries from increasing their support to Ukraine.

"One thing that we have always talked about, unabashedly so, is that it's in nobody's 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.

Biden, in the first weeks after Putin sent tens of thousands of Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022, 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 other's closest major partner. The White House says Beijing has considered  but not followed through on  sending Russia weaponry for use in Ukraine.

"I think it'd 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 I'll just leave it at that."
Its been one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned in the U.S. Supreme Court, and like many other states, the future of abortion access remains uncertain in Nebraska.

The landmark abortion ruling in 1973 solidified the procedure as a federal right and prevented states from completely banning it. It was overturned on June 24, 2022, with the decision stating that Roe was egregiously wrong and that the constitution does not guarantee the right to abortion.

Since then, Nebraska lawmakers have made multiple attempts to restrict the states 20-week abortion ban, with the latest proposal finally making it to the finish line last month. Abortions in Nebraska are now prohibited past 12 weeks based on gestational age.

This restriction was a last-minute add-on to another bill  LB574  that will restrict gender-affirming care for individuals under the age of 19, after a previous bill that would ban abortions around six weeks of pregnancy failed to advance. Supporters lauded the passage of LB574, calling it a major victory for conservatives, and saying the legislation will take big steps in protecting mothers and children.

While there had to be compromises to the bill to ensure its passage, each life saved and protected matters, Tom Venzor, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said in an online statement. Incremental wins are also important wins.

At LB574s signing ceremony, Gov. Jim Pillen vowed to continue pushing for further abortion restrictions. According to 2021 statistics from the State Department of Health and Human Services, about 85% of Nebraskas abortions happen beyond the six-week mark, while only about 13% happen after 12 weeks gestation.

According to data from the international nonprofit Society of Family Planning, following Roes overturn, the average monthly rate of abortions in Nebraska rose slightly, as it did in several other states that did not immediately restrict abortions following the decision. A June 22 statement from Planned Parenthood North Central States said their organization has seen a 9% rise in abortion services in the last year.

The future of Nebraskas current 12-week gestational ban is in question under a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska alleging that LB574 violates the state constitutions single-subject rule. A temporary injunction is being sought through the case, and if granted, Nebraska would revert back to its 20-week ban.

Events in other states also could hold implications for Nebraska. Just last week, the Iowa Supreme Court rejected an attempt to reinstate the states six-week abortion ban. In other conservative states over the last year, voter referendums have protected abortion access and blocked attempts to increase restrictions.

State Sens. John and Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, along with other abortion rights supporters, called on GOP members of the House of Representatives on Friday to support efforts to codify Roe into law in Congress. John Cavanaugh said the high courts ruling has made it difficult for women to know what care they can receive, and for medical professionals to know what care they can provide, setting a chilling effect on womens health care.

The Planned Parenthood North Central States' statement said the overturning of Roe created a manufactured state of confusion, and has pushed women to travel out of state to seek their services, contributing to an 11% rise in second-trimester abortions, according to them.

My day-to-day job hasnt changed, Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in the statement. Whats changed is that politicians now regularly insert themselves into my exam room. Whats changed is that I see patients travel from states like Texas and Louisiana. Whats changed is that my colleagues in states where abortion is banned are now forced to ask lawyers what care they can provide. We all deserve so much better.

Sandy Danek, president of Nebraska Right to Life, claimed opponents of abortion restrictions have spread misinformation about what the Supreme Courts decision means. Roe being in place for 50 years set a tone that has led people to believe that theyve always had the right to an abortion, she said.

However, Danek said last years ruling just gave states the individual right to determine what level of abortion access is needed. The decision amped up engagement on both sides of debate, which she said is a good thing. She said the ruling was both historic, and somewhat unusual in that it revised a previous decision.

You dont see the Supreme Court making these sorts of corrections, Danek said.

While Danek was unsure how abortion access will change in Nebraska moving forward, in the meantime, she said the high court decision is worth celebrating.

Photos: Abortion rights activists take to downtown Lincoln to protest overturn of Roe v. Wade
RACINE  A Racine man who allegedly crashed into a light pole during a police chase also is facing felony drug charges.

Ramon A. Tilson, 40, of the 1600 block of Boyd Avenue, was charged with felony counts of vehicle operator flee/elude officer causing damage to property, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, possession with intent to deliver/distribute/manufacture between 200-1,000 grams of marijuana and possession of marijuana.

According to the criminal complaints, on April 21 a deputy saw a Hyundai Sonata going 92 mph on Interstate 94 and tried to make a traffic stop.

The Sonata exited the interstate and started to slow down, but then sped away, allegedly reaching up to 114 mph during the chase. The car reportedly jumped a curb on South Sylvania Avenue and hit a light pole, and the driver ran away. Inside the Sonata two bricks of marijuana weighing more than two pounds were found, according to the complaint.

Officers spoke to the registered owner of the Sonata and who said Tilson had borrowed the car.

A deputy initiated traffic stop on June 20 in the 1700 block of Douglas Avenue. The driver was identified as Tilson, and he allegedly got out of the car to walk away.

After being told the deputy had a K9, Tilson complied and was arrested.

A bag containing 5.7 grams of marijuana was reportedly found in on of Tilsons pockets.

Tilson was given $10,500 in cash bonds in Racine County Circuit Court on Thursday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 29 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center.

Mugshots: Racine County criminal complaints, June 22, 2023 Today's mugshots: June 22 These are images of people charged with a crime in Racine County. Booking photos are provided by Racine County law enforcement officials. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted. Ramon A. Tilson Ramon A. Tilson, 1600 block of Boyd Avenue, Racine, possession of THC, vehicle operator flee/elude officer causing damage to property, second degree recklessly endangering safety, possession with intent to deliver/distribute/manufacture THC (between 200-1,000 grams). Michael A. Littleton Michael A. Littleton, 1600 block of Maple Street, Racine, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (2nd offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, operate motor vehicle while revoked, failure to install ignition interlock device. Traveail D. Oliver-Thomas Traveail D. Oliver-Thomas, 3700 block of Victory Avenue, Racine, misdemeanor theft. Marcelo I. Tirado Marcelo I. Tirado, 2400 block of Eaton Lane, Racine, possession with intent to deliver/distribute fentanyl (less than or equal to 10 grams), misdemeanor bail jumping.
YORKVILLE  Burlington and other areas of western Racine County could be getting Underground Railroad markers soon.

While the locations have not been secured, the markers will be similar to the ones in the City of Racine.

The 10 markers placed around the city, nine in late 2021 and one in 2007, are known as the Racine Underground Railroad Freedom Heritage Trail and designate significant sites along which enslaved people moved on their way to freedom.

The Racine Underground Railroad Freedom Heritage Trail includes 27 sites across the county, but only the 10 have been memorialized so far.

The Professional Womens Network for Service is spearheading the project along with the Racine Heritage Museum. Racine County is playing a supporting role.

GeorgAnn Stinson-Dockery, president of the Professional Womens Network for Service, said the group is in phase two, getting the locations secured and approved.

She said the group hopes to have the markers placed at the end of July or early August.

Racine County released a six-minute video about Juneteenth, which commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, showing its support for the federal holiday.

Our commitment to honoring Juneteenth extends beyond mere celebration. We seek to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the struggles and triumphs that have shaped our society, County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said. Its crucial that we recognize the contributions of African Americans throughout history and work towards equality and justice in our community.

Racine County Diversity Officer Melvin Hargrove said the goal of the video was to show the countys commitment to not just talking about getting things done, but rather making them happen.

One of the things that it came about from our cabinet meeting as we were sharing, what can we show the community as to what Racine County is really trying to do to really help make things better here? Hargrove said. Were just really trying to make sure that the community knows, from east and west, that were trying to bridge that gap. Were trying to make things better for all our citizens and not just a certain sector.

Hargrove said the Diversity Office is working with M.T. Boyle, executive director of Burlington chamber of commerce group Experience Burlington, and Taylor Wishau, County Board District 21 supervisor, to see how the county can get Underground Railroad markers in Burlington.

Wishau, who also is a member of the Burlington Area School District Board, said hes been working with fellow BASD board member Marlo Brown on the project.

I am proud of our communitys history and the crucial role it played during the Underground Railroad, Wishau wrote in an email. The placement of these historical markers in Burlington is an important way to preserve the citys history and educate future generations about the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for freedom  Im confident that our community will wholeheartedly embrace this project, given its historical significance and importance to Burlington.

In photos: Stops along the Racine Underground Railroad Heritage Trail The city of Racine is a bit closer to memorializing the important role it played for people escaping slavery on the underground railroad. Site Map A pamphlet outlining the sites on the self-guided walking/driving tour of the Roots of Freedom Underground Railroad Heritage Trail has been av The Racine Heritage Museum. Racine has a rich abolitionist history and accounts of smuggling escaped slaves to safety. The Racine Heritage Museum was one of several organ Racine Heritage Museum marker This marker will be placed outside of the Racine Heritage Museum to note the contribution the museum has made to maintaining the history that  Location of Reverend Kinney's home Reverend Martin Kinney was the pastor of the Congregational Church and an ardent abolitionist who gave an anti-slavery speech the night Joshua Reverend Kinney's house marker Markers such as this one, designating the location of Rev. Martin Kinney's home on State Street, are to be part of the Racine Underground Rail The Racine Advocate The former location of the Racine Advocate whose editor, Charles Clement, spread the word about Glover's capture. Racine Advocate marker This marker will denote the location of the Racine Advocate. Cartwright's Blacksmith Shop This was the approximate location of Cartwright's Blacksmith Shop. Justinian Cartwright was born free in Kentucky and later moved to Racine wh Cartwright's Blacksmith Shop marker UR First Presbyterian Church
1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again.

2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members.

3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules.

4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates.

5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer.

Vote

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KEARNEY  A Kearney business owner was arrested Saturday for allegedly accepting money for a construction job but never completing the job.

Joshua Madsen, 40, sole proprietor of Madsen Roofing and Exteriors LLC, is charged in Buffalo County Court with felony theft by deception  $5,000 or more. A warrant was issued for his arrest June 20, and he was arrested on Saturday.

The arrest affidavit outlines the case against him:

In September 2022, Madsen allegedly met with a Buffalo County resident to discuss a siding job on her house at 530 N. Church St. in Elm Creek. After the resident received an estimate from Madsen, she gave Madsen $14,000 to replace the siding on her home.

After allegedly saying he would begin work on the house around the second week of September, Madsen told the resident that the siding material was backordered. He then allegedly notified the resident that the material had arrived and he would begin work. In October and November, because Madsen had not started the siding job yet, the resident tried to contact Madsen several times, but she was not successful. The resident said she continuously tried to call Madsen to no avail.

A Buffalo County Sheriff's Office deputy successfully obtained a current phone number for Madsen and called him. Madsen admitted he took money for a job in Elm Creek but said he did not have enough money to start the job. Madsen also said he did not have the funds to return the money given to him by the Elm Creek resident. Madsen said his construction business went bankrupt due to COVID-19, and he said he has been working outside of the construction field since then.

Madsens business was administratively dissolved by the Nebraska Secretary of States Office on June 15, 2021 for failing to file its 2021 biennial report and pay the filing fee. Because it was administratively dissolved, the business is only allowed to carry on activities necessary to wind up its activities and liquidate its assets. Madsen's charge of felony theft by deception in Buffalo County stems from a business transaction that occurred more than a year after his business was dissolved by the state.

In a similar case, Madsen accepted $16,692 for a roofing job in rural Hall County that he never completed. Madsen is charged with felony theft of $5,000 or more in Hall County District Court for the August 2022 incident. He will appear in Hall County District Court for an arraignment July 11.

Madsen also has a history of civil court cases involving his business. In the past four years, Madsen and his business have been sued five times in civil court in Nebraska.

Madsen will appear in Buffalo County Court for a preliminary hearing on July 24. His bond is set at $2,500 cash or surety.
KEARNEY  The Buffalo County Sheriff's Office was investigating a fatal crash Tuesday in which the driver was killed after being ejected from a vehicle.

The victim has been identified as Patrick Caddy, 65, of Ravenna. The Buffalo County Attorney has ordered an autopsy. Next of kin have been notified.

According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office report, the accident occurred about five miles north of Kearney on Highway 10.

At approximately 1:07 p.m. deputies were called to investigate the single-vehicle crash south of 160th Road on Highway 10.

A mid-size SUV vehicle left the roadway, entered the west ditch, vaulted and ejected the lone occupant. The driver was located deceased near the vehicle.

Deputies were assisted by members of the Kearney Police Department, KVFD fire and rescue personnel, CHI-GSH paramedics, Buffalo County Attorney's Office and Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Personnel remained at the scene at mid-afternoon.
One afternoon, 65 years after the death of his father, Bill Knobbe woke from his daily nap at his home in Denver to a call from an unknown number. Taking a chance, he answered it.

She asked me if my birth name was William Hodgson, and I immediately sat straight up. I was flabbergasted, Knobbe said. She told me the story and I dropped everything to go right out to Nebraska that weekend.

The caller was Colette Jessen from Grant, and she had been searching for Knobbe for more than a decade.

In 2012, Jessen and her husband Loren purchased land near Elsie, which is about 20 miles east of Grant, from an estate sale. While preparing the field for harvest, the two discovered a heavy, metal object partially buried in a divot.

When she unearthed the 3-foot-long mystery piece, Jessen discovered an engraving on one end that read Major William Hodgson, crashed with F80 jet, Feb. 26, 1958.

The metal found in the hollow is believed to be a piece of wreckage from the jets crash, later engraved by the lands then-owner to mark the crash site, she said.

Hodgson had been flying for United Airlines and was a member of the Colorado Air National Guard.

On the day of the crash in 1958, Hodgson was on a routine training flight for the National Guard from Denver to New York when the jet went down in western Nebraska. Witnesses in the small town reported black smoke coming from the tail and a fireball on impact.

For years, Jessen tried to find Hodgsons family, with no success. Originally, little access to the internet hindered the search, but her struggles continued even as resources for finding individuals online and reconnecting people with lost items expanded.

We found an article in a local newspaper saying there was a crash, but we could never find any next of kin, she said. By this time, from other articles and other information, we knew Hodgson had five children, but we couldnt find any of them on the internet.

Several years ago, Jessen reached out to Stephanie Larson, of the Veteran Services Office in Grant, who posted the information in a social media group that had a history of tracking down lost individuals.

The metal would just sit out in my shop or in my garage and Id bring it in and take a picture of it, try to snoop around on the internet, but I could never get anywhere looking for it, so I reached out for help, Jessen said.

When she saw the social media post, Sherry Hancock said she knew she wanted to help locate the family. Together, she and Susan Sonju, another group member, searched for relatives, but they didnt have any luck until last month.

After Hodgsons death, his wife remarried and her new husband adopted her children, giving them his last name: Knobbe.

Once they figured that out, the rest was easy, Jessen said.

She immediately reached out to Knobbe, the second oldest of Hodgsons five children, who was 6 years old at the time of the crash.

At the invitation of the Jessens, Knobbe and his younger brother, Dave, traveled to Nebraska over Memorial Day weekend to retrieve the engraved piece.

We were all pretty young when the crash happened, so by the time we were all adults a lot of those memories were disconnected and fragmented, Knobbe said. Being able to go up there and explore the past, especially seeing the crash site, I really think it helped us get closure.

The Jessens gifted the metal wreckage to the brothers, and said they were grateful to have a heartwarming conclusion to the decade-long search.

The research that has been done on our behalf is amazing, Dave Knobbe said. Were incredibly grateful to everyone involved.

The trip answered many of the pairs questions, but some still remain, including what exactly caused the crash that claimed their fathers life.

Knobbe said he reached out to the Air Force Safety Center in New Mexico to obtain an accident report. He said the centers spokesperson assured him they would be able to deliver the report, but couldnt give a timeline.

Were also thinking about donating the piece to an aircraft museum here locally, alongside the articles and photos, to honor his memory, Knobbe said.

Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
A board shows the departure time of flights to Chinese cities at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap



By Lee Hae-rin



Korean airlines are poised to suspend some of their air routes between Korea and China due to a drop in demand over China's travel visa restriction on tour groups to Korea.



According to the aviation industry, Tuesday, Korean Air, the country's largest full-service carrier, will suspend its major Korea-China route between Gimpo and Beijing from Aug. 1 to Oct. 28. The route between Incheon and Xiamen will also be halted from Aug. 9 to Oct. 28.



Asiana Airlines, Korea's second-largest airline, also announced it would stop serving the Gimpo-Beijing and Incheon-Shenzhen routes in July, after having already suspended its Incheon-Xi'an route last Tuesday.



The airlines' measures came as the number of travelers between the two countries remained lower than expected due to China's ban on tour group visas, according to airlines officials.



Aviation statistics from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's portal show 120.63 million travelers flew between the two countries between January and May this year.



The figure is only 16.7 percent of the 721.31 million for the same period in 2019 before the pandemic, and also 17.3 percent of the 697.25 million Korea-Japan travelers in the same period this year.



In March, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming attended a ceremony marking the resumption of flights between Gimpo and China at Gimpo International Airport and referred to the high travel demand from the two countries' tourists and businesspeople.



The resumption of flights between Gimpo and China, 56 flights per week, will "create a new dynamic in human resource exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries," he said.



China lifted its ban on tour group visas to 60 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal and Vietnam. However, Korea and other U.S. ally nations including Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand still face travel restrictions on tour groups.



In response, China's state-controlled media Global Times reported negatively on the air travel suspension, Sunday.



"Chinese observers believe the adjustments are due to market factors, which reflect that South Korean airlines have low confidence that there will be any notable increase in terms of passenger loads in the short term, since the incumbent administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol has yet to display the resolution and will to improve ties with China," it reported.



Korea-China ties are witnessing intensifying tensions after Xing said earlier this month that those who bet on Beijing to lose in its rivalry with Washington will "definitely regret it," apparently accusing the Yoon administration of aligning with the United States and shifting away from China.



Meanwhile, Korean airlines said the total number of flights to destinations in China during the summer vacation season will remain the same or exceed the current level, despite the suspension of some of their major routes.



Korean Air will resume flights between Incheon and Changsha and Weihai on July 19 and Sept. 27, respectively, increasing the total number of weekly flights between the two countries from 95 to 124. Asiana Air will also maintain its flights between Korea and China at 85 per week.


Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Geun-hee, right, talks during a daily briefing at the government complex in Seoul, June 27. Yonhap



Korea is in the final stage of its own analysis of Japan's plan to discharge contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, an inspection team leader said Tuesday.



The 21-member team, headed by Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Geun-hee, completed its six-day trip to Japan in late May that included an on-site inspection of the plant ahead of its discharge of contaminated water into the ocean scheduled for this summer.



"We have been scientifically and technologically reviewing Japan's plan based on the results of the on-site inspection and additional data obtained afterward," Yoo told a daily briefing on the Fukushima release plan.



Upon its return, the inspection team analyzed further data and engaged in a series of discussions with officials from Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the plant, and the country's top nuclear regulator, the Nuclear Regulation Authority.



Yoo said that the team has received responses and data regarding the trial operation of the plant's discharge facility, which concluded earlier in the day.



Additionally, Yoo said that six types of radionuclide have been detected at levels exceeding permissible limits from the water stored at tanks even after treatment through the plant's custom purification system known as ALPS, but most of the cases came before 2019.



"This is the aspect of radionuclide that we need to closely examine," Yoo said.



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)


This Aug. 4, 2021 file photo, provided by the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), shows the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant in Romania. Yonhap



Korea won a 292 billion-won ($225 million) deal Tuesday to build a tritium removal facility at a Romanian nuclear power plant that will help ensure its safe operation and boost Korea's nuclear power industry, the industry ministry said.



Under the deal with Romania's nuclear energy company SNN, or Nuclearelectrica, Korea's Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) will build the facility at the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant meant to extract tritium from heavy water and store it in a safe form, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.



The construction is set to be completed around August 2026, and the facility is expected to be put into commercial operation the following year.



KHNP CEO Whang Joo-ho and SNN chief Cosmin Ghita signed the deal in Seoul earlier in the day, and the signing ceremony was attended by Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang and Romania's ambassador in Seoul, Cezar Armeanu.



The elimination of heavy tritiated water will significantly reduce the quantity of radioactive waste left to be managed for the decommissioning of its reactors and accordingly minimize radiological risks to people and the environment, as well as save energy needed to produce new heavy water, the ministry said.



It is the second export of nuclear power facilities for the Yoon Suk Yeol government after Korea won a 3 trillion-won deal in August 2022 to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant project in El Dabaa, which is expected to give a boost to the languished nuclear power industry at home, according to the ministry.



The value of the latest contract comes to around 38 percent of Korea's total exports to Romania last year, which stood at $530 million.



"Korea has world-class competitiveness in the nuclear power industry, and the winning of the deal is expected to give our companies greater business opportunities," the ministry said in a release.



Yoon vowed to reverse the nuclear phase-out policy of the preceding administration and set a target of exporting 10 nuclear power reactors by 2030. (Yonhap)


The middle of May to the end of June is turnover time for Olson Apartments, a time when many student-renters move out after the end of the school year.

The turnover time is also when David and Jessica Olson find maintenance to take care of before the next tenants move in.

Jessica said the majority of the repairs done during this time are general wear and tear  such as updating electrical outlets or cleaning dry ducts and furnaces  not issues caused by purposeful tenant damage.

In fact, Jessica said every penny of all security deposits were returned to the renters who just moved out, about 50% of their total tenants.

Its an amazing thing when you walk in and (the apartment) is in good condition, Jessica said. Its like a thank you from the tenants. The father and daughter team own and manage nine properties in La Crosse, a business David has been in since 1971. Currently, they have 35 different units and over 150 tenants  many of whom are college students.

Move-in and move-out checklists for tenants, early communication about expectations and no charge maintenance are some tactics the Olsons use to encourage positive tenant behavior and good upkeep of properties.

In the city of La Crosse, 54% of residents rent their dwelling from a landlord, property management company or public housing. Owning and renting properties, and even rooms, is a significant business in the city.

Landlords in the city

Of the rentals in the city, 47% or 5,370 of those households, have at least one of the four housing problems as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: incomplete kitchen facilities, incomplete plumbing facilities, more than one person per room or cost burden greater than 30% of income, based on data from 2015 to 2019.

Further data from the 2020 U.S. Census reveals that of the over 22,000 dwellings in the city (owner-occupied and rentals), 24 lack complete plumbing facilities and 249 lack kitchen facilities.

Theres a severe shortage of something necessary for survival, said Coulee Tenants United in an email. The market has broken down and sellers have a tremendous amount of coercive power over their customers.

It is unknown how many landlords operate in La Crosse. The inspection department for the city of La Crosse does not keep a list of landlords, nor does the Apartment Association of the La Crosse Area.

Property upkeep and maintenance is a regular conversation at the apartment associations monthly meetings where information and resources are shared, said president Tami Nururdin.

There are two types of landlords, individual investor landlords or people who own one or two rental units, and business entity landlords who are likely to own an average of more than 20 units with some managing hundreds of units.

A review of eviction filings in the Wisconsin court system over the past year and a half revealed 293 unique landlord or property management companies have filed an eviction in La Crosse County; a vast majority of those agencies operate in the city, said representatives from Coulee Tenants United.

Regular repairs

When it comes to maintaining their rental properties, the Olsons follow a few guidelines: be proactive about repairs, use quality products and have good communication with tenants. The Olsons attribute their successes in the business  properties returned in good condition, tenants resigning leases year after year and ample business from good reviews and word-of-mouth  to the time and care spent maintaining good rental units.

Jessica said there is not a lot of purposeful or malicious tenant damage in their properties.

If you show tenants you care about them, then they will care for the properties, Jessica said.

To accomplish this, the Olsons dont charge for repairs  unless maliciously caused  encourage tenants to communicate when there are maintenance problems and prepare tenants with a list of things not to do in a rental property.

Our philosophy is you do it right the first time so you dont have to send somebody back to do it again, and always use high quality products, said David.

Purchasing cheap but poorly made products will deteriorate quicker, David said, therefore requiring repair or replacement sooner  and the cost of labor again for the property owner.

Over the past three years, the Olsons invested about $80,000 in upgrades at their apartment building on 11th Street.

Early communication with tenants about expectations is how the Olsons maintain good relationships with the renters and get properties returned in good shape.

Before collecting a security deposit, Wisconsin state statute says a landlord must provide a written notice  typically found in the lease  informing the tenant that they have seven days to inspect the premises for existing damages.

Jessica designed her own move-in inspection checklist for tenants with a stamped due date, and requests that they dictate any maintenance requests they might need.

Nururdin said the Apartment Associations of the La Crosse Area supplies forms for their members. However, providing a check-list for tenants is not mandated in the state statute.

Coulee Tenants United said they encourage renters to take photos and videos upon move-in, in order to protect the tenant from damage claims during move out.

If renters want a television mounted, curtains put up or the closet doors removed, Jessica asks the tenants to let the Olsons do it, at no cost.

We want the tenants to ask us for help so that they dont break things or lose parts, she said. And we dont charge a fee because we dont want them to do it themselves.

In addition to providing no cost maintenance, the Olsons dont charge for lock-out fees.

Jessica acknowledged that not all property owners in La Crosse operate their business with the same care and attention, which encourages her to keep doing what she does.

It costs a lot of money and time to upkeep, but its worth it, Jessica said. These are homes for these students and we want to make (renting) a good experience for them while in college.
As the Independence Day holiday approaches, people will be heading to the pool, firing up the grill, or celebrating the holiday with a bang. However, they celebrate our nations independence, ReadyWisconsin encourages everyone to make safety a priority.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest celebrations in the country can end in tragedy if people dont take precautions, said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. Taking a moment to be a little more attentive and a little more cautious can help save lives and keep everyones celebrations bright and safe.

In 2022, there were 107 emergency room visits in the state for fireworks-related injuries according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Nearly a quarter of those injured were children less than 18 years old. Children should never handle fireworks and should be closely supervised when they are in use. Even novelties like sparklers can burn at roughly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and easily ignite clothing and cause severe burns.

The easiest and best way to stay safe is to watch community fireworks shows run by professionals. However, if you choose to set off your own fireworks, ReadyWisconsin asks people to remember the following:

 Obey local laws and permitting requirements for the use of fireworks. Be aware of burning restrictions, especially with parts of the state currently experiencing abnormally dry and drought conditions.

 Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water or a hose nearby.

 Designate a safety perimeter. For ground-based fireworks, be at least 35 feet away.

 Ditch faulty fireworks. Sometimes fireworks dont go off, but duds always pose a risk. The important thing to know is that you should never try to re-light or approach a failed firework.

 Dont forget about your pets! Fireworks can be extremely stressful for pets. Keep them indoors. Close the curtains or blinds and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction.

 Only light one firework at a time. Lighting multiple fireworks at the same time increases the risk of accidents occurring from the fuse burning faster than designed.

 Consider safer alternatives to fireworks, such as party poppers, bubbles, silly string, or glow sticks.

During this time, people may try to beat the heat by jumping in a pool or lake.

 Make sure an adult is supervising children swimming or playing in or around water.

 Always swim with a buddy. No matter how strong of a swimmer you may be, never swim alone.

 Swimming in a lake or river is different from a pool. Know the risks of natural waters such as currents, waves, rocks, and limited visibility.

 Check weather conditions before activities in, on, or near water. Weather conditions can change quickly. If you see lightning or hear thunder, get away from the water.

The Fourth of July period is also a popular time for family trips and outdoor gatherings. Keep you and your family safe with these additional tips:

 If you are traveling, pack an emergency kit in your car with items such as bottled water, snacks, and a cell phone charger. Check 511Wisconsin for traffic-related information using the free mobile app or online at https://511wi.gov.

 Never leave people or pets in a parked car  even briefly. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can climb to life-threatening levels within minutes. On an 80-degree day the temperature inside a parked car, even with windows cracked slightly open, can reach 100-degrees in less than 10 minutes.

 When cooking outdoors, remember to keep grills at least three feet away from your home or any structure that can catch fire. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and maintain a child-free and pet-free safe zone around the grill while its hot.

Find more tips on summer safety at https://readywisconsin.wi.gov. Follow us on Facebook (https://facebook.com/readywisconsin), Twitter (https://twitter.com/readywisconsin), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/ReadyWisconsin) for regular safety tips.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that state courts can act as a check on their legislatures in redistricting and other issues affecting federal elections, rejecting arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have transformed contests for Congress and president.

The justices by a 6-3 vote upheld a decision by North Carolina's top court that struck down a congressional districting plan as excessively partisan under state law.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court that "state courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the Elections Clause. But federal courts must not abandon their own duty to exercise judicial review."

The high court did, though, suggest there could be limits on state court efforts to police elections for Congress and president.

The practical effect of the decision is minimal in that the North Carolina Supreme Court, under a new Republican majority, already has undone its redistricting ruling.

Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch would have dismissed the case because of the intervening North Carolina court action.

Another redistricting case from Ohio is pending, if the justices want to say more about the issue before next year's elections.

Derek Muller, a University of Iowa law professor and elections expert, said Tuesday's decision leaves some room to challenge state court rulings on federal election issues. "In other words, the door is not closed on these challenges, and open questions remain in the 2024 election and beyond. But these are likely to be rare cases. The vast majority of state court decisions that could affect federal elections will likely continue without any change," Muller said.

The North Carolina case attracted outsized attention because four conservative justices had suggested that the Supreme Court should rein in state courts in their oversight of elections for president and Congress.

Opponents of the idea, known as the independent legislature theory, had argued that the effects of a robust ruling for North Carolina Republicans could be much broader than just redistricting and exacerbate political polarization.

Potentially at stake were more than 170 state constitutional provisions, over 650 state laws delegating authority to make election policies to state and local officials, and thousands of regulations down to the location of polling places, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law.

The justices heard arguments in December in an appeal by the state's Republican leaders in the legislature. Their efforts to draw congressional districts heavily in their favor were blocked by a Democratic majority on the state Supreme Court because the GOP map violated the state constitution.

A court-drawn map produced seven seats for each party in last year's midterm elections in highly competitive North Carolina.

The question for the justices was whether the U.S. Constitution's provision giving state legislatures the power to make the rules about the "times, places and manner" of congressional elections cuts state courts out of the process.

Former federal judge Michael Luttig, a prominent conservative who has joined the legal team defending the North Carolina court decision, said in the fall that the outcome could have transformative effects on American elections. "This is the single most important case on American democracy  and for American democracy  in the nation's history," Luttig said.

Leading Republican lawmakers in North Carolina told the Supreme Court that the Constitution's "carefully drawn lines place the regulation of federal elections in the hands of state legislatures, Congress and no one else."

During nearly three hours of arguments, the justices seemed skeptical of making a broad ruling in the case. Liberal and conservative justices seemed to take issue with the main thrust of a challenge asking them to essentially eliminate the power of state courts to strike down legislature-drawn, gerrymandered congressional district maps on grounds that they violate state constitutions.

In North Carolina, a new round of redistricting is expected to go forward and produce a map with more Republican districts.

The 9 current justices of the US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Justice Clarence Thomas Justice Samuel Alito Justice Sonia Sotomayor Justice Elena Kagan Justice Neil Gorsuch Justice Brett Kavanaugh Justice Amy Coney Barrett Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Kyiv Regime Alleges Russia Ready To Blow Up Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant

June 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Kyrylo Budanov, the chief of military intelligence for the Kyiv regime, surfaced in a June 23 interview with the British journal New Statesman to retail the claim that Russia has prepared to sabotage the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant with mines set to blow up its cooling pond. Budanov told his interviewer that without cooling, the nuclear reactors could melt in a period of between 10 hours and 14 days. He believes Russia would be able to raise the voltage in the power supply lines to the plant, bringing about a nuclear accident at the lower end of that time frame. As Budanov put it during the interview, Technical means could be used to speed up the catastrophe. Ukrainian military intelligence has also been able to establish that Russian troops have moved vehicles charged with explosives to four of the six power units, he claimed further.

All thats left to do is to issue the order. Budanov is confident the plan is fully drafted and approved. The only element missing is the order to go ahead. Then it can happen in a matter of minutes.

As for why Russia would blow up the power plant, Budanov offered two possibilities. The first would depend on what military benefit Russia would see from causing a nuclear disaster, particularly if Ukrainian forces succeed in crossing the Dnieper River in the Kherson region and ousting Russian forces from the region. The second possibility is that Russia would use a nuclear disaster as a preventive measure to stop the Ukrainian offensive in the south before it got started.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, (in Russian) in an interview today with RT slammed allegations that Russia was getting to blow up the nuclear plant as information warfare. This is utter nonsense, we have said this many times, he said, reported TASS.

The fact that this overused warning has been surfacing in the media space for some time, primarily out of the mouths of the Kyiv regimes representatives, means only one thing: these people have been trained to wage information warfare by the Anglo-Saxons, the Poles and even by the Balts, who have become senior comrades for Ukraine,

he said. If the results of this training are as deplorable as they are unconvincing, then I am sorry for the money Western taxpayers have to spend to pay the wages of the instructors who are training such unfit and inept pupils, Lavrov said.

Russian officials have warned numerous times in recent weeks that it is the Kyiv regime that is planning provocations at the nuclear plant, for the purpose of blaming Russia for the disaster that will result.
June 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)President Vladimir Putin gave a short televised address to the people of Russia on Monday evening, June 26. The text is posted to the Kremlin website:

Friends,

Today, I am addressing the citizens of Russia once again. Thank you for your restraint, cohesion and patriotism. This civic solidarity shows that any blackmail, any attempt to stage domestic turmoil is doomed to fail.

I will repeatsociety and the executive and legislative branches of government at all levels displayed high consolidation. Public organizations, religious denominations, the leading political parties and actually all of Russian society held a firm line, taking an explicit position of supporting constitutional order. The main thingresponsibility for the destiny of the Fatherlandhas united everyone, brought our people together.

I will emphasize that all necessary decisions to neutralize the emerged threat and protect the constitutional system, the life and security of our citizens were made instantly, from the very beginning of the events.

An armed mutiny would have been suppressed in any event. Mutiny plotters, despite the loss of adequacy, were bound to realize that. They understood everything, including the fact that their actions were criminal in nature, aimed at polarizing people and weakening the country, which is currently countering an enormous external threat and unprecedented pressure from the outside. They did this at a time when our comrades are dying on the frontline with the words Not a step back!

However, having betrayed their country and their people, the leaders of this mutiny also betrayed those whom they drew into their crime. They lied to them, pushed them to their death, putting them under attack, forcing them to shoot their people.

It was exactly this outcome, fratricide, that the enemies of Russia  the neo-Nazis in Kiev, their Western patrons and other national traitors  wanted to see. They wanted Russian soldiers to kill each other; they wanted the military and civilians to die; they wanted Russia to lose eventually, and our society to break up and perish in a bloody feud.

They were rubbing their hands together and dreaming of revenge for their failures at the frontline and in the course of the so-called counteroffensive, but they miscalculated.

I want to thank all our servicemen, law enforcement and special services officers who stood in the mutineers way, remaining faithful to their duty, their oath and their people. Courage and self-sacrifice of the fallen hero pilots have saved Russia from tragic and devastating consequences.

At the same time, we knew before and know now that the majority of Wagner Group soldiers and commanders are also Russian patriots, loyal to their people and their state. Their courage on the battlefield when liberating Donbass and Novorossiya proves this. An attempt was made to use them without their knowledge against their comrades-in-arms with whom they were fighting shoulder to shoulder for their country and its future.

That is why, as soon as these events started to unfold, in keeping with my direct instructions, steps were taken to avoid spilling blood. It required time, among other things, as those who made a mistake had to be given a chance to change their minds, to realize that their actions would be strongly rejected by society, to understand what tragic and devastating consequences for Russia, for our country the reckless attempt they had been drawn into, was leading to.

I express my gratitude to those Wagner Group soldiers and commanders who had taken the right decision, the only one possible  they chose not to engage in fratricidal bloodshed and stopped before reaching the point of no return.

Today, you have the opportunity to continue your service to Russia by signing a contract with the Defense Ministry or other law enforcement or security agency or return home. Those who want to are free to go to Belarus. I will keep my promise. Again, everyone is free to decide on their own, but I believe their choice will be that of Russian soldiers who realize they have made a tragic mistake.

I am grateful to President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko for his efforts and contribution to the peaceful settlement of the situation.

I would like to repeat that the patriotic sentiments of our people and the consolidation of Russian society played a decisive role during these days. This support has allowed us to pull through the toughest challenges and trials for our Motherland together.

Thank you for this.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR TUESDAY JUNE 27, 2023

Its Time To Fear Armageddon

June 26, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Look at the world situation. On one side, there are the Global NATO leaders and forces pushing confrontation in every way, to bring downendRussia. On the other side, you have the government of Russiaa nuclear power, making clear that, we will not be extinguished. The stakes are nuclear annihilation.

Any evaluation of the strategic situation that is not on this level misses the point, even though there are incidents and issues deserving of careful evaluation. The armed mutiny staged against Russia June 23-24 continues under the fullest investigation, which includes the outside forces involved.

But the point is: It is time for people to fear Armageddon! And intervene to stop the Armageddon dynamic. That was the call to action today by Schiller Institute founder and leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche. She highly recommends an article that was posted June 22, before the dramatic weekend events in Russia. It is headlined, The U.S. and Its Allies Are Playing Russian Roulette; Youd Almost Think They Want a Nuclear War.

The author, scholar Dmitry Trenin, on the Russian International Affairs Council, lays out the process whereby, The fear of the atomic bomb, present in the second half of the 20th century, has disappeared. Nuclear weapons have been taken out of the equation. The practical conclusion is clear: there is no need to be afraid of such a Russian response to any provocation you may do against Russia. Trenin presents the history of the geopolitics and degraded culture that went into creating this dangerous delusion.

Keep that in mind when looking at the events of the weekend in Russia, and the follow-on from the West. The Wagner Group and its head Yevgeny Prigozhin staged an armed insurrection beginning June 23, in its crazed March for Justice on Moscow, which was defused June 24 by Putin and Belarus President Lukashenko. Tonight President Putin gave a televised address to the nation, confirming the civic unity of the people, All united behind the main thingthe responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland.

But from the Western capitals comes the battle cry, in unison: Russia and Putin are on the way down! It is time to go in for the kill! Today, the Washington, D.C. Hudson Institute hosted a special event, on the topic of pumping even more firepower into UkraineATACMS, F-16s, cluster munitions. They cheered: Dont fear any nuclear threat! Go all out against Russia. Dismember it. The event was titled, Mutiny in Russia: Assessing the Implications of Prigozhins March on Moscow.

The same messageRussia is down and on the way outcomes through loud and clear in the informational warfare of the Western media over June 25-26. Typical headlines:

Washington Post: Russian Crisis Casts Putin in a Weak Light ... Presidents Authority and Whereabouts in Question.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: Putin Is Naked!

The Economist: The Meaning of Prigozhins Short-Lived Mutiny: Vladimir Putins Inability To Prevent It Means He Failed at his Most Important Task.

Financial Times: The Putin System Is Crumbling.

Today in Luxembourg, this line was asserted at the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of 27 European Union nations by EU High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, The Russian state and Putins personal leadership are weakened. Given the internal instabilities and fragilities, we can go all out to back Ukraines victory over Russia.

No mere rhetoric, this is the context of delusion in which an incident can trigger thoroughgoing nuclear obliteration. The stage is set for such a trigger over the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.

On June 23, the Kyiv regimes military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov issued an evaluation claiming that the Zelenskyy government has evidence that Russia has put in readiness all it needs to commit a strike on the Zaporozhye plant, which will cause nuclear fallout. The only question is the date and time Moscow will do this.

This classic false-flag operation has been refuted already by Russian leaders, but the significance in Budanovs lying charge is that the West is actually playing Russian Roulette, with the stakes being nuclear war.

The conclusion of the article by Dmitry Trenin, recommended by Zepp-LaRouche: To avoid a general catastrophe, it is necessary to put fear of armageddon back into politics and the public consciousness. In the nuclear age, it is the only guarantee of preserving humanity.

This is the goal of the Schiller Institutes extraordinary responsibility in history. Join in.
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.

Photos: Omaha Nation students visit Genoa Indian Boarding School 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar01.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar02.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar03.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar04.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar05.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar06.JPG Omaha Nation students visit Genoa Indian School 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar07.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar08.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar09.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar10.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar11.JPG 042023-owh-new-genoa-ar12.JPG
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.

CPR can double or triple a persons chance of survivalheres how it was developed Before the 19th century: Varying methods from flagellation to bellows precede modern CPR 1868: First accounts of sternal compression recorded 1933: William Kouwenhoven accidentally develops modern CPR technique while researching external defibrillation 1938: Vladimir Negovsky establishes first resuscitation laboratory in Moscow 1949: Red Cross invites CPR pioneers to evaluate techniques 1956: Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation deemed an effective method for life-saving techniques 1960: First CPR training mannequin is created 1974: Standards for CPR adopted by various medical organizations 2010s: Hands-only CPR gains popularity for bystander use
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.
International inspectors say they have seen a large number of IRA weapons safely and adequately stored in bunkers.

After the first inspection of its kind, former president of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, and former ANC general secretary, Cyril Ramaphosa, said they were satisfied the guns and explosives could not be used.

The two men met Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street to update him on what they had seen.

After their meeting Mr Blair said the inspections represented a very substantial further step along the road to a lasting peace.

He added that although there was still a long way to go in the political process, Northern Ireland has never had a better prospect than it has today.

The IRA agreed in May to allow the two international inspectors to verify that some of their arms dumps were secure as part of the package of proposals to reinstate Northern Ireland devolution and the power-sharing executive.

The inspectors plan to re-inspect the arms dumps on a regular basis to ensure the weapons remain secure.

In a statement, the men said they believed the move was a genuine effort by the IRA to advance the peace process.

It is believed three dumps were inspected.

But the main unionist party opposed to the Good Friday Agreement remains deeply sceptical about the arrangement.

Democratic Unionist assembly member Peter Robinson said the IRAs move was nothing of substance.

He said: Its an attempt by the IRA to give the pretence that they are doing something.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The successful inspection followed the IRAs offer, made in May 2000, to begin a process that would completely and verifiably put its arms beyond use.

Further inspections took place in October 2000 and May 2001, both verifying the weapons remained out of use.

In October 2001 the Independent International Decommissioning Commission confirmed that it had witnessed the IRA disposing of arms, and in April 2002 the IRA put a second tranche of its arsenal beyond use.

But doubts remained and the issue of decommissioning was one of the major stumbling blocks in talks between all parties seeking to restore devolution after the Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended in October 2002.

Five years of direct rule ended in May 2007 when DUP leader Ian Paisley became first minister and Sinn Feins Martin McGuinness took office as his deputy for the return of devoution.
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 yesterday, 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 UNs 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.

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.

Most of the opium and heroin exported by Myanmar, along with methamphetamine, goes to other countries in Southeast Asia and China. MDT/AP
Australias highest court yesterday 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 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 would not have confidence in the integrity and security of a consular building already on the site if the embassy is not allowed to maintain possession until the challenge to the leases termination is decided.

Hyde said 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 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 did not 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 did not 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 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 had not 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 yesterday 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 the Kremlin has been distracted from the case by the short-lived rebellion in Russia by Wagner Group mercenaries.

Tim Begbie said Hyde has not 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. ROD McGUIRK, MDT/AP
Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was notorious for unbridled and profane challenges to authority even before the attempted rebellion that he mounted Saturday. The reported agreement for him to go into exile in Belarus would place him in a country where such behavior is even less acceptable than in his homeland.

Prigozhin on Sunday was uncharacteristically silent as his Wagner private army forces pulled back from Russian cities after a Kremlin announcement that he had agreed to depart for Belarus; it remains unclear whether hes actually there.

What will Prigozhin find in Belarus?

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reportedly negotiated the deal, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Saturday that Lukashenko has been acquainted with Mr. Prigozhin for a long time, at least 20 years.

But Prigozhins maverick ways are at odds with Lukashenkos harsh repression of dissent and independent media.

In power since 1994, the leader who is often called Europes last dictator launched a brutal crackdown on 2020 protests against his rule. Hundreds were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

Under Lukashenko, Belarus became almost umbilically tied to neighboring Russia, agreeing to form a still-in-progress union state. Although Belarus army is not known to have taken part in Russias war on Ukraine, the country allows Russia to base troops there that have fought in Ukraine and made a deal this year for deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons. Lukashenko is a vehement ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Prigozhins stance toward the Kremlin leader is murkier. Even as his fighters moved swiftly toward Moscow on Saturday, Prigozhin did not criticize Putin directly and instead claimed his aim was to oust the Russian defense establishment, which he has denounced as corrupt and incompetent, complaining that it undermined his forces fighting in Ukraine.

Whats next for Prigozhin?

It is not yet clear what Lukashenko is going to do with Prigozhin. I think they dont have an understanding themselves, exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press.

Lukashenko once again has made Belarus a hostage to other peoples games and wars. He is by no means a peacemaker, Tsikhanouskaya said.

Prigozhin leaving for Belarus does not mean that Prigozhin will stay there. Theres nothing for him to do in Belarus  arrive, exhale, use the corridor and move on, said Artem Shraibman, a Belarusian political analyst now in exile in Poland.

Whats next for Wagner?

The Belarus deal removes Prigozhins control of Wagner, but its 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 Russias 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. MDT/AP
The government has announced the black box theater extension of the Macao Cultural Centre will open in early July.

Over the past six years or so, Macaus performance circle relied mainly on the Old Courthouse Building for small-scale, black box style performances. Several years ago, the government returned the building to the judicial branch.

Following calls from the performance circle, the government will build the theater extension on the eastern side of the cultural center to compensate for the loss of the courthouse.

The extension has an area of 3,110 square meters. Apart from two black box theaters, the extension will also include change and make up rooms, a rehearsal parlor and a multifunction room.

Both theaters will have highly customizable stage and stand setups.

Black Box I features a custom-designed tension wire grid to allow for a wider choice of suspended scenery and lighting and can accommodate 140 patrons.

Black Box II features a flexible rigging system with movable hanging points and incorporates a rear stage with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall facing the outdoor plaza, which can be covered with shades. It can accommodate 160 patrons.

Old shipyard in Lai Chi Vun

Meanwhile, the transformed old shipyard in Coloanes Lai Chi Vun officially opened over the weekend, and started welcoming visitors with a flea market and interactive storytelling.

Officially referred to as Lai Chi Vun Shipyards  Plots X11-X15, the new leisure and cultural location features a thematic exhibition, a flea market with busker performances, as well as regular thematic concerts and workshops.

In addition, a thematic exhibition entitled Moments in History  The Story of Lai Chi Vun Village presents the customs of the population and vicissitudes of the Lai Chi Vun area. It features a huge LED panel for visual storytelling. An old fishery ship model is also on display at the location.

The flea market is held in the shipyards from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday, and on public holidays. There are 15 stalls in the shipyards every week, selling souvenirs with Coloanes cultural characteristics, original products and special snacks.

Meanwhile, the Call for Design Proposals for Public Art Installations and Public Facilities for Lai Chi Vun Shipyards  Plots X11 to X15 is currently open.
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 Garcia, wife of an alleged associate of former President Juan Orlando Hernandez, 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 womens 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. MDT/AP
The head of the local tourism board has expressed satisfaction with the nearly 300,000 tourists visiting Macau during the Tuen Ng Festival holiday.

Over 200,000 tourists visited Macau in two of the past three days, which were public holidays in mainland China, said the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, on the sidelines of a tourism event.

She hoped to take the opportunities presented by different festivals or holidays to attract more tourists.

The official pledged the mainland market would not be the MGTOs sole target. Besides tourists from Hong Kong, the MGTO will also work harder to attract tourists from other markets.

Plans exist to promote Macau in Korea, Singapore and Malaysia in July, Senna Fernandes revealed.

She added said Singaporean and Malaysian travel agencies have suggested the bureau organize smaller community level events. The bureau is also contemplating inviting Indonesian delegations.

Transport subsidies for tourists will be adjusted to focus more on those from foreign source markets, the director added.

Meanwhile, in China, the country logged 3.96 million entry and exit trips during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday that ended Saturday, an increase of 2.3 times compared with the same period of the previous year, data from the National Immigration Administration (NIA) showed Sunday.

The number was 64.6% of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in 2019, according to the NIA.

Among the visits, about 2.05 million were inbound arrivals and nearly 1.92 million were outbound departures.

The data also showed that 1.97 million entry and exit trips were made by Chinese mainland residents, 1.67 million by residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and 323,000 by foreign nationals.
A survey of Macaus workforce has found many employees are unhappy and feel underpaid and overworked.

The survey, launched in April, was presented last Friday.

It received 435 responses and is the most recent survey from the Macau Federation of Trade Unions and the Commercial Employees General Association of Macau.

The survey has shown over 90% of respondents said their wage conditions have either remained unchanged or worsened compared with the previous year. Of these, more than 70% had seen no salary or benefits increase for over two years.

Also, 70% of respondents claimed to have been working over eight hours per day, excluding break and mealtimes.

Some 65% feel there is no room for career progression and personal development in their industry.

Some 75% added that, in the past year, their employers/company did not offer any professional or vocational skills training.

While not expecting the situation to improve soon, 50% of respondents are hoping the government will improve labor-related laws and regulations for an increase in annual leave, maternity leave and other benefits. Fifty percent also hope for an increase in the minimum wage, and the enhancement of imported labor policies.

The organizers summarized the survey by saying it is clear Macau still needs to improve its regulations on labor protection and guarantees.

Considering the results, the organizers decided to make three recommendations to the government and employers, the improvement of wages and benefits; the protection of labor rights and interests; and cooperation (between the government and the companies) to promote paid training.

The presenters, including lawmaker Leong Sun Iok, noted that since the relaxation of the epidemic prevention measures, Macaus economic recovery has been growing in several economic sectors, including retail, with results gradually improving.

Such improvements are mostly attributable to the employees who deserve to be recognized and compensated, they said.

The organizers noted some companies have not fully recovered from the pandemic period.

They called on the government to help those companies to at least reestablish their employees previous benefits and find conditions for them to develop professionally.

The organizers said the local workforce is receiving no opportunities to develop skills to fill positions in those companies that are helped by the government.

To meet the current demand for human resources in several sectors, the companies are opting to recruit foreign labor instead and are falling into past traps.
Concerns about two electoral law amendments varied among lawmakers, though most expressed strong support.

Over the weekend, the executive branch held two consultation sessions on the law review. One was for lawmakers and one for the public, which was also the first of only two public consultation sessions.

Not only will it affect the number of candidates from which the public will be allowed to choose, but it will also affect candidates eligibility to run in a future election as well as their use of social media.

For example, besides the proposal to criminalize the lobbying of not voting, blank or invalid votes, the government has also proposed to extend the campaigning black-out period, and this may lead to the obligation to hiding or deleting existing social media posts that might be construed as having a campaigning nature.

This was also one of the points for discussion at the lawmakers consultation session, according to local media All About Macau.

In this respect, the womens federations Wong Kit Cheng suggested the government clarify the legal requirements.

She said some candidates closely linked with community associations may be affected during election periods as their faces are frequently seen in public. She also feared that, as certain demands extend beyond election periods, candidates might need to avoid discussing such demands.

Wongs election partner and school teacher Stanley Ma said the governments proposal to move the black-out period to the date when nomination forms are submitted might lead to prospective candidates delaying their nomination form submissions.

Directly elected Ron Lam expects this proposal will be also affect the public. It will be difficult for the public to look back on prospective candidates backgrounds and work histories, he said.

Directly elected Pereira Coutinho criticized the government for discouraging the younger generation from running in elections.

In the last election, certain candidates failed to hide their Facebook accounts before the commencement of the campaigning cool-down period, and eventually got listed as suspects, he said.

Andre Cheong, secretary for Administration and Justice, replied that the current laws have stipulations on campaigning and black-out periods, adding that future electoral affairs commissions will release guidelines on the definitions of campaigning activities.

He said the attempt to last-minute submission of nominations was within the governments expectation, which will foster fairness and is the intention of the government.

Leong Weng In, director of the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ), cited the current law to support her comment that the daily operations of community associations would not constitute campaign activities.

The government has also proposed that The Committee for Safeguarding National Security should examine whether a candidate is aptly patriotic to run in an election.

The committees decision is final, and no judicial review can be sought.

The government has also proposed that, after being disqualified, candidates will face a prohibition period during which they will not be accepted as election candidates.

Lam hoped that the prohibition period can be as short as possible, because it will encourage people to fit themselves in the standards. He has also called for the restoration of an appeal mechanism for disqualified candidates.

Cheong, in response, remained firm on a longer prohibition period saying it will become meaningless otherwise.

Vu Ka Vai, advisor to Cheongs Office, affirmed the committees authority, professionality and rigor to support the absence of rights to appeal.

At the public consultation session, 15 participants spoke, all in support of the amendments. Some voiced concerns over expressing preference by emojis, while some were concerned over the mini-survey function on social media platforms.